bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pretreatment social functioning predicts 1‐year outcome in early onset psychosis
Authors: Meng H. , Schimmelmann B. G. , Mohler B. , Lambert M. , Branik E. , Koch E. , Karle M. , Strauss M. , Preuss U. , Amsler F. , Riedesser P. , Resch F. , Bürgin D.
Published: February 2006

Objective:  The aim was to investigate the association of pretreatment social functioning (12 months before initial presentation) with symptom dimensions and social functioning at 1‐year follow‐up.

Method:  Fifty‐six adolescents, age 14–18, first admitted for early onset psychosis, were evaluated at baseline and 1‐year follow‐up assessing psychopathology (PANSS), social functioning (Strauss and Carpenter Prognostic Scale), and duration of untreated psychosis (DUP).

Results:  Adolescents with low pretreatment social functioning were at risk of more severe negative symptoms and lower social functioning at follow‐up. Negative symptoms at baseline were less predictive and DUP was not predictive in this sample.

Conclusion:  Results of this study suggest a strong longitudinal inter‐relatedness between social functioning and negative symptoms in this age group. An integrative treatment approach including family interventions, social skills training, long‐term specialized work/school rehabilitation, and adequate antipsychotic treatment is warranted to improve both, social functioning and negative symptoms.
Anterior palatal mouthguard margin location and its effect on shock‐absorbing capability
Authors: Yamada Junko , Maeda Yoshinobu , Satoh Hajime , Miura Jiro
Published: February 2006

Abstract –  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of a mouthguard's (MGs) anterior palatal margin location on its shock absorbing capability. A simulation study was conducted on a maxillary phantom model with maxillary teeth, bone, and soft tissue. Miniature strain gauges were attached to the labial and palatal surfaces of the right central incisor as well as the bone surface on the palatal side. MGs were made with ethylene vinyl acetate sheets, with thickness of 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 mm, using a pressure‐forming machine. The locations of the anterior palatal MG margins were set at 4.0, 2.0, and 0 mm from the cervical margin in three experimental configurations. The control situation was without a MG. A calibrated 7N of shock was applied to the middle portions of the labial and palatal surfaces of the central incisor. The amount of tooth deflection was evaluated. The results were analyzed with one‐way anova accompanied by the Scheffe's test and multiple regression analysis (P < 0.05), designating the strain as the dependent value. The results indicated that the thickness rather than the location of the anterior palatal margin of the MG has a significant influence on the reduction of tooth deflection against a horizontal blow.
Multiple Regime Shifts in Concurring and Dissenting Opinions on the U.S. Supreme Court
Authors: Smyth Russell , Narayan Paresh Kumar
Published: February 2006

In a previous issue of this journal,Smyth and Narayan (2004) examine structural change in the level of consensus on the High Court of Australia. In this article we adopt a similar strategy to that employed inSmyth and Narayan (2004) to estimate both the number and location of structural breaks in concurring and dissenting opinions on the U.S. Supreme Court. Although it has commonly been believed that there has been one regime shift on the U.S. Supreme Court, corresponding to the breakdown in the consensual norm in the 1930s or 1940s, we find that there have been three breaks in consensus. We find that two of the three breaks in dissenting opinions correspond closely to the beginning of the terms of Taney and Stone as Chief Justice, with the third occurring in the middle of Chase's term. We find that two of the three breaks in concurring opinions correspond closely to the beginning of the terms of Taney and Hughes and that the third break in concurring opinions occurs in the middle of the Warren Court.
A Comparative Study of Juror Utilization in U.S. District Courts
Authors: Litras Marika , Golmant John R.
Published: February 2006

This study examines why some U.S. district courts make more efficient use of petit jurors than do others. Although the percent of petit jurors not selected, serving, or challenged (NSSC) in U.S. district courts has risen steadily over the last five years, reaching a national high of 39 percent in fiscal year 2002, this trend has occurred in a context of considerable district‐to‐district variation, ranging from 3 percent to 71 percent. Understanding this district‐to‐district variation will not only help courts improve their use of jurors, but also will shed light on the causes of the rising national trend. An analysis of pooled cross‐sectional time‐series data for 94 judicial districts between 1992 and 2002 indicates that inefficient use of jurors is largely a function of high juror supply, low juror demand, and constraints on judicial resources.
Federal Oversight, State Policy Making, and the Courts: An Empirical Analysis of Nursing Facility Litigation Under the Boren Amendment
Authors: Alan Miller Edward
Published: February 2006

Few examine the role of the courts in shaping federal regulation of state policy decisions in the health sector. This article reports content analysis of all reported case decisions resulting from nursing facility litigation under the Boren Amendment, which represented the federal government's main foray into regulating state payment levels under Medicaid between 1980 and 1997. Results indicate that 34 states had at least one lawsuit, with relatively frequent litigation taking place in a handful of states. The pace of litigation varied, however, increasing from an average of 3.2 to 9.3 cases decided per year between 1981–1990 and 1991–1994, before declining to 2.1 during 1995–2001. At one level, litigation contradicted Congress's initial intent to reduce federal oversight of state rate‐setting behavior. At another level, it reflected broader policy‐making trends affecting the relative balance of power between state and federal actors.
The Significant Association Between Punitive and Compensatory Damages in Blockbuster Cases: A Methodological Primer
Authors: Eisenberg Theodore , Wells Martin T.
Published: February 2006

