bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cut and Paste: The Nature of Dramaturgical Development in the Theatre
Authors: MEYRICK JULIAN
Published: October 2006

This practice-based paper looks at the nature of dramaturgical development in the theatre, and at the role of the dramaturg. It has two objectives: to examine the meaning of key terms such as ‘play text’, ‘dramaturgy’ and ‘development’, and to look at how, and according to what values, dramaturgical interventions into particular play texts are best structured. The differences between production, generative dramaturgy and adaptive dramaturgy are detailed, and the analysis of play texts using simple categories such as plot, character and language is briefly explored. The conclusions clarify some of the predicates of dramaturgical development as they impact on the theatre-making process today and identify some of the fundamental problems and challenges thereby associated with the role of the dramaturg.
Peter Sellars's Merchant of Venice: A Retrospective Critique of Process
Authors: PETTENGILL RICHARD
Published: October 2006

This article offers a dramaturg's perspective on the day-to-day rehearsal activities of the director Peter Sellars as he prepared his highly controversial production of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice at Chicago's Goodman Theatre in 1994. Because Sellars had conceptualized his production well before his arrival in Chicago, and because he was inaccessible prior to the first rehearsal, the usual pre-production collaboration could not take place. On one level the article is about the dramaturg being thrust into the thick of an unusual process and finding his role(s) along the way: as enquiring interlocutor asking questions to clarify the proceedings for self and for the audience, another as documenter. Sellars readily agreed that any other person's perceptions of his process are different from his own. My purpose here is to offer a dramaturg's-eye view of the working methods of one of contemporary theatre's most iconoclastic and innovative directors, along with some critical reflections on the process.
Features of vortex pinning and magnetic flux creep in epitaxial thin films of high-Tc superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−δ near the critical temperature
Authors: Chornomorets M. P. , Kovalchuk D. G. , Ryabchenko S. M. , Semenov A. V. , Pashitskii E. A.
Published: October 2006

The temperature dependence of the dynamic relaxation rate in YBa2Cu3O7−δ epitaxial thin films is investigated in the temperature range from 77K to the critical temperature Tc with and without an applied dc magnetic field, and the dependence on the dc field at 77K is measured at fields up to 45mT. It is shown that the experimental results are in good agreement with the vortex lattice pinning model proposed previously which considers the main pinning centers in thin films to be threading dislocations on a network of low-angle grain boundaries. From the results of the experiment it is concluded that the influence of thermal fluctuations on the vortex pinning by threading dislocations and on the magnetic flux creep near Tc is not so crucial as in the case of pinning by extended linear defects in thick films or single crystals. Estimates are made which show that this fact can be explained by a transformation of the Abrikosov vortices into Pearl vortices when the magnetic field penetration depth becomes greater than the film thickness as the temperature approaches a critical value. Because of this, the mechanisms of pinning and flux creep in thin films are of a substantially collective character even in extremely weak magnetic fields and at temperatures very close to Tc.
High-yield bang time detector for the OMEGA laser
Authors: Glebov V. Yu. , Stoeckl C. , Sangster T. C. , Mileham C. , Roberts S. , Lerche R. A.
Published: October 2006

A simple, low-cost, high-yield neutron bang time (HYNBT) detector has been developed and implemented on the 60-beam, 30kJ OMEGA Laser Facility at the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics. The HYNBT consists of three chemical-vapor deposition diamond detectors of different sizes and sensitivities placed in a lead-shielded housing. The HYNBT is located in a reentrant tube 50cm from the center of the target chamber. The HYNBT has been temporally cross calibrated against the streak-camera-based neutron temporal diagnostic (NTD) for both D2 and DT implosions. The HYNBT has an internal time resolution better than 20ps and is able to measure bang time for yields above 1010 for DT and 5×1010 for D2 implosions. The implementation of the HYNBT on the National Ignition Facility will be discussed.
Homodyne reflectometer for neutral beam injection interlock on large helical device
Authors: Tanaka K. , Ejiri A. , Ito Y. , Kawahata K. , Tokuzawa T. , Osakabe M. , Takeiri Y.
Published: October 2006

Neutral beam injection (NBI) into low-density plasmas can cause serious damage to the vacuum vessel wall. It is necessary to stop the NBI when the plasma terminates. This needs a reliable density monitor for NBI interlock. A three-channel homodyne reflectometer, installed on a large helical device was used for an NBI interlock. Microwaves of 28.5, 34.9, and 40.2GHz were injected with O mode polarization. At present, a simple homodyne detection scheme is used. The reflected signal consists of a dc component due to local and reflected power and an ac component due to fluctuations in the position of the cutoff layer. Since the change in dc signal was very small, the root mean square value of the ac signal was used as the interlock signal. At present the 34.9GHz O mode channel, whose O mode cutoff density is 1.5×1019m−3, is used for the interlock. The system has been working since the first NBI experiments on LHD in 1999.
Use of Faraday probing to estimate current distribution in wire array z pinches
Authors: Bland S. N. , Ampleford D. J. , Bott S. C. , Guite A. , Hall G. N. , Hardy S. M. , Lebedev S. V. , Shardlow P. , Harvey-Thompson A. , Suzuki F. , Kwek K. H.
Published: October 2006

