bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reporting adverse events in randomized controlled trials
Authors: Nuovo Jim , Sather Curtis
Published: September 2006

Purpose

How randomized controlled trial results are reported may minimize concerns and detection of adverse side effects. We aimed to describe the methods of reporting adverse events in these published trials.

Methods

Five frequently cited journals were investigated: Annals of Internal Medicine, British Medical Journal, JAMA, The Lancet, and the New England Journal of Medicine. For each journal, all randomized controlled trials conducted on the use of a medication were selected from January 2000 through June 2003. All issues of each journal were reviewed manually. Information retrieved included any mention of adverse events in the abstract, methods, results, or discussion section of the article; or inclusion of adverse events data in tables or figures. We also cataloged whether there was a separate subheading in the results section for reporting adverse events. Reports of trials that referred to methods described in a previous report were excluded.

Results

There were 521 eligible articles. Explicit mention of adverse events was in 328 (63%) of abstracts (range 47–66%), 380 (73%) of methods (range 51–81%), 464 (89%) of results (range 80–95%), and 250 (48%) of tables (range 31–49%). There was a separate subheading for adverse events in 240 (46%) (range 22–64%) of the eligible articles.

Conclusion

There is variation among authors and journals as to the location of reporting adverse events and the means by which it is done. Authors and editors should include specific information on adverse events when reporting the results of randomized controlled trials. It would be ideal if there was more consistency among authors and journals as to how these adverse events are described. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of beta‐2 agonists and risk of hip/femur fracture: a population‐based case‐control study
Authors: de Vries Frank , Pouwels Sander , Bracke Madelon , Leufkens Hubert G.M. , Cooper Cyrus , Lammers Jan‐Willem J. , van Staa Tjeerd‐Pieter
Published: September 2006

Introduction

Administration of beta‐2 agonists decreased bone mineral density in rats. But the association between bronchodilators and fracture risk has not been studied in humans.

Objectives

To examine the association between use of beta‐2 agonists and risk of hip/femur fracture.

Methods

We conducted a population‐based case‐control study (6763 cases) in the Dutch PHARMO database. Current beta‐2 agonist use was compared to never use. We adjusted for severity of the underlying respiratory disease and disease and drug history.

Results

A hospitalisation for asthma/COPD in the year before index date increased risk of hip/femur fracture: crude OR 2.17 (95% CI, 1.41–3.34). Patients using higher doses of beta‐2 agonists had increased risk of hip/femur fracture: crude OR 1.94 (95% CI, 1.41–2.66) for daily dosages of ≥1600 µg albuterol equivalent. The excess fracture risk reduced after adjustment for disease severity (1.46; 95% CI, 1.02–2.08) and after exclusion of oral glucocorticoid users (1.31; 95% CI, 0.80–2.15). Risk of hip/femur fracture was similar between users of beta‐2 agonists, inhaled glucocorticoids and anticholinergics.

Conclusion

We found increases in the risk of hip/femur fracture in patients using higher doses of beta‐2 agonists. However, the excess risk of hip/femur fracture substantially reduced after exclusion of oral glucocorticoid users and after adjustment for the underlying disease. Risk of hip/femur fracture was similar between users of beta‐2 agonists, inhaled glucocorticoids and anticholinergics. The severity of the underlying disease, rather than the use of beta‐2 agonists, may play an important role in the aetiology of hip/femur fractures in patients using beta‐2 agonists. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complete blindness after optic neuropathy induced by short‐term linezolid treatment in a patient suffering from muscle dystrophy
Authors: Azamfirei Leonard , Copotoiu Sanda‐Maria , Branzaniuc Klara , Szederjesi Janos , Copotoiu Ruxandra , Berteanu Cristina
Published: September 2006

We present a case of severe optic neuropathy following linezolid treatment, which led to complete irreversible blindness, in a patient with progressive muscular dystrophy, treated with linezolid for 16 days for methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia. Interruption of antibiotic therapy did not lead to remission of ocular symptoms. Administration of linezolid may lead to severe neuropathy even in the case of short‐term treatment. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
IDEA 2004: Anticipated implications for clinical practice—integrating assessment and intervention
Authors: Holdnack James A. , Weiss Lawrence G.
Published: September 2006

The renewal, modification, and ratification of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA; 2004) produced a number of changes in legislation, particularly in the identification for children with specific learning disabilities (SLDs). In particular, the requirement that a child must evidence a severe discrepancy between intellectual functioning and academic performance has been modified to allow for a more flexible approach to SLD determination. The rules and regulations providing guidelines for implementation have yet to be completed, leaving many administrators and psychologists speculating on how to incorporate the recommendation that response to intervention (RTI) procedures be incorporated into their current protocols. Given the substantial anti‐assessment lobbying by RTI proponents, it may appear that the law has changed significantly to the point that comprehensive assessments are not required to determine eligibility for any disabling condition, particularly SLDs. This article reviews historical trends influencing the current legislation, from the inception of the use of ability–achievement discrepancy, the misconceptions that ability–achievement discrepancy and comprehensive assessment are equivalent, and vilification of intellectual assessment to the powerful, inside lobbying forces. In conclusion, we address what the law really says about assessment and RTI, and how these two procedures need to be integrated as a best practice for children but also to adhere to the legislative mandate of IDEA. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 871–882, 2006.
Response to intervention and the identification of specific learning disabilities: Why we need comprehensive evaluations as part of the process
Authors: Ofiesh Nicole
Published: September 2006

