bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of El Niño/La Niña on the western winter–spring cohort of neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) in the northwestern Pacific Ocean
Authors: Chen Xin Jun , Zhao Xiao Hu , Chen Yong
Published: July 2007

Chen, X. J., Zhao, X. H., and Chen, Y. 2007. Influence of El Niño/La Niña on the western winter–spring cohort of neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 1152–1160. Ommastrephes bartramii is an oceanic squid distributed widely in the North Pacific, and its western winter–spring cohort is the target of a traditional squid fishery. Commercial fisheries data from the Chinese mainland squid-jigging fleet for the period 1995–2004 were analysed with respect to environmental variables. Sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) in the Niño 3.4 region had the strongest negative correlation with the SSTA of feeding and spawning grounds of the squid, with a time-lag of three and eight months (p < 0.05), respectively. A La Niña event would result in a decrease in squid recruitment through variability in environmental conditions on the spawning grounds, whereas an El Niño event would lead to environmental conditions favourable to squid recruitment. El Niño/La Niña events also influenced squid distribution on the feeding grounds, resulting in a northward shift of the fishing grounds in La Niña years and a southward shift in El Niño years. A multiple linear regression equation was derived to describe the dependence of the squid abundance index on environmental variables.
Changes in Nasal Cavity Dimensions in Children and Adults by Gender and Age
Authors: Samoliński Bolesław K. , Grzanka Antoni , Gotlib Tomasz
Published: July 2007

Objective: The aim of the study was to establish the dynamics of changes in the intranasal spaces of children and adults by gender and age.

Materials and methods: Each side of the nasal cavity was evaluated separately in 366 healthy subjects 9 to 74 years old. The following acoustic rhinometry parameters were analyzed: 1) I‐C, distance between the isthmus nasi (I) and the head of the inferior turbinate (C); 2) CA‐I, cross‐sectional area at the isthmus nasi; 3) CA‐C, at the head of the inferior turbinate; and 4) CA‐F, the highest point on the rhinometric curve between points I and C.

Results: Before age 11 years, the intranasal spaces were slightly larger in girls than in boys. After age 11 years the nasal parameters were larger in boys than in girls. The growth rates before age 17 years were as follows: I‐C: 0.073 cm/yr, 0.135 cm/yr, CA‐F: 0.055 cm2/yr, 0.133 cm2/yr (P < .00001), and CA‐C: 0.010 cm2/yr, 0.034 cm2/yr (P < .02) in girls and boys, respectively. In subjects older than 16 years, the mean values of I‐C were 1.707 cm, 1.934 cm (P < .0001), and of CA‐C, 0.493 cm2, 0.611 cm2 (P < .0001) in women and men, respectively, and changed slightly over the year.

Conclusions: The parameters of intranasal spaces depend on age and gender. The dynamics of the changes is greater in boys than in girls and usually the growth is completed by the age of 16. After this age, nasal cavities are bigger in men than in women.
LEDGF/p75 functions downstream from preintegration complex formation to effect gene-specific HIV-1 integration
Authors: Shun Ming-Chieh , Raghavendra Nidhanapati K. , Vandegraaff Nick , Daigle Janet E. , Hughes Siobhan , Kellam Paul , Cherepanov Peter , Engelman Alan
Published: July 2007

LEDGF/p75 directly interacts with lentiviral integrase proteins and can modulate their enzymatic activities and chromosomal association. A novel genetic knockout model was established that allowed us for the first time to analyze HIV-1 integration in the absence of LEDGF/p75 protein. Supporting a crucial role for the cofactor in viral replication, HIV-1 vector integration and reporter gene expression were significantly reduced in LEDGF-null cells. Yet, integrase processed the viral cDNA termini normally and maintained its local target DNA sequence preference during integration. Preintegration complexes extracted from knockout cells moreover supported normal levels of DNA strand transfer activity in vitro. In contrast, HIV-1 lost its strong bias toward integrating into transcription units, displaying instead increased affinity for promoter regions and CpG islands. Our results reveal LEDGF/p75 as a critical targeting factor, commandeering lentiviruses from promoter- and/or CpG island-proximal pathways that are favored by other members of Retroviridae. Akin to yeast retrotransposons, disrupting the lentiviral targeting mechanism significantly perturbs overall integration.
Determinants of interspecific variation in population declines of birds after exposure to radiation at Chernobyl
Authors: MØLLER A. P. , MOUSSEAU T. A.
Published: July 2007

Radiation can reduce antioxidant levels dramatically because of the use of antioxidants to eliminate free radicals produced in the presence of radiation. Antioxidants are crucial biochemicals for elimination of free radicals, which can cause permanent damage to DNA and other molecules. If antioxidants are a limiting resource, we would expect individuals of species with a high expenditure of antioxidants to suffer the most from radiation. We tested this hypothesis by investigating interspecific variation in the relationship between abundance and level of radiation in breeding birds inhabiting forests around Chernobyl, Ukraine. We used bird point counts to estimate abundance of 57 species of birds at 254 locations where background radiation levels were quantified.

