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Terms modified by Considerable Selected AbstractsDISTRIBUTION OF SOURCE ROCKS AND MATURITY MODELLING IN THE NORTHERN CENOZOIC SONG HONG BASIN (GULF OF TONKIN), VIETNAMJOURNAL OF PETROLEUM GEOLOGY, Issue 2 2005C. Andersen The northern offshore part of the Cenozoic Song Hong Basin in the Gulf of Tonkin (East Vietnam Sea) is at an early stage of exploration with only a few wells drilled. Oil to source rock correlation indicates that coals are responsible for the sub-commercial oil and gas accumulations in sandstones in two of the four wells which have been drilled on faulted anticlines and flower structures. The wells are located in a narrow, structurally inverted zone with a thick predominantly deltaic Miocene succession between the Song Chay and Vinh Ninh/Song Lo fault zones. These faults are splays belonging to the offshore extension of the Red River Fault Zone. Access to a database of 3,500 km of 2D seismic data has allowed a detailed and consistent break-down of the geological record of the northern part of the basin into chronostratigraphic events which were used as inputs to model the hydrocarbon generation history. In addition, seismic facies mapping, using the internal reflection characteristics of selected seismic sequences, has been applied to predict the lateral distribution of source rock intervals. The results based on Yükler ID basin modelling are presented as profiles and maturity maps. The robustness of the results are analysed by testing different heat flow scenarios and by transfer of the model concept to IES Petromod software to obtain a more acceptable temperature history reconstruction using the Easy%R0 algorithm. Miocene coals in the wells located in the inverted zone between the fault splays are present in separate intervals. Seismic facies analysis suggests that the upper interval is of limited areal extent. The lower interval, of more widespread occurrence, is presently in the oil and condensate generating zones in deep synclines between inversion ridges. The Yükler modelling indicates, however, that the coaly source rock interval entered the main window prior to formation of traps as a result of Late Miocene inversion. Lacustrine mudstones, similar to the highly oil-prone Oligocene mudstones and coals which are exposed in the Dong Ho area at the northern margin of the Song Hong Basin and on Bach Long Vi Island in Gulf of Tonkin, are interpreted to be preserved in a system of undrilled NW,SE Paleogene half-grabens NE of the Song Lo Fault Zone. This is based on the presence of intervals with distinct, continuous, high reflection seismic amplitudes. Considerable overlap exists between the shale-prone seismic facies and the modelled extent of the present-day oil and condensate generating zones, suggesting that active source kitchens also exist in this part of the basin. Recently reported oil in a well located onshore (BIO-STB-IX) at the margin of the basin, which is sourced mainly from "Dong Ho type" lacustrine mudstones supports the presence of an additional Paleogene sourced petroleum system. [source] Biological agents in the treatment of Crohn's diseaseALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 9 2002R. Caprilli SUMMARY The main aim of the management of Crohn's disease is to reduce inflammation. Current approaches with corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, mesalazine and antibiotics have limited therapeutic benefit for many patients. Considerable progress has been made with regard to our knowledge of the basic mechanisms of the disease, which is associated with immunological imbalance characterized by an excess of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Recent advances in bio-technology have led to the development of many new therapeutic agents, so-called biological agents, which selectively target single key processes involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. A growing number of biological agents are under investigation in both randomized controlled trials and uncontrolled studies. The aim of this review is to provide the clinician with an insight into the randomized controlled trials published in the literature on the use of biological agents in the treatment of Crohn's disease. [source] Performance of Buildings under Earthquakes in Barcelona, SpainCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 8 2006Alex H. Barbat The seismic hazard in the area of the city is described by means of the reduced 5% damped elastic response spectrum. Obtaining fragility curves for the most important building types of an urban center requires an important amount of information about the structures and the use of nonlinear structural analysis tools. The information on the buildings of Barcelona was obtained by collecting, arranging, improving, and completing the database of the housing and current buildings. The buildings existing in Barcelona are mainly of two types: unreinforced masonry structures and reinforced concrete buildings with waffled slab floors. In addition, the Arc-View software was used to create a GIS tool for managing the collected information to develop seismic risk scenarios. This study shows that the vulnerability of the buildings is significant and therefore, in spite of the medium to low seismic hazard in the area of the city, the expected seismic risk is considerable. [source] Estimate of the Area Affected Ecologically by the Road System in the United StatesCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2000Richard T. T. Forman Two recent studies in The Netherlands and Massachusetts ( U.S.A.) evaluated several ecological effects of roads, including traffic noise effects, and provide quantitative evidence for a definable "road-effect zone." Based on the approximate width of this asymmetric convoluted zone, I estimate that about one-fifth of the U.S. land area is directly affected ecologically by the system of public roads. I identify a series of assumptions and variables suggesting that over time this preliminary estimate is