bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased Mortality in Patients Hospitalized with Primary Hyperparathyroidism during the Period 1977–1993 in Denmark
Authors: Øgard Christina G. , Engholm Gerda , Almdal Thomas P. , Vestergaard Henrik
Published: July 2004

The aim of the present study was to determine whether patients with the incident hospital diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in Denmark during the period 1977–1993 had an increased mortality from cardiovascular disease and cancer compared to the rest of the Danish population. In a random sample of half of the Danish population, all patients with an incident hospital diagnosis of PHPT were identified in the National Hospital Patients Register. The mortality in the cohort was analyzed and compared with the background population. A cohort of 1578 patients was identified. Follow‐up of 1179 women and 376 men, who did not die in the same month as the incident PHPT diagnosis, was made through 1993. Of these, 312 (20%) died within the follow‐up period. The standard mortality ratio (SMR) for women was 1.7 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.5–1.9). SMR for men was 1.6 (95% CI: 1.3–2.0). In women an increased mortality from ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and cancer was found. In men an increased mortality from cerebrovascular disease and cancer was found.
Surgical Intervention for Obstructive Jaundice Due to Biliary Tumor Thrombus in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Peng Shu You , Wang Jian Wei , Liu Ying Bin , Cai Xiu Jun , Deng Gui Long , Xu Bin , Li Hai Jun
Published: July 2004

This retrospective study in eight surgically treated patients with obstructive jaundice due to biliary tumor thrombus in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was performed to evaluate the role of surgical intervention. All biliary tumor thrombi were confirmed preoperatively or intraoperatively. Only two manifested intraluminal biliary obstructions due to a primary tumor that had not been found preoperatively. The operative procedures included hepatectomy with removal of the biliary tumor thrombus (n = 3), hepatectomy combined with extrahepatic bile duct resection (n = 1), thrombectomy through a choledochotomy (n = 3), and piggyback orthotopic liver transplantation (n = 1). The 1‐ and 3‐year survival rates were 62.5% and 37.5%, respectively. Two patients survived more than 5 years. Surgical intervention was effective in patients with obstructive jaundice due to a biliary tumor thrombus in an HCC. Thus surgery for a recurrence can prolong survival, and liver transplantation is a treatment worthy of further investigation.
Risk Factors for Mortality and Morbidity after Elective Sigmoid Resection for Diverticulitis: Prospective Multicenter Multivariate Analysis of 582 Patients
Authors: Pessaux Patrick , Muscari Fabrice , Ouellet Jean‐François , Msika Simon , Hay Jean‐Marie , Millat Bertrand , Fingerhut Abe , Flamant Yves ,   French Association for Surgical Research
Published: July 2004

The prevalence of diverticular disease of the colon is increasing in occidental countries. It would be useful to further decrease the mortality and morbidity after elective sigmoid resection (ESR) for diverticulitis. The aim of this study was to identify modifiable preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for mortality and morbidity after ESR for diverticulitis., A database of 2615 patients who underwent a colon or rectal resection with primary anastomosis between 1985 to 1998 has been constructed from prospective randomized studies published by a French surgical group. Of those patients, 582 had undergone ESR for diverticulitis, and they constitute the population of the present study. A total of 46 potential preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for mortality and morbidity have been studied by univariate and multivariate analysis. The operative mortality for our series was 1.2%, and the overall morbidity was 24.9%. The multivariate analysis revealed two statistically significant independent risk factors of mortality: age > 75 (odds‐ratio = 7.9; 95%confidence interval [CI 1.7–36.6]; p = 0.01) and obesity (odds ratio = 5.2; 95%CI [1.1–27.9]; p = 0.04). The abdominal morbidity (AM) was 6.5% (38/582). The absence of antimicrobial prophylaxis administration with ceftriaxone was the only significant risk factor for AM in multivariate analysis (p = 0.003; odds ratio = 2; 95% CI [1.1–4]). The extraabdominal morbidity (EAM) was 18.4% (107/582). Both chronic pulmonary disease (p = 0.008; odds‐ratio = 2.9; 95% CI [1.4–6]; p = 0.008) and cirrhosis (odds‐ratio = 12; 95% CI [1.2–120]) proved to be significant risk factors for EAM. Weight control prior to surgery, routine administration of prophylactic preoperative antibiotics, and preoperative optimization of the respiratory status of patients with chronic pulmonary disease could decrease the postoperative mortality and morbidity associated with ESR for diverticulitis.
Living Donor Liver Transplantation with Special Reference to ABO‐incompatible Grafts and Small‐for‐size Grafts
Authors: Shimazu Motohide , Kitajima Masaki
Published: July 2004

