bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Syndecan-4-dependent signaling in the inhibition of endotoxin-induced endothelial adherence of neutrophils by antithrombin
Authors: Kaneider Nicole , Förster Ellen , Mosheimer Birgit , Sturn Daniel , Wiedermann Christian
Published: November 2003

Circulating endotoxin is elevated in sepsis and plays a role in endothelial dysfunction whereas antithrombin is decreased by virtue of its consumption during complex formation with clotting factors and by proteolytic degradation by granulocyte elastase. Dysfunction of endothelium results in enhanced leukocyte rolling and diapedesis into tissues leading to edema formation and injury. Antithrombin exerts beneficial effects on endothelial function in sepsis. A direct anti-inflammatory action of anti-thrombin in inflammatory cells is exerted via heparan sulfate proteoglycans. In this study, we investigated whether antithrom-bin affects endotoxin-induced adhesion of neutrophils to human endothelial cells in vitro and whether glycosaminoglycans are involved in its signaling. Adhesion of human neutrophils to monolayers of umbilical vein endothelial cells was tested under static conditions. Endothelial cells were pretreated with endotoxin, interleukin-1, heparinase-I, chondroitinase-ABC or anti-syndecan-4-antibody. Endotoxin and interleukin-1 increased neutrophil adherence to human umbilical vein endothelial cells which was inhibited by antithrombin. Concomitant incubation with pentasaccharide abolished this effect of antithrombin. Treatment of endothelial cells with heparinase or chondroitinase led to higher adhesion and prevented effects of antithrom-bin. With antibodies to syndecan-4, enhanced adhesion of neutrophils was observed. As studied by Western blotting, endo-toxin-induced signaling was diminished by antithrombin and the effect was reversible by chondroitinase or heparinase. From our results, we can conclude that endotoxin-induced adhesion of leukocytes to endothelium can be reversed by ligation of syndecan-4 with antithrombin´s heparin-binding site and interferences with stress response signaling events in endothelium.
The angiotensin-converting-enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism is not related to venous thrombosis
Authors: Renner Wilfried , Gugl Alexander , Cichocki Lisa , Gasser Robert , C.Wascher Thomas , Pilger Ernst , Köppel Herwig
Published: November 2003

The insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the gene for angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) is associated with ACE plasma levels and activity. Conflicting results have been reported about the relevance of this polymorphism for venous thrombosis. The aim of the present study was to analyze the role of this polymorphism for deep venous thrombosis. The study was designed as a case-control study, including 330 patients with documented deep venous thrombosis and 354 controls. ACE genotype was determined by size-analysis of polymerase chain reaction products. Results showed that, ACE genotype frequencies were similar between patients (II: 24.8%; ID: 43.3%; DD: 31.8%) and controls (II: 22.9%; ID: 50.6%; DD: 26.6%, P = 0.15).The adjusted odds ratio of carriers of the DD genotype for venous thrombosis was 1.24 (95% confidence interval 0.90–1.80).The polymorphism was furthermore not associated with age at first thromboembolic event or the occurrence of pulmonary embolism. From these results, we can conclude that the ACE I/D polymorphism is not a significant risk factor for deep venous thrombosis.
Antithrombotic role of nitric oxide in rats under physiological conditions
Authors: Okudaira Mariko , Ontachi Yasuo , Mizutani Tomoe , Omote Mika , Yoshida Tomotaka , Kaneda Minori , Yamazaki Masahide , Morishita Eriko , Takami Akiyoshi , Miyamoto Ken-ichi , Nakao Shinji , Asakura Hidesaku
Published: November 2003

Although sepsis-induced release of nitric oxide (NO) is known to have an antithrombotic effect, it is unknown if NO exerts this same effect under physiological conditions. We have therefore attempted to determine whether or not NO protects against thrombus formation in normal Wistar rats injected with various amounts (0.8, 4.0, 20.0 and 100mg/kg/4hr) of L-NAME (N (omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester), an NO synthase inhibitor, via the tail vein. Plasma levels of D-dimer fragments of fibrin were significantly increased in rats receiving L-NAME (0.21±0.04, 0.22±0.05, 0.26±0.07, 0.59±0.17µg/mL, means±SE; p<0.05, 0.05, 0.05, 0.01: L-NAME 0.8, 4, 20, 100, respectively, compared with control levels: <0.06 µg/mL), and thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) levels were significantly increased in rats receiving 20mg/kg/4hr or greater doses of L-NAME (4.5±1.1, 4.7±1.4, 18.7±4.9, 42.5±4.0ng/mL, NS, NS, p<0.05, 0.01, respectively, compared with control levels: 3.8±1.2 ng/mL). Glomerular fibrin deposition was increased in a dose-dependent manner in rats receiving L-NAME (6.8±1.5, 13.9±1.6, 32.4±2.6, 49.2±5.2%, p<0.05, 0.05, 0.01, 0.01, respectively, compared with control levels: 0.0±0.0%). Renal dysfunction and hepatic dysfunction were observed in rats receiving 20mg/kg/4hr or greater, or 100mg/kg/4hr, doses of L-NAME, respectively. Mean blood pressure was also elevated in rats receiving L-NAME in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that NO, in addition to regulating blood pressure, is involved in prevention of thrombus formation under physiological circumstances.
Cell-matrix and cell-cell contacts of myofibroblasts: role in connective tissue remodeling
Authors: Gabbiani Giulio , Hinz Boris
Published: November 2003

