bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Force‐field parameters for the simulation of tetrahedral intermediates of serine hydrolases
Authors: Otte Nikolaj , Bocola Marco , Thiel Walter
Published: June 2008

CHARMM force‐field parameters are reported for the tetrahedral intermediate of serine hydrolases. The fitting follows the standard protocol proposed for CHARMM22. The reference data include ab initio (RHF/6‐31G*) interaction energies of complexes between water and the model compound 1,1‐dimethoxyethoxide, torsional profiles of related model compounds from correlated ab initio (MP2/6‐311+G*//B3LYP/6‐31+G*) calculations, as well as molecular geometries and vibrational frequencies from density functional theory (B3LYP/6‐31+G*). The optimized parameters reproduce the target data well. Their utility is demonstrated by a QM/MM study of the tetrahedral intermediate in Bacillus subtilis lipase A, and by classical molecular modeling of enantioselectivity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipase and its mutants. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Relation between chemical bonding and exchange coupling approaches to the description of ordering in itinerant magnets
Authors: Samolyuk German D. , Miller Gordon J.
Published: June 2008

Two different approaches to explain and predict the types of magnetic ordering in the 3d metal series and their compounds are reviewed. According to the crossing theorem of Heine and Samson, the effective exchange coupling changes sign from negative (antiferromagnetic ordering) in the middle of 3d band to positive (ferromagnetic ordering) for the nearly empty or nearly filled d band cases. On the other hand, the analytical properties of the Crystal Orbital Hamilton Population, which is a measure of chemical bonding, predict only one crossing at the center of the band in the region of nonbonding states. Thus intermetallic compounds with Fermi energies falling within metal–metal nonbonding states are ordered antiferromagnetically whereas they order ferromagnetically when the Fermi levels fall within antibonding states. The general character of these dependencies is demonstrated for various examples containing the magnetically active 3d metals, examples that include the bcc metals, Heusler alloys, and a series of novel quaternary intermetallic borides. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2008
Force fields including charge transfer and local polarization effects: Application to proteins containing multi/heavy metal ions
Authors: Sakharov Dmitri V. , Lim Carmay
Published: June 2008

The question whether molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can yield reliable structural and dynamical properties of metalloproteins depend on the accuracy of the force field, i.e., the potential energy function (PEF) and associated parameters modeling the interactions of the metal ion of interest with water and protein ligands. Previously, we had developed a CTPOL PEF for protein simulations of Zn2+ bound to Cys− and/or His0 that includes charge transfer and local polarization effects as well as metal van der Waals parameters that reproduce the structural and thermodynamical properties of 22 dications. Here, we evaluate if the CTPOL PEF and the new metal parameters (referred to as the CTPOLa force field) can be applied to proteins containing polynuclear metal‐binding sites and heavy toxic metal ions, using the CdZn2‐Cys9 β‐domain of rat liver metallothionein‐2 and the Hg2+‐bound 18‐residue peptide from MerP as test systems. Using the CTPOLa force field, simulations of the β‐domain of rat liver metallothionein‐2 totaling 19 ns could preserve the experimentally observed CdZn2–Cys9 complex geometry and overall protein structure, whereas simulations neglecting charge transfer and local polarization effects could not. However, the CTPOLa force field cannot reproduce the experimentally observed linear bicoordination of Hg2+ in the MerP peptide without adding an angular restraint to the CTPOL PEF to correct the angle distribution about Hg2+. Thus, the force fields presented herein for the group IIB metal ions can be applied to simulation studies of proteins containing polynuclear metal‐binding sites and heavy metal ions in aqueous solution. PEF neglecting charge transfer and local polarization effects in conjunction with vdW parameters adjusted to reproduce the structural and thermodynamical properties of only the metal ion in question could not yield an accurate representation of the metal‐binding site and overall protein structure. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Prediction of integral membrane protein type by collocated hydrophobic amino acid pairs
Authors: Chen Ke , Jiang Yingfu , Du Li , Kurgan Lukasz
Published: June 2008

A computational model, IMP‐TYPE, is proposed for the classification of five types of integral membrane proteins from protein sequence. The proposed model aims not only at providing accurate predictions but most importantly it incorporates interesting and transparent biological patterns. When contrasted with the best‐performing existing models, IMP‐TYPE reduces the error rates of these methods by 19 and 34% for two out‐of‐sample tests performed on benchmark datasets. Our empirical evaluations also show that the proposed method provides even bigger improvements, i.e., 29 and 45% error rate reductions, when predictions are performed for sequences that share low (40%) identity with sequences from the training dataset. We also show that IMP‐TYPE can be used in a standalone mode, i.e., it duplicates significant majority of correct predictions provided by other leading methods, while providing additional correct predictions which are incorrectly classified by the other methods. Our method computes predictions using a Support Vector Machine classifier that takes feature‐based encoded sequence as its input. The input feature set includes hydrophobic AA pairs, which were selected by utilizing a consensus of three feature selection algorithms. The hydrophobic residues that build up the AA pairs used by our method are shown to be associated with the formation of transmembrane helices in a few recent studies concerning integral membrane proteins. Our study also indicates that Met and Phe display a certain degree of hydrophobicity, which may be more crucial than their polarity or aromaticity when they occur in the transmembrane segments. This conclusion is supported by a recent study on potential of mean force for membrane protein folding and a study of scales for membrane propensity of amino acids. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Lipase‐catalyzed synthesis of polylactic acid: an overview of the experimental aspects
Authors: Lassalle V L , Ferreira M L
Published: June 2008

