bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Free Vibration Analysis of a Rotating Composite Shaft Using the p‐Version of the Finite Element Method
Authors: Boukhalfa A. , Hadjoui A. , Hamza Cherif S. M.
Published: June 2008

This paper is concerned with the dynamic behavior of the rotating composite shaft on rigid bearings. A p‐version, hierarchical finite element is employed to define the model. A theoretical study allows the establishment of the kinetic energy and the strain energy of the shaft, necessary to the result of the equations of motion. In this model the transverse shear deformation, rotary inertia and gyroscopic effects, as well as the coupling effect due to the lamination of composite layers have been incorporated. A hierarchical beam finite element with six degrees of freedom per node is developed and used to find the natural frequencies of a rotating composite shaft. A program is elaborate for the calculation of the eigenfrequencies and critical speeds of a rotating composite shaft. To verify the present model, the critical speeds of composite shaft systems are compared with those available in the literature. The efficiency and accuracy of the methods employed are discussed.
Direct Fan‐Beam Reconstruction Algorithm via Filtered Backprojection for Differential Phase‐Contrast Computed Tomography
Authors: Qi Zhihua , Chen Guang-Hong
Published: June 2008

Recently, a novel data acquisition method has been proposed and experimentally implemented for differential phase‐contrast computed tomography (DPC‐CT), in which a conventional X‐ray tube and a Talbot‐Lau‐type interferometer were utilized in data acquisition. The divergent nature of the data acquisition system requires a divergent‐beam image reconstruction algorithm for DPC‐CT. This paper focuses on addressing this image reconstruction issue. We have developed a filtered backprojection algorithm to directly reconstruct the DPC‐CT images from acquired fan‐beam data. The developed algorithm allows one to directly reconstruct the decrement of the real part of the refractive index from the measured data. In order to accurately reconstruct an image, the data need to be acquired over an angular range of at least 180∘ plus the fan angle. As opposed to the parallel beam data acquisition and reconstruction methods, a 180∘‐rotation angle for the data acquisition system does not provide sufficient data for an accurate reconstruction of the entire field of view. Numerical simulations have been conducted to validate the image reconstruction algorithm.
Sexual Development and the Evolution of Sex Determination
Authors: Valenzuela N.
Published: June 2008

The evolution of sex had profound consequences for life on earth as it brought about the origin of males and females. Yet understanding the amazing variety of mechanisms employed by organisms to produce males and females has evaded scientific explanation. Developmental biology provides essential insight to understand how the sexes are formed, and how the regulatory network underlying sexual development changes over evolutionary time. This is a critical step in revealing why the diversity of mechanisms arose in the first place. Here I present significant reciprocal contributions made by evolutionary genetics and developmental biology that bear on this question. In particular, I explore how changes in the timing of events during development can be viewed as heterochronic changes that alleviate the strong selection on the master trigger of male and female sexual development, enabling the evolutionary transitions between genotypic and environmental sex determination.
Male Specific Expression of Lipocalin-Type Prostaglandin D Synthase (cPTGDS) during Chicken Gonadal Differentiation: Relationship with cSOX9
Authors: Moniot B. , Boizet-Bonhoure B. , Poulat F.
Published: June 2008

As in mammals, the SOX9 gene (cSOX9) is specifically expressed in male differentiating Sertoli cells during chicken gonadal development. Recent studies in mouse have shown that the prostaglandin D2 (PGD2)/lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (PTGDS) pathway is functionally associated with the regulation of SOX9 and is specifically expressed in male developing gonads. In this study, we have shown that, as in mammals, cPTGDS is a male specific gene during chicken testicular development and is temporally expressed in the same window as cSOX9 in Sertoli cells. Using a culture of gonadal explants, we have shown that exogenous PGD2 enhances cSOX9 expression in male, and activates its ectopic expression in female gonads without up-regulating cAMH. These data indicate a conserved PGD2 modulation of SOX9 expression during testicular differentiation between birds and mammals.
Difficult Endoscopic Retrieval of a Migrated Stent inside a Pseudocyst
Authors: Lin Lien-Fu , Tung Jai-Nien
Published: June 2008

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided pseudocyst drainage can have complications such as bleeding, perforation, infection, and stent migration. We report a case of iatrogenic migration of stent inside a large dumbbell-shaped pseudocyst managed successfully with a difficult endoscopic retrieval procedure.
Hemorrhagic Cholecystitis in an Elderly Patient Taking Aspirin and Cilostazol
Authors: Morris David S. , Porterfield John R. , Sawyer Mark D.
Published: June 2008

Hemorrhage is a rare complication of acute cholecystitis. Patients who develop this complication often are receiving anticoagulation therapy or have a pathologic coagulopathy. We present a case of an elderly patient who developed hemorrhagic cholecystitis while taking aspirin and cilostazol, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. The patient underwent an emergent abdominal exploration. A large, blood-filled gallbladder was found along with a large hematoma between the liver and gallbladder. We also briefly review the literature regarding hemorrhagic cholecystitis, hemorrhage into the biliary tree, and hemorrhage as a complication of aspirin and phosphodiesterase inhibitor therapy.
Preoperative CA19-9 Levels and Lymph Node Ratio Are Independent Predictors of Survival in Patients with Resected Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Smith R.A. , Bosonnet L. , Ghaneh P. , Raraty M. , Sutton R. , Campbell F. , Neoptolemos J.P.
Published: June 2008

