bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Relationship between Vulnerability to Climate Change, Livelihood Diversification, Perception on Climate Change and Income of the Farmers in North Central Nigeria
Authors: Sallawu Halima , Nda Nmadu Job , Ayodeji Ajibola Coker Alexander , Shaba Mohammed Usman
Published: April 2022

Aims: Although a number of researchers have outlined the strategies farmers adopt to ensure stability of family income yet literature provides less understanding on the dynamic relationship between vulnerability to climate change, livelihood diversification, perception on climate change and income of the farmers. It is therefore the aim of this study to establish the relationship between these concepts.

Study Design: Original research.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in North Central Nigeria in 2019.

Methodology: Multi-stage sampling technique was employed in the collection of primary data for this study. In the first stage, two (2) States were randomly selected from North Central Nigeria. In the second stage, five (5) Local Government Areas (LGAs) were randomly selected from the selected States, giving a total of ten (10) LGAs. In the third stage, sampling of farm households in each community were determined proportionately using Krejcie and Morgan (1970) formula. Data were collected from 483 farm households via questionnaire administered by trained enumerators. The data were analyzed using adaptive capacity index, vulnerability index and seemingly unrelated regression.

Results: Result of the seemingly unrelated regression revealed that increase in the number of livelihood activities and income of the farmer reduces vulnerability to climate change. More so, increase in the income of the farmer increases the number of livelihood activities the farmer engaged in and also increases the perception of the farmer on climate change.

Conclusion: farmers should diversify their sources of livelihood so as to reduce their vulnerability and improve resilience to climate change. The level of literacy among farm households and availability of social amenities should be looked into when formulating policies and developmental issues as they reduces vulnerability to climate change. Financial institutions should help facilitate access to credit by farmers so as to stimulate the adoption of climate smart practices.
Effect of Exposure to Tyre Smoke on Hacmoglobin Serum Calcium and Albumin of Selected Abattoir Workers in Trans – Amadi Slaughter of Port Harcourt
Authors: Omeodu S. I. , Eruotor H. O. , Agbai C. M.
Published: April 2022

This investigation was conducted to study the effect of exposure to tyre smoke on serum calcium and albumin of selected abattoir workers in Oginigba town of Obio area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. A total number of 50 participants were selected for the study (35 experimental group and 15 controls). Blood samples were collected by venipuncture and analyzed in the laboratory for serum calcium and albumin using the colorimetric and bromo cresol-green method respectively. Compared to 3% of the control population, 49% of the experimental population had a serum calcium level below the standard reference of 2.20-2.55 mmol/l. Results from the test on serum albumin showed that 23% of the experimental population had level above the standard references of 3.5-50 g/dl whereas the control population had values within the reference range. The experimental population was grouped into five study groups: 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-15, and above 15 years of service (exposure years) at the abattoir. Serum calcium levels in mmol/l were 2.31, 2.15, 2.20, 2.13, 2.06, 2.16, and serum albumin level in g/dl were 4.63, 4.62, 4.70, 4.79, 4.83, 4.99 for control, groups 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-15 and above 15 years respectively compared with the control, all showed significant increase in the serum albumin levels. The level of significance in agreement with the different standard reference ranges, serum calcium was observed to significantly vary from the control from the last level of exposure (1-3 years) while serum albumin differed significantly from the control, from 7years of exposure for non-smokers and 4years of exposure amongst smokers. The data was group into two study based on genotype as AA and AS. It was observed that participants with genotype AS were most susceptible to the effect of smoke inhalation on lowering serum calcium levels. The result of this research showed that the abattoir workers (roasters) are prone to developing hypocalcaemia and hyperalbuminaemia, and therefore require periodic medical attention.
Assessment of Recharge in Shallow Groundwater Aquifers Using Soil and Water Assessment Tool: A Case Study of the Thuthapuzha Subbasin
Authors: Prabhakar Mamatha , Sasikala D. , Varughese Anu
Published: April 2022

Aim: To study the spatial and temporal variability of shallow groundwater recharge using the Soil-Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model on a watershed scale.

Place of Study: Thuthapuzha subbasin.

Methodology: Groundwater recharge is a significant factor in groundwater simulations, which may aid in realistic groundwater resource management and decision-making. The study assessed the spatial and temporal variability of shallow groundwater recharge in the Thuthapuzha subbasin using a semi-distributed hydrological model called SWAT. Land use map, soil map, topographic data (Digital Elevation Model [DEM]), and basic meteorological data are the general input data necessary to run the SWAT model. 

Results: Results from the study show that the average annual groundwater recharge in the Thuthapuzha subbasin estimated using the SWAT model is 201.26 mm/year (from 1992 to 2019). According to the long-term water balance of the whole watershed, runoff accounts for 60% of the average annual precipitation. Evapotranspiration accounts for 27% of the average yearly precipitation in the research region. Meanwhile, groundwater recharge is barely 8% of the average annual rainfall. The topography and land use in the study region were found to influence the spatial variability of groundwater recharge. The groundwater recharge also showed monthly and annual fluctuations. While the major rainy season (South-West monsoon) lasts from June to September, July to September period shows the highest recharge. The comparison of recharge obtained from the SWAT model with the recharge estimated using the rainfall infiltration factor (RIF) method shows a good correlation (R2 = 0.68).

