bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A critical appraisal of the Navajo health care system
Authors: Baris Enis , Pineault Raynald
Published: May 2007

The purpose of this study is to assess the health needs of the Navajo Indians of North America, and the appropriateness of the health care services provided by the Navajo Health Care System with respect to these health needs. Our study is based on the analysis of the secondary socioeconomic and health related data collected and compiled in the Navajo area, and on the interviews conducted among health care professionals and administrators working in the Area. The ‘Q index’ was used for priority ranking of the most prevalent diseases. Appraisal is based on the holistic health concept components. Navajo Indians have not yet reached the health status of the general US population. In spite of the fact that the Indian Health Services has decreased the disparity between the Indians and the US population in general, especially regarding communicable diseases, other more complex health problems created by biculturalism and the on‐going acculturation exceed the limits of the Navajo Health Care System which is basically oriented toward medical care. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse, inadequate nutrition and lack of geographic and socio‐organizational accessibility are the main risk factors in the Area. This situation is further aggravated by economic problems and the high unemployment rate of the Navajo Indians.
Service management: A new zealand model for shifting the balance from hospital to community care
Authors: Malcolm Laurence
Published: May 2007

New Zealand's health system has undergone a radical reform in recent years. A central feature of this reform is the area health board, a partly elected and partly appointed body responsible for all health services for its defined population. Within the area health board, the organizational structure which is based upon general management is moving away from institutional towards service or programme management. This is involving clinicians in the management process as service managers, within an accountability structure which cuts across the traditional hospital/community service boundaries. This is a major paradigm shift in health services management which could have major implications for a shift from hospital to community‐based care and from secondary to primary health care.
Health sector planning led by management of recurrent expenditure: An agenda for action‐research
Authors: Segall Malcolm
Published: May 2007

Health services in developing countries face a crisis of recurrent costs. Far from being able to fund primary health care (PHC) developments, governments now have difficulty in keeping existing health services in operation. This article proposes an approach to the problem based on the proactive planning and management of recurrent health expenditure. The system addresses existing services as well as future plans and allows explicit trade‐offs to be made in resource allocation. This may be termed ‘recurrent‐expenditure‐led planning’. The article describes a diagnostic health sector review, which incorporates a recurrent expenditure profile in four planes: by type of provider, source of finance, level of care and recipient population group. A fifth dimension of time trends for certain expenditure categories can be added. The steps of a strategic planning cycle for health services resources are then described, which allows health service strategies to be tested for broad economic feasibility. It also results in the establishment of resource targets that can act as benchmarks against which actual levels of funding can be compared. The targets help to maintain sectoral priorities in resource allocation even in times of economic constraint and to channel funds preferentially to localities and facilities in greatest need. The system calls for innovations in the methods of health planning and financial management in the health sector. Implementation will require health systems action‐research at the country level. The essential purpose is to promote PHC policy‐led resource allocation and use. No amount of planning can substitute for political action to realize ‘health for all’, but this system provides technical support to the political forces in favour of distributive PHC policies.
A comparison of one‐ and two‐dimensional approaches to modelling flood inundation over complex upland floodplains
Authors: Tayefi V. , Lane S. N. , Hardy R. J. , Yu D.
Published: May 2007

A much understudied aspect of flood inundation is examined, i.e. upland environments with topographically complex floodplains. Although the presence of high‐resolution topographic data (e.g. lidar) has improved the quality of river flood inundation predictions, the optimum dimensionality of hydraulic models for this purpose has yet to be fully evaluated for situations of both topographic and topological (i.e. the connectivity of floodplain features) complexity. In this paper, we present the comparison of three treatments of upland flood inundation using: (a) a one‐dimensional (1D) model (HEC‐RAS v. 3·1·2) with the domain defined as series of extended cross‐sections; (b) the same 1D model, but with the floodplain defined by a series of storage cells, hydraulically connected to the main river channel and other storage cells on the floodplain according to floodplain topological characteristics; (c) a two‐dimensional (2D) diffusion wave treatment, again with explicit representation of floodplain structural features. The necessary topographic and topological data were derived using lidar and Ordnance Survey Landline data. The three models were tested on a 6 km upland reach of the River Wharfe, UK. The models were assessed by comparison with measured inundation extent. The results showed that both the extended cross‐section and the storage cell 1D modes were conceptually problematic. They also resulted in poorer model predictions, requiring incorrect parameterization of the main river to floodplain flux in order to approach anything like the level of agreement observed when the 2D diffusion wave treatment was assessed. We conclude that a coupled 1D–2D treatment is likely to provide the best modelling approach, with currently available technology, for complex floodplain configurations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Catchment‐scale contribution of forest roads to stream exports of sediment, phosphorus and nitrogen
Authors: Sheridan Gary J. , Noske Philip J.
Published: May 2007