Background: The aim of this study was to identify whether preoperative CA19-9 levels might represent an independent prognostic marker for overall survival in patients undergoing resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and to describe the relationship between CA19-9 and tumour histology. Methods: 109 patients who had a pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with recorded preoperative CA19-9 levels were identified from a prospectively maintained database (1997–2006). Multivariate analysis was conducted using a Cox proportional hazards model with continuous covariates where possible. Results: The median survival of 64 patients with a preoperative CA19-9 level >150 kU/l was 10.4 months while in 45 patients with a CA19-9 level ≤150 kU/l this was 22.1 months (corrected p = 0.012). Also significant on univariate analyses were overall lymph node status (p = 0.011), lymph node ratio (p = 0.003) and tumour diameter (p = 0.004). Preoperative CA19-9 levels >150 kU/l were associated with a larger, more poorly differentiated tumour along with an increased likelihood of a positive resection margin status (all p < 0.05). Preoperative CA19-9 levels (p = 0.030) and lymph node ratio (p = 0.042) emerged as independent predictors of survival on multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Preoperative CA19-9 levels and lymph node ratio were significant predictors of survival in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Whipple’s Disease: An Endoscopic and Histologic Study
Authors: Mönkemüller Klaus , Fry Lucia C. , von Arnim Ulrike , Neumann Helmut , Evert Matthias , Malfertheiner Peter
Published: June 2008

Background/Aim: Primary gastrointestinal tract involvement occurs in one third of patients with Whipple’s disease (WD). Nevertheless, there are scant data on the endoscopic appearance of WD. The aim of this study was to provide a detailed endoscopic-pathologic assessment of patients with WD. Methods: Four patients with a diagnosis of WD who underwent endoscopic evaluation by a single endoscopist were included. Published information on WD was reviewed in detail, focusing on the endoscopic and histologic features of this disease. Results: WD had a wide range of endoscopic features, including edema, brown discoloration of the mucosa, erythematous spots, subepithelial hemorrhages, and megaduodenum. Magnification endoscopy revealed engorged and flattened villi, villi filled with white material, and white ring-like structures inside of the villi and multiple yellow spots. The histological features of WD include a coarse granular cytoplasm and foamy macrophages that stain strongly with the period acid-Schiff reagent. Conclusions: Gastrointestinal WD has a wide spectrum of endoscopic appearance. Magnification endoscopy enhances the mucosal details. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy with procurement of biopsy specimens from the duodenum was an accurate method for the diagnosis of WD in this case series.
High-Resolution Computed Tomography Evaluation of Peripheral Airways in Asthma Patients: Comparison of Focal and Diffuse Air Trapping
Authors: Mikos Magdalena , Grzanka Piotr , Sladek Krzysztof , Pulka Grazyna , Bochenek Grazyna , Soja Jerzy , Nizankowska-Mogilnicka Ewa , Szczeklik Andrzej
Published: June 2008

Background: Air trapping evaluated in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) reflects changes in small bronchi. We simultaneously evaluated focal and diffuse air trapping in asthmatic patients. Objectives: (1) To evaluate air trapping and bronchial wall thickness in asthmatics. (2) To estimate the relationship between air trapping and bronchial wall thickness, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), age, gender and asthma severity. (3) To compare air trapping between subgroups of asthmatic patients with normal FEV1 % pred. and FEV1/FVC % and controls. (4) To compare air trapping and bronchial wall thickness between aspirin-induced asthmatics (AIA) and aspirin-tolerant asthmatics (ATA). Methods: Both groups (asthmatics and controls) included 30 patients. All patients underwent HRCT and PFTs. Results: Focal (p < 0.0001) and diffuse (p = 0.0004) air trappings and bronchial wall thickness (T: p < 0.0001; T/D: p < 0.0001; WA%: p < 0.0001) were significantly greater in asthmatics. Focal and diffuse air trappings were inversely correlated (p = 0.021). Diffuse air trapping correlated with bronchial wall thickness: T/D (p = 0.047), T (p = 0.037), and WA% (p = 0.048). There was a significant difference in the extent of focal air trapping between a subgroup of asthmatics with normal FEV1 % pred. and FEV1/FVC % and controls (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in focal (p = 0.095) and diffuse air trapping (p = 0.186) and bronchial wall thickness (T: p = 0.086; T/D: p = 0.428; WA%: p = 0.428) between AIA and ATA patients. Conclusions: Both focal and diffuse air trappings provide valuable diagnostic information and therefore deserve to be estimated. The lack of significant differences in air trapping and bronchial wall thickness between AIA and ATA patients needs further investigation.
Prognostic Value and Temporal Behavior of the Planar QRS-T Angle in Patients With Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Pavri Behzad B. , Hillis Matthew B. , Subačius Haris , Brumberg Genevieve E. , Schaechter Andi , Levine Joseph H. , Kadish Alan
Published: June 2008

Background—

The planar QRS-T angle can be easily obtained from standard 12-lead ECGs, but its predictive ability is not established. We sought to determine the predictive ability of the planar QRS-T angle in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy and to assess QRS-T angle behavior over time.

