bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vascular Calcification
Authors: Abedin Moeen , Tintut Yin , Demer Linda L.
Published: May 2004

Vascular calcification, long thought to result from passive degeneration, involves a complex, regulated process of biomineralization resembling osteogenesis. Evidence indicates that proteins controlling bone mineralization are also involved in the regulation of vascular calcification. Artery wall cells grown in culture are induced to become osteogenic by inflammatory and atherogenic stimuli. Furthermore, osteoclast-like cells are found in calcified atherosclerotic plaques, and active resorption of ectopic vascular calcification has been demonstrated. In general, soft tissue calcification arises in areas of chronic inflammation, possibly functioning as a barrier limiting the spread of the inflammatory stimulus. Atherosclerotic calcification may be one example of this process, in which oxidized lipids are the inflammatory stimulus. Calcification is widely used as a clinical indicator of atherosclerosis. It progresses nonlinearly with time, following a sigmoid-shaped curve. The relationship between calcification and clinical events likely relates to mechanical instability introduced by calcified plaque at its interface with softer, noncalcified plaque. In general, as calcification proceeds, interface surface area increases initially, but eventually decreases as plaques coalesce. This phenomenon may account for reports of less calcification in unstable plaque. Vascular calcification is exacerbated in certain clinical entities, including diabetes, menopause, and osteoporosis. Mechanisms linking them must be considered in clinical decisions. For example, treatments for osteoporosis may have unanticipated effects on vascular calcification; the converse also applies. Further understanding of processes governing vascular calcification may yield new therapeutic options for vascular disease.
Decreased Number and Impaired Angiogenic Function of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Patients With Chronic Renal Failure
Authors: Choi Jin-Ho , Kim Koung Li , Huh Wooseong , Kim Beom , Byun Jonghoe , Suh Wonhee , Sung Jidong , Jeon Eun-Seok , Oh Ha-Young , Kim Duk-Kyung
Published: May 2004

Objective—

Increased risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) has been explained by accelerated atherosclerosis and impaired angiogenesis, in which endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) may play key roles. We hypothesized that altered EPC biology may contribute to the pathophysiology of CRF.

Methods and Results—

EPCs were isolated from CRF patients on maintenance hemodialysis (n=44) and from a normal control group (n=30). CRF patients showed markedly decreased numbers of EPC (44.6%) and colonies (75.3%) when compared with the controls (
P
<0.001). These findings were corroborated by 30.5% decrease in EPC migratory function in response to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (
P
=0.040) and 48.8% decrease in EPC incorporation into human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) (
P
<0.001). In addition, Framingham’s risk factor score of both CRF (
r
=−0.461,
P
=0.010) and normal group (
r
=−0.367,
P
=0.016) significantly correlated with the numbers of EPC. Indeed, the number of circulating EPC was significantly lower in CRF patients than in normal group under the same burden of risk factors (
P
<0.001). A significant correlation was also observed between dialysis dose (Kt/V) and EPC incorporation into HUVEC (
r
=0.427,
P
=0.004).

Conclusions—

EPC biology, which is critical for neovascularization and the maintenance of vascular function, is altered in CRF. Our data strongly suggest that dysfunction of circulating EPC has a role in the progression of cardiovascular disease in patients with CRF.
CD4+CD28− T Lymphocytes Contribute to Early Atherosclerotic Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Authors: Gerli Roberto , Schillaci Giuseppe , Giordano Andrea , Bocci Elena Bartoloni , Bistoni Onelia , Vaudo Gaetano , Marchesi Simona , Pirro Matteo , Ragni Federica , Shoenfeld Yehuda , Mannarino Elmo
Published: May 2004

Background—

Peripheral blood expansion of an unusual CD4+ T-cell subset lacking surface CD28 has been suggested to predispose rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients to develop more aggressive disease. However, the potential association between CD4+CD28
null
T cells and early atherosclerotic changes in RA has never been investigated.

Methods and Results—

The number of circulating CD4+CD28
null
cells was evaluated in 87 RA and 33 control subjects who also underwent evaluation of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and endothelial function via flow-mediated vasodilation (FMV). Patients had higher IMT and lower FMV compared with control subjects. The frequency of CD4+CD28
null
cells was significantly higher in patients than in control subjects. Twenty patients with persistent expansion of circulating CD4+CD28
null
cells had more marked increase of carotid artery IMT and stronger decrease of brachial artery FMV. Blockade of tumor necrosis factor-α led to a partial reappearance of the CD28 molecule on the CD4+ cell surface.

Conclusions—

Circulating CD4+CD28
null
lymphocytes are increased in RA. Patients with persistent CD4+CD28
null
cell expansion show preclinical atherosclerotic changes, including arterial endothelial dysfunction and carotid artery wall thickening, more significantly than patients without expansion. These findings suggest a contribution of this cell subset in atheroma development in RA. Moreover, the demonstration that tumor necrosis factor-α blockade is able to reverse, at least in part, the CD28 deficiency on the CD4+ cell surface may be of interest for possible innovative therapeutic strategies in cardiovascular diseases.
Incidence of High-Strain Patterns in Human Coronary Arteries
Authors: Schaar Johannes A. , Regar Evelyn , Mastik Frits , McFadden Eugene P. , Saia Francesco , Disco Clemens , de Korte Chris L. , de Feyter Pim J. , van der Steen Antonius F.W. , Serruys Patrick W.
Published: May 2004

Background—

Rupture of thin-cap fibroatheromatous plaques is a major cause of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Such plaques can be identified in vitro by 3D intravascular palpography with high sensitivity and specificity. We used this technique in patients undergoing percutaneous intervention to assess the incidence of mechanically deformable regions. We further explored the relation of such regions to clinical presentation and to C-reactive protein levels.

