bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of life in patients diagnosed with primary hepatocellular carcinoma: Hepatic arterial infusion of Cisplatin versus 90‐Yttrium microspheres (Therasphere®)
Authors: Steel Jennifer , Baum Andrew , Carr Brian 
Published: February 2004

AbstractBackground. The aims of the study were to test the difference in health‐related quality (HRQL) of life and survival in patients diagnosed with primary hepatocellular carcionma (HCC) and treated with either hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of Cisplatin or 90‐Yttrium microspheres (Therasphere®).Method. The design of the study was a non‐randomized parallel cohort study. Twenty‐eight patients participated in the present study. HRQL was assessed by administration of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐Hepatobiliary. Survival was measured using Kaplan Meier methods.Results. The results of present study suggest treatment with Therasphere® had an advantage in regard to HRQL and survival when compared to Cisplatin. At 3‐month follow‐up, patients who were treated with Therasphere® had a higher level of functional well‐being as well as overall quality of life when compared to patients treated with Cisplatin. At 6‐month follow‐up patients (treated with Therasphere®) continued to have better functional well‐being when compared to patients being treated with HAI of Cisplatin. At 6‐month follow‐up, survival was found to be similar for patients treated with Therasphere® when compared to patients being treated with Cisplatin.Conclusions. Preliminary data suggest that treatment with Therasphere® has a modest advantage in regard to HRQL when compared patients treated with HAI of Cisplatin. Future research with Therasphere®, that includes a larger sample size and longer follow‐up, is necessary to make definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy and effect on HRQL. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relation of family history of prostate cancer to perceived vulnerability and screening behavior
Authors: Jacobsen Paul B. , Lamonde Laurie A. , Honour Melissa , Kash Kathryn , Hudson Perry B. , Pow‐Sang Julio 
Published: February 2004

AbstractMen with a positive family history of prostate cancer are known to be at increased risk for the disease; however, relatively little is known about their risk perceptions or screening behavior. To address these issues, the current study examined the relationship of family history of prostate cancer to perceived vulnerability of developing prostate cancer and prostate cancer screening practices. Participants were 83 men with a positive family history of prostate cancer and 83 men with a negative family history of prostate cancer. As predicted, men with a positive family history reported greater (p⩽0.05) perceived vulnerability of developing prostate cancer and stronger intentions to undergo screening (p⩽0.05). They also reported greater past performance of prostate‐specific antigen screening and were more likely to request information about prostate cancer (p⩽0.05). Additional analyses indicated that perceived vulnerability mediated the relation between family history and intentions to undergo prostate cancer screening. Findings confirm the increased likelihood of men with a positive family history to undergo prostate cancer screening and suggest that heightened concerns about developing the disease are an important motivating factor. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Brief report: Total pelvic exenteration‐A retrospective clinical needs assessment
Authors: Carter Jeanne , Chi Dennis S. , Abu‐Rustum Nadeem , Brown Carol L. , McCreath Wayne , Barakat Richard R. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThis clinical needs assessment retrospectively identified 11 women with a history of gynecologic cancer who had undergone pelvic exenteration within the last 4 years, of whom six were available for interview. All patients agreed to telephone interviews, which lasted approximately 45–60 min and addressed their surgical experience. Seven themes emerged from the interviews: concerns about recovery, complications, ostomies, social support, sexuality, disclosure, and fear.The findings of our needs assessment concur with the existing literature noting decreased sexual interest/activity and difficulties with body image. An improvement in mood and an increase in activities over time postoperatively were noted. We also found reluctance by participants to disclose information about their exenterative procedure. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychosocial impact of breast cancer surgeries in chinese patients and their spouses
Authors: Yeo W. , Kwan W.H. , Teo P.M.L. , Nip S. , Wong E. , Hin L.Y. , Johnson P.J. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractBackground and purpose: This pilot study assesses the psychosocial impact of different modalities of breast cancer surgery in Chinese patients and their husbands.Methods: Thirty‐six patients who underwent conservative breast therapy (BCT) for breast cancer were compared with 36 women who underwent total mastectomy (TM) on four aspects of psychosocial adjustment. They were matched in pairs in terms of stage of disease, age and time since surgery. Where available, their husbands were also consented for similar assessment.Results: Women who underwent BCT showed a significantly better response to their body and sexual image than those who underwent TM. This difference did not translate into any significant difference in terms of emotional and symptomatic aspects, daily activities, or fear of recurrences. The husbands of patients in the TM group showed significantly more emotional and symptomatic distress and greater change in the perception of their wives' body and sexual images.Conclusion: This is the first of such study conducted in a Chinese population. The lack of differences in certain psychosocial aspects may indicate a generally good adjustment in the TM patients after their surgery. It may also relate to the fact that volunteers for the study were themselves representative only of the patient population who adapted well to the surgery, and those patients who were emotionally distressed tended to decline to participate. Psychosocial disruption in the patients' families is reflected in our study where patients' husbands in the TM group were significantly more disturbed. However, due to the limited number of patients studied, the findings are not yet conclusive and require further studies for confirmation. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Particle Size Distribution by Combined Elastic Light Scattering and Turbidity Measurements. A Novel Method to Estimate the Required Normalization Factor
Authors: Vega Jorge R. , Frontini Gloria L. , Gugliotta Luis M. , Eliçabe Guillermo E. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractTurbidity (T) and Elastic Light Scattering (ELS) measurements can be combined to estimate the particle size distribution (PSD) of a polymer latex. To this effect a “normalization factor” must be employed to adequately scale both measurements. In a real application, such factor is a priori unknown, and it must be estimated for determining the PSD. In a previous publication, a method was proposed to simultaneously estimate the normalization factor and the PSD by solving an inverse nonlinear problem. In this work, a simpler technique is presented which estimates the normalization factor and the PSD by sequentially solving two inverse linear problems. To evaluate the proposed technique, a synthetic example based on a polystyrene latex sample with a bimodal PSD was solved. It is shown that, for slight noise measurements, the errors in the estimation of the normalization factor are quite small and have a low effect on the PSD recovery.
Particle Sizes of Fumed Oxides: A New Approach Using PCS Signals
Authors: Batz‐Sohn Christoph 
Published: February 2004