BACKGROUND: Enzymes have received increasing attention as biocatalysts. The poly(lactic) acid (PLA) has been widely employed in biomedical applications and PLA synthesis by a ‘green route’ is of particular interest. Here the aim is to prepare PLA using lipases, focusing on optimization of the procedure. The effects of the type and concentration of lipase, type of reaction, solvent, and time on the recovery of solid polyester, conversion rate and molecular weight have been explored. Pseudomonas cepacia (PCL), Porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) and immobilized CAL‐B were used as biocatalysts.

RESULTS: CAL‐B was the most effective biocatalyst, with 60% LA conversion and 55% recovered solid polymer; PCL and PPL gave rise to poor recovery of polymer. A novel thermal treatment was successfully employed to enhance the molecular weight Mn of PLA.

CONCLUSIONS: This work offers a set of optimal conditions to synthesize PLA as a function of the lipase used. Information of this nature is currently not available in the literature, thus the findings here are a valuable tool for any researcher in this topic and a state‐of‐the‐art contribution in terms of the best biocatalyst and the best conditions for PLA synthesis. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
HPTLC/DESI‐MS imaging of tryptic protein digests separated in two dimensions
Authors: Pasilis Sofie P. , Kertesz Vilmos , Van Berkel Gary J. , Schulz Michael , Schorcht Susanne
Published: June 2008

Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI‐MS) was demonstrated as a method to detect and identify peptides from two‐dimensional separations of cytochrome c and myoglobin tryptic digests on ProteoChrom HPTLC Cellulose sheets. Data‐dependent tandem mass spectra were acquired during lane scans across the TLC plates. Peptides and the corresponding proteins were identified using a protein database search software. Two‐dimensional distributions of identified peptides were mapped for each separated protein digest. Sequence coverages for cytochrome c and myoglobin were 81 and 74%, respectively. These compared well with those determined using the more standard HPLC/ESI‐MS/MS approach (89 and 84%, respectively). Preliminary results show that use of more sensitive instrumentation has the potential for improved detection of peptides with low Rf values and improvement in sequence coverage. However, less multiple charging and more sodiation were seen in HPTLC/DESI‐MS spectra relative to HPLC/ESI‐MS spectra, which can affect peptide identification by MS/MS. Methods to increase multiple charging and reduce the extent of sodiation are currently under investigation. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low LC‐MS/MS detection of glycopeptides released from pmol levels of recombinant erythropoietin using nanoflow HPLC‐chip electrospray ionization
Authors: Groleau Paule Emilie , Desharnais Philippe , Coté Linda , Ayotte Christiane
Published: June 2008

The test used by anti‐doping laboratories to detect the misuse of recombinant erythropoietin (rhEPO) is based on its different migration pattern on isoelectric focusing (IEF) gel compared with the endogenous human erythropoietin (hEPO) that can possibly be explained by structural differences. While there is definitely a need to identify those differences by LC‐MS/MS, the extensive characterization that was achieved for the rhEPO was never performed on human endogenous EPO because its standard is not available in sufficient amount. The goal of this study was to develop an analytical method to detect pmol amounts of N‐linked and O‐linked glycopeptides of the recombinant hormone as a model. Using a nanoflow HPLC‐Chip electrospray ionization/ion trap mass spectrometer, the diagnostic ion at m/z 366 of oligosaccharides was monitored in the product ion spectra to identify the four theoretical glycosylation sites, Asn24, Asn38, Asn83 and Ser126, respectively, on glycopeptides 22–37, 38–55, 73–96 and 118–136. With 3 pmol of starting material applied on Chip, only the desialylated N‐glycopeptides 22–37 and 38–55/38–43 could be observed, and of all the glycan isoforms, those with the smaller structures were predominantly detected. While the preservation of the sialic acid moieties decreased the detection of all the N‐glycopeptides, it allowed a more extensive characterization of the O‐linked glycopeptide 118–136. The technique described herein provides a mean to detect glycopeptides from commercially available pharmaceutical preparations of rhEPO with the sensitivity required to analyze pmol amounts of hEPO, which could ultimately lead to the identification of structural differences between the recombinant and the human forms of the hormone. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hair analysis of anabolic steroids in connection with doping control—results from horse samples
Authors: Anielski P.
Published: June 2008

Doping control of anabolic substances is normally carried out with urine samples taken from athletes and horses. Investigation of alternative specimens, e.g. hair samples, is restricted to special cases, but can also be worthwhile, in addition to urine analysis. Moreover, hair material is preferred in cases of limited availability or complicated collection of urine samples, e.g. from horses.