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has developed on the basis of increased safety of conventional liver surgery and the need for expanding donor sources, especially in children. Indications for LDLT were soon extended to adult patients in Japan, where cadaveric donation was limited. The right liver is now routinely transplanted to adults to avoid small‐for‐size graft syndrome, even though the right liver graft has the disadvantages of less remaining donor liver and the question of donor safety. Assessing the suitable size or quality of the graft, as well as of the remnant donor liver, is one of the most important problems in adult LDLT. Although several tactics have been proposed to manage the small‐for‐size syndrome, their efficacy remains a question. We suggest that small‐for‐size syndrome is preventable by engaging in careful donor selection or using effective agents for hepatic microcirculatory disturbance control. Sometimes for LDLT only ABO‐incompatible grafts are available from relatives, but they must be transplanted despite the expected poor outcome in adults and older children. To overcome the problems in this situation, we developed a novel protocol including intraportal infusion therapy with methylprednisolone, prostaglandin E1, and gabexate mesylate. Two adult patients undergoing ABO‐ incompatible LDLT have now survived 53 and 35 months after transplantation with good liver function. However, the other two patients suffered thrombotic microangiopathy postoperatively and died owing to cerebral hemorrhage or multiple organ failure, respectively. Further investigation is needed to improve the outcome of liver transplantation across the ABO blood group barrier.
Cantlie’s Plane in Major Variations of the Primary Portal Vein Ramification at the Porta Hepatis: Cutting Experiment using Cadaveric Livers
Authors: Ko Saiho , Murakami Gen , Kanamura Tetsuhiro , Sato Toshio J. , Nakajima Yoshiyuki
Published: July 2004

Major variations of the primary portal vein ramifications at the porta hepatis, such as trifurcation or an anterior sectorial trunk originating from the left portal vein (L+A pattern), seem to be relatively common morphologic features, with an incidence of 10% to 30%. However, it has not been clearly demonstrated whether the usual landmarks of Cantlie’s line and the middle hepatic vein (MHV) are reliable indicators of the border between the right and left liver when these variations are present. We searched for any discrepancies between the actual left/right territorial border of the intrahepatic portal vein and the usual position of Cantlie’s line or the MHV course using 30 fixed cadaveric livers with major variations including hilar trifurcation and the L+A pattern. In most livers (63.3%) the usual transection plane for left/right hepatectomy was occupied by Couinaud’s segment VIII (S8), and the territory of the right portal vein extended to the left of Cantlie’s plane. The MHV course did not correspond with the actual border between the right and left liver. Significant rightward shift of the MHV occurred in 76.9% of livers. The severity of the discrepancy seemed to depend on the distance between the origins of the anterior and posterior sectorial trunks along the main portal vein. In conclusion, variations of the primary portal ramifications alter the segmental configurations of the liver. Our results evoke doubt over the reliability of Cantlie’s line and the MHV course as landmarks for major hepatectomy when such variations are present.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and Chromosomal Anomalies: Autopsy Study
Authors: Borys Dariusz , Taxy Jerome B.
Published: July 2004

In a 10-year review of autopsy records from Lutheran General Hospital (1992–2002), 13 cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) were found. The fetuses ranged between 21 and 35 wk of gestation. Four were born alive and five were diagnosed prenatally. The defect was left-sided in 11 cases. Cytogenetic study revealed five cases with normal karyotype and three cases with complex karyotypes. In five cases, no karyotype was performed. The three complex karyotypes were: 46,XX,del(8)(p23.1), 47,XX,+i(12)(p10)[6]/46XX[14] (Pallister-Killian syndrome), and 47,XY,+der(22)t(11:22) (q23.3:q11.2). The unbalanced translocation of chromosomes 11 and 22 in congenital diaphragmatic hernia has not been previously described. Three fetuses had heart abnormalities, including one which was associated with the 8p deletion. The other two had no karyotype study. Neither in this study, nor in the literature, is there a consistent or prevailing association between a specific chromosomal anomaly and CDH. The embryologic closure of the diaphragmatic leaflets may be mediated by a nonstructural chromosomal defect, more than one gene, and/or may be related to abnormalities not currently detectable.
Placental Infarcts, Intervillous Fibrin Plaques, and Intervillous Thrombi: Incidences, Cooccurrences, and Epidemiological Associations
Authors: Becroft David M.O. , Thompson John M. D. , Mitchell Edwin A.
Published: July 2004

The incidences, cooccurrences and epidemiological associations at term of the three common focal macroscopic placental lesions, infarcts, intervillous fibrin plaques (IVFP), and intervillous thrombi (IVT) were investigated as part of a population-based case-control study of small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants. Five hundred and nine placentas from women delivering SGA infants (10th percentile or less for gestational age) and 529 placentas from women delivering infants with birth-weights appropriate for gestational age were examined using fixed protocols for identification of macroscopic lesions and microscopic diagnoses. One or more of these lesions were found in 280 placentas (28%), including infarcts in 150 (15%), IVFP in 132 (13%), and IVT in 64 (6%). Macroscopic misidentifications, particularly of IVFP as infarcts, emphasize the need for microscopic diagnoses. There were strong associations between the occurrence of any one type of lesion and cooccurrence of either of the other two, and these associations were site-dependent: between central (nonmarginal) infarcts and central IVFP ( P = 0.0023); marginal infarcts and marginal IVFP ( P < 0.0001); and between IVT (all central) and marginal infarcts ( P < 0.0001) and marginal IVFP ( P = 0.012). However, a study of associations between the incidences of placentas bearing each of the three lesions and 31 socio-demographic and pregnancy-related factors showed no associations in common. IVFP, an IVFP variant termed “labyrinthine,” and IVT did not show any of the independent associations demonstrated between infarcts and SGA, pregnancy-induced hypertension, nonsmoking, age at first pregnancy, and ethnicity. IVFP had no significant associations, and IVT were associated only with male gender. The study has shown that IVFP and IVT do not share the important clinical associations demonstrated for infarcts, but has not identified the pathogenetic factor or factors responsible for the frequent cooccurrence of these lesions. The maternal thrombophilias may have such a role.
Endodermal Sinus Tumor of the Parotid Gland in a Child
Authors: Sredni Simone Treiger , da Cunha Isabela Werneck , de Carvalho Filho Nevigolino Pereira , Magrin José , Pinto Clovis Antonio Lopes , Lopes Luis Fernando
Published: July 2004

