bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developmental Assessment‐Based Surgical Intervention for Intractable Epilepsies in Infants and Young Children
Authors: Matsuzaka Tetsuo , Baba Hiroshi , Matsuo Atsuko , Tsuru Akira , Moriuchi Hiroyuki , Tanaka Shigeki , Kawasaki Chisato
Published: December 2004

Summary:  Purpose: To define the most appropriate time for surgery for medically intractable epilepsies in infants and young children.

Methods: First we examined retrospectively the changes in developmental quotients (DQs) during the clinical course and the clinical factors affecting the DQ in 39 consecutive patients younger than 15 years, who underwent surgical treatment for intractable epilepsy. Second, we examined prospectively five new patients for early detection of developmental arrest or regression by periodic developmental assessments and whether this could lead to early surgical intervention, eventually resulting in minimal developmental defects.

Results: Retrospective studies revealed that the DQ progressively decreased with age and that the reduction of DQ was related to continuing frequent seizures in many patients. The prospective studies demonstrated that periodic developmental assessments could detect the reduction of DQ at 5 months or later after onset of frequent seizures in three patients. In two other patients, operations were performed before reduction of DQs, and their postoperative DQ levels were normal. The postoperative recovery of DQ was complete in one patient whose operation was performed 3 months after reduction of DQ, whereas it was incomplete in two others whose operations were carried out at 12 and 14 months after reduction, respectively. Furthermore, three patients with normal developmental outcome had shorter periods between the onset of frequent seizures and the operation (≤7 months) than those of two patients with developmental delay (≥17 months).

Conclusions: To minimize the developmental defects, periodic developmental assessments should be initiated when frequent seizures have occurred, and surgery should be considered as soon as possible when DQ reduction is recognized.
Age‐Related Clinical and Neurophysiologic Characteristics of Intractable Epilepsy Associated with Cortical Malformation
Authors: Kobayashi Katsuhiro , Ohtsuka Yoko , Ohno Shigeru , Tanaka Akio , Hiraki Yoshio , Oka Eiji
Published: December 2004

Summary:  Purpose: To elucidate the relationship between the characteristics of cortical malformation (CM) and those of associated epilepsy, and also to investigate the prognostic value of the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings for the seizure and mental outcome.

Methods: We studied 41 patients with CM and epilepsy, and the patients were divided according to the age at onset of epilepsy into two groups: one group of 15 patients with very early onset before age 3 months, and the other group of 26 patients with onset at 3 months or later. Statistical relationship was examined between the types of dysplastic lesions demonstrated by MRI and the age at onset of epilepsy. The effects of the onset age and the features of CM on the outcome of seizures and mental or developmental state also were analyzed.

Results: The very early‐onset epilepsy was related to the dysplastic patterns of reduced sulci and blurred cortical–subcortical junction, which suggested focal CM, whereas the later‐onset epilepsy was related to polymicrogyria. The age at onset of epilepsy was related to the poor seizure outcome, and both the onset age and wide distribution of CM were related to severe retardation.

Conclusions: The type of CM influences the expression of associated epilepsy, especially its age‐related features. The age at onset of epilepsy plays an important role in the seizure and mental outcome.
Neuroradiologic Findings in Focal Cortical Dysplasia: Histologic Correlation with Surgically Resected Specimens
Authors: Matsuda Kazumi , Mihara Tadahiro , Tottori Takayasu , Otubo Toshiaki , Usui Naotaka , Baba Koichi , Matsuyama Nozomi , Yagi Kazuichi
Published: December 2004

Summary:  Purpose: We investigated the neuroradiologic characteristics of focal findings of surgically resected specimens obtained from 47 patients with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD).

Methods: Forty cases were detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and two cases were detected only by single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), but five cases could not be detected before operation.

Results: MRI revealed abnormal gyri and sulci in 34 patients (pachygyric in 18, polymicrogyric in 10, both in six), and blurring of the gray matter–white matter junction in 29 (72%) patients. Signal abnormalities were found in 36 (90%) patients, in the gray matter in 32, with white matter in 30, and at the gray matter–white matter junction in 13. Moreover, peculiar patterns of abnormal signals in the white matter were recognized, including remarkably abnormal subcortical signals of T2 hyperintensity and T1 hypointensity adjacent to the dysplastic cortex in 15 cases, high radiated T2 signals extending from the ependymal surface of the lateral ventricle to the overlying cortex in 11 cases, and widespread abnormal signals in the white matter with gray matter involvement in four cases. Histologically, these abnormal signals corresponded to various degrees of dyslamination and morphologic abnormalities of neurons and glial cells in the gray matter, and to dysmyelination, ectopic clustering of dysplastic neurons, glial proliferation, and necrotic change in the white matter. Regional cerebral blood flow SPECT showed interictal hypoperfusion in 29 (62%) of the 47 patients, interictal hyperperfusion in two, and ictal hyperperfusion in 28 of the 34 patients associated with FCD. [123I]iomazenil SPECT demonstrating the distribution of central benzodiazepine receptors showed low accumulations localized spatially corresponding to the epileptogenic foci associated with FCD in seven of eight patients.

