bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐positive crescentic glomerulonephritis associated with propylthiouracil therapy
Authors: Fujieda Mikiya , Ata Michio Nag , Akioka Yuko , Hattori Motoshi , Kawaguchi Hiroshi , Ito Katsumi
Published: October 2007

Abstract A teenage girl with crescentic glomerulonephritis had antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) detected after she had received propylthiouracil (PTU) for hyperthyroidism without cutaneous vasculitis. ANCA was detected on admission; renal biopsy showed crescentic glomerulonephritis with focal necrotizing glomerulonephritis but no immune deposits. Administration of steroid and decreasing the dose of PTU produced a good clinical response and the ANCA disappeared. It was concluded that ANCA is closely related to the pathogenesis of crescentic glomerulonephritis and that treatment with PTU appeared to induce ANCA.
Transient hypocalcemia with elevated serum parathormone in an infant of a hyperparathyroid mother
Authors: Ismail Essam A.R. , Al‐Shammari Nufood , Nadi Hany
Published: October 2007

Abstract An infant presented at the age of 80 days with a hypocalcemic fit. The mother was found to have asymptomatic parathyroid adenoma. The infant's intact parathyroid hormone was high in the absence of Hypomagnesemia, renal failure or overt rickets, which are known causes of secondary end‐organ refractoriness. The patient was treated with calcium and 1‐alpha‐hydroxyvitamin D for only 2 weeks, but has remained asymptomatic and normocalcemic on follow‐up to the age of 2 years. It is believed that this has not been previously described and it is speculated that end‐organ refractoriness, though brief, can account for all the symptoms.
Recurrent hepatosplenomegaly and peripheral blood cytopenia, persistent Epstein‐Barr virus infection and central nervous system manifestation in a patient with lymphadenopathy and low serum uric acid
Authors: Sugita Kenichi , Hagisawa Susumu , Satoh Yuhya , Eguchi Mitsuoki , Furukawa Toshiharu
Published: October 2007

Abstract We describe a 27‐month‐old boy who was first admitted to our hospital on 7 January 1995 with nasal bleeding. From 6 months of age he has had lymphadenopathy, low levels of serum uric acid, increased levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase and hyper ‐y‐globulinemia. From the age of 18 months he has had persistent Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infection (target cells; B cells), recurrent episodes of thrombocytopenia, anemia and hepatosplenomegaly. Dysmobility of the left leg and arm from a central nervous system complication during a relapse with pancytopenia on March 1995, was also observed. Relapses of thrombocytopenia with increases of platelet‐associated immunoglobulin G and hepatosplenomegaly have been observed approximately every 2 months, and two relapses of pancytopenia were accompanied with weak positivity of Coombs test and low level of haptoglobin. These recurrent episodes were improved with prednisolone. However, now in June 1997 we have not been able to diagnose what underlies the above clinical symptoms, except that the patient has a persistent EBV infection.
The pediatrician's role in the twenty‐first century
Authors: Gracey Michael
Published: October 2007

Abstract The world's children comprise: (i) those in wealthy, industrialized countries; (ii) those from rapidly industrializing countries; (iii) minority groups including recently arrived immigrants in otherwise affluent and healthy societies; (iv) previously traditional people in rapid transition to urbanized, Western lifestyles; and (v) many millions living in grinding poverty in overcrowded, unhygienic conditions where child mortality is high and often due to malnutrition and infections. Industrialization, affluence, better housing, hygiene and nutrition, better clinical care and disease prevention have helped enhance child health in many countries over the past century. However, this is being offset by obesity, smoking, alcohol and drug abuse and social disruption, mental disease and high rates of violence including homicide and suicide. These ‘new morbidities’ are worse among minorities and in populations undergoing rapid social change. Social pressures including unemployment, depression and family dysfunction are important. Pediatricians must become active in decisions about the use of public resources in disease prevention, health education and more rational and equitable use of high technology. They should also be active advocates for children and their rights and advise governments about all issues that affect child health, protection and well‐being. This is particularly so in the poorest and developing countries. There is a need for better international collaboration, training and exchange programs involving the International Pediatric Association, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, World Health Organization and other local, national and regional organizations to help overcome these problems as the next century draws near.
Plasma platelet‐activating factor levels in newborn infants with and without perinatal asphyxia: Is it an additional marker of perinatal asphyxia?
Authors: AkisÜ Mete , KÜLtÜRsay NilgÜN , ÇOker Isil , HÜSeyinov Afig
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Background:
Hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is still a very important cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Recently platelet‐activating factor (PAF) has been accused of being responsible for the neuronal damage in hypoxic‐ischemic brain.

Methods:
Therefore, we conducted a study in newborns with perinatal asphyxia to try to show the relationship between the clinical severity and plasma PAF levels.

