bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intracerebral haematoma: Operative versus non‐operative
Authors: Sun David Tin‐Fung , Tsang Yvonne Yee‐Yan , Poon Wai‐Sang
Published: April 2004

Background:  Spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) accounts for 10–30% of all strokes resulting in a high mortality and major morbidity. Although guidelines for medical treatment and surgical intervention for ICH are available, selection of patients for surgery in this group of patients is controversial and varies greatly throughout the world.

Objective:  In the current study, we aimed to review our selection criteria for treatment and their management results.

Methods:  We had prospectively collected the data of patients admitted to our centre with spontaneous supratentorial ICH in a 2‐year period (January 2001–December 2002). We divided the patients into three main groups according to the anatomical site: putaminal, subcortical and deep basal ganglia. Surgical treatment was limited to patients aged below 65 years, with a clot size between 30 and 100 mL, and motor scores of normal flexion to localizing to pain.

Results:  One hundred and twenty‐four patients were recruited in the current study. Thirty‐four patients managed by early surgery had an 18% mortality, 29% were independent and 53% dependent at 6 months. Early surgery for subcortical haematoma carried the best prognosis (42% achieved independence), whereas deep basal ganglia haematoma carried the worst prognosis (none achieved independence).

Conclusions:  Although this prospective audit was not intended to be a case–control study, data from the present study support early surgery for patients with putaminal and subcortical haematomas with a clot size larger than 50 mL. For smaller haematomas less than 30 mL, conservative management is associated with a superior clinical outcome.
Effects of intravenous pantoprazole in gastric PH and recurrent bleeding for peptic ulcers
Authors: LI V.K.M. , HUNG W.K. , LOO C.K. , LAM B.Y.K. , KWOK T.S.Y. , CHAN C.M. , YIP A.W.C.
Published: April 2004

Objective: To study the effects of pantoprazole in gastric pH and recurrent bleeding after endoscopic treatment for bleeding peptic ulcers.

Methods: After endoscopic treatment for bleeding gastric or duodenal ulcers, patients were randomly assigned to: group 1 (infusion group): 80 mg pantoprazole intravenous bolus, followed by continuous infusion 8 mg per hour for 72 h, group 2 (bolus group): 80 mg pantoprazole intraveneous bolus, followed by 40 mg intravenous bolus every 12 h for 72 h and group 3 (no treatment group). A pH probe was placed in stomach for 24 h during the first 72 h for pH monitoring. On day 4, they were given oral famotidine for 8 weeks. Suspected recurrent bleeding will be confirmed with endoscopy. The primary end‐point is the rate of rebleeding within 30 days. The secondary end‐points are operative rate, transfusion requirement, total hospital stay, mortality rate and gastric pH analysis.

Results: 86 patients were recruited for analysis (group 1: n=22, group 2: n=30, group 3: n=34). In the first part of our analysis, group 1 and 2 (those receiving pantoprazole) were combined for comparison with Group 3. There was less rebleeding in those with pantoprazole (3.8 vs 17.6%, P=0.031). The transfusion requirement was also less (1.59 vs 3.01 units, P=0.007). There was no difference in need for operation and total hospital stay. Regarding gastric pH, those receiving pantoprazole had significantly higher mean pH (5.43 vs 1.87, P=0.001), median pH (5.58 vs 1.77, P=0.001) and percentage of time with Ph >*Τ*6 (52.97 vs 7.45%, P=0.001). In the second part of our analysis, the results between group 1 and 2 were compared. There was a tendency to favour pantoprazole infusion regarding rebleeding rate (0 vs 6.7%), operation rate (0 vs 3.3%), mean pH (5.73 vs 5.22), median pH (5.78 vs 5.43) and percentage of time with pH >*Τ*6 (54.71 vs 51.84%). However, they did not reach statistical significance. There was no mortality among the studied patients.

Conclusion: After endoscopic treatment for bleeding peptic ulcer, patients receiving pantoprazole had significantly higher gastric pH and lower chance of rebleeding. Further data is needed to identify the better regime for administration of pantoprazole.
The role of palliative gastrectomy in the management of relatively asymptomatic stomach cancer with peritoneal metastases detected by staging laparoscopy
Authors: NG N.C. , WONG S.K.H. , CHIU P.W.Y. , CHEUNG F.K.Y. , CHUNG S.C.S. , NG E.K.W.
Published: April 2004

Background: Staging laparoscopy is increasingly accepted as a preoperative investigation for patients with stomach cancer. However, what should be done when peritoneal metastases is detected remains uncertain.

Aims of study: To determine the role of palliative gastrectomy in patients with laparoscopic findings of peritoneal seedlings from otherwise asymptomatic gastric cancers.

Methods: In a 5‐year period between 1994 and 1998, 291 patients with biopsy‐proven stomach cancer were examined with laparoscopy. Suspicious peritoneal secondaries identified were sampled for frozen section. If peritoneal metastases were confirmed, the mode of operative treatment was at the discretion of individual surgeon. Peri‐operative mortality, complications, overall survival, hospital‐free survival, and subsequent major events related to tumour progression were recorded prospectively and compared between patients who had undergone gastrectomy and those without gastric resection.