The purpose of this article is to underscore why we need to maintain the presence of comprehensive evaluations in the identification of students with specific learning disabilities (SLDs). Response to intervention (RTI) models hold great hope for early instruction, and the reduction of the overrepresentation of students in special education who are minorities or who are culturally and linguistically diverse; however, new regulations under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA; 2004) allow for the identification of individuals with SLDs based on an individual's response to instruction. The regulations provide states the option to include standardized testing as part of the RTI model. This approach was proposed as a solution to the widely criticized aptitude–achievement discrepancy formula; however, the unfortunate result could be to simultaneously remove the comprehensive evaluation, an important part of SLD identification. Eliminating the aptitude–achievement discrepancy formula from the identification of SLDs should not be construed as negating the necessity of a comprehensive evaluation (i.e., the need to identify problems in one or more basic psychological processes). Response to intervention models without a comprehensive evaluation cannot provide the evidence needed to identify students with SLDs or to provide protections to appropriately transition students with SLDs from high school to postsecondary services. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 883–888, 2006.
Critical issues for the diagnosis of learning disabilities in the adult population
Authors: Gregg Noel , Coleman Chris , Davis Mark , Lindstrom William , Hartwig Jennifer
Published: September 2006

Response to intervention (RTI) has little application to the identification of and access to accommodations for adults with learning disabilities (LD). However, the critical topics raised during the reauthorization of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA; 2004) pertaining to LD eligibility criteria are similar to ongoing concerns about the provision of appropriate accommodations for adults. The real issues being challenged include three major points: (a) the relation of LD to achievement, (b) the role of clinical judgment in eligibility criteria, and (c) the purpose of diagnostic assessments. Study of the adult population is critical to a better understanding of the issues surrounding the diagnosis of LD. A review of recent research with the adult population will provide the basis for our support of the use of specific cognitive and linguistic processing measures in the diagnostic methodology for LD. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 889–899, 2006.
And never the twain shall meet: Can response to intervention and cognitive assessment be reconciled?
Authors: Willis John O. , Dumont Ron
Published: September 2006

Arguments between response to intervention (RTI) with curriculum‐based measurement (CBM) and traditional, individual psychoeducational assessments encourage a false dichotomy between alternatives that are not mutually exclusive, but complementary. This article discusses strengths and weaknesses of both approaches, touches on current legislative issues, and suggests that judicious, appropriate use of both types of assessment enhances the value of each. Initial identification of students who might need specialized instruction is better done with CBM than with individual psychoeducational assessments. RTI approaches would usually be more efficient than individual assessments and should reduce the need for such assessments. However, when RTI does not solve the problem or there are multiple, severe, and complex referral concerns, individual psychoeducational assessments are still essential. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 901–908, 2006.
The impact of parental cancer on the adolescent: an analysis of the literature
Authors: Grabiak Beth R. , Bender Catherine M. , Puskar Kathryn R.
Published: September 2006

Research has revealed the impact of the diagnosis of cancer on an individual, their spouse, and their family. One dimension that has received little attention is the impact of the cancer diagnosis on the patient's adolescent. This article offers an analysis of descriptive studies, intervention studies, and databased book chapters, published between 1966 and 2006, that examined the impact of parental cancer on the adolescent. The results of 45 studies and three databased book chapters are organized around four themes: adolescents' (1) emotions and behaviors (2) perceptions and knowledge of parental cancer (3) changes in roles and (4) ways of coping. These themes will assist the reader in understanding the application of the knowledge gained from the analysis of the literature to directions for future research. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preferences of cancer patients regarding the disclosure of bad news
Authors: Fujimori Maiko , Akechi Tatsuo , Morita Tatsuya , Inagaki Masatoshi , Akizuki Nobuya , Sakano Yuji , Uchitomi Yosuke
Published: September 2006

To understand patients' preferences regarding the disclosure of bad news is important in the clinical oncology setting. The aim of this study was to clarify descriptively the preferences of cancer patients. Five hundred and twenty‐nine Japanese cancer outpatients were surveyed regarding their preferences regarding the disclosure of bad news, and several psychosocial and medical demographic variables were analyzed. In a descriptive analysis, more than 90% of the patients strongly preferred to discuss their current medical condition and treatment options with their physician and to have their physicians take the feelings of their family into consideration as well. While half of the patients preferred to receive information regarding their life expectancy, 30% preferred not to receive it. Multiple regression analyses indicated the preferences showing interindividual variations were associated with the level of education and the mental adjustment to cancer scores. A factor analysis revealed four preferences factors: method of disclosure of the bad news, provision of emotional support, provision of additional information, and setting. These four factors had good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.93−0.77). Providing emotional support, including the desire for the physician to show consideration for the patient's family, and understanding an individual's communication preferences may be useful for promoting patient–physician communication. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intrinsically unstructured N‐terminal domain of bZIP transcription factor HY5
Authors: Yoon Mi‐Kyung , Shin Jieun , Choi Giltsu , Choi Byong‐Seok
Published: September 2006