It is presently accepted that fibroblast/myofibroblast modulation represents a crucial step in granulation tissue contraction and in the production of the connective tissue deformations typical of fibrocontractive diseases. In addition to synthesizing extracellular matrix (ECM) components, myofibroblasts can develop tensile force through the neoformation of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) containing cytoplasmic stress fibers. Tension has been shown to be a crucial regulator of connective tissue remodeling. In order to coordinate tension distribution within connective tissue, cell-matrix and cell-cell contacts appear essential. This review addresses the formation, molecular structure and function of such structures that are characterized by their association with intracytoplasmic actin filaments. Actin associated cell-matrix adhesions appear to provide the interface between ECM components and intracellular stress fibers, thus contributing to the transmission of force to the substrate and to the detection of stress level in the matrix. Cell-cell adherens junctions appear to synchronize myofibro-blast contractile activity. Further studies investigating the functions of these structures will be important for the understanding of the mechanisms of granulation tissue evolution and for the planification of strategies in view of influencing connective tissue deformations.
Effects of a snake venom metalloproteinase, triflamp, on platelet aggregation, platelet-neutrophil and neutrophilneutrophil interactions: involvement of platelet GPIbα. and neutrophil PSGL-1
Authors: Tseng Yu-Lun , Lee Chia-Jung , Huang Tur-Fu
Published: November 2003

The biologically active components fromViperidae venoms specifically affect cell-matrix interactions, and have been utilized for developing anti-adhesive therapy as anti-thrombotic and antiangiogenic agents. Utilizing platelet aggregometry coupled with flow cytometry, we found that a metalloproteinase isolated from Trimeresurus flavoviridis, termed triflamp, inhibited heterotypic adhesion between platelets and neutrophils in whole blood samples. Triflamp is a monomeric glycoprotein with a molecular weight of ∼28 kDa. Triflamp has a N-terminal amino acid sequence homologous to other venom metalloproteinases isolated from T. flavoviridis. The enzymatic activity of triflamp was inhibited by EDTA and phenanthroline but not by PMSF. Moreover, triflamp is a pure α-fibrinogenase. Studies aimed at determining the nature of triflamp in affecting platelets or neutrophils revealed a selective inhibitory activity to glycoprotein (GP) Ibα.-dependent platelet aggregation and PSGL-1-dependent neutrophil homotypic aggregation, indicating that its effects are rather specific. As judged by Western blotting, GPIbα. on platelets and PSGL-1 on neutrophils are the substrates of triflamp. In conclusion, we suggest the novel role of venom metalloproteinase from Viperidae affecting the blood cell-cell interactions, thus offering a potential approach for further exploration of anti-inflammatory agents.
Titre of anti-heparin/PF4-antibodies and extent of in vivo activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems
Authors: Chilver-Stainer Lara , Lämmle Bernhard , Alberio Lorenzo
Published: November 2003

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is mediated by antibodies directed against the heparin/platelet factor 4 (PF4) complex. Our aim was to investigate whether the antibody titre is associated with the degree of in vivo thrombin generation. We measured the anti-heparin/PF4-antibody titre, prothrombin fragments F1+2, thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complexes and D-dimers in plasma samples from 225 patients with suspected HIT. Antibody titres as detected by a particle gel immunoassay strongly correlated with optical density values measured by ELISA (r=0.84, p<0.0001). Patients with titres ≥ 4 (n=44) had significantly higher median levels of F1+2 (2.49 nmol/l), TAT (13.01 µg/l) and D-dimers (3340 µg/l) compared to patients with undetectable antibodies (n=148; F1+2 1.61 nmol/l, TAT 4.95 µg/l, D-dimers 1911 µg/l; p<0.0001 for all comparisons) or patients with titres of 1-2 (n=33; F1+2 1.44 nmol/l, p=0.0014; TAT 4.37 µg/l, p=0.0018; D-dimers 2231 µg/l, p=0.0016). Multivariate analysis indicated the anti-heparin/PF4-antibody titre as an independent predictor for F1+2 (p=0.0036), TAT (p=0.0176) and D-dimer (p=0.0003) levels. This relationship remained statistically significant after exclusion of patients with concomitant prothrombotic conditions and/or thromboembolic complications during heparin treatment. These data demonstrate that high anti-heparin/PF4-antibody titres are independently associated with an increased in vivo thrombin generation. Rapid determination of the anti-heparin/PF4-antibody titre could help guide clinical management, identifying a subset of HIT-patients who are at high risk of developing thromboembolic complications and possibly require alternative anticoagulation in therapeutic dosage even in the context of isolated HIT.
Current Status and Future Prospects for Acute Myocardial Infarction Therapy
Authors: Topol Eric J.
Published: November 2003

