bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beam emission spectroscopy measurement for density fluctuations in compact helical system
Authors: Oishi Tetsutarou , Tanaka Satoru , Kado Shinichiro , Yoshinuma Mikirou , Ida Katsumi , Okamura Shoichi ,   CHS group
Published: October 2004

A system of beam emission spectroscopy (BES) which has been proposed as a method for the measurement of long wavelength plasma density fluctuations has been applied to compact helical system (CHS). Spatial channels of BES consist of 16 optical fibers with object lenses focused on the plasma minor radius in CHS. Spatial resolution which corresponds to the width of a sightline and the spatial pitch between sightlines are 1.0 and 1.1 cm on the imaging surface, respectively. The hydrogen neutral beam for heating with the acceleration voltage of about 28 keV is used for the probe beam. The avalanche photodiode detectors combined with a 100 kHz low-pass filter are used as photon detectors. The temporal evolution of the inverse density scale length Ln−1 and the density fluctuation were measured simultaneously at the edge region where the beam attenuation was negligible. As an initial result, the rapid increase of the local plasma density gradient near the plasma edge accompanied by a coherent-like density fluctuation of several kilohertz was detected by using this system when the edge particle transport barrier was formed. Measuring the density fluctuations at the inner regions considering the beam profile, its attenuation, and normalized radii of the sightlines with finite beta shift will be a subject of study in the future.
Formation of nonlinear magnetic islands via trapped electrons in the lower-hybrid range
Authors: Jovanović D. , Shukla P. K.
Published: October 2004

Coherent nonlinear stationary state is studied in the frequency and spatial domain of electromagnetic lower-hybrid waves in a beam-plasma configuration that is subjected to the oblique linear Buneman instability. In the presence of magnetic shear, a solution is found in the form of a nonlinear chain of magnetic islands. Such equilibrium may represent the saturated state of fast collisionless magnetic reconnection that is reached after the reconnection has ended. It is demonstrated that the topological constraints that hamper the reconnection of magnetic field lines in the fluid representation are efficiently removed by the nonlinear currents and space charges of trapped electrons. Two distinct trapping mechanisms are distinguished. Besides the electrostatic trapping of particles in the self-consistent minima of potential energy, a different type of magnetic trapping is identified that is responsible for the creation of thin current sheets at the separatrices between open and closed magnetic field lines. Combined effects of the resulting two types of nonlinear phase-space vortices provide for a topological transformation of a sheared magnetic field into a single chain of magnetic islands coupled with a double chain of hydrodynamic vortices.
Quasistatic electric-field-modulated optical pattern transition in a thin nematic liquid-crystal film with a single feedback mirror
Authors: Hsu Hsu-Kuan , Lai Yinchieh , Chen Shu-Hsia
Published: October 2004

We present here the pattern formation in the transverse profile of a continuous-wave laser beam passing through a parallel planar-aligned nematic liquid crystal (NLC) film biased by a quasistatic electric field and then reflected back to the sample cell by a single planar mirror. The effect of the biasing voltage is studied through the ability to change the nonlinearity by modulating the orientation of the NLC molecules electrically. By suitably modulating the quasistatic electric field the optical pattern transition from the hexagon to the roll is achieved. The pattern transition can be explained by the linear stability analysis for the nonlinear liquid crystal film with optical feedback.
Nanocrystallization of FeCoZrB alloys studied by Co59 nuclearmagnetic resonance
Authors: Jędryka E. , Wójcik M. , Švec P. , Škorvánek I.
Published: October 2004

Co 59 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to monitor structural modifications of Fe44.5Co44.5Zr7B4 amorphous ribbon induced by heat treatment at 510 and 560°C. A precipitation of highly ordered (B2 phase) nanocrystalline Co45Fe55 particles has been evidenced upon annealing. Within the amorphous matrix a preferential clustering of Co78Zr22-like local environments occurs, leading to the compositionally modulated structure.
On the origin of ultrahigh cryogenic strength of nanocrystalline metals
Authors: Wang Y. M. , Ma E.
Published: October 2004

At liquid nitrogen temperature, the yield strength of nanocrystalline Ni and Co increases by as much as 50%–80% over the already-impressive (∼1GPa) room-temperature values. This unusual strength ratio as well as the remarkable magnitude of flow stress reached (as high as 2.5GPa) are unexpected for conventional close-packed pure metals. The strong temperature dependence is attributed to the unusually small activation volume measured in strain rate change tests. Grain boundary dislocation nucleation is proposed as the thermally activated deformation mechanism in nanocrystalline grains.
Hydrogen diffusion and interpretation of the 200K anelastic relaxation in NiTi alloys
Authors: Mazzolai F. M. , Coluzzi B. , Mazzolai G. , Biscarini A.
Published: October 2004

The internal friction, the Young’s modulus, and the heat flow have been measured as a function of temperature (20–360K) at kilohertz frequencies in a H-free and H-doped Ni50.8Ti49.2 alloy, solubilized under vacuum and rapidly furnace cooled. The chemical H-diffusion coefficient DC has been deduced from absorption experiments (323–1063K) and has been compared with the Einstein diffusion coefficient DE derived from a Snoek (or Zener)-type relaxation PH. The comparison has allowed the interpretation of the so-called 200K relaxation as a Snoek (or Zener)-type relaxation due to hydrogen.
Chemisorption on semiconductor nanocomposites: A mechanism for hydrogen storage
Authors: Williamson A. J. , Reboredo F. A. , Galli Giulia
Published: October 2004

