bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Etching characteristics of organic low-k films interpreted by internal parameters employing a combinatorial plasma process in an inductively coupled H2/N2 plasma
Authors: Moon Chang Sung , Takeda Keigo , Sekine Makoto , Setsuhara Yuichi , Shiratani Masaharu , Hori Masaru
Published: June 2010

The development of plasma etching technology is being held back due to the use of trial and error methods when scaling down and high integration. Such a continuous development could result in enormous losses in term of cost and time. It is impossible to overcome without a different approach. In this study, we have tried to accumulate a large amount of data on internal parameters and based on database, the etching characteristics could be interpreted with a high reproducibility. In order to realized faster data acquisitions, we developed a combinatorial plasma process (CPP) for obtaining a large amount of data in a single trial from spatially inhomogeneous plasma distribution regarding etching of organic low-k films in H2/N2 plasmas. In addition, synergetic effects of other internal parameters such as vacuum ultraviolet radiation and radicals without ion bombardment were clarified. Finally, the high performance of CPP for faster data acquisitions was shown and the etching characteristics in terms of internal parameters such as ion fluxes and the H/(H+N) radical flux ratio were demonstrated.
Quantum duality, unbounded operators, and inductive limits
Authors: Dosi Anar
Published: June 2010

In this paper, we investigate the inductive limits of quantum normed (or operator) spaces. This construction allows us to treat the space of all noncommutative continuous functions over a quantum domain as a quantum (or local operator) space of all matrix continuous linear operators equipped with S-quantum topology. In particular, we classify all quantizations of the polynormed topologies compatible with the given duality proposing a noncommutative Arens–Mackey theorem. Further, the inductive limits of operator spaces are used to introduce locally compact and locally trace class unbounded operators on a quantum domain and prove the dual realization theorem for an abstract quantum space.
Characterization of wavelet coefficients for ultrasonic signals
Authors: Choi Jongeun , Hong Jung-Wuk
Published: June 2010

A wavelet transform has been widely used to investigate the characteristics of wave signals for a decade. However, only qualitative investigation of the spectrogram was made rather than a quantitative interpretation. On the other hand, an analytical closed-form representation of the wavelet transformed wave signal can be used as a basis function in estimating parameters using nonlinear least-squares optimization. We derived a quantitative closed-form equation directly from the analytical continuous wavelet transformation of a pulse with a Gaussian spectrum. A fundamental three-dimensional shape of a wavelet in the spectrogram was obtained, and the analytical form was compared quantitatively with numerical results.
Free electron laser with bunched relativistic electron beam and electrostatic longitudinal wiggler
Authors: Sepehri Javan Nasser
Published: June 2010

The system of the nonlinear nonstationary equations describing spatial-temporal dynamics of the amplitudes of an undulator radiation and a space charge wave of a relativistic electron beam in the resonator is obtained. The electrostatic longitudinal wiggler is considered. A bunch of the electron beam injects to the resonator, at the ends of which two mirrors are placed. After the interaction of electrons of bunch with radiation in the presence of wiggler and after amplifying electromagnetic pulse, a part of radiation is reflected back by semitransparent mirror. Then, it reaches to the initial of the system where the other mirror is placed. Synchronously, when the pulse is reflecting, the other electron bunch enters to the resonator and interacts with the pulse. This operation has simulated until saturation of growth of the electromagnetic pulse. The dynamics of the problem is simulated by the method of macro particles. The dynamics of pulse amplification, motion of the electrons, and spectra of output radiation in each stage are simulated.
Counterion-mediated weak and strong coupling electrostatic interaction between like-charged cylindrical dielectrics
Authors: Kanduč Matej , Naji Ali , Podgornik Rudolf
Published: June 2010

We examine the effective counterion-mediated electrostatic interaction between two like-charged dielectric cylinders immersed in a continuous dielectric medium containing neutralizing mobile counterions. We focus on the effects of image charges induced as a result of the dielectric mismatch between the cylindrical cores and the surrounding dielectric medium and investigate the counterion-mediated electrostatic interaction between the cylinders in both limits of weak and strong electrostatic couplings (corresponding, e.g., to systems with monovalent and multivalent counterions, respectively). The results are compared with extensive Monte Carlo simulations exhibiting good agreement with the limiting weak and strong coupling results in their respective regime of validity.
Molecular mobility of nematic E7 confined to molecular sieves with a low filling degree
Authors: Brás A. R. , Frunza S. , Guerreiro L. , Fonseca I. M. , Corma A. , Frunza L. , Dionísio M. , Schönhals A.
Published: June 2010

