bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HGF Converts ErbB2/Neu Epithelial Morphogenesis to Cell Invasion
Authors: Khoury Hanane , Naujokas Monica A. , Zuo Dongmei , Sangwan Veena , Frigault Melanie M. , Petkiewicz Stephanie , Dankort David L. , Muller William J. , Park Morag
Published: November 2004

Activation of the hepatocyte growth factor receptor Met induces a morphogenic response and stimulates the formation of branching tubules by Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells in three-dimensional cultures. A constitutively activated ErbB2/Neu receptor, NeuNT, promotes a similar invasive morphogenic program in MDCK cells. Because both receptors are expressed in breast epithelia, are associated with poor prognosis, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is expressed in stroma, we examined the consequence of cooperation between these signals. We show that HGF disrupts NeuNT-induced epithelial morphogenesis, stimulating the breakdown of cell-cell junctions, dispersal, and invasion of single cells. This correlates with a decrease in junctional proteins claudin-1 and E-cadherin, in addition to the internalization of the tight junction protein ZO-1. HGF-induced invasion of NT-expressing cells is abrogated by pretreatment with a pharmacological inhibitor of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) pathway, which restores E-cadherin and ZO-1 at cell-cell junctions, establishing the involvement of MEK-dependent pathways in this process. These results demonstrate that physiological signals downstream from the HGF/Met receptor synergize with ErbB2/Neu to enhance the malignant phenotype, promoting the breakdown of cell-cell junctions and enhanced cell invasion. This is particularly important for cancers where ErbB2/Neu is overexpressed and HGF is a physiological growth factor found in the stroma.
α‐MSH reduces the internalization of Staphylococcus aureus and down‐regulates HSP 70, integrins and cytokine expression in human keratinocyte cell lines
Authors: Donnarumma Giovanna , Paoletti Iole , Buommino Elisabetta , Antonietta Tufano Maria , Baroni Adone
Published: November 2004

Abstract:  α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) is a neuropeptide predominantly produced by the pituitary gland, but it is also generated by many extra‐pituitary cells including keratinocytes of the skin. This neuropeptide has anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial effects and probably contributes in innate immunity. Staphylococcus aureus is the aetiological agent of a wide range of infections in humans. Colonization of human skin by S. aureus is a characteristic feature of several skin diseases and is often followed by tissue invasion and severe cell damage. The aim of our study was to detect a possible role of α‐MSH during the early infection stages in the adhesion and penetration of keratinocytes before cell damage. Our data demonstrated that α‐MSH precociously down‐regulates the production of integrins such as β1 and heat shock surface protein 70, essential molecules for the entry of S. aureus. Moreover, in our experimental model, α‐MSH induces the down‐regulation of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression and of the adhesion molecules in keratinocytes activated by S. aureus. Our data suggest that α‐MSH plays a protective role in the skin by reducing infection and the inflammatory process.
Topical glucocorticoid augments scratching behaviour in dinitrofluorobenzene‐sensitized mice by the induction of substance P
Authors: Bae Sang‐Jae , Lee Jeong‐Beom , Takenaka Motoi , Tanaka Yoichi , Shimizu Kazuhiro , Katayama Ichiro
Published: November 2004

Abstract:  Topical glucocorticoid (GC) is commonly applied in atopic dermatitis treatment. However, the chronic use of GC may be associated with significant side effects. In this study, we investigated whether long‐term epicutaneous application of GC modulates scratching behaviour in dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) contact‐sensitized mice. After challenge with DNFB, scratching behaviour was increased in DNFB‐sensitized mice treated with GC in contrast to control mice. In addition, reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that the expression of preprotachykinin‐A (PPT‐A) mRNA, a precursor of substance P (SP), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA in mice, to which GC was applied, was only observed. In order to evaluate the factors responsible for the augmented scratching behaviour, we injected various cytokines (interleukin‐1α (IL‐1α), IL‐2, IL‐3 and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)) subcutaneously into the ear of DNFB contact‐sensitized mice before DNFB challenge. Among the cytokines, only IL‐3 and TNF‐α significantly increased scratching behaviour in DNFB contact dermatitis mice. Furthermore, PPT‐A mRNA was only expressed in mice pre‐injected with IL‐3 before challenge, but not in those pre‐injected with other cytokines. Taken together, our results suggest that topical GC may augment the itching sensation in DNFB‐sensitized mice through modulation of iNOS and SP induced by IL‐3.
Granger causality of the inflation–growth mirror in accession countries*
Authors: Gillman Max , Nakov Anton
Published: November 2004

The paper presents a model in which the exogenous money supply causes changes in the inflation rate and the output growth rate. While inflation and growth rate changes occur simultaneously, the inflation acts as a tax on the return to human capital and in this sense induces the growth rate decrease. Shifts in the model's credit sector productivity cause shifts in the income velocity of money that can break the otherwise stable relationship between money, inflation, and output growth. Applied to two accession countries, Hungary and Poland, a VAR system is estimated for each that incorporates endogenously determined multiple structural breaks. Results indicate Granger causality positively from money to inflation and negatively from inflation to growth for both Hungary and Poland, as suggested by the model, although there is some feedback to money for Poland. Three structural breaks are found for each country that are linked to changes in velocity trends, and to the breaks found in the other country.
Transoesophageal echocardiography is unreliable for cardiac output assessment after cardiac surgery compared with thermodilution*
Authors: Bettex D. A. , Hinselmann V. , Hellermann J. P. , Jenni R. , Schmid E. R.
Published: November 2004