We report a case of a 16-month-old girl with a primary endodermal sinus tumor (EST) of the parotid gland. The girl was admitted to the hospital with a left side cervical tumor with a quick growth (within 3 wk). The tumor was surgically resected. The gross examination showed a 7.0-cm hemorrhagic and fragmentized mass. Diagnosis of an EST was established on the hematoxylin and eosinstained slides from the resected material. Elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were detected and follow-up examinations of the patient did not show ESTs in other locations or other manifestations due to the tumor. The patient received chemotherapy after the surgery and remained alive without evidence of disease at the time of this writing (2 years after the diagnosis). As far as we know, this is the second report in the literature of a parotid gland's EST.
Unpolymerized nuclear actin is involved in the activation of CSF‐1 gene transcription
Authors: Song Zhaoxia , Zeng Xianlu , Wang Min , Liu Wenguang , Huang Baiqu , Hao Shui
Published: July 2004

Nuclear actin is a nuclear component in many kinds of eukaryotic cells but its function is still not clear. In this study, we overexpressed actin in nuclei and found that it promoted transcription of the CSF‐1 gene, both exogenous and endogenous, approximately two‐fold. Cytochalasin B did not affect this function of nuclear actin. Our results suggest that nuclear actin plays a role in regulating CSF‐1 gene transcription, and this role does not depend on actin polymerization.
Cytotoxicity of tamoxifen in normal and tumoral cell lines and its ability to induce cellular transformation in vitro
Authors: Petinari Leandro , Kohn Luciana Konecny , De Carvalho João Ernesto , Genari Selma Candelária
Published: July 2004

Tamoxifen (TAM) is a non‐steroidal anti‐estrogen used to treat patients with estrogen receptor‐positive breast cancer and as a chemopreventive agent against breast cancer in high risk pre‐ and post‐menopausal women. However, recent studies have shown that tamoxifen causes endometrial and hepatic cancer. In this study, we examined the effects of tamoxifen (5, 10, 25 and 50 μM) on the growth and proliferation of nine tumoral cell lines (UACC62, MCF‐7, NCI‐460, K‐562, OVCAR‐03, PC‐03, HT‐29, 786‐0, NCI‐ADR) and non‐tumoral cell lines (3T3, V79, MDCK, VERO). Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79) were the most sensitive lineage to tamoxifen, with 21.6% of the cells showing apoptosis at 50 μM TAM. Microscopic analysis showed that, the cellular transformation caused by TAM in V79 cells was similar to that seen with 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, thus indicating the carcinogenicity of TAM.
Altered cyclic expression of epithelial Na+ channel subunits and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in mouse endometrium by a low sodium diet
Authors: Tsang Lai Ling , Chan Ling Nga , Chan Hsiao Chang
Published: July 2004

Epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance (CFTR) have been shown to exhibit cyclic expression patterns in the uterus and demonstrated to play important roles in regulating uterine fluid absorption and secretion. The present study investigated the effect of a low Na+ diet on the cyclic expression of uterine ENaC subunits and CFTR in mice. Ten to 12 weeks old ICR mice with synchronized estrus cycle were fed with a low sodium diet for at least 2 weeks and the mRNA level of these ion channels was examined by semi‐quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Functional channel activities in primary cultures of endometrial epithelia were assessed by the short‐circuit current (Isc) technique. The characteristic cyclic expression of ENaC subunits throughout the estrus cycle remained unchanged but their expression levels towards the diestrus stage were drastically elevated. The cyclic expression pattern of CFTR was disrupted with suppressed expression throughout the cycle. Isc measurements showed that treatment of cultured endometrial epithelial cells with aldosterone, the major hormone expected to be elevated during the low sodium diet, resulted in prominent increase in ENaC channel activity. The altered cyclic expression of uterine ENaC and CFTR by a low sodium diet suggests that these ion channels may be affected by elevated circulating aldosterone, which may disrupt reproductive events in the uterus.
Interaction between the two subdomains of the C‐terminal part of the botulinum neurotoxin A is essential for the generation of protective antibodies
Authors: Tavallaie Mahmood , Chenal Alexandre , Gillet Daniel , Pereira Yannik , Manich Maria , Gibert Maryse , Raffestin Stephanie , Popoff Michel R , Marvaud Jean Christophe
Published: July 2004

