bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring and Explaining Changes in REIT Liquidity: Moving Beyond the Bid–Ask Spread
Authors: Clayton Jim , MacKinnon Greg
Published: September 2003

This paper investigates changes in REIT liquidity since the REIT boom of 1993. We use trade‐by‐trade data for REITs traded on the major U.S. exchanges to estimate and compare Kyle's (1985) measure of inverse liquidity for the 1993 and 1996 time periods. For our full sample of equity REITs, there is a significant increase in REIT liquidity in terms of the median price impact of trades. The increasing importance of the self‐advised, self‐managed organizational structure is found to be a major factor driving increased REIT liquidity. Our results imply a decline in the asymmetric information faced by market‐makers. Our investigation of the changes in the size distribution and resulting price impacts of REIT trades over the 1993–1996 period yields evidence of increased importance of informed traders to REIT price dynamics. Our findings of increased liquidity indicate that the increase in adverse‐selection costs due to the presence of more informed traders is more than offset by the increase in market thickness as a result of an increase in the number of uninformed (liquidity) traders.
Estimating Returns on Commercial Real Estate: A New Methodology Using Latent‐Variable Models
Authors: Ling David C. , Naranjo Andy , Nimalendran M.
Published: September 2003

Despite their widespreao use as benchmarks of U.S. commercial real estate returns, indexes produced by the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF) are subject to measurement problems that severely impair their ability to capture the true risk–return characteristics–especially volatility–of privately held commercial real estate. We utilize latent‐variable statistical methods to estimate an alternative index of privately held (unsecuritized) commercial real estate returns. Latent‐variable methods have been extensively applied in the behavioral sciences and, more recently, in finance and economics. Unlike factor analysis or other unconditional statistical approaches, latent variable models allow us to extract interpretable common information about unobserved private real estate returns using the information contained in various competing measures of returns that are measured with error. We find that our latent‐variable real estate return series is approximately twice as volatile as the aggregate NCREIF total return index, but less than half as volatile as the NAREIT equity index. Overall, our results strongly support the use of latent‐variable statistical models in the construction of return series for commercial real estate.
Residential Investment, Non‐residential Investment and GDP
Authors: Coulson N. Edward , Kim Myeong‐Soo
Published: September 2003

We examine the causality and influence of residential and non‐residential investment with respect to GDP and its components in a multivariate, vector autoregressive context, with some care devoted to the appropriate orthogonalization of the shocks which drive the various components of GDP. We find that residential investment shocks are more important in the determination of GDP than non‐residential investment shocks.
Automated Underwriting and the Profitability of Mortgage Securitization
Authors: Passmore Wayne , Sparks Roger W.
Published: September 2003

This paper develops a game‐theoretic model of mortgage securitization, which is then used to examine a potential effect of automated underwriting. The paper's primary supposition is that automated underwriting lowers the costs to competitive mortgage originators and a monopolist securitizer of identifying mortgage applicants who are good credit risks. Faced with lower underwriting costs, originators will screen a larger number of mortgage applicants in the hopes of holding more good risks in their portfolios and passing through more bad risks to the securitizer. This mounting adverse‐selection problem causes the securitizer's expected revenues to decline; this effect can outweigh the cost‐saving benefit of automated underwriting, causing the securitizer's return on equity to fall.
Pension‐Plan Real Estate Investment in an Asset–Liability Framework
Authors: Chun Gregory H. , Ciochetti Brian A. , Shilling James D.
Published: September 2003

This study explores the role of pension‐plan real estate investment in an asset–liability framework. By assuming that the pension‐plan manager wishes to have assets of at least equal value to the liabilities at all points in time, an asset selection process is derived which depends on both the asset's covariance with other assets and its covariance with the liability stream. We generally find real estate not to be highly correlated with pension‐plan liabilities. This finding is of general interest, since it helps to explain why pension‐plan real estate investment is extremely limited and much smaller than one would expect if pension‐plan investors cared only about the mean and variance of the real return to their invested wealth.
Credit Scoring: Statistical Issues and Evidence from Credit‐Bureau Files
Authors: Avery Robert B. , Bostic Raphael W. , Calem Paul S. , Canner Glenn B.
Published: September 2003

Although credit scoring offers benefits to lenders and borrowers, its use raises important statistical issues that may affect the ability of scoring systems to accurately quantify an individual's credit risk. The evidence from a national sample of credit‐bureau records suggests that concerns about omitted‐variable bias may be justified, as local economic factors show significant correlations with credit scores.
Does the Theory of Irreversible Investments Help Explain Movements in Office–Commercial Construction?
Authors: Sivitanidou Rena , Sivitanides Petros
Published: September 2003

