bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Paris Sewers and the Rationalization of Urban Space
Authors: Gandy Matthew
Published: April 2004

Sewers are perhaps the most enigmatic of urban infrastructures. Most citizens of modern cities are aware of their existence, yet few could accurately describe their layout or appearance. This paper takes as its starting point a key moment in the cultural representation of urban space: the photographs of the Paris sewers taken by Félix Nadar in the early 1860s. These images capture a dramatic transformation in subterranean Paris, initiated in the early 1850s by Baron Georges Haussmann and his chief engineer Eugène Belgrand as part of the comprehensive reconstruction of the city's infrastructure during the Second Empire of Napoléon III. This paper argues, however, that with respect to the underground city, we cannot consider the Haussmann era to be the unproblematic epitome of modernity. The reconstruction of subterranean Paris revealed a series of tensions that were only to be resolved in the post‐Haussmann era in response to the combined influence of growing water usage, the persistent threat of disease and changing conceptions of public health policy. It is concluded that the flow of water in Second Empire Paris is best conceived as a transitional phase in the radical reworking of relations between the body and urban form engendered by the process of capitalist urbanization.
Pastoral Power, Governmentality and Cultures of Order in Nineteenth‐Century British Columbia
Authors: Blake Lynn A
Published: April 2004

I deploy Michel Foucault's concepts of pastoral power and governmentality to investigate the material consequences of two very different visions of the governance of Native people in nineteenth‐century British Columbia. This entails a consideration of these modalities of power, and of the usefulness of relocating them in a colonial context. But I also argue that the conceptions of order embedded within these two modalities of power bear the stamp of, and demonstrate, very distinctive cultural geographies.
Commodity Cultures: The Traffic in Things
Authors: Jackson Peter
Published: April 2004

Focusing on the commodification of various forms of cultural difference, this paper reviews recent work within the ‘globalization’ and ‘creolization’ paradigms, outlining an agenda for future research. Rather than condemning commodification as an unwarranted threat to the ‘authenticity’ of local cultures, the paper argues for a more complex understanding of people's relationship with the world of goods. Using a variety of examples, it is argued that the ‘traffic in things’ is associated with a wide range of meanings and a diversity of responses. Informed by recent debates in anthropology and material culture studies, it is suggested that geographical metaphors (such as distance and displacement) provide a more productive way of engaging with contemporary commodity cultures than do visual metaphors (such as unveiling or unmasking). Other means of transcending the distinction between cultural and economic geographies are also discussed.
Envisioning Capitalism: Geography and the Renewal of Marxian Political Economy
Authors: Castree Noel
Published: April 2004

This paper offers a reinterpretation of what critical theorist Moishe Postone calls ‘the fundamental core of capitalism’. In so doing, it seeks to lay a set of theoretical foundations for a renewed Marxian political economy in geography, at a time when Marxism has been eclipsed as a leading critical paradigm within the discipline. The argument works on two fronts simultaneously. On the one hand, the ongoing hegemony of economic and political neo‐conservatism is occluding the violent realities of a capitalist world economy behind the anodyne logics of free‐market theory. These realities suggest the continued relevance of, and need for, a strong Marxian critique of political economy. But on the other hand, Marxism has been reprimanded by its erstwhile allies on the Left of geography for being too ‘modern’ and too capital‐ and class‐centred. In light of this double challenge, the paper seeks to develop a ‘both/and’ Marxism for geography that can chart a third way between the antinomies of modern and after‐modern modes of theorizing capitalism and class. A project of ‘envisioning capitalism’ is suggested on this basis, which combines the ‘power’ of modern theory with the epistemological reflexivity of after‐modern theory. At the same time, capitalism and class are rethought at an ontological level and shown still to be essential features of the fin‐de‐millennium world, but far less closed and hegemonic than is suggested by modern modes of Marxism. Finally, a return to a class politics of redistribution is suggested, but in a way that draws in more recent Left geographical concerns with identity, difference and recognition.
Globalization and the Changing Networks of Food Supply: The Importation of Fresh Horticultural Produce from Kenya into the UK
Authors: Barrett Hazel R , Ilbery Brian W , Brown Angela W , Binns Tony
Published: April 2004

Set within the context of the global food supply system, this paper examines the growing trade in fresh horticultural produce between Kenya and the UK. The links between UK retailers and Kenyan producers are investigated using the concept of the marketing chain. Two major chains are identified ‐ wholesale and supermarket – and, whilst having no direct investment in Kenya, it is the supermarkets who control production there, through intermediaries who ensure that standards of quality and presentation are met. Importers play a crucial role in facilitating this trade, acting as a vital link between farmers and exporters in Kenya and supermarkets in the UK. The need for quality and traceability dictates that contractual arrangements are made predominantly with large‐scale farms using productivist farming methods. The irony is that it is post‐productivist demands by ‘new consumers’ in the UK that are encouraging these productivist horticultural systems in Kenya.
Space‐Time, ‘Science’ and the Relationship between Physical Geography and Human Geography
Authors: Massey Doreen
Published: April 2004

