bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surface temperature of decomposing construction materials studied by laser‐induced phosphorescence
Authors: Omrane Alaa , Ossler Frederik , Aldén Marcus , Svenson Jenny , Pettersson Jan B. C. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractMeasurements of surface temperature and mass loss of decomposing construction materials during rapid pyrolysis are presented. Experiments have been performed with samples of low‐density fiberboard, medium‐density fiberboard, particleboard and poly(methyl methacrylate) in a single particle reactor at temperatures between 300° and 600°C. Ultraviolet laser light was used to excite micrometer‐sized thermographic phosphor particles that were deposited on the investigated materials, and the temperature was obtained from temporally resolved measurements of the laser‐induced emission. The wood‐based materials show a similar behavior, with small differences being attributed to differences in material properties. The surface temperature rapidly increases to about 400°C when a particle is introduced to the hot reactor. The initial phase is followed by rapid decomposition during which the surface temperature is 380°–540°C. The heating rate is slowed down during the rapid pyrolysis, and again increases as the remaining char is heated to the reactor temperature. The poly (methyl methacrylate), however, melts and at high temperatures can be characterized as a liquid with a boiling point of about 400°C. Thermographic phosphors are concluded to be suitable for high precision remote measurements of the surface temperature of decomposing construction materials, and possibilities for further studies and developments of the technique are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlates of resident psychosocial status in long‐term care
Authors: Gaugler Joseph E. , Leach Corinne R. , Anderson Keith A. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractObjectivesThis pilot study randomly selected five nursing homes, five assisted living facilities, and 16 family care homes from a South‐Central state in the US to identify correlates of resident psychosocial status.MethodsIn‐person and telephone interviews were conducted with administrators and resident‐family‐staff triads (n = 79) to gather information on setting, resident functional status, family involvement, sociodemographic context, and resident psychosocial status.ResultsResults indicated that type of facility, resident health conditions, resident race, and facility family orientation were significantly correlated with dimensions of resident psychosocial status.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that multiple informants are necessary to determine the processes that lead to residents' quality of life, and the consideration of diverse settings offers greater insight into how positive resident adaptation is achieved in long‐term care. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A failure of ‘Pop‐Out’ in visual search tasks in dementia with Lewy Bodies as compared to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease
Authors: Cormack Francesca , Gray Alistair , Ballard Clive , Tovée Martin J. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractObjectivesThe pattern of neural damage in dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) led us to hypothesize that patients with DLB would be particularly impaired on parallel (‘pop‐out’) search tasks, relative to serial search tasks, and that this would serve to distinguish DLB from other forms of neurodegenerative disease, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD).MethodsTo explore this possibility we tested four groups of observers (DLB, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and age‐matched controls) on parallel and serial search tasks, and a choice reaction time task.ResultsThe DLB participants performed in a quantitatively and qualitatively different manner to the other groups. As predicted, they were particularly impaired on the parallel search task relative to the other observer groups.ConclusionsThis pattern of deficit may reflect damage in the occipital areas leading to deficits in figure‐ground segregation, and can assist differential diagnosis of DLB from other patients groups such as AD. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A randomized controlled trial of a behavior advisory service for hospitalized older patients with confusion
Authors: Mador Julie E. , Giles Lynne , Whitehead Craig , Crotty Maria 
Published: July 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether individualized advice on non‐pharmacological strategies for hospitalized older patients with confusion and behavioral problems can improve levels of agitation and reduce the use of psychotropic medication.MethodPragmatic randomized controlled trial in two metropolitan teaching hospitals in South Australia. Seventy‐one older patients with confusion and a behavioral disturbance were randomly allocated to receive either an assessment and ongoing individualized advice from an extended practice nurse on non‐pharmacological strategies or usual care. Usual care included an assessment by a geriatrician.MeasurementsPrimary outcomes were levels of agitation (Pittsburgh Agitation Scale), appropriateness of psychotropic medication prescribing (Medication Appropriateness Index) and levels of psychotropics administered (chlorpromazine and diazepam dose equivalents). Secondary outcomes were length of stay, discharge destination, number of falls, restraint use and satisfaction from nursing staff and next of kin.ResultsLevels of agitation were modest at baseline with mean PAS intervention group 3.4 (SD = 0.5) and control group 4.0 (SD = 0.4) and both groups improved over time to 1.7 (SD = 0.4) for the intervention group and 1.8 (SD = 0.3) for the control group on the final day of data collection. Median length of follow‐up was nine days. There was no effect of the intervention on levels of agitation, amount and appropriateness of psychotropic medication prescribed and administered, falls, length of stay, discharge destination, restraint use and nursing and next of kin satisfaction.ConclusionA nursing consultation service providing individualized non‐pharmacological advice does not improve patient agitation or use of psychotropic medication for older patients with confusion and behavioral problems in an acute hospital. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does depression in old age increase only cardiovascular mortality? The Leiden 85‐plus Study
Authors: Vinkers David J. , Stek Max L. , Gussekloo Jacobijn , van der Mast Roos C. , Westendorp Rudi G. J. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractBackgroundDepression in old age is associated with an increased mortality risk of cardiovascular disease but the mortality risk from non‐cardiovascular causes is disputed.ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of depression on cardiovascular and non‐cardiovascular mortality in old age.MethodsWe prospectively followed 500 subjects from age 85 years onwards within the population‐based Leiden 85‐plus Study. Depressive symptoms were assessed annually with the 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS‐15). Mortality risks were estimated in a Cox proportional‐hazards model with the annual assessment of depression (GDS‐15≥4 points) as a time‐dependent covariate.ResultsDuring 1654 person‐years of follow‐up (mean per person, 3.2 years), depression was associated with a two‐fold increase of all cause mortality [Relative Risk (RR), 1.83; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.24–2.69] that was not explained by comorbid conditions. Both cardiovascular mortality and non‐cardiovascular mortality contributed equally to the excess mortality (RR 1.95 and 1.75 respectively).ConclusionDepression in old age contributes to an increase of both cardiovascular and non‐cardiovascular mortality. Motivational depletion may play an important role in the increased mortality in elderly with depression. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antidepressant efficacy and cognitive effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in vascular depression: an open trial
Authors: Fabre I. , Galinowski A. , Oppenheim C. , Gallarda T. , Meder J. F. , de Montigny C. , Olié J. P. , Poirier M. F. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractBackgroundBeneficial effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) were demonstrated by many controlled studies in major depression. Moreover, this promising and non invasive therapeutic tool seems to be better tolerated than electroconvulsive therapy.Vascular depression is a subtype of late‐life depression, associated with cerebrovascular disease and means a poorer response to antidepressant treatment. We employed rTMS over the left prefrontal cortex in 11 patients with late‐onset resistant vascular depression. The primary purpose of this two‐week open study was to examine antidepressant efficacy of rTMS in vascular depression. The secondary aim was to evaluate cognitive effects of rTMS in our sample.MethodsClinical status, as measured with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and cognitive effects, as evaluated by neuropsychological tests, were assessed at baseline and after two weeks of rTMS. Brain measurements to obtain an index of prefrontal atrophy were performed at both the motor cortex and prefrontal cortex.ResultsFive out of 11 resistant patients with late‐onset vascular depression were responders. They showed a clinically meaningful improvement in HDRS scores, with a decrease of 11, 4 points (p<0.01). Antidepressant response is correlated to the relative degree of prefrontal atrophy (p = 0.05). After two weeks, verbal fluency and visuospatial memory improved. No cognitive performance deteriorated except for verbal memory, as the delayed recall decreased significantly in the responders' group.ConclusionsOur preliminary observations prompt to perform a subsequent controlled study to examine if rTMS may constitute an alternative to electroconvulsive therapy. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effectiveness of a clinical pathway for the diagnosis and treatment of dementia and for the education of families
Authors: Kazui Hiroaki , Hashimoto Mamoru , Nakano Yoko , Matsumoto Keiji , Yamamura Shuhei , Nagaoka Kentaro , Mori Etsuro , Endo Hidetoshi , Tokunaga Hiromasa , Ikejiri Yoshitaka , Takeda Masatoshi 
Published: July 2004

