bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Charged particles in crossed and longitudinal electromagnetic fields and beam guides
Authors: Bagrov V. G. , Baldiotti M. C. , Gitman D. M.
Published: August 2007

We consider a class of electromagnetic fields that contains crossed fields combined with longitudinal electric and magnetic fields. We study the motion of a classical particle (solutions of the Lorentz equations) in such fields. Then, we present an analysis that allows one to decide which fields from the class act as a beam guide for charged particles, and we find some time-independent and time-dependent configurations with beam guiding properties. We demonstrate that the Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations with all the fields from the class can be solved exactly. We study these solutions, which were not known before, and prove that they form complete and orthogonal sets of functions.
On the origin of bistable resistive switching in metal organic charge transfer complex memory cells
Authors: Kever T. , Böttger U. , Schindler C. , Waser R.
Published: August 2007

Electrical characteristics of Cu:tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) devices with different electrodes were studied. The comparison of impedance spectroscopic measurements on devices with Al and Pt top electrodes proved the existence of a high resistive interface layer between Cu:TCNQ and Al. An equivalent circuit was modeled and the resulting values suggest that the interface layer is composed of naturally formed aluminum oxide. Devices with deliberately formed aluminum oxide and without Cu:TCNQ were fabricated and revealed a similar behavior. The authors propose that the switching effect in Cu:TCNQ thin film devices is a Cu ion based electrochemical effect occurring in a thin aluminum oxide layer.
Intrinsic and extrinsic central peaks in the Brillouin light scattering spectrum of the uniaxial ferroelectric relaxor Sr0.61Ba0.39Nb2O6
Authors: Ko Jae-Hyeon , Kojima Seiji
Published: August 2007

Broadband Brillouin scattering of Sr0.61Ba0.39Nb2O6 uniaxial ferroelectric relaxors has been investigated. One broader central peak (CP) appeared at all temperatures and was ascribed to light-induced charge carriers, while the other narrower CP began to appear near the Burns temperature suggesting its origin from the formation of polar nanoregions. Temperature evolution of both CPs indicated one characteristic temperature near 450K at which the volume and/or density of polar clusters with broken inversion symmetry began to increase resulting in a substantial increase of the intensities of both CPs and coupling between them.
Self-assembly mechanism of platelike silver mesocrystal
Authors: Fang Jixiang , Ding Bingjun , Song Xiaoping
Published: August 2007

In this letter, two-dimensional monocrystalline silver mesocrystals with about 5–20μm in size and 70nm in thickness were, for the first time, large-scale synthesized within a facile and organic-free replacement reaction system. The growth process and mechanism of silver mesoscopic plates are discussed in detail. An oriented nucleation and self-assembly coarsening process were suggested to describe the formation of monocrystalline silver mesocrystals. The kinetically dominated route reported here can be extended to other metals to synthesize the mesoscopic morphology.
Dielectric stripes on gold as surface plasmon waveguides: Bends and directional couplers
Authors: Steinberger B. , Hohenau A. , Ditlbacher H. , Aussenegg F. R. , Leitner A. , Krenn J. R.
Published: August 2007

Dielectric thin film stripes on a metal surface can be applied as surface plasmon (SP) waveguides. Here, the authors demonstrate experimentally that such structures can be used to build SP waveguide bends and couplers. On one hand, they show that SP transmission through a waveguide bend can be maximized by assuming the trade-off of propagation and bend induced radiation losses. On the other hand, the authors combine two waveguides to form a directional SP coupler.
Asymmetric strain in nanoscale patterned strained-Si/strained-Ge/strained-Si heterostructures on insulator
Authors: Hashemi Pouya , Gomez Leonardo , Hoyt Judy L. , Robertson Michael D. , Canonico Michael
Published: August 2007

The engineering of asymmetric strain is demonstrated in nanoscale patterned strained-Si/strained-Ge/strained-Si heterostructure on insulator with body thickness of 15nm. Starting material has layers with symmetric in-plane strain, including biaxial strained Si (∼1.8%, tension) and biaxial strained Ge (∼1.8%, compression). Micro-Raman spectroscopy is utilized to characterize the stress in heterostructures patterned into 10-μm-long bars with widths ranging from 300to30nm. Raman measurements are consistent with the transformation from biaxial to uniaxial compressive strain in the Ge for 30-nm-wide bars, as predicated by simulations. Measurements also demonstrate enhanced asymmetric relaxation in the tensile strained Si cap as its thickness is increased.
Observation of two-dimensional hole gas with mobility and carrier density exceeding those of two-dimensional electron gas at room temperature in the SiGe heterostructures
Authors: Myronov M. , Sawano K. , Shiraki Y. , Mouri T. , Itoh K. M.
Published: August 2007

