bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Reduction of Carboxylic Acids with Samarium Diiodide
Authors: Kamochi Yasuko , Kudo Tadahiro
Published: May 2006

Carboxylic acids were immediately reduced with samarium diiodide in the presence of protic solvent under the basic medium at room temperature to the corresponding alcohols in good yields. The similar reaction of sodium benzoate in the absence of protic solvent afforded the reductive carbon–carbon coupling products.
Remarkable Changes in Catalytic Activity toward Testosterone of Engineered Cytochrome P-450d by Mutations at Putative Distal Site
Authors: Hiroya Kou , Shimizu Toru , Hatano Masahiro , Fujii-Kuriyama Yoshiaki
Published: May 2006

The catalytic activity, 6β-hydroxylation, toward testosterone of engineered cytochrome P-450d was three-times increased by Thr319Ala mutation at the putative distal site, While that was abolished Ala315Ser and important role the steroid of while that was abolished by mutations Thr322Ala at the same site, suggesting the of this region in catalytic activity toward cytochrome P-450d.
The Evaluation of Catalysts Generated from Lewis Acids and Silver Perchlorate in a Highly Stereoselective Glycosylation of 1-O-Acetyl-D-glucose
Authors: Mukaiyama Teruaki , Katsurada Manabu , Takashima Tohru
Published: May 2006

A catalytic cycle was effectively performed in highly stereoselective glycosylation of 1-O-acetyl-D-glucose by using active species generated from respective combinations of Lewis acids (SnCl4, GeCl4, SiCl4, GaCl3, InCl3, and HfCl4) and silver perchlorate.
Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of Propargylic Alcohols by Way of the Asymmetric Aldol Reaction
Authors: Mukaiyama Teruaki , Furuya Minoru , Ohtsubo Akihiro , Kobayashi Shu
Published: May 2006

In the presence of a catalytic amount of chiral diamine-coordinated tin(II) triflate, acetylenic aldehydes enantioselectively react with silyl enol ethers of thioesters to afford the corresponding aldol-type adducts, propargylic alcohols, in high yields. The products are easily converted to the corresponding optically active allene derivatives via effective chiral transfer.
Intercalation and Grafting of Vermiculite with Octadecylamine using Low-Temperature Melting
Authors: Weiss Zdeněk , Valášková Marta , Křístková Monika , Čapková Pavla , Pospíšil Miroslav
Published: May 2006

Octadecylamine (ODA) was used to intercalate a fine-grained and a coarse-grained fraction of natural Mg-vermiculite (VER) using a low-temperature melting procedure. Mixtures of Mg-vermiculite fractions and powdered ODA in the molar ratios of 2:1, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:6 were homogenized and heated for 1, 3, 15 and 30 h at 80°C to prepare intercalated samples. X-ray powder diffraction analysis of intercalated samples was combined with molecular modeling to investigate their interlayer structure. Significant amounts of non-intercalated vermiculite and diffuse peaks with very low intensity and basal spacings close to 29 Å were identified when the lowest concentration (molar ratio VER:ODA = 2:1) was used. According to molecular modeling, this indicates the initial stage of a one-layer arrangement of distorted ODA molecules in the interlayer. If the concentration of ODA molecules and treatment time were increased, a two-layer arrangement of ODA molecules with a different ODA chain-disorder and interlayer-space saturation was identified. Interlayer ODA molecules were inclined to the vermiculite basal plane with an inclination angle for two-layer arrangements that ranged from 76 to 95°. Experimental basal spacings with these two-layer arrangements varied from 52 to 58 Å and were in agreement with molecular modeling results. A fully-saturated 58 Å two-layer ODA arrangement was identified when higher ODA concentrations (VER:ODA = 1:2 and 1:6) and 15 and 30 h treatment times were used. There was no significant difference between ODA-intercalated samples prepared using fine-grained and coarse-grained Mg-vermiculite fractions. A grafted ODA-chain nano-layer with a 49.6(2.1) Å average height was observed on the surface of thin ODA-intercalated micro-flakes using atomic force microscopy. Grafted ODA chains not only created an homogeneous surface nano-layer, but also variable-width channels between the ODA molecules.
Disorder in Layered Hydroxides: DIFFaX Simulation of the X-ray Powder Diffraction Patterns of Nickel Hydroxide
Authors: Ramesh T. N. , Jayashree R. S. , Kamath P. Vishnu
Published: May 2006

Layered metal hydroxides exhibit non-uniform broadening of lines in their X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) patterns, which cannot always be explained on the basis of crystallite size effects. In the case of hexagonal solids such as nickel hydroxide, DIFFaX simulations of the XRPD patterns show that: (1) stacking faults and turbostratic disorder at low (<30%) incidence selectively broaden the h0l reflections; (2) turbostratic disorder at high (>40%) incidence causes asymmetric broadening of the hk0 reflections and a complete extinction of the hkl reflections while leaving 00l unchanged; (3) interstratification selectively broadens the non-hk0 reflections; and (4) cation vacancies reduce the relative intensity of the 100 reflection. In contrast, a reduction in the thickness of the crystallites along the stacking direction of the layers selectively broadens the 00l reflections while a reduction in the disc diameter causes the progressive broadening and extinction of the hk0 reflections. Comparison with experimental data shows that several kinds of disorders have to be invoked to account for the observed broadening. DIFFaX simulations enable the quantification of the different kinds of disorder.
Consistent Modeling of the XRD Patterns of Mixed-Layer Phyllosilicates
Authors: Plançon Alain
Published: May 2006

