bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crystal Structures of
Mycobacterium smegmatis
RecA and Its Nucleotide Complexes
Authors: Datta S. , Krishna R. , Ganesh N. , Chandra Nagasuma R. , Muniyappa K. , Vijayan M. 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACT

The crystal structures of
Mycobacterium smegmatis
RecA (RecA
Ms
) and its complexes with ADP, ATPγS, and dATP show that RecA
Ms
has an expanded binding site like that in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
RecA, although there are small differences between the proteins in their modes of nucleotide binding. Nucleotide binding is invariably accompanied by the movement of Gln 196, which appears to provide the trigger for transmitting the effect of nucleotide binding to the DNA-binding loops. These observations provide a framework for exploring the known properties of the RecA proteins.
An Integrated Structural and Computational Study of the Thermostability of Two Thioredoxin Mutants fromAlicyclobacillus acidocaldarius
Authors: Bartolucci Simonetta , De Simone Giuseppina , Galdiero Stefania , Improta Roberto , Menchise Valeria , Pedone Carlo , Pedone Emilia , Saviano Michele 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACTWe report a crystallographic and computational analysis of two mutant forms of theAlicyclobacillus acidocaldariusthioredoxin (BacTrx) done in order to evaluate the contribution of two specific amino acids to the thermostability of BacTrx. Our results suggest that the thermostability of BacTrx may be modulated by mutations affecting the overall electrostatic energy of the protein.
Evaluation of abnormal liver function tests
Authors: Limdi J K , Hyde G M 
Published: July 2003

Abstract
Interpretation of abnormalities in liver function tests is a common problem faced by clinicians. This has become more common with the introduction of automated routine laboratory testing. Not all persons with one or more abnormalities in these tests actually have liver disease. The various biochemical tests, their pathophysiology, and an approach to the interpretation of abnormal liver function tests are discussed in this review.
Emergency management of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Wakai A , O’Neill J O 
Published: July 2003

Abstract
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia managed by emergency and acute general physicians. There is increasing evidence that selected patients with acute atrial fibrillation can be safely managed in the emergency department without the need for hospital admission. Meanwhile, there is significant variation in the current emergency management of acute atrial fibrillation. This review discusses evidence based emergency management of atrial fibrillation. The principles of emergency management of acute atrial fibrillation and the subset of patients who may not need hospital admission are reviewed. Finally, the need for evidence based guidelines before emergency department based clinical pathways for the management of acute atrial fibrillation becomes routine clinical practice is highlighted.
Post-exposure prophylaxis for blood borne viral infections in healthcare workers
Authors: Varghese G M , Abraham O C , Mathai D 
Published: July 2003

Abstract
Healthcare workers have a high risk of occupational exposure, more so in developing countries, with high incidence of blood borne diseases and prevalence of unsafe practices. Among the various blood borne diseases, the most common and important ones are HIV infection, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Most of the occupational transmission can be prevented and the “standard precaution” has been shown to reduce exposures and hence the transmission of infection. Healthcare workers have to be educated about post-exposure prophylaxis and each institution needs to adopt a clear protocol.
Management of stable angina
Authors: Jain A , Wadehra V , Timmis A D 
Published: July 2003

Abstract
Ischaemic heart disease may present as a wide variety of clinical entities including unstable or stable angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, and occasionally heart failure. Chronic stable angina is a common condition and results in a considerable burden for both the individual and society. The goals in management are (i) treatment of other conditions that may worsen angina; (ii) modification of risk factors and treatment with medications for coronary artery disease to improve outcome; and (iii) effective relief of anginal symptoms. There are limitations to the methods available to risk-stratify patients, and the optimal treatment strategy remains unclear. The benefits of lifestyle modification cannot be over-emphasised, and appropriate attention to modifiable risk factors is paramount. The mortality benefit of lipid lowering treatment and antiplatelet therapy is well proved. However the evidence base for anti-ischaemic therapy is less rigorous, being based mainly on extrapolations from studies of acute coronary syndromes. Angioplasty has been shown to be more effective in relief of symptoms than medical therapy alone, but provides no mortality benefit. Coronary artery bypass surgery, however, has been shown to reduce mortality in patients with severe proximal coronary disease when compared with medical management alone.
What determines patients’ satisfaction with their mental health care and quality of life?
Authors: Blenkiron P , Hammill C A 
Published: July 2003

