bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neonatal Adrenal Hemorrhage Detected Antenatally
Authors: Suda Hidetoshi , Matsuda Isao , Chida Shoichi , Maeta Haruo
Published: October 2007

This report describes two cases of neonatal adrenal mass detected antenatally by routine ultrasound (US) examination of pregnant women. Case 1 was recognized by the fetal US at 31 weeks gestation. The mass, located near the right upper pole of the kidney, was echolucent on US examination. A serial US of the mass showed changes of the internal echoes from a cystic lesion to a mixed lesion, and finally to a hyperechogenic lesion due to a neonatal adrenal hemorrhage (NAH). At 33 days, laparotomy was performed, and the pathological finding revealed an NAH owing to the mass bleeding into the adrenal cyst. Case 2 was also detected by fetal US just before birth. The mass of the right upper pole of the kidney was hyperechogenic on US examination. The baby clinically deteriorated after birth because of hypovolemia owing to NAH. A serial US of the mass showed the change from a hyperechogenic to a cystic lesion. Four months later, the mass spontaneously resolved. From the US spectrum, the mass was diagnosed as NAH. These are the second known cases of NAH detected before birth in Japan.
Salbutamol or mist in acute bronchiolitis
Authors: Can Demet , İNan GÜLten , Yendur GÜRol , Oral Resmiye , GÜNay İLker
Published: October 2007

Abstract Background: The role of bronchodilators in the treatment of bronchiolitis remains controversial.

Methods
: A double‐blind, placebo controlled trial was performed to evaluate the clinical response to nebulized salbutamol. One hundred and fifty‐six infants aged between 7 weeks and 24 months who had had an episode of wheezing and other signs and symptoms of bronchiolitis were randomized to three groups as follows: (i) nebulized salbutamol was administered to 52 patients in group I at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg in 2 mL saline; (ii) saline was nebulized to 52 patients in group II and (iii) in group III 52 patients received mist in a tent. All three groups were administered oxygen during the procedures. Treatment was repeated with the same agent after 30 min if the respiratory score was 5 or more. Respiratory rate, heart rate, oxygen saturation and presence of cyanosis, wheezing, retractions were recorded before and after each treatment.

Results
: The decrease in the respiratory score was 5.2 ± 1.8, 0.82 ± 2.4 and 1.7 ± 1.3 in group I, II and III, respectively. The decrease in group I was significantly higher than in the other groups. Heart rate was similar between groups. Oxygen saturation decreased in group I without reaching statistical significance.

Conclusions: Salbutamol was shown to be effective and safe in the treatment of acute bronchiolitis.
Diagnosis of bacterial enteric infections in children in Zambia
Authors: Nakano Takashi , Kamiya Hitoshi , Matsubayashi Nobuyuki , Watanabe Masahiro , Sakurai Minoru , Honda Takeshi
Published: October 2007

Abstract Background: The bacterial pathogens commonly responsible for diarrhea in children under the age of 5 in Zambia were identified and the most effective methods of diagnosis of such infections in laboratories with limited resources, such as those in developing countries, are recommended.

Methods: Stool samples were collected from children under the age of 5 years who visited the Diarrhoea Training Unit (DTU) of Zambia University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia, between May 1992 and May 1993. A total of 639 children were evaluated for the presence of bacterial infection using standard culture media. The prevalence of bacterial pathogens was compared with that reported from other developing countries

Results: Pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli were isolated from 95 (14.9%) children, Shigella species from 65 (10.2%) children, and Vibrio cholerae from 21 (3.3%) children. The presence of visible blood in the feces was an early indicator of the presence of shigellosis.

Conclusions: E. coli, Shigella
species and Vibrio cholerae were the major causes of bacterial diarrhea in the Zambian children studied. Research is required to determine the prevalence of such enteropathogenic strains. The use of adequate diagnostic procedures is indispensable to appropriate management. The recommendations have been prepared as a manual for the identification of enteropathogenic bacteria to be used in laboratories with limited resources, such as in developing countries.
An autopsy case of fetal Gaucher disease
Authors: Adachi Yasushi , Kobayashi Yasutsugu , Ida Hiroyuki , Yasumizu Ryouji , Okamura Akiharu , Kayatani Hiroshi , Teranishi Nirou , Inaba Muneo , Sugihara Akira , Genba Hisae , Eto YoshiKatsu , Ikehara Susumu
Published: October 2007

Abstract Background: A case of fetal form of Gaucher disease in a Japanese fetus is presented.

