bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HYPERTENSION IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS: Noncardiac Consequences of Hypertension in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Van Der Sande Frank M. , Hermans Marc M. H. , Leunissen Karel M. L. , Kooman Jeroen P.
Published: July 2004

The incidence of cerebrovascular events and peripheral vascular disease is higher in dialysis patients compared to the general population. Although normotensive dialysis patients have an elevated risk of stroke, hypertension remains an important risk factor for symptomatic cerebrovascular accidents. The risk of stroke increases in a linear fashion with blood pressure (BP) level. Furthermore, hypertension is also an important risk factor for silent cerebral infarction in dialysis patients. With regard to peripheral vascular disease, the association with hypertension is less clear. The spectrum of cerebrovascular accidents differs from the general population, as the relative incidence of cerebral hemorrhage to cerebral infarction is much higher. The prognosis of cerebral hemorrhage is poor and depends on the size and location of the hemorrhage. In order to prevent noncardiac complications, strict control of hypertension is of major importance in dialysis patients.
Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. against the spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus L., in the laboratory under various conditions
Authors: Kreutz J. , Vaupel O. , Zimmermann G.
Published: July 2004

Abstract:  In laboratory bioassays, the efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana against the spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, was tested under various conditions. Four of the tested isolates and the commercial product Boverol® caused 99–100% mortality when tested at a concentration of 1.0 × 107 conidia/ml at 25°C. Using B. bassiana isolate 138 at a concentration of 1.0 × 106, the median survival time (MST) was 6.1 d and significantly longer compared with the MST of 4.2 and 4.0 d at 1.0 × 107 and 1.0 × 108 conidia/ml, respectively. In the next experiment, the beetles were maintained on spruce bark, filter paper or artificial diet during the bioassay with Boverol®, and significant differences in the MST of 3.6, 2.5 and 5.3 d, respectively, were noticed. The experiment with Boverol® at different temperatures showed that the beetles lived significantly longer at 15°C (MST 8.7 d) than at 20, 25, 30 and 35°C. At 25°C, the beetles died most rapidly (MST 3.5 d). At different relative humidities (RH) of 40, 70 and 100%, nearly all beetles were dead after treatment with a suspension of Boverol® at 1.0 × 107 conidia/ml. At 40% RH, 49% of the untreated beetles died after 7 d. The best effects were achieved with the following bioassay: beetles were fed for three days on artificial diet, then dipped into a solution of 1.0 × 107 conidia/ml and transferred on a piece of spruce bark in Petri dishes at 25°C and 70% RH.
Modelling age‐ and density‐structured reproductive biology and seasonal survival of Apanteles galleriae Wilkinson (Hym., Braconidae)
Authors: Uçkan F. , Ergin E. , Ayaz F.
Published: July 2004

Abstract:  The biology of Apanteles galleriae Wilkinson, an important biological control agent of wax moths, is well described in the literature. We developed models simulating the functional response of fecundity and female progeny proportion of adult females as a function of age, host and/or parasitoid density to integrate current knowledge. Daily pattern of age‐related fecundity and female progeny proportion of different parasitoids was also examined. We investigated the effect of sex, mating status and seasonal time on adult longevity. We derived survival data of females in two different seasonal periods. We found that 50% of adult life span is important for an efficient fecundity. The patterns of host and/or parasitoid density‐dependent fecundity and sex ratio varied considerably. The highest fecundity and female progeny proportion occurred with one parasitoid and one female equivalent host. Longevity of adults was affected by sex and month periods, but mating status did not affect their longevity. Female survival was greater between December and May relative to June and November. Our results indicated that age, host and parasitoid density, and the timing of rearing influenced the life processes of parasitoids.
Role of adjuvant radiotherapy in recurrent earlobe keloids
Authors: Dinh Quan , Veness Michael , Richards Shawn
Published: July 2004

SUMMARY Earlobe keloids are commonly encountered in dermatological practice and often prove to be recurrent, despite a variety of treatment options. Recurrent keloids, particularly in the head and neck, are associated with unsightly cosmetic consequences, particularly in younger patients. There is no consensus regarding the optimal treatment for recurrent keloids. However, re‐excision accompanied by adjuvant treatment is often recommended. Low‐dose fractionated radiotherapy (12 Gy in three fractions) delivered within 24 hours of excision remains an effective adjuvant option, although due consideration needs to be given to the small risk of radiation‐induced malignancy. We aim to discuss the role of adjuvant radiotherapy for recurrent keloids and present the relevant literature.
Photodynamic therapy for subungual Bowen's disease
Authors: Tan Boon , Sinclair Rodney , Foley Peter
Published: July 2004

SUMMARY A 35‐year‐old police shooting instructor with a 4‐year history of Bowen's disease of the nail bed on his right index finger confirmed histologically, was successfully treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT). Four cycles of PDT were used with two different photosensitizers: 20% 5‐amino‐levulinic acid oil in water emulsion and methyl amino‐levulinate (Metvix®) cream. The lesion was successfully treated with clinical and histological clearance. There was minimal loss of time from work, with neither functional nor cosmetic deficits.
Idiopathic granulomatous vulvitis
Authors: Rowan Darion M , Jones Ronald W
Published: July 2004

