bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of cats fed vegetarian diets and attitudes of their caregivers
Authors: Wakefield Lorelei A. , Shofer Frances S. , Michel Kathryn E.
Published: July 2006

Objective—To determine motivation and feeding practices of people who feed their cats vegetarian diets as well as taurine and cobalamin status of cats consuming vegetarian diets.

Design—Cross-sectional study.

Animals—34 cats that had been exclusively fed a commercial or homemade vegetarian diet and 52 cats that had been fed a conventional diet for ≥ 1 year.

Procedures—Participants were recruited through a Web site and from attendees of a national animal welfare conference. Caregivers of cats in both groups answered a telephone questionnaire regarding feeding practices for their cats. Blood was obtained from a subset of cats that had been fed vegetarian diets. Blood and plasma taurine and serum cobalamin concentrations were measured.

Results—People who fed vegetarian diets to their cats did so largely for ethical considerations and were more likely than people who fed conventional diets to believe that there are health benefits associated with a vegetarian diet and that conventional commercial cat foods are unwholesome. Both groups were aware of the potential health problems that could arise from improperly formulated vegetarian diets. All cats evaluated had serum cobalamin concentrations within reference range, and 14 of 17 had blood taurine concentrations within reference range.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Vegetarian diets are fed to cats primarily for ethical considerations. Results of this study should aid practitioners in communicating with and providing advice to such clients.
Perioperative administration of antimicrobials associated with elective surgery for cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs: 83 cases (2003–2005)
Authors: Weese J. Scott , Halling Krista B.
Published: July 2006

Objective—To evaluate perioperative antimicrobial use associated with elective surgery for cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—83 dogs.

Procedures—Medical records were reviewed and antimicrobial use practices were evaluated for dogs with no other problems that would affect antimicrobial use decisions.

Results—Antimicrobials were administered before or during surgery to 75 of 83 (90%) dogs. Timing of administration with respect to first incision, intraoperative administration, and duration of administration were variable. Antimicrobial administration began after surgery in 3 (3.6%) dogs. Fifty-five of 65 (85%) dogs treated before surgery received the first dose within 60 minutes of the first incision. Time from first antimicrobial administration to closure of the incision ranged from 15 to 285 minutes (mean ± SD, 141 ± 53 minutes). If a guideline of repeated administration every 2 hours after first administration until closure of the surgical site was used, 22 of 43 (51%) dogs received the required intraoperative dose, whereas 6 of 32 (19%) dogs that did not require intraoperative treatment were treated. Twenty-four (29%) dogs received antimicrobials after surgery.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Certain discrepancies between antimicrobial use practices in this study and standard guidelines used in human medicine were evident.
Adult‐onset autosomal dominant leukodystrophy with autonomic symptoms restricted to 1.5 Mbp on chromosome 5q23
Authors: Marklund Lena , Melin Malin , Melberg Atle , Giedraitis Vilmantas , Dahl Niklas
Published: July 2006

Autosomal dominant leukodystrophy (ADLD) with autonomic symptoms is a slowly progressive leukodystrophy with an onset in the 4th to 6th decade of life. Early symptoms are derived from the autonomic nervous system with bladder dysfunction in the majority of patients. The disease progresses slowly with loss of fine motor skills, ataxia, and affected individuals may survive for two decades after onset of symptoms. The molecular basis behind ADLD remains unknown but the causative locus was previously mapped to a 4 cM region on chromosome 5. We have recently identified a large family of Swedish origin with this type of ADLD. Linkage analysis on samples from family members confirmed linkage to 5q23 and supports genetic homogeneity for the disease. We fine mapped and localized the ADLD gene to a 0.96 cM region between D5S1495 and CTT/CCT15. A maximum parametric multipoint location score of 9.45 was obtained for a position at the marker CTT55. From our results we conclude that the ADLD gene locus is restricted to a 1.47 Mbp interval containing 13 known or putative genes. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Materialien für den resonanten Fluoreszenzenergietransfer (FRET): jenseits klassischer Donor‐Acceptor‐Kombinationen
Authors: Sapsford Kim E. , Berti Lorenzo , Medintz Igor L.
Published: July 2006

Der resonante Förster‐ oder Fluoreszenzenergietransfer (FRET) wird seit über 50 Jahren als Grundlage spektroskopischer Techniken genutzt. Eine Suche im ISI Web of Science mit dem Begriff “FRET” liefert mehr als 2300 Literaturzitate aus so unterschiedlichen Bereichen wie Strukturaufklärung biologischer Moleküle, In‐vitro‐Tests, In‐vivo‐Überwachung in zellulären Systemen, Nucleinsäureanalysen, Signaltransduktion, lichtsammelnde und metallische Nanomaterialien etc. Der entscheidende Faktor für die weite Verbreitung von FRET‐Methoden war und ist die Entwicklung von neuartigen Fluorophortypen einschließlich Nanokristallen, Nanopartikeln, Polymeren und genetisch codierten Proteinen, zusammen mit der Einführung hochentwickelter Apparaturen. Dieser Aufsatz gibt einen kritischen Überblick über die Hauptklassen fluorophorer Materialien, die als Donoren, Acceptoren oder beides in FRET‐Anordnungen dienen können. Insbesondere betrachten wir die Vorteile und Grenzen dieser Materialien und ihrer Kombinationen sowie die verfügbaren Verfahren zur Biokonjugation.
Effektiver Algorithmus zur Lösung von inversen Aufgabenstellungen – Anwendung in der Geomechanik
Authors: Meier Jörg , Rudolph Sebastian , Schanz Tom
Published: July 2006

