bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weapon injuries in the 12th century Crusader garrison of Vadum Iacob Castle, Galilee
Authors: Mitchell P. D. , Nagar Y. , Ellenblum R.
Published: March 2006

This project analyses the wounds sustained by those defending the Crusader castle of Vadum Iacob, which is to the north of the Sea of Galilee in Israel. To our knowledge this is the first Crusader castle garrison to be excavated and studied, and consequently gives unique information concerning medieval battle wounds. The Muslim forces of Saladin stormed the castle in August 1179. The skeletal remains of five of the garrison who were killed during the siege and the execution which followed have been studied, providing a vivid portrait of what it must have been like in the last hours as the castle surrendered. Multiple sword and arrow wounds were noted, and arrowheads were still in situ at the time of their deaths. All the soldiers appear to have been stripped of their armour and then dumped together with corpses of horses that died in the battle. We explore the nature and anatomical location of the wounds in the context of medieval Islamic weapons, battlefield tactics and the defensive armour of the Crusaders. Despite the limited number of soldiers discovered, the unique nature of this site makes the findings of great significance. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variation in the taphonomic effect of scavengers in semi‐arid Australia linked to rainfall and the El Niño Southern Oscillation
Authors: Brown O. J. F. , Field J. , Letnic M.
Published: March 2006

Scavenging is one of the primary taphonomic processes shaping the final composition of fossil faunal assemblages. The taphonomic effect of scavengers is variable and must be understood in the context of the causes of that variation. In this study, we investigated relationships between the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), variable rainfall and scavenging on 20–40 kg mammal carcasses in semi‐arid New South Wales over four years. Following periods of above‐average rainfall (coincident with the La Niña phase of the ENSO), there was an increased availability of non‐carrion food and scavenging activity was moderate. Following below‐average rainfall (coincident with the El Niño phase of the ENSO), foraging options diminished, leading to a greater importance of carrion in the diet of scavengers and a resultant increase in carcass disturbance, transport and destruction by scavengers. Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were the most taphonomically significant scavengers in the study. Australian ravens (Corvus coronoides) and wedge‐tailed eagles (Aquila audax) were active scavengers throughout the period of the study, but had little impact on bone survival. Lace monitors (Varanus varius) also fed mostly on soft tissue and were only present seasonally. We found that climate variability in the form of short‐term oscillation can result in significant variation in the impact of scavengers on carcasses and may be an important consideration when evaluating site formation scenarios and biases in fossil faunal assemblages. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A pathway to success
Authors: Gibson Vanessa , Douglas Margaret , Gregg Alan
Published: March 2006

Intensive care services have seen a radical increase in provision over the last four years. This, along with the disbanding of the English National Board (ENB), has allowed institutions of higher education to develop targeted, flexible pathways specific to critical care while still incorporating national recommendations. Here, we set out our experience of developing a flexible critical care pathway that is fit for practice (UKCC 1999) and leads to a BSc (Hons) or Higher Education Diploma in Critical Care. We outline the reasons for the course development, the existing continuing professional development framework at Northumbria University and the structure of the new pathway. The planning team endeavoured to incorporate as many recommendations as possible from organizations such as the Audit Commission (1999), the Department of Health (DoH 2000; DoH 2001), and from Scholes and Endacott (2002). The membership of the planning team was also designed to incorporate as many views as possible—from both education and service. We believe that the targeted, flexible pathway offers a number of benefits, including a recognized qualification and a balance of flexibility and standardization over course content. The pathway is open to all healthcare practitioners working in critical care areas; it is competency‐based, offers an opportunity for accreditation for experienced practitioners, and students can either complete the whole pathway or access individual modules according to their, and their employer's, needs. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Evaluation of an intervention to prevent the early introduction of solid foods to babies
Authors: Nancarrow Susan
Published: March 2006

Aim

To report on the evaluation of a nutrition intervention that was designed to prevent the early introduction of solid foods to infants and to ensure food texture and variety were age‐appropriate.

Method

A nutrition screening tool was administered to consecutive parents for three months by maternal and child health nurses at the two‐ and six‐month immunization schedules. At the two‐month immunization, parents were asked to predict the age at which they proposed to introduce solid foods to their child, and to discuss the factors that influenced their decision‐making. At the six‐month immunization schedule, parents were asked to report the actual age at which they introduced solid foods to their child.

Results

More than 85% of parents reported that they actually, or intended to, introduce solid foods after their baby was four months of age. There was no relationship between the age of introduction of solid foods and the source or number of information materials received, or the birth order of the child (p>0.05).

