bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Attitudes Towards and Enactment of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Principles: Discrepancies and Correlates
Authors: Song Li-Yu
Published: April 2007

Background: Previous literature suggests that attitudes have critical effects on recovery outcomes. Yet mental health professionals' attitudes towards psychiatric rehabilitation principles (PRP) have not been fully addressed. Whether the professionals could act in accordance with attitudes has also not been examined.

Aims: This study explored how hospital professionals in Taiwan perceived PRP, and whether there were discrepancies between attitudes towards and enactment of PRP. Also, the correlates of attitudes and enactment were examined.

Methods: Survey questionnaires were sent to hospitals in Taiwan, and yielded a valid sample of 743 subjects, with a 23.48% return rate. The potential correlates included five groups of variables: demographic, professional background, training experience, and external and internal structure of hospital.

Results: The factor analyses revealed nine factors of PRP, which partly confirmed Cnaan et al.'s findings (1990), and added recovery components. Hospital professionals held favorable attitudes toward and enacted more on recovery and strengths perspectives, yet less on social change, commitment from staff, and using environmental resources. The discrepancies between attitudes and enactment were mainly on macro related principles. Attitudes and hospital emphasis on psychiatric rehabilitation (PR) in discharge plans were the two most important correlates of enactment.

Conclusions: Doctors are the training target group for enhancing favorable attitudes and enactment. Continuous advocacies on structural changes for increasing PR resources, and hospital emphasis on PR in treatment approach are needed.
Trade Integration, Neoliberal Reform, and Environmental Protection in Mexico
Authors: Mumme Stephen P.
Published: April 2007

Among Latin American countries Mexico is a model of neoliberalism's environmental promise and pitfalls. Since entering the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), it has undertaken extensive environmental reforms predicated on export-intensive industrialization and the growth of urban society. An examination of these reforms, their background and statutory changes, policy measures, and international commitments made in this area since NAFTA took effect provokes serious concern over their adequacy as the American nations ponder the costs and benefits of deeper enmeshment in hemispheric trade integration.
The development of a dynamic model to simulate boiler controls
Authors: Damianos XS , Day AR , Ratcliffe MS
Published: April 2007

There has long been the need to improve the guidance for the control of multiple boiler installations. The literature shows that there is no generic guidance on how boiler plant — as opposed to the heating system — should be best controlled, despite their widespread use and many years of experience with these systems. This paper presents a simulation model that enables detailed investigation of multiple boiler operation under different control regimes. Five different conditions are presented in this paper. The first three show that individual boiler firing patterns behave as would be expected under ideal conditions. The loads for these simulations were chosen specifically to test this, and to provide some verification of the model. Two further tests were conducted to show firing patterns that may occur under typical control regimes. The resulting firing patterns showed unnecessary cycling of both boilers, a cause of premature failure and reduced efficiency.

Practical applications: This paper presents the first stages of an investigation into the setting up and operation of multiple boiler control systems. A review of academic and industrial literature shows there to be very little guidance on how such control systems should be configured, and how different configurations will affect the system performance. This work is developing validated boiler models that can be used to investigate how sensor positioning and switching differentials can affect firing rates and interactions between boiler modules. In this way control settings can be more appropriately specified and commissioned.

Excessive boiler cycling can lead to early failure of boilers and increased energy use. The results presented in this paper show that interaction between boilers due to poor sequence control settings will lead to additional and unnecessary cycling of boilers under part load conditions. The guidance arising from this work will help to extend boiler life and reduce fuel waste.
Analysis of vertical ground loop heat exchangers applied to buildings in the UK
Authors: Underwood C.P. , Spitler J.D.
Published: April 2007

The work presented here deals with the design and performance of ground-source heat pumps and ground-sink cooling systems using vertical borehole arrays for commercial applications in the UK. Heating and cooling energy demands for a range of building and HVAC plant options are obtained by thermal modelling applied to four HVAC plant options: space heating only; heating with chilled ceilings; fan coil units and constant volume all-air plant. Ground loop designs are conducted for each system option using an impulse-response method and the parameters extracted from this are used in 10-year simulations of plant response which have been carried out using HVACSIM+. The 10-year time horizon was used to assess any degradation in earth temperature over time. The results show that a substantial reduction in energy (and, hence, carbon) can be expected of up to and exceeding 50% when using ground source heat pumps for winter heating with direct cooling in summer in association with moderate temperature cooling systems such as chilled ceilings. A degradation of earth temperature was evident with systems utilising limited cooling or no cooling but this did not appear to influence heat pump performance greatly.