This article assesses the relation between punitive and compensatory damages in a data set, gathered by Hersch and Viscusi (H‐V), consisting of all known punitive damages awards in excess of $100 million from 1985 through 2003. It shows that a strong, statistically significant relation exists between punitive and compensatory awards, a relation that replicates similar findings in nearly all other analyses of punitive and compensatory damages. H‐V's claim that no significant relation exists between punitive and compensatory awards in these data appears to be an artifact of questionable regression methodology.
The Psychosocial Outcomes of Total and Subtotal Hysterectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Flory Nicole , Bissonnette François , Amsel Rhonda T. , Binik Yitzchak M.
Published: February 2006

Introduction

Current controversies involve the adverse effects of hysterectomy on women's psychosocial functioning and whether subtotal as opposed to total hysterectomy mitigates these effects.

Aim

To investigate the psychosocial effects of hysterectomy by examining sexual, pain, and psychological outcomes of total vs. subtotal hysterectomy in a randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Patients suffering from benign gynecological conditions were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (i) total hysterectomy, that is, laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (TOT, N = 32); or (ii) subtotal hysterectomy, that is, supracervical laparoscopic hysterectomy (SUB, N = 31). Both groups were premenopausal and underwent hysterectomy without concurrent oophorectomy. Two premenopausal control groups: (i) minor gynecological surgery (SURG-CON, N = 30); and (ii) healthy nonsurgical controls (NORM-CON, N = 40), were also tested. All surgical groups were assessed 2–3 weeks before surgery and then 6–7 months afterward; the nonsurgical control group was assessed at the time of recruitment and 6–7 months later.

Outcome Measures

Assessments included semistructured interviews, standardized questionnaires, and standardized gynecological examinations.

Results

For the TOT group, sexual drive, arousal, and sexual behavior significantly improved postoperatively. For the SUB group, sexual behavior and overall sexual functioning significantly improved. For both TOT and SUB groups, unprovoked pain in the abdomen and pain in the abdomen during gynecological examinations was significantly reduced. For both TOT and SUB groups, overall psychological functioning did not significantly change postoperatively. Although between 3% and 16% of women undergoing hysterectomy reported adverse changes in psychosocial well-being after surgery, similar percentages of women in the control groups reported such effects.

Conclusions

Hysterectomy resulted in a consistent reduction in abdominal pain, some improvement in sexual functioning, but no change in overall psychological functioning. There was no evidence supporting the idea that subtotal hysterectomy produced more favorable psychosocial outcomes than total hysterectomy nor was there any evidence that either type of hysterectomy resulted in adverse effects.
Ocular blunt trauma: loss of sight from an ice hockey injury
Authors: Morris D S
Published: February 2006

A case of ocular blunt trauma is described in which a 17 year old male ice hockey player collided with an opponent during a game. The opponent’s stick travelled under the patient’s half face visor and struck his left eye causing hyphema, angle recession, lens subluxation, and choroidal rupture over the macula, permanently reducing his vision to counting fingers. Sequelae of ocular blunt trauma are discussed along with methods of injury prevention by addressing players’ behaviour and safety equipment. This injury is unlikely to have occurred with properly used full face protection.
Validation of a skinfold based index for tracking proportional changes in lean mass
Authors: Slater G J , Duthie G M , Pyne D B , Hopkins W G
Published: February 2006

Background:The lean mass index (LMI) is a new empirical measure that tracks within-subject proportional changes in body mass adjusted for changes in skinfold thickness.

Objective:To compare the ability of the LMI and other skinfold derived measures of lean mass to monitor changes in lean mass.

Methods:20 elite rugby union players undertook full anthropometric profiles on two occasions 10 weeks apart to calculate the LMI and five skinfold based measures of lean mass. Hydrodensitometry, deuterium dilution, and dual energyxray absorptiometry provided a criterion choice, four compartment (4C) measure of lean mass for validation purposes. Regression based measures of validity, derived for within-subject proportional changes through log transformation, included correlation coefficients and standard errors of the estimate.

Results:The correlation between change scores for the LMI and 4C lean mass was moderate (0.37, 90% confidence interval −0.01 to 0.66) and similar to the correlations for the other practical measures of lean mass (range 0.26 to 0.42). Standard errors of the estimate for the practical measures were in the range of 2.8–2.9%. The LMI correctly identified the direction of change in 4C lean mass for 14 of the 20 athletes, compared with 11 to 13 for the other practical measures of lean mass.

Conclusions:The LMI is probably as good as other skinfold based measures for tracking lean mass and is theoretically more appropriate. Given the impracticality of the 4C criterion measure for routine field use, the LMI may offer a convenient alternative for monitoring physique changes, provided its utility is established under various conditions.
Counselling increases physical activity behaviour nine weeks after rehabilitation
Authors: van der Ploeg H P , Streppel K R M , van der Beek A J , van der Woude L H V , Vollenbroek-Hutten M M R , van Harten W H , van Mechelen W
Published: February 2006

Background:For people with disabilities, a physically active lifestyle can reduce the risk of secondary health problems and improve overall functioning.