AbstractFumed oxides produced in gas‐phase processes, such as silicas and aluminum oxide, consist of a cluster of aggregated primary particles. The aggregate size of these particles is an important variable in many applications. However, current procedures for measuring particle sizes all assume that the particles have a spherical shape and are thus not truly capable of determining aggregate size. The results of such particle size measurements are consequently called “equivalent spherical diameter” (ESD), but these results vary from method to method. This publication shows that it is feasible to use the number of primary particles per aggregate, rather than the ESD, as a measure for the particle size of clusters of this type. The method is based on dynamic light scattering (photon correlation spectroscopy, PCS), which has proven itself in the analysis of fumed oxides. A numerical simulation based on random, computer‐generated model aggregates is used to modify the well‐known Stokes‐Einstein equation so that the number of primary particles can be determined.
Two‐Phase Flow Characterization by Automated Digital Image Analysis. Part 1: Fundamental Principles and Calibration of the Technique
Authors: Kashdan Julian T. , Shrimpton John S. , Whybrew Adam 
Published: February 2004

AbstractA recently developed digital image analysis technique potentially capable of sizing particles of arbitrary shape and size and with wide dynamic range is examined. Shadow images of droplets or particles are produced in this case by back‐illumination using an infra‐red diode laser. The measurement performance of the particle/droplet image analysis (PDIA) system has been assessed initially in terms of individual object diameters and the aim of this experimental investigation was to assess the robustness and accuracy of the technique. The first part of this paper provides a description of the fundamental principles of the technique followed by a thorough description of the calibration procedure in which the image processing routine was verified with calibration data of known particle sizes. The lens‐camera optical behavior has been characterized whilst the relative uncertainties of various parameters such as the depth‐of‐field dependence on particle diameter, threshold level sensitivity and image signal‐to‐noise issues have been quantified and their effects on measurement accuracy discussed. Calibration data revealed that the depth‐of‐field varied with object diameter approximately linearly in the measured range 18 to 145 μm. The calibration data is subsequently incorporated into the PDIA processing algorithm and for defocused droplets or particles, enables their true diameter to be estimated by analyzing the droplet image properties. Greater emphasis on the application of the PDIA technique is deferred to the second part of this two‐part paper where droplet size data obtained from a hollow‐cone spray is compared with similar data measured via phase Doppler anemometry (PDA).
Einführung eines Risikomanagement‐Systems bei Freudenberg
Authors: Back Martin , Bauer Heinz , Multerer Frank , Schneider Wolfgang 
Published: February 2004

