bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in Perceptions of Driving Skills
Authors: Rosenbloom Sandra
Published: January 2008

This paper is based on one part of a major study in the United Kingdom of the driving problems of older people. It addresses two key issues: first, the differences between how older people view their own driving skills and what adult children think of their older relatives as drivers and, second, the influence of adult children on their older relatives’ driving behavior—either improving their skills or ceasing driving entirely. The study showed that most older people viewed themselves as good drivers but that most adult children of older drivers did not feel that those drivers drove safely. Most older people said that their children did not comment on their driving. Those who did admit that their families criticized their driving largely felt that those criticisms were unwarranted. Adult children reported that discussions with their parents about driving were often acrimonious without any positive results. There were substantial differences between male and female older drivers on all these issues. When asked if there were ways to improve the driving of older people, neither older drivers nor adult children knew about techniques that could enhance their driving rather than reduce their exposure or cease driving entirely. All these findings suggest that (a) strategies to encourage better or safer driving may have to be differentially targeted to men and women and (b) there is a need to promote those techniques that improve older driver performance or crash outcomes.
Additional Dilemma Zone Protection for Trucks at High-Speed Signalized Intersections
Authors: Zimmerman Karl
Published: January 2008

Trucks are typically overrepresented in rural intersection crashes. These heavy vehicles have different stopping characteristics from the passenger cars around them, and such differences can result in conflicts and crashes. Crashes between trucks and passenger cars may be particularly severe. Trucks may require 50% more distance to stop than passenger cars, so they probably have a different dilemma zone than passenger cars. In addition, truck drivers may be less willing to stop for a red signal, and trucks are about twice as likely as passenger cars to run red lights. This paper presents the concept of providing additional dilemma zone protection for trucks by allowing for the additional time and distance that trucks require to stop and thereby reducing the number of trucks in the dilemma zone and red light violations. The concept was tested by using the detection control system developed at the Texas Transportation Institute. The use of a truck dilemma zone 1.5 s longer than the passenger car dilemma zone produced a 47% reduction in the number of trucks in the dilemma zone without a noticeable effect on intersection delay.
Multimodality
Authors: Nobis Claudia
Published: January 2008

The car can be integrated into the complex structures of contemporary lifestyles like no other mode of transportation. The consequence is the emergence of highly car-dependent mobility behavior. Nevertheless, the use of multiple modes of transportation, a behavior that is desirable from the perspective of transportation policy, is a matter of course and daily routine for a not insignificant segment of the population. This group, referred to as multimodals, is the subject of this study. “Multimodality” is defined as the use of at least two modes of transportation—bicycle, car, or public transportation—in 1 week. Monomodal car users serve as the contrast group for the study. The study is based on the data sets from the national survey Mobility in Germany, 2002, as well as the 1999–2004 data of the German Mobility Panel. The results indicate a close relationship between multimodality and life stage. Most adolescents are multimodal, mainly out of necessity, and the percentage of multimodal people declines drastically on entry into professional life. However, an above-average number of multimodals can also be found among their older counterparts, even when car availability is high. Furthermore, the data show that multimodal mobility behavior is most often encountered in population centers, as urban lifestyles offer good conditions for promoting this behavior.
New Jersey Turnpike Time-of-Day Pricing Initiative's Behavioral Impacts
Authors: Holguín-Veras José , Xu Ning , Wang Qian , Ozbay Kaan , Zorrilla Juan C. , Cetin Mecit
Published: January 2008

This paper discusses the key findings of a research project aimed at assessing the behavioral impacts of the time-of-day pricing implementation on the New Jersey Turnpike. Analysis of data collected by the authors, including behavioral and travel patterns before and after the time-of-day pricing initiative, revealed the following: ( a) about 7.0% of individual drivers (6.6% of car trips) changed behavior as a consequence of the time-of-day pricing initiative, which translated into market elasticities for toll changes of –0.398 with the number of individuals used as the unit of demand and of –0.545 with the number of trips per month used; ( b) users responded to time-of-day pricing by implementing multidimensional strategies, including changes in facility usage, time of travel, productivity of car travel, and mode or occupancy; ( c) users traveling relatively shorter distances exhibited more elastic behavior than those traveling long distances; and ( d) only around 5% had more than one-half hour of flexibility and traveled during peak hours (they could be the target of the time-of-day pricing initiative because of the flexibility to shift to off-peak periods).
What Drives Telecommuting?
Authors: Walls Margaret , Safirova Elena , Jiang Yi
Published: January 2008

A 2002 survey of Southern California residents was analyzed to evaluate the relative importance of factors that determined a worker's propensity to telecommute and telecommuting frequency. The survey collected a wealth of individual demographic information as well as job type, industry, and employer characteristics from about 5,000 residents. In agreement with previous studies, the propensity to telecommute was found to increase with worker age and educational attainment. At the same time, it was concluded that the propensity to telecommute depended to a large extent on a worker's job characteristics and that the quantitative effects of job characteristics were at least as important as demographic factors. The factors that affected telecommuting frequency were also studied based on a 1-week commuting diary of the telecommuters in the survey. The industry and occupation categories that played a significant role in affecting the propensity to telecommute did not have similar effects on telecommuting frequency. On the contrary, some other job-related factors showed substantial influences.
Quantifying rate enhancements for acid catalysis in CO2‐enriched high‐temperature water
Authors: Hunter Shawn E. , Savage Phillip E.
Published: December 2007