The Markovian model of mixed-layering that has been used until now for the modeling of X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of 2:1 phyllosilicates describes the mixed-layer crystals as stacks of ‘layer units’ (LUs) that associate a 2:1 layer with an interlayer content. This model is not consistent when it is applied to a mixed-layer mineral (MLM) involving electrically charged layers, i.e. most of the mixed-layer phyllosilicates with 2:1 layers. Two consistent models can be proposed for these MLMs, which, instead of LUs, stack ‘interlayer units’ (IUs), composed of an interlayer content sandwiched between two half-layers. The IU-NPL model (interlayer units, non-polar layers) imposes non-polarity on the 2:1 layers resulting from the stack of these IUs, which implies restrictions on the succession of the IUs. In the other consistent model, the IU-PL one (interlayer units, polar layers), these restrictions are not imposed. These two models reproduce the Non-Polar 2:1 Layer Model and the Polar 2:1 Layer Model described by Altaner and Ylagan for illite-smectite mixed layering, and the second model corresponds to the stacks of O0.5 T I′ T O0.5 units described by Olives et al.

The present work points out the similarities and discrepancies of the calculated XRD patterns by using computer programs designed for the three models of mixed-layering (LU, IU-NPL and IU-PL) and for two-and three-component MLMs. Illustrations are provided for some I-S and I-S-V MLMs.

The IU-PL model leads to XRD patterns similar to those of the LU model. It is in agreement with lattice-energy calculations, expandability measurement, HRTEM imaging and NMR spectroscopy.
Predictors of Vitamin B6 and Folate Concentrations in Older Persons: The InCHIANTI Study
Authors: Gori Anna Maria , Sofi Francesco , Corsi Anna Maria , Gazzini Alessandra , Sestini Ilaria , Lauretani Fulvio , Bandinelli Stefania , Gensini Gian Franco , Ferrucci Luigi , Abbate Rosanna
Published: May 2006

Background: Low dietary intake and low serum concentrations of vitamin B6 and/or folate are associated with increased risk of vascular events, possibly because of their association with inflammation, which plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases.

Methods: Using data from 1320 participants in the population-based InCHIANTI study (586 men and 734 women; median age, 69 years; range, 21–102 years) for whom complete data on folate, vitamin B6, inflammatory markers, 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T sequence variant, and important covariates were available, we evaluated the association of inflammatory markers with circulating concentrations of vitamin B6 and folate, independently of dietary vitamin intake, circulating vitamin concentrations, and MTHFR C677T sequence variant.

Results: According to multiple linear regression analysis, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 receptor were strongly and negatively associated with circulating vitamin B6 but not with folate concentrations, independent of age, sex, serum creatinine, serum albumin, total energy intake, smoking history, dietary nutrient intake, and circulating homocysteine and vitamin concentrations. Serum folate concentrations were related to MTHFR 677 TT genotype in persons with folate intake in the lowest tertile (<221.2 μg/day). Vitamin C and retinol intakes were strongly and positively associated with serum folate concentrations independent of age, sex, serum creatinine, serum albumin, total energy intake, smoking history, homocysteine plasma concentrations, dietary nutrient intakes, serum vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 concentrations, and MTHFR C677T sequence variant.

Conclusions: Low serum vitamin B6, but not serum folate, concentrations are independent correlates of the proinflammatory state, and both are influenced by antioxidant reserves.
Ancient schema and technoetic creativity
Authors: Alexenberg Mel
Published: May 2006

Ancient schematic systems originating in the Jewish and Chinese traditions that demonstrate dynamic integration of human consciousness with the material world offer fresh insights into the process through which technoetic art forms are created at the intersections of art, science, technology,
and culture. Kabbalah is Judaism's esoteric tradition that reveals the deep structure of biblical consciousness through a symbolic language, conceptual schema, and graphic model for exploring the creative process. The Tree of Life schema is a network of 22 pathways linking 10 nodes (sephirot)
that represent stages in the creative process. The first three sephirot represent the artist's undifferentiated intention to create and the cognitive dyad in which a flash of insight begins to crystallize into a viable idea. Two affective dyads, largess/restraint and success/gracefulness,
are balanced by the sephirah (singular for sephirot) of Beauty, the aesthetic heart of the entire process. The ninth sephirah funnels the integrated flow of intention, thought, and emotion into the world of physical action that is the tenth sephirah. The Kabbalistic
schema is used to trace the process of creating Inside/Outside: P'nim/Panim, a technoetic moist- media artwork in which a biofeedback imaging system forms a feedback loop between changing mind/body processes and corresponding changes in digital self-portraits.
Oedipal androids: desire and the human in the third millennium
Authors: McGowan Kate
Published: May 2006

