bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A bone‐protective role for IL‐17 receptor signaling in ovariectomy‐induced bone loss
Authors: Goswami Jaya , Hernández‐Santos Nydiaris , Zuniga Luis A. , Gaffen Sarah L.
Published: September 2009

Post‐menopausal osteoporosis is considered to be an inflammatory process, in which numerous pro‐inflammatory and T‐cell‐derived cytokines play a bone‐destructive role. IL‐17A is the signature cytokine of the pro‐inflammatory Th17 population and plays dichotomous roles in diseases that affect bone turnover. Although IL‐17A promotes bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis, it is protective against pathogen‐induced bone destruction in a periodontal disease model. We used a model of ovariectomy‐induced osteoporosis (OVX) in IL‐17 receptor (IL‐17RA)−/− mice to evaluate the role of the IL‐17A in bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency. Unexpectedly, IL‐17RA−/− mice were consistently and markedly more susceptible to OVX‐induced bone loss than controls. There were no changes in prototypical Th1, Th2 or Th17 cytokines in serum that could account for increased bone loss. However, IL‐17RA−/− mice exhibited constitutively elevated leptin, which further increased following OVX. Consistently, IL‐17A and IL‐17F treatment of 3T3‐L1 pre‐adipocytes inhibited adipogenesis, leading to reduced production of leptin. In addition to its role in regulating metabolism and satiety, leptin can regulate bone turnover. Accordingly, these data show that IL‐17A negatively regulates adipogenesis and subsequent leptin expression, which correlates with increased bone destruction during OVX.
Alumina Doped Ni/YSZ Anode Materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: He C. R. , Wang W. G.
Published: September 2009

The Al2O3–Ni–YSZ (Y2O3 stabilised ZrO2) anode materials with 0–6 wt% Al2O3 were prepared by tape casting method after being ball‐milled for 48 h. The influence of Al2O3 content on flexural strength, electrical conductivity, open porosity, relative density and thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of Al2O3–Ni–YSZ anode was investigated. The introduction of Al2O3 significantly enhances the flexural strength of Al2O3–Ni–YSZ anode. The flexural strengths of 430 and 299 MPa are achieved for the specimen containing 0.25 wt% Al2O3 before and after reduction, respectively, while the flexural strengths are 201 and 237 MPa for the Ni–YSZ samples. The density decreases with increasing Al2O3 content and the open porosity increases correspondingly, after being sintered at 1350 °C for 4 h. The electrical conductivity at ambient temperature does not fall off when Al2O3 content is less than 1 wt%, but decreases rapidly when the content is above 3 wt% due to the formation of NiAl2O4. A maximum electrical conductivity of 1418 S cm–1 is obtained in the sample containing 0.5 wt% Al2O3. The TEC of the samples decreases with the introduction of Al2O3 in the temperature range of 20–850 °C.
Cost utility of docetaxel as induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Parthan Anju , Posner Marshall R. , Brammer Caroline , Beltran Philippe , Jansen Jeroen P.
Published: September 2009

Background

Trial TAX 324 showed that induction chemotherapy with docetaxel plus cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil (TPF) compared with cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil (PF) followed by chemoradiation increases survival and time to progression in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN).

Methods

A Markov model was developed to estimate the cost‐effectiveness of induction chemotherapy with docetaxel in the United Kingdom from the payer perspective. Health states were based on the WHO criteria for objective response to cancer treatments. Efficacy and safety data were obtained from the trial. Resource utilization, costs, and utility data were primarily derived from the literature.

Results

A patient on TPF gained 4.1 quality adjusted life years (QALYs) versus 2.0 QALYs for PF patient. Corresponding lifetime costs were £32,440 and £28,718. The cost per QALY gained for TPF versus PF was £1782.

Conclusions

TPF is cost‐effective as induction chemotherapy in locally advanced SCCHN compared with PF. Local treatment patterns may impact findings for other countries. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009
“Partners in perfection”: Human resources facilitating creation and ongoing implementation of self‐managed manufacturing teams in a small medium enterprise
Authors: Fazzari Alan J. , Mosca Joseph B.
Published: September 2009

Small medium enterprises (SMEs) continue to grow, survive, and prosper throughout the world. Although the management of SMEs feel more positive and confident about their relationships with employees, they also continue to encounter a greater number of challenges than their larger multinational counterparts. These problems are inherent in their structure and predominantly emanate from human resources, outdated business models, and lack of strategic planning. Total Quality Management (TQM), long recognized as a major cultural change strategy for profitability and competitive edge, embraces the concept of total employee involvement in the form of teams. SMEs, however, have been slow to include employees in any ongoing collaborative work environment initiatives. Behind the shortage of sustained team formulation is uncertainty about its long‐term durability, which can be directly related to lack of a continuing centralized organization and facilitation of the process itself. Human resources, often ineffectively used in SMEs, has the skills and knowledge to lead an ongoing breakthrough strategy of self‐managed work teams in an effort to create a sustained high‐performance work system. This article reviews the challenges human resource management faces in SMEs. The authors also present an example of how a human resource department led a lasting change management initiative of facilitating self‐managed work teams throughout a manufacturing SME, which resulted in continuous and sustainable improvements in productivity, quality, turnover, absenteeism, health, on‐time delivery, safety, and product design.
Proteasome inhibition activates the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis in human CD4+ T cells
Authors: Berges Carsten , Haberstock Heinrich , Fuchs Dominik , Sadeghi Mahmoud , Opelz Gerhard , Daniel Volker , Naujokat Cord
Published: September 2009

