bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of ultrasound and fetal fibronectin in predicting the length of induced labor when the cervix is unfavorable
Authors: Roman H. , Verspyck E. , Vercoustre L. , Degre S. , Col J. Y. , Firmin J. M. , Caron P. , Marpeau L.
Published: May 2004

Objective

To compare cervical clinical data, ultrasound parameters and fetal fibronectin assessment in the prediction of the duration of induced labor when the cervix is unfavorable.

Methods

This was a prospective study of 90 pregnant women with a Bishop score ≤ 5 undergoing labor induction. The Bishop score and its components, parity, cervical ultrasound parameters and fetal fibronectin level were analyzed using Cox's model in order to determine the most predictive factors for the duration of the latent and active phases of labor as well as its total duration.

Results

There was a significant correlation between duration of the latent phase and the whole of labor, and digitally assessed cervical dilatation (P = 0.003 and P < 0.001, respectively), parity (P = 0.006 and P < 0.001), the Bishop score (P = 0.019 and P = 0.003) and ultrasound‐determined cervical length (P = 0.035 and P = 0.003). The length of the active phase of labor did not correlate with the cervical status. Funneling did not appear to be predictive of the duration of labor and it had a poor correlation with digital cervical dilatation. The length of the latent phase and that of the whole of labor was significantly longer when cervical dilatation was ≤ 2 cm (P < 0.001 in each case), when women were nulliparous (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001) and when ultrasound cervical length was ≥ 27 mm (P = 0.002 and P = 0.005).

Conclusion

Cervical dilatation as assessed by digital examination is the best predictor of the duration of the latent phase and of that of the whole of labor. Ultrasound measurement of cervical length is not more accurate at predicting the duration of labor than are clinical data. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased risk of perinatal/neonatal death in infants who were smaller than expected at ultrasound fetometry in early pregnancy
Authors: Källén K.
Published: May 2004

Objectives

To investigate if there is an association between perinatal/neonatal death and a discrepancy between gestational age by ultrasound fetometry in early pregnancy (GAU) and gestational age by last menstrual period (GALMP), and to investigate possible causes for such an association.

Methods

The Swedish Medical Birth Registry was used to identify singleton pregnancies with information available on GALMP and GAU that were delivered in Sweden between 1990 and 2000. A total of 718 011 pregnancies was included and information on the pregnancy and delivery was obtained from the National Board of Health.

Results

Infants with a GAU at least 7 days less than the GALMP were at increased risk for stillbirth (odds ratio (OR), 1.45; 95% CI, 1.32–1.58), neonatal death within 1 month (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.67–2.09), Apgar score < 7 at 5 min (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.11–1.24), birth weight < 2500 g (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.43–1.52), and preterm birth < 37 weeks (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.42–1.49). The association between a postponed expected date of delivery and perinatal/neonatal death increased with gestational length and was especially pronounced among infants who were born after at least 40 completed weeks of pregnancy (GAU).

Conclusions

A discrepancy between GAU and GALMP may indicate early disturbances in fetal/placental development. Furthermore, it can be speculated that, as the risk significantly increased with gestational duration, at least a part of the increased risk for poor pregnancy outcome in adjusted pregnancies was due to consequences of true post‐term pregnancies not being recognized as such. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrothermal Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a New Oxalato‐bridged Lead(II) Polymer: {[Pb(phen)2(ox)]·5H20}n (phen = 1, 10‐phenanthroline, ox = oxalate)
Authors: Zhu Li‐Hong , Zeng Ming‐Hua , Ye Bao‐Hui , Chen Xiao‐Ming
Published: May 2004

A new one‐dimensionally neutral coordination polymer, namely {[Pb(phen)2(ox)]·5H20}n (phen = 1, 10‐phenanthroline, ox = oxalate) (1), has been synthesized under hydrothermal condition and characterized by X‐ray crystallography. Complex 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pban (No. 50) with a = 19.358(2), b = 6.8135(6), c = 9.7015(8)Å, V = 1279.6(2)Å3, and Z = 2. Each Pb(II) atom is eight‐coordinated in a square‐antiprismatic D4d geometry by four nitrogen atoms from two phen groups and four oxygen atoms from two ox ligands. The polymeric chains further constructed into a three‐dimensional network via strong π—π stacking interactions and hydrogen bonds. The complex exhibits intense blue photoluminescence with an emission maximum at 403 nm at room temperature.
Phosphanimin‐Komplexe des Berylliums und Phosphaniminato‐Komplexe mit Heterokubanstruktur
Authors: Neumüller Bernhard , Dehnicke Kurt
Published: May 2004

Berylliumdichlorid reagiert mit dem silylierten Phosphanimin Me3SiNPEt3 in Dichlormethan‐Lösung unter Bildung des monomeren Molekülkomplexes [BeCl2(Me3SiNPEt3)] (1), dessen Thermolyse bei 160 °C unter Abspaltung von Trimethylchlorsilan zu dem Phosphaniminato‐Komplex [BeCl(μ3‐NPEt3)]4 (2) mit Heterokubanstruktur führt. In Anwesenheit von BeCl2 reagiert 1 in der Schmelze zu dem Phosphaniminato‐Komplex [Be4Cl4(μ3‐Cl)(μ3‐NPEt3)3] (3), dessen Struktur sich von 2 durch Ersatz eines (μ3‐NPEt3)—‐Liganden durch einen μ3‐Chloroliganden ableitet. Als Nebenprodukt entstand aus der Lösung von 2 in Dichlormethan der Phosphanimin‐Komplex [BeCl2(μ‐HNPEt3)]2 · CH2Cl2 (4·CH2Cl2), der über zwei Cl···H‐N—Wasserstoffbrücken zu Dimeren [{BeCl2(μ‐HNPEt3)}2]2 der Symmetrie D2 assoziiert ist. 1—4·CH2Cl2 werden durch Kristallstrukturanalysen charakterisiert, 1—3 zusätzlich durch ihre IR‐Spektren.

