bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wool fibre tenacity in Romney sheep genetically different in staple tenacity
Authors: Scobie DR , Walls RJ , Markham LJ , Woods JL , Bray AR
Published: November 2004

Wool from lines of Romney sheep selected for improved or reduced staple tenacity was examined to determine if the difference in staple tenacity was explained by a difference in fibre tenacity. A random sample of ewe hogget wools (n = 32) was chosen from each of the 2 selection lines. Fibre tenacity was measured by breaking 10 fibres from each wool sample using an Instron to measure peak force, and then a fluorescence microscope attached to an image analyser to measure cross-sectional area of the fracture surface. Staple tenacity was measured on 5 staples per sample, by placing each staple in a Staplebreaker set to 40 mm between clamps, and the peak force to break the staple was recorded. Prior to clamping, each staple was adjusted so that the thinnest point measured 1.5 mm2 in cross-section and this point was positioned 20 mm from each clamp. Although the difference in staple tenacity between these 2 groups was highly significant (P = 0.002)) there was no difference in the tenacity of individual fibres (P = 0.903). Staple tenacity was not significantly correlated with fibre tenacity (r = 0.090). Similarly, there was no significant correlation between work to break the staple and either work (r = 0.118) or peak force (r = 0.195) to break the fibre. It is proposed that other components of staple tenacity, such as the profile of cross-sectional area along the fibre and the variability of crimped fibre length within the staple, may be more important determinants of staple tenacity in these selection lines.
The genetic foundation of fitness and reproduction traits in Australian pig populations. 1. Genetic parameters for weaning to conception interval, farrowing interval, and stayability
Authors: Tholen E , Bunter KL , Hermesch S , Graser HU
Published: November 2004

Data from 2 large Australian piggeries were used to estimate genetic parameters and to examine fixed effects for weaning to conception interval (WCI) and farrowing interval (FI) measured in the first 3 reproductive cycles, and sow stayability from the first to later i parities (STAY1i,). WCI and FI recorded following the first farrowing had low heritabilities (h2 = 0.08-0. l0), but estimates did not significantly differ from zero when these traits were recorded in later parities. Heritability estimates for STAY increased with parity of recording, ranging from 0.05 for STAY12 to 0.06 (STAYl3) and 0.09 (STAYl4). Genetic correlations between WCI12 or PI12 and stayability traits ranged from -0.22 to -0.54. Selecting for short WCI following the first farrowing should have favourable consequences for longevity of sows. Important fixed effects for WCI and FI were lactation length and the number of piglets nursed. Both short (<20 days) and long (>29 days) lactation periods led to an increase in WCI12 relative to the optimum lactation length of 21-23 days. WCI also increased with the number of piglets nursed by 1 day/additional piglet for litters ranging in size from <7 to >10 piglets. STAY was little affected by correcting for the average number of piglets born in previous litters.
Lupinosis of ewes around the time of mating reduces reproductive performance
Authors: Barnes AL , Croker KP , Allen JG , Costa ND
Published: November 2004

Lupinosis was induced in Merino ewes by subcutaneous injections of phomopsin toxins, given for 2 weeks before and up to 2 weeks after the start of joining, and the reproductive performance of the injected ewes was compared with untreated control ewes. Two experiments were conducted in consecutive years, with similar results. The liver damage and impairment of liver function due to lupinosis were measured by increases in plasma activities of glutamate dehydrogenase and gamma glutamyl transferase, plasma concentration of bilirubin, and plasma clearance of bromosulfthalein. Ovulation rate was depressed by phomopsin administration (1.11 v. 1.33 for the combined phomopsin-treated and control ewes, P < 0.001), and fewer phomopsin-treated ewes were pregnant (70.4% for the combined phomopsin-treated ewes v. 93.8% for the combined control ewes, P < 0.01). Thus, fewer lambs were born to the phomopsin-treated ewes compared with the control ewes (66.0 v. 109.3% for the combined years, P < 0.01). These results indicate that there may be severe detrimental effects of phomopsin intoxication on reproductive performance of ewes.
Identification of Aminopyrimidine Regioisomers via Line Broadening Effects in 1H and 13C NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Garner James , Hill Tim , Odell Luke , Keller Paul , Morgan Jody , McCluskey Adam
Published: November 2004

Substituted mono- and diamino-pyrimidines were synthesized as part of our medicinal chemistry programmes. Primary amines substituted at the 4-position exhibited room-temperature line broadening effects in both 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy due to the presence of rotamers, but these effects were not observed for substituents in the 2-position. This provided a simple diagnostic tool for the identification of regioisomers, a determination which would otherwise have required two-dimensional experiments.
Coding sequences of functioning human genes derived entirely from mobile element sequences
Authors: Britten Roy J.
Published: November 2004