more likely to rise than drop. Several transportation planning and policy recommendations, ranging from perforating the road barrier for wildlife crossings to closing certain roads, offer promise for reducing this enormous ecological effect. Resumen: En vista de un sistema carretero extensivo, un abundante y creciente tráfico vehicular y una literatura dispersa indicando que algunos efectos ecológicos de las carreteras se extienden más allá de 100 m, parece probable que los efectos ecológicos acumulativos del sistema carretero en los Estados Unidos es considerable. Dos estudios recientes en los Países Bajos y Massachusetts ( USA) evaluaron diversos efectos ecológicos de las carreteras, incluyendo efectos del ruido del tráfico y proporcionan evidencia cuantitativa para una definible "zona de efecto carretero". En base a la amplitud aproximada de esta zona conpleja y asimétrica, estimé que alrededor de una auinta parte del área terrestre de los Estados Unidos es directamente afectada ecológicamente por el sistema de carreteras públicas. Identifiqué series de conjeturas y variables que surgieren que a lo largo del tiempo esta estimación preliminar es mas probable que incremente a que disminuya. Diversos planes de transportación y recomendaciones políticas, que van desde perforar la barrera carretera para propiciar el cruce de vida silvestre hasta el cierre de ciertas carreteras ofrecen la promesa de reducir este efecto carretero. [source] Prenatal and family risks of children born to mothers with epilepsy: effects on cognitive developmentDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 2 2008Karl Titze PhD The offspring of mothers with epilepsy are considered to be at developmental risk during pregnancy from: (1) generalized maternal seizures (hypoxia); (2) teratogenicity of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs); and (3) adverse socio-familial conditions associated with having a chronically sick mother. Sixty-seven children of mothers with epilepsy and 49 children from non-affected mothers, matched for control variables, were followed from birth to adolescence (53 males, 63 females; mean age 14y 2mo, range 10-20y). Prediction of intellectual performance of these children during adolescence was calculated from the following variables: maternal generalized seizures, prenatal exposure to AEDs, and quality of family stimulation (HOME Inventory) assessed in children at 2 years of age. Children who were prenatally exposed to AEDs achieved lower IQs than control children at adolescence. This effect was moderately significant for children who had been exposed to monotherapy (6 IQ points lower), but was considerable in those exposed to polytherapy (12 IQ points lower). Generalized seizures during pregnancy, observed in half the mothers, did not exacerbate this effect. Relative to prenatal risk status, the quality of the family environment had varied effects on intellectual development. Children with prenatal risks appeared to be more vulnerable to environmental disadvantage than control children, but they also showed longer-lasting effects of environmental support. [source] Negative symptoms of schizophrenia: a problem that will not go awayACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2007S. M. Stahl Objective:, Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are a common, enduring, and debilitating component of the psychopathology of schizophrenia. Although efforts thus far to elucidate a distinct schizophrenia subtype based upon negative symptoms have yielded mixed results, there are nevertheless neurobiological correlates of the negative symptom typology. Method:, A review of nosology, typology, and assessment tools for determining core negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Results:, Negative symptoms can be difficult to evaluate objectively. Current rating scales ,capture' key domains of negative symptoms, in spite of considerable overlap between these domains. However, each objective assessment trades off methodological rigor and detail against brevity of assessment and ease of use. Conclusion:, The description of new methods for measuring these devastating symptoms, coupled with the ongoing development of novel antipsychotics and agents that augment antipsychotics have fuelled renewed interest in the evaluation of negative symptoms and optimism that better treatments for negative symptoms can be found. [source] Epidemiology and natural course of social fears and social phobia,ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2003H.-U. Wittchen Objective: To summarize epidemiological studies providing data on prevalence, incidence, comorbidity, natural course, risk factors and consequences of social phobia (SP). Method: Data from cross-sectional studies and prospective longitudinal studies in particular are considered. Results: These studies portray SP as a frequent mental disorder, which begins typically in early adolescence, and is highly comorbid with other anxiety disorders, as well as secondary depression and substance abuse disorders. Several possible risk factors have already been identified for the onset and unfavorable course of SP; some of them have been tested in prospective longitudinal studies. SP is a chronic disorder when compared with other mental disorders and when subclinical symptomatic levels are considered. Impairment caused by SP is considerable and increases over a patient's life span. The negative impact of SP is not only reflected in subjective well-being and reduced quality of life but also in social role functioning, and it impacts negatively on career progression. Conclusion: Prospective longitudinal studies in representative samples drawn from the general population provide information that allows the overall direct and indirect costs of the disorder (treatment costs, disability, social welfare) to be determined, and enables an improvement in long-term care strategies as well as preventive efforts to be established. [source] Hypoglycaemia in Type 2 diabetesDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 