bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of Anion and Cation Release from a Range of Ternary Phosphate-based Glasses with Fixed 45 mol% P2O5
Authors: Ahmed I. , Lewis M. P. , Nazhat S. N. , Knowles J. C.
Published: June 2005

This article reports on the use of ion chromatography (IC) to investigate extensively the release profiles of both cations and anions and characterize the relationship between composition and degradation for a ternary-based Na2O-CaO-P2O5 glass system developed as biomaterials. Studies are carried out on glasses with the formula 45P2O5-55( xCaO-Na2O) in deionized water, where x = 30, 35, and 40 mol%, using a cumulative release method, where the solution is changed at regular intervals.

Degradation behavior is linear with time where the degradation rate shows an initial decrease with increasing CaO content. This rate then increases with a further addition of CaO. Cation release profiles follow similar trends to the degradation rates. Anion release profiles show a decrease for the PO4 and linear polyphosphate (P2O7 and P3O10) species with increasing CaO content. This decrease is attributed to the cross-linking of the Ca2+ ions. In contrast, the cyclic P3O9 anion exhibits the highest amount of anionic release, which demonstrates similar trends to the cations. These release patterns suggest that the cyclic P3O9 species dominate the degradation rates. The proposed mode of degradation is a hydrolysis reaction, with the cyclic metaphosphate undergoing acid/base catalysis. The pH remains constant for the 30 and 35 mol% CaO glasses, and drops to about 5.5 for the 40 mol% composition. By using a response factor, it is possible to semiquantitatively analyze the additional peaks observed in the chromatograms. Suggestions are also put forward as to the identity of some of these unidentified peaks.
Thermal Characterizations of Silver-containing Bioactive Glass-coated Sutures
Authors: Blaker Jonny J. , Boccaccini Aldo R. , Nazhat Showan N.
Published: June 2005

This study utilized and compared a number of thermal analysis methods to characterize the thermal properties of commercial sutures with and without antimicrobial coatings of silver-doped bioactive glass (AgBG) interlocking particulates. The effect of a slurry dipping technique used to coat resorbable Vicryl® (polyglactin 910) and non-resorbable Mersilk® surgical sutures with AgBG was investigated using conventional differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), high speed calorimetry (or HYPERDSC™), and modulated temperature DSC (MTDSC). These methods were compared in terms of their ability to resolve the thermal transitions of the types of suture materials. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to verify the thermal degradation temperatures of these materials and to quantify the AgBG coatings on the sutures.

The use of complementary thermal analysis techniques enabled the understanding of the effect of the AgBG coating technique on the morphological properties of the sutures. The slurry dipping technique had no significant effect on the thermal transitions of both types of materials. The use of high speed calorimetry through DSC offered better resolution for the transitions that appeared to be weak through conventional heating regimes, and was able to separate broad double transitions. Furthermore, it was shown not to compromise either the melting temperature or the enthalpy of melting. Therefore this method allows for the accurate determination of thermal transitions through much shorter experimental times thus allowing for an increased sample throughput. The combined DTA and TGA indicated that a greater AgBG coating was obtained in the case of the Mersilk® sutures.
Strength and Microscopic Investigation of Unsaturated Polyester BMC Reinforced with SMC-Recyclate
Authors: Derosa R. , Telfeyan E. , Gaustad G. , Mayes S.
Published: June 2005

An unsaturated polyester bulk molding compound is made containing unsaturated polyester sheet molding compound-recyclate added as reinforcement. Grinding techniques are used to obtain the sheet molding compound-recyclate. The flexural strength and modulus of bulk molding compounds containing 0 and 100% recyclate used as the reinforcing material are compared. In both cases the flexural strength and modulus are found to be reduced. Micrographs of the recyclate-reinforced bulk molding compound fracture area show cracks that initiate and propagate along the recyclate-new resin matrix interface. The poor interfacial bonding is the major reason for the loss in the strength and modulus values.
Elastic-Plastic and Residual Stress Analysis of a Thermoplastic Composite Hollow Disc under Internal Pressures
Authors: Bektas Numan Behlul
Published: June 2005

This article deals with the elastic-plastic stress analysis of a thin thermoplastic composite disc under internal pressures. An analytical solution is performed for satisfying elastic-plastic stress-strain relations and boundary conditions for small plastic deformations. Because of the material properties, the composite disc is assumed to be elastic-perfectly plastic, and the Tsai-Hill Criterion is used as a yield criterion. Elastic-plastic and residual stress distributions are obtained from the inner radius to the outer radius, and they are presented in tables and figures. All radial stresses r are compressive, and they are highest at the point where the plastic deformation begins. All tangential stresses are tensile, and they are highest at the inner radius. The magnitude of tangential residual stresses is higher than that of the radial residual stresses, and it changes nonlinearly from the inner radius to the outer radius.
Design of a Simple Controller to Control Suspension Bridge Non-linear Vibrations due to Moving Loads
Authors: Abdel-Rohman M.
Published: June 2005

