bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coblation tonsillectomy: a prospective, double-blind, randomised, clinical and histopathological comparison with dissection–ligation, monopolar electrocautery and laser tonsillectomies
Authors: Magdy E A , Elwany S , El-Daly A S , Abdel-Hadi M , Morshedy M A
Published: November 2007

Introduction:

Coblation tonsillectomy is a relatively recently introduced surgical technique which attempts to bridge the gap between ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ tonsillectomy methods.

Aim:

To compare coblation tonsillectomy with three commonly used surgical techniques: cold dissection–ligation, monopolar electrocautery and CO2 laser.

Materials and methods:

A prospective, randomised, double-blinded clinical trial was undertaken of 60 adult patients divided into three equal study groups. Patients in each group were randomly assigned to have one tonsil removed with coblation and the second with one of the other three tonsillectomy techniques. Ten randomly selected tonsils resected by each method were sent for histopathological evaluation.

Results:

Coblation was significantly faster to perform than laser and produced significantly less intra-operative blood loss than both the dissection–ligation and laser techniques. Subjective visual analogue scale comparisons showed a non-significant pain score difference between coblation and dissection–ligation on most post-operative days. Coblation produced consistently highly significantly (p < 0.001) less pain, compared with electrocautery up to the 12th post-operative day and laser up to the 10th post-operative day. There was no significant difference in tonsillar fossa healing, comparing coblation to both dissection–ligation and laser techniques. Monopolar electrocautery produced significantly slower healing than coblation after 7 post-operative days, with no significant difference after 15 post-operative days. Histopathological evaluation showed that coblation inflicted significantly less thermal tissue injury than either electrocautery (p = 0.001) or laser (p = 0.003).

Conclusions:

In adult patients, coblation tonsillectomy offers some significant advantages in terms of post-operative pain and healing, compared with other tonsillectomy techniques.
Parapharyngeal abscess in a previously tonsillectomised child with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis syndrome: first reported case
Authors: Rollin M , Majithia A , Stearns M
Published: November 2007

Objective:

we present the first reported case of parapharyngeal abscess in a child with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis syndrome, an uncommon syndrome of recurrent, self-limiting fever in children.

Method:

Case report and review of the literature to date concerning periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis syndrome.

Results:

Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis syndrome is an incompletely understood syndrome which requires careful and thorough investigation in order to distinguish it from other causes of recurrent fever. There has been much recent debate in the literature over the merits of various treatment strategies, including tonsillectomy.

Conclusion:

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of a parapharyngeal abscess in a child with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis syndrome, made more significant by the fact that the child had undergone tonsillectomy one year prior. This case provides evidence that tonsillectomy does not protect against one of the more serious complications of oropharyngeal infection in children with this syndrome.
Conservativity of random Markov fibred systems
Authors: DENKER MANFRED , KIFER YURI , STADLBAUER MANUEL
Published: November 2007

In this paper we extend results concerning conservativity and the existence of σ-finite measures to random transformations which admit a countable relative Markov partition. We consider random systems which are locally fibre-preserving and which admit a countable, relative Markov partition. If the system is relative irreducible and satisfies a relative distortion property we deduce that the system is either totally dissipative or conservative and ergodic. For conservative systems, we provide sufficient conditions for the existence of absolutely continuous σ-finite invariant measures.
An Analysis of the Height of Tries with Random Weights on the Edges
Authors: BROUTIN N. , DEVROYE L.
Published: November 2007

We analyse the weighted height of random tries built from independent strings of i.i.d. symbols on the finite alphabet {1, . . .d}. The edges receive random weights whose distribution depends upon the number of strings that visit that edge. Such a model covers the hybrid tries of de la Briandais and the TST of Bentley and Sedgewick, where the search time for a string can be decomposed as a sum of processing times for each symbol in the string. Our weighted trie model also permits one to study maximal path imbalance. In all cases, the weighted height is shown to be asymptotic toclognin probability, wherecis determined by the behaviour of thecoreof the trie (the part where all nodes have a full set of children) and the fringe of the trie (the part of the trie where nodes have only one child and formspaghetti-like trees). It can be found by maximizing a function that is related to the Cramér exponent of the distribution of the edge weights.
The complexity of governance change: reforming the governance of medical performance in Germany
Authors: Burau Viola
Published: November 2007

The governance of medical performance is changing and new governing instruments are emerging. Existing analyses highlight the complexity of new governance arrangements, but the more or less dualistic perspective limits the possibility for exploring more fully this complexity. The present article therefore uses recent contributions to the literature on governance to explore the co-existence of different forms of governance with the aim of assessing the relative extent and the substantive nature of governance change. Using recent reforms of the governance of medical performance in Germany as a case study, the analysis suggests that the complexity of governance change takes three forms: first, the balance among (hybrid) forms of governance is shifting; second, the nature of individual (hybrid) forms of governance is changing; and, third, both types of change are reflected in tensions not only between but also within (hybrid) forms of governance. As such, the article also contributes to the recent literature on governance by highlighting the centrality of tensions in contemporary governance, which can also occur within both hybrid forms of governance and `pure' forms of governance.
Entlastung pflegender Angehöriger
Authors: Auer Stefanie , Donabauer Yvonne , Zehetner Felicitas , Span Edith
Published: November 2007