Results: A macerated baby showing hydrops fetalis was dissected at 29 weeks of gestation. The fetus was heavier in the body, liver and spleen than a normal fetus at the same gestation period. It also suffered from pericardial effusion and ascites. The diagnosis of Gaucher disease was made by histological and biochemical findings. In microscopical examinations ‘Gaucher cells’, which were periodic acid‐Shiff (PAS)‐positive, alcian blue‐positive and CD68‐positive. existed in the lungs, liver, spleen, thymus, adrenal glands, bone mafrow and brain. In thin layer chromatography, a large quantity of glucocerebroside was seen to have accumulated in the patient's organs.
Yolk sac tumor with a unique uniform hepatoid pattern histology
Authors: Konno Akihiro , Kudo Miho , Ichihara Tsuyoshi , Yamagami Masahiko , Horita Seiki , Ohama Kazunori , Taketa Kazuhisa , Koizumi Shoichi
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Background:
Yolk sac tumors (YST) exhibit several different histological subtypes and the mechanisms of cellular differentiation and prognosis of each subtype remain unknown.

Results:
We report two infants with sacrococcygeal YST; one represented a typical histological subtype and the other showed a hepatoid subtype with uniform histology. The isoform of alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) in the patient with the hepatoid pattern was examined by lectin‐affinity Immunoelectrophoresis and represented as a YST. but not hepatocellular, subtype. The patient with typical YST responded well to VAB‐6 combination chemotherapy. However, this regimen was only partially effective to the patient with the pure hepatoid histological subtype, and an etoposide with ifosfamide and cisplatin (VIP) regimen as a salvage chemotherapy combined with complete tumor resection was useful to achieve complete remission (CR). Both of the patients have been in CR for more than four years.
Rural Organization of Australian Stroke Teams: Emergency Department project
Authors: Wright A. , McGrail M. , Disler P.
Published: October 2007

Background:  Many junior doctors have poor stroke assessment skills. Although major efforts have gone in to changing the attitudes of clinicians to stroke through the development of guidelines and implementation strategies, the most important step may be to make sure that medical schools include appropriate teaching of this important topic in their curricula. The Rural Organization of Australian Stroke Teams Emergency Department (ROASTED) project sought to determine the effectiveness of a practical intervention to improve the assessment and education of stroke knowledge among our junior emergency department doctors.

Methods:  We used a prospective before and after study of two separate cohorts (intervention vs no intervention) to assess the stroke knowledge of our junior emergency department doctors and to test the effectiveness of an educational intervention. The project took place at five sites in rural Victoria in November 2006. Both cohorts undertook the same two validated quizzes 1 month apart. At the intervention sites two 1‐h tutorials were conducted between the quizzes and participants were encouraged to use a web‐based educational tool.

Results:  Pre‐project stroke knowledge was shown to be poor at all of the participating sites. At the sites where no intervention took place no improvement in knowledge was shown (z = 0.83, P = 0.41, two‐sided Mann–Whitney U‐test). The median score for quiz 1 was 8.1 (41%, interquartile range (IQR) 6.5–9.4) and for quiz 2, 7.2 (36%, IQR 5.1–9.3). At the intervention sites, participants significantly improved their stroke knowledge between quiz 1 and quiz 2 (z= 4.75, P < 0.001). The median score for quiz 1 in this cohort was 8.3 (42%, IQR 6.5–10.0) and for quiz 2, 12.8 (64%, IQR 12.0–14.8).

Conclusion:  This project showed that junior doctors have an inadequate knowledge of stroke and that among our junior emergency department doctors there is a need for the ROASTED intervention and other innovative educational measures.
Improvement in door‐to‐balloon times in management of acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction STEMI through the initiation of ‘Code AMI’
Authors: Ahmar W. , Quarin T. , Ajani A. , Kennedy M. , Grigg L.
Published: October 2007

Background:  ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) mandates rapid percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for optimal outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess our hospital practice for managing acute STEMI, identify processes associated with time delays, instrument changes to our acute STEMI management protocol and assess their effectiveness for improving our door‐to‐balloon time.

Methods:  We aimed to achieve this through the establishment of a quality improvement programme involving the cardiology and emergency departments. We analysed consecutive patients presenting with STEMI (April to September 2005 (group A) and the corresponding period in 2006 (group B), and compared patients presenting ‘in hours’ (0700 hours to 1800 hours (Monday to Friday)) versus ‘out of hours’ (all other times including public holidays).

Results:  In group A, 38 patients presented with a STEMI. Assessing time‐to‐treatment analysis, the median door to balloon time for primary PCI was significantly greater for ‘out of hours’ than ‘in hours’ (120 vs 67 min). The greatest time delay to PCI was from the PCI decision time to catheter laboratory arrival. Local changes were implemented to improve ‘out of hours’ times, including initiation of ‘Code AMI’. There were 59 patients in group B. We found that our changes led to a 29% improvement in ‘out of hours’ door‐to‐balloon time (median time 82 min, P = 0.005) with 69% being managed ≤90 min (P = 0.049) (group B).

Conclusion:  We have shown that ongoing review through a quality improvement programme improves door‐to‐balloon times, which is integral in the optimal management of patients with acute STEMI treated with primary PCI.
Study of the adjustment of the Ambu laryngeal mask under magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: MONCLUS ENRIC , GARCÉS ANTONIO , DE JOSE MARIA BELEN , ARTÉS DAVID , MABROCK MAGED
Published: October 2007

Background:  Our aim in this study was to analyze the adjustment of the laryngeal mask, Ambu AuraOnce, in pediatric patients during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to look for a correlation between clinical parameters such as the sealing pressure and the ease of introduction with radiological parameters.

