bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Committee System: Powers, Appointments and Report Allocation*
Authors: Mamadouh Virginie , Raunio Tapio 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe European Parliament (EP), like the US Congress, is often depicted as a parliament with strong committees and weak parties. This article compares the powers of the EP's committees with their counterparts in national legislatures and examines the role of party groups in the committees. Analysing the principles guiding the appointments to committees, the selection of committee chairs, and the distribution of reports within the committees, we show that national party delegations inside the transnational groups are often key gatekeepers in the division of spoils within the groups, with group leaders restricted in their ability to direct the actions of their committee members. The distribution of reports between party groups and national delegations produces interesting variation, with the two largest groups (PES and EPP) largely in control of key reports, while the size of national parties inside the main groups is the primary factor in explaining the output of national delegations.
The knowledge brokers: venture capitalists, tacit knowledge and regional development
Authors: Zook Matthew A. 
Published: December 2004

This article reviews the role of knowledge in economic development and the actors through which it is created and transferred. Unpacking the often oversimplified dichotomy between tacit and explicit knowledge, the contribution of firms, communities of practice and regions to the creation of knowledge is considered. While acknowledging the importance of global knowledge flows, it is argued that regional processes of Marshallian interaction and observation retain their relevance even within the decidedly global financial and internet industries. This argument is supported empirically through an analysis of the spatial structure of the knowledge used by venture capitalists during the development of the internet industry. The ability to create and access knowledge proves key for venture capitalists throughout their work, but particularly in (1) selecting promising industries, (2) finding and evaluating firms, and (3) assisting portfolio companies.Cet article étudie le rôle du savoir dans l'expansion économique, ainsi que les acteurs qui permettent de le créer et le transmettre. En démêlant la dichotomie souvent simplifiée à outrance entre savoirs tacite et explicite, il examine l'apport des entreprises, communautés de pratiques et régions dans la création du savoir. Tout en reconnaissant l'importance des flux internationaux de connaissances, il soutient que les processus régionaux d'observation et d'interaction marshallienne restent pertinents même pour les secteurs de l'Internet et de la finance résolument planétaires. Cet argument est étayé empiriquement par l'analyse de la structure spatiale du savoir utilisé par les spéculateurs capitalistes pendant l'essor des activités de l'Internet. L'aptitude à créer du savoir et à y accéder est essentielle pour eux quel que soit leur travail, mais surtout pour repérer les secteurs prometteurs, trouver et évaluer des entreprises, et aider les sociétés de capital‐risque.
A group of related cDNAs encoding secreted proteins from Hessian fly [Mayetiola destructor (Say)] salivary glands
Authors: Chen M.‐S. , Fellers J. P. , Stuart J. J. , Reese J. C. , Liu X. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA group of cDNAs has been isolated and characterized from Hessian fly [Mayetiola destructor (Say)] salivary glands. Members in this group appear to encode proteins with secretion signal peptides at the N‐terminals. The mature putative proteins are small, basic proteins with calculated molecular weights that ranged from 8.5 to 10 kDa, and isoelectric points from 9.92 to 10.90. Sequence analysis indicated a strong selection for mutations that generate amino acid changes within the coding region. Northern blot analysis revealed that these genes are expressed only in the first instar larvae, a critical stage that determines if the interaction between a specific Hessian fly biotype and a specific wheat cultivar is compatible. Genomic analysis demonstrated that multiple copies of similar genes are clustered within a short region on chromosome 2A. This is the same arm in which two avirulence genes have been mapped.