Very high two-dimensional hole gas (2DHG) drift mobility of 3100cm2∕Vs is obtained at extremely high density of 41×1011cm−2 in the modulation doped, 20nm thick, strained Ge quantum well (QW) of SiGe heterostructure at room temperature. Very high 2DHG density is achieved by increasing the boron modulation doping, reducing the spacer layer thickness located between it and Ge QW, and increasing the valence-band offset of Ge QW, which also results in the enhancement of mobility. The obtained 2DHG mobility and carrier density exceed those reported for two-dimensional electron gas in the strained Si QW of SiGe heterostructures.
Management of primary abdominal pregnancy: twelve years of experience in a medical centre
Authors: SHAW SHENG‐WEN , HSU JENN‐JEIH , CHUEH HO‐YEN , HAN CHIEN‐MIN , CHEN FANG‐CHUN , CHANG YAO‐LUNG , CHAO AN‐SHINE , CHENG PO‐JEN , HSIEH T'SANG‐T'ANG , SOONG YUNG‐KUEI
Published: August 2007

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate our institution's 12‐year experience in managing primary abdominal pregnancy by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Methods. We identified 11 cases of primary abdominal pregnancy treated at our institution between January 1994 and December 2005, and separated the cases into 2 groups based on type of surgical management. The outcome measures we evaluated were operative time, blood loss and duration of hospital stay. In addition, the incidence rates for all types of ectopic pregnancy were recorded. Analysis excluded secondary abdominal pregnancy. Results. Of the 11 primary abdominal pregnancies, 6 were treated with laparotomy and 5 with laparoscopy. The laparoscopy group had significantly better results in operative time, blood loss and hospital stay (p<0.05). The difference in gestational age was not significant (p = 0.141), even after excluding the patient whose abdominal pregnancy was only identified after cesarean delivery. Conclusion. Our experience shows a trend toward better management of primary abdominal pregnancy with laparoscopy. These patients had shorter operative time, reduced blood loss, and fewer days in hospital then patients treated with laparotomy. Choice of management should depend on the patient's condition, gestational age of the pregnancy, and the physician's clinical experience.
Precision, consistency, and reproducibility of blood pressure in diabetic and non‐diabetic pregnancy: the appraisal of repeated measurements
Authors: LAUSZUS FINN FRIIS , ROSGAARD ANNI , LOUSEN THEA , RASMUSSEN OLE WINTHER , KLEBE THOMAS MARTIN , KLEBE JOACHIM G.
Published: August 2007

A monitor (Spacelab 90207) was compared with sphygmomanometric blood pressure (BP) with respect to reproducibility and variations on precision and consistency. Some 133 women with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 59 non‐diabetic women were recruited. During pregnancy, systolic BP was between 6 and 12 mmHg higher in the oscillometric than the auscultatory readings, and diastolic BP was between 1 and 2.6 mmHg. The association of difference with the mean BP disappeared with progression of pregnancy and the repetition of measurements in diabetic pregnancy. The precision, reproducibility, and trend of association over the scale of measurement were improved in the repeated compared to individual measurements, whereas consistency did not improve.
Non‐clinical determinants of planned cesarean delivery in cases of term breech presentation in France
Authors: CARAYOL M. , ZEITLIN J. , ROMAN H. , LE RAY C. , BREART G. , GOFFINET F. ,   FOR THE PREMODA STUDY GROUP, CARAYOL M. , ZEITLIN J. , ROMAN H. , LE RAY C. , BREART G. , GOFFINET F. ,   FOR THE PREMODA STUDY GROUP
Published: August 2007

Background. To explore non‐clinical maternal and institutional factors associated with the decision for planned cesarean in cases of breech presentation at term in France, where planned vaginal delivery are recommended by the French College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF) when conditions are optimal. Methods. The analysis included 6,080 women with a live fetus in breech presentation at term, from the PREMODA prospective survey, in 138 French maternity units between 1 June 2001 and 31 May 2002. Women with previous cesarean sections were excluded. The analysis to identify risk factors for planned cesarean used a multilevel logistic model. Results. The planned cesarean rate was 63.5%. The maternal factors most strongly associated with a decision for planned cesarean were parity (adjusted OR: 2.56 (2.29–2.88)) and maternal age ≥35 years (ORa: 1.38 (1.18–1.61)). No association was found between institutional factors, such as maternity size and level of care, although a centre effect was documented (p<0.001). Conclusion. The variation in planned cesarean rates between maternity units was not associated with their structural characteristics, but was related to a characteristic specific to each centre, and, thus, suggests that despite the current guidelines in France, obstetricians have diverse opinions about the best mode of delivery for breech presentations.
A prospective, randomised, controlled trial comparing 3 hour and 24 hour postoperative removal of bladder catheter and vaginal pack following vaginal prolapse surgery
Authors: GLAVIND KARIN , MØRUP LISBETH , MADSEN HANS , GLAVIND JULIE
Published: August 2007

Background. The aim of this prospective, randomised, study was to determine whether or not there was a higher incidence of bleeding, reoperation, urinary retention or bacterial count in the urine, depending on whether urinary catheter and vaginal pack was removed 3 h or 24 h after vaginal prolapse surgery. Methods. Some 136 women were randomised into Group 1 (removal of catheter and vaginal pack after 3 h), and Group 2 (removal of catheter and vaginal pack after 24 h). Data on postoperative bleeding, reoperation, and urinary retention were collected. Preoperatively, day after operation, and 14 days after operation, a urine culture was performed. Results. There was no tendency towards more bleeding with early removal of vaginal pack and urinary catheter. No patients in either group were reoperated during the first 48 postoperative hours. Three patients in Group 1 required sterile intermittent catheterisation postoperatively, however, only once in 2 patients. There was a trend towards a higher postoperative bacterial count in patients in Group 2 (p = 0.306). Conclusion. We recommend removing the vaginal pack and urinary catheter after 3 h with careful monitoring of the patient's voiding.
Preventive treatment of intrauterine device‐induced menstrual blood loss with tranexamic acid in Chinese women
Authors: LIN X. , GAO E.S. , LI D. , ZHANG M. , DOU L.X. , YUAN W.
Published: August 2007

