bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generalized minimum variance control for buildings under seismic ground motion
Authors: Guenfaf L. , Djebiri M. , Boucherit M. S. , Boudjema F.
Published: August 2002

The generalized minimum variance (GMV) algorithm for the control of civil engineering structures is developed and presented in this paper. This algorithm needs the knowledge of the seismic excitation model to derive the autoregressive moving average exogen model of the structure. Then the GMV control is applied. The control is designed such that the variance of the generalized cost function is minimized. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this control technique, simulation tests using a single‐degree‐of‐freedom structure are performed. The results show that the relative displacement of the structure and the control effort are significantly reduced. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Department of Defense Cooperative Multi‐Site Agreement Pilot Study Program
Authors: Boecher Frederick W. , Moulder Gary W.
Published: August 2002

In July 1998, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the military services entered into a Cooperative
Multi‐Site Agreement (CMSA) to address the remediation of over 1,000 sites in the Commonwealth. A
feature of the agreement was the Pilot Study Program conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection (PADEP). The purpose of the Pilot Study Program was to evaluate about 10 percent of the 659
study program sites the military considered to require “no further action,” and, based on these
evaluations, develop a plan or protocol for addressing the remaining study program sites. The pilot study's
goal was to categorize and classify the remaining study program sites to recommend further action by site
classification. Initially, the study team reviewed site data, interpreted aerial site photos, and analyzed
historical activities associated with the sites. Subsequently, the study team conducted site evaluations and
generated reports on those activities. The site evaluation activities included limited site sampling to screen for
potential contamination, with findings and recommendations for either resolution or additional analysis. Sites
were either classified as requiring no further action or requiring further action. A simple analysis was then
performed to determine which of the remaining study program sites could be classified as requiring no further
action, requiring further action, or requiring further evaluation. This article summarizes the results of this
two‐year study that culminated in fall 2000. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Essential oil composition of Achillea millefolium L. growing wild in Kashmir, India
Authors: Shawl A. S. , Srivastava S. K. , Syamasundar K. V. , Tripathi S. , Raina V. K.
Published: August 2002

The aerial parts from the flowering plants of Achillea millefolium L., on hydrodistillation gave 0.014% (v/w) of an oil on fresh weight basis. GC and GC–MS analysis of the oil resulted in the identification of 86 constituents, representing 97% of the oil. Camphor (28%), 1,8‐cineole (12%), germacrene‐D (12%) and cis‐chrysanthenyl acetate (8%) were the major components. Further comparison of our results with those mentioned in the literature suggests that A. millefolium oils vary greatly along the species range. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
2‐D transmitral flows simulation by means of the immersed boundary method on unstructured grids
Authors: Denaro F. M. , Sarghini F.
Published: August 2002

Interaction between computational fluid dynamics and clinical researches recently allowed a deeper understanding of the physiology of complex phenomena involving cardio‐vascular mechanisms. The aim of this paper is to develop a simplified numerical model based on the Immersed Boundary Method and to perform numerical simulations in order to study the cardiac diastolic phase during which the left ventricle is filled with blood flowing from the atrium throughout the mitral valve. As one of the diagnostic problems to be faced by clinicians is the lack of a univocal definition of the diastolic performance from the velocity measurements obtained by Eco–Doppler techniques, numerical simulations are supposed to provide an insight both into the physics of the diastole and into the interpretation of experimental data. An innovative application of the Immersed Boundary Method on unstructured grids is presented, fulfilling accuracy requirements related to the development of a thin boundary layer along the moving immersed boundary. It appears that this coupling between unstructured meshes and the Immersed Boundary Method is a promising technique when a wide range of spatial scales is involved together with a moving boundary. Numerical simulations are performed in a range of physiological parameters and a qualitative comparison with experimental data is presented, in order to demonstrate that, despite the simplified model, the main physiological characteristics of the diastole are well represented. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thin‐tube vortex simulations for sinusoidal instability in a counter‐rotating vortex pair
Authors: Zheng Z. C.
Published: August 2002

A thin‐tube vortex method is developed to investigate the intrinsic instability within a counter‐rotating vortex pair system and the effects from the core size and the wavenumbers (or wavelengths). The numerical accuracy and the advantages of the scheme are theoretically estimated. A nearest‐neighbour‐image method is employed in this three‐dimensional vortex simulation. Agreement with Crow's instability analysis has been achieved numerically for the long‐wave cases. A short‐wave instability for the zeroth radial mode of bending instability has also been found using the thin‐tube vortex simulations. Then, the combinations of long‐ and short‐wave instability are investigated to elucidate the non‐linear effects due to the interactions of two different modes. It is shown that instability is enhanced if both long‐ and short‐wave instabilities occur simultaneously. Although the method used in the paper is not capable of including effects such as axial flow, vortex core deformation and other complicated viscous effects, it effectively predicts and clarifies the first‐order factor that dominates the sinusoidal instability behaviour in a vortex pair. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Model specification and forecasting foreign exchange rates with vector autoregressions
Authors: Joseph Nathan Lael
Published: August 2002