The botulinum neurotoxin A C‐terminal fragment (Hc), which mediates the binding of the toxin to neuronal cell surface receptors, comprises two subdomains, Hc‐N (amino acids 873–1095) and Hc‐C (amino acids 1096–1296). In order to define the minimal fragment of Hc carrying protective antigenic properties, Hc, Hc‐N and Hc‐C have been produced as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli, and have been tested for their antigenicity in mouse protection assays. Hc, Hc‐N and Hc‐C induced similar antibody levels as shown by ELISA. However, a single immunization with Hc (10 μg) fully protected mice challenged with 103 mouse lethal dose 50 of toxin, whereas Hc‐N, Hc‐C, or Hc‐N plus Hc‐C did not give any protection. Triple immunizations with Hc‐N or Hc‐C were necessary to induce a higher level of protection. Circular dichroism and fluorescence studies showed that the isolated subdomains were folded and stable. However, an intense near‐UV dichroic signal was only observed in the Hc spectrum, revealing a highly structured interface between both subdomains. Taken together, the results show that the generation of protective antibodies requires the whole Hc domain and especially the native structure of the interfacial region between Hc‐N and Hc‐C.
Synectin in the nervous system: expression pattern and potential as a binding partner of neurotrophin receptors
Authors: Kato Hiroshi , Ohno Koji , Hashimoto Kenji , Sato Kohji
Published: July 2004

To assess the potential for functional interaction between synectin and neurotrophin receptors (Trk receptors) in the nervous system, we characterized synectin expression in the rat brain. Synectin is widely expressed in the brain and its expression levels are regulated both temporally and spatially, correlating with those of Trk receptors. Biochemical studies indicated that synectin interacts with TrkB but not with TrkC in the developing brain. We also found that axotomized motoneurons upregulate synectin mRNA expression as well as TrkB mRNA. These data suggest that synectin plays a role in neural development and regeneration in association with TrkB.
The old and new significance of political economy in diplomacy
Authors: Lee Donna , Hudson David
Published: July 2004

In a growing number of countries diplomatic systems are being overhauled so that the commercial activities of diplomatic services have been centralised, the commercial activities of diplomats have been extended, and business interests have been formally integrated within diplomatic systems. These changes result directly from the tendency of governments to reorganise, and in many cases merge, their trade and foreign ministries, as well as the strategy of building formal business–government links within diplomatic institutions. While none of these features is unfamiliar to previous diplomatic systems, what is exceptional is the relative neglect of the commercial aspects of diplomacy within diplomatic studies. This lack of attention to the commercial and business elements of diplomacy in traditional theories of diplomacy means that we find ourselves trying to analyse contemporary changes to diplomatic organisation and practice without a suitable conceptual and analytical framework. Highlighting the significance of a political economy approach to diplomacy, and also engaging with orthodox approaches to diplomacy, this article begins to develop some analytical and conceptual tools to better identify, explain and understand changes in diplomatic systems as well as the increased influence of private interests in diplomatic practice now under way.
Conserving nature in the state of nature: the politics of INGO policy implementation
Authors: Avant Deborah
Published: July 2004

Prevailing analyses of INGO influence have focused on their advocacy role, claimed that they are motivated by values and assumed state monopoly over legitimate coercive power. As INGOs increasingly implement policy where state power is weak or non-existent, their commitment to their mission frequently causes action that violates their proper role. This article examines one case to probe how the INGOs community responds when the principles to which it is committed conflict and generates two findings. First, when principles conflict, they structure competing responses to a problem and who falls on which side reflects a kind of ‘bureaucratic politics’ of the transnational community. Second, principled actors have a hard time reasoning through trade-offs when values conflict. The same principled commitments that yield more success in advocacy roles may hinder success in policy implementation.
Hollowing out Keynesian norms: how the search for a technical fix undermined the Bretton Woods regime
Authors: Best Jacqueline
Published: July 2004

After a decade of financial crises, international economic leaders have begun to talk about the need for reform. Yet, while they speak in dramatic terms of a ‘new financial architecture’, in practice, they seem more interested in more limited renovations to the international monetary system. Arguing that ‘A lack of reliable data . . . was critical to [recent] crises’, the International Monetary Fund has, for example, emphasised the importance of better data-gathering systems and greater surveillance. By defining the cause of the crises as informational rather than systemic, Fund leaders thus justify a limited solution: in Michel Camdessus' words, what is needed is ‘no new machinery, no new heavy public intervention’, but rather a series of limited technical fixes. This is not the first time that international financial leaders have succumbed to the seduction of technique. Four decades ago, as the Bretton Woods system struggled through an escalating series of monetary crises, state and global policymakers chose a similar path of technical expediency, opting for limited reforms. As we now know, those strategies ultimately proved to be inadequate to the task of rescuing the postwar monetary order. In this article, I revisit that regime and its collapse, examining the roots of the contemporary search for technical fixes.
Realism as tragedy
Authors: Schmidt Brian C.
Published: July 2004

