bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quenching Echo Modulations in NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Dittmer Jens , Bodenhausen Geoffrey 
Published: March 2006

AbstractIn NMR spectroscopy, homonuclear scalar couplings normally lead to modulations of spin echoes that tend to interfere with the accurate determination of transverse relaxation rates by Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill (CPMG) multiple refocusing experiments. Surprisingly, the echo modulations are largely cancelled when the refocusing pulses applied to the coupling partner deviate slightly from ideal π rotations due to tilted effective radio‐frequency (RF) fields, even at offsets that are much smaller than the radio‐frequency amplitude. Experiments and simulations illustrate these effects for two‐spin IS systems containing donor and acceptor 15N nuclei I=N D and S=NA in RNA Watson–Crick base pairs with homonuclear scalar couplings JIS=2hJ(ND, NA) across the hydrogen bonds.
Conformational Reorientation of Immunoglobulin G During Nonspecific Interaction with Surfaces
Authors: Rankl Michael , Ruckstuhl Thomas , Rabe Michael , Artus Georg R. J. , Walser Andreas , Seeger Stefan 
Published: March 2006

AbstractTo achieve a better understanding of the nonspecific adsorption process of proteins on solid surfaces, the mechanism of this interaction was investigated by a model system comprising the structurally flexible (“soft”) protein goat anti‐rabbit immunoglobulin G and a set of chemically defined surfaces. The thermodynamic properties of both protein and surfaces were derived from contact angle measurements by applying the Lifshitz–van der Waals acid–base approach, and the Gibbs free enthalpy of interaction was calculated. The protein shows two conformational states, one hydrophobic and the other hydrophilic. The interaction energy indicates that the hydrophobic conformation favorably adsorbs onto the surfaces. With real‐time binding kinetics, measured by a supercritical angle fluorescence biosensor, we show that during the nonspecific adsorption the protein performs a reorientation in its three‐dimensional amino acid structure from a hydrophilic to a hydrophobic molecular structure. Unlike the rates of adsorption and desorption, the transition rate is independent of the type of surface and only influenced by the structural reorganization of the protein.
Bayes model averaging of cyclical decompositions in economic time series
Authors: Kleijn Richard , van Dijk Herman K. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractA flexible decomposition of a time series into stochastic cycles under possible non‐stationarity is specified, providing both a useful data analysis tool and a very wide model class. A Bayes procedure using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is introduced with a model averaging approach which explicitly deals with the uncertainty on the appropriate number of cycles. The convergence of the MCMC method is substantially accelerated through a convenient reparametrization based on a hierarchical structure of variances in a state space model. The model and corresponding inferential procedure are applied to simulated data and to cyclical economic time series like US industrial production and unemployment. We derive the implied posterior distributions of model parameters and some relevant functions thereof, shedding light on several key features of economic time series. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring welfare effects in models with random coefficients
Authors: Meijer Erik , Rouwendal Jan 
Published: March 2006

AbstractIn economic research, it is often important to express the marginal value of a variable in monetary terms. In random coefficient models, this marginal monetary value is the ratio of two random coefficients and is thus random itself. In this paper, we study the distribution of this ratio and particularly the consequences of different distributional assumptions about the coefficients. It is shown that important characteristics of the distribution of the marginal monetary value may be sensitive to the distributional assumptions about the random coefficients. The median, however, is much less sensitive than the mean. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Women entrepreneurs in the Gambia: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Della‐Giusta Marina , Phillips Christine 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThis article reviews the literature on women entrepreneurs in developing countries and presents evidence from a case study undertaken during 2001 and 2002 in Gambia examining the challenges facing women entrepreneurs in the small enterprise sector. The article attempt to discuss the gendered nature of the barriers to survival and growth, particularly the low productivity of sectors in which women entrepreneurs operate, the difficulty in accessing capital for expansion and the need to reconcile business with domestic activities and the propensity to view business as part of an overall livelihood diversification strategy. The article argues that further to addressing specific gender needs of women entrepreneurs, policy and support mechanisms must be sensitive to and geared towards both enterprises with potential and aspirations for growth and diversification and those whose primary objective is that of sustaining livelihoods. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lack of inhibitory interaction between somatosensory afferent inputs and intracortical inhibitory interneurons in focal hand dystonia
Authors: Simonetta‐Moreau Marion , Lourenço George , Sangla Sophie , Mazieres Leonor , Vidailhet Marie , Meunier Sabine 
Published: March 2006

