bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analyzing changes of chromatin‐bound replication proteins occurring in response to and after release from a hypoxic block of replicon initiation in T24 cells
Authors: van Betteraey‐Nikoleit Maria , Eisele Karl‐Heinz , Stabenow Dirk , Probst Hans
Published: September 2003

It was shown previously [Riedinger, H. J., van Betteraey‐Nikoleit, M & Probst, H. (2002) Eur. J. Biochem.269, 2383–2393] that initiation of in vivo SV40 DNA replication is reversibly suppressed by hypoxia in a state where viral minichromosomes exhibit a nearly complete set of replication proteins. Reoxygenation triggers fast completion and post‐translational modifications. Trying to reveal such fast changes of chromatin‐bound replication proteins in the much more complex replication of the cellular genome itself, we developed a protocol to extend these studies using the human bladder carcinoma cell line T24, which was presynchronized in G1 by starvation. Concomitantly with stimulation of the cells by medium renewal, hypoxia was established. This treatment induced T24 cells to contain a large amount of replicons arrested in the ‘hypoxic preinitiation state’, ready to initiate replication as soon as normal pO2 was restored. Replicons in other stages of replicative activity were not detectable. Consequently the arrested replicons were rapidly released into synchronous initiation and succeeding elongation. Extraction of T24 nuclei with a Triton X‐100 buffer yielded a fraction containing the cellular chromatin, including DNA‐bound replication proteins, while unbound proteins were removed. The usefulness of this protocol was tested by the proliferation marker PCNA. We demonstrate here that this protein switches from the remainder cellular protein pool into the Triton‐extracted nuclear fraction upon reoxygenation. Employing this protocol, analyses of chromatin‐bound MCM2, MCM3, Cdc6 and cdk2 suggests that the ‘classical’ prereplication complex is already formed during hypoxia.
Unique features of the hemoglobin system of the Antarctic notothenioid fish Gobionotothen gibberifrons
Authors: Marinakis Panagiotis , Tamburrini Maurizio , Carratore Vito , di Prisco Guido
Published: September 2003

The hemolysate of the Antarctic teleost Gobionotothen gibberifrons (family Nototheniidae) contains two hemoglobins (Hb 1 and Hb 2). The concentration of Hb 2 (15–20% of the total hemoglobin content) is higher than that found in most cold‐adapted Notothenioidei. Unlike the other Antarctic species so far examined having two hemoglobins, Hb 1 and Hb 2 do not have globin chains in common. Therefore this hemoglobin system is made of four globins (two α‐ and two β‐chains). The complete amino‐acid sequence of the two hemoglobins (Hb 1, ; Hb 2, ) has been established. The two hemoglobins have different functional properties. Hb 2 has lower oxygen affinity than Hb 1, and higher sensitivity to the modulatory effect of organophosphates. They also differ thermodynamically, as shown by the effects on the oxygen‐binding properties brought about by temperature variations. The oxygen‐transport system of G. gibberifrons, with two functionally distinct hemoglobins, suggests that the two components may have distinct physiological roles, in relation with life style and the environmental conditions which the fish may have to face. The unique features of the oxygen‐transport system of this species are reflected in the phylogeny of the hemoglobin amino‐acid sequences, which are intermediate between those of other fish of the family Nototheniidae and of species of the more advanced family Bathydraconidae.
Monomeric molten globule intermediate involved in the equilibrium unfolding of tetrameric duck δ2‐crystallin
Authors: Lee Hwei‐Jen , Lu Shang‐Way , Chang Gu‐Gang
Published: September 2003

Duck δ2‐crystallin is a soluble tetrameric lens protein. In the presence of guanidinium hydrochloride (GdnHCl), it undergoes stepwise dissociation and unfolding. Gel‐filtration chromatography and sedimentation velocity analysis has demonstrated the dissociation of the tetramer protein to a monomeric intermediate with a dissociation constant of 0.34 µm3. Dimers were also detected during the dissociation and refolding processes. The sharp enhancement of 1‐anilinonaphthalene‐8‐sulfonic acid (ANS) fluorescence at 1 m GdnHCl strongly suggested that the dissociated monomers were in a molten globule state under these conditions. The similar binding affinity (≈ 60 µm) of ANS to protein in the presence or absence of GdnHCl suggested the potential assembly of crystallins via hydrophobic interactions, which might also produce off‐pathway aggregates in higher protein concentrations. The dynamic quenching constant corresponding to GdnHCl concentration followed a multistate unfolding model implying that the solvent accessibility of tryptophans was a sensitive probe for analyzing δ2‐crystallin unfolding.
The complementary DNA sequence and polymorphisms of bovine procathepsin‐D (CTSD)
Authors: Higuchi M. , Miyashita N. , Nagamine Y. , Watanabe A. , Awata T.
Published: September 2003

