bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a multidisciplinary outpatient pain management programme based at a community hospital
Authors: Wong Mei , Rietzschel Julia , Mulherin Diarmuid , David Carol
Published: December 2008

Objective: To evaluate a multidisciplinary cognitive behavioural therapy pain management programme (PMP) based at a small community hospital.

Methods: Patients attending the PMP were assessed at three intervals (pre‐training, and 18 and 44 weeks post‐training) using a set of seven questionnaires. Information about their general practitioner (GP) and consultant visits was recorded at pre‐training and final follow‐up visits. Questionnaires were completed and additional personal information recorded before patients attended their appointments.

Results: Between 1997 and 2006, 163 patients completed at least six sessions out of the eight‐week programme. Of these, 70 who had completed at least one questionnaire outcome measure at the three assessment intervals, and 83 who had provided information on their GP and consultant visits at pre‐training and final follow‐up, were included in the analyses. The results showed that patients reported being more confident in coping with their pain (pain self‐efficacy questionnaire) at 18 weeks post‐training and their improvement was sustained at the final follow‐up. They were significantly less depressed (hospital and anxiety depression scale [HADS]) and reported a large improvement in their quality of life (modified patient generated index) at the final follow‐up. They also reported a significant reduction in pain‐related GP and consultant visits at their final follow‐up. Although there were improvements in the Tampa scale of kinesiophobia, anxiety (HADS‐Anx) and sickness impact profile scores, these were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The result of the evaluation indicated that this PMP, delivered in a community hospital setting, made some significant differences to patients with intractable chronic pain conditions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of the block Gauss–Seidel solution procedure for a strongly coupled model problem with reference to fluid–structure interaction
Authors: Joosten M. M. , Dettmer W. G. , Perić D.
Published: December 2008

The block Gauss–Seidel procedure is widely used for the resolution of the strong coupling in the computer simulation of fluid–structure interaction. Based on a simple model problem, this work presents a detailed analysis of the convergence behaviour of the method. In particular, the model problem is used to highlight some aspects that arise in the context of the application of the block Gauss–Seidel method to FSI problems. Thus, the effects of the time integration schemes chosen, of relaxation techniques, of physical constraints and non‐linearities on the convergence of the iterations are investigated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical analysis for dynamic contact between high‐speed wheel and elastic beam with Coulomb friction
Authors: Lee Kisu
Published: December 2008

For numerical analysis of the dynamic contact between a high‐speed wheel and an elastic beam, the equation of motion of each body is time integrated by a simple ODE solution technique and frictional contact conditions are imposed by the augmented Lagrange multiplier method using the contact errors defined in this work. For the stability of the numerical solution, the velocity and acceleration contact conditions as well as the displacement contact condition are imposed with special consideration for the high‐velocity contact point moving on the deformed beam. Especially, it is shown that the Coriolis and centripetal accelerations of the contact point moving rapidly on the deformed beam play crucial roles for the stability of the solution. It is also shown that, for a wheel rolling on a beam with friction, the acceleration constraint in the tangential direction is important for the stability of the solution. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of vibration extrusion on the structure and properties of high‐density polyethylene pipes
Authors: Kaiyuan Chen , Nanqiao Zhou , Bin Liu , Shengping Wen
Published: December 2008

BACKGROUND: The axial strength of a plastic pipe is much higher than its circumferential strength due to the macromolecular orientation during extrusion. In this work, a custom‐made electromagnetic dynamic plasticating extruder was adopted to extrude high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes. A vibration force field was introduced into the whole plasticating and extrusion process by axial vibration of the screw. The aim of superimposing a vibration force field was to change the crystalline structure of HDPE and improve the molecular orientation in the circumferential direction to obtain high‐circumferential‐strength pipes.

RESULTS: Through vibration extrusion, the circumferential strength of HDPE pipes increased significantly, and biaxial self‐reinforcement pipes could be obtained. The maximum increase of bursting pressure and tensile yield strength was 34.2 and 5.3%, respectively. According to differential scanning calorimetry and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction measurements, the HDPE pipes prepared by vibration extrusion had higher crystallinity, higher melting temperature, larger crystal sizes and more perfect crystals.

CONCLUSION: Vibration extrusion can effectively enhance the mechanical properties of HDPE pipes, especially the circumferential strength. The improvement of mechanical properties of HDPE pipes obtained by vibration extrusion can be attributed to the higher degree of crystallinity and the improvement of the molecular orientation and of the crystalline morphology. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Crystalline silicon solar module technology: Towards the 1 € per watt‐peak goal
Authors: del Cañizo C. , del Coso G. , Sinke W.C.
Published: December 2008