Method and Results—

Three-dimensional palpograms were derived from continuous intravascular ultrasound pullbacks. Patients (n=55) were classified by clinical presentation as having stable angina, unstable angina, or AMI. In every patient, 1 coronary artery was scanned (culprit vessel in stable and unstable angina, nonculprit vessel in AMI), and the number of deformable plaques assessed. Stable angina patients had significantly fewer deformable plaques per vessel (0.6±0.6) than did unstable angina patients (
P
=0.0019) (1.6±0.7) or AMI patients (
P
<0.0001) (2.0±0.7). Levels of C-reactive protein were positively correlated with the number of mechanically deformable plaques (
R
2
=0.65,
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions—

Three-dimensional intravascular palpography detects strain patterns in human coronary arteries that represent the level of deformation in plaques. The number of highly deformable plaques is correlated with both clinical presentation and levels of C-reactive protein. Further studies will assess the potential role of the technique to identify patients at risk of future clinical events
Raloxifene Relaxes Rat Cerebral Arteries In Vitro and Inhibits L-Type Voltage-Sensitive Ca
2+
Channels
Authors: Tsang Suk-Ying , Yao Xiaoqiang , Essin Kirill , Wong Chi-Ming , Chan Franky L. , Gollasch Maik , Huang Yu
Published: May 2004

Background and Purpose—

Because of their mixed estrogen-agonist and estrogen-antagonist properties, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) are considered promising substitutes for hormone replacement therapy. Raloxifene and other SERMs confer estrogen-like cardiovascular protective effects but lack the carcinogenic activity of exogenous estrogen. However, little is known about the cerebrovascular action of raloxifene. Therefore, we studied the effects of raloxifene on the mechanisms regulating rat cerebral artery tone.

Methods and Results—

Ring segments of the isolated rat posterior communicating cerebral arteries were mounted in a microvessel myograph for measurement of isometric tension. Whole-cell L-type voltage-sensitive Ca
2+
currents were recorded using the perforated patch-clamp technique. Raloxifene (0.1 to 10 μmol/L) reduced the contractile responses to U46619, phenylephrine, and endothelin-1 in normal Krebs solution or to CaCl
2
in Ca
2+
-free, high K
+
-containing solution. Raloxifene-induced relaxation was identical in endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded rings. ICI 182780 had no effect on raloxifene-induced relaxation. Raloxifene reduced L-type Ca
2+
currents with a p
D
2
of 5.98±0.06, close to that (6.44±0.09) for raloxifene-induced relaxation of 60 mmol/L K
+
-contracted rings.

Conclusions—

This study demonstrates that raloxifene acutely relaxes rat cerebral arteries largely via an endothelium-independent mechanism, involving inhibition of Ca
2+
influx through L-type Ca
2+
channels.
Comparison of Hypertension Management After Stroke and Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Amar Jacques , Cambou Jean Pierre , Touzé Emmanuel , Bongard Vanina , Jullien Gérard , Vahanian Alec , Coppé Gérard , Mas Jean Louis
Published: May 2004

Background and Purpose—

Hypertension control is a cornerstone of preventive treatment in patients at risk for cerebral attack. The aim of this study was to analyze hypertension management in secondary prevention of stroke as compared with patients in secondary prevention of myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods—

The ECLAT1 study was a cross-sectional study conducted in all French regions in a random sample of 3009 practitioners. Patients with a documented history of atherothrombotic disease were included. Risk factors and the last measurement of blood pressure (BP) available in the medical record were noted. In the current study, patients with treated hypertension and a unique manifestation of atherothrombotic disease, ischemic stroke or MI, were analyzed.

Results—

Among the 4346 patients included in the ECLAT1 study, 1416 patients with treated hypertension and stroke or MI were analyzed. Hypertension control was poorer in patients with stroke as compared with patients with MI (24.56% versus 34.16%
P
<0.01). Compared with patients with MI, systolic BP (140.61±14.14 versus 144.21±14.99;
P
<0.0001), pulse pressure (59.91±11.94 versus 62.48±12.49;
P
<0.001), and, to a lesser extent, diastolic BP (80.69±8.39 versus 81.72±8.85;
P
<0.05) were higher in stroke patients. Moreover, antihypertensive monotherapy was more frequently used in stroke than in MI patients (43.16% versus 31.44%
P
<0.0001).

Conclusion—

With respect to the beneficial influence of tight BP control in secondary prevention of stroke, our results highlight the need for information provided to practitioners to recall the importance of hypertension control in this situation and to increase the use of combination therapy.
Serial Changes in Platelet Activation in Patients After Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Yip Hon-Kan , Chen Shun-Sheng , Liu Josef S. , Chang Hsueh-Wen , Kao Yi-Fen , Lan Min-Yu , Chang Yung-Yee , Lai Shung-Lon , Chen Wei-Hsi , Chen Mien-Cheng
Published: May 2004

Background and Purpose—

Enhanced platelet activity has previously been reported in the acute phase after ischemic stroke. We tested the hypothesis that activated platelets (expressed by CD62p) are substantially increased in the acute stage after a stroke and decrease thereafter, and that antiplatelet therapies can suppress CD62p expression.