The relative contribution of forest roads to total catchment exports of suspended sediment, phosphorus, and nitrogen was estimated for a 13 451 ha forested catchment in southeastern Australia. Instrumentation was installed for 1 year to quantify total in‐stream exports of suspended sediment, phosphorus, and nitrogen. In addition, a total of 101 road–stream crossings were mapped and characterized in detail within the catchment to identify the properties of the road section where the road network and the stream network intersect. Sediment and nutrient generation rates from different forest road types within the catchment were quantified using permanent instrumentation and rainfall simulation. Sediment and nutrient generation rates, mapped stream crossing information, traffic data and annual rainfall data were used to estimate annual loads of sediment, phosphorus, and nitrogen from each stream crossing in the catchment. The annual sum of these loads was compared with the measured total catchment exports to estimate the proportional contribution of loads from roads within the catchment. The results indicated that 3·15 ha of near‐stream unsealed road surface with an average slope of 8·4% delivered an estimated 50 t of the 1142 t of total suspended sediment exported from the catchment, or about 4·4% of the total sediment load from the forest. Stream discharge over this period was 69 573 Ml. The unsealed road network delivered an estimated maximum of 22 kg of the 1244 kg of total phosphorus from the catchment, or less than 1·8% of the total load from the forest. The average sediment and phosphorous load per crossing was estimated at 0·5 t (standard deviation 1·0 t) and 0·22 kg (standard deviation 0·30 kg) respectively. The lower proportional contribution of total phosphorus resulted from a low ratio of total phosphorus to total suspended sediment for the road‐derived sediment. The unsealed road network delivered approximately 33 kg of the 20 163 kg of total nitrogen, about 0·16% of the total load of nitrogen from the forest. The data indicate that, inthiscatchment, improvement of stream crossings would yield only small benefits in terms of net catchment exports of total suspended sediment and total phosphorus, and no benefit in terms of total nitrogen. These results are for a catchment with minimal road‐related mass movement, and extrapolation of these findings to the broader forested estate requires further research. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regime‐dependent streamflow sensitivities to Pacific climate modes cross the Georgia–Puget transboundary ecoregion
Authors: Fleming Sean W. , Whitfield Paul H. , Moore R. D. , Quilty Edward J.
Published: May 2007

The Georgia Basin–Puget Sound Lowland region of British Columbia (Canada) and Washington State (USA) presents a crucial test in environmental management due to its combination of abundant salmonid habitat, rapid population growth and urbanization, and multiple national jurisdictions. It is also hydrologically complex and heterogeneous, containing at least three streamflow regimes: pluvial (rainfall‐driven winter freshet), nival (melt‐driven summer freshet), and hybrid (both winter and summer freshets), reflecting differing elevation ranges within various watersheds. We performed bootstrapped composite analyses of river discharge, air temperature, and precipitation data to assess El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) impacts upon annual hydrometeorological cycles across the study area. Canadian and American data were employed from a total of 21 hydrometric and four meteorological stations. The surface meteorological anomalies showed strong regional coherence. In contrast, the seasonal impacts of coherent modes of Pacific circulation variability were found to be fundamentally different between streamflow regimes. Thus, ENSO and PDO effects can vary from one stream to the next within this region, albeit in a systematic way. Furthermore, watershed glacial cover appeared to complicate such relationships locally; and an additional annual streamflow regime was identified that exhibits climatically driven non‐linear phase transitions. The spatial heterogeneity of seasonal flow responses to climatic variability may have substantial implications to catchment‐specific management and planning of water resources and hydroelectric power generation, and it may also have ecological consequences due to the matching or phase‐locking of lotic and riparian biological activity and life cycles to the seasonal cycle. The results add to a growing body of literature suggesting that assessments of the streamflow impacts of ocean–atmosphere circulation modes must accommodate local hydrological characteristics and dynamics. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The copyright in Paul H. Whitfield's contribution belongs to the Crown in right of Canada and such copyright material is reproduced with the permission of Environment Canada.
The effect of transient storage on nitrate uptake lengths in streams: an inter‐site comparison
Authors: Lautz Laura K. , Siegel Donald I.
Published: May 2007

Surface water–groundwater interaction in the hyporheic zone may enhance biogeochemical cycling in streams, and it has been hypothesized that streams exchanging more water with the hyporheic zone should have more rapid nitrate utilization. We used simultaneous conservative solute and nitrate addition tracer tests to measure transient storage (which includes hyporheic exchange and in‐stream storage) and the rate of nitrate uptake along three reaches within the Red Canyon Creek watershed, Wyoming. We calibrated a one‐dimensional transport model, incorporating transient storage (OTIS‐P), to the conservative solute breakthrough curves and used the results to determine the degree of transient storage in each reach. The nitrate uptake length was quantified from the exponential decrease in nitrate concentration with distance during the tracer tests. Nitrate uptake along the most downstream reach of Red Canyon Creek was rapid (turnover time K−1c = 32 min), compared with nitrate uptake reported in other studies (K−1c = 12 to 551 min), but other sites within the watershed showed little nitrate retention or loss. The uptake length Sw‐NO−3 for the most downstream reach was 500 m and the mass transfer coefficient Vf‐NO−3 was 6·3 m min−1. Results from 15 other nitrate‐addition tracer tests were used to create a regression model relating transient storage and measures of stream flow to nitrate uptake length. The model, which includes specific discharge and transient storage area, explains almost half the variability in nitrate uptake length (adjusted R2 = 0·44) and is most effective for comparing sites with very different stream characteristics. Although large differences in specific discharge and storage zone area explain inter‐site differences in nitrate uptake, other unmeasured variables, such as available organic carbon and microbial community composition, are likely important for predicting differences in nitrate uptake between sites with similar specific discharge rates and storage zone areas, such as when making intra‐site comparisons. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alcohol drinking cessation and its effect on esophageal and head and neck cancers: A pooled analysis
Authors: Rehm Jürgen , Patra Jayadeep , Popova Svetlana
Published: May 2007

