bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intraperitoneal chemotherapy for colorectal cancer
Authors: de Bree Eelco , Witkamp A.J. , Zoetmulder Frans A.N.
Published: August 2002

The peritoneal surface remains an important failure site for patients with colorectal cancer. Peritoneal metastases of colorectal cancer are at present considered equal to distant metastatic disease. Consequently, peritoneal carcinomatosis is treated with systemic chemotherapy and surgery only to palliate complications such as obstruction. Despite the development of new chemotherapeutic agents and combinations, the results remain disappointing with a limited impact on survival. Colorectal carcinoma cells are relatively resistant to chemotherapy. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy seems to be an attractive approach in the treatment of high‐risk colorectal cancer and peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal origin providing high local drug concentration with limited systemic side effects. Adjuvant early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy is worthwhile for consideration as treatment option after resection of high‐risk colorectal cancer. In the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy leads to inadequate exposure of the peritoneal surface. Only an intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy performed with direct cytotoxic drugs such as MMC and cisplatin overcome this problem. The limited drug penetration in tissue implies the need for extensive cytoreductive surgery. The results of phase II studies suggest that an increased median survival can be achieved with this approach. The natural history of this disease and the heterogeneity of the patients are such that only a randomized trial design will adequately answer the question whether regional treatment of patients with peritoneal dissemination of colorectal cancer actually prolongs survival. The results of such a study are to be expected in approximately 2 years time. J. Surg. Oncol. 2002;79:46–61. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Instability of chromosome 8 as an indicator of aggressive tumor phenotype in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Sato Norihiro , Mizumoto Kazuhiro , Maehara Naoki , Shono Masaki , Nagai Eishi , Tanaka Masao
Published: August 2002

Background and Objectives

Chromosomal instability is a common feature of pancreatic carcinoma, but its biological significance remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the association between chromosomal instability and biological aggressiveness in human pancreatic cancer cells.

Methods

Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed to examine changes in chromosomal numbers in a total of 13 pancreatic cancer cell lines. We also assessed the potential for tumor aggressiveness within cancer cells by in vitro migration and invasion assay and by subcutaneous implantation into nude mice.

Results

Chromosomal instability, characterized by numerical variations in copy numbers of chromosome 8, was observed in most cell lines, and the magnitude of instability was correlated well with both motility (P < 0.001) and invasion rate (P < 0.001) of these cells. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation existed between chromosome instability and tumor growth in vivo (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

These results suggest that the increased level of chromosomal instability may play a critical role in the development of aggressive tumor phenotype during pancreatic cancer progression. J. Surg. Oncol. 2001;76:181–187. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical significance of E‐cadherin–catenin complex expression in metastatic foci of colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Ikeguchi Masahide , Makino Masato , Kaibara Nobuaki
Published: August 2002

Background and Objectives

Reduced expressions of cell adhesion molecules (E‐cadherin, α‐catenin, and β‐catenin) has been reported to be associated with tumor metastasis. However, the clinical significance of such adhesion molecules in the metastatic foci remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic significance of E‐cadherin, α‐catenin, and β‐catenin expressions in the metastatic foci of patients with colorectal carcinoma.

Methods

The expressions of E‐cadherin, α‐catenin, and β‐catenin were detected immunohistochemically in 105 primary tumors, in 30 metastatic lymph nodes, and 13 metastatic liver tumors from consecutive patients with colorectal carcinoma.

Results

Reduced normal expression of E‐cadherin, α‐catenin, and β‐catenin in comparison with normal epithelium was detected in 78 primary tumors, respectively. Patients who had tumors with reduced expression of adhesion molecules showed unfavorable prognosis and the reduced expression of adhesion molecules was detected as one of the independent prognostic factors for patients with colorectal carcinoma. In 30 patients with lymph node metastasis, the increased expression of adhesion molecules in metastatic lymph nodes compared with primary tumors was detected in 13 patients. The prognosis of these 13 patients was poorer than that of remaining 17 patients (P = 0.0296). Also, in 13 patients with liver metastasis, even no significant difference was observed, the mean survival time of 6 patients who had metastatic liver tumors with increased expression of adhesion molecules (10 months) was shorter than that of the remaining 7 patients (16 months; P = 0.1718).