SUMMARY A 20‐year‐old woman initially presented with clinical evidence of an acute vulval inflammatory disorder incorrectly diagnosed as a Bartholin's abscess. Prolonged healing associated with infection followed attempts to incise and biopsy the area. Over a decade the condition has followed a chronic course with exacerbations and remissions and the vulva has become progressively more swollen and distorted. Lymphangiomas have developed. Histology showed non‐necrotizing granulomas. Investigations for Crohn's disease and sarcoidosis were negative. Prednisone resulted in improvement during acute inflammatory episodes.
Molluscum contagiosum in atopic dermatitis treated with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment
Authors: Wilson Leah M , Reid Catherine M
Published: July 2004

SUMMARY A case of molluscum contagiosum arising on the face and neck of a woman using topical tacrolimus over a period of 6 weeks for the treatment of atopic dermatitis is presented. Of particular note, these lesions remained confined to areas treated with tacrolimus and did not extend to adjacent regions treated with topical corticosteroids.
Follicular mycosis fungoides mimicking a cutaneous B‐cell lymphoproliferative disorder
Authors: Tan Suat Hoon , Sim Chee Seng , Ong Beng Hock , Sander Christian A
Published: July 2004

SUMMARY Follicular mycosis fungoides (MF) is an uncommon histological variant of MF characterized by infiltrates of atypical lymphocytes around and within the epithelium of the hair follicles (folliculotropism). Here we report a patient with rapidly progressive follicular MF on the face, associated with concurrent typical MF lesions elsewhere. The histology was unusual, as apart from dense lymphoid infiltrates showing folliculotropism and epidermotropism, there was a prominent B‐cell component with germinal centres, leading to an initial diagnosis of cutaneous B‐cell lymphoma. The final diagnosis of follicular MF was established on demonstration of clonal T‐cell receptor gene arrangements and lack of clonality for heavy chain gene rearrangements. This case illustrates a variant of MF that has a more rapid progression than the otherwise indolent course of classical MF over many years, and the diagnostic pitfalls, whereby the histology can mimic a B‐cell proliferative disorder.
Allergic contact dermatitis to methylprednisolone aceponate in a topical corticosteroid
Authors: Cahill Jennifer , Nixon Rosemary
Published: July 2004

SUMMARY A 42‐year‐old registered nurse presented with a recurrent history of multifactorial hand dermatitis, which had ceased to respond to the topical corticosteroid that she was using. Patch testing revealed strong reactions to both Advantan® Fatty Ointment (Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, Melbourne, Australia), and its active ingredient, methylprednisolone aceponate. Methylprednisolone aceponate is one of the more sensitizing topical corticosteroids and is becoming increasingly recognized as a significant allergen.
Heterogeneity, Group Size and Collective Action: The Role of Institutions in Forest Management
Authors: Poteete Amy R. , Ostrom Elinor
Published: July 2004

Collective action for sustainable management among resource‐dependent populations has important policy implications. Despite considerable progress in identifying factors that affect the prospects for collective action, no consensus exists about the role played by heterogeneity and size of group. The debate continues in part because of a lack of uniform conceptualization of these factors, the existence of non‐linear relationships, and the mediating role played by institutions. This article draws on research by scholars in the International Forestry Resources and Institutions (IFRI) research network which demonstrates that some forms of heterogeneity do not negatively affect some forms of collective action. More importantly, IFRI research draws out the interrelations among group size, heterogeneity, and institutions. Institutions can affect the level of heterogeneity or compensate for it. Group size appears to have a non‐linear relationship to at least some forms of collective action. Moreover, group size may be as much an indicator of institutional success as a precondition for such success.
What Voters Do: Information Search During Election Campaigns
Authors: Redlawsk David P.
Published: July 2004

Learning about political candidates before voting can be a cognitively taxing task, given that the information environment of a campaign may be chaotic and complicated. In response, voters may adopt decision strategies that guide their processing of campaign information. This paper reports results from a series of process‐tracing experiments designed to learn how voters in a presidential primary election adopt and use such strategies. Different voters adopt different strategies, with the choice of strategy dependent on the campaign environment and individual voter characteristics. The adoption of particular strategies can have implications for how voters evaluate candidates.
Can We Talk? Self‐Presentation and the Survey Response
Authors: Berinsky Adam J.
Published: July 2004

This paper explores how the personality characteristics of individuals affect the answers they give to questions on controversial political topics. In April and May 2000, a random‐digit‐dial survey of 518 Americans was conducted in the continental United States. This survey included question batteries measuring two psychological concepts related to self‐presentation. Respondents were also asked about their opinion on a number of sensitive topics, such as feelings toward blacks and homosexuals and their opinions about spending on popular programs, including schools and the environment. Their responses to these questions varied as a function of their self‐presentation personality characteristics. The results presented here suggest that self‐presentation measures such as those assessed here can improve our understanding of how the social dynamics of the survey interview affect responses to sensitive questions.
What Do African Donor‐sponsored Anti‐corruption Programmes Teach Us about International Development in Africa?
Authors: Michael Bryane
Published: July 2004

