bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Method for Measuring Iron Losses in Elliptically Polarized Magnetic Fields
Authors: Young F. J. , Schenk H. L.
Published: June 2005

A method for measuring iron losses in elliptically polarized magnetic fields has been devised. The fields are produced in a laminated one-inch cubic specimen by the superposition of two mutually perpendicular magnetic fields whose magnitudes and time phase angles can be varied. Orthogonal fields are obtained by the use of two “C” cores with air gaps large enough to contain the specimen. The flux density is ascertained from the voltages induced in two coils wound on the specimen with axes parallel to the two field components. The iron loss is determined by measuring the heating transient in the specimen.

In addition, the anisotropy in losses due to alternating magnetic fields can be determined as a special case of elliptically polarized field excitation. The loss data obtained by this method agrees with the results given by the standard Epstein test to within 15%.
Study of Heat Treatments for Low Coercive Force 14 to 17% Aluminum Iron Alloys
Authors: Pavlovic D. , Foster K.
Published: June 2005

A study was made of the effects of atmosphere, temperature of initial annealing, and composition on the coercive force of 14 to 17% Al-Fe alloys. A combined effect of heat treatment atmosphere and temperature of initial annealing is shown to exist in this alloy region, and is discussed in terms of a possible influence of purification and atomic ordering. The unique feature of these alloys is that heat treatments in air at 900°C produce lower coercive force values than heat treatments in dry hydrogen at the same temperature. This factor would make the heat treatments of these alloys more economical than those of other standard high-permeability alloys. Observations made on the binary Al-Fe iron alloys apply to the heat treatment of Al-Fe alloys containing ternary additions. These observations also show that the heat treatment controls both the grain size and the distribution of the second phase in ternary alloys, which in turn affect the magnetic properties.
Metamagnetic Behavior of Manganese Arsenide
Authors: Rodbell D. S. , Lawrence P. E.
Published: June 2005

Between 35° and 125°C there exists a threshold magnetic field strength at which the compound MnAs exhibits a large and steep increase of its net magnetization. At 35°C the threshold field is 40 koe. There is a large hysteresis associated with the magnetization change. This behavior resembles that exhibited by a material that is metamagnetic in the sense of Néel's description. We believe, however, that in this material the existence of a first-order phase transformation is sufficient to account for the magnetic behavior.
Magnetic Anisotropy in Evaporated Iron Films
Authors: Pugh E. W. , Matisoo J. , Speliotis D. E. , Boyd E. L.
Published: June 2005

A torque method has been used to measure the magnetic anisotropy of iron films deposited from the vapor at various incident angles on glass substrates. The anisotropy is found to be largest in films prepared with large incident angles and low substrate temperatures. A theoretical calculation of the anisotropy expected in an iron film with a [111] fiber axis has been made for various angles of the fiber axis and as a function of stress in the film. The theoretically calculated values are not only an order of magnitude lower than most measured anisotropies, but they always have the worng sign. Iron films deposited on rocksalt exhibit anisotropies before and after removal from the substrate which indicate that the anisotropy is affected by cold-working but not by stress relief. It is concluded that the magnetic anisotropy in iron filmsis primarily related to the faulted regions formed in the films during deposition and not to stress or the proposed fiber axis structure.
Effect of Impurities on the Low-Temperature Spontaneous Magnetization of Cubic Ferromagnetic Crystals
Authors: Maradudin A. A. , Dixon P. A.
Published: June 2005

The effect of substitutional impurities on the low temperature spontaneous magnetization of cubic ferromagnetic crystals is investigated in the spin wave formalism with the aid of techniques developed previously for the study of defect problems in lattice dynamics. The impurities considered have an exchange integral with their nearest neighbors different from that between neighbors in the pure crystal. The results of these calculations show that the Bloch T32 law is still obeyed, but that the coefficient of the T32 term is a function of the impurity concentration whose form is determined in the limit of low impurity content.
Paramagnetic Resonance Absorption of Nickel in Sapphire
Authors: Marshall S. A. , Reinberg A. R.
Published: June 2005

A paramagnetic resonance absorption spectrum which is in excess of that due to trivalent chromium and iron has been observed in sapphire single crystal. The spectrum is interpreted as being due to transitions between fine structure energy states of divalent nickel. Best fit constants to the spin Hamiltonian, obtained at room temperature, are given by D = [1.385±0.002] cm−1, g∥ = 2.196±0.004, and g⊥ = 2.187±0.004. Measurements made by progressive saturation of the resonance lines at 77 °K give an average spin-lattice relaxation time of 6 × 10−6 sec.
Precise Measurement of Magnetic-Form Factors
Authors: Nathans Robert
Published: June 2005

A brief outline of the application of the polarized beam technique to studies of the magnetic-form factor is given. Limitations on the accuracy of the final data imposed by corrective factors are noted. A summary of the main results of the measurements taken to date and a discussion of the proposed investigations are presented.
Antiferromagnetic Structure and Domains in Single Crystal NiO
Authors: Roth Walter L. , Slack Glen A.
Published: June 2005

Single crystals of NiO have been annealed and stressed at room temperature to sweep out twin boundaries. Neutron diffraction and rotational torque studies have been made on a crystal which had only 1.3% of the twin orientation. The ferromagnetic sheet structure originally proposed in which the atomic moments lie in(111) planes is found to be correct. The anisotropy in the (111) plane is extremely small and at low fields the spins in the ferromagnetic sheet are locked in domains and the susceptibility is nearly isotropic. Rotation of the spins in (111) takes place at fields above 2400 oe.
Theory of the Low Lying States of Some Rare Earth Compounds
Authors: Trammell G. T.
Published: June 2005