Zusammenfassung: Pflegende Angehörige von Personen mit Demenz sind ungeheuren täglichen Belastungen ausgesetzt, die Jahre und Jahrzehnte andauern können. Pflegende Angehörige haben ein erhöhtes Risiko zur Entwicklung depressiver und körperlicher Symptomatik, sowie ein erhöhtes Mortalitätsrisiko im Vergleich zu Personen, die keine Pflege durchführen. Diese Menschen brauchen dringend Entlastung. Dringend benötigt wird auch das entsprechende Wissen und die emotionale Unterstützung, die es möglich macht, dass pflegende Angehörige diese Lebensperiode gesund erleben können. Die österreichische M. A. S Alzheimerhilfe führt seit dem Jahr 2000 ein zweiwöchiges Therapie- und Förderungsprogramm für Personen mit Demenz und ihre pflegenden Angehörigen durch. Betroffene werden von einem multiprofessionellen Team betreut, stadiengerecht gefördert und aktiviert. Die Angehörigen erhalten die Möglichkeit, an einem umfassenden Schulungs- und Beratungsangebot teilzunehmen. Ein wichtiger Bestandteil des Programms ist ein anregendes Freizeitprogramm für Angehörige und Betroffene. In der vorliegenden Untersuchung wurde die Wirksamkeit dieser komplexen Intervention in Bezug auf den Belastungsgrad und die depressive Stimmung der pflegenden Angehörigen überprüft. Untersucht wurden 104 Angehörige vor und nach der Intervention. Die statistische Analyse ergab eine signifikante Reduktion der depressiven Stimmung und der direkt durch die Krankheitssymptomatik bedingten Belastungen. Dieses Programm hat sich sehr bewährt und wird von Angehörigen und Betroffenen sehr positiv aufgenommen.
Sozial-kognitive Theorien und Modelle zur Beschreibung und Veränderung von Sport und körperlicher Bewegung - ein Überblick
Authors: Lippke Sonia , Wiedemann Amelie U.
Published: November 2007

Zusammenfassung. Sozial-kognitive Theorien und Modelle lassen sich auf die Sport- und Bewegungsförderung anwenden und sie können helfen, diese Förderung theorie- und evidenzbasiert zu optimieren. Dazu werden im vorliegenden Beitrag zunächst zwei motivationale Modelle dargestellt: (1) die Theorie des geplanten Verhaltens (TPB) und (2) die Sozial-kognitive Theorie (SCT). Anschließend werden (3) die Planung als Beispiel für eine volitionale Variable sowie (4) das Sozial-kognitive Prozessmodell des Gesundheitsverhaltens (Health Action Process Approach, HAPA), ein Hybridmodell aus motivationalen, volitionalen und Stadienannahmen beschrieben. Stärken und Schwächen der vier Ansätze werden durch ausgewählte, aktuelle Forschungsergebnisse aufgezeigt. Vor diesem theoretischen und empirischen Hintergrund werden konkrete Hinweise zur Gestaltung besonders ressourcen-effizienter Maßnahmen zur Sport- und Bewegungsförderung geliefert. Damit kann nicht nur eine Optimierung von Maßnahmen erzielt sondern auch die Überprüfung und Weiterentwicklung von Theorien und Modellen vorangetrieben werden.
The formation of shear‐band/fracture networks from a constitutive instability: Theory and numerical experiment
Authors: Chemenda A. I.
Published: November 2007

A mono‐shear‐band bifurcation analysis is extended to the formation of shear‐band network affecting a finite brittle body. This analysis, along with the results of numerical simulations, suggests the following description of the bifurcation process. It starts when the hardening modulus h reaches a critical value hmax which has proved to be the same as that previously obtained from mono‐band analysis. The deformation pattern is penetrative at this stage and presents two conjugated sets of dense, parallel intermittent bands with accelerated and decelerated inelastic deformation. At the next stage the response of the material outside the bands with accelerated deformation becomes elastic (elastic unloading). The size of the elastic zones rapidly grows and the spacing λ between the “active” localization bands (incipient fractures) correspondingly increases to a value defined by the constitutive and stress‐state parameters. Both the analytical solution and numerical models show that λ is very sensitive to h: λ = ∞ at h = hmax and λ tends to the bend thickness when h → hmin < hmax. If h reduces rapidly below hmin, the deformation “jumps” into the post‐localization state and the material becomes completely crushed. Thus there exists only a narrow range of h values for which the deformation bifurcation, and hence the formation of regular band/fracture network, is possible. The obtained analytical solutions show how the band spacing depends on other constitutive parameters and on the stress‐state.
BLOOD ELECTROLYTES IN THE AUSTRALIAN CAMEL
Authors: Little A , McKenzie AJ , Morris RJH , Roberts J , Evans JV
Published: November 2007

The blood of 40 camels has been examined. The erythrocyte electrolyte concentrations/litre of red blood cells were significantly lower than those of other mammals. This low electrolyte level/litre of red blood cells appears to be due to a very high concentration of haemoglobin within the cell. A mean cell hemoglobin concentration of approximately 50% has been demonstrated in the camel. Similarities between the erythrocytes of the camel and those of a rare sheep red blood cell type are noted.
Dissociative electron attachment to the hydrogen-bound OH in water dimer through the lowest anionic Feshbach resonance
Authors: Chipman Daniel M.
Published: November 2007

