bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural MRI of carotid artery atherosclerotic lesion burden and characterization of hemispheric cerebral blood flow before and after carotid endarterectomy
Authors: Jones C. E. , Wolf R. L. , Detre J. A. , Das B. , Saha P. K. , Wang J. , Zhang Y. , Song H. K. , Wright A. C. , Mohler E. M. , Fairman R. M. , Zager E. L. , Velazquez O. C. , Golden M. A. , Carpenter J. P. , Wehrli F. W.
Published: February 2006

Collateral circulation plays a major role in maintaining cerebral blood flow (CBF) in patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. CBF can remain normal despite severe ICA stenosis, making the benefit of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or stenting difficult to assess. Before and after surgery, we assessed CBF supplied through the ipsilateral (stenotic) or contralateral ICA individually with a novel hemisphere‐selective arterial spin‐labeling (ASL) perfusion MR technique. We further explored the relationship between CBF and ICA obstruction ratio (OR) acquired with a multislice black‐blood imaging sequence. For patients with unilateral ICA stenosis (n = 19), conventional bilateral labeling did not reveal interhemispheric differences. With unilateral labeling, CBF in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory on the surgical side from the ipsilateral supply (53.7 ± 3.3 ml/100 g/min) was lower than CBF in the contralateral MCA territory from the contralateral supply (58.5 ± 2.7 ml/100 g/min), although not statistically significant (p = 0.09). The ipsilateral MCA territory received significant (p = 0.02) contralateral supply (7.0 ± 2.7 ml/100 g/min), while ipsilateral supply to the contralateral side was not reciprocated. After surgery (n = 11), ipsilateral supply to the MCA territory increased from 57.3 ± 5.7 to 67.3 ± 5.4 ml/100 g/min (p = 0.03), and contralateral supply to the ipsilateral MCA territory decreased. The best predictor of increased CBF on the side of surgery was normalized presurgical ipsilateral supply (r2 = 0.62, p = 0.004). OR was less predictive of change, although the change in normalized contralateral supply was negatively correlated with ORexcess (=ORipsilateral − ORcontralateral) (r2 = 0.58, p = 0.006). The results demonstrate the effect of carotid artery stenosis on blood supply to the cerebral hemispheres, as well as the relative role of collateral pathways before surgery and redistribution of blood flow through these pathways after surgery. Unilateral ASL may better predict hemodynamic surgical outcome (measured by improved perfusion) than ICA OR. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Social support as a moderator of day‐to‐day relationships between daily negative events and daily psychological well‐being
Authors: Nezlek John B. , Allen Monica R.
Published: February 2006

Every day for 3 weeks, a sample of college students described the events that occurred each day and provided measures of their self‐esteem, depressogenic thinking and mood. They also provided measures of depressive symptoms and the social support they perceived from friends and family members. A series of multilevel random coefficient modelling analyses found that daily well‐being was positively related to the number of positive events that occurred each day and was negatively related to the number of negative events. Relationships between well‐being and positive events were stronger for more than for less depressed participants and relationships between well‐being and negative events were weaker for participants who perceived more support from friends than for those who perceived less support. Depression was unrelated to the strength of relationships between negative events and well‐being, and the social support from friends was unrelated to relationships between positive events and well‐being. Surprisingly, relationships between negative events and well‐being were stronger for participants who perceived more support from family members than for those who perceived less support. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of multiwall carbon nanotube on physical properties of poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) nanocomposites
Authors: Kim Jun Young , Kim Seong Hun
Published: February 2006

Polymer nanocomposites consisting of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) (PEN) were prepared by a melt blending process in a twin‐screw extruder. The storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) of the PEN/MWCNT nanocomposites increased with increasing frequency, and this increment being more significant at low frequency. The terminal zone slope of G′ for the PEN/MWCNT nanocomposites decreased with increasing MWCNT content, and the nonterminal behavior of those was related to the dominant nanotube–nanotube interactions at higher MWCNT content, leading to the formation of the interconnected or network‐like structures of MWCNT in the polymer nanocomposites. The decrease in the slope of the plot of log G′ versus log G″ for the PEN/MWCNT nanocomposites with increasing MWCNT content suggested the changes in the microstructures of the polymer nanocomposites by incorporating MWCNT. The incorporation of very small quantity of MWCNT significantly improved the mechanical properties of the PEN/MWCNT nanocomposites. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1062–1071, 2006
Polymorphism behavior of poly(ethylene naphthalate)/clay nanocomposites
Authors: Chua Yang Choo , Lu Xuehong , Wan Tong
Published: February 2006

Thermally stable organically modified clays based on 1,3‐didecyl‐2‐methylimidazolium (IM2C10) and 1‐hexadecyl‐2,3‐dimethyl‐imidazolium (IMC16) were used to prepare poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN)/clay nanocomposites via a melt intercalation process. The clay dispersion in the resulting hybrids was studied by a combination of X‐ray diffraction, polarizing optical microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that IMC16 provided better compatibility between the PEN matrix and the clay than IM2C10, as evidenced by some intercalation of polymer achieved in the PEN/IMC16‐MMT hybrid. The effects of clay on the crystal structure of PEN were investigated. It was found that both pristine MMT and imidazolium‐treated MMT enhanced the formation of the β‐crystal phase under melt crystallization at 200 °C. At 180 °C, however, the imidazolium‐treated MMT was found to favor the α‐crystal form instead. The difference in clay‐induced polymorphism behavior was attributed to conformational changes experienced by the clay modifiers as the crystallization temperature changes. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1040–1049, 2006
Ferromagnetic phase transition in ultra‐thin films
Authors: Tuleja S. , Kecer J. , Ilkovič V.
Published: February 2006

