bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Planning and Providing End‐of‐life Care in Rural Areas
Authors: Wilson Donna M. , Justice Christopher , Sheps Sam , Thomas Roger , Reid Pam , Leibovici Karen
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACT: 
Context: Approximately 20% of North Americans and 25% of Europeans reside in rural areas. Planning and providing end‐of‐life (EOL) care in rural areas presents some unique challenges. Purpose: In order to understand these challenges, and other important issues or circumstances, a literature search was conducted to assess the state of science on rural EOL care. Methods: The following databases were searched for articles published from 1988 through 2003: EMBASE, Medline, CINAHL, AHMED, Psychinfo, ERIC, HealthStar, Sociological Abstracts, and Cochrane. All articles were systematically reviewed. Findings: Thirty‐six research articles were identified. Only 1 randomized controlled trial was located. Most research was single site, small sample, and exploratory/descriptive in design. Four distinct foci in this body of research were noted: (1) identifying and describing differences between urban and rural EOL care; (2) exploring rural EOL care; (3) assessing the EOL needs and wishes of terminally ill or dying persons, their family members, and health care professionals in rural areas; and (4) exploring EOL education for rural EOL care providers. Conclusions: Although rural EOL care research is not extensive, the existing literature is helpful for realizing the importance of EOL care in rural communities, as well as for conceptualizing and planning EOL care in rural communities. One of the chief considerations for rural EOL care is that dying at home is a common wish, with home‐based nursing care a key factor for this to become a reality. Another chief consideration is ensuring all rural health care professionals are both prepared for and supported while delivering EOL care.
The Characteristics of Successful Family Physicians in Rural Nebraska: A Qualitative Study of Physician Interviews
Authors: Backer Elisabeth L. , McIlvain Helen E. , Paulman Paul M. , Ramaekers Ryan C.
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACT: 
Context: In studying physician shortage issues, few studies have utilized individual interviews, allowing rural physicians to voice their own stories. Purpose: To explore rural physicians’ unique characteristics affecting their decisions and satisfactions with practice in a rural area. Methods: A qualitative interview study with 11 Nebraska family physicians practicing in rural (frontier) areas. Findings: Previous experience and preference for a rural lifestyle, desire for autonomy, a wide scope of practice, and close relationships with patients defined those physicians choosing rural practice.
Effects of exhaustive stretch‐shortening cycle exercise on muscle blood flow during exercise
Authors: Laaksonen M. S. , Kivelä R. , Kyröläinen H. , Sipilä S. , Selänne H. , Lautamäki R. , Nuutila P. , Knuuti J. , Kalliokoski K. K. , Komi P. V.
Published: March 2006

Aim:  The influence of exhaustive stretch‐shortening cycle exercise (SSC) on skeletal muscle blood flow (BF) during exercise is currently unknown.

Methods:  Quadriceps femoris (QF) BF was measured in eight healthy men using positron emission tomography before and 3 days after exhaustive SSC exercise. The SSC protocol consisted of maximal and submaximal drop jumps with one leg. Needle biopsies of the vastus lateralis muscles were taken immediately and 2 days after SSC for muscle endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and interleukin‐1‐beta (IL‐1β) mRNA level determinations.

Results:  All subjects reported subjective muscle soreness after SSC (P < 0.001), which was well in line with a decrease in maximal isometric contraction force (MVC) and increase in serum creatine kinase activity (CK) (P = 0.018). After SSC muscle BF was 25% higher in entire QF (P = 0.043) and in its deep and superficial muscle regions, whereas oxygen uptake remained unchanged (P = 0.893). Muscle biopsies revealed increased IL‐1β (30 min: 152 ± 75%, P = 0.012 and 2 days: 108 ± 203%, P = 0.036) but decreased or unchanged eNOS (30 min; −21 ± 57%, P = 0.050 and 2 days: +101 ± 204%, P = 0.779) mRNA levels after SSC.

Conclusion:  It was concluded that fatiguing SSC exercise induces increased muscle BF during exercise, which is likely to be associated with pro‐inflammatory processes in the exercised muscle.
Products of cyclooxygenase‐2 depress duodenal function in rats subjected to abdominal surgery
Authors: Pihl L. , Nylander O.
Published: March 2006

Aim:  Abdominal surgery evokes powerful biological responses that affect gastrointestinal functions. Here we investigate the role of the cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) isoforms in post‐operative duodenal ileus.

Methods:  Proximal duodenum of anesthetized rats was perfused in situ with isotonic or hypotonic (50 mM) NaCl. Mucosal bicarbonate secretion, motility, mucosal permeability and effluent osmolality were determined in the absence and presence of different COX inhibitors.

Results:  The majority of control animals had no or few duodenal contractions and bicarbonate secretion averaged 10.9 ± 1.4 μmol cm−1 h−1. These ‘paralytic’ controls responded to hypotonic NaCl with a small increase in mucosal permeability. In control animals exhibiting spontaneous duodenal contractions, the bicarbonate secretion was 50% higher and the hypotonicity‐induced net increase in mucosal permeability sevenfold higher than in ‘paralytic’ controls. Treatment with the selective COX‐2 inhibitors rofecoxib or parecoxib induced duodenal motility, increased bicarbonate secretion and potentiated the hypotonicity‐induced increase in mucosal permeability. COX‐2‐inhibited animals had a twofold greater capacity to adjust luminal osmolality than ‘paralytic’ controls. The selective COX‐1 inhibitor SC‐560 only transiently stimulated motility and bicarbonate secretion and the hypotonicity‐induced increase in mucosal permeability was smaller than in COX‐2‐inhibited animals.