Objectives. To investigate whether tranexamic acid (Transamin®) therapy reduces the amount of menstrual blood loss (MBL) and occurrence of menorrhagia after intrauterine device (IUD) insertion. Methods. Some 175 Chinese women attending for IUD insertion were equally assigned into 2 Transamin® groups (1,000 and 500 mg, twice daily) and a placebo group. Their MBL was recorded with a pictorial chart in 3 subsequent menstrual cycles after insertion, while the MBL of 64 patients, collecting used sanitary towels, was also measured by an alkaline hematin method. Results. A significant decline in post‐insertion MBL and occurrence of menorrhagia was found in the 2 Transamin® groups compared with the placebo group (p<0.05), whereas the difference in the results from the pictorial chart score was not statistically significant between the 1 g group and placebo group. Conclusion. Transamin® treatment with a generally recommended dosage can effectively reduce the amount of IUD‐induced MBL and prevent menorrhagia in Chinese women. A lower dosage than recommended (50% of recommended dosage) may have a similar preventive effect.
Beyond East–West: Marginality and National Dignity in Finnish Identity Construction
Authors: Browning Christopher , Lehti Marko
Published: August 2007

Since the end of the Cold War it has become common for Finnish academics and politicians alike to frame debates about Finnish national identity in terms of locating Finland somewhere along a continuum between East and West. Indeed, for politicians, properly locating oneself (and therefore Finland) along this continuum has often been seen as central to the winning and losing of elections. For example, the 1994 referendum on EU membership was largely interpreted precisely as an opportunity to relocate Finland further to the West. Indeed, the tendency to depict Finnish history in terms of a series of “Westernizing” moves has been notable, but has also betrayed some of the politicized elements of this view. However, this framing of Finnish national identity discourse is not only sometimes politicized but arguably is also too simplified and results in blindness towards other identity narratives that have also been important through Finnish history, and that are also evident (but rarely recognized) today as well. In this article we aim to highlight one of these that we argue has played a key role in locating Finland in the world and in formulating notions of what Finland is about, what historical role and mission it has been understood as destined to play, and what futures for the nation have been conceptualized as possible and as providing a source of subjectivity and national dignity.
Conversations with Bosnian Youth: From the Youth Relay Race to the Successor Generation Initiative*
Authors: Božić Gordana , Dutkiewicz Piotr , Hebda-Dutkiewicz Ewa
Published: August 2007

Youth and their experiences, opinions and attitudes in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina (hereafter BiH) have typically been left unexamined by both academics and policy makers. Nor is there much attention paid to historical analysis of youth who lived in the socialist period, which could shed some light on the mentality of young generations in present-day BiH. This article provides a historical view of socialist youth in Tito's era, with a special focus on BiH in the late 1980s. The second section provides a survey of how young people live in one of the Yugoslav successor states, BiH, examining the continuity and discontinuity of socio-political and ideological conditions in which youth lived in socialist Yugoslavia. The third section looks at the relationship between youth and the international community, the dynamics of which shed light on common features of both pre- and post-war BiH. Specifically, it will examine the internationally funded and organized “Successor Generation Initiative” (SGI) youth program, which aimed to educate youth in democratic values and develop their leadership skills.
Angiotensin II Is a Critical Mediator of Prazosin‐Induced Angiogenesis in Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Petersen Matthew C. , Greene Andrew S.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a high‐salt diet modulates physiological angiogenesis in skeletal muscle by altering angiotensin II (ANGII) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels.

Methods: Sprague‐Dawley rats were placed on a control diet (0.4% NaCl by weight) or high‐salt diet (4.0% NaCl) prior to treatment with the vasodilator prazosin in the drinking water. In addition, a group of animals fed high salt were infused intravenously with ANGII at a low dose to prevent ANGII suppression by high salt, and a group of rats fed control diet were treated with the angiotensin II type I (AT1) receptor blocker losartan and prazosin.

