bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emergency surgery for colonic cancer in a defined population
Authors: Jestin P , Nilsson J , Heurgren M , Påhlman L , Glimelius B , Gunnarsson U
Published: November 2004

Background

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors in emergency surgery for colonic cancer in a large population and to investigate the economic impact of such surgery.

Methods

Data from the colonic cancer registry (1997–2001) of the Uppsala/Örebro Regional Oncological Centre were analysed and classified by hospital category. Some 3259 patients were included; 806 had an emergency and 2453 an elective procedure. Data for calculating effects on health economy were derived from a national case-costing register.

Results

Patients who had emergency surgery had more advanced tumours and a lower survival rate than those who had an elective procedure (5-year survival rate 29·8 versus 52·4 per cent; P < 0·001). There was a stage-specific difference in survival, with poorer survival both for patients with stage I and II tumours and for those with stage III tumours after emergency compared with elective surgery (P < 0·001). Emergency surgery was associated with a longer hospital stay (mean 18·0 versus 10·0 days; P < 0·001) and higher costs (relative cost 1·5 (95 per cent confidence interval 1·4 to 1·6)) compared with elective surgery. The duration of hospital stay was the strongest determinant of cost (r2 = 0·52, P < 0·001).

Conclusion

Emergency surgery for colonic cancer is associated with a stage-specific increase in mortality rate.
Early prediction of organ failure by combined markers in patients with acute pancreatitis
Authors: Mentula P , Kylänpää M-L , Kemppainen E , Jansson S-E , Sarna S , Puolakkainen P , Haapiainen R , Repo H
Published: November 2004

Background

Several biological markers and clinical scoring systems have been used to predict the course of acute pancreatitis. Because organ failure is the most severe complication of the disease, prognostic markers and their combinations that would predict organ failure on hospital admission were sought.

Methods

Some 351 consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis were studied. Blood samples were taken within 12 h of admission. This case–control study included all 33 patients with organ failure and 99 matched controls without organ failure. Measurements included 19 prognostic markers and Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score.

Results

Plasma interleukin 10, serum glucose and serum calcium were identified as independent predictors of organ failure by logistic regression analysis. Calcium level correlated with clinical onset of organ failure. The combination of interleukin 10 (more than 50 pg/ml) or calcium (less than 1·65 mmol/l) was a significantly better predictor than any single marker or APACHE II score, with a sensitivity of 88 per cent, specificity 93 per cent and diagnostic odds ratio 94.

Conclusion

Organ failure in acute pancreatitis can be predicted with high accuracy at hospital admission using a combination of plasma interleukin 10 and serum calcium measurements.
Randomized clinical trial of the effect of intravenous fluid administration on hormonal and renal dysfunction in patients with obstructive jaundice undergoing endoscopic drainage
Authors: Padillo F J , Briceño J , Cruz A , Chicano M , Naranjo A , Vallejo J , Martín-Malo A , Pera-Madrazo C , Sitges-Serra A
Published: November 2004

Background

Renal dysfunction in patients with biliary obstruction is associated with extracellular water depletion. This study examined the effect of preoperative saline infusion before biliary drainage on hormonal and renal functional derangements in patients with obstructive jaundice.

Methods

In a randomized study, 49 patients with malignant obstructive jaundice were investigated at baseline, on the day of drainage, and at 24 h, 72 h and 7 days after internal endoscopic biliary drainage. Patients were randomized to receive (n = 22) or not to receive (n = 27) 3000 ml normal saline intravenously for 24 h before drainage. Variables analysed included extracellular water volume, creatinine clearance, and serum levels of aldosterone, renin, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), vasopressin and albumin.

Results

Preoperative saline infusion produced a rise in creatinine clearance, diuresis, ANP concentration and extracellular water volume but this did not translate into better recovery of renal function after operation. Drainage produced a fall in creatinine clearance in all patients, but hormonal and renal function had recovered by 2 days after restoration of bile flow, independently of preoperative hydration.

Conclusion

Fluid administration expands the extracellular water compartment before drainage but fails to improve renal function after drainage. Definitive improvement in endocrine and renal function requires the restoration of bile flow into the duodenum.
Synaptic structural abnormalities in the Ts65Dn mouse model of down syndrome
Authors: Belichenko Pavel V. , Masliah Eliezer , Kleschevnikov Alexander M. , Villar Angela J. , Epstein Charles J. , Salehi Ahmad , Mobley William C.
Published: November 2004

The Ts65Dn mouse is a genetic model for Down syndrome. Although this mouse shows abnormalities in cognitive function that implicate hippocampus as well as marked deficits in hippocampal long‐term potentiation, the structure of the hippocampus has been little studied. We characterized synaptic structure in Ts65Dn and control (2N) mice, studying the hippocampus (fascia dentata, CA1) as well as the motor and somatosensory cortex, entorhinal cortex, and medial septum. Confocal microscopy was used to examine immunostained presynaptic boutons and to detail the structure of dendrites after Lucifer yellow microinjection. Both presynaptic and postsynaptic elements were significantly enlarged in Ts65Dn in all regions examined. The changes were detected at the youngest age examined (postnatal day 21) and in adults. In studies detailing the changes in fascia dentata and motor cortex, the enlargement of spines affected the entire population, resulting in the presence of spines whose volume was greatly increased. Electron microscopy confirmed that boutons and spines were enlarged and demonstrated abnormalities in the internal membranes of both. In addition, spine density was decreased on the dendrites of dentate granule cells, and there was reorganization of inhibitory inputs, with a relative decrease in inputs to dendrite shafts and an increase in inputs to the necks of spines. Taken together, the findings document widespread abnormalities of synaptic structure that recapitulate important features seen in Down syndrome. They establish the Ts65Dn mouse as a model for abnormal synapse structure and function in Down syndrome and point to the importance of studies to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for synapse enlargement. J. Comp. Neurol. 480:281–298, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role stress in call centers: Its effects on employee performance and satisfaction
Authors: de Ruyter Ko , Wetzels Martin , Feinberg Richard
Published: November 2004