Abstract

Objectives
This study investigated whether patients’ satisfaction with their mental health care and quality of life is related to their age, gender, psychiatric diagnosis, and duration of mental disorder.

Method
120 adults of working age who were receiving input from a community mental health team in North Yorkshire were invited to complete the Carers’ and User’s Expectations of Services, User Version (CUES-U) questionnaire. This 16 item self rated outcome measure covers the issues that those using mental health services have identified as being their priorities.

Results
CUES-U ratings were lowest for “Social life” (49% satisfied) and highest for “Relationships with physical health workers” (88% satisfied). Satisfaction with psychiatric services correlated significantly with patients’ age (Spearman’s r = 0.444, p&lt;0.001) and their satisfaction in other areas of their lives such as housing, money, and relationships (r = 0.575, p&lt;0.001). Those with psychotic disorders rated their quality of life as higher than other respondents (median total satisfaction score 12 v 9, Mann-Whitney U = 377, p = 0.001). Gender and duration of disorder were unrelated to service satisfaction.

Conclusions
Patient satisfaction ratings have been promoted as an outcome measure when evaluating the quality of their mental health services. Certain factors influencing an individual’s satisfaction with the care provided (such as their age and general quality of life) are not directly under the control of professionals.
Hospital admissions for human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) associated diseases in Dominica
Authors: Adedayo O , Grell G , Bellot P 
Published: July 2003

Abstract
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus that is endemic in certain regions of the world, and may account for significant morbidity and mortality among hospitalised patients.
Sixty six HTLV-1 seropositive patients admitted to hospital with HTLV-1 associated diseases from 1995–99 were studied. HTLV-1 screening was done with ELISA and confirmed on western blot testing. There were 32 females (48.5%) and 34 males (51.5%). The mean age was 56 years and the age range was 9–89 years.
The main associated diseases were tropical spastic paraparesis or HTLV-1 associated myelopathy in 18.2% of cases, acute form of adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma 7.6%, lymphomas 15.2%, and ectoparasites/endoparasites in 40.9%. HTLV-1 is associated with diseases in Dominica and association with severe forms of strongyloidiasis and scabies is particularly noted.
Spontaneous pneumothorax: use of aspiration and outcomes of management by respiratory and general physicians
Authors: Packham S , Jaiswal P 
Published: July 2003

Abstract

Background
Spontaneous pneumothorax is a common problem in hospital practice. Despite the publication of guidelines controversy over its initial management still exists, particularly over the use of simple aspiration.

Methods
The management of spontaneous pneumothorax by respiratory and general physicians at our hospital was analysed by retrospective case note review. Eighty five patients were identified over the study period (36 managed by respiratory and 49 by general physicians).

Results
There was a significantly greater use of simple aspiration by respiratory (81%) than general physicians (47%, p&lt;0.001) and a higher rate of success in this group. As a result those patients managed by respiratory physicians had fewer intercostal drains inserted and significantly shorter length of stays (mean 5.6 (3.8) days respiratory group and 9.5 (6.8) days in general physicians group, p&lt;0.05).

