bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BIRTH RIGHTS AND RITUALS IN RURAL SOUTH INDIA: CARE SEEKING IN THE INTRAPARTUM PERIOD
Authors: MATTHEWS ZOË , RAMAKRISHNA JAYASHREE , MAHENDRA SHANTI , KILARU ASHA , GANAPATHY SARASWATHY
Published: June 2005

Maternal morbidity and mortality are high in the Indian context, but the majority of maternal deaths could be avoided by prompt and effective access to intrapartum care (WHO, 1999). Understanding the care seeking responses to intrapartum morbidities is crucial if maternal health is to be effectively improved, and maternal mortality reduced. This paper presents the results of a prospective study of 388 women followed through delivery and traditional postpartum in rural Karnataka in southern India. In this setting, few women use the existing health facilities and most deliveries occur at home. The analysis uses quantitative data, collected via questionnaires administered to women both during pregnancy and immediately after delivery. By virtue of its prospective design, the study gives a unique insight into intentions for intrapartum care during pregnancy as well as events following morbidities during labour. Routine care in the intrapartum period, both within institutions and at home, and impediments to appropriate care are also examined. The study was designed to collect information about health seeking decisions made by women and their families as pregnancies unfolded, rather than trying to capture women’s experience from a retrospective instrument. The data set is therefore a rich source of quantitative information, which incorporates details of event sequences and health service utilization not previously collected in a Safe Motherhood study. Additional qualitative information was also available from concurrent in-depth interviews with pregnant women, their families, health care providers and other key informants in the area. The level of unplanned institutional care seeking during the intrapartum period within the study area was very high, increasing from 11% planning deliveries at a facility to an eventual 35% actually delivering in hospitals. In addition there was a significant move away from planned deliveries with the auxiliary nurse midwive (ANM), to births with a lay attendant or dai. The proportion of women who planned for an ANM to assist was 49%, as compared with the actual occurrence, which was less than half of this proportion. Perceived quality of care was found to be an important factor in health seeking behaviour, as was wealth, caste, education and experience of previous problems in pregnancy. Actual care given by a range of practitioners was found to contain both beneficial and undesirable elements. As a response to serious morbidities experienced within the study period, many women were able to seek care although sometimes after a long delay. Those women who experienced inadequate progression of labour pains were most likely to proceed unexpectedly to a hospital delivery.
Factors influencing resource users and managers' perceptions towards marine protected area management in Kenya
Authors: McCLANAHAN TIMOTHY , DAVIES JAMIE , MAINA JOSEPH
Published: June 2005

Non-compliance with marine protected area (MPA) regulations is a problem worldwide, and this is being addressed through community programmes. Park service and fisheries department personnel, and fishers living adjacent to three parks were studied to determine their perceptions of MPAs. The hypotheses that positive perceptions towards the management of fisheries exclusion and gear-restricted areas would increase with the wealth, education, age and years of employment of the person, the history of community participation and the age of the MPA were tested. The strongest factor was employment, with fishers having significantly less positive perceptions towards areas closed to fishing than government managers, although all groups agreed area management benefited the nation. Government personnel thought that fishers and their communities benefited from area management, while most fishers did not share this view. Increasing wealth or community participation were not significant factors, but secondary education was associated with more positive perceptions of area management. Fishers adjacent to the oldest MPA held significantly more positive perceptions than fishers living adjacent to the newest MPA, although only a slight majority agreed that they and their communities benefited. The results point to a need for patience in expecting change in resource users' perceptions, adopting an approach in which there is more communication between fishers and managers, so that both are more aware of MPA functions, particularly closed areas and the indirect benefits.
Rethinking protected area categories and the new paradigm
Authors: LOCKE HARVEY , DEARDEN PHILIP
Published: June 2005

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) plays a global leadership role in defining different types of protected areas, and influencing how protected area systems develop and are managed. Following the 1992 World Parks Congress, a new system of categorizing protected areas was developed. New categories were introduced, including categories that allowed resource extraction. Since that time there has been rapid growth in the global numbers and size of protected areas, with most growth being shown in the new categories. Further-more, the IUCN has heralded a ‘new paradigm’ of protected areas, which became the main focus of the 2003 World Parks Congress. The paradigm focuses on benefits to local people to alleviate poverty, re-engineering protected areas professionals, and an emphasis on the interaction between humans and nature through a focus on the new IUCN protected area categories.The purpose of this paper is to examine critically the implications of the new categories and paradigm shift in light of the main purpose of protected areas, to protect wild biodiversity. Wild biodiversity will not be well served by adoption of this new paradigm, which will devalue conservation biology, undermine the creation of more strictly protected reserves, inflate the amount of area in reserves and place people at the centre of the protected area agenda at the expense of wild biodiversity. Only IUCN categories I–IV should be recognized as protected areas. The new categories, namely culturally modified landscapes (V) and managed resource areas (VI), should be reclassified as sustainable development areas. To do so would better serve both the protection of wild biodiversity and those seeking to meet human needs on humanized landscapes where sustainable development is practised.
Localized parallel electric fields associated with inertial Alfvén waves
Authors: Ergun R. E. , Andersson L. , Su Y.-J. , Newman D. L. , Goldman M. V. , Lotko W. , Chaston C. C. , Carlson C. W.
Published: June 2005

