bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monitoring, Motivation, and Management: The Determinants of Opportunistic Behavior in a Field Experiment
Authors: Nagin Daniel S , Rebitzer James B , Sanders Seth , Taylor Lowell J
Published: October 2002

Economic models of incentives in employment relationships are based on a specific theory of motivation: employees are “rational cheaters,” who anticipate the consequences of their actions and shirk when the marginal benefits exceed costs. We investigate the “rational cheater model” by observing how experimentally induced variation in monitoring of telephone call center employees influences opportunism. A significant fraction of employees behave as the “rational cheater model” predicts. A substantial proportion of employees, however, do not respond to manipulations in the monitoring rate. This heterogeneity is related to variation in employee assessments of their general treatment by the employer.
Rating Banks: Risk and Uncertainty in an Opaque Industry
Authors: Morgan Donald P
Published: October 2002

The pattern of disagreement between bond raters suggests that banks and insurance firms are inherently more opaque than other types of firms. Moody's and S&P split more often over these financial intermediaries, and the splits are more lopsided, as theory here predicts. Uncertainty over the banks stems from certain assets, loans and trading assets in particular, the risks of which are hard to observe or easy to change. Banks' high leverage, which invites agency problems, compounds the uncertainty over their assets. These findings bear on both the existence and reform of bank regulation.
How Regional Blocs Affect Excluded Countries: The Price Effects of MERCOSUR
Authors: Chang Won , Winters L. Alan
Published: October 2002

The welfare effects of PTAs are most directly linked to changes in trade prices, i.e., the terms of trade. This paper employs a simple strategic pricing game in segmented markets to measure the effects of MERCOSUR on the pricing of “nonmember” exports to Brazil: As Brazil exempts its MERCOSUR partners from tariffs, the resulting competitive pressure leads other exporters to reduce their prices. Working with detailed data on unit values and tariffs we find that the creation of MERCOSUR was associated with significant declines in the prices of nonmembers' exports to the region.
Testing Intertemporal Substitution, Implicit Contracts, and Hours Restriction Models of the Labor Market Using Micro Data
Authors: Ham John C , Reilly Kevin T
Published: October 2002

We present new tests of three theories of the labor market: intertemporal substitution, hours restrictions, and implicit contracts. The intertemporal substitution test we implement is an exclusion test robust to many specification errors and we consistently reject this model. We model hours restrictions as part of an endogenous switching model. We compare the implicit probit equation to an unrestricted probit equation for unemployment and reject the hours restriction model. For the implicit contracts model, we estimate nonseparable within-period labor-supply and consumption equations. We test a cross-equation restriction of the model and cannot reject the implicit contracts model.
Targeting Nominal Income Growth or Inflation?
Authors: Jensen Henrik
Published: October 2002

Within a simple New Keynesian model emphasizing forward-looking behavior of private agents, I evaluate optimal nominal income growth targeting versus optimal inflation targeting. When the economy is mainly subject to shocks that do not involve monetary policy trade-offs for society, inflation targeting is preferable. Otherwise, nominal income growth targeting may be superior because it induces inertial policy making, which improves the inflation–output-gap trade-off. Somewhat paradoxically, inflation targeting may be relatively less favorable the more society dislikes inflation, and the more persistent are the effects of inflation-generating shocks.
Did the Elimination of Mandatory Retirement Affect Faculty Retirement?
Authors: Ashenfelter Orley , Card David
Published: October 2002

A special exemption from the 1986 Age Discrimination Act allowed colleges and universities to enforce mandatory retirement of faculty at age 70 until 1994. We construct a survey that permits us to compare faculty turnover rates before and after the law changed at a large sample of institutions with defined contribution pension plans. After the elimination of compulsory retirement the retirement rates of 70- and 71-year-olds fell by two-thirds and were comparable to rates of 69-year-olds. These findings indicate that U.S. colleges and universities will experience a rise in the number of older faculty over the coming years.
Geography of the Family
Authors: Konrad Kai A , Künemund Harald , Lommerud Kjell Erik , Robledo Julio R
Published: October 2002

We study the residential choice of siblings who are altruistic towards their parents. The firstborn child's location choice influences the behavior of the second-born child and can shift some of the burden of providing care for the parents from one child to the other. These strategic considerations lead to an equilibrium location pattern with firstborn children locating further away from their parents than second-born children. We also analyze the location choices empirically using German data. These data confirm our theoretical predictions.
Longer-Term Effects of Head Start
Authors: Garces Eliana , Thomas Duncan , Currie Janet
Published: October 2002

Specially collected data on adults in the Panel Study of Income Dynamics are used to provide evidence on the longer-term effects of Head Start, an early intervention program for poor preschool-age children. Whites who attended Head Start are, relative to their siblings who did not, significantly more likely to complete high school, attend college, and possibly have higher earnings in their early twenties. African-Americans who participated in Head Start are less likely to have been booked or charged with a crime. There is some evidence of positive spillovers from older Head Start children to their younger siblings.
HIV post-exposure prophylaxis after sexual assault: the experience of a sexual assault service in London
Authors: Limb S , Kawsar M , Forster G E
Published: November 2002