We present first-principles, computational predictions of a porous, nanostructured semiconductor material that will reversibly store hydrogen for fuel cell applications. The material is competitive with current metal hydride storage materials, but contains only carbon and silicon, reducing both its cost and environmental impact. Additionally, unlike metal hydrides, the core skeleton structure of this material is unaltered when cycling from full hydrogen storage to full hydrogen depletion, removing engineering complications associated with expansion∕contraction of the material.
Low-temperature bonding of silicon-oxide-covered wafers using diluted HF etching
Authors: Tong Q.-Y. , Gan Q. , Fountain G. , Hudson G. , Enquist P.
Published: October 2004

For bonded pairs of silicon-oxide-covered wafers, the bonding energy at low temperatures is significantly enhanced by very slight etching of the silicon oxide surfaces in diluted (0.05%–0.2%) HF aqueous solutions prior to room temperature contacting. The bonding energy is a factor of 10 higher than standard bonded pairs to about 2000mJ∕m2 after annealing at 100°C. The improved surface cleaning and activation with desired surface termination have been achieved by the HF dip. A fluorine concentration peak at the bonding interface measured by secondary ion mass spectroscopy suggests that the number of Si–O–Si covalent bonds at the bonding interface appears to be increased appreciably by the formation of fluorinated silicon oxide that absorbs water effectively.
Pressure-induced changes in the conductivity of AlGaN∕GaN high-electron mobility-transistor membranes
Authors: Kang B. S. , Kim S. , Ren F. , Johnson J. W. , Therrien R. J. , Rajagopal P. , Roberts J. C. , Piner E. L. , Linthicum K. J. , Chu S. N.G. , Baik K. , Gila B. P. , Abernathy C. R. , Pearton S. J.
Published: October 2004

AlGaN ∕ GaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) show a strong dependence of source∕drain current on the piezoelectric-polarization-induced two-dimensional electron gas. The spontaneous and piezoelectric-polarization-induced surface and interface charges can be used to develop very sensitive but robust sensors for the detection of pressure changes. The changes in the conductance of the channel of a AlGaN∕GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) membrane structure fabricated on a Si substrate were measured during the application of both tensile and compressive strain through changes in the ambient pressure. The conductivity of the channel shows a linear change of −(+)6.4×10−2mS∕bar for application of compressive (tensile) strain. The AlGaN∕GaN HEMT membrane-based sensors appear to be promising for pressure sensing applications.
Deformation potentials of CdSe quantum dots
Authors: Li Jingbo , Wang Lin-Wang
Published: October 2004

The size-dependent deformation potentials of CdSe quantum dots are studied by first-principle and semiempirical pseudopotential calculations. We find that the amplitude of the quantum dot deformation potential is only slightly larger than the bulk value, and this increase is mostly caused by the off-Γ point deformation potentials in the bulk, which are larger in amplitude than the Γ point deformation potential.
Tailored conductivity behavior in nanocrystalline nickel ferrite
Authors: Baruwati Babita , Reddy K. Madhusudan , Manorama Sunkara V. , Singh Rajnish K. , Parkash Om
Published: October 2004

In this letter, we report an important issue in nanoparticle synthesis by the “bottom up” approach. By controlling the pH of the starting mixture of the salts we have been successful in obtaining the desired conductivity of nanosized nickel ferrite. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the size, structure, and morphology of the nanoferrites. All the materials are typical semiconducting oxides whose conductivity depends on the pH of the starting salt solution. Direct current and alternating current conductivity studies coupled with thermoelectric measurements and the resultant activation energies help us to propose the mechanism of conductivity in these ferrites. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies are indicative of Ni3+ presence in p-type ferrite. The n- and p-type conductivity in these materials is attributed to the hopping due to the presence of Fe3+ and Ni3+ ions, respectively.
Improvement of the uniformity of self-assembled InAs quantum dots grown on InGaAs∕GaAs by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Yang Tao , Tsukamoto Shiro , Tatebayashi Jun , Nishioka Masao , Arakawa Yasuhiko
Published: October 2004

We report an approach to improve the uniformity of self-assembled InAs quantum dots (QDs) grown on a strained In0.12Ga0.88As buffer layer on GaAs substrates by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. By inserting a thin GaAs layer between the InAs QD layer and the In0.12Ga0.88As buffer layer and examining its thickness effect, we demonstrate that the photoluminescence (PL) inhomogeneous linewidth from the QDs can be improved by increasing the thickness of the thin GaAs layer. The PL inhomogeneous linewidth is significantly decreased from about 70to20meV at 7K as the thickness is increased from 0to2nm. This significant improvement of the PL inhomogeneous linewidth is due to the fact that the QDs change from a bimodal distribution to a monomodal distribution consisting only of large QDs as a result of the inserted thin GaAs layer.
High-sensitivity laser-based acoustic microscopy using a modulated excitation source
Authors: Murray T. W. , Balogun O.
Published: October 2004