Thermodynamic calculations revealed that 10 to 100‐fold increases in reaction rate are obtainable with added CO2 (0.1–1 MPa) for an acid‐catalyzed reaction in high‐temperature liquid water (HTW) that is first order in H+ concentration. These calculations suggest that CO2 is most effective as a rate‐enhancing additive in HTW at lower temperatures (150–200°C). When compared with increased temperature as a competitive option for accelerating acid‐catalyzed reactions in HTW, CO2 addition generally carries a lower pressure penalty (and no temperature penalty) for the model acid‐catalyzed reaction with activation energies of up to 35 kcal/mol. An experimental survey revealed that CO2 addition is effective for achieving increased reaction rates for dibenzyl ether hydrolysis in HTW, but that bisphenol A cleavage, methyl benzoate hydrolysis, and o‐phthalic acid decarboxylation were not significantly impacted by added CO2. This behavior is consistent with previous results for these reactions wherein mineral acid, rather than CO2, was added to lower the pH. A summary of experimental results reported for reactions in CO2‐enriched HTW revealed that product yields of some reactions can be increased by a factor of 23 with added CO2. Taken collectively, these results suggest that CO2 addition may be a practical technique for making HTW more attractive as a reaction medium for acid‐catalyzed organic synthesis. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
A comparison of salivary pH in sympatric wild lemurs (Lemur catta and Propithecus verreauxi) at Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve, Madagascar
Authors: Cuozzo Frank P. , Sauther Michelle L. , Yamashita Nayuta , Lawler Richard R. , Brockman Diane K. , Godfrey Laurie R. , Gould Lisa , Youssouf Ibrahim Antho Jacky , Lent Cheryl , Ratsirarson Joelisoa , Richard Alison F. , Scott Jessica R. , Sussman Robert W. , Villers Lynne M. , Weber Martha A. , Willis George
Published: December 2007

Chemical deterioration of teeth is common among modern humans, and has been suggested for some extinct primates. Dental erosion caused by acidic foods may also obscure microwear signals of mechanical food properties. Ring‐tailed lemurs at the Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve (BMSR), Madagascar, display frequent severe tooth wear and subsequent tooth loss. In contrast, sympatric Verreaux's sifaka display far less tooth wear and infrequent tooth loss, despite both species regularly consuming acidic tamarind fruit. We investigated the potential impact of dietary acidity on tooth wear, collecting data on salivary pH from both species, as well as salivary pH from ring‐tailed lemurs at Tsimanampesotse National Park, Madagascar. We also collected salivary pH data from ring‐tailed lemurs at the Indianapolis Zoo, none of which had eaten for at least 12 hr before data collection. Mean salivary pH for the BMSR ring‐tailed lemurs (8.098, n=41, SD=0.550) was significantly more alkaline than Verreaux's sifaka (7.481, n=26, SD=0.458). The mean salivary pH of BMSR (8.098) and Tsimanampesotse (8.080, n=25, SD=0.746) ring‐tailed lemurs did not differ significantly. Salivary pH for the Indianapolis Zoo sample (8.125, n=16, SD=0.289) did not differ significantly from either the BMSR or Tsimanampesotse ring‐tailed lemurs, but was significantly more alkaline than the BMSR Verreaux's sifaka sample. Regardless of the time between feeding and collection of pH data (from several minutes to nearly 1 hr), salivary pH for each wild lemur was above the “critical” pH of 5.5, below which enamel demineralization occurs. Thus, the high pH of lemur saliva suggests a strong buffering capacity, indicating the impact of acidic foods on dental wear is short‐lived, likely having a limited effect. However, tannins in tamarind fruit may increase friction between teeth, thereby increasing attrition and wear in lemurs. These data also suggest that salivary pH varies between lemur species, corresponding to broad dietary categories. Am. J. Primatol. 70:363–371, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anorganische Nanopartikel zum Transport von Nucleinsäuren in Zellen
Authors: Sokolova Viktoriya , Epple Matthias
Published: December 2007

Die Aufnahme von Nucleinsäuren (DNA oder RNA) in lebende Zellen wird als Transfektion bezeichnet. Diese wichtige Technik der modernen Biochemie und Molekularbiologie ermöglicht durch die Einschleusung von genetischem Material sowohl die Hochregulierung der Produktion bestimmter Proteine als auch die gezielte Inhibition der Proteinsynthese (Gen‐Stummschaltung). Da Nucleinsäuren die Zellwand nicht allein durchdringen können, bedarf es geeigneter Träger. Neben viralen, polymeren und liposomalen Trägern sind anorganische Nanopartikel für diese Aufgabe besonders geeignet, da sie in vielfältiger Natur hergestellt und oberflächenfunktionalisiert werden können. In diesem Aufsatz wird der gegenwärtige Stand der Forschung aus chemischer Sicht vorgestellt; Vor‐ und Nachteile der verfügbaren Methoden werden diskutiert.
Alternative experimental approaches for interpreting skeletal findings in safety studies
Authors: Augustine‐Rauch Karen
Published: December 2007