Donor‐sponsored anti‐corruption programmes represent an increasingly large segment of international development assistance to Africa. While the ostensible objective of these programmes is to reduce African corruption, the generality of them suggests that other factors appear to motivate their design and implementation. This paper attempts to assess the generality of these programmes by looking at the specificity, relevance and fit of proposed anti‐corruption activities. The malleability of these programmes suggests that programme design draws from a mix of broader discursive fields and the genuine attempt to improve project performance and decrease corruption.
Does Liquidity Matter? Properties of a Divisia Monetary Aggregate in the Euro Area*
Authors: Stracca Livio
Published: July 2004

This paper builds a quarterly Divisia monetary aggregate for the euro area using area‐wide data over the sample period from 1980 to 2000, finding two main results. First, it is found that the demand for this monetary aggregate has been well behaved and relatively stable over the last two decades. Secondly, the Divisia‐weighed monetary aggregate is found to have interesting information content from a forward‐looking perspective. This lends support to the view that money and – in a broader sense – liquidity services should be assigned an important role in shaping monetary policy in the euro area, although the policy maker is not interested in monetary aggregates per se.
On Business Cycle Asymmetries in G7 Countries
Authors: Kiani Khurshid M. , Bidarkota Prasad V.
Published: July 2004

We investigate whether business cycle dynamics in seven industrialized countries (the G7) are characterized by asymmetries in conditional mean. We provide evidence on this issue using a variety of time series models. Our approach is fully parametric. Our testing strategy is robust to any conditional heteroskedasticity, outliers, and/or long memory that may be present. Our results indicate fairly strong evidence of nonlinearities in the conditional mean dynamics of the GDP growth rates for Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the US. For France and the UK, the conditional mean dynamics appear to be largely linear. Our study shows that while the existence of conditional heteroskedasticity and long memory does not have much effect on testing for linearity in the conditional mean, accounting for outliers does reduce the evidence against linearity.
Calculating a Standard Error for the Gini Coefficient: Some Further Results*
Authors: Giles David E. A.
Published: July 2004

Several authors have suggested using the jackknife technique to approximate a standard error for the Gini coefficient. It has also been shown that the Gini measure can be obtained simply from an artificial ordinary least square (OLS) regression based on the data and their ranks. We show that obtaining an exact analytical expression for the standard error is actually a trivial matter. Further, by extending the regression framework to one involving seemingly unrelated regressions (SUR), several interesting hypotheses regarding the sensitivity of the Gini coefficient to changes in the data are readily tested in a formal manner.
Calculating a Standard Error for the Gini Coefficient: Some Further Results: Reply
Authors: Ogwang Tomson
Published: July 2004

The potential shortcomings of the regression (or stochastic) approach for computing exact standard errors of the Gini coefficient using ordinary least squares or weighted least squares are pointed out.
Constraining a Principal's Choice: Outcome versus Behavior Contingent Agency Contracts in Representative Negotiations
Authors: Fassina Neil E.
Published: July 2004

Agency theory describes the viability of outcome and behavior contingent contracts in principal–agent transactions. This article proposes that a principal's choice between the two contract forms in a representative negotiation is constrained by the conditions that led a principal to employ an agent. Six of these conditions — expertise, emotional strain, the principal's preferred engagement strategy, zone of possible agreement, communal relationship norms, and repeated interactions between principals — are reviewed and summarized in testable propositions. Specifically, the six conditions are proposed to underscore the viability of behavior versus outcome contingent contracts in serving the principal's substantive and relationship‐based interests.
Anorexia/bulimia‐related sialadenosis of palatal minor salivary glands
Authors: Mignogna M. D. , Fedele S. , Lo Russo L.
Published: July 2004

In patients affected by alimentary disorders sialadenosis is frequently observed. This non‐inflammatory condition is described to affect major salivary glands, leading to the characteristic parotid and/or submandibular swelling. Thus fine‐needle aspiration cytology or parotid open biopsy are generally required to diagnose histologically the disorder. We report the case of a 28‐year‐old patient affected by bulimia/anorexia nervosa who presented, in addition to parotid enlargement, a bilateral symmetric painless soft swelling of the hard palate. The lesion was biopsed and histopathological examination showed the classical features of sialadenosis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of sialadenosis affecting palatal minor salivary glands. It underlines that when sialadenosis is clinically suspected, clinicians could check also patients‘ oral cavity for minor salivary glands involvement, in order to potentially avoid invasive extra‐oral procedures and to easily confirm diagnosis with an intra‐oral biopsy.
Efficacy of mometasone furoate microemulsion in the treatment of erosive‐ulcerative oral lichen planus: pilot study
Authors: Aguirre J. M. , Bagán J. V. , Rodriguez C. , Jimenez Y. , Martínez‐Conde R. , Díaz de Rojas F. , Ponte A.
Published: July 2004

Background:  Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a frequent immunological chronic disease, having different clinical forms: asymptomatic and symptomatic. Symptomatic OLP has been palliated with topical corticosteroids with different levels of efficacy and safety. The purpose of this pilot phase II clinical trial was to determine the efficacy of mometasone furoate microemulsion upon the symptoms and signs of erosive‐ulcerative OLP.