This randomised, single‐blind, double‐control study compared and established prospectively the best transoesophageal echocardiography methods for determining cardiac output in patients after cardiac surgery. Thirty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were included. Measurements were taken postoperatively, after stabilisation in the intensive care unit. Cardiac output was determined by transoesophageal echocardiography in randomised order through the aortic, mitral, and pulmonary valves, right and left ventricular outflow tracts, transgastric surface areas of the left ventricle and left ventricle two‐dimensional volumes (Simpson's rules). ‘Eyeball guessing’ was done off‐line. The best results were transaortic measurements using the triangular shape assumption of valve opening, but some values deviated considerably, and none of these approaches reached the limit of agreement set at 30% when compared to thermodilution. Eyeball guessing was comparable to the best transoesophageal echocardiography measurements. We conclude that transoesophageal echocardiography is an unreliable tool for determination of cardiac output in intensive care after cardiac surgery.
Prescription errors in UK critical care units
Authors: Ridley S. A. , Booth S. A. , Thompson C. M. ,   the Intensive Care Society's Working Group on Adverse Incidents
Published: November 2004

Drug prescription errors are a common cause of adverse incidents and may be largely preventable. The incidence of prescription errors in UK critical care units is unknown. The aim of this study was to collect data about prescription errors and so calculate the incidence and variation of errors nationally. Twenty‐four critical care units took part in the study for a 4‐week period. The total numbers of new and re‐written prescriptions were recorded daily. Errors were classified according to the nature of the error. Over the 4‐week period, 21 589 new prescriptions (or 15.3 new prescriptions per patient) were written. Eighty‐five per cent (18 448 prescriptions) were error free, but 3141 (15%) prescriptions had one or more errors (2.2 erroneous prescriptions per patient, or 145.5 erroneous prescriptions per 1000 new prescriptions). The five most common incorrect prescriptions were for potassium chloride (10.2% errors), heparin (5.3%), magnesium sulphate (5.2%), paracetamol (3.2%) and propofol (3.1%). Most of the errors were minor or would have had no adverse effects but 618 (19.6%) errors were considered significant, serious or potentially life threatening. Four categories (not writing the order according to the British National Formulary recommendations, an ambiguous medication order, non‐standard nomenclature and writing illegibly) accounted for 47.9% of all errors. Although prescription rates (and error rates) in critical care appear higher than elsewhere in hospital, the number of potentially serious errors is similar to other areas of high‐risk practice.
Activator protein‐1 signalling pathway and apoptosis are modulated by poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 in experimental colitis
Authors: Zingarelli Basilia , Hake Paul W. , Burroughs Timothy J. , Piraino Giovanna , O'Connor Michael , Denenberg Alvin
Published: November 2004

Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1) is activated in response to DNA injury in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and has been implicated in intestinal barrier dysfunction during inflammatory bowel diseases. In this study we investigated whether PARP‐1 may regulate the inflammatory response of experimental colitis at the level of signal transduction mechanisms. Mice genetically deficient of PARP‐1 (PARP‐1–/–) and wild‐type littermates were subjected to rectal instillation of trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS). Signs of inflammation were monitored for 14 days. In wild‐type mice, TNBS treatment resulted in colonic ulceration and marked apoptosis, which was associated with decreased colon content of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl‐2, whereas the proapoptotic Bax was unchanged. Elevated levels of plasma nitrate/nitrite, metabolites of nitric oxide (NO), were also found. These inflammatory events were associated with activation of c‐Jun‐NH2 terminal kinase (JNK), phosphorylation of c‐Jun and activation of the nuclear transcription factor activator protein‐1 (AP‐1) in the colon. In contrast, PARP‐1–/– mice exhibited a significant reduction of colon damage and apoptosis, which was associated with increased colonic expression of Bcl‐2 and lower levels of plasma nitrate/nitrite when compared to wild‐type mice. Amelioration of colon damage was associated with a significant reduction of the activation of JNK and reduction of the DNA binding of AP‐1. The data indicate that PARP‐1 exerts a pathological role in colitis possibly by regulating the early stress‐related transcriptional response through a positive modulation of the AP‐1 and JNK pathways.
Complement component C7 deficiency in two Spanish families
Authors: Barroso Sonia , Sánchez Berta , Álvarez Antonia José , López‐Trascasa Margarita , Lanuza Amparo , Luque Rafael , Wichmann Ingeborg , Núñez‐Roldán Antonio
Published: November 2004

