bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond chronic myelogenous leukemia
Authors: Cortes Jorge , Kantarjian Hagop
Published: April 2004

The myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) are chronic malignant conditions originating from the clonal expansion of a multipotential hematopoietic stem cell. These diseases include polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythenia, atypical chronic myeloid leukemia, idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), agnogenic myeloid metaplasia with myelofibrosis, and others. Receptor tyrosine kinases—the platelet‐derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs) and c‐Kit—and their respective ligands have been implicated in the pathogenesis of MPDs. For example, a constitutively activated PDGFR fusion tyrosine kinase (FIP1L1‐PDGFRA) was identified in some patients with HES, a disease characterized by sustained overproduction of eosinophils that has been classified by the World Health Organization as a chronic subtype of the MPDs. Imatinib is a selective inhibitor of PDGFRs, c‐Kit, Abl and Arg protein‐tyrosine kinases, as well as Bcr‐Abl, the oncogenic tyrosine kinase that causes chronic myeloid leukemia. The efficacy of imatinib in treating HES, systemic mast cell disease, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia associated with PDGFRβ fusion genes, and (to a lesser extent) PV and idiopathic myelofibrosis was reviewed from institutional experience and a review of the literature. In 3 studies that involved 11 patients with PV, 10 patients had reductions in phlebotomy with imatinib. Eight studies of 42 patients with HES indicated that 70% achieved complete hematologic remissions with imatinib. Four studies of 6 patients with MPD indicated responses with imatinib in 5 patients. Insight into the molecular pathogenesis of MPDs will improve the definitions of different disease categories and suggests that signal transduction inhibition is likely to be an increasingly important treatment option in the future. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Hypersingular integral equation method for three‐dimensional crack problem in shear mode
Authors: Chen Y. Z.
Published: April 2004

This paper presents the use of the hypersingular integral equation method for solving the flat crack problem in shear mode. In the method, the crack opening displacement (COD) functions are assumed to be polynomials with several undetermined coefficients. The involved hypersingular integral can be reduced into a repeat integral in a particular polar co‐ordinate, and further integrated by a known quadrature rule. This technique considerably reduces the effort of derivation and computation to obtain the final solution. The undetermined coefficients in the COD functions are obtained from an algebraic equation. The stress intensity factors (SIF) along the boundary of the flat crack can then be easily calculated. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new scheme for designing the penalty factor in 3‐D penalty‐equilibrating mixed elements
Authors: Cao Yan Ping , Hu Ning , Lu Jian , Fukunaga Hisao , Yao Zhen Han
Published: April 2004

In this paper, a new scheme for designing the penalty factor in 3‐D penalty‐equilibrating mixed elements based on the Hu–Washizu three‐field variational functional is proposed to improve the performance of the elements when applied to beam, plate and shell structures. In order to construct this new scheme, the role played by the penalty factor is first discussed in detail by comparing it with the selective reduced factor designed by Sze for overcoming the so‐called ‘trapezoid locking’. The reason of the poor performance of the penalty‐equilibrating element for the distorted elemental geometry is investigated thoroughly. Furthermore, the penalty factor is designed to alleviate the influence of false strain/stress in elements by considering the geometrical characteristics of beam, plate and shell structures. The new scheme is applied to the penalty‐equilibrating 3‐D mixed element proposed by the present authors previously. Some challenging numerical examples are selected to demonstrate the effectiveness of the present approach. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A study on measurement of dielectric constant by free space transmission method at C band
Authors: Hashimoto Osamu , Sato Atsuki , Hanazawa Masahiro , Tani Kensuke , Endo Tetsuo
Published: April 2004

In this paper, we looked at the C band used by wireless local area networks (LANs) and conducted a basic study of methods for measuring the complex permittivity by a free space transmission method using horn antennas. In the study, we quantitatively examined the significant effect of the errors produced by widening the directivity of the horn antenna on the size of the measurement sample and distance between the antenna and the sample of, for example, acrylic board. We compared these measurement results to those of the resonator method and verified excellent agreement. We also verified excellent agreement between measurements of the complex permittivity of plasterboard building material as the sample and published measurements. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 87(10): 18–25, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10191
Evaluation of discontinuous Galerkin and spectral volume methods for scalar and system conservation laws on unstructured grids
Authors: Sun Yuzhi , Wang Z. J.
Published: April 2004

The discontinuous Galerkin (DG) and spectral volume (SV) methods are two recently developed high‐order methods for hyperbolic conservation laws capable of handling unstructured grids. In this paper, their overall performance in terms of efficiency, accuracy and memory requirement is evaluated using a 2D scalar conservation laws and the 2D Euler equations. To measure their accuracy, problems with analytical solutions are used. Both methods are also used to solve problems with strong discontinuities to test their ability in discontinuity capturing. Both the DG and SV methods are capable of achieving their formal order of accuracy while the DG method has a lower error magnitude and takes more memory. They are also similar in efficiency. The SV method appears to have a higher resolution for discontinuities because the data limiting can be done at the sub‐element level. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using the job demands‐resources model to predict burnout and performance
Authors: Bakker Arnold B. , Demerouti Evangelia , Verbeke Willem
Published: April 2004

