bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intelligent Type Platform Design for Leisure Sports Tourism Resource Development Based on Complex Speech Recognition Algorithm
Authors: Li Ai , Xin Xu , Xiang Cheng , Xiangmin Chen
Published: April 2023

This paper proposes a fixed-length sequential forgetting coding (Ordinally Forgetting Encoding, FOFE) method for language model modeling. FOFE models the word positions in the sequence through a simple sequential forgetting mechanism to provide tourists with personalized service functions required for tourism and improve the quality of Chongzuo tourism services. The platform focuses on promoting tourist attractions, recommending tourist routes, and booking tickets. Through the integration of the resources of various tourist attractions in Chongzuo, information such as tickets, tourist routes, tourist services, etc. will be pushed on the platform. Strengthen the development of industrial integration, improve the security system, pay attention to the government's regulatory function, and give full play to the advantages of media publicity. Rural leisure sports tourism resources development strategy.
Plataforma y arquitectura de encuentro : programa y edificio como escenarios de la vida urbana
Authors:   ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Facultad de Arquitectura, Diseño y Estudios Urbanos, Cornejo Espinosa Enzo Francisco
Published: April 2023

Los primeros usos de la plataforma como elemento arquitectónico radica en la separación del hombre con el suelo y cómo elevar el plano horizontal del estrecho contacto con el pavimento. Ello considera en la tradición moderna una forma particular de relacionar la obra con el territorio, la problematización de la plataforma y la observación de arquitectura que plantee resoluciones a la interrogante y que nos permita un análisis en la forma cómo se relacionan dichos elementos dentro de la obra de arquitectura. En el presente documento se busca dar a la plataforma una acepción más cercana a la de un lugar de encuentro, un escenario de la vida urbana que dista de la concepción tradicional como medio para lograr una arquitectura separada del territorio. Se recurre al legado de la Junta de Adelanto de Arica dado el desarrollo que otorgaron a la ciudad hacia la segunda mitad de siglo XX, para así establecer una noción sobre cómo entender la ciudad y consecuentemente responder a sus necesidades actuales. Se construye sobre su herencia una reinterpretación de la figura del Mercado de Abastos, bajo una mirada crítica y contemporánea que permita dar solución a una serie de cuestionamientos sobre cómo generar lugares de intercambio cultural desde el diseño de la obra de Arquitectura mediante la figura de la plataforma.
Prácticas asociadas a la evaluación formativa que utilizan los profesores de primer ciclo en clases virtuales debido al contexto de emergencia sanitaria Covid19: estudio de caso múltiple de un colegio particular subvencionado
Authors:   ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Facultad de Educación, Durán Rodríguez Yesenia
Published: April 2023

Esta investigación tuvo como propósito, analizar las prácticas de evaluación formativa y retroalimentación de profesores de Lenguaje y Comunicación de primer ciclo de un colegio subvencionado en contexto de covid-19. Este se abordó desde un enfoque cualitativo de estudio de caso múltiple. Los datos se obtuvieron mediante la observación de clases virtuales, una encuesta y entrevistas a profesores y estudiantes. Los principales datos encontrados se relacionan a prácticas asociadas a evaluación para el aprendizaje y retroalimentación. Por un lado, la evaluación formativa caracterizada como un proceso inherente al proceso de enseñanza de aprendizaje (Moss y Brookhard, 2019). En cuanto a la retroalimentación se caracteriza por ser un proceso centrado en la tarea (Hattie y Timperley, 2007, como se citó en Moreno, 2021), enjuiciador con valencia positiva, en modalidad oral sincrónica en las clases virtuales (Brookhart, 2008). Los estudiantes son parte del proceso, pero no se les facilitan instancias para desarrollar habilidades para ser autónomos en su proceso de aprendizaje ni en juicios evaluativos (Lluch et al.,2019). Finalmente, las prácticas de los profesores presentan características que obstaculizan el desarrollo de la Evaluación para el Aprendizaje, ya que el estudiante presenta un rol pasivo donde se ausentan descripciones sobre su estado de aprendizaje ni se generan oportunidades para que ellos emitan juicios de valor sobre su proceso y la retroalimentación se ve como un producto unidireccional emitida por el profesor (Quezada y Salinas, 2021). Generando así tensiones y demandas entre las conceptualizaciones y prácticas de los profesores de Lenguaje de primer ciclo de este establecimiento escolar.
Tierra seca : una cartografía narcoliteraria de Chile
Authors:   ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Facultad de Letras, Libuy Pulgar Paula
Published: April 2023