The lowest energy Feshbach resonance state of the water dimer anion is computationally studied as the hydrogen-bonded OH moiety is stretched from its equilibrium position toward the hydrogen bond acceptor. The purpose is to treat a simple model system to gain insight into how hydrogen bonding may affect dissociative electron attachment to water in condensed phases. In the case of a water monomer anion, the analogous potential surface is known to be repulsive, leading directly to dissociation of H−. In contrast, in the dimer anion, a barrier is found to dissociation of the hydrogen-bonded OH moiety such that the migrating hydrogen can be held near the Franck-Condon region in a quasibound vibrational state for a time long compared to the OH vibrational period. This behavior is found both for the case of an icelike dimer structure and for a substantial majority of liquidlike dimer structures. These findings raise the possibility that due to effects of hydrogen bonding, a molecule-centered anionic entity that is metastable both to electron detachment and to bond dissociation may live long enough to be considered as a species in the radiolysis of condensed water phases.
Formation of rodlike structures of water between oppositely charged ions in decane and polyethylene
Authors: Johansson E. , Bolton K. , Theodorou D. N. , Ahlström P.
Published: November 2007

The Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo method has been combined with the connectivity altering osmotic Gibbs ensemble to study water solubility and clustering in decane and polyethylene. We show that the presence of oppositely charged ion pairs that have fixed positions in the hydrocarbon matrices leads to an order of magnitude increase in the water solubility. This is important to a wide range of technical applications, since the uptake of the water leads to an increase in volume—or expansion—of the hydrocarbon phase which, in the case of polyethylene, may change the polymer properties and lead to water treeing. The increase in solubility is largest when the ions are sufficiently close so that rod-shaped clusters of water molecules form between the ions.
Construction and calibration of a 12T pulsed magnet integrated with a 4K closed-cycle refrigerator
Authors: Murthy O. V. S. N. , Venkataraman V.
Published: November 2007

A low cost 12T pulsed magnet system has been integrated with a closed-cycle helium refrigerator for performing magnetotransport measurements. Minimal delay between pulses and ac current excitation with software lock-in to reduce noise enables quick but accurate measurements to be performed at temperatures of 4–300K up to 12T. An additional pulsed magnet operating with a liquid nitrogen cryostat extends the range up to 19T. The instrument has been calibrated against a commercial superconducting magnet by comparing quantum Hall effect data in a p-channel SiGe∕Si heterostructure, and common issues arising out of pulsed magnet usage have been addressed. The versatility of the system is demonstrated through magnetotransport measurements in a variety of samples such as heterostructures, narrow gap semiconductors, and those exhibiting giant magnetoresistance.
Kähler quantization of H*(T2,R) and modular forms
Authors: Loran Farhang
Published: November 2007

Kähler quantization of H1(T2,R) is studied. It is shown that this theory corresponds to a fermionic σ model targeting a noncommutative space. By solving the complex-structure moduli independence conditions, the quantum background independent wave function is obtained. We study the transformation of the wave function under modular transformation. It is shown that the transformation rule is characteristic to the operator ordering. Similar results are obtained for Kähler quantization of H2(T2,R).
L
p
solutions to the Cauchy problem of the BGK equation
Authors: Zhang Xianwen , Hu Shigeng
Published: November 2007

The BGK model of the Boltzmann equation plays an important role in the kinetic theory of rarefied gases. Some existence and uniqueness results of solutions to its Cauchy problem were established for large initial data under various circumstances [see, for example, Perthame, B., “Global existence to the BGK model of Boltzmann equation,” J. Differ. Equations 82, 191–205 (1989)]. In this paper, by establishing some weighted Lp estimates of the hydrodynamical quantities of a gas, we prove the existence theorem of the Lp solutions to the Cauchy problem and establish the propagation properties of the Lp moments for this kind of solutions.
Double hysteresis loop in (Pb0.90La0.10)Ti0.975O3∕Pb(Zr0.20Ti0.80)O3 bilayer thin films
Authors: Wu Jiagang , Zhu Jiliang , Xiao Dingquan , Zhu Jianguo
Published: November 2007

( Pb 0.90 La 0.10 ) Ti 0.975 O 3 ∕ Pb ( Zr 0.20 Ti 0.80 ) O 3 bilayer thin films were fabricated using radio frequency magnetron sputtering with a PbOx buffer layer. The x-ray diffraction patterns show that the bilayers possess highly (100) orientation. Polarization hysteresis and capacitance-voltage characteristics of the bilayers show clear antiferroelectric (AFE) characteristics. The related mechanism for double hysteresis loop was also discussed. The competition among the intrinsic ferroelectric coupling at the interface between bilayers gives rise to an AFE polarization behavior.
On the formulation of the material equilibrium condition for a dissolving solid nanoparticle
Authors: Rusanov A. I. , Shchekin A. K.
Published: November 2007

Widely known Gibbs’ relationship predicting a difference of chemical potentials in a small solid particle and in a surrounding fluid phase at equilibrium is shown to refer to a real or imaginary bulk phase inside the particle. A similar relationship derived for the real surface monolayer of a nanoparticle exhibits the equality of chemical potentials at equilibrium, which allows for experimental measurement of the surface chemical potential of a dissolving solid nanoparticle.
Managing Local Labour Markets and Making up New Spaces of Welfare
Authors: Cochrane Allan , Etherington David
Published: November 2007