The ferromagnetic phase transition in ultra thin films is studied by the many body Green's function method based upon the Heisenberg model with the different surface exchange couplings with respect to bulk one plus a surface second order uniaxial anisotropy. The critical temperature of the system is studied as a function of the ratio Δ S = J S/J of the surface exchange couplings to the bulk ones and as a function of the surface single ion anisotropic strength K S2. A model calculation shows thatexist critical values Δ SC and K SC2 (cross over points). If Δ S > Δ SC or K S2 > K SC2, the critical temperature of the thin film is larger than the bulk one. We analyse various possible configurations for the surface exchange couplings J S and the surface single ion anisotropic strength K S2. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electronic structure and the site preference of chromium in Fe3Al alloy
Authors: Go A. , Pugaczowa‐Michalska M. , Dobrzyński L.
Published: February 2006

The TB‐LMTO‐ASA method is employed to obtain the electronic and magnetic structures as well as the site preference of chromium in Fe3–x Crx Al alloys. Quantitative agreement with the experimental results is obtained for site preferences, for total and local magnetic moments. Cr atoms are shown to be antiferromagnetically coupled with surrounding atoms. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Correlation effects in the valence bands of ferromagnetic semiconductor EuS
Authors: Sharma A. , Nolting W.
Published: February 2006

We present a many body analysis of the multi‐band Kondo lattice model. The study is then combined with the first principles TB‐LMTO band structure calculations, in order to investigate the temperature dependent correlation effects in the 3p valence bands of the ferromagnetic semiconductor EuS. Some of the physical properties of interest like the quasi‐particle density of states (Q‐DOS), spectral density (SD) and quasi‐particle band structure (Q‐BS) are calculated and discussed. Therewith, we propose a spin resolved ARPES of the valence bands of EuS to be performed. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
First principle studies on the electronic structures of raspite‐ and scheelite‐structured PbWO4 and raspite with VO2+
Authors: Sun Yuanyuan , Zhang Qiren , Liu Tingyu , Yi Zhijun
Published: February 2006

We present first‐principle calculations on the electronic structures of perfect raspite‐ and scheelite‐structured PbWO4 (PWO). The results indicate that profiles of the electronic structures for the two types of PWO are similar to each other and the bandgap of RSP is 1.1 eV smaller than that of SSP. This bandgap difference between the two types of PWO is induced by the different coordination of W. The electronic structure of raspite‐structured PWO containing oxygen vacancies $ {\rm V}^{+2}_{\rm O} $ is also calculated. An additional energy level occurs in the forbidden band, which would induce an absorption peaking at 620 nm in the yellow region. Compared to the absorption spectra of scheelite‐structured PWO with $ {\rm V}^{+2}_{\rm O} $, it is concluded that in PWO crystals the different ligand field around $ {\rm V}^{+2}_{\rm O} $ would not greatly affect the absorption band related to $ {\rm V}^{+2}_{\rm O} $. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Stability of vertical‐bloch‐line chains in the walls of the first kind of dumbbell domains subjected to static bias field at various in‐plane fields
Authors: Wang L. N. , guo G. X. , Zhen C. M. , Nie X. F.
Published: February 2006

For the first kind of dumbbell domains (IDs) of garnet bubble films, the annihilating process of vertical bloch line chains (VBLs) subjected to an in‐plane field ($ H_{\rm ip} $) at various static bias fields ($ H_{\rm b} $) was experimentally studied. Three important relations have been obtained, which are the relations between $ H_{\rm ip}^{(1)} $, $ H_{\rm ip}^* $, $ H_{\rm ip}^{(2)} $ and $ H_{\rm b} $. here, $ H_{\rm ip}^{(1)} $ is the initial critical in‐plane field where VBLs in the walls of IDs are annihilated, i.e. some of the ID begin to be softened, $ H_{\rm ip}^* $ is designated as the in‐plane field where ID begins to soften to SB and $ H_{\rm ip}^{(2)} $ is the lowest in‐plane field at which all VBLs in the walls of IDs annihilate completely. by the experiment of the so‐called “tail‐cut”, it is found that each $ H_{\rm ip} $ from $ H_{\rm ip}^{(1)} $ to $ H_{\rm ip}^{(2)} $ corresponds to a certain length of VBL chains in the walls of IDs. the higher $ H_{\rm ip} $, the shorter the VBL chains. $ H_{\rm ip}^{(1)} $ and $ H_{\rm ip}^{(2)} $ correspond to the longest and shortest VBLs, respectively. it is also found that both $ H_{\rm ip} $ and $ H_{\rm b} $ play an important role during the annihilating of vbl chains in the walls of IDs. If $ H_{\rm b} $ is lower, $ H_{\rm ip}^{(1)} $, $ H_{\rm ip}^* $ and $ H_{\rm ip}^{(2)} $ are unchanged. with increasing $ H_{\rm b} $, especially being close to or higher than the standard stripe‐to‐bubble transition field ($ H_{\rm sb} \prime $), they all rapidly decrease. And they do not change further when $ H_{\rm b} $ is a little higher than the minimum collapse field of OHBs ($ H_0 \prime $). (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Exact exchange for correlated electrons
Authors: Novák P. , Kuneš J. , Chaput L. , Pickett W. E.
Published: February 2006

The cover picture is taken from the article by Pavel Novák that was chosen as Editor's Choice of this issue [1]. The figure shows the density of minority spin states in nickel oxide calculated by three commonly used approximations (LSDA, GGA, LDA+U) as well as using the newly proposed ‘Exact Exchange for Correlated Electrons’ (EECE) method. The EECE method treats the interactions between correlated electrons in a Hartree–Fock way, while all other interactions are described by the density functional theory. EECE is a promising starting point for the improvement of orbital‐dependent functionals within the density functional theory.

