bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Localization of the prostatic apex for radiotherapy planning: a comparison of two techniques
Authors: Chen L M , Lubich L , Chiru P , Ignacio L , Sweeney P , Chen G T Y , Vijayakumar S
Published: July 2009

Autopsy and pathology studies have shown that the caudal portion of the prostate gland harbors tumour in 64–75% of specimens examined. Accurate localization of the prostatic apex may be important in improving local control with external beam radiation therapy. We compared the location of the apex obtained with CT based treatment planning versus localization using retrograde urethrography in 32 consecutive patients. The prostatic apex, localized by CT and retrograde urethrography, was compared relative to the ischial tuberosities and the symphysis pubis. Discordance between the location of the prostatic apex as defined on CT scan and retrograde urethrography was found in 50% of patients evaluated. There was 31% discordance between the location of the prostatic apex as defined on CT and retrograde urethrography when data were analysed with the location of the prostatic apex 1 cm above the narrowing on urethrography, a definition others have suggested. The urethrogram defined prostatic apex, as compared with the CT definition, necessitated the treatment of more of the surrounding normal tissues in 31% of our cases, with four-field techniques. Comparison of dose–volume histograms of the bladder, rectum and penis irradiated for target volumes defined by CT versus retrograde urethrography showed that more penis was irradiated in some patients with the urethrogram defined prostatic apex; irradiation of the base of the penis could be relatively avoided by using a six-field treatment plan instead of the standard four-field box. There is discordance between the CT and urethrogram defined prostatic apex. Dose-volume histogram information suggests that differences in apex localization can significantly affect doses to normal adjacent prostatic tissues. Combining CT localization with the urethrogram localization of the prostatic apex optimizes radiotherapy planning and dose delivery.
Long-term cardiac mortality after radiotherapy of breast cancer—application of the relative seriality model
Authors: Gagliardi G , Lax I , Ottolenghi A , Rutqvist L E
Published: July 2009

Effects on the heart constitute a potentially significant and serious clinical problem in primary radiation therapy of early breast cancer. Increased cardiac mortality among irradiated patients may offset the potential benefit in terms of a reduced risk of recurrence or of death from breast cancer. Clinical data on long-term cardiac mortality among breast cancer patients included in two randomized trials (the Stockholm and Oslo studies) of radiation therapy as an adjunct to primary surgery were analysed using the relative seriality model of radiation response. Five different radiation therapy techniques were used in the trials. The original treatment plans were recalculated on a group of model patients using a three-dimensional treatment planning system. A mean dose–volume histogram (DVH) was calculated for each treatment technique. Both heart and myocardium, i.e. excluding circulating blood within the heart, were separately investigated as risk organs. Model parameters (D  50, i.e. the dose giving 50% complication probability, γ, i.e. the maximum relative slope of the dose–response curve; s, describing the organ relative seriality) were determined by a χ2 fitting of the calculated probability of excess cardiac mortality, based on the DVHs, to the incidence data. Computed complication probabilities for each treatment technique were modelled within the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the clinical incidence data. It was shown that the relative seriality model, assuming a homogeneous radiation sensitivity within the volume of the heart/myocardium can be used to describe the incidence data. A small dependence on the volume was found. The results do not, however, exclude the possibility that more sensitive structures within the myocardium are the main target for radiation.
MR imaging of juvenile papillomatosis of the breast
Authors: Mussurakis S , Carleton P J , Turnbull L W
Published: July 2009

Juvenile papillomatosis of the breast is a benign, localized proliferative condition encountered mainly in young women. We describe the contrast-enhanced MR imaging findings, including dynamic data, of a patient with histologically proven juvenile papillomatosis of the breast. The pre-contrast T  1 weighted sequence showed a hypointense lobulated mass which enhanced markedly in the post-contrast images. In the dynamic sequence the lesion showed a benign enhancement profile. The most specific feature was the presence of multiple small internal cysts, best shown on the T  2 weighted images. This constellation of findings should suggest juvenile papillomatosis.
Painful ankle swelling—diagnosis by MRI
Authors: Peh W C G , Cheung K M C
Published: July 2009

A 39-year-old man presented with recurrent left ankle swelling. The patient had a similar mass excised from the same ankle 10 years previously but did not know the nature of the lesion. The mass recurred after 3 years, producing progressive swelling of the left ankle. The patient developed increasing left ankle pain in the 3 years prior to the current presentation. He had no other joint involvement or systemic symptoms. On examination, there was nodular swelling around the ankle joint with a consistency which varied from soft to hard on palpation.
Intravascular lipoma of the superior vena cava—CT and MRI appearances
Authors: Thorogood S V , Maskell G F
Published: July 2009

Intravascular lipomata are rare tumours occurring in the major central veins. We report a case in which an asymptomatic lipoma of the superior vena cava presented as mediastinal widening on a chest radiograph. The CT and MR features are presented.
MRI of the pharynx in young patients with sleep disordered breathing
Authors: Suto Y , Matsuda E , Inoue Y
Published: July 2009

