bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Commonality and variability analysis in industrial practice for product line improvement
Authors: Ramachandran Muthu , Allen Pat
Published: March 2005

Product lines have a long and successful history of hardware component reuse, but large‐scale reuse of software has been much more difficult to establish. The difficulties inherent in building software systems for product families have been widely recognised. This article introduces a method for analysing requirements for their scope, and for their potential to be candidate requirements for a product family–oriented development. The article also discusses the results and lessons learned from an industrial application (high‐end consumer electronic products). Our approach to product line is a combination of integrating and leveraging the existing product line. The method also emphasises product line evolution using well‐engineered components. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐rise building cladding drift accommodation
Authors: Carpenter Lauren D.
Published: March 2005

High‐rise building structural system designs are more often ‘controlled’ by considerations of wind drift for cladding and motion perception and in seismic areas drift due to seismic loadings. The design of cladding for accommodation of building drift varies by structural system since some systems are inherently more flexible. Building displacements and corresponding interstory drift ratios at code static response spectra level are presented. In order to form a current perspective on drift accommodation requirements, the provisions in the UBC, NEHRP provisions for new buildings, NEHRP provisions for rehabilitation, etc. are summarized. Some comparisons of elastic and inelastic displacements and code drift limits are also included. Tests on glass systems and precast panel systems are summarized and compared to code drift limits. An overview of typical cladding testing for high‐rise cladding systems is also discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three‐ and four‐dimensional freehand fetal echocardiography: a feasibility study using a hand‐held Doppler probe for cardiac gating
Authors: Herberg U. , Goldberg H. , Breuer J.
Published: March 2005

Objective

To evaluate the clinical feasibility of the signal from a hand‐held Doppler probe as a real‐time tracking signal for dynamic three‐dimensional (3D) (so‐called four‐dimensional (4D)) fetal echocardiography in a random patient cohort.

Methods

Seventy fetuses, with and without congenital heart disease, at various gestational ages (mean, 25 weeks; range, 18–38 weeks) were investigated using freehand 3D echocardiography. Time gating was achieved concurrently by obtaining a Doppler signal of the fetal heart without further signal averaging. In 10 fetuses, Doppler gating was compared to cardiotocogram (CTG)‐gated 3D echo using signal averaging. Gray‐scale and color Doppler dynamic 3D displays and multiplanar views were assessed according to their ability to accurately depict cardiac gating and cardiac morphology.

Results

In 68/70 fetuses, valid Doppler‐based trigger signals were obtained. Correct cardiac gating was achieved in 231/275 (84%) 4D datasets. Doppler tracing of the fetal heart allowed beat‐to‐beat triggering without the necessity for signal averaging. Doppler gating detected rapid changes in the fetal heart rate more reliably than CTG gating, but was more sensitive to acoustic interference between the gating and echo‐transducer when color‐coded Doppler imaging was used. Image quality was highly dependent on random motion and the acoustic window. A total of 171/231 (74%) correctly gated datasets successfully demonstrated clinically useful 4D images of the fetal heart. The reconstruction of 3D and multiplanar views provided additional views not obtainable by two‐dimensional imaging.

Conclusion

These results show that a hand‐held Doppler probe can be used as a reliable online gating source for 4D fetal echocardiography. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interspecific interactions and biomass allocation among grassland plant species
Authors: Wardle David A. , Peltzer Duane A.
Published: March 2005

Although a handful of studies have shown how interspecific interactions may influence plant shoot to root ratios, the issue of how these interactions influence biomass partitioning among coexisting plant species remains largely unexplored. In this study, we determined whether a given plant species could induce other plant species to allocate relative biomass to each of four zones (aboveground, and three soil depth layers) in a different manner to what they would otherwise, and whether this may influence the nature of competitive or facilitative interactions amongst coexisting plant species. We used a glasshouse study in which mixtures and monocultures of ten grassland plant species were grown in cylindrical pots to determine the effects of plant species mixtures versus monocultures on the production of shoots and of roots of other species for each of three soil depths. Across all experiments, stimulation of production in mixtures was far less common than suppression of production. Different plant species shifted their allocation to shoots or roots at different depths, suggesting that interspecific interactions can either: (1) increase the ratio of deep to shallow roots, perhaps because competition reduces root growth in the uppermost part of the soil profile; or (2) decrease this ratio by reducing plant vigour to such an extent that the plant cannot produce roots that can reach deep enough to exploit resources at lower depths. Further, these results suggest that there are instances in which competition may have the potential to enforce resource partitioning between coexisting plant species by inducing different species to root at different depths to each other.
Interferences between Sphagnum and vascular plants: effects on plant community structure and peat formation
Authors: Malmer Nils , Albinsson Crister , Svensson Brita M. , Wallén Bo
Published: March 2005