Different genetic mutations have been described in complement component C7 deficiency, a molecular defect clinically associated with an increased susceptibility to neisserial recurrent infections. In this work we report the genetic basis of C7 deficiency in two different Spanish families (family 1 and family 2). In family 1, of Gypsy ethnical background, exon‐specific polymerase chain reaction and sequencing revealed a not previously described single base deletion of nucleotide 1309 (exon 10) in the patient, as well as in her father, leading to a stop codon that causes the premature truncation of the C7 protein (K416 X 419). Additionally, the patient and her mother displayed a missense mutation at position 1135 (exon 9) located in the first nucleotide of the codon GGG (CGG), resulting in a change of amino acid (G357R). This mutation was firstly described in individuals of Moroccan Sephardic Jewish ancestry and has been also reported among Spaniards. In family 2, another novel mutation was found in homozygosity in two siblings; a two base‐pair deletion of nucleotides 1922 and 1923 in exon 14 leading to the generation of a downstream stop codon causing the truncation of the C7 protein product (S620 X 630). Our results provide more evidence for the heterogeneous molecular basis of C7 deficiency as well as for the subsequent susceptibility to meningococcal disease, since different families carry different molecular defects. On the other hand, certain C7 defects appear to be prevalent in individuals from certain populations or living in defined geographical areas.
The effect of two different calcium hydroxide combinations on root dentine microhardness
Authors: Yoldaş O. , Doǧan C. , Seydaoǧlu G.
Published: November 2004

Aim  To evaluate the effect of a calcium hydroxide and glycerine mix and a calcium hydroxide and water mix on the microhardness of human root dentine.

Methodology  Eleven freshly extracted maxillary canine and central incisor teeth were used. The teeth were sectioned transversally to produce a total of 22 dentine discs from the middle‐third of the root. The specimens were divided into two groups of 11 discs each. Dentine samples were treated with either a Ca(OH)2–glycerine combination or a Ca(OH)2–distilled water combination for 1, 3 and 7 days. Dentine microhardness was measured with a Knoop indenter with a load of 100 g for 15 s before and during the experimental period. Each root disc received a series of three indentations around the pulp space, 1 mm from canal wall.

Results  Statistical analysis showed that both combinations significantly decreased dentine microhardness after 3 and 7 days (P < 0.01). The reduction in dentine microhardness following the use of a Ca(OH)2–glycerine combination was significantly greater than that after a Ca(OH)2–distilled water combination after 3 and 7 days (P < 0.01).

Conclusion  The use of Ca(OH)2 combinations for intracanal dressing softens dentine.
Genetic evidence for the requirement of the Brassica S‐locus receptor kinase gene in the self‐incompatibility response
Authors: Nasrallah June B. , Rundle Sabine J. , Nasrallah Mikhail E.
Published: November 2004

In self‐incompatible plants, the recognition and subsequent rejection of self‐related pollen by the stigma during pollination are genetically controlled by haplo‐types of the S‐locus complex. We identified two self‐compatible Brassica strains that carried nonfunctional S haplotypes and that did not express transcripts of SRK, an S‐locus gene that encodes a receptor‐like protein kinase. In one of these strains, a deletion generated a null allele of the SRK structural gene. This deleted haplotype exhibited typical interactions when combined with other normal haplotypes in heterozygotes indicating that other functions of the haplotype were retained. The data support a mechanism of self‐incompatibility in which activation of the SRK kinase triggers the signalling cascade that culminates in the arrest of incompatible pollen development.
Transcripts encoding an oleosin and a dormancy‐related protein are present in both the aleurone layer and the embryo of developing barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds
Authors: Aalenf Reidunn B. , Opsahl‐Ferstad Hilde‐Gunn , Linnestad Casper , Olsen Odd‐Arne
Published: November 2004

In cereal seeds, the aleurone layer and the embryo share several characteristics, including synthesis and accumulation of lipid bodies, desiccation tolerance and dormancy. A number of Balem transcripts present in both the barley aleurone layer and the embryo have been cloned by differential screening of a cDNA library from aleurone layers of immature barley grains. The Balem clones constitute two subgroups, one for which the transcripts are detectable in aleurone layers and embryos of developing seeds only (B23D and B15C), and another for which transcripts are present also in germinating embryos and in maternal tissues (B12D, B14E and B31E). Sequence analysis identified B23D and B15C as the barley homologues of the 18 kDa oleosin of maize embryos (72% amino acid identity) and the dormancy‐associated transcript pBS128 from Bromus secalinus (95% identity), respectively. In situ hybridization experiments demonstrate that in the embryo, the B23D transcript is mainly present in the scutellum, whereas the B15C transcript is predominantly present in shoot and root apices. Using anther‐derived embryos and embryogenic cell suspensions, it is demonstrated that the B23D and B15C transcripts can be used as molecular markers for somatic embryogenesis. The functions of the transcripts in the second Balem subgroup remain unknown. Further studies on the Balem transcripts may shed light on the molecular basis for the extensive similarities between the embryo and the aleurone layer of the endosperm in the grass family.
Identification of nitrate transporter genes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Quesada Alberto , Galvan Aurora , Fernandez Emilio
Published: November 2004

