bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the maximum number of different ordered pairs of symbols in sets of latin squares
Authors: Dinitz Jeffrey H. , Stinson Douglas R.
Published: June 2004

In this paper, we study the problem of constructing sets of s latin squares of order m such that the average number of different ordered pairs obtained by superimposing two of the s squares in the set is as large as possible. We solve this problem (for all s) when m is a prime power by using projective planes. We also present upper and lower bounds for all positive integers m. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 13: 1–15, 2005.
Hepatitis C virus infection in dialysis and chronic liver patients: Viraemia dependent anti‐E2‐antibody response
Authors: Hanuka Negba , Sikuler Emanuel , Tovbin David , Neville Lewis , Nussbaum Ofer , Mostoslavsky Marcos , Orgel Mordechai , Yaari Arie , Manor Sigal , Dagan Shlomo , Hilzenrat Nir , Shemer‐Avni Yonat
Published: June 2004

Cryptic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection relates to patients infected chronically with HCV that are seronegative but have HCV‐RNA. These patients are not identified by the standard serological tests for HCV, which are based on detection of antibodies to core, NS3 and NS5 antigens. They will, therefore, be wrongly diagnosed as non‐infected, and are considered as a potential risk for others. Cryptic HCV infection in dialysis units occurs frequently and, due to medical procedures, is a major factor for contracting the virus when unrecognised. This study was conducted in order to assess the humoral immune responses to E2‐antigen in sera of patients infected chronically with HCV. Recombinant E2 protein in enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot (WB) were used to test the occurrence of anti‐E2 antibodies in the sera of patients from the liver clinic and of dialysis patients. The presence of E2 antibodies was found to be correlated with the presence of HCV‐RNA and with viral load. Antibodies to the E2 protein could be detected in as many as 30% of the sera from dialysis patients with cryptic HCV infection (HCV‐RNA only). The results suggest that detection of anti‐E2 antibodies may enhance significantly HCV serological standard testing; especially among patients on dialysis, and that antibodies to envelope E2 protein appear to depend on and correlate with the presence of HCV particles. J. Med. Virol. 73:529–535, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Epidemiological and quantitative study of GBV‐C infection in french polytransfused children
Authors: Castelain S. , Francois C. , Bonte D. , Baron A. , Horle B. , Morel V. , Pautard B. , Duverlie Gilles
Published: June 2004

From 1999 to 2002, 246 serum samples taken from polytransfused children were tested for the presence of GB virus C (GBV‐C) RNA using a real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assay. This assay was based on the TaqMan technology and allowed viral load determination in infected children with a dynamic range from 103 to 107 genome equivalent (gEq) copies/ml. The limit of detection was estimated to 619 gEq copies/ml with a ≥95% probability of a positive result. Thirty five sera were found to be GBV‐C RNA positive, corresponding to a prevalence of GBV‐C of 14.2%. The mean viral load was high, i.e., 6 ± 1.4 log (range 3.22–7.42) gEq copies/ml, but low viral loads were also detected. Sequencing of the 5′‐untranslated region (UTR) identified a majority of genotype 2 strains (82%) distributed into two subtypes, 88.5% genotype 2a and 11.5% genotype 2b. In conclusion, GBV‐C active infection is very frequent in exposed populations such as polytransfused children. GBV‐C RNA quantitation using real‐time assay may be useful for diagnosis and follow‐up of the natural history of GBV‐C infection. J. Med. Virol. 73:596–600, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genotypic analysis of sequential genital herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) isolates of patients with recurrent HSV‐1 associated genital herpes
Authors: Roest R.W. , Carman W.F. , Maertzdorf J. , Scoular A. , Harvey J. , Kant M. , van der Meijden W.I. , Verjans Georges M.G.M. , Osterhaus A.D.M.E.
Published: June 2004

Clinical recurrences of Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1)‐associated genital herpes are thought to be caused by reactivation of latent endogenous HSV‐1. However, the possibility of reinfection with exogenous HSV‐1 cannot be excluded. This study aimed to determine the incidence of genital HSV‐1 superinfection in patients by investigating the genotype of sequential HSV‐1 isolates obtained from the same anatomical site of patients with clinical recurrences of genital HSV‐1 recurrent genital herpes. Sequential genital HSV‐1 isolates were genotyped by PCR amplification of the hypervariable regions located within the HSV‐1 genes US1 and US12. Whereas the sequential HSV‐1 isolates in 11 of the 13 patients studied had the same genotypes, the sequential isolates of 2 patients showed a different genotype. The data suggest that HSV‐1‐induced recurrent genital herpes can be associated with genital reinfection with an exogenous HSV‐1 strain. J. Med. Virol. 73:601–604, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surveillance of measles in the Sudan using filter paper blood samples
Authors: Mubarak H.S. El , Yüksel S. , Mustafa O.M. , Ibrahim S.A. , Osterhaus A.D.M.E. , de Swart R.L.
Published: June 2004