Conclusions: These results demonstrate that neuroimaging reflects various structural and functional changes closely related to epileptogenesis in FCD.
Treatment of Benign Epilepsy Syndromes Throughout Life
Authors: Willmore L. James
Published: December 2004

Classification of epilepsy has been refined to a degree that begins to allow identification of syndromes that are benign, if not in clinical pattern, at least with regard to ultimate outcome. Infants, children, adolescents, and even adults, on occasion, develop seizures that challenge judgment regarding selection of drugs and duration of treatment. Childhood absence epilepsy tends to follow a benign course, with abatement of need for treatment in many patients. However, in ∼40% of patients with onset of this syndrome, there is evolution to juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), a form of seizure disorder that requires life‐long treatment. One syndrome that is clearly almost always benign is benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS). This clinical problem is defined by complaints, observations of behavior, and by a specific electroencephalographic pattern. Some patients are not treated; many undergo brief administration of medication. Infantile convulsive seizures that may be partial or with myoclonus tend to be familial and require treatment for 1 or 2 years. Time is required to make a decision about treatment because observation over time is required to be sure patients are developing normally, a hallmark of these syndromes. Familial groupings of partial seizures in adolescents appear to follow a benign course, as do those in many elderly patients with seizures after cerebral infarction. Treatment decisions require clinical judgment and observations over time. Drug selection is governed more by experience of individual clinicians, because benign syndromes occur infrequently and prospective studies are seldom performed.
Special Needs of the Adolescent with Epilepsy
Authors: Nordli Douglas R.
Published: December 2004

Adjustment to the inherent changes of adolescence is a challenge for many children, even healthy ones. Epilepsy may make successful adjustment even more difficult by disrupting self‐control, adversely affecting the ability to conform to one's peers, and interfering with independence. Epilepsy and its treatment may affect education, employment, use of alcohol and illicit drugs, sexual activity, and pregnancy. These issues, in turn, may affect seizure control. Matching the medicine to the patient is particularly important in teenagers, a group of patients with special needs. Common seizure syndromes presenting in adolescence are briefly reviewed and used to illustrate key issues that may arise in the selection of an antiepileptic medication (AED). Compliance, interaction with other medications including oral contraceptive medications, cosmetic effects, teratogenicity, and impact on behavior are all factors to be considered. Newer medications may have some advantages over older compounds in this regard, and evidence of their utility is reviewed in the specific context of the epilepsy syndromes. In addition to prescribing medication, other important parts of the therapeutic management involve education, counseling, support, and advocacy. To identify issues and to provide appropriate counseling, it is beneficial to devote some of the office visit to an independent interaction with the patient, apart from the parents. One study questionnaire indicated that nurse specialists may be particularly valuable in supporting and meeting the needs of patients in this age group. Some centers have developed elegant methods of helping the patient make the transition from child neurology to adult neurology.
Pulmonary Venous Flow in Pure Mitral Stenosis and Sinus Rhythm – Does Pulmonary Hypertension Alter Pulmonary Venous Flow Velocity?
Authors: Ha Jong‐Won , Chung Namsik , Goh Choong‐Won , Jang Kil‐Jin , Kang Seok‐Min , Rim Se‐Joong , Jang Yangsoo , Shim Won‐Heum , Cho Seung‐Yun , Kim Sung‐Soon
Published: December 2004

Pulmonary venous flow (PVF) is influenced by changes in left atrial (LA) pressure and function in various diseases. In mitral stenosis (MS), there is an alteration of LA hemodynamic due to the impaired ventricular filling caused by the stenotic valve and elevation of LA pressure. Although a variety of altered patterns of PVF have been described in MS, the potential influence of pulmonary hypertension, which is frequently associated with MS and has an adverse effect on the functional status and the prognosis of MS, on the PVF pattern is not clearly defined. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of pulmonary hypertension on PVF in patients with MS. Thirty‐eight consecutive patients with pure MS and sinus rhythm (30 females, mean age 40 years old) underwent transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. Right heart and transseptal catheterization was also performed to measure pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), pulmonary artery diastolic pressure (PADP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), and left atrial pressure (LAP). The subjects were divided into two groups: group

1 (n = 25)

included subjects with PASP < 50 mmHg, group 2

(n = 13)

included subjects with PASP 50 mmHg. LA size, mitral valve area (MVA), mean mitral gradient (MG), LAP, PASP, PADP, PCWP, and the peak velocity of PV systolic (PVFS), diastolic (PVFD) and atrial reversal flow (PVFAr) were also measured and compared between the two groups. There was no significant difference in age, heart rate, MVA, and LA size between the two groups. LAP, PASP, PADP, PCWP, and MG were significantly higher in group 2. However, PVFS and PVFAr were significantly lower in group

2 (46.6 ± 15.8 vs 29.9 ± 12.8 cm/sec, P < 0.005; 22.1 ± 6.8 vs 17.3 ± 5.9 cm/sec, P < 0.05)

