bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ribosomal protein L24 defect in Belly spot and tail (Bst), a mouseMinute
Authors: Oliver Edward R. , Saunders Thomas L. , Tarlé Susan A. , Glaser Tom
Published: August 2004

Ribosomal protein mutations, termed Minutes, have been instrumental in studying the coordination of cell and tissue growth in Drosophila. Although abundant in flies, equivalent defects in mammals are relatively unknown. Belly spot and tail (Bst) is a semidominant mouse mutation that disrupts pigmentation, somitogenesis and retinal cell fate determination. Here, we identify Bst as a deletion within the Rpl24 riboprotein gene. Bst significantly impairs Rpl24 splicing and ribosome biogenesis. Bst/+ cells have decreased rates of protein synthesis and proliferation, and are outcompeted by wild-type cells in C57BLKS↔ROSA26 chimeras. Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) and cDNA transgenes correct the mutant phenotypes. Our findings establish Bst as a mouse Minute and provide the first detailed characterization of a mammalian ribosomal protein mutation.
How to make an eye
Authors: Treisman Jessica E.
Published: August 2004

The eye is an organ of such remarkable complexity and apparently flawless design that it presents a challenge to both evolutionary biologists trying to explain its phylogenetic origins, and developmental biologists hoping to understand its formation during ontogeny. Since the discovery that the transcription factor Pax6 plays a crucial role in specifying the eye throughout the animal kingdom, both groups of biologists have been converging on the conserved mechanisms behind eye formation. Their latest meeting was at the Instituto Juan March in Madrid, at a workshop organized by Walter Gehring(Biozentrum, Basel, Switzerland) and Emili Saló (Universitat de Barcelona, Spain), entitled `The genetic control of eye development and its evolutionary implications'. The exchange of ideas provided some new insights into the construction and history of the eye.
Alfy, a novel FYVE-domain-containing protein associated with protein granules and autophagic membranes
Authors: Simonsen Anne , Birkeland Hanne C. G. , Gillooly David J. , Mizushima Noboru , Kuma Akiko , Yoshimori Tamotsu , Slagsvold Thomas , Brech Andreas , Stenmark Harald
Published: August 2004

Phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate [PtdIns(3)P] regulates endocytic and autophagic membrane traffic. In order to understand the downstream effects of PtdIns(3)P in these processes, it is important to identify PtdIns(3)P-binding proteins, many of which contain FYVE zinc-finger domains. Here, we describe a novel giant FYVE-domain-containing protein, named autophagy-linked FYVE protein (Alfy). Alfy is ubiquitously expressed, shares sequence similarity with the Chediak-Higashi-syndrome protein and has putative homologues in flies, nematodes and fission yeast. Alfy binds PtdIns(3)P in vitro and partially colocalizes with PtdIns(3)P in vivo. Unlike most other FYVE-domain proteins, Alfy is not found on endosomes but instead localizes mainly to the nuclear envelope. When HeLa cells are starved or treated with a proteasome inhibitor, Alfy relocalizes to characteristic filamentous cytoplasmic structures located close to autophagic membranes and ubiquitin-containing protein aggregates. By electron microscopy, similar structures can be found within autophagosomes. We propose that Alfy might target cytosolic protein aggregates for autophagic degradation.
A Novel Photosensitizer of Palladium(II) Phthalocyanine Tetrasulfonate for Chlorophenol Oxidation under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Hu Meiqin , Xu Yiming , Xiong Zhigang
Published: August 2004

The title complex has been found to exhibit high quantum yield of singlet oxygen generation (0.87 in DMF), and is highly efficient and stable to initiate mineralization of cholorophenols in water under visible light irradiation.
Bis(tetrathiafulvaleno)octadehydro[20]annulene with Multi-functionality
Authors: Iyoda Masahiko , Enozawa Hideo , Miyake Yoshihiro
Published: August 2004

Sulfur-bridged octadehydro[20]annulene 1c annelated with two TTF rings was synthesized and its multi-functional properties were ascertained. The annulene exhibits paratropicity, solvatochromism, electrochromism and multi-redox potentials in solution, and its cation radical in the solid state shows self-association and electric conductivity.
Bicontinuous Microemulsion-aided Synthesis of Mesoporous TiO2
Authors: Moriguchi Isamu , Katsuki Yasuko , Yamada Hirotoshi , Kudo Tetsuichi , Nishimi Taisei
Published: August 2004

Mesoporous TiO2 with high surface area was synthesized via a sol–gel process in a bicontinuous microemulsion. The mesoporous structure was retained to some extent even if the anatase-TiO2 nanocrystallite produced in the mesophase with heating. The mesoporous anatase-TiO2 showed an effective Li-intercalation property.
Synthesis of Magnetic Composite Particles of γ-Fe2O3@SiO2 and the Control of the Structural Color of the Colloidal Crystal by Magnetic Fields
Authors: Kitajima Kazutoshi , Fujita Toma , Sogoshi Norihito , Nakabayashi Seiichiro
Published: August 2004