(Kristallstrukturdaten s. Abstract)
Unexpected Coordination Behaviour of a Polypyrrole Ligand
Authors: Bröring Martin , Link Stephan , Köhler Silke , Cónsul Tejero Esther
Published: May 2004

The first coordination compounds of a hexapyrrin reveal an unexpected binding mode of longer open‐chain oligopyrroles to transition metal ions as observed by the X‐ray structural analysis of a PdII derivative.
Comparison of the Non‐linear Spin Dynamics in Antiferromagnetic Chain Compounds Na2MnF5 and (ND4)2MnF5
Authors: Pebler Jürgen , Frommen Christoph , Mangold Mathias , Stief Ronald , Krimmel Alexander , van de Kamp Reiner , Ohl Michael , Regnault Louis‐Pierre
Published: May 2004

Na2Mn0.98Fe0.02F5 and (ND4)2Mn0.98Fe0.02F5 was studied with the aid of Mössbauer spectroscopy. These results were interpreted on the basis of classical soliton theory. In order to confirm this concept, we have performed neutron scattering experiments on large single crystals of the pure compounds. We discuss the results obtained on a thermal and cold three‐axis spectrometer, which probe the magnon spin wave excitations and the existence of the nonlinear excitations in the quasi 1‐d antiferromagnetic chains of Na2MnF5 and (ND4)2MnF5, respectively. Additionally, we include elastic neutron diffraction and dc. single crystal susceptibility measurements to determine the magnetic structure. From the width of the quasielastic scattering signal the temperature dependence of the inverse magnetic correlation lengths was derived resulting in a soliton activation energy of Es/k = 65(3) K and Es/k = 81(3) K, respectively, which are in good agreement with the soliton energies obtained by our high resolution inelastic neutron scattering experiment. In contrast to these results the Mössbauer spectroscopy gives twice the value of the soliton energy caused by soliton pair or inter‐band excitations.
Tantalum Clusters in Oxidic Matrices — Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of Eu1.83Ta15O32
Authors: Álvarez‐López Maria R. , Ritter Arno , Pietzonka Clemens , Harbrecht Bernd
Published: May 2004

The mixed‐valent oxotantalate Eu1.83Ta15O32 was prepared from a compressed mixture of Ta2O5 and the metals in a sealed Ta ampoule at 1400 °C. The crystal structure was determined by means of single crystal X‐ray diffraction: space group R3¯, a = 777.2(6) pm and c = 3523.5(3) pm, Z = 3, 984 symmetrically independent reflections, 83 variables, RF = 0.027 for I > 2σ (I). The structure is isotypic to Ba2Nb15O32. The salient feature is a [Ta(+8/3)6O12iO6a] cluster consisting of an octahedral Ta6 core bonded to 12 edge‐bridging inner and six outer oxygen atoms. The clusters are arranged to slabs which are sandwiched by layers of [Ta(+5)3O13] triple octahedra. Additional Ta(+5) and Eu(+2) atoms provide the cohesion of these structural units. Twelve‐fold coordinated Eu(+2) atoms are situated on a triply degenerate position 33 pm displaced from the threefold axis of symmetry. A depletion of the Eu(+2) site from 6 to 5.5 atoms per unit cell reduces the number of electrons available for Ta‐Ta bonding from 15 to 14.67 electrons per cluster. Between 125 and 320 K Eu1.83Ta15O32 is semi‐conducting with a band gap of 0.23 eV. The course of the magnetization is consistently described with the Brillouin function in terms of a Mmol/(NAμB) versus B/T plot in the temperature range 5 K — 320 K and at magnetic flux densities 0.1 T — 5 T. At moderate flux densities (< 1 T) the magnetic moment agrees fairly well with the expected value of 7.94 μB for free Eu (2+) ions with 4f7 configuration in 8S7/2 ground state. Below 5 K, anisotropic magnetization measurements at flux densities B < 1 T point to an onset of an antiferromagnetic ordering of Eu spins within the layers and an incipient ferromagnetic ordering perpendicular to the layers.
Oxorhenium(V)‐ and Tricarbonylrhenium(I) Complexes with Substituted Pyrazoles as Products of the Degradation of Hydrotrispyrazolylborates
Authors: Kückmann Theresa I. , Abram Ulrich
Published: May 2004

Hydrotris(3, 5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)borate and hydrotris(3‐phenylpyrazol‐1‐yl)borate decompose during reactions with [ReOCl3(PPh3)2] and [NEt4]2[Re(CO)3Br3], respectively. The generated pyrazole ligands form complexes with the rhenium(V) oxo and the rhenium(I) tricarbonyl cores.