Migratory birds use large amounts of antioxidants during their annual migrations to neutralize free radicals, and migrants have depleted antioxidant levels upon arrival at their breeding grounds. Consistently, abundance decreased with increasing levels of radiation in species that migrated the longest distances.

Bird species with long dispersal distances may experience deficiencies in antioxidant levels because of physical activity but also because of exposure to novel antigens, implying that species with long dispersal distances should suffer the most from exposure to radiation. Indeed, the slope of the relationship between abundance and radiation decreased with increasing dispersal distance.

Female birds deposit large amounts of antioxidants in their eggs, with the total amount deposited often exceeding the total amount in a female's. Accordingly, the decrease in abundance with radiation level increased with relative egg size in different species.

Many bird species have plumage that is coloured by carotenoids, which cannot be recovered once deposited in feathers. Therefore, bird species with carotenoid‐based plumage should show stronger declines with increasing levels of radiation than species with melanin‐based or structural coloration. In accordance with this prediction, the decline in abundance with radiation was the strongest in species of birds with carotenoid‐based plumage.

Synthesis and applications. These findings highlight the importance of antioxidants for understanding the ecological consequences of radiation on the abundance of free‐living animals, showing that species using large amounts of antioxidants will be particularly susceptible to the effects of low‐level radiation.
The cAMP pathway is important for controlling the morphological switch to the pathogenic yeast form of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
Authors: Chen Daliang , Janganan Thamarai K. , Chen Gongyou , Marques Everaldo R. , Kress Marcia R. , Goldman Gustavo H. , Walmsley Adrian R. , Borges‐Walmsley M. Inês
Published: July 2007

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a human pathogenic fungus that switches from a saprobic mycelium to a pathogenic yeast. Consistent with the morphological transition being regulated by the cAMP‐signalling pathway, there is an increase in cellular cAMP levels both transiently at the onset (< 24 h) and progressively in the later stages (> 120 h) of the transition to the yeast form, and this transition can be modulated by exogenous cAMP. We have cloned the cyr1 gene encoding adenylate cyclase (AC) and established that its transcript levels correlate with cAMP levels. In addition, we have cloned the genes encoding three Gα (Gpa1–3), Gβ (Gpb1) and Gγ (Gpg1) G proteins. Gpa1 and Gpb1 interact with one another and the N‐terminus of AC, but neither Gpa2 nor Gpa3 interacted with Gpb1 or AC. The interaction of Gpa1 with Gpb1 was blocked by GTP, but its interaction with AC was independent of bound nucleotide. The transcript levels for gpa1, gpb1 and gpg1 were similar in mycelium, but there was a transient excess of gpb1 during the transition, and an excess of gpa1 in yeast. We have interpreted our findings in terms of a novel signalling mechanism in which the activity of AC is differentially modulated by Gpa1 and Gpb1 to maintain the signal over the 10 days needed for the morphological switch.
Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease: Genetics and Pathogenesis
Authors: Guilherme L. , Ramasawmy R. , Kalil J.
Published: July 2007

Molecular mimicry between streptococcal and human proteins is considered as the triggering factor leading to autoimmunity in rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Here, we present a review of the genetic susceptibility markers involved in the development of RF/RHD and the major immunopathological events underlying the pathogenesis of RF and RHD. Several human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles are associated with the disease. Among these alleles, HLA‐DR7 is predominantly observed in different ethnicities and is associated with the development of valvular lesions in RHD patients. Cardiac myosin is one of the major autoantigens involved in rheumatic heart lesions and several peptides from the LMM (light meromyosin) region were recognized by peripheral and intralesional T‐cell clones from RF and RHD patients. The production of TNF‐α and IFN‐γ from heart‐infiltrating mononuclear cells suggests that Th‐1 type cytokines are the mediators of RHD heart lesions while the presence of few interleukin‐4 producing cells in the valve tissue contributes to the maintenance and progression of the valvular lesions.
New Vaccines Require Potent Adjuvants like AFPL1 and AFCo1
Authors: Pérez O. , Lastre M. , Cabrera O. , Del Campo J. , Bracho G. , Cuello M. , Balboa J. , Acevedo R. , Zayas C. , Gil D. , Mora N. , González D. , Pérez R. , González E. , Barberá R. , Fajardo E. M. , Sierra G. , Solís R. L. , Campa C.
Published: July 2007