Conclusions:  Abdominal surgery increases the synthesis of prostanoids, particularly via the COX‐2 isoform. This compromises the ability of the duodenum to contract and to secrete HCO and to adjust luminal osmolality possibly via altered mucosal permeability. It is proposed that studies of gastrointestinal functions in animals subjected to abdominal surgery should include animals pre‐treated with a COX‐2 inhibitor.
Consequences of forest fragmentation for polyporous fungi at two spatial scales
Authors: Penttilä R. , Lindgren M. , Miettinen O. , Rita H. , Hanski I.
Published: March 2006

Greatly reduced area of old‐growth forests and the very low amount of dead wood in managed forests in northern Europe have caused a marked decline in the populations of saproxylic species. It is less clear at which spatial and temporal scales these adverse changes are taking place, and more information is needed to reliably predict which species are especially sensitive to loss and fragmentation of habitat. Here we compare species richness, incidence of occurrence in forest fragments, and abundance of polyporous fungal species and species groups between two regions in Finland with contrasting histories of forestry and a marked difference in the amount and spatial configuration of old‐growth forests. We also analyse the consequences of increasing loss of connectivity on the presence and abundance of polypores in a study region with a documented short‐term history of old‐growth fragmentation. Our results show that the species number, incidence of occurrence, and abundance of especially the rare, threatened, and near‐threatened species are much lower in the old‐growth fragments in Häme in southern Finland in comparison with Kuhmo in eastern Finland, most probably because of the longer history of intensive forestry in Häme. Among the rare species, the species that show the greatest difference between the two regions (at the scale of 500 km) also tended to respond most strongly to the more recent forest fragmentation within the study region in Kuhmo (at the scale of 50 km). Polypores associated with spruce seem to be more strongly affected by forestry than species associated with pine, possibly reflecting the differences in the natural dynamics of spruce‐dominated and pine‐dominated forests.
Interspecific population regulation and the stability of mutualism: fruit abortion and density‐dependent mortality of pollinating seed‐eating insects
Authors: Holland J. N. , DeAngelis D. L.
Published: March 2006

Two questions central to the population ecology of mutualism include: (1) what mechanisms prevent the inherent positive feedback of mutualism from leading to unbounded population growth; and (2) what mechanisms prevent instability from arising due to overexploitation. Theory and empiricism suggest that preventing such instability requires density‐dependent processes. A recent theory proposes that if benefits and costs to a mutualist vary with the density of its partner, then instability can be prevented if the former species can control demographic rates and regulate (or limit) the population density of its partner. The ecological and evolutionary feasibility of this theory of interspecific population regulation has been demonstrated using quantitative models of mutualism between plants and pollinating seed‐consuming insects. In these models, resource‐limited fruit set and ensuing fruit abortion are mechanisms that can lead to density‐dependent recruitment and population regulation of the insects. Yet, there has been little interplay between these theoretical results and empirical research. A recent study empirically examined the density‐dependent effects of resource‐limited fruit set and fruit abortion in the Yucca/moth mutualism. An analysis of the study led to the conclusion that, even though fruit abortion can account for >95% of moth mortality, it is largely a density‐independent source of mortality that cannot regulate moth population density. Here, we re‐analyze those empirical data and conduct further theoretical analyses to examine the nature of fruit abortion on moth recruitment. We conclude that resource‐limited fruit set and fruit abortion can effectively regulate and limit moth populations, due to its density‐dependent feedback on moth recruitment. Nonetheless, in any given interaction, multiple sources of mortality may contribute to the regulation and limitation of populations, and hence the stability of mutualism, including, larval competition and mortality due to locule damage in the Yucca/moth mutualism.
The river domain: why are there more species halfway up the river?
Authors: Dunn Robert R. , Colwell Robert K. , Nilsson Christer
Published: March 2006

Biologists have long noted higher levels of species diversity in the longitudinal middle‐courses of river systems and have proposed many explanations. As a new explanation for this widespread pattern, we suggest that many middle‐course peaks in richness may be, at least in part, a consequence of geometric constraints on the location of species’ ranges along river courses, considering river headwaters and mouths as boundaries for the taxa considered. We demonstrate this extension of the mid‐domain effect (MDE) to river systems for riparian plants along two rivers in Sweden, where a previous study found a middle‐course peak in richness of natural (non‐ruderal) species. We compare patterns of empirical richness of these species to null model predictions of species richness along the two river systems and to spatial patterns for six environmental variables (channel width, substrate fineness, substrate heterogeneity, ice scour, bank height, and bank area). In addition, we examine the independent prediction of mid‐domain effects models that species with large ranges, because the location of their ranges is more constrained, are more likely to produce a mid‐domain peak in richness than are species with small ranges. Species richness patterns of riparian plants were best predicted by models including both null model predictions and environmental variables. When species were divided into large‐ranged and small‐ranged groups, the mid‐domain effect was more prominent and the null model predictions were a better fit to the empirical richness patterns of large‐ranged species than those of small‐ranged species. Our results suggest that the peak in riparian plant species richness in the middle courses of the rivers studied can be explained by an underlying mid‐domain effect (driven by geometric constraints on large‐ranged species), together with environmental effects on richness patterns (particularly on small‐ranged species). We suggest that the mid‐domain effect may help to explain similar middle‐course richness peaks along other rivers.
Ambient Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Cooks R. Graham , Ouyang Zheng , Takats Zoltan , Wiseman Justin M.
Published: March 2006