Call centers have become an important customer access channel as well as an important source of customer-related information. Frequently, call center employees experience role stress as a result of the conflicting demands of the company, supervisors, and customers. In this article, antecedents and consequences of role stress in a call center setting are examined. Specifically, we investigate which forms of empowerment and leadership styles decrease role stress and how this subsequently effects job satisfaction, organizational commitment, performance, and turnover intentions. It was found that particularly the autonomy dimension of empowerment has a role-stress-reducing effect. Interesting substantive direct positive effects of empowerment competence and leadership consideration on job satisfaction were found. Job satisfaction was found to be conducive to job performance. Furthermore, it was found that job satisfaction reduces turnover intentions, directly and indirectly via organizational commitment.
Internet forums as influential sources of consumer information
Authors: Bickart Barbara , Schindler Robert M.
Published: November 2004

We report the results of an experiment in which consumers were instructed to gather online information about one of five specific product topics by accessing either online discussions (i.e., Internet forums or bulletin boards) or marketer-generated online information (i.e., corporate webpages). At the end of a 12-week period, the consumers who gathered information from online discussions reported greater interest in the product topic than did those consumers who acquired information from the marketer-generated sources. We discuss the study's implications for better understanding word-of-mouth communication and for developing more successful consumer websites.
A Stereoselective Carbocyclization of Bis(allenes) with Germylstannane Catalyzed by Palladium Complexes
Authors: Hong Young‐Taek , Yoon Seok‐Keun , Kang Suk‐Ku , Yu Chan‐Mo
Published: November 2004

Diastereoselective germastannylation of bis(allenes) with germylstannanes, catalyzed by palladium complexes, for the construction of cis or trans five‐membered cyclic systems has been investigated. We observed that the relative stereochemical arrangements of the reaction products depends on the substituents in the reagents containing Ge−Sn σ‐bonds. When the reagent Ph3GeSnBu3 was employed in the Pd0‐catalyzed carbocyclization of bis(allenes), trans‐cyclized products and/or cis‐fused bicyclic dienes were produced. In contrast, cis cyclic compounds were obtained, again along with cis‐fused bicyclic dienes, from the reaction with Bu3GeSnBu3. NMR experiments to establish the stereochemical relationships and a mechanistic speculation for this transformation as a possible explanation for the different stereochemical outcomes are also described. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Total Synergistic Effect between Triflic Acid and Bismuth(III) or Antimony(III) Chlorides in Catalysis of the Methanesulfonylation of Arenes
Authors: Peyronneau Magali , Boisdon Marie‐Thérèse , Roques Nicolas , Mazières Stéphane , Le Roux Christophe
Published: November 2004

A total synergistic effect between bismuth(III) or antimony(III) chlorides and triflic acid has been observed in the Friedel−Crafts methanesulfonylation of arenes and has resulted in the development of the first efficient catalytic systems usable for the methanesulfonylation of both activated and deactivated arenes. A proposed mechanism to explain the observed effects is also discussed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Stereochemical Assignment of Diastereomeric Imidazolidinone‐Ring‐Containing Bicyclic Sugar‐Peptide Adducts: NMR Spectroscopy and Molecular Calculations
Authors: Roščić Maja , Eklund Robert , Nordmark Eva‐Lisa , Horvat Štefica , Widmalm Göran
Published: November 2004

A combination of NMR spectroscopy and molecular simulations is used to determine trans/cis configurational features of two diastereomeric bicyclic imidazolidinone compounds obtained by intramolecular cyclization of the monosaccharide ester of leucine‐enkephalin related to D‐glucose. The stereochemical assignment of the five‐membered imidazolidinone ring system was performed by consideration of long‐range proton‐proton coupling observed between protons at C2 and C4 in the COSY spectrum of the major isomer only. A long‐range 4JH,H coupling across the nitrogen atoms is larger in the trans isomer than in the cis. In addition, comparison of these results with the NMR spectroscopic data obtained for the major isomer of D‐galactose‐related imidazolidinone and those previously obtained by X‐ray methods for the corresponding minor isomer, show that the substituents attached to the imidazolidinone ring moiety in the studied compounds preferentially adopt the trans (2R,4S) orientation. The experimental results were complemented by density functional theory calculations of NMR‐observable parameters, such as 1H and 13C chemical shifts and 4JH,H coupling constants, performed on simplified imidazolidinone ring systems. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Intramolecular Ritter Reactions of 2‐(2‐Cyanoethyl)tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]indole and ‐carbazole Derivatives
Authors: Maertens Faye , Van den Bogaert An  , Compernolle Frans , Hoornaert Georges J.
Published: November 2004

