bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials of colorectal surgery with or without mechanical bowel preparation
Authors: Slim K , Vicaut E , Panis Y , Chipponi J
Published: August 2004

Background

Mechanical bowel preparation is used routinely before colorectal surgery, but some randomized clinical trials have suggested that it is of no benefit. This study assesses whether such bowel preparation may safely be omitted before elective colorectal surgery.

Methods

A search of the literature was performed; the inclusion criteria were randomized clinical trials comparing bowel preparation with no preparation in colorectal surgery. The methodological quality of included trials was assessed. The primary outcome was anastomotic leakage; secondary outcomes were other septic complications. The meta-analysis was conducted using the Peto one-step method.

Results

Eleven trials were retrieved, of which seven, containing 1454 patients, were included in the meta-analysis. There was no heterogeneity between the trials. Significantly more anastomotic leakage was found after mechanical bowel preparation (5·6 versus 3·2 per cent; odds ratio 1·75 (95 per cent confidence interval 1·05 to 2·90); P = 0·032). All other endpoints (wound infection, other septic complications and non-septic complications) also favoured the no-preparation regimen, but the differences were not statistically significant. Sensitivity analysis showed that these results were similar when trials of poor quality were excluded. Subgroup analysis showed that anastomotic leakage was significantly greater after bowel preparation with polyethylene glycol (PEG) compared with no preparation, but not after other types of preparation.

Conclusion

There is good evidence to suggest that mechanical bowel preparation using PEG should be omitted before elective colorectal surgery. Other bowel preparations should be evaluated by further large randomized trials.
Prospective analysis of convalescence and early pain after uncomplicated laparoscopic fundoplication
Authors: Bisgaard T , Støckel M , Klarskov B , Kehlet H , Rosenberg J
Published: August 2004

Background

The aim of this study was to define factors that limit a short period of convalescence and to characterize the pain experienced after laparoscopic fundoplication.

Methods

This prospective study included 60 consecutive patients who underwent uncomplicated laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Patients were recommended to convalesce for 2 days after operation. Duration of convalescence, dysphagia, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and different pain components were registered daily during the first week and on days 10 and 30 after fundoplication.

Results

Thirty-nine patients took a median of 13 (range 3–41) days off work and 60 stayed away from recreational activity for a median of 4 (range 1–22) days. Pain, fatigue and plans made before operation were the main contributors to prolonged convalescence. Some 30–40 per cent of the patients reported moderate or severe dysphagia during the study period. Fatigue scores were significantly increased for 6 days after surgery (P < 0 · 001). Visceral pain dominated over incisional and shoulder pain throughout the study. At day 30, 17 per cent of the patients reported moderate or severe visceral pain.

Conclusion

Pain and dysphagia are significant problems after uncomplicated total laparoscopic fundoplication. The time taken off work and away from recreational activity exceeded the recommended 2 days of convalescence, justifying further efforts to optimize early clinical outcome after total laparoscopic fundoplication.
Surgical validation of unenhanced helical computed tomography in acute appendicitis
Authors: in't Hof K H , van Lankeren W , Krestin G P , Bonjer H J , Lange J F , Becking W B , Kazemier G
Published: August 2004

Background

Surgery for pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen remains a clinical dilemma. This prospective study assessed the accuracy of preoperative unenhanced helical computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of patients with suspected acute appendicitis.

Methods

One hundred and three adult patients with suspected acute appendicitis underwent unenhanced helical CT of the abdomen. Subsequently, all patients underwent laparoscopic inspection of the abdominal cavity by a surgeon who was blinded to the diagnosis suggested by CT. Patients underwent appropriate surgical therapy accordingly. Follow-up was at least 6 weeks.

Results

Appendicitis was diagnosed by CT in 83 patients (80·6 per cent). Acute appendicitis was identified during laparoscopy in 87 patients (84·5 per cent). Prospective interpretation of CT images yielded a sensitivity of 95·4 per cent and a specificity of 100 per cent for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. There were four false-negative scans. In 12 of 20 patients without signs of appendicitis on CT, the scan established the presence of other pathology. At operation no additional pathology was observed in this group and all other diagnoses proved to be correct.

Conclusion

Plain helical CT in patients with suspected acute appendicitis provides an accurate diagnosis without the disadvantages of contrast enhancement.
Polarity Effects on the Photophysics of Dendrimers with an Oligophenylenevinylene Core and Peripheral Fullerene Units
Authors: Gutierrez‐Nava Manuel , Accorsi Gianluca , Masson Patrick , Armaroli Nicola , Nierengarten Jean‐François
Published: August 2004

Highly soluble dendritic branches with fullerene subunits at the periphery and a carboxylic acid function at the focal point have been prepared by a convergent approach. They have been attached to an oligophenylenevinylene (OPV) core bearing two alcohol functions to yield dendrimers with two, four or eight peripheral C60 groups. Their photophysical properties have been systematically investigated in solvents of increasing polarity; that is, toluene, dichloromethane, and benzonitrile. Ultrafast OPV→C60 singlet energy transfer takes place for the whole series of dendrimers, whatever the solvent. Electron transfer from the fullerene singlet is thermodynamically allowed in CH2Cl2 and benzonitrile, but not in apolar toluene. For a given solvent, the extent of electron transfer, signaled by the quenching of the fullerene fluorescence, is not the same along the series, despite the fact that identical electron transfer partners are present. By increasing the dendrimer size, electron transfer is progressively more difficult due to isolation of the central OPV core by the dendritic branches, which hampers solvent induced stabilization of charge separated couples. Compact structures of the hydrophobic dendrimers are favored in solvents of higher polarity. These structural effects are also able to rationalize the unexpected trends in singlet oxygen sensitization yields.
Influence of DNA Structure on the Reactivity of the Guanine Radical Cation
Authors: Gervasio Francesco Luigi , Laio Alessandro , Iannuzzi Marcella , Parrinello Michele
Published: August 2004

