bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antifungal agents – clinical pharmacokinetics and drug interactions
Authors: Lipp Hans‐Peter
Published: May 2008

Achievement of therapeutic drug levels appears to be mandatory when antifungal agents are used for the treatment of manifest mycoses. Based on the marked interindividual variability of trough levels, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring is of increasing concern during treatment with itraconazole, voriconazole or posaconazole. In addition, a broad spectrum of potential drug interactions has to be kept in mind during triazole treatment. In contrast, echinocandins reveal a more comfortable class of antifungal agents in this regard with no obvious incidence of nephrotoxic side effects compared to amphotericin B and its lipid formulations.
Empiric vs. preemptive antifungal treatment: an appraisal of treatment strategies in haematological patients
Authors: Rieger Christina T. , Ostermann Helmut
Published: May 2008

Neutropenic patients are at high risk to develop invasive fungal infections (IFI). Immediate antifungal treatment has been considered necessary for the treatment of these patients. However, only a minority of patients have ‘probable’ or ‘proven’ IFI according to EORTC‐/MSG‐criteria. The majority of the patients present with ongoing fever in neutropenia or ‘possible’ IFI only. To date, two treatment strategies are used for patients with fever in neutropenia and suspected IFI: empirical or preemptive antifungal therapy.

Both regimens are discussed controversially as there is no clear evidence as to which strategy is superior. Empirical treatment bears the danger of ‘overtreatment’ with potentially toxic and expensive drugs, whereas preemptive therapy may sometimes be initiated too late to work efficiently against fungal disease. This article reviews both treatment options and discusses advantages and draw‐backs of either strategy.
Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia in a patient with Wegener’s granulomatosis treated efficiently with caspofungin
Authors: Hof Herbert , Schnülle Peter
Published: May 2008

A patient with Wegener’s granulomatosis was on steroids (20 mg prednisolone per day) when he fell ill with an atypical pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis, which was diagnosed by detection of antigen in repeated bronchial lavage specimens. Because other treatment options were contraindicated, he received intravenous caspofungin starting with a loading dose of 70 mg and a maintenance dose of 50 mg daily over 3 weeks thereafter. The patient’s complaints subsequently resolved within days after initiation of treatment. Tolerability of the drug was excellent. No relapse occurred during the ongoing 4 years, although immunosuppressive therapy continued.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's experience when interacting with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale: A brief note
Authors: Campbell Alistair , Hayes Barbara , Buckby Beryl
Published: May 2008

Background:  The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is one of the most widely used screening instruments for maternal perinatal anxiety and depression. It has maintained its robust performance when translated into multiple languages, when used prenatally and when used with perinatal fathers; thus the tool is also known as the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS). However, there have been no published psychometric data on versions of the EPDS adapted for screening Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. We describe the development of ‘translations’ of the EPDS and report their basic psychometric properties.

Method:  During the Queensland arm of the beyondblue National Postnatal Depression Program (2001–2005), partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women were forged. At TAIHS’ stand alone “Mums and Babies” unit 181 women of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent were recruited into the study through their antenatal and postnatal visits and 25 were recruited at Mt Isa. Participants completed either the translation or the standard version of the EPDS both antenatally and postnatally.

Results:  The ‘translations’ of the EPDS demonstrated a high level of reliability. The was a strong correlation between the ‘translations’ and the EPDS. The ‘translations’ and the standard EPDS both identified high rates of women at risk of depression although the ‘translations’ identified higher rates.

Conclusion:  We argue that the ‘translation’ may have been a more accurate predictor of perinatal women at risk for depression, but acknowledge that a lack of validity evidence weakens this conclusion.
Profile of the rural allied health workforce in Northern New South Wales and comparison with previous studies
Authors: Smith Tony , Cooper Rod , Brown Leanne , Hemmings Rebecca , Greaves Julia
Published: May 2008

Objective:  To survey allied health professionals in one region of New South Wales.

Design:  A questionnaire designed to give a profile of the allied health workforce was mailed to 451 practitioners from 12 health professions between July and September 2005.

Setting:  The region included the upper Hunter Valley, Liverpool Plains, New England Tablelands and North‐west Slopes and Plains of New South Wales.

Main outcome measures:  The overall response was 49.8%, although the response rates varied between disciplines. Data were collected for a wide range of dependent variables.

Results:  Pharmacists were the most numerous respondents (21.8%), followed by physiotherapists (17.3%), psychologists (12.4%), radiographers (11.1%) and occupational therapists (10.6%). These five professions made up 73.3% of respondents. Approximately 75% of the sample worked in Rural, Remote and Metropolitan Areas (RRMA) 3 and 4 sized towns. The female to male ratio was 3:1. The mean age was 43 years, the average time since qualification was 20 years and the mean time in the current position was 10 years. Half of the respondents said they intended leaving within 5 years. Some 65% were of rural origin. The ratio of private to public sector employment was 0.75:1, with 64.0% working full‐time.