The interference between vascular plants and peat mosses with respect to nitrogen and phosphorus was studied in a fertilization experiment and with respect to competition for light in a removal experiment in poor fens with either soligenous or topogenous hydrology using Nartheciumossifragum (L.) Huds. and three species of Sphagnum sect. Sphagnum as targets. Adding fertilizer either on the moss surface or below it confirmed the hypotheses of an asymmetric competition for nutrients, viz. that the Sphagnum mosses relied on the atmospheric supply while Narthecium depended on mineralization in the peat. The results of the removal experiments and the negatively correlated growth of Narthecium and Sphagnum mosses demonstrated a symmetric competition for light. The intensity of the competition for light increased as the availability of N and P increased. The nutrient resources in the total biomass decreased with decreasing standing crop of Narthecium. Only with a considerable amount of mineral nutrients in the biomass has Narthecium the capacity to grow ahead of Sphagnum, because the asymmetric competition for N and P gives Sphagnum the capacity to reduce the performance of vascular plants. The mosses are more efficient in their use of nutrients and produce a decay‐resistant litter inducing low mineralization and increasing the peat accumulation rate, and that withdraws N and P from the rhizosphere. The Sphagnum mosses thus act as ecological engineers structuring the plant community and determining the carbon balance of the system. The development of ombrotrophic conditions through peat accumulation seems less probable on soligenous than on topogenous mires owing to the higher mineralization rate there supporting the growth of the vascular plants. Correspondingly, disturbances of the Sphagnum cover, such as through airborne pollutants, increase the productivity of the vascular plants and decrease the capacity for carbon accumulation.
An investigation of phosphate adsorbed on aluminium oxyhydroxide and oxide phases by nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Kim Y. , Kirkpatrick R. J.
Published: March 2005

The adsorption of phosphate by soil minerals controls availability of P to plants, but the chemical environments of adsorbed phosphate are poorly known. We used 31P MAS NMR to study the adsorption of phosphate on to boehmite (γ‐AlOOH) and γ‐Al2O3 with large surface areas. The solid phases were reacted in 0.1 m phosphate solutions at pH from 3 to 11 and in solutions with pH 5 at concentrations from 10−1 m to 10−4 m. The spectra suggested three different phosphate environments: (i) orthophosphate precipitated from the residual solution after vacuum filtering, (ii) surface‐adsorbed phosphate in inner‐sphere complexes, and (iii) Al‐phosphate precipitates on the surfaces of the minerals. The chemical shifts of both the inner‐sphere complexes and surface precipitates became progressively less shielded with increasing pH and decreasing concentration of phosphate solution. For the inner‐sphere complexes, we interpret these changes to be the result of decreasing phosphate protonation combined with rapid proton exchange among phosphate tetrahedra with different numbers of protons, which causes peak averaging. The chemical shifts of 31P of the Al‐phosphate precipitates were more negative than those of the surface phosphates at a given pH and solution concentration, probably because of a larger number of P–O–Al linkages per tetrahedron. The observed trend of decreasing shielding is probably due to the decreasing average number of P–O–Al linkages per tetrahedron combined with decreasing protonation and an increasing number of K+ next‐nearest neighbours. Even at small concentrations of phosphate solution, a significant amount of Al‐phosphate precipitate was present.
Trial of metronidazole vs. azithromycin for treatment of cyclosporine‐induced gingival overgrowth
Authors: Chand Deepa H. , Quattrocchi Joseph , Poe Stacy A. , Terezhalmy Geza T. , Frederic Strife C. , Cunningham Robert J.
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  Gingival overgrowth usually characterized by increased cellular growth of gingival fibroblasts appears to be multifactorial. In patients receiving CyA for more than 3 months, the incidence can approach 70% and can be attributed to pharmaceutical immunosuppression. Case reports have reported regression of overgrowth with both metronidazole and azithromycin. The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy of metronidazole and azithromycin in reducing CyA‐induced gingival overgrowth. Twenty‐five patients were included in this double‐blinded randomized study. All patients were receiving CyA as medically indicated and diagnosed with gingival overgrowth by a dentist. Patients were randomized to receive either 5‐days of azithromycin or 7‐days of metronidazole given at baseline only. The extent of gingival overgrowth was measured at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 wk. Fourteen patients at CCF and 11 patients at CCHMC were studied. Repeated measures anova was performed to assess differences within and between groups. Gingival overgrowth at baseline was not statistically different between groups. The mean degree of gingival overgrowth after treatment was different across all time intervals (p = 0.0049) showing azithromycin to be more effective than metronidazole. Therapy with azithromycin offers an effective alternative to the management of CyA‐induced gingival overgrowth.
Nature, Nurture and Nation: Nísia Floresta's Engagement in the Breast-Feeding Debate in Brazil and France
Authors: Liddell Charlotte
Published: March 2005

This article looks at the way the Brazilian writer and educator Nísia Floresta addresses issues of race and class within her construction of nationhood. This is achieved through a consideration of the specific subject of maternal breast-feeding as discussed by Floresta in two texts, written in Brazil and France, respectively. A comparison of these works reveals a very different engagement with race and class factors in determining women's claim to citizenship. Floresta, in common with early 19th-century European feminism, believed this claim to lie within the domestic sphere, primarily in the role of mother and educator. The article considers how, as a vital aspect of that role, she portrays maternal breast-feeding as both natural and patriotic. It also highlights the extent to which Floresta was influenced by the prevailing concerns of her contemporaries regarding the risks of wet nursing and the threat posed by household slaves, before going on to consider how this discourse leads Floresta to exclude black slave women from her vision of patriotic motherhood, while acknowledging the maternity of women of all classes in a European context. Patriotic concerns, shaped by racial prejudices, overshadow Floresta's feminism, prohibiting the kind of unifying discourse of motherhood, which she claimed to profess.
Colonial Dependence and Sexual Difference: Reading for Gender in the Writings of Simón Bolívar (1783–1830)
Authors: Davies Catherine
Published: March 2005