Nearly monodisperse silica spheres with a diameter of ca. 140 nm containing magnetic cores of γ-Fe2O3 were synthesized following a similar method by Stöber1 and Philipse.2 Rendering a structural color was successfully achieved by thorough deionization of the aqueous suspension of the spheres. The magnetic tunability of the structural color of the colloidal crystal was demonstrated. The optical property was characterized by UV–vis reflection spectra.
N-doped TiO2 Nanotube with Visible Light Activity
Authors: Tokudome Hiromasa , Miyauchi Masahiro
Published: August 2004

Nitrogen-doped TiO2 nanotubes were synthesized by a wet process. The nanotubes have an anatase crystal structure with nitrogen atoms substituted into oxygen sites of TiO2. These nanotubes exhibited photocatalytic oxidation activity of gaseous isopropanol into acetone and carbon dioxide when illuminating with visible light.
β-Hydride Elimination from α-Positioned Methyl Group of Bicyclic Zirconacyclopentanes Assisted by Aldehyde
Authors: Xi Zhenfeng , Guo Ruiyun , Zheng Weixin , Zheng Hegen , Zhong Zhenqi , Takahashi Tamotsu
Published: August 2004

β-Hydrogen elimination from α-methylated bicyclic zirconacyclopentanes was promoted by benzaldehyde at low temperature. Treatment of the resulting mixture with allyl bromide and benzoyl chloride in the presence of CuCl introduced new olefin or phenylcarbonyl moieties in the product.
Ion-exchangeable Layered Aminophenylsilica Prepared with Anionic Surfactant Templates
Authors: Yao Ken , Imai Yusuke , Shi LiYi , Abe Eiichi , Adachi Yoshio , Nishikubo Keiko , Tateyama Hiroshi
Published: August 2004

The synthesis of a novel anion-exchangeable nanostructured aminophenylsilica with a well-ordered layer geometry was demonstrated by utilizing the sol-gel reaction of p-aminophenyltrimethoxysilane in the presence of an anionic surfactant micelle under acidic conditions
CdS Nanowire-encapsulated, CdS Nanocrystals-enrobed Carbon Nanotubes Composites, and Their UV–vis Properties
Authors: Jiang Linqin , Gao Lian
Published: August 2004

The fabrication of CdS nanowire-encapsulated and CdS nanocrystal-enrobed multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNTs) heterostructures is reported; the enrobed hybrid nanocomposites exhibit blue-shift absorption in UV–vis spectrum and provide various routes to nanotube composites.
The Effect of Layered Sodium–Magadiite on the Photochromic Reversibility of Diarylethene Immobilized on Its Surfaces
Authors: Shindachi Itsuki , Hanaki Hiroshi , Sasai Ryo , Shichi Tetsuya , Yui Tatsuto , Takagi Katsuhiko
Published: August 2004

Diarylethene covalently bonded to the silanol oxygen of the layered surfaces of magadiite was seen to undergo a more improved photochromic reversibility than a corresponding silylated analog in ethanol without fixation to the magadiite.
An Isothiouronium-derived Organized Monolayer at the Air–Water Interface: Design of Film-based Anion Sensor Systems for H2PO4−
Authors: Misawa Yoshihiro , Kubo Yuji , Tokita Sumio , Ohkuma Hirokazu , Nakahara Hiroo
Published: August 2004

We have prepared for the first time an organized monolayer with long-chain amphiphiles possessing an isothiouronium segment. Interactions between the monolayer and anions in aqueous subphase have been investigated and show a significant selectivity of H2PO4−. Also, by fabricating the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films under competitive conditions of the anions used and picrate as an indicator, we can read out H2PO4− recognition using UV–vis spectroscopy, providing a potential application for the design of film-based anion sensor systems.
Formation of Interconnected Macropores in Sm2+-doped Silicate Glasses through Phase Separation: Fabrication of Photosensitive and Dielectrically Disordered Materials
Authors: Fujita Koji , Murai Shunsuke , Ohashi Yoshihiro , Nakanishi Kazuki , Hirao Kazuyuki
Published: August 2004

Fabrication of Sm2+-doped silicate glasses possessing interconnected macropores has been attempted via two different procedures utilizing a phase-separation phenomenon; one includes liquid–liquid phase separation of macroscopically uniform melt-quenched glasses under heat treatment, and the other polymerization-induced phase separation in alkoxy-derived sol-gel systems. Macroporous silicate glasses doped with Sm2+ can be successfully prepared via the sol-gel method.
A Novel Synthetic Route to Layered Double Hydroxides Using Hexamethylenetetramine
Authors: Iyi Nobuo , Matsumoto Taki , Kaneko Yoshiro , Kitamura Kenji
Published: August 2004

For the homogeneous precipitation of hydrotalcite-like compounds (layered double hydroxides; LDHs), HMT (hexamethylenetetramine) was used and the conditions for obtaining the LDHs were investigated. The well-crystallized 1–5 μm LDHs were obtained in a pressure vessel after a 1-day treatment at 140 °C. The resulting LDHs contained a carbonate anion, which was successfully deintercalated using an NaCl–HCl mixed solution without any morphological change.
Ear, nose and throat manifestations of ectodermal dysplasia
Authors: Mills Robert , Montague Mary-Louise , Naysmith Lisa
Published: July 2004

