bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hybrid Time-Series Forecasting Models for Traffic Flow Prediction
Authors: V Rajalakshmi , S Ganesh Vaidyanathan
Published: July 2022

Traffic flow forecast is critical in today’s transportation system since it is necessary to construct a traffic plan in order to determine a travel route. The goal of this research is to use time-series forecasting models to estimate future traffic in order to reduce traffic congestion on roadways. Minimising prediction error is the most difficult task in traffic prediction. In order to anticipate future traffic flow, the system also requires real-time data from vehicles and roadways. A hybrid autoregressive integrated moving av-erage with multilayer perceptron (ARIMA-MLP) model and a hybrid autoregressive integrated moving average with recurrent neural network (ARIMA-RNN) model are proposed in this paper to address these difficulties. The transportation data are used from the UK Highways data-set. The time-series data are preprocessed using a random walk model. The forecasting models autoregressive inte-grated moving average (ARIMA), recurrent neural net-work (RNN), and multilayer perceptron (MLP) are trained and tested. In the proposed hybrid ARIMA-MLP and ARI-MA-RNN models, the residuals from the ARIMA model are used to train the MLP and RNN models. Then the ef-ficacy of the hybrid system is assessed using the metrics MAE, MSE, RMSE and R2 (peak hour forecast-0.936763, non-peak hour forecast-0.87638 on ARIMA-MLP model and peak hour forecast-0.9416466, non-peak hour fore-cast-0.931917 on ARIMA-RNN model).
Reputación, racismo, género y honor en las cortes municipales de la Ciudad de Panamá, 1914-1917
Authors: Flores-Villalobos Joan
Published: July 2022

Objective/Context: To analyze the elements that constituted the category of “honor” in Panama City during the period following the construction of the Canal, concerning race and gender; and to understand how migrant West Indian women negotiated these expectations of honor. Methodology: The research stems from an analysis of Panamanian legal codes to define “honor” as a socio-cultural construct and to understand moral anxieties about West Indian immigration. The cases of the Calidonia district in Panama City are also analyzed to observe the intervention of Afro-Antillean women in public and legal spheres of the state. Originality: In addition to analyzing a novel documentary source, such as the Panama City corregiduría cases, this article compiles the historiography on honor in Latin America and shows how this concept developed in Panama during the US imperial incursion and the construction of the Canal, and how Afro-Antillean immigrant women navigated Panamanian discourses of honor through their vulgar public quarrels, in which they asserted their own moral values and social status. Conclusions: The cases show that Afro-Antillean immigrant women did not fight for honor but for reputation and personal worth, presenting a counter-discourse to the dominant notions of honor and virtue. With their vulgar public lawsuits, they forced a local institution to listen to their grievances and thus negotiated a form of belonging to the new Panamanian state, reinforced their social ties and defended their reputations.
La alianza cubano-soviética y sus desafíos para el tercerismo uruguayo en la primera mitad de los años sesenta: una mirada desde los archivos de la inteligencia checoslovaca
Authors: Zourek Michal
Published: July 2022

Objective/Context: This article analyzes several factors that in the first half of the 1960s helped establish the link between Vivian Trías, the outstanding Uruguayan intellectual and politician, who defined himself as a Latin-Americanist and tercerista, and who would get explicitly distant from the communist world and the StB, the Czechoslovak secret service subordinated to the interests of the kgb. Methodology: The analysis is mainly based on sources from the Czechoslovak intelligence archive which are supplemented with texts published by Trías. Originality: Analyzing the specific case of Uruguayan tercerismo, represented by Trías, this research study presents a new look on the challenges brought by the Cuban-Soviet approach within the non-communist Latin-American left. Furthermore, it gives a new value to the role played by the communist secret services in the Latin-American Cold War. Conclusions: While before 1961, terceristas saw in the Soviet Union a way of imperialism, Castro’s declaration on the Marxist-Leninist nature of the Cuban Revolution helped to redefine this view. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (ussr) started to be seen by some sectors of the tercerismo, Trías included, as a power that could defend the third world peoples against the US aggression. Although the Soviet-Cuban relationship was marked by great tensions, the Czechoslovaks were an important ally of the Castro government, and the StB operated as a mediator between the Soviets and the ideologically heterogeneous actors, who, in turn, showed some sympathy for the Cuban Revolution. Under these circumstances, the fact that Trías had been recruited by the StB as its agent in 1964 turned out to be a great coincidence of mutual interests aimed at curbing the influence of the US on Latin America.
Osteochondromas Around the Ankle
Authors: Çinka Hikmet , Coskun Huseyin Sina , Say Ferhat , Dabak Nevzat , Baris Yakup Sancar
Published: July 2022

An osteochondroma or exostosis is the most common benign bone tumor, and it is commonly localized in the metaphyses of the long tubular bones. Lesions are rarely localized around the ankle. We present a case series with osteochondroma around the ankle. All of the patients presented with a mass around the ankle. In these three cases, the masses were symptomatic, and in one patient it caused a deformity. Osteochondroma was suspected after physical examination and radiologic evaluation. After preoperative work-up, diagnosis, and exhaustion of conservative care, a plan for surgical excision was presented to each patient. Histopathologic evaluations confirmed the diagnosis of osteochondroma. The patients have been discharged without any complications or symptoms during clinical follow-up.
Rock-Climbing Shoes: A Survey of Attitudes and Practices
Authors: Jenkins David W. , Page Jeffrey C. , Stein Amy , Wissman Lance , Rowe Bryn A. , Rowe Fallon E.
Published: July 2022

Background: There is a paucity of literature regarding rock climbing footwear. Rock climbers anecdotally voice numerous complaints regarding their current footwear. In an effort to improve existing rock-climbing footwear, implementation of a survey tool assessing the attitudes and practices of rock climbers was undertaken.

