bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Locked Nucleic Acids and Intercalating Nucleic Acids in the Design of Easily Denaturing Nucleic Acids: Thermal Stability Studies
Authors: Filichev Vyacheslav V. , Christensen Ulf B. , Pedersen Erik B. , Babu B. Ravindra , Wengel Jesper
Published: November 2004

Intercalating nucleic acids (INA®s) with insertions of (R)‐1‐O‐(1‐pyrenylmethyl)glycerol were hybridized with locked nucleic acids (LNAs). INA/LNA duplexes were found to be less stable than the corresponding DNA/LNA duplexes when the INA monomer was inserted as a bulge close to the LNA monomers in the opposite strand. This property was used to make “quenched” complements that possess LNA in hairpins and in duplexes and are consequently more accessible for targeting native DNA. The duplex between a fully modified 13‐mer LNA sequence and a complementary INA with six pyrene residues inserted after every second base as a bulge was found to be very unstable (Tm=30.1 °C) in comparison with the unmodified double‐stranded DNA (Tm=48.7 °C) and the corresponding duplexes of LNA/DNA (Tm=81.6 °C) and INA/DNA (Tm=66.4 °C). A thermal melting experiment of a mixture of an LNA hairpin, with five LNA nucleotides in the stem, and its complementary DNA sequence gave a transition with an extremely low increase in optical density (hyperchromicity). When two INA monomers were inserted into the stem of the LNA hairpin, the same experiment resulted in a significant hyperchromicity comparable with the one obtained for the corresponding DNA/DNA duplex.
Differentiation of the dopaminergic phenotype in the olfactory system of neonatal and adult mice
Authors: Saino‐Saito Sachiko , Sasaki Hayato , Volpe Bruce T. , Kobayashi Kazuto , Berlin Roseann , Baker Harriet
Published: November 2004

Olfactory bulb (OB) interneurons are derived primarily postnatally from progenitors in the anterior subventricular zone (SVZa) and migrate to the OB in the rostral migratory stream (RMS). Progenitors differentiate into phenotypically diverse granule and periglomerular cells by as yet undefined mechanisms. To visualize spatiotemporal aspects of periglomerular dopamine (DA) neuron differentiation, two independently derived transgenic mouse lines were analyzed with a 9‐kb tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoter to drive either a LacZ or an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter gene. Both reporters showed similar neonatal expression that varied from low levels in RMS, to moderate in the superficial granule cell layer, to strong in relatively large cells, possibly external tufted cells, in the periglomerular region. TH mRNA and protein were not detected in the RMS but were colocalized with the transgenes in neonatal superficial granule and periglomerular cells. By comparison, TH protein in adults was further limited to periglomerular cells. To demonstrate that transcriptional regulation was the same for EGFP and TH, expression was shown to decline similarly in the OB ipsilateral to odor deprivation produced by adult unilateral naris closure. Of two genes previously hypothesized to regulate OB DA expression, only regulated expression of the orphan receptor Nurr1, but not the homeobox‐containing genes Dlx‐1 and ‐2, was consistent with a role in regulation of the DA phenotype. These data demonstrate for the first time that DA phenotypic differentiation in neonates begins with low‐level transcription in migrating progenitors in the RMS and culminates with activity‐dependent protein expression in periglomerular cells innervated by olfactory receptor cells. J. Comp. Neurol. 479:389–398, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acute demyelination disrupts the molecular organization of peripheral nervous system nodes
Authors: Arroyo Edgardo J. , Sirkowski Erich E. , Chitale Rohan , Scherer Steven S.
Published: November 2004

Intraneurally injected lysolecithin causes both segmental and paranodal demyelination. In demyelinated internodes, axonal components of nodes fragment and disappear, glial and axonal paranodal and juxtaparanodal proteins no longer cluster, and axonal Kv1.1/Kv1.2 K+ channels move from the juxtaparanodal region to appose the remaining heminodes. In paranodal demyelination, a gap separates two distinct heminodes, each of which contains the molecular components of normal nodes; paranodal and juxtaparanodal proteins are properly localized. As in normal nodes, widened nodal regions contain little or no band 4.1B. Lysolecithin also causes “unwinding” of paranodes: The spiral of Schwann cell membrane moves away from the paranodes, but the glial and axonal components of septate‐like junctions remain colocalized. Thus, acute demyelination has distinct effects on the molecular organization of the nodal, paranodal, and juxtaparanodal region, reflecting altered axon–Schwann cell interactions. J. Comp. Neurol. 479:424–434, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential expression of synapsin in visual neurons of the locust Schistocerca gregaria
Authors: Leitinger Gerd , Pabst Maria Anna , Rind F. Claire , Simmons Peter J.
Published: November 2004

