bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Positive correlation between anxiety severity and plasma levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in medication‐free patients experiencing a major episode of depression
Authors: HSIAO CHENG‐CHENG
Published: November 2006

Abstract  Although numerous studies have identified a correlation between dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels and anxiety or depression, those findings remain controversial. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether a correlation exists between depression severity and anxiety severity and serum DHEAS concentrations in medication‐free patients experiencing a major depressive episode. Twenty‐eight medication‐free major depressive outpatients (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression 17 [HAM‐D 17] score ≥17) were enrolled consecutively. Plasma DHEAS levels of all subjects were measured. Blood from subjects was drawn at 0900–1100 h Depression severity was assessed with the HAM‐D 17 and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) depression subscale. Anxiety was assessed using the HADS anxiety subscale. Serum concentrations of DHEAS were measured immediately following the HAM‐D 17 and HADS assessments. A significant, positive correlation was identified between HADS anxiety subscale total score and morning serum DHEAS concentration (P = 0.013) after controlling for age, gender and body mass index (BMI). No statistically significant correlations were found between depression ratings and morning serum DHEAS concentrations. This preliminary study provides pilot data indicating that morning serum DHEAS concentrations were positively correlated with HADS anxiety subscale score (anxiety severity) after controlling for age, gender and BMI in medication‐free outpatients experiencing a major depressive episode. It is not known if morning serum DHEAS levels would show similar or dissimilar changes in non‐depressed subjects. The present result needs subsequent replication.
Predictors of seminal vesicle invasion before radical prostatectomy
Authors: TSURUMAKI YUZURI , TOMITA KYOICHI , KUME HARUKI , YAMAGUCHI TAKUHIRO , MORIKAWA TEPPEI , TAKAHASHI SATORU , TAKEUCHI TAKUMI , KITAMURA TADAICHI
Published: November 2006

Aim: To predict whether or not seminal vesicle invasion is present before radical prostatectomy, the relationships between clinical parameters and seminal vesicle invasion were analyzed.

Methods: A review was conducted of 187 patients who had been clinically diagnosed with stages A2, B0, B1, B2 or C prostate cancer and who had undergone radical prostatectomy without neoadjuvant therapy. The parameters analyzed for potential predictors of seminal vesicle invasion before radical prostatectomy included age, clinical stage, serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level at biopsy, tumor differentiation of biopsy specimens and percentage of cancer positive cores by biopsy. For percentage of cancer positive cores by biopsy, 143 of 187 patients who underwent transrectal sextant biopsy or more than six transrectal ultrasound guided core biopsies were evaluated. These parameters were subjected to univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify predictors for seminal vesicle invasion.

Results: The median age was 66.8 years (range 51–77 years). Of 187 patients, 27 (14.4%) had seminal vesicle invasion confirmed pathologically. There were significant differences in all parameters except for age between patients with positive and negative seminal vesicle invasion on univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that serum PSA level, tumor differentiation of biopsy specimens and percentage of cancer positive cores were significant independent predictors of seminal vesicle invasion.

Conclusions: The results showed serum PSA level, tumor differentiation of biopsy specimens and percentage of cancer positive cores by biopsy before radical prostatectomy may be useful predictors for seminal vesicle invasion.
Renegotiation Design and Contract Solutions to the Hold‐Up Problem
Authors: Fares M'hand
Published: November 2006

Abstract This paper surveys the literature on contractual solutions to the hold‐up problem which has addressed the issue of how to design the optimal contractual arrangement to achieve efficient investments in the presence of contract incompleteness. Although scholars have argued that renegotiation design is a necessary condition to avoid the hold‐up problem, some recent papers have seriously questioned this condition. We mainly show that renegotiation design remains a necessary condition to implement efficient investments.
THE ECONOMIC THEORY OF VERTICAL RESTRAINTS
Authors: Secrieru Oana
Published: November 2006

Abstract The types of contracts arising in a typical vertical manufacturer–retailer relationship are more sophisticated than a simple uniform price. In addition to setting per unit prices, manufacturers and retailers also revert to non‐linear pricing and non‐price instruments. These instruments or contracts are referred to as vertical restraints and can take the form of franchise fees, resale‐price maintenance, exclusive dealing, exclusive territories and slotting allowances. The use and the effects of one type of instrument versus another depend crucially on specific market assumptions upstream and downstream and on the division of bargaining power between manufacturers and retailers. This paper surveys the industrial organization literature on retail pricing and shows that vertical restraint instruments have important effects on producer and consumer prices, market structure, efficiency and welfare.
Category and stereotype activation revisited
Authors: AKRAMI NAZAR , EKEHAMMAR BO , ARAYA TADESSE
Published: November 2006

