bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linear waves in a symmetric equatorial channel
Authors: Erlick C. , Paldor N. , Ziv B.
Published: March 2007

Using a scaling that allows us to separate the effects of the gravity wave speed from those of boundary location, we reduce the equations for linear waves in a zonal channel on the equatorial beta‐plane to a single‐parameter eigenvalue problem of the Schrödinger type with parabolic potential. The single parameter can be written δ = (Δϕ)2/α1/2, where α = gH(2ΩR)−2, Δϕ is half the channel width, g is the acceleration due to gravity, H is the typical height of the troposphere or ocean, Ω is the Earth's rotational frequency, and R is the Earth's radius. The Schrödinger‐type equation has exact analytical solutions in the limits δ → 0 and δ → ∞, and one can use these to write an approximate expression for the solution that is accurate everywhere to within 4%. In addition to the simple expression for the eigenvalues, the concise and unified theory also yields explicit expressions for the associated eigenfunctions, which are pure sinusoidal in the δ → 0 limit and Gaussian in the δ → ∞ limit. Using the same scaling, we derive an eigenvalue formulation for linear waves in an equatorial channel on the sphere with a simple explicit formula for the dispersion relation accurate to O{(Δϕ)2}. From this, we find that the phase velocity of the anti‐Kelvin mode on the sphere differs by as much as 10% from − α1/2. Integrating the linearized shallow‐water equations on the sphere, we find that for for larger α and Δϕ, the phase speeds of all of the negative modes differ substantially from their phase speeds on the beta‐plane. Furthermore, the dispersion relations of all of the waves in the equatorial channel on the sphere approach those on the unbounded sphere in a smooth asymptotic fashion, which is not true for the equatorial channel on the beta‐plane. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Developing soybean varieties with genetic resistance toPhomopsis spp.
Authors: Minor H. C. , Brown E. A. , Zimmerman M. S.
Published: March 2007

Phomopsis longicolla Hobbs andP. sojae Lehman are the principal causal organisms ofPhomopsis seed decay. This disease can reduce germination and quality of soybean. Production of mycotoxins byPhomopsis spp. has been reported. No commercial cultivars are resistant toPhomopsis seed decay. However, the plant introduction Pl‐417479 is a source of genetic resistance. When grown under field conditions favorable for infection byPhomopsis spp., Pl‐417479 was free of seed infection in two tests and had 3% infection in another. In the same environments, the cultivar “Williams 82” had 25 to 59% infection. Inheritance of the trait was determined to provide information for efficient transfer of the resistance to improved cultivars. Crosses were made between Pl‐417479 and two susceptible genotypes. Five generations were developed for each cross and tested at two locations. Plots were artificially inoculated to enhance infection. Seeds from plants that showed various degrees of infection in the first season were progeny‐tested. Environment strongly influenced disease incidence, but results indicated that resistance toPhomopsis seed decay is controlled by two complementary dominant nuclear genes. Information developed in these studies will facilitate development of resistant cultivars.
Genetic regulation of cercosporin production inCercospora kikuchii
Authors: Upchurch R. G.
Published: March 2007

The large and diverseCercospora genus of plant pathogenic fungi includes many species that are causal agents of economically relevant leaf, stem, and seed blights of numerous crop plants. Several of these pathogens produce the red, photoactivated, phytotoxic polyketide toxin cercosporin. This mycotoxin is a crucial pathogenicity factor in the development of leaf and pod blights by the seed‐borne soybean fungal pathogenCercospora kikuchii. Although certain cultivars may be less susceptible to the leaf‐ and pod‐infection phases of the fungus, there are no soybean cultivars with resistance to cercosporin. A newly isolated gene fromC. kikuchil, known as LE6, is essential for cercosporin production and pathogenicity. Therefore, genetic manipulation of this gene may affect resistance to cercosporin. Transcription of LE6 is regulated by light. The expression of cercosporin also may be inhibited by certain growth media and other natural products. Modification of cultivar screens that target LE6 may greatly enhance the possibility of finding native resistance to this soybean pathogen. Soybean germplasm that produces strong LE6 downregulating or inhibiting compounds may enhance pathogen resistance. Thus knowledge of the genetic and physiological regulation of cercosporin should provide new technological strategies for biocontrol of mycotoxins and the development of soybean breeding lines that exhibit durable resistance toC. kikuchii.
Assessment of information processing in working memory in applied settings: the paper & pencil memory scanning test
Authors: VAN DER ELST WIM , VAN BOXTEL MARTIN P. J. , VAN BREUKELEN GERARD J. P. , JOLLES JELLE
Published: March 2007

Background

Sternberg's Memory Scanning Test (MST) is a useful paradigm for evaluating the speed and efficiency of information processing in working memory. Unfortunately, the classical MST has major drawbacks for use in applied settings such as the clinic. For example, its administration time is long and the test is too difficult for older people or people with cognitive disorders. It would be advantageous to have a test for the assessment of information processing in working memory for use in applied settings, for example in differential diagnostics in clinical settings.

Method

The MST was modified into a format that makes it more appropriate for use in the clinic, the Paper & Pencil MST (P&P MST). The influence of age and age-extrinsic factors on the P&P MST was evaluated in a large sample (n=1839) of healthy and cognitively intact adults (24–81 years) to establish the normal range of performance.

