bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of intragastric balloon for obesity in Korea
Authors: Lee Kwang Gyun , Nam Seung-Joo , Choi Hyuk Soon , Lee Hang Lak , Yoon Jai Hoon , Park Chan Hyuk , Kim Kyoung Oh , Kim Do Hoon , Kim Jung-Wook , Sohn Won , Jung Sung Hoon ,   Korean Research Group for Endoscopic Management of Metabolic Disorder and Obesity
Published: December 2022

Background/Aims: Intragastric balloon (IGB) is the only available endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapy in Korea. End-ball (Endalis) has the longest history of clinical use among the IGBs available in Korea. However, little clinical data on this system have been reported. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of End-ball in Korea.Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent IGB insertion (End-ball) from 2013 to 2019. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected. The efficacy and safety of IGB treatment were analyzed.Results: In total, 80 patients were included. Mean age was 33.7 years and 83.8% were female. Initial body mass index was 34.48±4.69 kg/m2. Body mass index reduction was 3.72±2.63 kg/m2 at the time of IGB removal. Percent of total body weight loss (%TBWL) was 10.76%±6.76%. Percentage excess body weight loss was 43.67%±27.59%. Most adverse events were minor, and 71.4% of participants showed nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain.Conclusions: IGB treatment showed good efficacy and safety profile in Korean patients with obesity. In terms of %TBWL and percentage excess body weight loss, the efficacy was similar to that in the Western population.
Sonoridades em espaços cênicos alternativos – experiências de gestão do Espaço PÉ DiReitO
Authors: Martins Pedro , Lignelli César
Published: December 2022

partir do diálogo entre sonoridades da cena e a experiência de 10 anos da gestão do Espaço PÉ DiReitO, localizado em periferia da capital do País, este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar possibilidades de resoluções criativas que viabilizem e potencializem aspectos sonoros de obras performáticas em circulação. Para isso, abordam-se aspectos acústicos e riders do espaço e de obras, lista de profissionais envolvidos nas sonoridades da cena, assim como inúmeros desafios e atribuições relacionadas aos gestores de espaços cênicos alternativos.
Sensorialidade no espaço cênico: Vestido de Noiva | Roda Viva | Trate-me Leão
Authors: Delfino Delano , Guimaraens Cêça , Schimiti Weber
Published: December 2022

O artigo trata a sensorialidade na condição de atributo dos espaços cênicos e arquitetônicos onde aconteceram montagens das peças Vestido de Noiva, Roda Viva e Trate-me Leão, as quais foram encenadas no Rio de Janeiro no Theatro Municipal em 1943, no Teatro Princesa Isabel em 1968, e no Teatro Dulcina em 1977, respectivamente. Apresentamos a forma sob a qual a “sensorialidade” promoveu a quebra da “quarta parede”, buscando demonstrar que tal situação proporcionou aos espectadores excepcional experiência imersiva que se tornou de interesse histórico. Destacamos que os teatros onde as três peças estrearam possuem palcos do tipo italiano; além disso, ressaltamos que, àqueles tempos ditatoriais, as referidas montagens de Roda Viva e Trate-me Leão foram censuradas e os atores foram vítimas de violência e agressões.
Exploring the Impact of Demographic Variables on Intercultural Sensitivity of University Students
Authors: M. Rodríguez-Izquierdo Rosa
Published: December 2022

Globalisation leads to increasing multiculturalism in societies. Preparing university students to recognise the growing diversity and to engage positively with one another in contemporary societies is therefore of paramount importance. However, the variables affecting the development of intercultural sensitivity have hardly been assessed. This study analysed the degree to which the influence of sex, year of study, and mobility experiences of university students influence the advancement of intercultural sensitivity. To this end, a scale was applied to Spanish university students (N = 645). The results showed a significant gap between the students’ perceived orientation of their intercultural sensitivity and their actual orientation. In addition, there were some differences across sex, year of study, and mobility experiences in favour of females, final-year students, and students who had undergone some sort of mobility experiences. Four profiles were also identified according to intercultural sensitivity: initial, mid-initial, medium, and advanced. The findings demonstrate the need to incorporate an intercultural approach into higher education institutions in pro of more inclusive societies.
Tuning of motor outputs produced by spinal stimulation during voluntary control of torque directions in monkeys
Authors: Kaneshige Miki , Obara Kei , Suzuki Michiaki , Tazoe Toshiki , Nishimura Yukio
Published: December 2022

Spinal stimulation is a promising method to restore motor function after impairment of descending pathways. While paresis, a weakness of voluntary movements driven by surviving descending pathways, can benefit from spinal stimulation, the effects of descending commands on motor outputs produced by spinal stimulation are unclear. Here, we show that descending commands amplify and shape the stimulus-induced muscle responses and torque outputs. During the wrist torque tracking task, spinal stimulation, at a current intensity in the range of balanced excitation and inhibition, over the cervical enlargement facilitated and/or suppressed activities of forelimb muscles. Magnitudes of these effects were dependent on directions of voluntarily produced torque and positively correlated with levels of voluntary muscle activity. Furthermore, the directions of evoked wrist torque corresponded to the directions of voluntarily produced torque. These results suggest that spinal stimulation is beneficial in cases of partial lesion of descending pathways by compensating for reduced descending commands through activation of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic connections to motoneurons.
T cells modulate the microglial response to brain ischemia
Authors: Benakis Corinne , Simats Alba , Tritschler Sophie , Heindl Steffanie , Besson-Girard Simon , Llovera Gemma , Pinkham Kelsey , Kolz Anna , Ricci Alessio , Theis Fabian J , Bittner Stefan , Gökce Özgün , Peters Anneli , Liesz Arthur
Published: December 2022