In this work, possible ways of interpretation of analytical results in hair samples are discussed and illustrated by practical experiences. The results demonstrate the applicability of hair analysis to detect anabolic steroids and also to obtain further information about previous abuse. Moreover, the process of incorporation of steroids into hairs is described and the consequences on interpretation are discussed, e.g. on the retrospective estimation of the application date.

The chosen examples deal with the detection of the anabolic agent testosterone propionate. Hair samples of an application study, as well as a control sample taken from a racing horse, were referred to. Hair material was investigated by a screening procedure including testosterone, nandrolone and several esters (testosterone propionate, phenylpropionate, decanoate, undecanoate, cypionate; nandrolone decanoate, dodecanoate and phenylpropionate; limits of detection (LODs) between 0.1 and 5.0 pg/mg). Confirmation of testosterone propionate (LOD 0.1 pg/mg) was carried out by an optimised sample preparation. Trimethylsilyl (TMS) and tert‐butyl dimethylsilyl derivatives were detected by gas chromatography–high‐resolution mass spectrometry (GC‐HRMS) and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC‐MS/MS). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seasonal variability in the response of the airflow characteristics to the changes in the macro‐scale westerly flow intensity over Europe, 1971–2000
Authors: Marosz Michal
Published: June 2008

The aim of the research was to identify the seasonal variability of correlation between the air motion characteristics and common zonal circulation index (Rossby's Index). Air flow characteristics comprised divergence and vorticity. The spatial coverage of the research was the so called Euro‐Atlantic Region covering parts of North Atlantic and Europe (40W–40E, 35N–75N). Temporal extent was 1971–2000 thus matching the latest WMO normal period. The data used was the components of the wind vector (u—zonal component, v—meridional component) and geopotential heights (hgt) from NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis. The response of the vorticity field is apparent and the greatest variability is noted at 1000 hPa. The mid and upper levels in the troposphere reveal quite homogenous response of vorticity to the macro‐scale forcing. The response of the divergence field is also apparent though more complex in the vertical profile of the troposphere. The analysis of correlation was followed by the description of annual as well as seasonal shape of vorticity and divergence fields in the extremes of Rossby Index. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
How business‐education partnerships are building a diverse science and technology workforce: Lessons from Bayer
Authors: Molnar Attila
Published: June 2008

The CEO of Bayer Corporation proposes business‐education partnerships in K–12 schools as a necessary action for building a stronger, diverse pipeline of future science and technology workers—and science‐literate customers. Bayer and other companies bring much more than money to the table, and the success stories prove the power of volunteerism, education reform, and raising public awareness. The author makes the case for business involvement in K–12 education; describes Bayer's signature partnership program, Making Science Make Sense; and discusses resources Bayer has developed for other interested companies, including a compendium of the programs most successful in closing science achievement gaps for girls and minorities, and a forum that brought companies together with the programs' leaders to learn what such partnerships entail and can achieve © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Accelerating executive transitions at The Home Depot
Authors: Joyce Leslie W.
Published: June 2008

The Home Depot accelerates “speed to competency” for new executives through a variety of processes and tools tailored to different types of transitions. The approaches focus on the early days of the transition, engage key stakeholders in the process, and emphasize organizational realities, including what it really takes to make it at The Home Depot. The author discusses research into the factors common to successful transitions in the company; the company's acceleration framework; two different approaches, for role‐based transitions in the field and context‐based transitions at headquarters; and other tools for supporting executives new to the company and/or their roles. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microsoft implements readiness as a strategic force
Authors: Grosse Dustin
Published: June 2008

The success of Microsoft's global product launches and solutions for a huge, diverse customer base hinges upon readiness in the field. To make workforce readiness a strategic lever, field training is aligned with business objectives, the role, and the task, and delivered to highly mobile communities at the right time, in the right place, and on the right device. The Sales, Marketing, and Services Group Readiness group builds its training offerings on three pillars of content development: an operating model that aligns priorities across businesses, regions, and customer segments; strong partnerships with business groups and subject matter experts; and metrics for assessing results. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nonlinear multigrid for the solution of large‐scale Riccati equations in low‐rank and ℋ︁‐matrix format
Authors: Grasedyck L.
Published: June 2008

The algebraic matrix Riccati equation AX+XAT−XFX+C=0, where matrices A, B, C, F ∈ ℝn × n are given and a solution X ∈ ℝn × n is sought, plays a fundamental role in optimal control problems. Large‐scale systems typically appear if the constraint is described by a partial differential equation (PDE). We provide a nonlinear multigrid algorithm that computes the solution X in a data‐sparse, low‐rank format and has a complexity of 𝒪(n), subject to the condition that F and C are of low rank and A is the finite element or finite difference discretization of an elliptic PDE.