X‐ray crystal structures of the oxo‐bridged dimer [Cl(PPh3)(O)Re(μ‐O)(μ‐Me2pz)2Re(O)(HMe2pz)Cl] (1) and [Re(CO)3(HPhpz)2(Phpz)] (2) (HMe2pz = 3, 5‐dimethylpyrazole, HPhpz = 3‐phenylpyrazole) show that the substituted pyrazoles can readily deprotonate and act as monodentate or bridging anionic ligands. Re‐N bond lengths between 2.09 and 2.14Å have been observed for the bridging and between 2.12 and 2.23Å for the terminal pyrazole ligands.
Tieftemperatur‐Oxidation in flüssigem Ammoniak: [Eu2(Ind)4(NH3)6], das erste Indolat eines Selten‐Erd‐Elementes
Authors: Müller‐Buschbaum Klaus
Published: May 2004

Intensiv gelb‐orange, transparente Kristalle von [Eu2(Ind)4(NH3)6] (Ind = Indolat‐Anion, C8H6N—) wurden durch Tieftemperatur‐Oxidation von Europium‐Metall mit Indol (C8H6NH) in flüssigem Ammoniak bei —50 °C und anschließendem Aufschmelzen des Reaktionsgemenges in überschüssigem Indol bei 120 °C erhalten. [Eu2(Ind)4(NH3)6] zeigt einen dimeren Aufbau und enthält Eu2+‐Ionen. Die Koordinationssphäre um die Eu‐Atome besteht aus fünf N‐Atomen von zwei cis‐stehenden Indolat‐Anionen und drei NH3‐Molekülen sowie einem η5‐koordinierenden π‐System eines weiteren Indolat‐Liganden, dessen N‐Atom mit einem sp2‐Orbital zum nächsten Eu‐Atom verbrückt.
Lithium Bis(pentafluorophenyl)amide — Syntheses and Structural Characterization of its Complexes with Diethyl Ether and THF
Authors: Khvorost Alexander , Shutov Pavel L. , Harms Klaus , Lorberth Jörg , Sundermeyer Jörg , Karlov Sergey S. , Zaitseva Galina S.
Published: May 2004

The title compound, viz. (C6F5)2NLi was prepared as dimeric complexes with Et2O or THF by the reaction of (C6F5)2NH (DFDPA) with n‐BuLi. Identity and structures were established by elemental analyses, 1H, 13C, and 19F NMR spectroscopy, and IR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of dimeric [(C6F5)2NLi(Et2O)]2 (1) and [(C6F5)2NLi(THF)]2 (2) were determined by X‐ray diffraction methods.
Preventing and managing complications of induced abortion in Third World countries
Authors: Ladipo Oladipo A.
Published: May 2004

In societies with restrictive abortion laws, clandestine induced abortion by unskilled personnel results in needless and very high mortality and morbidity, tremendous strain on limited health resources, and inexcusable human suffering. Sepsis, hemorrhage, genitol tract trauma, and related ill health and sterility, could be prevented by legalizing abortion, making appropriate sex education and contraceptive services available and training physicians and nonphysicians in uterine vacuum aspiration.
Unwanted pregnancy: challenges for health policy
Authors: Pinotti JoséAristodemo , Faúndes Anibal
Published: May 2004

In Latin America, governments fail to recognize that information and services for sexuality, reproduction and contraception are essential to women's health. Governments should adopt comprehensive women's health policies and programs to help women avoid unwanted pregnancies that lead to dangerous illegal abortions. This includes sex education, especially for adolescents; contraceptive choices; accessible services; decriminalization of abortion and removal of obstacles to legal abortion services; and support for women who wish to carry their pregnancies to term.
Commentary on a community‐based approach to reproductive health care
Authors: Bang Rani , Bang Abhay
Published: May 2004

Reproductive care needs to be broadened beyond maternity care and family planning to include care for gynecological and sexual problems, safe abortion services, and sex and reproductive health education. Our epidemiologic study of rural women has shown a very high prevalence of gynecological diseases. We tried to develop a community‐based approach to comprehensive reproductive care by undertaking participatory research, fostering mass education with the people's involvement, and by making care available through village‐based female workers and improved referral services. We end with two appeals:

“MCH” needs to be replaced by WCH: not merely Maternal and Child Health but Woman and Child Health.

Care should be provided through a community‐based participatory approach, not through narrow technocratic vertical programs. Let people shape their own lives!
Poverty reduction and biodiversity conservation: rebuilding the bridges
Authors: Roe Dilys , Elliott Joanna
Published: May 2004

Has biodiversity ‘all but disappeared from the global dialogue on sustainable development’ as Sanderson & Redford (2003) fear?
Here we explore the poverty reduction
imperative that dominates the current agendas of
most international development agencies, question the
absence of biodiversity conservation from this agenda,
and debate the role of the United Nations Millennium
Development Goals in building bridges between the two.
The social and environmental impacts of wilderness and development
Authors: Brockington Dan , Schmidt-Soltau Kai
Published: May 2004

Sanderson & Redford's (2003) correct insistence that poverty alleviation programmes ought more actively to include conservation would be well matched by an awareness of the impacts of some conservation policies, particularly the establishment of strictly protected areas, on local livelihoods.
Lands protected as wilderness
require the removal or exclusion of people and are
locally costly. Wilderness protection requires, we argue,
far more awareness of the nature and extent of these costs
wherever conservation interests have to be served by
people's absence.
The distribution and conservation status of marine turtles in The Gambia, West Africa: a first assessment
Authors: Barnett Linda K. , Emms Craig , Jallow Alpha , Cham Anna Mbenga , Mortimer Jeanne A.
Published: May 2004