The article explores the textual construction of gender categories in the political discourse of Simón Bolívar by means of a close critical reading of his seminal writings made public between 1812 and 1820. The historical and political processes known as Latin American independence constitute a moment of radical transformation. It was during this period that the questions of political rights, nationality and citizenship were most open to debate throughout the continent. The article shows how the category woman is constructed ambiguously in Independence/anti-colonial discourse, how gender is employed to create hierarchical systems of social organization to legitimate the exercise of power by an elite of white creole men and how myth is deployed in order to reinforce gender hegemonies. It will be shown that in Bolívar's writings colonial relations are recast as family relations and political independence from Spain legitimated in terms of sexual difference and masculine domination.
Study of direct tunneling current oscillations in ultrathin gate dielectrics
Authors: Nakhmedov E. P. , Radehaus C. , Wieczorek K.
Published: March 2005

The oscillation of the direct tunneling current through the oxide of a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitor is studied at high applied gate voltages. By assuming an exponential bending of the electrostatic potential in the depletion layer, an analytical expression for the leakage current is derived. The analytical expression obtained for the tunneling current at high gate voltages contains an oscillatory prefactor that is responsible for the gate current oscillation observed in MOS capacitors. A quasiclassical expression is derived that expresses the gate oxide thickness by means of the electric field strengths corresponding to two subsequent extrema in the leakage current oscillations. By analyzing various experimental gate current data, the formula is successfully applied to determine the oxide thickness. Comparative estimations of the oxide thickness by using of our method and the conventional method show that our method yields superior results.
Macroscopic energy transport in ZnO monitored by spatiotemporally resolved luminescence
Authors: Priller Heiko , Decker Manuel , Hauschild Robert , Kalt Heinz , Klingshirn Claus
Published: March 2005

We report on an experimental study of macroscopic energy transfer in ZnO bulk crystals. We observe the ultraviolet photoluminescence (PL) emission from the near band edge (3.4eV at room temperature), a green emission band from a deep center transition, and an orange emission band. Unusually, the orange PL is not only visible at the excitation spot and at crystal edges, but we also observe a slow spatial expansion of the light emission in the orange band up to a distance of several millimeters. In contrast to that, the green and ultraviolet emission originate only from the excitation spot or are scattered from the crystal edges. We investigate the temporal dynamics of the orange PL as a function of the distance from the laser spot, by turning on and off the laser excitation. We describe the results with a two-dimensional diffusion model and discuss some possible mechanisms that may cause this energy transfer, such as Förster/Dexter transfer or a thermally induced hopping process.
Electrical spin injection in multiwall carbon nanotubes with transparent ferromagnetic contacts
Authors: Sahoo S. , Kontos T. , Schönenberger C. , Sürgers C.
Published: March 2005

We report on electrical spin injection measurements on multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). We use a ferromagnetic alloy Pd1−xNix with x≈0.7 which allows us to obtain devices with resistances as low as 5.6kΩ at 300 K. The yield of device resistances below 100kΩ, at 300 K, is around 50%. We measure at 2 K a hysteretic magneto-resistance due to the magnetization reversal of the ferromagnetic leads. The relative difference between the resistance in the antiparallel (AP) orientation and the parallel (P) orientation is about 2%.
White organic light-emitting diodes based on spectral broadening in electroluminescence due to formation of interfacial exciplexes
Authors: Singh Samarendra P. , Mohapatra Y. N. , Qureshi M. , Sundar Manoharan S.
Published: March 2005

We demonstrate white organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) having spectral width of approximately 260 nm in electroluminescence (EL) in a simple bilayer structure, consisting of TPD and zinc benzothiazole, without taking recourse to complex strategies such as blending and doping. The EL is broader than the corresponding photoluminescence (PL) of both component materials and their structures. A deconvolution of PL and EL spectra shows that as large as 60% of the broad EL emission originates from multiple exciplexes formed at the interface during electrical excitation.
The Dps-like protein Fri of Listeria monocytogenes promotes stress tolerance and intracellular multiplication in macrophage-like cells
Authors: Olsen Katja N. , Larsen Marianne H. , Gahan Cormac G. M. , Kallipolitis Birgitte , Wolf Xenia A. , Rea Rosemary , Hill Colin , Ingmer Hanne
Published: March 2005