The nematic liquid crystalline mixture E7 was confined with similar filling degrees to molecular sieves with constant composition but different pore diameters (from 2.8 to 6.8 nm). Fourier transform infrared analysis proved that the E7 molecules interact via the cyanogroup with the pore walls of the molecular sieves. The molecular dynamics of the system was investigated by broadband dielectric spectroscopy (10−2–109 Hz) covering a wide temperature range of ∼200 K from temperatures well above the isotropic-nematic transition down to the glass transition of bulk E7. A variety of relaxation processes is observed including two modes that are located close to the bulk behavior in its temperature dependence. For all confined samples, two relaxation processes, at frequencies lower than the processes observed for the bulk, were detected. At lower temperatures, their relaxation rates have different temperature dependencies whereas at higher temperatures, they seem to collapse into one chart. The temperature dependence of the slowest process (S-process) obeys the Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann law indicating a glassy dynamics of the E7 molecules anchored to the pore surface. The pore size dependence of both the Vogel temperature and fragility revealed a steplike transition around 4 nm pore size, which indicates a transition from a strong to a fragile behavior. The process with a relaxation rate in between the bulklike and the S-process (I-process) shows no dependence on the pore size. The agreement of the I-process with the behavior of a 5CB surface layer adsorbed on nonporous silica leads to the assignment of E7 molecules anchored at the outer surface of the microcrystals of the molecular sieves.
Nonmechanical pumping principle in submicrosized devices
Authors: Zakharov A. V. , Vakulenko A. A. , Iwamoto Mitsumasa
Published: June 2010

Dynamic field pumping principle has been developed utilizing the interactions of both the director and velocity fields and temperature-redistribution across a two-dimensional (2D) homogeneously aligned liquid crystal (HALC) film under the influence both of a heat flow directed normal to the upper bounding surface, whereas on the lower bounding surface, the temperature is kept constant, and the normally directed electric field, due to electric double layers, i.e., a shielding layers that is naturally created within the liquid crystal (LC) near a charged surfaces. Calculations, based on the nonlinear extension of the classical Ericksen–Leslie theory, shows that the HALC material under the influence of the heat flow start moving in the horizontal direction. After turning off the heat flow, the HALC drop settles down to the rest, and the temperature field across the LC film is finally downfall to the value of temperature on the lower bounding surface. The role of hydrodynamic flow in the relaxation processes of the temperature field to its equilibrium distribution across the 2D HALC film, containing 4-n-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl, has been investigated for a number of dynamic regimes.
Fe diffusion in polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se2 layers for thin-film solar cells
Authors: Stolwijk N. A. , Obeidi Sh. , Bastek J. , Wuerz R. , Eicke A.
Published: June 2010

Diffusion of Fe in solar-grade Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGSe) layers was investigated over the temperature range from 200 to 600 °C. Either natural or radioactive iron was diffused from the front-surface of CIGSe/Mo/soda lime glass samples. Penetration profiles of stable F56e and radioactive F59e were measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and ion-beam sputtering in conjunction with activity counting, respectively. The Fe diffusivity can be described by the Arrhenius equation D=1.6×10−4 exp(−0.97 eV/kBT) cm2 s−1. Taking into account Fe solubility data obtained from the SIMS profiles, we provide evidence that D is representative of diffusion along grain boundaries.
Perceptual Factors Affecting the Ability to Assess Facial Resemblance between Parents and Newborns in Humans
Authors: Kaminski Gwenaël , Méary David , Mermillod Martial , Gentaz Edouard
Published: June 2010

People undeniably pay attention to faces, and facial resemblance may act as a kinship cue. However, previous studies have shown that the ability to detect kinship through facial resemblance is limited, and it has been suggested that this may be due to several types of perceptual factors. To further understand the processes that underpin kinship judgment, it is important to investigate which perceptual factors predict the probability of parent–child pairs being detected as related. To this end, we performed two experiments. In the first, we evaluated the ability of human observers to match newborns with one of their parents. In the second, we explored three perceptual factors that may have influenced kinship detection (gender discrimination, facial attractiveness, and perceptual similarity). Results showed that the participants were able to match newborns with one of their parents, even though the task was perceived as difficult. Moreover, our study goes further than previous findings, showing that the perceptual factors investigated may significantly contribute to kinship detection.
Joan Brugge: Running rings around cancer
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: June 2010

Brugge has devoted her career to uncovering how perturbations in normal cellular processes give rise to cancer.
Regulation of innate immune responses by autophagy-related proteins
Authors: Saitoh Tatsuya , Akira Shizuo
Published: June 2010

Pattern recognition receptors detect microbial components and induce innate immune responses, the first line of host defense against infectious agents. However, aberrant activation of immune responses often causes massive inflammation, leading to the development of autoimmune diseases. Therefore, both activation and inactivation of innate immune responses must be strictly controlled. Recent studies have shown that the cellular machinery associated with protein degradation, such as autophagy, is important for the regulation of innate immunity. These studies reveal that autophagy-related proteins are involved in the innate immune response and may contribute to the development of inflammatory disorders.
Effects of the sea louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis on temporal changes in cortisol, sex steroids, growth and reproductive investment in Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus
Authors: Tveiten H. , Bjørn P. A. , Johnsen H. K. , Finstad B. , McKinley R. S.
Published: June 2010

