bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low-temperature rapid preparation of high-performance indium oxide thin films and transistors based on solution technology
Authors: Zhang Xue , Kim Bokyung , Lee Hyeonju , Park Jaehoon ,   College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shangdong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China,   Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
Published: February 2024

Indium oxide (In2O3) thin films and thin-film transistors (TFTs) based on the solution process are prepared by pulsed UV-assisted thermal annealing at a low temperature (200 ℃) for 5 min. The effects of pulsed UV-assisted thermal annealing on the surface morphology, chemical structure, and electrical properties of the In2O3 thin films are investigated, and they are compared with those of conventional thermal annealing (300 ℃, 30 min). The experimental results show that the pulsed UV-assisted thermal annealing method can improve the quality of In2O3 thin film and the performance of TFT in a short period. The results of atomic force microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy show that the surface of the In2O3 film is denser and flatter than that of the conventional thermally annealed film, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy tests show that the pulsed UV-assisted thermal annealing process generates oxygen vacancies, which increases the carrier concentration and improves the electrical conductivity of the In2O3 film. In addition, the effect of pulsed UV-assisted thermal annealing on the electrical characteristics of In2O3 TFTs is investigated in a comparative way. The results show that the electrical characteristics of the device are significantly improved: the subthreshold swing decreases to 0.12 mV/dec, the threshold voltage is 7.4 V, the current switching ratio is as high as 1.29×107, and the field effect mobility is enhanced to 1.27 cm2·V–1·s–1. Therefore, pulsed UV-assisted thermal annealing is a simple and fast annealing method, which can rapidly improve the performances of In2O3 thin film and TFTs, even under low-temperature conditions.
Clinopodium vulgare L. Extract Counteracts DNA Damaging Action of Radiomimetic Zeocin Accelerating DSBS Rejoining in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae
Authors: Todorova Teodora , Ivanova Iviyana , Parvanova Petya , Chankova Stephka
Published: February 2024

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the potential of Clinopodium vulgare water leaves extract to decrease the DNA damaging action of zeocin and to throw more light on the mode of action.

Single and combined treatments with 10, 100, and 1000 µg/ml plant extract and 100 µg/ml zeocin were performed on 551 (haploid) and D7ts1 (diploid) yeast strains. The protective potential, the magnitude of the repair capacity, and the role of incubation conditions were studied based on double strand breaks' (DSB) induction and rejoining.

The results provided new evidence that despite the different ploidy both strains are DSBs repair proficient but differ in their repair capacity although comparable levels of initially induced DSBs were measured. The diploid strain D7ts1 was found to possess better-expressed repair capacity than the haploid strain 551. The combined treatment with Clinopodium vulgare L. extract at concentrations' range of 10—1000 µg/ml and zeocin resulted in a significant decrease in DSBs levels. It could be suggested that priming the cells with various concentrations of the extract results in an acceleration of DSBs rejoining when 30 min recovery time at optimal experimental conditions is given. When incubation is performed on ice the repair processes are impeded but not fully blocked. Such a study confirms that the difference in the repair capacity of the cells could be one of the possible mechanisms, participating in cell protection against different DNA damaging factors. The combined application of Clinopodium vulgare L. extract at concentrations range of 10—1000 µg/ml protects yeast DNA against zeocin-induced DSBs by acceleration of DSB rejoining.
Neurophysiological Methods for Diagnostics and Treatment Monitoring in Patients of Advanced Age with Epilepsy
Authors: Betsinska Diana , Kolev Pencho , Kuzmanova Rumyana
Published: February 2024

Through the last decades the duration of life and the number of elderly people is rapidly growing. In this age group morbidity of epilepsy is increasing very fast. Neurophysiological methods play an important role in diagnostics, classification of the disease and the type of the seizures, and in treatment monitoring in the elderly with epilepsy. The aim of the present study was to establish the significance of neurophysiological methods for diagnostics and treatment monitoring, as well as their relation with particular clinical characteristics of the disease in elderly patients. The study group consisted of 297 consecutive patients with epilepsy (average age 69.25±5.00 years). The methods used were documentary analysis, an interview of clinical factors, EEG (basic and control), video-EEG and statistical methods. Patients with longer duration of the disease were with significant worse neurophysiological results, higher seizure frequency and more in number antiepileptic medications. Epilepsy in the elderly is a major and growing issue. The results of the study will be useful in diagnostics and treatment monitoring in this age group.
An Unusual Case of Asphyxia by Ligature about the Thorax
Authors: Lee Goeun , Park Sohyung , Ha Hongil
Published: February 2024