Conclusions
The greater and more successful use of simple aspiration by respiratory physicians as an initial treatment for spontaneous pneumothorax resulted in improved outcomes and reduced length of hospital stays.
Aortic aneurysm replacement with Dacron graft in a 34 year old man. How long will the graft last?
Authors: Khan B F , Renton S , Hussain S T 
Published: July 2003

Abstract
A unique case of an abdominal aortic aneurysm replacement in a young man of Caribbean descent is presented. The initial working diagnosis was of a mycotic aneurysm, which has recently shown resurgence with intravenous drug abuse. Blood tests and subsequent biopsy ruled that out. There was also a clinical suspicion of a connective tissue abnormality. Histological examination of the aneurysm, skin biopsy, and blood tests also ruled out this possibility. The graft used in this patient was from a new generation of grafts. In the absence of any studies on such grafts, there is the question of long term durability of the graft.
Surgical presentation of ischaemic hepatitis
Authors: Powell L , Tesfaye S , Ackroyd R , Sanders D S 
Published: July 2003

Abstract
Intestinal ischaemia typically presents with signs suggestive of an acute surgical abdomen. A raised serum lactate may substantiate the diagnosis. The first case of ischaemic hepatitis mimicking intestinal ischaemia is reported. The recognition of markedly deranged transaminases allows the clinician to differentiate the two diagnoses and potentially avoid the risks incurred with laparotomy.
Magnetic resonance imaging in rabies
Authors: Mani J , Reddy B C , Borgohain R , Sitajayalakshmi S , Sundaram C , Mohandas S 
Published: July 2003

Abstract
Rabies encephalitis has a classical clinical presentation and its diagnosis is unmistakable. In about a fifth of cases rabies occurs as its paralytic form, which lacks the classic symptoms and may mimic other diseases, especially acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in rabies shows a distinct abnormal pattern that differentiates it from ADEM. Hence it may be a useful tool in diagnosis of paralytic rabies. Failure to administer post-exposure rabies immunoglobulin along with the rabies vaccine may result in vaccine failure.
NOT ALL OSCILLATIONS ARE RUBBISH: FORWARD SIMULATION OF QUICK-RELEASE EXPERIMENTS
Authors: SIEBERT TOBIAS , WAGNER HEIKO , BLICKHAN REINHARD 
Published: June 2003

Quick-release experiments often produce noticeable oscillations on the measured force and length data in the first few milliseconds after the force release. We measured oscillations in experiments with several species (Rattus norvegicus, Galea musteloides, Rana pipiens) and different experimental setups. These oscillations are generally ignored as artifacts.This study investigates the cause of the oscillations. A biomechanical model of the experimental setup was developed consisting of a geometric model describing the setup and a Hill-type muscle-tendon model including the force-length-velocity relation and a linear spring in series. Muscle properties of each muscle were determined by the ISOFIT method. Model calculations and forward simulations of quick-release experiments based on experimentally determined muscle properties reveal that the observed oscillations are not artifacts (instrument and control), but the result of interactions of muscle-tendon properties with the inertia of muscles, bones and lever system.
INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION, ENVIRONMENTAL SUFFERING AND POLICY MEASURES: AN INDEX OF ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY PERFORMANCE (IESP)
Authors: CAGATAY SELIM , MIHCI HAKAN 
Published: June 2003

An index of environmental sensitivity performance (IESP) is constructed in order to measure and quantify the comparative environmental sensitivity of countries. The main emphasis of IESP is to obtain an overall measure of sensitiveness instead of focusing on various indicators designed for particular environmental issues. The sub-indices, however, can also be utilised for specific environmental concerns. IESP is built to analyse empirically certain economic relationships that appeared firstly in the emergence of environmental regulations in industrial nations and secondly, in the debate over recent international agreements. The main findings of the IESP seem to be consistent with the disputes emphasising the growing sensitivity of the developed nations towards the industrial pollution relative to the developing nations. With a very few exceptions, developed countries appear to be stringent in the pursuit of the industrial environmental regulations. This general trend, which is consistent with the theoretical expectations, contributes to the value of the IESP as a quantitative instrument. Furthermore, the wider range of the countries' index values can be considered as promising in terms of utilising IESP in quantitative applications.
Studies of the Polarimetric Covariance Matrix. Part II: Modeling and Polarization Errors
Authors: Hubbert J. C. , Bringi V. N. 
Published: June 2003