Neuroinflammation after stroke is characterized by the activation of resident microglia and the invasion of circulating leukocytes into the brain. Although lymphocytes infiltrate the brain in small number, they have been consistently demonstrated to be the most potent leukocyte subpopulation contributing to secondary inflammatory brain injury. However, the exact mechanism of how this minimal number of lymphocytes can profoundly affect stroke outcome is still largely elusive. Here, using a mouse model for ischemic stroke, we demonstrated that early activation of microglia in response to stroke is differentially regulated by distinct T cell subpopulations – with TH1cells inducing a type I INF signaling in microglia and regulatory T cells (TREG) cells promoting microglial genes associated with chemotaxis. Acute treatment with engineered T cells overexpressing IL-10 administered into the cisterna magna after stroke induces a switch of microglial gene expression to a profile associated with pro-regenerative functions. Whereas microglia polarization by T cell subsets did not affect the acute development of the infarct volume, these findings substantiate the role of T cells in stroke by polarizing the microglial phenotype. Targeting T cell-microglia interactions can have direct translational relevance for further development of immune-targeted therapies for stroke and other neuroinflammatory conditions.
Transcriptomic analyses provide new insights into green and purple color pigmentation in Rheum tanguticum medicinal plants
Authors: Chen Haixia , Chiu Tsan-Yu , Sahu Sunil Kumar , Sun Haixi , Wen Jiawen , Sun Jianbo , Li Qiyuan , Tang Yangfan , Jin Hong , Liu Huan
Published: December 2022

Background

Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant that is commonly used to treat many ailments. It belongs to the Polygonacae family and grows in northwest and southwest China. At high elevations, the color of the plant’s young leaves is purple, which gradually changes to green during the growth cycle. Anthraquinone, which is known for various biological activities, is the main bioactive compound in R. tanguticum. Although a significant amount of research has been done on R. tanguticum in the past, the lack of transcriptome data limits our knowledge of the gene regulatory networks involved in pigmentation and in the metabolism of bioactive compounds in Rheum species.

Methods

To fill this knowledge gap, we generated high-quality RNA-seq data and performed multi-tissue transcriptomic analyses of R. tanguticum.

Results

We found that three chlorophyll degradation enzymes (RtPPH, RtPao and RtRCCR) were highly expressed in purple samples, which suggests that the purple pigmentation is mainly due to the effects of chlorophyll degradation. Overall, these data may aid in drafting the transcriptional network in the regulation and biosynthesis of medicinally active compounds in the future.
Air Quality at Artisanal Crude Oil Refinery Sites in Igia-Ama, Tombia Kingdom, Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Onwuna D. B. , Stanley H. O. , Abu G. O. , Immanuel O. M.
Published: December 2022

Artisanal crude oil refining is an illegal operation thriving in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria, and their activities are known to cause serious air pollution, evident by incidences of black soot pollution in many parts of this region. This study aimed to ascertain the air quality around artisanal crude oil refinery sites situated in Igia-Ama, Tombia Kingdom, Rivers State, Nigeria. Air quality assessment was carried out using air quality sensor for physicochemical parameters and settle plate exposure for microbial parameters, monitored for both dry and wet seasons. During the wet season, SOx, NOx, VOC, CH4, CO, CO2,O3, NH3, H2S, PM 1, PM 2.5, PM 7, PM10, TSP, Noise, Wind speed, Air temperature, Relative humidity concentration ranged from 0-0.05 ppm, 0.04 - 0.07 ppm, 1004.00 - 1320.00 ppm, 34.33 - 39.67 ppm, 1.33 - 3.00 ppm, 765.00-1556.67 ppm, 0.2 to 0.3 ppm, 0.05 to 0.10 ppm, 0.13 to 0.20 ppm, 15.73 - 0 21.50 µg/m3, 33.53-34.17 µg/m3, 55.47 - 55.93 µg/m3, 64.30 - 67.50 µg/m3, 49.60 - 76.97 µg/m3, 45.63– 48.37dB, 1.13 -1.23 M/S, 28.30 - 29.73oC and 63.13 - 69.23 % respectively. During the dry season, SOx, NOx, VOC, CH4, CO, CO2, O3, NH3, H2S, PM 1, PM 2.5, PM 7, PM10, TSP, Noise, Wind speed, Air temperature, Relative humidity concentration ranged from 0.08-0.53 ppm, 0.12 - 0.19 ppm, 1027.33 - 1750.33 ppm, 21.00 - 50.33 ppm, 1.33 – 2.67 ppm, 1226.67-1551540.00 ppm, 0.09 to 0.55 ppm, 0.04 to 0.09 ppm, 0.04 to 0.63 ppm, 26.47 - 33.97 µg/m3, 39.60-51.23 µg/m3, 57.90 - 84.27 µg/m3, 89.13 - 100.17 µg/m3, 128.83 – 170.30 µg/m3, 49.17– 56.73dB, 0.15 -1.97 M/S, 29.07 - 32.57oC and 66.67 - 71.87 % respectively. Results revealed statically significant differences (p<0.05) in air parameters per season (dry and wet) and between impacted sites and control, as regards NOx, VOC, CO2, O3, PM 1, PM 2.5, PM 4, PM 7, PM 10, TSP and noise levels. During the dry season, Total Heterotrophic Bacterial Count (THBC) ranged from 4.4-4.8 log CFU/m3, and Total Fungal Count (TFC) from 4.4-4.8 log CFU/m3. During the wet season THBC ranged from 4.9-5.2 log CFU/m3 and TFC ranged from 2.5-4.6 log CFU/m3. Results revealed no statically significant differences (p<0.05) in microbial count per season (dry and wet) as well as between the polluted sites and control. The bacterial isolates were identified as belonging to five genera: Bacillus, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and Escherichia, while the fungal isolates belong to three genera: Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium. The excessive concentrations of NOx, SOx, and the presence of allergenic and pathogenic microorganisms could pose danger to public health.
Synthesis of Mesoporous Silica Incorporated with Low Iron Concentration and Gelatin Co-Template via The Ultrasonication Method and Its Methylene Blue Photodegradation Performance
Authors: Ulfa Maria , Istanti Sandini Ajeng
Published: December 2022