The Arabidopsis HY5 protein is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor that promotes photomorphogenesis. HY5 binds directly to the promoters of light responsible element containing the G‐box and thus regulates their transcriptional activity. The level and activity of HY5 are negatively regulated, in a light‐dependent manner, by interaction with the COP1 protein, which targets HY5 for proteasome‐mediated degradation in the nucleus. Despite its essential roles in plant development, no structural information exists for HY5. In this article, we report the first structural and biophysical characterization of HY5. Using limited proteolysis in combination with mass spectrometry, circular dichroism, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we have deduced that the N‐terminal 77 amino acids of HY5 form a premolten globular structure, while amino acids 78–110, which constitute the basic region (BR) of the protein, exist in a molten globule state. Our studies also revealed that the overall structural features of full‐length HY5 are dominated largely by the disordered N‐terminal domain, despite the existence of a bZIP domain at its C‐terminus. We propose that HY5 is a member of the intrinsically unstructured protein (IUP) family, and that HY5 functions as an unstructured protein and benefits from being the same, in vivo. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Docking of human interleukin‐15 to its specific receptor α chain: Correlation between molecular modeling and mutagenesis experimental data
Authors: Quéméner Agnès , Bernard Jérôme , Mortier Erwan , Plet Ariane , Jacques Yannick , Tran Vinh
Published: September 2006

A structural model of the sushi domain of IL‐15Rα was first obtained by homology modeling to study its interactions with IL‐15 by means of molecular modeling, peptide scanning, and site‐directed mutagenesis. From these experimental data, a putative interacting surface of IL‐15Rα with a previously published IL‐15 model was inferred: Leu25, Leu44, and Glu46 of IL‐15 and Arg35 of IL‐15Rα were found to be key interfacial residues and were subsequently used as filters for the construction of docking solutions. Human IL‐15/IL‐15Rα complexes were constructed in two stages, with a preliminary docking procedure, treating the two partners as rigid bodies and using these filters. In this first stage, two classes of docking solutions were characterized. From a topological point of view, each solution could be derived from the other by reverse orientation of one partner in relation to the other. In a second stage, several further energy refinements clearly favored one solution. Moreover, this unique docking solution was confirmed by molecular modeling of IL‐15 mutants previously built and tested in our laboratory. Finally, this complex model, which is a useful tool to study the IL‐15/IL‐15Rα interface, was topologically compared to IL‐2/IL‐2Rα complexes (previous model in the literature and recent crystal structure). Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Computational and experimental approaches for assessing the interactions between the model calycin β‐lactoglobulin and two antibacterial fluoroquinolones
Authors: Eberini Ivano , Fantucci Piercarlo , Rocco Alessandro Guerini , Gianazza Elisabetta , Galluccio Lara , Maggioni Daniela , Ben Ilaria Dal , Galliano Monica , Mazzitello Rosalba , Gaiji Noura , Beringhelli Tiziana
Published: September 2006

Norfloxacin and levofloxacin, two fluoroquinolones of different bulk, rigidity and hydrophobicity taken as model ligands, were docked to one apo and two holo crystallographic structures of bovine β‐lactoglobulin (BLG) using different computational approaches. BLG is a member of the lipocalin superfamily. Lipocalins show a typical b‐barrel structure encompassing an internal cavity where small hydrophobic molecules are usually bound. Our studies allowed the identification of two putative binding sites in addition to the calyx. The rigid docking approximation resulted in strong repulsive forces when the ligands were docked into the calyx of the apo form. On the contrary, hindrance was not experienced in flexible docking protocols whether on the apo or on the holo BLG forms, due to allowance for side chain rearrangement. Ki between 10−7 and 10−6 M were estimated for norfloxacin at pH 7.4, smaller than 10−5 M for levofloxacin. Spectroscopic and electrophoretic techniques experimentally validated the occurrence of an interaction between norfloxacin and BLG. Changes in chemical shift and dynamic parameters were observed between the 19F NMR spectra of the complex and of the ligand. A Ki (ca 10−7 M) comparable with the docking results was estimated through a NMR relaxation titration. Stabilization against unfolding was demonstrated by denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis on the complex versus apo BLG. NMR experimental evidence points to a very loose interaction for ofloxacin, the racemic mixture containing levofloxacin. Furthermore, we were able to calculate in silico Ki's comparable to the published experimental values for the complexes of palmitic and retinoic acid with BLG. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Crystal structure of uncleaved L‐aspartate‐α‐decarboxylase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Gopalan Gayathri , Chopra Sidharth , Ranganathan Anand , Swaminathan Kunchithapadam
Published: September 2006