Results: Eighty‐two patients (51 male and 31 female) with a median age of 67 years (30–89) were found to have peritoneal metastases during laparoscopy or laparotomy (if laparoscopy was unrevealing). Thirty‐four patients underwent gastrectomy (13 total, 21 partial), while the remaining 48 were managed by either bypass operation (n = 13) or no operation (n = 35). The two groups were comparable in age, gender, location of tumours, histological subtypes and ASA anaesthetic risk. Four patients died in the early postoperative period (within 30 days), with one in the gastrectomy group and three in the non‐operative group. There was no significant difference in the rate of postoperative complications between the two groups of patients. Using Kaplan Meier cumulative survival analysis and log‐rank test, patients undergoing gastrectomy had significantly longer overall survival (median: 238 days vs 127 days, P=0.005) and hospital‐free survival (median: 187 days vs 78 days, P=0.006) than those with conservative treatment only. In addition, the gastrectomy group had less tumour‐related bleeding or obstructive complications when compared to those without gastric resection.

Conclusions: Palliative gastrectomy is recommended whenever possible even in the presence of peritoneal seedlings because it provides longer and better quality of survival.
Referral prioritization at the specialist breast clinic
Authors: HUNG W.K. , SUEN D.T.K. , CHAN S.W.W. , CHAN M.C.M. , LAU Y. , YIP A.W.C.
Published: April 2004

Aim: The workload of specialist breast clinics is ever increasing and long waiting time is expected. Clinical guidelines were employed to sort out the priority of consultation. The effectiveness of this system is reviewed.

Methods: All referrals seen at the specialist breast clinic from January 2002 to March 2002 were retrospectively studied. The guidelines for allocation to urgent appointment included – (1) urgent referral as determined by referring physician; (2) referral not labelled as urgent but certain ‘high risk’ criteria were present: age more than 50, lump bigger than 3 cm, bloody nipple discharge and physical signs suggestive of malignancy like irregular or fixed breast lump. Routine appointment was given if these criteria were not met. Patients with imaging and cytology results available before specialist consultation were given appointment with reference to the investigation result and excluded from the present analysis. Outcome of the patients in each category was assessed.

Results: 165 referrals were analysed and 14 cancers were diagnosed. The mean waiting time for urgent and routine appointments were 2 weeks and 20 weeks, respectively. There were 52 urgent referrals and eight (15.4%) cancers were diagnosed compared to six cancers (5.3%) diagnosed in the 113 non‐urgent referrals. Forty‐two patients among these 113 patients were given urgent appointment due to the presence of high‐risk criteria and as a result, all the six patients with cancers were allocated to urgent appointments. None of the patients given routine appointment had breast cancer diagnosed.

Conclusion: It was reassuring that no cancer was diagnosed in patients who had been allocated to routine appointment. In addition to the clinical assessment by the referring physicians, certain ‘high‐risk’ criteria serve as useful guides in assigning the urgency of specialist consultation.
Anterolateral thigh flap – a new workhorse for plastic reconstruction surgeons
Authors: PANG P.C.W. , LAM S.C.K. , CHENG L.H.W. , YING S.Y. , BURD A.
Published: April 2004

The antero‐lateral thigh (ALT) flap was originally reported by Song et al. in 1984. It is only in the last 5 to 6 years, however, that the ALT flap has become established as a highly versatile “work‐horse”, in surgical reconstruction. Our experience in various reconstructions with ALT flap in various parts of the body is discussed.

Twenty seven patients with 17 male and 10 female were studied. Their age ranged from 2 to 78. Fifteen ALT flaps were used for head and neck reconstruction (11 in head region, four in neck region). 10 for limbs reconstruction (five in upper limb, five in lower limb) and two for trunk reconstruction. Out of the 27 ALT flaps, there were 24 free flaps and five pedicle flaps.

There was no morbidity associated with all the 27 operations. Nine patients had primary reconstruction after tumor excision. Eighteen ALT flaps were used to reconstruct tissue with previous surgery or radiotherapy. There was no flap failure. There were two wound infection which treated conservatively with dressing.

Anterolateral lateral thigh flap is a reliable flap for various reconstruction with minimal morbidity.
Combination of systemic neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radical surgery, and intraperitoneal mitomycin‐c in patients with locally advanced gastric carcinoma: 5‐year follow‐up of a phase ii trial
Authors: CHEUNG F.K.Y. , NG N.C. , WONG S.K.H. , CHU W.C.W. , CHAN W.Y. , CHUNG S.C.S. , NG E.K.W.
Published: April 2004

Background: This study aims to investigate the tolerance and effectiveness of a combined treatment approach using systemic neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radical surgery and immediate intraperitoneal chemotherapy to patients with locally adanved gastric cancer. Methods: Patients with T3/T4 gastric cancer confirmed by endoscopic ultrasonography and staging laparoscopy were recruited. With informed consent, two cycles of preoperative systemic chemotherapy as described by the Royal Marsden Hospital (Cisplatin, Epirubicin and 5‐FU) were given to the patients. Chemo‐response was determined by CT scan and EUS before and after the chemotherapy. All patients were subjected to laparotomy and, if possible, radical gastrectomy, and immediate intraperitoneal charcoal adsorbed mitomycin‐C therapy before closure of the wound.

Results: Thirty‐eight patients with a median age of 60 years (range: 38–72) were recruited. Severe complications developed in two patients during preoperative chemotherapy: one tumour perforation and one reactivation of hepatitis B leading to liver failure. Of the remaining patients, 34 had D2 gastrectomy performed. Complete or partial response was observed in 21 patients (62%). At 50 months of follow up, five patients in the responder group and 12 patients in the non‐responder group died. Responders had a significant better cumulative survival than the non‐responders (P < 0.003).

