bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analogue models of basin inversion by transpression: role of structural heterogeneity
Authors: Mattioni Luca , Sassi William , Callot Jean-Paul
Published: July 2007

The process of faulting within a crustal-scale rift basin, subjected to transpression, is simulated in a series of small-scale experiments using sand and silicone layers. The structural scenario involved three stages: (1) extension; (2) sedimentation; (3) coeval shortening and strike-slip motion. A sandpack, placed above a basal silicone layer, was submitted to extension and produced a system of horst and grabens. Following the extension phase, the resulting surface topography was covered with silicone material, thus introducing a potential décollement between the pre- and post-rift sediments. These latter strata were made of sand. After sedimentation, deformation by transpression was applied using the same amount of shortening and an increasing strike-slip displacement in the different experiments. The strain partitioning increased with the amount of horizontal shear, and strike-slip faults developed at the more advanced stages of transpression. Two phases of faulting were observed before the horst and graben faults could be reactivated. The first phase was characterized by conjugate reverse faults, striking parallel to the rift-bounding faults, compatible with a stress regime in compression. A second phase of faulting was recognized at the end of transpression, leading to the generation of Riedel R-type strike-slip faults. The stress regimes responsible for the kinematics of fault generation and reactivation were interpreted using the Coulomb failure criterion and assumed a friction angle of 30° for the undisturbed sand. The reactivation of the steep normal faults in the horst and graben occurred only after a large strike-slip displacement. The general sequence of fault generation and reactivation suggested a temporal change in the stress regime. This change was caused by the permutation of the minimum and the intermediate principal stress axes and also by a progressive rotation, in the horizontal plane, of the axis of the maximum compressive stress. The spatial variation of the stress regime was also strongly controlled by the geometry of the interbedded silicone layer. A regular and undeformed post-rift silicone layer introduced a more efficient mechanical decoupling between the post-rift cover and the stretched basin. In summary, when a pre-existing graben was present, there was a succession of two distinct ‘tectonic phases’, whereas without a rift, the resulting fault kinematics reflected a single stress state and one tectonic phase.
The implications of fracture swarms in the Chalk of SE England on the tectonic history of the basin and their impact on fluid flow in high-porosity, low-permeability rocks
Authors: Belayneh Mandefro , Matthäi Stephan K. , Cosgrove John W.
Published: July 2007

The Upper Cretaceous (Senonian) Chalk in Kent, SE England, is considered with the aim of establishing the tectonic history of the basin in which it was deposited, based on the chronology of fractures and an understanding of the role of these fractures in controlling fluid movement in high-porosity-low-permeability sediments. The earliest brittle structures in the study area are NE-SW-striking, flint-filled shear fractures, with dips of
c.
60°, which were formed when the maximum compression (σ
1
) was vertical and were utilized as channels for fluid movement during flint filling. Flint also occurs along bedding planes, suggesting a diagenetic source. This phase was followed by the development of NW-SE-striking fracture swarms containing fractures ranging between vertical joints and steeply dipping hybrid fractures with acute dihedral angles of
c.
40°. The absence of flint along these fractures indicates that they formed after diagenesis of the Chalk. NW-SE-striking, subvertical, regularly spaced, through-going joints then formed as a result of a NW-SE regional compression linked to the Alpine collision. The final stage in the basin history relates to the formation of bed-parallel and vertical (i.e. bed-normal), bed-restricted, systematic and unsystematic fractures associated with uplift and unloading. To model fluid flow through the fracture network present in the Chalk, a finite-element-finite-volume modelling was carried out. The fracture geometries mapped in the field were discretized using unstructured hybrid element meshes with discrete fracture representations. The permeability of fractures was calculated from the cubic law and the petrophysical properties of the rock matrix were taken from Chalk reservoirs in the North Sea. In the models, a constant pressure was applied at the top of the oil-saturated, fractured Chalk while water was injected at the base. In spite of greater density, the water preferentially displaced the oil from the fractures and migrated faster through the fracture swarms and joints than through bed-restricted fractures and the rock matrix. Almost 830f the total flow within the model occurred through the fractures. The results of the field study, combined with those of the numerical modelling, suggest that fracture swarms have a strong impact on the movement of fluids in fractured and faulted reservoirs.
Progressive evolution of a late orogenic thrust system, from duplex development to extensional reactivation and disruption: Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa
Authors: Jolley S. J. , Stuart G. W. , Freeman S. R. , Knipe R. J. , Kershaw D. , McAllister E. , Barnicoat A. C. , Tucker R. F.
Published: July 2007