The “electrostatic” crystalline torques acting on the magnetic ions in the rare earth nitrides are likely larger than those due to exchange. Some of the consequences of this are discussed.
Tsix transcription across the Xist gene alters chromatin conformation without affecting Xist transcription: implications for X-chromosome inactivation
Authors: Navarro Pablo , Pichard Sylvain , Ciaudo Constance , Avner Philip , Rougeulle Claire
Published: June 2005

X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) is highly dynamic during early mouse embryogenesis and strictly depends on the Xist noncoding RNA. The regulation of Xist and its antisense partner Tsix remains however poorly understood. We provide here the first evidence of transcriptional control of Xist expression. We show that RNA polymerase II (RNAPolII) preinitiation complex recruitment and H3 Lys 4 (H3-K4) methylation at the Xist promoter form the basis of the Xist expression profiles that drives both imprinted and random XCI. In embryonic stem (ES) cells, which are derived from the inner cell mass where imprinted XCI is reversed and both Xs are active, we show that Xist is repressed at the level of preinitiation complex (PIC) recruitment. We further demonstrate that Tsix, although highly transcribed in ES cells, is not itself responsible for the transcriptional down-regulation of Xist. Rather, Tsix induces efficient H3-K4 methylation over the entire Xist/Tsix unit. We suggest that chromatin remodeling of the Xist locus induced by biallelic Tsix transcription renders both Xist loci epigenetically equivalent and equally competent for transcription. In this model, Tsix, by resetting the epigenetic state of the Xist/Tsix locus, mediates the transition from imprinted to random XCI.
Who Will Evaluate Me? Rater Selection in Multi‐Source Assessment Contexts
Authors: Brutus Stéphane , Petosa Sandra , Aucoin Emelie
Published: June 2005

This study investigates the factors that motivate the preference of individuals, or ratees, participating in multi‐source assessment (MSA) processes for some raters over others. Two rater characteristics were assessed to attempt to identify these preferences: rater familiarity and the affect toward the rater. Two separate studies were conducted to assess the extent to which these characteristics are used. The extent to which the purpose of the appraisal (developmental vs. administrative) and the rating source (peer vs. subordinate) influenced the use of these characteristics was also investigated. Evidence from these two studies suggests that ratees selected their raters based on rater familiarity but not on affect. In addition, while the purpose of the appraisal did not influence selection patterns, the preference for peers was motivated by different factors than the preference for subordinates. The implications of these results for research and practice are discussed.
Omeprazole delays gastric emptying in healthy volunteers: an effect prevented by tegaserod
Authors: TOUGAS G. , EARNEST D. L. , CHEN Y. , VANDERKOY C. , ROJAVIN M.
Published: June 2005

Background : Proton‐pump inhibitors effectively suppress stomach acidity. They are widely used for treating gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease and related conditions. While generally safe, omeprazole and other proton‐pump inhibitors can delay gastric emptying.

Aim : To test the hypothesis that tegaserod can normalize or prevent omeprazole‐induced delay in gastric emptying.

Methods : This was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel group study in 40 healthy male volunteers. After informed consent and screening, qualified volunteers were treated with unblinded omeprazole 20 mg b.d. and either blinded tegaserod 6 mg t.d.s. (active treatment group) or placebo‐matching tegaserod t.d.s. (control group) for 14 days. Gastric emptying was assessed before and after treatment, using a scintigraphy method.

Results : Omeprazole monotherapy significantly delayed gastric emptying expressed by duration of lag‐phase (P < 0.007), time to gastric half‐emptying (P < 0.003), and gastric retention of the meal at 60 (P < 0.002) and 120 min (P < 0.04) after its ingestion. Tegaserod taken together with omeprazole effectively prevented development of the above effects. Combined treatment was safe and well tolerated.

Conclusion : Concomitant administration of tegaserod 6 mg t.d.s. prevented development of the delayed gastric emptying induced by omeprazole monotherapy.
Accuracy of the routine detection of mutation in mismatch repair genes in patients with susceptibility to hereditary upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma
Authors: Rouprêt Morgan , Coulet Florence , Azzouzi Abdel‐Rahmène , Fromont Gaëlle , Cussenot Olivier
Published: June 2005

OBJECTIVE

To establish the clinical benefits of systematic testing for hMSH6 and hMLH1 mutations in the very rare patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinomas (UUT‐TCCs), a clinical predisposition for hereditary tumour and no mutation detected in hMSH2 gene.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 164 UUT‐TCC specimen blocks were screened for microsatellite instability (MSI); 27 (16%) had high MSI levels. Eight patients (30%) had clinical criteria suspicious of hereditary tumour; in three a mutation in hMSH2 was detected. For the other patients, clinical data were collated, and DNA gene sequences analysed to detect mutations in hMLH1 and in hMSH6 genes.

RESULTS

Five patients were assessed (mean age at the diagnosis of UUT‐TCC 65.2 years, sd 8, range 54–71; two aged < 60 years). Three patients had a personal history of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal related‐cancer (three colorectal). There were only mutations in hMSH2 gene detected, with none in hMSH6 and hMLH1.