We have previously shown that inhibition of the proteolytic activity of the proteasome induces apoptosis and suppresses essential functions of activated human CD4+ T cells, and we report now the detailed mechanisms of apoptosis following proteasome inhibition in these cells. Here we show that proteasome inhibition by bortezomib activates the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis in activated CD4+ T cells by disrupting the equilibrium of pro‐apoptotic and anti‐apoptotic proteins at the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) and by inducing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Proteasome inhibition leads to accumulation of pro‐apoptotic proteins PUMA, Noxa, Bim and p53 at the OMM. This event provokes mitochondrial translocation of activated Bax and Bak homodimers, which induce loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Breakdown of ΔΨm is followed by rapid release of pro‐apoptotic Smac/DIABLO and HtrA2 from mitochondria, whereas release of cytochrome c and AIF is delayed. Cytoplasmic Smac/DIABLO and HtrA2 antagonize IAP‐mediated inhibition of partially activated caspases, leading to premature activation of caspase‐3 followed by activation of caspase‐9. Our data show that proteasome inhibition triggers the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis by activating mutually independent apoptotic pathways. These results provide novel insights into the mechanisms of apoptosis induced by proteasome inhibition in activated T cells and underscore the future use of proteasome inhibitors for immunosuppression. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 935–946, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
One‐pot synthesis of 2H‐thiochromenes via TiCl4‐promoted reaction of 2‐tert‐butylthiobenzaldehydes with activated alkenes
Authors: Lee Chang Hoon , Lee Kee‐Jung
Published: September 2009

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A facile synthesis of 2H‐thiochromenes through TiCl4‐promoted reaction of 2‐tert‐butylthiobenzaldehydes with activated alkenes is described. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2009).
Synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial evaluation of novel 4‐pyrrol‐1‐yl‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐pyrido[4′,3′:4,5] thieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidine derivatives
Authors: Parmar Kokila , Suthar Bharat , Suthar Arun , Maheta Abhay
Published: September 2009

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A series of novel 7‐alkyl/aryl sulfonyl‐4‐pyrrol‐1‐yl‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐pyrido[4′,3′:4,5]thieno[2,3‐d] pyrimidine 6 were synthesized for evaluation of their antibacterial and antifungal activity. The structures were determined by IR, NMR, mass spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. They were screened for activities against bacterial and fungal strains. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2009).
Continental‐scale phenology: warming and chilling
Authors: Schwartz Mark D. , Hanes Jonathan M.
Published: September 2009

With abundant evidence of recent climate warming, most vegetation studies have concentrated on its direct impacts, such as modifications to seasonal plant and animal life cycle events (phenology). The most common examples are indications of earlier onset of spring plant growth and delayed onset of autumn senescence. However, less attention has been paid to the implications of continued warming for plant species' chilling requirements. Many woody plants that grow in temperate areas require a certain amount of winter chilling to break dormancy and prepare to respond to springtime warming. Thus, a comprehensive assessment of plant species' responses to warming must also include the potential impacts of insufficient chilling.

When collected at continental scale, plant species phenological data can be used to extract information relating to the combined impacts of warming and reduced chilling on plant species physiology. In this brief study, we demonstrate that common lilac first leaf and first bloom phenology (collected from multiple locations in the western United States and matched with air temperature records) can estimate the species' chilling requirement (1748 chilling hours, base 7.2 °C) and highlight the changing impact of warming on the plant's phenological response in light of that requirement. Specifically, when chilling is above the requirement, lilac first leaf/first bloom dates advance at a rate of − 5.0/− 4.2 days per 100‐h reduction in chilling accumulation, while when chilling is below the requirement, they advance at a much reduced rate of − 1.6/− 2.2 days per 100‐h reduction. With continental‐scale phenology data being collected by the USA National Phenology Network (http://www.usanpn.org), these and more complex ecological questions related to warming and chilling can be addressed for other plant species in future studies. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
The economic value of improved agrometeorological information to irrigators amid climate variability
Authors: Mushtaq Shahbaz , Chen Charlie , Hafeez Mohsin , Maroulis Jerry , Gabriel Hamza
Published: September 2009

In Australia, climate variability and the predicted impact of climate change help in making seasonal rainfall less predictable and seasonal irrigation supplies more uncertain, eroding agricultural production prospects and profitability. Water allocation forecasts have economic value to irrigators for making informed cropping decisions. This study estimated the economic value of improved irrigation allocation forecasts in the Coleambally irrigation area (CIA) in southeastern Australia using a non‐linear programming model. The model uses production and profit functions to estimate yield and gross margins for various water allocation levels rather than using given crop yields and gross margins. The model also captures the tactical response of improved cropping decisions made by irrigators based on water allocation announcements throughout the irrigation season. Tactical responses include changing the winter crop combinations, abandoning irrigation for a percentage of the summer crops, temporary purchase or sale of water, and deficit irrigation.

