bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura in the course of Kaposi's sarcoma—report of a case
Authors: Noah M. S. , Siddiqui M. A.
Published: October 2008

Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura associated with Kaposi's sarcoma in a 42‐year‐old male from the south of Saudi Arabia is reported. This association has not previously been reported in the medical literature. The occurrence of Kaposi's sarcoma in renal transplant recipients and in those suffering from acquired immune deficiency syndrome has been well documented. Kaposi's sarcoma has been infrequently reported in association with autoimmune disorders.

The diagnosis of autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura was made after all secondary causes of thrombocytopenic purpura had been excluded.

The diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma was confirmed by the histopathological examination of a skin biopsy.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of such an association.
Low‐dose arabinosyl cytosine in acute leukemia after a myelodysplastic syndrome and in elderly leukemia
Authors: Alessandrino Emilio P. , Orlandi Ester , Brusamolino Ercole , Lazzarino Mario , Bernasconi Carlo
Published: October 2008

Low‐dose arabinosyl cytosine (ARA‐C) was tested in 15 patients with acute leukemia after a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and in six elderly patients with acute nonlymphoid leukemia (ANLL). The drug was given subcutaneously at 10 mg/m2, every 12 hr for 2 weeks, every 28 days. The overall response rate was 19% (one complete remission, three partial responses), and the median duration of response was 4 months. No particular features at diagnosis were predictive of response. Pancytopenia and marrow hypoplasia occurred after 44 (78%) of 56 courses of therapy and were more severe in nonresponders. Four patients died during the aplasia following ARA‐C therapy. Subcutaneous low‐dose ARA‐C was of limited benefit and bore a noticeable hematologic toxicity.
A small and active ring x chromosome in a female with features of Kabuki syndrome
Authors: Rodríguez L. , Diego‐Alvarez D. , Lorda‐Sanchez I. , Gallardo F.L. , Martínez‐Fernández M.L. , Arroyo‐Muñoz M.E. , Martínez‐Frías M.L.
Published: October 2008

A ring X chromosome is found in about 6% of patients with Turner syndrome (TS), often with mosaicism for a 45,X cell line. Patients with this karyotype are reported to have a higher incidence of a more severe phenotype including mental retardation. In fact, some studies have shown a correlation between this severity and the presence or absence of an intact and functional X inactivation center (XIST). However, the phenotype of the individuals with r(X) cannot be entirely defined in terms of their X‐inactivation patterns. Nevertheless, a small group of these patients have been described to manifest clinical features reminiscent of the Kabuki syndrome. Here we present a female patient with clinical features resembling Kabuki syndrome and a mos 45,X/46,X,r(X) karyotype. Methylation analyses of polymorphic alleles of the androgen receptor gene showed that both alleles were unmethylated suggesting an active ring chromosome. A specific X chromosome array CGH was performed estimating the size of the ring to be 17 Mb, lacking the XIST gene, and including some genes with possible implications in the phenotype of the patient. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Viscoelastic characteristics of magnetic tapes with PEN substrates
Authors: Weick Brian L.
Published: October 2008

Viscoelastic characteristics of magnetic tapes with poly(ethylene naphthalate) substrates were studied using experimental techniques. Measurements were made using samples cut from commercially available tapes, and solvents were used to remove front and/or back coat layers to obtain substrates and dual‐layer samples. Experimental results allowed for fundamental compliance and viscosity parameters to be determined using a Kelvin‐Voigt model. Rates of creep‐compliance were also predicted, and comparisons were made with results for tapes that used poly(ethylene terephthalate) and aromatic poly(amide) substrates. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to help make correlations between viscous characteristics measured from the creep‐compliance results and molecular characteristics of the substrates. Time‐temperature superposition (TTS) was used to predict creep‐compliance over extended time periods, and a rule‐of‐mixtures method was used to predict the compliance of constitutive layers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Adsorption and desorption of zinc(II) on water‐insoluble starch phosphates
Authors: Guo Lei , Liu Junshen , Xing Guoxiu , Wen Quanwu
Published: October 2008

Water‐insoluble starch phosphates (SPs) with different contents of phosphate groups were used as adsorbents of Zn(II). The effects of the adsorption time, dosage of adsorbents, and pH on the removal of Zn(II) by SPs were thoroughly studied. The results showed that the water‐insoluble SPs were effective adsorbents for Zn(II) removal. The optimal adsorption effect was achieved at pH = 4.0, and the adsorption equilibrium data agreed well with the Langmuir isotherm model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 2.14 mmol/g. Furthermore, the desorption process and reusability of the adsorbents were studied. HCl (0.5N) was found to be an appropriate desorption solution to desorb Zn(II) ions from the adsorbents. After three adsorption/desorption cycles, the Zn(II) adsorption capacities of three SP samples decreased from 0.92, 1.23, and 1.44 to approximately 0.72, 1.02, and 1.29 mmol/g, respectively, and all the desorption percentages were greater than 93%. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Late onset hypothyroidism after subtotal thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism: Implications for long term follow-up
Authors: Hedley A J , Bewsher P D , Jones S J , Khir A S M , Clements P , Matheson N A , Gunn A
Published: October 2008

