bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of disk‐loaded antenna with matching posts by diakoptic theory
Authors: Endo Kazuo , Arai Hiroyuki , Toki Masahiro
Published: July 2007

As equipment becomes smaller and lighter, the antenna needs to become smaller and planarized. One of the analysis methods for the small antenna with a complex configuration is the Diakoptic (DK) method which is a type of moment method. By means of the DK method, an analysis is carried out for a disk‐loaded monopole antenna (DLA) with matching posts which is a planar antenna suitable for mobile communication. In the analysis, the current distribution on the disk is approximated with a single current distribution function to reduce the computational amount and time. The effectiveness of the analysis is demonstrated by comparing the analysis results for the cases with one and two matching posts with the experimental data.
A polarization modulation (PLM)/optical coherent detection system and its phase noise cancelling effect
Authors: Kuwano Shigeru , Tsukamoto Katsutoshi , Morinaga Norihiko
Published: July 2007

In coherent optical communication systems, the phase noise of the optical source is the dominant factor in limiting the receiving characteristics and its reduction is required. In this paper, a polarization modulationl optical coherent detection system is proposed and theoretical and experimental studies are carried out for this system.

First, it is demonstrated that the polarization modulation signal is a differential phase‐modulated optical signal between the two orthogonal polarization components. The fundamental principle for the optical coherent detection system is presented.

Next, by taking into account the characteristics of the modulator, a general representation of the polarization modulation optical signals is derived and the inherent characteristics of the present system is shown. Further, for a polarization modulation/optical heterodyne detection system for a long‐distance transmission, the detection and demodulation methods are presented. The phase noise cancellation effect is found as well as the fact that the polarization axis matching between the transmitter and the receiver is not necessary if a circular polarization modulation is used.

The bit error rate of the polarization modulation/optical heterodyne detection system is analyzed theoretically. By comparing this system with other coherent optical communication systems, the receiving characteristics are evaluated. Finally, fundamental experiments are carried out for the optical heterodyne detection of the polarization modulation signals and the phase noise cancellation effect of the present system is confirmed.
Assessing extremal dependence of environmental spatial fields
Authors: Bel L. , Bacro J. N. , Lantuéjoul Ch.
Published: July 2007

Spatial environmental processes often exhibit dependence in their large values. In order to model such processes, their dependence properties must be characterized and quantified. In this paper, the performances of several estimators of the extremal coefficient are tested and compared using simulations of various spatial models. Two case studies (annual temperatures in France and precipitations in the French province Burgundy) are also presented. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Approximation methods for reliability‐based design optimization problems
Authors: Kaymaz Irfan
Published: July 2007

Deterministic optimum designs are obtained without considering of uncertainties related to the problem parameters such as material parameters (yield stress, allowable stresses, moment capacities, etc.), external loadings, manufacturing errors, tolerances, cost functions, which could lead to unreliable designs, therefore several methods have been developed to treat uncertainties in engineering analysis and, more recently, to carry out design optimization with the additional requirement of reliability, which referred to as reliability‐based design optimization. In this paper, two most common approaches for reliability‐based design optimization are reviewed, one of which is reliability‐index based approach and the other performancemeasure approach. Although both approaches can be used to evaluate the probabilistic constraint, their use can be prohibitive when the associated function evaluation required by the probabilistic constraint is expensive, especially for real engineering problems. Therefore, an adaptive response surface method is proposed by which the probabilistic constraint is replaced with a simple polynomial function, thus the computational time can be reduced significantly as presented in the example given in this paper. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Increased colonic inflammatory injury and formation of aberrant crypt foci in Nrf2‐deficient mice upon dextran sulfate treatment
Authors: Osburn William O. , Karim Baktiar , Dolan Patrick M. , Liu Guosheng , Yamamoto Masayuki , Huso David L. , Kensler Thomas W.
Published: July 2007

Chronic inflammation has been associated with increased risk of developing cancer. The transcription factor NF‐E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) controls the expression of numerous antioxidative enzymes that have been shown to attenuate acute inflammation. The present study investigated the role of Nrf2 genotype in modulating inflammation‐promoted colorectal tumorigenesis. Nrf2 wild‐type (WT) and Nrf2‐deficient (N0) mice were administered a single dose of azoxymethane followed by a 1‐week dose of drinking water with or without 1% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Aberrant crypt foci were counted 3 weeks after the cessation of DSS treatment. DSS treatment significantly increased numbers of aberrant crypt foci in N0 mice, but not WT mice. The extent of inflammation over the course of DSS treatment was analyzed in both genotypes. Histological analysis of colon sections revealed that N0 mice had markedly increased inflammation and mucosal damage when compared to WT mice beginning on Day 6 of DSS treatment. Although similar levels of inflammatory and oxidative damage biomarkers were evident in colons from WT and N0 mice at the start of DSS treatment, increased colonic proinflammatory cytokine mRNA transcript levels, myeloperoxidase activity and 3‐nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity were observed on Day 6 of DSS treatment in N0 mice, but not WT mice. Additionally, DSS treatment resulted in increased lipid peroxidation and loss of aconitase activity in N0 mice, but not WT mice, reflecting increased oxidative damage in colons from N0 mice. Taken together, these results clearly illustrate the role of Nrf2 in regulating an adaptive response that protects against early‐phase inflammation‐mediated tumorigenesis. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The “Eyespot Module” and eyespots as modules: development, evolution, and integration of a complex phenotype
Authors: Allen Cerisse E.
Published: July 2007

