bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sevoflurane Blocks Cholinergic Synaptic Transmission Postsynaptically but Does Not Affect Short-term Potentiation
Authors: Naruo Hiroaki , Onizuka Shin , Prince David , Takasaki Mayumi , Syed Naweed I. 
Published: April 2005

Background
As compared with their effects on both inhibitory and excitatory synapses, little is known about the mechanisms by which general anesthetics affect synaptic plasticity that forms the basis for learning and memory at the cellular level. To test whether clinically relevant concentrations of sevoflurane affect short-term potentiation involving cholinergic synaptic transmission, the soma-soma synapses between identified, postsynaptic neurons were used.

Methods
Uniquely identifiable neurons visceral dorsal 4 (presynaptic) and left pedal dorsal 1 (postsynaptic) of the mollusk Lymnaea stagnalis were isolated from the intact ganglion and paired overnight in a soma-soma configuration. Simultaneous intracellular recordings coupled with fluorescent imaging of the FM1-43 dye were made in either the absence or the presence of sevoflurane.

Results
Cholinergic synapses, similar to those observed in vivo, developed between the neurons, and the synaptic transmission exhibited classic short-term, posttetanic potentiation. Action potential-induced (visceral dorsal 4), 1:1 excitatory postsynaptic potentials were reversibly and significantly suppressed by sevoflurane in a concentration-dependent manner. Fluorescent imaging with the dye FM1-43 revealed that sevoflurane did not affect presynaptic exocytosis or endocytosis; instead, postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors were blocked in a concentration-dependent manner. To test the hypothesis that sevoflurane affects short-term potentiation, a posttetanic potentiation paradigm was used, and synaptic transmission was examined in either the presence or the absence of sevoflurane. Although 1.5% sevoflurane significantly reduced synaptic transmission between the paired cells, it did not affect the formation or retention of posttetanic potentiation at this synapse.

Conclusions
This study demonstrates that sevoflurane blocks cholinergic synaptic transmission postsynaptically but does not affect short-term synaptic plasticity at the visceral dorsal 4-left pedal dorsal 1 synapse.
Xenon Attenuates Cerebral Damage after Ischemia in Pigs
Authors: Schmidt Michael , Marx Thomas , Glöggl Egon , Reinelt Helmut , Schirmer Uwe 
Published: April 2005

Background
Cerebral blood flow may be compromised in a variety of anesthetic procedures, and ischemic cerebral complications represent the leading cause of morbidity after cardiac operations. With the growing importance of neuroprotective strategies, the current study was designed to determine whether xenon would attenuate cardiac arrest-induced brain injury in pigs.

Methods
Twenty-four pigs (aged 12-16 weeks) were investigated in a randomized design. General hemodynamics, intracranial pressure, brain tissue oxygenation, and cerebral microdialysis parameters were investigated. The animals were assigned to two groups to receive anesthesia with either xenon (75%) in oxygen (25%) or total intravenous anesthesia combined with air in oxygen (25%) ventilation 15 min before cardiac arrest. After induction (t0) of cardiac arrest of 4 min, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed for 1 min, and the induced ventricular fibrillation was terminated by electrical defibrillation. The investigation time was 240 min.

Results
Approximately 60 s after cardiac arrest, brain tissue oxygenation decreased to a critical level of less than 5 mmHg, paralleled by a decrease in electroencephalographic activity. Glycerol as a damage marker increased significantly (> 200 m; P < 0.05), with a peak 90 min after cardiac arrest in both groups. Glycerol concentrations during reperfusion were significantly lower and normalized faster in the xenon group as compared with the total intravenous anesthesia group.

Conclusion
Although the primary ischemic lesion in this model was similar in both groups, the cerebral microdialysis data show that xenon induces a differential neurochemical benefit in cerebral cell damage and metabolism as compared with total intravenous anesthesia in vivo during cerebral reperfusion after cardiac arrest in a pig model.
Volatile Anesthetics Enhance Flash-induced γ Oscillations in Rat Visual Cortex
Authors: Imas Olga A. , Ropella Kristina M. , Ward B Douglas , Wood James D. , Hudetz Anthony G. 
Published: April 2005

Background
The authors sought to understand neural correlates of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness. Cortical gamma oscillations have been associated with neural processes supporting conscious perception, but the effect of general anesthesia on these oscillations is controversial. In this study, the authors examined three volatile anesthetics, halothane, isoflurane, and desflurane, and compared their effects on flash-induced gamma oscillations in terms of equivalent concentrations producing the loss of righting reflex (1 minimum alveolar concentration for the loss of righting [MAC(LR)]).