A follow-up register has been used in Aberdeen and Dundee to record early and late onset hypothyroidism occurring in a large population of post-thyroidectomy patients treated for hyperthyroidism. In one centre, in a total of 1170 patients, the prevalence of postoperative hypothyroidism, at the time of entry to the register, was 41 per cent. of these early cases of hypothyroidism 93 per cent occurred within 18 months of operation. Results are presented from a 12-year prospective study of patients treated in two centres, who were euthyroid when entered on the follow-up register. In one centre, based on 683 patients, the 10-year incidence of late onset hypothyroidism estimated by actuarial methods was 7.4 per cent (95 per cent confidence limits, 3.8–11.1); in the other centre with 156 patients the 5-year incidence was 10.8 per cent (95 per cent confidence limits, 3–18.6). The minimum predicted annual incidence is 1 per cent. Large thyroid remnants do not protect some patients against early or late postoperative hypothyroidism but do lead to an increased risk of recurrent hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism after subtotal thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism shows a bimodal pattern and this study emphasizes the need to maintain life-long follow-up.
Bone mineral density in young adult survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Thomas Inas H. , Donohue Janet E. , Ness Kirsten K. , Dengel Donald R. , Baker K. Scott , Gurney James G.
Published: October 2008

BACKGROUND.

The purpose of the current study was to determine the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) (ie, osteopenia) and identify factors associated with low BMD in young adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

METHODS.

Dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry was used to evaluate BMD in 74 randomly selected, long‐term childhood ALL survivors initially treated in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Growth hormone (GH)‐releasing hormone–arginine stimulation testing was conducted to evaluate peak GH level, and insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) and other markers of endocrine functioning were also evaluated in relation to BMD.

RESULTS.

The mean age at the time of interview was 30 years, and the mean time since diagnosis was 24 years. Low BMD (Z‐score, ≤−1) was present in 24% of subjects, including 1 with osteoporosis. Low BMD was substantially more prevalent in men than in women and was strongly associated with short height. The mean height Z‐score for those with low BMD was −1.44, compared with a height Z‐score of −0.39 (P < .01) for those with normal BMD. GH insufficiency, low IGF‐I Z‐score, and current smoking were also suggestive risk factors for low BMD.

CONCLUSIONS.

In this long‐term follow‐up study of childhood ALL survivors, low BMD was found to be more prevalent than expected based on population normative data, specifically in men. The health consequences of early‐onset BMD problems in childhood ALL survivors need to be carefully monitored. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy for prevalent versus incident cases of prostate cancer
Authors: Nguyen Paul L. , Chen Ming‐Hui , Catalona William J. , Alexander Brian M. , Roehl Kimberly A. , Loeb Stacy , D'Amico Anthony V.
Published: October 2008

BACKGROUND.

Among screened populations, it is unknown whether men with prostate cancer (PC) diagnosed at the initial screening (prevalent cases) have a different outcome than men who are diagnosed at subsequent screenings (incident cases) after adjusting for known prognostic factors.

METHODS.

The current study cohort was comprised of 1923 men from a prospective PC screening study who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) between September 19, 1989 and May 22, 2002. Cox regression multivariate analysis was used to determine whether having prevalent PC versus incident PC was associated with the time to prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) failure after RP after adjusting for PSA level, Gleason score, clinical tumor (T) classification, and year of RP.

RESULTS.

Men with prevalent PC had higher PSA levels (P < .001) and more advanced clinical T classification (P < .001) than men with incident PC. After a median follow‐up of 6.1 years, factors that were associated with a significantly shorter time to PSA failure after RP were prevalent PC (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.3‐2.6; P = .0005), baseline PSA (AHR, 1.07; 95%CI, 1.04‐1.09; P < .001), Gleason 7 disease (AHR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.9‐3.3; P < .001), Gleason 8 to 10 disease (AHR, 2.3; 95%CI, 1.5‐3.5; P < .001), and the year of RP (AHR, 0.92; 95%CI, 0.86‐0.97; P = .003). Men with prevalent PC also had worse outcomes after adjusting for their more advanced pathologic features.

CONCLUSIONS.

After adjusting for known prognostic factors, men with prevalent PC had a poorer outcome after RP than men with incident PC. The authors believe that this finding should be taken into consideration when weighing the risk of recurrence and treatment options for men who are diagnosed with PC on their initial screening. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Die Energieeinsparverordnung 2009 und die Nachfrage nach neuartigen Ziegeln
Authors: Gierga Michael
Published: October 2008

Das Bundeskabinett hat Mitte Juni d.J. den modifizierten Referentenentwurf der Energieeinsparverordnung (EnEV) verabschiedet. Eine Reduzierung des zulässigen Primärenergiebedarfs von etwa 30 % gegenüber der aktuellen, bereits 2007 novellierten Verordnung führt unter Berücksichtigung des obligatorisch zu verwendenden regenerativen Endenergieanteils zu einer zahlenmäßig etwas schwächeren Verschärfung des Wärmeschutzes der Gebäudehülle. Die Ziegelindustrie startet gut vorbereitet in diese nächste Runde des CO2‐Minderungsprogramms der Bundesregierung und kann sowohl mit herkümmlichen Lochziegeln als auch mit dämmstoffgefüllten Hochlochziegeln die Marktnachfrage befriedigen. Darüber hinaus bilden diese neuen hochwärmedämmenden Produkte die Basis für ein nachhaltiges Bauen, da hier besonders ein geringer Primärenergiebedarf über die Nutzungsdauer eines Gebäudes die Bewertungskriterien der Nachhaltigkeit positiv beeinflusst. Mit einer Bewertung der für 2012 angekündigten neuerlichen Verschärfung der Anforderungen muss unter den Aspekten der praktischen Umsetzbarkeit, der Wirtschaftlichkeit wärmedämmender Maßnahmen sowie der realistischen Möglichkeit eines verstärkten Einsatzes regenerativer Energieträger unmittelbar begonnen werden.