A laser-based acoustic microscopy system has been developed that uses an amplified electroabsorption modulated diode laser for narrow bandwidth acoustic wave generation at frequencies up to 200 MHz. The detection bandwidth reduction afforded by this technique allows for a significant improvement in signal-to-noise ratio over systems using pulsed-laser excitation and broadband detection. Femtometer range displacement sensitivity is demonstrated, allowing for materials characterization with only minimal surface heating. The source modulation frequency is scanned over the bandwidth of interest and the transient response of the specimen is reconstructed from the frequency domain data. This signal processing approach allows for easy identification of individual acoustic arrivals or multiple acoustic modes.
Suppression of convective cell generation by Alfvén waves in the ionospheric auroral cavity
Authors: Onishchenko O. A. , Pokhotelov O. A. , Balikhin M. A. , Stenflo L. , Sagdeev R. Z.
Published: October 2004

A theory for the parametric interaction of inertial Alfvén wave (IAW) packets with large-scale convective cells accounting for the nonzero ratio of the Alfvén and light velocities is presented. It is shown that in the auroral plasma cavity where the Alfvén velocity has its maximum value, the parametric interaction of IAWs with convective cells is substantially reduced. In this region the Alfvén velocity is comparable to the speed of light and thus the displacement current cannot be neglected. This current plays a stabilizing role and results in a decline of the parametric instability growth rate. On the contrary, the incorporation of the finite width of the IAW packet leads to increase in the convective cell growth rate. A compact expression for the instability growth rate and the optimal conditions for the fastest growing convective mode are derived. The relevance of the theory to recent spacecraft measurements in the Earth’s ionosphere is pointed out.
Fluid, electrolytes and nutrition: physiological and clinical aspects
Authors: Lobo Dileep N.
Published: October 2004

Fluid and electrolyte balance is often poorly understood and inappropriate prescribing can cause increased post-operative morbidity and mortality. The efficiency of the physiological response to a salt or water deficit, developed through evolution, contrasts with the relatively inefficient mechanism for dealing with salt excess. Saline has a Na+:Cl-of 1:1 and can produce hyperchloraemic acidosis, renal vasoconstriction and reduced glomerular filtration rate. In contrast, the more physiological Hartmann's solution with a Na+:Cl-of 1·18:1 does not cause hyperchloraemia and Na excretion following infusion is more rapid. Salt and water overload causes not only peripheral and pulmonary oedema, but may also produce splanchnic oedema, resulting in ileus or acute intestinal failure. This overload may sometimes be an inevitable consequence of resuscitation, yet it may take 3 weeks to excrete this excess. It is important to avoid unnecessary additional overload by not prescribing excessive maintenance fluids after the need for resuscitation has passed. Most patients require 2–2·5 litres water and 60–100?mmol?Na\d for maintenance in order to prevent a positive fluid balance. This requirement must not be confused with those for resuscitation of the hypovolaemic patient in whom the main aim of fluid therapy is repletion of the intravascular volume. Fluid and electrolyte balance is a vital component of the metabolic care of surgical and critically-ill patients, with important consequences for gastrointestinal function and hence nutrition. It is also of importance when prescribing artificial nutrition and should be given the same careful consideration as other nutritional and pharmacological needs.
GenomeMixer: a complex genetic cross simulator
Authors: Williams Alexander G. , Williams Robert W.
Published: October 2004

Summary: GenomeMixer is a cross-platform application that simulates meiotic recombination events for large and complex multigenerational genetic crosses among sexually reproducing diploid species and outputs simulated progeny to several standard mapping programs.

Availability: Documentation, C++ source, and binaries for Mac OS X and x86 Linux are freely available at http://www.nervenet.org/genome_mixer/. GenomeMixer can be compiled on any system with support for the Trolltech Qt toolkit, including Windows.
II. TRADE MARK LAW: THE COMMUNITY'S THINKING WIDENS AND DEEPENS
Authors: Seville Catherine
Published: October 2004

Trade marks remain hugely important for the economy of the Community. Enlargement has brought a steep increase in filings for the Community Trade Mark, and the new rate of applications seems likely to be maintained. As always, a balance must be struck between the Community's priorities, and those of the trade mark holder. Considerable harmonization of Community trade mark law has already been achieved by legislative means. There is an abundance of new case law, giving detailed and practical guidance for the interpretation of these measures. As a result, those using trade mark systems throughout the Community will benefit from increased consistency and depth of understanding in the application of the regime. The wider international scene will be given welcome recognition by the Community's accession to the Madrid Protocol. The Community's position on international exhaustion remains essentially unchanged, although the matter is still a controversial one.
I. ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS AND BLOCKING STATUTES: LEWIS v ELIADES
Authors: Kellman Elaine
Published: October 2004

The decision by the Court of Appeal in Lewis v Eliades1 dealt for the first time in the English courts with the question of whether a foreign judgment regularly obtained and otherwise enforceable by common law action, could be enforced in England where a part of the judgment was for treble damages
II. THE ANTI-SUIT INJUNCTION IN THE EUROPEAN JUDICIAL SPACE: TURNER v GROVIT1
Authors: Kruger Thalia
Published: October 2004