In Study 1 (N= 230), we found that the participants’ explicit prejudice was not related to their knowledge of cultural stereotypes of immigrants in Sweden, and that they associated the social category immigrants with the same national/ethnic categories. In Study 2 (N= 88), employing the category and stereotype words obtained in Study 1 as primes, we examined whether participants with varying degrees of explicit prejudice differed in their automatic stereotyping and implicit prejudice when primed with category or stereotypical words. In accord with our hypothesis, and contrary to previous findings, the results showed that people's explicit prejudice did not affect their automatic stereotyping and implicit prejudice, neither in the category nor stereotype priming condition. Study 3 (N= 62), employing category priming using facial photographs of Swedes and immigrants as primes, showed that participants’ implicit prejudice was not moderated by their explicit prejudice. The outcome is discussed in relation to the distinction between category and stereotype priming and in terms of the associative strength between a social category and its related stereotypes.
Predictors of skin self‐examination in subjects attending a pigmented lesion clinic in Italy
Authors: Carli P , Nardini P , Chiarugi A , Crocetti E , Salvini C , Carelli G , De Giorgi V
Published: November 2006

Background  Skin self‐examination (SSE) is associated with thinner melanomas in both North American and Italian patients. The knowledge of conditions associated with SSE may help in refining educational strategies for the prevention of melanoma.

Objective  The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency of SSE and the factors associated with SSE in subjects followed at a specialized pigmented lesion clinic (PLC) in Italy.

Patients/methods  A series of 299 consecutive subjects who visited the Florence PLC was investigated by means of a self‐administered questionnaire regarding SSE habits. The statistical association between SSE and selected variables was examined by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results  In the univariate analysis, variables significantly associated with SSE were: green/blue eyes, phototype I/II, the presence of large numbers of common acquired and atypical melanocytic naevi, sunscreen use, having had a previous PLC examination, and having received a leaflet explaining SSE. SSE was less frequent in women using sunbeds and more frequent in those performing breast self‐examination. Using the multivariate model, which included all the variables associated with SSE in the previous analysis, we found that, among males, the only variable significantly associated with SSE was the report of having received a leaflet explaining SSE [odds ratio (OR) 3.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24–7.38]. Among females, having had a previous consultation at a PLC was significantly associated with SSE (OR 4.84, 95%CI 1.57–14.93); this might be because of the explanation and advice about skin cancer prevention customarily provided as a part of the PLC consultation at our department.

Conclusion  Educational tools, including a leaflet explaining SSE and counselling given within previous PLC visits, seem to play a crucial role in promoting SSE habits in subjects followed at a specialized PLC consultation.
THE POSTCRANIUM OF ARCHEGOSAURUS DECHENI, AND A PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF TEMNOSPONDYL POSTCRANIA
Authors: WITZMANN FLORIAN , SCHOCH RAINER R.
Published: November 2006

Abstract:  The gharial‐like Archegosaurus decheni from the Permian/Carboniferous boundary of south‐west Germany is one of the best known temnospondyls. Based largely on new material, we restudied the postcranial anatomy of this species, including ontogenetic aspects. A. decheni has 24 presacral vertebrae, and the length of the deep tail exceeds the length of the rest of the body. Neural spines are moderately high and slowly become differentiated during ontogeny. The intercentra start to ossify very late. Distal uncinate processes are developed on the anterior ribs in adult specimens. Only the ventral portion of the scapula is ossified. The slender ilium and the ischium are not co‐ossified, and the pubis remained cartilaginous. Among stereospondylomorph temnospondyls, the very short and rudimentarily developed humerus exhibits a unique morphology. Carpals and tarsals start to ossify only in the largest specimens. The poorly ossified postcranium indicates that A. decheni was primarily an aquatic temnospondyl. We undertook a phylogenetic study of A. decheni and 16 other temnospondyls, based exclusively on postcranial characters. We analysed 52 characters, obtaining a single most parsimonious tree that agrees in many aspects with cranium‐based analyses: Trimerorhachis and Dvinosaurus form a basal clade (Dvinosauria), followed by monophyletic euskelians (dissorophoids plus eryopids) and finally the stereospondylomorphs, within which A. decheni is nested above Sclerocephalus. Among stereospondyls, trematosaurids and metoposaurids form a clade, whereas the chigutisaurid Siderops is nested with capitosauroids. The primitive condition of Temnospondyli is still not adequately understood, especially the degree of terrestriality of the earliest temnospondyls.
Do Hospitals Provide Lower Quality Care on Weekends?
Authors: Becker David J.
Published: November 2006

Objective. To examine the effect of a weekend hospitalization on the timing and incidence of intensive cardiac procedures, and on subsequent expenditures, mortality and readmission rates for Medicare patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Data Sources. The primary data are longitudinal, administrative claims for 922,074 elderly, nonrural, fee‐for‐service Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized with AMI from 1989 to 1998. Annual patient‐level cohorts provide information on ex ante health status, procedure use, expenditures, and health outcomes.

Study Design. The patient is the primary unit of analysis. I use ordinary least squares regression to estimate the effect of weekend hospitalization on rates of cardiac catheterization, angioplasty, and bypass surgery (in various time periods subsequent to the initial hospitalization), 1‐year expenditures and rates of adverse health outcomes in various periods following the AMI admission.