The Chlamydomonas reinhardtii nar‐2, nar‐3, and nar‐4 genes, which are within a nitrate‐regulated gene cluster containing the nitrate reductase structural gene nit‐1, have been related to nitrate transport. Mutant strains defective in nitrate transport and having an active nitrate reductase have been genetically constructed. Their nitrate non‐utilizing phenotype has been directly complemented by transformation using the pCO‐5 plasmid which carries the nar‐2, nar‐3, and nar‐4 clustered genes. Integration of pCO‐5 DNA in the genome of nitrate transport mutants resulted in the expression of these nar transcripts and the recovery of a high affinity nitrate transport activity. Complementation of the nitrate non‐utilizing phenotype of the constructed strains was also achieved by co‐transformation with plasmids containing nar‐2 and nar‐3 genes or nar‐2 and nar‐4, but not with single plasmids containing each individual gene. In addition, DNA sequences of a practically complete cDNA of nar‐3 and a partial one of nar‐4 have been generated and the deduced amino acid sequences showed a very significant identity with that of the nitrate transporter gene (crnA) from Aspergillus nidulans. These data strongly support the hypothesis that the nitrate transport system in C. reinhardtii contains at least two protein components encoded by the nar‐2 and nar‐3 genes. The nar‐4 gene would produce a protein with a high identity to that of nar‐3.
A karyotype of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome derived from synaptonemal complex analysis at prophase I of meiosis
Authors: Albini S.M.
Published: November 2004

Synaptonemal complex (SC) complements prepared for electron microscopy allow high‐resolution chromosome analysis. SC preparations were used to determine the relative lengths of the chromosomes of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome. This complements the extensive genetic and molecular analyses of these chromosomes. The two smallest SCs (chromosomes) carry a nucleolus‐organizing region (NOR) at or near one end, and at prophase I of meiosis both have a relative SC length of about 16–17% of the total complement. The three longest SCs have relative lengths of 19, 22.5 and 25% and can be identified on this criterion. Fluorescent in situ hybridization with non‐radioactively labelled ribosomal DNA confirmed that there are two pairs of NOR chromosomes and also showed that the ribosomal genes are localized with the nucleolus. SC formation at NORs is often interrupted and this may reduce recombination in these regions of the genome.
A heat‐shock promoter fusion to the Ac transposase gene drives inducible transposition of a Ds element during Arabidopsis embryo development
Authors: Balcells Lluis , Sundberg Eva , Coupland George
Published: November 2004

A heat‐shock promoter fusion to the Ac transposase gene (hs::TPase) was constructed and introduced into Arabidopsis. In five transformants containing the fusion the abundance of transposase mRNA increased approximately 120‐fold on exposure to high temperatures. Hybrid plants containing hs::TPase and a Ds element inserted in a streptomycin resistance gene (Ds::SPT) were made and these plants were self‐fertilized either after heat shocking at different stages in development or without exposure to high temperature. The progeny of these plants were sown on streptomycin‐containing medium and the frequency with which variegated or streptomycin‐resistant (strepR) seedlings occurred was used as an indication of the frequency of Ds excision. Very few of the progeny of plants not exposed to heat shock or of those heat shocked only during vegetative development were variegated or strepR. However, plants that were heat shocked after the appearance of flower buds and during seed development produced high frequencies (approaching 100%) of variegated, but very few strepR, progeny. Furthermore, when variegated seedlings were grown to maturity and self‐fertilized without further exposure to heat shock then strepR seedlings often occurred at high frequency among their progeny. Southern analysis indicated that the majority of these strepR plants contained a transposed Ds at a new location. These data indicate that in response to heat shock Ds excision frequently occurs in embryonic cells which ultimately give rise to the gametes, as well as in cells of the developing cotyledons. The importance of an inducible transposon system for transposon tagging is discussed.
Fatigue properties of arc‐welded lap joints with weld start and end points
Authors: SETO A. , YOSHIDA Y. , GALTIER A.
Published: November 2004

Fatigue properties of arc‐welded lap joints with weld start and end points were investigated through experiments with 2.3‐mm and 3.2‐mm thick 440 MPa‐class steel sheets. Macroscopic fatigue crack‐initiation sites depended on the length of the weld bead to the specimen width. In joints with shorter weld beads, cracks mainly initiated at the toe of the weld start points, while joints with longer beads had initial cracks at the toe of the bead centre. Crack‐propagation analyses, taking stress distribution around the weld toe and residual stress into account, suggested that residual stress distribution could move crack‐initiation sites from the weld start point to the bead centre, although the applied stress at the toe of the weld start point remains the highest.
Charitable provision for blind people and deaf people in late nineteenth century London
Authors: Lees Colin , Ralph Sue
Published: November 2004

In nineteenth century England much charitable activity was directed towards the relief of poverty, but such provision developed significantly to support a variety of requirements. Although from the eighteenth century onwards there were instances of co‐operation between voluntary charitable effort and the state, governments in the early and mid Victorian era tended to be cautious about intervention. During this period and beyond, voluntary provision was frequently underpinned by a desire that individuals in receipt of charity should as far as possible be self‐reliant and contribute in some way towards the costs of their upkeep; that they should not become unnecessarily a burden on the State; and that donations and subscriptions given for the purposes of supporting and furthering charitable activities should be expended with care, with an emphasis upon obtaining good value for money spent. These criteria were applied also to charities which were active in providing for those with disabilities. These charities included the ones designed to meet the particular needs of blind people and deaf people in London which are the focus of this study and where demand for such facilities was high. These criteria, with their emphasis upon self‐help, are a legacy from nineteenth century voluntary effort and shaped the nature of much charitable activity in the twentieth century as reflected in the images by which many charities are represented even today.
Resistance Training in the Early Postoperative Phase Reduces Hospitalization and Leads to Muscle Hypertrophy in Elderly Hip Surgery Patients—A Controlled, Randomized Study
Authors: Suetta Charlotte , Magnusson S. Peter , Rosted Anna , Aagaard Per , Jakobsen Ane K. , Larsen Lone H. , Duus Benn , Kjaer Michael
Published: November 2004

Objectives: To better understand how immobilization and surgery affect muscle size and function in the elderly and to identify effective training regimes.