Abstract
A polarimetric radar covariance matrix model is described to study the behavior of the co-to-cross covariances in precipitation. The 2 × 2 propagation matrix with attenuation, differential attenuation, and differential phase is coupled to the backscatter matrix leading to a propagation-modified covariance matrix model. System polarization errors are included in this model as well. This model is used to study the behavior of the magnitude and phase of the co-to-cross covariances and the linear depolarization ratio (LDR) in rainfall. It is shown that the model predictions are consistent with data collected with the Colorado State University (CSU)–University of Chicago–Illinois State Water Survey (CHILL) radar in intense rainfall. A method is also given for estimating the system polarization errors from covariance matrix data collected in intense rainfall.
Intercomparison of Spectroradiometers for Global and Direct Solar Irradiance in the Visible Range
Authors: Martínez-Lozano José A. , Utrillas Maria P. , Pedrós Roberto , Tena Fernando , Díaz Juan P. , Expósito Francisco J. , Lorente Jerónimo , de Cabo Xavier , Cachorro Victoria , Vergaz Ricardo , Carreño Virgilio 
Published: June 2003

Abstract
This paper presents the results of the analysis of the spectral, global, and direct solar irradiance measurements in the visible range (400–700 nm) that were made in the framework of the first Iberian UV–visible (VIS) instruments intercomparison. The instruments used in this spectral range were four spectroradiometers: three Licor 1800s equipped with different receiver optics and one Optronic 754. For the direct solar irradiance measurements the spectroradiometers were equipped with collimators with different fields of view. Parallel studies have been carried out with the data given by the spectroradiometers with their original calibration file and with the same data that is corrected, following in situ calibration of the instruments using a laboratory reference lamp. To compare the series of spectral data the relative values of mean absolute deviation (MAD) and root-mean-square deviation (rmsd) have been used. The results obtained from the measurements of global irradiance show that the Licor 1800s presented very significant differences at the beginning and at the end of the day due to the deviation from ideal cosine response of the collection optics (i.e., cosine errors). This forced the analysis to be limited to the measurements corresponding to solar elevations higher than 30°. For this solar elevation range, the results of the intercomparison between the Licor instruments, before their in situ calibration, showed differences of about 5% in the visible range. The results from the measurements of direct irradiance show that, if correction factors are considered, these deviations are reduced to 3%, and when the Licors are compared with the Optronic, the deviations are less than 2%.
Mapping and Wavenumber Resolution of Line-Integral Data for Observations of Low-Mode Internal Tides
Authors: Dushaw Brian D. 
Published: June 2003

Abstract
Techniques are developed for using line-integral tomography data to estimate the spectra, maps, and energy of low-mode internal-tide radiation; the extension of these techniques to other phenomena is obvious. Sparse arrays of line integrals over paths 300–1000 km long can generally determine the direction of propagation of semidiurnal radiation well, but the magnitude of the wavenumbers is ambiguous because of sidelobes in the spectrum. Both wavenumber magnitude and direction can generally be determined for diurnal internal-tide radiation. Spectra for the semidiurnal and diurnal internal tides are estimated for the region of the Atlantic Ocean between Puerto Rico and Bermuda using data obtained during the Acoustic Mid-Ocean Dynamics Experiment (AMODE) in 1991–92. Simulations of semidiurnal internal-tide radiation, consisting of wave packets or highly irregular wave crests, are used to show that the line-integral data provide better mapping resolution than point data, but the best results are, of course, obtained when both types of data are used. As a practical example of the formalism of these simulations, maps of M2 internal-tide variability are derived from the AMODE tomography data. Because the inverse problem is underdetermined with the sparse arrays that are deployed in the ocean, the inverse solution generally underestimates the energy of the radiative field. In the simulations employed here, the energy is underestimated by 33% ± 10%, but the exact amount by which the energy is underestimated is dependent on the assumptions made for the simulations, such as the array geometry and the nature of the tidal variability.
A GPS-Tracked Surf Zone Drifter*
Authors: Schmidt W. E. , Woodward B. T. , Millikan K. S. , Guza R. T. , Raubenheimer B. , Elgar Steve 
Published: June 2003