Objectives:To determine the effects of the sport stimulation programme “rehabilitation and sports” (R&S) and R&S combined with the daily physical activity promotion programme “active after rehabilitation” (AaR) on sport participation and daily physical activity behaviour nine weeks after inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation.

Methods:Subjects in four intervention rehabilitation centres were randomised to a group receiving R&S only (n  =  315) or a group receiving R&S and AaR (n  =  284). Subjects in six control rehabilitation centres (n  =  603) received the usual care. Most common diagnoses were stroke, neurological disorders, and back disorders. Two sport and two daily physical activity outcomes were assessed with questionnaires seven weeks before and nine weeks after the end of rehabilitation. Data were analysed by intention to treat and on treatment multilevel analyses, comparing both intervention groups with the control group.

Results:The R&S group showed no significant change. Intention to treat analyses of the R&S+AaR group showed significant improvements in one sport (p  =  0.02) and one physical activity outcome (p  =  0.03). On treatment analyses in the R&S+AaR group showed significant improvements in both sport outcomes (p<0.01 and p  =  0.02) and one physical activity outcome (p<0.01).

Conclusions:Only the combination of R&S and AaR had increased sports participation and daily physical activity behaviour nine weeks after the end of inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation.
Injuries among elite snowboarders (FIS Snowboard World Cup)
Authors: Torjussen J , Bahr R
Published: February 2006

Background:Although snowboarding is already established as an Olympic sport, it is still a developing sport, with new disciplines, more demanding snow installations, and spectacular tricks. A recent study on subjects at Norwegian national elite level showed that injury risk is high and that injuries among competitive snowboarders differ from those seen in recreational snowboarders, with fewer wrist injuries and more knee and back injuries.

Objective:To describe the incidence and type of injuries among female and male snowboarders at international elite level.

Method:At the last race of the Fédération Internationale de Ski Snowboard World Cup, acute injuries resulting in missed participation and overuse injuries influencing performance, were recorded during a retrospective interview (91% response rate). The registration period was from April 2002 (end of season) until March 2003. Exposure was recorded as the number of runs in all disciplines, and the incidence was calculated as number of injuries per 1000 runs.

Results:The 258 athletes interviewed reported 3193 competition days (n = 46 879 runs) in all disciplines. In total, 135 acute injuries were recorded; 62 (46%) during competition in the official disciplines. Of the 135 acute injuries, the most common injury locations were knee (n = 24; 18%), shoulder (n = 18; 13%), back (n = 17; 13%), and wrist (n = 11; 8%). The overall incidence during competition was 1.3 (95% confidence interval 1.0 to 1.7) injuries per 1000 runs; 2.3 (0.9 to 3.8) for big air (n = 10), 1.9 (1.1 to 2.8) for halfpipe (n = 21), 2.1 (1.2 to 3.0) for snowboard cross (n = 20), 0.6 (0.2 to 1.0) for parallel giant slalom (n = 8), and 0.3 (0.0 to 0.7) for parallel slalom (n = 3). The severity of injuries was graded based on time loss (27% lost >21 days) and score on the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) (38% AIS 1, 61% AIS 2 and 1% AIS 3). There were 122 overuse injuries, 38 (31%) of these to the knee.

Conclusion:The injury risk for big air, snowboard cross, and halfpipe disciplines is high, while that for the snowboard slalom disciplines is lower. The injury pattern is different from recreational athletes, with a greater share of knee injuries and fewer wrist injuries. Compared with national level, the injury risk appears to be lower at World Cup level.
Calcitonin gene related peptide and neuropeptide Y in skeletal muscle after eccentric exercise: a microdialysis study
Authors: Jonhagen S , Ackermann P , Saartok T , Renstrom P A
Published: February 2006

Objectives:To detect neuropeptides in human skeletal muscle at rest and after eccentric exercise.

Method:Eight healthy subjects participated in the study. Microdialysis of the distal part of the vastus lateralis of the quadriceps muscle and pain evaluation were performed immediately after eccentric exercise, after two days, and at rest. Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), representatives of the sensory and autonomic nervous system, were analysed by radioimmunoassay.

Results:Overall, the measured concentrations were low, some even below the limit of detection. At rest, CGRP was detected in two of seven samples, but after eccentric exercise it was detected in 27 of 30 samples. At rest, all NPY concentrations were below the limit of detection, but after exercise it was found in six of 30 samples.

