bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel glycosylated [Lys7]‐dermorphin analogues: synthesis, biological activity and conformational investigations
Authors: Biondi Laura , Filira Fernando , Giannini Elisa , Gobbo Marina , Lattanzi Roberta , Negri Lucia , Rocchi Raniero
Published: December 2006

Syntheses of the [Lys7]‐ and [Hyp6,Lys7]‐dermorphin analogues in which either Tyr5 or Hyp6 are O‐glucosylated are described. For comparison, the carbohydrate‐free peptides have also been prepared. Structural investigations by FT‐IR and CD measurements were carried out on the synthetic analogues and some preliminary pharmacological experiments were also performed.

The biological potency of the glucosylated analogues was compared with that of the µ‐opioid receptor agonist dermorphin in GPI preparations. Glucosylation of either Tyr5 or Hyp6 reduces the potency of both [Lys7]‐dermorphin and [Hyp6,Lys7]‐dermorphin. The effect induced by the Tyr5 glucosylation is quite strong and the potency of both peptides is reduced by about 150 times. A similar but less dramatic effect is induced by the glucosylation of the Hyp6 residue, and the potency of the parent peptide is reduced by about 15 times. The presence of acetyl groups on the sugar hydroxyl functions further reduces the agonistic potency of the glucosylated analogues. The analgesic potency of [Hyp6,Lys7]‐, [Hyp(βGlc)6,Lys7]‐ and [Tyr(βGlc)5,Lys7]‐dermorphin were also tested in vivo by the tail‐flick test. The glucosylated hydroxyproline‐containing analogue is 8–10 times less active than the parent peptide, but its analgesic effect lasts significantly longer. Copyright © 2006 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The virtuous cycle: incremental changes and a process‐based sustainable development
Authors: Newman Lenore
Published: December 2006

Sustainable development is a contested concept, but continues to be popular at all levels of organization. At the grassroots level, many groups are creating networks to address ecological and social issues associated with sustainable development. These groups do not always achieve their objectives as originally envisioned, but, as shown through the examination of a grassroots effort to create a pedestrian zone, a partial success can be an important step in the process of sustainable development. Such efforts can increase local social capital and thus the ability to address sustainable development issues, they can serve as educational examples that increase general knowledge of alternative development models and they can inspire similar efforts in other places. There is a need to document such grassroots sustainable development initiatives in order to provide templates for other interested groups. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Stabilities in field electron emissions from noble‐metal covered W nano‐tips: apex structure dependence
Authors: Itagaki T. , Rokuta E. , Kuo H.‐S. , Nomura K. , Ishikawa T. , Cho B.‐L. , Hwang I.‐S. , Tsong T. T. , Oshima C.
Published: December 2006

We observed field emission microscopy (FEM) patterns of noble‐metal (NM) covered W nano‐tips with three different apex structures fabricated by field evaporation. Each of the three tips was terminated with a single atom, three atoms or ten atoms. We investigated the temporal changes in the FEM of these tips to discuss the stabilities in the spatial distributions of the field emission (FE) beams. The single‐atom tip showed two characteristics that were superior to the others. First, the beams emitted from the single‐atom tip were the most collimated among the three tips (the semi‐cone angle of 1.0° , FWHM). Second, adsorption of residual gas had little influence on FE from the single‐atom tip, while the other tips were easily contaminated even at ultra high vacuum, resulting in the emission fluctuation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diversification and performance: evidence from East Asian firms
Authors: Chakrabarti Abhirup , Singh Kulwant , Mahmood Ishtiaq
Published: December 2006

We examine the impact of diversification on performance for firms operating in different institutional environments during a relatively stable period and during a major economy‐wide shock. We locate our study in six Asian countries at different levels of institutional development. Results indicate that diversification negatively impacts performance in more developed institutional environments while improving performance only in the least developed environments. Even in the least developed institutional environments, diversification offers limited benefits when an economy‐wide shock strikes. Though successful diversifiers are sometimes affiliated with business groups, diversification is associated with poorer performance for both affiliated firms and independent firms. In sum, we find that the outcomes of diversification are influenced by institutional environments, economic stability and affiliation with business groups. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing risks and opportunities of technology infusion in system design
Authors: Smaling Rudolf , Weck Olivier de
Published: December 2006

Most new technologies only deliver value once they are infused into a parent system. While the literature on innovation itself is abundant, there is a lack of understanding and methodology in terms of evaluating both the risks and opportunities of new technologies not in isolation, but in terms of their integration into a parent system in a wider regulatory and competitive context. This paper presents a technology infusion assessment methodology to quantify the potential performance benefits of new technologies using multiobjective Pareto analysis. Moreover, the costs of infusing new technologies are also considered using the concept of architectural invasiveness relative to a baseline system. The degree of invasiveness of different system architectures is related to the amount of design change required to accommodate the new technology. This is quantified with a component‐based change Design Structure Matrix (DSM). Risks and opportunities are quantified by evaluating the utility of future benefits and costs of a new technology against uncertain exogenous variables such as gains made by competing technologies and potential future regulatory actions. The technology infusion methodology is demonstrated for a hydrogen‐enhanced combustion engine, where the effects of integrating a plasma fuel reformer are quantified and discussed in terms of fuel economy, NOx emissions, and add‐on vehicle costs. The methodology is generally applicable to support quantitative analysis of technology infusion problems in system design. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 10: 1– 25, 2007
Measuring the Value of Flexibility in Space Systems: A Six‐Element Framework
Authors: Nilchiani Roshanak , Hastings Daniel E.
Published: December 2006

