bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LIM‐homeodomain genes as territory markers in the brainstem of adult and developing Xenopus laevis
Authors: Moreno Nerea , Bachy Isabelle , Rétaux Sylvie , González Agustín
Published: March 2005

We investigated expression patterns of the LIM‐homeodomain (LIM‐hd) genes x‐Lhx1, x‐Lhx2, x‐Lhx5, and x‐Lhx9 in the brainstem of Xenopus laevis during larval development and in the adult. The two groups of paralogous genes, x‐Lhx1/x‐Lhx5 and x‐Lhx2/x‐Lhx9, showed fundamentally different expression patterns, being expressed in ventral versus dorsal territories of the midbrain and hindbrain, respectively. Indeed, prominent expression of x‐Lhx1/5 was found in the mesencephalic tegmentum and the hindbrain reticular formation, whereas conspicuous x‐Lhx2/9 expression was observed in the torus semicircularis and isthmic nucleus. A few shared expression domains for the two pairs of paralogs included the optic tectum and the anterodorsal and pedunculopontine nuclei. In each structure, expression of the two paralogs was almost identical, indicating that the regulation of their expression in this part of the brain has evolved slightly since gene duplication occurred. Notable exceptions included the expression of x‐Lhx1 but not x‐Lhx5 in the Purkinje cells and the expression of x‐Lhx9 but not x‐Lhx2 in the lateral line nucleus. The analysis of LIM‐hd expression patterns throughout development allowed the origin of given structures in early embryos to be traced back. x‐Lhx1 and x‐Lhx5 were relevant to locate the cerebellar anlage and to follow morphogenesis of the cerebellar plate and cerebellar nuclei. They also highlighted the rhombomeric organization of the hindbrain. On the other hand, x‐Lhx2 and x‐Lhx9 showed a dynamic spatiotemporal pattern relative to tectal development and layering, and x‐Lhx9 was useful to trace back the origin of the isthmus in early development. J. Comp. Neurol. 485:240–254, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The binding affinity of double‐stranded RNA motifs to HIV‐1 Tat protein affects transactivation and the neutralizing capacity of anti‐Tat antibodies elicited after intranasal immunization
Authors: Partidos Charalambos D. , Hoebeke Johan , Moreau Emmanuel , Chaloin Olivier , Tunis Mélanie , Belliard Guillaume , Briand Jean‐Paul , Desgranges Claude , Muller Sylviane
Published: March 2005

In this study we examined the hypothesis that the binding affinity of two double‐stranded (ds) RNA motifs to HIV‐1 Tat protein might affect transactivation and the type of anti‐Tat immune responses. Using surface plasmon resonance technology we demonstrated the capacity of the poly(A):poly(U) (pA:pU) motif to bind with high affinity to a totally synthetic Tat protein and to inhibit more efficiently the Tat/transactivation response element (TAR) RNA interaction as compared to the poly(I):poly(C) (pI:pC) motif. Furthermore, the pA:pU motif was tenfold more effective in inhibiting Tat‐driven transactivation than the pI:pC motif. Following intranasal immunization of mice, both dsRNA motifs enhanced the antibody (serum and mucosal) and cellular responses to Tat. However, only the serum samples of mice immunized with Tat + pI:pC inhibited Tat‐driven transactivation. The profile of serum antibody subclasses together with the secreted cytokines by Tat‐stimulated splenocyte cultures indicated that both dsRNA motifs favored the induction of a balanced Th1 and Th2 immune response. The demonstration in this study that two dsRNA motifs had a marked effect on Tat/TAR RNA interaction and on the neutralizing capacity of anti‐Tat specific antibody responses highlights their potential for biological applications and the importance of selecting the appropriate motif as an adjuvant for vaccine design.
Premature death of adult adoptees: Analyses of a case‐cohort sample
Authors: Petersen Liselotte , Andersen Per Kragh , Sørensen Thorkild I. A.
Published: March 2005

Genetic and environmental influence on risk of premature death in adulthood was investigated by estimating the associations in total and cause‐specific mortality of adult Danish adoptees and their biological and adoptive parents. Among all 14,425 non‐familial adoptions formally granted in Denmark during the period 1924 through 1947, we selected the study population according to a case‐cohort sampling design. As the case‐control design, the case‐cohort design has the advantage of economic data collection and little loss in statistical efficiency, but the case‐cohort sample has the additional advantages that rate ratio estimates may be obtained, and re‐use of the cohort sample in future studies of other outcomes is possible. Analyses were performed using Kalbfleisch and Lawless's estimator for hazard ratio, and robust estimation for variances. In the main analyses the sample was restricted to birth years of the adoptees 1924 and after, and age of transfer to the adoptive parents before 7 years, and age at death was restricted to 16 to 70 years. The results showed a higher mortality among adoptees, whose biological parents died in the age range of 16 to 70 years; this was significant for deaths from natural causes, vascular causes and all causes. No influence was seen from early death of adoptive parents, regardless of cause of death. Genet. Epidemiol. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effect of Taiwan's tax‐induced increases in cigarette prices on brand‐switching and the consumption of cigarettes
Authors: Tsai Yi‐Wen , Yang Chung‐Lin , Chen Chin‐Shyan , Liu Tsai‐Ching , Chen Pei‐Fen
Published: March 2005