We indicate how to generalize the method to ℋ︁‐matrices C, F and X that are only blockwise of low rank and thus allow a broader applicability with a complexity of 𝒪(nlog(n)p), p being a small constant. The method can also be applied to unstructured and dense matrices C and X in order to solve the Riccati equation in 𝒪(n2). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Convolution quadrature method‐based symmetric Galerkin boundary element method for 3‐d elastodynamics
Authors: Kielhorn L. , Schanz M.
Published: June 2008

The boundary integral equations in 3‐d elastodynamics contain convolution integrals with respect to the time. They can be performed analytically or with the convolution quadrature method. The latter time‐stepping procedure's benefit is the usage of the Laplace‐transformed fundamental solution. Therefore, it is possible to apply this method also to problems where analytical time‐dependent fundamental solutions might not be known.

To obtain a symmetric formulation, the second boundary integral equation has to be used which, unfortunately, requires special care in the numerical implementation since it involves hypersingular kernel functions. Therefore, a regularization for closed surfaces of the Laplace‐transformed elastodynamic kernel functions is presented which transforms the bilinear form of the hypersingular integral operator to a weakly singular one. Supplementarily, a weakly singular formulation of the Laplace‐transformed elastodynamic double layer potential is presented. This results in a time domain boundary element formulation involving at least only weakly singular integral kernels.

Finally, numerical studies validate this approach with respect to different spatial and time discretizations. Further, a comparison with the wider used collocation method is presented. It is shown numerically that the presented formulation exhibits a good convergence rate and a more stable behavior compared with collocation methods. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the heat of formation of nitromethane
Authors: Bumpus John A. , Willoughby Patrick H.
Published: June 2008

Two experimental values (−19.3 ± 0.3 and −17.8 ± 0.1 kcal/mol) for the gas phase heat of formation (δfH) (298k) of nitromethane have been reported. Although these values differ by only 1.5 kcal/mol, substantially greater differences in theoretical and experimental results occur when these differing values are used to calculate thermodynamic properties. This is especially evident when these two values for the δfH of nitromethane are used to calculate thermodynamic properties of polynitro compounds. For example, when density functional theory (DFT) is coupled with the use of isodesmic reactions, the ΔfH of octanitrocubane is calculated to be 160.6 or 172.6 kcal/mol, depending on which value is used. It should also be appreciated that several computational theories depend upon having access to reliable experimental data for testing and development. We have examined this discrepancy using several computational models and several levels of theory. Our results coupled with a comprehensive review of the literature support the lower (−19.3 ± 0.3 kcal/mol) experimental value. This is problematic because the higher value (−17.8 ± 0.1 kcal/mol) has been used in the development and/or testing of several semiempirical quantum mechanical models as well as ab initio Gaussian theory (G2 and G3). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of charge carrier mobility on the performance of organic solar cells
Authors: Deibel Carsten , Wagenpfahl Alexander , Dyakonov Vladimir
Published: June 2008

The power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells based on donor–acceptor blends is governed by an interplay of polaron pair dissociation and bimolecular polaron recombination. Both processes are strongly dependent on the charge carrier mobility, the dissociation increasing with faster charge transport, with raised recombination losses at the same time. Using a macroscopic effective medium simulation, we calculate the optimum charge carrier mobility for the highest power conversion efficiency, for the first time accounting for injection barriers and a reduced Langevin‐type recombination. An enhancement of the charge carrier mobility from 10–8 m2/V s for state of the art polymer–fullerene solar cells to about 10–6 m2/V s, which yields the maximum efficiency, corresponds to an improvement of only about 20% for the given parameter set. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
An augmented system approach to static output‐feedback stabilization with ℋ︁∞ performance for continuous‐time plants
Authors: Shu Zhan , Lam James
Published: June 2008

This paper revisits the static output‐feedback stabilization problem of continuous‐time linear systems from a novel perspective. The closed‐loop system is represented in an augmented form, which facilitates the parametrization of the controller matrix. Then, new equivalent characterizations on stability and ℋ︁∞ performance of the closed‐loop system are established in terms of matrix inequalities. On the basis of these characterizations, a necessary and sufficient condition with slack matrices for output‐feedback stabilizability is proposed, and an iteration algorithm is given to solve the condition. An extension to output‐feedback ℋ︁∞ control is provided as well. The effectiveness and merits of the proposed approach are shown through several examples. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
From quantum‐well wires to nanowires as studied by cathodoluminescence imaging and spectroscopy
Authors: Gustafsson Anders
Published: June 2008

Cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging and spectroscopy are used to study one‐dimensional structures from three different decades. Quantum‐well wires were fabricated in the 1980s and CL images are presented here, where the individual wires of a 450 nm grating are resolved. V‐grooved quantum wires (QWRs) were fabricated in the 1990s and the structures exhibit a number of emission peaks. CL is used to identify the spatial origin of the various peaks, including the positions of individual impurities in the QWRs. Nanowires from the 2000s show some variations along the length, which are presented here. SCANNING 30: 317–323, 2008. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Depressive illness: biological mechanisms of cardiac risk
Authors: Dawood Tye , Lambert Elisabeth A. , Barton David A. , Lambert Gavin W.
Published: June 2008