Focusing on the relevance of the modern investment theory in explaining movements in office–commercial construction, we attempt to advance existing empirical work in two respects. First, building on recent theoretical advances, we offer an extended empirical model of new construction that takes into account the full opportunity cost of irreversible investments in uncertain environments. Second, using updated time series of office–commercial construction across the nation's largest markets, we empirically estimate such a model to (i) explore investment behavior during 1982–1998 and (ii) detect differences, if any, in such behavior between the pre‐ and post‐recession years. Our empirical findings are fully consistent with the theory of irreversible investments. Such findings highlight both the relevance and the relative importance of uncertainty in underlying demand factors in shaping movements in office–commercial construction, while pointing altogether to more cautionary investment behavior during the post‐recession years.
Do Owners Take Better Care of Their Housing Than Renters?
Authors: Harding John , Miceli Thomas J. , Sirmans C.F.
Published: September 2003

According to conventional wisdom, homeowners take better care of their housing than do renters, as a result of the rental externality. We argue that two forms of homeowner externality ootentially create similar incentives for owners to undermaintain their housing. The first is due to the inability of prospective buyers to fully observe past seller maintenance, and the second is a result of the limited liability of borrowers in the event of mortgage default. Empirical analysis verifies the existence of the mortgage externality, but we find no evidence for the resale externality.
Knowledge Economy and the Digital Divide in Asia
Authors: Gleave Tom , Al-Hawamdeh Suliman
Published: September 2003

The rapid rise of the knowledge-based economy has resulted in an increasing gap between knowledge "haves" and "have nots", a phenomenon now widely referred to as the digital divide. This divide has become particularly apparent in Asia, a region that is home to some of the highest and lowest digital technology penetration rates in the world. Failing to adequately bridge this divide will inevitably result in greater disparities among the economies of the region. This paper provides an overview of the driving forces and key characteristics of the knowledge economy. It outlines some of the opportunities and challenges the knowledge economy presents to policy makers, societies, businesses and individuals alike. Emphasis in this paper is given to the need for assessing "e-readiness" as a critical first step in initiating any major developmental effort. This is accompanied by a broad-based assessment of the level of e-readiness in Asia, along with an examination of the crucial link between income levels and telecommunications service costs with digital connectivity. Concrete examples of actions being undertaken by non-profit organizations, corporations and individuals to bridge the digital divide in Asia are then presented, followed by some concluding remarks.
Performance Measures for Knowledge Management
Authors: Dhansukhlal Jasna , Chaudhry Abdus Sattar
Published: September 2003

An exploratory study of the existing performance measures carried out through reviews of websites revealed a variety of approaches that organizations use in implementing knowledge management. The main measures are the balanced scorecard and the intangible assets monitor, both of which provide a comprehensive, developed and tested approach to performance measurement of knowledge management. Additional measures include Skandia's intellectual capital taxonomy and AFS business navigator, the business excellence model, the intellectual capital index, Montague Institute's 12 techniques used to value intangible assets and the APQC measurement efforts.
Factors Impacting Knowledge Sharing
Authors: Lee Chu Keong , Al-Hawamdeh Suliman
Published: September 2003

Knowledge sharing is the deliberate act in which knowledge is made reusable through its transfer from one party to another. It is considered one of the main pillars of knowledge management. For a knowledge management initiative to succeed, a knowledge-sharing culture needs to be created and nurtured within the organisation. Since knowledge is power and no one is willing to give it away freely, there is a need to create a knowledge-sharing environment which takes into account the social and economic factors that influence knowledge sharing. In this paper, we look at the existing knowledge-sharing frameworks and propose a new one that takes into consideration the social and economic issues that might affect knowledge sharing within the organisation. The framework attributes the impact to five factors: the actors participating in the knowledge-sharing activity, the knowledge being shared, the channel used, the organisation concerned and the broader environmental factors. Specific barriers for each of the five sources are suggested.
The evolution of dust emitted by a uniform source above ground level
Authors: Eltayeb I. A. , Hassan M. H. A.
Published: September 2003

A uniform source situated at a fixed location starts to emit dust
at a certain time, t = 0, and maintains the same action for
t > 0. The subsequent spread of the dust into space is governed by
an initial boundary value problem of the atmospheric diffusion
equation. The equation has been solved when the wind speed is
uniform and diffusion is present both along the vertical and the
horizontal for a general source. The solution is obtained in a
closed form. The behaviour of the solution is illustrated by means
of two examples, one of which is relevant to industrial pollution
and the other to the environment. The solution is represented in
graphic form. It is found that the spread of dust into space
depends mainly on the type of source and on the horizontal
component of diffusion. For weak diffusion, the dust travels
horizontally with a vertical front at the uniform speed of the
flow. In the presence of horizontal diffusion, dust diffuses
vertically and horizontally. For a point source, the distribution
of dust possesses a line of
extensive pollution. For a finite‐line source, the dust concentration possesses a point
of accumulation that moves both horizontally and vertically with
time.
An extension theorem for sober spaces and the Goldman topology
Authors: Bouacida Ezzeddine , Echi Othman , Picavet Gabriel , Salhi Ezzeddine
Published: September 2003