Methods:  One‐hundred and twenty‐one pediatric patients from 4 months to 17 years who required a cranial MRI for other reasons were enrolled in the study. General anesthesia was induced with sevofluorane and no relaxant was used. Insertion attempts, sealing pressure, desaturation episodes and maintenance of anesthesia were recorded. Spontaneous ventilation was maintained throughout all procedures and no episodes of desaturation below 95% were seen. Patients without cough or pharyngeal pain were discharged after 1 h. Data were classified into three groups according to the size of the used laryngeal mask (group 1 for laryngeal mask number 1½; group 2 for laryngeal mask number 2, and group 3 for laryngeal mask number 2½). Sagittal MRI cuts were reviewed to calculate neck flexion, laryngeal mask position and its relationship with the trachea.

Results:  First‐attempt introduction rate of the laryngeal mask was 96%, and it was 100% after a second attempt. Sealing pressure was 22.1 ± 4.15 mmHg for group 1, 22.23 ± 3.94 for group 2, and 23.83 ± 3.28 for group 3. The angles between the laryngeal mask and the four first cervical vertebrae were calculated (group 1, 33.65 ± 8.05; group 2, 28.09 ± 6.65; group 3, 25.79 ± 4.26). Distances between trachea and proximal and distal cuffs were measured to evaluate proper fitting of the laryngeal mask. Anomalous placement seen on MRI, using distances from proximal and distal cuff to trachea, occurred in 23.5% in group 1, 10.9% in group 2, and 13.8% in group 3. We found no correlation between this anomalous position of the laryngeal mask and sealing pressure or ease of introduction.

Conclusions:  The Ambu AuraOnce can be regarded as a safe product for airway maintenance in pediatric patients. No relationship was found between radiological measurements and sealing pressures.
microRNAs and the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism
Authors: Poy M. N. , Spranger M. , Stoffel M.
Published: October 2007

Over recent years, metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes have finally become recognized as a major challenge to global health. The attention of scientists therefore has to focus on improving our understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind these diseases and towards the design of new drug therapy strategies. The pathophysiology of diabetes is undoubtedly complex, oftentimes characterized by varying states of insulin resistance and impaired β‐cell function; however, the identification of new pathways is constantly improving our understanding of the disease. We and others have recently shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) can play a role in insulin secretion and glucose homostasis. Thus, in this review, we will discuss the potential role of miRNAs in type 2 diabetes and related metabolic diseases.
THE ROLE OF HONG KONG IN SINO‐TAIWAN AND SINO‐KOREA TRADE, 1981‐87
Authors: Wong Teresa Y.C.
Published: October 2007

Sino‐Taiwan and Sino‐Korea trade through Hong Kong has been growing steadily since early 1980's. Direct trade is impossible because of the lack of diplomatic relations between China and Taiwan and China and S. Korea, Thus, an intermediary is essential to carry out the transactions. Then, there is the issue of why Hong Kong is chosen as the major intermediary. This relates to the transportation costs and transaction costs advantages that Hong Kong possesses as an entrepot. As the major intermediary in Sino‐Taiwan and Sino‐Korea trade, Hong Kong is playing multiple roles. It is serving as an entrepot in commodity trade; as an agent in the export of technology from Taiwan and S. Korea to China; as a mediator in trade disputes; and as the middle‐man in some trade related issues such as the application of patent protection and the establishment of trade offices. Above all it is observed that Hong Kong has major roles to play not only in the case of indirect trade, but also in the case of direct trade. In the future, there might not be much chance for the legalization of direct trade. Nevertheless, the recent change in the trade and investment policies of Taiwan and S. Korea has shown that the future prospect of indirect trade is very bright.
Experts' Versus Laymen's Expectations: Some Survey Evidence
Authors: Liang Ming‐Yih
Published: October 2007

This paper reports the results of a questionnaire survey conducted recently in the city of Taipei on people's expectations regarding certain macroeconomic variables, such as consumer prices, the GNP growth rate, and the money supply growth rate. The survey sample is divided into two groups: “non‐economists” and “economists”. We find that there is a significant difference between economists' and non‐economists' expectation behavior. We also find that only a very small fraction of people (26.8% among economists and 6.5% of non‐economists) can say how many % they expect the money supply growth rate will be.
The Wage Rate and the Worker's Productivity: the Case of the Japanese Chemical Industry
Authors: Ito Shoichi
Published: October 2007

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between the wage rate and the productivity of the blue‐collar worker in Japan. In this paper, micro data from a factory of chemical industry in Japan is used for our empirical study. Our empirical results indicate that, if the index of the labor productivity is an appropriate index of the labor productivity, the labor productivity plays a crucial role in the determination of the wage rate in a particular Japanese chemical factory of the 1960s.
The Resources Allocation Effects of Indonesia's Financial Repression in the 1974–1983 Period
Authors: Woo Wing Thye
Published: October 2007