Principal Findings. Weekend AMI patients are significantly less likely to receive immediate intensive cardiac procedures, and experience significantly higher rates of adverse health outcomes. Weekend admission leads to a 3.47 percentage point reduction in catheterization at 1 day, a 1.52 point reduction in angioplasty, and a 0.35 point reduction in by‐pass surgery (p<.001 in all cases). The primary effect is delayed treatment, as weekend–weekday procedure differentials narrow over time from the initial hospitalization. Weekend patients experience a 0.38 percentage point (p<.001) increase in 1‐year mortality and a 0.20 point (p<.001) increase in 1‐year readmission with congestive heart failure.

Conclusions. Weekend hospitalization leads to delayed provision of intensive procedures and elevated 1‐year mortality for elderly AMI patients. The existence of measurable differences in treatments raises questions regarding the efficacy of a single input regulation (e.g., mandated nurse staffing ratios) in enhancing the quality of weekend care. My results suggest that targeted financial incentives might be a more cost‐effective policy response than broad regulation aimed at improving quality.
A Long‐term Follow‐up of Zonisamide Monotherapy
Authors: Fukushima Katsuyuki , Seino Masakazu
Published: November 2006

Summary:  Objectives: Several studies have reported the safety and efficacy of zonisamide monotherapy, but studies on its long‐term outcomes are limited. This chart review was conducted to evaluate the long‐term outcomes of zonisamide monotherapy.

Methods: The charts were reviewed for 77 patients treated with zonisamide as monotherapy for 6–180 months between May 1985 and December 2003. Outcomes were analyzed by the following subcategories: patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy or with antiepileptic drug–resistant epilepsy, the type of epilepsy, patient age, and treatment period.

Results: Of a total of 77 patients, 49 patients (64%) attained 50% or more reduction of seizure frequency and of those patients 38 (49%) attained 75% or more reduction, with 18 patients (24%) becoming seizure‐free from 6 to 180 (median 80.6 ± 43.6) months of follow‐up. Thirty‐eight patients (49%) continued zonisamide monotherapy as of December 2003. Proportions of patients having 75% or more reduction in seizure frequency in subcategories were as follows; 56% in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy and 48% in patients whose treatment was switched to zonisamide monotherapy owing to lack of efficacy of or adverse reaction to previous antiepileptic drugs; 60% in patients with localization‐related epilepsies and 38% in patients with generalized epilepsies; and 49% in pediatric patients and 50% in adult patients.

Conclusion: Long‐term zonisamide monotherapy was efficacious in a wide range of patients with epilepsy. Zonisamide did not seem to exhibit a reduction in efficacy during long‐term use of up to 180 months.
PATTERNS IN HOST RANGE FOR TWO STRAINS OF AMOEBOPHRYA (DINOPHYTA) INFECTING THECATE DINOFLAGELLATES: AMOEBOPHYRA SPP. EX ALEXANDRIUM AFFINE AND EX GONYAULAX POLYGRAMMA1
Authors: Kim Sunju
Published: November 2006

The endoparasitic dinoflagellate Amoebophrya ceratii (Koeppen) Cachon uses a number of its free‐living relatives as hosts and may represent a species complex composed of several host‐specific parasites. Two thecate host–parasite systems [Amoebophrya spp. ex Alexandrium affine (Inoue and Fukuyo) Balech and ex Gonyaulax polygramma Stein], were used to test the hypothesis that two strains of Amoebophrya have a high degree of host specificity. To test this hypothesis, a series of cross‐infection experiments were conducted, with 10 thecate and three athecate dinoflagellate species as potential hosts. Surprisingly, the two strains of Amoebophrya lacked host specificity and had wider host ranges than previously recognized. Among the host species tested, Amoebophrya sp. ex Alexandrium affine was capable of infecting only species of genus Alexandrium (Alexandrium affine, Alexandrium catenella, and Alexandrium tamarense), while the parasite from Gonyaulax polygramma infected species covering five genera (Alexandrium, Gonyaulax, Prorocentrum, Heterocapsa, and Scripsiella). In the context of previous reports, these results suggest that host specificity of Amoebophrya strains varies from extremely species‐specific to rather unspecific, with specificity being stronger for strains isolated from athecate hosts. Information on host specificity of Amoebophrya strains provided here will be helpful in assessing the possibility of using these parasites as biological control agents for harmful algal blooms, as well as in defining species of Amoebophrya in the future.
A Rational Decision Rule with Extreme Events
Authors: Basili Marcello
Published: November 2006

Risks induced by extreme events are characterized by small or ambiguous probabilities, catastrophic losses, or windfall gains. Through a new functional, that mimics the restricted Bayes‐Hurwicz criterion within the Choquet expected utility approach, it is possible to represent the decisionmaker behavior facing both risky (large and reliable probability) and extreme (small or ambiguous probability) events. A new formalization of the precautionary principle (PP) is shown and a new functional, which encompasses both extreme outcomes and expectation of all the possible results for every act, is claimed.
Risks of Paralytic Disease Due to Wild or Vaccine‐Derived Poliovirus After Eradication
Authors: Tebbens Radboud J. Duintjer , Pallansch Mark A. , Kew Olen M. , Cáceres Victor M. , Jafari Hamid , Cochi Stephen L. , Sutter Roland W. , Aylward R. Bruce , Thompson Kimberly M.
Published: November 2006