Organisms are inherently modular, yet modules also evolve in response to selection for functional integration or functional specialization of traits. For serially repeated homologous traits, there is a clear expectation that selection on the function of individual traits will reduce the integration between traits and subdivide a single ancestral module. The eyespots on butterfly wings are one example of serially repeated morphological traits that share a common developmental mechanism but are subject to natural and sexual selection for divergent functions. Here, I test two hypotheses about the organization of the eyespot pattern into independent dorsal‐ventral and anterior‐posterior modules, using a graphical modeling technique to examine patterns of eyespot covariation among and within wing surfaces in the butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Although there is a hierarchical and complex pattern of integration among eyespots, the results show a surprising mismatch between patterns of eyespot integration and the developmental and evolutionary eyespot units identified in previous empirical studies. These results are discussed in light of the relationships between developmental, functional, and evolutionary modules, and they suggest that developmental sources of independent trait variation are often masked by developmental sources of trait integration. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 310B:179–190, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
What is Type A? A cognitive social learning model
Authors: Price Virginia A.
Published: July 2007

In the past ten years or so, attempts have been made to understand better the essential nature of Type A. Yet, important questions remain as to exactly what the behaviour pattern is, how we can measure it reliably, and how we can help persons change their Type A behaviour as a means, it is hoped, of reducing their risk of CHD. Lack of a theoretically‐based conceptual model of Type A is cited as one of the important reasons why serious conceptual; assessment, and treatment problems persist in this field.

A recently developed model of Type A based on cognitive social learning theory is presented. The model focuses on the interplay among cognitive, behavioural, physiological, and environmental factors in the acquisition and maintenance of Type A behaviour. Personal beliefs and the fears they spawn are seen as forming the core of the behaviour pattern. Several of these beliefs are discussed. For instance, believing that one's personal worth is tied to one's tangible accomplishments is shown to explain the presence of many behaviours traditionally considered to constitute Type A. Environmental factors associated with the workplace are also discussed in terms of how they contribute to the persistence of Type A behaviour throughout adult life.
Work stress and the stress‐buffering roles of work and family resources
Authors: Billings Andrew G. , Moos Rudolf H.
Published: July 2007

This paper describes the development of the Work Environment Scale, which includes measures of perceived stressful and supportive aspects of the job milieu. This scale is used to examine stressful effects of the work environment on personal functioning and the stress‐buffering value of work and family social resources among a representative community group of men and women. Work stressors had a greater impact on men, but supportive social resources provided more attenuation of such effects among men than among women. Although work stressors generally had less effect on men whose wives were employed, high stress in the women's work settings had some indirect negative consequences for their husbands.

Reprint requests should be directed to the authors, Social Ecology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, California 94305, U.S.A.
Career dynamics in a steelworks of the future
Authors: Hedberg Bo
Published: July 2007

Recent organizational design efforts to provide more attractive jobs, including most attempts to apply socio‐technical system principles, have failed to account for the dynamic nature of the environment. The practice of socio‐technical design should respond to this failing by accommodating both environmental change and workers' confidence to cope with it. An attempt to make this accommodation, in a design for a model future steelworks, is described. The design incorporates principles such as anticipatory learning, a “tent” organization culture, a task oriented plant layout, a democratic governance system, local information systems, and dialectical decision making. It offers one answer to how careers within organizations, and organizations surrounding careers, can each influence the other while remaining adaptive to external change. The problems raised by dynamic environments can be met by putting learning and exploration back into workers' careers.
A fairer examination of rating scales when used for performance appraisal in a real organizational setting
Authors: Tziner Aharon
Published: July 2007

Fifty‐seven managers in an aircraft plant who had received rater training, appraised their subordinates (n = 376) using both a BARS format and a graphic scale. Less leniency and halo effect occurred with the BARS format. In addition, the use of BARS resulted in higher interrater reliability than ratings obtained with the graphic scale. Finally, the overall (global) evaluation derived with the BARS form was significantly less susceptible to leniency effect. A tentative conceptual framework to explain this finding was suggested.
Coping with advanced manufacturing technology
Authors: Blumberg Melvin , Gerwin Donald
Published: July 2007

Computer aided manufacturing equipment is supposed to revolutionize batch production by increasing control over this highly uncertain mode of manufacturing. However, as computerized equipment becomes more complex it becomes less compatible with the socio‐technical systems of most firms. The ensuing problems, with which management, staff specialists and workers have great difficulty in coping, lead to the new technology being only partially under control. It is difficult to evaluate whether to purchase a computerized manufacturing system and there are problems in evaluating their efficiency once they are implemented. Evidence is presented from case studies of five firms in three nations that have purchased computerized production systems. Policy recommendations and research suggestions are provided for dealing with the situation.
Stress reactions in computerized administrative work
Authors: Johansson Gunn , Aronsson Gunnar
Published: July 2007