Delirium: behavioural changes before and during the prodromal phase
Authors: Duppils Gill Sörensen , Wikblad Karin 
Published: December 2004

Background.  Delirium is an important form of psychopathology in older people and is associated with increased morbidity and functional decline. In the prodromal phase of delirium early symptoms occur, before all criteria have been met.Aim.  The aim of this study was to delineate behavioural changes before and during the prodromal phase of delirium. That was considered to include the time from the first behavioural change up to the point when all DSM‐IV criteria for delirium were met.Design.  Prospective and descriptive observation study.Methods.  One hundred and three hip surgery patients (hip fracture and hip replacement) aged ≥ 80 years participated in this study. On admission none of them was delirious or had severe cognitive decline, but 32 patients met the DSM‐IV criteria for delirium during the hospital stay. Frequent observations were performed up to delirium onset or 48 hours postoperatively. The observations included 37 items on the patient's state of mind, cognition, activity and behaviour. The first observation on admission was used as a reference and behavioural changes were defined as deviations from this first observation.Results.  Twenty‐one patients out of the 32 who met the DSM‐IV criteria (62%, D group) demonstrated behavioural changes before delirium onset, as did 34 (48%, R group) out of the remaining 71 patients. The D group had different and more numerous behavioural changes than the R group. Anxiety was common in both groups. Disorientation and urgent calls for attention were the most frequent changes in the D group. The D group presented a pattern of behavioural changes and early symptoms of the approaching delirium. Six hours immediately before the onset of delirium, the behavioural changes were more numerous and evident.Conclusions and relevance to clinical practice.  It is necessary to pay attention to each behavioural change in the patients and to be aware of the prodromal phase of delirium in order to prevent its onset and to maintain the patient's well‐being.
Paediatric oncology nurse education: the development of a national framework
Authors: Tomlinson Deborah 
Published: December 2004

Background.  It is recognized that there is a need for specialist nursing courses in a range of paediatric nursing specialities. Paediatric oncology nurses are facing challenges with clinical advances and the need for specialized care. At present there are no available courses in Scotland offering preparation for nurses working in a paediatric oncology setting.Aims and objectives.  This project, supported by Macmillan Cancer Relief, addresses this deficit by developing a comprehensive framework for a small and widely dispersed speciality.Methods.  Information on the needs and expectations of nurses and service managers in this field was obtained through postal questionnaires and focus groups. Due to the need for collaboration between higher educational institutions and service colleagues the views of educators were also established through questionnaires and semi‐structured interviews.Results.  Problematic practice issues were cited and these issues were further discussed and recognized as the main educational needs. Availability and accessibility of education were of great importance.Conclusion.  The framework developed aims to provide ongoing opportunities for continuing professional development within this speciality. Development of the educational framework is required to provide a course accessible to a wide geographical area of nurses.Relevance to clinical practice.  A National Framework for Paediatric Oncology Nurse Education was developed in response to views of experts working in the field, to the views of other stakeholders and to what is known about needs and preferences of children with cancer and their families.
Non‐heart beating organ donation
Authors: Snell G. I. , Levvey B. J. , Williams T. J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractIncreasing the levels of non‐heart beating organ donation (NHBOD) is a potential means of improving the supply of transplantable organs. NHBOD may provide a mechanism to enable a patient's prior wishes to be realised and to provide comfort to a family in grief. There is an overriding ethical principle to strictly divide the responsibility for the care of the dying patient and the potential transplant recipient. Medical protocols need to be written, and institutional ethics committees and our national organ procurement system need to be involved if we are to protect public confidence and see NHBOD realise its full potential. (Internal Med J 2004; 34: 501−503)
Risk factors for invasive meningococcal disease in southern Queensland, 2000−2001