Conclusions:  Comparison is made between this and previous studies. The results highlight the need for further regional allied health workforce profiling and for a recruitment and retention strategy that targets new graduates of rural origin and encourages them to stay.
Association between low thigh fat and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Jun Dae Won , Han Jee Hye , Kim Sang Heum , Jang Eun Chul , Kim Nam In , Lee Jun Seok , Song Moon Hee , Kim Seung Hwan , Jo Yoon Ju , Park Young Sook
Published: May 2008

Background and Aim:  Some people have a fatty liver despite having low visceral fat and a low body mass index (BMI). We investigated whether fat distribution, especially thigh subcutaneous fat and thigh intramuscular fat, is associated with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods:  The patients consisted of 408 men and women. NAFLD was defined by an ultrasound scan and excluded other liver diseases. Visceral, subcutaneous abdominal, intramuscular, and subcutaneous thigh adipose tissue was measured by computed tomography.

Results:  The frequency of NAFLD decreased over a quartile of thigh fat independently of BMI in the female patients. Additional adjustments for age and visceral fat area did not change the results. This finding was not observed in the male patients. To investigate the relationship between each fat distribution and NAFLD, we performed a logistic regression analysis. Fat distribution was divided into four groups: visceral fat, abdominal subcutaneous fat, thigh subcutaneous fat, and thigh intramuscular fat. All four fat components were chosen as variables for the regression model. Age, BMI, and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index were then adjusted successively. A larger subcutaneous fat area was negatively associated with NAFLD after adjustment for visceral fat and abdominal subcutaneous fat areas in women, but not in men. It did not change even after age adjustment, BMI, and the HOMA index.

Conclusion:  Low femoral subcutaneous fat amounts were shown to be independently associated with fatty liver disease in women. These results show the importance of accurate measurements of other regional body compositions as well as visceral fat amounts when investigating NAFLD.
Prognostic significance of intestinal claudins in high‐risk synchronous and metachronous multiple gastric epithelial neoplasias after initial endoscopic submucosal dissection
Authors: Semba Shuho , Hasuo Tadateru , Satake Shinya , Nakayama Fumihito , Yokozaki Hiroshi
Published: May 2008

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is useful in en bloc curative resection and enables patients with early gastric carcinoma (GC) to have a better quality of life. But metachronous recurrence of GC at other sites in the stomach has become a major issue after initial ESD. The purpose of the present paper was to examine gastric (claudin‐18) and intestinal claudin (claudin‐3 and claudin‐4) expression in early GC on immunohistochemistry to clarify the association with clinicopathology, mucin phenotypes, microsatellite instability (MSI) status and the incidence of synchronous and metachronous gastric epithelial neoplasias after initial ESD. According to intestinal claudin expression, a total of 73 early GC were divided into two groups: intestinal claudin‐positive (I‐CLDN(+)) phenotype (n = 52; 71%); and intestinal claudin‐negative (I‐CLDN(–)) phenotype (n = 21; 29%). Although no significant association was found with clinicopathology and the MSI status, the I‐CLDN(+) early GC correlated with the mucin phenotypes and had a significantly higher incidence of synchronous and metachronous multiple GC and gastric adenomas (P = 0.049). These results indicate that early GC demonstrating I‐CLDN(+) phenotype have a high risk of synchronous and metachronous secondary gastric epithelial neoplasias.
Glomeruloid hemangioma
Authors: Yuri Takashi , Yamazaki Fumikazu , Takasu Kosho , Shikata Nobuaki , Tsubura Airo
Published: May 2008

A 64‐year‐old Japanese woman suffering from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was treated with prednisolone. During the course of steroid withdrawal she developed parotid gland enlargement and cervical lymph node swelling with multiple dome‐shaped red papules on her trunk and upper limbs. On admission the patient was found to have numbness of her lower limbs (polyneuropathy), lymph node swelling (organomegaly), high glucose level (endocrinopathy), Bence‐Jones protein‐κ in the urine (M protein) and skin with hyperpigmentation, hypertrichosis and multiple glomeruloid hemangiomas (skin abnormalities), indicating polyneuropathy–organomegaly–endocrinopathy–M‐protein–skin abnormality (POEMS) syndrome. The patient was also found to have peripheral edema, ascites, and pleural effusion. The glomeruloid hemangiomas had intravascular capillary growth, which was composed of conglomerates of capillaries resulting in structures resembling renal glomeruli. Cells within the capillary loops were lined by endothelial cells with scant cytoplasm (CD31+/CD34+/CD68‐/CD105+/UEA‐1+) while the outer surfaces of the loops were covered by either swollen endothelial cells containing PAS‐ and immunoglobulin‐positive eosinophilic hyaline globules (CD31+/CD34‐/CD68−/+/CD105‐/UEA‐1‐) or cells without globules. These two phenotypically different endothelial cells were separated by α‐smooth muscle actin‐positive pericytes. Pericytes and endothelial cells covering the outer surface of the loops were bordered by basement membrane. Biopsy of parotid gland and lymph node indicated Sjögren's syndrome and Castleman's disease of a hyaline‐vascular type, respectively. Resumed prednisolone therapy has been successful, and the patient was left with minimal residual symptoms. Glomeruloid hemangioma is a specific marker of POEMS syndrome and is related to Castleman's disease. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and Sjögren's syndrome may also be related.
Allelopathic effect of the root exudates of K21, a potent allelopathic rice
Authors: LEE HU WON , GHIMIRE SITA RAM , SHIN DONG HYUN , LEE IN JUNG , KIM KIL UNG
Published: May 2008