Among all of the many examples of mobile elements or “parasitic sequences” that affect the function of the human genome, this paper describes several examples of functioning genes whose sequences have been almost completely derived from mobile elements. There are many examples where the synthetic coding sequences of observed mRNA sequences are made up of mobile element sequences, to an extent of 80% or more of the length of the coding sequences. In the examples described here, the genes have named functions, and some of these functions have been studied. It appears that each of the functioning genes was originally formed from mobile elements and that in some process of molecular evolution a coding sequence was derived that could be translated into a protein that is of some importance to human biology. In one case (AD7C), the coding sequence is 99% made up of a cluster of
Alu
sequences. In another example, the gene BNIP3 coding sequence is 97% made up of sequences from an apparent human endogenous retrovirus. The Syncytin gene coding sequence appears to be made from an endogenous retrovirus envelope gene.
A trigonotarbid arachnid from the Lower Devonian of Tredomen, Wales
Authors: Dunlop Jason A. , Selden Paul A.
Published: November 2004

A new trigonotarbid (Arachnida: Trigonotarbida) Arianrhoda bennetti gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Lower Devonian (Lochkovian) of a quarry near Tredomen, Powys, mid Wales, UK. This relatively complete specimen is the first record of a pre‐Carboniferous arachnid from Wales, one of only a handful of early Devonian arachnids, and the second oldest trigonotarbid recorded. Based on the rounded prosomal dorsal shield and the relatively narrow, elongate opisthosoma we refer this new fossil to the family Anthracosironidae. A distinct flange‐like ornament on the leg 4 tibia in the new fossil is unique among trigonotarbids and is the primary autapomorphy for the new genus.
Gapping, Pseudogapping and Sideward Movement
Authors: Agbayani Brian , Zoerner Ed
Published: November 2004

Abstract.  English Pseudogapping constructions share some surface similarities with both Gapping and Verb Phrase Ellipsis (VPE). Levin (1978, 1979 [main text]) concludes, however, that Pseudogapping is transformationally unrelated to both Gapping and VPE. We argue that this conclusion is only partially correct. Gapping and Pseudogapping are transformationally related in that they both involve the application of verb movement, in particular sideward movement of the main verb. We take Johnson's (1994) ATB Movement analysis of Gapping as an important precedent in this regard, and we draw from proposals of Nunes (2001) and Nunes and Uriagereka (2000) for the possibility of sideward movement out of coordinate structures and adjunct clauses. After pursuing the sideward movement approach to Pseudogapping (and ultimately Gapping as well), we outline some important empirical differences between Pseudogapping and VPE that we think raise substantial problems for any analysis that treats Pseudogapping and VPE on a par (e.g., Jayaseelan 1990, Lasnik 1995, 1999a, 1999b). We present evidence for a fundamental syntactic difference between Pseudogapping and VPE, and conclude that the VPE analysis of Pseudogapping cannot be maintained.
Welfare, Work Requirements, and Dependant‐Care
Authors: Anderson Elizabeth
Published: November 2004

abstract  This article considers the justice of requiring employment as a condition of receiving public assistance. While none of the main theories of justice prohibits work requirements, the arguments in their favour are weak. Arguments based on reciprocity fail to explain why only means‐tested public benefits should be subject to work requirements, and why unpaid dependant care work should not count as satisfying citizens’ obligations to reciprocate. Arguments based on promoting the work ethic misattribute recipients’ nonwork to deviant values, when their core problem is finding steady employment consistent with supporting a family and meeting dependant care responsibilities. Rigid work requirements impose unreasonable costs on some of the poor. A welfare system based on a rebuttable presumption that recipients will work for pay, conjoined with more generous work supports, would promote justice better than either unconditional welfare or strict requirements [1].
Postoperative mobilization of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Letterstål Anna , Sandström Veronica , Olofsson Pär , Forsberg Christina
Published: November 2004

Aim.  This paper reports on a study which aimed to evaluate the effects of structured written preoperative information on patients’ postoperative psychological and physical wellbeing after surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Background.  The possible benefits of current booklets written by professionals on postoperative psychological and physical wellbeing in patients with AAA are unknown. Previous studies have shown that preoperative information has a favourable effect on both mood state and physical mobilization.

Method.  Fifty‐two patients admitted for elective repair of AAA were selected consecutively and randomized to receive only verbal (control group), or verbal and written information in booklet form (experimental group). The booklet contained procedural and sensory information about the disease and its treatment. Two questionnaires were used to establish whether the booklet had any effect on perceived health, psychological and physical wellbeing postoperatively.

Results.  The two groups were similar regarding their perceived health but differed significantly regarding psychological wellbeing pre‐ and postoperatively. Patients in the experimental group were significantly sadder both pre‐ and postoperatively compared with those in the control group. Both groups were similar in postoperative physical wellbeing.

Conclusion.  This group of patients often has asymptomatic disease, with a short interval between diagnosis and major surgery. When patients receive an information booklet during this period, this seems to cause more worries than anticipated. Hence, a more supportive educational programme might benefit this patient group, both pre‐ and postoperatively.
Grounded theory: reflections on the emergence vs. forcing debate
Authors: Boychuk Duchscher Judy E. , Morgan Debra
Published: November 2004

Aim.  The aim of this paper is to compare Glaser's model of theory generation, where theory rises directly and rigorously out of the data, devoid of interpretivism, to Strauss's conceptually descriptive approach that encourages directive questioning and supports an interpretive stance.

