bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Family support for older people in an era of demographic change and policy constraints
Authors: WOLF DOUGLAS A. , BALLAL SONALI S.
Published: August 2006

This paper introduces the Special Issue of four empirical studies on the provision of family support to older people that have been written members of the Family Support for Older People: Determinants and Consequences (FAMSUP) network. They have in common the use of individual-level data and recognition of the importance of demographic forces, cultural variations and public policy in shaping patterns of elder care. The four papers are also explicitly comparative, and emphasise both between- and within-country differences. The European countries examined by the FAMSUP researchers exhibit several broadly similar demographic trends, but these are superimposed on very different policy regimes. The ‘macro’ focus of much comparative policy-oriented research facilitates the identification and description of population ageing, while illuminating the policy issues raised by demographic change. A macro-focus is also characteristic of much comparative welfare-state analysis. The ‘micro’ orientation of the research presented in this collection typically treats the policy environment as an implicit or residual category. We argue that progress in understanding comparative patterns of elder care, and in developing policy responses to demographic change, will be facilitated through blending the macro and micro perspectives, in which variations in the policy environment are explicitly linked to individual- and family-level behaviour.
Auswirkungen der Compliance auf den psychophysischen Effekt einer Sportintervention bei HIV-1 Positiven
Authors: Rojas Roberto , Schlicht Wolfgang , Hautzinger Martin
Published: August 2006

Zusammenfassung. Die Arbeit überprüft die Auswirkungen regelmäßiger Teilnahme (Compliance) an einem angeleiteten Sportprogramm auf die gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität (LQ), das physische und psychische Wohlbefinden und immunologische Parameter bei HIV-1 positiven Personen. Das Studiendesign folgt einem varianzanalytischen Messwiederholungsplan mit drei Gruppen (niedrige, mittlere und hohe Compliance) und zwei Messzeitpunkten (Prä- und Posttreatment). An der Studie nahmen 24 HIV-1 Positive teil. Davon zeigten 7 eine niedrige, 8 eine mittlere und 9 eine hohe Compliance. Eine hohe und mittlere sportbezogene Compliance geht mit einer Verbesserung der gesundheitsbezogenen LQ sowie einer Reduktion der HIV-assoziierten allgemeinen Symptome einher. Zwischen den drei Gruppen sind dagegen keine signifikanten Unterschiede im psychischen Befinden, im Auftreten opportunistischer Infektionen und in den immunologischen Parametern nachweisbar. Die Ergebnisse stützen unsere Hypothese, dass eine regelmäßig ausgeübte sportliche Betätigung die gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität und das körperliche Befinden HIV-1 positiver Personen positiv beeinflussen kann.
Trainingsweltmeister - Eine Phänomenanalyse aus der Erlebensperspektive betroffener Leistungssportler
Authors: Marahrens Lea , Keil Jan-Gerrit
Published: August 2006

Zusammenfassung. Sportler und Sportlerinnen, die ihre gewohnten Leistungen nicht in den Wettkampf transportieren können, werden in der Sportwelt als Trainingsweltmeister bezeichnet. Die vorliegende empirische Studie untersucht das Phänomen des Trainingsweltmeisters aus Sicht der betroffenen Athleten. Mittels des problemzentrierten Interviews nach Witzel (2000 ) wurden sechs Leistungssportler fünf unterschiedlicher Sportarten (Bogenschießen, Schwimmen, Judo, Handball, Wasserspringen) auf Bundes- und Landeskaderniveau befragt. Die Auswertung der Interviews erfolgte anhand einer Kombination von qualitativen Auswertungsmethoden und mündete in einem gegenstandsbegründeten Modell zum Trainingsweltmeister, unter anderem wurden Kodierverfahren der Grounded Theory verwendet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Trainingsweltmeister in der Wettkampfsituation spezifische Ängste empfinden, die mit einem ausgeprägten Bedürfnis nach Bindung zusammenhängen. Dieses Bindungsbedürfnis steht im Konflikt mit ihrer eigentlichen Aufgabenstellung, andere im Wettkampf zu besiegen. Wird diesem Konflikt und den spezifischen Bedürfnissen der Sportler vom Umfeld nicht Rechnung getragen, führen die Ängste im Wettkampf zu einer Diskrepanz zwischen Trainings- und Wettkampfleistungen.
Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit- und Hyperaktivitätsstörungen (ADHD) im Kindesalter
Authors: Hamsen Ruth , Beudels Wolfgang , Hölter Gerd
Published: August 2006

Zusammenfassung. ADHD hat sich in den letzten Jahren zu einer populären pädiatrischen Diagnose mit Prävalenzraten von bis zu 17 % entwickelt, die zudem auf ein außerordentlich hohes öffentliches und wissenschaftliches Interesse stößt. Bei einer systematischen Sichtung von Erklärungs- und Veränderungsmodellen fällt eine große Inkonsistenz der Befunde auf und ein integrierendes Metamodell als Grundlage für systematische Interventionen ist bisher nicht erkennbar. In einem ersten Schritt haben wir daher versucht, die heterogenen Befunde in eine Modifikation des Salutogenesemodells von Antonovsky einzuordnen und hieraus Leitideen für gezielte Interventionen abzuleiten. Eine Durchführung und Evaluation von Interventionen, die auch das störungsspezifische Merkmal des auffälligen Bewegungsverhaltens mit berücksichtigen, haben wir in mehreren Pilotstudien mit insgesamt n=26 Kindern verfolgt, wobei mäßige Ergebnisse in der Veränderung von Parametern der Aufmerksamkeit und geringe Veränderungen in der motorischen Leistungsfähigkeit erzielt wurden. Für weitere Interventionsstudien wird daher vorgeschlagen, genauer die gezielte Beeinflussung der motorischen Leistungsfähigkeit in Anlehnung an das kognitiv-energetische Modell von Sanders zu verfolgen.
Beidseitiges Üben sportmotorischer Fertigkeiten
Authors: Maurer Heiko
Published: August 2006