An inhibitory effect of the phenolic compounds released from the roots of K21, a newly bred potent allelopathic rice, was investigated in comparison to its male parent, Kouketsumochi, and its female parent, Dongjinbyeo. The inhibitory rates of the root exudates of K21 and both of its parents, collected at 5 day intervals, on the shoot growth of Echinochloa crus‐galli var. praticola exhibited an increasing trend from 19–34 days after seeding (DAS). However, the root exudates of K21, at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0%, showed a greater inhibitory effect than those of its female parent on the growth of E. crus‐galli var. praticola at the earlier collection dates. Nine phenolic compounds were identified; the total amount of phenolic compounds in the exudates increased from 19–34 DAS in both K21 and its male parent, but not much in the female parent. The subsequent increase in the amount of total phenolic compounds in the root exudates of the later investigation dates and the trend of increasing inhibitory rates on the shoot growth of E. crus‐galli var. praticola at higher exudate concentrations imply that the increased amount of phenolic acids in the root exudates of K21 secreted on the subsequent dates could be related to its greater allelopathic effects.
Absorption and translocation of glyphosate with conventional and organosilicone adjuvants
Authors: SINGH DEVESH , SINGH MEGH
Published: May 2008

This study was conducted to determine the effects of three organosilicone‐based and six conventional organic adjuvants on the absorption and translocation of 14C‐glyphosate in guineagrass and redroot pigweed. The organosilicone adjuvants produced rapid absorption of the 14C‐glyphosate into the redroot pigweed leaves, reaching maximum absorption within 0.5–1.0 h after application. The conventional adjuvants produced slower absorption of the 14C‐glyphosate, as the maximum absorption was not achieved until at least 24 h after application in redroot pigweed, remaining similar until 72 h. In guineagrass, the maximum absorption of the glyphosate was earlier than 24 h with the organosilicone‐based adjuvants, compared with longer times for the conventional adjuvants. The organosilicone‐based adjuvants also increased the glyphosate translocation in redroot pigweed, but not in guineagrass. Organosilicone adjuvants have the potential to provide greater rainfastness to glyphosate on redroot pigweed and, to a lesser extent, on guineagrass.
Multiple herbicide resistance in littleseed canarygrass (Phalaris minor): A threat to wheat production in India
Authors: CHHOKAR RAJENDER S. , SHARMA RAMESH K.
Published: May 2008

Littleseed canarygrass (Phalaris minor Retz.), a troublesome weed of wheat in India, has evolved multiple herbicide resistance across three modes of action: photosynthesis at the photosystem II site A, acetyl‐coA carboxylase (ACCase), and acetolactate synthase inhibition. The multiple herbicide‐resistant (MHR) populations had a low level of sulfosulfuron resistance but a high level of resistance to clodinafop and fenoxaprop (ACCase inhibitors). Some of the populations had GR50 (50% growth reduction) values for clodinafop that were 11.7‐fold greater than that of the most susceptible population. The clodinafop‐resistant populations also showed a higher level of cross‐resistance to fenoxaprop (fop group) but a low level of cross‐resistance to pinoxaden (den group). Although clodinafop and pinoxaden are from two different chemical families (fop and den groups), their same site of action is responsible for cross‐resistance behavior. The populations that were resistant to four groups of herbicides (phenylureas, sulfonylurea, aryloxyphenoxypropionate, and phenylpyrazolin) were susceptible to the triazine (metribuzin and terbutryn) and dinitroaniline (pendimethalin) herbicides. The P. minor populations that were resistant to the aryloxyphenoxypropionate and phenylurea herbicides were effectively controlled by the sulfonylurea herbicide, sulfosulfuron. In the fields infested with P. minor that was resistant to clodinafop, a sulfosulfuron application (25 g ha−1) increased the wheat yield by 99.2% over that achieved using the recommended rate of clodinafop (60 g ha−1). However, the evolution of multiple resistance against the four groups is a threat to wheat production. To prevent the spread of MHR P. minor populations, as well as the extension of multiple resistance to new chemicals, concerted efforts in developing and implementing a sound, integrated weed management program are needed. The integrated approach, consisting of crop and herbicide rotation with cultural and mechanical weed control tactics, should be considered as a long‐term resistance management strategy that will help to sustain wheat productivity and farmers' income.
Effect of the foliar application of diquat herbicide on selected natural area and field crop species
Authors: PURI ATUL , MACDONALD GREGORY E. , SHILLING DONN S. , HALLER WILLIAM T.
Published: May 2008

Field experiments were conducted to determine the non‐target impact of foliar‐applied diquat on selected plant species. Diquat was applied to emerged bracken fern, chain fern, slash pine, soybean, sunflower, cotton, corn, and onion at rates varying from 0.02–4.5 kg ai ha−1 of diquat cation, which allowed for the determination of the no‐effect rate and the rate that caused 25, 50, and 100% injury, as measured by visual injury ratings, plant heights, and dry weights. Bracken fern, chain fern, and slash pine were more tolerant to diquat and exhibited regrowth potential at the higher rates. The other six species were not only more susceptible to diquat, but they did not exhibit regrowth potential at high rates. However, these species were able to recover from slight injury caused by the lower rates of diquat.
Temporal scaling of bacterial taxa is influenced by both stochastic and deterministic ecological factors
Authors: Van Der Gast Christopher J. , Ager Duane , Lilley Andrew K.
Published: May 2008