CONCLUSION

For the rare patients with UUT‐TCC who are suspected of carrying mismatch repair gene mutations if no hMSH2 mutation is found by genetic testing, complementary DNA sequencing for hMLH1 and hMSH6 mutation does not seem to contribute and should not be recommended in daily practice.
Carbon monoxide toxicity: a case series
Authors: Berent Allyson C. , Todd Jeffrey , Sergeeff Jennifer , Powell Lisa L.
Published: June 2005

Objective:To describe diagnostics, therapy, and sequelae of acute carbon monoxide (CO) toxicity because of a motor vehicle generator in 4 dogs and 2 cats.

Series summary:Four dogs and 2 cats presented for recumbency, disorientation, dyspnea, and stiffness after an estimated 6–8 hour exposure to exhaust from a generator. Diagnostics included a serum carboxyhemoglobin levels evaluation, arterial blood gas analysis, pulse oximetry readings, and blood pressure measurements. Initial therapy included oxygen (O2) administration, intravenous bronchodilators, fluids, and a hemoglobin‐based O2carrying (HBOC) molecule. Following administration of the HBOC, 4 of the 6 animals showed dramatic clinical improvement. Two weeks after hospital discharge, the owner reported potential hearing deficits in all animals. Brain auditory evoked response (BAER) tests were conducted in all surviving animals and some degree of hearing impairment was documented in all cases, with complete clinical resolution noted 6 weeks later.

Unique information provided:This report describes the therapeutic use of an HBOC in acute isolated CO toxicity (i.e. without the complications of smoke inhalation). In addition, delayed nervous system dysfunction was documented in all surviving animals.
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF TRANSPOSITION OF THE GREAT ARTERIES IN A NEONATAL FOAL
Authors: Sleeper Meg M. , Palmer Jonathan E.
Published: June 2005

The clinical and echocardiographic findings in a 19‐h‐old female foal with a ventricular septal defect, patent foramen ovale, patent ductus arteriosus, and complete transpositon of the great vessels are described. Clinical signs were suggestive of complex congenital heart disease and echocardiography of the foal allowed definitive diagnosis prior to postmortem.
Early expression of KCC2 in rat hippocampal cultures augments expression of functional GABA synapses
Authors: Chudotvorova Ilona , Ivanov Anton , Rama Sylvain , Hübner Christian A. , Pellegrino Christophe , Ben‐Ari Yehezkel , Medina Igor
Published: June 2005

The development of GABAergic synapses is associated with an excitatory to inhibitory shift of the actions of GABA because of a reduction of [Cl−]i. This is due to a delayed postnatal expression of the K+–Cl− cotransporter KCC2, which has low levels at birth and peaks during the first few postnatal weeks. Whether the expression of the cotransporter and the excitatory to inhibitory shift have other consequences on the operation of GABAA receptors and synapses is not yet known. We have now expressed KCC2 in immature neurones at an early developmental stage and determined the consequences on the formation of GABA and glutamate synapses. We report that early expression of the cotransporter selectively enhances GABAergic synapses: there is a significant increase of the density of GABAA receptors and synapses and an increase of the frequency of GABAergic miniature postsynaptic currents. The density of glutamate synapses and frequency of AMPA miniature postsynaptic currents are not affected. We conclude that the expression of KCC2 and the reduction of [Cl−]i play a critical role in the construction of GABAergic networks that extends beyond the excitatory to inhibitory shift of the actions of GABA.
Mortality in children from influenza and respiratory syncytial virus
Authors: Fleming Douglas M , Pannell Rachel S , Cross Kenneth W
Published: June 2005

Study objective:To quantify mortality attributable to influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in children.

Design and methods:Comparison of death rates (all cause and certified respiratory) in England over winters 1989/90 to 1999/00 during and outside influenza and RSV circulation periods. Virus active weeks were defined from clinical and virological surveillance data. Excess deaths associated with weeks of either influenza or RSV activity over virus non-active weeks were estimated in each winter for age groups 1–12 months, 1–4, 5–9, and 10–14 years. The estimate obtained was allotted to influenza and RSV in the proportion derived from independent separate calculations for each virus.

Main results:Average winter respiratory deaths attributed to influenza in children 1 month–14 years were 22 and to RSV 28; and all cause deaths to influenza 78 and to RSV 79. All cause RSV attributed deaths in infants 1–12 months exceeded those for influenza every year except 1989/90; the average RSV and influenza attributed death rates were 8.4 and 6.7 per 100 000 population respectively. Corresponding rates for children 1–4 years were 0.9 and 0.8 and for older children all rates were 0.2 or less, except for an influenza rate of 0.4 in children 10–14 years.

Conclusions:Influenza and RSV account for similar numbers of deaths in children. The impact varies by winter and between age groups and is considerably underestimated if analysis is restricted to respiratory certified deaths. Summing the impact over the 11 winters studied, compared with influenza RSV is associated with more deaths in infants less than 12 months, almost equal numbers in children 1–4 years, and fewer in older children. Improved information systems are needed to investigate paediatric deaths.
Λ0POLARIZATION AS FUNCTION OF TARGET DENSITY
Authors: CASTILLO-VALLEJO VÍCTOR M. , GUPTA VIRENDRA , FÉLIX JULIÁN
Published: June 2005

Λ0polarization (P) depends on xfand pt; it depends also on the density of the target material: P(xf, pt, ρ) = (κ0/(λ0+ ρ/ρw))xfpt, with κ0= -0.423±0.065 (GeV/c)-1and λ0= 1.191±0.200 in the range 0<pt<1.2 GeV . Here ρ is the target material density and ρwis the Tungsten density. From this equation, it follows that Λ0polarization is reduced by target density.
ENTROPY AND CURVATURE VARIATIONS FROM EFFECTIVE POTENTIALS
Authors: KALOGEROPOULOS NIKOS
Published: June 2005