This review of ectodermal dyplasias (ED) presents the particular syndromes that might present to the otolaryngologist for management and discusses the ear, nose and throat manifestations of the condition.
Training opportunities for Specialist Registrars post-Calmanization: audit of trainees' exposure to repair of the tympanic membrane
Authors: Hilmi O. J. , Bolton P. , Ahsan F. , Nunez D. A.
Published: July 2004

Specialist training at the registrar grade in the United Kingdom has undergone significant change in the recent past. One of the effects has been a reduction in the length of time spent in training. This and the application of the European working time directive have the potential to reduce trainees’ surgical exposure. The proportion of tympanic membrane procedures performed by reconstructive otolaryngology registrars in the Grampian University hospitals was audited to monitor the impact of these changes.

Case notes of all patients who underwent myringoplasty or tympanoplasty between July 1998 and June 1999 were analysed retrospectively. Details of the surgeons’ grade were recorded. The proportion of myringoplasties performed by registrars as determined by the Royal College of Surgeons of England National Comparative Audit survey, carried out in 1995 before the widespread implementation of recommended changes in otolaryngology registrar training, was set as the gold standard.

In the period July 1998–1999 registrars had performed fewer myringoplasties than the standard, 17 per cent versus 34.2 per cent respectively (p = 0.035). A strategy to increase registrar exposure to myringoplasty surgery was then adopted by the department and the proportion of myringoplasties performed by registrars re-audited prospectively. The proportion of myringoplasties undertaken by registrars increased in the period January 2001 to July 2001 compared to July 1998–1999, 53 per cent versus 17 per cent respectively (p < 0.0007).

Changes in working practice can address shortfalls in registrars' exposure to surgical procedures.
Complications following adult cochlear implantation: experience in Manchester
Authors: Green K. M. J. , Bhatt Y. M. , Saeed S. R. , Ramsden R. T.
Published: July 2004

Cochlear implantation is regarded as a safe and effective treatment for the profoundly deaf. However, a proportion of patients suffer complications after implant surgery. This paper examines the complications encountered in 240 adult cochlear implant operations performed in Manchester between June 1988 and June 2002. Minor complications were defined as those that either settled spontaneously or with conservative management. The total number of minor complications was 61 (25.4 per cent of cases). Non-auditory stimulation, which resolved with implant reprogramming, was present in 53 cases (22.1 per cent). Major complications were defined as those requiring further surgery, explantation or causing a significant medical problem, and occurred in 15 patients (6.25 per cent). These included implant extrusion, implant sepsis, electrode migration, flap-related problems, and persistent non-auditory stimulation. Nine of the 15 patients suffering a major complication required explantation. There were no post-operative deaths, cases of meningitis, nor persistent facial palsies in the series.
Waveform reliability with different recording electrode placement in facial electroneuronography
Authors: Chung Won-Ho , Lee Jong-Chan , Cho Do Yeon , Won Eun Young , Cho Yang-Sun , Hong Sung Hwa
Published: July 2004

Electroneuronography (ENoG) has become a useful test for estimating the degree of facial nerve degeneration and predicting the prognosis in patients with facial nerve palsy. Test results may be influenced by several factors, including the electrode positions, skin resistance, stimulus magnitude, and possible artifacts. Regarding recording electrode positions, different groups have used two different locations, the nasolabial fold and nasal ala. The authors compared the waveforms recorded from these two locations in ENoG recordings to obtain the optimal waveform. Twenty healthy volunteers and 25 patients with unilateral facial nerve palsy were included in this study. Recordings were carried out with the recording electrode placed on the nasolabial fold, followed by placement on the nasal ala after 10 minutes. The following parameters were assessed: (1) the supramaximal threshold, (2) amplitude and shape of the waveform, (3) interside difference, and (4) test-retest variability. There was no significant difference in the amplitude of the waveform, interside difference, and test-retest variability between the two groups. However, when the electrode was placed on the nasal ala, the threshold was significantly lower, an ideal biphasic configuration was present in almost all cases (97.5 per cent) of normal volunteers and it was easier to identify the waveform. Placement of the recording electrode on the nasal ala would be the preferred method.
Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy in cases of dacryocystitis due to atrophic rhinitis
Authors: Singh Mangal , Jain Vimal , Singh S. P. , Gupta S. C.
Published: July 2004

Atrophic rhinitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nose, which is more common in India. Chronic dacryocystitis is its rare complication. The authors found four cases of chronic dacryocystitis from March 2002 to October 2003 due to atrophic rhinitis. It was diagnosed clinically by the regurgitation test and lacrimal syringing. These cases were treated conservatively for a period of six weeks to make the nasal mucosa healthier and were then subjected to endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (end-DCR) under local anaesthesia. The procedure was found to be more difficult due to bleeding and the healing time was prolonged as compared to other cases of end-DCR. After one to one and half years of follow-up the primary success rate was 75 per cent but after revision surgery in one case, all cases were successful. Hence it was concluded that atrophic rhinitis is no more a contraindication for end-DCR. However, meticulous initial preparation and post-operative follow-up is necessary to improve the result.
Laryngeal ultrasound to assess vocal fold paralysis in children
Authors: Vats A. , Worley G. A. , de Bruyn R. , Porter H. , Albert D. M. , Bailey C. M.
Published: July 2004