Dried blood spots collected on filter paper are considered potential clinical specimens for measles surveillance because of their ease of collection, storage, and transport. The usefulness of these samples for surveillance of measles was evaluated in a field setting. Blood spots were collected by finger‐prick from 316 clinically diagnosed measles patients in suburban Khartoum, mostly within a week after onset of the rash. Samples were collected between October, 2000 and April, 2003, and stored at 4°C. Measles virus‐specific IgM antibodies were detected in 200 (63%) of the samples using an “in‐house” IgM capture ELISA. For 201 samples reconstitution and IgM measurement was repeated 1 year after initial testing with essentially the same results, showing the stability of IgM in the filter paper under these conditions. In a limited number of samples (n = 38) measles virus‐specific IgM was also tested with a commercial indirect IgM ELISA. Although the results of the two assays correlated well, the “in‐house” IgM capture ELISA proved slightly more sensitive. Measles virus‐specific reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) amplicons were obtained from 16 of 57 (28%) samples tested. Sequencing of the 3′ 456 nucleotides of the nucleoprotein gene showed the continued endemic circulation of genotype B3 viruses identified previously in this region. Although problems related to limited sample quantities were encountered, the present study confirms the usefulness of dried blood spots for measles surveillance. The results also demonstrate that measles continues to be endemic in the Sudan. J. Med. Virol. 73:624–630, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reactive Compatibilization of PBT/EVA Blends with an Ethylene‐Acrylic Acid Copolymer and a Low Molar Mass Bis‐Oxazoline
Authors: Scaffaro Roberto , La Mantia Francesco P. , Castronovo Claudia
Published: June 2004

Summary: Polyesters and polyolefins form highly incompatible blends with poor properties and gross morphology that hinder any practical applications. In this work, the possibility to compatibilize an incompatible blend of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) by adding a bis‐oxazoline compound, 2,2′‐(1,3‐phenylene)‐bis(2‐oxazoline) (PBO), and an ethylene acrylic acid copolymer (EAA) as compatibilizer precursors has been studied. The results indicate that the binary uncompatibilized blends show poor mechanical properties and a bad morphology with scarce adhesion between the phases. The situation is only slightly improved when the EAA is added while the best performance is achieved when quaternary PBT/EVA/EAA/PBO blends are prepared. In this latter case the elongation at break and the impact strength are doubled and the morphology is deeply improved. The formation of EAA‐g‐(PBO)PBT copolymers in the presence of PBO can be invoked to explain the results and it is demonstrated that the eventual chain extension of PBT or EAA is negligible.

SEM micrograph of a quaternary PBT/EVA/EAA/PBO blend.

magnified image

SEM micrograph of a quaternary PBT/EVA/EAA/PBO blend.
On the Theoretical and Numerical Modelling of Unsaturated Soil
Authors: Graf Tobias , Ehlers Wolfgang
Published: June 2004

In this contribution, unsaturated soil is treated within the framework of the Theory of Porous Media (TPM). Therein, unsaturated soil can be described by a triphasic model consisting of a materially incompressible, elasto‐plastic or elasto‐viscoplastic solid skeleton, a viscous, materially incompressible pore‐liquid (water) and a viscous, materially compressible pore‐gas (air). The interaction between the solid skeleton and the pore‐fluids are taken into account by a capillary‐pressure‐saturation relation and a Darcy‐like filter law including relative permeabilities to consider the interaction between the two pore‐fluids. The resulting system of strongly coupled differential‐algebraic equations is solved for a gravity driven initial‐boundary‐value problem by the finite element tool PANDAS.
On some projections of homogenised coefficients for stationary diffusion equation
Authors: Antonić Nenad , Vrdoljak Marko
Published: June 2004

The set 𝒦(θ) of all composite materials obtained by mixing two isotropic phases (with given local proportion θ of the .rst material), in a stationary di.usion problem, is considered. The question of describing two columns of these matrices, or more precisely the set {(Ae, Af) : A ∈ 𝒦(θ)}, for two vectors e and f, is addressed.
Reliability of Structures in High Dimensions
Authors: Koutsourelakis P.S. , Pradlwarter H.J. , Schuëller G.I.
Published: June 2004

A novel simulation procedure for the estimation of structural reliability is outlined. It is based on a stepwise algorithm which exhibits convergence rates that are independent of the dimensionality of the problem and outperform direct Monte Carlo as well as existing methods ([2]).
Successful treatment of severe aplastic anemia in children using standardized immunosuppressive therapy with antithymocyte globulin and cyclosporine A
Authors: Goldenberg Neil A. , Graham Douglas K. , Liang Xiayuan , Hays Taru
Published: June 2004

Background

Given the heterogeneity of published data in US children, we sought to evaluate outcomes of a standardized immunosuppressive therapy (IST) regimen for severe aplastic anemia (SAA) at The Children's Hospital (Denver, CO).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the records of 16 children diagnosed from 1990 to 2003 and treated by IST, among whom 14 received the standardized regimen of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporine A (CsA). Serial hematologic parameters, complications, transfusion requirements, and time to response were assessed.

Results

One child who died from a pre‐existing Aspergillus infection prior to expected IST response was excluded from the analysis. Overall (transfusion‐independent) response to IST was 100% (13/13), without any relapses or clinically evident leukemic/myelodysplastic transformations after a median follow‐up time of 4.4 years (range: 10 months–13.3 years).

