bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Method for rapid metabolite profiling of drug candidates in fresh hepatocytes using liquid chromatography coupled with a hybrid quadrupole linear ion trap
Authors: Gao Hongying , Materne Olivier L. , Howe David L. , Brummel Christopher L.
Published: October 2007

Rapid information on metabolic profiling is required to evaluate the structural liabilities of drug candidates in early drug discovery. In this study, a sensitive and rapid semi‐quantitative method was developed to simultaneously monitor the drug candidate and metabolites as well as collect tandem mass (MS/MS) spectra for subsequent metabolite identification. The simultaneous semi‐quantitation and identification of metabolites in fresh hepatocytes is achieved using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with a hybrid quadrupole linear ion trap. The survey experiment consists of monitoring multiple‐reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions for the internal standard, the parent, and 48 MRM transitions designed to cover the most common phase I and II biotransformations. An information‐dependent acquisition (IDA) method was employed to trigger product ion scans above the MRM signal threshold. Three biotransformations of a lead compound have been identified through enhanced product ion scans and the respective MRM transitions of those metabolites were selected for semi‐quantitation. Parent disappearance and formation of the metabolites as a function of incubation time in five different species were monitored by their respective MRM responses. The method provides the necessary sensitivity to detect minor metabolites in a relevant therapeutic concentration range. Enzymatic turnover of the parent and the metabolites in different species are revealed based on the different initial concentrations of the parent. This methodology integrates the parent disappearance, metabolite identification, and the formation of the metabolites along the time course using a single rapid LC/MS/MS analysis. This method can be used as a complementary tool to the conventional method of metabolic profiling. It provides a rapid and sensitive initial profile of the metabolism of potential structural series at the lead selection stage. The method can also be incorporated into the overall metabolite profiling scheme to evaluate the drug candidates in drug discovery. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid/N,N‐dimethylaniline matrix for the analysis of oligosaccharides by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Snovida Sergei I. , Perreault Hélène
Published: October 2007

The use of a novel 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid/N,N‐dimethylaniline (DHB/DMA) matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) matrix for detection and quantitative analysis of native N‐linked oligosaccharides was investigated in this study. Substantial improvements in sensitivity were observed relative to the signals obtained with a traditional DHB matrix. Moreover, the morphology of the matrix crystal layer was very uniform, unlike that of DHB. This resulted in highly homogeneous sample distribution throughout the spot, allowing reproducible and consistent mass spectra to be obtained without spot‐to‐spot variations in signal. Here, we also demonstrate an approach for performing sensitive and accurate quantitative analysis of native N‐linked glycans with this novel matrix using an internal standard method. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Classification of vegetable oils according to their botanical origin using amino acid profiles established by direct infusion mass spectrometry
Authors: Lerma‐García María J. , Ramis‐Ramos Guillermo , Herrero‐Martínez José M. , Simó‐Alfonso Ernesto F.
Published: October 2007

Amino acid profiles, established by direct infusion mass spectrometry, have been used to classify vegetable oils according to their botanical origin. The proteins present in hazelnut, sunflower, corn, soybean, olive, avocado, peanut and grapeseed oils were precipitated with acetone, and the residue was hydrolyzed in acid medium, diluted in a hydrochloric acid/ethanol mixture, and infused into the mass spectrometer. The spectra of the hydrolyzed protein extracts showed [M+H]+ ions of the following amino acids: glycine, alanine, serine, proline, valine, threonine, cysteine, isoleucine + leucine, aspartic acid, lysine, glutamic acid, methionine, histidine, phenylalanine, arginine and tyrosine. These ions were used to construct linear discriminant analysis (LDA) models. The ratios of the ion signal intensities selected by pairs were used as predictors. With the sequential application of three LDA models, the eight botanical origin categories of the samples were well resolved. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new sensitive and selective method for analysis of ochratoxin A in grape and wine by direct liquid chromatography/surface‐activated chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Flamini Riccardo , Vedova Antonio Dalla , De Rosso Mirko , Panighel Annarita
Published: October 2007

A new sensitive and selective analytical method for the analysis of ochratoxin A (OTA) in grape and wine was developed by coupling liquid chromatography and surface activated chemical ionization and mass spectrometry with multistage fragmentation (LC/SACI‐MS3). A high flow gradient was used to strongly reduce the matrix effect phenomenon, and the wine sample was directly injected onto the chromatographic column without sample pre‐concentration or purification steps. The amount of OTA was determined for two grape extracts and the amount of OTA, percent accuracy error and percent precision error were analyzed for 15 wine samples. An excellent limit of detection of 0.02 ng/mL was achieved, and the limit of quantification was at least 20‐fold lower than the maximum legal limit for OTA (2 ppb). Due to the low limit of quantification, this novel method is a potential tool for official OTA screening purposes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lack of generalizability of sensitivity and specificity with treatment effects
Authors: Dodd Lori E. , Korn Edward L.
Published: October 2007

In biomarker development, two types of summary measures are often used to describe marker accuracy. Positive and negative predictive values describe how well a marker predicts clinical states of interest, while sensitivity and specificity describe how well a marker discriminates between the two states. Insofar as predictive values depend heavily on the prevalence of the clinical states and sensitivity and specificity may not, sensitivity and specificity are preferred in early biomarker development.

In many applications, an ideal property of a biomarker is fulfillment of the first Prentice criterion. Under this condition, predictive values do not depend on a covariate (such as treatment) because the biomarker captures all relevant information about the clinical state of interest. A similar condition can be defined for sensitivity and specificity which states that these measures do not depend on a covariate (e.g. treatment). This condition, which we refer to as the equal discriminatory accuracy (EDA) condition, is desirable because it allows sensitivity and specificity from one treatment setting (or covariate value) to be applied to a different setting. We demonstrate, however, that the Prentice condition and EDA are incompatible. Further, under a simple proportional hazards model for a time‐to‐event outcome, EDA will not be satisfied. We present numerical examples as well as examples of a potential marker in late‐stage prostate cancer and another for cervical cancer screening. These results demonstrate that evaluating sensitivity and specificity within treatment (or other covariate) groups is necessary even when simple proportional hazards models or the Prentice criterion holds. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dopamine neurotransmission is involved in the attenuating effects of 5‐HT3receptor antagonist MDL 72222 on acute methamphetamine‐induced locomotor hyperactivity in mice
Authors: Yoo Ji‐Hoon , Nam Yun‐Sun , Lee Seok‐Yong , Jang Choon‐Gon
Published: October 2007

We have previously shown that 5‐HT3receptors are involved in the development and expression of methamphetamine (MAP)‐induced locomotor sensitization in mice. In the present study, we further examined whether the dopaminergic system is involved in the attenuating effects of MDL 72222, a 5‐HT3receptor antagonist, on acute MAP‐induced locomotor hyperactivity. For this, we examined alterations of dopamine (DA) in the form of D1receptor, D2receptor, and dopamine transporter (DAT) binding labeled with [3H]SCH23390 for D1, [3H]raclopride for D2, and [3H]mazindol for DAT binding in the mouse brains with acute MAP exposure or pretreatment of MDL 72222 with MAP. No significant differences were detected in the D1receptor, D2receptor, or DAT binding between any of the groups studied. Interestingly, we found increased DA levels in the striatum following acute MAP exposure; these increased levels were reversed by pretreatment with MDL 72222, but did not affect 5‐HT levels in the dorsal raphe. Overall, our results suggest that dopamine neurotransmission plays an important role in the attenuating effects of 5‐HT3receptor antagonist MDL 72222 on acute MAP‐induced locomotor hyperactivity in mice. Synapse 62:8–13, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Robustness evaluation of static voltage stability in power systems
Authors: Zhou Jun , Ohsawa Yasuharu
Published: October 2007

Several upper and/or lower bounds to nodal voltage variations are derived in this paper, by exploiting what we call the Hermitian power equations of power systems. Bound inequalities are established for nodal voltage variations in terms of singular values of structural characteristics of power systems, which are running at steady‐state equilibria and subject to nodal active/reactive power injection increments and structural perturbations. The results can be employed for robustness and sensitiveness evaluation of static voltage stability without load flow computations. Examples are provided to illustrate the results. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Design of transmission line filters and matching circuits using genetic algorithms
Authors: Sanada Hirofumi , Ito Hiroaki , Takezawa Megumi , Watanabe Kazuhisa
Published: October 2007

A method for designing microwave filters and impedance matching circuits using transmission lines is presented. Transmission line filters with shunt‐connected open circuit stubs and continuously varying transmission line matching circuits are described in detail. The proposed method is based on genetic algorithms and can effectively be applied to various filter and matching circuit design problems without increasing theoretical and computational complexity. Design examples are provided, and the proposed method is demonstrated to be effective in designing transmission line filters and matching circuits. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Influence of water absorption on high‐frequency characteristics of insulation layers of printed circuit boards
Authors: Fukunaga Kaori , Kurahashi Shinji
Published: October 2007

The influence of water absorption on complex permittivities of various insulating materials used for printed circuit boards was investigated in the frequency range of K‐band (18–26 GHz). Experimental results revealed that the influence of water absorption on complex permittivity, the dielectric loss factor tanδ, in particular, was considerably high. For example, the dielectric loss of polyimide film at 85°C, 85% RH became 10 times larger than that at room temperature and humidity. Since the complex permittivities, however, retained the initial values when the specimens are dried, the water in the specimen should exist freely at the internal interfaces of the materials. The increase of permittivity directly affects the performance of printed circuit boards at high frequencies, so that it is important to clarify the influence of water on dielectric properties of insulations. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A switched‐capacitor programmable gain amplifier using dynamic element matching
Authors: Wang Jun , Matsuoka Toshimasa , Taniguchi Kenji
Published: October 2007

This paper discusses the effect of capacitor mismatch errors on gain accuracy of switched‐capacitor programmable gain amplifier (SC PGA). To improve gain deviations caused by mismatch errors, the dynamic element matching (DEM) algorithm is applied to the SC PGA circuits. It uses digital gain‐control signal to dynamically vary the matched capacitor combinations so that the effective capacitances of the sampling and feedback capacitor arrays are averaged, and thus the gain deviations due to capacitor mismatch errors are eliminated to a significant extent. The distortion caused by mismatch errors shift to certain frequency bands, and could be reduced or removed by subsequent processing such as lowpass filtering. A 4‐bit SC PGA using DEM was designed in 0.25 µm CMOS process with 2.5 V voltage supply, including offset cancellation and clock bootstrapped circuits operating at a sampling frequency of 10 MHz. Test results have indicated that gain deviations due to mismatch errors are substantially reduced. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Construction of ubiquitous acoustic spaces using audio watermark technology and mobile terminals
Authors: Modegi Toshio
Published: October 2007

We propose ‘Ubiquitous Acoustic Spaces,’ where each sound source can emit some address information and automatically enable us to access its related cyber space, using mobile terminals. This will be used for a new type of wireless advertisement for mobile phones using sound media. In order to realize this, we have proposed a nearly lossless audio watermarking technique, utilizing two‐channel stereo audio characteristics. This enables contactless asynchronous detection of embedded watermarks through loudspeaker and microphone devices even by using cell phones.

We extend the embedding frequency band width and improve the extraction precision. Thus we enable watermark extraction from both stereo channels. Possible embedding data rate can be extended to 80 bps, and almost 100% data can be extracted in case of using PC or PDA devices as terminals. Moreover, we can carry out the watermark extraction even from cell phone loudspeakers or through public telephone networks. From our experiments, almost 100% extraction of 20 bps embedded data could be achieved with these phone devices.

In this paper, we describe briefly our newly proposed dual monaural watermark embedding algorithms, and present a prototype system of ubiquitous acoustic spaces using cell phones, based on our experimental results of extraction precision on several capture signal conditions including experiments using cell phones or public telephone networks. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Generalized predictive control for improving intersample performance
Authors: Sato Takao , MasudaMember Shiro
Published: October 2007

This paper proposes a design method of the Generalized Predictive Control (GPC) strategy which can take account of intersample behavior as well as sampled behavior. To this end, a discrete‐time equivalent plant model and cost function for a continuous‐time plant incorporated with zero‐order hold and discrete‐time controller are derived, and the modified discrete‐time GPC is designed. To verify the effectiveness of our proposed method, the controller is applied to a benchmark problem of a hard‐disk drive. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Ubiquitous user authentication system with wireless battery‐powered fingerprint identification module
Authors: Shigematsu Satoshi , Hatano Takahiro , Morimura Hiroki , Machida Katsuyuki , Okazaki Yukio
Published: October 2007

This paper describes a ubiquitous user authentication system consisting of a wireless fingerprint identification module and service‐providing equipment that offers services to the user. Users carry their own module and the user can activate the module only by identifying the fingerprint. The wireless communication between the activated module and the equipment enables continuous user authentication. This authentication certifies not only the presence but also the absence of the genuine user. The identification module was built with a fingerprint identification LSI (FIL) that senses and identifies fingerprints on a single‐chip. The LSI makes a small, light, battery‐powered tamper‐proof module possible. Two applications of the system were devised with the module. The experimental results demonstrate that the system authenticates the users continuously. The proposed system achieves ubiquitous user authentication which enables the authentication of the user anytime, anywhere. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A speed control method of small DC motor through IP network considering packet loss
Authors: Matsuo Kenshi , Miura Takeshi , Taniguchi Toshiyuki
Published: October 2007

Various network‐based control systems using an Internet protocol (IP) network have recently gained attention. Time delays, jitters and packet losses occuring in the network, however, cause the performance degradation of the system. This paper presents a method to decrease the negative influences of the packet losses. The method to repair lost packets is that a sender sends a receiver a packet containing data sampled at a current period in the addition to the several previous periods. Speed control experiments of a commercial small DC motor are done using the method, the jitter buffer and a proportional and integral (PI) controller with a Smith compensator for confirming the effectiveness. Consequently, the present method has been found to be effective. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Discharge characteristics to insulated material
Authors: Shindo Takatoshi , Asakawa Akira , Matsu‐ura Susumu , Miki Megumu
Published: October 2007

Lightning strikes not only metallic objects such as transmission towers and lightning rods but also insulated material such as blades of wind turbines. The discharge characteristics of insulated material are, however, not clarified till now. In this paper, discharge characterisitics of insulated material have been investigated experimentally using a 12‐MV impulse generator. The effects of polarities of the applied voltages and surface conditions of the insulation material are also studied and it is found that pollution on the surface decreases the sparkover voltage drastically. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Comparison of fetal lung area to head circumference ratio with lung volume in the prediction of postnatal outcome in diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Jani J. C. , Peralta C. F. A. , Ruano R. , Benachi A. , Done E. , Nicolaides K. H. , Deprest J. A.
Published: October 2007

Objectives

To compare prediction of postnatal survival in isolated diaphragmatic hernia by prenatal two‐dimensional (2D) versus three‐dimensional (3D) sonographic assessment of the contralateral lung.

Methods

The lung area to head circumference ratio (LHR) of the contralateral lung was measured and expressed as a percentage of the normal mean for gestation (O/E) in 47 fetuses with isolated diaphragmatic hernia at 26 (range, 21–36) weeks of gestation. The lung area was measured by tracing the limits of the lungs (LHR trace) and by multiplying the longest diameter by its perpendicular (LHR diameters). The contralateral lung volume was measured by the Virtual Organ Computer‐Aided anaLysis method and the O/E was calculated. Regression analysis was used to determine the significance of the LHRs and volume in the prediction of postnatal survival.

Results

The survival rate was 59.6% (28 of 47). There were significant associations between O/E LHR trace and O/E LHR diameters, and between each O/E LHR and O/E volume, but multiple regression analysis demonstrated that significant prediction of survival was provided only by O/E LHR trace and intrathoracic herniation of the liver.

Conclusions

In diaphragmatic hernia prenatal prediction of postnatal outcome is better by 2D measurement of LHR trace than it is by 3D measurement of lung volume. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A functional formalization of on chip communications
Authors: Schmaltz Julien , Borrione Dominique
Published: October 2007

This paper presents a formal model and a systematic approach to the validation of communication architectures at a high level of abstraction. This model is described mathematically by a function, named
GeNoC
. The correctness of
GeNoC
is expressed as a theorem, which states that messages emitted on the architecture reach their expected destination without any modification of their content. The model identifies the key constituents common to
all
on chip communication architectures, and their essential properties from which the correctness theorem is deduced. Each constituent is represented by a function that has no explicit definition but is constrained to satisfy the essential properties. Thus, the validation of a particular architecture is reduced to the proof that its concrete definition satisfies the essential properties. In practice, the model has been defined in the logic of the ACL2 theorem proving system. We illustrate our approach on several architectures that constitute concrete instances of the generic
GeNoC
model. Some of these applications come from industrial designs, such as the AMBA AHB bus or the Octagon network from ST Microelectronics.
Low Ejection Fraction Predicts Shortened Survival in Patients Undergoing Infrainguinal Arterial Reconstruction
Authors: Shrikhande Gautam V. , Hamdan Allen D. , Monahan Thomas S. , Pomposelli Frank B. , Scovell Sherry D. , Logerfo Frank W. , Schermerhorn Marc
Published: October 2007

Background

With the advent of endovascular therapy for lower extremity ischemia it is important to better determine what factors may affect the outcome. The goal of the present study was to evaluate whether ejection fraction (EF) is predictive of outcome in infrainguinal arterial reconstruction.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 736 patients undergoing 897 infrainguinal arterial reconstructions from July 1999 to February 2002. Patients were divided into two groups: group I contained 54 patients with an EF<35% and group II had 216 patients with an EF ≥35%. The outcome evaluated was major adverse clinical events (MACEs), defined as postoperative myocardial infarction (MI), arrhythmia, congestive heart failure (CHF), and perioperative mortality.

Results

Major adverse clinical events occurred in 20.3% of patients (11/54) in group I and 10.6% patients (23/216) in group II (p = 0.068). Group I had a trend toward a greater incidence of MACEs compared to group II. Two‐year survival for group I was 61.7%, whereas survival for group II was 78.4% (p = 0.0085).

Conclusions

Low EF predicts a significantly shortened 2‐year survival after infrainguinal arterial reconstruction and a trend toward increased perioperative complications. This is another factor to be considered in choosing open versus endovascular options.
Use of the Liver Tissue Oxygenation Index as a Noninvasive Parameter of Intestinal Ischemia in Rabbits
Authors: Vanderhaegen J. , Dehing L. , Naulaers G. , Devlieger H. , Al‐Olayet Y. , Penninckx F. , Miserez M.
Published: October 2007

Objective

The tissue oxygenation index (TOI), measured by spatially resolved spectroscopy (SRS), reflects the ratio between oxygenated and deoxygenated tissue hemoglobin. We investigated whether liver TOI is a noninvasive parameter for early detection of intestinal ischemia.

Methods

In seven adult New Zealand rabbits the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and vein were exposed by laparotomy. The SRS probe was attached at the skin above the liver to calculate the TOI. The bowel (SbO2) and peripheral (SpO2) oxygen saturation were continuously measured. The SMA was occluded, creating small bowel ischemia for 90 minutes. Then reperfusion was started for 1 hour. The median TOI and interquartile range (IQR) of the TOI were calculated. A paired Wilcoxon test was used to evaluate changes in the liver TOI and SpO2 during ischemia and reperfusion.

Results

The median TOI was 54.3% (IQR 8) at the start of ischemia, 54.9% (IQR 9) after 30 minutes, 51% (IQR 11) after 60 minutes, and 50.3% (IQR 10) after 90 minutes. The median TOI values were 46.3% (IQR 5) after 30 minutes of reperfusion and 41.2% (IQR 5) after 60 minutes. The decrease in TOI became significant (p < 0.05) after 90 minutes of ischemia. The SpO2 was stable during the experiment.

Discussion

A significant decrease in liver TOI was seen after 90 minutes of occlusion of the SMA and is likely to be the consequence of bowel ischemia. The further decrease after reperfusion might reflect reperfusion injury. Liver TOI may be a new tool for noninvasive early detection of intestinal ischemia and reperfusion. Further study is needed to confirm these findings.
The end of the Five Virtues theory: Changes of traditional political culture in China since the Song Dynasty
Authors: Pujiang LIU
Published: October 2007

The Five Virtues theory, designed to legitimate rules, was based on the belief in a cosmological system. The theory of the Five Virtues was replaced by the theory of Confucian orthodoxy based on moral critics during the renaissance of Confucianism in the Song Dynasty. The intellectual elites in the Song Dynasty launched a campaign against the Five Phases theory and the Apocryphal Texts, Fengshan, and Chuanguoxi, which constituted the main body of traditional political culture. They sought to eliminate the theoretical value of these traditions and eradicate their influence on people’s thoughts. Their high keyed and advanced political and ethical notions during the Song period became universal values in the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The changes in the traditional political culture reveal the intellectual trends from the Song Dynasty throughout the Qing Dynasty.
A weakness in Confucianism: Private and public moralities
Authors: Dahua CUI
Published: October 2007

In a society dominated by Confucian ethics, a spirit of Confucian public morality can be seen in the Confucian debate over publicness and privateness, but it is usually activated in circumstances of large ethical crisis. Confucian theory mainly uses ethical relationships to create self and social identities, causing problems of identification in the public life and hindering the expression of moral feelings and actions, thus revealing a weakness in public morality. This is a space that Confucianism has not yet been able to cover, and also where it has room for growth.
Aquinas’ transcendences to Aristotle in the doctrine of essence
Authors: Dezhi DUAN
Published: October 2007

Aquinas’ philosophy is revolutionary, especially his doctrine of essence within the context of natural philosophy has transcended that of Aristotle. The principal distinctions between the doctrines of Aquinas and Aristotle are demonstrated in four layers which are entity-nature, compositeness, particularity and potentiality of essence. Aquinas not only overturns and reforms the Western traditional view of essence, but also constructs a prominent “joint” connecting essentialism to existentialism in Western philosophy.
Representation and development of cognition
Authors: Hengwei LI , Huaxin HUANG
Published: October 2007

One of the major divergences between dynamical systems theory and symbolism lies in their views on the role of representation in cognition. From the perspective of development, the cognitive development could be divided into three levels: sensorimotor, imagery representation and linguistic representation. It is claimed that representation is not a sufficient condition though it is necessary for cognition. However, it does not mean that the authors agree with the notion of strong coupling in dynamicism that completely rejects representation.
Cooperative naturalism
Authors: Huaping WANG , Xiaoming SHENG
Published: October 2007

The radical forms of naturalistic epistemology look more like revolutionary manifestos than a reasonable alternatives. A modest form of naturalism is worth promoting. This modest form can cooperate with hermeneutics to solve epistemic problems, and therefore wins the title of cooperative naturalism, and benefits from the hermeneutic account of experience. Cooperative naturalism somewhat bridges the gap between analytic and continental philosophy.
Comparison of Locked Volar Plating Versus Pinning and External Fixation in the Treatment of Unstable Intraarticular Distal Radius Fractures
Authors: Rizzo Marco , Katt Brian A. , Carothers Joshua T.
Published: October 2007

Introduction We retrospectively compared the outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with volar locking plate versus standard external fixation and percutaneous pinning in treating similar unstable distal radius fractures with a minimum 2-year follow-up.

Methods The ORIF group included 41 patients with an average follow-up of 29 months. The external fixation group comprised 14 patients with an average follow-up of 33 months. Average age at presentation was 45 years in the external fixation group and 48 years in the ORIF group. The male/female ratios were 16:25 among the ORIF group and 6:8 in the external fixation group. The two groups were compared for clinical and functional outcomes measured by the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score. Pain scores were similar. Radiographic measurements were also evaluated between groups.

Results Final ranges of motion and grip strengths were similar between the two groups. The mean DASH score of the locked volar plate group was 9 compared to 23 for the external fixation group. Radiographically, volar tilt and radial length were significantly better in the patients treated with ORIF. The ORIF group required less therapy visits. No complications occurred in the locked volar plate group whereas two patients had pin tract infections and one had prolonged finger stiffness in the external fixation group.

Conclusion Locked volar plating compares favorably to external fixation and pinning for amenable fracture patterns. Whereas grip and range-of-motion data were similar, DASH scores, frequency of rehabilitation, and some radiographic parameters were superior in patients treated with ORIF.
The rise and development of Lunwenfu in successive dynasties
Authors: Jie XU
Published: October 2007

Lunwenfu 论文赋 (discussing literature in the style of fu) of successive dynasties is not only a prominent phenomenon in the history of fu 赋, but also an important aspect of ancient literature and art. The rise of Lunwenfu connects with the development of the literary form, while the production of this style goes together with the appearance of the fu exam in the imperial examination system (keju kaofu zhidu 科举考赋制度). From the writing theory of Lunwenfu, it can be found that the purport of which is that shi 诗 and fu have the same origin while wen 文 is used to give expression to the dao 道. As far as writing skills are concerned, the elaboration and description of literary theory coming from Lunwenfu connect with the depiction, the space structure and the zeitgeist particular to the art of fu. The authors chiefly write pianfu 骈赋 and lüfu 律赋 which enhance a reader’s sense of aesthetic appreciation.
Art history: A Western discipline’s centennial experience in China
Authors: Hong SHAO
Published: October 2007

In 1882, the American scholar E. F. Fenollosa first introduced the new western discipline “art history” to Japan in a series of lectures entitled “The True Meaning of Fine Art” in Tokyo. The next year, the French word esthetique was translated into Japanese using Kanji by Nakae Chomin. The term “fine arts” first appeared in the Chinese language in a translation by Wang Guowei, who put the words in a glossary attached to the Chinese version (1902) of Motora Yujiro’s book Ethics. From the time when Wang employed the term in his famous article “Confucian’s artistic education” (1904), then Huang Binhong and Deng Shi co-compiled The Library of Fine Arts (1911), to the year of 2003 when Fan Jingzhong began his monumental work The Shapes of Art History, the introduction of the western discipline has a history of one hundred years, which demonstrates the rich understanding of “art history” which has played an increasingly prominent role in East Asian cultures.
Withering of the spirit of contemporary Chinese drama
Authors: Jian DONG
Published: October 2007

Since the 1990s, contemporary Chinese drama has exhibited the following characteristics: real decadence lurks behind the mask of seeming prosperity, and jolliness in appearance fails to hide its poverty at heart. The root of all these problems lies in the withering of the spirit of drama, or the loss of drama’s soul. The cultural alienations in China today take the forms of sham and mediocrity, “materialization” and “non-individuality”.
Evaluative standard for the eight-legged essay in the imperial examinations of the Qing Dynasty
Authors: Yanming GONG , Mingyang GAO
Published: October 2007

The eight-legged essay was the dominant portion of the imperial examinations in the Qing Dynasty (Qing Chao 清朝 CE 1644–1911). However, the study on the evaluative standards for the eight-legged essay is often neglected and insufficiently discussed. Based on an investigation of A Complete Collection of Vermillion Examination Essays in the Qing Dynasty, the author of this paper proposes that the four aspects of “purity, truthfulness, refinement and appropriateness” constitute the overall requirements of the examination essay and the four elements of “principle, rules, diction and qi” form the operating standards of the examiners in grading the ranks and quality of the eight-legged essay.
Enzymatic Production of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters by Hydrolysis of Acid Oil Followed by Esterification
Authors: Watanabe Yomi , Nagao Toshihiro , Nishida Yutaka , Takagi Yoshiaki , Shimada Yuji
Published: October 2007

Acid oil, a by‐product of vegetable oil refining, was enzymatically converted to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). Acid oil contained free fatty acids (FFA), acylglycerols, and lipophilic compounds. First, acylglycerols (11 wt%) were hydrolyzed at 30 °C by 20 units Candida rugosa lipase/g‐mixture with 40 wt% water. The resulting oil layer containing 92 wt% FFA was used for the next reaction, methyl esterification of FFA to FAME by immobilized Candida antarctica lipase. A mixture of 66 wt% oil layer and 34 wt% methanol (5 mol for FFA) were shaken at 30 °C with 1.0 wt% lipase. The degree of esterification reached 96% after 24 h. The resulting reaction mixture was then dehydrated and subjected to the second esterification that was conducted with 2.2 wt% methanol (5 mol for residual FFA) and 1.0 wt% immobilized lipase. The degree of esterification of residual FFA reached 44%. The degree increased successfully to 72% (total degree of esterification 99%) by conducting the reaction in the presence of 10 wt% glycerol, because water in the oil layer was attracted to the glycerol layer. Over 98% of total esterification was maintained, even though the first and the second esterification reactions were repeated every 24 h for 40 days. The enzymatic process comprising hydrolysis and methyl esterification produced an oil containing 91 wt% FAME, 1 wt% FFA, 1 wt% acylglycerols, and 7 wt% lipophilic compounds.
Characteristics of patients with congenital clasped thumb: A prospective study of 40 patients with the results of treatment
Authors: Hisham Abdel Ghani  , El-Naggar Ahmed , Hegazy Mohamad , Hanna Atef , Tarraf Yehia , Temtamy Samia
Published: October 2007

Purpose

Congenital clasped thumb is a deformity that is associated with heterogeneous congenital anomalies and it has been addressed in many congenital syndromes. The aim of this study was to diagnose and evaluate cases of clasped thumb as regards the associated congenital anomalies and syndromes, and evaluation of the results of treatment of such cases.

Methods

A prospective study on 40 patients with 73 clasped thumbs was done. All the patients’ data regarding their personal, family, pregnancy and developmental histories were recorded. All the patients were exposed to thorough clinical and radiological examination and genetic assessment. The cases were classified using the Tsuyuguchi et al. (J Hand Surg [Am] 10:613–618, 1985 ) classification into three types. Conservative treatment was adopted in ten hands, and surgical treatment was performed for 28 hands in 17 patients, with an average follow-up of 26 months.

Results

Positive consanguinity was recorded in 57.5% of cases. Associated anomalies were recorded in 77.5% of cases. Type I was the most common one, followed by type III and then type II. Conservative treatment is effective in type I cases when presented early, and all patients were satisfied with the results of surgical treatment.

Conclusions

We reported associated anomalies which are to our knowledge have not mentioned before in the literature which include; congenital blindness, radial deviation of the index finger and ventricular septal defect. We found that 68% of the patients had associated syndromes, and this has not been mentioned before. In this study, we found that there were no difference between type II and type III clasped thumb as regards the pathological findings, severity, the operative procedures, the treatment protocol and the operative results. Properly planned treatment gives satisfactory results.
The Empire of Masks: Pluralism and Monism in Politics and Architecture
Authors: Younés Samir
Published: October 2007

This essay assesses the opposition of pluralism and monism with respect to politics and architecture, developing the argument within three general areas: the spurious association between political intentions and architectural character, the distinctions and commonalties between political freedom and artistic freedom, and the adverse effect of inappropriate associations between political content and artistic form in general and, in particular, the perceptual impairment of the processes by which buildings come to be endowed with their suitable character.
The Standing is Slippery
Authors: Wreen Michael J.
Published: October 2007

This paper is a critical examination of the so-called slippery slope argument for the conservative position on abortion. The argument was discussed in the philosophic literature some time back, but has since fallen into disfavor.

The argument is first exposed and a general objection to it is advanced, then rebutted. Rosalind Hursthouse's more detailed and stronger objection is next aired, but also found less than convincing. In the course of discussing her objection, the correct form of the argument is identified, and it's noted that rejection of the argument requires finding fault with its inductive premise. That, in turn, requires either (a) identifying and defending a cutoff point other than conception, or (b) not identifying a cutoff point but directly attacking the argument's conclusion. As far as (a) is concerned, all except one alternative cutoff point have severe problems that have been well discussed in the literature. The one that doesn't, the appearance of the ‘primitive streak’, is examined in detailed, but ultimately rejected. As for (b), five different grounds for rejecting the conclusion are identified and discussed, but none is found plausible.

Variations on the slippery slope argument, concerning different conclusions that it may have, are then distinguished, related to each other, and critically discussed, and the paper ends with some cautionary remarks about the defense of the argument tendered.
Holistic Explanations of Events
Authors: Tucker Aviezer
Published: October 2007

Explanations of descriptions of events are undivided, holistic, units of analysis for the purpose of justification. Their justifications are based on the transmission of information about the past and its interpretation and analysis. Further analysis of explanations of descriptions of events is redundant. The “holistic” model of explanations fits better the actual practices of scientists, historians and ordinary people who utter explanatory propositions than competing models. I consider the “inference to the best explanation” model and argue that under one interpretation, it cannot account for all the paradigmatic cases of explanation of description of events that I present, though under another interpretation it fits comfortably with my holistic model. Finally, I argue that there is nothing intrinsic or structural to distinguish holistic explanations of descriptions of events from other hypothetical propositions because the pragmatic context of inquiry may well determine exclusively whether a proposition is considered explanatory.
On Hetherington's Solution of the Goodman Paradox
Authors: Stemmer Nathan
Published: October 2007

The Goodman paradox presents us with the problem of selecting the hypotheses that are confirmed by their positive instances. In a recent paper, Stephen Hetherington proposes a criterion that enables us to specify the hypotheses that are subjectively confirmed by these instances. But there is also an objective aspect to be considered here because, as a matter of fact, the hypotheses selected by the criterion have often been highly reliable even if they were based on the observation of only a few positive instances. In the present note, I examine this aspect and I point out that Hume not only dealt with the reliability phenomenon but also gave a plausible explanation of the phenomenon. I also point out that Hume's explanation is surprisingly similar to the explanation given lately by a number of naturalistic philosophers to the reliability phenomenon.
INTO THE NEW CENTURY: RECENT HOLLOWAY AND THE POETICS OF QUOTATION
Authors: Fallas John
Published: October 2007

The music, like its composer, plays a game of hide and seek. But it does so in broad daylight. Robin Holloway's music is not always quoting others – although it quotes more, and more covertly, than many of his own published statements might lead one to believe – but quotation has become such a compulsive game for Holloway that it is often hard to say where ‘he’ stops or where ‘others’ begin. Whereas the composer's own public confessions have tended to focus on the extent to which his music adopts the voices and personas of others, it seems to the current writer that Holloway's own voice – its harmonic and textural mannerisms, preferences in structure and in subject matter, ways of relating notes to ideas and images – remains characteristic and recognizable throughout. It is the implications of this fact that I wish to explore in this brief survey.
Assessment of medical devices: How to conduct comparative technology evaluations of product performance
Authors: Burns Lawton R. , Bradlow Eric T. , Lee J. Andrew , Antonacci Anthony C.
Published: October 2007

Objectives: U.S. expenditures on medical devices ($70 billion in 2003) are one of the fastest growing components of hospital costs. Physicians’ selection of medical devices lacks an evidence base on the comparative clinical effectiveness of these products. Comparative studies (e.g., vendor 1 versus vendor 2, technology A versus technology B) are increasingly promoted in the public sector as a means of cost containment, value-based purchasing, and quality improvement. This study illustrates how hospitals and physicians can conduct comparative technology assessments of product performance.

Methods: Surgeons evaluated comparable medical devices manufactured by eight different vendors in standardized surgical procedures. Devices included sutures and endomechanical products, which account for $2.5 billion of total device spending. Evaluations covered multiple performance dimensions, including ergonomics, functionality, clinical acceptability, and vendor preference.

Results: One vendor's products garnered consistently high ratings from surgeons, while two other vendors garnered consistently low ratings. Differences in ratings were statistically significant and persist when controlling for physician background characteristics and prior experience. Study results were used by a large hospital group purchasing organization to select which vendors to contract with for these products.

Conclusions: Comparative technology evaluations assist physicians and hospitals in making cost-effective purchases of devices. These evaluations provide robust information on the performance of products routinely used by clinicians. Such evaluations can be carefully designed to have scientific rigor and clinical credibility.
Economic evaluation of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer
Authors: de Verteuil Robyn M. , Hernández Rodolfo A. , Vale Luke ,   On behalf of the Aberdeen Health Technology Assessment Group
Published: October 2007

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery compared with open surgery for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Methods: A Markov model was developed to model cost-effectiveness over 25 years. Data on the clinical effectiveness of laparoscopic and open surgery for colorectal cancer were obtained from a systematic review of the literature. Data on costs came from a systematic review of economic evaluations and from published sources. The outcomes of the model were presented as the incremental cost per life-year gained and using cost-effectiveness acceptability curves to illustrate the likelihood that a treatment was cost-effective at various threshold values for society's willingness to pay for an additional life-year.

Results: Laparoscopic surgery was on average £300 more costly and slightly less effective than open surgery and had a 30 percent chance of being cost-effective if society is willing to pay £30,000 for a life-year. One interpretation of the available data suggests equal survival and disease-free survival. Making this assumption, laparoscopic surgery had a greater chance of being considered cost-effective. Presenting the results as incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) made no difference to the results, as utility data were poor. Evidence suggests short-term benefits after laparoscopic repair. This benefit would have to be at least 0.01 of a QALY for laparoscopic surgery to be considered cost-effective.

Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgery is likely to be associated with short-term quality of life benefits, similar long-term outcomes, and an additional £300 per patient. A judgment is required as to whether the short-term benefits are worth this extra cost.