The effect of raising cigarette taxes to reduce smoking has been the subject of several studies, which often treat the price of cigarettes as an exogenous factor given to smokers who respond to it by adjusting their smoking behavior. However, cigarette prices vary with brand and quality, and smokers can and do switch to lower‐priced brands to reduce the impact of the tax on the cost of cigarettes as they try to consume the same number of cigarettes as they had before a tax hike. Using data from a two‐year follow‐up interview survey conducted before and after a new cigarette tax scheme was imposed in Taiwan in 2002, this study examines three behavioral changes smokers may make to respond to tax‐induced cigarette price increase: brand‐switching, amount consumed, and amount spent on smoking. These changes were studied in relation to smoker income, before‐tax cigarette price, level of addiction, exposure to advertizing, and consumer loyalty.

We found that smokers, depending upon exposure to advertizing, level of consumer loyalty and initial price of cigarettes, switched brands to maintain current smoking habits and control costs. We also found that the initial amount smoked and level of addiction, not price, at least not at the current levels in Taiwan, determined whether a smoker reduced the number of cigarettes he consumed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Convergence in the trends and cycles of Euro‐zone income
Authors: Carvalho Vasco M. , Harvey Andrew C.
Published: March 2005

Multivariate unobserved components (structural) time series models are fitted to annual post‐war observations on real income per capita in countries in the Euro‐zone. The aim is to establish stylized facts about convergence as it relates both to long‐run and short‐run movements. A new model, in which convergence components are combined with a common trend and similar cycles, is proposed. The convergence components are formulated as a second‐order error correction mechanism; this ensures that the extracted components change smoothly, thereby enabling them to be separated from transitory cycles. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A suggested framework for classifying the modes of cycle research
Authors: Harding Don , Pagan Adrian
Published: March 2005

The paper argues that it is important to realize that the concept of a cycle has rarely been precisely articulated in empirical work and that often researchers are using very different definitions of it. We propose a two‐fold classification based upon what series one is measuring a cycle in and how one would recognize a cycle in such a series. The paper illustrates how one can then categorize existing research based upon how it answers these questions. It also shows that the existence and properties of a cycle differ greatly depending upon which of the categories the researcher is using. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Portrayal of depression and other mental illnesses in Australian nonfiction media
Authors: Francis Catherine , Pirkis Jane , Blood R. Warwick , Dunt David , Burgess Philip , Morley Belinda , Stewart Andrew
Published: March 2005

This study describes Australian media portrayal of mental illnesses, focusing on depression. A random sample of 1,123 items was selected for analysis from a pool of 13,389 nonfictional media items about mental illness collected between March 2000 and February 2001. Depression was portrayed more frequently than other mental illnesses. Items about depression, eating disorders, and substance use disorders most commonly described policies or programs, whereas items about schizophrenia most frequently portrayed individuals or symptoms and treatment. A minority of items about depression presented information about symptoms, causes, treatment, or prognosis. Although such information was generally accurate, a proportion of items conveyed misleading messages. There is therefore scope for increasing the level of accurate information provided about depression in the Australian media. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 33: 283–297, 2005.
The interactive relationship among adolescent violence, street violence, and depression
Authors: Latzman Robert D. , Swisher Raymond R.
Published: March 2005

Previous research has shown community violence to be detrimental to adolescent well‐being, yet relatively little is known about how adolescents respond to violence in their community. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, this study examines the interactive associations among exposure to street violence, adolescent violence, and depression. As hypothesized, results suggest that an adolescent's own violence lessens the negative association between street violence and depression. Similarly, exposure to street violence moderates the association between own violence and depression. Examination across demographic subgroups indicates that these moderating effects are most pronounced among males and older adolescents. Potential developmental consequences of these relationships are discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 33: 355–371, 2005.
Functional consequences of mutations in a putative Akt phosphorylation motif of B‐raf in human cancers
Authors: Ikenoue Tsuneo , Kanai Fumihiko , Hikiba Yohko , Tanaka Yasuo , Imamura Jun , Ohta Miki , Jazag Amarsanaa , Guleng Bayasi , Asaoka Yoshinari , Tateishi Keisuke , Kawakami Takayuki , Matsumura Masayuki , Kawabe Takao , Omata Masao
Published: March 2005

Mutations in the B‐raf gene have been reported in a number of human cancers, including melanoma and lung cancer. More than 80% of the reported B‐raf mutations were V599E; however, non‐V599E mutations have been frequently found in non‐small cell lung cancers as compared with melanoma. Some non‐V599E mutations have been found surrounding Thr439, which is thought likely to be one of the three Akt phosphorylation sites in the B‐raf protein. However, as a previous report indicated that Thr439 was not phosphorylated by Akt, the functional consequences of these mutations have been unclear. Here, we examined the effects of cancer‐related B‐raf mutations surrounding Thr439 on the activation of the mitogen‐activated protein/ extracellular signal‐regulated kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (Erk) pathway and the transformation of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Among the three reported mutations (K438Q, K438T, and T439P) found in non‐small cell lung carcinoma and melanoma, none elevated the activity of the MEK/Erk cascade as determined by in vitro kinase assays, immunoblots using antibody specific for phosphorylated Erk, or Elk1‐dependent reporter assays. The inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling by LY294002 increased the Erk activation induced by the mutant B‐raf proteins, as well as by wild‐type B‐raf. Furthermore, the B‐raf mutants did not have increased NIH 3T3‐transforming activities, as determined by colony‐formation assays. These results suggest that the B‐raf mutations surrounding Thr439 found in human cancers are unlikely to contribute to increased oncogenic properties of B‐raf. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Correlation of abdominal leak point pressure with objective incontinence severity in men with post‐radical prostatectomy stress incontinence
Authors: Twiss Christian , Fleischmann Nicole , Nitti Victor W.
Published: March 2005