The job demands‐resources (JD‐R) model was used to examine the relationship between job
characteristics, burnout, and (other‐ratings of) performance (N =
146). We hypothesized that job demands (e.g., work pressure and emotional demands) would be the most
important antecedents of the exhaustion component of burnout, which, in turn, would predict in‐role
performance (hypothesis 1). In contrast, job resources (e.g., autonomy and social support) were
hypothesized to be the most important predictors of extra‐role performance, through their relationship with
the disengagement component of burnout (hypothesis 2). In addition, we predicted that job resources would
buffer the relationship between job demands and exhaustion (hypothesis 3), and that exhaustion would be
positively related to disengagement (hypothesis 4). The results of structural equation modeling analyses
provided strong support for hypotheses 1, 2, and 4, but rejected hypothesis 3. These findings support the
JD‐R model's claim that job demands and job resources initiate two psychological processes, which
eventually affect organizational outcomes. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Special report: Sense of urgency at SEC developments conference
Authors: Rouse Robert W. , Weirich Thomas R.
Published: April 2004

What's on the SEC's mind for 2004? Our authors attended the latest SEC Developments Conference to find out. With the recent demise of Arthur Andersen, and a spate of bankruptcies that cost investors billions of dollars, there was a sense of urgency in the air. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluating organizational strategy using accounting data: A template for a fine‐grained analysis
Authors: Sopariwala Parvez R. , Subramanian Ram
Published: April 2004

A company's operating income can be considered to have three components—growth, price recovery, and productivity. These components can be used to evaluate the success of a company's cost‐leadership or product‐differentiation strategies. The growth component can be further analyzed to incorporate a long‐term view and focus on capacity‐underutilization components so as to capture changes in a company's capacity costs, available capacities, and used capacities. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Decisionarium—aiding decisions, negotiating and collecting opinions on the web
Authors: Hämäläinen Raimo P.
Published: April 2004

Decisionarium (www.decisionarium.hut.fi) is the first public site for interactive multicriteria decision support with tools for individual decision‐making as well as for group collaboration and negotiation. Web‐HIPRE (www.hipre.hut.fi) supports value tree and AHP analysis including group models. The RICH methodology (www.rich.hut.fi) allows the decision maker to provide incomplete ordinal preference statements when considering the relative importance of attributes in a value tree. Opinions‐Online (www.opinion.hut.fi) is a platform for surveys voting and group collaboration. There are different ways for voting, multiattribute scoring, surveys as well as interactive viewing of the results. Joint Gains (www.jointgains.hut.fi) applies the method of improving directions to support multiparty negotiations in a multicriteria setting. Smart Swaps offers an implementation of the even swaps procedure (www.smart‐swaps.hut.fi). All of the tools above are web‐based, so global interaction is natural and links can be utilized for multimedia information support. Decisionarium also offers access to complete e‐learning modules (www.dm.hut.fi) based on the use of the software. There are also illustrative powerpoint presentations and additional Windows software WINPRE and PRIME‐Decisions for value tree analysis under incomplete information. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A hybrid domain decomposition method based on aggregation
Authors: Vassilevski Yu.
Published: April 2004

A new two‐level black‐box preconditioner based on the hybrid domain decomposition technique is proposed and studied. The preconditioner is a combination of an additive Schwarz preconditioner and a special smoother. The smoother removes dependence of the condition number on the number of subdomains and variations of the diffusion coefficient and leaves minor sensitivity to the problem size. The algorithm is parallel and pure algebraic which makes it a convenient framework for the construction parallel black‐box preconditioners on unstructured meshes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Properties of Hadamard product of inverse M‐matrices
Authors: Yang Chuansheng , Xu Chengxian
Published: April 2004

This paper concerns with the properties of Hadamard product of inverse M‐matrices. Structures of tridiagonal inverse M‐matrices and Hessenberg inverse M‐matrices are analysed. It is proved that the product A ○ AT satisfies Willoughby's necessary conditions for being an inverse M‐matrix when A is an irreducible inverse M‐matrix. It is also proved that when A is either a Hessenberg inverse M‐matrix or a tridiagonal inverse M‐matrix then A ○ AT is an inverse M‐matrix. Based on these results, the conjecture that A ○ AT is an inverse M‐matrix when A is an inverse M‐matrix is made. Unfortunately, the conjecture is not true. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.
Stimuli‐responsive ABC triblock copolymers by sequential living cationic copolymerization: Multistage self‐assemblies through micellization to open association
Authors: Sugihara Shinji , Kanaoka Shokyoku , Aoshima Sadahito
Published: April 2004

