bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Resin‐packed nanoelectrospray in combination with video and mass spectrometry for the direct and real‐time molecular analysis of mast cells
Authors: Sirikatitham Anusak , Yamamoto Takahiro , Shimizu Masakazu , Hasegawa Tomomi , Tsuyama Naohiro , Masujima Tsutomu 
Published: January 2007

AbstractA nano‐electrospray ionization (nanoESI) emitter for analysis of a biological solution was developed by packing a nanoESI needle with two types of resins for desalting and preconcentration of target molecules. Determination of secreted histamine and serotonin molecules in cell culture buffers was demonstrated using 5‐methyltryptamine as internal standard. The results showed good linearity of target signals in the concentration range from 0.25 to 50.0 ng/mL of histamine or serotonin. These molecules were monitored to be secreted by A23187 (calcium ionophore) stimulant in rat peritoneal mast cells. Using a combination of a video‐microscope and a mass spectrometer, we could visualize exocytotic moments and analyze secreted molecules by mass spectrometry simultaneously. Time‐dependent release of histamine and serotonin from activated mast cells showed that significant production of these molecules occurred and reached a maximal level at 15 min for serotonin and at 30 min for histamine, respectively. These results showed that this method allows the direct and timely analysis of secreted molecules in biological responses. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The venom of the snake genus Atheris contains a new class of peptides with clusters of histidine and glycine residues
Authors: Favreau Philippe , Cheneval Olivier , Menin Laure , Michalet Sophie , Gaertner Hubert , Principaud Franck , Thai Robert , Ménez André , Bulet Philippe , Stöcklin Reto 
Published: January 2007

AbstractWe investigated venoms from members of the genus Atheris (Serpentes, Viperidae), namely the rough scale bush viper (Atheris squamigera), the green bush viper (A. chlorechis) and the great lakes bush viper (A. nitschei), using mass spectrometry‐based strategies, relying on matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) and electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS/MS) with de novo peptide sequencing. We discovered a set of novel peptides with masses in the 2–3 kDa range and containing poly‐His and poly‐Gly segments (pHpG). Complete primary structural elucidation and confirmation of two sequences by Edman degradation indicated the consensus sequence EDDH(9)GVG(10). Bioinformatic investigations in protein sequence databanks did not show relevant homology with known peptides or proteins. However, a more extensive investigation of data in nucleic acid databases revealed some similarities to the precursor sequences of bradykinin potentiating peptides (BPP) and C‐type natriuretic peptides (CNP), agents that are known to affect the cardiovascular system by acting on specific metalloproteases and receptors. The novel pHpG peptides found in Atheris venoms might also act on the cardiovascular system by inhibiting particular metalloproteases, which however remain to be identified. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐throughput direct‐infusion ion trap mass spectrometry: a new method for metabolomics
Authors: Koulman Albert , Tapper Brian A. , Fraser Karl , Cao Mingshu , Lane Geoffrey A. , Rasmussen Susanne 
Published: January 2007

AbstractA fast method was developed to directly infuse raw plant extracts into a linear ion trap mass spectrometer, using the ion trap to isolate and fragment as many ions as possible from the extract. The full mass spectra can be analysed by multivariate statistics to determine discriminating ions, and the fragmentation data allows rapid classification or identification of these ions. The methodology was used to screen a wide range of strains of endophytic fungi in perennial ryegrass seeds for differences in metabolic profiles. The results show that this newly developed methodology is able to determine discriminating ions that can be present in very low concentrations. It also yielded sufficient fragmentation data to classify or identify the discriminating ions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photodissociation at 193 nm of some singly protonated peptides and proteins with m/z 2000–9000 using a tandem time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer equipped with a second source for delayed extraction/post‐acceleration of product ions
Authors: Moon Jeong Hee , Shin Young Sik , Cha Hyun Jung , Kim Myung Soo 
Published: January 2007

AbstractA tandem time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer was built for photodissociation (PD) of singly protonated peptides and small proteins generated by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization. PD was performed in a second source after deceleration of precursor ions. The delayed extraction/post‐acceleration scheme was used for the product ions. For the PD at 193 nm of small singly protonated peptides, the present instrument showed much better sensitivity and resolution for product ions than the previous one (Moon JH, Yoon SH, Kim MS, Bull. Korean Chem. Soc. 2005; 26: 763) even though the overall spectral patterns obtained with the two instruments were similar. The present instrument was inferior in precursor ion selection and background noise level. PD was achieved for precursor ions as large as the singly protonated ubiquitin (m/z 8560.63), indicating that the photoexcitation is capable of supplying a sufficient amount of internal energy to dissociate large singly protonated proteins. As the precursor ion m/z increased, however, product ion signals deteriorated rather rapidly. As in the PD of small peptide ions with m/z around 1000, the types of the product ions generated from singly protonated peptides with m/z in the range 2000–4000 were mostly determined by the positions of arginine residues. Namely, an and dn ions dominated when an arginine residue(s) was near the N‐terminus while vn, wn, xn and yn dominated when the same residue(s) was near the C‐terminus. In addition, dn, vn and wn ions were generated according to the correlation rules previously observed in the collisionally activated dissociation. Isoleucine and leucine isomers could be easily distinguished based on the wn and dn ions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of a variably sensitive selected reaction monitoring method to extend the linear dynamic range for quantitative high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Fries Harvey E. , Aiello Mauro , Evans Christopher A. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractA method has been devised with the capacity to extend the linear dynamic range of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operated in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode of analysis. This extended range experiment can be realized by simultaneously acquiring variably sensitive data, via collision energy adjustment, for the same precursor‐to‐product ion transition within a single SRM method. While this method can be applied universally to many different study types without any detrimental effect to the analysis or throughput, it was applied herein to acquire and quantify, within a single analysis, the concentrations of GSK‐A in a multiple‐dose rodent study, that previously required a dilution scheme. Using this methodology, the linear dynamic range of GSK‐A was increased over traditional methods by nearly two orders of magnitude, from 2.00–10 000 ng/mL to 0.500–100 000 ng/mL. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A generalized gamma software reliability model
Authors: Okamura Hiroyuki , Ando Mitsuaki , Dohi Tadashi 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIn this paper, the authors propose a generalized software reliability model based on a nonhomogeneous Poisson process (NHPP), on the assumption that software fault discovery times follow a generalized gamma distribution. The proposed model encompasses representative NHPP models developed before now and is also consistent with probabilistic debugging theory based on the concept of generalized order statistics. Furthermore, in this paper, the authors propose a parameter estimation method which combines the EM (Expectation‐Maximization) algorithm and a heuristic solution method, as an effective parameter estimation method for the generalized gamma software reliability model. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(2): 81–90, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20350
Face recognition under variable pose and illumination conditions using 3D facial appearance models
Authors: Ishiyama Rui , Hamanaka Masahiko , Sakamoto Shizuo 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThis paper proposes a method in which an appearance model is constructed from 3D facial shape data that can describe the image variation due to the arbitrariness of the pose and the variation of the illumination, after which recognition is performed by fitting the model to facial images when the illumination conditions and the precise pose are unknown. The appearance model in the proposed method is constructed as follows. The illumination basis for an image of an arbitrary pose is derived from the geodesic illumination basis describing the brightness on the 3D object surface depending on the illumination variations, and an image with the same illumination condition is reproduced as the target image for the unknown illumination conditions. By optimizing the pose to minimize the reproduction error, model fitting with high accuracy is realized even if the exact pose is unknown. By experiment, the number of illumination samples needed in the calculation of the geodesic illumination basis is evaluated and it is verified that the proposed appearance model can describe arbitrary illumination variations in images with various poses. The robustness of the proposed pose optimization method against initial pose estimate is also evaluated. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by a recognition experiment using 14,000 facial images taken in various situations, including extreme illumination variations such as backlighting, for a wide range of poses from frontal to 45° upward and 60° sidewise. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(2): 57– 70, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience. wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20646
Bridge layer for content distribution
Authors: Shin Kilho , Takeda Koji , Taguchi Masahiro , Yasuda Hiroshi , Aoki Terumasa 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIn this paper, the authors propose a bridge layer as a framework for the safe and free association of existing content architectures (CA) and payment and rights‐management services (CHS: Clearinghouse Services). The unauthorized use of content through the circumvention of payment and rights‐management is a serious threat. To eliminate this threat, the CHS must associate with the inherent content protection function provided by the CA closely. However, ad hoc association has problems relating to development and maintenance costs, motivation for association, and security, which become impediments to content distribution. A bridge layer provides a protocol for the association of a CA with the CHS, as well as the security functions called for by association. Because the CA and CHS comply with the bridge layer protocol, association is automatically implemented and the unauthorized use of content through circumvention is prevented. In this paper, the required technical elements of the bridge layer are clarified and an actual system satisfying these requirements is proposed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(2): 46– 56, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20659
Spinal alignment measurement in standing position using stereo‐view roentgenography without positional calibration