For many engineering systems, flexibility is an important attribute that allows them to adapt to emerging changes. The existence of flexibility can help space systems adapt themselves to internal/external changes, or even take advantage of new possibilities while in space. Given the potential upfront cost of designing an engineering system to be more flexible, there is a need for a comprehensive framework that allows decision‐makers to measure the value of flexible systems design in its different dimensions. Based on insights from the flexibility literature, this paper proposes a unified and comprehensive framework for measuring the value of flexibility in space systems based on six fundamental elements through which flexibility in engineering systems can be mapped. While the illustrative case study presented in this paper focuses on the value of flexibility in a space system, DARPA's Orbital Express program, this framework could generally be applicable for many other engineering systems. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 10: 26–44, 2007
Effect of metallised carbon content of collector strip on the wear of contact wire–collector strip pair in railway systems
Authors: Pizzigoni B. , Collina A. , Flapp B. , Melzi S.
Published: December 2006

Among the topics related to the interaction between the contact wire of the overhead line and the collector strip, the wear that takes place at the contact interface, depending on both electrical and mechanical quantities, represents an important aspect of maintenance costs, affecting the mean lifetime of collectors, in terms of travelled kilometers (in terms of tenth of thousands), and contact line duration, in terms of years (between 15 and 40). Due to its importance in the global maintenance of both rolling stock and infrastructure, this topic deserved the attention of several regulations in the last decade.

In order to investigate the effects of electro‐mechanical wear on both contact wire and contact strip, a new test equipment has been designed and installed at Politecnico di Milano. A series of tests have been performed, involving different kinds of collector strip materials and contact conditions, tested at varying speeds and current intensities.

This investigation concerned different collector strip configurations intended for 3kV D.C. lines. The combination of different contents of copper and metallised carbon in the collector has been found to influence the wear rate of both collector strip and contact wire. Differences in wear up to four times for the former and up to six times for the latter have been found depending on the composition of the collector. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feedforward tracking control for non‐uniform Timoshenko beam models: combining differential flatness, modal analysis, and FEM
Authors: Becker J. , Meurer T.
Published: December 2006

This paper considers the feedforward tracking control problem for flexible structures with spatially varying geometrical and material parameters. The design approach is illustrated for a Timoshenko beam model and is based on the Riesz spectral properties of the system operator, which allow to determine the modal system representation. This serves as the starting point for the derivation of an infinite‐dimensional inverse system description in terms of a so‐called flat output parameterizing modal states and input. Convergence of the resulting parameterizations can be ensured by appropriate motion planning. The feedforward control design methodology is further complemented to compute appropriate control commands directly from finite element approximations of the considered structure. As a result, feedforward tracking control design for flexible structures with complex geometry, boundary conditions, or material parameters can be performed within a general framework. Simulation scenarios for feedforward boundary control of a clamped‐free Timoshenko beam model with variable system parameters illustrate the usefulness of the approach.
The arithmetic mean property for rotational symmetrical inclusions with rotational symmetrical eigenstrains
Authors: Xu B.X. , Wang M.Z.
Published: December 2006

Eshelby proved in 1957 that the strain field within a homogeneous ellipsoidal inclusion embedded in an infinite isotropic media is uniform, when the eigenstrain prescribed in the inclusion is uniform. This uniform strain field property was conjectured to hold exclusively for the ellipsoidally shaped inclusions. In recent studies the authors have discovered the arithmetic mean properties of the strains for N‐fold (N is greater than 2 but unequal to 4) rotational symmetrical inclusions with uniform eigenstrains, called the arithmetic mean theorem of the Eshelby tensors. In this paper, we investigate the two‐dimensional rotational symmetrical inclusions with rotational symmetrical eigenstrains. It is shown that for N‐fold (N is greater than 4) rotational symmetrical inclusions with the same fold rotational symmetrical eigenstrains which are constant on the boundary of the inclusion, the arithmetic mean of the strains at N rotational symmetrical points presents special properties: For the points outside the inclusion, the arithmetic mean vanishes; for the points inside the inclusion, the arithmetic mean is in direct proportion to the eigenstrain on the boundary of the inclusion, with the coefficient tensor equal to the Eshelby tensor for circular inclusions. It is followed that the average strain over the inclusion domain and the line average of strains along a concentric circle inside the inclusion also equal the eigenstrains on the boundary of the inclusion multiplied by the Eshelby tensor for circular inclusions. These properties obtained in this paper can be safely reduced to the results for uniform eigenstrains shown in our former works.
Serum concentrations of amino acids, fatty acids, lipoproteins, vitamins A and E, and minerals in apparently healthy, free‐ranging southern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffe)
Authors: Schmidt Debra A. , Ball Ray L. , Grobler Douw , Ellersieck Mark R. , Griffin Mark E. , Citino Scott B. , Bush Mitchell
Published: December 2006