The estimated economic benefit of improved seasonal water allocation forecasts to the CIA irrigators ranges from AU$ 1.33 ha−1 to AU$ 9.58 ha−1 (AU$ 1 = US$ 0.77). The economic analysis of water allocation forecasts shows that the potential total gross margin for the irrigators at the 100% allocation level was AU$ 47.6 m, assuming accurate forecast of the end‐of‐season allocations. A more realistic scenario generates a forecast value of AU$ 8.9 million reduction in the gross margin (pessimistic water allocation outlook) and AU$ 1.60 million in the forgone gross margin (optimistic water allocation outlook) for only 5% variation in outlook above or below the actual allocation level of 60%. This suggests that losses far exceed when water allocations are over‐estimated by irrigators, as resources and inputs could be overly committed to execute the less‐informed cropping plans. The knowledge benefits from forecasts are far greater at the lower end of an allocation due to relative water scarcity. However, for higher allocation levels (>80%), the knowledge benefits are negligible due to less water scarcity. Thus, investments in water allocation forecasts and related agrometeorological information could be useful tools for policy makers, farmers, agribusiness, and the insurance industry. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
On lengths of filling closed geodesics of hyperbolic punctured Riemann spheres
Authors: Zhang C.
Published: September 2009

Let S be a Riemann sphere with n ≥ 4 points deleted. In this article we investigate certain filling closed geodesics of S and give quantitative common lower bounds for the hyperbolic lengths of those geodesics with respect to any hyperbolic structure on S (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Boundary integral equations for a three‐dimensional Brinkman flow problem
Authors: Kohr Mirela , Wendland Wolfgang L.
Published: September 2009

The purpose of this paper is to prove existence and uniqueness in Sobolev or Hölder spaces for a transmission problem which describes the flow of a viscous incompressible fluid past a porous particle embedded in a second porous medium, by using the Brinkman model and potential theory. Some particular cases, which refer to Stokes flow past a porous particle, or to Brinkman's flow past a void, are also presented together with corresponding asymptotic results for the flow velocity field and the hydrodynamic force exerted on the particle (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
An empirical investigation of consumers' procurement of pharmaceutical products via online retail channels
Authors: Rajamma Rajasree K. , Pelton Lou E.
Published: September 2009

The procurement of pharmaceuticals from electronic channels is drawing widespread attention from marketing decision makers, public policymakers, and the popular media. The focus on online retail channels for pharmaceuticals may be, in part, attributable to the potential risks and safety issues that underlie consumers' self‐initiated pharmaceutical acquisition and consumption decisions. Clearly, there exist an unprecedented number of consumers employing this nontraditional channel for procuring both over‐the‐counter (OTC) and prescription pharmaceuticals in the U.S. This study explores the potential impact of consumers' cognitive characteristics on their decision making as it relates to procuring pharmaceutical products via online retail channels. The results of the study indicate that both powerful others health locus of control and objectivism determine the propensity to procure pharmaceuticals via electronic retail channels. Moreover, health value is identified as a portentous moderator of the relationship between consumers' health locus of control, objectivism, and pharmaceuticals procurement via electronic retail channels. The implications of the findings and recommendations for future research are offered, as well. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High Temperature Interaction Chromatography of Olefin Copolymers
Authors: Pasch Harald , Albrecht Andreas , Bruell Robert , Macko Tibor , Hiller Wolf
Published: September 2009

Summary: The synthesis and characterization of polyolefins continues to be one of the most important areas for academic and industrial polymer research. One consequence of the development of new “tailor‐made” polyolefins is the need for new and improved analytical techniques for the analysis of polyolefins with respect to molar mass and chemical composition distribution. The present article briefly reviews different new and relevant chromatographic techniques for polyolefin analysis. For the fast analysis of the chemical composition distribution of polyolefins a new high‐temperature gradient high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system has been introduced. The efficiency of this system for the separation of various olefin copolymers is demonstrated. The correlation between elution volume and chemical composition can be accessed by on‐line coupling of high temperature HPLC with FTIR spectroscopy. For the elucidation of the chemical composition as a function of molar mass high‐temperature size exclusion chromatography and 1H‐NMR spectroscopy can be coupled. It is shown that the on‐line NMR analysis of chromatographic fractions yields information on microstructure and chemical composition in addition to molar mass distribution.
Characterization of Ethylene Copolymers with Liquid Chromatography and Melt Rheology Methods
Authors: Brun Yefim , Pottiger Michael T
Published: September 2009