Measurements of intense, localized parallel electric fields are reported in association with inertial Alfvén waves and accelerated electron fluxes in a space plasma. The parallel electric fields are localized to several hundreds of Debye lengths and carry potentials on the order of the energy of the accelerated electron fluxes. The structures are observed at sharp maxima or minima of the perturbation magnetic field of the Alfvén wave, indicating high shear or rapid changes in the parallel current but near-zero, large-scale parallel currents. The localized electric-field structures are not entirely consistent with published double-layer models or observations in the aurora and may represent a new class of parallel electric-field structures or double layer, which are an important feature of the nonlinear evolution of Alfvén waves and of the electron acceleration processes. These data also represent a possible example of cross-scale coupling from Alfvén wavelengths to Debye scales.
W7-AS: One step of the Wendelstein stellarator line
Authors: Wagner F. , Bäumel S. , Baldzuhn J. , Basse N. , Brakel R. , Burhenn R. , Dinklage A. , Dorst D. , Ehmler H. , Endler M. , Erckmann V. , Feng Y. , Gadelmeier F. , Geiger J. , Giannone L. , Grigull P. , Hartfuss H.-J. , Hartmann D. , Hildebrandt D. , Hirsch M. , Holzhauer E. , Igitkhanov Y. , Jänicke R. , Kick M. , Kislyakov A. , Kisslinger J. , Klinger T. , Klose S. , Knauer J. P. , König R. , Kühner G. , Laqua H. P. , Maassberg H. , McCormick K. , Niedermeyer H. , Nührenberg C. , Pasch E. , Ramasubramanian N. , Ruhs N. , Rust N. , Sallander E. , Sardei F. , Schubert M. , Speth E. , Thomsen H. , Volpe F. , Weller A. , Werner A. , Wobig H. , Würsching E. , Zarnstorff M. , Zoletnik S.
Published: June 2005

This paper is a summary of some of the major results from the Wendelstein 7-AS stellarator (W7-AS). W7-AS [G. Grieger et al., Phys. Fluids B 4, 2081 (1992)] has demonstrated the feasibility of modular coils and has pioneered the island divertor and the modeling of its three-dimensional characteristics with the EMC3/EIRENE code [Y. Feng, F. Sardei et al., Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion 44, 611 (2002)]. It has extended the operational range to high density (4×1020m−3 at 2.5T) and high ⟨β⟩ (3.4% at 0.9T); it has demonstrated successfully the application of electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) beyond cutoff via electron Bernstein wave heating, and it has utilized the toroidal variation of the magnetic field strength for ion cyclotron resonance frequency beach-wave heating. In preparation of W7-X [J. Nührenberg et al., Trans. Fusion Technol. 27, 71 (1995)], aspects of the optimization concept of the magnetic design have been successfully tested. W7-AS has accessed the H-mode, the first time in a “non-tokamak” and has extended H-mode operation toward high density by the discovery of the high-density H-mode (HDH), characterized by H-mode energy and L-mode-level impurity confinement. In the HDH-mode quasisteady state operation is possible close to operational limits without noticeable degradation in the plasma properties. High-β phases up to tpulse∕τE=65 have been achieved, which can already be taken as an indication of the intrinsic stellarator capability of steady-state operation. Confinement issues will be discussed with emphasis on the similarities to tokamak confinement (general transport properties, H-mode transition physics) but also with respect to distinct differences (no confinement degradation toward operational boundaries, positive density scaling, lack of profile resilience, no distinct isotope effect, H-mode operational window). W7-AS turned out to be an important step in the development of the Wendelstein stellarator line towards an independent fusion power plant concept.
The reaction path intrinsic reaction coordinate method and the Hamilton–Jacobi theory
Authors: Crehuet Ramon , Bofill Josep Maria
Published: June 2005

The definition and location of an intrinsic reaction coordinate path is of crucial importance in many areas of theoretical chemistry. Differential equations used to define the path hitherto are complemented in this study with a variational principle of Fermat type, as Fukui [Int. J. Quantum Chem., Quantum Chem. Symp. 15, 633 (1981)] reported in a more general form some time ago. This definition is more suitable for problems where initial and final points are given. The variational definition can naturally be recast into a Hamilton–Jacobi equation. The character of the variational solution is studied via the Weierstrass necessary and sufficient conditions. The characterization of the local minima character of the intrinsic reaction coordinate is proved. Such result leads to a numerical algorithm to find intrinsic reaction coordinate paths based on the successive minimizations of the Weierstrass E-function evaluated on a guess curve connecting the initial and final points of the desired path.
“Interaction Anisotropy” Model of the Structure of Alnico Magnet Alloys
Authors: Paine T. O. , Luborsky F. E.
Published: June 2005

The permanent magnet properties of Alnico alloys have been attributed to the shape anisotropy of an elongated single-domain magnetic precipitate oriented by cooling in a field. This paper reports measurements of the angular variation of the magnetic properties of highly directional crystal-oriented Alnico 5 DG,Columax, and Ticonal XX which are inconsistent with the simple shape anisotropy model. A domain “interaction anisotropy” model is proposed which treats the structure as a complex interconnected single-domain network. The interaction between single-domain elements within this structure minimizes magnetostatic and exchange energy by introducing local variations in particle domain configuration; these nucleate buckling magnetization reversal at particle irregularities and cross-links. In its simplest form this structure can be visualized as a series of H-shaped single-domain size units. The rather complex behavior of such a structure has been analyzed by measuring the magnetic properties of analogous physical models consisting of arrays of pivoted magnets. This analysis suggests that the progressive increase in maximum energy product from 6 million gauss-oersteds for Alnico 5 DG and 8 million gauss-oersteds for Columax to twelve million gauss-oersteds for Ticonal XX is associated with the suppression of buckling through the reduction of particle irregularities and cross-links. Electron micrographs of the structures of these materials and their observed angular variation of magnetic properties are consistent with this new model.
Magnetostatic Modes of a Ferromagnetic Slab
Authors: Damon R. W. , Eshbach J. R.
Published: June 2005