Conclusions

These results suggest that increased expression of the cadherin‐catenin cell–cell adhesion system in metastatic foci may play an important role in progression of metastatic colorectal carcinomas. J. Surg. Oncol. 2001;77:201–207. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A laser flash photolysis/IR diode laser absorption study of the reaction of chlorine atoms with selected alkanes
Authors: Qian Hai‐Bo , Turton David , Seakins Paul W. , Pilling Michael J.
Published: August 2002

A high‐resolution IR diode laser in conjunction with a Herriot multiple reflection flow‐cell has been used to directly determine the rate coefficients for simple alkanes with Cl atoms at room temperature (298 K). The following results were obtained: k(Cl + n‐butane) = (1.91 ± 0.10) × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, k(Cl + n‐pentane) = (2.46 ± 0.12) × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, k(Cl + iso‐pentane) = (1.94 ± 0.10) × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, k(Cl + neopentane) = (1.01 ± 0.05) × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, k(Cl + n‐hexane) = (3.44 ± 0.17) × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 where the error limits are ±1σ. These values have been used in conjunction with our own previous measurements on Cl + ethane and literature values on Cl + propane and Cl + iso‐butane to generate a structure activity relationship (SAR) for Cl atom abstraction reactions based on direct measurements. The resulting best fit parameters are kp = (2.61 ± 0.12) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, ks = (8.40 ± 0.60) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, kt = (5.90 ± 0.30) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, with f( CH2) = f ( CH2) = f (C) = f = 0.85 ± 0.06. Tests were carried out to investigate the potential interference from production of excited state HCl(v = 1) in the Cl + alkane reactions. There is some evidence for HCl(v = 1) production in the reaction of Cl with shape n‐hexane. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 86–94, 2002
Gendering knowledge: the practices of knowledge management in the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Styhre Alexander , Ingelgård Anders , Roth Jonas
Published: August 2002

Knowledge and knowledge management have become two of the latest buzzwords in the management literature. However, the literature presents primarily normative, undersocialized models of how knowledge could be administrated and developed as an organizational resource, and does not sufficiently recognize the social, political and emotional aspects of knowledge. In general, the knowledge of knowledge management is not situational. For instance, in what respect does the notion of knowledge take gender issues into account? This paper presents a study of clinical research activities in a major multinational pharmaceutical company and it suggests that the processes of knowing are always embedded in existing social and political, gendered assumptions and beliefs. Therefore, knowledge management needs to be further developed to avoid general problematic positions. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of a new ICG‐Dye‐enhanced diode laser for percutaneous laser disc decompression
Authors: Sato Masato , Ishihara Miya , Arai Tsunenori , Asazuma Takashi , Kikuchi Toshiyuki , Hayashi Takuya , Yamada Takahiro , Kikuchi Makoto , Fujikawa Kyosuke
Published: August 2002

Background and Objective

The lasers used today for Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression (PLDD) can not selectively ablate the nucleus pulposus (NP). We hypothesized that if indocyanine green dye were injected into the NP, 805 nm diode laser irradiation would result in selective and safe removal of NP tissue without damaging nearby tissues.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Twelve beagle dogs were used for three experiments, i.e., determination of attenuation coefficients of NP and AF, determination of weight of NP before and after laser irradiation, and histopathological study.

Results

The attenuation coefficient at 805 nm of NP which had been homogenized in the presence of ICG was 2521.3/cm. Upon application of the diode laser at a power of 1, 3, or 5 W (the intensity of laser irradiation: 0.353, 1.061, or 1.768 × 103 W/cm2) to NPs into which ICG had been injected, the weight of the NPs decreased by a mean 20, 45, and 65%, respectively. Macroscopic and microscopic examination of the discs after PLDD showed that only the NP where the tissues were stained by ICG were removed.

Conclusions

These results indicated that the combined use of ICG and diode laser irradiation effectively and selectively ablates the NP with low laser power. Lasers Surg. Med. 29:282–287, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adjustments in performance measures: Distributive and procedural justice effects on outcome satisfaction
Authors: Huffman Cynthia , Cain Lisa B.
Published: August 2002

Adjustments for task difficulty occur regularly in performance evaluations, but their effects on satisfaction with the evaluation process has not been studied. This article reports an experiment examining the procedural and distributive justice effects of making adjustments for task difficulty in performance evaluation. Participants examined territory difficulty and sales‐volume data for a set of salespeople and rated a focal salesperson's performance. Subjects also rated their satisfaction with their performance rating and the fairness of the process. Results show that adjusting for territory (task) difficulty influences satisfaction through an intrapersonal referent effect and through procedural fairness judgments. Results also show that an intrapersonal referent effect occurs even when social‐comparison information is available; the two referents appear to have additive rather than interactive effects. Consistent with the work of van den Bos, Lind, Vermunt, and Wilkie (1997), the procedural justice effect of adjusting for territory difficulty occurs only in the absence of social‐comparison information. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
v‐Ha‐ras mitogenic signaling through superoxide and derived reactive oxygen species
Authors: Yang Ji‐Qin , Buettner Garry R. , Domann Frederick E. , Li Qiang , Engelhardt John F. , Weydert Christine Darby , Oberley Larry W.
Published: August 2002