Results:
Mean plasma levels of 19 asphyxiated infants (997.8 ± 363.5 pg/mL) were significantly higher than that of 20 healthy infants (410.2 ± 148.6 pg/mL, P< 0.0001). Patients with clinically severe HIE had significantly higher levels of PAF (1494.2 ± 386.6 pg/mL) when compared with patients with mild HIE (815 ± 114.5 pg/mL) and with moderate HIE (828.3 ± 61.1 pg/mL). There was a significant correlation between plasma PAF concentration and arterial pH and base deficit, but no correlation with platelet and leukocyte counts.

Conclusions:
Plasma PAF levels correlating with the severity of HIE is interpreted to mean that high PAF levels may be an indicator of clinical severity and probably the poorer prognosis of patients with HIE.
Clinical survey of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in Japan
Authors: Morita Makoto , Morishima Tsuneo , Yamazaki Toshio , Chiba Syunzou , Kawana Takashi
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Background
The clinical features of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in countries with a higher percentage of maternal seropositivity for CMV has rarely been reported. We conducted a national survey for the first time in Japan to investigate the prevalence of congenital CMV infection.

Methods:
Questionnaires were sent in 1994 to pediatricians and obstetricians of 3398 hospitals with either more than 100 beds or a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The questionnaire asked for the number of new cases in 1992 and 1993, maternal status of CMV infection, diagnostic methods, clinical manifestations at birth, sequelae and prognosis.

Results.
A total of 46 cases of CMV infection were reported for the years 1992 and 1993 by 1448 hospitals; of these 39 were symptomatic. The annual incidence of symptomatic disease was 1.6 cases/100 000 live births. Major clinical manifestations such as low birthweight, hepatosplenomegaly, petechiae and intracranial calcification were noted at birth in38–50% of symptomatic neonates. Sequelae, such as hearing loss, mental retardation and motor disability developed in 71% of survivors. Thirty‐five percent of the 49 infected infants had either died or had severe disability. Several clinical manifestations at birth, including petechiae/thrombocytopenia, were significantly associated with severe sequelae or a poor prognosis.

Conclusion:
The lower frequency of clinical findings at birth may be attributed to the higher seroprevalence of pregnant women in Japan than in Europe and the United States.
Serotypes and antibacterial susceptibility of pneumococci isolated from children with infections in Ankara in relation to proposed pneumococcal vaccine coverage
Authors: Kanra Guler , Erdem Guliz , Ceyhan Mehmet , Klugman Keith P. , Vasas Avril
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Background:
Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important pathogen for both children and adults. Although there is an effective vaccine, it is not protective under 2 years of age and common serotypes differ from one location to another.

Methods:
A total of 44 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates were recovered from clinical specimens of children in various hospitals in Ankara, Turkey. All isolates were serotyped and evaluated for vaccine coverage and tested for antibacterial susceptibility.

Results:
There were 23 different serotypes with a predominance of serotypes 6A, 14, 19F and 23F. The nine‐valent conjugate vaccine, which has been proposed for use in young children, covers 90.4% of isolations in children < 2 years of age. This coverage decreases to 43.4% after 2 years of age. The coverage of 23‐valent vaccine is better than that of the conjugate vaccine (60.8%vs 43.4%, P < 0.05). Two relatively common and resistant types in our isolates (10A and 21) are not included in either vaccines and adding these serotypes into the 23‐valent vaccine was suggested. Although the rate of intermediately penicillin resistant strains was 31.8%, highly penicillin resistant strains were not found in the present study.

Conclusions:
The usefulness of conjugate vaccine before 2 years of age and appropriate choice of vaccine strains to include all resistant serotypes for older children in our region, is discussed. It is shown that conjugated vaccine is protective in children less than 2 years of age, but a booster with 23‐valent vaccine will be needed once they are older than 2.
Microfocal radiography in the diagnosis of childhood renal osteodystrophy
Authors: Demircin GÜLay , ÖNer Ayse , Ecin Nurhayat , BÜLbÜL Mehmet , Somuncu Ibrahim , Tunali Hulya
Published: October 2007

Abstract Background: Renal osteodystrophy is common in children with chronic renal failure (CRF) and X‐ray is an intensive method in the diagnosis of the disease. In this study we compared microfocal radiography with conventional method for the diagnosis of renal osteodystrophy.

Methods: The X‐rays of left wrists of 21 children with CRF and chronic renal insufficiency were taken by conventional and microfocal methods.

Results: Both methods revealed osteopenia in all patients (100%), widening, fraying and cupping of ulnar and radial metaphysis in 10 (47.6%), osteosclerosis in three (14.2%) and pseudofracture in one (4.7%) patient. Microfocal radiography demonstrated osteosclerosis in one patient, pseudofracture in four and subperiosteal resorption in five patients that were not detected by conventional method.