.
There was no significant difference of PVFD between the two groups. PVFS had negative correlation to LAP, MG, PASP, PADP, and PCWP. PVFAr had negative correlation with PASP, PADP, and PCWP. There was no significant correlation between PVFAr and MVA. LA size and LAP. In conclusion, in patients with pure MS and sinus rhythm, PVF, especially PVFAr, is influenced by the presence of pulmonary hypertension. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 20, February 2003)
Echocardiographic Features of Patients With Heart Failure Who May Benefit From Biventricular Pacing
Authors: Makaryus Amgad N. , Arduini Armando D. , Mallin Jason , Chung Erica , Kort Smadar , Shi Qiuhu , Jadonath Ram , Mangion Judy
Published: December 2004

Background: Recent studies suggest that cardiac resynchronization therapy through biventricular pacing (BVP) may be a promising new treatment for patients with advanced congestive heart failure (CHF). This method involves implantation of pacer leads into the right atrium (RA), right ventricle (RV), and coronary sinus (CS) in patients with ventricular dyssynchrony as evidenced by a bundle branch block pattern on electrocardiogram (ECG). Clinical trials are enrolling stable patients with ejection fractions (EF) ≤ 35%, left ventricular end‐diastolic diameters (LVIDd) ≥ 54 mm, and QRS duration ≥140 msec. We compared echocardiography features of these patients (group 1) with other patients with EF ≤ 35%, LVIDd ≥ 54 mm, and QRS < 140 msec (group 2 = presumably no dyssynchrony). Methods: Nine hundred fifty‐one patients with CHF, LVID 54 mm, EF 35% by echocardiography were retrospectively evaluated. One hundred forty‐five patients remained after those with primary valvular disease, prior pacing systems, or chronic atrial arrhythmias were excluded. From this group of 145 patients, a subset of 50 randomly selected patients were further studied (25 patients [7 females, 18 males] from group 1, and 25 patients [7 females, 18 males] from group 2). Mean age group 1 = 75 years old, mean age group 2 = 67 years old. Mean QRS group 1 = 161 msec, mean QRS group 2 = 110 msec. Each group was compared for presence of paradoxical septal motion, atrial and ventricular chamber sizes, LV mass, LVEF, and RV systolic function. Results: Of the initial group of 951 patients, 145 (15%) met inclusion criteria. In the substudy, 20/25 (80%) of group l and 7/25 (28%) of group 2 subjects had paradoxical septal motion on echo (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.0005). The t‐tests performed on the other echocardiography variables demonstrated no differences in chamber size, function, or LV mass. Conclusions: Cardiac resynchronization therapy with BVP appears to target a relatively small population of our advanced CHF patients (15% or less). Although increasing QRS duration on ECG is associated with more frequent paradoxical septal motion on echo, it is not entirely predictive. Paradoxical septal motion on echo may therefore be more sensitive at identifying patients who respond to BVP. Further prospective studies are needed. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 20, April 2003)
Ejection Fraction: Subjective Visual Echocardiographic Estimation Versus Radionuclide Angiography
Authors: Shih TianChu , Lichtenberg Robert , Jacobs William
Published: December 2004

Objectives: The aim of this study was to validate the correlation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between two‐dimensional (2D) echocardiography with harmonic imaging modality and radionuclide angiography (RNA) in a large number of patients. Background: Subjective visual estimation of LVEF is the most prevalent method in evaluating left ventricular systolic function. Previous published reports demonstrated that visual estimation from 2D was superior to other mathematical calculations, however the studies contained less than 50 patients. Methods: Retrospective review of 377 consecutive medical records containing LVEF from both 2D echocardiography and RNA obtained from the same patient within 15 days from January 1998 to September 1999. Results: Correlation coefficient value (r) between 2D echocardiography subjective visual estimation and RNA was 0.84. The r value was further increased to 0.87 when heart transplant recipients excluded. The agreement of LVEF between 2D echocardiography and RNA are higher in normal or severely depressed LV. Conclusion: Excellent correlation of LVEF exists between 2D echocardiography subjective visual estimation and RNA, especially in normal or severely depressed LV. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 20, April 2003)
Estimation of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction From Doppler Derived Myocardial Performance Index in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction:
Authors: Hole Torstein , Vegsundvåg Johnny , Skjærpe Terje
Published: December 2004

Objective: The aim of the study was to validate a previously published method to calculate left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) from the myocardial performance index (MPI or Tei‐index) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: Sixty‐one patients in sinus rhythm without overt heart failure were examined between 2 and 7 days after the acute MI. Doppler tracings from mitral inflow and left ventricular outflow were recorded together with two‐dimensional echocardiographic (2DE) recordings. MPI was calculated from the Doppler tracings, and EF measured with the biplane Simpson's method. From MPI the EF was calculated by the formula EF = 0.60 – (0.34 × MPI). Radionuclide angiographic (RNA) measurements of EF were performed within 1 day of the Doppler echocardiography. Results: Compared with radionuclide EF, MPI derived EF significantly underestimated EF by 0.03 (±0.013; P = 0.027), whereas there was no significant difference in mean EF between 2DE and RNA. There was no statistically significant difference in the agreement between MPI derived EF relative to RNA, or 2DE relative to RNA. The agreement between the three methods was only moderate with wide limits of agreement (±0.17). The relationship expressed by the proposed formula for calculating EF from MPI was not statistically significant in regression analysis in this patient population. Conclusions: No statistically significant relationship was found between MPI and EF by radionuclide angiography. However, MPI derived EF was as accurate as biplane echocardiographic measurements of EF when compared with radionuclide EF, but the agreement between methods was only moderate. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 20, April 2003)
Does the Myocardial Performance Index Affect Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Patients With Mitral Stenosis? A Tissue Doppler Imaging Study
Authors: Özdemir Kuruluş , Altunkeser Bülent B. , Gök Hasan , çli Abdullah
Published: December 2004