Members of the ferritin-like Dps protein family are found in a number of bacterial species, where they demonstrate the potential to bind iron, and have been implicated in tolerance to oxidative stress. In this study of the food-borne pathogenListeria monocytogenes, thefrigene encoding a Dps homologue was deleted, and, compared to wild-type cells, it was found that the resulting mutant was less resistant to hydrogen peroxide, and demonstrated reduced survival following long-term (7–11 days) incubation in laboratory media. In view of this, it is shown thatfrigene expression is controlled by the hydrogen peroxide regulator PerR, as well as the general stress sigma factorσB. Whenfrimutant cells were transferred to iron-limiting conditions, growth was retarded relative to wild-type cells, indicating that Fri may be required for iron storage. This notion is supported by the observation that theL. monocytogenesgenome appears not to encode other ferritin-like proteins. Given the role of Fri in resistance to oxidative stress, and growth under iron-limiting conditions, the ability of thefrimutant to infect mice was examined. When injected by the intraperitoneal route, thefrimutant demonstrated a reduced capacity to proliferate in the organs of infected mice relative to the wild-type, whereas when the bacteria were supplied intravenously this effect was mitigated. In addition, the mutant was impaired in its ability to survive and grow in J774.A1 mouse macrophage cells. Thus, the data suggest that Fri contributes to the ability ofL. monocytogenesto survive in environments where oxidative stress and low iron availability may impede bacterial proliferation.
Analysis of ATPases of putative secretion operons in the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus
Authors: Albers Sonja-Verena , Driessen Arnold J. M.
Published: March 2005

Gram-negative bacteria use a wide variety of complex mechanisms to secrete proteins across their membranes or to assemble secreted proteins into surface structures. As most archaea only possess a cytoplasmic membrane surrounded by a membrane-anchored S-layer, the organization of such complexes might be significantly different from that in Gram-negative bacteria. Five proteins of Sulfolobus solfataricus, SSO0120, SSO0572, SSO2316, SSO2387 and SSO2680, which are homologous to secretion ATPases of bacterial type II, type IV secretion systems and the type IV pili assembly machinery, were identified. The operon structures of these putative secretion systems encoding gene clusters and the expression patterns of the ATPases under different growth conditions were determined, and it was established that all five putative ATPases do show a divalent cation-dependent ATPase activity at high temperature. These results show that the archaeal secretion systems are related to the bacterial secretion systems and might be powered in a similar way.
Modulation of the human nociceptive flexion reflex across the cardiac cycle
Authors: Edwards Louisa , Ring Christopher , McIntyre David , Carroll Douglas
Published: March 2005

Carotid baroreceptor stimulation has been shown to dampen pain. This study tested, in 40 normotensive adults, the hypothesis that pain is lower during systole when arterial baroreceptor stimulation is maximal than diastole when stimulation is minimal. The sural nerve was stimulated electrocutaneously to obtain a nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) threshold, and then stimulation was delivered for 28 trials at 100% NFR threshold at seven intervals after the R‐wave. Nociceptive responding was indexed by electromyographic (EMG) activity elicited in the biceps femoris. Significant variations in EMG activity occurred across the cardiac cycle, with less activity midcycle, indicating that the NFR response was attenuated during systole compared to diastole. Stimulation of baroreceptors by natural changes in blood pressure during the cardiac cycle dampened nociception, and accordingly, the data support the arterial baroreflex mechanism of hypertensive hypoalgesia.
Plant species response to land use change –Campanula rotundifolia,Primula verisandRhinanthus minor
Authors: Lindborg Regina , Cousins Sara A. O. , Eriksson Ove
Published: March 2005

Land use change is a crucial driver behind species loss at the landscape scale. Hence, from a conservation perspective, species response to habitat degradation or improvement of habitat quality, is important to examine. By using indicator species it may be possible to monitor long‐term survival of local populations associated with land use change. In this study we examined three potential indicator (response) species for species richness and composition in Scandinavian semi‐natural grassland communities:Campanula rotundifolia,Primula verisandRhinanthus minor. With field inventories and experiments we examined their response to present land use, habitat degradation and improvement of local habitat quality. At the time scale examined,C. rotundifoliawas the only species responding to both habitat degradation and improvement of habitat quality. NeitherR. minornorP. verisresponded positively to habitat improvements although both responded rapidly to direct negative changes in habitat quality. Even thoughC. rotundifoliaresponded quickly to habitat degradation, it did not disappear completely from the sites. Instead, the population structure changed in terms of decreased population size and flowering frequency. It also showed an ability to form remnant populations which may increase resilience of local habitats. AlthoughP. verisand especiallyR. minorresponded rapidly to negative environmental changes and may be useful as early indicators of land use change, it is desirable that indicators respond to both degradation and improvement of habitat quality. Thus,C. rotundifoliais a better response species for monitoring effects of land use change and conservation measures, provided that both local and regional population dynamics are monitored over a long time period.
Psychologic changes after a gynecologic cancer
Authors: Petersen Rodney W. , Graham Gaynor , Quinlivan Julie A.
Published: March 2005

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the wider psychologic symptomatology experienced by women with a new diagnosis of a gynecologic cancer at the point of diagnosis and 6 weeks later.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out with ethics committee approval and informed consent. Women were recruited from three tertiary hospitals in Australia over an 8‐month period. In order to cover a diverse range of potential symptomatology, we utilized the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL)‐90, which covers 90 separate psychologic symptoms that can then be coded into eight domains. Women also completed questions relating to their perceived level of social support, and demographic data were collated separately.

