bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Miscibility and thermal properties of melt‐mixed poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/amorphous copolyester blends
Authors: Chiu Fang‐Chyou , Huang Kai‐Hung , Yang Jen‐Chang 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThis work examined the miscibility, crystallization kinetics, and melting behavior of melt‐mixed poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)/poly(ethylene‐co‐cyclohexane 1,4‐dimethanol terephthalate) (PETG) blends. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction techniques were used to approach the goals. The single composition‐dependent glass‐transition temperatures of the blends and the equilibrium melting temperature (T) depression of PTT in the blends indicated the miscible characteristic of the blend system at all compositions. T of pure PTT, determined with a conventional extrapolative method, was 525.8 K. Furthermore, the Flory–Huggins interaction parameter was estimated to be −0.38. The dynamic and isothermal crystallization abilities of PTT were hindered by the incorporation of PETG. A complex melting behavior was observed for pure PTT and its blends. The observed complex melting behavior resulted mainly from the recrystallization and/or reorganization of the originally formed crystals during the heating scans. For the samples crystallized under the same conditions, the degree of recrystallization and/or reorganization declined with increasing PETG contents in the blends. The preliminary results obtained from the DSC experiments suggested that untraceable interchange reactions occurred in the studied blends. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 2264–2274, 2003
Changes in the melting behavior with the radial distance in isotactic polypropylene spherulites
Authors: Weng J. , Olley R. H. , Bassett D. C. , Jääskeläinen P. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe melting of highly tactic i‐polypropylene occurs in two stages even for crystallization at 145 °C, a temperature at which reorganization during scanning is negligible. A comparison of two such polypropylenes, one nucleated and the other not nucleated, together with fractions from the latter, has been made with electron microscopy following permanganic etching, in addition to differential scanning calorimetry. This has allowed the two melting stages to be assigned to two components of the lamellar morphology, with progressive changes in both occurring with increasing radial distance within a spherulite. The highest melting temperature is for dominant radial lamellae far from a spherulite center. The lowest melting regions are the evenly crosshatched spherulite centers and a narrow peripheral band. Lower melting is attributed to the suppression of isothermal lamellar thickening paralleling recent direct demonstrations in polyethylene. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 2342–2354, 2003
The psychosocial impact of cancer: Exploring relationships between conditional goal setting and depression
Authors: Street Helen 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThis study explores depression in cancer patients with reference to conditional goal setting (CGS) theory. CGS theory proposes that depressed individuals believe that personal happiness is conditional upon attainment of specific goals (personal CGS). Other individuals may set important goals believing that goal achievement is a necessary prerequisite of social acceptance and approval (social CGS). CGS has been found to contribute to depression in normal populations. 15.2% of the 67 newly diagnosed cancer patients in this study showed clinical levels of depression. A significant relationship was identified between personal CGS, rumination and depression, as predicted in CGS theory. Two months later, 46.7% of patients demonstrated clinical levels of depression. This later experience of depression was significantly related to social CGS. The results suggest CGS involving a misdirected pursuit of happiness is initially associated with depression whereas subsequent experiences of depression are related to a misdirected pursuit of social acceptance. Implications are discussed in terms of understanding the cancer patients' motivations controlling goal setting. It is suggested that successful psychotherapy for depression in cancer patients needs to examine the motivations controlling goal setting in addition to the process of goal pursuit. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of avoidance on cytotoxic/suppressor T cells in women with cervical lesions
Authors: Fang Carolyn Y. , Miller Suzanne M. , Mills Megan , Mangan Charles E. , Belch Richard , Campbell Donald E. , Douglas Steven D. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between avoidant and intrusive ideation about cancer risk and immune responses among women with mild cervical dysplasia. Participants were 54 women undergoing diagnostic follow‐up (i.e. colposcopy) for an abnormal Pap smear test result. Baseline assessments, collected prior to the colposcopy appointment, included demographic and medical history, levels of depression, and the intrusion and avoidance subscales of the Revised Impact of Events Scale. In addition, a sample of blood was obtained at baseline and 6‐month follow‐up for immune assessments. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that higher levels of cognitive and behavioral avoidance at baseline predicted a significantly lower percentage of circulating cytotoxic/suppressor T cells (CD3+/CD8+) at 6‐month follow‐up, after controlling for baseline levels of cytotoxic/suppressor T cells and potential confounding variables (e.g. age, smoking status). Baseline intrusive ideation was unrelated to changes in percentage of cytotoxic/suppressor T cells. Avoidant ideation, but not intrusive ideation or depression, appears to be associated with alterations in immunologic measures in women with cervical lesions. The findings suggest that it may be important to evaluate the impact of cognitive and behavioral avoidance on progression of precancerous cervical lesions. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving supportive care for women with breast cancer in Australia: The challenge of modifying health systems
Authors: Redman Sally , Turner Jane , Davis Cindy 
Published: August 2003

AbstractAlthough the benefits of many psychosocial support strategies in improving well being in women with breast cancer have been demonstrated, few women receive these programs as part of routine care. This paper provides some recommendations, based on experience in Australia, about how access to evidence‐based supportive care strategies might be improved through modification of health systems.It demonstrates the paucity of research about the costs and health service implications of psychosocial support strategies, which is vital to health planning and service delivery change. It outlines the systematic approach taken in Australia to improving psychosocial support nationally by: the development of research reviews; preparation of guidelines about supportive care; implementation of programs to foster the adoption of guidelines through modification of policy, health service delivery and clinician training; and monitoring programs. Coalitions of government, health care professionals and consumers are key to effective lobbying for change. If all women with breast cancer are to receive better supportive care, there is a need for approaches which: refocus the research effort in psycho‐oncology; develop more strategic approaches to generating change in health systems and health policy and foster partnerships to advocate for improved resources. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Factors affecting patient and clinician satisfaction with the clinical consultation: Can communication skills training for clinicians improve satisfaction?