In order to understand the formation and dynamics of plasma in wire array z-pinch experiments, measurements of the distribution of current throughout the array are required. We present details of two Faraday probing diagnostics aimed at exploring the magnetic fields and hence distribution of current in an array. An imaging Faraday system utilizes a short laser pulse to make estimates of the current distribution in the precursor column formed on axis before implosion. In a second system, a rod of high Verdet constant glass is placed close to the wires of an array and the polarization of a cw laser passing through the rod is monitored to examine the variance of current with time.
Twenty-channel bolometer array for studying impurity radiation and transport in the TCS field-reversed configuration
Authors: Kostora M. R. , Hsu S. C. , Wurden G. A.
Published: October 2006

A bolometer array diagnostic has been developed for the University of Washington Translation, Confinement, and Sustainment (TCS) field-reversed configuration (FRC) experiment in order to measure radially resolved total radiated power per unit length of the FRC. This will provide radiation energy loss information, useful in power balance and impurity studies. The 20-element photodiode bolometer will be mounted at the midplane of the TCS cylindrical vacuum chamber to view the rotating magnetic field (RMF) generated FRC plasma. Key features of this new bolometer array are (1) extensive electrical shielding against the RMF, (2) robust electrical isolation, (3) trans-impedance amplifiers using a microcoax interface at the array and a fiber optic interface to the screen room, and (4) a custom glass-on-metal socket for the 20-element photodiode chip to ensure high vacuum compatibility. The bolometer array can be retracted behind a gate valve using a stepper motor to protect it during vacuum chamber bakeout. The slit assembly housing is interchangeable to provide flexibility for the viewing sightlines.
Density fluctuation measurement using motional Stark effect optics in JT-60U
Authors: Suzuki T. , Fujita T. , Oyama N. , Isayama A. , Matsunaga G. , Oikawa T. , Asakura N. , Takechi M.
Published: October 2006

The multichannel motional Stark effect (MSE) diagnostic system in JT-60U has been upgraded to measure density fluctuation profile. A 16-channel fast-sampling digitizer has been added in order to measure photomultiplier-tube signals at measurement frequency of 0.5–1MHz. The new system works as a MSE and beam emission spectroscopy diagnostic. Spatially resolved electron density fluctuation profile measurement in various operation regimes is presented. In the core plasma, density fluctuation induced by rotation of tearing mode islands was observed. Temporal evolution of the fluctuation frequency agrees with that measured by Mirnov coils (poloidal and toroidal mode numbers: 2 and 1, respectively). The phases of the fluctuations on either side of the q=2 surface are inverted, which is consistent with electron cyclotron emission. These measurements show that the density fluctuation is caused by a rotating magnetic island structure induced by the tearing mode. In the scrape-off layer of a H-mode plasma with edge-localized-mode (ELM), i. e., ELMy H-mode outward propagation of strong intermittent emission corresponding to ELM crash was also observed. The propagation velocity is 0.69–2.2km∕s along the MSE measurement points, the time lag and distance between adjacent channels being 67±35μs and 70mm, respectively.
Diagnosing ablator burn through in ignition capsules using D2+He3 gas filled surrogates
Authors: Wilson D. C. , Singleton R. L. , Grondalski J. P. , Hoffman N. M. , Nobile A. , Séguin F. H. , Frenje J. A. , Li C. K. , Petrasso R. D.
Published: October 2006

If x-radiation penetrates the ablator of an ignition capsule too deeply or too little, ignition can fail. Typically an ablator areal density of ∼0.2g∕cm2 remains at ignition time. 20% more or less flux in the final pulse of radiation driving the capsule can change that areal density by ∼0.1g∕cm2 and halve the capsule yield. We propose a technique to measure ablator areal density in a surrogate capsule that would complement Cu activation [D. C. Wilson et al., Phys. Plasmas 5, 1953 (1998)]. Replace the DT ice layer by deuterium and He3 gas. Diagnose the number and spectra of D–He3 protons escaping the surrogate capsule with wedge range filters. For a 0.02g∕cm3 gas fill and the optimal radiation drive, 1.2e+11 protons escape with energies above 3MeV and a peak at 5MeV. If ignition would fail due to ablator burn through, 1.7e+11 protons would escape but the peak moves to 11MeV. If ignition would fail from too much ablator remaining, 3.2e+9 protons escape the surrogate and the peak moves near 3MeV. The D+D neutron yield remains roughly constant over this range. Wedge range filters would be able to diagnose these proton yields and peaks above ∼4MeV with a resolution of ∼0.3MeV.
Operation of the gas-puff imaging diagnostic in the RFX-mod device
Authors: Agostini M. , Cavazzana R. , Scarin P. , Serianni G.
Published: October 2006

The reversed field pinch device RFX-mod (R=2m, a=0.5m) has started plasma experiments late in 2004. During the first year of operation a gas-puff imaging diagnostic has been used consisting of 32 optical lines of sight measuring radiation emitted from puffed gas on a plane normal to the local magnetic field. Such diagnostic system allows the investigation of the edge plasma properties with high time resolution even at high plasma currents (greater than 1MA). In the present article a characterization of the equipment is presented. In particular, the dependence of the quality of the signal on the amount of puffed gas as well as the influence of the puffed gas on the plasma discharge are assessed. A comparison has been performed between the use of hydrogen (which is the main discharge gas) and helium as the puffed gas showing that signals are much clearer when helium is used. Spectral and statistical properties of the signals are compared and the results are discussed.
Excitation wavelength dependence of terahertz emission from InN and InAs
Authors: Chern Grace D. , Readinger Eric D. , Shen Hongen , Wraback Michael , Gallinat Chad S. , Koblmüller Gregor , Speck James S.
Published: October 2006