Methods and Results—

Baseline QRS-T angles from 455 patients in the Defibrillators in Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy Treatment Evaluation (DEFINITE) trial were measured. All patients had nonischemic cardiomyopathy, New York Heart Association class I to III heart failure, and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia or frequent ventricular ectopy. The primary end point (a composite of total mortality, appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shock, or resuscitated cardiac arrest) occurred in 25 of 172 patients (14.5%) with a QRS-T angle ≤90° and in 72 of 283 patients (25.4%) with a QRS-T angle >90° (hazard ratio, 1.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.23 to 3.05;
P
=0.002). A QRS-T angle >90° remained a significant predictor of the primary end point (
P
=0.039) after adjustment for treatment group, age, gender, QRS duration, left bundle-branch block, left ventricular ejection fraction, New York Heart Association class III, atrial fibrillation, and diabetes mellitus. The secondary end point (total mortality) occurred in 17 of the 172 patients (9.9%) with a QRS-T angle ≤90° and in 49 of the 283 patients (17.3%) with a QRS-T angle >90° (hazard ratio, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 3.10;
P
=0.016). A sample of 152 patients with multiple follow-up ECGs was analyzed to assess temporal QRS-T angle behavior. Changes in the QRS-T angle correlated with changes in left ventricular ejection fraction and QRS duration over time (
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

A planar QRS-T angle >90° is a significant predictor of a composite end point of death, appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shock, or resuscitated cardiac arrest in nonpaced, mild to moderately symptomatic patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy with frequent or complex ventricular ectopy. QRS-T angles changed predictably with left ventricular ejection fraction and QRS duration.
Resistant Hypertension: Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment
Authors: Calhoun David A. , Jones Daniel , Textor Stephen , Goff David C. , Murphy Timothy P. , Toto Robert D. , White Anthony , Cushman William C. , White William , Sica Domenic , Ferdinand Keith , Giles Thomas D. , Falkner Bonita , Carey Robert M.
Published: June 2008

Resistant hypertension is a common clinical problem faced by both primary care clinicians and specialists. While the exact prevalence of resistant hypertension is unknown, clinical trials suggest that it is not rare, involving perhaps 20% to 30% of study participants. As older age and obesity are 2 of the strongest risk factors for uncontrolled hypertension, the incidence of resistant hypertension will likely increase as the population becomes more elderly and heavier. The prognosis of resistant hypertension is unknown, but cardiovascular risk is undoubtedly increased as patients often have a history of long-standing, severe hypertension complicated by multiple other cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, sleep apnea, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. The diagnosis of resistant hypertension requires use of good blood pressure technique to confirm persistently elevated blood pressure levels. Pseudoresistance, including lack of blood pressure control secondary to poor medication adherence or white coat hypertension, must be excluded. Resistant hypertension is almost always multifactorial in etiology. Successful treatment requires identification and reversal of lifestyle factors contributing to treatment resistance; diagnosis and appropriate treatment of secondary causes of hypertension; and use of effective multidrug regimens. As a subgroup, patients with resistant hypertension have not been widely studied. Observational assessments have allowed for identification of demographic and lifestyle characteristics associated with resistant hypertension, and the role of secondary causes of hypertension in promoting treatment resistance is well documented; however, identification of broader mechanisms of treatment resistance is lacking. In particular, attempts to elucidate potential genetic causes of resistant hypertension have been limited. Recommendations for the pharmacological treatment of resistant hypertension remain largely empiric due to the lack of systematic assessments of 3 or 4 drug combinations. Studies of resistant hypertension are limited by the high cardiovascular risk of patients within this subgroup, which generally precludes safe withdrawal of medications; the presence of multiple disease processes (eg, sleep apnea, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, atherosclerotic disease) and their associated medical therapies, which confound interpretation of study results; and the difficulty in enrolling large numbers of study participants. Expanding our understanding of the causes of resistant hypertension and thereby potentially allowing for more effective prevention and/or treatment will be essential to improve the long-term clinical management of this disorder.
High-Mobility Group Box-1 in Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury of the Heart
Authors: Andrassy Martin , Volz Hans C. , Igwe John C. , Funke Benjamin , Eichberger Sebastian N. , Kaya Ziya , Buss Sebastian , Autschbach Frank , Pleger Sven T. , Lukic Ivan K. , Bea Florian , Hardt Stefan E. , Humpert Per M. , Bianchi Marco E. , Mairbäurl Heimo , Nawroth Peter P. , Remppis Andrew , Katus Hugo A. , Bierhaus Angelika
Published: June 2008

Background—

High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear factor released by necrotic cells and by activated immune cells. HMGB1 signals via members of the toll-like receptor family and the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). Although HMGB1 has been implicated in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of the liver and lung, its role in I/R injury of the heart remains unclear.