Oxidative damage of DNA via radical cation formation is a common cause of mutagenesis, cancer and of the physiological changes associated with aging. By using state‐of‐the‐art ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, we study the mechanism that guides the first steps of this process. In the mechanism proposed here, guanine, which among the bases has the lowest oxidation potential, and the phosphate backbone play a crucial role. We found that the rate limiting step is the water protolysis. We illuminate the role of the local environment in considerably lowering the barrier. Of particular relevance in this respect is the role of the phosphate backbone.
Retention of Configuration in the Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions of Some Nine‐Membered Ansa Derivatives of Cyclotriphosphazatriene
Authors: Beşli Serap , Coles Simon J. , Davies David B. , Hursthouse Michael B. , İbişoǧlu Hanife , Kılıç Adem , Shaw Robert A.
Published: August 2004

X‐ray crystallographic evidence shows that nucleophilic substitution reactions of two different types of cyclophosphazene derivatives with relatively rigid nine‐membered ansa rings leads to the first demonstration of retention of configuration in these molecular systems.
Nanoscopic Fibrous Assemblies Made of Metallophthalocyanine‐Terminated Amphiphilic Polymers
Authors: Kimura Mutsumi , Ueki Hiroyuki , Ohta Kazuchika , Hanabusa Kenji , Shirai Hirofusa , Kobayashi Nagao
Published: August 2004

Atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of acrylates from the initiator‐modified zinc phthalocyanine yielded amphiphilic, phthalocyanine‐terminated polymers with a narrow molecular‐weight distribution. The disklike phthalocyanine moiety was incorporated into one end of the polymer chain. We investigated the aggregation behavior of phthalocyanine‐terminated polymers in solution and in the solid state by using UV‐visible, FT‐IR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and temperature‐controlled powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Amphiphilic phthalocaynine‐terminated polymers that possess a poly[tri(ethylene glycol)methyl ether acrylate] chain aggregate in methanol to form a physical gel. Images from atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicate that the physical gel contains a dense fibrous network structure, in which the zinc phthalocyanine groups were stacked into one‐dimensional columnar aggregates through intermolecular π–π interactions between the π‐conjugated phthalocyanines and through van der Waals interaction of alkyl chains.
The Efficient Synthesis of Morphinandienone Alkaloids by Using a Combination of Hypervalent Iodine(III) Reagent and Heteropoly Acid
Authors: Hamamoto Hiromi , Shiozaki Yukiko , Nambu Hisanori , Hata Kayoko , Tohma Hirofumi , Kita Yasuyuki
Published: August 2004

The non‐phenolic coupling reaction of benzyltetrahydroisoquinolines (laudanosine derivatives) by using a hypervalent iodine(III) reagent is described. In general, chemical oxidation of laudanosine gives glaucine. In contrast to general chemical oxidizing reagent systems, the novel use of reagent combination of phenyliodine bis(trifluoroacetate) (PIFA), and heteropoly acid (HPA) afforded morphinandienone alkaloids in excellent yields. In order to achieve the coupling reaction with simple reaction procedure, the use of HPA supported on silica gel instead of HPA was demonstrated and sufficient yield was exerted again. The present reagent system, PIFA/HPA, was also applied to the oxidation of other non‐phenolic benzyltetrahydroisoquinolines and the high yield conversion to morphinandienones was accomplished.
Final Elucidation of the Absolute Configuration of the Signal Metabolite Hormaomycin
Authors: Zlatopolskiy Boris D. , Loscha Karin , Alvermann Petra , Kozhushkov Sergei I. , Nikolaev Sergej V. , Zeeck Axel , de Meijere Armin
Published: August 2004

The complete absolute configuration of hormaomycin 1 a has been established by HPLC and HPLC/MS experiments with appropriately derivatized 4‐propylprolines, (2S,4S)‐6 and (2R,4R)‐6, as well as 4‐(Z)‐propenylprolines, cis‐5 and trans‐5, and also feeding experiments with enantiomerically pure samples of the deuterium‐labeled 3‐(2′‐nitrocyclopropyl)alanine, (2S)‐3,3‐[D2]15 and (2S)‐2,2′‐[D2]15, and 4‐(Z)‐propenylproline 2′,4‐[D2]‐(2S,4R)‐5. The latter five amino acids were prepared for the first time and allowed one to unequivocally assign the hitherto unknown absolute configurations of the last four stereocenters in hormaomycin 1 a. As a bonus, some new information about the biosynthesis of this molecule has also been gathered.
Nucleophilic De‐coordination and Electrophilic Regeneration of “Hemilabile” Pincer‐Type Complexes: Formation of Anionic Dialkyl, Diaryl, and Dihydride PtII Complexes Bearing No Stabilizing π‐Acceptors
Authors: Poverenov Elena , Gandelman Mark , Shimon Linda J. W. , Rozenberg Haim , Ben‐David Yehoshoa , Milstein David
Published: August 2004