This paper examines progressive evolution of fault architectures through late orogenic compression- to post-orogenic extensional deformation in the Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa. The results indicate that rapid extrusion of mafic lavas of the lower Klipriviersberg Group formed a rigid ‘lid’ over the thrust front, changing its mechanical character and thereby driving a change of structural style from fold growth to passive roof duplex. Flexural tightening of folds in the core of the triangle zones at this time may have helped provide the dynamic permeability for distributed ingress of hydrothermal fluids and consequent gold mineralization. Shortly afterwards, the kinematic environment changed to become extensional. However, this study shows sharp lateral partitioning of the duration of kinematic style and structural amplification, such that thrusting and extension coexisted along strike in the upper Klipriviersberg Group. Thus the switch from thrusting to extension was progressive within the region, but locally very rapid. As the local kinematic environment became extensional, the fault system evolved progressively, with the early stages of kinematic changes being dominated by a process of reactivation by architectural scavenging, in which new extensional structures developed by selectively reusing and incorporating geometrical segments of earlier formed thrust and normal faults. Three basic stages can be identified in this evolution: broad extension above underlying detachments, involving reactivation of lateral structures; a period of intensive reactivation and kinematic reworking incorporating frontal structures; and an abandonment stage when the detailed influence of the earlier architecture diminished and the fault system developed larger through-going normal faults. The interaction of the newly developing fault system with the pre-existing architecture constitutes pre-programming of the final geometry, in which individual large faults are composed of a reticulated network of new and inherited segments. The observations are consistent with fault scale being a key control on the fault reactivation involved. This study has involved full integration of a dataset comprising 2D and 3D seismic reflection data, geological mine plans, logging of over 120 km of drill core and underground mapping in deep mine workings that pass 3 km into the seismic volume at 2–3 km depth.
Modulation of membrane channel currents by gap junction protein mimetic peptides: size matters
Authors: Wang Junjie , Ma Meiyun , Locovei Silviu , Keane Robert W. , Dahl Gerhard
Published: July 2007

Connexin mimetic peptides are widely used to assess the contribution of nonjunctional connexin channels in several processes, including ATP release. These peptides are derived from various connexin sequences and have been shown to attenuate processes downstream of the putative channel activity. Yet so far, no documentation of effects of peptides on connexin channels has been presented. We tested several connexin and pannexin mimetic peptides and observed attenuation of channel currents that is not compatible with sequence specific actions of the peptides. Connexin mimetic peptides inhibited pannexin channel currents but not the currents of the channel formed by connexins from which the sequence was derived. Pannexin mimetic peptides did inhibit pannexin channel currents but also the channels formed by connexin 46. The same pattern of effects was observed for dye transfer, except that the inhibition levels were more pronounced than for the currents. The channel inhibition by peptides shares commonalities with channel effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG), suggesting a steric block as a mechanism. PEG accessibility is in the size range expected for the pore of innexin gap junction channels, consistent with a functional relatedness of innexin and pannexin channels.
Acute and chronic exposure to hypoxia alters ventilatory pattern but not minute ventilation of mice overexpressing erythropoietin
Authors: Soliz Jorge , Soulage Christophe , Hermann Dirk M. , Gassmann Max
Published: July 2007

Apart from enhancing red blood cell production, erythropoietin (Epo) has been shown to modulate the ventilatory response to reduced oxygen supply. Both functions are crucial for the organism to cope with increased oxygen demand. In the present work, we analyzed the impact of Epo and the resulting excessive erythrocytosis in the neural control of normoxic and hypoxic ventilation. To this end, we used our transgenic mouse line (Tg6) that shows high levels of human Epo in brain and plasma, the latter leading to a hematocrit of ∼80%. Interestingly, while normoxic and hypoxic ventilation in Tg6 mice was similar to WT mice, Tg6 mice showed an increased respiratory frequency but a decreased tidal volume. Knowing that Epo modulates catecholaminergic activity, the altered catecholaminergic metabolism measured in brain stem suggested that the increased respiratory frequency in Tg6 mice was related to the overexpression of Epo in brain. In the periphery, higher response to hyperoxia (Dejours test), as well as reduced tyrosine hydroxylase activity in carotid bodies, revealed a higher chemosensitivity to oxygen in transgenic mice. Moreover, in line with the decreased activity of the rate-limiting enzyme for dopamine synthesis, the intraperitoneal injection of a highly specific peripheral ventilatory stimulant, domperidone, did not stimulate hypoxic ventilatory response in Tg6 mice. These results suggest that high Epo plasma levels modulate the carotid body's chemotransduction. All together, these findings are relevant for understanding the cross-talk between the ventilatory and erythropoietic systems exposed to hypoxia.
Gender-dependent physiological implications of combined PAI-1 and TIMP-1 gene deficiency characterized in a mouse model
Authors: Harslund Jakob , Nielsen Ole Lerberg , Brünner Nils , Offenberg Hanne
Published: July 2007