Results: Key findings were that levels of symptomatology remained uniform across the first 6 weeks following the diagnosis of the cancer regardless of the site of the cancer. Across the spectrum of symptomatology domains, the median scores were all higher in women with poor social supports compared with those with higher social support levels at 6 weeks. Statistically significant differences were observed in the domains of phobic‐anxiety, retarded depression, and agitated depression at 6 weeks’ follow up.

Conclusion: Women with a new diagnosis of a gynecologic cancer experience diverse psychologic symptomatology. Symptoms persist over the first 6 weeks and are higher in women with poor social supports. Screening of women for adequate social support structure and targeted interventions to resolve symptomatology need to be tailored to the type of symptoms experienced.
Review article: current status of liver transplantation in HIV‐infected patients
Authors: Neff G. W. , Sherman K. E. , Eghtesad B. , Fung J.
Published: March 2005

The increases in survival of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus is attributed to the introduction of combination human immunodeficiency virus antiviral therapy, better known as highly active anti‐retroviral therapy. In fact, survival statistics have improved such that individuals often succumb to other disease entities, notably liver failure and not from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome complications. Liver transplantation has been introduction in this patient population in several centres around the world. This review will discuss the current clinical status of liver transplantation in individuals suffering from human immunodeficiency virus infection.
Influence of prey species on immature survival, development, predation and reproduction of Coccinella transversalis Fabricius (Col., Coccinellidae)
Authors: Omkar  , James B. E.
Published: March 2005

Six aphid species, viz. Aphis craccivora, Aphis gossypii, Aphis nerii, Myzus persicae, Lipaphis erysimi and Uroleucon compositae were provided as prey to the feeding stages of Coccinella transversalis (Fabricius). All of them were found to be essential prey, however the relative prey suitability varied. All the predatory stages of C. transversalis consumed and preferred A. gossypii, the most and A. nerii, the least. Significant effect of prey quality was observed on pre‐imaginal developmental periods, wet weights and adult longevity. The complete development was shortest on A. gossypii (13.01 ± 0.18 days) and longest on A. nerii (20.51 ± 0.25 days). The total prey consumption by larva, adult male and female in their lifetime was maximum (665.30 ± 5.75, 4831.10 ± 123.54 and 5412.30 ± 94.51, respectively) on A. gossypii and minimum (434.80 ± 4.03, 802.80 ± 34.37 and 905.20 ± 52.48, respectively) on A. nerii. Immature survival, growth index and adult emergence of C. transversalis was maximum (68.33, 7.82 and 88.21%, respectively) when larval instars consumed A. gossypii and minimum (37.75, 2.18 and 60.69%, respectively) after feeding on A. nerii. Female reproduction was also prey quality dependent showing maximum reproductive performance in terms of fecundity and percentage viability, with a highest reproductive period and lowest non‐reproductive period on A. gossypii, followed by A. craccivora, L. erysimi, M. persicae, U. compositae and A. nerii. Regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between: (1) daily prey consumption and relative growth rate, (2) adult weight and developmental rate, (3) weights of adult male and female, and (4) female longevity and fecundity.
The evolution of Ca2+ signalling in photosynthetic eukaryotes
Authors: Bothwell John H. F. , Ng Carl K.‐Y.
Published: March 2005

It is likely that cytosolic Ca2+ elevations have played a part in eukaryotic signal transduction for about the last 2 Gyr, being mediated by a group of molecules which are collectively known as the [Ca2+]cyt signalling toolkit. Different eukaryotes often display strikingly similar [Ca2+]cyt signalling elevations, which may reflect conservation of toolkit components (homology) or similar constraints acting on different toolkits (homoplasy). Certain toolkit components, which are presumably ancestral, are shared by plants and animals, but some components are unique to photosynthetic organisms. We propose that the structure of modern plant [Ca2+]cyt signalling toolkits may be explained by their modular adaptation from earlier pathways.

Contents

Summary
21

I.
Introduction
21

II.
Homology vs homoplasy
22

III.
The structure and variation of [Ca2+]cyt signalling pathways
27

IV.
A putative course of descent for plant [Ca2+]cyt signalling
29

V.
Conclusion
33

Acknowledgements
34

References
34
Can Computer‐Generated Evidence‐Based Care Suggestions Enhance Evidence‐Based Management of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease? A Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Tierney William M. , Overhage J. Marc , Murray Michael D. , Harris Lisa E. , Zhou Xiao‐Hua , Eckert George J. , Smith Faye E. , Nienaber Nancy , McDonald Clement J. , Wolinsky Fredric D.
Published: March 2005

Objective. Translation of evidence‐based guidelines into clinical practice has been inconsistent. We performed a randomized, controlled trial of guideline‐based care suggestions delivered to physicians when writing orders on computer workstations.

Study Setting. Inner‐city academic general internal medicine practice.