This paper reports the first systematic survey of the marine turtles of the 80 km of Gambian coastline, and brings together new data and all past records and reports of marine turtles in The Gambia. Green turtles Chelonia mydas are the most abundant turtles and this is the only species so far observed nesting in The Gambia, with peak nesting between August and October. Although 75% (60 km) of The Gambian coastline appears to be suitable for turtle nesting, most nesting activity is confined to the southern coastline. Offshore foraging habitat is apparently extensive. Strandings of green turtles, olive ridley turtles Lepidochelys olivacea, leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea and hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata have been recorded, but we were unable to find evidence for loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta. Threats are mainly of human origin, and include illegal harvesting of eggs, juveniles and adults, as well as mortality as fisheries bycatch, including trawling. One stranded green turtle apparently had fibropapilloma disease. The major threat to nesting habitats is erosion and unregulated development of the coast for tourism. Marine turtles are fully protected under Gambian law. Other national efforts to conserve turtles in The Gambia are described and assessed.
Effects of land use, nesting-site availability, and the presence of larger raptors on the abundance of Vulnerable lesser kestrels Falco naumanni in Kazakhstan
Authors: Tella José L. , Carrete Martina , Sánchez-Zapata José A. , Serrano David , Gavrilov Andrei , Sklyarenko Sergei , Ceballos Olga , Donázar José A. , Hiraldo Fernando
Published: May 2004

The lesser kestrel Falco naumanni is a cavity-nesting falcon that breeds colonially in steppe-like habitats. Circum-Mediterranean populations declined sharply during the 20th century and the species is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. We investigated the numbers of breeding pairs in Kazakhstan, previously considered to be an important area for the species, where it still inhabits natural steppe and semi-natural grasslands and breeds on cliffs. The availability of cliffs for nesting does not seem to be limiting as most cliffs are unoccupied. However, lesser kestrels tended to breed on small cliffs, where larger predatory raptors are scarcer. Abundance of lesser kestrels was also related to land use. Cliffs in semi-natural grasslands were apparently preferred over those in natural steppe, while those in agricultural landscapes were avoided despite the lower presence there of larger raptors. Large-scale transformation of steppe and grasslands into intensive agriculture might have reduced lesser kestrel numbers, and with the development of new agricultural projects, monitoring and conservation programmes for lesser kestrel populations are urgently required in Kazakhstan.
Does the leopard Panthera pardus still exist in the Eastern Karadeniz Mountains of Turkey?
Authors: Baskaya Sagdan , Bilgili Ertugrul
Published: May 2004

The Anatolian leopard Panthera pardus tulliana is categorized as Critically Endangered, and the last known record of this subspecies in Turkey was the finding of fresh faecal pellets in 1992 in Termossos National Park. The leopard formerly occurred across most of Turkey, but particularly in the west, south and south-east regions. In this study we investigated the existence of the leopard in the Eastern Karadeniz Mountains in the north-east, where there have been no records of the leopard since 1956. Surveys for leopard sign, lasting 2–8 days each, were carried out from 1993 to 2002 at 46 sites. We found leopard footprints, which could be clearly differentiated from those of lynx Lynx lynx by their size, at 16 survey sites from Çapans Mountains in the west to Karçal Mountain in the east. Further work now needs to be carried out to ascertain the size and status of the remaining leopard population.
Helicity of magnetic clouds and their associated active regions
Authors: Leamon Robert J. , Canfield Richard C. , Jones Sarah L. , Lambkin Keith , Lundberg Brian J. , Pevtsov Alexei A.
Published: May 2004

In this work we relate the magnetic and topological parameters of twelve interplanetary magnetic clouds to associated solar active regions. We use a cylindrically symmetric constant‐α force‐free model to derive field line twist, total current, and total magnetic flux from in situ observations of magnetic clouds. We compare these properties with those of the associated solar active regions, which we infer from solar vector magnetograms. Our comparison of fluxes and currents reveals: (1) the total flux ratios ΦMC/ΦAR tend to be of order unity, (2) the total current ratios IMC/IAR are orders of magnitude smaller, and (3) there is a statistically significant proportionality between them. Our key findings in comparing total twists αL are that (1) the values of (αL)MC are typically an order of magnitude greater than those of (αL)AR and (2) there is no statistically significant sign or amplitude relationship between them. These findings compel us to believe that magnetic clouds associated with active region eruptions are formed by magnetic reconnection between these regions and their larger‐scale surroundings, rather than simple eruption of preexisting structures in the corona or chromosphere.
Lithospheric deformation beneath the Altyn Tagh and West Kunlun faults from recent gravity surveys
Authors: Jiang Xiaodian , Jin Yu , McNutt Marcia K.
Published: May 2004

New gravity and topographic elevation data crossing the Altyn Tagh and West Kunlun faults in northern Tibet are used to test key features of a recently proposed tectonic model for the northern boundary of the Tibetan Plateau. The observations, collected in 1997 and 1998 at 468 stations along three profiles, were converted to Bouguer gravity anomalies to constrain flexural models for isostatic compensation of the large relief associated with these faults. Initially, we failed to reproduce the main features of the gravity anomalies with any isostatic model that assumes that the main contribution to the observed gravity anomalies is from the flexure of the Moho. By integrating sedimentary information derived from exploration seismology in the Tarim and Qaidam basins, we obtained satisfactory fits to the data using simple models of isostasy. No elastic strength across the Altyn Tagh is required to fit the gravity data, suggesting that the fault breaks the entire lithosphere beneath it and has negligible thrust component currently or in the past. This result is consistent with tectonic models that create the thickened crust of northern Tibet through thick‐skinned thrust sheets progressively overriding Asia to the northeast as the Altyn Tagh, behaving as a classic transform fault, propagates in that direction. Farther west, the gravity observations across the West Kunlun are best explained by significant underthrusting of the high topography by an elastic plate with effective thickness between 30 and 40 km, in agreement with geologic interpretation and modeling of earlier, but very sparse, gravity observations.
Elevated stresses and creep rates beneath the brittle‐ductile transition caused by seismic faulting in the upper crust
Authors: Ellis Susan , Stöckhert Bernhard
Published: May 2004