Goldman points of a topological space are defined in order to
extend the notion of prime G‐ideals of a ring. We associate to any topological space a new topology called Goldman topology. For sober spaces, we prove an extension theorem of continuous maps. As an application, we give a topological characterization of the
Jacobson subspace of the spectrum of a commutative ring. Many
examples are provided to illustrate the theory.
Self‐similar random fractal measures using contraction method in probabilistic metric spaces
Authors: Kolumbán József , Soós Anna , Varga Ibolya
Published: September 2003

Self‐similar random fractal measures were studied by Hutchinson
and Rüschendorf. Working with probability metric in complete
metric spaces, they need the first moment condition for the
existence and uniqueness of these measures. In this paper, we use contraction
method in probabilistic metric spaces to prove the existence and
uniqueness of self‐similar random fractal measures replacing the
first moment condition.
Some versions of Anderson′s and Maher′s inequalities I
Authors: Mecheri Salah
Published: September 2003

We prove the orthogonality (in the sense of Birkhoff) of the range
and the kernel of an important class of elementary operators with
respect to the Schatten p‐class.
"Universal Science" Versus "Chinese Science": The Changing Identity of Natural Studies in China, 1850-1930
Authors: Elman Benjamin A.
Published: September 2003

This article is about the contested nature of "science" in "modern" China. The struggle over the meaning and significance of the specific types of natural studies brought by Protestants (1842-1895) occurred in a historical context in which natural studies in late imperial China were until 1900 part of a nativist imperial and literati project to master and control Western views on what constituted legitimate natural knowledge. After the industrial revolution in Europe, a weakened Qing government and its increasingly concerned Han Chinese and Manchu elites turned to "Western" models of science, medicine, and technology, which were disguised under the traditional terminology for natural studies. In the aftermath of the 1894-95 Sino-Japanese War, Chinese reformers, radicals, and revolutionaries turned to Japanese and Western science as an intellectual weapon to destroy the perceived backwardness of China. Until 1900, the Chinese had interpreted the transition from "Chinese science" to modern, universal scientific knowledge - and its new modes of industrial power - on their own terms. After 1900, the teleology of a universal and progressive "science" first invented in Europe replaced the Chinese notion that Western natural studies had their origins in ancient China, but this development was also challenged in the aftermath of World War One during the 1923 debate over "Science and the Philosophy of Life."
Naitō Konan (1866-1934) and Chinese Historiography
Authors: Fogel Joshua A.
Published: September 2003

Naitō Konan (1866-1934) was one of towering figures of twentieth-century
Sinology, in Japan, China, and elsewhere. His theories concerning Chinese
history continue to influence us all, often through secondary or tertiary means.
Among his many books and articles is a large volume entitled Shina
shigaku shi (History of Chinese historiography), arguably the first
such comprehensive work in any language and still unsurpassed to this day,
roughly eighty years after the chapters which comprise it were first delivered
as lectures in Kyoto.

Naitō argued that Chinese historical writing was divided, as we all know now,
into two traditions: the comprehensive style (tongshi) launched
by Sima Qian and the single-period style (duandai shi) begun
somewhat later by Ban Gu. Naitō himself always favored the former, and he showed
a marked predilection for the major historical works over the centuries by
Chinese with the character tong in their titles: such as Liu
Zhiji's Tong shi, Du You's Tong zhi (about
which he lectured before the Japanese emperor in 1931), Ma Duanlin's
Wenxian tongkao, and most notably Zhang Xuecheng's
Wenshi tongyi. He did not disragrd or disrespect the
duandai shi approach, but he did believe that by cutting
off chunks of history one could not get a proper sense of the long-term forces
at work in the historical process, what the great French historians later would
call la longue durée.
Trends in Track Forecasting for Tropical Cyclones Threatening the United States, 1970–2001
Authors: Franklin James L. , McAdie Colin J. , Lawrence Miles B.
Published: September 2003

Previous studies have identified statistically significant long-term improvements in forecasts issued by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) for Atlantic basin tropical cyclones. Recently, however, attention has been focused on the forecast accuracy of landfall location and timing, and the long-term improvement trends for this relatively small sample of forecasts were mixed. These results may lead some to conclude that the accuracy of NHC forecasts close to the United States has not improved over time.

A statistically robust dataset can be obtained by considering “landfall-threatening” storms, defined as one for which tropical cyclone watches or warnings are in effect for some portion of the continental United States. In this study, long-term trends in accuracy are determined for NHC forecasts issued during these periods of threat and compared to trends for the Atlantic basin overall. A second set of trends are determined for forecasts verifying during the periods of threat.

The analysis shows that NHC forecasts for land-threatening tropical cyclones are improving. These improvement trends are statistically significant, although the improvement rates for the land-threatening storms are smaller than those for the basin overall. Over the period 1970–2001, forecasts issued during the watch/warning stage improved at annual average rates of 0.7%, 1.6%, and 1.9% at 24,48, and 72 h, respectively.
A Critical Assessment of Hygroscopic Seeding of Convective Clouds for Rainfall Enhancement
Authors: Silverman Bernard A.
Published: September 2003

During the past decade, statistically positive results have been reported for four major, randomized hygroscopic seeding experiments, each in a different part of the world. Experiments on cold convective clouds using hygroscopic flares were carried out in South Africa and Mexico. Experiments on warm convective clouds using hygroscopic particles were carried out in Thailand and India. The scientific evidence for enhancing rainfall from convective clouds by hygroscopic seeding from these four randomized experiments is examined and critically assessed. The assessment uses, as a measure of proof of concept, the criteria for success of any cloud seeding activity that were recommended in the Scientific Background for the 1998 AMS Policy Statement on Planned and Inadvertent Weather Modifications, criteria that required both statistical and physical evidence.