Conclusions: The tri‐modality treatment is well tolerated by most patients and shows a response rate of 60%. Responders have a better prognosis than the non‐responders.
Penile Replantation for A Chinese Tourist Who Had Psychosis
Authors: CHEUNG W.Y. , CHENG K.C. , LEUNG M.Y. , CHENG M.S. , LAW I.C. , HO C.M.
Published: April 2004

This is a report of a 37‐year‐old tourist who had schizophrenia and self‐mutilation. The complete cut of the lower penile shaft occurred in the early morning. He remained conscious with about 1.5 L blood loss. An emergency replantation was performed after immediate fluid resuscitation. Urethral anastomosis was done in a spatulated fashion through a Foley catheter. Corpus cavernosum were opposed in a watertight manner to secure haemostasis. Tension‐free anastomosis of the dorsal artery, deep dorsal veins, and dorsal penile nerve were performed under the microscope. Penile skin was closed loosely. Warm ischaemic time was 71–2 h after the amputation. Revascularization was satisfactory resulting in a pinkish glans penis. Mild venous congestion was noted at the ventral penile skin without sequel. Full psychosocial support and psychiatric care was commenced after the replantation. He himself pulled out the Foley catheter on day two. Afterwards he remained calm and cooperative. A normal urethrogram, an uroflow test of 18 mL/s, and a return of sharp and blunt sensation over the glans penis were documented two weeks postoperation when he was discharged back to Mainland China. The prognosis of his sexual function was unknown. Either complete resumption of sexual intercourse or second mutilation in psychotic patient had been reported in the literature.
Oral health problems in elderly rehabilitation patients
Authors: Andersson P , Hallberg IR , Lorefält B , Unosson M , Renvert S
Published: April 2004

Abstract:  A combination of poor oral hygiene and dry mouth may be hazardous to the oral health status. However, systematic assessments in order to detect oral health problems are seldom performed in the nursing care of the elderly. The aims of this study were to investigate the occurrence of oral health problems measured using the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG) and to analyse associations between oral health problems and age, gender, living conditions, cohabitation, reason for admission, number of drugs, and functional and nutritional status. One registered nurse performed oral health assessments using ROAG in 161 newly admitted elderly patients in rehabilitation care. Oral health problems were found in 71% of the patients. Thirty per cent of these patients had between four and eight problems. Low saliva flow and problems related to lips were the most frequent oral health problems. Problems in oral health status were significantly associated with presence of respiratory diseases (problems with gums, lips, alterations on the tongue and mucous membranes), living in special accommodation (low saliva flow, problems with teeth/dentures and alterations on the tongue), being undernourished (alterations on the tongue and low saliva flow) and being a woman (low saliva flow). The highest Odds ratio (OR) was found in problems with gums in relation with prevalence of respiratory diseases (OR 8.9; confidence interval (CI) 2.8–27.8; P < 0.0005). This study indicates the importance of standardised oral health assessments in order to detect oral health problems which can otherwise be hidden when the patients are admitted to the hospital ward.
Exploring the third dimension in root resorption
Authors: Chan EKM , Darendeliler MA
Published: April 2004

Structured Abstract

Authors – Chan EKM, Darendeliler MA

Objective – To review and investigate the validity of various 2D quantitative measurement techniques, and to explore the third dimension of root resorption.

Design – A review of the literature involving various quantitative evaluation of root resorption.

Results – Quantitative evaluation of resorption using radiographs has proven to be highly inaccurate because of magnification errors and their inability to be readily repeated and reproduced. Studies using histology sections of samples have proven to be laborious and technique sensitive. Inherent parallax errors and loss of material in data transfer have denied the true understanding of this 3D event.

Conclusion – With the evolution in computing technology and digital imaging, the vision of evaluating the extent of root resorption in 3D has materialized. It was demonstrated that 3D volumetric quantitative evaluation of root resorption craters was feasible and its accuracy and repeatability was high.
Mechanical stress generated by orthodontic forces on apical root cementum: a finite element model
Authors: Shaw AM , Sameshima GT , Vu HV
Published: April 2004

Structured Abstract

Authors – Shaw AM, Sameshima GT, Vu HV

Objectives – 1) To determine the mechanical stress generated at the root apex during different types of tooth movement using a finite element model of an ideal, human maxillary central incisor. 2) To determine the relationship of thickness of cementum and the magnitude of mechanical stress at the root apex.

Design – Computer simulation.

Setting and Sample Population – Not applicable, computer simulation.

Experimental Variables – Tooth and investing tissue layers (enamel, dentin, cementum, pulp, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone).

Outcome Measure – Von Mises and maximum principal stresses.

Results – Increasing the apical thickness of cementum increases the amount of mechanical stress.

Conclusion – A finite element model incorporating all layers of a human maxillary central incisor has been developed. This model was used to determine the location and magnitude of mechanical stress generated for all regions of the tooth, PDL, and enclosed alveolar bone, when orthodontic forces are applied to the tooth. Mechanical stresses were found to increase at the root apex with increasing thickness of apical cementum.
Interactions between nitric oxide and superoxide on the neural regulation of proximal fluid reabsorption in hypertensive rats
Authors: Wu Xiao Chun , Johns Edward J.
Published: April 2004