The objective of this study was to conduct a pooled analysis to evaluate the strength of the evidence available in the epidemiological literature on the association between alcohol drinking cessation and reduction in esophageal and head and neck cancer risks. A search using several electronic bibliographic databases was performed for relevant epidemiological literature between 1966 and 2006. A total of 13 unique studies including over 5,000 cases were found. Categorical and third order polynomial (cubic) regression models were fitted to estimate the temporal relationship between years of drinking cessation and risk of cancer. The risk of esophageal cancer significantly increased within the first 2 yr following cessation [odds ratios (ORs)0–2 yr: 2.50, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 2.23–2.80], then decreased rapidly and significantly after longer periods of abstention (OR15+ yr: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.33–0.41). An elevated risk, although not strong as for esophageal cancer, was observed for head and neck cancer up to 10 yr of quitting drinking (OR5–10 yr: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.18–1.35). Such risk only reduced after 10 yr of cessation (OR10–16 yr: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.63–0.73). After more than 20 yr of alcohol cessation, the risks for both cancers were no longer significantly different from the risk of never drinkers. Our findings demonstrate an important role of alcohol cessation on esophageal and head and neck carcinogenesis. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serum matrix metalloproteinase 7 levels identifies poor prognosis advanced colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Maurel Joan , Nadal Cristina , Garcia‐Albeniz Xabier , Gallego Rosa , Carcereny Enric , Almendro Vanesa , Mármol Maribel , Gallardo Elena , Maria Augé Josep , Longarón Raquel , Martínez‐Fernandez Alex , Molina Rafael , Castells Antoni , Gascón Pere
Published: May 2007

Metalloproteinase 7 (MMP‐7) plays an important role in tumor growth, invasion and dissemination, and is secreted to the media. Because of the close implication of MMP‐7 in cancer biology, we sought to define the prognostic significance of serum levels of MMP‐7 in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) and explore its possible impact in the daily clinical practice. MMP‐7 expression was determined by enzyme‐linked immunoabsorbent assay. We assessed serum MMP‐7 levels in 87 healthy controls, 96 patients with nonmetastatic CRC and 120 patients with advanced CRC. Clinical information was gathered from patient files. Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess survival. MMP‐7 and the variables associated with prognosis were entered and a backward elimination method was employed to adjust the model. Inclusion criteria was p ≤≤≤≤ 0.05 and exclusion criteria was p ≥≥≥≥ 0.10. Advanced CRC patients have a significant higher mean serum MMP‐7 levels (13.4 ng/ml) than those in nonmetastatic CRC (5.5 ng/ml; p < 0.001) and healthy controls (4.2 ng/ml; p < 0.001). In metastatic patients, after adjusting for other prognostic variables, MMP‐7 (entered as a continuous variable) is associated with decreased survival (HR 1.016, IC 95% 1.002–1.031). Serum MMP‐7 levels are significantly elevated in patients with advanced CRC. In conclusion, MMP‐7 is an independent prognostic factor for survival in advanced CRC. In our sample, the risk of death associated to MMP‐7 increase is much higher than the risk of death associated to lactate dehydrogenase elevation. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fruit and vegetable consumption and lung cancer risk: Updated information from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)
Authors: Linseisen Jakob , Rohrmann Sabine , Miller Anthony B. , Bueno‐de‐Mesquita H. Bas , Büchner Frederike L. , Vineis Paolo , Agudo Antonio , Gram Inger T. , Janson Lars , Krogh Vittorio , Overvad Kim , Rasmuson Torgny , Schulz Mandy , Pischon Tobias , Kaaks Rudolf , Nieters Alexandra , Allen Naomi E. , Key Timothy J. , Bingham Sheila , Khaw Kay‐Tee , Amiano Pilar , Barricarte Aurelio , Martinez Carmen , Navarro Carmen , Quirós Ramón , Clavel‐Chapelon Françoise , Boutron‐Ruault Marie‐Christine , Touvier Mathilde , Peeters Petra H.M. , Berglund Göran , Hallmans Göran , Lund Eiliv , Palli Domenico , Panico Salvatore , Tumino Rosario , Tjønneland Anne , Olsen Anja , Trichopoulou Antonia , Trichopoulos Dimitrios , Autier Philippe , Boffetta Paolo , Slimani Nadia , Riboli Elio
Published: May 2007