Conclusion: SWAT modeling is a feasible option over field-scale approaches for assessing groundwater recharge and its response to various influences on a catchment scale.
Growth Performance and Decomposition Analysis of Major Cotton Growing States of India
Authors: S. Pavithra , Mishra R. R. , Baviskar P. P. , Gaware Utkarsha P. , Kumari Kalpana , Ahmad Nasim
Published: April 2022

Cotton is often referred as ‘King’ of fiber crop and also called as ‘White Gold’. It is one of important commercial crop. Cotton servers as a raw material to textile industries and over the years India had gained competitive increase in its production. Therefore, to know the ground situation of cotton in major cotton growing states, the present study was conducted with major objectives as growth and decomposition analysis. The secondary data were collected from various authentic websites and publications pertaining to 30 years starting from 1989-90 to 2018-19. The collected data was then further analysed using exponential function, Cuddy Della Valle’s Instability Index and Minhas Decomposition Model. The results revealed that, the growth rate of major cotton growing states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana had positive and significant growth for area, production and yield during overall study period. The growth of area, production and yield of major cotton growing states were moderately unstable except Andhra Pradesh where, high instability was observed for area (44.33 per cent), production (48.99 per cent) and moderate instability was observed for yield (18.02 per cent). Among the major cotton growing states, except Gujarat, in all other states area played a driving role in changing cotton production. In Gujarat area played a dominant role for change in the cotton production.
A Rare Case Report of Pseudomonas oryzihabitans Bacteremia from North India in a Terminally Ill Patient
Authors: Dubey Akanksha , Siddiqui Tasneem , Kar Mitra , Sahu Chinmoy , Singh Patel Sangram
Published: April 2022

Pseudomonas oryzihabitans is a  gram-negative bacillus usually isolated from cases of bacteremia, CNS infections, catheter associated infections or any device related infections, sinusitis, wound infections, skin infections especially in immunocompromised patients in a hospital settings. Only few cases of bacteremia have been reported due to this rare pathogen. This is a first case report from North India in a terminally ill patient suffering from chronic liver disease. Proper isolation and early initiation of antibiotics as per sensitivity pattern cleared the infection, but later he died due to other complications.  The need of automated methods for identification and sensitivity testing limits the reporting of this rare but important pathogen in hospital settings. Detailed research work and studies are needed to better understand this rare pathogen and its clinical manifestations for better outcome.
Microbial Load, Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of Microflora Isolated from the Ghanaian Paper Currency Note: A Potential Health Threat
Authors: Nyarko Simon , Serwaa Marfo Ogyiri Millicent , Atiatorme Emmanuel , Osafo Richard
Published: April 2022

Aims: This study examined the microbial flora contamination of the Ghanaian paper currency notes and its antibiotic-resistance in Ejura Municipal, Ashanti Region, Ghana.

Study Design: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study designed to assess the profile of microflora contamination of the Ghanaian paper currency notes and its antibiotic-resistance in the Ejura Municipality.

Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted in Ejura, a town in the Ejura Sekyeredumase Municipal District of the Ashanti region of Ghana, from January to May 2019

Methodology: A total of 70 GH¢ notes, 15 each of GH ¢1, GH ¢2, and GH ¢5, 10 each of GH ¢10 and GH ¢20, and 5 of GH ¢50, were randomly sampled from people in various shops, canteens, and commercial drivers. The surfaces of each GH¢ note were gently swabbed, and tenfold serial dilution was inoculated on plate count agar (PCA), MacConkey agar, mannitol salt agar, and deoxycholate citrate agar. PCA, MCA, DCA, and MSA were the media used for the total viable count, Gram-negative rods, Gram-negative enteric bacilli, and Staphylococcus isolation in that order. For bacterial identification, the study used appropriate laboratory and biochemical tests. The data was analyzed using SPSS-IBM version 20.0.

Results: It was found that 95.2 % of the 70 GH¢ notes tested positive for one or more bacterial isolates. On each GH¢ note, mean counts on PCA ranged from 3.0 cfu/ml ×105 to 4.8 cfu/ml ×105. Of 124 bacteria isolated. 36 (29.03 %), 32 (25.81%), 16 (12.90 %), 20 (16.13%), 13 (10.48 %), and 7 (5.66 %) were from GH¢1, GH¢2, GH¢10, GH¢5, GH¢20, and GH¢50, respectively. Bacterial isolates were Escherichia coli (25.81%), Staphylococcus aureus (18.55%), coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (15.32%), Klebsiella species (12.10%), Salmonella species (9.68%), Shigella species (8.06%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.26%), and Proteus species (3.23%). Meat shops, commercial drivers, canteens, grocery stores, and vegetable shops contributed 25.81 %, 20.16 %, 19.35 %, 17.74 %, and 16.94 % of GH¢ notes respectively. There was 100% resistance of the isolates to Erythromycin (ERY), and Cotrimoxazole (COT). Amikacin (AMK) was the most effective among the antibiotics as 75% of the isolates were susceptible to it.

Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that the GH¢ notes are heavily contaminated with potentially pathogenic bacteria that are highly resistant to the most widely used antibiotics and are a threat to public health.
An Extended Finite Element Method for the Elasticity Interface Problem
Authors: Cao Pei
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we propose an extended mixed finite element method for elasticity interface problems based on Mini finite element space. The stabilization term defined on edges of interface elements and the ghost penalty term are added, which ensures that the discrete inf-sup condition holds independent of how the interface intersects the triangulation. Finally, numerical experiments are carried out to verify the theoretical analysis.
Microcurrent Frequencies’ Effect on the Cell Membrane Potential
Authors: Schmieke Marcus , Aagaard Mikkel
Published: April 2022

Research shows that cellular and mitochondrial (ΔΨm) membrane potentials are strong indicators of cellular physiology. In this paper we review further research suggesting that microcurrent frequencies can positively influence both these membrane potentials. The goal of this research is to show how microcurrent might stimulate physiological potentials in order to support a healthy function of bioelectric fields of cells and organs. In the second part of the article, a study to examine the effects of microcurrent application on the body's response to electric measurements is presented, in particular to a change in voltage-current lag known as a phase angle. The test involved measuring bioimpedance of a person before and after a 30-minute application with microcurrent stimulation. Fifteen healthy subjects were examined through impedance measurements taken on one arm. The results showed a consistent increase in phase angle directly after the stimulation, confirming a widely accepted indication of health improvement on a cellular level. These results are encouraging and justify further investigations on the effect of microcurrent stimulation on the human body in relation to general cellular health and regenerative functions.
Comparison of Open and Closed Lateral Sphincterotomy in Patients with Chronic Anal Fissure
Authors: Nasir Ghazi Jamal Abdul , Sadat Gulaqa
Published: April 2022

Background: The results and complications of open versus closed lateral sphincterotomy in patients with chronic anal fissure were compared in this prospective study. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of open lateral internal sphincterotomy and closed lateral internal sphincterotomy with a cataract knife in terms of operation time, postoperative pain, faecal and flatus incontinence, and hospital stay.

Materials and Methods: This study included a total of 80 patients with chronic anal fissures. Closed sphincterotomy. They were monitored for eight months after surgery. The two groups' There are 40 patients who will get an open lateral sphincterotomy and 40 who will have a c outcomes and complications were compared and statistically analyzed.

Result: The two groups were compared on post-operative complications such as pain, bleeding, infection, incontinence, and recurrence. The Closed Group Experienced Less Pain, Bleeding, and Incontinence to Flatus (P 0.04), but there was no difference in the incidence of infection or recurrence between the two group.

Conclusion: In the treatment of chronic anal fissures, closed lateral internal sphincterotomy is superior than open sphincterotomy. Chronic Fissure, Closed Method, Lateral Sphincterotomy, Open Method.
Immunohistochemical Analysis of Expression of Cyclin D1 in Different Grades of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Fatima Sana , Hosein Mervyn , Butt Saima Akram , Baig Faraz , Siddiqui Rehan Ahmed , Abidi Fizza
Published: April 2022

Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate the expression of cyclin D1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and to find association of expression of cyclin D1 with different histological grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Study Design:  It is a cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Oral squamous cell carcinoma samples were collected histopathology laboratory of Ziauddin Hospital, North Nazimabad Karachi. Immunohistochemistry was performed in multiple disciplinary research laboratory of Ziauddin University, Karachi. The duration of study was from January 2021 to January 2022.

Methodology: The present study included taking biopsy samples from oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. Patients with history of other oral cavity tumors, patients with history of any other treatment of oral cancer were excluded from the study. Immunohistochemistry was performed on a total of 150 samples using anti cyclin D1 antibodies.

Results: A total of 150 samples were part of study. Expression of cyclin D1 was found to be present in 77.3% of cases where as 22.7% of cases did not show expression of cyclin D1. A statistically significant association was shown between different grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma and intensity scoring (p value 0.004). Association between labelling index score for cyclin D1 and different grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma showed statistically significant p value (0.003). Association of total scores of cyclin D1 with different grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma was also found to be statistically significant (p value 0.003).

Conclusion: The present study shows that oncogenic effects on cyclin D1 by mutations caused by oral squamous cell carcinoma can be detected by immunohistochemistry in the form of its overexpression. The association between overexpression of cyclin D1 and different histological grades can be utilize in predicting the oncogenic behavior of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Alkaline Hydrogen Peroxide Solution is an Expectorant, Pyolytic, Mucolytic, Hemolytic, and Bleaching Drug for Treating Purulent Diseases, Hematomas and Bruising
Authors: Gurevich Konstantin , Urakov Aleksandr , Fisher Evgeny , Shubina Zinaida
Published: April 2022

It has been established that warm alkaline solutions of hydrogen peroxide with local interaction with thick pus, mucus, sputum and blood have local pyolytic, mucolytic and hemolytic effects. It was found that the dissolving effect is associated with the alkaline properties of the drug, which are provided by sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate provides the process of alkaline saponification of proteins and protein-lipid complexes. It is shown that hydrogen peroxide intensively decomposes into water and oxygen gas under the action of the catalase enzyme. In turn, catalase is always present in blood, mucus, sputum, pus, fibrous and serous fluid. At the same time, the released oxygen forms gas bubbles that literally tear apart biological masses during cold boiling and turn them into fluffy white foam. At the same time, the appearance of oxygen in an alkaline environment ensures the process of discoloration of biological pigments, such as hemoglobin and its color metabolites. The indicated pharmacological effect of a warm alkaline solution of hydrogen peroxide at local interaction is proposed to be used for the treatment of purulent diseases, thrombosis, bruising and hematomas. The technologies of using the drug for urgent restoration of breathing in obstructive purulent bronchitis, for urgent discoloration of the skin and nail plate with bruising and hematoma, as well as for urgent and safe peeling of a bloody bandage from a wound are listed.
Caspase‐3 activation during the process of apoptosis induced by a vacuolar type H+‐ATPase inhibitor
Authors: Ishisaki Akira , Hashimoto Shinichi , Amagasa Teruo , Nishihara Tatsuji
Published: July 2002