The ras proto‐oncogene is frequently mutated in human tumors and functions to constitutively stimulate signal transduction cascades, resulting in unchecked proliferation and malignant transformation. In certain cells, superoxide functions as a signal‐transduction messenger, mediating the downstream effects of ras and rac. We demonstrated previously that v‐Ha‐ras–transfected rat kidney epithelial cells (RECs) overproduced superoxide anion and that this superoxide production was mediated by ras. In the present study, we further demonstrated that v‐Ha‐ras overexpression transformed immortal nonmalignant RECs into malignant cancer cells; v‐Ha‐ras–transfected cells formed clones in soft agar, had high plating efficiency, and formed tumors in nude mice. Our data suggest that superoxide radical plays a role in ras‐induced transformation; modulation of intracellular superoxide level by overexpression of manganese‐containing superoxide dismutase or copper‐ and zinc‐containing superoxide dismutase inhibited ras‐induced transformation, as evidenced by in vitro studies of plating efficiency and by in vivo studies of tumor formation in nude mice. Overexpression of catalase (CAT) alone was found to have little effect on tumor cell growth, but overexpression of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) completely suppressed tumor cell growth in nude mice. This finding suggests that peroxides removed by GPx1, but not by CAT, are also involved in ras‐induced transformation. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The impact of riverboat casinos on the demand for gambling at casino resorts: a theoretical and empirical investigation
Authors: Hunsaker Julie
Published: August 2002

We provide conditions under which a casino resort enjoys an increase in demand following the entry of a riverboat casino in a separate geographical market. Gambling is modeled as an ‘experience good’, whereby consumers are uncertain of the benefit they will receive from the activity prior to engaging in it. The riverboat casino provides nearby consumers with the opportunity to experience gambling without having to incur large transportation costs. Those consumers who discover that they enjoy gambling travel to the casino resort for a vacation next period. Our theoretical results are supported by empirical evidence for casinos in Las Vegas. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vascular grafts in the rat model: An anatomic study
Authors: Blain Brantley , Zhang Feng , Jones Matthew , Richards Laura , Fischer Kenneth , Dorsett‐Martin Wanda , Lineaweaver William C.
Published: August 2002

Vascular grafts in animal models have been used extensively in the microsurgical laboratory, and the rat offers an excellent source of graft to meet these needs. In this study, we compiled a list of vessels that were previously identified in experimental literature for use as vascular grafts in the rat model. We then dissected and measured both arterial and venous grafts taken from these sites in 12 adult rats. The surgical procedure for approaching each vascular graft was recorded. The diameter and harvestable length, the start and end points, and the number of branches of the graft were tabulated. We believe that these data will provide valuable insight applicable to the use of the rat vascular graft in microsurgical research and training. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 21:80–83 2001
298 fs passively mode‐locked ring fiber soliton laser
Authors: Yandong Gong , Ping Shum , Dingyuan Tang
Published: August 2002

A passively mode‐locked soliton fiber‐ring laser with 298 fs FWHM pulse width was successfully achieved. The periodic variations of the spectrum width and peak wavelength with the pump power and polarization stability were investigated. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 32: 329–333, 2002.
Resonant frequency calculation for inhomogeneous dielectric resonators using volume integral equations and face‐centered node points
Authors: Walters Keith A. , Hanson George W.
Published: August 2002

The face‐centered node‐point technique, developed earlier for scattering applications, is applied to the calculation of resonance frequencies of inhomogeneous dielectric resonators. The described method leads to a well‐conditioned matrix system suitable for numerical solution, which is not the case when the permittivity is high and conventional solution techniques (e.g., pulse functions with cell‐centered point matching) are employed. In this work, we concentrate on resonators having the shape of a parallelepiped, for which there are relatively few computational results in the literature, although the method can accommodate arbitrarily shaped structures. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 32: 356–359, 2002.
Local oscillator leakage reduction
Authors: Lee Byungje , Lee Hark‐Yong , Kang Gi‐Cho , Lee Ho‐Joon , Kim Jong‐Heon , Lee Jong‐Chul , Kim Nam‐Young
Published: August 2002

One of the most important design parameters in a microwave radio transmitting system is to reduce the spurious response from an output spectrum. The spurious signal is primarily due to local oscillator (LO) leakage. Applying the leakage reduction (LR) signal that has the same magnitude and is 180° out of phase with respect to the LO leakage signal, the spurious response can be significantly reduced. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 32: 379–381, 2002.
Gain enhancement in L‐band EDFA using a fiber Bragg grating
Authors: Harun S. W. , Poopalan P. , Ahmad H.
Published: August 2002

Gain enhancement in a long‐wavelength band (L‐band) erbium‐doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) is demonstrated using a broadband fiber Bragg grating (BB FBG) that reflects the L‐band amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and L‐band signal back into the system. The reflected L‐band signal is then pumped by the unused conventional band (C‐band) backward ASE, resulting in gain improvement. Gain enhancement as high as 11 dB is obtained for a 1560 nm signal, with an input power of −30 dBm at 98 mW of pump power. The noise figure for the wavelength is measured to be 4 dB. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 32: 388–390, 2002.
Shielding effectiveness of enclosure with thick multiple apertures
Authors: Lee Joo G. , Eom Hyo J. , Kim Byung W. , Park Hyun H.
Published: August 2002