The authors report on the excitation wavelength dependence of terahertz emission from n-InN and bulk p-InAs pumped with femtosecond pulses tunable from 800to1500nm. The terahertz amplitude, normalized to pump and probe power, from both narrow band gap semiconductors remains relatively constant over the excitation wavelength range. In addition, terahertz radiation from In- and N-face InN samples with bulk carrier concentrations ranging from 1017to1019cm−3 is also investigated, showing a strong dependence of terahertz emission on bulk carrier concentration. The experimental results agree well with calculations based on drift-diffusion equations incorporating momentum conservation and relaxation.
Equilibria between pyranoses and furanoses. V. The composition in solution and the 13C N.M.R. spectra of the heptoses and the heptuloses.
Authors: Angyal SJ , Tran TQ
Published: October 2006

The 13C n.m.r.
spectra of nine heptoses and of all of the heptuloses
were recorded and most of the signals were assigned. From these spectra, the
equilibrium compositions of the heptoses and heptuloses
were determined in aqueous solution. Those of the heptoses differ, with one
exception, little from those of the homomorphous hexoses
but some heptuloses occur wholly in the α-pyranose form, and others are predominantly in furanose forms.
The preparation and thermal fragmentation of 2-Acyl-5-azidofurans
Authors: Barnes BJ , Newcombe PJ , Norris RK
Published: October 2006

The reaction of the nitrofurans (1)-(4) with sodium azide
in Me2SO gave the thermally unstable azidofurans
(5)-(8), which decompose to give nitrogen and the (Z)-dioxoalkenenitriles
(32) and(15)-(17) respectively. The azides (6)-(8),
the (Z)-nitriles (15)-(17) and their (E)-isomers
(18)-(20)were characterized by spectroscopic techniques. The nitriles were also characterized by formation of
Diels-Alder adducts and quinoxaline derivatives. The nitriles (17) and (20) gave the adducts(21a,b) with
2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene, and the nitriles (16) and
(19) gave the adducts (23), (24)and (25) (or (26)) with diene (22). The quinoxalines (27)-(31) were prepared by condensation of o-phenylenediamine
with nitriles (17), (20), (18) and the unstable
compounds (32) and (33) respectively. The first-order rate constants for
ring-opening of azides (5)-(8) were determined by u.v. spectroscopy in cyclohexane and activation parameters
were also evaluated. The trends in activation energies and entropies were
rationalized by consideration of valence-bond contributors to the azides and the presumed nitrene
intermediates. The acid-catalysed decomposition of azide
(5) in methanol was also studied.
The extraction of cobalt(II) from hydrochloric acid solutions by Aliquat 336R dissolved in chloroform
Authors: Paimin R , Cattrall RW
Published: October 2006

The extraction of
cobalt(II) from 4M and 7M HCl involves the protonated
form of the tetrachloro-cobaltate(II) ion, HCoCl4-.
The equilibrium constants for the formation of the extracted complex, R3MeN+
HCoCl4-, are: log K11 7.07 and 8.48 for 4M and 7M HCl respectively.
The conformation of (1S,3S,4R)- 1,3,8-Tribromo-p-menthan-2-one
Authors: Carman RM , Horn E , Kennard CHL , Smith G , Snow MR , Venzke BN
Published: October 2006

The crystal structure of (1S,3S,4R)-1,3,8-tribromo-p-menthan-2-one has been determined from
X-ray diffraction data and refined to a final residual of 0.075 for 635
'observed' reflections. Crystals are orthorhombic, of space group P212121
with four molecules in a cell of dimensions a
15.248(3), b 12.189(3), c 7.201(2) �. The analysis confirms that
the molecule exists in a distorted twist-boat conformation.
Lewis-base adducts of Group 1B metal(I) compounds. VII. Synthesis and structures of the 1 : 1 adducts of copper(I) halides with N,N,N',N'-tetramethyletlrylenediamine
Authors: Engelhardt LM , Papasergio RI , White AH
Published: October 2006

1 : 1 adducts of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine ('tmeda')
with copper(1) chloride, bromide and iodide have been synthesized and the
structures of the solid iodide and chloride derivatives established by
single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The iodide,(1),is monoclinic, P21/c,
a 12.370(5), b 12.119(5), c 15.36(1) �, β 109.16(5)�, Z = 4 dimers; the residual R was 0.067 for 1240 'observed'
reflections. The complex is a ��'-diiodobridged dimer (tmeda)CuI2Cu(tmeda); thedistance between the pair
of four-coordinate copper atoms is very short [2.566(4) A]. The bromide is isomorphous with the iodide. The chloride, (2), is
monoclinic, P21/n, a
14.477(3), b 15.063(3),c 9.326(2) �, β 96.99(2)�, Z = 4
formula units; R was 0.055 for No = 1195. The complex is ionic [Cu(tmeda)2]+ [CuCl2]-.
Molecular geometry of (E)- and (Z)-9-(β-Styryl)anthracenes
Authors: Becker H , Patrick VA , White AH
Published: October 2006