The purpose of this study was to assess the practicality and validity of laryngeal ultrasound to establish vocal fold movement in children with suspected vocal fold palsy. Fifty-five consecutive patients (age range three days to 12 years) with suspected vocal fold palsy underwent both laryngoscopy and laryngeal ultrasound. Ultrasonographic findings correlated with endoscopic findings in 81.2 per cent of cases. This, however, rose to a concordance rate of 89.5 per cent in patients aged over 12 months. Laryngeal ultrasound is well-tolerated, safe and non-invasive and the authors feel that it is a useful adjunct to endoscopy in the diagnosis of vocal fold palsy.
Use of steroids in the treatment of peritonsillar abscess
Authors: Ozbek Cem , Aygenc Erdinc , Tuna Evrim Unsal , Selcuk Adin , Ozdem Cafer
Published: July 2004

Peritonsillar abscess is the most common deep infection of the head and neck that occurs in adults; the treatment of the disease remains controversial. A prospective study using a single high dose steroid treatment for peritonsillar abscess, was undertaken in 62 patients to determine the treatment's effectiveness in relieving symptoms such as fever, throat pain, dysphagia and trismus. All patients were randomly assigned to two groups: 28 patients received intravenous antibiotic therapy and a single dose placebo and 34 patients were treated with single use of high dose steroid in addition to intravenous antibiotic. Patients were hospitalized after needle aspiration and therefore their clinical courses and responses to therapy could be rigorously assessed. Comparison of clinical outcomes with respect to hours hospitalized, throat pain, fever, trismus were assessed between the two groups. Clinical outcomes revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.01), indicating that single use of high dose steroid prior to antibiotic therapy is more effective than the use of an antibiotic alone. These results suggest that single intravenous use of steroid in addition to antibiotic therapy is an excellent choice for the management of peritonsillar abscess.
Surgical treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx: analysis of treatment results, failure patterns, and prognostic factors
Authors: Chu Pen-Yuan , Wang Ling-Wei , Chang Shyue-Yih
Published: July 2004

Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx (HPSCC) are often seen in advanced stages and have a poor prognosis. The authors analysed 104 patients who had HPSCC and underwent surgery as the primary treatment between 1986 and 1995 in their institute. Of the 104 patients, 83 patients (80 per cent) had advanced T3 or T4 staged and 64 patients (62 per cent) had cervical metastasis. Thirteen patients (13 per cent) had conservation surgery with laryngeal preservation and 69 patients (66 per cent) received post-operative radiotherapy. The five-year overall and disease-specific survival was 47 per cent and 62 per cent, respectively. Recurrence occurred in 38 patients (37 per cent), including 12 (12 per cent) with local, 22 (21 per cent) with regional, and 12 (12 per cent) with distant recurrence. Sixteen patients (15 per cent) had recurrence at multiple sites. The site and size of the primary tumour, neck biopsy before surgery, early post-operative complications, and pathological nodal stage were significant prognostic factors of disease-specific survival (DSS) in univariate analysis. Neck biopsy before surgery and site of primary tumour were significant factors in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, surgical treatment for the HPSCC patients has achieved good local-regional control and survival. Bilateral neck dissection for the tumour across the midline and avoiding neck biopsy before surgery may reduce regional recurrence.
Antrochoanal polyp and obstructive sleep apnoea in children
Authors: Brausewetter Florian , Hecht Martin , Pirsig Wolfgang
Published: July 2004

Antrochoanal polyps were first documented in the 18th century. They represent one of the most common types of nasal polyps in children without cystic fibrosis. Only a few reports on children who had a history of snoring due to an antrochoanal polyp and only two cases where the antrochoanal polyp caused documented obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) have been published so far. This report adds a third case of paediatric OSA induced by an antrochoanal polyp in a 12-year-old boy. After endonasal endoscopically-controlled polypectomy and a recurrence, transoral osteoplastic antrotomy in combination with endoscopic endonasal polypectomy eliminated the antrochoanal polyp and OSA was resolved. The authors have reviewed essential historical aspects about children suffering from snoring and/or OSA caused by an antrochoanal polyp.
Corticosteroids and peritonsillar abscess formation in infectious mononucleosis
Authors: Hanna Brendan C. , McMullan Ronan , Hall Samuel J.
Published: July 2004