Considerable new evidence has accumulated in randomized trials of myocardial reperfusion. The trials of catheter-based reperfusion compared with fibrinolytics have shown an advantage for angioplasty and stenting over pharmacologic therapy, even accounting for delays in transporting patients from facilities with intervention capabilities. On the basis of the recent trials, it is recommended that a regional center for infarct intervention be set up akin to regional trauma centers in the United States. Now that we have entered the third decade of myocardial reperfusion therapy, we can expect iterative improvement in all aspects, and ultimately a fused approach of pharmacology and mechanical therapies—to achieve the optimal outcomes and continue to lower the toll of fatality and morbidity of acute myocardial infarction (MI).
Application of Current Guidelines to the Management of Unstable Angina and Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Braunwald Eugene
Published: November 2003

Unstable angina/non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI) is a common but heterogeneous disorder with patients exhibiting widely varying risks. Early risk stratification is at the center of the management program and can be achieved using clinical criteria and biomarkers, or a combination. In addition to anti-ischemic therapy and aspirin, the thienopyridine clopidogrel is indicated except in patients who are potential candidates for urgent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antagonists are indicated in high-risk patients likely to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) but are not indicated in the management of lower-risk patients who do not undergo PCI. There is a growing body of evidence to support the substitution of the low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) enoxaparin for unfractionated heparin (UFH). Three recent trials have demonstrated the benefit of an early invasive strategy with catheterization followed by revascularization in patients at high and intermediate risk. Lower-risk patients should undergo early noninvasive stress testing. An intensive program of secondary prevention is mandatory and should be begun before hospital discharge.
THE "JURIDICAL DIALOGUE": A LITERARY-JUDICIAL PATTERN
Authors: Bartor Asnat
Published: November 2003

Several passages in the Bible explicitly describe "institutional" judicial proceedings. This study, however, focuses on eight passages which were not "declared" to be trials by their authors; nonetheless, their content, language, and apparent intentions indicate an attempt to convey the character of a juridical criminal proceeding. Close examination of the texts reveals a recurrent literary pattern, and as these texts are dialogues, this pattern is termed the "juridical dialogue". The first part of the study presents the characteristics of the juridical dialogue, by drawing a parallel between the phases of the juridical criminal proceedings, on the one hand, and the linguistic formulations used in the literary pattern, on the other. The second part focuses on the link between human dialogue and juridical proceedings; the features of a specific human discourse, the nature of which is judicial, are examined by applying sociolinguistic criteria.
TREADING THE BOW
Authors:   Emerton
Published: November 2003

"To tread a bow" (dārak qešet) is often thought to mean bending or drawing it, but some believe that it denotes stringing a bow. The former interpretation is generally supported by the ancient versions, and also by medieval Jewish scholars; and Rashi says that, when a bow was "strong", the archer needed to use his foot to bend it. Some Greek writers tell of peoples who had exceptionally long bows and needed to use their feet to bend them. Egyptian pictures show archers using their feet to bend bows when stringing them. It is argued that a choice must be made between translating "to bend" and "to string", that Israelite bows do not seem to have been unusually long, and that some biblical references are best interpreted to imply that treading a bow means stringing it.
HEBRAISMS IN THE OLD LATIN VERSION OF THE BIBLE
Authors: Kraus Matthew
Published: November 2003

Recent work on the Old Latin version of the Bible attributes Hebraisms to a hebraized Greek Vorlage. The results of this work question previous claims that the Hebraisms of the Old Latin derive from Jewish attempts to revise the Old Latin towards the Hebrew directly through Hebrew texts and Jewish exegetical traditions. This study reconsiders the evidence in favor of Hebraizations of the Old Latin from a Hebrew source and concludes that: 1. There was no translation of the Bible directly from the Hebrew into Latin prior to Jerome. 2. There was no editorial reworking of the Old Latin directly from the Hebrew. 3. Hebraisms in the Old Latin must be attributed to the Greek tradition or Jerome and his influence. 4. Since Jerome's time, interest in the Hebrew text behind the Latin also accounts for the Hebraisms found in the Old Latin. 5. Jewish communities utilized a Latin Bible borrowed from Christians after Jerome.
THE PROPHET AS INCOMPETENT DRAMATIST
Authors: Wilks John
Published: November 2003

Scholars have recently shown a fascination with the idea that Deutero-Isaiah is the text of a drama. Allied with this is a deepened interest in the cult and the Psalter as source texts, and a possible role for the Annual Enthronement Festival. Investigation of these proposals fail to convince. First, the idea that Deutero-Isaiah draws its inspiration from the cult cannot be substantiated from the way it utilizes the Psalms. They were undoubtedly influential, but there is insufficient evidence that this was due to any imitation of the Annual Enthronement Festival. Second, consideration of the practical demands of the sort of staging proposed, and an awareness of the difference between dramatic and poetic writing, argues against the idea of a drama. It would demand a changed perception of the prophet from his traditional status as "master poet" to that of "incompetent dramatist".
Is it Possible to Dispense with Q?
Authors: Foster Paul
Published: November 2003

Solutions to the Synoptic Problem that argue for Markan priority, but the non-existence of Q as the basis of the double tradition material continue to attract scholars. The best known of these theories, the Farrer-Goulder hypothesis arguing for Luke's direct use of Matthew, has been championed most recently by Mark Goodacre. He reworks some of the previous arguments in favour of that hypothesis as well as offering a number of new arguments. This paper assesses the validity of such arguments and the claim that it is now possible to finally dispense with Q.
Son of Man, Stone of Blood (John 1:51)
Authors: O'Neill J.C.
Published: November 2003