L‐aspartate‐α‐decarboxylase (ADC) is a critical regulatory enzyme in the pantothenate biosynthetic pathway and belongs to a small class of self‐cleaving and pyruvoyl‐dependent amino acid decarboxylases. The expression level of ADC in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) was confirmed by cDNA analysis, immunoblotting with an anti‐ADC polyclonal antibody using whole cell lysate and immunoelectron microscopy. The recombinant ADC proenzyme from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtbADC) was overexpressed in E. coli and the protein structure was determined at 2.99 Å resolution. The proteins fold into the double‐ψ β‐barrel structure. The subunits of the two tetramers (there are eight ADC molecules in the asymmetric unit) form pseudo fourfold rotational symmetry, similar to the E. coli ADC proenzyme structure. As pantothenate is synthesized in microorganisms, plants, and fungi but not in animals, structure elucidation of Mtb ADC is of substantial interest for structure‐based drug development. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alice: An information‐rich autonomous vehicle for high‐speed desert navigation
Authors: Cremean Lars B. , Foote Tully B. , Gillula Jeremy H. , Hines George H. , Kogan Dmitriy , Kriechbaum Kristopher L. , Lamb Jeffrey C. , Leibs Jeremy , Lindzey Laura , Rasmussen Christopher E. , Stewart Alexander D. , Burdick Joel W. , Murray Richard M.
Published: September 2006

This paper describes the implementation and testing of Alice, the California Institute of Technology's entry in the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge. Alice utilizes a highly networked control system architecture to provide high performance autonomous driving in unknown environments. Innovations include a vehicle architecture designed for efficient testing in harsh environments, a highly sensory‐driven approach to fuse sensor data into speed maps used by real‐time trajectory optimization algorithms, health and contingency management algorithms to manage failures at the component and system level, and a software logging and display environment that enables rapid assessment of performance during testing. The system successfully completed several runs in the National Qualifying Event, but encountered a combination of sensing and control issues in the Grand Challenge Event that led to a critical failure after traversing approximately 8 miles. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intelligent off‐road navigation algorithms and strategies of Team Desert Buckeyes in the DARPA Grand Challenge 2005
Authors: Chen Qi , Özgüner Ümit
Published: September 2006

This paper describes one aspect of our approach in developing an intelligent off‐road autonomous vehicle, the Intelligent Off‐Road Navigator (ION), as Team Desert Buckeyes from the Ohio State University for the DARPA Grand Challenge 2005. The real‐time navigation is one of the critical components in an autonomous ground vehicle system. In this paper, we focus on the navigation module, whose main responsibility is to generate smooth and obstacle‐free local paths with appropriate speed setpoints. For the smooth path generation, we introduce a polynomial interpolation method. To generate obstacle‐free paths, a steering controller utilizing a fuzzy obstacle avoidance algorithm is presented. A speed fuzzy controller is introduced to generate the speed setpoints. These two fuzzy controllers collaborate with each other to guide our vehicle ION to the goal safely. The obstacle avoidance algorithm proposed in this paper was also tested in simulations and on small robots successfully. Other issues related to the navigation module are discussed in the paper as well, such as the vehicle's system structure and its finite state machine. As a result, ION achieved great performance in the National Qualification Event, covered about 30 miles in the Nevada Desert with complete autonomous operations, and finished 10th in the Grand Challenge 2005. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prospect Eleven: Princeton University's entry in the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge
Authors: Atreya Anand R. , Cattle Bryan C. , Collins Brendan M. , Essenburg Benjamin , Franken Gordon H. , Saxe Andrew M. , Schiffres Scott N. , Kornhauser Alain L.
Published: September 2006

This paper describes Princeton University's approach to the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge, an off‐road race for fully autonomous ground vehicles. The system, Prospect Eleven, takes a simple approach to address the problems posed by the Grand Challenge, including obstacle detection, path planning, and extended operation in harsh environments. Obstacles are detected using stereo vision, and tracked in the time domain to improve accuracy in localization and reduce false positives. The navigation system processes a geometric representation of the world to identify passable regions in the terrain ahead, and the vehicle is controlled to drive through these regions. Performance of the system is evaluated both during the Grand Challenge and in subsequent desert testing. The vehicle completed 9.3 miles of the course on race day, and extensive portions of the 2004 and 2005 Grand Challenge courses in later tests. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Virginia Tech's twin contenders: A comparative study of reactive and deliberative navigation
Authors: Leedy Brett M. , Putney Joseph S. , Bauman Cheryl , Cacciola Stephen , Michael Webster J. , Reinholtz Charles F.
Published: September 2006

There are two commonly accepted paradigms for organizing intelligence in robotic vehicles, namely, reactive and deliberative. Although these paradigms are well known to researchers, there are few published examples directly comparing their development and application on similar vehicles operating in similar environments. Virginia Tech's participation, with two nearly identical vehicles in the DARPA Grand Challenge, afforded a practical opportunity for such a case study. The two Virginia Tech vehicles, Cliff and Rocky, proved capable of off‐road navigation, including road following and obstacle avoidance in complex desert terrain. Under the conditions of our testing, the reactive paradigm developed for Cliff produced smoother paths and proved to be more reliable than the deliberative paradigm developed for Rocky. The deliberative method shows great promise for planning feasible paths through complex environments, but it proved unnecessarily complex for the desert road navigation problem posed by the Grand Challenge. This case study, while limited to two specific software implementations, may help to shed additional light on the tradeoffs and performance of competing approaches to machine intelligence. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MITRE Meteor: An off‐road autonomous vehicle for DARPA's Grand Challenge
Authors: Grabowski Robert , Weatherly Richard , Bolling Robert , Seidel David , Shadid Michael , Jones Ann
Published: September 2006