Ninety‐five white‐collar workers employed by an insurance company using visual display units (VDU) connected by telecommunication to a central computer filled in a questionnaire concerning psychosocial stressors in connection with work at the VDU. Eleven persons with extensive and ten with no work at VDUs were also studied during regular work, during breakdown of machinery, and in their leisure time. Self‐reports on mood and alertness were recorded along with blood pressure, heart rate, and excretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Results indicate that (1) stress and mental strain occurred in association with delayed response times in the computer system and unpredicted interruptions of system operation, (2) such a temporary interruption caused an increase of blood pressure and adrenaline excretion, (3) complaints of stress and strain were repotted mainly by data‐entry staff, (4) data‐entry groups displayed a higher level of physiological arousal during post‐work hours than a control group, and (5) that a majority of those who worked continuously at a VOU reported physical discomfort within 1.5 hours. It is concluded that stress and strain in computerized work may be counteracted at the technological and the organizational level: by reducing the duration and frequency of breakdowns, by reducing response times in the system, and by eliminating pure data‐entry tasks.
The teacher stress process: A cross‐cultural analysis
Authors: Brenner Sten‐Olof , Bartell Riva
Published: July 2007

A cross‐cultural systems analysis was performed on teacher stress data from Canada and Sweden. The LISREL structural analysis was based on a conceptual model adapted from Kyriacou and Sutcliffe. Although the LISREL solution did not reach statistical significance it was concluded that the conceptual model in the essential features was corroborated by the LISREL analyses. Measurement errors, as well as the sensitivity of the used goodness of fit test (chi square) to the size of the samples was put forward as explanations of the failure to reach statistical significance for the LISREL structural solutions. Furthermore, it was argued that the heterogeneity of the teachers with respect to the stages of their professional careers should be considered in further research on teacher stress, to be able to capture the process aspects more adequately.
Safety specialists in industry: Roles, constraints and opportunities
Authors: Dawson Sandra , Poynter Philip , Stevens David
Published: July 2007

This paper comments on the slow and uneven occupational development of safety specialists in British industry. It provides an analysis of possible strategies for safety specialists by identifying three main areas of activity: processing and generating information, giving advice and participating in problem‐solving, and taking direct action. These may be practised at each of the following five stages involved in the technical control of hazards: identification of hazards, assessment of risk, development of controls, implementation of controls and longer‐term monitoring and adaptation. Hie position of specialists encountered in eight case studies in the chemical and related industries is then described. The third section advocates the role of the specialist as adviser and discusses the importance of line management assuming direct executive responsibility for the health and safety of those for whom they are directly responsible. The paper acknowledges some of the obstacles facing specialists who wish to develop a strong advisory and problem‐solving function. It considers the specialists' access to the following sources of power and influence: managerial dependence on their expertise, patronage within the hierarchy, a direct controlling function, internal coalitions formed with representatives of the workforce, external coalition formed with the factory inspectorate, formal organizational position and their personal qualities of charm and leadership. Comments are made on how aspects of the organizational context and climate of opinion affect the specialists' access to these power sources and the final section of the paper considers the effect of different recruitment and career paths of the specialists themselves.
Precursors of employee turnover: A multiple‐sample causal analysis
Authors: Dougherty Thomas W. , Bluedorn Allen C. , Keon Thomas L.
Published: July 2007

Two models of the nature of linkages among precursors of voluntary turnover were examined using four distinct samples. A model which includes both job satisfaction and organizational commitment as exogenous variables leading to one's intention to resign was shown to provide results which support its usage in future research. Analyses of longitudinal data for precursors across two points in time, before turnover, however, provided only weak support for causality.
Job and non‐job activities, job satisfaction and mental health among veterinarians
Authors: Hesketh Beryl , Shouksmith George
Published: July 2007

This study examines the relationship between dimensions of job and non‐job activity, job satisfaction and mental health among veterinary professionals and tests specific predictions arising from the work of Broad bent (1985) and Karasek (1979). Results are based on an analysis of 411 questionnaires returned in a postal survey. Job and non‐job activities contributed a significant proportion of unique variance in total mental health as measured, and related differently to anxiety and depression. Support for Broadbent's (1985) predictions was mixed. Pacing related distinctively to anxiety, but depression showed no relationship to social aspects of activity. Both lack of control over the speed of activities and discretion were related to mental health indices, but support was found for the role of discretion as a buffer in an interactive sense on one outcome measure only. Results are discussed in terms of ideas arising from the clinical literature, and suggestions offered for the potential use of carefully chosen activity in controlling levels of anxiety, depression and well‐being.
Etzioni's model of organizational involvement: A perspective for understanding commitment to organizations
Authors: Penley Larry E. , Gould Sam
Published: July 2007