Neisseria meningitidis B proteoliposome (AFPL1 when used as adjuvant) and its derivative‐Cochleate (AFCo1) contain immunopotentiating and immunomodulating properties and delivery system capacities required for a good adjuvant. Additionally, they contain meningococcal protective antigens and permit packaging of other antigens and pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMP). Consequently, we hypothesized that they would function as good vaccine adjuvants for their own antigens and also for non‐related antigens. AFPL1 is a detergent‐extracted outer membrane vesicle of N. meningitidis B transformed into AFCo1 in calcium environment. Both are produced at Finlay Institute under good manufacture practices (GMP) conditions. We show their exceptional characteristics: combining in the same structure, the potentiator activity, polarizing agents and delivery system capacities; presenting multimeric protein copies; containing multiprotein composition and multi and synergistic PAMP components; acting with incorporated or co‐administrated antigens; inducing type I IFN‐γ and IL‐12 cytokines suggesting the stimulation of human plasmocytoid precursor and conventional dendritic cells, respectively, inducing a preferential Th1 immune response with TCD4+, TCD8+, cross‐presentation and cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte (CTL) in vivo responses; and functioning by parenteral and mucosal routes. AFPL1–AFCo1 protective protein constitutions permit per se their function as a vaccine. In addition to Phase IV Men BC vaccine, AFPL1 has ended the preclinical stage in an allergy vaccine and is concluding the preclinical stage of a nasal meningococcal vaccine. In conclusion, AFPL1 and AFCo1 induced signal 1, 2 and 3 polarizing to a Th1 (including CTL) response when they acted directly as vaccines or were used as adjuvants with incorporated or co‐administered antigens by parenteral or mucosal routes. Both are very promising adjuvants.
Concordant expression of proto‐oncogene promyelocytic leukemia and major histocompatibility antigen HLA class I in human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Xia M. , Zhang J. Q. , Shen Y.‐Q. , Xu L. H. , Chen A. Q. , Miao F. Q. , Xie W.
Published: July 2007

Many malignant cancer cells downregulate human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigen expression to evade T cell recognition. However, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is exceptional to the general findings in cancer cells, and the mechanisms for its upregulation remain unclear. It has been reported that promyelocytic leukemia (PML) proto‐oncogene controls the transcription of multiple class I antigen presentation genes in murine cancer cells. To find out the functional role of PML gene on the increased HLA class I antigen expression in HCC cells, we analyzed the expression of proto‐oncogene PML and multiple class I antigen presentation genes in HCC specimens obtained in China. The results showed concordant changes of proto‐oncogene PML and cell surface HLA‐A expression in 44 paraffin‐embedded HCC tissues. Furthermore, co‐upregulated expression of PML genes and class I antigen presentation genes could be detected in 9 of 15 fresh HCC tissues by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). In addition, studies using HCC cell lines showed that increased expression of HLA class I molecules paralleled with PML upregulation were detected in QGY‐7701 HCC cell line with RT‐PCR, western blot, and flow cytometry, and that the overexpression of exogenous PML in a low‐expression class I cell line BEL‐7405 could induce the expression of multiple class I antigen‐presenting molecule genes and slightly but significantly increase the expression of cell surface HLA class I molecules. In conclusion, the expression of proto‐oncogene PML and HLA class I molecules were concordantly upregulated and the expression of PML gene might be one of the mechanisms that leads to the increased expression of class I antigen in HCC.
Genetic analyses of celiac disease in a Spanish population confirm association with CELIAC3 but not with CELIAC4
Authors: Capilla A. , Donat E. , Planelles D. , Espinós C. , Ribes‐Koninckx C. , Palau F.
Published: July 2007

Genetic predisposition to celiac disease (CD) is determined primarily by the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes (CELIAC1 region; 6p21), although many loci are involved in disease susceptibility. First, we have analysed a large series of CD patients from the Spanish Mediterranean region who had previously been characterised for the HLA complex. We have investigated how relevant regions contribute to CD susceptibility: CELIAC3 (CD28/CTLA4/ICOS region on 2q33) and CELIAC4 (19p13) as well as the tumour necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) and the linfotoxin loci by case–control and association analyses. We highlight the association with the +49*A allele of cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated antigen 4 locus (P = 0.01), and the −308*A of TNF‐α locus (P = 0.0008) in DQ2 individuals, although an independent role for TNF‐α as risk factor has not been proven. Moreover, we do not confirm the association with the CELIAC4 region polymorphisms described in other populations.
Competitive inhibition of the auxin‐induced elongation by α‐D‐oligogalacturonides in pea stem segments
Authors: Branca C. , Lorenzo G. De , Cervone F.
Published: July 2007

Branca, C, De Lorenzo, G. and Cervone, F. 1988. Competitive inhibition of the auxin‐induced elongation by α‐D‐oligogalacturonides in pea stem segments. ‐ Physiol. Plant. 72: 499–504.

α‐D‐galacturonide oligomers (OG) were prepared by partial hydrolysis of sodium polypectate with an homogeneous Aspergillus niger endopolygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.15). OG, obtained after digestion for 10, 20, 30, 60, 120 min and 24 h, were assayed for their ability to interfere with the IAA‐induced elongation of pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska) stems. Maximum inhibiting activity was exhibited by oligomers with an approximate degree of polymerization higher than 8. Inhibition by longer OG was much lower, and the products of the 24 h digestion and the unhydrolysed polypectate were ineffective. The addition of OG to pea stems caused a parallel shift to the right of the IAA dose‐effect curve. The shift depended on the amount of OG used, showing that oligogalacturonides behave as competitive antagonists of IAA. The presence of OG caused the disappearance of the second maximum of the elongation rate and reduced the first maximum. OG were also tested for their ability to inhibit IAA‐induced ethylene evolution of pea stem segments. Maximal inhibition was obtained with OG of the same size as those that interfered with IAA‐induced elongation. Inhibition of the auxin action seemed to be specific as OG did not interfere with the activity of gibberellic acid (GA3) or kinetin. It was concluded that oligogalacturonides strongly interfere with the activity of IAA, although they are by themselves incapable to influence the elongation of pea stem segments directly.
Estimating the rate of photorespiration in leaves
Authors: Sharkey Thomas D.
Published: July 2007