A recent innovation in mass spectrometry is the ability to record mass spectra on ordinary samples, in their native environment, without sample preparation or preseparation by creating ions outside the instrument. In desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), the principal method described here, electrically charged droplets are directed at the ambient object of interest; they release ions from the surface, which are then vacuumed through the air into a conventional mass spectrometer. Extremely rapid analysis is coupled with high sensitivity and high chemical specificity. These characteristics are advantageously applied to high-throughput metabolomics, explosives detection, natural products discovery, and biological tissue imaging, among other applications. Future possible uses of DESI for in vivo clinical analysis and its adaptation to portable mass spectrometers are described.
Fuel-Powered Artificial Muscles
Authors: Ebron Von Howard , Yang Zhiwei , Seyer Daniel J. , Kozlov Mikhail E. , Oh Jiyoung , Xie Hui , Razal Joselito , Hall Lee J. , Ferraris John P. , MacDiarmid Alan G. , Baughman Ray H.
Published: March 2006

Artificial muscles and electric motors found in autonomous robots and prosthetic limbs are typically battery-powered, which severely restricts the duration of their performance and can necessitate long inactivity during battery recharge. To help solve these problems, we demonstrated two types of artificial muscles that convert the chemical energy of high–energy-density fuels to mechanical energy. The first type stores electrical charge and uses changes in stored charge for mechanical actuation. In contrast with electrically powered electrochemical muscles, only half of the actuator cycle is electrochemical. The second type of fuel-powered muscle provides a demonstrated actuator stroke and power density comparable to those of natural skeletal muscle and generated stresses that are over a hundred times higher.
αE-Catenin Controls Cerebral Cortical Size by Regulating the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
Authors: Lien Wen-Hui , Klezovitch Olga , Fernandez Tania E. , Delrow Jeff , Vasioukhin Valeri
Published: March 2006

During development, cells monitor and adjust their rates of accumulation to produce organs of predetermined size. We show here that central nervous system–specific deletion of the essential adherens junction gene, α
E-catenin,
causes abnormal activation of the hedgehog pathway, resulting in shortening of the cell cycle, decreased apoptosis, and cortical hyperplasia. We propose that αE-catenin connects cell-density–dependent adherens junctions with the developmental hedgehog pathway and that this connection may provide a negative feedback loop controlling the size of developing cerebral cortex.
An Equivalence Principle for the Incorporation of Favorable Mutations in Asexual Populations
Authors: Hegreness Matthew , Shoresh Noam , Hartl Daniel , Kishony Roy
Published: March 2006

Rapid evolution of asexual populations, such as that of cancer cells or of microorganisms developing drug resistance, can include the simultaneous spread of distinct beneficial mutations. We demonstrate that evolution in such cases is driven by the fitness effects and appearance times of only a small minority of favorable mutations. The complexity of the mutation-selection process is thereby greatly reduced, and much of the evolutionary dynamics can be encapsulated in two parameters—an effective selection coefficient and effective rate of beneficial mutations. We confirm this theoretical finding and estimate the effective parameters for evolving populations of fluorescently labeledEscherichia coli. The effective parameters constitute a simple description and provide a natural standard for comparing adaptation between species and across environments.
Comment on "Ivory-billed Woodpecker (
Campephilus principalis
) Persists in Continental North America"
Authors: Sibley David A. , Bevier Louis R. , Patten Michael A. , Elphick Chris S.
Published: March 2006

We reanalyzed video presented as confirmation that an ivory-billed woodpecker (
Campephilus principalis
) persists in Arkansas (Fitzpatrick
et al
., Reports, 3 June 2005, p. 1460). None of the features described as diagnostic of the ivory-billed woodpecker eliminate a normal pileated woodpecker (
Dryocopus pileatus
). Although we support efforts to find and protect ivory-billed woodpeckers, the video evidence does not demonstrate that the species persists in the United States.
Reward Timing in the Primary Visual Cortex
Authors: Shuler Marshall G. , Bear Mark F.
Published: March 2006

We discovered that when adult rats experience an association between visual stimuli and subsequent rewards, the responses of a substantial fraction of neurons in the primary visual cortex evolve from those that relate solely to the physical attributes of the stimuli to those that accurately predict the timing of reward. In addition to revealing a remarkable type of response plasticity in adult V1, these data demonstrate that reward-timing activity—a “higher” brain function—can occur very early in sensory-processing paths. These findings challenge the traditional interpretation of activity in the primary visual cortex.
Seed Dispersal by Weta
Authors: Duthie Catherine , Gibbs George , Burns K. C.
Published: March 2006