Conlusions

This report documents excellent outcome using combination ATG and CsA IST for pediatric SAA. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cure kinetics of epoxy resin used for advanced composites
Authors: Du Shanyi , Guo Zhan‐Sheng , Zhang Boming , Wu Zhanjun
Published: June 2004

The cure kinetics of an epoxy resin used for the preparation of advanced polymeric composite structures was studied by isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A series of isothermal DSC runs provided information about the kinetics of cure over a wide temperature range. According to the heat evolution behavior during the curing process, several influencing factors of isothermal curing reactions were evaluated. The results showed that the isothermal kinetic reaction of this epoxy resin followed an autocatalytic kinetic mechanism. In the latter reaction stage, the curing reaction became controlled mainly by diffusion. Cure rate was then modeled using a modified Kamal autocatalytic model that accounts for the shift from a chemically controlled reaction to a diffusion‐controlled reaction. The model parameters were determined by a nonlinear multiple regression method. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Random copolymerization of 2,2‐dimethyltri methylene carbonate and ε‐caprolactone using a rare‐earth tris(4‐tert‐butylphenolate)s as a single‐component initiator
Authors: Yu Cuiping , Zhang Lifang , Shen Zhiquan
Published: June 2004

Highly random copolymers of 2,2‐dimethyltrimethylene carbonate (DTC) and ε‐caprolactone (CL) were synthesized by single component rare‐earth tris(4‐tert‐butylphenolate)s [Ln(OTBP)3] for the first time. The influences of reaction conditions on the copolymerization initiated by La(OTBP)3 have been examined in detail. The monomer reactivity ratios of DTC and CL determined by the Fineman–Ross method are 4.0 for rDTC and 0.27 for rCL. The microstructure of the copolymer was determined by the analyses of the diads DTC–DTC, DTC–CL, CL–DTC and CL–CL of the 1H NMR spectra. The high degree of randomness of the chain structure was further confirmed by the 13C NMR spectra and differential scanning calorimetry. The thermal properties of the copolymers as a function of composition are reported. The mechanism investigated by 1H NMR data indicates that the rare‐earth tris(4‐tert‐butylphenolate)s initiate the ring‐opening copolymerization of DTC and CL with acyl‐oxygen bond cleavages of the monomers. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Electrochemical polymerization of chiral pyrrole derivatives in electrolytes containing chiral camphor sulfonic acid
Authors: Han GY , Shi GQ , Qu LT , Yuan JY , Chen FE , Wu PY
Published: June 2004

N‐Substituted pyrrole derivatives with chiral side groups have been synthesized and electrochemically polymerized in acetonitrile containing tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBAClO4) and (S)‐(+)‐camphor‐10‐sulfonic acid ((S)‐(+)‐CSA) or (R)‐(−)‐camphor‐10‐sulfonic acid ((R)‐(−)‐CSA). The resulting N‐substituted polypyrrole films were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, infrared, Raman and X‐ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopies. XPS results demonstrated that the as‐grown polymer films are preferably doped by CSA anions when the monomer and the CSA anion have the same optical rotation dispersion (ORD). Furthermore, the conductivities of the polymers synthesized in the media containing CSA with the same ORD of the corresponding monomers were measured to be about 2–10 times higher than those of polymers obtained from electrolytes without CSA. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Fluorinated polymers as stone‐protective materials: an FTIR study on intermolecular interactions
Authors: D'Alessio Aldo , Turchi Fabrizia , Narducci Piero , Vergamini Piergiorgio , Ciardelli Francesco , Catanorchi Stefano
Published: June 2004

Attempts have been performed to obtain spectroscopic evidence of intermolecular interactions between fluorinated polymers to be used as protective materials and various stones. In this paper we report an investigation by means of FTIR spectroscopy on poly(vinyl fluoride)(PVF) which contains acid hydrogens that can give rise to intermolecular interactions with calcium carbonate. Spectral changes have been found in the CH and CF stretching regions at 3000–2840 and 1200–950 cm−1, respectively. These last are attributed to intermolecular interactions of the polymer with CO32− and with conformational changes of the macromolecular chain. Scanning electron microscopy investigations were also performed on marble slabs coated with a PVF film in order to gain information about the morphology of the polymer film. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Hyperbranched polyesters of 3,5‐diacetoxybenzoic acid: A reinvestigation
Authors: Kricheldorf Hans R. , Hobzova Radka , Schwarz Gert , Schultz Claus‐Ludolf
Published: June 2004

3,5‐Diacetoxybenzoic acid was polycondensed at temperatures in the range of 200–250 °C either in the absence of a catalyst or with addition of MgO or SnCl2. The highest molecular weight was obtained in the absence of a catalyst. The matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectra revealed the formation of cyclic hyperbranched polyesters. The content of polyesters with cyclic core increased with higher conversions, and thus, with higher molecular weights. Furthermore, a loss of acetyl groups was found to be a significant side reaction. The same side reactions were found when trimethylsilyl 3,5‐bisacetoxybenzoate was polycondensed at 280 or 310 °C. Model reactions concerning the deacetylation mechanism were performed and the results are discussed. Size exclusion chromatography measurements in two different solvents proved that the high‐molecular‐weight fraction is not the result of aggregation via hydrogen bonds. Yet, the nature of the solvent, the profile of the columns, and the character of the detector had a significant influence on the shape of the elution curves and on the apparent molecular weights. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3751–3760, 2004
Living ring‐opening polymerization of lactides catalyzed by guanidinium acetate
Authors: Li Hong , Wang Chenhong , Yue Jin , Zhao Xiaona , Bai Feng
Published: June 2004