3 2008S. A. Amiel Abstract The primary cause of hypoglycaemia in Type 2 diabetes is diabetes medication,in particular, those which raise insulin levels independently of blood glucose, such as sulphonylureas (SUs) and exogenous insulin. The risk of hypoglycaemia is increased in older patients, those with longer diabetes duration, lesser insulin reserve and perhaps in the drive for strict glycaemic control. Differing definitions, data collection methods, drug type/regimen and patient populations make comparing rates of hypoglycaemia difficult. It is clear that patients taking insulin have the highest rates of self-reported severe hypoglycaemia (25% in patients who have been taking insulin for > 5 years). SUs are associated with significantly lower rates of severe hypoglycaemia. However, large numbers of patients take SUs in the UK, and it is estimated that each year > 5000 patients will experience a severe event caused by their SU therapy which will require emergency intervention. Hypoglycaemia has substantial clinical impact, in terms of mortality, morbidity and quality of life. The cost implications of severe episodes,both direct hospital costs and indirect costs,are considerable: it is estimated that each hospital admission for severe hypoglycaemia costs around £1000. Hypoglycaemia and fear of hypoglycaemia limit the ability of current diabetes medications to achieve and maintain optimal levels of glycaemic control. Newer therapies, which focus on the incretin axis, may carry a lower risk of hypoglycaemia. Their use, and more prudent use of older therapies with low risk of hypoglycaemia, may help patients achieve improved glucose control for longer, and reduce the risk of diabetic complications. [source] Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among the Inuit in Greenland.DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 11 2004A comparison between two proposed definitions Abstract Aims To estimate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among Greenland Inuit according to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition and the definition suggested by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). Methods From 1999 to 2001, 917 adult Inuit participated in a health survey in Greenland. The examination included a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and blood pressure were measured. Plasma glucose, serum insulin, lipids and urine albumin/creatinine ratio were measured. The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the WHO criteria 1999 and to the working definition suggested by the NCEP 2001. Results Using the WHO and the NCEP criteria, 20.7% and 17.9% of the participants had the metabolic syndrome, respectively. There was a moderate agreement between the two definitions, , = 0.56 (95% CI 0.51,0.61). Of those with the WHO metabolic syndrome, 37.9% did not have the NCEP syndrome, and 28.5% of those with the NCEP syndrome were not classified with the metabolic syndrome under the WHO criteria. Compared with the WHO syndrome, men with the NCEP syndrome had higher mean values of waist circumference, BMI and triglycerides, and lower mean values of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; among women, triglycerides were higher with the NCEP syndrome. Conclusion The metabolic syndrome is common among Inuit using either the WHO definition or the proposed NCEP definition. The classification disagreement is considerable and a universally accepted definition is needed. [source] Diabetes in the elderly: problems of care and service provisionDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 2002S. Croxson Abstract Diabetes is common in the elderly and old UK citizens, affecting between 10% and 25%. There is considerable associated morbidity and mortality, with dementia being a common problem. The diabetic elder is also at risk of drug side-effects. Most of the evidence base for treatment is based on trials performed in younger diabetic subjects or older nondiabetic subjects; however, we can practice evidence-biased medicine whilst awaiting the results of ongoing trials. The older persons national service framework (NSF) may share some similarities with the diabetes NSF; it was 1 year late, and had no clear funding, amongst several other worries. Residential care, which is more likely to be required by diabetic elders, is also under-funded with major concerns about the quality of care for the diabetic resident. The little evidence that we have regarding care of the older diabetic person also suggests inadequacies. Given the likelihood that we will have to manage with present resources, managed clinical networks may be one way to cope. [source] Integration of Different Data Bodies for Humanitarian Decision Support: An Example from Mine ActionDISASTERS, Issue 4 2003Aldo A. Benini Geographic information systems (GIS) are increasingly used for integrating data from different sources and substantive areas, including in humanitarian action. The challenges of integration are particularly well illustrated by humanitarian mine action. The informational requirements of mine action are expensive, with socio,economic impact surveys costing over US$1.5 million per country, and are feeding a continuous debate on the merits of considering more factors or ,keeping it simple'. National census offices could, in theory, contribute relevant data, but in practice surveys have rarely overcome institutional obstacles to external data acquisition. A positive exception occurred in Lebanon, where the landmine impact survey had access to agricultural census data. The challenges, costs and benefits of this data integration exercise are analysed in a detailed case study. The benefits are considerable, but so are the costs, particularly the hidden ones. The Lebanon experience prompts some wider reflections. In the humanitarian community, data integration has been fostered not only by the diffusion of GIS technology, but also by institutional changes such as the creation of UN-led Humanitarian Information Centres. There is a