Aims

To determine if the abdominal leak point pressure (ALPP) correlates with objective incontinence severity in patients suffering from post‐prostatectomy stress incontinence.

Methods

Twenty‐nine men were evaluated for urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy with videourodynamics and a 24‐hr pad test. ALPP was determined with and without a 7‐French urodynamics catheter and the lowest value was accepted. Six patients with urgency incontinence associated with detrusor overactivity or decreased bladder compliance were excluded leaving 23 patients for analysis. The relationship between the variables of ALPP, 24‐hr pad weight, age and time from prostatectomy were examined with Pearson correlation.

Results

The mean age was 66.4 years (SD ± 7.9, range: 45–81) and the median time from radical prostatectomy was 23 months (IQR = 14–64, range: 9–204). The mean ALPP was 92.8 cmH2O (SD ± 42.4 cmH2O) and the mean pad weight was 279.1 g (SD ± 238.3 g). There was only a weak inverse correlation between ALPP and 24‐hr pad weight which was not statistically significant (r = − 0.191, P = 0.38). Age and time from prostatectomy did not significantly correlate with ALPP (r = − 0.122, P = 0.58 and r = − 0.23, P = 0.29, respectively).

Conclusions

ALPP did not correlate significantly with the 24‐hr pad test in patients with post‐prostatectomy stress incontinence. This suggests that in this patient subset, the ALPP is a relatively poor predictor of incontinence severity and, therefore, has limited clinical value in the urodynamic evaluation of post‐prostatectomy incontinence. The urodynamic assessment of these patients should focus on the presence or absence of stress incontinence and on the presence of associated bladder dysfunction. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Factors influencing self‐perceived disease severity in women with stress urinary incontinence combined with or without urge incontinence
Authors: Oh Seung‐June , Ku Ja Hyeon , Hong Sung Kyu , Kim Soo Woong , Paick Jae‐Seung , Son Hwancheol
Published: March 2005

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of patient‐perceived disease severity (PPDS) on the quality of life (QoL) of women with urinary incontinence (UI) and to identify factors predicting PPDS.

Methods

A total of 109 women (mean age 54.9; range 31–77) with stress UI combined with or without urge UI were included in the primary analyses. The incontinence quality of life (I‐QoL) devised during the course of this study was used to assess the QOL impact of UI.

Results

PPDS of women with UI increased as I‐QoL scores decreased (P < 0.001). When analyzed by patient characteristics and objective test results, PPDS increased only with the number of episodes (P = 0.005) and pad test weight increased (P = 0.010). By multivariate regression analysis, patients who complained of UI “three to four times a day or more” had 6.4‐fold higher risk (P = 0.027) of perceiving that their symptoms were more severe than those who complained of a UI “one to two times per week or less.” Patients with a pad test weight of >25 g had a 4.7‐fold higher risk of perceiving their symptoms were more severe than those with a pad test weight of <15 g.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the frequency of UI episodes and the volume of urine loss are associated with PPDS. In addition, the I‐QoL scores deteriorated significantly as the PPDS of incontinence increased. Thus, PPDS may impact on the QoL of women with stress UI combined with or without urge UI. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Investigation of fluorinated polyacrylate latex with core–shell structure
Authors: Zhang Chaocan , Chen Yanjun
Published: March 2005

Fluorinated polyacrylate latices with core–shell structure were prepared by semi‐continuous emulsion polymerization, using a mixed emulsifier system composed of a reactive emulsifier and a small amount of anionic emulsifier. The conversion and chemical components of the final latices were studied by gravimetric methods and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, respectively. The structure of the latex particles was determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and particle size analysis. The latex films exhibited a low surface energy and high water‐contact angles. The surface analysis from X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that the fluorinated components preferentially self‐organized at the film–air interface. From XPS depth profiling of the film, it was found that a gradient concentration of fluorine existed in the structure of the latex film from the film–air interface to the film–glass interface. Compared with the core–shell structure with a fluorinated core, the core–shell structure with a fluorinated shell was more effective for modifying the properties of the latex films. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Positive Corona Ignition and Development in Air at Atmospheric Pressure under a Heaviside Voltage Pulse
Authors: Bessières Delphine , Paillol Jean , Gibert Alain , Pécastaing Laurent
Published: March 2005

Summary: The primary streamer propagation is presented under a high over voltage biexponential pulse. The positive corona current pulse and the streak emission in the visible band are compared with classical ones obtained under continuous voltages. A cathode spot formation is observed and secondary emission processes are expected to play a major role in the development of this zone. The mean velocity of primary streamers increases with the order of corona under a Heaviside voltage pulse. This increase may be due to neutral depopulation of the canal.