Crystalline silicon solar module manufacturing cost is analysed, from feedstock to final product, regarding the equipment, labour, materials, yield losses and fixed cost contributions. Data provided by European industrial partners are used to describe a reference technology and to obtain its cost breakdown. The analysis of the main cost drivers allows to define new generation technologies suitable to reduce module cost towards the short‐term goal of 1 € per watt‐peak. This goal roughly corresponds with the cost level needed to enable ‘grid parity’: the situation solar electricity becomes competitive with retail electricity. The new technologies are described and their costs are analysed. Cost reductions due to scale effects in production are also assessed for next generation manufacturing plants with capacities in the range of several hundreds of megawatts to one gigawatt of module power per year, which are to come in the near future. The combined effects of technology development and economies of scale bring the direct manufacturing costs of wafer‐based crystalline silicon solar modules down into the range of 0·9–1·3 € per watt‐peak, according to current insights and information (the range results from differences between technologies as well as from uncertainties per technology). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nested PCR‐RFLP is a high‐speed method to detect fungicide‐resistant Botrytis cinerea at an early growth stage of grapes
Authors: Saito Seiya , Suzuki Shunji , Takayanagi Tsutomu
Published: December 2008

BACKGROUND: Grey mould caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr. is one of the major diseases in grapes. The use of fungicides is a simple strategy to protect grapes against B. cinerea disease. However, phenotypes exhibiting resistance to fungicides have been detected in B. cinerea populations. The variation of fungicide‐resistant B. cinerea isolates renders B. cinerea disease control difficult in grapevine fields.

RESULTS: The authors have developed a nested polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) method to detect fungicide‐resistant B. cinerea isolates at an early growth stage of grapes in grapevine fields. The nested PCR‐RFLP method was carried out to detect benzimidazole‐, phenylcarbamate‐ and/or dicarboximide‐resistant B. cinerea isolates from grape berries and leaves at Eichorn–Lorenz growth stage 25 to 29. This method successfully detected fungicide‐resistant B. cinerea isolates at an early growth stage of grapes. In addition, only 8 h was required from tissue sampling to phenotyping of fungicide resistance of the isolates.

CONCLUSION: It is proposed that the early diagnosis of fungicide‐resistant B. cinerea isolates would contribute to further improvement of integrated pest management against B. cinerea in grapevine fields, and that the nested PCR‐RFLP method is a high‐speed, sensitive and reliable tool for this purpose. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Efficacy of insecticide mixtures against pyrethroid‐ and organophosphate‐resistant populations ofSpodoptera litura(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Ahmad Munir , Saleem Mushtaq Ahmed , Sayyed Ali H
Published: December 2008

BACKGROUND:Spodoptera litura(F.) is an important pest worldwide, with over 112 host plants, and is exposed to insecticides throughout the year, resulting in the rapid development of resistance. Insecticide mixtures can delay the development of resistance more effectively than sequences or rotations. Cypermethrin, deltamethrin, profenofos, chlorpyrifos and fipronil were assessed separately and in mixtures against laboratory susceptibleS. lituraand two field‐collected populations.

RESULTS:The field‐collected population from Khanewal (KWL) was significantly more resistant to cypermethrin, deltamethrin, chlorpyrifos and profenofos than one collected from Muzaffar Garh (MGH). Mixtures of cypermethrin + chlorpyrifos or profenofos and of deltamethrin + chlorpyrifos or profenofos at 1:1, 1:10 and 1:20 ratios significantly increased (P< 0.01) toxicity to cypermethrin and deltamethrin in field populations. The combination indices of cypermethrin + chlorpyrifos at 1:1 and 1:10 ratios and cypermethrin + fipronil at 1:1, 1:10 and 1:20 ratios for the KWL strain and of cypermethrin + profenofos or fipronil at 1:1, 1:10 and 1:20 ratios for MGH were significantly below 1, suggesting synergistic interactions. The inhibitors DEF and PBO largely overcame resistance to deltamethrin, cypermethrin and profenofos, suggesting that resistance to the insecticides was associated with esterase and monooxygenase detoxification respectively.

CONCLUSION:Chlorpyrifos, profenofos and fipronil could be used in mixtures to restore cypermethrin and deltamethrin susceptibility. These findings may have considerable practical implications forS. lituraresistance management. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Recommended management of cancer pain in the older patient
Authors: Laird Barry , Fallon Marie
Published: December 2008

Our series Prescribing in older people gives practical advice for successful management of the special problems experienced by this age group. Here, the authors describe current approaches to the management of cancer pain. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Audit of chronic kidney disease and blood pressure control
Authors: Hancock Louise , Sharma Anita
Published: December 2008

The authors describe an audit of patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease and the number meeting a target blood pressure. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Antilipogenic effect of green tea extract in C57BL/6J‐Lepob/ob mice
Authors: Kim Hye‐Jin , Jeon Seon‐Min , Lee Mi‐Kyung , Jung Un Ju , Shin Su‐Kyung , Choi Myung‐Sook
Published: December 2008