Authors: McCall B. J. , Neill A. S. , Young M. M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim:  The aim of this paper is to describe the risk factors for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in southern Queensland.Methods:  A case control study during the calendar years 2000−2001 was undertaken.Results:  Eighty‐four laboratory‐confirmed cases of IMD were notified. Four patients died and were excluded from the present study. Sixty‐two (78%) eligible cases and 79 controls selected from the same age group and medical practice as cases, were interviewed. Univariate analysis found that IMD was associated with sharing bedrooms with two or more people (odds ratio (OR) 4.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2−17.0, P = 0.01), any exposure to tobacco smoke (smoker or passive exposure; OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.1−4.8, P = 0.02), passive exposure to tobacco smoke (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.0−5.6, P = 0.03) and recent upper respiratory tract infection (OR 1.9, 95% CI 0.9−4.1, P = 0.06). Children who were breast‐fed were less likely to develop IMD (OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.1−1.1, P = 0.04). Attendance at a childcare centre was not associated with an increased risk of IMD. In multivariate analysis, IMD was associated with children under 6 years of age who shared a bedroom with two or more people (OR 7.4; 95% CI 1.5−36.1, P = 0.01) or who had a primary carer who smoked (OR 9.1; 95% CI 2.1−39.9, P = 0.003).Discussion:  This is the second Australian study that identifies links between risk of IMD and exposure to cigarette smoke. The risk of IMD in young children could be further reduced if primary caregivers did not smoke. This information may contribute a new perspective to antismoking campaigns. (Intern Med J 2004; 34: 464−468)
Thyroid‐associated ophthalmopathy: a practical guide to classification, natural history and management
Authors: El‐Kaissi S. , Frauman A. G. , Wall J. R. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThyroid−associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is an autoimmune disorder that can be divided into three clinical subtypes: congestive, myopathic and mixed ophthalmopathy. It is probably caused by immune cross‐reactivity between orbital and thyroid antigens. The best candidate antigens are the thyrotropin receptor and the novel protein, G2s, which is now identified as a fragment of the winged helix transcription factor, FOXP1. The relationship between radioiodine therapy and TAO is controversial, with two randomised controlled trials showing a transient worsening of the eye disease after treatment. The diagnosis of TAO is a clinical one, based on the presence of specific symptoms and signs. Orbital imaging, preferably magnetic resonance imaging, is useful when the diagnosis is in doubt and in patients with suspected optic neuropathy who may benefit from early intervention. Despite their lack of specificity, orbital antibodies may add weight to the diagnosis and may potentially be a useful tool in classifying the different subtypes of TAO and in monitoring disease activity. While antibodies against G2s and the thyrotropin receptor are seen in all subtypes, those against Fp and collagen XIII may be associated with the myopathic and congestive subtypes, respectively, where Fp is the flavoprotein subunit of the mitochondrial enzyme, succinate dehydrogenase. In most patients, TAO is self‐limiting and no specific treatment is required. When treatment is indicated, glucocorticoids are the mainstay of therapy. Orbital radiotherapy improves the efficacy of glucocorticoids, but is probably less beneficial as monotherapy. Orbital surgery is best reserved for patients with ‘burnt out’ inactive disease, but urgent orbital decompression may be required for optic neuropathy. The severity and clinical activity of TAO are important in determining the need for specific treatment and the likelihood of success with medical therapy, respectively. (Intern Med J 2004; 34: 482−491)
Perceptions of beauty in Renaissance art
Authors: Haughton Neil 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe Renaissance was a cultural revolution that spread from Florence, in 1400, throughout Italy and into the rest of Europe. Its impetus was the philosophy of Humanism, which strove to resurrect and emulate the literature and art of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Artists had previously been limited to formulaic religious iconography. They now began to reproduce descriptions of classical paintings and copy the antique statues that were being newly rediscovered. The Renaissance artist's perception of beauty was therefore determined by his philosophical environment, his visual experience (the ‘period eye’), the demands of his patrons and by attempts to enhance his professional status in society to equal that of poets and architects. The image of Venus portrayed by Botticelli as the idealization of beauty in Renaissance Florence is significantly different from the Venus portrayed by the German artist, Lucas Cranach. The northern European Venus is much less voluptuous than her Italian counterpart but is still inspired by humanist principals and retains considerable sexuality. Raphael's paintings epitomise the idealization of female beauty of this period but, by his own admission they were rarely based on real models. Often the same facial type was repeated in many different paintings. Indeed Renaissance portrait artists tended to avoid realistic interpretation, emphasizing instead the positive attributes of their subjects, both physical and political. Thus, Bronzino's Portrait of a Young Man not only depicts his subject's idealized appearance but also his scholarship, background and potential. The depiction of beauty in Renaissance art is shown to be more complex than a mere photograph‐like representation of sexuality or of a person's physical appearance. Instead, Renaissance art created physically perfect images resulting from scholarly expectation, the artist's ambitions and his developing skills.