Durch den Einsatz von numerischen Modellen für ingenieurtechnische Problemstellungen, wie z. B. der FEM oder der FDM, können zunehmend komplexere Berechnungen in immer kürzerer Zeit bewältigt werden. Gleichzeitig ergibt sich jedoch bei dem Einsatz dieser Werkzeuge der Bedarf an Werten für die verschiedenen Modellparameter, von rein konstitutiven Kennwerten bis hin zu geometrischen Angaben, für deren Bestimmung zunehmend inverse Verfahren Anwendung finden. Bei der Nutzung dieser Methoden ist jedoch – insbesondere bei komplizierten Simulationen – mit sehr langen Berechnungszeiten zu rechnen. Gegenstand dieses Beitrags ist die Vorstellung einer Verfahrensklasse, die eine Abschätzung der Lösung solcher inverser Aufgaben auf der Basis von relativ wenigen Stützstellen ermöglicht. An die Verteilung der Stützstellen werden geringste Anforderungen gestellt, so daß diese wahlweise aus vorhergehenden Simulationen oder auch aus alternativen Quellen stammen können.

Im Rahmen dieses Beitrags soll ausgehend von einer Einführung in den theoretischen Ansatz eine Strategie zur Beschleunigung der Lösung von inversen Problemstellungen und Optimierungsaufgaben an einem Beispiel aus dem Gebiet der Geomechanik vorgestellt werden.
Multicomponent One‐pot Diastereoselective Synthesis of Biologically Important Scaffold under Microwaves
Authors: Dandia Anshu , Singh Ruby , Sarawgi Pritima , Khaturia Sarita
Published: July 2006

A simple and fast three‐component diastereoselective synthesis of biologically important spiro scaffold 4 was carried out in reasonable purity starting from readily available 1H‐indole‐2,3‐dione 1, ethyl cyanoacetate 2 and 4‐hydroxycoumarin 3 under microwave in high yield (88%–92%) and short time.
Synthesis and Characterization of 8‐Hydroxyquinoline Derivative Containing a Triphenylamine Unit and Its Metal Complexes
Authors: Jing Hui‐Lian , Zeng He‐Ping , Zhou Ya‐Dong , Wang Ting‐Ting , Yuan Guo‐Zan , Ouyang Xin‐Hua
Published: July 2006

A new 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivative (5) was synthesized and characterized by ESI‐MS, 1H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. The photophysical properties of compounds 5, 6 and 7 were also detemined by UV‐vis and FL spectroscopy. The vibrational frequency of ligand 5 predicted by using B3LYP method is in good agreement with experimentally determined values. The compositions of the corresponding copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes were confirmed to be Cu(C29H21N2O)2·H2O (6) and Zn(C29H21N2O)2·H2O (7) by elementary analysis, thermogravimetry analysis and IR spectroscopy.
Prognostic variability among nonsmall cell lung cancer patients with pathologic N1 lymph node involvement
Authors: Caldarella Adele , Crocetti Emanuele , Comin Camilla E. , Janni Alberto , Lopes Pegna Andrea , Paci Eugenio
Published: July 2006

BACKGROUND.

Patients who have nonsmall cell lung cancer with N1 lymph node status are an intermediate group of patients who have a variable prognosis. Differences in lymph node level (hilar or pulmonary lymph nodes) may influence patient survival. The authors retrospectively analyzed the factors that influenced prognosis, including the level of N1 lymph node involvement.

METHODS.

The authors used the Tuscan Cancer Registry archives to retrieve records on 2523 patients who had lung tumors diagnosed during the period from 1996 and 1998 in the provinces of Florence and Prato, central Italy. To analyze the survival of patients according to the level of lymph node involvement, the prognoses of patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer who had N1 lymph node status were compared in a population‐based case series. Among 112 patients with pathologic N1 status, the following variables were analyzed for their influence on postoperative survival: gender, age, cell type, pathologic tumor status, the number of metastatic lymph nodes, the level of metastatic lymph nodes (hilar or pulmonary), and the type of surgical resection.

RESULTS.

The 5‐year survival rates for patients who had involvement of pulmonary and hilar lymph nodes were 41.2% and 21.8%, respectively (P= .005). A Cox proportional hazards model analysis indicated that the presence of hilar lymph node involvement was an independent prognostic factor.

CONCLUSIONS.

N1 pathologic lymph node status was identified in a combination of subgroups with different prognoses, and the presence of hilar lymph node disease had prognostic significance. This difference in survival may lead to the use of different therapies for these subgroups of patients with pathologic N1 nonsmall cell lung cancer. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
COX‐2 upregulation in thymomas and thymic carcinomas
Authors: Rieker Ralf J. , Joos Stefan , Mechtersheimer Gunhild , Blaeker Hendrik , Schnabel Philipp A. , Morresi‐Hauf Alicia , Hecker Erich , Thomas Michael , Dienemann Hendrik , Schirmacher Peter , Kern Michael A.
Published: July 2006