The plural "you will see" in John 1:51 shows that the saying was not originally part of the Nathanael story. "You will see" also makes it unlikely that the Son of Man was the new Jacob. Joachim Jeremias's defence of the view that the Son of Man was the stone Jacob set up and anointed at Bethel is likely to be right. The stone became the altar in the Temple. Out of the stone came manna. "Ben Adam" was "Eben Dam".
Estradiol Supplementation Enhances Submaximal Feed-Forward Drive of Growth Hormone (GH) Secretion by Recombinant Human GH-Releasing Hormone-1,44-Amide in a Putatively Somatostatin-Withdrawn Milieu
Authors: Veldhuis Johannes D. , Evans William S. , Bowers Cyril Y.
Published: November 2003

To test the clinical hypothesis that an estrogen-enriched milieu enhances GHRH action, we administered placebo (Pl) and estradiol-17β (E2) orally for 23 d to six postmenopausal women in a prospectively randomized, double-masked, within-subject crossover design with 6 wk intervening. The GHRH stimulation protocol entailed consecutive iv infusion of l-arginine and a single iv pulse of saline or one of five randomly ordered doses of recombinant human GHRH-1,44-amide (0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 μg/kg) in a total of 12 separate morning, fasting sessions. GH secretion was monitored by sampling blood every 10 min for 6 h; chemiluminescence assay of GH concentrations; deconvolution analysis of stimulated GH release; and nonlinear dose-response reconstruction. Supplementation with E2, compared with Pl: 1) increased (mean ± sem) E2 concentrations from 18 ± 3 (Pl) to 164 ± 12 pg/ml (to convert to picomoles per liter, multiply by 3.57) (P < 0.001); 2) decreased IGF-I concentrations from 181 ± 14 to 120 ± 11 μg/liter (P < 0.01); 3) elevated mean GH concentrations from 0.27 ± 0.06 to 0.59 ± 0.08 μg/liter (P = 0.014); 4) potentiated GH secretion stimulated by l-arginine alone by 1.43-fold (P = 0.012); 5) reduced the ED50 of GHRH from 0.27 ± 0.02 to 0.13 ± 0.01 μg/kg (P < 0.01), denoting enhanced GHRH potency; and 6) heightened the maximal slope of the dose-response function from 1.1 ± 0.1 to 1.4 ± 0.05 [(μg/liter) (μg/kg)−1] (P < 0.05), signifying augmented pituitary sensitivity. The foregoing facilitative mechanisms were specific because E2 replacement did alter maximal l-arginine/GHRH-induced GH secretion, indicating unchanged secretagogue efficacy. In conclusion, inasmuch as E2 also attenuates inhibition of GH secretion by infused somatostatin and potentiates stimulation of GH secretion by GH-releasing peptide-2, we postulate that estrogenic steroids drive pulsatile GH production in part via mechanisms that include all three of GHRH, somatostatin, and putatively GH-releasing peptide/ghrelin signaling.
Increased Soluble Leptin Receptor in Children with Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Schroth Michael , Kratzsch Jürgen , Gröschl Michael , Rauh Manfred , Rascher Wolfgang , Dötsch Jörg
Published: November 2003

In patients with nephrotic syndrome, severe proteinuria is related to significant leptinuria; serum leptin levels remain unchanged. The goal of this study was to elucidate the role of the soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) in maintaining serum leptin levels in nephrotic patients. Patients with proteinuria were compared with patients in remission of nephrotic syndrome. In this group proteinuria did not exceed 100 mg/m2 of body surface area per day. The period of remission was at least 6 months and was equal in all patients included. The sOB-R level (mean ± sd) in serum of patients with nephrotic syndrome was significantly higher during proteinuria (61.0 ± 17.8 ng/ml) than those in remission or in control patients (36.7 ± 7.0 ng/ml, 36.6 ± 12.0 ng/ml, respectively, P < 0.0001). The ratio between serum leptin levels and the sOB-R (free leptin index) was significantly lower in the proteinuric group (0.012 ± 0.005 vs. 0.06 ± 0.03 and 0.07 ± 0.03 in remission and control group, respectively) (P < 0.001). Urinary sOB-R excretion was similar in all groups. Our data suggest that the counteracting pathway in case of leptin loss in parallel to severe proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome is the up-regulation of its soluble binding protein in serum, which can keep total serum leptin levels constant.
Gender Differences in Large Artery Stiffness Pre- and Post Puberty
Authors: Ahimastos Anna A. , Formosa Melissa , Dart Anthony M. , Kingwell Bronwyn A.
Published: November 2003