Authors: Shilling Valerie , Jenkins Valerie , Fallowfield Lesley 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe provision of adequate information in a clear and sensitive manner can improve cancer patients' experience of care. Satisfaction with the cancer consultation may impact on satisfaction with care in general and adjustment to the disease. This study aims to identify factors that influence patient and clinician satisfaction with the cancer consultation and whether satisfaction can be improved with communication skills training. 160 doctors from 34 UK cancer centres participated. Half were randomized to attend a communication skills training course. Patient satisfaction data are presented at baseline and following a communication skills course or in the case of the control doctors, three months after baseline. Clinicians also rated their satisfaction with the consultations. Overall patient satisfaction was not related to the speciality, seniority or sex of the clinician or patient, site of primary cancer or type of treatment. Satisfaction was related to patients' age, psychological morbidity and, most significantly, satisfaction with the length of wait in clinic. Clinician satisfaction was not related to age, sex or cancer site but clinicians were less satisfied following consultations with patients being treated palliatively. Communication skills training had a non‐significant positive effect on patient satisfaction. The subtle benefits of improved communication may be overshadowed by practical problems such as waiting too long to see the doctor, which have an adverse effect on satisfaction. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mycobacterium smegmatis RecA protein is structurally similar to but functionally distinct from Mycobacterium tuberculosis RecA
Authors: Ganesh N. , Muniyappa K. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractIn eubacteria, RecA proteins belong to a large superfamily of evolutionarily conserved, filament‐forming, functional homologs of DNA strand exchange proteins. Here, we report the functional characterization of Mycobacterium smegmatis (Ms) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mt) RecA proteins. Although in some respects Ms and Mt RecA proteins are structural and functional homologs of Escherichia coli (Ec) RecA, there are significant differences as well. The single‐stranded DNA‐binding property of RecA proteins was analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. We observed that Ms or Mt RecA proteins bound single‐stranded DNA in a manner distinct from that of Ec RecA: The former two were able to form protein–DNA complexes in the presence of high salt. Further experiments indicated that Ms or Mt RecA proteins catalyzed adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis at approximately comparable rates across a wide range of pHs. Significantly, DNA strand invasion promoted by Ms or Mt RecA proteins displayed similar kinetics but distinctly different pH profiles. In contrast to MtRecA, MsRecA by itself was unable to form joint molecules across a wide range of pHs. However, regardless of the order in which SSB was added, it was able to stimulate MsRecA to form joint molecules within a narrow pH range, indicating that SSB is a required accessory factor. Together, these results provide a source of sharp contrast between EcRecA and mycobacterial RecAs on the one hand and Mt and Ms RecA proteins on the other. Proteins 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Filtering and selection of structural models: Combining docking and NMR
Authors: Dobrodumov Anatoliy , Gronenborn Angela M. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractIt is generally accepted that protein structures are more conserved than protein sequences, and 3D structure determination by computer simulations have become an important necessity in the postgenomic area. Despite major successes no robust, fast, and automated ab initio prediction algorithms for deriving accurate folds of single polypeptide chains or structures of intermolecular complexes exist at present. Here we present a methodology that uses selection and filtering of structural models generated by docking of known substructures such as individual proteins or domains through easily obtainable experimental NMR constraints. In particular, residual dipolar couplings and chemical shift mapping are used. Heuristic inclusion of chemical or biochemical knowledge about point‐to‐point interactions is combined in our selection strategy with the NMR data and commonly used contact potentials. We demonstrate the approach for the determination of protein‐protein complexes using the EIN/HPr complex as an example and for establishing the domain‐domain orientation in a chimeric protein, the recently determined hybrid human‐Escherichia. coli thioredoxin. Proteins 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Understanding the acylation mechanisms of active‐site serine penicillin‐recognizing proteins: A molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Oliva Mónica , Dideberg Otto , Field Martin J. 