Methods: A Web-based survey was developed to assess the demographics, attitudes, and practices of individuals active in rock climbing, with a focus on footwear.

Results: Forty-five of the 417 respondents were male and 55% were female. The average years climbing was 7, with a majority of respondents in the 18- to 34-year-old category. The majority climbed 5 to 10 hours/week. Eighty percent identified as intermediate or advanced climbers. Climbing shoes were an average of 0.83 size smaller than the climber’s street shoes. The more elite the climber, the greater the mismatch. Overall satisfaction with current rock-climbing shoes was 88%; however, as the age of climber and number of years of participation increased, the level of satisfaction decreased. The most frequently reported problems with shoes included inconsistent sizing between brands and poor heel fit. The most commonly reported locations of pain were the toes and heel.

Conclusions: The authors concluded the following: 1) a surprisingly high satisfaction with current rock-climbing shoes was reported; 2) the difference in size between climbing shoes and street shoes was less than expected; 3) more shoe fitting problems were experienced by those with the most experience in climbing and those who spend the most time climbing; 4) the most common locations for experiencing pain were the toes and the posterior heel or Achilles tendon; 5) higher than expected satisfaction levels with climbing shoes contrasted with the very high number of specific complaints and recommendations for improvement; and 6) because of the increasing popularity of rock climbing, foot care providers should learn about the various types of climbing and the shoe gear needs that result therefrom.
Reossification of the Achilles Tendon: A Case Report
Authors: Aslantürk Okan , Köroğlu Muhammed , Karakaplan Mustafa , Özdemir Zeynep Maraş
Published: July 2022

Fracture of an ossified Achilles tendon is a rare clinical entity. Reossification after removal of the bony fragment was reported in only one case previously. In this study, we present a 49-year-old man with a reossified Achilles tendon after the removal of a fractured and ossified Achilles tendon. Treatment of an ossified or fractured Achilles tendon should be selected on a patient-by-patient basis. Surgical treatment can be used when conservative treatment has failed. The possibility of reossification after surgical treatment, especially in patients with risk factors, should be kept in mind, and the patient should be informed about this possibility.
Osteoid Osteoma of the Talus Misdiagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Case Report
Authors: Gicchino Maria Francesca , Marzuillo Pierluigi , del Giudice Emanuele Miraglia , Olivieri Alma Nunzia
Published: July 2022

Osteoid osteoma is a primary benign bone tumor that consists of a central area (nidus), surrounded by sclerotic bone. The most relevant symptom is pain that increases during the night and improves after salicylates or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration. Osteoid osteoma is frequently misdiagnosed because it mimics juvenile idiopathic arthritis, bone infection, or malignancy. A 14-year-old girl presented to our department with a history of chronic pain in her left ankle. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis was diagnosed and anti-inflammatory treatment was prescribed. Because of persistence of ankle pain, the patient underwent further examinations, in particular, bone scintigraphy and computed tomography. As a result, osteoid osteoma of the talar neck was diagnosed. The patient underwent surgical treatment and her condition improved. Osteoid osteoma should also be considered in patients with chronic ankle pain to avoid misdiagnosis and start adequate treatment. This condition should be suspected in a patient with chronic bone pain and normal complete blood count and inflammatory parameters.
Insights from full-text analyses of the Journal of the American Medical Association and the New England Journal of Medicine
Authors: Abdalla Moustafa , Abdalla Mohamed , Abdalla Salwa , Saad Mohamed , Jones David S , Podolsky Scott H
Published: July 2022

Analysis of the content of medical journals enables us to frame the shifting scientific, material, ethical, and epistemic underpinnings of medicine over time, including today. Leveraging a dataset comprised of nearly half-a-million articles published in theJournal of the American Medical Association(JAMA) and theNew England Journal of Medicine(NEJM) over the past 200 years, we (a) highlight the evolution of medical language, and its manifestations in shifts of usage and meaning, (b) examine traces of the medical profession’s changing self-identity over time, reflected in its shifting ethical and epistemic underpinnings, (c) analyze medicine’s material underpinnings and how we describe where medicine is practiced, (d) demonstrate how the occurrence of specific disease terms within the journals reflects the changing burden of disease itself over time and the interests and perspectives of authors and editors, and (e) showcase how this dataset can allow us to explore the evolution of modern medical ideas and further our understanding of how modern disease concepts came to be, and of the retained legacies of prior embedded values.
Ion-ing out the genetic variants of Kir2.1
Authors: Fallon Braden S , English Justin G
Published: July 2022