Novel anionic dialkyl, diaryl, and dihydride platinum(II) complexes based on the new “long‐arm” hemilabile PCN‐type ligand C6H4[CH2P(tBu)2](CH2)2N(CH3)2 with the general formula Li+[Pt(PCN)(R)2]− (R=Me (4), Ph (6) and H (9)) were prepared by reaction of [Pt(PCN)(R)] complexes (obtained from the corresponding chlorides) with an equivalent of RLi, as a result of the opening of the chelate ring. Alkylating agents based on other metals produce less stable products. These anionic d8 complexes are thermally stable although they bear no stabilizing π acceptors. They were characterized by 1H, 31P{1H}, 13C, and 7Li NMR spectroscopy; complex 9 was also characterized by single crystal X‐ray crystallography, showing that the Li + ion is coordinated to the nitrogen atom of the open amine arm and to the hydride ligand (trans to the P atom) of a neighboring molecule (HLi=2.15 Å), resulting in a dimeric structure. Complexes 4 and 9 exhibit high nucleophilic reactivity, upon which the pincer complex is regenerated. Reaction of 4 with water, methyl iodide, and iodobenzene resulted in the neutral complex [Pt(PCN)(CH3)] (3) and methane, ethane, or toluene, respectively. Labeling studies indicate that the reaction proceeds by direct electrophilic attack on the metal center, rather than attack on the alkyl ligand. The anionic dihydride complex 9 reacted with water and methyl iodide to yield [Pt(PCN)(H)] (8) and H2 or methane, respectively.
Enhancing Electrophilic Alkene Activation by Increasing the Positive Net Charge in Transition‐Metal Complexes and Application in Homogeneous Catalysis
Authors: Hahn Christine
Published: August 2004

Among a large variety of fine‐tuning parameters for homogeneous catalysts the net charge of transition‐metal complexes appear to be an interesting factor that considerably affects activation of substrates and catalytic activity in general. The electrophilicity of coordinated alkenes in transition‐metal complexes can be strongly enhanced by increasing the positive net charge, resulting in strong carbocationic properties. Theoretical and experimental studies have shown that the alkene in cationic complexes is kinetically and thermodynamically more activated towards nucleophilic addition than in neutral complexes. The concept of increasing the positive complex charge is thought to be useful for the development of new catalysts for reactions in which alkenes or other unsaturated substrates are involved.
Colitis in patients with breast carcinoma treated with taxane‐based chemotherapy
Authors: Li Zhiyong , Ibrahim Nuhad K. , Wathen Jay K. , Wang Michael , Mante Menchu Rosario P. , Valero Vicente , Theriault Richard , Buzdar Aman U. , Hortobagyi Gabriel N.
Published: August 2004

BACKGROUND

Colitis is a rare but serious gastrointestinal complication associated with taxane‐based chemotherapy in patients with cancer. The incidence, clinical presentation, and outcome of colitis in patients with breast carcinoma treated with taxane‐based chemotherapy is not known.

METHODS

The authors searched their electronic database and identified patients with breast carcinoma who were treated with taxane‐based chemotherapy between January 1997 and December 1999. Patients diagnosed with colitis were identified and their presentation and clinical outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

During the study period, 1350 patients received taxane‐based chemotherapy. Sixty‐four patients were admitted to The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX) (73 admissions) for gastrointestinal complications. Neutropenia and/or fever accounted for 56 of these admissions. Fourteen patients (16 admissions) were diagnosed with colitis. All had abdominal pain at median Day 6 of their chemotherapy cycle (range, 3–8 days), with or without other symptoms. Computed tomography scans of the abdomen and pelvis were abnormal for the 10 patients tested, whereas only 3 of the 9 patients who underwent radiographic abdominal series had abnormal findings. Two patients had a colonoscopy that confirmed the diagnosis of colitis. Blood cultures were positive in only 3 (20%) of 15 colitis events. All eight patients tested for Clostridium difficile toxin were negative. One patient died of sepsis. An autopsy subsequently revealed cecal ulceration. Two patients had bowel perforations requiring hemicolectomy. Colitis recurred in two patients after they resumed taxane‐based chemotherapy without dose reduction. Dose reductions prevented the recurrence of colitis in seven patients. Treatment discontinuation of taxane‐based chemotherapy also prevented disease recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute abdominal pain in patients with breast carcinoma treated with taxane‐based chemotherapy signaled a potentially fatal colitis, and warrants aggressive supportive care. Dose reduction or discontinuation of taxane‐based chemotherapy may prevent the recurrence of colitis. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Intensity‐modulated radiotherapy for early‐stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Kwong Dora L. W. , Pow Edmond H. N. , Sham Jonathan S. T. , McMillan Anne S. , Leung Lucullus H. T. , Leung W. Keung , Chua Daniel T. T. , Cheng Ashley C. K. , Wu Po M. , Au Gordon K. H.
Published: August 2004

BACKGROUND

Xerostomia is a uniform complication after radiotherapy (RT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Dosimetric studies suggested that intensity‐modulated RT (IMRT) can spare part of the parotid glands from high‐dose radiation. Disease control and salivary function after IMRT for early‐stage NPC was studied prospectively.