Conclusion:The significant increase in detectability of CGRP after eccentric exercise may be related to the increased experience of pain. Therefore the occurrence of CGRP after heavy eccentric exercise may be associated with the regulation of delayed onset muscle soreness and possibly also the stimulation of tissue regeneration.
Consensus statement on injury definitions and data collection procedures in studies of football (soccer) injuries
Authors: Fuller C W , Ekstrand J , Junge A , Andersen T E , Bahr R , Dvorak J , Hägglund M , McCrory P , Meeuwisse W H
Published: February 2006

Variations in definitions and methodologies have created differences in the results and conclusions obtained from studies of football (soccer) injuries, making interstudy comparisons difficult. Therefore an Injury Consensus Group was established under the auspices of Fédération Internationale de Football Association Medical Assessment and Research Centre. A nominal group consensus model approach was used. A working document on definitions, methodology, and implementation was discussed by the group. Iterative draft statements were prepared and circulated to members of the group for comment before the final consensus statement was produced. Definitions of injury, recurrent injury, severity, and training and match exposures in football together with criteria for classifying injuries in terms of location, type, diagnosis, and causation are proposed. Proforma for recording players’ baseline information, injuries, and training and match exposures are presented. Recommendations are made on how the incidence of match and training injuries should be reported and a checklist of issues and information that should be included in published reports of studies of football injuries is presented.
Nestin expression in odontoblasts and odontogenic ectomesenchymal tissue of odontogenic tumours
Authors: Fujita S , Hideshima K , Ikeda T
Published: February 2006

Background:Nestin, one of the intermediate filaments constituting the cytoskeleton, is a marker of neural stem cells or progenitor cells. Its expression is also related to tooth development and repair of dentine.

Aims:The aim of this study was to investigate nestin expression in various odontogenic tumours and evaluate its usefulness for histopathological diagnosis.

Methods:We studied formalin fixed, paraffin embedded specimens from 129 cases of odontogenic tumours and 9 of mandibular intraosseous myxoma. After characterisation of odontogenic ectomesenchymal tissues in these tumours using antibodies to vimentin, desmin, neurofilament, and glial fibrillary acidic protein, we immunohistochemically examined nestin expression.

Results:No differentiation towards muscle and nervous tissues was found in the odontogenic ectomesenchymal tissues. Although almost all the ameloblastomas and malignant ameloblastomas were negative for nestin, odontogenic ectomesenchyme in the odontogenic mixed tumours demonstrated nestin immunolocalisation, particularly in the region adjacent to the odontogenic epithelium. Odontoblasts and their processes, pulp cells near the positive odontoblasts, and flat cells adhering to the dentine showed immunoreaction with nestin in the odontomas and odontoma-like component in the ameloblastic fibro-odontomas. Neoplastic cells in almost half cases of jaw myxoma and one case of odontogenic fibroma expressed nestin.

Conclusions:The distribution of nestin in the odontogenic mixed tumours suggests that nestin expression in the odontogenic ectomesenchyme is upregulated by stimulation from odontogenic epithelium. In addition, nestin may also be involved in the differentiation from pulp cells to odontoblasts in odontogenic tumours. Therefore, nestin is a useful marker for the odontogenic ectomesenchyme and odontoblasts in odontogenic tumours.

Nestin, one of the intermediate filaments constituting the cytoskeleton, is a marker of neural stem cells or progenitor cells. Its expression is also related to tooth development and repair of dentine.
In stent restenosis: bane of the stent era
Authors: Mitra A K , Agrawal D K
Published: February 2006

The long term outcome of stent implantation is affected by a process called in stent restenosis (ISR). Multiple contributory factors have been identified, but clear understanding of the overall underlying mechanism remains an enigma. ISR progresses through several different phases and involves numerous cellular and molecular constituents. Platelets and macrophages play a central role via vascular smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation in the intima to produce neointimal hyperplasia, which is pathognomic of ISR. Increased extracellular matrix formation appears to form the bulk of the neointimal hyperplasia tissue. Emerging evidence of the role of inflammatory cytokines and suppressors of cytokine signalling make this an exciting and novel field of antirestenosis research. Activation of Akt pathway triggered by mechanical stretch may also be a contributory factor to ISR formation. Prevention of ISR appears to be a multipronged attack as no therapeutic “magic bullet” exists to block all the processes in one go.
Antibodies to filamentous actin (F-actin) in type 1 autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Granito A , Muratori L , Muratori P , Pappas G , Guidi M , Cassani F , Volta U , Ferri A , Lenzi M , Bianchi F B
Published: February 2006

Aims:To evaluate the diagnostic significance of anti-filamentous actin antibodies (A-FAA) assessed with a commercial ELISA in comparison with immunofluorescence reactivity and patterns of anti-smooth muscle antibodies (SMA); and to correlate A-FAA positivity with clinical, immunogenetic, laboratory, and histological features in patients with autoimmune hepatitis type 1 (AIH-1).

Methods:We studied 78 consecutive untreated AIH-1 patients and 160 controls: 22 with autoimmune hepatitis type 2 (AIH-2), 51 with hepatitis C, 17 with coeliac disease (CD), 20 with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and 50 blood donors. SMA was evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on frozen sections of rat tissues, and A-FAA with a modified commercial ELISA.