Based on a critical examination of the results of these four major, randomized hygroscopic seeding experiments, it has been concluded that they have not yet provided either the statistical or physical evidence required to establish that the effectiveness of hygroscopic seeding of convective clouds to increase precipitation is scientifically proven. The impressive statistical results from these experiments must be viewed with caution because, according to the proof-of-concept criteria, credibility of the results depends on the physical plausibility of the seeding conceptual model that forms the basis for anticipating seeding-induced increases in rainfall. The credibility of the hygroscopic seeding for microphysical effects hypothesis has been seriously undermined because it cannot explain the magnitude and timing of the statistically significant increases in precipitation that were observed. Theories suggesting that the microphysical effects of seeding-enhanced downdraft circulations to produce longer-lived clouds have been advanced; however, in the absence of any supporting physical or model evidence, they must be considered to be in the realm of speculation.

These results do not alter this author's basic position; cloud seeding is advocated in situations where it is scientifically and operationally appropriate, and it is strongly recommended that an independent evaluation accompany each research or operational project in order that the science of weather modification benefit from the experience.
Photoinduced Reduction of Methylviologen with TiO2/Polymer Films
Authors: Sagawa Takashi , Kotani Makoto , Nada Hideaki , Ji Xiaoli , Yoshinaga Kohji , Ohkubo Katsutoshi
Published: September 2003

TiO2/polymer films on quartz substrate were fabricated by layer-by-layer method and the ultrathin films showed photocatalytic activity for reduction of 1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium dichloride on the irradiation of UV light.
Highly Enantioselective Cr(salen)-catalyzed Reaction of 2-(Trimethylsilyloxy)furan and Aldehydes. Effect of Alcohol on Enantioselectivity
Authors: Onitsuka Satoaki , Matsuoka Yuko , Irie Ryo , Katsuki Tsutomu
Published: September 2003

Reactions of 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)furan 1 and aldehydes catalyzed by a chiral cationic Cr(salen) complex proceeded with remarkably improved enantioselectivity, when a secondary alcohol was added. The role of the alcohol is acceleration of the conversion of an intermediary 1-aldehyde adduct into the final product.
Plasmodium vivax malaria complicated by hemophagocytic syndrome in an immunocompetent serviceman
Authors: Park Tae Sung , Oh Seung Hwan , Choi Jae Cheol , Kim Hyung Hoi , Chang Chulhun L. , Son Han Chul , Lee Eun Yup
Published: September 2003

We describe a 23‐year‐old retired military officer who was immunocompetent but diagnosed with hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) by Plasmodium vivax infection. Initially, the patient was suspected to have toxic hepatitis related to heavy drinking. But abnormal hematologic findings required a further bone marrow examination and the diagnosis of HPS was made. Antimalarial chemotherapy then brought complete remission. Plasmodium falciparum, a species causing more severe malarial infection, was listed as one of the major causes of HPS. However, P. vivax was not mentioned, and only one case was reported in the literature. In this study, we suggest that P. vivax malaria should be included in the differential diagnosis of HPS, even in an immunocompetent person. Am. J. Hematol. 74:127–130, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss Inc.
Case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting with t(14;18)/BCL2, t(8;14)/cMYC, and t(1;2)/FCGR2B
Authors: Greer Wenda L. , Lee Christine L.Y. , Callanan Mary B. , Zayed Ekram , Sadek Irene
Published: September 2003

The majority of follicular lymphoma and Burkitt's lymphoma are associated with reciprocal translocations involving BCL2 and cMYC, respectively. Unusual reports of aggressive lymphoma presenting with both translocations have been described as well as rare cases with a third structural alteration usually involving BCL6. The patient described here presented with aggressive high‐grade lymphocytic leukemia, FAB subtype L2 (ALL‐L2), and three reciprocal translocations, t(14;18)(q32;q21), t(8;14)(q24.1;q32), and t(1;2) (q22–23;p13). Despite immature morphology the leukemic blasts had a mature B‐cell phenotype; they were positive for surface immunoglobulin heavy chains and negative for CD34, TdT, and CD10. Most reported dual t(14;18)/t(8;14) cases have not shown sIg and were positive for CD10. Molecular genetic analyses showed the typical rearrangements of BCL2 and cMYC as well as the FCGR2B gene on chromosome 1q23. The occurrence of a third oncogene rearrangement in association with the dual BCL2, cMYC translocations in ALL patients is very rare. To our knowledge, this is the first case where the third hit involves the FCGR2B locus. This report reiterates the poor prognosis associated with activation of cMYC together with elevated Bcl‐2 expression. These data also support recent evidence that dysregulation of FCGR2B may play a role in tumor progression. Am. J. Hematol. 74:112–118, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss Inc.
Hemoglobinopathy case finding by pulse oximetry
Authors: Bruns Cristin M. , Thet Lyn A. , Woodson Robert D. , Schultz John , Hla K. Mae
Published: September 2003