Dieser Beitrag beleuchtet die Konsequenzen eines vom Bundeskabinett beschlossenen Verordnungsentwurfs für den Ziegelmauerwerksbau.
Legumes as a source of natural antioxidants
Authors: Amarowicz Ryszard , Pegg Ronald B.
Published: October 2008

The following article summarizes the most up‐to‐date information available concerning endogenous bioactives and the antioxidant activity/radical‐scavenging capacity of selected leguminous seeds, and extracts derived therefrom, as well as the impact of processing and seed germination on these bioactives. Biologically‐active compounds of interest found in leguminous seeds come from many chemical classes and include phenolic acids as well as their derivatives, flavanols, flavan‐3‐ols, anthocyanins/anthocyanidins, condensed tannins/proanthocyanidins, tocopherols, and vitamin C. Research findings from over 100 references, many of which published only within the last 10 years, have been compiled and used in this review.
In vitro mutagenesis of the yeast SUP4‐o gene to identify all substitutions that can be detected in vivo with the SUP4‐o system
Authors: Kohalmi Lester , Kunz Bernard A.
Published: October 2008

SUP4‐o, a suppressor tRNA gene, is the target in a system for characterizing mutational specificity in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To date, screening for loss of suppression has detected 172 of the 267 base‐pair substitutions possible in the exons and intron of the SUP4‐o gene. Although many of the remaining 95 changes might not be detected by this screen, some might occur spontaneously, or be induced, only at very low frequencies. For the purpose of analyzing mutational specificity, it would be valuable to determine which of these substitutions can be detected with the genetic screen employed in this system and which cannot. Thus we used in vitro mutagenesis to generate the 95 substitutions not yet detected in SUP4‐o in vivo. Assessment of the phenotypes conferred by these 95 directed mutations revealed that 50 would completely escape detection and only 45 would pass through the first stage of the screen. Of these 45 substitutions, 2 are detectable but have not yet been found among more than 5,000 characterized SUP4‐o mutations that arose in vivo. In addition, 4 others should be detected by slightly relaxing the current criteria for selection of SUP4‐o mutants. The results indicate that with these modifications the system can detect 174/225 substitutions possible in the SUP4‐o exons and 4/42 in the intron.
Predicting the effect of tilling practices on wind erosion activity: application of the Wind Erosion Prediction System in a sand drift area in The Netherlands
Authors: Riksen Michel J. P. M. , Visser Saskia M.
Published: October 2008

The inland drift sand area in The Netherlands forms a unique ecosystem in northern Europe, but is characterized by a rapid decline in both aeolian activity and area size. It is therefore necessary to investigate how the drift sand areas can be preserved, and how their immobilization by vegetation can be counteracted by introducing techniques that reactivate the aeolian processes. Four such techniques (rotary cultivator, beach sand cleaner, disc harrow and excavator) were evaluated during an 8‐month experiment at Kootwijkerzand, The Netherlands. The effectiveness of the techniques to reactivate the aeolian processes was measured by investigating their effect on the horizontal sediment flux. Furthermore, the Wind Erosion Prediction System was used to simulate the effect of the different techniques, without the noise related to field measurements. Both field experiment and model simulation showed that the most effective method is the beach sand cleaner, followed by the rotary cultivator. Unlike measurement in the field, the model did not simulate any mass transport on the plot tilled with the excavator. Here incoming sediment could have initiated mass transport. In the case of the plot tilled with the disc harrow the model overestimated the transport. In reality, however, a surface layer with a high random roughness shows large variation in moisture content in space and time resulting in lower mass transport. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A finite point method for adaptive three‐dimensional compressible flow calculations
Authors: Ortega Enrique , Oñate Eugenio , Idelsohn Sergio
Published: October 2008

The finite point method (FPM) is a meshless technique, which is based on both, a weighted least‐squares numerical approximation on local clouds of points and a collocation technique which allows obtaining the discrete system of equations. The research work we present is part of a broader investigation into the capabilities of the FPM to deal with 3D applications concerning real compressible fluid flow problems. In the first part of this work, the upwind‐biased scheme employed for solving the flow equations is described. Secondly, with the aim of exploiting the meshless capabilities, an h‐adaptive methodology for 2D and 3D compressible flow calculations is developed. This adaptive technique applies a solution‐based indicator in order to identify local clouds where new points should be inserted in or existing points could be safely removed from the computational domain. The flow solver and the adaptive procedure have been evaluated and the results are encouraging. Several numerical examples are provided in order to illustrate the good performance of the numerical methods presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into osteogenic or hematopoietic lineages: A dose‐dependent effect of osterix over‐expression
Authors: Kärner Elerin , Unger Christian , Cerny Radim , Ährlund‐Richter Lars , Ganss Bernhard , Dilber M. Sirac , Wendel Mikael
Published: October 2008