We found that the selective credit policy of the 1974‐83 period benefitted the Indonesian economy in a way unanticipated by the protagonists in the financial repression debate. The selective credit policy by favoring the manufacturing and trade sectors reduced their decimation by the overvalued exchange rate created by expansionary macroeconomic policies. The existence of a sizeable tradeable sector when the negative balance of payments shocks hit after 1981 enabled Indonesia to earn enough foreign exchange to service its external debts and thus avoid the type of prolonged economic crisis experienced by Latin America. (It must be stressed that the selective credit policy constituted only one of the policy actions that preserved the economic viability of the tradeable sector.) Since the selective credit policy was not undertaken with the expectation of negative balance of payments shocks in 1980s, its beneficial effects on economic development were entirely fortuitous.
Taiwan's External Imbalance and Structural Adjustment: A General Equilibrium Analysis*
Authors: Chu Yung‐Peng
Published: October 2007

Taiwan's trade surplus reached about one‐fifth of GNP by 1986, becoming the source of attention and criticism from the international community. Realizing it is to her own benefit to reduce the surplus, and also in order to ease outside pressure, Taiwan started to take measures of macroeconomic adjustments, including currency appreciation and expansionary fiscal policies. Trade surplus was reduced to 8.1% of GNP by 1989, as a result of increases in domestic demand accompanied by decreases in demand from abroad. At the same time the sectoral structure of Taiwan's economy changed: the share of non‐tradable sectors (mainly construction and services) expanded while that of the tradable ones (agriculture and manufacturing) shrank. This paper uses a 27‐sector computable general equilibrium model to investigate the comparative statics of changes in Taiwan's fiscal, monetary and exchange rate policies in 1989. Results of the model's counter factual policy simulations indicate expansionary fiscal and monetary policies are effective in reducing the external imbalance. In particular if public investment and money supply were raised by respectively 20% and 10% above the actual values, current account surplus as a percentage of GNP could be reduced from 8.52% to 6.91% in that year, and resources shifts from the tradable to the non‐tradable sectors would be strengthened. They also indicate that to achieve a given target of reduction in external imbalance, there are trade‐offs between expansionary fiscal policies and currency appreciation and between expansionary monetary policies and currency appreciation. For instance to reduce the current account surplus ratio to 5.04 of GNP, a 15% (10%) increase in public investment (money supply) would have to be accompanied by a 31% (29%) appreciation of the nominal effective exchange rate.
Exogenous Shocks and Nonstationary Time Series: The Case of the Philippines*
Authors: Capuno J. J.
Published: October 2007

This paper demonstrates that the effects of the exogenous shocks experienced by the Philippine economy have been permanent rather than transitory. The finding emerges from the application of the Augmented Dickey‐Fuller (ADF) model and the segmented trend model which confirm the presence of unit roots in several Philippine macroeconomic time series variables. Moreover, the use of the segmented trend model focuses some insights regarding the influence of the government's stabilization policies on the macroeconomic variables under investigation.
The Reform of Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations in China*
Authors: Ma Jun
Published: October 2007

This paper looks at the impact of China's fiscal decentralization on the central government's ability to use fiscal policy to achieve macroeconomic objectives. It is argued that, under the fiscal contract system introduced in the early 1980s. the localities effectively controlled the tax rates and tax bases. Due to the lack of fiscal resources and policy instruments, the central government found it increasingly difficult to achieve its goals of macroeconomic stabilization and regional equalization. The adoption of the tax‐assignment system in the 1994 fiscal reform was an important step taken by the central government to address these difficulties. Nevertheless, a number of elements in the current tax‐assignment system may work to make this system unsustainable in the long run.
The Market Shares of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Taiwan Manufacturing
Authors: Hu Ming‐Wen , Schive Chi
Published: October 2007

Small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) have played an important role in many countries’ industrial development. Among these countries, Taiwan is well known for the outstanding performance of its SMEs. Limited knowledge about the causes of such performance has been revealed gradually. The main purpose of this study is to explore the determinants of SMEs’ market shares in Taiwan’s manufacturing sector. According to economics literature, economies of scale determine the market share of SMEs. The usual explanation given is that economies of scale create barriers against SMEs entering the market and competing efficiently with larger firms. It is also said that the strong entrepreneurial drive to have a self‐owned business is a crucial explanation for the creation of new businesses, usually as offshoots from a small one. Finally, such factors such as an even‐handed policy scheme, the availability of technology in relation to R&D, transaction costs, and so forth, are also important for creating a favourable environment for SMEs.