There is strong evidence that patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) are at increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. This elevated risk is independent of classical risk factors, such as smoking, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and hypertension. The risk of coronary heart disease, put simply, is proportional to the severity of the depression. Also conclusively demonstrated is the adverse effect of depression in patients following myocardial infarction, which materially increases mortality. The mechanism of increased cardiac risk attributable to MDD is at present uncertain, but activation of the sympathetic nervous system, altered baroreflex sensitivity, and/or exaggerated platelet reactivity and endothelial dysfunction are likely to be of prime importance. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surgical Training Programs in Pakistan
Authors: Talati Jamsheer J. , Syed Nadir Ali
Published: June 2008

This paper traces the history and describes the status of surgical training in Pakistan. A key revelation is that excellent surgeons are produced through systems which on formal review might appear to lack standards. Personal characteristics of residents modify outcomes in high volume surgical training units; and consequent variation in quality of outputs is noted. Attention needs to be given to (i) develop new educational systems which are not prolonged costly and cumbersome, and which produce the adequate number, types and spread of highly skilled and cognitively developed empathic surgeons for the country; (ii) the improvement of the health systems which currently impede the development of surgeons and (iii) novel wars of tackling rural urban disparities in health delivery.
Use of BiClamp Decreased the Severity of Hypocalcemia after Total Thyroidectomy Compared with LigaSure: A Prospective Study
Authors: Oussoultzoglou Elie , Panaro Fabrizio , Rosso Edoardo , Zeca Ion , Bachellier Philippe , Pessaux Patrick , Jaeck Daniel
Published: June 2008

Background

Postoperative hypocalcemia is the most common complication after thyroidectomy. New surgical devices have been propose to achieve vessel sealing and hemostasis. However, the risk of parathyroid glands damage has not been fully elucidated. This prospective study was designed to evaluate the severity of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy by using two different sealing devices.

Methods

Between January 2005 and December 2006, 86 patients underwent total thyroidectomy by using BiClamp® (n = 46) or LigaSure® (n = 40) devices in our institution. The severity of postoperative hypocalcemia was analyzed.

Results

No mortality or recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was observed. Patients characteristics were similar in both groups. The mean operation time was significantly shorter in the BiClamp group (142 ± 35 minutes versus 170 ± 57 minutes, P = 0.023). Eleven patients had symptomatic hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia (< 2 mmol/l) at postoperative day 1 was more frequent in the LigaSure group than in the BiClamp group (P = 0.034). Significantly more patients in the LigaSure group required oral calcium supplementation than in the BiClamp group (67.5% versus 34.7% respectively; P = 0.002).

Conclusion

The present prospective study suggests that total thyroidectomy can be performed safely with both surgical devices. However, BiClamp reduced the operative time and the severity of postoperative hypocalcemia.
Esophageal and Gastric Cardia Cancers on 4238 Chinese Patients Residing in Municipal and Rural Regions: A Histopathological Comparison During 24‐Year Period
Authors: Fan Yu Jing , Song Xin , Li Ji Lin , Li Xue Min , Liu Bin , Wang Ran , Fan Zong Min , Wang Li Dong
Published: June 2008

Background

Nutrition deficiencies or poverty traditionally have been recognized to be related with increased risk for esophageal cancer (EC) in rural regions at junction of Henan, Hebei, and Shanxi provinces in northern China—the highest incidence area for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA). Since the 1980s, economic and nutrition condition in these areas have been improved greatly. However, the histopathological types, staging pattern, and occurrence of ESCC and GCA, especially for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), which have been rarely examined in the Chinese population during the past decades in these areas have not been well characterized to date.

Methods

Yearly diagnosed new esophageal cancer (ESCC and EAC) and GCA patients from Beijing Tongren Hospital (in municipal low‐risk region) and Cixian People Hospital (in rural high‐risk region) during 24‐year period (1982–2005) were studied retrospectively. Only local resident patients with surgical resection were included. Age at diagnosis, tumor stage and site, and histopathological pattern were recorded for each patient from the tumor registry database in these hospitals.

Results and Conclusions

This study demonstrated that the common ESCC sites were different in municipal (chiefly in lower third of the esophagus) and in rural (chiefly in middle third of the esophagus) regions. The peak age of ESCC, EAC, and GCA patients in rural region was 10 years younger than in municipal region. Eighty‐six percent of ESCC and 90% of GCA in municipal region were diagnosed at middle and advanced stage; similarly, more than 95% of ESCC and GCA in rural region were diagnosed at middle and advanced stage during the 24‐year study period. An increasing tendency in number of yearly diagnosed new patients with ESCC and GCA was observed in municipal region, but not in rural region. However, an increasing tendency for EAC was observed both in municipal and rural regions during the past 24‐year period. The present results demonstrate the difference in municipal and rural regions of ESCC, ECA, and GCA in histopathological types, and suggest that there may be different etiological factors involved in esophageal and gastric cardia carcinogenesis in these different areas.
Environmental gradients determining the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in Lake Takkobu, Kushiro wetland, northern Japan
Authors: Takamura Noriko , Ito Tomiko , Ueno Ryuhei , Ohtaka Akifumi , Wakana Isamu , Nakagawa Megumi , Ueno Youichi , Nakajima Hirotsugu
Published: June 2008