15 patients, aged 1–14 years, with sleep disordered breathing underwent turbo fast low angle shot MRI during drug-induced sleep. The site of obstruction within the pharynx was identified. Data from MRI were compared with fibroscopic findings. The degree of hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils as determined by MRI was also compared with that determined by visual inspection while awake. MRI was completed in all cases, whereas fibroscopy was completed in only six of the 10 cases examined. MRI findings agreed with those of fibroscopy in all the patients who underwent both investigations. On MRI, the pharynx was obstructed in 12 of the 15 cases examined (80%); the palatine tonsils were involved in all of these while both the palatine tonsils and nasopharynx were obstructed in three of the 12 cases. One of the 12 patients was graded as Grade I of Mackenzie's scale. One of the cases graded as Grade II showed no obstruction. In conclusion, fast MRI proved useful in identifying the site of pharyngeal obstruction in young patients with sleep disordered breathing.
Sludge in fetal gallbladder: natural history and neonatal outcome
Authors: Petrikovsky B , Klein V , Holsten N
Published: July 2009

Normal and pathological conditions of the fetal gallbladder have been a subject of recent investigation by ultrasonographers. Fetal gallstones are the most common abnormal finding and appear as echogenic foci within the gallbladder. We report a series of five fetuses in whom the gallbladders were filled with sludge which appeared as a pear shape echogenic structure. In the majority of cases, gallbladder sludge mimicked intrahepatic calcification or echogenic bowel. Serial ultrasound examinations of these fetuses revealed good interval growth. The gallbladders remained echogenic and were normal in size in three cases and were moderately enlarged in two. All neonates were born in normal condition with no identifiable malformations. Follow-up was obtained in four infants using abdominal ultrasound. A normal appearing sludge free gallbladder was seen in three neonates at 6 weeks of life and in four infants at 12 weeks. Accurate diagnosis of gallbladder sludge will spare the patient unnecessary work-up and anxiety. The natural history of gallbladder sludge in the fetus is benign in nature and is similar to that of fetal gallstones.
Mandibular bone mineral density as a predictor of skeletal osteoporosis
Authors: Horner K , Devlin H , Alsop C W , Hodgkinson I M , Adams J E
Published: July 2009

A considerable amount of work has been performed on methods of detecting individuals with low bone mass at an early stage. Some researchers have considered if dental radiographs could have a role in the detection of individuals with osteoporosis. A basic requirement for this would be that bone mass in the jaw relates significantly to that of other skeletal sites in which osteoporosis is a significant problem. The first aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mandibular bone mineral density (BMD) and that of other skeletal sites commonly used for bone densitometry in the detection of osteoporosis. The second aim was to assess the validity of mandibular BMD as a predictor of BMD in these other sites. 40 edentulous females underwent dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the lumbar spine (L2–L4), DXA of the right femoral neck, single photon absorptiometry (SPA) of the proximal and distal forearm and DXA of the mandible. Significant correlations were observed between BMD in the mandibular body, ramus and symphysis and all other skeletal sites (p<0.02). Five patients (12.5%) had age matched Z-scores of −1.0 or lower in all three non-mandibular sites (lumbar spine, femoral neck and forearm). Using these patients as the proportion of the population with a positive finding of “low bone mass”, the sensitivity and specificity of mandibular BMD in predicting low bone mass for these patients was determined. Where a diagnostic threshold for low mandibular BMD was set at one standard deviation below the mean, the mandibular body BMD measurement gave high sensitivity (0.8) and specificity (0.97), the symphysis BMD low sensitivity (0.4) but a high specificity (0.77), while the ramus BMD had a moderate level of sensitivity (0.6) and high specificity (0.91). It is concluded that mandibular BMD assessed by DXA correlates significantly with BMD measurements of other important skeletal sites. The higher correlation coefficients and the greater sensitivity and specificity for the body of mandible suggest that this site should be used for any potential clinical application of dental radiographs in detection of osteoporosis.
Agenesis of the right lung diagnosed by three-dimensional reconstruction of helical chest CT
Authors: Wu C T , Chen M R , Shih S L , Huang F Y , Hou S H
Published: July 2009

Unilateral pulmonary agenesis is extremely rare and the diagnosis can be made by a number of conventional methods. We report two cases: a 16-day-old girl and a 14-year-old girl presenting with tachypnoea in whom three-dimensional reconstruction of helical chest computed tomography was used to demonstrate the complete absence of the carina, right main bronchus and right lung. To our knowledge, these are the first cases of right lung agenesis diagnosed by this method.
Severe fibrosis in a patient with scleroderma and previous radiotherapy—a case report and literature review
Authors: Aref I , Cross P , Nair B
Published: July 2009

Patients with scleroderma may develop marked local cutaneous fibrosis following radiation therapy. We describe one patient treated with wide local excision and radiation therapy, who subsequently developed scleroderma with severe fibrosis in the irradiated field.
Myelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
Authors: Foucar Kathryn
Published: July 2009

Myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPNs) are rare de novo myeloid neoplasms that exhibit hybrid dysplastic and proliferative features at presentation. This SHP/EAHP Workshop session was uniquely problematic owing to the overlap between MDS/MPNs and both chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms and myelodysplasia. The borderline between MDS/MPNs and overt acute myeloid leukemias was also an issue, mainly related to the accurate and consistent delineation of blast equivalents such as promonocytes. Aside from juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, genetic features defining specific MDS/MPN subtypes have not been identified. Consequently, there is little change in the 2008 World Health Organization classification of MDS/MPNs compared with the 2001 version.
Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Authors: Orazi Attilio , Czader Magdalena B.
Published: July 2009

Session 4 of the 2007 Workshop of the Society for Hematopathology/European Association for Haematopathology was devoted to myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs). Submitted cases highlighted important issues and difficulties in relation to the diagnosis and classification of MDS. Much of the discussion focused on the correlation, or lack of it, between morphologic examination and other diagnostic techniques, cytogenetics in particular. The cases included examples of isolated del(5q) chromosomal abnormality, including the “classical” 5q– syndrome and other myeloid neoplasms. Other cytogenetic abnormalities in MDSs and the role of cytogenetics in diagnosing MDSs were addressed. Particularly challenging is the correct identification of fibrotic subtypes of MDSs and their separation from subsets of acute myeloid leukemia with myelofibrosis such as acute panmyelosis with myelofibrosis. The association and eventual relation of MDSs (hypoplastic in particular) with aplastic anemia, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, and other nonneoplastic disorders were illustrated.

Novel cytogenetic and molecular genetic approaches are likely to revolutionize the classification of MDSs. However, it is unlikely that these new techniques will be capable, on their own, of adequately stratifying patients for treatment purposes. At least for the foreseeable future, the diagnosis of MDS requires integration of morphologic, immunophenotypic, and genetic features in the light of patient history and clinical manifestations.
Pharmacologic Options to Prevent Postoperative Ileus
Authors: Yeh Yu-Chen , Klinger Elissa V , Reddy Prabashni
Published: July 2009

Objective:

To summarize the evidence on pharmacologic options in preventing postoperative ileus (POI).

Data Sources:

The Cochrane Database of Reviews and OVID databases and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Web site were searched (1950–April 2009) using the term postoperative ileus.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

Meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials were included for review. The FDA Web site was searched for clinical reviews and label information for drugs indicated for the prevention of POI.

Data Synthesis:

Three meta-analyses, 2 on gum-chewing and 1 on alvimopan, and 18 clinical trials were identified. Only gum chewing and alvimopan were effective in preventing POI. Gum chewing reduced the time to first flatus and bowel movement (weighted mean difference 21h, p = 0.0006 and 33h; p = 0.0002, respectively). In one meta-analysis, gum chewing significantly reduced length of stay (LOS) by 2.4 days (p < 0.00001) but this was not replicated in the second meta-analysis. Alvimopan shortened the time to reach a composite endpoint of solid food intake, plus/minus flatus, and bowel movement (93 vs 105 h; p < 0.001). A higher incidence of myocardial infarction was observed in a 12-month study of alvimopan for the treatment of opioid-induced bowel dysfunction, but not in studies in patients undergoing bowel resection. Alvimopan decreased the time to written hospital discharge order (hazard ratio 1.35; p<0.01), while the significance of a reduction in LOS (0.2–1.3 days) was not reported.

Conclusions:

Gum chewing and alvimopan are effective in preventing POI, but given safety concerns and higher cost with alvimopan, gum chewing may be preferred.
Insurance Law Reform in the Commonwealth Caribbean: In the Interests of the Insured Policyholder?
Authors: Walcott Lesley A.
Published: July 2009

This paper focuses on the extensive law reform that has been conducted in the Commonwealth Caribbean with respect to insurance law. The Caribbean's transition from the colonial dependence on United Kingdom eighteenth- and nineteenth-century legislation and its subsequent acceptance of the Caribbean Law Institute's (CLI) Insurance Bill of 1993 is examined within the context of regional integration and the creation of the Caribbean Single Market & Economy. Discussion highlights several shortcomings at both the regional and national level which threaten to undermine the level of protection afforded insured policyholders. Regionally, while the fragmented dialogue on integration mirrors that experienced by the European Union, the Caribbean cannot yet claim the same degree of success. The outcome is that there is an absence of consolidated supervision and/or coherent rules and guidelines. For the insurer, this increases the regulatory complexity of regional insurance business. At the national level, apart from the failure by some territories to embrace the CLI reforms signalling that protection is prima facie dependent on the jurisdiction from which the insured hails, perhaps reflective of the regional harmonization effort, institutional consolidation is being witnessed with the emergence of super ‘one-stop’ regulators by some Caribbean territories. This consolidation, it is canvassed, threatens to further obscure the needs of the insured and even where legislative reform has occurred, as in the case of Jamaica with the 2001 Insurance Act, the philosophical stance is so dissimilar from its regional counterparts that a tension is created that must be accommodated on the regional front. Collectively the developments raise questions as to the raison d'être of insurance law and whether the regime, as currently constructed, is truly capable of meeting the needs of insured policyholders.
Usurping the Role of the Jury? Expert Evidence and Witness Credibility in English Criminal Trials
Authors: Ward Tony
Published: July 2009