Large faults in the brittle upper continental crust are envisaged to terminate near the brittle‐ductile transition zone, at a depth that is a complex function of material properties, temperature, stress, and strain rate. Here we investigate the effect of coseismic displacement along a fault in the upper crust on the adjacent middle and lower crust using a two‐dimensional numerical model of faulting within an elastic‐frictional‐viscous rheology. Results demonstrate that a major displacement event can cause a dramatic increase in differential stress and creep strain rates in the crust near and below the lower termination of the fault, a transient deflection of the brittle‐ductile transition zone, and a zone of elevated strain rates down to the base of the crust. The perturbation decays over timescales consistent with postseismic relaxation. The stresses and strain rates predicted in such models are in accord with those inferred from microstructural damage analysis of exhumed metamorphic rocks, indicating short‐term deformation at decaying stress and strain rates.
Seasonal change in Titan's haze 1992–2002 from Hubble Space Telescope observations
Authors: Lorenz Ralph D. , Smith Peter H. , Lemmon Mark T.
Published: May 2004

Images from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) document the seasonal migration of haze in Titan's atmosphere. Image profiles show darkening of the north relative to the south at 439 nm (blue) but no change at 619 nm. The limb profile at 889 nm has inverted, becoming north‐bright, a variation consistent with haze transport towards the winter hemisphere by winds. The complex altitude‐time variation of the north‐south haze differences are indicated in resolved spectra acquired with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS): the continuum slope of a north/south ratio spectrum changes sign, becoming red, between 2000 and 2002, although the 889 nm band had already reversed by 2000, suggesting the haze distribution changes most rapidly at high altitudes.
Tertiäre Prävention von Berufsdermatosen
Authors: Skudlik Christoph , Schwanitz Hans Joachim
Published: May 2004

Hintergrund: Die Indikation zur stationären tertiären Prävention bei Berufsdermatosen ist gegeben, wenn ein objektiver Zwang zur Unterlassung der schädigenden Tätigkeit droht. Frühere Untersuchungen haben gezeigt, daß mit einer tertiären Präventionsmaßnahme bei 2/3 solcher Patienten ein langfristiger Berufsverbleib erzielt werden kann. Berufspezifische Daten zur Wirksamkeit der tertiären Prävention liegen bislang nicht vor.

Patienten und Methodik: Wir analysierten unser Patientenkollektiv des Jahres 2002 berufsgruppenspezifisch bezüglich Diagnosen, früherer und aktueller Therapie und klinischem Erfolg der tertiären Präventionsmaßnahme.

Ergebnisse: Bei den 296 Patienten wurde in 91 % der Fälle primär ein Kontaktekzem der Hände diagnostiziert (75 % primär irritativ bedingte Handekzeme (37 % kumulativ‐toxische Handekzeme, 38 % irritativ‐provozierte atopische Handekzeme, 16 % primär allergische Handekzeme). Klinisch relevante Typ‐IV‐Sensibilisierungen wurden insgesamt in 42 % der Fälle konstatiert, überwiegend im Sinn sekundär aufgepfropfter allergischer Kontaktekzeme. In über 83 % konnte eine vollständige bis weitestgehende Abheilung erzielt werden.

Klinisch relevante Sensibilisierungen waren am häufigsten bei Friseuren (66 %). Die Angehörigen der Reinigungsberufe gaben am häufigsten (60 %) eine regelmäßige Kortikosteroid‐Vorbehandlung an; wir dokumentierten bei dieser Berufsgruppe am häufigsten sowohl eine Kortisonentzugssymptomatik (53 %) als auch eine Hautatrophie der Hände (23 %).

Schlußfolgerung: Die Daten zur tertiären Prävention von Berufsdermatosen geben Hinweise auf Optimierungsmöglichkeiten der ambulanten Therapie und bezüglich Berufsgruppen‐typischer Risikofaktoren. Die unterschiedlichen Kenndaten der Kollektive der einzelnen Berufsgruppen und die unterschiedlichen Ansprechraten auf die tertiäre Präventionsmaßnahme basieren zumindest teilweise auf Unterschieden in der derzeit gehandhabten Sekundärprävention.
Distribution and habitat of the desert mouse (Pseudomys desertor) in Queensland
Authors: Kutt A. S. , Thurgate N. Y. , Hannah D. S.
Published: May 2004

Two systematic regional fauna surveys conducted in the central-north of the state, and an ancillary review of existing published data, identified many new localities and provided an opportunity to describe aspects of this species' ecology and habitat. As well as in typical Triodia grasslands, Pseudomys desertor was recorded in a wide range of sub-tropical savanna woodland, shrubland and grassland vegetation types, many within a zone with rainfall of 500–750 mm. In these higher-rainfall areas, average bodyweight was significantly larger than previously reported for arid-zone specimens. Generalised linear modelling was used to examine which environmental factors best explained the species' abundance, and ground cover was a consistent predictor across the two study areas. Despite occurring in sites mechanically cleared of trees, P. desertor was more abundant in those pastures with a high cover of native hummock grasses. Though superficially indicating a degree of tolerance of disturbance, the evidence suggests that P. desertor is a fire- and grazing-decreaser. Overall, P. desertor was most abundant in areas with the least historical grazing pressure and disturbance.
Sound recording of bird vocalisations in forests. II. Longitudinal profiles in vocal activity
Authors: Lindenmayer D. B. , Cunningham R. B. , Lindenmayer B. D.
Published: May 2004