Published: August 2003

Abstractβ‐Lactam antibiotics inhibit enzymes involved in the last step of peptidoglycan synthesis. These enzymes, also identified as penicillin‐binding proteins (PBPs), form a long‐lived acyl‐enzyme complex with β‐lactams. Antibiotic resistance is mainly due to the production of β‐lactamases, which are enzymes that hydrolyze the antibiotics and so prevent them reaching and inactivating their targets, and to mutations of the PBPs that decrease their affinity for the antibiotics. In this study, we present a theoretical study of several penicillin‐recognizing proteins complexed with various β‐lactam antibiotics. Hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical potentials in conjunction with molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to understand the role of several residues, and pKa calculations have also been done to determine their protonation state. We analyze the differences between the β‐lactamase TEM‐1, the membrane‐bound PBP2x of Streptococcus pneumoniae, and the soluble DD‐transpeptidase of Streptomyces K15. Proteins 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Field evaluation of capsaicin as a rodent aversion agent for poultry feed
Authors: Jensen Paul G , Curtis Paul D , Dunn Joseph A , Austic Richard E , Richmond Milo E 
Published: August 2003

AbstractDeveloping additional techniques for reducing animal feed contamination by rodents and controlling rodent populations is critical to efforts aimed at reducing the occurrence of Salmonella spp infection on poultry farms. Capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers of the genus Capsicum, produces a burning sensation in the mouth of mammals and is used effectively as an animal deterrent for some pest species. Applied to poultry feed, capsaicin may be effective as an aversive agent to deter rodent feeding and enhance acceptability of rodenticide baits. We tested capsaicin‐treated poultry diets (2000 and 3000 Scoville Heat Units, SHU) in no‐choice feeding trials at four active New York farms in the winter of 1997–1998. At all farms, consumption of the 2000 SHU diet by rodents (Norway rats, Rattus norvegicus (Berk), and house mice, Mus musculus L) was significantly less than consumption of a control diet. Consumption of the 3000 SHU diet by rodents was significantly less than consumption of a control diet at three of the four farms. Overall, consumption of treated diets was 58–97% and 55–98% less than consumption of the control diet, for the 2000 and 3000 SHU diets, respectively. These reductions appeared to be related closely to the availability of alternative feed sources at these farms. Two‐choice feeding trials involving a rodenticide bait (0.05 g kg−1 brodifacoum) and the 3000 SHU diet demonstrated that Norway rats preferred the rodenticide to the capsaicin‐treated poultry feed. Overall, rodenticide bait acceptance was high (95.6%) when offered simultaneously with capsaicin‐treated poultry feed. Although poultry managers must utilize several techniques to manage rodent pests, the use of capsaicin‐treated diets to reduce feed losses and increase rodenticide bait acceptance appears promising. Use of capsaicin‐treated feed on poultry farms may substantially reduce feed contamination by rodents and ultimately the incidence of Salmonella infection in poultry. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry
Monitoring of insecticide resistance in damson hop aphid, Phorodon humuli Schrank (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from German hop gardens
Authors: Weichel Lars , Nauen Ralf 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe damson hop aphid, Phorodon humuli (Schrank) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is one of the most important sucking pests of many hop‐growing areas world‐wide. In this study we determined the efficacy of several insecticides against strains collected throughout the year 2001. All strains were collected in different hop gardens in the Hallertau (Bavaria), Germany, the largest hop‐growing area of the world. First of all we established a leaf dip bioassay, carried out using six‐well tissue culture plates and appropriate for monitoring susceptibility against imidacloprid, oxydemeton‐methyl, cyfluthrin, amitraz, pymetrozine and pirimicarb. Four of these compounds, imidacloprid, cyfluthrin, pymetrozine and amitraz, are currently registered for the control of sucking pests in German hop gardens and are useful against P humuli. The leaf‐dip bioassay system turned out to be very reliable and robust. Ten P. humuli strains were collected in May 2001 and maintained in the laboratory to assess their resistance to the different insecticides in comparison with two laboratory reference strains (H2 and H5). Using diagnostic concentrations, resistance monitoring for imidacloprid and cyfluthrin was investigated during July and August 2001 on 53 populations from 30 sites around the Hallertau, an area of ca 2500 km2. Resistance to diagnostic concentrations (LC95 for reference strains) of imidacloprid, amitraz and pymetrozine was not detected in any strain received in 2001, but late‐season (August) populations seemed to respond more heterogeneously than those collected mid‐season (July). Overall composite mean mortalities to diagnostic concentrations of imidacloprid (13 mg litre−1) in collections from May, July and August were 95 (±2.5), 98 (±2.3) and 87 (±5.9)%, respectively. Moderate resistance to pyrethroids was observed in all strains collected in May and August using a diagnostic concentrations of 10 mg litre−1 cyfluthrin (LC95 of the susceptible reference strain H5). Slight to moderate resistance to diagnostic concentrations of oxydemeton‐methyl and pirimicarb was observed in some, but not all, strains collected early season. The results are discussed in terms of the implemention of hop aphid resistance management strategies in German hop‐cultivation areas. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry
Sulfonylurea herbicide‐resistant Monochoria vaginalis in Korean rice culture
Authors: Kuk Yong In , Jung Ha Il , Kwon Oh Do , Lee Do Jin , Burgos Nilda R , Guh Ja Ock 
Published: August 2003

AbstractNine Monochoria vaginalis Presl accessions from Chonnam province, Korea were tested for resistance to the sulfonylurea herbicide, imazosulfuron, in whole‐plant response bioassay. All accessions were confirmed resistant (R) to imazosulfuron. The GR50 (imazosulfuron concentration that reduced shoot dry weight by 50%) values of R accessions were 1112–3172 (accession #9) times higher than that of the standard susceptible (S) accession. Accession #9 exhibited cross‐resistance to other sulfonylurea herbicides, bensulfuron‐methyl, cyclosulfamuron and pyrazosulfuron‐ethyl, but not to the imidazolinone herbicides, imazapyr and imazaquin. The R biotype could be controlled by other herbicides with different modes of action, such as mefenacet and pyrazolate, applied to soil at recommended rates. Foliar‐applied herbicides, 2,4‐D and bentazone, also controlled both the R and S biotypes. Sulfonylurea‐based mixtures, except ethoxysulfuron plus fentrazamide, did not control resistant M vaginalis. Rice yield was reduced 70% by resistant M vaginalis that escaped pyrazosulfuron‐ethyl plus molinate, compared with hand weeding in direct‐seeded rice culture. In contrast, rice yield was reduced 44% by resistant M vaginalis that survived the pyrazosulfuron‐ethyl plus molinate treatment, compared with pyrazolate plus butachlor in transplanted rice culture. In vitro acetolactate synthase (ALS) activity of the R biotype was 183, 35, 130 and 31 times more resistant to imazosulfuron, bensulfuron‐methyl, cyclosulfamuron and pyrazosulfuron‐ethyl, respectively, than the S biotype. Imidazolinone herbicides, imazapyr and imazaquin had similar effect on in vitro ALS activity of the R and S biotypes. The in vivo ALS activity of the R biotype was also less affected than the S biotype by the sulfonylurea herbicides imazosulfuron and pyrazosulfuron‐ethyl. Results of in vitro and in vivo ALS assays indicate that the resistance mechanism of M vaginalis to sulfonylurea herbicides may be due, in part, to an alteration in the target enzyme, ALS. Since the level of resistance in the enzyme assay was much lower than that in the whole‐plant assay, other mechanisms of resistance, such as herbicide metabolism, may be involved. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry
Replacing methyl bromide in annual strawberry production with glucosinolate‐containing green manure crops
Authors: Lazzeri Luca , Baruzzi Gianluca , Malaguti Lorena , Antoniacci Loredana 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe use of biocidal green manure crops is an agronomic technique for amending soil with fresh organic matter containing volatile compounds active in controlling some soil‐borne pests and diseases. Two new selections of the Brassicaceae family were cultivated, incorporated before planting strawberries and tested as an alternative to fumigation with methyl bromide. Two biocidal green manure crops (Brassica juncea L sel ISCI20, Eruca sativa Mill cv Nemat) containing glucosinolate–myrosinase systems, a conventional green manure (barley), untreated soil and a fumigated control were evaluated during two seasons. The effect of these soil management systems on subsequent strawberry performance was evaluated by monitoring yield and plant growth parameters. In both years, biocidal plant green manure treatments led to a fruit yield lower than with methyl bromide, but higher than with conventional green manure or untreated soil. These results confirm the good prospects for biocidal green manures, not only as an environmentally friendly alternative to methyl bromide in conventional agriculture, but also in organic agriculture as an alternative to conventional green manure crops. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry
Insecticide‐resistant pollen beetles (Meligethes aeneus F) found in Danish oilseed rape (Brassica napus L) fields
Authors: Hansen Lars Monrad 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe pollen beetle is the most important pest in Danish oilseed rape fields. In 2001, we screened a broad range of pollen beetle populations for pyrethroid and dimethoate resistance. A standard dip‐test was used to test insecticide resistance in 18 populations collected from oilseed winter and spring rape fields. The beetles were treated with four different insecticides: the pyrethroids tau‐fluvalinate, lambda‐cyhalothrin and esfenvalerate, and the organophosphate dimethoate. The results show that up to 99% of the pollen beetles survived Danish standard doses of pyrethroids and up to 36% of the beetles survived standard doses of dimethoate. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry