bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trust, risk and control within an indigenous–non‐indigenous social service partnership
Authors: Walker Peter
Published: February 2007

Partnerships between organisations are seen as one of the building blocks of the ‘third way’ approach to welfare provision in both Europe and New Zealand. While there is much discussion on building social capital and partnership working, such partnerships are usually perceived as being between government and community or private organisations. There is a gap in the literature in two specific areas: partnerships formed between two community‐based social service organisations and partnerships formed between indigenous, or immigrant peoples, and non‐indigenous organisations. This article explores such a partnership – that between the Ngai Tahu Maori Law Centre (an indigenous organisation) and the Dunedin Community Law Centre (a non‐indigenous organisation). The article analyses this relationship and strategies employed by both organisations to develop trust, diminish risk and equalise control. Lastly, the article suggests that the model of interaction articulated here could be promulgated to other sites within the social services in New Zealand and the Americas, and within the European context.
Older family‐carers’ views on the future accommodation needs of relatives who have an intellectual disability
Authors: Gilbert Anthony , Lankshear Gloria , Petersen Alan
Published: February 2007

Over the past 20 years, research across the developed world has identified trends towards ageing of the population with learning/intellectual disability. Alongside is the recognition that family‐carers are also ageing. Recently, the UK government has sought to identify the future housing needs of dependents with intellectual disability residing with older carers. Consequentially, a city council commissioned this qualitative study involving 28 older carers. The findings indicate a need for information about housing options, a lack of practical support and feelings of marginalisation. The conclusions suggest key roles for social services in providing proactive support and advice to family‐carers, and a greater degree of joint working between social services departments and housing agencies. These resonate with similar international studies and provide the opportunity to focus on the perspectives of family‐carers. Their experiences are real, and if welfare professionals are to work with people with intellectual disability and their family‐carers, acknowledging their views is essential.
Health informatics for older people: a review of ICT facilitated integrated care for older people
Authors: Loader Brian D. , Hardey Mike , Keeble Leigh
Published: February 2007

Growing demands on welfare services, arising from expanding populations of older people in many countries, has led policy makers to consider the use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) as a means to transform the cost‐effective delivery of health and social care. The evidence for these claims is examined by reporting the main findings of a review of worldwide published literature documenting the adoption of health informatics applications to improve health and social care for older people. It focuses around two dimensions of the UK government's programme for ‘modernising’ public services, which emphasise the use of ICTs to facilitate the sharing of health and social services information and its potential to foster person‐centred approaches to independent living. Findings suggest that there is little evidence that these dimensions have been realised in practice and the perceived incompatibility between them is more likely to produce expensive and ineffective health informatics outcomes.
Social workers’ attitudes towards social welfare policy
Authors: Weiss‐Gal Idit , Gal John
Published: February 2007

As social workers are widely called upon to take an active role in influencing social welfare policy, a better understanding of their views on the welfare state is crucial. This study examines the attitudes of 422 Israeli social workers from diverse social welfare agencies regarding social welfare policy. The framework for understanding these attitudes includes the notions of professionalisation processes, social work values, and the class position of social workers. The study's findings indicate that support for the welfare state is quite moderate and these reflect more the class affiliation of social workers than their professional values and the professionalisation process.
Refractory Epilepsy: Clinical Overview
Authors: French Jacqueline A.
Published: February 2007

Summary:  The incidence of refractory epilepsy remains high despite the influx of many new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) over the past 10 years. Epidemiological data indicate that 20–40% of the patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy will become refractory to treatment. Factors that may be used to predict whether or not a patient will respond favorably to AED therapy include the type of epilepsy, underlying syndrome, etiology, and the patient's history of seizure frequency, density, and clustering. Environmental factors, such as trauma and prior drug exposure, and genetic factors that predetermine the rate of absorption, metabolism, and uptake of a drug by target tissue may also uniquely impact an individual and influence their response to AED therapy. Treatment resistance is, therefore, a multifaceted phenomenon. Since individuals with refractory epilepsy do not share a common reason for their treatment resistance, the use of targeted drug therapies may be our best option for improving treatment outcomes in this patient population. Pharmacogeneticists are currently attempting to understand the genetic basis of refractory epilepsy so that they can identify subgroups of patients who share a common genetic background and then target drug therapies to meet their specific needs.
Monitoring Gene Changes during Antiepileptic Drug Therapy to Widen the Safety Window and Reduce Pharmacoresistance
Authors: Glauser Tracy A.
Published: February 2007

Summary: A novel and potentially effective way to decrease pharmacoresistance is to widen an antiepileptic drug's (AED) safety window by altering its efficacy–toxicity relationship to reduce the frequency or eliminate the occurrence of drug‐induced toxicities. The first step in this process is to identify specific AED toxicities that are common, objective, reliable to assess, and exhibit both interpatient and interdrug variability. Next, one or more of the fundamental sources of biological variability (e.g., DNA, RNA, proteins, or metabolites) is selected for study. By identifying a relationship between variations in these fundamental sources and specific AED toxicities, one aims to identify pathways underlying the genesis of the toxicity (mechanisms) or biomarkers related to elevated risk for AED toxicity (predictors). These types of studies have many methodological challenges. However, if properly conducted, the resulting data could be used to design interventions that directly block the toxicity mechanisms or preselect individuals who are at high risk of developing these toxicities. Both approaches would conceivably widen the safety window of efficacious AEDs and reduce the incidence of pharmacoresistance. This article describes a general framework for this approach and provides an example of the methodology using differential gene expression measured using RNA‐based microarray technology in children experiencing VPA‐associated weight gain.
Innovative Clinical Trial Designs for Future Antiepileptic Drugs
Authors: Dichter Marc A.
Published: February 2007

Summary:  Pharmacoresistance continues to be a challenging problem for a substantial number of epileptic patients and their attending physicians. In the past 10 years, we have made little progress in reducing the incidence of refractory epilepsy and have no innovative plans in place with the potential to do so. In this article, I propose two radical solutions to our present dilemma. The first involves the use of a novel clinical trial design that will rapidly screen for antiepileptic drugs with the highest safety and efficacy profiles. The second focuses on the prevention of epilepsy. The success of these approaches will depend upon our ability to identify individuals at high risk of developing epilepsy and to initiate effective and innovative clinical trial paradigms that will be able to identify more effective antiepileptic or antiepileptogenic agents. It will likely require significant changes from our current strategies to accomplish these goals.
Heterogeneity in Hip Fracture Patients: Age, Functional Status, and Comorbidity
Authors: Penrod Joan D. , Litke Ann , Hawkes William G. , Magaziner Jay , Koval Kenneth J. , Doucette John T. , Silberzweig Stacey B. , Siu Albert L.
Published: February 2007

OBJECTIVES: To examine unidentified heterogeneity in hip fracture patients that may predict variation in functional outcomes.

DESIGN: Observational, longitudinal, multisite cohort study.

SETTING: Three separate cohorts from five hospitals in the metropolitan New York area and eight hospitals in Baltimore.

PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand six hundred ninety‐two hip fracture patients treated at one of 13 hospitals and followed for 6 months postfracture.

MEASUREMENTS: A mobility measure with three categories (independent (walks independently or with a device), limited independence (needs human assistance or supervision to walk 150 feet or one block or able only to walk indoors), and unable to walk) was developed for use with all three cohorts. A similar measure was developed for the other activities of daily living (ADLs): bathing, dressing, feeding, and using the toilet. Cluster analysis was used to form homogenous groups of patients based on baseline demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, and baseline mobility and ADL independence.

RESULTS: Seven homogeneous subgroups were identified based on prefracture age, health, and functional status, with measurably different 6‐month functional outcomes. At least 90% of patients could be correctly classified into the seven groups using simple decision rules about age, ADLs, and dementia status at baseline. Dementia was the only comorbid condition that segmented the groups.

CONCLUSION: The heterogeneous hip fracture population can be grouped into homogenous patient clusters based on prefracture characteristics. Differentially targeting services and interventions to these subgroups may improve functional status outcomes.
Decisions to Forgo Hospitalization in Advanced Dementia: A Nationwide Study
Authors: Mitchell Susan L. , Teno Joan M. , Intrator Orna , Feng Zhanlian , Mor Vincent
Published: February 2007

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence and factors associated with decisions to forgo hospitalization in nursing home (NH) residents with advanced dementia.

DESIGN: Cross‐sectional study.

SETTING: All Medicare‐ and Medicaid‐certified NHs within the 48 contiguous U.S. states.

PARTICIPANTS: NH residents with advanced dementia were identified using Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments completed close to April 1, 2000 (N=91,521).

MEASUREMENTS: Multilevel, multivariate logistic regression identified factors independently associated with having a do‐not‐hospitalize (DNH) directive. Independent variables included subject characteristics (MDS), facility factors (On‐line Survey of Certification of Automated Records), and hospital referral region (HRR) features (Dartmouth Atlas).

RESULTS: Nationwide, 7.1% (n=6,518) residents with advanced dementia had DNH orders (range 0.7% in Oklahoma to 25.9% in Rhode Island). Resident characteristics associated with having a DNH order were older age, white, living will, durable power of attorney for health care, and total functional dependence. Controlling for these factors, DNH orders were more likely in residents of facilities with the following features: not part of a chain, urban location, special care dementia unit, fewer black residents, nurse practitioner or physician assistant on staff, higher staffing ratios, and location in HRRs with fewer intensive care unit admissions during terminal hospitalizations.

CONCLUSION: Directives to forgo hospitalization for U.S. NH residents with advanced dementia are uncommon and are associated with the organizational features of the facilities caring for them and the intensity of end‐of‐life care practiced in the region, as well as individual resident characteristics.
Knee Extension Strength Cutpoints for Maintaining Mobility
Authors: Manini Todd M. , Visser Marjolein , Won‐Park Seok , Patel Kushang V. , Strotmeyer Elsa S. , Chen Hepei , Goodpaster Bret , De Rekeneire Nathalie , Newman Anne B. , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Kritchevsky Stephen B. , Ryder Kathy , Schwartz Ann V. , Harris Tamara B.
Published: February 2007

OBJECTIVES:To identify levels of knee extensor strength that are associated with high and low risk of incident severe mobility limitation (SML) in initially well‐functioning older adults.

DESIGN:Prospective cohort study.

SETTING:University clinic center.

PARTICIPANTS:One thousand three hundred fifty‐five men and 1,429 women (aged 73.6±2.85) who reported no mobility limitation.

MEASUREMENTS:Unilateral knee extensor isokinetic strength of participants was obtained. Participants were followed over a median of 5.90 years for the onset of SML, defined as two consecutive reports of a lot of difficulty or inability to walk one‐quarter of a mile or climb 10 steps. Deciles of knee extension strength relative to body weight were evaluated to identify cutpoints most predictive of incident SML. Cutpoints were then compared with prevalence of having slow gait speed (<1.22 m/s) and mortality.

RESULTS:Two sex‐specific knee extension strength cutpoints were found. High and low risk of SML corresponded to less than 1.13 newton‐meters (Nm)/kg (1st decile) and more than 1.71 Nm/kg (6th decile) in men and less than 1.01 Nm/kg (3rd decile) and more than 1.34 Nm/kg (7th decile) in women, respectively. Moderate risk was defined as being between the low‐ and high‐risk cutpoints. Individuals with knee extension strength in the high‐ and moderate‐risk categories were more likely to have a gait speed less than 1.22 m/s (hazard ratio (HR)=7.00, 95% confidence interval (CI)=5.47–8.96 and HR=2.14 7.00, 95% CI=1.73–2.64, respectively) and had a higher risk of death (HR=1.77, 95% CI=1.41–2.23 and HR=1.51, 95% CI=1.24–1.84, respectively) than individuals in the low‐risk category. Adjustment for demographic factors, health behaviors, and medical conditions did not alter these associations.

CONCLUSION:Knee extensor strength cutpoints provide objective markers to identify initially well‐functioning older adults at high and low risk of future mobility limitation.
The Dc(G48)es haplotype is frequent among the Dce haplotypes within a white population
Authors: Cotorruelo Carlos M. , Munini Gabriel M. , García Borrás Silvia E. , Racca Liliana L. , Biondi Claudia S. , Racca Amelia L.
Published: February 2007

BACKGROUND: The absence of hybrid Rhesus boxes denotes an RHD homozygous status and helps to detect the presence of Dce haplotypes instead of dce. RHCE exon 1 C48, characteristic of RHC alleles, and RHCE exon 5 G733, responsible for VS antigenicity, have been noted in many RHce alleles but it was not clearly established whether they occurred in the same allele and/or cosegregate together with RHD.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Samples from 148 white trios (father, mother, and child) were studied. Rh phenotype was performed by hemagglutination. Hybrid Rhesus box, RHCE exon 1 G48C, RHCE exon 5 C733G, and RHC intron 2 polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. Haplotypes were determined considering serologic, molecular, and segregation data.

RESULTS: RHCE exon 1 C48 and RHCE exon 5 G733 were present in RHce alleles that cosegregated with RHD forming Dce haplotypes. Both transversions were not frequently found in the same RHce allele. Of the 33 Dce haplotypes, 16 (48.5%) had a C at position 48 [Dc(C48)e], 11 (33.3%) had a G at position 48 with a G at position 733 [Dc(G48)es], 5 (15.2%) had a G at position 48 [Dc(G48)e], and 1 (3.0%) had a C at position 48 with a G at position 733 [Dc(C48)es].

CONCLUSIONS: The results show four molecular backgrounds for the Dce haplotype and reflect the contribution of African alleles to the genetic pool of the population under study. The molecular characterization of Dce and its frequency distribution may develop a better understanding of the phylogeny of Rh haplotypes.
Sex Hormone and Gender Difference—Role of Testosterone on Male Predominance in Brugada Syndrome
Authors: SHIMIZU WATARU , MATSUO KIYOTAKA , KOKUBO YOSHIHIRO , SATOMI KAZUHIRO , KURITA TAKASHI , NODA TAKASHI , NAGAYA NORITOSHI , SUYAMA KAZUHIRO , AIHARA NAOHIKO , KAMAKURA SHIRO , INAMOTO NOZOMU , AKAHOSHI MASAZUMI , TOMOIKE HITONOBU
Published: February 2007

Introduction: The clinical phenotype is 8 to 10 times more prevalent in males than in females in patients with Brugada syndrome. Brugada syndrome has been reported to be thinner than asymptomatic normal controls. We tested the hypothesis that higher testosterone level associated with lower visceral fat may relate to Brugada phenotype and male predominance.

Methods and Results: We measured body‐mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%), and several hormonal levels, including testosterone, in 48 Brugada males and compared with those in 96 age‐matched control males. Brugada males had significantly higher testosterone (631 ± 176 vs 537 ± 158 ng/dL; P = 0.002), serum sodium, potassium, and chloride levels than those in control males by univariate analysis, and even after adjusting for age, exercise, stress, smoking, and medication of hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, whereas there were no significant differences in other sex and thyroid hormonal levels. Brugada males had significantly lower BMI (22.1 ± 2.9 vs 24.6 ± 2.6 kg/m2; P < 0.001) and BF% (19.6 ± 4.9 vs 23.1 ± 4.7%; P < 0.001) than control males. Testosterone level was inversely correlated with BMI and BF% in both groups, even after adjusting for the confounding variables. Conditional logistic regression models analysis showed significant positive and inverse association between Brugada syndrome and hypertestosteronemia (OR:3.11, 95%CI:1.22–7.93, P = 0.017) and BMI (OR:0.72, 95%CI:0.61–0.85, P < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions: Higher testosterone level associated with lower visceral fat may have a significant role in the Brugada phenotype and male predominance in Brugada syndrome.
Molecular and Electrophysiological Bases of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: MOHAMED UWAIS , NAPOLITANO CARLO , PRIORI SILVIA G.
Published: February 2007

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an inherited arrhythmogenic disorder characterized by adrenergically mediated polymorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Genetic investigations have identified two variants of the disease: an autosomal dominant form associated with mutations in the gene encoding the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) and a recessive form associated with homozygous mutations in the gene encoding the cardiac isoform of calsequestrin (CASQ2). Functional characterization of mutations identified in the RyR2 and CASQ2 genes has demonstrated that CPVT are caused by derangements of the control of intracellular calcium. Investigations in a knock‐in mouse model have shown that CPVT arrhythmias are initiated by delayed afterdepolarizations and triggered activity. In the present article, we review clinical and molecular understanding of CPVT and discuss the most recent approaches to develop novel therapeutic strategies for the disease.
Prevalence of Psychopathology Across a Service Population of Parents With Intellectual Disabilities and Their Children
Authors: McGaw Sue , Shaw Tom , Beckley Kerry
Published: February 2007

Abstract This study identified and investigated the incidence of childhood trauma and psychopathology across a population of parents with intellectual disabilities (IDs) known to a parenting service in the United Kingdom over a 5‐year period and examined the emotional and physical welfare of their children. Data were gathered from 49 parents with ID and 58 children currently living with their families. Four measures were used to identify risk and level of need at referral, the prevalence of childhood abuse reported by parents, and any associations with current levels of psychopathology in the parents or their children. Symptoms of psychopathology were prevalent among 45% of parents with ID, although the association with parent childhood trauma was weak. Significant associations were found between the presence of parent psychopathology and mental and cognitive problems in the children, such as attention deficits, anxiety disorders, and autism. Also, a significant relationship was identified between parents who reported childhood trauma and registration of their children on the Child Protection Register for risk of neglect and/or maltreatment. Sexual abuse and emotional abuse were the most prevalent risk categories under which these children were registered, the latter category significantly associating with parents’ self‐reports of emotional abuse as children. These findings were significantly different from that identified for children of parents without reported childhood trauma (p < 0.01).
The Montreal Declaration on Intellectual Disabilities of 2004: An Important First Step
Authors: Lecompt Jocelin , Mercier Céline
Published: February 2007

Abstract  The crowning accomplishment of the Montreal Pan‐American Health Organization and World Health Organization Conference on Intellectual Disability in 2004 was the unanimous adoption and endorsement, by its 65 participants from 17 countries of the Americas, as well as the principal organizations committed to the defense of the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities, of the Montreal Declaration on Intellectual Disabilities. This Declaration establishes legal standards related to the right to equality of persons with intellectually disabilities, as well as a series of measures to be undertaken in order to support decision making among persons with intellectually disabilities within a context of respect for their fundamental rights.
COLOR FERROMAGNETIC QUARK MATTER IN NEUTRON STARS
Authors: IWAZAKI AIICHI , MORIMATSU OSAMU , NISHIKAWA TETSUO , OHTANI MUNEHISA
Published: February 2007

Color superconducting state has been known as a possible phase of quark matter with sufficiently large baryon number density so as for perturbative analysis to be valid. We point out that a color ferromagnetic state is another possible phase of such a sufficiently dense quark matter. Furthermore, we show under reasonable choices of parameters that the color ferromagnetic phase is energetically more favored than the color superconducting phase in the quark matter with smaller baryon number density. Supposing that increasing baryon density in neutron stars transforms nuclear matter into the quark matter of the color ferromagnetic phase, not color superconducting phase, we find that a critical mass of the neutron star with such an internal structure is about 1.6M⊙.
BONE MINERAL DENSITOMETRY FINDINGS AS POSSIBLE RISK FACTORS FOR STROKE IN WOMEN
Authors: Kutluer İbrahim , Öztürk Şerefnur , Özbakir Şenay
Published: February 2007

This prospective and hospital-based study was planned to investigate if bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral concentration (BMC) parameters are the risk factors of stroke and either there is an association between the parameters and other risk factors or not and importance of evaluation of location of osteoporosis. Total 42 female stroke patients and 24 female controls were included in the study. Each subject underwent BMD and BMC assessments. The sites studied are three regions of the femur, the distal third of the forearm, and the middle portion of the forearm. Other risk factors of stroke were recorded. The nature of the stroke was separated as hemorrhage and ischemia. The localization of lesion was determined. There were not significant difference for age between patients (mean age: 68.35 ± 15.29) and the controls (mean ± SD years: 66.37 ± 13.65) (p = 0.109). In the stroke group, the distal forearm BMD and BMC scores were less than the controls (p = 0.05 and p = 0.004). The great trochanteric BMC and BMD scores were significantly lower in the patients (p = 0.001; p = 0.036). Results indicate that measurement of in the proximal and distal portions of bones is a valuable non-invasive method for determining stroke risk.
THE HISTOLOGICAL LOCALIZATION OF FasL mRNA IN HUMAN LUMBAR DISC TISSUE
Authors: Ye Fagang , Si Chunxiang , Qiu Yujin , Chen Bohua , Lu Zhenhua , Xia Renyun
Published: February 2007

Lumbar disc has become a degenerative tissue since teenage. Apoptosis plays an important role in the processes of degeneration. FasL, a ligand of Fas receptor (a trans-membrane protein) promote signal transduction of apoptosis. In this study, fetal disc and degenerative disc from adults were examined for FasL mRNA expression. hPBMC was first treated by PHA-P, a fragment of FasL cDNA was then synthesized through one-step RT-PCR. Verified by sequencing and recombinant plasmids linearizing, the DIG-cRNA probe was synthesized by in vitro transcription. The distribution of FasL mRNA was observed on lumbar intervertebral disc specimens using in situ hybridization. FasL mRNA signals were expressed in both notochord cells and chondrocyte-like cells in the nucleus of fetal discs. In degenerative disc, the quantity of intervertebral disc cells reduced dramatically and the expression of FasL mRNA was not detected. Expression of FasL in fetal disc implied that Fas/FasL triggered cell death signal pathway involved in lumbar disk transition and degeneration.
MATRIX-INDUCED AUTOLOGOUS CHONDROCYTE IMPLANTATION FOR TREATMENT OF CHONDRAL DEFECTS OF KNEE: A PRELIMINARY REPORT
Authors: Zhang Zhongwen , Ye Qibin , Yang Zaocheng , Yin Minxia , Bai Jianpeng , Hou Shike , Gao Chunhua , Kuang Zhengda , Pang Xiaodong , Li He , Zheng Minghao , Wood David
Published: February 2007

Objective: To present clinical experience on matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI), we hereby reported treatment with MACI for 3 patients suffering from chondral lesion of the knee, each of them has been followed for a minimum of 10 months.

Methods: Ages of 3 patients were 25, 15 and 32 years old respectively. And the cartilage defect size ranged from 6cm2-10.5cm2). IKDC2000 score was used for knee functional evaluation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopy were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. A biopsy of the regenerated cartilage from one patient was histologically evaluated 15 months after MACI.

Results: In the postoperative period, no associated complications were observed. Each patient showed improvements both in clinical and functional status after surgery. MRI and arthroscopy showed the presence of hyaline-like cartilage at the site of implantation. The cartilage biopsy on the first patient showed a high ratio of hyaline-like cartilage tissue to fibrocartilage tissue which was 2 to 1.

Conclusion: The clinical outcome and histological evaluation suggest that MACI is able to relieve pain and restore the function of the knee, also is capable of regenerating hyaline cartilage. In conclusion, MACI appears a promising method for the treatment of chondral defects of the knee.
A reactive agent-based problem-solving model
Authors: Gechter Franck , Chevrier Vincent , Charpillet François
Published: February 2007

For two decades, multi-agent systems have been an attractive approach for problem solving and have been applied to a wide range of applications. Despite the lack of generic methodology, the reactive approach is interesting considering the properties it provides. This article presents a problem-solving model based on a swarm approach where agents interact using physics-inspired mechanisms. The initial problem and its constraints are represented through agents' environment, the dynamics of which is part of the problem-solving process. This model is then applied to localization and target tracking. Experiments assess our approach and compare it to widely-used classical algorithms.
A survey of autonomic communications
Authors: Dobson Simon , Denazis Spyros , Fernández Antonio , Gaïti Dominique , Gelenbe Erol , Massacci Fabio , Nixon Paddy , Saffre Fabrice , Schmidt Nikita , Zambonelli Franco
Published: February 2007

Autonomic communications seek to improve the ability of network and services to cope with unpredicted change, including changes in topology, load, task, the physical and logical characteristics of the networks that can be accessed, and so forth. Broad-ranging autonomic solutions require designers to account for a range of end-to-end issues affecting programming models, network and contextual modeling and reasoning, decentralised algorithms, trust acquisition and maintenance---issues whose solutions may draw on approaches and results from a surprisingly broad range of disciplines. We survey the current state of autonomic communications research and identify significant emerging trends and techniques.
Diffusion Masking of Silicon Nitride and Silicon Oxynitride Films on Si
Authors: Heumann F. K. , Brown D. M. , Mets E.
Published: February 2007

A qualitative study of the masking properties of thin (≤1500Aå) silicon nitride and silicon oxynitride films on Si is presented. A range of diffusion conditions was studied for doping sources including B, P, Ga, and As. Silicon nitride was not found to be a diffusion mask for all conditions. Conditions under which it can be expected to mask are specified.
Electrical Characteristics of Silicon Nitride Films Prepared by Silane‐Ammonia Reaction
Authors: Brown George A. , Robinette W. C. , Carlson H. G.
Published: February 2007

The d‐c conduction and complex dielectric constant of silicon nitride films prepared by silane‐ammonia reaction have been studied as a function of the composition of the gaseous ambient in which they were formed. The d‐c conductivity of the material increases sharply when the silane‐ammonia ratio increases above 0.1. The increased conductivity is characterized by a lowering of the activation energy to about 1.0 ev from 1.5 ev for high resistivity nitride. The current‐voltage characteristics display a In

I
‐

V

½

dependence at high fields in the temperature range 200°–500°K. Measurement of the magnitude of the slope of this characteristic and its dependence on film thickness, index of refraction, temperature, and bias polarity suggests that conduction arises from field aided thermal ionization of trapping centers in the bulk of the film, the Poole‐Frenkel effect. It is noted that the magnitudes of the slopes of the experimental In

I
‐

V

½

plots, which are twice as large as Schottky emission slopes, are derivable within the framework of the Poole‐Frenkel mechanism only under a special assumption regarding the statistics governing the occupancy of the traps.

The relative dielectric constant,

ε

r

, of the films has a constant value of approximately 7 for silane‐ammonia ratios below 0.1 and increases gradually to about 10 for a silane‐ammonia ratio of unity. Very small variations in

ε

r

with frequency and temperature were noted in the range of the measurements,

5
×

10

2

–

10

6

 
Hz

and 200°–500°K. Values of dielectric loss,

ε

r

″

, lower than 10−3 have been observed for the low silane‐ammonia ratio films, but these are also dependent on substrate surface preparation. An observed dependence of

ε

r

”

on sample area in some cases suggests the presence of localized film defects in the less carefully prepared samples. No structure in the loss‐frequency‐temperature characteristics of the material has been observed in the above‐mentioned ranges of temperature and frequency that cannot be related to the d‐c conductance of the silicon nitride or to the substrate resistance.
Effect of Electroless Nickel Substrate on Coercive Force and Microstructure of Certain Co‐P Films
Authors: Morton V. , Fisher R. D.
Published: February 2007

The influence of electroless nickel as a substrate on the coercive force and microstructure of certain electroless cobalt films was examined. Cobalt films on electroless nickel substrates exhibit (i) deposits which may contain a lesser proportion of amorphous or fine grained cobalt, (ii) a more pronounced

[
10

1

¯

0
]

preferred orientation perpendicular to the plane of the deposit relative to similar deposits on a Mylar‐adhesive substrate, and (iii) higher coercive force values relative to similar deposits on a Mylar‐adhesive substrate. The data suggests that the increase in coercive force may be due to a decrease in the amorphous characteristics of cobalt films prepared on electroless nickel in comparison to such films on Mylar.
Mechanical Properties of Metal Oxide Films
Authors: Grosskreutz J. C.
Published: February 2007

A brief review is given of mechanical property measurements on oxide films. This review is followed by a detailed discussion of the mechanical and fracture properties of anodic aluminum oxide films as observed in the author's laboratory. Extensive measurement of Young's modulus,

E

c

,and fracture strain,

ε

f

, for separated films 3000Aå thick is reported as a function of environmental water vapor pressure. The fracture of these unsupported films is shown to occur by a brittle mechanism. Mechanical properties of adhering aluminum oxide films are given as a function of their thickness. These oxides were observed to fracture either at slip steps, or at right angles to the tensile axis in a regularly spaced fashion. A theory of adhering oxide fracture is discussed which accounts well for the observations. An equation which describes the spacing

d

of regular oxide fracture cracks as a function of substrate strain ε is given in the form

ln
(
ε
/

ε

0

)
=
k
√
t
(
1
/
d
−
l
/

d

0

)

, where (

ε

o

,

d

o

) are the initial conditions for regular fracture,

t

is the oxide thickness, and

k

is a constant.
Enhanced Surface Reactions
Authors: Low Manfred J. D. , Taylor H. Austin
Published: February 2007

The influence of an electrodeless gaseous discharge on the rates of adsorpion of
hydrogen on

Pd
·

Al

2

O

3

,

ZnO

and Ni‐kieselguhr and of carbon monoxide on

ZnO

was investigated. Enhanced adsorption rates and extent
were found. mechanism for the observed effect has been suggested which should
have general applicability in chemisorption, oxidation of metals, and other
similar phenomena.
Skeletal muscle mitochondrial FAT/CD36 content and palmitate oxidation are not decreased in obese women
Authors: Holloway Graham P. , Thrush A. Brianne , Heigenhauser George J. F. , Tandon Narendra N. , Dyck David J. , Bonen Arend , Spriet Lawrence L.
Published: February 2007

A reduction in fatty acid oxidation has been associated with lipid accumulation and insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle of obese individuals. We examined whether this decrease in fatty acid oxidation was attributable to a reduction in muscle mitochondrial content and/or a dysfunction in fatty acid oxidation within mitochondria obtained from skeletal muscle of age-matched, lean [body mass index (BMI) = 23.3 ± 0.7 kg/m2] and obese women (BMI = 37.6 ± 2.2 kg/m2). The mitochondrial marker enzymes citrate synthase (−34%), β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (−17%), and cytochrome c oxidase (−32%) were reduced ( P < 0.05) in obese participants, indicating that mitochondrial content was diminished. Obesity did not alter the ability of isolated mitochondria to oxidize palmitate; however, fatty acid oxidation was reduced at the whole muscle level by 28% ( P < 0.05) in the obese. Mitochondrial fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) did not differ in lean and obese individuals, but mitochondrial FAT/CD36 was correlated with mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation ( r = 0.67, P < 0.05). We conclude that the reduction in fatty acid oxidation in obese individuals is attributable to a decrease in mitochondrial content, not to an intrinsic defect in the mitochondria obtained from skeletal muscle of obese individuals. In addition, it appears that mitochondrial FAT/CD36 may be involved in regulating fatty acid oxidation in human skeletal muscle.
Constant intravenous ghrelin infusion in healthy young men: clinical pharmacokinetics and metabolic effects
Authors: Vestergaard Esben Thyssen , Hansen Troels Krarup , Gormsen Lars Christian , Jakobsen Preben , Moller Niels , Christiansen Jens Sandahl , Jorgensen Jens Otto Lunde
Published: February 2007

Ghrelin levels fluctuate rapidly and dynamically with surges before meal times and postprandial troughs, and ghrelin increases appetite and food intake. Circulating ghrelin correlates negatively with body mass index (BMI), but obese individuals have a reduced postprandial decrease in ghrelin levels. Whether this reflects changes in secretion or clearance of ghrelin is uncertain. We therefore studied the pharmacokinetics of ghrelin in relation to anthropometric and biochemical measures. We also studied the effects of ghrelin on hormones and metabolites. In fasting humans, we used a constant infusion rate of ghrelin lasting 180 min at 5 pmol·kg body wt−1·min−1 in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Serum ghrelin (s-ghrelin; total levels) was distributed and eliminated according to a two-compartment model. s-Ghrelin initial half-life was 24 ± 2 min and terminal half-life 146 ± 36 min, respectively. Mean residence time (MRT) of ghrelin was 93 ± 16 min. MRT correlated positively with both BMI ( r = 0.51, P < 0.001) and high-density cholesterol (HDL) levels ( r = 0.75, P < 0.001). Serum insulin levels remained constant during ghrelin infusion, whereas plasma glucose increased 0.3 ± 0.1 mmol/l ( P < 0.01) and free fatty acid levels more than doubled (to 1.03 ± 0.08 mmol/l, P < 0.001), translating into a significant reduction of insulin sensitivity ( P < 0.001). In conclusion, 1) we describe novel pharmacokinetics of ghrelin that are useful when tailoring ghrelin infusion rates in clinical experiments, 2) BMI and HDL correlate positively with MRT of infused ghrelin, and 3) supraphysiological ghrelin levels impair insulin sensitivity.
Preservation of Spectrotemporal Tuning Between the Nucleus Laminaris and the Inferior Colliculus of the Barn Owl
Authors: Christianson G. Björn , Peña José Luis
Published: February 2007

Performing sound recognition is a task that requires an encoding of the time-varying spectral structure of the auditory stimulus. Similarly, computation of the interaural time difference (ITD) requires knowledge of the precise timing of the stimulus. Consistent with this, low-level nuclei of birds and mammals implicated in ITD processing encode the ongoing phase of a stimulus. However, the brain areas that follow the binaural convergence for the computation of ITD show a reduced capacity for phase locking. In addition, we have shown that in the barn owl there is a pooling of ITD-responsive neurons to improve the reliability of ITD coding. Here we demonstrate that despite two stages of convergence and an effective loss of phase information, the auditory system of the anesthetized barn owl displays a graceful transition to an envelope coding that preserves the spectrotemporal information throughout the ITD pathway to the neurons of the core of the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus.
Pain Enhances Functional Connectivity of a Brain Network Evoked by Performance of a Cognitive Task
Authors: Seminowicz David A. , Davis Karen D.
Published: February 2007

Experimental and clinical evidence indicates that pain can affect cognitive processes, but the cortical networks involved in pain-cognition interactions are unclear. In this study, we determined the effect of pain on the activity of cortical areas involved in cognition acting as a whole (i.e., a network). Subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while engaged in an attention-demanding cognitive task (multisource interference task) of varying difficulty and simultaneously receiving painful stimuli at varying intensities. The control (baseline) condition was simple finger tapping that had minimal cognitive demands and without pain. Functional connectivity analysis revealed a cortical network consisting of two anti-correlated parts: a task-negative part (precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex, medial frontal and inferior parietal/temporal) the activity of which correlated negatively with the cognitive task and positively with the control baseline, and a task-positive part (inferior frontal, superior parietal, premotor, and anterior insula cortices) the activity of which correlated positively with the cognitive task and negatively with the baseline. Independent components analysis revealed these opposing networks were operating at a low frequency (0.03–0.08 Hz). The functional connectivity of the task-positive network was increased by cognitive demand and by pain. We suggest this attention-specific network balances the needs of general self-referential and environmental awareness versus focused attention to salient information. We postulate that pain affects cognitive ability by its reliance on this common attention-specific network. These data provide evidence that pain can modulate a network presumed to be involved in focused attention, suggesting a mechanism for the interference of pain on cognitive ability by the consumption of attentional resources.
Cross-Talk between IGF-I and Estradiol in the Brain: Focus on Neuroprotection
Authors: Garcia-Segura Luis M. , Sanz Amaya , Mendez Pablo
Published: February 2007

The actions of estradiol in the brain involve the interaction with growth factors, such as insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Many cells in the brain coexpress receptors for estradiol (ERs) and IGF-I (IGF-IR) and both factors interact to regulate neural function. Several studies have shown that there is an interaction of IGF-IR and ERs in neuroprotection. Neuroprotective effects of estradiol are blocked by the inhibition of IGF-IR signaling, while the neuroprotective effects of IGF-I are blocked by the inhibition of ER signaling. These findings suggest that the neuroprotective actions of estradiol and IGF-I after brain injury depend on the coactivation of both ERs and IGF-IR in neural cells. The relationship of ERα with IGF-IR through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/glycogen synthase kinase 3β (PI3K/Akt/GSK3) signaling pathway may represent the point of convergence used by estradiol and IGF-I to cooperatively promote neuroprotection. Administration of estradiol to ovariectomized rats results in the association of ERα with IGF-IR and with components of the PI3K/Akt/GSK3 signaling pathway and in the regulation of the activity of Akt and GSK3 in the brain. Conversely, IGF-I regulates ERα transcriptional activity in neuroblastoma cells and the PI3K/Akt/GSK3 signaling pathway is involved in this effect.
A Novel Apoptosis Gene Identified in the Pituitary Gland
Authors: Farrell W.E.
Published: February 2007

Although multiple different cancers have been described, it is likely that these tumour types share a small, and common, number of newly acquired functional capabilities. Tumours that arise within the pituitary gland are no exception with respect to these new functional capabilities. Although compelling evidence for self-sufficiency in growth signals is presented, loss of functional tumour suppressor genes by classic mechanisms has not been clearly established. However, and in this context, methylation-mediated or -associated gene silencing, in particular of tumour suppressor genes, has been reported by numerous investigators in this tumour type. More recently, a search for novel genes on the basis of their inappropriate methylation has led to identification of a novel pro-apoptotic gene. Its pituitary tumour derivation and role in drug-induced apoptosis resulted in the acronym PTAG (pituitary tumour apoptosis gene) being assigned to this gene. In a model pituitary tumour cell line, AtT20, expression of PTAG per se had no discernible effects on proliferation, cell cycle profile or viability. However, enforced expression was associated with a significantly increased sensitivity to the apoptotic effects induced by bromocriptine challenge. Apoptosis was mediated through caspase activation and associated with DNA fragmentation as determined by TUNEL labelling. Similar findings are also evident in the rodent pituitary cell line, GH3 and our data shows that drugs other than bromocriptine, and that engage characterized receptors, elicit a PTAG-augmented apoptotic response. The isolation of novel genes, on the basis of their methylation status, offers a significant advantage with respect to our understanding of tumorigenesis in both the pituitary and other tumour types. The reversal of apparent gene silencing may lead to tumour cell ‘sensitisation’ to chemo- and radiotherapeutic treatment strategies.
Effects of Estradiol on Glycemic and CNS Neuronal Activational Responses to Recurrent Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia in the Ovariectomized Female Rat
Authors: Nedungadi T.P. , Goleman W.L. , Paranjape S.A. , Kale A.Y. , Briski K.P.
Published: February 2007

Recurrent insulin-induced hypoglycemia (RIIH) results in glucose counterregulatory dysfunction in men and male rodents. Intensified hypoglycemia in the latter coincides with diminished neuronal Fos expression in central metabolic regulatory structures, evidence that supports habituation of CNS-mediated compensatory motor outflow during re-exposure to this metabolic stress. In light of the evidence for counterregulatory resistance to precedent hypoglycemia in women, we utilized estradiol-treated ovariectomized (OVX) female rats to examine the hypothesis that this hormone regulates neural adaptability to recurring hypoglycemia. Groups of OVX rats were implanted with subcutaneous silastic capsules containing estradiol benzoate (E) or oil alone, and injected subcutaneously with one or four doses of the intermediate-acting insulin, Humulin NPH, one dose daily, or with diluent alone. Blood glucose levels were not altered by RIIH in E-implanted OVX animals, but were significantly decreased after four versus one insulin injection in the OVX+oil group. Mean numbers of Fos-immunoreactive (ir) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus hypothalamus (PVH), dorsomedial nucleus hypothalamus (DMH), and lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) were higher in both E- versus oil-implanted OVX rats injected with diluent only. Acute hypoglycemia significantly increased mean counts of Fos-ir-positive neurons in the PVH, DMH, and LHA, as well as the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and area postrema (AP) in E- and oil-treated animals to an equivalent extent. OVX+E rats exhibited comparable numbers of Fos-positive neurons in the PVH, DMH, and LHA after one versus four insulin injections, whereas the numbers of labeled neurons in NTS and AP were increased or decreased, respectively, by RIIH. Oil-implanted OVX rats showed significantly diminished numbers of Fos-ir-positive neurons in each neural structure after repeated hypoglycemia. The present data demonstrate that estradiol sustains or enhances neuronal reactivity to recurring hypoglycemia in central metabolic structures, whereas hypoglycemic patterns of Fos expression in each site become habituated during RIIH in the absence of this steroid. The brain sites characterized here by estrogen-dependent maintenance of neuronal genomic reactivity to this substrate fuel imbalance may contain direct and/or indirect cellular targets for hormonal actions that prevent adaptation of CNS-controlled motor responses to this metabolic stress.