AbstractDas Umfeld jedes Unternehmens und die Bedingungen, unter denen es arbeitet, sind einem stetigen und schneller werdenden Wandel unterworfen. Diese Veränderungen eröffnen eine Vielzahl Chancen, bedingen gleichzeitig aber auch Risiken, die es im Rahmen eines konsequenten Frühwarn‐ und Risikomanagements zu handhaben gilt. In der Unternehmensgruppe Freudenberg ist der bewusste Umgang mit den vielseitigen unternehmerischen Risiken schon immer ein wesentlicher Bestandteil des Handelns gewesen, bei dem neben wirtschaftlichen Aspekten auch die Arbeitssicherheit einen hohen Stellenwert einnimmt.
Alles im grünen Bereich: Risiko‐Indikatoren bei der Dresdner Bank
Authors: van den Brink Gerrit Jan 
Published: February 2004

AbstractKey Risk Indicators (KRIs) sind wesentliche Instrumente für ein proaktives Management der Operationellen Risiken. Sie sollen in der Lage sein, eine Änderung des Risiko‐Profils vorherzusehen. Die Implementierung der KRIs verfolgt zwei Ziele: (1) Die Vorbeugung von Risiko‐Ereignissen und (2) die rechtzeitige Entdeckung von ungünstigen Trends. Um diese Ziele zu erfüllen, muss ein KRI eine Reihe von Eigenschaften aufweisen. Insbesondere das Zeitfenster für Reaktionen spielt eine zentrale Rolle. Eine erste Hilfe für die Definition kann in Prozessabbildungen, Verlust‐ und Self‐Assessment‐Daten sowie dem Risiko‐Kapital gefunden werden.
Was ist Risiko?
Authors: Romeike Frank , Erben Roland Franz 
Published: February 2004

AbstractRisiken bezeichnen Noch‐Nicht‐Ereignisse, die wir uns hier und jetzt vergegenwärtigen müssen, ohne sie bereits wirklich zu kennen. Risiken lauern bösartigerweise in den Seitengängen einer Zukunft, die uns den Blick um die Ecke verweigert.
„Auf sein Auventura und Risigo handeln”︁: Zur Sprach‐ und Kulturgeschichte des Risiko‐Begriffs
Authors: Keller Hildegard Elisabeth 
Published: February 2004

AbstractZur europäischen Begriffsbildung im Wortfeld des Risikos gehören die Ausdrücke „Angst”︁, „Abenteuer”︁ und „Risiko”︁. Mittelalterliche Ideologeme der höfisch‐ritterlichen und der christlichen Denkkultur sind für diese Begriffsgeschichte grundlegend und werden in der frühen Neuzeit durch merkantile Praktiken überlagert. Es zeigt sich dabei, dass der Mensch sich selbst als Risiko‐Faktor allerersten Ranges begreift. Dies wird zu allen Zeiten auch erzählerisch verarbeitet. Bereits im jüdisch‐christlichen Mythos vom Sündenfall ist dies vorgezeichnet und setzt sich fort bis hin zu den modernsten Technologien (sei es die Kernenergie, die Umweltsituation, die Mikrobiologie oder humanmedizinische Forschungszweige) sowie den Debatten der daraus resultierenden ethischen Probleme.
Mehr Transparenz wagen!: Der Deutsche Corporate Governance Kodex (Teil I)
Authors: Dörner Dietrich , Orth Christian 
Published: February 2004

AbstractMit dem Deutschen Corporate Governance Kodex (DCGK) und der für börsennotierte Unternehmen geltenden gesetzlichen Verpflichtung, sich zur Einhaltung der Empfehlungen des Kodex regelmäßig in einer Entsprechenserklärung zu äußern, wurde eine gänzlich neue Regelungstechnik im deutschen Unternehmensrecht verankert. Allerdings ist vielen Unternehmen nach wie vor nicht klar, was die Einführung dieses Kodex letztlich bedeutet und welche konkreten Auswirkungen er hat. Der folgende Beitrag geht daher zunächst auf die Bedeutung „guter Unternehmensführung”︁ ein. Im zweiten Teil der Serie (erscheint in der RISKNEWS 02/2004) werden dann die Hintergründe und Zielsetzungen dieser Regelungen beleuchtet.
Genome size in Echinops L. and related genera (Asteraceae, Cardueae): karyological, ecological and phylogenetic implications
Authors: Garnatje Teresa , Vallès Joan , Garcia Sònia , Hidalgo Oriane , Sanz María , Canela Miguel Ángel , Siljak‐Yakovlev Sonja 
Published: February 2004