The reluctance of English and other common-law criminal courts to admit expert evidence of witness credibility is rooted in two main objections: that such evidence needlessly complicates the jury's task and that it threatens to ‘usurp’ the jury's role. The ‘usurpation’ objection can be understood as referring to a risk that the expert will be accorded unwarranted epistemic authority on matters which it is important for the jury to decide for itself. These objections have substance, and although they apply to expert evidence in general they have particular force when applied to evidence of credibility. But the jury, as a responsible fact-finder, also has a duty to attend to expert evidence that will help it avoid ‘epistemic injustice’. Particularly in rape and sexual abuse cases, there are good reasons for admitting some forms of expert evidence of credibility, and concerns about ‘usurpation’ do not justify the British government's apparent abandonment of proposals to make such evidence more widely admissible in rape trials.
Investigating Missing Person Cases: How Can We Learn Where They Go or How Far They Travel?
Authors: Shalev Karen , Schaefer Martin , Morgan Alex
Published: July 2009

This article discusses the need to improve our understanding of where people go when they go missing and its applications for policing policy. The paper will use a pilot study of 70 solved adult missing person cases. The analysis includes frequencies and a measure of distances travelled by missing persons from the location where they went missing to where they were found. The study explores the demographic background of missing persons and examines a variety of travel patterns. The discussion focuses on explaining the spatial patterns of missing persons and the potential to improve police investigations of missing person cases by reducing search areas. Finally, recommendations are made for policy changes.
Influence of Multiple Partners and Use of Contraceptives on the Sexual Behaviour of Nigerian Police: Some Counselling Implications
Authors: Aremu Amos Oyesoji
Published: July 2009

This paper investigates the influence of multiple sex partners and use of contraceptives on HIV/AIDS risk behaviour of the Nigerian police. The sample consisted of 996 officers and men of the Nigeria Police (609 married and 387 not married) randomly sampled from the population of Oyo State Police Command. One self-report instrument, subdivided into three sections, was administered to the participants. The study found that participants were vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV due to their unprotected sex and their carefree behavioural attitudes to the use of contraceptives. Gender difference was found to be significant, with men more vulnerable to STDs. Education was also found to be significant in explaining the contraceptive knowledge of the participants. Finally, the paper discusses the findings and offers some counselling implications for the Nigeria Police.
Police Culture as a Determinant of Intelligence Strategy Implementation
Authors: Gottschalk Petter , Gudmundsen Yngve Sommerseth
Published: July 2009

There seems to be no such thing as one single police culture. Depending on organisation, structure and task, culture in the police varies. In this conceptual research, a research model is developed to study impacts of variation in police culture on the extent of intelligence strategy implementation. Strategy implementation is important because failure to carry out strategy can cause lost opportunities and leave police officers reluctant to do strategic planning. Lack of implementation creates problems in maintaining priorities and reaching organisational goals. The strategy execution task is commonly the most complicated and time-consuming part of strategic management. Yet, strategy implementation suffers from a general lack of academic attention. This research paper makes a contribution to police strategy implementation literature by developing a research model to study the extent of intelligence strategy implementation caused by occupational culture in policing.
Explorations in Police Organisation: An Indian Context
Authors: Srivastava Sweta
Published: July 2009

The research is concerned with understanding the role of organisational justice, and the parameters of organisational support mechanisms in the sustenance and enhancement of psychological well-being, which in turn was postulated to contribute to a number of organisationally relevant outcome variables, with a focus upon the target group of a security-service organisation personnel. The sample consisted of 270 male lower and middle level respondents from a government security-service (police) organisation, who were located in the eastern, central, and western parts of a large state of north India. Major findings were that internal motivation, ego-resilience, well-being, and organisational justice were significant positive predictors of organisationally relevant outcome variables. Further, organisational justice, and organisational support were found to be positive contributors to well-being, which apparently was needed to alleviate the sense of a lack of psychological well-being that seemed to prevail among the respondents.
An Evaluation of a Self-Initiated Practice Exercise for Investigative Interviewers of Children
Authors: Wright Rebecca , Guadagno Belinda L. , Powell Martine B.
Published: July 2009

The current study extends debate and research on the important role of practice in promoting and sustaining complex skills in investigative interviewing. Specifically, we explored the use of self-initiated practice as one avenue for facilitating ongoing development of professionals who interview children about abuse. A group of 40 investigative interviewers were required to organise and administer their own practice opportunities and to document these sessions in a diary. The professionals were aware of the important role of practice and what constitutes best-practice interview guidelines; however no instruction was given about the desired format, structure and timing of the practice sessions. A combination of quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed poor adherence to self-initiated practice, and the practice (among those who adhered to this model) had negligible impact on performance. Overall, these findings highlight the need for careful monitoring and evaluation of all interviewer practice tasks.
A Study of Cadets' Motivation to Become Police Officers in China
Authors: Wu Yuning , Sun Ivan Y. , Cretacci Michael A.
Published: July 2009