The treatment of advanced stage thymomas and thymic carcinomas is a multimodal therapy. New therapeutic targets are currently under investigation, including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as well as KIT. A number of studies have shown protumorigenic potential of Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) in a variety of human malignancies, but so far it is unknown whether COX‐2 is expressed in primary malignancies of the thymus. Using tissue microarrays, the expression of COX‐2, microsomal‐PGES‐1 and ‐PGES‐2 (mPGES‐1 and mPGES‐2), as well as EGFR was evaluated in different subtypes of thymoma and thymic carcinomas. COX‐2 was expressed in all subtypes as determined by immunohistochemistry. Some cases of type B2 and thymic carcinomas had COX‐2 staining levels classified as mild to moderate. However, when measuring the optical color intensity, no significant differences could be detected. Concerning the expression levels, a weak correlation between the expression of COX‐2, mPGES‐1 and mPGES‐2 as well as EGFR was found. Furthermore, additional cases of thymomas and thymic carcinomas were analyzed by COX‐2 Western immunoblot analysis and were compared to normal thymi. The analysis showed that thymomas and thymic carcinomas had a significantly stronger COX‐2 expression than that of the normal thymi (p < 0.04). In summary, COX‐2 is expressed in all subtypes of thymomas and thymic carcinomas and thus represents, in addition to EGFR and KIT, a potential therapeutic target. Further studies are needed in order to determine whether a combined therapy using COX‐2 inhibitors in addition to the evolving anti‐EGFR antibody therapy may be considered as a treatment option. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adenosine upregulates CXCR4 and enhances the proliferative and migratory responses of human carcinoma cells to CXCL12/SDF‐1α
Authors: Richard Cynthia Lee , Tan Ernest Yoh , Blay Jonathan
Published: July 2006

The level of expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 has been shown to play a crucial role in determining the ability of cancer cells to metastasize from the primary tumor and become established in tissue sites that are rich in the CXCR4 ligand CXCL12/SDF‐1α. High CXCR4 expression on cancer cells is associated with an increased risk of recurrence and poorer overall survival. We propose that local tissue mediators within the primary tumor or at secondary sites may modulate the level of CXCR4 expression and, therefore, potentially affect the ability of the cancer cells to metastasize. The purine nucleoside adenine‐9‐β‐D‐ribofuranoside (adenosine) is generated at high concentrations within the extracellular fluid of solid tumors because of their hypoxia. We show here that adenosine acts through A2Aand A2Badenosine receptors on human colorectal carcinoma cells to upregulate CXCR4 mRNA expression up to 10‐fold and selectively increases cell‐surface CXCR4 protein up to 3‐fold. This increase in cell‐surface CXCR4 enables the carcinoma cells to migrate toward CXCL12, and enhances their proliferation in response to CXCL12. Adenosine may therefore be one of the factors within the tumor microenvironment that facilitates tumor dissemination, by upregulating CXCR4 on certain cancer cells and enhancing cellular responses to CXCL12. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microbiologically influenced corrosion of steels by thermophilic and mesophilic bacteria
Authors: Alfaro‐Cuevas‐Villanueva R. , Cortes‐Martinez R. , García‐Díaz J. J. , Galvan‐Martinez R. , Torres‐Sanchez R.
Published: July 2006

Bacterial influenced corrosion of AISI 316 stainless steels (SS) and ASTM A36 carbon steel by two strains of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) were analyzed. Thermophilic and mesophilic bacteria were isolated from the condensate fluid of “Los Azufres”, a geothermal electric field located in the State of Michoacan at Central Mexico. Anaerobic corrosion tests were carried out for 15, 30 and 60 days in lactate‐containing media at 50 °C and 40 °C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to determine corrosion morphology. Pitting density was determined with an optical microscope. Corrosion potential, anodic potentiodynamic polarization curves and pH values were measured under anaerobic conditions. Results show that the microbial activity influenced the overall corrosion process, whereas, pitting corrosion and localized attack corrosion (LAC) were found. The anodic polarization curves show that passivation and activation processes should take place on the steel surface of the sample and pH decreases as the exposure time increases.
Static susceptibility effects in balanced SSFP sequences
Authors: Ganter Carl
Published: July 2006

The steady state of balanced steady–state free precession (b–SSFP) sequences in presence of field inhomogeneities can be expressed in terms of a rapidly convergent series, which contains the characteristic function of the susceptibility related phase variations. As long as the intravoxel standard deviation σ of the accumulated phase per repetition time (TR) is of order 1 (radians) or lower, the signal at TE=TR/2 behaves like a spin echo (SE), in accordance with recent observations. The signal decays quadratically around the maximum near TR/2 with a curvature, which solely depends on σ and not on T′2. For larger σ, a qualitative change toward a gradient echo (GRE) occurs and the signal shows characteristics of an usual FID. With increasing off–resonance the width of the SE regime decreases. Magn Reson Med 56:, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization and tensile properties of ternary blends with PA‐6 nanocomposites
Authors: Contreras V. , Cafiero M. , Da Silva S. , Rosales C. , Perera R. , Matos M.
Published: July 2006

In the present work, the effectiveness of using a styrene/ethylene–butylene/styrene rubber grafted with maleic anhydride (MA) as toughening material in ternary blends with two polyamide‐6 nanocomposites or PP with different molecular weight as matrix phases was evaluated in terms of SEM and TEM morphology, WAXD, capillary rheometry, and tensile properties determination. Two metallocene polyethylenes and two polypropylenes were used as the dispersed phase in these ternary blends, and the effect of the comonomer contents in the former was also evaluated. Results showed that the blends prepared with metallocene polyethylenes are tougher than those prepared with PP as the dispersed phase and no significant changes in the Young's modulus or tensile strength were observed when changing the type of metallocene polyethylenes used. When a blend of SEBS/SEBS‐g‐MA instead of SEBS‐g‐MA alone was used as a compatibilizing agent in the ternary PA‐6 nanocomposite blends, a major decrease in the Young's modulus and tensile strength and a higher toughness were observed. The formation of PA‐OMMT particle clusters seems to improve the toughness/stiffness balance. These results are related to the degree of clay dispersion in the polyamide and to the type of morphology developed in the different blends. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 46:1111–1120, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Rural mobility as a response to land shortages: the case of Malawi
Authors: Potts Deborah
Published: July 2006

