bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ontogenetic changes in tracheal structure facilitate deep dives and cold water foraging in adult leatherback sea turtles
Authors: Davenport John , Fraher John , Fitzgerald Ed , McLaughlin Patrick , Doyle Tom , Harman Luke , Cuffe Tracy , Dockery Peter
Published: October 2009

Adult leatherbacks are large animals (300–500 kg), overlapping in size with marine pinniped and cetacean species. Unlike marine mammals, they start their aquatic life as 40–50 g hatchlings, so undergo a 10,000-fold increase in body mass during independent existence. Hatchlings are limited to the tropics and near-surface water. Adults, obligate predators on gelatinous plankton, encounter cold water at depth (<1280 m) or high latitude and are gigantotherms that maintain elevated core body temperatures in cold water. This study shows that there are great ontogenetic changes in tracheal structure related to diving and exposure to cold. Hatchling leatherbacks have a conventional reptilian tracheal structure with circular cartilaginous rings interspersed with extensive connective tissue. The adult trachea is an almost continuous ellipsoidal cartilaginous tube composed of interlocking plates, and will collapse easily in the upper part of the water column during dives, thus avoiding pressure-related structural and physiological problems. It is lined with an extensive, dense erectile vascular plexus that will warm and humidify cold inspired air and possibly retain heat on expiration. A sub-luminal lymphatic plexus is also present. Mammals and birds have independently evolved nasal turbinates to fulfil such a respiratory thermocontrol function; for them, turbinates are regarded as diagnostic of endothermy. This is the first demonstration of a turbinate equivalent in a living reptile.
Thermomechanical finite element analysis and experimental investigation of single-pass single-sided submerged arc welding of C—Mn steel plates
Authors: Biswas P , Mandal N R
Published: October 2009

Determination of distortions are important while designing the arc-welded joints. These distortions occur in a varied way in almost every type of welded joint, depending on several parameters, i.e. welding speed, plate thickness, welding current and voltage, restraints applied to the job while welding, thermal history, etc. In the present work a numerical model based on the finite element package ANSYS was developed for single-pass single-sided submerged arc welding of square butt joints. Suitable macros were developed to simulate the situation of a moving distributed heat source, metal deposition to account for top and bottom reinforcements, a time step, and a meshing scheme. In this model the effect of bead geometry was incorporated. The effect of filler metal deposition was taken into account by implementing the element birth and death technique.

Submerged arc welding (SAW) can be conveniently used to weld a range of plate thicknesses in a single run using a suitable backing strip achieving adequate top and bottom reinforcements. The welding methodology established in the present work resulted in minimizing angular distortions in butt welds. The numerical model yielded results comparing well with those of the experimental ones.
Application of a water-heat storage system for the prevention of duplex defrost using an air-source heat pump
Authors: Lim K B , Lee S H , Lee C H
Published: October 2009

In this article, the operating stability and application of a water-heat storage system for detecting frost formation in an air-source heat pump were investigated, and the most efficient initiation point of the defrosting cycle was determined. This method of using the mechanism of frost formation and hot-gas and reverse-cycle defrosting was investigated in terms of the operating stability of a heat pump. In this study, when the air-source heat pump is in heating mode, an analogized interrelation for the temperature and humidity of the outside air for frost cognition is determined from a psychometric chart. In this study, an air-source heat pump was applied to a water heat storage system and evaluated the performance of its operation. The performance of the air-source heat pump presented in this study had energy production about 18.6 per cent greater than that of a heat pump for which a time step method of defrosting was employed.
The use of fuzzy set modelling for maintenance planning in a manufacturing industry
Authors: Jones B , Jenkinson I , Wang J
Published: October 2009

This article has been written to address the problems relating to the standardization of information when applying delay-time analysis to a maintenance department. This article outlines the inherent problem of combining subjective judgement and objective data. A fuzzy set modelling methodology is introduced which addresses the elicitation of such information, specifically to establish the delay-time environmental model. This methodology has been applied to a case study in order to demonstrate the process involved. The original case study has been re-examined with the fuzzy set modelling data replacing the original data gathered relating to the environmental model. A direct comparison between the original delay-time environmental model and the fuzzy delay-time environmental model is then carried out. This comparison highlights the advantages of using fuzzy set modelling to elicit information from differing sources while overcoming the uncertainties and inaccuracies previously experienced.
Use of parameter estimation for the detection and diagnosis of faults on electric train door systems
Authors: Dassanayake H , Roberts C , Goodman C J , Tobias A M
Published: October 2009

The results of tests on a new class of closed-loop electric train door were used to construct a mathematical model that could form the basis of a fast-response condition monitoring system. Faults are detected by identifying variations in selected mechanical and electrical hardware characteristics, these being evaluated through parameter estimation. The main obstacle is signal noise, but this can be overcome with linear integral pre-filtering.
Chain of evidence in sexual assault cases
Authors: Lowe S M , Rahman N , Forster G
Published: October 2009