Hexabutyl guanidinium acetate (HBG · OAc) was synthesized and successfully used as a catalyst for the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of lactides. The experimental results indicated that the guanidinium salt HBG · OAc showed satisfactory catalytic behavior. Polymerization in bulk (120 °C, 18 h) produced polylactides with moderate molecular weights (number‐average molecular weight = 2.0 × 104) and very narrow molecular weight distributions (polydispersity index = 1.07–1.12). A kinetic study of polymerization in bulk with HBG · OAc as an initiator revealed that the polymerization possessed typical characteristics of living polymerization. A ROP mechanism by HBG · OAc was proposed on the basis of the additive effect of the polymerization and the 1H NMR characterization of the microstructure of the product polymers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3775–3781, 2004
Statistical thermodynamics evaluation of polymer–polymer miscibility
Authors: Utracki L. A.
Published: June 2004

The Simha and Somcynsky (S–S) statistical thermodynamics theory was used to compute the solubility parameters as a function of temperature and pressure [δ = δ(T, P)], for a series of polymer melts. The characteristic scaling parameters required for this task, P*, T*, and V*, were extracted from the pressure–temperature–volume (PVT) data. To determine the potential polymer–polymer miscibility, the dependence of δ versus T (at ambient pressure) was computed for 17 polymers. Close proximity of the δ versus T curves for four miscible polymer pairs: PPE/PS, PS/PVME, and PC/PMMA signaled the usefulness of this approach. It is noteworthy, that the tabulated solubility parameters (derived from the solution data under ambient conditions) propounded the immiscibility of the PVC/PVAc pair. The computed values of δ also suggested miscibility for polymer pairs of unknown miscibility, namely PPE/PVC, PPE/PVAc, and PET/PSF. In recognizing the limitations of the solubility parameter approach (the omission of several thermodynamic contributions), these preliminary results are auspicious because they indicate a new route for estimating the miscibility of any polymeric material at a given temperature and pressure. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2909–2915, 2004
β‐Hairpin conformation of fibrillogenic peptides: Structure and α‐β transition mechanism revealed by molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Daidone Isabella , Simona Fabio , Roccatano Danilo , Broglia Ricardo A. , Tiana Guido , Colombo Giorgio , Di Nola Alfredo
Published: June 2004

Understanding the conformational transitions that trigger the aggregation and amyloidogenesis of otherwise soluble peptides at atomic resolution is of fundamental relevance for the design of effective therapeutic agents against amyloid‐related disorders. In the present study the transition from ideal α‐helical to β‐hairpin conformations is revealed by long timescale molecular dynamics simulations in explicit water solvent, for two well‐known amyloidogenic peptides: the H1 peptide from prion protein and the Aβ(12–28) fragment from the Aβ(1–42) peptide responsible for Alzheimer's disease. The simulations highlight the unfolding of α‐helices, followed by the formation of bent conformations and a final convergence to ordered in register β‐hairpin conformations. The β‐hairpins observed, despite different sequences, exhibit a common dynamic behavior and the presence of a peculiar pattern of the hydrophobic side‐chains, in particular in the region of the turns. These observations hint at a possible common aggregation mechanism for the onset of different amyloid diseases and a common mechanism in the transition to the β‐hairpin structures. Furthermore the simulations presented herein evidence the stabilization of the α‐helical conformations induced by the presence of an organic fluorinated cosolvent. The results of MD simulation in 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol (TFE)/water mixture provide further evidence that the peptide coating effect of TFE molecules is responsible for the stabilization of the soluble helical conformation. Proteins 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Glycine N‐methyltransferases: A comparison of the crystal structures and kinetic properties of recombinant human, mouse and rat enzymes
Authors: Pakhomova Svetlana , Luka Zigmund , Grohmann Steffi , Wagner Conrad , Newcomer Marcia E.
Published: June 2004

Glycine N‐methyltransferases (GNMTs) from three mammalian sources were compared with respect to their crystal structures and kinetic parameters. The crystal structure for the rat enzyme was published previously. Human and mouse GNMT were expressed in Escherichia coli in order to determine their crystal structures. Mouse GNMT was crystallized in two crystal forms, a monoclinic form and a tetragonal form. Comparison of the three structures reveals subtle differences, which may relate to the different kinetic properties of the enzymes.