This study investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anions in modulating the renal nerve‐dependent increases in proximal tubular fluid reabsorption (Jva). Renal nerve stimulation at 0.75 and 1.0 Hz (15 V, 0.2 ms) in anaesthetized Wistar rats had no effect on glomerular filtration rate but decreased urine flow and sodium excretion in a frequency‐related manner, reaching 39 and 49% at 1.0 Hz, respectively (P < 0.01) and increased Jva by 11 and 31% (P < 0.01). In the stroke prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP), basal mean blood pressure was higher (123 ± 2 versus 99 ± 2 mmHg, P < 0.001), glomerular filtration rate, urine flow, sodium excretion and proximal tubular fluid reabsorption (Jva) were lower (all P < 0.001) than in the Wistar rats. Renal nerve stimulation in the SHRSP did not change glomerular filtration rate but decreased urine flow, and sodium excretion by 18 and 34% (P < 0.05) at 1.0 Hz which was less (P < 0.05) than that in the Wistar rats. Under these conditions, Jva was increased at 0.75 Hz by 27%, and to a comparable extent at 1.0 Hz, which was a pattern very different from the frequency related rises reported in the Wistar rats. In the SHRSP, intratubular Nω‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) had no effect on baseline Jva or the pattern of response to renal nerve stimulation which contrasted with earlier reports in the Wistar rat. Intraluminal superoxide dismutase (SOD) had no effect on basal Jva in the Wistar rats but increased it in the SHRSP (P < 0.05) while the pattern of change in Jva during nerve stimulation was unaltered in both rat strains. By contrast, in the SHRSP, intraluminal sodium nitroprusside (SNP) resulted in a frequency related increase in Jva comparable to that obtained in the vehicle treated Wistar rats. These data suggest that in the hypertensive rats, superoxide anion production is raised which depresses Jva and interacts with NO preventing a normal Jva response to renal nerve stimulation.
A Hybrid Thermal Energy Storage Device, Part 1: Design Methodology
Authors: Zheng Ning , Wirtz R. A.
Published: April 2004

A thermal response model for designing a hybrid thermal energy storage (TES) heat sink is developed. The stabilization time and maximum operating (hot side) temperature-to-transition temperature difference are used to characterize the performance of the heat sink. The thermal properties of the PCM employed in the design are investigated. Integration of a design optimization algorithm into a thermal performance model of the TES-hybrid heat sink results in determination of a best design subject to geometric and heat loading constraints. A prototype based on this best design is build and used to benchmark the performance model. The performance measured is consistent with the simulation model predictions of performance.
Why Gold Flash Can Be Detrimental to Long-Term Reliability
Authors: Xie Jingsong , Sun Ming , Pecht Michael , Barbe David F.
Published: April 2004

Most connectors are made from copper or copper alloys, with beryllium copper and phosphor bronze being the most common base materials due to their high electrical conductivity, low stress relaxation, and competitive cost. The most significant drawback is copper’s low resistance to corrosion, which can lead to electrical failure of connectors. For this reason, a layer of gold is often plated on the surfaces of connectors to seal off the base metal from being directly exposed to the environment. As an economical practice, gold flashing has been used to protect electrical contacts from corrosion. However, there is increasing evidence indicating that gold flashing can be detrimental in applications calling for long-term reliability. This paper provides insight into reliability issues of gold flash.
Research of Underfill Delamination in Flip Chip by the J-Integral Method
Authors: Xu Bulu , Cai Xia , Huang Weidong , Cheng Zhaonian
Published: April 2004

Fracture mechanics approaches have been used to study reliability problems in electronic packages, in particular, adhesion related failure in flip chip assembly. It was verified in this work that the J-integral with a special flat rectangular contour near the crack tip can be used as energy release rate at the interface between chip and underfill. Meanwhile, the delamination propagation rates at the interface was measured by using C-mode scanning acoustic microscope (C-SAM) inspection for two types of flip chip packages under thermal cycle loading. Finally, the half-empirical Paris equation, which can be used as a design base of delamination reliability in flip chip package, has been determined from the crack propagation rates measured and the energy release rates simulated.
Mechanical Characterization of the Heat Affected Zone of Gold Wirebonds Using Nanoindentation
Authors: Shah Mithilesh , Zeng Kaiyang , Tay Andrew A. O.
Published: April 2004

The present work studies the mechanical properties of mechanically polished gold wire and wirebond using nanoindentation. Metallography of wirebond reveals undesirable coarse grain structure in HAZ due to recrystallization and grain growth. For our gold wire, the recrystallization temperature found using D.S.C. was 340.66°C and the dopants were identified using TOF-SIMS and hardness dependence on load was studied using nanoindentation. The nanoindentation of wirebond has confirmed a v-shaped hardness profile with minima at 166 μm along the HAZ. The elastic modulus varied independent of the microstructure. A yield stress profile based on empirical hardness-yield strength correlation is predicted for the wirebond.
Transient Convective Heat Transfer of Air Jet Impinging Onto a Confined Ceramic-Based MCM Disk
Authors: Liu Li-Kang , Su Wen-Shien , Hung Ying-Huei
Published: April 2004

Transient heat transfer behavior from a horizontally confined ceramic-based MCM disk with jet impingement has been systematically explored. The relevant parameters influencing heat transfer performance are the steady-state Grashof number, jet Reynolds number, and ratio of jet separation distance to nozzle diameter. In addition, an effective time, ton, representing a certain transient time when the mixed convection effect due to jet impingement and buoyancy becomes significant relative to heat conduction, is introduced. Both the transient chip and average Nusselt numbers on the MCM disk surface decrease with time in a very beginning period of 0⩽t<ton, whereas it gradually increases or keeps constant with time and finally approaches the steady-state value in the period of ton⩽t<ts. As compared with the steady-state results, if the transient chip and average heat transfer behaviors may be considered as a superposition of a series of quasi-steady states, the transient chip and average Nusselt numbers in all the present transient experiments can be properly predicted by the existing steady-state correlations when t⩾4min in the power-on transient period.
Universal Parallel Solver for Convection-Diffusion Equations
Authors: ZHI XIAOLI , LU RONG , LU XINDA
Published: April 2004