Methods—

We serially examined platelet CD62p expression using flow cytometry after acute ischemic stroke in 87 consecutive patients. The CD62p expression was also evaluated in 20 healthy volunteers and 33 at-risk control subjects.

Results—

CD62p expression was significantly higher in the acute phase after ischemic stroke than in normal and at-risk control subjects (both
P
<0.0001). CD62p expression decreased to a significantly lower level on day 21, and to a substantially lower level on day 90. CD62p expression was not significantly suppressed by warfarin. However, CD62p expression was significantly suppressed by aspirin treatment (
P
=0.024) and more substantially suppressed by clopidogrel (
P
<0.0001) on day 90. Furthermore, only clopidogrel treatment (
P
=0.0016) was significantly independently associated with decreased CD62p expression on day 90.

Conclusions—

Platelet activation was significantly increased in acute ischemic stroke and substantially decreased thereafter. The lesser long-term pharmacodynamic potency of aspirin relative to clopidogrel raises the prospect of the need for more effective antiplatelet agents or a synergistic combination therapy for stroke prevention in the future.
Gold soldering in microelectronic products with tin–indium solder
Authors: Kosilov A. T. , Polner G. L. , Smurov I. U. , Zenin V. V.
Published: May 2004

The results of research into the interaction of 0.04 mm diameter gold microwire with STI50 solder have been presented when soldering hybrid integrated circuits and microassemblies on printed boards. The dependence of dissolving of gold wire on the temperature and duration of soldering has been established as well as on holding time at a seam temperature of 100 ° C; the interaction of STI50 solder with gold coating on UHF and HIC boards has been considered when soldering on metallic substrates.
Association of microstructural features and rippling phenomenon in 304 stainless steel gas tungsten arc welds
Authors: Hall A. C. , Robino C. V.
Published: May 2004

High speed, high magnification video microscopy has been used to investigate rippling behaviour in autogenous 304 stainless steel gas tungsten arc (GTA) welds. Images of the trailing edge of a weld pool (solid-liquid interface) were collected during the welding process. Weld ripple formation was observed and the associated solid-liquid interface velocity was measured. A distinct sequence of events was observed each time a ripple formed. This sequence of events involved apparent changes in the solid-liquid interface velocity, dendrite morphology, and dendrite growth direction. The microstructures of a group of rippled welds were examined and a number of features associated with the rippling phenomenon were identified. These features included changes in the pattern of the interdendritic constituents and changes in the solute distribution across the ripple feature. This information coupled with the video images was used to explain more fully the weld rippling phenomenon and the origins of microstructural changes associated with it. It is shown that solute redistribution occurs in the weld on a length scale associated with the ripple features.
Acute renal failure – definition, outcome measures, animal models, fluid therapy and information technology needs: the Second International Consensus Conference of the Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative (ADQI) Group
Authors: Bellomo Rinaldo , Ronco Claudio , Kellum John A , Mehta Ravindra L , Palevsky Paul ,   the ADQI workgroup
Published: May 2004

Introduction

There is no consensus definition of acute renal failure (ARF) in critically ill patients. More than 30 different definitions have been used in the literature, creating much confusion and making comparisons difficult. Similarly, strong debate exists on the validity and clinical relevance of animal models of ARF; on choices of fluid management and of end-points for trials of new interventions in this field; and on how information technology can be used to assist this process. Accordingly, we sought to review the available evidence, make recommendations and delineate key questions for future studies.

Methods

We undertook a systematic review of the literature using Medline and PubMed searches. We determined a list of key questions and convened a 2-day consensus conference to develop summary statements via a series of alternating breakout and plenary sessions. In these sessions, we identified supporting evidence and generated recommendations and/or directions for future research.

Results

We found sufficient consensus on 47 questions to allow the development of recommendations. Importantly, we were able to develop a consensus definition for ARF. In some cases it was also possible to issue useful consensus recommendations for future investigations. We present a summary of the findings. (Full versions of the six workgroups' findings are available on the internet at http://www.ADQI.net)

Conclusion

Despite limited data, broad areas of consensus exist for the physiological and clinical principles needed to guide the development of consensus recommendations for defining ARF, selection of animal models, methods of monitoring fluid therapy, choice of physiological and clinical end-points for trials, and the possible role of information technology.
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 Transactivates Transforming Growth Factor-β3 in Trophoblast
Authors: Nishi Hirotaka , Nakada Toshihide , Hokamura Mitsuyasu , Osakabe Yumi , Itokazu Osamu , Huang L. Eric , Isaka Keiichi
Published: May 2004