While a substantial amount of research has examined the motivation for individuals to become police officers, very little is known about why Chinese citizens choose this profession. Using survey data collected from cadets in a Chinese police college, this study attempts to answer three questions: (1) who are the people that decide to become police cadets in China; (2) what are the factors that motivate cadets to choose the police profession, and (3) how do personal characteristics influence cadets' motivations to join the force? The results indicate that Chinese cadets in the sample are largely single, young males from middle-class families. They tended to have some college education while their parents were likely to have attained a lower educational level. Job security and benefits, the opportunity to help people, the desire to enforce the law, and parental influences were important factors that motivated police cadets at this institution to join the force. Cadets' background characteristics only weakly influenced the decision. Implications for policy and future research are discussed.
Police Cycle-Patrols in Finland: A Qualitative Study Applying the Diamond Model
Authors: Lundälv Jörgen , Gårder Per , Risser Ralf , Leden Lars
Published: July 2009

This article describes a study in Finland of self-assessed risks and safety of policemen and women patrolling on bicycles. The study included focus-group interviews with police officers about their activities and ways of improving their situation. The interviews were structured into five different solution areas according to the Diamond Model: cycle-patrol officer, police bicycle, infrastructure, society/structure and communication. The study also included a questionnaire about police cycling activities in Helsinki, and active cycle-patrol officers' responses were analysed. The purpose of this study was to look at how police activities in Helsinki can be advanced and, in particular, how cycle-patrol members perceive their own safety, visibility and calming effect on other road users. It was also intended to study demands on the bicycle and other equipment used.
Police Violent Response or Pre-Arrest Warning and Defensive Victimisation
Authors: Otu Noel
Published: July 2009

Police actions and inactions remain the most controversial and ill-defined events in the criminal justice system. This article explains that some suspects who become involved in police–citizen violence were actually the initiator(s) and/or active participants in the events that resulted in their being defensively victimised by police. The issue here is whether the suspect knew the consequences of resisting arrest and was a catalyst for the violence that occurred during the police–citizen encounter. This article argues that attaching the sympathetic quality of innocence to an aggressive suspect overpowered by police allows us to blame the police for doing their job. The article proposes a formal pre-arrest announcement to remind suspects that their behaviour from a certain point onwards has consequences. Although there are some circumstances where people may truly be innocent victims of police violence, the evidence shows that most ‘victims’ of police violence are not innocent victims but rather apprehended initiators or full participants in police–citizen violent activity.
‘Can We All Join In?’: Developing an Evaluative Framework for Group Processes to Aid Decisions about Their Use in Approaches to Participative Engagement
Authors: Evans Huw
Published: July 2009

The police reform agenda and human rights legislation demand that police forces and police authorities engage with users of their services and involve them more in decision-making. Traditional top-down and expert-knows-best perspectives have seen decreasing levels of confidence in the criminal justice system and loss of community cohesion across society. This article introduces an evaluative framework for supporting organisations in making decisions about processes and approaches they deploy to engage users, staff and stakeholders in an holistic approach to decision-making.
Organisational Cooperation: Law Enforcement Agencies Working Together
Authors: Delone Gregory J.
Published: July 2009

This study examines the interorganisational relationships between chiefs of police and county sheriffs towards a state law enforcement agency. The findings revealed high levels of chiefs and sheriffs' contact with the state agency. High levels of requests for routine and major assistance were reported. With respect to request for major assistance, there was a significant difference between chiefs and sheriffs. Sheriffs were significantly more likely to seek help on major cases. While there were a few isolated cases of pointed dissatisfaction, overall, both chiefs and sheriffs reported high levels of satisfaction with the state agency. Sheriffs were also more likely to report service duplication by the state agency. Duplication, however, was not necessarily viewed as a negative.
Police Perceptions of Rape as Function of Victim Gender and Sexuality
Authors: Davies Michelle , Smith Rhiannon , Rogers Paul
Published: July 2009

This study investigated United Kingdom police workers' perceptions of adult rape when victim gender and victim sexual orientation were manipulated. Based on the work of Davies, Pollard and Archer (2001), it was predicted that the victim would be judged more negatively when portrayed as a gay man. One hundred and twenty-eight United Kingdom police workers of various ranks read a hypothetical rape scenario in which victim gender and victim sexuality were experimentally manipulated before completing a 12-item rape attributions questionnaire focusing on perceptions of victim blame and assault severity. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) were then performed. Overall, police workers were largely pro-victim although, as expected, they were more negative towards male victims than female victims. Contrary to expectations, these trends existed regardless of victim sexuality. Results are discussed in relation to positive police practice in the treatment of rape.
Information Sources in Police Intelligence
Authors: Gottschalk Petter
Published: July 2009