Standard evaluations for characterizing selective developmental toxicity are traditionally undertaken in vivo. These studies incur significant cost in animal use, labor and compound, ultimately limiting the selection of compounds that can be evaluated in vivo. Such limitations hinder the ability to address questions regarding whether teratogenic outcome was caused by intended pharmacology or attributed to off‐target effects associated with the structure of the small molecule. Ascertaining a better understanding of the published literature can enhance interpretation of existing in vivo datasets and hypotheses regarding critical windows of sensitivity and underlying mechanisms of teratogenicity. Thoughtful execution of investigative in vivo and in vitro studies can test and further define the underlying mechanism of teratogenicity. Skeletal variations and malformations are frequently encountered in in vivo studies and can be difficult to interpret in context of defining hazard assessment and mechanisms of abnormal development. This commentary reviews how investigative approaches can be integrated to better understand teratogenic mechanism as it pertains compounds that produce skeletal abnormalities. Approaches are discussed in context of how they could be used to study a compound that has been found to produce fused and wavy ribs in rat fetuses. An investigative approach is described that utilizes three strategies: 1) maximizing the data available from in vivo studies; 2) performing critical window studies in vivo; and 3) performing mechanism of action evaluations using gene expression studies and developmental model systems. Birth Defects Res (Part B), 80:497–504, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Altered axial skeletal development
Authors: Tyl Rochelle W. , Chernoff Neil , Rogers John M.
Published: December 2007

The axial skeleton is routinely examined in standard developmental toxicity bioassays and has proven to be sensitive to a wide variety of chemical agents. Dysmorphogenesis in the skull, vertebral column and ribs has been described in both human populations and in laboratory animals used to assess potential adverse developmental effects. This article emphasizes vertebrae and rib anomalies both spontaneous and agent induced. Topics discussed include the morphology of the more common effects; incidences in both human and experimental animal populations; the types of anomalies induced in the axial skeleton by methanol, boric acid, valproic acid and others; the postnatal persistence of common skeletal anomalies; and the genetic control of the development of the axial skeleton. Tables of the spontaneous incidence of axial anomalies in both humans and animals are provided. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 80:451–472, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Zum Tragverhalten von Slim‐Floor‐Konstruktionen
Authors: Hegger Josef , Kerkeni Naceur , Roggendorf Thomas
Published: December 2007

Sind Spannbeton‐Fertigdecken auf schlanken Unterzügen aufgelagert, wird die Querkrafttragfähigkeit der Platten durch Beanspruchungen in Querrichtung herabgesetzt. Bisher existiert kein einheitliches Bemessungskonzept, das die verbleibende Tragfähigkeit zutreffend ermittelt. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt Großversuche zum Tragverhalten von so genannten Slim‐Floor‐Konstruktionen, bei denen vorgespannte Hohlplatten auf deckengleichen Stahlträgern aufgelagert sind. Es werden Empfehlungen zur Bemessung und Konstruktion bei biegeweicher Lagerung abgeleitet.
Sicherheitsanalyse des Naturzugkühlturms KW Ibbenbüren Block B
Authors: Dorge Axel , Eckstein Ulrich , Wörmann Ralf
Published: December 2007

Bauwerke deteriorieren während ihrer Lebenszeit, d. h. sie verlieren ihre Ursprungsqualität. Zusätzlich altern sie virtuell durch laufende Modernisierung ihrer Regelwerke, welche Erkenntnisse der Wissenschaft zum Stand der Technik erheben. Das gilt besonders für Naturzugkühltürme, jene den Atmosphärilien extrem ausgesetzten Kraftwerkskomponenten, ohne die in thermischen Kraftwerken keine wirtschaftliche Erzeugung elektrischer Energie möglich ist. Der vorliegende Beitrag skizziert die Sicherheitsüberprüfung eines ca. 25 Jahre alten Kühlturms, der für seine Restlebensdauer von ca. weiteren 20 Jahren frei von Sicherheitsrisiken sein muss, obwohl sich maßgebende Normen, gewonnenes Tragwerkswissen und Abbaupläne der DSK seit seiner Indienststellung merkbar verändert haben.
Schlanke Hochbaudecken. Steifigkeitsorientierte Analyse zur Klärung extremer Durchbiegungen
Authors: Noakowski Piotr , Leszinski Holger , Breddermann Martin , Rost Markus
Published: December 2007

Die Gebrauchstauglichkeit eines großen Bürogebäudes wurde durch erhebliche Durchbiegungen der schlanken Flachdecken gemindert. Das seit der Deckenerstellung auffällige Verformungsverhalten hat Schäden an Trennwänden und Fassaden verursacht und stellt die Tragfähigkeit der Konstruktion in Frage. Der Beitrag beschreibt die festgestellten Mängel und den steifigkeitsorientierten Prozess zur Klärung ihrer Ursachen und Bewertung der Konsequenzen.
Modeling based on subspace orthogonal projections for QSAR and QSPR research
Authors: Liang Yizeng , Yuan Dalin , Xu Qingsong , Kvalheim Olav Martin
Published: December 2007