The MITRE Corporation's (McLean, VA) Meteor team fielded an autonomous vehicle that competed in DARPA's 2005 Grand Challenge race. This paper describes the team's approach to building its robotic vehicle, the vehicle and components that let the vehicle see and act, and the computer software that made the vehicle autonomous. Also presented are details of how the team prepared for the race and how their vehicle performed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Seeking balance in graduate school: A realistic expectation or a dangerous dilemma?
Authors: Brus Chris Peterson
Published: September 2006

With the significant increase in graduate students characterized as nontraditional, challenges associated with balance have become more prominent. The author explores issues of work‐life balance, institutional ownership, and the chilly climate, each of which can contribute to negative academic outcomes.
Principles for good practice in graduate and professional student engagement
Authors: Pontius Jason L. , Harper Shaun R.
Published: September 2006

Student engagement represents a critical benchmark of educational effectiveness for graduate as well as undergraduate students. This chapter presents seven principles for good practice in engaging and connecting graduate and professional students to the larger campus community and provides examples of exemplary programs.
The hidden curriculum in medical and law schools: A role for student affairs professionals
Authors: McGuire Linda A. , Phye Julie
Published: September 2006

This chapter discusses responsibilities for student affairs professionals in law and medical schools. It poses that student affairs staff are particularly suited to teach the hidden curriculum of the professional schools, described as inculcating professional values. The chapter ends with four strategies for such instruction.
Graduate student centers: Building community and involving students
Authors: Brandes Lisa C. O.
Published: September 2006

Defined as space, programs, staff, and involved students, graduate student centers build community among and create engagement for graduate students while also providing necessary services. This chapter explores the potential of graduate student centers to improve graduate education.
Throwing pebbles at Stonehenge: Advocating for graduate and professional students
Authors: Guentzel Melanie J. , Nesheim Becki Elkins
Published: September 2006

Several common themes across chapters are discussed and implications for practice and research are offered.
Simultaneous mobility: analytical framework, theorems and solutions
Authors: Daniel Wong K. , Dutta A. , Schulzrinne H. , Young K.
Published: September 2006

The original Mobile IP (MIP) protocol does not perform Route Optimisation but uses Home Agents to forward traffic. Thus, it does not have problems with simultaneous mobility, that is, the special case when both end hosts are mobile and move at about the same time. However, MIP for IPv6 (MIPv6) uses binding updates that are sent directly to a correspondent node. Session Initiation Protocol based mobility management (SIPMM) and MIP with location registers (MIP‐LR) also use direct binding updates between a mobile host and a correspondent node. Thus, MIPv6, MIP‐LR and SIPMM are vulnerable to the simultaneous mobility problem. In this paper, we analyse the simultaneous mobility problem and solution mechanisms, and propose new ways for MIPv6, MIP‐LR and SIPMM to handle simultaneous mobility. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SIPv6 analyzer: an analysis tool for 3GPP IMS services
Authors: Chen Whai‐En , Sung Yueh‐Hsin , Lin Yi‐Bing
Published: September 2006

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defines IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem (IMS) to support IP‐based multimedia services. IMS utilizes protocols such as IP version 6 (IPv6), Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and Real‐time Transport Protocol (RTP) to deliver the multimedia content. This paper proposes an analysis tool referred to as SIPv6 Analyzer to investigate the IMS‐related protocols during IMS service deployment. The SIPv6 Analyzer not only dissects the protocol headers but also provides user‐friendly functions such as message flow generation and audio/video replay for IPv6, SIP, and RTP. We describe the design of the SIPv6 Analyzer and use examples to illustrate how it works. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Capacity optimizing channel allocation schemes for multi‐service cellular systems with mobile users
Authors: Yang Ming , Chong Peter H. J.
Published: September 2006

In this paper, we study the blocking and dropping probability of mobile users in the multi‐service cellular systems with mobile users. Based on the idea that different services may require different signal‐to‐interference ratios and different reuse factors, we proposed a channel allocation scheme calledchannel partitioningto support different services using different reuse factors. Under channel partitioning scheme, the channels in each cell are divided into two or more sets of channels and each set of the channels supports certain service, depending on the required reuse factor of the service. We first apply this channel partitioning with fixed channel allocation scheme called fixed channel partitioning (FCP), where a three‐dimensional Markov chain is developed to analyze the impact of the mobile user. After that a simpler model, which can estimate the numeric result from the closed‐form solution, is presented to make the analysis easier. In order to cater for the traffic variation between services and between cells, a dynamic channel partitioning with flexible channel combination scheme, called FDCP, is proposed to support multiple services. This FDCP tries to minimize the effect of assigned channels on the availability of channels for use in the interfering cells. The analysis and the simulation results show that for equal arrival rate of two services, the proposed FCP and FDCP scheme can provide about 32% and 54% improvement, respectively, in terms of grade of service as compared with conventional FCA scheme using a single reuse factor to support two services for the mobile users. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization of ethanol production from starch by an amylolytic nuclear petite Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain
Authors: Toksoy Öner Ebru
Published: September 2006