The characteristic modes of a thin slab magnetized in its plane are obtained in the magnetostatic limit,and the mode spectrum and configuration are discussed. The wavelength dependence of magnetostatic mode density is determined and utilized to establish a connection to the modes obtained in the spin-wave approximation. In this geometry the modes lying above the spin-wave band are surface waves, decaying toward the interior of the slab, while volume modes occur in the same frequency range as the long-wavelength limit of the spin-wave band of an infinite medium. The mode density exhibits poles at the upper and lower frequency limits of the surface mode spectrum. The surface modes become statistically less important at shorter wavelengths because the ratio of surface mode density to volume mode density varies approximately as 1/|k|.
Electrodeposited Memory Elements for a Nondestructive Memory
Authors: Long T. R.
Published: June 2005

Nickel-iron films are being electrodeposited on to a wire substrate to form memory elements for a fast,nondestructive memory. By plating in the presence of a directed magnetic field, an anisotropy favoring circumferential orientation is established. Axial interrogation fields cause reversible rotations of less than 90°and produce output signals across the ends of the wire. The apparatus and techniques used to make this wire are discussed together with the rationale back of the design. The choice of alloy composition and the plating conditions strongly affect the results. The amount of stress in the deposit, the residual stress in the substrate,the control of precleaning of the substrate, the use of a suitable wetting agent, and the degree of stirring in the electrolyte appear as the vital factors in obtaining consistent results. Moderate fields (∼30 oersteds)applied during plating produce a preferred circumferential orientation with high anisotropy (HK/H0 = 3.0). Squareness ratio in the easy direction is 0.99. Output signals appear during the rise time of the interrogation pulse with an amplitude inversely related to the rise time and directly proportional to the length interrogated. Very fast switching with unusually high output signals per unit length are possible. Selective write in is possible with current margins of 3:1. Preliminary investigations indicate that it would be feasible to make plated wire on a production basis with properties suitable for memory applications.
Influence of Ionic Order on the Magnetocrystalline Anisotropy and Crystalline Field Parameters in Lithium Ferrite Monocrystals
Authors: Folen V. J.
Published: June 2005

Measurements of the first order anisotropy constant (K1). utilizing the torque method, are reported for various degrees of long range order (LRO) in lithium ferrite. The LRO parameters were determined by x-ray diffraction analysis. It is found that the degree of cation “order” in the octahedral sites strongly influences K1. For example, measurements at 77°K yield the values −127×103 ergs/cm3 and −162×103 ergs/cm3 for K1 in the “ordered” and “disordered” states, respectively. The experimental results were interpreted on the basis of the ferric ion spin Hamiltonian. Certain parameters (aB′ for octahedral sites and aA′ for tetrahedral sites) which include the contributions of the cubic term and the quartic axial term to cubic anisotropy were deduced from measurements of the temperature dependences of K1 and saturation magnetization. It is found that in “disordered” lithium ferrite, aB′ = +0.0242 cm−1 and aA′ = −0.0118 cm−1in excellent agreement with the corresponding parameters determined by Folen and Rado in magnesium ferrite which is also a “disordered” ferrite. In the “ordered” lithium ferrite, it is found that aB′ = +0.0104 cm−1and aA′ = +0.0034 cm−1. The experimental temperature dependences of K1 in both the “ordered” and“disordered” states are in quantitative agreement with that obtained from the Yosida-Tachiki theory. The changes in the magnitudes and signs of the observed a′-values resulting from the “order-disorder” transition are consistent with alterations of the quartic axial term.
Instrumentation Applications of Inverse-Wiedemann Effect
Authors: Granath J. A.
Published: June 2005

The principle of the magnetostrictive rod and coil assembly which provides an ac voltage output at fundamental excitation frequency, with amplitude proportional to applied torque and phase-reversible with torque direction is reviewed.

The literature on applications of torsional magnetostriction and inverse-Weidemann effect is limited and widely scattered. A brief summary of some of the literature on instrumentation applications for measurement of torque, force, and other physical quantities is presented. Examples include measurement of torque in rotating shafts, dynamometers, accelerometers, flowmeters, and force balance sensors.