The flexible character of several loops surrounding the active site, along with an analysis of the active site boundaries, indicates that the observed conformations of human and mouse GNMTs are more open than that of the rat enzyme. There is an increase in kcat when going from rat to mouse to human, suggesting a correlation with the increased flexibility of some structural elements of the respective enzymes.Proteins 2004, © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Kinetics of folding and unfolding of goat α‐lactalbumin
Authors: Chedad Allel , Van Dael Herman
Published: June 2004

The equilibrium unfolding and the kinetic folding and unfolding of goat α‐lactalbumin (GLA) were studied by near‐ and far‐ultraviolet circular dichroism (CD) and by stopped‐flow fluorescence spectroscopy. Specifically, the influence of environmental conditions such as pH and Ca2+ binding was examined. Compared to the apo‐form, the Ca2+‐bound form was found to be strongly stabilized in equilibrium conditions at pH 7.5 and 25°C. The kinetics of the refolding of apo‐GLA show a major change of fluorescence intensity during the experimental dead‐time, but this unresolved effect is strongly diminished in holo‐GLA. In both cases, however, the chevron plots can adequately be fitted to a three‐state model. Moreover, double‐mix stopped‐flow experiments showed that the native state (N) is reached through one major pathway without the occurrence of alternative tracks. In contrast to the homologous bovine α‐lactalbumin (BLA), the compactness of GLA is strongly influenced by the presence of Ca2+ ions. Unlike the two‐state transition observed in guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl)‐induced equilibrium denaturation experiments at higher pH, an equilibrium intermediate state (I) is involved in denaturation at pH 4.5. In the latter case, analysis of the kinetic data makes clear that the intermediate and the unfolded states (U) show practically no Gibbs free energy difference and that they are in rapid equilibrium with each other. A possible explanation for these variations in stability and in folding characteristics with pH could be the degree of protonation of His107 that directly influences non‐native interactions. Variation of environmental conditions and even small differences in sequence, therefore, can result in important effects on thermodynamic and folding parameters. Proteins 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spectral and magnetic properties of the t–J model of cuprate perovskites
Authors: Sherman A.
Published: June 2004

The use of the t–J model of Cu–O planes and projection operator technique for the Hubbard operators allows us to take proper account of strong electron correlations inherent in cuprate high‐Tc superconductors. A number of unusual properties of cuprates can be reproduced in this approach. Among them are the peculiarities of the temperature and concentration dependencies of the spin‐lattice relaxation and spin‐echo decay rates, the resonance peak and the incommensurate low‐frequency magnetic response in neutron scattering. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Identification and characterization of a novel allosteric modulator (SoRI‐6238) of the serotonin transporter
Authors: Nandi Ayon , Dersch Christina M. , Kulshrestha Manish , Ananthan Subramaniam , Rothman Richard B.
Published: June 2004

In the present study we describe a novel agent, SoRI‐6238 (ethyl 5‐amino‐3‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐1,2‐dihydropyrido[3,4‐b]pyrazin‐7‐ylcarbamate) that partially inhibits 5‐HT transporter (SERT) binding and allosterically modulates SERT function. Membranes were prepared from rat brain. SoRI‐6238 partially inhibited SERT binding to brain membranes with a plateau at about 40% of control. SoRI‐6238 fully inhibited norepinephrine transporter (NET) and dopamine transporter (DAT) binding with IC50 values of 12.1 μM and 5.8 μM, respectively. The apparent Kd of [125I]RTI‐55 binding to SERT increased, then reached a plateau with increasing concentrations of SoRI‐6238. SoRI‐6238 fully inhibited [3H]5‐HT uptake, acting to decrease the Vmax (noncompetitive inhibition). In kinetic experiments, SoRI‐6238 slowed the dissociation of [125I]RTI‐55 from SERT and slowed the initial association rate. We conclude that SoRI‐6238 partially inhibits SERT binding and function, most likely via an allosteric mechanism. Synapse 53:176–183, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Specification and analysis of synchronous reactions
Authors: Nebut Mirabelle
Published: June 2004

Development environments based on the synchronous paradigm do not offer many validation tools dedicated to numerical aspects, while various techniques are well known. Actually it appears that in the most general case models are extended with a special value that makes explicit the absence of discrete events at a given instant, which prevents from directly taking advantage of existing methods. This paper deals with absence handling in the context of the synchronous paradigm. With this focus it first surveys the main languages and stresses the importance of clocks, then it discusses our “Clock Language” that makes possible the handling of numerical aspects without explicit absence.
The effects of herbivory and soil fertility on the growth patterns of Quercus serrata and Q. crispula saplings at the shoot and individual levels
Authors: Mizumachi Eri , Osawa Naoya , Akiyama Reiko , Tokuchi Naoko
Published: June 2004

We investigated the combined effects of herbivore damage and soil fertility on shoot growth patterns of Quercus serrata and Q. crispula saplings at both the shoot and individual levels. Saplings were grown in herbivore‐damaged or undamaged areas of the greenhouse with the two fertilization treatment levels, low or high. We measured the leaf area loss, number of flushes, length of extension units (EUs; the first vs the higher), number of leaves on each individual, and number of EUs. At the shoot level, the leaf area loss at high soil fertility was significantly greater than that at low soil fertility among the highest EUs of Q. serrata, while this difference was not significant in Q. crispula, suggesting that effect of soil fertility on leaf area loss is species‐specific. Furthermore, herbivore damage was associated with a significant increase in the number of EUs and a reduction in the length of the higher EUs under both soil fertility treatments, although saplings had a tendency to produce significantly more flushes and longer individual EUs under the high soil fertility. At the individual level, herbivore‐damaged saplings exhibited a significant increase in leaf numbers; however, the total length of the EUs in Q. serrata or Q. crispula was not significantly affected by herbivore damage, regardless of soil fertility. These results suggest that Q. serrata and Q. crispula saplings produce shorter EUs in response to herbivore damage in order to reduce the cost of mechanical support and spread the risk for any subsequent herbivore damage.
Prevalence and treatment of pain in adults admitted to Italian hospitals
Authors: Visentin Marco , Zanolin Elisabetta , Trentin Leonardo , Sartori Samantha , de Marco Roberto
Published: June 2004

Background: Very few studies have been conducted on the presence and control of pain in Italian hospitals.