The complementary DNA (cDNA) partial sequence of the bovine cathepsin‐D (CTSD) precursor, procathepsin‐D was determined. The bovine procathepsin‐D cDNA sequence and deduced protein sequence exhibited higher homology to their counterparts in sheep than other animals. A comparison of the cDNA sequence among cattle revealed nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the encoding region and one nucleotide deletion in 3′‐untranslated region. Among these SNPs, a guanine (G) to adenine (A) substitution in the pro‐fragment region and a change from G to cytosine (C) in the heavy‐chain region resulted in a glycine to serine and a glycine to alanine substitution, respectively. Using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism, nine different cattle breeds were screened for the presence of both polymorphisms. It was found that three Japanese beef breeds (Japanese Black, Japanese Shorthorn and Japanese Brown) and two zebu breeds (Brahman and Santa Gertrudis) contained these polymorphisms.
The effects of selective phosphodiesterase III and V inhibitors on adrenergic and non‐adrenergic, non‐cholinergic relaxation responses of guinea‐pig pulmonary arteries
Authors: Tasatargil A. , Sadan G. , Ozdem S. S.
Published: September 2003

1 The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of several possible neurotransmitters in mediating non‐adrenergic, non‐cholinergic (NANC) relaxation, and the effects of phosphodiesterase (PDE) III and V inhibitors on adrenergic and NANC relaxation in branch pulmonary artery (PA) of guinea‐pig.

2 Under the NANC conditions, electrical field stimulation (EFS, 60 V, 0.2 ms, 20 Hz) induced a tetrodotoxin‐sensitive relaxation of the histamine‐precontracted PA rings. The nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME, 10−4 m) and the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor 1H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐1‐one (ODQ, 10−5 m) partially inhibited the EFS‐induced relaxation. The inhibitory effect of l‐NAME was reversed completely by l‐arginine (10−3 m), but not d‐arginine (10−3 m).

3 This NANC relaxation was attenuated by 8‐phenyltheophylline (10−5 m), a P1‐purinoceptor antagonist.

4 The NANC response was potentiated by 10−6 m zaprinast, a type V PDE inhibitor, but was unaffected by 3 × 10−6 m milrinone, a type III PDE inhibitor.

5 Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) caused a concentration‐dependent vasodilator effect which was potentiated by zaprinast, but unaffected by milrinone. Moreover, the effect of combination of zaprinast with milrinone was not significantly different from that observed with zaprinast alone.

6 Isoprenaline produced a concentration‐dependent vasodilatation in branch PA of guinea‐pig which was potentiated by both zaprinast and milrinone, the efficacy of milrinone being greater than zaprinast.

7 These results suggest that both nitrergic and purinergic pathways are involved in mediating the NANC relaxation in branch PA of guinea‐pig. The combination of PDE III or V inhibitors with vasorelaxant drugs may be a hopeful approach for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.
Public sector enterprise resource planning
Authors: Gulledge Thomas R. , Sommer Rainer A.
Published: September 2003

The management of the US Department of Defense (DoD) enterprise must change. Years of under‐funding have led to a wide gap between enterprise support requirements and resources. Private sector firms have faced similar choices. This paper shows how the public enterprise can be changed. Our hypothesis is that private sector implementations of standard software will lead to increased effectiveness and efficiency in public sector organizations. Sufficient detail is provided on how to transition to a modern integrated public sector enterprise, and the steps for implementing such a project are outlined, following standard private sector implementation practices. To explain the problem and solution, the DoD installation management enterprise is used as an example.
Towards a comprehensive conceptual framework for understanding principals’ personal‐professional growth
Authors: Assor Avi , Oplatka Izhar
Published: September 2003

This paper presents a comprehensive conception of principals’ growth that is based on four psychological perspectives: humanistic fulfilment/actualisation, psycho‐dynamic, moral/identity development, and adaptive cognitive development. This conception views principals’ development as a journey in which principals attempt to master challenges in four distinct, yet related, domains: fulfilling basic needs and actualising potentialities, learning to cope with and moderate extreme, anxiety‐based strivings, forming reflection‐based individualised moral and educational vision, and constructing adaptation‐promoting knowledge and skills. For each perspective, we present its goal of growth, personal qualities reflecting principals’ growth and resulting from it, and ways of enhancing principals’ growth. It is proposed that a fully‐fledged growth process occurs when principals develop along the lines outlined according to all four perspectives. Discussion of the relations among the growth processes highlighted by the four perspectives suggests that it might be particularly difficult for principals to develop in the morality/identity domain. The last part of the paper focuses on determinants of principals’ growth that should receive more attention in research and in practice.
Quality Audit in Financial Investment Services
Authors: Karapetrovic Stanislav , Willborn Walter
Published: September 2003

This paper discusses the following two questions: What is a ‘Quality Audit’? Why and how does it apply to financial investment services? ‘Quality’ in this important field of service is understood as the perception of the investor about achieving satisfactory returns, under generally accepted risks, within a planned time. The service provider normally assures this quality with due care mostly in information gathering, communication and investment decision‐making. Once this quality assurance is adequately formalized and documented, a ‘quality audit’ can be performed. The ISO 9000 international standards and guidelines describe a quality system that can be applied to provide meaningful quality assurance in investment services. Respective quality audits are described in the ISO 10011 Quality Audit Guideline. The development of quality assurance systems and quality audits for compliance and improved performance presents benefits to both the client and the investment service provider.
The New Role of the Internal Auditor: Implications for Internal Auditor Objectivity
Authors: Brody Richard G. , Lowe D. Jordan
Published: September 2003