Results:SMA was detected by IIF in 61 (78%) of 78 AIH-1 patients, of whom 47 (60%) had the SMA-T/G and 14 (18%) the SMA-V pattern. Of the pathological controls, 32 (20%) had the SMA-V pattern (25 with hepatitis C, 2 with AIH-2, 2 with PBC, 3 with CD). A-FAA were present in 55 AIH-1 patients (70.5%; 46 with SMA-T/G, 7 with SMA-V, and 2 SMA-negative), and in 10 controls (6%), of whom five had hepatitis C, two AIH-2, two PBC and one CD. The association between A-FAA and the SMA-T/G pattern was statistically significant (p<0.0001). A-FAA levels were higher in SMA-T/G positive than SMA-V positive AIH-1 patients and controls (p<0.0001). A-FAA positivity was significantly associated with higher γ-globulin and IgG levels, but did not correlate with other considered parameters.

Conclusion:The modified A-FAA ELISA strictly correlates with the SMA-T/G pattern and is a reliable and operator independent assay for AIH-1. Detection of A-FAA, even if devoid of prognostic relevance, may be useful when interpretative doubts of standard IIF arise.
The impact of expression profiling on prognostic and predictive testing in breast cancer
Authors: Reis-Filho J S , Westbury C , Pierga J-Y
Published: February 2006

Expression profiling has been extensively applied to the study of breast cancer and undoubtedly is changing the way breast cancer is perceived. Over the past few years, several groups have described prognostic “signatures” (gene lists) that are purported to be more accurate prognostic factors than well established clinical and pathological features. In addition, cDNA and oligonucleotide microarrays have also been used to devise predictive “signatures” in the setting of neoadjuvant chemotherapy setting. However, it seems that the enthusiasm with this new technology has led most of us to turn a blind eye to some serious methodological problems which are evident in landmark papers on breast cancer expression profiling. These issues include small and biased cohorts of patients, inappropriate statistical analysis and lack of thorough validation of the technology. In this review, we critically revisit the most relevant cDNA microarray studies on breast cancer prognosis and prediction published to date. Although the results are promising, further optimisation and standardisation of the technique and properly designed clinical trials are required before microarrays can reliably be used as tools for clinical decision making.
Claudins in differential diagnosis between mesothelioma and metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pleura
Authors: Soini Y , Kinnula V , Kahlos K , Pääkkö P
Published: February 2006

Aim:To study the expression of claudins in mesothelioma and metastatic pleural adenocarcinoma.

Methods:Immunohistochemical staining of claudins 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 was studied in 35 malignant mesotheliomas and the expression compared with 24 cases of pleural metastatic adenocarcinoma. All cases were also immunostained with calretinin.

Results:Claudin 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 expression was seen in 40%, 80%, 18%, 23%, 14%, and 43% of mesotheliomas, respectively, while the corresponding figures for adenocarcinoma were 100%, 88%, 90%, 100%, 50%, and 92%. Claudins 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 were significantly less positive in mesothelioma than in metastatic adenocarcinoma, while no difference was observed for claudin 2. Claudins 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 were also inversely associated with calretinin positivity. Sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma subtypes appeared more negative for these claudins than pure epithelioid subtypes. Claudin expression was not associated with survival of patients with malignant mesotheliomas.

Conclusions:The results show that malignant mesotheliomas have a lower expression of claudins 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 than adenocarcinomas, and their expression could thus be used as an adjunct in differential diagnosis between the two. The difference was most evident for claudins 3 and 4, which were nearly as good as calretinin in mesothelioma detection. Sarcomatoid and biphasic mesotheliomas showed expression of these claudins only occasionally, which could be due to or contribute to their less epithelial appearance.
IS IT PHYSICALLY SOUND TO ADD A TOPOLOGICALLY MASSIVE TERM TO THREE-DIMENSIONAL MASSIVE ELECTROMAGNETIC OR GRAVITATIONAL MODELS?
Authors: ACCIOLY ANTONIO , DIAS MARCO
Published: February 2006

The addition of a topologically massive term to an admittedly nonunitary three-dimensional massive model, be it an electromagnetic system or a gravitational one, does not cure its nonunitarity. What about the enlargement of avowedly unitary massive models by way of a topologically massive term? The electromagnetic models remain unitary after the topological augmentation but, surprisingly enough, the gravitational ones have their unitarity spoiled. Here we analyze these issues and present the explanation why unitary massive gravitational models, unlike unitary massive electromagnetic ones, cannot coexist from the viewpoint of unitarity with topologically massive terms. We also discuss the novel features of the three-term effective field models that are gauge-invariant.
DESIGN OF VARIABLE FRACTIONAL DELAY FIR FILTERS WITH CSD COEFFICIENTS USING GENETIC ALGORITHM
Authors: KHAMEI KHADIJEH , NABAVI ABDOLREZA , HESSABI SHAAHIN , BARANDAGH SEYED AHMAD MOHSENI
Published: February 2006

This paper presents a new method for the design of variable fractional delay (VFD) FIR digital filters using Genetic Algorithm (GA). Each sub-filter of Farrow structure is designed individually with defined accuracy and bandwidth. A variable mutation probability is also employed, which improves the accuracy of the solution. Compared with existing methods, it reduces the computational complexity and enhances the design flexibility. Furthermore, a simple GA is used to compute the filter coefficients in canonic singed digit (CSD) representations. Since this algorithm selects the initial population in CSD representation and searches for the digits between [-1 1], most of the digits become zero. The filter multipliers can be built with simple shift registers and adders, resulting in a high-speed and low-power filter implementation. Multiplier-free structure typically shows 11.4% saving in power and 17.2% reduction in area consumption.
A ZVS/ZCS SOLUTION TO CROSSOVER DISTORTION IN BOOST PFC RECTIFIER
Authors: KHAN MUHAMMAD MANSOOR , WU ZHI-MING , PAN JUNMIN
Published: February 2006