Results: Prazosin induced significant angiogenesis in the tibialis anterior muscle after 1 week of treatment. High‐salt‐fed rats demonstrated a complete inhibition of this angiogenic response. Maintenance of ANGII levels restored prazosin‐induced angiogenesis in animals fed a high‐salt diet. In addition, losartan treatment blocked prazosin‐induced angiogenesis in animals on a control diet. Western blot analysis indicated that prazosin‐induced angiogenesis was independent of changes in muscle levels of VEGF.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates an inhibitory effect of high salt intake on prazosin‐induced angiogenesis. Further, these results indicate that ANGII acting through the AT1 receptor is a critical pathway in this model of angiogenesis.
Johnny's So Long at the Ferromagnet
Authors: Ruetsche Laura
Published: August 2007

Starting from the standard quantum formalism for a single spin$\frac{1}{2}$
system (e.g., an electron), this essay develops a model rich enough not only to afford an explication of symmetry breaking but also to frame questions about how to circumscribe physical possibility on behalf of theories that countenance symmetry breaking.
A Conception of Inductive Logic
Authors: Maher Patrick
Published: August 2007

I conceive of inductive logic as a project of explication. The explicandum is one of the meanings of the word `probability' in ordinary language; I call it inductive probability and argue that it is logical, in a certain sense. The explicatum is a conditional probability function that is specified by stipulative definition. This conception of inductive logic is close to Carnap's, but common objections to Carnapian inductive logic (the probabilities don't exist, are arbitrary, etc.) do not apply to this conception.
Realism about Structure: The Semantic View and Nonlinguistic Representations
Authors: French Steven , Saatsi Juha
Published: August 2007

The central concern of this article is whether the semantic approach has the resources to appropriately capture the core tenets of structural realism. Chakravartty (2001) has argued that a realist notion of correspondence cannot be accommodated without introducing a linguistic component, which undermines the approach itself. We suggest that this worry can be addressed by an appropriate understanding of the role of language in this context. The real challenge, however, is how to incorporate the core notion of ‘explanatory approximate truth’ in such a way that the emphasis on structure is retained.
TheStructure, theWholeStructure, and Nothingbutthe Structure?
Authors: Psillos Stathis
Published: August 2007

This paper is structured around the three elements of the title. Section 2 claims that (a) structuresneedobjects and (b) scientific structuralism should focus onin restructures. Therefore, pure structuralism is undermined. Section 3 discusses whether the world has ‘excess structure’ over the structure of appearances. The main point is that the claim that only structure can be known is false. Finally, Section 4 argues directly against ontic structural realism that it lacks the resources to accommodate causation within its structuralist slogan.
Handshaking Your Way to the Top: Simulation at the Nanoscale
Authors: Winsberg Eric
Published: August 2007

Should philosophers of science be paying attention to developments in “nanoscience”? Undoubtedly, it is too early to tell for sure. The goal of this paper is to take a preliminary look. In particular, I look at the use of computational models in the study of nano-sized solid-state materials. What I find is that there are features of these models that appear on their face to be at odds with some basic philosophical intuitions about the relationships between different theories and between theories and their models. My conclusion is that developments in nanoscience are not an unlikely place for novel insights in the philosophy of science to emerge.
Representation at the Nanoscale
Authors: Bueno Otávio
Published: August 2007

In this paper, I provide an account of scientific representation that makes sense of the notion both at the nanoscale and at the quantum level: the partial mappings account. The account offers an extension of a proposal developed by R. I. G. Hughes in terms of denotation, demonstration, and interpretation (DDI). I first argue that the DDI account needs some amendments to accommodate representation of nano and quantum phenomena. I then introduce a generalized framework with the notions of unsharp denotation, unsharp interpretation, and partial mappings. I conclude by arguing that the resulting view not only accommodates nano and quantum representations but also makes sense of representation by imaging in (scanning tunneling) microscopy.
Stochastic Evolutionary Dynamics: Drift versus Draft
Authors: Skipper Robert A.
Published: August 2007

In a small handful of papers in theoretical population genetics, John Gillespie (2000a, 2000b, 2001) argues that a new stochastic process he calls “genetic draft” is evolutionarily more significant than genetic drift. This case study of chance in evolution explores Gillespie's proposed stochastic evolutionary force and sketches the implications of Gillespie's argument for philosophers’ explorations of genetic drift.
Substance and Modality
Authors: Needham Paul
Published: August 2007

The Aristotelian distinction between actual and potential presence of a substance in a mixture forms part of a conception of mixture which stands in contrast to atomist and Stoic theories as propounded by the ancients. But the central ideas on which these theories are built need not be combined and opposed to one another in precisely the ways envisaged by these ancient theories. This is well illustrated by Duhem, who maintained the Aristotelian idea that the original ingredients are only potentially, and not actually, present in a mixture, but who sided with the Stoics and against Aristotle on the possibility of co-occupancy. I have argued that the Stoic theory cannot dispense with some such notion as the Aristotelian conception of potentiality in allowing the elements to be actually present in a mixture. Here I suggest that some such Aristotelian notion must be at work in a more modern atomic conception of matter if this is to allow elemental substances to be actually present in compounds, which I think is how compounds are usually understood. Analogous issues arise regarding the status of solutions and their components.
A Novel Account of Scientific Anomaly: Help for the Dispute over Low-Dose Biochemical Effects
Authors: Elliott Kevin C.
Published: August 2007