Ethanol fermentation characteristics of the 100% respiratory‐deficient nuclear petite amylolytic Saccharomyces cerevisiae NPB‐G strain was investigated in both shake‐flask and controlled bioreactor cultivation conditions, and comparison with the earlier reported results revealed 54.6% increase in ethanol yield. Efforts to improve the starch utilization rate by increasing the selection pressure or supplying the fermentation medium with glucose did not prevent the observed decrease in time‐dependent amylolytic activity. Response surface methodology (RSM) was then used as a statistical tool to optimize the initial yeast extract and starch contents of the medium, which resulted in a substantial increase in the stability of the expression plasmid in both the respiratory‐deficient NPB‐G and the parental respiratory‐sufficient WTPB‐G strains, with concomitant improvement in their amylolytic potentials. High ethanol yields on substrate values of the bioreactor cultures, which were very close to the theoretical yield, indicated that the amylolytic respiratory‐deficient NPB‐G strain was effective in the direct fermentation of starch into ethanol. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae S288C genome annotation: a working hypothesis
Authors: Fisk Dianna G. , Ball Catherine A. , Dolinski Kara , Engel Stacia R. , Hong Eurie L. , Issel‐Tarver Laurie , Schwartz Katja , Sethuraman Anand , Botstein David , Michael Cherry J.
Published: September 2006

The S. cerevisiae genome is the most well‐characterized eukaryotic genome and one of the simplest in terms of identifying open reading frames (ORFs), yet its primary annotation has been updated continually in the decade since its initial release in 1996 (Goffeau et al., 1996). The Saccharomyces Genome Database (SGD; www.yeastgenome.org) (Hirschman et al., 2006), the community‐designated repository for this reference genome, strives to ensure that the S. cerevisiae annotation is as accurate and useful as possible. At SGD, the S. cerevisiae genome sequence and annotation are treated as a working hypothesis, which must be repeatedly tested and refined. In this paper, in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the completion of the S. cerevisiae genome sequence, we discuss the ways in which the S. cerevisiae sequence and annotation have changed, consider the multiple sources of experimental and comparative data on which these changes are based, and describe our methods for evaluating, incorporating and documenting these new data. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applying a Theory of Change Approach to Interagency Planning in Child Mental Health
Authors: Hernandez Mario , Hodges Sharon
Published: September 2006

This paper describes the use of a theory of change approach to community‐based cross‐agency service planning for children with serious emotional disturbance and their families. Public agency planners in Contra Costa County, California used the theory of change approach to organize service planning for a population of youth who had been arrested and involved with juvenile probation. The theory of change process described in this paper links community outcomes with planned activities with the assumptions or principles that underlie the community planning efforts. When complete, a theory of change logic model can serve as a guide for implementation, ensuring that community plans for service delivery remain true to their intent. The theory of change development process includes twelve stages and is based on a step‐by‐step approach. Theory of change logic models establish a context for articulating a community's shared beliefs and prompt local stakeholders to establish logical connections between the population to be served, expected results, and strategies intended to achieve those results.
YIELD AND QUALITY OF RED STIGMAS FROM DIFFERENT SAFFRON STRAINS AT CONTRASTING MEDITERRANEAN SITES
Authors: YAU S. K. , NIMAH M. , TOUFEILI I.
Published: September 2006

Three different saffron strains (Crocus sativus, C. sativus var. ‘cashmerianus’ and C. cartwrightianus) were tested for two years in field experiments to study their red stigma yield and quality. The experiments were performed at a high-elevation (rainfed or irrigated) site and a coastal site in Lebanon. On average, the two C. sativus strains gave more flowers and stigma yield than C. cartwrightianus. The former was more productive in the more favourable environments, especially at the warmer coastal site, than the latter. C. sativus ‘cashmerianus’, which yielded better at the coastal site in 2004 and gave a stronger colour strength and aroma, appeared to be the better choice for the area. Mean yield at the coastal site was twice that at the non-irrigated high-elevation site. On average, saffron produced at the coastal site had more colouring strength and bitterness than that produced at the high-elevation site. Nevertheless, viable commercial saffron production may still be possible in the semi-arid, high-elevation Bekaa Valley if irrigation can be provided.
SUSTAINABLE MAIZE PRODUCTION USING GLIRICIDIA/MAIZE INTERCROPPING IN SOUTHERN MALAWI
Authors: AKINNIFESI F. K. , MAKUMBA W. , KWESIGA F. R.
Published: September 2006