Applying cross‐industry pooling data from 1976 to 1986, the market shares of SMEs in Taiwan’s manufacturing sector were found to be affected by the following factors: (1) SMEs’ performance related to labour productivity and their willingness to set up new enterprises; (2) institutional factors including low entry barriers, suitable technology, the adoption of a subcontract system, and prosperous export markets. The empirical findings are compared with those from studies of the US and Germany.
A Functional Approach to Picture Manipulation
Authors: Arya K
Published: October 2007

A functional approach is used to investigate the creation and manipulation of pictures as hierarchical entities. A set of useful functions is designed and used in a series of illustrative examples written in the functional programming language HOPE. A functional animation system incorporating these ideas is then discussed.
Colour Graphics—Blessing or Ballyhoo?
Authors: Murch Gerald M.
Published: October 2007

The human visual system's capacity and capability to process colour can be applied as a design criterion for colour information displays. This paper reviews key elements in the visual domain of colour, encompassing the visual, perceptual, and cognitive modes and develops a series of recommendations for effective colour usage based on these elements.
Manufacturing Models of Biomedical Objects via CAD/CAM and GKS
Authors: Reumann K. , Giebel G. , Mildenstein K.
Published: October 2007

Picture generating methods like tomography have drastically improved the possibility for the conception of biomedical objects in living humans. They have proved to be of major significance in surgical planning. Computer Aided Design (CAD) methods based on tomography are in the research phase for the three‐dimensional reconstruction and display using computer graphics for even better visualization. We provide a method beyond that by manufacturing physical three‐dimensional models via the Graphical Kernel System (GKS) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) methods. This kind of method is very well suited for visualization in some application areas. Moreover it yields physical models which can be manipulated in the preoperative phase. Lastly a physical bone model can be a substitute for the original object.
A Functional Approach to Animation
Authors: Arya Kavi
Published: October 2007

We investigate the benefits of using a functional language to reason about and to implement animation. Since animation concerns pictures changing over time, we consider the manipulation of movies or picture sequences. A compact set of primitive operations over movies is introduced and its use as the basis for an animation system is illustrated. The notion of the behaviour of an animated character is formalised and we show how simple behaviours may be combined to create more complex behaviours. We then show how higher‐order functions allow us to construct a variety of useful tools which lead to a highly concise functional script.
Dialogue Cell Resource Model and Basic Dialogue Cells
Authors: Schouten H.J. , Ten Hagen P.J.W.
Published: October 2007

A model for the handling of resources used in interactive programs, with emphasis on the input device part, is developed. Its connection to the I/O pair model and its usage in the dialogue cell system is described.

The definition and properties of basic dialogue cells are given. A method for constructing a basic cell library is presented. A number of results from the application of the resource model on a basic cell library is shown.
Two Parallel Methods for Polygon Clipping
Authors: Theoharis Theoharis , Page Ian
Published: October 2007

A control parallel and a novel data parallel implementation of the Sutherland‐Hodgman polygon clipping algorithm are presented. The two implementations are based on the INMOS transputer and the AMT Distributed Array Processor respectively; both of these machines are general purpose parallel processors. Performance Figures are reported and implications for further work are discussed.
On The Projective Invariant Representation of Conies in Computer Graphics
Authors: Herman Ivan
Published: October 2007

A general formulation for conies and conic arcs for the purpose of computer graphics is given, based on principles and theorems of projective geometry. This approach allows the approximation of these curves by line segments to be postponed in the graphics output pipeline; it results in a more compact storage, faster approximation algorithms and smoother outlook of the curves.
Faster Phong Shading via Angular Interpolation
Authors: Kuijk AAM. , Blake E.H.
Published: October 2007

One of the most successful algorithms that brought realism to the world of 3D image generation is Phong shading. It is an algorithm for smooth shading meshes of planar polygons used to represent curved surfaces. The level of realism and depth perception that can be obtained by Phong shading is attractive for 3D CAD applications and related areas. However, per pixel computation costs which were too high and/or artifacts, introduced by some of the more efficient evaluation methods and apparent only when displaying moving objects, are major factors mat blocked the common usage of Phong shading in highly interactive applications.

In this paper we present angular interpolation for Phong shading planar polygons. Angular interpolation was a method especially designed to meet requirements as imposed by special purpose hardware we developed1, but turned out to be generally applicable. The angular interpolation method appears to be very efficient and reduces artifacts when displaying moving objects. Ideally a shading algorithm imposes no need for subdivision of patches as presented by the solid modelling system. Shading calculation via angular interpolation yields such an ideal algorithm. We will describe two alternative evaluation methods that trade off evaluation cost against level of accuracy. They both can handle light source and view point at arbitrary distances, but differ in level of accuracy. As a consequence these alternative evaluation methods do impose restrictions on the topology of patches and light sources. However, generally, the limitations imposed by these alternative shading methods are much more liberal than the limitations on patch size imposed by the geometry.