Authors: Tashiro Takahito , Nakajima Yoshikazu , Tamura Yuichi , Yonenobu Kazuo , Uji Shigeru , Yoshikawa Hideki , Ochi Takahiro , Tamura Shinichi 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIn the treatment of the spine, knowledge of spinal alignment in a standing position, specifically the relative three‐dimensional positional relationship between the vertebrae comprising the spine, is very important. In spinal medicine at present, this is generally measured using two‐dimensional X‐ray images, but it is difficult to measure three‐dimensional changes such as the axial rotation of the vertebra. For this reason, measurement techniques have been proposed which use 2D/3D registration methods, three‐dimensional statistical models, and the correspondence of interest points in the images. However, these techniques require the use of special equipment and the acquisition of the position of the X‐ray imaging device; this is not practical for clinical applications. In this paper, the authors propose a spinal alignment measurement technique which employs only medical equipment which is in general use. In the proposed method, spinal alignment is measured by simultaneously estimating the positions of the vertebrae comprising the spine and the position of the X‐ray imaging device. The proposed technique makes possible three‐dimensional spinal alignment measurement without changes to current spinal medicine protocols. In this paper, the authors conducted a computer simulation experiment and an experiment using real images, compared the performance of the proposed method with that of conventional methods, and verified the properties of the proposed method. As a result, it was confirmed that the proposed method is effective for measuring the relative positions of vertebrae, as in spinal alignment. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(2): 32– 45, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20663
Query processing methods considering the deadline of queries for database broadcasting systems
Authors: Kitajima Shinya , Terada Tsutomu , Hara Takahiro , Nishio Shojiro 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIn recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the database broadcasting system where the server periodically broadcasts contents of a database to mobile clients such as portable computers and PDAs. There are three query processing methods in the database broadcasting system: (i) the server processes a query and then broadcasts the query result to the client, (ii) the client stores all data that are necessary to process the query and then processes it locally, and (iii) the server and the client collaborate in processing the query. Since the performance of each method changes according to the situation such as the interval of query generation and the size of query results, it is difficult to choose the optimal method among them statically. In this paper, we propose new query processing methods which dynamically change the order of queries submitted in the queue at the server and also change processing methods for the queries according to the deadline of queries and the system situation. These methods improve the success rate as well as reduce the response time in most cases. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(2): 21– 31, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20689
One‐ and two‐stage designs for phase II window studies
Authors: Chang Myron N. , Devidas Meenakshi , Anderson James 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe primary goal of phase II window studies in cancer is testing new single agents or combination therapies for newly diagnosed patients who are less likely to have multiple‐drug‐resistant tumours than the typical phase II patients who have failed one or more chemotherapeutic regimens. In addition, by utilizing newly diagnosed patients, one can assess the responsiveness in a population more representative of where the phase II agent might be applied in a true phase III setting. In general, the outcome of a patient on a phase II window study can be categorized as response, stable disease, or early disease progression. Phase II window studies sometimes require early stopping rules for both insufficient response rate and excessive early progression rates. In this paper, one‐stage and two‐stage designs for phase II window studies are developed, requiring the monitoring of two rates. It is shown that the power function is monotone in response rate and early disease progression rate. Consequently, the significance level and power are easy to compute. Computational procedures are described and examples are provided. The proposed method can be applied to other studies with categorical outcomes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prior data for non‐normal priors
Authors: Greenland Sander 
Published: January 2007

AbstractData augmentation priors facilitate contextual evaluation of prior distributions and the generation of Bayesian outputs from frequentist software. Previous papers have presented approximate Bayesian methods using 2×2 tables of ‘prior data’ to represent lognormal relative‐risk priors in stratified and regression analyses. The present paper describes extensions that use the tables to represent generalized‐F prior distributions for relative risks, which subsume lognormal priors as a limiting case. The method provides a means to increase tail‐weight or skew the prior distribution for the log relative risk away from normality, while retaining the simple 2×2 table form of the prior data. When prior normality is preferred, it also provides a more accurate lognormal relative‐risk prior in for the 2×2 table format. For more compact representation in regression analyses, the prior data can be compressed into a single data record. The method is illustrated with historical data from a study of electronic foetal monitoring and neonatal death. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling effectiveness of internally heterogeneous organizations in the presence of survey non‐response: an application to the ULTRA study