Design: A prospective randomized, controlled study.

Setting: Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Participants: Thirty‐six patients (aged 60–86) scheduled for unilateral hip replacement due to primary hip osteoarthrosis.

Intervention: Patients were randomized to standard home‐based rehabilitation (1 h/d × 12 weeks), unilateral neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the operated side (1 h/d × 12 weeks), or unilateral resistance training of the operated side (3/wk × 12 weeks).

Measurements: Hospital length of stay (LOS), quadriceps muscle cross‐sectional area (CSA), isokinetic muscle strength, and functional performance. Patients were tested presurgery and 5 and 12 weeks postsurgery

Results: Mean±standard error LOS was shorter for the resistance training group (10.0±2.4 days, P<.05) than for the standard rehabilitation group (16.0±7.2 days). Resistance training, but not electrical stimulation or standard rehabilitation, resulted in increased CSA (12%, P<.05) and muscle strength (22–28%, P<.05). Functional muscle performance increased after resistance training (30%, P<.001) and electrical stimulation (15%, P<.05) but not after standard rehabilitation.

Conclusion: Postoperative resistance training effectively increased maximal muscle strength, muscle mass, and muscle function more than a standard rehabilitation regime. Furthermore, it markedly reduced LOS in elderly postoperative patients.
Genetic Testing Has No Place as a Routine Diagnostic Test in Sporadic and Familial Cases of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Cammen Tischa J. M. van der , Croes Esther A. , Dermaut Bart , Jager Marie‐Claire de , Cruts Marc , Van Broeckhoven Christine , Van Duijn Cornelia M.
Published: November 2004

The challenges inherent in diagnosing and treating patients with Alzheimer's disease are increasing. Early diagnosis and modification of risk factors have received growing attention from the media in recent years. As a result, the general public, and patients and family members, are increasingly better informed about the disease, its genetic background, and the possibilities for treatment. The physician is often faced with questions about hereditary patterns within the family and with requests to perform genetic testing. Children, with increasing frequency, ask for a separate appointment with the treating physician, during the patient's life or after the patient has died, to discuss whether they are likely to get the disease and whether genetic tests should be performed. In this paper, some of the clinical and ethical questions that physicians face are explored. Arguments as to why we think routine genetic assessment should not be part of the diagnostic examination of the patient suspected of Alzheimer's disease are given.
Home or Nursing Home: Making the Right Choices
Authors: Goldberg Roy J.
Published: November 2004

Review of: Salamon MJ, Rosenthal G. Home or Nursing Home: Making the Right Choices, Second Ed. New York: Springer Publishing Company Inc., 2004, pp 110.  

Purpose: To provide a useful resource for clinicians and the public regarding placement of an individual in long‐term care (LTC).

Background: Making the decision to enter a skilled nursing facility or making that choice for a loved one who no longer has the capacity to make that decision for him or herself is fraught with many conflicting feelings. It signifies a loss of independence and begins a new chapter in life: one often incorrectly felt to be the final step before death. For a spouse or next of kin making that decision, guilt often figures heavily into the process, affecting all of those involved. Dr. Salamon is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Gerontological Society of America. He has published extensively and has served on the board of psychologists in LTC. Ms. Rosenthal is an author of four nonfiction books and writes for a variety of national publications. This edition is an update from the first edition published in 1990.

Contents: The book contains 110 pages, is divided into nine chapters, and includes a number of case reports. Its brief chapters are all related to the geriatric population and their needs as they relate to LTC placement. Chapter 1 addresses demographic, physiological, and social changes. Life satisfaction as it relates to health care is explored in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 provides an overview of healthcare environments including one and a half pages on assisted living and two and a half pages on skilled nursing homes. Homecare issues, including its effect on family caregivers, are discussed in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 focuses on life satisfaction based on Dr. Salamon's 1987 research. Reactions to LTC placement is addressed in Chapter 6, and Chapter 7 is a quiz designed to be taken by a family member to determine the appropriateness of that person to provide home care. Chapter 8 offers guidelines for selecting a nursing home, and Chapter 9 lists resources and associations.
THE RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF THE PULMONARY VASCULATURE IN THE CAT
Authors: Hayward N. J. , Baines S. J. , Baines E. A. , Herrtage M. E.
Published: November 2004

The purpose of this study was to determine the dimensions of the pulmonary arteries and veins in the cat, both in normal animals and those with evidence of intrathoracic disease. The radiographs of 50 normal cats, 35 cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and 15 cats with other intrathoracic disease were assessed. The normal range for the right cranial lobar artery compared with the proximal third of the fourth rib was 0.5–1.0, with a mean artery‐to‐rib ratio of 0.70 (standard deviation±0.13). Normal cats had a mean vein diameter of (0.20±0.03 cm) (P=0.034) compared with cats with HCM, which had a significantly greater mean vein diameter (0.22±0.04 cm).
TRAUMATIC SUBARACHNOID‐PLEURAL FISTULA IN A DOG
Authors: Packer Rebecca A. , Frank Paul M. , Chambers Jonathan N.
Published: November 2004

