bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RobustH∞control of uncertain linear impulsive stochastic systems
Authors: Chen Wu‐Hua , Wang Jun‐Ge , Tang You‐Jian , Lu Xiaomei
Published: October 2007

This paper develops robust stability theorems and robustH∞control theory for uncertain impulsive stochastic systems. The parametric uncertainties are assumed to be time varying and norm bounded. Impulsive stochastic systems can be divided into three cases, namely, the systems with stable/stabilizable continuous‐time stochastic dynamics and unstable/unstabilizable discrete‐time dynamics, the systems with unstable/unstabilizable continuous dynamics and stable/stabilizable discrete‐time dynamics, and the systems in which both the continuous‐time stochastic dynamics and the discrete‐time dynamics are stable/stabilizable. Sufficient conditions for robust exponential stability and robust stabilization for uncertain impulsive stochastic systems are derived in terms of an average dwell‐time condition. Then, a linear matrix inequality‐based approach to the design of a robustH∞controller for each system is presented. Finally, the numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transmission friction in an electric mining shovel
Authors: Austin Kevin J. , McAree P. Ross
Published: October 2007

Friction is a phenomenon present in all mechanical systems and is undesirable in estimation and control tasks. This paper explores the characteristics of friction in the transmission of an electric mining shovel, with a view to compensating for them. Experiments suggest that the transmission friction can be described by a Coulomb friction model with associated uncertainty on the friction force. The Kalman Inverse Filter is evaluated as a method for adaptively estimating the friction for motion of the bucket through free‐space. The friction estimates are consistent with experimental results. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A model of work wellness for non‐professional counsellors in South Africa
Authors: Fourie Lukas , Rothmann Sebastiaan , van de Vijver Fons J. R.
Published: October 2007

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of job demands, job resources and sense of coherence on the burnout and work engagement of non‐professional counsellors in South African banks. A cross‐sectional survey design was used. The sample consisted of 165 non‐professional counsellors doing trauma counselling in three of the major banks in South Africa. The Maslach Burnout Inventory—Human Services Survey, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Orientation to Life Questionnaire and Job Characteristics Scale were administered. A good fit was found for a model in which sense of coherence was a positive predictor of perceived low job demands and high availability of job resources and work wellness (low burnout and high work engagement). Non‐professional counsellors with a stronger sense of coherence experienced more work wellness (low burnout and high work engagement) than those with a weaker level of coherence, presumably because stimuli from the environment are perceived as making cognitive sense, as under control of both the counsellor and significant others, and as motivationally relevant and meaningful. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hybrid strategic groups
Authors: DeSarbo Wayne S. , Grewal Rajdeep
Published: October 2007

The notion of strategic groups has recently emerged as a critical perspective for uncovering firms' strategic postures/recipes and competitive market structures. Firms within strategic groups generally adopt similar strategic recipes and compete more intensely than firms across strategic groups. Building on recent research, the authors develop the concept of hybrid strategic groups, which blend the strategic recipes of more than one group, in contrast to existing conceptualizations of strategic groups, where either firms tightly follow the recipes of a strategic group (i.e., core firms) or firms loosely follow the recipes of a strategic group (i.e., secondary firms). Thus, competition among firms depends not only on the strategic group but also on the overlap of that strategic group with other strategic groups. The authors devise a combinatorial optimization‐based classification procedure utilizing a bilinear model that accommodates multiple variable batteries that can estimate hybrid strategic groups. The proposed methodology is illustrated by using archival data on public banks. For this illustration, the hybrid strategic group solution outperforms ordinary cluster analyses and offers critical insights into the nature of competition among firms. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial controls for growth zone formation during the fission yeast cell cycle
Authors: Csikász‐Nagy Attila , Győrffy Béla , Alt Wolfgang , Tyson John J. , Novák Béla
Published: October 2007

Because of its regular shape, fission yeast is becoming an increasingly important organism in the study of cellular morphogenesis. Genetic experiments with mutants and drug treatment studies with wild‐type cells have revealed the importance of microtubules in controlling new growth zone formation. It is believed that microtubules exert this role by delivering to cell ends a ‘dynamic landmark’ protein, tea1p, which promotes actin polymerization and growth zone formation. Here we present a simple model for fission yeast morphogenesis that describes the interplay between these two cytoskeletal elements. An essential assumption of the model is that actin polymerization is a self‐reinforcing process: filamentous actin promotes its own formation from globular actin subunits via regulatory molecules. In our model, microtubules stimulate actin polymerization by delivering a component of the autocatalytic actin‐assembly feedback loop (not by delivering a de novo inducer of actin polymerization). We show that the model captures all the characteristic features of polarized growth in fission yeast during normal mitotic cycles. We categorize the types of growth patterns that can exist in the model and show that they correspond to the major classes of morphogenetic mutants (monopolar, orb, banana and tea). Based on these results, we propose that fission yeast cells have specific size ranges in which they can exhibit two or more different stable patterns of growth. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical Synthesis of PEDOT–Au Nanocomposite
Authors: Selvaganesh S Vinod , Mathiyarasu J , Phani KLN , Yegnaraman V
Published: October 2007