This paper explores the possibility that there may be commonalities between physical geography and human geography in emerging ways of conceptualizing space, time and space‐time. It argues that one of the things holding physical and human geography apart for so long has been their relationship to physics as an assumed model of ‘science'. It is proposed here that not only is this an inadequate model of science but that it has led us astray in our inherited conceptualizations of both time and space. The urge to think ‘historically’ is now evident in both physical and human geography. The paper argues that this both forms the basis for a possible conversation and also obliges us to rethink our notions of space/space‐time.
Agglomeration and the Local State: The Tobacco Economy of Yunnan, China
Authors: Eng Irne
Published: April 2004

This paper explores the interplay of local state action with historical contingency, innovation and external economies in the world's largest tobacco‐producing region – Yunnan, China. Formed in a relatively unindustrialized province and promoted by local authorities as their primary revenue base, Yunnan's tobacco economy gained a headstart through concentrated resource support and ad hoc regulatory flexibility. Its further growth has drawn greatly on intraregional spillovers of knowledge of locally based institutional innovation, which foster and enhance conventional forms of external economies. Implications for the study of regional economies are discussed.
Professional Workers in a Risk Society
Authors: Ekinsmyth Carol
Published: April 2004

This paper contributes to the debate on the utility of Ulrich Beck's (1992) notion of the ‘risk society’ for understanding the positions and experiences of workers who are negotiating more ‘flexible’ employment contracts. Whilst previous articles in this journal have concentrated upon the lower end of the employment market, I aim to broaden the scope of the discussion by focussing upon professional freelance magazine workers, and ask whether Beck's framework has a different utility in terms of understanding their employment security and risk.1
Imperial Geographies of Home: British Domesticity in India, 1886–1925
Authors: Blunt Alison
Published: April 2004

This paper considers the translation of domestic discourses over imperial space as middle‐class British women established homes in India from 1886 to 1925. Unlike studies of imperial domesticity that delineate separate spheres of home and empire, I consider the exercise of imperial power on a domestic scale, by examining advice given in household guides on managing servants and raising British children in India. Rather than view the household merely as confining, I also explore the advice given to British women regarding travel outside their homes in India. The domestic roles of British women reproduced imperial power relations on a household scale, and the political significance of imperial domesticity extended beyond the boundaries of the home.
Environmental Accounts for Land Cover: Their Contribution to ‘State of the Environment’ Reporting
Authors: Haines‐Young Roy
Published: April 2004

This paper critically reviews the way land‐cover stock and change data are used for ‘state of the environment’ reporting. The paper considers the relative merits of the indicator approach as opposed to one based on natural resource accounting. It is shown that indicators have a number of shortcomings as measures of the sustainability of land‐cover change, and that land‐cover accounts offer a more rigorous framework in which to develop and test policy. The argument draws upon the experience gained in the preparation of land‐cover accounts for Great Britain using data from Countryside Survey 1990.
Irish Placenames: Post‐Colonial Locations
Authors: Nash Catherine
Published: April 2004

The names of places speak of complicated cultural geographies of language and location. Placename changes have often been explored as examples of power‐laden contests over the meaning of places and collective identities. Yet projects to research, preserve and reinstate Gaelic placenames in contemporary Ireland (both North and South) raise more complex questions of cultural identity, authenticity and diversity. These questions are central to post‐colonial cultural politics. By combining ideas of pluralism, multiplicity and diversity with those of authenticity, belonging and truth, these contemporary placename projects represent efforts to reimagine concepts of identity, cultural location and tradition. They suggest ways to negotiate the theoretical contradictions between and practical politics of critiques of colonial cultural suppression and celebrations of cultural retrieval.
The Masks of Proteus: Russia, Geopolitical Shift and the New Eurasianism
Authors: Smith Graham
Published: April 2004

Despite the growing interest within international relations theory and political geography in critical geopolitics, there has been little engagement – other than from Western perspectives – with the relationship between geopolitics and national identities in Russia. This article examines this relationship by focusing on the emergence of Eurasianism within geopolitical discourse, and the manner in which such representations of Russia as a distinctive Eurasian civilization and power inform geopolitical thinking, particularly in relation to the shift in Russia's foreign policy since around early 1993. The article first explores the emergence of competing geopolitical discourses amongst political opinion‐makers before turning to consider how particular sites –‘the Near Abroad’, ‘Europe’ and ‘Asia’– have been officially reinscripted as part of Russia's understanding of itself as a Eurasian power. The article draws upon the geopolitical writings of prominent Russian theorists and statesmen and Russian government policy statements and documents from 1993 to early 1999.
Reality, Realism and Physical Geography
Authors: Martin Ron
Published: April 2004

A debate on Harrison S and Dunham P 1998 Decoherence, quantum theory and their implications for the philosophy of geomorphology Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers 23 4 501–14
Quinolinic acid lesions of the caudate putamen in the rat lead to a local increase of ciliary neurotrophic factor
Authors: Haas Stefan Jean‐Pierre , Ahrens Aline , Petrov Stanislav , Schmitt Oliver , Wree Andreas
Published: April 2004