The association of fruit and vegetable consumption and lung cancer incidence was evaluated using the most recent data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), applying a refined statistical approach (calibration) to account for measurement error potentially introduced by using food frequency questionnaire data. Between 1992 and 2000, detailed information on diet and life‐style of 478,590 individuals participating in EPIC was collected. During a median follow‐up of 6.4 years, 1,126 lung cancer cases were observed. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were applied for statistical evaluation. In the whole study population, fruit consumption was significantly inversely associated with lung cancer risk while no association was found for vegetable consumption. In current smokers, however, lung cancer risk significantly decreased with higher vegetable consumption; this association became more pronounced after calibration, the hazard ratio (HR) being 0.78 (95% CI 0.62–0.98) per 100 g increase in daily vegetable consumption. In comparison, the HR per 100 g fruit was 0.92 (0.85–0.99) in the entire cohort and 0.90 (0.81–0.99) in smokers. Exclusion of cases diagnosed during the first 2 years of follow‐up strengthened these associations, the HR being 0.71 (0.55–0.94) for vegetables (smokers) and 0.86 (0.78–0.95) for fruit (entire cohort). Cancer incidence decreased with higher consumption of apples and pears (entire cohort) as well as root vegetables (smokers). In addition to an overall inverse association with fruit intake, the results of this evaluation add evidence for a significant inverse association of vegetable consumption and lung cancer incidence in smokers. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Folate receptor overexpression is associated with poor outcome in breast cancer
Authors: Hartmann Lynn C. , Keeney Gary L. , Lingle Wilma L. , Christianson Teresa J.H. , Varghese Bindu , Hillman David , Oberg Ann L. , Low Philip S.
Published: May 2007

The high affinity folate receptor is a membrane‐associated glycoprotein that is preferentially expressed in cancers of epithelial origin and rarely expressed in normal cells. We examined its expression pattern in breast cancer, utilizing a tissue microarray containing samples from 63 invasive breast cancers from women with divergent clinical outcomes. Thirty‐three women comprised the poor outcome group with a median time to recurrence of 1.9 years. Thirty women, the good outcome group, were free of recurrence for a minimum of 7 years after diagnosis. The intensity of folate receptor staining was strongly correlated with outcome. There were two summary categories of staining intensity: weak (n = 42) or strong (n = 21). In the strong staining group, 17 of 21 women (81%) have recurred and their median survival is 2.4 years. In the weak staining group, 16 of 42 women (38%) have recurred. Their median survival is not estimable. After adjustment for tumor size, nodal status, ER status, adjuvant therapy, histology and tumor grade, strong staining for the folate receptor remained significantly associated with poor outcome, p < 0.001. Our work requires validation in a larger cohort, but supports the possibility of using folate receptor‐targeted approaches in the management of breast cancer. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Comparative Study of Leaf Breakdown of Three Native Tree Species in a Slowly‐Flowing Headwater Stream in the Colombian Andes
Authors: Chara Julian , Baird Donald , Telfer Trevor , Giraldo Lina
Published: May 2007

The dynamics of leaf breakdown in a headwater Colombian stream were evaluated for the native tree species Myrsine guianensis, Cupania latifolia and Nectandra lineatifolia using coarse and fine mesh litter bags. Ten bags of each species (five of each mesh size) were retrieved from the stream at 1, 8, 15, 30, 60 and 120 days. k values ranged from 0.0008 to 0.0058 day–1 and density of macroinvertebrates from 35 to 55 individuals per leaf bag, peaking at day 8. Myrsine guianensis degraded more rapidly than the other species for both coarse and fine mesh bags. This species and Nectandra lineatifolia presented differences in k values between coarse and fine mesh bags, suggesting that macroinvertebrates influenced the decay rate. Despite the low densities of macroinvertebrates found, shredders represented 12.7% of individuals and 50 to 68% of the invertebrate biomass in bags, indicating that this functional feeding group was an important component of fauna associated with litter breakdown in this first order tropical stream. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Epitope mapping of the neuronal growth inhibitor Nogo‐A for the Nogo receptor and the cognate monoclonal antibody IN‐1 by means of the SPOT technique
Authors: Zander Hilke , Reineke Ulrich , Schneider‐Mergener Jens , Skerra Arne
Published: May 2007