Groups of mature (5+ year old) Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus held in sea water were exposed for 34 days to either a high (mean ±s.e. 0·15 ± 0·01 sea lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis g−1 fish mass) (HI), medium (0·07 ± 0·00 sea lice g−1 fish mass) (MI) or no [control (C)] sea‐lice infection during early stages of gonad development (June to July). Infection with sea lice resulted in increased plasma cortisol concentrations and this was related to intensity of infection; females tended to have higher cortisol concentrations than males at high infection intensities (HI group: female c. 130 ng ml−1; male c. 80 ng ml−1). Plasma osmolality (C c. 330, MI c. 350 and HI c. 415 mOsm) and chloride concentrations (C c. 135, MI c. 155 and HI c. 190 mM) increased significantly with infection intensity, indicating osmoregulatory problems in infected fish. A strong positive relationship between plasma osmolality and cortisol concentration was recorded. Plasma sex‐steroid concentrations were influenced negatively by sea‐lice infection, particularly in the HI group, and were inversely related to plasma cortisol concentrations. The most heavily infected fish postponed the initiation of reproductive development until exposed to fresh water and timing of ovulation tended to be delayed in these fish. Growth rate and condition were negatively influenced by sea‐lice infection and growth rate was inversely related to plasma cortisol concentrations. Sea‐lice infection resulted in mortality among females in the HI group, and the proportion of maturing females was lower in the MI group (46%) than in the controls (85%). Egg production in the MI and HI groups was c. 50 and 30% of the C group. Egg size, embryonic survival and fry mass did not differ across groups. Sea lice influence reproductive development and egg production in S. alpinus, and consequently these parasites may influence populations via sublethal effects on broodfish, affecting growth and condition, and their reproductive output.
Screening and identification of male‐specific DNA fragments in common carps Cyprinus carpio using suppression subtractive hybridization
Authors: Chen J. J. , Du Q. Y. , Yue Y. Y. , Dang B. J. , Chang Z. J.
Published: June 2010

In this study, a sex subtractive genomic DNA library was constructed using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) between male and female Cyprinus carpio. Twenty‐two clones with distinguishable hybridization signals were selected and sequenced. The specific primers were designed based on the sequence data. Those primers were then used to amplify the sex‐specific fragments from the genomic DNA of male and female carp. The amplified fragments from two clones showed specificity to males but not to females, which were named as Ccmf2 [387 base pairs (bp)] and Ccmf3 (183 bp), respectively. The sex‐specific pattern was analysed in a total of 40 individuals from three other different C. carpio. stocks and grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella using Ccmf2 and Ccmf3 as dot‐blotting probes. The results revealed that the molecular diversity exists on the Y chromosome of C. carpio. No hybridization signals, however, were detected from individuals of C. idella, suggesting that the two sequences are specific to C. carpio. No significant homologous sequences of Ccmf2 and Ccmf3 were found in GenBank. Therefore, it was interpreted that the results as that Ccmf2 and Ccmf3 are two novel male‐specific sequences; and both fragments could be used as markers to rapidly and accurately identify the genetic sex of part of C. carpio. This may provide a very efficient selective tool for practically breeding monosex female populations in aquacultural production.
Pharmacokinetics and safety of subcutaneous immune globulin (human), 10% caprylate/chromatography purified in patients with primary immunodeficiency disease
Authors: Wasserman R L , Irani A-M , Tracy J , Tsoukas C , Stark D , Levy R , Chen J , Sorrells S , Roberts R , Gupta S
Published: June 2010

Subcutaneous administration of intravenous immunoglobulin G (IgG) preparations provides an additional level of patient convenience and more options for patients with poor venous access or a history of intravenous IgG reactions. An open-label, pharmacokinetic trial (n = 32) determined the non-inferiority of the subcutaneous versus intravenous route of 10% caprylate/chromatography purified human immune globulin intravenous (IGIV-C; Gamunex®) administration by comparing the steady-state area under the concentration-versus-time curve (AUC) of total plasma IgG in patients with primary immunodeficiency disease. Patients on stable IGIV-C received two intravenous infusions (administered 3 or 4 weeks apart). Seven to 10 days after the second intravenous infusion, all patients switched to a weekly infusion of subcutaneous IGIV-C, with the dose equal to 137% of the previous weekly equivalent intravenous dose, for up to 24 weeks. Samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were collected during steady state for intravenous and subcutaneous IGIV-C treatments. The AUC0-τ geometric least-squares mean ratio was 0·89 (90% confidence interval, 0·86–0·92) and met the criteria for non-inferiority. The overall mean steady-state trough concentration of plasma total IgG with subcutaneous IGIV-C was 11·4 mg/ml, 18·8% higher than intravenous IGIV-C (9·6 mg/ml). Subcutaneous IGIV-C was safe and well tolerated. Subcutaneous IGIV-C infusion-site reactions were generally mild/moderate and the incidence decreased over time. No serious bacterial infections were reported. Weekly subcutaneous IGIV-C infusion using 137% of the weekly equivalent intravenous immunoglobulin dose provides an AUC comparable to intravenous administration, thus allowing patients to maintain the same IgG preparation/formulation if switching between intravenous and subcutaneous infusions.
The ‘royal disease’– haemophilia A or B? A haematological mystery is finally solved
Authors: LANNOY N. , HERMANS C.
Published: June 2010