The endogenous proteinase inhibitors plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase type 1 (TIMP-1) are two distinct proteins with separate molecular pathways. However, a close relationship between PAI-1 and TIMP-1 has been proposed indicating some degree of functional overlap due to their involvement in ECM turnover, tissue remodeling, and cellular migration and signaling. To study the housekeeping physiological implications of PAI-1 and TIMP-1, we generated a combined PAI-1 and TIMP-1 gene-deficient mouse model. We present the results on generating this specific mouse model with particular emphasis on phenotypical characteristics, blood leukocyte counts, histology, and gene expression studies of PAI-1 and TIMP-1 in various organs. We observed a significant deviation in segregation of offspring only in male mice ( P < 0.01) predominantly caused by PAI-1 deficiency. In addition, the body weight in 3- and 20-wk-old male and 20-wk-old female mice was significantly different between genotypes ( P ≤ 0.0008). Furthermore, blood leukocyte counts were significantly different between genotypes in 20-wk-old male mice ( P ≤ 0.0002), whereas no significant differences were observed between genotypes in 20-wk-old female mice ( P ≥ 0.13). Quantifying the relative expression of PAI-1 and TIMP-1 revealed upregulation of PAI-1 ( P < 0.001) in male mice only. Our data highlight the complex roles of PAI-1 and TIMP-1 on physiological parameters such as segregation of offspring (embryonic development and survival), body weight (metabolism), blood leukocyte counts (immunity), and gene expression (regulatory redundancy). We conclude that PAI-1 and TIMP-1 seem to possess gender-dependent regulatory properties on various housekeeping physiological parameters and stress the potential implications in pathological conditions.
Effects of furosemide on renal calcium handling
Authors: Lee Chien-Te , Chen Hung-Chun , Lai Li-Wen , Yong Kim-Chong , Lien Yeong-Hau H.
Published: July 2007

Furosemide is a loop diuretic agent that has been used to treat hypercalcemia because it increases renal calcium excretion. The effect of furosemide on calcium transport molecules in distal tubules has yet to be investigated. We conducted studies to examine the effects of furosemide on renal calcium excretion and expression of calcium transport molecules in mice. Mice were administered with a single dose of furosemide (15 mg/kg) and examined 4 h later or were given twice-daily furosemide injections for 3 days. To evaluate the effects of volume depletion, drinking water was supplemented with salt. Our results showed that, in acute experiments, furosemide enhanced urinary calcium excretion, which was associated with a significant increase in mRNA levels of TRPV5, TRPV6, and calbindin-D28k but not calbindin-D9k as measured by real-time PCR (TRPV5 and TRPV6 are transient receptor potential vanilloid 5 and 6). Chronic furosemide administration induced three- to fourfold increases in urinary calcium excretion and elevated mRNA levels of TRPV5, TRPV6, calbindin-D28k, and calbindin-D9k without or with salt supplement. Similar upregulation of calcium transport molecules was observed in mice with gentamicin-induced hypercalciuria. Coadministration of chlorothiazide decreased furosemide-induced calciuria, either acutely or chronically, although still accompanied by upregulation of these transport molecules. Immunofluorescent staining studies revealed comparably increased protein abundance in TRPV5 and calbindin-D28k. We conclude that furosemide treatment enhances urinary calcium excretion. Increased abundance of calcium transport molecules in the distal convoluted tubule represents a solute load-dependent effect in response to increased calcium delivery and serves as a compensatory adaptation in the downstream segment.
Prostacyclin in endotoxemia-induced acute kidney injury: cyclooxygenase inhibition and renal prostacyclin synthase transgenic mice
Authors: Wang Wei , Zolty Einath , Falk Sandor , Summer Sandra , Stearman Robert , Geraci Mark , Schrier Robert
Published: July 2007

Sepsis-related acute kidney injury (AKI) is the leading cause of AKI in intensive care units. Endotoxin is a primary initiator of inflammatory and hemodynamic consequences of sepsis and is associated with experimental AKI. The present study was undertaken to further examine the role of the endothelium, specifically prostacyclin (PGI2), in the pathogenesis of endotoxemia-related AKI. A low dose of endotoxin (LPS, 1 mg/kg) in wild-type (WT) mice was associated with stable glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (164.0 ± 16.7 vs. 173.3 ± 6.7 μl/min, P = not significant) as urinary excretion of 6-keto-PGF1α, the major metabolite of PGI2, increased. When cyclooxygenase inhibition with indomethacin abolished this rise in 6-keto-PGF1α, the same low dose of LPS significantly decreased GFR (110.7 ± 12.1 vs. 173.3 ± 6.7 μl/min, P < 0.05). The same dose of indomethacin did not alter GFR in WT mice. To further study the role of PGI2in endotoxemia, renal-specific PGI synthase (PGIs) transgenic (Tg) mice were developed that had increased PGIs expression only in the kidney and increased urinary 6-keto-PGF1α. These Tg mice, however, demonstrated endotoxemia-related AKI with low-dose LPS (1 mg/kg) (GFR: 12.6 ± 3.9 vs. 196.5 ± 21.0 μl/min P < 0.01), which did not alter GFR in WT mice (164.0 ± 16.7 vs. 173.3 ± 6.7 μl/min, P = not significant). An elevation in renal cAMP, however, suggested an activation of the PGI2-cAMP-renin system in these Tg mice. Moreover, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition afforded protection against endotoxin-related AKI in these Tg mice. Thus endothelial PGIs-mediated PGI2, as previously shown with endothelial nitric oxide synthase-mediated nitric oxide, contributes to renal protection against endotoxemia-related AKI. This effect may be overridden by excessive activation of the renin-angiotensin system in renal-specific PGIs Tg mice.
ADP-ribosyl cyclase and ryanodine receptor activity contribute to basal renal vasomotor tone and agonist-induced renal vasoconstriction in vivo
Authors: Thai Tiffany L. , Fellner Susan K. , Arendshorst William J.
Published: July 2007