The biological effects of low doses of toxic and carcinogenic chemicals are currently a matter of significant scientific controversy. This paper argues that philosophers of science can contribute to alleviating this controversy by examining it with the aid of a novel account of scientific anomaly. Specifically, analysis of contemporary research on chemical hormesis (i.e., alleged beneficial biological effects produced by low doses of substances that are harmful at higher doses) suggests that scientists may initially describe anomalous phenomena in terms of multiple distinct “characterizations,” each of which is compatible with current empirical evidence. By focusing attention on this feature of scientific anomalies, philosophers of science can alleviate the controversy over low-dose chemical effects in at least two ways: (1) they can pinpoint the significant ways in which particular characterizations frame the controversy, and (2) they can identify the methodological value judgments at stake in researchers’ choice of characterizations.
After Substance: How Aristotle's Question Still Bears on the Philosophy of Chemistry
Authors: Bogaard Paul A.
Published: August 2007

This article will explore whether there are arguments for Aristotle's concept mixis which can aid our current discussions within the philosophy of chemistry. We remain troubled by the way and extent to which chemical substance in bulk can be identified with or reduced to the stability and structure of molecules, and whether these in turn can be identified with or reduced to elemental atoms and the quantum theoretical characterization of their electrons. Aristotle was as determined as we are to think through the implications of substances comprised of constituents and to question their status in chemical compounds.
In Memory of Richard Jeffrey: Some Reminiscences and Some Reflections on The Logic of Decision
Authors: Hájek Alan
Published: August 2007

This paper is partly a tribute to Richard Jeffrey, partly a reflection on some of his writings, The Logic of Decision in particular. I begin with a brief biography and some fond reminiscences of Dick. I turn to some of the key tenets of his version of Bayesianism. All of these tenets are deployed in my discussion of his response to the St. Petersburg paradox, a notorious problem for decision theory that involves a game of infinite expectation. Prompted by that paradox, I conclude with some suggestions of avenues for future research.
Redundancy, Plasticity, and Detachment: The Implications of Comparative Genomics for Evolutionary Thinking
Authors: Moss Lenny
Published: August 2007

Radically new or unexpected findings in a science demand an openness to new concepts and styles of explanation. The time is more than ripe for asking ourselves what we have learned from the research program of comparative genomics. Where not long ago the human genome was expected to reveal a close association of complexity with the quantitative expansion of the roster of unique genes, more recent findings, especially in relation to comparisons between human and chimp, have raised the bracing possibility that when it comes to complexity, it may be that `less is more'. But `less is more' is not the only observation or inference that follows from the data. The idea of `progressive detachment' will be introduced and set forth as the most perspicuous conceptual resource for unifying and interpreting the overall findings from comparative genomics to date.
Epidural infusions for nulliparous women in labour
Authors: RUSSELL R. , REYNOLDS F.
Published: August 2007

Sixty nulliparous women received epidural infusions in labour of 0.0625% bupivacaine containing either 2.5 μg.ml−1 of fentanyl or 0.25 μg.ml−1 of sufentanil, each starting at 12 ml.h−1. The duration of each stage of labour did not differ significantly between the groups nor did the mode of delivery. The quality of analgesia in the first and second stages of labour and at delivery was similar in the two groups and there were no significant differences in the bupivacaine dose requirements. In the fentanyl group, 90% of women required one or no top‐ups compared with 87% in the sufentanil group. Five women in the fentanyl group and four in the sufentanil group developed motor blockade, limited to movement of the hip only. Six women (20%) in each group reported pruritus. There were no significant differences in Apgar scores, umbilical cord blood pH levels or neurologic and Actaptive capacity scores at 2 or 24 h. Satisfaction with first and second stage analgesia was high with no differences between the groups. There were no significant differences in the incidence of postnatal symptoms with 52% of women reporting perineal pain and 45% localised backache.
Effect of voluntary tetanus on recovery of vecuronium block in the isolated forearm
Authors: GOPINATH S. , HOOD J. R. , UL‐HAQ M. , CAMPKIN N. T. , FELDMAN S. A.
Published: August 2007

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of voluntary tetanus on the recovery from neuromuscular block produced by a nondepolarising drug, vecuronium, in the isolated forearm. We have studied the recovery indices and train of four fade at different levels of recovery following vecuronium in both isolated forearms simultaneously, in six sets of experiments. In one hand the volunteer performed a maximum contraction of his thumb repeatedly at fixed intervals. We found that following voluntary tetanus there is an increased rate of recovery from nondepolarising neuromuscular block; mean Recovery Index (7.4, SD 0.97) compared to control Recovery Index (10.55, SD 2.58), p < 0.05. The train‐of‐four fade also showed a sustained reduction in the isolated forearm which underwent voluntary tetanus. During the later phase of recovery the train‐of‐four fade showed significant difference statistically (p < 0.01). The findings of this study supports the hypothesis that more rapid recovery associated with voluntary tetanus is due to a reduction in the presynaptic block thus resulting in an increased rate of transmitter release.
The use of rocuronium (ORG 9426) in patients with chronic renal failure
Authors: KHUENL‐BRADY K. S. , POMAROLI A. , PüHRINGER F. , MITTERSCHIFFTHALER G. , KOLLER J.
Published: August 2007