Conclusion: Two methods were found to be significantly different in demonstrating the changes due to rickets and hyperparathyroidism and it is concluded that microfocal radiography may be preferred in the diagnosis of childhood renal osteodystrophy.
Long survivors with Ki‐1 lymphoma having t(2;5) (p23;q35). Does the presence or absence of t(2;5) influence the prognosis of patients with Ki‐1 lymphoma?
Authors: Shikano Takaaki , Ohkawa. Masato , Nakadate Hisaya , Hatae Yoshio , Takeda Takeo
Published: October 2007

Abstract We experienced three patients with CD30+ diffuse large cell lymphoma having chromosomal abnormalities. The first patient was an 8‐year‐old girl with bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. A biopsy of a cervical lymph node revealed diffuse large cell lymphoma (stage III), positive for CD30 and a chromosomal abnormality. t(2;5). She attained a remission and is now in complete remission 108 months after diagnosis, despite frequent relapses. The second patient was a 13‐year‐old boy with right axillar and supraclavicular lymph‐node adenopathy. A biopsy of a cervical lymph node revealed diffuse large cell lymphoma (stage III), positive for CD30 and a chromosomal abnormality, t(2;5). He attained remission and was in continuous first remission 112 months after diagnosis. The third patient was an 11‐year‐old boy with fever and bilateral cervical lymph node revealed diffuse large cell lymphoma (stage III), positive for CD30 and chromosomal abnormality without t(2;5). He showed a very aggressive clinical course. Only the patients with Ki‐1 lymphoma having t(2;5) survived over 100 months from the diagnosis, despite the advanced stage of the disease. These findings and a review of the literature showed that the presence or absence of t(2;5) may influence the outcome of Ki‐1 lymphoma.
Prolonged suppressed thyroid‐stimulating hormone levels in hyperthyroidism in a neonate born to a mother with Graves' disease
Authors: Hojo Minoru , Momotani Naoko , Ikeda Noriko , Ueda Akihiko , Uno Kuniko , Ishikita Takashi , Ishiguro Akira , Shimbo Toshikazu
Published: October 2007

Abstract We report here a case of neonatal hyperthyroidism born to a mother, whose pregnancy was complicated by poorly controlled Graves' disease. The patient demonstrated exophthalmos and marked goiter at birth, indicating the existence of thyrotoxicosis in utero. The mother's Graves' disease was well controlled in the third trimester, resulting in a slightly lower level of free thyroxine (FT4) in the umbilical cord blood serum; however, thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) was undetectable. Thyroid‐stimulating hormone remained undetectable for 2 months, while FT4 levels varied in the course. This case suggests that severe and prolonged thyrotoxicosis in utero, due to poor control of pregnancy with Graves' disease, might induce unresponsiveness of the hypothalamo‐pituitary system in the newborn.
Epidemiology, clinical characteristics and natural history of vertically transmitted human immunodeficiency virus‐1 infection in Japan
Authors: Akagi Kunihiko
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Background
: According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare AIDS Surveillance Committee's report on vertically transmitted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, there have been eight children with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and 18 children with HIV infection in Japan, totalling 26 in all as of February 1997. A search of the literature fails to reveal any report that deals with many cases of vertically transmitted HIV infection in Japan.

Methods: A
primary questionnaire survey was taken of the main medical institutions across the country, followed by a secondary questionnaire survey of physicians and pediatricians who treated the disease. A clinical review was made of 19 children with vertically transmitted HIV infection (including eight AIDS children) according to the 1994 Revised Classification System for HIV Infection in Children.

Results
: The mean age at diagnosis was 14.5 months and the diagnosis was made at less than 18 months of life in approximately 70% of infected children. In the mean observation period of 16 months, six of eight AIDS children (75%), and one child of group B died. The mean period of observation for the seven dead children was 7 months, and six of seven children died by 36 months of life. The survival period after the diagnosis of AIDS was 15 months. The diagnosis of HIV infection was made based on the clinical symptoms of all children with AIDS. Of 11 children, six (45%) presented with symptoms of HIV infection by 6 months of life, and 10 of 11 children (91%) presented with symptoms by 26 months of life. The noteworthy clinical findings included hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, recurrent respiratory tract infection, lymph node swelling, oral candidiasis, hepatitis, wasting syndrome, HIV encephalopathy and severe pneumonia. The favored age for the start of complications and the magnitude of decrease in the HIV helper cell count varied with each case of complications of HIV infection (wasting syndrome, HIV encephalopathy) or opportunistic infections (cytomegalovirus infection, Mycobacterium avium complex infection). Anti‐HIV drugs (mainly zidovudine) had been used in five of eight children with AIDS and were effective in two long survivors alone.

Conclusions
: Children who are diagnosed with HIV infection, based on their clinical symptoms, carry a poor prognosis. In this respect, early diagnosis and progress in anti‐HIV therapy are necessary.
Vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in Japan,1989–1997: Presence of two subtypes B and E with subtype E predominance
Authors: Yoshino Naoto , Naganawa Satoshi , Nakasone Tadashi , Imura Soichi , Kita Tsunekazu , Honda Mitsuo ,   NATIONAL COOPERATIVE STUDY INVESTIGATORS ON VERTICAL TRANSMISSION OF HIV‐1
Published: October 2007