Background.  The discovery of grounded theory (GT) was born out of a merger between Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss, the proverbial ‘fathers’ of GT. Since the co‐creation of their approach to theory development through research in 1967, these scholars have taken seemingly divergent paths in further developing and evolving the pragmatic use of GT.

Discussion.  Numerous researchers have used GT as a general method, applying it to both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. In this paper we discuss the stages and strategies of data sampling, collection, coding and analysing used by both Glaser and Strauss. Constant comparative analysis is identified as the primary strategy in the integrated coding and analysing stages of this theorizing method, regardless of the researcher's philosophical or research orientation. We also discuss initial or open coding, advanced coding, memoing, and theoretical sampling, with particular attention to comparing and contrasting the descriptive terms and application strategies that have been suggested by both Glaser and Strauss.

Conclusion.  The reported distinctions in the approach, method, and general intent of GT reflected in this paper are not easy to comprehend. The two methods reflect different basic philosophical paradigms, and therefore represent distinct approaches to GT. Researchers need to be clear about which philosophy and resulting analysis approach they are using, and the effect that approach will have on the research process and outcomes.
In vitro culture of Arabidopsis embryos within their ovules
Authors: Sauer Michael , Friml Jiří
Published: November 2004

Embryogenesis of flowering plants establishes a basic body plan with apical–basal, radial and bilateral patterns from the single‐celled zygote. Arabidopsis embryogenesis exhibits a nearly invariant cell division pattern and therefore is an ideal system for studies of early plant development. However, plant embryos are difficult to access for experimental manipulation, as they develop deeply inside maternal tissues. Here we present a method for the culture of zygotic Arabidopsis embryos in vitro. The technique omits excision of the embryo by culturing the entire ovule, thus greatly facilitating the time and effort involved. It enables external manipulation of embryo development and culture from the earliest developmental stages up to maturity. Administration of various chemical treatments as well as the use of different molecular markers is demonstrated together with standard techniques for visualizing gene expression and protein localization in in vitro cultivated embryos. The presented set of techniques allows for so far unavailable molecular physiology approaches in the study of early plant development.
Mutation of a UDP‐glucose‐4‐epimerase alters nematode susceptibility and ethylene responses in Arabidopsis roots
Authors: Wubben Martin J.E. , Rodermel Steven R. , Baum Thomas J.
Published: November 2004

In Arabidopsis, mutation of RHD1, a UDP‐glucose‐4‐epimerase, causes root‐specific phenotypes, including hypersusceptibility to the cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii, increased root hair elongation, decreased root length, and root epidermal bulging. Previous experiments suggested that increased ethylene sensitivity or production mediated the rhd1‐4 phenotypes. In the present study, double mutant analyses revealed that only rhd1‐4 hypersusceptibility to H. schachtii and increased root hair elongation were dependent upon the ethylene signaling genes EIN2 and EIN3 but not upon ethylene signaling mediated by the auxin efflux carrier EIR1. In contrast, the rhd1‐4 short root and root epidermal bulging phenotypes did not require EIN2, EIN3, or EIR1. A time‐course analysis of RHD1 transcript levels in wild‐type plants treated with the ethylene precursor 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid showed a root‐specific downregulation of RHD1 expression by ethylene. This observation was corroborated by our finding of increased RHD1 transcript levels in roots of the ethylene‐insensitive mutants etr1 and ein2. In addition to ethylene, auxin strongly influences H. schachtii susceptibility and root hair elongation. Therefore, we investigated the sensitivity of rhd1‐4 roots to indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA). Equivalent IAA concentrations caused a greater reduction in rhd1‐4 root elongation compared with wild‐type roots. Finally, H. schachtii parasitism was found to strongly downregulate RHD1 expression in the root 3 days after inoculation. We conclude that RHD1 is a likely target of root‐specific negative regulation by ethylene and that loss of RHD1 function results in a heightened sensitivity of root tissues to both ethylene and auxin.
Le profil des membres et des non membres des mutuelles de santé au Rwanda: le cas du district sanitaire de Kabutare
Authors: Musango Laurent , Dujardin Bruno , Dramaix Michèle , Criel Bart
Published: November 2004

Le Rwanda a retenu la mise en place des mutuelles de santé dans ses priorités. Des expériences pilotes ont été lancées dans trois districts du pays. Quatre ans durant (1999–2003), le taux d'adhésion de la population à ces systèmes est resté relativement faible (15,6%). Une étude transversale de 1 042 ménages dans le district sanitaire de Kabutare nous a permis de comparer les caractéristiques socio‐économiques et démographiques, les antécédents médicaux, chirurgicaux et gynéco‐obstétriques des membres et des non membres de la mutuelle développée dans le district. Il ressort de l’étude que les membres et les non membres sont comparables en termes de sexe, ètat civil, statut professionnel et antécédents de maladie. Les ménages de grande taille (>5 personnes) et ceux ayant un revenu relativement plus élevé (>230 $ EU/an) adhèrent plus. Les membres de la mutuelle utilisent plus les services de santé que les non membres, dépensent moins pour leurs soins de santé et se fidélisent à la mutuelle au fil des années. L’étude plaide en faveur de la poursuite de ces systèmes de mutualisation du risque maladie, tout en rèfléchissant à la mise en place de mécanismes qui permettront aux pauvres d'adhérer.
Cultural concepts of tuberculosis and gender among the general population without tuberculosis in rural Maharashtra, India
Authors: Atre Sachin R. , Kudale Abhay M. , Morankar Sudhakar N. , Rangan Sheela G. , Weiss Mitchell G.
Published: November 2004