Enhanced differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (HESCs), induced by genetic modification could potentially generate a vast number of diverse cell types. Such genetic modifications have frequently been achieved by over‐expression of individual regulatory proteins. However, careful evaluation of the expression levels is critical, since this might have important implications for the differentiation potential of HESCs. To date, attempts to promote osteogenesis by means of gene transfer into HESCs using the early bone “master” transcription factor osterix (Osx) have not been reported. In this study, we attained HESC subpopulations expressing two significantly different levels of Osx, following lentiviral gene transfer. Both subpopulations exhibited spontaneous differentiation and reduced expression of markers characteristic of the pluripotent phenotype, such as SSEA3, Tra1‐60, and Nanog, In order to promote bone differentiation, the cells were treated with ascorbic acid, β‐glycerophosphate and dexamethasone. The high level of Osx, compared to endogenous levels found in primary human osteoblasts, did not enhance osteogenic differentiation, and did not up‐regulate collagen I expression. We show that the high Osx levels instead induced the commitment towards the hematopoietic‐endothelial lineage—by up‐regulating the expression of CD34 and Gata1. However, low levels of Osx up‐regulated collagen I, bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin. Conversely, forced high level expression of the homeobox transcription factor HoxB4, a known regulator for early hematopoiesis, promoted osteogenesis in HESCs, while low levels of HoxB4 lead to hematopoietic gene expression. J. Cell. Physiol. 218: 323–333, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Daxx functions as a scaffold of a protein assembly constituted by GLUT4, JNK1 and KIF5B
Authors: Lalioti Vasiliki S. , Vergarajauregui Silvia , Tsuchiya Yo , Hernandez‐Tiedra Sonia , Sandoval Ignacio V.
Published: October 2008

We have previously reported the physical interaction between Daxx, the adaptor protein that mediates activation of the Jun amino‐terminal kinase (JNK), and GLUT4, the insulin‐dependent glucose transporter, interaction that involves their C‐domains. Co‐immunoprecipitation and two‐hybrid‐based protein–protein interaction studies show now that Daxx and GLUT4 interact with JNK1 through D‐sites in their NH2‐(aa 1‐501) and large endofacial loop, respectively. Serum deprivation strongly enhances the association of JNK1 with Daxx and dissociates the kinase from GLUT4. SP600125, a potent JNK1 inhibitor, reduces the JNK1 activity associated with GLUT4 and the phosphorylation of two minor GLUT4 species in serum‐starved 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. In addition, Daxx interacts with kinesin KIF5B through the 6xTPR domain of the kinesin light chain, a domain engaged in the grab hold of protein cargo by kinesin motors that codistribute with JNK. Depletion of Daxx in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes provokes the partial translocation of the GLUT4 retained in the GLUT4 storage compartment to endosomes. J. Cell. Physiol. 218: 416–426, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ultrafast bimolecular radical reaction between S1p‐terphenyl and carbon tetrachloride: mode‐specific acceleration of vibrational dephasing in reactant molecule
Authors: Iwata Koichi
Published: October 2008

Ultrafast bimolecular radical reaction proceeds between photoexcited p‐terphenyl and carbon tetrachloride. The lifetime of the first excited singlet (S1) state of p‐terphenyl in carbon tetrachloride measured with picosecond time‐resolved fluorescence spectroscopy is 5.6 ps, shorter than the typical lifetime in ordinary solvents, 0.95–2.8 ns, by a factor of 170 or more. Time‐resolved infrared spectroscopy reveals the generation of the trichloromethyl (CCl3) radical as a reaction intermediate. The decay kinetics of the CCl3 radical indicates that the CCl3 radical and the p‐terphenyl–Cl radical adduct, both of which are produced simultaneously by a radical reaction between S1p‐terphenyl and carbon tetrachloride, recombine to form the product. The picosecond time‐resolved Raman spectrum of the reactant S1p‐terphenyl shows that the dephasing process for the four vibrational modes at 1640, 1497, 1180, and 1017 cm−1 is selectively accelerated in carbon tetrachloride. The four vibrational modes probably have a large contribution from the motion of a specific atom or atoms where the intermolecular interaction that induces the bimolecular reaction is present. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accurate long‐range distance measurements in a doubly spin‐labeled protein by a four‐pulse, double electron–electron resonance method
Authors: Finiguerra Michela G. , Prudêncio Miguel , Ubbink Marcellus , Huber Martina
Published: October 2008

Distance determination in disordered systems by a four‐pulse double electron–electron resonance method (DEER or PELDOR) is becoming increasingly popular because long distances (several nanometers) and their distributions can be measured. From the distance distributions eventual heterogeneities and dynamics can be deduced. To make full use of the method, typical distance distributions for structurally well‐defined systems are needed. Here, the structurally well‐characterized protein azurin is investigated by attaching two (1‐oxyl‐2,2,5,5‐tetramethylpyrroline‐3‐methyl) methanethiosulfonate spin labels (MTSL) by site‐directed mutagenesis. Mutations at the surface sites of the protein Q12, K27, and N42 are combined in the double mutants Q12C/K27C and K27C/N42C. A distance of 4.3 nm is found for Q12C/K27C and 4.6 nm for K27C/N42C. For Q12C/K27C the width of the distribution (0.24 nm) is smaller than for the K27C/N42C mutant (0.36 nm). The shapes of the distributions are close to Gaussian. These distance distributions agree well with those derived from a model to determine the maximally accessible conformational space of the spin‐label linker. Additionally, the expected distribution for the shorter distance variant Q12C/N42C was modeled. The width is larger than the calculated one for Q12C/K27C by 21%, revealing the effect of the different orientation and shorter distance. The widths and the shapes of the distributions are suited as a reference for two unperturbed MTSL labels at structurally well‐defined sites. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immobilization‐induced increase in fatigue resistance is not explained by changes in the muscle metaboreflex
Authors: Clark Brian C. , Hoffman Richard L , Russ David W.
Published: October 2008