Methods:  Forty‐nine patients with clinical and histologically confirmed erosive‐ulcerative OLP were enrolled in this study (36 women and 13 men). Their average age was 56.4 years (from 28 to 78). The treatment consisted of 0.1% mometasone furoate microemulsion mouthwash three times a day over 30 days. Pain, erythema and ulceration were assessed after 15 and 30 days of treatment. The data was processed and statistically analysed by student's t‐test for paired samples.

Results:  Mometasone caused a statistically significant reduction in pain (3.58 vs. 0.65, P = 0.0000). Treatment significantly reduced the surface area of erythema (155.2 vs. 21.9 mm2, P = 0.0001) and ulceration (30.7 vs. 7.3 mm2, P = 0.0000). None of these patients suffered severe adverse effects.

Conclusions:  Mometasone furoate microemulsion is a safe and effective therapy in the treatment of symptomatic erosive‐ulcerative OLP.
Salivary secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor increases in HIV infection*
Authors: Lin Alan L. , Johnson Dorthea A. , Stephan Kevin T. , Yeh Chih‐Ko
Published: July 2004

Background:  Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is an antimicrobial protein found in saliva and having anti‐HIV activity. The concentrations of SLPI in parotid and submandibular/sublingual (SMSL) saliva were determined in an HIV(+) population and compared with uninfected controls. The effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the concentrations in saliva was determined.

Methods:  Stimulated parotid and SMSL saliva was collected from 65 HIV(+) patients and 19 healthy controls. Flow rates, total protein and SLPI concentrations were determined as well as the effect of HAART on these measurements.

Results:  Mean flow rates were reduced for parotid (64%) and SMSL (44%) saliva of HIV(+) patients. Flow rate reductions were unaffected by HAART. Total protein concentration in HIV(+) parotid saliva was increased 56%; patients on HAART had higher concentrations than control. For both groups, SLPI concentrations of SMSL saliva were twice that of parotid saliva. For HIV(+) patients SLPI concentrations of both saliva types were 70% greater than control; the increase in parotid saliva was greater for those taking HAART. For each saliva type, the secretory rate and specific SLPI protein concentration were not different between the groups. Patients with low CD4+ counts had greater SLPI concentrations in parotid saliva than control. There was a negative correlation between CD4+ counts and the SLPI concentration of parotid saliva.

Conclusions:  Salivary flow rate is decreased and the concentration of SLPI is increased in the presence of HIV infection. SLPI concentration in parotid and SMSL saliva is greater with HAART.
Regulation of keratinocyte growth factor and scatter factor in cyclosporin‐induced gingival overgrowth
Authors: Hyland P. L. , McKeown S. T. W. , Mackenzie I. C. , Irwin C. R.
Published: July 2004

Background:  Epithelial proliferation is a histological characteristic of drug‐induced gingival overgrowth. Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and scatter factor (SF) are fibroblast‐derived growth factors with potent mitogenic and motogenic effects on epithelial cells, and, therefore, could be involved in the pathogenesis of gingival overgrowth. The aims of this study were to investigate: (i) the effects of cyclosporin on KGF and SF expression by gingival fibroblasts; and (ii) the expression levels of KGF and SF mRNA in normal and overgrown gingival tissue.

Methods:  The KGF and SF protein production was determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Relative levels of KGF and SF mRNA expression were determined using semi‐quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Expression levels in biopsies of normal and overgrown gum were also determined.

Results:  In overgrown fibroblasts, 500 ng/ml cyclosporin significantly inhibited KGF and SF mRNA and protein while 2000 ng/ml cyclosporin induced a stimulatory effect. In normal cells cyclosporin significantly increased both KGF and SF. KGF and SF mRNA was detected in both normal and overgrown tissues with a tendency towards increased expression levels in overgrown tissue.

Conclusion:  These results suggest that KGF and SF may have an important role in cyclosporin‐induced gingival overgrowth.
Histopathologic changes in dental and oral soft tissues in 2‐butoxyethanol‐induced hemolysis and thrombosis in rats*
Authors: Redlich M. , Maly A. , Aframian D. , Shabat S. , Ezov N. , Levin‐Harrus T. , Nyska M. , Nyska A.
Published: July 2004

Background:  2‐Butoxyethanol (2‐BE; ethylene glycol monobutyl ether) is extensively used as a solvent in surface coatings, such as lacquers, enamels, and varnishes in industrial and household cleaning products. Its major toxicity is manifested in the circulation, as it induces hemolytic anemia and thrombosis in various organs. While 2‐BE has been implicated in the induction of anemia in different species, the rat has proven most sensitive, especially the female of this species. The purpose of this study was to document the effects of 2‐BE on dentition, the periodontal ligament, the tongue, the salivary glands, and the oral mucosa in male and female Fischer 344 rats.

Methods:  The experiment included 40 rats divided into five groups. Four groups were exposed to 2, 3, or 4 daily doses of 2‐BE, and a fifth group served as control. The rats were killed on days 2, 3, 4, and 29. The teeth and soft oral tissues were prepared for histopathologic observation.

Results:  The histopathologic analysis showed that the major effect of 2‐BE was exerted on the odontoblasts of the incisors and on molars, with greater effect on the incisors. Foci of damaged muscle cells in the tongue were also observed. The blood vessels were dilated and congested, and a primary thrombosis was seen in the dental pulp.