Chain of evidence (COE) sampling is a legal concept demonstrating the journey of a sample from origin to court. Positive sexually transmitted infection (STI) results may have importance in criminal proceedings and require a demonstrated COE for them to be used as admissible evidence. A retrospective case-notes review of female sexual assault patients was carried out to review COE sampling in two clinics. Three hundred and eighteen patients underwent sexual health screening and COE sampling was indicated in 58 (18%). COE sampling was carried out in 44 (92%) of 48 indicated cases at the Haven (a dedicated sexual assault centre) and five (50%) of 10 at the Ambrose King Centre (a sexual health clinic). COE protocols should be in place in both sexual assault referral centres and sexual health clinics. In specialist clinics, with well-established guidelines and trained dedicated staff, COE sampling standards can be achieved.
Audit of a network of sexually transmitted infections centred in South Wales
Authors: Knapper C M , Temple M , Roderick J , Smith J , Birley H D L
Published: October 2009

The aim of this article is to audit the distribution and frequency of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) within a sexual network centred in South Wales. After diagnosis of a new case of HIV in February 2007, partner notification, HIV and STI testing were undertaken. Those traced were given information regarding safe sex practices and informed they had been in contact with HIV. Genitourinary (GU) medicine case-notes of contacts identified in the network were reviewed from February 2007 to 1 July 2008. Frequency and distribution of new diagnoses of STIs made on original identification in the network in 2007 were compared with subsequent new diagnoses within the network. One hundred and eighteen men who have sex with men (MSMs) and five women were identified in the original network in 2007. By 1 July 2008, 65 new sexual contacts (all MSMs) were added to the network and there were 25 new STI diagnoses in 13 contacts. Seven contacts originally identified in the cluster in 2007 were diagnosed with 16 of the new STIs. In conclusion, the sexual network has evolved by increasing in size with multiple new STIs diagnosed. The highest risk of STIs occurred in relatively few individuals. Standard interventions in health promotion in the GU medicine setting were not universally successful in preventing high-risk behaviour.
Pearly penile papules regress in older patients and with circumcision
Authors: Agha K , Alderson S , Samraj S , Cottam A , Merry C , Lee V , Patel R
Published: October 2009

This study assesses the prevalence and correlates of pearly penile papules (PPP) in two non-genitourinary (GU) medicine male cohorts (<25 and >50 years). PPP were categorised in 188 university students (<25 years), based on self-examination, and 70 patients (>50 years), based on clinician examination. PPP were categorised from 1 to 4, based on increasing papule size and distribution. An anonymous questionnaire was used to identify associations with PPP prevalence. The prevalence of PPP was 38.3% in <25 years, and 11.4% in >50 years ( P < 0.001). The prevalence of categories 3 and 4 PPP was 8.5% in <25 years, and 1.4% in >50 years ( P < 0.05). In the younger age group, the prevalence of PPP was 26.5% in circumcised participants, and 42.4% in uncircumcised participants ( P < 0.05), but was unrelated to either frequency of sexual intercourse or time since first sexual intercourse. In conclusion, PPP disappear with age, and any PPP in patients >50 years are less marked than those in patients <25 years. Patients should be advised accordingly. PPP are less prevalent in circumcised men. Patients could be advised to wear the foreskin rolled back – this may maximize exposure of the coronal area to normal abrasion, which may hasten PPP regression.
Bacterial vaginosis: a cause of infertility?
Authors: Mania-Pramanik J , Kerkar S C , Salvi V S
Published: October 2009

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common disorder of the genital tract in women characterized by an alteration of the normal acidic lactobacilli-predominant vaginal ecosystem to a vaginal environment dominated by Gardnerella vaginalis, mycoplasma species and anaerobes, with an increase in pH. The present study evaluated whether BV is associated with reproductive complications in women. BV was screened with a Gram stain of vaginal smear and interpretation was done using the Nugent score. Wet mount and polymerase chain reaction were used to screen other infections. Among 510 enrolled women, 72 (14.1%) had BV. Statistical analysis between the BV negative and positive population revealed a significant association ( P = 0.0001) with infertility. In pregnant women, the infection rate was low ( P = 0.01). Multiple infections such as Candida, Chlamydia and human papilloma virus were observed in 4.2%, 15.3% and 8.3% of BV-infected women, respectively. Results suggest that BV infection is associated with infertility and its absence leads to pregnancy, emphasizing its screening and treatment.
Does the addition of a urine testing kit to use of contact slips increase the partner notification rates for genital chlamydial infection?
Authors: Apoola A , Beardsley J
Published: October 2009

This study was designed to determine whether a better partner notification outcome could be achieved by giving female index patients with genital chlamydial infection a home sampling kit instead of contact slips only. Two hundred female patients attending a sexually transmitted infection clinic with a diagnosis of genital chlamydial infection were randomized to either the conventional partner notification arm using contact slips (swab testing arm) or the urine sampling kit for partner notification arm (urine testing arm). There were no differences in the number of partners treated per index case (0.67 in the swab testing group versus 0.62 in the urine testing group, P = 0.46), the median number of traceable partners and the number of index patients with at least one partner treated within 28 days. The addition of a urine testing kit to contact slips for male partners of women with genital chlamydial infection did not increase the partner notification rates for genital chlamydial infection.
An assessment of global Internet-based HIV/AIDS media coverage: implications for United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS' Global Media HIV/AIDS Initiative
Authors: Anema A , Freifeld C C , Druyts E , Montaner J S G , Hogg R S , Brownstein J S
Published: October 2009