When applied prior to excitotoxic lesions, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) has been shown to be neuroprotective. However, data concerning the endogenous CNTF content of the intact rat striatum are rare and have not until now been available for the quinolinic acid (QA)‐lesioned striatum. Therefore, we investigated the CNTF content in the QA‐lesioned rat striatum for at least 1 month using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. In lesioned striata a neuronal loss was observed by Nissl staining and by a reduction of NeuN‐immunoreactive cells, whereas increased glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity showed a gliotic reaction. With CNTF immunohistochemistry we found that in the QA‐lesioned striatum CNTF was increased over time, whereas it was not detectable in intact and sham‐lesioned striata. CNTF‐immunoreactive cells had the morphology of protoplasmatic astrocytes. Furthermore, quantitative Western blotting demonstrated that the content of CNTF protein from striatal lysates containing 1 mg of whole protein 1 month after QA lesioning (2.76 ± 1.71 ng) was significantly increased (P < 0.05, U‐test) compared with sham‐lesioned hemispheres (0.68 ± 0.25 ng) and intact controls (0.55 ± 0.25 ng). We conclude that CNTF content is correlated with glial scar formation and suggest that our results may be of relevance to cell grafting strategies for the treatment of Huntington's disease.
Superficial palmar arch: an arterial diameter study
Authors: Fazan Valéria Paula Sassoli , Borges Celso Teixeira , Da Silva Jefferson Hilário , Caetano Abadio Gonçalves , Filho Omar Andrade Rodrigues
Published: April 2004

Although anatomical variations in the arterial pattern of the hand have been the subject of many studies, information on the diameter of the superficial palmar arch contributing vessels and its branches are rarely found in the literature. The objective of the current study was to evaluate these arterial variations, with special attention to the diameter of the superficial palmar arch contributing vessels and its major branches. Forty‐six hands from male embalmed human cadavers were evaluated, 21 right hands and 25 left hands. Complete arches were present in 43% on the right and in 52% on the left. Arches were completed by the median artery in two cases. Variations were more common at the radial side of the arch and on left hands. Comparison of vessel diameters revealed the radial artery to be significantly larger than the ulnar artery but the ulnar artery to be larger than the superficial branch of the radial artery. The diameters of the common digital arteries were not different with regard to complete or incomplete arches, or with regard to the presence of the median artery.
Antigenic compartmentation of the primate and tree shrew cerebellum: a common topography of zebrin II in Macaca mulatta and Tupaia belangeri
Authors: Sillitoe Roy V. , Malz Cordula R. , Rockland Kathleen , Hawkes Richard
Published: April 2004

Despite the apparent uniformity in cellular composition of the adult cerebellar cortex, functional, anatomical, mutational and molecular maps all reveal a complex topography underlying the relatively simple architecture. In particular, zebrin II, a polypeptide antigen identified as aldolase C, is restricted to a subset of Purkinje cells that form a symmetrical and reproducible array of zones and stripes. The vermis of the well‐studied rodent cerebellar cortex is divided into four transverse zones – anterior (∼lobules I–V), central (∼lobules VI and VII), posterior (∼lobule VIII) and nodular (∼lobules IX and X). Each transverse zone is further subdivided mediolaterally into parasagittal stripes. To gain insight into the evolution of cerebellar compartmentation, the pattern of zebrin II expression has been compared between the primate Macaca mulatta and the tree shrew Tupaia belangeri, and the results related to previous findings from other species. Although the somata of most Purkinje cells in the Macaca cerebellum express zebrin II, parasagittal stripes can still be delineated owing to the alternating high and low zebrin II immunoreactivity in the dendrites. In the macaque vermis, a complex set of zebrin II parasagittal compartments is found in all transverse zones. Unlike in rodents, in which uniform expression domains interrupt heterogeneous zones, zebrin II parasagittal stripes in the macaque cerebellum are seen throughout the vermis. In Tupaia, the parasagittal pattern of zebrin II expression also reveals a striking array of stripes in all lobules. The data suggest that cerebellar compartmentation in Tupaia belangeri more closely resembles that of primates than it does rodents or lagomorphs.
Chemical composition of the infrapatellar fat pad of swine
Authors: Nakano Takuo , Wang Yan Wen , Ozimek Lech , Sim Jeong S.
Published: April 2004

The porcine infrapatellar fat pad is a structure composed of adipocytes and adipose connective tissues. Limited information is available concerning its chemical composition. Samples of the fat pad collected from young hogs were dissected into two portions: a relatively hard core of the pad with cushioning properties (inner tissue), and a soft adipose tissue surrounding the core (outer tissue). The inner tissue contained less moisture and nitrogen than did the outer tissue. The yield of dry‐delipidated tissue was also lower in the inner tissue, indicating a higher content of lipid in this tissue. Fatty acid analysis showed that the proportions of C18: 1, C16: 1 and C18: 2n‐6 are higher, and the proportion of C16: 0 is lower in the inner than in the outer tissue. Collagen is the major protein, with relatively small amounts of glycosaminoglycans in both tissues. The content of hyaluronic acid relative to sulphated galactosaminoglycan was lower in the inner than in the outer tissue. The electrophoresis pattern of sulphated galactosaminoglycan was also different between the two tissues. These results suggest that chemical composition varies between adipose tissues with different biomechanical function.
Reproducible prediction of contact allergenic potency using the local lymph node assay
Authors: Basketter David A. , Cadby Peter
Published: April 2004