Hypoxia occurs during the development of placenta in the first trimester and is implicated in trophoblast differentiation. Intervillous blood flow increases after 10 wk of gestation and results in exposure of trophoblast cells to oxygen. Before this time, low oxygen appears to prevent trophoblast differentiation toward an invasive phenotype. The oxygen-regulated early events of trophoblast differentiation are mediated by TGF-β3. TGF-β3 plays a vital role in trophoblast differentiation, and its overexpression can be found in preeclamptic placenta. We sought to determine the mechanism of TGF-β3 expression through hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1. We show that HIF-1α and TGF-β3 are overexpressed in preeclamptic placenta. Hypoxia not only transactivates the TGF-β3 promoter activity but also enhances endogenous TGF-β3 expression. Using the TGF-β3 promoter deletion mutants, we show that the region between −90 and −60, which contains a putative HIF-1 consensus motif, is crucial for HIF-1-mediated transactivation. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays show that HIF-1 binds to the oligonucleotide containing the HIF-1 motif. Also, introduction of an antisense oligonucleotide for HIF-1 diminishes TGF-β3 expression during hypoxia, indicating that the up-regulation of TGF-β3 by hypoxia is mediated through HIF-1. Our results provide evidence that regulation of TGF-β3 promoter activity by HIF-1 represents a mechanism for trophoblast differentiation during hypoxia.
Minimal repair in heterogeneous populations
Authors: Finkelstein M. S.
Published: May 2004

The notion of minimal repair is generalized to the case when the lifetime distribution function is a continuous or a discrete mixture of distributions (heterogeneous population). The statistical (black box) minimal repair and the minimal repair based on information just before the failure of an object are considered. The corresponding stochastic intensities are defined and analyzed for the point processes generated by both types of minimal repair. Some generalizations are discussed. Several simple examples are considered.
Option bounds
Authors: De La Peña Victor H. , Ibragimov Rustam , Jordan Steve
Published: May 2004

In this paper, we obtain sharp estimates for the expected payoffs and prices of European call options on an asset with an absolutely continuous price in terms of the price density characteristics. These techniques and results complement other approaches to the derivative pricing problem. Exact analytical solutions to option-pricing problems and to Monte-Carlo techniques make strong assumptions on the underlying asset's distribution. In contrast, our results are semi-parametric. This allows the derivation of results without knowing the entire distribution of the underlying asset's returns. Our results can be used to test different modelling assumptions. Finally, we derive bounds in the multiperiod binomial option-pricing model with time-varying moments. Our bounds reduce the multiperiod setup to a two-period setting, which is advantageous from a computational perspective.
Convergence to the coalescent in populations of substantially varying size
Authors: Jagers Peter , Sagitov Serik
Published: May 2004

Kingman's classical theory of the coalescent uncovered the basic pattern of genealogical trees of random samples of individuals in large but time-constant populations. Time is viewed as being discrete and is identified with non-overlapping generations. Reproduction can be very generally taken as exchangeable (meaning that the labelling of individuals in each generation carries no significance). Recent generalisations have dealt with population sizes exhibiting given deterministic or (minor) random fluctuations. We consider population sizes which constitute a stationary Markov chain, explicitly allowing large fluctuations in short times. Convergence of the genealogical tree, as population size tends to infinity, towards the (time-scaled) coalescent is proved under minimal conditions. As a result, we obtain a formula for effective population size, generalising the well-known harmonic mean expression for effective size.
Rumination and future thinking in depression
Authors: Lavender Anna , Watkins Edward
Published: May 2004

Objectives: Future thinking is an important domain of cognitive functioning, with reduced ability to imagine positive future events associated with hopelessness in depression and parasuicide. Rumination has been shown to exacerbate negative cognitive biases in depression, and to reduce likelihood estimations for positive future events. We examine the hypothesis that, in depressed patients, rumination would reduce the ability to imagine positive future events, whilst increasing the ability to imagine negative future events.

Method: The ability to imagine positive and negative future events was assessed using the future thinking paradigm (MacLeod, Rose, & Williams, 1993). Depressed and nondepressed participants completed the future thinking task after being randomly allocated to either a rumination or distraction manipulation (Nolen‐Hoeksema & Morrow, 1993). Mood was measured before and after the manipulation. Participants also completed a standard verbal fluency task.

Results: In the depressed group, compared to distraction, rumination increased both negative and positive future thinking, although the effect was only significant for negative future thinking once baseline levels of hopelessness were controlled for. These findings are consistent with the prediction that rumination would increase negative future thinking, but inconsistent with the prediction that rumination would reduce positive future thinking. Previous findings that, compared to controls, depressed patients generated fewer positive future events were replicated.

Conclusion: Ruminative self‐focus leads to greater negative future thinking in depressed patients, further confirming that rumination exacerbates negative cognitive biases in depression. The relationship between rumination and positive future thinking was unexpected, but might potentially reflect a general priming of self‐related information by rumination.
The Effect of Neutron Flux on Radiation-Induced Embrittlement in Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels
Authors: Stoller RE
Published: May 2004

The effect of neutron flux level is a longstanding concern for determining the applicability of test reactor data or high lead-factor surveillance data to the prediction of embrittlement in commercial reactor pressure vessels (RPV). However, as operating reactors reach higher fluences, the question of flux effects is becoming increasingly relevant for situations such as embrittlement attenuation through the (RPV) and the comparison of boiling and pressurized reactor RPVs. In spite of its technological importance and extensive experimental and theoretical investigation, the issue of neutron flux effects on radiation-induced embrittlement in RPV steels remains unresolved. For neutron fluxes much greater than RPV operating conditions (>100 times higher), a regime exists in which the effects of flux are well defined experimentally and are well predicted by current models. These same models predict that the effect of flux should be relatively weak for values near those obtained in commercial RPVs, but may increase at lower fluxes. However, it is difficult to obtain sufficient data at low to intermediate fluxes to unambiguously determine the effects of flux since the time required to reach the desired fluences is necessarily long. In order to demonstrate the potential effects of flux on RPV embrittlement, and to help interpret the available experiments, a kinetic embrittlement model has been used in an analysis of the primary variables involved. The results of the analysis are consistent with a modest effect of flux on embrittlement for fluxes near those typical of commercial RPVs.
Surprisingly Large Generation and Retention of Helium and Hydrogen in Pure Nickel Irradiated at High Temperatures and High Neutron Exposures
Authors: Greenwood LR , Garner FA , Oliver BM , Grossbeck ML , Wolfer WG
Published: May 2004