Conclusions:  The results of this study revealed a resemblance between the dental injuries in this rat model and those seen in sickle cell anemia in humans. This 2‐BE animal model holds potential to assist in the discovery of preventive measures and/or treatment for dental injuries that occur in human diseases with hemolytic anemia.
Cytologic and DNA‐cytometric very early diagnosis of oral cancer
Authors: Maraki D. , Becker J. , Boecking A.
Published: July 2004

Background:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of exfoliative cytology (EC) and DNA‐image cytometry applied to suspicious oral lesions compared with synchronous histology.

Methods:  Brush‐ and scalpel biopsies were obtained from 98 patients with suspicious oral lesions. In cases, in which EC revealed malignant or suspicious cells, nuclear DNA‐contents were measured using a TV image analysis system.

Results:  Among 98 oral lesions both cytological and histological diagnosis showed no sign of malignancy or dysplasia in 75. In 23 cases cytology yielded tumor cell‐positive (15), suspicious (four) or doubtful (four) results. DNA‐cytometry showed aneuploidy in 19 of these. The comparison between cytological diagnosis combined with DNA‐cytometry and biopsy‐histology resulted in a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 97.4%.

Conclusion:  In conclusion, cytology with DNA‐cytometry is a highly sensitive, specific and non‐invasive method for the early diagnosis of oral epithelial neoplasia, showing excellent compliance among patients.
Pterin‐Dependent Tyrosine Hydroxylase mRNA is not Expressed in Human Melanocytes or Melanoma Cells
Authors: Kågedal Bertil , Kullman Anita , Lenner Liselotte , Träger Catarina , Kogner Per , Farnebäck Malin
Published: July 2004

Pterin‐dependent tyrosine hydroxylase has been described to occur occasionally in melanocytes. It is therefore important to quantify the mRNA of this enzyme in pigment cells to understand whether this enzyme can take an active part in pigment formation. A real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction method was used to quantify tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA in melanocytes and melanoma cells. The calibrator was obtained by amplification of a segment of cDNA from tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA, which included the target thus allowing enumeration of the number of transcripts per cell. In melanocytes (n = 3), tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA ranged from non‐detectable to 0.000492 transcripts/cell and in melanoma cells from non‐detectable to 0.005340 transcripts/cell. In neuroblastoma cells, the median tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA number was 0.4 transcripts/cell (range 0.02–25 transcripts/cell). The amount of tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA in the pigment cells was far less than the mRNA concentrations of four melanocyte‐specific proteins measured in the same melanocytes and melanoma cells. We conclude that on the average less than 1 of 1000 melanocytes and melanoma cells contains at least one tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA molecule. Consequently, in 999 of 1000 cells translation into the corresponding enzyme protein cannot occur because of the lack of an mRNA template. Thus, in these cells there is no pterin‐dependent tyrosine hydroxylase that can contribute to pigment formation by producing priming amounts of l‐dopa for proper function of tyrosinase.
A Transgenic Mouse Model with Inducible Tyrosinase Gene Expression Using the Tetracycline (Tet‐on) System Allows Regulated Rescue of Abnormal Chiasmatic Projections Found in Albinism
Authors: Giménez Estela , Lavado Alfonso , Giraldo Patricia , Cozar Patricia , Jeffery Glen , Montoliu Lluís
Published: July 2004

Congenital defects in retinal pigmentation, as in oculocutaneous albinism Type I (OCA1), where tyrosinase is defective, result in visual abnormalities affecting the retina and pathways into the brain. Transgenic animals expressing a functional tyrosinase gene on an albino genetic background display a correction of all these abnormalities, implicating a functional role for tyrosinase in normal retinal development. To address the function of tyrosinase in the development of the mammalian visual system, we have generated a transgenic mouse model with inducible expression of the tyrosinase gene using the tetracycline (TET‐ON) system. We have produced two types of transgenic mice: first, mice expressing the transactivator rtTA chimeric protein under the control of mouse tyrosinase promoter and its locus control region (LCR), and; second, transgenic mice expressing a mouse tyrosinase cDNA construct driven by a minimal promoter inducible by rtTA in the presence of doxycycline. Inducible experiments have been carried out with selected double transgenic mouse lines. Tyrosinase expression has been induced from early embryo development and its impact assessed with histological and biochemical methods in heterozygous and homozygous double transgenic individuals. We have found an increase of tyrosinase activity in the eyes of induced animals, compared with littermate controls. However, there was significant variability in the activation of this gene, as reported in analogous experiments. In spite of this, we could observe corrected uncrossed chiasmatic pathways, decreased in albinism, in animals induced from their first gestational week. These mice could be instrumental in revealing the role of tyrosinase in mammalian visual development.
Novel Approach for Evaluation of Estrogenic and Anti‐Estrogenic Activities of Genistein and Daidzein using B16 Melanoma Cells and Dendricity Assay
Authors: Miyazaki Kouji
Published: July 2004