Aims: The present study estimates pain prevalence and therapy in Italian hospitalised patients.

Methods: In the autumn of 2000, a survey was taken on 4523 inpatients throughout Italy. All eligible patients were given a questionnaire with two Numerical Rating Scales (NRS) concerning their pain intensity at interview and over the previous 24 h. Nurses were given a second questionnaire asking for information on analgesic treatment and another NRS about the pain they supposed the patient felt.

Results: At interview, 91.2% (95%CI: 90.3–92.1%) of the patients reported pain; 46.6% reported severe pain. The prevalence of severe pain was significantly lower in women and was double in general medicine wards compared to surgical wards.

The degree of agreement between the pain reported by the patient and the pain scores given by the nurse was poor (Cohen K=0.318).

Only 28.5% of the inpatients had taken analgesics in the past 24 h and the probability of receiving analgesic treatment was higher for women (adjusted OR=1.33, 95%CI: 1.14–1.54) and lower for general medicine compared to surgical wards (adjusted OR=0.55, 95%CI: 0.45–0.64), while it was unrelated both to the patient's self‐reported pain and to level of pain assessed by the nurse.

Conclusions: Pain affects an impressively high percentage of inpatients and is largely untreated and unrecognised in Italian wards. Educational intervention is required to improve the knowledge and attitudes of health professionals towards the approach and handling of patients in pain.
Robust denoising of electrophoresis and mass spectrometry signals with minimum description length principle
Authors: Ojanen Janne , Miettinen Timo , Heikkonen Jukka , Rissanen Jorma
Published: June 2004

The need for high‐throughput assays in molecular biology places increasing requirements on the applied signal processing and modelling methods. In order to be able to extract useful information from the measurements, the removal of undesirable signal characteristics such as random noise is required. This can be done in a quite elegant and efficient way by the minimum description length (MDL) principle, which treats and separates ‘noise’ from the useful information as that part in the data that cannot be compressed. In its current form the MDL denoising method assumes the Gaussian noise model but does not require any ad hoc parameter settings. It provides a basis for high‐speed automated processing systems without requiring continual user interventions to validate the results as in the conventional signal processing methods. Our analysis of the denoising problem in mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis genotyping, and sequencing signals suggests that the MDL denoising method produces robust and intuitively appealing results sometimes even in situations where competing approaches perform poorly.
Management of early pregnancy loss
Authors: Graziosi G.C.M. , Mol B.W. , Ankum W.M. , Bruinse H.W.
Published: June 2004

Objectives: In order to assess the available evidence on the management of early pregnancy loss, we performed a meta‐analysis on the subject. Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for randomized studies reporting on the effectiveness of expectant management, misoprostol treatment or curettage. Outcomes considered were ‘complete evacuation’, complications, duration of bleeding, pain resulting from the procedure, side effects and women's satisfaction with the procedure. Results: Thirteen studies were identified. Combined data in women with missed abortion managed expectantly or treated with misoprostol showed complete evacuation rates of 28% (49/173) (range 14–47%) and 81% (242/298) (range 60–83%), respectively. In women with incomplete abortion, these rates were 94% (31/33) (range 80–100%) and 99% (75/76) (range 99–100%), respectively. Conclusion: In the management of early pregnancy loss both expectant management and misoprostol treatment reduce the need for curettage, but misoprostol treatment seems to be more effective in women with missed abortion as compared to expectant management.
Spatial variation in helminth community structure in the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufaL.): effects of definitive host density
Authors: CALVETE C. , BLANCO-AGUIAR J. A. , VIRGÓS E. , CABEZAS-DÍAZ S. , VILLAFUERTE R.
Published: June 2004

Parasite community ecology has recently focused on understanding the forces structuring these communities. There are few surveys, however, designed to study the spatial repeatability and predictability of parasite communities at the local scale in one host. The purpose of our study was to address the relationship between infracommunity and component community richness, and to describe spatial variations on the local scale, of helminth parasite communities in an avian host, the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa). We sampled 235 wild partridges from 8 separate localities, with different partridge population densities, in the Ciudad Real and Toledo provinces of central Spain, and we determined their overall and intestinal helminth species. We found that habitat variables (mean temperature and land use) were not significantly associated with any component community. The partridge population abundance index was directly correlated with the prevalence and mean intensity of infection but not with component community species richness. There was a curvilinear relationship between infracommunity and component community species richness, as well as negative interspecific associations, for the helminth species assemblage parasitizing the intestine. A nestedness/anti-nestedness pattern, considered as part of a continuum, was associated with prevalence, mean intensity and partridge population abundance index, but not with component community richness. Increases in the partridge population abundance index and the prevalence and mean intensity of infection were associated with increases in helminth community nestedness. Although negative interactions between helminth species could not be ruled out as forces structuring helminth communities, our results suggest that parasite community structure in the red-legged partridge was primarily determined by the extrinsic influence of parasite habitat heterogeneity and its amplification of the differing probabilities of colonization of parasite species.
Purification and characterization of two iron superoxide dismutases ofPhytomonassp. isolated fromEuphorbia characias(plant trypanosomatids)
Authors: MARÍN C. , RODRÍGUEZ-GONZÁLEZ I. , HITOS A. B. , ROSALES M. J. , DOLLET M. , SÁNCHEZ-MORENO M.
Published: June 2004