Compressive asphyxia is generally defined as a type of asphyxia caused by chest or abdominal compression by a heavy object. It has also been reported that it could be caused by external compression caused by ligatures around the chest or abdomen. However, asphyxia caused by ligature around the thorax has not been reported in suicide cases. We present an unusual case of suicide in which the cause of death was attributed to asphyxia caused by a ligature around the thorax. The deceased was a 41-year-old woman who was found dead and suspended by a rope around the thorax from a rooftop railing on the twelfth floor of a building. On postmortem examination, a ‘C’ shaped ligature mark was identified around the thorax, with a pressure mark in the subcutis and focal intramuscular hemorrhages, which were consistent with the ligature mark. The cause of death was determined to be asphyxia due to external compression of the chest in a suspended position.
Proj2Proj: self-supervised low-dose CT reconstruction
Authors: Unal Mehmet Ozan , Ertas Metin , Yildirim Isa
Published: February 2024

In Computed Tomography (CT) imaging, one of the most serious concerns has always been ionizing radiation. Several approaches have been proposed to reduce the dose level without compromising the image quality. With the emergence of deep learning, thanks to the increasing availability of computational power and huge datasets, data-driven methods have recently received a lot of attention. Deep learning based methods have also been applied in various ways to address the low-dose CT reconstruction problem. However, the success of these methods largely depends on the availability of labeled data. On the other hand, recent studies showed that training can be done successfully without the need for labeled datasets. In this study, a training scheme was defined to use low-dose projections as their own training targets. The self-supervision principle was applied in the projection domain. The parameters of a denoiser neural network were optimized through self-supervised training. It was shown that our method outperformed both traditional and compressed sensing-based iterative methods, and deep learning based unsupervised methods, in the reconstruction of analytic CT phantoms and human CT images in low-dose CT imaging. Our method’s reconstruction quality is also comparable to a well-known supervised method.
Mowing wet meadows reduces the health of their snail communities
Authors: Farkas Roland , Bán Miklós , Barta Zoltán
Published: February 2024

Wet meadows harbor rich biodiversity, making them pivotal ecosystems worldwide. These habitats are commonly used for grazing or hay production for livestock. However, regular mowing can influence these habitats, potentially leading to significant repercussions for the animals residing within them. In order to investigate the effects of land management practices, we conducted an experimental study to compare snail communities in mowed and unmowed wet meadows in northern Hungary. We found that overall, mowing decreases snail populations, as well as species richness and diversity. Thus, our results suggest that routine mowing of wet meadows is deleterious to their snail communities. Based on these results, we suggest that designated patches of meadows that are regularly managed should be left uncultivated in their natural state. These patches can serve as potential colonization sites, facilitating the restoration of the entire meadow’s ecological balance.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the MADS gene family in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) infested with pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Yang Xiuyao , Zhang Mengjie , Xi Dengxian , Yin Tuo , Zhu Ling , Yang Xiujia , Zhou Xianyan , Zhang Hanyao , Liu Xiaozhen
Published: February 2024

The risk of pathogenic bacterial invasion in plantations has increased dramatically due to high environmental climate change and has seriously affected sweet orange fruit quality. MADS genes allow plants to develop increased resistance, but functional genes for resistance associated with pathogen invasion have rarely been reported. MADS gene expression profiles were analyzed in sweet orange leaves and fruits infested with Lecanicillium psalliotae and Penicillium digitatum, respectively. Eighty-two MADS genes were identified from the sweet orange genome, and they were classified into five prime subfamilies concerning the Arabidopsis MADS gene family, of which the MIKC subfamily could be subdivided into 13 minor subfamilies. Protein structure analysis showed that more than 93% of the MADS protein sequences of the same subfamily between sweet orange and Arabidopsis were very similar in tertiary structure, with only CsMADS8 and AG showing significant differences. The variability of MADS genes protein structures between sweet orange and Arabidopsis subgroups was less than the variabilities of protein structures within species. Chromosomal localization and covariance analysis showed that these genes were unevenly distributed on nine chromosomes, with the most genes on chromosome 9 and the least on chromosome 2, with 36 and two, respectively. Four pairs of tandem and 28 fragmented duplicated genes in the 82 MADS gene sequences were found in sweet oranges. GO (Gene Ontology) functional enrichment and expression pattern analysis showed that the functional gene CsMADS46 was strongly downregulated of sweet orange in response to biotic stress adversity. It is also the first report that plants’ MADS genes are involved in the biotic stress responses of sweet oranges. For the first time, L. psalliotae was experimentally confirmed to be the causal agent of sweet orange leaf spot disease, which provides a reference for the research and control of pathogenic L. psalliotae.
Plectronoceratids (Cephalopoda) from the latest Cambrian at Black Mountain, Queensland, reveal complex three-dimensional siphuncle morphology, with major taxonomic implications
Authors: Pohle Alexander , Jell Peter , Klug Christian
Published: February 2024