Hydrogen and helium measurements in pure nickel irradiated to 100 dpa in HFIR at temperatures between 300 and 600°C show higher gas concentrations than predicted from fast-neutron reactions and the two-step 58Ni(n,γ)59Ni (n,p and n,α) reactions. This additional gas production suggests previously unidentified nuclear sources of helium and possibly hydrogen that assert themselves at very high neutron exposure. The elevated hydrogen measurements are especially surprising since it is generally accepted that hydrogen is very mobile in nickel at elevated temperatures and therefore is easily lost, never reaching large concentrations. However, it appears that relatively large hydrogen concentrations can be reached and retained for many years after irradiation at reactor-relevant temperatures. These new effects may have a significant impact on the performance of nickel-bearing alloys at high neutron fluences in both fission and fusion reactor irradiations.
The Significance of Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema in Live Birth Determination
Authors: Lavezzi WA , McKenna BJ , Wolf BC
Published: May 2004

The utility of pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) in live birth determination is not well established. Because the distinction between live birth and stillbirth may be important in criminal proceedings, we undertook this study to investigate the relationship between the histologic finding of PIE and live birth. Sixty-six cases of infant death were retrieved and compared with 21 stillborn infants. Histologic sections of the lungs were characterized as “florid PIE,” “equivocal PIE,” or “absent PIE.” Sixteen cases of florid PIE were identified, all in live born infants. Forty-seven cases of equivocal PIE were found in 36 live born and 11 stillborn infants. In 24 cases (14 live born infants and 10 stillborns), no PIE was identified. We examined the relationship between florid PIE in infants with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or “sudden unexpected death in infancy, manner undetermined” (SUDI), and also its relationship to other variables. No association was found. The presence of equivocal PIE may be an artifact of tissue processing.

Florid PIE is found only in live born infants. No correlation between the presence of florid PIE and cause of death could be determined.
Identification of Traumatic Injury in Burned Cranial Bone: An Experimental Approach
Authors: Pope EJ , Smith OC
Published: May 2004

Interpreting patterns of injury in victims of fire-related deaths poses challenges for forensic investigators. Determining manner of death (accident, suicide or homicide) using charred remains is compounded by the thermal distortion and fragmentation of soft and skeletal tissues. Heat degrades thin cranial structures and obscures the characteristic signatures of perimortem ballistic, blunt, and sharp force trauma in bone, making ifferentiation from thermal trauma difficult. This study documents the survivability and features of traumatic injury through all stages of burning for soft tissue reduction and organic degradation of cranial bone.

Forty cadaver heads were burned in environments simulating forensic fires. Progression of thermal degradation was photographically documented throughout the destructive stages for soft tissues and bone to establish expected burn sequence patterns for the head. In addition to testing intact vaults, a percentage were selectively traumatized to introduce the variables of soft tissue disruption, fractures, impact marks, and incisions throughout the cremation process. Skeletal materials were recovered, reconstructed, and correlated with photographs to discern burn patterns and survivability of traumatic features.

This study produced two important results: (1) Identification of preexistent trauma is possible in reconstructed burned cranial bone. Signatures of ballistic (internal and external bevel, secondary fractures), blunt force (impact site, radiating fractures), and sharp force (incisions, stabs, sectioning) survive the cremation process. (2) In non-traumatized specimens, the skull does not explode from steam pressure but does fragment as a result of external forces (collapsed debris, extinguishment methods) and handling. The features of both results are sequentially described thr throughout the progression of thermal destruction.
Validation Study of the True Allele® Automated Data Review System
Authors: Kadash K , Kozlowski BE , Biega LA , Duceman BW
Published: May 2004

The New York State Convicted Offender DNA Databank is the first U.S. lab to complete an internal validation of the True Allele® expert data review system. TrueAllele® is designed to assess short tandem repeat (STR) DNA data based on several key features such as peak height, shape, area, and position relative to a standard ladder and use this information to make accurate allele calls. The software then prioritizes the allele calls based on several user-defined rules. As a result, the user need only review low-quality data. The validation of this system consisted of an extensive optimization phase and a large concordance phase. During optimization, the rule settings were tailored to minimize the amount of high-quality data viewed by the user. In the concordance phase, a large dataset was typed in parallel with the ABI software Gene Scan® and Genotyper® (manual review) and TrueAllele® (automated review) for comparison of allele calls and sample state assignment. Only one significant difference was discovered out of 2048 samples in the concordance study. In this case, TrueAllele® revealed a spike in the profile that was interpreted as a DNA peak by the analyst in Genotyper®. TrueAllele® was designed to focus the review on poor data and to eliminate the need for complete reanalysis technical review. This validation project proved TrueAllele® to be dependable for use at the NYS Convicted Offender DNA Databank.
The Feasibility of Implementing an Evidence‐Based Core Set of Clinical Pharmacy Services in 2020: Manpower, Marketplace Factors, and Pharmacy Leadership
Authors: Bond C. A. , Raehl Cynthia L. , Patry Roland
Published: May 2004