A parallel unconditionally stable solver for three-dimensional convection-diffusion equations is proposed by applying the upwind Crank-Nicolson difference schemes combined with alternating bar parallelization. This solver can be applied numerically to any variation of convection-diffusion equations with Dirichlet boundary conditions. Making use of a fractional step iteration technique for linear systems, this approach yields good runtime performance. To validate the accuracy and efficiency of the method, sample experiments are done on a software tool, Codie4D, which was implemented using the MPICH library.
HUMIDITY SENSITIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF CARBOXYLATION CARBON NANOTUBES MODIFIED WITH LiClO4
Authors: HUANG XINGJIU , SUN YUFENG , WANG LIANCHAO , MENG FANLI , LIU JINHUAI
Published: April 2004

In this paper, the humidity sensing properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified with LiClO 4 was investigated. FTIR spectra showed that the ends of carbon nanotubes purified with nitric acid was opened and saturated with carboxylic acid groups and carboxylate groups. For comparison, the humidity sensing characteristics of four elements, MnWO 4 (Hubnerite), BaTiO 3 (Perovskite), NiWO 4 (Huberite), ZnCr 2 O 4 (Spinel) were discussed. Experimental data showed that LiClO 4/ MWNTs element exhibited excellent humidity sensing properties, that is, the response time can reach 7 min, the recovery time within 1 min and its sensitivity up to 35 000. Also, it was found that a small increase in resistance of pure MWNTs disappeared during the first few minutes after exposure to water by modifying with LiClO 4. The static and dynamic measurements showed that WMNTs / LiClO 4 sensing element exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity to water vapor.
A Meta-Analysis of Priming Effects on Impression Formation Supporting a General Model of Informational Biases
Authors: Decoster Jamie , Claypool Heather M.
Published: April 2004

Primming researchers have long investigated how providing information about traits in one context can influence the impressions people Jorm of social targets in another. The literature has demonstrated that this can have 3 different effects: Sometimes primnes become incorporated in the impression of the target (assimilation), sometimes they are used as standards of comparison (anchoring), and sometimes they cause people to consciously alter their judgments (correction). In this article, we present meta-analyses of these 3 effects. The mean effect size was significant in each case, such that assimilation resulted in impressions biased toward the primes, whereas anchoring and correction resulted in impressions biased away from the primes. Additionally, moderator analyses uncovered a number of variables that influence the strength of these effects, such as applicability, processing capacity, and the type of response measure. Based on these results, we propose a general model of how irrelevant information can bias judgments, detailing when and why assimilation and contrast effects result from default and corrective processes.
Delivery Volume Optimization
Authors: Campbell Ann Melissa , Savelsbergh Martin W. P.
Published: April 2004

This work is motivated by the need to solve the inventory routing problem when implementing a business practice called vendor managed inventory replenishment. With vendor managed inventory replenishment, vendors monitor their customers' inventories, and decide when and how much inventory should be replenished at each customer. The inventory routing problem attempts to coordinate inventory replenishment and transportation in such a way that the cost is minimized over the long run. In this paper, we develop a linear time algorithm for determining a delivery schedule for a route, i.e., a given sequence of customer visits, that maximizes the total amount of product that is delivered on the route. This problem is not as easy as it may seem at first glance because of delivery windows at customers and the two dueling effects of increased inventory holding capacity at customers as time progresses and increased delivery times as more product is delivered at customers. Efficiently constructing such delivery schedules is important because it has to be done numerous times in insertion heuristics and local search procedures employed in solution approaches for the inventory routing problem.
Designing a Road Network for Hazardous Materials Transportation
Authors: Kara Bahar Y. , Verter Vedat
Published: April 2004

Dangerous-goods shipments remain regulated despite the widespread deregulation of the transportation industry. This is mainly due to the societal and environmental risks associated with these shipments. One of the common tools used by governments in mitigating transport risk is to close certain roads to vehicles carrying hazardous materials. In effect, the road network available to dangerous goods carriers can be determined by the government. The associated transport risk, however, is determined by the carriers' route choices. We provide a bilevel programming formulation for this network design problem. Our approach is unique in terms of its focus on the nature of the relationship between the regulator and carriers. We present an application of our methodology in Western Ontario, Canada.
Heuristics for the One-Commodity Pickup-and-Delivery Traveling Salesman Problem
Authors: Hernández-Pérez Hipólito , Salazar-González Juan-José
Published: April 2004

This paper deals with a generalisation of the well-known traveling salesman problem (TSP) in which cities correspond to customers providing or requiring known amounts of a product, and the vehicle has a given upper limit capacity. Each customer must be visited exactly once by the vehicle serving the demands while minimising the total travel distance. It is assumed that any unit of product collected from a pickup customer can be delivered to any delivery customer. This problem is called one-commodity pickup-and-delivery TSP (1-PDTSP). We propose two heuristic approaches for the problem: (1) is based on a greedy algorithm and improved with a k-optimality criterion and (2) is based on a branch-and-cut procedure for finding an optimal local solution. The proposal can easily be used to solve the classical “TSP with pickup-and-delivery,” a version studied in literature and involving two commodities. The approaches have been applied to solve hard instances with up to 500 customers.
Premenstrual Symptoms in Women with Premenstrual Asthma
Authors: Ensom Mary H. H. , Chong Elaine , Carter Diana
Published: April 2004

Study Objectives. To characterize and compare premenstrual symptoms (mood, physical) throughout two menstrual cycles with and without estradiol administration, in women with premenstrual asthma (PMA), and to examine relationships between asthma symptoms versus premenstrual symptoms and pulmonary function versus premenstrual symptoms in these women.