This letter shows a method for approximately calculating the shielding effectiveness of a rectangular enclosure with thick multiple apertures. Numerical results illustrate the shielding effectiveness of the enclosure with various thicknesses and aperture spacings. This method is reasonably accurate up to 2/3 of the cutoff frequency associated with the longer aperture dimension. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 29: 178–181, 2001.
Dielectric resonator antenna fed by a displaced conformal strip
Authors: Leung K. W. , Ng H. K.
Published: August 2002

A strip‐excited dielectric resonator antenna with a strip displacement is investigated theoretically and experimentally. The strip displacement provides another degree of freedom in the antenna design. Both the input impedance and radiation pattern of the new configuration are studied in this letter. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 29: 185–187, 2001.
A bandwidth‐compensated transimpedance amplifier for multigigabit optical receivers
Authors: Centurelli F. , Luzzi R. , Scotti G. , Trifiletti A.
Published: August 2002

In this paper, a transimpedance amplifier with an automatic bandwidth compensation circuit is presented. The proposed topology includes a transimpedance amplifier which features a bandwidth control input, and a replica bias circuit to sense the active device dc parameter variations. A Monte Carlo analysis shows a 140 MHz bandwidth variation around 8.1 GHz when a ±50% variation is considered for the transconductance and threshold voltage of the HEMT devices. The same simulation shows a 490 MHz bandwidth variation if the compensation circuit is removed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 30: 79–81, 2001.
A new stereoisomer of stemmadenine alkaloid from Tabernaemontana heyneana
Authors: Grover Rajesh K. , Srivastva Sudhir , Kulshreshtha D. K. , Roy Raja
Published: August 2002

A new alkaloid, 15‐β‐stemmadenine, was isolated from the fruits of Tabernaemontana heyneana Wall. from the ethanolic extract. The complete 1H and 13C NMR assignments of the compound were carried out using COSY, HMQC and HMBC. Stereochemistry at C‐15 and C‐16 was established using ROESY and temperature‐dependent 1H NMR studies. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1H and 17O relaxometric investigations of the binding of Mn(II) ion to human serum albumin
Authors: Aime Silvio , Canton Simonetta , Geninatti Crich Simonetta , Terreno Enzo
Published: August 2002

Mn(II) ion binds to human serum albumin (HSA) through one strong binding site (KA = 7.9 × 103 M−1) and several weaker binding sites. Through competition assays it has been shown that the strong binding site lies in a region which has been previously identified as the Cd(II) Zn(II) site. The binding of Mn(II) to HSA is strongly pH dependent (pKa ≈ 6.7), consistent with the involvement of histidine residues in the coordination of the metal ion. The analysis of 1H T1 as function of magnetic field strength and of 17O T2 as function of temperature allowed us to determine the various parameters involved in the relaxation process of the paramagnetic Mn(II) HSA adduct. The Mn(II) ion bound to HSA maintains three or four coordinated water molecules whose residence lifetime is ca 20 ns at 298 K. Interestingly, a good fitting of the NMRD profile was possible only by assuming that the protons of the coordinated water molecules experience two motional regimes, i.e. a fast local motion (probably the rotation around their coordination axis) and the slower overall motion of the whole protein. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Checkpoint for DNA integrity at the first mitosis after oocyte activation
Authors: Liu Lin , Trimarchi James R. , Smith Peter J.S. , Keefe David L.
Published: August 2002

Activation of oocytes, arrested at the meiosis II (MII) in mammals, initiates meiotic release, mitotic divisions, and development. Unlike most somatic cell types, MII arrested female germ cells lack an efficient DNA integrity checkpoint control. Here we present evidence showing a unique checkpoint for DNA integrity at first mitosis after oocyte activation. Mouse oocytes carrying intact DNA cleaved normally after meiotic release, whereas 50% of oocytes harboring damaged DNA manifested cytofragmentation, a morphological hallmark of apoptosis. If not activated, DNA‐damaged MII oocytes did not show apoptotic fragmentation. Further, activated, enucleated oocytes or enucleated fertilized oocytes also underwent cytofragmentation, implicating cytoplasmic coordination of the fragmentation process, independent of the nucleus. Depolymerization of either actin filaments or microtubules induced no cytofragmentation, but inhibited fragmentation upon oocyte activation. During the process of fragmentation, microtubule networks formed, then microtubule asters congregated at discrete locations, around which fragmented cellular bodies formed. Mitotic spindles, however, were not formed inactivated oocytes with damaged or absent DNA; in contrast, normal mitotic spindles were formed in activated oocytes with intact DNA. These results demonstrate that damaged DNA or absence of DNA leads to cytofragmentation after oocyte activation. Further, we found a mechanism of cytoskeletal involvement in the process of cytofragmentation. In addition, possible implication of the present findings in somatic cell cloning and human clinical embryology is discussed. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 62: 277–288, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trophectoderm‐specific expression of the X‐linked Bex1/Rex3 gene in preimplantation stage mouse embryos*
Authors: Williams Jean W. , Hawes Susan M. , Patel Bela , Latham Keith E.
Published: August 2002