Deep mutational scanning provides new insights into how mutations alter the expression and activity of the potassium ion channel Kir2.1, which is associated with many diseases.
Sexual Health Needs of Women with Breast Cancer: A Rapid Review
Authors: Hamzehgardeshi Zeinab , Danesh Mahmonir , Loripoor Marzeyeh , Ghasemi Arash , Sarmadikia Mozhdeh
Published: July 2022

Introduction: The number of women diagnosed with breast cancer has been rising globally over the past few decades. Upon hearing of a breast cancer diagnosis, women face many challenges including emotional distress, body image issues and sexual dysfunction. Regarding the importance of sexuality for breast cancer patients, this paper aims to validate the sexual health needs of women with breast cancer. Aim: To assess the sexual health needs of women with breast cancer and a need for further research. Materials and Methods: This research is a rapid review conducted in Iran, in April 2020. Databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science as well as the Iranian Scientific Information Database (SID), were searched with mentioned keywords, “Female Breast Cancer”, “Sex Counselling”, “Female Sexual Dysfunction” and “Sexual Health Needs”. Results: This review included 16 studies with one randomised clinical trial, four cross-sectional, four review articles, three qualitative articles, three mixed-method studies and one cohort. This study highlights four major sexuality-related information needs of women with breast cancer including: informational need about sexual activity; informational need about fertility-preserving options before starting breast cancer treatment; informational need about prosthesis or breast reconstruction surgery, and informational need about physical changes caused by breast cancer treatments. Conclusion: This review highlight the importance of sexual health needs for female breast cancer patients. However, little attention has been received from women’s health professionals and researchers and further research on sexuality and breast cancer is recommended to affirm these research findings.
Intubation Performance with Stylet and Preloaded Bougie for Rapid Sequence Intubation in Patients Undergoing General Anaesthesia: A Randomised Clinical Trial
Authors: Bawa Chashamjot , Raina Jyoti , Dureja Mehak , Singh Amandeep , Yadav Neha , Kumar Arvind
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Rapid sequence induction requires quick and single attempt intubation to secure airway without any untoward complications.As the number of attempts increase, risk of desaturation and aspiration increase which is potentially life threatening.In such circumstances, miscalculation may cost loss of time which may prove fatal.Various adjuncts and techniques have been devised to prevent such calamities. Aim: To compare ease of intubation with angulated stylet versus distally preloaded bougie for rapid sequence intubation in elective general anaesthesia procedures. Materials and Methods: This randomised trial was conducted in 100 patients belonging to 18-60 years of age from November 2019 to October 2020. Patients were intubated using rapid sequence including cricoid pressure by either styletted endotracheal tube (Group S) or distally preloaded bougie (Group B), for surgeries performed under general anaesthesia. The primary outcome was to determine mean time to intubation (TTI) and number of attempts, while secondary outcomes were haemodynamic responses to intubation and complications. Data comparison between independent groups in this normally distributed data was done using student -t test while intragroup analysis was done using chi-square test. Results: A total of hundred patients were randomized into two groups- group S (mean age: 41.12 years) and group B (mean age: 37.34 years), of 50 patients each. Number of intubation attempts with stylet were single in 82%, two in 18% cases while with preloaded bougie, it was 80% and 14%, respectively (p-value=0.196). Time to intubation was 22.16 seconds (group S) versus 33.78 seconds (group B) (p-value <0.05). The haemodynamic assessments revealed that tachycardia,hypertension and increased End tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2 ) was seen for 10 minutes immediately post induction in both the groups,though the intergroup difference was non significant. The incidence of sore throat was higher with stylet than bougie, though non-significant (p-value=0.118). Conclusion: Stylet should be preferred for ease of intubation in rapid sequence inductions. However, the insertion and removal of stylet must be done cautiously to prevent postoperative sore throat.
Assessment of Pull- and Push Technologies in Managing Spodoptera frugiperda in Maize and Multivariate Analysis of Associated Variables
Authors: Walubita Munsanda , Bbebe Nchimunya , Tembo Langa
Published: July 2022

Aims: The effect of push and pull technology in controlling Spodoptera frugiperda in maize may vary depending on environment understudy and the cereal- legume combination treatment employed. The objectives of this study were therefore, to; i) assess the effectiveness of push-pull technologies in controlling Spodoptera frugiperda infestation in maize ii) cluster the technologies into distinct sets, and iii) identify the variables with high discriminating influence among clustered push-pull technology sets.

Place and Duration of Study: The research was undertaken in Chilanga district, Zambia during the 2021/ 22 cropping season.

Methodology: The experiment was laid as a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and 6 treatments. Four push –pull combinations and the two controls (Negative and Positive). Maize was used as a test crop. Data on Spodoptera frugiperda incidence was collected at weekly intervals for a period of 5 weeks and at harvest from maize crop. Analysis on measured variables was computed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and principle component analysis (PCA), a multivariate tool.

Results: Significant differences were obtained on all measured variables except harvest index with regards to push- pull treatments main effects (P =0.05). The evaluation of treatments using principal component analysis showed that push - pull treatments clustered into four sets, arising from a phenotypic variation explained of 89.1%.

Conclusion: This study revealed Pearl millet/ Marigold push-pull treatment as the best performing treatment with a mean maize test yield value of 7.2 tons per hectare. For variables: number of damaged leaves, injury score leaves, egg batch, biomass with cobs, shelling %, plant height and grain yield were identified as important at differentiating the performance of push pull technologies.
Impact of Drip Irrigation Technology on Input use and Productivity in Banana: Evidence from Gujarat
Authors: Bansal Rachana Kumari , Zala Y. C.
Published: July 2022

The impact of drip irrigation technology in banana cultivation on input use and productivity was studied by collecting data from 120 drip farms and 120 non-drip farms of Anand and Vadodara districts during 2017-18. It was revealed from the study that per ha cost of cultivation of banana i.e. cost C2 was slightly less i.e. Rs 205190.4 under drip method of irrigation whereas under conventional method, it was Rs 212972.8. The average yield per ha i.e. 785.68 quintal and net gains over cost C2 per ha i.e. Rs 330924.4 was higher for drip irrigated farms as compared to conventional banana growers, in which average yield per ha was 660.15 quintal and net gains over cost C2 was Rs 239536.4. The yield and net profit were found significantly higher (about 19% and 38%) on drip farms over conventionally irrigated farms, which indicated that productivity was higher in drip method due to efficient use of inputs or resources. Due to drip irrigation system resources were saved over conventionally irrigated farms i.e. labor (19.99%), water (31.11%), growth regulators (22.72%), plant protection chemicals (22.30%), fertilizers (13.23%) and manures (7.78%). Benefit cost ratio over cost-C2 under drip and conventional method of irrigation was 2.61 and 2.12, respectively. Therefore these revealed the advantages of drip in terms of yield and returns.
Predictive Ability of Noncognitive Factors on Academic Performance of Undergraduate Psychology Students
Authors: Alvarado Arjay Y. , Estosos Ann Gei Sha R. , Jegan Jaybie L. , Nilles Noren T.
Published: July 2022

The ability to predict student performance creates opportunities to improve educational outcomes. Exploring the possibilities of measuring variables that could significantly influence the academic performance is fundamental to the realization of technological and scientific development, political, and socio-economic advancement, and success in life. This descriptive-relational study anchored on the Theory of Educational Productivity by Herbert Walberg utilized Multiple Regression Analyses to investigate the predictive ability of Adversity Quotient, Emotional Intelligence, and Personality on Academic Performance of Psychology students in a state college. Using convenience and quota sampling procedures, one hundred students (50 males and 50 females) were selected to participate in the study. Mean and standard deviation were used for descriptive analysis, Mann Whitney U test for comparative analysis, and Spearman Rho Correlation for relational analysis. Results revealed that collectively, the levels of Adversity Quotient, Emotional Intelligence, and Personality of the participants were “Average”, while their Academic Performance was “Superior”. No significant differences were noted among all the study variables regardless of their demographic characteristic. Emotional stability yielded a positive relationship with the academic performance of participants and predicted 51.8% of the increase in their academic performance. Moreover, empirical evidence suggests mentorship is effective in fostering the student's emotional stability.
Morphine‐related metabolites differentially activate adenylyl cyclase isozymes after acute and chronic administration
Authors: Eckhardt Klaus , Nevo Igal , Levy Rivka , Mikus Gerd , Eichelbaum Michel , Vogel Zvi
Published: July 2002

Morphine‐3‐ and morphine‐6‐glucuronide are morphine's major metabolites. As morphine‐6‐glucuronide produces stronger analgesia than morphine, we investigated the effects of acute and chronic morphine glucuronides on adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity. Using COS‐7 cells cotransfected with representatives of the nine cloned AC isozymes, we show that AC‐I and V are inhibited by acute morphine and morphine‐6‐glucuronide, and undergo superactivation upon chronic exposure, while AC‐II is stimulated by acute and inhibited by chronic treatment. Morphine‐3‐glucuronide had no effect. The weak opiate agonists codeine and dihydrocodeine are also addictive. These opiates, in contrast to their 3‐O‐demethylated metabolites morphine and dihydromorphine (formed by cytochrome P450 2D6), demonstrated neither acute inhibition nor chronic‐induced superactivation. These results suggest that metabolites of morphine (morphine‐6‐glucuronide) and codeine/dihydrocodeine (morphine/dihydromorphine) may contribute to the development of opiate addiction.
Angiotensin II type 1 receptor‐function affected by mutations in cytoplasmic loop CD
Authors: Miura Shin-ichiro , Zhang Jingli , Karnik Sadashiva S
Published: July 2002

To explore peptide hormone‐induced conformational changes, we attempted to engineer a metal–ion binding site between the cytoplasmic loops CD and EF in the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor. We constructed 12 double and six triple histidine mutant receptors, and tested the ability of each mutant and the wild‐type to activate inositol phosphate (IP) production with and without ZnCl2. Inhibition by ZnCl2 in the double and triple His mutant receptors was not significant, but these mutations directly decreased the IP production. Systematic analysis of single His mutants demonstrated that the loop CD‐mutants displayed 52–74% inhibition of IP production, whereas the loop EF‐mutants did not affect IP production. These results indicate that the cytoplasmic loop CD‐segment from Tyr127 to Ile130 is important for Gq/11 activation by the AT1 receptor.
In situ visualization of caspase‐1‐like activity associated with promotion of hippocampal cell death
Authors: Nishii Wataru , Shoda Takuji , Matsumoto Nagisa , Nakamura Takeshi , Kudo Yoshihisa , Takahashi Kenji
Published: July 2002

To clarify the function of caspase‐1‐like proteases in neuronal cell death, it is important to be able to detect the activity in living organs by microscopic visualization. In the present study, we synthesized a novel fluorescent substrate sensitive to the caspase‐1‐like activity, which is easily introduced into cells constituting living organs by extracellular application. As a result, the substrate was shown to be useful in imaging the caspase‐1‐like activity in rat hippocampal slice cultures. After induction of cell death with glutamate, a significant increase in the activity was observed, especially in the pyramidal cells, suggesting the association of the activity with promotion of cell death.
Separation Characteristics of Liquid Nematode Cultures and the Design of Recovery Operations
Authors: Young John M. , Dunnill Peter , Pearce Jeremy D.
Published: July 2002

Production of nematode‐based pesticides involves the recovery of a viable nematode life stage known as the infective juvenile (IJ) from fermentation broth. Waste components to be separated from the IJs include non‐IJ life stages, dead nematodes, nematode debris, spent media, and the nematodeapos;s associated bacteria. This paper reports separation characteristics of liquid cultures and suspensions of the nematodes Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, Steinernema feltiae, and Heterorhabditis megidis measured at small scale. Separation characteristics were determined for dead‐end filtration, gravity settling and flotation. Results were used to identify large‐scale recovery procedures. Separation of culture liquid by dead‐end filtration of the crude fermentation broth was not possible due to rapid blinding of filters. However, nematode‐water suspensions prepared by gravity settling could be concentrated using this separation method. Settling tests indicated that IJs could be efficiently separated from culture liquid by centrifugation but not by gravity settling. Examination of the effects of nematode concentration indicated an optimum concentration for gravity settling that may entail modest dilution of the fermentation broth. Flocculation of insoluble spent media in suspensions of P. hermaphrodita prevented its separation from nematodes by gravity settling. However, attachment of air bubbles to spent media allowed removal by flotation. Finally, adjustment of continuous phase density using sucrose allowed separation of non‐IJ life stages, dead nematodes, and discarded cuticles from the IJs by flotation. The efficiency of this separation decreased with increasing nematode−solute contact time.
Modeling and Advanced Control of Recombinant Zymomonasmobilis Fed‐Batch Fermentation
Authors: Hodge David B. , Karim M. Nazmul
Published: July 2002

This work presents the development of an unstructured kinetic model incorporating the differing degrees of product, substrate, and pH inhibition on the kinetic rates of ethanol fermentation by recombinant Zymomonas mobilis CP4:pZB5 for growth on two substrates. Product inhibition was observed to start affecting the specific growth rate at an ethanol concentration of 20 g/L and the specific productivity at about 35–40 g/L. Specific growth rate was also shown to be more sensitive to inhibition by lowered pH as well. A model for the inhibition of two competing substrates' cellular uptake via membrane transport is proposed. Inhibition functions and model parameters were determined by fitting experimental data to the model. The model was utilized in a nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) algorithm to control the product concentration during fed‐batch fermentation to offset the inhibitory effects of product inhibition. Using the optimal feeding policy determined online, the volumetric productivity of ethanol was improved 16.6% relative to the equivalent batch operation when the final ethanol concentration was reached.
High throughput screening: a rapid way to recombinant allergens
Authors: Crameri Reto
Published: July 2002

Complex allergenic sources such as moulds, foods and mites contain large panels of IgE‐binding molecules which need to be cloned, produced and characterized in order to mimic the entire allergenicity of whole extracts reconstituted by mixing single standardized recombinant allergens. Phage display of cDNA libraries allows selective enrichment of allergen‐expressing clones using IgE from allergic patients. For the characterization of all different clones present in enriched cDNA libraries in a fast and cost‐effective way, however, high‐throughput screening technology is required. We have used a high‐throughput, quantitative technology for fast identification of all different clones present in selectively enriched phage surface‐displayed cDNA libraries in order to characterize whole allergenic repertoires from complex allergenic sources. The strategy, based on a combination of phage display and high‐density arrays, allowed fast discovery of panels of related structures from different allergenic sources. They cover secreted, cytoplasmic and structural proteins with or without enzymatic activity and offer a rational explanation for the IgE‐mediated cross‐reactivity frequently encountered in clinical practice.
Haematuria and clot retention after transurethral resection of the prostate: a pilot study
Authors: Olapade‐Olaopa  , Solomon  , Carter  , Ahiaku  , Chiverton
Published: July 2002

Objective

 To determine, prospectively, the effect of clinical factors on the duration of frank haematuria and the incidence of clot retention after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Patients and methods

 Seventy‐nine men who underwent TURP in a 3‐month period were entered into this study, during which the time to cessation of bleeding and the occurrence of clot retention(s) were recorded over a 4‐week period. The effect of other clinical factors (histology, weight of tissue resected, operative duration, grade of surgeon and resection rate) was also assessed.

Results

 Gross haematuria ceased in 47%, 73%, 96%, and 97% of patients at the end of the first, second, third and fourth weeks, respectively. The duration of postoperative bleeding was significantly associated with the weight of tissue resected and the operation time (P<0.001 and <0.05, respectively). Furthermore, five patients were re‐admitted with clot retention, but there was no significant correlation between the occurrence of this morbidity and any of the other indices.

Conclusion

 Postoperative bleeding usually stops within 3 weeks of TURP. This period, which is about half the time hitherto assumed, is directly related to the size of the gland resected and the duration of the procedure. However, the occurrence of clot retention is not significantly associated with the duration of haematuria or any of the other clinical factors evaluated. Thus, a high fluid intake is mandatory for 3 weeks after TURP, but men who continue to bleed should be advised to continue with a high‐fluid regimen until their urine is clear.
Prurigo nodularis of Hyde: an update
Authors: Accioly‐Filho José Wilson , Nogueira Andréia , Ramos‐e‐Silva Marcia
Published: July 2002

Prurigo nodularis of Hyde is an unusual disorder of unknown aetiology characterized by extremely pruritic nodules with well defined clinical and histopathological aspects. The literature on this disease is reviewed, focusing on the historical background, aetiology, pathogenesis, histopathology and ultrastructure, clinical aspects, differential diagnosis and therapeutic alternatives.
Relationship between visual acuity and observation distance
Authors: Heron G. , Furby H. P. , Walker R. J. , Lane C. S. , Judge O. J. E.
Published: July 2002

The visual acuities of 17 young emmetropes and corrected ametropes were measured over the range of 7.5–0.19m using a Bailey‐Lovie chart. Accommodation stimulus‐response measures were also taken over this range using retinoscopy to establish whether variations in visual acuity with observation distance could be attributed to accommodation behaviour. Tonic accommodation was recorded using the Canon R1 autorefractor and was compared with visual acuity and stimulus‐response results. In general, visual acuity was found to be dependent on stimulus distance, being significantly reduced for most observers for the closest targets. There were three categories of observer performance for visual acuity as a function of observation distance; one group showing no change in visual acuity with distance, a second showing a flat function for distances 7.55–0.5m, and then a decrease in visual acuity for shorter distances; and a third category that showed a maximum visual acuity in the 1.2–1.6m region. This behaviour was unrelated to individual stimulus‐response characteristics and there was no significant relationship between tonic accommodation and the distance where acuity was best for the third category observers.
The Scientific Foundations of Habitat Conservation Plans: a Quantitative Assessment
Authors: Harding Elaine K. , Crone Elizabeth E. , Elderd Bret D. , Hoekstra Jonathan M. , McKerrow Alexa J. , Perrine John D. , Regetz Jim , Rissler Leslie J. , Stanley Amanda G. , Walters Eric L. , Group Nceas Habitat Conservation Plan Working
Published: July 2002

Abstract: The number of habitat conservation plans ( HCP) has risen dramatically since the first plan was written over 18 years ago. Until recently, no studies have quantitatively investigated the scientific foundations underlying these documents. As part of a larger study of HCPs, we examined 43 plans primarily to assess the availability and use of scientific data and secondarily to determine the extent of involvement by, and influence of, independent scientists within the process. Specifically, our analysis focused on five key steps taken when an HCP is developed: assessing status of a species, determining take, predicting the project effects, mitigating for those effects, and monitoring of take and mitigation. In general, we found that the preparers of HCPs utilized existing scientific information fairly well, with 60% of plans not missing any available information described by our study as “starkly necessary.” The most common types of underutilized available data included those describing the influence of stochastic processes and habitat quality or quantity on species persistence. For many species, however, data on biology or status simply did not exist, as demonstrated by the fact that we could locate quantitative population estimates for only 10% of the species. Furthermore, for 42% of the species examined we had insufficient data and analysis to determine clearly how predicted take might affect the population. In many cases, mitigation measures proposed to offset take frequently addressed the most important local threats to the species with moderately reliable strategies. Species with monitoring programs rated as sufficient had plans that proposed to collect a greater amount of “quantitative” data than did those programs rated insufficient. Finally, when species “experts” were consulted, plan quality was generally higher. Overall, available scientific information in a majority of categories was fairly well utilized, but for many species additional studies and more in‐depth analyses were required to provide adequate support for issuance of an incidental take permit.
Functional Diversity of Xyloglucan‐Related Proteins and its Implications in the Cell Wall Dynamics in Plants
Authors: Yokoyama R. , Nishitani K.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: The plant cell wall is a dynamic apparatus responsible for both morphogenesis and responsiveness to environmental conditions. In the cell wall of most seed plants, cellulose microfibrils are cross‐linked by xyloglucans to form a cellulose/xyloglucan framework, which functions as the mechanical underpinning of the cell wall. Endoxyloglucan transferases are a class of enzymes that play a central role in construction and modification of the plant cell wall. These enzymes are encoded by a large multi‐gene family termed xyloglucan‐related proteins (XRPs). More than 24 members of the XRP family have so far been identified in Arabidopsis thaliana. Each member of this family functions as either a hydrolase or a transferase acting on xyloglucans. The primary structures of proteins and gene‐expression profiles have strongly suggested their potentially divergent roles in plant morphogenesis: different members of this family are expressed in different types of tissues at distinct developmental stages and respond differentially to individual hormones as well as environmental stimuli. These facts imply that each member of this gene family is individually committed to a specific process that proceeds in a specific tissue at a specific stage of development. Probably the generation and maintenance of the cell walls in a whole organ, and thus in the whole plant, is achieved by the ensemble of individual members of the XRP family.
Quantifying Competitiveness in Woody Plants
Authors: Grams T. E. E. , Kozovits A. R. , Reiter I. M. , Barbro Winkler J. , Sommerkorn M. , Blaschke H. , Häberle K.‐H. , Matyssek R.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: A concept is presented for analysing and quantifying the competitiveness of woody plants. Efficiency ratios are defined that relate resource investments and gains to above‐ and belowground space sequestration. Such efficiencies are exemplified in comparisons between young and mature trees of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies), resulting in remarkable consistencies across plant age and species. The demonstration extends to assessments of the inter‐ and intra‐specific competition between young beech and spruce plants in a phytotron study, using CO2/O3 regimes as disturbants for examining the sensitivity of the efficiency ratios. In mixed plantations, the growth of spruce was enhanced and that of beech reduced as compared with the corresponding monocultures. This effect related to a high efficiency of spruce in aboveground space sequestration per resource investment, whereas the efficiency in carbon gain (return per unit of crown volume) was of minor importance. In contrast, beech displayed advantages in belowground space sequestration. However, competitiveness of young trees was hardly affected by the applied CO2/O3 treatments. The concept proves to be adequate for quantitatively comparing competitiveness across species, age and growth conditions. One further efficiency ratio, i.e., volume‐related respiratory and transpiratory costs for sustaining functionality in resource sequestration, deserves attention in achieving a mechanistic understanding of competitive behaviour, in particular, in woody plants.
Aluminum Exclusion Mechanism in Root Tips of Maize (Zea mays L.): Lysigeny of Aluminum Hyperaccumulator Cells
Authors: Vázquez M. D.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: Ultrastructural studies, together with X‐ray microanalytical, immunocytochemical and cytochemical analysis performed in root tips of Al‐resistant (C‐525 M) and Al‐sensitive (Adour 250, HS 7777 and BR 201 F) maize plants (Zea mays L.), after 96 h exposure to 20 μM Al, showed qualitatively similar results in the four cultivars.

Al was identified in electron‐opaque precipitates, which were insoluble even in EDTA chelate. They also contained an elevated proportion of P and also of K and Ca, some traces of Mn, Fe and Zn and sometimes of Mg. This elemental composition is similar to that described for phytin (Al‐phytin), and the precipitates were localized in the two principal extraplasmatic compartments: cell walls and vacuoles. Al‐phytin was detected in swollen areas of cell walls in membraneous concentric configurations, resembling myelin figures, probably rich in phosphatidyl inositol, which also intervene in the vacuolar internalization of Al‐phytin and are similar to a peculiar form of endocytosis (not previously described). Abnormal apoplastic protuberances containing abundant electron‐opaque Al‐phytin deposits, agglutinated by callose (immunocytochemically identified), were shown in cortex cells with high mitotic activity (around 1 ‐ 1.5 mm from cap root). Al‐hyperaccumulator cells parallel to the root axis were correlated with longitudinal lysigenous intercellular spaces after cell death and dissolution (lysigeny). Indicators of activated lysigeny, as low levels of Al and callose (in agreement with other authors) and high levels of phosphoinositides, can mark Al‐resistant genotypes, contrary to Al‐sensitive genotypes, probably derived from a partially activated or even inactivated lysigeny.

The lysigeny of Al hyperaccumulator cells constitutes new ultrastructural evidence of an Al exclusion mechanism, supporting biochemical results reported by other investigators.
Superconducting Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O films by sputtering
Authors: Hong M. , Liou S. H. , Bacon D. D. , Grader G. S. , Kwo J. , Kortan A. R. , Davidson B. A.
Published: July 2002

Superconducting Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O thin films 0.2–1.0 μm thick have been prepared on MgO(100) and SrTiO3(100) substrates by dc diode sputtering using a single oxide target. Films containing primarily the Tl2Ba2Ca1Cu2O8 phase were obtained with a Tc (R=0) at 102 K and a transport Jc of 104 A/cm2 at 90 K. For the nearly pure phase Tl2Ba2Ca2Cu3O10 films, the Tc’s (R=0) are higher at 116 K and the transport Jc’s at 100 K are of 105 A/cm2. Both types of films show a strong preferred orientation with the c axis perpendicular to the film plane. The rocking curve of the Tl2Ba2Ca2Cu3O10 films is 0.32° wide and the typical grain size is over 10 μm.
Surface structure of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ high-temperature superconductors studied using low-energy electron diffraction
Authors: Lindberg P. A. P. , Shen Z.-X. , Wells B. O. , Mitzi D. B. , Lindau I. , Spicer W. E. , Kapitulnik A.
Published: July 2002

The surface structure of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ has been studied using low-energy electron diffraction (LEED). Sharp diffraction spots indicative of a well-ordered surface are observed. The LEED patterns unequivocally show that this type of material preferentially cleaves along the a-b planes of the nearly tetragonal unit cell. A superstructure extending along one of the axes in the a-b plane (b) is found to have a periodicity of 27±0.5 Å, in good agreement with earlier studies of the three-dimensional crystal structure. We conclude that the superstructure at the surface is nonlocal in character and reflects the long-range superlattice of the bulk along the b axis. Intensity modulations of the diffraction spots oriented along the b axis are also reported and discussed in terms of the cell dimension of the unit cell along the b axis.
Low-field structure in the magnetization of polycrystalline YBa2Cu3O7−x and ErBa2Cu3O7−x
Authors: Wong D. , Stamper A. K. , Stancil D. D. , Schlesinger T. E.
Published: July 2002

We have studied the structure present at small fields (<50 Oe) in the magnetic hysteresis of polycrystalline samples of YBa2Cu3O7−x and ErBa2Cu3O7−x. This structure is absent from measurements on a powder of YBa2Cu3O7−x. We conclude that the structure results from interactions among the grains and is not an intrinsic property of the compounds. Flux creep associated with this structure is found to be proportional to ln(t) over three decades of observation time.
Low-pressure hollow cathode switch triggered by a pulsed electron beam emitted from ferroelectrics
Authors: Gundel H. , Riege H. , Handerek J. , Zioutas K.
Published: July 2002

A new type of low-pressure gas switch is described. The switch is triggered by an electron beam that is emitted from the surface of a ferroelectric sample. The electron beam is generated within the hollow cathode and ejected through a hole of arbitrary shape into the main gap of the switch. The beam current and the electron energy can be chosen such that breakdown is achieved with small jitter. The switch with its ferroelectric trigger requires neither heating nor an auxiliary gas discharge. The fast spontaneous polarization change ΔPs, which is the cause of electron emission, is induced by a high-voltage pulse from an electronic switching circuit.
Linear electro-optic effect in sputtered polycrystalline LiNbO3 films
Authors: Griffel G. , Ruschin S. , Croitoru N.
Published: July 2002

Light guiding and modulation was demonstrated in sputtered LiNbO3 films deposited on glass substrates. We report on films’ exceptionally low attenuation (<2 dB/cm) and the highest electro-optical coefficient reported so far for this kind of film (1.34×10−12 m/V).
Feasibility of the high T
c superconducting bolometer
Authors: Richards P. L. , Clarke J. , Leoni R. , Lerch Ph. , Verghese S. , Beasley M. R. , Geballe T. H. , Hammond R. H. , Rosenthal P. , Spielman S. R.
Published: July 2002

A design analysis is given for a bolometric infrared detector that uses the resistive transition of a high-temperature superconductor as the temperature sensing element, and liquid nitrogen (LN) as the coolant. It is shown that for highly oriented c-axis films, the measured low-frequency noise causes little or no degradation of the performance. With the incoming radiation chopped at 10 Hz, noise equivalent powers (NEP) in the range (1–20)×10−12 W Hz−1/2 should be achievable. These values compare favorably with the NEP of other detectors operating at or above LN temperatures for wavelengths greater than 20 μm.
YBa2Cu3O7−δ films deposited by a novel ion beam sputtering technique
Authors: Kingon A. I. , Auciello O. , Ameen M. S. , Rou S. H. , Krauss A. R.
Published: July 2002

Superconducting films of YBa2Cu3O7−δ have been synthesized in a novel ion beam sputter deposition system which features a rotating target holder with BaO2, CuO, and Y2O3 as the sputtering targets. The dwell time of the ion beam on each oxide target is determined by a computer-controlled feedback loop using the signal from a programmable quartz crystal resonator. The sputtered fluxes of all film components originate from the same spatial location, ensuring homogeneous film composition. The results presented demonstrate for the first time an automated ion beam sputter deposition system with the capability of producing high Tc superconducting films by controlled sputtering of either elemental metallic components or oxide precursors. The concept may be extended to include processes such as patterning, production of layered structures (junctions), and film encapsulation necessary for microcircuit manufacturing based on high Tc superconducting films.
Nature of i
n s
i
t
u superconducting film formation
Authors: Ying Q. Y. , Kim H. S. , Shaw D. T. , Kwok H. S.
Published: July 2002

The resistivity of a Y-Ba-Cu-O film was monitored during laser deposition in real time. Both deposition parameters leading to in situ films and those requiring high-temperature (850 °C) post-annealing were examined. It was found that in both cases, the resistivity was dependent on the oxygen partial pressure during deposition, and that filling the chamber with oxygen immediately after deposition was crucial to the formation of the superconducting phase. Oxygen outdiffusion during deposition at high temperature (600 °C) was found to be the major obstacle to true in situ film formation.