This study examines the forecasting accuracy of alternative vector autoregressive models each in a seven‐variable system that comprises in turn of daily, weekly and monthly foreign exchange (FX) spot rates. The vector autoregressions (VARs) are in non‐stationary, stationary and error‐correction forms and are estimated using OLS. The imposition of Bayesian priors in the OLS estimations also allowed us to obtain another set of results. We find that there is some tendency for the Bayesian estimation method to generate superior forecast measures relatively to the OLS method. This result holds whether or not the data sets contain outliers. Also, the best forecasts under the non‐stationary specification outperformed those of the stationary and error‐correction specifications, particularly at long forecast horizons, while the best forecasts under the stationary and error‐correction specifications are generally similar. The findings for the OLS forecasts are consistent with recent simulation results. The predictive ability of the VARs is very weak. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Forecasting exchange rates using cointegration models and intra‐day data
Authors: Trapletti Adrian , Geyer Alois , Leisch Friedrich
Published: August 2002

We present a cointegration analysis on the triangle (USD–DEM, USD–JPY, DEM–JPY) of foreign exchange rates using intra‐day data. A vector autoregressive model is estimated and evaluated in terms of out‐of‐sample forecast accuracy measures. Its economic value is measured on the basis of trading strategies that account for transaction costs. We show that the typical seasonal volatility in high‐frequency data can be accounted for by transforming the underlying time scale. Results are presented for the original and the modified time scales. We find that utilizing the cointegration relation among the exchange rates and the time scale transformation improves forecasting results. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An intraday test of pricing and arbitrage opportunities in the New Zealand bank bill futures market
Authors: Poskitt Russell
Published: August 2002

This paper examines pricing and arbitrage opportunities in the New Zealand bank bill futures market using an
intraday data set. The key findings are: (a) the implied forward rate model yields biased estimates of
the bill futures yield but the bias is small and not economically significant; (b) ex post
synthetic bill opportunities are more numerous than ex post quasi‐arbitrage opportunities but the yield
enhancements are minor; (c) ex post quasi‐arbitrage opportunities are substantially less
frequent and less profitable than reported by prior studies using closing data; and (d) arbitrage
opportunities decline when execution delays are introduced but the declines are not statistically significant. In
broad terms, the bill futures market is efficient with respect to quasi‐arbitrage but less so with respect
to synthetic bill opportunities. The results also suggest that arbitrage opportunities are not generally
available to arbitrageurs without access to the interbank bill market. The incidence of arbitrage opportunities
is on a par with levels reported in intraday studies of stock index and foreign exchange markets. This
illustrates the importance of using high frequency data to assess transactional efficiency in financial markets.
© 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 22:519–555, 2002
The drift factor in biased futures index pricing models: A new look
Authors: Barrett W. Brian , Sanders Thomas B.
Published: August 2002

The presence of bias in index futures prices has been investigated in various research studies. Redfield
(11) asserted that the U.S. Dollar Index (USDX) futures contract
traded on the U.S. Cotton Exchange (now the FINEX division of the New York Board of Trade) could be
systematically arbitraged for nontrivial returns because it is expressed in so‐called “European
terms” (foreign currency units/U.S. dollar). Eytan, Harpaz, and Krull (4) (EHK) developed a theoretical factor using Brownian motion to correct for the
European terms and the bias due to the USDX index being expressed as a geometric average. Harpaz, Krull, and Yagil
(5) empirically tested the EHK index. They used the historical volatility to
proxy the EHK volatility specification. Since 1990, it has become more commonplace to use option‐implied
volatility for forecasting future volatility. Therefore, we have substituted option implied volatilities into
EHK's correction factor and hypothesized that the correction factor is “better” ex
ante and therefore should lead to better futures model pricing. We tested this conjecture using twelve
contracts from 1995 through 1997 and found that the use of implied volatility did not improve the bias correction
over the use of historical volatility. Furthermore, no matter which volatility specification we used, the model
futures price appeared to be mis‐specified. To investigate further, we added a simple naïve δ
based on a modification of the adaptive expectations model. Repeating the tests using this naïve
“drift” factor, it performed substantially better than the other two specifications. Our conclusion is
that there may be a need to take a new look at the drift‐factor specification currently in use. © 2002
Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 22:579–598, 2002
Futures Hedging Under Disappointment Aversion
Authors: Lien Donald
Published: August 2002

This article considers optimal futures hedging decisions when the hedger is disappointment‐averse
(Gul, 1991). When the futures contract is a perfect hedge instrument, a disappointment‐averse
hedger always holds a position closer to the full hedge than a nondisappointment‐averse hedger. In the
presence of basis risk, the optimal futures position is either a partial hedge or a full hedge. Neither Texas
hedge nor overhedge could be optimal. The effects of different degrees of disappointment aversion on futures
trading are also analyzed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 21:1029–1042, 2001
Molecular genetic analysis of chromosome 9 candidate tumor‐suppressor loci in bladder cancer cell lines
Authors: Williams Sarah V. , Sibley Kathryn D. , Davies Alison M. , Nishiyama Hiroyuki , Hornigold Nick , Coulter Jane , Kennedy Wendy J. , Skilleter Amy , Habuchi Tomonori , Knowles Margaret A.
Published: August 2002