The Bex1/Rex3 gene was recently identified as an X‐linked gene that is differentially expressed between parthenogenetic and normal fertilized, preimplantation stage mouse embryos. The Bex1/Rex3 gene appears to be expressed preferentially from the maternal X chromosome in blastocysts, but from either X chromosome in later stage embryonic tissues and adult tissues. To investigate whether differential expression of the Bex1/Rex3 gene between normal and parthenogenetic blastocyst stage embryos reflects genomic imprinting at the Bex1/Rex3 locus itself, or instead is the result of preferential inactivation of the paternal X chromosome or differences in timing of cellular differentiation, we examined in detail the expression pattern of the Bex1/Rex3 mRNA in normal preimplantation stage embryos, and compared its expression between androgenetic, gynogenetic, and normal fertilized embryos. Expression data reveal that the Bex1/Rex3 gene is initially transcribed at the 2‐cell stage, transiently induced at the 8‐cell stage, and then increases in expression again at the blastocyst stage. Very little expression is observed in isolated inner cell masses, indicating selective expression in the trophectoderm. Comparisons of Bex1/Rex3 mRNA expression between male and female androgenetic and control embryos and gynogenetic embros failed to reveal any significant difference in expression between the different classes of embryos at the 8‐cell stage, or the expanding blastocyst stage (121 hr post‐hCG). At the late blastocyst stage (141 hr post‐hCG), expression was significantly lower in XY control embryos as compared with XX controls. Bex1/Rex3 mRNA expression did not differ between XX and XY androgenones at the blastocyst stage or between gynogenones and XX control embryos. Thus, the Bex1/Rex3 gene does not appear to be regulated directly by genomic imprinting during the preimplantation period, just as it is not regulated by imprinting at later stages. Apparent differences in gene expression may arise through the effects of trophectoderm‐specific expression coupled with differences in timing of trophectoderm differentiation between the different classes of embryos and effects of preferential paternal X chromosome inactivation (XCI). Mol. Reprod. Dev. 61: 281–287, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cellular and molecular mechanisms mediating the effects of polychlorinated biphenyls on oocyte developmental competence in cattle
Authors: Pocar Paola , Brevini Tiziana A.L. , Perazzoli Federica , Cillo Fabiana , Modina Silvia , Gandolfi Fulvio
Published: August 2002

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can interfere with normal reproductive functions acting as endocrine disruptors. Aroclor‐1254 (A‐1254), is a pool of more than 60 congeners used for in vitro studies because its composition is representative of PCBs environmental pollution. We previously demonstrated that the exposure of bovine oocytes to A‐1254 during in vitro maturation (IVM) was detrimental not only to the maturation process but also induced a significant increase of polyspermy and a reduction of developmental competence. Therefore, we investigated whether A‐1254 acts on two processes that occur during IVM and may be related with its negative effects: maternal mRNA polyadenylation and cortical granules (CGs) migration and exocytosis. Bovine cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) were exposed to 0.1 μg/ml of A‐1254 during IVM, a level of exposure known to affect oocyte maturation, fertilization, and developmental competence. Oocyte exposure to A‐1254 altered the poly(A) tail length of 5 out of 10 genes examined. PCBs effect on mRNA polyadenylation was different depending on the gene considered and resulted either in a shorter or in a longer poly(A) tail. At the end of maturation, Aroclor treated oocytes presented clustered CG in a significantly higher percentage than the control group. In addition, CG exocytosis after 8 hr of fertilization occurred at significantly lower extent in zygotes derived from the exposed group compared to control. Our results indicated that the lower developmental competence of oocytes exposed to PCBs during IVM can be related to the interaction of these contaminants with mechanisms regulating maternal mRNA storage in the ooplasm and normal CGs function. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 60: 535–541, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gradient system providing continuously variable field characteristics
Authors: Kimmlingen Ralph , Gebhardt Matthias , Schuster Johann , Brand Martin , Schmitt Franz , Haase Axel
Published: August 2002

Peripheral nerve stimulation limits the use of whole‐body gradient systems capable of slew rates > 80 T/m/s and gradient strengths > 25 mT/m. The stimulation threshold depends mainly on the amplitude of the induced electric field in the patient's body, and thus can be influenced by changing the total magnetic flux of the gradient coil. A gradient system was built which allows continuous variation of the field characteristics in order to permit the use of full gradient performance without stimulation (slew rate 190–210 T/m/s, Gmax 32–40 mT/m). The system consists of a modular six‐channel gradient coil designed with a modified target field method, two three‐channel amplifiers, and a six‐channel gradient controller. It is demonstrated that two coils on one gradient axis can be driven by two amplifiers in parallel, without significant changes in image quality. Scaling of the field properties and stimulation threshold according to the current polarity and ratio of both coil sets was verified in both phantom and volunteer studies. Magn Reson Med 47:800–808, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mapping the absolute value of M0 using dipolar field effects
Authors: Gutteridge S. , Ramanathan C. , Bowtell R.
Published: August 2002