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of green tea extract (GTE) on lipid metabolism in obese animal models. Male C57BL/6J‐Lepob/ob mice were divided into control and GTE (0.05 g/100 g diet) groups, which were fed a high‐fat (20 g/100 g diet) diet for 12 weeks. Supplementation of GTE significantly reduced (p < 0.01) perirenal and total white adipose tissue weights compared with the control group. Also, the plasma HDL‐cholesterol level was significantly higher in the GTE group than in the control group, therefore the GTE group showed a higher HDL‐cholesterol/total‐cholesterol ratio (HTR) and lower atherogenic index (AI) level than the control group. A reduction of hepatic triglyceride content and adipose tissue weight in the GTE group was related to the suppression of enzyme activities for fatty acid synthesis (glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme) without affecting fatty acid oxidation enzyme (β‐oxidation and carnitine palmitoyl transferase) activities in hepatic and adipose tissue. The current results showed that supplementation of green tea extract is beneficial for antiobesity by the suppression of lipogenesis via regulation of related enzyme activities in hepatic and adipose tissue. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generating road vibration test schedules from pavement profiles for packaging optimization
Authors: Rouillard Vincent
Published: December 2008

This paper describes the further development of a novel and practical method to generate vibration simulation schedules for road transport vehicles using pavement profile data. This paper explores and discusses both the advantages and the limitations of current methods used for packaging development and validation, which include the simulation of random vibrations from ‘standard’ frequency spectra as well as from measured vibration data. An overview of the methods used to measure and analyse pavement profile data is included. The method introduced herein is based on research that introduced statistical models for the predicted vibratory response of various transport vehicle types, and travel speeds using measured longitudinal pavement profile data. The paper explains how these statistical parameters can be used to create vibration simulation schedules specific to vehicle type and route. The paper shows how the statistical models can be used – in conjunction with standard random vibration controllers – to afford a practical yet enhanced method for producing more realistic simulations of road‐related vibrations for package performance evaluation in the laboratory. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling software evolution defects: a time series approach
Authors: Raja Uzma , Hale David P. , Hale Joanne E.
Published: December 2008

The Department of Information Systems, Statistics and Management Science, prediction of software defects and defect patterns is and will continue to be a critically important software evolution research topic. This study presents a time series analysis of multi‐organizational multi‐project defects reported during ongoing software evolution efforts. Using data from monthly defect reports for eight open source software projects over five years, this study builds and tests time series models for each sampled project. The resulting model accounts for the ripple effects of defect detection and correction by modeling the autocorrelation of code defect data. The autoregressive integrated moving average model (0,1,1) was found to hold for all sampled projects and thus provide a basis for both descriptive and predictive software defect analysis that is computationally efficient, comprehensible, and easy to apply. The model may be used to evaluate and compare the reliability of candidate software solutions, and to facilitate planning for software evolution budget and time allocation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The relationship of entropy‐related measures to money information
Authors: Swanson G. A. , Bailey Kenneth D.
Published: December 2008

The specific purpose of this paper is to trace the development of entropy‐related thought from its thermodynamic origins through its organizational and economic applications to its relationship to money information. That trace reveals that existing entropy measures are of states or changes in states that are caused by energy processes. We propose that entropy may as well be conceived as entropic process. The social emergent specific exchange value provides a metric by which entropic process may be quantified. The analysis connects the traditional state‐oriented entropy measures to measures of entropic process in social systems. In doing so, the character of exchange‐based societies and the function of money information within them are elaborated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Die “Passerelle” von Bordeaux – bedrohtes Denkmal des frühen Eisenbrückenbaus
Authors: Holzer Stefan M.
Published: December 2008

1858 bis 1860 wurden durch einen Brückenschlag über die Garonne in Bordeaux die unabhängig voneinander gewachsenen Netze der Paris‐Orléans‐Bordeaux‐Eisenbahn und der französischen Südeisenbahn (im Wesentlichen die Linie Bordeaux – Toulouse – Sète) miteinander verbunden. Diese Brücke namens “Passerelle” – eine der größten Eisenbahnbrücken ihrer Zeit – hat 150 Jahre dem überaus starken Eisenbahnverkehr gedient, ist aber jetzt durch einen direkt benachbarten Neubau überflüssig geworden und sollte eigentlich schon im August 2008 abgerissen werden. Spät, aber vielleicht gerade noch rechtzeitig, entstanden Initiativen zur Erhaltung dieses bedeutenden technikgeschichtlichen Denkmals.

Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt die Brücke vor, ordnet sie in ihr zeitliches Umfeld ein und bewertet ihre Rolle für die Entwicklung des Eisenbahnbrückenbaus des 19. Jahrhunderts. Der Beitrag versteht sich auch als Sammlung von Argumenten zugunsten einer Weiternutzung oder Umnutzung und Erhaltung der Brücke, die in ihrer Bedeutung als Baudenkmal der Weichselbrücke von Dirschau und der Conway Bridge in Wales nicht nachsteht.
Die Sanierung der stählernen Wagenhalle des Bornheimer Depots – Teil 1: Die konstruktive Ausbildung und Bewertung der Denkmalschutzwürdigkeit der beiden Stahlhallen und deren planerische Umgestaltung
Authors: Möll Reiner , Stangenberg Peter
Published: December 2008

