bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical testing for assessing the performance of lifetime index of electronic components with exponential distribution
Authors: Tong Lee‐Ing , Chen K.S. , Chen H.T.
Published: September 2002

The electronics industry has heavily prioritized enhancing the quality, lifetime and conforming rate (conforming to specifications) of electronic components. Various methods have been developed for assessing quality performance. In practice, process capability indices (PCIs) are used as a means of measuring process potential and performance. Moreover, most PCIs have been developed or investigated under the assumption that electronic components have a lifetime with a normal distribution. However, PCIs for non‐normal distributions have seldom been discussed. Nevertheless, the lifetime of electronic components generally may possess an exponential, gamma or Weibull distribution and so forth. Under an exponential distribution, some properties of the PCIs and their estimators differ from those in a normal distribution. To utilize the PCIs more reasonably and accurately in assessing the lifetime performance of electronic components, this study constructs a uniformly minimum variance unbiased (UMVU) estimator of their lifetime performance index under an exponential distribution. The UMVU estimator of the lifetime performance index is then utilized to develop the hypothesis testing procedure. The purchasers can then employ the testing procedure to determine whether the lifetime of the electronic components adheres to the required level. Manufacturers can also utilize this procedure to enhance process capability.
Modelling the components of the brand
Authors: de Chernatony Leslie , Dall’Olmo Riley Francesca
Published: September 2002

Models of the components of brands are gaining more attention among practitioners and academics. We review why managers have a tendency to develop mental models and overview the key published models of the components of brands. Among 20 leading edge brand practitioners we found evidence of their using their own mental models to make sense of brand complexity. There were similarities between elements of their models and those of the “atomic brand model”. This particular model was favourably received by experts and from their evaluations we propose the more comprehensive “double vortex model” of the brand.
On the ability of ad agencies to assist in developing one‐to‐one communication
Authors: Kunøe Gorm
Published: September 2002

The development of database marketing has brought a new set of possibilities to marketers. The use of one‐to‐one communication is a new way of closing the gap between the clients’ expectations and experiences. However, the realization of new one‐to‐one communication strategies has its limitations. According to Norwegian research presented here, the preconditions for carrying out one‐to‐one communication are only present to a very limited extent. The possibility of the ad agencies assisting their clients in their efforts to exploit a new individualized strategy by using marketing systems in their customer approach is very limited. The “core of dialogue” consists of six elements: the strategic formulation ability, the level of knowledge about one‐to‐one communication, the use of suitable marketing systems, what kind of data is registered, to what extent “soft” data on the client’s opinion is collected, whether changes in the agency’s organization is done according to demands from the market and whether product development is done according to demands from the market. The expression made up from the six elements constitutes the preconditions for communicating in dialogue. That is why we named the phenomenon “the core of dialogue”. A tool for clients and agency managers to test their own ability to perform dialogue‐based one‐to‐one communication is presented.
Mail survey response behavior
Authors: Tamer Cavusgil S. , Elvey‐Kirk Lisa A.
Published: September 2002

In addition to proposing an integrated conceptualization of mail survey response behavior, this article presents an empirical study which examines the potential of source and appeal variations on response rate, response speed, and response completeness. The findings of this empirical study are presented and compared to a similar study for the purpose of validating source and appeal effects on mail survey response and the conceptual framework. The results, not totally in agreement with earlier findings, generally lend support for the untapped potential of source and appeal in influencing mail survey response behavior. There is also statistical justification for two of the six motivators comprising the proposed conceptual framework.
Strategic planning and school management: full of sound and fury, signifying nothing?
Authors: Bell Les
Published: September 2002

Strategic planning, in the form of school improvement planning, has become the dominant approach to school management in English schools. This has evolved from earlier forms of strategic planning and has significant inherent weaknesses that undermine the extent to which school improvement planning can contribute to the effective management of schools. The development of school improvement planning is examined in this article and its weaknesses analysed. Implied models of school management and leadership, the legacy of school effectiveness and improvement research and the role of the school principal are considered. Based on this analysis, an alternative approach to planning in schools and to school organisation and a more flexible approach to school organisation and leadership is proposed that is grounded in a shorter planning time scale and the development of structures that facilitate involvement, cooperation and collaboration.
BISHADOWING AND HYPERBOLICITY
Authors: DIAMOND PHIL , LEE KEONHEE , HAN YINGHAO
Published: September 2002

Shadowing of a dynamical system is often used to justify the validity of computer simulations of the system, and in numerical calculations an inverse form of the shadowing concept is also of some interest. In this paper we characterize the notion of shadowing in terms of stability, and express the notion of hyperbolicity using the concept of inverse shadowing.
KB-R7943 Prevents Acute, Atrial Fibrillation–Induced Shortening of Atrial Refractoriness in Anesthetized Dogs
Authors: Miyata Akira , Zipes Douglas P. , Hall Stephen , Rubart Michael
Published: September 2002

Background—

To test the hypothesis that Ca
2+
influx via Na
+
/Ca
2+
exchange (NCX) underlies atrial fibrillation (AF)–induced shortening of atrial effective refractory period (AERP), we examined the potential of KB-R7943 (KB), a selective inhibitor of Ca
2+
-influx mode NCX, to attenuate this effect.