Abstract A collaborative group for studying vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐1 in pregnant women and their babies was established in Japan in 1989. Forty‐two infants, including 13 HIV‐1‐infected, 25 uninfected and four of undetermined status and 15 control children born to HIV‐1 negative mothers were diagnosed and followed from birth to 1.5 years. All strains from HIV‐positive infants were either clade E (eight infants, 61.5%) or B (five infants, 38.5%) according to DNA sequencing specific for the HIV‐1 C2‐V3 region. The 42 mothers with HIV‐1 were women with sexual‐risk behavior from all regions, but were concentrated in the Kanto District. In this group of HIV‐infected children, there was no significant difference between the transmissibility of their mother's clade E and B viruses. Eight (61.5%) of the 13 virus‐infected babies were Japanese and five (62.5%) of the eight were positive for HIV‐1 clade E. The V3 loop region of the clade E virus of the babies was conserved but approximately 60% of the sequences which showed a substitution of aspartic acid by asparagine at position 29. The results suggest that HIV‐1 clade E may be predominant in vertical transmissions and are phenotypically different from HIV‐1 in persons with various other risk behaviors in Japan.
Encephalopathy and cytomegalovirus colitis in an AIDS child
Authors: Togawa Masao , Shiomi Masashi , Okawa Kiyotaka , Kobayashi Yasutsugu , Fujita Keinosuke , Murata Ryosuke
Published: October 2007

Abstract A 2‐year‐old girl, who had prolonged thrush and spastic diplegia, was found to have a mother‐to‐child vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type‐1 (HIV). A brain computed tomography scan revealed a symmetrical calcification on the bilateral basal ganglia and periventricular white matter. She had an acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) encephalopathy of pure dominant pyramidal tract disorder without an intellectual deficit. Helper cell lymphocyte count (CD4) increased with the beginning of zidovudine (ZDV, also known as AZT) monotherapy but began to decrease after the 4fh week to reach the baseline at 20th week. Zidovudine plus didanosine combination therapy was started at the 68th week, but because of intolerance, the combination was changed to ZDV plus lamivudine at the 98th week. By the 80th week, neither severe opportunistic infection nor deterioration of the neurological status was recognized, but chronic diarrhea appeared. The diarrhea advanced to the wasting syndrome at the age of 4 years and cytomegalovirus genome was confirmed in a biopsied specimen of the colon. Ganciclovir treatment was effective in stopping the diarrhea and increasing her bodyweight, but after the age of 5, resumption of diarrhea was followed by progressive emaciation and weakness. This work may provide some clues in treating children's AIDS.
Constructing the human cerebral cortex during infancy and childhood: Types and numbers of cortical columns and numbers of neurons in such columns at different age‐points
Authors: Landing Benjamin H. , Shankle William R. , Hara J.
Published: October 2007

This study examines JL Corel's data on neuron numbers in 35 human cortical areas for eight age points from 0 (birth) to 72 months, to analyze cortical columns, the presumed functional units of the cortex. For each cortical area at each age point, cortical surface divided by the square root of the area's neuron number gives cross‐sectional areas with radii ranging from 180 um at birth to 250 pm at 72 months. For the prefrontal cortex at birth and 48 months, these radii are approximately 2.10 and 1.19 times the longest radial basal dendrites, suggesting similar dimensions between these two measures of column radius. The logarithm of neuron number per cortical area and age point was examined in relation to the Weber‐Fechner law governing the relationship between stimulus intensity and perception. A mechanism for this law consistent with the cortical model of Douglaset al.illustrates the importance of local circuit neurons. The cross‐sectional areas of hexagonal columns for prefrontal cortex, using as radius, the longest radial extent of layer 5 pyramidal neuron basal dendrites, ranging from 0.013 mm‐ at birth to 0.064 mm2at 48 months, suggests that functional cortical columns increase cross‐sectional area during development. These cross‐sectional areas are55–100‐fold larger at birth, and229–277‐fold larger at 48 months, than those computed from somal width in prefrontal, layer 5 pyramidal neurons. Comparison of radial extent of pyramidal basal dendrites to their soma‐to‐soma distances shows that layer 3 pyramidal basal dendrites reach 1.5 and 4.0 other pyramidal neurons at 15 and 60 months, respectively, while layer 5, extra‐large pyramidal basal dendrites reach 1.14 and 1.72 other such neurons at birth and 48 months, respectively. If such a relationship holds for other cortical areas, then the Conel data can be used to estimate basal dendrite extent, for which there currently is a paucity of data.
Patient background of the Pokemon phenomenon: Questionnaire studies in multiple pediatric clinics
Authors: Furusho Junichi , Yamaguchi Katuhiko , Ikura Yoji , Kogure Tatuya , Suzuki Masakazu , Konishi Sachiko , Simizu Goroh , Nakayama Yasuko , Itoh Keiko , Sakamoto Yasutoshi , Ishikawa Atushi , Ezaki Sousuke , Nawata Jun , Kumagai Komei
Published: October 2007