Von den zwei im Jahre 1902 in Nietbauweise auf dem Grundstück des nicht mehr benötigten Bornheimer Straßenbahndepots in Frankfurt am Main errichteten Hallen hatte das Amt für Denkmalschutz die größere 3‐schiffige Halle als erhaltenswürdig erachtet, wobei dies auch ein Gutachten der ISIB (Institut für Schweißtechnik & Ingenieurbüro Dr. Möll GmbH) bestätigt hatte. Ein Investor kaufte die Halle und plante mit seinem Architekten ein modernes Einkaufszentrum mit der Maßgabe, möglichst viel an alter Bausubstanz zu erhalten. Der Bau einer Tiefgarage zwang zum Abriss der Halle. Damit wurde ein Konzept der ISIB befolgt, nach Zerlegung der Hallenkonstruktion in transportable Einheiten, diese von einer Stahlbaufirma überarbeiten zu lassen und mit einer Korrosionsbeschichtung und entsprechendem Wärmeschutz versehen, wieder an gleicher Stelle auf der Betondecke der Tiefgarage zu errichten.
Ein ungewöhnliches Stabilitä verursacht Schadensfall
Authors: Schmidt Herbert , Fastabend Michael , Swadlo Peter , Lommen Hans‐Gerd
Published: December 2008

Beim Konstruieren geschraubter Anschlüsse von Druckstäben mit Kastenquerschnitt in zweiwandigen Fachwerken muss selbstverständlich die Verschraubbarkeit beachtet werden. Wenn aber dabei der klassische Konstruktionsgrundsatz, die Anschlussknoten so kompakt wie möglich auszubilden, in Vergessenheit gerät, kann das schwerwiegende Folgen haben, wie ein kürzlich eingestürzter Fachwerkträger gezeigt hat. Das dabei aufgetretene ungewöhnliche Stabilitätsphänomen eines Druckstabes wird hier der Fachöffentlichkeit vorgestellt, um ähnliche Unfälle zukünftig zu vermeiden. Die mit Hilfe einer linearen FEM‐Stabilitätsanalyse ermittelten Eigenformen und Eigenwerte werden diskutiert. Ergänzende nichtlineare FEM‐Analysen mit geometrischen Ersatzimperfektionen (sogenannte GMNIA‐Analysen) zeigen im Vergleich zur vorhandenen Belastung, dass der Einsturz unausweichlich war. Es werden einige Lehren und Empfehlungen zur Vermeidung des ungewöhnlichen Stabilitätsversagens aufgezeigt. Abschließend wird der Beitrag in den übergeordneten Kontext des “Forensic Engineering” als Mittel zur Verbesserung der Sicherheit unserer Baukonstruktionen eingeordnet.
Zuschriften zu: Gensichen, V., Lumpe, G.: Zur Leistungsfähigkeit, korrekten Anwendung und Kontrolle von EDV‐Programmen für die Berechnung räumlicher Stabwerke im Stahlbau (Teile 1–3)
Authors: Gensichen Volker , Lumpe Günter
Published: December 2008

[Stahlbau 77 (2008), H. 6, S. 447–453 ; H. 7, S.531–537 ; H. 8, S. 608–613 ]
Curricular orientations, experiences, and actions: Graduate students in science and mathematics fields work in urban high school classrooms
Authors: Christodoulou Nikoletta , Varelas Maria , Wenzel Stacy
Published: December 2008

We examined curricular orientations that graduate students in science and mathematics fields held as they experienced urban high‐school science and mathematics classrooms. We analyzed how these educators (called Fellows) saw themselves, students, teachers, schools, education, and the sense they made of mathematics and science education in urban, challenging settings in the light of experiences they brought with them into the project and experiences they designed and engaged in as they worked in classrooms for 1 or 2 years. We used Schubert's (Schubert (1997) Curriculum: Perspective, paradigm, and possibility. New Jersey: Prentice‐Hall, Inc.) four curricular orientations—intellectual traditionalism, social behaviorism, experientialism, and critical reconstructionism—to analyze the Fellows' journals, and to explore ways in which the positions they portrayed relative to curriculum, instruction, assessment, social justice, discipline, student involvement, teacher's role, subject‐matter nature, etc., shaped and were shaped by who they were before and during their classroom work. Our qualitative analysis revealed various relationships including: experientialists engaged in more open‐ended projects, relevant to students, with explicit connections to everyday‐life experiences; social behaviorists paid more attention to designing “good” labs and activities that taught students appropriate content, led them through various steps, and modeled good science and mathematics; and critical reconstructionists hyped up student knowledge and awareness of science issues that affect students' lives, such as asthma and HIV epidemic. Categorizing orientations and identifying relationships between experiences, actions, and orientations may help us articulate and explicate goals, priorities, and commitments that we have, or ought to have, when we work in urban classrooms. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 46: 1–26, 2009
A disciplinary discourse perspective on university science learning: Achieving fluency in a critical constellation of modes
Authors: Airey John , Linder Cedric
Published: December 2008