The pharmacodynamics of an initial dose of 0.6 mg.kg−1 rocuronium followed by three maintenance doses of 0.15 mg.kg−1 were studied during nitrous oxide/oxygen/isoflurane anaesthesia in patients with normal renal function (n = 12) and chronic renal failure (n = 12). The mean (SD) duration (min) of block after the initial dose was 28.0 (5.5) and 25.6 (11.7) respectively. The mean (SD) duration (min) of the effect of the three maintenance doses was 15.3 (4.0) and 14.2 (7.0); 17.3 (3.2) and 17.4 (8.7); 18.1 (2.8) and 19.1 (10.1) for the normal and renal failure patients respectively. The induced and spontaneous recovery indices were 3.7 (0.7) and 17.1 (6.9) in the normal group compared with 3.9 (0.5) and 19.0 (12.5) in the renal failure group and these values did not differ between the two groups. In this small study rocuronium appears to be suitable for patients with chronic renal failure. There is no evidence of prolonged block even when the drug is given in repeated doses for maintenance.
Accuracy of a computer‐based anaesthetic audit system
Authors: LILLYWHITE N. , WARD P.
Published: August 2007

The accuracy of an anaesthetic computer‐based audit system was assessed. In a retrospective survey of operations performed 4 months previously only 50% of the patients' notes could be found, and 40% of these notes did not contain an anaesthetic chart. A prospective survey was also performed. The accuracy with which the computer output reflected the anaesthetic technique was found to be 52% in the retrospective survey and 33% in the prospective survey. The authors conclude that audit systems should be audited before their generated data are used for decision‐making.
Acceleration of ventricular tachycardia following propofol in a patient with heterotopic cardiac transplant
Authors: JAYAMAHA J. E. L. , DOWDLE J. R.
Published: August 2007

A 52‐year‐old Caucasian male underwent heterotopic cardiac transplant and subsequently developed a ventricular tachycardia in his native heart. The arrhythmia was successfully treated by cardioversion, despite an increased rate associated with induction of anaesthesia with propofol. The method of synchronised cardioversion is described and a possible hypothesis for the acceleration of ventricular tachycardia following induction is discussed.
The performance of two intensive care humidifiers at high gas flows
Authors: HARRISON D. A. , BREEN D. P. , HARRIS N. D. , GERRISH S. P.
Published: August 2007

High continuous flow breathing systems are now available to provide fresh gas flows well in excess of 100 l.min−1 in continuous positive airway pressure systems used for respiratory support. The performance of two commonly used intensive care humidifiers, the Kendal Conchatherm and the Fisher and Paykel FP310 have been assessed at flows of 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 l.min −1. Their performance when using two humidifiers connected in parallel and in series was also studied. At afresh gas flow of 100 l.min−1 the single Conchatherm gave an absolute water vapour concentration of 15.6 g.m−3 and the single FP310 11.9 g.m−3. At all flows the best results were achieved using two Conchatherm humidifiers in series. It is concluded that with high continuous flow breathing systems the humidification achieved with conventional humidifiers may be inadequate and it may be necessary to combine two humidifiers to obtain clinically useful humidification.
Nitrogen leaching and herbage production on intensively managed grass and grass‐clover pastures on sandy soil in Finland
Authors: Saarijärvi K. , Virkajärvi P. , Heinonen‐Tanski H.
Published: August 2007

The main aim of this study was to compare the N leaching from grass fertilized with 220 kg N ha−1 and grass‐clover pastures receiving no fertilization during three grazing years and a renewal year, in a 4‐year ley rotation. The other aim was to compare the herbage and milk production of these pastures. The study was conducted on a lysimeter field; five lysimeters (size 10 × 10 m) were assigned to each treatment. Automated drinking water outlets for the cows were located on one of the lysimeters on each treatment. The amount of leachate was recorded and composite samples were analysed for total N, NO3‐N, NH4‐N and soluble organic N (SON). The number of grazing cows was adjusted according to the herbage mass production. The amount of milk was measured. The total input of N to the area was 290 and 215 kg N ha−1 year−1 for grass and grass‐clover treatments, respectively. The total N leaching during grazing years was 17 and 9 kg N ha−1 from grass and grass‐clover treatments, respectively. Renewal of the sward increased N leaching in both treatments, up to 60 and 40 kg total N ha−1 in grass and grass‐clover treatments, respectively. During the grazing years 96% of the leached N was in the form of NO3‐N, but during the renewal year the proportion of NO3‐N was lowered to 89% and the rest was in the form of SON. The total amount of N in the surface runoff was 3–5 kg ha−1 year−1. As high N fertilizer rates per application are a common practice in Finland, short‐term grass‐clover pastures can be considered environmentally beneficial when compared with intensively fertilized grass pastures in comparable circumstances.
Local expansion and selection of soil bacteria in a glacier forefield
Authors: Hämmerli A. , Waldhuber S. , Miniaci C. , Zeyer J. , Bunge M.
Published: August 2007