Intramolecular Ritter reactions of 2‐(2‐cyanoethyl)tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]indole and ‐carbazole derivatives, prepared by a sequence of two different α‐substitutions and Grignard reactions of the indole‐based ketones 4‐methyl‐1,4‐dihydrocyclopenta[b]indol‐3(2H)‐one and 9‐methyl‐2,3,4,9‐tetrahydro‐1H‐carbazol‐1‐one, were used as key steps in the construction of various tetracyclic lactam compounds. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Effective Activation of the Chiral Salen/Ti(OiPr)4 Catalyst with Achiral Phenolic N‐Oxides as Additives in the Enantioselective Cyanosilylation of Ketones
Authors: He Bin , Chen Fu‐Xue , Li Yan , Feng Xiaoming , Zhang Guolin
Published: November 2004

The activation of chiral titanium(IV) complexes with phenolic N‐oxides additives has been found to provide an alternative strategy for the asymmetric cyanosilylation of ketones. By using 10 mol % of chiral salen−titanium(IV) complex in combination with 1 mol % achiral phenolic N‐oxide as an additive, aromatic, aliphatic and heterocyclic ketones have been converted into the corresponding cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ethers in 58−96% yields with 56−82% ee. Several factors concerning the reactivity and enantioselectivity have been discussed. A catalytic cycle based on experimental phenomena and studies has been proposed to explain the origin of this activation and the asymmetric induction. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Towards a Selective Functionalization of Amino‐Terminated Dendrimers
Authors: Vögtle Fritz , Fakhrnabavi Hassan , Lukin Oleg , Müller Sonja , Friedhofen Jörg , Schalley Christoph A.
Published: November 2004

Selective functionalization of the periphery of commercial polypropyleneamine (POPAM) and polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers has been investigated in preparative scale. The first generation (G1) POPAM dendrimer was for the first time selectively N,N‐bis(sulfonylated) with tosyl chloride and the corresponding mono‐, di‐, tri‐, and tetra‐N‐tosylsulfonamides were isolated and fully characterized. Unexpectedly, similar persulfonylation of G2 POPAM results in splitting of a central C−N bond and only fully and partially sulfonylated halves of the initial dendrimer could be isolated. Higher generations of POPAM are also split during the persulfonylation yielding complex mixtures of persulfonylated dendritic fragments which could hardly be identified. A plausible mechanism of the POPAM decomposition on the basis of the reaction product analysis is proposed. N‐Sulfonylation of a peripheral octasulfonamide of G2 POPAM with tosyl chloride also leads to the destruction of the dendrimer, while its N‐alkylation with benzyl bromide proved to be not selective yielding a completely alkylated derivative. Unlike POPAM dendrimers, PAMAM dendrimers were shown to be more stable during their sulfonylation and no decomposition of the dendritic backbone was detected. In contrast to the POPAM dendrimers, PAMAM dendrimers were shown to be rather inert with respect to the formation of N‐tosylsulfonamides since they could only be N‐monosulfonylated at all peripheral amino groups. The combination of MALDI‐TOF and ESI‐FT‐ICR tandem mass spectrometry has been shown to be an effective method for structure assignment and purity check of selectively or fully persulfonylated dendritic oligoamines. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Stationary Fuel Cells at Work – An Interim Report
Authors: Edel M. , Frey H. , Kessler A. , Münch W.
Published: November 2004

Different fuel cell systems, in various numbers, have been installed and run at customers' sites using natural gas. Operational results from these field tests are presented, which demonstrate that several fuel cell systems can be used successfully to generate heat and electricity. Improved reliability and cutting costs are the most urgent challenges for commercialisation.
Mathematical Model of a Residential Fuel Cell Power Plant and its Application to Start‐up Optimisation
Authors: Jahn H.‐J. , Schroer W.
Published: November 2004

Fuel cell power plants are complex, non‐linear systems. Their control is not yet sufficiently resolved. According to recent publications [1] and based on our own experience, with a demonstration plant, problems exist especially at plant start‐up and under dynamic operating conditions.

In an ongoing project, optimal control concepts are developed with the main focus on plant start‐up.

The first part of this paper describes the demonstration plant and depicts the present problems. The second part describes the plant model, which was derived based on physical and chemical laws. It is the basis for control system design and optimisation. The third part covers the start‐up process and its optimisation.

Our project partners are the Department for Energy Conversion and Storage of the University of Ulm and the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden‐Württemberg (ZSW).
Participatory function allocation in manufacturing
Authors: Kleiner Brian M. , Shewchuk John P.
Published: November 2004

Much of the allocation of functions in manufacturing environments has been technologically driven, leaving leftover tasks for humans to perform and failing to consider sociotechnical characteristics. An exploratory experiment is reported that sought a greater empirical understanding of participation in function allocation. The experiment involved student‐based design teams charged with allocating functions for a real‐life inspection task. Specific techniques such as the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) and the “think aloud” problem‐solving technique were seen as useful to augment function allocation methodologies. Results suggest that design teams may be more effective than individuals for the task of function allocation in manufacturing. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Status of RNAs, localized in Xenopus laevis oocytes, in the frogs Rana pipiens and Eleutherodactylus coqui
Authors: Nath Kimberly , Boorech Jamie L. , Beckham Yvonne M. , Burns Mary M. , Elinson Richard P.
Published: November 2004

Early development in the frog model, Xenopus laevis, is governed by RNAs, localized to the vegetal cortex of the oocyte. These RNAs include Xdazl RNA, which is involved in primordial germ cell formation, and VegT RNA, which specifies the mesoderm and endoderm. In order to determine whether orthologues of these RNAs are localized and have similar functions in other frogs, we cloned RpDazl and RpVegT from Rana pipiens, a frog that is phylogenetically distant from X. laevis. RNAs from both genes are localized to the vegetal cortex of the R. pipiens oocyte, indicating that the vegetal localization is likely the basal state. The animal location of EcVegT RNA in Eleutherodactylus coqui that we found previously (Beckham et al., 2003) is then a derived state, probably due to the great increase in egg size required for direct development of this species. To answer the question of function, we injected RpVegT or EcVegT RNAs into X. laevis embryos, and assayed animal caps for gene expression. Both of these RNAs induced the expression of endodermal, mesodermal, and organizer genes, showing that the function of RpVegT and EcVegT as meso‐endodermal determinants is conserved in frogs. The RNA localizations and the function of VegT orthologues in germ layer specification may be synapomorphies for anuran amphibians. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 304B:000–000, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
5‐HT1A receptors modulate small‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channels
Authors: Grunnet Morten , Jespersen Thomas , Perrier Jean‐François
Published: November 2004

Small‐conductance calcium‐activated potassium channels (SK) are responsible for the medium afterhyperpolarisation (mAHP) following action potentials in neurons. Here we tested the ability of serotonin (5‐HT) to modulate the activity of SK channels by coexpressing 5‐HT1A receptors with different subtypes of SK channels (SK1, SK2, and SK3) in Xenopus laevis oocytes. SK channels were activated by intracellular injection of Cd2+. Subsequent activation of 5‐HT1A receptors by 8‐OH‐DPAT always produced an inhibition of the SK current, showing the existence of a specific pathway between the receptor and the ion channel. To investigate the physiological relevance of this pathway, we characterized the mAHP present after action potentials in spinal motoneurons recorded in a slice preparation from the lumbar spinal cord of the adult turtle. By performing current and voltage clamp recordings, we showed that 8‐OH‐DPAT specifically inhibited the fraction of the AHP mediated by SK channels. We conclude that the activity of SK channels is modulated by activation of serotonergic receptors. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thermal effects of building geometry and spacing on the urban canopy layer microclimate in a hot‐humid climate in summer
Authors: Shashua‐Bar Limor , Tzamir Yigal , Hoffman Milo E.
Published: November 2004

A quantitative analysis is presented for evaluating the diurnal thermal impact of proposed building arrangements on the urban canopy layer (UCL) air temperature, in summer in a hot‐humid region. Building configuration along an urban street is quantitatively specified in this study by the building dimensions, by the spacing of the units and by the width of the street. The generic model described here is representative of the actual form of residential buildings found mostly along urban streets in Israel's cities. Sixty different building configurations were studied. The diurnal air temperature pattern in summer was calculated for each configuration using the analytical Green CTTC model, and compared with that of a nearby representative meteorological station at an open site. The results indicate significant thermal effects in the UCL due to the building form. The extent of the maximum impact is about 6.8 K at 1500h, namely ranging from 4.7 K above the value measured at the reference meteorological station (for shallow open spaces with wide spacing), to 2.1 K below this (for deep open spaces with narrow spacing). The statistical analysis of the results indicates the feasibility of assessing the expected maximum thermal effect of building designs of the generic form studied here, through a general linear relationship. This, thereby, provides a useful tool in judging the expected climatic impact of a proposed building design. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society
Cycles and trends in the Czech temperature series using wavelet transforms
Authors: Pišoft Petr , Kalvová Jaroslava , Brázdil Rudolf
Published: November 2004

Temperature variability in the Czech Republic is analysed by means of wavelet transforms. This advanced time–frequency analysis provides information about the nature and time–frequency localization of present oscillations. The data set comprises four mean monthly temperature series from Prague‐Klementinum, Brno, Mt Milešovka and the gridded temperature series for the Czech Republic. The results of their wavelet transforms are presented as (a) trend analysis (computed by the inverse wavelet transform) and (b) periodicities and oscillations (distinguishable from the series wavelet power spectra and global wavelet spectra). The results show considerable similarity among individual series. Examples are the parts of the wavelet power spectra in the time period between 1930 and 2001 expressed in all series studied, the pronounced oscillations of about 8 and 12–14 years in all series, and the noticeable increase of temperatures in all cases. As a supplement to this study, wavelet transforms were performed on the variance‐adjusted version of combined land and marine temperature anomalies for the Northern Hemisphere from the Hadley Centre. Only some results of this analysis are mentioned and discussed. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society
Timing of MAP kinase inactivation effects on emission of polar body in porcine oocytes activated by Ca2+ ionophore
Authors: Ito Junya , Shimada Masayuki
Published: November 2004

Artificial activation is required for successful intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to induce haploidy pronuclear formation with extraction of second polar body. The present study showed that an additional treatment with Phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) followed by Ca2+ ionophore treatment improved the rate of pronuclear formation, however, these oocytes had more than two pronuclei because of the suppression of polar body emission. The cultivation with MEK inhibitor U0126 followed by Ca2+ ionophore also increased the rate of pronuclear formation but suppressed the emission of second polar body. These results suggested that the decrease of MAP kinase activity at early stage of artificial activation, concomitantly with decreasing p34cdc2 kinase activity, prevented the second polar body extraction. We investigated that the timing of MAP kinase inactivation affected the extraction of the polar body and pronuclear formation rate. The addition of PMA 8 hr after Ca2+ ionophore treatment induced the delay of MAP kinase inactivation, which resulted in haploidy pronuclear formation with emission of polar body. These results demonstrated for the first time that the delay of MAP kinase inactivation induced by PMA improved pronuclear formation with the extraction of second polar body in porcine oocytes activated by Ca2+ ionophore. This method can be available for successfully ICSI in low response species of oocyte activation to Ca2+ ionophore including pig. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 70: 64–69, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Germinal vesicle breakdown is not fully dependent on MAPK activation in maturing oocytes of marine nemertean worms
Authors: Smythe T.L. , Stricker S.A.
Published: November 2004

Previously, it has been shown that oocytes of marine nemertean worms resume meiosis and undergo germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) following treatment with either natural seawater (NSW), or the neurohormone serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine or 5‐HT). In this investigation of the nemerteans Cerebratulus lacteus and Cerebratulus sp., immunoblots and kinase assays were used to compare the roles of two regulatory kinases: mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Cdc2/cyclin B (referred to as maturation promoting factor or MPF). Based on such analyses, an ERK (extracellular signal regulated kinase) type of MAPK was found to be activated concurrently with Cdc2/cyclin B during NSW‐ and 5‐HT‐induced maturation. MAPK activation occurred prior to GVBD and seemed to be controlled primarily by phosphorylation rather than de novo protein synthesis. Inhibition of MAPK signaling by U0126 was capable of delaying but not permanently blocking Cdc2/cyclin B activation and GVBD in 5‐HT treated oocytes and subsets of NSW‐treated oocytes. Collectively such data indicated that GVBD is not fully dependent on MAPK activation, since Cdc2/cyclin B can apparently be activated by MAPK‐independent mechanism(s) in maturing nemertean oocytes. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 70: 91–102, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electric‐field‐induced chain orientation in poly(L‐lactic acid)
Authors: Sugita Atsushi , Tasaka Shigeru
Published: November 2004

The orientational order was studied for melt‐state poly(L‐lactic acid) under an external direct‐current electric field. A birefringence as high as 1.1 × 10−2 was recorded against an external field of 1.0 MV/m at 190 °C. The evidence proved that a field–dipole interaction transferred from a randomly coiled conformation to a uniaxially drawn conformation. The field‐induced birefringence was temporally resolved, and the chain orientation and relaxation processes on the order of 100 s were observed in a real timescale after the field was turned on and off. A mechanism of chain orientation was examined with respect to the orientation polarization and viscoelasticity. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 4433–4439, 2004
Determination of ordering effects on GaInP pressure coefficients
Authors: Prins A. D. , Sly J. L. , Dunstan D. J. , Nagata A. , Haslam C. , Kobayashi T.
Published: November 2004

We report the determination of pressure coefficients for ordered and disordered GaInP samples measured in the same diamond anvil cell experiment at 10 K. Results are compared to measurements using substrate calibration and data available in the literature. Using previous theoretical calculations and experimental work we propose a linear model based on the band‐gap reduction with ordering to calculate pressure coefficients. To date this is the only available method to quantifying this change. All layers measured were grown nominally lattice matched to GaAs. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of glucocorticoids and their complexes with apolipoprotein A‐I on the secondary structure of eukaryotic DNA
Authors: Panin L. E. , Kunitsyn V. G. , Tusikov F. V.
Published: November 2004

The tetrahydrocortisol–apolipoprotein A‐I complex specifically interacts with eukaryotic DNA isolated from rat liver. This interaction is highly cooperative and of a saturating nature. One DNA molecule binds about 54 molecules of the complex. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering has shown that hydrogen bonds between nitrous bases are destroyed and that single‐stranded structures are formed at the interaction of the tetrahydrocortisol–apolipoprotein A‐I complex with eukaryotic DNA. The most probable site of binding the tetrahydrocortisol–apolipoprotein A‐I complex with DNA is the sequence of the CC(GCC)n type entering the structure of many genes, among them the structure of the human apolipoprotein A‐I gene. Oligonucleotide of this type has been synthesized. The association constant (Kass) of its complexation was shown to be 1.66 · 106 M−1. Substitution of tetrahydrocortisol for cortisol in the complex results in a considerable decrease of Kass. IR‐spectroscopy study has shown that the interaction of tetrahydrocortisol with oligonucleotide CC(GCC)3–5 is accompanied by the formation of hydrogen bonds via the CO‐NH, PO2, and OH groups of desoxycytidinephosphate. The tetrahydrocortisol–apolipoprotein A‐I complex alters the DNA secondary structure formed at the interaction with the hormone, causing the structural transition “order → tangle.” It is assumed that in the GC‐pairs of the given DNA sequence, tetrahydrocortisol initiates the rupture of hydrogen bonds, while the hydrophobic interactions between nitrous bases and apoA‐I intensify this process. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
DFT study of some aliphatic amines using generalized philicity concept
Authors: Chattaraj P. K. , Sarkar U. , Parthasarathi R. , Subramanian V.
Published: November 2004

An attempt has been made to test the usefulness of the generalized philicity concept of Chattaraj et al. through gas‐ and solution‐phase density functional theory calculations on some aliphatic amines. Local philicity provides important clues about the reactivity and selectivity, and it contains almost all the known global and local chemical reactivity parameters. Local philicity provides the Fukui function, but the converse is not true. We have also studied the effect of solvent (water) on reactivity. The philicities are in general less in solvent than in the gas phase, but the total energy and dipole moment are higher in the solvent medium. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
Inquiry‐based science in the middle grades: Assessment of learning in urban systemic reform
Authors: Marx Ronald W. , Blumenfeld Phyllis C. , Krajcik Joseph S. , Fishman Barry , Soloway Elliot , Geier Robert , Tal Revital Tali
Published: November 2004

Science education standards established by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the National Research Council (NRC) urge less emphasis on memorizing scientific facts and more emphasis on students investigating the everyday world and developing deep understanding from their inquiries. These approaches to instruction challenge teachers and students, particularly urban students who often have additional challenges related to poverty. We report data on student learning spanning 3 years from a science education reform collaboration with the Detroit Public Schools. Data were collected from nearly 8,000 students who participated in inquiry‐based and technology‐infused curriculum units that were collaboratively developed by district personnel and staff from the University of Michigan as part of a larger, district‐wide systemic reform effort in science education. The results show statistically significant increases on curriculum‐based test scores for each year of participation. Moreover, the strength of the effects grew over the years, as evidenced by increasing effect size estimates across the years. The findings indicate that students who historically are low achievers in science can succeed in standards‐based, inquiry science when curriculum is carefully developed and aligned with professional development and district policies. Additional longitudinal research on the development of student understanding over multiple inquiry projects, the progress of teacher enactment over time, and the effect of changes in the policy and administrative environment would further contribute to the intellectual and practical tools necessary to implement meaningful standards‐based systemic reform in science. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 41: 1063–1080, 2004
Kyoto or Not: Opportunities in Carbon Trading Are Here
Authors: Sandor Richard L. , Walsh Michael J.
Published: November 2004

Companies that proactively seek opportunities in greenhouse gas emissions trading an early market advantage. © 2000 Environmental Financial Products LLC. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
RCRA Cleanup Reforms
Authors: Rieger Glen E. , McNeill E. Ryan
Published: November 2004

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) administrative reforms offer results‐oriented cleanup guidance that emphasizes flexibility and practical approaches. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Motivations for Adopting the ISO 14001 Standard: A Study of Spanish Industrial Companies
Authors: del Brío Jesús Ángel , Fernández Esteban , Junquera Beatriz , Vázquez Camilo José
Published: November 2004

This article analyzes what motivates companies to obtain ISO 14001 certification and what factors within companies determine the success or failure of the environmental management standard. The most important motivators appear to be the worldwide recognition accorded the ISO 14000 norm, and its applicability to all sectors. The factors that most contribute to success are the company's experience in management systems and involvement by management. Failure most often results from lack of employee training and organizational rigidity. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Air Pollution from Secondary Aluminum Production: Determining the Applicability of MACT Requirements
Authors: Cora Mario G. , Hung Yung‐Tse
Published: November 2004

EPA's Maximum Achievable Control Technology rule for secondary aluminum production is intended to substantially reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants. It may also impose significant costs on affected facilities. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Clinical and demographic characteristics of psychiatric patients seropositive for Borrelia burgdorferi
Authors: Hájek T. , Libiger J. , Janovská D. , Hájek P. , Alda M. , Höschl C.
Published: November 2004

Purpose.

Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) infection can affect the central nervous system and possibly lead to psychiatric disorders. We compared clinical and demographic variables in Bb seropositive and seronegative psychiatric patients and healthy controls.

Method.

Nine hundred and twenty-six consecutive psychiatric patients were screened for antibodies to Bb and compared with 884 simultaneously recruited healthy subjects.

Results.

Contrary to healthy controls, seropositive psychiatric patients were significantly younger than seronegative ones. None of the studied psychiatric diagnostic categories exhibited stronger association with seropositivity. There were no differences between seropositive and seronegative psychiatric patients in hospitalization length, proportion of previously hospitalized patients and proportion of subjects with family history of psychiatric disorders.

Conclusion.

These findings elaborate on potential association between Bb infection and psychiatric morbidity, but fail to identify any specific clinical ‘signature’ of Bb infection.
“Vagrancy” as an Adaptive Strategy: The Duchy of Brabant, 1767–1776
Authors: Winter Anne
Published: November 2004

The study builds on a representative sample of more than 2,500 court cases against vagrants in the Duchy of Brabant between 1767 and 1776. Individual evidence on social background and whereabouts has been quantitatively processed to provide qualitative insight into the “why” and “how” of their movements. Transcending the judicial framework and historical and historiographical biases, these “vagrants” are shown to have displayed various patterns of mobility that fit intelligibly within the wider framework of migration history and theory. By exposing the varied scope of the concept of “vagrancy” in meaning and policy practice, the article argues against its continued ubiquitous (and often dismissive) use in historiography as if it refers meaningfully to a distinct marginal social category, which not only often reiterates the biases of a distorted elite view, but also obstructs a more unified and insightful understanding of patterns of migration in history.
Contribution of Electron and Confocal Microscopy in the Study ofLeishmania–Macrophage Interactions
Authors: Rasmusson Birgitta , Descoteaux Albert
Published: November 2004

Promastigotes of the protozoan parasite genusLeishmaniaare inoculated into a mammalian host when an infected sand fly takes a bloodmeal. Following their opsonization by complement, promastigotes are phagocytosed by macrophages. There, promastigotes differentiate into amastigotes, the form of the parasite that replicates in the phagolysosomal compartments of host macrophages. Although the mechanisms by which promastigotes survive the microbicidal consequence of phagocytosis remain, for the most part, to be elucidated, evidence indicates that glycoconjugates play a role in this process. One such glycoconjugate is lipophosphoglycan, an abundant promastigote surface glycolipid. Using quantitative electron and confocal laser scanning microscopy approaches, evidence was provided thatL. donovanipromastigotes inhibit phagolysosome biogenesis in a lipophosphoglycan-dependent manner. This inhibition correlates with an accumulation of periphagosomal F-actin, which may potentially form a physical barrier that preventsL. donovanipromastigote-containing phagosomes from interacting with endocytic vacuoles. Inhibition of phagosome maturation may constitute a strategy to provide an environment propitious to the promastigote-to-amastigote differentiation.
Psychische und physische Belastungen in der ambulanten Pflege: Ein Screening zum Arbeits- und Gesundheitsschutz
Authors: Büssing André , Glaser Jürgen , Höge Thomas
Published: November 2004

Zusammenfassung. Im Zuge der Strukturreformen im deutschen Gesundheitswesen, mit der Einführung des Pflegeversicherungsgesetzes (PflegeVG) und der Liberalisierung des Pflegemarktes ist die Zahl der ambulanten Pflegedienste in den letzten Jahren deutlich angestiegen. Trotz der wachsenden Bedeutung dieses Pflegesegmentes wurden jedoch Arbeitsbelastungen und Maßnahmen zum Arbeits- und Gesundheitsschutz in der ambulanten Pflege bisher kaum untersucht. Der Beitrag beschreibt die Entwicklung und den Einsatz eines Fragebogens zum Screening psychischer Belastungen (Belastungsscreening TAA ambulante Pflege) sowie physischer Belastungen und Maßnahmen zum Arbeits- und Gesundheitsschutz (AuG-Schutz) in der ambulanten Pflege. Die Stichprobe setzt sich aus 721 Pflegekräften aus 97 ambulanten Pflegediensten in Bayern zusammen. Die Reliabilität wird zum einen anhand der internen Konsistenz der Skalen, zum anderen im Hinblick auf die Beurteilerübereinstimmung mittels Intraklassenkorrelation überprüft. Zur Prüfung der Konstruktvalidität werden Zusammenhänge zwischen den Ergebnissen des Screenings und Variablen der psychophysischen Beanspruchung und Gesundheit ermittelt. Die Ergebnisse belegen die Reliabilität und geben Hinweise auf die Konstruktvalidität des Verfahrens. Weiterhin werden typische Belastungsschwerpunkte identifiziert und ihre Implikationen für den Arbeits- und Gesundheitsschutz in der ambulanten Pflege thematisiert. Schlussfolgerungen für die Bewertung der Arbeitssituation im ambulanten Pflegebereich, vor allem im Vergleich zur stationären Pflege, die Verbesserung des Arbeits- und Gesundheitsschutzes in ambulanten Pflegediensten und Einsatzmöglichkeiten des Instruments werden diskutiert.
Lern- und gesundheitsförderliche Arbeitsgestaltung: Eine empirische Studie
Authors: Rau Renate
Published: November 2004

Zusammenfassung. Die lern- und gesundheitsförderliche Wirkung unterschiedlicher Formen der Arbeitsgestaltung wurde an 124 Männern mit vorwiegend geistigen Tätigkeiten untersucht. Verglichen wurden Arbeitstätigkeiten, die im Ergebnis einer objektiven Arbeitsanalyse (TBS-GA) als gut (d. h. fehlbeanspruchungsfrei) vs. als sehr gut gestaltet bewertet wurden; eine sehr gute Gestaltung sollte sich lern- und gesundheitsförderlich auswirken. Für jeden Arbeitsplatz wurde zusätzlich eine subjektive Arbeitsanalyse (FIT) durchgeführt. Im ambulanten 24-Stunden-Monitoring wurden an einem Arbeitstag stündlich die aktuell erlebte Kontrolle und geistige Anspannung sowie die Herzfrequenz (beat-to-beat) und der Blutdruck (tagsüber alle 15 Minuten, nachts alle 60 Minuten) aufgezeichnet. Es zeigte sich, dass Männer mit sehr gut gestalteten Tätigkeiten signifikant höhere Tätigkeitsspielräume, stärkere Einbindung eigener Ideen am Arbeitsplatz, höhere Vorhersehbarkeit und eine höhere Arbeitsintensität in ihrer Arbeit wahrnahmen als Männer mit nur fehlbeanspruchungsfrei gestalteten Tätigkeiten. Die genannten Merkmale gelten als Voraussetzung für die Kompetenzentwicklung in der Arbeit. Als gesundheitsförderlich wird der signifikante Wechselwirkungseffekt zwischen der Veränderung des diastolischen Blutdrucks (DBD) über den Tag und der Arbeitsgestaltung gesehen. Während des Tages (Arbeit, Obligationszeit, Freizeit) war der DBD in der Gruppe mit den sehr gut gestalteten Tätigkeiten höher als in der Gruppe mit den fehlbeanspruchungsfrei gestalteten Tätigkeiten. In der Nacht aber war der DBD in der Gruppe mit den sehr gut gestalteten Tätigkeiten niedriger als in der anderen Gruppe. Zusätzlich war die nächtliche Rückstellrate des DBD bei Männern mit sehr gut gestalteten Tätigkeiten hoch-signifikant größer als bei denen mit fehlbeanspruchungsfrei gestalteten Tätigkeiten. Dieser Befund wird im Rahmen des Allostase-Modells ( McEwen, 1998 ) als ein gesundes Verhalten des Organismus beschrieben.
Rezension des “NEO-Persönlichkeitsinventar nach Costa und McCrae (NEO-PI-R)“ von F. Ostendorf und A. Angleitner
Authors: Muck Peter M.
Published: November 2004

Zusammenfassung. Das Fünf-Faktoren-Modell in seiner Konzeption und Operationalisierung von Costa und McCrae (1992) gilt derzeit als das elaborierteste Eigenschaftsmodell der Persönlichkeit. Es ist hierarchisch strukturiert und unterscheidet - neben den fünf varianzstarken Persönlichkeitsfaktoren (Neurotizismus, Extraversion, Offenheit für Erfahrungen, Verträglichkeit und Gewissenhaftigkeit) - auf einer spezifischeren Ebene 30 Facetten, von denen je sechs einem Persönlichkeitsbereich zugeordnet werden. Das NEO-PI-R in der hier vorliegenden Übersetzung von Ostendorf und Angleitner (2004) bildet die Originalstruktur in hervorragender Weise nach. Alle Kennwerte sprechen für eine gelungene Übertragung in den deutschen Sprachraum. Lediglich fehlende kriteriumsbezogene Validitätsbefunde trüben das ansonsten positive Bild. Hier kann allerdings auf die Forschung mit dem US-amerikanischen Original verwiesen werden. Für die Organisationspsychologie im Allgemeinen und die Berufseignungsdiagnostik im Besonderen stellt sich außerdem die Frage nach der Brauchbarkeit eines nicht explizit berufsbezogenen Verfahrens.
Biologische Korrelate der Resilienz im Kindes- und Jugendalter
Authors: Holtmann Martin , Poustka Fritz , Schmidt Martin H.
Published: November 2004

Zusammenfassung. Biologischen Korrelaten der Resilienz wurde erst in den vergangenen Jahren vermehrt Beachtung geschenkt. Die vorliegende Arbeit gibt eine Übersicht über den gegenwärtigen Forschungsstand. Angeführt werden Befunde zu geschlechtsspezifischen Aspekten von Resilienz, sowie Ergebnisse psycho- und neurophysiologischer, bildgebender und molekulargenetischer Studien, die den Nutzen der Berücksichtigung biologischer Korrelate der Resilienz für die Entwicklungspsychopathologie belegen. Zukünftig erlaubt die Modifikation biologischer Resilienz-Merkmale möglicherweise die Entwicklung präventiver Interventionen, um die Chance für eine gelungene Entwicklung trotz aversiver Erlebnisse zu erhöhen.
Entwicklungschancen von Kindern aus Trennungsfamilien
Authors: Lehmkuhl Ulrike
Published: November 2004

Zusammenfassung. Jahrzehntelang war die Scheidungsforschung von der so genannten Defizithypothese dominiert. Erst in letzter Zeit wird immer wieder betont, dass Eltern und Kinder aus einer Trennung oder Scheidung durchaus das Beste machen und davon profitieren. Diese Erkenntnisse stammen aus Katamnesen, die sich über zwei bis drei Jahrzehnte erstrecken. Es finden sich jedoch auch deutliche Belege dafür, dass Kinder die Last der Scheidungsfolgen länger, schwerer und anders, als bisher angenommen, tragen. Beim heutigen Forschungsstand müssen viele Fragen in Bezug auf die Chancen und Risiken von Scheidungskindern offenbleiben. Vermutlich sind es die gleichen Ressourcen und Kompetenzen, die auch in anderen belastenden Situationen Kindern helfen, diese erfolgreich zu bewältigen, die die Chancen und Risiken einer Trennungserfahrung ausmachen.
Die Behandlung der generalisierten Angststörung: Eine Kasuistik
Authors: Goletz Hildegard , Döpfner Manfred
Published: November 2004

Zusammenfassung. Das Störungsbild der generalisierten Angststörung im Kindes- und Jugendalter erweist sich häufig als sehr komplex mit verschiedenen komorbiden Angststörungen und depressiven Symptomatiken. Infolgedessen ist ein individualisiertes, umfassendes diagnostisches und therapeutisches Vorgehen besonders relevant. Zur Illustration einer derartigen Vorgehensweise wird das detaillierte diagnostische Vorgehen mittels einer multimodalen und multimethodalen Verhaltens- und Psychodiagnostik und das kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutische Vorgehen in der Behandlung eines 13-jährigen Jungen mit einer generalisierten Angststörung beschrieben. Darüber hinaus werden allgemeine kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutische Behandlungsmöglichkeiten der generalisierten Angststörung dargestellt.