The molecular structures of
(Z)-9-(8-styryl)anthracene, C22H16,(I),(E)-9-(P-styryl)anthracene,
(2), and the photo-Diels-Alder dimer of
9-phenylethynylanthracene, C44H28, (3), containing a (Z)-9-
(β-styryl) anthracene moiety of limited mobility have been determined by
X-ray diffraction. Crystals of (1) are monoclinic, P21/c, a 5.507(4), b 13.050(7), c 21.425(10)�,
β 95.73(5)�, Z 4; R was 0.047 for No 1604 independent 'observed'
reflections. Crystals of (2) are monoclinic, P21/n, a 11.77(1), b 24.35(2), c
5.503(5) �, β 107.38(7)�, Z 4; R 0.050 for No 1100. Crystals of (3) are
monoclinic, P21/c, a
10.719(7), b 18.627(8), c 15.509(8) �, β 101.10(5)�, Z 4; R
0.070 for No 1055. Increase in angle between the plane of the anthracene and
the plane of the ethylenic double bond (78.4, 65.5,
81.9� respectively) is reflected in the electronic absorption spectra by an
enhancement of the fine structure typical of the anthracene chromophore.
Semisyntheses, X-Ray Crystal Structures and Tubulin-Binding Properties of 7-Oxodeacetamidocolchicine and 7-Oxodeacetamidoisocolchicine
Authors: Banwell MG , Peters SC , Greenwood RJ , Mackay MF , Hamel E , Lin CM
Published: October 2006

Commercially available (–)-colchicine (1) has been converted, via deacetylcolchiceine (4), into a mixture of 7-oxodeacetamidocolchicine (2) and 7-oxodeacetamidoisocolchicine (3). The X-ray structures and tubulin-binding properties of these title ketones are described.
Experiments Directed Towards the Synthesis of Anthracyclinones. XVI. Tin(IV)- and Titanium(IV)-Mediated Cyclizations of ortho-Allyl-Substituted Homochiral Hydroxyanthraquinone Dioxolans
Authors: Cambie RC , Holroyd SE , Larsen DS , Rutledge PS , Woodgate PD
Published: October 2006

Tin(IV) chloride and titanium(IV) chloride mediated cyclizations of the ortho-allyl-substituted homochiral hydroxyanthraquinone acetals (7)-(10), prepared by optimized redictive Claisen rearrangements, have afforded monochloro and dichloro tetracyclic products, the tereochemistry of which has been assigned by using n.m.r. techniques. An Sn2-like process in which the dioxolan ring is maintained as an ion pair intermediate is favoured when either tin(IV) chloride or titanium(IV) chloride is used at -78�. Thereafter the direction of addition of chloride at C9 is largely governed by the orientation of this ion pair. An alternative path which probably involves a free oxocarbenium ion predominates at higher temperatures. An adjacent methoxy group on the anthraquinone lowers the stereoselectivity at both C7 and C9, possibly by bidentate coordination of the Lewis acid involving the quinone carbonyl, the methoxy oxygen and the acetal oxygens.
Knoevenagel Reactions of 6,7-Dihydropyrrolo[2,3-c]azepine-4,8(1H,5H)-dione: An Approach to the Synthesis of Pyrrolic Marine Natural Products
Authors: Prager RH , Tsopelas C
Published: October 2006

The title compound undergoes reaction with diethyl malonate or ethyl hydrogen malonate in the presence of TiCl4 to give a mixture of endocyclic and exocyclic products, (5) and (6) or (13) and (14). The latter compounds have been decarboxylated and brominated to give the allylic bromide (18). Model experiments to substitute the bromine with amines suggest this compound would prove to be only a mediocre intermediate for the synthesis of the pyrrolic guanidine (2) found in Phakellia flabellata .
The Synthesis of an Arylperhydronaphthalenol, an Efficient Chiral Auxiliary
Authors: Hamon DPG , Holman JW , Massywestropp RA
Published: October 2006

The synthesis of (1R,4aS,8S,8aS)-8-(5′-methoxy-2′-methylphenyl)-8-methyldecahydronaphtha-len-1-ol from podocarpic acid is described.
Crystal and Molecular Structure of the Tetrameric Cluster Cadmium Complex Formed From 1,4,7,10-Tetraoxa-13-azacyclopentadecane-13-acetic Acid
Authors: Byriel KA , Gahan LR , Kennard CHL , Latten JL , Healy PC
Published: October 2006

Reaction of cadmium carbonate with 1,4,7,10-tetraoxa-13-azacyclopentadecane-13-acetic acid (HL4) in warm aqueous solution results in the isolation of crystals of the tetrameric cluster [Cd4(L4)4] [CdCl4]2.3H2O, an ordered assembly of acetate-bridged macrocyclic species. The crystals are triclinic, space group Pī with a 15.67(3), b 16.90(2), c 17.92(3) Ǻ, α 101.41(4), β 115.57(7), γ 102.23(8)°. R was 0.045 for 7191 [I > 2.5σ(I)] reflections.
Does baiting influence the relative composition of the diet of foxes?
Authors: Roberts Michael W. , Dexter Nick , Meek Paul D. , Hudson Matt , Buttemer William A.
Published: October 2006

