bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of annealing and lithium substitution on conductivity in nickel–cobalt oxide spinel films
Authors: Owings Robert R. , Holloway Paul H. , Exarhos Gregory J. , Windisch Charles F. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractMixed transition‐metal oxide spinels exhibit high electrical conductivity and enhanced infrared transmissivity resulting from the presence of small polarons in the NiCo2O4 lattice. Polarons are formed as a result of judicious choice of component metal cations and attendant resident cation charge states. Substitution of lithium for cobalt (Ni1+xCo2−x−zLizO4) while maintaining the spinel stoichiometry and controlled post‐deposition annealing was found to influence measured conductivity in both solution‐ and sputter‐deposited thin films. For lithium concentrations < 10% an improvement in conductivity was observed, depending upon whether the oxide film was deposited from solution (large increase) or sputter deposited (small increase). However, higher lithium concentrations degraded conductivity. Both XPS and SIMS analyses of films with high lithium concentrations (z > 0.3) revealed that lithium was concentrated near the film surface and the formation of carbonate was detected by XPS and Fourier transform infrared data. Results indicate that additions of lithium to transition‐metal spinel oxides can lead to increased conductivity by increased polaron formation. However, in high concentration, lithium is an interstitial that diffuses to the surface to form compounds that degrade electrical conductivity. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A population genetic model for lateral dimorphism frequency in fishes
Authors: Nakajima Mifuyu , Matsuda Hiroyuki , Hori Michio 
Published: April 2005

AbstractTwo morphological types, righty and lefty, are found in several fish species. Righty predators mainly prey on lefty prey and vice versa (called “cross predation”). This dimorphism is heritable in a Mendelian one‐locus–two‐allele fashion. The frequency of righty individuals in a population oscillates periodically. To determine the effect of cross predation on this oscillation, we constructed mathematical models that describe a genetic basis of lateral dimorphism assuming genetic drift in a one‐predator–two‐prey system and three trophic levels with omnivory. Both models have an equilibrium of both righty and lefty types at a frequency of 0.5. Mathematical analyses and computer simulations showed that the dimorphism is maintained and that its frequency oscillated with or without genetic drift. Large degrees of drift and high intrinsic growth rates and predation efficiencies of prey species caused the frequency oscillations to be amplified and their period to be long. When cross predation decreased as a proportion of all predation, the righty frequency of a prey species fluctuated non‐periodically. These differences in fluctuation patterns were observed in natural systems. Our model suggests that both cross predation and genetic drift dictate the maintenance of dimorphism and the patterns of its fluctuations.
Blowing up solutions for an elliptic Neumann problem with sub- or supercritical nonlinearity. Part II: \( N\geq4 \)
Authors: Rey Olivier , Wei Juncheng 
Published: April 2005

We consider the sub- or supercritical Neumann elliptic problem

−\mathrm{\Delta }u + \mu u = u^{\frac{N + 2}{N−2} + ɛ}

,

u > 0

in

Ω

;

\frac{\partial u}{\partial n} = 0

on

∂Ω

,

Ω

being a smooth bounded domain in

\mathbb{R}^{N}

,

N⩾4

,

\mu > 0

and

ɛ \neq 0

a small number. We show that for

ɛ > 0

, there always exists a solution to the slightly supercritical problem, which blows up at the most curved part of the boundary as

ɛ

goes to zero. On the other hand, for

ɛ < 0

, assuming that the domain is not convex, there also exists a solution to the slightly subcritical problem, which blows up at the least curved part of the domain.

Résumé

Ω

étant un domaine borné régulier de

\mathbb{R}^{N}

,

N⩾4

, on considère le problème elliptique de Neumann

−\mathrm{\Delta }u + \mu u = u^{\frac{N + 2}{N−2} + ɛ}

,

u > 0

dans

Ω

;

\frac{\partial u}{\partial n} = 0

sur

∂Ω

, où

\mu > 0

est un paramètre fixé. On montre que pour

ɛ > 0

assez petit, le problème admet une solution non-constante, qui se concentre quand

ɛ

tend vers zéro en un point de la frontière où la courbure moyenne est maximum. En supposant que le domaine n'est pas convexe, on montre aussi, pour