Pulse oximetry is a widely used, noninvasive instrument for monitoring oxygen saturation. Its use, however, is limited in the setting of dyshemoglobinemias. We report a case of hemoglobin Rothschild in an Asian patient diagnosed as a result of routine pulse oximetry. This case reiterates the limitations of pulse oximetry in patients with dyshemoglobinemias, while introducing its use as a case‐finding tool for such conditions. Am. J. Hematol. 74:142–143, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss Inc.
Lung carcinoma development after radiotherapy for breast carcinoma
Authors: Buchholz Thomas A.
Published: September 2003

Treatment‐induced cancer is one of the greatest fears of patients receiving radiotherapy for breast carcinoma. Recent data suggest that radiation also may increase the risk of developing lung carcinoma. In their article, Deutsch et al. report rates of lung carcinoma development in 3515 breast carcinoma patients treated on the National Surgical Bowel and Breast Project (NSABP) B‐04 and B‐06 trials. These data are particularly valuable because both trials tested radiation as a randomized variable and both studies now have 20‐year outcome information.

See also pages 1362–8.
REG gene expression is associated with the infiltrating growth of gastric carcinoma
Authors: Yonemura Yutaka , Sakurai Shigeru , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Endou Yoshio , Kawamura Taiichi , Bandou Etsurou , Elnemr Ayman , Sugiyama Kazuo , Sasaki Takuma , Akiyama Takako , Takasawa Shin , Okamoto Hiroshi
Published: September 2003

BACKGROUND

The Reg gene is known to be involved in the growth of not only pancreatic B‐cells, but also epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract and carcinoma of its lineage.

METHODS

Because, to the authors' knowledge, no studies have been reported regarding REG expression in gastric carcinoma, the authors investigated REG mRNA and REG protein expression using reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemical study and correlated the results with the clinical features of gastric carcinoma.

RESULTS

Using RT‐PCR and Western blot analyses, reg mRNA and 16‐kilodalton REG proteins were detected in two of eight human gastric carcinoma cell lines. Cytoplasmic localization of REG proteins in the cell lines was confirmed by fluorescent immunocytochemistry. The RT‐PCR analysis revealed the presence of REG mRNA in as many as 77% (87 of 112 tumors) of primary gastric carcinoma tumors. Screening of a total of 195 patients with primary gastric carcinoma using immunoperoxidase staining revealed positive REG immunoreactivity in 60 of the 195 primary tumors (31%). REG expression in infiltrating tumors was found to be significantly higher compared with localized tumors (P < 0.05). Strong REG expression was noted in the cytoplasm of signet ring cell carcinoma tumors at a significantly higher incidence than in nonsignet ring cell tumors. Moreover, patients with REG‐negative differentiated adenocarcinoma were found to have a significantly better prognosis compared with patients with REG‐positive tumors. The incidence of venous invasion of REG‐positive tumors was significantly higher than that of REG‐negative tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study suggest that the expression of the REG gene is closely related to the infiltrating property of gastric carcinoma, and may be a prognostic indicator of differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Cancer 2003;98:1394–400. © 2003 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.11658
Cost‐effectiveness and lung cancer clinical trials
Authors: Du Wei , Reeves Jaxk H. , Gadgeel Shirish , Abrams Judith , Peters William P.
Published: September 2003

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., with an estimated annual economic burden of $5 billion. Clinical trials offer innovative therapeutic options with potentially better outcomes, but their effects on health care costs are disputed.

METHODS

The authors analyzed the 1‐year facility‐based treatment cost and survival of 336 newly diagnosed nonsmall cell lung cancer patients who were deemed eligible for clinical trials between 1994 and 1998 at the Karmanos Cancer Institute. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) of clinical trial treatments with adjustment for confounders was calculated along with its 95% confidence interval (CI) using the bootstrap resampling method.

RESULTS

Of the 336 patients, 76 (22.6%) were treated on clinical trials. Trial participation was associated significantly with race (P < 0.01), gender (P = 0.01), age (P = 0.02), and insurance type (P = 0.02). The average 1‐year cost for trial enrollees was $41,734 with a median survival of 1.3 years, whereas the average 1‐year cost for nonenrollees was $34,191 with a median survival period of 0.9 years. Differences in survival and 1‐year cost between enrollees and nonenrollees were significant when controlling for age, race, gender, insurance, stage, performance status, and comorbidities. The ICER for trial participation after adjustment for confounders was $9741 per life year saved (95% CI, $3089–$19,149).