In many taxa, photoreceptors and their second‐order neurons operate with graded changes in membrane potential and can release neurotransmitter tonically. A common feature of such neurons in vertebrates is that they have not been found to contain synapsins, a family of proteins that indicate the presence of a reserve pool of synaptic vesicles at synaptic sites. Here, we provide a detailed analysis of synapsin‐like immunoreactivity in the compound eye and ocellar photoreceptor cells of the locust Schistocerca gregaria and in some of the second‐order neurons. By combining confocal laser scanning microscopy with electron microscopy, we found that photoreceptor cells of both the compound eye and the ocellus lacked synapsin‐like immunostaining. In contrast, lamina monopolar cells and large ocellar L interneurons of the lateral ocellus were immunopositive to synapsin. We also identified the output synapses of the photoreceptors and of the L interneurons, and, whereas the photoreceptor synapses lacked immunolabeling, the outputs of the L interneurons were clearly labeled for synapsin. These findings suggest that the photoreceptors and the large second‐order neurons of the locust differ in the chemical architecture of their synapses, and we propose that differences in the time course of neurotransmission are the reason for this. J. Comp. Neurol. 480:89–100, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ab Initio Studies of ClOx Reactions: Prediction of the Rate Constants of ClO+NO for the Forward and Reverse Processes
Authors: Zhu R. S. , Lin M. C.
Published: November 2004

The mechanisms for ClO+NO and its reverse reactions were investigated by means of ab initio molecular orbital and statistical theory calculations. The species involved were optimized at the B3LYP/6‐311+G(3df) level, and their energies were refined at the CCSD(T)/6‐311+G(3df)//B3LYP/6‐311+G(3df) level. Five isomers and the transition states among them were located. The relative stability of these isomers is ClNO2>cis‐ClONO>trans‐ClONO>cis‐OClNO>trans‐OClNO. The heats of formation of the three most‐stable isomers were predicted using isodesmic reactions by different methods. The predicted bimolecular reaction rate constant shows that, below 100 atm, the formation of Cl+NO2 is dominant and pressure‐independent. The total rate constant can be expressed as: k(ClO+NO)=1.43×10−9 T−0.83 exp(92/T) cm3 molecule−1 s−1 in the temperature range of 200–1000 K, in close agreement with experimental data. For the reverse reaction, Cl+NO2→ClNO2 and ClONO (cis and trans isomers), the sum of the predicted rate constants for the formation of the three isomers and their relative yields also reproduce the experimental data well. The predicted total third‐order rate constants in the temperature range of 200–1000 K can be represented by: k0(He)=4.89×10−16 T−5.85 exp(−796/T) cm6 molecule−1 s−1 and k0(N2)=5.72×10−15 T−5.80 exp(−814/T) cm6 molecule−1 s−1. The predicted high‐ and low‐pressure limit decomposition rates of ClNO2 in Ar in the temperature range 400–1500 K can be expressed, respectively, by: k${{{\infty \hfill \atop d\hfill}}}$(ClNO2)=7.25×1019 T−1.89 exp(−16 875/T) s−1 and k${{{0\hfill \atop d\hfill}}}$(ClNO2)=2.51×1038 T−6.8 exp(−18 409/T) cm3 molecule−1 s−1. The value of k${{{0\hfill \atop d\hfill}}}$(ClNO2) is also in reasonable agreement with available experimental data.
Exposure of human lymphocytes and lymphoblastoid cells to simulated microgravity strongly affects energy metabolism and DNA repair
Authors: Degan Paolo , Sancandi Monica , Zunino Annalisa , Ottaggio Laura , Viaggi Silvia , Cesarone Federico , Pippia Proto , Galleri Grazia , Abbondandolo Angelo
Published: November 2004

Exposure of freshly drawn lymphocytes and lymphoblastoid cells (LB and COR3) to simulated microgravity decreased the intracellular ATP concentration to 50%–40% of the value found in normal growth conditions. The decrease was reversible although recovery to normal values occurred only slowly both in lymphocytes and in lymphoblastoid cells. Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP ) activity was increased indicating that cells exposed to conditions of reduced gravitation experience stress. Exposure to microgravity forces cells into a condition of metabolic quiescence in which they appear to be particularly sensitive to subsequent exposures to a genotoxic agent. Thus, treatment of cells with the strong redox agent potassium bromate under microgravity conditions, indicated an impairment in repair of DNA 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG), an oxidized derivative of deoxyguanosine. We conclude that gravitational modulation of the kind routinely obtained under laboratory conditions and during spaceflights is a stressful process to which cells appear to be extremely sensitive. These effects may reflect the physiological alterations observed in astronauts and in animals following spaceflights or exposure to conditions of simulated microgravity. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
β2‐glycoprotein I protects J774A.1 macrophages and human coronary artery smooth muscle cells against apoptosis
Authors: Lin Kae‐Yuan , Wang Hsueh‐Hsiao , Lai Shiau‐Ting , Pan Ju‐Pin , Chiang An‐Na
Published: November 2004

β2‐Glycoprotein I (β2‐GPI) is a plasma glycoprotein with multifactorial relevance to clinical consequences. It was previously indicated that β2‐GPI can selectively bind to apoptotic cells. This study was designed to determine the role of β2‐GPI in apoptosis. Using an immunohistochemical study, we observed that β2‐GPI was co‐localized with the apoptotic macrophages and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of human coronary arteries. The contribution of β2‐GPI to apoptotic death was then investigated in vascular cells. Two nitric oxide (NO) donors, S‐nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) and S‐nitroso‐N‐acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) were used in this study to trigger apoptosis in J774A.1 macrophages and human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMC). Cell viability was significantly improved in β2‐GPI‐treated cells. It was also possible to detect a remarkable inhibitory effect by β2‐GPI on the NO‐induced apoptosis by preventing nuclear shrinkage. Furthermore, the NO‐induced apoptosis was associated with increase in caspase‐3 activity and in the protein levels of caspase‐3, c‐Fos, and c‐Jun. However, all these apoptosis‐related events were inhibited in vascular cells treated with 200 μg/ml β2‐GPI. This is the first study to show that β2‐GPI may be important in the prevention of apoptosis in vascular cells. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression and characterization of a serine protease that preferentially cleaves insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐5
Authors: Hou J. , Clemmons D.R. , Smeekens S.
Published: November 2004