Several ZVS/ZCS (zero voltage switching/zero current switching) snubbers have been proposed in the past to minimize the losses and EMI in boost PFC. In these topologies, the commutation energies are reflected to the load or source to achieve energy conservation. However, this energy can also be utilized in a way to further improve the performance of the PFC and this paper is a first step in this direction. Here, we will propose a new topology to minimize the crossover distortion in boost rectifier. The main characteristic of the proposed topology besides ZCS/ZVS switching is that it also improves the crossover distortion. A prototype system was built and tested to verify the proposed topology.
Measuring the Health Consequences of Alcohol Consumption: Current Needs and Methodological Challenges
Authors: Bloss Gregory
Published: February 2006

Background/Aims: Extensive research has shown that alcohol consumption leads to poor health and premature death through its causal or contributing roles in numerous chronic health conditions and acute health outcomes, including various cancers, liver disease, and injuries. Paradoxically, advances in understanding of the causal associations between alcohol consumption and various conditions have complicated our ability to discern trends in the health consequences of alcohol consumption over time. Methods: Four distinct needs for information on alcohol’s role in causing adverse health outcomes are identified. Estimates of alcohol-attributable mortality from two US studies are compared and differences identified. Results: Differences in the conditions included and alcohol-attributable fractions employed accounted for large differences in the estimated alcohol-attributable mortality for several health outcomes. Conclusion: Despite the broad consensus on many health consequences of alcohol consumption, further research is needed to clarify the conditions that are caused by alcohol consumption, magnitudes of causal relationships, and effects of different patterns of consumption and individual characteristics. Comparisons over time are needed to identify areas where improvements in public health may be occurring or are most needed, to support evaluation of specific interventions, and to encourage the public awareness of alcohol problems that is necessary to change attitudes and behaviors involving alcohol consumption.
Moderate Alcohol Consumption and the Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Taylor Benjamin , Rehm Jürgen , Gmel Gerhard
Published: February 2006

Background: A high alcohol intake is significantly associated with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, but less is known about the effects of moderate consumption, specifically moderate average volume of alcohol consumption. Methods: A systematic computer-assisted literature review was completed in order to review current scientific knowledge surrounding this topic. Results: Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a number of gastrointestinal health risks, including liver diseases, oropharyngeal cancer, esophageal cancer and pancreatitis but may play a positive role in gastritis and cholelithiasis. Conclusion: Moderate alcohol consumption may play a positive or negative role in disease etiology, but the overall conclusion is that moderate alcohol intake is not a high risk factor for many of the gastrointestinal diseases associated with high levels of consumption. The etiology of alcohol diseases is also linked to patterns of drinking, so this is an important area for future research in this area.
Molecular Mechanisms of Alcoholic Pancreatitis
Authors: Apte M.V. , Pirola R.C. , Wilson J.S.
Published: February 2006

Alcoholic pancreatitis is a major complication of alcohol abuse. Since only a minority of alcoholics develop pancreatitis, there has been a keen interest in identifying the factors that may confer individual susceptibility to the disease. Numerous possibilities have been evaluated including diet, drinking patterns and a range of inherited factors. However, at the present time, no susceptibility factor has been unequivocally identified. In contrast, considerable progress has been made with respect to the constant effects of alcohol on the pancreas. The molecular mechanisms of alcohol-induced pancreatic injury are being increasingly defined with an emphasis, in recent years, on the acinar cell itself as the principal site on ethanol-related damage. It has now been established that the acinar cell is capable of metabolizing alcohol and that the direct toxic effects of alcohol and/or its metabolites on acinar cells may predispose the gland to autodigestive injury in the presence of an appropriate triggering factor. A significant recent development relates to the characterization of pancreatic stellate cells, increasingly implicated in alcoholic pancreatic fibrosis. Here the current concepts regarding the mechanisms/pathways mediating alcohol-induced pancreatic injury are outlined.
Attitudes Toward Battered Women Who Kill
Authors: Russell Brenda L. , Melillo Linda S.
Published: February 2006

Battered woman’s syndrome has become highly controversial, particularly when used as a defense in cases of homicide. According to legal scholars and social scientists, the characteristics associated with the syndrome constitute a standard that jurors use to evaluate battered women. This study evaluated the hypothesis that jurors use prototypical standards of battered women to reach conclusions about defendants in these cases. Results supported the hypotheses that verdicts are directly influenced by typicality and response history (passive vs. active) of the defendant. Defendants portrayed as atypical with an active response history received more guilty verdicts and were less credible. Conversely, typical defendants with passive response histories were most likely to receive verdicts of not guilty and found to be more credible. Traditional gender effects showed men were more likely than women to render guilty verdicts in all conditions.
Organization Learning in Non-writing Communities
Authors: Styhre Alexander , Josephson Per-Erik , Knauseder Ingeborg
Published: February 2006