Many children in Japan developed various neuropsychological problems, including seizures, while watching the program Pocket Monster, televised on 16 December 1997. To examine the basis for this incident, we have performed a survey of volunteering children and their parents who visited our pediatric clinics for other reasons from 8 January to 28 February 1998. Children and their parents filled out questionnaires. Among the total of 662 children surveyed, the great majority (603, 91.1%) was found to have watched the Pocket Monster program and 30 individuals (5.0% of viewers) complained of variable degrees of neuropsychological abnormalities. These included seizures (two cases), headache (nine cases), nausea (eight cases), blurred vision (four cases), vertigo (two cases), dysthymia (two cases) and vomiting (one case). Nearly half (14) of these children developed symptoms during or immediately after watching the program, while the remainder did so later. Representative cases are reported and other statistical aspects are discussed.
PROSPECTIVE CHANGES IN KOREA'S INTERNATIONAL TRADE SPECIALIZATION
Authors: Noland Marcus
Published: October 2007

In this paper, factor endowment models of exports, imports, and net exports are estimated for 46 industries, spanning the traded goods sector. The regressions are estimated for a pooled sample of 30 countries over the period 1968–1984.

Time‐series techniques are used to project the endowment vector for each country, and these are then combined with the estimated parameters to generate forecasts of trade patterns for the year 2000.

The projected pattern of trade for Korea is examined in detail, and the sensitivity of these projections is investigated.
The New Roles of Japan in the Global Political Economy
Authors: Matsui Noriatsu
Published: October 2007

Now that Japan is the world's largest creditor nation, her economic responsibility is the biggest ever. By examining the nature of the three revolutions in Japanese society since the Meiji Restoration, it is apparent that while the speed of economic structural change has been remarkably high, other aspects of the Japanese social framework have remained archaic and premodern.

After discussing the structural changes in the Japanese, Asian, and U.S. economies, this paper makes a case for structural changes in the Japanese political, bureaucratic, and diplomatic world. The new perspective to be suggested is (1) to change the system to utilize more of individuals' initiatives, less of the regulated, restrained, and group‐shackled way of management, and (2) for Japan to take positive leadership in a new global political economy based on the principle of independent and equal partnership in the world for world peace and stability.
Effects of Exchange Rates on Debt, Debt Services and Public Debt Management in Thailand in the 1980s
Authors: Patrawimolporn Pichit
Published: October 2007

This paper attempts to evaluate the effects of exchange rates on debt, debt services, and public debt management in Thailand in the 1980s. A simple differentiation technique is used to decompose the changes in debt and debt services into ‘management’ and ‘exchange rates’ effects. The latter became more pronounced in the second half of the 1980s largely because of the increased volatility in exchange rates among key currencies. The public sector responded to these changes by adjusting the debt portfolio through new commitment and refinancing, as well as restricting the level of external debt. As a result, a significant amount of debt services was saved in 1989, when the exchange rates among major currencies began to settle down, although the same adjustments initially led to temporary increases in the levels of debt and debt services during the mid‐1980s.

Moreover, the diversified structure of public external debt made it possible to compensate a change of debt or debt service in one currency denomination by a counter change of those in another currency denomination. Such a compensating relationship (e.g. between Yen and US dollar during 1985–87) helped stabilise the effects of exchange rates. The baht is now pegged to a basket of currencies. In theory the effects of exchange rates may be completely neutralised if the debt portfolio reflects the weight of each currency in the basket. Such relationships may be incorporated to improve the efficiency of public debt management.
Household Work and National Income Accounting: to Include or not to Include?
Authors: Quah Euston
Published: October 2007

To a large extent household work research to date has concentrated on solving conceptual, theoretical and methodological problems with regard to its measurement and valuation, providing empirical estimates on country studies on the magnitude of household production, and on household production modelling. While no doubt many of these efforts are useful and praiseworthy, there remains a question neglected or crucially unanswered: should household work be included or excluded from the measurement of national income? This question is important for unless it is answered, the estimates generated as in country studies would be meaningless. The purpose of this paper is to synthesize all arguments for and against its inclusion especially in view of recent renewed interests in the household production literature and to suggest a criterion.
The External Debt Situation in Indonesia: Performance and Prospects
Authors: Woo Wing Thye
Published: October 2007

In interviews with bankers, government economists and academic observers, most of them attributed the absence of an Indonesian debt crisis during 1982–84 to the fact that a significant portion of external public debt, an average of 37 percent, was long‐term concessionary loans from foreign governments and international agencies. Our analysis challenges this conventional explanation. We show that if Indonesia (1) had paid the same effective interest rate as Mexico, (2) had the same maturity structure as Mexican debt, and (3) had the same export‐GNP ratio as Mexico, then its average 1980–82 total debt service‐export ratio would have been 84.4% instead of the actual 30.1%. Our decomposition shows that concessional interest rates account for 5.8 percentage points of the gap, maturity structure for 17.7 percentage points and export orientation for 30.8 percentage points.