Gender‐specific patterns of experience, meaning, and behaviour for tuberculosis (TB) require consideration to guide control programmes. To clarify concepts of gender, culture, and TB in a rural endemic population of Maharashtra, India, this study of 80 men and 80 women employed qualitative and quantitative methods of cultural epidemiology, using a locally adapted semi‐structured Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue (EMIC) interviews are instruments for cultural epidemiological study of the distribution of illness‐related experiences, meanings, and behaviours. This interview queried respondents without active disease about vignettes depicting a man and woman with typical features of TB. Emotional and social symptoms were frequently reported for both vignettes, but more often considered most distressing for the female vignette; specified problems included arranging marriages, social isolation, and inability to care for children and family. Job loss and reduced income were regarded most troubling for the male vignette. Men and women typically identified sexual experience as the cause of TB for opposite‐sex vignettes. With wider access to information about TB, male respondents more frequently recommended allopathic doctors and specialty services. Discussion considers the practical significance of gender‐specific cultural concepts of TB.
Management of a massive mandibular ameloblastoma
Authors: Chiu Tor‐Wo , Ying Shun‐Yuen , Pang Chi‐Wang , Ho Wai‐Sun , Burd Andrew
Published: November 2004

Ameloblastomas are rare tumours of the jaw. They are usually asymptomatic so, generally, present late. Treatment is predominantly surgical, although some controversy exists over the choice of radical or conservative surgery. A 79‐year‐old woman presented to the Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, unable to eat because of a massive mandibular ameloblastoma that had grown over a decade. The lesion was excised and the mandible was reconstructed with a reconstruction plate. The patient made a good recovery and was able to eat a soft diet.
Four‐year follow up of patients with untreated abdominal aortic aneurysms
Authors: Aziz Maged , Hill Andrew A , Bourchier Russell
Published: November 2004

Background:  The data in the literature are still controversial describing the outcome of patients not treated for a large abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) especially with significant comorbidities. We followed up patients trying to establish their long‐term outcome.

Method:  Since 1998, we have prospectively followed all patients referred to our department with AAA. A retrospective analysis was carried out selecting all patients who had an AAA larger than 5 cm, and who declined or were declined for operative repair between February 1998 and November 2001.

Results:  One hundred and eleven patients were included in the present study. There were 78 men and 33 women. The mean age was 80 years. At the end of the study, 65 patients (59%) were deceased. Ruptured aneurysm occurred in 27 patients (median time to rupture = 14 months) with one patient surviving an emergency repair. Thirty‐nine patients died from unrelated illnesses. In the 5−5.9 cm AAA group (n = 58), out of 31 deceased patients, five (16%) have died of ruptured AAA. In the 6 cm and larger AAA group (n = 53), out of 34 deceased patients, 21 (62%) have died of ruptured AAA. There was no significant difference in survival between patients with AAA below and above 6 cm in diameter (P = 0.15).

Conclusion:  In the presence of significant comorbidities, most patients with AAA less than 6 cm died from unrelated illnesses. In the larger AAA group, the likelihood of death from AAA rupture or unrelated illnesses is almost equal.
Haemorrhagic complications of pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Balachandran Palat , Sikora Sadiq S. , Raghavendra Rao Rachapoodi V. , Kumar Ashok , Saxena Rajan , Kapoor Vinay K.
Published: November 2004

Background:  Haemorrhagic complication occurs in 5−16% of patients following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). We report an analysis of patients with post‐PD bleed, to identify predictors of bleed, predictors of survival following bleed and the management of post‐PD bleed.

Methods:  Two hundred and eighteen patients with periampullary cancers underwent PD from 1989 to 2002. Forty‐four (20.2%) patients had a bleeding complication. Of these, 25 patients had an intra‐abdominal (IA) bleed and 21 had gastrointestinal (GI) bleed (two had both IA and GI bleed). Clinical, biochemical and tumour characteristics were analysed to identify factors influencing bleeding complications.

Results:  The median time to presentation was 4.5 days (0−21 days). Serum bilirubin (P = 0.000, OR: 1.090) and pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) leak (P = 0.009, OR: 3.174) were significant independent factors predicting bleeding complications. Forty‐three per cent of patients each had early bleed (<48 h after PD) or delayed bleed (7 days after PD). Comparison of early and late bleeds showed that IA bleed (P = 0.02) presented as early bleeds. Male sex (P = 0.00) longer duration of jaundice (P = 0.02), PJ leak (P = 0.001), HJ leak (P = 0.001), duct to mucosa type of PJ anastomosis (P = 0.03) and IA abscess (P = 0.00) were associated with a significantly higher incidence of late bleeds. Overall mortality after PD was 9.6% with 34% and 3% in bleeders and non‐bleeders, respectively. Septicaemia (P = 0.01, OR: 5.49), and acute renal failure (P = 0.01) were associated with increased mortality.