Summry— Concanamycin A, a specific inhibitor of vacuolar type H+‐ATPase, induced DNA fragmentation in B cell hybridoma HS‐72 cells. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the exposure of concanamycin A to HS‐72 cells induced the cleavage of retinoblastoma protein (Rb) and poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP). The cytosol from concanamycin A‐treated HS‐72 cells induced DNA fragmentation in nuclei from untreated cells in a cell‐free system. This fragmentation was suppressed by a specific inhibitor of caspase‐3. The cytosol induced Rb proteolysis in vitro, which was inhibited by a caspase‐3 inhibitor. These findings indicate that caspase‐3 induces DNA fragmentation and cleavage of Rb and PARP during the process of apoptosis induced by concanamycin A.
Integrins: Regulators of embryogenesis
Authors: Darribère Thierry , Skalski Mylène , Cousin Hélène , Gaultier Alban , Montmory Colette , Alfandari Dominique
Published: July 2002

Summary— Integrins are heterodimeric transmembrane glycoproteins involved in cell‐cell and cell‐extracellular matrix adhesion. They also participate in cytoskeletal rearrangements, co‐regulation of growth factor activities and activation of signal transductions. This review describes experimental approaches that have given new insights into the integrin functions during embryogenesis. Using anti‐functional antibodies, peptide inhibitors of integrin‐ligand interactions and genetic ablation of integrins results, this review will show that integrins are key molecules during early development of both invertebrates and vertebrates.
Type IV collagen in sponges, the missing link in basement membrane ubiquity*
Authors: Boute Nicolas , Exposito Jean‐Yves , Boury‐Esnault Nicole , Vacelet Jean , Noro Nobuhiro , Miyazaki Koyomi , Yoshizato Katsutoshi , Garrone Robert
Published: July 2002

Summry— Basement membrane structures, or their main component, type IV collagen, have been detected in all multicellular animal species, except sponges. We cancel this exception by the demonstration of type IV collagenous sequences in a new marine sponge species by cDNA and genomic DNA studies. One of these sequences is long enough to demonstrate the specific characteristics of type IV collagen chains. The 12 cysteines are at conserved positions in the carboxyl‐terminal non‐helical NC1 domain, as are the interruptions in the carboxyl‐terminal end of the triple helical domain. The gene organization of the region coding for the NC1 domain is similar to that of the human genes COL4A2, COL4A4 and COL4A6. An additional, shorter sequence suggests the presence of a second chain. The expected tissue localization of this collagen has been confirmed using polyclonal antibodies raised against a sponge recombinant protein. These results demonstrate that type IV collagen is representated in all animal phyla. It is actually the only known ubiquitous collagen and it has at least two different alpha chains in all the species where it has been characterized.
Expression of the glucocorticoid receptor in early and late passage C‐6 glioma cells and in normal astrocytes derived from aged mouse cerebral hemispheres
Authors: Moutsatsou P. , Kazazoglou T. , Fleischer‐Lambropoulos H. , Psarra A.M.G. , Tsiapara A. , Sekeris C.E. , Stefanis C. , Vernadakis A.
Published: July 2002

The presence of the glucocorticoid receptor in early and late passage C‐6 glioma cells 2B clone and in astrocytes derived from aged mouse cerebral hemispheres has been documented by immunoblotting and/or immunofluorescence labelling. All cell types studied express the glucocorticoid receptor of molecular weight 97 KDa. In addition, in astrocytes derived from aged mouse cerebral hemispheres a smaller molecular weight polypeptide reacting with anti‐glucocorticoid receptor antibody was also demonstrated. No difference in the amount of the 97 KDa glucocorticoid receptor between early and late C‐6 2B cells was observed, whereas the astrocytes from aged cerebral hemispheres contained considerably reduced amounts of the glucocorticoid receptor compared to C‐6 2B cells. Late passage C‐6 2B cells were immunofluorescence labelled with the anti‐glucocorticoid antibody, the receptor being almost exclusively present in the cytoplasm, with particular concentration in the perinuclear region. The presence of glucocorticoid receptor of molecular weight 97 KDa in glial cells corroborates and expands the existing data based on radioligand binding and immunocytochemical studies. These cell populations can be exploited as a model system for the study of the effects of glucocorticoids on senescence and brain aging.
Transition to a market economy and sustained growth. Implications for the post-Washington consensus
Authors: Kolodko Grzegorz W.
Published: July 2002