The Plectronoceratida includes the earliest known cephalopod fossils and is thus fundamental to a better understanding of the origin and early evolution of this group of molluscs. The bulk of described material comes from the late Cambrian Fengshan Formation in North China with isolated occurrences in South China, Laurentia, Kazakhstan and Siberia. Knowledge of their morphology and taxonomy is limited in that most specimens were only studied as longitudinal sections, which are prone to misinterpretations due to variations in the plane of section. We describe more than 200 new specimens, which exceeds the entire hitherto published record of plectronoceratids. The material was collected by Mary Wade and colleagues during the 1970s and 1980s, from the lower Ninmaroo Formation at Black Mountain (Mount Unbunmaroo), Queensland, Australia. Despite the collecting effort, diverse notes and early incomplete drafts, Mary Wade never published this material before her death in 2005. The specimens provide novel insights into the three-dimensional morphology of the siphuncle based on abundant material, prompting a general revision of the order Plectronoceratida. We describe Sinoeremoceras marywadeae sp. nov. from numerous, well-preserved specimens, allowing investigation of ontogenetic trajectories and intraspecific variability, which in turn enables improved interpretations of the three-dimensional siphuncle morphology. The siphuncle of S. marywadeae sp. nov. and other plectronoceratids is characterised by highly oblique segments, an elongated middorsal portion of the septal neck (= septal flap) and laterally expanded segments that extend dorsally relative to the septal flap (= siphuncular bulbs). We show that this complex siphuncular structure has caused problems of interpretation because it was studied mainly from longitudinal sections, leading to the impression that there were large differences between specimens and supposed species. We revise the order Protactinoceratida and the families Protactinoceratidae and Balkoceratidae as junior synonyms of the Plectronoceratida and Plectronoceratidae, respectively. We reduce the number of valid genera from eighteen (including one genus formerly classified as an ellesmeroceratid) to three: Palaeoceras Flower, 1954, Plectronoceras Kobayashi, 1935 and Sinoeremoceras Kobayashi, 1933. We accept 10 valid species to which the 68 previously established species may be assigned. Sinoeremoceras contains 8 of the 10 plus the new species. Two species, previously referred to ellesmeroceratid genera, are transferred to Sinoeremoceras. This revised scheme groups plectronoceratids into distinct geographically and stratigraphically separated species, which better reflects biological realities and removes bias caused by preparation techniques. North China remains important containing the highest known diversity and was likely a centre of cephalopod diversification.
How Should Intensive Care Unit Nurses Organize End-of-life Care? A Mixed-methods Study
Authors: Jung Hyun Jung , Kim Dayeong , Chang Sung Ok
Published: February 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to explore intensive care unit nurses' perceptions of end-of-life care and to identify strategies for improving patient comfort in the intensive care unit.Methods: This was a mixed-methods study comprising two phases. In Phase 1, we conducted focus group interviews to investigate how intensive care unit nurses perceived end-of-life care and its specific components within an intensive care unit setting. Phase 2 involved a descriptive questionnaire, utilizing items derived from the focus group interviews to assess how intensive care unit nurses evaluated the components of end-of-life care they provided in the intensive care unit.Results: The findings of the study’s two phases revealed that in end-of-life care, nurses aimed to provide comfort by connecting patients with their families, spiritual beliefs, social networks, and life experiences, while addressing challenges within the broader scope of nursing practice in the intensive care unit.Conclusion: This study examined intensive care unit nurses' perceptions of end-of-life care, the elements of end-of-life care, their practical implementation, and the associated priorities. These findings will help nurses in intensive care units determine and organize priorities in end-of-life care. For patients facing death in the intensive care unit and for the nurses who care for them, the obstacles involved in end-of-life care must be better overcome.
Factors Affecting Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy
Authors: Hwang Su Young , Kwon So-Hi
Published: February 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of nutrition risk, physical activity, insomnia, anxiety, and depression on fatigue among breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.Methods: The participants of this study were 160 breast cancer patients at Yeungnam University Medical Center in South Korea. The data were collected from September to November 2022 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance, the Mann-Whitney test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, the Bonferroni correction, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression with SPSS version 28.0.Results: The mean fatigue score was 18.44±7.30 points, while the scores for nutrition risk, insomnia, anxiety, and depression were 2.03±1.52, 5.43±4.79, 6.79±2.81, and 8.17±3.36 points, respectively. Physical activity was measured at 1366.49±1617.87 METs. The general characteristics of the participants showed significant differences in fatigue concerning pain (F=13.97, p=.001), duration of illness (t=-2.37, p=.019), and total radiation dose (t=-2.13, p=.035). Fatigue exhibited significant positive correlations with nutrition risk (r=.35, p<.001), insomnia (r=.35, p<.001), and anxiety (r=.35, p<.001), and a significant negative correlation with physical activity (r=-.20, p=.012). In multiple regression analysis, the factors influencing fatigue were identified as nutrition risk (β=.28, p<.001), duration of illness (β=.19, p=.005), depression (β=.23, p=.006), total radiation dose (β=.19, p=.005), and physical activity (β=-.14, p=.036).Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of addressing nutrition risk and depression in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Encouraging physical activity may also play a crucial role in managing fatigue in these patients. These findings could guide the development of targeted interventions to improve the well-being of breast cancer patients during radiotherapy.
The Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Pruritus, Skin Dryness, and Depression in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Choi Eunyoung , Park Kyungsook
Published: February 2024