Weta are giant, flightless grasshoppers that are endemic to New Zealand. In the absence of native mammals, weta are thought to perform similar ecological functions. As such, they might be expected to be important seeds dispersers. However, insects are not known to consume fleshy fruits and to disperse seeds after gut passage. We conducted a series of observations and experiments to test whether weta form mutualistic partnerships with fleshy-fruited plants as seed dispersers, similar to small mammals elsewhere in the world. Results showed that weta are indeed effective seeds dispersers, providing an example of ecological convergence between unrelated organisms.
Saturn's Spokes: Lost and Found
Authors: Mitchell C. J. , Horányi M. , Havnes O. , Porco C. C.
Published: March 2006

The spokes are intermittently appearing radial markings in Saturn's B ring that are believed to form when micrometer-sized dust particles are levitated above the ring by electrostatic forces. First observed by the Voyagers, the spokes disappeared from October 1998 until September 2005, when the Cassini spacecraft saw them reappear. The trajectories of the charged dust particles comprising the spokes depend critically on the background plasma density above the rings, which is a function of the solar elevation angle. Because the rings are more open to the Sun now than when Voyager flew by, the charging environment above the rings has prevented the formation of spokes until very recently. We show that this notable effect is capable of stopping spoke formation entirely and restricting the size of the particles in the spokes.
Parietal-Eye Phototransduction Components and Their Potential Evolutionary Implications
Authors: Su Chih-Ying , Luo Dong-Gen , Terakita Akihisa , Shichida Yoshinori , Liao Hsi-Wen , Kazmi Manija A. , Sakmar Thomas P. , Yau King-Wai
Published: March 2006

The parietal-eye photoreceptor is unique because it has two antagonistic light signaling pathways in the same cell—a hyperpolarizing pathway maximally sensitive to blue light and a depolarizing pathway maximally sensitive to green light. Here, we report the molecular components of these two pathways. We found two opsins in the same cell: the blue-sensitive pinopsin and a previously unidentified green-sensitive opsin, which we name parietopsin. Signaling components included gustducin-α and Gαo, but not rod or cone transducin-α. Single-cell recordings demonstrated that Gomediates the depolarizing response. Gustducin-α resembles transducin-α functionally and likely mediates the hyperpolarizing response. The parietopsin-Gosignaling pair provides clues about how rod and cone phototransduction might have evolved.
Broadband Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy for Sensitive and Rapid Molecular Detection
Authors: Thorpe Michael J. , Moll Kevin D. , Jones R. Jason , Safdi Benjamin , Ye Jun
Published: March 2006

We demonstrate highly efficient cavity ringdown spectroscopy in which a broad-bandwidth optical frequency comb is coherently coupled to a high-finesse optical cavity that acts as the sample chamber. 125,000 optical comb components, each coupled into a specific longitudinal cavity mode, undergo ringdown decays when the cavity input is shut off. Sensitive intracavity absorption information is simultaneously available across 100 nanometers in the visible and near-infrared spectral regions. Real-time, quantitative measurements were made of the trace presence, the transition strengths and linewidths, and the population redistributions due to collisions and the temperature changes for molecules such as C
2
H
2
, O
2
, H
2
O, and NH
3
.
Microstructured Optical Fibers as High-Pressure Microfluidic Reactors
Authors: Sazio Pier J. A. , Amezcua-Correa Adrian , Finlayson Chris E. , Hayes John R. , Scheidemantel Thomas J. , Baril Neil F. , Jackson Bryan R. , Won Dong-Jin , Zhang Feng , Margine Elena R. , Gopalan Venkatraman , Crespi Vincent H. , Badding John V.
Published: March 2006

Deposition of semiconductors and metals from chemical precursors onto planar substrates is a well-developed science and technology for microelectronics. Optical fibers are an established platform for both communications technology and fundamental research in photonics. Here, we describe a hybrid technology that integrates key aspects of both engineering disciplines, demonstrating the fabrication of tubes, solid nanowires, coaxial heterojunctions, and longitudinally patterned structures composed of metals, single-crystal semiconductors, and polycrystalline elemental or compound semiconductors within microstructured silica optical fibers. Because the optical fibers are constructed and the functional materials are chemically deposited in distinct and independent steps, the full design flexibilities of both platforms can now be exploited simultaneously for fiber-integrated optoelectronic materials and devices.
POLYHOMOGENEOUS SOLUTIONS OF NONLINEAR WAVE EQUATIONS WITHOUT CORNER CONDITIONS
Authors: CHRUŚCIEL PIOTR T. , ŁȨSKI SZYMON
Published: March 2006

The study of Einstein equations leads naturally to Cauchy problems with initial data on hypersurfaces which closely resemble hyperboloids in Minkowski space-time, and with initial data with polyhomogeneous asymptotics, that is, with asymptotic expansions in terms of powers of ln r and inverse powers of r. Such expansions also arise in the conformal method for analysing wave equations in odd space-time dimension. In recent work it has been shown that for non-linear wave equations, or for wave maps, polyhomogeneous initial data lead to solutions which are also polyhomogeneous provided that an infinite hierarchy of corner conditions holds. In this paper we show that the result is true regardless of corner conditions.
GLOBAL CENTERED WAVES AND CONTACT DISCONTINUITIES OF THE AXISYMMETRIC EULER EQUATIONS
Authors: GODIN PAUL
Published: March 2006