In this theoretical article we use an interpretative study with physics undergraduates to exemplify a proposed characterization of student learning in university science in terms of fluency in disciplinary discourse. Drawing on ideas from a number of different sources in the literature, we characterize what we call “disciplinary discourse” as the complex of representations, tools and activities of a discipline, describing how it can be seen as being made up of various “modes”. For university science, examples of these modes are: spoken and written language, mathematics, gesture, images (including pictures, graphs and diagrams), tools (such as experimental apparatus and measurement equipment), and activities (such as ways of working—both practice and praxis, analytical routines, actions, etc.). Using physics as an illustrative example, we discuss the relationship between the ways of knowing that constitute a discipline and the modes of disciplinary discourse used to represent this knowing. The data comes from stimulated recall interviews where physics undergraduates discuss their learning experiences during lectures. These interviews are used to anecdotally illustrate our proposed characterization of learning and its associated theoretical constructs. Students describe a repetitive practice aspect to their learning, which we suggest is necessary for achieving fluency in the various modes of disciplinary discourse. Here we found instances of discourse imitation, where students are seemingly fluent in one or more modes of disciplinary discourse without having related this to a teacher‐intended disciplinary way of knowing. The examples lead to the suggestion that fluency in a critical constellation of modes of disciplinary discourse may be a necessary (though not always sufficient) condition for gaining meaningful holistic access to disciplinary ways of knowing. One implication is that in order to be effective, science teachers need to know which modes are critical for an understanding of the material they wish to teach. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 46: 27–49, 2009
Constructing a doubt‐free teaching self: Self‐efficacy, teacher identity, and science instruction within diverse settings
Authors: Settlage John , Southerland Sherry A. , Smith Leigh K. , Ceglie Robert
Published: December 2008

This study examined the influence of field placements settings with varying demographic profiles on preservice elementary teachers. Data were gathered at three points during the participants' final year in their teacher preparation program in order to chart changes over time in science teaching self‐efficacy beliefs. These measures were supplemented by interviews to investigate attitudes about teaching science in diverse settings. Gee's identity framework (2000) and the dimensions of teacher development described by Bullough et al. [Bullough et al. [2004] Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice 10:365–394] were employed as interpretive tools. Statistical analyses of teaching self‐efficacy scores revealed marginal changes over time. Individual interviews revealed no discernible influence upon the teacher candidates' perceptions of science teaching selves that could be attributed to the demographics of their field placements. Emerging from this study was the previously underappreciated value of self‐doubt as a factor in motivating preservice teachers. The findings call into question the tendency to use heightened teaching self‐efficacy as an indicator of individual or programmatic success. This examination of preservice teacher development over the final year of a preparatory program, especially when considered in light of student diversity, demonstrates the soundness of Dewey's claim that uncertainty is a crucial component of learning and knowing. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 46: 102–125, 2009
Interacting effects of tributyltin and 17β‐estradiol in male Chinese loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)
Authors: Lv Xuefei , Zhou Qunfang , Luo Wenru , Cao Dandan , Jiang Guibin , Deng Yulin
Published: December 2008

In this study, male Chinese loaches in a semistatic waterborne exposure system were used to study the effects of tributyltin (TBT) on vitellogenin (Vtg) production induced by 17β‐estradiol (E2), TBT accumulation and distribution in tissues, and the effects of E2 on the distribution of TBT. The results demonstrate that TBT does not induce the synthesis of Vtg in male Chinese loach and that TBT could significantly inhibit Vtg production induced by E2, after exposure to binary mixtures of E2 and TBT for 14 days. TBT was found to accumulate in the liver, kidney, gills, intestines, and muscles of male Chinese loach, wherein the liver, kidney, gills, and intestines were found to have the most TBT accumulation. The existence of E2 did not significantly affect tissue distribution of TBT. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2009.
A new hybrid heuristic multiuser detector for DS‐CDMA communication systems
Authors: Morra H. H. El , Zerguine A. , Sheikh A. U.
Published: December 2008

In this work, we present a new multiuser detection (MUD) structure which results from incorporating the tabu search (TS) heuristic algorithm with the local search (LS) heuristic algorithm. The new proposed structure brings much improvement when compared to both the conventional (matched filter) detector and the decorrelating detector. Moreover, the new TS‐LS‐detector proposed here approximates well the performance of the optimal MUD detector but with a very low computational complexity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Money and Value
Authors: Grandmont Jean-Michel
Published: December 2008

This book addresses one of the major theoretical issues that underlies, implicitly or explicitly, some recurrent controversies in macroeconomics - namely, whether a competitive monetary economy has built-in mechanisms that are strong enough to remove excess demands and supplies on all markets, through an automatic adjustment of the price system. Jean-Michel Grandmont sheds light on this complex subject by using the analytical techniques of general equilibrium theory alongside the methods of monetary analysis. The book warns against the indiscriminate use of the rational expectations hypothesis when approaching this topic, and conversely stresses the common-sense observation that short-run learning processes are among the most important characteristics of economic agents. Grandmont argues that such processes are deserving of careful theoretical study, and the result is a clear and rigorous analysis of all the issues involved.
Game Theoretic Analysis of Voting in Committees
Authors: Peleg Bezalel
Published: December 2008