Practical Applications: Design and performance data for use in vertical ground loop (borehole) heat exchanger arrays providing source heat for heat pumps as well as direct cooling for buildings are generated and reported in this paper. The data should be of help to design practitioners for the sizing of borehole arrays for both heating and cooling. Design and performance matching to a wide variety of HVAC combinations, building energy demand levels and two contrasting sets of earth thermal property data are included so that practitioners will be able to select results that suit a range of modern applications. Also included are results of 10-year energy simulations that demonstrate the required design and operating conditions needed to ensure that initial undisturbed earth conditions will not drift with time to an unacceptable extent. Comparisons are made with conventional heating and cooling methods so that estimates of carbon savings due to the use of ground-coupled heat pumps with (and without) direct cooling can be made.
Technical note
Authors: McLean RC , Danert K. , Morrison SJ , Galbraith GH
Published: April 2007

The major defence available to the body in high-temperature occupational exposures is the evaporation of sweat and the calculation of the evaporation rate forms a central part of the assessment procedure for determining a safe working pattern. This calculation is conventionally carried out on the basis of a steady-state sweat rate, which neglects the gradual onset of sweating at the beginning of an exposure. The maximum exposure period determined on this basis will overestimate the safe working time. This paper presents the background to a correction, which can be applied to such a conventionally-determined maximum exposure period to take account of sweating onset.

Practicalapplication: In an occupational hot exposure situation, the assessment of a safe working period is critically dependent on an accurate evaluation of the body energy loss by sweat evaporation. Numerical assessment methods conventionally calculate this component on the assumption of a step change to the steady-state value immediately on commencement of an exposure. As sweating onset is a gradual process, this can lead to a serious overestimation of the accumulated sweat loss and safe exposure period.

The outcome of the accompanying paper is a numerical relationship which allows the maximum exposure period calculated on a steady-state basis to be corrected to take account of sweating onset. The form of this correction shows that its application is particularly important in short exposures with a high evaporative loss.
Deliberations on the Unknown, the Unsensed, and the Unsayable?
Authors: Soneryd Linda
Published: April 2007

This article explores processes of articulation in the controversies over third-generation mobile phone transmitters and the interrelated phenomenon of “electrosensitivity.” The argument is that the search to fix public image and public concerns tends to alienate the public from technology discussions. An alternative political epistemology of articulations is suggested to explore the dynamics among prereflexive motives, public engagement, and institutional requirements for public deliberations.
Patient Partnership in Decision-Making on Biomedical Research
Authors: Caron-Flinterman J. Francisca , Broerse Jacqueline E. W. , Bunders Joske F. G.
Published: April 2007

Participation of end users in decision-making on science is increasingly practiced, as witnessed by the growing body of scientific literature on case evaluations. In the biomedical field, however, end-user participation in decision-making is rare. Some scholars argue that because patients are stakeholders and relevant experts, they could also provide important contributions to decision-making within the field of biomedical research. But what strategies could be used to effectively implement patient participation in decision-making on biomedical research? In this article, we analyze strategies for patient participation and conclude that these can hardly be regarded effective because they do not ensure patients' structural influence on decision-making. We identify obstacles for effective patient participation, which seem to reflect a resilience of the current biomedical decision-making network. We subsequently elaborate on the concept of transition management in the search for clues on how to breach this resilience and change the network toward the inclusion of patients.
The Epidemiology of Shoulder Injuries in English Professional Rugby Union
Authors: Headey Julia , Brooks John H. M. , Kemp Simon P. T.
Published: April 2007

Background

Shoulder injuries constitute a considerable risk to professional rugby union players; however, there is a shortage of detailed epidemiologic information about injuries in this population.

Purpose

To describe the incidence, severity, and risk factors associated with shoulder injuries in professional rugby union.

Study Design

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Method

Medical personnel prospectively reported time-loss injuries in professional rugby union in England, and the shoulder injuries were evaluated.

Results

The incidence of shoulder injuries was significantly lower during training (0.10/1000 player—training hours) compared with matches (8.9/1000 player—match hours). The most common match injury was acromioclavicular joint injury (32%); the most severe was shoulder dislocation and instability (mean severity, 81 days absent), which also caused the greatest proportion of absence (42%) and had the highest rate of recurrence (62%). The majority of match shoulder injuries were sustained in the tackle (65%), and outside backs were the most likely to sustain an injury from tackling (2.4/1000 player-tackles). Injuries sustained during training were significantly more severe (61 days) than were those sustained during match play (27 days), and defensive training sessions carried the highest risk of injury (0.45/1000 player-hours; mean severity, 67 days). A mean of 241 player-days per club per season were lost to shoulder injuries.

Conclusion

Results suggest the potential to reduce this injury burden by modifying training activities and implementing “prehabilitation” strategies in an effort to minimize the risk of shoulder dislocation/instability.
Life-Threatening Complications of HIV Infection
Authors: Davaro Raul E. , Thirumalai Annetha
Published: April 2007

Few modern diseases have experienced as rapid and dramatic change in prognosis and treatment as HIV infection. The introduction of active antiretroviral therapy (ART) and effective prophylaxis of opportunistic infections ushered in a new era in the treatment of HIV infection and changed dramatically the natural history of this disease. The rates of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and intensive care mortality in patients with HIV infection have shifted repeatedly during the AIDS epidemic, influenced by attitudes of patients and providers toward utility of care. In the ART era, patients with HIV infection admitted to the ICU fall into 3 general categories: those with AIDS-related opportunistic infections, those who are experiencing complications related to ART, and those with medical problems unrelated to HIV infection. In this article, the authors provide a review of the most common life-threatening complications in patients with HIV infection.
Cerebral Oximetry Monitoring Provides Early Warning of Hypercyanotic Spells in an Infant with Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Tobias Joseph D.
Published: April 2007