The role of the internal auditor continues to evolve. The recent emphasis on consulting activities has brought new questions and concerns regarding the ability of internal auditors to function in an independent and objective manner. The purpose of this research is to explore whether internal auditors view their consulting role as one in which they are to provide objective feedback to management or one in which they are to provide solutions that they believe are in the best interests of their company. Specifically, we examine whether the internal auditors' judgments are dependent on their company's role (buyer or seller) in an acquisition. Results revealed that the role of the company in the negotiation process did influence judgments. This suggests that internal auditors are likely to assume the position that is in the best interests of their employer. Implications of these results are discussed as are suggested areas for future research.
Behind the Audit Report: A Descriptive Study of Discussions and Negotiations Between Auditors and Directors
Authors: Beattie Vivien , Fearnley Stella , Brandt Richard
Published: September 2003

This paper presents direct evidence concerning the extent, nature, and outcome of interactions between the two primary parties in the auditor‐client relationship — finance directors (FDs) and audit engagement partners (AEPs). A questionnaire instrument is used to elicit the frequency with which, over a three year period, an extensive set of 46 audit and audit‐related issues is discussed, is negotiated, and results in a change to either the accounting numbers or disclosures. Three hundred FDs and 307 AEPs of listed UK companies are surveyed, with response rates of 51% and 80%, respectively. Principal findings are that: (i) compliance issues dominate discussions, while accounting and fee issues dominate negotiations; (ii) audit committees generally reduce the level of negotiation and increase the level of discussion, suggesting that the overall degree of confrontation declines; and (iii) in the majority of cases (57%), negotiation results in a change to the financial statements, providing evidence of the auditor's influence on the financial statements.
A Case for Global Corporate Governance Rules: An Auditor's Perspective
Authors: Roussey Robert S
Published: September 2003

This paper reflects on the premise that there is a need for global corporate governance rules. In coming to this premise, the views of various authors regarding the need for harmonisation of financial reporting systems are considered. If, in the view of these authors, there is a need for a uniform set of international accounting standards and international auditing standards, then it is reasoned that there is also a need for global corporate governance standards.

The paper considers the importance of corporate governance and, particularly, the auditor's involvement in the governance process, including new rules issued by the International Auditing Practices Committee on communicating matters of governance interest to those in an entity charged with governance. The paper also considers the new initiative of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the World Bank, and the use of Global Shares by global business enterprises as further compelling reasons to start a movement for global governance rules.

The paper concludes with a recommendation for the international securities regulators to seriously consider the formation and implementation of such rules.
Some Empirical Evidence to Support the Relationship Between Audit Reports and Stock Prices — The French Case
Authors: Soltani Bahram
Published: September 2003

Acting as an independent intermediary, the auditor facilitates market transactions by providing an ‘opinion’ on financial statements which should help to reduce the information asymmetry between the company and its potential investors. Whether audit qualifications have informational value to investors is a question that needs further investigation, as previous empirical studies on this issue yield mixed results. Moreover, a majority of the research papers in this area have been conducted in Anglo‐Saxon countries, in contrast to continental European countries where very little attention has been paid to the auditors' role in stock markets.

The present study is based on a large sample of qualified opinions (543 for the period 1986–1995), using different expected event dates and market models. The results of the study demonstrate the significant negative abnormal returns around the announcement dates of audit opinions. The empirical part of this study was carried out in the French market which has some significant differences from the UK and the USA markets. The author believes that the differences, in the area of reporting, level of disclosure, and accounting and auditing practices, can play an important role in the research field of event studies.
Integrating Brain Science Research With Intelligence Research
Authors: Garlick Dennis
Published: September 2003

Understanding the possible causes of differences in intelligence is crucial if children are to achieve their full potential. Such understanding has been hampered until recently, however, because researchers who study intelligence have neglected recent findings in the brain sciences suggesting that the brain develops in response to environmental stimulation. These findings have seemed to contradict intelligence research that suggests that intellectual abilities are inherited. However, the findings from intelligence research and the brain sciences can be integrated if it is accepted that there are individual differences in the process by which the brain adapts to the environment, such that some people's brains are better at adapting than others'. The findings obtained from intelligence research are consistent with this integrated model. Such an integration has implications for better understanding the nature of intelligence.
Covert Communication in Laboratories, Classrooms, and the Truly Real World
Authors: Rosenthal Robert
Published: September 2003