No studies to date have assessed the quantity of HIV/AIDS-related media on the Internet. We assessed the quantity of language-specific HIV/AIDS Internet-based news coverage, and the correlation between country-specific HIV/AIDS news coverage and HIV/AIDS prevalence. Internet-based HIV/AIDS news articles were queried from Google News Archives for 168 countries, for the year 2007, in the nine most commonly spoken languages worldwide. English, French and Spanish sources had the greatest number of HIV/AIDS-related articles, representing 134,000 (0.70%), 11,200 (0.65%) and 24,300 (0.49%) of all news articles, respectively. A strong association between country-specific HIV/AIDS news coverage and HIV/AIDS prevalence was found, Spearman's rank correlation: 0.6 ( P < 0.001). Among countries with elevated HIV/AIDS prevalence (≥10%), the volume of HIV/AIDS-specific media was highest in Swaziland (15.9%) and Malawi (13.2%), and lowest in South Africa (4.8%) and Namibia (4.9%). Increased media attention should be placed on countries with high HIV/AIDS prevalence and limited HIV/AIDS-specific news coverage.
Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-Hydroxy-THC, and 11-Nor-9-carboxy-THC Plasma Pharmacokinetics during and after Continuous High-Dose Oral THC
Authors: Schwilke Eugene W , Schwope David M , Karschner Erin L , Lowe Ross H , Darwin William D , Kelly Deanna L , Goodwin Robert S , Gorelick David A , Huestis Marilyn A
Published: October 2009

Background: Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive constituent of cannabis and an active cannabinoid pharmacotherapy component. No plasma pharmacokinetic data after repeated oral THC administration are available.

Methods: Six adult male daily cannabis smokers resided on a closed clinical research unit. Oral THC capsules (20 mg) were administered every 4–8 h in escalating total daily doses (40–120 mg) for 7 days. Free and glucuronidated plasma THC, 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH) were quantified by 2-dimensional GC-MS during and after dosing.

Results: Free plasma THC, 11-OH-THC, and THCCOOH concentrations 19.5 h after admission (before controlled oral THC dosing) were mean 4.3 (SE 1.1), 1.3 (0.5), and 34.0 (8.4) μg/L, respectively. During oral dosing, free 11-OH-THC and THCCOOH increased steadily, whereas THC did not. Mean peak plasma free THC, 11-OH-THC, and THCCOOH concentrations were 3.8 (0.5), 3.0 (0.7), and 196.9 (39.9) μg/L, respectively, 22.5 h after the last dose. Escherichia coli β-glucuronidase hydrolysis of 264 cannabinoid specimens yielded statistically significant increases in THC, 11-OH-THC, and THCCOOH concentrations (P < 0.001), but conjugated concentrations were underestimated owing to incomplete enzymatic hydrolysis.

Conclusions: Plasma THC concentrations remained >1 μg/L for at least 1 day after daily cannabis smoking and also after cessation of multiple oral THC doses. We report for the first time free plasma THC concentrations after multiple high-dose oral THC throughout the day and night, and after Escherichia coli β-glucuronidase hydrolysis. These data will aid in the interpretation of plasma THC concentrations after multiple oral doses.
Determinants of Plasma Methylmalonic Acid in a Large Population: Implications for Assessment of Vitamin B12 Status
Authors: Vogiatzoglou Anna , Oulhaj Abderrahim , Smith A David , Nurk Eha , Drevon Christian A , Ueland Per M , Vollset Stein E , Tell Grethe S , Refsum Helga
Published: October 2009

Background: Methylmalonic acid (MMA) in plasma or serum is widely used for assessment of vitamin B12 status. However, data are sparse regarding factors, besides renal function, that may influence MMA concentrations. We searched for important determinants of plasma MMA in the general population.

Methods: In 6946 middle-aged (47–49 years) and elderly (71–74 years) individuals from the Hordaland Homocysteine Study in Norway, we collected anthropometric measurements, lifestyle data, and plasma MMA, vitamin B12, and creatinine measurements. For 5820 individuals, we also collected dietary data.

Results: Age and plasma creatinine were positively associated with plasma MMA, whereas plasma vitamin B12 was negatively associated. These variables together with sex were the strongest determinants of plasma MMA, accounting for 16% of the variation (R2 = 0.16). Addition of anthropometric measures and lifestyle and dietary factors only gave slight improvement (total R2 = 0.167). Increased plasma MMA was seen when plasma vitamin B12 was <400 pmol/L. In individuals with vitamin B12 ≥400 μmol/L (vitamin B12–replete), the 2.5th–97.5th percentile reference limits for MMA were 0.10–0.28 μmol/L (middle-aged) and 0.10–0.36 μmol/L (elderly). When plotted against creatinine (nomograms), the 97.5th percentile of MMA was similar in men and women but approximately 0.15 μmol/L higher in elderly than middle-aged individuals. Vitamin B12–replete participants had MMA upper limits approximately 0.1 μmol/L (elderly) and 0.04 μmol/L (middle-aged) below those of the unselected population at all creatinine concentrations.

Conclusions: Identified determinants accounted for <17% of the overall variation in plasma MMA. The difference in MMA between middle-aged and elderly individuals is only partly explained by creatinine and vitamin B12 concentrations.
Amyloid-β(1–42), Total Tau, and Phosphorylated Tau as Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Mulder Cees , Verwey Nicolaas A , van der Flier Wiesje M , Bouwman Femke H , Kok Astrid , van Elk Evert J , Scheltens Philip , Blankenstein Marinus A
Published: October 2009

Background: To improve ante mortem diagnostic accuracy of Alzheimer disease (AD), measurement of the biomarkers amyloid-β(1–42) (Aβ42), total tau (Tau), and tau phosphorylated at threonine181 (pTau) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been proposed. We have used these markers and evaluated their performance.

Methods: From January 2001 to January 2007, we assessed Aβ42, Tau, and pTau by commercial ELISAs in CSF from 248 consecutive AD patients and 131 patients with subjective memory complaints attending our outpatient memory clinic. Diagnoses were made blind to the results of the biomarker assays. We assessed sensitivity and specificity and analyzed trends over time.

Results: Interassay CVs from analysis of pools of surplus CSF specimens were mean 11.3% (SD 4.9%) for Aβ42; 9.3% (1.5%) for Tau, and 9.4% (2.5%) for pTau, respectively (n = 7–18). To achieve 85% sensitivity, cutoff values were 550 (95% CI 531–570) ng/L for Aβ42; 375 (325–405) ng/L for Tau, and 52 (48–56) ng/L for pTau. Corresponding specificities were 83% (95% CI 76%–89%) for Aβ42, 78% (70%–85%) for Tau, and 68% (60%–77%) for pTau. Logistic regression to investigate the simultaneous impact of the 3 CSF biomarkers on the diagnosis yielded a sensitivity of 93.5% and specificity of 82.7%, at a discrimination line of Aβ42 = 373 + 0.82 × Tau. The area under the ROC curves of Tau and pTau showed significant fluctuation over time.

Conclusions: CSF biomarkers Aβ42 and Tau can be used as a diagnostic aid in AD. pTau did not have additional value over these 2 markers. Cutoff values, sensitivities, specificities, and discrimination lines depend on the patient groups studied and laboratory experience.
Amniotic Fluid Digestive Enzyme Analysis Is Useful for Identifying CFTR Gene Mutations of Unclear Significance
Authors: Oca Florine , Dreux Sophie , Gérard Bénédicte , Simon-Bouy Brigitte , de Becdelièvre Alix , Ferec Claude , Girodon Emmanuelle , Muller Françoise
Published: October 2009

Background: The large number of CFTR [cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (ATP-binding cassette sub-family C, member 7)] mutations and the existence of variants of unclear significance complicate the prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of this study was to determine whether the pattern of amniotic fluid digestive enzymes (AF-DEs) could be correlated with the severity of CFTR mutations.

Methods: The AF-DE pattern (γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, aminopeptidase M, and the intestinal isoform of alkaline phosphatase) was retrospectively analyzed in 43 AF samples. All fetuses presented 2 CFTR mutations, which were classified according to the severity of the disease: CF/CF (n = 38); CF/CFTR-related disorders (n = 1); and CF/unknown variant (n = 4). The relationships between clinical CF status, CFTR mutations, and AF-DE pattern were studied.

Results: Of 38 severely affected CF fetuses, an “obstructive” AF-DE pattern was observed in 15 of 15 samples collected before 22 weeks, irrespective of the CFTR mutation (diagnostic sensitivity, 100%; diagnostic specificity, 99.8%). In the 23 fetuses evaluated after 22 weeks, the AF-DE pattern was abnormal in 7 cases and noncontributive in 16 (diagnostic sensitivity, 30.4%; diagnostic specificity, 99.8%). Of the 5 questionable cases (F508del/N1224K, F508del/L73F, 3849+10kbC>T/G1127E, F508del/S1235R, F508del/G622D), all were CF symptom free at 2–4 years of follow-up. The AF-DE pattern (<22 weeks) was typical in 3 cases but abnormal in the last 2 cases.

Conclusions: AF-DE analysis is of value for prenatal CF diagnosis in classic forms of CF and could be helpful in nonclassic CF.
Aberrant Concentrations of Liver-Derived Plasma Albumin mRNA in Liver Pathologies
Authors: Chan Rebecca WY , Wong John , Chan Henry LY , Mok Tony SK , Lo Wyatt YW , Lee Vincent , To Ka F , Lai Paul BS , Rainer Timothy H , Lo YM Dennis , Chiu Rossa WK
Published: October 2009

Background: We hypothesized that liver-derived mRNA, such as ALB (albumin) mRNA, would be released into human plasma with liver cell death.

Methods: We genotyped ALB mRNA molecules in samples of plasma and whole blood from liver and bone marrow transplant recipients by RNA single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis. Plasma and whole blood ALB mRNA genotypes were compared with the DNA genotypes of the recipients and donors. A reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR assay was used to measure plasma ALB mRNA concentrations in 107 patients [hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cirrhosis, or chronic hepatitis B (CHB)] and 207 healthy controls.

Results: The RNA genotype data revealed ALB mRNA in plasma to be liver derived, whereas tissue compartments other than the liver also contributed to the ALB mRNA detected in whole blood. Statistically significant increases in plasma ALB mRNA concentrations were observed for HCC, cirrhosis, and active CHB, compared with controls. A cutoff of 835 copies/mL of plasma ALB mRNA identified by ROC curve analysis showed 85.5% diagnostic sensitivity and 92.8% diagnostic specificity for the detection of liver pathologies. Only 21.5% of patients with liver pathologies had increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, whereas 73.8% had increased plasma ALB mRNA concentrations. Only 48.6% of the HCC patients had increased serum α-fetoprotein concentrations, whereas 91.4% had increased plasma ALB mRNA concentrations.