In this work, gold-incorporated polyethylenedioxythiophene nanocomposite material has been synthesized chemically, employing reverse emulsion polymerization method. Infrared and Raman spectroscopic studies revealed that the polymerization of ethylenedioxythiophene leads to the formation of polymer polyethylenedioxythiophene incorporating gold nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscope studies showed the formation of polymer nanorods of 50–100 nm diameter and the X-ray diffraction analysis clearly indicates the presence of gold nanoparticles of 50 nm in size.
Bridging the gap between pain and gender research: A selective literature review
Authors: Bernardes Sónia F. , Keogh Edmund , Lima Maria Luísa
Published: October 2007

Evidence suggests that males and females differ with respect to the perception and experience of pain. Much of this work focuses on biological factors, yet it is also acknowledged that psychosocial issues are important. Within humans, socially and culturally constructed meanings of being and acting as a man or a woman should help us understand sex‐related differences in pain. However, such an approach has not been widely adopted, partly because of problems conveying sex and gender concepts. We argue here for an assimilation of gender studies concepts into pain research as a means of developing our understanding of the psychosocial influences on pain in men and women. In order to bridge the gap between gender studies and pain, we draw on theoretical developments in such gender concepts, and illustrate their application to pain. We make use of Doise's [Doise W. Levels of explanation in social psychology [Mapstone E, Trans.]. Cambridge (UK): Cambridge University Press. 1986 [original work published 1982]] meta‐theoretical model of levels of explanation in social psychology to show how gender may be conceptualized at an intra‐individual, situational, positional and ideological level of analysis. We then selectively review existing gender and pain research using these different levels of explanation. In doing so we also highlight that by considering the gender conceptualizations underpinning such studies we are able to point to directions for future research. We conclude by arguing that this approach opens up a new avenue for pain researchers, which we hope will further our understanding of this interesting phenomena.
Interaction of brain somatostatin receptors with the PDZ domains of PSD‐95
Authors: Christenn Marcus , Kindler Stefan , Schulz Stefan , Buck Friedrich , Richter Dietmar , Kreienkamp Hans-Jürgen
Published: October 2007

Using peptide affinity purification, we identified an interaction between somatostatin receptors SSTR4 and SSTR1 and PDZ domains 1 and 2 of the postsynaptic proteins postsynaptic density protein of 95 kDa (PSD‐95) and PSD‐93. The existence of the SSTR4/PSD‐95 complex was verified by coimmunoprecipitation from transfected cells and solubilized brain membranes. In neurons, dendritically localized SSTR4 partially colocalizes with postsynaptic PSD‐95. As functional parameters of the receptor, such as coupling to potassium channels, are not affected by the interaction with PSD‐95, the association may serve to localize the receptor to postsynaptic sites.
Cysteine cathepsins are not involved in Fas/CD95 signalling in primary skin fibroblasts
Authors: Bojič Lea , Petelin Ana , Stoka Veronika , Reinheckel Thomas , Peters Christoph , Turk Vito , Turk Boris
Published: October 2007

The potential role of cysteine cathepsins, especially cathepsin B, in Fas/CD95‐induced apoptosis was investigated using wild‐type and cathepsin B‐deficient primary skin fibroblasts. Apoptosis was induced with an anti‐Fas/CD95 antibody in the presence of cycloheximide and no difference was observed between the two genotypes. First cells with damaged mitochondria were observed ∼3 h post apoptosis induction and their number was significantly increased after 11 h. In contrast, cells with damaged lysosomes were only seen after 15 h with no difference between the two genotypes. Moreover, Bid cleavage was found to be diminished in cathepsin B‐deficient cells. These results suggest that cysteine cathepsins have no active role in Fas/CD95 apoptosis.
Hypoxia/Notch signaling in primary culture of rat lymphatic endothelial cells
Authors: Ota Hideki , Katsube Ken-ichi , Ogawa Jyun-ichi , Yanagishita Masaki
Published: October 2007

We have developed an improved intralumenal digestion method to get a long‐term primary culture of rat lymphatic endothelial cells (rLECs) that maintained their original phenotypes. rLECs in vitro under hypoxia retained their original lymphatic properties observed in the thoracic duct. Blocking Notch signal with a γ‐secretase inhibitor and transfection of a cDNA expressing a dominant negative form of Delta1 indicated that Notch signal downregulated VEGFR‐2 under hypoxia and inhibited cell migration. These findings indicated that Notch signal was still operative in mature lymphatic endothelial cells in response to the oxygen concentration.
SIMILARITIES IN THE SURNAMES OF ISLAND AND CONTINENTAL POPULATIONS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN AREA
Authors: LUCCHETTI E. , TASSO M. , PIZZETTI P. , DE IASIO S. , CARAVELLO G. U.
Published: October 2007

This paper compares the structures of the surnames of 75 municipal populations living in six north-western Mediterranean regions. Its purpose is to unravel the relations between the local populations in Corsica and Sardinia and the links between these populations and those living in the Italian and French continental territory. On the basis of the matrix of similarity of surnames, some topological representations have been drafted showing the above-mentioned relations between populations under the light of their geographical position, their recent history and studies of genetic analysis. Corsica has an eterogeneous surname structure and evident similarity of the north with Tuscany and some centres of continental France. When only the populations of Sardinia were taken into consideration, it emerged that they differ among each other in relation to their geographical position and their history; when, instead, they were considered in relation to other populations outside the island, it was possible to observe that they form a highly different cluster. This study also identified many differences in the analysed geographical areas of Sardinia. In the minor islands – Elba, Giglio, Capraia – the structure of the surnames has a Tuscan origin as well as some similarity with other geographically distant areas, as in the case of the island of Giglio, if compared with some communities of Liguria.
Hepatic fibrosis and Fasciola hepatica infection in cattle
Authors: A. Marcos Luis , Yi Pedro , Machicado Alfredo , Andrade Roy , Samalvides Frine , Sánchez Juvenal , Terashima Angélica
Published: October 2007