In 1948, Hans J. Morgenthau wrote his classic text, Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace, that was largely responsible for establishing realism as the prevailing theory in the field of International Relations (IR). In 1979, Kenneth N. Waltz wrote an immensely influential book, Theory of International Politics, that resulted in a new structural version of realism – neorealism – becoming the dominant theory in IR. John J. Mearsheimer, who is the R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, has written a profoundly important book that rightfully deserves a prominent place along with Morgenthau and Waltz in the canon of realist thought about international politics. Mearsheimer's clearly written book puts forth a new structural theory of realism that he terms offensive realism. This version of realism argues that the observable patterns of behaviour among all of the great powers throughout history, most notably their ubiquitous power-seeking, can be explained by the fact that they exist in a condition of anarchy in which there is no higher source of authority above them. While sharing many of the same basic assumptions with neorealism, offensive realism, as elucidated by Mearsheimer, provides a fundamentally different account of the essential dynamics of international politics than that which Waltz and his students have been offering for the last twenty years or so.
The state of the art in German IR
Authors: Holden Gerard
Published: July 2004

Gunther Hellmann, Klaus Dieter Wolf, and Michael Zürn (eds.), Die neuen Internationalen
Beziehungen. Forschungsstand und Perspektiven in Deutschland (Baden-Baden: Nomos
Verlagsgesellschaft, 2003), pp. 614.

The intensification in recent years of interest in the history and sociology of IR (as a discipline) has been manifested in a growing number of publications dealing with aspects of different IR communities. The appearance of a weighty and semi-official volume summarising the state of the art in German IR is therefore a noteworthy development, and one that merits attention beyond the German-speaking world where it will find its main audience. I refer to this volume as ‘semi-official’ because it has been published under the auspices of the Section for International Politics of the German Political Science Association (Deutsche Vereinigung für Politische Wissenschaft, DVPW). The book does not attempt to speak for IR scholars in Austria or Switzerland and so represents a national rather than a linguistic community, though not all the contributors teach at universities in Germany.
Diabetes and retinal vascular disorders: role of the renin–angiotensin system
Authors: Wilkinson-Berka Jennifer L.
Published: July 2004

Angiotensin II, the effector peptide of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), has potent growth factor properties in a variety of organs. In the retina, a complete RAS exists, with components residing in the vasculature, neurons and glia. There is increasing interest in a pathogenetic role for angiotensin II in ischaemic retinopathies such as diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity. In these situations, the retinal RAS becomes activated and stimulates growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor, which contribute to vascular leakage, pericyte migration, angiogenesis and fibrosis. Blockade of the RAS, with either angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or antagonists selective for angiotensin type 1 (AT1) and angiotensin type 2 (AT2) receptors, attenuates many of the vascular abnormalities that develop in diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity. Eagerly awaited are the findings of the Diabetic Retinopathy Candesartan Trial (DIRECT), evaluating the effects of AT1 receptor antagonism in patients with different stages of diabetic retinopathy. This review examines the role of the RAS in diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity, and the potential of RAS blockade as a treatment strategy for these vision-threatening diseases.
Can You Keep a (Genetic) Secret? The Genetic Privacy Movement
Authors: Everett Margaret
Published: July 2004

This paper reviews the literature on genetic privacy, especially since 1995 and the first proposal for national genetic privacy legislation. Since that time, a majority of states have passed some form of genetic privacy legislation, and efforts to pass federal legislation are ongoing. Such new laws, however, remain untested in the courts and their effects are unclear. If they fail to provide additional protections against discrimination for most people, their most significant impact may be in their ability to either diminish or enhance the power of genetic information and to influence the way individuals view themselves and others. How does “genetic exceptionalism”—the idea that genetic information is different from other types of medical information—relate to “genetic essentialism”—the idea that we are to a large extent shaped by our genes? Anthropological views on genetics and personhood bring a new perspective to this ongoing debate. Implications for counseling practices are also explored.
Der Einfluss des Klauerschen Denktrainings auf mathematisches Denken und Lernen von lernbehinderten Sonderschülern
Authors: Sonntag Wolfgang
Published: July 2004

Zusammenfassung: In zwei Trainingsexperimenten wurden insgesamt 90 lernbehinderte Sonderschüler der Oberstufe mit dem “Denktraining für Jugendliche” ( Klauer, 1993a ) gefördert. Dabei sollte geprüft werden, ob das Denktraining auf die Lösung mathematischer Textaufgaben transferiert und, falls ja, ob ein direkter Transfer oder - wie Klauer vermutet - zusätzlich auch ein über die Intelligenz vermittelter, also indirekter Transfer auf die mathematischen Leistungen anzunehmen ist. Experiment 1 (N = 60) zeigte, dass die Effekte nicht durch unspezifische Faktoren wie die emotionale Zuwendung erklärt werden können. In Experiment 2 (N = 30) waren die Unterschiede zugunsten der Trainingsgruppe noch nach einem halben Jahr trainingsfreier Zeit nachweisbar. Zudem konnte in beiden Studien ein Effekt des Denktrainings auf mathematische Textaufgaben nachgewiesen werden. Pfadanalysen zeigten jedoch, dass - entgegen der Annahme Klauers - das Training die mathematischen Leistungen unmittelbar und nicht vermittelt über die Intelligenz gefördert hat.
Entscheiden unter Risiko: Aktive Risiko-Entschärfung
Authors: Huber Oswald
Published: July 2004