Pavel Novák is the head of the ‘Spectroscopy of Magnetic Oxides’ group at the Institute of Physics of ASCR, Prague, Czech Republic. Most of his scientific activity is devoted to the calculation of the electronic structure of solids, but he also closely cooperates with several experimental groups. Particular attention is focused on the nuclear magnetic resonance and electronic structure of magnetic oxides with mixed valency of the cations.
Photoionization of C2F4 in the VUV region
Authors: Dos Santos A. S. , Brescansin L. M. , Lee M.‐T. , Machado L. E.
Published: February 2006

We report calculated cross sections and asymmetry parameters for photoionization out of the outermost valence orbital 2b2u of C2F4 for photon energies ranging from near‐threshold to 19 eV. We also report asymmetry parameters for photoionization out of the eight outermost orbitals of C2F4 at the He I radiation energy (21.23 eV). The iterative Schwinger variational method at the exact static‐exchange level is used to obtain the continuum photoelectron orbitals. Our calculated results are compared with experimental results available in the literature. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Laser desorption/ionization and laser ablation synthesis of new selenium oxide compounds from selenium(IV) dioxide
Authors: Špalt Zbyněk , Peña‐Méndez Eladia María , Alberti Milan , Havel Josef
Published: February 2006

Laser desorption/ionization (LDI) and/or laser ablation (LA) of selenium dioxide crystals or its mixtures with sodium peroxide were studied using a commercial matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometer. It was found that LDI and LA of selenium (IV) dioxide not only ionizes SeO2, but also leads to the formation of several positively and negatively singly charged species: SeO (n = 0–2), Se, SeO (n = 0–4), Se2O (n = 3–7), Se3O (n = 4–9), Se4O (n = 8–10). A rather high yield of selenium species in the positive ion mode, Se (m = 1–8) and SemOH+ (m = 3–7), was obtained by using the MALDI approach while the species detected in the negative ion mode, SeO (n = 0–4), Se2O (n = 3–7), Se3O (n = 4–9), and Se4O (n = 9, 10), were the same as those observed during LDI/LA of selenium dioxide. The addition of sodium peroxide to selenium dioxide with the aim of enhancing its oxidation and thus increasing the production of SeO4 product resulted in extensive cationization of the species with sodium or potassium. The following positively and negatively charged species were identified: Se+, Se, Se2OH+, Se2ONa+, SeO (n = 0–3), and Se2O (n = 0, 1, 4). Also observed in mass spectra of such mixtures, various mixed sodium and/or potassium adducts with selenium oxide species, e.g. Se2O4K2Na−, were identified. In all, 26 totally new species, Se2O (n = 3–6), Se3O (n = 4–9), Se4O (n = 8–10), Se4O11H, Se4O12H, Se2O4Na−, Se2O5HNa−, Se2O5HNa, Se3O6K2Na−, Se3O6K2Na, Se2ONa+, and SemOH+ (m = 3–7), were described for the first time. Also, for the first time, the formation of selenium(IV) diperoxide, O‐O‐Se‐O‐O or O2SeO2, is described. The stoichiometries of the compounds generated were confirmed using isotopic pattern modeling. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Hierarchical Bayesian Procedure for Two-Mode Cluster Analysis
Authors: DeSarbo Wayne S. , Fong Duncan K. H. , Liechty John , Saxton M. Kim
Published: February 2006

This manuscript introduces a new Bayesian finite mixture methodology for the joint clustering of row and column stimuli/objects associated with two-mode asymmetric proximity, dominance, or profile data. That is, common clusters are derived which partition both the row and column stimuli/objects simultaneously into the same derived set of clusters. In this manner, interrelationships between both sets of entities (rows and columns) are easily ascertained. We describe the technical details of the proposed two-mode clustering methodology including its Bayesian mixture formulation and a Bayes factor heuristic for model selection. We present a modest Monte Carlo analysis to investigate the performance of the proposed Bayesian two-mode clustering procedure with respect to synthetically created data whose structure and parameters are known. Next, a consumer psychology application is provided examining physician pharmaceutical prescription behavior for various brands of prescription drugs in the neuroscience health market. We conclude by discussing several fertile areas for future research.
A Joint Treatment of Varimax Rotation and the Problem of Diagonalizing Symmetric Matrices Simultaneously in the Least-Squares Sense
Authors: ten Berge Jos M. F.
Published: February 2006

The present paper contains a lemma which implies that varimax rotation can be interpreted as a special case of diagonalizing symmetric matrices as discussed in multidimensional scaling. It is shown that the solution by De Leeuw and Pruzansky is essentially equivalent to the solution by Kaiser. Necessary and sufficient conditions for maxima and minima are derived from first and second order partial derivatives. A counter-example by Gebhardt is reformulated and examined in terms of these conditions. It is concluded that Kaiser's method or, equivalently, the method by De Leeuw and Pruzansky is the most attractive method currently available for the problem at hand.
Upper Bounds for Kruskal's Stress
Authors: De Leeuw Jan , Stoop Ineke
Published: February 2006