This study focuses on the development of fibrosis of the liver of cattle with Fasciola hepatica infection, correlating with the intensity of infection. Animals with an established diagnosis of chronic F. hepatica infection were identified in a slaughterhouse in Lima, Perú. The study included 24 fresh cattle livers from infected animals and two uninfected controls. Tissues were stored at 4°C for approximately 8 h after which they were brought to a necropsy room and examined. Between 9 and 12 biopsies were randomly obtained from each liver. Histological staining of formalin-fixed liver sections with haematoxylin and eosin (H & E) and Masson's trichrome were performed. Liver samples were examined using a pathology protocol that included 30 items. Histopathologically, 16 out of 30 liver specimens (67.6%) showed diffuse fibrotic lesions (cirrhosis) with a mean number of Fasciola of 116 ± 30 (range 4–435). Pathological data were matched to number of adult parasites and presence of cirrhosis after being reviewed by two independent pathologists. There was concordance between the two pathologists (K = 0.72). The group with cirrhosis showed an average of 116 ± 30 adult parasites whereas the group not showing cirrhosis contained 56 ± 28 flukes (P = 0.2). To measure how number of flukes and diagnosis of cirrhosis are related we used Kendall's tau-b coefficient; the correlation was +0.296 (P = 0.04). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve results showed that the best point was 38 parasite adults, which had 93.8% sensitivity and 75% specificity. We conclude that as the number of F. hepatica adult forms increases, the likelihood of developing liver fibrosis will also increase in cattle.
Folate and vitamin B12: friendly or enemy nutrients for the elderly
Authors: Cuskelly Geraldine J. , Mooney Kathleen M. , Young Ian S.
Published: October 2007

In the UK vitamin B12deficiency occurs in approximately 20% of adults aged >65 years. This incidence is significantly higher than that among the general population. The reported incidence invariably depends on the criteria of deficiency used, and in fact estimates rise to 24% and 46% among free-living and institutionalised elderly respectively when methylmalonic acid is used as a marker of vitamin B12status. The incidence of, and the criteria for diagnosis of, deficiency have drawn much attention recently in the wake of the implementation of folic acid fortification of flour in the USA. This fortification strategy has proved to be extremely successful in increasing folic acid intakes pre-conceptually and thereby reducing the incidence of neural-tube defects among babies born in the USA since 1998. However, in successfully delivering additional folic acid to pregnant women fortification also increases the consumption of folic acid of everyone who consumes products containing flour, including the elderly. It is argued that consuming additional folic acid (as ‘synthetic’ pteroylglutamic acid) from fortified foods increases the risk of ‘masking’ megaloblastic anaemia caused by vitamin B12deficiency. Thus, a number of issues arise for discussion. Are clinicians forced to rely on megaloblastic anaemia as the only sign of possible vitamin B12deficiency? Is serum vitamin B12alone adequate to confirm vitamin B12deficiency or should other diagnostic markers be used routinely in clinical practice? Is the level of intake of folic acid among the elderly (post-fortification) likely to be so high as to cure or ‘mask’ the anaemia associated with vitamin B12deficiency?
Getting and maintaining attention in talk to young children
Authors: ESTIGARRIBIA BRUNO , CLARK EVE V.
Published: October 2007

When two people talk about an object, they depend on joint attention, a prerequisite for setting up common ground in a conversational exchange. In this study, we analyze this process for parent and child, with data from 40 dyads, to show how adults initiate joint attention in talking to young children (mean ages 1 ; 6 and 3 ; 0). Adults first get their children's attention with a summons (e.g.Ready?,See this?), but cease using such forms once children give evidence of attending. Children signal their attention by looking at the target object, evidence used by the adults. Only at that point do adults begin to talk about the object. From then on, they use language and gesture to offer information about and maintain attention on the target. The techniques adults rely on are interactive: they establish joint attention and maintain it throughout the exchange.
Special units and ideal class groups of extensions of imaginary quadratic fields
Authors: CHA BYUNGCHUL
Published: October 2007

Let K be an imaginary quadratic field, and let F be an abelian extension of K, containing the Hilbert class field of K. We fix a rational prime p > 2 which does not divide the number of roots of unity in the Hilbert class field of K. Also, we assume that the prime p does not divide the order of the Galois group G:=Gal(F/K). Let AF be the ideal class group of F, and EF be the group of global units of F. The purpose of this paper is to study the Galois module structures of AF and EF.
Hurewicz test sets for generalized separation and reduction
Authors: MÁTRAI TAMÁS
Published: October 2007