Age-related large artery stiffening is more pronounced in women compared with men and is an important cause of isolated systolic hypertension. This study aimed to investigate whether such gender differences are inherent or the result of sex steroid influences. Healthy children prepuberty [26 female (10.3 ± 0.1 yr), 32 male (10.3 ± 0.1 yr), mean age ± sd] and post puberty [30 female (15.9 ± 0.2 yr), 22 male (15.9 ± 0.4 yr)] were studied. Large artery stiffness was assessed globally via systemic arterial compliance and regionally via pulse wave velocity. Prepubertal males and females did not differ in body size, cardiac output, or heart rate. Prepubertal females had stiffer large arteries and higher pulse pressure than age-matched males (P < 0.05). Postpubertal males were taller and heavier and had a greater cardiac output and lower heart rate compared with similarly aged females. In relation to pubertal status, females developed more distensible large arteries post puberty whereas males developed stiffer large vessels (P < 0.05). These changes where such that central large artery stiffness was similar between genders in the postpubertal group. Together these data suggest that large artery stiffness varies intrinsically between genders but is also modulated by both male and female sex steroids.
A Novel Germ-Line Point Mutation in RET Exon 8 (Gly533Cys) in a Large Kindred with Familial Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Álvares Da Silva Adriana M. , Maciel Rui M. B. , Dias Da Silva Magnus R. , Toledo Silvia R. C. , De Carvalho Marcos B. , Cerutti Janete M.
Published: November 2003

Familial medullary thyroid carcinoma is related to germ-line mutations in the RET oncogene, mainly in cysteine codon 10 or 11, whereas noncysteine mutations in codons 13–15 are rare. We now report a new missense point mutation in exon 8 of the RET gene (1597G→T) corresponding to a Gly533Cys substitution in the cystein-rich domain of RET protein in 76 patients from a 6-generation Brazilian family with 229 subjects, with ascendants from Spain. It is likely that the mutation causes familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC), because no other mutation was found in RET, the mutation cosegregates with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or C cell hyperplasia (CCH) in patients subjected to surgery, and family members without the mutation are clinically unaffected. The histological analysis of 35 cases submitted to thyroidectomy revealed that 21 patients had MTC after the age of 40 yr and 8 before the age of 40 yr, 4 presented MTC or CCH before the age of 18 yr, 2 died due to MTC at the age of 53 and 60 yr, and CCH was found in a 5-yr-old child, suggesting a clinical heterogeneity. To improve the diagnosis of FMTC, analysis of exon 8 of RET should be considered in families with no identified classical RET mutations.
“Incipient” Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A “Forme Fruste” of an Old Disease
Authors: Silverberg Shonni J. , Bilezikian John P.
Published: November 2003

Although primary hyperparathyroidism today is often a relatively asymptomatic disease, it has distinct biochemical and skeletal features. These features are present at diagnosis and are generally stable over time, leading to the theory of a biphasic disease course in which alterations occur during a preclinical phase. Measurement of calciotropic hormones in individuals undergoing skeletal evaluation has led to the identification of normocalcemic individuals with elevated PTH levels. We hypothesize that these patients represent the earliest manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism

Twenty-two patients had hyperparathyroidism (94 ± 29 pg/ml) and normal corrected serum calcium levels (2.40 ± 0.02 mmol/liter). No secondary causes of hyperparathyroidism were found. PTH levels did not correlate with urinary calcium concentration, renal function, vitamin D concentrations, or bone density. The relationship between PTH and serum calcium (regression slope, +0.004) was identical in normocalcemic and hypercalcemic hyperparathyroid patients. Preferential cortical bone loss, characteristic of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, was not seen (T-score: spine, −1.6; hip, −1.8; distal one-third radius, −1.3). In up to 12 months of observation, three patients have developed hypercalcemia, and one has had two adenomas removed.

These patients with elevated PTH levels in the absence of hypercalcemia may provide a window into this previously unrecognized stage of the disease and permit investigators to track its evolution in ways that have not heretofore been possible.
Children's understanding and misunderstanding of the inverse relation in division
Authors: Squire Sarah , Bryant Peter
Published: November 2003

Two studies are presented on 5–8‐year‐olds' understanding of the inverse relation between divisor and quotient in division problems. The problems concerned sharing carrots between rabbits invited to two parties, with the same total number of carrots allocated to each party. Children had to reason that the greater the number of rabbits invited to each party, the less food each would receive. Possible effects of the size contrast between the two different divisors (large vs. small), the representation that children were given (full‐pictures vs. numbers) and the response mode (verbal vs. matching task) were investigated. The results of both studies demonstrated that most children tended to be consistently correct or incorrect, regardless of the variations in the tasks. A substantial proportion of 5‐year‐olds had great difficulty in understanding the inverse relation between the divisor and quotient and may even have had a misconception about it. There was developmental improvement in this understanding by 7–8 years.
Developmental understanding of means‐end contingencies: Effect of familiarity of contingency content
Authors: Newman Joan , Beauchamp Heather M. , Latimer Brian C. , Kao Chin‐Cheng
Published: November 2003