Background: The relation between systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and mitral stenosis (MS) has been poorly understood. Although the mitral valve area (MVA) is an important factor affecting the PAP, there is a wide spectrum of the PAP in patients with MS despite a similar MVA. So, we analyzed whether the left and right ventricular myocardial performance index (MPI) correlated with the PAP. Methods: Two‐dimensional Doppler echocardiography was performed in 46 patients with MS. The left atrial diameter, mean mitral gradient, and MVA were measured. The PAP was derived from the tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity. The ejection time (ET), isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT), and contraction time (ICT) were measured on annulus of interventricular septum, lateral, inferior and anterior wall of left ventricle, and right ventricle free wall from apical two‐ and four‐chamber views in patients with MS and 40 age‐matched healthy patients by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Then the MPI was calculated as (IRT + ICT)/ET for both left and right ventricle. The correlation of PAP with MVA, mean mitral gradient, left atrial diameter, and left and right ventricular MPI was evaluated. Results: MVA and PAP were measured as

1.57 ± 0.39 cm2 (0.8–2.5 cm2)

and

42 ± 16 mmHg

, respectively. It was determined that the MPI increased in patients with MS

(0.59 ± 0.1 vs 0.48 ± 0.07, P < 0.001)

. It was also demonstrated that the MVA, left atrial diameter, mean diastolic gradient, and left ventricular MPI were correlated with PAP

(r =–0.39 [P = 0.007], r = 0.43 [P = 0.003], r = 0.58 [P < 0.001]

, and

r = 0.65 [P < 0.001]

, respectively). In multivariate analysis, although the PAP correlated with mean diastolic gradient and MPI (

r = 0.39 [P = 0.013]

, and

r = 0.48 [P < 0.001]

), it did not correlate with left atrial diameter and MVA. The PAP also correlated with right ventricular MPI

(r = 0.63 [P < 0.001])

. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the left ventricular MPI obtained by TDI is an important marker of PAP, and right ventricular MPI correlates with the PAP in patients with MS. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 20, April 2003)
Diastolic Paradoxic Jet Flow in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Report of Two Patients With Different Morphologic Aspects
Authors: Mangano Santi , Carerj Scipione , Pugliatti Pietro , Cavallaro Lucio , Rosa Antonino La , Grassi Rosario
Published: December 2004

Background: In non‐Asiatic population, apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy represents 1% to 2% of hypertrophic cardiomyopathies. The presence of an apical ventricular aneurysm occurs in 1% of patients with the apical variant of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Methods and Results: We present two patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, both illustrating an early diastolic paradoxic jet flow between the apex and the middle area of ventricle. Such paradoxic flow is possibly due to the coexistence of mid‐chamber obliteration and segmental wall motion abnormalities at the apex. The incidence and clinical significance of this flow pattern is still to be clarified. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 20, April 2003)
Role of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Detecting Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Lead Infection
Authors: Wasson Sanjeev , Aggarwal Kul , Flaker Greg , Reddy Hanumanth K.
Published: December 2004

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) lead infection is a rare condition with reported incidence of 0.2% to 16%. It usually presents with persistent bacteremia or fever of unknown origin and requires high clinical suspicion for diagnosis. Whenever ICD lead infection is suspected, transesophageal echocardiography is the diagnostic technique of choice for detection and characterization of the lesions. Lead infections are extremely difficult to manage conservatively and surgical removal of the entire defibrillator system is recommended along with antimicrobial therapy. We describe a case of recurrent staphylococci bacteremia due to an ICD lead infection in a patient with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 20, April 2003)
The effect of attributes of Vigna spp. on the bionomics of Callosobruchus maculatus
Authors: Sulehrie M. A. Q. , Golob P. , Tran B. M. D. , Farrell G.
Published: December 2004

Abstract Various parameters of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), such as ovipositional behaviour, development period, and ability of newly hatched larvae to utilise the host for further growth, are affected by host attributes that could be physical or chemical in nature. These factors were assessed using green‐ and black‐gram (Leguminosae) seed characteristics to explore whether they affected oviposition behaviour, fecundity, and breeding success in C. maculatus, and to determine whether the presence of cysteine proteinase inhibitor (CPI) within the seeds caused inhibition of proteinase activity in C. maculatus. Investigation revealed that green‐gram (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) varieties differed from black‐gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) varieties by having softer seeds with smoother seed coats. Green‐gram NM92 and the control had the heaviest seeds with the largest surface area and medium hardness, black‐gram had seeds with medium weight, medium surface area, and maximum hardness, and green‐gram NCM209 had the lightest seeds with smallest surface area and minimum hardness. Varieties with smooth seed coats and greater seed weight and surface area were preferred for oviposition. Grain texture was more important as an oviposition stimulus than grain surface area and size for the Islamabad biotype of C. maculatus. The level of CPI in seeds was not, on its own, responsible for the observed differences in insect development period or larval activity. Development period was shorter in green‐gram with softer seeds and was prolonged in black‐gram with harder seeds. Although C. maculatus did not suffer higher mortality in black‐gram seeds, the delay in development alone may lead to a considerable reduction in seed loss during storage, due to the low rate of multiplication and lower population growth.
Attraction of fruit flies of the genus Bactrocera to colored mimics of host fruit
Authors: Drew Richard A. I. , Prokopy Ronald J. , Romig Meredith C.
Published: December 2004