The effects of soy isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, which exhibit estrogenic, anti‐estrogenic and/or tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity, on the dendritic morphology of B16 mouse melanoma cells were quantitatively evaluated and compared with those of 17β‐estradiol (Est) and tyrphostin, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Dendricity was significantly stimulated in the order of Est >> genistein > daidzein = tyrphostin, but not by glycosides of genistein and daidzein. In competition experiments, Est counteracted the stimulatory activity of genistein and daidzein, but enhanced the activity of tyrphostin additively, suggesting that genistein and daidzein agonized Est. In addition, when the concentration ratios of genistein/Est and daidzein/Est were higher than 5000 and 50 000, respectively, genistein and daidzein agonized Est. In contrast, when the ratio of daidzein/Est was lower than 500, daidzein antagonized Est. Furthermore, genistein and daidzein competed with each other in stimulatory activity. These observations suggest that: 1) dendricity is stimulated by agonists (genistein and daidzein) of Est and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (genistein and tyrphostin), 2) the concentration ratio of isoflavone aglycone/Est is very important as one regulatory factor for estrogenic and/or anti‐estrogenic activity, and 3) daidzein antagonizes not only Est but also genistein. It is concluded that a quantitative and simple dendricity assay using B16 mouse melanoma cells is available to evaluate estrogenic and anti‐estrogenic activity in vitro.
Non-Gradient Based Parameter Sensitivity Estimation for Single Objective Robust Design Optimization
Authors: Gunawan S. , Azarm S.
Published: July 2004

We present a method for estimating the parameter sensitivity of a design alternative for use in single objective robust design optimization. The method is non-gradient based: it is applicable even when the objective function of an optimization problem is non-differentiable and/or discontinuous with respect to the parameters. Also, the method does not require a presumed probability distribution for parameters, and is still valid when parameter variations are large. The sensitivity estimate is developed based on the concept that associated with each design alternative there is a region in the parameter variation space whose properties can be used to predict that design’s sensitivity. Our method estimates such a region using a worst-case scenario analysis and uses that estimate in a bi-level robust optimization approach. We present a numerical and an engineering example to demonstrate the applications of our method.
Dual Quaternion Synthesis of Constrained Robotic Systems
Authors: Perez Alba , McCarthy J. M.
Published: July 2004

This paper presents a dual quaternion methodology for the kinematic synthesis of constrained robotic systems. These systems are constructed from one or more serial chains such that each chain imposes at least one constraint on the movement of the workpiece. Serial chains that have constrained workspaces can be synthesized by evaluating the kinematics equations of the chain on a finite set of task positions. In this case, the end-effector positions are known and the Denavit-Hartenberg parameters become design variables. Here we reformulate the kinematics equations in terms of successive screw displacements so the design variables are the coordinates defining the joint axes of the chain in a reference position. Then, dual quaternions defining these transformations are introduced to simplify the structure of the design equations. The result is a synthesis formulation that can be applied to a broad range of constrained serial chains, which can in turn be assembled into constrained parallel robots. We demonstrate the formulation and solution of the dual quaternion design equations for the spatial RPRP chain.
Experimental and Numerical Development of a Two-Phase Venturi Flow Meter
Authors: Rosa Euge^nio S. , Morales Rigoberto E. M.
Published: July 2004

An algebraic model is developed access the gas and the liquid flow rates of a two-phase mixture through a Venturi tube. The flow meter operates with upward bubbly flows with low gas content, i.e., volumetric void fraction bellow 12%. The algebraic model parameters stem from numerical modeling and its output is checked against the experimental values. An indoor test facility operating with air-water and air-glycerin mixtures in a broad range of gas and liquid flow rates reproduces the upward bubbly flow through the Venturi tube. Measurements of gas and liquid flow rates plus the static pressure acroos the Venturi constitute the experimental database. The numerical flow modeling uses the isothermal, axis-symmetric with no phase change representation of the Two-Fluid model. The numerical output feeds the Venturi’s algebraic model with the proper constants and parameters embodying the two-phase flow physics. The novelty of this approach is the development of each flow meter model accordingly to its on characteristics. The flow predictions deviates less than 14% from experimental data while the mixture pipe Reynolds number spanned from 500 to 50,000.
Backward-Facing Step Flows for Various Expansion Ratios at Low and Moderate Reynolds Numbers
Authors: Biswas G. , Breuer M. , Durst F.
Published: July 2004

This paper is concerned with the behavior of flows over a backward-facing step geometry for various expansion ratios H/h=1.9423, 2.5 and 3.0. A literature survey was carried out and it was found that the flow shows a strong two-dimensional behavior, on the plane of symmetry, for Reynolds numbers ReD=ρUbD/μ below approximately 400 (Ub=bulk velocity and D=hydraulic diameter). In this Reynolds number range, two-dimensional predictions were carried out to provide information on the general integral properties of backward-facing step flows, on mean velocity distributions and streamlines. Information on characteristic flow patterns is provided for a wide Reynolds number range, 10−4⩽ReD⩽800. In the limiting case of ReD→0, a sequence of Moffatt eddies of decreasing size and intensity is verified to exist in the concave corner also at ReD=1. The irreversible pressure losses are determined for various Reynolds numbers as a function of the expansion ratio. The two-dimensional simulations are known to underpredict the primary reattachment length for Reynolds numbers beyond which the actual flow is observed to be three-dimensional. The spatial evolution of jet-like flows in both the streamwise and the spanwise direction and transition to three-dimensionality were studied at a Reynolds number ReD=648. This three-dimensional analysis with the same geometry and flow conditions as reported by Armaly et al. (1983) reveals the formation of wall jets at the side wall within the separating shear layer. The wall jets formed by the spanwise component of the velocity move towards the symmetry plane of the channel. A self-similar wall-jet profile emerges at different spanwise locations starting with the vicinity of the side wall. These results complement information on backward-facing step flows that is available in the literature.
Unintentional and violent injuries among pre-school children of teenage mothers in Sweden: a national cohort study
Authors: Ekéus Cecilia , Christensson Kyllike , Hjern Anders
Published: July 2004