Zusammenfassung. Das Einbeziehen beider Körperseiten beim Training einseitig ausgeführter Fertigkeiten führt oft zu besseren Lernfortschritten als das Üben mit nur einer Seite. Die hier vorliegende Untersuchung widmet sich aus trainingspraktischer Sicht der Frage, ob beidseitiges Üben schon beim Einstieg ins Technikerwerbstraining zu empfehlen ist. Zwei Gruppen trainierten die Rückhand-Kontertechnik im Tischtennis an drei aufeinanderfolgenden Tagen. Insgesamt wurden 840 Übungsversuche in 28 Serien ausgeführt. Eine Gruppe (alternierende Gruppe (AG), n = 10) übte von Beginn an alternierend eine Serie mit der linken und der rechten Hand. Eine zweite Gruppe (verzögerte Gruppe (VG), n = 11) übte in den ersten 14 Serien ausschließlich mit der dominanten rechten Hand und erst dann alternierend mit beiden Seiten. Die Leistung mit der dominanten rechten Hand wurde anhand der Treffgenauigkeit in einem Vor-, Zwischen-, Transfer- und Abschlusstest ermittelt. Dabei ergaben sich signifikant unterschiedliche Entwicklungen. Im ersten Übungsabschnitt zeigte sich ein deutlicher Vorteil des beidseitigen Übens. Während die alternierende Gruppe die Trefferleistung signifikant steigerte (p < .01), konnte die nur mit rechts trainierende verzögerte Gruppe keine Verbesserung erzielen. Im zweiten Übungsabschnitt, in dem beide Gruppen beidseitig übten, zeigten diese auch vergleichbare Zugewinne. Über die komplette Übungsphase erzielte die alternierende Gruppe einen größeren Zuwachs. Im Transfertest ergaben sich keine Unterschiede. Zusammen mit den Befunden aus anderen Untersuchungen sprechen diese Ergebnisse dafür, beim Erwerb neuer Fertigkeiten von Beginn an beide Körperseiten zu trainieren.
Bedingungen leistungsbezogenen Verhaltens im Sportunterricht
Authors: Pohlmann Britta , Möller Jens , Streblow Lilian
Published: August 2006

Zusammenfassung. Den Annahmen des Erwartungs-Wert-Modells ( Eccles et al., 1983 ) zufolge wird leistungsbezogenes Verhalten von selbst- und aufgabenbezogenen Überzeugungen bestimmt. Die zentralen Determinanten stellen dabei das Fähigkeitsselbstkonzept und das fachspezifische Interesse dar. Das Selbstkonzept wird wiederum in erster Linie von vorangegangenen Leistungen beeinflusst. In der vorliegenden Studie wurden die aus dem Erwartungs-Wert-Modell abgeleiteten Zusammenhänge für das Schulfach Sport überprüft. Zudem wurde untersucht, ob sich Geschlechtsunterschiede hinsichtlich der betrachteten sportbezogenen Konstrukte zeigen und ob die Ausübung sportlicher Aktivitäten bei Jungen und Mädchen auf die gleichen Prädiktoren zurückzuführen ist. Im Rahmen einer Fragebogenstudie an N = 1443 Schülern konnten die postulierten Zusammenhänge nachgewiesen werden. Eine bessere Sportnote führt demnach über ein höheres sportbezogenes Selbstkonzept und ein größeres sportliches Interesse zu einer erhöhten Anstrengungsbereitschaft im Sportunterricht. Die erwarteten Geschlechtsunterschiede zu Gunsten der Jungen zeigten sich in der Ausprägung aller erfassten Variablen, nicht aber in der Art der Zusammenhänge.
Zum Zusammenhang von Leistungen und Selbstkonzepten in verschiedenen Sportarten
Authors: Tietjens Maike , Möller Jens , Pohlmann Britta
Published: August 2006

Zusammenfassung. Ziel des vorliegenden Beitrages ist es, die Zusammenhänge zwischen Leistungen und Fähigkeitsselbstkonzepten in verschiedenen Sportarten zu analysieren. Vor dem Hintergrund des Internal-External Frame of Reference-Modells ( Marsh, 1986 ) werden soziale und dimensionale Vergleichsprozesse zwischen den Leistungen und Fähigkeitsselbstkonzepten verschiedener Sportarten unterschiedlichen Anforderungscharakters vermutet. Zu diesem Zweck wurden N = 346 Sportstudierende zu ihren Fähigkeitsselbstkonzepten und Leistungen in den Individualsportarten Schwimmen und Leichtathletik und in den Spielsportarten Basketball und Fußball befragt. In die pfadanalytische Auswertung gingen lediglich die Studierenden (n = 109) ein, die in den erhobenen Sportarten bereits Prüfungen absolviert hatten. Es zeigten sich durchweg positive Zusammenhänge zwischen Leistungen und Selbstkonzepten innerhalb der Sportarten. Negative Effekte der Leistungen auf die nicht-korrespondierenden Selbstkonzepte ergaben sich von der Leichtathletik auf die Selbstkonzepte im Schwimmen und Basketball sowie von der Schwimmleistung auf das Selbstkonzept im Fußball. Diskutiert wird, ob die Struktur von Selbstkonzepten im Sport zukünftig vermehrt auf der Basis von Sportarten analysiert werden sollte.
Zum Einsatz sportpsychologischer Diagnostik in der Praxis des Leistungssports
Authors: Ziemainz Heiko , Neumann Gabriele , Rasche Friederike , Stemmler Mark
Published: August 2006

