bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the quality of simulated soil moisture with a multi‐model ensemble approach
Authors: Guo Zhichang , Dirmeyer Paul A. , Gao Xiang , Zhao Mei
Published: April 2007

Multi‐model ensembles have been found to perform significantly better than a single‐model system in weather and seasonal climate forecasts. This paper explores the possibility of applying the multi‐model ensemble approach to the land surface component in order to improve the quality of simulated soil moisture. The simple average of 17 multiyear global soil moisture products is validated with long‐term in situ data in five regions (Illinois, USA; China; India; Mongolia and the former Soviet Union). The results show that in all regions the multi‐model analysis is clearly better than most individual products in simulating the phasing of the annual cycle, interannual variability, and magnitudes in observed soil moisture. The sensitivity of the performance of the multi‐model analysis to ensemble member size and composition is also examined. It is found that there is usually a clear improvement when a product of higher correlation to observations or lower error is included in the multi‐model ensemble, while there is no apparent degradation when a product with relatively poor skill is included. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Spread‐out percolation in ℝd
Authors: Bollobás Béla , Janson Svante , Riordan Oliver
Published: April 2007

Fix d ≥ 2, and let X be either ℤd or the points of a Poisson process in ℝd of intensity 1. Given parameters r and p, join each pair of points of X within distance r independently with probability p. This is the simplest case of a “spread‐out” percolation model studied by Penrose [Ann Appl Probab 3 (1993) 253–276], who showed that, as r → ∞, the average degree of the corresponding random graph at the percolation threshold tends to 1, i.e., the percolation threshold and the threshold for criticality of the naturally associated branching process approach one another. Here we show that this result follows immediately from of a general result of [3] on inhomogeneous random graphs. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2007
Trends in international business thought and literature: The Arabian gulf countries
Authors: Rice Gillian , Mahmoud Essam
Published: April 2007

The Arabian Gulf countries represent an important economic segment of the Arab world and a vital market for foreign investors and exporters. Yet, most observers agree that the past successful economic growth derived from oil revenues cannot continue unless the economies in the Arabian Gulf are diversified and privatized. This structural adjustment process poses many challenges but also opportunities for local and foreign managers. This article reviews selected business trends in the region. These trends concern government economic policies, environmental concerns, services marketing, and management education.
The globalization of telcos: A normative view
Authors: Louchez Alain F. , McIntyre John R.
Published: April 2007

As global forces are penetrating the local telephone markets, the authors argue that telcos are global by virtue of operating in such markets. The foreign expansion should aim at strengthening the home market's overall competitive position. Consequently, the strategic core needs to be clearly identified and offshore markets developed according to whether they are vital, critical, or only peripheral to the company's home base interests. Strategic anarchy must evolve into strategic hierarchy. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Managing organizational culture in a Japanese organization in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong May M. L.
Published: April 2007

The issue of how MNCs manage the organizational culture in their overseas subsidiaries is one of the central questions for managing overseas employees. The study explores how a Japanese MNC in Hong Kong manages its organizational culture across cultures. The results imply that a company will not be effective if it uses artifacts only, such as ceremonies to convey the desired culture to the local employees. The more important mechanism is the human resource management system which is considered as the statement of the company's values, beliefs and assumptions. Since the case company uses a dual human resource management system and a dual control practice for the Japanese and local employees, these practices send out mixed messages and signals to the local employees who cannot project the desired state culture. Furthermore, because local employees bring along with them their values derived from national culture, they tend to adhere to these values rather than those of the company.
Trends in international business thought and literature: Reviewing east asia's miracle, its economic dynamism, and future issues
Authors: Anwar Syed Tariq
Published: April 2007

East Asia's miracle and its economic dynamism has become a popular topic for academic and business research. Researchers and practitioners have used many theories and justifications to explain this area. Since there is limited consensus among the researchers regarding the East Asian miracle, viewpoints, interpretations, and discipline‐centered critiques remain equivocal. This article reviews and analyzes salient issues of this debate, its multidisciplinary contents, and some of the inherent differences between various perspectives put forward by the researchers. The importance of this review lies in its multidisciplinary approach and cross‐referencing.
Foreign investment in North America and the pharmaceutical industry in Canada
Authors: Tancer Robert S.
Published: April 2007

Unique among developed countries in denying patent protection for pharmaceuticals, Canada modified her laws in 1987 and again in 1993 to meet international standards, thereby permitting her to participate in NAFTA and become a signatory of the TRIPS of the Uruguay Round. Canada's concerns for containing health costs and providing quality health care for all its citizens were important factors in her original position. It was only as a result of international pressure and an alliance between the multinational pharmaceutical firms and the university community in Canada that she offered greater patent protection. The results of these changes had an immediate effect on improving the business environments and significant investments by the multinational pharmaceutical firms have increased substantially since 1987.
Firm orientation and strategy under regional market integration: A study of Canadian firms
Authors: Knight Gary A.
Published: April 2007

Firms behave differently in free trade zones than in confined, domestic markets. To investigate this phenomenon, a taxonomy is developed of small‐ and medium‐sized companies, which operate in the developing North American free trade area. The study describes each firm grouping and its associated performance attributes, and offers theoretical and normative implications. Among other findings, it appears that smaller companies which emphasize entrepreneurial orientation, product differentiation, and focus on specific market segments tend, under free trade, to enjoy superior performance.
Nafta, the financial crisis, and multinational management in Mexico
Authors: Sargent John , Matthews Linda
Published: April 2007

