bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How important is the dispersion interaction for cyclobis(paraquat‐p‐phenylene)‐based molecular “shuttles”? A theoretical study
Authors: Romero Carlos , Fomina Lioudmila , Fomine Serguei 
Published: November 2004

AbstractInclusion complexes of cyclobis(paraquat‐p‐phenylene) and various aromatic molecules in their neutral and oxidized form were studied at the LMP2/6‐311+G**//BHandHLYP/6‐31G* level of theory, which represents the highest level theoretical study to date for these complexes. The results show that it is dispersion interaction that contributes most to the binding energy. One electron oxidation of a guest molecule leads to complete dissociation of inclusion complex generating strong repulsion potential between guest and host molecules. Electrostatic interactions also can play an important role, provided the guest molecule has a dipole moment; however, dispersion interactions always dominate in binding energy. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
Validation of pressure ulcer risk assessment scales: a critique
Authors: Defloor Tom , Grypdonck Maria F.H. 
Published: November 2004

Aim.  The aim of this paper is to present critical analysis of the validation methods of pressure ulcer risk assessment scales.Background.  The validation of pressure ulcer risk assessment scales remains a topic of considerable debate and uncertainty. The Braden scale and Norton scale are the most frequently used. Sensitivity and specificity are the recommended and most commonly used epidemiological tools to evaluate the validity of those risk assessment scales.Discussion.  The use of preventive measures influences both the sensitivity and specificity of the scales. Analysis of published studies on risk assessment scales reveals that, although some patients received preventive measures and others did not, this was not taken into account. Consequently, generalization of those results is not possible. Some possible alternative designs for studying the validity of risk assessment scales are discussed.Conclusions.  Currently available risk assessment scales are of only limited value, and there use will result in many patients being falsely identified as at risk or not at risk. Sensitivity and specificity criteria are not the most appropriate tools to validate risk assessment scales. A risk assessment scale should be evaluated in combination with the preventive measures used.
The effect of intron location on intron‐mediated enhancement of gene expression in Arabidopsis
Authors: Rose Alan B. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryIntrons are often required for full expression of genes in organisms as diverse as plants, insects, nematodes, yeast, and mammals. To explore the potential mechanisms of intron‐mediated enhancement in Arabidopsis thaliana, the effect of varying the position of an intron was determined using a series of reporter gene fusions between TRYPTOPHAN BIOSYNTHESIS1 (TRP1) and GUS. Two introns that differ in the degree to which they stimulate expression were individually tested at six locations within coding sequences and two positions in the 3′‐UTR. The ability of the first introns from both the TRP1 and POLYUBIQUITIN10 (UBQ10) genes to elevate mRNA accumulation in transgenic plants was found to decline with distance from the promoter, despite their being efficiently spliced from all coding sequence locations. Neither intron significantly enhanced mRNA accumulation when positioned 1.1 kb or more from the start of transcription. In addition, measurements of GUS enzyme activity revealed that both introns at all locations elevated GUS activity more than they enhanced mRNA accumulation. The stimulation mediated by two of four other introns tested at the position nearest the promoter was also greater at the level of GUS activity than mRNA accumulation. These findings support a model in which introns increase transcription and promote translation by two distinct mechanisms.
Clinicians’ reported use of clinical priority assessment criteria and their attitudes to prioritization for elective surgery: a cross‐sectional survey
Authors: McLeod Deborah , Morgan Sonya , McKinlay Eileen , Dew Kevin , Cumming Jackie , Dowell Anthony , Love Tom 
Published: November 2004