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of auricular acupressure therapy on pruritus, skin dryness, and depression in hemodialysis patients.Methods: This was a randomized control group pre-post experimental study. Fifty-four patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis at a single center voluntarily participated in the study. Twenty-seven participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group, to whom auricular acupressure was applied to five designated acupoints (shenmen, heart, kidney, lung, and occiput) for 5 weeks. The control group (n=27) received no intervention for the first 5 weeks, and the auricular acupressure intervention was administered due to ethical considerations after 5 weeks. Pruritus, pruritus-related sleep disturbance, and depression were scored accordingly. Skin dryness was assessed by measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration (SCH) levels.Results: Auricular acupressure therapy significantly reduced pruritus (z=-3.97, p<.001) and pruritus-related sleep disturbance (z=-2.97, p=.003) in the experimental group. TEWL showed a significant reduction in the arm (z=-2.23, p=.026) and body (z=-1.97, p=.049) but not in the leg. There were no differences in SCH levels and depression (z=-0.35, p=.721).Conclusion: Auricular acupressure therapy effectively alleviated pruritus and skin dryness. This study confirmed the safety and effectiveness of auricular acupressure therapy as a viable intervention for pruritus in hemodialysis patients.
Prevalence of Sarcopenia and its Risk Factors in Community-dwelling Older People during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Yoon Hyeongyeong , Won Jongsoon
Published: February 2024

Purpose: Sarcopenia is a state of reduced muscle function that can lead to increased falls, fractures, and mortality in the older population. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of sarcopenia and its related risk factors in older adults in the community during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated sarcopenia, muscle strength, physical performance, fear of COVID-19, distress, and depression in 103 community-dwelling older individuals over 65 years of age.Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia among older people in the community was 4.8% and 29.1% in men and women, respectively. Age (odds ratio [OR]=14.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.48~141.40), gender (OR=6.69, 95% CI=1.11~40.06), physical performance (OR=7.41, 95% CI=1.55~35.21) and depression (OR=5.29, 95% CI=1.16~24.06) were significant risk factors for sarcopenia, but COVID-19-related factors were not significant (p>.05).Conclusion: Preventive measures for sarcopenia in older people are urgently required. Since depression and physical performance are the main factors influencing sarcopenia, it is suggested to develop an intervention to prevent sarcopenia in older people.
Study on Biology of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) on Maize, Zea mays L. in Manipur, India
Authors: Reddy V. S. , Konsam Jeti , Dayananda S. , Nabakishor N. , Karam Nilima
Published: February 2024

Aim: To study the biology and morphometric parameters of different stages of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: PG laboratory, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Iroisemba, CAU (Central Agricultural University), Imphal, June-August 2022.

Methodology: The egg masses collected from maize fields were transferred to sterilized petri plates containing maize leaves and reared under laboratory conditions (25±2°C, 70±10% RH). Duration and morphometric parameters of different stages of fall armyworm were recorded regularly.

Results: The mean incubation period of eggs was observed to be 1.90 days. The larval period of six instars were recorded to be 2-4, 2-5, 2-3, 2-3, 2-3, 2-3 and 3-6 days, respectively. The mean larval length of six instars were 1.91, 3.38, 6.15, 9.78, 18.60 and 32.30 mm, respectively. The mean larval width of six instars were 0.33, 0.74, 1.31, 2.26, 2.92 and 3.53 mm, respectively. The average larval weight of six instars were 0.0031, 0.0214, 0.0420, 0.0503, 0.0576 and 0.0652 gm, respectively. The total larval duration was observed to be 16.70 days. The male and female pupal period was found to be 7.60 and 7.10 days, respectively. The average male pupal length, width and weight were 14.79±0.18 mm, 4.54±0.14 mm and 0.17±0.01 gm, respectively. The average female pupal length, width and weight were 13.0-18.20 mm, 4.0-5.2 mm and 0.18±0.01 gm, respectively. The ovipositional period was found to be 1-6 days. Mean longevity of males and females were observed to be 8.70 and 9.00 days, respectively. The total life cycle of male and female lasted 34.90 and 35.60 days, respectively.

Conclusion: This study clearly provides basic information about the biology of this recently invaded pest. To prevent the potential devastating occurrence, compatible integrated pest management strategies are needed at the early stages of FAW infestation.
Seed Priming: A Strategy to Mitigate Flooding Stress in Pulses
Authors: Giri Santu , Saha Tanushree , Maiti Madhurima
Published: February 2024

Aim: This study delves into the multifaceted role of seed priming in mitigating flooding stress, with a specific focus on its applications in pulse crops.