Insulin‐like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) play important roles in regulating the functions of insulin‐like growth factors (IGFs). Because IGFBPs have very high affinity for IGF‐I and IGF‐II, they can regulate the amount of each growth factor that is able to bind to cell surface receptors, therefore, factors that alter IGFBP affinity have the capacity to regulate IGF actions. Protease activities that are present in cell culture systems and physiologic fluids have been shown to degrade IGFBP‐5. Previously, a region of sequence in a serine protease was identified that was homologous with the N‐terminal 90 amino acids of members of the IGFBP family and with members of the CCN family of proteins. In a prior study, the protease was expressed in human kidney cultured cells and the cell culture supernatants were shown to cleave IGFBP‐5, however, it is unknown whether the purified protease would cleave IGFBP‐5 and whether it would also cleave other specific forms of IGFBPs. In this study, we expressed this protease in an insect cell expression system, purified it to homogeneity and tested its capacity to cleave IGFBP‐5. The expressed protease preferentially cleaved IGFBP‐5, and it had minimal activity toward other forms of IGFBPs. The proteolytic activity of this IGFBPase is inhibited by serine protease inhibitors including PMSF and 3,4‐dichloroisocoumarin, as well as by divalent metal ions such as, Zn and Cu. Mutation of the active site serine resulted in a major reduction in IGFBP‐5 cleavage. The protease binds to heparin and its ability to degrade IGFBP‐5 is blocked in the presence of heparin. Inhibition of the activity of the protease following its secretion by B104 cells resulted in inhibition of IGFBP‐5 proteolysis and IGF‐I stimulation of protein synthesis. Northern blotting revealed that the transcript was expressed in multiple human tissues, including placenta, uterus, prostate, testis, spinal cord, brain, liver, small intestine, thyroid, and spleen. The highest expression was in uterus and placenta, suggesting a possible role of sex steroids in regulating its expression. Understanding the mechanism of how cleavage of IGFBP‐5 by this protease alters its activity will help to further our understanding of the biologic actions of the IGFs. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The global fight against AIDS: how adequate are the national commissions?
Authors: Putzel James
Published: November 2004

This article examines the response of the international community to the HIV/AIDS crisis, focusing on efforts to promote a ‘multisectoral’ approach to fighting the epidemic. It critically assesses the evolution of an ‘organizational template’, which requires developing country governments to establish stand‐alone National AIDS Commissions in order to receive funding for HIV/AIDS programmes. While the World Bank, based on interpretations generated by the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and bilateral donors, claims that the model is derived from successful experience, an examination of evidence particularly from Uganda, Senegal and Malawi, suggests that National Commissions have not worked well and may, in fact, have contributed to weakening health sectors attempting to cope with the crisis. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A study on chemical estimation of pu‐erh tea quality
Authors: Liang Yuerong , Zhang Lingyun , Lu Jianliang
Published: November 2004

Chemical compositions and infusion colour differences of seven pu‐erh tea samples and their correlation to sensory quality were investigated. The results showed that the pu‐erh tea contained 37.1 mg g−1 caffeine, 15.7 mg g−1 amino acids, 67.0 mg g−1 polyphenols and 8.41 mg g−1 total catechins, on average. Among the 17 tested volatile compounds, n‐valeraldehyde was not detected. The most abundant volatile was β‐ionone and the next was linalool oxide II. Infusion colour analysis showed that the pu‐erh tea had deep hue with ΔE ranging from 66.8 to 79.2. Spearman's linear correlation analysis showed that total quality score (TQS) of the pu‐erh tea was significantly correlated to concentration of amino acids, linalool oxide II and infusion colour indicator ΔE. Five components were extracted from the 34 tested indicators by principal component analysis and were regressed on the TQS to produce six Pearson's linear regression equations for estimating sensory quality of pu‐erh tea, among which two were statistically significant, ie TQS = 57.47 − 0.18geraniol + 0.33polyphenols − 1.14n‐caproaldehyde − 1.38linalool oxide I + 0.21caffeine (p < 0.01) and TQS = 57.42‐0.03Citral + 0.33polyphenols − 1.14n − caproaldehyde − 1.40linalool oxide I + 0.20caffeine (p < 0.01). Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Numerical analysis of a new Eulerian–Lagrangian finite element method applied to steady‐state hot rolling processes
Authors: Synka Josef , Kainz Alexander , Maringer Robert , Obereder Andreas
Published: November 2004

A finite element code for steady‐state hot rolling processes of rigid–visco‐plastic materials under plane–strain conditions was developed in a mixed Eulerian–Lagrangian framework. This special set up allows for a direct calculation of the local deformations occurring at the free surfaces outside the contact region between the strip and the work roll. It further simplifies the implementation of displacement boundary conditions, such as the impenetrability condition. When applied to different practical hot rolling situations, ranging from thick slab to ultra‐thin strip rolling, the velocity–displacement based model (briefly denoted as vu‐model) in this mixed Eulerian–Lagrangian reference system proves to be a robust and efficient method.

