bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Positioning theory and the negotiation of information needs in a clinical midwifery setting
Authors: McKenzie Pamela J. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractStudies of everyday life information seeking have begun to attend to incidental forms of information behavior, and this more inclusive understanding of information seeking within broader social practices invites a constructionist analytical paradigm. Positioning theory is a constructionist framework that has proven useful for studying the ways in which interactional practices contribute to information seeking. Positions can construct individuals or groups of people in ways that have real effects on their information seeking. This article identifies some specific types of discursive positioning and shows how participants in a clinical care setting position themselves and one another in ways that justify different forms of information seeking and giving. Examples are drawn from an ongoing study of information seeking in prenatal midwifery encounters. The data consist of audio recordings of nine prenatal midwifery visits and of 18 follow‐up interviews, one with each participating midwife and pregnant woman. The midwifery model of care is based on a relationship in which the midwife provides the pregnant woman with information and support necessary for making informed decisions about her care. Midwife–client interactions are therefore an ideal context for studying information seeking and giving in a clinical encounter.
Clearance of minute virus of mice by flocculation and microfiltration
Authors: Wickramasinghe S.Ranil , Han Binbing , Carlson Jonathan O. , Powers Scott M. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractClearance of minute virus of mice (MVM) from CHO cell suspensions by flocculation and microfiltration has been investigated. MVM is a parvovirus that is recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for validating clearance of parvoviruses. The feed streams were flocculated using a cationic polyelectrolyte. Virus clearance in excess of 10,000‐fold was obtained in the bulk permeate for flocculated feeds streams. However, the level of clearance was only about 10‐ to 100‐fold for unflocculated feed streams. The results suggest that virus clearance involves interactions between the MVM particles, the cationic polyelectrolyte, and the CHO cells present. Validating virus clearance is a major concern in the biotechnology industry. New unit operations are frequently added to the purification train simply to validate virus clearance. However, many of these unit operations are less effective at validating clearance of nonenveloped viruses. Validating clearance of parvoviruses is often particularly problematic as they are nonenveloped and the virus particles are small (18 to 24 nm), making physical removal difficult. The results obtained herein indicate that addition of the cationic polyelectrolyte not only results in significant clearance of MVM but also leads to an increase in permeate flux. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
SKED: A course scheduling and advising software
Authors: Mihali Raul , Sobh Tarek , Vamoser Damir 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis article presents a software application that can solve the problem of course scheduling and advising. The employed algorithms offer optimal course scheduling outputs for any given set of courses and requirements, as well as allowing for customizations by advisors or students. If the correct set of requirements and departmental courses has been set, the results of the application can be directly used for registration purposes. The proposed software is thus capable of saving hours of time for advising faculty. Once the school specific data and requirements have been set, for any specific student information, the application will search and output the schedules that will allow the student to graduate fastest and in the least number of semesters/quarters possible. Depending on the factors and data considered, the execution time varies from a few seconds to a few minutes. Currently, we have successfully tested and implemented the application at the University of Bridgeport, CT. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 12: 1–19, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.10054
Virtual laboratory: A distributed collaborative environment
Authors: Achalakul Tiranee , Sirinaovakul Booncharoen , Nuttaworakul Nion 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis article proposes the design framework of a distributed, real‐time collaborative architecture. The architecture concept allows information to be fused, disseminated, and interpreted collaboratively among researchers who live across continents in real‐time. The architecture is designed based on the distributed object technology, DCOM. In our framework, every module can be viewed as an object. Each of these objects communicates and passes data with one another via a set of interfaces and connection points. We constructed the virtual laboratory based on the proposed architecture. The laboratory allows multiple analysts to collaboratively work through a standard web‐browser using a set of tools, namely, chat, whiteboard, audio/video exchange, file transfer and application sharing. Several existing technologies are integrated to provide collaborative functions, such as NetMeeting. Finally, the virtual laboratory quality evaluation is described with an example application of remote collaboration in satellite image fusion and analysis. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 12: 44–53, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20008
Heterogeneity of Gleason grade in multifocal adenocarcinoma of the prostate