A 3.6-kg, 3-month-old infant with a history of tetralogy of Fallot and increasing hypercyanotic spells was brought to the operating room for operative repair. Before the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass, it was noted that an abrupt decrease in the cerebral oximetry value occurred before pulse oximetry measured the decrease in oxygen saturation. This happened 4 times, and during all 4 of the hypercyanotic spells, the decrease of the cerebral oximeter value occurred 15 to 30 seconds before a change registered in the pulse oximetry value. For the first time, this case illustrates that cerebral oximetry monitoring may be able to identify the onset of hypercyanotic spells and desaturation before standard pulse oximetry. Cerebral oximetry may provide a quicker identification of acute changes in the clinical status of infants and children by identifying hypoxemia before pulse oximetry.
Cytokines in Chronically Critically Ill Patients After Activity and Rest
Authors: Winkelman Chris , Higgins Patricia A. , Chen Yea Jyh Kathy , Levine Alan D.
Published: April 2007

Inflammation, a common problem for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), frequently is associated with serious and prolonged critical illnesses. To date, no study has examined whether physical activity influences inflammatory factors in critically ill adults. The objectives of this study were to (a) examine the relationships between type and duration of physical activity and serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), a proinflammatory cytokine; IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine; and their ratio and (b) determine if there are associations between cytokines or their ratio and activity or outcomes. This descriptive feasibility study investigated the approaches to measuring levels of physical activity and its relationship to serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 and the ratio between them in patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation during periods of activity and rest. Measurements included serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels, direct observation and actigraphy, and prospective chart review. Ten critically ill patients who were mechanically ventilated for an average of 10 days in a large, urban, teaching hospital were enrolled. The average ratio of IL-6 to IL-10 improved after an average of 14.7 min of passive physical activity, typically multiple in-bed turns associated with hygiene. IL-6, IL-10, and their ratio were not associated with patient outcomes of weaning success or length of stay. High levels of IL-6 were associated with mortality. Cytokine balance may be improved by low levels of activity among patients with prolonged critical illness. The pattern of cytokines produced after activity may improve patients' recovery from prolonged critical illness and mechanical ventilation.
The Dose-Dependent Effects of Chronic Iron Overload on the Production of Oxygen Free Radicals and Vitamin E Concentrations in the Liver of a Murine Model
Authors: McCullough Karey D. , Bartfay Wally J.
Published: April 2007

Genetic disorders of iron metabolism such as primary and secondary hemochromatosis affect thousands of individuals worldwide and are major causes of liver dysfunction, morbidity, and mortality. Although the exact mechanism of hepatic injury associated with these genetic disorders is not fully understood, the propagation of excess concentrations of iron-catalyzed oxygen free radicals (OFRs) may play a role. The authors hypothesized that chronic iron burden would result in dose-dependent (a) increases in hepatic iron stores, (b) increases in hepatic OFR-mediated hepatic cellular injury as quantified by the cytotoxic aldehydes malondialdehyde (MDA) and hexanal, and (c) decreases in protective antioxidant reserve status as quantified by plasma vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) levels in a murine model. Twenty B6D2F1 male mice were randomized to the (a) saline control (0.05 mL intraperiotoneal [i.p.]/mouse/day, n = 5), (b) 100 mg total iron burden (n = 5), (c) 200 mg total iron burden (n = 5), or (d) 400 mg total iron burden (n = 5) group. Iron burden was achieved by daily injections of iron dextran (Imferon, 0.05 mL i.p./mouse/day). In comparison to control mice and in support of the hypothesis, the authors observed significant dose-dependent increases in total hepatic iron burden (p < .001) with corresponding increases in MDA and hexanal concentrations (p < .001) and decreases in the protective plasma antioxidant vitamin E (p < .001). These findings suggest that iron-catalyzed OFR-mediated damage may play a role in damaging the liver in chronic states of iron burden.
Consuming Harrogate
Authors: Cuthill Viv
Published: April 2007

This article proposes that eating and drinking out are important performances in the consumption of place. Eating and drinking place myths draw consumers to place, and places are sensed during copresent participation in these activities. Focusing on empirical investigation undertaken in the tourist town of Harrogate, England, the article explores how the intersections of mobilities of food and drink, material culture, and people create service cultures that are imagined and performed in two eating and drinking venues, Betty's Café Tea Rooms and Revolution Vodka Bar. These eating and drinking spaces represent perceived disjunctures in the contemporary place identity of Harrogate. Although complex cultural flows intersect in venues to constitute the eating and drinking experience, this article suggests that copresent engagement with service cultures creates distinctive senses of place.
Follow the Thing
Authors: Cook Ian , Harrison Michelle
Published: April 2007