Zusammenfassung. In der vorliegenden Arbeit erfolgt eine Bestandsaufnahme über Anwendung von und Bedarf an sportpsychologischer Diagnostik der in der Praxis des deutschen Spitzensports arbeitenden Sportpsychologen. Die Stichprobe rekrutierte sich aus den in der BISp-Sportpsychologie-Expertendatenbank (www.bisp-sportpsychologie.de) gelisteten Personen. Die Datenerhebung erfolgte mittels computergestützter Telefoninterviews. Durchschnittlich arbeiten die Sportpsychologen mit 20 Sportlern und 6 Trainern. Fast 88 % der Sportpsychologen setzen in ihrer Arbeit mit Athleten Diagnostik ein. Alle Sportpsychologen, die Diagnostik durchführen, greifen auf die Explorationstechnik zurück. Zusätzlich werden standardisierte allgemeinpsychologische (75.0 %), standardisierte sportspezifische (87.5 %) und selbst entwickelte (71.9 %) Testverfahren verwendet. Ein Großteil der Befragten berichtete u. a. über einen Bedarf an sport(art)spezifischen Verfahren.
Diagnostik im Gesundheits- und Freizeitsport
Authors: Pfeffer Ines , Alfermann Dorothee
Published: August 2006

Zusammenfassung. Der vorliegende Beitrag befasst sich mit Theorien und Diagnostik im Bereich Gesundheits- und Freizeitsport. Dabei wird auf Selbstkonzept, aktuelles Befinden, und Motivation eingegangen. Ein besonderes Anliegen in den letzten zehn Jahren war es, den Einfluss der Sportteilnahme auf das Selbst und umgekehrt zu untersuchen. Ergebnisse und Messinstrumente zum Selbstkonzept und zur Selbstwirksamkeit werden präsentiert. Weiterhin werden Theorien und Messinstrumente zum aktuellen Befinden vorgestellt, die auch heute noch kontrovers diskutiert werden. Determinanten und Theorien der Sportteilnahme sowie entsprechende Messinstrumente, der Forschungszweig mit der längsten Tradition, werden abschließend vorgestellt. Ein Ausblick auf zukünftige Forschungsfelder wird aus einer interkulturellen Perspektive gegeben.
Triangulation als Grundlage diagnostischen Urteilens
Authors: Birkner Hans-Albert , Hackfort Dieter
Published: August 2006

Zusammenfassung. Das methodologische Konzept der Triangulation wird vorgestellt und als Grundlage diagnostischen Urteilens vorgeschlagen. Es wird betont, dass Triangulation stets differenzierte übergeordnete theoretische Überlegungen erfordert und ein handlungstheoretischer Ansatz wird als ein potentielles theoretisches Rahmenkonzept für triangulatives Vorgehen vorgestellt. Der Unterschied zwischen Daten-, Kriteriums- und Einheitentriangulation wird mit Hilfe von Beispielen erklärt. Schließlich wird Design-Triangulation als zu verfolgende Strategie innerhalb von umfassenden Forschungsprojekten vorgeschlagen, in dem Groß-N-, Klein-N- und Einzelfalluntersuchungen sich gegenseitig ergänzen.
Spatial correlation of precipitating and trapped protons associated with an isolated substorm
Authors: Jahn J.‐M. , Pollock C. J. , Immel T. J. , Mende S. B.
Published: August 2006

We compare the global morphology of medium energy (few keV) energetic neutral atom measurements from IMAGE/MENA with proton aurora measurements from IMAGE/FUV and in situ energetic proton data from LANL/SOPA before and during a magnetospheric substorm that commenced at 1245 UT on 19 September 2000. In the hours before substorm onset, several small auroral activations occurred at locations scattered around local midnight. The neutral atom (ENA) emissions increased continuously throughout the substorm growth phase, mimicking the pseudo‐breakup behavior seen in the proton aurora and in situ energetic particle data. Half an hour before substorm onset, the rate of ENA flux increase accelerated. The substorm onset is characterized by a rapidly expanding proton aurora brightening starting near 22 magnetic local time. ENA fluxes continued to rise until 30 minutes after onset. Throughout the whole event the local time distribution of ENA and auroral emissions was remarkably similar.
Severe Arctic ozone loss in the winter 2004/2005: observations from ACE‐FTS
Authors: Jin J. J. , Semeniuk K. , Manney G. L. , Jonsson A. I. , Beagley S. R. , McConnell J. C. , Dufour G. , Nassar R. , Boone C. D. , Walker K. A. , Bernath P. F. , Rinsland C. P.
Published: August 2006

The severe Arctic ozone reduction in the winter 2004/2005 is analyzed using ACE‐FTS observations and four different analysis techniques: correlations between ozone and long‐lived tracers (adjusted to account for mixing), an artificial tracer correlation method, a profile‐descent technique, and the empirical relationship between ozone loss and potential PSC volume. The average maximum ozone loss was about 2.1 ppmv at 475 K–500 K (∼18 km–20 km). Over 60% of the ozone between 425 K–475 K (∼16 km–18 km) was destroyed. The average total column ozone loss was 119 DU, ∼20–30 DU larger than the largest previously observed Arctic ozone loss in the winter 1999/2000.
Switch control for piecewise affine chaotic systems
Authors: Li Chuandong , Liao Xiaofeng , Yang Xiaofan
Published: August 2006

Switch control can be imposed naturally on the piecewise affine system, where the control action switches from an affine subsystem to another according to switch conditions depending on the system states. In this paper we present such piecewise feedback control for stabilizing unstable equilibrium points of piecewise affine systems. The noise effect on the stabilization is also investigated. The original Chua’s circuit is used to illustrate our results.
Conservative spatial chaos of buckled elastic linkages
Authors: Kocsis Attila , Károlyi György
Published: August 2006