In the environment of Alpine glacier forefields, bacteria represent the functional link between initial soil development and secondary colonization. An important question is whether soil bacteria are adapted to the poor nutrient availability in this environment and whether selection processes significantly limit their local expansion along the gradients of chemical and biological factors. To address these questions, we used a two‐dimensional sampling strategy at our study site, the Damma glacier forefield, Switzerland, to characterize the soil environment by selected biogeochemical parameters. Our results revealed two contrasting sites that differed in time since deglaciation (‘young’ and ‘old’ soil, ≤ 13 years and > 53 years of ice‐free conditions) and vegetation cover (threefold increase), but also showed significant differences in soil properties thought to be relevant for the successional development of glacier forefield soils, such as pH (0.5‐fold decrease), ammonium (0.5‐fold decrease) concentration, and the content of total organic carbon (10‐fold increase). Isolated strains, affiliated to the genus Pseudomonas, according to their 16S rDNA profile, were tested experimentally for local adaptation by a reciprocal transfer experiment. The bacteria from both young and old soils showed a significant interaction with their local environment; the direction of the interaction, however, did not follow the expected pattern of local adaptation. The significant genoype‐with‐environment interaction indicates a limited local expansion of soil bacteria in the Damma glacier forefield over the range of only 110 m. The lack of local adaptation could be explained by environmental constraints such as exclusion of competition, different migration behaviour of bacteria from young and old soil, or the ability of early colonizing bacteria to survive under the glacier ice.
Highly similar piggyBac transposase‐like sequences from various Bactrocera (Diptera, Tephritidae) species
Authors: Bonizzoni M. , Gomulski L. M. , Malacrida A. R. , Capy P. , Gasperi G.
Published: August 2007

The piggyBac transposable element is currently the vector of choice for transgenesis, enhancer trapping, gene discovery and gene function determination in both insects and mammals. However, the recent discovery of sequences with similarity to piggyBac in a wide diversity of organisms suggests that piggyBac may be horizontally transferred to distantly related species. This has raised concern on the wide‐range application of piggyBac‐based transformation vectors and their stability. In this paper, the presence of sequences homologous to the piggyBac transposase was investigated in 17 species belonging to six genera within the Tephritidae family, including many pest species for which transformation has already been achieved. piggyBac‐like sequences, with a high degree of similarity to the original Trichoplusia ni transposase sequence were identified only in six species of the Bactrocera genus.
Evaluation of formocresol versus ferric sulphate primary molar pulpotomy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Peng L. , Ye L. , Guo X. , Tan H. , Zhou X. , Wang C. , Li R.
Published: August 2007

Aim  To present a systematic review of the effects of formocresol and ferric sulphate when used as medicaments in pulpotomized primary molar teeth.

Methodology  The study list was obtained by using MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE and SCI search. Only those papers which met the inclusion criteria were accepted. The quality of studies used for meta‐analysis was assessed by a series of validity criteria according to Jadad's scale. A systematic review and meta‐analysis were performed.

Results  Eleven clinical studies comprising four randomized‐clinical trials (RCTs), four controlled clinical trials (CCTs) and three retrospective studies were included. The results of the meta‐analysis of six prospective clinical trials suggested that the two popular pulpotomy medicaments were not significantly different in terms of clinical outcomes, radiographic findings, prevalence of apical and furcal destruction, internal root resorption or pulp canal obliteration. The relative risk (RR) value and 95% CI for those parameters were 0.72 (0.43–1.23), 0.87 (0.59–1.30), 0.67 (0.27–1.66), 1.77 (0.56–5.58) and 1.41 (0.63–3.15), respectively. The overall clinical and radiographic success rates based on the data of treatments with ferric sulphate from the 11 studies included ranged from 78% to 100% (mean 91.6 ± 8.15%) and from 42% to 97% (mean 73.5 ± 18.40%), respectively.

Conclusions  In primary molar teeth with exposure of vital pulps by caries or trauma, pulpotomies performed with either formocresol or ferric sulphate have similar clinical and radiographic success. Ferric sulphate may be recommended as a suitable replacement for formocresol.
Live my work: rural nurses and their multiple perspectives of self
Authors: Mills Jane , Francis Karen , Bonner Ann
Published: August 2007

Title.  Live my work: rural nurses and their multiple perspectives of self

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore rural nurses’ experiences of mentoring.

Background.  Mentoring has recently been proposed by governments, advocates and academics as a solution to the problem for retaining rural nurses in the Australian workforce. Action in the form of mentor development workshops has changed the way that some rural nurses now construct supportive relationships as mentoring.

Method.  A grounded theory design was used with nine rural nurses. Eleven semi‐structured interviews were conducted in various states of Australia during 2004–2005. Situational analysis mapping techniques and frame analysis were used in combination with concurrent data generation and analysis and theoretical sampling.

Findings.  Experienced rural nurses cultivate novices through supportive mentoring relationships. The impetus for such relationships comes from their own histories of living and working in the same community, and this was termed ‘live my work’. Rural nurses use multiple perspectives of self in order to manage their interactions with others in their roles as community members, consumers of healthcare services and nurses. Personal strategies adapted to local context constitute the skills that experienced rural nurses pass‐on to neophyte rural nurses through mentoring, while at the same time protecting them through troubleshooting and translating local cultural norms.

Conclusion.  Living and working in the same community creates a set of complex challenges for novice rural nurses that are better faced with a mentor in place. Thus, mentoring has become an integral part of experienced rural nurses’ practice to promote staff retention.
How military nurses rationalize their postoperative pain assessment decisions
Authors: Harper Phil , Ersser Steven , Gobbi Mary
Published: August 2007

Title.  How military nurses rationalize their postoperative pain assessment decisions

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore how military nurses rationalize their postoperative pain assessment decisions, particularly when these differ from patients’ pain self‐reports.

Background.  Postoperative pain is a complex phenomenon influenced by many factors that make assessment difficult. Nurses are taught to believe what patients say about their pain. However, their attitudes to pain are influenced by their cultural background and they may disagree with patients’ self‐reports. Military nurses belong to a military culture with different pain attitudes that may also influence their postoperative pain assessment.

Method.  An ethnomethodological ethnography study was carried out in 2003. A purposive sample of 29 British military surgical/orthopaedic Registered Nurses were interviewed to identify their taken‐for‐granted assumptions and commonsense cultural knowledge surrounding postoperative pain assessment. The data were analysed using a systematic process of inductive reasoning aided by Non‐numerical, Unstructured Data for Indexing, Searching and Theorizing (qsr n6, nud*ist).

Findings.  Participants told two distinct stories in their postoperative pain narratives. The first, the cultural story, described how military nurses normally assess postoperative pain and revealed taken‐for‐granted assumptions surrounding this assessment. However, when military nurses believe that patients over‐ or under‐report their pain, the cultural story was challenged through a collective story in which nurses used their commonsense knowledge to account for these differences.

Conclusion.  Postoperative pain assessment within a military culture is complex, but all nurses need to be aware that their socialization into different nursing cultures may influence their attitudes to postoperative pain assessment.
6S RNA: a regulator of transcription
Authors: Wassarman Karen M.
Published: August 2007

The past decade has seen an explosion in discovery of small, non‐coding RNAs in all organisms. As functions for many of the small RNAs have been identified, it has become increasingly clear that they are important components in regulating gene expression. A multitude of RNAs target mRNAs for regulation at the level of translation or stability, including the microRNAs in higher eukaryotes and the Hfq binding RNAs in bacteria. Other RNAs regulate transcription, such as murine B2 RNA, mammalian 7SK RNA and the bacterial 6S RNA, which will be the focus of this review. Details of 6S RNA interactions with RNA polymerase, how 6S RNA regulates transcription, and how 6S RNA function contributes to cellular survival are discussed.
Three gene products govern (p)ppGpp production by Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Lemos José A. , Lin Vanessa K. , Nascimento Marcelle M. , Abranches Jacqueline , Burne Robert A.
Published: August 2007

The current dogma implicating RelA as the sole enzyme controlling (p)ppGpp production and degradation in Gram‐positive bacteria does not apply to Streptococcus mutans. We have now identified and characterized two genes, designated as relP and relQ, encoding novel enzymes that are directly involved in (p)ppGpp synthesis. Additionally, relP is co‐transcribed with a two‐component signal transduction system (TCS). Analysis of the (p)ppGpp synthetic capacity of various mutants and the behaviour of strains lacking combinations of the synthetase enzymes have revealed a complex regulon and fundamental differences in the way S. mutans manages alarmone production compared with bacterial paradigms. The functionality of the RelP and RelQ enzymes was further confirmed by demonstrating that expression of relP and relQ restored growth of a (p)ppGpp0Escherichia coli strain in minimal medium, SMG and on medium containing 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole, and by demonstrating (p)ppGpp production in various complemented mutant strains of E. coli and S. mutans. Notably, RelQ, and RelP and the associated TCS, are harboured in some, but not all, pathogenic streptococci and related Gram‐positive organisms, opening a new avenue to explore the variety of strategies employed by human and animal pathogens to survive in adverse conditions that are peculiar to environments in their hosts.
Rhodococcus equi lung infection in an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient
Authors: Cronin S.M. , Abidi M.H. , Shearer C.J. , Chandrasekar P.H. , Ibrahim R.B.
Published: August 2007

Abstract: In this report, we describe a case of Rhodococcus equi lung infection diagnosed in an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant with oral graft‐versus‐host disease 3 months after stem cell infusion. The lung lesion persisted despite an approximate 3 months of vancomycin therapy, but then responded favorably to a combination of intravenous ertapenem at 1 g daily and oral rifampin at 600 mg daily for 1 month. An overview of Rhodococcus infection in transplant recipients is presented. This case and the discussed literature suggest that combination antibiotic therapy is warranted in patients with decreased humoral and cellular immunity.
Punctuated genome size evolution in Liliaceae
Authors: LEITCH I. J. , BEAULIEU J. M. , CHEUNG K. , HANSON L. , LYSAK M. A. , FAY M. F.
Published: August 2007

Most angiosperms possess small genomes (mode 1C = 0.6 pg, median 1C = 2.9 pg). Those with truly enormous genomes (i.e. ≥ 35 pg) are phylogenetically restricted to a few families and include Liliaceae – with species possessing some of the largest genomes so far reported for any plant as well as including species with much smaller genomes. To gain insights into when and where genome size expansion took place during the evolution of Liliaceae and the mode and tempo of this change, data for 78 species were superimposed onto a phylogenetic tree and analysed. Results suggest that genome size in Liliaceae followed a punctuated rather than gradual mode of evolution and that most of the diversification evolved recently rather than early in the evolution of the family. We consider that the large genome sizes of Liliaceae may have emerged passively rather than being driven primarily by selection.