The flexibility and low damping of the long span suspended cables in suspension bridges make them prone to non-linear vibrations due to wind and moving loads. In this paper we consider the dynamic response of a suspension bridge due to a vertical load moving with a constant speed on the bridge deck. Control mechanisms are suggested to generate control forces to control the non-linear vibrations in the bridge deck and the suspended cables. A simple design is presented for the controller based on the feedback of the velocity measurements taken at the control force location. The design is made first on a linear model before applying it to the actual non-linear system. The method is applied on three different types of control mechanisms. Comparison between the controlled responses using the three controllers indicates that, in addition to the method of designing the control actions, the feasibility of the active control depends mainly on the type of the control mechanism.
The Influence of Sociology on Economics
Authors: Zafirovski Milan
Published: June 2005

This article presents selected pertinent instances of the influence of (especially classical) sociological theory on economics. Its explicit justification and goal is to detect and illustrate the almost unknown, ignored or dismissed bearing of sociological theory on its economic counterpart. Its implicit justification is given by the epistemological principle of the unity of knowledge, especially of social science, serving as an analytical framework or master narrative for exploring these relations, which extends the scope of the article beyond simply a history of ideas. The key finding is that the influence of sociological theory on economics is related to the project for unification of social science and thus the epistemological principle of the unity of knowledge. As a rare attempt at exploring the theoretical impact of sociology on economics, the article aims to help abridge a gap in the current literature.
The Social Sciences and Two Types of Relativism
Authors: Boudon Raymond
Published: June 2005

The article considers two forms of relativism: cognitive and cultural. It is critical of the impact of ‘the new sociology of science’ which in the hands of Paul Feyerabend and others exaggerated the claims of Thomas Kuhn’s theory of scientific change. The article argues that a distinction between scientific and nonscientific arguments can be, and must be, sustained. Secondly, cultural relativism is also considered and criticized. The article considers the legacy of Montaigne, Hume and Weber on modern, primarily anthropological, theories of cultural relativism. Anthropologists are fond of demonstrating that, for example, Western indignation over genital mutilation is only or merely the consequence of socialization into a particular culture. It is argued that, while some rituals may be necessary to inculcate young people into a community, there are rational grounds for rejecting mutilation where alternative rituals would be equally effective. The article therefore rejects both cognitive and cultural relativism as resting on exaggerated or hyberbolic versions of the sceptical consequences of the critical rationalism of Montaigne, Hume and Weber
Max Weber’s Charisma
Authors: Adair-Toteff Christopher
Published: June 2005

Scholars have concentrated on Max Weber’s notions of traditional and bureaucratic authority because these figure prominently in his lifelong concern with the rise of Western rationality. However, Weber himself often characterized what something is by showing what it is not. In his discussions of the third type of authority, charisma, he demonstrates what charisma is not then what it is. He contrasts the permanence, rules and impartiality of bureaucratic authority with the changing, arbitrary and personal characteristics of charismatic leadership. Weber also opposes the ‘everydayness’ and economic concerns of the bureaucratic and traditional authorities with the ‘extraordinary’ feature and otherworldly indifference of the revolutionary nature of the charismatic leader. I contend that his examination of charisma is not merely another of his important sociological studies; in addition, it has far-ranging implications for showing the strengths and weaknesses of the religious and especially of the politically charismatic leader.
Sea, sun, sex and the discontents of pleasure
Authors: Diken Bülent , Laustsen Carsten Bagge
Published: June 2005

This article focuses on party tourism as a kind of hedonism enjoyed on a massive scale in which the citizen is transformed into a ‘party animal’, a reduction which is experienced as a liberation from the daily routine of the ‘city’ or civilization, and in which the pursuit of unlimited enjoyment creates an exceptional zone where the body as an object of desire and as abject become indistinguishable. In this process, sociality tends to be reformed in the image of a ‘mass’ rather than ‘society’ and transgression/enjoyment paradoxically becomes the law. The article elaborates on this paradoxical notion of ‘forced enjoyment’ by reading Kant and Sade together: Sade (re)formulates Kant’s categorical imperative by universalizing transgression while, on the other hand, Kant illuminates Sade by stressing that the universal maxim and the particular tendencies always conflict.
The Catalogue of the Original Library of Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania
Authors: Gray Barry
Published: June 2005