Area of Study: Through controlled hydration-dehydration cycles and the utilization of specific priming agents, seed priming emerges as a powerful tool to enhance germination seedling vigor and stress tolerance. The impact of flooding stress on pulse plants, encompassing morphological changes, physiological alterations, and yield reduction, underscores the urgency of developing effective mitigation strategies. Seed priming mechanisms, including enhanced nutrient uptake, activation of antioxidant defenses and hormonal modulation, are explored in detail. The study not only provides insights into the integration of seed priming into crop management practices but also offers practical recommendations for farmers and agricultural practitioners. The implications for agriculture and food security are significant, as seed-primed crops demonstrate increased resilience to environmental stresses, ensuring more stable yields. The economic implications for farmers, coupled with the potential for sustainable agricultural practices, highlight the transformative potential of seed priming in addressing global challenges.

Conclusion: The dissemination of knowledge and implementation efforts are crucial for bridging the gap between research findings and on-field applications. Policymakers and stakeholders are urged to support and incentivize the adoption of seed priming technologies, contributing to the long-term resilience of crops, and ensuring global food security. In conclusion, seed priming stands as a promising solution, offering a pathway towards sustainable and resilient agricultural systems in the face of environmental challenges.
Quality of Life in Caregivers of Children with Cerebral Palsy in Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Gabriel-Job N  , Wobo KN  , Frank-Briggs A.I
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common neurologic disorder which leads to physical disability in children. Children with CP require more care and attention from their care givers. Hence the quality of life (QoL) of the care givers can be adversely affected.

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the QoL and its determinants among caregivers of children with CP in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: Using a convenience sampling method, a hospital based cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out, participants were 96 caregivers of children on follow up for CP. The English Version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQOL-Bref) was used to evaluate the QoL of the participants. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic characteristic of the participants and children with CP, while the patients hospital record was used to obtain the medical history of the patients. The functional disability level of the child was measured by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS levels I-V) scale. Multiple regression analysis was carried out to determine the predictors of the care givers QoL on all four domains of the WHOQOL-Bref.

Results: The age of the participant ranged from 23 -58 years with a mean age of 37.67± 8.27 years. Seventy-eight (81.3%) were females, 77(80.0%) had secondary education and above while 56 (58.3%) of the patients had co-morbidity. The care givers had lower level of QoL < 60 points in all domains except for Physical Health Domain which had mean point of 61.3.

The GMFCS level of the patients with CP and the marital status of the caregivers significantly determined the different domains of the caregivers QoL (p ≤ 0.05). Age of care giver (p 0.00), presence of comorbidity (0.03) significantly predicted the psychological domain of the QoL of the care givers. In addition, the socioeconomic class significantly predicted the environment and psychological domains of the caregivers QoL. (p < 0.05)

Conclusion: The quality of life in caregivers of children with cerebral palsy is low. The predictors include GMFCS level of the patient, age of the care giver, marital status, presence of comorbidity and socioeconomic status. The treatment of CP should include strategies to enhance the health and quality of life of caregivers of children with the condition.
Investigation of Antimicrobial Activity of Aloe vera and it’s Application
Authors: Joyruth P. , Sukirtha  , Kalaimathy P.
Published: February 2024

Aloe vera consists of about 420 species, and has been used as a traditional medicine for about 3000 years. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the aloe vera gel powder revealed the presence of steroids, phenolics, glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins. Invitro antibacterial studies on the leaf extract were carried out on medically important bacterial strains, including Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans using agar disc diffusion method. The bacterial strains were exposed to the following four different concentrations of extracts: 25µl, 50 µl, 75 µl and 100 µl. The result of our antibacterial assay revealed that the extract showed good inhibitory activity against all the tested pathogens.
Frontmatter (Front Cover, Editorial Team, Indexing, and Table of Contents)
Authors: Istadi Istadi
Published: February 2024

Frontmatter (Front Cover, Editorial Team, Indexing, and Table of Contents)
Electrophysiology
Authors: Dave Shashank , Prahlow Nathan , Buschbacher Ralph
Published: April 2006

Knowledge of electrophysiology forms the groundwork for understanding many processes in the human body, particularly the neuromuscular system. Electrodiagnostic studies are specialized tests performed by physiatrists and neurologists that are useful for diagnosing many diseases of nerve and muscle. A sound understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and physics is a requisite to understanding clinical electrodiagnosis. To illustrate how the principles of electrophysiology are applied to common diseases, a discussion of carpal tunnel syndrome is included with this review.
Insights into the Redox Properties of Ceria‐Based Oxides and Their Implications in Catalysis
Authors: Aneggi Eleonora , Boaro Marta , de Leitenburg Carla , Dolcetti Giuliano , Trovarelli Alessandro
Published: April 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Non‐Born—Oppenheimer Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Jasper Ahren W. , Nangia Shikha , Zhu Chaoyuan , Truhlar Donald G.
Published: April 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Determination of Rutin in Green Tea Infusions Using Square‐Wave Voltammetry with a Rigid Carbon‐Polyurethane Composite Electrode
Authors: Malagutti Andréa R. , Zuin Vânia G. , Cavalheiro Éder T. G. , Mazo Luiz H.
Published: April 2006