Underrepresentation of chromosome 9 is a common finding in bladder cancer. Frequent loss of the whole chromosome suggests the presence of at least one relevant tumor suppressor gene on each arm. Candidate regions identified by loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis include a region at 9p21 containing CDKN2A, which encodes p16 and p14ARF, a large region at 9q12–31 including PTCH and many other genes, a small region at 9q32–33, which includes the DBCCR1 gene, and a region at 9q34 including the TSC1 gene. Experimental replacement of genes or chromosomes into tumor cells with appropriate deletions or mutations represents an important approach to test the functional significance of candidate tumor suppressor genes. Loss of an entire copy of chromosome 9 in many bladder tumor cell lines provides no indication of which gene or genes are affected, and selection of appropriate recipient cells for gene replacement is difficult. We have investigated three candidate tumor suppressor genes on chromosome 9 (CDKN2A, DBCCR1, and TSC1), at the DNA level and by expression analysis in a panel of bladder tumor cell lines, many of which have probable LOH along the length of the chromosome, as indicated by homozygosity for multiple polymorphic markers. Cytogenetically, we found no reduction in the numbers of chromosomes 9 relative to total chromosome count. Homozygous deletion of the CDKN2A locus was frequent but homozygous deletion of TSC1 was not found. A new cell line, DSH1, derived from a pT1G2 transitional cell carcinoma with known homozygous deletion of DBCCR1, is described. This study identifies suitable cell lines for future functional analysis of both CDKN2A and DBCCR1. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A deletion/insertion mutation in the BRCA2 gene in a breast cancer family: A possible role of the Alu‐polyA tail in the evolution of the deletion
Authors: Wang Tieling , Lerer Israela , Gueta Zehava , Sagi Michal , Kadouri Luna , Peretz Tamar , Abeliovich Dvorah
Published: August 2002

Patients with breast and/or ovarian cancer were screened for gross rearrangements in the BRCA2 gene by Southern hybridization, with exon 10 and a fragment of exon 11 used as probes. One breast cancer patient with a positive family history had a 6.2‐kb deletion including exons 12 and 13. The deletion breakpoint in intron 11 was in the 3′ polyA tail of an Alu element, where a track of ≈60 adenine nucleotide residues was inserted. Expansion of the Alu‐polyA tail may have resulted from polymerase slippage during replication, representing a novel mechanism in which Alu elements mediate deletion/insertion mutations. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Establishment of a cell line with AML1‐MTG8, TP53, and TP73 abnormalities from acute myelogenous leukemia
Authors: Inokuchi Koiti , Hamaguchi Hiroyuki , Taniwaki Masafumi , Yamaguchi Hiroki , Tanosaki Sakae , Dan Kazuo
Published: August 2002

Gene alterations accumulate during the progression of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) to a malignant clone. Here, a new myeloid cell line, designated YSK‐21, with the balanced t(8;21)(q22;q22) and the unbalanced der(1)t(1;17)(p36;q21), was established. YSK‐21 grows well in a medium containing recombinant human granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (rhG‐CSF), granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (rhGM‐CSF), or interleukin‐3 (rhIL‐3). Molecular analysis using the reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed that t(8;21)(q22;q22) resulted in an AML1‐MTG8 fusion transcript. FISH and spectral karyotyping (SKY) in conjunction with G‐banding analysis revealed a der(1)t(1;17)(p36;q21) chromosomal translocation, which appeared in the clone developed from the original leukemic cells. Molecular analysis of the TP73 gene on 1p36 and the TP53 gene revealed a deletion of one‐allele in TP73 with partial demethylation of another allele in the initial clone of YSK, and a point mutation consisting of an A→T substitution in codon 288 of the TP53 gene in the developed clone of YSK‐21. YSK‐21 cells, expressing aberrant AML1‐MTG8, TP53, and TP73 protein molecules, may be useful for elucidating the pathophysiology of these aberrant proteins and for studying the der(1)t(1;17)(p36;q21) chromosomal translocation. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
What's buzzing? Mosquito genomics and transgenic mosquitoes
Authors: Atkinson Peter W. , Michel Kristin
Published: August 2002

Summary: Genome projects and associated technologies are now being established for mosquito species that are vectors of human disease. The recent announcement of an award by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to Celera Genomics to sequence the Anopheles gambiae genome will further accelerate the completion of the sequencing of this genome. Completion of the An. gambiae sequence will mean that the genomes of all three organisms involved in the transmission of falciparum malaria—the mosquito, the parasite, and the human—will have been sequenced. This will greatly facilitate the identification of genes and pathways involved in the transmission of malaria. The recent genetic transformation of An. gambiae with the piggyBac transposable element and the transformation of another important malarial vector, Anopheles stephensi using the Minos element, now provide researchers with powerful tools with which to genetically manipulate these medically important vector species. Here we review the recent progress made in the extension of contemporary tools of modern genetics and genomics into these medically important insects. genesis 32:42–48, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Utero‐tubal transfer of mouse embryos
Authors: Chin Hsian‐Jean , Wang Chi‐Kuang Leo
Published: August 2002