Immobilization has been reported to enhance fatigability, which is paradoxical in light of the metabolic and molecular alterations that occur in atrophied muscles. We examined whether the immobilization‐induced enhancement in fatigability was associated with attenuation in the muscle metaboreflex response. Ten subjects were examined after 3 weeks of hand–forearm immobilization. The time to task failure of a handgrip contraction (20% intensity) was determined along with heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) at rest, during the task and during a 2‐min postexercise muscle ischemia (PEMI) test that continues to stimulate the metaboreflex. Immobilization decreased strength by 25% (P < 0.01) and increased the time to task failure by 21% (P = 0.03). However, no changes were observed for the HR and MAP responses to the exercise task or during PEMI (P > 0.05). These findings indicate that the augmentation of time to task failure with immobilization is not associated with changes in the pressor or metaboreflex responses. Muscle Nerve, 2008
Professional development for podiatrists in diabetes using a work‐based tool
Authors: Leese GP , Brown K , Green V
Published: October 2008

The aim of this project was to deliver a work‐based educational package to non‐specialised podiatrists in the community that would improve their skills and confidence in managing diabetic foot problems.

A combination of theoretical teaching, attendance at a multidisciplinary foot clinic and receiving immediate peer review in normal routine practice was provided by a ‘podiatry practitioner’ who had expertise and experience in diabetes. This was delivered over a one‐year period to 34 out of 61 invited ‘link’ podiatrists. Participants filled out a questionnaire before and after the intervention.

The three‐part educational programme was successfully delivered over one year. After the educational year, 91% were more confident in treating foot ulcers, and 91% wished to remain as a diabetes link podiatrist. The community podiatrists were more aware of diabetes specialist groups (83% after vs 20% before, p < 0.001) and local guidelines and referral pathways (96% vs 73%, p < 0.05). They felt they needed less instruction on debridement (65% vs 93%, p < 0.01) and were more willing to be involved in the multidisciplinary foot clinic (83% vs 53%, p < 0.05). In 15 out of 16 domains, there was a trend towards improvement.

In conclusion, work‐based diabetes‐related educational input for community podiatrists can improve confidence, self‐perceived knowledge and lines of communication between hospital and community podiatrists. This may result in improved diabetes foot care in the community. Copyright ©2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Continuous Distribution of Dislocations and the Mathematical Theory of Plasticity
Authors: Mura T.
Published: October 2008

Mises' yield criterion, the Prandtl‐Reuss relation between stress and plastic strain rate, and Hencky's theorem on shear lines for isotropic elastic‐plastic materials are derived from the theory of continuous distributions of dislocations. A linear relation between the velocity of dislocations and the gliding force acting on the dislocations is assumed in the derivation. Within this framework, the constant k in Mises' yield criterion and the scalar factor μ* in the Prandtl‐Reuss relation can be interpreted in the light of dislocation behavior. It can be also proved that the plastic curvature rate disappears and the curvature rate of the material equals the elastic curvature rate of the lattices.
Anisotropy of the Mechanical Properties of Alkali Halide Crystals
Authors: Boyarskaya Yu. S. , Valkovskaya M. I. , Zhitaru R. P.
Published: October 2008

The spatial distribution of dislocations produced by scratching along different directions on the (001) and (111) planes of NaCl and LiF is investigated. A study is also made of the distribution produced by pyramidic indentation on the (111) surfaces. The mobility of dislocations in the dislocation bands produced by the scratches is studied. The slip planes responsible for the propagation of the deformation into the crystal are determined. The anisotropic hardness observed experimentally is explained qualitatively.
Temperatur‐ und Verformungsabhängigkeit der Koerzitivfeldstärke von Eisen‐Einkristallen Von
Authors: Bilger H. , Träuble H.
Published: October 2008

An reinen, stabförmigen Eisen‐Einkristallen wurde die Verformungsabhängigkeit der Koerzitivfeldstärke HC bei Raumtemperatur gemessen. Hieraus läßt sich der Anstieg der Gesamtversetzungsdichte N bei der plastischen Verformung berechnen. Es wurde ferner die Temperaturabhängigkeit der Koerzitivfeldstärke an unverformten und verformten Einkristallen untersucht. Während bei unverformten Kristallen die Koerzitivfeldstärke mit steigender Temperatur monoton abnimmt, steigt sie bei verformten Kristallen (mit inneren Spannungen) bis etwa 600 °C stark an und fällt dann zur Curietemperatur steil ab. Dieser Temperaturgang ist charakteristisch für den Fall, daß die Magnetisierungsprozesse durch Versetzungen beeinflußt werden. Bei Temperaturen unterhalb des Maximums der Koerzitivfeldstärke erfolgt die Magnetisierungsänderung hauptsächlich durch Blochwandbewegungen, oberhalb durch Drehprozesse.
Cyclotron Resonance Investigations of Niobium
Authors: Preppernau U. , Herrmann R. , Rothkirch L. , Dwelk H.
Published: October 2008