Global existence results have been obtained by Serre and Grassin–Serre for smooth solutions to the Euler equations of a perfect gas, provided the initial data belong to suitable spaces, the initial sound speed is small, and the initial velocity forces particles to spread out. We work in two space dimensions and start with initial data which are rotation invariant around 0 and of the type considered by Serre and Grassin–Serre. We then consider slightly perturbed initial data which are also rotation invariant around 0 and jump across a given circle centered at 0, in such a way that there is a solution with these perturbed initial data which presents two centered waves (in radial coordinates) and one contact discontinuity for small positive time. We show that this solution is global in positive time and keeps the same structure.
Exercise training in normobaric hypoxia in endurance runners. III. Muscular adjustments of selected gene transcripts
Authors: Zoll Joffrey , Ponsot Elodie , Dufour Stéphane , Doutreleau Stéphane , Ventura-Clapier Renée , Vogt Michael , Hoppeler Hans , Richard Ruddy , Flück Martin
Published: March 2006

We hypothesized that specific muscular transcript level adaptations participate in the improvement of endurance performances following intermittent hypoxia training in endurance-trained subjects. Fifteen male high-level, long-distance runners integrated a modified living low-training high program comprising two weekly controlled training sessions performed at the second ventilatory threshold for 6 wk into their normal training schedule. The athletes were randomly assigned to either a normoxic (Nor) (inspired O2fraction = 20.9%, n = 6) or a hypoxic group exercising under normobaric hypoxia (Hyp) (inspired O2fraction = 14.5%, n = 9). Oxygen uptake and speed at second ventilatory threshold, maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2 max), and time to exhaustion (Tlim) at constant load at V̇o2 maxvelocity in normoxia and muscular levels of selected mRNAs in biopsies were determined before and after training. V̇o2 max(+5%) and Tlim (+35%) increased specifically in the Hyp group. At the molecular level, mRNA concentrations of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (+104%), glucose transporter-4 (+32%), phosphofructokinase (+32%), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α (+60%), citrate synthase (+28%), cytochrome oxidase 1 (+74%) and 4 (+36%), carbonic anhydrase-3 (+74%), and manganese superoxide dismutase (+44%) were significantly augmented in muscle after exercise training in Hyp only. Significant correlations were noted between muscular mRNA levels of monocarboxylate transporter-1, carbonic anhydrase-3, glucose transporter-4, and Tlim only in the group of athletes who trained in hypoxia ( P < 0.05). Accordingly, the addition of short hypoxic stress to the regular endurance training protocol induces transcriptional adaptations in skeletal muscle of athletic subjects. Expressional adaptations involving redox regulation and glucose uptake are being recognized as a potential molecular pathway, resulting in improved endurance performance in hypoxia-trained subjects.
Exercise training in normobaric hypoxia in endurance runners. I. Improvement in aerobic performance capacity
Authors: Dufour Stéphane P. , Ponsot Elodie , Zoll Joffrey , Doutreleau Stéphane , Lonsdorfer-Wolf Evelyne , Geny Bernard , Lampert Eliane , Flück Martin , Hoppeler Hans , Billat Véronique , Mettauer Bertrand , Richard Ruddy , Lonsdorfer Jean
Published: March 2006

This study investigates whether a 6-wk intermittent hypoxia training (IHT), designed to avoid reductions in training loads and intensities, improves the endurance performance capacity of competitive distance runners. Eighteen athletes were randomly assigned to train in normoxia [Nor group; n = 9; maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2 max) = 61.5 ± 1.1 ml·kg−1·min−1] or intermittently in hypoxia (Hyp group; n = 9; V̇o2 max= 64.2 ± 1.2 ml·kg−1·min−1). Into their usual normoxic training schedule, athletes included two weekly high-intensity (second ventilatory threshold) and moderate-duration (24–40 min) training sessions, performed either in normoxia [inspired O2fraction (FiO2) = 20.9%] or in normobaric hypoxia (FiO2= 14.5%). Before and after training, all athletes realized 1) a normoxic and hypoxic incremental test to determine V̇o2 maxand ventilatory thresholds (first and second ventilatory threshold), and 2) an all-out test at the pretraining minimal velocity eliciting V̇o2 maxto determine their time to exhaustion (Tlim) and the parameters of O2uptake (V̇o2) kinetics. Only the Hyp group significantly improved V̇o2 max(+5% at both FiO2, P < 0.05), without changes in blood O2-carrying capacity. Moreover, Tlimlengthened in the Hyp group only (+35%, P < 0.001), without significant modifications of V̇o2kinetics. Despite similar training load, the Nor group displayed no such improvements, with unchanged V̇o2 max(+1%, nonsignificant), Tlim(+10%, nonsignificant), and V̇o2kinetics. In addition, Tlimimprovements in the Hyp group were not correlated with concomitant modifications of other parameters, including V̇o2 maxor V̇o2kinetics. The present IHT model, involving specific high-intensity and moderate-duration hypoxic sessions, may potentialize the metabolic stimuli of training in already trained athletes and elicit peripheral muscle adaptations, resulting in increased endurance performance capacity.
Adjustable set point: to honor Harold T. Hammel
Authors: Cabanac Michel
Published: March 2006