Results

Age and education affected all components of information processing in working memory. Gender did not affect the non-memory processing stages in the P&P MST, but affected the speed of memory scanning. An Age×Gender interaction was observed, which suggested that females who were aged below 55 scanned working memory faster than males, and vice versa for people aged above 55.

Conclusions

The established P&P MST norms provide a useful tool in applied settings when a person's memory scanning and non-memory processes in working memory are to be evaluated.
On modeling the lower characteristic ELF altitude from aeronomical data
Authors: Greifinger P. S. , Mushtak V. C. , Williams E. R.
Published: March 2007

Improved observations in the Schumann resonance frequency range have expanded interest in improved models for the Earth‐ionosphere waveguide, particularly models that incorporate day‐night asymmetry. Aeronomical data are used here to construct daytime and nighttime analytic conductivity models of the lower characteristic layer, one of two vertically separated regions governing ELF propagation in the waveguide. The models have the form of double‐exponential functions that represent the “knee”‐like transition from ion‐ to electron‐dominated conductivity in a physically realistic manner. On the basis of these profiles, analytic approximations of the lower complex characteristic altitude are obtained for the frequency range 3–100 Hz. The approximations are accurate and simple to use for parametric analysis.
Origin of methyl torsional barrier in 1-methyl-2(1H)-pyridinimine and 3-methyl-2(1H)-pyridone: II. Ground state
Authors: Pradhan B. , Sinha Rajeev K. , Singh Bhanu P. , Kundu T.
Published: March 2007

To get the insight into the electronic structure-methyl torsion correlation in nitrogen heterocyclic molecules, a comparative study on torsion of the methyl group in 1-methyl-2(1H)pyridone (1MPY), 1-methyl-2(1H)pyridinimine (1MPI), and 3-methyl-2(1H)pyridone (3MPY) was carried out using ab initio calculations. To understand the barrier forming mechanism in the ground state and its consequence on the molecular structure, the ground state torsional potential has been investigated by partitioning the barrier energy using the natural bond orbital (NBO) theoretical framework. The NBO analysis reveals that the delocalization energy is the barrier forming term whereas the Lewis energy is always antibarrier for all these molecules. To get further insight into the effect of local electronic structure on the methyl torsional barrier, the individual bond-antibond interactions and structural energy contributions have been investigated. It was found that when the bond order difference between the vicinal bonds does not change appreciably during the course of methyl rotation, the local electronic interactions with the methyl group do not play any decisive role in barrier formation as observed in the case of 1MPY and 1MPI. In these cases, it is the skeletal relaxation during methyl rotation that plays an important role in determining the barrier. On the other hand, if the bond order change is appreciable as is the case for 3MPY, the local interactions alone suffice to describe the origin of the torsional barrier of the methyl group.
Composition operators on spaces of entire functions
Authors: Chacón Gerardo , Chacón Gerardo , Giménez José
Published: March 2007

In this paper we study composition operators on spaces of entire functions. We determine which entire functions induce bounded composition operators on the Paley-Wiener space,

L
π
2

L_\pi ^2

, and on the

E
2

(
γ
)

E^2(\gamma )

spaces. In addition, we characterize compact composition operators on these spaces. We also study the cyclic properties of composition operators acting on

L
π
2

L_\pi ^2

.
Images of the Brownian sheet
Authors: Khoshnevisan Davar , Xiao Yimin
Published: March 2007

An

N
N

-parameter Brownian sheet in

R

d

\mathbf {R}^d

maps a non-random compact set

F
F

in

R

+
N

\mathbf {R}^N_+

to the random compact set

B
(
F
)

B(F)

in

R

d

\mathbf {R}^d

. We prove two results on the image-set

B
(
F
)

B(F)

: (1) It has positive

d
d

-dimensional Lebesgue measure if and only if

F
F

has positive

d
2

\frac d 2

-dimensional capacity. This generalizes greatly the earlier works of J. Hawkes  (1977), J.-P. Kahane  (1985), and Khoshnevisan (1999). (2) If

dim

H

⁡
F
>

d
2

\dim _{_\mathcal {H}}F > \frac d 2

, then with probability one, we can find a finite number of points

ζ
1

,
…
,

ζ
m

∈

R

d

\zeta _1,\ldots ,\zeta _m\in \mathbf {R}^d

such that for any rotation matrix

θ
\theta

that leaves

F
F

in

R

+
N

\mathbf {R}^N_+

, one of the

ζ
i

\zeta _i

’s is interior to

B
(
θ
F
)

B(\theta F)

. In particular,

B
(
F
)

B(F)

has interior-points a.s. This verifies a conjecture of T. S. Mountford  (1989). This paper contains two novel ideas: To prove (1), we introduce and analyze a family of bridged sheets. Item (2) is proved by developing a notion of “sectorial local-non-determinism (LND).” Both ideas may be of independent interest. We showcase sectorial LND further by exhibiting some arithmetic properties of standard Brownian motion; this completes the work initiated by Mountford (1988).
Disklikeness of planar self-affine tiles
Authors: Leung King-Shun , Lau Ka-Sing
Published: March 2007