Transition to a market economy is a lengthy process comprised of various spheres of economic activities. The belief that a market economy can be introduced by “shock therapy” is wrong, and in several cases has caused more problems than it has solved. Since a market economy requires adequate institutional structures, transition can be executed only in a gradual manner. Despite the fact that so-called Washington consensus, i.e. a set of policies aiming to shift from stabilization to growth, was developed without concern for post-socialist transformation, these ideas have significantly influenced the path of thought and action in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. After a decade of transition and lasting depression, a new, post-Washington consensus is developing. Major policy conclusions suggest that the core of emerging consensus, also based on the lessons from transitions, is institutional building. Only with strong institutions can liberalization and privatization put emerging post-socialist markets on the path of sustainable growth. Yet, to accomplish such a task the policy reforms must also take into consideration the need for equitable growth and the new role of the state. The latter must not retire from economic activities, but ought to change its role to support the reforms and integration of the post-socialist countries into the world economy in the era of globalization, of which the post-communist transition is an important part.
Evidence of psychological barriers in the conditional moments of major world stock indices
Authors: Cyree Ken B. , Domian Dale L. , Louton David A. , Yobaccio Elizabeth J.
Published: July 2002

This study investigates the existence of psychological barriers in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500, and six foreign stock indices. It is believed by many in the investment community that index levels that are multiples of 100 serve as barriers, and that markets may resist crossing these barriers. Although return dynamics in the neighborhood of barrier points are not identical for all series studied, we find aberrations in the conditional means and variances consistent with psychological barriers. In five of the eight indices studied, conditional mean returns are significantly higher after crossing a barrier as part of an upward move, while only two series exhibit significant mean effects after crossing a barrier as part of a downward move. In seven of the eight series studied, we find significant conditional variance effects coincident with a barrier crossing. In addition, most series exhibit evidence of autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic (ARCH), generalized ARCH (GARCH), and leverage effects.
The effect of physical training on skeletal muscle in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Kiilavuori K. , Näveri H. , Salmi T. , Härkönen M.
Published: July 2002

Background:

The improvement of exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) by physical training has been connected with reversal of the abnormalities in muscle fiber distribution and with the reduced activity of the enzymes of oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle. However, the change in fiber type distribution induced by training is controversial and in previous studies the activities of the rate‐limiting enzymes of the metabolic pathways have not been measured.

Aims:

To examine the effect of dynamic training on percentage distribution of muscle fibers, on activities of the rate‐limiting enzymes of the metabolic pathways and on electrophysiology in skeletal muscle.

Methods:

A total of 27 patients with stable CHF (NYHA class II–III) were randomized to a training (N=12) or a control (N=15) group. The training group exercised on a bicycle ergometer for 30 min three times a week for 3 months using a load corresponding to 50–60% of their peak oxygen consumption. This was followed by a 3‐month training period at home according to personal instructions. The control group did not change its physical activities. We studied muscle histology and measured the activities of the rate‐limiting enzymes of anaerobic glycolysis (phosphofructokinase, PFK), glycogenolysis (phosphorylase), citric acid cycle (α‐ketoglurate dehydrogenase, KGDH) and fatty acid oxidation (carnitinepalmitoyl transferase I and II, CPT I and II) from biopsies of the vastus lateralis muscle at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. Muscle strength and strength endurance with surface EMG and macro EMG of the right knee extensors were also determined.

Results:

Exercise capacity, particularly submaximal, improved in the training group. The activity of PFK rose significantly but that of the other enzymes did not when compared with the change in the controls. Training had no effect on the percentage distribution of slow‐twitch and fast‐twitch muscle fibers or on capillary density around these fibers in skeletal muscle. Maximum voluntary force, strength endurance and the function of motor units remained unaffected.

Conclusions:

Dynamic training results in improved exercise endurance in CHF. In skeletal muscle, the capacity of anaerobic glycolysis is increased but that of the citric acid cycle and fatty acid oxidation is not. Furthermore, the improvement in exercise endurance seems to be independent of changes in the percentage distribution of muscle fibers, capillarity or electrophysiological factors.
Cardiovascular disease and outcome of acute stroke: influence of pre‐existing cardiac failure
Authors: Sharma Jagdish C. , Fletcher Sally , Vassallo Michael , Ross Ian
Published: July 2002

Background and aims:

Whilst a number of variables, mostly a consequence of a stroke, are known to predict mortality of acute stroke there is limited information on the significance of pre‐existing cardiovascular variables on stroke mortality. We have investigated the influence of pre‐existing cardiovascular factors in one cohort of stroke patients.

Methods:

We studied 295 patients, mean age 74 ± 10 (range 34–96) years; 133 males, presenting with acute stroke for pre‐existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) defined as hypertension, atrial fibrillation (AF), ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and cardiac failure (CF). In addition, data were collected on epidemiological and neurological variables known to influence stroke mortality. The most significant of the cardiovascular factors was further investigated against all the other cardiovascular groups together and against those without any CVD. Outcome was measured as their influence on acute phase and 3‐month mortality.

Results:

There was no significant difference in 3‐month mortality with hypertension (P = 0.62) and IHD (P = 0.33) but there was a significant higher mortality in patients with AF (P = 0.05) and CF (P < 0.001). CF was more significant than all other CVD (hypertension+AF+IHD) together without the failure (P < 0.001); odds ratio of 4.5 (95% CI 2.28–9.07). Partial correlation coefficient revealed CF to be an independent significant variable to influence stroke mortality when controlled with AF, stroke syndromes, age, incontinence, pyrexia, dysphagia and Glasgow coma score.