Microorganisms operate at a range of spatial and temporal scales acting as key drivers of ecosystem properties. Therefore, many key questions in microbial ecology require the consideration of both spatial and temporal scales. Spatial scaling, in particular the species–area relationship (SAR), has a long history in ecology and has recently been addressed in microbial ecology. However, the temporal analogue of the SAR, the species–time relationship, has received far less attention even in the science of general ecology. Here we focus upon the role of temporal scaling in microbial ecological patterns by coupling molecular characterization of bacterial communities in discrete island (bioreactor) systems with a macroecological approach. Our findings showed that the temporal scaling exponent (slope), and therefore taxa turnover of the bacterial taxa–time relationship decreased as selective pressure (industrial wastewater concentration) increased. Also, as the concentration of industrial wastewater increased across the bioreactors, we observed a gradual switch from stochastic community assembly to more deterministic (niche)‐based considerations. The identification of broad‐scale statistical patterns is particularly relevant to microbial ecology, as it is frequently difficult to identify individual species or their functions. In this study, we identify wide‐reaching statistical patterns of diversity and show that they are shaped by the prevalent underlying ecological factors.
Persistence of improvement in insulin sensitivity following a dietary weight loss programme
Authors: McLaughlin T. , Schweitzer P. , Carter S. , Yen C.‐G. , Lamendola C. , Abbasi F. , Reaven G.
Published: May 2008

Aim:  Short‐term dietary weight loss can improve insulin resistance but long‐term studies are lacking. We sought to quantify the degree to which maintenance of weight loss after a short‐term dietary intervention was associated with persistent metabolic benefits.

Methods:  Fifty‐seven insulin‐resistant obese subjects had insulin‐mediated glucose disposal quantified through the steady‐state plasma glucose (SSPG) test, and associated metabolic risk markers quantified at baseline, after a 16‐week dietary weight loss intervention, and in 25 subjects, at follow‐up of 28.8 ± 13 months. Changes in metabolic variables over time were analysed and correlation with weight loss ascertained. Those with greatest vs. least long‐term SSPG response (responders vs. non‐responders) were compared. Multivariate analysis was performed for predictors of persistent SSPG response.

Results:  At follow‐up, the 25 subjects who returned for metabolic testing had, on average, maintained their weight loss. Insulin‐mediated glucose disposal remained significantly improved vs. baseline, as did plasma triglyceride and HDL cholesterol (HDL‐C) concentrations, and improvement correlated with total amount of weight lost. Comparison of SSPG responders to non‐responders showed no difference in amount of weight lost and SSPG change during the 16‐week dietary intervention; however, SSPG non‐responders regained 2.6% of weight lost, whereas responders lost an additional 1.5% at follow‐up (p < 0.05 vs. non‐responders). Non‐responders had baseline characteristics consistent with more severe insulin resistance, including higher fasting plasma glucose (p = 0.03). Long‐term SSPG change was independently predicted by both total weight loss (p = 0.005) and baseline fasting plasma glucose (p = 0.007).

Conclusions:  Improvement in insulin sensitivity is maintained for 2–3 years following dietary weight loss if weight is not regained. Triglyceride and HDL‐C concentrations also remain improved over time, consistent with improvement in insulin sensitivity. Fasting glucose and weight regain predict less long‐term response in insulin sensitivity. These results highlight the potential long‐term benefits of weight loss and importance of preventing weight regain among high‐risk individuals.
Analysis of complex protein kinase B signalling pathways in human prostate cancer samples
Authors: Jendrossek Verena , Henkel Marco , Hennenlotter Jörg , Vogel Ulrich , Ganswindt Ute , Müller Ilka , Handrick Rene , Anastasiadis Aristoteles G. , Kuczyk Markus , Stenzl Arnulf , Belka Claus
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVE

To provide a rational basis for targeted treatment approaches in prostate cancer deregulation of the phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) system was analysed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 45 patients with primary localized prostate cancer that underwent radical prostatectomy were included in the present study. Upon scoring of the pathological grade, expression and phosphorylation levels of PKB/Akt and relevant downstream targets were determined in tissue specimens by immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies against PTEN, PKB/Akt, its downstream targets, and the respective phosphorylated proteins.

RESULTS

Most patients (>90%) had up‐regulated expression and/or phosphorylation of PKB/Akt in the malignant tissue compared with the surrounding benign tissue, with a higher prevalence of increased phosphorylated PKB/Akt in patients with Gleason scores of ≥6 (100%) compared with those with Gleason scores of 4–5 (five of 13 patients), and in particular in patients with clinical progression. Up‐regulated phosphorylation of PKB/Akt occurred either in association with loss or inactivation of PTEN or in a PTEN‐independent manner. Enhanced phosphorylation levels of the PKB/Akt substrates glycogen synthase kinase 3, the mammalian target of rapamycin or the forkhead transcription factor like 1 (FKHRL1) were found in 29%, 42% and 40% of the tumours, respectively. Of these, only increased phosphorylated‐FKHRL1 levels correlated with clinical progression. Interestingly, 80% of patients had a notable overexpression but not phosphorylation of the eucaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein.