Conclusion

Parents in the Australian Capital Territory already have high rates of adherence to existing guidelines for the introduction of solid foods to infants. The timing of a nutritional intervention to coincide with the six‐month immunization schedules was not optimal for this population. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Learning from near‐misses
Authors: Clinton Colum , Getachew Henok
Published: March 2006

We outline an approach to learning from incidents and near‐misses, based on the key concepts of action research and appreciative enquiry. We illustrate how this approach can be used to bring about developments in patient care, by engaging staff in the change process and supporting the development of a learning culture. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
EPAS: supporting practice development
Authors: Kell Jenny , McSherry Rob , Mudd David
Published: March 2006

We outline the development of the Excellence in Practice Accreditation Scheme (EPAS), devised by the practice development team in the Postgraduate Institute at the University of Teesside, UK. The aim of the EPAS is to provide individuals, teams and organizations with a framework through which professionals can develop, implement and evaluate advances in practice. The scheme incorporates an analysis of organizational accreditation and review schemes that already exist. These have been reviewed to develop a simple yet comprehensive system of practice accreditation. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Comprehensive service and practice development: city hospitals Sunderland's experience of patient journeys
Authors: Campbell Steve , Watson Bill , Gibson Andrew , Husband Gill , Bremner Ken
Published: March 2006

Considerable effort has been put into the development of integrated care pathways in the NHS in recent years. The notion of integrated care pathways, and even ‘patient journeys’, varies and the terms tend to be used interchangeably. The City Hospitals Sunderland notion of patient journeys is explicit, different, and is making a difference to patients. There are many reasons for this. Here, we describe the conception, development and effect of City Hospital Sunderland's patient journey process. In particular, there is discussion of two features of the process: the mode of patient involvement and the stakeholder sampling of these patients as a form of matrix. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Do patients with claudication need to see a vascular surgeon? A before and after study of a nurse‐led claudication clinic
Authors: Palfreyman Simon , Trender Hazel , Beard Jonathan
Published: March 2006

An audit of 101 notes comparing patient outcomes and quality indicators before and after the introduction of a vascular nurse specialist claudication clinic was undertaken. The nurse‐led clinics resulted in a reduction in median waiting time from referral to first appointments from 20 weeks to 2 weeks, and a significant reduction (p<0.01) in the number of individual patient appointments. The clinic resulted in a more thorough recording of patient history, assessment information and investigations. Most patients (78% pre‐clinic and 82% post‐clinic) were discharged with no further appointment. The clinic had no effect on the rate of patients who were still smoking at their follow‐up appointments, which remained at 80%. There is also scope to extend the role from assessment and secondary prevention advice to a fully nurse‐led service. This would release vascular surgeons to see other patients and cope with the ever increasing demands for emergency cover. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Motivating change: using motivational interviewing in practice development
Authors: Walsh Kenneth , McAllister Margaret , Morgan Aerinn , Thornhill Janet
Published: March 2006

The present paper draws on experiences and insights gained by a group of psychiatric nurse practice development facilitators whilst working with consumers, carers, clinicians and managers in the context of a practice development programme in a large metropolitan psychiatric hospital. The paper describes how the practice development facilitators were able to adapt Miller's (Miller 1983; Rollnick and Miller 1995; Miller and Rollnick 2002) techniques of motivational interviewing, commonly used in drug and alcohol treatment services, to help motivate change in an aged care setting. The lessons embedded within this experience are that people do want change, and that sustained change requires ownership and support. Practice development facilitators can assist in this process though the use of principles and strategies of motivational interviewing, which include increasing awareness of the need for change, supporting self‐efficacy and managing resistance to change. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
The practice development accreditation programme at the University of Leeds
Authors: Totterdell Ben
Published: March 2006

The practice development unit accreditation programme offered by the Centre for the Development of Health Care Policy and Practice (CDHPP) at the University of Leeds is now more than 10 years old. Since its inception more than 100 units have been accredited. A high proportion of these units have chosen to stay with the programme, and there are currently approximately 75 active units throughout the UK. There are also 11 units in the Republic of Ireland and four in the USA. Units have been accredited in most specialties ranging from intensive care units in acute hospitals to community residential mental health services. Services from the NHS, voluntary sector and private facilities have been accredited, and more recently a team of education providers has joined the programme. As far as is known, the programme offered by CDHPP is the largest such accreditation programme in the UK, and units continue to join. The programme clearly helps participating units to meet the demands and changes required by the NHS modernization agenda, and so it appears to be as relevant to practitioners as it ever was. It is therefore timely to examine the programme in some detail. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Development of a self‐management tool in the chronic pain service
Authors: Ruecroft Gill
Published: March 2006

A major goal of chronic pain management is the promotion of the individual's ability to self‐manage pain to the greatest extent possible. The persistence of pain and fluctuation of its intensity emphasize the need for the individual's involvement in an ongoing treatment programme. It was hoped that the development of a self‐management tool would, over time, enable patients to develop a repertoire of management techniques/treatments from which to select. Patients who self‐manage their disease may choose to use an alternative to traditional outpatient care, only accessing specialist clinics when their symptoms exacerbate out of their control. Health professionals anticipated that use of the tool would reduce the length of consultations by eliminating the repetition of medical history, description of symptoms and current medications. They were also keen that the tool would produce a partnership approach between the patient and clinicians in primary and secondary care, ensuring patients a continuity of care they were not currently experiencing.