This pilot project began establishing a nutritional profile for free‐ranging giraffe. The results will be used as a tool to begin assessing the nutritional status of captive giraffe. In October 2004 serum samples were collected opportunistically from seven adult and 17 sub‐adult giraffe being anesthetized for different studies. Seventeen animals were from Double Drift Game Reserve and seven animals were from Kariega Private Game Reserve. The serum samples were analyzed for circulating concentrations of amino acids, fatty acids, lipoproteins, vitamins, and minerals. Information from 15 serum samples collected from anesthetized giraffe in Kruger National Park during April and August 2003 was included in the calcium and phosphorus concentration data. No significant differences were identified between genders. Significant differences between locations were identified for concentrations of certain amino acids, fatty acids, and lipoproteins. Differences between locations are likely due to different nutrient concentrations of foods and possibly the result of different animal densities forcing different food choices among locations. This pilot project may expand to include changes in circulating nutrient concentrations for free‐ranging giraffe as is influenced by other locations, seasonal food availability, and different giraffe subspecies. Zoo Biol 0:1–13, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Is Nasogastric or Nasojejunal Decompression Necessary after Gastrectomy? A Prospective Randomized Trial
Authors: Carrère Nicolas , Seulin Patrick , Julio Charles Henri , Bloom Eric , Gouzi Jean‐Luc , Pradère Bernard
Published: December 2006

Background

Nasogastric decompression has been routinely used in most major abdominal operations to prevent the consequences of postoperative ileus. The aim of the present study was to assess the necessity for routine prophylactic nasogastric or nasojejunal decompression after gastrectomy.

Methods

A prospective randomized trial included 84 patients undergoing elective partial or total gastrectomy. The patients were randomized to a group with a postoperative nasogastric or nasojejunal tube (Tube Group, n = 43) or to a group without a tube (No‐tube Group, n = 41). Gastrointestinal function, postoperative course, and complications were assessed.

Results

No significant differences in postoperative mortality or morbidity, especially fistula or intra‐abdominal sepsis, were observed between the groups. Passage of flatus (P < 0.01) and start of oral intake (P < 0.01) were significantly delayed in the Tube Group. Duration of postoperative perfusion (P = 0.02) and length of hospital stay (P = 0.03) were also significantly longer in the Tube Group. Rates of nausea and vomiting were similar in the two groups. Moderate to severe discomfort caused by the tube was observed in 72% of patients in the Tube Group. Insertion of a nasogastric or nasojejunal tube was necessary in 5 patients in the No‐tube Group (12%).

Conclusions

Routine prophylactic postoperative nasogastric decompression is unnecessary after elective gastrectomy.
Borderline mental development in a congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG) type Ia patient with multisystemic involvement (intermediate phenotype)
Authors: Barone R. , Sturiale L. , Fiumara A. , Uziel G. , Garozzo D. , Jaeken J.
Published: December 2006

CDG Ia (phosphomannomutase deficiency) has a wide clinical spectrum with the most severe affected patients having multisystemic disease in addition to severe nervous system involvement. We report a patient with CDG Ia and an intermediate phenotype due to mild neurological impairment and borderline cognitive abilities despite the occurrence of typical extraneurological symptoms. These included liver involvement, coagulopathy and failure to thrive with enteropathy. Genotype analyses showed that he was compound heterozygous for T237R/C241S mutations. This observation underlines that the CDG Ia clinical spectrum may include intraindividual variability that might reflect different degrees of glycosylation abnormalities among distinct body compartments. CDG Ia should be considered in cases of unexplained liver involvement and/or enteropathy in patients with mild developmental delay and subtle neurological signs.
An OTC deficiency ‘phenocopy’ in association with Klinefelter syndrome
Authors: Swarts L. , Leisegang F. , Owen E. P. , Henderson H. E.
Published: December 2006