Objectives:  To explore the attitudes of clinicians working in New Zealand publicly funded hospitals towards prioritizing patients for elective surgery, and their reported use of clinical priority assessment criteria (CPAC).Design:  A cross‐sectional study using a postal questionnaire. The questionnaire drew on themes identified from an earlier qualitative study. Questions were closed and information was sought about perceptions of the need to prioritize patients, effective ways of doing so and the use of CPAC.Setting:  New ZealandParticipants:  A national sample of cardiologists, cardiac, general and orthopaedic surgeons, and registrars.Results:  Three hundred and thirty‐two clinicians responded to the survey (74.1%). Respondents generally agreed that a nationally consistent method of prioritizing patients for surgery was required but felt their clinical judgement was the most effective way of prioritizing patients. Current CPAC were considered to be administrative tools and there was marked variation in their reported use. Consistent use of CPAC using the constructs provided was more likely to be reported by cardiac specialists than general or orthopaedic surgeons. Other features of the hospital system in which surgeons worked also had a major impact on access to elective surgery.Conclusions:  Clinicians recognized the need for a nationally consistent method of prioritizing patients. Although most did not consider current CPAC were effective in achieving this, many felt there was some potential in further development of tools. However, further development is problematic in the absence of objective measures of need and ability to benefit.
Audit of postoperative chemoradiotherapy as adjuvant therapy for resected gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma: an Australian multicentre experience
Authors: Hughes Brett G. M. , Yip Desmond , Chao Michael , Gibbs Peter , Carroll Susan , Goldstein David , Burmeister Bryan , Karapetis Christos 
Published: November 2004

Background:  Improved disease free and overall survivals were seen in curatively resected patients with gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma treated with the Intergroup 0116 (INT 0116) protocol of postoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy compared to surgery alone. This protocol has not been widely adopted in Australian centres because of perceived risks of toxicity.Methods:  We reviewed the case records from 45 consecutive patients treated between May 1998 and August 2003 with the INT 0116 protocol and variations at five Australian institutions. The median age was 61.5 years (range 38−79). Twenty‐nine patients had gastric and 12 had gastroesophageal junction primaries. All patients had attempted curative resection, however, seven had involved microscopic margins (R1 resection). Thirty‐five had regional node involvement and none had evidence of distant metastasis.Results:  The overall National Cancer Institute − Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI‐CTC) version 2.0 grade 3 and grade 4 toxicity rates for all patients were 37.8% and 4.4%, respectively. There were no treatment related deaths. Gastrointestinal grade 3 toxicity was observed in 20% of patients, while haematologic grade 3 and 4 toxicity was observed in 17.8%. Toxicities experienced led to chemotherapy dose reductions in 22 patients and dose delay in 11 patients. Seven patients had a delay in radiotherapy and two did not proceed with radiotherapy. At a median follow up of 16 months (range 5−35) from surgery, 28 patients have relapsed (six with local recurrence alone) with 22 deaths occurring, all but one caused by cancer.Conclusion:  The INT 0116 protocol is a safe and feasible schedule in a multicentre setting with an acceptable rate of toxicity and is an appropriate adjuvant treatment option for high‐risk resected gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.
Use of heparin to lower the incidence of phlebitis induced by anti‐neoplastic agents used in ovarian cancer
Authors: Ikeda Shun‐ichi , Douchi Tsutomu , Nagata Yukihiro 
Published: November 2004

AbstractAim:  To investigate whether heparin infusion with the administration of anti‐neoplastic agents in ovarian cancer can reduce the occurrence of phlebitis as a complication of chemotherapy.Methods:  The subjects were 20 patients with ovarian cancer who developed phlebitis following their first course of anti‐cancer chemotherapy. In the subsequent chemotherapy course, 10 patients received heparin infusion of 5000 U, starting 3 h before the administration of anti‐neoplastic agents and continuing concomitantly with the agents for 12 h. The other 10 patients (control) were treated with anti‐neoplastic agents alone.Results:  Only one (10%) of 10 patients who had received heparin developed phlebitis, while eight patients (80%) in the control group did (P = 0.005). In the heparin group, there were no toxic effects of heparin observed. The prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, and platelet count did not differ before and after the completion of chemotherapy.Conclusion:  Concurrent infusion of heparin and anti‐neoplastic agents in ovarian cancer is a safe and effective method of preventing phlebitis induced by chemotherapy.
The Self: the Incredulous Stare Articulated
Authors: Inwagen Peter van 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThis paper is an examination of Galen Strawson’s theory of the human person as a succession of momentary selves (or SESMETs: Subjects of Experience that are Single MEntal Things). Insofar as there is a clear distinction between enduring objects and events or processes, SESMETs would seem to partake of the features of both, for they are at once short‐lived subjects of consciousness and brief episodes of consciousness. Strawson in fact rejects the object/ process distinction, and contends that there is no sense in which a SESMET is a process and a rock is not a process. Strawson’s rejection of the object/process distinction is essential to his attempt to meet the charge that the concept of a SESMET is an incoherent conflation of the concept ‘object’ and the concept ‘process.’ But many philosophers will find the rejection of the object/process distinction objectionable on general metaphysical grounds. I suggest that these philosophers (I am one of them) and Strawson will not be able usefully to discuss issues in the philosophy of mind (such as his theory of SESMETs) till they have reached agreement about what the most fundamental ontological categories are.
Civilization in Color: The Multicultural City in Three Millennia
Authors: De Souza Briggs Xavier 
Published: November 2004