In this paper the relationships between the two formulas for stress proposed by Kruskal in 1964 are studied. It is shown that stress formula one has a system of nontrivial upper bounds. It seems likely that minimization of this loss function will be liable to produce solutions for which this upper bound is small. These are regularly shaped configurations. Even though stress formula two yields less equivocal results, it seems to be expected that minimization of this loss function will tend to produce configurations in which the points are clumped. These results give no clue as to which of the two loss functions is to be preferred.
Evidence for an hereditary defect in taurine transport in the ciliary epithelium of an inbred strain of rabbits
Authors: Harris T. M. , Nance C. S. , Sheppard L. B. , Fox R. R.
Published: February 2006

The concentration of taurine in the aqueous humour and serum of 21 rabbits with hereditary buphthalmia (Bu rabbits‐genotypebu/bu) was compared with the aqueous and serum taurine levels of eight strain‐related normal rabits (JAX) and nine non‐strain‐related normal rabbits (MCV). There was a significant difference in the mean aqueous taurine concentration in each of the three groups. The Bu rabbits had only 29% of the MCV rabbits' level while the JAX rabbits were intermediate with 56% of the MCV level. It is suggested that some of the JAX rabbits may be heterozygous and the Bu rabbits homozygous for a semi‐dominant allele of a gene that is less efficient in taurine transport in the ciliary epithelium than the normal allele represented by the MCV animals.
Hair root analysis in X‐linked ichthyosis
Authors: Dancis J. , Jansen V. , Hutzler J.
Published: February 2006

Hair roots have been analysed in a large kindred with X‐linked ichthyosis associated with steroid sulphatase deficiency. Enzyme activity in individual hair roots was assayed for the steroid sulphatase: neutral α‐glucosidase ratio, the latter serving as an indicator of the general metabolic activity of the hair root. The distribution of the enzyme ratios in the individual hair roots in the heterozygotes described a normal curve suggesting origin from a single population of cells. The results differed strikingly from the irregular distribution of enzyme activities in hair roots of Lesch‐Nyhan disease, where mosaicism occurs. It is suggested that the maternal and paternal genes for steroid sulphatase remain activein vivo in each cell in the hair root in apparent contradiction to the Lyon hypothesis. The observation is consistent with that previously reported for skin fibroblastsin vitro. Sulphatase activity in female controls was minimally greater than in males but the difference was not statistically significant.
Organic acids and branched‐chain amino acids in body fluids before and after multiple exchange transfusions in maple syrup urine disease
Authors: Shigematsu Y. , Kikuchi K. , Momoi T. , Sudo M. , Kikawa Y. , Nosaka K. , Kuriyama M. , Haruki S. , Sanada K. , Hamano N. , Suzuki Y.
Published: February 2006

We successfully treated a critically ill infant with the classical type of maple syrup urine disease by multiple exchange tranfusions via a peripheral artery and vein and with positive supplementation in the early stage of therapy. Clinical improvement was definite after the plasma leucine level fell below 1 mmol/l. There was a close linear correlation between plasma concentrations of branched‐chain amino acids and their corresponding branched‐chain α‐keto acids and branched‐chain α‐hydroxy acids. α‐Hydroxy acids were more easily excreted in the urine than α‐keto acids and amino acids. Our studies on urinary organic acids supported the existence of minor metabolic pathways of branched‐chain α‐keto acids, although they were not though to be important in eliminating accumulated α‐keto acids. Urinary excretion of succinic acid and α‐ketoglutaric acid, which are components of the citric acid cycle, increased transiently during the patient's convalescence. The cerebrospinal fluid/plasma ratios for branched‐chain amino acids, α‐keto acids, and α‐hydroxy acids were very high before the transfurions and decreased after improvement. The cerebrospinal fluid/plasma rations for 5‐carvon acids, α‐ketoisovaleric acid and α‐hydroxyisiovaleric acid were much higher than for other branched‐chain acids not only in the patients but also in normal controls. Cerebrospinal fluid levels of α‐ketoisocaproic acid and α‐hydroxyisovaleric acid were as high as 1 mmol/l in our patient.
Granulocyte dysfunction in transcobalamin II deficiency responding to leucovorin or hydroxocobalamin‐plasma transfusion
Authors: Seger R. , Fràter‐Schröder Marijke , Hitzig W. H. , Wildefeuer A. , Linnell J. C.
Published: February 2006

Granulocytes from a 6‐year‐old boy with congenital transcobalamin II (TCII) deficiency were found to have abnormally low antibacterial activity againstStaphylococcus aureus and very low intracellular levels of the cobalamin coenzymes. Transfusion of hydroxocobalamin (OH‐Cbl) bound to normal plasma temporarily restored granulocyte bactericidal activity and increased cellular levels of the cobalamin coenzymes. Granulocyte function was also temporarily restored by oral Leucovorin. The defect appeared to be causally related to the patient's TC II deficiency and indirectly to a deficiency of cobalamin and folate coenzymes.
D‐2‐hydroxyglutaric aciduria: Case report and biochemical studies
Authors: Chalmers R. A. , Lawson A. M. , Watts R. W. E. , Tavill A. S. , Kamerling J. P. , Hey E. , Ogilvie D.
Published: February 2006

A patient with protein‐losing gastroenteropathy and egg allergy has been shown to have a previously unrecognized organic aciduria,d‐2‐hydroxyglutaric aciduria. The observations made are consistent with an inherited metabolic disorder in the catabolism of 5‐aminolaevulinate possibly due to deficient activity of a specificd‐2‐hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase.
Screening for organic acidurias and amino acidopathies in newborns and children
Authors: Chalmers R. A. , Purkiss P. , Watts R. W. E. , Lawson A. M.
Published: February 2006

This investigation was undertaken in order to define the place of multidisease screening for inborn errors of metabolism in paediatric practice with particular reference to the organic acidurias, and to compare the efficiency of organic acid screening as a detection method for inborn errors of metabolism with that of amino acid screening on urine. The clinical criteria adopted for the selection of patients were: (i) acute unexplained illness in the newborn or infant; (ii) unexplained developmental delay in infancy or early childhood.