The value of a regulated variable in the absence of external perturbation stabilizes at the set point of the system. This set point is an information input that may be determined by an external signal to which the regulated variable is compared or may be determined by the structural characteristics of the system itself. In the case of temperature regulation the actual internal temperature is compared with the set point “wanted” by the organism. The activating signal for the regulatory responses, the “error signal,” is the difference between the actual temperature and the set point. When an error signal is detected, the organism produces the available corrective responses. Yet, the notion of thermoregulatory set point has been challenged recently. Such a questioning entails that both fever and anapyrexia are useless concepts. This minireview examines the available arguments and data and concludes that to abandon the concepts of set point, fever, and anapyrexia is premature, at best.
A theoretical consideration of the means whereby the mammalian core temperature is defended at a null zone
Authors: Bligh John
Published: March 2006

The neural process by which it is generally supposed that the stability of the body temperature of mammals is achieved has long been sought, but it remains unresolved. One hypothesis is that, as with many engineered physical systems, there is a stable reference signal with which a signal representative of body temperature is compared. Another hypothesis is that the differing coefficients of two signals that vary with temperature changes provide the set-level determinant. These could be the activities of the “cold” and “warm” sensors in response to temperature changes. Reciprocal crossing inhibition between the cold sensor to heat production effector pathways and the warm sensor to heat loss effector pathways through the central nervous system is a likely occurrence, and it could create the null-point temperature at which neither heat production nor heat loss effectors are active. This null point would be, seemingly, the set point at which body temperature is regulated. Neither hypothesis has been validated unequivocally. Students should be aware of this uncertainty about the physiological basis of homeothermy and, indeed, of homeostasis more generally. Perhaps we should be looking for a general principle that underlies the many physical and chemical stabilities of the internal environment, rather than considering them as quite separate accomplishments.
Morphological Quantitation of Emphysema: A Debate
Authors: Weibel Ewald R.
Published: March 2006

The following series of letters to the editor concerns a recently published morphologic method proposed by Parameswaran and colleagues for sensitive, early detection of emphysema ( J Appl Physiol 100: 186–193, 2006). The validity of the proposed method was critiqued by Ewald Weibel, and, in turn, this critique was rebutted by Parameswaran et al. Additional brief commentaries were contributed by scientists working in the field. Further comments on this important topic are welcome. The following is the abstract of the article discussed in the subsequent letter:

The mean linear intercept ( Lm) can be used to estimate the surface area for gas exchange in the lung. However, in recent years it is most commonly used as an index for characterizing the enlargement of airspaces in emphysema and the associated severity of structural destruction in the lung. Specifically, an increase in Lmis thought to result from an increase in airspace sizes. In this paper, we examined how accurately Lmmeasures the linear dimensions of airspaces from histological sections and a variety of computer-generated test images. To this end, we developed an automated method for measuring linear intercepts from digitized images of tissue sections and calculate Lmas their mean. We examined how the shape of airspaces and the variability of their sizes influence Lmas well as the distribution of linear intercepts. We found that for a relatively homogeneous enlargement of airspaces, Lmwas a reliable index for detecting emphysema. However, in the presence of spatial heterogeneities with a large variability of airspace sizes, Lmdid not significantly increase and sometimes even decreased compared to its value in normal tissue. We also developed an automated method for measuring the area and computed an equivalent diameter of each individual airspace that is independent of shape. Finally, we introduced new indexes based on the moments of diameter that we found to be more reliable than Lmto characterize airspace enlargement in the presence of heterogeneities.
Electronic Networks, Enhanced State Surveillance and the Ironies of Control
Authors: Shields Peter
Published: March 2006

The article begins by mapping the worldwide surge of state network surveillance initiatives that has occurred over the last decade or so. Invariably, the rationale for these initiatives include the claim that they will curb crime and/or terrorism. Focusing on the US context, it is argued that the proliferation of state network surveillance initiatives has resulted in a substantial increase in state surveillance power. Dated legal concepts have been applied without discrimination to contemporary electronic networks. The upshot is that increasingly sensitive ‘traffic data’ can be accessed easily by law enforcement. This enhanced network surveillance capacity has failed to deter drug trafficking and money laundering – intertwined crimes that have been of high priority to US state officials. In fact, not only have these initiatives failed to curb these crimes, they have contributed to their escalation. It is argued that a similar dynamic may be at work in the US state's ‘war on terrorism’. Policy implications of the analysis are briefly discussed.
Public Relations in India Review of a Programme of Research*
Authors: Bardhan Nilanjana , Sri Ramesh Krishnamurthy
Published: March 2006

Public relations in India has witnessed a significant growth since the early 1990s. Based on the combined research of both authors over a period of 13 years, this article provides a meta-analysis and tracks recent changes within the profession keeping in mind the reconfiguring economic, societal, political and global/ local climate, we focus in-depth on the impact of societal culture and media environment on public relations in India.
E-Learning Who, What and How?
Authors: Khan Badrul H. , Joshi Vinod
Published: March 2006