We consider the disklikeness of the planar self-affine tile

T
T

generated by an integral expanding matrix

A
A

and a consecutive collinear digit set

D

=
{
0
,
v
,
2
v
,
⋯
,
(

|

q

|

−
1
)
v
}
⊂

Z

2

{\mathcal {D}}= \{0, v, 2v, \cdots , (|q|-1)v \}\subset {\Bbb {Z}}^2

. Let

f
(
x
)
=

x

2

+
p
x
+
q

f(x)=x^{2}+ p x+ q

be the characteristic polynomial of

A
A

. We show that the tile

T
T

is disklike if and only if

2

|

p

|

≤

|

q
+
2

|

2|p|\leq |q+2|

. Moreover,

T
T

is a hexagonal tile for all the cases except when

p
=
0

p=0

, in which case

T
T

is a square tile. The proof depends on certain special devices to count the numbers of nodal points and neighbors of

T
T

and a criterion of Bandt and Wang (2001) on disklikeness.
Free subgroups of surface mapping class groups
Authors: Anderson James , Aramayona Javier , Shackleton Kenneth
Published: March 2007

We quantify the generation of free subgroups of surface mapping class groups by pseudo-Anosov mapping classes in terms of their translation distance and the distance between their axes in Teichmüller’s metric. The method makes reference to Teichmüller space only.
Response to carbon dioxide after oral midazolam and pentobarbitone
Authors: POWER S. J. , CHAKRABARTI M. K. , WHITWAM J. G.
Published: March 2007

Midazolam (15 mg), pentobarbitone (100 mg) and a placebo were administered orally to nine male volunteers in double‐blind crossover studies and the effect on the ventilatory response to carbon dioxide was observed for periods of 6 hours. It was concluded that neither drug caused any significant degree of respiratory depression.
Comparison of intubating conditions with atracurium, vecuronium and pancuronium
Authors: SCHILLER D. J. , FELDMAN S. A.
Published: March 2007

A blind trial, comparing time of onset of satisfactory conditions for tracheal intubation with atracurium 0.6 mg/kg, vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg and pancuronium 0.1 mg/kg is described. Intubation was attempted at 30‐second intervals in 60 patients. randomly allocated to receive one of the above muscle relaxants. Patients receiving atracurium 0.6 mg/kg could be intubated from 30 to 120 seconds. Patients receiving either vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg or pancuronium 0.1 mg/kg were able to be intubated between 60 and 240 seconds. The results showed a statistically significant earlier onset of satisfactory intubating conditions with atracurium than with vecuronium or pancuronium in these doses but no difference between vecuronium and pancuronium.
An inhaled tracheostomy tube
Authors: MYATT J. K. , WILLATTS D. G.
Published: March 2007

A case is presented of a patient who required anaesthesia for the removal of an inhaled silver tracheostomy rube. The anaesthetic problems are discussed. Regular inspection of silver tracheostomy tubes is recommended.
Forum Maternal and neonatal blood glucose after crystalloid loading for epidural Caesarean section
Authors: Thomas P. , Buckley P. , Fox M.
Published: March 2007

Serial blood glucose estimations were made in 30 women undergoing elective Caesarean section under epidural anaesthesia, 2 litres of Hartmannb solution having been rapidly infused as a circulatory preload. Neonatal blood glucose estimations were made of cord blood at birth and 1 and 2 hours post delivery. A smull rise in maternal blood glucose occurred during the period of preloading and time before delivery, which was not statistically significant (p<0.05). There was no biochemical or clinical evidence of neonatal liypoglwaemia. We conclude that despite rapid infusion of non‐dextrose crystalloid solution there is neither danger of u relative maternal hypoglycaemia in fasted mothers nor neonatal hypoglycaemia, and offer an argument that even small amounts of dextrose contained in any preloading mixture are unnecessary.
A comparison of the effect of oral controlled release morphine and intramuscular morphine on gastric emptying
Authors: PARK G. R. , WEIR D.
Published: March 2007

The effect on gastric emptying of the administration of oral controlled‐release morphine 20 mg and intramuscular morphine 10 mg is compared. Gastric emptying was estimated by the measurement of paracetamol absorption. Statistically significant differences exist between the two treatments. There is slight inhibition of gastric emptying with the oral preparation and almost complete inhibition with intramuscular morphine.
Nalbuphine and Althesin anasthesia*
Authors: KAY B. , HARGREAVES J. , HEALY T. E. J.
Published: March 2007

In a double‐blind. randomized study of 52 unpremedicated outpatients undergoing cytoscopy, either nalbuphine 20 mg or saline 2 ml was given intravenously immediately before induction of anasthesia with Althesin 0.05 ml/kg. Increments of Althesin 0.5 ml were used to maintain anasthesia. The patients who received nalbuphine required less Althesin than those who received saline (p < 0.001) for a similar duration of surgery, and there was less movement during anasthesia (p < 0.001). During surgery hyperventilation was observed in the patients who received saline; those who received nalbuphine had lower respiratory rates and higher peak expired CO2 levels (p < 0.001), and also a smaller increase in pulse rate (p < 0.05). Recovery after surgery was faster in the patients who received nalbuphine than those who did not (p < 0.05) and both patients (p < 0.05) and anasthetists (p < 0.001) graded Althesin anasthesia as better after nalbuphine than after saline. Intravenous nalbuphine 20 mg improved Althesin anasthesia for cystoscopy without apparent disadvantages.
Closed loop control of vasoactive drug infusion
Authors: POTTER D. R. , MOYLE J. T. B. , LESTER R. J. , WARE R. J.
Published: March 2007