METHODS

Thirty‐three patients with T1,N0–N1,M0 NPC were treated with IMRT from 2000 to 2002. The prescribed dose was 68–70 grays (Gy) in 34 fractions to gross tumor volume, 64–68 Gy to the planning target volume, and 70 Gy to enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Nineteen patients had stimulated whole salivary (SWS) flow assessment and stimulated parotid salivary (SPS) flow assessment at baseline and at 2 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months after the completion of IMRT.

RESULTS

At a median follow‐up of 2 years, only 1 neck failure was observed. The 2‐year and 3‐year local control, distant metastases‐free, and overall survival rates all were 100%. The lymph node control and progression‐free survival rates were 100% at 2 years and 92.3% at 3 years, respectively. The average mean dose to the parotid gland was 38.8 Gy. The SWS and SPS flow showed continuous recovery: 60% and 47.1% of patients recovered at least 25% of their baseline SPS flow and SWS flow, respectively, at 1 year after completion of IMRT, and the proportions rose to 85.7% and 71.4%, respectively, by 2 years. The pH and buffering capacity of saliva also improved with time.

CONCLUSIONS

Parotid‐sparing IMRT achieved good locoregional control, and there was continuous recovery of salivary flow, pH, and buffering capacity in the first 2 years after IMRT in patients with NPC. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Localization of neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) immunoreactivity in rat esophagus
Authors: Kuramoto Hirofumi , Oomori Yukio , Murabayashi Hiroshi , Kadowaki Makoto , Karaki Shin‐Ichiro , Kuwahara Atsukazu
Published: August 2004

The aim of the present immunohistochemical study was to investigate the localization of neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) in rat esophagus and examine the relationship between NK1Rs and intrinsic cholinergic, nitrergic, or substance P (SP) neurons. NK1R immunoreactivity (IR) was observed on the nerve cell bodies in the myenteric ganglia throughout the esophagus, but not on striated muscles and smooth muscle cells of the muscularis mucosae. The frequency of occurrence of NK1R neurons was highest in the cervical esophagus and lowest in the lower thoracic esophagus. Considerable immunoreactivity was seen on the nerve cell surfaces and was also present in the cytoplasm of cell somas and in the initial part of the axons, but not in any other nerve fibers or terminals. Dogiel type I‐like morphology was observed in some of the NK1R neurons; however, the majority exhibited polymorphic morphology. Double immunolabeling indicated that a majority (77%) of the NK1R neurons were immunoreactive for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), while a minority (23%) were immunoreactive for nitric oxide synthase (NOS)‐IR. Most of the NK1R neurons (92%) were innervated by the SP nerve fibers. Triple immunolabeling indicated that 70% of the NK1R neurons were associated with intrinsic SP nerve fibers (without CGRP‐IR), 59% were associated with extrinsic SP nerve fibers (with CGRP‐IR), and 35% were associated with both intrinsic and extrinsic SP nerve fibers. These results suggest that SP/tachykinin released from the SP nerve fibers of intrinsic and/or extrinsic origin activates the predominantly intrinsic cholinergic neurons via NK1Rs to influence neuronal transmission or motility in rat esophagus. J. Comp. Neurol. 478:11–21, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Branched‐chain amino acids and neurotransmitter metabolism: Expression of cytosolic branched‐chain aminotransferase (BCATc) in the cerebellum and hippocampus
Authors: Sweatt Andrew J. , Garcia‐Espinosa Maria A. , Wallin Reidar , Hutson Susan M.
Published: August 2004

In the brain, catabolism of the branched‐chain amino acids (BCAAs) provides nitrogen for the synthesis of glutamate and glutamine. Glutamate is formed through transfer of an amino group from BCAA to α‐ketoglutarate in reaction catalyzed by branched‐chain aminotransferases (BCAT). There are two isozymes of BCAT: cytosolic BCATc, which is found in the nervous system, ovary, and placenta, and mitochondrial BCATm, which is found in all organs except rat liver. In cell culture systems, BCATc is found only in neurons and developing oligodendrocytes, whereas BCATm is the isoform in astroglia. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry to examine the distribution of BCATc in the rat brain, focusing on the well‐known neural architecture of the cerebellum and hippocampus. We show that BCATc is expressed only in neurons in the adult rat brain. In glutamatergic neurons such as granule cells of the cerebellar cortex and of the dentate gyrus, BCATc is localized to axons and nerve terminals. In contrast, in GABAergic neurons such as cerebellar Purkinje cells and hippocampal pyramidal basket cells, BCATc is concentrated in cell bodies. A common function for BCATc in these neurotransmitter systems may be to modulate amounts of glutamate available either for release as neurotransmitter or for use as precursor for synthesis of GABA. Particularly striking in our findings is the strong expression of BCATc in the mossy fiber pathway of the hippocampal formation. This result is discussed in light of the effectiveness of the anticonvulsant drug gabapentin, which is a specific inhibitor of BCATc. J. Comp. Neurol. 477:360–370, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential distribution of olfactory receptor neurons in goldfish: Structural and molecular correlates
Authors: Hansen Anne , Anderson Karl T. , Finger Thomas E.
Published: August 2004