The most economic evaluation method we present can incrementally compute the colour intensity along a scanline by two additions per pixel. The methods presented are generally applicable and can easily be implemented in hardware.
Anti‐aliased Ray Tracing with Covers
Authors: Thomas D. , Netravali Arun N. , Fox D.S.
Published: October 2007

A fast and effective object space method for antialiasing ray‐traced pictures is introduced. Traditionally, anti‐aliasing has been done using super‐sampling. However, this is costly since it requires casting large numbers of rays to obtain sample densities above the displayed pixel density. It is also wasteful since much of the information in these samples is discarded when they are filtered to yield the anti‐aliased pixels. We avoid these problems by performing the filtering in the object space using the geometry of ray‐surface intersections rather than by casting extra rays. In addition, we only perform filtering at a pixel if edges are nearby. We detect these edges by observing the order in which the pixel's rays pass through cover surfaces constructed just inside and outside the surface of each object. Shadows, reflections and refractions can be anti‐aliased using this method and a variety of object types can be handled including ellipsoids, polyhedra, and objects formed using set operations.

Our anti‐aliasing gives a high image quality that can only be approached by using super‐sampling densities at least four times the display pixel density. Moreover, since the overhead of our method is small, it would take three to four times as long to render an anti‐aliased image using super‐sampling than it would with our method. Furthermore, covers allow sampling densities less than the displayed pixel density. When this is done, anti‐aliased images can be rendered twice as fast as with no anti‐aliasing and six to eight times as fast as when super‐sampling is used for anti‐aliasing.
Top Draw: A Structure Network Visualiser for PHIGS
Authors: Howard T.W.
Published: October 2007

The Programmer's Hierarchical Interactive Graphics System (PHIGS) is an International Standard for computer graphics. PHIGS provides a flexible mechanism for creating hierarchical models from collections of directed acyclic graphs known as ‘structure networks’. In practice, the combination of powerful data structuring facilities and the ability to dynamically edit structure networks can lead to a potential complexity which makes models difficult to manage and maintain reliably.

This paper presents TopDraw, a portable programming tool for visualising PHIGS structure networks, by automatically documenting their topology using diagrams. Drawing tidy representations of graphs algorithmically is a difficult problem, and most existing systems are large, complex and speciallsed The alternative approach taken in TopDraw is to use a fast, straightforward algorithm supplemented when necessary by an interactive 'tidief. A novel feature of TopDraw is that the diagrams it produces are themselves PHIGS structures, which the application may edit and manipdate as required. TopDraw is a component of the PHIGS Toolkit, an emerging set of portable integrated tools for PHIGS environments.
Combining Graphics and Windowing Standards in the XGKS System
Authors: Rogers Greg , Sung Kelvin , Kubitz William
Published: October 2007

In the past few years we have seen the acceptance of standards for both two and three dimensional computer graphics. Also during this time, the workstation community has converged on a common windowing system. This paper discusses the problems encountered in implementing graphics standards such as GKS and PHIGS PLUS within the X Window System environment.
GosiP: A GKS3D Shell for PHIGS
Authors: French Michael
Published: October 2007

Gosip is an implementation of a GKS‐3D level 2c interface to PHIGS. It allows GKS applications to run on PHIGS platforms, offering performance and portability across a wide range of high‐performance 3D workstations. Compatibility of the standards is reviewed. A selection of design solutions is given for the problems of error processing, non‐retained primitives and attribute management. The concepts of Workstation Display Session and atmbute state are introduced. Some comments are made on implementation dependencies, performance and portability.
Dürer, Gaskets and Barnsley's Chaos Game
Authors: Jones Huw
Published: October 2007

Michael Barnsley has generated the Sierpinski triangle or gasket using his “Chaos Game”, a technique for generating random points within a fractal object. Extensions of the method are discussed to generate fractal “gaskets” based on other regular polygons. One such figure resembles a tiling pattern based on pentagons known to Albrecht Dürer almost 500 years ago.
Fascism: The Ideology of the British National Party
Authors: Copsey Nigel
Published: October 2007

The revival in interest in the British far right as a result of recent localised growth in support for the British National Party (BNP) necessitates analysis of its political ideology and objectives. This article seeks to demonstrate that the BNP is virulently hostile to liberal democracy and that this hostility derives from its revolutionary, fascist agenda. The point that the BNP is a fascist organisation is significant and cannot be ignored. At the very least, it raises important questions about the place of the BNP in contemporary British politics.
The Italian General Elections: Something New or More of the Same Thing?
Authors: Partridge Hilary
Published: October 2007

Since the Second World War, Italy has been ruled by shifting coalitions dominated by the Christian Democrat Party to the exclusion of the main opposition, the Communist Party. The continuity in power of the government coalitions and inter party/faction negotiations created the conditions for the abuses of state resources which came to light with the investigations of the Milan magistrates. Electoral reforms intended to break the stranglehold of the ‘partyocracy’ by encouraging the formation of two main alternative political blocs have been implemented. However, the 1994 elections have returned a right wing coalition to power, and the opposition remains deeply divided.
The Theory and Politics of Contemporary Social Movements
Authors: Gladwin Maree
Published: October 2007

Social movements of the 1960s have given rise to new theoretical perspectives such as Resource Mobilization Theory and theories of New Social Movements. Resource Mobilization Theory analyses the dynamics of mobilization: the effective organisation of social movements and their influence on mainstream political institutions. By contrast, New Social Movement theories seek to explain the anti-institutional nature of contemporary movements which are said to pursue radical social transformation through mainly cultural means. In this article, both theoretical approaches are examined but found to be inadequate explanations of the complexities of contemporary movements and their relationship with the political environment.
Britain as an Awkward Partner: Reassessing Britain's Relations with the EU
Authors: Buller Jim
Published: October 2007

This article attempts to do two things. It begins by asserting that there is something that can be called the Awkward Partner thesis, and that this is the dominant academic interpretation of Britain's relations with the European Union. The article then goes on to critically assess this thesis. Particular attention is paid to the concept of awkwardness, and an attempt is made to question its usefulness and validity. The article then goes on to question the underlying argument of the thesis that Britain's persistent awkwardness is a result of peculiar domestic political institutions and structures.
Lecturing is a Political Activity?
Authors: Jenkins Alan
Published: October 2007

A polemic is presented, arguing that the traditional lecture (in which the teacher speaks all or most of the time) is both educationally ineffective and in part a political authoritarian act. For those teachers and students who accept this interpretation two suggested directions are outlined. One is to change the form of the lecture to include more student centred activities. Alternatively staff can develop courses with few or no lectures. In conclusion I argue that aspects of the politics of higher education obstruct teachers and students who wish to teach and learn in these more effective ways.
Reply to Lowe
Authors: Lacey Nicola , Frazer Elizabeth
Published: October 2007

The concept ‘community’ is underspecified in the political theory literature – it must have a more specific reference than just some collectivity or some network of social relations. But attempts to specify what is specific about the relation of community are unsatisfactory. And references to ‘actual physical’ communities overlook the symbolic and imagined aspects of community, which furthermore destabilise putative communities as much as they stabilise them. Analysis of social relations and networks, and theories of what patterns of relations are conducive to human flourishing should deploy more precise sociological categories.
An Election with No Losers: The 1994 Federal Elections in the New Germany
Authors: James Peter
Published: October 2007

The German federal election in October 1994, just four years after German Unity, revealed that clear divisions between east and west Germany still exist. Whilst the PDS on the left of the political spectrum was supported by around one fifth of east German voters, the parties on the right gained negligible support in Germany as a whole. The federal German electoral system, based on a personalised sytem of PR, again played a key role; it is, however still too early in the development of the new Germany to speak of a single new party system.
COMPOUNDING FINANCIAL REPRESSION WITH RIGID URBAN REGULATIONS: Lessons of the Korean Housing Market*
Authors: Renaud Bertrand
Published: October 2007

This paper explores the interactions between financial and urban policies, and their joint impact on the performance of the housing sector during the course of economic development. The central hypothesis is that extended periods of financial repression and the scarcity of mortgage lending have generated significant distortions in the output of the Korean housing sector. In addition, combined with very restrictive urban planning and land use regulations, this financial situation may have led to under‐investment in the urban sector of Korea during much of the past two decades.
AN ECONOMIC POLICY HYPOTHESIS OF METROPOLITAN GROWTH CYCLES: A Reflection on the Recent Rejuvenation of Tokyo*
Authors: Mera Koichi
Published: October 2007

Rejecting the simplistic life‐cycle hypothesis of cities put forth by Klassen and Paelinck, this paper advances a new hypothesis for the cyclical movements of urban growth that have taken place on a world‐wide scale. The recent rejuvenation of major industrialized cities is largely attributed to the shift in the government's economic policies toward a smaller government, supported by the existence of economies of scale in large cities. The paper closely examines Tokyo's recent rejuvenation and shows how the government's conservative economic policies of the 1980's helped reverse the declining trend of the previous decade.
IMPLEMENTING PROPERTY TAX REFORM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: Lessons from the Property Tax in Indonesia1
Authors: Kelly Roy
Published: October 2007

Indonesia is currently undergoing a major property tax reform. The reform has been undertaken in two steps. First, a new Land and Building Tax was enacted in 1986. This new law dramatically simplified the property tax structure and replaced seven different land‐related taxes. Second, the Government initiated a major institutional exercise to strengthen property tax administration. This resulted in a major reorganization of the tax department, the adoption of a “collection‐led” implementation strategy, and the introduction of an innovative payment point collection system (SISTEP). Since the enactment of these legal and institutional reforms, property tax revenues have increased dramatically from Rp.154 billion in 1985/86 to over Rp.900 billion in 1991/92. Collection efficiency has improved and enforcement activities have resulted in a historic property seizure for property tax delinquency in October 1991. This paper analyzes the results of the Indonesian property tax reform and identifies lessons for developing countries interested in strategically implementing property tax reform.
SERVICES, TRADE, AND REGIONAL STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN CANADA 1974 ‐ 1984
Authors: Stabler Jack C. , Howe Eric C.
Published: October 2007

Interest in the extent to which services are traded interregionally and internationally, as well as the role of services as a basic industry, has heightened over the past decade. Analysis of these questions has been hampered, however, by the fact that conventional data sources such as income and product accounts or employment records do not identify transactions between sectors or patterns of trade on a commodity basis. This study uses a series of commodity‐by‐industry input‐output models for the Canadian provinces which do permit an analysis of interregional and international trade on a commodity basis. We are also able to identify the importance of commodity exports on a direct‐plus‐embodied basis as well as the more conventional direct basis. Our analysis indicates that service exports to the Rest of the World was the fastest growing demand category between 1974 and 1984, followed by exports to Other Provinces. We also conclude that the conventional method of identifying exports, on a direct basis only, understates the amount of services exported as well as the contribution of services to the regional growth process.
PERFORMANCE OF THE VARIABLE RATE MORTGAGE AND THE BULGARIAN INDEXED CAPPED CREDIT
Authors: Ravicz R. Marisol
Published: October 2007

For countries relying on variable‐rate, equal monthly installment mortgages, periods of high or unstable inflation can decimate loan affordability and profitability. The Bulgarian Indexed Capped Credit (BICC) can protect bank returns and radically improve loan affordability. Nevertheless, the instrument has a significantly higher credit risk than a fixed rate mortgage. Using Bulgaria as a model, this paper will review the BICC's benefits for borrowers and lenders. In addition, it will examine the instrument's credit risk and explore one option for reducing that hazard. Finally, this report will examine briefly liquidity risk, consumer acceptance and servicing issues.
LOCATION OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT – THE ISRAELI CASE
Authors: Shefer Daniel
Published: October 2007

This paper reviews and empirically examines the effectiveness of the Israeli government's declared policy to induce the location of high technology industries in developing regions. The first section of the paper reviews the literature on high technology industry location. The second section presents the findings from the analyses of a sample of 53 high technology Israeli firms in regard to their critical locational determinants. The findings corroborate the results reported in other similar studies. High technology industries, primarily those engaged in research and development, appear to favor the large urban concentrations, where agglomeration economies, large pools of skilled workers and high quality educational and cultural facilities exist. High technology firms which choose to locate in peripheral regions engage primarily in production activities and employ larger proportions of unskilled and semi‐skilled labor. The average size of these firms is greater than their counterparts, firms located in and around urban concentrations.
REGIONAL DISPARITIES IN THE PROCESS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Aka Ebenezer O.
Published: October 2007

This paper examines the policy actions of earlier administrators in Nigeria. The account reveals that regional inequalities in the country evolved during the 100 years of British Colonial Administration. Moreover, activities of various ethno‐linguistic groups in the country after political independence undoubtedly exacerbated the situation. The paper concludes that the major structural changes in agriculture, transportation and education initiated by the British during the colonial period: (a) had profound effects on the evolution of regional disparities; and (b) established an important basis for further development of the country. Nonetheless, activities of post‐independence administrators have perpetuated and even aggravated the regional and individual socio‐economic disparities in the country.
FISCAL DECENTRALIZATION AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS: AN ANALYSIS OF FEDERAL VERSUS STATE EDUCATION FINANCE IN MEXICO
Authors: Ian Gershberg Alec
Published: October 2007

While decentralization is on the forefront of the reform agenda of many developing countries, few studies have performed empirical analysis to provide a holistic picture of the important fiscal, efficiency, and equity issues. Specifically, decentralization nearly always involves fiscal and administrative decisions by both national and sub‐national governments, as well as intricate intergovernmental relations. Here, two empirical models are presented for the Mexican primary and secondary education sector. The first analyzes the efficiency‐equity trade‐off implicit the Mexican Federal Government's educational fiscal transfers to states. Unlike most similar analyses, this model analyzes the distribution of outcomes not simply expenditures. The second model analyzes the relative productivity of separate expenditures by the Federal and state governments before Mexico's recent educational decentralization legislation. The findings show that before the decentralization, the Federal Government exhibited some concern for equity, but that in doing so also treated states unequally according to criteria that have little to do with either efficiency or equity. In addition, the results show that the Federal Government may indeed have been the more efficient provider of primary and secondary education, raising concern for the fiscal and administrative relationship set up by the decentralization legislation: the Federal Government will continue to pay, while the states have gained relative autonomy over expenditures.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ITS SPATIAL IMPACT ON SINGAPORE
Authors: Wong Tai‐Chee
Published: October 2007

An efficient infrastructural support has been a key component to attract international investment supporting the export‐oriented growth strategy of Singapore in the last thirty years. The current emphasis on information technology reflects not only a deepening process but also the necessity to enhance the productivity, hence the competitive edge of Singapore in the global market economy. Various computerization programs, including those for the civil service, have been implemented with success. It is expected, however, that the spatial impact contributed by the intensive use of information technology would be considerable. In light of recent rising asset inflation and operating costs, it is likely that the labor force could be driven more swiftly towards the services, leading to a premature deindustrialization, unless measures undertaken to counter the process are effective.