In tests on feral populations of polyphagous Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) adults on host guava trees, both sexes were significantly more attracted to Tangletrap‐coated 50 mm diameter spheres colored blue or white than to similar spheres colored red, orange, yellow, green, or black or to Tangletrap‐coated 50 mm diameter yellow‐green guava fruit. In contrast, in tests on feral populations of oligophagous Bactrocera cacuminata (Hering) on host wild tobacco plants, both sexes were significantly more attracted to Tangletrap‐coated 15 mm diameter spheres colored orange or yellow than to other colors of spheres or to Tangletrap‐coated 15 mm diameter green wild tobacco fruit. Both sexes of both tephritid species were significantly more attracted to blue (in the case of B. tryoni) or orange (in the case of B. cacuminata) 50 mm spheres displayed singly than to blue or orange 15 mm spheres displayed in clusters, even though fruit of wild tobacco plants are borne in clusters. Finally, B. tryoni adults were significantly less attracted to non‐ultraviolet reflecting bluish fruit‐mimicking spheres than to bluish fruit‐mimicking spheres having a slightly enhanced level of ultraviolet reflectance, similar to the reflectance of possible native host fruit of B. tryoni, whose bluish skin color is overlayed with ultraviolet‐reflecting waxy bloom. Responses to fruit visual stimuli found here are discussed relative to responses found in other tephritid species.
Rapid change in the settling behavior of the arrowhead scaleUnaspis yanonensisas an avoidance mechanism against introduced parasitoids,Aphytis yanonensis and Coccobius fulvus
Authors: Matsumoto Takashi , Itioka Takao , Nishida Takayoshi
Published: December 2004

AbstractParasitoids are thought to exert immense selection pressures that shape the traits of herbivores. We examined whether two species of parasitoid wasps,Aphytis yanonensisDeBach et Rosen andCoccobius fulvusCompere et Annecke (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), affect the settling behavior of the arrowhead scaleUnaspis yanonensisKuwana (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), in order to demonstrate the evolution of antiparasitism behavior of herbivores using parasitoids in the field. We used the following five methods: a comparison of parasitism risk in different settling behaviors‐parasitoid introduction into a parasitoid‐free population; a comparison of the settling behavior between parasitoid‐present and parasitoid‐free populations; a common garden experiment, in which scales were transferred from parasitoid‐present and parasitoid‐free populations into the same garden; and a laboratory observation of the settling behavior of the first instars derived from the two population categories. Both parasitoids were introduced into a parasitoid‐free population in Wakayama in 1987, and the settling mode of the scales was examined in 1987, 1994, and 1995. The introduction of parasitoids modified the scale‐settling mode so that more crawlers settled under another scale (called burrowing), which was consistent with the results observed in parasitoid‐present (including South China) and parasitoid‐free populations. Moreover, only the burrowing scale exhibited a lower parasitism rate compared to scales settling singly and being burrowed. The common garden experiment demonstrated that scales introduced from the parasitoid‐present population had a greater proportion of burrowers than the parasitoid‐free population, even in the same field cage under parasitoid‐free conditions. Laboratory observations demonstrated that the population difference in parasitism rate was principally due to intrinsic differences in the settling behavior of nymphs; some first‐instar nymphs derived from the parasitoid‐present population burrowed under another scale settled. These results strongly suggest that the natural selection pressure imposed by the parasitoids modified the settling behavior of the arrowhead scale.
Distribution, larval stage duration and growth of the sea lamprey ammocoetes, Petromyzon marinus L., in a highly modified river basin
Authors: Quintella B. R. , Andrade N. O. , Almeida P. R.
Published: December 2004

Abstract  – Larval stage duration of the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, in the River Mondego is estimated to last for 4 years. The number of annuli provides reliable age estimates when compared with length–frequency distributions analysis. The growth rate of the sea lamprey ammocoetes displays strong seasonal patterns, and reaches its highest value during the first 2 years of larval stage. About 69% of the length increment between hatching and metamorphosis is attained at the end of the second year. There is a longitudinal gradient associated with ammocoete distribution along the river. Relative abundance of ammocoetes decreases downstream from the Açude‐Ponte dam, the first obstruction encountered by the adult sea lampreys in their upstream spawning migration along the River Mondego.
Lost zooplanktivorous cichlid from Lake Victoria reappears with a new trade
Authors: Katunzi E. F. B. , Zoutendijk J. , Goldschmidt T. , Wanink J. H. , Witte F.
Published: December 2004