The dissolution of the old mechanisms of state welfare has not yet led to the generation of a new welfare settlement, although the rise of neoliberalism and of what Jessop has called the Schumpeterian Competition State have highlighted some key directions of change. The importance of geographical inequality and unevenness to the process of reshaping welfare has been widely recognised, and the fragmentation and decentralisation of employment and social policies are giving rise to the production of new welfare spaces, which institutionalise the new arrangements, helping to make up neoliberalism in practice. These issues are discussed with the help of case studies of two contrasting areas: Sheffield, a city recently experiencing economic restructuring and high levels of labour-market adjustment and employment deprivation; and Milton Keynes, a city which has been a growth area within the South East since the 1960s and which is earmarked for further employment and the location of planned population and employment growth. The ways in which new welfare spaces are being produced is explored through a consideration of the configuration of partnerships around the governance of workfare, welfare, and competitiveness within these cities.
‘Choosing’ Participatory Research: Partnerships in Space–Time
Authors: Klodawsky Fran
Published: November 2007

Participatory action research has increasing attention in geography in recent years, with numerous discussions about how best to proceed and lessons learned from past efforts. There has been less interest, though, in critically probing the circumstances under which participatory research takes place: in other words, the sociospatial contexts within which such research approaches are chosen. One explanation may be that participatory action researchers sometimes infer that the reasons for their choices are primarily ethical and political. In this paper, I consider this and other assumptions about participatory action research, drawing upon my own involvement in two action research projects in Ottawa, Canada. I argue that reflecting on this question is a particularly timely undertaking, given the ‘actually existing neoliberalisms’ in which professionalization and partnerships are becoming more prominent. I begin by reviewing what has been said about participatory action research and the circumstances under which this approach is likely to be selected, and reflect on how these discussions might be enhanced by linking their circumstances specifically to emerging analyses about spaces of neoliberalism. Using these insights, I then examine the sociospatial context for the two studies and how their characteristics had specific effects on their methodological choices. All of these elements provide the scaffolding for consideration of the rationalities that supported the usage of participatory research in one study and the lack of engagement with this approach in the other.
Protein synthesis rates in skin components and skeletal muscle of sheep selected for divergent clean fleece weight in response to below- and above-maintenance nutrition
Authors: Li L. , Liu S. M. , Oddy V. H. , Nolan J. V.
Published: November 2007

Protein metabolism in skin and muscle was studied in Merino wethers selected for high (F+, n = 10) or low (F–, n = 10) estimated breeding values for clean fleece weight, but with similar estimated breeding values for liveweight and fibre diameter, raised to 20 months of age under the same conditions, and then offered two levels of nutrition (0.8 or 1.8 × maintenance) for 37 days.
Over 37 days, F+ sheep had greater rate of wool production, liveweight gain, and had greater eye-muscle and fat depth than F– sheep (P < 0.05).
Fractional synthesis rates of protein (%/day) in the epidermis, dermis, whole skin and muscle were affected by both feeding level (P < 0.05) and genotype (P < 0.05). The fractional synthesis rates of protein were greater (P < 0.05) in F+ sheep at both levels of intake. There was an interaction (P < 0.01) between genotype and feeding level for the protein fractional synthesis rate in muscle, where F+ sheep were more responsive to higher feed intake. Muscle of F– sheep responded to increased amino acid supply by reducing the rate of protein degradation without altering synthesis rate; whereas muscle of F+ sheep responded by increasing the rates of both protein synthesis and degradation. The overall muscle fractional synthesis rate (1.6%/day) was ~7-times lower than the skin fractional synthesis rate (10.8%/day) in these animals (P < 0.01).
F+ sheep had a higher rate of protein synthesis in dermis and whole skin to support their higher wool protein accretion at both levels of feed intake. Muscle protein synthesis rate was greater in F+ sheep offered above-maintenance metabolisable energy (ME) intake than those given below-maintenance ME intake but was unaffected by ME intake in F– sheep. The results indicate that selection for wool growth not only affects production of wool and the wool follicle, but also affects the rate of protein turnover in components of the skin and skeletal muscle.
Increasing dietary sodium chloride increases wool growth but decreases in vivo organic matter digestibility in sheep across a range of diets
Authors: Thomas Dean T. , Rintoul Allan J. , Masters David G.
Published: November 2007