This case deals with the use of the English law anti-suit injunction in combination with the Brussels Convention.2That Convention has since been replaced by the so-called Brussels I Regulation.3The Regulation kept the structure and basic rules of the Convention so that this judgment will stay effective and the rule established by it will apply equally under the Regulation.
THE USE OF FORCE: INTERNATIONAL LAW AFTER IRAQ
Authors: Brunnée Jutta , Toope Stephen J
Published: October 2004

Debates surrounding the second Iraq war have prompted a range of commentators to diagnose the death of the law on the use of force, to call for its adaptation to the globalization of threats and the problem of so-called failed States, or to assert the need to defend the UN Charter framework. In this article, we look behind the shrill rhetoric of the post-invasion commentary and invite a sober assessment of the current situation. Our aim is not to evaluate in detail the legality of the Iraq war. Others have done so thoroughly.1Rather, we are interested in exploring whether we are truly at a turning point for international norms and institutions governing the use of force. If we do confront a ‘fork in the road’, as suggested by Kofi Annan in his address to the UN General Assembly on 23 September 2003,2what changes to legal institutions and structures are required, and what new claims should we resist?
TORTURE
Authors: Hope David
Published: October 2004

I am deeply conscious of the fact, as I consider the subject of torture, that I have led a very sheltered life. I have never been tortured. I have never seen anybody being tortured. Nor have I ever met anyone who has undergone this dreadful practice. But I cannot say that I have never met anyone who has had anything to do with it. The Cyprus emergency was at its height during my period of national service. My attempt to persuade the military authorities that my knowledge of classical Greek was a suitable qualification for me to be sent to the island to act as an interpreter was unsuccessful. I was sent instead to serve with an infantry battalion in the British Army of the Rhine in West Germany. I did not think so at the time as we endured one of the coldest winters in living memory in Nordrhein-Westphalia, but I was to discover later that this may well have been the better option. When I went up to university I met someone who had indeed been sent to Cyprus. He had acted as an interpreter when Greek Cypriot members of the Eoka organization were being interrogated. Conscious of the constraints of the Official Secrets Act, he never revealed to me the details of what was done to them during this process. But I had the distinct impression, as we talked, that he had been revolted by it and that things were done which were and would always remain a scar on his memory.
A NEW ERA IN THE LAW OF INTERNATIONAL CARRIAGE BY AIR: FROM WARSAW (1929) TO MONTREAL (1999)
Authors: Cheng Bin
Published: October 2004

For 70 years the 1929 Warsaw Convention,1which came into force in 1933, governed supreme, in its numerous permutations, virtually all international carriage of passengers, baggage and cargo throughout the world and, thanks to voluntary adoption by States, also much of their domestic carriage, albeit with modifications. It was not until 1999 that nations concluded at Montreal the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air2designed to replace it. The latter came into force on 4 November 2003, by coincidence also 70 years after the entry into force of Warsaw.3A new era in the law of international carriage by air has begun.
THE SEPARATION OF POWERS IN THE WTO: HOW TO AVOID JUDICIAL ACTIVISM
Authors: Bartels Lorand
Published: October 2004

As with other legal systems based on a separation of powers, the World Trade Organization is marked by a degree of tension between its political organs and its quasi-judicial organs, in particular the Appellate Body. In late 2000 this tension spilled out into the public domain, when the Appellate Body announced a procedure for the filing ofamicus curiaebriefs in theEC-Asbestoscase.1The question of public participation in WTO dispute settlement proceedings is sensitive to many WTO Members, and in expressly encouraging the submission ofamicusbriefs in this way the Appellate Body was felt to be overstepping its functions.2In the end, this dispute settled with a draw, the Appellate Body deciding that it had no need to consider any of theamicusbriefs submitted in that particular case, and yet still maintaining that panels and the Appellate Body have the right to take unsolicitedamicusbriefs into account, should they so choose.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE DETENTION OF NON-NATIONALS PURSUANT TO IMMIGRATION CONTROL: INTERNATIONAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL LAW PERSPECTIVES
Authors: Wilsher Daniel
Published: October 2004

Fortunately it is still startling, in this country, to find a person held indefinitely in executive custody without accusation of crime or judicial trial. Executive imprisonment has been considered oppressive and lawless since John, at Runnymede, pledged that no free man should be imprisoned, dispossessed, outlawed, or exiled save by the judgment of his peers or by the law of the land, (per Jackson J, Shaughnessy v United States ex rel Mezei 345 US 206 (1953))
WILL ASEAN ECONOMIC INTEGRATION PROGRESS BEYOND A FREE TRADE AREA?
Authors: Tan Lay Hong
Published: October 2004

The raison d'être of ASEAN was a political one,1 to secure the region's peace, stability, and development. Against all odds, the founding members, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand signed the ASEAN Declaration on 8 August 1967. Brunei was admitted in January 1984, Vietnam in 1995, which was followed closely by Laos and Myanmar in 1997. Thirty-two years later, on 30 April 1999, ASEAN formally encompassed all ten countries of South-East Asia by admitting Cambodia.2
ENLARGEMENT, THE EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION, AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
Authors: Schwarze Jürgen
Published: October 2004