Methods and Results—

Studies were performed in 41 isoflurane-anesthetized dogs. In sinus rhythm dogs, peak AERP changes resulting from intravenous KB infusion ranged from (mean±SEM) 4.4±0.4% (1 mg/kg) to 14.8±2.6% (5 mg/kg; ED
50
=1.9 mg/kg). AERP was maximally prolonged between 5 and 10 minutes after beginning of KB infusion and returned to baseline values within 30 minutes thereafter. Rapid atrial pacing–induced AF reversibly shortened AERP (
P
<0.001) in 5 dogs, averaging 14.9±2.1% after 90 minutes of AF. Both the time course and magnitude of mean AERP changes in 5 AF dogs receiving 5 mg/kg KB were indistinguishable from those in 5 sinus rhythm dogs receiving an equivalent KB dose (
P
>0.05). We measured cardiac tissue and arterial plasma KB concentrations produced by intravenous infusion (1 mg · kg
−1
· min
−1
) of 5 mg/kg KB. Plasma drug concentration peaked at the end of KB infusions (30.86±3.26 nmol/L; n=4 dogs) and declined to 0.56±0.19 nmol/L after 100 minutes. The cardiac tissue-to-plasma drug concentration gradient averaged ≈40 at 100 minutes after start of KB infusion. KB at concentrations achieved in vivo irreversibly blocked NCX-mediated Ca
2+
influx in isolated canine right atrial myocytes by ≈60%, but had no significant effect on NCX-dependent Ca
2+
extrusion.

Conclusion—

NCX-mediated Ca
2+
influx plays an important role in acute, AF-induced AERP shortening.
Classification of Human Carotid Atherosclerotic Lesions With In Vivo Multicontrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Cai Jian-Ming , Hatsukami Thomas S. , Ferguson Marina S. , Small Randy , Polissar Nayak L. , Yuan Chun
Published: September 2002

Background—

Recent studies demonstrated that in vivo and ex vivo MRI can characterize the components of the carotid atherosclerotic plaque, such as fibrous tissue, lipid/necrotic core, calcium, hemorrhage, and thrombus. The purpose of this study was to determine whether in vivo high-resolution multicontrast MRI could accurately classify human carotid atherosclerotic plaque according to the American Heart Association classification.

Methods and Results—

Sixty consecutive patients (mean age 70 years; 54 males) scheduled for carotid endarterectomy were imaged with a 1.5-T scanner after informed consent was obtained. A standardized protocol was used to obtain 4 different contrast-weighted images (time of flight and T1-, PD-, and T2-weighted) of the carotid arteries. Best voxel size was 0.25×0.25×1 mm
3
. Carotid plaques were removed intact and processed for histological examination. Both MR images and histological sections were independently reviewed, categorized, and compared. Overall, the classification obtained by MRI and the American Heart Association classifications showed good agreement, with Cohen’s κ (95% CI) of 0.74 (0.67 to 0.82) and weighted κ of 0.79. The sensitivity and specificity, respectively, of MRI classification were as follows: type I-II lesions, 67% and 100%; type III lesions, 81% and 98%; type IV-V lesions, 84% and 90%; type VI lesions, 82% and 91%; type VII lesions, 80% and 94%; and type VIII lesions, 56% and 100%.

Conclusions—

In vivo high-resolution multicontrast MRI is capable of classifying intermediate to advanced atherosclerotic lesions in the human carotid artery and is also capable of distinguishing advanced lesions from early and intermediate atherosclerotic plaque.
Aging and Forearm Postjunctional α-Adrenergic Vasoconstriction in Healthy Men
Authors: Dinenno Frank A. , Dietz Niki M. , Joyner Michael J.
Published: September 2002

Background—

Muscle sympathetic vasoconstrictor nerve activity increases with age in healthy humans but does not result in an augmented forearm vasoconstrictor tone. We tested the hypothesis that this is due to a reduction in postjunctional α-adrenergic responsiveness to endogenous norepinephrine (NE) release and determined whether this was specific to α
1
- or α
2
-adrenergic receptors.

Methods and Results—

Forearm blood flow (FBF, by strain-gauge plethysmography) responses to local intra-arterial infusions of tyramine (which evokes endogenous NE release), phenylephrine (selective α
1
-agonist), and clonidine (α
2
-agonist) were determined in 10 young (aged 26±1 [mean±SEM] years) and 10 older (aged 65±1 years) healthy normotensive men after local β-adrenergic blockade with propranolol. Basal forearm vascular tone was not different in young men and older men. The percentage reduction in FBF in response to the highest dose of tyramine was blunted in older men compared with young men (−37±3% versus −49±3%, respectively;
P
<0.01) despite a greater increase in deep venous NE concentration in older men (910±103 versus 565±69 pg/mL, respectively;
P
<0.001). Maximal reductions in FBF to phenylephrine were also blunted in older men (−47±2% versus −58±3% in young men,
P
<0.05). In contrast, the reductions in FBF (−36±7% versus −40±3% for older versus young men, respectively) and also in venous NE concentration (−79±24 versus −84±13 pg/mL for older versus young men, respectively) to clonidine were similar in the 2 groups. Finally, forearm sympathetic α-adrenergic vasoconstrictor tone (assessed via nonselective α-blockade with phentolamine) was significantly lower in older men.

Conclusions—

Our results indicate that human aging is associated with a reduction in forearm postjunctional α-adrenergic responsiveness to endogenous NE release and that this might be specific to α
1
-adrenergic receptors. Furthermore, the contribution of sympathetic α-adrenergic vasoconstriction to basal forearm vascular tone is reduced with age in healthy men.
Titin Isoform Switch in Ischemic Human Heart Disease
Authors: Neagoe Ciprian , Kulke Michael , del Monte Federica , Gwathmey Judith K. , de Tombe Pieter P. , Hajjar Roger J. , Linke Wolfgang A.
Published: September 2002

Background—

Ischemia-induced cardiomyopathy usually is accompanied by elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, which follows from increased myocardial stiffness resulting from upregulated collagen expression. In addition to collagen, a main determinant of stiffness is titin, whose role in ischemia-induced left ventricular stiffening was studied here. Human heart sarcomeres coexpress 2 principal titin isoforms, a more compliant N2BA isoform and a stiffer N2B isoform. In comparison, normal rat hearts express almost no N2BA titin.

Methods and Results—

Gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting were used to determine the N2BA-to-N2B titin isoform ratio in nonischemic human hearts and nonnecrotic left ventricle of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. The average N2BA-to-N2B ratio was 47:53 in severely diseased CAD transplanted hearts and 32:68 in nonischemic transplants. In normal donor hearts and donor hearts with CAD background, relative N2BA titin content was ≈30%. The titin isoform shift in CAD transplant hearts coincided with a high degree of modifications of cardiac troponin I, probably indicating increased preload. Immunofluorescence microscopy on CAD transplant specimens showed a regular cross-striated arrangement of titin and increased expression of collagen and desmin. Force measurements on isolated myofibrils revealed reduced passive-tension levels in sarcomeres of CAD hearts with high left ventricular end-diastolic pressure compared with sarcomeres of normal hearts. In a rat model of ischemia-induced myocardial infarction (left anterior descending coronary artery ligature), 43% of animals, but only 14% of sham-operated animals, showed a distinct N2BA titin band on gels.

Conclusions—

A titin isoform switch was observed in chronically ischemic human hearts showing extensive remodeling, which necessitated cardiac transplantation. The shift, also confirmed in rat hearts, caused reduced titin-derived myofibrillar stiffness. Titin modifications in long-term ischemic myocardium could impair the ability of the heart to use the Frank-Starling mechanism.
A Note on Typing Feature Structures
Authors: Wintner Shuly , Sarkar Anoop
Published: September 2002

Feature structures are used to convey linguistic information in a variety of linguistic formalisms. Various definitions of feature structures exist; one dimension of variation is typing: unlike untyped feature structures, typed ones associate a type with every structure and impose appropriateness constraints on the occurrences of features and on the values that they take. This work demonstrates the benefits that typing can carry even for linguistic formalisms that use untyped feature structures. We present a method for validating the consistency of (untyped) feature structure specifications by imposing a type discipline. This method facilitates a great number of compile-time checks: many possible errors can be detected before the grammar is used for parsing. We have constructed a type signature for an existing broad-coverage grammar of English and implemented a type inference algorithm that operates on the feature structure specifications in the grammar and reports incompatibilities with the signature. We have detected a large number of errors in the grammar, some of which are described in the article.
A Porphyrin-Anthracene Supramolecular System Assembled via Complementary Nucleic Acid Base Pairing
Authors: SIRISH MALLENA , MAIYA BHASKAR G.
Published: September 2002

Covalently linked porphyrin–adenine (meso-5(4-(9-(2-oxyethyl)adenine)phenyl)-10,15,20-tritolylporphyrin, 1) and anthracene–thymine (1-(9-methylanthracene)thymine, 2) conjugates have been synthesized and fully characterized by elemental analysis, FAB mass, UV-vis, 1 H NMR, fluorescence and cyclic voltammetric methods. Detailed 1 H NMR studies reveal that 1 and 2 self-assemble in CDCl 3 solutions at 293 ± 3 K to form a two-point hydrogen-bonded, bichromophoric, supramolecular system 3 with a binding constant of 47 ± 5 M−1 and that both Hoogsteen- and Watson–Crick-type A–T assemblies exist in solution under these experimental conditions. Spectral and electrochemical data point out the possibility of occurrence of both energy and electron transfer reactions from the singlet excited state of 2 to 1 in the ensemble 3. The singlet state activity of the ensemble 3 has been probed mainly by the time-resolved fluorescence method and the results have been discussed in the light of those obtained earlier on similar ‘non-covalently’ or covalently bound bichromophoric systems.
Orientation Effects on Excited State Dynamics of Zinc Porphyrin–Free Base Porphyrin–Pyromellitimide Triads
Authors: OSUKA ATSUHIRO , SHIN JI-YOUNG , YONESHIMA RYUSHO , SHIRATORI HIDEO , OHNO TAKESHI , NOZAKI KOICHI , NISHIMURA YOSHINOBU , YAMAZAKI IWAO , TANIGUCHI SEIJI , SHIMIZU TAKENORI , OKADA TADASHI
Published: September 2002

The synthesis is described of fixed distance triads consisting of zinc porphyrin ( ZP ), metal-free porphyrin ( HP ) and pyromellitimide (I) in which the ZP and HP moieties are bridged by a rigid 4,4'-biphenylene spacer and related spacers, being held with dihedral angles defined by the torsional angle (θ) of the 4,4'-biphenylene spacer varying from nearly coplanar (θ = 0°, phenanthrene spacer) to nearly orthogonal (θ = 90°, 2,2',6,6'-tetramethylbiphenylene spacer). Using these models, the effects of the dihedral angle of the two porphyrins have been examined for singlet–singlet excitation energy transfer from ZP to HP , hole transfer from HP + to ZP and charge recombination of ZP +– HP – I – to the ground state. In the three processes examined, the observed rate constants are roughly in the order of 1d (coplanar)≥1c (nearly coplanar) >1a (tilted) >1b (orthogonal).
New classes of porphyrazine macrocycles with annulated heterocyclic rings
Authors: ANGELONI SILVIA , ERCOLANI CLAUDIO
Published: September 2002

The present contribution summarizes the most recent results on the synthesis and chemical physical characterization of the new classes of porphyrazine macrocycles having annulated five- and seven-membered heterocyclic rings, i.e. tetrakis(thiadizole)porphyrazine, TTDPzH 2, tetrakis(selenodiazole)porphyrazine, TSeDPzH 2, tetrakis-2,3-(5,7dipheny-6H-1,4-diazepino)porphyrazine, Ph 8 DzPzH 2, and a number of their metal derivatives, prepared by using, respectively, 3,4-dicyano-1,2,5-thiadiazole, 3,4-dicyano-1,2,5-selenodiazole, and 5,7-diphenyl-2,3-dicyano-6H-1,4-diazepine as monomeric precursors. The available information indicates that, owing to the presence of electron rich and soft atoms ( S , Se ) inserted in the proximity of the porphyrazine core, the TTDPz and TSeDPz macrocycles, closely resembling their phthalocyanine analogues in terms of structural and electronic features and physical behaviour (solubility, thermal stability, vaporizability, etc.), might be promising new materials for applicative properties. Particularly interesting is the operated peripheral ring opening of the TSeDPz macroxycle leading to the formation of octaaminoporphyrazine, followed by its conversion to a tetrakis(pyrazino)porphyrazine. The macrocycles containing the Ph 8 DzPz skeleton, due to the presence of the external non planar diphenyldiazepine units, appear to exhibit a distinct physical behaviour, which can be probably modulated by appropriate alternative substitutions in the 5, 6, and 7 positions of the diazepine rings.
Ab initio vibrational calculations on ara‐T molecule: Application to analysis of IR and Raman spectra
Authors: Hernández Belén , Navarro Raquel , Vergoten Gérard , Hernanz Antonio
Published: September 2002

The FTIR and FT‐Raman spectra are reported for the arabinonucleoside ara‐T (1‐β‐D‐arabinofuranosylthymine), which shows antiviral activity. The accurate knowledge of the vibrational modes is a prerequisite for the elucidation of drug–nucleotide and drug–enzyme interactions. The FTIR and FT‐Raman spectra of ara‐T were recorded from 4000 to 30 cm−1. A tetradeuterated derivative (deuteration at N3, and hydroxyl groups O′2, O′3, and O′5) was synthesized and the observed isotopic shifts in its spectra were used for the vibrational analysis of ara‐T. The theoretical frequencies and the potential energy distribution (PED) of the vibrational modes of ara‐T were calculated using the ab initio Hartree–Fock/3‐21G method. An assignment of the vibrational spectra of ara‐T is proposed considering the scaled PED and the observed band shifts under deuteration. The scaled ab initio frequencies were in reasonable agreement with the experimental data. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopolymers (Biospectroscopy) 62: 193–207, 2001
Conformational study on poly[γ‐(α‐phenethyl)‐L‐glutamate] using vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy
Authors: Tanaka Takeyuki , Inoue Katsuhiko , Kodama Takashi , Kyogoku Yoshimasa , Hayakawa Tadao , Sugeta Hiromu
Published: September 2002

Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and IR absorption spectra are obtained in a chloroform solution for poly[γ‐((R)‐α‐phenethyl)‐L‐glutamate] (PRPLG) and poly[γ‐((S)‐α‐phenethyl)‐L‐glutamate] (PSPLG), whose only structural difference is an opposite chiral center in the side chain. Their characteristic amide A, I, and II bands show VCD patterns quite similar to those of poly[γ‐benzyl‐L‐glutamate] (PBLG), indicating that the secondary structure of these polypeptides is a right‐handed α‐helix. The VCD spectra in the CH stretching region exhibit different patterns for PRPLG and PSPLG, reflecting the chirality difference in the side chains. This difference is interpreted on the basis of the additivity of optical activity contributions from the main chain conformation and the chirality difference in the side chains. The results indicate that a VCD difference spectrum of the CH stretching region is a useful diagnostic tool for elucidating local chirality differences. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopolymers (Biospectroscopy) 62: 228–234, 2001
Production of tissue plasminogen activator (t‐PA) in Aspergillus niger
Authors: Wiebe Marilyn G. , Karandikar Atul , Robson Geoff D. , Trinci Anthony P. J. , Candia Juana‐L Flores , Trappe Susanne , Wallis Gregg , Rinas Ursula , Derkx Patrick M. F. , Madrid Susan M. , Sisniega Heidi , Faus Ignacio , Montijn Roy , van den Hondel Cees A. M. J. J. , Punt Peter J.
Published: September 2002

A protease‐deficient strain of Aspergillus niger has been used as a host for the production of human tissue plasminogen activator (t‐PA). In defined medium, up to 0.07 mg t‐PA (g biomass)−1 was produced in batch and fed‐batch cultures and production was increased two‐ to threefold in two‐phase batch cultures in which additional glucose was provided as a single pulse at the end of the first batch growth phase. Production was increased [up to 1.9 mg t‐PA (g biomass)−1] by the addition of soy peptone to the defined medium. The rate of t‐PA production in batch cultures supplemented with soy peptone (0.2 to 0.6 mg t‐PA L−1 h−1) was comparable to rates observed previously in high‐producing mammalian or insect cell cultures. In glucose‐limited chemostat culture supplemented with soy peptone, t‐PA was produced at a rate of 0.7 mg t‐PA L−1 h−1. Expression of t‐PA in A. niger resulted in increased expression of genes (bipA, pdiA, and cypB) involved in the unfolded protein response (UPR). However, when cypB was overexpressed in a t‐PA‐producing strain, t‐PA production was not increased. The t‐PA produced in A. niger was cleaved into two chains of similar molecular weight to two‐chain human melanoma t‐PA. The two chains appeared to be stable for at least 16 h in culture supernatant of the host strain. However, in general, <1% of the t‐PA produced in A. niger was active, and active t‐PA disappeared from the culture supernatant during the stationary phase of batch cultures, suggesting that the two‐chain t‐PA may have been incorrectly processed or that initial proteolytic cleavage occurred within the proteolytic domain of the protein. Total t‐PA (detected by enzyme‐linked immunoassay) also eventually disappeared from culture supernatants, confirming significant extracellular proteolytic activity, even though the host strain was protease‐deficient. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 76: 164–174, 2001.
RP‐HPLC method with electrochemical detection for the determination of metoclopramide in serum and its use in pharmacokinetic studies
Authors: Lamparczyk Henryk , Chmielewska Aleksandra , Konieczna Lucyna , Plenis Alina , Zarzycki Paweł K.
Published: September 2002

A rapid and sensitive reversed‐phase high performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of metoclopramide in serum. The assay was performed after single extraction with ethyl ether using methyl parahydroxybenzoate as internal standard. Chromatographic separations were performed on C18 stationary phase with a mobile phase composed of methanol–phosphate buffer pH 3 (30:70 v/v). Analytes were detected electrochemically. The quantification limit for metoclopramide in serum was 2 ng mL−1. Linearity of the method was confirmed in the range of 5–120 ng mL−1 (correlation coefficient 0.9998). Within‐day relative standard deviations (RSDs) ranged from 0.3 to 5.5% and between‐day RSDs from 0.8 to 6.0%. The analytical method was successfully applied for the determination of pharmacokinetic parameters after ingestion of 10 mg dose of metoclopramide. Studies were performed on 18 healthy volunteers of both sexes. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Late stent thrombosis without antecedent brachytherapy: Confirmation and treatment with rheolytic thrombectomy
Authors: Kalaria Vijay G. , Ling Frederick S.
Published: September 2002

We describe two cases of late stent thrombosis (> 30 days postprocedure) following stenting without brachytherapy. Stent thrombosis was confirmed after successful treatment by catheter‐based rheolytic thrombectomy. Predictors of stent thrombosis are reviewed and issues concerning the duration of combination antiplatelet therapy after stenting are discussed. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;53:243–247. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Primary angioplasty for isolated right ventricular infarction
Authors: Sakabe Koichi , Nakamura Masato , Kitagawa Yoko , Iijima Raisuke , Nakajima Rintaro , Takagi Takuro , Yoshitama Takashi , Anzai Hitoshi , Tsunoda Taro , Yamaguchi Tetsu
Published: September 2002

We describe a case of isolated right ventricular infarction that has rarely been diagnosed antemortem. Electrocardiogram showed ST segment elevation in left precordial chest, right precordial chest, and inferior leads, which mimicked those of anterior and inferior left ventricular infarction. Coronary angiography revealed that culprit lesion was totally occluded right coronary artery. Infarcted artery was nondominant right coronary artery with branches supplying only right ventricular wall. Restoration of coronary blood flow was obtained by primary stenting and resulted in prompt ST segment normalization in all leads. Despite extensive right ventricular wall motion abnormality, subsequent right ventricular dysfunction was not observed. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;53:248–252. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chiroptical properties of 2,3‐dihydrobenzo[b]furan and chromane chromophores in naturally occurring O‐heterocycles
Authors: Antus S. , Kurtán T. , Juhász L. , Kiss L. , Hollósi M. , Májer ZS.
Published: September 2002

The correlation between the helicity (absolute conformation) of the O‐heterocyclic ring of chiral 2,3‐dihydrobenzo[b]furan (1) and chromane (2) derivatives and their 1Lb band CD was investigated. The same helicity rule was found for both unsubstituted chromophores: P/M helicity of the heterocyclic ring leads to a negative/positive CD within the 1Lb band. While the substitution of the fused benzene ring by achiral substituents does not change this helicity rule for the chromane chromophore, it leads to its inversion for the 2,3‐dihydrobenzo[b]furan chromophores. On the basis of these observations, the published absolute configurations of natural flavonol and pterocarpan derivatives were confirmed and the configurational assignments of several natural neolignans revised. Chirality 13:493–506, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A cross‐cultural colour‐naming study. Part III—A colour‐naming model
Authors: Lin H. , Luo M. R. , MacDonald L. W. , Tarrant A. W. S.
Published: September 2002

A colour‐naming model was developed to categorize volumes for each of the 11 basic names in CIELAB colour space. This was tested with three different sets of data for two languages (English and Mandarin), derived from extensive colour categorization experiments. The performance of the model in predicting colour names was satisfactory, with an average prediction error of 8.3%. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Col Res Appl, 26, 270–277, 2001
Improved storage of erythrocytes by prior leukodepletion: Flow cytometric evaluation of stored erythrocytes
Authors: Bratosin Daniela , Leszczynski Sigismond , Sartiaux Claudine , Fontaine Odile , Descamps Jacques , Huart Jean‐Jacques , Poplineau Joël , Goudaliez Francis , Aminoff David , Montreuil Jean
Published: September 2002

In vivo phagocytosis of senescent red blood cells (RBCs) by macrophages occurs 120 days after their release into the circulation. It depends on two sequential signals that trigger phagocytosis: (1) desialylation of membrane glycoconjugates with the exposure of the penultimate β‐galactosyl residues and (2) exposure of phosphatidylserine in the membrane outer leaflet. Leukodepleted and nonleukodepleted RBCs were compared using flow cytometric procedures to determine whether the in vitro deterioration of RBCs during storage might be attributable to an identical mechanism of desialylation induced by leukocyte neuraminidases, resulting in exposure of β‐galactosyl and subsequently phosphatidylserine residues — signals of senescent RBCs. Without prior leukodepletion, stored RBCs showed an increased population of senescent RBCs (using light scatter measurements), extensive desialylation with the exposure of β‐galactosyl residues (using specific fluorescein isothiocyanate [FITC]‐lectins), significant exposure of phosphatidylserine in the outer leaflet of the RBC membrane (using FITC‐annexin V), and extensive in vitro phagocytosis (using PKH‐26‐labeled RBCs). There were minimal changes observed with the leukodepleted RBCs. These results lead to the conclusion that leukocyte enzymes, including neuraminidases, are definitive contributers to the desialylation of RBCs during storage and to the exposure of phosphatidylserine residues. These deleterious effects resulting from highly active leukocyte enzymes are preventable by prior leukodepletion of the stored RBCs. Previously developed flow cytometric procedures to detect in vivo “RBC senescence” have been applied and proved to be reliable criteria to monitor the viability of stored RBCs. Cytometry (Comm. Clin. Cytometry) 46:351–356, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Customized corporate environmental reporting by internet‐based push and pull technologies
Authors: Isenmann Ralf , Lenz Christian
Published: September 2002

Internet‐based push and pull technologies provide customized corporate environmental reporting. On the one hand, more and more companies use technical benefits of the Internet for corporate environmental reporting and to publish corporate environmental reports (CERs). On the other hand, the demand for customized environmental information is still increasing. Target groups and other stakeholders are becoming more critical and focused on their environmental information needs. Moreover, companies are going to exploit the use of CERs to achieve competitive advantages. Hence, environmental reporting has to be fine tuned according to different information needs of various target groups. Thereby, internet‐based push and pull technologies are an efficient tool. They enable companies to offer online reporting on demand and to provide individual environmental information. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Systemic administration of kainic acid in adult rat stimulates expression of the chemokine receptor CCR5 in the forebrain
Authors: Mennicken Françoise , Chabot Jean‐Guy , Quirion Rémi
Published: September 2002

As chemokines and their receptors are primarily expressed by glial cells in brain parenchyma, a model of glial cell proliferation may be useful to study the regulation of their expression in the brain. The well‐established kainic acid seizure model was used in this study, focusing on the expression of the CCR5 chemokine receptor. Adult Sprague‐Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally with kainic acid (12 mg/kg), and in situ hybridization of CCR5 mRNA was performed at 12 h, 1, 3, or 7 days, posttreatment. Autoradiographic films and wet photographic emulsions demonstrated the very low expression of CCR5 mRNA in normal brain parenchyma, as well as in the microvasculature and ventricular/choroid plexus systems. After kainic acid treatment, brain CCR5 mRNA expression increased progressively from 12 h to 7 days, especially in the olfactory system, amygdaloid complex, thalamus, hippocampal formation, septum, and neocortex. This increase paralleled that of activated microglial cells as shown, using the microglial marker, OX‐42. Moreover, CCR5 mRNA ISH combined with neuron‐specific enolase immunocytochemistry showed that, in addition to its glial expression, CCR5 mRNA is expressed in neurons in the normal brain and, to a lesser extent, after kainate treatment due to neuronal losses. Finally, CCR5 protein is detected by immunocytochemistry in neurodegenerative areas in numerous glial cells, as well as in neurons, as clearly shown in the hippocampal formation. In summary, the chemokine receptor CCR5 is expressed by neuronal and non‐neuronal cell types in the normal brain and is upregulated in both cell types after an insult. GLIA 37:124–138, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Validating mini‐mental status, cognitive capacity screening and Hamilton depression scales utilizing subjects with vascular headaches
Authors: Meyer John S. , Li Y.‐S. , Thornby John
Published: September 2002

Introduction

The Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Cognitive Capacity Screening Examination (CCSE) are easily and rapidly administered tests for quantifying the general cognitive status of young as well as geriatric subjects. Likewise, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) is a brief instrument for quantifying depression that may confound cognitive test performances. Testing by means of all three scales concurrently provides useful information for longitudinal research among the elderly.

Objectives

To validate the combined longitudinal use of MMSE, CCSE and HDRS among a specific cohort of normal subjects with vascular headaches characterized by known well‐established temporary cognitive decline occurring only during temporary intervals with headache.

Methods

The MMSE, CCSE and HDRS were serially tested at 3–12 monthly intervals among 196 healthy subjects attending our out‐patient headache clinic who suffered from migraine or cluster headaches. Stability and specificity of MMSE, CCSE and HDRS were evaluated by comparing consecutive normative scores during headache‐free intervals. Sensitivity of MMSE and CCSE for detecting temporary cognitive decline were evaluated by comparing scores during headache and headache‐free intervals.

Results

CCSE, MMSE and HDRS gave stable headache‐free normative values over intervals of 3–10 years among 182 subjects. Among 77 subjects during headache intervals, temporary cognitive decline were confirmed by both CCSE and MMSE (p < 0.0001). When cutoff points for both CCSE and MMSE normal scores were placed at ≥ 27, specificity for detecting cognitively normal values for CCSE and MMSE when headache‐free were 92.2 and 89.6%, respectively (p > 0.05), while sensitivity for detecting cognitively decline during headache intervals were 83.7 and 49%, respectively (p < 0.001). Compared with scoring by a single rater, reliability estimates for all three rating scales were slightly lower when tested by different raters, but these differences were not significant.

Conclusions

CCSE is reliable and more sensitive than MMSE for detecting cognitive decline. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the equilibrium between molecular complexes and trigonal bipyramidal adducts of diaryl selenide dibromides in solution
Authors: Nakanishi Warō , Hayashi Satoko
Published: September 2002

A method to visualize the equilibrium between molecular complexes (MCs) and trigonal bipyramidal (TB) adducts for ArSeBr2Ar′ has been devised. The TB formation causes large downfield shifts for the ipso carbons δ(Ci), whereas the upfield shifts are characteristic for δ(Ci) in the MC formation. Therefore, the equilibrium is clearly proved if such an ArSeAr′ is prepared that shows an upfield shift at one of ipso carbons, whereas the other goes downfield, when bromine is added to the ArSeAr′ solution. The halogen‐induced chemical shifts (Δδ) are measured for 4‐YC6H4SePh (1a–1g), 2‐YC6H4SePh (2d, 2e, 2h), 2‐YC6H4SeC6H4Br‐p(3d, 3e, 3h), 2‐O2NC6H4SeC6H4Y‐p (4a, 4e, 4i), and 2,4‐(O2N)2C6H3SeC6H4Y‐p (5a, 5e, 5i), where Y = H (a), OMe (b), Me (c), Cl (d), Br (e), COOEt (f), NO2(g), I (h), and t‐Bu (i). Positive values (downfield shifts) are observed for both δ(Ci) in2and3, positive and negative values are recorded for each δ(Ci) in4, and negative values are detected for both δ(Ci) in5. The equilibrium between MC's and TB adducts is clearly shown in4. The equilibrium constants K (K = [MC]/[TB]) are also calculated: they are ca. 0.20 for2and3and 0.16, 0.33, and 0.73 for4i, 4a, and4e, respectively. The contribution of MC is negligible in1a, and the contribution of the TB adduct is negligible in5. The results show that TB adducts become unstable relative to MCs, when the effective electronegativity of the selenium atom and/or the bulkiness around the atom in a selenide are increased. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 12:369–379, 2001
Relationship between satellite‐derived spectral brightness and evapotranspiration from a grassland
Authors: Kondoh A. , Higuchi A.
Published: September 2002

This paper presents a correlation between evapotranspiration calculated by the heat budget method using eddy correlation and visible plus near‐infrared information from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images of a grass‐covered site at the Terrestrial Environment Research Center, University of Tsukuba. Eighty Landsat TM images from its 1984 launch until 1998 were collected, and the digital numbers at the site were extracted. The spectral brightness and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) are compared with measured evapotranspiration. These data suggest that the vegetation index is a good index of transpiration; however, the relationship differs between the growing season and the mature period. The reflected brightness in the near‐infrared band increased during the spring–summer growing season, whereas red brightness decreased during the same period. Since the red wavelength plays an important role in photosynthetic activity, the data in the red band seems to contain information on the physiological activity of the grass. In the mature season after summer, the red brightness value becomes almost constant and evapotranspiration is best correlated with the near‐infrared brightness, which is related to incident solar radiation. The relationship between NDVI and evapotranspiration should be considered separately for the growing and mature seasons because the inherent physics in the relationship differs according to phenological stages. Understanding the relationship between satellite‐derived vegetation phenology and surface flux is useful for delineating basin‐wide hydrological characteristics, since satellite data covers an extensive area and the time changes in spectral brightness were found to provide information about surface flux. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Software for parallel computing: the LAM implementation of MPI
Authors: Swann Christopher A.
Published: September 2002

Many econometric problems can benefit from the application of parallel computing techniques, and recent advances in hardware and software have made such application feasible. There are a number of freely available software libraries that make it possible to write message passing parallel programs using personal computers or Unix workstations. This review discusses one of these—the LAM (Local Area Multiprocessor) implementation of MPI (the Message Passing Interface). Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlation of color Doppler sonographic findings with pH measurements in gastroesophageal reflux in children
Authors: Jang Hye Suk , Lee Joon Sung , Lim Gye Yeon , Choi Byoung Gil , Choi Gyu Ho , Park Seog Hee
Published: September 2002

Purpose

We conducted a prospective study of color Doppler sonography in children with suspected gastroesophageal reflux (GER). The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of color Doppler sonography with that of continuous 24‐hour pH monitoring of the esophagus in diagnosing GER and to determine how to interpret the reflux episodes detected on color Doppler sonography in children at high risk for reflux.

Methods

Color Doppler sonography and 24‐hour esophageal pH monitoring were performed in 54 children ranging in age from 2 months to 10 years (mean, 3 years). The stomach of each patient was filled for adequate gastric distention just before the color Doppler sonographic examination. We counted the number of reflux episodes over a period of 15 minutes. One day after the sonographic examination, the reflux was evaluated with esophageal pH monitoring, and the resultant reflux index (ReI) was obtained. The ReI was considered to be pathologic when it was equal to or greater than 11.99%. The number of refluxes on color Doppler sonography and the ReI were correlated for each patient.

Results

The 2 tests showed an 81.5% agreement in the detection of GER. When pH monitoring was taken as the reference test, color Doppler sonography had a high sensitivity (95.5%) for diagnosing GER but a very low specificity (11.0%), with a positive predictive value of 84.3% and a negative predictive value of 33.3%. There was no statistically significant correlation between the frequencies of GER detected on color Doppler sonography and the ReIs on pH monitoring (p = 0.1103). There was no correlation between the reflux grades on sonography and the ReI grades on pH monitoring (p = 0.422).

Conclusions

Color Doppler sonography is highly sensitive and easier to use than pH monitoring. Although there are no definite criteria for evaluating the severity of GER on color Doppler imaging, this modality may be useful in screening children for GER. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 29:212–217, 2001.
On graphs with small Ramsey numbers*
Authors: Kostochka A. V. , Rödl V.
Published: September 2002

Let R(G) denote the minimum integer N such that for every bicoloring of the edges of KN, at least one of the monochromatic subgraphs contains G as a subgraph. We show that for every positive integer d and each γ,0 < γ < 1, there exists k = k(d,γ) such that for every bipartite graph G = (W,U;E) with the maximum degree of vertices in W at most d and $|U|\leq |W|^{\gamma }$, $R(G)\leq k|W|$. This answers a question of Trotter. We give also a weaker bound on the Ramsey numbers of graphs whose set of vertices of degree at least d + 1 is independent. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Graph Theory 37: 198–204, 2001
Governance and institutional development of the Chilean economy
Authors: Lahera Eugenio , Cabezas Mabel
Published: September 2002

Chile's economic growth process during the 1990s is often considered as exemplary, therefore, it is worthwhile to examine its institutional development and governance. By the end of the decade there were signs that economic governance was weakening in Chile: the political economy of reforms looked increasingly difficult and the institutional flexibility to accommodate and support the changes required by a dynamic economy did not seem assured. This is the background against which the socialist Ricardo Lagos was sworn in as the new president of Chile in March 2000. Developments in Chile give insights to other countries' experiences. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The supply response of basmati rice growers in Punjab, Pakistan: price and non‐price determinants
Authors: Farooq Umar , Young Trevor , Russell Noel , Iqbal Muhammad
Published: September 2002

Pakistan's stated policy is to increase basmati rice production through price support measures and liberalization of input markets. The present study assesses the scope for price support policy to achieve growth targets and whether additional assistance is needed from non‐price policy measures. The econometric analysis is based on a profit function using farm household survey data from the Punjab. Pakistan for 1995–1996. The results reveal that to achieve production targets, very high support prices are required. Since these price levels may not be feasible, a more appropriate option may involve some inducements to expand paddy area and the area allocated to modern varieties. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Achieving agricultural pumpset efficiency in rural India
Authors: Reidhead William
Published: September 2002

Throughout India, the operation of lift irrigation systems (‘pumpsets’) is grossly inefficient, resulting in massive over‐consumption of energy and inadequate irrigation, limiting agricultural productivity growth and resulting in the reduced welfare of smallholder farmers. This paper examines the potential for pumpset ‘rectification’, a development intervention being considered for large‐scale programmes by a number of state agencies in India. Assessing the energy demand for centrifugal pumpsets at the national level, it outlines a practical methodology for applying rectification in the field. The results of the analysis indicate that rectifications can be very cost‐effective and can be applied on a broad scale. Institutional and policy implications are derived for ensuring that rectifications will be effective, sustainable, and will maximize the benefits to India's farmers. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding the emergence of terminator technologies
Authors: Srinivasan C. S. , Thirtle Colin
Published: September 2002

The emergence of terminator technology has generally been viewed with a great deal of apprehension on account of its potential to bring far‐reaching changes in the seed industry and in long‐standing agricultural practices. This paper argues that terminator technology must be seen as an induced response to the inadequacies and weaknesses of existing intellectual property rights institutions. The technology could have a significant impact on the appropriability of returns from investment in plant breeding and consequently on the development of new plant varieties. The potential of this technology for accelerating innovations in plant breeding needs to be carefully harnessed by public policy. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.