Conclusions:

Pre‐existing CF has an adverse influence on stroke mortality independent of other known factors. Cardiovascular factors without failure do not have such an effect except the marginal effect of AF.
Serum N‐terminal atrial natriuretic peptide in adult patients late after surgical repair of atrial septal defect
Authors: Iivainen Tiina E. , Groundstroem Kaj W.E. , Lahtela Jorma T. , Talvensaari Taisto J. , Pasternack Amos , Uusitalo Arto
Published: July 2002

Background:

The purpose of surgical closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) is to relieve the cardiovascular system from a haemodynamic burden. Excessive amounts of atrial peptides are released in congestive heart failure, valvular diseases and congenital heart diseases.

Aims:

To examine whether patients after surgical repair of ASD have higher concentrations of N‐terminal atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP‐N) than age‐, sex‐ and body mass index (BMI)‐matched control subjects.

Methods:

Medical history, physical examination, standard 12‐lead electrocardiogram, and ANP‐N concentrations were obtained in 65 adult patients operated for ASD at the age of 21 ± 13 years (mean ± standard deviation), 21 ± 6 years after surgical closure of ASD. Sixty‐seven healthy subjects matched for age, sex and BMI served as controls.

Results:

In the patients serum ANP‐N was higher than in the control subjects 0.41 ± 0.32 nmol/l, median 0.31 nmol/l, interquartile range (IQR) 0.21–0.49 nmol/l vs. 0.24 ± 0.12 nmol/l, median 0.23 nmol/l, IQR 0.17–0.29 nmol/l, (P = 0.0003). Patients with concomitant diseases had higher ANP‐N concentrations (0.51 ± 0.39 nmol/l, median 0.34, IQR 0.26–0.73 nmol/l) than ASD patients without any history or signs of disease (0.28 ± 0.16 nmol/l, median 0.27, IQR 0.17–0.40 nmol/l, P = 0.01). The ‘healthy’ ASD patients had higher hormone concentrations than age‐, sex‐ and BMI‐matched control subjects (0.28 ± 0.16 median 0.27 nmol/l, IQR 0.17–0.40 nmol/l and 0.21 ± 0.07 nmol/l, median 0.20 nmol/l, IQR 0.15–0.27 nmol/l, P = 0.01). Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed that age at operation was strongly associated with the post‐operative ANP‐N concentration (r2 = 0.25, P = 0.0002).

Conclusion:

ASD patients have higher ANP‐N concentrations late after surgical repair. Hormone levels correlate with age at operation. Our finding supports the clinical praxis of operating on these patients in their childhood and adolescence.
Analysis of γβ, βγ, γγ, ββ multiple turns in proteins
Authors: Guruprasad K. , Prasad M.S. , Kumar G.R.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: The number of γ‐turns in a representative protein dataset selected from the current Protein Data Bank has increased almost seven times during the past decade. Eighty percent classic γ‐turns and 57% inverse γ‐turns are associated as multiple turns with either another γ‐turn or a β‐turn. We refer to these as multiple turns of the (γβ)1,2,3 or (βγ)1,2,3 type, depending upon whether the γ‐turn is before or after the β‐turn along the protein chain, respectively. However, for multiple turns involving only γ‐turns, we follow the nomenclature analogous to that proposed earlier for the multiple (or double) β‐turns. Fifty‐eight per cent β‐turns are associated as multiple turns with another β‐turn. We extracted multiple turns from the protein dataset and classified them on the basis of individual γ‐ or β‐turn types and the number of overlapping residues. Furthermore, we evaluated the amino acid positional potentials and determined the statistically significant amino acid preferences, hydrogen bond/side‐chain interaction preferences in the multiple turns and secondary structure preferences for residues immediately flanking these turns. The results of our analysis would be useful in the modeling, prediction or design of multiple turns in proteins. The amino acid sequence corresponding to the multiple turn, position in the protein chain, PDB Code/chain in which multiple turn is present and the individual turn types constituting the multiple turns are available from our website and this information would also be integrated in our Database of Structural Motifs in Proteins (http://www.cdfd.org.in/dsmp.html).
Photosynthesis, biomass partitioning and peroxisomicine A1 production of Karwinskia species in response to nitrogen supply
Authors: Masarovičová Elena , Welschen Rob , Lux Alexander , Lambers Hans , Argalášová Katarína , Brandšteterová Eva , Čaniová Alica
Published: July 2002

Species of the genus Karwinskia are medicinal woody plants producing secondary metabolites (anthracenones, peroxisomicine A1) with antitumour effects. We investigated the photosynthetic and growth characteristics of Karwinskia parvifolia Zucc. and Karwinskia humboldtiana Rose plants grown at two rates of nitrogen supply. There were significant differences in growth, CO2 exchange (photosynthesis, respiration), chlorophyll and nitrogen concentration between plants grown at high nitrogen supply (HN) and low nitrogen supply (LN). At HN, the plants of both species grew faster than those cultivated at LN. Rates of photosynthesis, leaf respiration and root respiration, quantum yield, the concentration of chlorophylls (a, b, a+b), specific leaf area, leaf mass ratio and peroxisomicine A1 concentration were higher in plants grown at HN. The species‐specific difference in the daily carbon budget was mainly due to variation in rates of carbon fixation. K. parvifolia responded more strongly to the nitrogen treatment than K. humboldtiana, in terms of growth, as well as with respect to photosynthesis and peroxisomicine A1 concentration.
Defining preterm delivery – the epidemiology of clinical presentation
Authors: Pickett K.E. , Abrams B. , Selvin S.
Published: July 2002