We prove a Hurewicz-type theorem for generalized separation: we present a method which allows us to test if for a sequence of Borel sets (Ai)i > ω satisfying $\bigcap_{i <\omega} A_{i} = \phis$ there is a sequence (Bi)i < ω of Π0ξ sets such that $A_{i} \ss B_{i}$ $(i <\omega)$ and $\bigcap_{i <\omega} B_{i} = \phis$ or not. We also prove an analogous result for generalized reduction. The results of the paper are motivated by a Hurewicz-type theorem of A. Louveau and J. Saint Raymond on ordinary separation of analytic sets.
Deficiency and abelianized deficiency of some virtually free groups
Authors: BRIDSON MARTIN R. , TWEEDALE MICHAEL
Published: October 2007

LetQmbe the HNN extension ofZ/m×Z/mwhere the stable letter conjugates the first factor to the second. We explore small presentations of the groups Γm,n=Qm*Qn. We show that for certain choices of (m,n), for example (2,3), the group Γm,nhas a relation gap unless it admits a presentation with at most 3 defining relations, and we establish restrictions on the possible form of such a presentation. We then associate to each (m,n) a 3-complex with 16 cells. This 3-complex is a counterexample to theD(2) conjecture if Γm,nhas a relation gap.
Symmetric pairs and associated commuting varieties
Authors: PANYUSHEV DMITRI , YAKIMOVA OKSANA
Published: October 2007

Let $\g=\g_0\oplus\g_1$ be a $\mathbb Z_2$-grading of a simple Lie algebra $\g$. The commuting variety associated with such a grading is the variety of pairs of commuting elements from $\g_1$. We study the problem of irreducibility of these varieties. Using invariant-theoretic technique, we present new instances of reducible and irreducible commuting varieties.
The role of algebraic solutions in planar polynomial differential systems
Authors: GIACOMINI HÉCTOR , GINÉ JAUME , GRAU MAITE
Published: October 2007

We study a planar polynomial differential system, given by$\dot{x}=P(x,y)$, $\dot{y}=Q(x,y)$. We consider a function$I(x,y)=\exp\!\{h_2(x) A_1(x,y) \diagup A_0(x,y) \}$ $ h_1(x)\prod_{i=1}^{\ell} (y-g_i(x))^{\alpha_i}$, wheregi(x) are algebraic functions of$x$, $A_1(x,y)=\prod_{k=1}^r (y-a_k(x))$, $A_0(x,y)=\prod_{j=1}^s (y-\tilde{g}_j(x))$withak(x) and$\tilde{g}_j(x)$algebraic functions,A0(x,y) andA1(x,y) do not share any common factor,h2(x) is a rational function,h(x) andh1(x) are functions ofxwith a rational logarithmic derivative and$\alpha_i \in \mathbb{C}$. We show that ifI(x,y) is a first integral or an integrating factor, thenI(x,y) is a Darboux function. A Darboux function is a function of the form$f_1^{\lambda_1} \cdots f_p^{\lambda_p} \exp\{h/f_0\}$, wherefiandhare polynomials in$\mathbb{C}[x,y]$and the λi's are complex numbers. In order to prove this result, we show that ifg(x) is an algebraic particular solution, that is, if there exists an irreducible polynomialf(x,y) such thatf(x,g(x)) ≡ 0, thenf(x,y) = 0 is an invariant algebraic curve of the system. In relation with this fact, we give some characteristics related to particular solutions and functions of the formI(x,y) such as the structure of their cofactor.

Moreover, we considerA0(x,y),A1(x,y) andh2(x) as before and a function of the form$\Phi(x,y):= \exp \{h_2(x)\, A_1(x,y)/A_0 (x,y) \}$. We show that if the derivative of Φ(x,y) with respect to the flow is well defined over {(x,y):A0(x,y) = 0} then Φ(x,y) gives rise to an exponential factor. This exponential factor has the form exp {R(x,y)} where$R=h_2 A_1/A_0 + B_1/B_0$and withB1/B0a function of the same form ash2A1/A0. Hence, exp {R(x,y)} factorizes as the product Φ(x,y) Ψ(x,y), for Ψ(x,y): = exp {B1/B0.
Skin infections among Indigenous Australians in an urban setting in Far North Queensland
Authors: VALERY P. C. , WENITONG M. , CLEMENTS V. , SHEEL M. , McMILLAN D. , STIRLING J. , SRIPRAKASH K. S. , BATZLOFF M. , VOHRA R. , McCARTHY J. S.
Published: October 2007

Skin infections are highly prevalent in many Australian Aboriginal communities. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of group A streptococcus (GAS) andStaphylococcus aureusin skin sores of Indigenous people living in an urban setting. We undertook a cross-sectional study of 173 children and youths attending the Wuchopperen Clinic (Cairns) for treatment of skin infections. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, and a skin lesion swab obtained. The median age was 5·3 years, with 42% identifying themselves as Torres Strait Islanders and 34% as Aboriginal. Impetigo (65%) was the most frequent diagnosis reported followed by scabies (19%); 79% of the lesions had erythema and 70% had exudate. Of 118 lesions, 114 were positive for pathogenic bacteria, with GAS isolated in 84 cases andS. aureusin 92; both these species were recovered from 63 lesions. Significant diversity ofemm-types of GAS was associated with skin lesions in Indigenous patients (22emm-types identified). Fifteen of the 92S. aureusisolates were suggestive of being community-acquired on the basis of antimicrobial susceptibility profile and nine of these strains were co-cultured from nine lesions. These results have implications for future changes of antibiotic policies for the treatment of skin infections in this population.
Time and the elements
Authors: Raderschall Roland
Published: October 2007