The subject of this article is the current state of administrative law in the context of the European integration. It will indicate the prospects for development of administrative law offered by the Convention on the Future of Europe, and its proposed European Constitution, as well as the enlargement of the EU which has taken place. The focus is on rules and general principles of European administrative law. They constitute the main sources of administrative law—written rules as well as unwritten judge-made law, and both the development of these sources and their mutual influence are subjects of the present article.
THE PROTECTION OF IRAQI CULTURAL PROPERTY
Authors: Phuong Catherine
Published: October 2004

Images of widespread looting were the first to come from Baghdad following the entry of US forces into the Iraqi capital city in April 2003. In particular, it is hard to forget the powerful images of smashed display cases, empty vaults, and desperate staff in the Iraqi National Museum. Worse still, the National Library was burnt down. The looting of the Iraqi National Museum took place between 8 April, when the security situation prompted staff to leave the museum, and 12 April when some of them managed to return. Despite early pleadings with US forces to move a tank to guard the museum gates, US tanks did not arrive until 16 April.1 Cynics would say that the protection of the Oil Ministry appeared to take priority at the time.2 Early reports estimated that around 170,000 items went missing from the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad.3 This figure was completely exaggerated and the Bogdanos enquiry established that over 13,000 items had been stolen and about 3,000 recovered by September 2003.4 This article seeks to determine to what extent the US can be held legally responsible for the looting, and then to examine the international legal framework in place to facilitate the recovery and return of the items stolen from the Iraqi National Museum and other Iraqi cultural institutions
I. TIME TO TAKE STOCK ON THE MARKETS: THE FINANCIAL SERVICES ACTION PLAN CONCLUDES AS THE COMPANY LAW ACTION PLAN ROLLS OUT
Authors: Moloney Niamh
Published: October 2004

The European Union's 1999 Financial Services Action Plan (the FSAP), an ambitious reform agenda of forty-two measures, was designed to provide the regulatory underpinning for a single deep and liquid capital market, in which pan-EU market actors are regulated by their home Member State under harmonized rules. This single capital market would lower the cost of capital, unlock funding sources for companies, and increase returns on savings, while widening choice and stimulating competition in the pan-EU financial services industry. After a surge of legislative activity over the last months of 2003 and through early 2004, the FSAP is on track for timely completion in mid-2004, as called for by the March 2003 Brussels European Council. The closing of the current session of the European Parliament in spring 2004, combined with a sharp political focus on the financial markets post-Enron and in the wake of Parmalat, has concentrated EU attention both inter-institutionally and in the market place on delivery of the outstanding measures.1With the adoption of the cornerstone Financial Instruments Markets Directive in April 2004, the FSAP is now, in large part, complete. Implementation should be achieved across the EU by 2006.
The Renormalized Two‐Scale Method
Authors: Cheng Hung
Published: October 2004

We show that, by uniting the two‐scale method with the counterterm method of renormalized perturbation, one obtains approximate solutions of nonlinear motions which hold for all times.
Echocardiographic Assessment of the Right Ventricular Stress–Velocity Relationship Under Normal and Chronic Overload Conditions
Authors: Joyce James J. , Chang Ruey‐Kang R. , Qi Ning , Owens Twyman R. , Ginzton Leonard E. , Baylen Barry G.
Published: October 2004

The effects of chronic volume or pressure overload on the velocity of right ventricular ejection have not been previously well defined. We hypothesized that, as formerly shown for the left ventricle, there would be a direct relationship between the velocity of ejection and an estimate of systolic wall stress. Methods: Echocardiograms of asymptomatic patients, not on cardiac medications, with either an isolated secundum atrial septal defect ≥ 5 mm in diameter or isolated pulmonic stenosis with a peak instantaneous pressure gradient ≥ 20 mmHg, were reviewed. Forty‐one patients with an atrial septal defect and 34 with pulmonary stenosis met criteria, and were compared to age‐matched normal controls. Total subjects were 127 with ages ranging from 1 day to 54 years. Right ventricular monoplane ejection fraction, ejection time corrected for heart rate (ETc), mean normalized systolic ejection rate (MNSERc) and meridianal peak‐systolic wall stress (WSps) were measured. Results: Compared to controls, ejection fractions were not significantly different, but WSps averaged 81% and 110% higher, ETc 8% and 9% longer, and MNSERc 5% and 9% slower in the atrial septal defect and pulmonary stenosis groups, respectively. Among all subjects WSps had a significant linear correlation with ETc (r = 0.61, P < 0.01), MNSERc (r =−0.46, P < 0.01), and ejection fraction (r =−0.19, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Increases in WSps cause an incremental slowing of MNSERc in the right ventricle, with a relationship that is linear over a wide range of normal and abnormal loading conditions. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 21, January 2004)
Syncope Upon Swallowing Caused by an Esophageal Hiatal Hernia Compressing the Left Atrium: A Case Report
Authors: Oishi Yoshifumi , Ishimoto Takeo , Nagase Norio , Mori Kenichi , Fujimoto Sayuri , Hayashi Shigehito , Ochi Yoshie , Kobayashi Kazuo , Tabata Tomotsugu , Oki Takashi
Published: October 2004