AbstractAimsClinical pathways (CPs) are rarely used in the treatment of dementia. We established a CP for a series of medical practices (diagnosis, treatment, establishment of a care system, and caregiver education) for patients with dementia hospitalized for a three‐week period, and evaluated its usefulness.MethodsThe length of hospital stay and hospital costs were compared between 23 consecutive patients with dementia hospitalized and treated using a CP and 20 controls treated by conventional medical practice without using a CP in a special ward for dementia patients. In the CP group, at the time of discharge, primary caregivers, physicians, and nurses were given a questionnaire to obtain their comments about the impression of treatment with the CP.ResultsThe questionnaire survey indicated that the CP deepened the caregiver's understanding of the sequence of medical practices for the inpatient, the disorders of the inpatient, the treatment methods, and the methods for coping with the disorder. The CP was also useful for facilitating inpatient medical practice and promoting the establishment of a care system after discharge. The use of the CP significantly shortened the length of hospital stay and decreased hospital costs during hospitalization but increased the amount of work per day and made the medical staff feel that their freedom to choose medical procedures had been restricted.ConclusionsThe CP was useful for execution of inpatient medical practices for patients with dementia. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combined effect of vision and hearing impairment on depression in elderly Chinese
Authors: Chou Kee‐Lee , Chi Iris 
Published: July 2004