CONCLUSIONS

Enrollment in lung cancer clinical trials was found to be associated with improved survival at a moderate incremental cost. Cancer 2003;98:1491–6. © 2003 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.11659
Willingness‐to‐pay for community‐based insurance in Burkina Faso
Authors: Dong Hengjin , Kouyate Bocar , Cairns John , Mugisha Frederick , Sauerborn Rainer
Published: September 2003

Purpose: To study the willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) for a proposed community‐based health insurance (CBI) scheme in order to provide information about the relationship between the premium that is required to cover the costs of the scheme and expected insurance enrolment levels. In addition, factors that influence WTP were to be identified.

Methods: Data were collected from a household survey using a two‐stage cluster sampling approach, with each household having the same probability of being selected. Interviews were conducted with 2414 individuals and 705 household heads. The take‐it‐or‐leave‐it (TIOLI) and the bidding game were used to elicit WTP.

Results: The average individual was willing to pay 2384 (elicited by the TIOLI) or 3191 (elicited by the bidding game) CFA (US$ 3.17 or US$ 4.25) to join CBI for him/herself. The head of household agreed to pay from 6448 (elicited by the TIOLI) or 9769 (elicited by the bidding game) CFA (US$ 8.6 or US$ 13.03) to join the health insurance scheme for his/her household. These results were influenced by household and individual ability‐to‐pay, household and individual characteristics, such as age, sex and education. The two methods yielded similar patterns of estimated WTP, in that higher WTP was obtained for higher income level, higher previous medical expenditure, higher education, younger people and males. A starting point bias was found in the case of the bidding game.

Conclusions: Both TIOLI and bidding game methods can elicit a value of WTP for CBI. The value elicited by the bidding game is higher than by the TIOLI, but the two approaches yielded similar patterns of estimated WTP. WTP information can be used for setting insurance premium. When setting the premiums, it is important to consider differences between the real market and the theoretical one, and between the WTP and the cost of benefits package. The beneficiaries of CBI should be enrolled at the level of households or villages in order to protect vulnerable groups such as women, elders and the poor. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The value of life: individual preferences and social choice. A comment to Magnus Johannesson
Authors: Nord Erik , Menzel Paul , Richardson Jeff
Published: September 2003

In order to avoid undue discrimination of disabled people, we have suggested that all life years gained by the disabled should count as 1 in QALY calculations as long as the health states in question are preferred to being dead by those concerned. Johannesson noted that such a convention could lead to inconsistencies between societal and individual preferences. We believe the problem derives from the structure of preferences in the real world, rather than from our specific choice of model. The inconsistency is at any rate a much smaller practical problem than Johannesson suggests. Johannesson's alternative model has some virtues, but it does not resolve the inconsistency problem. It also leads to counter intuitive results. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Independent Hox‐cluster duplications in lampreys
Authors: Fried Claudia , Prohaska Sonja J. , Stadler Peter F.
Published: September 2003

The analysis of the publicly available Hox gene sequences from the sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus provides evidence that the Hox clusters in lampreys and other vertebrate species arose from independent duplications. In particular, our analysis supports the hypothesis that the last common ancestor of agnathans and gnathostomes had only a single Hox cluster which was subsequently duplicated independently in the two lineages. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 299B:18–25, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
18q− Syndrome: Brain MRI shows poor differentiation of gray and white matter on T2‐weighted images
Authors: Linnankivi Tarja T. , Autti Taina H. , Pihko S. Helena , Somer Mirja S. , Tienari Pentti J. , Wirtavuori Kari O. , Valanne Leena K.
Published: September 2003

Purpose

To study brain MRI findings in patients with 18q− syndrome and to correlate these findings with the results of the molecular breakpoint analysis.

Materials and Methods

Brain MR images of 17 patients with 18q− syndrome were evaluated. Segregation analysis was performed with 15 microsatellite markers to determine the deletion breakpoints and whether the deletion included the myelin basic protein (MBP) gene.

Results

One patient had an interstitial deletion of 18q which spared the MBP gene. He was the only one with normal brain MRI. All 16 patients with deletions including the MBP gene had abnormal white matter in MRI. The main finding was poor differentiation of gray and white matter on T2‐weighted images due to increased white matter signal intensity. In addition, measured signal intensity of the white matter was significantly increased in patients compared with controls.

Conclusions

Poor differentiation of gray and white matter on T2‐weighted images is the most typical MRI finding of the 18q− syndrome. These results support the postulation that abnormal myelination in 18q− syndrome is due to haploinsufficiency at or near the MBP locus. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2003;18:414–419. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Three‐dimensional navigator coronary MRA with the aid of a blood pool agent in pigs: Improved image quality with inclusion of the contrast agent first‐pass
Authors: Dirksen Martijn S. , Kaandorp Theodorus A.M. , Lamb Hildo J. , Doornbos J. , Corot Claire , de Roos Albert
Published: September 2003

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of including the first‐pass of a blood pool agent (BPA) on the image quality of three‐dimensional navigator coronary MRA.

Materials and Methods

A pig model was used to perform: 1) T1 simulation of the BPA, based on actual blood samples, and 2) BPA‐enhanced three‐dimensional navigator coronary MRA, with or without inclusion of the first‐pass of the BPA. The acquisitions with inclusion of the first‐pass were timed with the use of a test bolus. The acquisitions without first‐pass were started one minute after bolus injection (steady‐state). A gradient echo acquisition technique with centric k‐space sampling was applied. Comparison of both acquisitions was based on determination of contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), and vessel length.

Results

T1 simulation shows a distinct T1 reduction during first‐pass (to a level below 50 msec), increasing to 190 msec during steady‐state. Images obtained with first‐pass inclusion showed improved CNR (8.6 ± 1.7 vs. 4.5 ± 1.8), SNR (11.9 ± 1.6 vs. 7.4 ± 2.0), and vessel length (99.2 ± 10.9 mm vs. 60.5 ± 21.8 mm) as compared to the acquisitions during steady‐state only (all: P< 0.05).

Conclusion

The image quality of three‐dimensional navigator coronary MRA combined with a gadolinium BPA in pigs is improved when starting the image acquisition during first‐pass of the bolus. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2003;18:502–506. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biology and establishment of mountain shrubs on mining disturbances in the Rocky Mountains, USA
Authors: Paschke M. W. , Redente E. F. , Brown S. L.
Published: September 2003

The Rocky Mountains of the western United States contain many economically important natural resources. Increasing development of these resources has lead to land degradation, which often requires restoration efforts. A common type of disturbance in this region is mineral extraction and these activities often occur in zones of vegetation dominated by shrubs. These mined lands have proven to be particularly challenging to restore to native shrub cover. Mountain shrubland species such as big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), black chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus), and snowberry (Symphoricarpos sp.) are crucial species for wildlife in this region due to the seasonal dependence of many wildlife species on the mountain shrubland zones. The development of successful restoration techniques for these key shrub species is therefore important for the continued and sustainable utilization of natural resources in the Rocky Mountains.

The purpose of this literature review is to provide a reference to land managers working on woody plant establishment on mining disturbances in mountain shrublands in the Rocky Mountains. This review covers the biology, ecology, and propagation of six shrub species that are of primary importance for meeting regulatory compliance in this region. Based upon this survey of the published literature, we conclude that successful establishment of these species has most often involved: (1) utilization of local shrub ecotypes, varieties or subspecies in reclamation efforts, (2) protection from browsing during the establishment phase, (3) strategies for avoiding herbaceous competition, and (4) providing a source of mutualistic soil organisms. Additional specific recommendations for each of these species are discussed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shifting cultivation in the mountains of South and Southeast Asia: regional patterns and factors influencing the change
Authors: Rasul G. , Thapa G. B.
Published: September 2003

Shifting cultivation, which long provided the subsistence requirements of a large number of people in the mountains of South and Southeast Asia under a situation of low population, has been shown to be an environmentally and economically unsuitable practice. Efforts have been made throughout the region to replace it with more productive and sustainable land‐use systems. Experiences have been mixed. Shifting cultivation has been almost entirely replaced by sedentary agriculture in Nepal, a considerable change has taken place in Thailand, and moderate changes have taken place in Indonesia and Malaysia. However, shifting cultivation is still being widely practised in the mountains of Bangladesh and Laos, and northeastern India. Such interregional variations are explained by several socio‐economic, institutional and policy factors, including population growth, government control of common property resources, the land tenure system, physical infrastructure, technology and necessary support services. This paper concludes that the change from shifting to permanent cultivation does not take place automatically with increasing population pressure as postulated by Boserüp (1965). It takes place when the favourable condition created by population growth is reinforced by other appropriate measures, including ownership rights to land, development of infrastructure and provision of necessary support services and facilities. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Palliative therapy for lung cancer
Authors: Bezjak Andrea
Published: September 2003

Attention to palliation is imperative in the management of patients with lung cancer, given the burden of symptoms and the incurable nature of the illness in a large proportion of patients. Focus on symptom control and enhancing quality of life can and should coexist with active treatment of the cancer process and attempts at prolongation of life. This article reviews some of the methodological issues in assessing palliation, and presents the evidence for the role of various therapeutic modalities in palliation of thoracic symptoms, including external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and vascular stents. Palliation of metastatic disease, particularly bone and brain metastases, is also reviewed. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 21:138–147, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PET scanning in lung cancer: Current status and future directions
Authors: Mac Manus Michael P. , Hicks Rodney J.
Published: September 2003