Development of a national plan to implement a core set of clinical pharmacy services in United States hospitals by 2020 requires assertive leadership from pharmacy organizations and state boards of pharmacy, and a commitment from the profession. Factors that may affect the development are grouped into three areas: manpower, marketplace variables, and pharmacy leadership. Although the number of pharmacy school graduates (7000) was about the same in 1990 and 2000, a greater number of pharmacy schools and high student enrollment, coupled with the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education's acceptance of foreign‐trained pharmacists, suggest that the number of pharmacists will increase substantially in the near future. We estimate that the net increase in pharmacists (new pharmacy graduates less pharmacists who retire or die) in the United States will be 139,929 from 2000–2020, for a total of 335,040 pharmacists (71% increase). The number of pharmacy technicians increased substantially (66%), from 150,000 in 1996 to 250,000 in 2002. The number of residents in programs accredited by the American Society of Health‐System Pharmacists increased 148%, from 435 in 1990 to 1080 in 2002. We conservatively project an increase of 33,000 pharmacists who complete residencies from 2000–2020. The pharmacy marketplace has changed dramatically over the last 12 years, with 10,754 independent community pharmacies closing (2.46 pharmacies/day) and 8459 chain outlets opening (1.93 chains/day). In recent years, mail‐order pharmacies have expanded faster than other retail outlets and now process over 18% of U.S. prescriptions. Increased use of robotic systems (some can process 5000 prescriptions/hr) and technicians will diminish the demand for dispensing pharmacists. In addition, up to 10% of U.S. retail prescriptions may be filled outside the country's borders. These data indicate that there will be a sufficient supply of pharmacists and technicians in the future. Thus, it is feasible, based on manpower, marketplace factors, and pharmacy leadership, to implement a core set of clinical pharmacy services for patients in U.S. hospitals by 2020.
Tacrolimus Toxicity Associated with Concomitant Metoclopramide Therapy
Authors: Prescott William A. , Callahan Brian L. , Park Jeong M.
Published: May 2004

Subtherapeutic tacrolimus trough concentrations were noted in a 52‐year‐old woman who had undergone liver transplantation. Her tacrolimus dosage was increased from 7 to 28 mg twice/day, and ketoconazole therapy was added; however, her tacrolimus concentration remained undetectable. Metoclopramide 10 mg 4 times/day was begun to control the patient's new‐onset nausea and vomiting. Within 48 hours of increasing the dosage to 20 mg 4 times/day, her tacrolimus trough concentration exceeded 30 ng/ml. Signs and symptoms were suggestive of tacrolimus nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. According to the Naranjo scale, this adverse drug event was probably the result of improved absorption of tacrolimus secondary to metoclopramide therapy. The patient's subtherapeutic tacrolimus concentration at baseline was probably secondary to poor absorption due to impaired gastric emptying. Coadministration of metoclopramide significantly improved gastric motility and delivery of tacrolimus to the small intestine, increasing tacrolimus bioavailability, thus resulting in acute‐onset tacrolimus toxicity. When tacrolimus is administered with metoclopramide in patients with gastric dysmotility, tacrolimus concentrations should be monitored closely to minimize the risk of toxicity.
Race: Scientific nonproblem, cultural quagmire
Authors: Tattersall Ian
Published: May 2004

The matter of biological differentiation among human beings has been a perennial concern of physical anthropologists, whose profession grew out of the monogenist/polygenist debates of the 18th century, and who periodically feel impelled to issue sonorous pronouncements on the subject. In spite of (or perhaps because of) the extensive and difficult cultural ramifications of the race issue, such pronouncements have usually presented the matter of race as one that requires extensive bioanthropological exegesis. In reality, however, race is the most banal of biological issues. Within any species, including Homo sapiens, two biological processes are possible: physical differentiation (as routinely occurs in small population isolates) and reintegration (should the resulting differentiated populations come together in the absence of any barrier to mating). The history of Homo sapiens reflects both of these processes: initial differentiation among small, scattered populations in the later part of the Pleistocene, and subsequent reintegration as the human population expanded and these populations came together once more. It is for this reason that, while certain modal physical types can be recognized on any urban street today (differentiation), it is impossible to recognize any clear boundaries between them (reintegration). All of this is perfectly unremarkable in evolutionary terms, and requires no special explanation. The complexities of the race issue are real, of course, and it is important that we come to terms with them; but they will not be resolved by biologists. Anat Rec (Part B: New Anat) 278B:23–26, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nomogrammverfahren für die Planung von Maßnahmen zum sommerlichen Wärmeschutz
Authors: Knaust Gerald
Published: May 2004

In DIN 4108 Teil 2 „Wärmeschutz‐ und Energie‐Einsparung in Gebäuden, Mindestanforderungen an den Wärmeschutz”︁ werden Mindestanforderungen an den sommerlichen Wärmeschutz von Gebäuden gestellt. Zwar werden nach der gültigen DIN 4108 für die Innentemperatur in Abhängigkeit von der Klimaregion Grenzwerte benannt, der rechnerische Nachweis der Raumtemperatur wird wegen der Komplexität der Zusammenhänge jedoch nicht geführt.