Two superoxide dismutases (SODI and SODII) have been purified by differential centrifugation, fractionation with ammonium sulphate followed by chromatographic separation (ionic exchange and affinity), from a plant trypanosomatid isolated fromEuphorbia characias, and then characterized for several biochemical properties. Both enzymes were insensitive to cyanide but sensitive to hydrogen peroxide, properties characteristic of iron-containing superoxide dismutase. SODI had a molecular mass of approximately 66 kDa, whereas the molecular mass of SODII was approximately 22 kDa, both enzymes showing single bands. The isoelectric points of SODI and SODII were 6·8 and 3·6, respectively. The enzymatic stability persisted at least for 6 months when the sample was lyophilized and preserved at −80 °C. Digitonin titration and subcellular fractionation showed that both enzymes were in the cytoplasmic fraction, although part of SODII isoenzyme was also associated with glycosomes. We assayed these activities (SOD) in 18 trypanosomatid isolates on isoelectric focusing gels, and have demonstrated that the SOD is a biochemical marker sufficient to identify a trypanosomatid isolated from a plant as belonging to the genusPhytomonasand to distinguish between a truePhytomonasand other trypanosomatids that are capable of causing transient infections in plants.
A molecular approach to discerning the phylogenetic placement of the enigmatic snake Xenophidion schaeferi among the Alethinophidia
Authors: Lawson Robin , Slowinski Joseph B. , Burbrink Frank T.
Published: June 2004

Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses of the complete nucleotide sequences of the cytochrome b gene (cytb) were used to examine the phylogenetic position of the rare snake Xenophidionschaeferi within the alethinophidian snakes. The cytochrome b sequence of this representative of the poorly known family Xenophiidae was compared with those of a large and comprehensive suite of alethinophidian taxa. The research presented here represents the first time all families of alethinophidian and caenophidian snakes have been included in a single molecular phylogenetic study. Results from ML and BI analyses suggest a possible sister taxon relationship between Xenophidion schaeferi and the Bolyeridae. Moreover, strong statistical support also indicates that Xenophiidae is a member of a clade that contains Pythonidae, Loxocemidae, Uropeltidae, Xenopeltidae and Bolyeriidae. Additionally, maximum parsimony and BI analyses of previously published morphological data revealed that these anatomical character states and potentially low taxonomic sampling produced little phylogenetic information valuable to understanding the relationship of Xenophiidae among the Alethinophidia.
Influence of the Antarctic Circumpolar Wave on El Niño and its multidecadal changes from 1950 to 2001
Authors: White Warren B. , Annis Jeffrey
Published: June 2004

The slow eastward phase propagation of covarying sea surface temperature (SST) and sea level pressure (SLP) anomalies in the Antarctic Circumpolar Wave (ACW) persisted in the midlatitude Southern Ocean from 1950 to 2001. Its northern extent reached into the subtropical South Indian and South Pacific oceans, where it influenced the magnitude and phase of El Niño in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. This is corroborated by the observation that multidecadal changes in the ACW can also explain multidecadal changes in the way El Niño evolved over the last half of the twentieth century. Before 1977, El Niño evolved from the slow eastward phase propagation of a coupled SST/SLP wave across the subtropical South Pacific Ocean to South America, then equatorward along the eastern boundary to the equator. During this epoch, the ACW expanded equatorward into a warmer subtropical South Pacific Ocean, accounting for the subtropical coupled SST/SLP wave that initiated El Niño. After 1977, El Niño evolved from the slow eastward phase propagation of a coupled SST/SLP wave across the tropical Pacific Ocean. During this epoch, the ACW receded from a colder subtropical South Pacific Ocean but expanded into a warmer subtropical South Indian Ocean. There it spawned a coupled SST/SLP wave directed equatorward into the Warm Pool north of Australia, thereafter propagating eastward into the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean to initiate El Niño. If this pattern of global warming persists into the 21st century, then the ACW will continue to influence El Niño through the South Indian Ocean.
Theory for 2–3 kHz radiation from the outer heliosphere
Authors: Mitchell J. J. , Cairns Iver H. , Robinson P. A.
Published: June 2004