The olfactory system of many terrestrial vertebrates comprises a main olfactory organ and a vomeronasal organ each containing a morphologically distinct type of olfactory receptor neuron (ORN). The two cell types also differ in the expression of G‐proteins and odorant receptor molecules. Fish do not have a vomeronasal organ, and their olfactory neurons—three different morphological types—are contained in one epithelium. The olfactory organ of goldfish appears as a rosette, with the sensory epithelium lying along the proximal portion of each lamella, where it attaches to the midline raphe. Using immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, and electron microscopy, we tested whether a correlation exists between receptor cell morphology, distribution of cell type within the sensory epithelium, and expression of odorant receptors and G‐proteins. A strong correlation exists between ORN morphology, type of odorant receptor and G‐protein expressed and the distribution of sensory cells within the olfactory epithelium. The Buck and Axel type of odorant receptor and Gαolf are expressed in tall ciliated ORNs distributed homogenously across the entire sensory epithelium. In contrast, microvillous ORNs expressing V2R‐like receptors, and Gαo, Gαq, or Gαi‐3, and crypt type ORNs expressing Gαo and Gαq, are preferentially located along the dorsal margin of the epithelium and near the midline raphe. V2R‐ and OR‐type receptor molecules do not colocalize in one cell, and only crypt‐type ORNs express more than one G‐protein. J. Comp. Neurol. 477:347–359, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vesicular glutamate transporter 3 expression identifies glutamatergic amacrine cells in the rodent retina
Authors: Johnson Juliette , Sherry David M. , Liu Xiaorong , Fremeau Robert T. , Seal Rebecca P. , Edwards Robert H. , Copenhagen David R.
Published: August 2004

Synaptic transmission from glutamatergic neurons requires vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) to concentrate cytosolic glutamate in synaptic vesicles. In retina, glutamatergic photoreceptors and bipolar cells exclusively express the VGLUT1 isoform, whereas ganglion cells express VGLUT2. Surprisingly, the recently identified VGLUT3 isoform was found in presumed amacrine cells, generally considered to be inhibitory interneurons. To investigate the synaptic machinery and conceivable secondary neurotransmitter composition of VGLUT3 cells, and to determine a potential functional role, we further investigated these putative glutamatergic amacrine cells in adult and developing rodent retina. Reverse transcriptase‐PCR substantiated VGLUT3 expression in mouse retina. VGLUT3 cells did not immunostain for ganglion or bipolar cell markers, providing evidence that they are amacrine cells. VGLUT3 colocalized with synaptic vesicle markers, and electron microscopy showed that VGLUT3 immunostained synaptic vesicles. VGLUT3 cells were not immunoreactive for amacrine cell markers γ‐aminobutyric acid, choline acetyltransferase, calretinin, or tyrosine hydroxylase, although they immunostain for glycine. VGLUT3 processes made synaptic contact with ganglion cell dendrites, suggesting input onto these cells. VGLUT3 immunostaining was closely associated with the metabotropic glutamate receptor 4, which is consistent with glutamatergic synaptic exocytosis by these cells. In the maturing mouse retina, Western blots showed VGLUT3 expression at postnatal day 7/8 (P7/8). VGLUT3 immunostaining in retinal sections was first observed at P8, achieving an adult pattern at P12. Thus, VGLUT3 function commences around the same time as VGLUT1‐mediated glutamatergic transmission from bipolar cells. Furthermore, a subset of VGLUT3 cells expressed the circadian clock gene period 1, implicating VGLUT3 cells as part of the light‐entrainable retina‐based circadian system. J. Comp. Neurol. 477:386–398, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphology and axonal projection pattern of neurons in the telencephalon of the fire‐bellied toad Bombina orientalis: An anterograde, retrograde, and intracellular biocytin labeling study
Authors: Roth Gerhard , Mühlenbrock‐Lenter Sabine , Grunwald Wolfgang , Laberge Frédéric
Published: August 2004

The connectivity and cytoarchitecture of telencephalic centers except dorsal and medial pallium were studied in the fire‐bellied toad Bombina orientalis by anterograde and retrograde biocytin labeling and intracellular biocytin injection (total of 148 intracellularly labeled neurons or neuron clusters). Our findings suggest the following telencephalic divisions: (1) a central amygdala–bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in the caudal midventral telencephalon, connected to visceral–autonomic centers; (2) a vomeronasal amygdala in the caudolateral ventral telencephalon receiving input from the accessory olfactory bulb and projecting mainly to the preoptic region/hypothalamus; (3) an olfactory amygdala in the caudal pole of the telencephalon lateral to the vomeronasal amygdala receiving input from the main olfactory bulb and projecting to the hypothalamus; (4) a medial amygdala receiving input from the anterior dorsal thalamus and projecting to the medial pallium, septum, and hypothalamus; (5) a ventromedial column formed by a nucleus accumbens and a ventral pallidum projecting to the central amygdala, hypothalamus, and posterior tubercle; (6) a lateral column constituting the dorsal striatum proper rostrally and the dorsal pallidum caudally, and a ventrolateral column constituting the ventral striatum. We conclude that the caudal mediolateral complex consisting of the extended central, vomeronasal, and olfactory amygdala of anurans represents the ancestral condition of the amygdaloid complex. During the evolution of the mammalian telencephalon this complex was shifted medially and involuted. The mammalian basolateral amygdala apparently is an evolutionary new structure, but the medial portion of the amygdalar complex of anurans reveals similarities in input and output with this structure and may serve similar functions. J. Comp. Neurol. 478:35–61, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diversity of glycine receptors in the mouse retina: Localization of the α2 subunit
Authors: Haverkamp Silke , Müller Ulrike , Zeilhofer Hanns U. , Harvey Robert J. , Wässle Heinz
Published: August 2004