We have concluded that the major cause for the favorable 1982–84 outcome is competent management of the exchange rate. The absence of protracted exchange rate overvaluation from 1979 onward was fundamental in maintaining a strong nonoil tradeable sector. The nonoil tradeable sector was able to earn enough foreign exchange to service Indonesian debts when the external shock of high interest rates increased debt service payments and the recession in industrialized countries lowered the price of oil. The absence of extended exchange rate overvaluation also kept the external debt down and the maturity structure on the long side by not encouraging capital flight. We ascribe this use of the exchange rate to protect the tradeable sector as much to the existence of an influential political constituency consisting of neoclassical economists, Javanese peasants and Outer Island residents as to balance‐of‐payments considerations.

We recommend an aggressive exchange rate policy and two sets of supplementary measures to reduce the probability of a debt crisis in the medium run.
Performance of the Official Composite Leading Index in Monitoring the Singapore Economy
Authors: Chow Hwee‐Kwan
Published: October 2007

This paper attempts to evaluate the performance of an official composite leading index (CLI) which is used for economic forecasting in Singapore. To examine whether the CU or its component leading indicators presage activity over the business cycle, we use bivariate time series techniques. Crossamlation functions are estimated to determine the strength of leadlag relationships between the leading indicators and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The predictive ability of the CLI is also assessed by its contribution towards time series model forewts of the economy.
The Impact of Economic Reform on Productivity Growth in Chinese Industry: A Case of Xiamen Special Economic Zone
Authors: Perkins Frances , Yuxing Zheng , Yong Cao
Published: October 2007

China's industrial and trade reforms were expected to stimulate growth in output and welfare by increasing the capacity of industry to absorb surplus factors of production, and by utilizing labour, capital, energy and materials more efficiently. The impact of the special economic zone reform policies on productivity and growth is assessed by studies of China's overall industrial sector performance and case studies in Xiamen and Shanghai Beijing, which is not subject to special policy initiatives, is used as a control. Although there were data limitations, several conclusions may be drawn.

An increase in total factor productivity was found to have occurred in Xiamen during the reform period, but the creation of the special economic zone does not appear to have had a significant impact on productivity.

Productivity performance in Beijing's state‐owned industry was considerably poorer than that of total Xiamen industry, including state, collective and firms jointly owned with foreign investors, and was also lower than the productivity performance of Xiamen's state sector. The productivity performance of Xiamen's joint ventures and collectively owned firms was, however, considerably superior to the state sectors in both cities.

Due to data constraints, the analysis of productivity in Shanghai was for a shorter period. Most of Shanghai's state‐owned industry did better than the state‐owned sector in Beijing but did not perform as well as the non‐State sector in Xiamen over this period. Factor productivity in Shanghai industry was stagnant, Beijing's industrial productivity generally declined, but Xiamen's productivity improved considerably over the decade.

One of the major strengths of this study is its access to new and more accurate disaggregated price indices to deflate capital investments on an industry by industry basis. Hence, the availability of the new capital stock deflator series should improve the total factor productivity estimates considerably.
Globalization and Regionalization – Taiwan's Perspective
Authors: Hou Chi‐ming , Wang Chien‐nan
Published: October 2007

If Taiwan becomes a member of GATT, she can pursue the multilateral free trade agreement provided by the GATT framework. Nonetheless, regionalism is rising. Taiwan may be able to benefit from the great potential of the single European market. However, this prospect is diluted by the EC's concentration on intraregional trade and its frequent use of protectionist measures. The development of NAFTA will not have a substantial diversion effect on Taiwan, though the situation may vary from industry to industry. A Pacific free trade area should be an objective for countries in this region. However, a flexible strategy should be adopted in order to reach that goal. This is especially true for Taiwan.
Is the ASEAN Free Trade Area a Second Best Option?
Authors: Heng Toh Mun , Low Linda
Published: October 2007

This paper evaluates the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) which has been accepted as an ASEAN endeavour to be achieved by 2008 in the Singapore Summit in 1992. Noting the new circumstances and environment which have prompted a more proactive strategy of economic integration, the paper first surveys empirical studies on the economic impact of complete trade liberalisation. The consensus is that AFTA would not have a substantial impact in increasing intra‐ASEAN trade. This suggests that AFTA, like previous ASEAN efforts at economic cooperation, seems more a political than economic effort. The inherent lack of complementarity in trade remains though the ASEAN countries' industrial structures have become more competitive and complementary. The paper however concludes that AFTA would still be useful as a demonstration of ASEAN solidarity and commitment especially if supplemented by other measures such as more deregulation and cross‐country investment and other exchanges of factors like technology and human resource development.
Testing Efficiency of the Taiwan‐US Forward Exchange Market ‐ A Markov Switching Model
Authors: Shen Chung‐Hua
Published: October 2007

The 30‐day Taiwan‐US forward exchange market was tested in this study. The hypothesis that the sample was drawn from a finite mixture distributions could not be rejected, which justified the use of a two‐state, first‐order Markov switching model. The first state rejected the null hypothesis of SEMH, whereas the second state was consistent with the hypothesis. During most of the time, the smoothed probability of state 2 was around 90%, which indicates that the efficient state has the dominant effect. This smoothed probability was observed to change over time.
International Capital Flows and East Asian Economic Dynamism*
Authors: Yeok Tan Lin
Published: October 2007