It is possible that preterm delivery is not a single entity but a cluster of conditions with different aetiologies that ultimately result in the delivery of an infant before 37 completed weeks of gestation. Whereas some researchers have reported aetiological heterogeneity, others have found no differences between subtypes or have disputed the desirability and utility of classifying preterm birth into subtypes. This study explores the relationship of maternal risk factors to type of preterm delivery in a cohort of over 7000 black and white women delivering singleton infants at the University of California, San Francisco’s Moffitt Hospital between 1980 and 1990. Although the magnitude of the effect of individual risk factors differed between preterm delivery subtypes, the set of risk factors significantly associated with both categories of spontaneous preterm delivery was identical, while that associated with medically indicated preterm births was different. This study indicates that whereas the distinction between spontaneous preterm deliveries and those that are medically indicated seems valid, distinguishing between types of spontaneous preterm births may not lead to useful aetiological inferences.
Gastropod evolutionary rates and phylogenetic relationships assessed using partial 28S rDNA and histone H3 sequences
Authors: Colgan Donald. J. , Ponder Winston F , Eggler Peter E.
Published: July 2002

Sequence data for two segments of 28S and Histone H3 from 36 gastropod taxa, a chiton, two bivalves and Nautilus are used to test recently published morphology‐based phylogenetic hypotheses of gastropod relationships. Statistical results suggest that the accuracy of the available hypotheses could be improved. The data support the monophyly of the Patellogastropoda (true limpets), Euthyneura and the ‘higher’ vetigastropods and the polyphyly of the ‘Cocculiniformia’. The division of the gastropods into two major clades (Eogastropoda and Orthogastropoda) as has been proposed on morphological grounds is not supported, and neither the Caenogastropoda nor Heterobranchia is well supported. Within the Euthyneura, opisthobranchs are paraphyletic with respect to the pulmonates. The hot vent taxon, Depressigyra, groups with the lower vetigastropod Pleurotomaria in some analyses. Much of the variability in the 28S rDNA segments lies in discrete areas of the sequence. Forone of the segments, corresponding to positions 691–942 of the mosquito Aedes albopictus 28S sequence, the variable regions represent known expansion regions (D4 and D5). For the other segment, corresponding to positions 2259–2538 of the A. albopictus sequence, the variable area, which is found in the patellogastropods, vetigastropods and Nautilus, represents an unreported expansion region. The data show marked variability in the rate of evolution in both segments of the 28S rDNA, whether or not the expansion regions are included. The variability is largely clade specific. Rates are high in the patellogastropods, vetigastropods, the lower heterobranch ‘Heterostropha’ (Cornirostra and Philippea), Depressigyra and the deep sea cocculinid limpet Coccopigya and substantially lower in other taxa. Rate variation in the histone H3 data is less extreme. The correlation between evolutionary rates in the two 28S rDNA segments is very high, andis also significant for the the pairing of each of the 28S rDNA segments with H3. The rate variability may be due to differential selection but no causative factor has been identified. The histone H3 data have high codon usage bias. For all amino acids encoded by multiple codons, at least some triplets occur at a frequency of less than a quarter of their expected usage. For all three‐, four‐and sixfold degenerate amino acids, the most abundant triplet occurs at least twice as frequently as expected. Despite the usage bias, there is a large amount of apparent homoplasy in synonymous alternatives at both the first and third codon positions.
Effect of carbon concentration on the thermal conversion of liquid-encapsulated Czochralski semi-insulating GaAs
Authors: Ohkubo Norio , Chichibu Shigefusa , Matsumoto Satoru
Published: July 2002

Thermal conversion of liquid-encapsulated Czochralski semi-insulating GaAs crystals with various carbon concentration are investigated by measuring carrier concentration depth profiles after vacuum annealing. In case of high carbon concentration, the carrier concentration in the near surface region corresponds to the residual carbon concentration. In case of low carbon concentration, however, it is found that the As vacancy related acceptor is diffused from the surface. These results suggest that p conversion is caused not only by the reduction of EL2 concentration in the surface region, but also the thermal induction of the native acceptor.
Optical third-harmonic generation from poly(2,5-thienylene vinylene) thin films
Authors: Kaino Toshikuni , Kubodera Ken-ichi , Kobayashi Hideki , Kurihara Takashi , Saito Shogo , Tsutsui Tetsuo , Tokito Shizuo , Murata Hideyuki
Published: July 2002

Third-harmonic generation measurements have been made on poly(2,5-thienylene vinylene) (PTV) thin films. The third-order optical susceptibility χ(3) was evaluated to be 3.2×10−11 esu at 1.85 μm wavelength. It was also revealed that in weakly iodine-doped PTV thin films, χ(3) was almost the same value as that of nondoped films. χ(3) at a shorter wavelength region was expected to be much higher than that obtained in this work due to the resonant effect.
Simultaneous planar growth of amorphous and crystalline Ni silicides
Authors: Ma E. , Meng W. J. , Johnson W. L. , Nicolet M-A. , Nathan M.
Published: July 2002