Photorespiration is the light‐dependent evolution of CO2, which accompanies photosynthesis in C3plants. The four best known methods of measuring the rate of photorespiration have theoretical or technical problems, which make the results unreliable. However, the rate of photorespiration can be calculated from the rate of net CO2assimilation and the partial pressures of CO2and O2. Estimates of rates of photorespiration in the past and future can be made. The rate of photorespiration as a proportion of the rate of photosynthesis will fall to one half the current rate when the CO2level in the atmosphere doubles.
Temperature gradient between brain tissue and arterial blood mirrors the flow‐metabolism relationship in uninjured brain: an experimental study
Authors: Soukup J. , Rieger A. , Holz C. , Miko I. , Nemeth N. , Menzel M.
Published: July 2007

Background:  The purpose of the present experimental study was to determine the feasibility and usefulness of brain temperature measurement (Tbr) and the calculated difference between brain temperature and arterial blood temperature (ΔTbr‐a) in uninjured brain during variations of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and concomitant changes of the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF).

Methods:  Nine anaesthetized pigs were subjected to controlled CPP decrease to assess the lower cerebral autoregulation threshold. A parenchymal intracranial pressure (ICP) sensor combined with a microthermistor for temperature measurement, a miniaturized Clark‐type electrode measuring brain tissue oxygenation (ptiO2), a small flexible intraparenchymal thermodilution probe for measuring rCBF and cerebral microdialysis were inserted carefully in the frontal white matter.

Results:  Analysing the ptiO2 during controlled CPP decrease, we found significant breakpoints of ptiO2 at a CPP of 40 mmHg and 20 mmHg, related to an rCBF of 20 ml/100 g/min and approximately 10 ml/100 g/min. Similarly, the relationship between ΔTbr‐a, and CPP or rCBF revealed a characteristic increase of ΔTbr‐a in the negative direction up to more than –0.30 °C assuming a strong flow dependency.

Conclusion:  The temperature difference between brain tissue and arterial blood ΔTbr‐a mainly reflects the cerebral blood flow–brain tissue oxygenation–metabolism relationship as far as the estimation of the individual lower cerebral autoregulation threshold.
Prospective peer‐review audit of paediatric upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
Authors: O’Loughlin Edward V , Dutt Shoma , Kamath Ramananda , Gaskin Kevin , Dorney Stuart
Published: July 2007

Aim:  To describe the findings of paediatric upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) and to reduce the rate of normal findings in children undergoing diagnostic UGE.

Methods:  Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were performed at a single tertiary referral children’s hospital over a 3‐year period by four endoscopists. Patients were subgrouped into diagnostic categories (recurrent abdominal pain syndrome (RAP), oesophagitis, coeliac disease and enteropathy/inflammatory bowel disease) and endoscopists recorded their clinical diagnosis as above before each procedure. Endoscopic and biopsy findings were compared with clinical diagnosis. After the first year of audit each endoscopist was appraised of their practice and strategies implemented to reduce the normal UGE. In years 2 and 3 all endoscopists were audited by their peers on a monthly basis.

Results:  A total of 1172 UGE were performed over a 3‐year period. Ninety per cent were diagnostic procedures, of which 48% were normal, 16% identified oesophagitis, 11% coeliac disease, 6% gastritis, 3%Helicobacter pylori and 1% peptic ulcer disease. Peer‐review audit significantly reduced the number of normal findings in coeliac disease, RAP and overall (P < 0.01) but not in the groups with presumed oesophagitis or investigation of enteropathy/inflammatory bowel disease.