In this work, low iron concentration incorporated on mesoporous silica with gelatin co-template (Fe2O3/GSBA-15) has been successfully synthesized via the ultrasonication method. The physical, chemical, and structural properties of the samples were investigated with X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope- Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR), and N2 adsorption-desorption. Results showed good distribution of low concentration of iron oxide on the gelatin mesoporous silica GSBA-15. Elemental and surface analysis presented that iron oxide incorporation with higher concentration exhibited lower surface area due to the blocking pore. The highest photocatalytic activity on the methylene blue dye degradation was achieved at 10% Fe2O3/GSBA-15 with ~80% efficiency. The results revealed that the photocatalytic activity of Fe2O3/GSBA-15 enhanced with the presence of iron oxide. Copyright © 2022 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Reciprocal mutations of neuropeptide Y receptor Y2 in human and chicken identify amino acids important for antagonist binding
Authors: Berglund Magnus M , Fredriksson Robert , Salaneck Erik , Larhammar Dan
Published: July 2002

The neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor Y2 antagonist BIIE0246 has sub‐nanomolar affinity for the human Y2 (hY2) receptor but binds very poorly to chicken Y2 (chY2) with micromolar affinity. Sequence comparisons identified several amino acids for investigation by mutagenesis. Reciprocal mutagenesis between hY2 and chY2 revealed that three of these, individually and in combination, are important for BIIE0246 binding, namely positions Gln135 in transmembrane (TM) 3, Leu227 in TM5, and Leu284 in TM6. Mutagenesis of hY2 to the corresponding amino in chY2 (generating hY2[Q135H,L227Q,L284F]) made the affinity of BIIE0246 as low as for chY2. Introduction into chY2 of the three human residues resulted in antagonist affinity almost as high as for hY2. To distinguish between direct and indirect effects, each of the three residues in hY2 was replaced with alanine. BIIE0246 bound with 28‐fold lower affinity to hY2[L227A], suggesting the Leu227 interacts directly with the antagonist. The other two alanine mutants bound with unaltered affinity, suggesting that the corresponding chY2 residues abolish binding through steric hindrance or charge repulsion. Thus, three amino acid residues can in an additive manner completely account for the difference in antagonist binding between the hY2 and chY2 receptors. These results will be useful for construction of three‐dimensional models of the widely divergent NPY receptor subtypes.
Pregnancy outcome in asthmatic patients from high altitudes
Authors: Sobande A.A , Archibong E.I , Akinola S.E
Published: July 2002

Objective: To compare pregnancy outcome in asthmatic and non‐asthmatic patients from high altitudes. Method: A prospective case‐control study over a 4‐year period. The setting was: Abha Maternity Hospital, south‐west region of Saudi Arabia. Eighty‐eight asthmatic pregnant patients were followed up on during their pregnancies and deliveries (cases). The control subjects were 106 non‐asthmatic patients who delivered during the same period. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the mean age, parity and gestation at delivery between the cases and control subjects (P>0.05), while there were statistically significant differences in the mean birth weight, placental weight and number of abortions between the two groups (P<0.05). Antenatal complications occurred in 12.5% of the asthmatic patients and 1.9% of the control subjects. Pre‐eclampsia was diagnosed in 7.9% of the asthmatic group but in none of the control subjects. Induction of labor, cesarean section rate, perinatal mortality, congenital malformations and Apgar score <7 at 5 min were significantly higher in the asthmatic patients. Conclusion: Asthma occurring in pregnancy was associated with increased antenatal complications, increased perinatal loss and congenital malformations in our study population.
Evaluation of Infection Parameters in the Production of Replication‐Defective HSV‐1 Viral Vectors
Authors: Ozuer Ali , Wechuck James B. , Russell Brian , Wolfe Darren , Goins William F. , Glorioso Joseph C. , Ataai Mohammad M.
Published: July 2002

Herpes simplex virus type‐1 (HSV‐1) is a neurotrophic human pathogen that establishes life‐long latency in the nervous system. Our laboratory has extensively engineered this virus to retain the ability to persist in neurons without expression of lytic genes or disease phenotype. Highly defective, replication‐incompetent HSV mutants are thus potentially ideal for transfer of therapeutic transgenes to human nerves where long‐term therapy of nervous system disease may be provided. A prerequisite for using recombinant HSV vectors for therapeutic gene delivery to humans is the development of methods for large‐scale manufacture of HSV vectors. Here we report studies to identify infection parameters that result in high‐yield production of immediate early gene deletion mutant HSV vectors in complementing cells that supply the deleted essential viral functions in trans. Virus yield was correlated with various culture media conditions that included pH, glucose metabolism, and serum levels. The results demonstrated that systematic media exchange to remove lactate derived from high‐level glucose consumption, maintenance of tissue culture pH at 6.8, and the use of 5% fetal bovine serum gave the highest yield of infectious virus. The data indicate that these are important parameters to consider for high‐yield, large‐scale virus production.
Food‐induced anaphylaxis
Authors: Wüthrich B. , Ballmer‐Weber B. K.
Published: July 2002