For 8 weeks, 64 Merino wethers, 18 months of age, were individually penned and offered 1 of 16 treatment feeds (n = 4). The 16 feeds were formulated to contain levels of added sodium chloride (0, 7, 14, 21%) and levels of organic matter digestibility (55, 62, 69, 76%), in a 4 × 4 factorial design. The treatment feeds were offered ad libitum for 7 weeks and at maintenance for the final week. Clean wool growth, corrected for digestible organic matter intake, increased by 16, 18 and 27% as added sodium chloride was increased (7, 14, and 21%). The increase in wool growth was similar for diets at all levels of formulated organic matter digestibility. Feed digestibility in sheep decreased when added dietary sodium chloride was 14% or higher. The decrease in organic matter digestibility was ~5 percentage units at the highest level (21%) of dietary sodium chloride. Liveweight gain in sheep was reduced from 143 to 134, 65 and 1 g/day with 7, 14 and 21% added dietary sodium chloride, respectively. Therefore, improvement in wool growth efficiency appears to occur at the expense of liveweight gain, and was probably related to a shift in digestion of feed from the stomach to the small intestine. Higher corrected clean wool growth associated with lower levels of purine derivatives (an indicator of microbial protein synthesis) supported the conclusion that increased dietary salt resulted in an increase in dietary protein being digested in the small intestine. A shift in feed utilisation towards increased wool growth as dietary salt increases may be a management tool of particular interest to specialist wool producers. In areas of saline land where salt-accumulating shrubs are often the most productive vegetation, an increase in wool production efficiency, even if liveweight is only maintained, may improve the profitability of incorporating these shrubs into a feeding strategy.
Lateralization of visual learning in the honeybee
Authors: Letzkus Pinar , Boeddeker Norbert , Wood Jeff T , Zhang Shao-Wu , Srinivasan Mandyam V
Published: November 2007

Lateralization is a well-described phenomenon in humans and other vertebrates and there are interesting parallels across a variety of different vertebrate species. However, there are only a few studies of lateralization in invertebrates. In a recent report, we showed lateralization of olfactory learning in the honeybee (
Apis mellifera
). Here, we investigate lateralization of another sensory modality, vision. By training honeybees on a modified version of a visual proboscis extension reflex task, we find that bees learn a colour stimulus better with their right eye.
School nurses and sex education: surveillance and disciplinary practices in primary schools
Authors: Hayter Mark , Piercy Hilary , Massey Marie‐Therese , Gregory Trudy
Published: November 2007

Title.  School nurses and sex education: surveillance and disciplinary practices in primary schools

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore how school nurses perceive the influence of schools on their role in delivering sex and relationship education in primary schools.

Background.  School nurses play a key role in sex education in English schools. However, sex education is a contentious issue meaning the sex education of children is often an area of tension within the curriculum. However, the impact of these tensions upon school nursing practice is poorly described.

Method.  Three focus groups with a convenience sample of 16 nurses experienced in conducting sex and relationship education were conducted during 2006. Focus groups were audio‐taped, transcribed verbatim and subjected to a thematic analysis.

Findings.  Four themes were identified in the data: ‘covert surveillance’ refers to school staff conducting clandestine surveillance of the classroom actions of the nurse; ‘overt surveillance’ reflects how nurses felt they were being openly monitored by teachers in the classroom; ‘Teacher attitude’ refers to the interventions of the supervising teacher in the classroom during the sex education session and ‘resistance practices’ detailed how nurses attempted to manage the disciplinary practices of the school.

Conclusion.  School nurses need to be pragmatic about the fact that there will be some attempts by the school to regulate sex education. Developing an early dialogue with the school can mediate this. Closer working practices and the involvement of school nurses in the development of sex education policy and practice is vital to ensure that they continue to make a valuable contribution to sex education in schools.
Assessing ecological responses to environmental change using statistical models
Authors: Ferguson C. A , Carvalho L , Scott E. M , Bowman A. W , Kirika A
Published: November 2007

There is a clear need to improve our ability to assess the ecological consequences of environmental change. Because of the complexity of ecosystems and a need to disentangle the effects of multiple pressures, predictions are often reliant on models and expert opinion. These require validation with observed data; in this respect, long‐term data sets are particularly valuable.

Innovative statistical methods (nonparametric regression and additive models) are presented for identifying nonparametric ecological trends and changes in seasonality in response to environmental change. These are illustrated through the example of Loch Leven, a shallow freshwater lake. Monitoring data for 35 years are examined, spanning periods of enrichment, ecological recovery and changing climate.

Models are developed for phosphorus and nitrogen; temperature and rainfall;Daphniagrazers; and chlorophyll a, with the ecological objectives of examining trends in water quality and the corresponding trends in nutrient availability, grazer abundance and climate.

The analysis highlighted a generally decreasing availability of P over the study period, and generally increasing nonparametric trends in nitrate concentration and rainfall. Increasing spring temperatures were also evident, as were significant nonparametric changes in density of summer grazers.

Significant reductions are highlighted in spring and summer chlorophyll a, related to the return ofDaphniato the loch. However, no response in chorophyll ato the later declining trends in P is apparent, but seasonality has changed.

Synthesis and applications.The analysis highlights the value of nonparametric statistical models for assessing complex ecological responses to environmental change. The models outlined can examine key ecological impacts of climate change, particularly effects on the timing of seasonal events and processes. The models are illustrated using long‐term water‐quality data from Loch Leven to explore patterns in key environmental drivers and ecological responses affecting freshwater ecosystems. Analysis of chlorophyll a, in particular, highlighted the value of examining the seasonal trends separately, with different trends evident for winter and spring and a changing seasonal pattern.
Influence de l'irradiation sur la croissance de plants d'épinette noire en contenants placés dans deux enceintes de culture
Authors: D'Aoust André L.
Published: November 2007