Police intelligence is dependent on a variety of information sources. In this conceptual research article, a total of 16 information sources are described. Intelligence information is applied to crime analysis, and the case of market share analysis is also discussed. Intelligence information needs appropriate registration, storage and retrieval using information technology. Such information technology can be identified in terms of stages of knowledge-management technology as presented in this article.
Elaborating the List of Nanotech-related Ethical Issues
Authors: Kato Yutaka
Published: July 2009

The aim of this paper is to elaborate and expand a list of ethical issues of (mainly medical) applications of nanotechnologies, focusing on the current situation in Japan. Nano-ethics needs to be designed to comprehensively cover ethical issues (irrespective of their uniqueness) arising in the field of nanotechnologies and provide a platform to facilitate cooperation and mutual access among researchers of related ethical issues. One of the prima-facie goals of nano-ethics is to enumerate and elaborate the ethical implications of nanotechnologies so that they can be discussed and addressed effectively as global issues. The definition of nanotechnologies should be inclusive in elaborating the list of nano-ethics. Recognizing the plurality of nanotechnological applications and the resulting composite/multiple nature of nano-ethics, the partiality in inquiry into the ethical issues of nanotechnologies in present-day Japan indicates the necessity for nano-ethics to function as a platform of ethics researches on related technologies.
Characterization of inhibin α subunit (inha) in the zebrafish: evidence for a potential feedback loop between the pituitary and ovary
Authors: Poon Shui-Kei , So Wai-Kin , Yu Xiaobin , Liu Lin , Ge Wei
Published: July 2009

Inhibin and activin are closely related disulphide-linked dimers that belong to the transforming growth factor β superfamily. Although inhibin has been extensively studied in mammals, the information about its existence and function in lower vertebrates is very scarce. Using zebrafish as a model, the present study demonstrated that the inhibin-specific α subunit (inha) was predominantly expressed in the gonads and no transcript could be detected in other tissues including the pituitary and brain. In the ovary, the expression ofinhawas restricted to the somatic follicle cells surrounding the oocyte, together with the β subunits (inhbaaandinhbb). This was further supported by the absence of its expression in the ovulated unfertilized eggs. During folliculogenesis,inhaexpression in the follicles slightly but steadily increased from primary growth to the mid-vitellogenic stage; however, its expression surged dramatically at the full-grown stage. Interestingly, the expression level ofinhadecreased significantly in the follicles whose oocytes were undergoing spontaneous maturation or germinal vesicle breakdown. When tested on cultured ovarian fragments, both goldfish pituitary extract and forskolin significantly stimulatedinhaexpression. Further experiments showed that recombinant zebrafish FSH but not LH significantly increasedinhaexpression in the same assay system. When testedin vitro, human inhibin A exhibited a slight but significant inhibitory effect on 17α, 20β-dihydroxyprogesterone-induced oocyte maturation after 4 h incubation. The stimulation ofinhaexpression by FSH and the potential inhibition of FSH by inhibin suggest a possible existence of a negative feedback loop between the pituitary and ovary in the zebrafish.
Modeling the carbon balance of Amazonian rain forests: resolving ecological controls on net ecosystem productivity
Authors: Grant R. F. , Hutyra L. R. , Oliveira R. Cde , Munger J. W. , Saleska S. R. , Wofsy S. C.
Published: July 2009

There is still much uncertainty about ecological controls on the rate and direction of net CO2 exchange by tropical rain forests, in spite of their importance to global C cycling. These controls are thought to arise from hydrologic and nutrient constraints to CO2 fixation caused by seasonality of precipitation and adverse chemical properties of some major tropical soil types. Using the ecosystem model ecosys, we show that water uptake to a depth of 8 m avoids constraints to CO2 and energy exchange from soil drying during five‐month dry seasons typical for eastern Amazonian forests. This avoidance in the model was tested with eddy covariance (EC) measurements of CO2 and energy fluxes during 2003 and 2004 over an old‐growth forest on an acidic, nutrient‐poor oxisol in the Tapajós National Forest (TNF) in Pará, Brazil. Modeled CO2 fixation was strongly constrained by slow phosphorus (P) uptake caused by low soil pH. Daytime CO2 influxes in the model were in close agreement with EC measurements (R2 > 0.8) during both wet and dry seasons. Both modeled and measured fluxes indicated that seasonality of precipitation affected CO2 and energy exchange more through its effect on radiation and air temperature than on soil water content. When aggregated to a yearly scale, modeled and gap‐filled EC CO2 fluxes indicated that old‐growth forest stands in the TNF remained within 100 g C·m−2·yr−1 of C neutrality in the absence of major disturbance. Annual C transformations in ecosys were further corroborated by extensive biometric measurements taken in the TNF and elsewhere in the Amazon basin, which also indicated that old‐growth forests were either small C sources or small C sinks. Long‐term model runs suggested that rain forests could be substantial C sinks for several decades while regenerating after stand‐replacing disturbances, but would gradually decline toward C neutrality thereafter. The time course of net ecosystem productivity (NEP) in the model depended upon annual rates of herbivory and tree mortality, which were based on site observations as affected by weather (e.g., El Niño Southern Oscillation [ENSO] events). This dependence suggests that rain forest NEP is strongly controlled by disturbance as well as by weather.
On the prediction of extreme ecological events
Authors: Denny Mark W. , Hunt Luke J. H. , Miller Luke P. , Harley Christopher D. G.
Published: July 2009