Hundreds of research studies have demonstrated that one person's expectations for the behavior of another person can actually affect that other person's behavior. These studies implicate the operation of processes of covert communication, communication that is subtle, largely nonverbal, and ordinarily unintended. The earliest studies of these processes showed that through their expectations, laboratory researchers unwittingly affected the responses of their research participants. Later studies showed that teachers' experimentally induced expectations about their pupils affected the pupils' intellectual performance. Most recently, studies of covert communication processes have extended to diverse contexts, such as the judicial and health care systems. For example, research indicates that judges' beliefs about the guilt of trial defendants can be unwittingly communicated to juries by the judges' nonverbal behavior during jury instruction. In addition, studies of covert communication in medical contexts show that physicians' effectiveness in persuading their patients to enter into treatment can be predicted from their tone of voice in talking to or about their patients. For example, one study showed that surgeons who used a bossy tone of voice when talking to their patients were more likely to be sued by their patients than were surgeons who used a more respectful tone. In sum, then, we have learned a great deal about the importance of subtle processes of nonverbal communication, but a great deal more is yet to be learned about these processes as they occur in the relatively sheltered context of laboratories and classrooms and in the rough-and-tumble of the truly real world beyond.
Population concentration in United States city‐systems from 1790 to 2000: historical trends and current phases
Authors: Otterstrom Samuel M.
Published: September 2003

Among the industrialised nations of the world, the USA has a relatively short history of urbanisation. This fact and the ready availability of reliable historical data have made the USA a fertile place for studying the nature of urban and regional growth from its earliest beginnings. This paper analyses the patterns of city and hinterland, or city‐system, population concentration in the United States from 1790 to 2000. The Hoover index is employed to calculate population concentration in 46 city‐systems for each federal census. A model showing three phases in city‐system population concentration is proposed. Recent population trends are then used to map the current concentration phases of the US city‐systems. Much of the central part of the country and the mountain west should concentrate in population during the next decade while many of the Northeastern, Florida, and Californian city‐systems are more likely to experience population deconcentration.
Planning, policy and polarisation in Vancouver's downtown eastside
Authors: Smith Heather A.
Published: September 2003

Widely known as Vancouver's ‘skid road’ the Downtown Eastside struggles with the pressures of socio‐spatial polarisation. While the neighbourhood has experienced deepening poverty, widening disadvantage, the entrenchment of an open air drug market, epidemic levels of HIV/AIDS and rising crime rates, it has also undergone extensive residential and commercial revitalisation. This paper explores, qualitatively, the City of Vancouver's policy and planning role in the spatial and temporal collision of both upgrading and downgrading within this single urban neighbourhood. Particular attention is paid to the unintended geographic and social impacts of municipal policy and the challenges faced by the city in attempting to address the conflicting expectations of community interests and the possibility of diametrically opposed, yet equally possible, neigh‐bourhood futures. The paper points to the necessity of continued research on the local dynamics, policy implications and scale of intra‐urban socio‐spatial polarisation.
Globalization, Europeanization, Complexity, and the Future of Scandinavian Exceptionalism
Authors: Geyer Robert R.
Published: September 2003

Throughout much of the twentieth century, the Scandinavian countries have been a problem for leftist and rightist visions of global order because, with various adaptations, they have continued to successfully develop on their exceptional path of market openness and social inclusiveness. How can this be explained? From a traditional social‐science perspective, it cannot. However, from a complexity perspective, where there are no rigid hegemonic fundamental human orders such as globalization and Europeanization, nation‐states evolve through complex adaptation with their global surroundings. From this perspective, diversity and exceptionalism—not order—are the norm.
Formal and Informal Institutions Under Codecision: Continuous Constitution‐Building in Europe
Authors: Farrell Henry , Héritier Adrienne
Published: September 2003

Current approaches examining the effect of institutions on policy processes have difficulty in explaining the results of the legislative process of codecision between the European Parliament and Council within the European Union. The formal Treaty changes that gave rise to codecision have, in turn, given rise to a plethora of informal institutions, in a process that is difficult to understand using dominant modes of analysis. This article provides a framework for analyzing the relationship between formal and informal institutions, showing how the two may be recursively related. Formal institutional change at a particular moment in time may give rise to informal institutions, which may, in turn, affect the negotiation of future formal institutions. The article applies this framework to the codecision process, showing how the codecision procedure has led to the creation of informal institutions and modes of decision‐making, which have affected subsequent Treaty negotiations. Through strategic use of the relationship between formal and informal institutions, the European Parliament has been successful in advancing its interests over time and increasing its role in the legislative process.
Why Do Governments Privatize Abroad?
Authors: Bortolotti Bernardo , Fantini Marcella , Scarpa Carlo
Published: September 2003

Privatization through global equity market placement has largely contributed to financial market development and integration. Despite the relevance of the fact, the reasons underlying governments' choice to sell shares of privatized companies abroad are still poorly understood. This paper presents new evidence for a sample of 233 share issue privatizations in 20 OECD countries, showing that redistribution concerns and the objective of domestic financial market development make domestic privatization more likely. However, if budget constraints are binding, governments tend to sell abroad a larger quantity of shares, particularly when corporate governance at home is weak.
Critical Signals for Making Go/NoGo Decisions in New Product Development
Authors: Balachandra R.
Published: September 2003