Los espacios y trayectos del Narco Chile, imaginados en un corpus narrativo actualizado, son construidos en base a un neodeterminismo proveniente de la tradición literaria occidental moderna, la globalización actual y la información referencial que los medios de comunicación hegemónicos han utilizado para pensar las narcoacciones. La estereotipación espacial que se refracta es sistémica y propia de un neoliberalismo que pareciera no ser castigador y que, supuestamente, entrega las mismas oportunidades para todos, pero que encapsula y atrapa a quienes necesita mantener en los márgenes borrosos de la nación como es el caso de la figuración narco. Este tratamiento político-estético deviene en una cartografía circular, es decir, una propuesta de organización geoespacial de interés literario que, en la mayoría de los casos, erige una crítica al tratamiento de la problemática narco. Se sostiene en 1) las escenas de la población, cuyo espacio constituye el centro del mapa de este tipo de narrativas; 2) el desierto, que constituye un segundo anillo espacial avanzando hacia los márgenes nacionales y 3) un anillo externo conformado tanto por los trayectos hacia otras zonas de Latinoamérica, también asociadas al narcotráfico, como en trayectos por los mismos dos anillos centrales de la cartografía al constituir una tercera zona ampliada que sale de las fronteras que plantean las obras mismas. Esta cartografía se levanta en tierras yermas en las que todo puede pasar, menos librar de un destino fatal. De igual forma, en la sequía forzosa —literal y figurada de la población y el desierto— se multiplican las obras protagonizadas por quienes “no nacen para ser semilla”, pero terminan haciendo brotar las buganvilias “del mal”. Son obras que hacen pensar sobre lo narco y la marginalidad, es decir, reflexionan acerca de las dimensiones reales de la problemática y configuran una versión ética-estética paralela a la que instaura la oficialidad.
EU CORE AND PERIPHERY: APPLICATION OF STRATIFICATORY DIFFERENTIATION THEORY TO EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
Authors: CZUBOCHA Krzysztof
Published: April 2023

This paper brings sociology to European integration. The author claims that even though the European Union is a unique entity, it can still be analyzed in the framework of international relations. Therefore, the sociological theory of stratificatory differentiation can be applied to European integration. From the formal point of view, all EU member states are equal and remain sovereign actors in international relations; the EU is conceptualized as a network organization. However, this paper concludes that there is an unofficial stratification in the organization based on cultural and economic differences. Western core EU states (France and Germany in particular) constitute the higher stratum; the new (post-communist) member states occupy the subaltern status. The tentative claim of the author is that this unofficial stratification results in a differentiated impact of EU policies on the interests of EU member states.
DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT AS A CHALLENGE FOR TODAY’S MANAGERS
Authors: KARNAUKH-BROŻYNA Alla
Published: April 2023

With the challenges that modern organizations face (Mulgan, 2009), diversity management becoming a major issue for managers – from recognizing diversity (identifying it, making people aware of its importance) to planning an effective strategy to manage it. This also requires a deeper understanding of diversity and social inclusion. Many research studies (Gross-Gołacka, 2018; Kuldova, 2012) show that in the 21st century, the success of any organization – regardless of size or industry – will depend on how it manages diversity. Organizations that make diversity management part of their business strategy will be successful. So far, including in Poland, diversity management issues have not been the subject of many specific studies. Diversity management concepts are not implemented reliably in organizations due to a lack of knowledge, analysis, and conclusions. This article aims to identify possible gaps, and cognitive and empirical problems in assessing the preparedness or maturity in diversity management of employers in Poland.
DYSFUNCTIONAL AND SOCIO-PATHOLOGICAL PHENOMENA IN POLICE FORCES: A HEURISTIC APPROACH
Authors: MOCZUK Eugeniusz
Published: April 2023

Police forces, as a social institution, are not free of various types of socially disadvantageous behavior and phenomena. Such occurrences entail dysfunctional and socio-pathological phenomena; that is, phenomena that violate universally accepted norms, values, principles, and rules. Such instances must be intentional; that is, conscious and purposeful, not accidental or non-culpable. They must also be repetitive; that is, occurring more than once. The subject of this study is selected dysfunctional behaviors and occurrences of social pathology among individuals in the police environment; their essence involves individual “suffering” that exhibits specific phases and leads directly to the destruction of personality. The study discusses such issues as suicide, alcohol problems, drug addiction, and domestic violence.
Effect on Soil Properties as Influenced by the Application of FYM Enriched with Zinc Solubilizers and Zinc Sulphate in Maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Rangaswamy N. , Kavitha P. , Naidu M. V. S. , Reddy U. Vijaya Bhaskar
Published: April 2023

Background: Suboptimal dietary zinc intake is widespread in India due to low levels of plant-available zinc in soils and limited food choices. The aim of this study was to enhance the zinc concentration in soil and plant by using farmyard manure (FYM) enriched with zinc fertilizers and zinc solubilizers respectively. Additionally, the response of maize to three forms of zinc fertilizer was determined.  Maize crop grown under zinc-deficient soils contain lower zinc concentration, which can cause human illness and a drastic effect on yield can be noticed. Therefore, enhancing zinc content in plants by using FYM enriched with zinc solubilizers and inorganic zinc fertilizers is the best approach to increase zinc content in soil and plants.

Methods: A field experiment was conducted to study the physico chemical properties of soil under maize (Zea mays L.)  in response to the application of FYM enriched with ZnSB and ZnSO4 on sandy loam soils at College Farm, Agricultural College, Mahanandi campus of Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University during rabi, 2021-2022. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with eleven treatments and replicated thrice.