Methods and Results—

Here, we demonstrate that HMGB1 acts as an early mediator of inflammation and organ damage in I/R injury of the heart. HMGB1 levels were already elevated 30 minutes after hypoxia in vitro and in ischemic injury of the heart in vivo. Treatment of mice with recombinant HMGB1 worsened I/R injury, whereas treatment with HMGB1 box A significantly reduced infarct size and markers of tissue damage. In addition, HMGB1 inhibition with recombinant HMGB1 box A suggested an involvement of the mitogen-activated protein kinases jun N-terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, as well as the nuclear transcription factor nuclear factor-κB in I/R injury. Interestingly, infarct size and markers of tissue damage were not affected by administration of recombinant HMGB1 or HMGB1 antagonists in RAGE
−/−
mice, which demonstrated significantly reduced damage in reperfused hearts compared with wild-type mice. Coincubation studies using recombinant HMGB1 in vitro induced an inflammatory response in isolated macrophages from wild-type mice but not in macrophages from RAGE
−/−
mice.

Conclusions—

HMGB1 plays a major role in the early event of I/R injury by binding to RAGE, resulting in the activation of proinflammatory pathways and enhanced myocardial injury. Therefore, blockage of HMGB1 might represent a novel therapeutic strategy in I/R injury.
Self-Organization of Intertidal Snails Facilitates Evolution of Aggregation Behavior
Authors: Stafford Richard , Davies Mark S. , Williams Gray A.
Published: June 2008

Many intertidal snails form aggregations during emersion to minimize desiccation stress. Here we investigate possible mechanisms for the evolution of such behavior. Two behavioral traits (following of mucus trails, and crevice occupation), which both provide selective advantages to individuals that possess the traits over individuals that do not, result in self-organization of aggregations in crevices in the rock surface. We suggest that the existence of self-organizing aggregations provides a mechanism by which aggregation behavior can evolve. The inclusion of an explicitly coded third behavior, aggregation, in a simulated population produces patterns statistically similar to those found on real rocky shores. Allowing these three behaviors to evolve using an evolutionary algorithm, however, results in aggregation behavior being selected against on shores with high crevice density. The inclusion of broadcast spawning dispersal mechanisms in the simulation, however, results in aggregation behavior evolving as predicted on shores with both high crevice density and low crevice density (evolving in crevices first, and then both in crevices and on flat rock), indicating the importance of environmental interactions in understanding evolutionary processes. We propose that self-organization can be an important factor in the evolution of group behaviors.
The Numerical Measure of Symmetry for 3D Stick Creatures
Authors: Jaśkowski Wojciech , Komosinski Maciej
Published: June 2008

This work introduces a numerical, continuous measure of symmetry for 3D stick creatures and solid 3D objects. Background information about the property of symmetry is provided, and motivations for developing a symmetry measure are described. Three approaches are mentioned, and two of them are presented in detail using formal mathematical language. The best approach is used to sort a set of creatures according to their symmetry. Experiments with a mixed set of 84 individuals originating from both human design and evolution are performed to examine symmetry within these two sources, and to determine if human designers and evolutionary processes prefer symmetry or asymmetry.
A New Set of Orthogonal Patterns in Weather and Climate: Optimally Interpolated Patterns
Authors: Hannachi A.
Published: June 2008

A new spectral-based approach is presented to find orthogonal patterns from gridded weather/climate data. The method is based on optimizing the interpolation error variance. The optimally interpolated patterns (OIP) are then given by the eigenvectors of the interpolation error covariance matrix, obtained using the cross-spectral matrix. The formulation of the approach is presented, and the application to low-dimension stochastic toy models and to various reanalyses datasets is performed. In particular, it is found that the lowest-frequency patterns correspond to largest eigenvalues, that is, variances, of the interpolation error matrix. The approach has been applied to the Northern Hemispheric (NH) and tropical sea level pressure (SLP) and to the Indian Ocean sea surface temperature (SST). Two main OIP patterns are found for the NH SLP representing respectively the North Atlantic Oscillation and the North Pacific pattern. The leading tropical SLP OIP represents the Southern Oscillation. For the Indian Ocean SST, the leading OIP pattern shows a tripole-like structure having one sign over the eastern and north- and southwestern parts and an opposite sign in the remaining parts of the basin. The pattern is also found to have a high lagged correlation with the Niño-3 index with 6-months lag.
Comparing ERA-40-Based L-Band Brightness Temperatures with Skylab Observations: A Calibration/Validation Study Using the Community Microwave Emission Model
Authors: Drusch Matthias , Holmes Thomas , de Rosnay Patricia , Balsamo Gianpaolo
Published: June 2008