One of the hardest steps for a manager to take is to terminate work on a new product project. Apart from the morale and motivation problems that get tied up in such decisions, the real uncertainty surrounding an unfinished project usually makes the decision extremely difficult. One alternative is to keep the project going until the prospects are more certain, for better or for worse. R. Balachandra proposes a better alternative: to watch for those critical signals that warn of danger ahead. The research he reports in this article identifies a set of these signals to help managers make the tough decisions about project continuation.
Nine Tested Ways to Mislead Product Planners
Authors: Lavidge Robert J.
Published: September 2003

Once concept development is completed, the next stage of the new product project has begun. It's time for more marketing research—good marketing research, because mistakes at this stage mean big money losses as well as job losses. This article sets out a number of marketing research mistakes that product planners should watch for.
Developing a Network R&D Strategy
Authors: Håkansson Håkan , Laage‐Hellman Jens
Published: September 2003

If you visualize your firm as a unit in a vast and complex network of contacts, it may change the way you manage your technological resources. That's the proposition of Håkan Håkansson and Jens Laage‐Hellman. They present here a framework for examining the technological and knowledge bonds that develop among members of the network and suggest several alternatives for structuring network relationships. The key issue, they believe, is to choose a cooperation strategy that provides the right balance between efficient use of resources and the control of technology.
From Experience: Building Balanced Innovation Teams
Authors: Lamb Warren
Published: September 2003

If we could match the natural abilities of people to the different tasks of an innovation team, we could get more effective teams and more satisfied people. Warren Lamb uses a special way of assessing the natural ability of people and a special way of defining managerial tasks to help organizations achieve productive matchings. His approach is intriguing—and successful.
The electrocardiogram in ST elevation acute myocardial infarction: correlation with coronary anatomy and prognosis
Authors: Birnbaum Y , Drew B J
Published: September 2003

The electrocardiogram is considered an essential part of the diagnosis and initial evaluation of patients with chest pain. This review summarises the information that can be obtained from the admission electrocardiogram in patients with ST elevation acute myocardial infarction, with emphasis on: (1) prediction of infarct size, (2) estimation of prognosis, and (3) the correlations between various electrocardiographic patterns and the localisation of the infarct and the underlying coronary anatomy.
Cellular profile of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in Turkish miners
Authors: Kayacan O , Beder S , Karnak D
Published: September 2003

Pneumoconiosis is still a health problem in Turkey and has a relatively high incidence. Retired underground miners were investigated to document alveolitis, and to observe the difference in the cellular profiles of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid with or without pneumoconiosis.

Twenty nine retired male miners and 17 controls, eight non-smokers (four male, four female) and nine smokers (six male, three female), without any dust exposure were evaluated. According to the International Labor Office 1980 classification system, the miners were allocated to three subgroups: eight without pneumoconiosis, 11 with simple pneumoconiosis, and 10 with progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Spirometric tests and arterial blood gases analysis were done and fibreoptic bronchoscopy and BAL were performed in all subjects.

The study and the control subjects were comparable in respect to age, smoking habits, except the non-smoker controls, and the duration of dust exposure, except the controls. The amount of recovered BAL fluid was lower in all miners compared with the non-smoker controls (p<0.05). The amount of recovered BAL fluid and the total cell count correlated significantly (r = 0.48, p<0.01). The percentage of lymphocytes in the BAL fluid of miners without pneumoconiosis and with PMF (p<0.05) and that of simple pneumoconiosis (p<0.01) was significantly lower compared with the non-smoker controls.

Alveolitis was not a representative feature of Turkish subjects with an occupational history of underground mining, and BAL fluid cellular profile did not seem to be different in miners with or without pneumoconiosis.
Laparoscopic colon resection with intraoperative polyp localisation with high resolution ultrasonography coupled with colour power Doppler
Authors: Panaro F , Casaccia M , Cavaliere D , Torelli P
Published: September 2003

A 40 year old woman with a 3 cm sigmoid polyp lesion who underwent a laparoscopic colon resection after intraoperative localisation of the lesion using laparoscopic ultrasonography coupled with colour power Doppler is described. She has successful intraoperative detection of the polyp followed by radical laparoscopic removal of the lesion. The advantage of using laparoscopic high resolution ultrasonography coupled with colour power Doppler to locate colonic polyp lesions during a laparoscopic colon resection is that intraoperative colonoscopy can be avoided. Intraoperative ultrasonography of the colon can accurately localise colonic polyp lesions that are not detectable during laparoscopy and represents a quick and effective alternative to other imaging techniques.
Qubit Entanglement Breaking Channels
Authors: Ruskai Mary Beth
Published: September 2003

This paper continues the study of stochastic maps, or channels, for which (I⊗Φ)(Γ) is always separable in the case of qubits. We give a detailed description of entanglement-breaking qubit channels, and show that such maps are precisely the convex hull of those known as classical-quantum channels. We also review the complete positivity conditions in a canonical parameterization and show how they lead to entanglement-breaking conditions.
THE PHYSICS OF SINGLE ELECTRON TRANSISTORS
Authors: KASTNER M. A.
Published: September 2003