A considerable body of data has been accumulated which demonstrates that the local lymph node assay (LLNA) can provide a valuable estimation of the contact allergenic potency of a substance. This estimate is obtained via interpolation of the LLNA dose–response curve and is expressed as the concentration of the chemical required to evince a 3‐fold stimulation of proliferation in lymph nodes draining the site of application compared to the vehicle‐treated controls (EC3). It has also been shown that the EC3 estimates are reproducible and are stable over time. In the present work, we have extended this information by a demonstration of the inherent biological variability surrounding EC3 estimation, using data derived (from a single laboratory) from the testing of isoeugenol as a positive control. Isoeugenol gave EC3 values ranging from 0.5 to 2.6% (n = 29), with a mean and standard deviation of 1.2 ± 0.6%. Given that EC3 values for a variety of contact allergens range over several orders of magnitude, these results further endorse the utility of EC3 values as a reliable indicator of human contact allergenic potency.
Drug skin tests in cutaneous adverse drug reactions to pristinamycin: 29 cases with a study of cross‐reactions between synergistins
Authors: Barbaud A. , Trechot P. , Weber‐Muller F. , Ulrich G. , Commun N. , Schmutz J. L.
Published: April 2004

The present study was made to determine the value of drug skin tests in patients with cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs) due to a synergistin (pristinamycin) and to determine the frequency of cross‐reactions between synergistins. 29 patients were referred during the onset of the CADR due to pristinamycin: 18 with maculopapular rash, 9 erythrodermas, 1 angioedema and 1 Stevens–Johnson syndrome. They all had patch tests with pristinamycin and, in most cases, with other synergistins [virginiamycin and dalfopristin–quinupristin (DQ)], prick tests (10 cases) and intradermal tests (IDT) (5 cases). Skin tests with synergistins were positive in 27 cases, patch tests with pristinamycin in 20/29 cases (69%), prick tests with pristinamycin in 3/9 cases on immediate (1 case) or on delayed (2 cases) readings, and IDT with DQ in 4/5 cases. Cross‐reactions between synergistins occurred in 9/22 with virginiamycin and in 7/8 cases with DQ. Skin tests with synergistins are useful in investigating CADR due to pristinamycin. Synergistins are composed of 2 chains (1 depsipeptide and 1 macrocyclic lactone) with many structural analogies between all synergistins. According to the chemical structures and our results, it seems advisable to avoid all synergistins in patients with CADR due to pristinamycin.
Vancomycin‐induced linear IgA disease manifesting as bullous erythema multiforme
Authors: Armstrong April Wang , Fazeli Amin , Yeh Shih Wei , Mackool Bonnie T. , Liu Vincent
Published: April 2004

Background:  Vancomycin‐induced linear immunoglobulin A (IgA) disease, an autoimmune, blistering disease in response to vancomycin administration, is characterized by a subepidermal, vesiculobullous eruption and linear IgA deposition along the basement membrane zone on direct immunofluorescence.

Case report:  We report the case of an 81‐year‐old man treated with vancomycin who developed diffuse erythema multiforme and tense bullae involving the palmoplantar surfaces. Discontinuation of vancomycin therapy resulted in complete resolution of this patient's cutaneous eruption.

Results:  Biopsy of a representative skin lesion demonstrated lichenoid interface dermatitis with focal subepidermal clefting, dyskeratosis, and prominent eosinophils. Direct immunofluorescence showed linear basement membrane staining with immunoreactants to IgA; indirect immunofluorescence demonstrated the presence of circulating IgG antibodies binding in an intercellular pattern. Immunoprecipitation studies using the patient's serum revealed 210, 130, and 83 kDa target antigens.

Conclusions:  Presenting with an initial clinical picture suggestive of bullous erythema multiforme, this patient's subsequent clinical course and direct immunofluorescence confirm the diagnosis of linear IgA bullous disease (LABD). His indirect immunofluorescence findings and immunoprecipitation results suggest that circulating non‐IgA antibodies may represent a newly recognized immunopathologic feature of vancomycin‐induced linear IgA disease, underscoring the variable and unpredictable manifestations of this drug‐induced cutaneous disease.
Acquired smooth‐muscle hamartoma of the scrotum: a histological simulator?
Authors: Van Kooten E. O. , Hage J. J. , Meinhardt W. , Horenblas S. , Mooi W. J.
Published: April 2004

Background:  In three cases of chronic scrotal lymphedema, histological and immunohistochemical changes were observed that were strikingly similar to an exceedingly rare lesion reported previously under the name of acquired smooth‐muscle hamartoma (ASMH) of the scrotum. The clinical context indicated that the cases were reactive rather than hamartomatous in nature.

Materials and methods:  The histological and immunohistochemical findings of the three cases were compared to macroscopically normal scrotal specimens obtained during sex reassignment surgery in seven male‐to‐female transsexuals.

Results:  Compared to the seven controls, the three cases of chronic scrotal edema revealed a marked increase of dartos smooth‐muscle tissue and of connective tissue of the scrotal skin and underlying soft tissues. Still, even the normal amount of scrotal smooth‐muscle tissue may easily be misinterpreted as smooth‐muscle hyperplasia.