An important role for the enzyme ADP-ribosyl cyclase (ADPR cyclase) and its downstream targets, the ryanodine receptors (RyR), is emerging for a variety of vascular systems. We hypothesized that the ADPR cyclase/RyR pathway contributes to regulation of renal vasomotor tone in vivo. To test this, we continuously measured renal blood flow (RBF) in anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. Infusion of the ADPR cyclase inhibitor nicotinamide intrarenally at low doses inhibits angiotensin II (ANG II)- and norepinephrine (NE)-induced vasoconstriction by 72 and 67%, respectively ( P < 0.001). RBF studies in rats were extended to mice lacking the predominant form of ADPR cyclase (CD38). Acute renal vasoconstrictor responses to ANG II and NE are impaired by 59 and 52%, respectively, in anesthetized CD38−/− mice compared with wild-type controls ( P < 0.05). Intrarenal injection of the RyR activator FK506 decreases RBF by 22% ( P > 0.03). Furthermore, RyR inhibition with ruthenium red attenuates ANG II and NE responses by 50 and 59%, respectively ( P ≤ 0.01). Given at higher doses, nicotinamide increases basal RBF by 22% ( P > 0.001). Non-receptor-mediated renal vasoconstriction by L-type voltage-gated Ca2+channels is also dependent on ADPR cyclase and RyRs. Nicotinamide and ruthenium red inhibit constriction by the L-type channel agonist BAY K 8644 by 59% ( P > 0.02) and 63% ( P > 0.001). We conclude that 1) ADPR cyclase activity contributes to regulation of renal vasomotor tone under resting conditions, 2) renal vasoconstriction induced by G protein-coupled receptor agonists ANG II and NE is mediated in part by ADPR cyclase and RyRs, and 3) ADPR cyclase and RyRs participate in L-type channel-mediated renal vasoconstriction in vivo.
Numerical and Analytical Study of Optimal Low-Thrust Limited-Power Transfers between Close Circular Coplanar Orbits
Authors: da Silva Fernandes Sandro , Golfetto Wander Almodovar
Published: July 2007

A numerical and analytical study of optimal low-thrust limited-power trajectories for simple transfer (no rendezvous) between close circular coplanar orbits in an inverse-square force field is presented. The numerical study is carried out by means of an indirect approach of the optimization problem in which the two-point boundary value problem, obtained from the set of necessary conditions describing the optimal solutions, is solved through a neighboring extremal algorithm based on the solution of the linearized two-point boundary value problem through Riccati transformation. The analytical study is provided by a linear theory which is expressed in terms of nonsingular elements and is determined through the canonical transformation theory. The fuel consumption is taken as the performance criterion and the analysis is carried out considering various radius ratios and transfer durations. The results are compared to the ones provided by a numerical method based on gradient techniques.
High Skp2 Expression Characterizes High-Risk Neuroblastomas Independent of MYCN Status
Authors: Westermann Frank , Henrich Kai-Oliver , Wei Jun S. , Lutz Werner , Fischer Matthias , König Rainer , Wiedemeyer Ruprecht , Ehemann Volker , Brors Benedikt , Ernestus Karen , Leuschner Ivo , Benner Axel , Khan Javed , Schwab Manfred
Published: July 2007

Purpose: Amplified MYCN oncogene defines a subgroup of neuroblastomas with poor outcome. However, a substantial number of MYCN single-copy neuroblastomas exhibits an aggressive phenotype similar to that of MYCN-amplified neuroblastomas even in the absence of high MYCN mRNA and/or protein levels.

Experimental Design: To identify shared molecular mechanisms that mediate the aggressive phenotype in MYCN-amplified and single-copy high-risk neuroblastomas, we defined genetic programs evoked by ectopically expressed MYCN in vitro and analyzed them in high-risk versus low-risk neuroblastoma tumors (n = 49) using cDNA microarrays. Candidate gene expression was validated in a separate cohort of 117 patients using quantitative PCR, and protein expression was analyzed in neuroblastoma tumors by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry.

Results: We identified a genetic signature characterized by a subset of MYCN/MYC and E2F targets, including Skp2, encoding the F-box protein of the SCFSkp2 E3-ligase, to be highly expressed in high-risk neuroblastomas independent of amplified MYCN. We validated the findings for Skp2 and analyzed its expression in relation to MYCN and E2F-1 expression in a separate cohort (n = 117) using quantitative PCR. High Skp2 expression proved to be a highly significant marker of dire prognosis independent of both MYCN status and disease stage, on the basis of multivariate analysis of event-free survival (hazard ratio, 3.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.56-8.00; P = 0.002). Skp2 protein expression was inversely correlated with expression of p27, the primary target of the SCFSkp2 E3-ligase, in neuroblastoma tumors.

