bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of “Shall-Issue” Concealed Handgun Laws on Violent Crime Rates
Authors: Kovandzic Tomislav V. , Marvell Thomas B. , Vieraitis Lynne M.
Published: November 2005

What happens when states ease access to permits to carry concealed handguns in public places? Supporters maintain the laws can reduce violent crime rates by raising the expected costs of crime, because of criminals anticipating greater risks of injury and lower rates of success completing their crimes. Opponents argue that the laws are likely to increase violent crime, especially homicide, as heated disputes involving permit holders are more likely to turn deadly because of the greater lethality of firearms. This study uses panel data for all U.S. cities with a 1990 population of at least 100,000 for 1980 to 2000 to examine the impact of “shall-issue” concealed handgun laws on violent crime rates. The authors measure the effects of the laws using a time-trend variable for the number of years after the law has been in effect, as opposed to the dummy variable approach used in prior research. They also address many of the methodological problems encountered in previous studies. The results provide no evidence that the laws reduce or increase rates of violent crime.
An Evaluation of the Quality and Use of Race-Specific Homicide Data
Authors: Neapolitan Jerome L.
Published: November 2005

Research on race-specific homicide rates has paid insufficient attention to the issue of data quality. This article compares the two main sources of race-specific homicide rates: the FBI Age, Sex, and Race Record Cards (ASR) and the FBI Uniform Crime Report Supplementary Homicide Reports (SHR), focusing primarily on Black homicide rates. Probably the most important finding of this research is that ASR and SHR race-specific homicide rates cannot both be valid indicators of Black homicide rates in cities. Further analysis suggests that SHR data probably more often provide a valid indicator of overall or race-specific offender homicide rates than do ASR data. Analysis indicates SHR data must be properly examined and screened if they are to provide a valid indicator of race-specific homicide data. This research addresses problems with SHR race-specific homicide data, including outright errors, cases where the race of the offender is unknown, and multiple offender and victim cases.
What does anyone know about peer mediation?®
Authors: Flecknoe Mervyn
Published: November 2005

Peer mediation is a popular way to manage conflict in schools. Typically, a school trains a small group (cadre) of pupils who offer mediation services to other pupils at break and lunchtime. The article examines research published in the last 10 years and concludes that this is likely to be a disappointing approach. The author argues, from the literature, that schools are more likely to reduce bullying and low-level disruption by making the study of conflict a central part of the curriculum of the school – for parents, for teachers and for pupils.
Implementing an inclusion policy in a primary school: findings and recommendations from a case study approach®
Authors: Hoare Julie St Clair , Taylor Ian
Published: November 2005

This article is based on a case study carried out in a small inner-city primary school in the English south midlands. The key determinant of the research was to examine the factors affecting the progress of children in the school, assess the school's response and to make recommendations that would enhance good practice and undertake responsibilities under the Race Relations Act (2000). The focal point was children for whom English is an additional language (EAL). This article considers the relevance of such a study in gathering the views of EAL and minority ethnic parents, carers and professionals and how far it could be utilized by any school as part of a regular check to determine how well it is providing for their children.
Watching the Experts
Authors: Ryan Martin , Dowden Cathy , Healy Bill , Renouf Noel
Published: November 2005

Summary: What characterizes the practice of expert mental health social workers? An observational study of social workers in a public mental health network in Melbourne, Australia sought to answer this question and the findings are reported in this article. As part of a larger study of mental health social work expertise, direct observation was done of the work of six practitioners engaged in a range of activities about which they were subsequently interviewed.

Findings: In the first stage based on group interviews, six themes were identified. These were termed: 1) ‘The Knowledge’; 2) ‘A lot of hard grind’; 3) ‘We are here for the clients’; 4) ‘The complicated and the difficult’; 5) ‘The stone in the shoe’; and 6) ‘Going ten rounds with the system’. In this second stage observational study, evidence was found for all of these six themes, plus two additional ones relating to supervision and the emotive content of the work.

Applications: Development of expertise consists of three elements: 1) a personality predisposition and personal capacity; 2) education; and 3) a conducive workplace environment. The application of the findings lies in developing the conditions for these elements to emerge.
Risk, Resilience and Outdoor Programmes for At-risk Children
Authors: Ungar Michael , Dumond Camille , Mcdonald Wanda
Published: November 2005

Summary: In this article we explore a continuum of interventions that offer at-risk children and youth experience in outdoor wilderness environments. Though these experiences are thought to enhance the well-being of participants, the mechanisms by which programming in natural environments promotes health have been poorly understood. In this article we discuss different types of outdoor programmes in which social workers and allied professionals participate, linking programme goals and outcomes to research on mitigating risk and promoting resilience in at-risk populations.

Findings: Findings are based on qualitative data gathered as part of regular programme evaluations and a separate study of 14 participants’ reactions to programming. Results show favourable outcomes in terms of relationship building and a sense of spirituality and purpose, though there was little increased awareness of environmental issues. Follow-up and support after programming helped to reinforce changes made during the outdoor experience.