To date, there are no population‐based epidemiologic studies providing information about the prevalence of food‐induced anaphylaxis. However, statistics from the United Kingdom demonstrated an increase of anaphylaxis from 5.6 cases per 100000 hospital discharges in 1991–92 to 10.2 cases in 1994–95. The increase for the subcategory of food‐induced anaphylaxis was above the overall increase in anaphylaxis. In the UK register of fatal anaphylactic reactions, all food‐induced fatalities have been accompanied by respiratory problems with respiratory arrest. Atopic individuals with bronchial asthma and prior allergic reactions to the same food are at a particularly high risk. Not only peanuts, seafood and milk can induce severe, potentially lethal, anaphylaxis, but indeed a wide spectrum of foods, according to the different patterns of food sensitivity in different countries. Foods with “hidden” allergens and meals at restaurants are particularly dangerous for patients with food allergies. Similarly, schools, public places and restaurants are the major places of risk. However, the main factor contributing to a fatal outcome is the fact that the victims did not carry their emergency kit with adrenaline (epinephrine) with them. Therefore, we suggest that the pharmaceutical industry should reintroduce an adrenaline inhaler that is more effective, especially in asthmatic reactions.
Beneficial effects of a skin tolerance‐tested moisturizing cream on the barrier function in experimentally‐elicited irritant and allergic contact dermatitis
Authors: De Paépe Kristien , Hachem Jean‐Piere , Vanpee Els , Goossens An , Germaux Marie‐Anne , Lachapelle Jean‐Marie , Lambert Julien , Matthieu Lucretia , Roseeuw Diane , Suys Erwin , Van Hecke Eric , Rogiers Vera
Published: July 2002

In experimentally‐induced irritant (ICD) and allergic (ACD) contact dermatitis, an oil‐in‐water (o/w) cream was applied to investigate its effects on a disturbed barrier function compared to untreated physiological barrier repair. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements were performed. Before the start of the experiments, the skin tolerance of the cream was examined, revealing the non‐irritating characteristics of the ingredients and the absence of any contact allergic patch test reaction. In the ICD study, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) patches were applied to the forearms of young female volunteers. Consequently, it was observed that repeated cream application (14 days, 2×/day) significantly improved the TEWL of SLS‐damaged skin, leading to a complete recovery on day 15. In the ACD study, disruption of skin barrier function was obtained by a nickel‐mediated contact allergy patch (CAP) test. The cream was then applied 2×/day for 4 consecutive days. Assessment of TEWL clearly showed that recovery of the disrupted skin significantly improved after cream application in comparison to untreated barrier repair.
Relevance and reproducibility of patch‐test reactions to corticosteroids
Authors: Devos Steven A. , Van Der Valk Pieter G. M.
Published: July 2002

We present our patch test findings with dermatocorticosteroids during the period 1995–1999. We retrospectively studied the % of doubtful and positive reactions to each allergen in our corticosteroid series and assessed the relevance of these reactions. To assess reproducibility, we retested 15 patients with doubtful or positive reactions in 1999. The % of + or ++ reactions on D2‐D3 and D7 ranged from 0.0% to 0.9% for most of the compounds tested. Hydrocortisone acetate 1% alc.abs./DMSO 50/50 showed a much higher % of positive reactions. Most of these reactions were not relevant and therefore probably due to the irritant nature of the vehicle. An overall reproducibility of 47.2% was obtained. 100.0% of the non‐reproducible patch test reactions were not relevant. Definite relevance was much higher in the reproducible + or ++ reactions than in the reproducible doubtful reactions: 100.0% and 18.2%, respectively. We conclude that the mean % of + and ++ reactions to the corticosteroid series on D2‐D3 is 0.5%, with an overall reproducibility of 47.2%. Tixocortol pivalate and budesonide proved to be important markers for dermatocorticosteroid allergy.
Early signaling events induced by 280‐nm UV irradiation
Authors: Kabuyama Yukihito , Homma Miwako K. , Kurosaki Tomohiro , Homma Yoshimi
Published: July 2002

The depletion of stratospheric ozone results in increased UV (ultraviolet) light below 300 nm, and has significant effects on biological systems. To better understand the effects of UV in this range, early signaling events induced by monochromatic UV light were investigated using the chicken B cell line DT40 and mutants lacking protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs). Among MAP kinase family proteins, P38 MAP kinase (P38) was selectively and immediately activated by 280 nm UV light in cultured DT40 cells. Activation of P38 was completely inhibited in cells deficient in Lyn and Btk. Introduction of wild‐type Btk, but not kinase‐inactive Btk, restored the P38 activation. In contrast, P38 activation was not affected in Syk‐deficient cells. Tyrosine phosphorylation of Lyn was induced by 280 nm UV light, and pretreatment of cells with orthovanadate, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP), enhanced both Lyn phosphorylation and P38 activation. These results show that Lyn and Btk are upstream regulators of the P38 signaling pathway activated by 280 nm UV light and that the triggering event likely involves inactivation of PTP. Furthermore, cell death induced by 280 nm UV irradiation were augmented by Btk depletion or a specific inhibitor for P38, and partially blocked in Lyn‐deficient cells, suggesting that the Lyn–Btk–P38 pathway promotes cell survival while other Lyn pathways stimulate cell death.
Confocal measurement of the three‐dimensional size and shape of plant parenchyma cells in a developing fruit tissue
Authors: Gray John D. , Kolesik Peter , Høj Peter B. , And . , Coombe Bryan G.
Published: July 2002