Subarachnoid‐pleural fistula is a rare occurrence in humans as a result of trauma or spinal surgery. Such fistulas commonly remain undiagnosed until sufficient cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the pleural space to cause respiratory distress. We describe a subarachnoid‐pleural fistula in a dog that occurred subsequent to blunt trauma sustained during a fall, with concurrent acute, traumatic intervertebral disc rupture. The extruded disc material penetrated the dura mater, allowing communication between the subarachnoid space and the extrapleural thoracic cavity. Radiographic, myelographic, and computed tomographic (CT) findings are reviewed. Abnormalities noted during myelography included an intradural‐extramedullary lesion at T11–T12, with epidural leakage of contrast medium from the region of T12 extending cranially. In images from myelography and CT there was extravasation of contrast medium extending from the subarachnoid and epidural space into the extrapleural thoracic cavity.
MYELOPATHY SECONDARY TO AORTOCAVAL FISTULA IN A CAT
Authors: Kube Stephanie A. , Vernau Karen M. , Wisner Erik R. , LeCouteur Richard A.
Published: November 2004

A 15‐month‐old neutered male cat was presented for progressive paraparesis of 3 months' duration and suspected cardiomegaly. Neuroanatomical localization was a T3–L3 myelopathy. On abdominal ultrasound, an anomalous vessel with turbulent blood flow was identified arising from the caudal vena cava. Myelography showed a bilateral ventrolateral extradural spinal cord compression from T12 to L4. Nonselective angiography and contrast‐enhanced computed tomography clearly indicated a vascular complex and vena caval aneurysm with an engorged internal vertebral venous plexus. Surgical occlusion of the anomalous vessels was unsuccessful.
Design of Controls to Attenuate Loads in the Controls Advanced Research Turbine
Authors: Wright Alan D. , Balas Mark J.
Published: November 2004

The wind industry seeks to design wind turbines to maximize energy production and increase fatigue life. To achieve this goal, we must design wind turbines to extract maximum energy and reduce component and system loads. This paper applies modern state-space control design methods to a two-bladed teetering-hub upwind machine located at the National Wind Technology Center. The design objective is to regulate turbine speed in region 3 (above rated wind speed) and enhance damping in several low-damped flexible modes of the turbine. The controls approach is based on the Disturbance Accommodating Control method and provides accountability for wind-speed disturbances. First, controls are designed with the single control input rotor collective pitch to stabilize the first drive-train torsion as well as the tower first fore-aft bending modes. Generator torque is then incorporated as an additional control input. This reduces some of the demand placed on the rotor collective pitch control system and enhances first drive train torsion mode damping. Individual blade pitch control is then used to attenuate wind disturbances having spatial variation over the rotor and effectively reduces blade flap deflections caused by wind shear.
Markets and Where They Came From
Authors: Maskin Eric
Published: November 2004

Microeconomics
Behavior, Institutions, and Evolution. by Samuel Bowles. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 2004. 598 pp. $49.50, £32.95 ISBN 0-691-09163-3. Roundtable Series in Behavioral Economics.

The author presents an evolutionary version of microeconomics that he uses to explore central questions of economic growth, organization, and institutions.
Symptoms and medical conditions in Australian veterans of the 1991 Gulf War: relation to immunisations and other Gulf War exposures
Authors: Kelsall H L , Sim M R , Forbes A B , Glass D C , McKenzie D P , Ikin J F , Abramson M J , Blizzard L , Ittak P
Published: November 2004

Aims:To investigate whether Australian Gulf War veterans have a higher than expected prevalence of recent symptoms and medical conditions that were first diagnosed in the period following the 1991 Gulf War; and if so, whether these effects were associated with exposures and experiences that occurred in the Gulf War.

Methods:Cross-sectional study of 1456 Australian Gulf War veterans and a comparison group who were in operational units at the time of the Gulf War, but were not deployed to that conflict (n = 1588). A postal questionnaire was administered and the likelihood of the diagnosis of self-reported medical conditions was assessed and rated by a medical practitioner.

Results:Gulf War veterans had a higher prevalence of all self-reported health symptoms than the comparison group, and more of the Gulf War veterans had severe symptoms. Increased symptom reporting was associated with several exposures, including having more than 10 immunisations, pyridostigmine bromide tablets, anti-biological warfare tablets, pesticides, insect repellents, reportedly being in a chemical weapons area, and stressful military service experiences in a strong dose-response relation. Gulf War veterans reported psychological (particularly post-traumatic stress disorder), skin, eye, and sinus conditions first diagnosed in 1991 or later more commonly than the comparison group. Over 90% of medical conditions reported by both study groups were rated by a medical practitioner as having a high likelihood of diagnosis.