Damit auch im Sinne von Planungssicherheit die Raumtemperatur bereits während der Vorplanung mit verhältnismäßig geringem Aufwand vom Planer abgeschätzt werden kann, wird an dieser Stelle ein Nomogrammverfahren zur Bemessung des sommerlichen Wärmeschutzes vorgestellt, das alle wesentlichen, die Raumtemperatur beeinflussenden Größen berücksichtigt. Diese Größen werden erläutert. Ein Beispiel verdeutlicht die Verfahrensweise zur Bemessung des sommerlichen Wärmeschutzes.
Effiziente 3‐D numerische Simulation im Tunnel und Kavernenbau
Authors: Dünser Christian , Vorauer Joachim , Beer Gernot
Published: May 2004

Dreidimensionale Simulationen von Tunneln bzw. Kavernen werden in der Praxis aus verschiedensten Gründen selten durchgeführt. Die Gründe hiefür sind ein großer Aufwand in der Netzgenerierung und lange Berechnungszeiten. In der gegenständlichen Untersuchung einer Krafthauskaverne handelt es sich eindeutig um ein dreidimensionales Problem, das nicht auf ein zweidimensionales Berechnungsmodell reduziert werden kann. Ziel der numerischen Simulation war es, die Ursachen für das Auftreten von Rissen in der Betonstruktur eines Krafthauses zu finden, bzw. festzustellen, ob sich diese Risse weiter ausbreiten werden. Im Beitrag wird gezeigt, daß es mit Hilfe einer Koppelung der Methode der Finiten Elemente und der Randelemente gelingt, den Simulationsaufwand stark zu reduzieren.
Verankerung bei Vorspannung mit sofortigem Verbund nach DIN 1045‐1
Authors: Hegger Josef , Will Norbert , Bülte Sebastian
Published: May 2004

Der aktuelle Stand der Technik zum Verbund‐ und Verankerungsverhalten von Spannstahl im sofortigen Verbund und die daraus abgeleiteten Bemessungsregeln für DIN 1045‐1 werden erläutert und an Bemessungsbeispielen verdeutlicht. Die Regelungen zum Nachweis der Verankerung weichen zum Teil erheblich von den bisherigen Nachweisverfahren nach DIN 4227 ab. Das neue Bemessungskonzept gilt für alle Vorspanngrade.
Neue Tendenzen im Erdbebeningenieurwesen
Authors: Bachmann Hugo
Published: May 2004

Wie kann das Erdbebenverhalten von Bau‐ und Tragwerken möglichst wirklichkeitsnah erfaßt werden? Was für Vorgehensweisen und Bemessungsverfahren führen zu den besten Maßnahmen? Wie kann nebst der Einsturzsicherung auch eine wirksame Schadensbegrenzung erreicht werden? Wie lassen sich allfällige Mehrkosten vermeiden oder auf das wirklich Notwendige begrenzen? Solche und ähnliche Fragestellungen beschäftigen Forschung und Praxis des Erdbebeningenieurwesens. Zu den möglichen Antworten zeichnen sich neue Tendenzen ab.
Teil 1: Aufstellung der Bedingungsgleichungen mit Überprüfung der Lösbarkeit
Authors: Hartung Bernhard , Krebs Albert
Published: May 2004

Im Stahlbetonquerschnitt geht wegen der Nichtlinearität beim Werkstoffverhalten die Möglichkeit der Superposition verloren. Für die allgemeine Schnittgrößenkombination (Nx, Vy, Vz, Mz, My und Tx) hat sich noch kein Lösungsweg zur Berechnung des zugehörigen Verzerrungszustandes im Querschnitt etabliert. Die den derzeitigen Normen zugrundeliegende Technische Biegelehre liefert nur für die Schnittgrößenkombination (Nx, My und Mz) den korrekten zugehörigen Verzerrungszustand, die sogenannte Dehnungsebene.

Die Technische Biegelehre wird nachfolgend derart erweitert, daß auch für die allgemeine Schnittgrößenkombination der zugehörige Verzerrungszustand berechnet werden kann. Er ist ebenfalls eine Dehnungsebene, die infolge der zu berücksichtigenden Gleitung zusätzlich noch verwölbt wird. Bei der Erweiterten Technischen Biegelehre (ETB) werden analog der Technischen Biegelehre die notwendigen Bedingungen von Gleichgewicht und geometrischer Verträglichkeit bei realistischem Werkstoffverhalten erfüllt.
Bemessung von Grundbauwerken aus Stahlbeton nach DIN 1054 (01.03)
Authors: Speier Ludger , Görtz Stephan
Published: May 2004

Abweichend von dem bisher gültigen Konzept der DIN 1054 (Ausgabe November 1976) bezieht sich der Geltungsbereich der Neufassung von Januar 2003 explizit auch auf die Standsicherheit und die Gebrauchstauglichkeit von Bauwerken und Bauteilen im Erd‐ und Grundbau. Da keine vollständige Übereinstimmung zur neuen Normengeneration besteht, insbesondere zu den Vorschriften zur Bemessung von Stahlbetontragwerken (DIN 1045‐1, Teil 1‐4, DIN 1055‐100, DIN Fachberichte 100‐104), existieren Interpretationsspielräume.