ɛ < 0

assez proche de zéro, l'existence d'une solution non-constante, qui se concentre quand

ɛ

tend vers zéro en un point de la frontière où la courbure moyenne est minimum.
Nonlinear problems with solutions exhibiting a free boundary on the boundary
Authors: Montenegro Marcelo , Dávila Juan 
Published: April 2005

We prove existence of nonnegative solutions to

−\mathrm{\Delta }u + u = 0

on a smooth bounded domain

Ω

subject to the singular boundary derivative condition

\frac{\partial u}{\partial \nu } = −u^{−\beta } + \lambda f(x,u)

on

\partial \Omega \cap \{u > 0\}

with

0 < \beta < 1

. There is a constant

\lambda ^{ \ast }

such that for

0 < \lambda < \lambda ^{ \ast }

every nonnegative solution vanishes on a subset of the boundary with positive surface measure. For

\lambda > \lambda ^{ \ast }

we show the existence of a maximal positive solution. We analyze its linearized stability and its regularity. Minimizers of the energy functional related to the problem are shown to be regular and satisfy the equation together with the boundary condition.

Résumé

Nous démontrons l'existence de solutions

u⩾0

de l'équation

−\mathrm{\Delta }u + u = 0

sur un domaine borné régulier

Ω

avec la condition de Neumann singulière suivante :

\frac{\partial u}{\partial \nu } = −u^{−\beta } + \lambda f(x,u)

sur

\partial \Omega \cap \{u > 0\}

oú

0 < \beta < 1

. Il existe une constante

\lambda ^{ \ast }

telle que pour

0 < \lambda < \lambda ^{ \ast }

, toute solution

u⩾0

s'annule sur une partie du bord, de mesure (surfacique) strictement positive. Pour

\lambda > \lambda ^{ \ast }

, nous démontrons l'existence d'une solution maximale positive. Nous analysons ses propriétés de stabilité linéaire et de régularité. On démontre que les minimiseurs de la fonctionnelle d'énergie associée sont réguliers et vérifient l'équation ainsi que la condition de bord.
Uric acid renal excretion and renal insufficiency in decompensated severe heart failure
Authors: Ochiai Marcelo E. , Barretto Antonio C.P. , Oliveira Múcio T. , Munhoz Robinson T. , Morgado Paulo C. , Ramires José A.F. 
Published: April 2005

ObjectiveTo evaluate uric acid renal excretion, hyperuricemia, renal dysfunction, and prognosis in patients with decompensated severe heart failure, as there are few data available.MethodsOne hundred and twenty‐two patients, hospitalized for heart failure decompensation, in NYHA class IV, were classified into 3 groups as follows. Pilot group [ejection fraction (EF)≤0.45, n=16], group 1 (EF≤0.45, n=90), and group 2 (EF>0.45 and valvular dysfunction, n=16). The patients in groups 1 and 2 underwent assessment of creatinine and uric acid clearance before and after pyrazinamide, to estimate uric acid tubular secretion. Uric acid clearance <6.8 mL/min and secretion <170 μg/min were considered reduced. In groups 1 and pilot (n=106), mortality was analyzed by Cox regression model, and the prognostic value of hyperuricemia was assessed by ROC curve.ResultsIn groups 1 and 2, respectively, serum uric acid was 511.7 and 422.5 mol/L, and creatinine clearance was 46.7 and 61.4 mL/min. Uric acid clearance (3.2 vs. 3.9 mL/min) and tubular secretion (116 vs. 128 μg/min) were not different, but lower than normal values. In groups 1 and pilot, the 12‐month mortality was 46.4% (CI 95%: 36.7%−56.0%). At end of follow‐up, mortality was associated with impaired creatinine clearance (p<0.001), but not with hyperuricemia (p=0.236).ConclusionsIn patients with decompensated severe heart failure, the tubular secretion and the clearance of uric acid were reduced. Renal dysfunction was associated with mortality, but hyperuricemia was not.
Effects of carvedilol on oxidative stress and chronotropic response to exercise in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Castro Pablo , Vukasovic José Luis , Chiong Mario , Díaz‐Araya Guillermo , Alcaino Hernán , Copaja Miguel , Valenzuela Rodrigo , Greig Douglas , Pérez Osvaldo , Corbalan Ramón , Lavandero Sergio 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBackground:Our previous studies suggest that the increase in heart rate from rest to peak exercise is reduced in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and this is associated with increased oxidative stress, as determined by malondialdehyde (MDA) plasma levels.Aim:To investigate the effects of carvedilol on the heart rate response to exercise and oxidative stress in patients with CHF.Methods and results:Thirty stable NYHA classes II—III CHF patients received carvedilol therapy for 6 months, at a mean maintenance dose of 25 mg (range 6.25—50 mg/day). After treatment, the patients showed a significant improvement in their functional NYHA class (p=0.013), increased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (24±1.4% to 31±2.3%, p=0.003) and 6‐min walk distance (499±18 to 534±18 m, p=0.03), without changes in the peak VO2. At baseline, norepinephrine (NE) plasma levels increased with exercise (510±51 to 2513±230 pg/mL, p<0.001), and these levels were not affected by carvedilol. Chronotropic responsiveness index (increase in heart rate divided by the increase in NE from rest to peak exercise) was not changed by carvedilol (0.049±0.001 to 0.042±0.001, p=0.6). MDA levels of CHF patients decreased after treatment with carvedilol (2.4±0.2 to 1.1±0.2 μM, p<0.001), without changes in antioxidant enzyme activities.Conclusions:Carvedilol treatment in patients with CHF results in reduced oxidative stress without restoration of the chronotropic responsiveness index.
Influence of age and in‐patient care on prescription rate and long‐term outcome in chronic heart failure: a data‐based substudy of the EuroHeart Failure Survey
Authors: Hülsmann Martin , Berger Rudolf , Mörtl Deddo , Pacher Richard 
Published: April 2005