There are two predominant views of organizational commitment: instrumental and affective. The purpose of the paper is to explore the extent to which an adapted version of Etzioni's macro organizational model of involvement may serve as a single model of both affective and instrumental perspectives of organizational commitment. Moral commitment and alienative commitment are treated as affective forms of organizational attachment, and calculative commitment is treated as an instrumental form of organizational attachment. The paper employs five samples for the investigation. It develops scales for measuring each of the three dimensions of commitment. The paper concludes that organizational commitment is multidimensional. It also concludes that employees report a mixture of commitment types. Evidence is offered in support of the affective character of moral and alienative commitment. Although the evidence is equivocal, there is support for the independence of the two dimensions of affective commitment: moral and alienative. Evidence is also offered for the differential association of the three dimensions of organizational commitment with related aspects of organizational behavior. The paper extends our understanding of organizational commitment by providing a place for both instrumental and affective forms of psychological attachment to organizations. It offers scales which may be used for future research, and it suggests research which may extend the adapted model in this paper as well as provide direction for practising managers.
Sex differences in job attribute preferences
Authors: Bigoness William J.
Published: July 2007

This study investigated the job attribute preferences of male and female MBA candidates. Participants were drawn from 27 different MBA programmes in the United States. Factor analysis of the job attributes questionnaire revealed three primary job attribute dimensions: (1) professional growth; (2) work environment; and (3) salary. Contrary to most previous research, females were found to place a greater emphasis on the professional growth dimension than did males. Males, on the other hand, placed greater emphasis on salary considerations. No sex difference was found in participants' ratings of the work environment job attribute dimension. Consistent with earlier research, women were found to place more importance on the calibre of colleagues than did males. In general, both males and females rated job attributes concerning job content as more important than job attributes concerning job context. These results are discussed with respect to earlier research findings. Finally, the generalizability of these findings to other occupational groups is discussed and managerial implications presented.
On the virtues of laboratory babies and student bath water: A reply to Dobbins, Lane, and Steiner
Authors: Slade L. Allen , Gordon Michael E.
Published: July 2007

This article responds to criticism by Dobbins, Lane and Steiner (1988) of the position taken by Gordon, Slade and Schmitt (1986) on the advisability of relying upon student subjects in applied behavioural research. It rejects the view ascribed to us by our critics that laboratory research should be abandoned. Further, a serious confounding of experimental design and subject population in Dobbins et al.'s discussion is explicated. Our initial position is reiterated: more scrupulous subject selection is a means of improving the external validity of applied research.
Latina a LatinaSM: developing a breast cancer decision support intervention
Authors: Sheppard Vanessa B. , Figueiredo Melissa , Cañar Janet , Goodman Michelle , Caicedo Larisa , Kaufman Adriana , Norling Gretchen , Mandelblatt Jeanne
Published: July 2007

Latinas have the fastest rising incidence of breast cancer. Yet, little data are available about Latinas' breast cancer treatment experiences. Aims were to: (1) identify factors in Latinas' treatment decision making and (2) develop and pilot a decision support intervention. Thirty‐seven Latinas diagnosed with breast cancer participated. Qualitative data were used to identify intervention messages. Most women desired help in asking questions. Women were most concerned about chemotherapy side effects. Cultural values (e.g. personalismo, familismo) helped structure intervention messages. In phase two, participants completed a face‐to‐face skill‐building session with a trained breast cancer survivor. Women found the intervention acceptable and reported better communication and decision‐making skills. Interventions that focus on cultural strengths may improve Latinas treatment experiences and informed decision making. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Active‐control trials with binary data: A comparison of methods for testing superiority or non‐inferiority using the odds ratio
Authors: Siqueira Arminda Lucia , Whitehead Anne , Todd Susan
Published: July 2007

This paper considers methods for testing for superiority or non‐inferiority in active‐control trials with binary data, when the relative treatment effect is expressed as an odds ratio. Three asymptotic tests for the log‐odds ratio based on the unconditional binary likelihood are presented, namely the likelihood ratio, Wald and score tests. All three tests can be implemented straightforwardly in standard statistical software packages, as can the corresponding confidence intervals. Simulations indicate that the three alternatives are similar in terms of the Type I error, with values close to the nominal level. However, when the non‐inferiority margin becomes large, the score test slightly exceeds the nominal level. In general, the highest power is obtained from the score test, although all three tests are similar and the observed differences in power are not of practical importance. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley
& Sons, Ltd.
Symptoms of fatigue in chronic heart failure patients: Clinical and psychological predictors
Authors: Smith Otto R.F. , Michielsen Helen J. , Pelle Aline J. , Schiffer Angelique A. , Winter Jobst B. , Denollet Johan
Published: July 2007

Objective:

To examine the role of clinical and psychological characteristics as predictors of fatigue in CHF.

Background:

Little is known about predictors of fatigue in CHF. Next to heart failure characteristics, depressive symptoms and type‐D personality may explain individual differences in fatigue.