Summary: A successful embryo transfer depends on the quality of the transferred embryos, recipients, and the transfer techniques. Among these, transfer techniques are often the limiting factor because transfer methodologies and personal skills vary. Suboptimal embryo transfer procedures can compromise transgenic experiments (pronuclear microinjection and gene targeting) and critical steps of mouse colony maintenance (embryo cryopreservation and mouse line rederivation). Here we present an efficient and simple procedure utilizing specific designs to improve the transfer quality. A 100% implantation rate is observed after the utero‐tubal embryo transfer, which indicates that the modified method successfully prevents the embryos from flowing out of the punctured hole during embryo transfer. We believe this alternative methodology is able to fulfill the need of high efficiency of animal production. genesis 30:77–81, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mapping multiple genes for quantitative or complex traits
Authors: Tang Hsiu‐Khuern , Siegmund David
Published: August 2002

Models for complex and quantitative traits that involve multiple, possibly interacting, genes are described. Methods of linkage analysis are developed that utilize special features of these models, and their power is compared with that of simple genome scans that ignore these special features. Our calculations show that for family‐based nonparametric linkage analysis in human genetics, in contrast to experimental genetics, there are limits to the increase in power that can be achieved by correctly modeling gene‐gene interactions. In particular, the noncentrality parameter of likelihood‐based statistics to detect single gene effects involves both single gene and interaction components of variance, so even when the interaction components of variance are relatively large, the incremental power from a statistic designed to detect both single gene and interaction effects is often quite modest. We carry out our analysis with the assistance of a parameterization that allows us to compute score statistics, noncentrality parameters, and Fisher information matrices reasonably explicitly. Genet. Epidemiol. 22:313–327, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dementia in people with Down's syndrome
Authors: Tyrrell Janette , Cosgrave Mary , McCarron Mary , McPherson Janet , Calvert Johnston , Kelly Alan , McLaughlin Martin , Gill Michael , Lawlor Brian. A.
Published: August 2002

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of dementia in an Irish sample of people with Down's syndrome (DS) and to examine associated clinical characteristics of dementia in this group.

Method

285 people with DS (Age 35–74 years, mean age ± SD 46.5 ± 8.2 years) were included in this cross‐sectional study. The diagnosis of dementia was made using modified DSMIV criteria. Cognitive tests used were the Down's syndrome Mental Status Examination (DSMSE), Test for Severe Impairment (TSI) and adaptive function was measured by the Daily Living Skills Questionnaire (DLSQ).

Results

The overall prevalence of dementia was 13.3%. The presence of dementia was associated with epilepsy, myoclonus, and head injury. The demented DS group were significantly older (n = 38, mean age 54.7 years SD ± 7.5) than the non‐demented (n = 246, mean age 45.6, SD ± 7.3). The TSI and DLSQ had a satisfactory spread of scores without ‘floor’ or ‘ceiling’ effects in people with moderate and severe learning disability. Median scores in demented versus the non‐demented groups were significantly different for each measure of function.

Conclusions

Dementia had a prevalence of 13.3% and occurred at a mean age of 54.7 years. The combination of DLSQ score, age and presence of epilepsy were found to predict presence of dementia. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Citizens, their agents and health care rationing: an exploratory study using qualitative methods
Authors: Coast Joanna
Published: August 2002

This paper considers the application of the theoretical notion of a principal–agent relationship to societal health care decision making. Current literature sheds little light upon whether a citizen–agent relationship exists in health care, with ambiguity about whether citizens want agents to make rationing decisions on their behalf, and if so, who these societal agents might be. A qualitative approach, using semi‐structured interviews as the main instrument of data collection and analysis by constant comparison, was used to explore these issues with groups of both citizens and their potential agents. The findings of the research suggest that citizens vary considerably in the extent to which they want to be directly involved in making rationing decisions. Important influences on this issue appear to be knowledge and experience, objectivity and the potential distress that denying care may cause. Agents, in contrast, view citizens as needing agents to make decisions for them and suggest that it is primarily the health authority's role to act in this capacity. It is, however, apparent that the citizen–agent relationship in health care is both imperfect and complex, with final decisions resulting from the interaction between the utility functions of the various actors in the health care system. In practice a system of equivocation can be envisaged in which different groups collude as they attempt to avoid the disutility associated with denying care, with the consequence that the impact of decisions taken on an explicitly societal or citizen basis may be relatively small. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Demand for traditional medicine in Taiwan: a mixed Gaussian–Poisson model approach
Authors: Yen Steven T. , Tang Chao‐Hsiun , Su Shew‐Jiuan B.
Published: August 2002