Buckling of an elastic linkage under general loading is investigated. We show that buckling is related to an initial value problem, which is always a conservative, area-preserving mapping, even if the original static problem is nonconservative. In some special cases, we construct the global bifurcation diagrams, and argue that their complicated structure is a consequence of spatial chaos. We characterize spatial chaos by the associated initial value problem’s topological entropy, which turns out to be related to the number of buckled configurations.
Relations between distributional and Devaney chaos
Authors: Oprocha Piotr
Published: August 2006

Recently, it was proven that chaos in the sense of Devaney and weak mixing both imply chaos in the sense of Li and Yorke. In this article we give explicit examples that any of these two implications do not hold for distributional chaos.
Microphotoluminescence study of p-type (Cd,Mn)Te quantum wells
Authors: Maślana W. , Kossacki P. , Płochocka P. , Golnik A. , Gaj J. A. , Ferrand D. , Bertolini M. , Tatarenko S. , Cibert J.
Published: August 2006

The carrier density and the spin density were measured locally in p-doped quantum wells made of the diluted magnetic semiconductor (Cd,Mn)Te. Both densities were derived from microphotoluminescence maps recorded under a magnetic field. The presence of the hole gas was achieved either by nitrogen doping, or by employing surface acceptor states. The authors found that the correlation length of the carrier density fluctuations is larger (3μm) for surface doping than for nitrogen doping (<1μm), with no effect of the disorder introduced by the Mn ions. The spin density fluctuates on a smaller scale.
Electrostatically gated Si devices: Coulomb blockade and barrier capacitance
Authors: Zimmerman Neil M. , Fujiwara Akira , Inokawa Hiroshi , Takahashi Yasuo
Published: August 2006

Using a device resembling a nano-charge-coupled-device and measuring the Coulomb blockade, we show how the Coulomb blockade degrades with increasing barrier conductance. To explain this behavior, we identify a new parameter, the “barrier capacitance.” This parameter can be used to elucidate information about the energy barrier under a gate with a size of a few tens of nanometers.
Evidence for the charge-ordered state and phase separation at room temperature in half-doped La0.5Ca0.5MnO3 films
Authors: Park S. Y. , Hyun Y. H. , Lee Y. P. , Svetchnikov V. L. , Kim K. W. , Prokhorov V. G.
Published: August 2006

The microstructure and the magnetotransport properties of La0.5Ca0.5MnO3 films, prepared by rf magnetron sputtering on a LaAlO3 substrate, have been investigated. The electron-diffraction and the high-resolution electron-microscopy studies reveal the coexistence at room temperature of double-period modulated (charge-ordered) and unmodulated (charge-disordered) phases. It is suggested that the high-temperature fragmentation of film results in the magnetic-phase-separated state at low temperatures.
Group velocity measurement using spectral interference in near-field scanning optical microscopy
Authors: Mills John D. , Chaipiboonwong Tipsuda , Brocklesby William S. , Charlton Martin D. B. , Netti Caterina , Zoorob Majd E. , Baumberg Jeremy J.
Published: August 2006

Near-field scanning optical microscopy provides a tool for studying the behavior of optical fields inside waveguides. In this experiment the authors measure directly the variation of group velocity between different modes of a planar slab waveguide as the modes propagate along the guide. The measurement is made using the spectral interference between pulses propagating inside the waveguide with different group velocities, collected using a near-field scanning optical microscope at different points down the guide and spectrally resolved. The results are compared to models of group velocities in simple guides.
Strongly enhanced shot noise in chains of quantum dots
Authors: Aghassi Jasmin , Thielmann Axel , Hettler Matthias H. , Schön Gerd
Published: August 2006

The authors study charge transport through a chain of quantum dots. The dots are fully coherent among each other and weakly coupled to metallic electrodes. If the Coulomb interaction dominates over the interdot hopping the authors find strongly enhanced shot noise at biases above the sequential tunneling threshold, with an enhancement which can easily reach a factor of ∼100. This strong enhancement may allow direct experimental detection of shot noise, e.g., in a chain of quantum dots formed in semiconductor heterostructures. The current is not enhanced in the region of enhanced noise, thus rendering the shot noise super-Poissonian.
Differences in syntenic complexity between Medicago truncatula with Lens culinaris and Lupinus albus
Authors: Phan Huyen T. T. , Ellwood Simon R. , Ford Rebecca , Thomas Steve , Oliver Richard
Published: August 2006

Orthologous markers transferable between distantly related legume species allow for the rapid generation of genetic maps in species where there is little pre-existing genomic or EST information. We are using the model legume Medicago truncatula Gaertn. to develop such markers in legumes of importance to Australian agriculture. This will enable the construction of comparative genetic maps, help to determine patterns of chromosomal evolution in the legume family, and characterise syntenic relationships between M. truncatula and cultivated legumes. This information can then be used to identify markers that are tightly linked to the genes of interest, candidate gene(s) for a trait, and expedite the isolation of such genes. Among the Papilionoideae, we compared ESTs from the phylogenetically distant species, M. truncatula, Lupinus albus and Glycine max, to produce 500 intron-targeted amplified polymorphic markers (ITAPs). In addition to 126 M. truncatula cross-species markers from Department of Plant Pathology, University of California (USA), these markers were used to generate comparative genetic maps of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) and white lupin (Lupinus albus Linn.). Our results showed that 90% of the ITAPs markers amplified genomic DNA in M. truncatula, 80% in Lupinus albus, and 70% in Lens culinaris. The comparative map of Lens culinaris was constructed based on 79 ITAP markers. The Lupinus albus comparative map was developed from 105 gene-based markers together with 223 AFLP markers. Although a direct and simple syntenic relationship was observed between M. truncatula and Lens culinaris genomes, there is evidence of moderate chromosomal rearrangement. This may account for the different chromosome numbers in the two species. A more complicated pattern among homologous blocks was apparent between the Lupinus albus and M. truncatula genomes.
Survey sequencing of soybean elucidates the genome structure, composition and identifies novel repeats
Authors: Nunberg Andrew , Bedell Joseph A. , Budiman Mohammad A. , Citek Robert W. , Clifton Sandra W. , Fulton Lucinda , Pape Deana , Cai Zheng , Joshi Trupti , Nguyen Henry , Xu Dong , Stacey Gary
Published: August 2006