Study objective:This study investigates the risk and mediating mechanisms of unintentional and violent injuries in pre-school children of teenage mothers.

Design:Cohort study based on Swedish national registers. Cox analyses of proportional hazard were used to estimate the relative risk of hospital admission and death attributable to injuries in analyses of data from national registers.

Participants:The study population was a national cohort of 800 192 children born in Sweden during 1987–93 who were followed up prospectively from birth to their 7th birthday.

Main results:Children of teenage mothers had higher relative risks (RRs) of hospital admissions for violent as well as unintentional injuries; age adjusted RRs of 2.7 (95% CI 1.2 to 6.1) and 1.6 (1.4 to 1.8), respectively, for children of mothers under 18 years of age and 2.5 (1.6 to 3.8) and 1.5 (1.4 to 1.6) of mothers aged 18–19 are compared with those with mothers aged at least 32 at the birth of the child. When the models were adjusted to socioeconomic variables and indicators of parental substance misuse and psychiatric illness the risk decreased slightly but remained well above that of children with older mothers. In addition, children of teenage mothers had an increased risk of death attributable to violent injuries (RR 6.7 (2.6 to 16.0), as well as to unintentional injuries (RR 3.5 (2.0 to 6.1).

Conclusions:Maternal age is an important determinant of injuries in pre-school children in Sweden and the children of teenage mothers are at particular risk. Young parents should be given priority in injury prevention programmes.
Strategies for the municipal solid waste sector to assist Canada in meeting its Kyoto Protocol commitments
Authors: Mohareb Adrian K , Warith Mostafa , Narbaitz Roberto M
Published: July 2004

The Government of Canada has ratified the Kyoto Protocol, committing to a 6% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 1990 levels during the commitment period of 20082012. To attain this target, emission reductions throughout many sectors must be achieved. The waste sector can assist Canada in reducing GHG emissions to meet its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. In 2001, the waste sector generated 24.8 megatonnes (Mt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) from landfill gas (LFG) generation, wastewater treatment, and incineration. Emissions from the transportation of solid waste were not considered, and are seen to be small. Several strategies for reducing GHG emissions from solid waste are analyzed. Source reduction decreases the amount of material being generated, thus reducing from the source any emissions that might be related to the life cycle of the material. Recycling can reduce GHG emissions by reducing the amount of virgin material being processed, avoiding life cycle emissions. Landfill gas collection for energy recovery can reduce methane (CH4) emissions from organic wastes in landfills, and the Government of Canada's Climate Change Plan has considered this strategy. Anaerobic digestion converts some of the organic matter in the municipal solid waste (MSW) to both CH4 and carbon dioxide (CO2), where the CH4 can be used to generate power, while composting converts some of the organic fraction to CO2. Both of these processes produce a soil conditioner as their residue. Waste incineration reduces MSW volume and can generate power, displacing generation from fossil fuels. An integrated approach, considering these techniques where appropriate, can succeed in reducing emissions from the solid waste sector. Policy choices such as extended producer responsibility, minimum recycled content laws, and LFG capture criteria would increase the impact of solid waste management on GHG emissions. Key words: climate change, Kyoto Protocol, municipal solid waste, source reduction, recycling, landfill gas capture, anaerobic digestion.
Detrital ooids of Holocene age in glaciomarine Champlain Sea sediments, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Authors: Torrance J Kenneth , Kirkpatrick Reed
Published: July 2004

Detrital ooids, from 0.1 to 0.5 mm diameter, almost completely dominate two 0.3 m thick layers between one and two metres depth at a site in clay-size-rich, isostatically uplifted, glaciomarine, Champlain Sea sediments north of Gatineau, Quebec. The ooids, composed of layers of tangentially oriented, platy particles, are physical aggregations of glacially ground, rock flour with the identical mineral suite that constitutes the regional Champlain Sea sediments. The ooids are not cemented and there is no evidence of diagenetic formation of minerals. A hydrodynamic "hail-stone" model, which requires a somewhat turbulent sedimentary environment within the water column, probably created by windwave action that kept ooid nuclei in suspension while the flocculating effect of brackish to marine conditions induced particle accretion onto their surface, is proposed for their formation.
Optical dating of pottery, burnt stones, and sediments from selected Quebec archaeological sites
Authors: Lamothe M
Published: July 2004