Study Design. Randomized, controlled trial of 246 physicians (25 percent faculty general internists, 75 percent internal medicine residents) and 20 outpatient pharmacists. We enrolled 706 of their primary care patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Care suggestions concerning drugs and monitoring were delivered to a random half of the physicians and pharmacists when writing orders or filling prescriptions using computer workstations. A 2 × 2 factorial randomization of practice sessions and pharmacists resulted in four groups of patients: physician intervention, pharmacist intervention, both interventions, and controls.

Data Extraction/Collection Methods. Adherence to the guidelines and clinical activity was assessed using patients' electronic medical records. Health‐related quality of life, medication adherence, and satisfaction with care were assessed using telephone questionnaires.

Principal Findings. During their year in the study, patients made an average of five scheduled primary care visits. There were no differences between groups in adherence to the care suggestions, generic or condition‐specific quality of life, satisfaction with physicians or pharmacists, medication compliance, emergency department visits, or hospitalizations. Physicians receiving the intervention had significantly higher total health care costs. Physician attitudes toward guidelines were mixed.

Conclusions. Care suggestions shown to physicians and pharmacists on computer workstations had no effect on the delivery or outcomes of care for patients with reactive airways disease.
Leaf shape analysis using the multiscale Minkowski fractal dimension, a new morphometric method: a study with Passiflora (Passifloraceae)
Authors: Plotze Rodrigo de Oliveira , Falvo Maurício , Pádua Juliano Gomes , Bernacci Luís Carlos , Vieira Maria Lúcia Carneiro , Oliveira Giancarlo Conde Xavier , Bruno Odemir Martinez
Published: March 2005

A new method is proposed for the extraction of morphometric characteristics of plant leaf structures. A sample of 10 species of the genus Passiflora (P. coriacea Juss., P. foetida L., P. miersii Mast., P. organensis Gardner, P. pohlii Mast., P. suberosa L., P. amethystina J.C. Mikan, P. caerulea L., P. gibertii N.E.Br., P. maliformis L.) was used in an experiment to test the method. This genus shows a wide range of leaf forms, but there are some species pairs or groups whose morphological similarity makes their correct identification difficult. The multiscale function of the Minkowski fractal dimension was applied to digital images of leaves to generate complexity measures of their internal (veins) and external (leaf outline) form. The results of the leaf characteristic extraction method, as well as its potential as the basis for an identification mechanism, are discussed for the 10 species. The method was very accurate in correctly differentiating among species, since no leaf was erroneously identified. A small number of leaves per species was sufficient for establishing a characteristic pattern for each of them, which constitutes an important advantage of the method in the recognition and classification procedure.Key words: image processing, fractal dimension, plant taxonomy, morphometry, Passiflora.
Density-functional calculations of structures and absorption spectra of sulfur cluster S6
Authors: Zhu Jun , Cheng Yan , Bai Yu -Lin , Chen Xiang -Rong
Published: March 2005

A finite-difference pseudopotential density-functional theory in real space and the Langevin molecular dynamics annealing technique as well as the adiabatic time-dependent density functional theory within the time-dependent local density approximation (TDLDA) are applied to the descriptions of structures and optical absorption spectra of sulfur cluster S6. It is found that the ground-state structure of S6 belongs to either a boat-shaped C2v or chair-shaped D3d symmetry structure and the calculated spectra exhibit a variety of features that can be used for comparison against future experimental investigations. PACS Nos.: 31.15.Ew, 31.15.Qg, 36.40.c
Supersymmetry in spaces of constant curvature
Authors: McKeon D.G.C. , Sherry T N
Published: March 2005

Supersymmetry is considered in spaces of constant curvature (spherical, de Sitter and anti-de Sitter spaces) of two, three, and four dimensions. PACS Nos.: 11.30.Pb, 11.30.Pg}
Should sustained yield be part of sustainable forest management?
Authors: Luckert MK (Marty) , Williamson T
Published: March 2005

This paper considers the question of whether sustainable forest management (SFM) should continue to incorporate sustained yield (SY) requirements, as it currently does in many jurisdictions. We evaluate the extent to which SY and SFM are consistent with notions of weak and (or) strong sustainability. Strong sustainability implies placing constraints on the reduction of stocks of natural capital to prevent irreversibility and (or) protect flows of services that have public good characteristics. In contrast, weak sustainability may allow market forces to draw down stocks of natural capital so long as levels of total capital (including human-made and natural capital) are maintained. We argue that with SY policies, we have probably chosen to attach strong sustainability policies to the only forest resource that does not need such protection (i.e., timber), while we have excluded other resources that could well need such protection (e.g., biodiversity) for pursuing SFM. Thus, the concept of allowable annual cuts could be dropped from SFM to be replaced by safe minimum standards on components of forest capital that are subject to irreversibility and (or) that have public good features. In other words, if we truly wish to pursue SFM, it may be necessary to leave SY behind.
Attribution of Recent Temperature Changes in the Australian Region
Authors: Karoly David J. , Braganza Karl
Published: March 2005