In landscape architecture, building simply was the rule in the past, because building materials and processes were natural, local and common. This all began to change during the 1950s, when concrete became popular, synthetics replaced natural building techniques, and tropical woods became standard for outdoor use. The use of these materials was taken for granted in day-to-day office work for many years. My own attitude changed some time in the 1980s, when Minimal and Conceptual Art became significant and the emerging environmental concerns began to make an impact.
Is relative sustainability relevant?
Authors: Hrivnak Jess
Published: October 2007

The term ‘sustainability’ is often used as a woolly term for everything that is good and desirable. Besides, ‘sustainability’ is a subjective area, which can be difficult to quantify. Any construction project has a wide range of environmental impacts, each of which may have been measured in a different way. Energy may have been measured in terms of carbon dioxide emissions, whereas wood or mineral extraction is generally measured volumetrically, making comparisons between environmental impacts difficult to determine. Various methodologies seek to standardise impacts for comparative purposes and the guiding principle for any environmental assessment is a comparison to the existing building stock, and a result is invariably in terms of a building's relative sustainability. However, to some it is not a matter of being ‘more’ or ‘less’ sustainable. You either are or you are not, therefore relative sustainability is not a valid concept. The discussion of sustainability in this paper is not a debate on the semantics of the term, but ultimately the purist's view does lead to the question whether there can ever be such a thing as a sustainable building and indeed what the role of architecture in the context of sustainability is.
The representation of grammatical gender in the bilingual lexicon: Evidence from Greek and German
Authors: SALAMOURA ANGELIKI , WILLIAMS JOHN N.
Published: October 2007

This paper investigates the shared or independent nature of grammatical gender representations in the bilingual mental lexicon and the role word form similarity (as in the case of cognates) plays in these representations. In a translation task from Greek (L1) to German (L2), nouns that had the same gender in both languages were translated faster than nouns with different genders, but only when the L2 target utterance required computation of gender agreement (adjective + noun). This tendency held for both cognates and noncognates. Unlike noncognates, however, gender-incongruent cognates yielded more errors than gender-congruent cognates. These results are interpreted as evidence for a shared L1–L2 gender system with L2 cognates relying more heavily on the L1 gender value than noncognates.
Unexpectedly high prevalence of akathisia in cancer patients
Authors: Kawanishi Chiaki , Onishi Hideki , Kato Daiji , Kishida Ikuko , Furuno Taku , Wada Makoto , Hirayasu Yoshio
Published: October 2007

Objectives:

Complications of neuropsychiatric disorders are often detected in cancer patients. Adjustment disorders, depression, or delirium are common psychiatric disorders in these patients, and drug-induced neuropsychiatric problems are sometimes referred for psychiatric consultation. Prochlorperazine and other antiemetic drugs that are phenothiazine derivates are also reported to cause akathisia due to the blockade of the dopamine receptor in the central nervous system, but the prevalence of akathisia in patients undergoing cancer treatment has not been reported. This study seeks to explore the prevalence of such drug-induced syndromes (e.g., akathisia) in this population.

Methods:

This present study was a prospective study. The subjects of this study were 483 consecutive patients with cancer who had been referred to the Department of Psychiatry in Kanagawa Prefecture Cancer Center from February 1, 2004, to November 30, 2005. Trained psychiatrists conducted a nonstructured psychiatric interview and neurologic examination to establish psychiatric diagnoses according to DSM-IV and the presence or absence of drug-induced extra pyramidal symptoms. The past and current medications used in their cancer treatment were also examined in detail for an accurate evaluation.

Results:

A psychiatric diagnosis was made in 420 (87.0%) of the 483 cancer patients examined, and akathisia, a drug-induced movement disorder, was unexpectedly prevalent among the patients; 20 of 420 (4.8%) patients had developed akathisia from an antiemetic drug, prochlorperazine.

Significance of results:

Diagnosing such adverse drug reactions may be difficult due to complicating factors in cancer treatment, and the inner restlessness observed in akathisia is likely to be regarded as a symptom of a primary psychiatric disorder. The authors suggest that oncologists should optimize the use of antiemetic drugs and be aware of akathisia as a possible complication of cancer treatment.
Bereaved spouses' adjustment after the patients' death in palliative care
Authors: Carlsson Maria E. , Nilsson Ingrid M.
Published: October 2007

Objectives:

To improve the support to bereaved spouses during the year after the patient's death, a project was started consisting of three visits by a nurse (after 1, 3, and 13 months) with conversations about the patient's death and the spouse's life situation. The aim of this study was to describe the bereaved spouse's situation and adaptation during the first year after the loss.

Methods:

Spouses of patients cared for by The Advanced Home Care Team (APHCT) in Uppsala, Sweden, were invited to participate in the project. Each participant was encouraged to talk freely about his or her situation, but enough direction was given to ensure that all items listed on a standardized questionnaire were covered.

Results:

Fifty-one spouses met the inclusion criteria and were invited to participate and 45 accepted. The subjects felt quite healthy but were tired and suffered from sleep disturbance. The grief reactions had initially been high but showed a significant decline from 1 to 13 months (p < .01). Forty-nine percent had experienced postbereavement hallucinations.