Late‐onset urea cycle disorder in a 20‐month‐old boy is unusually associated with Klinefelter syndrome with a 47XXY karyotype. We record the typical clinical and biochemical findings of ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency in a young boy with a short history of recurrent vomiting, self mutilating behaviour, lethargy, ataxia and seizures. Laboratory studies showed hyperammonaemia and orotic aciduria, with normal citrulline and other urea cycle amino acids. Unfortunately, a liver biopsy for OTC activity measurement was refused by the parents. A rapid reversal of phenotype was seen on the introduction of a low‐protein diet with accompanying benzoate and phenylbutyrate administration. Linkage studies suggested the inheritance of two X chromosomes, which was confirmed by karyotype analysis. Sequencing of all exons and immediate splice site regions revealed no sequence alterations in these sections of the OTC gene. A search for skewing of X‐inactivation in the liver was not possible but we did show a random pattern of X‐inactivation in leukocytes. The possibility of maternal X chromosome iso‐disomy in our patient was discounted by microsatellite analysis, which revealed the inheritance of two independent X chromosomes. Mutation analysis in the OTC gene has shown that approximately 20% of patients with liver biopsy confirmed OTC deficiency do not have mutations in the coding or immediate splice‐site sequences of this gene. Their classification as OTC phenocopies remains speculative, awaiting clarification of the underlying DNA alteration. We report on the novel association of OTC deficiency and Klinefelter syndrome with the additional interest of a probable unusual genetic defect underlying the OTC abnormality.
Acute liver failure in pregnancy associated with maternal MCAD deficiency
Authors: Santos L. , Patterson A. , Moreea S. M. , Lippiatt C. M. , Walter J. , Henderson M.
Published: December 2006

In recent years the association between severe pregnancy complications and fetal fatty acid oxidation (FAO) disorders has been reported. However, there are few descriptions of a maternal FAO disorder leading to these complications. We describe acute liver failure associated with an undiagnosed maternal medium‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency. The previously healthy proband presented at the 39th week with an itchy rash, palmar erythema and trace proteinuria; she was admitted onto a maternity ward. Acute fatty liver was suspected from the blood tests and a Caesarean section was performed, delivering a healthy boy. Cord blood samples were taken at delivery as part of an ongoing research project. The analysis of the cord blood sample showed a high concentration of octanoylcarnitine of 2.3 μmol/L (reference <0.1), suggesting a possible fatty acid oxidation disorder. However, subsequent acylcarnitine analyses of the baby's blood showed a normal pattern. The proband was further evaluated by urine organic acids and acylcarnitine profile. Elevated concentrations of hexanoylglycine in urine and octanoylcarnitine in blood spots were found, consistent with a diagnosis of MCAD deficiency. Mutation analyses confirmed that she was homozygous for c.985A>G (K329E). Even though these pregnancy complications are rare and it is not possible to affirm that the proband's acute liver failure was secondary to an undiagnosed MCAD deficiency, it seems likely.
The Mechanics of External Fixation
Authors: Fragomen Austin T. , Rozbruch S. Robert
Published: December 2006

External fixation has evolved from being used primarily as a last resort fixation method to becoming a main stream technique used to treat a myriad of bone and soft tissue pathologies. Techniques in limb reconstruction continue to advance largely as a result of the use of these external devices. A thorough understanding of the biomechanical principles of external fixation is useful for all orthopedic surgeons as most will have to occasionally mount a fixator throughout their career. In this review, various types of external fixators and their common clinical applications are described with a focus on unilateral and circular frames. The biomechanical principles that govern bony and fixator stability are reviewed as well as the recommended techniques for applying external fixators to maximize stability. Additionally, we have illustrated methods for managing patients while they are in the external frames to facilitate function and shorten treatment duration.
Finger Injection with High-Dose (1:1,000) Epinephrine: Does it Cause Finger Necrosis and should it be Treated?
Authors: Fitzcharles-Bowe Colleen , Denkler Keith , Lalonde Don
Published: December 2006

Objectives

Accidental finger injections with high-dose (1:1,000) epinephrine is a new and increasing phenomenon. The purpose of this study is to document the incidence of finger necrosis and the treatment for this type of injury. The necessity or type of treatment required for this type of injury has not been established.

Methods

The literature was reviewed from 1900 to 2005 by hand and by Internet to document all cases of high-dose (1:1,000) finger epinephrine injection. In addition, the authors added five additional cases.

Results

There are a total of 59 reported cases of finger injections with high-dose epinephrine, of which, 32 cases were untreated. There were no instances of necrosis or skin loss, but neuropraxia lasting as long as 10 weeks and reperfusion pain were carefully documented. Treatment was not uniform for those who received it, but phentolamine was the most commonly used agent.

Conclusions

There is not one case of finger necrosis in all of the 59 reported cases of finger injections with 1:1,000 epinephrine in the world literature. The necessity or type of treatment of high-dose epinephrine injection injuries remains conjecture, but phentolamine is the most commonly used agent in the reported cases, and the rationale and evidence for its use are discussed
Shear layer solutions of incompressible MHD and dynamo effect
Authors: Gérard-Varet David , Rousset Frédéric
Published: December 2006

This paper is devoted to the equations of incompressible magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Its general concern is the “dynamo effect”, i.e. the growth of magnetic field through the movement of a conducting fluid. Motivated by the so-called “stretch-diffuse mechanism”, we study the nonlinear stability of solutions

(u,b = 0)

where the velocity

u

is a regularized vortex sheet, and the magnetic component

b

is zero. We prove that dynamo effect is possible when both curvature of the sheet and magnetic diffusion are non-zero, and impossible otherwise.