γ‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine are the major inhibitory neurotransmitters in the retina, glycine being produced in approximately half of all amacrine cells. Whereas retinal cell types expressing the glycine receptor (GlyR) α1 and α3 subunits have been mapped, the role of the α2 subunit in retinal circuitry remains unclear. By using immunocytochemistry, we localized the α2 subunit in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) in brightly fluorescent puncta, which represent postsynaptically clustered GlyRs. This was shown by doubly labeling sections for GlyR α2 and bassoon (a presynaptic marker) or gephyrin (a postsynaptic marker). Synapses containing GlyR α2 were rarely found on ganglion cell dendrites but were observed on bipolar cell axon terminals and on amacrine cell processes. Recently, an amacrine cell type has been described that is immunopositive for glycine and for the vesicular glutamate transporter vGluT3. The processes of this cell type were presynaptic to GlyR α2 puncta, suggesting that vGluT3 amacrine cells release glycine. Double labeling of sections for GlyR α1 and GlyR α2 subunits showed that they are clustered at different synapses. In sections doubly labeled for GlyR α2 and GlyR α3, approximately one‐third of the puncta were colocalized. The most abundant GlyR subtype in retina contains α3 subunits, followed by those containing GlyR α2 and GlyR α1 subunits. J. Comp. Neurol. 477:399–411, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Eigensolution of symmetric frames using graph factorization
Authors: Kaveh A. , Salimbahrami B.
Published: August 2004

In this paper, decomposition of matrices of special patterns to submatrices of smaller dimensions is briefly described. The graph models of frame structures with different symmetries are decomposed and appropriate processes are designed for their healing in order to form the corresponding factors. The eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the entire structure are then obtained by evaluating those of its factors. The methods developed in this article, simplifies the calculation of the natural frequencies and natural modes of the planar frames with different types of symmetry. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of well performance using the coupling of boundary element with finite element methods
Authors: Jeannin L. , Moumas V.
Published: August 2004

In this paper, we apply an FEM–BEM coupling method in petroleum engineering to evaluate complex wells (or fractures) performance. We use boundary element methods around wells and fractures, and finite elements in the remaining part of the reservoir. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sicherheitskonzept für Brücken aus Granitsteinbalken
Authors: Curbach Manfred , Proske Dirk , Günther Lutz
Published: August 2004

In dem vorliegenden Artikel wird die Entwicklung von charakteristischen Biegezugfestigkeiten und Teilsicherheitsfaktoren für Tragfähigkeitsnachweise von unverstärkten Granitsteindeckerbrücken im Rahmen des neuen Normenkonzeptes mit Teilsicherheitsfaktoren behandelt. Dazu wurden zwanzig Biegeversuche an Granitsteindeckern durchgeführt und statistisch ausgewertet. Zusätzlich wurden die Granitsteindecker auf Störungen im Gefüge geprüft. Für diese Prüfung wurden Ultraschallverfahren und Radarverfahren verwendet, und es wurden Bohrkerne entnommen. Abschließend wurde untersucht, ob die Granitsteindecker mit geschlitzten CFK‐Lamellen verstärkt werden können. Auch dazu wurden Biegeversuche durchgeführt. Es wurde ein Konzept für die Verstärkung in Anlehnung an den Einbau von geschlitzten CFK‐Lamellen in Beton entwickelt.
Funktionale Steingewölbe während des 18. und frühen 19. Jahrhunderts
Authors: Bode Udo F. W.
Published: August 2004

Behandelt werden die für das 18. und frühe 19. Jahrhundert bestimmenden Gewölbedefinitionen und die Gewölbeanwendung insbesondere für den baulichen Brandschutz. In einer sich anschließenden Betrachtung werden die Tonnen‐ und Kreuzgewölbe als die gebräuchlichen Gewölbeformen vor Einführung in ihrer Funktion und Konstruktion optimierter Gewölbe angeführt. Das Gurt‐ und Kappengewölbe ist das in Brandenburg und die östlichen Provinzen Preußens seit ca. 1750 vorzufindende optimierte Gewölbe. Es wird in seiner Anordnung und seiner Konstruktion unter Einbeziehung historischer Zeichnungen erläutert. Daran schließt sich die Böhmische Kappe mit einer Beschreibung der Konstruktion unter Verwendung historischer Zeichnungen an. Die Böhmische Kappe wurde als optimierte Gewölbekonstruktion bis in das frühe 19. Jahrhundert in Süddeutschland und im Einflußgebiet der Habsburger ausgeführt, ehe es dann im gesamten Reich bekannt wurde.
Weiße Luft
Authors: Sill Henning
Published: August 2004