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) joined Mexico, the United States, and Canada in a free trade and investment block. While NAFTA has generated considerable interest, much of the initial enthusiasm for the treaty has faded due to the Mexican financial crisis. To learn more about the effects of NAFTA and the crisis on multinational (MNC) strategy and operations, we conducted interviews at manufacturing firms in Mexico. Even with NAFTA, we found that significant restrictions remain that limit the strategies that MNCs can pursue. Also, only a limited number of MNCs have been seriously hurt by the financial crisis due to the risk management strategies these firms have adopted. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of this study for the effective management of MNC firms in Mexico.
Strategy choices among internationalizing US airlines
Authors: Sarathy Ravi , Ramamurti Ravi
Published: April 2007

This paper surveys and analyzes the internationalization strategy of US airlines. We first discuss globalization factors acting on the industry, particularly, government actions, the emergence of international markets, competition (including the role of firm specific assets in conferring competitive advantage), and supply cost factors, principally labor, fuel, and aircraft procurement. We then discuss the gains from internationalization, and the recent performance of US airlines, from which we develop internationalization strategy guidelines for airlines, classified as market‐oriented and efficiency‐oriented. Finally, we trace some broad lessons from the aviation industry for other service sectors facing similar deregulation and globalization pressures.
The craft of business intelligence: An American view
Authors: Rustmann F. W.
Published: April 2007

Business is war. And in war, it is a matter of survival of the fittest. In order to survive in today's cutthroat business environment, we must be properly armed. And one of the most important arrows in the executive's quiver is accurate knowledge of competitors and their business environment. In other words, detailed knowledge of the enemy and the terrain of the battlefield.

Every major country on earth recognizes the importance of intelligence and employs an intelligence agency to collect it for them. Over 2,500 years ago, the Chinese general Sun Tzu wrote: “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” Frederick the Great also expressed his opinion on the importance of intelligence when he said: “It is pardonable to be defeated, but never surprised.” In today's highly competitive business world it is becoming more and more important to know your competition‐know your enemy‐and, particularly in the international arena, to know your battlefield. There are minefields out there, and it is imperative to be able to identify and avoid them. You can still lose, even when armed with superior forces, if the terrain is against you. 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Export diversification trends: Some comparisons for Latin America
Authors: de Piñeres Sheila Amin Gutiěrrez , Ferrantino Michael
Published: April 2007

The present paper is an attempt to establish some stylized facts about the process of export diversification and structural change in exports for six key Latin American economies: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela. There has been a long‐run trend toward export diversification in the region which has persisted through both inward‐ and outward‐looking policy experiments, and over a variety of macroeconomic conditions. Structural change in exports accelerated during the debt crisis episode of the early 1980s, and more rapid structural change may be associated with policy reform. Our results suggest that important sources of economic risk in Latin America may be declining in the long run, and that economic risk is less sensitive to political risk than is often assumed. 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Employing standardized promotion strategies in Mexico: The impact of language and cultural differences
Authors: Ueltschy Linda C. , Ryans John K.
Published: April 2007

To what extent can standardized advertising programs be effectively employed in two key NAFTA markets? Mexico and the United States were the sites for an experiment using print advertisements exhibiting varying degrees of advertising standardization to study the impact of language and cultural differences. The Rokeach Value Survey (RVS) was used to examine the cultural values of the respondents (n = 354). Cultural value dimensions important in the two countries were uncovered utilizing factor analysis. Using t‐tests, results show that consumers in the two countries differ significantly on all five cultural dimensions uncovered. Further, significant differences in attitude toward the advertisement were found for each of four products based on the degree of standardization employed. Total customization was significantly preferred over all other combinations of languages and pictures. For those US firms considering marketing activities in Mexico, conclusions, implications, and strategies are suggested. 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
From exploiting to investing: A survey of us firms doing business in russia
Authors: Shama Avraham
Published: April 2007

US companies have been accused by the Russian media of flooding the Russian markets with their exports, repatriating their revenues or using them to buy Russian resources cheaply, and, as a result, increasing Russia's unemployment and decreasing its standard of living. Russia, argue many Russian experts interviewed in the past several years, is being badly exploited and its culture cheapened with Western candy, which in 1994 took $5 billion from consumers in Russia.

On the other hand, US companies, which have been entering the Russian market in increasing numbers, argue that exporting products and services to Russia enhances the satisfaction of Russian consumers and contributes to the country's economy. They further say that as they become more familiar and comfortable with the Russian market, they change their strategies and increase their investment in Russia.

Are US companies exploiting Russia or investing in its economic expansion? In this study the author investigated the entry strategies to Russia of 87 large US companies starting in 1989. These were randomly selected corporations, including a cross‐section of consumer goods, industrial goods, computers, oil and gas, fast food, and consulting companies.