Positron emission tomography (PET) represents a dramatic advance in the imaging of lung cancer. It is valuable for the diagnosis, staging, prognosis, and restaging of disease, and is most useful in patients considered for potentially curative therapy for non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this work the current status and potential future applications of PET scanning in lung cancer are discussed. The relevant literature is also discussed, with an emphasis on studies with clinical applicability. Most of these studies involved the use of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Numerous studies of the use of PET to assess undiagnosed pulmonary nodules have reported significant improvements in accurate diagnosis or exclusion of malignancy compared to conventional structural imaging alone. All of these studies, including metaanalysis, have shown that PET is more accurate than CT‐based structural imaging in staging the mediastinum in surgical candidates. PET may have value in radiotherapy planning, and PET‐based staging more accurately predicts survival in radiotherapy‐treated patients than conventional staging. The rate of unsuspected distant metastasis detection in stage III disease exceeds 20%. PET also facilitates an accurate assessment of response in patients treated with radical chemoradiation or neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery. PET has rapidly become an indispensable part of the evaluation of patients with potentially curable lung cancer; however, more work is required to define its role. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 21:149–155, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Translational research in lung cancer
Authors: Chen Yuhchyau , Okunieff Paul , Ahrendt Steven A.
Published: September 2003

Recent research advances in cancer and molecular biology have furthered our understanding of the etiology and natural history of lung cancer. Through translational research, a growing understanding of the molecular changes that underlie cancer progression has contributed to the development of novel molecular approaches for early detection, further defining prognosis, refining treatment schedules, identifying new therapeutic targets, and identifying patients at risk for treatment‐related toxicity from aggressive therapy, such as pneumonitis and esophagitis. In this article, we review progress in molecular/gene screening and prognosis, and we present a clinical study, based on preclinical research, in which we apply low‐dose radiosensitizing paclitaxel for locally advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC); this resulted in superior local tumor control while keeping treatment toxicity low. We also review progress made in identifying cytokines: interleukin [IL]‐1α, IL‐6, and transforming growth factor [TGF] β as markers for lung cancer treatment–related radiation pneumonitis. Finally, we summarize different targeted therapy approaches and discuss their application to clinical trials. Irrespective of the slow progress toward clinical improvements, we have gained much knowledge through translational research using new molecular and biologic technology. We believe that knowledge of lung cancer biology will continue to provide the foundation for future improvements in lung cancer treatment. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 21:205–219, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Upregulation of the matrix metalloproteinase‐1 gene by the Ewing's sarcoma associated EWS‐ER81 and EWS‐Fli‐1 oncoproteins, c‐Jun and p300
Authors: Fuchs Bruno , Inwards Carrie Y , Janknecht Ralf
Published: September 2003

The mechanisms of action of Ewing's sarcoma (EWS) associated EWS‐ETS oncoproteins have largely remained unresolved. Here, we analyzed how two EWS‐ETS proteins, EWS‐ER81 and EWS‐Fli‐1, in vitro activate the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1 promoter that is upregulated in a subset of EWSs. EWS‐ER81 and EWS‐Fli‐1 interact with and thereby activate the MMP‐1 promoter, which is potentiated by the cofactor p300 and the proto‐oncoprotein c‐Jun. Further, EWS‐ER81 binds to c‐Jun in vitro and in vivo. The interaction between c‐Jun, p300 and EWS‐ER81 or EWS‐Fli‐1 may also be relevant to the regulation of other yet‐to‐be‐identified genes that are responsible for EWS formation.
Solution structure of epiregulin and the effect of its C‐terminal domain for receptor binding affinity
Authors: Sato Katsuharu , Nakamura Takashi , Mizuguchi Mineyuki , Miura Kazunori , Tada Masahito , Aizawa Tomoyasu , Gomi Tomoharu , Miyamoto Kaoru , Kawano Keiichi
Published: September 2003

Epiregulin (EPR), a novel member of epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, is a ligand for ErbB‐1 and ErbB‐4 receptors. The binding affinity of EPR for the receptors is lower than those of other EGF‐family ligands. The solution structure of EPR was determined using two‐dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The secondary structure in the C‐terminal domain of EPR is different from other EGF‐family ligands because of the lack of hydrogen bonds. The structural difference in the C‐terminal domain may provide an explanation for the reduced binding affinity of EPR to the ErbB receptors.
Does public opinion matter in UkraineŒ The case of foreign policy
Authors: Chudowsky Victor , Kuzio Taras
Published: September 2003

The article critically surveys the impact of domestic public opinion on foreign policy in Ukraine by integrating it within theories of public opinion. Studies of public opinion in Ukraine have not given due weight to the unique characteristics of the Ukrainian ‘public’, which differs greatly from the Western public. Ukrainian society is passive, atomized and its power is ‘submerged’ relative to that of the state. The article argues that public opinion is of minimal importance in the area of foreign policy.
The significance of structural power resources in the Russian Bilateral treaty process 1994–1998
Authors: Söderlund Peter J.
Published: September 2003

Scholars have characterized the relationship between a state center and regions, especially in federal states, as an ongoing bargaining game. The central objective in this study is to demonstrate the importance of political, economic, geographic and cultural determinants, or structural resources, in center-region relations in the Russian Federation during the 1990s. Structural resources have provided regional leaders with structural power in the federal bargaining game. According to my findings, politically superior, wealthy, culturally distinct, geopolitically and geoeconomically important and peripherally located regions were favored in the bilateral treaty process between 1994 and 1998 and were given chance to conclude treaties at an early stage.