Methods:

At baseline, 136 CHF outpatients (age≤80 years) completed a questionnaire to assess depressive symptoms, type‐D personality and cardiac symptoms. At one‐year follow‐up, they completed the Dutch Exertion Fatigue Scale and the Fatigue Assessment Scale to assess symptoms of fatigue. Medical information was obtained from the patients' medical records.

Results:

Exertion fatigue and general fatigue were identified as different manifestations of fatigue. We found that exertion fatigue at 12‐month follow‐up was predicted by decreased exercise capacity (β=−.35; p<.001), dyspnoea (β=24; p=.002), hypertension (β=.16; p=.03), and depressive symptoms (β=.16; p=.05). In contrast, general fatigue at 12‐month follow‐up was predicted by dyspnoea (β=.24; p=.003), depressive symptoms (β=.27; p<.001), type‐D personality (β=17; p=.03), and sleep problems (β=.20; p=.01). Together, these variables explained 32% and 37% of the variance, respectively.

Conclusion:

The present study showed that fatigue was related to both clinical and psychological characteristics. The use of this knowledge may lead to a better understanding and treatment of the clinical manifestations of fatigue in CHF.
A randomized comparison of different methods of analgesia in abortion using manual vacuum aspiration
Authors: López J.C. , Vigil‐De Gracia P. , Vega‐Malek J.C. , Ruiz E. , Vergara V.
Published: July 2007

Objective

To estimate the effectiveness of different methods of analgesia among women treated with manual vacuum aspiration for spontaneous abortion.

Materials and methods

The 113 patients diagnosed with incomplete abortion and considered candidates for manual vacuum aspiration were randomly assigned to 3 groups of analgesic administration: diclofenac plus paracervical block; meperidine plus diclofenac; and meperidine alone. Pain levels were evaluated using the Wong Scale of Pain.

Results

The mean pain scores for the three groups were: diclofenac and paracervical block 5.4; meperidine plus diclofenac 5.0; meperidine 5.7 (P = 0.57). Analysis of pain using the levels mild (0–3), moderate (4–6), and severe (7–10) showed no statistical significance among the 3 groups of analgesics. Adverse effects were more common in the groups using analgesia containing meperidine.

Conclusions

There was no significant difference between the analgesics used among the 3 groups. Most of the patients, regardless of the analgesic used, reported moderate pain.
Remarks on the Painlevé analysis for a (2+1)-dimensional generalization of nonlinear-Schrödinger-type equations
Authors: Yang Zai-Chun , Tian Bo
Published: July 2007

Choudhury [J. Math. Phys. 44, 5733 (2003)] applied truncated Painlevé expansions to derive Lax pairs, Darboux transformations, and various soliton solutions to some (2+1)-dimensional generalizations of nonlinear-Schrödinger-type equations, and the method he used was based on the techniques of Painlevé analysis. However, there are some errors in the procedures of the Painlevé analysis for one equation which was investigated in detail.
Unsteady flow organization of compressible planar base flows
Authors: Humble R. A. , Scarano F. , van Oudheusden B. W.
Published: July 2007

The unsteady flow features of a series of two-dimensional, planar base flows are examined, within a range of low-supersonic Mach numbers in order to gain a better understanding of the effects of compressibility on the organized global dynamics. Particle image velocimetry is used as the primary diagnostic tool in order to characterize the instantaneous near wake behavior, in combination with data processing using proper orthogonal decomposition. The results show that the mean flowfields are simplified representations of the instantaneous flow organizations. Generally, each test case can be characterized by a predominant global mode, which undergoes an evolution with compressibility, within the Mach number range considered. (The term “global mode” is defined herein as an organized global dynamical behavior of the near wake region, recognizing that the near wake dynamics may be describable in terms of several global modes.) At Mach 1.46, the predominant global mode can be characterized by a sinuous or flapping motion. With increasing compressibility, this flapping mode decreases, and the predominant global mode evolves into a pulsating motion aligned with the wake axis at Mach 2.27. These global modes play an important role in the distributed nature of the turbulence properties. The turbulent mixing processes become increasingly confined to a narrower redeveloping wake with increasing compressibility. Global maximum levels of the streamwise turbulence intensity and the kinematic Reynolds shear stress occur within the vicinity of the mean reattachment location, and show no systematic trend with compressibility. In contrast, the global maximum level of the vertical turbulence intensity moves upstream from the redeveloping wake toward the mean reattachment location. The vertical turbulence intensity decays thereafter more slowly than the other turbulence quantities. Overall, the local maximum levels of the turbulence properties decrease appreciably with increasing compressibility.
Mixing enhancement in coaxial jets through inflow forcing: A numerical study
Authors: Balarac Guillaume , Métais Olivier , Lesieur Marcel
Published: July 2007