In food studies, there are few examples of multi-site ethnographies exploring the hazy relations between commodity producers, consumers, and those in between (see Cook et al., 2006). This article attempts to add to this literature by tracing relations between one North London family cooking fishcakes on a Friday night, and the changing fortunes of a group of farmers in a rural Jamaica town ripping up sugar cane to grow hot peppers: a key ingredient in a bottle of Pepup `West Indian Hot Pepper Sauce` that connected their lives. (The names of places, people, and companies have been changed in this article to preserve the anonymity of those taking part in our research.) This article maps out a constellation of people, plants, bugs, diseases, recipes, politics, trade agreements, and histories, whose multiple, complex entanglements and disjunctures animate this `thing` and its travels. And, in doing so, the article draws upon and contributes to political/academic debates about: (a) conducting `follow the thing` ethnographies in which commodities and their biographies are the organizing principles of post-disciplinary research (Sayer, 2003; Marcus, 1995); (b) producing detailed case studies that illustrate how capitalist relations not only could be, but are, diverse, different, surprising (Leyshon et al., 2003; Miller, D. 1998); (c) presenting evocative, engaging, affecting but jarring accounts of connected lives that readers can hopefully identify with and get wrapped up in as they read (Agger, 2002; Heyman, 2000); and (d) theorizing together, between the lines, marxist, poststructuralist, and postcolonial approaches to food and its globalized, uneven geographies (see Castree, 2002; Cook & Harrison, 2003; Kirsch & Mitchell, 2004).
The Personal Becomes Polemical?
Authors: Perriton Linda
Published: April 2007

This article looks critically at approaches to management development that privilege process over content. By comparing some contemporar y practices with the principles of adult learning outlined by Knowles, it questions whether by following the subjective turn we have come to distort the concept of `facilitation'. The article explores how our faith in process over content is often unreflexive and suggests that the second generation of facilitative practices needs more careful thought and consideration in terms of the type of learner it is helping to recreate.
Guided Imagery for Smoking Cessation in Adults: A Randomized Pilot Trial
Authors: Tindle Hilary A. , Barbeau Elizabeth M. , Davis Roger B. , Eisenberg David M. , Park Elyse R. , Phillips Russell S. , Rigotti Nancy A.
Published: April 2007

This pilot study describes a randomized controlled trial of an audio CD—based interactive guided imagery program for smoking cessation for adults versus a wait-listed control. Feasibility, process measures, and biochemically validated abstinence were assessed at end of treatment (6 weeks) and 12 weeks, as well as at 52 weeks for intervention participants. Fifty-nine percent of intervention participants attended four of six guided imagery sessions, and 94% found the technique helpful for smoking cessation. Intervention participants had greater readiness to quit (Readiness to Quit Ladder, 8.3 vs. 7.2, p < .05) and lower state anxiety (Spielberger Index, 32 vs. 38, p < .05) at end of treatment than the control group. Abstinence rates in the intervention versus control groups were 36% versus 18% ( p = .43) at 6 weeks and 30% versus 12% ( p = .40) at 12 weeks, respectively. At 1 year, 24% of intervention participants remained abstinent. A guided imagery program for smoking cessation was feasible, perceived to be helpful, improved intermediate measures, and resulted in a trend toward smoking cessation.
Simultaneously optimizing dose and schedule of a new cytotoxic agent
Authors: Braun Thomas M. , Thall Peter F. , Nguyen Hoang , de Lima Marcos
Published: April 2007

Background Traditionally, phase I clinical trial designs are based upon one predefined course of treatment while varying among patients the dose given at each administration. In actual medical practice, patients receive a schedule comprised of several courses of treatment, and some patients may receive one or more dose reductions or delays during treatment. Consequently, the overall risk of toxicity for each patient is a function of both actual schedule of treatment and the differing doses used at each adminstration.

Purpose Our goal is to provide a practical phase I clinical trial design that more accurately reflects actual medical practice by accounting for both dose per administration and schedule.

Methods We propose an outcome-adaptive Bayesian design that simultaneously optimizes both dose and schedule in terms of the overall risk of toxicity, based on time-to-toxicity outcomes. We use computer simulation as a tool to calibrate design parameters.

Results We describe a phase I trial in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation that was designed and is currently being conducted using our new method. Our computer simulations demonstrate that our method outperforms any method that searches for an optimal dose but does not allow schedule to vary, both in terms of the probability of identifying optimal (dose, schedule) combinations, and the numbers of patients assigned to those combinations in the trial.

Limitations Our design requires greater sample sizes than those seen in traditional phase I studies due to the larger number of treatment combinations examined. Our design also assumes that the effects of multiple administrations are independent of each other and that the hazard of toxicity is the same for all administrations.

Conclusions Our design is the first for phase I clinical trials that is sufficiently flexible and practical to truly reflect clinical practice by varying both dose and the timing and number of administrations given to each patient. Clinical Trials 2007; 4: 113—124. http://ctj.sagepub.com
Small-angle neutron scattering investigation of the effect of a heat-treatment on the microstructure of porous basalt rocks
Authors: Kahle A. , Winkler B. , Radulescu A.
Published: April 2007

Small-angle neutron scattering has been used to study the microstructure of natural porous basalt rocks. The effect of temperature on the rock microstructure has been investigated on ‘as received’ and heat-treated basalts. The magnitudes of α, the power-law scattering exponent were between 3 and 4 for the majority of the rocks, indicating a surface fractal structure between the basalt matrix and the pore space. Heat-treated basalts show higher α values, and therefore a smoother pore surface. Internal surface areas were determined for all basalts depending on the thermal history.
Chemical zonation and relative timing of growth sections in garnets from eclogites of the Leaota Massif, South Carpathians
Authors: Săbău G. , Negulescu E. , Massonne H.-J.
Published: April 2007

We have investigated the chemical zoning of garnet in three texturally different eclogite types from the Leaota Massif, Romania, to test the various zonation patterns of Ca, Fe, Mg and Mn as indices of time-lines in porphyroblastic garnets. Mn zonation was found to mark various growth stages very well. It indicates in each of our three case studies a complex growth history dominated by multiple nucleation and coalescence, but also interrupted by partial resorption, as shown by morphological characteristics. Chemical variations of the main elements in garnet during prograde high-pressure metamorphism define time-lines other than those of Mn which decrease, highlighting the stages of porphyroblastic growth. In particular, the Ca/Mn, Mg/Mn and Mg/Fe ratios are useful in late growth stages, when low Mn contents and radial gradients do not allow a satisfactory resolution of Mn time-lines. These ratio-based time-lines further substantiate the potential of Mn time-lines in revealing non-concentric porphyroblastic growth. This is important in order to correctly relate garnet growth stages to stable mineral assemblages, a prerequisite for a reliable derivation of the metamorphic history of the host rock.
Origin of the secondary REE-minerals at the Paratoo copper deposit near Yunta, South Australia
Authors: Brugger J. , Ogierman J. , Pring A. , Waldron H. , Kolitsch U.
Published: April 2007

The Paratoo copper deposit, located in the Neoproterozoic to Cambrian Adelaide Geosyncline, South Australia, produced around 360 tons of Cu between 1888 and 1967 from oxidized ores. The deposit is located in the core of a breached, doubly plunging anticline, near a zone of disruption containing brecciated Adelaidean sedimentary rocks and dolerite (‘Paratoo Diapir’), and hosted in dolomitic shales of the Neoproterozoic Burra Formation. Near the surface, the mineralization resides mainly in deeply weathered quartz-magnetite-sulphide (pyrite, chalcopyrite) veins (⩽10 cm wide). At depth, drill cores reveal disseminated magnetite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, copper sulphide and native copper associated with extensive potassic alteration. K-Na-rich fluids also affected the dolerite in the ‘Paratoo diapir’, resulting in the precipitation of K-feldspar, dravite and K-bearing chabazite-Na. The most likely scenario for the genesis of the Paratoo deposit involves circulation of basinal fluids, focusing into the ‘Paratoo Diapir’, and ore precipitation through neutralization by fluid-rock interaction with the dolomitic shales hosting the mineralization.

The Paratoo deposit is deeply weathered, with malachite and chrysocolla (± tenorite and cuprite) containing the bulk of the copper recovered from the shallow workings. A diverse assemblage of secondary REE-bearing carbonate minerals, including the new species decrespignyite-(Y) and paratooite-(La), is associated with the weathered base metal and magnetite ores. Whole-rock geochemical analyses of fresh and mineralized host rock and of vein material reveals that the mineralization is associated with a strong, albeit highly variable, enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREE). This association indicates that REE and base metals were introduced by the same hydrothermal fluid. The strong negative Ce anomaly found in secondary REE minerals and mineralized rock samples suggests an upgrade of the REE contents in the weathering zone, insoluble Ce4+ being left behind.

The Fe-oxide-REE-base metal association at Paratoo is also characteristic of the giant Mesoproterozoic Fe oxide copper gold deposit of Olympic Dam, located 350 km to the NW. A similar association is found in the Palaeozoic deposits of the Mt Painter Inlier, 300 km to the NNE. The widespread occurrence of this elemental association in the Province probably reflects the geochemistry of the basement, which contains numerous Mesoproterozoic granites enriched in REE and U.
A survey of accessory mineral assemblages in peralkaline and more aluminous A-type granites of the southeast coastal area of China
Authors: Xie L. , Wang R. C. , Wang D. Z. , Qiu J. S.
Published: April 2007

An extensive belt of A-type granite exists along the southeast coast of China. The granites are divided into peralkaline and more aluminous subgroups which differ in mineral assemblages, mineral compositions and textures. In the peralkaline subgroup, primary magmatic Th-rich zircon is typically overgrown by Th-poor zircon containing thorite micro-inclusions. REE minerals in this subgroup are dominated by allanite-(Ce), chevkinite-(Ce), titanite and pyrochlore. Fe-Ti oxides are titanian magnetite and Mn-rich ilmenite. In contrast, in the more aluminous subgroup rocks, zircon is weakly zoned and exhibits very low Th but relatively high U contents. The REE minerals are dominated by Th-rich monazite-(Ce). Titanium-poor magnetite, pyrophanite and rutile are the major Fe-Ti oxides. These occurrences indicate that peralkaline magmas favour the formation of REE silicates, whereas magmas with higher alumina saturation stabilize REE phosphates. Peralkaline granites crystallized at temperatures 50–100°C greater than the more aluminous granites, but under lower oxidation conditions. These differences in formation conditions of the two A-type granite subgroups, deduced by accessory mineralcharacteristics, are inferred to be related to magma derivation at different crustal levels, with peralkaline magma deriving from a deeper crustal level with more mantle input.
Interactions between epithelial cells and leukocytes in immunity and tissue homeostasis
Authors: Shaykhiev Renat , Bals Robert
Published: April 2007

Epithelial cells (ECs) cover the surfaces of the body such as skin, airways, or the intestinal tract and provide an important link between the outside environment and the body interior. Leukocytes play a critical role in immunity, as they are the predominant cell population involved in inflammation and the only cells providing adaptive immune response to pathogenic microorganisms. ECs and leukocytes form a complex network, which regulates processes such as host defense, immunity, inflammation, tissue repair, and cancer growth. One of the most critical functions of ECs is to keep up a barrier to the outside and to protect the sensitive immune system from continuous contact with external microorganisms. An appropriate response to wounding or danger involves not only killing of microbes but also regulation of tissue repair and reconstitution of the barrier system. Dysregulated response to damage represents a pathophysiological mechanism, which leads to autoimmunity, chronic inflammatory diseases, and cancer development. The networks described here are involved in virtually all diseases that take place at body surfaces. In this article, we develop a concept of epithelial barrier as a critical regulator of leukocyte function and discuss how host defense processes modulate epithelial homeostasis.
Efficacy of Letrozole Extended Adjuvant Therapy According to Estrogen Receptor and Progesterone Receptor Status of the Primary Tumor: National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group MA.17
Authors: Goss Paul E. , Ingle James N. , Martino Silvana , Robert Nicholas J. , Muss Hyman B. , Piccart Martine J. , Castiglione Monica , Tu Dongsheng , Shepherd Lois E. , Pritchard Kathleen I. , Livingston Robert B. , Davidson Nancy E. , Norton Larry , Perez Edith A. , Abrams Jeffrey S. , Cameron David A. , Palmer Michael J. , Pater Joseph L.
Published: April 2007

Purpose

Controversy exists regarding estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) receptor expression on efficacy of adjuvant endocrine therapy. In the ATAC (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination) trial, the benefit of anastrozole over tamoxifen was substantially greater in ER+/PgR–than ER+/PgR+ tumors. In BIG 1-98 (Breast International Group), the benefits of letrozole over tamoxifen were the same in ER+ tumors irrespective of PgR. MA.17 randomized postmenopausal women after 5 years of tamoxifen, to letrozole or placebo. We present outcomes according to tumor receptor status.

Patients and Methods

Disease-free survival (DFS) and other outcomes were assessed in subgroups by ER and PgR status using Cox's proportional hazards model, adjusting for nodal status and prior adjuvant chemotherapy.

Results

The DFS hazard ratio (HR) for letrozole versus placebo in ER+/PgR+ tumors (N = 3,809) was 0.49 (95% CI, 0.36 to 0.67) versus 1.21 (95% CI, 0.63 to 2.34) in ER+/PgR–tumors (n = 636). ER+/PgR+ letrozole patients experienced significant benefit in distant DFS (DDFS; HR = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.80) and overall survival (OS; HR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.37 to 0.90). A statistically significant difference in treatment effect between ER+/PgR+ and ER+/PgR–subgroups for DFS was observed (P = .02), but not for DDFS (P = .06) or OS (P = .09).

Conclusion

These results suggest greater benefit for letrozole in DFS, DDFS, and OS in patients with ER+/PgR+ tumors, implying greater activity of letrozole in tumors with a functional ER. However, because this is a subset analysis and receptors were not measured centrally, we caution against using these results for clinical decision making.
Infection Control: A Survey of UK Special Care Dentists and Dental Care Professionals
Authors: Scully Crispian , Moles David R , Fiske Janice
Published: April 2007

Aim

To determine attitudes to and practice of infection control among practitioners involved in special care dentistry.

Methods

A questionnaire on the issues of decontamination and infection control was sent to all 680 members of the British Society for Disability and Oral Health.

Results

The response rate was 63.5%. Almost all respondents (95%) reported having a local infection-control policy; most (97%) had local protocols for the management of inoculation injuries; most (81%) gave new staff training in infection-control procedures and most (74%) provided updates for established staff. Most respondents ‘usually’ or ‘always’ provided eye protection for patients (95%) and themselves (93%). Virtually all routinely wore gloves, and nearly all (94%) ‘always’ changed gloves between patients. The majority ‘usually’ or ‘always’ disinfected or disposed of surface coverings between patients (98%), sterilised all non-disposable instruments that had been set out for the patient (99%), and disinfected laboratory work (96%).

Conclusions

There was high awareness of infection-control issues, and good reported compliance among these dental workers.
Inactivation of Pten in Osteo-Chondroprogenitor Cells Leads to Epiphyseal Growth Plate Abnormalities and Skeletal Overgrowth
Authors: Ford-Hutchinson Alice Fiona , Ali Zenobia , Lines Suzen Elizabeth , Hallgrímsson Benedikt , Boyd Steven Kyle , Jirik Frank Robert
Published: April 2007

To study the role of the Pten tumor suppressor in skeletogenesis, we generated mice lacking this key phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase pathway regulator in their osteo-chondroprogenitors. A phenotype of growth plate dysfunction and skeletal overgrowth was observed.

Introduction: Skeletogenesis is a complex process relying on a variety of ligands that activate a range of intracellular signal transduction pathways. Although many of these stimuli are known to activate phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase (PI3K), the function of this pathway during cartilage development remains nebulous. To study the role of PI3K during skeletogenesis, we used mice deficient in a negative regulator of PI3K signaling, the tumor suppressor, Pten.

Materials and Methods: Pten gene deletion in osteo-chondrodroprogenitors was obtained by interbreeding mice with loxP-flanked Pten exons with mice expressing the Cre recombinase under the control of the type II collagen gene promoter (Ptenflox/flox:Col2a1Cre mice). Phenotypic analyses included microcomputed tomography and immunohistochemistry techniques.

Results: μCT revealed that Ptenflox/flox:Col2a1Cre mice exhibited both increased skeletal size, particularly of vertebrae, and massive trabeculation accompanied by increased cortical thickness. Primary spongiosa development and perichondrial bone collar formation were prominent in Ptenflox/flox:Col2a1Cre mice, and long bone growth plates were disorganized and showed both matrix overproduction and evidence of accelerated hypertrophic differentiation (indicated by an altered pattern of type X collagen and alkaline phosphatase expression). Consistent with increased PI3K signaling, Pten-deficient chondrocytes showed increased phospho-PKB/Akt and phospho-S6 immunostaining, reflective of increased mTOR and PDK1 activity. Interestingly, no significant change in growth plate proliferation was seen in Pten-deficient mice, and growth plate fusion was found at 6 months.

Conclusions: By virtue of its ability to modulate a key signal transduction pathway responsible for integrating multiple stimuli, Pten represents an important regulator of both skeletal size and bone architecture.
Hospital-Based Directly Observed Therapy for HIV-Infected Children and Adolescents to Assess Adherence to Antiretroviral Medications
Authors: Glikman Daniel , Walsh Linda , Valkenburg Judy , Mangat P. Daisy , Marcinak John F.
Published: April 2007

BACKGROUND. The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV led to significant declines in HIV-associated morbidity and mortality in children. Nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy is the leading cause of treatment failure in HIV-infected patients. The ability to recognize nonadherence is suboptimal, and differentiating it from other causes of inadequate viral suppression may be difficult.

OBJECTIVES. The purpose of this work was to examine the efficacy of hospital-based directly observed therapy in assessing adherence to antiretroviral medications in HIV-infected children and adolescents suspected of nonadherence and failing other interventions.

METHODS. The medical charts of all HIV-infected patients admitted to the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital for directly observed therapy from July 2004 to June 2006 were reviewed. Patients were hospitalized for 7 days. Data collected included demographics, clinical and immune class category, previous and current antiretroviral medications, viral resistance tests, HIV-1 RNA viral load, and CD4+ T-cell number and percentage before and after directly observed therapy.

RESULTS. There were 9 perinatally infected patients with a total of 13 admissions. The median age was 13 years, and 8 had been treated with multiple antiretroviral regimens. Three common patterns of changes in the viral load over time were observed. In the first, the viral load dropped at the end of the directly observed therapy period and stayed low thereafter. In the second, the drop in the viral load seen at the end of the period was not sustained. In the third, there was no change in the viral load during or after the directly observed therapy period. Compared with the viral load at admission, the viral load at the end of directly observed therapy was lower in 8 patients with a mean ± SD decrease of 0.8 ± 0.55 log10 copies per mL.

CONCLUSIONS. Short, hospital-based directly observed therapy was helpful in confirming nonadherence to antiretroviral medications, therefore impacting future therapeutic decisions in HIV-infected children and adolescents. Short, hospital-based directly observed therapy should be considered in patients with poor virological control for whom outpatient interventions have failed.
Obstetric management of women with female genital mutilation
Authors: Rashid Mumtaz , Rashid Mohammed H
Published: April 2007

Key content

Female genital mutilation is the partial or total removal of the female genitalia for non‐medical reasons.

The practice is illegal in the United Kingdom.

It is estimated that one woman dies every 10 minutes from the sequelae of the procedure.

Healthcare professionals require adequate training in the clinical management of women with this condition and they also need to demonstrate great cultural sensitivity.

In types III and IV the narrowed vaginal opening is likely to cause obstetric problems.

Defibulation prepregnancy is the most desirable option, failing which it may be carried out antenatally or during early labour (less desirable options).

Learning objectives

To know about the practice of female genital mutilation, different types of mutilation procedures and associated medical complications.

To learn about the obstetric complications and childbirth experience of women with the condition in the developed world.

To understand how delivery of obstetric services in the UK for women with genital mutilation could be improved.

To understand the ethical and child protection issues associated with the practice.

Ethical issues

Female genital mutilation is a violation of universal human rights.

The procedure is regarded as a form of child abuse but not given the same recognition on the grounds that it is carried out with the best intentions for the future welfare of the child.

Is it right to impose a Western concept of justice, which outlaws female genital mutilation, on a society where the practice is widely accepted?

Please cite this article as: Rashid M, Rashid MH. Obstetric management of women with female genital mutilation. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2007;9:95–101.
Development of 100‐in. TFT‐LCDs for HDTV and public‐information‐display applications
Authors: Jin H. C. , Kang I. B. , Jang E. S. , Moon H. M. , Oh C. H. , Lee S. H. , Yeo S. D.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— LCDs have achieved a full‐high‐definition resolution of 1920 × 1080 (16:9), 600‐nit brightness, 3000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 92% color gamut, 178° viewing angle, and 5‐msec response time at all gray levels and are targeted for HDTV and public‐information‐display applications. Some unique technologies, such as Cu bus line, advanced wide view polarizer, and wide‐color‐gamut lamp, were applied. A new stitching‐free technology was developed to overcome the size limitation of the photomask in both the TFT and color‐filter processes. The size of the panel (100 in.), based on the wide format (16:9), is determined by the maximum efficiency of the world's first seventh‐generation line (glass size, 1950 × 2250 mm) in LG.Philips LCD's (LPL) Paju display cluster. The issues facing 100‐in. TFT‐LCDs will be discussed.
Mura‐detection method by using a slit‐beam ellipsometer
Authors: Murai Hideyuki , Ekawa Koichi , Takashima Jun , Naito Hitoshi , Nakatsuka Nobuo
Published: April 2007

Abstract— A slit‐beam ellipsometer which performs sensitive mura detection of thin films on transparent substrates has been developed. Mura is a Japanese term which means the non‐uniformity of the thin‐film thickness, the dielectric constant, etc. The mura thickness of polyimide films and the mura thickness of the surface of polyimide films caused by rubbing along a 30‐mm‐long slit beam was observed. This ellipsometer only detects the reflected light from the rubbed polyimide films onto the transparent substrates. As a result, sensitive MURA detection is achieved. The slit beam generated by a cylindrical lens is irradiated onto a sample. The reflected light from the sample becomes collimated light passing through another cylindrical lens and is detected by a 2048‐pixel CCD liner sensor. In addition, the in‐line use of slit‐beam ellipsometer was examined. When the slit‐beam ellipsometer is set up during the rubbing process, the optimum set up, where rubbing mura‐detection becomes highly sensitive, was determined.
Low‐power and small‐area holding latch with level‐shifting function using LTPS TFTs for mobile applications
Authors: Choi Jung‐Hwan , Kim Yong‐Jae , Ahn Soon‐Sung , Kwon Oh‐Kyong
Published: April 2007

Abstract— A holding latch having a level shifting function fabricated by using a low‐temperature polysilicon (LTPS) process with a 5‐μm design rule on a glass backplane for power and cost effectiveness has been proposed. The layout area and the power consumption of the proposed circuit are reduced by 10% and 52%, respectively, compared with those of a typical structure which combines a static D‐latch and a cross‐coupled level shifter for a 2.2‐in. qVGA TFT‐LCD panel.
Development of rapid thermal processor for large‐glass LTPS production
Authors: Shin Dong Hoon , Kim Hyoung‐June
Published: April 2007

Abstract— A field‐enhanced rapid‐thermal‐processor (FE‐RTP) system that enables LTPS LCD and AMOLED manufacturers to produce poly‐Si films at low cost, high throughput, and high yield has been developed. The FE‐RTP allows for diverse process options including crystallization, thermal oxidation of gate oxides, and fast pre‐compactions. The process and equipment compatibility with a‐Si TFT manufacturing lines provides a viable solution to produce poly‐Si TFTs using a‐Si TFT lines.
Influence of sustaining frequency on the production efficiency of excited Xe atoms studied in unit cell microplasma for ACPDPs using spectroscopic diagnostics
Authors: Oh Jun‐Seok , Sakai Osamu , Tachibana Kunihide
Published: April 2007

Abstract— The effects of the driving frequency of the sustaining‐voltage pulses on microplasmas in a cell of an ac plasma‐display panel (ACPDP) were investigated using spectroscopic diagnostics [optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and laser‐absorption spectroscopy (LAS)]. The unit discharge cell has a structure similar to that of a general commercial ACPDP, but it is prepared for three‐dimensional (3‐D) observation using a pair of micro‐prisms. When the near‐IR emission by OES and the absorption signal by LAS were observed in the front and side views simultaneously, it was determined that the discharge was concentrated at the center of the discharge space and quickly responded to an applied electrical potential as the sustaining frequency increases. The production efficiency of excited Xe**(2p) atoms and vacuum‐ultraviolet (VUV) photons, which was estimated from the spectroscopy results with the measured power dissipated in the discharges, increased as the frequency of the sustain pulses increases to 100 kHz. At 250 kHz, however, the efficiency remarkably decreased because of an inefficient time for excimer formation and, possibly, for wall‐charge formation. From the quantitative analysis of the efficiency, the most‐efficient frequency for the sustain voltage was around 100 kHz in the case of Xe(5%)‐Ne at 500 Torr, i.e., the efficiency depended on both the priming particles [excited Xe*(1s5) atoms] in space and the charged particles on the dielectrics.