Conclusions:  Bleeding complications following PD were seen in one‐fifth of patients and were associated with high mortality. Serum bilirubin levels and PJ leak were significant factors associated with bleeding complications. Septicaemia and acute renal failure were significant factors associated with mortality in the bleeders.
Cardiac surgery in octogenarians
Authors: Ishikawa Susumu , Buxton Brian F. , Manson Narelle , Hadj Anthony , Seevanayagam Siven , Raman Jai S. , Rosalion Alexander , Morishita Yasuo
Published: November 2004

Background:  Early and late results were studied in order to improve the indications for surgery in the elderly.

Methods:  Two hundred and thirty‐seven patients aged 80 years or older underwent cardiac surgery between 1987 and 2001. The mean age of patients, which included 148 men and 89 women, was 82 years. Elective operations were performed in 194 patients and urgent or emergency operations in 43. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed in 104 patients, valve surgery in 60, CABG plus valve in 58, and other surgery in 15. Late results were obtained in 91% of patients, and the mean follow‐up period was 54 months.

Results:  Operative mortality was 9% in total; 7% in CABG, 5% in valve, 10% in CABG plus valve. Operative mortality was significantly higher in the urgent/emergency group than in the elective group (25% vs 6%). The actuarial survival rate for hospital survivors at 60 months after surgery was 75% and the mean survival period 76 months. There were no significant differences among operations. Preoperatively 81% of the patients had been in New York Heart Association class III or IV, and 88% of survivors were in class I or II in the late period.

Conclusions:  Early and late results for elective surgery in octogenarians are satisfactory. However, for urgent or emergent cases, there is a marked increase in morbidity and mortality.
Oestrogen receptors revisited: long‐term follow up of over five thousand breast cancer patients
Authors: Hähnel Roland , Spilsbury Katrina
Published: November 2004

Background:  The oestrogen receptor status of a breast tumour predicts the response to hormonal treatment and is an important prognostic marker; women with oestrogen receptor positive tumours having a better short‐term survival outcome.

Methods:  Kaplan−Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazard model were used to estimate the association between oestrogen receptor levels and long‐term breast cancer‐specific survival outcomes in 5735 women diagnosed with breast carcinoma from 1970 to 1997 in Western Australia. Further analysis was performed on a subset of women for whom biochemical and tumour characteristics were also available.

Results:  Five‐year breast cancer‐specific survival estimates for women with oestrogen receptor positive tumours was 0.85 (95% CI 0.84−86) compared to 0.72 (95% CI 0.70−74) for women with oestrogen receptor negative tumours. The relative survival advantage of an oestrogen positive tumour over oestrogen negative tumours disappeared by the fourth year (0.8, 95% CI 0.6−1.0). Conditional upon surviving 5 years, long‐term breast cancer‐specific survival was better for women with oestrogen receptor and progesterone receptor negative tumours compared to other women (log rank test P‐value <0.05).

Conclusion:  Despite an earlier survival advantage for women diagnosed with oestrogen receptor positive tumours, after 5 years of survival, women with oestrogen receptor negative and progesterone receptor negative tumours had better long‐term survival outcomes from breast cancer compared to other women.
Efficiency of obliteration procedures in the surgical treatment of hydatid cyst of the liver
Authors: Akgun Yilmaz , Yilmaz Gulsen
Published: November 2004

Background:  Hydatid cyst of the liver (HCL) is a parasitic infestation caused by several species of Echinococcus and is endemic in many sheep‐raising areas. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the value of clinical, physical and laboratory findings and to discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic options in 250 patients with HCL.

Methods:  Between January 1980 and December 1989, 148 patients with HCL were treated surgically, and surgical procedures performed were evaluated retrospectively. On the basis of these findings, a prospective study of 102 patients was initiated between January 1990 and December 1999.

Results:  External drainage was performed in retrospective and prospective groups, respectively, in 110 and five patients, obliteration procedures in 31 and 82 and resectional procedures in seven and 15. While mean hospitalization time morbidity, mortality and recurrence rates were 16.2 ± 6.9 days, 37.8%, 2.0% and 6.7% in the retrospective group, these rates were decreased to 7.8 ± 3.5 days, 10.7%, 0.9% and 1.9%, respectively, in the prospective group. Overall morbidity, mortality and recurrence rates and median hospitalization time were 49.5%, 2.6%, 9.5% and 18.0 ± 7.4 days in external drainage group, 7.0%, 0% 0.8% and 8.5 ± 4.5 in obliteration procedures and 9.0%, 4.5%, 0% and 7.3 ± 1.9 resectional procedures, respectively.

Conclusions:  External drainage should be performed only in infected HCL. Resection procedures are too radical and extensive for benign lesions. Obliteration procedures are simple and safe methods for the treatment of HCL, and they have low morbidity, mortality and recurrence rates.
Role of uterine artery velocimetry using color‐flow Doppler and electromyography of uterus in prediction of preterm labor
Authors: Agarwal Neera , Suneja Amita , Arora Sunita , Tandon Om Prakash , Sircar Sabyasachi
Published: November 2004

Aim:  To evaluate the role of Doppler waveforms of uterine vessels and electromyography (EMG) of the uterus in predicting preterm labor.