Summary: Melt rheology and polymer chromatography methods were applied to characterize molecular heterogeneities in products of free radical copolymerization of ethylene with methyl acrylate and vinyl acetate comonomers performed in continuously stirred tank and tubular reactors. We found that the ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymers made in both reactors had similar linear viscoelastic properties typical to branched products of the high pressure process. But the ethylene–methyl acrylate copolymers obtained in the tubular reactor had unusually high melt viscosity at low shear rate and much lower onset of shear thinning despite the narrower molecular weight distribution and the lower overall amount of long‐chain branches compare to their autoclave counterparts with similar average molecular weight and chemical composition. Using interaction polymer chromatography method called gradient elution at critical point of adsorption we found that ethylene‐acrylate copolymers from the tubular reactor had very broad chemical composition distribution, which was consistent with a significant difference in reactivity ratios between ethylene and acrylate comonomers. Such chemical composition heterogeneity can be a reason for the observed unusual rheological properties of these copolymers.
Liquid Chromatographic Separation of Olefin Oligomers and its Relation to Separation of Polyolefins – an Overview
Authors: Macko Tibor , Pasch Harald , Wang Yongmei
Published: September 2009

Summary: Linear and branched alkanes are oligomers of polyethylene. Alkanes with higher molar masses are called waxes. These substances are widely used as fuels, oils, lubricants, etc. and for these reasons many groups have tried to analyse, separate and characterise alkanes by various methods, including liquid chromatography. Alkanes may be separated according to their size in solution by SEC. In addition to chromatographic systems separating in the SEC mode, various sorbent‐solvent systems have been published, where alkanes have been separated one from another by adsorption and/or precipitation mechanism. The mobile phase is either a non‐polar solvent or a polar solvent or a mixture of a solvent and a non‐solvent for alkanes. Even near critical conditions, which have several advantages for applications of HPLC in polymer analysis, have been identified for alkanes. Moreover, selective separations of branched alkanes according to their structure have been published. In the majority of these published studies, solvents with low boiling points have been used as the mobile phases, which do not allow dissolution of crystalline polyolefins at atmospheric pressure. However, taking into account experiences with the separation of alkanes, new HPLC systems for the separation of polyolefins may be developed. This is a major challenge and first results are presented in this contribution.
Estimation of Average Comonomer Content of Ethylene/1‐Olefin Copolymers Using Crystallization Analysis Fractionation (Crystaf) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN)
Authors: Anantawaraskul Siripon , Chokputtanawuttilerd Nuttawat
Published: September 2009

Summary: An artificial neural network (ANN) with a 4‐3‐3‐1 architecture was developed to estimate average comonomer content of ethylene/1‐olefin copolymers from crystallization analysis fractionation (Crystaf) results. The ANN was trained with a back propagation algorithm. It was found that average comonomer contents predicted from ANN agree well with experimental results for both training and testing data sets. The developed ANN was also used to systematically investigate the effects of chain microstructures and Crystaf operating conditions on Crystaf calibration curves.
Existence of time periodic solutions for the Nicholson's blowflies model with Newtonian diffusion
Authors: Yang Ying , Zhang Ran , Jin Chunhua , Yin Jingxue
Published: September 2009

This paper is concerned with the existence of periodic solutions of the Nicholson's blowflies model with Newtonian diffusion. By constructing some suitable Lyapunov functionals and combining with Leray–Schauder fixed point theorem, we establish the existence of nonnegative time periodic solutions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Urodynamics prior to treatment as an intervention: A pilot study
Authors: Majumdar Amitabha , Latthe Pallavi , Toozs‐Hobson Philip
Published: September 2009

Aims

To evaluate whether the treatment based on urodynamics (UDS) leads to better treatment response compared to where the treatment is based on symptoms alone.

Study design, materials and methods

All patients referred with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were offered the opportunity to participate in this patient preference trial. Patients were asked to complete a Kings Health Questionnaire (KHQ) and a 3‐day bladder diary. The patients were then offered treatment based on their preference for conservative therapy based on either symptoms alone or with additional UDS or randomization to the same two alternatives, if they had no preference. The primary outcomes studied were improvement in KHQ and reduction in Incontinence Episode Frequency (IEF) at 6 months. Logistic regression analysis was done to evaluate the effect of choice of treatment and effect of incontinence on KHQ.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between the KHQ scores pre and post UDS in patient preference or randomized groups. Follow up attendance rates were significantly better in those who chose to undergo urodynamics when compared to those who chose conservative treatment.