Previous research has shown that when evaluating the components in a means‐end contingency, even preschool children anticipate that the end will be more appealing than the means, thereby demonstrating the ‘means‐end’ effect. We compared the responses of 5‐year‐olds, 7‐year‐olds, 9‐year‐olds and adults when evaluating the means and ends mentioned in hypothetical interactions occurring in either a familiar (eating) context, or an unfamiliar (employment) context. Because 5‐year‐old and 9‐ year‐old children's demonstration of the means‐end effect depended upon their familiarity with the context, we concluded that their judgments were guided by scripts learned to summarize direct experience. The responses of the adults were not affected by familiarity of context. The responses of adults and 9‐year‐olds were also distinguished from those of 5‐year‐olds in that they recognized that larger rewards signal less appealing means. The results of 9‐year‐olds in regard to these more elaborated scenarios were particularly informative, in that they were affected by scenario familiarity. This suggests that information about more detailed aspects of a contingency can be encoded in learned social scripts, which remain dependent on content familiarity. Reasons for the somewhat unsystematic responses of the 7‐year‐old children were offered.
Predictive validity of the Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence
Authors: Tasbihsazan Reza , Nettelbeck Ted , Kirby Neil
Published: November 2003

The participants were 78 healthy infants aged 27, 29, 39 or 52 weeks who were tested for visual recognition memory (novelty preference) with the Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence (FTII) and on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID). Internal consistency of novelty preference from FTII was poor and test‐retest reliabilities between 27/29 weeks, 29/39 weeks and 39/52 weeks were low and non‐significant. Infants were followed up 1 year later and again at 2 years of age. Correlations between BSID and FTII scores were generally low and non‐significant and, with one exception, FTII did not predict later mental outcome. The FTII score at 52 weeks correlated significantly with the Mental Development Index from BSID (1993 edition) at 2 years of age but not with Stanford‐Binet scores. This correlation coefficient indicated that the Fagan test might account for up to 24% of the shared variance in later outcomes. Nonetheless, the present study suggested that the clinical utility of the current FTII, as a screening device with infants at risk for slower intellectual development, is limited, because of low sensitivity, which did not exceed 37.5%.
The Acquisition and Utilization of Information in New Product Alliances: A Strength-of-Ties Perspective
Authors: Rindfleisch Aric , Moorman Christine
Published: November 2003

In this article, the authors examine the acquisition and utilization of information in new product alliances. Drawing from research in social network theory with a focus on the strength-of-ties literature, the authors suggest that horizontal alliances have lower levels of relational embeddedness and higher levels of knowledge redundancy than vertical alliances. The authors then suggest that though embeddedness enhances both the acquisition and utilization of information in alliances, redundancy diminishes information acquisition but enhances information utilization. The authors test these ideas using a sample of 106 U.S. firms that recently have participated in new product alliances. Although the results are broadly supportive of the predictions, they are also surprising because they question key underlying assumptions of the strength-of-ties literature. For example, closely tied individual actors are typically assumed to share both high levels of embeddedness and high levels of redundancy, but the present research finds that this assumption does not hold for organizational actors. The authors discuss the implications of these findings specifically for new product alliances and for research on tie strength among organizations in general.
The Chain of Effects from Brand Trust and Brand Affect to Brand Performance: The Role of Brand Loyalty
Authors: Chaudhuri Arjun , Holbrook Morris B.
Published: November 2003

The authors examine two aspects of brand loyalty, purchase loyalty and attitudinal loyalty, as linking variables in the chain of effects from brand trust and brand affect to brand performance (market share and relative price). The model includes product-level, category-related controls (hedonic value and utilitarian value) and brand-level controls (brand differentiation and share of voice). The authors compile an aggregate data set for 107 brands from three separate surveys of consumers and brand managers. The results indicate that when the product- and brand-level variables are controlled for, brand trust and brand affect combine to determine purchase loyalty and attitudinal loyalty. Purchase loyalty, in turn, leads to greater market share, and attitudinal loyalty leads to a higher relative price for the brand. The authors discuss the managerial implications of these results.
A Configurational Perspective on Key Account Management
Authors: Homburg Christian , Workman John P. , Jensen Ove
Published: November 2003

Most firms struggle with the challenge of managing their key customer accounts. There is a significant gap between the importance of this organizational design problem in practice and the research attention paid to it. Sound academic research on key account management (KAM) is limited and fragmented. Drawing on research on KAM and team selling, the authors develop an integrative conceptualization of KAM and define key constructs in four areas: (1) activities, (2) actors, (3) resources, and (4) approach formalization. Adopting a configurational perspective to organizational research, the authors then use numerical taxonomy to empirically identify eight prototypical KAM approaches on the basis of a cross-industry, cross-national study. The results show significant performance differences among the approaches. Overall, the article builds a bridge between marketing organization research and relationship marketing research.
The effect of changes in posture and clothing on the development of unfamiliar person recognition
Authors: Seitz Katja
Published: November 2003