Conclusions:  Chronic scrotal lymphedema may induce hyperplasia of the dartos muscle, resulting in a histological appearance previously described as ASMH. This indicates that ASMH may not always represent a later onset of abnormality similar to congenital smooth‐muscle hamartoma but, rather, may constitute a histological simulator.
Hobnail hemangiomas (targetoid hemosiderotic hemangiomas) are true lymphangiomas
Authors: Franke Folker E. , Steger Klaus , Marks Alexander , Kutzner Heinz , Mentzel Thomas
Published: April 2004

Background:  Hobnail hemangioma (targetoid hemosiderotic hemangioma) is a small benign vascular tumor of the superficial and mid‐dermis. In contrast to its well‐characterized histology, it has been unclear whether this tumor arises from blood vessel endothelial cells (BECs) or lymphatic vessel endothelial cells (LECs).

Methods:  We analyzed 10 hobnail hemangiomas by immunohistochemistry, using the recently described lymphatic endothelial cell marker, D2‐40. For comparison, CD31, CD34, and α‐smooth muscle actin expression were studied in consecutive sections of the paraffin‐embedded tissues.

Results:  In all analyzed vessels, D2‐40 labeled exclusively LECs, whereas BECs were consistently negative. In contrast to capillary BECs, either neighboring the tumors or intermingled, neoplastic endothelial cells of all 10 hobnail hemangiomas were strongly labeled by D2‐40.

Conclusions:  The results suggest a lymphatic origin for hobnail hemangiomas. This view is further supported by the CD34 negativity of endothelial cells and the lack of actin‐labeled pericytes in hobnail hemangiomas, both characteristic of lymphatic vessels. Moreover, our analysis revealed that microshunts between neoplastic lymphatic vascular channels and small blood vessels occur, explaining some features of hobnail hemangiomas, such as aneurysmatic microstructures, erythrocytes within and beneath neoplastic vascular spaces, inflammatory changes, scarring, and interstitial hemosiderin deposits.
Collagenolytic (necrobiotic) granulomas: part 1 – the ‘blue’ granulomas
Authors: Lynch Jane M. , Barrett Terry L.
Published: April 2004

A collagenolytic or necrobiotic non‐infectious granuloma is one in which a granulomatous infiltrate develops around a central area of altered collagen and elastic fibers. The altered fibers lose their distinct boundaries and exhibit new staining patterns, becoming either more basophilic or eosinophilic. Within the area of altered collagen, there may be deposition of acellular substances such as mucin (blue) or fibrin (red), or there may be neutrophils with nuclear dust (blue), eosinophils (red), or flame figures (red). These color distinctions can be used as a simple algorithm for the diagnosis of collagenolytic granulomas, i.e. ‘blue’ granulomas vs. ‘red’ granulomas. Eight diagnoses are included within these two groupings, which are discussed in this two‐part article. In this first part, the clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and histologic features of the ‘blue’ collagenolytic granulomas are discussed. These are the lesions of granuloma annulare, Wegener's granulomatosis, and rheumatoid vasculitis. In the subsequent half of this two‐part series, the ‘red’ collagenolytic granulomas will be discussed; these are the lesions of necrobiosis lipoidica, necrobiotic xanthogranuloma, rheumatoid nodules, Churg–Strauss syndrome, and eosinophilic cellulitis (Well's syndrome).
Hamartin and tuberin immunohistochemical expression in cutaneous fibroepithelial polyps
Authors: Wu Jamie , Khalil Farah K. , Keehn Connie A. , Saeed Sadia , Morgan Michael B.
Published: April 2004

Background:  Hamartin and tuberin are inactivating tumor suppressor proteins implicated in the development of gastrointestinal polyps and sporadic and tuberous sclerosis‐associated cutaneous angiofibromas. The pattern of expression of these peptides has not been studied in fibroepithelial polyps (FEPs).

Design:  The specific aim of the study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of tuberin and hamartin within the epithelium and dermal fibrocytes of 20 cutaneous FEPs compared with the epithelium and dermal fibrocytes of normal skin. The diagnoses were confirmed independently by a dermatopathologist, and the pattern of intensity was assessed by the mean labeling intensity (MLI) of cytoplasmic and/or nuclear staining for each antibody.

Results:  Hamartin and tuberin antibodies showed moderate staining of the keratinocytes and fibrocytes of normal skin and the keratinocytes within FEPs. Both antibodies showed diminished staining within the fibrocytes of the FEPs. The MLI of hamartin was 44.3 ± 4.4 for keratinocyte nuclei in normal skin and 51.2 ± 3.7 within the polyps. The MLI of tuberin was 42.9 ± 3.6 within the keratinocyte nuclei of the normal skin compared to 39.7 ± 3.0 for the polyps. The MLI for hamartin within the fibrocytes of the normal skin was 78.9 ± 7.1 compared to 21.6 ± 4.2 within the polyps, p = 0.01. The MLI for tuberin within the fibrocytes of normal skin was 70.6 ± 5.0 compared to 47.1 ± 4.7 within the polyps.