The single electron transistor (SET) is a nanometer-size device that turns on and off again every time one electron is added to it. In this article, the physics of the SET is reviewed. The consequences of confining electrons to a small region of space are that both the charge and energy are quantized. We review how the charge states and energy states of the confined electrons, sometimes called an artificial atom, are measured, and how the precision of these measurements depends on temperature. We also discuss the coupling of electrons inside the artificial atom to those in the leads of the SET, which results in the Kondo effect. We review measurements of the Kondo effect, which demonstrate that the Anderson Hamiltonian provides a quantitative description of the SET.
Stochastic Kinetics with Wave Nature
Authors: Hämäläinen J. S. , Merikoski J.
Published: September 2003

We consider stochastic second-order partial differential equations. We indroduce a noisy non-linear wave equation and discuss its connections, in particular via the Lorentz transformation, with known stochastic models.
Dualities in Fractional Statistics
Authors: Beciu M. I.
Published: September 2003

We first reobtain in a simpler way the Haldane fractional statistics at thermal equilibrium. We then show that the mean occupation number for fractional statistics is invariant to a group of duality transformations, a non-abelian subgroup of a fractional linear group.
Regularity–Partial Chaos–Regularity Transition and Overlapped KAM Scenarios in a Conservative System of Two Linearly Coupled Double-Well Oscillators
Authors: Paar V. , Pavin N.
Published: September 2003

For linearly coupled double-well oscillators the regularity–partial chaos–regularity transition is found. First, an incomplete KAM scenario develops with increasing energy, from integrable pattern comprising in-phase and out-of-phase small elliptic orbits towards a partial chaos, with a deformed regular island immersed in a chaotic sea. At a critical energy a new deformed island appears as a mirror image. Above the critical energy the inverse KAM scenario leads to gradual destruction of partial chaos and to the appearance of large elliptic orbits which correspond to the large-amplitude limit governed by uncoupled oscillators with cubic anharmonicities.
The Performance of East Asian Economies and Financial Markets since the 1997 Financial Crisis
Authors: Wu Chunchi , Chen Chun-nan , He Yan
Published: September 2003

This paper documents the economic and financial recovery of East Asia based on its real GDP, export, currency value and stock performance since the 1997 financial crisis. A macroeconomic model is used to estimate the chain effect of international trade on Asian recovery. It is found that the U.S. economy had a significant impact on the recovery of this region through close international trade relationship. Two major factors appear to explain the recent rapid recovery: (1) strong U.S. economic growth and currency value, and (2) the current account surplus and net inflow in foreign direct investment of crisis-hit countries.
ON THE POLEMICAL NATURE OF 2 (SLAVONIC) ENOCH: A REPLY TO C. BÖTTRICH
Authors: Orlov Andrei
Published: September 2003

Adam's story occupies a prominent place in 2 Slavonic (Apocalypse of) Enoch. The traditions pertaining to the first human can be found in all the sections of the book. In these materials Adam is depicted as a glorious angelic being, predestined by God to be the ruler of the earth, but falling short of God's expectations. The article argues that the extensive presence of Adamic materials in 2 Enoch has a polemical nature since it is related to the long-lasting competition between Adamic and Enochic traditions. The analysis shows that the polemics taking place in 2 Enoch involve a rewriting of "original" Adamic motifs and themes when the details of Adam's "story" are transferred to a new "hero," the seventh antediluvian patriarch. The features of Adam's story, his roles and offices, are used in 2 Enoch as the building blocks for creating the new, celestial identity of the elevated Enoch. In the course of these polemical appropriations, the elevated angelic status of the prelapsarian Adam, his luminosity, his wisdom, and his special roles as the king of the earth and the steward of all earthly creatures are transferred to the new occupant of the celestial realm, the patriarch Enoch, who, near the Lord's throne, is transformed into one of the glorious ones initiated into the highest mysteries by the Lord, becomes the "manager of the arrangements on the earth," and writes down "everything that nourished" on it. The investigation of Adamic polemics in 2 Enoch demonstrates that a number of important passages associated with early Jewish mysticism, such as the motif of the Divine Face in chapters 22 and 39, the future prominent role of Enoch-Metatron as the governing power on the earth, and his title "Youth," belong to the primary text, since they play a decisive role in Adamic polemics of the Slavonic apocalypse.
ALTAR MEDIA'S LIVING WORD : TELEVISED CHARISMATIC CHRISTIANITY IN GHANA
Authors: De Witte Marleen
Published: September 2003

In many parts of Africa, charismatic-Pentecostal churches are increasingly and effectively making use of mass media and entering the public sphere. This article presents a case study of a popular charismatic church in Ghana and its media ministry. Building on the notion of charisma as intrinsically linking religion and media, the aim is to examine the dynamics between the supposedly fluid nature of charisma and the creation of religious subjects through a fixed format. The process of making, broadcasting and watching Living Word shows how the format of televisualisation of religious practice creates charisma, informs ways of perception, and produces new kinds of religious subjectivity and spiritual experience. Through the mass mediation of religion a new religious format emerges, which, although originating from the charismatic-Pentecostal churches, spreads far beyond and is widely appropriated as a style of worship and of being religious.
Prostaglandin D2-induced bronchoconstriction is mediated only in part by the thromboxane prostanoid receptor
Authors: Johnston SL , Freezer NJ , Ritter W , O'Toole S , Howarth PH
Published: September 2003