The Community Microwave Emission Model (CMEM) has been used to compute global L-band brightness temperatures at the top of the atmosphere. The input data comprise surface fields from the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40), vegetation data from the ECOCLIMAP dataset, and the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) soil database. Modeled brightness temperatures have been compared against (historic) observations from the S-194 passive microwave radiometer onboard the Skylab space station. Different parameterizations for surface roughness and the vegetation optical depth have been used to calibrate the model. The best results have been obtained for rather simple approaches proposed by Wigneron et al. and Kirdyashev et al. The rms errors after calibration are 10.7 and 9.8 K for North and South America, respectively. Comparing the ERA-40 soil moisture product against the corresponding in situ observations suggests that the uncertainty in the modeled soil moisture is the predominant contributor to these rms errors. Although the bias between model and observed brightness temperatures are reduced after the calibration, systematic differences in the dynamic range remain. For NWP analysis applications, bias correction schemes should be applied prior to data assimilation. The calibrated model has been used to compute a 10-yr brightness temperature climatology based on ERA-40 data.
Synoptic Variability of Rainfall and Cloudiness along the Coasts of Northern Peru and Ecuador during the 1997/98 El Niño Event
Authors: Douglas Michael W. , Mejia John , Ordinola Norma , Boustead Joshua
Published: June 2008

This paper describes the meteorological conditions associated with large fluctuations in rainfall over the coastal regions of northern Peru and Ecuador during the 1997/98 El Niño event. Using data from a network of routine rain gauges and special gauges established just prior to the onset of heavy rains, it is shown that large variations in the daily rainfall on quasi-weekly time scales occurred during the period January–April 1998. These rainfall fluctuations were approximately in phase along the coast from near the equator to ∼7°S. The daily rainfall data was averaged to develop a subset of wet and dry days, and then these dates were used as the basis for compositing. Special pilot balloon observations were composited with respect to the wet and dry days, showing that westerly and northerly wind anomalies are associated with wet spells. Composites of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) reanalysis and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) data support a modest association of anomalous westerly wind events with enhanced rainfall.

The relationship observed between westerly zonal wind anomalies and rainfall west of the Andes during 1998 suggested using the NCEP reanalysis to develop composites based on westerly wind events observed during other years. Zonal wind anomalies at 700 hPa were used as the primary criterion for stratifying “wet” and “dry” days, despite reservations about the association between rainfall and zonal wind. Compositing Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) and OLR data for 220 west wind anomaly events from the months of January–April for the years 1990–2005 showed that they are associated with enhanced cloudiness that propagates eastward at ∼10 m s−1. The composites using NCEP reanalyses show the evolution of the wind field associated with the wet days and suggest a link between extratropical wave passages across North America and anomalous westerly wind events off the coast of Ecuador and northern Peru.
A Generic Forecast Verification Framework for Administrative Purposes
Authors: Mason Simon J. , Weigel Andreas P.
Published: June 2008

There are numerous reasons for calculating forecast verification scores, and considerable attention has been given to designing and analyzing the properties of scores that can be used for scientific purposes. Much less attention has been given to scores that may be useful for administrative reasons, such as communicating changes in forecast quality to bureaucrats and providing indications of forecast quality to the general public. The two-alternative forced choice (2AFC) test is proposed as a scoring procedure that is sufficiently generic to be usable on forecasts ranging from simple yes–no forecasts of dichotomous outcomes to forecasts of continuous variables, and can be used with deterministic or probabilistic forecasts without seriously reducing the more complex information when available. Although, as with any single verification score, the proposed test has limitations, it does have broad intuitive appeal in that the expected score of an unskilled set of forecasts (random guessing or perpetually identical forecasts) is 50%, and is interpretable as an indication of how often the forecasts are correct, even when the forecasts are expressed probabilistically and/or the observations are not discrete.
On the Computation of Pseudoadiabatic Entropy and Equivalent Potential Temperature
Authors: Bryan George H.
Published: June 2008

A set of approximate equations for pseudoadiabatic thermodynamics is developed. The equations are derived by neglecting the entropy of water vapor and then compensating for this error by using a constant (but relatively large) value for the latent heat of vaporization. The subsequent formulations for entropy and equivalent potential temperature have errors that are comparable to those of previous formulations, but their simple form makes them attractive for use in theoretical studies. It is also shown that, if the latent heat of vaporization is replaced with a constant value, an optimal value should be chosen to minimize error; a value of 2.555 × 106 J kg−1 is found in tests herein.
Leadership: A categorical mistake?
Authors: Kelly Simon
Published: June 2008

As growing numbers of scholars become disaffected by the research traditions laid down by leadership psychology, there is a steady turn towards treating leadership as a discursive phenomenon. In response, leadership researchers are increasingly adopting interpretive and observational methods in the search for the practices of leadership in everyday life. This article suggests that while there are many advantages to an interest in discourse and action, there are also many subtle difficulties in making leadership observable and knowable in the field. Taking Louis Pondy's notion of leadership as a language-game as its starting point, this article argues that leadership studies as a discipline suffers from a persistent category mistake; a category mistake that some recent interpretive studies of leadership reveal, but inadvertently reproduce in the search for leadership's essential character. Instead, this article takes Pondy's thesis to its logical conclusion and outlines a programme of research that confronts this category mistake, whilst demonstrating the potential for, and limitations of, treating leadership as a language-game.
Self-efficacy intervention, job attitudes, and turnover: A field experiment with employees in role transition
Authors: McNatt D. Brian , Judge Timothy A.
Published: June 2008