The ability to map the spatial variation of the absolute, rather than the relative value of the equilibrium magnetization could be advantageous in many areas of NMR. However, direct measurement of M0 is usually difficult because of the multiparametric dependence of the NMR signal. Here we propose a technique for mapping the spatial variation of the absolute value of M0, independent of relaxation weighting and flip angle calibration. This method, which works best at high field strengths, is based on the effect of the dipolar field due to the nuclear magnetization that is normally neglected in liquid‐state NMR. The experimental implementation of this sequence at 3.0 T is described, and its initial application to the measurement of the water content of brain tissue is outlined. Magn Reson Med 47:871–879, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mapping of retinal projections in the living rat using high‐resolution 3D gradient‐echo MRI with Mn2+‐induced contrast
Authors: Watanabe Takashi , Michaelis Thomas , Frahm Jens
Published: August 2002

This study describes the neuroaxonal tracing of the visual pathway in the living rat using high‐resolution T1‐weighted 3D gradient‐echo MRI (195 × 195 × 125 μm3) at 8, 24, 48, and 72 h after intraocular Mn2+ injection (0.1 μl of 1 M aqueous MnCl2). Best results were obtained at 24 h postinjection, revealing a continuous pattern of anterograde labeling from the retina, optic nerve, and chiasm to the contralateral optic tract, the dorsal and ventral lateral geniculate nucleus, the superior colliculus and its brachium, the olivary pretectal nucleus, the nucleus of the optic tract, and the suprachiasmatic nucleus. These results underline the feasibility of repeated MRI tract tracing in living animals after a single injection of Mn2+. The approach is expected to advance studies of neuroaxonal function in behaving animals with special emphasis on applications in developmental neurobiology. Magn Reson Med 46:424–429, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of methods for reduction of lipid contamination for in vivo proton MR spectroscopic imaging of the brain
Authors: Ebel Andreas , Maudsley Andrew A.
Published: August 2002

In vivo proton MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) of human brain is complicated by the presence of a strong signal from subcutaneous lipids, which may result in signal contamination in metabolite images obtained following Fourier‐transform reconstruction. In this study, two approaches for reduction of lipid contamination—using postprocessing and additional data acquisition—are compared. The first uses extrapolation of k‐space information for subcutaneous lipid, which has been applied to data obtained using conventional fully phase‐encoded MRSI with circularly sampled k‐space or echo‐planar spectroscopic imaging (EPSI). The second uses a dual EPSI technique that combines multiple‐averaged central k‐space data with a single EPSI acquisition of additional information that is used for improved lipid reconstruction. Comparisons are carried out with data obtained from human brain in vivo at 1.5 T with short and medium TEs. Results demonstrate that the performance of both methods for reducing the effects of lipid contamination is similar, and that both are limited by the effects of instrumental instabilities and subject motion, which also depend on the acquisition method used. Magn Reson Med 46:706–712, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Age‐related change in motor unit activation strategy in force production: A mechanomyographic investigation
Authors: Akataki Kumi , Mita Katsumi , Watakabe Makoto , Ito Kunihiko
Published: August 2002

This study was designed to examine the effect of increasing age on the recruitment and activation of motor units (MU) in the biceps brachii muscle, using the mechanomyogram (MMG)/force relationship during isometric ramp contractions. The relationships between the root mean squared amplitude (RMS) and mean power frequency (MPF) of the MMG and relative force (% MVC) in the elderly (male, n = 10, age = 69.8 ± 4.7 years, mean ± SD) were markedly different from those in the young group (male, n = 15, age = 22.7 ± 1.8 years). In elderly individuals, the RMS increased progressively with force up to 57.6 ± 3.4% MVC, when a brief rapid increase was followed by a stable trend beyond 63.6 ± 3.7% MVC. The MPF increased slowly up to 59.4 ± 2.3% MVC; after a temporary reduction from 59.4% to 64.3 ± 2.0% MVC, it then increased progressively again. In conjunction with absolute force (Fabs), both the RMS and MPF in the elderly were smaller than those in the young group throughout the submaximal levels of force exerted. The results reflect an alteration in MU activation strategy, with a predominant role for MUs with slow‐twitch fibers and an effective fused tetanus induced at lower firing rate of the MUs, resulting from age‐related neuromuscular changes. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 25: 000–000, 2002 DOI 10.1002/mus.10076
Inventory cost impact of order processing priorities based on demand uncertainty
Authors: Iyer Ananth. V.
Published: August 2002

We evaluate an approach to decrease inventory costs at retail inventory locations that share a production facility. The retail locations sell the same product but differ in the variance of retail demand. Inventory policies at retail locations generate replenishment orders for the production facility. The production facility carries no finished goods inventory. Thus, production lead time for an order is the sojourn time in a single server queueing system. This lead time affects inventory costs at retail locations. We examine the impact of moving from a First Come First Served (FCFS) production rule for orders arriving at the production facility to a rule in which we provide non‐preemptive priority (PR) to orders from retail locations with higher demand uncertainty. We provide three approximations for the ratio of inventory costs under PR and FCFS and use them to identify conditions under which PR decreases retail inventory costs over FCFS. We then use a Direct Approach to establish conditions when PR decreases retail inventory costs over FCFS. We extend the results to orders from locations that differ in the mean and variance of demand uncertainty. The analysis suggests that tailoring lead times to product demand characteristics may decrease system inventory costs. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 49: 376–390, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/nav.10016
Many‐player rendezvous search: Stick together or split and meet?
Authors: Thomas L.C. , Pikounis M.
Published: August 2002

Rendezvous search finds the strategies that players should use in order to find one another when they are separated in a region. Previous papers have concentrated on the case where there are two players searching for one another. This paper looks at the problem when there are more than two players and concentrates on what they should do if some but not all of them meet together. It looks at two strategies—the stick together one and the split up and meet again one. This paper shows that the former is optimal among the class of strategies which require no memory and are stationary, and it gives a method of calculating the expected rendezvous time under it. However, simulation results comparing both strategies suggest that in most situations the split up and meet again strategy which requires some memory leads to faster expected rendezvous times. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 48:710–721, 2001
Sequential proton MRS study of brain metabolite changes monitored during a complete pathological cycle of demyelination and remyelination in a lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC)‐induced experimental demyelinating lesion model
Authors: Degaonkar M. N. , Khubchandhani M. , Dhawan J. K. , Jayasundar R. , Jagannathan N. R.
Published: August 2002

Metabolite changes in rat brain internal capsule (ic) area were monitored using volume localized in vivo proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) in a lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC)‐induced experimental demyelinating lesion model of multiple sclerosis (MS), during the early phase (pre‐acute) as well as during the complete pathological cycle of de‐ and re‐myelination processes. The N‐acetyl aspartate (NAA) peak showed reduction during the early phase of the lesion progression (demyelination) until day 10 and increased thereafter during remyelination. However, choline (Cho) and lipid resonances showed increased signal intensity during the early phase and decreased during remyelination. A progressive reduction of the NAA/Cr metabolite ratio in lesioned rats was observed during demyelination (up to day 10) compared with before lesion (control), and the value increased thereafter during remyelination (from day 15). During this period, however, the Cho/Cr ratio was a higher until day 10 and subsequently declined and was close to that calculated before lesion creation. The changes in NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr metabolite ratios correspond to changes in the individual metabolite peaks such as NAA and Cho. The increase in the intensity of the choline resonance during the early phase is indicative of the onset of an inflammatory demyelination process, and its rapid decrease thereafter is due to reduction in the inflammatory process associated with remyelination. Similarly, the increase in the intensity of lipids during the pre‐acute stage of the lesion is attributed to active demyelination, which significantly decreased during remyelination. These MR results correlate well with the histology data obtained. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perineal muscles and motoneurons are sexually monomorphic in the naked mole‐rat (Heterocephalus glaber)
Authors: Peroulakis Maria E. , Goldman Bruce , Forger Nancy G.
Published: August 2002

Naked mole‐rats are eusocial mammals that live in colonies with a single breeding female and one to three breeding males. All other members of the colony, known as subordinates, are nonreproductive and exhibit few sex differences in behavior or genital anatomy. This raises questions about the degree of sexual differentiation in subordinate naked mole‐rats. The striated perineal muscles associated with the phallus [the bulbocavernosus (BC), ischiocavernosus (IC), and levator ani (LA) muscles], and their innervating motoneurons, are sexually dimorphic in all rodents examined to date. We therefore asked whether perineal muscles and motoneurons were also sexually dimorphic in subordinate naked mole‐rats. Muscles similar to the LA and IC of other rodents were found in naked mole‐rats of both sexes. No clear BC muscle was identified, although a large striated muscle associated with the urethra in male and female naked mole‐rats may be homologous to the BC of other rodents. There were no sex differences in the volumes of the LA, IC, or the urethral muscles. Motoneurons innervating the perineal muscles were identified by retrograde labeling with cholera‐toxin‐conjugated horseradish peroxidase. All perineal motoneurons were found in a single cluster in the ventrolateral lateral horn, in a position similar to that of Onuf's nucleus of carnivores and primates. There was no sex difference in the size or number of motoneurons in Onuf's nucleus of naked mole‐rats. Thus, unlike findings in any other mammal, neither the perineal muscles nor the perineal motoneurons appear to be sexually differentiated in subordinate naked mole‐rats. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 51: 33–42, 2002
A basic thin shell triangle with only translational DOFs for large strain plasticity
Authors: Flores Fernando G. , Oñate Eugenio
Published: August 2002

A simple finite element triangle for thin shell analysis is presented. It has only nine translational degrees of freedom and is based on a total Lagrangian formulation. Large strain plasticity is considered using a logarithmic strain–stress pair. A plane stress isotropic behaviour with an additive decomposition of elastic and plastic strains is assumed. A hyperelastic law is considered for the elastic part while for the plastic part a von Mises yield function with non‐linear isotropic hardening is adopted. The element is an extension of a previous similar rotation‐free triangle element based upon an updated Lagrangian formulation with hypoelastic constitutive law. The element termed BST (for basic shell triangle) has been implemented in an explicit (hydro‐) code adequate to simulate sheet‐stamping processes and in an implicit static/dynamic code. Several examples are shown to assess the performance of the present formulation. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Micromechanical analysis of quasi‐brittle materials using fracture‐based interface elements
Authors: Carol Ignacio , López Carlos M. , Roa Olga
Published: August 2002

A microstructural model for the mechanical behaviour of quasi‐brittle materials is developed and verified for concrete and bone specimens. The model is based on interface elements equipped with a constitutive law representing non‐linear fracture, while continuum elements remain linear elastic. The interface constitutive model is implemented with a sub‐stepping scheme. Non‐linear geometric effects due to large displacements are included in the model by means of an incremental Lagrangian formulation, although strains in the continuum and relative displacements in the interfaces are assumed to remain small. An arc‐length procedure is used to ensure convergence during the highly non‐linear behaviour in the post‐peak regime. Concrete and bone specimens are idealized as two‐phase particle composites and are discretized into finite elements, including interface elements along the main potential crack paths. The numerical results in tension and compression are described and compared with experimental observations. The need of considering non‐linear geometric effects in this type of calculations is also discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Higher‐order boundary element methods for transient diffusion problems. Part II: Singular flux formulation
Authors: Dargush G. F. , Grigoriev M. M.
Published: August 2002

A boundary element method (BEM) for transient heat diffusion phenomena presented in Part I is extended to problems involving instantaneous rise of temperature on a portion of the boundary. The new boundary element formulation involves the use of an infinite flux function in order to properly capture the singular response of the flux. It is shown that the conventional finite flux BEM formulation, as well as a commercial FEM code, results in a large first‐time‐step numerical error that cannot be reduced by mesh or time‐step refinement. The use of the singular flux formulation for BEM demonstrates an extremely high level of accuracy for the one‐dimensional case, and a significant improvement in the solutions within a two‐dimensional representation. The additional errors arising due to improper time interpolation of the temperature on the boundaries adjacent to the singular flux boundary are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How coaching can enhance your brand as a manager
Authors: Hunt James M. , Weintraub Joseph
Published: August 2002

Managers who coach their employees become known as good managers to work for, developers of talent, and achievers
of business results. They also become better leaders in the process. The average manager, however, doesn't
coach, believing it would take too much time or be a waste of effort. Such barriers, however, are more psychological
than real, and represent an expression of the status quo. The fact is that coaching managers behave differently, and
that contributes to their brand. The bottom line: Since most managers don't coach, those who do actively help
their employees learn and grow have a competitive advantage, one that can enhance their careers. © 2002
Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A posteriori error estimates for FEM with violated Galerkin orthogonality
Authors: Angermann Lutz
Published: August 2002

This article investigates Petrov‐Galerkin discretizations of operator equations with linearly stable operators, where the residual does not belong to the annihilator W of the discrete test space Wh. Conforming and nonconforming methods are considered separately, and for the treatment of the nonconforming situation the concept of elliptic lifting is introduced. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 18: 241–259, 2002; DOI 10.1002/num.1005
Evaluating the impact of peer, nurse case‐managed, and standard HIV risk‐reduction programs on psychosocial and health‐promoting behavioral outcomes among homeless women
Authors: Nyamathi Adeline , Flaskerud Jacqueline H. , Leake Barbara , Dixon Elizabeth L. , Lu Ake
Published: August 2002

Investigators examined the 6‐month impact of three cognitive–behavioral HIV risk‐reduction programs on behavioral factors (substance use and sexual risk behaviors) and cognitive and psychological resources of 325 women who resided in emergency or sober‐living shelters and their 308 intimate sexual partners. Participants were randomized by shelter to a peer‐mentored, a nurse case‐managed, or a standard care HIV risk‐reduction program. Significant improvements were observed in all groups in all behavioral factors and cognitive and psychological resources except for self‐esteem. Participants in the peer‐mentored and nurse case‐managed groups did not differ significantly from the standard group in self‐esteem, life satisfaction, psychological well‐being, use of noninjection drugs, sex with multiple partners, and unprotected sex at 6 months (n = 633). It was concluded that a standard approach by health care professionals appears to effectively modify HIV risk behaviors for a majority of homeless participants and may have important economic and policy implications. Further, the impact of short‐term programs that address psychological vulnerabilities of impoverished populations needs to be studied further. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Res Nurs Health 24:410–422, 2001