The vu‐model is validated against a solely velocity‐based model (vv‐model) and against elementary methods based on the Kármán–Siebel and Orowan differential equations. The latter methods, when calibrated, are known to be in line with experimental results for homogeneous deformation cases. For a massive deformation it is further validated against the commercial finite‐element software package Abaqus/Explicit. It is shown that the results obtained with the vu‐model are in excellent agreement with the predictions of the vv‐model and that the vu‐model is even more robust than its vv‐counterpart. Throughout the study we assumed a rigid cylindrical work roll; only for the homogeneous test case, we also investigated the effect of an elastically deformable work roll within the frame of the Jortner Green's function method.

The new modelling approach combines the advantages of conventional Eulerian and Lagrangian modelling concepts and can be extended to three dimensions in a straightforward manner. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non‐linear absorption of 2,5‐dialkynyl thiophenes
Authors: Lind Per , Eriksson Anders , Lopes Cesar , Eliasson Bertil
Published: November 2004

Three diarylalkynyl‐substituted thiophenes were synthesized and the optical power limiting (OPL) effect at 532 nm was investigated for solutions of these compounds. The relationship between the OPL and parameters obtained from molecular‐orbital‐based calculations is discussed. Semi‐empirical calculations indicate that the compounds can have a broad distribution of conformations due to inter‐ring twisting, but that the second hyperpolarizability (γ) can be significant despite a ring twist. The calculations imply that substitution by alkyl groups can lead to enhanced γ values. The measurements and calculations show a greater increase of the OPL and γ effects from compound 5 to 6 than from 6 to 7. For these compounds, which differ mainly by the length of the π‐electron system, the magnitude of non‐linear absorption seems to be well correlated with several properties of the electronic ground state estimated by standard ab initio molecular orbital calculations, as well as with γ values from the semi‐empirical calculations. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and properties of processable conducting copolymers from N‐ethylaniline with aniline
Authors: Li Xin‐Gui , Zhou Hai‐Jun , Huang Mei‐Rong
Published: November 2004

Copolymers were synthesized through the chemically oxidative polymerization of N‐ethylaniline (EA) and aniline (AN) in five acid aqueous media. The polymerization yield, intrinsic viscosity, molecular weight, solubility, solvatochromism, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties of the copolymer films were systematically studied through changes in the comonomer ratio, polymerization temperature, oxidant, oxidant/monomer ratio, and acid medium. Open‐circuit‐potential and temperature measurements of the polymerization solutions showed that the polymerization rate depended on the EA content, and the polymerization was an exothermic reaction. The resultant copolymers were characterized in detail with IR, ultraviolet–visible, and 1H NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, wide‐angle X‐ray diffractometry, and scanning electron microscopy. The reactivity ratios of the monomer pair were calculated from the 1H NMR spectra of the copolymers formed at a low conversion. The polymers exhibited good solubility and interesting solvatochromism in most of the solvents and variable conductivity with the EA/AN ratio and doping state. The conductivity of the HCl‐doped copolymers increased monotonically from 5.61 × 10−7 to 2.55 × 10−1 S/cm with decreasing EA content from 100 to 0 mol % and showed a percolation transition between EA concentrations of 20 and 30 mol %. The EA/AN copolymers also had excellent film formability and flexibility together with high mechanical and oxygen‐enriching properties. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 6109–6124, 2004
Synthesis and characterization of polyaryleneetherketone triphenylphosphine oxides incorporating cycloaliphatic/cage hydrocarbon structural units
Authors: Dang Thuy D. , Dalton Matthew J. , Venkatasubramanian N. , Johnson Joel A. , Cerbus Clifford A. , Feld William A.
Published: November 2004

New high temperature polyaryleneetherketone triphenylphosphine oxides incorporating trans‐1,4‐cyclohexane, 1,3‐adamantane, and 4,9‐diamantane structural units were synthesized by the base‐promoted polymerization reaction between 4,4′‐difluorotriphenylphosphine oxide and the novel dihydroxy monomers trans‐1,4‐bis(4‐hydroxybenzoyl)cyclohexane, 1,3‐bis(4‐hydroxybenzoyl)adamantane, and 4,9‐bis(4‐hydroxybenzoyl)diamantane. The monomers were synthesized in a good yield by a two‐step procedure involving the Friedel–Crafts acylation of anisole by the diacid chlorides trans‐1,4‐cyclohexanedicarbonyl chloride, 1,3‐adamantanedicarbonyl chloride, and 4,9‐diamantanedicarbonyl chloride, followed by demethylation with pyridine hydrochloride. The polymers, which could be processed into tough, free standing films from organic solvents, exhibited high Tg's in the range of 192–239° as well as thermooxidative stabilities (5% weight loss in air) in the range of 445–490°. Preliminary results from a UV–visible spectroscopic study of dilute solutions of the polymers in chloroform showed absorption maxima in the 263–274 nm region and transparency to spectral radiation in the 300–800 nm range, indicating that these triphenylphosphine oxide polymers could have potential applications for space thermal control coatings. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 6134–6142, 2004
Ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide by rare‐earth tris(4‐tert‐butylphenolate) single‐component initiators
Authors: Yu Cuiping , Zhang Lifang , Ni Xufeng , Shen Zhiquan , Tu Kehua
Published: November 2004

The ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide initiated by single‐component rare‐earth tris(4‐tert‐butylphenolate)s was conducted. The influences of the rare‐earth elements, solvents, temperature, monomer and initiator concentrations, and reaction time on the polymerization were investigated in detail. No racemization was found from 70 to 100 °C under the examined conditions. NMR and differential scanning calorimetry measurements further confirmed that the polymerization occurred without epimerization of the monomer or polymer. A kinetic study indicated that the polymerization rate was first‐order with respect to the monomer and initiator concentrations. The overall activation energy of the ring‐opening polymerization was 79.2 kJ mol−1. 1H NMR data showed that the L‐lactide monomer inserted into the growing chains with acyl–oxygen bond cleavage. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 6209–6215, 2004
Effect of the γ‐form crystal on the thermal fractionation of poly(propylene‐co‐ethylene)
Authors: Wang Song , Yang Decai
Published: November 2004

The effect of the γ‐form crystal on the thermal fractionation of a commercial poly(propylene‐co‐ethylene) (PPE) has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) techniques. Two thermal fractionation techniques, stepwise isothermal crystallization (SIC) and successive self‐nucleation and annealing (SSA), have been used to characterize the molecular heterogeneity of the PPE. The results indicate that the SSA technique possesses a stronger fractionation ability than that of the SIC technique. The heating scan of the SSA fractionated sample exhibits 12 endothermic peaks, whereas the scan of the SIC fractionated sample only shows eight melting peaks. The WAXD observations of the fractionated PPE samples prove that the content of the γ‐form crystals formed during the thermal treatment of the SIC technique is much higher than that of the SSA treatment. The former is 57.4%, whereas the later is 12.6%. The effect of theγ‐form crystals on thermal fractionation ability is discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 4320–4325, 2004
Interplay between electron–phonon and electron–electron interactions
Authors: Rösch O. , Han J. E. , Gunnarsson O. , Crespi V. H.
Published: November 2004

We discuss the interplay between electron–electron and electron–phonon interactions for alkali‐doped fullerides and high temperature superconductors. Due to the similarity of the electron and phonon energy scales, retardation effects are small for fullerides. This raises questions about the origin of superconductivity, since retardation effects are believed to be crucial for reducing effects of the Coulomb repulsion in conventional superconductors. We demonstrate that by treating the electron–electron and electron–phonon interactions on an equal footing, superconductivity can be understood in terms of a local pairing. The Jahn–Teller character of the important phonons in fullerides plays a crucial role for this result. To describe effects of phonons in cuprates, we derive a t–J model with phonons from the three‐band model. Using exact diagonalization for small clusters, we find that the anomalous softening of the half‐breathing phonon as well as its doping dependence can be explained. By comparing the solution of the t–J model with the Hartree–Fock approximation for the three‐band model, we address results obtained in the local‐density approximation for cuprates. We find that genuine many‐body results, due to the interplay between the electron–electron and electron–phonon interactions, play an important role for the the results in the t–J model. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Forward scattering peak in the electron–phonon interaction and impurity scattering of cuprate superconductors
Authors: Kulić M. L. , Dolgov O. V.
Published: November 2004

The important role of the electron–phonon interaction (EPI) in explaining the normal state properties and pairing mechanism in high‐Tcsuperconductors (HTSC) is discussed. A number of experiments are analyzed such as: dynamical conductivity, Raman scattering, neutron scattering, ARPES, tunnelling measurements, and etc. They give convincing evidence that the EPI dominantly contributes to pairing in HTSC oxides. Strong electronic correlations cause the forward scattering peak (FSP) in the EPI and in the non‐magnetic impurity potential. The theory based on the FSP (whatever is its origin) explains several puzzling experimental results in ARPES and transport: (1) much smaller transport coupling constant than the pairing one (λtr≪λph); (2) the ARPES non‐shift puzzle – where the nodal kink at 70 meV is unshifted in the superconducting state while the anti‐nodal one at 40 meV is shifted; (3) d‐wave superconductivity due to the EPI; (4) robustness of d‐wave pairing in the presence of nonmagnetic impurities; (5) collapse of the elastic scattering rate near the anti‐nodal point in the superconducting state; (6) anomalous temperature dependence of the Hall angle in optimally doped HTSC. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Theoretical study of the pressure‐induced structural phase transition of ScSb and YSb
Authors: Rodríguez‐Hernández P. , Muñoz A.
Published: November 2004

The equations of state and phase stability of ScSb and YSb were investigated via a first‐principles theoretical calculation. For each compound we fixed the B1 (NaCl) structure as the ambient pressure phase and considered the B2 (CsCl) structure as a candidate for the high‐pressure phases. We report the results of the structural and electronic properties of these compounds in the considered structures and the theoretical transition pressure. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
Cumulative coordinate technique for approximation of high atomic multipole moments of aluminophosphate sieves on the basis of electron densities calculated with DFT methods
Authors: Larin A. V. , Parbuzin V. S. , Vercauteren D. P.
Published: November 2004