After the global eradication of wild polioviruses, the risk of paralytic poliomyelitis from polioviruses will still exist and require active management. Possible reintroductions of poliovirus that can spread rapidly in unprotected populations present challenges to policymakers. For example, at least one outbreak will likely occur due to circulation of a neurovirulent vaccine‐derived poliovirus after discontinuation of oral poliovirus vaccine and also could possibly result from the escape of poliovirus from a laboratory or vaccine production facility or from an intentional act. In addition, continued vaccination with oral poliovirus vaccines would result in the continued occurrence of vaccine‐associated paralytic poliomyelitis. The likelihood and impacts of reintroductions in the form of poliomyelitis outbreaks depend on the policy decisions and on the size and characteristics of the vulnerable population, which change over time. A plan for managing these risks must begin with an attempt to characterize and quantify them as a function of time. This article attempts to comprehensively characterize the risks, synthesize the existing data available for modeling them, and present quantitative risk estimates that can provide a starting point for informing policy decisions.
Errors in Variables, Links between Variables and Recovery of Volatility Information in Appraisal‐Based Real Estate Return Indexes
Authors: Wang Peijie
Published: November 2006

The present article proposes a multivariate approach to unsmoothing appraisal‐based real estate return indexes to recover the true market volatility information in real estate returns. It scrutinizes the role played by errors in variables, in conjunction with an analysis of other economic activities relevant to real estate returns, to exploit the functional relationship and the mechanism of interactions between real estate returns and these economic activities. Appraisal smoothing can therefore be detected and corrected properly and efficiently, without presuming a weakly efficient real estate market. The approach is then applied to U.K. real estate indexes as empirical examples. The results suggest a reasonable volatility in U.K. real estate investment that is close to reality. It is found that the volatility of the true market return on real estate is 1.5404–1.9282 times that of the return on the appraisal‐based indexes, in contrast to figures of 2.4862–5.8720 produced by the fully unsmoothing procedure.
Complications of Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Cause, Prevention and Management
Authors: IESAKA YOSHITO
Published: November 2006

It has been reported that curative catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) can significantly reduce AF recurrence, and improve the morbidity and mortality of the AF patients, compared with medical treatment. However, a variety of complications of catheter ablation of AF have been reported, and some of them are fatal in patients with structurally normal hearts. There remain unsolved safety issues concerning AF ablation, before the catheter ablation is established as first‐line therapy, even for selected patients in experienced centers. In this article, a variety of complications are reviewed and their prevention and treatment are discussed.
Statistical Tests for Clonality
Authors: Begg Colin B. , Eng Kevin H. , Hummer Amanda J.
Published: November 2006

Summary Cancer investigators frequently conduct studies to examine tumor samples from pairs of apparently independent primary tumors with a view to determine whether they share a “clonal” origin. The genetic fingerprints of the tumors are compared using a panel of markers, often representing loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at distinct genetic loci. In this article we evaluate candidate significance tests for this purpose. The relevant information is derived from the observed correlation of the tumors with respect to the occurrence of LOH at individual loci, a phenomenon that can be evaluated using Fisher's exact test. Information is also available from the extent to which losses at the same locus occur on the same parental allele. Data from these combined sources of information can be evaluated using a simple adaptation of Fisher's exact test. The test statistic is the total number of loci at which concordant mutations occur on the same parental allele, with higher values providing more evidence in favor of a clonal origin for the two tumors. The test is shown to have high power for detecting clonality for plausible models of the alternative (clonal) hypothesis, and for reasonable numbers of informative loci, preferably located on distinct chromosomal arms. The method is illustrated using studies to identify clonality in contralateral breast cancer. Interpretation of the results of these tests requires caution due to simplifying assumptions regarding the possible variability in mutation probabilities between loci, and possible imbalances in the mutation probabilities between parental alleles. Nonetheless, we conclude that the method represents a simple, powerful strategy for distinguishing independent tumors from those of clonal origin.
Umbilical metastasis from prostate carcinoma (Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule): a case report and review of literature
Authors: Sina Bahram , Deng April
Published: November 2006

Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule is referred to as metastatic lesion of the umbilicus. Most of the tumors are adenocarcinomas originating from gastroenteric and genital tracts. Only rarely were metastases from other locations reported. We describe here an unusual case of a Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule that was metastasized from prostate carcinoma 3 years after radiation therapy. The lesion was the first sign of metastatic disease, and the diagnosis was made on skin biopsy. The patient died of extensive metastases of prostate carcinoma 4 months later. We report this case to extend the list of differential diagnosis for Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule in male patients and emphasize the importance of Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule as an ominous diagnostic sign.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 expression and activation is dysregulated in actinic cheilitis
Authors: Cury Patricia R. , Furuse Cristiane , De Araújo Ney S. , De Araújo Vera C.
Published: November 2006

Background:  The present study evaluates the signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 (STAT‐3) expression and activation in actinic cheilitis (AC) and the relationship of this protein with the degree of epithelial dysplasia.