Applications:These case studies, combined with a review of the literature, provide the basis for a theoretically sound approach to understanding the health-enhancing mechanisms that operate through outdoor experience-based education and treatment. Similarities between the gains made in well-being and resilience are highlighted.
Patterns of Non-offending Parental Involvement in Therapy with Sexually Abused Children
Authors: Hill Andrew
Published: November 2005

Summary:This review explores the international literature on therapeutic work with sexually abused children. The emphasis is on the nature, extent and outcomes of non-offending parental involvement in such work. The context is an increasing recognition of the significant influence that non-offending parents may have on their children’s recovery and, at the same time, the serious impact on parents themselves of finding out about the sexual abuse of their children, including the impact on their relationships with their children.

Findings:The article identifies a number of distinct approaches to therapy that differ widely in the nature and extent of non-offending parental involvement. The diversity of approach reflects the variety of underlying theoretical orientation. The implications for children’s recovery are discussed.

Applications: Involving non-offending parents in therapeutic work with their sexually abused children may be important in promoting successful outcomes. It is argued that the perceived benefits of some of the approaches under review may be used flexibly, and in combination, to make significant advances in practice.
Social Institutions as Sites of Learning for Older Adults
Authors: Findsen Brian
Published: November 2005

This article addresses the issue of the extent of learning older adults (aged 55 and older) undertake in nonformal and informal contexts. In particular, this article focuses on three social institutions in which learning occurs: the family, the church, and the workplace. These are sites not often perceived as learning environments. The central argument is that agency-structured educational activity for older adults is a minor element of their learning, given that they prefer to manage learning for themselves. Even so, the availability of nonformal and informal learning opportunities is still heavily influenced by political economy factors, with gender, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity the most prominent. It is a leap of faith to assert that less formal learning opportunities and outcomes for seniors are evenly distributed across the older adult population. Despite their informal character, people's choices of learning events are greater for those who have already benefited from earlier educational success.
The Tea Ceremony as a Decolonizing Epistemology
Authors: Mayuzumi Kimine
Published: November 2005

In this article, the author explores and shares with readers her writing exercise about and for “healing” as a transformative process, using a “tea ceremony” metaphor. The author argues that healing, interlocking with cultural and indigenous knowledge and identity, must be explored for those who are oppressed by social and cultural hegemonies in their societies. On the basis of appropriate literature and her own experiences as a Japanese woman, the author discusses social and historical constraints that Japanese women face. Using the Japanese tea ceremony as a metaphor, the author goes through three transformative steps in the writing journey: identifying what to heal from, looking at the historicity of Japanese women, and reclaiming who she is. Finally, the author reflects on this writing exercise as a transformative process and foregrounds the significance of understanding healing as a decolonizing epistemology and its implications for transformative learning.
I Am a Human Being, and I Belong to the World
Authors: Chin Siew Sim
Published: November 2005

This article explores the relationship between spirituality and learning to cultivate a social identity that is global in its outlook. It considers the lived experiences of 10 women from the Baha'i Faith talking about their search for an inclusive worldview and about how they (re)constructed a broader identity through the teachings of their religion and developed the capacity to be border crossers across cultures and places. Although issues and concerns of identity constitute a major area of deliberation in the field of adult education for social change, less discernible in the discourse is the link between spirituality and the (re)construction of social identity. The narratives of these Baha'i women offer some grounded approaches to address the topic of spirituality that is framed not in the language of religious epiphanies or practices but as social transformative learning.
I Know More Than I Can Say
Authors: Yorks Lyle , Kasl Elizabeth
Published: November 2005

On the basis of an empirical analysis of 11 case studies and interviews with seven adult educators, this article offers a conceptual map for understanding how expressive ways of knowing function in fostering whole-person learning and transformative change. This conceptual map is formulated as a taxonomy with two primary categories. The first category, creating the learning environment, explores how expressive ways of knowing can be used to create psychological readiness for whole-person learning and an empathic field for learning-within-relationship. The second category, fostering the learning, explores how expressive ways of knowing can be used to evoke the experience learners seek to know more about, bring emotion into consciousness, and codify learning experiences for future access. In addition to the taxonomy, the findings also include educators' insights about the importance of developing their own readiness to encounter students as whole persons.
The peroxisomal multifunctional protein interacts with cortical microtubules in plant cells
Authors: Chuong Simon DX , Park Nam-Il , Freeman Michelle C , Mullen Robert T , Muench Douglas G
Published: November 2005

Background

The plant peroxisomal multifunctional protein (MFP) possesses up to four enzymatic activities that are involved in catalyzing different reactions of fatty acid β-oxidation in the peroxisome matrix. In addition to these peroxisomal activities, in vitro assays revealed that rice MFP possesses microtubule- and RNA-binding activities suggesting that this protein also has important functions in the cytosol.