Atomic multipole moments (AMMs) for aluminophosphate sieves (ALPOs) were evaluated considering the electron density (ED) computed with the CRYSTAL98 code at various periodic Density Functional Theory (PDFT) levels as well as basis sets. Using the EDs calculated with B3LYP, Perdew‐Wang (PW91), and Perdew‐Burke‐Ernzerhof (PBE) functionals, “Mulliken” AMMs were computed within the scheme developed by Saunders et al. and approximated using a cumulative coordinate (CC) scheme similar to the one developed earlier for AMMs calculated from Hartree‐Fock EDs. The convergence of the AMMs with the basis set is discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
Structural determinants of the selectivity of KTS‐disintegrins for the α1β1 integrin
Authors: Kisiel Dariusz G. , Calvete Juan J. , Katzhendler Jehoshua , Fertala Andrzej , Lazarovici Philip , Marcinkiewicz Cezary
Published: November 2004

KTS‐disintegrins are a subfamily of short monomeric disintegrins that are potent and selective inhibitors of α1β1 integrin. The amino acid sequence of the new KTS‐disintegrin, viperistatin, differs from previously characterized obtustatin in three residues at position 24 (within the integrin binding loop), 38 (hydrophobic core) and 40 (C‐terminal region). Noteworthy, viperistatin is about 25‐fold more potent than obtustatin inhibiting the binding of this integrin to collagen IV. Synthetic peptides representing the full‐length of integrin‐binding loops of these disintegrins showed that the Leu24/Arg substitution appears to be partly responsible for the increased inhibitory activity of viperistatin over obtustatin.
FIGC, a novel FGF‐induced ubiquitin‐protein ligase in gastric cancers
Authors: Jang Jun-Hyeog
Published: November 2004

We have previously shown that fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) plays an important role in gastric carcinogenesis. In this study, we have used a differential display approach to identify basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)‐inducible genes in gastric cancer cells. Here, we report that one of these genes is predicted to encode a RING finger protein, designated FIGC. The FIGC gene was found to encode a polypeptide of 381 amino acids with a novel RING finger module at the NH2‐terminus and the COOH‐terminal proline‐rich region. Using an in vitro ubiquitination assay with recombinant protein, we demonstrate that FIGC has intrinsic E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and promotes ubiquitination. Our data indicate that FIGC upregulation in response to bFGF in gastric cancer might be implicated in carcinogenesis through dysregulation of growth modulator.
‘The Open Church’ and ‘the Closed Church’ and the discourse on Jews in Poland between 1989 and 2000
Authors: Michlic Joanna
Published: November 2004

This paper analyzes the attitudes of the Roman Catholic Church in Poland towards the Jews and anti-Semitism during the first decade since the political transformation of 1989–1990. After discussing briefly the main patterns of the development of the Roman Catholic Church in Poland in the modern era I examine two opposing positions within the institutionalized Roman Catholic Church—the ‘Open Church’ and the ‘Closed Church’—dthat emerged in the aftermath of Poland’s regaining full sovereignty in 1989. The ‘Open Church’ and the ‘Closed Church’ represent opposite views on the role of the church in society and on the dialogue with Jews and Judaism and on anti-Semitism.

The ‘Open Church’ is a relatively recent phenomenon that originated in the circles of the layman progressive Catholic intelligentsia in the post-1945 period. It is the first visible formation within Roman Catholic Church in Poland, which advocates dialogue with Jews and Judaism and is engaged in the eradication of anti-Semitic attitudes. The ‘Closed Church,’ which represents the formation of the ‘besieged fortress’ was historically strongly intertwined with the exclusivist ethno-nationalistic political movement of the National Democracy. The remnants of this fusion were still visible in the statements of high rank clergy in the 1990s and early 2000. This formation ignores the concept of the dialogue with Jews and Judaism advocated by Pope John Paul II and among its supporters there are still many holders of anti-Semitic views. The paper provides various examples of anti-Semitic occurrences and pronouncements of the 1990s and it discusses various initiatives aimed at the facilitating dialogue between Christians and Jews introduced by the members of the ‘Open Church’ in the 1990s. It assess the importance of the ‘Open Church’ in the eradication of anti-Semitic views and the extent of the influence of the ‘Closed Church’ on both the clergy and Catholic community at large.
Managing trade liberalization: legal system deficiencies and the political economy of contingency protection in Ghana
Authors: Ayine Dominic M.
Published: November 2004

This article proposes to critically examine how effectively Ghana has managed pressures by domestic import-competing industries and unionized labour for protection since the country engaged in radical and far-reaching trade liberalization under World Bank and IMF auspices. It argues that the heavy influence of public choice theory on the conception of regulatory role of government in the economy held by these principal architects of Ghana's trade reforms has resulted in the omission to provide for contingency protection measures for domestic industries adversely impacted by imports as a consequence of liberalization. Though these measures pose a counternormative threat to free trade, the article takes the position that they are necessary tools for the effective management of protectionist pressures and therefore for sustaining free trade itself. Finally, it concludes that the uncritical application of choice theoretic analyses to Ghana's trade reforms may be mistaken and that there is no rational alternative to dealing with the problem of protectionist pressure other than a resort to the legitimate mechanism provided under international law.
Strict liability for defective products in Cameroon? Some illuminating lessons from abroad
Authors: Galega Samgena D.
Published: November 2004