Conclusions:  A high proportion of patients undergoing UGE have normal procedures. Peer‐review audit can reduce the number of normal procedures particularly in RAP and in the diagnosis of coeliac disease.
Mental health nurses: De facto police
Authors: Fisher Jacklin E.
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT:  This paper examines the consequences for nursing staff and patients when police bring to hospital a person they assess to have a mental illness who exhibits violent or criminal behaviour. In particular, the impact on the nurse–patient relationship and the occupational health and safety of patients and staff is explored. Tensions between the conflicting roles for nurses of controlling the behaviour of this small minority of patients, while providing care and therapy, are examined within the context of health policy, bed shortages, and staffing problems. Recent Australian government and non‐government reports are examined to assess the capacity of current health services in the State of New South Wales, to adequately and safely control behaviour while also provide therapeutic care for patients who are seeking help for their mental illness and emotional distress.
An historical account of shell shock during the First World War and reforms in mental health in Australia 1914–1939
Authors: Rae Ruth
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT:  The study of the disorders of the mind at the turn of the twentieth century offered useful knowledge about the psyche and the First World War (FWW) provided an avalanche of case studies. Prior to the war the mentally ill were treated with disdain and the social distrust of individuals who did not present as ‘normal’ was high. The level of diagnostic expertise of psychiatric illness by doctors and nurses was low and as a consequence medicine and nursing was ill‐equipped to deal with the phenomenon initially referred to as ‘shell shock’. However, the soldiers of the FWW who endured the varied and seemingly unrelated symptoms of shell‐shock were respected men – occasional heroes – who were reduced to the status of ‘mentals’. There is evidence that civilian trained health professionals altered their views about mental illness during the FWW but initially, the military imperatives inherent in a global conflict perpetuated the notion that mental illness was linked with defective morality. This paper provides an historical account of changes in attitude toward the mentally ill as a consequence of the FWW. The interregnum (1918–39) was a period of advancement in the field of mental health within the civilian sector. However, the imperatives of war negated these developments and there is evidence that the management of soldiers suffering from post‐traumatic stress disorders in the Second World War did not benefit from the lessons learnt in the FWW.
Property, Markets, and Dispossession: The Western Alaska Community Development Quota as Neoliberalism, Social Justice, Both, and Neither
Authors: Mansfield Becky
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  The Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) is an economic development program that allocates a portion of regional fisheries to groups representing poor, mostly indigenous people of western Alaska. The CDQ groups lease their quota to industrial fish firms and reinvest their revenues back into the fishery. In this way, quota becomes a form of property used for capital accumulation. The CDQ is conceptually confusing because it appears as neoliberal privatization and as redistribution motivated by social justice. Rather than choosing between these, this paper argues that quota‐as‐property brings together these seemingly opposed goals. Once the idea of property is expanded to include interdependence and reasons for property relations, it is possible to see that privatization in the CDQ embodies multiple logics without being incoherent. The paper concludes that the complex social relations of property open up space for identifying diverse practices within neoliberalism.
The Difference that Class Makes: Neoliberalization and Non‐Capitalism in the Fishing Industry of New England
Authors: St Martin Kevin
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  Fishing economies are typically represented as pre‐capitalist and as a barrier to capital accumulation rather than as an alternative economy with its own potentials. Privatization (and capitalism) appears logical and inevitable because “there is no alternative” described or given. The class analysis presented here focuses on questions of property and subjectivity and describes fishing as a non‐capitalist and community‐based economy consonant with both a tradition of common property and an image of “fishermen” as independent and interested in fairness and equity. While the latter is associated with a neoliberal subject aligned with the capitalist economy, a class analysis of fishing repositions “fishermen” as community subjects aligned with a community economy.
Portability of Tag SNPs Across Isolated Population Groups: An Example from India
Authors: Roy N. Sarkar , Farheen S. , Roy N. , Sengupta S. , Majumder P. P.
Published: July 2007

Isolated population groups are useful in conducting association studies of complex diseases to avoid various pitfalls, including those arising from population stratification. Since DNA resequencing is expensive, it is recommended that genotyping be carried out at tagSNP (tSNP) loci. For this, tSNPs identified in one isolated population need to be used in another. Unless tSNPs are highly portable across populations this strategy may result in loss of information in association studies. We examined the issue of tSNP portability by sampling individuals from 10 isolated ethnic groups from India. We generated DNA resequencing data pertaining to 3 genomic regions and identified tSNPs in each population. We defined an index of tSNP portability and showed that portability is low across isolated Indian ethnic groups. The extent of portability did not significantly correlate with genetic similarity among the populations studied here. We also analyzed our data with sequence data from individuals of African and European descent. Our results indicated that it may be necessary to carry out resequencing in a small number of individuals to discover SNPs and identify tSNPs in the specific isolated population in which a disease association study is to be conducted.
Effect of Age and Comedication on Levetiracetam Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability
Authors: Hirsch Lawrence J. , Arif Hiba , Buchsbaum Richard , Weintraub David , Lee Jeansun , Chang Jennifer T. , Resor Stanley R. , Bazil Carl W.
Published: July 2007

Summary: Purpose:To compare pharmacokinetics and tolerability of levetiracetam (LEV) in older versus younger adults.

Methods:As part of the Columbia Antiepileptic Drug Database, we retrospectively studied the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of LEV in patients who had been seen as an outpatient at our center during a 4‐year period. We compared apparent clearance (CL) of LEV in the youngest (16–31 years; n = 151) and oldest (55–88 years; n = 157) quartile of 629 adult outpatients who had taken LEV. We also analyzed the frequency of adverse effects leading to dose change or discontinuation (“intolerability”) and specific adverse effects in the younger versus older adults. One‐year retention was determined for younger and older adults newly started on LEV at our center.

Results:Mean LEV CL differed significantly between older (46.5 ml/h/kg) and younger adults (78.3 ml/h/kg). On average, older patients had a 40% lower LEV CL than younger patients. Comedication with an enzyme‐inducing antiepileptic drug (EIAED; mostly carbamazepine) was associated with a 24% higher clearance of LEV compared to those who were not on EIAEDs. This difference was 37% in a subgroup of patients whose LEV CL was compared while they were on and off EIAEDs. Stepwise linear regression identified younger age and comedication with an EIAED as significant predictors of increased LEV CL. A total of 34.3% of the 629 patients (31.7% of younger vs. 40.7% of older patients; p = 0.16) reported intolerability to LEV on at least one occasion. This difference in tolerability reached significance in the group of patients newly started on LEV (26.3% vs. 41.0%; p = 0.017). Drowsiness and psychiatric/behavioral side effects were the most common adverse effects associated with LEV use in both age groups. One‐year retention was 72% in the older group vs. 54% in the younger group (not significant).