In contrast to face recognition little is known about the development of unfamiliar whole‐person recognition. Various cues in a person's appearance may contribute to recognition performance. An age‐related influence of different features on person recognition performance is possible. Here, we investigated two variable features of person recognition, namely posture and clothing, in 4‐year‐olds, 6‐year‐olds, 8‐year‐olds, 10‐year‐olds and adults. The experimental methodology of a short‐term recognition‐test with an immediate four alternative forced choice (4AFC)‐array was used. Targets were shown for 5 seconds. Experiment 1 clearly indicates that a variation of both posture and clothing decreases performance in all age groups compared to a standard, i.e. a no‐change condition. An interaction age×variation of posture and clothing was not observed. In order to untangle the two aspects of posture and clothing, Experiment 2 varied only posture between encoding and recognition. An age‐effect was shown, but no other significant result occurred. Experiment 3 investigated variation of clothing only, and found main effects of clothing and age. Because there was no interaction between the two factors we infer that a change of clothing impairs all subjects' recognition performance. Children's person recognition performance suffers in a way similar to adults' person recognition performance when clothing is varied. In contrast, changing posture does not necessarily decrease recognition accuracy, neither in children nor in adults. No developmental gains were found for dealing with the transformation of posture and clothing between the encoding and recognition phase. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cognitive mechanisms underlying lying to questions: response time as a cue to deception
Authors: Walczyk Jeffrey J. , Roper Karen S. , Seemann Eric , Humphrey Angela M.
Published: November 2003

In this article, a model of the cognitive processes involved in generating deceptive answers to questions is proposed. Partly based on recent accounts of discourse processing, it posits two central processes. One is the decision to lie followed by the construction of a lie. Each should add to response time compared to answering honestly. In Experiment 1, the construction component was assessed; 92 adults were randomly assigned to one of two conditions where they answered personal questions either deceptively or truthfully. Constructing a lie added reliably to response time. Think‐aloud and correlational data support features of the model. In Experiment 2, 121 adults were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: either to tell the truth, lie, or lie when asked a question that probed sensitive information. Replicating and extending Experiment 1, the decision to lie added reliably to response time in the case of open‐ended questions (questions that elicit more than two possible answers). Based on between‐ and within‐subjects comparisons, results suggest that response time is a cue to deception. Recommendations are made for future research. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Associations between myside bias on an informal reasoning task and amount of post‐secondary education
Authors: Toplak Maggie E. , Stanovich Keith E.
Published: November 2003

One hundred and twelve undergraduate university students completed an informal reasoning task in which they were asked to generate arguments both for and against the position they endorsed on three separate issues. Performance on this task was evaluated by comparing the number of arguments they generated which endorsed (myside arguments) and which refuted (otherside arguments) their own position on that issue. Participants generated more myside arguments than otherside arguments on all three issues, thus consistently showing a myside bias effect on each issue. Differences in cognitive ability were not associated with individual differences in myside bias. However, year in university was a significant predictor of myside bias. The degree of myside bias decreased systematically with year in university. Year in university remained a significant predictor of myside bias even when both cognitive ability and age were statistically partialled out. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Individual differences in failing to save everyday computing work
Authors: Jones Gregory V. , Martin Maryanne
Published: November 2003

It has been argued that the study of human–computer interaction (HCI) tends to neglect the user without advanced skills, and the prediction (as opposed to classification) of human error. The present work aims to redress these balances by attempting to obtain a predictive understanding of variation in susceptibility to computing error in everyday life among non‐specialist users. On rare occasions, people lose the computing work they are carrying out because they forget to save it. Is this a matter only of unfortunate chance? The results of two studies indicated that this is not so. In both cases, levels of naturally occurring computing losses were found to be significantly related to individuals' general levels of susceptibility to cognitive failure, assessed by the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), suggesting a possible explanation in terms of variation in attentional ability. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contribution of ovarian steroid production to urinary estrone conjugate concentrations in Macaca mulatta
Authors: Shideler S.E. , Gee N.A. , Chen J. , Laughlin L.S. , Rapp P.R. , Morrison J.H. , Roberts J.A. , Moran F.M. , Lasley B.L.
Published: November 2003

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that basal estrone conjugate (E1C) profiles do not accurately detect ovarian function when ovarian estrogen production is low or absent. We employed surgical removal of active ovaries from laboratory rhesus macaques to simulate an acute decline in ovarian estrogen production. In the first experiment, urine samples collected prior to and following ovariectomy (Ovx) were subjected to high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation. Eluates were then assayed for E1C immunoreactive components. The results indicated a modest decrease in total immunoreactive polar conjugates following ovariectomy, with no substantial change in the overall retention profile. In the second experiment, estradiol (E2) cypionate injections were used to replace the E2 component of ovarian estrogen production in the treated (Tx) group, while the control group (C) received only vehicle. Urine samples were hydrolyzed and individual estrogens were separated by celite chromatography prior to immuno‐assay. Both the Tx and C groups exhibited similar urinary excretion levels of estrone (E1), E2, and E1C prior to Ovx (Pre‐Ovx) and after Ovx (Post‐Ovx), but there were significant differences between groups after treatment (Post‐Tx). Significant differences were observed in the Tx group's excretion of E1, E2, and E1C in the Pre‐ vs. Post‐Ovx samples and in the Post‐Ovx and Post‐Tx samples. The C group also showed the expected significant differences in the Pre‐ vs. Post‐Ovx samples, as well as in the Pre‐Ovx and Post‐Tx samples. The results indicate that the use of E1C measurements is clearly a suitable method for monitoring ovarian function in intact, cycling animals, but urinary E2 measurements are required to verify loss of follicular activity. Am. J. Primatol. 61:111–121, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On‐chip neural cell cultivation using agarose‐microchamber array constructed by a photothermal etching method
Authors: Moriguchi Hiroyuki , Takahashi Kazunori , Sugio Yoshihiro , Wakamoto Yuichi , Inoue Ippei , Jimbo Yasuhiko , Yasuda Kenji
Published: November 2003