The derivatized organic acids were separated by automated gas chromatography and identified by mass spectrometry. The patients were also screened for abnormal amino acidurias by thin‐layer chromatography supplemented by automated quantitative column chromatography when visual inspection of the thin‐layer chromatography plates suggested that the result might be abnormal.

Six hundred and ninety‐five patients were studied. The incidence of abnormalities was higher in the material which was referred from other hospitals. We attribute this to the more extensive preliminary investigation to which these cases had been subjected before our help was sought than was the case in patients referred from our hospital.

We conclude that screening for organic acidurias on the basis of the broad criteria which we originally specified is unproductive and not cost‐effective and that screening for organic acidurias should be confined to acutely ill neonates and young children who have been systematically evaluated biochemically by other means. A suitable scheme of investigation which need not involve a clinically unacceptable delay is proposed.

Organic acid analysis by the present methods detected about ten times more abnormalities than amino acid analysis, or three times more if one considers only the known and likely inherited metabolic abnormalities in this series. The amino acidopathies were often diagnosed more precisely by the associated organic aciduria and only a few of the known inborn errors of metabolism require amino acid analysis exclusively for their identification. The present type of urinary organic acid analysis used as part of the investigation scheme which we have described will identify about one third of the approximately 180 inherited metabolic diseases with known enzyme defects. Organic acid analysis also detects other disorders and usually provides more information about the underlying biochemical derangement than does amino acid analysis alone.
Citrullinaemia: The possibility of prenatal diagnosis
Authors: Christensen E. , Brandt N. J. , Philip J. , Kennaway N. G.
Published: February 2006

Argininosuccinate synthetase activity in amniotic fluid cells from a fetus at risk for citrullinaemia was low compared to the activity in amniotic fluid cells from a normal fetus, but five times the activity in fibroblasts from a patient with citrullinaemia. These enzyme values indicated a normal or heterozygous fetus.

Chromosome analysis of the amniotic fluid cells from the fetus at risk, however, showed an unusual X/20 translocation. As we could not guarantee the delivery of a normal child, the parents chose to have a therapeutic abortion. Argininosuccinate synthetase activity in the liver and kidney of the aborted fetus was in the normal and heterozygous range respectively, confirming the prenatal diagnosis.

The activity in the father's fibroblasts was low, less than 10% of normal. The difficulty of interpreting the results of prenatal diagnosis in such a family and the importance of studying parental cells are discussed.
Combined iminoglycinuria and cystine‐ and dibasic aminoaciduria in patients with propionic acidaemia and 3‐methylcrotonylglycinuria
Authors: Purkiss P. , Chalmers R. A. , Borud O.
Published: February 2006

Urinary amino acids have been determined in six patients with propionic acidaemia, one of whom also showed 3‐methylcrotonylglycinuria. Two patients, including the subject with 3‐methylcrotonylglycinuria, showed a gross aminoaciduria with features of both cystinuria and iminoglycinuria. We suggest a defect in certain amino acid transport systems in some patients with these disorders.
Reproductive counselling for adolescent females with phenylketonuria
Authors: Tice Kathleen S. , Wenz Elizabeth , Jew Katherine , Koch R.
Published: February 2006

It is our goal to provide young adolescents with the information needed to make an informed choice, and a support system for them and their families, in whatever they choose.

Sterilization is not advocated.

Pregnancy is not advocated.

Reliable birth control methods are encouraged.

Organized reproductive counselling is essential using concrete problem solving—diagram, taste tests, etc.

Diet trial before or during pregnancy requires aninformed understanding of the responsibilities of parenthood.
Prenatal diagnosis of I‐cell disease by measuring altered α‐Mannosidase activity in amniotic fluid
Authors: Owada M. , Nishiya O. , Sakiyama T. , Kitagawa T.
Published: February 2006

Prenatal diagnoses of I‐cell disease were carried out by examination of the amniotic fluid and cultured amniotic cells in four cases of high‐risk pregnancy in three different families. Three of the four fetuses were diagnosed as having I‐cell disease, on the basis of observation of abnormally increased activity of lysosomal acid hydrolases in the amniotic fluid and their decreased activity in cultured amniotic cells, thus leading to therapeutic abortion. α‐Mannosidase in the amniotic fluid of the fetuses with I‐cell disease exhibited significant alterations in pH profile,Km value, thermal stability and isoelectric focusing pattern, compared with the enzyme in normal controls. The results indicate that prenatal diagnosis of I‐cell disease may be accomplished by demonstration of altered enzymological characteristics of α‐mannosidase in the supernatant of amniotic fluid. The significance of the alteration of α‐mannosidase in the amniotic fluid is not known.
Logistic Latent Trait Models with Linear Constraints
Authors: Fischer Gerhard H.
Published: February 2006