Methods:  Twenty‐five cases of AC were analyzed. Normal lip mucosa was used as a control group. AC lesions were graded as mild, moderate and severe dysplasias. Immunohistochemistry for STAT‐3 and phospho‐STAT‐3 (STAT‐3P) was performed using the biotin‐streptavidin‐peroxidase method, and the sections were evaluated by three blinded examiners.

Results:  In normal lip mucosa, only cytoplasmic expression of STAT‐3 was observed in the basal and parabasal layers. In AC, STAT‐3 was expressed in the cell cytoplasm of the epithelial layers, except in the superficial layer. Nuclear expression of STAT‐3 in occasional basal and parabasal cells was seen in moderate and severe dysplasias. In normal lip mucosa, nuclear expression of STAT‐3P was found throughout the epithelium, except in the superficial layers, and it was more intense in the deeper layers. In AC, STAT‐3P was also expressed in all layers, except for the superficial layer. However, in moderate and severe dysplasias, some epithelial cells exhibited loss of STAT‐3P expression.

Conclusion:  In AC, STAT‐3 expression depends on the degree of dysplasia, and STAT‐3 activation is dysregulated compared with normal tissue.
An Empirical Inquiry into the Relation of Corrective Justice to Distributive Justice
Authors: Mitchell Gregory , Tetlock Philip E.
Published: November 2006

We report the results of three experiments examining the long‐standing debate within tort theory over whether corrective justice is independent of, or parasitic on, distributive justice. Using a “hypothetical societies” paradigm that serves as an impartial reasoning device and permits experimental manipulation of societal conditions, we first tested support for corrective justice in a society where individual merit played no role in determining economic standing. Participants expressed strong support for a norm of corrective justice in response to intentional and unintentional torts in both just and unjust societies. The second experiment tested support for corrective justice in a society where race, rather than individual merit, determined economic standing. The distributive justice manipulation exerted greater effect here, particularly on liberal participants, but support for corrective justice remained strong among nonliberal participants, even against a background of racially unjust distributive conditions. The third experiment partially replicated the first experiment and found that the availability of government‐funded insurance had little effect on demands for corrective justice. Overall, the results suggest that while extreme distributive injustice can moderate support for corrective justice, the norm of corrective justice often dominates judgments about compensatory duties associated with tortious harms.
Regulating Bankruptcy Abuse: An Empirical Study of Consumer Exemptions Cases
Authors: Trujillo Bernard
Published: November 2006

This article presents the results of an empirical study of bankruptcy court doctrine in consumer exemptions proceedings over a 20‐year period. The study shows a pattern in which bankruptcy courts signal a systematic tendency to limit access to exemptions based on judicial pronouncements about debtor sophistication. The data show a correlation of as much as 78.9 percent between debtors' denial of access to exemptions and judicial pronouncement of debtors' sophistication. This systemic rule conditioning access to exemptions based on debtors' sophistication emerged endogenously, without the prompting of hierarchical, exogenous forces such as congressional or appellate court directives.
Deep Economic Integration: Is Europe a Blueprint?*
Authors: WYPLOSZ Charles
Published: November 2006

This article revisits the long process of deep integration in Europe, asking which elements belong to a blueprint that could be used elsewhere, particularly in Asia. To that effect, it delves into those features that are not desirable and that should be avoided. The underlying theme is that integration is thoroughly controversial: delegation of power is of the essence but it comes at the expense of sovereignty; and economic integration is globally beneficial but creates losers alongside winners. As a consequence, compensating measures and diplomatic compromises are unavoidable, often at the expense of economic logic. This paper offers a number of suggestions designed to mitigate the negative effects of such unavoidable developments.
Wandering into the future: reconceptualizing wandering ‘A natural and good thing’
Authors: Dewing Jan
Published: November 2006

There is still significant scope for improvement in knowledge on wandering in dementia and in the care of persons with dementia who wander. Although progress in research‐derived knowledge is evident over the last 15 years, the current state of practice is influenced by an immature research base where the clarification of what wandering is still needs to be achieved. This is fuelled by research which to date, has framed wandering as a problem behaviour and generally starts from the premise that it needs to be prevented or severely controlled. People with dementia may think and feel differently about wandering, as will be suggested in this paper. The voices of those who have experiential expertise of dementia and wandering need to be included in the debate on wandering to influence both nursing research and practice. In regard to the practice context, it is suggested that there is little evidence to suggest that screening for wandering, assessment of wandering, person‐centred and evidence‐based care planning and interventions or evaluation are yet the norm for older persons with dementia. Thus, these areas must be the priorities for the immediate future. Whilst at a theoretical level, there are three key issues that require attention in the future: the orientation of research on wandering including reconceptualizing wandering to address the lack of theoretical frameworks to explain wandering, addressing the need some care settings might have with application of research and recognition of the experiential expertise of older persons with dementia.
Taxonomy of the genus Scatella Robineau‐Desvoidy (Diptera: Ephydridae) in Korea
Authors: SUH Sang Jae , KWON Yong Jung
Published: November 2006