Scholars have long noted the significance of Allegheny College's original library to American cultural and educational history. This article describes how the books in the original library have been housed and maintained by the college, and traces the evolution of the catalogue of the original library, from book format in 1823, through card format, and finally to online. The catalogue and its retrospective conversion was completed almost entirely in-house. It presented many challenges to the library staff due to the special nature of the collection.
From Shareholder Value to CEO Power: The Paradox of the 1990s
Authors: Boyer Robert
Published: June 2005

Why did CEO remuneration explode during the 1990s and persist at high levels, even after the Internet bubble burst? This article surveys the alternative explanations that have been given of this paradox, mainly by various economic theories with some extension to political science, business administration, social psychology, moral philosophy and network analysis. It is argued that the diffusion of stock options and financial market-related incentives, supposed to discipline managers, have entitled them to convert their intrinsic power into remuneration and wealth, both at micro and macro level. This is the outcome of a de facto alliance of executives with financiers, who have exploited the long-run erosion of wage earners' bargaining power. The article also discusses the possible reforms that could reduce the probability and the adverse consequences of CEO and top-manager opportunism: reputation, business ethic, legal sanctions, public auditing of companies, or a shift from a shareholder to a stakeholder conception.
Pay for Corporate Performance or Pay as Social Division? Rethinking the Problem of Top Management Pay in Giant Corporations
Authors: Erturk Ismail , Froud Julie , Johal Sukhdev , Williams Karel
Published: June 2005

This article begins with the 1980s and 1990s business and public policy issue about pay for performance, which set executive pay in the United Kingdom and the United States into a problematic about value creation. In this context, it is not the absolute level of rewards that is the main concern, but rather the ways in which pay is connected with corporate performance. The article reviews evidence on long-term trends in remuneration and corporate performance. While the empirics on the growth of CEO pay in the United Kingdom and United States over twenty years show rates of increase that result in ever widening gaps between executive and average pay, the data on performance suggest that such pay increases have significantly outrun any sustained increase in value attributable to management effort. The article therefore argues that executive pay in giant corporations needs to be set in a new problematic of value skimming, which allows small elite groups to enrich themselves in ways that do not directly impoverish larger groups of shareholders or workers.
Incentivizing the Poor Relation: ‘Performance’ and the Pay of Public-Sector ‘Senior Managers’
Authors: Cutler Tony , Waine Barbara
Published: June 2005

This article discusses the principles and practices of pay determination for senior managers in the public sector. A central theme of the article is the analysis of performance-related pay (PRP) in the pattern of pay determination for this group. The discussion of this approach to pay is set in the context of New Public Management (NPM) and the emphasis on installing performance measurement and management as a central element in the ‘reform’ of public-sector services. The exemplary material is drawn from the United Kingdom, as it represents a national case in which NPM techniques have been applied over a quarter of century under successive governments. The article argues that while there are logical connections between PRP and performance measurement and management the practice of pay determination for senior public-sector managers is less coherent than such connections might suggest. The article locates the causes of such incoherence in the complexity of patterns of pay determination for senior public managers and the conceptual and methodological problems inherent in assessing the performance of public-sector services.
The Compensation of UK Executive Directors: Lots of Carrots but are There Any Sticks?
Authors: Stathopoulos Konstantinos , Espenlaub Susanne , Walker Martin
Published: June 2005

This article provides evidence on the level and composition of the pay of the top executives of a sample of UK public listed companies (PLCs). The study uses hand-collected data on the compensation for 698 CEO years and 2,609 other-executive years over the period 1995–2000. In order to focus on the consequences of exceptional performance the sample is stratified to include sub-samples of PLCs experiencing extreme positive and negative stock-price performance. With regard to management compensation clear differences are found in the treatment of executives across the three sub-samples. Consistent with standard contracting theory, the executives of exceptionally well performing firms fare better than the executives of mid-performing firms, who in turn fare better than the executives of poorly performing firms. In particular it appears the executives of exceptionally poorly performing firms experience mean cuts in their salaries and bonuses. That trend also applies to equity-based compensation. It should be mentioned, though, that a time-series investigation reveals increased participation and value in the equity-based schemes provided to CEOs and other executives of poorly performing firms. This is against the agency theory prediction that agents refrain from risk sharing in more volatile corporate environments. With regard to loss of tenure the finding, consistently with current literature, is that the CEOs of poorly performing firms are significantly more likely to be dismissed. This turnover, though, does not seem to directly affect the CEOs' emoluments during the year of departure. It is argued that the effect of turnover on CEOs' wealth depends on whether departure affects their ability to find an equally lucrative new job.
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in normal and pathological lung
Authors: van der Deen Margaretha , de Vries Elisabeth GE , Timens Wim , Scheper Rik J , Timmer-Bosscha Hetty , Postma Dirkje S
Published: June 2005