Methods:  One hundred ante‐natal women at ≥24 weeks of gestation who fulfilled the selection criteria were included in the study. A single Doppler recording for bilateral uterine vessels was taken at ≥26 weeks gestation using the transvaginal route. Transabdominal EMG of the uterus was recorded serially at 4‐week intervals from 24 weeks until delivery or until 37 weeks were completed.

Results:  Women with a sensation of heaviness in the lower abdomen during pregnancy had a significant association with preterm delivery. Of the three Doppler indices, the systolic/diastolic ratio and the resistivity index of uterine vessels were found to have a sensitivity as high as 83–95% for the prediction of preterm labor. The electrical activity of uterine musculature, as recorded using EMG, showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the electrical activity recorded for the two groups at 31 weeks and later, while the duration of burst activity was significantly longer in the preterm group at 26 weeks and later.

Conclusions:  Patients with a dull aching sensation in the lower abdomen should not be neglected. Doppler of the uterine vessels and EMG of the uterus could prove to be a good predictor of preterm labor.
Sterilizing the “Feeble‐minded”: Eugenics in Alberta, Canada, 1929–1972
Authors: Grekul Jana , Krahn Arvey , Odynak Dave
Published: November 2004

AbstractBetween 1929 and 1972, the Alberta Eugenics Board recommended that 4739 residents of the province be sterilized. However, only 60% of these individuals, 2834 in total, were ultimately sterilized since the legislation under which the Eugenics Board operated required patient consent to be obtained unless the individual recommended for sterilization was diagnosed as “mentally defective.” Women, teenagers and young adults, and Aboriginals were particularly targeted by the Alberta Eugenics Board. The Board pursued its sterilization mandate extremely aggressively and, because of a unique set of social, political and economic circumstances in the province, continued to operate long after other political jurisdictions in North America had set aside their involuntary sterilization programs.
Self‐Doubt: Why We are not Identical to Things of Any Kind
Authors: Persson Ingmar
Published: November 2004

There are two fundamental aspects of the notion of a self: (i) it is the owner of one’s experiences, that to which one’s experiences are properly attributed, and (ii) it perceives itself. (ii) is a condition on the self’s being capable of attributing experiences to itself or being introspectively aware of its experiences, which constitutes a third, higher‐order aspect of the self. I claim that it is a common sense assumption, enshrined in the use of ‘I’, that one’s body satisfies the first two aspects. I then argue that these two aspects are not really satisfied by one’s body, which is essentially a human organism. Nor are they satisfied by anything of any other kind. So we are not identical to things of any kind, since one can be identical only to that which is one’s self or is the referent of one’s uses of ‘I’.
Transcendence of the Ego (The Non‐Existent Knight)
Authors: Fraassen Bas C. van
Published: November 2004

I exist, but I am not a thing among things; X exists if and only if there is something such that it=X. This is consistent, and it is a view that can be supported. Calvino’s novel The Non‐Existent Knight can be read so as to illustrate this view. But what is my relation to the things there are if I am not identical with any of them – things such as my arms, my garden, the city I live in? I name this the Gurduloo problem, after the Knight’s page. This relation must be one that admits of degrees; I suggest that we say that I manifest myself through the things thus associated with me. Several pseudo‐problems, pertaining to volitional action, supervenience, observability, and the emergence of consciousness, dissolve upon inspection.
Regulating a Monopolist with Unknown Demand: Costly Public Funds and the Value of Private Information
Authors: Aguirre Iñaki , Beitia Arantza
Published: November 2004

In this paper, we analyze the optimal regulation policy when the regulated firm has better information concerning the market demand than the regulator. We show that introducing a cost on public funds into the Planner's objective function does not lead to qualitative results similar to those obtained by introducing distributional considerations. In particular we show that under constant marginal cost the full information policy is not implementable and that the optimal regulatory policy results in informational rents. The social value of private information and the firm's informational rents are both increasing functions of the cost of the public funds.
Optimal Policy with Tradable and Bankable Pollution Permits: Taking the Market Microstructure into Account
Authors: Germain Marc , Van Steenberghe Vincent , Magnus Alphonse
Published: November 2004

This paper analyzes how the way emission permits are traded—their market microstructure—affects the optimal policy to be adopted by the environmental agency. The microstructure used is one of a quote driven market type, which characterizes many financial markets. Market makers act as intermediaries for trading the permits by setting an ask price and a bid price. The possibility of bank permits is also introduced in our dynamic two‐period model. We consider two models whether the market makers are perfectly informed about the technology of the producers or not. When the market makers have complete information, the equilibrium price of permits is the same as if the market is walrasian. When they are imperfectly informed, they may set a positive spread between bid and ask permit prices, which creates some inefficiency as the marginal abatement costs of polluters do not equalize. By allowing more flexibility in the use of the permits, banking may reduce the spread. Moreover, it may introduce price rigidities due to intertemporal arbitrage. In this framework, the circumstances under which banking should be allowed or not depend crucially on the evolution of the marginal willingness to pay for the environment.
Men Want Something Real: Frank Buchman and Anglo‐American College Religion in the 1920s
Authors: Sack Daniel
Published: November 2004