Ecological studies often focus on average effects of environmental factors, but ecological dynamics may depend as much upon environmental extremes. Ecology would therefore benefit from the ability to predict the frequency and severity of extreme environmental events. Some extreme events (e.g., earthquakes) are simple events: either they happen or they don't, and they are generally difficult to predict. In contrast, extreme ecological events are often compound events, resulting from the chance coincidence of run‐of‐the‐mill factors. Here we present an environmental bootstrap method for resampling short‐term environmental data (rolling the environmental dice) to calculate an ensemble of hypothetical time series that embodies how the physical environment could potentially play out differently. We use this ensemble in conjunction with mechanistic models of physiological processes to analyze the biological consequences of environmental extremes. Our resampling method provides details of these consequences that would be difficult to obtain otherwise, and our methodology can be applied to a wide variety of ecological systems. Here, we apply this approach to calculate return times for extreme hydrodynamic and thermal events on intertidal rocky shores. Our results demonstrate that the co‐occurrence of normal events can indeed lead to environmental extremes, and that these extremes can cause disturbance. For example, the limpet Lottia gigantea and the mussel Mytilus californianus are co‐dominant competitors for space on wave‐swept rocky shores, but their response to extreme environmental events differ. Limpet mortality can vary drastically through time. Average yearly maximum body temperature of L. gigantea on horizontal surfaces is low, sufficient to kill fewer than 5% of individuals, but on rare occasions environmental factors align by chance to induce temperatures sufficient to kill >99% of limpets. In contrast, mussels do not exhibit large temporal variation in the physical disturbance caused by breaking waves, and this difference in the pattern of disturbance may have ecological consequences for these competing species. The effect of environmental extremes is under added scrutiny as the frequency of extreme events increases in response to anthropogenically forced climate change. Our method can be used to discriminate between chance events and those caused by long‐term shifts in climate.
Development of the terrestrial biotic ligand model for predicting nickel toxicity to barley (Hordeum Vulgare): Ion effects at low pH
Authors: Antunes Paula M.C. , Kreager Nancy J.
Published: July 2009

The focus of the present study was to investigate the potential for Al3+,Mg2+, and H+ to influence Ni2+ toxicity for barley seedlings grown in acidic aqueous solutions and to assess the capacity of a two-site terrestrial biotic ligand model (tBLM) to accurately predict 50% effect activities (EA50s). To accomplish these objectives, 48-h EA50Ni2+ values were obtained for three sets of exposures in which the pH and activity of Al3+ and Mg2+ were varied. Exposures contained both Al alone and in combination with Mg so that compound ion effects could be investigated. A tBLM was then constructed to predict EA50Ni2+ values from the exposure solution chemistry. The results show a slight protective effect of H+ against Ni2+ toxicity and a strong protective effect of Mg2+, as indicated by a 4.6-and 8.0-fold increase in the measured EA50Ni2+ values corresponding to changes in pH from 6.0 to 4.5 and {Mg2+} from 0 to 1.40 mM, respectively. Increasing solution {Al3+} from 0 to 0.5 μM had no effect on Ni2+ toxicity, although Al itself negatively affected root elongation. Comparison of EA50 values calculated as both Ni2+ and measured concentration of total Ni in the root ([Root-Ni]T) showed [Root-Ni]T to be a more normalized measure of Ni bioavailability. The strong correlation between root growth inhibition and tBLM-predicted root-Ni accumulation suggests that toxicity was influenced by Ni2+ binding to low-affinity ligands within the cell wall, in addition to Ni2+ uptake through Mg2+ transporters. Predicted EA50Ni2+ values generated with the model were all within a factor of ± 1.5 from measured values-a result that emphasizes the advantage of using the tBLM for risk assessment.
Tellurite Resistance and Reduction by a Paenibacillus Sp. Isolated from Heavy Metal-Contaminated Sediment
Authors: Chien Chih-Ching , Han Chu-Ting
Published: July 2009

A gram-positive bacterium (designated as strain TeW) that is highly resistant to tellurite was isolated from sediment. The bacterium can grow in the presence of up to 2,000 μmol/L of potassium tellurite (K2TeO3). Reduction of K2TeO3 to tellurium was indicated by the blackening of the growth medium. No lag in growth was observed when cells unexposed to tellurite were transferred to the growth medium containing K2TeO3, indicating that resistance to tellurite was not inducible. Up to 50 and 90% of the metalloid oxyanion tellurite (Te⅔−) was removed from the medium by strain TeW during growth in nonstatic (shaking) and static (without shaking) conditions, respectively. The bacterium was identified as a Paenibacillus sp. according to its morphology, physiology, and 16S rDNA sequence homology.
Multigenerational exposure of the estuarine sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) to 17β-estradiol. I. Organism-level effects over three generations
Authors: Cripe Geraldine M. , Hemmer Becky L. , Goodman Larry R. , Fournie John W. , Raimondo Sandy , Vennari Joann C. , Danner Rodney L. , Smith Kent , Manfredonia Blaze R. , Kulaw Dannielle H. , Hemmer Michael J.
Published: July 2009