What emerged was a captivating, historical drama, which changes rapidly from making money through exporting to Russia, to commitment through investment in plants and employment. For example, while the most popular entry doors to Russia have been exportlimport and joint ventures, most strategy changes since 1989 have been to wholly‐owned subsidiaries, which usually require substantial investment. Yesterday's Snickers Bars exporter, Mars Candy, created a wholly‐owned subsidiary, Masterfoods, and spent $70 million to build a chocolate and pet food factory that employs many Russians. In addition, a greater number of US companies entered the Russian market after the 1992 Yeltsin economic shock therapy and had a much needed stabilizing effect on the Russian economy. So, what may have been perceived as a one‐sided relationship has been evolving to growth and mutual commitment. And as the Russian economy continues to grow, these companies will grow and prosper, too.

Executives who are interested in the Russian market are advised that this market is real, growing, and worth considering. To enter and grow in this market, however, executives are cautioned that business deals in Russia must be structured in unfamiliar ways, and that they must employ local workers and respect Russia's culture and history. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Using guanxi‐style buyer‐seller relationships in China: Reducing uncertainty and improving performance outcomes
Authors: Abramson Neil R. , Ai Janet X.
Published: April 2007

Recent marketing literature has recommended that companies employ either long‐term relationship marketing or short‐term transactional approaches to buyer‐seller relationships depending on the value of the customer to the company. This article found that in China, guanxi‐style buyer‐seller relationships similar to relationship marketing were strongly related to reduced levels of perceived uncertainty about the business environment and a variety of improved performance outcomes. The use of transactional relationships was related to higher uncertainty and lower performance. The use of gifts and favors seemed more characteristic of transactional relationships and were not related to positive outcomes. Both quantitative evidence from American sellers and qualitative evidence from Chinese buyers supported these conclusions. It is argued that guanxi‐style buyer‐seller.
IR‐Spektren 15N‐isotopenmarkierter Nitrido‐, Chlorthionitreno‐ und Cyclothiazeno‐Komplexe von Molybdän, Wolfram und Rhenium
Authors: Dietrich Armin , Dehnicke Kurt
Published: April 2007

IR Spectra of 15N Labelled Nitrido, Chlorothionitreno and Cyclothiazeno Complexes of Molybdenum, Tungsten and Rhenium

The IR spectra of selected, 15N labelled complexes of molybdenum, tungsten, and rhenium with metal‐nitrogen multiple bonds are reported. The examined compounds include nitrido complexes (I), chlorothionitreno complexes (II), and cyclo‐thiazeno complexes (III): The results of IR spectroscopy allow reliable assignments of characteristic vibrational modes for the types I and II, whereas the assignments of vibrational modes of compounds of type III are influenced by MN3S2 ring vibrations.
Synthese, Kristallstruktur und quantenchemische Untersuchung des phosphanstabilisierten Nickel‐Schwefel Clusters [Ni32S24(PPh3)10]
Authors: Koenig Sven , Eichhöfer Andreas , Crawford Nathan R. M. , Ahlrichs Reinhart , Fenske Dieter
Published: April 2007

Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Quantum Chemical Investigation of the Phosphine‐stabilized Ni–S‐Cluster [Ni32S24(PPh3)10]

The reaction of iPrSSiMe3 and S(SiMe3)2 with [NiCl2(PPh3)2] in THF results in crystals of [Ni32S24(PPh3)10]·6THF (1). The structure of this compound was determined by single crystal X‐ray structural analysis. Since the crystallographic analysis for [Ni32S24(PPh3)10] remained ambiguous with respect of the assignment of the disordered Ni‐ and S‐atoms in the centre of the cluster, we performed DFT computations to address this problem. The theoretical investigations support the composition of the new sulfur‐bridged nickel cluster compound [Ni32S24(PPh3)10]. We report herein the synthesis, structure and theoretical investigation of [Ni32S24(PPh3)10]. In addition we comment on the analogous selenium compound.
Structural Evidences for the Oxidation of α‐Hydroxycarboxilic Acids to Oxalate Assisted by Copper(II) Ions
Authors: Castiñeiras Alfonso , Balboa Susana , Carballo Rosa , González‐Pérez Josefa María , Niclós‐Gutiérrez Juan
Published: April 2007

The mono‐, di‐ or poly‐nuclear copper(II)‐oxalate complexes [Cu(phen)(ox)(H2O)]·H2O (1), {[Cu(μ‐ox)(bpy)]·H2O· 1/2EtOH}n (2), {[Cu(μ‐ox)(bpy)]·2H2O}n (3), [{Cu(NO3)(bpy)(H2O)}2(μ‐ox)] (4) and [{Cu(NO3)(phen)(H2O)}2(μ‐ox)] (5) (ox = oxalato, phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline y bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine) were prepared by reacting Cu2CO3(OH)2·2H2O or Cu(NO3)2·3H2O salts with glycolic (H2GLYO) or lactic (H2LACO) acids or D‐gluconic acid δ‐lactone (δ‐gluconolactone, H2δ‐Glc) in presence of diimine ancillary ligands. Their crystal structures are reported. The copper(II) atom exhibits a 4+1 five‐coordinate CuN2O2O′ environment in 1, a 4+2 elongated rhombic octahedral CuN2O2O′2 stereochemistry in 2 or 3, and a 4+1+1 tetragonally elongated octahedral Cu2N2O2O′O″ surrounding in 4 or 5. The ligand arrangement and the packing of 5 seem to be strongly influenced by intra‐ and inter‐molecular hydrogen bonding as well as π,π‐stacking interactions between C6‐rings from adjacent phen ligands. The most striking feature now reported is the CuII‐mediated oxidation of GLYO2−, LACO2&−; or δ‐Glc2&−; leading to the formation of corresponding CuII‐oxalate derivatives. For the glycolate case a mechanism involving a cleavage of the α‐C‐H bonds is proposed, whereas for lactate or D‐gluconate related systems an oxidative degradation through C‐C bond cleavage are assumed.
Phosphanimin‐Derivate des Osmium(IV): Kristallstrukturen von trans‐[OsCl4(HNPEt3)2] und (H2NPPh3)2[OsCl6]·2CH3CN
Authors: Neumüller Bernhard , Dehnicke Kurt
Published: April 2007