Conclusions: ALB mRNA is liver specific in plasma, but not in whole blood. Plasma ALB mRNA is increased in some liver pathologies and may be more diagnostically sensitive than α-fetoprotein and ALT.
Zu Ignatius von Antiochien
Authors: Schmithals Walter
Published: October 2009

This article continues the discussion about date of composition, authenticity, and adressee of the Corpus Ignatianum recently resumed by R. Joly, R.M. Hübner, and T. Lechner. Regarding especially the terminology used in the epistles and their dependance on Noet of Smyrna the author argues for an origin during the reign of Mark Aurel (161-180 AD). The Epistle to the Romans is considered to be the key to the entire Corpus Ignatianum which was written in the Christian community of Rome. The – successful – purpose of this pseudonymous opus has been to introduce and to establish the monepiscopate in the Roman church.
Baptism in Jordan – for Christians and Gnostics: Remarkable similarities between Old Syrian baptismal liturgies and the Mandaean masbuta
Authors: Ryen Jon Olav
Published: October 2009

Der vorliegende Aufsatz konzentriert sich auf Parallelen zwischen alten syrischen Taufliturgien und der Liturgie für die mandäische Taufe (masbuta). Die Mandäer, die einzige gnostische Gruppe der Gegenwart mit historischer Verbindung zur antiken „Gnosis“, verstehen die Taufe als eine repetitive liturgische Handlung für die Seele auf dem Wege zur Lichtwelt. Die mandäische masbuta ist also keine initiatorische, einmalige Handlung wie die christliche Taufe. Auf diesem Hintergrund sind die vielen Parallelen zu den alten syrischen Liturgien überraschend. Es zeigt sich, dass sowohl die mandäische als auch die syrische Tradition das Taufwasser durchgehend als “Jordan” verstehen. Wie die alten syrischen Kirchen benutzen auch die Mandäer Öl und “Kronen” als liturgische Elemente während der Taufhandlung, die mit einem liturgischen Mahl („Kommunion“) abgeschlossen wird. Obwohl die mandäische Anthropologie klare gnostische Züge hat, enthält die Taufliturgie der Mandäer, wie die der alten syrischen Kirchen, die jüdischchristliche Idee von Sündenvergebung und Heil für den ganzen Menschen (Seele/Geist und Leib). Diese Verwandtschaft zwischen mandäischen und christlichen Tauftraditionen aus syrischem Gebiet könnte dadurch erklärt werden, dass die Mandäer ursprünglich zu einer jüdisch(-christlichen) Gruppe in Palästina oder Syria gehörten, bevor sie sich von dieser Gruppe trennten. Diese Aussonderung der Mandäer fand ihren Ausdruck sowohl auf ideologischem Gebiet (Gnostizierung) als auch auf geographischer Ebene (Auswanderung nach Babylonia).
Sprachvariation im 18. Jahrhundert. Die Briefe der Familie Mozart Teil II
Authors: Reiffenstein Ingo
Published: October 2009

In the second half of the eighteenth century, a far-reaching change took place in the language of Southern Germany and Austria. This change from the traditional baroque Upper German written language [oberdeutsche Schreibsprache] to modern High German occurred not only in the language of printing, but also in private letters. One result of this transition is a broad variety of linguistic forms. The extensive correspondence between members of the Mozart family (father, mother, daughter, son) is an extremely useful subject for the investigation of this language variation.

After a series of introductory sections, the usage of written language by the different members of the family will be analyzed in part one of this paper. The range of variety reaches from Leopold Mozart's modern, educated German to the traditional, partly colloquial language of Mozart's mother. A separate chapter deals with W. A. Mozart's creative use of language (and varieties), his fancy for artificial jokes and word play [Sprachspiele]. Part two deals with the question of what we can learn from the written language of the letters about how the Mozarts spoke with each other and with other members of their society.
Denominales -er: Ein Suffix lebt (wieder) auf
Authors: Scott Alan
Published: October 2009

The denominal use of the agent suffix -er is often overshadowed by the highly productive deverbal use of the suffix and its portrayals in the research literature have tended to be incomplete or contradictory, often concluding that denominal derivation is a minor or even unproductive role of -er. Contemporary usage data show denominal -er to have several productive niches, including attachment to native complex idiomatic bases (e.g. Goldwäscher, Rollenspieler) and, most notably, attachment to English bases (e.g. Boarder, Spammer). As such, while less widely used than its deverbal counterpart, denominal -er is shown to be increasing its sphere of use and importance in a manner not yet reported in the literature.
„… ohne jetzt nun gleich aggressiv zu werden“: Ein Zeitadverb als Diskursmarker
Authors: Rehbock Helmut
Published: October 2009