Porenbetonsteine bestehen bis zu 80 % aus Luft und nur zu 20 % aus Feststoffen. Bereits 1924 kombinierte der schwedische Architekt Axel Eriksson die Prozesse der Porenbildung und der Dampfhärtung und schuf somit die Grundlage für den modernen Porenbeton. Die massiven Vollsteine lassen sich leicht und schnell verarbeiten, sie besitzen einen hohen Wärmedämmwert und sie sind ökologisch unbedenklich. Trotzdem wird dieser Baustoff in der Praxis nicht immer fachgerecht verarbeitet.
Evaluation of keyrates in unconditionally secure quantum key distribution taking account of the afterpulse effect of single‐photon detectors
Authors: Kaji Ryosaku , Yoshizawa Akio , Tsuchida Hidemi
Published: August 2004

In order to clarify how the generation of afterpulses in single‐photon detectors based on InGaAs avalanche photodiodes affects quantum key distribution based on the BB84 protocol, we have evaluated the dependence of the final keyrate on the detector clock frequency synchronized between the sender and the receiver, the mean photon number of the incident light pulse from the sender, and the propagation distance between the sender and the receiver. In calculating the quantum bit error rate (QBER), we used measured values for the dark‐count probability and the afterpulse probability. In calculating the keyrate per pulse, we used the conditions described by Lütkenhaus for unconditionally secure quantum key distribution. The results of our analysis reveal that the maximum value of the keyrate when considering the effect of the afterpulses was decreased by about a factor of 1/2 from its value when neglecting the effect of afterpulses. It is also found that there exist optimal operating conditions (mean photon number and clock frequency) for maximizing the keyrate, and that in order to determine these conditions it is essential to take into account the effect of afterpulses. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 87(9): 38–45, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20059
Characterization of contact resistance between electrode and TaNx thin‐film resistor prepared by reactive sputtering
Authors: Obata Motoki , Sakuda Teruyuki , Hayashibe Rinpei , Kamimura Kiichi
Published: August 2004

The design of thin‐film resistors is an important element in forming the circuits of high‐precision thin‐film submount substrates. In this paper, we studied the effect of the contact resistance of the electrode on the precision of a tantalum nitride (TaNx) thin‐film resistor formed by reactive sputtering. By changing the length of the resistor while maintaining a constant electrode shape, we independently evaluated the resistance of the electrode and the resistance of the resistor itself. We used the Transmission Line Model (TLM) to determine the specific contact resistivity between the TaNx thin film and the electrode and the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), and studied the relationship to the deposition conditions of the TaNx thin film. The resistance of the electrode had about 1/10 of the sheet resistance of the resistor and must be considered during design when fabricating a high‐precision thin‐film resistor. The specific contact resistivity depended on the concentration of nitrogen in the TaNx thin film and was on the order of 108 Ωm2. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 87(9): 30–37, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20062
A visual neural network for moving object recognition
Authors: Sato Noriaki , Hagiwara Masafumi
Published: August 2004

This paper proposes a neural network for moving object recognition based on the visual system. The proposed network has a structure focusing on the parallel hierarchy of visual information processing and can recognize moving objects. The network is composed of a movement detection module, a moving object estimation module, and a moving object recognition module. The movement detection module uses a neural network which is a model of the motion recognition aspect of vision and recognizes motion. The moving object estimation module uses a hierarchical neural network with the backpropagation (BP) algorithm, and infers moving objects based on the features of the motion. The moving object recognition module uses a multiple‐structured neural network which is obtained by improvement of the inhibition mechanism and recognizes moving objects on the basis of shape features. The information is transmitted from the movement detection module to the moving object recognition module through the moving object estimation module. With this mechanism, the motion recognition and pattern recognition processes are integrated, and moving objects can be recognized. A computer simulation is performed on the recognition of a walking human, and the effectiveness of the proposed network is demonstrated. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 87(9): 46–55, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20115
Terminal voltage and output power control of induction generator by series and parallel compensation using SMES
Authors: Senjyu Tomonobu , Kinjo Tatsuto , Uezato Katsumi , Fujita Hideki
Published: August 2004

In recent years, the generation of power from renewable energy sources has been increasing. In particular, wind turbine generators (WTGs) are attractive because of advantages such as absence of pollution, zero fuel cost, and abundant availability. However, the generated power and the bus voltage are always fluctuating, mainly depending on wind speed. Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) units are capable of controlling both the active and reactive power simultaneously and quickly.

In this paper, control systems for simultaneous active/reactive power control and voltage control of series and parallel compensators using SMES is proposed. It is shown through simulations that control sequence of charging and discharging of the SMES coil effectively damps tie‐line power oscillations and WTG terminal bus voltage fluctuations. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 149(3): 15–23, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20042
Cover Picture: Self‐Assembly of Stereoselective, Mononuclear, Triple‐Stranded Helicate Complexes ML3 with Trivalent Scandium and Lanthanide Metal Ions − Quantitative Transmetallation of the Lanthanide(III) Ion by Sodium(I) Ions (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 17/2004)
Authors: Capó Magdalena , Gonzalez José , Adams Harry
Published: August 2004