Based on self-efficacy theory, this field experiment provides a test of the effectiveness of a non-fictitious self-efficacy intervention on bolstering professionals' job attitudes (i.e. job satisfaction, commitment, and intention to quit) and reducing turnover. Seventy-one newcomer and recent insider financial accounting auditors were randomly assigned to treatment and control conditions. Results showed that the self-efficacy intervention consisting of an interview and subsequent written communications from firm management augmented auditors' self-efficacy and raised the job attitudes of insiders, and reduced insiders' turnover five months later. Organizations and organizational research often focus on newcomers; however, the results of our experiment suggest that recent insiders may be a high-potential and yet underutilized target for job attitude and retention interventions.
How are management fashions institutionalized? The role of institutional work
Authors: Perkmann Markus , Spicer André
Published: June 2008

We explore how transitory management fashions become institutionalized. Based on the concepts of institutional entrepreneurship and institutional work, we postulate that fashionable management practices acquire permanence when they are anchored within fieldwide institutions. The building of such institutions requires various types of institutional work, including political work, technical work and cultural work. Based on a review of the empirical literature on various management fashions, we identify the actors engaging in these different types of works, and their skills. Our results suggest that the institutionalization effect is stronger if more types of institutional work are deployed and if the skill sets of the involved actors vary. We also argue that institutional construction in the case of management fashions is likely to take the form of decentralized `partaking' rather than being led by a single dominant institutional entrepreneur. We conclude with implications for the study of management fashions and the role of agency in institutionalization.
DEVS-FIRE: Towards an Integrated Simulation Environment for Surface Wildfire Spread and Containment
Authors: Ntaimo Lewis , Xiaolin Hu  , Yi Sun
Published: June 2008

Simulating wildfire spread and containment remains a challenging problem due to the complexity of fire behavior. In this paper, the authors present an integrated simulation environment for surface wildfire spread and containment called DEVS-FIRE. DEVS-FIRE is based on the discrete event system specification (DEVS) and uses a cellular space model for simulating wildfire spread and agent models for simulating wildfire containment. The cellular space model incorporates real spatial fuels data, terrain data and temporal weather data into the prediction of wildfire behavior across both time and space. DEVS-FIRE is designed to be integrated with stochastic optimization models that use the scenario results from the simulation to determine an optimal mix of firefighting resources to dispatch to a wildfire. Preliminary computational experiments with fuel, terrain and weather data for a real forest demonstrate the viability of the integrated simulation environment for wildfire spread and containment.
End-of-Life Experiences and the Dying Process in a Gloucestershire Nursing Home as Reported by Nurses and Care Assistants
Authors: Brayne Sue , Lovelace Hilary , Fenwick Peter
Published: June 2008

This article presents an interim study into the end-of-life experiences of elderly residents in a Gloucestershire nursing home as reported by nurses and care assistants. It draws comparisons between the experiences of an end-of-life experiences pilot study conducted with the Camden Palliative Care Team in the United Kingdom with those of the nursing home staff to consider whether the dying experience of elderly nursing home residents is the same as those whose lives are foreshortened through terminal illness. It draws the conclusion that elderly residents have end-of-life experiences similar to those described in the Camden pilot study. It also examines the effect that end-of-life experiences have on the carers and reflects on possible needs for specialized training and support to deal with such existential issues.
End-of-Life Review
Authors: Aylor Arden L. , Grimes Gil C.
Published: June 2008

Context: The term “End-of-Life Review” is often used by hospice workers in the context of spiritual apparitions or visitations prior to a patient's death. A review of the literature reveals no clear definition or categorization of this expression.

Objective: The aim of this study is to define the term “End-of-Life Review”. Design: The study was performed using the Delphi method.

Setting/participants: A panel of interested parties was recruited from October 2006 to January 2007.

Intervention: Respondents were first asked to list their most common experiences associated with the term “End-of-Life Review,” and then to rate each item as to how well it represented their understanding of this term. This process continued until subsequent rounds produce little change in the ranking of each item, suggesting a consensus. Conclusions: The term “End-of-Life Review” is a constellation of behaviors ranging from visitations from the departed to spiritual apparitions prior to death.
The Japan HOspice and Palliative Care Evaluation Study (J-HOPE Study): Study Design and Characteristics of Participating Institutions
Authors: Miyashita Mitsunori , Morita Tatsuya , Tsuneto Satoru , Sato Kazuki , Shima Yasuo
Published: June 2008