How should democratic societies and the cities that propel them respond to increased social diversity? Surprisingly few studies compare cities on their capacity to manage social diversity or offer historical views of the bases for co‐existence among identity groups. Studies of this crucial theme that do offer comparative reach are limited to higher‐level analyses (e.g., of race and nation making in the modern global order) or partial views (e.g., of economic inequality by race or ethnic politics in contemporary cities). This study, an exercise in theory building, examines three large, history‐making, and famously diverse cities that relied on distinct designs for society to accommodate diversity: ancient Rome, medieval Cordoba, and contemporary Los Angeles. Comparisons across such huge spans of time and major culture shifts yield lessons obscured in current debates over inequality, multiculturalism, or the need for tolerance. Three of the most important lessons relate to the power of integrative societal projects much larger than cities; the co‐existence throughout history of separatism or cultural mosaic patterns alongside active cross‐cultural exchange and hybridization; and the need to bound pluralistic ideals within a strong, locally viable public order. In earlier periods of history, autocracy provided such order for standout pluralist cities and the civilizations they led. Come, come whoever you are. Ours is not a caravan of despair. —Rumi, 13th‐century Persian poet
Comparison of voluntary feed intake, rumen passage and degradation kinetics between crossbred Brahmam cattle (Bos indicus) and swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) fed a fattening diet based on corn silage
Authors: ICHINOHE Toshiyoshi , ORDEN Edgar A. , DEL BARRIO Arnel N. , LAPITAN Rosalina M. , FUJIHARA Tsutomu , CRUZ Libertado C. , KANAI Yukio 
Published: November 2004

ABSTRACTThree crossbred tropical cattle and three crossbred buffaloes, fitted with rumen cannulas, were used to investigate the differences in feed intake, digestibility and parameters with rumen degradation kinetics between cattle and buffalo fed a fattening diet in the Philippines. The animals were fed a diet consisting of 50% corn silage (CS), 30% brewer's grain (BG) and 20% concentrate mixture (CM) on a dry matter (DM) basis, at a level of 3% bodyweight (BW) as DM. Total DM intake (DMI) and rumen fill were greater (P < 0.05) for buffaloes than for cattle, but significant differences were not detected between the animal species when those were expressed as percentage of BW. The DMI per metabolic body size for BG and CM were greater for buffaloes than for cattle (P < 0.05), whereas that of CS did not differ between the species (P > 0.05). The weight proportion of consumed feedstuffs differed between cattle and buffaloes (P < 0.05), although nutrient intake per total DMI did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the animal species. Nutrients digestibility was higher (P < 0.05) for buffaloes than for cattle. Ruminal passage rate constant of feed particles and rumen fluid did not differ (P > 0.05) between the animal species. Higher DM degradation rate constant and effective degradability with CS were prominent for buffaloes than for cattle (P < 0.05). Degradation parameters did not differ (P > 0.05) between cattle and buffaloes, neither with BG nor CM. The results indicate that the greater digestibility with DM and energy for buffaloes are ascribable to greater effective degradability of CS fedad libitumlevel.
DATA REDUCTION TECHNIQUES AND EXTRACTION OF PHYSICS PARAMETERS IN THE ICARUS DETECTOR
Authors: VENTURA SANDRO 
Published: November 2004