For use as a guide in transducer design, a simplified mathematical representation of the torque-signal relationship for one mode of operation is developed from the equations of mechanical strain and applied magnetic field energy. Shape of the torque-signal curve is linear in the vicinity of zero torque, curving off to asymptotes at the extremes. Means for extending the results of tests on standard samples to design guides on rod diameter, coil turns, and excitation frequency are suggested.
Secondary Recrystallization in Vacuum Annealed Silicon Iron
Authors: Baer G. , Ganz D. , Thomas H.
Published: June 2005

In 3% SiFe with high magnetocrystalline anisotropy, it is desirable to produce grain oriented material by secondary recrystallization. The size of the surface energy is an important reason for the selection of growing crystals during secondary grain growth. By studying the special crystal growth, it is essential to create well defined conditions on the surface of the sample. The surface is least disturbed if the sample is heated directly by an electric current. In such experiments, we found crystals growing either with a (110)or with a (100) orientation. The selection is influenced by the annealing temperature, by the conditions of evaporation, and by the surroundings of the sample. The growth of (110) plane grains rather than (100)grains can be understood from consideration of the surface energy.
Magnetic Contribution to the Ultrasonic Attenuation in Annealed and Deformed Steel (SAE 1020)
Authors: Bratina W. J. , Martius U. M. , Mills D.
Published: June 2005

The absorption of ultrasound of ∼3 Mc/sec frequency was investigated in low carbon steel as a function of elastic strain applied in the presence of constant magnetic fields. The observed attenuation changes are interpreted in terms of magnetomechanical damping. The major part of the change appears to be accounted for by variation in the amplitude of the domain wall vibration, while the domain configuration changes appear to have relatively small effect. The maximum observed in the attenuation-strain curve for plastically deformed material is attributed to the presence of internal stresses.
Valence and Distribution of Manganese Ions in Ferrospinels
Authors: Miller Arthur
Published: June 2005

Anomalous values of the magnetic moments observed for ferrospinels containing manganese have suggested that on octahedrally ligated spinel sites the ion pair [Fe+2Mn+3] is more stable than [Fe+3Mn+2]. Such behavior is opposed to that observed in aqueous solutions, and to what is usually expected in oxidic compounds. The magnetic measurements, however, cannot be interpreted unequivocally,since they can also be explained by invoking spin quenching, or deviations from the simple antiparallel spin-only coupling scheme such as Yafet-Kittel angular coupling.

A crystallographic rather than a magnetic criterion was devised to elucidate the valence behavior in these compounds. When a sufficient fraction of the octahedrally ligated spinel sites are occupied by Mn+3, a macroscopic tetragonal distortion, due to the Jahn-Teller effect, occurs. For appropriately selected spinel systems,the compositions for which this distortion is observable at room temperature depend on whether [Fe+3Mn+2] or [Fe+2Mn+3]are the stably coexisting species. Various compositions in the system Zn1−0.5xGe0.5x[FexMn2−x]O4 were synthesized, and x-ray powder diffraction photographs were made to determine whether they were cubic or tetragonal. The findings confirmed that the stable ion pair on octahedrally ligated sites is indeed [Fe+2Mn+3]. Furthermore, the axial ratios observed for the tetragonal compositions are in good agreement with those calculated by Wojtowicz,provided that the valence assignment [Fe+2Mn+3] is assumed. The reversal of valence stability can be explained reasonably as arising from crystal field effects.

There is evidence that on octahedrally ligated spinel sites at elevated temperatures, and on tetrahedrally ligated sites, the ion pair [Fe+3Mn+2] is more stable than [Fe+2Mn+3]. The method of predicting the actual valence and ionic distributions in manganese-containing ferrospinels is discussed.
Ionic Ordering Effects in the Ferromagnetic Resonance of Lithium Ferrite Monocrystals
Authors: Schnitzler A. D. , Folen V. J. , Rado G. T.
Published: June 2005

Ferromagnetic resonance experiments on ordered and disordered lithium ferrite monocrystals are reported. The resonance line width ΔH, the g factor, and the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constants K1 and K2 were measured at temperatures ranging from 300°K to 4°K. Before an influence of ordering on ΔH could be observed, it was necessary to reduce drastically several spurious effects. These included a large and strongly anisotropic ΔH, which was attributed to a plastic deformation in a thin layer underlying the sample surface. After proper preparation of the samples, it was found that at all temperatures and crystallographic angles at which measurements were made, the value of ΔH is either increased or relatively unchanged as a result of long-range cation ordering. It is concluded that in lithium ferrite, at least, spin wave scattering resulting from cation disorder is not the dominant source of linewidth: The observations include a large peak of ΔHobtained in the [110] direction of the ordered samples at low temperatures, and a low value of ΔH (3 oe)obtained in the [111] direction of the disordered samples at 4°K.
Demand for Certified Human Resources Professionals in Internet‐Based Job Announcements
Authors: Aguinis Herman , Michaelis Sarah E. , Jones Nicole M.
Published: June 2005

We tested empirically whether potential employers require and/or prefer human resources (HR) professionals who hold an HR certification. We analyzed each of 1873 HR job announcements available over a 1‐week period on http://monster.com, http://hotjobs.yahoo.com, http://careerbuilder.com, and http://shrm.org. Results showed that only nine (i.e., .48%) job announcements stated that there was a requirement and only 70 (i.e., 3.73%) job announcements stated that there was a preference for job applicants with any type of HR certification. In spite of the low overall demand for certified HR professionals, results indicated that the demand is slightly higher for jobs posted on http://shrm.org, certain job titles (e.g., HR Director, HR Generalist), HR specialty areas (e.g., employee relations, general HR), industries (e.g., manufacturing), and for jobs requiring more years of HR job experience. Overall, results suggest that the field of HR needs to do a better job of gathering evidence about validity, utility, and lack of adverse impact regarding the use of certification in selection and assessment decision making. Once this evidence is collected, employers may perceive HR certification as a more critical signal of a job applicant's future contributions.
A 10‐day levofloxacin‐based triple therapy in patients who have failed two eradication courses
Authors: GATTA L. , ZULLO A. , PERNA F. , RICCI C. , DE FRANCESCO V. , TAMPIERI A. , BERNABUCCI V. , CAVINA M. , HASSAN C. , IERARDI E. , MORINI S. , VAIRA D.
Published: June 2005

Background : A standard third‐line treatment is lacking, and European guidelines recommend performing culture in these patients. However, the use of this procedure as ‘routine practice’ is definitively not feasible.