Cet article est consacré aux équations de la magnétohydrodynamique (MHD) incompressible. Le sujet principal en est l'effet dynamo, c'est-à-dire l'instabilité du champ magnétique, due aux mouvements du fluide conducteur. Motivés par la compréhension du mécanisme dit d' « étirement-diffusion », nous étudions la stabilité non-linéaire de solutions de la forme

(u,b = 0)

où la vitesse

u

est une feuille de tourbillon régularisée, et la composante magnétique

b

est nulle. Nous prouvons que l'effet dynamo est possible si la courbure de la feuille de tourbillon et la diffusion magnétique sont non-nulles, et impossible sinon.
Harnack inequalities, exponential separation, and perturbations of principal Floquet bundles for linear parabolic equations
Authors: Húska Juraj , Poláčik Peter , Safonov Mikhail V.
Published: December 2006

We consider the Dirichlet problem for linear nonautonomous second order parabolic equations with bounded measurable coefficients on bounded Lipschitz domains. Using a new Harnack-type inequality for quotients of positive solutions, we show that each positive solution exponentially dominates any solution which changes sign for all times. We then examine continuity and robustness properties of a principal Floquet bundle and the associated exponential separation under perturbations of the coefficients and the spatial domain.

On considère le problème de Dirichlet pour des équations paraboliques linéaires non autonomes du second ordre avec coefficients bornés mesurables sur un domaine borné de Lipschitz. Utilisant une nouvelle inégalité du type Harnack pour les quotients de solutions strictement positives, on montre que toute solution positive domine exponentiellement toute solution qui change de signe en tout temps. On examine ensuite les propriétés de continuité et de robustesse pour un fibré principal de Floquet et la séparation exponentielle associée à des perturbations des coefficients et du domaine spatial.
Extremal functions for the anisotropic Sobolev inequalities
Authors: El Hamidi A. , Rakotoson J.M.
Published: December 2006

The existence of multiple nonnegative solutions to the anisotropic critical problem

−\sum \limits_{i = 1}^{N}\frac{\partial }{\partial x_{i}}\left(\left|\frac{\partial u}{\partial x_{i}}\left|^{p_{i}−2}\frac{\partial u}{\partial x_{i}} \right. = |u|^{p^{ \ast }−2}u\:\text{in}\:\mathbb{R}^{N}\right.\right.

is proved in suitable anisotropic Sobolev spaces. The solutions correspond to extremal functions of a certain best Sobolev constant. The main tool in our study is an adaptation of the well-known concentration-compactness lemma of P.-L. Lions to anisotropic operators. Furthermore, we show that the set of nontrival solutions

\mathcal{S}

is included in

L^{\infty }(\mathbb{R}^{N})

and is located outside of a ball of radius

\tau > 0

in

L^{p^{ \ast }}(\mathbb{R}^{N})

.

Nous montrons l'existence d'une infinité de solutions positives pour le problème anisotropique avec exposant critique. La méthode consiste à regarder la meilleure constante d'une inégalité du type Poincaré–Sobolev et à adapter le fameux principe de concentration-compacité de P. L. Lions. De plus, on montre que l'ensemble des solutions

\mathcal{S}

est contenu dans

L^{\infty }(\mathbb{R}^{N})

et est localisé en dehors d'une boule de rayon

\tau > 0

dans

L^{p^{ \ast }}(\mathbb{R}^{N})

.
Type II collapsing of maximal solutions to the Ricci flow in \( \mathbb R^{2} \)
Authors: Daskalopoulos P. , del Pino Manuel
Published: December 2006

We consider the initial value problem

u_{t} = \mathrm{\Delta }\mathrm{\log }u

,

u(x,0) = u_{0}(x)⩾0

in

\mathbb{R}^{2}

, corresponding to the Ricci flow, namely conformal evolution of the metric

u(\mathrm{d}x_{1}^{2} + \mathrm{d}x_{2}^{2})

by Ricci curvature. It is well known that the maximal solution

u

vanishes identically after time

T = \frac{1}{4\pi }\int _{\mathbb{R}^{2}}u_{0}

. Assuming that

u_{0}

is radially symmetric and satisfies some additional constraints, we describe precisely the Type II collapsing of

u

at time

T

: we show the existence of an inner region with exponentially fast collapsing and profile, up to proper scaling, a
soliton cigar solution
, and the existence of an outer region of persistence of a logarithmic cusp. This is the only Type II singularity which has been shown to exist, so far, in the Ricci Flow in any dimension. It recovers rigorously formal asymptotics derived by J.R. King [J.R. King, Self-similar behavior for the equation of fast nonlinear diffusion, Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London Ser. A 343 (1993) 337–375].
Psychiatric commitment: Over 50 years of case law from the European Court of Human Rights
Authors: Niveau G. , Materi J.
Published: December 2006

Purpose

To extensively review the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) case law concerning psychiatric commitment, and to estimate the role of this supranational jurisprudence in the practice of contemporary psychiatry.