Summary.  ‘History can change blood. And blood can change the course of history’. Haemophilia is an illustration of this, as this congenital hereditary coagulation disorder, passed through the majority of royal European families at the beginning of the 20th century by Queen Victoria of England and Empress of the Indies, had indisputable political consequences, which led to one of the most defining moments of contemporary history: the Bolshevik Revolution. Today, none of Queen Victoria’s living descendents carry haemophilia. Because of this, the characterization of haemophilia (deficit of either factor VIII or XI) and the identification of the causal mutation are rendered impossible. In 1991, a tomb containing the remains of Czar Nicolas II’s entire family was discovered. A second tomb was discovered in 2007, allowing Russian and American scientists to fill in this gap in medical history. Following a scientific approach combining current genetic experimentation tools and the development of biological information technology, researchers were able to identify each body, allowing them to obtain precious genetic material from the young Czar Alexis, who was stricken by the disease, which revealed a causal substitution in the splice acceptor site of exon 4 in the F9 gene. This mutation that is responsible for haemophilia B had traumatized European royal families throughout the 20th century!
Micro‐anatomical variation in cellular proliferation in endometrial adenocarcinoma, and inverse correlation between Ki67 and cytokeratin 7 expression
Authors: Stewart Colin J R , Crook Maxine L , Doherty Dorota A
Published: June 2010

Stewart C J R, Crook M L & Doherty D A (2010) Histopathology 57, 46–54 Micro‐anatomical variation in cellular proliferation in endometrial adenocarcinoma, and inverse correlation between Ki67 and cytokeratin 7 expression

Aims:  To investigate micro‐anatomical variations in proliferative activity within uterine endometrioid adenocarcinoma with particular emphasis on tumour areas comprising microcystic, elongated and fragmented (‘MELF’) glands.

Methods and results:  Ki67 immunoreactivity was assessed in 29 low‐grade endometrial adenocarcinomas specifically comparing conventional tumour glands and areas exhibiting MELF‐type alteration. Furthermore, since Ki67 expression differed between the peripheral and central aspects of larger neoplastic glands, these micro‐anatomical compartments were assessed separately using a semiquantitative scoring system. Most MELF‐type tumour elements were negative for Ki67 or showed only rare (<5% cells) positivity. In contrast, peripheral conventional tumour glands showed prominent Ki67 labelling, but this was significantly reduced in central glandular areas. An inverse correlation between Ki67 and cytokeratin (CK) 7 expression was noted in many tumours.

Conclusions:  Endometrial adenocarcinomas show micro‐anatomical variations in Ki67 expression and this is often inversely correlated with CK7 immunoreactivity. MELF‐type tumour elements show minimal proliferative activity, a finding that initially appears unexpected for areas of purported active invasion. However, an inverse correlation between cell division and local invasion has been demonstrated in other malignancies, notably during epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and this may reflect a reversible alteration in cellular activity during neoplastic progression.
User involvement in in‐patient mental health services: operationalisation, empirical testing, and validation
Authors: Storm Marianne , Hausken Kjell , Mikkelsen Aslaug
Published: June 2010

Aims.  This study presents development, empirical testing and validation of an instrument measuring service user involvement in in‐patient mental health from the mental health professionals’ perspective.

Background.  Service user involvement is high on the agenda in European mental health policies. In Norway, focus is on enhanced service user involvement at both the individual and organisational levels of in‐patient mental health services. Mental health professionals are in an important position to ensure opportunities for real user involvement in in‐patient mental health care. However, there is a need for more empirical knowledge on how mental health professionals attend to service user involvement.

Design.  Survey.

Methods.  A self‐report questionnaire was designed and administered to 121 mental health professionals, with 98 responses, working in a community‐based mental health centre in western Norway. Factor analysis procedures together with reliability testing were performed.

Results.  A 30‐items instrument was developed. The instrument contains four components/subscales: (1) Democratic patient involvement (mean score 3·74, Cronbach’s alpha 0·81), (2) Carer involvement (mean score 3·67, Cronbach’s alpha 0·82), (3) Assisted patient involvement (mean score 4·05, Cronbach’s alpha 0·78) and (4) Management support (mean score 4·10, Cronbach’s alpha 0·75). These subscales were found to be essential to service user involvement in the context of in‐patient mental health care. The total mean score for the instrument was 3·88, Cronbach’s alpha 0·88.