Spectral and X‐ray studies on 1,6‐disubstituted triptycenes
Authors: Al‐Jabar N A A , Jones J Bowen , Brown D S , Colligan A H , Massey A G , Miller J M , Nye J W 
Published: December 2004

AbstractMass and NMR spectral data are presented for a number of dodecafluoro‐1,6‐disubstituted triptycenes. The epoxide OAs2(C6F4)2 can be made by heating together arsenic (As), arsenic(III) oxide (As2O3) and 1,2‐di‐iodotetrafluorobenzene (1,2‐I2C6F4) in a sealed tube. The molecular structure of As2(C6F4)3 has been confirmed by X‐ray crystallography.
Preparation and properties of surface‐active organocobalt complexes having long‐chain alkyl groups
Authors: Sakai Shizuyoshi , Takayanagi Hitoshi , Sumimoto Norifumi , Fukuzawa Shin‐Ichi , Fujinami Tatsuo , Saeki Hiroshi 
Published: December 2004

AbstractNew types of surface‐active organocobaltocenium(I) complexes, η‐CnH2n+1X‐C5H4(ηC5H5)2Co+Y− and(η‐CnH2n+1X‐C5H4)Co+Y− (n = 6–16; X not present, NHCO or OCO; Y = Cl or PF6) were prepared and their surface character studied. (1) The critical micelle concentrations of the cobaltocenium chlorides were much lower than those of corresponding trimethylammonium‐type cationic surfactants. (2) The surface‐active character of the cobaltocenium chlorides in aqueous solution (and the redox potentials of the hexafluorophosphates in acetonitrile) were affected by the substituents (X) in the cyclopentadienyl groups. (3) The surface activities of the cobaltocenium salts were lost on reduction with NaBH4 to afford (alkyl‐substituted cyclopentadiene) cyclopentadienylcobalt (0) complexes which were surface‐inactive but could be re‐oxidized to afford the surface‐active cobaltoceium(I) salts. The cobalt complexes mentioned above may be the first examples of redoxresponsive surfactants.
Aerobic and anaerobic degradation of several arsenicals by sedimentary micro‐organisms
Authors: Hanaoka Ken'ichi , Hasegawa Shigeo , Kawabe Naoki , Tagawa Shoji , Kaise Toshikazu 
Published: December 2004

AbstractTwo media (1/5 ZoBell 2216E and inorganic salt media) were used for degradation experiments. Each arsenical [arsenobetaine, trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), sodium methanearsonate, sodium arsenate and sodium arsenite] was added to 20cm3 of each medium (0.084% as As) in a 30‐cm3 Erlenmever flask. The mixtures were kept at 25°C in the dark for 91 days for aerobic cultivation. For anaerobic cultivation, about 5 cm3 of liquid paraffin was placed on the surface of each mixture. Under aerobic conditions, arsenobetaine was the only methylarsenical which was rapidly degraded, being converted to several metabolites. In contrast, under aerobic conditions, little or no arsenobetaine (ZoBell or inorganic salt‐media respectively) was converted to its metabolites, while all the methylarsenicals other than arsenobetaine were converted to less methylated compounds. The conversion of inorganic arsenic was observed only in the aerobically incubated ZoBell/arsenite mixture; arsenate was derived from it. A peculiar conversion pattern was observed in the aerobically incubated ZoBell/TMAO mixture; DMA derived from TMAO began to convert to TMAO after 14 days of incubation, and TMAO was the only arsenical in the mixture after 35 days.
Transformation of arsenic compounds in a freshwater food chain
Authors: Maeda Shigeru , Ohki Akira , Tokuda Takako , Ohmine Mieko 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe transport and transformation of arsenic were investigated in the food chain Chlorella and Phormidium sp. (autotrophic freshwater algae)–Moina sp. (zooplanktonic grazer)–Poecilia sp. (carnivorous guppy). The algae were grown for seven days in a modified Detmer medium containing 100 mg dm−3 arsenic as Na2HAsO4. The algae (Chlorella 0.64 mg g−1 dry mass; Phormidium 2.9 mg g−1 dry mass) were fed to Moina for seven days. Moina acquired arsenic concentrations of 76 μg g−1 (from Chlorella) and 111 μg g−1 (from Phormidium). The guppy feeding on Moina (with arsenic from Chlorella) had the lowest arsenic concentrations (5.6 μg g−1) among these organisms.Whereas the arsenic in the algae was almost all in inorganic form, 85% of the arsenic in the guppy was in di‐ and tri‐methylated form. The higher Percentages of methylated arsenic at the higher trophic levels could be the result of preferential uptake or retention of methylarsenic compounds or of methylation of arsenic compounds by the higher organisms.