Direct numerical simulations are performed to analyze the flow dynamics and the mixing properties of natural (unforced) and excited coaxial jets at moderate Reynolds number. First, the study of the natural coaxial jet, with species injected in the outer jet alone, allows us to understand the role of the coherent vortices on the mixing process during the transition stage. It is observed that the global flow behavior is controlled by the dynamics of the outer shear layer during the transition. The streamwise vortices are shown to play a significant role in the mixing process since they initiate intense ejections from the seeding regions. Spots of pure (unmixed) species from the outer jet are seen to persist far downstream. Two different types of inflow forcing are then considered based on the information provided by the natural coaxial jet: first, a purely axisymmetric excitation and second, combined axisymmetric and azimuthal excitations all of moderate amplitude. These excitations are applied to the outer shear layer with a frequency corresponding to the periodic passage of the outer vortical structures. The goal of these excitations is to trigger the vortices formation and to control their dynamics to improve the mixing properties of the jet. With the purely axisymmetric excitation, the outer and inner Kelvin-Helmholtz vortices appear earlier than for the natural jet and the transition process is faster. This early three-dimensionality growth is due to a rapid appearance of streamwise vortices, stretched between consecutive vortex rings, which lead to enhanced mixing. For the combined axisymmetric and azimuthal excitations, the outer Kelvin-Helmholtz rings appear moreover with an azimuthal deformation from the beginning of the jet. This allows for the early generation of streamwise vortices. The vortex stretching phenomenon takes place near the jet inlet with a growth of the axial component of the vorticity fluctuations. The ejections of species from the outer jet thus appear sooner and with a larger intensity. Finally, the mixing efficiency is studied through the global mixedness and the intensity of segregation.
Long‐Term Disability of Class A Patients With Ménière's Disease After Treatment With Intratympanic Gentamicin
Authors: Boleas‐Aguirre Maria Soledad , Sánchez‐Ferrandiz Noelia , Guillén‐Grima Francisco , Perez Nicolas
Published: July 2007

Objective: The main objective of this study was to characterize the residual vestibular symptoms and disability in patients with Ménière's disease who had achieved complete control of vertigo through intratympanic gentamicin treatment. Furthermore, we assessed whether the Functional Level Score prior to treatment reflected the posttreatment symptoms and disability.

Study Design: Prospective.

Setting: Tertiary medical center.

Patients: This study involved 103 patients with Ménière's disease treated with intratympanic gentamicin who, after a long‐term follow up, have not suffered new vertigo spells and were not subject to any major modification in their treatment.

Methods: At inclusion and at the last follow‐up visit after a minimum of 3 years of ending the treatment, the clinical status (number of vertigo spells), the unsteadiness as well as the disability produced by the disease, symptoms of anxiety, and compensation were asked using specific questionnaires. The results before and after treatment were analyzed using nonparametric tests.

Results: After a 5‐year follow‐up, complete control of vertigo was obtained in 81% of the patients with Ménière's disease who were treated with intratympanic gentamicin. Of them, 15.5% still complained of unsteadiness. A functional level of 6 or unsteadiness after treatment are related with a nonreduction in disability after long‐term control of vertigo spells.

Conclusions: The efficacy of gentamicin administered intratympanically is high after long‐term follow‐up as shown by the disappearance of vertigo spells and by the reduction in disability, increase in perception of quality of life, and reduction in anxiety related to vestibular symptoms. Unsteadiness, although an infrequent complaint, determines a level of almost similar severity in those issues. Special care must be taken with patients with a Functional Level Scale score of 6 at the time of beginning treatment.
A biophysical perspective on dispersal and the geography of evolution in marine and terrestrial systems
Authors: Dawson Michael N , Hamner William M
Published: July 2007

The fluid mechanics of marine and terrestrial systems are surprisingly similar at many spatial and temporal scales. Not surprisingly, the dispersal of organisms that float, swim or fly is influenced by the fluid environments of air and seawater. Nonetheless, it has been argued repeatedly that the geography of evolution differsfundamentallybetween marine and terrestrial taxa. Might this view emanate from qualitative contrasts between the pelagic ocean and terrestrial land conflated by anthropocentric perception of within- and between-realm variation? We draw on recent advances in biogeography to identify two pairs of biophysically similar marine and terrestrial settings—(i) aerial and marine microplankton and (ii) true islands and brackish seawater lakes—which have similar geographies of evolution. Commonalities at these scales, the largest and smallest biogeographic scales, delimit the geographical extents that can possibly characterize evolution in the remaining majority of species. The geographies of evolution therefore differstatistically, not fundamentally, between marine and terrestrial systems. Comparing the geography of evolution in diverse non-microplanktonic and non-island species from a biophysical perspective is an essential next step for quantifying precisely how marine and terrestrial systems differ and is an important yet under-explored avenue of macroecology.
The effect of high concentration potassium permanganate on protein contamination from metallic and synthetic rubber airway equipment
Authors: Laupu W. , Brimacombe J.
Published: July 2007