In order to expand our knowledge of the soybean genome and to create a useful DNA repeat sequence database, over 24 000 DNA fragments from a soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cv. Williams 82 genomic shotgun library were sequenced. Additional sequences came from over 29 000 bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) end sequences derived from a BstI library of the cv. Williams 82 genome. Analysis of these sequences identified 348 different DNA repeats, many of which appear to be novel. To extend the utility of the work, a pilot study was also conducted using methylation filtration to estimate the hypomethylated, soybean gene space. A comparison between 8366 sequences obtained from a filtered library and 23 788 from an unfiltered library indicate a gene-enrichment of ~3.2-fold in the hypomethylated sequences. Given the 1.1-Gb soybean genome, our analysis predicts a ~343-Mb hypomethylated, gene-rich space.
The phosphoinositide-binding protein p40phox activates the NADPH oxidase during FcγIIA receptor–induced phagocytosis
Authors: Suh Chang-Il , Stull Natalie D. , Li Xing Jun , Tian Wei , Price Marianne O. , Grinstein Sergio , Yaffe Michael B. , Atkinson Simon , Dinauer Mary C.
Published: August 2006

Superoxide produced by the phagocyte reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase is essential for host defense. Enzyme activation requires translocation of p67phox, p47phox, and Rac-GTP to flavocytochrome b558 in phagocyte membranes. To examine the regulation of phagocytosis-induced superoxide production, flavocytochrome b558, p47phox, p67phox, and the FcγIIA receptor were expressed from stable transgenes in COS7 cells. The resulting COSphoxFcγR cells produce high levels of superoxide when stimulated with phorbol ester and efficiently ingest immunoglobulin (Ig)G-coated erythrocytes, but phagocytosis did not activate the NADPH oxidase. COS7 cells lack p40phox, whose role in the NADPH oxidase is poorly understood. p40phox contains SH3 and phagocyte oxidase and Bem1p (PB1) domains that can mediate binding to p47phox and p67phox, respectively, along with a PX domain that binds to phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PI(3)P), which is generated in phagosomal membranes. Expression of p40phox was sufficient to activate superoxide production in COSphoxFcγR phagosomes. FcγIIA-stimulated NADPH oxidase activity was abrogated by point mutations in p40phox that disrupt PI(3)P binding, or by simultaneous mutations in the SH3 and PB1 domains. Consistent with an essential role for PI(3)P in regulating the oxidase complex, phagosome NADPH oxidase activation in primary macrophages ingesting IgG-coated beads was inhibited by phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase inhibitors to a much greater extent than phagocytosis itself. Hence, this study identifies a role for p40phox and PI(3)P in coupling FcγR-mediated phagocytosis to activation of the NADPH oxidase.
Enhancement of clonogenicity of human multiple myeloma by dendritic cells
Authors: Kukreja Anjli , Hutchinson Aisha , Dhodapkar Kavita , Mazumder Amitabha , Vesole David , Angitapalli Revathi , Jagannath Sundar , Dhodapkar Madhav V.
Published: August 2006

Infiltration by dendritic cells (DCs) is a common feature of most human tumors. Prior studies evaluating the interaction of DCs with tumors have focused largely on their immunologic properties (for review see Banchereau, J., and R.M. Steinman. 1998. Nature. 392:245–252). In this study, we show that the clonogenicity of several human tumor cell lines and primary tumor cells from myeloma patients is enhanced by their interactions with DCs. Myeloma cells cultured in the presence of DCs have an altered phenotype with an increased proportion of cells lacking terminal plasma cell differentiation marker CD138. DC–tumor interaction also leads to the up-regulation of B cell lymphoma 6 expression in myeloma cells. Effects of DCs on myeloma cells are inhibited by blockade of the receptor activator of NF-kB (RANK)–RANK ligand and B cell–activating factor–APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand)-mediated interactions. Together, these data suggest that tumor–DC interactions may directly impact the biology of human tumors, particularly multiple myeloma, and may be a target for therapeutic intervention.
Partial correlation coefficient between distance matrices as a new indicator of protein–protein interactions
Authors: Sato Tetsuya , Yamanishi Yoshihiro , Horimoto Katsuhisa , Kanehisa Minoru , Toh Hiroyuki
Published: August 2006

Motivation: The computational prediction of protein–protein interactions is currently a major issue in bioinformatics. Recently, a variety of co-evolution-based methods have been investigated toward this goal. In this study, we introduced a partial correlation coefficient as a new measure for the degree of co-evolution between proteins, and proposed its use to predict protein–protein interactions.

Results: The accuracy of the prediction by the proposed method was compared with those of the original mirror tree method and the projection method previously developed by our group. We found that the partial correlation coefficient effectively reduces the number of false positives, as compared with other methods, although the number of false negatives increased in the prediction by the partial correlation coefficient.