Two linearly constrained logistic models which are based on the well-known dichotomous Rasch model, the ‘linear logistic test model’ (LLTM) and the ‘linear logistic model with relaxed assumptions’ (LLRA), are discussed. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of unique conditional maximum likelihood estimates of the structural model parameters are derived. Methods for testing composite hypotheses within the framework of these models and a number of typical applications to real data are mentioned.
Heart rate turbulence and death due to cardiac decompensation in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Moore Roger K.G. , Groves David G. , Barlow Pauline E. , Fox Keith A.A. , Shah Ajay , Nolan James , Kearney Mark T.
Published: February 2006

Background

As treatment strategies for patients with chronic heart failure (HF) become more sophisticated, identifying patients at high risk of death and predicting mode of death is important. The aim of this study was to explore the potential utility of heart rate turbulence (HRT) to identify patients with HF at high risk of death.

Methods and results

In a prospective study, 553 ambulant outpatients age 63 ± 10 with symptoms of HF and evidence of cardiac dysfunction were recruited. All patients underwent 24‐h Holter ECG recordings, which were analysed for arrhythmias, heart rate variability and HRT a measurement that is thought to quantify cardiac autonomic regulatory mechanisms. Baseline chest radiograph, biochemistry and 12‐lead electrocardiograms were also obtained. In patients with HRT measurements at 5 years follow up, 146 patients had died, 59 due to decompensated HF. Independent predictors of death from decompensated HF at 5‐year follow up (Cox proportional hazard model) were HRT slope (HR for 10% increment 0.84, 95% CI 0.77–0.91), serum sodium (HR for 10% increment 0.75, 95% CI 0.62–0.91) and serum creatinine (for 10% increment HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.08–1.19) all P < 0.01. These 3 variables combined had excellent discrimination between patients dying of decompensated HF and other patients, C‐statistic = 0.82.

Conclusions

In patients with mild‐to‐moderate HF, HRT slope is an independent predictor of death due to decompensated HF. HRT may have the potential to help tailor therapy in this patient group.
A possible role of exon‐shuffling in the evolution of signal peptides of human proteins
Authors: Vibranovski Maria Dulcetti , Sakabe Noboru Jo , de Souza Sandro José
Published: February 2006

It was recently shown that there is a predominance of phase 1 introns near the cleavage site of signal peptides encoded by human genes [Tordai, H. and Patthy, L. (2004) Insertion of spliceosomal introns in proto‐splice sites: the case of secretory signal peptides. FEBS Lett. 575, 109–111]. It was suggested that this biased distribution was due to intron insertion at AG∣G proto‐splice sites. However, we found that there is no disproportional excess of AG∣G that would support insertion at proto‐splice sites. In fact, all nG∣G sites are enriched in the vicinity of the cleavage site. Additional analyses support an alternative scenario in which exon‐shuffling is largely responsible for such excess of phase 1 introns.
Prevalence of antibodies against feline coronavirus and Chlamydophila felis in Swedish cats
Authors: Holst Bodil Ström , Englund Lena , Palacios S , Renström Lena , Berndtsson Louise T
Published: February 2006

Serum samples from 214 Swedish cats with no signs of infectious disease were analysed for the presence of antibodies against Chlamydophila felis ( Cp felis), while 209 of these were also analysed for feline coronavirus (FCoV) antibodies. The prevalence of antibodies against Cp felis was 11%, with no significant difference between purebred and mixed breed cats. The overall prevalence of antibodies against FCoV was 31%, significantly higher among pure breed cats (65%) than among mixed breed cats (17%). A high proportion of cats with antibodies against FCoV had relatively high antibody titres, and was therefore likely to be shedding FCoV in faeces. For Cp felis, the majority of seropositive animals had relatively low antibody titres, and the risk of these animals infecting others is not known.
Characterisation of the signalment, clinical and survival characteristics of 41 cats with mast cell neoplasia
Authors: Litster Annette L , Sorenmo Karin U
Published: February 2006

Mast cell tumours (MCTs) are relatively common tumours of cats, and are the second most common cutaneous tumours in cats in the USA. While the primary splenic form of the disease is far less common, it is usually associated with more severe clinical signs. Signalment, clinical and survival characteristics of mast cell neoplasia were characterised in 41 cats. The most common tumour location was cutaneous/subcutaneous head and trunk. Stage 1a was the most common tumour stage at first diagnosis ( n=20), followed by stage 4 (both stage 4a and stage 4b; n=10). Of 22 cats that underwent excisional biopsy, mast cell neoplasia recurred in four cats during the study period. Three of the 41 cats presented with simultaneous cutaneous and either splenic or lymph node tumours. A comparison between cats with only cutaneous tumours ( n=30) and those with tumours involving the spleen or lymph nodes ( n=11) showed longer survival times for the cutaneous-only group ( P=0.031). Twelve of the 41 cats died of mast cell neoplasia during the study period. When a subgroup of cats with only cutaneous tumours (no lymph node or visceral involvement) were divided according to whether there were multiple (five or more) tumours ( n=6) or a single tumour ( n=19), cats with single tumours survived longer than those with multiple tumours ( P=0.001). Solitary cutaneous feline MCTs without spread to the lymph nodes usually manifest as benign disease with a relatively protracted course. However, multiple cutaneous tumours, recurrent tumours and primary splenic disease should receive a guarded prognosis due to the relatively short median survival times associated with these forms of the disease.
Dorsal Capsulodesis for Scapholunate Instability – Effect on Patient Disability and Wrist Pain.
Authors: KONDURU R. S. , SCOTT I. , MEHDI R. , DENT J. A. , ABBOUD R. , WIGDEROWITZ C.
Published: February 2006