Results: The results revealed that significantly higher and comparable values of available nitrogen (302, 299 and 281 kg ha-1 respectively), phosphorous (73.40, 66.53 and 58.40 kg ha-1 respectively) and zinc (1.76, 1.54 and 1.15 mg kg-1 respectively) at different growth stages of maize were registered with application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1. Whereas available potassium, Iron, manganese, copper, soil pH, EC (dS m-1) and OC (%) were not significantly affected by the application of FYM enriched with ZnSB and ZnSO4.
Evaluation of Morpho-physiological Variations in Pigeon Pea for Weed Suppression and Yield Potentials in Southern Agro-ecologies of Nigeria
Authors: Aluko O. A. , Adebayo A. K. , Adewumi A. D. , Oladipo M. S. , Ukachukwu P. C.
Published: April 2023

A study was conducted at Ibadan (Derived savanna), Ife (Rainforest), and Kishi (southern Guinea savanna-northern fringe) to ascertain the agronomic potentials and variation in early interference traits for weed suppression in pigeon pea in southern agro-ecologies of Nigeria. The experimental site was marked out into 4 x 4 m plots and twenty (20) genotypes were randomly assigned with three replicates. Results showed that across genotypes in all locations, NSWCC-29B-1 had the tallest plants. However, NSWCC-46 had the shortest plants. Genotypes sown at Ife were the tallest across locations. This might have resulted from superior growth factors in Ife. Tall crop plants compete and suppress weeds more than short crop plants. NSWCC-19 had the largest leaf area across genotypes and locations at 20 WAP. Genotypes sown at Ife had the broadest leaves across the locations. Large leaf area enhances canopy formation, weed suppression, and light interception for improved grain yield. NSWCC-7D had the broadest canopy width; though, similar to NSWCC-24, NSWCC-29B-1, NSWCC-27A, and AO/TB 79-9. Broad canopy width is loftier for weed suppression and crop yield. NSWCC-24 had the highest grain yield across genotypes in all locations. Plants sown in Ibadan and Ife had better and similar grain yields than Kishi, which was about 50% lower than other locations. NSWCC-7D, NSWCC-29A, NSWCC-35, NSWCC-46B, NSWCC-35A, NSWCC-34, NSWCC-29B-1, NSWCC-27A, NSWCC-24, CITA 3, AO/TB 79-9 and NSWCC/8B showed promising potentials for weed suppression and grain yield in all the agro-ecologies.
Optimization of Escherichia coli Bacteriophages Production
Authors: Kola V. D. Hari Narayana , Srikanth Koigoora , Pasha Shaik Muzammil , Goutham Y. Sudhan , Pasha Chand
Published: April 2023

Aims: Phage therapy may be the best alternative to antibiotics in poultry. There is a need for optimization of phage production conditions to produce more Escherichia coli specific phages for poultry applications.

Methodology: An E. coli λ bacteriophage isolated in our laboratory was used for optimization studies. An optimization of the E. coli λ bacteriophage production process was carried out by conventional methods to identify the factors, and the Thaguchi process was used for the optimization of conditions for increased bacteriophage production. With four factors each at three levels L9, experimental runs were carried out.

Results: In the conventional method, 8 factors were studied and 4 selected for statistical optimization by Taguchi. At optimized conditions of modified nutrient broth with 1% glycerol, temperature 37oC, 100 rpm for 12 hours of phage multiplication, an improvement of the final titer was achieved from a control 2x109  to optimized 5x1012 Plauque formation Units (PFU)/mL.

Conclusion: Phage production is dependent on bacterial growth and bacteriophage multiplication in bacteria. In such a complicated system, the Thaguchi method will be a convenient method of phage production optimization.
Validation of Fixed-End Beam Analysis with Uniform Loads Using Android-Based Applications
Authors: Hasibuan Samsul A. Rahman Sidik , Irwan  , Kurniati Dwi , Zhafira Talitha
Published: April 2023

The beam structure is an essential structural element to construction professionals, and most engineers must be familiar with beams. The type of beam structure discussed in this article is a fixed-end beam structure with uniform loads. Calculating the forces and structural deformations manually takes longer and requires good accuracy. Various software and applications can be installed easily in this increasingly sophisticated era. The Easy Beam Analysis Application is one application that can be used to obtain internal forces and structural deformations quickly and accurately. Easy Beam Analysis is an Android-based application that can be installed via the Play Store. In this article, fixed-end beam structures with uniform loads are modelled and analyzed using the Easy Beam Analysis Application. This article aims to validate the results of manual calculations according to the static equilibrium requirements, especially fixed-end beams with uniform loads. This article will also validate it by manual accounting according to static equilibrium requirements. Furthermore, the analysis results with the Easy Beam Analysis Application and manual calculations have been obtained and validated. It can be seen that the results of the analysis do not have a significant difference. So, it can be concluded that structural analysis with the Easy Beam Analysis Application can be a fast and accurate solution.
Finite Element Simulation Analysis of Central Pull-out Experiment of Steel Bar and Recycled Concrete
Authors: Liu Qianli , Zhu Qian , Zhao Ruiying , Chen Xuejiao , Qi Jianzhuang , Yao Tan
Published: April 2023

In order to study the bond performance of steel bars and recycled concrete, the ultimate bond stress distribution between recycled concrete and steel bars is analyzed through central pull-out test, and the influence of steel bars grooving on actual stress distribution is considered. Therefore, in this paper uses the finite element software ABAQUS is used to simulate the central pull-out test of steel bars and recycled concrete, and to discuss the bond force distribution between steel bars and concrete. The results show that the finite element simulation analysis results of the central pull-out experiment of steel bars and recycled concrete are in good agreement with the experimental results, which verifies the accuracy of the finite element model.
Ubiquitination of full‐length cyclin
Authors: Mahaffey David T. , Yung Yoo , Rechsteiner Martin
Published: July 2002