Conclusions

This study suggests although UDS does not improve IEF, it may have utility in patient choice and subsequent compliance. Another relevant finding was the previously unreported high uptake of UDS by women when given the choice of whether to undergo UDS first or have treatment based on symptoms alone. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29:522–526, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Skeletal analysis and mortuary practice in an Early Roman chamber tomb at Kenchreai, Greece
Authors: Ubelaker D. H. , Rife J. L.
Published: September 2009

Recent exploration of the site of Kenchreai, the eastern port of Corinth in southern Greece, has focussed on a cemetery of subterranean chamber tombs dating chiefly to the Early Roman period (middle‐late 1st to 3rd centuries AD). The copious but fragmentary human bones and teeth found in Tomb 10 have been disturbed since burial by natural processes, including bedrock erosion and the infiltration of moisture, roots and basic sediment, and by destructive looters. Nonetheless, the remains furnish considerable information about the mortuary practices of wealthy residents. Analysis of the remains in their archaeological and taphonomic contexts reveals that Tomb 10 contained at least 23 individuals, 15 inhumed in loculi and 8 cremated and placed in niches, sometimes in urns. The identification of males, females and subadults among the burned and unburned bones and teeth suggests that spouses, parents and children probably from several generations of the same lineage or household were buried here. The nature of the cremated fragments reflects a laborious process during which mourners burned bodies on substantial pyres at extremely high temperatures for a long time. Then they carefully extracted a representative sample of small fragments from throughout the reduced skeleton for burial at the tomb. This study contributes to a better understanding of mortuary practices in the Roman East, particularly the Greek world, where the chamber tomb was a common sepulchral type. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation, characterization, thermo‐mechanical, and barrier properties of exfoliated thermoplastic toughened epoxy clay ternary nanocomposites
Authors: Asif A. , Rao V. Lakshmana , Ninan K. N.
Published: September 2009

Ternary nanocomposites are prepared by blending hydroxyl‐terminated poly ether ether ketone having pendant methyl groups (PEEKMOH) with epoxy resin along with Nanolin DK1, followed by curing with 4,4′‐diamino diphenyl sulphone. Differential scanning calorimetry shows a two‐stage cure behavior indicating the catalytic effect of the primary amine and proton, which are generated by the dissociation of organic modifier. Tensile and flexural moduli are increased while tensile strength and glass transition temperature are decreased with increase in clay concentration. Fracture toughness and strain at break are increased by 59 and 62%, respectively, with 1 phr clay loading. Transition electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveal exfoliated morphology for the nanocomposites. Scanning electron micrographs show a decrease in both, domain size as well as inter domain distance of the thermoplastic phase with the addition of clay, indicating the occurrence of gelation before phase separation. Analysis of the fracture surface reveals crack path deflection and ductile fracture behavior, confirming that toughness has been improved with the addition of clay and PEEKMOH. Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the nanocomposites is decreased up to 3 phr clay loading. Oxygen gas permeability is compared with Bharadwaj's and Neilson's models. A marginal improvement in thermal stability is observed with the addition of clay. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and characterization of novel negatively charged hybrid membranes
Authors: Xuan Fengqin , Liu Junsheng , Xu Tongwen
Published: September 2009

Charged hybrid membranes with anionic‐ or cationic‐exchange groups have attracted increasing interest due to their higher thermal stabilities and structural flexibilities which are considered suitable for use in some harsh conditions, such as higher temperature and strongly oxidizing circumstances, for industrial applications. To develop new routes to synthesize the negatively charged hybrid membranes, a series of hybrid membranes were prepared via free radical polymerization of glycidylmethacrylate (GMA) and γ‐methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (MPTMS) monomers, and ring‐opening of epoxide to create negatively charged SO3H groups in the polymer chains. The fundamental properties of these prepared membranes were characterized through TGA, ion‐change capacity (IEC), and MALDI–TOF mass spectra. TGA showed that the thermal degradation temperature of these membranes could reach up to 300°C and the temperature of the first endothermic peak decreased with an increase in the content of SO3H groups. IEC measurements showed that their IECs were within the range of 0.22–0.35 mmol g−1. MALDI–TOF spectrometry indicated that the incorporation of GMA into the hybrid matrix could improve the structural stability of the membranes. These findings demonstrated that the ion‐exchange properties and structural stability of negatively charged hybrid membranes can be conveniently controlled by adjusting the GMA moiety in the hybrid matrix. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Administration of high‐dose interleukin‐2 in a 2‐year‐old with metastatic melanoma
Authors: Bernhardt M. Brooke , Hicks M. John , Pappo Alberto S.
Published: September 2009

Malignant melanoma is rare in pediatrics, and therapies for patients with disseminated disease have not been well studied. This report describes our experience with the use of high‐dose interleukin 2 (aldesleukin, IL‐2) in a 2‐year‐old child with metastatic melanoma and describes our approach for the administration of this agent to young patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009; 53:1346–1348. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Value‐centric framework and pareto optimality for design and acquisition of communication satellites
Authors: Brathwaite Joy , Saleh Joseph H.
Published: September 2009

Investments in space systems are substantial, indivisible, and irreversible, characteristics of high‐risk investments. Traditional approaches to system design, acquisition, and risk mitigation are derived from a cost‐centric mindset, and as such they incorporate little information about the value of the spacecraft to its stakeholders. These traditional approaches are appropriate in stable environments. However, the current technical and economic conditions are distinctly uncertain and rapidly changing. Consequently, these traditional approaches have to be revisited and adapted to the current context.