The tool was developed and evaluated over 18 months by a group of patients and health professionals. Outcomes were measured after the tool had been issued to 130 patients newly referred over a five‐month period. Qualitative data show an improvement in patients' anxiety and depression levels, an increase in their informed decision‐making, a decrease in their feelings of isolation and an improvement of the patient–health professional partnership in the management of chronic pain. Quantitative data at this early stage do not show a statistically significant change but do show a trend towards a reduction in the new to follow‐up ratio in the clinic.

This approach could be used in the management of other chronic conditions to improve patients' health status, change the way they use the service and increase health service provision. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Valuing people: developing health visiting practice for people with learning disabilities
Authors: Harrison Scott , Plant Anne , Berry Liz
Published: March 2006

The article describes a project undertaken by a health visiting practice development unit, to assist people with learning disabilities access mainstream primary health care services. The lead health visitor, assisted by a community staff nurse and a health co‐ordinator from the Specialist Learning Disabilities Team, devised a programme of health assessment, planning and facilitation to identify and address the health needs of people with a learning disability registered at a large primary care centre in Warrington. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Developing an ECT integrated care pathway
Authors: Beardsall Lindsey , Gough Julie , Pringle Alan
Published: March 2006

The controversial treatment of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains one of the most emotive issues in mental health. Some nurses have expressed unease about working in this area, often because of the vagueness of the treatment and lack of evidence concerning treatment outcomes. The present paper explores some of these issues and looks at how an integrated care pathway may help to generate evidence about the experience of individuals receiving the treatment, the quality of care given and the effectiveness of the treatment. The paper outlines the development of an integrated care pathway for the ECT clinic at Millbrook Mental Health Unit and describes the multidisciplinary process used to design, develop and evaluate the pathway. The importance of team‐working to ensure ownership of a pathway is explored and changes to the integrated care pathway after evaluation are outlined. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Does the essence of care live up to patient expectations?
Authors: Stoker Steve , Sayers Amanda
Published: March 2006

The present qualitative study arose from a debate about the provision of fundamental aspects of hospital care for patients with a disability. Like most healthcare organizations, the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust is actively seeking new ways to involve patients and carers in future developments, reflecting the increased emphasis placed on service users through documents such as The NHS Plan (DoH 2000a) and The Essence of Care (DoH 2001a). A discussion within a local forum between hospital staff and community representatives elicited a number of personal experiences about hospital care for people with a disability and several possible areas for improvement. The concerns were seen to be linked to The Essence of Care (DoH 2001a) standards, which were already being addressed through different arrangements within the Trust. The specific views of patients with a disability, however, were not reflected in this work at the time. Although potentially difficult, members of the forum agreed that it would be valuable to elicit the views of hospital patients with a disability, or of their carers, in a more systematic way to help to influence future developments. The approach selected to achieve this was a focus group technique, with The Essence of Care (DoH 2001a) topics as the broad subject areas for discussion. The present study aimed to build on and strengthen the existing partnership between the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust and Disability North (a local community organization). The findings of the present study demonstrate that patients and carers were extremely willing to give their views on both positive and negative experiences of previous hospital episodes, and these comments will prove valuable in further development of The Essence of Care (DoH 2001a) requirements. The views elicited concentrated on eight key areas: principles of self‐care; food and nutrition; personal and oral hygiene; continence and bladder and bowel care; record‐keeping; pressure ulcers; the safety of patients with mental health needs in acute mental health and general hospital settings; and privacy and dignity. In addition, the findings raised a number of associated pertinent issues, including communication, consent, holistic care, the issue of carers specifically, and organizational elements of healthcare. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Developing an integrated care pathway for the management of falls and syncope in older people—the Newcastle experience
Authors: Reeve Pam , Harrison Anne , Newton Julia , Troy Anne‐Marie
Published: March 2006

Syncopal events (blackouts) and falls are a major health care and cost burden for the NHS, affecting approximately 35% of adults aged more than 65 years living in the community and 45% of adults aged over 80 years. At least 10% of these events result in a fracture. Syncope, and falls are the most common reason for older adults to attend accident and emergency departments. The development of services in relation to falls is an important element of the recently published National Service Framework for Older Persons (www.open.gov.uk/doh/nsf). The present paper describes the development and implementation of an integrated care pathway for the investigation of falls and syncope within a hospital falls and syncope service. Development of the integrated care pathway has facilitated the implementation of evidence‐based investigations and interventions within a multidisciplinary framework and is an approach that could be adopted by other new and existing falls and syncope units. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Finding a voice—artistic expression and practice development
Authors: Coulson Penelope , Stickley Theodore
Published: March 2006