Conclusion.  Empirical testing of the instrument demonstrates that the measurement of mental health professionals’ perception of service user involvement has a reasonable level of construct validity and reliability.

Relevance to clinical practice.  We have developed a measurement instrument with items reflecting essential characteristics to user involvement in in‐patient mental health services. We believe that answering this questionnaire on the subject user involvement can act as one step towards enhancing awareness of this issue and to assess user‐oriented practices in treatment and services.
Reliability and validity of the scale of patient perception of hospital experience with nursing care in a Turkish population
Authors: Ipek Coban Gulay , Kasikci Magfiret
Published: June 2010

Aim and objectives.  This study aimed to adapt an English version of the survey tool Patient Perception of Hospital Experience with Nursing Care for Turkish patients and to evaluate its psychometric properties.

Background.  Patient satisfaction is used as an important indicator of care quality and frequently included in health care planning and evaluation. In Turkey, although a review of the literature identified several tests that measured patient satisfaction with hospitalisation services, there are few studies that measured both patients’ satisfaction and patients’ perceptions.

Design.  This study was conducted at the Research and Application Hospital of Ataturk University in Erzurum, Turkey with a convenience sample of 150 patients who were discharged from medical and surgical clinical units.

Methods.  Experts’ viewpoints were used to determine language validity of the scale, and factor analysis was used to determine the structural validity of the scale. Cronbach’s α reliability coefficient, item analysis, test–retest analysis were conducted to evaluate the reliability of the scale. Data were collected using the Patient Perception of Hospital Experience with Nursing Care Scale and Socio‐demographic form.

Results.  It was determined that Patient Perception of Hospital Experience with Nursing Care showed a one‐factor structure, Cronbach’s α reliability coefficient was 0·92 and item–total point correlations were between 0·36–0·74. In addition, it was found that the test–retest correlation value was 0·90, which was found to be statistically significant (p < 0·001).

Conclusions.  The validity and the reliability of the Patient Perception of Hospital Experience with Nursing Care Scale are extremely high, and it is an adequate measurement scale to determine patients’ satisfaction with nursing care.

Relevance to clinical practice.  We suggest that the scale can be used in nursing research projects to evaluate the patient satisfaction and the quality of nursing care.
Recovering from a stroke: a longitudinal, qualitative study of older Norwegian women
Authors: Eilertsen Grethe , Kirkevold Marit , Bjørk Ida Torunn
Published: June 2010

Aim.  To illuminate older women’s experiences and the characteristics of the recovery process following a stroke.

Background.  Patients with stroke face serious challenges related to bodily changes, existential aspects and daily life after stroke. Few qualitative longitudinal studies have examined the recovery process from the perspective of the patient. Knowledge about older women’s experiences in coping with life after a stroke is limited.

Design.  Prospective, longitudinal, case‐study design.

Methods.  Six women aged 68–83 suffering from first‐time stroke were recruited from two stroke units. Each participant was interviewed in‐depth 12–14 times during the first two years post stroke. The interviews addressed how they experienced their body, their self‐understanding, daily life and how this had changed over time. Most interviews took place in the participants’ homes. Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics informed the analyses.

Results.  Post stroke recovery was slow and complex and evolved through four distinct phases. In the first phase (0–2 months post stroke), the participants’ main concerns were their bodily changes; in the second phase (2–6 months), activities of daily life; in the third phase (6–12 months), self‐understanding and in the fourth phase (12–24 months), going on with life. The transition between phases was gradual.

Conclusion.  Recovery from stroke evolves over time through four distinct phases, which differ depending on significant experiences and associated meanings. Psychological and social resources are equally critical in the women’s process of recovery.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The four phases of rehabilitation suggest at what points various concerns require increased therapeutic attention. Psychological and social resources must be vitalised at an early phase similar to bodily resources. This knowledge may assist professionals in offering adequate help throughout the recovery process even beyond the established rehabilitation period.
An exploratory study of anxiety in carers of stroke survivors
Authors: Greenwood Nan , Mackenzie Ann
Published: June 2010

Aims and objectives.  To investigate anxiety in informal carers of stroke survivors in the first three months after discharge.

Background.  Informal carers, also called caregivers, play a vital role in supporting stroke survivors. However, caring for stroke survivors can have adverse consequences amongst carers such as burden, stress and reduced quality of life. Emotional distress is also commonly reported but anxiety has received less attention than depression.

Design.  Prospective, longitudinal, descriptive study.

Method.  Forty‐five carers completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale on two occasions – within one month and at three months after discharge from stroke and rehabilitation units.