This article describes the study design and background data of participating institutions in the Japan HOspice and Palliative care Evaluation (J-HOPE) study. The J-HOPE study is a large nationwide survey about the dying experience of cancer patients. The primary aim of this article is to describe the design of the J-HOPE study for the bereaved family members of Japanese inpatient palliative care units and home hospices. Secondly, the aim was to describe characteristics of participating institutions. The authors conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey in 2007. One hundred Japanese inpatient palliative care units and 14 home hospices participated. The questionnaires were sent to 7955 bereaved family members of the Japanese inpatient palliative care units and 447 of the home hospices. The authors describe the structure of the Japanese inpatient palliative care units and home hospices, including type of staff, architectural structure, number of patients, and death. In addition, the authors describe available treatments at the Japanese inpatient palliative care units and home hospices.
Management of Pericatheter Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak After Intrathecal Implantation of a Drug Delivery System
Authors: Singh Prem K. , Jain Roopesh , Mishra Seema , Kumar Sunil , Bhatnagar Sushma , Deo Suryanand
Published: June 2008

Persistent cerebrospinal fluid leak is a known complication of intrathecal pump system insertion for drug delivery. Various treatment modalities, such as an epidural blood patch, use of glue, removal of catheter, and surgical closure of dura and subdural blood patch, have been reported previously. This report presents a 35-year-old woman in whom an intrathecal pump system was inserted for cancer pain management with intrathecal morphine. This was complicated by a persistent cerebrospinal fluid leak that was successfully managed by purse-string sutures over the dura around the catheter, without removing the intrathecal implant. The cause of the cerebrospinal fluid leak and different treatment approaches are discussed.
Efficacy of a Scheduled IV Cocktail of Antiemetics for the Palliation of Nausea and Vomiting in a Hospice Population
Authors: Kumar Geetika , Hayes Kathleen A. , Clark Rosemary
Published: June 2008

This is a retrospective analysis of 10 mg metoclopramide, 25 mg diphenhydramine, and 4 mg dexamethasone given intravenous piggyback every 6 hours for nausea or vomiting. Outcome measures were rapidity of symptom relief based on the self-report of the patient and nursing documentation of relief from symptoms of nausea or vomiting. Seven hundred and ninety seven patients were admitted to the inpatient hospice unit during a 2-year period. Sixty-three patients developed nausea or vomiting requiring the cocktail. Fifty-seven patients (90%) had objective response as reflected in nursing notes. Symptom relief was usually noted within 2 days with improvement in oral intake and enjoyment in activities, such as parties and family interactions. Partial relief was noted in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies and peritoneal carcinomatosis even with the addition of other antiemetics to the cocktail.
Immunoexpression of Integrins in Ameloblastoma, Adenomatoid Odontogenic Tumor, and Human Tooth Germs
Authors: de Souza Andrade Emanuel Sávio , Miguel Márcia Cristina da Costa , de Almeida Freitas Roseana , Pereira Pinto Leão , Batista de Souza Lélia
Published: June 2008

The expression of integrins α2β1, α3β1, and α5β1 in 30 ameloblastomas (20 solid and 10 unicystic tumors), 12 adenomatoid odontogenic tumors (AOTs), and 5 human tooth germs in different stages of odontogenesis was analyzed. The distribution, location, pattern, and intensity of immunohistochemical expression were evaluated. Intensity was analyzed using scores (0 = absence, 1 = weak staining, and 2 = strong staining). No difference in the immunoexpression of the integrins was observed between solid and unicystic ameloblastomas. When these two ameloblastoma types were pooled into a single group, the following significant differences were found: immunoexpression of integrin α2β1 was stronger in ameloblastomas than in AOTs and tooth germs, and the expression of integrin α5β1 was stronger in ameloblastomas than in AOTs. The lack of detection of integrin α3β1 in tooth germs and its detection in the odontogenic tumors studied suggest that this integrin might be used as a marker of neoplastic transformation in odontogenic tissues.
Ovarian Mature Cystic Teratoma With Florid Vascular Proliferation and Wagner-Meissner—Like Corpuscles
Authors: Fellegara Giovanni , Young Robert H. , Kuhn Elisabetta , Rosai Juan
Published: June 2008

An ovarian mature cystic teratoma featuring florid vascular proliferation and Wagner-Meissner—like corpuscles is presented. The vascular proliferation is analogous to that seen in other tumors having a prominent neural component. The Wagner-Meissner—like corpuscles are viewed as evidence of a specialized type of differentiation of this neural component. To the best of our knowledge, they had not been previously reported in this setting.
Aggressive (Epithelioid) Osteoblastoma Arising in Soft Tissue
Authors: Deyrup Andrea T. , Monson David K. , Dorfman Howard D.
Published: June 2008

Aggressive (epithelioid) osteoblastoma arising in soft tissue has never been described. It is important to differentiate this benign osteoblastoma, a potentially locally aggressive tumor, from extraskeletal osteosarcoma. This report describes an aggressive (epithelioid) osteoblastoma arising in a focus of heterotopic ossification in the axilla of a 21-year-old man.
Histopathologic and Molecular Aspects of CD56+ Natural Killer/ T-Cell Lymphoma of the Testis
Authors: Ornstein Deborah L. , Bifulco Carlo B. , Braddock Demetrios T. , Howe John G.
Published: June 2008