Zusammenfassung. Risikoentscheidungen sind dadurch charakterisiert, dass mindestens eine der zur Wahl stehenden Alternativen negative Konsequenzen haben kann. In Experimenten mit Glücksspielen als Alternativen erweist sich das Entscheidungsverhalten als von zwei zentralen Faktoren beeinflusst: dem subjektiven Wert der Konsequenzen und ihrer subjektiven Wahrscheinlichkeit. Der Beitrag fasst eine Reihe von Experimenten zusammen, die zeigen, dass dieses Ergebnis der entscheidungstheoretischen Forschung nicht verallgemeinert werden kann. In quasi-realistischen Risikoentscheidungssituationen ist die Mehrheit der Entscheider nicht aktiv an Wahrscheinlichkeiten interessiert. Dagegen suchen sie häufig nach einer Zusatzhandlung (Risikoentschärfungsoperator, REO), die das Risiko verringern soll. Zusätzlich werden die Ergebnisse von Experimenten dargestellt, die untersuchen, welche Faktoren die Suche nach einem REO und die Akzeptanz eines REO beeinflussen.
Geschichte der Satzungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychologie e.V.
Authors: Lüer Gerd
Published: July 2004

Zusammenfassung. Während die Akten der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychologie e.V. (DGPs) nur für die zweite Hälfte ihres 100jährigen Bestehens aufbewahrt und damit zugänglich sind, verfügen wir über eine nahezu lückenlose Dokumentation der Satzungen der DGPs sowie ihrer Revisionen. Die Auswertung dieser Dokumente ist in der folgenden Abhandlung in drei aufeinander folgenden Zeitperioden geschehen: Von der Gründung der DGPs 1904 bis zur ihrer Auflösung 1945; von der Wiedergründung der Gesellschaft 1947 bis zur wissenschaftlichen Neuorientierung 1962; von der Rollenteilung in den Aufgaben mit dem Berufsverband Deutscher Psychologen und der Binnendifferenzierung im Jahre 1962 bis in die Gegenwart 2003. Diese Auswertung führt zu dem Ergebnis, dass das Ringen um die Methoden der wissenschaftlichen Psychologie ebenso zu Veränderungen in der Gesellschaft führten wie Fragen nach der standes- und berufsmäßigen Vertretung ihrer Mitglieder. Am Beispiel des Nationalsozialismus kann außerdem der Einfluss politisch-ideologischer Überzeugungen und Zwänge nachgewiesen werden, denen sich die wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft zeitweise unterworfen hat.
Die Psychologie, ihre Gesellschaft und ihre Öffentlichkeiten
Authors: Graumann Carl F. , Guski-Leinwand Susanne
Published: July 2004

Zusammenfassung. Die Beziehungen zwischen der wissenschaftlichen Psychologie, der ihrer Pflege und Förderung sich widmenden Gesellschaft (DGPs) und der Öffentlichkeit werden, fokussiert auf den für die Wissenschaft grundlegenden Prozess der Veröffentlichung dargestellt. Besondere Beachtung finden dabei (1) der sich in Wissensproduktion und -rezeption manifestierende interaktionale Charakter des Veröffentlichens, (2) die unterschiedliche (interne und externe) Öffentlichkeiten regulierenden Normen, (3) die herausgehobene Bedeutung der Kongressberichterstattung und schließlich (4) der historische Wandel der Veröffentlichung ermöglichenden Medien. Abschließend wird die Struktur der wissenschaftlichen Öffentlichkeit als konzentrisch charakterisiert.
Hydrometeorological modeling of the Seine basin using the SAFRAN‐ISBA‐MODCOU system
Authors: Rousset F. , Habets F. , Gomez E. , Le Moigne P. , Morel S. , Noilhan J. , Ledoux E.
Published: July 2004

As the Seine basin is the most urbanized and industrialized French basin, with intensive crop areas, the impact of floods and low flow is very important. The aim of this study is to improve the understanding of the hydrological functioning of the Seine basin and to estimate the influence of the large aquifers that cover a great part of the domain, as well as the impact of the urbanized areas. The simulation is based on the SAFRAN‐ISBA‐MODCOU (SIM) coupled system, which includes the Analysis System for Providing Atmospheric Information Relevant to Snow (SAFRAN) analysis of the atmospheric forcing, two surface schemes that take into account the urban areas (Town Energy Budget (TEB)) and the natural areas (Interactions Soil‐Biosphere‐Atmosphere (ISBA)), and the distributed hydrological model Coupled Model (MODCOU). A 17‐year simulation was performed and validated against the observations of about 100 river gauges and 130 piezometric stations. The simulated streamflows are comparable with the observations, especially for large river stations of the Seine and its main tributaries. The spatial and temporal variations of the aquifer levels simulated by MODCOU are also comparable to the observed piezometric data, although the local comparison can present differences. The impact of urban areas on the streamflows appears to be important at the local scale but not very marked at the basin scale, but their impact on the energy budget is strong. Moreover, it is shown that the aquifers play a very important role. The underground contribution to the discharge reaches more than 80% of the Seine river flow in summertime and ∼40% in winter. Even during the wintertime floods, the aquifers play a crucial role, since the larger part of the drainage is stored in the water tables, which significantly reduces the intensity of the floods and, thus, of their consequences. It is finally shown that the ability of SIM to reproduce the evolution of the aquifers and the partition between surface runoff and drainage leads to a good simulation of the main floods of the Seine.
The 2003 Kanto large bolide's trajectory determined from shockwaves recorded by a seismic network and images taken by a video camera
Authors: Ishihara Yoshiaki , Furumoto Muneyoshi , Sakai Shin'ichi , Tsukada Shin'ya
Published: July 2004