CONCLUSION

Deregulation of p‐PKB/Akt is common in localized prostate cancer and has a putative value as predictive marker for disease progression and as therapeutic target. However, as a consequence of the substantial heterogeneity in the expression and phosphorylation levels of relevant PKB/Akt effector pathways, for a rational use of specified inhibitors of the PI3K/PKB system a complex pattern testing of expression and activity of the respective target proteins for prediction of efficacy and prognosis seems mandatory.
Utility in Willingness to Pay Space: A Tool to Address Confounding Random Scale Effects in Destination Choice to the Alps
Authors: Scarpa Riccardo , Thiene Mara , Train Kenneth
Published: May 2008

We compare two approaches for estimating the distribution of consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) in discrete choice models. The usual procedure is to estimate the distribution of the utility coefficients and then derive the distribution ofWTP, which is the ratio of coefficients. The alternative is to estimate the distribution ofWTPdirectly. We apply both approaches to data on site choice in the Alps. We find that the alternative approach fits the data better, reduces the incidence of exceedingly large estimatedWTPvalues, and provides the analyst with greater control in specifying and testing the distribution ofWTP.
DEAF BY DESIGN: DISABILITY AND IMPARTIALITY
Authors: SHAW DAVID
Published: May 2008

In ‘Benefit, Disability and the Non‐Identity Problem’, Hallvard Lillehammer uses the case of a couple who chose to have deaf children to argue against the view that impartial perspectives can provide an exhaustive account of the rightness and wrongness of particular reproductive choices. His conclusion is that the traditional approach to the non‐identity problem leads to erroneous conclusions about the morality of creating disabled children. This paper will show that Lillehammer underestimates the power of impartial perspectives and exaggerates the ethical force of partial perspectives, which in turn commits him to providing weak justifications for the choice made by the couple in his example case.
The Growth Effects of National Patent Policies*
Authors: Dinopoulos Elias , Kottaridi Constantina
Published: May 2008

We construct a two‐country (innovative North and imitating South) model of product‐cycle trade, fully endogenous Schumpeterian growth, and national patent policies. A move towards harmonization based on stronger Southern intellectual property rights (IPR) protection accelerates the long‐run global rates of innovation and growth, reduces the North–South wage gap, and has an ambiguous effect on the rate of international technology transfer. Patent harmonization constitutes a suboptimal global‐growth policy. However, if the global economy is governed by a common patent policy regime, then stronger global IPR protection: (a) increases the rates of global innovation and growth; (b) accelerates the rate of international technology transfer; and (c) has no impact on the North–South wage gap.
Macroeconomic Interdependence with Trade and Multinational Activities
Authors: Cavallari Lilia
Published: May 2008

This paper examines how differences in the integration strategies followed by firms active in foreign markets affect the way productivity and policy shocks spread their effects worldwide. The analysis incorporates costly trade and local sales by multinational firms in a general‐equilibrium open economy macroeconomic model. The mode of foreign market access is found to play a major role in the international business cycle, affecting the dimension of consumption and output spillovers worldwide. We show that despite financial markets being effectively complete, consumption risks may not be fully insured in the world economy as long as multinational firms discriminate prices across markets. Furthermore, cross‐country differences in firms' integration strategies can account for extensive asymmetries in the way country‐specific and global shocks are transmitted in the world economy. We argue that this may have relevant consequences for the welfare implications of monetary and trade policies.
A Welfare Analysis of Capital Account Liberalization*
Authors: Von Hagen Jürgen , Zhang Haiping
Published: May 2008

We develop a model of a small open economy with credit market frictions to analyze the consequences of capital account liberalization. We show that financial opening facilitates the inflows of cheap foreign funds and improves production efficiency. However, capital account liberalization has important distributional consequences. Specifically, it may be impossible to use public transfers to fully compensate the loss of those who are negatively affected by capital account liberalization. This explains why financial opening often meets fierce opposition even though it leads to efficiency gains for the economy as a whole. From a practical perspective, capital controls should be lifted gradually for a smooth transition.
CREATIVE ABILITY IN GRAPHIC ART: Some underlying factors
Authors: Kåräng Gösta
Published: May 2008

Some research on artistic ability is reviewed. Starting from a factor model suggested by Guilford an attempt was made to identify some factors related to creative ability in graphic art. A visual memory test and a size‐relationship test showed positive correlations with a criterion variable when tested on different samples.
MONOCULAR SLANT PERCEPTION AND THE TEXTURE GRADIENT CONCEPT
Authors: Eriksson E. Store
Published: May 2008

Some experiments inspired by the concept of texture gradient were performed with three independent variables: size of elements, distance between elements, and retinal area. The dependent variable was the perceived slant of a surface. All data deviate from those expected on the basis of the gradient concept. An earlier interaction hypothesis has been found to agree rather well with the data. Some theoretical problems concerning cue contra gradient theory are discussed.
QUALITATIVE FACTORS OF FACIAL EXPRESSION
Authors: Kauranne Urpo
Published: May 2008

Using the semantic differential technique as scaling method, the basic factors of qualitative variation of facial expression were investigated with 30 Frois‐Wittman pictures. Three factors were obtained; these were interpreted with the aid of a separate naming experiment. The factors correspond to the facial expressions associated with the emotional states of hate (anger), pleasure and contempt. The results are in fairly good agreement with those previously obtained by Schlosberg and by Nummenmaa & Kauranne.
PSYCHOMOTOR EXPRESSION AND PERSONALITY STUDY
Authors: Takala Martti , Partanen Niilo
Published: May 2008

The main purpose was to examine whether ratings of the ‘natural speed of behaviour’ are related to factors of ‘personal tempo’ found by common types of tempo tests. Psychomotor performance of varying levels of complexity was studied. In addition to standard tempo tasks, tests of maximum tempo were used. There were significant positive correlations between the ratings of the ‘natural speed’ and the tests of personal tempo, especially in ideomotor and drawing tasks, in subjects aged 13 to 14 years. In younger age groups the correlations were low. An attempt is made to interpret the results in terms of ‘working habits’.
ON EISLER'S GENERAL PSYCHOPHYSICAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION AND HIS FECHNERIAN INTEGRATION
Authors: Mashhour Madjid
Published: May 2008

The general psychophysical differential equation (GPDE) for calculating ‘intrasubjective’ relations, is reviewed and it is argued that: (a) the use of calculus and Weber functions are unnecessary for the determination of such relations: simple algebraic methods are available, (b) Taylor's expansion in the derivation of GPDE is not necessary: a short cut method is suggested and applied instead, (c) GPDE is untenable as an empirical model, for it is based on one definition and one assumption which are both arbitrary and purely mathematical, (d) The sources of error in the validation procedures used by Eisler are pointed out; (e) by means of a validity test and the due treatment of a dozen sets of experimental data, the Fechnerian integration as well as GPDE are invalidated.
Non‐parametric Bayesian Inference for Integrals with respect to an Unknown Finite Measure
Authors: ERHARDSSON TORKEL
Published: May 2008

Abstract.  We consider the problem of estimating a collection of integrals with respect to an unknown finite measure μ from noisy observations of some of the integrals. A new method to carry out Bayesian inference for the integrals is proposed. We use a Dirichlet or Gamma process as a prior for μ, and construct an approximation to the posterior distribution of the integrals using the sampling importance resampling algorithm and samples from a new multidimensional version of a Markov chain by Feigin and Tweedie. We prove that the Markov chain is positive Harris recurrent, and that the approximating distribution converges weakly to the posterior as the sample size increases, under a mild integrability condition. Applications to polymer chemistry and mathematical finance are given.
Violence, non‐violence, and blood donation in India
Authors: Copeman Jacob
Published: May 2008

This article explores the relationship between medical blood donation and concepts and enactments of violence and non‐violence in India. The focus is on those north Indian devotional orders in thesanttradition whose devotees donate their blood in large quantities for transfusion. These orders profess a commitment to the Hindu Brahmanic and reformist tenet of non‐violence (ahimsa). At the same time, their attempts to donate blood for Indian army personnel shows how blood donation can be a means to engage in military affairs ‘from a distance’. This article also demonstrates the ways in which different modes of sacrifice surface in blood donation ideology and practice. Arguing that blood donation mediates between violence and non‐violence in the subcontinent, the article concludes with a related set of points concerning the ambiguous relationship between caste concepts and blood donation.

Le présent article explore la relation entre le don du sang à usage médical et les concepts et réalisations de la violence et de la non‐violence en Inde. L'accent est mis sur les ordres dévots du nord de l'Inde qui suivent la tradition dusant, et dont les membres donnent beaucoup de sang pour les transfusions. Ces ordres professent leur attachement au principe de non‐violence (ahimsa) de l'hindouisme brahmanique et réformiste. Dans le même temps, leur volonté de donner du sang pour les personnels de l'armée indienne montre à quel point le don de sang peut être un moyen de s'engager « à distance » dans les affaires militaires. Cet article démontre également les manières dont plusieurs modes de sacrifice apparaissent dans l'idéologie et la pratique du don de sang. Avançant que le don de sang est une médiation entre violence et non‐violence dans le sous‐continent, l'article se conclut par un ensemble de considérations liées, concernant la relation ambiguë entre les concepts de caste et le don de sang.
Kneading life: women and the celebration of the dead in the Ecuadorian Andes
Authors: Ferraro Emilia
Published: May 2008

This article analyses the celebration of the dead in the Quichua village of Pesillo, in the Northern Andes of Ecuador. My aim is to present a view of these celebrations from the viewpoint of the women participating in them. Unlike classical approaches to death in the Andes, my analysis presents the commemoration of the dead ‘from the kitchen’, in order to make room for women's elaborations of death and the deceased that previous analyses have neglected. My focus is therefore not on agriculture but on conviviality and everyday practice.

L'auteur analyse la commémoration des morts dans le village quechua de Pesillo, dans le nord des Andes équatoriennes. Son but est de décrire les célébrations du point de vue des femmes qui y participent. À la différence des approches classiques de la mort dans les Andes, l'analyse de l'auteur présente la commémoration des morts « vue de la cuisine », pour faire place à l’élaboration de la mort et des défunts par les femmes, que les analyses antérieures ont négligée. L'attention se porte ici non pas sur l'agriculture, mais sur la convivialité et les pratiques quotidiennes.
Bold jaguars and unsuspecting monkeys: the value of fearlessness in Cofán politics
Authors: Cepek Michael L.
Published: May 2008

In their encounters with a globalizing political landscape, indigenous peoples enact and transform long‐standing social relations. This article explores the struggle of Amazonian Ecuador's Cofán people to relate their socio‐existential values to the challenges of political mobilization. I argue that distinct conceptions of ‘fearlessness’ structure the complex relationship between the majority of Cofán people and those morally ambivalent individuals, including shamans and federation leaders, who mediate the threats posed by impinging sources of violent difference. By employing a value‐based approach to analyse this relationship, I seek to connect studies of indigenous social movements to investigations of indigenous socio‐cosmological orders.