This paper presents a comparative study on the electrochemical behavior of the flavonoid rutin on a rigid carbon‐polyurethane composite electrode and on a glassy carbon electrode. The electrochemical oxidation reaction of rutin was found to be quasireversible and affected by adsorption on the electrode surface. A square‐wave voltammetric method was developed for determination of rutin in green tea infusion samples using the RCPE electrode and data treatment by a deconvolution procedure. The detection limit achieved in buffered solutions was 7.1×10−9 mol L−1 using the RCPE and 1.7×10−8 mol L−1 using the GC electrode the average reproducibility for five determinations being 3.5%.
Synthesis of Enniatin‐like Cyclic Depsipeptides via ‘Direct Amide Cyclization’
Authors: Köttgen Peter , Linden Anthony , Heimgartner Heinz
Published: April 2006

The synthesis of several 18‐membered cyclodepsipeptides with an alternating sequence of α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acids and α‐hydroxy acids (compounds 14a–14e) is described. The ring closure via macrolactonization was accomplished by treatment of a diluted suspension of the corresponding linear precursors 12a–12e in toluene with HCl gas, i.e., the so‐called ‘direct amide cyclization’. The incorporation of the α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acids was achieved via the ‘azirine/oxazolone method’ with 2H‐azirin‐3‐amines of type 6 and 9 as building blocks. The structure of the cyclic depsipeptide 14a was established by X‐ray crystallography.
Statistical methodologies in psychopharmacology: a review
Authors: Nieminen Pentti , Miettunen Jouko , Koponen Hannu , Isohanni Matti
Published: April 2006

There has been a greatly increased interest in statistical methods in the psychiatric research and its applications over the past few decades, in parallel with advances in computers and statistical software. This review aims to describe the main topics related to statistical methods in psychopharmacology, namely nature of statistics in medicine, problems in data analysis, statistical modelling, developments in statistical technology, statistical reporting and meta‐analysis. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The use of the QNST–II as a measure for the identification of children with perceptual‐motor deficits
Authors: Parush Shula , Rilsky Artal , Goldstand Sarina , Mazor‐Karsenty Tal , Yochman Aviva
Published: April 2006

This study aimed to examine the ability of the Quick Neurological Screening Test–II (QNST–II) (Mutti et al., 1998) to discriminate between children with and without perceptual‐motor deficits and to further clarify its psychometric characteristics. Ninety‐four children aged six to seven years were tested on the QNST‐II. Out of this pool of subjects, 63 children had perceptual‐motor deficits and 31 were typical controls. The children with perceptual‐motor deficits scored significantly lower than the control children on the total score and on each of the subtest's scores of the QNST–II. Inter‐rater reliability indicated a high degree of correlation between both evaluators' total scores of the QNST–II. In terms of the test's sensitivity and specificity, QNST–II scores correctly classified 97% of the children with perceptual‐motor deficits and 84% of the children from the control group. The findings of this study support the capability of the QNST–II to discriminate between children with perceptual‐motor deficits and typical children; thereby suggesting its usefulness as a screening measure to identify children at risk for difficulties in school performance. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Lateral reach: a clinical measure of medio‐lateral postural stability
Authors: Brauer Sandra , Burns Yvonne , Galley Prudence
Published: April 2006

Background and Purpose

Medio‐lateral postural instability has recently been identified as a risk factor for falls in the elderly community‐dwelling population. However, few clinical tests involve challenges to stability limits in the medio‐lateral direction. A lateral reach test was thus developed. Preliminary evaluation of the symmetry, accuracy, test–retest repeatability, and construct validity of the lateral reach test was undertaken to ensure its validity and repeatability prior to clinical application.

Method

Sixty healthy older female subjects (aged 72.5 ± 5 years) participated in this study which involved two tasks. The first was the clinical test: a maximal lateral reach to the right and left, recorded by a clinical measure (observation of hand excursion) and a laboratory measure (3D analysis of hand marker excursion). The second was the recording of centre of pressure (COP) stability limits in the lateral direction by use of a dual force platform system. Eighteen subjects returned for repeatability testing.

Results

No significant differences in the measures were found between the sides. Lateral reach as measured by the clinical measure was significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with both the laboratory measure of reach (r = 0.650) and with COP stability limits (r = 0.331). The clinical measure of reach was not significantly different (p > 0.01) from the laboratory measure. High test–retest repeatability (r > 0.94) was found for all measures.