A Review Article on The East‐West Pendulum by Robert Lloyd George and Foreign Direct Investment and Industrialization in Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, OECD, Paris by Linda Y.C. Lim and Pang Eng Fong
The Changing Pattern of Productive Efficiency in the Chinese Iron and Steel Industry
Authors: Yong Cao , Kalirajan K. P.
Published: October 2007

This study aims to explain the changing pattern of productive efficiency of the Chinese iron and steel industry during the 1980s. By decomposing productive inefficiency into technical, allocative and scale inefficiencies, the effect of market‐oriented reform measures on inefficient resource utilization is empirically tested. A consistent improvement is found in technical efficiency from different sized firms. An improvement in allocative efficiency of investment in upgrading and innovation from different sized firms is also found. Allocative efficiency of working capital was found to have hardly improved which could be largely due to distorted factor markets. Different sized firms exhibited scale inefficiency which could be due to segmented local production and the impact of a two‐tier price system on the distribution of production share among firms.
Demand for International Reserves and Exchange Rate Policy in Taiwan, 1979–1990*
Authors: Hsiao Wen‐Tzong , Lin Hsiu‐Chin
Published: October 2007

Taiwan has experienced a huge trade surplus and a rapid growth in the money supply since the 1970s. This paper constructs and estimates a model that takes into account the demand for international reserves, price levels, and the joint determination of the exchange rate, the demand for money, and the balance of payments in Taiwan during the period 1979 to 1990. We focus our attention especially on the period from 1986 to 1990 when foreign reserves rapidly accumulated and the appreciation expectations prevailed. Our estimate of exchange rate reaction function accords with what is expected. The exchange rate appreciations had a favourable effect on the stabilization of price levels. In addition, the exchange rate and its expectations play important roles in the demand for money equation.
Singapore's Bilateral Merchandise Trade Linkages with Japan and the United States: Trends, Patterns and Comparisons*
Authors: Rajan Ramkishen S.
Published: October 2007

This paper analyses and compares trends and patterns in Singapore's bilateral merchandise trade relations with its two largest trading partners, Japan and the United States (US). Over the period 1976–1992, the analyses reveal that both Japan and the US have been relatively over‐represented as Singapore's trade partners. However, whereas Singapore's trade with Japan has become more intensive in recent years, that with the US has become less so. Computations reveal that the degree as well as level of Singapore's intra‐industry trade with the US has exceeded that with Japan. Nevertheless, while the degree of Singapore's intra‐industry trade with Japan has been consistently increasing since 1981, bilateral trade with the US since 1987 has become increasingly inter‐ rather than intra‐industry. The important nexus between trade and FDI is also highlighted.
A Test of the Rational Expectations‐Permanent Income Hypothesis for Singapore Revisited
Authors: Wilson Peter
Published: October 2007

This paper repeats Thornton's (1993) test of the rational expectations‐permanent income hypothesis (REPIH) for Singapore using an alternative data set based upon real disposable income and real consumer expenditure. In contrast to Thornton, but in line with most other studies, we find anticipated income to be significant and interpret this as evidence against the REPIH.
The Land Tenure System and its Saving and Investment Mechanism: The Case of Modern China*
Authors: Wen Guanzhong James
Published: October 2007

The new land tenure system represents a compromise between efficiency and equality. On the one hand, the privatization of land use rights has eliminated the type of free‐rider problem observed under the commune system; on the other hand, egalitarianism reduced the transaction costs when land was first allocated to farmers after the dismantling of the commune system. However, this study shows that the main challenge to the efficiency and sustainability of the system is the task of developing a voluntary savings and investment mechanism to fill the vacuum left by the compulsory one that the commune system once had. The frequent reallocation or readjustment of village land, as is required by the system in response to the relative population changes among households, makes farmers feel insecure in their land use rights and agricultural investment, and leads to distortion in their investment and consumption.
Graphics Standards: The Pace Quickens
Authors: Straayer D H
Published: October 2007

In recent months the pace of standards development for computer graphics has quickened. One standard has been adopted, accepted, and has already demonstrated its effectiveness. Another has now achieved the status of Draft International Standard, and is becoming an American National Standard as well. Several companies have made public announcements of their support for standards, and there has been extensive press coverage. This paper shall attempt to place all of this activity in perspective.
A Method for Choosing Tickmarks on a Nonlinear Scale
Authors: Kjelldahl L.
Published: October 2007

The problem of choosing tickmarks for nonlinear scales is of interest for some kindsof diagrams, e.g., nomograms and contour plots. A method for getting “nice”values at the tickmarks is discussed based on a database of sequences. Each last digit inthe ticknumber has a set of tickmark sequences that may be used from the ticknumber. An implementation to test the method has been made.
A New Method Of Curve Parameterization with Applications in Computer Aided Design
Authors: Bez H E , Filipe A
Published: October 2007