Unlike nun (“now”), a German time adverb of Indo-European origin, the synonymous adverb jetzt, created in medieval times, has not produced any uses which would allow it to be allocated to the word class ‘discourse particle’. But since 1983 some examples have been discussed—first for the Alemannic speech area—of a jetzt which does not refer to the present, real or imagined, but expresses the speaker's concern and his wish to control the hearer's attention. Such non-referential uses of jetzt in today's spoken German are the subject-matter of the following paper. The attempt is made to describe and classify these usages by analyzing examples drawn from various sources, mainly from corpora of the Institut für Deutsche Sprache (Mannheim). The common denominator for all occurrences of jetzt is its temporal deixis, while the main differences lie in the respective tasks the deixis is meant to fulfil: either, in the referential case, to link the sentence proposition with the speaker's present; or, non-referentially, to evoke various implied meta-communicative contents: or as ‘pure’ deixis, to highlight the relevance of what the speaker is saying. Special functions of the meta-communicative usage are: emphasizing relevance, marking examples and counterarguments, focussing on constituents and increasing contrasts. Some of these functions seem to be reserved for jetzt, rather than nun. In all cases, jetzt remains a syntactically integrated adverb which, besides its normal referential use, can be functionalized for non-referential purposes: a deictic time adverb functioning as a ‘discourse marker’
Wieder als Modalpartikel
Authors: Pittner Karin
Published: October 2009

This paper argues that wieder (‘again’) can be used in wh-questions as a modal particle. This use derives from the use of wieder as a temporal adverb, due to grammaticalization, in accordance with Traugott's hypothesis of a semantic-pragmatic tendency for meanings to become increasingly situated in the speaker's belief-state or attitude toward the situation. By using wieder as a modal particle, the speaker can indicate that s/he knew the answer to the question previously but is at present not aware of it.

It is shown that several other temporal adverbs, such as noch (‘still’) and gleich (‘soon’), may serve as modal particles in questions, with a function very similar to that of wieder. This is due to semantic bleaching, a concomitant of grammaticalization, which neutralizes the differences in lexical semantics between these elements. These modal particles indicate that the answer to the question is part of the speaker and recipient's common ground, but not activated at the moment in the speaker's and/or the hearer's consciousness.
Anrede in der Grundschule
Authors: Ehlers Klaas-Hinrich
Published: October 2009

On the basis of 35 qualitative interviews this article focuses on the pronominal and nominal ways pupils and teachers address each other in German primary schools. It shows that the way of addressing each other in West German schools since the 1960s has seen a profound change towards a certain dominance of nonhierachical and nonformal communication that no longer expresses the different social roles. Sometimes school children even address their teachers with a nickname and vice versa. Since the German unification in 1990, the communication style in East Germany seems to be following this trend. Apparently, the institutionally framed communication in German primary schools has opened itself to a certain degree for the general sociocultural tendency towards informalization and individualization which also determines the long term development of other communicative routines in German society.
Weimar, Bonn, Berlin. Zum historischen Ort des Grundgesetzes
Authors: Winkler Heinrich August
Published: October 2009

Vorspann

Die deutsche Verfassungsgeschichte im 20. Jahrhundert kennt tiefe Zäsuren, die durch Weimar, Bonn und Berlin markiert werden. Weimar steht für das Scheitern einer parlamentarischen Demokratie, Bonn für das erfolgreiche Modell einer wehrhaften Demokratie und Berlin für die Bewährung dieser Demokratie, deren rechtliches Fundament, das Grundgesetz, auch die Überwindung der deutschen Teilung ermöglichte. Heinrich August Winkler, einer der führenden deutschen Zeithistoriker, diskutiert den historischen Ort des Grundgesetzes in der deutschen Geschichte und geht dabei auch auf die Gefahren ein, die der demokratischen Legitimität der Bundesrepublik durch die Verselbständigung der Exekutivgewalt im europäischen Einigungsprozess drohen.
Erzwungene Verständigung? Die Kommission der Historiker der DDR und der Volksrepublik Polen 1956–1990
Authors: Guth Stefan
Published: October 2009

Vorspann

Historikerkommissionen zur Legitimierung von Politik sind keine Erfindung der letzten Jahre. Eine der ersten war die 1956 ins Leben gerufene Kommission aus Historikern Polens und der DDR, die das deutsch-polnische Geschichtsbild im Zeichen des Sozialismus harmonisieren sollte – und dabei kläglich scheiterte, weil sich die polnischen Wissenschaftler weit weniger für politische Zwecke einspannen ließen als ihre ostdeutschen Kollegen. Stefan Guth von der Universität Bern beleuchtet diese stets prekären Verständigungsversuche und kontrastiert sie mit der Kooperation polnischer und westdeutscher Historiker, die auch in heiklen Fragen sehr viel rascher einen gemeinsamen Nenner fanden.
Proving the superiority of democracy. Die National Fitness Campaign der britischen Regierung (1937–1939) im transnationalen Zusammenhang
Authors: Lemcke Anna Maria
Published: October 2009

Vorspann

Kurz bevor er Premierminister wurde, stellte der britische Schatzkanzler Neville Chamberlain im Herbst 1936 die körperliche Verfassung der Jugend seines Landes – neben Rüstung und Handelspolitik – in den Mittelpunkt einer programmatischen Rede. Vor allem auch der glänzende Eindruck, den die deutschen Sportler bei den zurückliegenden Olympischen Sommerspielen in Berlin gemacht hatten, veranlasste die Regierung Großbritanniens zwischen 1937 und 1939 zu einer groß angelegten ertüchtigungspolitischen Kampagne. Aber gab es in diesen Fragen auch darüber hinaus einen intensiveren Austausch zwischen beiden Ländern? Welche Rolle spielte der grundlegende Systemgegensatz zwischen britischer Demokratie und nationalsozialistischer Diktatur? Fragen an eine transnationale Geschichtsschreibung, auf die Anna Maria Lemcke mit neuen Quellen Antworten gibt.
Erdöl statt Reparationen. Die Sowjetische Mineralölverwaltung (SMV) in Österreich 1945–1955
Authors: Iber Walter M.
Published: October 2009