Abstract Genome size was assessed by flow cytometry in 33 species belonging to seven genera of the tribe Cardueae (Asteraceae), which can be grouped in three taxonomic complexes. 2C nuclear DNA content ranged from 1.49 to 16.98 pg, which is more than elevenfold variation. Genome size correlated well with some karyological traits. Nuclear DNA amount variations also have systematic and evolutionary implications and/or are linked to adaptations to ecological conditions.
Re‐expression of NR2B‐containing NMDA receptors in vitro by suppression of neuronal activity
Authors: Kiyosue Kazuyuki , Hiyama Takeshi Y. , Nakayama Kimiko , Kasai Michiki , Taguchi Takahisa 
Published: February 2004

AbstractN‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are known to play critical roles in the development of the nervous system, and their expression is regulated in an activity‐dependent fashion during development. However, the regulation of NMDAR expression after circuit formation is less well understood. To examine this, we performed patch‐clamp recordings from chick cerebral neurons in an activity‐controlled culture. Analysis of NMDAR channels from neurons before synapse formation showed that there are two components in channel open kinetics. The major slow component is clearly blocked by ifenprodil, a specific inhibitor of NR2B‐containing NMDARs. In contrast, slow component of NMDAR channel opening from neurons after synapse formation became minor and ifenprodil had little effect on the NMDAR channel openings. Furthermore, this change is reversibly regulated by neuronal activity, in that suppression induces the re‐expression of NR2B‐containing NMDARs, even after circuit formation.
High-Field Conduction in Films of Mylar and Teflon
Authors: Lilly A. C. , McDowell John R. 
Published: February 2004

Conduction currents in Mylar and Teflon films were measured at applied field strengths of 2–1400 kV·cm−1 and at a number of temperatures in the range 70°–163°C. The samples were carefully conditioned.
The current varied with voltage as exp (αV01/2), and its temperature behavior was consistent with an activation process, giving an activation energy for conduction essentially independent of sample thickness, except at low fields. This change in activation energy with thickness at low fields, along with breaks in the Schottky plots are attributed to space-charge effects. The data did not fit a hyperbolic sine relationship previously applied to this system in support of an ionic mechanism. The results are discussed in terms of available theories of conduction in solids.
Perpendicular Anisotropy in Electrodeposited Nickel Films
Authors: Mayadas A. F. , Klokholm E. 
Published: February 2004

The existence of a perpendicular anisotropy in electrodeposited nickel films, comparable in magnitude to that found in films evaporated in a nominal vacuum is reported. Measurements of the magnetization, stress, and anisotropy indicate that the perpendicular anisotropy constant K⊥ is a sum of two terms: a magneto-stress term which may be reduced in magnitude or even eliminated entirely by adding saccharin to the plating bath, and a term equal to the shape demagnetizing energy with magnetization M, roughly 90% that of bulk nickel. Since additional shape effects due to grain boundaries do not seem to be present, it is concluded that the lowering of the magnetization is due to randomly distributed defects.
Ferromagnetic resonance measurements normal to the film plane give a perpendicular anisotropy field that is lower than the corresponding anisotropy field as measured by quasistatic methods. This discrepancy is attributed to the suppression of the uniform-precession spin mode for perpendicular polarization.
Proton Magnetic Resonance Study of Magnetic Ordering in Two Cupric Salts
Authors: Wittekoek S. , Poulis N. J. 
Published: February 2004

The shifts and the widths of the proton magnetic resonance lines in two Cu2+ salts have been studied to obtain information about the antiferromagnetic short-range order in these crystals. In Cu(NH3)4SO4·H2O, where the Cui+ spins order in antiferromagnetic linear chains, the resonance lines show a strong broadening at decreasing temperatures. This is explained by the decrease of the fluctuations of the Cu2+ spins due to the forming of antiferromagnetic clusters. The experimental results are in agreement with a simple model, relating the fluctuations and the susceptibility of the Cui+ spins.
In Cu(NO3)2·3H2O measurements of the lineshifts show that the Cu2+ spins order antiferromagnetically in pairs. No broadening of the PMR lines is observed, which is explained by the absence of cluster forming.
Magnetic Properties of the Compound Series Y(MnxFe1−x)2 and Y6(MnxFe1−x)23
Authors: Kirchmayr Hans R. 
Published: February 2004