Nogo‐A is a potent inhibitor of axonal outgrowth in the central nervous system of adult mammals, where it is expressed as a membrane protein on oligodendrocytes and in myelin. Here we describe an attempt to identify linear peptide epitopes in its sequence that are responsible for the interaction either with the Nogo receptor (NgR) or with the neutralizing monoclonal antibody IN‐1. Analysis of an array of immobilized overlapping 15 mer peptides covering the entire amino acid sequence of human Nogo‐A (1192 residues) revealed a single epitope with prominent binding activity both towards the recombinant NgR and the IN‐1 Fab fragment. Further truncation and substitution analysis yielded the minimal epitope sequence 'IKxLRRL' (x ≠ P), which occurs within the so‐called Nogo66 region (residues 1054–1120) of Nogo‐A. The bacterially produced Nogo66 fragment exhibited binding activity both for the recombinant NgR and for the IN‐1 Fab fragment on the Western blot as well as in ELISA. Unexpectedly, the synthetic epitope peptide and the recombinant Nogo66 showed cross‐reactivity with the 8‐18C5 Fab fragment, which is directed against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) as a structurally unrelated target. On the other hand, the recombinant N‐terminal domain of Nogo‐A (residues 334–966) was shown to specifically interact on the Western blot and in an ELISA with the IN‐1 Fab fragment but not with the recombinant NgR, which is in agreement with previous results. Hence, our data suggest that there is a distinct binding site for the Nogo receptor in the Nogo66 region of Nogo‐A, whereas its interaction with NgR is less specific than anticipated before. Although there probably exists a non‐linear epitope for the neutralizing antibody IN‐1 in the N‐terminal region of Nogo‐A, which is likely to be accessible from outside the cell, a previously postulated second binding site for NgR in this region (called Nogo‐A‐24) remains elusive. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensory and microbiological quality of shiitake mushrooms in modified‐atmosphere packages
Authors: Parentelli Carina , Ares Gastón , Corona Mauricia , Lareo Claudia , Gámbaro Adriana , Soubes Matilde , Lema Patricia
Published: May 2007

The aim of the present work was to study the influence of modified‐atmosphere packaging on the microbiological and sensory quality of shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes). Mushrooms were packaged under atmospheric air (passive modified atmosphere) and an initial gas mixture of 5% O2 and 2.5% CO2 (active modified atmosphere), in bags of two different films: low‐density polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). As control, mushrooms were packaged in macroperforated PP films. Bags were stored at 5 °C for 20 days. Package atmosphere composition, mushroom respiration rate, weight loss, microbiological counts and sensory quality were determined during storage. Risk assays were also performed. Under the studied conditions, shiitake mushroom deterioration was not due to microorganism growth, and therefore the shelf‐life of this product might be defined by changes in its sensory characteristics. Sensory analysis showed that mushrooms stored under modified atmosphere (active and passive) had a higher deterioration rate than those stored in PP macroperforated films, and lower sensory quality values during the entire storage time. These results suggest that mushroom deterioration was probably due to shiitake mushrooms' sensitivity to high CO2 concentrations. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Determination of hydroperoxides in oils and fats using kits
Authors: Osawa Cibele C , Gonçalves Lireny A G , Ragazzi Sidnei
Published: May 2007

The primary products of lipid oxidation are peroxides, which are usually quantified using iodometric methods, although interferent action and difficulty in determining the titration end point can lead to imprecise results. PeroxySafe™ kits determine the peroxide value (PV) on the basis of ferrous oxidation in the presence of xylenol orange in an acidic medium. They provide a fast and simple alternative requiring minimal sample sizes and generating few residues. The present study, correlating statistically the results of these kits with the official iodometric method (AOCS method Cd 8b‐90) for the determination of PVs of refined vegetable oils, lard and hidrogenated fats, proved that they can be used satisfactorily. Larger differences were found for PVs of less than 2 meq kg−1 owing to the relatively small titrant volume used in the official method. The low sensitivity of the official iodometric method was not compensated for by the use of a more dilute solution, although it was assumed that the use of a larger volume of titrant would lead to a smaller difference. The results obtained here revealed that the PVs had doubled, with the kits giving up to four times those obtained using the modification of the official method. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Enzymatic synthesis of myristoyl disaccharides and their surface activity
Authors: Piao Junkui , Takase Koji , Adachi Shuji
Published: May 2007

The condensation of trehalose, maltose, cellobiose, sucrose, turanose, palatinose, lactose and melibiose with myristic acid by a lipase (triacylglycerol acylhydrolase; EC 3.1.1.3) from Candida antarctica was examined at 60 °C in a mixture of pyridine and 2‐methyl‐2‐propanol (20/80 by vol.). The reactivity of trehalose was the highest among the tested disaccharides, and maltose and palatinose followed. Cellobiose and lactose were poor substrates for condensation. Condensation of all the disaccharides except for cellobiose and lactose with myristic acid was carried out at various initial disaccharide concentrations to estimate the initial reaction rate. Plots of the initial rates for monomyristoyl disaccharide formation versus the initial disaccharide concentration normalized by the solubility of the disaccharide in the mixture indicated that palatinose was the best substrate, and that trehalose, turanose and maltose were the next best ones. The surface activity of the monoacyl disaccharides scarcely depended on the type of disaccharide. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
cDNA for phytoene desaturase in Dunaliella salina and its expressed protein as indicators of phylogenetic position of the β‐carotene biosynthetic pathway
Authors: Zhu Yue‐Hui , Jiang Jian‐Guo , Chen Xin‐Wen
Published: May 2007