Methods
Light flashes were presented every 5 s for 5 min, and event-related potentials were recorded from primary visual cortex of 15 rats with a chronically implanted bipolar electrode at increasing anesthetic concentrations (0-2.4 MAC(LR)). Early cortical response was obtained by averaging poststimulus (0-100 ms) potentials filtered at 20-60 Hz across 60 trials. Late (100-1,000 ms) gamma power was calculated using multitaper power spectral technique. Wavelet decomposition was used to determine spectral and temporal distributions of gamma power.

Results
The authors found that (1) halothane, isoflurane, and desflurane enhanced the flash-evoked early cortical response in a concentration-dependent manner; (2) the effective concentration for this enhancement was the lowest for isoflurane, intermediate for halothane, and the highest for desflurane when compared at equal fractions of the concentration that led to a loss of righting; (3) the power of flash-induced late (> 100 ms) gamma oscillations was augmented at intermediate concentrations of all three anesthetic agents; and (4) flash-induced gamma power was not reduced below waking baseline even in deep anesthesia.

Conclusions
These findings suggest that a reduction in flash-induced gamma oscillations in rat visual cortex is not a unitary correlate of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness.
Selective Thromboxane A2Synthase Inhibition by OKY-046 Prevents Cardiopulmonary Dysfunction after Ovine Smoke Inhalation Injury
Authors: Westphal Martin , Noshima Shinji , Isago Tsukasa , Fujioka Kentarou , Maybauer Marc O. , Maybauer Dirk M. , Traber Lillian D. , Flynn John T. , Westphal-Varghese Beena B. , Traber Daniel L. 
Published: April 2005

Background
Because thromboxane A2 is implicated in the pathophysiology of acute lung injury, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of selective thromboxane A2 synthase inhibition on cardiopulmonary function in the experimental setting of severe smoke inhalation injury.

Methods
Sixteen adult sheep were operatively instrumented for chronic study. The injured intervention group was treated with the selective thromboxane A2 synthase inhibitor OKY-046, whereas the injured control group received only the vehicle (n = 8 each).

Results
The progressive increase in thromboxane B2 lung lymph concentrations in control animals was associated with increased transvascular fluid flux, augmented resistances in the pulmonary and systemic circulation, and a reciprocal decrease in cardiac output. In addition, end-systolic pressure-diameter relation and maximum +dp/dt were markedly depressed as compared with baseline (24 h: 14.3 +/- 0.9 vs. 8.9 +/- 0.5 mmHg/mm and 2,120 +/- 50 vs. 1,915 +/- 40 mmHg/s, respectively; each P < 0.05). Infusion of OKY-046 significantly inhibited pulmonary thromboxane B2 delivery, attenuated the early increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, and blocked the increase in systemic vascular resistance. In addition, OKY-046 blunted and delayed the decrease in cardiac output and maintained end-systolic pressure-diameter relation, +dp/dt, and lung lymph flow at baseline values.

Conclusions
These findings suggest that selective thromboxane A2 synthase inhibition may represent a goal-directed therapeutic approach to alleviate cardiovascular and pulmonary dysfunction in the setting of smoke inhalation injury.
Intravenous Lidocaine Relieves Spinal Cord Injury Pain
Authors: Finnerup Nanna B. , Biering-Sørensen Fin , Johannesen Inger L. , Terkelsen Astrid J. , Juhl Gitte I. , Kristensen Anders D. , Sindrup Søren H. , Bach Flemming W. , Jensen Troels S. 
Published: April 2005

Background
Neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury is a common challenging therapeutic condition. The current study examines the analgesic effect of the sodium channel blocker lidocaine on neuropathic pain in patients with spinal cord injury and the predictive role of concomitant evoked pain on pain relief with lidocaine.

Methods
Twenty-four spinal cord injury patients with neuropathic pain at or below the level of injury were randomized and completed a double-blind crossover trial of 5 mg/kg lidocaine and placebo infused over 30 min. Twelve patients reported evoked pain, and 12 patients had no evoked pain. Spontaneous and evoked pains were assessed using a visual analog scale and quantitative sensory testing.

Results
Lidocaine significantly reduced spontaneous pain in all patients (P < 0.01) and in each of the two groups with (P < 0.01) and without (P = 0.048) evoked pain, with no difference in number of responders (pain reduction > or = 33%) between the patients with (n = 6) and without (n = 5) evoked pain. Lidocaine significantly relieved both at-level and below-level neuropathic pain and decreased brush-evoked dysesthesia but not cold allodynia, pinprick hyperalgesia, or pain evoked by repetitive pinprick.