Design. Open‐label, longitudinal, 9‐week study (consisting of two complete menstrual cycles).

Setting. Clinical study at the University of Kentucky; data analysis at the University of British Columbia and Children's and Women's Health Centre of British Columbia.

Patients. Fourteen women (age 35.6 ± 6.6 yrs) with mild to moderate asthma with a baseline ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second:forced vital capacity of 0.72 ± 0.12.

Interventions. Women were followed for two complete menstrual cycles. During the second complete cycle (i.e., cycle 3), they received estradiol 2 mg orally between days 23 and 28 (premenstrual).

Measurements and Main Results. Throughout both cycles 2 and 3, each subject recorded premenstrual symptom questionnaire scores (15 mood and physical symptoms, graded 0–3) every morning on awakening. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and visual analog scales of asthma symptoms (cough, wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness) were recorded daily at the same time. Seven subjects showed a classic pattern of premenstrual symptoms. Four of the five subjects who complained of PMA symptoms at study enrollment also demonstrated this classic pattern of premenstrual symptoms. After estradiol administration, four women had lower symptom scores, eight had higher scores, and two had the same scores. Overall, estradiol had no significant effect on symptoms (mean area under the curve 18.9 ± 14.8 day−1 vs 20.3 ± 14.8 day−1, p>0.05). Ten subjects had significant relationships between asthma symptoms and premenstrual symptoms, whereas six had significant relationships between PEFR and premenstrual symptoms.

Conclusions. Exogenous estradiol administration had no significant effect on premenstrual symptoms in women with PMA. The lack of a significant effect allows for patient blinding in a placebo‐controlled, crossover study of exogenous estradiol in PMA that is currently under way. Clinical implications of relationships between asthma symptoms versus premenstrual symptoms and pulmonary function versus premenstrual symptoms may warrant further study.
Prokinetic Agents for the Treatment of Postoperative Ileus in Adults: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Bungard Tammy J. , Kale‐Pradhan Pramodini B.
Published: April 2004

Metoclopramide, cisapride, and erythromycin are commonly administered to reduce the duration of postoperative ileus (POI). As these agents are not without potential adverse effects, their efficacy in shortening the duration of POI should be evaluated. The etiology of POI is not well understood and therefore the precise treatment is unclear. Nasogastric suction is the mainstay of therapy, and management of fluid and electrolyte imbalances is crucial. The role of prokinetic agents is less understood. Available literature evaluating these drugs specifically for POI were reviewed, but results are confounded by issues such as sample size, variability in types of operations performed, and insensitive end points (flatus, bowel sounds). No literature supports reducing the duration of POI with metoclopramide, and limited data show benefit with cisapride. Data evaluating erythromycin are sparse, and the drug is believed to be ineffective. Domperidone, a prokinetic agent not available in the United States, has not been evaluated in POI. Due to these limitations, treatment remains largely supportive with a limited role for prokinetic agents.
Problems Assessing Nonserious Adverse Drug Reactions: Antidepressant Drug Therapy and Sexual Dysfunction
Authors: Michels Karin B.
Published: April 2004

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) pose a challenge to prescribing physicians, especially when they considerably compromise the patient's quality of life and thus affect compliance. Adverse events that do not pose a severe threat to the patient's health and are therefore considered nonserious are understudied in pharmacotherapy. Such events are seldom systematically assessed, and frequency figures are usually not reliable. An example of a nonserious ADR is sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressant therapy. This is a problem of considerable importance to patients, yet its incidence is underestimated in product information. Incidence data on sexual dysfunction would assist physicians' decision making and improve care. It is suggested that premarketing and postmarketing clinical trials and pharmacoepidemiologic studies include systematic assessment of selected and important nonserious adverse effects to provide more accurate estimates of their true incidence; and that product labeling be regularly updated to reflect postmarketing experience.
Total Synthesis of (+)‐Blasticidin S
Authors: Ichikawa Yoshiyasu , Hirata Keiko , Ohbayashi Masayoshi , Isobe Minoru
Published: April 2004

The first total synthesis of the peptidyl nucleoside antibiotic, blasticidin S (1), has been achieved by the coupling reaction of cytosinine (3) and blastidic acid (2). A key step in the synthesis of cytosinine (3) is the sigmatropic rearrangement of allyl cyanate 24; this reaction provided efficient and stereoselective access to 2,3‐dideoxy‐4‐amino‐D‐hex‐2‐enopyranose (26 a). Further elaboration of 26 a gave methyl hex‐2‐enopyranouronate 29, and cytosine N‐glycosylation of 31 using the Vorbrüggen conditions for the silyl Hilbert–Johnson reaction furnished the differentially protected cytosinine (32) in 11 steps from 2‐acetoxy‐D‐glucal (14) (4.0 % overall yield). Synthesis of the Boc‐protected blastidic acid 47 in nine steps starting from chiral carboxylic acid 35 (23 % overall yield) utilized Weinreb's protocol for the preparation of benzyl amide 38 and Fukuyama's protocol for the synthesis of the secondary amine 40. Assembly of the protected cytosinine (32) and blastidic acid (47) by the BOP method in the presence of HOBt, and finally elaboration to 1 by deprotection of the fully protected 54 established the total synthesis of blasticidin S (1).
Crystal Structure Refinement of CuxAg1‐xInTe2 Bulk Material Determined from X‐Ray Powder Diffraction Data Using the Rietveld Method.
Authors: Moustafa A. M. , El‐Sayad E. A. , Sakr G. B.
Published: April 2004