Significance of results:

This study showed that the bereaved spouses felt quite healthy and adjusted quite well to their new life situation, after the patient's death in a palliative care setting. The grief reactions had initially been high but showed a significant decline during the year.
Tocopherol Fate in Plasma and Liver of Streptozotocin-Treated Rats that Orally Received Antioxidants and Spirulina Extracts
Authors: García-Martínez  , Rupérez  , Ugarte  , Barbas
Published: October 2007

Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats constitute a model of oxidative stress, and vitamin E continues to be a topic of speculation in this area. On the other hand, marine extracts, particularly microalgae extracts obtained with environmentally clean technologies and which demonstrate antioxidant activity in vitro, are a potential source of in vivo antioxidant defense. We have studied the α-tocopherol content in the plasma and liver of diabetic rats after 7 and 14 days under the condition, and before and after the treatment with vitamin E and C, as well as with different Spirulina extracts, as compared with the corresponding controls. The improvement of analytical methodology related to the determination of α-tocopherol in the plasma and liver of rats was also considered. To do this, a method previously developed for plasma, employing a single extraction step, was adapted and validated for liver after minor modifications. Moreover, stability of α-tocopherol in plasma of diabetic and control animals was compared in different storage conditions. Results showed that diabetic plasma strongly influences stability of α-tocopherol, even at –20° C, but samples are stable for at least one year at –80° C. Finally, regarding supplementation, results indicate that supplementation with α-tocopherol increases stored α-tocopherol in liver, but not in plasma, but this availability is strongly dependent on the stage of diabetes of the animal. Extracts of Spirulina platensis, despite showing antioxidant activity in vitro, increased α-tocopherol concentration in neither plasma nor liver.
On box models of the North Atlantic thermohaline circulation: Intrinsic and extrinsic millennial timescale variability in response to deterministic and stochastic forcing
Authors: Stastna M. , Peltier W. R.
Published: October 2007

Millennial timescale variability in the North Atlantic Ocean circulation is often discussed in terms of concepts that are rooted in the dynamics of simple, low‐dimensional box models. In this study we discuss possible explanatory mechanisms for the millennial timescale oscillations of the North Atlantic Thermohaline Circulation that have been revealed by the Greenland ice core record for the late glacial period. We subject three qualitatively different low‐order models to stochastic and sinusoidal perturbations: (1) a bistable model, (2) a model with a single stable equilibrium point and a single stable periodic orbit (limit cycle) corresponding to a collapse‐flush cycle in the North Atlantic circulation, and (3) a model with a single globally stable equilibrium point which nevertheless exhibits complex behavior when perturbed. We discuss both the physical nature of the model response and its parameter dependence. We conclude that the traditional definition of stochastic resonance should be expanded and that the temporal characteristics of the noise terms should be considered an integral part of model construction, as they profoundly affect the efficacy of a given explanatory mechanism.
Projected changes in Arctic Ocean freshwater budgets
Authors: Holland Marika M. , Finnis Joel , Barrett Andrew P. , Serreze Mark C.
Published: October 2007

Arctic Ocean freshwater budgets are examined from 10 models participating in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report. This includes an analysis of sea ice transport and storage, ocean transport and storage, and net surface flux exchange. Simulated budgets for the late 20th century are compared to available observations, followed by an analysis of simulated changes from 1950 to 2050. The consistent theme over this period is an acceleration of the Arctic hydrological cycle, which is expressed as an increase in the flux of water passing through the hydrologic elements. Increased freshwater inputs to the ocean from net precipitation, river runoff, and net ice melt result. While generally attended by a larger export of liquid freshwater to lower latitudes, primarily through Fram Strait, liquid freshwater storage in the Arctic Ocean increases. In contrast, the export and storage of freshwater in the form of sea ice decreases. The qualitative agreement between models for which the only common forcing is rising greenhouse gas concentrations implicates this greenhouse gas loading as the cause of the change. Although the models perform quite well in their simulations of net precipitation over the Arctic Ocean and terrestrial drainage, they differ significantly regarding the magnitude of the trends and their representation of contemporary mean ocean and sea ice budget terms. To reduce uncertainty in future projections of the Arctic freshwater cycle, the climate models as a group require considerable improvement in these aspects of their simulations.
Impacts of climate warming and permafrost thaw on the riverine transport of nitrogen and phosphorus to the Kara Sea
Authors: Frey Karen E. , McClelland James W. , Holmes Robert M. , Smith Laurence C.
Published: October 2007