Developing high-quality e-learning courses is a complex process. It requires a variety of competencies at every stage of the development process. The literature on the subject so far emphasizes on development of e-learning content. The P3 model of people–process–product continuum explained in this article provides a holistic approach for not only creating good-quality e-learning content, but also deploying the course on the server and maintaining it.
Online Technologies Kill Distance in Learning Managing Participation in Online Journalism Courses
Authors: Sharma Dinesh C.
Published: March 2006

Online learning is a new form of distance learning, and technological inputs are constantly improving it. Various forms of distance education like correspondence, radio and television have existed for many decades now. But they all faced one major hurdle –lack of interaction between instructors and students because of the inherent nature of media. The advent of the Internet has solved this problem to a great extent. Interactivity is the hallmark of the online medium. It is possible for students to communicate with instructors and also with fellow students as well as resource persons, through the use of web technologies. For the first time in distance learning, the student is no more a passive receiver. Learners have a real chance to use different tools to make their learning experience as close to a face-to-face situation.
Design Assumptions by ‘Adult’ Designers versus ‘Child’ User Behaviour
Authors: Ramachandran Sandhya
Published: March 2006

Instructional theories postulate that learning is most effective when the learning environment is friendly, non-threatening and attractive to the child. However, designing fun-based interactivity to deliver serious educational content is quite a challenge. Sudiksha has designed and developed a series of multilingual CD-ROMs in collaboration with not-for-profit organizations. The objectives of these are to make learning fun in government schools in India. The titles are custom designed to suit the school curricula; the courses are socio-culturally relevant to an Indian audience.

The crux of designing courses for schools is that we are ‘adults’ designing content for children. Our panel of design advisers usually consists of pedagogy experts, psychologists and teachers. But the child-user is as dynamic as the medium and more. The user who learns on the run makes our solutions obsolete at a rapid pace. We often take pulse checks to figure out if we are on track with our solutions and our findings are often surprising. The findings of one such study are elaborated here.
The Univbrands Story
Authors: Roy Sumit
Published: March 2006

Sumit Roy of Univbrands moved back to his hometown in Kolkata, after spending 14 years in Mumbai, once he discovered a way to ‘e-coach people to grow brands’. This is the story of how he moved from building brands, for Ogilvy & Mather (1973–87), to building people who build brands, for Lintas (1987–91). In 1991 he started a ‘learn by earning university’, Univads, which rapidly evolved into Univbrands by 1996 as clients now wanted to use more than just advertising to build their brands. The year 1996 was also when the Internet revolution swept the world. Thanks to a chance meeting with Diane Garrod, Univbrands became the world's smallest learn-by-earning university, based out of India.
Everett M. Rogers and His Contributions to the Field of Communication and Social Change in Developing Countries
Authors: Melkote Srinivas R.
Published: March 2006

The death of Professor Everett M. Rogers in 2004 was a profound loss to the scholarly communications fraternety in general and the development communications community in particular. From the early 1960s up to his last days, Professor Rogers’ scholarly writings and research influenced the fields of development communication, diffusion of innovations, communication technology, research and theory, as well as five generations of scholars in these fields. In this article I summarize the literature and development in developing countries, highlighting Professor Rogers’ seminal contributions to the body of this work.
Improving the Health of the Discipline through Mentoring A Celebration of Everett M. Rogers’ Legacy
Authors: Shukla Pratibha
Published: March 2006

Professor Everett M. Rogers, the person, the teacher, the researcher and the mentor is presented in this personal narrative through stories of the author's personal encounters. Over the course of a career that lasted four decades, he influenced the discipline in myriad ways. As a scholar of communication, one can learn about his academic contributions through his research articles and books, so in this article the author tries to acquaint us with him as a person who improved the health of the discipline in every little way.
Impact of Secondary Foot Complications on the Inpatient Department of the Diabetes Unit of Yaoundé Central Hospital
Authors: Kengne Andre Pascal , Dzudie Anastase Innocent , Fezeu Leopold Ledoux , Mbanya Jean Claude
Published: March 2006

Diabetic foot ulceration and gangrene are preventable long-term complications of diabetes mellitus. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the impact of secondary foot complications on hospital admission and activities of the diabetes service of Yaoundé Central Hospital (YCH). A total of 207 patient files were included in this study, the period of which was from November 1999 to October 2000, 1 year of activity of the inpatient department of the Diabetes and Endocrine Unit of YCH. General characteristics of the patients were considered, the reason for their admission, the duration of their hospitalization in the service, and the outcome. The diabetic foot problem was the second most common cause of hospital admission in 27 (13%) patients. Secondary foot complication was the associated cause of mortality in 19.3% of cases of death (6 out of 31) in this study. The highest duration of hospitalization was recorded in patients with foot problems (29.4±5.4 days), the finding being statistically significant. Foot problems accounted for 0.25% of bed occupancy for the selected period. Five patients underwent amputation because of foot problems. A high rate of hospital discharge upon request was recorded among patients with foot problems (25% of the cases). This study suggests that diabetic foot is the second biggest cause of hospital admission in this setting; however, it is the main cause of prolonged hospital stay and bed occupancy.
Cutaneous Tissue Engineering and Lower Extremity Wounds (Part 2)
Authors: Dini Valentina , Romanelli Marco , Piaggesi Alberto , Stefani Alessandro , Mosca Franco
Published: March 2006