Effects of environmental variables on the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates inhabiting sediments were studied at 25 sites along the shoreline of Lake Takkobu in the Kushiro wetland of northern Japan in summer 2003. During the last decade, the lake's status has undergone a drastic shift from clear water dominated by submerged macrophytes to turbid water dominated by phytoplankton. The canonical correspondence analysis showed that four environmental variables explained the significant variation in the macroinvertebrate species composition: submerged plant biomass, bottom sediment organic matter content (OMC), distance from the mouth of the Takkobu River, and bottom‐layer pH. Five species of Chironomidae [Chironomus sp. (except plumosus group), Psectrocladius sp., Corynoneura sp., Parachironomus sp. arcuatus group, and Zavreliella sp.] occurred in sites with relatively lower pH and a high submerged plant biomass, whereas three species of Tubificidae (Tubifex tubifex, Aulodriluslimnobius and Aulodrilus sp.) and two of Chironomidae (Nanocladius sp. and Monodiamesa sp.) occurred in sites with high pH and little vegetation. The three Tubificidae species also preferred organic‐rich sediments. Irrespective of aquatic vegetation, Sphaerium sp. (Bivalvia) and Monodiamesa sp. (Chironomidae) occurred in low‐OMC sites, whereas Tanypus sp. (Chironomidae) preferred high‐OMC sites. The number of macroinvertebrate taxa showed the highest correlation with the number of submerged plants, suggesting that macroinvertebrate species richness was related mostly to submerged plant species diversity in this lake. The quantity and species richness of submerged plants and OMC are thus important determinants of the community structure of macroinvertebrates inhabiting sediments in Lake Takkobu.
Wall motion index, estimated glomerular filtration rate and mortality risk in patients with heart failure or myocardial infarction: A pooled analysis of 18,010 patients
Authors: Schou Morten , Torp‐Pedersen Christian , Gustafsson Finn , Abdulla Jawdat , Kober Lars
Published: June 2008

Aims:

This study was designed to assess whether the prognostic significance of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) interact in populations with heart failure (HF) and myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods:

Patients were recruited from four screening registers (N=18,010) including patients admitted with HF or MI. Ten years follow‐up was recorded and formal testing for interactions between eGFR and LVEF with respect to outcome was done.

Results:

Twelve‐thousand‐and‐ninety patients died. A significant interaction (P=0.010) was found and each parameter became relatively more important when the value of the other was low. eGFR and LVEF were reparameterized to categorical variables and we observed that chronic kidney disease stage II was associated with a decreased (Hazard ratio (HR): 0.79 (95% Confidence Interval: 0.72–0.86)) and chronic kidney disease stages IV (HR: 1.60 (1.45–1.91) and V (HR: 1.91 (1.45–2.52) were associated with an increased mortality risk with an additive effect of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD).

Conclusion:

The prognostic significance of eGFR and LVEF is synergistic in patients with HF or MI and the impact of one parameter is inversely related to the level of the other. Statistical interactions are scale dependent and the relationship between chronic kidney disease stages I to V and mortality risk is J‐shaped with an additive effect of LVSD.
Depression worsens outcomes in elderly patients with heart failure: An analysis of 48,117 patients in a community setting
Authors: Macchia Alejandro , Monte Simona , Pellegrini Fabio , Romero Marilena , D'Ettorre Antonio , Tavazzi Luigi , Tognoni Gianni , Maggioni Aldo P.
Published: June 2008

Aims

To assess the relationship between depression and clinical outcomes among elderly patients with heart failure (HF) in a community setting.

Methods and results

To identify patients with HF and depression we used record linkage analysis of hospital discharge records, prescription databases and vital statistics. All consecutive patients aged ≥ 60 years in 6 Local Health Authorities in Italy were included. HF was defined as either: 1) hospital discharge with HF diagnosis (ICD‐9: 428) and/or 2) chronic treatment for HF identified as concomitant (within 45days) prescription of any combination of ACE inhibitors, digoxin, furosemide, bisoprolol, carvedilol, spironolactone, ARB‐blockers. Depression was identified from exposure to psychotropic drugs before HF diagnosis. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for major confounders were used. To adjust for potential residual known confounders, a propensity score analysis was performed. Sensitivity and subgroup analysis were used to demonstrate the consistency or robustness of the results.

48,117 patients with HF were identified. Of these, 3328 (6.9%) were treated for depression. Among patients with HF, those with depression were significantly older, and more likely to be women with a previous stroke. Depression significantly worsened major outcomes including all cause mortality [HR (95%CI); 1.20 (1.08–1.33)] and the composite of stroke/TIA/AMI [1.23 (1.13–1.34)]. Patients with depression had no increased risk of rehospitalisation for HF. Propensity scores and subgroup analysis confirmed these findings.