As early morning bird vocalisation is a major feature of many bird communities, longitudinal profiles of vocal activity data, collected using sound recorders, were compared for a range of habitat types in the Tumut area of south-eastern Australia. There was a significant, and roughly linear, decline in vocal activity across the morning after an initial early peak of activity. Vocal activity persisted longer at sites located within large areas of continuous eucalypt forest than in the strip- and patch-shaped eucalypt remnants surrounded by extensive stands of radiata pine or at sites dominated by stands of radiata pine. There was evidence that the pattern of persistence of vocal activity differed among the different bird groups.
Ageing live New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri) using the first post-canine tooth
Authors: Childerhouse S. , Dickie G. , Hessel G.
Published: May 2004

Live New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri) were aged from growth layer groups (GLGs) in the cementum of a lower first post-canine tooth. A single post-canine (PC1) was removed from individuals of known-age (n = 74) between 1997 and 2001 while under a full anaesthetic. Teeth were decalcified, sectioned on a cryostat, stained and then mounted on glass slides. Age was estimated by counting GLGs in the cementum multiple times. Age estimates were calibrated with known-aged individuals and confirmed the annual formation of cementum annuli in PC1 tooth. While there is some variation in assigning exact age to individuals, it was possible to age 94% of teeth to the exact year or to within 1 year of actual age. There was no significant difference in the slope of regression lines associated with actual and estimated age using this technique (t-test, t = 0.309, d.f. = 144, P < 0.05). Accuracy in ageing was improved by discarding sets of readings with low precision and re-reading the tooth until a precise set of estimates was made. GLGs in the cementum were more accurate and robust for age estimation than using GLGs in the dentine. This paper describes a reliable method for the preparation and ageing of the first post-canine tooth (PC1) from live New Zealand sea lions.
Use of an 'on board' datalogger to determine lizard activity patterns, body temperature and microhabitat use for extended periods in the field
Authors: Kerr G. D. , Bull C. M. , Cottrell G. R.
Published: May 2004

We describe a technique developed to provide continuous long-term records of movement by individual lizards in the field. Using a small, lightweight and robust activity logger we are able to record over short intervals the number of strides taken, the body temperature and the incident light intensity on the dorsal surface of an animal. Using these data, activity patterns, behaviour and microhabitat choice can be determined in the absence of an observer, thus reducing biases due to observer presence. In our study the logger stored recordings every 2 min for 15 days.
Two Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease agents reproduce prion protein-independent identities in cell cultures
Authors: Arjona Alvaro , Simarro Laura , Islinger Florian , Nishida Noriyuki , Manuelidis Laura
Published: May 2004

Human Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) and similar neurodegenerative diseases such as sheep scrapie are caused by a variety of related infectious agents. They are associated with abnormal host prion protein (PrP), which is assessed by limited proteolysis to yield resistant PrP bands (PrP-res). Although PrP-res has been posited as the infectious agent, purified PrP-res itself is not infectious. To establish the independence of CJD agent characteristics from those of PrP-res, two different mouse-passaged CJD strains were propagated in neuronal cell lines whose PrP-res patterns differ markedly from each other and from those found in infected brain. In mouse brain, the fast CJD strain, FU, elicits many PrP-res deposits, whereas the slow SY strain elicits few. Both strains evoked PrP-res in cultured murine cells, although SY induced PrP-res only transiently. PrP-res patterns in FU- and SY-infected GT1 cells were identical, and were significantly different from those in brain and in N2a cells. Nevertheless, all FU-infected cell lines reproduced their original fast disease in mice, even after extensive subculture, whereas SY-infected cells produced only slow disease. These data indicate PrP-res neither encodes nor alters agent-specific characteristics. PrP-res was also a poor predictor of infectivity because SY cells that had lost PrP-res were ≈10-fold more infectious than PrP-res-positive cultures. Furthermore, FU titers increased 650-fold, whereas PrP-res remained constant. Passaged FU-infected cells had titers comparable to brain, and >30% of cells displayed abundant cytoplasmic PrP-res aggregates that may trap agent. The continuous substantial replication of CJD in monotypic cells will further the discrimination of agent-specific molecules from pathological host responses to infection.
Bile acids are essential for porcine enteric calicivirus replication in association with down-regulation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1
Authors: Chang Kyeong-Ok , Sosnovtsev Stanislav V. , Belliot Gaël , Kim Yunjeong , Saif Linda J. , Green Kim Y.
Published: May 2004