Results

We demonstrate that MFP is an authentic microtubule-binding protein, as it localized to the cortical microtubule array in vivo, in addition to its expected targeting to the peroxisome matrix. MFP does not, however, interact with the three mitotic microtubule arrays. Microtubule co-sedimentation assays of truncated versions of MFP revealed that multiple microtubule-binding domains are present on the MFP polypeptide. This indicates that these regions function together to achieve high-affinity binding of the full-length protein. Real-time imaging of a transiently expressed green fluorescent protein-MFP chimera in living plant cells illustrated that a dynamic, spatial interaction exits between peroxisomes and cortical microtubules as peroxisomes move along actin filaments or oscillate at fixed locations.

Conclusion

Plant MFP is associated with the cortical microtubule array, in addition to its expected localization in the peroxisome. This observation, coupled with apparent interactions that frequently occur between microtubules and peroxisomes in the cell cortex, supports the hypothesis that MFP is concentrated on microtubules in order to facilitate the regulated import of MFP into peroxisomes.
Unusual explosive growth of a squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp after electrical burn injury and subsequent coverage by sequential free flap vascular connection – a case report
Authors: Horch Raymund E , Stark G Bjoern , Beier Justus P
Published: November 2005

Background

Squamous cell carcinomos may arise from chronic ulcerating wounds in scars, most commonly postburn scars. Tumour growth usually takes place over months to years. Localization on the scalp is a relatively rare condition.

Case presentation

This report presents the case of a 63-year-old man with chronic ulceration of a postburn scar of the scalp due to an electrical burn 58 years ago. Sudden tumour growth started within weeks and on presentation already had extended through the skull into frontal cortex. After radical tumour resection, defect was covered with a free radial forearm flap. Local recurrence occurred 6 weeks later. Subsequent wide excision including discard of the flap and preservation of the radial vessels was followed by transfer of a free latissimus dorsi muscle flap, using the radial vessels of the first flap as recipient vessels. The patient received radiotherapy post-operatively. There were no problems with flap survivals or wound healing. Due to rapidly growing recurrence the patient died 2 months later.

Conclusion

Explosive SCC tumour growth might occur in post-burn scars after more than 50 years. As a treatment option the use of sequential free flap connections might serve in repeated extensive tumour resections, especially in the scalp region, where suitable donor vessels are often located in distance to the defect.
Comparative levels and time trends in blood pressure, total cholesterol, Body Mass Index and smoking among Caucasian and South-Asian participants of a UK primary-care based cardiovascular risk factor screening programme
Authors: Lyratzopoulos Georgios , McElduff Patrick , Heller Richard F , Hanily Margaret , Lewis Philip S
Published: November 2005

Background

Individuals of South-Asian origin have a comparatively higher cardiovascular disease burden, but there is uncertainty about whether this is due to differences in risk factor levels and trends. We therefore studied comparative levels and time trends in blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol, body mass index (BMI) and current smoking among UK Caucasian and South-Asian individuals.

Methods

Repeatable cross-sectional survey of men and women aged 35–60 attending for first screening as part of a primary-care based cardiovascular risk factor screening programme 1989 and 1999.

Results

Of 34,122 men and 37,294 women participants, 499 men (1.5%)and 381 women (1%) were of South-Asian origin. South-Asian men had lower systolic [(-4.91 mmHg (95% Confidence Iterval (CI): -3.58 to -6.23)] and diastolic BP [-2.87 mmHg (-2.02 to -3.72)], with no significant differences in cholesterol and BMI. South-Asian women had lower systolic BP [-1.77 mmHg, 95% (-0.21 to -3.33)], diastolic BP [-1.87 mmHg (-0.92 to -2.82)], cholesterol [-0.24 mmol/l (-0.08 to -0.39)]; and higher BMI [+0.78 kg/m2 (0.25 to 1.3)]. South-Asian men and women had significantly lower prevalence of self-reported current smoking (29.0% and 1.8% respectively). With the exception of self-reported current smoking, between ethnic group risk factor trends were not converging.

Conclusion

With the exception of women's BMI, South-Asian individuals had either lower or similar levels of the examined cardiovascular risk factors, compared with Caucasian individuals. Although time trends in smoking were converging, other risk factors trends were similar between the two ethnic groups. Overall the findings do not support the hypothesis that the relatively high cardiovascular disease burden in UK South-Asians is due to higher levels exposure to the examined risk factors. Other hypotheses, such as higher frequency of diabetes and increased genetic predisposition, require further exploration.
Interleukin-4 (IL4) and Interleukin-4 receptor (IL4RA) polymorphisms in asthma: a case control study
Authors: Isidoro-García María , Dávila Ignacio , Laffond Elena , Moreno Esther , Lorente Félix , González-Sarmiento Rogelio
Published: November 2005

Background

IL4/IL4RA pathway plays an important role in atopy and asthma. Different polymorphisms in IL4 and IL4RA genes have been described. Particularly, -33C>TIL4 and 576Q>RIL4RA SNPs have been independently associated to atopy and asthma. The purpose of this study was to analyse these polymorphisms in a population of patients with a well-characterized asthma phenotype.