Availability: The R script for the prediction of protein–protein interactions reported in this manuscript is available at

Contact:  sato@kuicr.kyoto-u.ac.jp

Supplementary information: The information is also available at the same site as the R script.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE INTERVENTIONS UNDER INFLATION TARGETING: THE CZECH EXPERIENCE
Authors: GERŠL ADAM , HOLUB TOMÁŠ
Published: August 2006

This article discusses the role of foreign exchange interventions in the inflation‐targeting regime, focusing on the Czech experience since 1998. We find some evidence that the interventions had a statistically significant, but short lived and economically not very important, impact on the koruna's exchange rate and its volatility. We also discuss consistency of the interventions with the inflation‐targeting framework. All the Czech intervention episodes are judged to be consistent with the inflation targets and output developments, but for two episodes not fully consistent regarding the mix of monetary conditions. (JELE42, E44, E52, E58, E65, F31)
Orbital Sequelae of Rhinosinusitis After Cochlear Implantation in Children
Authors: Rudnick Emily F. , Chu Michael W. , Sismanis Aristides , Dodson Kelley M. , Mitchell Ron B.
Published: August 2006

Objectives: The objectives of this retrospective case review were to describe orbital complications in children after cochlear implantation, to define rhinosinusitis as a possible preoperative risk factor, and to suggest a possible pathophysiological mechanism for this previously unreported occurrence.

Methods. Records of children undergoing cochlear implantation over a 7‐year period at a tertiary academic medical center were reviewed. Four children who experienced postoperative orbital sequelae were identified. We describe the demographics, clinical course, and radiologic findings in these children.

Results: The records of 91 children who underwent cochlear implantation were reviewed. The mean age was 6.0 years (range, 0.9–16.9 years). Forty‐nine children (54%) were female and 51 (56%) were white. Four children developed postoperative orbital complications on the ipsilateral side to implantation. Orbital complications were characterized by periorbital edema and preseptal cellulitis necessitating prolonged hospitalization in all four children (mean length of stay, 3.3 days). Each child's orbital complication resolved with medical therapy that included intravenous antibiotics and nasal saline. Temporal bone images before implantation showed evidence of rhinosinusitis in all four cases. Of 76 available preoperative scans from the unaffected children, only 11 (14%) studies showed evidence of rhinosinusitis.

Conclusions: Children with preoperative radiologic evidence of rhinosinusitis may be at risk of orbital sequelae after cochlear implantation. Positioning of the patient during surgery, length of surgery, and minor trauma to the lamina papyracea during drilling of the mastoid may be important etiologic factors. A careful review of medical history and computed tomography imaging before implantation may identify at‐risk children.
Water May Cure Patients With Meniere Disease
Authors: Naganuma Hideaki , Kawahara Katsumasa , Tokumasu Koji , Okamoto Makito
Published: August 2006

Objectives/Hypothesis: We examined whether sufficient water intake is effective in the long‐term control of vertigo and hearing activity in patients with Meniere disease (MD) for whom conventional therapy has proven unsuccessful.

Study Design: The authors conducted a time‐series study with historical control.

Methods: Eighteen patients with MD in group 1 drank 35 mL/kg per day of water for 2 years. Twenty‐nine patients with MD treated with the conventional dietary and diuretic therapy for more than 2 years during 1992 to 1999 at the same hospital were enrolled in a historical control of group 2.

Results: Patients in group 1 dramatically relieved vertigo and significantly improved in the hearing of the worst pure‐tone average of three frequencies (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 kHz) (low PTA) during the last 6 months of the study period. In contrast, patients in group 2 became worse in both the four‐ (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) frequency PTA and the low PTA, although their vertigo did improve. The number of patients whose hearing were improved, unchanged, and worse were 4, 12, and 2 in group 1 and 2, 11, and 16 in group 2, respectively.

Conclusion: Deliberate modulation of the intake of water may be the simplest and most cost‐effective medical treatment for patients with MD. Larger studies will be needed to confirm these results in a larger patient cohort.
Mcm‐2 and Ki‐67 Have Limited Potential in Preoperative Diagnosis of Thyroid Malignancy
Authors: Mehrotra Pallavi , Gonzalez Michael A. , Johnson Sarah J. , Coleman Nick , Wilson Janet A. , Davies Barry R. , Lennard Tom W. J.
Published: August 2006

Objectives: Minichromosome maintenance protein 2 (Mcm‐2) is essential for DNA replication and serves as a useful biomarker of cell‐cycle state in human tissue samples. Ki‐67 is an established proliferation marker. Because Mcm‐2 expression has not previously been assessed in thyroid tissue, the aim of this study was to assess the expression of both proteins in a range of thyroid lesions to determine their potential value as preoperative markers of thyroid malignancy.

Methods: Mcm‐2 and Ki‐67 protein expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded thyroid tissues from 128 patients with histologic diagnoses of papillary carcinoma (n = 38), follicular carcinoma (n = 22), follicular adenoma (n = 33), and dominant nodules of multinodular goitre (n = 35).

Results: Mcm‐2 and Ki‐67‐labeling indices (LIs) were both higher in follicular and papillary carcinomas than in follicular adenomas or dominant nodules. The Ki‐67 LI discriminated better between follicular carcinomas and follicular adenomas (P < .0001) than Mcm‐2 (P = .0273). However, the Mcm‐2 and Ki‐67 LIs overlapped widely between the four histologic groups, and the expression of these proteins was also noted to be heterogenous within these lesions.

Conclusion: Neither Mcm‐2 or Ki‐67 can currently be reliably applied as preoperative markers to distinguish benign from malignant thyroid lesions.
Multichannel Cochlear Implants: Relation of Histopathology to Performance
Authors: Fayad Jose N. , Linthicum Fred H.
Published: August 2006

Objectives: To determine the relationship of surviving neural elements to auditory function in multichannel cochlear implant temporal bones.

Study Design: Case series of all 14 existing multichannel cochlear implants in our temporal bone collection.