We describe a patient with syncope associated with swallowing. This syncope was caused by transient compression of the left atrium (LA) by an esophageal hiatal hernia. Two‐dimensional echocardiography demonstrated a hyperechoic mass compressing the LA from the posterior. With air insufflation of the esophagus, compression of the LA by this hernia sac was seen to increase. Pulsed and color Doppler echocardiography revealed greatly decreased velocity of blood flowing into the LA and left ventricle (LV). Thus, marked compression of the LA by an esophageal hiatal hernia can cause syncope by impeding blood flow from the LA to the LV. Echocardiography proved highly useful in diagnosis. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 21, January 2004)
4  USEFULNESS OF AORTIC VALVE RESISTANCE IN ASSESSMENT OF HEMODYNAMIC SEVERITY IN AORTIC STENOSIS
Authors: Von Hoch F. , Greten T. , Von Hodenberg E. , Schümmelfeder J. , Brunn J. , Schumacher B. , Kerber. S.
Published: October 2004

Purpose: This prospective study was designed to determine the usefulness of aortic valve resistance for the evaluation of aortic stenosis (AS) and separation of patients with severe aortic stenosis from those with milder disease.

Methods: In 193 patients aortic valve area (AVA), mean pressure gradient (Δpmean), valve resistance (VR), left ventricular function (LVF) and cardiac output (CO) were determined by transthoracic echocardiography at rest. A threshold value of valve resistance was identified to seperate patients with truly critical (AVA < 0.7 cm2) from those with truly noncritical aortic stenosis (AVA > 0.8 cm2 and Δpmean < 50 mm Hg). The usefulness of this threshold value for assessing the hemodynamic severity of aortic stenosis was investigated in the subgroup of patients with aortic valve area ranging from 0.7 to 0.8 cm2.

Results: When severe AS was diagnosed in patients (AVA < 0.7 cm2) valve resistance was determined ≥ 250 dyn·s·cm−5 (n = 93, mean: 455.8 ± 169.1 dyn·s·cm−5) in all but one patient with severe LV dysfunction and low CO. In all patients with AS classified as mild to moderate (AVA > 0.8 cm2 and Δpmean < 50 mm Hg) calculated VR was < 250 dyn·s·cm−5 (n = 43, mean: 158.5 ± 48.2 dyn·s·cm−5).

Conclusion: The identified threshold value of VR = 250 dyn·s·cm−5 may help to identify patients with critical aortic stenosis even if aortic valve area is in moderate range.
Reporting bad results: The ethical responsibility of presenting abused women's parenting practices in a negative light
Authors: Buchbinder Eli , Eisikovits Zvi
Published: October 2004

The purpose of this paper is to present and analyse the ethical dilemmas involved in presenting research findings that describe abused women's parenting practices in a negative light. The study was based on data collected by in‐depth interviews for the purpose of examining the turning point among 20 Israeli abused women who refused to live with violence and took active steps to stop it while staying with the perpetrator. Overall the analysis indicated successful survival stories but the women's parenting practices became questionable. This raised dilemmas as to how to present such findings and what are the ethical implications related to interventions with abused women.
Playing with sound: The therapeutic use of music in direct work with children
Authors: Lefevre Michelle
Published: October 2004

Children rarely have the language or the cognitive development to process and convey their experiences solely through words, so spontaneously complement these with symbolic forms of expression and communication, such as play, metaphor and a variety of visual, auditory and kinaesthetic imagery. Consequently, social workers need to supplement verbal methods of assessment and intervention with more symbolic modes of communication and engagement when working directly with children. The play therapy literature has been a key source of guidance and the expressive arts therapies, such as art and drama therapy, are now well represented in the literature and training of social workers in ‘direct work with children’. However, principles and practice from music therapy are under‐represented. The writer, who is a social worker, psychotherapist and musician, shares her reflections on introducing techniques and theoretical approaches from music therapy into her own therapeutically orientated direct work. Suggestions are made as to how other practitioners (both musically trained and not) could develop the use of music as a further ‘tool’ in their direct work with children.
Using concurrent planning to establish permanency for looked after young children
Authors: Monck Elizabeth , Reynolds Jill , Wigfall Valerie
Published: October 2004

Many looked after children spend lengthy periods in impermanent care, and their frequent moves probably contribute to subsequent disturbed behaviour. Concurrent planning aims to reduce the number of moves and the length of time before placement in a permanent family. In this study 24 young children in three concurrent planning (CP) projects and 44 from two ‘traditional’ adoption teams were followed for 12–15 months. Records were obtained of the number of moves between households and the dates of key events before the child's permanent family placement was confirmed by the courts. The CP children moved into permanent families significantly faster and with significantly fewer previous moves than the two comparison groups. Unexpectedly, the CP children were significantly younger than the children following ‘traditional’ adoption programmes, making direct comparison impossible. Among those birth parents who were interviewed, the majority saw advantages in the CP approach. Concurrent planning carers reported high levels of personal anxiety but positive views of the advantages for the children. We conclude that CP can be used to achieve earlier permanence and fewer moves between carers for young children from selected birth families. The success of a CP team is dependent on the support of other professionals involved in determining permanent placements, based on a shared acknowledgement of the damaging effects of delay for the looked after child.
What changes in ‘parenting’ approaches occur over the course of adolescent foster care placements?
Authors: Lipscombe Jo , Moyers Sue , Farmer Elaine
Published: October 2004