In a previous article, this group described the principles involved in the development of bioengineered skin equivalents that held out much promise. This article has examined some of the uses of such products in treating venous ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and skin diseases leaving skin wounds. Data encouraging the use of such products in certain indications are available. The costs of using such products are also appreciated.
von Recklinghausen Neurofibromatosis-Pachydermatocele Causing Lower Limb Gigantism: A Case Report
Authors: Rekha Arcot , Gopalan T. R.
Published: March 2006

Gigantism of the lower limb can occur because of plexiform neurofibromas. This condition is seen with café au lait patches and multiple neurofibromatosis in this case of von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis. We report our patient and review literature of this uncommon condition.
Minimally Invasive Revascularization Strategies for Chronic Lower Limb Ischemia
Authors: Muhs Bart E. , Gagne Paul J. , Maldonado Thomas , Sheehan Peter
Published: March 2006

Lower extremity wounds resulting from ischemia are increasingly becoming a common indication for surgical revascularization. Techniques in minimally invasive vascular surgery for the treatment of lower extremity chronic ischemia have expanded rapidly in recent years. The current standard of care with which all new modalities should be compared is the restoration of arterial flow via direct arterial revascularization using the autogenous reversed saphenous vein that can yield limb salvage rates of approximately 95%. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTA/S), cryoplasty, catheter-directed atherectomy, laser-assisted PTA/S, drug-eluting stents, and subintimal angioplasty are emerging minimally invasive modalities used for the treatment of lower extremity ischemia. Early success rates using many of these techniques have been promising. The outcomes of randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-ups are needed to make confident remarks about the effectiveness of these techniques.
Petrogenesis of anorogenic peralkaline granitic complexes from eastern Egypt
Authors: Abdel-Rahman A. M.
Published: March 2006

The Pan-African orogenic shield rocks of eastern Egypt were intruded by several anorogenic within- plate granitic complexes, including Mounts Abu-Kharif and El-Dob. These two massifs were emplaced at the intersection of a fault system and a shear zone. The two massifs are made up of hypersolvus peralkaline granites, consisting essentially of perthitic alkali feldspar (55–65 vol.%), quartz (30–35%), and alkali amphibole (ferrorichterite to arfvedsonite; 5–12%), with accessory zircon, apatite and ilmenite. The rocks are evolved in composition, are relatively enriched in Nb (53–75 ppm), Y (34–72 ppm), Zr (421–693 ppm), Ga (26–29 ppm), and the REE (294–562 ppm), and depleted in Al, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Eu. The REE patterns are sub-parallel, LREE -enriched over HREE , and show prominent negative Eu anomalies. The rocks exhibit mineralogical and chemical traits typical of within-plate A-type granites. Rb-Sr radiometric age dating produced a Cambrian age of 522±21 Ma, and an initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.7080±0.0042. Thus, the investigated peralkaline granitic rocks were emplaced following the termination of the Pan-African orogeny. The rocks are interpreted to have formed in an extensional tectonic environment during a phase of cooling, relaxation, crustal attenuation, and fracturing of the newly-formed shield.

Results of geochemical modelling indicate that the magma may have formed by a large degree of batch partial melting (F = 0.57) of Pan-African calc-alkaline shield rocks, which had been metasomatized possibly by a Na-rich fluid. The volatile flux may have caused fenitization-type reactions along fissures and re-activated Pan-African fractures prior to anatexis, and is considered to have played a role as an important agent of heat transfer. Shear heating, caused possibly by a rapid change in the direction of plate motions beneath eastern Egypt during the Early Palaeozoic, is likely to have produced temperatures necessary for crustal anatexis. The confining pressure must have been released by fissuring of the crust. Magma ascent may have been facilitated by reactivation of pre-existing Pan-African fractures.
Long-range Al,Si equilibrium configuration in Sr feldspar treated at high temperatures
Authors: Benna P. , Bruno E.
Published: March 2006

Single crystals of Sr feldspar (SrAl2Si2O8, space group: I2/c) were treated isothermally in the temperature range between 1410 and 1640°C, in order to determinate the evolution of the Al,Si configurations at equilibrium with thermal treatments. X-ray intensity data collection and structural refinement were performed on the quenched crystals. Significant modifications were observed in the average tetrahedral distances and therefore in Qod values.

Two different series of thermal treatments were performed: (1) a crystal of ordered Sr feldspar (Qod= 0.85) was progressively disordered at 1560°C (Qod = 0.82), at 1610°C (Qod = 0.74) and at 1640°C (Qod = 0.69); (2) another crystal with Qod = 0.72 (obtained by annealing a glass at T =1625°C), was ordered at T = 1600° (Qod = 0.75).

As already observed in anorthite quenched from 1530°C (Qod = 0.78), also in Sr feldspar, annealing near Tmelt, caused significant disorder in the Al-Si configuration (Qod = 0.69).

Observations by transmission electron microscopy show an increase in the average size of the i-type antiphase domains up to 5000Å in the samples quenched from 1640°C, in comparison with samples annealed at 1450°C (∼ 2000 Å). The modifications observed in the Al,Si configurations are due to intradomain disorder.