Abstract – The zooplanktivorous cichlidHaplochromis pyrrhocephalus, which was one of the most common haplochromine species in the Mwanza Gulf of Lake Victoria, had almost completely disappeared after the Nile perch upsurge in the 1980s. In the second half of the 1990s, this species suddenly reappeared in the strongly changed ecosystem. Gut content investigation revealed a change in diet. Currently,H. pyrrhocephaluseats large prey more frequently than in the past. These large prey comprise fish, shrimps and molluscs. The latter two were never encountered in specimens from the past. Particularly feeding on molluscs was unexpected, as it had been suggested that, because of anatomical constraints, molluscivory and zooplanktivory are incompatible in cichlid fish. Our observations provide a new example of the extreme versatility in feeding behaviour in haplochromine cichlids.
Consequence of habitat segregation to growth rate of two sparsely rakered whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus(L.)) forms in a subarctic lake
Authors: Kahilainen K. , Lehtonen H. , Könönen K.
Published: December 2004

Abstract – The aim of this study was to explain the growth differences of the two sympatric sparsely rakered whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus(L.)) forms in the subarctic Lake Muddusjärvi by comparing their habitat and food selection to available benthic food resources. The average number of gillrakers was 22.9 for large sparsely rakered whitefish (LSR) and 16.8 for small sparsely rakered whitefish (SSR). LSR dwelled primarily in the littoral zone at depths < 10 m, whereas SSR used mostly profundal habitats in depths > 10 m. LSR and SSR consumed mainly benthic macroinvertebrates, their abundance, biomass and diversity was highest in the littoral, decreasing towards the profundal. As the individual size of fish increased, LSR was able to shift to larger food items, which were available in the littoral. Possibility of SSR to ontogenetic food shift was scarce in the profundal, where availability of larger benthic macroinvertebrates was low. Because of abundant food resources in the littoral, growth rate of LSR was faster than that of SSR.
Klinik und Pathogenese UV‐induzierter Pigmentveränderungen
Authors: Ortonne Jean‐Paul , Schwarz Thomas
Published: December 2004

Sonnen‐ bzw. ultraviolette (UV) Strahlung ist der stärkste Stimulus für die Induktion von Pigmentierung in humaner Haut. Die verstärkte Melaninsynthese ist sowohl auf direkte als auch indirekte Effekte von UV‐Strahlung auf die Melanozyten zurückzuführen. Bei der Melanogenese handelt es sich um einen äußerst komplexen Vorgang, dessen molekulare Mechanismen noch immer nicht zur Gänze aufgeklärt sind. Akute UV‐Bestrahlung induziert die nicht schützende Sofortbräunung sowie die verzögerte Bräunung, die mit einem photoprotektiven Effekt einhergeht. Chronische UV‐Bestrahlung führt zu permanenten Veränderungen im Pigmentierungszustand im Sinne von solaren Lentigines, pigmentierten aktinischen Keratosen, aber auch zu Depigmentierungen. Auch künstliche UV‐Bestrahlung kann Pigmentveränderungen hervorrufen z. B. Lentigines, dies gilt vor allem für UVA‐ (Solarien) und PUVA‐Bestrahlungen. Da die therapeutischen Möglichkeiten in der Behandlung chronischer UV‐induzierter Pigmentveränderungen eingeschränkt sind, ist konsequenter Sonnenschutz im Sinne einer Prophylaxe zu empfehlen.
Flow Field of a Bunsen Flame
Authors: Uberoi M. S. , Kuethe A. M. , Menkes H. R.
Published: December 2004

The flow field of a two-dimensional Bunsen flame is examined by approximating the zone of combustion by a surface of discontinuity across which the density drops and normal velocity increases. Even though the flow of unburned gases is potential, the flow of the burned gases is always rotational and is therefore not amenable to complete analysis. Interaction of flame shape and flow field is obtained analytically and experimentally. The entire flow field of unburned and burned gases is mapped by taking stroboscopic photographs of small particles suspended in the combustible gases. The measured flow field is considered in the light of the above analysis.
Transitional Correction to the Drag of a Sphere in Free Molecule Flow
Authors: Baker R. M. L. , Charwat A. F.
Published: December 2004

The mechanics of collisions between molecules in front of a sphere moving at hypervelocity through a rarefied atmosphere are analyzed. The study is concerned with the ``transitional'' regime in which molecules emitted by the surface begin to shield the body from the oncoming Newtonian stream and the net drag decreases from its free-molecular value. It is found that a simplified but physically significant model can be formulated, and that it leads to a dependence of the drag coefficient on two transition parameters. These can be interpreted as the Reynolds number and the surface-to-free stream temperature ratio. The predictions of this theory agree qualitatively and in order of magnitude with observations.
Kinetic Theory of the Impulsive Motion of an Infinite Plane
Authors: Gross Eugene P. , Jackson E. Atlee
Published: December 2004

The half-range method of solution of the Boltzmann equation is used to give a kinetic theory treatment of the Rayleigh problem. In contrast to the Navier-Stokes or Grad theories, the method yields exact results for the initial stress and slip velocity at the boundary. It also indicates corrections to the classical Rayleigh results, even at long times compared to the collision periods of the gas molecules. The corrections are shown to be related to the usual slip boundary conditions of hydrodynamics plus an additional part arising from boundary layer effects. The half-range method predicts corrections to the standard methods of between 10%–25% for all values of the time.
Experimental Study of the Method of Bubble Formation in Bubble Chambers
Authors: Goldburg Walter I.
Published: December 2004

To help put a lower limit on the sensitive time of organic liquids commonly used in bubble chambers a static electric field of 15 kv/cm was applied across a small propane bubble chamber which was then expanded in the conventional manner when a beam of 450 Mev protons was passed through it. The bubble density along the tracks was measured with both field on and field off. Within statistics (±4%) no difference in bubble density was observed for the two cases.