Conclusion: Skp2 may have a key role in the progression of neuroblastomas and should make an attractive target for therapeutic approaches.
Techniques for tracking amphibians: The effects of tag attachment, and harmonic direction finding versus radio telemetry
Authors: Rowley Jodi J.L. , Alford Ross A.
Published: July 2007

To gain information on the microhabitat use, home range and movement of a
species, it is often necessary to remotely track individuals in the field.
Radio telemetry is commonly used to track amphibians, but can only be used
on relatively large individuals. Harmonic direction finding can be used to
track smaller animals, but its effectiveness has not been fully evaluated.
Tag attachment can alter the behaviour of amphibians, suggesting that data
obtained using either technique may be unreliable. We investigated the
effects of external tag attachment on behaviour in the laboratory by
observing 12 frogs for five nights before and five nights after tag
attachment, allowing one night to recover from handling. Tag attachment did
not affect distance moved or number of times moved, indicating that the
effects of tag attachment are unlikely to persist after the first night
following attachment. We then compared harmonic direction finding and
radio-telemetry using data collected in the field. We fitted rainforest
stream frogs of three species with tags of either type, located them
diurnally and nocturnally for approximately two weeks, and compared movement
parameters between techniques. In the field, we obtained fewer fixes on
frogs using harmonic direction finding, but measures of movement and habitat
use did not differ significantly between techniques. Because radio telemetry
makes it possible to locate animals more consistently, it should be
preferred for animals large enough to carry radio tags. If harmonic
direction finding is necessary, it can produce reliable data, particularly
for relatively sedentary species.
Flight initiation distance in relation to substratum type, sex, reproductive status and tail condition in two lacertids with contrasting habits
Authors: Capizzi Dario , Luiselli Luca , Vignoli Leonardo
Published: July 2007

Flight initiation distance in relation to substratum type, sex, reproductive
status and tail condition was studied in two lacertid lizards with
contrasting habits: the ground-dwelling common lizard Zootoca vivipara and
the rupicolous Horvath's rock lizard Iberolacerta horvathi. These species
were studied in sympatric populations in a mountain area in North-Eastern
Italy, Tarvisio Forest. Mean escape distance was significantly higher in I.
horvathi than in Z. vivipara. In both species there were significant
differences between sexes, with males escaping at longer distances than
females but there were no significant differences between adults and
subadults. In both species there were no differences in escape distance of
females in different reproductive states. In Z. vivipara specimens with
broken tails escaped at a shorter distance than individuals with intact
tails. Substratum type had a significant effect on escape distance in both
species.
Lexicon development in French-speaking infants
Authors: Kern Sophie
Published: July 2007

This paper explores the early lexicon development of 548 monolingual French-speaking infants aged 8;0—16;0. Vocabulary acquisition was followed using the French adaptation of the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development: Words and Gestures (Fenson et al., 1993). The results generally concur with those reported for other languages. There were striking individual variations in both terms of onset and rate of lexical growth. However, the total vocabulary scores increased steadily in all sections with chronological age. Girls showed superior scores in terms of labelling behaviours and lexical production. Nouns were predominant in both production and comprehension from 8 to 16 months regardless of the lexicon size. Predicates were the second most represented category, followed by function words. Both these categories increased with lexicon size. In the small lexicon, the most represented semantic categories were the same for comprehension and production: `games and routines', `people', `sound effects and animal sounds'. In the lexicon of more than 50 items, the percentages of `action words' became higher. A particularly strong association was found between total gestures and vocabulary comprehension.
Development of pragmatic language comprehension in Finnish-speaking children
Authors: Loukusa Soile , Leinonen Eeva , Ryder Nuala
Published: July 2007

This research explores the development of pragmatic comprehension within the framework of relevance theory. Participants were 210 typically developing Finnish children aged from 3 to 9 years. The children were asked questions targeting the pragmatic processes of reference assignment, enrichment and implicature, as proposed by relevance theory. Results indicate that increasing ability to use contextual information in comprehension is related to age. The largest increase in correct answers occurred between the ages of 3 and 4 years. Answering reference assignment questions was not problematic for any of the age groups. Answering enrichment and implicature questions reflected the children's increasing ability to use more complex contextual information in the comprehension process. This supports the processing model suggested by relevance theory.
Word learning in the absence of a speaker
Authors: Scofield Jason , Williams Amie , Behrend Douglas A.
Published: July 2007

Past studies show that a referential context is important for successful word learning. Still in question, however, is the success of word learning in the absence of a referential context. In this study 2-year-olds were presented with novel words in the absence of a speaker and therefore in the absence of a referential context. Findings revealed that word learning was successful across the experimental trials at rates greater than chance and at rates greater than in the control trial. Findings demonstrated that the absence of a speaker and the referential context provided by a speaker did not result in unsuccessful word learning. It is concluded that a referential context is not necessary for successful word learning.
Does the agreement of patient and physician assessments of health related quality of life in palliative care depend on patient characteristics?
Authors: Aa Petersen Morten , Pedersen Lise , Groenvold Mogens
Published: July 2007