The changes in the diet of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the Jervis Bay Region was assessed following a long-term baiting program by analysing the composition of fox faecal excreta (scats). In all, 470 fox scats were collected between April and August 2003 from two baited sites, Booderee National Park (BNP) and Beecroft Peninsula, and from two unbaited sites in the southern and northern parts of Jervis Bay National Park (SJBNP and NJBNP respectively). Diet was compared between these sites and mammalian diet was also compared from scats collected before baiting in 1996 and after baiting in 2000 at Beecroft Peninsula and in 2001 at Booderee National Park. In 2003, the most common species consumed by foxes was the common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus), except at unbaited NJBNP, where the swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) was the most frequent dietary item. Significant dietary differences were found between unbaited and baited sites, with the long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta) and P. peregrinus featuring more in the diet of foxes from the baited sites. Marked increases in the frequency of occurrence of P. peregrinus and P. nasuta in fox scats occurred from before baiting through to after baiting. Relative fox abundance, as indexed by the number of scats collected per kilometre, was lowest in Booderee, followed by Beecroft, then SJBNP, with NJBNP having the highest relative abundance of foxes. We suggest that baiting did affect the diet of foxes on both peninsulas and that the dietary changes across baiting histories were intrinsically related to an increase in abundance in some taxa as a result of relaxed predator pressure following sustained fox control. However, the lack of unbaited control sites over the whole study precludes a definitive conclusion.
High‐Temperature Chemical Phenomena Affecting Silicon Nitride Joints
Authors: BRITTAIN R.D. , JOHNSON S.M. , LAMOREAUX R.H. , ROWCLIFFE D.J.
Published: October 2006

Knudsen cell mass spectrometry was used to study the chemical processes responsible for joint degradation in joined silicon nitride ceramics. Vapor species present above two commercial hot‐pressed silicon nitrides and above three joining glasses were identified, and partial pressures were estimated at 1480 K. Oxide vaporization products related to reducing conditions were observed. The implications of these results on proposed silicon nitride joining processes are discussed. It appears that oxygen potential gradients within both glazed and unglazed hot‐pressed Si3N4 samples are responsible for the enhanced vaporization rates of the sample and the observed instability of glazed joints at high temperatures. Observed vaporization behavior of oxide additives correlates well with that predicted for the chemically reducing environment of Si3N4.
Grooving and Off‐Center Crack Effects on Applied‐Moment Double‐Cantilever‐Beam Tests
Authors: Wu Carl Cm. , McKinney Karl R. , Lewis David
Published: October 2006

Calculations of fracture toughness (KIC) from the applied‐moment double‐cantilever‐beam test have assumed negligible groove effects and crack propagation along the center of the specimen. A rigorous analysis is presented, and procedures for routine measurements are suggested to correct for both the presence of the groove and off‐center cracking. For a typical specimen, neglect of these factors results in ≥10% error. The corrections introduced allow results to be obtained from miniaturized specimens.
Synthesis of 6‐nm Ultrafine Monoclinic Zirconia
Authors: MORGAN PETER E. D.
Published: October 2006

In the normal paradigm of sintering‐densification, grain growth, creep, etc., it is anticipated that, at extremely fine grain size, various phenomena will be exaggerated so as to make direct observation more tractable; this gives impetus to attempts to synthesize such fine‐grained materials. In the present case, 6‐nm monoclinic zirconia was produced by a hydrothermal technique and is showing very interesting grain growth and rearrangement effects in transmission electron microscopy.
Surface Characteristics of Sodium (β‐Alumina Electrolytes
Authors: SINGH R. N.
Published: October 2006

Surfaces of sodium β/β″‐alumina ceramics were characterized via techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis to determine the nature of the resistive surface film that leads to the phenomenon of asymmetric polarization in a sodium‐sulfur cell. The results indicated that the resistive surface film is soda rich, has submicrometer thickness, and is removable by a surface treatment. A mechanism consistent with these observations is proposed for the formation of the resistive surface film on sodium β/β″‐alumina during the sintering process.
Comparative cardiac pathology among deaths due to cocaine toxicity, opioid toxicity and non‐drug‐related causes
Authors: Darke Shane , Kaye Sharlene , Duflou Johan
Published: October 2006

Aim To compare cardiac and cerebrovascular pathology among deaths due to cocaine toxicity, deaths due to opioid toxicity and deaths from hanging that were toxicologically negative for cocaine/opioids.

Design Case–control.

Findings The cocaine group had significantly higher proportions of left ventricular hypertrophy and ischaemic heart disease than either comparison group. Coronary artery atherosclerosis was also detected in significantly higher proportions of cocaine cases than in either comparison group. The cocaine group was more likely than either comparison group to have atherosclerosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery, right coronary artery and circumflex artery. Only in the left anterior descending coronary artery did the cocaine group exhibit higher levels of moderate–severe atherosclerosis. Cocaine cases also had significantly higher levels of cerebrovascular atherosclerosis than either comparison group.

Conclusions Levels of cardiac and cerebrovascular pathology were higher among cocaine users than either comparison group. The high levels of cardiac and cerebrovascular pathology seen among cocaine cases do not appear to be artefacts of a drug‐dependent life‐style, but relate specifically to cocaine.
Crack across Canada: comparing crack users and crack non‐users in a Canadian multi‐city cohort of illicit opioid users
Authors: Fischer Benedikt , Rehm Jürgen , Patra Jayadeep , Kalousek Kate , Haydon Emma , Tyndall Mark , El‐Guebaly Nady
Published: October 2006

Aims  To examine possible differences between crack users and crack non‐users across Canada.

Design  Cohort study of illicit opioid and other drug users in five cities across Canada.

Setting  Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City, Canada.

Participants  Regular illicit opioid and other street drug users not in treatment at time of assessment.

Measurements  Participants (n = 677) were assessed at baseline (2002) by way of an interviewer‐administered questionnaire, a psychiatric diagnostic instrument (Composite International Diagnostic Interview), and salivary antibody tests for infectious disease.

Findings  Approximately half the sample had used crack in the past 30 days, although prevalence rates differed strongly between study sites. When examined by discriminant analysis, crack users in the study population were more likely to have: no permanent housing, have illegal and sex work income, indicate physical health problems and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies, use walk‐in clinics, use heroin and to have been arrested and in detention (in past year). They were less likely to report depressive symptoms, and use Dilaudid (hydromorphone) and alcohol.