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is a potent bronchoconstrictor, and is thought to have a role in the pathogenesis of asthma. PGD2 causes vasodilation acting via the prostaglandin (DP) receptor on vascular smooth muscle, and myocontraction acting via the thromboxane (TP) receptor on bronchial smooth muscle. To determine the relative contribution of these mechanisms we have studied the degree to which a potent TP receptor antagonist inhibits PGD2-induced bronchoconstriction. Twelve atopic asthmatic subjects underwent baseline PGD2 bronchial challenges to determine the cumulative concentration of PGD2 required to reduce forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) by 20%. At four subsequent randomized visits, subjects received this concentration of PGD2 90 min after dosing with placebo or 20, 50 or 100 mg of BAY u 3405, a potent competitive TP receptor antagonist. Serum was taken for drug assay at 90 min. After each dose of PGD2, FEV1 was measured for 30 min, and the area under the percentage fall in the FEV1/time curve (AUC) was calculated. The mean +/- SEM AUC for placebo was 414 +/- 68, and for the 20, 50 and 100 mg doses of BAY u 3405 was 169 +/- 33, 173 +/- 59 and 135 +/- 63, respectively. There were no significant differences between the AUCs for any of the drug doses, whilst all three doses were significantly different from placebo. The plateau response achieved with increasing doses of the antagonist suggests complete blockade of the TP receptor. These data demonstrate that thromboxane receptor blockade only partially inhibits the airway narrowing response to PGD2, and support the existence of a vascular component to PGD2-induced acute airway narrowing in asthma.
Haemodynamic effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure in severe congestive heart failure
Authors: Liston R , Deegan PC , McCreery C , Costello R , Maurer B , McNicholas WT
Published: September 2003

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) during sleep may be a useful adjunct to medical therapy in patients with stable severe congestive heart failure (CHF), particularly when there is a coexisting respiratory sleep disorder. However, the direct haemodynamic effects of NCPAP in patients with severe stable CHF have not yet been adequately assessed. Right heart catheter studies were performed in seven awake males (aged 51-75 yrs) with stable CHF, before, during and after the application of 5 cmH2O NCPAP over 3 h. All patients had left ventricular ejection fractions < or = 30% and baseline pulmonary capillary wedge pressures > 12 mmHg, and six patients were in atrial fibrillation. Cardiac index fell from baseline in all patients whilst on NCPAP, with the greatest fall at 2 h (from 3.3 +/- 0.3 (mean +/- SEM) at baseline to 2.8 +/- 0.2 l.min-1.m-2) and rose back to baseline after NCPAP withdrawal. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) increased during NCPAP application (1,268 +/- 108 to 1,560 +/- 82 dyn.s-1.cm5), with baseline SVR showing a significant negative correlation vs percentage fall in cardiac index (CI) at 2 h on multiple linear regression analysis (r2 = 0.8). These data indicate that domiciliary nocturnal NCPAP should not be prescribed as part of the therapy in severe CHF without first determining the individual patient's cardiac response to such therapy.
Nocturnal assisted ventilation using bilevel positive airway pressure: the effect of expiratory positive airway pressure
Authors: Elliott MW , Simonds AK
Published: September 2003

Increasing expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) has theoretical advantages during overnight nasal ventilation. We wanted to evaluate the effect of the addition of EPAP upon the control of nocturnal hypoventilation. Seven patients with neuromuscular/skeletal (NMS) disorder (mean +/- SD forced vital capacity (FVC) 1.06 +/- 0.28 l, arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) 9.1 +/- 0.6 kPa, and arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) 6.9 +/- 0.9 kPa), and seven patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (FEV1 0.46 +/- 0.14 l, PaO2 6.2 +/- 0.6 kPa, and PaCO2 8.4 +/- 1.1 kPa) all underwent full polysomnography on two nights during bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) ventilation, with and without the addition of expiratory positive airway pressure, which was matched to the level of dynamic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) or set at a minimum value of 5 cmH2O. In the group with neuromuscular/skeletal disorders the maximum transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension (PtcCO2) overnight was lower (inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) 8.1 +/- 1.4 kPa, IPAP/EPAP 7.3 +/- 0.9 kPa) and the minimum level of arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2 min) increased (IPAP 77.1 +/- 6.7%, IPAP/EPAP 83.6 +/- 4.2%) when expiratory positive airway pressure was added. There were no differences in mean PtcCO2 or mean oxygen saturation, but sleep quality was worse (non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep IPAP 266 +/- 44 min, IPAP/EPAP 226 +/- 32 min). In the patients with COPD, expiratory positive airway pressure conferred no advantage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Systemic sarcoidosis initially presenting as an orbital tumour
Authors: Faller M , Purohit A , Kennel N , de Blay F , Sahel J , Pauli G
Published: September 2003