A closed loop control system for vasoactive drug infusion is described using a dedicated bedside microcomputer and a single volumetric infusion pump. The signal from an indwelling arterial cannula is taken from the bedside monitor through an analogue/digital converter to a microcomputer. After signal validation changes of infusion rate are calculated and communicated to a volumetric infusion pump through an RS 232 interface. The system has been successfully employed in four patients during cardiac surgery prior to cardiopulmonary bypass and in six cardiac surgical patients in the postoperative period. In both groups mean arterial pressure was controlled within 5 mmHg of target value for 75% of infusion time, and within 10 mmHg for 90% of the duration of infusion.
Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis Nitrous oxide anasthesia and the rapid effect of oxygen therapy
Authors: SUTTON D. N. , POSKITT K. R.
Published: March 2007

A case of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis discovered at laparotomy for a perforated duodenal ulcer is described. Nitrous oxide administration is contra‐indicated in this condition, and the rapid effectiveness of 100% oxygen administration is observed during the surgical procedure.
McArdle's disease
Authors: COLEMAN P.
Published: March 2007

A case is presented of the anasthetic management of a patient with McArdle's disease who required Caesarean section. The pathology of the condition is considered together with the clinical features and treatment. The problems of anasthesia in patients with this inherited disease are discussed with particular reference to the use of muscle relaxant drugs.
The effects of atropine and glycopyrrolate on intra‐ocular pressure in anasthetised elderly patients
Authors: Salem M.G. , Ahearn R.S.
Published: March 2007

The effects of glycopyrrolate 0.2 mg and atropine 0.6 mg, given intravenously, were studied in 40 elderly patients undergoing intra‐ocular surgery. Twenty patients had normal intra‐ocular pressure (IOP) and 20 had raised IOP. The effects of each of the drugs on IOP, heart rate, prevention of the oculocardiac reflex and incidence of dysrhythmias were assessed. Anasthesia with thiopentone, suxamethonium, nitrous oxide/oxygen, and halothane, using a semiclosed circle system resulted in a decrease in mean IOP in both the atropine and glycopyrrolate groups. Patients who had preexisting raised IOP showed a significantly greater decrease in IOP than those with normal IOP. Patients with raised IOP who had received atropine experienced a greater decrease in IOP than those who had received glycopyrrolate. Both atropine and glycopyrrolate were effective in preventing the oculocardiac reflex. The increase in heart rate was greater in those patients who had received atropine. The incidence of dysrhythmias was low.
Alfentanil in minor gynaecological surgery: use with etomidate and a comparison with halothane
Authors: Antonios W.R.A. , Inglis M.D. , Lees N.W.
Published: March 2007

Etomidate was used to induce anasthesia in 50 healthy subjects undergoing minor gynaecological surgery who were randomly divided into two groups, one receiving aventanil 8 μg/kg intravenously immediately prior to induction of anasthesia with etomidate, and the other halothane as required to maintain adequate anasthesia. There was a highly significant reduction in the incidence of myoclonia and involuntary movement and significant reduction of pain on injection in the alfentanil group. Tests of recovery performed in the 60 minutes following anasthesia suggested that supplementation with alfentanil led to more rapid recovery than halothane.
A method for producing normocarbia during general anasthesia for Caesarean section
Authors: Kneeshaw J.D. , Harvey P. , Thomas T.A.
Published: March 2007

Twenty‐six patients were anasthetised for Caesarean section using the Bain anasthetic system for intermittent positive pressure ventilation. There was an inverse relationship between maximum end tidal carbon dioxide tension and the fresh gas flow (FGF) to the system. A significant difference existed between the patients receiving 80 ml/kg/min FGF and those receiving 120 ml/kg/min. Estimated carbon dioxide levels in the pregnant term patient were higher at each FGF rate than the levels reported in non‐pregnant patients by other workers. In order to maintain maternal arterial carbon dioxide tension at or close to the normally quoted term value of 4.1–44 kPa, when using positive pressure ventilation with a Bain system, afresh gas flow rate of at least 120 ml/kg body weight/minute is required.
Ketamine and military anasthesia. The effect of heavy papaveretum premedication and Althesin induction on the incidence of emergence phenomena*
Authors: Jago R.H. , Restall J. , Thompson M.C.
Published: March 2007

An anasthetic technique suitable for military field anasthesia was sought which would attenuate the psychic side effects of ketamine. Heavy premedication with 30 mg of papaveretum and induction of anasthesia with Althesin were evaluated. A combination of the two lowered the incidence of side effects, but they still occurred frequently enough to pose problems. Ketamine sequelae are considered incompatible with the battlefield environment.
Ritodrine‐induced pulmonary oedema in labour Successful management using epidural anaesthesia
Authors: MARKS R. J. , DE CHAZAL R. C. S.
Published: March 2007

A case is described in which unusually high doses of intravenous ritodrine were used for 6 weeks to postpone premature labour. Treatment was complicated by tachydysrhythmias and pulmonary oedema. Epidural analgesia was used successfully for pain relief during labour and Caesarean section. The pathophysiology is discussed.
Postoperative ulnar neuropathy after kidney transplantation
Authors: ZYLICZ Z. , NUYTEN F. J. J. , NOTERMANS S. L. H. , KOENE R. A. P.
Published: March 2007

Postoperative ulnar neuropathy as a result of mechanical trauma at the elbow was observed in eight patients undergoing renal transplantation. In five cases this occurred on arms that were adducted during the operation and in which an arteriovenous shunt was present. In four cases (one patient had the lesion bilaterally) the other, abducted arm was affected. Analysis of possible causes revealed no single factor responsible for the condition. Factors that most likely contributed were: pressure on the adducted arm by the combined weights of patient and surgeon, blood pressure monitoring with a cuff compressing the cubital fossa, venous congestion by the arteriovenous shunt, and subclinical uraemic polyneuropathy. Although no single factor could be identified protection of the adducted arms with a hard plastic cover and placement of the blood pressure cuff as proximally as possible on the abducted arms provided a successful solution to the problem.
Entonox for casualties at 1000 m: use of nitrous oxide analgesia in Nigeria at moderate altihnle
Authors: Oji A. , Thakran R.S. , Thakran P.C.
Published: March 2007

Analgesia with nitrous oxide and oxygen (Entonox) has been found to give adequate pain relief for 90 minor casualty procedures in over 90% of cases at moderate altitude. It was self administered except in six patients. Children between 6 and 10 years of age comprised 14% of patients, and the majority of the remainder were young adults. Additional analgesia was required in 11 patients, with no increase in complications. Complications were few: drowsiness occurred in PA, dizziness was troublesome in one patient, but there was no nausea or vomiting and no one became unconscious. In situations where trained personnel are scarce, and where supervision can only be given at the time of the procedure and even at moderate altitudes Entonox is a clinically effective safe analgesic.
Blockade of the 4‐1BB (CD137)/4‐1BBL and/or CD28/CD80/CD86 costimulatory pathways promotes corneal allograft survival in mice
Authors: Asai Tatsuhiko , Choi Beom K. , Kwon Patrick M. , Kim Won Y. , Kim Jung D. , Vinay Dass S. , Gebhardt Bryan M. , Kwon Byoung S.
Published: March 2007

To explore the roles of 4‐1BB (CD137) and CD28 in corneal transplantation, we examined the effect of 4‐1BB/4‐1BB ligand (4‐1BBL) and/or CD28/CD80/CD86 blockade on corneal allograft survival in mice. Allogeneic corneal transplantation was performed between two strains of wild‐type (WT) mice, BALB/c and C57BL/6 (B6), and between BALB/c and B6 WT donors and various gene knockout (KO) recipients. Some of the WT graft recipients were treated intraperitoneally with agonistic anti‐4‐1BB or blocking anti‐4‐1BBL monoclonal antibody (mAb) on days 0, 2, 4 and 6 after transplantation. Transplanted eyes were observed over a 13‐week period. Allogeneic grafts in control WT B6 and BALB/c mice treated with rat immunoglobulin G showed median survival times (MST) of 12 and 14 days, respectively. Allogeneic grafts in B6 WT recipients treated with anti‐4‐1BB mAb showed accelerated rejection, with an MST of 8 days. In contrast, allogeneic grafts in BALB/c 4‐1BB/CD28 KO and B6 CD80/CD86 KO recipients had significantly prolonged graft survival times (MST, 52·5 days and 36 days, respectively). Treatment of WT recipients with anti‐4‐1BB mAb resulted in enhanced cellular proliferation in the mixed lymphocyte reaction and increased the numbers of CD4+ CD8+ T cells, and macrophages in the grafts, which correlated with decreased graft survival time, whereas transplant recipients with costimulatory receptor deletion showed longer graft survival times. These results suggest that the absence of receptors for the 4‐1BB/4‐1BBL and/or CD28/CD80/CD86 costimulatory pathways promotes corneal allograft survival, whereas triggering 4‐1BB with an agonistic mAb enhances the rejection of corneal allografts.
A subset of functional effector‐memory CD8+ T lymphocytes in human immunodeficiency virus‐infected patients
Authors: Decrion Anne‐Zélie , Varin Audrey , Drobacheff Christine , Estavoyer Jean‐Marie , Herbein Georges
Published: March 2007

CD8+ T cells provide protective immune responses via both cytolytic and non‐cytolytic mechanisms in subjects infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In the present study, we investigated the CD28 expression of CD8+ T cells present in the peripheral blood lymphocyte subset isolated from chronically HIV‐infected subjects. Using flow cytometric analysis, a continuous spectrum of CD28 intensity ranging from negative to high, which could be separated into CD28‐negative, intermediate (int) and high, was seen for CD8+ T cells. Our study focused mostly on the CD28int CD8+ T cells. The CD28int CD8+ T cells are CD57– CD27+ CD45RO+ CD45RA– CCR7low CD62Lint. The proliferative capacity of CD28int CD8+ T cells was intermediate between those of CD28– CD8+ T cells and CD28high CD8+ T cells. The CD28int CD8+ T cells are specific for HIV, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) antigens as measured by human leucocyte antigen pentamer binding and produce both intracellular interferon‐γ and tumour necrosis factor‐α in response to their cognate viral peptides. The CD28int CD8+ T cells have HIV‐specific, CMV‐specific and EBV‐specific cytotoxic activity in response to their cognate viral peptides. These findings indicate that a subset of functional effector‐memory CD8+ T cells specific for HIV, CMV and EBV antigens may contribute to an efficient immune response in HIV‐infected subjects.
Association between tobacco exposure and reproductive parameters in adolescent males
Authors: Richthoff Jonas , Elzanaty Saad , Rylander Lars , Hagmar Lars , Giwercman Aleksander
Published: March 2007

Cigarette smoking is quite prevalent in the general population but our knowledge of its effect on male reproductive function is still very limited. Therefore, we investigated the impact of tobacco exposure on reproductive characteristics in young males. Military conscripts, 217 non‐smokers and 85 smokers, with a median age of 18 years were enrolled. Physical examination and semen analysis, including measurement of accessory sex gland markers and reproductive hormone levels, were performed. Lifestyle‐associated factors, including maternal smoking during pregnancy and snuffing, were recorded. Non‐smokers had 49% higher total sperm number than smokers (95% CI 4.5–112%, p = 0.01). In addition, sperm concentration was 37% higher among non‐smokers (95% CI −4% to 95%, p = 0.08). Serum levels of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) were 17% higher among non‐smokers (95% CI 3–33%, p = 0.02), whereas no significant differences between smokers and non‐smokers were found for inhibin B, testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, luteinizing hormone and oestradiol. Those who smoked >10 cigarettes per day exhibited 37% lower (95% CI 10–69%, p = 0.005) FSH levels than those who smoked less. Maternal smoking during pregnancy had a negative impact on epididymal and seminal vesicle marker secretion. Smoking seems to impair sperm production and epididymal as well as accessory sex gland function and could be one of the factors contributing to regional differences in sperm parameters.
Effect of stale seedbed preparations and subsequent weed control in lettuce (cv. Iceboll) on weed densities
Authors: RIEMENS MM , VAN DER WEIDE RY , BLEEKER PO , LOTZ LAP
Published: March 2007

The effects of stale seedbed preparations and several weed control methods on the emergence of weeds in lettuce were studied. The specific goal was to evaluate the use of a stale seedbed in combination with chemical or mechanical weed control methods in the field. Depending on location and year, stale seedbed preparations followed by weed control prior to planting reduced the amount of weeds during crop growth by 43–83%. Control of the emerged seedlings after a stale seedbed preparation was more effective with glyphosate than with a rotary harrow. Covering the rotary harrow during control to prevent light reaching the soil improved its effect on the weed density during crop growth in two of 3 years. Radiation with far red light (FR) did not reduce the number of emerging weeds in this study. Mechanical control by finger weeder, torsion weeder and hoe was applied without stale seedbed preparations. These measures reduced the weed densities by 88–99%, compared with the untreated control and were more effective than chemical weed control with carbetamide and chlorpropham. The results show that the stale seedbed technique in combination with mechanical control of emerging weeds can reduce the weed population during crop growth as effectively as chemical control. The technique may therefore help reduce the use of herbicides in lettuce crops in the future.
UV‐B radiation increases paraquat tolerance of two broad‐leaved and two grass weeds in relation to changes in herbicide absorption and photosynthesis
Authors: WANG S , DUAN L , LI J , TIAN X , LI Z
Published: March 2007

Depletion of the protective ozone layer in the atmosphere leads to increasing UV‐B radiation on the earth's surface with potential effects on the response of plants to different stresses. Abutilon theophrasti, Amaranthus retroflexus, Digitaria sanguinalis and Chloris virgata are common weeds encountered in most arable fields in China. The effectiveness of herbicides used in controlling these weeds needs to be evaluated with increased UV‐B radiation. Seedlings of these four weeds were therefore grown under ambient and elevated UV‐B radiation to compare the efficacy of paraquat, a commonly used contact herbicide. Irrespective of species sensitivity to radiation, the elevated UV‐B radiation decreased the effectiveness of paraquat. Net photosynthesis rate was adversely affected except for D. sanguinalis, while the chlorophyll content was significantly reduced in A. retroflexus and C. virgata. UV‐B treatment increased the leaf surface wax and decreased the absorption of 14C‐paraquat in A. theophrasti, D. sanguinalis and C. virgata. These results suggest that the response of weeds to paraquat or the use of the herbicide may be affected by increased UV‐B radiation, to the extent that larger doses may be required to achieve desired effects. This may have damaging consequences for the environment.
Contributions of the Transplant Registry: The 2006 Annual Report of the North American Pediatric Renal Trials and Collaborative Studies (NAPRTCS)*
Authors: Smith Jodi M. , Stablein Donald M. , Munoz Ricardo , Hebert Diane , McDonald Ruth A.
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  This summary of the NAPRTCS 2006 Annual Report of the Transplant Registry highlights the significant impact the registry has had in advancing knowledge in pediatric renal transplantation worldwide. This cooperative group has collected clinical information on children undergoing a renal transplantation since 1987 and now includes over 150 participating medical centers in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Currently, the NAPRTCS transplant registry includes information on 9837 renal transplants in 8990 patients (NAPRTCS 2006 Annual Report). Since the first data analysis in 1989, NAPRTCS reports have documented marked improvements in outcome after renal transplantation in addition to identifying factors associated with both favorable and poor outcomes. The registry has served to document and influence practice patterns, clinical outcomes, and changing trends in renal transplantation.
Risk factors for candidaemia in critically ill patients: a prospective surveillance study*
Authors: Jordà‐Marcos Ricard , Álvarez‐Lerma Francisco , Jurado Maite , Palomar Mercedes , Nolla‐Salas Juan , León María A. , León Cristóbal ,   the EPCAN Study Group
Published: March 2007

Candidaemia is frequently a life‐threatening complication in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). To assess the risk factors for candidaemia in critically ill patients with prolonged ICU stay, a total of 1765 adult patients admitted for at least 7 days to 73 medical–surgical ICUs of 70 tertiary care hospitals in Spain participated in a prospective cohort study. Candidaemia was defined as recovery of Candida spp. from blood culture. Sixty‐eight episodes of candidaemia occurred in 63 patients, representing 35.7 episodes per 1000 ICU patients admitted, with an incidence rate of 1.5 episodes per 1000 days of ICU stay. Causative fungi were C. albicans in 57.1% of cases and non‐albicansCandida spp. in 42.9%. In the multivariate analysis, independent factors significantly associated with candidaemia were Candida colonisation (OR = 4.12, 95% CI: 1.82–9.33), total parenteral nutrition (OR = 3.89, 95% CI: 1.73–8.78), elective surgery (OR = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.17–6.45) and haemofiltration procedures (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.06–3.62). In the ICU setting in Spain and in patients who have stayed in units for >7 days, more than half of cases of candidaemia were caused by C. albicans. Risk factors for candidaemia identified included Candida colonisation, elective surgery, total parenteral nutrition and haemodialysis.
Low‐dose acarbose does not delay digestion of starch but reduces its bioavailability
Authors: Wachters‐Hagedoorn R. E. , Priebe M. G. , Heimweg J. A. J. , Heiner A. M. , Elzinga H. , Stellaard F. , Vonk R. J.
Published: March 2007

Aims  Slowly digestible starch is associated with beneficial health effects. The glucose‐lowering drug acarbose has the potential to retard starch digestion since it inhibits α‐amylase and α‐glucosidases. We tested the hypothesis that a low dose of acarbose delays the rate of digestion of rapidly digestible starch without reducing its bioavailability and thereby increasing resistant starch flux into the colon.

Methods  In a crossover study, seven healthy males ingested corn pasta (50.3 g dry weight), naturally enriched with 13C, with and without 12.5 mg acarbose. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, and 13CO2 and hydrogen excretion in breath were monitored for 6 h after ingestion of the test meals. Using a primed continuous infusion of D‐[6,6‐2H2] glucose, the rate of appearance of starch‐derived glucose was estimated, reflecting intestinal glucose absorption.

Results  Areas under the 2‐h postprandial curves of plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were significantly decreased by acarbose (−58.1 ± 8.2% and −72.7 ± 7.4%, respectively). Acarbose reduced the overall 6‐h appearance of exogenous glucose (bioavailability) by 22 ± 7% (mean ±se) and the 6‐h cumulative 13CO2 excretion by 30 ± 6%.

Conclusions  These data show that in healthy volunteers a low dose of 12.5 mg acarbose decreases the appearance of starch‐derived glucose substantially. Reduced bioavailability seems to contribute to this decrease to a greater extent than delay of digestion. This implies that the treatment effect of acarbose could in part be ascribed to the metabolic effects of colonic starch fermentation.
Ghiţa Ionescu and Comparative Communist Politics
Authors: Ferdinand Peter
Published: March 2007

GHIŢA IONESCU'S MAIN WORKS ON COMPARATIVE COMMUNIST POLITICS were The Politics of the European Communist States which appeared in 1967 and Comparatiue Communist Politics which appeared in 1972. They generalized upon the more historical and empirical studies which had appeared earlier in the 1960s: Communism in Romania, The Reluctant Ally: A Study of Communist Neo-Colonialism and The Break-up of the Soviet Empire. They established his reputation as one of the foremost scholars of communist states in Central and Eastern Europe. This article will consider the main ideas of the two key works and relate them to broader trends in the evolution of his thinking. Chiefly, though, it will concentrate upon his 1967 work, since the 1972 one was much shorter and it also largely recapitulated the same ideas.
Democratization, the Bourgeoisie and Russia
Authors: Gill Graeme
Published: March 2007

THE PROSPECTS FOR DEMOCRACY IN RUSSIA REMAIN ONE OF THE MOST compelling questions both for scholarly analysis and in international politics. But in attempting to survey the prospects for a democratic future in post-communist Russia, all too often we are blinded by the dramas of the moment. Conflict between president and legislature, the success first of Zhirinovsky's Liberal Democratic Party and then of the communists in successive legislative elections, the Chechen war and the president's health – are all issues which have tended to crowd out analysis of more long-term structural considerations which will underpin the course of future Russian development. These major events in the day-today life of Russian politics can have a significant effect upon such development, but a focus upon them exclusively risks not only missing the importance of the deeper structural factors, but also misunderstanding the context within which these events occur. These events are shaped fundamentally by the structures which underpin the political system: broad structural changes within the society will give shape to the arena within which political activity takes place.
Opposition in Italy in the 1990s: Local Political Cultures and the Northern League
Authors: Messina Patrizia
Published: March 2007