Peritonsillar abscess formation is an uncommon complication of infectious mononucleosis (IM). Early case reports implicated corticosteroids in the development of such abscesses, however, subsequent studies suggested that these drugs do not promote the formation of abscesses at several sites outside the central nervous system. It has recently been demonstrated that zwitterionic polysaccharides, in bacterial capsules, form complexes with CD4+ T lymphocytes leading to abscess formation. A patient is presented who developed peritonsillar abscess a few days after initiation of corticosteroid therapy for IM; the medical literature was reviewed in respect of this subject. It appears that the occurrence of these abscesses in IM is not strongly linked to corticosteroid treatment. The authors, therefore, recommend that steroids should not be withheld from patients with severe IM on the basis that they may precipitate the development of peritonsillar abscess.
Tracheal stenting: a better method of dealing with airway obstruction due to thyroid malignancies than tracheostomy
Authors: Gunasekaran S. , Osborn J. R. , Morgan A. , Griffiths M. V.
Published: July 2004

Tracheostomy remains the primary method of treatment of acute airway obstruction due to malignant invasion and compression of the trachea. However, the development of tracheal stents has provided an alternative effective treatment modality. This case report and literature review highlights the benefits of intra-luminal stenting, including resolution of distressing obstructive symptoms, and subsequent improvement in quality of life.
Retropharyngeal space swelling secondary to minor blunt head and neck trauma
Authors: Kochilas X. , Ali A. , Montague M.-L. , Kelleher R. J.
Published: July 2004

Retropharyngeal space swelling is a rare occurrence following minor head and neck trauma. Upper airway obstruction is a potentially life-threatening sequela. The authors present a case of retropharyngeal space haematoma following minor blunt head and neck trauma. Management was conservative with gradual spontaneous resolution of the haematoma. The literature is reviewed and the management and treatment principles presented.
Spontaneous cervical haematoma resulting from intrathoracic pathology
Authors: Todd Adelson Robert , Vories Andrew
Published: July 2004

Spontaneous cervical haematomas are rare occurrences for which a wide variety of aetiologies have been reported. Although the pathogenesis of this condition can be quite diverse, all known cases have emanated from a cervical source. The authors report the first case of a spontaneous cervical haematoma arising from an intrathoracic source. A case review and Medline search from 1962–2003 was carried out.

No prior experience with intrathoracic sources for cervical haematomas has previously been reported. Transcervical haematoma evacuation confirmed the intrathoracic origin and a median sternotomy was required to gain control of this haemorrhage.

Thoracic sources should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a spontaneous cervical haematoma. Preparations for a combined procedure with a thoracic surgeon can be predicted pre-operatively based on imaging studies.
Hypercellularity of the mastoid as a cause of spontaneous pneumocephalus
Authors: Richards S. D. , Saeed S. R. , Laitt R. , Ramsden R. T.
Published: July 2004

In this paper two cases are reported in which spontaneous entry of air into the head appears to have occurred through a hypercellular mastoid air cell system. In both these cases forceful sneezing and nose blowing were considered contributory factors. They underwent surgical repair of the bony defects which, combined with less vigorous nose blowing, has affected a successful repair. The aetiology of pneumocephalus is discussed and a review of the pertinent literature is also presented.
The Optimal Diversity Management Problem
Authors: Briant Olivier , Naddef Denis
Published: August 2004

In some industries, a certain part can be needed in a very large number of different configurations. This is the case, e.g., for the electrical wirings in European car factories. A given configuration can be replaced by a more complete, therefore more expensive, one. The diversity management problem consists of choosing an optimal set of some given number k of configurations that will be produced, any nonproduced configuration being replaced by the cheapest produced one that is compatible with it. We model the problem as an integer linear program. Our aim is to solve those problems to optimality. The large-scale instances we are interested in lead to difficult LP relaxations, which seem to be intractable by the best direct methods currently available. Most of this paper deals with the use of Lagrangean relaxation to reduce the size of the problem in order to be able, subsequently, to solve it to optimality via classical integer optimization.
A New Placement Heuristic for the Orthogonal Stock-Cutting Problem
Authors: Burke E. K. , Kendall G. , Whitwell G.
Published: August 2004

This paper presents a new best-fit heuristic for the two-dimensional rectangular stock-cutting problem and demonstrates its effectiveness by comparing it against other published approaches. A placement algorithm usually takes a list of shapes, sorted by some property such as increasing height or decreasing area, and then applies a placement rule to each of these shapes in turn. The proposed method is not restricted to the first shape encountered but may dynamically search the list for better candidate shapes for placement. We suggest an efficient implementation of our heuristic and show that it compares favourably to other heuristic and metaheuristic approaches from the literature in terms of both solution quality and execution time. We also present data for new problem instances to encourage further research and greater comparison between this and future methods.
The Co-Printing Problem: A Packing Problem with a Color Constraint
Authors: Peeters Marc , Degraeve Zeger
Published: August 2004