A 73 year old woman presented with redness, itching and painless proptosis of the left eye. Clinical examination and computed tomographic (CT) scan of the orbit revealed a postero-ocular mass, the biopsy of which showed a noncaseating, giant cellular, epithelioid granuloma compatible with sarcoidosis. The patient had no respiratory complaints, but the thoracic CT scan showed multiple bilateral hilar and mediastinal adenopathies. Gallium scan showed increased uptake in both hilar regions, in the left orbit and in the right parotid gland. Multiple bronchial biopsies revealed sarcoid granulomas, with a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytological pattern of active sarcoidosis. The evolution was favourable with prednisolone given at a dose of 0.5 mg.kg-1 daily. It is suggested that in an unusual presentation of sarcoidosis, a thorough search should be made for localization at other sites, lungs in particular, even in the absence of respiratory complaints.
Three cases of bronchial stump aspergillosis: unusual clinical presentations and beneficial effect of oral itraconazole
Authors: Noppen M , Claes I , Maillet B , Meysman M , Monsieur I , Vincken W
Published: September 2003

Bronchial stump aspergillosis (BSA), i.e. Aspergillus infection of bronchial granulation tissue surrounding endobronchial suture threads, is a very rare variant of localized suppurative bronchial Aspergillus infection. The majority of reported cases have occurred within one year after lung surgery. We present three more patients, in whom BSA occurred very late (4.5, 6 and 7 yrs) after pulmonary resection. Other unusual features were: complete absence of symptoms in one patient, and simultaneous occurrence of aspergilloma in another. Removal of the endobronchial suture probably constitutes the key therapy for BSA. In all three of our patients oral itraconazole resulted in clinical, histological and microbiological improvement. In conclusion, BSA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of haemoptysis occurring up to 7 yrs after lung surgery, although an asymptomatic presentation is possible. Furthermore, BSA can be associated with other clinical presentations of Aspergillus infection, e.g. aspergilloma. Finally, long-term oral itraconazole therapy may represent a valid alternative when removal of the suture is not feasible.
The effects of the psychiatric label ‘borderline personality disorder’ on nursing staff's perceptions and causal attributions for challenging behaviours
Authors: Markham Dominic , Trower Peter
Published: September 2003

Objectives:The aim of the study was to investigate how the psychiatric label ‘borderline personality disorder’ (BPD) affected staff's perceptions and causal attributions about patients' behaviour.

Methods and design:The study utilized a within‐participants questionnaire methodology and participants comprised qualified mental health nursing staff. The questionnaire contained descriptions of challenging behaviour in which the patient was described with a diagnosis of depression, schizophrenia or BPD. Participants were asked to identify a likely cause of the behaviour and then on a Likert‐type scale rate attributions of internality, stability, globality and controllability. In addition they recorded their level of sympathy with the patient and their optimism for change.

Results:Patients with a label of BPD attracted more negative responses from staff than those with a label of schizophrenia or depression. Causes of their negative behaviour were rated as more stable and they were thought to be more in control of the causes of the behaviour and the behaviour itself. Staff reported less sympathy and optimism towards patients with a diagnosis of BPD and rated their personal experiences as more negative than their experiences of working with patients with a diagnosis of depression or schizophrenia.

Conclusions:Staff regard patients with a BPD label to be more in control of negative behaviour than patients with a label of schizophrenia or depression. In accord with Weiner's (1985) model, attributions of control were inversely related to staff sympathy. Addressing attributions of control may provide a means to modify staff sympathy towards patients with a diagnosis of BPD and counteract their negative experiences.
An exploration of pre‐sleep cognitive activity in insomnia: Imagery and verbal thought
Authors: Nelson Julia , Harvey Allison G.
Published: September 2003

Overview:Patients with insomnia commonly report that unpleasant intrusive thoughts and images prevent them falling asleep. Previous research has documented the topics people with insomnia think about during the pre‐sleep period, but has not yet distinguished between different types of cognitive activity. Given that research relating to the anxiety disorders suggests that different types of cognitive activity, in particular images and verbal worry, are functionally independent, the present study aimed to provide a detailed phenomenological investigation of imagery and verbal thought in insomnia.

Design and method:A semi‐structured interview, designed to assess the content and management of pre‐sleep images and verbal thought, was administered to individuals with sleep‐onset insomnia (N = 34) and good sleepers (N = 38) immediately following an afternoon nap. During the nap, heart rate and sleep‐onset latency were measured objectively.

Results:The insomnia group was more likely than the good sleeper group to report negative images than positive images. The start, direction and stopping of pre‐sleep images was rated as less controllable than pre‐sleep verbal thoughts.

Conclusion:Participants disengaged more from images compared with verbal thoughts, and the insomnia patients reported feeling less calm and relaxed at the end of the salient verbal thought compared with the good sleepers.