Method

Using keywords to search the ECHR computerised database “HUDOC”, we reviewed all cases concerning psychiatric commitment registered between September 1953 and December 31, 2004. Four groups were identified: applications declared inadmissible; applications accepted but not judged by the Court; pending cases; and cases judged by the Court.

Results

Of the almost 118,000 decisions taken by the ECHR in this time frame, we found 108 situations concerning psychiatric commitment. 41 of these applications were considered by the Court to be inadmissible. 24 other cases were considered admissible but not judged by the ECHR. Three admissible cases were still pending at the end of 2004. The ECHR judged 40 cases, and found in 35 of them that one or several rights as guaranteed by the Convention had been violated.

Discussion

The ECHR protects the human rights of persons subjected to involuntary psychiatric commitment by creating supranational law in the following areas: definition of “unsoundness of mind”; conditions of lawfulness of detention; right to a review of detention by a Court; right to information; right to respect for private and family life; and conditions of confinement, which address inhuman and degrading treatment.

The respective number of applications submitted to the ECHR did not depend on when the Convention had entered into force in that country.

Conclusion

The possibility of an individual to access the ECHR depends on the degree of democracy in his country and on the access to legal assistance through non-governmental organisations or individual intervening parties.
One-year outcome of low-intensity booster sessions versus care as usual in psychosis patients after a short-term psychoeducational intervention
Authors: Sibitz Ingrid , Amering Michaela , Gössler Ralf , Unger Annemarie , Katschnig Heinz
Published: December 2006

Objective

In this study we aimed to evaluate long-term effects of a community-based, quality of life oriented psychoeducational intervention for schizophrenia with and without booster sessions.

Method

One hundred and three outpatients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder completed a 9-week psychoeducational programme. At the end of the programme groups were block-randomised to either an extension programme comprising monthly booster sessions for a further nine months (booster condition) or routine clinical care with no further group meetings (non-booster condition). Outcome measures were applied before and after the seminar and at 6 and 12 months.

Results

Positive effects were observed after the short-term 9-week programme with regard to symptoms, knowledge about the illness, illness concept, control convictions and quality of life. These effects were retained over the 12-month period in both conditions. The only relevant difference between the booster and the non-booster conditions concerned external control convictions.

Conclusion

Overall this 9-week programme has shown encouraging effects still present at 12 months after baseline independent of booster or non-booster conditions. Further studies are needed to explore whether a subgroup of patients, those with impaired neurocognitive and social functioning, can benefit significantly from booster sessions.
A needle in a haystack: The active site of the membrane‐bound complex cytochrome c nitrite reductase
Authors: Almeida M. Gabriela , Silveira Célia M. , Guigliarelli Bruno , Bertrand Patrick , Moura José J.G. , Moura Isabel , Léger Christophe
Published: December 2006

Cytochrome c nitrite reductase is a multicenter enzyme that uses a five‐coordinated heme to perform the six‐electron reduction of nitrite to ammonium. In the sulfate reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 27774, the enzyme is purified as a NrfA2NrfH complex that houses 14 hemes. The number of closely‐spaced hemes in this enzyme and the magnetic interactions between them make it very difficult to study the active site by using traditional spectroscopic approaches such as EPR or UV–Vis. Here, we use both catalytic and non‐catalytic protein film voltammetry to simply and unambiguously determine the reduction potential of the catalytic heme over a wide range of pH and we demonstrate that proton transfer is coupled to electron transfer at the active site.
The armadillo repeats of the Ufd4 ubiquitin ligase recognize ubiquitin‐fusion proteins
Authors: Ju Donghong , Wang Xiaogang , Xu Haiming , Xie Youming
Published: December 2006

Armadillo (ARM) repeats have been identified in proteins regulating cell junction assembly, nuclear transport and transcription activation. Recent studies showed that a large number of ubiquitin (Ub) ligases (or E3s) also contain ARM repeats. The function of the ARM repeats in these E3s, however, remains unknown. Here we report that the ARM repeats of Ufd4, the E3 component of the UFD (Ub fusion degradation) pathway, recognize the Ub degradation signal of the UFD substrates. Disruption of the ARM repeats abolishes the ubiquitylating activity of Ufd4. This study uncovers a new role of the ARM repeats in protein ubiquitylation.
Precise U–Pb ages of syn-extensional Miocene intrusions in the central Menderes Massif, western Turkey
Authors: GLODNY JOHANNES , HETZEL RALF
Published: December 2006

Western Turkey is an area which has experienced large-scale extension of continental crust. Here we report precise crystallization ages of two intrusions in the central Menderes Massif, the Turgutlu and Salihli granodiorites, using U–Pb dating. Both intrusions occur in the southern footwall of the seismically active Alaşehir graben and were emplaced syntectonically in an extensional top-to-the-NNE shear zone which was active at retrograde greenschist-facies conditions. The U–Pb ages of 16.1 ± 0.2 Ma (monazite, Turgutlu granodiorite) and 15.0 ± 0.3 Ma (allanite, Salihli granodiorite) document that tectonic exhumation of middle-crustal rocks in the central Menderes Massif was already underway at the Early to Middle Miocene transition. Combined with published geochronological, structural and sedimentological data, the new U–Pb ages point to a continued extension since at least 16 Ma. There is no convincing evidence for a late Miocene/Pliocene phase of tectonic shortening.
The distribution of urine deposited on a pasture from grazing animals
Authors: PLEASANTS A. B. , SHORTEN P. R. , WAKE G. C.
Published: December 2006

Intensive agricultural production practices are known to cause far-reaching effects on water quality. The current paper addresses and quantifies these effects caused by high stocking rates.

A set of stochastic difference equations describing the development of the proportion of a grazed field either unaffected by urine deposition, or affected by multiple (1, 2, …) urine depositions is described. A solution to this set of equations is found for the expected value of multiple (0, 1, 2, …) urine depositions, and the variances of these depositions. It is assumed that an animal voids urine with a Poisson probability distribution, and that each urine deposition covers a random area with a Gaussian probability density. Given these reasonable assumptions, the probability distributions for each multiplicity of patch distribution can be found numerically.

The utility of the results obtained is illustrated for a problem in assessing the nitrogen (N) pollution of ground water from different grazing strategies. It is demonstrated quantitatively that mob stocking (typical of winter management regimes in New Zealand) is often caused by rotational grazing. The latter is often used to optimize grass growth and intake, especially in winter. This increases (more than linearly) the level of N pollution in ground water. This is because of the increased frequency of multiple urine depositions, i.e. more than one urine deposition on the same patch of land in a short time.
Potential of Lablab purpureus accessions for crop-livestock production in the West African savanna
Authors: EWANSIHA S. U. , CHIEZEY U. F. , TARAWALI S. A. , IWUAFOR E. N. O.
Published: December 2006

The introduction and use of herbaceous legumes may contribute to agricultural intensification, especially in the context of sustainable crop and livestock production systems. In the context of evaluating different legume species for these systems in moist savanna zone of West Africa, the present study involved the evaluation of 46 accessions of Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet between 2000 and 2002 at Samaru, Zaria in the northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria to identify accessions with the potential to contribute to grain or forage production and those with the potential for multiple use. Grain yields (0·6–2·4 t/ha) with a mean seed crude protein and phosphorus content of 25·3 and 0·46 g/kg, respectively, were obtained. Dry matter yields (leaf: 0·3–3·1, stem: 0·2–4·6, root: 0·03–0·3 t/ha) were produced between 40 and 140 days after planting. Within this same period up to 1152 kg shoot crude protein/ha, equivalent to 184 kg N/ha, were recorded for accessions. Ten accessions that may contribute to grain production, eight accessions that may contribute to forage production and six accessions with drought tolerance were identified. Some white-seeded accessions (Grif 1246, ILRI 4612 and PI 183451) with good grain and forage yield and high-protein content have the potential to provide more and higher quality food for people and feed for livestock. The observed potential to contribute to grain production for protein-rich food, feed for livestock and green manure for soil N improvement suggests lablab may be an acceptable legume option for use in cereal-legume-livestock systems in the moist savanna zone of West Africa.
Assimilation of radar reflectivity into the LM COSMO model with a high horizontal resolution
Authors: Sokol Z. , Rezacova D.
Published: December 2006

An assimilation of radar reflectivity into a numerical weather prediction (NWP) model with a horizontal resolution of 2.8 km is presented and applied to three severe convective events. The suggested assimilation method takes into account differences between the model and radar‐derived precipitation in modifying vertical profiles of water vapour mixing ratio in each model time step by the nudging approach. Version 3.9 of the LM COSMO (Local Model COSMO) –NWP model used in this study includes the explicit formulation of the cloud and rain processes involved. Two variants of the assimilation technique are designed and outputs of their implementation are compared. The first variant makes use of the ground data only, while the second utilises vertical profiles of precipitation water. Both variants provide an improvement of precipitation forecast in comparison with outputs of the control run without assimilation procedures applied. When the assimilated radar data indicate initial precipitation near an expected storm, the NWP model is capable of forecasting basic features of the storm development two to three hours ahead. Three case studies are presented. In one, the assimilation method that takes into account the vertical structure of the precipitation water yields better results than the others which utilise ground data only. However, for the remaining two case studies both types of the assimilation method produce comparable results. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The changing rainfall regime in Greece and its impact on climatological means
Authors: Pnevmatikos J. D. , Katsoulis B. D.
Published: December 2006