AimsTo evaluate the prescription rate of neurohumoral drugs in chronic heart failure patients and the factors influencing prescription rates. Outcomes and their predisposing factors were also investigated.Methods and resultsOf 1482 consecutive patients admitted to 3 Austrian hospitals participating in the EuroHeart Failure Survey, 341 were included in this data‐based substudy. Follow‐up time to evaluate outcome was up to 46 months. The prescription rates of renin–angiotensin (RAAS) antagonists and β‐blockers at the time of discharge were evaluated. The overall prescription rate and dosage were lower than the recommended levels. Hospitals with cardiac care had a significantly higher prescription rate than those without (p<0.001). Patients older than 75 years received significantly less therapy (p<0.001) and a lower dosage of RAAS antagonists (p<0.01) than younger patients. Younger patients were treated more intensively in hospitals with cardiac care (p<0.05). Patients aged >75 years were under‐treated, independent of the hospital (n.s.). Multivariate analysis showed that age was the most influencing factor on survival (X2 15.5, p<0.0001). Additional influencing factors of long‐term survival were type of the ward (X2 7.9, p<0.005) and pharmacologic treatment (X2 6.2, p<0.02).ConclusionPatients with chronic heart failure are still under‐treated in clinical practice. Younger patients benefit from hospitals with specialized cardiac care. Elderly patients are obviously under‐treated compared with younger patients. Of several clinical parameters, age was the only independent variable predicting long‐term survival.
Pre‐eclampsia with acute heart failure postpartum as primary manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Hildbrand P. , Eigenmann C. , Gugger M. , Marti H.P. , Hullin R. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractPre‐eclampsia occurs in 2–5% of pregnancies of healthy women. Here, we present a rare case of pre‐eclampsia with overt acute heart failure, which was the primary manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus with cardiac and renal involvement.
Do dialogues about concepts of pain reduce immigrant patients' reported spread of pain? A comparison between two consultation methods in primary care
Authors: Löfvander Monica B. , Engström Alf W. , Iglesias Edgar 
Published: April 2005