Concerned to make certain a difference between the human and its machinic simulation, two films released at the start of the new millennium put the trope of the Oedipal at the heart of their action. In doing so, both succeed in establishing the real of the human within its terms. However,
by taking the Oedipal as the figure of this difference, both films also unleash a set of possibilities for being human in the new millennium that may not have been entirely expected. In a close reading of both Artificial Intelligence (Steven Spielberg, 2001) and I, Robot (Alex
Proyas, 2004), this article examines the possibilities for human being as they come to circulate within the narrative structures of both films. In doing so it also examines the further difference drawn between what each film offers as the literal and metaphorical rendition of the Oedipal itself.
With the metaphorical opened to the space and time of being excluded as a possibility in its literal rendition, the consequences of the subsequent process of becoming of the human are finally laid bare.
UVB Dose‐toxicity Thresholds and Steady‐state DNA‐photoproduct Levels During Chronic Irradiation of Inbred Xenopus laevis Tadpoles
Authors: Pandelova Iovanna , Hewitt Stephen R. , Rollins‐Smith Louise A. , Hays John B.
Published: May 2006

Environmental stressors that severely impact some species more than others can alter ecosystems and threaten biodiversity. Genotoxic stress, such as solar UV‐B irradiance, may induce levels of DNA damage at rates that exceed repair capacities in some species but remain below repair capacities in other species. Repair rates would seem to establish toxicity thresholds. We used inbred Xenopus laevis tadpoles in the laboratory to test the hypothesis that balances between rates of induction of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs; the major UV‐B photoproduct in DNA) and rates of CPD removal (repair) can determine UV‐B toxicity thresholds. As rates of chronic UV‐B irradiance were progressively increased by decreased shielding of lamps, survival decreased sharply over a relatively narrow range of dose rates. Apparent toxicity thresholds were associated with large increases in steady‐state CPD levels. Induction at twice the measured removal (repair) rate produced sustained high CPDs and 100% mortality. Induction at one‐half the removal rate resulted in negligible CPD levels and low mortality. Increased intensity of visible radiation available to drive CPD photoreactivation, mimicking interspecies variation in DNA repair capacity, reduced steady‐state CPD levels and increased survival at UV‐B dose rates that were previously toxic, resulting in increased thresholds of apparent toxicity. We suggest that threshold effects due to DNA repair should generally be considered in assessments of effects of genotoxic agents on species‐specific population decreases and human health risks.
Ulcerative colitis reactivation after mercury vapor inhalation
Authors: Cummings Curtis E. , Rosenman Kenneth D.
Published: May 2006

Background

After exposure to mercury vapor at three consecutive 10‐month intervals, an electrician in an electroplating plant had flare‐ups of ulcerative colitis within 24 hr, that subsided in several days, then returned upon re‐exposure 10 months later.

Methods

The patient and his workplace were both evaluated for mercury exposure. In addition to workplace inspection, both personal and area monitoring for environmental mercury was performed, using both multiple mercury diffusion badges and direct (instantaneous) readings, during maintenance of mercury‐filled electrical blocks.

Results

Eight‐hour time weighted average (TWA) mercury vapor exposure was measured at 0.41 mg/m3 (ACGIH and NIOSH recommended TWA = 0.025 mg/m3; OSHA permissible exposure limit −0.1 mg/m3) for 5 years since stopping overexposure to mercury, the patient remained symptom free in clinical remission.

Conclusions

In a patient with chronic ulcerative colitis in remission, occupational exposure to mercury vapor led to episodes of disease reactivation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 49:499–502, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Metal and non‐metal miners' exposure to crystalline silica, 1998–2002
Authors: Weeks James L. , Rose Cecile
Published: May 2006

Background

Crystalline silica is well known to cause silicosis and other diseases. Exposure is common in the mining industry and consequently, the US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) evaluates miners exposure to silica to determine compliance with its exposure limit.

Methods

MSHA exposure measurements were obtained for the 5‐year period from 1998 to 2002 and average exposure was calculated classified by occupation and by mine. Evaluation criteria were whether average values exceeded MSHA's permissible exposure limit or the limit recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), whether there was a risk of exposure to freshly fractured silica, and whether there was a risk of a high rate of exposure to silica.

Results

Miners in certain jobs are exposed to silica above permissible and recommended exposure limits. Some miners may also be exposed at a high rate or to freshly fractured silica.

Conclusions

Known dust control methods should be implemented and regular medical surveillance should be provided. Am. J. Ind. Med. 49:523–534, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Respiratory health in Turkish asbestos cement workers: The role of environmental exposure
Authors: Akkurt İbrahim , Önal Buhara , Demir Ahmet Uğur , Tüzün Dilek , Sabır Handan , Ulusoy Lütfi , Karadağ Kaan Ö. , Ersoy Nihat , Çöplü Lütfi
Published: May 2006

Aim

Benign and malignant pleural and lung diseases due to environmental asbestos exposure constitute an important health problem in Turkey. The country has widespread natural deposits of asbestos in rural parts of central and eastern regions. Few data exists about the respiratory health effects of occupational asbestos exposure in Turkey. A cross‐sectional study was conducted to investigate respiratory health effects of occupational asbestos exposure and the contribution of environmental asbestos exposure.