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Syntheses and Crystal Structures of New Quaternary Ag‐Containing Group 5 Chalcogenides: KAg2MVSe4 and K3Ag3M2VS8 (MV: Nb, Ta).
Authors: Chen Wen‐Tong , Ma Hong‐Wei , Guo Guo‐Cong , Deng Lei , Zhou Guo‐Wei , Dong Zhen‐Chao , Huang Jin‐Shun
Published: April 2004

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Titanium(IV)‐Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Transformation of Alcohols, Silyl Ethers, and Acetals under Carbon Allylation.
Authors: Braun Manfred , Kotter Wolfgang
Published: April 2004

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1‐Phthalimido‐4‐(3‐indolyl)‐2‐siloxy‐1,3‐butadienes: Synthesis and Diels—Alder Reactivity.
Authors: Caballero Esther , Alonso Dulce , Pelaez Rafael , Alvarez Concepcion , Puebla Pilar , Sanz Francisca , Medarde Manuel , Tome Fernando
Published: April 2004

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Aspects of Stereoselectivity in Electrophilic Addition Reactions of Iodine with 5‐Allenyl‐2,3,5‐trichloro‐4,4‐dimethoxycyclopent‐2‐en‐1‐one and Its Derivatives.
Authors: Ivanova N. A. , Shainurova A. M. , Shitikova O. V. , Valiullina Z. R. , Miftakhov M. S.
Published: April 2004

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Coupling Reactions of 1,4‐Dicuprio‐1,3‐dienes: Formation of Carbocycles.
Authors: Chen Chao , Xi Chanjuan , Lai Chunbo , Wang Ruji , Hong Xiaoyin
Published: April 2004

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A New Solvent System for Recycling Catalysts for Chelation‐Assisted Hydroacylation of Olefins with Primary Alcohols.
Authors: Chang Duck‐Ho , Lee Dae‐Yon , Hong Boo‐Sun , Choi Jun‐Hack , Jun Chul‐Ho
Published: April 2004

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A Robust Palladium‐Catalyzed Cyanation Procedure: Beneficial Effect of Zinc Acetate.
Authors: Chidambaram Ramakrishnan
Published: April 2004

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Synthesis of a Novel Spiro‐phosphino‐oxazine Ligand and Its Application to Pd‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation.
Authors: Lait Susan M. , Parvez Masood , Keay Brian A.
Published: April 2004

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A Mild and Efficient Synthesis of N‐Aryl‐N′‐aroyl Thioureas under Phase Transfer Catalysis and Solvent‐Free Conditions.
Authors: Wei Tai‐Bao , Lin Qi , Zhang You‐Ming , Wei Wei
Published: April 2004

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Benzodioxole Chemistry. Part 5. Dramatic Substituent Effect in the Reaction of Carbonyl‐Bridged Cyclic Carbonates with Methoxide Ion.
Authors: Grove William S. , Harrison Ernest A. Jr.
Published: April 2004

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Regioselective Cyclotrimerization of Phenylacetylenes to 1,2,4‐Triarylbenzenes Catalyzed by Iridium—Diphosphine Complexes.
Authors: Farnetti Erica , Marsich Nazario
Published: April 2004

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Copper‐Homoscorpionate Complexes as Very Active Catalysts for the Olefin Aziridination Reaction.
Authors: Mairena Miguel Angel , Diaz‐Requejo M. Mar , Belderrain Tomas R. , Nicasio M. Carmen , Trofimenko Swiatoslaw , Perez Pedro J.
Published: April 2004

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A Library of Compounds Containing a 2‐Thienylsulfonate Fragment with Enhanced Amenability to Medicinal Chemistry Optimization.
Authors: Tyunova I. V. , Filimonov S. I. , Solovjev M. U. , Balakin K. V. , Skorenko A. V. , Dorogov M. V.
Published: April 2004

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Access to 3‐Methyl‐4‐methylene‐N‐tosylpyrrolidine and 3,4‐Dimethyl‐N‐tosylpyrroline by Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Cascade Cycloisomerization/Isomerization Reactions.
Authors: Oezdemir Ismail , Cetinkaya Engin , Cetinkaya Bekir , Cicek Metin , Semeril David , Bruneau Christian , Dixneuf Pierre H.
Published: April 2004

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Synthesis of Tropinones by Cyclization of 1,3‐Bis‐Silyl Enol Ethers with Iminium Triflates.
Authors: Albrecht Uwe , Armbrust Holger , Langer Peter
Published: April 2004

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Synthesis of Spiro[indoline‐3,2′‐pyrrolidine] Derivatives from β‐3‐Indolyl Ketone Oximes.
Authors: Tanaka Kenichi , Mori Yutaka , Narasaka Koichi
Published: April 2004

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Synthesis of New 2,3‐Diaryl‐1,3‐thiazolidin‐4‐ones and anti‐HIV Agents.
Authors: Rao Angela , Balzarini Jan , Carbone Anna , Chimirri Alba , De Clercq Erik , Monforte Anna Maria , Monforte Pietro , Pannecouque Christophe , Zappala Maria
Published: April 2004