AbstractObjectives Do dialogues about concepts of pain reduce the reported spread of pain more than the usual consultations?Setting A 4‐week programme in primary care for immigrants on sick‐leave, aged 16–45 years, containing daily exercises and randomised to either four interviews and dialogues about pain with a female doctor (group A) or the usual consultations with a male doctor (group B).Methods Two doctors made the first and the last evaluations (before and after the programme) containing diagnostics of tender‐structure locations and depression (yes‐no), and ratings of severity of psychosocial stressors. Anxiety about pain was noted (yes‐no). The patients pointed to their painful areas and these were noted on pain drawings (0–18 fields). Median values were calculated, and non‐parametric statistics were used to test for significant differences between groups and before‐and‐after values, and the correlation between the number of pain drawing fields and clinical variables.Results Forty‐five persons participated in the whole programme, Group A (8 men, 15 women), group B (7 men, 15 women). Many of them needed an interpreter. Participants in group A had more tender‐structure locations (two vs. one in group B). Nearly half had depression and two‐thirds had serious psychosocial stressors. Almost all reported anxiety about pain at the start, but afterwards significantly fewer in group A (22 vs. 16, p < 0.05). In both groups, the number of pain drawing fields decreased significantly from, in median, eight to four (p < 0.001), particularly among the women (A: p < 0.05 vs. B: p < 0.01). Some very distressed participants reported more spread of pain than at the start. Reduced spread of pain was not significantly correlated to any clinical variable.Conclusions Particularly the women in both consultation groups demonstrated much less spread of pain after treatment, despite similar clinical findings and less anxiety about pain in group A. The initially wide spread of pain may thus have been a way of communicating with the doctors.
Adding propacetamol to ketorolac increases the tolerance to painful pressure
Authors: Romundstad Luis , Stubhaug Audun , Niemi Geir , Rosseland Leiv Arne , Breivik Harald 
Published: April 2005

AbstractCombining an NSAID and paracetamol (acetaminophen) has in some studies given superior analgesia compared with the single drugs. In other trials no additive effect has been found. We have investigated the effect of this drug combination on the pressure pain tolerance threshold (PPTT), a reproducible correlate to clinical pain.The aim of this double blind, randomised, placebo controlled, crossover study was to evaluate the effect of i.v. propacetamol 2 g (=paracetamol 1 g) and ketorolac 30 mg, individually and in combination, on PPTT in 16 volunteers on four separate days. PPTT was measured 15 min before and at 45, 60, 90 and 150 min after the start of test drug administration. The pressure stimuli were applied on the base of a fingernail, increasing by 30 kPa/s until the pressure pain tolerance threshold was reached.For the total observation period (150 min), only the combination (propacetamol + ketorolac) increased significantly PPTT compared with baseline (P < 0.04), while PPTT decreased significantly after placebo (P < 0.01). The combination (propacetamol + ketorolac) and ketorolac alone increased PPTT compared with placebo (combination vs. placebo and ketorolac vs. placebo, P < 0.001) and with propacetamol (combination vs. propacetamol and ketorolac vs. propacetamol, P < 0.001). The combination was significantly better than ketorolac alone (P < 0.04). After propacetamol 2 g, PPTT did not change significantly neither compared with placebo or baseline.Conclusions Tolerance to repeated painful pressure (PPTT) decreased after placebo. Ketorolac 30 mg caused an increase in PPTT compared with placebo but not with baseline. Adding propacetamol 2 g to ketorolac 30 mg significantly increased PPTT. These findings support the practice of combining paracetamol with an NSAID for relief of acute pain.
Training medical students to manage a chronic pain patient: both knowledge and communication skills are needed
Authors: Leila Niemi‐Murola , Pirkko Heasman , Eeva Pyörälä , Eija Kalso , Reino Pöyhiä 
Published: April 2005

AbstractMost studies concerning pain education of undergraduate medical students focus on knowledge, but little is known about the interviewing skills and pain evaluation. At the end of the fifth study year and at the beginning of the sixth year the students were asked to answer an electronical questionnaire to evaluate how the IASP curriculum on pain had been covered during the studies. In addition, the interviewing skills of the fifth year medical students were assessed using an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). The students met a standardized patient suffering from postherpetic neuralgia, who was instructed to express depressive and exhausted feelings.A total of 97 students received the questionnaire and 35% responded with identification. All students answering the IASP questionnaire evaluated teaching of postherpetic pain and antidepressant treatment as sufficient. OSCE appeared as a feasible instrument in the assessment of chronic pain education. Eighty‐eight percent of the students made the correct diagnosis. However, only 35% asked about sleep disturbances and 16% about depression.When developing a curriculum on pain education, attention should be paid to pedagogic methods about helping the students to implement the learned knowledge in their practice. Formative assessment of both knowledge and skills is essential for the development of a functional pain curriculum.
Smoking cessation guidelines: evidence-based recommendations of the French Health Products Safety Agency
Authors: Le Foll B. , Melihan-Cheinin P. , Rostoker G. , Lagrue G. ,   for the working group of AFSSAPS
Published: April 2005

AbstractTobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in developed countries. Millions of smokers are willing to stop, but few of them are able to do so. Clinicians should only use approaches that have demonstrated their efficacy in helping patients to stop smoking. This article summarizes the evidence-based major findings and clinical recommendations for the treatment of tobacco dependence of the French Health Products Safety Agency (AFSSAPS). Clinicians should enquire about the smoking status of each patient and provide information about health consequence of smoking and effective treatments available. These treatments include counseling (mainly individual or social support and behavioral and cognitive therapy) and pharmacological treatment with either nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or bupropion LP. Pharmacological treatments should be used only for proven nicotine dependence, as assessed by the Fagerstrom test for Nicotine Dependence. The choice of pharmacologic treatment depends of the patient's preference and history and of the presence of contra-indications. The clinician should start with a single agent, but these treatments may be used in combination. Smoking behavior is a chronic problem that requires long-term management and follow-up. Access to intensive treatment combining pharmacological treatment and extensive behavioral and cognitive therapy should be available for highly dependent patients.
Are eye movement abnormalities indicators of genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia?
Authors: Boudet C. , Bocca M.L. , Chabot B. , Delamillieure P. , Brazo P. , Denise P. , Dollfus S. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractFifty to eighty-five percent of schizophrenic patients are impaired on ocular pursuit paradigms. However, results regarding the relatives are more discordant. The aim of this study was to investigate whether eye movement disorders could be a vulnerability marker of schizophrenia.MethodTwenty-one schizophrenic patients (DSM-IV), 31 first-degree relatives of those patients without schizophrenic spectrum disorders, and two groups of healthy controls matched by age and sex were included. Three oculomotor tasks (smooth pursuit, reflexive saccades and antisaccades) were used.ResultsPatients had a lower averaged gain (P = 0.035) during smooth pursuit than controls, made less correct visually guided saccades (P < 0.001) and more antisaccades errors (P = 0.002) than controls. In contrast, none of the comparison between the relatives and their controls was significant.ConclusionsSchizophrenic patients were impaired on smooth pursuit and antisaccade paradigms. None of these impairments was, however, observed in their first-degree relatives. Our results suggest that the eye movement parameters tested could not be considered as vulnerability markers for schizophrenia.
Fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery MR imaging in schizophrenia-associated with idiopathic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (Gilbert's syndrome)
Authors: Miyaoka Tsuyoshi , Yasukawa Rei , Mihara Takumi , Mizuno Shoichi , Yasuda Hideaki , Sukegawa Tsuruhei , Hayashida Maiko , Inagaki Takuji , Horiguchi Jun 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBackgroundPatients with schizophrenia show a significantly higher frequency of hyperbilirubinemia the patients suffering from other psychiatric disorders and the general healthy population. The objective of the current study was to determine whether patients with schizophrenia-associated idiopathic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (Gilbert's syndrome, GS) have specific changes in signal intensities on fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance (MR) images.MethodsAxial 5-mm-thick FLAIR MR images from schizophrenia patients with GS (n = 18) and schizophrenia patients without GS (n = 18), all diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria, were compared with age- and sex-matched non-psychiatric controls (n = 18). Signal intensities in the hippocampus, amygdala, caudate, putamen, thalamus, cingulate gyrus, and insula were graded relative to cortical signal intensity in the frontal lobe.ResultsCompared to both schizophrenia patients without GS and normal controls, the schizophrenia patients with GS showed significantly increased signal intensities in almost all regions studied.ConclusionPatients with schizophrenia-associated GS have specific changes of signal intensities on FLAIR MR images, suggesting that schizophrenia with GS produces changes in the fronto-temporal cortex, limbic system, and basal ganglia.