Experiments with container-grown seedling in a greenhouse showed a large variation of plant material. Studies were initiated to identify whether irradiation (cumulative radiation) was responsible for the variation in growth observed. From parallel studies, between greenhouse and growth cabinet, it appears that a superior accumulation of dry matter and a larger stem diameter are related to the cumulative radiation during the growth period. However, the length of seedlings is not as sensitive to this light factor. Another study in a growth chamber, where all the climatic factors were identical except for the photon flux which was reduced in half of the growing area, shows the significant effect of this factor of light on the growth of Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P. seedlings. An overall evaluation of the results also indicates that the growth cabinet with its controlled environment did not reduce the total variation of the seedlings and therefore a preselection of black spruce material could improve the quality of a production.
Marked differences among poplar clones in winter browsing damage by cottontail rabbits
Authors: Dickmann Donald I.
Published: November 2007

The severe winters of 1975–1976, 1976–1977, and 1977–1978 brought extensive damage by cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagusfloridanus (Allen)) to young trees in southern Michigan. In poplar stool beds at East Lansing, browsing rabbits showed a striking preference for the bark of 1-year-old Populusnigra L. stems of Italian origin over those of 26 other poplar clones. Whereas over 80% of P. nigra stems were debarked during the winter of 1977, only seven other clones showed any damage, with 4% or less of the stems injured.
Biomass, productivity, and nutrient-use efficiency of aboveground vegetation in four Rocky Mountain coniferous forests
Authors: Prescott Cindy E. , Corbin John P. , Parkinson Dennis
Published: November 2007

Aboveground biomass, annual production, and internal nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics of vegetation were compared among a 90-year-old Pinuscontorta Loudon forest, a 120-year-old Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss–P. contorta forest, a 350-year-old Piceaengelmannii Parry ex Engelm.–Abieslasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. forest, and a 13-year-old P. contorta stand in the Rocky Mountains of southwestern Alberta. Aboveground biomass of vegetation ranged from 109 to 203 t•ha−1, while aboveground net primary productivity ranged from 4.4 to 5.3 t•ha−1•year−1 in the mature forests. Approximately 30% of the N and 20–40% of the P in ground vegetation were reabsorbed during senescence; 40–50% of the N and 50–80% of the P were reabsorbed from senescing tree foliage. Annual uptake of nutrients (production minus reabsorption) was between 1.8 and 2.2 g•m−2•year−1 for N and 0.2–0.4 g•m−2•year−1 for P. Efficiency of nutrient use (milligrams of new biomass produced per milligram of nutrient taken up in 1 year) ranged from 249 to 262 for N and 1604 to 2355 for P in the mature forests, and 72 and 642, respectively, in the young pine stand. Both N and P were used very efficiently in the pine forest and relatively inefficiently in the spruce–pine forest, reflecting differences in the inherent nutrient-use efficiency of these tree species. In the spruce–fir forest, N was used less efficiently and P more efficiently than in other forests, in response to lower phosphorus availability in this forest. Differences in nutrient-use efficiency of vegetation were related to differences in the amount of biomass produced per unit amount of N or P taken up, and not to differences in efficiency of N or P reabsorption.
LATTICE WAVE TRANSMISSION THROUGH ONE-DIMENSIONAL DEFECTED CHAIN
Authors: LIU HONG
Published: November 2007

By using Green's functional method, we investigated the influence of different strength constants at defected bonds and the junction's size on the transmission properties of the lattice wave in a one-dimensional chain. The heat currents of several defected chains are also calculated. The results show that correlation transmission between two defected bonds in a chain different from electron behaviors. Furthermore, for a large-size junction embedded in a chain, the transmission of high frequency phonons will disappear while having smaller strength constant in the junction than in two semi-infinity chains. On the other hand, for larger strength constant than in two semi-infinite chains, all phonons can transport through the junction with a certain transmission value, although the number of transmission peaks decreases. Finally, the lower frequency lattice waves have better transmission through a junction with a series of strength constants according to the Fibonacci sequence.
VISIBILITY FRINGE REDUCTION DUE TO NOISE-INDUCED EFFECTS: MICROSCOPIC APPROACH TO INTERFERENCE EXPERIMENTS
Authors: VILLAR PAULA I. , LOMBARDO FERNANDO C.
Published: November 2007

Decoherence is the main process behind the quantum to classical transition. It is a purely quantum mechanical effect by which the system loses its ability to exhibit coherent behavior. The recent experimental observation of diffraction and interference patterns for large molecules raises some interesting questions. In this context, we identify possible agents of decoherence to take into account when modeling these experiments, and study their visible (or not) effects on the interference pattern. We thereby present an analysis of matter wave interferometry in the presence of a dynamic quantum environment, and study how much the visibility fringe is reduced and in which timescale the decoherence effects destroy the interference of massive objects. Finally, we apply our results to the experimental data reported on fullerenes and cold neutrons.
SCHEME FOR IMPLEMENTING ASSISTED CLONING OF AN UNKNOWN BIPARTITE THREE-DIMENSION EQUATORIAL ENTANGLED STATE
Authors: ZHAN YOU-BANG , MA PENG-CHENG
Published: November 2007

In this paper, we proposed a protocol which can produce a perfect copy of an unknown bipartite three-dimension equatorial entangled state with assistance from a state preparer. In this protocol, the maximally entangled and non-maximally entangled two-qutrit states are used as the quantum channels, respectively. The first stage of the protocol requires the usual teleportation. In the second stage of the protocol, with the assistance of the preparer, the perfect copy of an original unknown state can be produced.
THIRD-HARMONIC GENERATION OF WURTZITEGaN-BASED COUPLING QUANTUM WELLS WITH STRONG BUILT-IN ELECTRIC FIELDS
Authors: ZHANG LI
Published: November 2007