This book is a theoretical and completely rigorous analysis of voting in committees that provides mathematical proof of the existence of democratic voting systems, which are immune to the manipulation of preferences of coalitions of voters. The author begins by determining the power distribution among voters that is induced by a voting rule, giving particular consideration to choice by plurality voting and Borda's rule. He then constructs, for all possible committees, well-behaved representative voting procedures which are not distorted by strategic voting, giving complete solutions for certain important classes of committees. The solution to the problem of mass elections is fully characterised.
The Econometric Analysis of Transition Data
Authors: Lancaster Tony
Published: December 2008

This book presents statistical methods for analysis of the duration of events. The primary focus is on models for single-spell data, events in which individual agents are observed for a single duration. Some attention is also given to multiple-spell data. The first part of the book covers model specification, including both structural and reduced form models and models with and without neglected heterogeneity. The book next deals with likelihood based inference about such models, with sections on full and semiparametric specification. A final section treats graphical and numerical methods of specification testing. This is the first published exposition of current econometric methods for the study of duration data.
Misspecification Tests in Econometrics
Authors: Godfrey L. G.
Published: December 2008

Misspecification tests play an important role in detecting unreliable and inadequate economic models. This book brings together many results from the growing literature in econometrics on misspecification testing. It provides theoretical analyses and convenient methods for application. The main emphasis is on the Lagrange multiplier principle, which provides considerable unification, although several other approaches are also considered. The author also examines general checks for model adequacy that do not involve formulation of an alternative hypothesis. General and specific tests are discussed in the context of multiple regression models, systems of simultaneous equations, and models with qualitative or limited dependent variables.
Axioms of Cooperative Decision Making
Authors: Moulin Hervi
Published: December 2008

Axioms of Cooperative Decision Making provides a unified and comprehensive study of welfarism, cooperative games, public decision making, and voting and social choice theory - technically heterogeneous subjects that are linked by common axioms. Hervé Moulin studies these areas from an axiomatic perspective. Every axiom conveys a certain ethical principle (e.g. 'one man one vote', or 'to each according to his contribution'). Axiomatic theory examines the compatibility of various combinations of axioms. The book describes recent successes of this method. It gives many examples of the axiomatic approach, ranging from the construction of numerical indices for measuring inequality, to the pricing of a regulated monopoly, to the comparison of various voting rules. The book will be useful to mathematical modellers, especially those interested in economics and political science.
Drooling in oro-motor dyspraxia: is there a role for surgery?
Authors: Rimmer J , Hartley B E J
Published: December 2008

Objective:

To report the successful use of a surgical approach for the treatment of drooling in a case of oro-motor dyspraxia.

Case report:

A seven-year-old girl with a diagnosis of oro-motor dyspraxia was referred for management of drooling; this was her only symptom. There were no focal neurological abnormalities. Conservative measures had not helped, and her parents were keen for definitive treatment. Bilateral submandibular duct transposition was performed with no complications. The patient's drooling improved immediately.

Conclusion:

There are currently no reports in the literature of surgery for persistent drooling in children with oro-motor dyspraxia who are otherwise neurologically and developmentally normal. The mainstay of treatment is speech and language therapy. We report the successful use of surgical techniques, usually reserved for children with cerebral palsy or severe neurological disorders, to treat drooling in an otherwise normal seven-year-old child with oro-motor dyspraxia.
Isolated adult Langerhans' cell histiocytosis in cervical lymph nodes: should it be treated?
Authors: Lo W-C , Chen C-C , Tsai C-C , Cheng P-W
Published: December 2008

Objective:

We report an extremely rare case of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis involving isolated cervical lymph nodes, and we discuss the diagnosis and treatment of this infrequent disease.

Method:

We present a case report and literature review concerning this disease entity.

Results:

A 54-year-old man presented with persistent, multiple, left neck masses. Histopathological study of lymph node specimens showed proliferation of Langerhans' cells coupled with eosinophilic and neutrophilic microabscesses. Positive immunohistochemical staining for Cluster of Differentiation 1a (CD1a) in Langerhans' cells confirmed the diagnosis. No other abnormalities were noted on a series of image studies. The patient was managed with ‘watchful waiting’ without subsequent therapy. The neck lesions regressed gradually over time, and the patient did well over a two-year follow-up period.

Conclusion:

The clinical presentation of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis is highly variable, and the choice of treatment depends on the involved organs. Definitive diagnosis depends on identification of characteristic immunohistochemical or ultrastructural features of the biopsy specimen. Watchful waiting may be an effective management strategy in cases of adult isolated lymph node Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, due to its possible spontaneous regression.
Surgical management of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis in a patient with Eisenmenger's syndrome: literature review and case report
Authors: Pratap R , Qayyum A , Ahmad N , Jani P
Published: December 2008

Objective:

We present a patient with a rare combination of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis and Eisenmenger's syndrome.