Primary nasal-type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma of the testis is a rare malignancy. Although dissemination to the testis from other sites occurs somewhat more frequently than a primary presentation, even secondary testicular involvement is uncommon. In this article, the authors report on the comprehensive histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular analysis of a case of primary testicular nasal-type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, and review the features of 16 previously reported patients. The investigation carried out in this study indicates that the testicular nasal-type natural killer/T-cell lymphomas occur at a younger age than their B-cell counterparts, express cytoplasmic CD3 and surface CD56, and consistently show an infection by Epstein-Barr virus. These tumors have variable expression of T-cell antigens other than cytoplasmic CD3 and may show monoclonal rearrangement of T-cell receptor genes. Testicular natural killer/T-cell lymphomas of nasal type invariably follow an aggressive clinical course.
Expression of Cadherin/Catenin Cell—Cell Adhesion Molecules in a Onychomatricoma
Authors: Burchette James L. , Pham Tram T. , Higgins Steven P. , Cook Jonathan L. , Soler Alejandro Peralta
Published: June 2008

Onychomatricoma is a rare nail tumor with a distinctive architecture. Proximally, there are serum-filled invaginations of nail matrix epithelium into the stroma, and distally, dermal protrusions perforate the nail plate. Because other matrical tumors of follicular and odontogenic origin express nuclear β-catenin, we examined the expression of cadherin/catenin proteins in this onychomatricoma case. The patient presented with a toenail yellow streak, and the biopsy revealed an onychomatricoma. E-cadherin and β-catenin were at the cell membrane in the epithelial invaginations. P-cadherin was restricted to basal cells. In contrast to other matrical tumors, nuclear β-catenin was not present. These results suggest that onychomatricoma may lack the transcriptional activating role of β-catenin that characterizes follicular and odontogenic matrical tumors. This is the first report on the expression of cadherin/ catenin cell—cell adhesion proteins in this rare nail tumor.
Evidence, Interpretation, and Qualification From Multiple Reports of Long-Term Outcomes in the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children With ADHD (MTA)
Authors: Swanson James , Arnold L. Eugene , Kraemer Helena , Hechtman Lily , Molina Brooke , Hinshaw Stephen , Vitiello Benedetto , Jensen Peter , Steinhoff Ken , Lerner Marc , Greenhill Laurence , Abikoff Howard , Wells Karen , Epstein Jeffery , Elliott Glen , Newcorn Jeffrey , Hoza Betsy , Wigal Timothy
Published: June 2008

Objective: To review and provide details about the primary and secondary findings from the Multimodal Treatment study of ADHD (MTA) published during the past decade as three sets of articles. Method: In the second of a two part article, we provide additional background and detail required by the complexity of the MTA to address confusion and controversy about the findings outlined in part I (the Executive Summary). Results: We present details about the gold standard used to produce scientific evidence, the randomized clinical trial (RCT), which we applied to evaluate the long-term effects of two well-established unimodal treatments, Medication Management (MedMGT) and behavior therapy (Beh), the multimodal combination (Comb), and treatment “as usual” in the community (CC). For each of the first three assessment points defined by RCT methods and included in intent-to-treat analyses, we discuss our definition of evidence from the MTA, interpretation of the serial presentations of findings at each assessment point with a different definition of long-term varying from weeks to years, and qualification of the interim conclusions about long-term effects of treatments for ADHD based on many exploratory analyses described in additional published articles. Conclusions: Using a question and answer format, we discuss the possible clinical relevance of the MTA and present some practical suggestions based on current knowledge and uncertainties facing families, clinicians, and investigators regarding the long-term use of stimulant medication and behavioral therapy in the treatment of children with ADHD. (J. of Att. Dis. 2008; 12(1) 15-43)
ESTs from the microsporidian Edhazardia aedis
Authors: Gill Erin E , Becnel James J , Fast Naomi M
Published: June 2008

Background

Microsporidia are a group of parasites related to fungi that infect a wide variety of animals and have gained recognition from the medical community in the past 20 years due to their ability to infect immuno-compromised humans. Microsporidian genomes range in size from 2.3 to 19.5 Mbp, but almost all of our knowledge comes from species that have small genomes (primarily from the human parasite Encephalitozoon cuniculi and the locust parasite Antonospora locustae). We have conducted an EST survey of the mosquito parasite Edhazardia aedis, which has an estimated genome size several times that of more well-studied species. The only other microsporidian EST project is from A. locustae, and serves as a basis for comparison with E. aedis.

Results

The spore transcriptomes of A. locustae and E. aedis were compared and the numbers of unique transcripts that belong to each COG (Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins) category differ by at most 5%. The transcripts themselves have widely varying start sites and encode a number of proteins that have not been found in other microsporidia examined to date. However, E. aedis seems to lack the multi-gene transcripts present in A. locustae and E. cuniculi. We also present the first documented case of transcription of a transposable element in microsporidia.

Conclusion

Although E. aedis and A. locustae are distantly related, have very disparate life cycles and contain genomes estimated to be vastly different sizes, their patterns of transcription are similar. The architecture of the ancestral microsporidian genome is unknown, but the presence of genes in E. aedis that have not been found in other microsporidia suggests that extreme genome reduction and compaction is lineage specific and not typical of all microsporidia.