Stimuli‐responsive ABC triblock copolymers with three segments with different phase‐separation temperatures were synthesized via sequential living cationic copolymerization. The triblock copolymers exhibited sensitive thermally induced physical gelation (open association) through the formation of micelles. For example, an aqueous solution of EOVE200‐b‐MOVE200‐b‐EOEOVE200[where EOVE is 2‐ethoxyethyl vinyl ether, MOVE is 2‐methoxethyl vinyl ether and EOEOVE is 2‐(2‐ethoxy)ethoxyethyl vinyl ether; the order of the phase‐separation temperatures was poly(EOVE) (20 °C) < poly(EOEOVE) (41 °C) < poly(MOVE) (70 °C)] underwent multiple reversible transitions from sol (<20 °C) to micellization (20–41 °C) to physical gelation (physical crosslinking, 41–64 °C) and, finally, to precipitation (>64 °C). At 41–64 °C, the physical gel became stiffer than similar diblock or ABA triblock copolymers of the same molecular weight. Furthermore, the ABC triblock copolymers exhibited Weissenberg effects in semidilute aqueous solutions. In sharp contrast, another ABC triblock copolymer with a different arrangement, EOVE200‐b‐EOEOVE200‐b‐MOVE200, scarcely exhibited any increase in viscosity above 41 °C. The temperatures of micelle formation and physical gelation corresponded to the phase‐separation temperatures of the segment types in the ABC triblock copolymer. No second‐stage association was observed for AB and ABA block copolymers with the same thermosensitive segments found in their ABC counterparts. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2601–2611, 2004
Effects of a Korean herbal formulation, Silsosangami, consisting of seven medicinal herbs, and its seven herbs on endotoxin‐induced experimental thrombosis in rats
Authors: Park Won‐Hwan , Ahn Jong‐Chan , Kim Hyung‐Min , Lee Young‐Choon , Kim Cheorl‐Ho
Published: April 2004

A traditional Korean medicine, Silsosangami (SSG), consisting of seven different herbs of Typhae Pollen, Pteropi Faeces, Paeoniae Radicis rubra, Cnidii Rhizoma, Persicae Semen, Carthami Flos and Curcumae Tuber, has been reported to have a hypolipidemic effect in human subjects. In the present study, the inhibitory effects of SSG on a thrombosis in rats, induced by endotoxin treatment were examined. The anti‐thrombic properties of SSG were also investigated with respect to blood parameters. The extracts of SSG and ﬁve of the seven herbs, except Cnidii Rhizoma and Carthami Flos, inhibited both endotoxin‐induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and thrombosis in rats. The extract also inhibited the endotoxin‐induced decrease in blood platelets and ﬁbrinogen, and the endotoxin‐induced increase in ﬁbrin degradation products (FDP) on disseminated intravascular coagulation in normal rats. In conclusion, the artiﬁcially induced, protective effects of SSG on ischemic infarction might be related to their inhibitory effects on DIC, platelet coagulation and thrombotic action. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efﬁcacy of Enicostemma littorale in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Upadhyay Umesh M. , Goyal Ramesh K.
Published: April 2004

Pills prepared from Enicostemma littorale (Gentianaceae) were administered to 84 patients with Type 2 Diabetes for three months. Estimation of various biochemical parameters showed that E. littorale reduced blood glucose as well as serum insulin levels and prevented the progression of complications in diabetic patients. Signiﬁcant improvement in kidney function, lipid proﬁle and blood pressure was observed suggesting that E. littorale is an effective herbal antidiabetic. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perspectives on rationality in system dynamics—a workshop report and open research questions
Authors: Größler Andreas , Milling Peter , Winch Graham
Published: April 2004

A research workshop at Mannheim University, Germany, brought together a small group of Europe‐based experts in system dynamics to discuss basic assumptions about rationality in system dynamics modeling and simulation. As an underlying theme it was found that—although system dynamics is open for various notions of rationality—policies are mostly modeled to be bounded rational and, in this sense, system dynamics models are valid descriptions of real‐world situations. By reviewing key points emerging during the debates against the relevant literature, this article identiﬁes a number of important further research issues. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Micrometastases of Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Appropriate Resection Margin
Authors: Shi Ming , Zhang Chang‐Qing , Zhang Ya‐Qi , Liang Xiao‐Man , Li Jin‐Qing
Published: April 2004

We studied the pattern of intrahepatic micrometastases using large pathologic sections on liver resection specimens with ample resection margins from 113 patients with a solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The liver tissues around the HCC were divided into proximal and distal areas according to the direction of the portal vein flow. These areas were further divided into zones based on fixed criteria. Altogether, 273 micrometastases were identified, including 254 (93.0%) intravascular micrometastases and 19 (7.0%) tumor satellite micronodules. The distance of spread of these micrometastases ranged from 0.05 to 6.10 cm. The number of micrometastases was less in the proximal area than in the distal area. In addition, the farther the distance away from the primary tumor, the fewer micrometastases there were. Micrometastases extended beyond the 2 cm margin in only nine (8.0%) patients. In conclusion, micrometastases could spread via invasion of portal vein branches at an early stage even when the tumor was solitary and small. Anatomic segment resection is preferred for patients with a solitary HCC. Nonanatomic resection may be used as an alternative in patients with impaired liver function, but adequate resection margins should be achieved. For HCCs ≤ 3 cm, a proximal resection margin and a distal margin of 1.0 cm are recommended. For HCCs > 3 cm, a 1.0 proximal resection margin and a 2.0 cm distal margin are recommended.
Why physicians need to look more closely at the use of complementary and alternative medicine by multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Pucci E. , Cartechini E. , Taus C. , Giuliani G.
Published: April 2004