Maize production in Malawi is limited by high costs and sub-optimal use of chemical fertilizers under continuous cultivation. A long-term gliricidia/maize trial was undertaken on a Ferric Lixisol from 1991/92 to 2001/02. The purpose of the study was to assess the performance of a gliricidia/maize intercropping system as a low-input soil fertility replenishment option in southern Malawi. The experiment was a 2 × 3 × 3 factorial design with three replications. Treatments included two maize cropping systems (with and without gliricidia trees), and three rates of inorganic N fertilizer (0, 24 and 48 N kg ha−1 representing 0, 25 and 50% of the national recommended N rate), and three rates of P fertilizer application (0, 20 and 40 P ha−1 representing 0, 50 and 100% of the recommended rate). No effect of P was detected on yield early in the trial, and this treatment was discontinued. The gliricidia pruning biomass did not decline after 10 years of intensive pruning, with strong correlation between tree biomass production and years after establishment (r = 0.91, p < 0.001). Application of gliricidia prunings increased maize yields by three times compared to the yield of unfertilized sole maize. Maize yield from the unfertilized gliricidia pruning treatment was superior to the yield from sole maize supplemented with a quarter or half the recommended N rate. The study confirmed that a gliricidia/maize intercropping system is a promising soil fertility replenishment option in southern Malawi and elsewhere in southern Africa.
ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI DYNAMICS IN CONTRASTING CROPPING SYSTEMS ON VERTISOL AND REGOSOL SOILS OF LOMBOK, INDONESIA
Authors: WANGIYANA W. , CORNISH P. S. , MORRIS E. C.
Published: September 2006

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may have a major role in phosphorus nutrition of crops in Lombok, where fertilizer use is low. As a start to understanding this role, AMF dynamics were monitored from the 1999 non-rice season to the end of the 1999/2000 rice season at 32 sites including dryland systems with no rice, upland rice and flooded systems with one or two rice crops per year in the rotation. Over all four systems, root colonization was greater in vertisol (22.3 % of roots) than in regosol (9.5 %) soil, possibly due to lower Bray-1 P content of the vertisol (6.2 v. 13.7 mg kg−1). Colonization was poor in flooded rice (3.1–5.1 %); at the same sampling times it was better in upland rice (10.6–13.4 %) and in non-rice crops growing in dryland systems (13.8–17.0 %). Therefore, the low colonization in flooded rice appeared to be the result of flooding, rather than the rice itself. Flooding also reduced transparent spore numbers, but sufficient inoculum appeared to survive flooding for plants in the following non-rice season to be well colonized (19–33 %) regardless of system. These non-flooded crops appear to replenish depleted AMF propagules.
PARTICIPATORY EVALUATION OF HORSEGRAM (MACROTYLOMA UNIFLORUM) VARIETIES AND THEIR ON-STATION RESPONSES TO ON-FARM SEED PRIMING IN EASTERN INDIA
Authors: VIRK D. S. , CHAKRABORTY M. , GHOSH J. , HARRIS D.
Published: September 2006

Horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) is sown late in the rainy season by resource-poor farmers in marginal, drought-prone areas of India. Sowing and early crop growth coincide with declining rainfall so crop establishment is often poor and yields are low. Horsegram is a ‘neglected’ crop and farmers' choice of varieties to grow is limited to poor-yielding landraces or to modern varieties for which access to seed is limited. In on-station trials, we compared the yield and relative merits over three years of seven varieties potentially suited to conditions in Jharkhand State and sown with or without priming by soaking seeds in water prior to sowing. Yield stability of the varieties was tested using data from these and five additional trials. Farmers' opinions were recorded during six participatory exercises based on farmers' trials, and their rankings were compared with those from the on-station evaluations. Significant variety × year interactions were observed and yield was generally inversely proportional to drought. Both linear and non-linear genotype × environment interactions were significant for all varieties. Variety BK 1 was the most desirable with stable yields across environments and a higher overall mean grain yield. Variety VLG 1 was unresponsive to more favourable environments but yielded more in the low yielding environments. However, it was the earliest to mature and was identified as a promising variety, which farmers preferred for its grain and brown seeds. This could be used to diversify farming systems with additional options for farmers. Although soaking seeds for 12 h was most effective in increasing germination in an in vitro study, soaking for 8 h before sowing increased emergence and final stand by 11 % and grain yield by 10 % averaged over all varieties and years. Soaking advanced flowering by 1.3 d and maturity by 1.9 d. All varieties responded positively to soaking and did so in all three years, although the response was stronger in drier years.
MINERAL NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND REMOVAL BY COWPEA, SOYBEAN AND MAIZE CULTIVARS IN WEST AFRICA, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR CARBON CYCLE EFFECTS ON SOIL ACIDIFICATION
Authors: RANDALL P. J. , ABAIDOO R. C. , HOCKING P. J. , SANGINGA N.
Published: September 2006