Methods

Investigations included asbestos dust measurements in the workplace and application of an interviewer‐administered questionnaire, a standard posteroanterior chest X‐ray and spirometry. Information on birthplace of the workers was obtained in 406 workers and used to identify environmental exposure to asbestos, through a map of geographic locations with known asbestos exposure.

Results

Asbestos dust concentration in the ambient air of the work sites (fiber/ml) ranged between 0.2 and 0.76 (mean: 0.25, median: 0.22). Environmental exposure to asbestos was determined in 24.4% of the workers. After the adjustment for age, smoking, occupational asbestos exposure, and potential risk factors environmental asbestos exposure was associated with small irregular opacities grade ≥1/0 (44.2% vs. 26.6%, P < 0.01), FVC% (97.8 vs. 104.5, P < 0.0001), and FEV1% (92.4 vs. 99.9, P < .0001). Occupational exposure to asbestos was associated with small irregular opacities grade ≥1/0 (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.3–3.1, per 1 unit increase in the natural logarithm of fiber/ml) and FEV1/FVC% (beta: 1.1, SEM: 0.54; P < 0.05, per 1 unit increase in the natural logarithm of fiber/ml).

Conclusions

Environmental exposure to asbestos could increase the risk of asbestosis and lung function impairment in workers occupationally exposed to asbestos, independent from occupational exposure and smoking. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exposure to silica and risk of ANCA‐associated vasculitis
Authors: Bartůňková J. , Pelclová D. , Fenclová Z. , Šedivá A. , Lebedová J. , Tesař V. , Hladíková M. , Klusáčková P.
Published: May 2006

Background

Exposure to silica dust is considered to be one of etiological factors of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) ‐associated vasculitis (AAV).

Methods

Subjects exposed to silica dust in Central Bohemia and followed in the Department of Occupational Medicine, Charles University, were selected for study. A group of 86 men exposed to SiO2 for at least 5 years were examined. The association between occupational exposure to silica dust and ANCA positivity is analyzed.

Results

The subjects had a mean age of 66.7 years, and mean exposure to silica of 22.3 years. ANCA were detected significantly more frequently in patients group (17.1%; P‐ANCA 18×, C‐ANCA 3×) than in controls (n = 28, mean age 64.2 years, P‐ANCA 1×, i.e., 3.6%). ANCA positivity was found less frequently (7.1%) in the group with history of SiO2 exposure without signs of pronounced silicosis, than in the group with simple (30.3%) or complicated silicosis (36.0%). Odds ratio for ANCA positivity and relative risk estimate in patients with silicosis were highly significant. Among possible predictor factors for ANCA positivity, silicosis and tuberculosis were relevant. No typical AAV was present among the patients.

Conclusion

Long‐term silica exposure may be one of the exogenous factors contributing to ANCA production, however, silica exposure alone, without typical silicosis, was not associated with ANCA positivity. Am. J. Ind. Med. 49:569–576, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical and molecular characterization of individuals with 18p deletion: A genotype–phenotype correlation
Authors: Wester Ulrika , Bondeson Marie‐Louise , Edeby Christina , Annerén Göran
Published: May 2006

The deletion 18p syndrome is one of the most common chromosome abnormalities. The medical problems are mental and postnatal growth retardation, and sometimes malformations of the heart and brain. The individuals have some typical features, which might be easy to overlook and which are: ptosis, strabismus, hypertelorism, broad flat nose, micrognathia, big and low set ears. The aims of present study were to clinically and molecularly characterize the syndrome further in seven subjects with de novo 18p deletions and to perform genotype–phenotype correlation. All seven subjects had terminal deletions and no interstitial deletion was observed with subtelomeric FISH analyses. To define the extent of the 18p deletions and the parental origin of the deletion microsatellite‐ and FISH analyses were performed on genomic DNA and on lymphoblastoid cell lines of the study participants. Totally 19 chromosomes, 18 specific polymorphic microsatellite markers, and 5 BAC clones were used. The results revealed that the deletions were located in the centromeric region at 18p11.1 in four of the seven subjects. In the remaining three the breakpoints were located distal to 18p11.1 (18p11.21‐p11.22). Four of the individuals had a paternal and three a maternal origin of the deletion. Genotype–phenotype correlation of the seven subjects suggests a correlation between the extent of the deleted region and the mental development. All the four children with a deletion in the centromeric region at 18p11.1 had a mental retardation (MR). Two of the three children with a more distal breakpoint (distal 18p11.21) had a normal mental development and one had a border‐line mental retardation. There might be a critical region for the mental retardation located between 18p11.1 and 18p11.21. The children with a breakpoint at 18p11.1 had all a broad face, which was observed in only one of those with a more distal breakpoint, otherwise no genotype–phenotype correlation of the features was observed. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Experimental investigation of the linear viscoelastic response of EVA‐based nanocomposites
Authors: Prasad Ranjit , Gupta Rahul K. , Cser Ferenc , Bhattacharya Sati N.
Published: May 2006