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are a family of transmembrane proteins that can transport a wide variety of substrates across biological membranes in an energy-dependent manner. Many ABC transporters such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) are highly expressed in bronchial epithelium. This review aims to give new insights in the possible functions of ABC molecules in the lung in view of their expression in different cell types. Furthermore, their role in protection against noxious compounds, e.g. air pollutants and cigarette smoke components, will be discussed as well as the (mal)function in normal and pathological lung. Several pulmonary drugs are substrates for ABC transporters and therefore, the delivery of these drugs to the site of action may be highly dependent on the presence and activity of many ABC transporters in several cell types. Three ABC transporters are known to play an important role in lung functioning. Mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene can cause cystic fibrosis, and mutations in ABCA1 and ABCA3 are responsible for respectively Tangier disease and fatal surfactant deficiency. The role of altered function of ABC transporters in highly prevalent pulmonary diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have hardly been investigated so far. We especially focused on polymorphisms, knock-out mice models and in vitro results of pulmonary research. Insight in the function of ABC transporters in the lung may open new ways to facilitate treatment of lung diseases.
Iterative approach to model identification of biological networks
Authors: Gadkar Kapil G , Gunawan Rudiyanto , Doyle Francis J
Published: June 2005

Background

Recent advances in molecular biology techniques provide an opportunity for developing detailed mathematical models of biological processes. An iterative scheme is introduced for model identification using available system knowledge and experimental measurements.

Results

The scheme includes a state regulator algorithm that provides estimates of all system unknowns (concentrations of the system components and the reaction rates of their inter-conversion). The full system information is used for estimation of the model parameters. An optimal experiment design using the parameter identifiability and D-optimality criteria is formulated to provide "rich" experimental data for maximizing the accuracy of the parameter estimates in subsequent iterations. The importance of model identifiability tests for optimal measurement selection is also considered. The iterative scheme is tested on a model for the caspase function in apoptosis where it is demonstrated that model accuracy improves with each iteration. Optimal experiment design was determined to be critical for model identification.

Conclusion

The proposed algorithm has general application to modeling a wide range of cellular processes, which include gene regulation networks, signal transduction and metabolic networks.
The allergy adjuvant effect of particles – genetic factors influence antibody and cytokine responses
Authors: Nygaard Unni Cecilie , Aase Audun , Løvik Martinus
Published: June 2005

Background

There is increasing epidemiological and experimental evidence for an aggravating effect of particulate air pollution on asthma and allergic symptoms and, to a lesser extent, on allergic sensitization. Genetic factors appear to influence not only the magnitude, but also the quality of the adjuvant effect of particles with respect to allergen-specific IgE (Th2-associated) and IgG2a (Th1-associated) responses. In the present study, we aimed to investigate how the genetic background influences the responses to the allergen and particles alone and in combination. We examined how polystyrene particles (PSP) affected the IgE and IgG2a responses against the model allergen ovalbumin (OVA), after subcutaneous injection into the footpad of BALB/cA, BALB/cJ, NIH and C3H/HeN mice, Further, ex vivo IL-4, IFN-γ and IL-10 cytokine secretion by Con A-stimulated cells from the draining popliteal lymph node (PLN) five days after injection of OVA and PSP separately or in combination was determined.

Results

PSP injected with OVA increased the levels of OVA-specific IgE antibodies in all strains examined. In contrast, the IgG2a levels were significantly increased only in NIH and C3H/HeN mice. PSP in the presence of OVA increased cell numbers and IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-γ levels in BALB/cA, NIH and C3H/HeN mice, with the exception of IFN-γ in NIH mice. However, each mouse strain had their unique pattern of response to OVA+PSP, OVA and PSP, and also their unique background cytokine response (i.e. the cytokine response in cells from mice injected with buffer only).