Measurements of nitrogen and phosphorus (N and P) concentrations from previously unstudied streams and rivers throughout west Siberia suggest that climate warming and/or associated permafrost thaw will likely amplify the transport of N and P to the Kara Sea and adjacent Arctic Ocean. We present concentrations of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), ammonium (NH4‐N), nitrate (NO3‐N), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) from 96 streams and rivers within the Ob'‐Irtysh, Nadym, and Pur river drainage basins. The sampled sites span ∼106 km2, a large climatic gradient (∼55°N–68°N), and include 41 cold, permafrost‐influenced and 55 warm, permafrost‐free watersheds. Concentrations for all measured watersheds average 765 μg L−1 (DON), 19.3 μg L−1 (NH4‐N), 36.7 μg L−1 (NO3‐N), 821 μg L−1 (TDN), and 104 μg L−1 (TDP). Our results show no statistically significant difference in dissolved inorganic N (NH4‐N and NO3‐N) between permafrost‐influenced and permafrost‐free watersheds. However, we do find significantly higher concentrations of DON, TDN, and TDP in permafrost‐free watersheds (increasing as a function of watershed peatland coverage) than in permafrost‐influenced watersheds. When combined with climate model simulations, these relationships enable a simple “space‐for‐time” substitution to estimate possible increases in N and P release from west Siberia by the year 2100. Results suggest that predicted climate warming in west Siberia will be associated with ∼32–53% increases in DON concentrations, ∼30–50% increases in TDN concentrations, and 29–47% increases in TDP concentrations as averaged across the region. While such increases in N and P are unlikely to significantly influence primary production in the Kara Sea as a whole, they will likely have large local impacts in the Ob' and Yenisey bays and nearshore environments.
Passage of a large interplanetary shock from the inner heliosphere to the heliospheric termination shock and beyond: Its effects on cosmic rays at Voyagers 1 and 2
Authors: Webber W. R. , Cummings A. C. , McDonald F. B. , Stone E. C. , Heikkila B. , Lal N.
Published: October 2007

Using data from the charged particle telescopes on V1 and V2 we have followed the progress of a large interplanetary shock as it passes V2 at a distance of 79 AU at about 2006.16, then later crosses the heliospheric termination shock finally reaching V1 at a distance ∼100 AU. A decrease ∼15% is observed in the V2 >70 MeV rate starting at 2006.19 and three smaller decreases starting at 2006.29, 2006.50 and 2006.86 are observed at V1. From the timing of the first two decreases at V1 we are able to determine that the average shock speed slows down at the termination shock from ∼600 km s−1 to 210–270 km s−1. Decreases of ∼30–50% in anomalous He and galactic H are observed at V2 when the shock passes this location inside the termination shock. Smaller decreases are observed for both of these components when the weakened interplanetary shock passes V1 at 2006.50. These results define the extent and magnitude of solar modulation effects on cosmic rays caused by transients both inside and beyond the termination shock.
Five spacecraft observations of oppositely directed exhaust jets from a magnetic reconnection X‐line extending > 4.26 × 106 km in the solar wind at 1 AU
Authors: Gosling J. T. , Eriksson S. , Blush L. M. , Phan T. D. , Luhmann J. G. , McComas D. J. , Skoug R. M. , Acuna M. H. , Russell C. T. , Simunac K. D.
Published: October 2007

Observations of oppositely directed plasma jets within an extended, bifurcated current sheet in the solar wind by a flotilla of five well‐separated spacecraft (STEREO A and B, ACE, Wind and Geotail) on 11 March 2007 demonstrate that magnetic reconnection X‐lines in the solar wind can extend to distances at least as great as 4.26 × 106 km (0.0284 AU) in the presence of a significant and variable guide field. The observations also indicate that reconnection in the solar wind can persist for at least 5 hours and 20 minutes. These minimum values are the largest yet obtained from direct measurements of reconnection exhaust flows in a space plasma. Both dynamic processes in the reconnection region and the spherical expansion of the solar wind probably contribute to the production of long X‐lines in the solar wind.
Equatorial electron beams and auroral structuring at Jupiter
Authors: Mauk Barry H. , Saur Joachim
Published: October 2007

It has been reported that low‐altitude regions of downward electric current on auroral magnetic field lines are sites of dramatic upward magnetic field‐aligned electron acceleration that generates intense magnetic field‐aligned electron beams within Earth's equatorial middle magnetosphere. Field‐aligned equatorial electron beams also are observed within Jupiter's middle magnetosphere. The mystery about these Jovian beams is that they are observed in a region thought to map to Jupiter's brightest aurora and on field lines that generally carry electric current away from Jupiter's atmosphere rather than toward the atmosphere as anticipated at Earth. Here we develop procedures for quantifying the character of the Jupiter electron beams (for example, how confined they are with respect to the magnetic field‐aligned directions). We apply the procedures to the highest time resolution electron data available from the Galileo Energetic Particle Detector (EPD). We find that the Jupiter equatorial electron beams are spatially and/or temporally structured (down to <20 km at auroral altitudes, or less than several minutes), with regions of intense beams intermixed with regions absent of such beams. We suggest that, as with the situation at Earth, Jupiter's circuit of electric currents that supports its brightest aurora is structured, with regions of upward current intermixed with regions of downward current.
Measurements of PANs during the New England Air Quality Study 2002
Authors: Roberts J. M. , Marchewka M. , Bertman S. B. , Sommariva R. , Warneke C. , de Gouw J. , Kuster W. , Goldan P. , Williams E. , Lerner B. M. , Murphy P. , Fehsenfeld F. C.
Published: October 2007