Malawi is the most densely populated country in southern Africa, and its economy and the livelihoods of the vast majority of its people are dependent on agriculture. Rural land is, therefore, a critical resource. Malawi is divided into three Regions and during the colonial period, such economic development as did occur tended to be concentrated in the Southern Region. The Northern Region was often characterised, by contrast, as the ‘dead North’. Levels of economic development in the Central Region fell between the other two regions. At independence in the 1960s, internal migration patterns reflected this, with net in‐migration to the Southern Region and net out‐migration from the Northern. In the 40 years since, there have been marked changes in these patterns, and in the last intercensal period, 1987–1998, the Northern Region was experiencing net in‐migration from the Southern Region, and was the fastest growing region. This paper traces these changes over time through analysis of census data, and relates them to increasingly serious land shortages in the south and the geography of tobacco estate development since independence. This analysis is further supported by a range of other surveys and research which indicate the depth of land shortage and rural poverty in the south of the country. The paper concludes that rural–rural migration, although under‐studied, particularly in southern Africa, is a vitally important aspect of rural livelihood change and positive adaptation in sub‐Saharan Africa which deserves more attention. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Temperature stability and linear magnetic field response of the magnetoresistance in Ag0.07–La0.67Sr0.13Ag0.08Ä0.12MnO3 composite
Authors: Tang G. D. , Liu X. M. , Li Z. Z. , Hou D. L. , Zhao X. , Liu L. H. , Qi W. H. , Yu Y. , Yu R. C. , Jin C. Q.
Published: July 2006

Composite bulk polycrystalline samples of Agδ –La0.67Sr0.33–x –y Agx –δ Δy +δ MnO3 (x = 0.00, 0.15, 0.20, y = 0.00; and x = 0.15, y = 0.03, 0.05, with Δ representing cation vacancy at La site) were successfully synthesized using the sol–gel method. It is found that there are two phases in the samples, a cubic structure Ag phase and a perovskite phase. An experimental method for estimating the Ag phase content δ in the samples is presented. The Ag content x – δ and the cation vacancy y + δ were calculated. The Ag phase content and the lattice parameters of the two phases were also investigated using the Rietveld refinement method. The Ag phase contents obtained from the two methods are very close. The influences of x – δ and y + δ on the lattice parameters of the perovskite phase, the Curie temperature (T C), the metallic–semiconducting transition temperature (T MI), the magnetoresistance (MR), the peak temperature (T MR) of the MR, and the temperature stability of the MR of the samples were examined. The Mn–O bond length L B of the perovskite phase increases with increasing x – δ . However T C, T MI, and T MR decrease with increasing L B. For the sample Ag0.07–La0.67Sr0.13Ag0.08Δ0.12MnO3, under an applied magnetic field of 1.8 T, the MR is stable (9.41 ± 0.32%) in the temperature range 275–305 K; the MR increases linearly with magnetic field up to 1.5 T; and the change of MR with magnetic field, S MR = d(MR)/d(μ 0H ), is as high as about 5.2%/T. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
One‐dimensional surface states induced by segregated impurities at transition‐metal surfaces
Authors: Trimarchi G. , Binggeli N.
Published: July 2006

Using ab initio pseudopotential calculations, we have investigated the atomic and electronic structure of a c (3√2 × √2) striped reconstruction, induced by segregated C impurities, at the Fe(001) surface. The segregated C atoms form zigzag chains, which in turn produce one‐dimensional Fe surface states near the Fermi energy. We address the influence of the C chains on the local surface atomic geometry, local electrostatic potential, and local density of states, and discuss the formation mechanism of the one‐dimensional surface states. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Tuning the Schottky barrier height in metal–alkaline earth oxide interfaces
Authors: Nuñez Matías , Nardelli M. Buongiorno
Published: July 2006

Using calculations from first principles we have demonstrated that it is possible to tune the Schottky Barrier Height in a metal–alkaline earth oxide interface by manipulating the microscopic and macroscopic dipoles that naturally form at the junction between the two materials. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Preface: phys. stat. sol. (b) 243/9
Authors: Chelikowsky James , Demkov Alex
Published: July 2006

The following 21 papers were presented at the 1st Institute for the Theory of Advanced Materials in Information Technology Workshop on Computational Materials and Electronics held 20–22 October 2005 in Austin, Texas, USA. Not every talk given at the workshop is represented with a paper in this selection; however, the reader should be able to obtain a scope of the Workshop.

This workshop is a continuation of a series of workshops on computational materials and electronics

Papers presented at the 5th Motorola Workshop appeared in phys. stat. sol. (b) 241, No. 10 (August 2004).

sponsored by Motorola that have covered materials theory, nano‐device physics and semiconductor processing. The 2005 workshop focused on two areas: Materials Theory, and Molecular Electronics and Charge Transfer in Biosystems. The participants came from several US universities, research centers in Europe and Israel, Oak Ridge National Research Laboratory, Texas Instruments, Intel, 3M, IBM and Motorola corporate research organizations.