Dans leur rencontre avec un paysage politique globalisé, les peuples autochtones pratiquent et transforment des relations sociales anciennes. L'auteur explore ici les efforts des Cofán d'Amazonie équatorienne pour lier leurs valeurs socio‐existentielles aux défis de la mobilisation politique. Il avance que différentes conceptions de « l'intrépidité » structurent les relations complexes entre la majorité des Cofán et les individus moralement ambivalents, notamment les chamans et les chefs de fédération, médiateurs des menaces exercées par les sources de différence violente. En utilisant une approche basée sur la valeur pour analyser cette relation, l'article cherche à faire le lien entre les études des mouvements sociaux autochtones et les investigations des ordres socio‐cosmologiques indigènes.
Pemphigus – analysis of epidemiological factors in 155 patients
Authors: Mimouni D , Bar H , Gdalevich M , Katzenelson V , David M
Published: May 2008

Background  Pemphigus vulgaris is a chronic autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering disease. Only a few studies have evaluated the epidemiological and aetiological parameters of pemphigus vulgaris in a large group of patients over the long term.

Methods  The sample included 155 patients with a diagnosis of pemphigus who attended the pemphigus clinic of a major tertiary medical centre from 1976 to 2004. Data were obtained from the patient files and entered into an ad hoc form; patients were contacted by telephone for missing information.

Results  The female‐to‐male ratio was 1.5 : 1. Non‐Ashkenazi Jews accounted for 37% of the sample. In only 10% of the patients was a potential aetiologic or precipitating factor identified.

Conclusions  Pemphigus vulgaris is characterized by a female predominance, consistent with other autoimmune disease. The gender, age and ethnic distribution of affected patients have not changed in the last 40 years. In the vast majority of cases, the aetiologic or precipitating factor is unknown, although drugs appear to be very rare.
Elevated oxidative stress and sensorimotor deficits but normal cognition in mice that cannot synthesize ascorbic acid
Authors: Harrison Fiona E. , Yu Sarah S. , Van Den Bossche Kristen L. , Li Liying , May James M. , McDonald Michael P.
Published: May 2008

Oxidative stress is implicated in the cognitive deterioration associated with normal aging as well as neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. We investigated the effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) on oxidative stress, cognition, and motor abilities in mice null for gulono‐γ‐lactone oxidase (Gulo). Gulo−/− mice are unable to synthesize ascorbic acid and depend on dietary ascorbic acid for survival. Gulo−/− mice were given supplements that provided them either with ascorbic acid levels equal to‐ or slightly higher than wild‐type mice (Gulo‐sufficient), or lower than physiological levels (Gulo‐low) that were just enough to prevent scurvy. Ascorbic acid is a major anti‐oxidant in mice and any reduction in ascorbic acid level is therefore likely to result in increased oxidative stress. Ascorbic acid levels in the brain and liver were higher in Gulo‐sufficient mice than in Gulo‐low mice. F4‐neuroprostanes were elevated in cortex and cerebellum in Gulo‐low mice and in the cortex of Gulo‐sufficient mice. All Gulo−/− mice were cognitively normal but had a strength and agility deficit that was worse in Gulo‐low mice. This suggests that low levels of ascorbic acid and elevated oxidative stress as measured by F4‐neuroprostanes alone are insufficient to impair memory in the knockouts but may be responsible for the exacerbated motor deficits in Gulo‐low mice, and ascorbic acid may have a vital role in maintaining motor abilities.
Antigen–antibody dissociation in Alzheimer disease: a novel approach to diagnosis
Authors: Gustaw Katarzyna A. , Garrett Matthew R. , Lee Hyoung‐gon , Castellani Rudy J. , Zagorski Michael G. , Prakasam Annamalai , Siedlak Sandra L. , Zhu Xiongwei , Perry George , Petersen Robert B. , Friedland Robert P. , Smith Mark A.
Published: May 2008

With the ever‐increasing population of aged individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD), there is an urgent need for a sensitive, specific, non‐invasive, and diagnostic standard. The majority of efforts have focused on auto‐antibodies against amyloid‐β (Aβ) protein, both as a potential treatment, and a reliable biomarker of AD pathology. Naturally occurring antibodies against Aβ are found in the CSF and plasma of patients with AD as well as healthy control subjects. To date, differences between diseased and control subjects have been highly variable. However, some of the antibody will be in preformed antigen–antibody complexes and the extent and nature of such complexes may provide a potential explanation for the variable results reported in human studies. Thus, measuring total amounts of antigen or antibody following unmasking is critical. Here, using a technique for dissociating antibody–antigen complexes, we found significant differences in serum antibodies to Aβ between AD and aged‐matched control subjects. While the current study demonstrates the relevance of measuring total antibody, bound and unbound, against Aβ in AD, this technique may be applicable to diseases such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome and hepatitis B where determination of antigen and antibody levels are important for disease diagnosis and assessing disease progression.
An Experimental Study on the Elastic–Plastic Fracture in a Ductile Material under Mixed‐Mode Loading
Authors: Luo P.‐F. , Wang C.‐H.
Published: May 2008