Conclusions

The clinical lateral reach test was found to be an accurate measure of lateral reach ability. As it was significantly correlated with COP excursion it was deemed a valid indicator of lateral stability limits. In addition, the lateral reach test had high test–retest repeatability and was symmetrical between the sides. These promising results support both it's use where a clinical indicator of medio‐lateral postural stability is desired and further investigation of the lateral reach test in clinical populations. Copyright © 1999 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Estimating incidence of HIV infection in childbearing age African women using serial prevalence data from antenatal clinics
Authors: Sakarovitch Charlotte , Alioum Ahmadou , Ekouevi Didier K. , Msellati Philippe , Leroy Valériane , Dabis François
Published: April 2006

Ades and Medley provided the first flexible method for estimating age‐ and time‐specific HIV incidence using HIV prevalence data collected among pregnant women and adjusting for the effect of differential selection between infected and uninfected women. This paper extends the approach proposed by these authors. We used a parametric model that allows the relative inclusion rate to depend on both age, calendar time, and duration of HIV infection. We developed a two dimensional penalized log‐likelihood approach for estimating time‐ and age‐specific incidence using a binomial likelihood function and a quadratic roughness penalty which allows smoothing over both age and time. Identifiability of the model parameters and effect of sample size are studied through simulations. The method is illustrated using prenatal HIV testing data recorded from 1995 to 2002 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, to estimate the HIV annual incidence rate among women aged 12–40 year old, from the beginning of the epidemic to 2002. We show that estimated incidence rates are highly dependent on hypotheses made to model the relative inclusion rate. Despite this dependency, the application of the method leads to new and accurate findings on HIV incidence qualitative features in Abidjan. We highlight the relevance of such a method in monitoring the dynamics of HIV epidemic in Africa which is essential for planning vaccine trials and future treatment needs, and for assessment of prevention policy. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pitfalls of Intraoperative Neuromonitoring for Predicting Postoperative Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Function during Thyroidectomy
Authors: Chan Wai‐Fan , Lo Chung‐Yau
Published: April 2006

Introduction

Intraoperative neuromonitoring has been widely adopted to facilitate the identification and preservation of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) function during thyroid surgery. The present prospective study validated the ability of this technique to predict postoperative RLN outcomes in a single endocrine surgical unit.

Methods

Neuromonitoring was performed using Neurosign 100 with laryngeal surface electrodes in 171 patients with 271 nerves at risk during thyroidectomy. Vocal cord function was routinely documented perioperatively. Patients were also stratified to low risk (primary surgery for benign disease) and high risk (malignancy and recurrent disease) for subgroup analysis.

Results

Unilateral vocal cord palsy occurred in 15 patients (5.5%) postoperatively. The incidence of postoperative nerve palsy in the low risk and high risk groups was 4.4% and 7.8%, respectively. All but two patients had recovery of function within a median period of 4 months after the operation. The rates of transient and permanent RLN palsy based on nerves at risk were 4.8% (n = 13) and 0.7% (n = 2), respectively. There were 241 true‐negative (positive signal and no cord palsy), 15 false‐positive (negative signal but no cord palsy), 8 true‐positive (negative signal and cord palsy), and 7 false‐negative (positive signal but cord palsy) results, as correlated with the postoperative assessment. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 53%, 94%, 35%, and 97%, respectively. For the high risk group, the sensitivity and positive predictive value increased to 86% and 60%, respectively.

Conclusions

There are pitfalls associated with the use of intraoperative neuromonitoring during thyroid surgery. Routine application is not recommended except for selected high risk patients.
Classification of patients with pain based on neuropathic pain symptoms: Comparison of an artificial neural network against an established scoring system
Authors: Behrman Michael , Linder Roland , Assadi Amir H. , Stacey Brett R. , Backonja Misha‐Miroslav
Published: April 2006

Wider use of pain assessment tools that are specifically designed for certain types of pain – such as neuropathic pain – contribute an increasing amount of information which in turn offers the opportunity to employ advanced methods of data analysis. In this manuscript, we present the results of a study where we employed artificial neural networks (ANNs) in an analysis of pain descriptors with the goal of determining how an approach that uses a specific symptoms‐based tool would perform with data from the real world of clinical practice. We also used traditional statistics approaches in the form of established scoring systems as well as logistic regression analysis for the purpose of comparison. Our results confirm the clinical experience that groups of pain descriptors rather than single items differentiate between patients with neuropathic and non‐neuropathic pain. The accuracy obtained by ANN analysis was only slightly higher than that of the traditional approaches, indicating the absence of nonlinear relationships in this dataset. Data analysis with ANNs provides a framework that extends what current approaches offer, especially for dynamic data, such as the rating of pain descriptors over time.
Why women prefer epidural analgesia during childbirth: The role of beliefs about epidural analgesia and pain catastrophizing
Authors: Van den Bussche Eva , Crombez Geert , Eccleston Christopher , Sullivan Michael J.L.
Published: April 2006

This study investigated the reasons that might lead women to choose or not choose epidural analgesia as a strategy for the management of pain in childbirth. In our sample 55% of 114 women chose EA. Logistic regression resulted in a statistical model with four unique and independent predictors: Parity status and the fear of the side effects of EA each reduced the odds of choosing EA by half, whereas the desire to have a pain‐free childbirth and positive experiences with EA of family and friends each doubled the odds of choosing EA. Pain catastrophizing was not related to EA use. The lack of an interrelationship between pain catastrophizing and EA use is probably due to an ambivalent attitude towards EA in pain catastrophizers. Pain catastrophizing was positively associated with the fear of being overwhelmed by labour pain and tendencies to avoid the pain, but also positively with the fear of pain during the insertion of the EA needle. Pain catastrophizing was also strongly related to recommendations to use EA from others, in particular from the midwife and from the gynecologist. Results are discussed in terms of the social impact of pain catastrophizing.
Interactions between Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and gillnets off Sardinia, Italy
Authors: Díaz López Bruno
Published: April 2006

A first attempt at analysing interactions between bottlenose dolphins and gillnets along the northeastern coast of Sardinia (Italy) was conducted between October 1999 and December 2004. A new approach was used: combining interviews with fishers with boat-based direct observations and behavioural and group size analysis. Fishers on monitored boats noted 2556 days on which gillnet damage was caused by bottlenose dolphins, 68.7% of the total fishing days, with no difference between seasons. An annual estimate of the number of bottlenose dolphins caught in the gillnets was 1.47 (0.98 immatures and 0.49 adults). In all, 317 days were spent making observations at sea, of which 330.6 h were spent directly observing the dolphins. There were no changes in the distribution of daily encounter rate among seasons, group size, or number of immatures, in the presence or the absence of gillnets. However, bottlenose dolphins spent more time both in the study area and feeding when gillnets were present. The extent of the estimated bycatch is worrisome in terms of the ability of bottlenose dolphins off Sardinia to sustain such an annual loss.
Experiments on the dynamics of a gravity current head
Authors: Britter R. E. , Simpson J. E.
Published: April 2006

Some of the dense fluid at the front of an advancing gravity current is observed to be mixed with the ambient fluid. This process continues when the cross-stream non-uniformities at the head of the current are suppressed by advancing the floor beneath the head. In the resulting two-dimensional flow regular billows are visible. This paper considers experimentally and analytically the inviscid gravity current head and specifically includes the observed mixing at the head. Experimental results were obtained with an apparatus in which the head of the gravity current was brought to rest by an opposing uniform flow. The mixing appears to occur through Kelvin-Helmholtz billows generated on the front of the head and controls the dynamics of the head. A momentum balance is used to analyse the flow and the problem is closed by quantitatively introducing the billow structure.
Coherent structures in coflowing jets and wakes
Authors: Perry A. E. , Lim T. T.
Published: April 2006

By applying small lateral oscillations to a glass tube from which smoke was issuing, perfectly periodic coflowing jets and wake structures were produced at Reynolds numbers of order 300-1000. These structures remained coherent over long streamwise distances and appeared to be perfectly frozen when viewed under stroboscopic light which was synchronized with the disturbing oscillation. By the use of strobing laser beams, longitudinal sections of the structures were photographed and an account of the geometry of these structures is reported.

When the tube was unforced, similar structures occurred but they modulated in scale and frequency, and their orientation was random.

A classification of structures is presented and examples are demonstrated in naturally occurring situations such as smoke from a cigarette, the wake behind a three-dimensional blunt body, and the high Reynolds number flow in a plume from a chimney. It is suggested that an examination of these structures may give some insight into the large-scale motion in fully turbulent flow.
Models of the scalar spectrum for turbulent advection
Authors: Hill R. J.
Published: April 2006

Several models are developed for the high-wavenumber portion of the spectral transfer function of scalar quantities advected by high-Reynolds-number, locally isotropic turbulent flow. These models are applicable for arbitrary Prandtl or Schmidt number, v/D, and the resultant scalar spectra are compared with several experiments having different v/D. The ‘bump’ in the temperature spectrum of air observed over land is shown to be due to a tendency toward a viscous-convective range and the presence of this bump is consistent with experiments for large v/D. The wavenumbers defining the transition between the inertial-convective range and viscous-convective range for asymptotically large v/D (denoted k* and k1* for the three- and one-dimensional spectra) are determined by comparison of the models with experiments. A measurement of the transitional wavenumber k1* [denoted (k1*)s] is found to depend on v/D and on any filter cut-off. On the basis of the k* values it is shown that measurements of β1 from temperature spectra in moderate Reynolds number turbulence in air (v/D = 0·72) maybe over-estimates and that the inertial-diffusive range of temperature fluctuations in mercury (v/D ≃ 0·02) is of very limited extent.