Mitotic cyclins are key cell‐cycle regulators that are relatively stable through most of the cell‐cycle then rapidly degraded at mitosis. We have detected ubiquitin conjugates of full‐length Xenopus cyclin B2 strongly suggesting that ubiquitination rather than a proteolytic cleavage is the initiating event in cyclin destruction. The highest levels of ubiquitin conjugates correlate with the phase of rapid proteolysis. This result supports previous findings that implicate the ubiquitin system in cyclin proteolysis. However, we also observe cyclin‐ubiquitin conjugates in both cytostatic factor arrested and interphase extracts where cyclin is more stable. The physiologic role of ubiquitinated cyclin under these conditions is nuclear.
Down‐regulation of mitochondrial mRNAs in the mdx mouse model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Gannoun-Zaki L , Fournier-Bidoz S , Le Cam G , Chambon C , Millasseau Ph , Léger J.J , Dechesne C.A
Published: July 2002

In our search for genes up‐ or down‐regulated genes in the mdx mouse model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, we isolated a down‐regulated mitochondrial DNA clone. In addition to this clone, all protein‐coding mitochondrial genes tested had tissue‐specific and age independent down‐regulated expression. This implied mechanisms at the RNA level since no change in the mitochondrial DNA contents were detected. Cytochrome c oxidase activity showed the same range of down‐regulated expression. These data provide a molecular basis for energetic metabolism modifications in mdx mice.
Isolation of Ich‐1S (caspase‐2S)‐binding protein that partially inhibits caspase activity
Authors: Ito Akihiro , Uehara Takashi , Nomura Yasuyuki
Published: July 2002

Members of the caspase family are essential executors of apoptosis. Caspase‐2 has two messenger RNAs generated by alternative splicing, which encode caspase‐2L and caspase‐2S. Although caspase‐2L induces apoptosis, caspase‐2S also has the ability to antagonize cell death. Experiments in caspase‐2‐deficient mice showed that caspase‐2 functions to delay cell death in some neuronal populations, suggesting that caspase‐2S dominantly acts for cell survival in the brain. However, the mechanism of caspase‐2S‐mediated anti‐apoptotic effect is still unclear. Here, we isolated a protein that interacts with caspase‐2S, designated as Ich‐1S (caspase‐2S)‐binding protein (ISBP), by yeast two‐hybrid screening using full‐length caspase‐2S cDNA as a bait. ISBP is identical to the recently isolated calcium and integrin‐binding protein, and a small molecule calcium‐binding protein with two EF‐hand motifs of its C‐terminus. In vitro transcribed and translated ISBP interacts specifically with glutathione‐S‐transferase‐fused caspase‐2S. Moreover, the interaction between ISBP and caspase‐2S was observed in cultured cells. Northern blot analysis indicated that ISBP may be a ubiquitous protein. Interestingly, ISBP can partially inhibit the processing of pro‐caspase‐2L induced by anti‐Fas antibody‐treated Jurkat cytosolic lysates. These results suggested that ISBP may be the mediator for the survival function of caspase‐2S.
A novel gene derived from developing spinal cords, SCDGF, is a unique member of the PDGF/VEGF family
Authors: Hamada Tsuyoshi , Ui-Tei Kumiko , Miyata Yuhei
Published: July 2002

We isolated a novel gene designated spinal cord‐derived growth factor (SCDGF). Its expression was increased in chick spinal cords with embryonic development and decreased after hatching. The amino acid sequences of chick and human SCDGFs revealed a putative signal sequence followed by a CUB domain and a region homologous to the members of the platelet‐derived growth factor/vascular endothelial growth factor family. Furthermore, human SCDGF secreted from the cells showed a mitogenic activity for 10T1/2 cells in vitro. These results led us to speculate that SCDGF plays an important role in the development of the spinal cord.
Binding characteristics of BmK I, an α‐like scorpion neurotoxic polypeptide, on cockroach nerve cord synaptosomes
Authors: Li Y.‐J. , Ji Y.‐H.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: In this study, the binding characteristics of BmK I, an α‐like neurotoxic polypeptide purified from the venom of the Chinese scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch, were investigated on rat brain and cockroach nerve cord synaptosomes. The results showed that BmK I can bind to a single class of noninteracting binding sites on cockroach nerve cord synaptosomes with medium affinity (Kd = 16.5 ± 4.4 nm) and low binding capacity (Bmax= 1.05 ± 0.23 pmol/mg protein), but lacks specific binding on rat brain synaptosomes. BmK AS, BmK AS‐1 (two novel sodium channel‐blocking ligands), BmK IT (an excitatory insect‐selective toxin) and BmK IT2 (a depressant insect‐selective toxin) from the same venom were found to be capable of depressing BmK I binding in cockroach nerve cord synaptosomes, which might be attributed to either allosteric modulation of voltage‐gated Na+ channels by these toxic polypeptides or partial overlapping between the receptor binding sites of BmK I and these toxins. This thus supported the notion that α‐like scorpion neurotoxic polypeptides bind to a distinct receptor site on sodium channels, which might be similar to the binding receptor site of α‐type insect toxins, and also related to those of BmK AS type and insect‐selective scorpion toxins on insect sodium channels.
Biochemical analysis of the recombinant Fur (ferric uptake regulator) protein from Anabaena PCC 7119: factors affecting its oligomerization state
Authors: HERNÁNDEZ José A. , BES M. Teresa , FILLAT María F. , NEIRA José L. , PELEATO M. Luisa
Published: July 2002