Conclusion:More than 10 years after the 1991 Gulf War, Australian veterans self-report all symptoms and some medical conditions more commonly than the comparison group. Further analysis of the severity of symptoms and likelihood of the diagnosis of medical conditions suggested that these findings are not due to over-reporting or to participation bias.
Occupational and personal factors associated with acquired lumbar spondylolisthesis of urban taxi drivers
Authors: Chen J-C , Chan W P , Katz J N , Chang W P , Christiani D C
Published: November 2004

Aims:To investigate the occupational and personal factors associated with lumbar spondylolisthesis in taxi drivers.

Methods:Cross-sectional analysis of the baseline data from the Taxi Drivers’ Health Study cohort. Information was retrieved from the medical records of standardised lumbosacral spine plain films, age, and anthropometric measures of 1242 subjects. Acquired spondylolisthesis (ASL) was defined as non-lytic spondylolisthesis involving lumbar spines above L5. Questionnaires were used to gather information on demographic features, health behaviours, exercise, work related physical and psychosocial factors, and driving time profiles. Multiple logistic regression was used to model the odds ratio (OR) for prevalent ASL cases associated with personal and occupational factors.

Results:A total of 40 cases (3.2%) of ASL were diagnosed. Among those driving ⩽5 years, 6–15 years, and >15 years, the estimated prevalence of lumbar spondylolisthesis was 1.1%, 2.4%, and 7.1% respectively. Results of multiple logistic regression suggested that taxicab driving >15 years (OR = 3.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 10.7, compared to driving ⩽5 years), age (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 6.6 for age 46–55; and OR = 4.8, 95% CI 1.8 to 12.9 for age >55), body mass index ⩾25 kg/m2(OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.6), and frequent strenuous exercise (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.5) were significantly associated with higher prevalence of spondylolisthesis. There was a consistent likely exposure-response relation between professional seniority and ASL prevalence.

Conclusions:Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the observed association between professional driving and spondylolisthesis, and to examine further the specific occupational exposures accountable for this association.
The health of Australian veterans of the 1991 Gulf War: factor analysis of self-reported symptoms
Authors: Forbes A B , McKenzie D P , Mackinnon A J , Kelsall H L , McFarlane A C , Ikin J F , Glass D C , Sim M R
Published: November 2004

Background:A recent report showed that Australian veterans of the 1991 Gulf War displayed a greater prevalence of a multitude of self-reported symptoms than a randomly sampled comparison group of military personnel who were eligible for deployment but were not deployed to the Gulf.

Aims:To investigate whether the pattern, rather than frequency, of symptom reporting in these Australian Gulf War veterans differed from that of the comparison group personnel.

Methods:Factor analysis was used to determine whether the co-occurrence of 62 symptoms in 1322 male Gulf War veterans can be explained by a number of underlying dimensions, called factors. The methodology was also applied to 1459 male comparison group subjects and the factor solutions of the two groups were compared.

Results:For the Gulf War veterans, a three factor solution displayed replicability and construct validity. The three factors were labelled as psycho-physiological distress, somatic distress, and arthro-neuromuscular distress, and were broadly similar to those described in previous studies of Gulf War veterans. A concordant three factor solution was also found for the comparison group subjects, with strong convergence of the factor loadings and factor scores across the two groups being displayed.

Conclusion:Results did not display evidence of a unique pattern of self-reported symptoms among Gulf War veterans. Results also indicated that the differences between the groups lie in the degrees of expression of the three underlying factors, consistent with the well documented evidence of increased self-reported symptom prevalence in Gulf War veterans.
Kinetic evidence for the importance of solvent-separated ion pairs during the solvolyses of adamantylideneadamantyl derivatives
Authors: Huang Xicai , Bennet Andrew J
Published: November 2004

The aqueous ethanolysis reactions of adamantylideneadamantyl tosylate, -bromide, and -iodide (1-OTs, 1-Br and 1-I) were monitored as a function of ionic strength. Special salt effects are observed during the solvolyses of both homoallylic halides, but not in the case of the tosylate 1-OTs. The measured α-secondary deuterium kinetic isotope effects for the solvolysis of 1-Br in 80:20 and 60:40 v/v ethanolwater mixtures at 25 °C are 1.110 ± 0.018 and 1.146 ± 0.009, respectively. The above results are consistent with the homoallylic halides reacting via a virtual transition state in which both formation and dissociation of a solvent-separated ion pair are partially rate-determining. While the corresponding transition state for adamantylideneadamantyl tosylate involves formation of the solvent-separated ion pair.Key words: salt effects, kinetic isotope effect, internal return, solvolysis, ion pairs.
Liaison hydrogène des arylamines : compétition des sites π et N
Authors: Marquis Eric , Graton Jérôme , Berthelot Michel , Planchat Aurélien , Laurence Christian
Published: November 2004