The Institute for the Theory of Advanced Materials in Information Technology is supported by the National Science Foundation and is dedicated to promoting research on understanding electronic materials. You can learn more about the institute at the web site http://www.ices.utexas.edu/ccm/itamit/. We wish to thank the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, National Science Foundation, and Office of Naval Research for their financial support of the workshop. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fetal cardiac output, distribution to the placenta and impact of placental compromise
Authors: Kiserud T. , Ebbing C. , Kessler J. , Rasmussen S.
Published: July 2006

Objectives

Intrauterine growth restriction is a common clinical problem, but the underlying hemodynamic changes are not well known. Our aim was to determine the normal distribution of fetal cardiac output to the placenta during the second half of pregnancy, and to assess the changes imposed by growth restriction with various degrees of placental compromise.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study of 212 low‐risk pregnancies with a gestational age of 18–41 weeks constituted the reference population. A second group of 64 pregnancies with an estimated fetal weight ⩽ 2.5th percentile constituted the study group. Ultrasound measurements of inner diameters and velocities at the fetal left and right ventricular outlets and intra‐abdominal umbilical vein were used to determine combined left and right cardiac output (CCO) and the fraction distributed to the placenta. Placental compromise was graded according to umbilical artery waveform: pulsatility index normal, > 97.5th percentile, or absent/reversed end‐diastolic velocity. Regression analysis and Z‐score (SD‐score) statistics were used to establish normal ranges and to compare groups.

Results

During gestational weeks 18–41 the normal CCO/kg was on average 400 mL/min/kg and the fraction directed to the placenta was on average 32%, while after 32 weeks it was 21%. In intrauterine growth restriction the CCO/kg was not significantly different, but the fraction to the placenta was lower (P < 0.001). This effect was more pronounced in severe placental compromise (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Normally, one third of the fetal CCO is distributed to the placenta in most of the second half of pregnancy, and one fifth near term. In placental compromise this fraction is reduced while CCO/kg is maintained at normal levels, signifying an increased recirculation of umbilical blood in the fetal body. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance analysis of coded cooperation diversity in wireless networks
Authors: Zummo Salam A.
Published: July 2006

Diversity is an effective technique in enhancing the link quality and increasing network capacity. When multiple antennas cannot be used in mobile units, user cooperation can be employed to provide transmit diversity. In this paper, we analyze the error performance of coded cooperation diversity with multiple cooperating users. We derive the end‐to‐end bit error probability of coded cooperation (averaged over all cooperation scenarios). We consider different fading distributions for the interuser channels. Furthermore, we consider the case of two cooperating users with correlated uplink channels. Results show that more cooperating users should be allowed under good interuser channel conditions, while it suffices to have two cooperating users in adverse interuser conditions. Furthermore, under bad interuser conditions, more cooperating users can be accommodated as the fading distribution becomes more random. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two-fluid tokamak equilibria with reversed magnetic shear and sheared flow
Authors: POULIPOULIS G. , THROUMOULOPOULOS G. N. , TASSO H.
Published: July 2006

The aim of the present work is to investigate tokamak equilibria with reversed magnetic shear and sheared flow, which may play a role in the formation of internal transport barriers (ITBs), within the framework of the two-fluid model in cylindrical geometry. The study is based on exact self-consistent solutions by means of which the impact of the magnetic shear, s, and the ‘toroidal’ (axial) and ‘poloidal’ (azimuthal) ion velocity components, viz and viθ, on the radial electric field, Er, its shear, |dEr/dr|, and the shear of the E×B velocity, ωE×B≡|d/dr(E× B/B2)|, is examined. For a wide parametric regime of experimental concern it turns out that the contributions of the viz, viθ and pressure gradient (∇ Pi) terms to Er, |Er′| and ωE×B are of the same order of magnitude. The contribution of the ∇ Pi term is missing in the framework of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) (G. Poulipoulis et al. 2004 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion46, 639). The impact of s on ωE×B through the ∇ Pi term is stronger than that through the velocity terms; in particular for constant Bz the ion pressure gradient contribution to ωE×B at the point where dEr/dr=0 scales as (1−s)(2−s), whereas the ion flow contributions to ωE×B scale as (1−s). The results indicate that, like MHD, the magnetic shear and the sheared toroidal and poloidal velocities act synergetically in producing electric fields and therefore ωE×B profiles compatible with the ones observed in discharges with ITBs; owing to the ∇ Pi term, however, the impact of s on Er, |Er′| and ωE×B is stronger than that in MHD.
Modified Korteweg–de Vries theory of non-monotonic double layers in multi-species plasma
Authors: KIM T. H. , KIM S. S. , KIM H. Y. , HWANG J. H.
Published: July 2006

The analytic solution for the time stationary non-monotonic double layers in multi-species plasma is presented. This solution is the analytic extension of the monotonic double layer and the solitary hole. We have derived the modified Korteweg–de Vries equation in plasmas, taking account of negative ion effects. The effects of negative ion and density on the properties of the non-monotonic double layer are discussed.
Herzgeräusch – Auskultation oder Echokardiographie bei der Diagnose von Vitien und Herzklappenfehlern?
Authors: Attenhofer Jost
Published: July 2006