Aim : To evaluate the eradication rate of a 10‐day levofloxacin‐based triple therapy in patients who have failed two eradication courses for Helicobacter pylori.

Methods : A total of 151 patients with persistent Helicobacter pylori infection after two treatments were studied. Patients were considered positive if two of three endoscopic tests were positive. Susceptibility testing was also performed. Patients received a standard dose of proton‐pump inhibitors twice daily, levofloxacin 250 mg twice daily and amoxicillin 1 g twice daily, for 10 days. Endoscopic follow‐up was carried out 4–6 weeks after the end of eradication therapy.

Results : About 76% (95% CI: 68.8–82.3), and 85% (95% CI: 77.5–89.7) of patients were eradicated according to intention‐to‐treat and per‐protocol analysis, respectively. Eradication rates of the strains showed as 92% (95% CI: 83.2–96.7) of those resistant to both metronidazole and clarithromycin but susceptible to levofloxacin.

Conclusions : In patients who failed previous regimens, the 10‐day levofloxacin‐based triple therapy is safe and effective, allowing eradication in almost 80% of the patients.
Patient management of long‐term continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion
Authors: Johansson Unn‐Britt , Adamson Ulf , Lins Per‐Eric , Wredling Regina
Published: June 2005

Aim.  This paper reports a study of patients’ current practice with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusions, particularly with respect to the management of the pump.

Background.  Successful implementation of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion requires a motivated patient with a range of technical skills and self‐management capabilities. The therapy should be prescribed, implemented and monitored by a skilled professional team familiar with it and capable of supporting the patient.

Methods.  A questionnaire was mailed to 102 continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion treated patients at a Swedish university hospital with experience of pump treatment for at least 6 months.

Results.  The questionnaire was answered by 88% of the patients, 53 women and 37 men, aged 22–71 years with a duration of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion use of between 7 months and 19 years. The changing interval for soft infusion set ranged from 2·0 to 10·0 days (mean 4·8) and for metal needles from 1·5 to 7·5 days (mean 3·8), P = 0·001. Catheter occlusions were significantly more often reported in patients with presence of bleeding at the infusion site (P = 0·011) and among those using insulin lispro (P = 0·032).

Conclusions.  Patients having long‐term continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion should be carefully audited with respect to the management of the insulin pump and its accessories. In patients who frequently experience problems, shorter intervals between changes of infusion sets are strongly advocated and type of insulin preparation may be of importance in some cases.
Testicular‐sparing microsurgery for suspected testicular masses
Authors: Colpi Giovanni Maria , Carmignani Luca , Nerva Franco , Guido Piediferro , Gadda Franco , Castiglioni Fabrizio
Published: June 2005

OBJECTIVE

To describe a microsurgical technique for removing suspected testicular masses with sparing of the testicular parenchyma, and to describe case studies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Six men were referred with testicular lesions (3–6 mm) detected on ultrasonography (US); in one, the lesion was palpable. US showed hypoechoic lesions and in two cases were mixed hypoechoic and anechoic. In these men, the testicular lesion was identified by US before surgery, giving three‐dimensional coordinates to facilitate intraoperative recognition. A traditional inguinal incision was used and the funiculus clamped subinguinally without opening the canal. The testicle was isolated after sectioning the gubernaculum testis. In a separate operative field, an equatorial incision of the albuginea was made in a plane orthogonal to the major axis of the testicle, sparing the subtunical vasa. The parenchymal lobuli were dislodged and the seminiferous tubules dissociated, the nodule identified and completely removed, together with ≈ 1 mm of surrounding healthy tissue. This technique can also be used for microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (MicroTESE), to retrieve sperm in infertile men.

RESULTS

In two infertile men MicroTESE was also performed. Histology revealed one case each of seminoma, Leydig‐cell tumour, Leydig cell hyperplasia, atrophy, normality in the incidental forms, and complicated cysts of the albuginea. In the follow‐up for infertility reasons, no scarring was observable on the tunica albuginea in the men who had conservative therapy. One year later the patient with seminoma was free of disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The increasingly frequent detection of benign testicular lesions, particularly in infertile men, calls for a surgical approach that must be as conservative as possible for the testicular parenchyma. We think that microsurgery should be the first‐line technique in small suspected testicular lesions in infertile men.
Porcine small intestinal submucosa as a percutaneous mid‐urethral sling: 2‐year results
Authors: Jones J. Stephen , Rackley Raymond R. , Berglund Ryan , Abdelmalak Joseph B. , Deorco Gerard , Vasavada Sandip P.
Published: June 2005

OBJECTIVE

To report the 2‐year follow‐up results on patients treated with a novel minimally invasive outpatient procedure for placing a mid‐urethral sling, using porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty‐four women with urodynamic evidence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI, 19) or of SUI with a positive cough test (15) were treated. A curved ligature carrier was used to create a tract between bilateral suprapubic stab incisions and a 2‐cm mid‐urethral vaginal incision. A suture secured to each end of the SIS sling was placed through the eyelet of the ligature carrier. Extraction was used to position the sling at the mid‐urethra, providing a backboard of support that was remodelled with ingrowth of the patient's autologous tissue.