The co-printing problem is a new variant of the bin-packing problem. It finds its origin in the printing of Tetra-bricks in the beverage industry. Combining different types of bricks in one printing pattern reduces the stock. With each brick, a number of colors are associated, and the total number of colors for the whole pattern cannot exceed a given limit. We develop a branch-and-price algorithm to obtain proven optimal solutions. After introducing a Dantzig-Wolfe reformulation for the problem, we derive cutting planes to tighten the LP relaxation. We present heuristics and develop a branching scheme, avoiding complex pricing problem modifications. We present some further algorithmic enhancements, such as the implementation of dominance rules and a lower bound based on a combinatorial relaxation. Finally, we discuss computational results for real-life data sets. In addition to the introduction of a new bin-packing problem, this paper illustrates the complex balance in branch-and-price algorithms among using cutting planes, the branching scheme, and the tractability of the pricing problem. It also shows how dominance rules can be implemented in a branch-and-price framework, resulting in a substantial reduction in computation time.
A Price-Directed Approach to Stochastic Inventory/Routing
Authors: Adelman Daniel
Published: August 2004

We consider a new approach to stochastic inventory/routing that approximates the future costs of current actions using optimal dual prices of a linear program. We obtain two such linear programs by formulating the control problem as a Markov decision process and then replacing the optimal value function with the sum of single-customer inventory value functions. The resulting approximation yields statewise lower bounds on optimal infinite-horizon discounted costs. We present a linear program that takes into account inventory dynamics and economics in allocating transportation costs for stochastic inventory routing. On test instances we find that these allocations do not introduce any error in the value function approximations relative to the best approximations that can be achieved without them. Also, unlike other approaches, we do not restrict the set of allowable vehicle itineraries in any way. Instead, we develop an efficient algorithm to both generate and eliminate itineraries during solution of the linear programs and control policy. In simulation experiments, the price-directed policy outperforms other policies from the literature.
An Ambush Game with an Unknown Number of Infiltrators
Authors: Baston Vic , Kikuta Kensaku
Published: August 2004

We consider problems in which a defender is attempting to protect a channel from infiltration by laying static underwater devices across the channel. These devices can detect infiltrators that come within a given distance of them, and it is assumed that an infiltrator so detected can be apprehended before he can fulfill his mission. Previous work has concentrated on cases in which there is just one infiltrator and the infiltrator knows both the number of devices and their detection radii, but the emphasis in this paper is on situations in which the defender does not know the number of infiltrators and the infiltrators have only partial information about the devices. It is shown that the defender has a strategy that is optimal against any number of infiltrators when the detection radii satisfy certain conditions and, in particular, when the detection radii all lie in specific intervals. In the latter case, the infiltrators can also act optimally with only partial information concerning the detection devices. In addition, we obtain results giving the number of infiltrators that will ensure that at least one gets through undetected for various types of partial information available to the infiltrators.
Contact Centers with a Call-Back Option and Real-Time Delay Information
Authors: Armony Mor , Maglaras Constantinos
Published: August 2004

Motivated by practices in customer contact centers, we consider a system that offers two modes of service: real-time and postponed with a delay guarantee. Customers are informed of anticipated delays and select their preferred option of service. The resulting system is a multiclass, multiserver queueing system with state-dependent arrival rates. We propose an estimation scheme for the anticipated real-time delay that is asymptotically correct, and a routing policy that is asymptotically optimal in the sense that it minimizes real-time delay subject to the deadline of the postponed service mode. We also show that our proposed state-dependent scheme performs better than a system in which customers make decisions based on steady-state waiting-time information. Our results are derived using an asymptotic analysis based on “many-server” limits for systems with state-dependent parameters.
Learning to Contract: Evidence from the Personal Computer Industry
Authors: Mayer Kyle J. , Argyres Nicholas S.
Published: August 2004

Organizational forms involving more detailed contracts than are found in traditional spot market exchanges appear to be increasingly prevalent. There has been relatively little analysis, however, of the extent to which firms learn how to use contracts to manage their interfirm relationships over time. In this paper, we conduct a detailed case study of a time series of 11 contracts concluded during 1989–1997 between the same two partners, both of whom participate in the personal computer industry, to explore whether and how firms learn to contract. We find many changes to the structure of the contracts that cannot be fully explained by changes in the assets at risk in the relationship, and evidence that these changes are largely the result of processes in which the firms were learning how to work together, including learning how to contract with each other. The nature of this learning appears to have been quite incremental and local, that is, not very far sighted. We suggest how and when contracts might serve as repositories for knowledge about how to govern collaborations, and suggest some boundary conditions for this phenomenon. Our findings also provide implications for the debate about whether contracts have a positive or negative effect on interorganizational trust. We conclude with suggestions for future research.
More Than an Answer: Information Relationships for Actionable Knowledge
Authors: Cross Rob , Sproull Lee
Published: August 2004

Research on information processing, managerial cognition, and social networks demonstrates that people rely on other people for information. However, this work has not specified how seeking information from others results in actionable knowledge—knowledge directed at making progress on relatively short-term projects. This research employs both qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate how personal sources of information contribute to actionable knowledge. Our qualitative study found that people cultivate different kinds of information relationships that are the source of 5 components of actionable knowledge: (1) solutions (both know-what and know-how), (2) referrals (pointers to other people or databases), (3) problem reformulation, (4) validation, and (5) legitimation. Our quantitative study revealed that, while source expertise predicted receipt of these components of actionable knowledge, so too did expertise of the seeker and features of the relationship between the seeker and source. We draw implications from these findings for the study of social capital and organizational learning.
Organizational Trustworthiness: Findings from the Population of Organizational Ethnographies
Authors: Hodson Randy
Published: August 2004