Twenty cases of scapho-lunate instability have been reviewed, to determine the effect of dorsal capsulodesis on disability and wrist pain. The average follow-up was 41 (range 13–63) months. There was a significant improvement in the pre-operative Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation score from 108 (range 18–150) to a postoperative score of 60 (range 0–132). All wrist movements and grip strength were reduced postoperatively but only the reductions in flexion and radial deviation were statistically significant. Seventeen (85%) patients were satisfied with the operation. One patient remained unemployed after surgery. Five patients returned to their normal jobs. This study shows that dorsal capsulodesis should remain an important option in the treatment of scapholunate instability.
A 2200-yr record of hydrologic variability from Foy Lake, Montana, USA, inferred from diatom and geochemical data
Authors: Stevens Lora R. , Stone Jeffery R. , Campbell Josh , Fritz Sherilyn C.
Published: February 2006

A 2200-yr long, high-resolution (∼5 yr) record of drought variability in northwest Montana is inferred from diatoms and δ18O values of bio-induced carbonate preserved in a varved lacustrine core from Foy Lake. A previously developed model of the diatom response to lake-level fluctuations is used to constrain estimates of paleolake levels derived from the diatom data. High-frequency (decadal) fluctuations in the de-trended δ18O record mirror variations in wet/dry cycles inferred from Banff tree-rings, demonstrating the sensitivity of the oxygen-isotope values to changes in regional moisture balance. Low frequency (multi-centennial) isotopic changes may be associated with shifts in the seasonal distribution of precipitation. From 200 B.C. to A.D. 800, both diatom and isotope records indicate that climate was dry and lake level low, with poor diatom preservation and high organic carbon: nitrogen ratios. Subsequently, lake level rose slightly, although the climate was drier and more stable than modern conditions. At A.D. 1200, lake level increased to approximately 6 m below present elevation, after which the lake fluctuated between this elevation and full stage, with particularly cool and/or wetter conditions after 1700. The hydrologic balance of the lake shifted abruptly at 1894 because of the establishment of a lumber mill at the lake's outlet. Spectral analysis of the δ18O data indicates that severe droughts occurred with multi-decadal (50 to 70 yr) frequency.
EarliestCucurbitafrom the Great Lakes, Northern USA
Authors: Monaghan G. William , Lovis William A. , Egan-Bruhy Kathryn C.
Published: February 2006

Directly datedCucurbitafrom archaeological sites near Lake Huron expand the range and human usage of adventive, cultivated wild gourds or squash into the Great Lakes region, USA, by 400014C yr BP. The data also show that domesticatedC. peposquash was cultivated there by 300014C yr BP. Although milder Hypsithermal climate may have been a contributing factor, squash and gourds expanded northward during the mid-Holocene mainly by human agency and may be the first human-introduced adventive plant in temperate North America. Even after 300014C yr BP, when domesticated squash generally replaced wild varieties at northern sites, squash stands were probably informally managed rather than intensively cultivated.
Simple keel fixation technique for endoscopic repair of anterior glottic stenosis
Authors: Liyanage S H , Khemani S , Lloyd S , Farrell R
Published: February 2006

The use of keels in the treatment of anterior glottic stenosis is well established. A variety of methods for keel fixation have previously been documented. We describe a simple technique of securing a Silastic keel, placed endoscopically, with a simple percutaneous suture, after laser vaporization of an anterior commissure web.
Management of stenosis and acquired atresia of the external auditory meatus
Authors: Jacobsen Nicola , Mills Robert
Published: February 2006

The aim of this study was to investigate the aetiology of acquired atresia and stenosis of the external auditory meatus and to present our results for surgical management. Over an 18-year period (from 1986 to 2004), data were collected prospectively from patient cohorts in Dundee and Edinburgh. Stenosis of the auditory meatus was due to chronic otitis externa in 64 per cent of cases, compared with 37 per cent of cases with acquired atresia; the latter had instead a history of chronic suppurative otitis media in 43 per cent. Surgical treatment of canal stenosis with meatoplasty alone achieved a widely patent ear canal in 80 per cent of cases, with 78 per cent of ears remaining free of discharge. Cases of acquired atresia treated with simple surgical excision of the soft tissue plug experienced a 100 per cent failure rate. The additional use of a split skin graft achieved a patent meatus in 70 per cent of cases, with hearing improvement in 79 per cent. However, the ear canal remained unstable and late recurrence was observed.
Cervicofacial necrotizing fasciitis: an unusual complication of chronic suppurative otitis media
Authors: Sethi Ashwani , Sabherwal Anup
Published: February 2006

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare microbial soft tissue infection characterized by rapidly spreading areas of necrosis and a high mortality rate. It may be of odontogenic or traumatic origin or may arise from insect bites, burns or surgical infections. We present a clinical case of an eight-year-old child with facial and cervical necrotizing fasciitis as a complication of chronic suppurative otitis media. The causes, diagnosis and management of necrotizing fasciitis are reviewed.
Cambodia's Muslim King: Khmer and Dutch Sources on the Conversion of Reameathipadei I, 1642–1658
Authors: Kersten Carool
Published: February 2006