[Bis(aminomethyl)dimethylsilane]platinum(II) dichloride: A potential antitumor agent
Authors: Haugwitz R D , Anderson W K , Plowman J , Kaslinal R , Houston D M , Narayanan V L 
Published: December 2004

Abstract[Bis(aminomethyl)dimethylsilane]platinum(II) dichloride (1) was synthesized by a three‐step procedure. The antitumor activity of 1 was evaluated in the i.p. implanted mouse L1210 leukemia model. A 10 mg kg−1 dose administered every fourth day for a total of three injections extended the median life span of the dying mice by at least 100% and resulted in 40–50% survivors (day 30) in two experiments corresponding to an approximate 6 log10 reduction in tumor burden at the end of treatment. Compound 1 appeared at least as active as cisplatin under the testing protocols utilized. The closely related bis[aminomethyltrimethylsilane]platinum(II) dichloride complex was inactive in this mouse model.
The quantitation of butyltin and cyclohexyltin compounds in the marine environment of British Columbia
Authors: Cullen William R , Eigendorf Guenter K , Nwata Basil U , Takatsu Akiko 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA HPLC/GF AA procedure based on the use of C‐18 columns is described for the quantitation of butyltin species in marine samples. When a mass spectrometer was used as detector (HPLC MS), evidence was obtained for the presence of other tin compounds in the samples. Extracts of samples were treated with CH3MgBr and examined by using GC MS; the presence of BunSnMe4−n (n = 3–1, Bu = butyl) and CynSnMe4−n (n = 3,2, Cy = cyclohexyl) was confirmed in the derivatized seawater, bivalve flesh, and bivalve shell samples. Quantitative data are given for butyl‐ and cyclohexyl‐tin species in seawater and the surface microlayer, and oyster flesh.
Total surface areas of Group IVA organometallic compounds: Predictors of toxicity to algae and bacteria
Authors: Eng G , Brinckman F E , Olson G J , Tierney E J , Bellama J M 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThere is a high correlation between molecular surface area (TSA) of triorganotin and triorganolead compounds and their toxicity towards a bacterium (Escherichia coli) and an alga (Selenastrum capricornutum). Parallel attempts to correlate other Group IVA organometals incorporating silicon or germanium were unsuccessful. It was further demonstrated, however, that a high correlation was obtainable between certain series of compounds with the same organic substituent but different metal centers involving all Group IVA elements. In both instances, the inability to obtain a quantitative structure‐activity relationship (QSAR) for all systems studied appears to be a function of the solubility of the compounds. While organotin TSA values have been found to correlate well with their toxicities toward various organisms, this study clearly suggests that this type of QSAR can be readily extended to include other organometal systems, provided that there is no solubility problem and the toxicity is a function of the hydrophobicity of the organometal compounds.
The structure‐activity relationships of some cyclopentadienyltitanium (IV) complexes of 1, 3‐dihydro‐1, 3‐dioxo‐α‐(substituted)‐2H‐isoindole‐2‐acetates
Authors: Saxena Prabhu N , Saxena A K , Saxena S , Rai A K 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe newly synthesized η‐cyclopentadienyltitanium complexes of 1,3‐dihydro‐1, 3‐dioxo‐α‐(substituted)‐2H‐isoindole‐2‐acetates have been screened for their toxicity against Columba livia (Gmelin) (the blue rock pigeon) and exhibit moderate toxicity towards this non‐target bird. The bis‐ derivatives have been observed to be generally more active than the mono‐ ones, indicating the dominant contribution of ligands towards toxicity compared with cyclopentadienyl rings and chlorine atoms.