Objective: Using physician assessments of patients' health related quality of life may improve the feasibility of studies in palliative care. However, poor agreement between patients and physicians has been found. We investigated whether subgroups of patients with good agreement existed. Study design and setting: Patient and physician assessments of twelve European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Care Questionnaire 30 domains were obtained once a week for up to 13 weeks. The association between agreement and patient characteristics at the first assessment ( n = 115) was investigated using multivariate logistic regression. Significant associations were verified using the follow-up time-points combined (total n = 263). Results : Significant associations between patient characteristics and agreement were found for most domains. However, few subgroups had good agreement. The evaluations on follow-up data did not confirm the findings of subgroups with good agreement. Conclusion: Based on our findings physician assessments cannot be recommended as a substitute for patient self-assessment for any subgroups of palliative care patients. Palliative Medicine 2007; 21: 289—294
The challenge of patients' unmet palliative care needs in the final stages of chronic illness
Authors: Fitzsimons D. , Mullan D. , Wilson J.S. , Conway B. , Corcoran B. , Dempster M. , Gamble J. , Stewart C. , Rafferty S. , McMahon M. , MacMahon J. , Mulholland P. , Stockdale P. , Chew E. , Hanna L. , Brown J. , Ferguson G. , Fogarty D.
Published: July 2007

Background : There is consensus in the literature that the end of life care for patients with chronic illness is suboptimal, but research on the specific needs of this population is limited. Aim : This study aimed to use a mixed methodology and case study approach to explore the palliative care needs of patients with a non-cancer diagnosis from the perspectives of the patient, their significant other and the clinical team responsible for their care. Patients (n = 18) had a diagnosis of either end-stage heart failure, renal failure or respiratory disease. Methods : The Short Form 36 and Hospital and Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire were completed by all patients. Unstructured interviews were (n = 35) were conducted separately with each patient and then their significant other. These were followed by a focus group discussion (n = 18) with the multiprofessional clinical team. Quantitative data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics and simple descriptive statistics. All qualitative data were taped, transcribed and analysed using Colaizzi's approach to qualitative analysis. Findings : Deteriorating health status was the central theme derived from this analysis. It led to decreased independence, social isolation and family burden. These problems were mitigated by the limited resources at the individual's disposal and the availability of support from hospital and community services. Generally resources and support were perceived as lacking. All participants in this study expressed concerns regarding the patients' future and some patients described feelings of depression or acceptance of the inevitability of imminent death. Conclusion : Patients dying from chronic illness in this study had many concerns and unmet clinical needs. Care teams were frustrated by the lack of resources available to them and admitted they were ill-equipped to provide for the individual's holistic needs. Some clinicians described difficulty in talking openly with the patient and family regarding the palliative nature of their treatment. An earlier and more effective implementation of the palliative care approach is necessary if the needs of patients in the final stages of chronic illness are to be adequately addressed. Palliative Medicine 2007; 21 : 313—322
Implementing a resuscitation policy for patients at the end of life in an acute hospital setting: qualitative study
Authors: Robinson Frances , Cupples Margaret , Corrigan Mairead
Published: July 2007

Objective : To explore attitudes and experiences of doctors and nurses regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation for patients with end stage illness in an acute hospital. Design : Qualitative study; thematic analysis of two audio-taped focus groups and four semi-structured interviews. Setting : Acute district hospital, Northern Ireland. Participants : Seven nurses and nine doctors; varying nationality, gender and years of professional experience; involved in cardiopulmonary resuscitation decision-making. Results : Participants reported different interpretations of resuscitation policy and of what do not attempt to resuscitate (DNAR) decisions meant in relation to practical care for patients. This confusion in translating policy into practice contributed to communication difficulties in initiating, documenting and implementing cardiopulmonary resuscitation decisions. Participants were aware of how clinical conditions could change and reported uncertainty in determining end stage illness; they expressed fears of potential consequences of DNAR decisions for patients' care. The more disease-centred approach of doctors to patients' management, compared to nurses' more patient-centred approach, contributed to inter-professional conflict within teams. Doctors identified training needs in applying resuscitation policy and ethical principles in `real life' and nurses identified a need for ongoing professional support, which was perceived as being less available to junior doctors. Personal relationships between staff and patients, cultural reluctance to address sensitive issues and local community expectations of relatives being involved in decisions added to policy implementation difficulties. Conclusions : The findings indicate a need for ongoing staff support and training in applying resuscitation policy to decisions for patients with end stage illness in an acute hospital. They support suggestions that reviews of local resuscitation policy and of national guidelines should be undertaken with openness and honesty regarding the goals, opportunities and difficulties involved in trying to deliver good end of life care in local settings. Palliative Medicine 2007; 21 : 305—312
Criteria for successful multiprofessional cooperation in palliative care teams
Authors: Jünger S. , Pestinger M. , Elsner F. , Krumm N. , Radbruch L.
Published: July 2007