The desaturations of phytoene are indispensable reaction phases to carotenogenesis. Full‐length cDNA for phytoene desaturase (PDS) in the chlorophyte Dunaliella salina was cloned by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli to produce an expected protein band of molecular mass 65 kDa, as well being expressed in another color complementary E. coli system in which the original phytoene desaturase coding gene crtI of the modified plasmid pACCAR16 ▵ IX was inactivated/complemented. But the colony of the E. coli system did not display the orange color which in the positive control colony appeared to be due to the accumulation of β‐carotene. It is deduced that the expressed enzyme from the green algae could only partially functionally complement the deleted bacterium CrtI, which means another carotene desaturase (ζ‐carotene desaturase) is required for formation of lycopene in D. salina, and the β‐carotene biosynthesis pathway in this alga is similar with that in cyanobacteria and higher plants. The presence of the cloned cDNA and its expressed phytoene desaturase indicated the phylogenetic position of the β‐carotene biosynthesis pathway of D. salina in the molecular evolution of carotenoid biosynthesis from bacteria to plants. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Ethanol and red wine polyphenols induce the short‐term downregulation of PAI‐1 gene expression in vivo in rat aortic endothelium
Authors: Grenett Hernan E , Abou‐Agag Laila A , Olave Nelida C , Pasten Consuelo , Wolkowicz Paul E , Parks Dale A
Published: May 2007

Moderate alcohol or red wine consumption reduces the risk of cardiovascular mortality. This cardiovascular protection is likely due to the additive, combined and/or synergistic effects of alcohol itself or other components of wine, in particular polyphenols. Experiments were carried out to determine whether ethanol/polyphenols also decrease plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI‐1) mRNA expression in vivo, using the rat as an animal model. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were gavaged with ethanol, the individual polyphenols catechin and quercetin or saline vehicle. The in vivo effect of ethanol or individual polyphenols on PAI‐1 mRNA was then assessed by in situ hybridisation and quantitative reverse transcriptase (RT) polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). PAI‐1 mRNA expression was significantly reduced in the endothelial and smooth muscle cells of the thoracic aorta of all experimental rats. RT‐PCR analysis of PAI‐1 mRNA levels in vascular tissue showed a ∼55% reduction in PAI‐1 mRNA consistent with the decrease in aortic endothelium PAI‐1 mRNA observed with in situ hybridisation. This decrease may enhance endothelial cell (EC)‐mediated fibrinolytic activity in vivo. The cardioprotection afforded by moderate red wine consumption can therefore be attributed in part to the combined effects of ethanol and individual polyphenols on EC fibrinolysis. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Stability of quantization dimension and quantization for homogeneous Cantor measures
Authors: Kesseböhmer Marc , Zhu Sanguo
Published: May 2007

We effect a stabilization formalism for dimensions of measures and discuss the stability of upper and lower quantization dimension. For instance, we show for a Borel probability measure with compact support that its stabilized upper quantization dimension coincides with its packing dimension and that the upper quantization dimension is finitely stable but not countably stable. Also, under suitable conditions explicit dimension formulae for the quantization dimension of homogeneous Cantor measures are provided. This allows us to construct examples showing that the lower quantization dimension is not even finitely stable. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Lie triple derivations on nest algebras
Authors: Lu Fangyan
Published: May 2007

Let δ be a Lie triple derivation from a nest algebra 𝒜 into an 𝒜‐bimodule ℳ︁. We show that if ℳ︁ is a weak* closed operator algebra containing 𝒜 then there are an element S ∈ ℳ︁ and a linear functional f on 𝒜 such that δ (A) = SA – AS + f (A)I for all A ∈ 𝒜, and if ℳ︁ is the ideal of all compact operators then there is a compact operator K such that δ (A) = KA – AK for all A ∈ 𝒜. As applications, Lie derivations and Jordan derivations on nest algebras are characterized. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Hugoniot–Maslov chains of a shock wave in conservation law with polynomial flow
Authors: Rodríguez Bermúdez Panters , Valiño Alonso Baldomero
Published: May 2007

In this paper we give a theoretical foundation to the asymptotical development proposed by V. P. Maslov for shock type singular solutions of conservations laws, in the framework of Colombeau theory of generalized functions. Indeed, operating with Colombeau differential algebra of simplified generalized functions, we proof that Hugoniot–Maslov chains are necessary conditions for the existence of shock waves in conservation laws with polynomial flows. As a particular case, these equations include the Hugoniot–Maslov chains for shock waves in the Hopf equation. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Generators of C0‐groups with smallest spectra
Authors: Seferoglu H.
Published: May 2007

Let T = {T (t)}t ∈ℝ be a C0‐group on a Banach space X with generator A. Under what conditions the assumption σ (A) = {0} implies that A = 0? This is called “A = 0” problem. In this paper we present some results related to this problem. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Bayesian statistical MUNE method
Authors: Henderson Robert D. , Ridall P. Gareth , Hutchinson Nicole M. , Pettitt Anthony N. , McCombe Pamela A.
Published: May 2007

We have developed a new method of motor unit number estimation (MUNE) for assessing diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We used data from the whole stimulus–response curve and then performed a Bayesian statistical analysis. The Bayesian method uses mathematical equations that express the basic elements of motor unit activation after electrical stimulation and allows for the sources of variability and uncertainty in this formulation. The Bayesian MUNE method was used to determine the most probable number of motor units in 8 normal subjects, 49 ALS subjects, and 3 subjects with progressive lower motor neuron (LMN) weakness. In normals the number of motor units was calculated to be 75–85 in hand and 40–58 in foot muscles. In ALS subjects the number of motor units per muscle was less than in normal subjects. In 17 ALS subjects and 3 subjects with LMN weakness the median, ulnar, or peroneal nerve was studied on repeated occasions over an average of 189 days (range 63–1,071) and the number of motor units progressively declined, with a half‐life ranging from 62–834 days. The results of our MUNE technique were reproducible on replicate studies. A Bayesian statistical MUNE method is a new approach that can be used to study ALS patients serially for assessment and treatment trials. Muscle Nerve, 2007
Children are more susceptible to central fatigue than adults
Authors: Streckis Vytautas , Skurvydas Albertas , Ratkevicius Aivaras
Published: May 2007

Performance in high‐intensity exercise is dependent on the ability to activate motor units. The main aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that adult men and women (age 19–27 years) are able to maintain higher levels of voluntary activation (VA) in knee extensor muscles than boys and girls (age 12–14 years). The volunteers (n = 7 in each group) performed three 5‐s maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) and a continuous 2‐min MVC. The VA and fatigue of the muscles was assessed by applying 250‐ms 100‐HZ test tetani (TT100HZ). During brief MVCs girls showed lower VA than women, but the difference between boys and men was not significant. During the 2‐min MVC, VA in boys and girls was more depressed than in adults. The end‐exercise values of the relative TT100HZ torque correlated with the average VA during the exercise. Thus, the results of the study support the hypothesis that children are more susceptible to central fatigue than adults. This should be taken into account when evaluating results of fitness tests that require high levels of motor unit activation. Muscle Nerve, 2007
Muscle and nerve involvement in granulomatous mycosis fungoides
Authors: Hazrati Lili‐Naz , Bril Vera , Nag Sukriti
Published: May 2007

Occasional cases of peripheral neuropathy have been reported in classic mycosis fungoides. A rare variant of mycosis fungoides is the granulomatous form. We describe the occurrence of myopathy and peripheral neuropathy in a young woman who had skin lesions since the age of 12 years. At the age of 20 years they were diagnosed as granulomatous mycosis fungoides. The skin lesions resolved with interferon therapy and radiation. She then presented with cardiac and pulmonary symptoms and signs that were initially thought to be due to sarcoidosis or systemic vasculitis. A nerve and muscle biopsy showed granulomatous mycosis fungoides. To our knowledge, involvement of muscle and nerve by granulomatous mycosis fungoides has not been reported previously. Early reports suggested a favorable prognosis for the granulomatous subtype of mycosis fungoides. Based on a literature review and the course in our case, however, granulomatous mycosis fungoides seems to be an indicator of aggressive disease and ultimately a poor prognosis. Muscle Nerve, 2007
Contribution of early intensive prolonged pelvic floor exercises on urinary continence recovery after bladder neck‐sparing radical prostatectomy: Results of a prospective controlled randomized trial
Authors: Manassero Francesca , Traversi Cinzia , Ales Valeria , Pistolesi Donatella , Panicucci Erica , Valent Francesca , Selli Cesare
Published: May 2007

Aims

In this prospective controlled randomized trial we assessed the effects of early, intensive, prolonged pelvic floor exercises (PFE) on urinary incontinence following bladder neck (BN) sparing RRP.

Methods

A sample of 152 patients with localized prostate cancer underwent RRP with BN preservation. Out of this group we randomized 107 incontinent patients into 2 groups. We considered incontinent patients with 24 hr Pad test >2 g. The T group received instructions regarding an intensive program of PFE, from 7 days after catheter removal for as long as any degree of incontinence persisted, within a period of 1 year. The control (C) group did not receive instructions. The outcome was assessed using the 24 hr Pad test, a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a single question of QoL. Results at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were available for 54 and 40 patients, respectively.

Results

The overall spontaneous continence rate after catheter removal was 23.6%. The proportion of men still incontinent was significantly higher in the C group than treatment (T) group at 1 (97.5% vs. 83.3%; P = 0.04), 3 (77.5% vs. 53.7%; P = 0.03), 6 (60% vs. 33.3%; P = 0.01), and 12 months (52.5% vs. 16.6%; P < 0.01). Similarly, the VAS and the response to the QoL question at 12 months significantly differed between the two groups (P = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that early intensive prolonged PFE can further increase the number of continent patients and this improvement persists in the first 12 months. The second 6 months following surgery are still useful to recovery. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:985–989, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional equations and successive approximations in linear and nonlinear programming
Authors: Bellman Richard
Published: May 2007

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the applicability of two of the fundamental tools of classical analysis, functional equations and successive approximations, to various classes of multidimensional maximization problems.