Methods

A total of 212 unrelated Caucasian individuals, 133 patients with asthma and 79 healthy subjects without symptoms or history of asthma or atopy and with negative skin prick tests were recruited. Lung function was measured by spirometry and asthma was specialist physician-diagnosed according to the ATS (American Thoracic Society) criteria and classified following the GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) guidelines. Skin prick tests were performed according to EAACI recommendations. -33C>TIL4 was studied with TaqMan assay and 576Q>RIL4RA by PCR-RFLP technique. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was analysed in all groups. Dichotomous variables were analysed using χ2, Fisher exact test, Monte Carlo simulation test and odds ratio test. To model the effects of multiple covariates logistic regression was used.

Results

No statistically significant differences between the group of patients with asthma and the controls were found when the allele and genotype distribution of -33C>TIL4 and 576Q>RIL4RA polymorphisms were compared. However, the T allele of the -33C>TIL4 SNP was more frequent in patients with persistent asthma. Multivariate analysis adjusted for age and sex confirmed that carriers of allele T had an increased risk of persistent asthma (OR:2.77, 95%CI:1.18–6.49; p = 0.019). Analysis of combination of polymorphisms showed that patients carrying both the T allele of -33C>TIL4 and the A allele of 576Q>RIL4RA had an increased risk of asthma. This association was particularly observed in persistent asthma [Fisher's p value = 0.0021, Monte Carlo p value (after 104 simulations) = 0.0016, OR:3.39; 95% CI:1.50–7.66].

Conclusion

Our results show a trend of association between the genetic combination of the T allele of -33C>TIL4 and the A allele of 576Q>RIL4RA with asthma. This genetic variant was more frequently observed in patients with persistent asthma. As long as this study was performed in a small population, further studies in other populations are needed to confirm these results.
A review of the psychometric properties of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) family of measures
Authors: Pirkis Jane E , Burgess Philip M , Kirk Pia K , Dodson Sarity , Coombs Tim J , Williamson Michelle K
Published: November 2005

Background

The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales was developed to routinely measure outcomes for adults with mental illness. Comparable instruments were also developed for children and adolescents (the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Children and Adolescents) and older people (the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales 65+). All three are being widely used as outcome measures in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. There is, however, no comprehensive review of these instruments. This paper fills this gap by reviewing the psychometric properties of each.

Method

Articles and reports relating to the instruments were retrieved, and their findings synthesised to assess the instruments' validity (content, construct, concurrent, predictive), reliability (test-retest, inter-rater), sensitivity to change, and feasibility/utility.

Results

Mostly, the instruments perform adequately or better on most dimensions, although some of their psychometric properties warrant closer examination.

Conclusion

Collectively, the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales family of measures can assess outcomes for different groups on a range of mental health-related constructs, and can be regarded as appropriate for routinely monitoring outcomes.
Reactive oxygen species in spermatozoa: methods for monitoring and significance for the origins of genetic disease and infertility
Authors: Baker Mark A , Aitken R John
Published: November 2005

Human spermatozoa generate low levels of reactive oxygen species in order to stimulate key events, such as tyrosine phosphorylation, associated with sperm capacitation. However, if the generation of these potentially pernicious oxygen metabolites becomes elevated for any reason, spermatozoa possess a limited capacity to protect themselves from oxidative stress. As a consequence, exposure of human spermatozoa to intrinsically- or extrinsically- generated reactive oxygen intermediates can result in a state of oxidative stress characterized by peroxidative damage to the sperm plasma membrane and DNA damage to the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. Oxidative stress in the male germ line is associated with poor fertilization rates, impaired embryonic development, high levels of abortion and increased morbidity in the offspring, including childhood cancer. In this review, we consider the possible origins of oxidative damage to human spermatozoa and reflect on the important contribution such stress might make to the origins of genetic disease in our species.
Exploring ethical considerations for the use of biological and physiological markers in population-based surveys in less developed countries
Authors: Pappas Gregory , Hyder Adnan A
Published: November 2005

Background

The health information needs of developing countries increasingly include population-based estimates determined by biological and physiological measures. Collection of data on these biomarkers requires careful reassessment of ethical standards and procedures related to issues of safety, informed consent, reporting, and referral policies. This paper reviews the survey practices of health examination surveys that have been conducted in developed nations and discusses their application to similar types of surveys proposed for developing countries.