Conclusion:  The data suggest that down regulation or loss of tuberin and/or hamartin expression may be permissive to fibrocyte proliferation or promote collagen production leading to FEP formation.
CD34‐reactive trichodiscoma
Authors: Chartier Molly , Reed Michael L. , Mandavilli Srinivas , Fung Maxwell , M. Grant‐Kels Jane , Murphy Michael
Published: April 2004

Background:  Trichodiscomas are rare hamartomas of the dermal portion of the hair disc, a specialized component of the perifollicular mesenchyme. They are usually found as asymptomatic multiple skin‐colored papules on the face and extremities and may have an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. However, a solitary variant has been described.

Case report:  A 78‐year‐old woman presented with a single, non‐pigmented, firm papule on the left tip of the nose, measuring 3.5 mm in diameter.

Results:  The histological examination revealed the previously described features of a trichodiscoma. The immunohistochemical analysis showed strong immunoreactivity for CD34 in the spindle cell component. Spindle cells were negative for S‐100, HMB‐45, Melan‐A, EMA, neurofilament, desmin, and Factor XIIIa by immunohistochemistry.

Conclusions:  We report strong reactivity for CD34 in the spindle cell component of a trichodiscoma. We suggest that this lesion be considered in the differential diagnosis of any CD34+ dermal spindle cell proliferation, in which an adjacent epithelial component cannot be entirely excluded.
Epithelioid sarcoma metastatic to the tongue: a rare entity
Authors: Ozdemir Esin , Kocyigit Pelin , Bostanci Seher , Okcu‐Heper Aylin , Aksu Deniz , Gurgey Erbak
Published: April 2004

Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) typically arises as a firm nodule on the extremities of young men. The tumor is remarkable for diagnostic difficulties both clinically and histopathologically resulting in a high frequency of initial misdiagnosis. ES is also known to have a high rate of recurrence and high rate of metastasis predominantly to the lymph nodes, lungs, and scalp. Herein, the second case of ES with metastasis to the tongue is reported.
Laparoscopic gastric banding: safe and modestly successful
Authors: Tweddle Eliza Ann , Woods Simon , Blamey Stephen
Published: April 2004

Background:  Obesity is an increasing problem in Australia. It is defined as a body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2. It is associated with a number of significant medical conditions, as well as psychological morbidity related to poor body image and the social stigma of obesity. Conservative management is rarely successful in patients with morbid obesity and bariatric surgery is an alternative more likely to produce sustained results.

Methods:  To compare the initial results of the Lap‐Band (Inamed Health, Santa Barbara, CA, USA) procedure when performed by experienced general laparoscopic surgeons, new to the procedure and those achieved by dedicated bariatric practitioners.

Results:  The results of the present study showed forty‐seven per cent excess weight lost at 2 years, 49% excess BMI lost at 2 years. Reoperation rate for band removal, prolapse/slippage was 25.3%.

Conclusions:  Acceptable results with Lap‐Band are technically achievable by experienced laparoscopic surgeons with a low morbidity and mortality. The results of the present study are inferior to those reported by dedicated bariatric practices who have performed large numbers of this operation. The rate of band slippage was unacceptably high and there was a significant problem with patients being lost to follow up. Possible reasons for this are discussed.
Cutaneous melanoma in Caucasian New Zealanders: 1995−1999
Authors: Martin Richard C. W. , Robinson Elizabeth
Published: April 2004

Background:  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the spectrum of cutaneous melanoma in Caucasian New Zealanders.

Method:  Data were obtained from the New Zealand Cancer Registry by way of a computerized search of the melanoma ICD‐9 codes from 1995 to 1999. The final database used is for people identifying themselves as European. The denominator population were people stating their ethnicity as European in the 1996 New Zealand Census; all others were excluded. The Cancer Registry Act 1993 made reporting of cancer mandatory. Cancer data before July 1994 are of dubious accuracy.

Results:  There were 4966 cases of cutaneous melanoma reported in New Zealand between 1995 and 1999 by people identifying themselves as European. The trends and statistically relevant findings will be discussed.

Conclusion:  New Zealand continues to have one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, with an increasing Breslow thickness of melanoma (P < 0.001) over the 5‐year period. Men have a higher rate and deeper melanomas than women (P < 0.001). The incidence of melanoma appears to have reached a plateau over the review period. The far north of New Zealand (Whangarei and further north) had the highest rate of melanoma in New Zealand (59.1/100 000, age standardized) and the lowest rate is in Southland (23.5/100 000).
The evolution of the ‘emergency surgeon’: the time has come!
Authors: Britt L. D.
Published: April 2004

The challenges now facing the trauma profession are unprecedented. Decreasing reimbursements, malpractice issues, the paucity of operative cases, the difficult work schedule and environment have contributed to fading interest in pursuing a career in trauma. With a steady decline in young surgeons choosing traumatology, a call for redefining the specialty is loudly reverberating throughout the profession. One option that is gaining broad support is to expand the coverage of the trauma surgeon to include all emergency surgical care, thus establishing a new specialist − the ‘emergency surgeon’. Although there are no guarantees that widening the spectrum of the specialty will improve the overall financial status of the role, adoption of this new specialty concept will, undoubtedly, enhance the appeal of a dying profession.
Comparative study on acute pancreatitis management
Authors: Chiang David T. , Anozie Anthony , Fleming William R. , Kiroff G. K.
Published: April 2004

Background:  Guidelines have been published regarding the management of acute pancreatitis by the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG). The aim of the present paper is to compare the management of patients with acute pancreatitis in a tertiary referral medical centre and a regional health centre in Australia during 2001, evaluate compliance with the published BSG guidelines, and compare our data with those of a similar UK study.