The advent of the modern digital computer makes it particularly appropriate that this synthesis of new and old be made. Today we can envisage as single steps in an iterative solution the resolution of particular problems which even ten years ago would have been considered as beyond the scope of mathematical power. Since the rules of the game have changed so drastically insofar as what we accept as a feasible solution, it is essential that we revise many of our techniques with this well in mind.

Suitably combining classical and modern devices, we can hope to make a start on the solution of the many complex and significant problems that challenge us.
Some accomplishments of logistics research
Authors: Marlow W. H.
Published: May 2007

This is a survey paper drawing from several instances of work by the Logistics Research Project over the past ten years. The selection and treatment of this material has been influenced somewhat by the Conference papers being presented by other Project Members; however this mainly tends to reduce the amount of detail reported for those areas. It is also true that the present paper tends in the direction of a historical record; empirical methods of logistics research are stressed but not to the exclusion of material on the origins of the problems attacked, the course of their formulation as research problems, or the practical application of the results. The principal subjects treated are: operational logistics planning, industrial mobilization, usage data collection and analysis, the Allowance List Test Program, logistics data processing, and some additional instances of logistics research. The rather ambitious aim of the paper is to present an account which will do justice to the many individuals who have been responsible for these accomplishments of logistics research.
Some aspects of mathematics in social sciences
Authors: Tompkins C.
Published: May 2007

The ultimate aim of this paper is to examine the compromises which can be made in order to reach a point where measurement and computation are feasible in some of the quantitative aspects of the social sciences.

The basic mathematical theories upon which the social sciences depend include:

1. Linear attrition theory including Feller's abstract formulation of parabolic equations.

2. Utility theory as a branch of the calculus of variations, described, for example, by G. E. Evans.

3. Combination of utility theories and competition in many play games, including Bellman's theory of dynamic programming.

Basic empirical aspects of the social sciences include:

1. The acquisition of information about probability distributions, such as distribution of demand.

2. The testing of hypotheses related to reality, such as a hypothesis of rational behavior as formulated and tested by J. Marschak.

3. The intelligent formation of a priori Bayes probabilities and their correction as demanded by L. J. Savage in his The Foundations of Statistics and as carried out by W. A. Smith.

4. Observations of value of various competitive situations, based on simulation, experience, or other valid means of practical realization of quantities introduced theoretically in dynamic programming studies.

Practical considerations require action after limited observation of existing conditions, and limitations of computational facilities may prohibit complete numerical analysis of situations whose underlying parameters are believed to have been accurately evaluated. This leads to an almost epistemological question as to what can be learned through aggregation of data related to seemingly similar situations and to difficult mathematical questions of reducing the computational extent of problems. Some means of examining these questions will be treated, but the paper will not attempt to present a unified theory covering any substantial set of these problems.
Control of and communication with data‐handling machines
Authors: Orchard‐Hays William
Published: May 2007

Change and reworking of systems has become a way of life in the computing or data‐processing field, with nearly a decade of major advances. Both the hardware and the applications of the last few years can elicit only admiration. But mingled with this is a tinge of anxiety that hardware is getting ahead of techniques for utilizing it. Logistics research is a field which offers an extreme technical challenge here. If the equipment is not a responsive “member” of the team, it may be as much of an impediment as a help.

Ever larger programming groups as a means of getting the increasingly complex problems “on the air” are becoming more ineffective. There is a definite limit to the availability of expert programmers but, even when they are found, they can solve only one or two of many classes of problems involved. A few basic principles can be set forth to clarify this. Pre‐eminent among these is the fact that the handling of information generates more information which must in turn be handled. This can continue ad infinitum unless restraints are imposed in the nature of policies which reflect the purpose at hand.

The over‐all problem seems to be one of communication between people. A particular technical problem that arises is making the hardware responsive to the user's needs without an overburdening programming load. A scheme for accomplishing this is outlined. It will be demanding of the users but hopefully rewarding. Responsibility is a necessary counterpart of responsiveness.

As to the supposed dissimilarity between hardware for scientific and for data‐processing applications, it is observed that the really hard problems for both are identical. As always, the primary problem is the proper organization and distribution of human effort.
The reflection of logistics in electronic computer design
Authors: Cannon E. W.
Published: May 2007

Analytical and operational logistics seem, at first glance, to require widely differing computational tools. When one looks more deeply into typical undertakings in logistics, including such varied activities as: fundamental logistics research, the playing of war games, production scheduling, and the determination of supply requirements, appropriate computational techniques do not appear to require markedly differing computational facilities. If differences are deemed essential, they appear to lie in accessibility of storage and the nature and extent of peripheral equipment rather than in the basic organization and mathematical power of the central computer.

Representative problems in varied aspects of logistics are discussed briefly. An appropriate mathematical model is displayed, in each case, with perhaps a heuristic derivation, and is viewed from the standpoint of the computational facilities it requires. New applications of electronic computers, such as the mechanical translation of languages and information retrieval (now in the exploratory stage), which promise to have significant logistical implication, are discussed briefly.