Recent developments in luminescence technologies applied to sediment dating is used to better constrain the age of archaeological events. Suitable geoarchaeological material includes sediments and fired objects, such as pottery and burnt stones. The assessment of archaeological ages illustrated here are based on single aliquot regeneration (SAR), with both infrared and blue stimulation on the same fine-grained aliquot being detected. These new approaches in optical dating were tested on polymineralic extracts of an Archaic burnt stone, a Woodland ceramic, and a soil containing Plano artefacts. The results demonstrate that whether or not these sites had yielded datable radiocarbon material, luminescence would have provided a reliable chronological framework given that the appropriate procedures to correct anomalous fading are incorporated.
Applications of earth science techniques to archaeological problems  Introduction
Authors: Mallory-Greenough Leanne M , Greenough John D
Published: July 2004

The thematic set provides examples of the many techniques that earth scientists can offer for use in archaeology. These studies use methods such as electron microprobe analysis, inductively coupled plasma  mass spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence, optically stimulated luminescence, and soil and sediment stratigraphic analysis. Materials examined range from soils to basalt and dacite artifacts, glass, ceramics, phytoliths, and even ore assay beads. They cover 8000 years of time and are derived from three continents. The diversity of materials and techniques underscores the potential for collaboration as we open new doors into our collective past.
LOCAL COSMIC STRING WITH COSMOLOGICAL TERM
Authors: RAHAMAN F. , BHUI B. C. , KALAM M. , MANDAL S.
Published: July 2004

We investigate the spacetime of a local gauge string with a phenomenological energy momentum tensor, as prescribed by Vilenkin, in the presence of the cosmological term Λ. A set of solutions of full nonlinear Einstein's equations for interior region of such a string is presented.
ON BELTRAMI MODEL OF de SITTER SPACETIME
Authors: GUO HAN-YING , HUANG CHAO-GUANG , XU ZHAN , ZHOU BIN
Published: July 2004

Based on some important properties of dS space, we present a Beltrami model ℬΛ that may shed light on the observable puzzle of dS space and the paradox between the special relativity principle and cosmological principle. In ℬΛ, there are inertial-type coordinates and inertial-type observers. Thus, the classical observables can be defined for test particles and light signals. In addition, by choosing the definition of simultaneity the Beltrami metric is transformed to the Robertson–Walker-like metric. It is of positive spatial curvature of order Λ. This has already been shown by the CMB power spectrum from WMAP and should be further confirmed by its data in large scale.
CONFORMAL FIXED POINTS OF UNIDENTIFIED GAUGE THEORIES
Authors: POLYAKOV A. M.
Published: July 2004

In this article we discuss gauge/string correspondence based on the non-critical strings. With this goal we present several remarkable sigma models with the AdS target spaces. The models have kappa symmetry and are completely integrable. The radius of the AdS space is fixed and thus they describe isolated conformal fixed points of gauge theories in various dimensions. This work is dedicated to the memory of Ian Kogan.
TRIPLE-PRODUCT CORRELATIONS IN B→V1V2 DECAYS AND NEW PHYSICS
Authors: DATTA ALAKABHA , LONDON DAVID
Published: July 2004

In this paper we examine T-violating triple-product correlations (TP's) in B→V1V2 decays. TP's are excellent probes of physics beyond the standard model (SM) for two reasons: (i) within the SM, most TP's are expected to be tiny, and (ii) unlike direct CP asymmetries, TP's are not suppressed by the small strong phases which are expected in B decays. TP's are obtained via the angular analysis of B→V1V2. In a general analysis based on factorization, we demonstrate that the most promising decays for measuring TP's in the SM involve excited final-state vector mesons, and we provide estimates of such TP's. We find that there are only a handful of decays in which large TP's are possible, and the size of these TP's depends strongly on the size of nonfactorizable effects. We show that TP's which vanish in the SM can be very large in models with new physics. The measurement of a nonzero TP asymmetry in a decay where none is expected would specifically point to new physics involving large couplings to the right-handed b-quark.
FUZZY C-MEANS CLUSTERING MODELS FOR MULTIVARIATE TIME-VARYING DATA: DIFFERENT APPROACHES
Authors: D'URSO PIERPAOLO
Published: July 2004

The classification of multivariate time-varying data finds application in several fields, such as economics, finance, marketing research, psychometrics, bioinformatics, medicine, signal processing, pattern recognition, etc. In this paper, by considering an exploratory formalization, we propose different unsupervised clustering models for multivariate data time arrays (objects×quantitative variables×times). These models can be classified in two different approaches: the cross sectional and the longitudinal approach. In the first case, after the objects, observed at each time, have been classified, comparison among the classifications made in different time instants will be done. In the second approach, we cluster the time trajectories of the objects; then, we obtain only one classification by comparing the instantaneous and evolutive features of the trajectories of the objects. In particular, in this work, the second approach is analyzed in detail, with reference to the so-called single and double step procedures. Geometric, correlative, instantaneous, evolutive and trend characteristics of the multivariate time arrays are taken into account in the different proposed clustering models. Furthermore, the fuzzy approach, that is particularly suitable in the dynamic classification problem, has been considered. Extensions of a cluster-validity criterion for the proposed fuzzy dynamic clustering models are also suggested. A socio-economic example concludes the paper.