The present paper describes the development of art activities in a practice development unit in Nottingham, UK. The authors offer theoretical underpinning of their work by discussing the relationship between mental distress and creative expression. It is acknowledged that although there is much interest in the arts in mental health care, research into the subject is in its infancy. It is asserted that by objectifying distress, that is, getting it ‘out there’ instead of holding everying inside, the individual may find release, catharsis and—most importantly—feel listened to. Art enables people to find a voice. The authors argue that people who receive mental health services need more holistic and creative therapies. Whereas holism may be taught in nurse education, the regard for the spiritual or poetic is easily neglected in practice. Two examples are given from practice, first, some illustrations represent some of the work achieved by a group of female mental health service users. Although never intended to be a therapy groupper sethe work was indeed therapeutic. Six women met for a number of weeks in order to express their feelings about the impact of mental illness upon their lives. The results of their work were later displayed in the Trust's own art gallery in Nottingham city centre. The exhibition was a great achievement for the women. The second example given is an exhibition of the work of Arthur Ride, who has been a mental health service user for his adult life. Arthur's work is a series of self‐portraits documenting his ups and downs and periods in acute psychiatric care. A broad understanding of human experience is called for, a view that may encompass the beauty and pain of mental distress. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Improving patients' hospital experience: team‐working and the integration of non‐clinical and clinical roles
Authors: O'Neill Fiona , Silver Christina
Published: March 2006

The present paper describes a research project that is looking at how non‐clinical support roles may be more fully integrated into the ward team in an acute hospital setting. The research, funded by NHS Estates, is part of the policy of developing evidence‐based support services that is a central strand of NHS modernization. Practice development is a key part of the project design and an action research approach has been adopted to support the development of new ways of integrating both clinical and non‐clinical aspects of care within the multidisciplinary ward team. The research is linked to increasing evidence of the importance of team‐working, not only for the well‐being of healthcare workers but also because of its effect on patient outcomes. The research will make a contribution in this area by focusing on the important relationship between non‐clinical and clinical staff. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
A practice development project for nurses working with older people
Authors: Dewing Jan , Wright Jayne
Published: March 2006

The present paper provides an overview of the first phase of a three‐year practice development programme conducted between Portsmouth NHS Trust, Portsmouth University and the Royal College of Nursing Institute (RCNI) Gerontological Programme. The focus is on the journey of critical companions and programme participants from an elderly medical unit. The programme enabled participants to explore the culture in which they worked, in order to understand beliefs and values about older people embedded in their practice and thus how they shaped the culture around them and could change it. The value of practice development, narrative methodology and work‐based learning methods in creating an evidence‐based and person‐centred culture for care is illustrated. The way in which user perspectives and involvement were established is also shown. Outcomes in the first year, for critical companions and programme participants, are described. Both programme participants and critical companion developed as transformational leaders committed to enabling themselves and others to optimize their abilities and skills. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Accountability and accreditation in the Australian allied health context
Authors: Nancarrow Susan , Clark Julie
Published: March 2006

The present paper examines the professional accreditation systems developed by five allied health associations in Australia. Professional accreditation is potentially a powerful tool because it can describe both the attributes of a health service provider and aspects of the quality of their care. This information is of value to patients, regulatory bodies and funding organizations to guide their health service decision‐making. However, the lack of consistency in the approaches used by the allied health disciplines means that the term ‘accreditation’ has a different value for each profession. Additionally, patient and purchaser preferences have received little consideration in the development of accreditation systems. Thus, the ability of external purchasers, regulators or patients to use accreditation status to guide decision‐making is limited at best, and at worst risks devaluing the approach at an interdisciplinary level. We present the range of interpretations of professional accreditation adopted by the podiatry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics and nutrition and social work associations in Australia. Based on the interdisciplinary variations we argue for the development of a consistent approach to professional accreditation standards and guidelines. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
A model of practice development: learning from service users' experiences
Authors: Molyneux Jeanie , Fulton John
Published: March 2006

The present paper describes a project in which two researcher facilitators worked with a multiprofessional group of staff on a haematology unit in order to develop their practice in response to the views of patients about the service they received. Topics for practice development workshops were devised in conjunction with the staff involved, using data gained from interviews with users of the service. The workshops were evaluated, and as result, a model for practice development workshops is proposed. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Evaluating the scope for nursery nurses to perform selected 21‐month child health reviews
Authors: Barrows Tina , Hanmer Janet , Paley Chris , Rowbottom Carol
Published: March 2006