AbstractBackgroundSensory impairment and depression are common in old age and the relation between depression and vision as well as hearing impairment have been established. However, few studies have directly compared their effects and examined the impact of dual sensory loss. The purpose of this study is to compare impacts of self‐reported hearing and vision loss as well as the effect of double sensory impairment on depression.MethodThis article analyzes cross‐sectional data collected from a representative community sample of 2,003 Chinese elderly people aged 60 or above in Hong Kong. Respondents were interviewed in a face‐to‐face format and data including vision and hearing impairment, socio‐demographic variables, health indicators, family support, and depression were obtained.ResultsLogistic regression analyses revealed that visual impairment was significantly related to depression even after age, gender, marital status, education, self‐reported health status, the presence of 11 diseases, functional limitation and family support were controlled but hearing loss was not. Hearing impairment did not add to the likelihood of depression where visual impairment was already present.ConclusionThe impact of visual impairment on psychological well‐being among elderly Chinese is more robust than hearing loss. Therefore, aged care service practitioners must take this risk factor into consideration in their preventive intervention and treatment for psychological well‐being. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Local properties of a functionally graded interphase between cementum and dentin
Authors: Ho Sunita P. , Balooch Mehdi , Marshall Sally J. , Marshall Grayson W. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractThe study of natural interfaces may provide information necessary to engineer functionally graded biomaterials for bioengineering applications. In this study, the mechanical, structural, and chemical composition variations associated with a region between cementum and dentin were studied with the use of nanoindentation, microindentation, optical microscopy, and Raman microspectroscopy techniques. Three‐millimeter‐thick transverse sections (N = 5) were obtained from the apical one‐third of the roots of sterilized human molars. The samples were ultrasectioned at room temperature with the use of a diamond knife and an ultramicrotome. Longitudinal ground sections of 100 μm thickness were prepared and stained with von Kossa stain to determine the mineralized regions within the molar roots. Raman microspectroscopy was used to determine the relative inorganic content, mainly apatite (POν1 mode at 960 cm−1) and organic content, mainly collagen (CH stretch at 2940 cm−1) between cementum and dentin bulk tissues. The microindentation and nanoindentation results indicated a gradual transition in hardness from cementum to dentin over a width ranging from 100 to 200 μm. However, the variation in hardness data for cementum and dentin by nanoindentation was larger (0.62 ± 0.21, 0.77 ± 0.14 GPa) than from microindentation (0.49 ± 0.03, 0.69 ± 0.07 GPa). Within the 100 to 200 μm region there was a 10 to 50 μm fibrillar hydrophilic cementum–dentin junction (CDJ) with mechanical properties significantly lower than either the cementum or the dentin side of CDJ. Light microscopy revealed a 100 to 200 μm translucent region between cementum and dentin. Raman microspectroscopy results showed a variation in organic and inorganic composition 80 to 140 μm wide. It was concluded that a morphologically and biomechanically different CDJ lies within a wider cementum–dentin interphase. Hence, cementum, dentin, and the interphase can be classified as a functionally graded dental tissue within the root of a tooth. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 70A: 480–489, 2004
Effects of culture pH on the production of bioactive polysaccharides by Agaricus blazei in batch cultures
Authors: Shu Chin‐Hang , Lin Ko‐Jung , Wen Bor‐Jiun 
Published: July 2004

AbstractThe effects of culture pH on the production, molecular weight distribution and the bioactivity of polysaccharides produced by Agaricus blazei were evaluated by four pH‐controlled batch cultures. As the culture pH of each batch was controlled from 4.0 to 7.0, the maximum polysaccharide concentration increased from 561 to 1252 mg dm−3, but the average molecular weight of the polysaccharides decreased monotonically from 1080 kDa to 600 kDa, the relative amount of β‐glucan from 56% to 33%, and the TNF‐α release by macrophage cells from 1440 to 760 pg per 5 × 104 cells. Polysaccharides with higher molecular weights, β‐glucan contents and bioactivities were obtained in the submerged cultures of Agaricus blazei at lower culture pH but with lower yields. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Modelling and optimisation of a chemical industry wastewater treatment plant subjected to varying production schedules
Authors: Van Hulle Stijn WH , Vanrolleghem Peter A 
Published: July 2004