Hurdle count models are used to examine the participation and consumption decisions in Chinese medicine use. Motivated by a household production model, a second censoring mechanism is introduced into existing single‐hurdle models, and the resulting specification accommodates conscientious abstainers, as well as economic non‐consumers, and admits excessive zeros in the sample. In contrast to previous studies that found few predictors, empirical results based on a Taiwanese national sample suggest that Western medicine is a gross substitute to Chinese medicine, and both time price and money price play more important roles than income. Insurance, lifestyle and demographics also determine the use of Chinese medicine. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The wookey flap revisited
Authors: Sundaram Krishnamurthi , Har‐El Gady
Published: August 2002

Background

Complete circumferential pharyngoesophageal reconstruction has undergone remarkable changes and developments during the last three decades. Gastric transposition and microvascular techniques are the standards of care. However, in cases of failure, or where other factors such as severe comorbidities prevent the use of microvascular techniques, reconstruction with local flaps provide a reliable option. We have used the Wookey flap technique in six patients with complete circumferential loss of the pharynx and upper esophagus. To make the procedure more reliable, we added a “delay” stage.

Methods

Retrospective review of charts of six Wookey‐type reconstructions of the pharynx and upper esophagus done in our department at SUNY‐HSC, Brooklyn, and The Long Island College Hospital.

Results

Five of the six patients had successful reconstruction of complete circumferential pharyngoesophageal resection. All five resumed oral alimentation. The flap failed in one patient.

Conclusions

The Wookey flap may still provide surgeons with a “last resort” reconstructive option after complete, circumferential pharyngoesophageal resection. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 24: 395–400, 2002
A pilot study evaluating the safety and microbiologic efficacy of an economically viable antimicrobial lozenge in patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapy
Authors: El‐Sayed Samy , Epstein Joel , Minish Erin , Burns Patricia , Hay John , Laukkanen Ethan
Published: August 2002

Background

Mucositis occurs in almost all radiotherapy‐treated head and neck cancer patients, in approximately 75% of patients receiving hematopoietic marrow transplantation, and in approximately 40% of all patients who receive chemotherapy. Mucositis is painful, may affect all oral functions, and is a dose‐ and rate‐limiting toxicity of therapy for cancer. Radiation‐associated mucositis (onset, intensity, and duration) has been shown in recent clinical trials to be modified by the use of antibacterial/antifungal lozenges.

Purpose

The aim of this collaborative two‐center phase II study was to assess the toxicity and microbiologic efficacy of an economically viable antimicrobial lozenge in the management of patients receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

Materials and Methods

Seventeen patients scheduled to receive radical or postoperative radiotherapy were provided with bacitracin, clotrimazole, and gentamicin (BCoG) lozenges (one lozenge dissolved in the mouth qid from day 1 of radiotherapy until completion). Ease of use and palatability of the lozenges, patients' symptoms (swallowing and pain), and quantitative and qualitative microbiologic evaluation of an oral rinse collection was conducted at least once weekly during radiation therapy.

Results

No significant side effects were reported from the use of the lozenges. The lozenges were well tolerated at the beginning of treatment by all patients, with some minor difficulty associated with oral discomfort toward the end of the treatment. Microbiologic evaluation showed consistent elimination of yeast organisms in all patients. In four patients there was no growth of gram‐negative bacilli on culture, whereas in two patients, fluctuating counts were seen, and one patient had increased counts. The remaining patients had significant reduction in the gram‐negative bacilli counts.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that the BCoG lozenge is tolerable and microbiologically efficacious, achieving elimination of Candida in all patients and reduction in gram‐negative flora in most patients. A phase III study is underway to evaluate the clinical efficacy of this lozenge. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 24: 6–15, 2002.
Esophageal blue nevus: An isolated endoscopic finding
Authors: Lam King Y. , Law Simon , Chan Gavin S. W.
Published: August 2002

Background

The occurrence of blue nevus has seldom been reported in extracutaneous sites and with no record in the esophagus.

Case Report

A blue nevus was reported in the esophagus of a 58‐year‐old Chinese woman. On endoscopic examination, the lesion presented as linear patches of bluish pigmentation in the esophagus. The patient was free of symptoms 3 years after the endoscopic examination.

Conclusions

We believe this represents the first reported case of blue nevus in the esophagus. The clinicopathologic features, differential diagnoses, and the nature of the lesion are discussed, along with a review of the literature. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 506–509, 2001
Cytoplasmic accumulation of α‐catenin in thyroid neoplasms
Authors: Baloch Zubair W. , Pasha Terry , LiVolsi Virginia A.
Published: August 2002

Background

Alpha‐catenin (α‐cat) is one of the anchoring proteins of E‐cadherin. It has been shown that deviation in its function may alter the cadherin–catenin complex leading to disturbed cell–cell adhesion. Immunohistochemical studies have shown that cytoplasmic localization of α‐cat in tumors is associated with aggressive behavior. In this study, we evaluated the expression of α‐cat in various thyroid tumors by immunohistochemical analysis.

Methods

Fifty cases were selected:18 papillary carcinoma classic type (PTC), 9 follicular variant of PTC (FVPTC), 6 follicular carcinoma (FCA), 4 anaplastic carcinoma (ACA), 8 follicular adenoma (FA), 3 nodular goiter (NG), and 2 lymphocytic thyroiditis (LT). The staining reaction was classified as membranous, cytoplasmic, or both. The intensity of the staining was graded as negative (0), weak (+), moderate (++), and strong (+++).

Results

Staining along the cell membrane was observed in 36 (72%) and cytoplasmic expression was present in 28 (57%) cases. The cytoplasmic staining was more commonly seen in malignant lesions; it was more common in PTC (78% of all PTC) than follicular patterned lesions (FVPTC, FCA). All cases of ACA (4 of 4) showed only cytoplasmic expression. No correlation was found between lymph node involvement and α‐cat staining patterns.

Conclusions

Cytoplasmic expression of α‐cat is more common in (1) malignant lesions of thyroid and (2) PTC than FVPTC and FCA. The lack of membrane and presence of cytoplasmic expression suggest a role of α‐catenin in the aggressive biology of ACA. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 573–578, 2001.
Loss of imprinting and loss of heterozygosity on 11p15.5 in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Rainho Cláudia A. , Kowalski Luiz P. , Rogatto Silvia R.
Published: August 2002

Background

IGF2 and H19 are reciprocal imprinted genes with paternal and maternal monoallelic expression, respectively. This is interesting, because IGF2 is known as a growth factor, and H19 encodes a RNA with putative tumor suppressor action. Furthermore, IGF2 and H19 are linked genes located on chromosome 11p15.5, a common site of loss of heterozygosity in human cancers.

Methods

We performed an allelic‐typing assay using a PCR‐RFLP–based method for identification of heterozygous informative cases in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Tumoral total RNA was extracted from each of the heterozygotes and further studied by RT‐PCR analysis.

Results

We detected the expression of the IGF2 gene in 10 of 10 informative cases. Two cases exhibited LOI of the IGF2 gene as evidenced by biallelic expression, and in another case, LOH was coupled with monoallelic expression of this growth factor. LOI for the H19 gene was observed in 1 of 14 informative samples analyzed. In this case, we also detected parallel monoallelic expression of the IGF2 gene. Down‐regulation of the H19 gene was observed in 10 of 14 cases.

Conclusion

These findings support the hypothesis that H19 may be a tumor suppressor gene involved in head and neck carcinogenesis. Furthermore, our data showed that genetic and epigenetic changes at 11p15.5 could lead to abnormal expression of imprinted genes in HNSCC. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 851–859, 2001.
Improving the functional outcome of Tucker's reconstructive laryngectomy
Authors: Lawson Georges , Jamart Jacques , Remacle Marc
Published: August 2002

Background

The goal of reconstructive laryngectomy addressing glottic carcinoma, as described by Tucker, is twofold: achieve local control and preserve as much as possible the physiological laryngeal function.

Methods

The study consisted of long‐term assessment of oncological, deglutitory, and vocal outcome in 34 patients following Tucker's reconstructive laryngectomy. Postoperative follow‐up included fiberscopic examination, videoradiography, and voice assessment after speech rehabilitation.

Results

The 5‐year overall survival rate was 92% ± 5%. Fiberscopic examination and videoradiography contributed to observing and understanding the rehabilitation process and impairment to its progress. Two main compensatory movements were identified: the anticipatory backward movement of the tongue base (50%) and the anticipatory upward laryngeal motion (15%). Both movements occurred simultaneously at the beginning of the pharyngeal stage of the swallow (35%). The median duration prior to tracheostomy tube removal was 14 days. Swallowing of solids resumed on day 9 (median), and liquid intake (water and soup) resumed on day 12 (median). The median duration of hospitalization was 16 days. Following speech rehabilitation, the latest follow‐up visit measured as follows: the mean conversational voice intensity at 64 dB (range, 57–79 dB); the mean maximum intensity at 87 dB (range, 78–96 dB); the minimum intensity at 54 dB (range, 45–65 dB); the mean maximum phonation time at 16 seconds (range, 10–29 seconds); and the mean phonation quotient at 284 mL/second (range, 205–341 mL/second). According to our classification, voice spectral analysis revealed 19 class‐III patients, 12 class‐II patients, and three class‐I patients.

Conclusion

Tucker's reconstructive laryngectomy is reliable in terms of both the oncological and functional outcome. Fiberscopic examination and videoradiography are two complementary methods for assessing postoperative deglutition. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 871–878, 2001.
User‐interface design heuristics for developing usable industrial hypermedia applications
Authors: Fakun D. , Greenough R. M.
Published: August 2002

Shop floor operators urgently need help to cope with the pressures of the present manufacturing context. One proposed solution is industrial hypermedia applications (IHA). A review of published papers on IHAs has shown that while the potential benefits of such applications, if accepted and used by operators, are well documented, user‐interface design aspects are not. In other words, the rationale used for the user‐interface design is not explained. This article fills the gap by drawing on human–computer interaction and hypermedia literature to present user‐interface design guidelines or heuristics. The latter were incorporated in 2 IHAs developed for this study. Shop floor operators empirically assessed the IHAs through usability trials held in the workplace and provided data on their perceptions of the IHA's ease of use. The findings show that the 7 design heuristics contributed to the usability of the IHAs. However, developers should not apply the design heuristics in isolation but should also elicit user characteristics and task domain. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Zero‐flux zone model analysis of a single bubble in boiling liquid
Authors: Li Z. M. , Peng X. F. , Lee D. J.
Published: August 2002

We start from a bubble, the basic unit of boiling, to explore liquid boiling. Research indicates that the heat and mass transfer between liquid and vapor is the determinant factor of boiling heat transfer. We have analyzed interfacial vaporization and condensation of a single bubble in boiling liquid based on a zero‐flux zone model. We have deduced the expression of zero‐flux angle and discussed the relationship between zero‐flux zone and the other parameters in order to comprehend the mechanism of boiling heat transfer. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 31(4): 249–256, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.10026
Wetting on a plate with three‐dimensional random roughness and heterogeneity
Authors: Katoh Kenji , Azuma Tsuneo
Published: August 2002

A theoretical study was conducted to investigate the wetting behavior of liquid meniscus on a vertical plate with three‐dimensional random characteristics of heterogeneity and roughness. The thermodynamic stable condition was derived by considering the minimum of system free energy. The local stable condition leads to a result similar to that obtained for a plate with two‐dimensional characteristics, that is, the system has many meta‐stable states. For the stable condition of the whole system, a relation was derived between the macroscopically observed contact angle and the surface characteristics. The product of cosine of the contact angle and liquid surface tension is equal to the energy difference for the liquid to wet the plate by apparent unit area. If the liquid wets the solid surface reversibly, there is only one contact angle observed macroscopically. This fact suggests that the contact angle hysteresis is caused by the irreversible motion when the liquid advances or recedes on the solid surface. The well‐known Cassie's and Wenzel's contact angles are explained as those corresponding to a thermodynamically stable condition when the liquid wets the solid reversibly. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Heat Trans Asian Res, 30(5): 371–382, 2001
Thermal wave measurements in superfluid helium II
Authors: Zhang Peng , Wang Ruzhu , Murakami Masahide
Published: August 2002

In this paper, a thermal wave in the bath of superfluid helium II is measured by a new type of superconductor temperature sensor under different heat fluxes and bath temperatures, and at the same time, a thermal shock wave is also studied experimentally and theoretically. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Heat Trans Asian Res, 30(5): 419–425, 2001
Boiling heat transfer of subcooled water in a horizontal rectangular channel: observation of mEB and mEB generation
Authors: Suzuki Koichi , Torikai Kinichi , Satoh Hedeaki , Ishimaru Junji , Tanaka Yasuo
Published: August 2002

Forced convection boiling of subcooled water was performed in a horizontal rectangular channel with the heated surface on the bottom. The experiment was conducted for heating surfaces, 10, 20, or 40 mm in length. Microbubble emission boiling (MEB) was observed in subcooled transition boiling and was easy to generate for the shorter heating surfaces. In higher flow velocity of subcooled water, MEB was generated at even lower subcooling. Stormy MEB was observed at both the higher subcooling and the higher flow velocity of water. In the stormy MEB, the heat flux rose rapidly above the critical heat flux with larger acoustic noise and vibration. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Heat Trans Asian Res, 30(5): 426–438, 2001
Processes controlling the rapid drainage of two ice‐rich permafrost‐dammed lakes in NW Canada
Authors: Marsh Philip , Neumann Natasha N.
Published: August 2002

This paper considers the processes controlling the rapid drainage of ice‐rich permafrost‐dammed lakes. It is postulated that the primary process controlling lake drainage is the melting of ice‐rich permafrost, in a manner similar to that controlling the drainage of glacier‐dammed lakes. Two lakes are considered in the analysis: one that drained naturally over a period of less than 16 h, and Lake Illisarvik, which was experimentally drained in 1978. Preliminary analysis showed that the energy contained in the lake water was sufficient for melting the ice content of the resulting drainage channel for both study lakes. Discharge estimated using a glacier‐dammed lake model developed by Clarke (Journal of Glaciology 1982; 28: 3) compared reasonably well with measured discharge during the period of rapid channel enlargement at Illisarvik, and resulted in the draining of Trail Valley Creek lake within the brief period indicated by a gauging station. These results suggest that melting of the ice‐rich permafrost during drainage dominates at least the early stages of drainage. However, further work is required to consider the processes of mechanical erosion, which in some cases may dominate the later stages of drainage, and to consider the appropriateness of certain assumptions in the lake drainage model. Copyright © Environment Canada 2001 Reproduced with Permission of Environment Canada.
A simple method for the determination of ionic diffusion coefficients in flooded soils
Authors: Gardner P. J. , Flynn N. , Maltby E.
Published: August 2002