Warrington Primary Care Trust health visiting team has recently achieved practice development unit accreditation. The journey towards this status has harnessed the enthusiasm and dedication of the whole team, which has worked on numerous projects to achieve accreditation at level 2 in a year. The 21‐month nursery nurse pilot study described here focused on the expansion of the role of nursery nurses to enable them to deliver a client‐focused service that made the most effective use of the skills and time of both nursery nurses and health visitors. The project also contributed towards the achievement of practice development unit status. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Learning from experience: promoting evidence‐based practice
Authors: Palfreyman Simon , Tod Angela , Doyle Jane
Published: March 2006

The present article describes a project to establish an evidence‐based council in a large acute teaching hospital as a tool for promoting evidence‐based practice. The council aimed to give clinically active nurses ‘ownership’ of research questions and an opportunity to develop confidence in their evidence‐based practice skills. The development and implementation of the project are outlined and recommendations for encouraging capacity and the involvement of nurses with regard to evidence‐based practice are provided. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Miscibility and crystallization behavior of PBT/epoxy blends
Authors: Zhang Huiliang , Ren Minqiao , Chen Qingyong , Sun Shulin , Sun Xiaohong , Zhang Huixuan , Mo Zhishen
Published: March 2006

The miscibility and the isothermal crystallization kinetics for PBT/Epoxy blends have been studied by using differential scanning calorimetry, and several kinetic analyses have been used to describe the crystallization process. The Avrami exponents n were obtained for PBT/Epoxy blends. An addition of small amount of epoxy resin (3%) leads to an increase in the number of effective nuclei, thus resulting in an increase in crystallization rate and a stronger trend of instantaneous three‐dimensional growth. For isothermal crystallization, crystallization parameter analysis showed that epoxy particles could act as effective nucleating agents, accelerating the crystallization of PBT component in the PBT/Epoxy blends. The Lauritzen–Hoffman equation for DSC isothermal crystallization data revealed that PBT/Epoxy 97/3 had lower nucleation constant Kg than 100/0, 93/7, and 90/10 PBT/Epoxy blends. Analysis of the crystallization data of PBT/Epoxy blends showed that crystallization occurs in regime II. The fold surface free energy, σe = 101.7–58.0 × 10−3 J/m2, and work of chain folding, q = 5.79–3.30 kcal/mol, were determined. The equilibrium melting point depressions of PBT/Epoxy blends were observed and the Flory–Huggins interaction parameters were obtained. It indicated that these blends were thermodynamically miscible in the melt. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1320–1330, 2006
Thermal behaviors of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/SiO2 nanocomposites prepared by cryomilling
Authors: Zhu Yan‐Guo , Li Zhi‐Qiang , Zhang Di , Tanimoto Toshio
Published: March 2006

The thermal behaviors of poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/SiO2 nanocomposites prepared by cryomilling were studied, by comparing with the cryomilled PET and the raw PET. Cryomilling induced amorphization of crystalline PET matrix and the decrease of PET molecular weight. Cryomilled PET/SiO2 nanocomposites have two abnormal phenomena in the DSC 1st heating thermogram due to the stored energy induced by cryomilling. During DSC cooling process, the dispersed nanometer SiO2 particles play a role of nucleating agent in PET matrix, and the hot crystallization ability of PET/SiO2 nanocomposites improves a lot. Besides, the heat stability of cryomilled PET/SiO2 nanocomposites improves more much during reheating. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1351–1356, 2006
Melting and crystallization of poly(butylene terephthalate) by temperature‐modulated and superfast calorimetry
Authors: Pyda M. , Nowak‐Pyda E. , Heeg J. , Huth H. , Minakov A. A. , Di Lorenzo M. L. , Schick C. , Wunderlich B.
Published: March 2006

Quantitative temperature‐modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) and superfast thin‐film chip calorimetry (SFCC) are applied to poly(butylene terephthalate)s (PBT) of different thermal histories. The data are compared with those of earlier measured heat capacities of semicrystalline PBT by adiabatic calorimetry and standard DSC. The solid and liquid heat capacities, which were linked to the vibrational and conformational molecular motion, serve as references for the quantitative analyses. Using TMDSC, the thermodynamic and kinetic responses are separated between glass and melting temperature. The changes in crystallinity are evaluated, along with the mobile–amorphous and rigid–amorphous fractions with glass transitions centered at 314 and 375 K. The SFCC showed a surprising bimodal change in crystallization rates with temperature, which stretches down to 300 K. The earlier reported thermal activity at about 248 K was followed by SFCC and TMDSC and could be shown to be an irreversible endotherm and is not caused by a glass transition and rigid–amorphous fraction, as assumed earlier. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1364–1377, 2006
Luminescence behavior of Eu3+ in polytitanasiloxane solution
Authors: Zhang Ling , Yao Yingzheng , Ye Xiufang , Wu Qing
Published: March 2006