Conclusion:Older adults have lower CL than younger adults and require a mean 40% lower dose of LEV to achieve the same serum level. Comedication with an EIAED increases LEV CL by 24–37%. Younger adults tolerate LEV better than older adults, but 1‐year retention was (nonsignificantly) higher in the older group.
A Note on Strategic Renewal and Corporate Venturing in the Subsidiaries of Multinational Enterprises
Authors: Verbeke Alain , Chrisman James J. , Yuan Wenlong
Published: July 2007

The corporate entrepreneurship literature has recently been enriched by Birkinshaw's research on subsidiary initiatives in multinational enterprises (MNEs). In this article, we extend that work by discussing the conceptual and practical importance of distinguishing between strategic renewal and corporate venturing in subsidiaries. We present a set of propositions suggesting that the determinants of the two types of initiatives are different. We conclude with implications for both practitioners and researchers studying entrepreneurship in large MNEs.
Clinical Use of Real‐Time Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography in Pediatric Cardiology
Authors: Mizelle Katherine M. , Rice Mary J. , Sahn David J.
Published: July 2007

Real‐time three‐dimensional echocardiography is a technique that allows three‐dimensional imaging without any geometrical assumptions or need for reconstruction from two‐dimensional images. This imaging technique should be particularly useful in the pediatric population, for whom a complex cardiac anatomy must be defined. We review the potential usefulness of real‐time three‐dimensional imaging in the pediatric population and the potential limitations associated with this technique.
The new frontier of racism
Authors: Newman Naomi
Published: July 2007

If the left is to tackle emerging race issues effectively, it needs to be bolder in acknowledging and addressing legitimate public concerns, argues Naomi Newman.
Discovery of the strongly eccentric, short-period binary nature of the B-type system HD 313926 by the MOST satellite
Authors: Rucinski Slavek M. , Kuschnig Rainer , Matthews Jaymie M. , Dimitrov Wojtek , Pribulla Theodor , Guenther David B. , Moffat Anthony F. J. , Sasselov Dimitar , Walker Gordon A. H. , Weiss Werner W.
Published: July 2007

The MOST photometric space mission discovered an eclipsing binary among its guide stars in 2006 June which combines a relatively large eccentricity e= 0.20 with an orbital period of only 2.27 d. HD 313926 appears to consist of two early-type stars of spectral type B3–B7. It has the largest eccentricity among known early-type binaries with periods less than 3.5 d. Despite the large components indicated by its spectral type and light curve model, and its short period, the orbit of HD 313926 has not yet circularized so it is probably very young, even compared with other young B stars.
Shared Decision-Making and the Lower Literate Patient
Authors: Shalowitz David I. , Wolf Michael S.
Published: July 2007

In recent years, shared decision-making has become entrenched in the medical literature and the law as the ideal method for involving patients in decisions related to their health care. Shared decision-making represents a compromise between the opposed extremes of paternalistic interactions that limit patients’ control of their health care, and “informed choice” interactions that require physicians to provide technical expertise only, leaving patients to make all treatment decisions on their own. An implicit goal of shared decision-making is to improve medical care by promoting joint participation of patients and physicians in clinical consultations. The model of shared decision-making may, however, inadequately address the health care needs of lower literate patients, a significant portion of the general population.

As shared decision-making is widely held as a clinical ideal, we highlight the difficulties that physicians might have in implementing shared decision-making with lower literate patients.
HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α play a central role in stretch‐induced but not shear‐stress‐induced angiogenesis in rat skeletal muscle
Authors: Milkiewicz Malgorzata , Doyle Jennifer L. , Fudalewski Tomasz , Ispanovic Eric , Aghasi Maliheh , Haas Tara L.
Published: July 2007

Angiogenesis, which is essential for the physiological adaptation of skeletal muscle to exercise, occurs in response to the mechanical forces of elevated capillary shear stress and cell stretch. Increased production of VEGF is a characteristic of endothelial cells undergoing either stretch‐ or shear‐stress‐induced angiogenesis. Because VEGF production is regulated by hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs), we examined whether HIFs play a significant role in the angiogenic process initiated by these mechanical forces. Rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were overloaded to induce stretch, or exposed to the dilator prazosin to elevate capillary shear stress, and capillaries from these muscles were isolated by laser capture microdissection for RNA analysis. HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α transcript levels increased after 4 and 7 days of stretch, whereas a transient early induction of HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α transcripts was detected in capillaries from prazosin‐treated muscles. Skeletal muscle microvascular endothelial cells exposed to 10% stretch in vitro showed an elevation in HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α mRNA, which was preceded by increases in HIF‐binding activity. Conversely, HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α mRNA were reduced significantly, and HIF‐α proteins were undetectable, after 24 h exposure to elevated shear stress (16 dyn cm−2 (16 ×10−5 N cm−2). Given the disparate regulation of HIFs in response to these mechanical stimuli, we tested the requirement of HIF‐α proteins in stretch‐ and shear‐stress‐induced angiogenesis by impeding HIF accumulation through use of the geldanamycin derivative 17‐DMAG. Treatment with 17‐DMAG significantly impaired stretch‐induced, but not shear‐stress‐induced, angiogenesis. Together, these results illustrate that activation of HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α contributes significantly to stretch‐ but not to shear‐stress‐induced capillary growth.
Influence of Loading Distribution on the Off-Design Performance of High-Pressure Turbine Blades
Authors: Corriveau D. , Sjolander S. A.
Published: July 2007