The literature on organization learning does not fully recognize the difference between learning that is primarily mediated by written documents and protocols and learning that occurs on the basis of verbal and symbolic interaction. This article presents a study of construction project workers and emphasizes that learning is emerging in work-life situations wherein individuals are sharing know-how and experiences through embodied interactions and the practical use of tools and machinery. Co-workers in construction projects thus make use of verbal and symbolic forms of communication in their processes of learning, rather than various forms of decoded and written forms and computer-mediated learning. The article suggests that the learning organization literature should pay more attention to communities of practice that rely on verbal interaction rather than written documentation.
Microstructure Evolution in ZrC Irradiated with Kr ions
Authors: Gan J , Meyer MK , Birtcher RC , Allen TR
Published: February 2006

The gas-cooled fast reactor (GFR) is one of six concepts for the Generation-IV nuclear energy system. The fuel for the GFR requires both a high heavy metal loading and the ability to withstand temperatures up to 1600°C during a loss of coolant accident. ZrC is among the few potential refractory ceramic materials with necessary properties to be considered as matrix materials for a dispersed carbide fuel. The radiation response of ZrC to high dose and temperature is a critical research need. This work investigated the microstructure of ZrC irradiated with 1 MeV Kr ions to doses of 10 and 30 dpa at 27°C and 10 and 70 dpa at 800°C with a damage rate approximately 3.0 × 10−3 dpa/s. No radiation-induced amorphization was found. A lattice expansion of approximately 7 % was observed for ZrC irradiated to 70 dpa at 800°C.
Review, Analysis, and Hazard Mitigation of the Life-Support Oxygen System on Royal Australian Air Force P-3 Orion Aircraft
Authors: Hay PJ , Burns DMC , Steinberg TA
Published: February 2006

To ensure te ongoing safe operation of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-3 Orion life-support oxygen system, a system review was completed that included a failure modes and effects analysis combined with an oxygen hazards and fire risk analysis. Though the RAAF P-3 Orion oxygen system has been operational for many years, the results of these analyses clearly identified many deficiencies in the current system configuration, thus demonstrating the value of the formal analysis approach. Design, procedural, maintenance, and material issues were all identified and addressed in the course of this process. This paper provides a brief summary of the analyses performed, the results obtained, risk tables generated, and their use leading to the recommendations for changes incorporated onto RAAF P-3 Orion aircraft that resulted from this work.
NMR-Characterization of Magnetic Fluids
Authors: Langer A. , Mayer C.
Published: February 2006

31P-NMR spectra have been measured on aqueous solutions and gels of phosphorylated polyvinyl alcohol in absence and in presence of dispersed magnetic nanoparticles. In this system, the rotational diffusion is still rapid enough for a sufficient averaging of the CSA tensor of the 31P nucleus. At the same time, the lateral diffusion of the 31P nuclei is significantly reduced. Under these circumstances, it is possible to detect the spatial distribution of the local field by 31P-NMR. The obtained line shape exhibits the characteristic shark fin pattern which has been predicted on a theoretical basis. This basically supports the proposed dependence of the NMR line shape on the velocity of lateral diffusion which allows for detailed analysis of lateral motion.
Periodically Forced Ferrofluid Pendulum: Effect of Polydispersity
Authors: Leschhorn A. , Lücke M.
Published: February 2006

We investigate a torsional pendulum containing a ferrofluid that is forced periodically to undergo small-amplitude oscillations. A homogeneous magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the pendulum axis. We give an analytical formula for the ferrofluid-induced “selfenergy” in the pendulum’s dynamic response function for monodisperse as well as for polydisperse ferrofluids.
Magnetic Nanoparticles for Biomedical Heating Applications
Authors: Dutz S. , Hergt R. , Mürbe J. , Töpfer J. , Müller Robert , Zeisberger M. , Andrä W. , Bellemann M. E.
Published: February 2006

In the past, magnetic nanoparticles have found increasing interest in different biomedical applications, e.g. the magnetic hyperthermia of tumor cells or the remote controlled drug delivery to the gut. These applications are based on a magnetically induced heating effect caused by different magnetic loss mechanisms in the nanoparticles. To advance the present state of the art of these methods, it is important to use particles with a higher specific heating power (SHP) at lower magnetic field amplitudes. To this aim, several iron oxide nanoparticle powders, consisting of particles in the diameter range from 10 nm up to 100 nm, were prepared by two different chemical methods and magnetically as well as morphologically characterized. The magnetic characterization was done by using a vibrating sample magnetometer and the calorimetrical determination of SHP. The dependence of the magnetic losses on the morphological properties was investigated. Magnetic characterization showed that several suitable iron oxide absorbers can be utilized. With decreasing particle size, hysteresis loss underestimates SHP at higher frequencies as measured calorimetrically. The effect of measurement frequency on the hysteresis losses is shown experimentally. Experimental results are discussed in the frame of known theoretical models of nanoparticle magnetism.
Nanoscaled Nickel-Zinc-Iron Oxides of Spinell Type as Soft Magnetic Colloids and their Ferromagnetic Resonance Spectrum
Authors: Sauer H. M. , Cura E. , Spiekermann S. , Hempelmann Rolf
Published: February 2006