Variations of Australian-average mean temperature and diurnal temperature range over the twentieth century are investigated. The observed interannual variability of both is simulated reasonably well by a number of climate models, but they do not simulate the observed relationship between the two. Comparison of the observed warming and reduction in diurnal temperature range with climate model simulations shows that Australian temperature changes over the twentieth century were very unlikely to be due to natural climate variations alone. It is likely that there has been a significant contribution to the observed warming during the second half of the century from increasing atmospheric greenhouse gases and sulfate aerosols.
Preparation and Properties of Acetylated and Propionylated Wood-Silicate Composite
Authors: Li J.-Z. , Furuno T. , Katoh S.
Published: March 2005

Acetylated wood-silicate (AWS) composites and propionylated wood-silicate (PWS) composites were
prepared and their dimensional stability and flame resistance evaluated. The results displayed that: (1)
With the existing of silicate gels, the AWS and PWS composites showed lower values of bulking coefficient
(B), antiswelling efficiency (ASE) during water and moisture absorptions, and moisture excluding
efficiency (MEE) than the corresponding acetylated wood and propionylated woods, but the AWS
and PWS composites still exhibited a fairly good dimensional stability. (2) The oxygen indexes (OIs) of
the AWS and PWS composites were higher than those of untreated wood specimens, and increased with
an increase in weight percent gain (WPGs) of silicate gel, endowing them with flame-resistance.
Effect of Class C Fly Ash on the California Bearing Ratio Behavior of Soil-Fly Ash Mixes and Layered Systems
Authors: Leelavathamma B , Pandian NS
Published: March 2005

Fly ash is a waste material from thermal power plants that occupies large extents of precious land and causes land, water, and air pollution. Hence attempts are made to use fly ash effectively instead of dumping it. Among the various possible uses, bulk utilization is possible only in geotechnical applications. Research work is being carried out on the addition of fly ash to improve the soil in road construction. But a thorough mixing of bulk quantities of fly ash and soil is not possible in the field. Hence, an attempt has been made to study the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) behavior of soil and fly ash (class C) in layers (fly ash on top) and the same is compared with the CBR of soil-fly ash mixes. The present paper deals with the experimental study of the CBR behavior of black cotton soil-Neyveli fly ash systems (layers and mixes). The study concludes that black cotton soil can be improved by layering with Neyveli fly ash, solving the strength problem of black cotton soil as well as the disposal problem of fly ash.
Certain Inhibitors of Synthetic Amyloid β-Peptide (Aβ) Fibrillogenesis Block Oligomerization of Natural Aβ and Thereby Rescue Long-Term Potentiation
Authors: Walsh Dominic M. , Townsend Matthew , Podlisny Marcia B. , Shankar Ganesh M. , Fadeeva Julia V. , Agnaf Omar El , Hartley Dean M. , Selkoe Dennis J.
Published: March 2005

Recent studies support the hypothesis that soluble oligomers of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) rather than mature amyloid fibrils are the earliest effectors of synaptic compromise in Alzheimer's disease. We took advantage of an amyloid precursor protein-overexpressing cell line that secretes SDS-stable Aβ oligomers to search for inhibitors of the pathobiological effects of natural human Aβ oligomers. Here, we identify small molecules that inhibit formation of soluble Aβ oligomers and thus abrogate their block of long-term potentiation (LTP). Furthermore, we show that cell-derived Aβ oligomers can be separated from monomers by size exclusion chromatography under nondenaturing conditions and that the isolated, soluble oligomers, but not monomers, block LTP. The identification of small molecules that inhibit early Aβ oligomer formation and rescue LTP inhibition offers a rational approach for therapeutic intervention in Alzheimer's disease and highlights the utility of our cell-culture paradigm as a useful secondary screen for compounds designed to inhibit early steps in Aβ oligomerization under biologically relevant conditions.
Praktische Erfahrungen bei der Schwingungskalibrierung auf Primärniveau mittels Laservibrometer (Practical Experiences in Primary Vibration Calibration using Laser Interferometry)
Authors: Nicklich Holger , Bühn Uwe
Published: March 2005

Nach Einführung einer Produktreihe zur Vergleichskalibrierung konnte die im Systemkonzept vorgesehene Erweiterung für Primärkalibrierung mit Laservibrometer in die Praxis umgesetzt werden. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden die Erfahrungen bei der Implementierung und erfolgreichen Akkreditierung als Primärkalibrierlaboratorium im Rahmen des DKD beschrieben.
Fortschritte bei Schwingungs- und Stoßkalibrierungen mittels Laserinterferometrie (Recent Advances in Vibration and Shock Calibrations using Laser Interferometry)
Authors: von Martens Hans-Jürgen , Link Alfred , Schlaak Hans-Joachim , Täubner Angelika , Wabinski Wolfgang , Göbel Uwe
Published: March 2005