Parenchyma cells from the inner mesocarp of a grape berry (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay) were visualised in three‐dimensions within a whole mount of cleared, stained tissue using confocal laser scanning microscopy and digital image reconstruction. The whole berry was fixed, bisected longitudinally, cleared in methyl salicylate, stained with safranin O and mounted in methyl salicylate. Optical slices were collected at 1.0 μm intervals to a depth of 150 μm. Neighbouring z‐series were joined post‐collection to double the field‐of‐view. Attenuation at depth of the fluorescent signal from cell walls was quantified and corrected. Axial distortion due to refractive index mismatch between the immersion and mounting media was calibrated using yellow‐green fluorescent microspheres and corrected. Transmission electron microscopy was used to correct fluorescent measurements of cell wall thickness. Digital image reconstructions of wall‐enclosed spaces enabled cells to be rendered as geometric solids of measurable surface area and volume. Cell volumes within the inner mesocarp tissue of a single grape berry exhibited a 14‐fold range, with polysigmoidal distribution and groupings around specific size classes. Cell shape was irregular and the planes of contact were rarely flat or simple. Variability in cell shape was indicated by the range in surface area to volume ratios, from 0.080 to 0.198 μm–1. Structural detail at the internal surface of the cell wall was apparent. The technique is applicable to a wide range of morphometric analyses in plant cell biology, particularly developmental studies, and reveals details of cell size and shape that were previously unattainable.
The effect of surround luminance on measurements of contrast sensitivity
Authors: Cox Michael J. , Norman Joanne H. , Norman Peter
Published: July 2002

We investigated how the luminance of an immediate surround to a visual target affects the measurement of contrast sensitivity. We examined four young, healthy, subjects under typical lighting conditions for each test but varied the surround luminance systematically by controlling a backlit surround. The effect of varying the surround on contrast sensitivity measurements made with a Pelli–Robson chart was minimal. The only statistically significant difference was between measurements made with a 900 cd.m−2 surround compared to those made with 5.6, 9, or 30 cd.m−2 surrounds when tested at a viewing distance of 4
 m. The higher luminance surround produced higher levels of contrast sensitivity. The effect of the surround luminance was greater when measuring contrast sensitivity to sinewave gratings using a method of constant stimuli. Optimum performance was found using a surround luminance of 9 cd.m−2 (20% of the mean target luminance). Statistically, a wide range of surround luminances (3–30 cd.m−2, or 7–67% mean target luminance) gave similar levels of visual performance, but higher luminance surrounds led to reduced contrast sensitivity. Possible reasons for the difference in the effect of the surround depending upon the test are discussed. Ophthalmic practitioners using contrast sensitivity measurements with letter charts probably need not make special efforts to illuminate the test surround appropriately. However, practitioners using sinewave gratings, especially computer generated sinewave gratings, to measure contrast sensitivity, may have their measurements affected by inappropriately lit task surrounds.
Rapid Resting Heart Rate: A Simple and Powerful Predictor of Osteoporotic Fractures and Mortality in Older Women
Authors: Kado Deborah M. , Lui Li‐yung L. , Cummings Steven R. , The Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Research Group
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVES:

To determine whether resting heart rate is associated with several types of osteoporotic fractures, mortality, and cause‐specific mortality in older women.

DESIGN:

A prospective cohort study.

SETTING:

Four communities across the United States.

PARTICIPANTS:

We prospectively assessed resting pulse rate in 9,702 women aged 65 and older enrolled in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures.

MEASUREMENTS:

Resting pulse was measured in the supine position. Hip, humerus, pelvis, rib, ankle, and wrist fractures were identified by self‐report and validated by radiographs. Incident vertebral fractures were assessed by quantitative morphometry. Cause‐specific mortality was assessed from death certificates and hospital discharge summaries.

RESULTS:

Women with resting heart rates of greater than 80 beats per minute (bpm) (n = 1,140 (12%)) had an adjusted 1.6‐fold (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.2–2.0) increased risk of either a hip, pelvis, or rib fracture and a 1.9‐fold (95% CI = 1.4–2.5) increased risk of vertebral fracture. A heart rate of 80 bpm or greater was also associated with 1.4‐fold (95% CI = 1.2–1.5) increased all‐cause mortality and 1.5‐fold (95% CI = 1.2–2.1) increased coronary heart disease mortality. Investigating resting heart rate as a continuous variable, we detected a general pattern of increasing risks with higher heart rate that could not be explained by age, weight, poor health, physical activity, hyperthyroidism, or smoking.

CONCLUSIONS:

Older women with resting heart rates of 80 bpm or more have an increased risk of several osteoporotic fractures and of mortality that is not explained by other risk factors. Heart rate may be a simple tool for assessing risk of fracture and of death from coronary heart disease in older women. J Am Geriatr Soc 50:455–460, 2002.
Juvenile Development and Diaspore Survival in the Threatened Epiphytic Lichen Species Sticta fuliginosa, Leptogium saturninum and Menegazzia terebrata: Conclusions for in situ Conservation
Authors: Zoller S. , Frey B. , Scheidegger C.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: Development and growth of the three threatened epiphytic lichen species Sticta fuliginosa (Hoffm.) Ach., Leptogium saturninum (Dicks.) Nyl. and Menegazzia terebrata (Hoffm.) Massal. was investigated by low temperature scanning electron microscopy and macro‐photography. Small cotton gauze discs acting as artificial substrata were fixed with aluminium staples on the bark of selected trees and vegetative diaspores (isidia or soredia) were transferred onto these discs. The subsequent development into small thalli of up to 3 mm length was observed within the 32‐month study period. All three species produced anchoring hyphae within the first month after transplantation. Two months later 52 % of the S. fuliginosa diaspores were still on the gauze discs and after 16 months 29 % remained attached. For L. saturninum, the corresponding percentages were 46 % and 19 %, respectively. First lobes resembling adult thalli were observed after 8 to 12 months in S. fuliginosa and L. saturninum but only after 16 months in M. terebrata. All three species developed usually more than one thallus primordium (pseudomeristematic growth zone) per isidium or soredial cluster. Transplanted thallus fragments were able to fix themselves on the new substratum but in all three species large parts degenerated and fell off during the first year, particularly in S. fuliginosa. The results show that the juvenile development of the investigated species is not restricted by microclimatic factors at the study site. We therefore conclude that the juvenile development is not the restricting factor in regard to growth and population survival. Other factors, such as the competition with bryophytes, insufficient diaspore dispersal or forest management practice must account for the small population sizes. The described transplantation technique of vegetative diaspores has proved to be very useful for the augmentation of small populations without damaging the existing thalli and we suggest use of this method for in situ conservation of endangered lichen species.
Infection with Phloem Limited Abutilon Mosaic Virus Causes Localized Carbohydrate Accumulation in Leaves of Abutilon striatum: Relationships to Symptom Development and Effects on Chlorophyll Fluorescence Quenching During Photosynthetic Induction
Authors: Lohaus G. , Heldt H. W. , Osmond C. B.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: Infection with phloem limited Abutilon Mosaic Virus caused localized carbohydrate accumulation (high levels of starch, sucrose, and hexoses) in leaves of Abutilon striatum during early symptom development. In mature leaves with attenuated symptoms, tissues showing faint vein‐clearing had markedly higher carbohydrate contents than uniformly green areas of the same leaf. A similar pattern of carbohydrate accumulation was found in pale‐green mosaics in mature leaves with overt symptoms when compared to green‐islands of the same leaf, but overnight carbohydrate loses were comparable to controls. Because leaves with attenuated symptoms showed no further symptom development whereas the pale‐green mosaics became yellow and eventually necrotic in leaves with overt symptoms, it seems unlikely that carbohydrate accumulation following impaired translocation was responsible for symptom expression. High carbohydrate status in leaves with attenuated symptoms had little effect on nonphotochemical quenching during early stages of photosynthetic induction. In leaves with overt symptoms, areas of high carbohydrate status with pale‐green mosaics showed markedly slower nonphotochemical quenching. Early symptom areas of young leaves, and advanced symptom areas of mature leaves had low starch contents but were otherwise similar to controls in carbohydrate status. Impaired nonphotochemical quenching in these tissues tended to reflect the state of symptom development, rather than carbohydrate status. Plants with overt symptoms grew about half as fast as plants with attenuated symptoms.
Radiologische Diagnostik von Fisteln und Abszessen bei Morbus Crohn: Kosten-Effektivitäts-Analyse zweier bildgebender Verfahren
Authors: Rösch M. , Riber A. , Leidl R.
Published: July 2002

Ziel: Beurteilung der Kosten-Effektivität von Magnetresonanztomographie und konventionellem Enteroklysma nach Sellink in der Diagnostik von enteralen Fisteln und Abszessen bei Patienten mit Morbus Crohn. Material und Methode: Die Kosten-Effektivität der beiden bildgebenden Verfahren wurde mit Hilfe eines entscheidungstheoretischen Modells berechnet, wobei die Daten von 84 Patienten einer klinischen Studie Verwendung fanden. Als primäre Effektgröße wurde ein hinsichtlich entzündlicher Veränderungen bei Morbus Crohn sowie Fisteln und Abszessen richtig diagnostizierter Patient betrachtet, was sowohl die richtig-positive als auch die richtig-negative Diagnose beinhaltete. Die Kosten der beiden Verfahren wurden nach dem Tarifwerk DKG-NT in DM erhoben. Der Einfluss unterschiedlicher Definitionen von Effektgrößen wurde abgeschätzt und uni- und multivariate Sensitivitätsanalysen wurden durchgeführt. Ergebnisse: Die inkrementelle Kosteneffektivität von MRT gegenüber dem Enteroklysma bezifferte sich auf 3119,33 DM pro zusätzlich richtig diagnostiziertem Patienten. Aus den Ergebnissen der Sensitivitätsanalyse ergaben sich Hinweise auf bestimmte Patientensubgruppen (z. B. Patienten mit gesichertem Verdacht auf Morbus Crohn verbunden mit einer hohen Fistel- und Abszessprävalenz), bei denen der zusätzliche Effekt schon für weniger als 1650 DM erzielt werden kann. Schlussfolgerung: Aufgrund dieser Ergebnisse dürfte die MRT aus Sicht klinischer und anderer Entscheidungsträger unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen als wirtschaftliches Verfahren in derMorbus Crohn-Diagnostik angesehen werden. Zur Formulierung einer Behandlungspolitik für Ärzte oder bei der Erstellung eines Leistungskataloges sollten auch die möglicherweise durch MRT eingesparten Folgekosten mitberücksichtigt werden.
Levitation effects involving high T
c thallium based superconductors
Authors: Harter William G. , Hermann A. M. , Sheng Z. Z.
Published: July 2002