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Fluorinated Heterocyclic Compounds: An Assay on the Photochemistry of Some Fluorinated 1‐Oxa‐2‐azoles: An Expedient Route to Fluorinated Heterocycles.
Authors: Buscemi Silvestre , Pace Andrea , Pibiri Ivana , Vivona Nicolo , Caronna Tullio
Published: April 2004

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Alkali Metal Mediated Synthesis of 1‐ and 4‐Substituted N‐Alkyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolines.
Authors: Azzena Ugo , Pisano Luisa , Pittalis Mario
Published: April 2004

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Synthesis of New 1,3,5‐Dithiazine Derivatives
Authors: Glotova T. E. , Protsuk N. I. , Albanov A. I.
Published: April 2004

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Synthetic Methods. Part 57. Dilactams. Synthesis of Nonsymmetrical Dibenzodiazocinediones.
Authors: Hassner Alfred , Sun Bin , Gellermann Gary , Meir Simcha
Published: April 2004

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Synthesis and Unusual Application of α‐Aminophosphonates.
Authors: Kabachnik M. M. , Ternovskaya T. N. , Zakharova S. V. , Vachrameeva N. V.
Published: April 2004

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Xyloccensin M and N, Two New B, D‐seco Limonoids from Xylocarpus granatum.
Authors: Wu Jun , Zhang Si , Xiao Qiang , Li Qingxin , Huang Jianshe , Xiao Zhihui , Long Lijuan
Published: April 2004

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Stereoselective Construction of a β‐Isopropenyl Alcohol Moiety at the C(2) and (3) of Kallolide A and Pinnatin A Using a [2,3] Wittig Rearrangement of Cyclic Furfuryl Ethers.
Authors: Tsubuki Masayoshi , Takahashi Kazunori , Honda Toshio
Published: April 2004

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Synthesis and Antiviral Evaluation of Benzimidazoles, Quinoxalines and Indoles from Dehydroabietic Acid.
Authors: Fonseca Tatiana , Gigante Barbara , Marques M. Matilde , Gilchrist Thomas L. , De Clercq Erik
Published: April 2004

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Synthesis of the Tricyclic Core Structure of Vindoline.
Authors: Guo Zihong , Schultz Arthur G.
Published: April 2004

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A New Pyranoacridone Alkaloid from the Bark of Medicosma subsessilis (Rutaceae).
Authors: Minh Nguyen Tuan , Michel Sylvie , Tillequin Francois , Litaudon Marc , Sevenet Thierry , Lallemand Marie‐Christine
Published: April 2004

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Synthesis of the Putative Structures of Homopumiliotoxins 235C and 233F.
Authors: Armstrong Paul , Feutren Stephanie , McAlonan Helena , O'Mahony Gavin , Stevenson Paul J.
Published: April 2004

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A Novel Procedure for the Preparation of Zinc Reagents: A Practical Synthesis of (+)‐Biotin.
Authors: Kimura Mayumi , Seki Masahiko
Published: April 2004

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Biosynthesis of Crucifer Phytoalexins: Unprecedented Incorporation of a 1‐Methoxyindolyl Precursor.
Authors: Pedras M. Soledade C. , Montaut Sabine
Published: April 2004

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Homolytic Cleavage and Aggregation Processes in Cyclopentadienylchromium Chemistry
Authors: Weng Zhiqiang , Goh Lai Yoong
Published: April 2004

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Recent Advances in the Application of Supercritical Fluids for Carbon—Carbon Bond Formation in Organic Synthesis
Authors: Prajapati Dipak , Gohain Mukut
Published: April 2004

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Cheap Chiral Ligands for Asymmetric Transition Metal Catalyzed Reactions
Authors: Reetz M. T.
Published: April 2004

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Substitution and Addition Reactions Catalyzed by Transition Metal Complexes
Authors: Beletskaya I. P.
Published: April 2004

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Total Synthesis of the Natural Products CP‐263,114 and CP‐225,917
Authors: Diederichsen Ulf , Lorenz Katrin B.
Published: April 2004

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Norrish Type II Photoelimination of Ketones: Cleavage of 1,4‐Biradicals Formed by γ‐Hydrogen Abstraction
Authors: Wagner Peter J. , Klan Petr
Published: April 2004

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Synthetic Advantages of Chiral Dirhodium (II) Carboxamidate Catalysts
Authors: Doyle Michael P. , Hu Wenhao
Published: April 2004

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New Progress in the Chemistry of Stable Metallaaromatic Compounds of Heavier Group 14 Elements
Authors: Tokitoh Norihiro
Published: April 2004

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Laser‐Assisted High‐Pressure Chemical Reactions
Authors: Bini Roberto
Published: April 2004

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Synthetic Analogues Relevant to the Structure and Function of Zinc Enzymes
Authors: Parkin Gerard
Published: April 2004

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Recent Progresses on Diarylethene Based Photochromic Switches
Authors: Tian He , Yang Songjie
Published: April 2004

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Heterogeneous Enantioselective Catalysts: Strategies for the Immobilization of Homogeneous Catalysts
Authors: McMorn Paul , Hutchings Graham J.
Published: April 2004

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Dioxygen Activation at Mononuclear Nonheme Iron Active Sites: Enzymes, Models, and Intermediates
Authors: Costas Miquel , Mehn Mark P. , Jensen Michael P. , Que Lawrence Jr.
Published: April 2004

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Natural Product Glycorandomization
Authors: Yang Jie , Hoffmeister Dirk , Liu Lesley , Fu Xun , Thorson Jon S.
Published: April 2004

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