Objectives: To review the provision, uptake and outcome of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (HIV-PEP) after sexual assault. Methods: A retrospective case note review of patients attending a sexual assault service in London during 1999. Results: Ten out of 150 patients were considered eligible for PEP after a careful risk assessment. Eight patients accepted HIV-PEP. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) consisted of Combivir/indinavir in six patients and Combivir/nelfinavir in two patients. Two patients changed their combination due to adverse events. Five patients completed the recommended 28 days of treatment. Three patients discontinued therapy due to adverse events. Two patients who completed HIV-PEP were noted to have raised cholesterol at follow-up. All patients who took PEP were HIV-1 and -2 antibody negative at six months. Conclusions: Compared with other published studies the completion rate of HIV-PEP in our study was high. The uptake and adverse events of HAART in this scenario were similar to previously published studies. A multidisciplinary approach to the management of this patient group will improve adherence to PEP.
Conformity effects in memory as a function of group size, dissenters and uncertainty
Authors: Walther Eva , Bless Herbert , Strack Fritz , Rackstraw Patsy , Wagner Doris , Werth Lioba
Published: November 2002

In two experimental studies we investigated how false memory reports provided by anonymous group members affect individuals' recognition. Participants were presented with a series of salient and non‐salient objects and recognition memory was subsequently assessed for presented and non‐presented stimuli. In this recognition test, participants were confronted with (in)correct responses from bogus group members. The findings indicate that the bogus answers influenced memory reports only in the absence of a clear recollection and if the stimulus was not judged to be particularly memorable. Moreover, we found no evidence that motivational influences affected participants' judgements. However, the influence of the bogus group decreased with the presence of dissenters who broke the unanimity of the group, and it increased with higher uncertainty. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A commentary on Pedersen and Wright
Authors: Burt Christopher D. B.
Published: November 2002

Pedersen and Wright (2002) examined the hypothesis proposed by Burt (1999) that verb use in event descriptions can influence an individuals estimate of event duration. This paper examines some of the reasoning proposed in the Pedersen and Wright paper, the methods they use and their results. It is concluded that their experiments failed to provide adequate conditions for the hypothesis to be tested and that further research is required to determine how the selection of words to describe an event might influence estimated event duration. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anti‐bronchoconstrictor activities and side effect potential of inhaled formoterol and (S,R)‐epiformoterol in the rhesus monkey
Authors: Fozard John R. , Buescher Heinz
Published: November 2002

In a recent patent, the (S,R) isomer of epiformoterol was claimed to be a bronchodilator with reduced adverse effects compared to racemic formoterol. We initiated the present study to seek direct evidence for the claim. Anaesthetised, spontaneously breathing rhesus monkeys were set up for measuring airways resistance. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured concomitantly to gauge systemic exposure and the potential for side effects. Formoterol, 1.2µg/kg, administered by aerosol, induced rapidly developing, sustained inhibition of the bronchoconstrictor responses to aerosolised methacholine accompanied by tachycardia. (S,R)‐epiformoterol, 63µg/kg, induced anti‐bronconstrictor effects and an associated tachycardia, which were superimposable with those induced by racemic formoterol at 1.2µg/kg. Thus, (S,R)‐epiformoterol is a long‐acting anti‐bronchoconstrictor agent in the rhesus monkey and causes an associated tachycardia. This profile is not qualitatively different from that of racemic formoterol but does differ from that of salmeterol, which, in this model, shows lower efficacy and more pronounced tachycardia for an equivalent degree of anti‐bronchoconstrictor activity. Thus, the claim that (S,R)‐epiformoterol shows bronchodilator activity with reduced adverse effect potential compared to racemic formoterol is not supported by the present data. Drug Dev. Res. 57:1–5, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phase I trial with oral oxihumate in HIV‐infected patients
Authors: Botes Mariëtte E. , Dekker J. , van Rensburg C.E.J.
Published: November 2002

Oxihumate is formed through conversion of bituminous coal by controlled wet oxidation. The objective of the study, based on in vitro studies, was to evaluate the safety and toxicity profile of oxihumate at various doses in HIV‐1‐infected individuals. Thirty‐seven antiretroviral‐naïve adults were randomized in a double‐blind study to dosages of either 2, 4, 6, or 8 g oxihumate or placebo per day and treated for 2 weeks. The baseline CD4‐positive lymphocyte count was 213–570×106/L and baseline viral load 675–275,000 copies/ml. Patients were reviewed at days 5, 10, and 15, as well as 1 week posttreatment. Of the 37 patients, 35 were followed up until the end of the study. None of the adverse events was thought to be related to the investigative drug. Efficacy parameters were compared between treatment groups at week 2 using analysis of covariance (with baseline value for a patient as the covariant). Strong evidence (P=0.018) was found that the posttreatment weight differed between treatment groups (adjusted for initial weight). All active treatment groups gained weight compared to the placebo. No significant difference in the viral load or CD4‐positive lymphocyte count between the active ingredient and the placebo was found. None of the biochemical and hematological parameters differed significantly from the baseline at end of treatment. In conclusion, oxihumate is well tolerated, with an excellent safety profile when tested over a period of 2 weeks. This period was too short to establish efficacy or optimum dosage levels. Drug Dev. Res. 57:34–39, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Self‐construction and restricted conversations
Authors: Espejo Raul
Published: November 2002

This paper explores the emergence of organization from individuals' interactions in a collective. Its focus is on small collectives like teams. Organization is explained as an outcome of both self‐organization and design. Self‐organization requires stretching environments and also commitment of individuals to the interests of the collective. As interactions produce organization individuals are constituted as autonomous and non‐autonomous roles participating in processes of constitution and production. The interest in these processes is that they help understanding the embodiment of knowledge to produce organizations with desirable properties. This understanding triggers a reflection about research and design. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Woman Friendly Hospital Initiative in Bangladesh setting: standards for the care of women subject to violence
Authors: Haque Y.A , Clarke J.M
Published: November 2002

The Woman Friendly Hospital Initiative is part of the overall strategy aimed at overcoming a situation of high maternal mortality in Bangladesh. It has evolved from the reality of 14% of maternal deaths being associated with violence. A key of the initiative is the management of violence against women. Training courses for doctors developed through a process of multi‐sectoral consultation. The focus is on effecting a change in the perceptions, emotions, attitude, knowledge and skills of providers and nurturing leadership.
Comparative evaluation of JPEG and JPEG2000 compression in quantitative digital subtraction radiography.
Authors: Fidler A , Likar B , Pernus F , Skaleric U
Published: November 2002

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the impact of JPEG and the novel JPEG2000 compression standard on quantitative digital subtraction radiography (DSR) and to determine the acceptable JPEG2000 compression ratios for DSR.

METHODS

Nine dry pig mandible sections were radiographed three times ('Baseline', 'No change', and 'Gain') with standardized projection geometry. Bone gain was simulated by adding artificial bone chips (1, 4 and 15 mg). Images were registered, compressed by JPEG and JPEG2000 using compression ratios (CR) of 1 : 7, 1 : 16, 1 : 22, and 1 : 31, and then subtracted. Image distortion was assessed objectively by calculating average pixel error and peak signal to noise ratio. No change areas in compressed and subtracted 'No change-Baseline' images and bone gain volumes in compressed and subtracted 'Gain-Baseline' images were calculated for both compression standards and compared.

RESULTS

JPEG introduced less distortion at low CRs, while JPEG2000 was superior at higher CRs. At CR of 1 : 7, no significant difference between JPEG and JPEG2000 was found. JPEG2000 yielded better results for no change measurements at higher CRs. Volumes of simulated bone gain were overestimated when JPEG and underestimated when JPEG2000 compression was used.

CONCLUSIONS

At CR of 1 : 7 JPEG and JPEG2000 performed similarly, which indicates that CR of 1:7 in JPEG2000 can be used for DSR if images are registered before compression. At higher CRs, JPEG2000 is superior to JPEG but image distortions are too high for reliable quantitative DSR.
Signal recognition particle RNA localization within the nucleolus differs from the classical sites of ribosome synthesis
Authors: Politz Joan C. , Lewandowski Laura B. , Pederson Thoru
Published: November 2002

The nucleolus is the site of ribosome biosynthesis, but is now known to have other functions as well. In the present study we have investigated how the distribution of signal recognition particle (SRP) RNA within the nucleolus relates to the known sites of ribosomal RNA synthesis, processing, and nascent ribosome assembly (i.e., the fibrillar centers, the dense fibrillar component (DFC), and the granular component). Very little SRP RNA was detected in fibrillar centers or the DFC of the nucleolus, as defined by the RNA polymerase I–specific upstream binding factor and the protein fibrillarin, respectively. Some SRP RNA was present in the granular component, as marked by the protein B23, indicating a possible interaction with ribosomal subunits at a later stage of maturation. However, a substantial portion of SRP RNA was also detected in regions of the nucleolus where neither B23, UBF, or fibrillarin were concentrated. Dual probe in situ hybridization experiments confirmed that a significant fraction of nucleolar SRP RNA was not spatially coincident with 28S ribosomal RNA. These results demonstrate that SRP RNA concentrates in an intranucleolar location other than the classical stations of ribosome biosynthesis, suggesting that there may be nucleolar regions that are specialized for other functions.
Unchain my heart, baby let me go—the entry and intracellular transport of HIV
Authors: Sodeik Beate
Published: November 2002

In this issue, McDonald et al. describe the itinerary of the incoming human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)**Abbreviations used in this paper: GFP, green fluorescent protein; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; MT, microtubules; RTC, reverse transcription complex. during its travels to the host nucleus. They show that subviral particles tagged with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) are propelled along microtubules (MTs) by minus-end–directed and presumably plus-end–directed MT motors. The tracked particles correspond to functional units, since they no longer include a viral envelope, but do include viral matrix protein, Vpr, capsid protein, and reverse transcription activity.
Role of the Arginyl-Glycyl-Aspartic Motif in the Action of Ptr ToxA Produced byPyrenophora tritici-repentis
Authors: Meinhardt Steven W. , Cheng Weijun , Kwon Chil Y. , Donohue Christine M. , Rasmussen Jack B.
Published: November 2002

A fundamental problem of plant science is to understand the biochemical basis of plant/pathogen interactions. The foliar disease tan spot of wheat (Triticum aestivum), caused byPyrenophora tritici-repentis, involves Ptr ToxA, a proteinaceous host-selective toxin that causes host cell death. The fungal gene ToxA encodes a 17.2-kD pre-pro-protein that is processed to produce the mature 13.2-kD toxin. Amino acids 140 to 142 of the pre-pro-protein form an arginyl-glycyl-aspartic (RGD) sequence, a motif involved in the binding of some animal proteins and pathogens to transmembrane receptor proteins called integrins. Integrin-like proteins have been identified in plants recently, but their role in plant biology is unclear. Our model for Ptr ToxA action predicts that toxin interacts with a putative host receptor through the RGD motif. Mutant clones of a ToxA cDNA, created by polymerase chain reaction such that the RGD in the pro-toxin was changed to arginyl-alanyl-aspartic or to arginyl-glycyl-glutamic, were expressed in Escherichia coli. Extracts containing mutated forms of toxin failed to cause host cell death, but extracts from E. coliexpressing both a wild-type pro-protein cDNA and a control mutation away from RGD were active in cell death development. In competition experiments, 2 mm RGD tripeptide reduced the level of electrolyte leakage from wheat leaves by 63% when co-infiltrated with purified Ptr ToxA (15 μg mL−1) obtained from the fungus, but the control peptide arginyl-glycyl-glutamyl-serine provided no protection. These experiments indicate that the RGD motif of Ptr ToxA is involved with toxin action, possibly by interacting with a putative integrin-like receptor in the host.
Differential Production of meta Hydroxylated Phenylpropanoids in Sweet Basil Peltate Glandular Trichomes and Leaves Is Controlled by the Activities of Specific Acyltransferases and Hydroxylases
Authors: Gang David R. , Beuerle Till , Ullmann Pascaline , Werck-Reichhart Daniéle , Pichersky Eran
Published: November 2002

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) peltate glandular trichomes produce a variety of small molecular weight phenylpropanoids, such as eugenol, caffeic acid, and rosmarinic acid, that result from meta hydroxylation reactions. Some basil lines do not synthesize eugenol but instead synthesize chavicol, a phenylpropanoid that does not contain a metahydroxyl group. Two distinct acyltransferases,p-coumaroyl-coenzyme A:shikimic acidp-coumaroyl transferase andp-coumaroyl-coenzyme A:4-hydroxyphenyllactic acidp-coumaroyl transferase, responsible for the production of p-coumaroyl shikimate and ofp-coumaroyl 4-hydroxyphenyllactate, respectively, were partially purified and shown to be specific for their substrates.p-Coumaroyl-coenzyme A:shikimic acidp-coumaroyl transferase is expressed in basil peltate glands that are actively producing eugenol and is not active in glands of noneugenol-producing basil plants, suggesting that the levels of this activity determine the levels of synthesis of some meta-hydroxylated phenylpropanoids in these glands such as eugenol. Two basil cDNAs encoding isozymes of cytochrome P450 CYP98A13, whichmeta hydroxylates p-coumaroyl shikimate, were isolated and found to be highly similar (90% identity) to the Arabidopsis homolog, CYP98A3. Like the Arabidopsis enzyme, the basil enzymes were found to be very specific for p-coumaroyl shikimate. Finally, additional hydroxylase activities were identified in basil peltate glands that convert p-coumaroyl 4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid to its caffeoyl derivative andp-coumaric acid to caffeic acid.
Stoichiometry of the Photosynthetic Apparatus and Phycobilisome Structure of the Cyanobacterium Plectonema boryanum UTEX 485 Are Regulated by Both Light and Temperature
Authors: Miskiewicz Ewa , Ivanov Alexander G. , Huner Norman P.A.
Published: November 2002

The role of growth temperature and growth irradiance on the regulation of the stoichiometry and function of the photosynthetic apparatus was examined in the cyanobacterium Plectonema boryanum UTEX 485 by comparing mid-log phase cultures grown at either 29°C/150 μmol m−2 s−1, 29°C/750 μmol m−2 s−1, 15°C/150 μmol m−2 s−1, or 15°C/10 μmol m−2s−1. Cultures grown at 29°C/750 μmol m−2s−1 were structurally and functionally similar to those grown at 15°C/150 μmol m−2 s−1, whereas cultures grown at 29°C/150 μmol m−2 s−1were structurally and functionally similar to those grown at 15°C/10 μmol m−2 s−1. The stoichiometry of specific components of the photosynthetic apparatus, such as the ratio of photosystem (PS) I to PSII, phycobilisome size and the relative abundance of the cytochrome b6/f complex, the plastoquinone pool size, and the NAD(P)H dehydrogenase complex were regulated by both growth temperature and growth irradiance in a similar manner. This indicates that temperature and irradiance may share a common sensing/signaling pathway to regulate the stoichiometry and function of the photosynthetic apparatus in P. boryanum. In contrast, the accumulation of neither the D1 polypeptide of PSII, the large subunit of Rubisco, nor the CF1 α-subunit appeared to be regulated by the same mechanism. Measurements of P700 photooxidation in vivo in the presence and absence of inhibitors of photosynthetic electron transport coupled with immunoblots of the NAD(P)H dehydrogenase complex in cells grown at either 29°C/750 μmol m−2 s−1 or 15°C/150 μmol m−2 s−1 are consistent with an increased flow of respiratory electrons into the photosynthetic intersystem electron transport chain maintaining P700 in a reduced state relative to cells grown at either 29°C/150 μmol m−2 s−1 or 15°C/10 μmol m−2 s−1. These results are discussed in terms of acclimation to excitation pressure imposed by either low growth temperature or high growth irradiance.
Phosphorus Effects on Metabolic Processes in Monoxenic Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Cultures
Authors: Olsson Pål Axel , van Aarle Ingrid M. , Allaway William G. , Ashford Anne E. , Rouhier Hervé
Published: November 2002

The influence of external phosphorus (P) on carbon (C) allocation and metabolism as well as processes related to P metabolism was studied in monoxenic arbuscular mycorrhiza cultures of carrot (Daucus carota). Fungal hyphae of Glomus intraradices proliferated from the solid minimal medium containing the colonized roots into C-free liquid minimal medium with different P treatments. The fungus formed around three times higher biomass in P-free liquid medium than in medium with 2.5 mminorganic P (high-P). Mycelium in the second experiment was harvested at an earlier growth stage to study metabolic processes when the mycelium was actively growing. P treatment influenced the root P content and [13C]glucose administered to the roots 7 d before harvest gave a negative correlation between root P content and13C enrichment in arbuscular mycorrhiza fungal storage lipids in the extraradical hyphae. Eighteen percent of the enriched13C in extraradical hyphae was recovered in the fatty acid 16:1ω5 from neutral lipids. Polyphosphate accumulated in hyphae even in P-free medium. No influence of P treatment on fungal acid phosphatase activity was observed, whereas the proportion of alkaline-phosphatase-active hyphae was highest in high-P medium. We demonstrated the presence of a motile tubular vacuolar system inG. intraradices. This system was rarely seen in hyphae subjected to the highest P treatment. We concluded that the direct responses of the extraradical hyphae to the P concentration in the medium are limited. The effects found in hyphae seemed instead to be related to increased availability of P to the host root.
Use of Fluorinated Organic Compounds in Living Radical Polymerizations
Authors: Lacroix-Desmazes Patrick , Améduri Bruno , Boutevin Bernard
Published: November 2002

Controlled/living radical polymerization (LRP) is a field of special interest because it allows tailoring well-defined macromolecular architectures such as telechelic, block, graft or star copolymers. Since the eighties, several techniques have been reported [such as the iniferter method, nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMP), atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), iodine transfer polymerization (ITP), and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)] giving rise to a huge number of publications and patents. This review aims at illustrating the contribution of fluorinated organic compounds in this area of research through the use of fluorinated initiators (dithiocarbamates, xanthates, tetraphenylethanes, alkoxyamines, fluorinated alkyl halides, and dithioesters) or other fluorinated molecules (ligands, solvents). Another point depicts the LRP of various fluorinated monomers (methacrylates, acrylates, styrenics, and alkenes). Finally, fluorinated block and graft copolymers prepared by LRP have been reported. A review with 165 references.
Comparing Isotope Effects and Rates for the Methanolic Sodium Methoxide Reactions of 9-R-Fluorene to Those for p-CF3C6H4CHClR (R = CH2Cl, CH2F and CF3)
Authors: Koch Heinz F. , Pomerantz William C. , Ruggles Erik L. , van Laren Martijn , van Roon Anne-Marie
Published: November 2002

Kinetic primary isotope effects and activation parameters associated with the methanolic sodium methoxide-promoted dehydrohalogenation reactions of 9-(chloromethyl)fluorene and 9-(fluoromethyl)fluorene are reported and compared to for p-CF3C6H4CHClCH2Cl and p-CF3C6H4CHClCH2F. The element effect, kHCl/kHF = 4 at 25 °C, for the fluorenyl compounds is only a tenth of the value, kHCl/kHF = 54, obtained for the benzylic compounds. Also reported are the activation parameters for the methanolic sodium methoxide reactions of 9-(trifluoro)methylfluorene for deuterium exchange and dehydrofluorination, and are compared to those for p-CF3C6H4CHClCF3. In both cases the exchange reaction is faster than the elimination; however, in the fluorenyl system there is a large difference between the entropies of activation for exchange, ∆S≠ = -14 eu, and elimination, ∆S≠ = +10 eu; however, the ∆S≠ of 12-13 eu are the same for the benzylic systems. The eliminations for 9-(chloromethyl)fluorene and 9-(fluoromethyl)fluorene are 80 to 1,000 times faster than those for p-CF3C6H4CHClCH2X. The reactions of 9-(trifluoromethyl)fluorene are favored over p-CF3C6H4CHClCF3 by 200,000 for the dehydrofluorination and 1,000 for the exchange at 25 °C; however, due to the large differences in activation entropies, the exchange reaction is favored by 107 at -50 °C.
Some Characteristics of Human Body Surface Vibration Induced by Low Frequency Noise
Authors: Takahashi Yukio , Kanada Kazuo , Yonekawa Yoshiharu
Published: November 2002

The body surface vibration induced by low frequency noise (noise-induced vibration) was measured at the forehead, the anterior chest and the anterior abdomen. At all the measuring locations, the increase steps in the vibration acceleration levels of the noise-induced vibrations was in good agreement with the increase steps, in the sound pressure levels of the noise stimuli. The vibration acceleration level measured at the forehead was found to increase suddenly at around 31.5–40 Hz, while the acceleration levels measured at the chest and abdomen increased with frequency at approximately constant rates in the 20- to 50Hz range. Our results showed no clear evidence of the effect of posture or bilateral asymmetry in the noise-induced vibration. We found that the noise-induced vibrations measured at the chest and abdomen were correlated negatively with the body fat percentage.
Assessment of Vibrations from Landbased Transport — A New Norwegian Standard
Authors: Turunen-Rise Iiris H.
Published: November 2002

Protection against vibration nuisance in order to maintain satisfactory conditions during work, sleep, rest and recreation was specified in the Norwegian building regulations in 1997. Problems with soft clay with high water content in densely populated areas cause vibration problems in dwellings from heavy road and rail traffic. A qualified vibration measurement method for transport sources was published as Norwegian standard NS 8176 in 1999. An empirical method for determination of statistical maximum values of velocity or acceleration (vw,95 or aw,95) and guidelines for the assessment of vibrations is introduced and exposure-effect curves presented as a basis for a classification system with four vibration classes in relation to the vibration nuisance.
The Evaluation of Horizontal Whole-Body Vibration in the Low Frequency Range
Authors: Uchikune Masashi
Published: November 2002

International Standard ISO 2631 gives the reaction to horizontal vibration for the occupant of a building, a public transport system, the oscillations of the ocean and so on. These effects have not yet been evaluated by physiological methods as the criterion curves in the Standard are based on psychological evaluations of comfort and discomfort, rather than physiological investigations. Physiological and psychological effects of low frequency horizontal vibration on the whole-body were as follows: Changes in the autonomic nervous system were observed, in which the system tended to change from the state of predominance of the parasympathetic nervous system to that of the sympathetic nervous system, when the frequency exceeded the range 0.2 to 0.4Hz, typically around 0.3Hz.
Language, duration estimation, and causation
Authors: Wright Daniel B. , Pedersen Alice C. I.
Published: November 2002

Burt (2002) raises several interesting points in his commentary on our paper. However, the most important difference between his and our studies, the design, was not addressed. We argue that our experimental approach makes more realistic assumptions for causal interpretation. The other points that he raises—the relationship between practical and statistical significance, the verbs used by our participants, and definitions of memory—are all discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The behavioural treatment of sleep difficulties in children with an intellectual disability
Authors: Thackeray Emma J. , Richdale Amanda L.
Published: November 2002

Reinforcement, instruction giving, partner support strategies, bedtime routine, and standard extinction were taught to the parents of three boys (aged 5–10 years) with an intellectual disability and sleeping difficulties. Sleep was measured using sleep diaries and actigraphy, and daytime behaviour was monitored using diaries and direct observation. At referral, all children needed a parent present to fall asleep, two had co‐sleeping difficulties, and two had night waking difficulties. At post‐intervention, all children were falling asleep independently, co‐sleeping was eliminated for two children, and night waking was reduced in one child. An extinction burst was experienced by two children, with one family putting their child back to bed 259 times on the first night. Though one child still had night waking difficulties following intervention, actigraph recording demonstrated an improvement in his sleep quality. In addition to the children's independence, improvements were seen for sleep length, sleep latency, and morning wake time. However, improvements in daytime behaviour showed inconsistency across behaviours and settings. Improvement in sleep was maintained at a three month follow‐up. It was concluded that using extinction to address sleep problems in children with an intellectual disability is effective and approved of by parents, but any impact on daytime behaviour is equivocal. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of the emulsion‐diffusion of solvent: preparation and characterization of nanocapsules
Authors: Guinebretière Sandra , Briançon Stéphanie , Lieto Joseph , Mayer Christian , Fessi Hatem
Published: November 2002

The objective of this work was to obtained stable nanocapsules (NC), that is to say a core shell structure by a recently patented method, the emulsion diffusion of solvent. To study the capacity of encapsulation, the aim was first to control the nanocapsules size distribution before the characterization of the membrane. Nanocapsules (NC) were prepared by an emulsion‐diffusion method. The emulsion was prepared using a high‐speed stirrer (Ultraturrax T25), and the droplet size distributions were determined. The mechanism of particle formation is based on the diffusion of the solvent followed by the deposition of the polymer around the oil droplet. The solvent partially soluble in the water and included in oil droplets diffuses into the outer aqueous medium after the emulsion dilution with water. It is then removed under reduced pressure. In order to control the NC sizes, we studied the effect of various emulsion parameters such as the nature and the concentration of the polymer, the stabilizer, the organic/aqueous phases ratio on NC morphology and size. The mean size of NC was about 500 nm, but we could have NC with diameter size between 200 to 1,000 nm. Size distributions were found to be function of the polymer/oil ratio in the organic phase, and of the solvent volume in the droplet. The suspension of nanocapsules were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), density gradient centrifugation, and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The formation of nanocapsules involves mass transfer of solvent, polymer, and oil between phases. The physicochemical properties of the system can be classified into transport parameters such as solvent diffusion into the non‐solvent and interaction parameters such as solvent solubility in the water and the polymer. The mechanism of NC formation was investigated experimentally by monitoring the solvent concentration as a function of time in the continuous phase after different dilutions. The solvent elimination in the NC was complete after a dilution step followed by an evaporation under reduced pressure. This NC study gave some important information on their structure (core shell). The mechanism of formation based on the diffusion of solvent towards the aqueous phase was very rapid and depended on the volume of water at a kinetic level. We also showed that the state of the polymer changes and that the polymer forms the shell around the oil. Drug Dev. Res. 57:18–33, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The role of biopsy in the diagnosis of renal tumors of childhood: Results of the UKCCSG Wilms tumor study 3
Authors: Vujanić Gordan M. , Kelsey Anna , Mitchell Chris , Shannon Rosemary S. , Gornall Peter
Published: November 2002

Background

The United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG) Wilms Tumor Study 3 has adopted preoperative chemotherapy for Wilms tumors (WT), but required prechemotherapy biopsy for histologic diagnosis. The aims of this review were to assess the usefulness and safety of prechemotherapy biopsy and to compare histologic features of WT before and after chemotherapy.

Procedure

There were 286 eligible patients but only 241 biopsies and 226 nephrectomy case slides were submitted for panel review. The presence of different histologic components of WT before and after chemo therapy was retrospectively assessed.

Results

Among the 241 cases, the biopsy material in 9 (4%) was not diagnostic, in 28 (12%) that were clinically and radiologically consistent with WT, the biopsy revealed tumors other than WT, and in the remaining 204 (85%) WT was confirmed. Of 188 WT suitable cases, blastema was found in 89% of tumors at biopsy, but in only 50% at nephrectomy; the remainder were either completely necrotic (17%) or showed only epithelial and/or stromal elements (33%). Of 182 children who had percutaneous cutting needle biopsy (PCNB), a fall in haemoglobin (20% of cases) and local pain (19%) were the most common complications. One child re quired emergency nephrectomy due to massive intratumoral bleeding, another had tumor rupture and subsequently died, and a third developed a needle track recurrence 8 months after the biopsy.

Conclusions

A number of renal tumors (12%) can have the correct histologic diagnosis made by PCNB. Preoperative chemo therapy markedly decrease in the number of samples with preserved blastema. The morbidity associated with PCNB is small. Needle biopsy of any renal mass prior to initiation of chemotherapy is recommended. Med Pediatr Oncol 2003;40:18–22, © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Infrared spectroscopic study on the crystallization of water in poly(vinyl methyl ether) aqueous solution during heating
Authors: Zhang J. M. , Zhang G. B. , Wang J. J. , Lu Y. L. , Shen D. Y.
Published: November 2002

The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results are consistent with the differential scanning calorimetric results and verify the anomalous crystallization of water in 50% poly(vinyl methyl ether) aqueous solution during heating. Below about −34 °C, the water/polymer complex was not damaged, and the water still associated with the polymer. When heating to about −34 °C, the associated water started to free from the unpolar (methyl group) and polar‐site (ether‐oxygen group) interaction fields of polymer gradually. Then crystallization of water was induced in this system at temperatures ranging from −34 to −24 °C. The FTIR data also indicate that the structure of water started to change first upon forming strong H bonds among water molecules, and then the dehydration of the polymer began to proceed subsequently when the anomalous crystallization of water occurred. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2772–2779, 2002
Establishing a one‐stop crisis center for women suffering violence in Khonkaen hospital, Thailand
Authors: Grisurapong S
Published: November 2002

This paper discusses the experiences of the Khonkaen provincial hospital, which has been selected as an intervention case site for a one‐stop crisis service for women who have been physically or sexually assaulted. It will be compared with another provincial hospital where no intervention has taken place.
Misoprostol in second and early third trimester for termination of pregnancies with fetal anomalies
Authors: Mendilcioglu I. , Simsek M. , Seker P.E. , Erbay O. , Zorlu C.G. , Trak B.
Published: November 2002

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of a prostaglandin E1 analog, misoprostol, using different regimens compared with dinoprostone in termination of pregnancies in second and early third trimester complicated by either congenital fetal anomalies or intrauterine fetal demise. Methods: A retrospective review of 59 pregnancies between 15 and 30 weeks was performed which were terminated due to congenital fetal anomalies or intrauterine fetal demise. In group 1 (n=29) 400 μg oral and 600 μg vaginal misoprostol, in group 2 (n=12) 600 μg vaginal misoprostol and in group 3 (n=18) 0.5 mg dinoprostone gel were given for the termination of the pregnancies. All these groups were evaluated for demographic characteristics and delivery findings. Statistical analysis were performed by one‐way ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis and χ2‐test. Results: No significant statistical difference was observed in terms of age, gravidity, parity, previous abortion, gestational week, frequency of prostaglandin usage, and birth weights among the three groups. The time intervals between the first administration and delivery were 20.3 h for oral vaginal misoprostol, 17.3 h for vaginal misoprostol and 22.5 h for the dinoprostone group (P=0.594). Evacuation rates after single doses were similar in all groups (83%, 73% and 72%, respectively). Uterine tachysystole was the only major side effect encountered in the oral‐vaginal misoprostol group. Conclusions: All three regimens yielded similar results for termination of pregnancies in second and third trimester. The major advantage of misoprostol was the cost.
Supplementary Ultraviolet-B Radiation Induces a Rapid Reversal of the Diadinoxanthin Cycle in the Strong Light-Exposed DiatomPhaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Mewes Heiko , Richter Michael
Published: November 2002

A treatment of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum with high light (HL) in the visible range led to the conversion of diadinoxanthin (Dd) to diatoxanthin (Dt). In a following treatment with HL plus supplementary ultraviolet (UV)-B, the Dt was rapidly epoxidized to Dd. Photosynthesis of the cells was inhibited under HL + UV-B. This is accounted for by direct damage by UV-B and damage because of the UV-B-induced reversal of the Dd cycle and the associated loss of photoprotection. The reversal of the Dd cycle by UV-B was faster in the presence of dithiothreitol, an inhibitor of the Dd de-epoxidase. Our results imply that the reversal of the Dd cycle by HL + UV-B was caused by an increase in the rate of gross Dt epoxidation, whereas the de-epoxidation of Dd was unaffected by UV-B. This is further supported by our finding that the in vitro de-epoxidation activity and the affinity toward the cosubstrate ascorbic acid of the Dd de-epoxidase were both unaffected by UV-B pretreatment of intact cells. We provide evidence that Dt epoxidation is normally down-regulated by a high pH gradient under HL. It is proposed that supplementary UV-B affected the pH gradient across the thylakoid membrane, which disrupted the down-regulation of Dt epoxidation and led to the observed increase in the rate of Dt epoxidation.
Induction of the Arginine Decarboxylase ADC2 Gene Provides Evidence for the Involvement of Polyamines in the Wound Response in Arabidopsis
Authors: Perez-Amador Miguel A. , Leon Jose , Green Pamela J. , Carbonell Juan
Published: November 2002

Polyamines are small ubiquitous molecules that have been involved in nearly all developmental processes, including the stress response. Nevertheless, no direct evidence of a role of polyamines in the wound response has been described. We have studied the expression of genes involved in polyamine biosynthesis in response to mechanical injury. An increase in the expression of the arginine decarboxylase 2 (ADC2) gene in response to mechanical wounding and methyl jasmonate (JA) treatment in Arabidopsis was detected by using DNA microarray and RNA gel-blot analysis. No induction was observed for the ADC1 gene or other genes coding for spermidine and spermine synthases, suggesting thatADC2 is the only gene of polyamine biosynthesis involved in the wounding response mediated by JA. A transient increase in the level of free putrescine followed the increase in the mRNA level forADC2. A decrease in the level of free spermine, coincident with the increase in putrescine after wounding, was also observed. Abscisic acid effected a strong induction onADC2 expression and had no effect on ADC1expression. Wound-induction of ADC2 mRNA was not prevented in the JA-insensitive coi1 mutant. The different pattern of expression of ADC2 gene in wild-type and coi1 mutant might be due to the dual regulation ofADC2 by abscisic acid and JA signaling pathways. This is the first direct evidence of a function of polyamines in the wound-response, and it opens a new aspect of polyamines in plant biology.
Fluorine-Containing Allenylpalladium Complexes. Synthesis of Optically Active Fluoroalkylated Allenes and Furan Derivatives
Authors: Konno Tsutomu , Tanikawa Mitsuru , Ishihara Takashi , Yamanaka Hiroki
Published: November 2002

The reaction of fluoroalkylated propargyl mesylates with various nucleophiles, such as zinc reagents and enolates derived from 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, in the presence of a palladium catalyst was investigated in detail. Various zinc reagents participated in the coupling reaction to give the corresponding fluoroalkylated allenes in good yields. When chiral mesylates were employed, the corresponding optically active allenes were obtained without any loss of enantiomeric purity in the reaction. On the other hand, treatment of trifluoromethylated propargyl mesylate with stabilized carbanions derived from methyl acetoacetate, acetylacetone, and diethyl malonate afforded fluorine-containing furan derivatives in moderate to high yields.
AL-WAHRĀNĪ, AUTEUR DE MAQĀMAS
Authors: Zakharia Katia
Published: November 2002

Auteur mineur, al-Wahrānī a laissé trois maqāmas (dont une en deux versions). L'étude de ces textes illustre la place et la fonction de l'inter-textualité dans les textes classiques, montrant notamment la difficulté que rencontre un auteur secondaire à assimiler les sources auxquelles il emprunte de manière à produire, malgré ces emprunts, un texte original. Cette étude permet également de montrer que l'adab , loin de l'auto-célébration figée qu'on lui impute parfois, est un espace vivace, en contact avec les réalités linguistiques et sociales du quotidien. Enfin, cet article illustre indirectement, par l'utilisation qu'il fait des bibliothèques virtuelles, l'intérêt pour le chercheur arabisant de ces nouvelles sources de documentation.
Perceptions of the Public of Low Frequency Noise
Authors: Manley D.M.J.P. , Styles P. , Scott J.
Published: November 2002

This paper describes the results of a series of measurements using a variety of systems comprising vibration sensors and sound-level measuring devices. These were carried out at the homes of people experiencing the effects of low frequency noise and in other environments where low-frequency noise was likely to be generated. Suggestions are made as to the possible reasons for the perception of low-frequency noise by sufferers.