The thallium based superconductor Tl2Ca2Ba2Cu3O10+y has been shown to exhibit very stable and unusual levitation equilibria in various arrangements involving this material and permanent magnets. Attractive and repulsive forces are evident in experiments in which samples are levitated above and below magnets. Photographs of these experiments and approximate quantitative discussions of the results are given.
InGaAs/GaAs/InGaP multiple-quantum-well lasers prepared by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Kuo J. M. , Chen Y. K. , Wu M. C. , Chin M. A.
Published: July 2002

We report on the first room-temperature operation of aluminum-free In0.2Ga0.8As/GaAs/ In0.49Ga0.51P multiple-quantum-well lasers grown by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy. These lasers have low threshold current density Jth of 177 A/cm2, high internal quantum efficiency of 91%, and low internal waveguide loss of 9.1 cm−1. The characteristic temperature T0 is 150 K, which is the highest value ever reported. These results demonstrate that gas-source molecular beam epitaxy is suitable for growing high-quality In0.2Ga0.8As/GaAs/In0.49Ga0.51P lasers.
Hydrogen detection based on coloration of anodic tungsten oxide film
Authors: Ito K. , Ohgami T.
Published: July 2002

A novel method for detecting hydrogen was developed by using very thin palladium overlayer-anodic oxide film-tungsten sheet structure. Its optical reflectance is modulated by the presence of hydrogen in the ambient gas. The effect can be explained by the free electron modulation of optical constants of the oxide film. It is a prerequisite for fast hydrogen detection that the film consists of hydrated tungsten oxide WO3⋅H2O. The present hydrogen detector has optical readouts compatible to both thin film micro-optics and fiber optics.
Multiquantum well structure with an average electron mobility of 4.0×106 cm2/V s
Authors: Pfeiffer L. N. , West K. W. , Eisenstein J. P. , Baldwin K. W. , Gammel P.
Published: July 2002

We report a modulation-doped multiquantum well structure which suppresses the usual ambient light effect associated with modulation doping. Ten GaAs quantum wells 300-Å wide are symmetrically modulation doped using Si δ doping at the center of 3600-Å-wide Al0.1Ga0.9As barriers. The low field mobility of each well is 4.0×106 cm/V s at a density of 6.4×1010 cm−2 measured at 0.3 K either in the dark, or during, or after, exposure to light. This mobility is an order of magnitude improvement over previous work on multiwells.
Colloid formation effects on depth profile of implanted Ag in SiO2 glass
Authors: Matsunami Noriaki , Hosono Hideo
Published: July 2002

Ag+ ions of 150 keV were implanted into SiO2 glasses at room temperature to doses of 0.1–60×1016/cm2. Formation of Ag colloids in SiO2 glasses was observed by the cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy and optical absorption spectra. An anticorrelation is found between the Ag colloid size and the width of the Ag depth profile measured by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. At low dose, the size of Ag colloids is small (<10 nm in diameter) and the Ag depth profile is close to that of a simulation calculation. At increasing dose, small Ag colloids and/or Ag atoms aggregate to grow up to ∼40 nm and the width of the Ag depth profile is reduced to ∼50 nm, which is close to the above colloid size, indicating that the size of a Ag colloid particle controls the Ag depth profile. The size and shape of colloids are the keys which modify the optical properties by metallic ion implantation for applications such as optical isolators.
Formation of carbon nitride films on Si(100) substrates by electron cyclotron resonance plasma assisted vapor deposition
Authors: Bousetta A. , Lu M. , Bensaoula A. , Schultz A.
Published: July 2002

We report the growth of thin carbon nitride films on Si(100) substrates at temperatures in the range of 100–700 °C using electron-beam evaporation of graphite assisted with electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma generated nitrogen species. The effect of the substrate temperature, and the nitrogen flow on the composition ratio C/N, and the C—N bonding were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), and Raman spectroscopy. The FTIR spectra show that the films produced exhibit a very high visible to infrared transmittance (0.85–0.95). These spectra were dominated by amine group (NH2) with the presence of C-N stretching modes. From both RBS and XPS, the nitrogen concentration in the film was calculated and was found in the range of 24%–48%, depending on the nitrogen partial pressure in the ECR source. Raman spectrum of the high nitrogen content thin film shows a well resolved peak at 1275 cm−1 suggesting the formation of a fourfold coordinated (sp3) CN film.
Oxidation of silicon nitride prepared by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition at low temperature
Authors: Liao Wen-Shiang , Lin Chi-Huei , Lee Si-Chen
Published: July 2002

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon nitride (a-SiNx:H) films have been fabricated by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition at temperatures ranging from 50 to 250 °C. It is found that as soon as the samples are taken out from the reaction chamber and exposed to the atmosphere, the a-SiNx:H films start to oxide. The oxidation processes are monitored using infrared absorption spectroscopy. A model of porous ‘‘fractal-like network’’ structure, which is probably inherent in low-temperature deposition, is proposed to explain why moisture (H2O) in the air can percolate through numerous microvoids into these films. The H2O molecules which percolate into these porous films are active to react with the —Si—N—Si—, —Si—N—H, and —N—Si—-H bonds and to form more chemically stabilized —Si—O—Si—, —Si—O—H, and H—O—H bond configurations with the result of eventual oxidization of the entire nitride films.
Phonon dispersion measurements at high pressures to 7 GPa by inelastic neutron scattering
Authors: Klotz S. , Besson J. M. , Schwoerer-Böhning M. , Nelmes R. J. , Braden M. , Pintschovius L.
Published: July 2002