This paper presents an analysis of rainfall amounts in Greece. For this purpose, monthly and annual rainfall data from 36 representative Greek weather stations were analysed statistically. Rainfall is represented by a standardised annual departure calculated as the ratio of the annual departure to the standard departure. The departures were calculated for two regional subdivisions. Clear evidence of changes in Greece's rainfall patterns over the past 25 years were found. The effect of changes on climatological rainfall means (‘normals’) is addressed and possible shifts in the rainy season were investigated. The secular variability of long time‐series of annual rainfall amounts was also examined. In addition, the five‐year running means of annual and monthly rainfall data and ‘normals’ were plotted. Comparisons of the means from the ‘old’ and ‘new’ 10‐, 20‐ and 30‐year, CLINO (Climatological Normal) period 1961–90 (the latest global standard normal period) and from the periods 1900–49 (‘old’ regime) and 1950–99 (‘new’ regime), as well as examination of the secular trend, shows that there is evidence that some parts of Greece have had shifts in their rainfall regime towards drier conditions. In general, rainfall amounts began to decline in the 1980s, a trend which has continued to the present. Most years between 1980 and 1999 experienced below to well‐below ‘normal’ rainfall. Discrepancies between the ‘old’ and ‘new’ mean values for the amounts of rainfall and differences in the duration of rainy season suggest that ‘normal’ rainfall data for various water supply, planning, engineering and agricultural national projects should be calculated for the last 30 years. This is mostly true because of indications of a changing climate in Greece, a fact that requires more recent updating of the climatological ‘normals’. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial interpolation of sunshine duration in Slovenia
Authors: Dolinar Mojca
Published: December 2006

The objective of the present study is the calculation of the spatial distribution of sunshine duration in the territory of Slovenia. Four maps at 1 km resolution were prepared to present the spatial distribution of sunshine duration for winter, spring, summer and autumn. The values on all four maps are 30‐year mean seasonal sunshine duration, calculated from measurements from 43 meteorological stations in the period 1971–2000. The seasonal presentation was chosen due to the high inter‐seasonal variability in spatial distribution of sunshine duration. The values on the maps were calculated on a mathematical horizon, to avoid the influence of geographical, urban and vegetation distortions. The interpolation model is a combination of a multivariate regression model, residual kriging and simple mathematical models. Geographical variables (altitude, latitude and longitude) are used in models to explain the spatial variability of sunshine duration. For each season, regionalisation is performed based on sunshine duration data, derived geographical data and radio‐sounding data. The interpolation models are developed for each region separately and afterwards the calculated layers are merged using GIS techniques. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Uncertainties in radar echo top heights used for hail detection
Authors: Delobbe Laurent , Holleman Iwan
Published: December 2006

Most operational hail detection algorithms for single‐polarisation radars are based on the analysis of the vertical profiles of radar reflectivity. At KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute) and RMI (Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium) the probability of hail is derived from the height of the freezing level and the 45‐dBZ radar echo top height (maximum height of the 45‐dBZ echo). Echo tops are affected by errors in the measured reflectivity itself and by errors in the height assigned to these reflectivities. This study investigates the quality of radar echo top heights as a function of range and explores the implications for hail detection.

The method is based on the comparison between reflectivity measurements from two radars on the vertical cross‐section extending between these radars. In a first step, sampling errors related to the radar Volume Coverage Patterns are analysed using idealised storm profiles. Subsequently, real reflectivity data for 25 thunderstorm episodes are compared. It is found that the quality of the maximum reflectivity measurements strongly deteriorates with range and that about half of this degradation can be attributed to overshooting effects. Height assignment differences between the two radars are limited to about 0.5 km. Errors on the reflectivity measurements strongly affect the frequency of 45‐dBZ threshold exceedances. However, once the threshold is exceeded, errors in measuring the 45‐dBZ echo top heights generally affect the derived probability of hail by less than 20%. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of synoptic‐mesoscale winds and sea surface temperature distribution on fog formation near the Korean western peninsula
Authors: Choi Hyo , Speer Milton S.
Published: December 2006

When high pressure is located near the Korean peninsula, a diffluent wind regime generally occurs over the Yellow Sea. At night or early morning, diffluent westerly winds occur on the western side of the Korean peninsula near Inchon city and encounter a combined land breeze and katabatic easterly offshore wind, resulting in conditions ranging from calm to a moderate westerly wind near the coast. Nocturnal radiational cooling of the land surface and the moisture laden westerly winds can cause air near the coast to become saturated, resulting in coastal advection fog. During the day, on the other hand, the synoptic‐scale westerly wind is reinforced by a westerly sea breeze and is further reinforced by a westerly valley wind directed upslope towards the mountain top. Even if the resulting intensified onshore wind could transport a large amount of moisture from the sea over the land, it would be very difficult for fog to form because the daytime heat flux from the ground would develop the convective boundary layer inland from Inchon city sufficiently to reduce significantly the moisture content of the air. Therefore, fog does not generally form in situ over the inland coastal basin. When an area of cold sea water (10°C average) exists approximately 25–50 km offshore and the sea surface temperature increases towards the coast, air parcels over the cool sea surface are cooled sufficiently to saturation, resulting in the formation of advection sea fog. However, at the coast, nocturnal cooling of the ground further cools the advected moist air driven by the westerly wind and causes coastal advection fog to form. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.