Polytitanasiloxane solutions containing Eu3+ ions have been prepared by the hydrolytic cocondensation of tetraethoxysilane and tetrabutyl titanate. The UV‐vis absorption and the luminescence intensity were both found to increase with the increase of tetrabutyl titanate/tetraethoxysilane (TBT/TEOS) molar ratio. This revealed that the incorporation of TiO2 can result in the increase of absorption energy of the TiO group by near‐UV excitation and in the increase of energy transfer to the metal ion. At the same time, the intensity ratio of 5D0→7F2 to 5D0→7F1 increases as the TBT/TEOS molar ratio increases, indicating the formation of Eu3+O2−Ti4+ bonding. A longer decay time means that the Eu3+ ions are better dispersed and less clustered with the increase of TBT/TEOS molar ratio. The results on the luminescence properties of the Eu3+ in different media containing ethanol or water suggest that the incorporation of TiO2 can shield Eu3+ ions from the effect of water and ethanol molecules, which leads to an improvement of the Eu3+ surroundings. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1357–1363, 2006
Free volume properties of model fluids and polymers: Shape and connectivity
Authors: Willmore Frank T. , Wang Xiaoyan , Sanchez Isaac C.
Published: March 2006

The Cavity Energetic Sizing Algorithm (CESA) method of in 't Veld (J Phys Chem B 2000, 104, 12028) is extended to characterize the nonspherical nature of free volume. The new technique is introduced with reference to simple model fluids (water, hard spheres, and a Lennard‐Jones fluid) and then applied to polymers of interest to membrane scientists. A set of shape parameters is introduced, characterizing nanopores in terms of surface area, volume, radius of gyration, and span. Results are presented for Lennard‐Jones fluid and hard sphere fluid, and for the high free volume polymers (poly‐trimethyl‐silyl‐propane) poly(1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne) (PTMSP) and a random copolymer of 2,2‐bis(trifluoromethyl)‐4,5‐difluoro‐1,3‐dioxole (TFE/BDD). PTMSP is observed to have an average free volume cluster span of 1.43 nm, compared to TFE/BDD with an average cluster span of 0.98 nm, consistent with the markedly higher permeability of CO2 observed in PTMSP. An additional method for measuring free volume is introduced, similar to a method introduced by Greenfield and Theodorou (Macromolecules 1993, 26, 5461; Mol Simul 1997, 19, 329; Macromolecules 1998, 31, 7068; 2001, 34, 8541), which measures free volume relative to a specific probe. The method captures 1–3 times the fractional cavity volume captured by CESA. Free volume measurements are presented for a set of polysulfones with respect to noble gas probes (J Chem Phys 2005, 122, 84906; J Mol Struct 2005, 739, 173). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44:1385–1393, 2006
Photoluminescence of Hg‐doped CdS nanowires
Authors: Zhou Shao‐Min
Published: March 2006

Hg‐doped CdS nanowires with an average diameter of ∼10–15 nm and lengths up to hundreds of micrometers are fabricated by chemical vapor reaction. The as‐synthesized products have a single crystal phase and grow along the 〈001〉 direction. The growth of Hg‐doped CdS nanowires is suggested for the quasi‐vapor–solid mechanism (QVSM). In particular, the PL spectra show enhancing emission peaks that strongly shift to long wavelengths (up to 115 nm redshift) with Hg doping where the Hg‐doped CdS nanowires are found to be responsible for the different characteristics; the PL mechanism is explained in detail. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Theoretical electronic spectra of 2‐aminopurine in vapor and in water
Authors: Borin Antonio Carlos , Serrano‐Andrés Luis , Ludwig Valdemir , Coutinho Kaline , Canuto Sylvio
Published: March 2006

The accurate quantum chemical CASSCF and CASPT2 methods combined with a Monte Carlo procedure to mimic solvation effects have been used in the calculation of the spectroscopic properties of two tautomers of 2‐aminopurine (2AP). Absorption and emission spectra have been simulated both in vacuum and in aqueous environment. State and transition energies and properties have been obtained with high accuracy, leading to the assignment of the most important spectroscopic features. The lowest‐lying 1(π,π*) (1La) state has been determined as responsible for the first band in the absorption spectrum and also for the strong fluorescence observed for the system in water. The combined approach used in the present work gives quantitatively accurate results. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Equation‐of‐motion coupled‐cluster study of Jahn–Teller effect in X2E CF3O• and CF3S•
Authors: Marenich Aleksandr V. , Boggs James E.
Published: March 2006