An overview of the parenting skills and strategies utilized by foster carers looking after adolescents was given in an earlier paper. This paper focuses specifically on the relationship between the behaviour of fostered adolescents and the quality of parenting provided by the carer. In particular, the paper considers the consequences of situations in which fostered young people have a detrimental impact on other children within the foster family, as this was an especially difficult situation for foster carers to manage. Similarly, foster carers appeared to find it difficult to maintain good parenting skills with young people who were at risk due to their own sexual behaviour although, conversely, caring for a young person whose sexual behaviour put others at risk was connected with improved parenting. The quality of parenting provided by the foster carers was also influenced by the level of stress they were experiencing, with increased levels of stress leading to poorer parenting of the fostered adolescent.
Internal apical resorption and its correlation with the type of apical lesion
Authors: Vier F. V. , Figueiredo J. A. P.
Published: October 2004

Aim  To determine the presence of various periapical pathologies and their association with the presence and extent of internal apical inflammatory root resorption in human teeth.

Methodology  A total of 75 root apices from extracted teeth with periapical lesions were examined. Semi‐serial sections of soft tissue lesions were stained with HE. The lesions were classified as non‐cystic or cystic, and according to the degree of abscess severity: 0, 1, 2 or 3. The apices were reduced to 3 mm in length and longitudinally cut so that the internal aspect could be analyzed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Internal root resorption was also classified as 0, 1, 2 or 3 according to the extent of the resorbed area. Additionally, six vital teeth were used as a control.

Results  Non‐cystic lesions with severe abscesses were the most common finding (70.7%), while 20% of the lesions were cystic (4% little or no abscess; 16% severe abscesses). Non‐cystic lesions with little or no abscess comprised 9.3% of the sample. Of the root canals containing periapical lesions, 48% had internal apical resorption in more than half of the area, while 25.3% of the sample had no internal resorption. Resorption degree 1 was identified in 12% of the cases, and 14.7% showed resorption degree 2. The control group displayed significantly less internal resorption than the test groups.

Conclusions  Most periapical lesions (86.7%), whether cystic (16.0%) or non‐cystic (70.7%), showed large collections of acute inflammatory cells. Apical internal resorption was present in 74.7% of roots and was associated with periapical lesions. There was no correlation between internal apical resorption and the histological diagnosis of the lesions.
A comparative histological evaluation of the biocompatibility of materials used in apical surgery
Authors: Sousa C. J. A. , Loyola A. M. , Versiani M. A. , Biffi J. C. G. , Oliveira R. P. , Pascon E. A.
Published: October 2004

Aim  To evaluate the biological properties of a variety of materials that could be used in apical surgery.

Methodology  The intraosseous implant technique recommended by the FDI (1980) and ADA (1982) was used to test the following materials: zinc oxide‐eugenol (ZOE), mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), and Z‐100 light‐cured composite resin. Thirty guinea‐pigs, 10 for each material, divided into experimental periods of 4 and 12 weeks, received one implant on each side of the lower jaw symphysis. The connective tissue response alongside the lateral wall outside the cup served as a negative control for the technique. At the end of the observation periods, the animals were killed and the specimens prepared for routine histological examination to evaluate their biocompatibility.

Results  The reaction of the tissue to the materials diminished with time. The ZOE cement was highly toxic during the 4‐week experimental period, but this profile changed significantly after 12 weeks, when it showed biocompatible characteristics. MTA and Z‐100 showed biocompatibility in this test model at both time periods.

Conclusions  MTA and Z‐100 composite were biocompatible at 4 and 12 weeks in this experimental model.
In vitro immunoexpression of extracellular matrix proteins in dental pulpal and gingival human fibroblasts
Authors: Martinez E. F. , Araújo V. C.
Published: October 2004

Aim  To compare the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in human pulpal and gingival fibroblasts in vitro.

Methodology  Cultured dental pulp fibroblasts and gingival mucosa fibroblasts were used. Tenascin (TN), fibronectin (FN), type I (col I) and III collagen (col III) and osteonectin (ONEC) were detected by immunofluorescence. Main morphological characteristics were also analysed by light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy.

Results  The results revealed different expression patterns of the proteins. TN and ONEC were only immunoexpressed by pulpal fibroblast cells, suggesting a role of these glycoproteins in formation of mineralized tissues. FN and col I were present in the cytoplasms of both cell types. No expression of col III was detected. Different morphological characteristics were visualized under LM, in which pulpal fibroblasts were spindle‐shaped with a wide cytoplasm, while gingival fibroblast cells exhibited stellate/pyramidal configuration, with rounded nuclei. However, ultrastructurally, both cell lineages showed very well developed rough endoplasmatic reticulum and Golgi complex.