Abstract
A drifter designed to measure surf zone circulation has been developed and field tested. Drifter positions accurate to within a few meters are estimated in real time at 0.1 Hz using the global positioning system (GPS) and a shore-to-drifter radio link. More accurate positions are estimated at 1 Hz from postprocessed, internally logged data. Mean alongshore currents estimated from trajectories of the 0.5-m-draft drifters in 1–2-m water depth agree well with measurements obtained with nearby, bottom-mounted, acoustic current meters. Drifters deployed near the base of a well-developed rip current often followed eddylike paths within the surf zone before being transported seaward.
Numerical Modeling of Bioluminescence Distributions in the Coastal Ocean*
Authors: Shulman Igor , Haddock Steven H. D. , McGillicuddy Dennis J. , Paduan Jeffrey D. , Bissett W. Paul 
Published: June 2003

Abstract
Bioluminescence (BL) predictability experiments (predictions of the intensity, depth, and distance offshore of the BL maximum) were conducted using an advective–diffusive tracer model with velocities and diffusivities from a fine-resolution model of the Monterey Bay, California, area. For tracer initialization, observations were assimilated into the tracer model while velocities and diffusivities were taken from the hydrodynamic model and kept unchanged during the initialization process. This dynamic initialization procedure provides an equilibrium tracer distribution that is balanced with the velocity and diffusivity fields from the hydrodynamic model. This equilibrium BL distribution was used as the initial BL field for 3 days of prognostic calculations. Two cross-shore surveys of bioluminescence data conducted at two locations (north of the bay and inside the bay) were used in four numerical experiments designed to estimate the limits of bioluminescence predictions by tracers. The cross-shore sections extended to around 25 km offshore, they were around 30 m deep, and on average they were approximately 35 km apart from each other. Bioluminescence predictability experiments demonstrated a strong utility of the tracer model (combined with limited bioluminescence observations and with the output from a circulation model) in predicting (over a 72-h period and over 25–35-km distances) the location and intensity of the BL maximum. Analysis of the model velocity fields and observed and model-predicted bioluminesence fields shows that the BL maximum is located in the frontal area representing a strong reversal of flow direction.
Psychiatric Morbidity Among Housemaids in Kuwait III: Vulnerability Factors
Authors: Zahid Muhammad Ajmal , Fido Abdullahi , Alowaish Rashed , Mohsen Mohamed Abd El-Motaal , Razik Mohammed Abdul 
Published: July 2003

Background: Housemaids are a relatively homogenous immigrant subgroup in terms of their gender; ethnic origin; and socio-cultural, educational and occupational background. Psychiatric morbidity among housemaids is two to five times higher than the native female population. Aims: To determine the possible pre-immigration risk factors for prospective psychiatric breakdown among the housemaids. Methods: The sample consisted of all the housemaids ( N = 197) hospitalised during the two-year study period. The controls comprised all the newly arrived housemaids ( N = 502). The measures obtained included demographic characteristics and previous history of physical illness, psychiatric illness, hospitalisation and family history of psychiatric disorder. Results: More than a quarter of the hospitalised group broke down within one month of their arrival. The hospitalised group had a significant excess of Sri Lankan housemaids; non-Muslims; those with less than four years of education and those with a previous history of physical illness, psychiatric illness or hospitalisation. Conclusions: A number of potential risk factors results in premature repatriation of housemaids on mental health grounds. Preventive measures involving recruitment procedures and pre-departure orientation courses are needed to minimise the expatriate failure among the housemaids.