Discussion

The paper contends that a unitary set of ethical principles should be followed for surveys around the world that precludes the danger of creating double standards (and implicitly lowers standards for work done in developing countries). Global ethical standards must, however, be interpreted in the context of the unique historical and cultural context of the country in which the work is being done. Factors that influence ethical considerations, such as the relationship between investigators in developed and developing countries are also discussed.

The paper provides a set of conclusions reached through this discussion and recommendations for the ethical use of biomarkers in populations-based surveys in developing countries.
Biased alternative polyadenylation in human tissues
Authors: Zhang Haibo , Lee Ju Youn , Tian Bin
Published: November 2005

Background

Alternative polyadenylation is one of the mechanisms in human cells that give rise to a variety of transcripts from a single gene. More than half of the human genes have multiple polyadenylation sites (poly(A) sites), leading to variable mRNA and protein products. Previous studies of individual genes have indicated that alternative polyadenylation could occur in a tissue-specific manner.

Results

We set out to systematically investigate the occurrence and mechanism of alternative polyadenylation in different human tissues using bioinformatic approaches. Using expressed sequence tag (EST) data, we investigated 42 distinct tissue types. We found that several tissues tend to use poly(A) sites that are biased toward certain locations of a gene, such as sites located in introns or internal exons, and various sites in the exon located closest to the 3' end. We also identified several tissues, including eye, retina and placenta, that tend to use poly(A) sites not frequently used in other tissues. By exploring microarray expression data, we analyzed over 20 genes whose protein products are involved in the process or regulation of mRNA polyadenylation. Several brain tissues showed high concordance of gene expression of these genes with each other, but low concordance with other tissue types. By comparing genomic regions surrounding poly(A) sites preferentially used in brain tissues with those in other tissues, we identified several cis-regulatory elements that were significantly associated with brain-specific poly(A) sites.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that there are systematic differences in poly(A) site usage among human tissues, and both trans-acting factors and cis-regulatory elements may be involved in regulating alternative polyadenylation in different tissues.
Phase III Study of Efaproxiral As an Adjunct to Whole-Brain Radiation Therapy for Brain Metastases
Authors: Suh John H. , Stea Baldassarre , Nabid Abdenour , Kresl John J. , Fortin André , Mercier Jean-Philippe , Senzer Neil , Chang Eric L. , Boyd Adam P. , Cagnoni Pablo J. , Shaw Edward
Published: November 2005

Purpose

To determine whether efaproxiral, an allosteric modifier of hemoglobin, improves survival in patients with brain metastases when used as an adjunct to whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT).

Patients and Methods

Patients with brain metastases from solid tumors and a Karnofsky performance score of ≥ 70 were randomly assigned to receive WBRT with supplemental oxygen and either efaproxiral at 75 or 100 mg/kg (efaproxiral arm) or no efaproxiral (control arm). The primary end point was survival.

Results

The study consisted of 515 eligible patients (efaproxiral arm, n = 265; control arm, n = 250). The median survival time (MST) was 5.4 months for the efaproxiral arm versus 4.4 months for the control arm (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.87; P = .16). For the subgroup of patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or breast cancer, the MST was 6.0 and 4.4 months, respectively (HR = 0.82; P = .07). Cox multiple regression analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in the risk of death for the efaproxiral arm in both primary populations. Further analysis indicated that the benefit may be restricted to the subgroup of patients with breast cancer. Response rates (radiographic complete response plus partial response) improved by 7% (P = .10) and 13% (P = .01) for all patients and for NSCLC and breast cancer patients in the efaproxiral arm, respectively. The most common severe adverse event in patients treated with efaproxiral was hypoxemia, which was reversible and effectively managed with supplemental oxygen in most patients.

Conclusion

The addition of efaproxiral, a noncytotoxic radiation sensitizer, to WBRT may improve response rates and survival in patients with brain metastases, particularly metastases from breast cancer. A confirmatory trial for breast cancer patients has been initiated.
Safety, Pharmacokinetic, and Antitumor Activity of SU11248, a Novel Oral Multitarget Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, in Patients With Cancer
Authors: Faivre Sandrine , Delbaldo Catherine , Vera Karina , Robert Caroline , Lozahic Stéphanie , Lassau Nathalie , Bello Carlo , Deprimo Samuel , Brega Nicoletta , Massimini Giorgio , Armand Jean-Pierre , Scigalla Paul , Raymond Eric
Published: November 2005

Purpose

To establish the safety, pharmacokinetics, and recommended dose of sunitinib, a novel oral multitargeting tyrosine kinase inhibitor with antiangiogenic and antitumor properties, in patients with advanced malignancies.

Patients and Methods

Sunitinib was given orally for 4 weeks every 6 weeks.