RESULTS

SUI was reportedly cured in 27 of the 34 women (79%) at the 2‐year follow‐up; three (9%) of those with no complete resolution were pleased with their results, because the improvement allowed them to wear an average one or fewer pads per day. One patient developed de novo urge incontinence. Three patients (9%) developed suprapubic inflammation at 10, 21 and 45 days after surgery; all resolved, but one had a recurrence of SUI. No prolonged retention, erosion or other complications were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Early results with the percutaneous mid‐urethral placement of SIS are promising and potentially comparable with those after using synthetic minimally invasive slings.
An updated view of hemostasis: mechanisms of hemostatic dysfuntion associated with sepsis
Authors: Hopper Kate , Bateman Shane
Published: June 2005

Objective: To review the current understanding of mechanisms involved in normal hemostasis and to describe the changes associated with pro‐inflammatory disease processes such as sepsis.

Data sources: Original research articles and scientific reviews.

Human data synthesis: Organ damage caused by sepsis is created in part by the interdependent relationship between hemostasis and inflammation. Markers of coagulation have been found to have prognostic value in human patients with sepsis and there are both experimental and clinical investigations of the therapeutic potential of modulating the hemostatic system in sepsis. Improvement of 28‐day all‐cause mortality in severe sepsis by treatment with recombinant human activated Protein C strongly supports the interdependence of hemostasis and inflammation in the pathophysiology of sepsis.

Veterinary data synthesis: Publications reporting clinical evaluation of the hemostatic changes occurring in septic dogs or cats are minimal. Experimental animal models of sepsis reveal significant similarity between human and animal sepsis and may provide relevance to clinical veterinary medicine until prospective clinical evaluations are published.

Conclusions: It is now apparent that inflammation and the coagulation system are intimately connected. Understanding this relationship provides some insight into the pathogenesis of the hemostatic changes associated with sepsis. This new updated view of hemostasis may lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches to sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation in veterinary medicine.
RADIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY OF THE THORAX AND ABDOMEN OF THE COMMON MARMOSET (CALLITHRIX JACCHUS)
Authors: Wagner Wencke M. , Kirberger Robert M.
Published: June 2005

A standard radiographic procedure was developed for the thorax and abdomen in the common marmoset. A description and reference values for the corresponding radiographic anatomy are given. Radiographs were obtained from 17 anaesthetized healthy mature marmosets ranging from 1.5 to 9 years and 328 to 506 g. Left‐to‐right lateral recumbent and ventrodorsal whole‐body radiographs made at end inspiration are recommended. Images of the heart, lungs, liver, gastric axis, and at least one kidney could be evaluated consistently. A generalized interstitial/peribronchial pattern was normally present. The mean of the vertebral heart size±SD on dorsoventral or ventrodorsal views was 9.42 (±0.44), ranging from 8.8 to 10.6. Abdominal detail was generally poor. The gastrointestinal structures could often only be identified because of their luminal gas. The right liver lobes were prominent and extended caudally beyond the costal arch. The pylorus was in a central position and the spleen could not be distinguished. Additionally, pancreas, lymph nodes, urinary bladder, and ureters were not identified. A statistically significant difference (P≤0.05) between female and male kidney length existed. This study emphasizes that significant species differences exist, and simply applying canine or feline radiographic interpretation will result in misinterpretation.
TRANSCUTANEOUS ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE ABDOMEN IN THE NORMAL COMMON MARMOSET (CALLITHRIX JACCHUS)
Authors: Wagner Wencke M. , Kirberger Robert M.
Published: June 2005

Ultrasonographic examinations were performed on 17 clinically healthy adult common marmosets to gain information about the normal abdominal echoanatomy. The marmosets were 1.5–9 years of age and weighed between 328 and 506 g. Marked species‐specific differences compared with the cat or dog were noted. Good images of the kidneys, bladder, spleen, adrenal glands, liver, and the gastrointestinal tract could be obtained. The pancreas, caecum, and abdominal lymph nodes were not seen. The spleen was the least echogenic organ, followed by the medium echogenic liver and the sometimes isoechoic, but mostly hyperechoic renal cortex. The kidneys had a poor corticomedullary distinction. The prominent right lobes of the liver extended caudally far beyond the costal arch. The gallbladder had a bi‐ to multi‐lobed appearance with a wide, tortuous cystic duct. The pylorus was centrally positioned. The adrenal glands were readily seen, but should not be confused with the adjacent spleen. A statistically significant (P<0.05) difference between female and male kidney, and right adrenal gland length was present.
Size selectivity of hyaluronan molecular sieving by extracellular matrix in rabbit synovial joints
Authors: Sabaratnam S. , Arunan V. , Coleman P. J. , Mason R. M. , Levick J. R.
Published: June 2005