Introduction : Team work is considered a central component of palliative care. Within this comparatively young field of medicine, the emergence of new institutions (eg, palliative care units) highlights the challenge of establishing a completely new team. Methods : This study focuses on the factors, which enhance both the success and outcome criteria of good team work from the perception of team members in a palliative care unit. The palliative care team at the University Hospital of Aachen (n = 19) was interviewed 1 year after the unit's startup by the means of semistructured interviews. Interview texts were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results : Factors crucial to cooperation in the team members' views were close communication, team philosophy, good interpersonal relationships, high team commitment, autonomy and the ability to deal with death and dying. Moreover, close communication was by far the most frequently mentioned criteria for cooperation. Team performance, good coordination of workflow and mutual trust underpin the evaluation of efficient team work. Inefficient team work is associated with the absence of clear goals, tasks and role delegation, as well as a lack of team commitment. Conclusion : In a new team, close communication is particularly important for staff as they reorientate themselves to the dynamics of a new peer group. The results confirm the overwhelming importance of clarity, commitment and close, positive exchange among team members for succesful team work. Pallative Medicine 2007; 21: 347—354
Prescribing by specialist nurses in cancer and palliative care: results of a national survey
Authors: Ryan-Woolley Bernadette M , McHugh Gretl A , Luker Karen A
Published: July 2007

Background : This study investigates Macmillan nurses' views on nurse prescribing in cancer and palliative care and explores perceived motivators and barriers to training for and the implementation of this extended nursing role. Method : National postal survey of 2252 Macmillan nurses in the UK. Results : A response rate of 70% (1575) was achieved. Eleven percent (168 of 1575) of Macmillan nurses surveyed were trained as extended formulary independent nurse prescribers. Half (88 of 168) of the Macmillan nurses who could prescribe from the extended formulary were prescribing, representing just 6% (88 of 1575) of the sample. Training deficits highlighted included poor organization and insufficient length, depth and specificity of courses (to meet the needs of nurses working in palliative care) and a lack of medical mentorship. Among Macmillan nurses who had not undergone extended formulary independent nurse prescribing training, 25% (335) perceived that prescribing was not part of their specialist nursing role. A further 40% (538) expressed reluctance to undergo training. Conclusions : A clear lack of enthusiasm amongst specialist nurses in cancer and palliative care to undertake prescribing training was identified. It is noteworthy that half of the Macmillan nurses trained as extended formulary independent nurse prescribers were not prescribing. Since government targets for nurse prescribing are not yet being met, these findings raise important questions concerning whether extended nurse prescribing is likely to be a successful initiative in cancer and palliative care. Palliative Medicine 2007; 21: 273—277
Progression and retrogression: Herbert Spencer's explanations of social inequality
Authors: Gondermann Thomas
Published: July 2007

Herbert Spencer was one of the most important contributors to the Victorian discourse on social evolution. His theory of evolution in nature and society has been the subject of countless scholarly works over the last hundred years. Nevertheless, not all of its dimensions have been studied in due depth. Contrary to a widespread belief, Spencer did not just design an evolutionary theory of upward, yet branched development. Searching for explanations for the social distance between presumably civilized and primitive societies and between presumably well-conducted and pauperized Victorians, he introduced elements of retrogression into his theory of social evolution. In addition, he biologized social structures and social phenomena by constructing a causal relationship between social and somatic features. This article discusses Spencer's account of the social conditions of the so-called savages and paupers. It aims to shed light on the progressive and retrogressive modes of evolutionary development and the biologistic explanations he employed in his social theory to explain these conditions.
Achilles' brain: philosophical notes on trauma
Authors: Hampe Michael
Published: July 2007

The article investigates the relevance of the concepts of truth and truthfulness in culturalistic, psychoanalytical and neuro-biological theories of trauma from a philosophical point of view. The background for this is the recent claim of some brain scientists to produce an overall view of the human situation. This claim is shown to be false. The article comes to the conclusion that the subjective perception of a traumatic event is indispensable in order to understand the phenomena of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). History and other moral sciences are always concerned with the reconstruction of past internal perspectives. The example of trauma shows that this work is indispensable wherever brain research might lead us to.
How proposing an activity to a person with an intellectual disability can imply a limited identity
Authors: Antaki Charles , Walton Chris , Finlay W.M.L.
Published: July 2007

In residential homes for people with learning or intellectual disabilities (or mental retardation, in North American usage), a routine way for staff members to structure residents' time is to propose outside activities (e.g. shopping trips to town, attendance at a concert and so on). We identify one common way of proposing such activities that reveals a subtle but significant aspect of the staff's understanding of the residents' identities. Staff often introduce an activity not by mentioning its actual qualities (e.g. `Do you want to go and see a church concert with lots of singing?'), but by associating it with a given individual (e.g. `Do you want to go to a concert with Bill?'). This practice favours the social aspect of the residents' choices over any other, and encourages the residents' conceptions of themselves as people with feelings who care about others, and who are, in turn, cared about. We discuss the implications of such an apparently positive identity ascription.
Antiracism in the British government's model regional newspaper: the `talking cure'
Authors: Machin David , Mayr Andrea
Published: July 2007