A 280-d study examined the effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) on reproduction and development of the sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) exposed from the parental (F0) through three subsequent (F1, F2, and F3) generations and evaluated the need for multigenerational assessments of the risks of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. This first three-generation study exposed adult F0 and F1 fish to measured concentrations of 0.01, 0.04, 0.08, 0.2, and 0.3 μg E2/L; the F2 and F3 generations were exposed to 0.2 μg E2/L or less. The cumulative 21-d production of normal embryos was significantly reduced in the F0 generation at 0.3 μg E2/L and in the F1 and F2 generations at 0.08 μg E2/L or more. The daily reproductive rate was significantly reduced in all three generations at 0.08 μg E2/L or more during spawning days 8 to 14 and 15 to 21. The proportion of infertile eggs from F1 fish was significantly increased above that of the solvent controls at 0.04 and 0.2 μg E2/L and from F2 fish at 0.04 μg E2/L or more. Changes in liver, kidney, and gonadal tissues were seen in the F0 and F1 generations exposed to 0.2 μg E2/L or more. The female gonadosomatic index was significantly decreased at 0.3 μg E2/L in the F0 and F1 generations. Estradiol affected the hepatosomatic index only in female F1 fish, but not in a dose-dependent manner. All F1 fish in 0.3 μg E2/L appeared to be phenotypically female. Our results indicate that life-cycle exposure to E2 significantly decreased embryo production by F1 and F2 fish at concentrations lower than those affecting the F0 generation, and they emphasize the importance of evaluating the impact of an estrogenic chemical on reproduction through a minimum of two (F0 and F1) generations.
Ebullition-Facilitated Transport of Manufactured Gas Plant Tar from Contaminated Sediment
Authors: McLinn Eugene L. , Stolzenburg Thomas R.
Published: July 2009

Manufactured gas plant (MGP) tar and wastewater solids historically were discharged into the Penobscot River, Maine, USA, via a sewer at the Bangor Landing site. The tar and wastewater solids accumulated in riverbed sediment over a 5-hectare area downstream from the sewer outfall. Much of the tarry sediment is a hardened mass at the bottom of the river, but in part of the tar deposit (the active zone), the tar remains unhardened. In the active zone, anaerobic biodegradation of organic matter generates methane and carbon dioxide; as gas accumulates and migrates upward, it entrains tar, eventually dragging the tar from the sediment to surface water. Understanding the migration mechanisms in different portions of the tar deposit is critical for modeling the risk posed by the tar at the Bangor Landing site, because during gas-facilitated tar migration, the tar is brought to the water surface, instead of remaining in the sediment. Tar migration from sediment poses a potential human health risk because of the high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the tar. Migration from sediment to the water surface greatly increases the potential exposure of human and ecological receptors to tar that reaches the water surface. In order for tar to migrate from sediment to surface water, three conditions are necessary: the sediment must contain liquid tar, the sediment must produce gas bubbles, and the gas must come into contact with the tarry sediment. Failure to consider facilitated transport of MGP tar from sediment can cause underestimation of site risk and can lead to failure of remedial measures.
High arctic ponds receiving biotransported nutrients from a nearby seabird colony are also subject to potentially toxic loadings of arsenic, cadmium, and zinc
Authors: Brimble Samantha K. , Foster Karen L. , Mallory Mark L. , Macdonald Robie W. , Smol John P. , Blais Jules M.
Published: July 2009

The role of northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) was investigated for the transport of nutrients and trace elements to a series of 10 ponds located along a gradient of seabird influence below a fulmar colony in the high Arctic (Cape Vera, Devon Island, Canada). Phosphorus, Cd, K, Zn, and As were identified as seabird-derived elements, having both a high concentration in fulmar guano and a low concentration in background pond sediments (i.e., a high biogenic enrichment factor). Fluxes of these elements were highest in the pond closest to the colony and declined exponentially with distance. Sediments in several of the ponds exceeded Canadian Sediment Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life set for As (5.9 mg/kg) and Cd (0.6 mg/kg), and in the pond closest to the colony, which receives the most seabird subsidies, sediments contained 343 mg/kg Zn, exceeding the threshold for probable adverse biological effects. Although nutrient subsidies from fulmars create an Arctic oasis at Cape Vera, which supports a variety of flora and fauna, the same biological transport pathway puts at risk some of these species by creating sedimentary As, Cd, and Zn concentrations at this remote site similar to those usually observed only near industrialized locations.