By using the Jacobi metric of the configuration space, and assuming ergodicity, we calculate the Boltzmann entropy S of a finite-dimensional system around a nondegenerate critical point of its potential energy V. We compare S with the entropy of a quantum or thermal system with effective potential V eff . We examine conditions, up to first order in perturbation theory, under which these entropies are equal.
A PHENOMENOLOGICAL DETERMINATION OF THE PION-NUCLEON SCATTERING LENGTHS FROM PIONIC HYDROGEN
Authors: ERICSON T. E. O. , LOISEAU B. , WYCECH S.
Published: June 2005

A model independent expression for the electromagnetic corrections to a phenomenological hadronic pion-nucleon (πN) scattering length ah, extracted from pionic hydrogen, is obtained. In a non-relativistic approach and using an extended charge distribution, these corrections are derived up to terms of order α2 log α in the limit of a short-range hadronic interaction. We infer [Formula: see text] which gives for the πNN coupling through the GMO relation [Formula: see text].
ELECTRO-EXCITATION OF THE Δ. SPHERICAL ASYMMETRY OF THE NUCLEON: THE OOPS/BATES PROGRAM
Authors: SPARVERIS N. F.
Published: June 2005

The issue of hadron deformation has been a subject of intense scientific interest during the last two decades. The detailed study of the N→Δ transition is the best method of experimental investigation of this issue. A brief overview of the experimental and theoretical landscape on the field will be presented followd by a presentation of the most recent results from the Bates N→Δ program. The Bates data yield precise quadrupole to dipole amplitude ratios: EMR=(-2.3±0.3stat+sys±0.6model)% and CMR=(-6.1±0.2stat+sys±0.5model)% for [Formula: see text]. The derived amplitudes give credence to the conjecture of deformation in hadrons favoring, at low Q2, the dominance of mesonic effects.
SOME THEORETICAL ISSUES OF HADRON PRODUCTIONS AND PROPERTIES FROM J/ψ DECAYS
Authors: SHEN P. N. , CHIANG H. C. , ZOU B. S. , LIANG W. H. , PING R. G. , GUO F. Q. , ZENG Z. Q. , DING Y. B. , LI X. Q.
Published: June 2005

J/ψ strong decay is one of the best places to study the hadronic structure and the strong interaction. In this talk, as the background contribution, the proton pole diagram contribution to the branching ratio and the angular distribution in [Formula: see text] decays is analyzed. The applicability of quark models is explored via [Formula: see text] process. The structures of N* s , especially Roper resonance, are discussed by studying J/ψ decays. The productions of possible multi-quark systems via charmonium and bottomonium strong/radiative decays are also investigated.
PION-NUCLEON SCATTERING EXPERIMENTS AT LOW ENERGIES: π-p→π0n TOTAL CROSS SECTIONS
Authors: BREITSCHOPF J. , BAUER M. , CLEMENT H. , CRÖNI M. , DENZ H. , MEIER R. , WAGNER G. J. , FRIEDMAN E. , GIBSON E.
Published: June 2005

Total cross sections of the single charge exchange reaction π-p→π0n have been measured at PSI from about 40 to 250 MeV using a transmission technique. Preliminary results show an excellent agreement with predictions from the SAID FA02 phase shift analysis for energies above 70 MeV.
QUASILOCAL QUARK MODELS AS EFFECTIVE THEORY OF NON-PERTURBATIVE QCD
Authors: ANDRIANOV A. A. , ANDRIANOV V. A.
Published: June 2005

We consider the Quasilocal Quark Model of NJL type (QNJLM) as an effective theory of non-perturbative QCD including scalar (S), pseudoscalar (P), vector (V) and axial-vector (A) four-fermion interaction with derivatives. In the presence of a strong attraction in the scalar channel the chiral symmetry is spontaneously broken and as a consequence the composite meson states are generated in all channels. With the help of Operator Product Expansion the appropriate set of Chiral Symmetry Restoration (CSR) Sum Rules in these channels are imposed as matching conditions to QCD at intermediate energies. The mass spectrum and some decay constants for ground and excited meson states are calculated.
PION-NUCLEON INTERACTION AND THE SIGMA-TERM
Authors: SAINIO M. E.
Published: June 2005

A brief review of the pion-nucleon sigma-term is given.
HADRONIC INTERACTION OF THE η MESON WITH TWO NUCLEONS
Authors: MOSKAL P. , ADAM H.-H. , BUDZANOWSKI A. , CZYŻYKIEWICZ R. , GRZONKA D. , JANUSZ M. , JARCZYK L. , KAMYS B. , KHOUKAZ A. , KILIAN K. , KLAJA P. , MAJEWSKI J. , OELERT W. , PISKOR-IGNATOWICZ C. , PRZERWA J. , ROŻEK T. , SEFZICK T. , SIEMASZKO M. , SMYRSKI J. , TÄSCHNER A. , WINTER P. , WOLKE M. , WÜSTNER P. , ZIPPER W.
Published: June 2005