Linear cascade measurements for the aerodynamic performance of a family of three transonic, high-pressure (HP) turbine blades have been presented previously by the authors. The airfoils were designed for the same inlet and outlet velocity triangles but varied in their loading distributions. The previous papers presented results for the design incidence at various exit Mach numbers, and for off-design incidence at the design exit Mach number of 1.05. Results from the earlier studies indicated that by shifting the loading towards the rear of the airfoil an improvement in the profile loss performance of the order of 20% could be obtained near the design Mach number at design incidence. Measurements performed at off-design incidence, but still at the design Mach number, showed that the superior performance of the aft-loaded blade extended over a range of incidence from about −5.0deg to +5.0deg relative to the design value. For the current study, additional measurements were performed at off-design Mach numbers from about 0.5 to 1.3 and for incidence values of −10.0deg, +5.0deg, and +10.0deg relative to design. The corresponding Reynolds numbers, based on outlet velocity and true chord, varied from roughly 4×105 to 10×105. The measurements included midspan losses, blade loading distributions, and base pressures. In addition, two-dimensional Navier–Stokes computations of the flow were performed to help in the interpretation of the experimental results. The results show that the superior loss performance of the aft-loaded profile, observed at design Mach number and low values of off-design incidence, does not extend readily to off-design Mach numbers and larger values of incidence. In fact, the measured midspan loss performance for the aft-loaded blade was found to be inferior to, or at best equal to, that of the baseline, midloaded airfoil at most combinations of off-design Mach number and incidence. However, based on the observations made at design and off-design flow conditions, it appears that aft-loading can be a viable design philosophy to employ in order to reduce the losses within a blade row provided the rearward deceleration is carefully limited. The loss performance of the front-loaded blade is inferior or at best equal to that of the other two blades for all operating conditions.
Investigation of the Flow Field in a High-Pressure Turbine Stage for Two Stator-Rotor Axial Gaps—Part II: Unsteady Flow Field
Authors: Gaetani P. , Persico G. , Dossena V. , Osnaghi C.
Published: July 2007

An extensive experimental analysis was carried out at Politecnico di Milano on the subject of unsteady flow in high pressure (HP) turbine stages. In this paper, the unsteady flow measured downstream of a modern HP turbine stage is discussed. Traverses in two planes downstream of the rotor are considered, and, in one of them, the effects of two very different axial gaps are investigated: the maximum axial gap, equal to one stator axial chord, is chosen to “switch off” the rotor inlet unsteadiness, while the nominal gap, equal to 1/3 of the stator axial chord, is representative of actual engines. The experiments were performed by means of a fast-response pressure probe, allowing for two-dimensional phase-resolved flow measurements in a bandwidth of 80kHz. The main properties of the probe and the data processing are described. The core of the paper is the analysis of the unsteady rotor aerodynamics; for this purpose, instantaneous snapshots of the rotor flow in the relative frame are used. The rotor mean flow and its interaction with the stator wakes and vortices are also described. In the outer part of the channel, only the rotor cascade effects can be observed, with a dominant role played by the tip leakage flow and by the rotor tip passage vortex. In the hub region, where the secondary flows downstream of the stator are stronger, the persistence of stator vortices is slightly visible in the maximum stator-rotor axial gap configuration, whereas in the minimum stator-rotor axial gap configuration their interaction with the rotor vortices dominates the flow field. A good agreement with the wakes and vortices transport models has been achieved. A discussion of the interaction process is reported giving particular emphasis to the effects of the different cascade axial gaps. Some final considerations on the effects of the different axial gap over the stage performances are reported.
Experimental Measurements and Modeling of the Effects of Large-Scale Freestream Turbulence on Heat Transfer
Authors: Nix A. C. , Diller T. E. , Ng W. F.
Published: July 2007