Results

Twenty-eight patients received doses ranging from 15 to 59 mg/m2 (ranging from 50 mg every other day to 150 mg/d). Dose-limiting toxicities reported at the maximum-tolerated doses ≥ 75 mg/d were reversible grade 3 fatigue, grade 3 hypertension, and grade 2 bullous skin toxicity. Therefore, the recommended dose was 50 mg/d. At this dose, the main adverse effects were sore mouth, edema, and thrombocytopenia. Hair discoloration and yellow coloration of the skin were observed at doses ≥ 50 mg/d. Pharmacokinetic data indicate that potentially active target plasma concentrations ≥ 50 ng/mL can be achieved with moderate interpatient variability and a long half-life compatible with a single daily dosing. Six objective responses were observed in three renal cell carcinomas, one neuroendocrine tumor, one stromal tumor, and one unknown primary adenocarcinoma patient. At higher doses (≥ 75 mg/d), tumor responses were often associated with reduced intratumoral vascularization and central tumor necrosis, eventually resulting in organ perforation or fistula.

Conclusion

At the dose of 50 mg/d (4 weeks on, 2 weeks off), sunitinib displays manageable toxicity. Antitumor activity supports further studies in patients with renal cell carcinoma, gastrointestinal, neuroendocrine, and stromal tumors. Future studies may consider including prospective imaging techniques such as high frequency ultrasound to monitor tumor density.
Measuring performance change in the mechanical design process arena
Authors: Egan I , Ritchie J. M. , Gardiner P. D.
Published: November 2005

Measurement of the design process is an issue facing business and academic practitioners alike. This paper outlines an approach used to formalize design process measurement within a large electromechanical original equipment manufacturer (OEM) by applying a derivation of the Carnegie-Mellon/Software Engineering Institute systems engineering capability maturity model(R) (SE-CMM(R)), entitled the process capability model-mechanical design (PCM-MD). This new model was created using a similar structure and format of questions as the SE-CMM(R), with modifications to suit mechanical engineering terminology. This was then applied to the mechanical engineering design department of the partner company where it was successfully piloted and then reapplied to produce a picture of how the effectiveness or otherwise of the processes associated with their multidisciplinary mechanical design function altered over time. This work provided the building blocks for further detailed studies to be carried out at other sites in the same company and within the mechanical engineering departments of other firms.
A new deburring tool for intersecting holes
Authors: Kim K. H. , Park N. J.
Published: November 2005

A new design of deburring tool for intersecting holes is introduced. The deburring cutter is mounted on a slender bar assembled into a cylindrical holder via a pin and a spring. The cutter has been designed to cover wide ranges of exit angle and diameter ratio between intersecting holes. The design is an improvement over the previous ones by the authors. Experiments have been performed on Al6061. With the new design, mild exit burrs with exit angles greater than 45° are successfully removed. For large burrs with smaller exit angles, however, the deburring is likely to be incomplete.
Haptic rendering: An approach to tactile property perception in early product design
Authors: Lian L. L. , Chen Y. H. , Yang Z. Y.
Published: November 2005

In today's competitive market place, product designers need to elaborate their design with respect to not only the form and function but also the tactile properties, which make the product safe and comfortable to use. Several examples of these tactile properties are stiffness, surface finish, and trigger actuation force. Because of the expensive redesign processes, requirements on these tactile properties should be considered as constraints and should be brought into the product development cycle as early as possible. However, current visual feedback-based computer-aided design (CAD) systems focus mainly on product geometrical properties, such as dimension and appearance. Tactile properties are difficult or even impossible to be perceived in current CAD systems. In this paper, haptic rendering techniques are introduced as an approach to the perception of tactile properties and hand tool design case studies are demonstrated. With the aid of a force feedback device, Phantom(R), designers can perceive the surface roughness of a handle, the stiffness of a toothbrush, and examine the actuation force of a switch button. With these tools, designers can not only design the form of a product but also evaluate some physical properties of a product design in real time before the product is made, thus shortening the product development cycle.
New Proposal of Evaluation Method for DMFC Catalyst Layers by Means of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Osaka Tetsuya , Momma Toshiyuki , Tominaka Satoshi
Published: November 2005

On the evaluation of catalyst layers in direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), we applied the proposed electrochemical cell which enabled to evaluate the catalyst layers without an electrolyte solution circumstance. In addition, properties of polymer electrolytes, such as ionic conductivities inside or outside agglomerates of catalystss were evaluated separately by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy with an analysis using the proposed equivalent circuit. This method also suggested its possibility for evaluating a distribution of the electrolytes in catalyst layers.
Oxoanions-induced Rapid Synthesis of Highly Ordered Mesoporous Silica
Authors: Luo Yongming , Hou Zhaoyin , Jin Dingfeng , Gao Jing , Zheng Xiaoming
Published: November 2005

Highly ordered mesoporous silica have been rapidly synthesized by using oxoanions as promoter and nonionic triblock copolymer P123 as template, and the reaction products has been characterized by N2 adsorption–desorption, XRD, FE-SEM, and TEM.
The Orientation Control of Dicationic Porphyrins on Clay Surfaces by Solvent Polarity
Authors: Eguchi Miharu , Takagi Shinsuke , Inoue Haruo
Published: November 2005