Methods: Devices included Nucleus 22 (n = 11), Nucleus 24 (n = 1), Ineraid (n = 1), and Clarion (n = 1). Morphologic evaluation of structural elements including spiral ligament, stria vascularis, hair cells, peripheral processes, and spiral ganglion cells was performed. Clinical performance data were obtained from patient charts. For eight patients, nonimplanted contralateral temporal bones were available and paired comparisons were made.

Results: Despite frequent absence of hair cells and peripheral processes, all bones had at least some remaining spiral ganglion cells. Percent of normal remaining structures were unrelated to auditory performance with the implant for any of the structural elements. Ganglion cell count in segment III showed significant negative correlations to speech discrimination scores for words and sentences (Rhos = −.687 and −.661, P ≤ .03 and .04) as did segment IV and total ganglion cell count with word score (Rhos = −.632 and −.638; P ≤ .05). Spiral ganglion cell survival did not differ between implanted and nonimplanted ears, with the exception of segment I, which had fewer cells in the implanted ear (P ≤ .028).

Conclusions: Performance variability of cochlear implants cannot be explained on the basis of cochlear neuronal survival. Although hair cells and peripheral processes were frequently absent or greatly diminished from normal, all subjects had at least some spiral ganglion cells. And, in this series, there was an inverse relationship between survival of ganglion cells and performance.
Complications of Surgery for Nasal Polyposis and Chronic Rhinosinusitis: The Results of a National Audit in England and Wales
Authors: Hopkins Claire , Browne John P. , Slack Rob , Lund Valerie J. , Topham John , Reeves Barnaby C. , Copley Lynn P. , Brown Peter , van der Meulen Jan H.P.
Published: August 2006

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the rate of complications of surgery for nasal polyposis and chronic rhinosinusitis as well as their risk factors.

Study Design, Setting, Participants, and Outcome Measures: The authors conducted a prospective study of 3,128 patients who underwent sinonasal surgery during 2000 and 2001 in 87 National Health Service hospitals in England and Wales. Patients completed a preoperative questionnaire that included the Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test, a measure of sinonasal symptoms severity and health‐related quality of life. Surgeons provided information about polyp extent, opacity of the sinuses on computed tomography (Lund‐Mackay score), comorbidity (American Society of Anesthesiologists score), and the occurrence of perioperative complications.

Results: Major complications (orbital or intracranial complications, bleeding requiring ligation or orbital decompression, or return to the operating room) occurred in 11 patients (0.4%). Minor complications (all other untoward events) occurred in 207 patients (6.6%). Most frequently reported minor complications were excessive perioperative hemorrhage bleeding (5.0%) as well as postoperative hemorrhage requiring treatment (0.8%). Multivariate analysis indicated that the complication rate was linked to the extent of disease measured in terms of symptom severity and health‐related quality of life, the extent of polyposis, level of opacity of the sinuses on computed tomography, and the presence of comorbidity, but not surgical characteristics (extent of surgery, use of endoscope or microdebrider, grade of surgeon, and adjunctive turbinate surgery).

Conclusions: The risk of complications depended on patient characteristics rather than on the surgical technique used. Measures of the extent of disease and comorbidity may help in identifying patients at high risk of complications.
Ultrasound‐Guided Laser‐Induced Thermal Therapy of Malignant Cervical Adenopathy
Authors: Bublik Michael , Sercarz Joel A. , Lufkin Robert B. , Polyakov Mark , Paiva Paulo B. , Blackwell Keith E. , Castro Dan J. , Masterman‐Smith Michael , Paiva Marcos B.
Published: August 2006

Objectives: Laser‐induced thermal therapy (LITT) for cancer is a technique whereby a source of energy (laser, radiofrequency, ultrasonic, cryoenergy, and so on) is directly applied into a tumor at various depths. Recent studies have demonstrated the efficiency of ultrasound (UTZ) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for real‐ or “near” real‐time tumor and vessel identification as well as monitoring and quantifying energy‐induced tissue damage. The objective of this study is to report UCLA's experience using UTZ monitoring of Nd:YAG laser thermal ablation of malignant cervical adenopathy in a phase II study.

Study Design: The authors conducted a retrospective study of patients treated at a tertiary medical center.

Methods: Forty‐seven patients with a total of 55 neck tumors were treated on an outpatient basis in the operating room using UTZ for image‐guided laser interstitial thermal therapy. Laser energy was delivered through an SLT Nd:YAG laser powered at 30 W (power density: 2,200 J/cm2).

Results: Eleven patients had a complete response ranging from 5.5 to 90 months (mean, 22.1 months). Based on the findings of this study, it was possible to show that proximity to the carotid artery was the most relevant factor in projecting patient survival. Patients' individual treatment analysis and final outcome are further discussed.

Conclusions: LITT ablation of malignant cervical adenopathy was considered safe and feasible. No intraoperative complications occurred. Further development of this technique applying laser energy delivery to mathematical imaging models should lead to more effective tumor palliation as an alternative to surgery.
Petrous Apex Effusion: A Clinical Disorder
Authors: Arriaga Moisés A.
Published: August 2006

Introduction: Petrous apex fluid accumulations without evidence of acute infection are routinely managed as “leave alone lesions” without potential morbidity. Are petrous apex fluid accumulations (effusions) in the absence of acute infection always asymptomatic without the need for treatment? If petrous apex effusions can produce symptoms separate from acute infections, what are the clinical outcomes in these patients?

Study Design: Retrospective clinical review.

Methods: A retrospective record review of 31 patients presenting with petrous apex effusions was performed with recording of clinical characteristics, interventions, and outcomes.