Cyclotron resonance (CR) and EPR measurements of niobium single crystals are presented. At Nb − in distinction to other metals − CR signals are detectable only by certain additional requirements, as time of precooling or speed of magnetic field sweep. The results are interpreted on the basis of the Mattheiss model. Some pecularities of the spectrum are explained by a magnetic breakdown.
Representation of 3D heterogeneous cloud fields using copulas: Theory for water clouds
Authors: Norris Peter M. , Oreopoulos Lazaros , Hou Arthur Y. , Tao Wei‐Kuo , Zeng Xiping
Published: October 2008

It is shown that a general representation of GCM column cloud fraction within probability density function (PDF)‐based statistical cloud parametrizations can be obtained using statistical functions called copulas that encapsulate the dependence structure of rank statistics in a multivariate system. Using this theory, a new Gaussian copula formulation of GCM cloud overlap is obtained. The copula approach provides complete flexibility in the choice of the marginal PDF of each layer's moisture and temperature, and, compared with earlier approaches, including the ‘generalized overlap’ approach, allows a far more general specification of the correlation between any pair of layers. It also allows easy addition of new layer variables, such as temperature, into the modelled grid‐column statistics. As a preliminary test of this formulation, its ability to statistically describe a cloud‐resolving model simulation of a complex multi‐layer case‐study, including both large‐scale and convective clouds, is examined. The Gaussian copula cloud fraction is found to be significantly less biased than other common cloud overlap methods for this case‐study. Estimates of several nonlinear quantities are also improved with the Gaussian copula model: the variance of condensed water path and the fluxes of solar and thermal radiation at atmospheric column boundaries. This first paper, though limited to the simpler case of water clouds, addresses subgrid‐scale variability in both moisture and temperature. This work is envisaged as a first step towards developing a generalized statistical framework for GCM cloud parametrization and for assimilating statistical information from high‐resolution satellite observations into GCMs and global analyses. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Efficient forcing and atmospheric teleconnections
Authors: Li Zhijin , Ji Limn
Published: October 2008

For linear forcing problems, a method is developed to provide a set of forcing modes which form a complete orthonormal basis for the finite‐time response to steady forcing in the energy inner product space. the forcing modes are found by calculating the singular vectors of a matrix using the adjoint technique. the amplitude of response to forcing modes is given in terms of the associated singular values. This method is used in the damped barotropic model linearized about the 300 hPa zonally varying climatological flow for the northem wintertime. the results show that the strength of response varies considerably for the different forcing modes, and thus only a small number of efficient forcing modes control the behaviour of atmospheric response. the structure of the response to these forcing modes is primarily composed of teleconnection patterns in good agreement with those in the real atmosphere, and conversely these forcing modes may excite the observed teleconnection patterns. the efficient forcing is mainly localized to the south of regions of strong flow and in the polar region.

Energetics analyses are performed. the primary source of energy of the responses to the most efficient forcing modes is the conversion of basic state kinetic energy to the response kinetic energy, rather than directly supplied by the forcing itself. So the routes of teleconnection patterns should be ones along which the response will most efficiently extract kinetic energy from the basic state. It is suggested that teleconnection patterns produced by an external source are not only determined by Rossby wave dispersion from anomalous external sources, but also depend on the efficient extraction of energy from the basic state.
Characteristics of aerosols over a remote island, Minicoy in the Arabian Sea: Optical properties and retrieved size characteristics
Authors: Moorthy K. Krishna , Satheesh S. K.
Published: October 2008

Changes in the characteristics of atmospheric aerosol over a marine environment are investigated by making regular spectral extinction measurements in the visible and near‐infrared region from a tiny island location. Minicoy (8.3°N, 73.04°E), situated in the Arabian Sea about 400 km due west of the southern tip of the Indian peninsula. The role of seasonally changing air‐mass type in causing a regular annual variation in the spectral optical depths is delineated. The association between aerosol optical depths, surface wind speed and rainfall is examined. An increase in wind speed causes an increase in optical depths, the effect is predominant when a marine air mass prevails. The impact of changes in wind speed on optical depths (due to sea‐spray production over the sea) is parametrized in the case that the island is influenced by a marine air mass. Columnar size distributions, retrieved from the spectral optical depths, in general, show a bimodal log‐normal distribution in the optically active size range. The accumulation mode is more sensitive to continental air‐mass types, while the coarse mode is influenced by the marine conditions. The coarse mode is sharper but its position is variable. Increase in wind speed leads to a remarkable enhancement in the concentration and relative abundance of coarse particles, particularly during the monsoon season. The mass loading and effective radius are well associated and depend on wind speed histories. The findings are discussed.
Thermal versus dynamical tropopause in upper‐tropospheric balanced flow anomalies
Authors: Wirth V.
Published: October 2008