Die Häufigkeit von degenerativ bedingten valvulären aber auch kongenitalen Herzerkrankungen wird in den nächsten Jahrzehnten zunehmen. Die Auskultation mit dem Stethoskop bleibt ein wichtiger Bestandteil in der Erkennung und Behandlung dieser Herzerkrankungen. Herzgeräusche (vor allem systolische) sind extrem häufig. Ein Herzgeräusch kann oft differenziert werden in ein funktionelles Systolikum oder ein Geräusch bedingt durch eine valvuläre Erkrankung, aber es bestehen wichtige Limitationen. So genügen eine Auskultation und klinische Untersuchung häufig nicht, um Patienten mit einer Herzinsuffizienz oder einem Herzgeräusch korrekt einzuordnen und zu behandeln. Relevante Aortenstenosen, Aorteninsuffizienzen oder Mitralinsuffizienzen wie auch eine hypertroph obstruktive Kardiomyopathie werden immer wieder verpasst. Eine Echokardiographie ist bei allen Patienten mit einem mehr als einem leisen Sytolikum, einem Diastolikum, kardialen Symptomen und/oder EKG Veränderungen indiziert.
Die Schlüssel zur Diagnostik in der Rheumatologie – Anamnese und klinische Untersuchung
Authors: Brühlmann  , Michel
Published: July 2006

Anamnese und klinische Untersuchung bilden die wesentlichen Schlüssel zur Diagnostik in der Rheumatologie. Auf dem Gebiet der Weichteilstörungen gibt es keine anderen diagnostischen Möglichkeiten, welche die klinische Untersuchung ersetzen können. Bei den übrigen Erkrankungen ist der Anteil der klinischen Untersuchung für die Diagnostik ebenfalls sehr hoch. Bei kompetenter klinischer Untersuchung müssen aufwendige und oft teure Zusatzuntersuchungen nur eingesetzt werden, wo nötig. Gelangt man bereits durch die aufmerksame, kompetente klinische Untersuchung zur Diagnose, bringt dies eine besondere Befriedigung in der ärztlichen Tätigkeit mit sich. Der erfahrene Untersucher ist auch befähigt, prognostische Schlüsse direkt aus der klinischen Untersuchung abzuleiten. Dies ist besonders wichtig im Bereiche der häufigen Erkrankungen wie Weichteilsyndrome oder Rückenerkrankungen, wo die Bildgebung in der Gesamtbeurteilung nur dient, wenn sie gezielt und mit klinischer Fragestellung eingesetzt und interpretiert wird.
Entwicklung und konfirmatorische Prüfung eines Rasch-skalierten Beurteilungsbogens für die Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) im Grundschulalter
Authors: Wirtz Markus , Schleider Karin , Krause Andreas
Published: July 2006

Zusammenfassung. Die Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) führt bei Schülern zu Lernschwierigkeiten und deutlich verringerten Schulleistungen. Innerhalb eines mehrstufigen diagnostischen Prozesses ist die Beurteilung durch Lehrkräfte eine wesentliche Grundlage für eine weiterführende Diagnostik sowie etwaige Behandlungsmaßnahmen durch psychologische und/oder medizinische Fachkräfte. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde ein Beurteilungsbogen für Lehrkräfte an Grundschulen entwickelt, der eine Rasch-skalierte Erfassung der vier Dimensionen Hyperaktivität, Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit, Emotionale Probleme und Soziale Probleme ermöglicht. Die analysierten Einschätzungen stammen von insgesamt 94 Lehrkräften in der Grundschule, die 141 Schülerinnen und Schüler der ersten vier Klassenstufen beurteilt haben. Die sehr guten Skaleneigenschaften und die Fragebogenstruktur konnten für einen zweiten Messzeitpunkt repliziert werden (N = 122). Es steht somit ein Instrument zur Verfügung, das die besonders wünschenswerten Eigenschaften von Rasch-Skalen (z. B. Intervallskalenniveau der diagnostischen Befunde, strikte Eindimensionalität und eindeutige Interpretierbarkeit) für die pädagogische Diagnostik nutzbar macht. Zudem ist die Basis für zukünftige Forschung geschaffen, in der insbesondere die Vergleichbarkeit und Gültigkeit unterschiedlicher Beurteilerperspektiven aufgrund der vielfältigen Möglichkeiten der Rasch-Analyse empirisch überprüft und optimiert werden kann.
Thermodynamic interpretation of the scaling of the dynamics of supercooled liquids
Authors: Casalini R. , Mohanty U. , Roland C. M.
Published: July 2006

The recently discovered scaling law for the relaxation times, τ(T,υ)=I(Tυγ), where T is temperature and υ the specific volume, is derived by a revision of the entropy model of the glass transition dynamics originally proposed by Avramov [J. Non-Cryst. Solids 262, 258 (2000)]. In this modification the entropy is calculated by an alternative route. The resulting expression for the variation of the relaxation time with T and υ is shown to accurately fit experimental data for several glass-forming liquids and polymers over an extended range encompassing the dynamic crossover. From this analysis, which is valid for any model in which the relaxation time is a function of the entropy, we find that the scaling exponent γ can be identified with the Grüneisen constant.
Electronic conductivity in polyaromatic hydrocarbon glasses: A theoretical perspective
Authors: Ganzenmüller Georg , Koslowski Thorsten
Published: July 2006

Based upon Monte Carlo simulations of amorphous molecular glasses, we have computed the electronic structure of five prototypical polyaromatic hydrocarbons using an extended Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model [J. R. Schrieffer, W. P. Su, and A. J. Heeger, Phys. Rev. Lett. 42, 1698 (1979)]. In the presence of excess charges, the resulting potential energy surfaces have been analyzed using Marcus’ [Annu. Rev. Phys. Chem. 15, 155 (1964)] theory of charge transfer to yield reaction coefficients and—via the application of linear response theory—local conductivities. Applying Kirchhoff’s rules, the emerging random resistor network problem leads to global conductivities of the order of 10−1–1S∕cm, which correlate with the structural characteristics of the underlying geometry.
Turbulent decay of after-spark channels
Authors: Shneider M. N.
Published: July 2006