Measurements of peroxycarboxylic nitric anhydrides (PANs) were made during the New England Air Quality Study 2002 cruise of the NOAA RV Ronald H Brown. The four compounds observed, PAN, peroxypropionic nitric anhydride (PPN), peroxymethacrylic nitric anhydride (MPAN), and peroxyisobutyric nitric anhydride (PiBN) were compared with results from other continental and Gulf of Maine sites. Systematic changes in PPN/PAN ratio, due to differential thermal decomposition rates, were related quantitatively to air mass aging. At least one early morning period was observed when O3 seemed to have been lost probably due to NO3 and N2O5 chemistry. The highest O3 episode was observed in the combined plume of isoprene sources and anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and NOx sources from the greater Boston area. A simple linear combination model showed that the organic precursors leading to elevated O3 were roughly half from the biogenic and half from anthropogenic VOC regimes. An explicit chemical box model confirmed that the chemistry in the Boston plume is well represented by the simple linear combination model. This degree of biogenic hydrocarbon involvement in the production of photochemical ozone has significant implications for air quality control strategies in this region.
Uniqueness of complex permittivity reconstruction in a parallel‐plane waveguide
Authors: Shestopalov Y. V. , Yakovlev V. V.
Published: October 2007

The paper presents a statement and a proof of uniqueness of solution to the inverse problem of determination of permittivity of a lossy dielectric inclusion in a parallel‐plane waveguide from the reflection and transmission characteristics. The approach is based on the analysis of asymptotic representations of a solution to the direct problem of diffraction of a transverse electric wave and employs a generalization of the notion of partial far‐field patterns applied for a guide.
Thermal effects of linked lithospheric and upper crustal–scale processes: Insights from numerical modeling of the Cenozoic Central Catalan Coastal Ranges (NE Spain)
Authors: ter Voorde M. , Gaspar‐Escribano J. M. , Juez‐Larré J. , Roca E. , Cloetingh S. , Andriessen P.
Published: October 2007

Processes influencing the thermal state of the continental crust, such as heat upwelling related to rifting and isotherm reorganization due to mass redistribution by erosion, deposition, and (fault‐)tectonic transport, operate at different scales, and their effects overlap. In this paper, we use lithospheric‐ as well as crustal‐scale numerical modeling tools in order to quantify the contributions of these various factors to the geothermal field, establishing their relative relevance. We apply the models to address the thermal evolution of the Catalan Coastal Ranges (NE Spain) during the Cenozoic, a period that is characterized by a change in tectonic style, from Pyrenean compression to extension related to the western Mediterranean rifting. Results of the lithospheric‐scale thermal model for extensional basins show an increase in the geothermal surface gradient of about 11°C/km in the Catalan Coastal Ranges during the Neogene, related to extensional thinning of the lithosphere in the Valencia Trough (western Mediterranean). Predictions of the upper crustal–scale thermal model, incorporating fault motions and surface mass redistribution (erosion and sedimentation), point to little changes in the isotherms due to fault block movements in the Paleogene and Neogene. In contrast, erosion appears to have a significant effect on the thermal history of basement rocks sited in the shallowest crust. Comparison of the integrated lithospheric‐ and upper crustal–scale modeling results with apatite fission track and apatite (U‐Th)/He thermochronology data reveals larger amounts of Neogene to present cooling than predicted by the models. On the basis of this unresolvable mismatch, we suggest that, similar to present, forced fluid convection along fault planes played an important role in the evolution of the geothermal field during the Neogene stage of rifting.
Quorum sensing and quorum quenching in Vibrio harveyi: lessons learned from in vivo work
Authors: Defoirdt Tom , Boon Nico , Sorgeloos Patrick , Verstraete Willy , Bossier Peter
Published: October 2007

Luminescent vibrios, bacteria belonging to the species Vibrio harveyi and closely related species, are important pathogens in aquaculture that can affect almost all types of cultured animals. Due to large-scale use of antibiotics, many luminescent vibrios have acquired (multiple) resistance, which render antibiotic treatments ineffective. One of the alternative strategies that has recently been developed to control infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria is the disruption of quorum sensing, bacterial cell-to-cell communication. The quorum sensing system of V. harveyi has been studied quite intensively in vitro. Recent studies have been directed towards understanding the impact of quorum sensing and quorum sensing disruption on the virulence of luminescent vibrios towards different host organisms in vivo. This mini-review aims at discussing the current knowledge of quorum sensing in luminescent vibrios in vivo. Subsequently, quorum quenching by halogenated furanones is discussed and finally, some directions for further research are presented.
CandidTree: Visualizing Structural Uncertainty in Similar Hierarchies
Authors: Lee Bongshin , Robertson George G. , Czerwinski Mary , Parr Cynthia Sims
Published: October 2007

Most visualization systems fail to convey uncertainty within data. To provide a way to show uncertainty in similar hierarchies, we interpreted the differences between two tree structures as uncertainty. We developed a new interactive visualization system called CandidTree that merges two trees into one and visualizes two types of structural uncertainty: location and sub-tree structure uncertainty. Since CandidTree can visualize the differences between two tree structures, we conducted a series of user studies with tree-comparison tasks. First a usability study was conducted to identify major usability issues and evaluate how our system works. Another qualitative user study was conducted to see if biologists, who regularly work with hierarchically organized names, are able to use CandidTree, and to assess the ‘uncertainty’ metric we used. A controlled experiment with software engineers was conducted to compare CandidTree with WinDiff, a traditional files and folders comparison tool. The results showed that users performed better with CandidTree. Furthermore, CandidTree received better satisfaction ratings and all users preferred CandidTree to WinDiff.