In joint fluid the polymer hyaluronan (HA) confers viscous lubrication and greatly attenuates trans‐synovial fluid loss (outflow buffering). Outflow buffering arises from the molecular sieving (reflection) and concentration polarization of HA at the synovial membrane surface. Outflow buffering declines if HA chain length is reduced, as in arthritis, and this has been attributed to reduced HA reflection. This was tested directly in the present study. Infused solutions of HA of ∼2200 kDa (HA2000, 0.2 mg ml−1) or ∼500 kDa (HA500, 0.2 mg ml−1) or ∼140 kDa (HA140, 0.2–4.0 mg ml−1) were filtered across the synovial lining of the knee joint cavity of anaesthetized rabbits at a constant rate, along with a freely permeating reference solute, 20 kDa fluorescein–dextran (FD20). After a priming period the femoral lymph was sampled over 3 h. Mixed intra‐articular (i.a.) fluid and subsynovial fluid were sampled at the end. Fluids were analysed by gel exclusion chromatography. The trans‐synovial concentration profile was found to depend on polymer size. The i.a. concentration of HA2000 increased substantially relative to infusate and the subsynovial and lymph concentrations fell substantially. For HA500 and HA140 the trans‐synovial concentration gradients were less pronounced, and absent for FD. The reflected fractions for HA2000, HA500 and HA140 across the cavity‐to‐lymph barrier were 0.65 ± 0.05 (n= 10), 0.43 ± 0.09 (n= 3) and 0.19 ± 0.05 (n= 7), respectively, at matched filtration rates (P < 0.0001, analysis of variance). Reflected fractions calculated from HA i.a. accumulation or subsynovial dilution showed the same trend. The results demonstrate size‐selective molecular sieving by the synovial extracellular matrix, equivalent to steric exclusion from cylindrical pores of radius 33–59 nm. The findings underpin the concentration polarization‐outflow buffering theory and indicate that reduced HA chain length in arthritis exacerbates lubricant loss from a joint.
Mitofusins 1/2 and ERRα expression are increased in human skeletal muscle after physical exercise
Authors: Cartoni Romain , Léger Bertrand , Hock M. Benjamin , Praz Manu , Crettenand Antoinette , Pich Sara , Ziltener Jean‐Luc , Luthi François , Dériaz Olivier , Zorzano Antonio , Gobelet Charles , Kralli Anastasia , Russell Aaron P.
Published: June 2005

Mitochondrial impairment is hypothesized to contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Mitofusin (Mfn) proteins regulate the biogenesis and maintenance of the mitochondrial network, and when inactivated, cause a failure in the mitochondrial architecture and decreases in oxidative capacity and glucose oxidation. Exercise increases muscle mitochondrial content, size, oxidative capacity and aerobic glucose oxidation. To address if Mfn proteins are implicated in these exercise‐induced responses, we measured Mfn1 and Mfn2 mRNA levels, pre‐, post‐, 2 and 24 h post‐exercise. Additionally, we measured the expression levels of transcriptional regulators that control mitochondrial biogenesis and functions, including PGC‐1α, NRF‐1, NRF‐2 and the recently implicated ERRα. We show that Mfn1, Mfn2, NRF‐2 and COX IV mRNA were increased 24 h post‐exercise, while PGC‐1α and ERRα mRNA increased 2 h post‐exercise. Finally, using in vitro cellular assays, we demonstrate that Mfn2 gene expression is driven by a PGC‐1α programme dependent on ERRα. The PGC‐1α/ERRα‐mediated induction of Mfn2 suggests a role of these two factors in mitochondrial fusion. Our results provide evidence that PGC‐1α not only mediates the increased expression of oxidative phosphorylation genes but also mediates alterations in mitochondrial architecture in response to aerobic exercise in humans.
HIGHLIGHTS OF RECENT RESULTS WITH CLAS
Authors:   For the CLAS Collaboration., BURKERT VOLKER D.
Published: June 2005

Recent results on the study of the electromagnetic structure of nucleon resonances, the spin structure of protons and neutrons at small and intermediate photon virtuality, and the search for exotic pentaquark baryons are presented.
GENERAL REVIEW OF BES PHYSICS, ACHIEVEMENT AND FUTURE
Authors:   Representing BES Collaboration., LI WEIGUO
Published: June 2005

A general review of BES physics results are given. New results from BES on J/ψ, ψ(2S) and ψ(3770) decays are presented. Enhancement of the [Formula: see text] mass spectrum at the threshold is observed in the decay of J/ψ to [Formula: see text]. Analyzes of sigma and kappa signals are reported in J/ψ to ωπ+π- and J/ψ to [Formula: see text] respectively. Results of new ψ(2S) decay channels are reported and compared with 12% rule. Some results from ψ(3770) scanning and D decays are reported. The status of BEPCII/BESIII project is briefly reported.
HIGHLIGHTS OF CRYSTAL BALL PHYSICS
Authors:   For the Crystal Ball Collaboration., NEFKENS B. M. K.
Published: June 2005

Differential and total cross sections are presented for π-- and K--induced reactions on a proton target leading to all-neutral final states. Also shown are rates for rare and upper limits for forbidden eta-meson decays to test Chiral Perturbation Theory, the π0π0 interactions and C and CP invariance.
CELSIUS PHYSICS: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
Authors:   Representing the CELSIUS/WASA Collaboration:, JOHANSSON TORD
Published: June 2005

The experimental program on meson production in light-ion collisions at the CELSIUS cooler/storage ring of the The Svedberg Laboratory in Uppsala, is reviewed. Production of pions and eta-mesons have been studied in pp and pd collisions using the PROMICE/WASA detector. This program is now continued at CELSIUS with the WASA4π detector together with studies of meson decays.
NUCLEON AND PION FORM FACTORS IN DIFFERENT FORMS OF RELATIVISTIC KINEMATICS
Authors: DESPLANQUES B.
Published: June 2005