Vorspann

Nach allgemeiner Vorstellung trennt sich die Welt des Kalten Krieges sauber in ein Lager diesseits und jenseits des Eisernen Vorhangs. Dass die Sowjetunion jedoch lange Zeit gewissermaßen einen „Außenposten“ im östlichen Österreich besaß, ist weitgehend unbekannt. Das Schicksal der österreichischen Erdölindustrie veranschaulicht wie in einem Brennglas die enge Wechselwirkung von militärischer Strategie, Politik und Ökonomie, zeigt aber auch, welch seltsame Konstrukte die bipolare Welt des Kalten Krieges hervorbringen konnte.
The surgical approach to postpartum haemorrhage
Authors: Steer Philip J
Published: October 2009

Pharmaceutical treatment of postpartum haemorrhage is well defined.

Physical methods for controlling postpartum haemorrhage that conserve the uterus include intrauterine balloons if the abdomen is closed or, at laparotomy, uterine compression sutures, uterine artery ligation, internal iliac artery ligation and aortic compression.

If the above measures fail, hysterectomy should be undertaken sooner rather than later.

In cases of uterine inversion, the ventouse can be used either vaginally or abdominally to help reduce the inversion.

Surgery for placenta praevia/accreta should be planned carefully in advance.

Learning objectives:

To understand the range of physical techniques available for controlling postpartum haemorrhage.

To learn about a variety of ways to correct uterine inversion.

To understand how to prepare for and conduct surgery for placenta praevia/accreta.

Ethical issues:

Prior informed consent for hysterectomy can be problematic in an emergency situation.

Operations for placenta praevia/accreta need to be especially carefully planned if a woman declines the use of blood transfusion.

There is little authoritative information to give women about the benefits and disadvantages of the various surgical techniques.

Please cite this article as: Steer PJ. The surgical approach to postpartum haemorrhage. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2009;11:231–238.
Fertility‐saving treatment in gynaecological oncology
Authors: Ellis Patricia , Mould Tim
Published: October 2009

The incidence of cancers in young women is rising.

Fertility‐saving treatment options are available for cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancer.

Fertility‐sparing options are usually more appropriate when the cancer is at an early stage.

Learning objectives:

To be able to identify the different fertility‐saving surgical options for women diagnosed with cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancer.

To understand the advantages and limitations of fertility‐saving surgery in women with gynaecological malignancy.

To understand that fertility‐saving surgery is not appropriate in all cases.

Ethical issues:

Treatments that save fertility may result in other morbidities such as premature delivery.

Long‐term follow‐up data on some methods of fertility‐saving surgery are limited and, therefore, women may be compromising their survival to preserve fertility.

Please cite this article as: Ellis P, Mould T. Fertility‐saving treatment in gynaecological oncology.The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist2009;11:239–244.
Pregnancy outcomes after uterine artery embolisation for fibroids
Authors: Homer Hayden , Saridogan Ertan
Published: October 2009

Data on pregnancy following uterine artery embolisation (UAE) are scarce, with just over 200 pregnancies reported to date.

The weight of retrospective data and two small prospective trials of UAE versus surgical intervention suggest increased levels of adverse pregnancy outcomes following fibroid embolisation.

In the absence of more robust evidence, caution should be exercised in recommending UAE to women who retain reproductive ambitions.

Learning objectives:

To increase awareness of the potential reproductive risks of UAE.

To appreciate the limitations of the existing evidence.

Ethical issues:

Caution should be exercised before advocating UAE for intractable fibroid‐related symptoms in women desirous of future pregnancy.

Please cite this article as: Homer H, Saridogan E. Pregnancy outcomes after uterine artery embolisation for fibroids. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2009;11:265–270.
Wind field and sex constrain the flight speeds of central‐place foraging albatrosses
Authors: Wakefield Ewan D. , Phillips Richard A. , Matthiopoulos Jason , Fukuda Akira , Higuchi Hiroyoshi , Marshall Gareth J. , Trathan Philip N.
Published: October 2009