A liquid argon time projection chamber (LAr-TPC) working as an electronic bubblechamber, continually sensitive, self-triggering, able to provide 3-D imaging of any ionizing event together with a good calorimetric response was first proposed by Carlo Rubbia in 1977. In order to verify the feasibility of such a detector, the ICARUS collaboration started in 1985 an intensive R&D program aiming to solve the main technological problems. The satisfactory results obtained on small scale tests allowed us to start in 1989 the construction of a 3 ton prototype which is presently working at CERN under stable conditions without interruptions since May 1991, collecting events from cosmic rays and monochromatic gamma ray sources. The paper describes the working principles of such a detector, showing the results of the research program applied in the present prototype. Some emphasis is put into the description of the read-out apparatus, a custom designed VME-based multichannel waveform recorder. The huge number of channels and the high sampling rate essential to achieve the high resolution in the track detection make the data acquisition architecture a crucial point for event detection rate and self-triggering capabilities. At present a. complete signal analysis is performed to define those parameters needed to tune up algorithms and filtering methods that will become necessary in the future step of the ICARUS detector (hundred to thousands of tons of argon, i. e. tens of thousands of readout channels). A particular effort is made to optimize track localization algorithms, in order to achieve high efficiency data reduction by storing only those portions of signal which contain the track (thus lowering up to three orders of magnitude the event size) . From a human interface point of view, the data presentation relies on an event imaging very similar to the old fashioned bubble chambers. Besides from giving a direct feeling of what happens inside the detector, this kind of representations opens a way to the wide panorama of image processing applications: tasks as detail enhancement, pattern recognition or 3D reconstruction will helpfully inherit support from more general procedures.
Interleukin-7 deficiency in rheumatoid arthritis: consequences for therapy-induced lymphopenia
Authors: Ponchel Frederique , Verburg Robert J , Bingham Sarah J , Brown Andrew K , Moore John , Protheroe Andrew , Short Kath , Lawson Catherine A , Morgan Ann W , Quinn Mark , Buch Maya , Field Sarah L , Maltby Sarah L , Masurel Aurelie , Douglas Susan H , Straszynski Liz , Fearon Ursula , Veale Douglas J , Patel Poulam , McGonagle Dennis , Snowden John , Markham Alexander F , Ma David , van Laar Jacob M , Papadaki Helen A , Emery Paul , Isaacs John D 
Published: November 2004

AbstractWe previously demonstrated prolonged, profound CD4+ T-lymphopenia in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients following lymphocyte-depleting therapy. Poor reconstitution could result either from reduced de novo T-cell production through the thymus or from poor peripheral expansion of residual T-cells. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is known to stimulate the thymus to produce new T-cells and to allow circulating mature T-cells to expand, thereby playing a critical role in T-cell homeostasis. In the present study we demonstrated reduced levels of circulating IL-7 in a cross-section of RA patients. IL-7 production by bone marrow stromal cell cultures was also compromised in RA. To investigate whether such an IL-7 deficiency could account for the prolonged lymphopenia observed in RA following therapeutic lymphodepletion, we compared RA patients and patients with solid cancers treated with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous progenitor cell rescue. Chemotherapy rendered all patients similarly lymphopenic, but this was sustained in RA patients at 12 months, as compared with the reconstitution that occurred in cancer patients by 3–4 months. Both cohorts produced naïve T-cells containing T-cell receptor excision circles. The main distinguishing feature between the groups was a failure to expand peripheral T-cells in RA, particularly memory cells during the first 3 months after treatment. Most importantly, there was no increase in serum IL-7 levels in RA, as compared with a fourfold rise in non-RA control individuals at the time of lymphopenia. Our data therefore suggest that RA patients are relatively IL-7 deficient and that this deficiency is likely to be an important contributing factor to poor early T-cell reconstitution in RA following therapeutic lymphodepletion. Furthermore, in RA patients with stable, well controlled disease, IL-7 levels were positively correlated with the T-cell receptor excision circle content of CD4+ T-cells, demonstrating a direct effect of IL-7 on thymic activity in this cohort.
Quantitative ultrasonic assessment for detecting microscopic cartilage damage in osteoarthritis
Authors: Hattori Koji , Ikeuchi Ken , Morita Yusuke , Takakura Yoshinori 
Published: November 2004