Conclusion  These results illustrate crack users' pronounced social marginalization (as expressed by homelessness and high involvement in illegal activities) as well as extensive health problems compared to non‐crack users in the Canadian context. The development of targeted interventions—addressing the dynamics of social marginalization—of this population is urgently needed.
Improvement in glycaemic control with rosiglitazone/metformin fixed‐dose combination therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes with very poor glycaemic control
Authors: Rosenstock J. , Rood J. , Cobitz A. , Huang C. , Garber A.
Published: October 2006

Objective:  Traditional first‐line intervention in patients with type 2 diabetes and very poor glycaemic control is insulin therapy or high doses of sulfonylureas if there is no evidence of volume depletion. This study explored the safety and efficacy of open‐label treatment with rosiglitazone and metformin (RSG/MET) fixed‐dose combination therapy (AVANDAMET) in patients with type 2 diabetes with very poor glycaemic control, to better characterize the magnitude of glycated haemoglobin (A1c) reduction after 24 weeks of therapy.

Methods:  In this multicentre, open‐label trial, 190 patients with an A1c greater than 11% or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) greater than 15 mmol/l were included after failing to meet glycaemic entry criteria for a primary double‐blind, controlled, randomized study. Unless tolerability issues arose, eligible patients initiated RSG/MET 4 mg/1000 mg fixed‐dose combination therapy and were up‐titrated in increments of 2 mg/500 mg at 4‐week intervals to a daily dose of 8 mg/2000 mg or the maximum tolerated dose. Patients were assessed for efficacy and safety at five visits over a 24‐week period. The primary efficacy end point was change from baseline in A1c at week 24. Secondary efficacy end points included the proportion of patients achieving defined A1c targets, change from baseline to week 24 in FPG and insulin sensitivity.

Results:  The majority of patients (78%) completed 24 weeks of open‐label treatment. At week 24, clinically significant mean reduction in A1c from 11.8 to 7.8% (mean reduction, 4.0 ± 2.2%; p < 0.0001) and mean FPG reduction from 16.9 to 9.2 mmol/l (mean reduction, 7.7 ± 4.4 mmol/l; p < 0.0001) were observed. A clinically significant reduction in FPG (5.2 mmol/l) was observed after 4 weeks of treatment with RSG/MET fixed‐dose combination therapy. Despite a high mean baseline A1c of 11.8%, 33% of patients achieved treatment goal of A1c less than or equal to 6.5% at week 24, and 44% achieved an A1c less than 7% at week 24. RSG/MET fixed‐dose combination was well tolerated, with a low incidence of hypoglycaemia (2%) and mean increase in weight from baseline of 2.6 ± 5.2 kg, and few patients withdrew (2.6%) because of an adverse event.

Conclusions:  RSG/MET fixed‐dose combination therapy was effective as initial therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes and very high levels of A1c and/or FPG, as demonstrated by robust and relatively rapid improvements in glycaemic control. RSG/MET fixed‐dose combination was well tolerated as first‐line therapy with no new tolerability issues identified.
Monastic mortality: Durham Priory, 1395–15291
Authors: HATCHER JOHN , PIPER A. J. , STONE DAVID
Published: October 2006

This article presents reliable data on the life expectancy of the monks of Durham Priory between 1395 and 1529. The number of years that monks survived in this northern monastery plunged precipitously in the second half of the fifteenth century before staging a partial recovery in the early sixteenth. The experience of Durham monks mirrors the scale, direction, and timing of the data already produced for the monks of Canterbury and Westminster. While the precise relationship between monastic mortality and that of the population at large remains difficult to determine, there can be no doubt that the symmetry that has been established between mortality in three monasteries located in different parts of the country has important implications for our understanding of the demographic history of late medieval England.
Nitric Oxide and Glutamate Interaction in the Control of Cortical and Hippocampal Excitability
Authors: Ferraro Giuseppe , Montalbano Maria Eva , La Grutta Vittorio
Published: October 2006

Summary: Purpose: We investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO) as a new neurotransmitter in the control of excitability of the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex, as well as the possible functional interaction between NO and the glutamate systems.

Methods: The experiments were performed on anesthetized rats. The bioelectrical activities of the somatosensory cortex and the CA1 region of the hippocampus of these rats were recorded. Pharmacologic inhibition of NO synthase (NOS) through the nonselective and brain‐selective inhibitors, N‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME) and 7‐nitroindazole (7‐NI), was performed.

Results: The treatments caused the appearance of an interictal discharge activity in both the structures. The latency of induction and the duration of the interictal discharge activity were strictly related to the dose of NOS inhibitor used. In some cases, after l‐NAME treatment at high doses, it was possible to note spike and wave afterdischarge activity in the hippocampus. All the NOS inhibitor‐mediated excitatory effects were abolished by intraperitoneal (i.p.) pretreatment with the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonists (DL‐2‐amino‐5‐phosphonovaleric acid, 2‐APV; dizolcipine, MK‐801) and partly suppressed after the i.p. injection of the non NMDA antagonist (6‐cyano‐7‐nitroquinoxaline‐2,3‐dione; CNQX).

Conclusions: All data showed that the reduction of NO levels in the nervous system causes the functional prevalence of the excitatory neurotransmission, which is probably due to an NMDA overactivity caused by the absence of the NO‐mediated modulatory action. Thus, it is possible to hypothesize a neuro‐protective role for NO, probably through a selective desensitization of the NMDA receptors.
Patients with Epileptic Seizures and Cerebral Lesions Who Underwent Lesionectomy Restricted to or Associated with the Adjacent Irritative Area
Authors: Rassi‐Neto Aziz , Ferraz Fernando P. , Campos Carlos R. , Braga Fernando M.
Published: October 2006

Summary: Purpose: To analyze the best surgical procedure for patients with epileptic seizures and cerebral lesions—i.e., resection restricted to the lesion or resection associated with the adjacent irritative area—based on the clinical evolution of patients' seizure outcome and electroencephalographic (EEG) and electrocorticographic (ECoG) findings.

Methods: This study comprised 37 patients with epileptic seizures and cerebral lesions, ranging in age from 9 to 66 years. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 consisted of 21 patients with medically intractable epilepsy, Group 2 of 16 patients with medically controlled epilepsy. Eleven of the 21 patients in Group 1 (Subgroup A) underwent surgical resection of the cerebral lesion and adjacent irritative area as shown by ECoG. For the remaining 10 patients in Group 1 (Subgroup B), the resection was restricted to the lesion. The 16 patients in Group 2 all underwent lesionectomies.

Results: Of the 11 patients in group 1 who underwent resection of the cerebral lesion and adjacent irritative area, 91% became seizure free. Sixty percent of the remaining patients in group 1 whose resections were restricted to the lesion also became seizure free, as did all the patients in group 2. An overall analysis of the EEGs for all patients showed a statistically significant decrease in paroxysmal activity.

Conclusions: In patients with uncontrolled seizures, resection of the cerebral lesion associated with the irritative area shows a tendency to obtain better seizure‐outcome results than restricted lesionectomy.
Study on the Early‐Onset Variant of Benign Childhood Epilepsy with Occipital Paroxysms Otherwise Described as Early‐Onset Benign Occipital Seizure Susceptibility Syndrome
Authors: Oguni Hirokazu , Hayashi Kitami , Imai Kaoru , Hirano Yukiko , Mutoh Ayako , Osawa Makiko
Published: October 2006

Summary: Purpose: We studied the early‐onset variant of benign childhood epilepsy with occipital paroxysms (EVBCEOP) proposed by Panayiotopoulos, to confirm whether his five criteria are sufficient to delineate EVBCEOP as a new epileptic syndrome, as well as to predict a good outcome prospectively at the time of the first examination.

Subjects: The subjects were 649 children with localization‐related epilepsies (LREs) observed in our hospital for >4 years.

Methods: We applied the International Classification of Epilepsies and Epileptic Syndromes to the 649 patients and identified patients who had EVBCEOP from among those with nonspecific idiopathic LRE. The inclusion criteria were to satisfy all five criteria and all but one criterion (i.e., either ictal vomiting or occipital EEG paroxysms). We were blind as to the outcomes and selected patients who satisfied the following three of the five criteria at the time of the first examination, (a) normal development before the onset, (b) epilepsy onset age between 2 and 8 years, and (c) occipital EEG foci. We attempted to determine whether the outcome can be predicted prospectively, and whether the presence or absence of ictal vomiting affects the prognosis.

Results: We identified 19 patients who satisfied all five criteria, 22 who exhibited all but occipital EEG foci, and 21 who exhibited all but ictal vomiting. The incidence of status convulsivus was higher in those with ictal vomiting than in those without ictal vomiting (p < 0.05). Interictal EEG performed every 6 months showed shifting and multiplication of EEG foci in 42 and 52% of all subjects, respectively. We identified 57 patients, 42 (74%) of whom were in remission by age 12 years. The number of patients who experienced remission did not differ significantly between those with (76%, n = 25) and without (72%, n = 32) ictal vomiting (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Nosologically, EVBCEOP appears to constitute the earliest form of idiopathic epileptic syndrome different from classic BCEOP. However, its clinical spectrum, ranging from the absence of ictal vomiting to a combination of extra‐occipital and multifocal EEG foci, is broad, such that further prospective study is expected to reveal the exact prerequisite criteria for determining the border of this epileptic syndrome and for clarifying the clinical spectrum within this syndrome.
HIGHER PLANT BIOMARKERS IN PALEOGENE CRUDE OILS FROM THE YUFUTSU OIL‐AND GASFIELD AND OFFSHORE WILDCATS, JAPAN
Authors: Yessalina S. , Suzuki N. , Nishita H. , Waseda A.
Published: October 2006

Geochemical investigation of Paleogene oils from the onshore Yufutsu oil‐ and gasfield, southern Hokkaido, and from two nearby offshore wells, revealed the presence of numerous biomarkers of higher plant origin. Biomarkers in the oils belong to different groups of both angiosperm and gymnosperm origin; they include bicyclic sesquiterpanes, diterpanes, and triterpanes and their aromatized counterparts, which suggests a terrestrial origin for the oils. The oils were characterized as having a high wax content, a low content of organosulphur compounds, a high pristane/phytane ratio, and a low C27/(C27+C29) sterane ratio.