Based on the density matrix approach and iterative treatment, the third-harmonic generation (THG) susceptibility of a wurtzite nitride coupling quantum well (CQW) with strong built-in electric fields have been theoretically investigated. The band non-parabolicity effect of nitride heterostructures has been taken into account. A typical wurtzite AlGaN/GaN CQW are chosen to perform numerical calculations. The result shows that, the THG coefficients sensitively depend on the structural parameters of the CQW system. Moreover, a strong THG process can be realized in the nitride CQW by choosing a group of appropriate structural parameters and doped fraction.
N719 Dye Adsorption on Anatase TiO2 Surfaces Investigated by Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy
Authors: Kuribayashi Koei , Iwata Hiroshi , Hirose Fumihiko
Published: November 2007

N719 dye adsorption ((Bu4N)2-[Ru(dcbpyH)2(NCS)2] complex) on anatase TiO2 surfaces has been investigated to achieve a highdensity of the dye adsorption. By using an IR absorption measurement with a multiple internal reflection, we have found the N719 dye dissociatively adsorbs to the TiO2 surfaces with its COOTBA on surface OH sites and TBA (tetrabutylammonium) fragments dissociated from COOTBA is adsorbed on other sites on TiO2. The generation of OH sites by a UV irradiation on TiO2 surfaces prior to the N719 dye-adsorption is effective to increase short circuit current of the dye-sensitized solar cells.
Pt-metal Oxide Anode Electrocatalysts for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
Authors: Scibioh M. Aulice , Kim Soo-Kil , Lim Tae-Hoon , Hong Seong-Ahn , Ha Heung Yong
Published: November 2007

Ceria (CeO2) as a co-catalytic material with Pt has been investigated for methanol electrooxidation reaction. A series of Pt-CeO2/C catalysts with various compositions of ceria, viz. 40wt% Pt- x(CeO2)/C (x = 0 to 8 wt%) and to compare its activity with a well known methanol oxidation catalyst PtRu/C were synthesized by wet impregnation method. Electrocatalytic activities of these catalysts for methanol oxidation were examined by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry and it has been found that 40wt% Pt- 6(CeO2)/C catalyst exhibited a better activity than did the unmodified Pt/C catalyst with improved stability. Therefore we confirmed the possibility of Pt-CeO2 as a methanol oxidation catalyst. The physicochemical characterizations of the catalysts were made by using BET-PSD surface area measurements, temperature programmed reduction, X- ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy techniques . A tentative mechanism has been proposed for the possible role of ceria as a co-catalyst in Pt/C system for methanol electrooxidation.
Highly Amorphous Solid Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Luo Kan , Filler Robert , Mandal Braja K.
Published: November 2007

Two new amorphous polyethers have been synthesized and characterized by functionalization of a commercially available epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide copolymer. The functionalized polyethers, ECH-EO-Phth and ECH-EO-Iodide, after purification and vacuum drying, displayed both excellent mechanical strength and compatibility with lithium salts. Thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry showed the complete amorphous character of the electrolytes in the temperature range of -100{degree sign} C to 120{degree sign}C and ionic conductivities of ~1.32x10-6 S/cm at room temperature.
Fullerene and pi-Conjugated Oligomer Hybrids as Advanced Functional Nanomaterials
Authors: Zhao Yuming , Zhou Ningzhang , Wang Li , Merschrod Erika , Thompson David
Published: November 2007

Two classes of pi-conjugated oligomer linked bis-fullerene molecules with a triad motif of C60-pi-C60 were synthesized and investigated. In the first series of C60-pi-C60 hybrids, electron-rich OPE/OPV conjugated oligomers were employed to function as the central pi-bridges and as the electron donors. Electrochemical and electronic absorption/emission spectral analyses indicate that the electronic interactions between the fullerene cage (acceptor) and the oligomer unit (donor) varied depending on the nature of the bridging unit. Complex excited state decay dynamics on the nanosecond timesccale were observed with time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy. The second series of fullerene-oligomer hybrids use conjugated polyynes as the pi-bridges. The unique structural rigidity and solid-state reactivity of the polyyne units impart these bisfullerene molecular dumbbells interesting interfacial aggregation behavior by forming spherical nanostructures on s urfaces. This property could be useful for solid-state synthesis of fullerene based nanomaterials.
Structure and Physical Properties of Doped C60 Whiskers
Authors: Kumashiro Ryotaro , Ohashi Hirotaka , Hiroshiba Nobuya , Fujiki Taiki , Miyazawa Kun'Ichi , Tanigaki Katsumi
Published: November 2007