Fur (ferric uptake regulator) protein is a DNA-binding protein which regulates iron-responsive genes. Recombinant Fur from the nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7119 has been purified and characterized, and polyclonal antibodies obtained. The experimental data show that Fur from Anabaena dimerizes in solution with the involvement of disulphide bridges. Cross-linking experiments and MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight) MS also show several oligomerization states of Fur, and the equilibrium of these forms depends on protein concentration and ionic strength. In intact recombinant Fur, four cysteine residues out of five were inert towards DTNB [5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid)], and their modification required sodium borohydride. Metal analysis and electrospray ionization MS revealed that neither zinc nor other metals are present in this Fur protein. Purified recombinant Fur bound to its own promoter in gel-shift assays. Fur was shown to be a constitutive protein in Anabaena cells, with no significant difference in its expression in cells grown under iron-sufficient compared with iron-deficient conditions.
Coincident myelodysplastic syndrome and T‐cell large granular lymphocytic disease: clinical and pathophysiological features
Authors: Saunthararajah Yogen , Molldrem Jefferey J. , Rivera Mary , Williams Ann , Stetler‐Stevenson Maryalice , Sorbara Lynn , Young Neal S. , Barrett John A.
Published: July 2002

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and T‐cell large granular lymphocytic disease (T‐LGL) are bone marrow failure disorders. Successful use of immunosuppressive agents to treat cytopenia in MDS and LGL suggests a common pathophysiology for the two conditions. Of 100 patients with initial diagnoses of either MDS or T‐LGL referred to the National Institutes of Health for immunosuppressive treatment of cytopenia, nine had characteristics of both T‐LGL and MDS (T‐LGL/MDS). Fifteen patients with T‐LGL received cyclosporin (CSA) (10 responses). Eight out of nine patients with T‐LGL/MDS received CSA (two responses) and one patient received ATG (one response). Of 76 patients with MDS, eight received CSA (one response) and 68 received ATG (21 responses). The response to immunosuppression was significantly lower in patients with T‐LGL/MDS and MDS than in patients with T‐LGL disease alone (28% vs. 66%, P = 0·01). The proportion of T‐helper cells and T‐suppressor cells with an activated phenotype (HLA‐DR+) was increased in patients with T‐LGL, T‐LGL/MDS and MDS, but the increase in activated T‐suppressor cells in patients with T‐LGL/MDS was not statistically significant. Autoreactive T cells may suppress haematopoiesis and contribute to the cytopenia in T‐LGL and some patients with MDS, leading to T‐LGL/MDS. The lower response rate of MDS or T‐LGL/MDS to immunosuppression, compared with T‐LGL alone, may reflect the older age and intrinsic stem cell abnormalities in MDS and T‐LGL/MDS patients.
Targeted disruption of caspase genes in mice: What they tell us about the functions of individual caspases in apoptosis
Authors: Colussi Paul A , Kumar Sharad
Published: July 2002

Cysteine proteases of the caspase family are crucial mediators of apoptosis. All mammalian cells contain a large number of caspases. Although many caspases are activated in a cell committed to apoptosis, recent data from caspase gene knockout mice suggest that individual caspases may be involved in the cell and stimulus‐specific pathways of cell death. The gene disruption studies also establish the functional hierarchy between two structurally distinct classes of caspases. The present review discusses these recent findings and elaborates on how these mutant mouse models have helped the understanding of the mechanisms that govern programmed cell death in the immune and other systems.
Constructions of self‐neglect: a multiple case study design
Authors: Lauder William
Published: July 2002

Patients who neglect personal hygiene, household cleanliness and their own health are familiar to most nurses. Despite this familiarity, self‐neglect is a poorly conceptualized and little researched phenomenon. This multiple case study design uncovers the perceptions of self‐neglect held by professionals, patients and relatives. The assumptions which underpin Orem’s Theory of Self‐Care and the medical model construction of self‐neglect are explored and it will be suggested that there are limitations in understanding self‐neglect using these theoretical frameworks.
Being authentic and being a chameleon: nurse–patient interaction revisited
Authors: Aranda Sanchia K , Street Annette F
Published: July 2002

This paper explores contradictory understandings of nurse–patient interaction arising through an exploration of ‘being authentic’ and ‘being a chameleon’. The concepts arose during a critical praxis research study exploring nurse–patient relationships in the context of life‐threatening or terminal illness. Being authentic can be understood as a dominant view in the nursing literature of the nurse–patient relationship, incorporating the value of being genuine. However, we argue that this concept offers only a partial and inadequate framework from which to understand nurse–patient interaction. The paper argues that nurse–patient relationships develop intersubjectively, with both the nurse and the patient choosing to reveal or conceal aspects of themselves in response to their interactions. Intersubjectivity as a concept provided the nurses in this study with a means for understanding how the nurse and the patient each contribute to interactions; nurse–patient relationships being understood as mutually constructed. These ideas are explored in this paper using examples from the nurses’ stories, along with the implications raised for nursing practice.
Histological changes associated with long‐term urethral stents
Authors: Bailey  , Foley  , Mcfarlane  , O’neil  , Parkinson  , Shah
Published: July 2002

Objective

 To assess the histological changes found in patients with long‐term external sphincter, prostatic and urethral stents.