Photograph of corona under an applied voltage.

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Photograph of corona under an applied voltage.
Water Treatment Using Discharge on the Surface of a Bubble in Water
Authors: Yamabe Chobei , Takeshita Fumiaki , Miichi Tomoaki , Hayashi Nobuya , Ihara Satoshi
Published: March 2005

Summary: A new method for water treatment utilizing radicals produced by a discharge on the surface of a bubble in water is proposed and this method is applied to the de‐color of indigo solution whose original color is blue. The discharge of this method begins at the crossing points of mesh electrode, acrylic resin spacer, and bubbling gas (i.e., called a triple junction where there is a weak point for the electrical breakdown in the electrical power devices). This weak point for the electrical breakdown is used very actively for the surface discharge. The discharge process on the surface of the bubble in water is also observed using a wire‐to‐plane electrode system to fix the observation region of discharge (type‐A reactor). The streamer length estimated by photographs increased linearly with the applied voltage. The energy consumption of discharge for type‐B reactor with a mesh‐to‐plane electrode in oxygen is about 0.09 J when the applied voltage is 20 kV. Production efficiency of the H2O2 concentration of about 27 mg · L−1 in oxygen (46 mg · L−1 in helium) has been obtained when the repetition rate of discharge operated by a pulsed‐power generator, the peak value of applied voltage, and the discharge period are 100 pps (pulsed power generator), 25 kV and 60 min, respectively.

De‐colorization rate of indigo solution for different discharge periods.

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De‐colorization rate of indigo solution for different discharge periods.
Spectroscopic Diagnostics of DBD in Ar/Fluorocarbon Mixtures – Correlation between Plasma Parameters and Properties of Deposited Polymer Films
Authors: Vinogradov Igor , Lunk Achim
Published: March 2005

Summary: Spectroscopic diagnostics of a pulse‐modulated dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in fluorocarbon mixtures at atmospheric pressure are reported. Plasma diagnostics was performed by FTIR‐absorption spectroscopy as well as by emission/absorption spectroscopy in the UV‐vis range. The following fluorocarbon molecules have been studied: CF4, C2F6, C3F8, C2H2F4, C3HF7 and c‐C4F8. Emission and absorption spectroscopy were performed simultaneously in combination with the measurement of the electric parameters (current, voltage and phase). Surface tension measurement, FTIR‐absorption spectroscopy and XPS were applied to get information on the surface tension, chemical composition and structure of the fluorocarbon polymer films in dependence on the fluorocarbon gas applied. Substrates used were Si wafers, foils and textiles. Analysis of XPS spectra indicates that polymer films can be deposited if the F/C ratio of precursor molecule is smaller than or close to 3. FTIR‐absorption spectra of the films on Si wafers indicated an “amorphous” film structure with the main absorption peak of CF2‐groups at 1 200 cm−1. F/C ratio of precursor molecule is strongly correlated with the appearance of an “amorphous” PTFE absorption peak at 740 cm−1 in the discharge volume. XPS‐analysis and FTIR‐absorption spectroscopy show the influence of H atom content in fluorocarbon molecule or admixture of H2 molecules on the cross linking effect in the films. Depending on the experimental conditions and gas mixture, films with a smallest surface tension of about 11 mN/m could be deposited.

Dependence of surface tension (total, polar and dispersive components) on effective deposition time and substrate material (PP, PET) (Ar/c‐C4F8 discharge).

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Dependence of surface tension (total, polar and dispersive components) on effective deposition time and substrate material (PP, PET) (Ar/c‐C4F8 discharge).
‘Religion’ in the 2001 Census for England and Wales
Authors: Southworth Joanna R.
Published: March 2005

The 2001 Census in England and Wales asked a question on religion for the first time since 1851. This paper takes an empirically rich look at the process that led to the reintroduction of this question into the Census. Drawing on official documents and interviews with key figures in the process, it discusses the extent to which minority groups were able to influence the form and content of the census. The conclusion reached is that in terms of the official consultation process, the faith communities did not present a strong enough case for the inclusion of a question on religion. The intervention of political factors, however, was the key to its success, and religion is now part of the statistical picture of England and Wales. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Race and religious pluralism in Kingston, Jamaica
Authors: Clarke Colin , Howard David
Published: March 2005

The elaboration of syncretic belief systems outside the framework of white‐dominated denominational Christianity by enslaved African labourers is a fundamental hallmark of the religious terrain of Caribbean societies. This process of creole institution‐building started during the period of slavery, and, in the case of Jamaica, continued throughout the post‐emancipation period, during which the black lower class formed Afro‐Christian sects and cults. This paper examines religious pluralism in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, over the decades since independence in 1962, and focuses on the spatial expression of that religious divide. It shows that Afro‐Christian religions still correlate with the black lower class, although the growth of US‐based evangelical sects in Kingston's downtown areas has gathered pace in recent decades. Uptown Kingston remains predominantly Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist or Methodist, although by no means so exclusively white or light‐skinned as before independence. Special attention will be given to the cult of Rastafari and the Pentecostal sect in the Jamaican context, both of which exemplify post‐slavery creole creativity, and provide a religious framework for confronting historical white racism. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photon echo studies of biexcitons and coherences in colloidal CdSe quantum dots
Authors: Colonna Anne E. , Yang Xiujuan , Scholes Gregory D.
Published: March 2005

The cover picture shows the size‐dependent photoluminescence from CdSe colloidal quantum dots that were investigated in the work [1]. Ultrafast photon echo experiments were undertaken in conjunction with simulations based on a realistic many‐body theory, shown in the picture, to ascertain the significance of many‐body contributions to the third‐order nonlinear response.

The first author Anne E. Colonna undertook this research during a summer internship in the Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto. She is currently pursuing graduate studies at École Polytechnique, Saclay, in the Laboratoire d'Optique et Biosciences.

The author Gregory D. Scholes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto. His research interests include synthesis and shape control of quantum dots, as well as the application of ultrafast laser spectroscopy to investigate the electronic structure of inorganic and organic semiconductors. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Theoretical study of kaolinite
Authors: Castro Elton A. S. , Martins João B. L.
Published: March 2005

Kaolin clays are layer aluminosilicates showing a large variety of physicochemical properties. The most common clay mineral, kaolinite, has been widely studied and it crystallizes in space group P1. We used the ab initio method in order to study kaolinite structure. The RHF calculations were performed at different basis set levels and pseudopotentials (3‐21G*, 6‐31G, DZP, TZV, CEP‐31G, LANL2DZ, and SHC). The two‐layer Oniom calculation was applied. The RHF and B3LYP at the 3‐21G* basis set level were used for the high‐layer Oniom and the Dreiding force field was used for the low‐layer Oniom. The hydrogen positions were completely optimized. The geometry of cluster models is taken from the crystallographic data. Vibrational frequencies of hydrogen stretching are also reported. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
Band gap engineering for poly(p‐phenylene) and poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) copolymers using the tight‐binding approach
Authors: Giro R. , Caldas M. J. , Galvão D. S.
Published: March 2005

The interest in poly(p‐phenylene) (PPP) and poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) (PPV) copolymers stems from the fact that these homopolymers present interesting optical and electronic properties that allow a great variety of technological applications. Combining different numbers of PPP and PPV units it is possible, in principle, to obtain new structures presenting intermediate gap values (2.8 eV and 2.4 eV for PPP and PPV, respectively). For this study we used a Hückel Hamiltonian tight‐binding coupled to the negative factor counting (NFC) technique. We carried out a systematic search to determine optimum relative concentrations for disordered binary polymeric alloys with predefined gap values. Once these structures were obtained, we used the semiempirical methods AM1/PM3 and ZINDO/S‐CI for geometrical and optical studies, respectively. Our theoretical results show that it is possible to obtain copolymers of PPP and PPV with intermediate gap values of their parent structures. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
Theoretical study of the reactions BF3 + BX, where X = H or N
Authors: Barreto Patrícia R. P. , Vilela Alessandra F. A. , Gargano Ricardo
Published: March 2005

This work presents the rate constant for the gas‐phase reaction BF3 + BX, where X = H or N, over the temperature range of 200–4,000 K. Conventional transition state theory (TST) is used to study these reactions. Geometries, frequencies, and the potential energy for reactant, products, and saddle point are obtained from accurate electronic structure calculations performed with the GAUSSIAN 98 program. The reaction rate for these reactions are determined using a simple code developed for this task. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
Fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly: outcome in 176 cases
Authors: Gaglioti P. , Danelon D. , Bontempo S. , Mombrò M. , Cardaropoli S. , Todros T.
Published: March 2005

Objective

To evaluate the outcome of fetuses affected by different degrees of ventriculomegaly.

Methods

We studied 176 fetuses with ventriculomegaly and evaluated the pregnancy outcome and the neurodevelopmental outcome at age ≥ 24 months. The population was divided into three groups according to ventricular width: A (mild ventriculomegaly, 10 to 12 mm); B (moderate, 12.1 to 14.9 mm) and C (severe, ≥ 15 mm).

Results

Ventriculomegaly was more often an isolated finding in Group A (44/75; 58.7%) than in Group B (10/41; 24.4%) and Group C (24/60; 40%). When the ventriculomegaly was an isolated finding, 97.7% of fetuses with mild, 80% with moderate and 33.3% of those with severe dilatation were alive at ≥ 24 months. The neurodevelopmental outcome was normal in 93% of Group A, 75% of Group B and 62.5% of Group C.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the definition of borderline ventriculomegaly should be limited to ventricular width below 12 mm. Cases with measurements above this value are more often associated with malformations and have a normal neurodevelopmental outcome less frequently. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exchange of β‐blockers in heart failure patients. Experiences from the poststudy phase of COMET (the Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial)
Authors: Di Lenarda Andrea , Remme Willem J. , Charlesworth Andrew , Cleland John G.F. , Lutiger Beatrix , Metra Marco , Komajda Michel , Torp‐Pedersen Christian , Scherhag Armin , Swedberg Karl , Poole‐Wilson Philip A. ,   for the COMET investors
Published: March 2005

Background

The Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET) reported a significant survival benefit for carvedilol, a β1‐, β2‐ and α1‐blocker, vs. metoprolol tartrate, a β1‐selective blocker, in patients with mild‐to‐severe chronic heart failure (CHF). Patients on treatment with metoprolol might benefit from switching to carvedilol.

Aim

To investigate the safety and tolerability of switching β‐blockers in CHF.

Methods

At the end of COMET, the Steering Committee recommended that study medication was stopped without unblinding, and patients were commenced on open‐label β‐blockade at a dose equivalent to half the dose of blinded therapy, with subsequent titration to target or maximum tolerated dose. Patients were followed for 30 days.

Results

1321 out of 1440 patients were transitioned to open‐label treatment (76.8% to carvedilol). Serious adverse and CHF‐related events were respectively 9.4% and 4.7% in those switching from carvedilol to metoprolol and 3.1% and 1.5% in patients switching from metoprolol to carvedilol. Patients who switched from carvedilol to metoprolol showed the highest mortality or hospitalisation rate (12.3%) in comparison with those who switched from metoprolol to carvedilol (3.1%, p<0.001) or who stayed on the same drug (carvedilol: 2.5%, p<0.001; metoprolol: 4.2%, p=0.04). Reducing the initial dose of the second β‐blocker maximised the safety of this strategy. Event rate was higher in patients with more severe heart failure and in those withdrawing from β‐blockade.

Conclusion

Our data show that switching β‐blockers is a practical, safe and well‐tolerated strategy to optimise treatment of CHF. Patients who switched to carvedilol showed the lowest rate of adverse events. A closer clinical monitoring is recommended during transition in high‐risk patients.
The matrilins – adaptor proteins in the extracellular matrix
Authors: Wagener Raimund , Ehlen Harald W.A. , Ko Ya-Ping , Kobbe Birgit , Mann Henning H. , Sengle Gerhard , Paulsson Mats
Published: March 2005

The matrilins form a four‐member family of modular, multisubunit matrix proteins, which are expressed in cartilage but also in many other forms of extracellular matrix. They participate in the formation of fibrillar or filamentous structures and are often associated with collagens. It appears that they mediate interactions between collagen‐containing fibrils and other matrix constituents, such as aggrecan. This adaptor function may be modulated by physiological proteolysis that causes the loss of single subunits and thereby a decrease in binding avidity. Attempts to study matrilin function by gene inactivation in mouse have been frustrating and so far not yielded pronounced phenotypes, presumably because of the extensive redundancy within the family allowing compensation by one family member for another. However, mutations in matrilin‐3 in humans cause different forms of chondrodysplasias and perhaps also hand osteoarthritis. As loss of matrilin‐3 is not critical in mouse, these phenotypes are likely to be caused by dominant negative effects.
Pancreatic islet response to hyperglycemia is dependent on peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha (PPARα)
Authors: Bihan Hélène , Rouault Christine , Reach Gérard , Poitout Vincent , Staels Bart , Guerre-Millo Michèle
Published: March 2005

This study tests the hypothesis that islet peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha (PPARα) influences insulin secretion. Freshly isolated islets of normoglycemic PPARα‐null mice display no major alteration of glucose‐stimulated insulin release. However, after 24 h of culture in high glucose, PPARα‐null islets exhibit elevated basal insulin secretion and fail to increase insulin mRNA. 24‐h culture with palmitate replicates this phenotype in wild‐type islets. The data suggest that PPARα is needed to ensure appropriate insulin secretory response in situation of short‐term hyperglycemia, likely by maintaining islet lipid homeostasis. As such, islet PPARα could contribute to delay the progression of type 2 diabetes.
CONTEMPORARY RUSSIAN IDENTITY BETWEEN EAST AND WEST
Authors: DUNCAN PETER J. S.
Published: March 2005

This is a review of recent English-language scholarship on the development of Russian identity since the collapse of the USSR in 1991. The first part examines literature on the economic and political changes in the Russian Federation, revealing how scholars became more sceptical about the possibility of Russia building a Western-type liberal democracy. The second part investigates approaches to the study of Russian national identity. The experience of empire, in both the tsarist and Soviet periods, gave Russians a weak sense of nationhood; ethnic Russians identified with the multi-national Soviet Union. Seeking legitimacy for the new state, President El'tsin sought to create a civic identity focused on the multi-national Russian Federation. The Communist and nationalist opposition continued to promote an imperial identity, focused on restoring the USSR or creating some other formation including the Russian-speaking population in the former Soviet republics. The final section discusses accounts of the two Chechen wars, which scholars see as continuing Russia's imperial policy and harming relations with Russia's Muslim population. President Putin's co-operation with the West against ‘terrorism’ has not led the West to accept Russia as one of its own, due to increasing domestic repression and authoritarianism.
Occurrence and distribution of cowpea damping-off and stem rot and associated fungi in Benin
Authors: ADANDONON A. , AVELING T. A. S. , TAMO M.
Published: March 2005