A novel projection modeling method for quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) and quantitative structure property relationship (QSPR) is developed in this paper. Orthogonalization of block variables is introduced to deal with the problem of variable selection. Projections based on least squares are used to construct the modeling space in order to search for the best regression directions for chemical modeling. A suitable prediction space for such a model is further defined to confine the usage range of the model. Three real data sets were analyzed to check the performance of the proposed modeling method. The results obtained from Monte‐Carlo cross‐validation (MCCV) showed that the proposed modeling method might provide better results for QSAR and QSPR modeling than PCR and PLS with respect to both fitting and prediction abilities. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A neural network approach based on gold‐nanoparticle enzyme biosensor
Authors: Torrecilla José S. , Mena Maria L. , Yáñez‐Sedeño Paloma , García Julián
Published: December 2007

Gold nanoparticles have demonstrated to be a very useful material for the construction of stable and sensitive glucose oxidase (GOx) amperometric biosensors. However, as for other enzyme electrodes, the lack of specificity for glucose limits their practical applications. Coupling biosensor responses with chemometric tools can be used to solve complex analytical signals from mixtures of species with similar properties. In this work, an amperometric biosensor based on a colloidal gold—cysteamine—gold disk electrode with the enzyme GOx and a redox mediator, tetrathiafulvalene (TTF), co‐immobilised atop the modified electrode, was used for the simultaneous determination of glucose and its common interferences, ascorbic acid and uric acid, in mixtures. Analytical data obtained from cyclic voltammograms generated with the biosensor were processed using an artificial neural network (ANN), and the separate quantification of the analytes over a range of 0.1–1 mM each was performed without any pretreatment. In all cases, the correlation coefficients obtained were higher than 0.99 and the mean prediction error was less than 1.7%. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative iterative target transformation factor analysis
Authors: Richards Selena E. , Walmsley Anthony D.
Published: December 2007

Traditionally, improvement of the constrained alternating least squares (ALS) solution has been executed by the addition of a priori information in the initial estimates and or constraints. However, there are cases where this information simply does not exist or is impossible to acquire under the process conditions. Therefore, new strategies are required to produce starting estimates close to the actual solution without the need of a priori information. Quantitative iterative target transformation factor analysis (QITTFA) is developed as a solution to this problem. The QITTFA approach combines the strengths of both iterative target transformation factor analysis (ITTFA) and simple‐to‐use interactive self‐modelling mixture analysis (SIMPLISMA) to (1) produce a solution space spanned by the independent factors such that the variance contribution due to noise is reduced, (2) to iteratively refine the solutions space prior to ALS and (3) to select the most pure variables from the refined solution space using the purity criterion. It has been observed that the QITTFA approach markedly improves the conventional SIMPLISMA and second derivative SIMPLISMA performance in the presence and absence of selectivity. In addition, components of differing spectral characteristics (narrow or broad spectral features) can be resolved, without a priori knowledge of the shapes of the pure components. This has been demonstrated with a simulated high performance liquid chromatography‐diode array detection (HPLC‐DAD) dataset, a laboratory‐based UV–Vis calibration dataset and a gaseous near infrared (NIR) dataset from an industrial process. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using Unfold‐PCA for batch‐to‐batch start‐up process understanding and steady‐state identification in a sequencing batch reactor
Authors: Aguado D. , Ferrer A. , Seco A. , Ferrer J.
Published: December 2007

In chemical and biochemical processes, steady‐state models are widely used for process assessment, control and optimisation. In these models, parameter adjustment requires data collected under nearly steady‐state conditions. Several approaches have been developed for steady‐state identification (SSID) in continuous processes, but no attempt has been made to adapt them to the singularities of batch processes. The main aim of this paper is to propose an automated method based on batch‐wise unfolding of the three‐way batch process data followed by a principal component analysis (Unfold‐PCA) in combination with the methodology of Brown and Rhinehart 2 for SSID. A second goal of this paper is to illustrate how by using Unfold‐PCA, process understanding can be gained from the batch‐to‐batch start‐ups and transitions data analysis. The potential of the proposed methodology is illustrated using historical data from a laboratory‐scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) operated for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR). The results demonstrate that the proposed approach can be efficiently used to detect when the batches reach the steady‐state condition, to interpret the overall batch‐to‐batch process evolution and also to isolate the causes of changes between batches using contribution plots. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Modeling Studies of Rebeccamycin Analogues Modified in the Carbohydrate Moiety
Authors: Animati Fabio , Berettoni Marco , Bigioni Mario , Binaschi Monica , Felicetti Patrizia , Gontrani Lorenzo , Incani Ottaviano , Madami Andrea , Monteagudo Edith , Olivieri Lauso , Resta Stefano , Rossi Cristina , Cipollone Amalia
Published: December 2007

A new series of indolocarbazole glycosides containing disaccharides were synthesized and their in vitro antiproliferative activity was evaluated against three human cancer cell lines (A2780, H460, and GLC4). Cytotoxicity appeared to be remarkably affected by the regio‐ and stereochemical features of the disaccharide moiety. In vivo antitumor activity of the compounds studied, two of which having IC50<100 nm, was determined using ovarian cancer cell line A2780 xenografted on nude mice. One compound showed an efficacy similar to that of the reference compound edotecarin, though with a lower long‐lasting activity. The topoisomerase I inhibitory properties of some compounds were also examined. Molecular dynamics simulations of the ternary topoisomerase I–DNA–ligand complexes were performed to analyze the structural features of topoisomerase I poisoning with this class of indolocarbazoles. A plausible explanation of their biological behavior was provided. These theoretical results were compared with the recently published crystal structure of an indolocarbazole monosaccharide bound to the covalent human topoisomerase I–DNA complex.
C‐peptide constricts pancreatic islet arterioles in diabetic, but not normoglycaemic mice
Authors: Nordquist Lina , Lai En Yin , Sjöquist Mats , Jansson Leif , Persson A. Erik G.
Published: December 2007

Background

Pancreatic islet blood flow is regulated separately from that of the exocrine pancreas, and a consistent finding during impaired glucose tolerance is an increased blood perfusion. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether C‐peptide affects pancreatic islet arterioles in normal and diabetic mice.

Materials and Methods

Control and diabetic C57‐Bl mice were studied after 2 weeks of alloxan‐induced diabetes. Islet arterioles were dissected and microperfused with Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) solution. The effect of luminal application of mouse C‐peptide was investigated.

Results

C‐peptide reduced the diameter of islet arterioles from diabetic mice (−10 ± 4%, P < 0.05) compared to base‐line values, whilst arterioles from normoglycaemic animals did not respond to C‐peptide (P = 0.2).

Conclusion

These findings suggest a role for C‐peptide in the regulation of islet blood flow, especially during conditions with impaired glucose tolerance. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Engagement of NOD2 has a dual effect on proIL‐1β mRNA transcription and secretion of bioactive IL‐1β
Authors: Ferwerda Gerben , Kramer Matthijs , de Jong Dirk , Piccini Alessandra , Joosten Leo A. , DevesaGiner Isabel , Girardin Stephen E. , Adema Gosse J. , van der Meer Jos W. M. , Kullberg Bart‐Jan , Rubartelli Anna , Netea Mihai G.
Published: December 2007

Synthesis and release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, such as IL‐1β, play a crucial role in the intestinal inflammation that characterizes Crohn's disease. Mutations in the nucleotide oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) gene are associated with an increased risk of Crohn's disease. Although it is known that NOD2 mediates cytokine responses to muramyl dipeptide (MDP), it is yet unclear whether NOD2 stimulation mediates only transcription of pro‐IL‐1β mRNA, or whether NOD2 is also involved in the activation of caspase‐1 and release of active IL‐1β. By investigating the response of MNC from Crohn's disease patients homozygous for the 3020insC NOD2 mutation, we were able to show that NOD2 signaling after stimulation with MDP has a dual effect by activating proIL‐1β mRNA transcription and inducing release of bioactive IL‐1β. Because NOD2 engagement amplifies TLR stimulation, we investigated whether activation of caspase‐1 by MDP is involved in the NOD2/TLR synergism. The synergy in IL‐1β production between NOD2 and TLR is mediated at post‐translational level in a caspase‐1‐dependent manner, which indirectly suggests that NOD2 also induces caspase‐1 activation. In contrast, the synergy in TNF‐α production after stimulation with MDP and LPS is induced at transcriptional level. This demonstrates that both caspase‐1‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms are involved in the synergy between NOD2 and TLR.
Hospital financial condition and the quality of patient care
Authors: Bazzoli Gloria J. , Chen Hsueh‐Fen , Zhao Mei , Lindrooth Richard C.
Published: December 2007

Concerns about deficiencies in the quality of care delivered in US hospitals grew during a time period when an increasing number of hospitals were experiencing financial problems. Our study examines a six‐year longitudinal database of general acute care hospitals in 11 states to assess the relationship between hospital financial condition and quality of care. We evaluate two measures of financial performance: operating margin and a broader profitability measure that encompasses both operating and non‐operating sources of income. Our model specification allows for gradual adjustments in quality‐enhancing activities and recognizes that current realizations of patient quality may affect future financial performance. Empirical results suggest that there is a relationship between financial performance and quality of care, but not as strong as suggested in earlier research. Overall, our results suggest that deep financial problems that go beyond the patient care side of business may be important to prompting quality problems. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microvascular free‐tissue transfer for head and neck reconstruction in Jehovah's Witness patients
Authors: Skoner Judith M. , Wax Mark K.
Published: December 2007

Background.

Jehovah's Witnesses' religious convictions disallow blood transfusion. Major surgery in these patients is therefore problematic. The objective of this study is to describe our experience with microvascular reconstruction of complex head and neck defects in Jehovah's Witness patients.

Methods.

This was a retrospective review of all Jehovah's Witnesses' patients undergoing head and neck free‐flap reconstruction at a tertiary academic referral center from 1997 to 2006.

Results.

Five Jehovah's Witnesses patients underwent a total of 7 free‐flap reconstructions (6 radial, 1 rectus). Four flaps were immediate: 1 osteocutaneous radial forearm, 2 fasciocutaneous radial forearm, and 1 rectus abdominus myocutaneous. One fasciocutaneous radial forearm flap was staged. Two patients were planned secondary reconstructions, both facsciocutaneous radial forearm. Iron supplements and/or erythropoietin were administered perioperatively in 6 of the 7 microvascular reconstructions. Selective external carotid embolization was performed preoperatively in 1 patient. Hematocrit levels were 36% to 46% preoperatively and 30% to 41% postoperatively. Immediate postoperative hematocrit decline was 5.2% (3.0% to 6.0%). No transfusions or blood products were administered.

Conclusions.

Our case series supports the feasibility of head and neck free‐flap reconstruction in these challenging patients. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008
Prognostic value of postsurgical stimulated thyroglobulin levels after initial radioactive iodine therapy in well‐differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Sawka Anna M. , Orlov Steven , Gelberg Jacob , Stork Barry , Dowar Mark , Shaytzag Michael , Tabatabaie Vafa , Freeman Jeremy L. , Walfish Paul G.
Published: December 2007

Background.

In well‐differentiated thyroid carcinoma, predictors of future positivity of stimulated thyroglobulin (>2 μg/L) after initial radioactive iodine treatment are not known.

Methods.

In a retrospective study, we used logistic regression analysis to determine whether postoperative stimulated thyroglobulin measurements and pathologic stage independently predict future stimulated thyroglobulin positivity.

Results.

We followed 141 patients with well‐differentiated thyroid carcinoma for a median of 35 months; follow‐up stimulated thyroglobulin measurements were positive in 20.6% (29/141). The natural logarithm of the postsurgical stimulated thyrogolobulin was independently associated with a positive stimulated thyroglobulin at long‐term follow‐up (odds ratio [OR], 4.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.33–8.45; p < .001); there was a trend for a positive association of TNM stage with positive follow‐up stimulated thyroglobulin (p = .054). Lymph node positivity predicted a positive stimulated thyroglobulin in papillary cancer.

Conclusions.

Stimulated thyroglobulin measurements prior to initial radioactive iodine treatment independently predict future stimulated thyroglobulin positivity in well‐differentiated thyroid carcinoma. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008
Behavior therapy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: The need for a multidisciplinary approach
Authors: Bellentani Stefano , Dalle Grave Riccardo , Suppini Alessandro , Marchesini Giulio
Published: December 2007

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is systematically associated with insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome, where behavior therapy remains the primary treatment, simultaneously addressing all the clinical and biochemical defects. However, very few studies have tested the effectiveness of intensive behavior therapy in NAFLD, aimed at lifestyle modifications to produce stable weight loss by reduced calorie intake and increased physical activity. Searching the literature for studies testing weight loss and lifestyle modifications for the treatment of NAFLD, only 14 reports were traced where the entry assessment satisfied well-defined criteria. The final effectiveness was based on hard histological outcomes in 5 cases. All but 1 were pilot, uncontrolled studies or limited case series, and in general the details of treatment were scanty. In only 3 cases treatment was carried out along the guidelines of behavior treatment to reduce excess nutrition and increase exercise; in these cases, a remarkable effect on weight loss and an improvement in liver histology were reported. The principles of behavior therapy are presented in detail, to help physicians change their prescriptive attitude into a more empowerment-based approach. A brief section is also included on the practical aspects and public policies to be implemented at societal level to obtain the maximum effects in lifestyle changes. There is a need for multidisciplinary teams including dietitians, psychologists, and physical activity supervisors caring for patients with NAFLD. Alternatively, general practitioners and physicians working in gastrointestinal units should limit their intervention to engage patients with NAFLD before referral to specialized teams set up for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. (Hepatology 2008.)
S-adenosylmethionine prevents mallory denk body formation in drug-primed mice by inhibiting the epigenetic memory
Authors: Li Jun , Bardag-Gorce Fawzia , Dedes Jennifer , French Barbara Alan , Amidi Fataneh , Oliva Joan , French Samuel William
Published: December 2007

In previous studies, microarray analysis of livers from mice fed diethyl-1,4-dihydro-2,4,6-trimethyl-3,5-pyridine decarboxylate (DDC) for 10 weeks followed by 1 month of drug withdrawal (drug-primed mice) and then 7 days of drug refeeding showed an increase in the expression of numerous genes referred to here as the molecular cellular memory. This memory predisposes the liver to Mallory Denk body formation in response to drug refeeding. In the current study, drug-primed mice were refed DDC with or without a daily dose of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe; 4 g/kg of body weight). The livers were studied for evidence of oxidative stress and changes in gene expression with microarray analysis. SAMe prevented Mallory Denk body formation

in vivo

. The molecular cellular memory induced by DDC refeeding lasted for 4 months after drug withdrawal and was not manifest when SAMe was added to the diet in the

in vivo

experiment. Liver cells from drug-primed mice spontaneously formed Mallory Denk bodies in primary tissue cultures. SAMe prevented Mallory Denk bodies when it was added to the culture medium.

Conclusion:

SAMe treatment prevented Mallory Denk body formation

in vivo

and

in vitro

by preventing the expression of a molecular cellular memory induced by prior DDC feeding. No evidence for the involvement of oxidative stress in induction of the memory was found. The molecular memory included the up-regulation of the expression of genes associated with the development of liver cell preneoplasia. (Hepatology 2007.) (

This is a corrected version of the abstract first published online on 20 December 2007 — the corrected version appears in print.

)
The causes of primary biliary cirrhosis: Convenient and inconvenient truths
Authors: Gershwin Eric M. , Mackay Ian R.
Published: December 2007

The most difficult issue in autoimmunity remains etiology. Although data exist on effector mechanisms in many autoimmune diseases, the underlying cause or causes are still generically ascribed to genetics and environmental influences. Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is considered a model autoimmune disease because of its signature antimitochondrial autoantibody (AMA), the homogeneity of clinical characteristics, and the specificity of biliary epithelial cell (BEC) pathology. Twenty years ago, we reported the cloning and identification of the E2 component of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDC-E2) as the immunodominant autoantigen of PBC, allowing for vigorous dissection of T and B lymphocyte responses against PDC-E2 and development of several valid experimental models. There has also been considerable study of the biology of BECs, which has included the unique properties of apoptosis in which there is exposure of PDC-E2 to the effector processes of the immune system. In this review, we present these data in the context of our proposal that the proximal cause of PBC is autoimmunity directed against well-identified mitochondrially located autoantigens in individuals with inherited deficits of immune tolerance. We present these data under the umbrella of convenient truths that support this thesis as well as some inconvenient truths that are not readily accommodated by current theory.

Conclusion:

We emphasize that the potential initiator of PBC includes

inter alia

particular environmental xenobiotics; pathogenesis is aided and abetted by genetic weaknesses in mechanisms of immune regulation; and subsequent multilineage immunopathology impacts upon uniquely susceptible BECs to culminate clinically in the chronic autoimmune cholangiolitis of PBC. (Hepatology 2007.)
Concessions of infrastructure in Latin America: Government‐led renegotiation
Authors: Guasch J. Luis , Laffont Jean‐Jacques , Straub Stéphane
Published: December 2007

This paper analyzes government‐led renegotiations in infrastructure concession contracts in Latin America, based on the same sample used in Guasch, Laffont and Straub (2003) to examine firm‐led renegotiations. After extending the theoretical framework to a multiple‐period context in which both Pareto‐improving and rent‐shifting renegotiations at the initiative of the government can occur, we develop an original instrumental variable strategy to address the issue of contract endogeneity and derive empirical results. While some of the main insights concerning the importance of having a regulator in place when awarding concessions and the fragility of price cap regulatory schemes are unchanged, significant differences arise with respect to the effect of investment and financing, as well as the corruption variables. We provide evidence that a good regulatory framework is especially important in contexts with weak governance and political opportunism. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bargaining powers and market segmentation in freight transport
Authors: Mouchart Michel , Vandresse Marie
Published: December 2007

The heterogeneity of services in the freight transport market and the presence of imperfect information motivate the development of an empirical model for detecting market imperfection and bargaining powers of the two agents concluding a contract. The fact that agents typically bargain simultaneously on price and attributes leads to models without exogeneity assumption. The model is accordingly based on estimation of the support of the joint distribution of the price and of the attributes of the transport rather than on expectation of the price conditional to the attributes. The model proposes an innovative and integrated approach for measuring market imperfection and bargaining powers. Furthermore, the paper examines the sensitivity of the results to the choice of attributes and, in order to detect potential market segmentation, to selection of the data. The empirical work is based on a new dataset obtained from a survey based on face‐to‐face interviews, providing data on the price and qualitative attributes of a set of actual contracts negotiated on the Belgian freight market. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statistical inference for aggregates of Farrell‐type efficiencies
Authors: Simar Léopold , Zelenyuk Valentin
Published: December 2007

In this study, we merge results of two recent directions in efficiency analysis research—aggregation and bootstrap—applied, as an example, to one of the most popular point estimators of individual efficiency: the data envelopment analysis (DEA) estimator. A natural context of the methodology developed here is a study of efficiency of a particular economic system (e.g., an industry) as a whole, or a comparison of efficiencies of distinct groups within such a system (e.g., regulated vs. non‐regulated firms or private vs. public firms). Our methodology is justified by the (neoclassical) economic theory and is supported by carefully adapted statistical methods. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure of ivory
Authors: Locke Michael
Published: December 2007