Patients and methods

 Eighteen patients with long‐term stents (mean time since insertion 3.5 years) were investigated. Three had external sphincter stents for detrusor‐sphincter dyssynergia secondary to spinal injury, eight had prostatic stents for obstruction secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia and seven had urethral stents for recurrent strictures. Nine stents were occluded at investigation, of which seven were entirely removed. The mucosae overlying the remaining two were biopsied, as were mucosae over the nine patent stents, at urethroscopy.

Results

 The changes observed included polypoid hyperplasia (11 of 18 patients) between and around the stent mesh wires, nonkeratinizing squamous metaplasia (two) or hyperkeratotic squamous metaplasia (seven), chronic inflammation (15) with prominent plasma cell infiltrates (11), variable foreign‐body granuloma (two) and microabscess formation (five), usually associated with clefts formed around the stent wires (three of five).

Conclusion

 Stents become incorporated into the urethral wall by a process of polypoid hyperplasia through the stent mesh, with at least focal covering of the stent in most cases, and with variable inflammatory infiltrates, most of which are rich in plasma cells. The urothelial and connective tissue proliferation resulted in obstruction of the stent lumen in nine of the patients studied. Further long‐term study is necessary to exclude the development of carcinoma in patients with keratinizing squamous metaplasia, although no malignancy was seen in this study.
Predisposition to nephropathy in Polynesians is associated with family history of renal disease, not diabetes mellitus
Authors: Thompson C. F. , Simmons D. , Collins J. F. , Cecil A.
Published: July 2002

SUMMARY

Aims  Familial clustering of diabetes and nephropathy suggests that either common environmental or inherited mechanisms are important in developing diabetic nephropathy. If an inherited mechanism is important, the albumin excretion rate might be increased in those at future risk. This study aimed to determine whether people with a family history of diabetes or people with a family history of renal disease were most at risk.

Methods  In a two‐by‐two factorial study of urinary albumin in non‐diabetic Polynesians, 90 people with a first degree relative (FDR) with end‐stage renal failure (ESRF) and diabetes (group 1) were compared with 90 people with a FDR with non‐diabetic ESRF (group 2), with 90 people with a FDR with diabetes but no known nephropathy (group 3) and 90 people with no known relatives with either diabetes or nephropathy (group 4). Groups were matched for ethnicity and age.

Results  Subjects with a family history of ESRF (groups 1 and 2) had an increased mean albumin–creatinine ratio (1.25 vs. 1.00 mg/mmol, P = 0.01), but in subjects with a family history of diabetes (groups 1 and 3), the mean ratios were not significantly different from those without a family history of diabetes (1.06 vs. 1.17 mg/mmol; P = 0.2). In those with a family history of nephropathy, fasting blood glucose and systolic blood pressure were increased, while fasting insulin and 2 h insulin concentrations were lower. A family history of diabetes was associated with an increased fasting blood glucose and 2‐h blood glucose. By multiple linear regression, the mean systolic blood pressure (P = 0.02), the 2‐h glucose concentration (P = 0.05), a family history of renal failure (P = 0.04), female sex (P = 0.0001) and the total cholesterol (P = 0.01) were each independently associated with microalbuminuria, while a family history of diabetes was not (P = 0.09).

Conclusions  These data suggest that among Polynesians there is no specific inherited tendency to diabetic nephropathy per se. The risk of nephropathy does not appear to be associated with the degree of familial risk of diabetes itself. Rather, the risk of diabetic nephropathy may be the result of a familial risk of nephropathy from any cause and is associated with diabetes through relative hypoinsulinaemia and hyperglycaemia.
Peripheral neuropathy during stavudine‐didanosine antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Reliquet V , Mussini JM , Chennebault JM , Lafeuillade A , Raffi F
Published: July 2002

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is among the most frequent side effects described with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). We investigated the incidence, evolution and predictive factors of PN during stavudine (d4T)‐didanosine (ddI) combination therapy in 65 HIV infected patients, previously treated with zidovudine and/or zalcitabine (ddC) for at least 3 months. A subset of 16 patients was referred for systematic electromyographic examination at weeks 0 and 24: six among the 16 exhibited nerve conduction abnormalities at day 0, probably related to previous ddC treatment in four of those and to HIV infection in the other two, with worsening of abnormalities in one patient at week 24. In total, seven of the 59 assessable patients (11.8%) exhibited grade 2–3 neuropathy, with a median time of occurrence of 17 weeks. Distal, symmetrical paraesthesias of the extremities were the first symptoms in all the patients; none had motor symptoms. In all the patients, PN resolved rapidly after stopping d4T. There were no statistically different parameters between the seven cases and the other 52 patients according to CD4 T cells, HIV RNA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stage C or d4T daily dose. In our study, the d4T‐ddI combination did not seem to increase the incidence of PN; risk factors for PN could not be identified, probably in part because of the low number of patients with PN.
Recombinant human interferon beta in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis: a review of the major clinical trials
Authors: Chofflon M.
Published: July 2002