This paper systematically investigates differences between the thermal and the dynamical tropopause for upper‐tropospheric balanced flow anomalies. Idealized cyclonic and anticyclonic anomalies are considered, which are either axisymmetric or plane symmetric. Given a distribution of potential vorticity (PV), the inversion problem is solved numerically to obtain the corresponding balanced flow (i.e. wind and temperature). The control parameter is the aspect ratio of the PV anomaly, which governs the partitioning into a thermal and a dynamical anomaly. For PV anomalies of intermediate and tall aspect ratios, the location of the thermal tropopause differs significantly from the location of the dynamical tropopause. The thermal tropopause is rather indistinct for intermediate aspect ratios, while it is sharp and well defined for both tall and shallow anomalies. A barotropic deformation flow field superimposed on a plane symmetric anomaly induces an ageostrophic wind which modifies the static stability throughout the PV anomaly such that the thermal and dynamical tropopauses evolve differently. Recent observations concerning the correlation between the thermal and ozone tropopauses can be interpreted consistently in terms of the present results.
The descent of tropospheric air into the stratosphere
Authors: Juckes M. N.
Published: October 2008

Since the stratosphere lies above the troposphere, naive expectation would associate mass transfer from the latter into the former with ascent. This note shows that, in the context of the mass circulation associated with large scales in mid latitudes, the transfer into the stratosphere can actually be associated with descent relative to isentropes. The diabatic effects which accompany the transfer of air from the troposphere to the stratosphere are such as to give the air a downward motion, but, the motion of the tropopause is faster so that the descending air is overtaken by the tropopause and transferred into the stratosphere. Combined with the conclusions of an earlier study, these results suggest that the dryness of a substantial portion of the air in the lowermost extra‐tropical stratosphere is caused by its passage through extremely low tropopause temperatures associated with transient mid‐latitude high‐pressure systems.
Study of Nematic Transition Temperatures in Themotropic Liquid Crystal Using Heuristic Method and Radial Basis Function Neural Networks and Support Vector Machine
Authors: Gong Zhiguo , Zhang Ruisheng , Xia Binbin , Hu Rongjing , Fan Botao
Published: October 2008

Quantitative Structure–Property Relationships (QSPRs) models have been successfully developed for the prediction of the nematic transition temperatures (TN) of 42 thermotropic liquid crystals. Heuristic Method (HM) and Radial Basis Function Neural Networks (RBFNNs) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) were utilized to construct the linear and non‐linear QSPRs models, respectively. Comparing the whole results obtained from the three models, the RBFNNs model was much better. The optimal QSPRs model which was established based on RBFNNs gave a square correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.984, 0.953, 0.973, and Root‐Mean Square (RMS) error of 2.19, 4.13, and 2.99 for the training set, the test set, and the whole set, respectively. Some analysis to the dataset and evaluation were done in the paper. All the results indicated that the proposed QSPRs model was robust and satisfactory.
The road not taken: Observing a process of issue selection and model conceptualization
Authors: Lane David C.
Published: October 2008

This article describes a case study involving information technology managers and their new programmer recruitment policy, but the primary interest is methodological. The processes of issue generation and selection and model conceptualization are described. Early use of “magnetic hexagons” allowed the generation of a range of issues, most of which would not have emerged if system dynamics elicitation techniques had been employed. With the selection of a specific issue, flow diagraming was used to conceptualize a model, computer implementation and scenario generation following naturally. Observations are made on the processes of system dynamics modeling, particularly on the need to employ general techniques of knowledge elicitation in the early stages of interventions. It is proposed that flexible approaches should be used to generate, select, and study the issues, since these reduce any biasing of the elicitation toward system dynamics problems and also allow the participants to take up the most appropriate problem‐ structuring approach.
Geochemistry of Middle Triassic gabbros from northern Liaoning, North China: origin and tectonic implications
Authors: ZHANG XIAOHUI , ZHANG HONGFU , ZHAI MINGGUO , WILDE SIMON A. , XIE LIEWEN
Published: October 2008

The Xiaofangshen mafic stock is a hornblende gabbroic body emplaced in the Faku dome of northern Liaoning within the continental interior of the North China–Mongolian plate. Zircon U–Pb SHRIMP dating yields an emplacement age of 241 ± 6 Ma. These gabbroic rocks exhibit strong enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (e.g. Th, U) and light REE, slightly negative Eu anomalies, and pronounced depletion in high field strength elements (e.g. Nb, Ta, Zr, Ti). They show a relatively narrow range of isotopic compositions with initial87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.7053 to 0.7055, ϵNd(t) values of +0.40 to +0.68 and zircon ϵHf(T) values from +5.0 to +7.4. These geochemical features suggest that they might have been derived from partial melting of a subduction-related metasomatized lithospheric mantle source, which is tectonically affiliated to the Xing-Meng orogenic belt. Combined with our previous geochronological dating on the predominantly granitic intrusions from the Faku dome, it is inferred that the northern Liaoning block has a tectonic affinity with the Phanerozoic accretionary orogenic belt. This revelation further leads to the proposition that the Chifeng–Kaiyuan fault likely represents the Mesozoic lithospheric boundary between the North China craton and the Xing-Meng orogenic belt in northern Liaoning. The Xiaofangshen gabbros, together with the Triassic mafic–ultramafic cumulates and granulite xenoliths and the Triassic alkaline intrusions within the continental interior of the newly amalgamated North China–Mongolian Plate, constitute an important post-orogenic to within-plate anorogenic magmatic province, in response to the continued magmatic underplating caused by lithospheric delamination and hot asthenosphere upwelling.
Why should disorders of the ear, nose and throat be treated by the same specialty? Can this situation persist?
Authors: Yalamanchili S
Published: October 2008

The surgical specialty of otorhinolaryngology has its origins in the nineteenth century. Subsequently, the specialty also incorporated allied disciplines such as plastics and head and neck surgery. Following World War II, the survival of the specialty was threatened by the advent of antibiotics and the rise of the general surgeon. Despite this, the specialty of ENT was strengthened by strong post-war leadership and robust training.