Contemporary workplaces solicit heightened effort and initiative from employees through teams and related forms of participation. Trustworthy behavior on the part of organizations is an important precondition for heightened employee effort and initiative. The current article develops a model of organizational trustworthiness based on: (1) employment practices and (2) managerial competence. Testing such models has been difficult in the past because of the difficulty of gathering data on relevant management and employee behaviors across a broad population of organizations. The current article uses data derived from a content analysis of the population of organizational ethnographies (N=204) to address this problem. The analysis verifies the existence of employment practices and management competence as separate factors. The effects of these factors on worker citizenship, employee-management conflict, and coworker relations are also evaluated. Supportive employment practices are an important precondition for worker citizenship. Management competence, however, is even more consequential for worker citizenship and for other workplace relations as well. The findings highlight the importance of cross-methods comparisons for advancing organizational theory.
Balancing and Rebalancing in the Creation and Evolution of Organizational Control
Authors: Cardinal Laura B. , Sitkin Sim B. , Long Chris P.
Published: August 2004

This research examines data collected as part of a 10-year case study of the creation and evolution of organizational control during organizational founding. Past research has taken a cross-sectional approach to examining control use in mature, stable organizations. In contrast, this study examines organizational controls during the founding period and takes a longitudinal perspective on organizational control. By examining how organizational controls are created and evolve through specific phases of the founding period, the research also provides new data and insights about what drives shifts in the use of various types of control. Specifically, this research sheds light on the role of imbalance among formal and informal controls as the key driver of shifts in control configurations, and provides a step toward making organizational control theory more dynamic.
Possible Interaction Between Sevoflurane and Aloe vera
Authors: Lee Anna , Chui Po Tong , Aun Cindy ST , Gin Tony , Lau Angel SC
Published: August 2004

OBJECTIVE

To describe a patient with massive intraoperative bleeding after oral consumption of Aloe vera tablets.

Case Summary

A 35-year-old woman lost 5 L of blood during surgery as a result of a possible herb—drug interaction between Aloe vera and sevoflurane.

DISCUSSION

Aloe vera is a common herb used for antiinflammatory and antiarthritic activity, as well as antibacterial, hypoglycemic, and lipid-lowering effects. Compounds contained within Aloe vera can cause a reduction in prostaglandin synthesis, which may inhibit secondary aggregation of platelets. Sevoflurane inhibits thromboxane A2 formation by suppression of cyclooxygenase activity, impairs platelet aggregation, and prolongs bleeding. Although the vascularity and size of the hemangioma were the most important factors for the massive intraoperative blood loss, concomitant use of sevoflurane and Aloe vera played a contributory role. An objective causality assessment revealed that this adverse event was possible as a result of the sevoflurane and Aloe vera interaction.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a potential herb—drug interaction between Aloe vera and sevoflurane based on the antiplatelet effects of these 2 agents. Herbal medications with antiplatelet potential should be discontinued before anesthesia and surgery.
Pupils' perceptions of self and of labels: Moderate learning difficulties in mainstream and special schools
Authors: Kelly Narcie , Norwich Brahm
Published: August 2004

Background: The study is set in the context of international moves towards more inclusion of children with disabilities into mainstream schools and the greater importance attached to the child's voice in decision making in education.

Aims: To examine how children with moderate learning difficulties (MLD) in mainstream and special schools see themselves; to investigate their positive, negative and mixed self‐perceptions; to explore their evaluations of the terms and labels used by others to describe them; and to examine whether their perceptions vary according to special educational placement, age or gender.

Sample: One hundred and one children; 50 in special and 51 in mainstream schools, of whom 51 were age 10–12 and 50 13–14 years; within each age group half were boys and half were girls.

Method: Semi‐structured in‐depth interviews based on a common framework derived from the research questions.

Results: Most pupils were aware of their learning difficulties and felt mainly negative about their difficulties. Pupils in special schools had more positive self‐perceptions of educational abilities than those in mainstream schools. Self‐perceptions of general characteristics were mainly a mixture of positive and negative with no differences by placement. ‘Stupid’ and ‘thick’ were perceived as the most negative labels, while ‘has help’ was the most positive label. The SEN term was infrequently recognized.

Conclusions: The findings are discussed within the context of a multi‐dimensional, complex and contrary framework of self‐perceptions, and reference groups as the bases for self‐perceptions and as an active and interpretive process in the formation of self‐perceptions.
Peer‐assessed behavioural characteristics and sociometric rejection: Differences between pupils who have moderate learning difficulties and their mainstream peers
Authors: Frederickson Norah L. , Furnham Adrian F.
Published: August 2004

Background: The outcomes of social inclusion and skills training programmes for pupils with special educational needs have been mixed. Programmes are generally based on research with mainstream samples yet it has been suggested that the social skills important for sociometric acceptance may be different for children who have special educational needs.