We propose that in uncertain environments, decision‐making with respect to design and acquisition choices should be value‐based. We develop a value‐centric framework, analytical tools, and an illustrative numerical example for communication satellites. Our two proposed metrics for decision‐making are the system's expected value and value uncertainty. Expected value is calculated as the expected NPV of the satellite. The cash inflow is calculated as a function of the satellite loading, its transponder pricing, and market demand. The cash outflows are the various costs for owning and operating the satellite. Value uncertainty emerges due to uncertainties in the various cash flow streams, in particular because of market conditions. We propagate market uncertainty through Monte Carlo simulation, and translate it into value uncertainty for the satellite. The end result is a portfolio of Pareto‐optimal satellite design alternatives.

By using value and value uncertainty as decision metrics in the down‐selection process, decision‐makers draw on more information about the system in its environment, and in making value‐based design and acquisition choices, they ultimately make more informed and better choices. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceptions on the demand side and realities on the supply side: a study of the South African table grape export industry
Authors: Müller Claribel , Vermeulen Walter J. V. , Glasbergen Pieter
Published: September 2009

This article reports on the mechanisms of business‐to‐business regulation as governance approach in an agricultural supply chain. The article explores the activities of NGOs, government and business in promoting sustainable production. It focuses on the requirements set for producers in agro‐food chains and the effects of NGO perceptions on these issues. The subsequent business standards set by retailers and other market role‐players and the responses of producers are reported and the responsibility for achieving desired outputs is discussed. The research methodology included open interviews with various stakeholders in the chain, as well as structured questionnaires to determine practices on farms. From the findings it is clear that perceptions of European stakeholders differ substantially from the reality found in South Africa. This has consequences for producers, from both a social and a financial perspective. Understanding the role and function of NGOs, market role‐players and national government in the governance of sustainable development in the South African–European table grape supply chain contributes to identifying barriers and opportunities to achieving sustainable practices in global supply chains. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty funded by the Australian government's Medicare scheme (1995‐2007)
Authors: Marshall Nathaniel S. , MacKay Stuart , Gallagher Richard , Robinson Sam
Published: September 2009

Objective: To describe the provision, through the Australian state‐funded Medicare system, of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and its laser‐assisted variation (LAUP) to the population of Australia between 1995 and 2007.

Study Design: Case series using a comprehensive national administrative database.

Setting: The Commonwealth of Australia.

Subjects and Methods: Subjects comprised the population of Australia. The raw numbers of procedures, reimbursement amounts in Australian dollars, and per capita adjustment nationwide and in each state/territory for UPPP and LAUP for each calendar year from 1995 to 2007 were downloaded from a publicly accessible database run by Medicare.

Results: The Australian federal government paid AUD 8.2 million for 19,534 UPPP procedures and AUD 1.1 million for 3270 LAUP procedures in the calendar years 1995 to 2007, inclusive. There is substantive variability between states in provision. Over time, provision of UPPP has declined slightly compared with population growth and overall Medicare provision. LAUP provision has declined markedly.

Conclusion: Provision of UPPP under Medicare in Australia has declined slowly relative to population growth and overall growth in Medicare per capita provision. Laser‐assisted UPPP (LAUP) has steadily declined and is now rarely used compared with the peak in its provision in the mid 1990s.
GROWING APPLE (MALUS DOMESTICA) UNDER TROPICAL MOUNTAIN CLIMATE CONDITIONS IN NORTHERN ETHIOPIA
Authors: ASHEBIR DEREJE , DECKERS TOM , NYSSEN JAN , BIHON WUBETU , TSEGAY ALEMTSEHAY , TEKIE HAILEMARIAM , POESEN JEAN , HAILE MITIKU , WONDUMAGEGNEHEU FEKADU , RAES DIRK , BEHAILU MINTESINOT , DECKERS JOZEF
Published: September 2009

Lack of effective chilling during the dormant season is one of the major problems when apples are growing under a tropical climate. We evaluated the response of different apple cultivars (Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith and Jonagold) grown on M9 rootstock with different dormancy-management practices. The trials were carried out between 2004 and 2006 in a tropical mountain area (Tigray, Ethiopia), where chilling conditions are poor with the aim of improving and synchronizing the bud break and the blossoming period of these apple cultivars. Two-year-old well-feathered trees were planted in two experimental trial sites in a randomized complete block design. Trees were subjected to the following treatments in two sets of experiments: one defoliation per year only; two defoliations per year, one defoliation followed by 1% hydrogen cyanamide (Dormex) treatment; one defoliation followed by 2% Dormex treatment; one defoliation followed by 4% winter oil; one defoliation followed by 0.5% Dormex and 2% winter oil; and a control with no defoliation or dormancy breaking treatments. The results show positive effects of the dormancy breaking agents on the productivity of the trees after defoliation, with comparable results for the effectiveness of both Dormex and winter oil. There were no statistically significant differences between the Dormex doses. The defoliation treatment alone was not sufficient to break dormancy for the cultivars Golden Delicious, Granny Smith or Gala but showed promising results with dormancy breaking on Jonagold. Yields increased as a result of better flowering time synchronization within a tree but even with the dormancy treatments the length of the flowering period was still spread over five weeks, where under a more temperate climate it lasted two to three weeks. The average fruit weight of Jonagold and Granny Smith can be considered as a good fruit quality while the fruit of other diploid cultivars like Golden, Gala and Fuji were rather small, which indicates that fruit thinning by hand will be a necessity for these cultivars. Red colouration of the apples on the cultivars Gala and Jonagold was excellent and meets the standards necessary for commercialization of these fruits. The sugar concentration of the fruits and the fruit firmness at harvest was high. The results of these first trials indicate that it is possible to develop new apple production in the mountain region of Tigray, Ethiopia.
Malaya's National Park
Authors: Fetherstonhaugh A. H.
Published: September 2009