An IR study, in the region of OH stretching, of a reference hydrogen-bond donor, 4-fluorophenol, hydrogen bonded to primary, secondary, and tertiary arylamines differently substituted on the ring and on the nitrogen, shows the formation of two kinds of 1:1 complexes in CCl4solution: an OH···π and an OH···N hydrogen-bonded complex. The IR method gives only access to a global complexation constant Kt. A method is proposed for separating Ktinto a Kπcomponent for hydrogen bonding to the π system and a KNcomponent for hydrogen bonding to the nitrogen atom. This method is validated by comparing the estimated Kπand KNvalues to theoretically calculated descriptors of basicity: the nitrogen lone pair orientation towards the aromatic ring, the molecular electrostatic potentials around the nitrogen and the π cloud, and the enthalpy of hydrogen bonding of hydrogen fluoride with the π system of selected arylamines. The main electronic and steric factors governing the competition between π and N sites are analysed. The strongest π and N bases among the arylamines are julolidine and Tröger's base, respectively. Triphenylamine and diphenylamine, which are nitrogen Brønsted bases, become π bases in hydrogen bonding. Moreover, there is no correlation between the pKHBand the pKBH+scales of basicity of arylamines. The use of the pKBH+scale is therefore not recommended in hydrogen-bonding studies.Key words: hydrogen bonding, arylamines, pKHBscale, competition of π and N hydrogen-bonded sites.
NEW ROBUST n+/p+ DUAL-GATE CMOS TECHNOLOGY OPTIMIZED FOR LOW POWER OPERATION
Authors: YU D.C.H. , LEE K.H. , KORNBLIT A. , FU C.C. , YAN R.H. , LIN H.D.
Published: November 2004

A novel optimized dual-gate technology ( p +-gate for PMOS and n +-gate for NMOS) for symmetric surface-channel CMOS devices is developed to fabricate low-power components. This technology features a WSi x-polycide gate dopant drive-out technique to dope the n + and p + gate and a TiN shunt process to connect the dual-gate. We demonstrate that the critical issues associated with a dual-gate technology are resolved by this new and robust technology. There are no design rule penalties for gate layout width or n + to p + source/drain separation with this process. The CMOS devices are scalable even down to 0.1 μm gates due to the design rule advantages. No degradation is measured in device characteristics due to the diffusion of gate dopants either laterally between an opposite type of gate or vertically through the gate stack. Ion penetration during gate implant is also effectively suppressed by the new gate stack. No degradation in gate sheet resistance, R s, is detected. The most severe annealing condition tested in this work is 900°C for 30 minutes. Therefore, plenty of thermal budget is allowed is this technology. This improvement not only adds to the robustness of the technology but also increases the conductance of the gate runner.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE, PRODUCIBLE VERTICAL-CAVITY LASERS FOR OPTICAL INTERCONNECTS
Authors: MORGAN ROBERT A.
Published: November 2004

In this paper we review the state-of-the-art performance of producible, 850 nm, current-guided GaAs/AlGaAs , top-emitting vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs). We discuss the motivation and desired characteristics for pursuing VCSELs, particularly in the area of high speed optical data links. We demonstrate that this structure is indeed producible and reproducible using MOVPE, where exceptional uniformity across wafers and arrays is obtained from commercial chambers. Record performance is also reported using MOVPE-grown GaAs VCSELs. These records include submilliamp (0.68 mA) CW room temperature threshold currents, <1.6 V threshold voltages, over 28% total wall-plug efficiency, over 59 mW of (unbonded) power, 200° C lasing, operation over a 100 nm wavelength regime, and other records that rival or exceed those obtained even from strained-layer InGaAs VCSELs of any structure. We also present novel extensions of this base VCSEL platform for lateral mode control, illustrating the flexibility and extendibility of this technology. Finally application of these arrays as 32-channel-wide Opto-Electronic Technology Consortium (OETC) parallel links are shown with error free operations up to 700 Mbits/s (Manchester coded) through 100 m of fiber.
A PROCESSOR EFFICIENT CONNECTIVITY ALGORITHM ON RANDOM GRAPHS
Authors: YANG S.B. , DHALL S.K. , LAKSHMIVARAHAN S.
Published: November 2004

In this paper we present a randomized parallel algorithm for finding the connected components of a random input graph with n vertices in which the edges are chosen with probability p such that [Formula: see text]. The algorithm has O(log2 n) expected time using only O(n) processors on the EREW PRAM model. The probability that the output of our algorithm is correct is at least 1–0.6k, where k is a constant.
A MORE EFFICIENT CONSTANT TIME ALGORITHM FOR COMPUTING THE HOUGH TRANSFORM
Authors: PAN YI
Published: November 2004

An efficient Hough transform algorithm on a reconfigurable mesh is proposed in this paper. For a problem with N edge pixels and an n×n parameter space, our algorithm runs in constant time on a 4-dimensional N× log 2N×n×n reconfigurable mesh. The previous best algorithm for the same problem runs in a constant time on a 4-dimensional n×N×N×N reconfigurable mesh. Since n is always smaller than N in real world (in fact, n is in the order of N1/2), our algorithm reduces the number of processors used drastically while keeping the same time complexity.
A THEORY TO INCREASE THE EFFECTIVE REDUNDANCY IN WORMHOLE NETWORKS
Authors: DUATO JOSÉ
Published: November 2004

Fault-tolerant systems aim at providing continuous operations in the presence of faults. Multicomputers rely on an interconnection network between processors to support the message-passing mechanism. Therefore, the reliability of the interconnection network is very important for the reliability of the whole system.

This paper analyses the effective redundancy available in a wormhole network by combining connectivity and deadlock freedom. Redundancy is defined at the channel level, giving a sufficient condition for a channel to be redundant and computing the set of redundant channels. The redundancy level of the network is also defined, proposing a theorem that supplies a lower bound for it. Finally, a fault-tolerant routing algorithm based on the former theory is proposed.