The cover picture shows a stereoselective mononuclear triple‐stranded helicate complex. Three chiral binaphthol N‐oxide derivative ligands are coordinated to a trivalent ytterbium metal atom. This very stable and symmetrical structure was obtained by spontaneous self‐assembly. NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography were used for unambiguous characterisation. In the picture, the greenish sphere indicates the ytterbium atom and the larger spheres indicate the oxygen atoms. All those ligands, depicted in different shades to highlight the helical effect, are identical. Details are discussed in the article by M. Capó et al. on p. 3405 ff.
Elementary processes of soil–water interaction and thresholds in soil surface dynamics: a review
Authors: Greene Richard S. B. , Hairsine Peter B.
Published: August 2004

Elementary processes of soil–water interaction and the thresholds to these processes are important to understand as they control a range of phenomena that occur at the soil surface. In particular processes involved with wetting by rainfall that lead to particle breakdown are critical. This breakdown causes soil detachment and crust formation, which are both key elements in erosion.

This paper reviews the range of approaches that have been taken in describing the processes associated with the wetting of a soil surface by rainfall. It assembles the studies that emphasize soil physics, soil chemistry, and erosion mechanics in a framework to enable a balanced consideration of important processes and management strategies to control erosion for a particular situation. In particular it discusses the factors associated with the two basic processes of soil structural breakdown, i.e. slaking and dispersion, and how these processes are critical in particle detachment, transport and surface crust formation. Besides the balance between the exchangeable cation composition and electrolyte concentration (measured as the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and total cation concentration (TCC) respectively) of the soil, the importance of energy input and soil organic matter content in controlling clay dispersion is emphasized.

Based on the balance between these factors, the soil can be in one of three different regions, i.e. a dispersed region, a ﬂocculated region and one where the resilience of the soil is variable. The implications of each of these regions to soil erosion management are brieﬂy outlined, as are the critical roles that soil cover levels and organic matter have in controlling erosion. Finally, the relationship between various laboratory measures of aggregate stability, and corresponding ﬁeld erosion characteristics, is discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A framework relating soil surface condition to infiltration and sediment and nutrient mobilization in grazed rangelands of northeastern Queensland, Australia
Authors: Roth Christian H.
Published: August 2004

The effect of grazing‐induced variation in soil surface condition on inﬁltration and runoff composition was studied at the small patch scale using a rainfall simulator. A range of sites was selected to represent soil surface conditions typical of the more widely distributed rangeland soils in northeastern Queensland. A simple soil surface condition classiﬁcation scheme relates ground cover and a few easily recognizable surface features to mean inﬁltration, sediment and nutrient concentration data. Earthworm activity was identiﬁed as being a signiﬁcant factor in recovery of soil hydrological function. A broader framework is proposed that encapsulates past, current and future trends in soil surface condition in relation to landscape hydrological response and that provides a basis for future research. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Management of soil surface characteristics for soil and water conservation: the case of a silty loam region (Pays de Caux, France)
Authors: Martin P. , Joannon A. , Souchère V. , Papy F.
Published: August 2004

This paper explores, from an agronomic viewpoint, the way soil surface characteristics may be managed for soil and water conservation purposes in a silty loam soil context (Pays de Caux, France). We ﬁrst consider the tools used to characterize the impact of farming practices on soil surface characteristics and, as a result, on runoff and erosion processes. The way farming practices modify soil surface characteristics must be considered at various spatial scales, from the metric pattern produced by farm machinery, to the network of ﬁeld boundaries, headlands and dead furrows at the small‐watershed scale. Various time scales (yearly, daily) must also be taken into account. We then describe how a range of agricultural techniques that may reduce runoff risk on farmland can be found. In particular, we show how to analyse the farmers' leeway for adopting more opportune cultivation techniques specifying the impact of these techniques on plant growth or on work organization. But other factors such as social factors (farmers' network) also interfere and should be taken into account in soil and water protection programmes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Size fractions resulting from an aggregate stability test, interrill detachment and transport
Authors: Leguédois Sophie , Bissonnais Yves Le
Published: August 2004

Aggregate stability is a soil characteristic often linked with soil erodibility, but this relationship is generally empirical. The aggregate size distribution is a recognized factor inﬂuencing crust characteristics and transport during interrill erosion events. This parameter was used in this work in order to improve the understanding of the relationship between aggregate stability and erodibility. A second aspect of this study was to investigate the size selectivity of interrill erosion processes, i.e. breakdown, detachment by splash and transport by overland ﬂow. This experimental work was based on rainfall simulations and aggregate stability tests which were performed using two different soils: a clay loam slightly sensitive to erosion, and a more susceptible silt loam. Size distributions of soil fragments either produced by aggregate stability tests or detached by splash or transported by runoff were measured by both wet sieving and laser diffraction sizer analysis. The clay loam is particularly stable and has coarse breakdown products with mean weight diameters larger than 1400 µm. Aggregate breakdown is more efﬁcient for the silt loam and leads to ﬁner soil fragments with mean weight diameters between 229 and 380 mm. For the more stable soil, the clay loam, splash rate and sediment concentration are respectively two and six times lower and less time variable than for the silt loam. For the two soils, detachment by splash and short distance transport are size‐selective interrill erosion processes. This selectivity leads to the enrichment of silt and clay fractions of the eroded aggregates in comparison with the breakdown products. The low erodibility of the more stable soil is in accordance with results of aggregate stability tests. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.