A novel technique for the investigation of phonon dispersion curves by inelastic neutron scattering under high pressure is presented. The method uses tungsten carbide (WC) opposed anvils with a spheroidal pressure chamber, to compress samples embedded in NaCl by a hydraulic press of 250 tons capacity. The potential of the technique is illustrated by measurements of transverse acoustic phonons of germanium and Fe3Pt up to 7 GPa. Typical scan times were 2–3 h. It is shown that accurate determinations of mode Grüneisen parameters are possible and suggest that similar studies using this technique may be feasible for a wide range of solids to pressures beyond 10 GPa.
Apparatus for film-thickness measurements of postwithdrawal drainage
Authors: Schlesinger M. , De Kee D. , Godo M. N.
Published: July 2002

A method based upon laser interferometry is developed to measure the transient film-thickness profiles in the postwithdrawal drainage of viscoelastic suspensions. The interference patterns, produced by a Mach–Zender interferometric arrangement, were recorded and subsequently analyzed using a microcomputer which was interfaced with a number of photodetectors. Experimental verification of the new technique was established by examining Newtonian mixtures of glycerine and water. The experimental arrangement demonstrated greater accuracy than previously employed techniques of film-thickness measurement.
Compact, transportable, and multipurpose high-pressure unit for UV–VIS spectroscopic measurements at pressures up to 200 MPa
Authors: Spitzer M. , Gartig F. , van Eldik R.
Published: July 2002

The construction of a compact, transportable, and multipurpose high-pressure unit consisting of a pressure generating system and a four-window optical UV–VIS high-pressure cell for spectroscopic measurements at pressures up to 200 MPa is described. The pressure generating system can be operated with a wide range of liquids suitable as pressurizing medium. The optical cell can be used for spectroscopic and kinetic (flash photolysis and laser induced T-jump) measurements.
Apparatus for filling the pillbox high-pressure optical cell under unaerobic conditions
Authors: Wieland S. , van Eldik R.
Published: July 2002

The construction of a special apparatus is reported that allows a quick and easy filling of the pillbox optical cell under unaerobic conditions for photochemical and spectroscopic measurements at elevated pressure.
A simple recirculating pump for high-pressure high-purity gas
Authors: Torzo G.
Published: July 2002

A bellow-pump allows to circulate high-purity gas at high pressure without contaminating the sample. Its main features are low cost, simple design, easy operation, all-metal construction, and adjustable flow rate.
Measurement of internal magnetic field pitch using Li pellet injection on TFTR (invited)
Authors: Terry J. L. , Marmar E. S. , Howell R. B. , Bell M. , Cavallo A. , Fredrickson E. , Ramsey A. , Schmidt G. L. , Stratton B. , Taylor G. , Mauel M. E.
Published: July 2002

A diagnostic technique which measures the direction of the internal magnetic field pitch angle has been used successfully on TFTR. The technique requires the injection of high-speed Li pellets. The magnetic field direction is measured by observing the polarization direction of the intense visible line emission from Li+ (λ≊5485 Å, 1s2p 3P0,1,2→1s2s 3S0) in the pellet ablation cloud. The presence of the large (primarily toroidal) magnetic field causes the line to be split due to the Zeeman effect, and the unshifted π component is polarized with its polarization direction parallel to the local magnetic field. In devices with sufficiently strong fields (B≳4.5 T), the Zeeman splitting of the line is large enough, relative to the linewidth of each Zeeman component, that enough residual polarization remains. Because the pellet moves about 1 cm before the Li+ is ionized (τionization≲10 μs), the time history of the polarization direction (as the pellet penetrates from the outside toward the plasma center) yields the local magnetic field direction. In the TFTR experiment, spatial resolution of the measurement is typically ∼7 cm, limited by the requirement that a large number of photons must be collected in order to make the measurement of the polarization angle. Typically, the pitch of the field is measured with an accuracy of ±0.01 rad, limited by the photon statistics. The measurements of the internal field pitch angle, combined with external magnetic measurements, have been used in a code which finds the solution of the Grad–Shafranov equation, yielding the equilibrium which is the best fit to the measured inputs. The q profile constructed from this equilibrium is believed to be accurate to ∼±10% over the region where there are internal magnetic measurements. Internal field measurements and equilibrium reconstructions have been performed for a variety of TFTR discharges, including 1.6 MA ohmic plasmas where the internal field is measured at the beginning of the current flat top (before the onset of sawteeth) and 2 s into the flat top (with sawteeth), and in extremely high βp(Ip=0.3 MA, βp≊4.5) discharges.
Broad-beam ion sources (invited)
Authors: Kaufman Harold R.
Published: July 2002

The technology and history of broad-beam ion sources is reviewed. These ion sources were initially developed in the electric space-propulsion programs carried out by NASA and other organizations in several countries, and are now extensively used in industrial applications.
SuperMAXIMUM: A Schwarzschild-based, spectromicroscope for ELETTRA
Authors: Welnak J. , Dong Z. , Solak H. , Wallace J. , Cerrina F. , Bertolo M. , Bianco A. , Di Fonzo S. , Fontana S. , Jark W. , Mazzolini F. , Rosei R. , Savoia A. , Underwood J. H. , Margaritondo G.
Published: July 2002

X ray microscopy excels on high-brightness sources, such as the Advanced Light Source and ELETTRA, where there is a good match between the source and optics phase spaces. In these conditions, diffraction-limited operation becomes possible with large flux. We will discuss the development of a second-generation x ray scanning spectromicroscope; an evolution of the MAXIMUM project at the University of Wisconsin. The new tool is called SuperMAXIMUM and will be installed on ELETTRA in Trieste, Italy.