AbstractWe looked for an impaired interaction in the primary motor cortex between intracortical inhibitory circuits and circuits fed by somatosensory inputs in patients with writer's cramp. Short‐interval intracortical inhibition (sICI) to wrist extensor carpi radialis muscle (ECR) was conditioned by stimulation of antagonist muscle afferents and sICI to first dorsal interosseus (FDI) muscle by homotopic cutaneous afferents stimulation. sICI was assessed at rest and during a tonic contraction of the target muscle. Eighteen patients with writer's cramp (10 having a wrist dystonic posture in flexion during writing and 8 in extension) were compared to 14 control subjects. Peripheral inputs decreased sICI in control subjects. This decrease was lost in patients in both FDI and ECR, regardless of the wrist dystonic posture. By contrast, contraction‐induced depression of sICI appeared dependant on the dystonic status of the muscle: depression of sICI to ECR was abolished in patients with wrist dystonic posture in flexion, but not in patients with dystonic posture in extension, sICI even giving way to motor‐evoked potential facilitation. Loss of interaction between interneurons mediating sICI and peripheral inputs probably belongs to the initial abnormalities underlying dystonia. Lack of peripherally induced sICI modulation may oppose wrist and/or hand muscles synergies. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Association between vestibuloocular reflex suppression during smooth movements of the head and attention deficit in progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Di Fabio Richard P. , Zampieri Cris , Tuite Paul , Konczak Jürgen 
Published: March 2006

AbstractWith head movement, suppression of vestibular inputs during visual exploration is necessary not only for reorienting gaze, but also to direct attention to new visual targets. People with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) have difficulty suppressing the vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) and it was hypothesized that the magnitude of VOR suppression deficit correlates with the degree of degradation of attention and visuospatial performance. We evaluated cognitive and visuomotor function in 8 subjects with PSP (4 men and 4 women; ages 59–83 years). Gaze control was studied by measuring the accuracy of eye–head coordination during passive vertical and horizontal head‐on‐trunk movements. Fixation was assessed when subjects viewed either an earth‐fixed or head‐fixed target. A gaze fixation score (GFS) was calculated to represent the amount of error between eye and head movement in each plane (eye–head root mean square error normalized to the range of head rotation). The vertical but not horizontal GFS during attempted suppression of the VOR was significantly related to attention (r = −0.70; P = 0.05) and visuospatial ability (r = −0.76; P = 0.03). These findings suggest that the ability to suppress the VOR during vertical smooth movements of the head is associated with the magnitude of cognitive deficit in PSP. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Characterization of nigrostriatal dysfunction in spinocerebellar ataxia 17
Authors: Salvatore Elena , Varrone Andrea , Sansone Valeria , Nolano Maria , Bruni Amalia C. , De Rosa Anna , Santoro Lucio , Pappatà Sabina , Filla Alessandro , De Michele Giuseppe 
Published: March 2006

AbstractExtrapyramidal signs are a main feature of spinocerebellar ataxia 17 (SCA17). However, the extent of dopaminergic dysfunction and its correlation with parkinsonian signs are not fully understood. In order to define this, we investigated five subjects from three different families with a pathological CAG/CAA expansion in the TATA‐binding protein gene (SCA17), ranging from asymptomatic carrier to patient with advanced disease, by FP‐CIT SPECT. Nigrostriatal dysfunction was present in patients manifesting a fully developed phenotype but not in preclinical and early stages. Dopamine transporter reduction was symmetrical and uniform in caudate and putamen and it correlated with the clinical severity of ataxia. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Minimal clinically important change in urinary incontinence detected by a quality of life assessment tool in overactive bladder syndrome with urge incontinence
Authors: Homma Yukio , Koyama Nobuyuki 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAimsThe objective of this research was to detect a minimal clinically important change (MCIC) in frequency of incontinence episodes in Japanese patients with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) based on the change in domain scores of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).MethodsThe patients (n = 659) enrolled for the 8 weeks, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of an oxybutynin transdermal patch were used for the analysis. The endpoints of the study were the change in frequency of incontinence episodes and the domain scores of King's health questionnaire (KHQ) from baseline to the end of treatment. To search a threshold of the change of incontinence frequency that apparently improves patient's quality of life (QOL), we calculated mean changes of selected five KHQ domain scores for nine patient groups divided by the amount of change of incontinence frequency. A minimum value of the change of incontinence frequency in the groups with apparent improvement in the QOL scores was defined as an MCIC of incontinence frequency.ResultsThe apparent improvement of KHQ domain scores was seen in the patient groups whose incontinence episodes decreased more than three times per week (/w) after treatment. This result was common in almost all domain scores, but more relevant for the domains related to patients' life limitations.ConclusionJapanese OAB patients can feel their QOL improved if their incontinence episodes decrease more than 3 times/w. This suggests that the reduction of ‘3 times /w’ is an MCIC of incontinence frequency for Japanese OAB patients. Neurourol. Urodynam. 25:228–235, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neurological diseases that cause detrusor hyperactivity with impaired contractile function