Linear viscoelastic behaviors of ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA)‐layered silicate nanocomposites were investigated. EVA with vinyl acetate (VA) content of 18 and 28% by weight and commercially modified montmorillonite clay (Cloisite® 30B) were melt blended in a twin‐screw extruder. Nanocomposites of 2.5, 5 and 7.5% by weight were produced. Wide angle X‐ray scattering was used to ascertain the degree of layer swelling that could be attributed to the intercalation of polymer chains into the interlayer of the silicates. Transmission electron microscopy was used to analyze the dispersion and extent of exfoliation of the layered silicates in the polymer matrix. All nanocomposites were found to have mixed intercalated/exfoliated morphologies. Both storage and loss moduli and complex viscosity showed improvement at all frequencies tested with increase in silicate loading. Terminal zone behavior was also shown to disappear gradually with silicate content. Increase in silicate loading had caused the divergence of viscosity profile from low‐frequency Newtonian plateau to non‐Newtonian slope corresponding to a possible finite yield stress. The gradual disappearances of terminal zone and Newtonian homopolymer‐like characteristics with silicate loading were attributed to the formation of lattice spanning three‐dimensional network structures. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2127–2135, 2006
Hyaluronan and its receptor CD44 in the heart of newborn and adult rats
Authors: Hellström Martin , Johansson Bengt , Engström‐Laurent Anna
Published: May 2006

The extracellular matrix is a dynamic space and a prerequisite for the function of cardiomyocytes. We have previously reported on the distribution of the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan (HYA) and its cellular receptor CD44 in the vascular system. In newborn rats, HYA and its receptor were colocalized, but in the adult animals, no such colocalization was observed. Furthermore, the distribution of both HYA and CD44 differed between newborn and adult animals. In this study, the distribution of HYA and its receptor CD44 is explored in the heart. Hearts from newborn and adult rats were stained for visualization of HYA and CD44 using histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. HYA stained the interstitium of the myocardium heterogeneously. Strong staining was seen in the heart valves of both newborn and adult animals. CD44 staining was sparse in hearts from both newborn and adult animals. There are no major changes in the distribution of HYA in the myocardium during the postnatal development in contrast to the blood vessels. Thus, the structure of the interstitium does not change after birth when the heart starts to grow mainly through cardiomyocyte hypertrophy rather than hyperplasia. The abundance of HYA in the heart valves is probably related to their unique physiological properties to withstand repetitive mechanical stress. Anat Rec Part A 288A:587–592, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Five‐dimensional taxonomy to relate human errors and technological interventions in a human factors literature database
Authors: Rantanen Esa M. , Palmer Brent O. , Wiegmann Douglas A. , Musiorski Kevin M.
Published: May 2006

One of the main factors in all aviation accidents is human error. Therefore, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Aviation Safety Program (AvSP) has identified several human factors safety technologies to address this problem. Some technologies directly address human error either by attempting to reduce the occurrence of errors or by mitigating the negative consequences of errors. However, new technologies and system changes may also introduce new error opportunities or even induce different types of errors. Consequently, a thorough understanding of the relationship between error classes and technology “fixes” is crucial for the evaluation of intervention strategies outlined in the AvSP so that resources can be effectively directed to maximize the benefit to flight safety. This article summarizes efforts to map intervention technologies onto error categories and describes creation of a conceptual framework, identification of applicable taxonomies for each dimension of the framework, and construction of a usable prototype database. The framework consists of a three‐dimensional matrix with axes for the human operator, the task, and the environment. Human errors and technologies cohabit molecules in the matrix linking them. The database allows for taxonomic development in all three areas pertaining to human performance by keeping the taxonomies dynamic.
A system for supporting evidence recording in bibliographic records
Authors: Taniguchi Shoichi
Published: May 2006

Recording evidence for data values, in addition to the values themselves, in bibliographic records and descriptive metadata has been proposed in a previous study. Recorded evidence indicates why and how data values are recorded for elements. As a continuation of that study, this article first proposes a scenario in which a cataloger and a system interact with each other in recording evidence in bibliographic records for books, with the aim of minimizing costs and effort in recording evidence. Second, it reports on prototype system development in accordance with the scenario. The system (1) searches a string, corresponding to the data value entered by a cataloger or extracted from the Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) record, within the scanned and optical character recognition (OCR)‐converted title page and verso of the title page of an item being cataloged; (2) identifies the place where the string appears within the source of information; (3) identifies the procedure being used to form the value entered or recorded; and finally (4) displays the place and procedure identified for the data value as its candidate evidence. Third, this study reports on an experiment conducted to examine the system's performance. The results of the experiment show the usefulness of the system and the validity of the proposed scenario.
Proposal of a novel diabetogenic mechanism involving the serpin PAI‐1
Authors: Griffiths Sarah L. , Grainger David J.
Published: May 2006

Metabolic Syndrome is a cluster of risk factors (including obesity, hypertension and insulin resistance), which is associated with late‐onset diabetes and coronary heart disease. Elevated levels of the protease inhibitor PAI‐1 are well‐known molecular markers of the Metabolic Syndrome. Here, however, we present a hypothesis that PAI‐1 acts as a causative factor in the development of Metabolic Syndrome and its clinical sequelae. We propose that PAI‐1 inhibits the activity of members of the proprotein convertase (PC) class of serine proteases and that this underlies, at a molecular level, many of the other features of the Metabolic Syndrome cluster. BioEssays 28: 629–641, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The complete genome sequence of a dog: a perspective
Authors: Lee Soohyun , Kasif Simon
Published: May 2006

A complete, high‐quality reference sequence of a dog genome was recently produced by a team of researchers led by the Broad Institute, achieving another major milestone in deciphering the genomic landscape of mammalian organisms. The genome sequence provides an indispensable resource for comparative analysis and novel insights into dog and human evolution and history. Together with the survey sequence of a poodle previously published in 2003, the two dog genome sequences allowed identification of more than 2.5 million single nucleotide polymorphisms within and between dog breeds, which can be used in evolutionary analysis, behavioral studies and disease gene mapping.1 © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. BioEssays 28: 569–573, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modeling H3 histone N‐terminal tail and linker DNA interactions
Authors: La Penna Giovanni , Furlan Sara , Perico Angelo
Published: May 2006

Molecular dynamics computer simulations were performed for the 25‐residue N‐terminal tail of the H3 histone protein in the proximity of a DNA segment of 10 base pairs (bp), representing a model for the linker DNA in chromatin. Several least biased configurations were used as initial configurations. The secondary structure content of the protein was increased by the presence of DNA close to it, but the locations of the secondary motifs were different for different initial orientations of the DNA grooves with respect to the protein. As a common feature to all simulations, the electrostatic attraction between negatively charged DNA and positively charged protein was screened by the water solvent and counterbalanced by the intrinsic compaction of the protein due to hydrophobic effects. The protein secondary structure limited the covering of DNA by the protein to 4–5 bp. The degree of compaction and charge density of the bound protein suggests a possible role of H3 tail in a nonspecific bending and plasticity of the linker DNA when the protein is located in the crowded dense chromatin. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 83: 135–147, 2006

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Radical prostatectomy for clinical T4 prostate cancer
Authors: Johnstone Peter A. S. , Ward Kevin C. , Goodman Michael , Assikis Vasily , Petros John A.
Published: May 2006

BACKGROUND

Occasionally, patients with clinical T4 (cT4) prostate cancer undergo surgery. Published data on outcomes after radical prostatectomy (RP) in patients with such advanced stage disease and on the impact of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) and hormone therapy (HT) are nonexistent.

METHODS

Data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data base were reviewed for the 7‐year period from 1995 to 2001. Specifically, data were analyzed for 1093 patients with cT4, lymph node‐negative or lymph node‐positive, M0 prostate cancer without distant lymph node involvement or a history of other cancer. Using follow‐up data through 2002, postdiagnosis survival was examined in 5 treatment groups: radical prostatectomy (RP) either alone or in combination with other therapy, radiation therapy (RT) alone, hormone therapy (HT) alone, RT plus HT, and no treatment (NT). All results were expressed as 1‐year, 3‐year, and 5‐year observed survival and corresponding relative survival. Mortality across treatment categories was compared by using a Cox proportionate hazards model controlling for age, year of diagnosis, race, tumor grade, regional lymph node involvement, clinical tumor extension, and SEER registry.

RESULTS

Observed and relative survival rates were lowest among patients who received NT and highest among patients who underwent RP. Adding adjuvant RT or HT to RP conferred no survival benefit. Multivariate survival analyses revealed a significant increase in mortality among HT‐only patients and among patients who received NT compared with patients who underwent RP. The differences in survival among treatment types were most pronounced in a relatively small group of patients who had positive regional lymph node extension. In all other patients, the results suggested a modest (but not significant) improvement in survival after RT plus HT.

CONCLUSIONS

SEER data revealed that patients who underwent RP for cT4 prostate cancer had increased survival compared with patients who received RT alone or HT alone and had a survival comparable to that of patients who received RT plus HT. The benefit of RP appears to be limited to a relatively small subset of patients who have regional lymph node extension. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Dose escalation of oral vinorelbine in combination with estramustine in hormone‐refractory adenocarcinoma of the prostate
Authors: Mackler Niklas J. , Dunn Rodney L. , Hellerstedt Beth , Cooney Kathleen A. , Fardig Judith , Olson Karin , Pienta Kenneth J. , Smith David C.
Published: May 2006

BACKGROUND

The primary objective of the current study was to identify the tolerable dose level of oral vinorelbine when given in combination with estramustine to men with hormone‐refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). The secondary objectives were to describe the toxicities of the combined regimen in patients with HRPC and to estimate the efficacy of oral vinorelbine in combination with estramustine based on the prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) response.