Results.  Carers were more likely to have scores indicating anxiety than depression. In the first month, half the carers (51·1%) scored in the cut‐off for anxiety and a third were in the cut‐off for depression (31·1%). At three months, the picture was very similar with nearly identical proportions in the anxious and depressed categories (48·9% and 28·9%, respectively). Changes in numbers of cases of anxiety and depression and in mean anxiety scores were non‐significant but there was a significant decrease in depression scores (p = 0·048). Fourteen carers (31·1%) at one month and eleven (24·4%) at three months fell into both anxious and depressed categories.

Conclusions.  Anxiety is a relatively neglected emotional outcome in stroke carers. Our study suggests anxiety is an important issue very early in caring whilst other research suggests it remains prevalent for many months. Given the significant role carers play in rehabilitation of stroke survivors, greater recognition of their emotional state is required. Further, longitudinal research with larger sample sizes from a range of geographical areas and improved understanding of factors associated with anxiety is needed.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses working in the community are ideally placed to identify and support carers suffering from anxiety.
Risk factors for deep sternal wound infections after cardiac surgery in Jordan
Authors: Al‐Zaru Ibtisam M , Ammouri Ali A , Al‐Hassan Mousa A , Amr Anas A
Published: June 2010

Aim.  The purpose of this study was to assess rates of and risk factors for deep sternal wound infection after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Background.  Deep sternal wound infection is one of the most devastating complications of cardiac surgery, resulting in multiple operative and non‐operative procedures and increased hospital costs.

Design.  A retrospective design using an existing coronary artery surgery database of adults (n = 206) who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting surgeries between January 2004–January 2006 at a university affiliated hospital, northern Jordan was used.

Method.  Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to asses rates of and risk factors for deep sternal wound infection.

Results.  Deep sternal wound infection incidence rate was 22% of the total sample. Risk factors of deep sternal wound infection include: (1) diabetes (OR = 0·317, p = 0·048), (2) Obesity (OR = 0·275, p = 0·011), (3) duration of surgery (OR = 4·22, p = 0·032) and (4) use of intraaortic balloon pump (OR = 0·033, p = 0·001).

Conclusion.  The proposed model provides a preliminary indication of risk factors placing coronary artery bypass grafting patients at risk of DSWI. Further investigations and testing of the model are needed.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Determining patients who are at risk of developing deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgeries is the first step towards its prevention.
An experimental test for effects of the maternal environment on delayed germination
Authors: Tielbörger Katja , Petrů Martina
Published: June 2010

1. Recent models on bet‐hedging germination in annual plants assume a negative relationship between the proportion of offspring that germinate and the quality of the maternal environment. An increase in the proportion of seeds remaining dormant in the next year, when produced in seasons with high reproduction may result from selection that avoids overcrowding in the following year.

2. We present the first empirical test of this prediction by utilizing a field experiment in Israel which manipulated the entire maternal environment. We subjected semi‐arid and Mediterranean annual plant communities to different rainfall treatments: control, reduced and increased rainfall. We then related maternal environment quality to offspring germination fractions for three focal species in two consecutive seasons.

3. There was a negative relationship between the quality of the maternal environment and offspring germination fraction in four out of twelve cases. The negative relationship was stronger for the least competitive species and in the environment with high competition intensity, supporting the role of competition for the observed pattern.

4. Our results suggest that competition with all neighbours is more likely to explain the pattern than sib competition.

5. Synthesis. Our findings provide the first experimental evidence of a highly reliable cue (productivity of maternal environment) that allows for plants to respond to their future biotic environment. There is an urgent need for testing predictions of theoretical models in natural populations and for incorporating the role of density dependence in studies of bet‐hedging germination.
Psychometric evaluation of the post‐discharge surgical recovery scale
Authors: Berg Katarina , Idvall Ewa , Nilsson Ulrica , Årestedt Kristofer Franzén , Unosson Mitra
Published: June 2010

Rationale, aim and objectives  Day surgery patients are discharged after a short period of postoperative surveillance, and reliable and valid instruments for assessment at home are needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a Swedish version of the post‐discharge surgical recovery (PSR) scale, an instrument to monitor the patient's recovery after day surgery, in terms of data quality, internal consistency, dimensionality and responsiveness.

Methods  Data were collected on postoperative days 1 and 14 and included 525 patients. Data quality and internal consistency were evaluated using descriptive statistics, correlation analyses and Cronbach's α. The dimensionality of the scale was determined through an exploratory factor analysis. Responsiveness was evaluated using the standardized response mean and the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC). The correlation between change score in PSR and change score in self‐rated health was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Patients' ability to work and their self‐rated health on postoperative day 14 were used as external indicators of change.