Abstract:  Stereo vision was used to measure the crack‐tip parameters, such as J integral, plastic mixity and elastic mixity of mixed‐mode fracture specimens, and to study the applicability of the Shih's plane strain solution to the mixed‐mode crack‐tip fields. The fracture specimen used in this study was a compact tension shear (CTS) specimen made of 2024‐O aluminum. The in‐plane strain and stress fields near the mixed‐mode crack tip of the CTS specimen were determined using the deformation field measured by the stereo vision. It is observed that the J integral values computed along rectangular contours surrounding the mixed‐mode crack‐tip approach constant values after r/h > 0.5. The in‐plane strains determined experimentally at several points near the crack tip and at several radial lines emerging from the crack tip are compared with the values calculated using Shih's plane‐strain solution and the HRR slope, named after the investigations of Hutchinson, Rice and Rosengren respectively. It is found that the measured values follow the trends of the Shih's plane‐strain solution. The elastic mixity evaluated using the measured crack‐tip stress fields is close to that obtained from analytical solution. However, the evaluated plastic mixity deviates from the analytical solution.
Mechanical Properties Measurement of PECVD Silicon Nitride after Rapid Thermal Annealing Using Nanoindentation Technique
Authors: Yan H.‐Y. , Ou K.‐S. , Chen K.‐S.
Published: May 2008

Abstract:  This paper presents the results of mechanical characterisation of residual stress, elastic modulus, hardness and fracture toughness of plasma‐enhanced chemical vapour deposited (PECVD) silicon nitride films subjected to rapid thermal annealing (RTA), processed between 200 and 800 °C. Additional tensile residual stresses were generated during the RTA period and the stress reached peak values after a 400 °C RTA process. On the other hand, nanoindentation testing revealed that both the modulus and hardness varied significantly with different RTA temperatures. Finally, the fracture toughness of the nitride was estimated to be 1.33 MPa √m based on a series of Vickers micro‐indentation tests and it can be enhanced by the RTA process. These results should be useful for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) or integrated circuit (IC) structure fabrication as regards maintaining the structural integrity and improving fabrication performance.
Design of Ultrasonic Horns by Photomechanics Methods
Authors: Wang W.‐C. , Ni C.‐Y. , Tsai Y.‐H.
Published: May 2008

Abstract:  In this paper, novel applications of experimental mechanics for verifying the design of ultrasonic horns for ultrasonic flip‐chip bonding are reported. Two photomechanics methods, i.e. amplitude‐fluctuation electronic speckle pattern interferometry (AF‐ESPI) and laser Doppler vibrometry were employed to measure the deformation of the ultrasonic horns. The experimental results confirmed the purely longitudinal resonant mode, the location of the nodal point and the high degree of coplanarity of the horn designed earlier by computer simulation.
Retrieving ESPI Map of Discontinuous Objects via a Novel Phase Unwrapping Algorithm
Authors: Huang M. J. , Liou J. K.
Published: May 2008

Abstract:  This work presents an effective scheme for the phase unwrapping of electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) map of discontinuous objects. ESPI is a highly effective measurement approach for industry and academia. However, due to the speckle noise, its unwrapping job is quite difficult, especially, when treating ESPI maps obtained from the deformation field of an object containing height discontinuities. The minimum Lp norm method developed by Ghiglia and Romero can treat the aforementioned problem with acceptable accuracy, but takes a long time to run. Therefore, this study presents a novel method based on a hybrid of the regional algorithm proposed by Gierloff, the branch cut method presented by Goldstein et al. and the (spatially) parallel unwrapping method with region‐referenced algorithm developed by Huang and He. The proposed algorithm can retrieve ESPI maps with height discontinuities within acceptable accuracy and effectiveness.
INCISED SLIPWARE PRODUCTION AT CASTELFIORENTINO (FLORENCE): THE ‘VIA BERTINI’ SITE (15TH–17TH CENTURIES)*
Authors: BRIANESE N. , CASELLATO U. , FENZI F. , MENDERA M. , MESSIGA B. , NODARI L. , RICCARDI M. P. , VIGATO P. A.
Published: May 2008

This study deals with the physical–chemical and mineralogical–petrographic investigations (OM, SEM–EDS, EPMA, ICP, XRpD, Mössbauer and IR) conducted on first‐ and second‐firing wasters belonging to two types of incised slipware (sgraffito), manufactured at Castelfiorentino between the late 15th and the early 17th centuries. Raw materials, colouring agents and firing products were analysed in order to establish the production technology of the ceramic coatings, by means of detailed microtextural and chemical investigations. The pottery underwent two firing processes: the firing of the white slip‐coated ceramic body and a further firing after application of the glaze. The homogeneity of the raw materials, white slip and glaze is remarkable, and demonstrates the use of well‐established recipes with a constant supply of raw materials from the same places. Highly efficient kiln management during both firings is revealed by body–glaze interface reactions.