Soil cores from river marginal wetlands from the Torridge and Severn catchments in the UK were collected to study rates of soil denitrification at different sites and at two stations (levee and backplain depression) at the river margin. Half the cores were sterilized prior to flooding to destroy the denitrifying bacteria. After flooding and equilibration, monitoring the concentration of amended nitrate in the supernatant of the sterile cores over a period of 7 days provided a simple procedure for the estimation of the diffusion coefficient of the nitrate ion in the flooded soils. An expression was developed that permitted this diffusion coefficient to be extracted from the slope of a plot of supernatant concentration versus (time)1/2. The values obtained, at 15 °C, varied from 2·4 to 6·8 × 10−10m2s−1. Sterile cores are usually treated as controls in denitrification experiments; this work develops a procedure whereby they may yield useful soil process information. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensitivity analysis and multi‐response, multi‐criteria evaluation of a physically based distributed model
Authors: Anderton Steve , Latron Jérôme , Gallart Francesc
Published: August 2002

A sensitivity study of the subsurface flow component of the physically based distributed modelling system SHETRAN using data from a small Mediterranean mountain catchment is presented. The parameter space sampled was based on ranges of parameter values measured in field experiments. Model results were validated by comparison against outlet discharge, soil moisture reserve and phreatic surface level, using a number of criteria. The objectives of this exercise were: to explore variability in simulation response produced by uncertainty in parameter values; to use internal data to examine process representation within the model; and to attempt to reduce uncertainty in parameter estimates through use of a number of response variables and a number of criteria in model evaluation.

A wide range of responses were produced from across the parameter space sampled. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis demonstrated that interactions between parameters are complex, and that the sensitivity of individual parameters changed according to the values taken by other parameters and to the state of the system.

The multi‐response, multi‐criteria evaluation presented herein exposed the presence of compensating errors within the model, which conventional procedures, which only consider outlet discharge, might fail to detect. This showed that parameter optima occurred in different parts of the parameter space for each of the response variables considered, although it did show that there was a region of the parameter space in which acceptable results were found for all responses.

It is suggested that the fact that parameter optima were found in different parts of the parameter space for different responses indicates incorrect estimation of those model parameters not considered as part of the sensitivity study or omissions in the process representation embodied within the current SHETRAN subsurface flow model. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An experimental approach to executive fingerprinting in young children
Authors: Beveridge Michael , Jarrold Christopher , Pettit Esther
Published: August 2002

This paper presents a methodology designed to investigate the potential independence of memory and inhibition as component processes of executive function (EF) in young school age children. Two groups of 30 6‐ and 8‐year‐olds were tested on three EF tasks; a continuous performance test, a Stroop‐like task, and a start/stop task. Each task had four conditions, which systematically combined two levels of memory load and two levels of inhibitory demand. This design enabled us to examine whether, within the range of memory and inhibitory loads used, the effects of memory and inhibitory demands on these tasks were additive and independent, or instead interacted with one another. Analyses of both errors and response times across the three tasks provided no positive evidence for the view that memory and inhibition are inter‐dependent processes. The tasks proved sensitive to age, with the 8‐year‐olds generally outperforming the 6‐year‐olds. In addition, effects of the memory and inhibition manipulations were observed. However, there was little evidence that memory load and inhibitory demand interacted in the way that would be expected if these factors draw on a shared pool of common executive resources. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Frequencies of HER‐2/neu overexpression relating to HLA haplotype in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Kono Koji , Takahashi Akihiro , Amemiya Hideki , Ichihara Fumiko , Sugai Hidemitsu , Iizuka Hidehiko , Fujii Hideki , Matsumoto Yoshiro
Published: August 2002

We have identified that HER‐2/neu‐derived peptides are naturally processed as tumor rejection antigens recognized by tumor‐specific, HLA‐A2‐restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes in gastric cancer. To evaluate candidates for immunotherapy using HER‐2/neu‐derived, HLA‐A2‐restricted peptides, we examined the frequency of HLA‐A2 relating to HER‐2/neu overexpression or the infiltrating grade of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in Japanese patients with gastric cancer. HER‐2/neu‐overexpressing tumors detected by immunohistochemistry amounted to 19% of primary gastric cancers and HLA‐A2‐positive patients with gastric cancer were 31% of primary gastric‐cancer cases. Finally, gastric‐cancer patients with both HLA‐A2‐positive and HER‐2/neu‐overexpressing tumors amounted to 6.6% of these cases. There was no significant difference in the infiltrating grade of TILs between gastric cancers overexpressing HER‐2/neu and those that did not. The candidate for HER‐2/neu‐based immunotherapy with HLA‐A2‐restricted peptides represent a very limited population of Japanese patients. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.