Results  Six items showed floor or ceiling effects. Cronbach's coefficient α was 0.90 and the average inter‐item correlation coefficient was 0.44 after the deletion of two items. The items were closely related to each other, and a one‐factor solution was decided on. A robust ability to detect changes in recovery (standardized response mean = 1.14) was shown. The AUC for the entire scale was 0.60. When initial PSR scores were categorized into three intervals, the ability to detect improved and non‐improved patients varied (AUC 0.58–0.81). There was a strong correlation between change scores in PSR and health (0.63).

Conclusions  The Swedish version of the PSR scale demonstrates acceptable psychometric properties of data quality, internal consistency, dimensionality and responsiveness. In addition to previous findings, these results strengthen the PSR scale as a potential instrument of recovery at home.
Statistical process control as a tool for controlling operating room performance: retrospective analysis and benchmarking
Authors: Chen Tsung‐Tai , Chang Yun‐Jau , Ku Shei‐Ling , Chung Kuo‐Piao
Published: June 2010

Background  There is much research using statistical process control (SPC) to monitor surgical performance, including comparisons among groups to detect small process shifts, but few of these studies have included a stabilization process. This study aimed to analyse the performance of surgeons in operating room (OR) and set a benchmark by SPC after stabilized process.

Methods  The OR profile of 499 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by 16 surgeons at a tertiary hospital in Taiwan during 2005 and 2006 were recorded. SPC was applied to analyse operative and non‐operative times using the following five steps: first, the times were divided into two segments; second, they were normalized; third, they were evaluated as individual processes; fourth, the ARL0 was calculated;, and fifth, the different groups (surgeons) were compared. Outliers were excluded to ensure stability for each group and to facilitate inter‐group comparison.

Results  The results showed that in the stabilized process, only one surgeon exhibited a significantly shorter total process time (including operative time and non‐operative time).

Conclusion  In this study, we use five steps to demonstrate how to control surgical and non‐surgical time in phase I. There are some measures that can be taken to prevent skew and instability in the process. Also, using SPC, one surgeon can be shown to be a real benchmark.
A pediatric asthma management program in a low‐income setting resulting in reduced use of health service for acute asthma
Authors: Andrade W. C. C. , Camargos P. , Lasmar L. , Bousquet J.
Published: June 2010

To cite this article: Andrade WCC, Camargos P, Lasmar L, Bousquet J. A pediatric asthma management program in a low‐income setting resulting in reduced use of health service for acute asthma. Allergy 2010; 65: 1472–1477.

Background:  The effectiveness of pediatric asthma management programs in reducing health services utilization during exacerbations in developing countries is not widely studied. This study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of an asthma management program to reduce the overall health services utilization by acute asthma in children and adolescents.

Methods:  In this historical population‐based real‐life cohort study, we selected 582 patients with asthma aged 4–15 living in deprived areas in the town of Itabira, Brazil, of which 470 cases were assisted by the asthma management program and 112 were controls. The end point was the first physician‐diagnosed asthma exacerbation occurring after study enrollment and within 12 months after admission. All 470 cases received a written plan about exacerbation self‐management, including the use of inhaled albuterol at home. Three hundred and seventeen out of 470 cases (67.4%) were also treated with beclomethasone diproprionate (BDP).

Results:  Both groups were comparable regarding gender, age group, and place of residence. At the end of the study, only 5% of cases vs 34% of controls did seek health services because of acute asthma (P < 0.01). Statistical difference also remained when comparing the 112 controls with the 153 cases not treated with com BDP (Hazard Ratio = 0.04, 95% CI, 0.01–0.14, P < 0.01).

Conclusions:  Results have demonstrated the effectiveness of the pediatric asthma management program in reducing dependence on the health services for acute asthma. Effectiveness was also observed in subjects with no use of BDP.
Effect of asthma treatment on fitness, daily activity and body composition in children with asthma
Authors: Vahlkvist S. , Inman M. D. , Pedersen S.
Published: June 2010

To cite this article: Vahlkvist S, Inman MD, Pedersen S. Effect of asthma treatment on fitness, daily activity and body composition in children with asthma. Allergy 2010; 65: 1464–1471.

Background:  Although several cross‐sectional studies have assessed the daily physical activity in children with asthma, the impact of the level of asthma control remains unknown.

Aim:  To assess the influence of asthma treatment–induced changes in asthma control on daily physical activity, cardiovascular fitness and body composition in children with asthma.

Methods:  Daily accelerometer‐measured physical activity, cardiovascular fitness, body composition (percent fat, percent lean tissue and bone mineral density) and a variety of asthma outcomes (to assess the level of asthma control) were measured over 4 weeks in 55 children with newly diagnosed untreated asthma and 154 healthy, sex and age‐matched controls. Treatment with inhaled corticosteroids was initiated after the baseline period. All outcome measurements were repeated after 1 year and some also during the year of treatment.

Results:  Asthma control improved markedly during the year of treatment. The improvement in control was associated with a significant increase in total daily activity of 2.8 h/week compared with the healthy controls (P < 0.001). In addition, significant increases were seen in moderate‐vigorous activity (33 min/week; P = 0.01) and in cardiovascular fitness (1.2 ml O2/min*kg) compared with the healthy controls. The improvement in activity was mainly seen during the last 6 month of the study. No difference was seen between the two groups in changes in percent body fat.

Conclusion:  Poorly controlled asthma is associated with reduced physical activity and cardiovascular fitness. Improvement in asthma control is associated with a clinically relevant increase in daily physical activity and cardiovascular fitness.
Can Honey Bees Learn the Removal of a Stimulus as a Conditioning Cue?
Authors: Abramson Charles I. , Nolf Sondra L. , Mixson T. Andrew , Wells Harrington
Published: June 2010

Experiments investigated a Pavlovian conditioning situation where the presence and absence of the stimulus are reversed temporally with respect to the presentation of a reward. Instead of a conditioned stimulus (e.g. odor) signaling the presence of a reward, the stimulus (e.g. odor) is present in the environment except just prior to the presence of the reward. Thus, the absence of the stimulus, or offset of the stimulus (e.g. absence of odor), serves as a conditioned stimulus and is the reward cue. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) were used as a model invertebrate system, and the proboscis‐conditioning paradigm was used as the test procedure. Using both simple Pavlovian conditioning and discrimination‐learning protocols, animals learned to associate the onset of an odor as conditioned stimuli when paired with a sucrose reward. They could also learn to associate the onset of a puff of air with a sucrose reward. However, bees could not associate the offset of an order stimulus with the presentation of a sucrose reward in either a simple conditioning or a discrimination‐learning situation. These results support the model that a very different cognitive architecture is used by invertebrates to deal with certain environmental situations, including signaled avoidance.
Plumage Colouration, Age, Testosterone and Dominance in Male Red Bishops (Euplectes orix): A Laboratory Experiment
Authors: Edler Alice U. , Friedl Thomas W. P.
Published: June 2010

Visual signals such as plumage characteristics in birds often play a key role in the establishment of dominance in contests by acting as a badge of status that can be used to assess individual fighting ability. We studied the role of plumage colouration in males of the red bishop (Euplectes orix), a sexually dimorphic and polygynous weaverbird species occurring in sub‐Saharan Africa and breeding in dense colonies around water. Males are highly territorial and often engage in competition over limited resources such as breeding sites and potential mates. By experimentally staging male–male contests over a limited food source, we wanted to determine whether the orange–red breeding plumage in this species serves as a dominance signal between individuals, with males with redder plumage being dominant over those with duller plumage. In the first set of experiments, we staged contests between unfamiliar and unmanipulated males. The setup of the second set of experiments was identical to the first, with the exception that those males with the lowest chroma and hue values had their plumage experimentally reddened within the range of the natural variation. In addition to plumage colouration, we incorporated testosterone levels, body condition and age into the analysis of factors contributing to contest outcome. Our results show a consistent and strong age effect in both sets of experiments, which seems to be independent of plumage colouration, testosterone and body condition. This suggests that in the red bishop, the outcome of male–male competitions over limited resources is determined by age‐related acquired experience rather than by status signalling through plumage colouration.
Risks Associated with Predator Immobility, Movement Direction, and Turn Direction Similarly Affect Pursuit‐Deterrent Signaling and Escape by Zebra‐Tailed Lizards (Callisaurus draconoides)
Authors: Cooper, Jr William E.
Published: June 2010

Some prey may signal to deter pursuit by predators. Because deterrence is not needed when risk is low or useful when capture is imminent, most signaling should occur at intermediate risk. Probability of fleeing increases with risk for various risk factors. At low–intermediate risk, more frequent signaling should occur as assessed risk associated with risk factors increases. I examined the effects of three risk factors related to immobility and movement by a predator: standing distance (distance from prey to immobile predator), directions of walking, and turning by the predator. Risk is greater when the predator stands nearer, walks toward prey vs. retreating, and turns toward prey vs. away. In the lizard Callisaurus draconoides, which signals by elevating and waving its tail, signaling was more frequent before fleeing when I stood immobile at the shorter of two distances. All the lizards fled when I walked toward them, regardless of standing distance. Fewer fled when I moved away and only at the shorter standing distance. At the shorter standing distance, signal probability was high and did not differ between movement directions. At the longer standing distance, fewer lizards signaled and only when I moved toward them. Patterns of response of signaling and escape to combinations of standing distance and turn direction were qualitatively identical. When I turned away from lizards, none displayed or fled at the longer standing distance. At the shorter standing distance, probabilities of displaying and fleeing were higher when I turned toward than away from lizards. Standing distance affected signaling interactively with directions of movement and turning in manners readily interpretable from risk. Signaling was affected by risk associated with all factors, being absent or infrequent at both high‐ and low‐risk levels but frequent at intermediate risk, strengthening evidence for pursuit‐deterrent signaling.