The original proposal for a National Park in Malaya was put forward by the late Theodore Hubback in 1927. Subsequent correspondence in which the Society for the Preservation of the Fauna of the Empire was interested, paved the way for concrete suggestions contained in the Report of the Wild Life Commission of Malaya, published in 1932.
Wild Elephants in Assam
Authors: Gee E. P.
Published: September 2009

Even in this age of atomic energy and jet propulsion, the market for elephants is still strong. Their value as a means of extracting timber in thick forests, as a mode of transport in otherwise inaccessible tracts of country and for ceremonial uses has not in the least declined.

There are those who, misled by the elephants' huge size, overestimate their strength, and work them till they break down. Then they decry them as weak and delicate animals. Admittedly elephants are, size for size, about a quarter less strong than a horse and slightly weaker even than man. But with the necessary knowledge of their habits in their wild state, and with proper care and attention, these sagacious and docile creatures will perform a great variety of tasks and get through an enormous amount of heavy work, resulting in an appreciable saving of man-power and complicated mechanical devices.
Southern Rhodesia—The Tsetse Fly Question
Authors: Lord Devonshire  , Huggins G. M.
Published: September 2009

The Society for the Preservation of the Fauna of the Empire is taking stock of the faunal conditions of Africa in the light of recent developments, with special reference to investigations that have taken place and are in progress, of the incidence of flyborne diseases and of methods of control of such diseases by direct attack on the fly through the use of insecticides and otherwise, and by treatment of cattle with prophylactics such as antryeide. We have been encouraged to hope that Governments in British territories, including Southern Rhodesia, where controlled killing had been undertaken with a view to eradicating tsetse fly were now disposed to suspend this method of attack for a period pending examination of the results of experiments in progress.
Rats and the Mongoose in Jamaica
Authors: Lewis C. B.
Published: September 2009

The European brown and black rats probably reached Jamaica by the earliest ships. In any case these prolific rodents, along with the equally prolific cane-piece rat, have always been a tremendous problem on sugar estates, and for several hundred years estate owners have found it necessary to expend large sums for rat catching.
British Mammals: Introductory Note
Authors: Fitter R. S. R.
Published: September 2009

For many years, in fact since the lamented demise of The Zoologist in 1916, the study of mammals in Great Britain has been greatly handicapped by the lack of a specialist journal. This deficiency it is now hoped to remedy by publishing in Oryx a regular section devoted to the natural history and conservation of British mammals. The twin aims of the section are well illustrated by the two articles in this first issue, one on the field study and identification of British bats, by Michael Blackmore, the other on the case for a close season for deer, by G. K. Whitehead, both among the leading experts in their respective fields. In addition it is hoped to publish regularly short notes on matters of general rather than local interest, to review books on or largely devoted to British mammals, and to abstract from local natural history journals any papers or notes of more than local interest. Editors of local journals, and secretaries of the mammal sections of local natural history societies and field clubs, could help this work greatly by sending me copies of their journals or reprints of any sections of articles relating to mammals. Address: Drifts, Chinnor Hill, Oxford.
The Muskox (Ovibos moschatus)
Authors: Glover R.
Published: September 2009

On 26th June, 1689, an English youth, named Henry Kelsey, and an Indian boy set out northwards on a month-long journey from a newly-founded trading post at the mouth of the Churchill River in Hudson Bay. Their object was to find Indians who might bring furs to the new post, but they hiked an estimated 200 miles out and back over the Barrens without meeting a single human being. If, however, their trip was commercially a fruitless, as well as an arduous enterprise, they still made one discovery of some scientific interest. On Sunday, 9th July, Kelsey recorded in his diary: “in yeEvening spyed two Buffillo left our things & pursued ymKill'd one they are ill shapen beast their Body being bigger than an ox leg & foot like yesame but not half so long a [long] neck & head a hog their Horns not growing like other Beast but joyn together upon their forehead & so come down yeside of their head & turn up till yepoints be Even wthye Buts their Hair is near a foot long” (Doughty and Martin, 1929, pp. 27–8).
The Dibatag or Clarke's Gazelle
Authors: Lawrie John J.
Published: September 2009