Authors: Yamamoto Tatsuya , Sakakibara Ryuji , Uchiyama Tomoyuki , Liu Zhi , Ito Takashi , Awa Yusuke , Yamanishi Tomonori , Hattori Takamichi 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAimsDetrusor hyperactivity with impaired contractile function (DHIC) was originally described in elderly women. It has not previously been well known whether neurological diseases cause DHIC. We investigated which neurological diseases commonly cause DHIC in our laboratory.Materials and MethodsWe searched for DHIC in our laboratory's computerized database of 1,514 case records, which included a lower urinary tract (LUT) symptom questionnaire and urodynamic study results. DHIC was defined as the presence of both (1) detrusor overactivity during the storage phase, and (2) underactive detrusor contraction during the evacuation phase.ResultsTwo hundred and seventeen patients met the criteria for DHIC: 122 men and 95 women; mean age, 63 years. The neurological diseases that caused DHIC included Parkinsonian syndrome (18%), multiple system atrophy (18%), progressive supranuclear palsy/corticobasal degeneration (14%), multiple cerebral infarction (MCI) (12%), multiple sclerosis/acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (18%), spinal cord lesions (15%), and cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CS) (10%).ConclusionsThe present study revealed that a wide spectrum of neurological disorders could cause DHIC. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diabetes, established renal failure and the risk to the lower limb
Authors: Hinchliffe RJ , Jeffcoate WJ , Game FL 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe aim of this article is to review the extent of the association between established renal failure, foot ulcers, gangrene and amputation in diabetes, and to consider the possible mechanisms and clinical implications. In order to do this we used our personal knowledge of the literature, supplemented by searches of Medline and PubMed using appropriate key words. The available literature confirms the close association between established renal failure, peripheral vascular disease, foot ulcers, gangrene and amputation, and indicates that this association is between three and five times greater in diabetes. Once they occur, foot complications are associated with a high mortality. There are multiple possible mechanisms underlying the association, and these include those leading to accelerated peripheral arterial disease, as well as the anaemia and metabolic features of renal failure. There is also evidence that the process of dialysis is itself associated with worsening tissue hypoxia. The results of lower limb revascularisation in established renal failure are poor. We conclude that there is a need for further detailed studies into the factors leading to this association, as well as into the effectiveness of potential interventions. The place of pre‐emptive vascular intervention needs to be established. In the meantime, all those responsible for the management of impending and established renal failure in diabetes should remain aware of the possibility of foot disease and should ensure that a structured programme of preventive foot care is implemented. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Penile gangrene: a rare complication of diabetes mellitus
Authors: Dogru T , Bulucu F , Sonmez A , Yilmaz MI , Demiriz M , Caglar K 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe progressive vaso‐occlusive changes that occur in diabetes mellitus and end stage renal disease may result in penile necrosis, an uncommon urological condition. Patients with penile necrosis are reported to have poor outcomes and, because of the limited number of cases, the best treatment is unclear. We present a case of penile gangrene with end stage renal disease due to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prescribing for chronic heart failure in Europe: does the country make the difference? A European survey
Authors: Sturm H.B. , van Gilst W.H. , Veeger N. , Haaijer‐Ruskamp F.M. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractPurposeInternational differences in prescribing patterns for chronic heart failure (CHF) have been demonstrated repeatedly. It is not clear whether these differences arise entirely from patient characteristics or factors related to the country itself, such as health care systems or culture. We aim to assess the role of countries in this international variation, aside from the role of patient characteristics.MethodsIn this European primary care practice survey (from 1999/2000) 11062 CHF patients from 14 countries were included. The influence of country (corrected for patient characteristics) on prescribed drug regimes was assessed by multinomial logistical regression.ResultsPrescribing of guideline‐recommended drug regimes ranged from 28.1% in Turkey to 61.8% in Hungary. Including additional regimes justifiable by patients' co‐morbidities, increased overall ‘rational’ prescribing by 11%, but differences among countries remained similar. Multivariate analysis for one‐drug and two‐drug regimes explained between 35% and 42% of the total variance, country contributed 7%–8% (p < 0.005). Countries determined the number of drugs used and the likelihood of individual drug regimes. For example, in Czech Republic digoxin alone was more likely to be given than the recommended ACE‐inhibitors (OR: 3.45; 95%CI: 2.56–4.64), while the combination of digoxin with ACE‐inhibitors was as likely as the recommended combination of ACE‐inhibitors and β‐blockers (OR: 1.17; 95%CI: 0.88–1.55).ConclusionCountry of residence clearly influenced prescribed drug volume and choice of drug regimes. Therefore, optimal CHF management cannot be achieved without considering country specific factors. It remains to be established which factors within health‐care systems are responsible for these effects. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lithographic design of photosensitive polyarylates based on reaction development patterning