question whether the analytic capacity is in step with aggressive data acquisition. Humanitarian action may yet have to build the kind of strong analytic tradition that public health and poverty alleviation have accomplished. [source] Improvement and validation of a snow saltation model using wind tunnel measurementsEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 14 2008Andrew Clifton Abstract A Lagrangian snow saltation model has been extended for application to a wide variety of snow surfaces. Important factors of the saltation process, namely number of entrained particles, ejection angle and speed, have been parameterized from data in the literature. The model can now be run using simple descriptors of weather and snow conditions, such as wind, ambient pressure and temperature, snow particle sizes and surface density. Sensitivity of the total mass flux to the new parameterizations is small. However, the model refinements also allow concentration and mass flux profiles to be calculated, for comparison with measurements. Sensitivity of the profiles to the new parameterizations is considerable. Model results have then been compared with a complete set of drifting snow data from our cold wind tunnel. Simulation mass flux results agree with wind tunnel data to within the bounds of measurement uncertainty. Simulated particle sizes at 50 mm above the surface are generally larger than seen in the tunnel, probably as the model only describes particles in saltation, while additional smaller particles may be present in the wind tunnel at this height because of suspension. However, the smaller particles carry little mass, and so the impact on the mass flux is low. The use of simple input data, and parameterization of the saltation process, allows the model to be used predictively. This could include applications from avalanche warning to glacier mass balance. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Consequences of hyperconcentrated flow for process-based soil erosion modelling on the Chinese Loess PlateauEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 9 2006Rudi Hessel Abstract High sediment concentrations in runoff are a characteristic feature of the Chinese Loess Plateau, and are probably caused by factors such as the occurrence of erodible materials on steep slopes, the characteristics of the loess and the harsh climate that results in low plant cover. When sediment concentration increases, fluid density increases, viscosity increases and settling velocity decreases. These effects become increasingly important with increasing concentration and can result in flow behaviour that is quite different from that of clear water flow. Although the net effect of these changes on the flow is not always apparent, erosion models that deal with high sediment concentrations should consider such effects and could include corrections for some of these effects. A case study in a small catchment on the Loess Plateau indicated that sediment concentrations were considerable, and literature data suggested that for such sediment concentrations, corrections for settling velocity, fluid density and viscosity are needed. Furthermore, a number of corrections are necessary to be able to compare field measurements with results of soil erosion models: sediment volume should be subtracted from runoff volume and a density correction is needed to use data from a pressure transducer. For flumes that were used to measure discharge from smaller areas inside the catchment, the measured water level should be corrected by subtracting the sediment level in the flume from the water level, while the sediment volume should also be subtracted from the discharge. Finally, measured concentration should be corrected to give concentration expressed as grams per litre of clear water, since soil erosion models express sediment concentration in this way. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Extreme events controlling erosion and sediment transport in a semi-arid sub-andean valleyEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 13 2002R. Coppus Abstract The importance of extreme events in controlling erosion and sediment transport in semi-arid areas has long been appreciated but in practice being by definition rare and episodic they are difficult to study. When they are observed this is frequently in catchments for which little data are available. Another difficulty is that even when catchments are being monitored the instruments that record discharge, sediment load and hillslope sediment fluxes perform inaccurately or unpredictably during extreme weather conditions. This paper describes slope and channel processes that were actually observed by the authors during a (at least) 1 : 30 year 30 minute event with a rainfall intensity of 240 mm h,1 in a second-order tributary of the Rio Camacho near Tarija in southern Bolivia. During the event, it could be observed how different tributary streams and slope sections contributed sediments and flow to the main channel. Evidence for these contributions did not survive the event, which has implications for both modelling and monitoring. Before the onset of the event open erosion plots were functioning on the slopes where rainfall and runoff were being measured. Rainfall experiments were used to obtain infiltration rates. The storm began with a moderate intensity of about 5 cm per hour but increased after 5 minutes to 30 cm per hour and continued for 30 minutes. At this time, the rainfall intensity greatly exceeded the infiltration capacity and water started draining the steep slopes. The ephemeral channel rapidly filled up with runoff. Erosion by hailstones was considerable. Provisionally, the discharge during peak runoff was estimated at 43·7 m3 s,1 (Manning equation). On the basis of sediment loads carried by previous storms, (average concentration of 21 g l,1) the total suspended load discharge during the storm would have been 15 ton ha,1. Within the ephemeral channel, 10 to 50 cm thick layers of coarse sediments were deposited. The collectors of the open erosion plots could not handle the large amounts of runoff and sediment and were completely filled to overflowing. Comparing these data with soil losses during less intense storms it can be concluded that extreme events largely contribute to erosion and sediment transport and that the majority of the rainstorms play only a minor role. The results also show how limited the values of rainfall experiments are in understanding geomorphic events. This makes modelling of erosion and soil losses a difficult and hazardous task. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Estimating the mean speed of laminar overland flow using dye injection-uncertainty on rough surfacesEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 4 2001David Dunkerley Abstract A common method for estimating mean flow speeds in studies of surface runoff is to time the travel of a dye cloud across a measured flow path. Motion of the dye front reflects the surface flow speed, and a correction must be employed to derive a value for the profile mean speed, which is always lower. Whilst laminar flow conditions are widespread in the interrill zone, few data are available with which to establish the relationship linking surface and profile mean speeds, and there are virtually none for the flow range 100,<,Re,<,500 (Re,=,Reynolds number) which is studied here. In laboratory experiments on a glued sand board, mean flow speeds were estimated from both dye speeds and the volumetric flow relation v,=,Q/wd with d measured using a computer-controlled needle gauge at 64 points. In order to simulate conditions applicable to many dryland soils, the board was also roughened with plant litter and with ceramic tiles (to simulate surface stone cover). Results demonstrate that in the range 100,<,Re,<,500, there is no consistent relation between surface flow speeds and the profile mean. The mean relationship is v,=,0·56 vsurf, which departs significantly from the theoretical smooth-surface relation v,=,0·67 vsurf, and exhibits a considerable scatter of values that show a dependence on flow depth. Given the inapplicability of any fixed conversion factor, and the dependence on flow depth, it is suggested that the use of dye timing as a method for estimating v be abandoned in favour of precision depth measurement and the use of the relation v,=,Q/wd, at least within the laminar flow range tested. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Long-term succession in a Danish temperate deciduous forestECOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2005Richard H. W. Bradshaw Forest successional trajectories covering the last 2000 yr from a mixed deciduous forest in Denmark show a gradual shift in dominance from Tilia cordata to Fagus sylvatica and a recent increase in total forest basal area since direct management ceased in 1948. The successions are reconstructed by combining a fifty-year record of direct tree observations with local pollen diagrams from Draved Forest, Denmark. Five of the seven successions record a heathland phase of Viking Age dating from 830 AD. The anthropogenic influence is considerable throughout the period of study even though Draved contains some of the most pristine forest stands in Denmark. Anthropogenic influence including felling masks the underlying natural dynamics, with the least disturbed sites showing the smallest compositional change. Some effects of former management, such as loss of Tilia cordata dominance, are irreversible. Artificial disturbance, particularly drainage, has accelerated and amplified the shift towards Fagus dominance that would have occurred on a smaller scale and at a slower rate in the absence of human intervention. [source] Host plant specificity in several species of generalist mite predatorsECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 6 2001J. J. Beard Summary 1. Species in the genus Neoseiulus are considered to be generalist predators, with some species used in biological control programmes against phytophagous mites and insects. 2. A general survey of Neoseiulus species in inland Australia indicated that different species are associated with particular tree species. This pattern of host plant use was investigated for four Neoseiulus species (N. buxeus, N. cappari, N. brigarinus, N. eremitus) by means of a sampling programme through time and across space. 3. Each species of Neoseiulus was collected entirely or mostly from one species of tree; little or no overlap was detected despite the tree species growing in well-mixed stands. Host plant specificity thus appears to be strong in this genus. 4. Species in two other genera (Pholaseius and Australiseiulus), also considered to be predatory, showed a similar association with particular tree species. 5. The implications for the use of these predators in biological control are considerable. In particular, phytoseiid species with specific needs in terms of host plants may not be suitable for use as general purpose predators. Meeting the needs of phytoseiids through the modification of host plant attributes may be a step towards enhancing their efficacy as biological control agents. [source] Smoothing It: Some Aristotelian misgivings about the phronesis-praxis perspective on educationEDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY, Issue 4 2005Kristján KristjánssonArticle first published online: 26 JUL 200 Abstract A kind of ,neo-Aristotelianism' that connects educational reasoning and reflection to phronesis, and education itself to praxis, has gained considerable following in recent educational discourse. The author identifies four cardinal claims of this phronesis-praxis perspective: that a) Aristotle's epistemology and methodology imply a stance that is essentially, with regard to practical philosophy, anti-method and anti-theory; b) ,producing', under the rubric of techné, as opposed to ,acting' under the rubric of phronesis, is an unproblematically codifiable process; c) phronesis must be given a particularist interpretation; and d) teaching is best understood as praxis in the Aristotelian sense, guided by phronesis. The author argues that these claims have insufficient grounding in Aristotle's own writings, and that none of them stands up to scrutiny. [source] Factors influencing prehospital and emergency department analgesia administration to patients with femoral neck fracturesEMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA, Issue 3 2002John Vassiliadis Abstract Objectives: To assess the analgesia practices of ambulance personnel and emergency department staff treating patients with fractured neck of femur. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 176 patients with an admission diagnosis of fractured neck of femur, who presented to a major western Sydney teaching hospital, between January and November 1999. Results: One hundred and twenty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 82, there were more female than male subjects. Ambulance officers made a clinical diagnosis of fractured neck of femur in 68% of cases. In 49% of cases no analgesia was given. Patients were given a higher triage category and pain relief faster if they had been given analgesia by ambulance officers, P = 0.0018 and P = 0.002, respectively. The median time to analgesia was 2 h 48 min. Conclusions: Only a modest proportion of patients with fractured neck of femur received prehospital analgesia and delays to analgesia in the emergency department are considerable. Strategies to address the delivery of appropriate analgesia to this group of patients should be developed. [source] Life in Darwin's dust: intercontinental transport and survival of microbes in the nineteenth centuryENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 12 2007Anna A. Gorbushina Summary Charles Darwin, like others before him, collected aeolian dust over the Atlantic Ocean and sent it to Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg in Berlin. Ehrenberg's collection is now housed in the Museum of Natural History and contains specimens that were gathered at the onset of the Industrial Revolution. Geochemical analyses of this resource indicated that dust collected over the Atlantic in 1838 originated from the Western Sahara, while molecular-microbiological methods demonstrated the presence of many viable microbes. Older samples sent to Ehrenberg from Barbados almost two centuries ago also contained numbers of cultivable bacteria and fungi. Many diverse ascomycetes, and eubacteria were found. Scanning electron microscopy and cultivation suggested that Bacillus megaterium, a common soil bacterium, was attached to historic sand grains, and it was inoculated onto dry sand along with a non-spore-forming control, the Gram-negative soil bacterium Rhizobium sp. NGR234. On sand B. megaterium quickly developed spores, which survived for extended periods and even though the numbers of NGR234 steadily declined, they were still considerable after months of incubation. Thus, microbes that adhere to Saharan dust can live for centuries and easily survive transport across the Atlantic. [source] The role of political myth in the international conflict over genetically modified foods and cropsENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND GOVERNANCE, Issue 6 2007Sarah Lieberman Abstract Although the controversy over genetically modified (GM) foods and crops has generated some well known myths, such as ,frankenfoods', there has been little analysis of the political role played by these myths. Yet the significance of myth in the GM debate is considerable: indeed, by reflecting and reinforcing the political stances of the major protagonists, myths have themselves become important components in the conflict. With the aid of theoretical tools derived from Laclau, we examine the notion of political myth, and find that it has three levels: factual error, social meaning and political hegemony. We apply this theory to the GM controversy, distinguishing between substantive GM myths, such as frankenfoods, and procedural GM myths, such as the EU moratorium on GM products. We conclude that if such political myths become powerful enough, they could transform themselves into dominant hegemons , i.e. what Laclau calls social imaginaries , and begin to dictate GM policies across the globe. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source] Lamotrigine in Pregnancy: Pharmacokinetics During Delivery, in the Neonate, and During LactationEPILEPSIA, Issue 6 2000Inger Ohman Summary: Purpose: To investigate the pharmacokinetics of lamotrigine (LTG) during delivery, during the neonatal period, and lactation. Methods: High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine plasma and milk levels of LTG in nine pregnant women with epilepsy treated with LTG, and plasma levels in their 10 infants. Samples were obtained at delivery, the first 3 days postpartum, and at breast-feeding 2,3 weeks after delivery. Results: At delivery, maternal plasma LTG concentrations were similar to those from the umbilical cord, indicating extensive placental transfer of LTG. There was a slow decline in the LTG plasma concentration in the newborn. At 72 h postpartum, median LTG plasma levels in the infants were 75% of the cord plasma levels (range, 50,100%). The median milk/maternal plasma concentration ratio was 0.61 (range, 0.47,0.77) 2,3 weeks after delivery, and the nursed infants maintained LTG plasma concentrations of ,30% (median, range 23,50%) of the mother's plasma levels. Maternal plasma LTG concentrations increased significantly during the first 2 weeks after parturition, the median increase in plasma concentration/dose ratio being 170%. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate a marked change in maternal LTG kinetics after delivery, possibly reflecting a normalization of an induced metabolism of LTG during pregnancy. LTG is excreted in considerable amounts in breast milk (the dose to the infant can be estimated to 0.2,1 mg/kg/day 2,3 weeks postpartum), which in combination with a slow elimination in the infants, may result in LTG plasma concentrations comparable to what is reported during active LTG therapy. No adverse effects were observed in the infants, however. [source] Divergence between the Courtship Songs of the Field Crickets Gryllus texensis and Gryllus rubens (Orthoptera, Gryllidae)ETHOLOGY, Issue 12 2001Mark J. Fitzpatrick Acoustic mating signals are often important as both interspecific prezygotic isolating mechanisms and as sexually selected traits in intraspecific mate choice. Here, we investigate the potential for cricket courtship song to act as an isolating mechanism by assessing divergence between the courtship songs of Gryllus texensis and Gryllus rubens, two broadly sympatric cryptic sister species of field crickets with strong prezygotic isolation via the calling song and little or no postzygotic isolation. We found significant species-level differences in the courtship song, but the song has not diverged to the same extent as the calling song, and considerable overlap remains between these two species. Only two related courtship song characters are sufficiently distinct to play a possible role in prezygotic species isolation. [source] Night time eating: a review of the literatureEUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 1 2003Martina de Zwaan Abstract This study reviews the published research on night time eating, including the night eating syndrome (NES) and the nocturnal eating/drinking syndrome (NEDS). Studies were identified by a computerized literature search (PubMed, PsycInfo) and by references from the papers obtained. In addition, published abstracts from recent conferences in the areas of eating disorders and obesity were included. Individual studies were reviewed and their results summarized. Wakeful night time eating appears to be a frequent symptom which is more common among the obese. The data suggest an early age of onset with a chronic course in many patients. There appears to be considerable overlap between NES and NEDS. Treatment studies are sparse. The clinical features of these syndromes, their comorbidities, and their prevalence rates remain a matter of debate. It is unclear if the night eating syndrome presents a distinct entity that is of clinical relevance. The current nosologies may not capture the natural clustering of eating and sleep-related pathology as it occurs in general population samples. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source] Disease burden of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia within the European UnionEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Louise Watson Abstract Objective:, Whilst Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is considered a rare disease, to our knowledge, the current prevalence of CLL within the European Union (EU) member states is not published. Understanding the number of individuals with CLL is vital to assess disease burden within the wider population. Methods:, Using 2002 data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, we estimated the number of individuals with CLL (ICD-10 C91.1) from those reported for all leukaemias (C91,95) and extrapolated the figures by the population increase within the EU between 2002 and 2006, the last year with fully updated community population estimates. One- and 5-yr partial prevalence estimates are reported (i.e. the number of individuals still living 1,5 yr post-diagnosis). We then applied proportional estimates from the literature to assess those requiring immediate treatment, those under observation and their likely progression rates. Results:, We found that within the 27 EU states plus Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein, 1- and 5-yr CLL partial prevalence estimates totalled approximately 13 952 and 46 633 individuals respectively in 2006. By applying Binet staging to the 1-yr estimate, 40% of patients will be stage B/C and require immediate treatment. Thus, 5581 individuals may be treated within the first year of diagnosis. Of the 60% (8371) under observation, by 5 yr up to 33% (2763) may have more advanced disease with increased risk of mortality. Conclusion:, Whilst CLL is a rare disease, the number of individuals burdened by the disease within the EU is considerable and thousands of patients require treatment and physician care, which has cost implications for member states. [source] EORTC QLQ-C30 and FACT-BMT for the measurement of quality of life in bone marrow transplant recipients: a comparisonEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2000Martin Kopp Abstract: The purpose of the study was to compare two differentquality-of-life self-rating instruments, namely the EORTC QLQ-C30, developed by the quality-of-life study group of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, and the FACT-BMT (version 3), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy , Bone Marrow Transplantation scale, which is the FACT-G(eneral measure) in combination with a module developed specifically for evaluating quality of life of bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients. Fifty-six BMT recipients completed both the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the FACT-BMT (German language version) during the same session. Questionnaire data were analyzed on a subscale basis using correlation analysis and multiple linear regression. Correlations between corresponding subscales of EORTC QLQ-C30 and the FACT-BMT ranged from r=0.30 for the emotional domain (poor agreement) to r=0.77 for global QOL (good agreement). This suggests that the instruments, despite considerable overlap, possibly focus on different aspects of QOL, in particular in addressing emotional and social issues of BMT patients. It appears that the FACT-BMT gives a more comprehensive overview regarding the multidimensional construct of quality of life. The EORTC QLQ-C30 gives more insight into the physical aspects of quality of life and helps to identify symptoms which effectively decrease quality of life from the patient's perspective. The QLQ-C30 might be improved by the incorporation of a BMT-specific module currently under development. We therefore conclude that neither of the two instruments can be replaced by the other in the assessment of QOL of BMT patients and that a direct comparison of results obtained with the two instruments is likely to be misleading. [source] Low cross-reactivity of T-cell responses against lipids from Mycobacterium bovis and M. avium paratuberculosis during natural infectionEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 11 2009Ildiko Van Rhijn Abstract Although CD1 proteins are known to present mycobacterial lipid antigens to T cells, there is little understanding of the in vivo behavior of T cells restricted by CD1a, CD1b and CD1c, and the relative immunogenicity and immunodominance of individual lipids within the total array of lipids that comprise a bacterium. Because bovines express multiple CD1 proteins and are natural hosts of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP), we used them as a new animal model of CD1 function. Here, we report the surprisingly divergent responses against lipids produced by these two pathogens during infection. Despite considerable overlap in lipid content, only three out of 69 animals cross-react with M. bovis and MAP total lipid preparations. The unidentified immunodominant compound of M. bovis is a hydrophilic compound, whereas the immunodominant lipid of MAP is presented by CD1b and was identified as glucose monomycolate (GMM). The preferential recognition of GMM antigen by MAP-infected cattle may be explained by the higher expression of GMM by MAP than by M. bovis. The bacterial species-specific nature of the CD1-restricted, adaptive T-cell response affects the approach to development of lipid based immunodiagnostic tests. [source] Induction of bilateral plasticity in sensory cortical maps by small unilateral cortical infarcts in ratsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 3 2003S. Reinecke Abstract Behavioural impairments caused by brain lesions show a considerable, though often incomplete, recovery. It is hypothesized that cortical and subcortical plasticity of sensory representations contribute to this recovery. In the hindpaw representation of somatosensory cortex of adult rats we investigated the effects of focal unilateral cortical lesions on remote areas. Cortical lesions with a diameter of ,,2 mm were induced in the parietal cortex by photothrombosis with the photosensitive dye Rose Bengal. Subsequently, animals were kept in standard cages for 7 days. On day seven, animals were anaesthetized and cutaneous receptive fields in the cortical hindpaw representations ipsi- and contralateral to the lesion were constructed from extracellular recordings of neurons in layer IV using glass microelectrodes. Receptive fields in the lesioned animals were compared to receptive fields measured in nonlesioned animals serving as controls. Quantitative analysis of receptive fields revealed a significant increase in size in the lesioned animals. This doubling in receptive field size was observed equally in the hemispheres ipsi- and contralateral to the lesion. The results indicate that the functional consequences of restricted cortical lesions are not limited to the area surrounding the lesion, but affect the cortical maps on the contralateral, nonlesioned hemisphere. [source] New control system for an ac-excited synchronous machine to achieve a wide field weakening range and a high overload capabilityEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL POWER, Issue 3 2001J. Haag In the conventional AC-excited synchronous machine operated with mains excitation [1,2], the commutation conditions in the machine-side thyristor converter do not allow the drive to be notably overloaded. In addition operation with field weakening and full four-quadrant operation are not possible due to the principle. If on the other hand the AC-excited synchronous machine is excited by a small insulated gate bipolar transistor inverter (IGBT), then the commutation conditions in the machine-side thyristor converter can be improved with the control system presented here. Therefore a considerable overload capability and a field weakening range of 1:2 and more can be realized with the AC-excited synchronous machine. Areas of application previously excluded are thus opened up to the AC-excited synchronous machine. [source] Membrane binding of SRP pathway components in the halophilic archaea Haloferax volcaniiFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 7 2004Tovit Lichi Across evolution, the signal recognition particle pathway targets extra-cytoplasmic proteins to membranous translocation sites. Whereas the pathway has been extensively studied in Eukarya and Bacteria, little is known of this system in Archaea. In the following, membrane association of FtsY, the prokaryal signal recognition particle receptor, and SRP54, a central component of the signal recognition particle, was addressed in the halophilic archaea Haloferax volcanii. Purified H. volcanii FtsY, the FtsY C-terminal GTP-binding domain (NG domain) or SRP54, were combined separately or in different combinations with H. volcanii inverted membrane vesicles and examined by gradient floatation to differentiate between soluble and membrane-bound protein. Such studies revealed that both FtsY and the FtsY NG domain bound to H. volcanii vesicles in a manner unaffected by proteolytic pretreatment of the membranes, implying that in Archaea, FtsY association is mediated through the membrane lipids. Indeed, membrane association of FtsY was also detected in intact H. volcanii cells. The contribution of the NG domain to FtsY binding in halophilic archaea may be considerable, given the low number of basic charges found at the start of the N-terminal acidic domain of haloarchaeal FtsY proteins (the region of the protein thought to mediate FtsY,membrane association in Bacteria). Moreover, FtsY, but not the NG domain, was shown to mediate membrane association of H. volcanii SRP54, a protein that did not otherwise interact with the membrane. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||