The beneficial effects of interferon beta (IFN‐β) on disease activity in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) have been confirmed in several clinical trials. Three IFN‐β products are currently available and licensed for use in RRMS at different dosages and with different routes of administration. For the prescribing physician, therefore, questions remain about the effect these differences may have on the success of therapy. This paper reviews the four large placebo‐controlled clinical trials that have been conducted with IFN‐β in patients with RRMS. The evidence available indicates that optimal results are likely to be achieved with the highest tolerable dosage of IFN‐β. Furthermore, as inflammatory brain lesions in MS have been shown to exhibit more extensive and early axonal damage than previously suspected, early treatment may be advisable in order to delay disease progression in RRMS.
Hormone Replacement Therapy and Fractures in Older Adults
Authors: Kamel Hosam K. , Perry Horace M. , Morley John E.
Published: July 2002

Estrogen deficiency in women is associated with accelerated bone loss, and estrogen replacement therapy has been proven to be effective in preventing osteoporosis and fractures in postmenopausal women. The introduction of selective estrogen receptor modulators that have an estrogen‐like effect on the skeleton but have a different pattern of effects on other tissues may have an important role in the management of osteoporosis in women in the near future. In men, androgen deficiency has been shown to be associated with osteoporosis. Although androgen replacement in hypogonadal men may decrease bone resorption and increase bone mass, long‐term placebo‐controlled trials are needed to better define the benefits and risks of such therapy before it can be recommended. Sex hormone deficiency is linked to the development of osteoporosis in both women and men. In women, hormonal replacement by estrogen or the newly developed selective estrogen receptor modulators may prevent the development of osteoporosis and its related fractures. In men, there is early evidence that testosterone replacement therapy may enhance bone mass in hypogonadal men.
Trends and Outcomes in the Hospitalization of Older Americans for Cardiac Conduction Disorders or Arrhythmias, 1991–1998
Authors: Baine William B. , Yu William , Weis Kathleen A.
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVE:To identify epidemiological trends and measure outcomes in elderly patients hospitalized for cardiac conduction disorders or arrhythmias.

DESIGN:Review of the standard 5% samples of the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review Files to characterize 144,512 discharges from 1991 through 1998 in which the principal diagnosis was a conduction disorder or arrhythmia, using the corresponding Enrollment Databases for denominator data.

SETTING:Short‐stay hospitals in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS:Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older in the standard 5% sample.

MEASUREMENTS:Diagnosis‐specific trends and rates; discharges by year; cumulative age‐, race‐, and sex‐specific discharge rates; mean length of stay in hospital and in intensive care; mean Medicare reimbursement to the hospital; case‐fatality rate in hospital; discharge destinations of patients discharged alive.

RESULTS:Annual hospitalizations for sinoatrial node dysfunction, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, or ventricular fibrillation increased more rapidly than did the elderly Medicare beneficiary population. Hospitalizations with a principal diagnosis of ventricular extrasystoles or asystole showed steep secular declines. Discharge rates for sinoatrial node dysfunction, a group of rhythms with a nonsinus pacemaker, atrial fibrillation, Mobitz I, or complete atrioventricular block all increased steeply and continuously with patient age. In contrast, discharge rates for atrial flutter or ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation peaked among 75‐ to 84‐year‐old patients. White men were at uniquely high risk of hospitalization for atrial flutter or ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, and, among the white majority, men had higher discharge rates than women for nine of the 11 commonest rubrics. Whites, particularly white women, had the highest discharge rates for atrial fibrillation. Blacks, especially black women, were at disproportionate risk for hospitalization for the group of nonsinus pacemaker rhythms. Diagnosis‐specific mean resource costs were strongly correlated with each other and with mean Medicare reimbursement but not with case‐fatality rate.

CONCLUSION:Medicare claims data demonstrated striking differences among and within diagnoses of heart blocks or arrhythmias in terms of the populations at greatest risk for hospitalization. This variation should be explored further to generate and test hypotheses about differential causation or delivery of care.J Am Geriatr Soc 49:763–770, 2001.
The Genetics of Exceptional Human Longevity
Authors: Perls Thomas , Kunkel Louis M. , Puca Annibale A.
Published: July 2002

There is a substantial distinction to be made between the genetics of aging and the genetics of exceptional longevity. Twin studies suggest that the average set of genetic variations facilitates the average human's ability to live well into their octogenarian years. Other studies indicate that taking full advantage of this average set results in spending the majority of those years in good health. However, many people counteract such genetic endowment with poor health habits, resulting in a substantially lower average life expectancy and relatively more time spent in poor health. To live beyond the octogenarian years, life‐span experiments in lower organisms and mammals and population and molecular genetic studies of centenarian sibships suggest that genetic factors play an important role in exceptional longevity. These factors are likely to influence basic mechanisms of aging, which in turn broadly influence susceptibility to age‐related illnesses. Lacking genetic variations that predispose to disease, and having variations that confer disease resistance (longevity enabling genes), are probably both important to such a remarkable survival advantage. Recent studies indicate the likelihood that such factors will be elucidated in the near future.
Predictors of Rehabilitation Outcomes in Frail Patients Treated in a Geriatric Hospital
Authors: Landi Francesco , Bernabei Roberto , Russo Andrea , Zuccalà Giuseppe , Onder Graziano , Carosella Luciana , Cesari Matteo , Cocchi Alberto
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of medical indicators of health status on functional gain during rehabilitation of frail older patients.