We have developed a novel method for on‐chip cultivation of neural cells in a flexible agarose‐microchamber array on a glass slide. The agarose microchamber is a micrometer‐order cavity constructed on the surface of an agarose layer by molding a 50‐µm‐high square/circular micro‐cast of thick SU‐8 photoresist. In addition, the shape of the agarose microchamber was rearranged by using the photothermal etching method, in which we used an infrared (1064‐nm) focused laser beam as the heat source to melt and remove a portion of agarose gel at the heating spot. With the photothermal etching method, we can also manufacture narrow tunnel‐shaped channels between microchambers. When nerve cells were cultured on the agar‐microchamber array chip, the nerve cells in two adjacent microchambers connected through the photothermal‐etched channel after 48 hours of cultivation. Those results suggest the potential of an agarose‐microchamber array integrated with the photothermal etching method for the next stage of single cell cultivation and measurement of nerve cells, such as real‐time control of cell interactions during cultivation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 146(2): 37–42, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.10215
A study of thermal performance with frosting under forced convection on a flat plate: Prediction of frost growth using nonhomogeneous property
Authors: Shimomura Nobuo , Kumada Masaya , Cho Rencai , Mizuno Tosiyuki
Published: November 2003

The purpose of this study is the evaluation of thermal performance of a heat exchanger with frosting and decision of optimal defrosting cycle. Because the increase of flow resistance is the principal factor of a drop of heat transfer performance with frosting, thermal performance characteristics were examined. Based on those experimental results, we proposed a one‐dimensional nonhomogeneous frost growth model, and compared it with the experimental data in time and space. In a nonhomogeneous model with the frost property distribution taken into account, density distribution similar to the experimental result can be predicted. It is possible to make prediction closer to the experimental result compared with the conventional homogeneous model with respect to the temporal variation of frost height. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 32(8): 674–689, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.10122
Measurements of the kinetics of the OH‐initiated oxidation of methyl vinyl ketone and methacrolein
Authors: Chuong Bao , Stevens Philip S.
Published: November 2003

The mechanisms of the OH‐initiated oxidation of methyl vinyl ketone and methacrolein have been studied at 300 K and 100 Torr total pressure, using a turbulent flow technique coupled with laser‐induced fluorescence detection of the OH radical. The rate constants for the OH + methyl vinyl ketone and OH + methacrolein reactions were measured to be (1.78 ± 0.08) × 10−11 and (3.22 ± 0.10) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, respectively, and were found to be in excellent agreement with previous studies. In the presence of O2 and NO, the OH radical propagation and the loss of OH through radical termination resulting from the production of methyl vinyl ketone‐ and methacrolein‐based alkyl nitrates were measured at 100 Torr total pressure and compared to the simulations of the kinetics of these reaction systems. The results of these experiments are consistent with an overall rate constant of (2.0 ± 1.3) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 for both the methyl vinyl ketone‐based peroxy radical + NO and methacrolein‐based peroxy radical + NO reactions, each with branching ratios of 0.90 ± 0.10 for the bimolecular channel (oxidation of NO to NO2) and 0.10 ± 0.10 for the termolecular channel (production of methyl vinyl ketone‐ and methacrolein‐based alkyl nitrates). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 12–25, 2003
Analysis of gas–solid noncatalytic reactions in porous particles: Finite volume method
Authors: Gupta Parthapratim , Saha Ranjit Kumar
Published: November 2003

Gas–solid noncatalytic (GSNC) reactions in porous particles are analyzed employing volume reaction model (VRM). Both single‐stage and two‐stage models have been used in the work. Earlier analysis for such reactions was mostly restricted to the first‐order reactions with respect to the gaseous component. The present work has used a range of reaction orders with respect to both gaseous and solid reactants. Front tracking method was employed for solving the moving boundary problem. Finite volume method (FVM) has been used for the first time for the analysis of GSNC reactions in porous particles, based on moving boundary zone models. The discretized equations are solved by tridiagonal matrix algorithm. The results for the first‐order reaction agree well with the analytical solution. FVM solution compares well with other numerical method (integral transformation followed by orthogonal collocation). Numerical results have also been validated with reported experimental data for reduction of Magnetite by CO. FVM is thus established to be a suitable numerical method to solve GSNC reactions in porous particles employing VRM. The effects of different process parameters on the progress of reaction have also been assessed.© 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 1–11, 2003
Spectra of one‐electron atom in a spherical cavity
Authors: Changa Maris E. , Scherbinin Andrei V. , Pupyshev Vladimir I.
Published: November 2003

Rovibronic states and transitions of one‐electron atom in an impenetrable spherical cavity of radius R are studied. Independent estimations for the electronic wave functions and energies of the system are obtained on the basis of different numerical methods, and the follow‐up solution of the nuclear motion problem is performed for cavities of different size (R from 2–8 a.u.). The corresponding transition probabilities are evaluated within the dipole approximation. A qualitative analysis of the structure of the energy spectrum, the transition frequencies, and intensities is presented. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004