We tested the hypothesis that supplementary cleaning using potassium permanganate 8 mg.l−1 eliminates protein deposits from the reusable metallic and synthetic rubber airway equipment. Twenty Macintosh laryngoscope blades (surgical steel), 20 pairs of Magill's forceps (surgical steel) and 20 Guedel airways (synthetic rubber) were allocated to two groups for supplementary cleaning. In group A, the device was immersed in potassium permanganate 8 mg.l−1. In group B (controls), the device was immersed in sterile water. The devices were then immersed in a protein staining solution, rinsed and the severity of staining was scored. In addition, the devices were inspected for tissue and then tested for occult blood. Protein contamination was lower in the potassium permanganate group for all devices (each device: p < 0.0001). There was no staining detected in the permanganate group. In the permanganate group, dried tissue was detected in the teeth of one pair of forceps, which was not detected following supplementary cleaning. Additionally, occult blood was detected on two pairs of forceps and a laryngoscope blade, which was not detected following supplementary cleaning. In the control group, no tissue was detected but one pair of forceps and two laryngoscope blades tested positive for occult blood before and after supplementary cleaning. We conclude that supplementary cleaning using potassium permanganate 8 mg.l−1 eliminates protein deposits from re‐usable metallic and synthetic rubber airway equipment.
Relationship between iron chlorosis and alkalinity in Zea mays
Authors: Mengel Konrad , Geurtzen Gabriele
Published: July 2007

Mengel, K. and Geurtzen, G. 1988. Relationship between iron chlorosis and alkalinity in Zea mays. ‐ Physiol. Plant. 72: 460–465.

Maize (Zea mays L. cv. Anjou 21) grown in nutrient solution with Fe‐EDTA and with nitrate as the sole nitrogen source showed typical Fe‐chlorosis symptoms after a growth period of 14–21 days. Alkalinity in roots, stems and leaves of the chlorotic plants was high. Transferring the chlorotic plants from the nitrate‐containing nutrient solution to a solution of (NH4)2SO4 resulted in a regreening of leaves within 2–3 days which was associated with a decrease in solution pH, a decrease in alkalinity of plant parts, a translocation of Fe from roots to tops and a release of Fe into the outer solution. Similar effects were obtained when Fe chlorotic plants were transferred to a dilute HO solution with pH 3.5.

Spraying chlorotic leaves with indoleacetic acid or with fusicoccin led also to a regreening of leaves without having a major effect on leaf alkalinity.

Interpretation of the experimental results is based on the assumption that nitrate as sole N source leads to a high pH level in the apoplast resulting in the precipitation of Fe compounds, probably Fe oxide hydrate. Ammonium nutrition has the reverse effect since it lowers the apoplast pH and this can result in the dissolution of Fe compounds. Application of indoleacetic acid as well as fusicoccin supposedly stimulates the proton pumps in the plasmalemma of the leaf tissue. The resulting decrease in apoplast leaf pH in the microenvironment also leads to a dissolution of Fe compounds in the apoplast and thus promotes the uptake of Fe by the symplasm.
The influence of calcium and pH on growth in primary roots of Zea mays
Authors: Hasenstein Karl Heinz , Evans Michael L.
Published: July 2007

Hasenstein, K. H. and Evans, M. L. 1988. The influence of calcium and pH on growth in primary roots of Zea mays. ‐ Physiol. Plant. 72: 466–470.

We investigated the interaction of Ca2+ and pH on root elongation in Zea mays L. cv. B73 × Missouri 17 and cv. Merit. Seedlings were raised to contain high levels of Ca2+ (HC, imbibed and raised in 10 mM CaCl2) or low levels of Ca2+ (LC, imbibed and raised in distilled water). In HC roots, lowering the pH (5 mM MES/Tris) from 6.5 to 4.5 resulted in strong, long‐lasting growth promotion. Surprisingly, increasing the pH from 6.5 to 8.5 also resulted in strong growth promotion. In LC roots acidification of the medium (pH 6.5 to 4.5) resulted in transient growth stimulation followed by a gradual decline in the growth rate toward zero. Exposure of LC roots to high pH (pH shift from 6.5 to 8.5) also promoted growth. Addition of EGTA resulted in strong growth promotion in both LC and HC roots. The ability of EGTA to stimulate growth appeared not to be related to H+ release from EGTA upon Ca2+ chelation since, 1) LC roots showed a strong and prolonged response to EGTA, but only a transient response to acid pH, and 2) promotion of growth by EGTA was observed in strongly buffered solutions. We also examined the pH dependence of the release of 45Ca2+ from roots of 3‐day‐old seedlings grown from grains imbibed in 45Ca2+. Release of 45Ca2+ from the root into agar blocks placed on the root surface was greater the more acidic the pH of the blocks. The results indicate that Ca2+ may be necessary for the acid growth response in roots.
Pressure‐volume curves and drought resistance in two wheat genotypes
Authors: Rascio A. , Cedola M. C. , Sorrentino G. , Pastore D. , Wittmer G.
Published: July 2007