Although the oils from on‐ and offshore Southern Hokkaido are similar in their geochemical composition, notable differences were observed in the biomarker signature of both saturate and aromatic fractions. The oils from the offshore wells appeared to have a greater abundance of higher plant biomarkers compared to those from the Yufutsu field, suggesting an enrichment in higher plant components. Differences in biomarker fingerprint could not be linked to the maturity effect, since the oils appeared to be of similar maturity levels, corresponding to the late stage of the oil window (0.9–1.2%, Rc). The differences in the biomarker signatures between the oils from the Yufutsu field and the offshore wells are likely to be due to facies variations in source organic matter, resulting from differences in the quantity and quality of land plant input.
Uncaged larvae elicit a combination of local and integrated growth responses within mountain birch crown
Authors: Kaitaniemi Pekka , Ruohomäki Kai
Published: October 2006

The degree of autonomy shown by plant structures in response to natural herbivory remains uncertain. Previous studies have usually been based on simulated herbivory or the use of caged herbivores. In this study, experimental trees were subjected to long‐lasting defoliation by uncaged insect larvae. The exact 3D architecture of the whole shoot system and the amount of local damage elicited by the larvae in individual tree shoots were measured to investigate herbivore‐elicited changes in growth at all levels of branching hierarchy within the crowns of mountain birch (Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii). Multiple explanatory variables were derived from the data. Defoliation by uncaged larvae elicited a combination of local and integrated growth responses. Especially the integrated responses were clear and consistent during the two years of study and resulted in reduced elongation growth. The localised component most often included the effect of defoliation at several branching orders, including also changes in self‐shading. This suggests the involvement of source–sink interactions or other changes in the control of resource allocation within a larger scale. Therefore, the assumption of autonomous modules may offer an overly limited view of plant responses to localised herbivory, which appear to involve both localised and integrated components.
Mechanisms of resistance to invasion in a California grassland: the roles of competitor identity, resource availability, and environmental gradients
Authors: Thomsen Meredith A. , D'Antonio Carla M.
Published: October 2006

Resistance to the invasion of exotic plants may sometimes result from the strong effects of a relatively small number of resident species. Understanding the mechanisms by which such species resist invasion could provide important insights for the management of invaded ecosystems. Furthermore, the individualistic responses of community members to resource availability and environmental gradients could drive spatial variation in resistance at the local to landscape scales. We tested the resistance of monoculture plots of three native perennial grasses from the California coastal prairie to the invasion of the European perennial grass Holcus lanatus. We also used a watering treatment that increased early summer water availability and a natural elevational gradient in resource availability and soil texture to evaluate how resident identity interacted with abiotic resistance to affect Holcus establishment. Two native species, Festuca rubra and Calamagrostis nutkaensis, exhibited strong resistance, correlated with their negative effects on light availability. A third native grass, Bromus carinatus var. maritimus, had either no effect or a weakly facultative effect on Holcus performance relative to bare plots. Water addition did not alter the resistance of these species, but the elevation gradient did. Holcus invasion increased with improving abiotic conditions towards the slope bottom in bare and Bromus plots, but invasion decreased towards the bottom in Calamagrostis plots, where better conditions favored competitive residents. These results support the idea that resistance to invasion can sometimes be due to a subset of native species, and that the resistance provided by even a single species is likely to vary across the landscape. Identifying the mechanisms by which species resist invasion could facilitate the selection of management strategies that at best increase, or at worst do not decrease, natural resistance.
Dominant species identity regulates invasibility of old‐field plant communities
Authors: M. Emery Sarah , L. Gross Katherine
Published: October 2006

Dominant species are known to exert strong influence over community dynamics, although little work has addressed how they affect invasibility. In this study, we examined whether dominant species identity and abundance affected invasibility of old‐field plant communities. To quantify invasibility, we added seeds of 19 plant species into plots dominated by one of four different herbaceous perennial species (Andropogon virginicus,Bromus inermis,Centaurea maculosa, orSolidago canadensis).We found that, independent of species richness and abiotic variables, plots dominated byAndropogonwere the least invasible, whileBromusandCentaureaplots had the highest invasibility. We examined several potential mechanisms by which these dominant species might influence invasibility, and found invasion to increase with decreasing litter biomass and increasing community species richness. The abundance of the dominant species was not a significant predictor of invasion. These results indicate that dominant species identity plays an important role in determining invasibility of plant communities, though exact mechanisms underlying these effects still need to be explored.
A Homolog of
Bacillus subtilis
Trigger Factor in
Listeria monocytogenes
Is Involved in Stress Tolerance and Bacterial Virulence
Authors: Bigot Armelle , Botton Eleonore , Dubail Iharilalao , Charbit Alain
Published: October 2006

Molecular chaperones play an essential role in the folding of nascent chain polypeptides, as well as in the refolding and degradation of misfolded or aggregated proteins. They also assist in protein translocation and participate in stress functions. We identified a gene, designated
tig
, encoding a protein homologous to trigger factor (TF), a cytosolic ribosome-associated chaperone, in the genome of
Listeria monocytogenes
. We constructed a chromosomal Δ
tig
deletion and evaluated the impact of the mutation on bacterial growth in broth under various stress conditions and on pathogenesis. The Δ
tig
deletion did not affect cell viability but impaired survival in the presence of heat and ethanol stresses. We also identified the
ffh
gene, encoding a protein homologous to the SRP54 eukaryotic component of the signal recognition particle. However, a Δ
ffh
deletion was not tolerated, suggesting that Ffh is essential, as it is in
Bacillus subtilis
and
Escherichia coli
. Thus, although dispensable for growth, TF is involved in the stress response of
L. monocytogenes
. The Δ
tig
mutant showed no or very modest intracellular survival defects in eukaryotic cells. However, in vivo it showed a reduced capacity to persist in the spleens and livers of infected mice, revealing that TF has a role in the pathogenicity of
L. monocytogenes
.