In 1925 a Princeton University alumnus told a group of faculty that “men want something real.” He felt that students at Princeton and other universities were trapped in institutions historian George Marsden later described as increasingly secularized and secularizing. Their education was too theoretical and their Christianity was too conventional. Caught in such a place, young men wanted some kind of real‐life experience, unmediated by books or instructors. They wanted excitement and intensity, the kind their predecessors found in the Great War. In place of immorality, or conventional Christianity, evangelist Frank Buchman organized a cell group movement where men could get an exciting religious experience. He repackaged Anglo‐American evangelicalism so it would appeal to modern young people. The movement began in America, but soon included elite college students in Britain as well. It focused particularly on “key men,” vital to Buchman's goal of remaking the world.
The Singing of Laude and Musical Sensibilities in Early Seventeenth‐Century Confraternity Devotion: Part I
Authors: Østrem Eyolf , Petersen Nils Holger
Published: November 2004

In this article, we explore the devotional use of avant‐garde music in a remarkable Florentine youth confraternity, the Compagnia dell’arcangelo Raffaello, in the early seventeenth century. We point to traits of the close relationship between the religious and musical practices in the confraternity, which shed light on the development of an aesthetic sensibility towards music. In the coming second part of the article, this will form the background for a discussion of the function and context of an unusual (probably seventeenth‐century) manuscript of polyphonic laude from the Cathedral archives in Florence, to our knowledge not previously discussed in scholarship.
Are Diagnostic Lumbar Facet Injections Influenced by Pain of Muscular Origin?
Authors: Ackerman William E. , Munir Muhammad A. , Zhang Jun‐Ming , Ghaleb Ahmed
Published: November 2004

Introduction:  Nonradicular low back pain can be a difficult entity to accurately diagnose and treat. Facet joints, muscle, ligaments, and fascia have all been reported to be etiologies of acute and chronic low back pain. However, the facet joint as a source of low back pain is controversial. The diagnosis of facet joint pain is made by diagnostic facet joint or median nerve branch injections with a local anesthetic. The purpose of this study was to determine if the results of diagnostic facet joint injections are influenced by the technique used to perform these injections.

Methods:  Seventy‐five male patients aged 45 years or younger and 18 years or older who were injured while performing heavy work with nonradicular low back pain were included in this study. Diagnostic injection therapy was performed following Institutional Review Board approval and the patient's informed consent. Patients were assigned to one of five groups to receive diagnostic injections in a double‐blinded fashion as follows: Group I: facet joint injection with continuous lidocaine administration from the skin to the facet joint as the needle was advanced; Group II: facet joint injection with saline administration from the skin to the facet joint as the needle was advanced; Group III: median nerve branch injection with a lidocaine advancing needle technique; Group IV: median nerve branch injection with saline advancing needle technique; and Group V: injection of the paraspinous muscles with local anesthetic and steroid following noted areas of pain diagnosed with saline injection and radiopaque contrast. After one week, the patients in Groups I to IV who had no pain relief with facet joint or median nerve block injections subsequently received paraspinous muscle injections, while the patients in Group V who had no long‐term relief with muscle injections were given facet joint injections. The appropriate parametric and nonparametric tests were performed with statistical significance defined as P ≤ 0.05.

Results:  There were no differences among the groups demographically. The incidence of pain relief was significantly higher in subjects who had a continuous injection of local anesthetic into their musculature than in those individuals who received continuous saline followed by an injection of local anesthetic into their facet joint or median nerve branch.

Discussion:  The results of this study demonstrated that local anesthetic injections are useful for the diagnosis of nonradicular low back pain but may yield false positive results with respect to lumbar facet pain depending upon the technique utilized.
Anchoring of Suboccipital Lead: Case Report and Technical Note
Authors: Gofeld Michael
Published: November 2004

Abstract:  Suboccipital stimulation is a relatively new method of neuromodulation for treatment of intractable occipital headache and occipital neuralgia.

The most common complication besides an infection is a lead displacement. Anchoring of a lead at the entry place partially solves the problem. Migration of electrode's tip is a major problem so far.

A case report of electrode migration and a technique of retrograde lead insertion and subcutaneous anchoring of the tip by means of contralateral incision and suturing of lead is described.
Associations between activities and low back pain in adolescents
Authors: Sjolie Astrid N.
Published: November 2004

The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to explore associations between self‐reported leisure activities and low back pain (LBP). The material included all adolescents in eighth and ninth grade in two geographical areas in the school year 1996–1997. Eighty‐eight adolescents participated (mean age 14.7 years), making the response rate 84%. LBP during the preceding year was reported by 57%. Sixty‐six percent reported physical activity 3 times weekly or more. The median time spent on television or computer was 15 h. In multivariate analyses, LBP was inversely associated with time spent on physical activity, in particular with regular walking or bicycling. LBP was associated with the use of television or computer more than 15 h weekly, but not with the time spent reading. The results confirm studies showing inverse associations between walking and LBP. Future research should involve prospective studies of the potential effects of walking or bicycling and other specific activities on LBP.
Improving management for higher reproduction accelerates genetic improvement in closed herd of swine
Authors: SATOH Masahiro
Published: November 2004