The COSY-11 collaboration has conducted experiments aiming at the determination of the excitation function and phase-space population of the pp→ppη reaction close to the kinematical threshold. The precise data obtained with the stochastically cooled proton beam of the cooler synchrotron COSY and the high resolution zero-degree magnetic spectrometer allowed for the observation of the significant deviations – in the shape of the excitation function and two-particle invariant masses – from the predictions based on the assumption that the reaction phase space is homogenously populated. Comparison of the shape of the excitation function for the pp→ppη and pp→ppη′ reaction allows to distinquish in the model independent way an influence originating from the proton-proton and proton-η interaction. For the comparison the full data set from experiments performed at COSY and other laboratories is used.
SIGMA MESON CLOUD OF THE NUCLEON SEA
Authors: HUANG FENG , MA BO-QIANG
Published: June 2005

Flavor symmetric sea quarks could contribute to the ratio of [Formula: see text] in the proton, as well as flavor asymmetric sea quarks. We clarify the isoscalar mesonic contribution, especially σ meson cloud effects in the meson cloud model. We also provide the meson numbers in the proton with different meson cutoff values. Our calculations show that a physical proton picture favors smaller cutoff of the examined range 1.0<Λω<1.5 GeV .
THE SHORT RANGE MECHANISM OF N-N INTERACTION IN THE EXTENDED CHIRAL SU(3) QUARK MODEL
Authors: DAI L. R. , ZHANG Z. Y. , YU Y. W.
Published: June 2005

We give the comparisons between the chiral SU (3) quark model and the extended chiral SU (3) quark model. The results show that the phase shifts of NN scattering are very similar. However, the short range mechanisms of nucleon-nucleon interaction are totally different. In the chiral SU (3) quark model, the short range interaction is dominantly from OGE, and in the extended chiral SU (3) quark model, it is dominantly from vector meson exchanges.
EFFECT OF PRESSURE ON SUPERCONDUCTING AND STRIPE PHASES IN La1.25Nd0.6Sr0.15CuO4 SINGLE CRYSTALS
Authors: ARUMUGAM S. , MÔRI N. , EISAKI H. , UCHIDA S.
Published: June 2005

Hydrostatic pressure effect on superconducting transition temperature and the structural transition temperatures were measured upto 1.0 GPa in the La 1.25 Nd 0.6 Sr 0.15 CuO 4 single crystals. We found that the low temperature tetragonal phase was suppressed with drastic increase of Tc at a low pressure of ~0.1 GPa. By comparing the pressure effect on La 1.48 Nd 0.4 Sr 0.12 CuO 4 single crystals, we confirm that pressure is an effective two-way control parameter for controlling stripes and superconductivity in La-Nd-Sr-Cu-O single crystals.
NONCOMMUTATIVE DECRUMPLING INFLATION AND RUNNING OF THE SPECTRAL INDEX
Authors: NASSERI FOROUGH , ALAVI S. A.
Published: June 2005

We present a new inflation model, known as noncommutative decrumpling inflation, in which space has noncommutative geometry with time variability of the number of spatial dimensions. Within the framework of noncommutative decrumpling inflation, we compute both the spectral index and its running. Our results show the effects of both time variability of the number of spatial dimensions and noncommutative geometry on the spectral index and its running. Two classes of examples have been studied and comparisons made with the standard slow-roll formulae. We conclude that the effects of noncommutative geometry on the spectral index and its running are much smaller than the effects of time variability of spatial dimensions.
RIGIDITY OF COSMIC ACCELERATION IN A CLASS OF k-ESSENCE COSMOLOGIES
Authors: LAZKOZ RUTH
Published: June 2005

We study the structural stability of a cosmic acceleration (inflation) in a class of k-essence cosmologies against changes in the shape of the potential. Those models may be viewed as generalized tachyon cosmologies and this analysis extends previous results on the structural stability of cosmic acceleration in tachyon cosmologies. The study considers both phantom and non-phantom cases. The concepts of rigidity and fragility are defined through a condition on the functional form of the Hubble factor. Given the known result of the existence of inflationary (non-phantom) and super-inflationary (phantom) attractors we formulate the question of their structural stability. We find that those attractors are rigid in the sense that they never change as long as the conditions for inflation or super-inflation are met.
THEORETICAL TOOLS FOR CMB PHYSICS
Authors: GIOVANNINI MASSIMO
Published: June 2005

This review presents, in a self–consistent manner, those analytical tools that are relevant for the analysis of the physics of CMB anisotropies generated in different theoretical models of the early Universe. After introducing the physical foundations of the Sachs–Wolfe effect, the origin and evolution of the scalar, tensor and vector modes of the geometry is treated in both gauge-invariant and gauge-dependent descriptions. Some of the recent progresses in the theory of cosmological perturbations are scrutinized with particular attention to their implications for the adiabatic and isocurvature paradigms, whose description is reviewed both within conventional fluid approaches and within the Einstein–Boltzmann treatment. Open problems and theoretical challenges for a unified theory of the early Universe are outlined in light of their implications for the generation of large-scale anisotropies in the CMB sky and in light of the generation of stochastic backgrounds of relic gravitons between few Hz and the GHz.
Nd isotopic and geochemical constraints on provenance of sedimentary rocks in the eastern Officer Basin, Australia: implications for the duration of the intracratonic Petermann Orogeny
Authors: Wade B.P. , Hand M. , Barovich K.M.
Published: June 2005

Sm–Nd isotopic and geochemical data from Neoproterozoic to Cambrian sedimentary rocks in the intracratonic eastern Officer Basin in central Australia highlight the evolving provenance roles of the basement complexes that underlie and bound the basin. Initial
ε
Nd
values of around −12 for the basal units indicate that both were largely derived from the late Archaean to Mesoproterozoic Gawler Craton, which bounds the basin to the south. At
c
. 720 Ma an influx of juvenile, glacially derived sediment indicates partial uplift of the Mesoproterozoic Musgrave Block along the basin's northern margin, in a regime interpreted to be broadly extensional. At around 600 Ma, synchronous with the development of a foreland architecture, there was a large influx of Musgrave Block-derived sediments. This is interpreted to mark the onset of the intracratonic Petermann Orogeny, which was a long-lived event or series of events, spanning more than 70 Ma. Subsequent to
c
. 600 Ma, the Nd isotopic composition of sequences within the Officer Basin indicates an increasing contribution from the Gawler Craton despite up to 45 km of denudation of part of the Musgrave Block. This suggests that the majority of sediment derived from the Petermann Orogen bypassed the eastern Officer Basin for much of the history of the Petermann Orogeny.
Volcanic and morphological evolution of La Gomera (Canary Islands), based on new K–Ar ages and magnetic stratigraphy: implications for oceanic island evolution
Authors: Paris R. , Guillou H. , Carracedo J.C. , Torrado F.J.Perez
Published: June 2005

The spatial and chronological evolution of Canary Islands volcanism is due to eastward progression of the slow-moving African plate over a mantle plume. La Gomera is located between the western shield stage islands (<2 Ma) and the central rejuvenated stage islands (>12 Ma). With 23 K–Ar ages and palaeomagnetic data, we can constrain the timing of the main subaerial volcanic phases of La Gomera: the shield volcano (
c
. 9.4–8.0 Ma), the postshield peripheral lava flows (
c
. 7.4–5.0 Ma), the postshield horizontal lava flows (
c
. 5.4–4.3 Ma), and late intra-canyon lava flows (
c
. 1.9 Ma). The horizontal lava flows fill a 10 km wide depression formed by a giant landslide (Garajonay). The entire structure of La Gomera is in relief inversion. Declining volcanic construction rates from the shield to the postshield stages are correlated with increasing erosion rates, whereas the period of volcanic quiescence (hiatus) has low erosion rates. The succession and duration of the hotspot volcanic stages in the Canary Islands are compared with those in the Hawaiian Islands, thus underlining differences between slow-moving and fast-moving plate settings.
Small cordaitalean trees in a marine-influenced coastal habitat in the Pennsylvanian Joggins Formation, Nova Scotia
Authors: Falcon-Lang Howard J.
Published: June 2005

The Cordaitales, an extinct order of plants closely related to the conifers, occupied a wide range of environments during Pennsylvanian times including wetlands, drylands, and uplands. However, claims that some species of cordaitalean grew on marine-influenced coastal margins, and therefore represented the earliest known mangrove communities, have been met with scepticism. Based on new data from the Joggins Formation of Nova Scotia, the ‘cordaitalean mangrove hypothesis’ is reassessed. Small fossil trees in growth position are described from micro-tidal deposits, a sedimentary association inferred to have formed on the margins of a brackish epicontinental sea. The autochthonous trees, which are morphologically different from lycopsid and calamitean trees commonly observed with the Joggins Formation, are probably cordaitalean. This affinity is indicated, in part, by facies-associated parautochthonous remains, which comprise
Cordaites
leaves,
Cordaicladus
branches,
Cardiocarpus
seeds,
Cordaianthus
reproductive organs, and
Dadoxylon
wood, a distinctively cordaitalean assemblage. Scour-and-mound structures in beds surrounding the upright trunks show that cordaitalean trees were, at times, submerged in shallow, flowing water. However,
Limnopus
tetrapod trackways at other horizons demonstrate periodic emergence, indicating that water depths fluctuated in these coastal forests. Analysis of rooting patterns shows that trees persisted through flooding events, despite partial burial by sheets of very fine sandstone and siltstone, survival being facilitated through the development of an adventitious rooting system. However, two key adaptations to growth in marine-influenced soils commonly seen in modern mangrove trees (low shoot:root ratios and small leaves) are not present in the cordaitalean trees. Furthermore, although the trees probably grew in close proximity to the brackish seacoast, direct evidence for marine influence in the fossil forest interval itself is lacking. Consequently, although the cordaitaleans were probably adapted to periodically submerged conditions, and additionally may have tolerated occasional brackish incursions, it is inappropriate to describe them as mangroves in the strict sense.
Large sea, small tides: the Late Carboniferous seaway of NW Europe
Authors: WELLS MARTIN R. , ALLISON PETER A. , PIGGOTT MATTHEW D. , PAIN CHRISTOPHER C. , HAMPSON GARY J. , DE OLIVEIRA CASSIANO R. E.
Published: June 2005

Debate surrounds the extent of tidal influence in Palaeozoic shallow epi-continental seas. In the absence of analogical reasoning, numerical modelling provides a quantitative means of investigating tidality in the geological record. Herein a new finite element model, tested for accuracy on the present-day Mediterranean, is used to predict an exceedingly low tidal range (
<10
cm) in the epi-continental seaway that covered much of NW Europe during the Late Carboniferous. This small bulge may have been amplified to

c

. 1 m in estuaries, leading to the localized deposition of cyclic rhythmites, agreeing with geological observations. Extremely low tidal ranges in ancient epi-continental seas may be one mechanism to prevent water-body mixing, enhancing stratification and promoting anoxia.
Detecting hydrothermal graphite deposition during metamorphism and gold mineralization
Authors: Pitcairn Iain K. , Roberts Steve , Teagle Damon A. H. , Craw Dave
Published: June 2005

Fourier Transform IR analyses of carbonaceous material from the Otago and Alpine Schists and the Macraes gold deposit of the South Island, New Zealand, show the progressive effects of graphitization during metamorphism and suggest that the majority of carbonaceous material identified at the Macraes deposit precipitated from hydrothermal fluids. Given that the distinction of sedimentary carbonaceous material from fluid-precipitated graphite is a key to better understanding the redox state of crustal rocks, ore depositional processes and the extent of carbon cycling in the crust, this study highlights the importance of IR spectroscopy in the characterization of reduced carbon-bearing rocks.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme I/D Polymorphism in Behçet’s Disease
Authors: Turgut Sebahat , Turgut Günfer , Atalay Erol Ömer , Atalay Ayfer
Published: June 2005

Objective: To investigate a potential relationship between I/D polymorphism within intron 16 of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene located on human chromosome 17 and Behçet’s disease. Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA was obtained from 35 Turkish patients diagnosed with Behçet’s disease according to the International Study Group criteria and 150 healthy individuals. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the presence of I and D (insertion and deletion) alleles in intron 16 of the ACE gene in these DNA samples. Results: We found differences in ACE I/D polymorphism between Behçet’s disease and healthy controls (χ2 = 4.61, d.f. = 1, p = 0.044). In Behçet’s disease patients, the D allele frequency was 84.3% and I allele frequency 15.7%. Conclusion: An association between Behçet’s disease and ACE polymorphism may provide a useful basis for future molecular studies and therapeutic approaches in this complex disease.
Significance of Atypical Pathogens among Community-Acquired Pneumonia Adult Patients Admitted to Hospital in Kuwait
Authors: Behbehani N. , Mahmood A. , Mokaddas E.M. , Bittar Z. , Jayakrishnan B. , Khadadah M. , Pacsa A.S. , Dhar R. , Chugh T.D.
Published: June 2005

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the microbial etiology and severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Kuwait. Subjects and Methods: The severity of consecutive adult CAP cases admitted to 3 hospitals over a 1-year period was classified according to the Pneumonia Outcome Research Team (PORT) severity index. The microbial etiology was determined using standard methods for bacteria and serological tests for atypical and viral pathogens. Results: The study population was 124 of the 135 admissions; 63 female, 61 male; mean age 41.3 ± 18 years. The severity class distribution was: class I 31%, class II 37%, class III 17%, class IV 13%, and class V 2%. Etiological agents were identified from 44 patients (35%), with one pathogen in 31 (25%), two in 9 (7%), and three or more in 4 (3%). The most common pathogens identified were: Mycoplasma pneumoniae in 14 patients (11%), Legionella pneumophila in 10 (8%), Chlamydia pneumoniae in 8 (6%), influenza B virus in 8 (6%), influenza A virus in 5 (4%), Haemophilus influenzae in 4 (3%), Streptococcus pneumoniae in 3 (2%), Staphylococcus aureus in 3 (2%), gram-negative enterobacteria in 5 (4%), Moraxellacatarrhalis in 2 (2%), and viruses in 4 (3%). The yields from laboratory tests were 48% for paired serology, 20% from adequate sputum sample, and 3% from blood culture. Conclusion: Our study shows that a large percentage of mild CAP cases are admitted to hospitals in Kuwait. Atypical pathogens have a significant role in the etiology of CAP. There is overtreatment of CAP with a combination treatment consisting mainly of third-generation chephalosporins and macrolides.
Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy for Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Preliminary Assessment of the Prostalund Feedback Treatment Machine
Authors: Kehinde Elijah O. , Abul Fawzi
Published: June 2005

Objective: The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the efficacy of Prostalund feedback treatment (PLFT) using microwave thermotherapy equipment for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in patients with urinary retention and an indwelling urethral catheter. Subjects and Methods: Four unselected patients, 51–68 years old (mean age 60 years), with urinary retention and an indwelling catheter were treated with PLFT under local anaesthesia and sedation. They were considered high-risk patients for treatment by transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) under spinal or general anaesthesia. Initial assessment included prostate-specific antigen, determination of prostate volume and exclusion of prostate cancer using transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). The patients had the indwelling catheter for 1–2 weeks prior to treatment, the urethral catheters were removed 10–12 days after PLFT. Two patients who failed to void after transurethral microwave thermotherapy underwent urodynamic study to determine the reason for failure. Result: The mean volume of the treated prostate gland was 75.50 cm3 (range 51–150 cm3). Two of the 4 patients were successfully relieved of their indwelling catheter with satisfactory peak flow, residual urine and symptom score, while treatment failed in the remaining 2. The reasons for the failure were identified as a small bladder capacity and neurogenic bladder in a diabetic patient and the presence of a middle lobe with large protruding lateral lobes into the bladder of the other patient. The latter patient had a prostate volume of 150 cm3. ‘Salvage’ TURP in both patients revealed that PLFT caused extensive necrosis of prostatic tissue and the TURP was then accomplished with minimal blood loss (<200 ml) even in the patient with 150-gram prostate. There were no serious complications such as bleeding, sepsis, rectoprostatic fistula or urine incontinence. Conclusion: The result of this preliminary investigation appears to be satisfactory and indicates that PLFT could be a good, minimally invasive alternative to surgery for BPH patients with retention of urine and an indwelling catheter.
Large Adrenal Pseudocyst Presenting with Epigastric Distress and Abdominal Distention
Authors: Erem Cihangir , Celik Fatih , Reis Abdülkadir , Hacıhasanoglu Arif , Gör Atilla
Published: June 2005