The influence of freestream turbulence representative of the flow downstream of a modern gas turbine combustor and first stage vane on turbine blade heat transfer has been measured and analytically modeled in a linear, transonic turbine cascade. High-intensity, large length-scale freestream turbulence was generated using a passive turbulence-generating grid to simulate the turbulence generated in modern combustors after passing through the first stage vane row. The grid produced freestream turbulence with intensity of approximately 10–12% and an integral length scale of 2cm(Λx∕c=0.15) near the entrance of the cascade passages. Mean heat transfer results with high turbulence showed an increase in heat transfer coefficient over the baseline low turbulence case of approximately 8% on the suction surface of the blade, with increases on the pressure surface of approximately 17%. Time-resolved surface heat transfer and passage velocity measurements demonstrate strong coherence in velocity and heat flux at a frequency correlating with the most energetic eddies in the turbulence flow field (the integral length scale). An analytical model was developed to predict increases in surface heat transfer due to freestream turbulence based on local measurements of turbulent velocity fluctuations and length scale. The model was shown to predict measured increases in heat flux on both blade surfaces in the current data. The model also successfully predicted the increases in heat transfer measured in other work in the literature, encompassing different geometries (flat plate, cylinder, turbine vane, and turbine blade) and boundary layer conditions.
Nonlinear Vibrations
of an Extensible Flexible Marine Riser Carrying a Pulsatile
Flow
Authors: Monprapussorn T. , Athisakul C. , Chucheepsakul S.
Published: July 2007

The influence of transported fluid on static and dynamic behaviors of marine risers is investigated. The internal flow of the transported fluid could have a constant, a linear, or a wave velocity. The riser pipe may possibly experience the conditions of high extensibility, flexibility, and large displacements. Accordingly, the mathematical riser models should be governed by the large strain formulations of extensible flexible pipes transporting fluid. Nonlinear hydrodynamic dampings due to ocean wave–pipe interactions implicate the high degree of nonlinearity in the riser vibrations, for which numerical solutions are determined by the state–space–finite-element method. It is revealed that the impulsive acceleration of internal flow could seriously relocate the vibrational equilibrium positions of the riser pipe. The fluctuation of the pulsatile flow relatively introduces the expansion of amplitudes and the reduction of frequencies of the riser vibrations. The pulsatile frequencies of the internal flow in wave aspect could reform the oscillation behavior of the conveyor pipe.
The Eshelby Tensors in a Finite Spherical Domain—Part I: Theoretical Formulations
Authors: Li Shaofan , Sauer Roger A. , Wang Gang
Published: July 2007

This work is concerned with the precise characterization of the elastic fields due to a spherical inclusion embedded within a spherical representative volume element (RVE). The RVE is considered having finite size, with either a prescribed uniform displacement or a prescribed uniform traction boundary condition. Based on symmetry and group theoretic arguments, we identify that the Eshelby tensor for a spherical inclusion admits a unique decomposition, which we coin the “radial transversely isotropic tensor.” Based on this notion, a novel solution procedure is presented to solve the resulting Fredholm type integral equations. By using this technique, exact and closed form solutions have been obtained for the elastic disturbance fields. In the solution two new tensors appear, which are termed the Dirichlet–Eshelby tensor and the Neumann–Eshelby tensor. In contrast to the classical Eshelby tensor they both are position dependent and contain information about the boundary condition of the RVE as well as the volume fraction of the inclusion. The new finite Eshelby tensors have far-reaching consequences in applications such as nanotechnology, homogenization theory of composite materials, and defects mechanics.
The Eshelby Tensors in a Finite Spherical Domain—Part II: Applications to Homogenization
Authors: Li Shaofan , Wang Gang , Sauer Roger A.
Published: July 2007

In this part of the work, the Eshelby tensors of a finite spherical domain are applied to various homogenization procedures estimating the effective material properties of multiphase composites. The Eshelby tensors of a finite domain can capture the boundary effect of a representative volume element as well as the size effect of the different phases. Therefore their application to homogenization does not only improve the accuracy of classical homogenization methods, but also leads to some novel homogenization theories. This paper highlights a few of them: a refined dilute suspension method and a modified Mori–Tanaka method, the exterior eigenstrain method, the dual-eigenstrain method, which is a generalized self-consistency method, a shell model, and new variational bounds depending on the different boundary conditions. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that a multishell model is used to evaluate the Hashin–Shtrikman bounds for a multiple phase composite (n⩾3), which can distinguish some of the subtleties of different microstructures.
Unsteady Aerodynamic Blade Excitation at the Stability Limit and During Rotating Stall in an Axial Compressor
Authors: Mailach Ronald , Vogeler Konrad
Published: July 2007

The stable operating range of axial compressors is limited by the onset of rotating stall and surge. These flow conditions endanger the reliability of operation and definitely have to be avoided in compressors of gas turbines. However, there is still a need to improve the physical understanding of these flow phenomena to prevent them while utilizing the maximum available working potential of the compressor. This paper discusses detailed experimental investigations of the rotating stall onset with the main emphasis on the aerodynamic blade excitation in the Dresden four-stage low-speed research compressor. The stall inception, which is triggered by modal waves, as well as the main flow features during rotating stall operation are discussed. To investigate the unsteady pressure distributions, both the rotor and the stator blades of the first stage were equipped with piezoresistive pressure transducers. Based on these measurements the unsteady blade pressure forces are calculated. Time-resolved results at the stability limit as well as during rotating stall are presented. For all operating conditions rotor–stator interactions play an important role on the blade force excitation. Furthermore the role of the inertia driven momentum exchange at the stall cell boundaries on the aerodynamic blade force excitation is pointed out.