The present study compared responses to selection at different conception rates and litter sizes at weaning in a simulated closed herd in a swine breeding program. The base population consisted of 10 males and 50 females, and 10 generations of selection was practiced by using individual phenotype or best linear unbiased prediction of breeding values for a trait with heritability (h2) of either 0.2 or 0.5. The probability of conception in a single mating was assumed to be 0.8, 0.9 or 1.0. Litter size at weaning was sampled randomly from a normal distribution with mean 8, 10 or 12 and variance 8.1225. Genetic response increased by approximately 6% for h2 = 0.2 and approximately 5% for h2 = 0.5 at generation 10 when conception rate was increased from 0.8 to 1.0. However, litter size at weaning did not affect response to selection. In conclusion, improving conception rate by environmental management increases genetic response indirectly in a breeding program of a closed swine herd.
The President as Reformer: When Do Presidents Initiate Administrative Reform through Legislation?
Authors: ROBINSON SCOTT E.
Published: November 2004

Scholars interested in executive agencies devote a considerable amount of time to studying various proposals said to make government more effective. Some authors have studied the processes that generate the seemingly continuous stream of reform proposals. This article looks at the stream of proposals coming from one component of the administrative reform system, the president. Statistical tests compare whether the president's level of reform activity is more a product of managerial or political factors. The findings suggest that presidential administrative reform legislation is largely a product of political opportunities.
ON QUOTIENTS OF NONSINGULAR ACTIONS WHOSE SELF-JOININGS ARE GRAPHS
Authors: SILVA CESAR E. , WITTE DAVE
Published: November 2004

We study the notions of minimal self-joinings (MSJ) and graph self-joinings (GSJ) (analogous to simplicity in the finite measure preserving case) for nonsingular actions of locally compact groups. We show that for a nonsingular action of a group G with MSJ, every quotient comes from a closed subgroup of the center of G whose action is totally non-ergodic. Thus, totally ergodic nonsingular flows with MSJ are prime. We then show an analogous result to Veech's theorem, namely that for a nonsingular action of a group G with GSJ, every quotient comes from a locally compact subgroup of the centralizer whose action is totally non-ergodic.
ON c1 = 0 RESOLUTION OF QUOTIENT SINGULARITY
Authors: ROAN SHI-SHYR
Published: November 2004

An explicit c1 = 0 resolution of the 3-dimensional quotient singularity by the icosahedral group is constructed. Moreover, the Euler number of this resolution is identified with the orbifold Euler characteristic of the group action. Examples of c1 = 0 resolutions of higher dimensional quotient singularities are also obtained.
AN AXIOMATIC DEFINITION OF HOLONOMY
Authors: CAETANO A. , PICKEN R. F.
Published: November 2004

A group of loops [Formula: see text] is associated to every smooth pointed manifold M using a strong homotopy relation. It is shown that the holonomy of a connection on a principal G-bundle may be presented as a group morphism [Formula: see text] and that every such morphism satisfying a natural smoothness condition is the holonomy of some unique connection up to isomorphism.
EVOLUTION ENGINES AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Authors: HEMKER ANDREAS , BECKS KARL-HEINZ
Published: November 2004

In the last years artificial intelligence has achieved great successes, mainly in the field of expert systems and neural networks. Nevertheless the road to truly intelligent systems is still obscured. Artificial intelligence systems with a broad range of cognitive abilities are not within sight. The limited competence of such systems (brittleness) is identified as a consequence of the top-down design process. The evolution principle of nature on the other hand shows an alternative and elegant way to build intelligent systems. We propose to take an evolution engine as the driving force for the bottom-up development of knowledge bases and for the optimization of the problem-solving process. A novel data analysis system for the high energy physics experiment DELPHI at CERN shows the practical relevance of this idea. The system is able to reconstruct the physical processes after the collision of particles by making use of the underlying standard model of elementary particle physics. The evolution engine acts as a global controller of a population of inference engines working on the reconstruction task. By implementing the system on the Connection Machine (Model CM-2) we use the full advantage of the inherent parallelization potential of the evolutionary approach.
PROSPECTS FOR IMAGE RESTORATION
Authors: HUNT B.R.
Published: November 2004

Image restoration is the theory and practice of processing an image to correct it for distortions caused by the image formation process. The first efforts in image restoration appeared more than 25 years ago. In this article we review the more recent trends in image restoration and discuss the main directions that are expected to influence the continued evolution of this technology.
NUMERICAL STABILITY AND CONVERGENCE OF APPROXIMATE METHODS FOR CONSERVATION LAWS
Authors: GALKIN V.A.
Published: November 2004

We present the new approach to background of approximate methods convergence based on functional solutions theory for conservation laws. The applications to physical kinetics, gas and fluid dynamics are considered.
INTERFACE TENSION AND CORRELATION LENGTH OF 2D POTTS MODELS: NUMERICAL VERSUS EXACT RESULTS
Authors: JANKE WOLFHARD
Published: November 2004

I briefly review new analytical formulas for the correlation length and interface tension of two-dimensional q-state Potts models and compare them with numerical results from recent Monte Carlo simulation studies.