We report a solid-state interdiffusion reaction induced by rapid thermal annealing and vacuum furnace annealing in evaporated Ni/Si bilayers. Upon heat treatment of a Ni film overlaid on a film of amorphous Si evaporated from a graphite crucible, amorphous and crystalline silicide layers grow uniformly side by side as revealed by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy and backscattering spectrometry. This phenomenon contrasts with the silicide formation behavior previously observed in the Ni-Si system, and constitutes an interesting counterpart of the solid-state interdiffusion-induced amorphization in Ni/Zr thin-film diffusion couples. Carbon impurity contained in the amorphous Si film stabilizes the amorphous phase. Kinetic and thermodynamic factors that account for the experimental findings are discussed.
Control of Al/GaAs Schottky barrier height by high Ce doping
Authors: Hirose Kazuyuki , Foxman Ethan
Published: July 2002

Al/GaAs Schottky barrier contacts are fabricated with different Ce doping concentrations in the last 100 Å of GaAs before the metal/GaAs interface. Both n- and p-type Schottky barrier heights (SBHs) are measured by current-voltage and capacitance-voltage methods. The n-type SBH is found to decrease with the increasing Ce doping concentration, and the p-type SBH is found to increase to a lesser degree. These SBH changes are considered to be due to energy gap narrowing at the GaAs surface caused by high Ce doping.
Characterization of Y-Ba-Cu-O superconducting thin films prepared by coevaporation of Y, Cu, and BaF2
Authors: Garzon F. H. , Beery J. G. , Brown D. R. , Sherman R. J. , Raistrick I. D.
Published: July 2002

We have studied the effect of varying the postdeposition anneal conditions on the properties of thin films of YBa2Cu3O7 prepared by coevaporation from Y, Cu, and BaF2. The temperature of this processing step determines both the microstructure of the films and the constituent phases. At low temperatures, BaF2 is incompletely reacted and the predominant superconducting phase is Y2Ba4Cu8O20−x. At higher temperatures, the equilibrium distribution of phases, which includes YBa2Cu3O7, is formed. As the temperature is raised, the texture of the films also changes. The thermodynamics of the formation reaction and of the reaction between YBa2Cu3O7 and various substrate materials is discussed.
Thermionic emission and photoluminescence studies of the energy states of GaAs/AlAs superlattices
Authors: Dutta M. , Choi K. K. , Newman P. G.
Published: July 2002

We have performed thermionic emission measurements on doped GaAs/AlAs superlattices and photoluminescence measurements on a series of undoped GaAs/AlAs superlattices having different well widths. Using these techniques, we determined that the energy states in the GaAs wells are bounded by the Γ minimum of the AlAs barriers, and that the X minimum instead of the Γ minimum in the AlAs layer is the relevant barrier height for the current transport in our experiment. From the magnitude of the thermionic emission current, the coupling between the Γ and X states is shown to be approximately 100 times weaker than the Γ-Γ coupling, which is consistent with the theoretical tight-binding model.
High-field critical current densities in Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2O8+x/Ag wires
Authors: Heine K. , Tenbrink J. , Thöner M.
Published: July 2002

Bi2 Sr2 Ca1 Cu2 O8+x /Ag wires have been produced by using the ‘‘powder in tube’’ method and an appropriate annealing procedure. At 77 K these wires yield critical current densities up to 1.2×103 A/cm2 in zero magnetic field. Using ac susceptibility measurements it is shown that flux creep is limiting the critical current density at temperatures above ∼20 K. At lower temperatures flux creep becomes insignificant. At 4.2 K critical current densities up to 5.5×104 A/cm2 in zero magnetic field and up to 1.5×104 A/cm2 in a field of 26 T could be achieved, rendering possible the use of this material for very high field application.
Extended defect evolution in boron-implanted Si during rapid thermal annealing and its effects on the anomalous boron diffusion
Authors: Kim Y. M. , Lo G. Q. , Kwong D. L. , Tasch A. F. , Novak S.
Published: July 2002

Effects of extended defect evolution on the anomalous diffusion of ion-implanted boron during rapid thermal annealing (RTA) have been studied using transmission electron microscopy and secondary-ion mass spectroscopy. It has been found that for low-dose boron implants (<1×1014 cm−2), no extended defects can be observed after RTA at 1000 °C, and the anomalous diffusion saturates within less than 10 s. However, extended defects are developed for high-dose boron implants (>5×1014 cm−2), and the anomalous diffusion persists for a much longer time and is dose dependent. Extended defect evolution has been characterized and correlated with the observed anomalous boron diffusion behaviors.
Electrical and optical evidence of resonant tunneling of holes in an n+i
n+ double-barrier diode structure under illumination
Authors: Vodjdani N. , Côte D. , Thomas D. , Sermage B. , Bois P. , Costard E. , Nagle J.
Published: July 2002

Using low-temperature photocurrent, steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence, we have shown the importance of hole transport in the optical properties of n+in+ double-barrier diodes under operation. We have also seen evidence of resonant tunneling of minority holes in such an illuminated double-barrier diode.