The genus Scatella Robineau‐Desvoidy, including S. callosicosta Bezzi, S. nipponica Miyagi, S. paludum (Meigen) and S. stagnalis (Fallén), is reported for the first time in Korea. A key to the Korean species, and reports of their domestic localities, are given. Some illustrations of male and female genitalic structures are included.
Effects of temperature and soil moisture on survival of eggs of the mosquito Psorophora columbiae (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: LEE Dong‐Kyu , OLSON Jimmy K.
Published: November 2006

The results of laboratory tests indicated the average survival rates for Psorophora columbiae eggs remained quite high for all of the egg populations exposed to a temperature of 27°C (range 83.0–100.0% survival) after 96 days of exposure, except for the non‐diapausing eggs on dry soil (66.3%). In regard to the exposure of egg populations to moderately cold temperatures (i.e. 8°C, 4°C and −2°C) for periods of up to 16 days, survival rates for egg populations exposed to 8°C continued to remain relatively high (average >85%) for the remainder of the experimental exposure period (i.e. 96 days). Diapausing Ps. columbiae eggs were more tolerant (82.0% survival) to low temperatures (−2°C) than non‐diapausing eggs (2.4% survival) for 64 days, particularly at temperatures of and below 4°C. Diapausing and non‐diapausing eggs were similar in their ability to survive under high temperatures (34°C and 38°C). High soil moisture (30–40%) or substrate moisture (95% relative humidity) content appeared to enhance the ability of the mosquito eggs to survive both low and high temperature extremes.
Neurotrophins and Peripheral Neuropathies
Authors: Sahenk Zarife
Published: November 2006

Peripheral neuropathy is a common disorder seen in general neurology and neuromuscular speciality clinics. Treatment options directed at the underlying cause can only be offered in a handful of conditions, such as those with possible autoimmune etiology. The remainder fall into the idiopathic or genetic category with no known treatment. This review surveys the evidence supporting the rationale for the therapeutic use of neurotrophins and other neurotrophic factors in these disorders in relationship to the underlying pathobiological process. Previous clinical trials are assessed, and increasingly better understood and appreciated therapeutic potential of neurotrophins is emphasized.
Second Phase Precipitation in As-Welded and Solution Annealed Alloy 22 Welds
Authors: El-Dasher Bassem S. , Torres Sharon G.
Published: November 2006

The precipitation characteristics of tetrahedrally close-packed (TCP) phases during the welding and the subsequent solution annealing process of Alloy 22 1 1∕2in. thick plate double-U prototypical welds are investigated. Electron backscatter diffraction was used to provide large scale microstructural observation of the weld cross section, and scanning electron microscopy was used to map the location of the TCP phases. Analysis shows that TCP precipitation occurs congruent to the weld passes, with the solution annealing reducing the sizes of coarser precipitates.
Free Convective Heat and Mass Transfer in a Doubly Stratified Non-Darcy Porous Medium
Authors: Lakshmi Narayana P. A. , Murthy P. V. S. N.
Published: November 2006

Free convective heat and mass transfer from a vertical surface embedded in a doubly stratified non-Darcy porous medium has been analyzed. The wall temperature and concentration are constant and the medium is linearly stratified in the vertical direction with respect to both temperature, and concentration. A series approximation is made for stream function, temperature, and concentration in terms of the stratification parameter. The flow, temperature, and concentration fields are affected by the complex interactions among the diffusion ratio Le, buoyancy ratio N and stratification ratio Sr in addition to the inertia parameter Fc. The effect of double stratification of the medium on nondimensional heat and mass transfer coefficients is discussed.
Nitriding of a tool steel with an electron-beam-excited plasma
Authors: Shoyama H. , Hishida T. , Hara T. , Dake Y. , Mori T. , Nagai H. , Hori M. , Goto T.
Published: November 2006

Nitriding of a tool steel was carried out with an electron-beam-excited plasma (EBEP). EBEP is sustained with energetic electron beams over the pressure range of 10−3–101Pa by electron-impact ionization. Samples whose temperatures were controlled by electric radiant heater were exposed to EBEP. A nitrided layer of 100μm and a surface hardness of 1000HV(0.1) were achieved for tool steel SKD61 (JIS) at 800K and a treatment time of 3h. In order to measure the density of nitrogen atoms in EBEP, a vacuum ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy system was used. It was found that the density of nitrogen atoms increased from 1011to1012cm−3 linearly with an increase of electron beam current from 2to20A.
Comparison of saturation current characteristics for ultrathin silicon oxides grown on n- and p-type silicon substrates simultaneously
Authors: Wang Tsung-Miau , Chang Chia-Hua , Chang Shu-Jau , Hwu Jenn-Gwo
Published: November 2006