Conclusion

Among elderly patients with HF, depression was independently associated with poor clinical outcomes mostly due to an increase in vascular events.
Interaction with the IQ3 motif of myosin‐10 is required for calmodulin‐like protein‐dependent filopodial extension
Authors: Bennett Richard D. , Caride Ariel J. , Mauer Amy S. , Strehler Emanuel E.
Published: June 2008

MINT‐6595901: GST‐IQ3 Myo10 (uniprotkb:Q9HD67) binds (MI:0407) to CLP (uniprotkb:P27482) by pull down (MI:0096)

MINT‐6596000: CLP (uniprotkb:P27482) and GST‐IQ3 Myo10 (uniprotkb:Q9HD67) bind (MI:0407) by classical fluorescence spectroscopy (MI:0017)

MINT‐6596013: CaM (uniprotkb:P62158) and GST‐IQ3 Myo10 (uniprotkb:Q9HD67) bind (MI:0407) by classical fluorescence spectroscopy (MI:0017)

MINT‐6595938:GST‐IQ3 Myo10 (uniprotkb:Q9HD67) binds (MI:0407) to CaM (uniprotkb:P62158) by pull down (MI:0096)
Neostatin‐7 regulates bFGF‐induced corneal lymphangiogenesis
Authors: Kojima Takashi , Azar Dimitri T. , Chang Jin-Hong
Published: June 2008

Neostatin‐7, with an anti‐angiogenic potential, is generated from the proteolytic action of matrix metalloproteinase‐7 on collagen XVIII. We previously reported that neostatin‐7 inhibited angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Here we demonstrate that neostatin‐7/collagen XVIII may possess anti‐lymphangiogenic activities by: (1) corneal micropellet implantation of neostatin‐7 reduced bFGF‐induced corneal lymphangiogenesis; (2) neostatin‐7 bound to VEGF receptor‐3 in vitro; and (3) enhanced corneal lymphangiogenesis and VEGF‐C expression in collagen XVIII knockout mice in a corneal wounding model. Understanding the mechanism of neostatin‐7/collagen XVIII on corneal lymphangiogenesis may provide therapeutic interventions to treat lymphangiogenesis‐related disorders, such as lymphedema, transplantation rejection and cancers.
Estradiol–estrogen receptor: A key interplay of the expression of syndecan‐2 and metalloproteinase‐9 in breast cancer cells
Authors: Kousidou Olga Ch. , Berdiaki Aikaterini , Kletsas Dimitris , Zafiropoulos Alexandros , Theocharis Achilleas D. , Tzanakakis George N. , Karamanos Nikos K.
Published: June 2008

Estrogens are related with the growth and development of target tissues and play a critical role in breast cancer progression. The effects of estrogens are mediated by the estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ, which are members of the nuclear steroid receptor superfamily. To date, it is not known how these hormones elicit many of their effects on extracellular matrix molecules and how these effects can be connected with ER expression. For this purpose, the effect of estradiol on ER expression as well as on proteoglycan and metalloproteinase expression was studied. The effect of E2 on extracellular matrix molecule expression has been studied using ERα suppression in breast cancer cells. Our studies using ERα‐positive MCF‐7 cells show that estradiol affects the expression of syndecan‐2, but not of syndecan‐4, through ERα. Furthermore, the ability of estradiol to affect MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1 expression is connected with ERα status. Together, these data demonstrate the significant role of ERα on mediating the effect of estradiol on extracellular matrix molecules.
ARGUMENTS ABOUT PARENTAGE
Authors: Bainham Andrew
Published: June 2008

I will not draw a distinction between biological and non-biological – we are not buying Persil or Daz (Stephen Quinn)
On the nature of goal marking and delimitation: Evidence from Japanese
Authors: BEAVERS JOHN
Published: June 2008

This paper investigates two ways goals of motion events can be expressed in so-called ‘verb-framed’ languages (Talmy 2000), focusing on the Japanese postpositions -madeand -ni. It is typically assumed that these postpositions are both goal-markers, but differ in the exact goal semantics they encode, giving rise to non-overlapping distributions. Based on a range of distributional differences, I argue instead that they are more radically distinct than this: -mademarks the endpoint of event participants (including but not limited to paths of motion), while -niis a dative case that marks the goal argument of motion verbs. This suggests that it is possible for two functionally distinct participant markers to converge and give the appearance of being alternate ways of realizing the ‘same’ participant. Furthermore, adpositions such as -made, an inherently non-motion-encoding resource, represent an understudied strategy for marking goals across languages, something that has ramifications for how motion typologies are constructed.
Satisfying V2 in early Romance: Merge vs. Move
Authors: LEDGEWAY ADAM
Published: June 2008

In early Romance the finite verb raises in root clauses to the vacant C position, a movement operation frequently accompanied in turn by fronting of a pragmatically salient constituent to a preverbal position within the C-domain. Although this structural characterization of early Romance V2 word order overwhelmingly accounts for the core cases, there remains a smaller number of contexts in which the V2 effect appears to be satisfied by other means. More specifically, in addition to the move option, we argue that the V2 constraint may be met in early Romance by the Merge option: in the former case this involves movement of the finite verb to the empty C head, whereas in the latter case the V2 requirement is met by mergingsì(<sic‘thus, so’) directly in C°. This analysis radically departs from traditional analyses of Romancesì, which characterize it either as a coordinating conjunction or, in recent generative analyses, as a pleonastic phrasal category associated with a specifier position within CP. Our proposed analysis makes some interesting and novel predictions both about the rather restricted distribution ofsìin Old Neapolitan, many aspects of which remain unexplained under the alternative accounts, and the C-related functional positions involved in medieval Romance V2.
The effect of dietary sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) on local cellular responses toTrichostrongylus colubriformisin sheep
Authors: RÍOS-DE ÁLVAREZ L. , GREER A. W. , JACKSON F. , ATHANASIADOU S. , KYRIAZAKIS I. , HUNTLEY J. F.
Published: June 2008