Zur Rückführung von Schwingungs- und Stoßmessungen auf das internationale Einheitensystem (SI) nutzen nationale Metrologie-Institute speziell entwickelte laserinterferometrische Messverfahren. Die zunehmenden Anforderungen an Messbereiche und Messgenauigkeit translatorischer und rotatorischer Bewegungsgrößen (z.B. Beschleunigung und Winkelbeschleunigung) werden durch neue internationale Normen zur Primärkalibrierung durch Laserinterferometrie reflektiert (ISO 16063-11, -13 und -15). Entsprechend sind in letzter Zeit die Normalmessverfahren und Normalmesseinrichtungen, die in der Physikalisch-Technischen Bundesanstalt (PTB) zur Realisierung der Einheiten und Skalen der Bewegungsgrößen entwickelt worden sind, verbessert und durch neue ergänzt worden. Ausgewählte Anwendungsbeispiele demonstrieren die vielfältigen Messmöglichkeiten höchster Messgenauigkeit, die gegenwärtig mit laserinterferometrischen Messverfahren auf diesem Gebiet erreicht werden.
Identifikation von Beschleunigungsaufnehmern mit hochintensiven Stößen (Accelerometer Identification by High Shock Intensities)
Authors: Link Alfred , Wabinski Wolfgang , von Martens Hans-Jürgen
Published: March 2005

Das Ein-/Ausgangsverhalten von Beschleunigungsaufnehmern wurde in einem breiten Frequenz- und Amplitudenbereich durch ein System 2. Ordnung modelliert. Die Identifikation der Systemparameter erfolgte mit impulsförmigen Beschleunigungen hoher Intensität. Diese parametrische Systemidentifikation erweitert und verbessert die Bestimmung des Übertragungsverhaltens von Beschleunigungsaufnehmern gegenüber den bekannten nichtparametrischen Verfahren.
Why Do We Let Judges Say Anything about History When We Know They'll Get It Wrong?
Authors: Derfner Armand
Published: March 2005

Courts often rely on history in reaching their decisions, sometimes with unfortunate or even disastrous results. This article first describes several cases in which the Supreme Court took wrong turns based on bad history. The article then follows the author as he and other lawyers brought historians into the courtroom to provide the courts with better history.
Evaluation of a range of MRI‐active pH indicators using a multiple‐sample method
Authors: Evans Stephen , Hall Laurie
Published: March 2005

A multisample magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method was used to measure the effects of a range of paramagnetic metal ions and chelating ligands on the T1 and T2 values of the protons of water over the pH range of 2 to 12. Copper sulfate and manganese chloride were combined with one or more of the following chelating agents:‐ ethylenediamine, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, ethylene glycol‐bis‐tetraacetic acid, D‐penicillamine, or triethylenetriamine; Gd(III)DTPA was used as purchased. The multisample MRI method was also used to determine the sensitivity of aqueous MnEDTA to pH of carrots to demonstrate how the medium under investigation causes an offset to the calibration acquired in vitro. That calibration enabled null‐point T1 imaging and maps of T2 values to track the change in pH as acetic acid diffused into the carrot tissue. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
Immobilization of 2,5‐dimethyl‐4‐benzoyl‐oxypiperidine succinate over polyacrylic acid (PAA) gels. II. Study of quantitative characteristics of immobilization of succinate of 2,5‐dimethyl‐4‐benzoyl‐oxypiperidine over PAA
Authors: Zhumagalieva Sh. N. , Beisebekov M. K. , Abilov Zh. A.
Published: March 2005

By use of a spectrophotometric method the quantity of binding of medicinal compound [succinate of 2,5‐dimethyl‐4‐benzoyl‐oxypiperidine (AK‐29)], over gels of polyacrylic acid, and liberation of medicinal compound (MC) from the gel phase were investigated. It was established that both concentration and pH dependency of AK‐29 sorption over PAA gels pass through a maximum and increase with increasing degree of gel crosslinking. The yield of MC from the gel phase, depending on the conditions, reaches 80% and accelerates at the change of the aqueous phase to a physiological one. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1187–1192, 2005
Design and performance of a low‐flow capillary electrophoresis‐electrospray‐mass spectrometry interface using an emitter with dual beveled edge
Authors: Chen Yet‐Ran , Tseng Mei‐Chun , Her Guor‐Rong
Published: March 2005

A low‐flow electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry (CE‐MS) interface has been developed for interfacing capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with electrospray‐ ionization‐mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). The interface consists of two parallel capillary columns (a separation column and a makeup column), and an emitter with a dual beveled edge. While maintaining a relatively low optimum flow rate, the dual‐beveled‐edge ESI emitter allows the use of a tip with larger orifice. Therefore, this interface is less prone to column blocking in comparison with a flat tip. Primarily attributed to low sample dilution and smaller initial droplet, the interface showed better sensitivity than a conventional sheath liquid interface. Furthermore, the interface was found to be more resistant to the presence of nonvolatile salts. By using 40 mM borate and 20 mM α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) as the running buffer, four major forms of gangliosides were detected by CE‐MS.
Invited reaction: Outsourcing relationships between firms and their training providers: The role of trust
Authors: Leimbach Michael P.
Published: March 2005

Outsourcing in the training and development industry has been steadily increasing and shows no indication of slowing (Surgue & Kim, 2004). Gainey and Klaas's study shines light on the role of interfirm trust in effective outsourcing relationships. This reaction addresses a methodological question of the effect of the rating target on the results, but focuses on possible extensions of this research. Specific extensions include a deeper examination of factors contributing to Self Interested and Socially Oriented Trust, differentiating types of outsourcing relationships, and examining the perception of both the buyers and providers of outsourcing services.