Conclusions  Due to the immunodetection of TN and ONEC on pulpal fibroblasts, the present findings demonstrated that a pulpal fibroblast cell is similar to an osteoblastic cell rather than an undifferentiated mesenchymal cell, such as a gingival fibroblast cell. Functional differences between the two cell lines may then be suggested.
Antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from canals of root filled teeth with periapical lesions
Authors: Pinheiro E. T. , Gomes B. P. F. A. , Drucker D. B. , Zaia A. A. , Ferraz C. C. R. , Souza‐Filho F. J.
Published: October 2004

Aim  To test, in vitro, the susceptibility to different antibiotics of Enterococcus faecalis isolates from canals of root filled teeth with periapical lesions.

Methodology  Twenty‐one E. faecalis isolates, from canals of root filled teeth with persisting periapical lesions, were tested for their antibiotic susceptibilities. The following antibiotics were used: benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin, amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid, erythromycin, azithromycin, vancomycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for the antimicrobial agents were determined using the E‐test System (AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden), and the E. faecalis strains classified as susceptible or resistant according to the guidelines of National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). The strains were also tested for β‐lactamase production with nitrocefin (Oxoid, Basingstoke, UK).

Results  All strains were susceptible to penicillins in vitro, however, the MICs of amoxicillin and amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid (MIC90 = 0.75 μg mL−1) were lower than for benzylpenicillin (MIC90 = 3.0 μg mL−1). All strains studied were also susceptible to vancomycin and moxifloxacin, whilst 95.2% were susceptible to chloramphenicol. Amongst the isolates, 85.7% were susceptible to tetracycline and doxycycline and 80.9% to ciprofloxacin. The MIC of erythromycin ranged from 0.38 to >256 μg mL−1; only 28.5% of the strains were susceptible (MIC ≤ 0.5 μg mL−1). Limited susceptibility was also observed with azithromycin which was active against only 14.2% of isolates. No strains produced β‐lactamase.

Conclusion  Enterococcus faecalis isolates were completely susceptible, in vitro, to amoxicillin, amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid, vancomycin and moxifloxacin. Most isolates were susceptible to chloramphenicol, tetracycline, doxycycline or ciprofloxacin. Erythromycin and azithromycin were least effective.
Survival of surgical endodontic treatment performed in a dental teaching hospital: a cohort study
Authors: Wang Q. , Cheung G. S. P. , Ng R. P. Y.
Published: October 2004

Aim  To assess the survival function of surgical endodontic treatment performed at least 1 year before in a dental teaching hospital.

Methodology  A total of 194 teeth surgically treated between 1991 and 2001 were recalled and examined clinically and radiographically using a set of strict criteria. The Kaplan–Meier method and log rank test were used to evaluate the survival time. Confounding factors were examined by Cox regression analysis.

Results  The median survival time of the 154 first‐time surgically treated teeth was 92.1 months (95% CI: 40.9–143.4) and that of the 40 resurgery cases was 39.1 months (95% CI: 6.1–72.1) up to the date of recall. There was a significant difference in the length of survival between the two groups. For those first‐time surgery cases, the preoperative marginal bone loss and the operator had a significant influence on the survival time (P < 0.05).

Conclusions  The survival of surgical endodontic treatment declined nonlinearly with time. The preoperative marginal bone loss, operator and resurgery were important factors affecting the survival of this treatment modality.
The radix entomolaris in mandibular first molars: an endodontic challenge
Authors: De Moor R. J. G. , Deroose C. A. J. G. , Calberson F. L. G.
Published: October 2004

Aim  To present cases of mandibular first molars with an additional distolingual root (radix entomolaris, RE) and to survey the literature on the incidence of this anatomical feature.

Summary  A major anatomical variant of the two‐rooted mandibular first molar is a tooth with an additional distolingual and third root: the RE. The prevalence of these three‐rooted mandibular first molars appears to be less than 3% in African populations, not to exceed 4.2% in Caucasians, to be less than 5% in Eurasian and Asian populations, and to be higher than 5% (even up to 40%) in populations with Mongolian traits. A total of 18 cases (12 root filled and six extracted mandibular first molars) with an RE were collected during the years 2000–2003 in patients of Caucasian origin. As far as the access was concerned, entering the root canal in the RE required a modification of the opening in a distolingual direction resulting in a trapezoidal opening cavity. None of the orifices was located midway between the mesial and distal root component. Based on the anatomy of the extracted samples and the bending of ISO 10 files after scouting of the root canal in the RE, three types of curvature were detected: (I) straight or no curvature (two cases); (II) coronal third curved and straight continuation to the apex (five cases); and (III) curvature in the coronal third and buccal curvature from the middle third or apical third of the root (11 cases).

Key learning points

Clinicians should be aware of this unusual root morphology in mandibular first molars in Caucasian people.

Radiographs exposed at two different horizontal angles are needed to identify this additional root.

The access cavity must be modified in a distolingual direction in order to visualize and treat the RE, this results in a trapezoidal access cavity.