Calculations of form factors in different forms of relativistic kinematics are presented. They involve the instant, front and point forms. In the two first cases, different kinematical conditions are considered while in the latter case, both a Dirac-inspired approach and a hyperplane-based one are incorporated in our study. Numerical results are presented for the pion form factors with emphasis on both the low and high Q2 range. A new argument is presented, explaining why some approaches do considerably much better than other ones when only a single-particle current is considered.
PRESENT STATUS OF CHIRAL PERTURBATION THEORY
Authors: PICH A.
Published: June 2005

The basic ideas and methods of chiral perturbation theory are briefly reviewed. I discuss the recent attempts to build an effective Lagrangian in the resonance region and summarize the known large–NC constraints on the low-energy chiral couplings.
DECAY OF BARYON RESONANCES
Authors: KREWALD S. , SCHNEIDER S. , SIBIRTSEV A. , HAIDENBAUER J. , MEIßNER U.-G.
Published: June 2005

A model for two-pion production in pion-induced reactions including the excitation of baryon resonances is presented and applied to the recent Brookhaven data. The impact of the Θ+(1540) resonance on differential and integrated cross sections for kaon reactions on nuclei is analysed using the Jülich kaon-nucleon model. An upper limit for the width of the pentaquark candidate of 1 MeV results.
STUDY OF THE BREATHING MODE OF THE NUCLEON IN α-p AND p-p SCATTERING
Authors: MORSCH HANS-PETER
Published: June 2005

In α-p and p-p scattering at energies in the GeV region a strong "scalar" N* excitation has been observed in the mass region of the lowest P11 resonance, with characteristic properties quite different from the Roper resonance seen in π-N and γ-N. From the t-dependence in p-p scattering a P11 assignment is clearly supported. Further, from exclusive p+p → p p π+ π- data a dominant 2π-N decay of this resonance is deduced. In a DWBA description the differential cross sections were found to be sensitive to the nucleon transition density. To describe all p-p data at beam momenta between 9 and 30 GeV/c a surface peaked transition density had to be utilized. Equivalent information on the charge transition density can be obtained from the longitudinal electron scattering amplitude S1/2, deduced from polarized e-p scattering experiments. Combining the analysis of (p,p') and (e,e'), for the "scalar" P11 we obtain the following results: a) a valence quark excitation is clearly seen, b) strong sea-quark effects are observed, which are significantly larger than the valence quark contribution, c) the sea-quark transition density shows "breathing", indicating that these effects are already present in the g.s. nucleon.
ON THE COMPLEXION OF PSEUDOSCALAR MESONS
Authors: HÖLL A. , KRASSNIGG A. , ROBERTS C. D. , WRIGHT S. V.
Published: June 2005

A strongly momentum-dependent dressed-quark mass function is basic to QCD. It is central to the appearance of a constituent-quark mass-scale and an existential prerequisite for Goldstone modes. Dyson-Schwinger equation (DSEs) studies have long emphasised this importance, and have proved that QCD's Goldstone modes are the only pseudoscalar mesons to possess a nonzero leptonic decay constant in the chiral limit when chiral symmetry is dynamically broken, while the decay constants of their radial excitations vanish. Such features are readily illustrated using a rainbow-ladder truncation of the DSEs. In this connection we find (in GeV): fηc(1S)=0.233, mηc(2S)=3.42; and support for interpreting η(1295), η(1470) as the first radial excitations of η(548), η′(958), respectively, and K(1460) as the first radial excitation of the kaon. Moreover, such radial excitations have electromagnetic diameters greater than 2 fm. This exceeds the spatial length of lattices used typically in contemporary lattice-QCD.
PION-NUCLEON CHARGE EXCHANGE MEASUREMENTS IN THE REGION OF THE P11(1440) RESONANCE
Authors:   For the Crystal Ball Collaboration: The Crystal Ball Collaboration at Brookhaven National Laboratory consisted of A. Barker, C. Bircher, C. Carter, M. Daugherity, B. Draper, S. Hayden, J. Huddleston, D. Isenhower, M. Jerkins, M. Joy, C. Robinson, M. Sadler and S. Watson, Abilene Christian University, C. Allgower, R. Cadman and H. Spinka, Argonne National Laboratory, J. Comfort, K. Craig and A. Ramirez, Arizona State University, T. Kycia (deceased), Brookhaven National Laboratory, M. Clajus, A. Marusic, S., SADLER MICHAEL E.
Published: June 2005

Measurements of differential cross sections for pion-nucleon charge exchange, π-p→π0n, in the region of the P11(1440), or Roper, resonance are presented. These data were obtained as part of the baryon spectroscopy program using the Crystal Ball detector at the Alternating Gradient Synchrocyclotron (AGS) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). Data were taken in 1998 with a liquid hydrogen target and in 2002 with CH 2 and C targets.
BARYONIC DECAYS OF CHARMONIUM — A WINDOW ON INTERNAL BARYON STRUCTURE
Authors: CIEPLÝ A.
Published: June 2005

The baryonic decays of J/ψ provide a new way to study the internal structure of baryons. A simple diquark model applied to the calculation of the [Formula: see text] decay cross-sections is compared with the ordinary constituent quark model. Various models also give different predictions for the rates involving the N*(1440) resonance in the final state.