Authors: Oyama Toshiyuki , Kitamura Akira , Sato Eiichi , Tomoi Masao 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe factors affecting pattern‐forming properties in reaction development patterning were examined with polyarylates with various bisphenol moieties. The developability of the photosensitive polyarylates was dependent on the properties of the subtituent (R) in the bisphenol moieties. The development time decreased in the following order: RC(CH3)2 > fluorenyl unit ≫ phenolphthalein unit > C(CF3)2 > SO2. This order agreed with that of the reactivity between the polyarylates and ethanolamine, and these orders can be explained by pKa of the bisphenol used to prepare the polyarylates. The development with NH2R′OH resulted in successful positive‐tone pattern formation. However, pattern formation with the developers containing NH2R′OCH3 was unsuccessful. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2694–2706, 2006
Confinement of polystyrene at interfaces: Consequences on chain orientation
Authors: Elzein Tamara , Kreim Virginie , Bistac Sophie 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe knowledge of the structure and orientation of polymer chains adsorbed at an interface could be of major importance to predict the level of interfacial interactions and adhesion that depend strongly on the properties of the interface formed between the two materials (polymer and substrate) brought into contact. In this work, we were interested to study thin films of atactic polystyrene after adsorption (spin‐coating) on two chemically different substrates (inert and OH‐grafted gold substrates). The main aim is to analyze the resulting anisotropy due to the confinement in a quasi‐bidimensional geometry, as well as to investigate the incidence of the interfacial interactions, potentially established between the polymer and the surface, on the chain organization. Our infrared spectroscopy results allowed us to access the adsorption model of polystyrene chains and to highlight the relation between chain orientation and interfacial acid–base interactions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1268–1276, 2006
Phase morphology and rheological properties of metallocene‐catalyzed linear low‐density polyethylene with a small amount of diatomite/oligomer hybrids
Authors: Liu Xiaolong , Chen Jinyao , Li Huilin 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe effects of diatomite/oligomers hybrids on the phase morphology and rheology of metallocene‐catalyzed linear low‐density polyethylene (mLLDPE) were investigated. The interfacial tension between the components of the mLLDPE/hybrids influenced the dispersion of the filler and oligomer in the matrix and thus the ultimate rheological properties. Polyethylene wax (PEW) oligomer had good compatibility with the mLLDPE matrix. When a diatomite/PEW hybrid (HD‐b) was added, PEW and diatomite were dispersed separately in the mLLDPE matrix. PEW acted as a plasticizer whereas diatomite acted as a filler in mLLDPE/HD‐b. No synergetic effect was observed for HD‐b on the viscosity reduction of mLLDPE. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) oligomer was incompatible with mLLDPE but had good affinity to diatomite particles. With the addition of a diatomite/PEG hybrid, a special phase morphology with an encapsulation structure with a rigid core of diatomite and a shell of PEG lubricant formed. This special phase morphology reduced the viscosity of mLLDPE significantly; that is, the addition of diatomite/PEG had a synergetic effect on the viscosity reduction of mLLDPE in comparison with the addition of PEG alone. The effect of the interfacial tension between the components of the mLLDPE/hybrid system on the rheological properties of mLLDPE was investigated. For hybrids to exhibit a synergetic effect on the viscosity reduction of the polymer matrix, they needed to fulfill the following conditions: (1) the fillers had to have good affinity to the oligomer and (2) the oligomer had to be incompatible with the polymer matrix. According to the principles, diatomite was blended with oxidized polyethylene wax (OPEW). This proved that the diatomite/OPEW hybrid exhibited a synergetic effect on the viscosity reduction of polyoxymethylene. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1287–1295, 2006
Tilted lamellae in an affinely deformed 3D macrolattice and elliptical features in small‐angle scattering
Authors: Murthy N. S. , Grubb D. T. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractLamellar reflections in small‐angle X‐ray and neutron scattering patterns of uniaxially drawn semicrystalline polymers appear to fall on elliptical or hyperbolic arcs. We attribute this to a 3D lattice of tilted lamellae, a macrolattice. Affine deformation of this lattice, such as during uniaxial draw, moves and spreads the reflections along elliptical arcs, and nonaffine deformation, such as during rolling, moves and spreads the reflections along an arc that deviates from an ellipse. Discrete reflections are the product of two functions: the elliptical trace that is the Fourier transform of the affinely deformed lattice and the radial streak that is the Fourier transform of the individual lamella in the reciprocal space. Four‐point patterns are obtained if the lamellar‐surface normal is tilted away from the fiber‐axis, and two‐point patterns if it is not. This model is used to discuss the transformation between four‐ and two‐point patterns and other changes in lamellar morphology that occur during drawing and annealing of oriented semicrystalline polymers. The deformation of the macrolattice of crystalline lamellae, need not be correlated to the tilt of the lamellae. The tilt of the lamellae is shown to be important. It reflects the cross‐sectional area mismatch at the lamellar surface between crystalline stems and amorphous chains segments, and this indicates the internal strain in the interfibrillar amorphous regions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1277–1286, 2006