The orientations of cationic porphyrins on a clay surface were found to be successfully controlled by solvent polarity. The orientational change was directly observed with the interface spectrometer equipped with a quartz waveguide system. Tetracationic porphyrins on the clay surface in water are oriented with the plane of the rings parallel to the silicate layer, while in the case of dicationic porphyrins (cis-type), the porphyrin plane stood up against the clay surface on addition of less polar water-miscible solvent.
Cerium(IV) Ammonium Nitrate-catalyzed Synthesis of β-Keto Enol Ethers from Cyclic β-Diketones and Their Deprotection
Authors: Banerjee Biplab , Mandal Samir Kumar , Roy Subhas Chandra
Published: November 2005

A mild and efficient method for etherification of cyclic β-diketones with alcohols has been developed using a catalytic amount of cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate at room temperature to afford the corresponding β-keto enol ethers in good to excellent yields. The deprotections of enol ethers in water–acetonitrile (1:1) using a catalytic amount (10 mol %) of cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate have also been achieved.
Generation of β-Keto Radicals from Cyclopropanols Catalyzed by AgNO3
Authors: Chiba Shunsuke , Cao Zhengyan , El Bialy Serry Atta Atta , Narasaka Koichi
Published: November 2005

Various β-keto radicals are generated from cyclopropanols by treatment with a catalytic amount of AgNO3 and (NH4)2S2O8 as a reoxidant in the presence of pyridine. Thus, generated β-keto radicals react with alkenes to yield addition products.
Preparation and Reactions of Heteroaryl Organomagnesium Compounds
Authors: Ila Hiriyakkanavar , Baron Oliver , Wagner Andreas J , Knochel Paul
Published: November 2005

The halogen/magnesium-exchange reaction has opened new perspectives in organic synthesis and has considerably extended the range of available functionalized aryl and heteroaryl magnesium compounds bearing functional groups such as ester, nitrile, iodide, imine, or even sensitive groups like nitro, hydroxy, and boronic esters. The present review summarizes the applications of these functionalized heteroaryl- and arylmagnesium compounds for the synthesis of a wide variety of regiospecifically functionalized five- and six-membered heterocycles.
AFM Observation of Ca(OH)2 (0001) Surfaces Reacted with SO2: Role of Water Vapour on Product Morphology
Authors: Bausach Marta , Pera-Titus Marc , Tejero Javier , Cunill Fidel
Published: November 2005

The morphology of single-crystal Ca(OH)2 (0001) surfaces after being reacted with SO2 at 313 K consists of “needle-like” features of CaSO3·(1/2)H2O whose mean size increases with the relative humidity at which the reaction takes place. This trend might provide an evidence of certain mobility of product crystallites induced by adsorbed water.
Facile Antimony(V/III) Interconversion in Phthalocyanine Complexes
Authors: Isago Hiroaki , Kagaya Yutaka
Published: November 2005

Facile antimony(V/III) transition has been found to occur in phthalocyanine complexes via oxidative addition/reductive elimination process.
Describing and Valuing Interventions That Observe or Control Decision Situations
Authors: Matheson David , Matheson James E.
Published: November 2005

The value of information and value of control calculations have long been two separate parts of a decision analyst’s efforts to extract as much insight as possible from a decision model. This paper unifies these concepts as interventions that modify the structure of the original problem, which have two key properties, purity and quality. Purity is an idealization that leads to Howard canonical form, clarifies the definition of control intervention, and allows us to extend and correct the calculation of the value of control. Quality is a characteristic that leads to generic models of imperfect intervention, which, because of their equivalence to any pure intervention, prevent misguided recommendations when the value of a perfect intervention is high but the value of a somewhat imperfect intervention is low. Quality is a number between 0 and 1 that normalizes and allows comparison of imperfect interventions between applications having very different value scales.
Graphical Models for Groups: Belief Aggregation and Risk Sharing
Authors: Pennock David M. , Wellman Michael P.
Published: November 2005

We investigate the practical value of using graphical models to aid in two fundamental problems of group coordination: (1) belief aggregation and (2) risk sharing. We identify restrictive conditions under which graphical models can be useful in both settings. We show that the output of the logarithmic opinion pool (LogOP) can be represented as a Markov network (MN) or a decomposable Bayesian network (BN), and give an algorithm for doing so. We show that a securities market structured like a decomposable BN can support optimal risk sharing, if all agents have exponential utility and all of their Markov independencies coincide with the market structure. On the other hand, most of our results are negative, taking the form of impossibility theorems. We show that no belief aggregation function can maintain all independencies representable in a BN. Neither can an aggregation computation be decomposed into local computations on graph subsets. We show that computing query outputs of LogOP or the linear opinion pool (LinOP) is NP-hard. Except in fairly restrictive settings, structuring securities markets according to unanimously agreed upon independencies may be of no help in supporting optimal risk sharing because agents’ behavioral independencies change as they engage in securities trade.
25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1α-Hydroxylase and Vitamin D Receptor Expression in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Khadzkou K. , Buchwald P. , Westin G. , Dralle H. , Åkerström G. , Hellman P.
Published: November 2005