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions. The histological cartilage changes in OA include surface erosion and irregularities, deep fissures, and alterations in the staining of the matrix. The reversibility of these chondral alterations is still under debate. It is expected that clinical and basic science studies will provide the clinician with new scientific information about the natural history and optimal treatment of OA at an early stage. However, a reliable method for detecting microscopic changes in early OA has not yet been established. We have developed a novel system for evaluating articular cartilage, in which the acoustic properties of the articular cartilage are measured by introducing an ultrasonic probe into the knee joint under arthroscopy. The purpose of this study was to assess microscopic cartilage damage in OA by using this cartilage evaluation system on collagenase-treated articular cartilage in vivo and in vitro. Ultrasonic echoes from articular cartilage were converted into a wavelet map by wavelet transformation. On the wavelet map, the maximum magnitude and echo duration were selected as quantitative indices. Using these indices, the articular cartilage was examined to elucidate the relationships of the ultrasonic analysis with biochemical, biomechanical and histological analyses. In the in vitro study, the maximum magnitude decreased as the duration of collagenase digestion increased. Correlations were observed between the maximum magnitude and the proteoglycan content from biochemical findings, and the maximum magnitude and the aggregate modulus from biomechanical findings. From the histological findings, matrix staining of the surface layer to a depth of 500 μm was closely related to the maximum magnitude. In the in vivo study, the maximum magnitude decreased with increasing duration of the collagenase injection. There was a significant correlation between the maximum magnitude and the aggregate modulus. The evaluation system therefore successfully detected microscopic changes in degenerated cartilage with the use of collagen-induced OA.
Model-independent fluxome profiling from 2H and 13C experiments for metabolic variant discrimination
Authors: Zamboni Nicola , Sauer Uwe 
Published: November 2004

AbstractWe introduce a conceptually novel method for intracellular fluxome profiling from unsupervised statistical analysis of stable isotope labeling. Without a priori knowledge on the metabolic system, we identified characteristic flux fingerprints in 10 Bacillus subtilis mutants from 132 2H and 13C tracer experiments. Beyond variant discrimination, independent component analysis automatically mapped several fingerprints to their metabolic determinants. The approach is flexible and paves the way to large-scale fluxome profiling of any biological system and condition.
Phytotoxicity and bioavailability of nickel: Chemical speciation and bioaccumulation
Authors: Weng Liping , Lexmond Theo M. , Wolthoorn Anke , Temminghoff Erwin J. M. , van Riemsdijk Willem H. 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
The effect of pH on the bioaccumulation of nickel (Ni) by plants is opposite when using a nutrient solution or a soil as a growing medium. This paradox can be understood if the pH effect on the bioaccumulation, on the chemical speciation in the toil solution, and on the binding to the soil of Ni are all taken into account. Using simple equations to describe the individual relationships, it is possible to quantify these effects once the relationships have been established. Increased Ni uptake leads to reduced plant dry weight production for a certain growing period. The median effective concentration (EC50) decreased from 23 to 1.7 μM Ni in the nutrient solution for pH 4.0 to 7.0, whereas the EC50 of added Ni in a sandy soil increased from 0.72 to 9.95 mmol Ni/kg soil for pH 4.7 to 6.8. Bioaccumulation, binding to the soil solid phase, and binding to the dissolved organic matter all increase with increasing pH. However, the magnitude of the effect is the least for bioaccumulation as a function of pH, causing the apparent paradox.