Objective: We report a patient with a large adrenal pseudocyst presenting with epigastric distress and abdominal distention. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 35-year-old man presented with a 1-year history of nonspecific epigastric distress and abdominal distention. Routine laboratory tests and endocrine function tests were within the normal ranges. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large left adrenal cyst. Adrenal cyst showed low intensity on T1-weighted MRI images and high density on T2-weighted MRI images. The patient underwent surgery, and the cyst was completely removed. Histological examination showed that the cyst wall consisted of hyalinized fibrous tissue without an epithelial or endothelial lining, and a diagnosis of an adrenal pseudocyst was made. Symptoms resolved after pseudocyst removal. Conclusion: The report showed a patient with adrenal pseudocyst, a rare and uncommon condition that was diagnosed on MR images and confirmed by histology. The epigastric distress and the abdominal distention resolved after the pseudocyst was surgically removed.
Differential Regulation of Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Expression during Ovarian Development and under Sexual Steroid Feedback in the European Eel
Authors: Schmitz Monika , Aroua Salima , Vidal Bernadette , Le Belle Nadine , Elie Pierre , Dufour Sylvie
Published: June 2005

Pituitary gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are, in teleosts as in mammals, under the control of hypothalamic factors and steroid feedbacks. In teleosts, feedback regulations largely vary depending on species and physiological stage. In the present study the regulation of FSH and LH expression was investigated in the European eel, a fish of biological and phylogenetical interest as a representative of an early group of teleosts. The eel FSHβ subunit was cloned, sequenced and together with earlier isolated eel LHβ and glycoprotein hormone α (GPα) subunits used to study the differential regulation of LH and FSH. In situ hybridization indicated that FSHβ and LHβ are expressed by separate cells of the proximal pars distalis of the adenohypophysis, differently from the situation in mammals. The profiles of LHβ and FSHβ subunit expression were compared during experimental ovarian maturation, using dot-blot assays. Expression levels for LHβ and GPα increased throughout ovarian development with a positive correlation between these two subunits. Conversely, FSHβ mRNA levels decreased. To understand the role of sex steroids in these opposite variations, immature eels were treated with estradiol (E2)and testosterone (T), both steroids being produced in eel ovaries during gonadal development. E2 treatment induced increases in both LHβ and GPα mRNA levels, without any significant effect on FSHβ. In contrast, T treatment induced a decrease in FSHβ mRNA levels, without any significant effect on the other subunits. These data demonstrate that steroids exert a differential feedback on eel gonadotropin expression, with an E2-specific positive feedback on LH and a T-specific negative feedback on FSH, leading to an opposite regulation of LH and FSH during ovarian development.
Inhibition of Rho-Kinase Attenuates Hypoxia-Induced Angiogenesis in the Pulmonary Circulation
Authors: Hyvelin Jean-Marc , Howell Katherine , Nichol Alistair , Costello Christine M. , Preston Robert J. , McLoughlin Paul
Published: June 2005

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication of chronic hypoxic lung diseases, which increase morbidity and mortality. Hypoxic PH has previously been attributed to structural changes in the pulmonary vasculature including narrowing of the vascular lumen and loss of vessels, which produce a fixed increase in resistance. Using quantitative stereology, we now show that chronic hypoxia caused PH and remodeling of the blood vessel walls in rats but that this remodeling did not lead to structural narrowing of the vascular lumen. Sustained inhibition of the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway throughout the period of hypoxic exposure attenuated PH and prevented remodeling in intra-acinar vessels without enlarging the structurally determined lumen diameter. In chronically hypoxic lungs, acute Rho kinase inhibition markedly decreased PVR but did not alter the alveolar to arterial oxygen gap. In addition to increased vascular resistance, chronic hypoxia induced Rho kinase–dependent capillary angiogenesis. Thus, hypoxic PH was not caused by fixed structural changes in the vasculature but by sustained vasoconstriction, which was largely Rho kinase dependent. Importantly, this vasoconstriction had no role in ventilation-perfusion matching and optimization of gas exchange. Rho kinase also mediated hypoxia-induced capillary angiogenesis, a previously unrecognized but potentially important adaptive response.
The Miniature Pig as an Animal Model in Biomedical Research
Authors: VODIČKA PETR , SMETANA KAREL , DVOŘÁNKOVÁ BARBORA , EMERICK TERESA , XU YINGZHI Z. , OUREDNIK JITKA , OUREDNIK VÁCLAV , MOTLÍK JAN
Published: June 2005

Abstract: Crucial prerequisites for the development of safe preclinical protocols in biomedical research are suitable animal models that would allow for human‐related validation of valuable research information gathered from experimentation with lower mammals. In this sense, the miniature pig, sharing many physiological similarities with humans, offers several breeding and handling advantages (when compared to non‐human primates), making it an optimal species for preclinical experimentation. The present review offers several examples taken from current research in the hope of convincing the reader that the porcine animal model has gained massively in importance in biomedical research during the last few years. The adduced examples are taken from the following fields of investigation: (a) the physiology of reproduction, where pig oocytes are being used to study chromosomal abnormalities (aneuploidy) in the adult human oocyte; (b) the generation of suitable organs for xenotransplantation using transgene expression in pig tissues; (c) the skin physiology and the treatment of skin defects using cell therapy‐based approaches that take advantage of similarities between pig and human epidermis; and (d) neurotransplantation using porcine neural stem cells grafted into inbred miniature pigs as an alternative model to non‐human primates xenografted with human cells.