The pseudobinary systems Y(MnxFe1−x)2 and Y6(MnxFe1−x)23 show complete solid solubility. The magnetization and the susceptibility from 80° to 1500°K have been measured.
The Curie temperature and the magnetization are lowered by the addition of Mn to YFe2 and Y6Fe23 and also by the addition of Fe to Y6Mn23. No magnetic ordering above 90°K is observed for Y(MnxFe1−x)2, if x&gt;0.6 and for Y6(MnxFe1−x)23, if 0.4&lt;x&lt;0.8.
The change of the hyperfine fields with temperature is proportional to the magnetization. In Y(MnxFe1−x)2 compounds a distribution of hyperfine fields determined by Mössbauer measurements is present, which results from the randomly distributed Fe atoms at the neighboring sites. In the Y6(MnxFe1−x)23 series a twofold hyperfine field distribution is observed, arising from the four nonequivalent lattice sites and from the random distribution of Fe and Mn atoms on these sites.
Lorentz Microscopy of Weak Magnetic Flux Inhomogeneities
Authors: Wohlleben D. 
Published: February 2004

The potential of Lorentz microscopy to give quantitative information about weak magnetic field inhomogeneities can be exploited fully only if the classical approximation to the electron contrast is abandoned in favor of the wave mechanical reality. The inhomogeneities cause coordinate dependent phase shifts Δφm in the coherent electron wavefunction which can be detected in principle by any electron optical method for phase contrast.
The transition from a classical to a wave-mechanical treatment of contrast is necessary if the inhomogeneity contains flux of the order of one fluxon h/2q or less.
Contrast formation in the defocused mode is discussed. The image space in this mode has sections with almost classical, low contrast (due to running lateral waves) divided by the caustic mantle from other sections with wave-mechanical, high contrast (due to standing lateral waves). The maximum contrast due to a given inhomogeneity can be predicted from its maximum magnetic phase shift Δφm = (q/ℏ) ΔΦI.
The differential and total scattering cross sections of an arbitrary flux distribution for particles with charge q are calculated. The total cross section does not depend on the kinetic energy.
In order to observe a flux inhomogeneity ΔΦI≪h/2q in principle, a minimum number Np min of particles must be passed through it. This number is Np min &gt; 〈Δφ2〉−1 if the particles are recorded in pure scattered states (Fraunhofer diffraction, dark-field microscopy). The minimum number is Np min&gt; 〈Δφ〉−2, if the detection is achieved in some optimum arrangement of interference between the scattered and an unscattered state (around the caustic mantle in the defocused mode; interference microscopy; Zernike phase contrast). In the case of detection by interference, the minimum number of scattered particles NS min necessary for observability is NS min&gt; 〈Δφ〉−1. This relation shows that for observability of a total flux 〈Φ〉 a minimum amount of scattered charge QS min = NS min 2q is necessary, given by the relation QS min 〈Φ〉&gt;ℏ. A full paper will appear elsewhere.
Experiments on Two-Dimensional Heisenberg Systems
Authors: de Vries G. , Breed D. J. , Maarschall E. P. , Miedema A. R. 
Published: February 2004

The crystal structure of the group of compounds with the general formula M2+M2+(Hal)4, where the magnetic ion may be Mn2+, Ni2+, or Cu2+ for instance, strongly suggests the possibility of studying the thermal and magnetic properties of almost isolated layers of magnetic atoms.
The susceptibility vs temperature curves have been obtained for K2NiF4, K2MnF4, and Rb2MnF4 single crystals for which the interaction within a layer has the antiferromagnetic sign. Below TN both the curve for the parallel susceptibility and the heat capacity are in agreement with spin-wave predictions for a two-dimensional layer taking into account the anisotropy field as derived from the observed field for spin flopping.
The values for kTN/J in K2MnF4, Rb2MnF4, and K2NiF4 agree with predictions from partition function series expansions.
In Cu(CH3NH3)2Cl4 and Cu(C2H5NH5)2Cl4 the nearest-neighbor interaction has the ferromagnetic sign. Two transition temperatures are found in the heat capacity, the higher ones probably corresponding to the Curie temperature of the isolated layer, the lower one the transition to long-range order in three dimensions. The values for kTC(2)/J observed, are about 1.1.