Methods:  Patients with a primary diagnosis of acute pancreatitis were identified retrospectively. Eighty‐four admissions from the Austin Hospital (AH), a tertiary referral centre, and 83 from The Geelong Hospital (TGH), a regional health centre, were treated in these two hospitals. The histories were collected and examined for compliance with the guidelines recommended by the BSG. We compared our data with the data from the two UK hospitals in a previous study.

Results:  Only 38% of patients from these two centres had all the investigations performed for severity stratification as recommended by BSG. In other respects, AH and TGH managed these patients with acute pancreatitis according to the recommendations. The overall mortality rate from acute pancreatitis was 3.0%, and within the group of severe acute pancreatitis the mortality rate was 22.7%. 65.5% of patients from AH with gallstone related acute pancreatitis had a cholecystectomy or sphincterotomy and extraction of gallstones within 4 weeks of presentation. There were five re‐admissions to AH in 2001 due to non‐operated gallstone‐related acute pancreatitis. In contrast, 84.3% of patients from TGH had definitive treatment within 4 weeks and there were three re‐admissions to TGH.

Conclusion:  Overall, both a tertiary referral centre and smaller regional hospital in Australia managed acute pancreatitis according to recently published BSG guidelines. The guidelines emphasized the importance of expertise in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery, availability of intensive care unit/high dependency unit and dynamic CT scanning. The recommendations for definitive treatment of patients with gallstone‐related pancreatitis within 4 weeks of presentation reduced the morbidity and mortality in this group. Although compliance with the guidelines on investigation for severity stratification of acute pancreatitis was poor, this lack of formal severity assessment did not appear to influence the outcome.
A novel method of cold expansion which creates near‐uniform compressive tangential residual stress around a fastener hole
Authors: CHAKHERLOU T. N. , VOGWELL J.
Published: April 2004

A recognized way of improving the fatigue resistance of a fastener hole is to introduce compressive tangential residual stress around it. This can be achieved by using a cold expansion method in which an oversized pin or ball is forced through the hole to produce a local plastic region surrounded by an elastic one. Once the pin or ball is removed allowing the elastic region to spring back it results in compressive tangential residual stress around the hole. In practise, however, it is found that such a cold expansion method creates a non‐uniform residual stress distribution through the plate thickness and even tensile residual stress can be created at the entrance and exit faces. In this paper a new method of cold expansion is proposed. It uses a tapered pin with a mating tapered split sleeve and creates an almost uniform compressive residual stress around the hole as shown by FE method. Also, fatigue tests were carried out to verify that the method does significantly improve fatigue life. Finally the tangential residual stress distribution and fatigue life improvement of this new method were compared with those of a well‐established cold expansion method and it was shown that the new method is more efficient in improving fatigue life.
Fretting fatigue limit as a short crack problem at the edge of contact
Authors: KONDO Y. , SAKAE C. , KUBOTA M. , NAGASUE T. , SATO S.
Published: April 2004

This paper proposes a local stress concept to evaluate the fretting fatigue limit for contact edge cracks. A unique S–N curve based on the local stress could be obtained for a contact edge crack irrespective of mechanical factors such as contact pressure, relative slip, contact length, specimen size and loading type. The analytical background for the local stress concept was studied using FEM analysis. It was shown that the local stress uniquely determined the ΔK change due to crack growth as well as the stress distribution near the contact edge. The condition that determined the fretting fatigue limit was predicted by combining the ΔK change due to crack growth and the ΔKth for a short crack. The formation of a non‐propagating crack at the fatigue limit was predicted by the model and it was experimentally confirmed by a long‐life fretting fatigue test.
Use of a load non‐proportionality measure in fatigue under out‐of‐phase combined bending and torsion
Authors: SKIBICKI D. , SEMPRUCH J.
Published: April 2004

A load non‐proportionality measure has been developed for use with an existing critical plane fatigue criterion for the case of fatigue under out‐of‐phase bending and torsion. Use of this measure shows improved agreement with test data in the literature for this loading condition.
A unifying approach to estimate the high‐cycle fatigue strength of notched components subjected to both uniaxial and multiaxial cyclic loadings
Authors: SUSMEL L.
Published: April 2004