METHODS

Thirty‐three patients with HRPC were treated on a 28‐day cycle with estramustine at a dose of 140 mg orally 3 times a day on Days 1‐3 and 8‐10. Vinorelbine was given orally on Days 2 and 9. The initial dose of vinorelbine was 50 mg/m2 and was escalated to 70 mg/m2 using the time‐to‐event continual reassessment method.

RESULTS

Three of 17 patients experienced dose‐limiting toxicity at the 70 mg/m2 dose level of oral vinorelbine. One patient experienced dose‐limiting toxicity at a dose of 60 mg/m2 and no dose‐limitig toxicities were reported at the 50 mg/m2 dose. The overall response rate by ≥50% reduction in PSA was 17.2%, (95% confidence interval, 5.9‐35.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Oral vinorelbine at doses of 70 mg/m2 may be safely combined with estramustine. The combination appears to have modest activity in men with advanced prostate cancer. The trial design employed the time‐to‐event continual reassessment method, which potentially allows for rapid accrual, a more complete assessment of toxicities, and a larger fraction of patients to be treated at an effective dose. More active regimens are needed to further evaluate the utility of this clinical trial design in patients with prostate cancer. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Applying the Grid to 3D capture technology
Authors: Mackenzie Lewis , Cockshott Paul , Yarmolenko Viktor , Borland Ewan , Graham Paul , Kavoussanakis Kostas
Published: May 2006

The PGPGrid project aims to parallelize the process of extracting range data from an experimental 3D scanner using the Grid as a vehicle for accessing necessary resources. The application is potentially highly parallel but has some unusual features such as rapid spawning of processes in real time and a dynamic inter‐process network topology. These characteristics are such as to require enhancement of the usual task migration capabilities of the Globus toolkit. The present paper initially discusses attempts to estimate the real parallelizability of the scanner application. It then describes a new Java application programming interface, based on Milner's $\pi$‐calculus, which could be used to extend Globus in a manner capable of supporting systems with this kind of dynamic parallel structure. The location of processing resources for the $\pi$‐calculus is done using a Web‐services‐based resource locator. The article also describes the pipeline of processing from initial stereo photogrametry to the final production of animation models. A key step in this is the conformation of animators models to the data obtained by the real‐time scanner. Algorithmic innovations in this process are described. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Catalyzer: a novel tool for integrating, managing and publishing heterogeneous bioscience data
Authors: Howell F. W. , Cannon R. C. , Goddard N. H.
Published: May 2006

The integrative ambitions of systems biology and neuroinformatics—to construct working models of the machinery of living cells and brains—will flounder unless researchers have access to the huge amounts of diverse experimental data being collected. However, the vast majority of bioscience research data that is gathered is never made available to other researchers, partly for the want of an adequate software for annotating experimental data, and partly for social reasons (researchers are rarely rewarded for publishing the actual data sets—just for journal articles summarizing findings).

We have developed a novel software solution aimed at making it simpler for researchers to annotate and publish their research data. The first part of this solution is a desktop application, Catalyzer, which lets researchers structure their data at source, and complements existing ad hoc solutions in use in labs (including cryptic filenames, Word, Excel, paper lab books) while being simpler and more flexible than relational databases, which are too complex for most bioscience researchers to set up. The catalogs produced by Catalyzer are stored in XML with a user defined schema, which will simplify future data mining efforts across large numbers of distributed data sets. The approach can be summarized as ‘structure at source, integrate as required’, with the initial focus on enabling the researchers to structure their own research data; only then will other researchers be able to integrate across data sets. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Service‐oriented architecture on the Grid for integrated fault diagnostics
Authors: Ren X. , Ong M. , Allan G. , Kadirkamanathan V. , Thompson H. A. , Fleming P. J.
Published: May 2006

For industrial fault diagnostics, many model‐based fault diagnosis approaches have been proposed so far and some of them have been put into practice. However, for modern complex processes, owing to the variable nature of faults and model uncertainty, no single method can diagnose all faults and meet different contradictory criteria. In this paper, the importance of integration of different fault detection and isolation schemes in a generic problem‐solving environment is emphasized. A service‐oriented architecture for the integration is proposed, based on Grid technologies. As an engineering implementation, a decision support system for the gas turbine engine fault diagnosis is presented and some deployed services are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Supporting scientific discovery processes in Discovery Net
Authors: Syed Jameel , Ghanem Moustafa , Guo Yike
Published: May 2006