AbstractIndustrial wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have to provide 100% reliability and availability for the discharging facilities at an industrial site. Varying production schedules at these facilities and specific components occurring in the industrial wastewater considerably hinder the optimisation of industrial WWTPs. In this context it is shown in this paper that model‐based optimisation is an efficient and cost‐reducing way to ensure that an industrial WWTP functions well. The aim of the study presented was two‐fold. The first step was to show the usefulness of a proposed procedure to build and calibrate a model for the industrial WWTP. The second objective was to use the model for optimisation of the WWTP. As an example, a large set of possible production schedules in the different discharging facilities was simulated. Based on these simulations it could be predicted which schedules allow the effluent standards to be met and which do not. The calibrated and validated model was also used to investigate different operating strategies such as the in‐series operation of the two available aeration tanks. In fact, with the model it was shown that a 20% reduction of the degradable COD concentration in the effluent could be achieved by operating the tanks in series instead of in parallel. This case study shows how the approach presented can lead to fast and cost effective modelling and optimisation of an industrial WWTP. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysis of carbon dioxide gas/liquid mass transfer in aerated stirred vessels using non–Newtonian media
Authors: Gómez‐Díaz Diego , Navaza José M 
Published: July 2004

AbstractGas/liquid mass transfer has been investigated in an aerated stirred tank using non‐Newtonian media and carbon dioxide as absorbent and gas phase respectively. The volumetric mass transfer coefficients at different operational variables have been measured. The non‐Newtonian media (liquid phases) used were aqueous solutions of two polymers, carboxymethyl cellulose and alginate sodium salts. The influence upon the mass transfer of the rheological properties, polymer concentration, stirring rate and gas flow rate was studied. Kinematic viscosity and density experimental data were used to calculate the average molecular weight corresponding to the polymers employed. Reasonable agreement was found between the predictions of proposed models and the experimental data. The results shown in the present paper allow us to understand carbon dioxide transfer to a non‐Newtonian liquid phase and to evaluate the effect of the liquid phase characteristics. The equations used in this paper allow accurate simulation of the transfer of a pure gas to a rheologically complex solution. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Batch production of L(+) lactic acid from whey by Lactobacillus casei (NRRL B‐441)
Authors: Büyükkileci Ali O , Harsa Sebnem 
Published: July 2004

AbstractThe effects of temperature, pH, and medium composition on lactic acid production by Lactobacillus casei were investigated. The highest lactic acid productivity values were obtained at 37 °C and pH 5.5. The productivity was 1.87 g dm−3 h−1 at 37 °C in shake flasks. In the fermenter, a productivity of 3.97 g dm−3 h−1 was obtained at pH 5.5. The most appropriate yeast extract concentration was 5.0 g dm−3. Whey yielded a higher productivity value than the analytical lactose and glucose. Initial whey lactose concentration did not affect lactic acid productivity. MnSO4 ·H2O was necessary for lactic acid production by L casei from whey. Product yields were approximately 0.93 g lactic acid g lactose−1. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
The Mts1/S100A4 protein is a neuroprotectant
Authors: Pedersen Martin V. , Køhler Lene B. , Grigorian Mariam , Novitskaya Vera , Bock Elisabeth , Lukanidin Eugine , Berezin Vladimir 
Published: July 2004

AbstractMts1 (S100A4) is a calcium‐binding protein of the EF‐hand type, belonging to the S100 family of proteins. The mts1/S100A4 gene was originally isolated from tumor cell lines, and the protein is believed to play an important role in tumor progression. More recently, oligomeric, but not dimeric, forms of Mts1 have been shown to have a neuritogenic effect when added extracellularly to hippocampal neurons. Here we show increased neurite outgrowth in two other cell types, dopaminergic and cerebellar neurons, in response to treatment with Mts1 oligomers. Moreover, we demonstrate that Mts1 acts as a neuroprotectant in primary cerebellar, dopaminergic, and hippocampal neurons induced to undergo cell death. Interestingly, the survival of the cerebellar and hippocampal neurons increased as a result of treatment with Mts1 not only in oligomeric form but also—although to a lesser extent—in dimeric form. The inhibition of death in cerebellar neurons by Mts1 was accompanied by an inhibition of DNA fragmentation, but Mts1 did not affect the activity of caspases‐3 and ‐6. In hippocampal neurons, cell death induced by the amyloid‐β peptide (Aβ25–35) was characterized by an increase in caspase‐3 and ‐6 activity, but no DNA fragmentation was observed. As in cerebellar neurons, the induced increase in caspase activity in hippocampal neurons was not affected by Mts1. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.