Colloids made from ferrite nanoparticles are a good example of how the properties of materials change when scaled down to the nanometre scale: the continuous spectrum of magnetic spin wave excitations breaks up to a set of discrete absorption lines. In order to exploit this phenomenon, the chemical composition of the ferrite as well as the preparation method for the suspensions are essential: in nickel zinc ferrites, the magnetic anisotropy field and the life time of magnetic resonance states can be fine tuned by the zinc content to achieve optimal microwave absorption. This makes such colloids interesting for high-power microwave applications, such as bond/disbond-on-command, that are difficult to obtain with polycrystalline materials.
Magnetization of Rotating Ferrofluids: Predictions of Different Theoretical Models
Authors: Leschhorn A. , Lücke M.
Published: February 2006

We consider a ferrofluid cylinder, that is rotating with constant rotation frequency Ω = Ωe
z as a rigid body. A homogeneous magnetic field H
0 = H
0
e

x
is applied perpendicular to the cylinder axis e
z. This causes a nonequilibrium situation. Therein the magnetization M and the internal magnetic field H are constant in time and homogeneous within the ferrofluid. According to the Maxwell equations they are related to each other via H = H
0 − M/2. However, H and M are not parallel to each other and their directions differ from that of the applied field H
0. We have analyzed several different theoretical models that provide equations for the magnetization in such a situation. The magnetization M is determined for each model as a function of Ω and H
0 in a wide range of frequencies and fields. Comparisons are made of the different model results and the differences in particular of the predictions for the perpendicular components H
y = −M
y/2 of the fields are analyzed.
Distribution of Mitoxantrone after Magnetic Drug Targeting: Fluorescence Microscopic Investigations on VX2 Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Alexiou Christoph , Jurgons Roland , Seliger Christian , Kolb Sabine , Heubeck Bernd , Iro Heinrich
Published: February 2006

Magnetic drug targeting (MDT) is a new approach in local cancer therapy. Starch coated magnetite nanoparticles bound to the chemotherapeutic agent mitoxantrone can be enriched in the tumor region of a VX2 squamous cell carcinoma in rabbits. Using fluorescence-microscopy we showed enrichment of the chemotherapeutic agent in its site of action, the DNA.
Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida Outbreak in Cage-Reared Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Thunnus thynnus
Authors: Mladineo Ivona , Miletić Ivana , Bočina Ivana
Published: February 2006

High mortalities of the bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus reared in Adriatic Sea cages occurred during spring 2004. Outbreaks had been previously reported at the same facility in similar conditions in the tuna population harvested in winter 2003. Fish displayed no external clinical signs of disease except for changed coloration and atypical swimming, and gross pathology was limited to general signs of septicemia. Histological and bacteriological findings suggested an epizootic outbreak of pasteurellosis. The pathology suggested an acute infection with the changes characteristic of septicemia. Most fish died in 1–2 d without gross pathology, possibly because of the virulence of the bacterial strain or reduced resistance of the fish. A low percentage of fish developed a chronic form of infection with disseminated granulomas in kidneys but also showed no gross pathology. Tuna parasitofauna was evaluated and did not appear to affect the development and the course of the disease.
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay Used to Measure the Prevalence of Clostridium botulinum type E in Fish in the Lower Great Lakes
Authors: Getchell R. G. , Culligan W. J. , Kirchgessner M. , Sutton C. A. , Casey R. N. , Bowser P. R.
Published: February 2006

A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) assay for the type E Clostridium botulinum toxin gene was developed and used in a survey of apparently healthy, moribund, and freshly dead fish from the lower Great Lakes. The focus was on species that had died in recent fish kills, such as freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens, smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu, and round goby Neogobius melanostomus. Samples of these species were obtained during scheduled collections and during die-offs. A 139-base-pair fragment of DNA, located near the junction of the light and heavy chains of the type E toxin gene, was cloned for the real-time assay and was used as a standard to quantify the number of C. botulinum type E bacteria present in the liver and intestinal content samples tested. Samples that tested positive for C. botulinum type E were then assayed for toxin by the traditional house mouse Mus musculus bioassay and with a botulinum toxin rapid detection kit designed for qualitative environmental screening. We tested a total of 736 fish from Lakes Erie and Ontario during 2002, and 678 fish were tested in 2003. This work has demonstrated the presence of the type E C. botulinum toxin gene and, by inference, the presence of vegetative cells in dying freshwater drum, apparently healthy smallmouth bass and round goby, and a dead lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens. The freshwater drum were found either in a moribund condition with signs of botulism or freshly dead during die-offs in July 2002 and late August 2003 at several locations in the eastern basin of Lake Erie; no fish from Lake Ontario tested positive by means of QPCR. Our research has begun to clarify the role moribund fish may play in the C. botulinum type E intoxications that have recently struck the live-fish-eating birds of the lower Great Lakes.