The activity of e‐Science involves making discoveries by analysing data to find new knowledge. Discoveries of value cannot be made by simply performing a pre‐defined set of steps to produce a result. Rather, there is an original, creative aspect to the activity that by its nature cannot be automated. In addition to finding new knowledge, discovery therefore also concerns finding a process to find new knowledge. How discovery processes are modelled is therefore key to effectively practicing e‐Science. We argue that since a discovery process instance serves a similar purpose to a mathematical proof it should have similar properties, namely it allows results to be deterministically reproduced when re‐executed and that intermediate results can be viewed to aid examination and comprehension. We examine the issues involved for software environments used to make discoveries to preserve these properties, and show how they are tackled in the Discovery Net system. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Parallel Image Processing Environment (PIPE): automated parallelization of satellite data analyses
Authors: Simpson James J. , McIntire Timothy J. , Berg Jared S. , Tsou Yueh Lung (Ben)
Published: May 2006

A Beowulf‐type cluster can: (1) mitigate many issues associated with the analysis of large, complex remotely sensed data sets; (2) shorten the response time of operational agencies to crisis‐management situations; and (3) expedite the reanalysis of large archives of satellite data. Whereas most Beowulf‐type designs support modeling applications, the Parallel Image Processing Environment (PIPE) addresses the unique requirements of remote sensing applications. PIPE has four hierarchical layers: hardware, operating system, middleware and applications. Rocks, a middleware sublayer, manages the cluster. DIAL‐developed interprocess communication and control daemons form the second middleware sublayer. They encapsulate user‐defined applications and thereby support automated, user‐transparent parallelization of satellite data analyses, implemented in the applications layer using generalized constructs. The daemons also monitor resource (computational and I/O) utilization on a node/thread basis, a feature not supported by other generally available monitoring utilities. The application support libraries are fully extensible, facilitate the reuse of modular and commonly used software functions in new applications and thereby reduce both the cost and time to implement new applications. Two applications (signal analysis, image classification) show PIPE's versatility and performance characteristics. PIPE is intrinsically scalable, reliable and can be incrementally implemented. A comparison with other embarrassingly parallel systems is also provided. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alterations in alveolar epithelium differentiation and vasculogenesis in lungs of LIF/IGF‐I double deficient embryos
Authors: Moreno‐Barriuso Nuria , López‐Malpartida Ana V. , de Pablo Flora , Pichel José G.
Published: May 2006

Previous studies on double deficient mice for leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) reported that they died of respiratory failure, with abnormal lung histology and altered expression of pulmonary markers. Here we analyzed prenatal Lif/Igf‐I double mutant mouse embryos to characterize LIF and IGF‐I cooperative roles in distal lung epithelium and vascular maturation. Lungs of IGF‐I‐deficient embryos displayed a higher proportion of type II pneumocytes, less differentiated type I pneumocytes, and failure in alveolar capillary remodeling compared to wild type and LIF‐deficient mice. Lif/Igf‐I double knockout lungs showed aggravated pulmonary hypoplasia, lower airway volume, increased proliferation, and elevated levels of ERK1/2 activation. In addition, their alveoli were collapsed and lined by type II cells. The differentiation of type I cells barely occurred and capillaries remained in the abundant mesenchyme. These results indicate that LIF collaborates with IGF‐I in lung alveolar epithelium and vascular maturation. Developmental Dynamics 235:2040–2050, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The zebrafish bHLH PAS transcriptional regulator, single‐minded 1 (sim1), is required for isotocin cell development
Authors: Eaton Jennifer L. , Glasgow Eric
Published: May 2006

A wide range of physiological and behavioral processes, such as social, sexual, and maternal behaviors, learning and memory, and osmotic homeostasis are influenced by the neurohypophysial peptides oxytocin and vasopressin. Disruptions of these hormone systems have been linked to several neurobehavioral disorders, including autism, Prader‐Willi syndrome, affective disorders, and obsessive‐compulsive disorder. Studies in zebrafish promise to reveal the complex network of regulatory genes and signaling pathways that direct the development of oxytocin‐ and vasopressin‐like neurons, and provide insight into factors involved in brain disorders associated with disruption of these systems. Isotocin, which is homologous to oxytocin, is expressed early, in a simple pattern in the developing zebrafish brain. Single‐minded 1 (sim1), a member of the bHLH‐PAS family of transcriptional regulatory genes, is required for terminal differentiation of mammalian oxytocin cells and is a master regulator of neurogenesis in Drosophila. Here we show that sim1 is expressed in the zebrafish forebrain and is required for isotocin cell development. The expression pattern of sim1 mRNA in the embryonic forebrain is dynamic and complex, and overlaps with isotocin expression in the preoptic area. We provide evidence that the role of sim1 in zebrafish neuroendocrine cell development is evolutionarily conserved with that of mammals. Developmental Dynamics 235:2071–2082, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Catalyst Preparation by Electroless Plating and Hydrogen Direct Reduction Methods: Practical Application for a High Cell Performance PEFC
Authors: Fujii T. , Ito M.
Published: May 2006

High performance Pt catalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) were prepared by both the electroless plating and hydrogen direct reduction methods. The catalysts were then characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and cell performance testing. Both methods exhibited superior cell performance compared to the conventional impregnation preparation method. The catalysts that consisted of too many large platinum particles showed remarkably poor cell output compared to the catalysts with smaller platinum particles. Platinum particles less than 2 nm in diameter exhibited an excellent power density per unit of Pt catalyst loading.