An ab initio study of the molecular structure of CF3O and CF3S, fluorinated analogues of the methoxy (CH3O) and methylthio (CH3S) radicals, was performed. The equation‐of‐motion coupled‐cluster method (EOMIP) using a reference Slater determinant based on the CF3X−‐anion (X = O, S) ground state with basis sets of triple‐ζ quality was applied for numerical geometry optimizations of stationary points on adiabatic Jahn–Teller surfaces of the X2E ground electronic state of CF3O and CF3S. The Jahn–Teller distortions in the sulfur‐centered species (CH3S and CF3S) are totally quenched by the strong spin–orbit coupling. However, the CH3O and CF3O radicals are structurally distorted by the Jahn–Teller effect accompanied by a relatively small spin‐orbit coupling. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
PTDOM: a schema‐aware XML database system for MPEG‐7 media descriptions
Authors: Westermann U. , Klas W.
Published: March 2006

Current XML database systems largely neglect or make limited use of available schema definitions. But only with schema definitions at hand is it possible to ensure database consistency by document validation, to store, index, and access the content of elements and attribute values in an appropriately typed manner and not just as text, and to perform more sophisticated query optimizations. In this paper, we give an overview of our implementation of a schema‐aware XML database system: the Persistent Typed Document Object Model (PTDOM). Originally developed for the management of MPEG‐7 media descriptions in a database, the core of PTDOM is made up of a schema catalog capable of managing schema definitions written in MPEG‐7 DDL, a superset of XML schema. PTDOM exploits the schema information maintained by this catalog in a variety of contexts: for document validation, for typed storage of elements and attribute values, for structural indexing of XML documents providing additional efficient access paths to document contents, and for optimized construction of query execution plans for XPath expressions. This along with its profound extensibility with new datatypes, user‐defined functions, and value index structures makes PTDOM a flexible and effective database solution not only for the management of MPEG‐7 media descriptions but also for the management of any kind of XML documents for which schema definitions exist. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ATLAS: a framework to provide multiuser and distributed t‐learning services over MHP
Authors: Pazos‐Arias José J. , López‐Nores Martín , García‐Duque Jorge , Gil‐Solla Alberto , Ramos‐Cabrer Manuel , Blanco‐Fernández Yolanda , Díaz‐Redondo Rebeca P. , Fernández‐Vilas Ana
Published: March 2006

The increasing need of the developed countries to carry out effective distance learning strategies has led to a great development of Internet‐based learning technologies (e‐learning). Despite its evident advantages, the expansion of e‐learning has been limited by the difficulty in reaching important social sectors, and also by the absence of mechanisms to fight the feeling of isolation of the users, which often leads them to abandoning the distance learning activities. This paper tackles these problems by introducing ATLAS, a framework for the development and deployment of multiuser t‐learning services (i.e. learning services over Interactive Digital TV). This framework is built around three major features: an architecture for the services that exploits the multimedia capabilities of the television, a communications infrastructure that promotes the establishment of virtual learning communities, and a development tool that allows services to be created with minimum programming knowledge. ATLAS has been designed by considering several features that make Interactive Digital TV quite different from the PC, advising against the direct translation of the models developed for the Internet. In particular, ATLAS adheres to the Multimedia Home Platform (MHP) standard, which is gaining worldwide acceptance as one of the technical solutions that will shape the future of Interactive Digital TV. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A modular and adaptive framework for large scale video indexing and content‐based retrieval: the SIRSALE system
Authors: Mostefaoui A.
Published: March 2006

In this paper, we present the design and the implementation of SIRSALE: a distributed video data management system. SIRSALE allows users to manipulate video streams stored in large distributed repositories, i.e. it provides remote users with functionalities to browse video streams by structures (shots, scenes, sequences, etc.), to annotate the semantic contents of videos and to query the distributed video repositories. One of the main contributions of SIRSALE is its contextual adaptation to the target application, i.e. it is based on a modular data model that allows adapting the system to deal with several semantic contexts. In other words, SIRSALE allows users to define and to use their own semantic data model in order to annotate and query video databases. The key idea behind this is to dynamically adapt the whole system, mainly user interfaces, to stand several semantic data models. The system has been presented to professionals who gave a positive feedback. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gender analysis of labour inputs to the cropping systems in Kaduna State of northern Nigeria
Authors: Rahman SA , Marcus ND
Published: March 2006

The gender differentials in labour inputs in farms varied considerably between the northern and southern parts of Kaduna State. In the north, most farm work is done by men, whereas in the south women are positively involved. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
How Much Calcium is in your Drinking Water? A Survey of Calcium Concentrations in Bottled and Tap Water and Their Significance for Medical Treatment and Drug Administration
Authors: Morr Simon , Cuartas Esteban , Alwattar Basil , Lane Joseph M.
Published: March 2006

Introduction

Different forms of water vary in calcium content. High divalent ion (i.e., Ca2+, Mg2+, etc.) concentration is deleterious to the absorption and efficacy of the bisphosphonate group of drugs in osteoporosis treatment. Water with high calcium concentration may also present an alternate pathway of calcium administration. In either case, knowing the actual concentration is critical.