SINCE 1989 THE NATURE OF OPPOSITION IN SEVERAL WESTERN democracies has been subject to change, and Italy is no exception. But the Italian case is distinct because the changes which occurred in Italy after 1989 amount to a revolution compared to the traditional political equilibrium. The Italian political scene was dominated, from the post-war years (1948) to the 199Os, by two political parties: the DC (Christian Democracy) and the PCI (Italian Communist Party), which respectively occupied the positions of ruling party and opposition party for over forty years.
The French Strikes of 1995 and their Political Aftermath
Authors: Howard Dick
Published: March 2007

LIKE MANY OF HIS APHORISMS, MARX'S DESIGNATION OF THE FRENCH as the model political nation (leaving the economy to the English and philosophy for the Germans) contained enough of a grain of truth to remain relevant for over a century. Since 1989, the idea of politics based on the revolutionary experience begun in 1789 and pursued by a unified and international working-class subject has lost its utility for understanding the political choices facing modern industrial democracies. Nowhere is the need for a new understanding of the political more clear than in France itself, as illustrated by the strikes that paralysed the country for more than three weeks in November and December of 1995 and forced the government to retreat. While some saw the birth of a ‘social movement’, cheered the victory of society against the state, or imagined that class struggle had begun anew, the more pessimistic argued that the French had once again proven themselves incapable of political reform. The former presuppose a model of politics from the nineteenth century, the latter look forward to a globalized twenty-first century. For those of us still living in the twentieth, analysis of the French strikes can help us to understand how politics can make the shape of the twentyfirst century less inevitable.
Effect of Dose on the Frequency of Major Birth Defects Following Fetal Exposure to Lamotrigine Monotherapy in an International Observational Study
Authors: Cunnington Marianne , Ferber Sandy , Quartey George ,   International Lamotrigine Pregnancy Registry Scientific Advisory Committee
Published: March 2007

Summary:  Data from the International Lamotrigine Pregnancy Registry were analyzed to examine the effect of maximal first‐trimester maternal dose of lamotrigine monotherapy on the risk of major birth defects (MBDs). Among 802 exposures, the frequency of MBDs was 2.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8–4.2%). The distribution of dose did not differ between infants with and those without MBDs (mean 248.3 milligrams per day [mg/day] and 278.9 mg/day, respectively, median 200 mg/day for both groups). A logistic regression analysis showed no difference in the risk of MBDs as a continuous function of dose (summary odds ratio [OR] per 100 mg increase =0.999, 95% CI 0.996–1.001). There was also no effect of dose, up to 400 mg/day, on the frequency of MBDs.
Transfer Functions of One-Dimensional Distributed Parameter Systems by Wave Approach
Authors: Kang B.
Published: March 2007

An alternative analysis technique, which does not require eigensolutions as a priori, for the dynamic response solutions, in terms of the transfer function, of one-dimensional distributed parameter systems with arbitrary supporting conditions, is presented. The technique is based on the fact that the dynamic displacement of any point in a waveguide can be determined by superimposing the amplitudes of the wave components traveling along the waveguide, where the wave numbers of the constituent waves are defined in the Laplace domain instead of the frequency domain. The spatial amplitude variations of individual waves are represented by the field transfer matrix and the distortions of the wave amplitudes at point discontinuities due to constraints or boundaries are described by the wave reflection and transmission matrices. Combining these matrices in a progressive manner along the waveguide using the concepts of generalized wave reflection and transmission matrices leads to the exact transfer function of a complex distributed parameter system subjected to an externally applied force. The transient response solution can be obtained through the Laplace inversion using the fixed Talbot method. The exact frequency response solution, which includes infinite normal modes of the system, can be obtained in terms of the complex frequency response function from the system’s transfer function. This wave-based analysis technique is applicable to any one-dimensional viscoelastic structure (strings, axial rods, torsional bar, and beams), in particular systems with multiple point discontinuities such as viscoelastic supports, attached mass, and geometric/material property changes. In this paper, the proposed approach is applied to the flexural vibration analysis of a classical Euler–Bernoulli beam with multiple spans to demonstrate its systematic and recursive formulation technique.
Investigating the Effects of Fibrous Material Compression on the Acoustical Behavior of Absorption and Barrier Materials
Authors: Ohadi A. R. , Moghaddami M.
Published: March 2007

This paper discusses the effects of compression on acoustical performance of fibrous materials. A finite element model is used to predict the absorption coefficient and transmission loss of absorbing and barrier materials. This model is developed based on the Galerkin method and includes the equation of wave propagation in rigid frame porous material. The compression of fibrous material is entered to the model with relations that explain modifications of physical properties used in the wave equation. Acoustical behavior of absorption and barrier materials with and without compression is studied. It is shown that compression of the material leads to reduction of the transmission loss of the barrier materials and absorption coefficient of absorbing materials. In this regard, “thickness reduction” and “variations of physical parameters” due to compression are investigated.