Authors: Ohman Strickland Pamela A. , Crabtree Benjamin F. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractLevels of turbulence and uncertainty in family medicine practices participating in the ULTRA study are measuredviaa survey from heterogeneous viewpoints within each practice, including clinicians, nursing staff and office staff. In order to examine the effect of the average practice ‘chaos’ score on screening provided to patients, the analysis needed to account for large amounts of missing survey responses. Patterns of missing data included portions of missing responses within a job group (e.g. one out of three clinicians) to missing responses from whole subgroups within a practice (e.g. all three clinicians) to a whole practice of missing survey responses (e.g. all clinicians, nursing staff and office staff). The expectation–maximization (EM) algorithm, using a hierarchical model for covariate information, is used to handle the missing data. It was found that the varied patterns of missingness of survey responses among the heterogeneous subgroups within the practices had large effects on estimated effects of practice chaos on patient care. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Probability estimation when some observations are grouped
Authors: Tarima Sergey S. , Slavova Svetla S. , Fritsch Travis A. , Hall Laura M. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThis paper considers the use of additional questions for decreasing survey non‐response rates and an approach for estimating a probability based on the results obtained. In a survey, the respondents are asked to answer an original question and follow‐up questions, where the answers for the follow‐up questions are grouped answers for the original question. For example, respondents are asked to provide an exact number of incidents, but in cases of ‘Do not know’ or ‘Refuse’ responses, they are subsequently asked to pick an answer from a less specific categorical scale. The new estimator obtains smaller variance asymptotically and does not depend on a distribution family. This method is applied to income questions in a survey regarding injury prevention and behaviours. Another application is survey data on intimate partner violence, where some amendments were applied for incorporating post‐stratification weights and for using non‐random grouping. For additional illustration, an example of parameter estimation on artificially generated data is presented. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal diagnosis of malformations of cortical development by dedicated neurosonography
Authors: Malinger G. , Kidron D. , Schreiber L. , Ben‐Sira L. , Hoffmann C. , Lev D. , Lerman‐Sagie T. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractObjectiveMalformations of cortical development (MCD) are rarely diagnosed in utero. We describe and compare the ultrasonographic and pathology findings in a cohort of fetuses with MCD.MethodsFetuses with MCD were identified among all fetuses evaluated for suspected brain anomalies at the Fetal Neurology Clinic, and the ultrasonographic findings were compared with the results of the pathology examination.ResultsWe suspected the presence of MCD by ultrasonography in 23 fetuses. The mean gestational age at the time of ultrasound diagnosis was 26.2 (range, 18–40) weeks. The ultrasonographic findings leading to the diagnosis of MCD were abnormally overdeveloped gyri and sulci for gestational age (n = 7), delay in sulcation (n = 5), abnormally thin cortex (n = 5) abnormally wide and broad sulci (n = 3), bulging into the lateral ventricle (n = 1), cortical cleft (n = 1), and multiple intraparenchymal echogenic nodules (n = 1). All fetuses had associated central nervous system (CNS) and/or non‐CNS anomalies. Pathology examination (performed in 17 fetuses) confirmed MCD in 16.ConclusionsCortical malformations can be diagnosed in utero by ultrasonography based on the presence of specific deviations from the normal pattern of development. The identified cases may represent the more severe forms in the MCD spectrum. The pathology findings do not always conform to the current classification systems of MCD but help in differentiating between possible genetic and acquired etiologies and in some cases provide a definitive syndromic diagnosis. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laparoscopic Appendectomy: Differences between Male and Female Patients with Suspected Acute Appendicitis
Authors: Tzovaras George , Liakou Paraskevi , Baloyiannis Ioannis , Spyridakis Michael , Mantzos Fotios , Tepetes Konstantinos , Athanassiou Evaghelos , Hatzitheofilou Constantine 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackgroundThe role of laparoscopy in the management of patients with suspected acute appendicitis remains controversial. It has been suggested that laparoscopy is useful mainly in young women of reproductive age because of the high incidence of wrong diagnosis in these patients.MethodsDifferent management protocols for patients with suspected acute appendicitis were prospectively used in male and female patients; women of reproductive age were treated laparoscopically, while men were randomised to open or laparoscopic appendectomy.ResultsFrom September 2002 to September 2005, 132 patients—54 women and 78 men—with suspected acute appendicitis were treated according to the protocol. The incidence of wrong diagnosis in female patients was high (26% and the conversion rate low (5.5%). In contrast, in the laparoscopic male subgroup, these rates showed a reverse relationship (5.2% and 18.5%, respectively). Morbidity did not differ between female and male patients or between the 2 arms of the male group. Laparoscopic appendectomy took longer to perform without affecting significantly the needs for postoperative analgesia, the duration of hospital stay and the time to return to normal activities when compared with open appendectomy in men.ConclusionLaparoscopic appendectomy is at least as safe as the open procedure in the male population, although it does not appear to offer any obvious advantage over the open procedure. The diagnostic advantage that laparoscopy offers to fertile women makes the procedure attractive for this population.