DESIGN: Observational study.

SETTING: A hospital geriatric rehabilitation department (Catholic University of Rome).

PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred forty‐four older patients admitted consecutively for rehabilitation after acute illnesses between March 1999 and June 2000.

MEASUREMENTS: Patients were evaluated with the Minimum Data Set for Post‐Acute Care (MDS‐PAC) assessment form soon after the admission and every 2 weeks thereafter. Two summary scales based on MDS‐PAC items are designed to describe the performance in personal activities of daily living (ADLs) and the level of cognitive function (Cognitive Performance Scale). To identify predictors of functional recovery, we constructed a multiple logistic regression model having as a dependent variable the improvement of one or more points in the ADL scale.

RESULTS: Patients aged 85 and older with cognitive or sensory impairment were less likely to significantly improve physical functioning after an intensive rehabilitation program. However, the cognitive impairment was the only “negative” factor that remained significant in a multivariable model (odds ratio = 0.36, 95% confidence interval = 0.14–0.92) after adjusting for several potential negative predictors.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study document that severe cognitive impairment may be considered a negative predictor of functional recovery after a period of intensive rehabilitation. However, the effectiveness of such a rehabilitation program in patients with dementia is controversial. Additional studies are necessary to better clarify the effect of cognitive impairment on the potential recovery of the older subjects after a period of rehabilitation and whether this is influenced by different pathologies.
Descending facilitatory modulation of a behavioral nociceptive response by stimulation in the adult rat anterior cingulate cortex
Authors: Calejesan Amelita A. , Kim Susan J. , Zhuo Min
Published: July 2002

It is well documented that the descending endogenous analgesia system, including the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and the rostral ventral medulla (RVM), play an important role in modulation of nociceptive transmission and morphine‐ and cannabinoid‐produced analgesia. Neurons in the PAG receive inputs from different nuclei of higher structures, including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). However, it is unclear if stimulation of neurons in the ACC modulates spinal nociceptive transmission. The present study has examined the effects of electrical stimulation and chemical activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in the ACC on a spinal nociceptive tail‐flick (TF) reflex induced by noxious heating. Activation of the ACC at high intensities (up to 500 μA) of electrical stimulation did not produce any antinociceptive effect. Instead, at most sites within the ACC (n = 36 of 41 sites), electrical stimulation produced significant facilitation of the TF reflex (i.e. decreases in TF latency). Chemical activation of mGluRs within the ACC also produced a facilitatory effect. Descending facilitation from the ACC apparently relays at the RVM. Electrical stimulation in the RVM produces a biphasic modulatory effect, showing facilitation at low intensities and inhibition at higher intensities. The present study provides evidence that activation of mGluRs within the ACC can facilitate spinal nociception. Copyright 2000 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain
The symptom check‐list, SCL‐90‐R: its use and characteristics in chronic pain patients
Authors: Hardt Jochen , Gerbershagen Hans U. , Franke Petra
Published: July 2002

The SCL‐90‐R is a widely‐used questionnaire for self‐report of psychological distress and multiple aspects of psychopathology, as part of the evaluation of chronic pain patients and other non‐psychiatric populations. The aim of this study is the presentation of clinical results of this multidimensional questionnaire in a convenience sample of 3540 chronic pain patients treated in a multidisciplinary pain centre. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), single scale factor analyses and Cronbach's alphas are used to assess the internal structure and correlation to other instruments (CES‐D, STAI, MPSS) to assess construct validity. It is shown that the 9 dimensions postulated by Derogatis et al. (1977 a) cannot at all be distinguished in chronic pain patients. The use of single subscores of the SCL‐90‐R, often employed as a screening instrument for specific diagnoses, such as depression, is at least questionable in chronic pain patients.
Superconducting Y1Ba2Cu3O7−x films on Si
Authors: Venkatesan T. , Chase E. W. , Wu X. D. , Inam A. , Chang C. C. , Shokoohi F. K.
Published: July 2002

By depositing YBaCuO films at low substrate holder temperatures (600 °C) using a pulsed laser, films with the orthorhombic phase exhibiting superconductivity with high zero resistance temperatures (Tc0) were produced. Tc0 values as high as 50 and 80 K were seen on films deposited directly on Si and on Si with only a 50 nm ZrO2 buffer layer, respectively. The key to the successful film deposition is the low processing temperatures involved, which minimized the interface reactions as observed by Auger electron spectrometry.
Broadly tunable high repetition rate femtosecond optical parametric oscillator
Authors: Edelstein D. C. , Wachman E. S. , Tang C. L.
Published: July 2002

We report a new source of femtosecond light pulses which is broadly tunable in the infrared. A singly resonant optical parametric oscillator based on a thin crystal of KTiOPO4 is pumped by intracavity femtosecond pulses at 620 nm from a standard colliding-pulse passively mode-locked dye laser. Oscillation results in stable, continuous outputs of femtosecond pulses at 108 Hz repetition rate and milliwatt average power levels in both signal and idler beams. Here we demonstrate tuning from 820 to 920 nm and 1.90 to 2.54 μm with a single set of mirrors. With multiple sets of mirrors, continuously tunable outputs from ∼0.72 to ∼4.5 μm should be possible, making this a uniquely versatile femtosecond laser source.