Conclusions
Lidocaine reduced neuropathic pain at and below the level of injury irrespective of the presence or absence of evoked pain. Results are consistent with a central-acting effect of sodium channel blockers acting on neuronal hyperexcitability. Agents (such as anticonvulsants or antiarrhythmics) with sodium channel-blocking properties may be a treatment option for spinal cord injury pain.
3D model‐based free‐form object recognition – a review
Authors: Saeed Mian Ajmal , Bennamoun Mohammed , Owens Robyn 
Published: April 2005

PurposeIn model‐based recognition the 3D models of objects are stored in a model library during an offline phase. During the online recognition phase, a view of the scene is matched with the model library to identify the location and pose of certain library objects in the scene. Aims to focus on the process of 3D modeling and model‐based recognition.Design/methodology/approachThis paper discusses the process of 3D modeling and model‐based recognition along with their potential applications in industry with a particular emphasis on robot grasp analysis. The paper also emphasises the main challenges in these areas and give a brief literature review.FindingsIn order to develop an automatic 3D model‐based object recognition system it is necessary to automate the process of 3D modeling and recognition. The challenge in automating the 3D modeling process is to develop an automatic correspondence technique. The core of recognition is the representation scheme. Recognition is an online process. Therefore, representation and matching must be very fast in order to facilitate real time recognition.Practical implicationsThere are numerous applications of 3D modeling in a variety of areas ranging from the entertainment industry to industrial automation. Some of its applications include computer graphics, virtual reality, medical imaging, reverse engineering, and 3D terrain construction.Originality/valueProvides information on 3D modeling which constitutes an important part of computer vision or robot vision.
Knowledge management for sustainable competitiveness in small and medium surveying practices
Authors: Egbu Charles O. , Hari Subashini , Renukappa Suresh H. 
Published: April 2005

PurposeAn investigation of the importance of the knowledge of the key individuals in organisations, knowledge within organisations as well as customer capital and knowledge; and how these might impact on sustainable competitive advantage of small and medium sized enterprises. The key challenges for knowledge‐intensive SMEs are the identification, capture, storing, mapping, dissemination and creation of knowledge from different perspectives and for different purposes.Design/methodology/approachBased on a thorough review of literature and field study, this paper presents and discusses the benefits of knowledge management (KM) for sustainable competitiveness in SMEs in surveying practices. A field study was conducted, involving 12 professionals from eleven organisations, of which 2 of the 11 organisations were surveying practices.FindingsThe paper highlights the role of strategies, tools and techniques which might be of assistance. The paper concludes that managing knowledge assets in SME is not easy. It is an integrated and complex social process, which has culture, people, finance, technology and organisational structures at its core. The paper also notes that SMEs can benefit from effective KM practices for sustainable competitiveness.Research limitations/implicationsRecommendations are offered to surveying practices that are already involved with formal KM initiatives and those SMEs that aspire to do so.Originality/valueAn innovative study applying knowledge management principles to small and medium sized surveying practices.
Factors affecting construction labour productivity for Malaysian residential projects
Authors: Abdul Kadir M.R. , Lee W.P. , Jaafar M.S. , Sapuan S.M. , Ali A.A.A. 
Published: April 2005

PurposeConstruction labour productivity is of great interest to practitioners and researchers because it affects project cost and time overrun. This paper evaluates and ranks the importance, frequency and severity of project delay factors that affect the construction labour productivity for Malaysian residential projects.Design/methodology/approachA total of 100 respondents consisting of 70 contractors, 11 developers and 19 consultants participated in this study. The respondents were asked to indicate how important each item of a list of 50 project related factors was to construction labour productivity. The data were then subjected to the calculation of importat indices which enabled the factors to be ranked.FindingsThe five most important factors identified by them were: material shortage at site; non‐payment to suppliers causing the stoppage of material delivery to site; change order by consultants; late issuance of construction drawing by consultants; and incapability of contractors' site management to organise site activities. On the other hand, the five most frequent factors were: material shortage at project site; non‐payment to suppliers causing the stoppage of material delivery to site; late issuance of progress payment by the client to main contractor; lack of foreign and local workers in the market; and coordination problem between the main contractor and subcontractor.Originality/valueThe inferences drawn from this study could be used by the project managers to take account of these factors at an early stage, hence minimising the time and cost overrun.
Implementation of strategies in continuing education
Authors: Kettunen Juha 
Published: April 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide higher education institutions with strategies of continuing education and methods to communicate and implement these strategies.Design/methodology/approachThe balanced scorecard approach is used to implement the strategy. It translates the strategy into tangible objectives, measures and targets and balances them into four different perspectives: customer, finance, internal processes, and learning.FindingsThe strategy of focus combined with the strategy of cost‐efficiency is applicable for higher education institutions. These strategies can be adjusted, for example, to profitable growth in continuing education.Research limitations/implicationsThe balanced scorecard approach can be used widely in higher education institutions and with slight modifications in other public sector organisations. The customer perspective typically includes the desired objectives in the public sector, contrary to the private sector where it is reasonable to place finance at the top of the perspectives.Practical implicationsThe study also presents a useful example of how the strategy can be described using the concept of a strategy map and numerical balanced scorecards.Originality/valueIt turns out that the strategies of focus and cost‐effectiveness and the balanced scorecard approach, developed in the business literature, can be successfully applied in continuing education.
Performance management in the UK public sector
Authors: McAdam Rodney , Hazlett Shirley‐Ann , Casey Christine 
Published: April 2005