A theoretical model is proposed for performing self-consistent calculations of the entire evolution of a spark discharge and the subsequent cooling of the postdischarge channel and dielectric recovery, taking into account the generation and dissipation of an intense turbulent flow in an after-spark channel. Classical cascade and noncascade mechanisms of a turbulence dissipation are discussed. The stabilizing effect of the continuous residual electric current on the plasma cooling in the channel is analyzed. The results for computed rate of restoration of dielectric strength are compared with known experiments
Nanoscale epitaxial overgrowth process and properties of GaN layers on Si (111) substrates
Authors: Wang L. S. , Tripathy S. , Wang B. Z. , Teng J. H. , Chow S. Y. , Chua S. J.
Published: July 2006

Nanoscale epitaxial overgrowth has been explored to realize continuous specular GaN films on patterned SiO2∕GaN∕Si (111) substrates. We have employed both polystyrene-based nanosphere and interferometric lithographies to form the nanohole array patterns and then subsequent regrowth of GaN is carried out by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The nanoscale epitaxial overgrowth process of GaN layers is studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy measurements. Optical spectroscopic methods such as microphotoluminescence and micro-Raman scattering show an improvement of the optical and crystalline quality in such overgrown GaN layers when compared to GaN simultaneously grown on bulk Si (111) without patterning. Realization of such thicker and good quality GaN layer would be useful to achieve III-nitride-based optoelectronic integration on Si substrates.
Phase effect on flow control for dielectric barrier plasma actuators
Authors: Singh K. P. , Roy Subrata
Published: July 2006

Active control of flow has a wide range of applications. Specifically, mitigation of detachment due to the weakly ionized gas flow past a flat plate at an angle of attack is studied using two asymmetric sets of electrode pairs kept at a phase lag. The equations governing the dynamics of electrons, helium ions, and neutrals are solved self-consistently with charge-Poisson equation. The eletrodynamic forces produced by two actuators largely depend on the relative phase between the potentials applied to rf electrodes and distance between them. A suitable phase and an optimum distance exist between two actuators for effective separation control.
An Internal EELD Domain Facilitates Mitochondrial Targeting of Mcl-1 via a Tom70-dependent Pathway
Authors: Chou Chiang-Hung , Lee Ru-Shuo , Yang-Yen Hsin-Fang
Published: July 2006

Mcl-1 functions at an apical step in many regulatory programs that control cell death. Although the mitochondrion is one major subcellular organelle where Mcl-1 functions, the molecular mechanism by which Mcl-1 is targeted to mitochondria remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Mcl-1 is loosely associated with the outer membrane of mitochondria. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Mcl-1 interacts with the mitochondrial import receptor Tom70, and such interaction requires an internal domain of Mcl-1 that contains an EELD motif. A Tom70 antibody that blocks Mcl-1–Tom70 interaction blocks mitochondrial import of Mcl-1 in vitro. Furthermore, Mcl-1 is significantly less targeted to mitochondria in Tom70 knockdown than in the control cells. Similar targeting preference is also observed for the DM mutant of Mcl-1 whose mutation at the EELD motif markedly attenuates its Tom70 binding activity. Together, our results indicate that the internal EELD domain facilitates mitochondrial targeting of Mcl-1 via a Tom70-dependent pathway.
Melanoma of the Nose: Prognostic Factors, Three‐Dimensional Histology, and Surgical Strategies
Authors: Jahn Verena , Breuninger Helmut , Garbe Claus , Maassen Marcus M. , Moehrle Matthias
Published: July 2006

Objectives: The prominent position of the nose in the face accounts for its constant exposure to sunlight and thus its high incidence of malignant involvement. The aim of this prospective study was to define prognostic factors for nasal melanomas and to evaluate surgical strategies.

Methods: Forty‐five patients with stage I/II melanoma were included. Malignant melanomas of the nose represented 0.8% of stage I/II cutaneous melanoma and 5.3% of head and neck melanoma (1983–2004). The median tumor thickness was 0.75 mm. Twenty‐two of 33 Lentigo maligna melanomas (LMM) underwent three‐dimensional (3D) histology in paraffin technique (i.e., micrographic surgery).

Results: The 5 year disease‐specific survival rate was 96%, and the 5 year recurrence‐free survival rate was 93%. There were no statistically significant risk factors in the univariate analysis. LMMs that were removed with accompanying 3D histology were thinner than other histologic types (median 0.75 vs. 1.55 mm). Compared with conventional histology, using 3D histology made it possible to reduce the excision margins (median 5 vs. 10 mm). There was one lymph node recurrence after LMM with 3D histology. Of five sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLNB) there was no positive SLNB and no recurrence.