Rapid thermal oxidations were simultaneously performed on n- and p-type silicon substrates to investigate the saturation currents of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors. For MOS capacitors on n-type Si substrates, the curves of capacitance versus gate voltage (C-V) show almost no fixed charge, no lateral nonuniformity, and little interface trap density (Dit). The mechanism of the generation of the saturation current is recombination, and was investigated by electroluminescence. Also, the saturation current decreases as the oxide becomes thicker. However, the oxidation temperature must be sufficiently high to form high-quality oxide on p-type Si substrate. Controlled by minority carrier generation, the saturation current of the MOS (p) capacitor also depends on Dit, suboxide, and bulk trap density. The saturation current increases with the thickness of the oxide. The generation mechanism of the saturation currents of MOS (p) capacitors was also investigated by observing their dependencies on temperature. The mechanisms of the generation saturation currents of MOS capacitors grown on n- and p-type Si substrates are basically different.
Mosaic nanostructure of TiO2 with rutile short-range atomic order
Authors: Aita C. R.
Published: November 2006

A nanolaminate film of six 36nm TiO2–7nm Al2O3 bilayers is sputter deposited at room temperature and examined by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Neither the TiO2 nor the Al2O3 layers have long-range crystallographic order. Previous Raman spectroscopy of the nanolaminate showed that short-range atomic order in the TiO2 component is characteristic of bulk rutile. The HRTEM images of the Al2O3 layers consist entirely of random contrast speckle characteristic of a material with no atomic ordering beyond the nearest-neighbor level. However, the predominant feature in the images of the TiO2 layers is a mosaic structure, with fewer regions of random contrast speckle. The mosaic consists of four repetitive elements: (1) domains of {110} planes terminating along ⟨100⟩ directions, (2) planar faults along ⟨100⟩ directions, (3) {110} facets in steps along the [001] direction, and (4) a herringbone structure of short strands of (110) and (−110) planes on either side of a ⟨100⟩ midrib. We show how two combined growth operations can generate this nanostructure: These operations are the preferential three-dimensional growth of a rutile nucleus with a {110} habit and the formation of growth faults with 12⟨10−1⟩{011} and 12⟨10−1⟩{121} displacement vectors. The results explicitly show that TiO2 with rutile short-range atomic order self-assembles into units beyond the nearest-neighbor level. This behavior is different from oxides that are continuous random network formers, such as SiO2 and Al3O3, in which the metal-oxygen bonds are predominantly covalent.
Effects of the growth conditions on the roughness of amorphous hydrogenated carbon films deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Capote G. , Prioli R. , Freire F. L.
Published: November 2006

The surface roughness and scaling behavior of a-C:H films deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition from CH4–Ar mixtures were studied using atomic force microscopy. Raman spectroscopy gives some insights about the film microstructure. The film surface roughness is shown to decrease with the increase of deposition negative self-bias, while the presence of Ar ions enhances this effect. An analysis of the film surface and scaling behavior suggests that there is a transition of the mechanism of the film growth from a random deposition with surface diffusion process to a thermal spike based process that occurs upon the increase of the negative self-bias voltage and the argon bombardment.
The frequency dependence of compressional wave velocity and attenuation coefficient of intertidal marine sediments
Authors: Robb G. B. N. , Best A. I. , Dix J. K. , Bull J. M. , Leighton T. G. , White P. R.
Published: November 2006

To advance the present understanding of the frequency dependence of compressional wave velocity and attenuation in marine sediments a series of well-constrained in situ acoustic transmission experiments (16 to 100kHz) were performed on intertidal sediments. The processing techniques incorporated in situ spreading losses, sediment to transducer coupling and thorough error analyses. Significant variations in velocity and attenuation were observed over scales of tens of meters within the same sediment type. Velocity was generally nondispersive in sands, while highly variable silt velocities prevented any meaningful dispersion estimates from being determined. The attenuation coefficient was proportional to frequency for 75% of the experimental sites. The measured compressional wave properties were compared to predictions from the Grain-Shearing model. For the sandy sites, the phase velocities predicted by the Grain Shearing model exceed those measured, while predicted phase velocities agreed with measured group velocities at specific locations for the silty sites. For both silts and sands predicted dispersions are comparable to the intrinsic errors in group velocity and hence undetectable. The attenuation coefficients predicted by the Grain Shearing model adequately describe the measured attenuation coefficients, within the observed variability.
An investigation of surface-contacting sensors for the seismic detection of buried landmines
Authors: Martin J. S. , Larson G. D. , Scott W. R.
Published: November 2006