Aims: The study aims to compare peer‐assessed behavioural characteristics associated with sociometric status for included children who have moderate learning difficulties and their mainstream classmates.

Sample: Mainstream classmates (N=867) of all the children ascertained as having Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) and included in mainstream middle schools (8–12 years) in one English county. Subgroups of rejected mainstream (n=38) and pupils with MLD (n=32) were further investigated.

Method: Discriminant function analysis was carried out with peer assessment items as predictors of sociometric status group membership in the mainstream sample and contrasted with previously reported data from pupils with MLD in the same classes. Cluster analysis was used to identify behavioural subtypes within the rejected groups drawn from each sample. For pupils with MLD subtypes were validated using teacher assessments of social behaviour.

Results: Systematic differences were identified across different analyses between the peer‐assessed behavioural characteristics associated with rejected sociometric status for pupils with MLD and for mainstream pupils.

Conclusions: The appropriateness of generic social skills training programmes for promoting the social inclusion of pupils with MLD should be questioned and consideration given to rejected pupil subtypes.
The role of different types of instrumentality in motivation, study strategies, and performance: Know why you learn, so you'll know what you learn!
Authors: Simons Joke , Dewitte Siegfried , Lens Willy
Published: August 2004

Background: Two theories in the field of motivation and achievement, namely the future time perspective theory and goal theory, result in conflicting recommendations for enhancing students' motivation, because of their differential emphasis on the task at hand and on the future consequences of a task.

Aims: We will present a framework consisting of four types of instrumentality that combines both perspectives. The implications of those different types for goal orientation, motivation, cognitive strategies, study habits and performance are investigated.

Samples: Participants were a group of 184 first‐year nurse students with ages ranging from 18 to 45 years.

Methods: Questionnaires were administered that measured instrumentality, goal orientation, motivation, deep and surface level learning strategies, study habits, and a manipulation check. At the end of the year, exam scores were collected.

Results: The results showed that different types of instrumentality are related differently to the motivational, cognitive and achievement measures. Being internally regulated and perceiving the utility of the courses resulted both in a more adaptive goal orientation and higher intrinsic motivation, which led to the use of more adaptive cognitive strategies and to better study habits, which ultimately enhanced performance. Linking performance to extrinsic rewards and not seeing the utility of the course for the future yielded the opposite pattern.

Conclusions: Type of instrumentality has indeed a differential influence on motivational, cognitive, and behavioural variables.
Predictors of writing competence in 4‐ to 7‐year‐old children
Authors: Dunsmuir Sandra , Blatchford Peter
Published: August 2004

Background: This longitudinal study sought to improve understanding of the factors at home and school that influence children's attainment and progress in writing between the ages of 4 and 7 years.

Aims: (i) To investigate the relationship between home variables and writing development in preschool children; (ii) to determine associations between child characteristics and writing development (iii) to conduct an analysis of the areas of continuity and discontinuity between variables at home and at school, and influences on subsequent writing development.

Sample: Sixty children attending four urban primary schools participated in this study.

Method: Semi‐structured interviews, questionnaires, observation schedules and standardized assessments were used. Writing samples were collected each term. Associations between measures and continuity over time were assessed using multiple regression analysis.

Results: Preschool variables that were found to be significantly associated with writing proficiency at school entry included mother's educational level, family size, parental assessment of writing and a measure of home writing. Child characteristics, skills and competencies were measured at school entry and those found to be significantly associated with writing at 7 years included season of birth, vocabulary score, pre‐reading skills, handwriting and proficiency in writing name. The only preschool variable that maintained its significant relationship to writing at 7 years was home writing. Teacher assessments of pupil attitudes to writing were consistently found to be significantly associated with writing competence.

Conclusions: This comprehensive study explored the complex interaction of cognitive, affective and contextual processes involved in learning to write, and identified specific features of successful writers. Results are discussed in relation to educational policy and practice issues.
Attachment and preschool children's understanding of maternal versus non‐maternal psychological states
Authors: Repacholi Betty , Trapolini Tania
Published: August 2004

There is growing evidence that insecurely attached children are less advanced in their social understanding than their secure counterparts. However, attachment may also predict how individual children use their social understanding across different relationships. For instance, the insecure child's social‐cognitive difficulties may be more pronounced when the psychological states of an attachment figure are being considered. In the current study, forty‐eight 4‐ to 5‐year‐old children were asked about their mothers' emotions and false beliefs, as well as those of non‐attachment figures. The Separation Anxiety Test (SAT) was administered to assess children's attachment representations. Children's SAT scores predicted their overall performance on the false belief and causes of emotion tasks, even after controlling for age and verbal ability. More interestingly, however, children with high scores on the Avoidance dimension of the SAT experienced greater difficulty understanding maternal false beliefs relative to those of an unfamiliar adult female. Thus, although attachment insecurity may hinder social‐cognitive development in general, the findings suggest that there are more specific effects as well. Attachment representations that are characterized by high levels of avoidance appear to interfere with children's ability to fully engage their social‐cognitive skills when reasoning about maternal mental states.