Method:

Case report and review of the world literature regarding the morbidity and mortality of surgical management of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis and the potential hazards of non-cardiac surgery in patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome.

Results:

Failure of maximal medical therapy necessitated surgical management to treat amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis which, in this particular patient, carried significant risks. Total thyroidectomy was performed leading to rapid resolution of thyrotoxicosis, and the patient made an uncomplicated recovery. We present this case because of its rarity and the potentially hazardous nature of surgical intervention in patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome. The pathogenesis of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis and the differing approaches of medical and surgical management are discussed.

Conclusion:

Based on our findings, we propose that surgical management should be considered earlier in the treatment algorithm (or possibly as first-line therapy) for amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis.
Mental disorders as risk factors for later substance dependence: estimates of optimal prevention and treatment benefits
Authors: Glantz M. D. , Anthony J. C. , Berglund P. A. , Degenhardt L. , Dierker L. , Kalaydjian A. , Merikangas K. R. , Ruscio A. M. , Swendsen J. , Kessler R. C.
Published: December 2008

Background

Although mental disorders have been shown to predict subsequent substance disorders, it is not known whether substance disorders could be cost-effectively prevented by large-scale interventions aimed at prior mental disorders. Although experimental intervention is the only way to resolve this uncertainty, a logically prior question is whether the associations of mental disorders with subsequent substance disorders are strong enough to justify mounting such an intervention. We investigated this question in this study using simulations to estimate the number of substance disorders that might be prevented under several hypothetical intervention scenarios focused on mental disorders.

Method

Data came from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), a nationally representative US household survey that retrospectively assessed lifetime history and age of onset of DSM-IV mental and substance disorders. Survival analysis using retrospective age-of-onset reports was used to estimate associations of mental disorders with subsequent substance dependence. Simulations based on the models estimated effect sizes in several hypothetical intervention scenarios.

Results

Although successful intervention aimed at mental disorders might prevent some proportion of substance dependence, the number of cases of mental disorder that would have to be treated to prevent a single case of substance dependence is estimated to be so high that this would not be a cost-effective way to prevent substance dependence (in the range 76–177 for anxiety-mood disorders and 40–47 for externalizing disorders).

Conclusions

Treatment of prior mental disorders would not be a cost-effective way to prevent substance dependence. However, prevention of substance dependence might be considered an important secondary outcome of interventions for early-onset mental disorders.
Remembering and Rethinking the Social Divisions of Welfare: 50 Years On
Authors: MANN KIRK
Published: December 2008

This article revisits Titmuss's essay on the Social Divisions of Welfare (SDW) and reflects on its continuing relevance. Titmuss first presented the SDW in an Eleanor Rathbone Memorial lecture at Birmingham University in 1955, but it is best known from hisEssays on the Welfare Statepublished in 1958. Titmuss challenged the stereotype of ‘welfare’ as simply public welfare dependency and illustrated the different elements of the SDW. Some limitations of Titmuss's approach are identified, notably in relation to how he saw dependency arising, and revisions offered. The article provides a number of examples from the UK but also highlights some significant parallels with the SDW in the USA and Australia, the so-called ‘liberal welfare regimes’ (Esping-Andersen, 1990). Finally, it is claimed that 50 years on we need to be reminded of the insights and analytical potential of Titmuss's essay.
Rethinking the Risks of Home Ownership
Authors: SMITH SUSAN J. , SEARLE BEVERLEY A. , COOK NICOLE
Published: December 2008

Most debate on home ownership and risk has focused on the management of mortgage debt. But there are other risks for home buyers in settings where housing dominates people's wealth portfolios: where the investment dimensions of property are at a premium; and where housing wealth is,de facto, an asset base for welfare. This article draws from qualitative research with 150 UK mortgage holders to assess the character, extent and possible mitigation of this wider risk regime. The analysis first explores the value home buyers attach to the financial returns on housing. Next we document the extent to which home equity is earmarked and used as a financial buffer. Finally, reflecting on the merits and limitations of this tactic, we conclude by asking whether – in the interests of housing and social policy, as well as with a view to managing the economy – there is any need, scope or appetite for more actively sharing the financial risks and investment gains of housing systems anchored on owner-occupation.
Gender Equity and Fertility in Italy and Spain
Authors: COOKE LYNN PRINCE
Published: December 2008