A porcine enteric calicivirus (PEC), strain Cowden in the family
Caliciviridae
(genus
Sapovirus
), can be propagated in a continuous cell line, LLC-PK cells, but only in the presence of an intestinal content fluid filtrate from gnotobiotic pigs. This cell culture system is presently the only
in vitro
model among caliciviruses that cause gastrointestinal disease, including members of the genera
Sapovirus
and
Norovirus
. We report here the identification of bile acids as active factors in intestinal content fluid essential for PEC growth. Bile acids that allowed PEC growth induced an increase in cAMP concentration in LLC-PK cells that was associated with down-regulation of IFN-mediated signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 phosphorylation, a key element in innate immunity. In addition, cAMP/protein kinase A pathway inhibitors, suramin, MDL12330A, or H89 suppressed bile acid-mediated PEC replication. We propose a mechanism for enteric calicivirus growth dependent on bile acids, ubiquitous molecules present in the intestine at the site of the virus replication that involves the protein kinase A cell-signaling pathway and a possible down-regulation of innate immunity.
Structural characterization of the fusion-active complex of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus
Authors: Ingallinella Paolo , Bianchi Elisabetta , Finotto Marco , Cantoni Giovanna , Eckert Debra M. , Supekar Vinit M. , Bruckmann Chiara , Carfi Andrea , Pessi Antonello
Published: May 2004

The causative agent of a recent outbreak of an atypical pneumonia, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), has been identified as a coronavirus (CoV) not belonging to any of the previously identified groups. Fusion of coronaviruses with the host cell is mediated by the envelope spike protein. Two regions within the spike protein of SARS-CoV have been identified, showing a high degree of sequence conservation with the other CoV, which are characterized by the presence of heptad repeats (HR1 and HR2). By using synthetic and recombinant peptides corresponding to the HR1 and HR2 regions, we were able to characterize the fusion-active complex formed by this novel CoV by CD, native PAGE, proteolysis protection analysis, and size-exclusion chromatography. HR1 and HR2 of SARS-CoV associate into an antiparallel six-helix bundle, with structural features typical of the other known class I fusion proteins. We have also mapped the specific boundaries of the region, within the longer HR1 domain, making contact with the shorter HR2 domain. Notably, the inner HR1 coiled coil is a stable α-helical domain even in the absence of interaction with the HR2 region. Inhibitors binding to HR regions of fusion proteins have been shown to be efficacious against many viruses, notably HIV. Our results may help in the design of anti-SARS therapeutics.
Differences in signaling pathways by IL-1β and IL-18
Authors: Lee Jae-Kwon , Kim Soo-Hyun , Lewis Eli C. , Azam Tania , Reznikov Leonid L. , Dinarello Charles A.
Published: May 2004

IL-1 and IL-18 are members of the IL-1 family of ligands, and their receptors are members of the IL-1 receptor family. Although several biological properties overlap for these cytokines, differences exist. IL-18 uniquely induces IFN-γ from T lymphocytes and natural killer cells but does not cause fever, whereas fever is a prominent characteristic of IL-1 in humans and animals. In the present study, human epithelial cells were stably transfected with the IL-18 receptor β chain and responded to IL-18 with increased production of IL-1α, IL-6, and IL-8. Five minutes after exposure to either cytokine, phosphorylation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 was present; specific inhibition of p38 MAPK reduced IL-18 activity to background levels. Whereas IL-1β induced the expression of the NF-κB-reporter gene and was suppressed by competitive inhibition of NF-κB binding, IL-18 responses were weak or absent. In contrast to IL-1β, IL-18 also did not activate degradation of the NF-κB inhibitor. After 4 h, both cytokines induced comparable levels of mRNA for the chemokine IL-8 but, in the same cells, steady-state levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA were high after IL-1β but low or absent after IL-18. After 30 h, IL-18-induced COX-2 appeared in part to be IL-1 dependent. Similarly, low levels of prostaglandin E2 were measured in IL-18-stimulated A549 cells and freshly obtained primary human monocytes and mouse macrophages. We conclude that in epithelial cells, IL-18 signal transduction is primarily via the MAPK p38 pathway rather than NF-κB, which may explain the absence of COX-2 and the failure of IL-18 to cause fever.
Sumoylation of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins, zinc finger proteins, and nuclear pore complex proteins: A proteomic analysis
Authors: Li Tianwei , Evdokimov Evgenij , Shen Rong-Fong , Chao Chien-Chung , Tekle Ephrem , Wang Tao , Stadtman Earl R. , Yang David C. H. , Chock P. Boon
Published: May 2004

SUMO, a small ubiquitin-related modifier, is known to covalently attach to a number of nuclear regulatory proteins such as p53, IκB, promyelocytic leukemia protein and c-Jun. The sumoylation reaction is catalyzed by the SUMO protease, which exposes the C-terminal active glycine residue of the nascent SUMO, the heterodimeric SUMO activating enzyme, the SUMO conjugating enzyme, Ubc9, and SUMO protein ligases, in a manner similar to ubiquitinylation. Identification of SUMO-regulated proteins is hampered by the fact that many sumoylated proteins are present at a level below normal detection limit. This limitation was overcome by either
in vivo
overexpression of Myc-SUMO or
in vitro
sumoylation with excess biotin–SUMO and Ubc9. Sumoylated proteins so obtained were affinity purified or isolated by immunoprecipitation. The isolated sumoylated proteins were identified by sequence analysis using mass spectrometric methods. Results reveal that several heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs), zinc finger proteins, and nuclear pore complex proteins were sumoylated. The sumoylation of hnRNP A1, hnRNP F, and hnRNP K were confirmed
in vivo
by coimmunoprecipitation. In view of the facts that hnRNPs have been implicated in RNA splicing, transport, stability, and translation, our findings suggest that sumoylation could play an important role in regulating mRNA metabolism.
J. Walter Thompson, the Good Neighbor Policy, and Lessons in Mexican Business Culture, 1920–1950
Authors: Moreno Julio E.
Published: May 2004