Phosphoraneimine Derivatives of Osmium(IV): Crystal Structures of trans‐[OsCl4(HNPEt3)2] and (H2NPPh3)2[OsCl6]·2CH3CN

trans‐[OsCl4(HNPEt3)2] (1) was prepared by reaction of osmium pentachloride with the silylated phosphoraneimine Me3SiNPEt3 in dichloromethane solution forming yellow moisture sensitive single crystals. The hexachloroosmate(IV) (H2NPPh3)2[OsCl6]·2CH3CN (2) was obtained as yellow single crystals from osmium pentachloride and N‐chlorotriphenylphosphoraneimine, ClNPPh3, in acetonitrile solution. 1 and 2 are characterized by IR spectroscopy and single crystal X‐ray structure determinations.

1: Space group P21/c, Z = 2, lattice dimensions at 193 K: a = 830.9(1), b = 1031.1(1), c = 1307.7(1) pm, β = 106.15(1)°, R1 = 0.0248. 1 forms centrosymmetric molecules with distances Os–N of 202.9(4) pm and Os–Cl of 234.7 pm on average.

2: Space group ${\rm P}{\bar 1}$, Z = 2, lattice dimensions at 193 K: a = 1030.7(1), b = 1432.6(1), c = 1448.8(1) pm, α = 90.98(1)°, β = 92.40(1)°, γ = 92.98(1)°, R1= 0.0545. 2 forms an ionic structure with (H2NPPh3)+ cations and two different site positions of the centrosymmetric [OsCl6]2− anions. The cations are connected with one of the anions by N‐H···Cl bridges as well as with the solvate molecules CH3CN by N–H···N bridges.
Supramolecular Architecture of a Copper(II) Complex with Lactato and 2,2′‐Dipyridylamine Showing Embedded Water Chains
Authors: Carballo Rosa , Castiñeiras Alfonso , Covelo Berta , Lago Ana B. , Vázquez López Ezequiel M.
Published: April 2007

A new mixed‐ligand complex [CuL2(dipyam)]·3H2O (1) (L = lactato and dipyam = 2,2′‐dipyridylamine) has been prepared and structurally characterized by X‐ray diffraction. The presence of three crystallization water molecules creates several hydrogen‐bonded networks. Two crystallographic unique crystallization water molecules are arranged into infinite one‐dimensional chains embedded by additional hydrogen bonds between stacked complex double‐chains, but the third crystallization water molecule is apart from the chain and acts as bridge to form centrosymmetric complex tetramers.
3‐D Supramolecular Arrangement of [K(O2NC6H4NNNC6H4NO2)]2 through K···O Secondary Bonding – Synthesis and Crystal Structure Analysis of a 1,3‐Diaryl Symmetric‐substituted Triazenide Complex Polymer of Potassium
Authors: Hörner Manfredo , Marques da Silva Aline , Fenner Herton
Published: April 2007

A solution of 1,3‐(4‐nitrophenyl)triazenein methanol treated with potassium hydroxide yields dark‐red crystalline blocks of {[K(O2NC6H4NNNC6H4NO2)]2}n, a triazenide complex polymer of potassium. The centrosymmetric binuclear entities are connected by weak intermolecular K···O interactions, and are related to chains by translation along the [010] crystallographic direction. Additional weak secondary K···O interactions give raise to a 3–D supramolecular arrangement.
[Ga19R6]− (R = C(SiMe3)3: A Structurally Characterized Metalloid Cluster Ion and its Stepwise Chlorination in the Gas Phase – a Model Reaction for the Oxidation of Metal‐Nanoparticles?
Authors: Koch Katharina , Schnöckel Hansgeorg
Published: April 2007

The title compound and its fragments after the collision activated dissociation are investigated under mass spectrometric conditions (FT‐ICR) in order to detect intermediates during the subsequent reaction with a large excess of Cl2. All fragments perform similar reactions: the elimination of two molecules GaCl, e. g. [Ga13(GaR)4]− + Cl2 → [Ga11(GaR)4]− + 2 GaCl like a mechanism recently described for the chlorination of [Al13]− clusters. In contrast, the parent ion [Ga13(GaR)6]− exhibits a completely different sequence: only one GaCl is eliminated and the other Cl atom of each reacting Cl2 molecule stabilizes the cluster surface: e.g. [Ga13(GaR)6]− + Cl2 → [Ga12(GaClR)(GaR)6]− + GaCl. Finally, [Ga12R6Cl6]− results. Surprisingly, this cluster ion does not obey the Wade rule (with an icosahedral Ga12 core); instead an isomer is formed containing an octahedral Ga6 entity which is surrounded by a protecting (GaRCl)6 surface. This unexpected result is casting a light on the mechanism of every oxidation process of metal clusters, nanoparticles, and metal surfaces. Furthermore it provides a challenge to investigate the limits of Wade's rules.
The Persistence of the HgCl2 Molecule in Five New Compounds in the System (NH4)wHgxCly(H2O)z with w:x:y:z = 1:5:11:0, 2:3:8:1, 4:3:10:2, 2:1:4:1, and 10:3:16:0
Authors: Nockemann Peter , Pantenburg Ingo , Meyer Gerd
Published: April 2007

Five new compounds in the system (NH4)Cl/HgCl2/H2O have been obtained as colourless single crystals, (NH4)Hg5Cl11, (NH4)2Hg3Cl8(H2O), (NH4)4Hg3Cl10(H2O)2, (NH4)2HgCl4(H2O), and (NH4)10Hg3Cl16. In all of these, as in HgCl2 itself, (almost) linear HgCl2 molecules persist with Hg‐Cl distances varying from 229 to 236 pm. In (NH4)10Hg3Cl16 there are also tetrahedra [HgCl4] with d(Hg‐Cl) = 247 pm present. If larger Hg‐Cl distances (of up to 340 pm) are considered as belonging to the coordination sphere of HgII, the structures may be described as consisting of isolated octahedra and tetrahedra as in (NH4)10Hg3Cl16, edge‐connected chains as in (NH4)2HgCl4(H2O), edge‐connected chains and layers of octahedra as in (NH4)4Hg3Cl10(H2O)2, corrugated layers of edge‐connected octahedra as in (NH4)2Hg3Cl8(H2O), and, finally, a three‐dimensional network of connected six‐ and seven‐coordinate Hg‐Cl polyhedra as in (NH4)Hg5Cl11. The water molecules are never attached to HgII. The (NH4)+ cations, and sometimes Cl− anions, play a role for electroneutrality only.
Differential Expressions of Cyclin D1 Associated with Better Prognosis of Cancers of Ampulla of Vater
Authors: Chang Ming‐Chug , Chang Yu‐Ting , Sun Chia‐Tung , Chiu Yen‐Feng , Lin Jaw‐Town , Tien Yu‐Wen
Published: April 2007

Background

Periampullary cancers, the incidence of which increases gradually with industrialization, still pose a significant challenge to clinicians and researchers. Specifically, the role of cell‐cycle proteins and tumor suppressor genes in these cancers is not yet clear. Recent studies have revealed that genes and proteins related to cell cycle and apoptosis regulation may be involved in pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Methods

Tissue samples were obtained from patients with periampullary cancers who underwent surgery at the National Taiwan University Hospital without receiving previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy. All periampullary cancer tissue samples were examined by a pathologist, who was unaware of the parameters to be investigated. A total of 68 patients with periampullary cancers (29 ampulla of Vater cancers (AVCs) and 39 pancreatic ductal cancers (PDCs), including various stages and histological subtypes, were enrolled. The relevant demographic and clinicopathological information was obtained from medical records.

Results

Cell‐cycle proteins, including p16, Rb, cyclin D1, p53, and E2F1, were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Here, significant differences were noted between AVCs and PDCs with regard to the expression of cyclin D1. This corresponded to a poor prognosis in PDCs (P < 0.05); AVCs, on the other hand, showed a relatively high survival rate. There is no obvious statistical difference between the 2 groups with regard to the expression of p16, Rb, p53, and E2F1. The study also revealed that cyclin D1 plays different roles in the carcinogenesis of AVCs and PDCs.

Conclusions

The expression of cyclin D1 is more often correlated with prognosis in AVCs than in PDCs, and may serve as a biomarker for the disease.
Neurectomy to Prevent Persistent Pain after Inguinal Herniorraphy: A Prospective Study Using Objective Criteria to Assess Pain
Authors: Pappalardo Giuseppe , Frattaroli Fabrizio Maria , Mongardini Massimo , Salvi Pier Federico , Lombardi Augusto , Conte Anna Maria , Arezzo Maria Felice
Published: April 2007

Background

Although tension‐free mesh repair has markedly improved the outcome of inguinal hernia surgery, it has only minimally reduced the incidence of persistent postoperative pain. The pathogenesis of this complication and treatment remain unclear.

Study design

In order to objectively assess whether iliohypogastric neurectomy reduces the incidence and intensity of persistent postoperative pain, we prospectively studied 100 male patients with bilateral inguinal hernia who underwent tension‐free surgical repair, combined with iliohypogastric neurectomy on the right side alone. Pain was evaluated postoperatively on days 1 and 7 and at 1 and 2 years by means of a visual analog scale. Patients were given a questionnaire including coded terms for describing pain. These terms were designed to compare pain on the neurectomized and non‐neurectomized sides and assess altered sensation (hypoesthesia and paresthesia) on both sides.

Results

There were differences in the incidence and intensity of pain between the neurectomized and non‐neurectomized sides, though these differences were not significant. Individual patient assessment showed that from postoperative day 7 onward patients had on average less pain on the neurectomized side.

Pain reduction was more prominent in patients who scored 4 or more on the visual analog scale. No significant difference was found in the incidence of sensory alterations between the two sides. Two years after inguinal hernia repair, only one of the 100 patients studied still had persistent pain (>4 on the visual analog scale); this pain was on the non‐neurectomized side.

Conclusions

Our prospective data do not reach statistical significance to claim that iliohypogastric neurectomy reduces the incidence and intensity of persistent postoperative pain after tension‐free inguinal hernioplasty. Studies on larger patient samples are warranted to provide definitive, statistically supported conclusions.
Gene expression profiling of human lymph node metastases and matched primary breast carcinomas: Clinical implications
Authors: Suzuki Mika , Tarin David
Published: April 2007

The genetic program that drives tumor metastasis and the mode and timing of its initiation are of great practical significance to clinical management. Modern technical advances open new opportunities for gaining useful relevant information. Gene expression profiles of histologically‐verified viable tissue from lymph node metastases were compared with those of matched primary breast cancers from 10 different patients, among samples from over 400 cases, using high‐throughput oligonucleotide arrays comprising probes for 22,000 genes. It was observed that metastases have very similar expression signatures to their parent tumors. However, detailed computational analysis revealed that a small number of genes were consistently differentially expressed between 100% of tumors and metastases, suggesting that these are mechanistically important. Lists of such candidate genes, of potential clinical interest, are provided. We interpret these results in the framework of a meta‐analysis of previous investigations by others and ourselves and of existing clinical knowledge on the behavior of human tumors. The collective data show that metastases resemble their primary tumors but the signatures obtained in different studies are not sufficiently reproducible or informative to be prognostically useful, although they do give valuable insights into the pathogenesis and biology of human tumor metastasis. The findings indicate that the genetic program encoding metastasis is implemented progressively over time although, occasionally, this evolution can occur rapidly, early in the life of the neoplasm. The important clinical significance of this deduction is that, in most patients, early detection provides time for appropriate therapeutic intervention to be effective in obstructing metastasis.
Estimation of human daily boron exposure in a boron-rich area
Authors: Korkmaz Mehmet , Şaylı Uğur , Şaylı Bekir Sıtkı , Bakırdere Sezgin , Titretir Serap , Yavuz Ataman Osman , Keskin Sıddık
Published: April 2007

Although, the safe limits of human daily boron (B) exposure are not absolutely clear, there is a growing interest in B and its effects on human health. The aim of the present study was to estimate daily B exposure in 66 males in Turkey living in a B-rich area using water containing at least 2 mg/l boron, with an average age of 38·55 (se 1·66) years and an average number of years of residence in the B-rich area of 35·89 (se 1·73). Another group of males (n 57), living in the city centres of Balıkesir and Ankara, were taken as controls; the average age and number of years of residence for this group were 29·44 (se 1·43) and 10·26 (se 1·83) years, respectively. As it is assumed that the B level in urine reflects daily B exposure, the amount of urinary B of both the study and control groups was analysed by using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) technique. The average daily B exposure value was calculated as 6·77 (se 0·47) mg in the study group and 1·26 (se 0·1) mg in the controls. The results of this study are expected to contribute to creating a reference value for a safe daily B exposure.
Consumption of fish and risk of colon cancer in the Norwegian Women and Cancer (NOWAC) study
Authors: Engeset Dagrun , Andersen Vegard , Hjartåker Anette , Lund Eiliv
Published: April 2007

Recent studies have shown a decreased risk of colon cancer with consumption of fish. However, most studies on fish consumption do not distinguish between lean and fatty fish, or between poached and fried fish. The aim of this study was to investigate any association between fish consumption and colon cancer in The Norwegian Women and Cancer (NOWAC) study. We focused mainly on lean fish, which was further divided into poached and fried fish. A total of 63 914 women were included in the analysis, 254 of whom were found to have colon cancer during follow-up. Since fish consumption was one of the main topics of interest in the NOWAC study, there is a predominance of women from northern Norway due to higher fish intake in this area; hence the study is not representative of the whole of Norway. The participants completed a semi-quantitative FFQ between 1996 and 1999, and were followed-up for incidence of colon cancer until 2004. No association between fish consumption and risk of colon cancer was seen, except for the third tertile of poached lean fish consumption (relative risk (RR) 1·46, 95 % CI 1·04, 2·06). This association disappeared when excluding women with less than 1 year of follow-up. In conclusion, the present study does not support the hypothesis of a protective effect of fish against colon cancer risk.
REBELLION, MARRONAGE AND JIHĀD: STRATEGIES OF RESISTANCE TO SLAVERY ON THE SIERRA LEONE COAST, C. 1783–1796
Authors: MOUSER BRUCE
Published: April 2007

The Yangekori Rebellion was among the earliest extensive uprisings within Africa to be reported in European documents. This rebellion, which lasted for more than a decade, included domestic and market-bound slaves as well as free persons, all of whom became involved in promoting significant changes in traditional socioeconomic and political patterns. What made this rebellion unique and more informative for the present and for research relating to external slave trading and to rebellion within the diaspora, however, were its complex and local-based context, its multiple centers and its substantial involvement in a timely religious movement intent on transforming coastal society. Also instructive is the synergetic response that occurred among autocratic and otherwise quarrelsome rulers who were responsible for ending this rebellion, for re-establishing landholding patterns, and for defending themselves effectively against socioeconomic and political change.
COLD WAR IN GUINEA: THE RASSEMBLEMENT DÉMOCRATIQUE AFRICAIN AND THE STRUGGLE OVER COMMUNISM, 1950–1958
Authors: SCHMIDT ELIZABETH
Published: April 2007

When the Cold War broke out in Western Europe at the end of the Second World War, France was a key battleground. Its Cold War choices played out in the empire as well as in the métropole. After communist party ministers were ousted from the tripartite government in 1947, repression against communists and their associates intensified – both in the Republic and overseas. In French sub-Saharan Africa, the primary victims of this repression were members of the Rassemblement Démocratique Africain (RDA), an interterritorial alliance of political parties with affiliates in most of the 14 territories of French West and Equatorial Africa, and in the United Nations trusts of Togo and Cameroon. When, under duress, RDA parliamentarians severed their ties with the Parti Communiste Français (PCF) in 1950, grassroots activists in Guinea opposed the break. Their voices muted throughout most of the decade, Leftist militants regained preeminence in 1958, when trade unionists, students, the party's women's and youth wings, and other grassroots actors pushed the Guinean RDA to reject a constitution that would have relegated the country to junior partnership in the French Community, and to proclaim Guinea's independence instead. Guinea's vote for independence, and its break with the interterritorial RDA in this regard, were the culmination of a decade-long struggle between grassroots activists on the political Left and the party's territorial and interterritorial leadership for control of the political agenda.
Intranasal myopericytoma. A tumour with perivascular myoid differentiation: the changing nomenclature for haemangiopericytoma
Authors: Wilson T , Hellquist H B , Ray S , Pickles J
Published: April 2007

We present a case report of a patient who developed a sinonasal myopericytoma treated by surgical excision through a lateral rhinotomy. Some aggressive features on pre-operative computed tomography scanning and the complexity of recent changes in the histological nomenclature for these tumours led to consideration of adjuvant therapy. The close histological relationship between myopericytoma, myofibromatosis, solitary myofibroma and infantile haemangiopericytoma is discussed. This group of lesions constitute a single morphological spectrum with differentiation towards perivascular myoid cells (pericytes). Currently myopericytoma is the most appropriate and accepted term embracing all these entities. A review of the literature has been reassuring in identifying these tumours as benign but with a reasonably high rate of local recurrence (17 per cent). The treatment of choice is surgical excision with further excisions for local recurrence.
Non-injective representations of a closed surface group into PSL(2, )
Authors: FUNAR LOUIS , WOLFF MAXIME
Published: April 2007

Let e denote the Euler class on the space ${\text{\rm Hom}(\Gamma_g,{PSL(2,{\mathbb R})}}$ of representations of the fundamental group Γg of the closed surface Σg of genus g. Goldman showed that the connected components of ${\text{\rm Hom}(\Gamma_g,{PSL(2,{\mathbb R})}}$ are precisely the inverse images e−1(k), for 2−2g≤ k≤ 2g−2, and that the components of Euler class 2−2g and 2g−2 consist of the injective representations whose image is a discrete subgroup of ${PSL(2,{\mathbb R})}$. We prove that non-faithful representations are dense in all the other components. We show that the image of a discrete representation essentially determines its Euler class. Moreover, we show that for every genus and possible corresponding Euler class, there exist discrete representations.
Real double-points of deformations of -simple map-germs from n to 2n
Authors: KLOTZ CARSTEN , POP OTILIA , RIEGER JOACHIM H.
Published: April 2007

The only stable singularities of a real map-germ $f:{\mathbb R} ^n\to{\mathbb R} ^{2n}$ are isolated transverse double-points. All ${{\cal A}}$-simple germs f have a deformation with the maximal number d(f) of real double-points (this is a partial generalization to higher n of the result of A'Campo [1] and Gusein-Zade [13] that all plane curve-germs have a deformation with δ real double points, with the extra hypothesis of ${{\cal A}}$-simplicity). The proof of this result is based on a classification of all ${{\cal A}}$-simple orbits.
New approaches in aging research
Authors: Warner Huber R , Thompson LaDora V
Published: April 2007

Historical milestones in basic research on aging include (1) the demonstration that caloric res-triction (CR) increases average and maximum lifespan in rodents; (2) the proposal that oxidative stress is a major risk factor in the development of age-related pathology; and (3) the demonstration that human fibroblasts grown in culture have a finite lifespan. Thus, although research related to aging has been going on for well over 50 years, particularly on the age-related pathologies associated with aging, serious efforts to understand what factors modulate longevity are fairly new, and progress in this area is due primarily to the identification of genes that modulate longevity in short-lived animal models. Prior to 1980, the main focus was on describing aging phenomena in humans and rodents, and testing the various theories of aging resulting from these early observations. As the techniques of molecular biology were increasingly incorporated into aging-related research, it became possible to ask more mechanistic questions, and considerable progress was made during the period 1980–2000, largely because of the development of short-lived fruit fly and nematode models in which to study aging, followed by the sequencing of the genomes of these organisms. For example, this work quickly led to the discovery that the insulin-signalling pathway plays a major role in modulating longevity, not only in these organisms, but also in rodents and probably primates.
A high‐resolution simulation of the ocean during the POMME experiment: Mesoscale variability and near surface processes
Authors: Paci A. , Caniaux G. , Giordani H. , Lévy M. , Prieur L. , Reverdin G.
Published: April 2007

This article is the second part of a modeling study of upper ocean mesoscale physical processes in an area of the northeast Atlantic that was extensively sampled during the Programme Océan Multidisciplinaire Méso‐Echelle (POMME experiment, October 2000–September 2001). The model is a high‐resolution regional version of the ocean general circulation model OPA integrated from February to May 2001. The mesoscale upper ocean dynamics has been carefully validated in a first paper (Paci et al., 2005). In the present article, the simulation is used to analyze the contribution of mesoscale eddies to the mixed layer processes during the period that controls the annual subduction rate and the characteristics of the subducted water. Mesoscale eddies account for a significant part of the mixed layer heat, salt, and water budgets through mesoscale and submesoscale structures acting on the horizontal advective terms. They represent respectively 52% and 66% of the horizontal advection of temperature and salinity and 70% of the lateral induction. They also induce an earlier and more intense restratification. The domain‐averaged detrainment appears to be reduced by more than 15% by mesoscale eddies and reaches about 0.8 Sv. However, these eddies increase the density of the detrained water. Some dense water, likely to be involved in the formation of subpolar mode water, is detrained by them in a way that maximizes its chance to be effectively subducted in the area.
Stable water isotopes in pore water of Jurassic argillaceous rocks as tracers for solute transport over large spatial and temporal scales
Authors: Gimmi T. , Waber H. N. , Gautschi A. , Rübel A.
Published: April 2007

In order to characterize the large‐scale transport properties of the Opalinus Clay formation, the pore water isotope composition (δ18O and δ2H) was determined on samples from the deep borehole Benken (northeastern Switzerland) across Jurassic argillaceous rocks. The sequence of claystones and marls, delimited by two aquifers, is located at depth from about 400 to 700 m and exhibits very low hydraulic conductivities (below 10−13 m s−1). The isotope data of the pore water were obtained from core samples by diffusive vapor equilibration, vacuum distillation, and squeezing. Compared with the other methods, vacuum distillation led to too low values. To evaluate the large‐scale transport properties of the formation, we performed a series of advective‐dispersive model calculations and compared them with the experimental data. In accordance with the hydrogeological history, we varied initial and boundary conditions as well as model parameters. The main results can be summarized as follows: (1) Molecular diffusion to the underlying aquifer can explain the general features of the isotope profiles, (2) no signatures of advective flow could be detected, (3) the evolution time is of the order of 0.5–1 Ma (relying on laboratory diffusion coefficients) with a possible range of about 0.2–2 Ma, which is geologically plausible, and (4) parameters measured on small scales (centimeters or meters and months) are also plausible at the formation scale (tens of meters and millions of years) for the sediments investigated.
Relative weathering intensity of calcite versus dolomite in carbonate‐bearing temperate zone watersheds: Carbonate geochemistry and fluxes from catchments within the St. Lawrence and Danube river basins
Authors: Szramek Kathryn , McIntosh Jennifer C. , Williams Erika L. , Kanduc Tjasa , Ogrinc Nives , Walter Lynn M.
Published: April 2007

Calcite and dolomite solubilities in open weathering environments are proportional to pCO2 and inversely proportional to temperature, and dolomite solubility is progressively greater than calcite below 25°C. The continent‐scale weathering budget reveals the significance of the Northern Hemisphere (NH) to globally integrated riverine fluxes of Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO3−. The NH contributes 70% of the global HCO3− flux while only 54% of the riverine discharge. We present results of a comparative hydrogeochemical study of carbonate mineral equilibria and weathering fluxes in two NH carbonate‐rich river basins. Surface water geochemistry and discharge were determined for headwater streams in Michigan and Slovenia within the St. Lawrence and Danube river basins. Michigan watersheds are established atop carbonate‐bearing glacial drift deposits derived from erosion of Paleozoic strata with thick soil horizons (100–300 cm). Slovenia watersheds drain Mesozoic bedrock carbonates in alpine and dinaric karst environments with thin soil horizons (0–70 cm). Carbonate weathering intensity is a parameter that normalizes river runoff and HCO3− concentration to catchment area (meq HCO3− km−2 s−1), summing calcite and dolomite contributions, and is used to gauge the effects of climate, land use, and soil thickness on organic‐inorganic carbon processing rates. Importantly, Michigan riverine discharge is one‐tenth of Slovenian rivers, providing the opportunity to evaluate the kinetics of carbonate mineral equilibration. The study rivers are HCO3− − Ca2+ − Mg2+ waters, supersaturated for calcite at pCO2 values in excess of the atmosphere. As discharge varies, HCO3− concentrations differ by less than 20% for any location, and Mg2+/Ca2+ remains relatively fixed for Michigan (0.5) and Slovenia streams (0.4), requiring that dolomite dissolution exceed calcite on a mole basis. The ability of calcite and dolomite dissolution to keep pace with increased discharge indicates carbonate weathering is limited only by water flux and temperature‐dependent solubility in these watersheds. Carbonate weathering intensity in Michigan and Slovenia exceeds the world average by factors between 2 and 20, and dolomite weathering intensity, estimated from riverine Mg2+ fluxes, exceeds the world average by factors between 2 and 15. Thus global fluxes of carbonate‐related weathering products appear heavily skewed toward carbonate‐bearing environments at higher latitudes with relatively low mean annual temperatures and high discharge.