The effect of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) hay consumption on the pathophysiology and local cellular responses of growing lambs during infection withTrichostrongylus colubriformiswas investigated. Thirty-two lambs, 16 weeks of age, were allocated to 1 of 4 treatment groups (n=8) that were offered either grass (G) or sainfoin (S) hay while concurrently either infected (+), or not (−) with 12 000 L3T. colubriformislarvae per week for 6 weeks. Liveweight gains were affected by diet (P=0·002) and reduced by infection (P<0·005). Faecal egg count was reduced in S+ compared to G+from days 35 to 42 (P=0·001); however, total egg output, worm burdens at day 42 and worm fecundity were similar between diets (P>0·05). Feeding sainfoin appeared to enhance immune cell development with tissue eosinophils, mast cells and pan T cells present in greater concentrations in S+ than in G+ animals. However, further studies are required to determine if the enhanced immune cell development is a consequence of a greater nutrient supply or a direct influence of sainfoin metabolites on local inflammatory responses to the gastrointestinal nematodeT. colubriformis.
Maimonides, Aquinas and Ghazali: distinguishing God from world
Authors: Burrell David
Published: June 2008

This exploration focuses on Moses ben Maimon's attempt to give philosophical voice to the revelation of the Torah to offer a window into the comparative (though not actually collaborative) efforts of Jewish, Christian and Muslim medieval thinkers to adapt the metaphysical strategies available to them to the hitherto inconceivable task of articulating a creation utterly free, with nothing presupposed to it. Short of a divine revelation, nothing could have suggested such an affirmation, so crafting the adaptations demanded of familiar philosophical categories would require exploiting the illumination inherent in those distinct revelations. Far from being a merely historical exercise, these efforts are presented as object lessons for philosophical theologians today, as we move to show how Aquinas and Ghazali complement Maimonides' way of negotiating recondite regions where reason and faith interact. In that sense, this exercise inspired by medieval thinkers may be dubbed ‘postmodern’, since the deliverances of faith can be seen to be interwoven with rational inquiry and indispensable to its execution. Moreover, their witness can also challenge current ‘philosophers of religion’ who may all too easily presume their categories to be adequate to the task of probing the reaches of religious faith. In this way, the call to transform philosophical strategies in ways not unlike that undertaken by our medieval thinkers can suggest a benign reading of the ‘postmodern’ situation in which we admittedly live.
Repackaging the ineffable: changing styles of Sikh scriptural commentary
Authors: Shackle Christopher
Published: June 2008

The special importance of the Ādi Granth as the defining scripture of the Sikhs has encouraged the production of commentaries whose language and approach reflect changing understandings of the Gurus' teachings over the last four centuries. The oral style of the earlier commentaries which typically demonstrate a catholic inclusiveness towards the wider Indic tradition came largely to be replaced in the twentieth century by the more exclusive approach of Sikh reformist commentators, in part aroused by the dismissive attitudes of the first English translation by Trumpp. Continuing to shape most modern understandings of the scripture, these highly organized commentaries composed in the new idiom of Modern Standard Panjabi are only now beginning to be challenged by new styles of exegesis being pioneered in the Sikh diaspora.
Holy superheroine: a comic book interpretation of the Hindu Devī Māhātmya scripture
Authors: McLain Karline
Published: June 2008

Amar Chitra Katha (Immortal Picture Stories) is India's leading comic book series, featuring hundreds of mythological titles about the Hindu gods. Founder Anant Pai initially eliminated all miracles, believing them to be unscientific interpolations. But while producing Tales of Durga (no. 176, 1978), he declared that the comic must be an “authentic” recreation of the Devī Māhātmya scripture, and that all miracles in the classical Sanskrit text must be faithfully rendered in the comic. This article examines the discourse of authenticity that surrounds the production of Tales of Durga in particular and this comic book series more generally. Through a careful reading of the Devī Māhātmya, content analysis of Tales of Durga, a consideration of the unique characteristics of the comic book medium, and interviews with comic book producers, this study provides insight into modern interpretations of the Devī Māhātmya and evolving Hindu attitudes towards the martial goddess Durga.
Exceptional sets for self-affine fractals
Authors: FALCONER KENNETH , MIAO JUN
Published: June 2008

Under certain conditions the ‘singular value function’ formula gives the Hausdorff dimension of self-affine fractals for almost all parameters in a family. We show that the size of the set of exceptional parameters is small both in the sense of Hausdorff dimension and Fourier dimension.