Today, with ENT knowledge ever increasing, the subspecialties have again begun to subdivide. Specialisation brings improved efficiency and outcomes; however, there remains a great need for the ENT generalist. Not all cases require subspecialist attention, and the generalist remains the basis of competent emergency cover. The natural development of otorhinolaryngology has brought the invaluable synergistic knowledge required to comprehensively treat disorders of the ear, nose and throat, knowledge that must not be overlooked when shaping the future of the specialty.
Repair in membership categorization in French
Authors: MAHEUX-PELLETIER GENEVIÈVE , GOLATO ANDREA
Published: October 2008

Using conversation analysis as methodology, this article provides a link between the local organization of talk and larger societal issues by investigating specific conversational sequences in which French speakers from different speech communities interact. It is argued that in addition to dealing with problems of speaking, hearing, and understanding, repair can simultaneously be used to negotiate linguistic membership. Repair can be used to establish, confirm, or insist on speakers' belonging to one particular speech community over another. Moreover, participants can use repair to express affiliation and disaffiliation with each other. The implications of this research are discussed, linking the organization of conversation with issues of language and identity, specifically with the social meaning of dialect variety in the Francophone world. Thus, this article demonstrates how phenomena commonly discussed on the macro level are realized and negotiated on the micro level.
South African Indian English
Authors: Mesthire Rajend
Published: October 2008

a subvariety of South African English influenced by Indian English, other languages of India, and life in southern Africa
Language change announced?
Authors: Nevalainen Terttu
Published: October 2008

A consideration of how changes in usage come about and whether such changes can be caught and commented on as they occur
Linguistic aspects of the cryptic crossword
Authors: Coffey Steve
Published: October 2008

STEVE COFFEY confronts the enigmatic language of a puzzling word game
German loanwords and cultural stereotypes
Authors: Stubbs Michael
Published: October 2008

An analysis of loanwords from German into English, found through computer-assisted lexical research
English in Puerto Rico
Authors: Fayer Joan M. , Castro Judith , Díaz Marta , Plata Miriam
Published: October 2008

An overview of the political status, functions, and characteristics of Puerto Rican English
‘Themself’ and nonsexist style in Canadian legislative drafting
Authors: Revell Donald L. , Schuh Cornelia , Moisan Michel
Published: October 2008

A letter to the Editor and an article discussing pronouns and gender in the drafting of laws in English and French in Canada
Some parallels to Swift's ‘Polite Conversation’ in current Caribbean English
Authors: Allsopp Richard
Published: October 2008

Survivals of Augustan usage in the everyday language of the West Indies
English Plus
Authors: Combs Mary Carol , Lynch Lynn M.
Published: October 2008

The debate continues over whether the primacy of English should be enshrined in the U.S. constitution. Here, it takes the form of ‘language restrictionism’ versus ‘English plus at least one other language’ for every citizen who so chooses.
A Century of Change
Authors: Noble W Vernon
Published: October 2008

What are the processes of change at work on British English? A veteran in the business of words takes a look at what the 20th century has been doing to the language of Dickens and Disraeli.
The EFL Phenomenon
Authors: Haycraft John
Published: October 2008

EFL is now a famous – or notorious – acronym for one of the youngest of the world's service industries: the teaching of English as a foreign language. What animates it and what is its current condition around the world?
PLAIN ENGLISH in the United Kingdom
Authors: Maher Chrissie , Cutts Martin , Dayananda James T
Published: October 2008

Today it is difficult to find a truly atrocious British government form being issued to the public. OUT are the acres of grey small print, the 60-word sentences, the endless use of that bureaucratic knee jerk, the passive verb. IN are forms that look good, read well, and even save money through their greater efficiency.
Tense matters
Authors: Crystal David , Lambert Valerie , Broughton Bill , Palmer Frank
Published: October 2008

Tenses crop up in two ways in this issue, both inspired by readers' letters. The first referred to the use of the present perfect on both sides of the Atlantic, and DAVID CRYSTAL looks at that. The second is the puzzling ‘plupluperfect’, and VALERIE LAMBERT, BILL BROUGHTON and FRANK PALMER look at that.
The Indianization of English
Authors: Kachru Braj B
Published: October 2008

The imperial transplant of 1835 has taken root in the soil of the Indian subcontinent and flourishes today as an Indian language in its own right.
The usage industry
Authors: McArthur Tom
Published: October 2008

Guides to ‘good usage’ have been part of the tradition of ‘standard English’ since the 17th century. Such works have been a commercial success and are as abundant today as in the past. What characterizes the tradition of these ‘bibles of usage’?