To interpret this result it is assumed that δ rays produce bubbles if they deposit a certain minimum amount of energy within a critical volume of the liquid. It is then concluded from this experiment that either recombination effects are not important in bubble formation or that the recombination time of ions in a critical volume of propane is ≲ 10−11 sec. This figure appears to represent a reasonable theoretical estimate of the sensitive time of propane, liquid hydrogen, and liquid helium.
Supersonic Motion of Vacuum Spark Plasmas along Magnetic Fields
Authors: Finkelstein D. , Sawyer G. A. , Stratton T. F.
Published: December 2004

Studies of plasmas produced by sparks in vacuum are reported. The observations of principal interest concern the speed with which such plasmas leave the spark. The conclusions about plasma speeds are that they are approximately ten times greater than the thermal speeds associated with spark temperature, varying between 2 × 106 and 2 × 107 cm/sec, and in the range observed, the velocities are approximately independent of the spark parameters. It is suggested that the pinch effect may be the mechanism of plasma acceleration.
On the Spectrum of Turbulence
Authors: Wentzel Donat G.
Published: December 2004

The spectrum of turbulence on Chandrasekhar's theory is derived.
Properties of Gases at Very High Temperatures
Authors: Amdur I. , Mason E. A.
Published: December 2004

Known intermolecular force laws are used to calculate virial coefficients of the equation of state and the transport properties at very high temperatures for the rare gases and for molecular nitrogen. The crucial force laws which enable the calculations to be carried to high temperatures are those derived from molecular beam scattering measurements, which are valid at close distances of molecular approach. The calculations cover the temperature range from 1000° to 15 000°K, but take into account only the translational degrees of freedom and neglect the effects of excitation, dissociation, and ionization. The treatment of mixtures is outlined, and illustrated by calculations for the binary system helium-argon. The methods which are used offer an approach to the problem of obtaining reasonably accurate estimates of gas properties at temperatures so high that direct experiments would be extremely difficult, if not impossible.
Relation between Time Symmetry and Reflection Symmetry of Turbulent Fluids
Authors: Meecham William C.
Published: December 2004

An assumption of statistical reflection symmetry is proposed for certain turbulent flows. On the basis of this assumption it is shown that some space-time velocity correlations characterizing the flow are even functions of the time delay between the correlation measurements. In particular the second- and one of the fourth-order velocity correlations are symmetric in this relative time.
Experiments on the Ohmic Heating and Confinement of Plasma in a Stellarator
Authors: Coor T. , Cunningham S. P. , Ellis R. A. , Heald M. A. , Kranz A. Z.
Published: December 2004

The basic concepts of confinement and ohmic heating in a figure-eight stellarator are briefly reviewed and experimental data in these areas summarized. The production of energetic x-rays by runaway electrons, up to ten milliseconds after the disappearance of the accelerating field, has indicated effective single-particle confinement by magnetic fields of 20 000 to 30 000 gauss. However, the plasma confinement time during ohmic heating appears to be limited by unknown processes to approximately 100 microseconds for hydrogen, more than three orders of magnitude shorter than predicted from classical collisional diffusion. The ionization level in a helium discharge, with an initial pressure of about 1 μ of Hg, becomes virtually complete during the heating pulse, and the electric resistivity corresponds to a kinetic temperature of about 100 volts, or 106 degrees. After the heating pulse, the electron density decays with a time constant as great as 6 milliseconds under some conditions. The hydromagnetic kink instability predicted by Kruskal has been clearly observed.
Experiments on Ion Cyclotron Resonance
Authors: Stix T. H. , Palladino R. W.
Published: December 2004

Theoretical calculations have indicated that an attractive possibility for heating the ions of a plasma directly, swiftly, and efficiently is to feed energy into ion cyclotron waves and cause this wave energy to thermalize. Experiments at the milliwatt power level verify the existence of a resonance in a helium plasma at the cyclotron frequency of the doubly charged helium ion. The variation of the plasma loading with magnetic field strength is markedly asymmetrical, in agreement with the theory of ion cyclotron wave generation. The observed plasma loading indicates an efficiency of power transfer between the induction coil and the plasma greater than 60%.
Plasma Motions Induced by Satellites in the Ionosphere
Authors: Kraus Lester , Watson Kenneth M.
Published: December 2004

The electrohydrodynamic phenomena associated with the high-velocity motion of a charged body in a plasma are investigated with a view to applications to satellite motion in the ionosphere. It is shown that the effect of the electric field due to the charge on the body in inducing collective motion leads to similar results both for high- and low-density gases. By using a linearized theory, formulas are obtained for the electrohydrodynamic drag and for the increased ionization in the Mach cone behind the body.
Ignition of a Thermonuclear Plasma by High-Energy Injection
Authors: Simon Albert
Published: December 2004