By extracting energy from the highly dynamic wind and wave fields that typify pelagic habitats, albatrosses are able to proceed almost exclusively by gliding flight. Although energetic costs of gliding are low, enabling breeding albatrosses to forage hundreds to thousands of kilometers from their colonies, these and time costs vary with relative wind direction. This causes albatrosses in some areas to route provisioning trips to avoid headwind flight, potentially limiting habitat accessibility during the breeding season. In addition, because female albatrosses have lower wing loadings than males, it has been argued that they are better adapted to flight in light winds, leading to sexual segregation of foraging areas. We used satellite telemetry and immersion logger data to quantify the effects of relative wind speed, sex, breeding stage, and trip stage on the ground speeds (Vg) of four species of Southern Ocean albatrosses breeding at South Georgia. Vg was linearly related to the wind speed component in the direction of flight (Vwf), its effect being greatest on Wandering Albatrosses Diomedea exulans, followed by Black‐browed Albatrosses Thalassarche melanophrys, Light‐mantled Sooty Albatrosses Phoebatria palpebrata, and Gray‐headed Albatrosses T. chrysostoma. Ground speeds at Vwf = 0 were similar to airspeeds predicted by aerodynamic theory and were higher in males than in females. However, we found no evidence that this led to sexual segregation, as males and females experienced comparable wind speeds during foraging trips. Black‐browed, Gray‐headed, and Light‐mantled Sooty Albatrosses did not engage in direct, uninterrupted bouts of flight on moonless nights, but Wandering Albatrosses attained comparable Vg night and day, regardless of lunar phase. Relative flight direction was more important in determining Vg than absolute wind speed. When birds were less constrained in the middle stage of foraging trips, all species flew predominantly across the wind. However, in some instances, commuting birds encountered headwinds during outward trips and tail winds on their return, with the result that Vg was 1.0–3.4 m/s faster during return trips. This, we hypothesize, could result from constraints imposed by the location of prey resources relative to the colony at South Georgia or could represent an energy optimization strategy.
Carrion decomposition and nutrient cycling in a semiarid shrub–steppe ecosystem
Authors: Parmenter Robert R. , MacMahon James A.
Published: October 2009

Vertebrate carrion decomposition and nutrient cycling have both direct and indirect effects on the soil properties, fauna, and flora associated with an animal's carcass. While few comprehensive quantitative studies have been undertaken, those that have show considerable variability in decomposition processes and rates, their regulating variables, and the resultant ecosystem effects. In this two‐part study, decomposition rates of vertebrate species were measured in a semiarid, shrub–steppe environment (Wyoming, USA). First, decomposition loss rates of mass, energy, and nutrients were measured for rat carcasses (Rattus norvegicus) in four seasons and two microsites (surface and underground burrows). Decomposition rates varied significantly between microsites (burrow > surface in spring and summer) and among seasons (spring > summer > autumn ≈ winter), with mass loss amounts linearly correlated with ambient air temperatures. Energy and nutrient losses were related to phased carcass organ/tissue losses, with energy, K, Na, N, and S being lost more quickly than skeletal components (P, Mg, Ca). Overall, the nutrient loss sequence was K = Na > N = S > P = Mg > Ca. Carcass quality (N concentration) declined through time as a function of decay stage. Second, decomposition rates of 10 vertebrate species (mule deer [Odocoileus hemionus], dog [Canis familiaris], white‐tailed jackrabbit [Lepus townsendii], Uinta ground squirrel [Spermophilus armatus], least chipmunk [Tamias minimus], deer mouse [Peromyscus maniculatus], Magpie [Pica hudsonia], Sage Sparrow [Amphispiza belli], terrestrial garter snake [Thamnophis elegans], and northern leopard frog [Lithobates pipiens]) were measured with vertebrate scavengers present or absent. Mass loss rates varied among species and were generally faster in the presence of scavengers. Carcass body mass, N content, or labile/recalcitrant fractions did not correlate with decomposition rate, though surface area to volume ratios of mammal carcasses were positively correlated with wet‐mass decomposition rate. Nutrient measures of sub‐carcass soils showed soil N, P, and Na increased during decomposition. Increased soil nutrient amounts represented up to 15.6% of the available carcass N, 28.8% of carcass P, and 28.7% of carcass Na. At a landscape scale in the shrub–steppe ecosystem, carrion decomposition constituted <1% of the nutrient‐cycling budget but contributed significantly to localized soil nutrient dynamics.
How does spatial heterogeneity influence resilience to climatic changes? Ecological dynamics in southeast Madagascar
Authors: Virah-Sawmy Malika , Gillson Lindsey , Willis Katherine Jane
Published: October 2009

Conceptual models suggest a link between spatial heterogeneity, diversity, and resilience, but few empirical studies exist to demonstrate such an ecological relationship. In this study, we investigated the nature of spatial heterogeneity and resilience of two forest fragments from Madagascar's highly endangered littoral forest, and two nearby sites in the surrounding ericoid grassland. This ecosystem has been subjected to a number of large environmental disturbances over the last 6000 years, including a late Holocene sea‐level rise of 1–3 m above the present level, pronounced drought events, and natural and anthropogenic fires. The aims were to determine the driving mechanisms for heterogeneity and to compare the impact of large environmental disturbances among the four sites.

Overall, our results indicate that, contrary to previous assumptions of continuous forest cover, the ecosystem was already spatially heterogeneous prior to the arrival of humans. Differences in groundwater, nutrients, and fires maintained a natural mosaic of forest and open vegetation giving rise to high floristic diversity. The four sites differed significantly in their resilience to climatic disturbances, as measured by compositional turnover and by the timing and extent of biotic recovery. The highly diverse littoral forest reverted more quickly to forest than the surrounding vegetation, which was composed of open Uapaca woodland (a no‐analogue community) prior to the formation of the ericoid grassland. Further, species and populations from sites with low nutrients and nitrogen‐fixing species as dominants were able to persist despite climatic perturbations, whereas there was higher turnover in the other sites. Overall, minimal extinction occurred in the ecosystem despite widespread landscape transformations. It is suggested that spatial heterogeneity and diversity in southeastern Madagascar may have enhanced species survival during climatic perturbations.