High‐intensity radio emission events at 2–3 kHz were observed by the Voyager spacecraft during 1983–1984 and 1992–1993. Such events are thought to occur when shock waves associated with global merged interaction regions (GMIRs) enter a region of the outer heliosheath where the electron speed distribution is primed with a superthermal tail, generated by lower hybrid drive. Previously, this priming mechanism was combined with a theory for type II solar radio bursts to predict the flux of radio emission in the outer heliosphere. Here this theory is extended in a number of ways. First, theoretical arguments regarding the availability of Langmuir and ion sound waves are used to determine whether emission occurs via three‐wave processes or processes involving wave scattering off thermal ions (STI). New expressions for conversion efficiencies into radio emission associated with STI are then implemented where appropriate. Next, the dependence of the predicted fluxes on plasma and shock parameters are determined. Lastly, dynamic spectra are calculated for the radio emission generated by shocks traveling from the inner solar wind to beyond the heliopause and into the very local interstellar medium (VLISM). It is found that the predicted fluxes of fundamental radiation are comparable with those observed for plausible shock and plasma parameters. The theory can also predict radio‐quiet GMIRs to be smaller and slower and to propagate through heliosheath regions with weaker superthermal tails. The calculated dynamic spectra have predicted fluxes below the Voyager detection thresholds in the solar wind, inner heliosheath, and VLISM. However, the predicted fluxes and frequency‐time behavior are very similar to the 2 kHz component observed by the Voyager spacecraft when the GMIR is in the primed region.
A numerical study on the successive formation of Meddy‐like lenses
Authors: Aiki H. , Yamagata T.
Published: June 2004

We present a process study on the sustaining mechanism of lens formation using a series of numerical experiments of a density current over a sloping bottom. With a cape along the coastline, water parcels in the bottom density current are shed into the offshore region, leading to periodic formation of anticyclonic lenses as part of baroclinic dipolar vortices. The cyclonic partner is more prominent at the surface, and the coupled vortices are carried by the mean current established in the offshore region. Parameter dependence of dipole generation is examined, which suggests that the background current is necessary for the detached eddies to be coherent in the downstream direction and for shedding events to repeat [Nof and Pichevin, 1996]. It is also shown that the density mixing of the bottom current provides criteria for cyclogenesis at the sea surface. A detailed analysis is given by a five‐layer model forced by a water mass source/sink, which reproduces the baroclinic dipolar vortices similar to those observed in the preceding z‐coordinate model. We find that the dipole generation is due to the finite amplitude divergence/convergence of the baroclinic current passing the cape [Stern and Chassignet, 2000]. The overall analyses suggest three necessary conditions for successive eddy formation: (1) a localized variation in the coastline causing the finite amplitude disturbance, (2) mixing of Mediterranean Water with the surrounding fluids leading to anticyclonic rotation of Meddies as well as cyclogenesis at the surface, and (3) background currents that advect the detached vortices out of the source region.
Seasonal and regional comparison of oceanic and atmospheric dimethylsulfide in the northern North Pacific: Dilution effects on its concentration during winter
Authors: Aranami Kazushi , Tsunogai Shizuo
Published: June 2004

Concentrations of dimethylsulfide (DMS) in the mixed layer depth (MLD) and in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and carbon disulfide (CS2) and carbonyl sulfide (COS) in the ABL were measured in the northern North Pacific during summer (July–September 1997) and autumn‐winter (November–December 1998). Seasonal and regional variability in sea surface DMS was roughly explained by a simple dilution model (DMS × MLD = constant). Temporal and spatial comparison of COS and CS2 suggests that during autumn‐winter, there would be strong perturbation by transport of terrestrial polluted air masses from the free troposphere (FT) into the ABL. The seasonal difference in the DMS budget in the ABL was assessed by the time series mass‐balance model. This calculation showed that during autumn‐winter, most DMS supplied from the ocean should have escaped from the ABL, while during summer, most DMS should be oxidized in the ABL. Our results suggest the possibility that the strong seasonality of oceanic and atmospheric DMS might be produced mainly by dilution effects due to strong mixing during winter.
Trends in high northern latitude soil freeze and thaw cycles from 1988 to 2002
Authors: Smith Nicole V , Saatchi Sassan S. , Randerson James T.
Published: June 2004

In boreal and tundra ecosystems the freeze state of soils limits rates of photosynthesis and respiration. Here we develop a technique to identify the timing of freeze and thaw transitions of high northern latitude land areas using satellite data from the Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) and Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I). Our results indicate that in Eurasia there was a trend toward earlier thaw dates in tundra (−3.3 ± 1.8 days/decade) and larch biomes (−4.5 ± 1.8 days/decade) over the period 1988–2002. In North America there was a trend toward later freeze dates in evergreen conifer forests by 3.1 ± 1.2 days/decade that led, in part, to a lengthening of the growing season by 5.1 ± 2.9 days/decade. The growing season length in North American tundra increased by 5.4 ± 3.1 days/decade. Despite the trend toward earlier thaw dates in Eurasian larch forests, the growing season length did not increase because of parallel changes in timing of the fall freeze (−5.4 ± 2.1 days/decade), which led to a forward shift of the growing season. Thaw timing was negatively correlated with surface air temperatures in the spring, whereas freeze timing was positively correlated with surface air temperatures in the fall, suggesting that surface air temperature is one of several factors that determines the timing of soil thaw and freeze. The high spatial resolution, frequent temporal coverage, and duration of the SMMR and SSM/I satellite records makes them suitable for rigorous time series analysis and change detection in northern terrestrial ecosystems.