Profiles with all orientations have been used to visualize the 3D structure of ivory from tusks of elephant, mammoth, walrus, hippopotamus, pig (bush, boar, and warthog), sperm whale, killer whale, and narwhal. Polished, forming, fractured, aged, and stained surfaces were prepared for microscopy using epi‐illumination. Tusks have a minor peripheral component, the cementum, a soft derivative of the enamel layer, and a main core of dentine = ivory. The dentine is composed of a matrix of particles 5–20 μm in diameter in a ground substance containing dentinal tubules about 5 μm in diameter with a center to center spacing of 10–20 μm. Dentinal tubules may be straight (most) or curly (pigs). The main findings relate to the way that dentinal tubules align in sheets to form microlaminae in the length of the tusk. Microlaminae are sheets of laterally aligned dentinal tubules. They are axial but may be radial (most), angled to the forming face (pigs and hippopotamus canines), or radial but helical (narwhals). Within the microlaminae the dentinal tubules may be radial, angled to the axis (whales, walrus, and pigs), or may change their orientation from one microlamina to the next in helicoids (canines of hippopotamuses, incisors of proboscidea). In the nonbanded, featureless ivories from the hippopotamus incisors, the dentinal tubules form radial microlamina from which the arrangements in other ivories can be derived. In the canines of hippopotamuses and incisors of proboscidea, the dentinal tubule orientation changes incrementally from one microlamina to the next in a helicoid, a stack of dentinal tubules that change their orientation by 180° anticlockwise. Dentinal tubules having different orientations are laid down concurrently, not layer by layer as in most examples of helicoidal architecture (e.g., insect cuticle). In proboscidean ivory, the microlaminae are radial, normal to the banding of growth layers marking the plane of deposition. They form radial segments with each 180° turn in the orientation of their constituent dentinal tubules. Below the cementum they are almost complete 180° helicoids, but nearer to the core they become narrower with the loss of radially oriented dentinal tubules. These truncated helicoidal patterns appear in longitudinal profile as VVVV feather patterns rather than ∩∩∩∩, each V or ∩ being the side view of a partial or complete helicoid. The Schreger pattern in proboscidean ivory consists of these helicoids divided tangentially into columns in the length of the tusk. Narwhals have the most abundant matrix particles with their radial/helical dentinal tubules having a twist opposite to that in the cementum. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Blubber morphology in wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the Southeastern United States: Influence of geographic location, age class, and reproductive state
Authors: Montie Eric W. , Garvin Scott R. , Fair Patricia A. , Bossart Gregory D. , Mitchum Greg B. , McFee Wayne E. , Speakman Todd , Starczak Victoria R. , Hahn Mark E.
Published: December 2007

This study investigated blubber morphology and correlations of histological measurements with ontogeny, geography, and reproductive state in live, wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the southeastern United States. Surgical skin‐blubber biopsies (N = 74) were collected from dolphins during capture–release studies conducted in two geographic locations: Charleston, SC (N = 38) and Indian River Lagoon, FL (N = 36). Histological analysis of blubber revealed stratification into superficial, middle, and deep layers. Adipocytes of the middle blubber were 1.6× larger in Charleston subadults than in Indian River Lagoon subadults (4,590 ± 340 compared to 2,833 ± 335 μm2 per cell). Charleston subadult dolphins contained higher levels of total blubber lipids than Charleston adult animals (49.3% ± 1.9% compared to 34.2% ± 1.7%), and this difference was manifested in more adipocytes in the middle blubber layer (19.2 ± 0.9 compared to 14.9 ± 0.5 cells per field). However, dolphins from Indian River Lagoon did not exhibit this pattern, and the adipocyte cell counts of subadults were approximately equal to those of the adults (16.0 ± 1.4 compared to 13.4 ± 0.8 cells per field). The colder year‐round water temperatures in Charleston compared to Indian River Lagoon may explain these differences. Adipocytes in the deep blubber layer were significantly smaller in lactating and simultaneously pregnant and lactating animals compared to pregnant dolphins (840 ± 179, 627 ± 333, and 2,776 ± 586 μm2 per cell, respectively). Total blubber lipid content and adipocyte size in the deep blubber of mothers with calves decreased linearly with calf length. Lactating females may utilize lipids from the deep blubber during periods of increased energetic demands associated with offspring care. This study demonstrates that ontogeny, geography, and reproductive state may influence morphological parameters such as structural fiber densities and adipocyte numbers and sizes, measured in bottlenose dolphin blubber. J. Morphol. 269:496–511, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of baking procedures for incorporation of barley roller milling fractions containing high levels of dietary fibre into bread
Authors: Jacobs Morrison S , Izydorczyk Marta S , Preston Ken R , Dexter Jim E
Published: December 2007

BACKGROUND: Roller milling of hull‐less barley generates fibre‐rich fractions (FRF) enriched in non‐starch polysaccharides from the endosperm cell walls (β‐glucans and arabinoxylans). This investigation was initiated to compare the suitability of different baking processes and to determine the optimal conditions for incorporation of barley FRF into pan bread.

RESULTS: Addition of FRF from waxy and high‐amylose starch hull‐less barley genotypes was evaluated in pan bread prepared from Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) and Canada Western Extra Strong (CWES) wheat flour. Three bread processes were used: Canadian short process (CSP), remix‐to‐peak, and sponge‐and‐dough. Addition of 20% FRF (equivalent to enrichment with 4.0 g of arabinoxylans and β‐glucans per 100 g of flour) disrupted dough properties and depressed loaf volume. CSP was not suitable for making FRF‐enriched bread because dough could not be properly developed. FRF‐enriched remix‐to‐peak bread was better, especially for the stronger CWES flour. The better bread quality compared to CSP was probably due to redistribution of water from non‐starch polysaccharides to gluten during fermentation prior to remixing and final proof. The sponge‐and‐dough process produced the best FRF‐enriched bread because of the positive effect of sponge fermentation on gluten development and hydration. FRF was added at the dough stage to fully developed dough.

CONCLUSION: The method of bread production strongly influences bread quality. Pre‐hydration of FRF improved bread quality. CWRS and CWES flour produced comparable FRF‐enriched sponge‐and‐dough bread. Addition of xylanase to the sponge‐and‐dough formula improved the loaf volume, appearance, crumb structure and firmness of FRF‐enriched bread. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry