bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disseminated malignant solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura
Authors: Zhang Hongquan , Lucas David R. , Pass Harvey I. , Che Mingxin
Published: January 2004

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the pleura typically forms a localized pleura‐based mass, and most are benign. A rare case of disseminated malignant SFT of the pleura is reported. The patient was a 71‐year‐old man who presented with complaints of shortness of breath to his primary care physician. A diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma was suspected, based on clinical, radiological and needle biopsy findings. He was referred to our institution for surgery. An extrapleural pneumonectomy, encompassing all pleural masses, was performed. Gross examination of the resected specimen was remarkable for numerous masses, ranging in size from 0.2 to 13.5 cm, covering the majority of the visceral pleura. Histologically, the tumor was composed of short spindle cells admixed with variable proportions of collagenous stroma. There were great intra‐ and intertumoral heterogeneity in tumor growth pattern, cellularity, pleomorphism and mitoses. Histologically malignant areas were present in all of the masses examined. The neoplastic cells were diffusely and intensely positive for bcl‐2. Most tumor cells were also strongly stained for CD34 and CD99. Staining for cytokeratin was negative. The tumor also revealed p53 over‐expression. Thus, the histological and immunohistochemical features of the tumor were consistent with a disseminated malignant SFT. This report shows that SFT rarely presents with disseminated pleural involvement, and a panel with CD34, bcl‐2 and cytokeratin are valuable for differentiating SFT from malignant mesothelioma and other malignant spindle cell neoplasms of the pleura.
Immunohistochemical analysis of centromere protein F expression in buccal and gingival squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Esguerra Renelson L. , Jia Lin , Kaneko Tomoatsu , Sakamoto Kei , Okada Norihiko , Takagi Minoru
Published: January 2004

Centromere protein F (CENP‐F) expression (localization and characteristics) in relation to tumor clinicopathological parameters was immunohistochemically examined and evaluated in 47 archival biopsy specimens of buccal and gingival squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Centromere protein F expression was detected in 79% of the samples. An increase in the labeling index (LI) with WHO grading was obtained (P < 0.05). Correlations were obtained between the CENP‐F LI and tumor size (P < 0.05). Immunoelectron microscopy showed CENP‐F nuclear staining as punctate or fine dots. The present study shows that CENP‐F expression and detection of a more specific cell subpopulation presents a theoretical advantage for the analysis of the precise cell cycle of G2 to M cells, compared to Ki‐67.
Atypical carcinoid (neuroendocrine carcinoma) of the gingiva: Counterpart of a laryngeal tumor
Authors: Abiko Yoshihiro , Ogawa Ikuko , Hattori Yufo , Kusano Kaoru , Nishimura Michiko , Ohuchi Tomoyuki , Abe Uichi , Shibata Toshiyuki , Matsuda Shinji , Takata Takashi , Kaku Tohru
Published: January 2004

Intraoral localization of neuroendocrine carcinoma, usually called Merkel cell carcinoma, is extremely rare. A case of neuroendocrine carcinoma that was a counterpart of laryngeal neuroendocrine carcinoma but was not a Merkel cell carcinoma, occurring at the mandibular gingiva in a 69‐year‐old Japanese man, is described. The tumor formed a cauliflower‐like mass, measuring 20 × 20 mm, with a small area of necrosis. A computed tomography image showed metastasis in the right submandibular lymph node. Histopathologically, the tumor was composed of immature, small round cells that formed anastomosing trabecular nests. Few mitotic and no necrotic features were observed in the nests. Immunohistochemical studies showed positive staining for chromogranin, synaptophysin and neuron‐specific enolase in the tumor nests. We diagnosed it as an atypical carcinoid (neuroendocrine carcinoma), a counterpart to the same type of tumor occurring in the larynx. The present case is an extremely rare case of neuroendocrine carcinoma without the feature of Merkel cell carcinoma arising from the gingiva.
Preliminary study of the crack healing and strength recovery of Al2O3‐matrix composites
Authors: JUN L. , ZHENG Z. X. , DING H. F. , JIN Z. H.
Published: January 2004

This study focused on the crack‐healing behaviour of three commercial Al2O3–ceramic‐matrix composites: TiCP/Al2O3, ZrO2/Al2O3 and SiCW/Al2O3. Vickers indentation was used to introduce surface flaws with different loads of 49, 98 and 196 N. Then the cracked specimens were annealed in air for 1 h at 1000, 1200 and 1400 °C. The annealing treatment was also conducted at 1200 °C in vacuum for 1 h. Results showed that the annealing treatments increased the indentation strength, but the extent of the increase was different. When annealed in air, the main crack‐healing mechanism of TiCP/Al2O3 and SiCW/Al2O3 composites was chemical reaction. When annealed in vacuum, stress relaxation caused much less strength recovery. The main crack‐healing mechanism of ZrO2/Al2O3 was the existence of low melting eutectic and the rearrangement of grains caused by ZrO2(m)→ ZrO2(t) transformation in the crack‐opening process zone. The effects of annealing temperature, atmosphere and indentation load on the degree of strength recovery were all related to the crack‐healing mechanisms.
Behaviour of fatigue cracks emanating from circular notches in Ti‐6Al‐4V under bending
Authors: BENEDETTI M. , BERTINI L. , FONTANARI V.
Published: January 2004

This paper is aimed at evaluating the behaviour of small cracks emanating from notches in the Ti‐6Al‐4V alloy. Pulsating four point bending tests were performed at a nominal stress ratio of 0.1 and a frequency of 15 Hz on prismatic specimens with a central hole. The conditions of initiation and early propagation of fatigue cracks were investigated at two relatively high nominal stress levels corresponding to 56.6 and 100% of the 0.2% yield stress of the material. Microstructural effects were discussed. To this purpose a specific device based on the ‘in situ’ detection of cracks by photomicroscopy was developed. Corresponding results were analysed quantitatively considering the effect of the yielded region at the notch tip by elastic–plastic finite element modelling. Furthermore, information regarding the sites of fatigue crack initiation and propagation path were discussed on the basis of careful fractographic analysis of the specimens. The importance of the two phase α, β microstructure on the material damage was highlighted and correlated to the observed oscillations in the crack growth rate. Mechanically and microstructurally long cracks were correlated by linear‐elastic fracture mechanics.
A notch stress intensity approach to assess the multiaxial fatigue strength of welded tube‐to‐flange joints subjected to combined loadings
Authors: LAZZARIN P. , SONSINO C. M. , ZAMBARDI R.
Published: January 2004

Full penetration T butt weld joints between a tube and its flange are considered, subjected to pure bending, pure torsion and a combination of these loading modes. The model treats the weld toe like a sharp V‐notch, in which mode I and mode III stress distributions are combined to give an equivalent notch stress intensity factor (N‐SIF) and assess the high cycle fatigue strength of the welded joints. The N‐SIF‐based approach is then extended to low/medium cycle fatigue, considering fatigue curves for pure bending and pure torsion having the same slope or, alternatively, different slopes. The expression for the equivalent N‐SIF is justified on the basis of the variation of the deviatoric strain energy in a small volume of material surrounding the weld toe. The energy is averaged in a critical volume of radius RC and given in closed form as a function of the mode I and mode III N‐SIFs. The value of RC is explicitly referred to high cycle fatigue conditions, the material being modelled as isotropic and linear elastic. RC is thought of as a material property, independent in principle of the nominal load ratio. To validate the proposal, several experimental data taken from the literature are re‐analysed. Such data were obtained by testing under pure bending, pure torsion and combined bending and torsion, welded joints made of fine‐grained Fe E 460 steel and of age‐hardened AlSi1MgMn aluminium alloy. Under high cycle fatigue conditions the critical radius RC was found to be close to 0.40 mm for welded joints made of Fe E 460 steel and close to 0.10 mm for those made of AlSi1MgMn alloy. Under low/medium cycle fatigue, the expression for energy has been modified by using directly the experimental slopes of the pure bending and pure torsion fatigue curves.
Statistical approach to roughness‐induced shielding effects
Authors: POKLUDA J. , ŠANDERA P. , HORNÍKOVÁ J.
Published: January 2004

A new theoretical concept is introduced to describe the roughness‐induced shielding effects in metallic materials. This approach is based on the statistics of the local ratio between the characteristic microstuctural distance and the plastic zone size. A general equation involving both the crack branching and the crack closure phenomena is derived in the frame of linear elastic fracture mechanics under the assumption of remote mode I loading. It enables the determination of the intrinsic values of both the fracture toughness and the fatigue crack growth threshold. Moreover, the roughness‐induced component can be separated from other closure components, such as the plasticity or oxide‐induced closure. In order to estimate the total roughness‐induced shielding effect only standard materials data such as the yield stress, the mean grain size, the surface roughness and the fracture mode are necessary. Examples of applications concerning static fracture and fatigue are presented for selected metallic materials.
Gigacycle fatigue properties of 1800 MPa class spring steels
Authors: ABE T. , FURUYA Y. , MATSUOKA S.
Published: January 2004

Fatigue tests up to 108 cycles were carried out for two spring steels (Heats A and D1) and one valve spring steel (Heat F) with tensile strength, σB, of 1720, 1725 and 1764 MPa, respectively. The size and composition of inclusions in Heats Dl and F were controlled. The surface‐type fracture occurred at shorter lives below 106 cycles, while the fish‐eye‐type fracture occurred at longer lives. The fatigue limit, σW, at 108 cycles was 640 MPa for Heats A and D1 and 700 MPa for Heat F. Al2O3 inclusions for Heat A and both TiN inclusions and matrix cracks, i.e. internal facets, for Heat F were observed at the fish‐eye‐type fracture sites, while only matrix cracks were observed for Heat Dl. ODA, i.e. optically dark area, which is considered to be related to hydrogen effects, were formed around Al2O3 and TiN inclusions. Fatigue tests were also conducted after specimens were heated up to 573 K in high vacuum of 2 × 10–6 Pa. The heat treatment eliminated matrix cracks for Heat D1 and the fatigue limit at 108 cycles recovered to the estimated value of 920 MPa from the equation σw= 0.53 σB for the surface fracture. These results suggest that inclusions control and hydrogen influence the gigacycle fatigue properties for these high strength steels. In addition, it is expected that the creation of a martensite structure with a high resistance to hydrogen effects in the inclusion‐controlled steel could achieve the higher fatigue limit estimated for the surface‐type fracture.
Policy Reform and Foreign Direct Investment in Africa: Absolute Progress but Relative Decline
Authors: Asiedu Elizabeth
Published: January 2004

Despite improvements in the policy environment, sub‐Saharan Africa's share of foreign direct investment (FDI) in developing countries continues to decline. This article provides an explanation for the deterioration in SSA's FDI global position. It argues that, although SSA has reformed its institutions, improved its infrastructure and liberalised its FDI regulatory framework, the degree of reform has been mediocre compared with the reform implemented in other developing countries. As a consequence, relative to other regions, SSA has become less attractive for FDI. An important implication of these results is that in a competitive global economy, it is not enough just to improve one's policy environment: improvements need to be made both in absolute and relative terms.
Tanzania's Cotton Sector: Reforms, Constraints and Challenges
Authors: Baffes John
Published: January 2004

This article contributes to the liberalisation debate in Africa by assessing the policy reforms in the Tanzanian cotton sector, the outcome of which has been mixed. The grower's share in the fob price has increased; the growers receive payments promptly; the ginning capacity has increased considerably. However, supply response did not take place; the input distribution system collapsed, while the mixing of cotton varieties constitutes a threat to the viability of the sector. The co‐operative unions figure prominently in the sector, although for all practical purposes they are bankrupt enterprises. Taxation is excessive, the tax code is complicated and tax evasion is pervasive. The cotton board and the ministries still overregulate the sector. The quality of statistics remains poor.
Social Sector Priorities: An Analysis of Budgets and Expenditures in India in the 1990s
Authors: Mooij Jos , Dev S. Mahendra
Published: January 2004

Many policies in India, including economic reform policies, are officially intended to alleviate poverty. But how committed is the Indian government? And to what? This article addresses India's social spending priorities over the past decade. Looking at the rhetoric in budget speeches, actual expenditure patterns and the process by which budgets are formulated, it finds a widened concept of poverty and a shift away from income and employment programmes to human development. The budget‐making process is not very participatory, and the role of the Finance Ministry has increased. Although the widening of the concept of poverty has positive aspects, within the overall context of structural adjustment it has facilitated the politically convenient neglect of other dimensions (income and employment).
Sinnott–Armstrong's Moral Scepticism
Authors: Nelson Mark T.
Published: January 2004

Walter Sinnott–Armstrong's recent defence of moral scepticism raises the debate to a new level, but I argue that it is unsatisfactory because of problems with its assumption of global scepticism, with its use of the Sceptical Hypothesis Argument, and with its use of the idea of contrast classes and the correlative distinction between ‘everyday’ justification and ‘philosophical’ justification. I draw on Chisholm's treatment of the Problem of the Criterion to show that my claim that I know that, e.g., baby–torture is wrong, is no more question–begging than Sinnott–Armstrong's denial that I know this.
Naratriptan Has a Selective Inhibitory Effect on Trigeminovascular Neurones at Central 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B/1D Receptors in the Cat: Implications for Migraine Therapy
Authors: Boers PM , Donaldson C , Zagami AS , Lambert GA
Published: January 2004

The triptans are agonists at serotonin(5-HT) 1B/1D receptors; however, they are also active at 5-HT1A and 5-HT1F receptors. We conducted this series of experiments to further elucidate the site of action of naratriptan using a well-established animal model of trigeminovascular stimulation. Following electrical stimulation of the superior sagittal sinus of the cat, single cell responses ( n = 83) were recorded in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis. Most cells (91%) also responded to electrical and mechanical stimulation of cutaneous or mucosal facial receptive fields. The micro-iontophoretic application of naratriptan resulted in a significant suppression of the response to sagittal sinus stimulation (response suppressed by 47 ± 4%, P < 0.001). The effect of naratriptan was significantly attenuated by application of either the 5-HT1B/1D receptor antagonist GR-127935 ( P < 0.001) or the 5-HT1A antagonist WAY-100635 ( P < 0.05). The response of single cells to receptive field stimulation was also suppressed by microiontophoretic application of naratriptan, but by only 20 ± 3%. Intravenous administration of naratriptan resulted in a similar selective suppression of sagittal sinus vs. receptive field responses in trigeminal neurones. These results indicate that naratriptan has a central effect in the trigeminovascular system, selectively inhibiting afferent activity in craniovascular neurones, via both 5-HT1B/1D and 5-HT1A receptors.
Reliability of the Nitroglycerin Provocative Test in the Diagnosis of Neurovascular Headaches
Authors: Sances G , Tassorelli C , Pucci E , Ghiotto N , Sandrini G , Nappi G
Published: January 2004

Nitroglycerin administration provokes spontaneous-like migraine attacks in migraine and cluster headache (CH) patients. Nitroglycerin-induced migraine-like headache has been used as an experimental model of migraine. In this paper, we evaluate the possibility of using the nitroglycerin provocative test (NPT) as a supportive measure in the diagnosis of primary neurovascular headaches by assessing its reliability on a large population and adopting strict criteria for rating the response as positive or negative. Our population consisted of 197 migraineurs, 42 subjects suffering from cluster headache and 53 healthy controls. In migraine without aura, the test sensitivity was 82.1%, specificity 96.2% and accuracy 85.5%, while in subjects suffering from migraine with aura, the reliability of the NPT was less satisfactory (sensitivity 13.6%, specificity 96.2% and accuracy 72%). In CH patients tested during the active phase of the disease the sensitivity was 80.6%, specificity 100% and accuracy 92.9%. NPT is an easy, low-cost and reliable method for supporting the diagnosis of migraine without aura and cluster headache.
Melatonin Secretion is Supersensitive to Light in Migraine
Authors: Claustrat B , Brun J , Chiquet C , Chazot G , Borson-Chazot F
Published: January 2004

The present study examined the sensitivity to light of melatonin (MLT) secretion in familial migraine during a headache-free interval. Twelve female patients and 12 healthy controls were included in the trial. All subjects were studied twice. In each session, light exposure (300 lx) or placebo was randomly administered for 30 min between 00.30 and 01.00 h. Blood was sampled hourly between 20.00 and 24.00 h, and 02.00 and 04.00 h and every 15 min between 00.30 and 01.30 h. Plasma MLT levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. MLT suppression was more marked in the migraine group than in the control group [difference of area under curve (δAUC) = −53.8 ± 16.2 vs. 18.5 ± 12.7 pg/h/ml, P < 0.005; maximum of MLT suppression (δ) = −35.7 ± 10.2 vs.- 6.7 ± 5.8 pg/ml, P < 0.05]. These findings show a clear hypersensitivity to light in young female migraineurs during the headache-free period.
Quality of Life in Paediatric Migraine: Characterization of Age-Related Effects Using PedsQL 4.0
Authors: Powers SW , Patton SR , Hommel KA , Hershey AD
Published: January 2004

The aim of this study was to measure quality of life (QOL) across a broad age range of paediatric migraine patients. Children and adolescents ( n = 686) with migraine completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, version 4.0 (PedsQL 4.0) and a standardized headache assessment at an initial clinic visit. The sample size for each PedsQL age group was: age 2-4 = 21, age 5-7 = 86, age 8-12 = 298, and age 13-18 = 281. Mean total score was 72.7 ± 14.8, significantly less than healthy norms ( P < 0.01). Teens reported lower School Functioning than older and young children ( P < 0.05) and young children reported lower Social Functioning than older children and teens ( P < 0.001). A moderate relation was found between self and parent report. Age-related effects on QOL have implications for the evaluation and management of migraine in paediatric practice. The self and parent report forms of the PedsQL can be used in a practice setting.
Comparative Analysis Between Dextran Sulfate Adsorption and Direct Adsorption of Lipoproteins in their Capability to Reduce Erythrocyte Adhesiveness/Aggregation in the Peripheral Blood
Authors: Schechner V , Berliner S , Shapira I , Justo D , Hershcovici T , Zeltser D , Beigel Y
Published: January 2004

Abstract:The purpose of this study was to compare the degree of erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation (EAA) reduction of two low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) apheretic procedures, namely direct adsorption of lipoproteins (DALI) and dextran sulfate adsorption (DSA). A significant (P < 0.001) reduction of EAA was noted in six hypercholesterolemic patients who underwent a total of 40 apheretic sessions and no difference was noted in the degree of EAA reduction by the two techniques. Thus, being a real‐time and point‐of‐care test, the erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation test can be applied in relevant situations of acute ischemia, where therapeutic LDL apheresis could improve the hemorheology of individuals with increased concentrations of cholesterol and inflammatory sensitive proteins.
Long Daily Hemodialysis Sessions Correct Systemic Complications of Oxalosis Prior to Combined Liver–Kidney Transplantation: Case Report
Authors: Díaz Cándido , Gil Catalinas Fernando , De Alvaro Fernando , Torre Alberto , Sánchez Carmen , Costero Olga
Published: January 2004

Abstract:  An 18‐year‐old woman diagnosed with piridoxine‐resistent primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH‐1) and progressive renal insufficiency complicated with acute renal failure of obstructive origin who developed systemic oxalosis affecting the heart (cardiomyopathy), the skin (cutaneous ulcers) and vascular system (lower limb ischemia, as well as pulmonary and cerebral microcirculatory blockage resulting in pulmonary hemorrhage and tonic‐clonic general seizures. As conventional hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) are unable to eliminate enough oxalate to avoid a continuous positive balance, long daily sessions (6–7 h) of high‐flux hemodialysis (highly permeable polyamide membrane of 2.1 m2) for 67 consecutive days normalized blood oxalate levels and reversed the systemic complications secondary to the calcium oxalate crystals deposit. The patient underwent a combined liver–kidney transplantation and has progressed well to the present time. The most important factors in PH‐1 treatment are analyzed. Even though combined liver–kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice and should be performed before the glomerular filtrate rate (GFR) falls below 25 mL/min/1.73 m2, intensive HD becomes necessary to prevent oxalosis in the face of acute renal failure. Also, as our case shows, intensive HD can achieve a negative oxalate balance and reverse both the systemic lesions and the oxalate deposits.
The Efficacy and Safety of the New Heparin‐induced Extracorporeal Low‐density Lipoprotein Precipitation System (Plasmat Futura) in Comparison with the Currently used System (Plasmat Secura)
Authors: Blessing Frithjof , Wang Ying , Nagel Dorothea , Seidel Dietrich
Published: January 2004

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine whether the recently introduced heparin‐mediated extracorporeal low‐density lipoprotein precipitation (HELP) apheresis system Plasmat Futura (since 2001) was comparable to Plasmat Secura system, used to date, in its efficiency to remove atherogenic components, its ease of handling and operating as well as clinical safety and patient compliance. Coronary heart disease (CHD) patients (N = 21) were first treated with Plasmat Secura system and 13 of them were then randomly switched over to the upgraded Plasmat Futura system. Eight patients remained on Secura system. All together, 40 Futura treatments and 40 Secura treatments were performed. Blood samples were collected immediately before and after each apheresis therapy. Our data showed no significant differences in the reduction of plasma low‐density lipoprotein, lipoprotein (a) and fibrinogen by Plasmat Futura and Secura system (P > 0.05). However, the major advantages of Plasmat Futura system are the ready‐to‐use sterile dialysis solutions instead of reverse osmosis device in Plasmat Secura, which ensures flexibility and lower risk of cross infections. Long‐term tolerance and safety parameters showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). On the basis of our studies, Plasmat Futura system is easy to use, shows no adverse events and is comparable to Plasmat Secura in its capacity to remove proatherogenic plasma factors.
Swedish pre‐school children's UVR exposure – a comparison between two outdoor environments
Authors: Boldeman C. , Dal H. , Wester U.
Published: January 2004

Background: Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in childhood is a major risk factor for skin cancer. Shady environments are recommended as one method of protection.

Methods: Environmental exposure to UVR and environmental protection were assessed by dosimeter measurements on 64 children aged 1–6 years at two geographically close and topographically similar pre‐schools outside Stockholm. Outdoor play constructions of site 1 (34 children) were mainly exposed to the sun, and those of site 2 (30 children) were mainly shaded. Dosimetry was carried out during 11 work days in May–June 2002 under clear weather conditions. The reliability of dosimeters was tested with meteorologically modelled data from SMHI, and with stationary dosimeters exposed to free sky, and compared with other UV instruments. The differences between children's outdoor stays were adjusted for.

Results: The children's average daily exposures were approximately 200 JCIE/m2 erythemally effective UVR. The average relative UVR exposure (% total available UVR 08:30–18:30) was 6.4% (7.0% at site 1, 5.7% at site 2). Fractions of available UVR during outdoor stay were 14.4% (both sites), 15.3% (site 1), and 13.3% (site 2). In terms of relative differences, 5–6‐year‐old children at site 2 were exposed to 41% less UVR, and 1–4‐year‐old children 6% less than those at site 1.

Conclusion: The difference can be explained by the children's outdoor pre‐school environments, and the behaviors linked to these environments. It is recommended to consider the attractiveness of shady environments in the design of children's pre‐school playgrounds, particularly if these are extremely exposed to the sun.
Inter‐relation between variables determining constitutional UV sensitivity in Caucasian children
Authors: Uter W. , Pfahlberg A. , Kalina B. , Kölmel K. F. , Gefeller O.
Published: January 2004

Background/Purpose: Sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light is associated with phenotypic variables like iris or hair colour or freckling, which are all strongly inter‐related. We assessed the pattern of association among these factors to construct a summary measure reflecting constitutional UV sensitivity in a simple one‐dimensional score with sufficient discriminating power.

Methods: Information on iris and hair colour (3 and 4 categories, respectively), freckling (none vs. any) and the reaction to mid‐day summer sunlight as an outcome (dichotomized into ‘burn’ and ‘tan’) was collected in a cross‐sectional study among children at school enrolment in 1999 and 2000 in Göttingen, Germany (n=3765 with complete data). Chi‐squared automatic interaction detector (CHAID) analysis and log‐linear modelling was used to assess the pattern of mutual inter‐relations.

Results: Hair colour turned out to be the factor most strongly associated with UV sensitivity. In case of blonde or brown hair (the most common phenotypes in our sample), the consideration of freckling further refined the classification system, whereas iris colour did not contribute additional information. The results of the CHAID and log‐linear analyses suggest a simple five‐point score capturing constitutional UV sensitivity. The discriminating power of this score was high in our sample, with the proportion of persons who burned ranging from 7.7 (lowest category) to 73% (highest category).

Conclusion: The new scoring system summarized efficiently relevant information on individual constitutional UV sensitivity in our sample. Its further validation in independent studies comprising Caucasian children or adults is necessary to assess objectively its properties for future applications.
Photodynamic therapy with chlorin e6 for skin metastases of melanoma
Authors: Sheleg Sergey V. , Zhavrid Edvard A. , Khodina Tatsiana V. , Kochubeev Georgy A. , Istomin Yury P. , Chalov Vadim N. , Zhuravkin Ivan N.
Published: January 2004

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been successfully applied in clinical settings to destroy neoplasms, but the efficacy of such a treatment is dependent on the type of neoplasm and the photosynthesizer used. Here, we perform a clinical assessment of PDT for skin metastases of pigmented melanoma using chlorin e6.

Study design/Materials and methods: PDT with chlorin e6 photosensitizer was administered to 14 patients with skin metastases from melanoma (10 females, four males, mean age 49.6 years). Chlorin e6 at a dose of 5 mg/kg of patient's weight was intravenously injected. The treatment course consisted of two courses of PDT exposure 1 h after intravenous chlorin e6 injection and 24 h post‐injection. The light energy density for each skin tumor was 80–120 J/cm2 per treatment, with a light power density of 250–300 mW/cm2.

Results: All skin melanoma metastases that received PDT showed complete regression with no recurrence during the study period. The complete response of all skin metastases from melanoma occurred in eight cases after one PDT treatment. In the remaining six individuals, tumors required multiple PDT courses prior to complete regression. No cases of photodermatitis were registered. The Karnofsky performance scale score of the patients with skin metastases from melanoma showed no significant difference before and after PDT. No patients had significant changes in blood cell counts that would indicate chlorin e6 systemic toxic effect. Blood chemistry and urinalysis did not show any evidence of chlorin e6 renal and hepatic injury.

Conclusions: PDT with chlorin e6 for skin metastases from melanoma is effective and well tolerated. Further clinical investigation of PDT with chlorin e6 is warranted.
Effects of repeated sunbed exposures on the human skin. In vivo measurements with confocal microscopy
Authors: Gambichler T. , Sauermann K. , Altintas M. A. , Paech V. , Kreuter A. , Altmeyer P. , Hoffmann K.
Published: January 2004

Backgound: Ultraviolet (UV) lamps used in commercial sunbeds are usually defined as UVA sources. Although it is well accepted that sunbed exposure significantly increases melanin pigmentation, its capacity to induce epidermal thickening is discussed controversially.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess non‐invasively the effects of repeated sunbed exposures on epidermal thickness, cell size, and pigmentation by means of confocal laser‐scanning microscopy (CLSM) in vivo.

Methods: Eight volunteers had sunbed exposures six times in a 3‐week period (cumulative dose: 126 J/cm2 UVA). During irradiation, a small site (2 cm×2 cm) on the lateral aspect of the inner forearm was covered with a UV‐opaque sheet (non‐exposed site). CLSM was performed with the Vivascope (Lucid, Henrietta, NY, USA) 24 h after the last UVA exposure on non‐exposed sites and UVA‐exposed sites that were on the medial aspect of the inner forearm at a distance of 2 cm to the non‐exposed measurement site. The following parameters were assessed: thickness of the horny layer (DSC), minimal thickness of the epidermis (Emin), minimal thickness of the viable epidermis (VEmin), cell size of the granular layer (Agran), and the epidermal melanin content (MI). Additionally, colorimetric measurements have been carried out on non‐exposed and UVA‐exposed sites.

Results: DSC of the UVA‐exposed skin was significantly higher than the one of non‐exposed sites (mean±SD: 15±2.9 μm vs. 12.8±3 μm). Although Emin was significantly higher in UVA‐exposed sites (mean±SD: 40.4±3.6 μm vs. 39±2.9 μm), a slight but not statistically significant (P>0.05) decrease of VEmin was observed (25.5±2.1 μm vs. 26.2±2.4 μm). The median of cell size of the granular layer (Agran) significantly (P=0.008) differed between non‐exposed (752.1 μm2) and UVA‐exposed sites (600 μm2). MI was significantly (P=0.014) higher for the UVA‐exposed skin (1.12 vs. 1.34). Accordingly, colorimetry revealed significantly (P< 0.01) lower skin brightness for UVA‐exposed sites (L*=60.2±4.3) as compared with non‐exposed sites (L*=63.4±3.9).

Conclusions: Sunbed exposures seem to induce photoadaption not only by skin pigmentation but also by epidermal thickening that is predominantly due to an increase in thickness of the horny layer. Moreover, our data indicate that UVA radiation has an influence on the cell size of the granular layer. CLSM is a promising tool for photobiological studies in vivo.
The Importance of a Constructivist View
Authors: Vandermeer John
Published: January 2004

Niche Construction
The Neglected Process in Evolution. by F. John Odling-Smee, Kevin N. Laland, and Marcus W. Feldman. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 2003. 488 pp. $75, £49.95. ISBN 0-691-04438-4. Paper, $39.50, £26.95. ISBN 0-691-04437-6. Monographs in Population Biology 37.

The authors combine empirical data, conceptual models, and theoretical population genetics to extend evolutionary theory by formally including processes of organism-driven environmental modification.
Viscosity of Fluids in Subduction Zones
Authors: Audétat Andreas , Keppler Hans
Published: January 2004

The viscosities of aqueous fluids with 10 to 80 weight percent dissolved silicates have been measured at 600° to 950°C and 1.0 to 2.0 gigapascals by in situ observation of falling spheres in the diamond anvil cell. The viscosities at 800°C range from 10
–4
to 10
0.5
pascal seconds. The combination of low viscosities with a favorable wetting angle makes silicate-rich fluid an efficient agent for material transport at low-volume fractions. Our results therefore suggest that there may be a direct relationship between the position of the volcanic front and the onset of complete miscibility between water and silicate melt in the subducting slab.
Role of LBPA and Alix in Multivesicular Liposome Formation and Endosome Organization
Authors: Matsuo Hirotami , Chevallier Julien , Mayran Nathalie , Le Blanc Isabelle , Ferguson Charles , Fauré Julien , Blanc Nathalie Sartori , Matile Stefan , Dubochet Jacques , Sadoul Rémy , Parton Robert G. , Vilbois Francis , Gruenberg Jean
Published: January 2004

What are the components that control the assembly of subcellular organelles in eukaryotic cells? Although membranes can clearly be distorted by cytosolic factors, very little is known about the intrinsic mechanisms that control the biogenesis, shape, and organization of organellar membranes. Here, we found that the unconventional phospholipid lysobisphosphatidic acid (LBPA) could induce the formation of multivesicular liposomes that resembled the multivesicular endosomes that exist where this lipid is found in vivo. This process depended on the same pH gradient that exists across endosome membranes in vivo and was selectively controlled by Alix. In turn, Alix regulated the organization of LBPA-containing endosomes in vivo.
Ferroelectricity at the Nanoscale: Local Polarization in Oxide Thin Films and Heterostructures
Authors: Ahn C. H. , Rabe K. M. , Triscone J.-M.
Published: January 2004

Ferroelectric oxide materials have offered a tantalizing potential for applications since the discovery of ferroelectric perovskites more than 50 years ago. Their switchable electric polarization is ideal for use in devices for memory storage and integrated microelectronics, but progress has long been hampered by difficulties in materials processing. Recent breakthroughs in the synthesis of complex oxides have brought the field to an entirely new level, in which complex artificial oxide structures can be realized with an atomic-level precision comparable to that well known for semiconductor heterostructures. Not only can the necessary high-quality ferroelectric films now be grown for new device capabilities, but ferroelectrics can be combined with other functional oxides, such as high-temperature superconductors and magnetic oxides, to create multifunctional materials and devices. Moreover, the shrinking of the relevant lengths to the nanoscale produces new physical phenomena. Real-space characterization and manipulation of the structure and properties at atomic scales involves new kinds of local probes and a key role for first-principles theory.
Mesoporous Silicates Prepared Using Preorganized Templates in Supercritical Fluids
Authors: Pai Rajaram A. , Humayun Raashina , Schulberg Michelle T. , Sengupta Archita , Sun Jia-Ning , Watkins James J.
Published: January 2004

Well-ordered mesoporous silicate films were prepared by infusion and selective condensation of silicon alkoxides within microphase-separated block copolymer templates dilated with supercritical carbon dioxide. Confinement of metal oxide deposition to specific subdomains of the preorganized template yields high-fidelity, three-dimensional replication of the copolymer morphology, enabling the preparation of structures with multiscale order in a process that closely resembles biomineralization. Ordered mesoporous silicate films were synthesized with dielectric constants as low as 1.8 and excellent mechanical properties. The films survive the chemical-mechanical polishing step required for device manufacturing.
Phase Diagram of Degenerate Exciton Systems
Authors: Lai C. W. , Zoch J. , Gossard A. C. , Chemla D. S.
Published: January 2004

Degenerate exciton systems have been produced in quasi–two-dimensional confined areas in semiconductor coupled quantum well structures. We observed contractions of clouds containing tens of thousands of excitons within areas as small as (10 μm)
2
near 10 kelvin. The spatial and energy distributions of optically active excitons were determined by measuring photoluminescence as a function of temperature and laser excitation and were used as thermodynamic quantities to construct the phase diagram of the exciton system, which demonstrates the existence of distinct phases. Understanding the formation mechanisms of these degenerate exciton systems can open new opportunities for the realization of Bose-Einstein condensation in the solid state.
Detection of a Red Supergiant Progenitor Star of a Type II-Plateau Supernova
Authors: Smartt Stephen J. , Maund Justyn R. , Hendry Margaret A. , Tout Christopher A. , Gilmore Gerard F. , Mattila Seppo , Benn Chris R.
Published: January 2004

We present the discovery of a red supergiant star that exploded as supernova 2003gd in the nearby spiral galaxy M74. The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and the Gemini Telescope imaged this galaxy 6 to 9 months before the supernova explosion, and subsequent HST images confirm the positional coincidence of the supernova with a single resolved star that is a red supergiant of

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solar masses. This confirms both stellar evolution models and supernova theories predicting that cool red supergiants are the immediate progenitor stars of type II–plateau supernovae.
Electron Transfer-Induced Dynamics of Oxygen Molecules on the TiO
2
(110) Surface
Authors: Wahlström Erik , Vestergaard Ebbe Kruse , Schaub Renald , Rønnau Anders , Vestergaard Majken , Lægsgaard Erik , Stensgaard Ivan , Besenbacher Flemming
Published: January 2004

Diffusion of oxygen molecules on transition metal oxide surfaces plays a vital role for the understanding of catalysis and photocatalysis on these materials. By means of time-resolved scanning tunneling microscopy, we provide evidence for a charge transfer–induced diffusion mechanism for O
2
molecules adsorbed on a rutile TiO
2
(110) surface. The O
2
hopping rate depended on the number of surface donors (oxygen vacancies), which determines the density of conduction band electrons. These results may have implications for the understanding of oxidation processes on metal oxides in general.
Upstream movement by nonnative brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) promotes invasion of native cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) habitat
Authors: Peterson Douglas P , Fausch Kurt D
Published: January 2004

To understand how immigration and emigration influence the processes by which invading nonnative brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) displace native cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki), we studied trout movement in long segments of three mountain streams in Colorado during 1999–2001. Over 3500 trout were captured and marked at weirs and during electrofishing, both within and downstream of stream segments. Nearly 80% of brook trout captured at weirs were moving upstream, whereas almost 65% of cutthroat trout were moving downstream. Brook trout movements peaked in early summer and again in fall. Brook trout immigration rates from downstream source populations were high, and in one stream, invaders repopulated a segment where they were removed within 8 months. Immigrant brook trout were typically mature adults in similar body condition to the general population. Brook trout immigrated from a range of distances, with local movement within 250 m more frequently detected, but fish also moved from many distances up to 2 km away within a summer. Brook trout encroachment and invasion was characterized by a wave of local movement exerting biotic pressure on the downstream limit of the cutthroat trout population and jump dispersers moving upstream beyond the invasion front promoting rapid population spread.
Demographic attributes of yellow-phase American eels (Anguilla rostrata) in the Hudson River estuary
Authors: Morrison Wendy E , Secor David H
Published: January 2004

Management of American eels (Anguilla rostrata) requires an understanding of how demographic attributes vary within large estuaries. Yellow-phase American eel length and age structure, growth, dispersal, nematode infestation rates, loss rate (natural mortality and emigration), and production were measured at six sites throughout the tidal portion of the Hudson River. Short-term dispersal was low, with >70% of eels at all sites captured <1 km from their original tagging area. Length was similar among sites (total length = 45.7 ± 0.3 cm), whereas age was substantially lower for brackish-water sites (8 ± 4 years) than for freshwater sites (17 ± 4 years). Growth was higher for brackish-water sites than for freshwater sites (8.0 cm·year–1 and 3.4 cm·year–1, respectively). From 1997 to 2000, infestation by the exotic nematode Anguillicola crassus increased dramatically in mean intensity as well as prevalence. Annual loss rates measured for the six sites varied between 9% and 24%, with no statistical difference between freshwater and brackish-water sites. Estimated eel production was higher in a brackish-water habitat (1.10–1.77 kg·ha–1·year–1) than in a freshwater location (0.21–0.58 kg·ha–1·year–1). The results of this study support a recent proposal to establish freshwater areas as exploitation reserves.
Does the value of newly accessible spawning habitat for walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) depend on its location relative to nursery habitats?
Authors: Jones Michael L , Netto John K , Stockwell Jason D , Mion Joseph B
Published: January 2004

The benefit accrued from habitat restoration actions may depend not only on the quality and quantity of habitat restored, but also on its location relative to other critical habitats. For example, walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) larvae need to be transported by river currents from spawning to nursery habitats soon after emergence. We developed a model of river transport survival for larval walleye to evaluate potential recruitment from riverine spawning habitats to lacustrine nursery areas. Published relationships were used to model transport survival as a function of temperature and velocity. At greater distances from nursery areas, mortality risk increases, particularly as a result of starvation at relatively high river temperatures. We applied the model to the Sandusky River, a tributary to western Lake Erie, and found potential larval production from spawning habitat above an existing dam to exceed the potential of presently accessible spawning areas by a factor of 8. We used a generalized version of the model to show that for transport distances of less than 100 km, transport survival is much more sensitive to variations in river flows, whereas at greater distances, temperature becomes increasingly important.
A two-dimensional geostatistic method to simulate the precision of abundance estimates
Authors: Harbitz Alf , Aschan Michaela
Published: January 2004

In this paper, we outline a geostatistic method to simulate the relative precision (coefficient of variation, CV) of total abundance estimates of one species in a predetermined, stratified area when it is appropriate to treat the observations within each stratum as realizations of a second-order homogenous and ergodic random process. To model the spatial correlations, a variogram is fitted to normal-transformed values of the original observations. Based on the variogram and its corresponding covariance matrix, extensive simulations on a fine grid that includes the sample locations provide random realizations of the process. The normal values are back-transformed to original observation space by nonparametric reversed bootstrap, as well as by a parametric Weibull approach. The method is applied to a total of 1069 shrimp (Pandalus borealis) abundance observations from 11 annual surveys in the Barents Sea (1992–2002) where a 20 nautical mile sampling grid has been applied. On average, the CV was estimated to be 6.4% for the applied regular grid when the simulations were conditional on the observations, compared with 8.1% when the sampling locations within each of the six strata were random.
Folly and fantasy in the analysis of spatial catch rate data
Authors: Walters Carl
Published: January 2004

Spatial catch per effort data can provide useful indices of population trends provided that they are averaged so as to correct for effects of changes in the distribution of fishing activity. Simple, nonspatial ratio estimates should not be used in such analyses. The averaging for any time period must necessarily make some assumptions about what catch rates would have been in spatial strata that had not yet, or were no longer, being fished. Ignoring the unfished strata (averaging only over the areas that were fished) amounts to assuming that they behaved the same as the fished strata and can lead to severe hyperdepletion in abundance indices for fisheries that developed progressively over large regions.
Improved speed-profile model for two-lane rural highways
Authors: Easa Said M
Published: January 2004

The speed-profile model has been suggested as a valuable tool for evaluating geometric design consistency for two-lane rural highways with isolated and combined horizontal and vertical alignments. The model determines the operating speeds on the speed-change (SC) segment, which is the distance between speed-limiting curves. The speed-limiting curves are the horizontal curves and the limited sight-distance crest vertical curves on horizontal tangents, where the sight distance required by the design guides is not satisfied. The model assumes that deceleration begins where required, which implies that the next curve is visible when deceleration starts. This paper presents an extension to the speed-profile model to incorporate the effect of sight obstruction on operating speeds and deceleration rates. The SC segment may include nonlimited sight–distance crest vertical and sag vertical curves. These curves may present sight obstruction. A procedure to determine whether the sight line is obstructed is developed. If it does, simple formulas are applied for revising the operating-speed profile. The extended model is suitable for inclusion in the design consistency module of the interactive highway safety design model.Key words: speed profile, model, two-lane highways, alignments, design consistency.