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1-α-hydroxylase expression have recently been shown to be upregulated in several tumors and thought to represent an important endogenous response to tumor progression. Little is known about the expression of these proteins in thyroid carcinoma, although previous reports have documented evidence of the biological effect of vitamin D in thyroid cells. Using paraffin-embedded and frozen sections of papillary thyroid carcinoma, we utilized real-time quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry to characterize the expression of VDR and 1-α-hydroxylase in thyroid follicular cells, with special emphasis on papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). VDR and 1-α-hydroxylase expression were increased in PTC compared with normal thyroid tissue and especially high in areas of lymphocyte infiltration. Expression of VDR and 1-α-hydroxylase in PTC may be compatible with an overall favorable prognosis for this tumor type and may constitute important prerequisites for using vitamin D and/or vitamin D analogs in the treatment of PTC.
Distribution of CIAPIN1 in Normal Fetal and Adult Human Tissues
Authors: Hao Zhiming , Li Xiaohua , Qiao Taidong , Zhang Jing , Shao Xiaodong , Fan Daiming
Published: November 2005

CIAPIN1, a newly identified antiapoptotic molecule that plays an essential role in mouse definitive hematopoiesis, is considered a downstream effector of the receptor tyrosine kinase-Ras signaling pathway. Our previous studies have indicated that CIAPIN1 is involved in the development of multidrug resistance (MDR) in gastric cancer cells. However, the mechanism of CIAPIN1-mediated antiapoptosis and MDR has not been fully elucidated. To reveal the possible physiological role of CIAPIN1, we examined the expression and distribution of CIAPIN1 in fetal and adult human tissues using immunohistochemistry. We found that CIAPIN1 was ubiquitously distributed in fetal and adult tissues, and was localized in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. The expression patterns of CIAPIN1 were similar in fetal and adult tissues, and was correlated with the previously described expression pattern of p21ras. These observations suggest that CIAPIN1 expression appears to be involved in cell differentiation, and that it might exert universal and possibly important physiological functions under the regulation of Ras in humans.
Ultrasound-accelerated Tissue Fixation/Processing Achieves Superior Morphology and Macromolecule Integrity with Storage Stability
Authors: Chu Wei-Sing , Liang Qi , Tang Yao , King Randy , Wong Kondi , Gong Maokai , Wei Minqi , Liu Jilan , Feng Shaw-Huey , Lo Shyh-Ching , Andriko Jo-Ann , Orr Marshall
Published: November 2005

We demonstrate that high-frequency and high-intensity ultrasound (US) can be applied to both tissue fixation and tissue processing to complete the conventional overnight formalin-fixation and paraffin-embedding (FFPE) procedures within 1 hr. US-facilitated FFPE retains superior tissue morphology and long-term room temperature storage stability than conventional FFPE. There is less alteration of protein antigenicity after US-FFPE preservation so that rapid immunohistochemical reactions occur with higher sensitivity and intensity, reducing the need for antigen retrieval pretreatment. US-FFPE tissues present storage stability so that room temperature storage up to 7 years does not significantly affect tissue morphology, protein antigenic properties, RNA distribution, localization, and quantitation. In addition, during fixation, tissue displays physical changes that can be monitored and reflected as changes in transmission US signals. As far as we know, this is the first effort to monitor tissue physical changes during fixation. Further study of this phenomenon may provide a method to control and to monitor the level of fixation for quality controls. The mechanism of less alteration of protein antigenicity by US-FFPE was discussed. (J Histochem Cytochem 54:503-513, 2006)
Yield, yield components and physico-chemical characters of the ratoon crop of Iranian rice cultivars
Authors: Jelodar N. B.
Published: November 2005

The ratooning ability of five Iranian rice cultivars and the grain quality of the ratoon crop were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications in consecutive years from 1999 to 2001 to select promising lines for economical ratoon culture. The main crop was harvested by cutting 30 cm above the soil surface for regrowth of the second (ratoon) crop. The ratoon grain yields (kg/ha) varied greatly among the cultivars, ranging from 144.9 (Haseni) to 1472.1 (Sang-e-Tarom). In general, the ratoon crops had fewer fertile spikelets, fewer spikelets per panicle, shorter panicle length and fewer primary and secondary branches per panicle than the main crop. The gelatinization temperature and gel consistency of rice grains from ratoon crops were lower than those of the main crops. The amylose content (%) of the grains from ratoon crops varied from 23.1 (Sang-e-Tarom) to 21.4 (Dailamani).