Es werden die Grundzüge und Differenzen der beiden Konzepte vorgestellt und Anwendungsregeln gegeben. Bemessungsergebnisse bei der Anwendung der neuen Normengeneration am Beispiel eines Tunnelbauwerks in bergmännischer Bauweise werden mit den bisher gültigen Normen (DIN 1045 (07.88), DIN 1054 (11.76), ZTVTunnel Teil I) verglichen.
A Novel Method to Synthesize Polystyrene Nanospheres Immobilized with Silver Nanoparticles by Using Compressed CO2
Authors: Zhang Jianling , Liu Zhimin , Han Buxing , Liu Dongxia , Chen Jing , He Jun , Jiang Tao
Published: May 2004

In this work, a novel route to synthesize polymer/metal composite nanospheres has been proposed. This method combines the advantages that the polymer chains collapse and entangle in the presence of compressed CO2, which acts as antisolvent, and the metal nanoparticles and polymers can be precipitated simultaneously from micellar solutions by the easy control of CO2 pressure. Ag/polystyrene (PS) nanocomposites have been successfully prepared using this method. The transmission electronic micrographs (TEM) of the obtained nanocomposites show that the smaller Ag nanoparticles are immobilized by PS nanospheres of about 50 nm; the phase structure was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The Ag/PS nanocomposites show absorption properties at a wavelength of ≈417 nm. The results of X‐ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and FT‐IR spectra indicate that there is no chemical linkage or strong interaction between PS and Ag nanoparticles in the resultant products. This method has many potential advantages for applications and may easily be applied to the preparation of a range of inorganic/ polymer composite nanoparticles.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Electronic Structure of Ba5In4Bi5: An Acentric and One‐Electron Deficient Phase
Authors: Ponou Siméon , Fässler Thomas F. , Tobías Gerard , Canadell Enric , Cho Ara , Sevov Slavi C.
Published: May 2004

The new ternary phase Ba5In4Bi5 was synthesized by direct reaction of the corresponding elements at high temperature. It crystallizes in a noncentrosymmetric space group and represents a new structure type (tetragonal, P4nc with a=10.620(2) and c=9.009(2) Å, Z=2). The structure is built of interconnected heteroatomic clusters of In4Bi5, square pyramids with In4‐bases and four exo‐bonded bismuth atoms (bond to the In atoms). According to Wade's rule the compound is electron‐deficient with one electron per cluster, that is, [In4Bi5]10− instead of the expected [In4Bi5]11− for a closed‐shell species. The clusters are discussed also in light of the known heteroatomic deltahedral clusters with the same composition but different charge, [In4Bi5]3−. Band structure calculations on the new compound suggest substantial participation of barium in the overall bonding of the structure that “accounts” for the electron shortage
Probability rule for chiral recognition
Authors: Kafri Ran , Lancet Doron
Published: May 2004

Molecular Chirality is of central interest in biological studies because enantiomeric compounds, while indistinguishable by most inanimate systems, show profoundly different properties in biochemical environments. Enantioselective separation methods, based on the differential recognition of two optical isomers by a chiral selector, have been amply documented. Also, great effort has been directed towards a theoretical understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying the chiral recognition process. Here we report a comprehensive data examination of enantioseparation measurements for over 72,000 chiral selector‐selectand pairs from the chiral selection compendium CHIRBASE. The distribution of α = k′D/k′L values was found to follow a power law, equivalent to an exponential decay for chiral differential free energies. This observation is experimentally relevant in terms of the number of different individual or combinatorial selectors that need to be screened in order to observe α values higher than a preset minimum. A string model for enantiorecognition (SMED) formalism is proposed to account for this observation on the basis of an extended Ogston three‐point interaction model. Partially overlapping molecular interaction domains are analyzed in terms of a string complementarity model for ligand‐receptor complementarity. The results suggest that chiral selection statistics may be interpreted in terms of more general concepts related to biomolecular recognition. Chirality 16:369–378, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New bounds for the Kuramoto‐Sivashinsky equation
Authors: Giacomelli Lorenzo , Otto Felix
Published: May 2004

We show that every L‐periodic mean‐zero solution u of the Kuramoto‐Sivashinsky equation is on average o(L) for L ≫ 1, in the sense that for any T > 0 the space average of | u(t) | is bounded by $L \over T$ for any t > T and any L sufficiently large. For this we argue that on large spatial scales, the solution behaves like an entropy solution of the inviscid Burgers equation. The analysis of this non‐standard perturbation of the Burgers equation is based on a “div‐curl” argument. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
General view on current conveyors
Authors: Čajka Josef , Dostál Tomáš , Vrba Kamil
Published: May 2004

We propose a new current conveyor terminology and explain how these terms are coined. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scanning Tunneling Study of the Assembly of Octa‐ and Tetraruthenium Supermolecules on Graphite
Authors: Shieh Dong‐Lin , Shiu Kom‐Bei , Lin Jong‐Liang
Published: May 2004

Surface layer structures of [{Ru2(CO)4(PMe3)2}(μ‐O2CCO2)]4 and [{Ru2(CO)4(PMe3)2}(μ‐O2CCH2CO2)]2 with [Ru2(CO)4(PMe3)2] building blocks cis‐ligated by either O2CCO2 or O2CCH2CO2 on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) have been investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. STM images of well‐ordered assemblies of these two molecules with molecular or submolecular resolution were obtained. These two molecules can adopt an orientation with their Ru−Ru bonds parallel or perpendicular to the substrate surface forming ordered 2D‐arrays with different layer structures and tunneling spectra. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)