Authors: Arora Rebecca , Koch Michael O. , Eble John N. , Ulbright Thomas M. , Li Lang , Cheng Liang 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe Gleason grading system uniquely combines data from different areas of carcinoma in the same prostate specimen. Prostatic adenocarcinoma often is multifocal, and different Gleason grades may be present in different foci. The current study was undertaken to compare the Gleason grades of individual adenocarcinoma foci in a given specimen with the overall Gleason grades (primary and secondary) of that specimen.METHODSData were obtained from 115 consecutive radical prostatectomy specimens via whole‐mount processing and complete sectioning. Diagrams were constructed by tracing the outline of each whole‐mount section, and tumor maps subsequently were generated. The largest focus was considered the index tumor. Each prostatectomy specimen was assigned primary and secondary Gleason grades, and each tumor focus was assigned its own primary and secondary Gleason grades. Tumor volume was measured using the grid method.RESULTSTwo or more adenocarcinoma foci were present in 87% of all specimens (2 foci, n = 20; 3 foci, n = 33; 4 foci, n = 17; 5 foci, n = 13; > 5 foci, n = 17). Specimens (n = 15) containing a single tumor were excluded from further analysis. Among the remaining specimens (n = 100), all tumor foci had Gleason grades that were the same as the corresponding overall Gleason grades in only 9 cases (9%). The Gleason score (i.e., the sum of the primary and secondary grades) of the index tumor was correlated with the overall Gleason score in 68% of specimens. The primary grade of the index tumor was the same as the overall primary grade in 97 specimens, whereas the secondary grade of the index tumor was the same as the overall secondary grade in only 68 specimens. The primary and secondary grades of the index tumor, compared with the overall Gleason primary and secondary grades, were reversed in 17 specimens.CONCLUSIONSThe findings of the current study demonstrated the histologic heterogeneity of multifocal prostate malignancies. Although the Gleason grading system was used to determine an overall score for prostate carcinoma within a specimen, the scores of individual tumors, including index tumors, often did not agree with this overall score. These findings may have implications with respect to future biomarker and tissue array studies. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Assessment of procalcitonin as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in patients with solid tumors and febrile neutropenia
Authors: Jimeno Antonio , García‐Velasco Adelaida , del Val Olga , González‐Billalabeitia Enrique , Hernando Susana , Hernández Rosario , Sánchez‐Muñoz Alfonso , López‐Martín Ana , Durán Ignacio , Robles Luis , Cortés‐Funes Hernán , Paz‐Ares Luis 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDCancer patients with fever and neutropenia currently are assessed on clinical grounds only. The current study prospectively evaluated the efficacy of baseline procalcitonin (PCT) in the detection of bacteremia and in the prediction of outcome in patients with solid tumors and febrile neutropenia.METHODSPCT levels were determined at baseline and every 48 hours in 104 patients undergoing chemotherapy who developed fever (axillary temperature > 38 °C on 2 occasions or > 38.3 °C in a single record) and neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count < 500 cells/μL).RESULTSThe median baseline PCT values were significantly higher in patients who had microbiologically documented infections (1.24 ng/mL) compared with patients who had clinically documented infections (0.27 ng/mL) or fever of unknown origin (0.21 ng/mL; P < 0.01). Accordingly, a PCT cut‐off value of 0.5 ng/mL was reached more frequently in patients who had microbiologically documented infections compared with patients who had clinically documented infections or fever of unknown origin (66.7% vs. 13.4%, respectively; P < 0.001). Furthermore, this threshold also was associated with an increased likelihood of treatment failure (70.0% vs. 14.9%; P < 0.001). All 4 septic patients and all 5 patients who ultimately died presented PCT values 5‐fold to 10‐fold greater than the median values. Clinical evaluation in combination with baseline PCT assessment appeared to improve clinical risk evaluation alone.CONCLUSIONSBaseline PCT levels were higher in patients who had febrile neutropenia with bacteremia compared with patients who had clinical infections or fever of unknown origin. PCT helped to identify patients who had microbiologic infections and patients who were at high risk of treatment failure, and PCT may constitute a complementary tool in the initial assessment of such patients. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Cytoarchitectonic and connectional organization of the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus in the cat
Authors: Nakamura Hiroyuki , Itoh Kazuo 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe ventral lateral geniculate nucleus is a small extrageniculate visual structure that has a complex cytoarchitecture and diverse connections. In addition to small‐celled medial and lateral divisions, we cytoarchitectonically defined a small‐celled dorsal division. A large‐celled intermediate division intercalated between the three small‐celled divisions, which we divided into medial and lateral intermediate subdivisions. In WGA‐HRP injection experiments, the different cytoarchitectonic divisions were shown to have connections with different nuclei. The medial division was reciprocally connected to the pretectum and projected to the superficial layers of the superior colliculus and the intralaminar nuclei. The medial intermediate division received projections from the intermediate layer of the superior colliculus and the lateral and interpositus posterior cerebellar nuclei, and projected to the intermediate layer of the superior colliculus, the periaqueductal gray of midbrain, and the intralaminar nuclei. The lateral intermediate divisions received projections from the pretectum, the intermediate layer of the superior colliculus, and the lateral and interpositus posterior cerebellar nuclei, and projected to the pretectum, superficial layers of the superior colliculus, and the pulvinar. The lateral division received projections from superficial layers of the superior colliculus and had reciprocal connections with the pretectum. The dorsal division received projections from the pretectum and had reciprocal connections with the periaqueductal gray of midbrain. The different cytoarchitectonic divisions of the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus are thus suggested to play different functional roles related to vision, eye and head movements, attention, and defensive reactions. J. Comp. Neurol. 473:439–462, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multiscale variety in complex systems
Authors: Bar‐Yam Yaneer 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe Law of Requisite Variety is a mathematical theorem relating the number of control states of a system to the number of variations in control that is necessary for effective response. The Law of Requisite Variety does not consider the components of a system and how they must act together to respond effectively. Here we consider the additional requirement of scale of response and the effect of coordinated versus uncoordinated response as a key attribute of complex systems. The components of a system perform a task, with a number of such components needed to act in concert to perform subtasks. We apply the resulting generalization—a Multiscale Law of Requisite Variety—to understanding effective function of complex biological and social systems. This allows us to formalize an understanding of the limitations of hierarchical control structures and the inadequacy of central control and planning in the solution of many complex social problems and the functioning of complex social organizations, e.g., the military, healthcare, and education systems. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 9: 37–45, 2004
Preliminary Results of Modelling Changes of Edge Plasma Transport due to the Presence of TEXTOR‐DED
Authors: Gerhauser H. , Zagórski R. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe use the 2D multifluid code TECXY to model possible changes of edge plasma transport in the vicinity of the dynamic ergodic divertor (DED) of TEXTOR tokamak. The increased effective radial transport coefficients in the stochastic magnetic field are calculated according to Tokar's model of optimal paths. A parameter study is carried out in order to estimate the possible changes of Marfe onset, position and strength by the action of DED. In the presence of carbon we do not find Marfe stabilization by DED transport. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Kinetic modelling of dusty plasmas
Authors: Matyash K. , Schneider R. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractModelling of ECR‐heated methane plasmas was done using a particle‐in‐cell code with collisions (PIC MCC) to get a better understanding in the problem of carbon layer production and chemical sputtering in such plasmas, which serve as a model system of divertor plasmas being dominated by carbon sputtering, especially at detached conditions. A fully kinetic model (PICMCC, resolving also the sheath in front of the wall) including all relevant species and their reactions (neutrals, ions, electrons) was developed and applied. The same model was used to study capacitive RF discharges which are also used to create so‐called plasma crystals. Depending on neutral gas pressure different plasma conditions appear (determined by the importance of collisions with neutrals). For low neutral densities rather dynamic plasma profiles and distribution function emerge (stochastic Fermi heating), whereas for high densities quasi‐stationary conditions show up. These are then used for the study of plasma crystals, where the dust particles are introduced as additional species in the model.The creation mechanism of these quasi‐ordered systems are discussed (force balance between gravitational force and electrostatic electric field force in the sheath) with special emphasis of the ion‐dust interaction (ion drag force) establishing also dust molecules through focussing of ion flows in the sheath regions of such discharges. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of resistive drift wave turbulence on tokamak edge transport
Authors: Nishimura Y. , Borrass K. , Coster D. , Scott B. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractTokamak edge plasma transport in a diverted geometry is studied employing Braginskii type two dimensional transport simulation and drift wave turbulence simulation. The two models are connected through local perpendicular transport coefficients. The basic idea behind is to replace fast time scale, repetitive turbulence vortex dynamics by a diffusion operator. To this end, parameterization of transport coefficients D and χ is introduced. The transport is determined by the gradient drives inside the separatrix and non‐adiabatic electron response induced by high collisionality in the low temperature open‐magnetic‐field‐line regions. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Virus‐specific CD8+ T lymphocytes within the normal human liver
Authors: Ward Scott M. , Jonsson Julie R. , Sierro Sophie , Clouston Andrew D. , Lucas Michaela , Vargas Ana L. , Powell Elizabeth E. , Klenerman Paul 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe frequency and phenotype of human antiviral memory CD8+ T cells in blood are well studied, yet little is known about their distribution within tissues. Analysis of antiviral CD8+ T cell populations derived from a unique set of normal liver and blood samples identified a consistent population of virus‐specific cells within the liver. In comparison to the circulating T cells, the liver‐derived T cells were present at frequencies which were variably enriched compared to that in the blood, and showed significant differences with regard to the expression of CD45RA, CD45RO, CD95, CCR7, CD27 and CD28. The differences in these cell surface markers are consistent with a mature ‘effector memory’ phenotype of antigen‐specific CD8+ T cells within the liver. An enrichment of an activated subset of NKT cells (Vα 24/Vβ 11) was also observed, a finding which may be relevant to the regulation of the antiviral populations.
CD38 is expressed on human mature monocyte‐derived dendritic cells and is functionally involved in CD83 expression and IL‐12 induction
Authors: Fedele Giorgio , Frasca Loredana , Palazzo Raffaella , Ferrero Enza , Malavasi Fabio , Ausiello Clara Maria 
Published: April 2004

AbstractDendritic cell (DC) maturation is characterized by the gain or loss of immunological functions and by expression of distinctive surface receptors. CD38 is an ectoenzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of cyclic ADP ribose (a potent second messenger for Ca2+ release), as well as a receptor that initiates transmembrane signaling upon engagement with its counter‐receptor CD31 or with agonistic monoclonal antibodies. Since CD38 is expressed by resting monocytes, we aimed to monitor CD38 expression during the differentiation of human monocyte‐derived DC (MDDC) and to investigate the possibility that CD38 plays a functional role during DC maturation. CD38 is down‐modulated during differentiation into immature MDDC and expressed again upon maturation. The extent of CD38 expression is dependent on the stimulus adopted (LPS > IFN‐γ > CD40 cross‐linking). Although weak, IFN‐γ consistently induces DC maturation. De novo‐synthesized CD38 is enzymatically active, and its expression in mature (m) MDDC is dependent on NF‐κB activity. However, CD38 is not merely a maturation marker but also mediates signaling in mMDDC, where it maintains its functions as a receptor. Activation via agonistic anti‐CD38 mAb induces up‐regulation of CD83 expression and IL‐12 secretion, whereas disruption of CD38/CD31 interaction inhibits CD83 expression, IL‐12 secretion and MDDC‐induced allogeneic T cell proliferation.
In vivo activation of invariant Vα14 natural killer T cells by α‐galactosylceramide sequentially induces Fas‐dependent and ‐independent cytotoxicity
Authors: Lisbonne Mariette , Hachem Patricia , Tonanny Marie‐Béatrice , Fourneau Jean‐Marie , Sidobre Stephane , Kronenberg Mitchel , Van Endert Peter , Dy Michel , Schneider Elke , Leite‐de‐Moraes Maria C. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe present study was designed to clarify the cytotoxic capacities of invariant Vα14 natural killer T (iNKT) cells activated in vivo. We found that as early as 2 h after a single injection of α‐galactosylceramide (α‐GalCer), sorted iNKT splenocytes from treated mice kill Fas‐transfected target cells. The implication of the Fas pathway in this lysis was strengthened by both the blockage of cytotoxicity in the presence of anti‐Fas ligand (FasL) monoclonal antibody (mAb) and the up‐regulation of FasL expression on iNKT cells. Sorted NK cells did not participate inthe lytic activity at this time point. Yet, they became cytotoxic later on, 24 h post‐treatment, when target cell lysis was mainly independent of the Fas pathway. This type of cell killing was predominant at this later time point, even though iNKT cells conserved a slight Fas‐dependent cytotoxicity. NK cells failed to acquire the ability to kill target cells when IFN‐γ production in α‐GalCer‐injected mice was blocked by anti‐IFN‐γ mAb, underscoring the major role of this cytokine. In conclusion, our findings provide the first direct evidence that iNKT cells can exert Fas‐dependent cytotoxicity very shortly after in vivo α‐GalCer activation and later, through IFN‐γ secretion, enable NK cells to kill target cells in a Fas‐independent pathway.
Somatic mutations can lead to a loss of superantigenic and polyreactive binding
Authors: Oppezzo Pablo , Dumas Gérard , Bouvet Jean‐Pierre , Robello Carlos , Cayota Alfonso , Pizarro Juan Carlos , Dighiero Guillaume , Pritsch Otto 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAlthough antibodies have been assumed to bind a specific antigen, evidence exists showing that a single antibody can bind to multiple unrelated antigens. We previously studied a human monoclonal antibody expressing a mutated form of the VH3–73 gene and displaying anti‐tubulin activity in a patient suffering from an immunocytic lymphoma. Despite its expression of a VH3 family member, this immunoglobulin failed to react with protein A (SpA), suggesting that somatic mutations could account for its change in specificity. To examine this possibility, we produced recombinant Ig expressing germ‐line (IgMκ‐Germ) or the mutated form (IgMκ‐PER) of the VH3–73 fragment. Comparison of the respective affinities of the two Ig demonstrated that IgMκ‐Germ restores its SpA‐binding capacity, and shows a moderate decrease in its affinity for tubulin. Interestingly, IgMκ‐Germ displayed polyreactive specificity for different autoantigens, which contrasted to the monospecific binding of IgMκ‐PER to tubulin. These results suggest that the monoreactive IgMκ‐PER antibody may be derived from a natural polyreactive antibody through somatic mutation. In addition, both temperature modification and mild denaturation succeeded in recovering the polyreactivity of IgMκ‐PER, which favors the view that conformational modifications of the tertiary structure of antibodies may play a key role in the genesis of polyreactivity.