A new method of parameterization, based on areas, is suggested and some results obtained for planar cubic curves are presented and compared with standard methods. The new technique provides a “tight” interpolant, is axis independent and offers shape control via a set of off geometry data points (henceforth called poles) relative to which areas are computed. A simple algorithm for the computation of initial pole positions is given (this is based on obtaining agreement with a standard parameterized curve on the same data and with identical geometrical end conditions). Some additional properties of the parameterization are discussed including its limiting behaviour and its applicability to function drawing.
Colour Gradation, Shading and Texture Using a Limited Terminal
Authors: Magnetat‐Thalmann N , Chourot N , Thalmann D
Published: October 2007

This paper presents a method of colouring pictures by using three kinds of gradation techniques: gradation from a figure to a point, gradation from a figure to a line segment and gradation from a figure to another figure. Intermediate figures are computed by homothesis or interpolation. The gradation is obtained by colouring these intermediate figures. The colours are simulated by using programmed pattern. This approach has allowed us to produce realistic images with a hardware device that is not very good for these types of applications. because of its restricted intensity and colour capabilities. Colour distribution algorithms and gradation techniques are explained in detail. A few examples with shading and texture are shown.
IDECAP Interactive Pictorial Information System for Demographic and Environmental Planning Applications
Authors: van den Bos J. , van Naelten M. , Teunissen W.
Published: October 2007

IDECAP is a database type information system. It is different from regular database systems as the information is mainly presented via thematic maps displayed on a graphics screen. Retrieval of information is usually achieved by means of graphical interaction with these images. The system utilizes interaction techniques and systems software from interactive computer graphics, using vector graphic and colour raster graphic stations for output. The present databank contains data based on grids and polygonal data. The system is being applied, but not restricted, to the Dutch 1971 Census data and the 1978 land use data. It allows the mapping of grid variables against a topographic background. Areas of interest can be investigated in detail by zooming in on a window drawn on the graphics screen by the user. Maps can be adjusted by user‐definable class distributions shown in the form of histograms with standard deviations.
Two Algorithms for Decomposing a Polyhedron into Convex Parts
Authors: Szilvási‐Nagy M.
Published: October 2007

Two algorithms are presented for splitting a polyhedron into convex components: one for the case of a simple polyhedron and one for a more general case, when the polyhedron may have ring‐shaped faces and cavities. The time requirement in both cases is O(DNlogN), where D is the number of concave dihedral angles and N is the number of edges. The algorithm for the simple oasis produces at most D+ 1 convex pieces which is the minimal number of the convex components.
Biom orphs: Computer Displays of Biological Forms Generated from Mathematical Feedback Loops
Authors: Pickover C.A.
Published: October 2007

A computer graphics algorithm is used to create complicated forms resembling invertebrate organisms. These natural morphologies are generated through the iteration of mathematical transformations. Several illustrations are chosen as examples of the diversity of biological structures which result from this technique.
Reconstruction of 3D Objects from Orthographic Projections
Authors: Gu Kaining , Tang Zesheng , Sun Jiaguang
Published: October 2007

An algorithm for automatic reconstruction of 3D objects from their orthographic projections is presented in this paper. It makes some improvements to, and complements the, Wesley‐Markowsky algorithm, which is a typical hierarchical reconstruction algorithm limited to polyhedral objects, and extracts the idea of pattern recognition expressed in the Aldefeld algorithm. It is shown in theory by analysis and in practice by implementation that the proposed algorithm successfully rejected pathological cases and found all solutions with the same set of orthographic views. Compared with the existing algorithms presented in references, this algorithm covers some more complex cases of objects incorporating cylinders.
Scan Converting Extruded Lines at Ultra High Definition
Authors: Willis Philip , Watters Geoff
Published: October 2007

We consider the problem of generating freehand raster graphics pictures at ultra high definition (typically one gigapixel per picture) by scan converting extruded lines. We describe a fast scan conversion algorithm which is linear in final resolution and which incorporates a number of features to ensure high efficiency. Sample pictures and corresponding performance figures are included.
First Impressions of NeWS
Authors: Roberts W. , Slater M. , Drake K. , Simmins A. , Davison A. , Williams P.
Published: October 2007

The SUN Microsystems Network Extensible Window System (NeWS) is a display system that uses the PostScript page description language to provide fully device independent screen and input manipulation as a network service. This system has been available in the UK as a beta test product since April 1987 and this paper reports the work done with NeWS at Queen Mary College. A general introduction to NeWS is given, together with some more detailed information and reports of what each author has been doing with the system. We will try to predict the future of NeWS and its main rival (the MIT X‐Windows system) and to suggest changes to the NeWS beta product that will be necessary for it to realise its potential.
The Use of Digital Signal Processors in Computer Graphics
Authors: Bland D. , Bonnet T.
Published: October 2007

The geometric processing stage in a computer graphic system is generally realised in VLSI or dedicated hardware, this paper describes the use of a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). By using a programmable DSP the hardware design effort is displaced into software. Using a single DSP in a co‐processor configuration the speed of the vertex processing stage within the geometric processor is increased by a factor of five compared to a high performance microprocessor. The use of DSPs in a multi‐processor system is also discussed.