This article surveys the reign of Cambodian King Reameathipadei I (1642–58) on the basis of Khmer and Dutch sources, with a particular focus on the monarch's conversion to Islam in the early 1640s. This episode provides an illustration of the pluralism of Southeast Asian societies during the Age of Commerce.
A View from the Sea: Perspectives on the Northern and Central Vietnamese Coast
Authors: Tana Li
Published: February 2006

This article challenges the perceived image of ‘traditional’ Vietnam by viewing the polity's early history from the sea. A trading zone existed in the Gulf of Tonkin area, stretching to Hainan Island and northern Champa by sea, and overland to Yunnan and Laos. Commerce and interactions of peoples in this area played a crucial part in state formation for Vietnam.
The Rise of the Coast: Trade, State and Culture in Early Ða[under dot]i Viê[under dot]t
Authors: Whitmore John K.
Published: February 2006

The surge in Song foreign trade affected Ða[under dot]i Viê[under dot]t greatly, helping to integrate the upper and lower valley of the Red River first economically in the twelfth century, then politically with the rise of the Trâ[grave accent above]n dynasty in the thirteenth, and finally culturally in the fourteenth. Coastal wealth, power and classical Chinese scholarship entered the inland capital of Thăng Long (Hanoi) and strongly influenced it, leading to major changes across the land.
Immunological and pathological responses in BALB/c mice induced by genetic administration ofTc13 Tul antigen ofTrypanosoma cruzi
Authors: GARCÍA G. A. , ARNAIZ M. R. , LAUCELLA S. A. , ESTEVA M. I. , AINCIART N. , RIARTE A. , GARAVAGLIA P. A. , FICHERA L. E. , RUIZ A. M.
Published: February 2006

Tc13 is atrans-sialidase family protein ofTrypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas' disease. Recently,in vitrostudies had suggested thatTc13 might participate in the pathogenesis of the disease. In order to study the role ofTc13 antigens in anin vivomodel, we administered plasmid DNA encoding aTc13 antigen from the Tulahuén strain (Tc13 Tul) to BALB/c mice and evaluated the immunological and pathological manifestations as well as the capacity of this antigen to confer protection againstT. cruziinfection.Tc13 Tul immunization did not elicit a detectable humoral immune response but induced specific memory T-cells with no capacity to produce IFN-γ. Five months after DNA-immunization withTc13 Tul, signs of hepatotoxicity and reactive changes in the heart, liver and spleen were observed in 40–80% of mice. WhenTc13 Tul DNA-immunized animals were challenged with trypomastigotes, a significant decrease in parasitaemia in early and late acute phase was observed without modification in the survival rate. Surprisingly,Tc13 Tul-immunized mice chronically infected withT. cruzishowed a decrease in the severity of heart damage. We conclude that, in BALB/c mice, genetic immunization withTc13 Tul mainly induces immune responses associated with pathology.
Simulation of a hybrid adaptive-learning control law for a rigid link electrically driven robot manipulator
Authors: Uǧuz Hüray , Canbolat Hüseyin
Published: February 2006

In this work, a hybrid adaptive/learning controller is simulated in Simulink using a two-link robot manipulator for a sinusoidal desired position. The two-dimensional nature of control law makes direct simulation difficult. Simulation results demonstrate that the controller achieves semi global asymptotic position tracking.
Study of the premixed flame model with heat losses The existence of two solutions
Authors: ROQUES L.
Published: February 2006

We study the existence of planar flames, in the case of a single-step chemical reaction with volumetric heat losses, with a general reaction term. We prove that for all positive Lewis numbers, and for small values of the heat loss rate parameter, two distinct solutions exist. We also give upper bounds for the flame speed and for the heat loss rate parameter. Moreover, we explicitly compute a lower bound for the unburned gases after reaction.
A PENETRATING QUESTION IN THE HISTORY OF IDEAS: SPACE, DIMENSIONALITY AND INTERPENETRATION IN THE THOUGHT OF AVICENNA
Authors: MCGINNIS JON
Published: February 2006

Avicenna's discussion of space is found in his comments on Aristotle's account of place. Aristotle identified four candidates for place: a body's matter, form, the occupied space, or the limits of the containing body, and opted for the last. Neoplatonic commentators argued contra Aristotle that a thing's place is the space it occupied. Space for these Neoplatonists is something possessing dimensions and distinct from any body that occupies it, even if never devoid of body. Avicenna argues that this Neoplatonic notion of space is untenable on the basis of three arguments. In general he maintains that bodies' impenetrability is explained by reference to dimensionality. Consequently, if it is dimensionality that explains impenetrability, and yet as the Neoplatonists hold space inherently possesses dimensions, material bodies could never interpenetrate space and so occupy it and thus bodies could never have a place. The conclusion is patently false. In additions Avicenna argues that the method used to arrive at the possibility of space is illicit, and so Neoplatonist cannot show that space is even possible. Thus, concludes Avicenna, Aristotle's initial account must be correct. The paper outlines the historical context of this debate and then treats Avicenna's arguments against space in detail.
Choosing the content of textual summaries of large time-series data sets
Authors: YU JIN , REITER EHUD , HUNTER JIM , MELLISH CHRIS
Published: February 2006

Natural Language Generation (NLG) can be used to generate textual summaries of numeric data sets. In this paper we develop an architecture for generating short (a few sentences) summaries of large (100KB or more) time-series data sets. The architecture integrates pattern recognition, pattern abstraction, selection of the most significant patterns, microplanning (especially aggregation), and realisation. We also describe and evaluate SumTime-Turbine, a prototype system which uses this architecture to generate textualsummaries of sensor data from gas turbines.