Damping-off and stem rot of cowpea is an important soil-borne disease worldwide. Cowpea fields were randomly chosen in each agro-ecological zone in Benin and surveyed in 2001 and 2002 to determine the occurrence of the diseases throughout the country. Diseased plants, prevailing environmental conditions and cowpea grower cultural practices were recorded and causal agents associated with the disease identified. Results indicated that damping-off and stem rot were distributed throughout Benin. The disease incidence was higher in the South (0·074) and Centre zones (0·063) than in the other zones (<0·02) in the country. Among factors influencing the disease incidence, cultural practices such as sole crop and no-till systems appeared to be most important. Isolated fungi included Sclerotium rolfsii, Fusarium spp., Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani, Phoma sp., Rhizopus sp. and Trichoderma harzianum. None of the Fusarium, T. harzianum or Rhizopus sp. isolates were pathogenic in the greenhouse. Pythium ultimum, R. solani and Phoma sp. were infrequently isolated and few isolates caused the disease symptoms in the greenhouse. However, this is the first report of Phoma sp. causing damping-off and stem rot of cowpea in Benin. Sclerotium rolfsii was by far the most common species isolated from all the agro-ecological zones and all isolates were pathogenic on cowpea in the greenhouse. Sclerotium rolfsii was considered to be the main causal agent of cowpea damping-off and stem rot in the Republic of Benin due to its wide distribution, high incidence and predominance on plants with damping-off and stem rot symptoms.
Evaluation of the breeding strategy for milk yield of Holstein Friesian cows on large-scale dairy farms in Malawi
Authors: CHAGUNDA M. G. G. , BRUNS E. W. , KING J. M. , WOLLNY C. B. A.
Published: March 2005

Over the last two decades, dairy cattle management in Malawi has been oriented towards increasing milk yield per animal. One consequence of this process has been reliance on Holstein Friesian bull semen from temperate regions. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the performance of Holstein Friesian cows on large-scale farms in Malawi. A data set of 60640 test-day records from Holstein Friesian cows in first, second and third lactation from three large-scale dairies in Malawi were utilized. Fixed effects of herd, year and season of calving were tested. (Co)variance components were estimated through the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedure. Heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations for milk yield, lactation length, age at first calving, and calving interval were determined. In general, milk yield decreased over the years and there was significant (P<0·001) variation in milk yield between herds. The genetic base, as indicated by the genetic trend, remained almost constant in the studied period. This entails genotype by environment interaction, culminating in the additive genetic effect not expressing itself fully in the phenotype. It is therefore apparent that considerable improvement could be achieved by improving the production environment.
Prediction of crude protein and classification of the growth stage of wheat plant samples from NIR spectra
Authors: GATIUS F. , LLOVERAS J. , FERRAN J. , PUY J.
Published: March 2005

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to analyse the crude protein content of dried and milled samples of wheat and to discriminate samples according to their stage of growth. A calibration set of 72 samples from three growth stages of wheat (tillering, heading and harvest) and a validation set of 28 samples was collected for this purpose. Principal components analysis (PCA) of the calibration set discriminated groups of samples according to the growth stage of the wheat. Based on these differences, a classification procedure (SIMCA) showed a very accurate classification of the validation set samples: all of them were successfully classified in each group using this procedure when both the residual and the leverage were used in the classification criteria. Looking only at the residuals all the samples were also correctly classified except one of tillering stage that was assigned to both tillering and heading stages. Finally, the determination of the crude protein content of these samples was considered in two ways: building up a global model for all the growth stages, and building up local models for each stage, separately. The best prediction results for crude protein were obtained using a global model for samples in the two first growth stages (tillering and heading), and using a local model for the harvest stage samples.
Phylogenetic analysis of yeast in the rumen contents of cattle based on the 26S rDNA sequence
Authors: SHIN E. C. , KIM Y. K. , LIM W. J. , HONG S. Y. , AN C. L. , KIM E. J. , CHO K. M. , CHOI B. R. , AN J. M. , KANG J. M. , JEONG Y. J. , KWON E. J. , KIM H. , YUN H. D.
Published: March 2005

The composition of yeast communities in the rumen of cattle was investigated using comparative DNA sequence analysis of yeast 26S rDNA genes. 26S rDNA libraries were constructed from rumen fluid (FF), rumen solid (FS) and rumen epithelium (FE). A total of 97 clones, containing a partial 26S rDNA sequence of 0·6 kb length, were sequenced and subjected to an on-line similarity search.

The 41 FF clones could be divided into five classes. The largest class was affiliated with Pezizomycotina class (85·4% of clones), and the remaining classes were related with the Urediniomycotina (2·4%), Hymenomycetes (4·9%), Ustilaginomycetes (4·9%) and Saccharomycotina (2·4%) classes. The 26 FE clones could be divided into three classes and the Saccharomycetes class (92·4% of clones) was the largest group. The remaining classes were related with either Pezizomycotina (3·8%) or Ustilaginomycetes (3·8%). The 30 FS clones were all affiliated with Saccharomycotina. Saccharomycotina were predominant in rumen epithelium and rumen solid while Pezizomycotina were predominant in rumen fluid. Yeast belonging to the Saccharomycotina class was predominant in the rumen as a whole (57%). One clone (FF34) had less than 90% similarity to any sequence in the database and was thus apparently unrelated to any previously described yeast.
Environmental stability of iron and zinc concentrations in grain of elite early-maturing tropical maize genotypes grown under field conditions
Authors: OIKEH S. O. , MENKIR A. , MAZIYA-DIXON B. , WELCH R. M. , GLAHN R. P. , GAUCH G.
Published: March 2005