Gender equity and its effects on fertility vary across socio-political contexts, particularly when comparing less with more developed economies. But do subtle differences in equity within more similar contexts matter as well? Here we compare Italy and Spain, two countries with low fertility levels and institutional reliance on kinship and family, but with employment equity among women during the 1990s slightly greater in Italy than Spain. The European Community Household Panel is used to explore the effect of this difference in gender equity on the likelihood of married couples having a second birth during this time period. Women's hours of employment reduce the birth likelihood in both countries, but non-maternal sources of care offset this effect to different degrees. In Spain, private childcare significantly increases birth likelihood, whereas in Italy, father's greater childcare share increases the likelihood, particularly among employed women. These results suggest that increases in women's employment equity increase not only the degree of equity within the home, but also the beneficial effects of equity on fertility. These equity effects help to offset the negative relationship historically found between female employment and fertility.
Optimal design and implementation of an energy-efficient biped walking in semi-active manner
Authors: Wu Ting-Ying , Yeh T.-J.
Published: December 2008

In this paper, a biped that combines the merits of both powered and passive bipeds is proposed. The semi-activeness of the biped is due to the fact that during most of a walking cycle, only half of the joints are actuated to follow specific trajectories, and the other half of joints remain unactuated but have passive springs connected between adjacent links. It is expected that by having unactuated joints, the biped can preserve the power-saving feature of the passive biped, and by having actuated joints under active control, the biped can also achieve the stability and performance of the powered biped. To devise a systematic design methodology for the biped, its dynamics as well as the walking constraints are carefully studied. Furthermore, an optimization procedure is also proposed to compute the optimal trajectories for the actuated joints and spring constants, which can lead to minimum energy consumption. The feasibility of the proposed biped, including the system design and the control strategy, is verified by hardware implementation. Experiments indicate that the biped walking in the semi-active manner consumes 80% less the electrical power than the fully powered biped that performs the same gait and is more energy-efficient than several state-of-the-art bipeds.
Characterization ofVP7andVP4genes of rotavirus strains: 1990–1994 and 2000–2002
Authors: ZADE J. K. , CHHABRA P. , CHITAMBAR S. D.
Published: December 2008

A total of 90 rotavirus-positive faecal specimens collected from patients hospitalized with diarrhoea in 1990–1994 (n=77) and 2000–2002 (n=13) were investigated for VP7 and VP4 genotypes. The specimens included 21 typable and 69 non-reactive or multireactive rotavirus strains as monitored by monoclonal antibody-based serotyping ELISA. Genotyping was carried out by multiplex PCR/sequencing using primers specific for bothVP7andVP4genes. The contribution of common genotypes (G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], G4P[8]) in causing rotavirus diarrhoea was 79·2% and 92·3% in the years 1990–1994 and 2000–2002, respectively, while G9P[8] infections were detected at lower levels (1·3% and 7·7%) at both time-points. There was a predominance of G1P[8] in 1990–1994 and of G2P[4] in 2000–2002. The detection of unusual rotavirus strains (G1P[6], G1P[4], G1P[19], G2P[8], G3P[4], G4P[6]) in 19·5% of the patients indicated a significant contribution of reassortants in causing diarrhoea in western India.
Cancer and immune-mediated disease in people who have had meningococcal disease: record-linkage studies
Authors: GOLDACRE M. J. , WOTTON C. J. , YEATES D. G. R.
Published: December 2008

The mechanisms that cause susceptibility to invasive meningococcal disease are largely unknown, but are likely to have important genetic and immunological components. We postulated that susceptibility to meningococcal disease might be associated with altered risks of development of other clinical disease. We studied cancer and immune-mediated disease in people who have been hospitalized with meningococcal disease. In cohorts of people who had invasive meningococcal disease, compared with reference cohorts, the rate ratio for cancer in an Oxford dataset studied from 1963 to 1998 was 0·88 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·42–1·61] and in an all-England dataset studied from 1999 to 2005 it was 1·02 (95% CI 0·80–1·27). The respective rate ratios for immune-mediated disease were 1·49 (95% CI 0·81–2·50) and 0·69 (95% CI 0·53–0·89). Susceptibility to meningococcal disease was not associated with an altered risk of cancer. Occurrence of immune-mediated disease was, if anything, low in the large all-England cohort of people who had meningococcal disease.
Compilation of a new bathymetric dataset of South Georgia
Authors: Fretwell P.T. , Tate A.J. , Deen T.J. , Belchier M.
Published: December 2008

We introduce a new bathymetric compilation of the area around South Georgia in the Southern Ocean. Using a variety of data sources including multi and single-beam swath bathymetry we have constructed a gridded bathymetric dataset of the shelf and near-shelf sea-floor areas. The grid has been constructed using a layered hierarchy dependent upon accuracy of each dataset. The spikes and errors have been checked both manually and with a novel semi-automated process. We discuss the resulting bathymetry and the potential uses of the new dataset.
Generalized solutions of an equation with fractional derivatives
Authors: STANKOVIC B. , ATANACKOVIC T. M.
Published: December 2008

We consider an equation with left and right fractional derivatives which appears as a mathematical model in the mechanics. The type of equations that we analyse appear, as a rule, in variational problems containing fractional derivatives. We look for solutions in a suitably defined sub-space of distributions which is sufficient to enclose different ‘singular’ solutions.