The effect of the neutral gas background on the formation of a thermonuclear plasma by highenergy injection is discussed. There ways of overcoming this barrier are detailed. The first is by sufficiently reducing the initial gas pressure; the second by injecting sufficient current so that plasma self-shielding or ``burnout'' occurs; and the third by use of the ion pumping or ``gettering'' action of the trapped plasma. Numerical examples are given. In particular the requirements for ``burnout'' do not seem excessively difficult to attain.
Energy Partition in the Exploding Wire Phenomena
Authors: Bennett F. D.
Published: December 2004

Streak camera and oscillographic circuit-damping data are presented for exploded copper wires varying in diameter from 3 to 8 mils. A maximum of specific shock-wave energy in the induced flow is found at a wire diameter different from that of a minimum in the total damping time of the circuit. This displacement is shown to be caused by the presence of residual circuit resistance. The proof is based on a critical analysis of optimum damping conditions in the exploding wire circuit. A maximum of apparent energy within the contact surface appears at about the same wire diameter as the minimum of total damping time. Discussion of the implications of the Taylor-Lin similarity theory indicates that lack of similarity of the flow is probably connected with the displacement of the maximum energies associated with shock-wave and contact surface.
Explosively Induced Nonuniform Oblique Shocks
Authors: Erkman John O.
Published: December 2004

At the high pressures induced by explosive attack, metals are assumed to behave like nonviscous, non-heat-conducting fluids. Within these assumptions, intensity and duration of explosively induced nonuniform oblique shocks are calculated by the method of characteristics for aluminum and copper in those cases involving supersonic flow both in the metal and in the explosive gas. Flow in both metal and explosive product gas is assumed to be isentropic even in the presence of shock waves. When a three-parameter equation of state is used for the gas, an arbitrary assumption must be made concerning the magnitude of one of these parameters, since pressure, density, and sound speed are known only for the Chapman-Jouguet point for the explosive gas. Reasonableness of this assumption is tested by comparing the results of the calculation with experiment. Results for oblique shocks confirm the results obtained previously for plane shocks in regard to the equation of state of the gas.
Limiting boundary conditions of a plasma fluid at an absorbing target
Authors: Chodura R.
Published: December 2004

An absorbing boundary (e.g., a material wall or a target) in contact along magnetic field lines with a plasma induces a loss flow of charged particles. An ideal fluid model of this flow does not match the onset condition of the sheath. In order to meet this condition the fluid model is to include transport processes, e.g., parallel ion viscosity. A fluid-transport model in the Braginskii form of parabolic transport equations needs boundary conditions which are not available at an absorbing target. Different to the Braginskii model, in the present paper the inertial terms in the ion transport equations are retained. Thereby the system of ion fluid equations remains hyperbolic. The characteristics of this system are used to derive limiting conditions of the ion fluids at the absorbing boundary. The limiting boundary conditions are derived for the complete set of fluid equations as well as for a set in which the inertial terms in the equations for the flow components perpendicular to the magnetic field are neglected (drift approximation). It is shown that the limiting boundary conditions derived in these two cases coincide with the onset conditions of the magnetoacoustic and the ionacoustic (Debye) part of the sheath. Numerical results from the one-dimensional fluid model, using the limiting boundary conditions in front of the target in different external situations, are checked against results from a kinetic particle model which imposes boundary conditions directly at the target. The results of the fluid model and the kinetic model agree well in case of frequent collisions in the bulk and only few collisions in the sheath. They agree less well in case of few collisions in the bulk and no collisions in the sheath.
Quantum integrability of bosonic massive Thirring model in continuum
Authors: Bhattacharyya Tanaya
Published: December 2004

By using a variant of the quantum inverse scattering method, commutation relations between all elements of the quantum monodromy matrix of the bosonic massive Thirring (BMT) model are obtained. Using those relations, the quantum integrability of BMT model is established and the S-matrix of two-body scattering between the corresponding quasiparticles has been obtained. It is observed that for some special values of the coupling constant, there exists an upper bound on the number of quasiparticles that can form a quantum-soliton state of the BMT model. We also calculate the binding energy for a N-soliton state of the quantum BMT model.
Laser heated high density fluids probed by coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Baer Bruce J. , Yoo Choong-Shik
Published: December 2004

We describe experiments integrating coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS), laser-heating and diamond-anvil cell (DAC) technologies for probing molecular vibrations of transparent molecular fluids at the pressure–temperature conditions of energetic detonation and interiors of giant planets. In these experiments, we use a microfabricated metal toroid and a cw Nd:YLF laser to conductively heat a surrounding transparent sample in a DAC. The laser is operated at a TEM01* mode to match the shape of the toroid and thus produces a uniform heating area. The CARS probe utilizes two pulsed lasers with similar cavity lengths: a commercial narrow-band mode-locked Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and a homebuilt broadband dye laser. A strong CARS signal is then produced from the sample in the central region of laser-heated metal toroid where the two laser pulses spatially and temporally coincide. In this article, we demonstrate that this technique is capable of producing high quality vibrational spectra from nitrogen fluid above 2000 K and 13 GPa, where the application of spontaneous Raman spectroscopy is limited because of intense thermal radiation.