The Leicester Mercury has been identified as a model newspaper by the British government because it has been seen as central in communicating positive representations of ethnic minorities in the city of Leicester, and to play a role in avoiding the rioting experienced by many British cities with large ethnic minority populations. However, critical discourse and social actor analyses reveal that representations in the newspaper largely conceal the real structural reasons for the absence of rioting, instead addressing multiculturalism and antiracism through discourses of abstracted `talking' and `sharing' — a `talking cure'. This is more in harmony with the ideology of an advertiser-driven commercial newspaper, buzz of local commerce and the new definition of our cities-as-brands.
Coaxing and coercion in roadblock encounters on Nigerian highways
Authors: Laminu Mele Mohammed , Mai Bello Baba
Published: July 2007

In Nigeria, the government is trying hard to establish a liberated and developed democratic state through the elimination of corruption and injustice. Nigeria's citizens are aware of this and try to see the realization of this aim despite the hardships that prompt such injustices in the first place. However, remnants of these illicit deeds are still perpetrated, not only in action, but also in talk. This study focuses on one instance of illegitimate practice, exchanges between drivers plying the highways of north-eastern Nigeria and the security personnel manning highway checkpoints. A critical discourse analysis of these encounters, recorded via unobtrusive observation, reveals that illegitimate dealings are perpetrated in seemingly innocent conversational exchanges, wherein illegal acts are discursively shielded. In addition, security personnel exhibit their power in the language they use and by that means underhandedly extort money from drivers. The study reveals the underlying relationship between coercion and social control as manifested in discursive power representation.
The Potential of Coaching as a Strategy to Improve the Effectiveness of School-Based Substance Use Prevention Curricula
Authors: Ringwalt Christopher L. , Pankratz Melinda M. , Hansen William B. , Dusenbury Linda , Jackson-Newsom Julia , Giles Steven M. , Brodish Paul H.
Published: July 2007

Research-based substance use prevention curricula typically yield small effects when implemented by school teachers under real-world conditions. Using a randomized controlled trial, the authors examined whether expert coaching improves the effectiveness of the All Stars prevention curriculum. Although a positive effect on students' cigarette use was noted, this finding may be attributed to marked baseline differences on this variable across the intervention and control groups. No effects were found on students' alcohol or marijuana use or on any of several variables thought to mediate curriculum effects. The effects of coaching on teachers may not become evident until future years, when they have moved beyond an initial mechanical delivery of the curriculum.
Frequency and latency of social interaction in an inclusive kindergarten setting
Authors: Jahr Erik , Eikeseth Svein , Eldevik Sigmund , Aase Heidi
Published: July 2007

This study investigated the frequency and latency of naturally occurring social interaction with typically developing children and those with autism in inclusive kindergarten settings. The children with autism were also subdivided into two groups according to intellectual functioning in order to analyze frequency and latency of social interaction in relation to degree of disability. The results showed a significant difference in frequency of social interaction between the typical children and those with autism. There was no difference between the groups on latency to initiate interaction. However, shorter latency was associated with higher frequency in the typical group but not in the group of children with autism. Significant differences in IQ and adaptive functioning were found between the children with autism who showed interaction and those who did not. The results for the typical children may be used as benchmark values for the assessment of treatment outcome for children with autism.
Astrophyllite-group minerals from the Ilímaussaq complex, South Greenland (contribution to the mineralogy of Ilímaussaq no. 123)
Authors: Macdonald R. , Karup-Møller S. , Rose-Hansen J.
Published: July 2007

Electron microprobe analyses are presented for astrophyllite-group minerals from hydrothermal veins and pegmatites of the Ilimaussaq complex, South Greenland. The analyses fall mainly into two groups: (1) niobophyllites with the highest Nb/(Nb+Ti) ratios yet recorded (∼0.9), occurring only in the veins, and (2) an essentially continuous sequence from astrophyllite to niobophyllite with Nb/(Nb+Ti) up to 0.6, found in veins and pegmatites. It is highly likely that there is complete solid solution between astrophyllite and niobophyllite. More limited substitution of Mn for Fe has resulted in the formation of kupletskite in some rocks. Altered zones in certain astrophyllites and niobophyllites have compositional features similar to the type ‘hydroastrophyllite’. The astrophyllite-group minerals in the hydrothermal veins crystallized at temperatures below 400°C at 1 kbar and under high pH and low oxygen fugacity, whereas those in the pegmatites were formed from water-rich melts which were hotter (≥450°C), less basic and more oxidized.
High-pressure phase transformation in MnCO3: a synchrotron XRD study
Authors: Ono S.
Published: July 2007

The high-pressure behaviour of manganese carbonate was investigated by in situ synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction up to 54 GPa with a laser-heated diamond anvil cell. A phase transition from rhodochrosite to a new structure form was observed at 50 GPa after laser heating. The diffraction pattern of the new high-pressure form was reasonably indexed with an orthorhombic unit-cell with a = 5.361 A, b = 8.591 A and c = 9.743 Å. The pressure-induced phase transition implies a unit-cell volume reduction of ∼5%. This result does not support the direct formation of diamond by dissociation of solid state MnCO3 reported in a previous study. Fitting the compression data of rhodochrosite to a second-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state (Ko’ = 4) gives K0 = 126(±10) GPa. The c axis of the unit-cell parameter was more compressive than the a axis.