In his article “Wild Life in Southern Ethiopia” (Oryx, vol. 1, No. 6, page 288), Captain D. S. Sorrell says that he believes that the dibatag (Ammodorcas clarkei) has never been recorded outside the Mudugh province of Somalia, and that it is in danger of soon becoming extinct. These remarks create a wrong impression, and I write to give some additional information on the distribution of this interesting antelope.
The Bukavu Conference
Authors: Caldwell Keith
Published: September 2009

A convention for the protection of the fauna and flora of Africa was drawn up at a conference held in London in 1933 and was ratified by almost all the Powers with possessions in Africa. Another conference took place about five years later, which recommended certain alterations in the convention, but owing to the war these were never carried into effect. Since then it has been obvious that the time for further action was overdue.
British Mammals: The Polecat in Wales
Authors: Condry William
Published: September 2009

Like that of several other British mammals the distribution of the polecat has not yet been fully investigated. For one thing, being a creature of the night and mainly haunting sparsely inhabited uplands or the wilder parts of the lowlands, it is a difficult and often inaccessible subject for study. There is the further complication that ferrets, which are apparently not descended from our polecat but, some authorities say, from a North African species, have for many centuries been escaping and crossing with wild polecats so that perhaps nowhere can the polecat be claimed to be a “pure” species. Besides, rabbiters frequently interbreed tame polecats with ferrets. The resulting polecat-ferrets, usually piebald creatures, have been used for rabbiting in various parts of Britain, where many have escaped and formed local populations of “polecats”. This spread of polecat-ferrets has been much accelerated by the intensification of rabbiting which has taken place since 1939 and accounts for the many recent “polecat” records from areas known not to hold true wild polecats : the Home Counties, the Isle of Man, Mull, etc. Since these hybrids usually show much cream on back, head, or flanks, it might be thought that, being easily separated from genuine polecats, they would not complicate the distribution-map. Unfortunately some of these hybrids, and we do not know how numerous they may be, are all dark and indistinguishable from wild polecats. There are several apparently reliable accounts from central Wales of white female ferrets going wild for a few weeks and eventually returning to captivity leading families of absolutely dark young “polecats”. And since these may quite easily be sold elsewhere in Britain, it is not surprising that very genuine looking “polecats” turn up in unexpected places.
Roe Deer, Fallow and Sika
Authors: Carne P. H.
Published: September 2009

Although roe deer, Capreolus capreolus, are at present fairly widely distributed in Britain, and in many areas are undoubtedly increasing and extending their range, their numbers and numerical trends vary greatly in different localities. It is, moreover, apparent that the status of the species, in given habitats, is conditioned by factors other than human control and the availability of adequate cover and keep. Relevant comparison may be made between the respective success and failure of attempts to reintroduce roe to Dorset and to Epping Forest. The increase of roe after their release near Milton Abbas, in Dorset, about the year 1800, was remarkably rapid and within a few decades they had become common in almost all suitable localities in the county. During the two world wars, particularly the 1939–1945 war, they suffered heavy casualties at the hand of farmers and others, yet in the opinion of many observers roe actually increased in Dorset during these periods.
The Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros
Authors: Gee E. P.
Published: September 2009

The Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros, probably India's rarest and most interesting animal, occupies a unique position in the world to-day. Listed by the survival service of the International Office for the Protection of Nature as one of the vanishing species which requires all possible steps to be taken for its protection, it has the eyes of scientists, naturalists and others in all parts of the world focussed on it and its habitat.
The Protection of the Agrimi
Authors: Farmar Hugh
Published: September 2009

From information gathered from officers who had fought with the partisans in Crete in the last war and others it had become clear that the agrimi, or wild goat of Crete, Capra hircus œgarus, was in danger of extinction.
The Reserves and Sanctuaries of Ceylon
Authors: Morgan-Davies A. M.
Published: September 2009

With the annual increase in the population and the ever deepening human advance into the remoter areas of Ceylon, it has become recognized that the ultimate extermination of the larger fauna of the country is alarmingly close at hand. In fact, only in those reserves that survive the innumerable demands of a rapidly growing country will future generations of Ceylon be able to see their natural heritage in its wild state.
Borneo Fauna Anxieties
Authors: Harrisson Tom
Published: September 2009

So much of Borneo is still uninhabited by man—it must be the leaśt densely populated part of tropical Asia—that it is difficult to imagine its wild fauna being endangered. Much the larger part of the island is still jungle, visited only (if at all) by nomadic groups. But a few species, conspicuous and attractive to humanity for size, food, medicine or beauty, are to-day in danger in all the four territories (Indonesian Borneo, and the British western section comprising North Borneo, Sarawak and Brunei).
Mammals of Cheshire
Authors: Boyd A. W.
Published: September 2009

Cheshire is a county of varied character. On the east the moorlands bordering Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire rise at one point to over 1,900 feet; then comes the fertile plain, which includes the Forest of Delamere and many large parks; further west is the peninsula of Wirral, bounded on either side by the estuaries of Mersey and Dee, and culminating in a short coastline and the three islands of Hilbre.