Techniques have been studied for the detection of buried landmines with acoustic/seismic interrogation signals. Much of this work has involved full wave-field imaging from local measurements of ground motion using noncontact sensors. These offer inherent safety for the system operator and accommodate the need to make measurements over rough ground surfaces. The system requirement is, however, only that a sensor does not intrude on the measurement rather than that it not contact the ground. An experimental investigation was conducted into the feasibility of an array of ground-contacting sensors for use in a seismic landmine-detection system that exploits full wave-field imaging. The main considerations in the design of the array sensor were safety, sensitivity, fidelity, reproducibility, and sensor-to-sensor interaction. A relatively simple and inexpensive sensor was demonstrated in an experimental simulation of a landmine-detection system. The sensor, which is suitable for inclusion in a large planar array that could be used for detection confirmation, exerts a safe normal force at the point of contact and enables detection performance comparable to that which could be achieved using noncontact techniques.
The partial-wave expansion for scattering in waveguides
Authors: Dacol Dalcio K. , Roy Dilip G.
Published: November 2006

The scattering of acoustic waves by objects located inside a waveguide is discussed, assuming that the scattering amplitude for the object in an extended uniform medium is known. The scattering process is described by using an expansion of the scattering amplitude in terms of spherical harmonics. An appropriate multipole decomposition of the waveguide Green’s function is developed and the effective scattering amplitude in the waveguide is obtained. An important property of the effective scattering amplitude, the generalized optical theorem, is obtained and its implications for scattering in a waveguide are discussed. The scattering problem is formulated entirely and explicitly in terms of the waveguide Green’s functions, which makes this approach very flexible in regard to the choice of the incident field. It also establishes the connection between propagation and scattering and allows for the independent computation of the propagation and scattering aspects of the problem. This is the main advantage of using the scattering amplitude in an extended uniform medium as an input. The connection of this work with previous work in scattering in waveguides is discussed.
Reflection and transmission of waves in composite porous media: A quantification of energy conversions involving slow waves
Authors: Rubino J. Germán , Ravazzoli Claudia L. , Santos Juan E.
Published: November 2006

This paper studies the reflection and transmission of plane elastic waves at interfaces in fluid-saturated poroviscoelastic media in which the solid matrix is composed of two weakly coupled solids. The analysis of this problem, not formally performed before, is based on a theory recently developed by some of the authors, which allows us to derive expressions for the reflection and transmission coefficients at a plane interface within this kind of media and their relationship with the energy flux (Umov-Poynting) vector. The results of the present derivation were applied to study the energy splitting that takes place when a plane fast compressional wave strikes obliquely an interface defined by a change in ice content within a sample of water saturated partially frozen sandstone. The numerical results show wave mode conversions from fast to slow compressional and shear waves, with maximum energy conversion on the order of 20% from fast to slow wave modes near the critical angle. This phenomenon was observed at frequencies lying from the seismic to the ultrasonic range, showing that the role of the slow waves must be taken into account when considering wave propagation in this type of media.
A Fresh Look at Darwin
Authors: Browne Janet
Published: November 2006

The Reluctant Mr. Darwin
. An Intimate Portrait of Charles Darwin and the Making of His Theory of Evolution.
By David Quammen
. Norton, New York, 2006. 304 pp. $22.95, C$30. ISBN 0-393-05981-2.

The author's concise account of Darwin's life and discoveries is both fresh and insightful.
Rapid Temporal Reversal in Predator-Driven Natural Selection
Authors: Losos Jonathan B. , Schoener Thomas W. , Langerhans R. Brian , Spiller David A.
Published: November 2006

As the environment changes, will species be able to adapt? By conducting experiments in natural environments, biologists can study how evolutionary processes such as natural selection operate through time. We predicted that the introduction of a terrestrial predator would first select for longer-legged lizards, which are faster, but as the lizards shifted onto high twigs to avoid the predator, selection would reverse toward favoring the shorter-legged individuals better able to locomote there. Our experimental studies on 12 islets confirmed these predictions within a single generation, thus demonstrating the rapidity with which evolutionary forces can change during times of environmental flux.
Microevolution of Cytochrome
bd
Oxidase in Staphylococci and Its Implication in Resistance to Respiratory Toxins Released by
Pseudomonas
Authors: Voggu Lalitha , Schlag Steffen , Biswas Raja , Rosenstein Ralf , Rausch Christian , Götz Friedrich
Published: November 2006

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and
Staphylococcus aureus
are opportunistic pathogens and frequently coinfect the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients.
P. aeruginosa
secretes an arsenal of small respiratory inhibitors, like pyocyanin, hydrogen cyanide, or quinoline N-oxides, that may act against the commensal flora as well as host cells. Here, we show that with respect to their susceptibility to these respiratory inhibitors, staphylococcal species can be divided into two groups: the sensitive group, comprised of pathogenic species such as
S. aureus
and
S. epidermidis
, and the resistant group, represented by nonpathogenic species such as
S. carnosus
,
S. piscifermentans
, and
S. gallinarum
. The resistance in the latter group of species was due to
cydAB
genes that encode a pyocyanin- and cyanide-insensitive cytochrome
bd
quinol oxidase. By exchanging
cydB
in
S. aureus
with the
S. carnosus
-specific
cydB
, we could demonstrate that CydB determines resistance. The resistant or sensitive phenotype was based on structural alterations in CydB, which is part of CydAB, the cytochrome
bd
quinol oxidase. CydB represents a prime example of both microevolution and the asymmetric pattern of evolutionary change.