This paper proposes an engineering method suitable for predicting the fatigue limit of both plain and notched components subjected to uniaxial as well as to multiaxial fatigue loadings. Initially, some well‐known concepts formalized by considering the cracking behaviour of metallic material under uniaxial cyclic loads have been extended to multiaxial fatigue situations. This theoretical extension allowed us to form the hypothesis that fatigue limits can be estimated by considering the linear–elastic stress state calculated at the centre of the structural volume. This volume was assumed to be the zone where all the main physical processes take place in fatigue limit conditions. The size of the structural volume was demonstrated to be constant, that is, independent from the applied loading type, but different for different materials. Predictions have been made by Susmel and Lazzarin's multiaxial fatigue criterion, applied using the linear–elastic stress state determined at the centre of the structural volume. The accuracy of this method has been checked by using a number of data sets taken from the literature and generated by testing notch specimens both under uniaxial and multiaxial fatigue loadings. Our approach is demonstrated to be a powerful engineering tool for predicting the fatigue limit of notch components, independently of material, stress concentration feature and applied load type. In particular, it allowed us to perform predictions within an error interval of about ±25% in stress, even though some material mechanical properties were either estimated or taken from different sources.
Fatigue performance of a bonded wavy composite lap joint
Authors: ZENG Q. , SUN C. T.
Published: April 2004

A novel wavy lap joint design was further studied. Our previous studies using cross‐ply composite adherends showed that the new design was indeed much stronger than the conventional flat joint. In order to fully demonstrate advantage of the new wavy lap joint over the conventional single lap joint, comparative fatigue tests were performed to determine the durability performance of the wavy joint. In this study, a comparative static strength test of the conventional flat joint and the wavy joint was first carried out using unidirectional composite adherends. Then fatigue tests at different load levels and load frequencies were conducted. The test results showed that the wavy lap joint had a much longer fatigue life than the conventional lap joint.
The role and effects of the third body in the wheel–rail interaction
Authors: BERTHIER Y. , DESCARTES S. , BUSQUET M. , NICCOLINI E. , DESRAYAUD C. , BAILLET L. , BAIETTO‐DUBOURG M. C.
Published: April 2004

This paper focuses on the presence of the third body, a solid interfacial layer in the wheel–rail contact. This third body is studied from different viewpoints: its presence including composition, thickness and morphology; and its role with respect to its load‐carrying capacity, shearing behaviour, transfer of material and finally global friction coefficient. The general approach is phenomenological and is carried out as closely as possible of the real tribological behaviour of this contact. This paper presents a synthesis of different studies coming from: analysis of specimens taken out periodically from rails and wheels in service, and thus under real contact conditions; and test laboratories, allowing us to impose rolling–sliding conditions with very high precision. From all these studies and results, a better understanding of the role of the third body and its influence on friction, adhesion and damage mechanisms (wear, pits, cracks …) is reached and this is the first step for including its effect in numerical models.
Spatial Model for Path Planning of Multiple Mobile Construction Robots
Authors: Lee Seungho , Adams Teresa M.
Published: April 2004

Abstract:  This article presents a new spatial model for construction sites that supports path planning of construction robots. The model represents construction sites as partially known and partially unknown. Considering technological reality, spatial location accuracy constraints, and economical efficiency, only the essential boundary information is included in the known environment and modeled as a cell system and network. The cell system is a geometric object and provides the domain for path planning. The network is a topological object for computing the shortest path. Global and local planners are required for path planning to get the full benefits of the spatial model. The global planner computes the shortest path and provides it to the local planner as a sequence of vertices (subgoals). While following the subgoals, the local planner modifies the shortest path to avoid unknown obstacles.
Identification of Modal Combinations for Nonlinear Static Analysis of Building Structures
Authors: Kunnath Sashi K.
Published: April 2004

Abstract:  An essential requisite in performance‐based seismic design is the estimation of inelastic deformation demands in structural members. An increasingly popular analytical method to establish these demand values is a “pushover” analysis in which a model of the building structure is subjected to an invariant distribution of lateral forces. Although such an approach takes into consideration the redistribution of forces following yielding of sections, it does not incorporate the effects of varying dynamic characteristics during the inelastic response. Simple modal combination schemes are investigated in this article to indirectly account for higher mode effects. Because the modes that contribute to deformations may be different from the modes that contribute to forces, it is necessary to identify unique modal combinations that provide reliable estimates of both force and deformation demands. The proposed procedure is applied to typical moment frame buildings to assess the effectiveness of the methodology. It is shown that the envelope of demands obtained from a series of nonlinear static analysis using the proposed modal‐combination‐based lateral load patterns results in better estimation of inter‐story drift, a critical parameter in seismic evaluation and design.
Neuro‐Fuzzy Logic Model for Evaluating Water Content of Sandy Soils
Authors: Mohamed A. M. O. , Hawas Y.
Published: April 2004

Abstract:  In this study, the time‐domain reflectometry (TDR) technique was utilized for generating an incident pulse signal of several harmonics of multiples of the fundamental frequency. The oscilloscope then captured reflected signals that were analyzed in the frequency domain by using Fourier transforms. The system response was characterized by its normalized spectral magnitude and phase angle. Experimental results indicated that the system is sensitive to water content and ion concentration. For water content prediction, a neuro‐fuzzy logic model was developed. The changes in spectral magnitude and phase angle were considered as specific signatures for different soil conditions and were utilized in the training of the neuro‐fuzzy logic model. The model was calibrated and used to predict other sets of data. The results indicated that the model is capable of predicting the water content of the tested soils.