This article looks at the corporate history of J. Walter Thompson to examine the nature of U.S.-Mexican relations in the aftermath of the Great Depression and World War II. It contends that local conditions, along with a cadre of “progressive” Good Neighbor Policy diplomats, forced American companies to adopt the role of “commercial diplomats,” altering the nature of what, up to 1940, had been a tense and bitter binational relationship. The article shows how Thompson's role as a commercial diplomat changed its previous “capitalist missionary” approach and how it complemented American diplomacy, including national security measures to displace German commercial influence in Mexico during Word War II.
The impact of approaches to learning and cognition on academic performance in business and management
Authors: Spicer David P.
Published: May 2004

Results of a study into the relationships between students’ academic performance and their cognitive and learning styles are presented. A questionnaire containing three instruments assessing learning and cognition was distributed to second‐ and final‐year undergraduates studying on a general and business management degree. The outcomes of this are explored and analysed in relation to the students’ selection of modules and performance in assessments. The research explores whether students’ approaches to learning and cognition influence their selection of and performance in modules. This paper also incorporates consideration of the impact on performance of other factors, notably gender, and mode of study. Results show some impact of style on performance and module selection, but these are not consistent. The implications of this for higher education practice and learning and cognitive style research are discussed.
Large scale industrial DEM modelling
Authors: Cleary Paul W.
Published: May 2004

Particle scale simulation of industrial particle flows using discrete element method (DEM) offers the opportunity for better understanding the flow dynamics leading to improvements in equipment design and operation that can potentially lead to large increases in equipment and process efficiency, throughput and/or product quality. Industrial applications can be characterized as large, involving complex particulate behaviour in typically complex geometries. In this paper, with a series of examples, we will explore the breadth of large scale modelling of industrial processes that is currently possible. Few of these applications will be examined in more detail to show how insights into the fundamentals of these processes can be gained through DEM modelling. Some examples of our collaborative validation efforts will also be described.
Conflicting vocational identities and careers in the sector of tourism
Authors: Marhuenda Fernando , Martínez Ignacio , Navas Almudena
Published: May 2004

This article investigates the formation of vocational identities of workers in the sector of tourism in the Czech Republic, Greece and Spain. Major challenges and conflicts shape the sector of tourism as a particular labour space. Emerging issues relate to the need for diversifying the offer of services to face seasonality, strategies of entrepreneurial merging and demands for mobility and flexibility of the workforce. For the individual worker, a complex combination of related factors lead to tensions and contradictions, particularly in terms of changes in work organization, flexibility and how vocational identities of workers are shaped. An active policy for social dialogue and the improvement of working conditions seem to be vital in order to avoid flexibility becoming a synonym for precariousness of employment. Furthermore, the promotion of continuing training, greater recognition of formal vocational education and the development of an entrepreneurial culture are key elements that would enhance opportunities to develop a professional career in tourism.
Vocational identities in change in the telecommunications sector
Authors: Dif M'Hamed
Published: May 2004

During the last decade the telecommunications sector has undergone an accelerated structural change in work organisation, qualification profiles and the mode of socialisation at work. Telecommunications is taking the lead when it comes to the dynamics of vocational identity transformation. Classical models of vocational identities are declining in favour of a new “negotiator‐network/mobility” mode of socialisation at work. The latter is mainly taken in charge by a new generation of telecom employees who are mobile, flexible and proactive in constructing their own work identities and project‐based work activities. This paper examines the key findings of the FAME project investigation in the telecommunications sector in France, Germany and the UK. The first section focuses on the employers' perception of the contextual background for change. The second section examines employees' responses to these structural changes and new modes of socialisation at work. The concluding section highlights some overall trends and implications.
Wheeling and dealing
Authors: Scherrer P. Scott
Published: May 2004

This article addresses strategies used by creditors to take control of businesses in bankruptcy. The creditors are able to convert their debt to equity ownership by acquiring a significant amount of the companies’ outstanding debt and then controlling the bankruptcy process. The article provides an example of this process. Further, the risks concomitant with the debt acquisition strategy are discussed.
Bayesian Phylogenetic Inference via Markov Chain Monte Carlo Methods
Authors: Mau Bob , Newton Michael A. , Larget Bret
Published: May 2004

Summary.We derive a Markov chain to sample from the posterior distribution for a phylogenetic tree given sequence information from the corresponding set of organisms, a stochastic model for these data, and a prior distribution on the space of trees. A transformation of the tree into a canonical cophenetic matrix form suggests a simple and effective proposal distribution for selecting candidate trees close to the current tree in the chain. We illustrate the algorithm with restriction site data on 9 plant species, then extend to DNA sequences from 32 species of fish. The algorithm mixes well in both examples from random starting trees, generating reproducible estimates and credible sets for the path of evolution.
The Graft Versus Leukemia Effect after Bone Marrow Transplantation: A Case Study Using Structural Nested Failure Time Models
Authors: Keiding Niels , Filiberti Marusca , Esbjerg Sille , Robins James M. , Jacobsen Niels
Published: May 2004

Summary. Over the last decade, J. M. Robins has developed a set of tools for assessing, from observational data, the causal effects of a time‐dependent treatment or exposure in the presence of time‐dependent covariates that may be simultaneously confounders and intermediate variables. This report concerns a case study of the application of one these techniques, G‐estimation using structural nested failure time models, to the problem of assessing the effect of graft versus host disease on leukemia relapse after bone marrow transplantation.