Electric transport of C60 nanowhiskers with I2 doping is reported. The temperature evolution of electric conductivity shows that the temperature gradient of resistivity displays two or three transitions depending on the doping time and temperature. This unique feature is discussed by referring to the crystallographic studies of high resolution Xray diffraction (XRD).
Synthesis and Luminescent Properties of GdCaAl3O7: Tb3+Nanocrystals
Authors: Khatkar Satyender P. , Kumar Dinesh , Han Sang Do
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT Terbium activated GdCaAl3O7: Tb3+nanocrystals were synthesized by combustion route using metal nitrates as precursors and urea as a fuel in a preheated furnace at 500oC. The nanocrystals obtained through combustion synthesis were fired from 700oC to 1100oC for 3h to get better luminescent properties. These nanocrystals have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Nanocrystals have average size from 20nm to 50nm.The prepared nanocrystals under UV source revealed green luminescence that was attributed to the transitions from 5D4 excited state to 7FJ(J=3-6) ground state of Tb3+ ions. The predominant green color from magnetic dipole transition 5D4 →7F5 of Tb3+ ions located at 545nm. In addition the dependence of the luminescence intensity on Tb3+ ions concentrations and effect of heat treatment on the particle size of the nanocrystals have also been discussed. Intensities of 5D4 emissions increase with increase of sintering temperature while that of 5D3 emissions decreases.
Redox Stable Electrodes for Hydrogen Producing Solid Oxide Electrolyzer
Authors: Sin Yong-Wook , Petrovsky Vladimir , Anderson Harlan U. U.
Published: November 2007

This report focuses on a study which measured the electrical conductivity of LSCrM, LSCr and LSM as a function of oxygen activity and temperature to evaluate the chemical and mechanical stability of the materials as an electrode in a solid oxide fuel-fed electrolyzer cell (SOFEC). The LSCrM symmetrical cell was fabricated using La0.75Sr0.25Cr0.5Mn0.5O3 (LSCrM) powder and evaluated using electrical conductivity, impedance spectroscopy, current density and power density as a function of temperature. During the evaluation, symmetrical cell tests and fuel cell tests were performed as a function of temperature. Silver (Ag) and platinum (Pt) were also used to compare the cell performance with and without precious metal as a current collector. Although the OCV was in the same level (about 1.2 V) in dry 10%H2-90%N2 with both Ag and Pt collectors, the current density and power density of the cell was increased more than 20 times when Pt was used as a current collector.
Retrograde Catheterization of the Pulmonary Veins Following Surgical Correction of Transposition of the Great Vessels
Authors: Carter Guy A.
Published: November 2007

Prior to a Mustard repair for transposition of the great vessels, complete physiologic data of the pulmonary bed can be obtained by catheterization of the pulmonary artery with a "J" formed wire, and direct catheterization of the pulmonary veins via an atrial septal defect. Following "physiologic" repair ready access to the pulmonary veins is denied. Evaluation of the pulmonary venous pressure is of great importance, however, in differentiating pulmonary vascular disease from pulmonary hypertension secondary to patch obstruction of pulmonary venous return. This paper describes a technique of catheterization of the pulmonary veins following a Mustard repair for TGV.

Key words: Transposition of great arteries, cardiac catheterization, Mustard procedure
Elastic Properties of Blood Vessels Determined By Photoelectric Plethysmography
Authors: Uretzky G. , Palti Y.
Published: November 2007

The dynamic elastic properties and vascular reactions of human blood vessels in vivo are studied by means of the photoplethysmographic method. The measurement of the mechanical properties of the blood vessel walls is based on measurement of blood volume changes resulting from changes in external pressure. The blood volume changes are mon itored by measuring the opacity changes in vascular bed, in this case, the distal phalanx of the finger. The elastic properties thus measured reflect some average property of a whole vascular bed. The technique is simple, noninvasive, and does not cause any damage or discomfort to the subject.

In healthy young subjects, blood vessel elasticity was found to be constant in the range between the systolic and diastolic pressure. However the volume-pressure curves showed a hysteresis loop, i.e., the curves obtained during the increase of intravascular pressure differed from those obtained when pressure was decreased.

The elasticity of the vascular walls of patients suffering from peripheral vascular diseases was found to be significantly different; their volume- pressure curves were nonlinear and had a much wider hysteresis loop (indicating a lower critical opening pressure), and their vascular reactions to changes in pressure were different.

Possible uses of the method for diagnosing and evaluating arterio sclerotic and other vascular diseases and for studying vascular changes and reactions under conditions such as shock, heart failure, external abnormal pressures, and various drugs, are discussed.
Oxygen Pressure in Ischemic Muscle Tissue of Patients With Chronic Occlusive Arterial Diseases
Authors: Ehrly A.M. , Schroeder W.
Published: November 2007

Local tissue oxygen pressure was measured with micro-Pt-electrodes in the resting tibialis anterior muscles of 10 patients with chronic occlusive arterial disease and in 9 healthy subjects. The mean pO2 values in the patient group was 13.3 ± 5.4 Torr, and 27.2 ± 4.4 Torr in the control group. The difference is highly statistically significant. Preliminary results of treatment of 10 patients with the rheologically-active drug Ancrod show a statistically significant increase of oxygen pressure in the ischemic muscle tissue. Measurement of muscle tissue pO2 with microelectrodes seems to be an objective and quantitative method to investigate the oxygen supply to ischemic muscles and to judge the effects of therapeutic mea sures.
An Unusual Coronary Abnormality
Authors: Sahota H. , Rodko E.A.
Published: November 2007

An unusual case of an aberrant coro nary artery is described. The aberrant artery arose from the L.A.D. branch and ended in the aorta. It had two aneu rysmal dilatations.