With the aim of contributing to the knowledge of attitudes, patterns and motivations for the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for multiple sclerosis (MS), 109 MS outpatients, or their close relative in cases of mental status impairment, were interviewed using a semi‐structured questionnaire. The main results are: (i) 35.7% used at least one CAM at least once; (ii) homeopathy and diets were the most common; (iii) 39.4% showed a positive attitude towards CAM; (iv) a perceived benefit was recorded in 61.5% of cases; (v) the referral source was a physician in only 12.8% of cases; (vi) caring neurologist was not consulted in 82% and generalist was not consulted in 67% of cases; (vii) of 61 CAM interventions, 21 were expected to be disease‐modifying and 40 symptomatic; (viii) CAM negatively influenced compliance with conventional medical management in very few cases (2/39); (ix) a higher expanded disability status scale (EDSS) was observed in CAM users; and (x) in those who used CAM during last 3 years (21.1%), the approximate mean cost per year per person was 483 €. In Italy, the use of CAM in MS is widespread but costly. This study has provided further baseline data on which to assess trends in CAM use and has highlighted issues for patients and conventional doctors about the use of CAM to deal with health problems. More research into the implications of concurrent use of CAM with conventional medicine on public health care is required.
The Temporal Relationship Between College Women's Alcohol Consumption and Victimization Experiences
Authors: Parks Kathleen A. , Fals‐Stewart William
Published: April 2004

Abstract: Background: The primary objective of the study was to assess changes in the conditional probability of sexual and nonsexual victimization on days of any alcohol consumption compared with days of heavy and no alcohol consumption in a sample of college women.

Methods: We used the Timeline Followback calendar method to assess daily alcohol consumption and concurrent daily incidents of sexual and nonsexual aggression over a 6‐week period.

Results: The odds of experiencing sexual aggression were 9 times higher on heavy days and 3 times higher on nonheavy days of alcohol consumption compared with days of no alcohol consumption. The odds of experiencing nonsexual aggression were more than 7 times higher on heavy days and nearly 3 times higher on nonheavy days of alcohol consumption compared with days of no alcohol consumption.

Conclusions: These findings provide evidence of a temporal association between college women's alcohol consumption and increased risk for victimization. In addition, use of the TLFB appears to be a reasonable and cost effective means for collecting daily data on alcohol consumption and victimization experiences among college women.
Ethanol‐Induced Fos Immunoreactivity in the Extended Amygdala and Hypothalamus of the Rat Brain: Focus on Cholinergic Interneurons of the Nucleus Accumbens
Authors: Herring Bruce E. , Mayfield R. Dayne , Camp Marguerite C. , Alcantara Adriana A.
Published: April 2004

Abstract: Background: The primary goal of this study was to investigate the effects of varying doses of ethanol on cellular activation, as measured by Fos immunoreactivity, in brain areas that have been implicated in the reinforcing and anxiolytic effects of substance abuse and dependence, namely, the extended amygdala and hypothalamus. Specific regions examined included the central nucleus of the amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, substantia innominata, and nucleus accumbens of the extended amygdala, as well as the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. The cholinergic interneurons of the nucleus accumbens were of particular interest, because these cells have recently been reported to play a pivotal role in substance abuse.

Methods: Adult Sprague‐Dawley rats underwent 10 days of handling and 5 days of habituation. Animals then received an injection of saline or 0.5, 1, or 2 g/kg of ethanol. Rats were perfused 2 hr after the injections, and brain sections were processed for single Fos or dual Fos/choline acetyltransferase immunolabeling procedures. The number of Fos‐positive neurons was calculated from a 0.45‐mm2 sample area from each of the brain regions examined.

Results: A dose of 2 g/kg of ethanol significantly increased the number of Fos‐immunoreactive neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala by 149%, in the shell nucleus accumbens by 80%, and in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus by 321%. Additionally, 1 g/kg of ethanol significantly increased the percentage of Fos‐immunoreactive cholinergic neurons in the nucleus accumbens by 59%.

Conclusions: The findings reported in this study reveal region‐specific and dose‐dependent changes in Fos immunoreactivity in the extended amygdala and hypothalamus and, more specifically, an increase in neuronal activation of cholinergic cells in the shell nucleus accumbens. These findings contribute to our current knowledge of the brain areas and cellular microcircuits involved in the underlying basis of substance abuse and dependence.
Polymorphism analysis of Epstein–Barr virus isolates of lymphoblastoid cell lines from patients with mycosis fungoides
Authors: De Francesco M. A. , Gargiulo F. , Esteban P. , Calzavara-Pinton P. G. , Venturini M. , Perandin F. , Baronio M. , Pollara C. , Terlenghi L. , Manca N.
Published: April 2004

In order to determine whether there is an association between the presence of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and mycosis fungoides (MF) disease progression, PCR was performed to detect the EBV status of 20 MF patients; six EBV-positive patients were found. EBV variants may differ in their biological properties, such as their ability to transform cells; therefore, the ability of these variants to immortalize B cellsin vitrowas analysed. Six continuously growing cell lines were obtained from prolonged cultures of unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells that were taken from the six EBV-positive patients with MF. In order to characterize the EBV strains, EBNA-2 and LMP-1/LMP-2 gene polymorphisms in the six cell lines were also analysed. All patients were followed up for 10 years and it was noticed that EBV-positive patients had a poor prognosis with rapid disease progression and high mortality rates, compared to EBV-negative patients. EBV may therefore constitute a co-factor that accelerates the progression of disease.
From ABO‐incompatible human kidney transplantation to xenotransplantation1
Authors: Alexandre Guy P.J.
Published: April 2004

Abstract:  The development (in 1981) of a protocol for successful renal allotransplantation across ABO barriers is outlined. From this experience, the concept of ‘adaptation’, subsequently termed ‘accommodation’, was defined. It was then hypothesized that a similar approach might allow pig‐to‐human organ xenotransplantation. This hypothesis was explored in the pig‐to‐baboon renal transplantation model, with graft survival for a maximum of 23 days. Rejection episodes were temporarily reversed, providing encouragement that discordant xenotransplantation would one day prove successful. Finally, the preparation of the thymokidney, developed as a means of inducing xenotolerance, is briefly reviewed.
Quantifying severe maternal morbidity: a Scottish population study
Authors: Brace Victoria , Penney Gillian , Hall Marion
Published: April 2004

Objective  To quantify the incidence of severe maternal morbidity in Scotland and determine the feasibility of doing so.

Design  Prospective observational study.

Setting  All 22 consultant led maternity units in Scotland, between 1 October 2001 and 30 September 2002.

Population  Women during pregnancy and the puerperium.

Methods  Definitions for 13 categories of severe maternal morbidity were developed from published work. Recruitment of maternity units, and training of staff, took place at a national meeting. Each month, every unit reported cases meeting the agreed definitions, the category of incident and date. Data were collated centrally and analysed to determine the frequency of incidents. The number of maternal deaths occurring in Scotland over the same period was obtained from the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths.

Main outcome measures  Number and rate of defined events being reported. A subjective view of the feasibility of collecting national data routinely.

Results  Severe morbidity was reported in 196 women, out of 51,165 deliveries in Scotland (rate 3.8 per 1000 deliveries). Thirty percent of cases fell into more than one defined category. Major obstetric haemorrhage accounted for 50% of events. Only a third of identified patients were admitted to intensive care units. Four relevant maternal deaths occurred.

Conclusions  Categories of severe maternal morbidity can be defined and may provide a useful measure of the quality of maternity services, particularly in developed countries where maternal mortality is very rare. It appears feasible to set up a national reporting system for maternal morbidity, as well as mortality.
A population‐based evaluation of the impact of antenatal screening for Down's syndrome in France, 1981–2000
Authors: Khoshnood Babak , De Vigan Catherine , Vodovar Véronique , Goujard Janine , Goffinet François
Published: April 2004

Objective  To evaluate the impact of policy and practice changes in prenatal screening for Down's syndrome on prenatal diagnosis and live birth prevalence of Down's syndrome.

Design  Population‐based observational study.

Setting  Greater Paris.

Population  Residents of Greater Paris who gave birth or had a termination of pregnancy in Paris during 1981–2000(∼38,000 births per year).

Methods  Data on 1916 cases of Down's syndrome were obtained from the Paris Registry of Congenital Anomalies. Analyses included binomial and Poisson models of trends in three periods: prior to 1989(reference period), 1989–1995(reimbursement of amniocentesis in case of ultrasonographic anomalies) and 1996–2000(widespread use of reimbursed serum screening and measurement of nuchal translucency).

Main outcome measures  Trends in proportion of Down's syndrome cases diagnosed prior to birth; live birth prevalence of Down's syndrome.

Results  The proportion of Down's syndrome detected prenatally for women <38 years of age increased ninefold; from 9.5% (95% CI 2.7–22.6) in 1981 to 84.9% (95% CI 74.6–92.2) in 2000. For women >38 years of age, the increase was 1.5‐fold. The live birth prevalence of Down's syndrome decreased by 3% per year (prevalence ratio [PR] 0.97, 95% CI 0.96–0.99); the age‐adjusted decrease was 13%. The analysis by period showed that the decrease in live birth prevalence of Down's syndrome was greater after 1988.

Conclusions  By far, most cases of Down's syndrome are currently detected prenatally in the Parisian population. Consequently, the live birth prevalence of Down's syndrome has decreased despite consistent trends towards delayed childbearing. These positive public health effects have to be balanced against a relatively high rate of amniocentesis and the potentially negative consequences of widespread prenatal testing for individuals born with Down's syndrome.
Coma Stimulation
Authors: Bos Sara
Published: April 2004

(1) Coma stimulation is a treatment in which a health care professional or a patient's family member systematically applies stimulation to one or more of the patient's five senses, for the purpose of increasing patient responsiveness. The rationale is that exposure to frequent and various sensory stimulation will facilitate both dendritic growth and improve synaptic connectivity in those with damaged nervous systems (Ansell, 1991 [1]; Kater, 1989 [7]). This review was conducted to determine whether research supports the incorporation of a coma stimulation program into routine nursing care. Included studies were of stimulation programs in inpatient settings, analyzing both multimodal and unimodal sensory stimulation. Implications for nursing practice are given, including specific prescriptives for implementing a coma stimulation program and areas for further research.
The Therapeutic Value of Cranberries In Treating and Preventing Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Eichhorst Anne M. , Janken Janice K. , Mullen Tina M.
Published: April 2004

(1) Studies bearing on the therapeutic value of cranberries in the prevention and/or treatment of urinary tract infections are reviewed. Research results are grouped to address the following questions: 1) Does cranberry juice ingestion acidify urine? 2) Does cranberry juice inhibit the adherence of bacteria to bladder cells? 3) What research evidence exists to support that cranberry juice is an effective intervention for urinary tract infections? And 4) Does cranberry ingestion enhance antibiotic effectiveness?
What is the Prevalence of Feeding Tube Placement Errors and What are the Associated Risk Factors?
Authors: Ellett Marsha L. Cirgin
Published: April 2004

(1) Enteral nutrition, given through feeding tubes to patients with intact gastrointestinal tracts who are unable to eat enough orally to sustain themselves, remains an important component of supportive care. Feeding by a soft, small‐bore tube passed through the nose or mouth is a more cost‐effective means of providing enteral nutrition than either percutaneously or surgically placed gastrostomy tubes or central venous catheters. However, tube feeding is not without problems. The prevalence of tube placement errors reported in the literature varies from 1.3% to 50% in adults. Transpyloric tubes are difficult to place initially and correct positioning is also difficult to maintain. All types of small‐bore tubes dislocate easily, frequently with no outward sign that the dislocation has occurred.

(2) Risk factors found to be related to feeding tube misplacement on insertion in adults include altered level of consciousness, altered swallowing mechanisms, and upper airway intubation. Those related to spontaneous tube displacement include altered level of consciousness, upper airway intubation, coughing, tracheal suctioning, and restlessness.
The Research Basis for Prevention of Preterm Delivery in Twin Gestations
Authors: Ruiz R. Jeanne , Brown Charles E.L. , Kirk Patrice A.
Published: April 2004

(1) The purpose of this review is to explore interventions to improve the preterm delivery (PTD) rate in twin gestations. The increased mortality rate of twin gestations is strongly associated with low birth weight and PTD. Current evidence‐based interventions such as specialized, comprehensive care by a consistent provider (such as an advanced practice nurse) should be implemented. Research is still needed for improved early detection and interventions to decrease risk factors for PTD. Nursing research is challenged to further develop interventions to improve perinatal outcomes in twin gestations and to decrease the burdens of premature delivery for our nation.
Interpreting the Discourses of Family Business
Authors: Budge G. Scott , Janoff Ronald W.
Published: April 2004

Familes in business draw from two discourses–those of family and those of business–in order to speak about and make sense of themselves and their world. This article surveys these two voices and then explores what it means to add the voice of consulting. While ideally the voices of business and family can work together, in reality they often work at cross-purposes and create difficulties for families in business as well as the people who work with them. Potential difficulties arise in part from patterned differences that come into play when voices are combined and compete for the final say on what is real for the family business. Some of these differences are noted and concluding recommendations for practitioners are advanced.
Drawbacks of a Dual Systems Approach to Family Firms: Can We Expand Our Thinking?
Authors: Whiteside Mary F. , Brown Fredda Herz
Published: April 2004

Conceptualizing the family firm as a dual system with properties of both the family and the business has prevented the field from fully examining the nature of these firms and has biased our observations and interventions. Too narrow a focus on the contribution of subsystems leads to a stereotyping of subsystem functioning, inconsistent and inadequate analysis of interpersonal dynamics, exaggerated notions of subsystem boundaries, and an underanalysis of whole system characteristics. Each of these drawbacks is discussed, and a beginning view of the family firm as a single entity is presented.
Research Note: The Impact of Home-Based Business on Family Life
Authors: Owen Alma J. , Winter Mary
Published: April 2004

Because family firms often unknowingly take on the roles, dynamics, and values of the family unit in which they began, it is useful to study businesses that began in, or are being run from, the home environment. This article examines a subset of cases drawn from a data base on home-based employment in nine stages. The study sought to ascertain the extent to which the functioning of the family and that of the business are intertwined. Results from this subsample indicate that there are measurable family and business variables that can help researchers and practitioners understand the interactive effects of family and business life.
Characteristics of African American Family-Owned Businesses in Los Angeles
Authors: Dean Sylvia Melodye
Published: April 2004

This article presents findings from an investigation of businesses owned and managed by African American families in the Los Angeles area. Its dual purposes are to identify salient characteristics and to explore commonly held assumptions about African American family businesses and their owner-managers. Several widely held beliefs about African American family businesses were not supported.
Factors That Influence the Next Generation's Decision to Take Over the Family Farm
Authors: Dumas Colette , Dupuis Jean Pierre , Richer Francine , St.-Cyr Louise
Published: April 2004

The survival of family farms is threatened by rapid change, intense international competition, and a resulting reduction of interest in perpetuating the family farm. What influences the next generation to pursue family farming, in spite of the difficulties? Do these factors differ between men and women? An in-depth, descriptive, and exploratory study of thirty next generation family farm members indicates specific factors critical to their decision to pursue the family farm succession. The findings are depicted in a framework that portrays these factors of influence and the effect they have on the succession decision of the next generation. Implications for practice and future research are also presented.
Bivalent Attributes of the Family Firm
Authors: Tagiuri Renato , Davis John
Published: April 2004

Although family-owned and managed firms are the predominant form of business organization in the world today, little systematic research exists on these companies. This paper builds upon insights found in the emerging literature on these enterprises and upon our own observations to provide a conceptual framework to better understand these complex organizations. We introduce the concept of the Bivalent Attributes—a unique, inherent feature of an organization that is the source of both advantages and disadvantages— to explain the dynamics of the family firm.
Adhesion Forces for Sub-10 nm Flying-Height Magnetic Storage Head Disk Interfaces
Authors: Lee Sung-Chang , Polycarpou Andreas A.
Published: April 2004

A quasi-dynamic adhesion model is used to calculate the intermolecular adhesion forces present in ultra low flying Head Disk Interfaces (HDI’s). The model is a continuum-based micromechanics model that accounts for realistic surfaces with roughness, molecularly thin lubricants, and is valid under both static and dynamic sliding conditions. Several different levels of surface roughness are investigated ranging from extremely smooth surfaces having a standard deviation of surface heights σ=2 Å to rougher interfaces with several nanometer roughness. It is found that when the flying-height is greater than 5 nm, there are no significant adhesive forces, whereas for flying-heights less than 5 nm, adhesion forces increase sharply, which can be catastrophic to the reliability of low flying HDI’s. In addition to roughness, the apparent area of contact between the flying recording slider and the magnetic disk is also found to significantly affect the magnitude of the adhesion forces. The adhesion model is validated by direct comparisons with adhesion “pull-off” force measurements performed using an Atomic Force Microscope with controlled probe tip areas and magnetic disks having different lubricant thickness.
Shear material property determination from underwater acoustic panel tests
Authors: Piquette Jean C.
Published: April 2004

A technique is presented for determining, from underwater acoustic panel tests, passive-material shear sound speed and attenuation as functions of frequency and temperature. The frequency band of 10–200 kHz was used for development, but the applicability of the techniques described is not limited to that range. The method uses measured values of oblique-incidence insertion loss (and the corresponding change in phase) and can also take advantage of oblique-incidence echo-reduction data. Initial values for the longitudinal properties are determined by least-squares fitting of a causal material model (incorporated into a layer model) to normal-incidence insertion-loss and phase-change data. Shear properties are determined similarly, using a small number of oblique incidence angles. The method assumes a single-layer panel. A revised method of performing echo-reduction measurements that permits its accurate determination at oblique angles of incidence is also described. The angle of specular reflection is not equal to the rotation angle in the standard echo-reduction measurement geometry, and it is important to properly account for this. Consequently at a given angle of panel rotation it is necessary to use one value of the incidence angle for evaluating echo-reduction data, but another value of the incidence angle for evaluating insertion-loss data.
Wave propagation and damping in linear viscoelastic laminates
Authors: Shorter P. J.
Published: April 2004

This analysis is concerned with wave propagation and damping in linear viscoelastic laminates. A spectral finite-element method is developed and used to calculate the dispersion properties of the first few wave types of a given laminate; the proposed approach provides a robust and numerically efficient alternative to the transfer matrix method in certain applications. The proposed approach is also well suited to the calculation of the wave types of sections whose material properties vary continuously throughout the thickness of the section. A one-dimensional finite-element mesh is used to describe the through-thickness deformation of the laminate, and the dispersion equation for plane-wave propagation is formulated as a linear algebraic eigenvalue problem in wave number at each frequency of interest. The resulting eigenvectors and eigenvalues can be computed using standard numerical routines and used to investigate the dispersion characteristics of the propagating wave types of the section. The damping loss factor of each wave type is estimated from the cross-sectional strain energy distribution of the laminate. The proposed approach is well suited to modeling the structural-acoustic response of sandwich panels, constrained layer damping treatments, and general viscoelastic laminate sections in statistical energy analysis (SEA) codes.
Nonlinear dynamic analysis of voices before and after surgical excision of vocal polyps
Authors: Zhang Yu , McGilligan Clancy , Zhou Liang , Vig Mark , Jiang Jack J.
Published: April 2004

Phase space reconstruction, correlation dimension, and second-order entropy, methods from nonlinear dynamics, are used to analyze sustained vowels generated by patients before and after surgical excision of vocal polyps. Two conventional acoustic perturbation parameters, jitter and shimmer, are also employed to analyze voices before and after surgery. Presurgical and postsurgical analyses of jitter, shimmer, correlation dimension, and second-order entropy are statistically compared. Correlation dimension and second-order entropy show a statistically significant decrease after surgery, indicating reduced complexity and higher predictability of postsurgical voice dynamics. There is not a significant postsurgical difference in shimmer, although jitter shows a significant postsurgical decrease. The results suggest that jitter and shimmer should be applied to analyze disordered voices with caution; however, nonlinear dynamic methods may be useful for analyzing abnormal vocal function and quantitatively evaluating the effects of surgical excision of vocal polyps.
QCD AT COLLIDERS
Authors: HIROSKY R.
Published: April 2004

The success of the theory of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) in describing processes controlled by the strong interaction is generally seen as a triumph of modern particle physics. This paper reviews recent QCD measurements using hadronic jet final states from the Fermilab Tevatron, DESY's HERA, and CERN's LEP colliders. Recent advancements in the measurements of jet production cross sections, events shapes, and energy flow, along with improved theoretical calculations, allow for new levels of precision in the study of the physics of strong interactions and point to areas in need of further refinement.
Functional Stability of Dorsolateral Prefrontal Neurons
Authors: Greenberg Paul A. , Wilson Fraser A. W.
Published: April 2004

Stable multiday recordings from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of 2 monkeys performing 2 Go/NoGo visual-discrimination tasks (one requiring well-learned responses, the other requiring learning) demonstrate that the majority of prefrontal neurons were “functionally stable”. Recordings were made using a series of removable microdrives, each implanted for 3–6 mo, housing independently mobile electrodes. Action potential waveforms of 94 neurons were stable over 2–9 days; 66/94 (70%) of these cells responded each day, 22/94 (23%) never responded significantly, and 6/94 (6%) responded one day but not the next. Of 66 responsive neurons, 55 were selective for either Go or NoGo trials, individual stimuli, or eye movements. This selectivity was functionally stable (i.e., maintained) for 46/55 neurons across all recording days. Functional stability was also noted in terms of response strength (baseline firing rates compared with poststimulation firing rates) and event-related response timing. Two neurons with consistent responses in familiar testing conditions responded flexibly when the monkeys learned to make correct responses to novel stimuli. We conclude that the majority of prefrontal neurons were functionally stable during the performance of well-learned tasks. Such stability may be a general property of prefrontal neurons, given that neurons with 4 different types of task selectivity were found to be functionally stable. Conceptually similar studies based on long-term recordings in other cortical regions reached similar conclusions, suggesting that neurons throughout the brain are functionally stable.
Effect of Polymerization Degree on Building-up Helical Structure of Oligo(l-lactic acid)
Authors: Kimura Tatsumi , Fukuda Takashi , Shimada Satoru , Matsuda Hiro
Published: April 2004

We synthesized oligo(l-lactic acid) with almost mono dispersion by using GPC fractionation technique, and could confirm from the circular-dichroic spectra that the number of repeating units of 8 to 10 was enough to build up the helical structure.
CAP Forum on Enron: Former Audit Firm Personnel as CFOs: Effect on Earnings Management*
Authors: DOWDELL THOMAS D. , KRISHNAN JAGAN
Published: April 2004

Corporate hiring of former audit personnel to fill key financial positions is a practice that has attracted attention from the media, the accounting profession, and regulators. The concern is that the former external auditor who now holds a key position with the client may be able to circumvent the audit or exert pressure on the audit team and adversely influence audit quality.

We compare a sample of 172 test companies that appointed to the position of chief financial officer (CFO) personnel who are former employees of the companies' auditors, with a control sample of companies that appointed new CFOs who were not affiliated with their auditors. We investigate whether the level of discretionary accruals is greater for the test sample compared with the control sample during the two years following appointment of the CFO. Both univariate and multivariate results for signed discretionary accruals suggest some support for the hypothesis that firms with affiliated CFOs are associated with greater earnings management than firms with unaffiliated CFOs. Furthermore, the results for signed discretionary accruals suggest that the association is stronger for nonpartners who moved from the audit firm to the client with little or no time gap. On average, the results for absolute discretionary accruals do not suggest differences in earnings management between affiliated and unaffiliated CFOs. However, they do indicate some earnings management relative to unaffiliated CFOs by CFOs who had little or no time gap between leaving the audit firm and joining the client firm, although at a weaker level of significance.