Notwithstanding the weaknesses of the tort of negligence as a mechanism for compensating victims of defective products, it remains the only avenue for recourse when the rights of consumers in Cameroon are infringed. While strict liability for defective products has been introduced in several (mostly Western) jurisdictions, Cameroonian law in this context remains unchanged. This article makes a critical analysis of the reform/experiences in those jurisdictions. It argues against the prevailing negligence or fault-based system in Cameroon within the context of the contemporary global economic order and advocates for the introduction of a strict liability regime. It contends that law reform will not have any more negative consequences on the Cameroonian economy and nascent industries than it did in those jurisdictions where the scheme is currently operational. Nevertheless, it cautions on what to expect in the advent of law reform and sounds a warning note on the potential pitfalls for the Cameroonian legislator to guard against.
Recent Developments
Authors: Lovett Jon C.
Published: November 2004

At the 1999 International Botanical Congress held in St Louis, Missouri, the President of the Congress, Dr Peter Raven, presented a keynote address emphasizing the importance of plants to human existence and underlined concerns that the Earth is undergoing a human-induced extinction crisis. One of the resolutions of the congress was to establish a new co-ordinating body associated with the United Nations to monitor the status of plants throughout the world and take steps to conserve them. The resolutions were followed up with a meeting in Gran Canaria on 3–4 April, 2000 when leading botanists met to formulate a declaration which could be taken forward to the fifth Conference of the Parties (CoP5) to the Convention on Biological Diversity held in Nairobi in May 2000. CoP5 recognized that plant diversity is a common concern of humankind and an essential resource for the planet, with as many as two-thirds of the world's plant species in danger of extinction, and proposed that at the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP6) the establishment of a global strategy for plant conservation should be considered. A strategy with 16 targets was presented and adopted at the CoP6 meeting held in The Hague in April 2002. These targets differ from the normal approach adopted in the Convention on Biological Diversity of using general principles that can be interpreted by national policy, in that they are quantified.
Seroprevalence and some correlates of Helicobacter pylori at adult ages in Gülveren Health District, Ankara, Turkey
Authors: AKIN L. , TEZCAN S. , HASCELIK G. , CAKIR B.
Published: November 2004

The purpose of the study was to detect the frequency and distribution of Helicobacter pylori in the Gülveren Health Centre service area among residents aged between 25 and 64 years and to evaluate the relation of H. pylori infections with general health status, socioeconomic status, and some lifestyle habits. The study included a representative sample of Gülveren Health Centre residents, aged between 25 and 64 years. A stratified random sample of 1672 individuals was selected for study purposes out of 10569 residents, stratified by age and gender. A standardized questionnaire was completed for all study participants using a face-to-face interview and all participants were invited to the local health centre for a thorough physical examination and blood tests. The overall prevalence of H. pylori was found to be 77·5% among individuals aged between 25 and 64 years. The frequency of H. pylori was higher among individuals with low socioeconomic status; those who migrated to Ankara after the age of 20 years; members of large families (household size of 4 or above); non-alcohol drinkers; and those who regularly drink tea.
Asymptomatic carriage of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 in farm workers in Northern Italy
Authors: SILVESTRO L. , CAPUTO M. , BLANCATO S. , DECASTELLI L. , FIORAVANTI A. , TOZZOLI R. , MORABITO S. , CAPRIOLI A.
Published: November 2004

Faecal samples from 350 farm workers on 276 dairy farms and 50 abattoir employees from seven different operations were examined for the presence of Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (VTEC O157) by an O157-specific enzyme-linked fluorescent assay followed by immuno-concentration. VTEC O157 was isolated from four (1·1%) of the farm workers. A second stool sample was obtained from the positive farm workers as well as from their household contacts. VTEC O157 was isolated from the wife of one of them. The strains from the same household shared the same Verocytotoxin genes profile, phage type and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern. The VTEC O157-positive subjects had neither intestinal symptoms at the moment of sampling nor a history of bloody diarrhoea or renal failure. Our study seems to confirm the hypothesis that farm residents often develop immunity to VTEC O157 infection, possibly due to recurrent exposure to less virulent strains of VTEC.
Carriage of capsulated strains of Staphylococcus aureus: a population-based study performed in Gulbarga, South India
Authors: PAUL-SATYASEELA M. , van BELKUM A. , SHIVANNAVAR C. T. , GADDAD S. M.
Published: November 2004

Staphylococcus aureus is a common human pathogen in community- and hospital-acquired infections and its capsule is involved in pathogenesis. We report here the identification of type-5 and type-8 capsular antigens of S. aureus and the prevalence of such strains among volunteers in various age and population groups from different locations in India. S. aureus carriage rates varied between 18 and 50% with the highest values among university students and the lowest in schoolchildren, aged 6–20 years. There was no difference in carriage rates for males vs. females (P=0·415) or in the socioeconomic status of carriers vs. non-carriers or age dependence. Among the carriage isolates 21% were type-5, 52% were type-8 and the remaining 27% were non-typable. Among invasive isolates these percentages were 6, 64 and 30 respectively. This implies that type-5 strains may be less invasive than type-8 strains (P=0·0015).
Molecular epidemiology of catheter-related bloodstream infections caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci in haematological patients with neutropenia
Authors: MÜLLER-PREMRU M. , ČERNELČ P.
Published: November 2004

Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) is common in haematological patients with febrile neutropenia. As the clinical signs of CRBSI are usually scarce and it is difficult to differentiate from blood culture contamination, we tried to confirm CRBSI by molecular typing of CNS isolated from paired blood cultures (one from a peripheral vein and another from the central venous catheter hub). Blood cultures were positive in 59 (36%) out of 163 patients. CNS were isolated in 24 (40%) patients; in 14 from paired blood cultures (28 isolates) and in 10 from a single blood culture. CNS from paired blood cultures were identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined and bacteria were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of bacterial genomic DNA. In 13 patients, the antibiotic susceptibility of isolates was identical. The PFGE patterns from paired blood cultures were identical or closely related in 10 patients, thus confirming the presence of CRBSI. In the remaining four patients they were unrelated, and suggested a mixed infection or contamination. Since CNS isolates from three patients had identical PFGE patterns, they were probably nosocomially spread amongst them.
Protecting investments in polio eradication: the past, present and future of surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis
Authors: HEYMANN D. L. , DE GOURVILLE E. M. , AYLWARD R. B.
Published: November 2004

In September 2003 a WHO consultation group on vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPV) concluded that in order to prevent future generations of paralytic polio after interruption of transmission of wild poliovirus, the use of trivalent oral polio vaccine (OPV) must be stopped [1]. Another important global policy decision along the road to polio eradication thus became possible – cessation of OPV use at some time after eradication. The question now is not whether OPV must be stopped, but rather when.
Pathogen survival in the external environment and the evolution of virulence
Authors: Walther Bruno A. , Ewald Paul W.
Published: November 2004

Recent studies have provided evolutionary explanations for much of the variation in mortality among human infectious diseases. One gap in this knowledge concerns respiratory tract pathogens transmitted from person to person by direct contact or through environmental contamination. The sit‐and‐wait hypothesis predicts that virulence should be positively correlated with durability in the external environment because high durability reduces the dependence of transmission on host mobility. Reviewing the epidemiological and medical literature, we confirm this prediction for respiratory tract pathogens of humans. Our results clearly distinguish a high‐virulence high‐survival group of variola (smallpox) virus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Bordetella pertussis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and influenza virus (where all pathogens have a mean percent mortality 0.01% and mean survival time >10 days) from a low‐virulence low‐survival group containing ten other pathogens. The correlation between virulence and durability explains three to four times of magnitude of difference in mean percent mortality and mean survival time, using both across‐species and phylogenetically controlled analyses. Our findings bear on several areas of active research and public health policy: (1) many pathogens used in the biological control of insects are potential sit‐and‐wait pathogens as they combine three attributes that are advantageous for pest control: high virulence, long durability after application, and host specificity; (2) emerging pathogens such as the‘hospital superbug’methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and potential bioweapons pathogens such as smallpox virus and anthrax that are particularly dangerous can be discerned by quantifying their durability; (3) hospital settings and the AIDS pandemic may provide footholds for emerging sit‐and‐wait pathogens; and (4) studies on food‐borne and insect pathogens point to future research considering the potential evolutionary trade‐offs and genetic linkages between virulence and durability.
Time variation in igneous volume flux of the Hawaii‐Emperor hot spot seamount chain
Authors: Van Ark Emily , Lin Jian
Published: November 2004

Satellite gravity, ship track bathymetry, sediment thickness, and crustal magnetic age data were combined to calculate the residual bathymetry and residual mantle Bouguer gravity anomaly (RMBA) for the northwest Pacific Ocean. The Hawaii‐Emperor hot spot track appears on the RMBA map as a chain of negative anomalies, implying thickened crust or less dense mantle. The hot spot swell is clearly visible in a broad band of half‐width ∼500 km for about 2000 km downstream from the current hot spot location, corresponding to hot spot ages of 0–25 Ma. A much narrower expression of the hot spot is visible for the rest of the chain at hot spot ages of 25–80 Ma. Comparison of the observed RMBA with various compensation models reveals that the relatively narrow features of the Hawaii‐Emperor seamounts are best explained as being supported by plate flexure, while the Shatsky Rise, Hess Rise, and Mid‐Pacific Mountains oceanic plateaus are best fit by Airy isostasy with a thickened crustal root. Amplitude comparisons between the RMBA predictions of various compensation models and the observed RMBA for the Hawaiian swell are ambiguous. However, on the basis of the shape of the predicted anomalies, we favor a model of flexure in response to a buried load at 120 km depth. We further calculate igneous (i.e., crustal) volume flux along the axis of the Hawaii‐Emperor hot spot by integrating cross‐sectional areas of gravity‐derived excess crustal thickness and seafloor elevation, respectively, with respect to the normal oceanic crust. The highest values of the calculated igneous volume flux along the Hawaiian and Emperor ridges (∼8 m3/s) occur at present and at about 20 Ma. The flux was reduced to only 50% of this maximum (∼4 m3/s) at 10 Ma. The calculated igneous volume flux is systematically smaller (maximum values of ∼4 m3/s) along the Emperor ridge. Overall, the Hawaiian and Emperor ridges appear to have experienced quasi‐periodic variations in fluxes on timescales of 6–30 Ma. Furthermore, during the low‐flux periods at 25–48, 57, and 75 Ma the height and size of individual hot spot seamounts appear to be noticeably less than those of the high‐flux periods. We hypothesize that the variations in the fluxes of the Hawaiian ridge might be controlled by the thickness of the overlying lithosphere at the time of hot spot emplacement, while the variations along the Emperor ridge may be influenced by the dynamics of the slow absolute motion of the hot spot at the time.