Results: Eighteen of the 31 patients had clinical symptoms referable to the petrous apex effusion with the following characteristics: indolent and previous infections (4), hearing loss (3), headache and pressure alone (8), facial spasms (1), and positional vertigo (2). Overall, 5 of 18 symptomatic patients resolved with antibiotics, steroids, or positioning maneuvers. Three of five infracochlear drainages produced symptom resolution. Three of four patients undergoing retrolabyrinthine drainage had symptom resolution, and four of seven middle fossa drainages yielded symptom resolution. In contrast, infratemporal fossa drainage procedures did not resolve the patients' symptoms.

Conclusions: Isolated petrous apex effusions are rare, but they can cause symptoms. If medical management fails, surgical drainage based on the location is appropriate. The surgical drainage approach selected (infracochlear, infralabyrinthine, middle fossa, and endoscopic transnasal) should be based on an anatomic consideration of the involved petrous apex air cells (superior vs. inferior) and the relative position of the carotid artery and jugular bulb.
Dynamics of a piecewise linear map with a gap
Authors: Hogan S.J , Higham L , Griffin T.C.L
Published: August 2006

In this paper, we consider periodic solutions of discontinuous non-smooth maps. We show how the fixed points of a general piecewise linear map with a discontinuity (‘a map with a gap’) behave under parameter variation. We show in detail all the possible behaviours of period 1 and period 2 solutions. For positive gaps, we find that period 2 solutions can exist independently of period 1 solutions. Conversely, for negative gaps, period 1 and period 2 solutions can coexist. Higher periodic orbits can also exist and be stable and we give several examples of how these solutions behave under parameter variation. Finally, we compare our results with those of Jain & Banerjee (Jain & Banerjee 2003
Int. J. Bifurcat. Chaos
13
, 3341–3351) and Banerjee
et al
. (Banerjee
et al
. 2004
IEEE Trans. Circ. Syst. II
51
, 649–654) and explain their numerical simulations.
Control of chaos: methods and applications in mechanics
Authors: Fradkov Alexander L , Evans Robin J , Andrievsky Boris R
Published: August 2006

A survey of the field related to control of chaotic systems is presented. Several major branches of research that are discussed are feed-forward (‘non-feedback’) control (based on periodic excitation of the system), the ‘Ott–Grebogi–Yorke method’ (based on the linearization of the Poincaré map), the ‘Pyragas method’ (based on a time-delayed feedback), traditional for control-engineering methods including linear, nonlinear and adaptive control. Other areas of research such as control of distributed (spatio-temporal and delayed) systems, chaotic mixing are outlined. Applications to control of chaotic mechanical systems are discussed.
Introduction to anti-control of discrete chaos: theory and applications
Authors: Chen Guanrong , Shi Yuming
Published: August 2006

In this paper, the notion of anti-control of chaos (or chaotification) is introduced, which means to make an originally non-chaotic dynamical system chaotic or enhance the existing chaos of a chaotic system. The main interest in this paper is to employ the classical feedback control techniques. Only the discrete case is discussed in detail, including both finite-dimensional and infinite-dimensional settings.
Exploiting the controlled responses of chaotic elements to design configurable hardware
Authors: Sinha Sudeshna , Ditto William L
Published: August 2006

We discuss how threshold mechanisms can be effectively employed to control chaotic systems onto stable fixed points and limit cycles of widely varying periodicities. Then, we outline the theory and experimental realization of fundamental logic-gates from a chaotic system, using thresholding to effect control. A key feature of this implementation is that a single chaotic ‘processor’ can be flexibly configured (and re-configured) to emulate different fixed or dynamic logic gates through the simple manipulation of a threshold level.
Cell replacement therapy in neurological disease
Authors: Goldman Steven A , Windrem Martha S
Published: August 2006

Diseases of the brain and spinal cord represent especially daunting challenges for cell-based strategies of repair, given the multiplicity of cell types within the adult central nervous system, and the precision with which they must interact in both space and time. Nonetheless, a number of diseases are especially appropriate for cell-based therapy, in particular those in which single phenotypes are lost, and in which the re-establishment of vectorially specific connections is not entirely requisite for therapeutic benefit. We review here a set of potential therapeutic indications that meet these criteria as potentially benefiting from the transplantation of neural stem and progenitor cells. These include: (i) transplantation of phenotypically restricted neuronal progenitor cells into diseases of a single neuronal phenotype, such as Parkinson's disease; (ii) implantation of mixed progenitor pools into diseases characterized by the loss of a limited number of discrete phenotypes, such as spinal cord injury and the motor neuronopathies; (iii) transplantation of glial and nominally oligodendrocytic progenitor cells as a means of treating disorders of myelin; and (iv) transplantation of neural stem cells as a means of treating lysosomal storage disorders and other diseases of enzymatic deficiency. Among the diseases potentially approachable by these strategies, the myelin disorders, including the paediatric leucodystrophies as well as adult traumatic and inflammatory demyelinations, may present the most compelling targets for cell-based neurological therapy.
Extensive post-transcriptional regulation of microRNAs and its implications for cancer
Authors: Thomson J. Michael , Newman Martin , Parker Joel S. , Morin-Kensicki Elizabeth M. , Wright Tricia , Hammond Scott M.
Published: August 2006

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, noncoding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. While hundreds of mammalian miRNA genes have been identified, little is known about the pathways that regulate the production of active miRNA species. Here we show that a large fraction of miRNA genes are regulated post-transcriptionally. During early mouse development, many miRNA primary transcripts, including the Let-7 family, are present at high levels but are not processed by the enzyme Drosha. An analysis of gene expression in primary tumors indicates that the widespread down-regulation of miRNAs observed in cancer is due to a failure at the Drosha processing step. These data uncover a novel regulatory step in miRNA function and provide a mechanism for miRNA down-regulation in cancer.