Conclusion: This is the largest study of nasal melanomas so far. Excision of LMM using 3D histology allowed the reduction of excision margins for better cosmesis and function. Our results do not permit conclusions regarding the prognostic impact of SLNB.
Pleomorphomonas koreensis sp. nov., a nitrogen-fixing species in the order Rhizobiales
Authors: Im Wan-Taek , Kim Seong-Hye , Kim Myung Kyum , Ten Leonid N. , Lee Sung-Taik
Published: July 2006

A Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium (strain Y9T) was isolated from a contaminated culture of the phototrophic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris, and was investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain Y9T belonged to the order Rhizobiales in the Alphaproteobacteria. Comparison of phylogenetic data indicated that it was most closely related to Pleomorphomonas oryzae (98.5 % similarity of 16S rRNA gene sequence), and the phylogenetic distance from any other species of the order Rhizobiales with a validly published name was greater than 7.5 % (i.e. less than 92.5 % similarity). The predominant ubiquinone was Q-10 and the major fatty acids were C18 : 1, C16 : 0, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and C18 : 0. The G+C content of genomic DNA of strain Y9T was 65.1 mol%. The results of DNA–DNA hybridization in combination with chemotaxonomic and physiological data demonstrated that strain Y9T represents a novel species within the genus Pleomorphomonas, for which the name Pleomorphomonas koreensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Y9T (=KCTC 12246T=NBRC 100803T)
Bacillus aerius sp. nov., Bacillus aerophilus sp. nov., Bacillus stratosphericus sp. nov. and Bacillus altitudinis sp. nov., isolated from cryogenic tubes used for collecting air samples from high altitudes
Authors: Shivaji S. , Chaturvedi P. , Suresh K. , Reddy G. S. N. , Dutt C. B. S. , Wainwright M. , Narlikar J. V. , Bhargava P. M.
Published: July 2006

Four novel bacterial strains were isolated from cryogenic tubes used to collect air samples at altitudes of 24, 28 and 41 km. The four strains, 24KT, 28KT, 41KF2aT and 41KF2bT, were identified as members of the genus Bacillus. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that three of the strains, 24KT, 28KT and 41KF2aT, are very similar to one another (>98 % sequence similarity) and show a similarity of 98–99 % with Bacillus licheniformis and 98 % with Bacillus sonorensis. DNA–DNA hybridization studies showed that strains 24KT, 28KT and 41KF2aT exhibit <70 % similarity with each other and with B. licheniformis and B. sonorensis. Differences in phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics between the novel strains and B. licheniformis and B. sonorensis further confirmed that these three isolates are representatives of three separate novel species. Strain 41KF2bT showed 100 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Bacillus pumilus, but differed from its nearest phylogenetic neighbour in a number of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics and showed only 55 % DNA–DNA relatedness. Therefore, the four isolates represent four novel species for which the names Bacillus aerius sp. nov. (type strain, 24KT=MTCC 7303T=JCM 13348T), Bacillus aerophilus sp. nov. (type strain, 28KT=MTCC 7304T=JCM 13347T), Bacillus stratosphericus sp. nov. (type strain, 41KF2aT=MTCC 7305T=JCM 13349T) and Bacillus altitudinis sp. nov. (type strain, 41KF2bT=MTCC 7306T=JCM 13350T) are proposed.
Tepidanaerobacter syntrophicus gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic, moderately thermophilic, syntrophic alcohol- and lactate-degrading bacterium isolated from thermophilic digested sludges
Authors: Sekiguchi Yuji , Imachi Hiroyuki , Susilorukmi Ambar , Muramatsu Mizuho , Ohashi Akiyoshi , Harada Hideki , Hanada Satoshi , Kamagata Yoichi
Published: July 2006

Three anaerobic, moderately thermophilic, syntrophic primary alcohol- and lactate-degrading microbes, designated strains JLT, JE and OL, were isolated from sludges of thermophilic (55 °C) digesters that decomposed either municipal solid wastes or sewage sludge. The strains were strictly anaerobic organisms. All three strains grew at 25–60 °C and pH 5.5–8.5 and optimum growth was observed at 45–50 °C and pH 6.0–7.0. The three organisms grew chemo-organotrophically on a number of carbohydrates in the presence of yeast extract. In co-culture with the hydrogenotrophic methanogenMethanothermobacter thermautotrophicus, all strains could utilize ethanol, glycerol and lactate syntrophically for growth, although these compounds were not metabolized in pure culture without additional external electron acceptors. All strains could reduce thiosulphate. Quinones were not detected. The DNA G+C contents of strains JLT, JE and OL were 38.0, 37.3 and 37.7 mol%, respectively. Major cellular fatty acids of the strains were iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0and unsaturated species of C15 : 1. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strains belong to a deeply branched lineage of the phylumFirmicutes; the most closely related species wasThermovenabulum ferriorganovorum(16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 88 %). The three strains were phylogenetically very closely related to each other (99–100 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and were physiologically and chemotaxonomically similar. These genetic and phenotypic properties suggest that the strains should be classified as representatives of a novel species and genus; the nameTepidanaerobacter syntrophicusgen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain ofTepidanaerobacter syntrophicusis strain JLT(=JCM 12098T=NBRC 100060T=DSM 15584T).
Lipoplex and LPD Nanoparticles for In Vivo Gene Delivery
Authors: Shyh-Dar Li , Song Li , Leaf Huang
Published: July 2006

INTRODUCTION

Lipoplex (cationic liposome-DNA complex) is formed via electrostatic interaction of anionic nucleic acids with cationic liposomes. A thin film of lipids is dried on the bottom of a glass tube and rehydrated in an aqueous solution. The resulting liposome suspension is passed through polycarbonate filters of desired pore size. This protocol also describes the preparation, physical properties, and biological activity of liposome-polycation-DNA (LPD) nanoparticles. The LPD nanoparticles contain a highly condensed DNA core surrounded by lipid bilayers with an average size of ~100 nm. The nanoparticle complex is injected into mice, and expression of the transfected DNA is monitored with an appropriate assay.