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to explore the issues involved in developing and applying performance management approaches within a large UK public sector department using a multiple stakeholder perspective and an accompanying theoretical framework.Design/methodology/approachAn initial short questionnaire was used to determine perceptions about the implementation and effectiveness of the new performance management system across the organisation. In total, 700 questionnaires were distributed. Running concurrently with an ethnographic approach, and informed by the questionnaire responses, was a series of semi‐structured interviews and focus groups.FindingsStaff at all levels had an understanding of the new system and perceived it as being beneficial. However, there were concerns that the approach was not continuously managed throughout the year and was in danger of becoming an annual event, rather than an ongoing process. Furthermore, the change process seemed to have advanced without corresponding changes to appraisal and reward and recognition systems. Thus, the business objectives were not aligned with motivating factors within the organisation.Research limitations/implicationsAdditional research to test the validity and usefulness of the theoretical model, as discussed in this paper, would be beneficial.Practical implicationsThe strategic integration of the stakeholder performance measures and scorecards was found to be essential to producing an overall stakeholder‐driven strategy within the case study organisation.Originality/valueThis paper discusses in detail the approach adopted and the progress made by one large UK public sector organisation, as it attempts to develop better relationships with all of its stakeholders and hence improve its performance. This paper provides a concerted attempt to link theory with practice.
The value of online surveys
Authors: Evans Joel R. , Mathur Anil 
Published: April 2005

PurposeTo provide a thorough analysis of the role of the internet in survey research and to discuss the implications of online surveys becoming such a major force in research.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is divided into four major sections: an analysis of the strengths and potential weaknesses of online surveys; a comparison of online surveys with other survey formats; a discussion on the best uses for online surveys and how their potential weaknesses may be moderated; and an overview of the online survey services being offered by the world's largest research firms.FindingsIf conducted properly, online surveys have significant advantages over other formats. However, it is imperative that the potential weaknesses of online surveys be mitigated and that online surveys only be used when appropriate. Outsourcing of online survey functions is growing in popularity.Practical implicationsThe paper provides a very useful source of information and impartial advice for any professional who is considering the use of online surveys.Originality/valueThe paper synthesizes the vast literature related to online surveys, presents original material related to survey methodology, and offers a number of recommendations.
Interannual variation in Neocalanus biomass in the Oyashio waters of the western North Pacific
Authors: TADOKORO KAZUAKI , CHIBA SANAE , ONO TSUNEO , MIDORIKAWA TAKASHI , SAINO TOSHIRO 
Published: April 2005

AbstractWe examined the interannual variation in Neocalanus copepod biomass in the Oyashio waters in spring and summer from 1972 to 1999. In the mid‐1970s, mesozooplankton biomass in spring was high; however, it decreased significantly in the late 1970s. The timing of the decrease in mesozooplankton biomass corresponded to the 1976/77 climatic regime shift. The biomass of N. flemingeri, which dominated the Neocalanus community, was roughly constant from 1980 to 1999. Although species‐level estimates of Neocalanus biomass were not available for the 1970s, a previous study reported that Neocalanus copepods were the predominant mesozooplankton in the Oyashio waters in spring during the 1970s. Neocalanus copepods dominated the mesozooplankton community throughout the 1970s, and their biomass decreased in the late 1970s. Springtime net community production, an index of new production, also decreased in the late 1970s. We suggest that the reduction in new production negatively affected Neocalanus food availability, resulting decreased copepod biomass. New production may have been limited by a combination of subsurface iron supplies, increased vertical density gradient, and reduced vertical water mixing in winter, which resulted in diminished iron entrainment in winter. In summer, mesozooplankton biomass significantly decreased and increased synchronously with the 1976/77 and 1988/89 climatic regime shifts. The biomass of N. plumchrus, which dominated the Neocalanus community, was low in the 1980s and increased in the early 1990s. The biomass of the second‐most dominant copepod, N. cristatus, also increased in the early 1990s. Neocalanus copepods were reported to be a dominant component of the mesozooplankton community in the 1970s; Neocalanus biomass was high in the mid‐1970s and decreased in the late 1970s. Japanese sardine (Sardinops melanostictus), an important predator of Neocalanus copepods, exhibited interannual variation in standing stock that was inversely related to mesozooplankton biomass. At their peak in 1984, sardines consumed 32–138% of the daily Neocalanus production during summer. Therefore, predation pressure on Neocalanus by Japanese sardine is likely to affect interannual variation in mesozooplankton biomass during the summer.