Hypothesis

The current paper is a surveillance study. We hypothesize that there is considerable variation in the calcium concentrations in the various water sources: tap water from US and Canadian cities of different regions and purified, spring, and mineral bottled waters. In addition, we hypothesize that the water filter removes a significant amount of minerals including calcium from the water.

Methodology

Calcium concentrations in various city tap waters, as well as an assorted number of bottled waters, were determined through the direct inspection of scientific data. The effect of filtering was also determined by mineral analysis of mineral water directly before and after filtration.

Result

The calcium concentration of water varies from 1 to 135 mg/L across the USA and Canada. Most spring waters were found to have a relatively low calcium concentration, with an average of 21.8 mg/L. Purified waters contain a negligible calcium concentration. Mineral waters, on the other hand, were generally found to contain higher calcium concentrations, an average of 208 mg/L of calcium. Filtration was found to remove a considerable amount of calcium from the water, removing 89% on average.

Conclusion

Calcium concentration in water varied substantially from different sources in the USA and Canada. Bottled waters presented with concentrations of calcium covering a very large range. Certain tap and bottled waters present with concentrations of calcium sufficient to exhibit a deleterious effect on bisphosphonate treatment. Alternatively, certain waters may be used as a source of calcium that may provide over 40% of the recommended daily intake for calcium.
Membrane topology of the human seipin protein
Authors: Lundin Carolina , Nordström Rickard , Wagner Klaus , Windpassinger Christian , Andersson Helena , von Heijne Gunnar , Nilsson IngMarie
Published: March 2006

The Berardinelli‐Seip congenital lipodystrophy type 2 (BSCL2) gene encodes an integral membrane protein, called seipin, of unknown function localized to the endoplasmic reticulum of eukaryotic cells. Seipin is associated with the heterogeneous genetic disease BSCL2, and mutations in an N‐glycosylation motif links the protein to two other disorders, autosomal‐dominant distal hereditary motor neuropathy type V and Silver syndrome. Here, we report a topological study of seipin using an in vitro topology mapping assay. Our results suggest that the predominant form of seipin is 462 residues long and has an Ncyt–Ccyt orientation with a long luminal loop between the two transmembrane helices.
Contralateral Cervical Lymph Node Metastases in Pyriform Sinus Carcinoma
Authors: Aluffi Paolo , Pisani Paolo , Policarpo Mario , Pia Francesco
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVE

We designed a retrospective study to evaluate the incidence of contralateral neck metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the pyriform sinus.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

Sixty‐three patients with strictly unilateral squamous cell carcinoma of the pyriform sinus who underwent bilateral neck dissection at the time of primary surgery were included in this study. The medical records of all patients were reviewed. A multivariate statistical analysis was performed, considering some clinical and histologic parameters of T stage and N stage in relation to contralateral neck metastases.

RESULTS

Contralateral neck metastases were histopathologically confirmed in more than 20% of the cases examined (13 out of 63 patients), of whom 3 were clinically staged as N2c, 2 N2b, 5 N2a, 2 N1 and 1 N0. The percentage of occult contralateral neck metastases was 77% (10/13 cases). Poorly differentiated tumors (P =. 02) and the involvement of the lateral wall (P=. 036) showed a statistically significant correlation with stage pN2c. Also T size and ipsilateral N stage were associated with the presence of contralateral neck metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that elective bilateral neck dissection is recommended in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the pyriform sinus.
Palatal Implants for the Treatment of Snoring: Long‐Term Results
Authors: Nordgård Ståle , Stene Brit Kari , Skjøstad Ketil Wichman , Bugten Vegard , Wormdal Kjell , Vanvik Hansen Nina , Nilsen Ann Helen , Midtlyng Tove Helen
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and long‐term effectiveness of a new treatment for snoring using permanent palatal implants.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study with 35 patients referred to the clinic for the treatment of snoring. The patients were followed for 1 year, and a sleep analysis was performed and repeated at 360 days. During the procedure, 3 braided polyethylene terephthalate implants were placed in the palate of each patient.

RESULTS

The average duration for nonnarcotic analgesics was 1.3 days. No adverse events were observed. The mean snoring intensity was reduced from 7.1 at baseline to 4.8 at 1 year (P < 0.001). Bed partner satisfaction rate was very high at 70.6% after 1 year. Six patients (17.8%) experienced a total of 9 partial extrusions.

CONCLUSIONS

The palatal implant system is safe, and the effectiveness in treating snoring is comparable to other surgical methods. Advantages are virtually no tissue damage and minimal patient discomfort as a result of one standardized, low‐cost procedure.