A field study of cowpea, soybean and maize was made at Ibadan, Nigeria, to determine the uptake of mineral nutrients and quantities removed in crop residues and seed. Concentrations of N, the major cations (K, Ca, Mg and Na) and major anions (P, S and Cl), and the micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) were determined in shoots harvested at flowering and maturity. Concentrations of excess cations in shoots at flowering were 135 cmolc kg−1 for soybean, 158 cmolc kg−1 for cowpea and 58 cmolc kg−1 for maize. In crop residues and seed at maturity, the values decreased to 75 and 56 cmolc kg−1 respectively for soybean, 68 and 27 cmolc kg−1 respectively for cowpea, and 52 and 10 cmolc kg−1 respectively for maize. Nutrient and excess cation concentrations were also measured in 13 soybean and eight cowpea lines grown in replicated field trials at Fashola in the derived savanna zone and Shika in the northern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria to assess the variation within these species. Maize, mucuna and lablab were included at these sites. The results are discussed in the context of soil nutrient depletion due to removal of nutrient elements in harvested seed and stover. The contribution of seed and stover removal to the proton (H+) budget and acidification of the soil is also discussed. It is estimated that the quantity of lime required to neutralize the acidity resulting from the removal of 1 t seed is 28 kg for soybean, 14 kg for cowpea and 5 kg for maize. The corresponding values for stover were soybean 35, cowpea 24 and maize 26 kg lime t−1 stover. Given the soil pH buffer capacity at the Ibadan site for the surface 16 cm, the yields obtained and assuming that seed and crop residues are removed, carbon cycle acidification would lead to a fall of 1 pH unit after 75 crops for soybean, 114 crops for cowpea and 68 crops for maize. The inclusion of legumes in cropping systems to increase N supply, and the use of P fertilizer to maximize N-fixation by legumes will raise production, but will inevitably accelerate removal of alkalinity and nutrients in harvested products, and the consequent decline in soil fertility. The data presented in this paper can be used in estimating the lime and fertilizer nutrients needed to maintain soil fertility and sustain yields.
Tinnitus
Authors: McFerran D J , Phillips J S
Published: September 2006

Chronic idiopathic subjective tinnitus is a common condition affecting around one in ten of the population at any given time. For the majority of people it is an annoyance rather than a major health issue but for approximately 0.5 per cent of the population tinnitus interferes with their ability to pursue a normal life. Modern theories of the pathogenesis of the condition concentrate on the central auditory system although the peripheral auditory system can be a trigger or ignition site for tinnitus. Although a cure remains elusive there are several good treatment strategies based on psychological and neurophysiological models of tinnitus that promote habituation to the symptom.
Analysis of 2167 head and neck cancer patients' management, treatment compliance and outcomes from a regional cancer centre, Delhi, India
Authors: Mohanti B K , Nachiappan P , Pandey R M , Sharma A , Bahadur S , Thakar A
Published: September 2006

Head and neck cancer care was analysed in 2167 unselected patients for management compliance and outcome. Median age was 55 years, with a male to female ratio of 5.5[ratio ]1. Major sites were oropharynx (32.4 per cent), larynx (19.8 per cent), oral (16.6 per cent) and hypopharynx (12.9 per cent). Stage-wise distribution was I–II=8.9 per cent, III=20.6 per cent and IV=60.3 per cent and unstaged=10.2 per cent. Squamous cell carcinoma was the dominant histology for 90.9 per cent. Clinic-based cancer-directed treatment decisions were made for 1905 patients: curative intent in 53 per cent, palliative in 35 per cent and for the remaining 262 (12 per cent) supportive care. Overall, 1209 (56 per cent) patients complied with the prescribed treatments; 62 per cent, 54 per cent, and 35 per cent of curative, palliative and supportive care intent groups, respectively. Modalities were radiotherapy alone (64.6 per cent), combined surgery with irradiation (17.6 per cent), and chemoradiotherapy (11.2 per cent). Median follow-up periods were 17.5 and three months in curative and palliative groups respectively. Overall, 712 (33 per cent) cases received curative therapy, with three-year disease-specific survival of 49 per cent. Patient compliance was a major obstacle. The comparison of this series with the USA, Canada and Norway showed wide disparities in stage of presentation and survival.
Resistance of Pseudomonas to ciprofloxacin: implications for the treatment of malignant otitis externa
Authors: Bernstein J M , Holland N J , Porter G C , Maw A R
Published: September 2006

For fifteen years oral ciprofloxacin has been the standard treatment for malignant otitis externa, a sometimes fatal osteomyelitis of the skull base usually caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Resistance to ciprofloxacin is developing. Over a 16-month period, we saw five cases where malignant otitis externa progressed, with the development of cranial nerve palsies in four cases, despite oral ciprofloxacin. Prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy became necessary. One case was managed largely as an out-patient, but four patients spent many weeks in hospital. Only two cases had diabetes and this was monitored and controlled. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated in four of the five cases, but antibiotic sensitivity to ciprofloxacin was not determined. In one case a later isolate was tested and found to be ciprofloxacin resistant. Progress was monitored by serial C-reactive protein (CRP) and white cell count. For diagnosis and assessing response to treatment we considered serial magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography more useful than isotope bone scan. There must be a readiness to use intravenous antibiotics, as a response to ciprofloxacin can no longer be assumed. Bacterial isolates must be tested for sensitivity to antibiotics including ciprofloxacin, and further biopsy and culture are essential if treatment fails.