The water relations of two durum wheat cultivars (Triticum durum Desf.) were studied throughout the growing season. Irrigated and unirrigated plants were compared from booting to milk stage; a period where water stress occurred naturally in the field. Modulus of elasticity (ε), turgid weight/dry weight ratio (TW/DW), relative water content at zero turgor (RWCo) and osmotic potential at full turgor (ε) declined throughout the season while average turgor (ψp) increased. Water stress induced a further decrease in ψπ100 and the TW/DW ratio. The elastic modulus varied greatly. During the first stages of growth, cv. Appulo (the more resistant cultivar) showed lower ε values than cv. Valforte. At the milk stage, ε was lower for the unirrigated than the irrigated plants. Correlation coefficients between the TW/DW ratio and the osmotic potential were significant for both cultivars. In cv. Valforte, TW/DW was also correlated with the average turgor and the bulk modulus of elasticity. Structural changes that affect the TW/DW ratio seem to be important factors influencing water relations and drought tolerance in durum wheat.
St Columba and the convention at Druimm Cete: peace and politics at seventh‐century Iona
Authors: Fraser James E.
Published: July 2007

Attendance at the ‘convention of kings’ at Druimm Cete in north‐east Ireland is one of the most famous episodes in the career of St Columba or Colum Cille, who died in 597. Discussion of the significance of this shadowy summit, largely informed by unreliable late evidence, has hitherto focused upon what (may have) transpired there between kings based in Ireland and Scotland. The result has been the neglect of the hagiographical dimension of the presentation of Druimm Cete in our principal source, Adomnán's Vita Sancti Columbae, composed c.700. Analysis of this material shows that Adomnán's information about the convention came from his principal source, composed some sixty years earlier. It reveals moreover that Druimm Cete assumed prominence within the Columban dossier in the 640s for what it represented, rather than because of what actually happened there. Once the hagiographical agenda of Vita Sancti Columbae and its principal source is restored to its rightful place in evaluating the text, it emerges that several of its best‐known stories – including the story of Columba's ordination of a Scottish king – are much more problematic as witnesses to sixth‐century history than is conventionally supposed. As scholars begin to lose their grip upon the historical Columba, however, they grow better able to grasp seventh‐century political history in north‐east Ireland and Gaelic Scotland.
The Use of Head‐Upright Tilt Table Testing in the Evaluation and Management of Syncope in Children and Adolescents
Authors: GRUBB BLAIR P. , TEMESY‐ARMOS PETER , MOORE JOSEPH , WOLFE DOUGLAS , HAHN HARRY , ELLIOTT LAURA
Published: July 2007

GRUBB, B.P., et al.: The Use of Head‐Upright Tilt Table Testing in the Evaluation and Management of Syncope in Children and Adolescents. Recurrent syncope in an otherwise healthy child or adolescent is a common anxiety provoking disorder. Vasovagally mediated hypotension and bradycardia are believed common, yet difficult to diagnose, causes of syncope in this age group. Upright tilt table testing has been suggested as a potential method to test for vasovagal episodes. This study evaluated the utility of this technique in the evaluation and management of recurrent syncope in children and adolescents. Thirty patients with recurrent unexplained syncope were evaluated by use of an upright tilt table test for 30 minutes, with or without an infusion of isoproterenol (1 to 3 μg/min given intravenously), in an attempt to produce hypotension, bradycardia, or both. There were 15 males and 15 females, mean age 14 ± 6 years. Each of the tilt positive patients received therapy with either fluorohydrocortisone, beta blockers, or transdermal scopolamine. Syncope occurred in six patients (20%) during the base line tilt and in 15 patients (50%) during isoproterenol infusion (total positives 70%). All initially positive patients were rendered tilt negative by therapy. Over a mean follow‐up period of 20 months, no further episodes have occurred. We conclude that tilt table testing is a useful and effective test in the evaluation of unexplained syncope in childhood.
Transpharyngeal Echocardiography Detection of a Left Internal Carotid Artery Stent
Authors: Miller Andrew , Nanda Navin C. , Mukhtar Osman , Kottakota Radhika J. , Puri Virender
Published: July 2007

This case report describes a patient in whom a left internal carotid (LIC) artery stent was detected using a transpharyngeal approach during a transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) study. Using pulsed‐Doppler interrogation, flow through and beyond the stent was characterized and restenosis was ruled out.
Prospects for a post‐Blair ‘progressive consensus’
Authors: Cable Vince
Published: July 2007

As British politics enters a new post‐Blair era, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Vince Cable argues that a new tri‐party ‘progressive consensus’ is emerging, encompassing the environment, centralism and localism, authoritarian versus liberal approaches to personal freedoms and the ‘politics of identity’.
Stop press
Authors: White Michael
Published: July 2007

Tony Blair claimed the media behaved like a feral beast' and that standards have dropped dangerously low. Here journalist Michael White argues that it may be time for the government to act
update: global conflict
Authors:   The Helen Bamber Centre for the study of conflict and mass violence
Published: July 2007

The Helen Bamber Centre for the study of conflict and mass violence is a multi‐disciplinary research centre based at Kingston University, UK. It has a research team working on a range of regional conflicts and themes in the study of conflict, particularly genocide. In each issue of PPR, the team will report on what they see as the major issues in international conflict and human rights and how they will unfold over the next quarter.