Assessment of the stability of micronutrients is important in breeding for the enhanced nutritional quality of staple food crops as a means to alleviate malnutrition. Twenty early-maturing elite tropical maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes were evaluated over 2 years at three locations representing three distinct agroecologies in West and Central Africa (WCA). The objectives were to analyse the pattern of genotype×environment interactions (GEI) and environmental stability of iron and zinc concentrations in grain using the Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) statistical model. Results indicated that the effects of genotypes, environments and GEI were significant (P<0·05) for both micronutrients. The effect of GEI was about double the contribution of the genotypes for grain iron and more than double the effect of genotypes for grain zinc. Partitioning of GEI indicated that variety×location was the dominant source of a significant amount of GEI for both micronutrients. Scores of the first two interaction principal component axes (IPCA1 and IPCA2) from the AMMI were significant and accounted for 0·68–0·75 of the pattern of GEI for both micronutrients. About half of the genotypes evaluated were stable for grain iron and zinc concentration over the set of environments. The AMMI model identified ACR98TZEMSR-W as the most stable genotype for grain iron and MAKA-SRBC5 was the most stable for grain zinc. However, the yellow genotype, AK94-DMR-ESR-Y was the most promising, with high and moderately stable concentrations of iron and zinc in the grain. Because it is yellow, with beta-carotene content and high concentrations of iron and zinc in the grain, it might significantly contribute to an improved intake of these micronutrients in populations who rely on maize for a major portion of their daily diet.
Layers of practice, theory and experience at East Lodge
Authors: Stonehouse Roger
Published: March 2005

Located in Northumberland, 35km north of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and 3km from the North Sea, the mid-nineteenth-century East Lodge to Togston Hall was originally a simple, linear, rectangular single-storey cottage of whinstone with a dual pitch roof. It had acquired an accumulation of ugly, pebble-dashed, flat-roofed extensions to the south and was in poor condition.
Wer den Schaden macht, hat auch das Wissen:
Authors: Pfeiffer Till , Manz Sylvia , Nerb Josef
Published: March 2005

Zusammenfassung. Nach dem Modell ITERA ( Nerb, Spada & Wahl, 1998 ; Nerb & Spada, 2001 ) löst die Lektüre von Zeitungsmeldungen über Umweltschadensfälle kognitive und emotionale Bewertungen aus. Das Modell erlaubt präzise Vorhersagen über Kohärenzeffekte: Wenn ein Text eine bestimmte emotionale Bewertung auslöst (z.B. Ärger), so sollten die Rezipienten dazu passende kognitive Bewertungen erzeugen (z.B. die Inferenz, dass der Auslöser des Umweltschadens wider besseres Wissen handelte) die nicht im Originaltext enthalten sind. In zwei Experimenten wurde die Validität derartiger Kohärenzeffekte im unmittelbaren Anschluss an die Lektüre (Experiment 1) und mit einem Rekognitionsexperiment eine Stunde nach der Lektüre überprüft (Experiment 2). Die Ergebnisse bestätigen die Vorhersagen, legen aber nahe, dass die Inferenzen teilweise auch ohne die vom Modell postulierte emotionale Bewertung gezogen werden können. Mögliche Modelländerungen und praktische Implikationen der Befunde werden diskutiert.
Maltherapie im Akutkrankenhaus mit dem Fallbeispiel des tunesischen Leukämie-Patienten Herrn A.
Authors: Herrlen-Pelzer Sibylle , Blaul Karin , Hirlinger Brigitte
Published: March 2005

Zusammenfassung. Ausgehend von den aus der Literatur bekannten psychosozialen Belastungen der Krebspatienten wird auf besondere Probleme der Ausländer hingewiesen. Sofern sie aus einem anderen Kulturkreis (hier: Islamisches Land) immigriert sind, haben sie es schwer, mit unserem deutschen Gesundheitswesen zurecht zu kommen. Sprachbarrieren erschweren die psychosomatische Betreuung der Migranten, denn Diagnose, Therapieschemata mit vielerlei Risiken und die individuelle Prognose müssen verstanden und im Kontext der spezifischen Kultur akzeptiert werden. Künstlerische Angebote können im Krankenhaus so eingesetzt werden, dass den Ängsten und depressiven Verstimmungen der Patienten entgegen gewirkt wird. Therapeutisch eingesetzte künstlerische Tätigkeiten sollen zur Aktivierung von persönlichen Ressourcen und zur selbständigen Lebensgestaltung beitragen. Das Fallbeispiel des tunesischen Patienten Herrn A. mit einer akuten lymphatischen Leukämie zeigt einen komplizierten Krankheitsverlauf mit vielfältigen schweren Komplikationen, die schließlich zum Tode führten. Mit Hilfe der Maltherapie gestaltete Herr A. in seiner farb-intensiven, exotisch wirkenden Bilderserie eine eigene, verstehbare Lebenswelt.