Anomalous loud sounds like booms were heard in a wide area in the Kanto region, Japan on June 16, 2003. Since the sky was thickly clouded, the source of the sounds, which was supposed to be a meteoroid penetrating the atmosphere, was hardly witnessed and photographed. It was recorded by only one video camera. We searched the shockwaves from the meteoroid recorded by a dense seismographic network. Shockwave signals were identified at 40 stations of the network deployed in the region. We report here the trajectory of the meteoroid determined by an analysis of seismic data. Combining the trajectory with the video camera data, we determined the precise velocity of the bolide in the atmosphere.
VISTA: Validating and Refining Clusters Via Visualization
Authors: Chen Keke , Liu Ling
Published: July 2004

Clustering is an important technique for understanding of large multidimensional datasets. Most of clustering research to date has been focused on developing automatic clustering algorithms and cluster validation methods. The automatic algorithms are known to work well in dealing with clusters of regular shapes, for example, compact spherical shapes, but may incur higher error rates when dealing with arbitrarily shaped clusters. Although some efforts have been devoted to addressing the problem of skewed datasets, the problem of handling clusters with irregular shapes is still in its infancy, especially in terms of dimensionality of the datasets and the precision of the clustering results considered. Not surprisingly, the statistical indices works ineffective in validating clusters of irregular shapes, too. In this paper, we address the problem of clustering and validating arbitrarily shaped clusters with a visual framework (VISTA). The main idea of the VISTA approach is to capitalize on the power of visualization and interactive feedbacks to encourage domain experts to participate in the clustering revision and clustering validation process. The VISTA system has two unique features. First, it implements a linear and reliable visualization model to interactively visualize multi-dimensional datasets in a 2D star-coordinate space. Second, it provides a rich set of user-friendly interactive rendering operations, allowing users to validate and refine the cluster structure based on their visual experience as well as their domain knowledge.
Automatic Layout of UML Class Diagrams in Orthogonal Style
Authors: Eiglsperger Markus , Gutwenger Carsten , Kaufmann Michael , Kupke Joachim , Jünger Michael , Leipert Sebastian , Klein Karsten , Mutzel Petra , Siebenhaller Martin
Published: July 2004

Unified modelling language (UML) diagrams have become increasingly important in engineering and re-engineering processes for software systems. Of particular interest are UML class diagrams whose purpose is to display generalizations, associations, aggregations, and compositions in one picture. The combination of directed and undirected relations poses a special challenge to a graph layout tool. Current approaches for the automatic layout of class diagrams are based on the layered graph drawing paradigm. These algorithms produce good results for class diagrams with large and deep structural information, that is, diagrams with a large and deep inheritance hierarchy. However, they do not perform satisfactorily in absence of this information. We suggest to use the topology-shape—metrics paradigm for automatic layout of class diagrams, which has been used very successfully for drawing undirected graphs in orthogonal style. Moreover, we introduce the algorithms UML-Kandinsky and GoVisual fitting into this paradigm. Both algorithms work for class diagrams with rich structural information as well as for class diagrams with few or no structural information. Therefore, they improve the existing algorithms significantly.
Electronic structures of exohedral lanthanide-C60 clusters
Authors: Suzumura Jun-ichi , Hosoya Natsuki , Nagao Satoshi , Mitsui Masaaki , Nakajima Atsushi
Published: July 2004

We have studied the electronic structures of several gas phase exohedral lanthanide (Ln)-C60 clusters, LnnC60 (Ln=Pr, Ho, Tb, Tm, Eu, and Yb) with n=1–4, by photoionization spectroscopy of the neutrals and photoelectron spectroscopy of their anions. Both of the spectroscopic analyses reveal that most of the Ln atoms preferably take +3 oxidation states, while Eu atoms alone assume +2 oxidation states, and that C60 accepts up to twelve donated electrons in LnnC60. An additional photoionization examination of the oxygen atom mixing into the LnnC60 clusters demonstrated that each oxygen atom reduces two electrons from C60. This result implies that the number of accepted electrons in C60 can be varied by a suitable choice of the number of Ln atoms and O atoms.
Large eddy simulation and experimental studies of a confined turbulent swirling flow
Authors: Wang P. , Bai X. S. , Wessman M. , Klingmann J.
Published: July 2004

Laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) measurement and large eddy simulation (LES) were used to study confined isothermal turbulent swirling flows in a model dump combustor. The aim was to gain deeper understanding of the flow and turbulence structures in dump combustors and to examine the capability of LES for prediction of turbulent swirling flows. A refractive index matching technique is used in the LDV measurement to improve the near-wall data. A high-order finite difference scheme on Cartesian grids with a scale-similarity subfilter scale model is used in the LES. Turbulent inflow boundary conditions with different energy spectra, different outflow boundary conditions, and grid resolutions are tested in the LES. Three test cases with different swirl numbers and Reynolds numbers are studied in the measurements and the simulations. The Reynolds numbers range from 10 000 to 20 000, and the swirl number is varied from 0 to 0.43. With appropriate inflow, outflow boundary conditions, and fine grid resolution, the LES results are in fairly good agreement with the LDV data. The experimental and numerical results show that turbulence in the dump combustor is highly anisotropic behind the sudden expansion and in the internal recirculation zone near the axis of the combustor. Turbulence decays rapidly along the streamwise direction downstream, and the structure of turbulence depends highly on the level of inlet swirl. At low swirl numbers, turbulence is primarily generated in the shear layer behind the sudden expansion; at high swirl numbers the near axis flow becomes very unstable and vortex breakdown occurs. The shear layer near the axis of the combustor caused by vortex breakdown generates most of the turbulent kinetic energy. Large-scale motions (coherent structures) are found in the near axis vortex breakdown region. A helical flow in the guiding pipe breaks down near the sudden expansion to form a large bubble-like recirculation zone whose center moves slowly around the axis. Downstream of the bubble the core of the rotational large scale azimuthal flow motion is off the combustor axis and rotates around the axis at a frequency about 18–25 Hz (Strouhal number about 0.17–0.4). As the swirl number increases the coherent structure becomes more evident, and the internal recirculation zone moves upstream. LES successfully simulated the vortex breakdown, the internal recirculation zones and the anisotropic turbulence structures for all the swirl numbers considered.
Fullerenes surface gratings for liquid crystal alignment
Authors: Talarico Mara , Carbone Giovanni , Barberi Riccardo , Golemme Attilio
Published: July 2004

We report on the formation of surface structures by photopolymerization of C60 and C70 in isotropic solutions. The structures show the same periodicity of the interference patterns used for photopolymerization and behave as diffraction gratings. Mass spectrometry confirmed that the deposited material contains polymerized fullerenes, while the structure of the deposit was investigated by atomic force microscopy. We have also shown that these periodic structures are useful for inducing mesophase orientation.
Strong blue photoluminescence from as-fabricated amorphous-Si:H∕SiO2 multilayers
Authors: Ma Zhongyuan , Chen Kunji , Huang Xinfan , Xu Jun , Li Wei , Zhu Da , Mei Jiaxin , Qiao Feng , Feng Duan
Published: July 2004

Amorphous-Si:H∕SiO2 multilayers were layer-by-layer deposited and in situ plasma oxidized by a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition system. Blue photoluminescence at room temperature was observed from as-fabricated samples without annealing. By controlling the thickness of the amorphous-Si:H sublayer from 4 to 1.5nm, the photoluminescence peak blueshifts from 466 to 437nm. Strong and stable photoluminescence could be observed by the naked eye for all the samples. Based on the analysis of microstructure and absorption spectra, the mechanism of the blue photoluminescence was discussed.
Role of microstructure in porous silicon gas sensors for NO2
Authors: Gaburro Zeno , Bettotti Paolo , Saiani Massimo , Pavesi Lorenzo , Pancheri Lucio , Oton Claudio J. , Capuj Nestor
Published: July 2004

Electrical conductivity of porous silicon fabricated from heavily doped p-type silicon is very sensitive to NO2, even at concentrations below 100ppb. However, sensitivity depends strongly on the porous microstructure. The structural difference between sensitive and insensitive samples is independently confirmed by microscopy images and by light scattering behavior. A way to change the structure is by modifying the composition of the electrochemical solution. We have found that best results are achieved using ethanoic solutions with HF concentration levels between 12% and 13%.
The New Deal for Communities: Assessing Procedures and Voter Turnout at Partnership Board Elections
Authors: Rallings Colin , Thrasher Michael , Cheal Brian , Borisyuk Galina
Published: July 2004

The New Deal for Communities (NDC) initiative forms an integral part of the British government's policy towards urban regeneration. An important provision within this policy programme allows for community representatives to be elected rather than selected to partnership boards. These elections were not contested by candidates representing political parties. This policy development may be used as a future template for a range of single-purpose elected authorities, including foundation hospitals, social services, leisure, and policing. The paper examines partnership board elections in terms of the candidates' experience and also the participation of voters. A feature of these elections has been the introduction of innovations in electoral procedure and practice as a means of engaging local communities and facilitating voter participation. Interviews with candidates sought to identify their motives for standing and their feelings about the electoral process itself. An analysis of voter turnout considers how these elections compare with local government council elections covering the same areas. The findings show a mixed picture. Some elections to NDC partnerships did result in a higher turnout than that for local government council elections. However, a majority of partnership elections had turnouts that were below the predicted level. It was noticeable that partnerships within the Greater London area generally had lower than expected turnout. A number of issues are identified that are relevant to the future conduct of these and similar nonpartisan elections.