Conclusion

Genetic factors (i.e. the strain of mice) influenced the susceptibility to the adjuvant effect of PSP on both secondary antibody responses and primary cellular responses in the lymph node, as well as the cellular responses to both OVA and PSP given separately. Interestingly, PSP alone induced cytokine responses in the lymph node in some of the mouse strains. Furthermore, we found that the ex vivo cytokine patterns did not predict the in vivo Th2- and Th1-associated antibody response patterns in the different mouse strains. The results indicate that insoluble particles act by increasing the inherent response to the allergen, and that the genetic background may determine whether an additional Th1-associated component is added to the response.
Lack of evidence for a genetic association between FGF20 and Parkinson's disease in Finnish and Greek patients
Authors: Clarimon Jordi , Xiromerisiou Georgia , Eerola Johanna , Gourbali Vanesa , Hellström Olli , Dardiotis Euthimios , Peuralinna Terhi , Papadimitriou Alexandros , Hadjigeorgiou George M , Tienari Pentti J , Singleton Andrew B
Published: June 2005

Background

Fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF20) is a neurotrophic factor preferentially expressed in the substantia nigra of rat brain and could be involved in dopaminergic neurons survival. Recently, a strong genetic association has been found between FGF20 gene and the risk of suffering from Parkinson's disease (PD). Our aim was to replicate this association in two independent populations.

Methods

Allelic, genotypic, and haplotype frequencies of four biallelic polymorphisms were assessed in 151 sporadic PD cases and 186 controls from Greece, and 144 sporadic PD patients and 135 controls from Finland.

Results

No association was found in any of the populations studied.

Conclusion

Taken together, these findings suggest that common genetic variants in FGF20 are not a risk factor for PD in, at least, some European populations.
Influenza associated excess mortality in Germany, 1985 – 2001
Authors: Zucs Phillip , Buchholz Udo , Haas Walter , Uphoff Helmut
Published: June 2005

Influenza-associated excess mortality is widely used to assess the severity of influenza epidemics. In Germany, however, it is not yet established as a routine component of influenza surveillance. We therefore applied a simple method based on the annual distribution of monthly relative mortality (relative mortality distribution method, RMDM) to a time-series of German monthly all-cause mortality data from 1985–2001 to estimate influenza-associated excess mortality. Results were compared to those obtained by cyclical regression.

Both methods distinguished stronger from milder influenza seasons, but RMDM gave the better fit (R2 = 0.80). For the years after reunification, i.e. 1990/91 through 2000/01, RMDM yielded an average of 6900 (conservative estimate) to13600 influenza-asssociated excess deaths per season (crude estimate). The most severe epidemics occurred during subtype A/H3N2 seasons. While German all-cause mortality declined over the study period, the number of excess deaths displayed an upward trend, coinciding with an increase of the proportion of the elderly population.
A survey for pain and sedation medications in pediatric patients during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: DeBerry Brittany B , Lynch James E , Chernin Jill M , Zwischenberger Joseph B , Chung Dai H
Published: June 2005

Routine administration of large amounts of pain and sedative medication is common to critically ill pediatric patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for cardiopulmonary failure. It has been our experience that pediatric patients are the most difficult age group in which to achieve an ideal pain and sedative control due to the narrow margin of safety. The purpose of this study was to determine the general practice guideline used for pain and anxiolytic pharmacotherapy for pediatric patients at ECMO centers. We sent a survey questionnaire to all ECMO centers in the USA that treat pediatric respiratory failure patients. Of the 46 responding centers (including telephone follow-ups), 37 (80%) centers had an active pediatric ECMO programs for patients with severe respiratory failure. Fentanyl was the most commonly used pain medication and continuous infusion, administered directly to the patient, was preferred. Subjective effectiveness of various pharmacological agents was variable without clear consensus; however, midazolam was considered to be the most effective agent used.
The Ethics of Self-Management Preparation for Chronic Illness
Authors: Redman Barbara K
Published: June 2005

While nearly all patients with a chronic disease must self-manage their condition to some extent, preparation for these responsibilities is infrequently assured in the USA. The result can be significant harm and the undermining of a patient’s ability to take advantage of life opportunities and be productive. Agreeing to care for a patient involves a moral responsibility to see that she or he receives the essential elements of care, including the ability to manage the disease on a daily basis. The research base for the efficacy of self-management and for how patients can be prepared to assume it is sufficiently strong that health care professionals must advocate for its inclusion in the routine evidence-based care of individuals with chronic disease. Because patient education is central to nursing’s philosophy and practice, the profession should play a major role in removing structural barriers to self-management preparation and assuring its provision to a high standard of quality.
Justifying Coercion
Authors: Vuckovich Paula K , Artinian Barbara M
Published: June 2005

A grounded theory study of psychiatric nurses’ experiences of administering medication to involuntary psychiatric patients revealed a basic social process of justifying coercion. Although the 17 nurses interviewed all reported success at avoiding the use of coercion, each had an individual approach to using the nurse-patient relationship to do this. However, all the nurses used the same process to reconcile themselves to using coercion when it became necessary. This has three stages: assessment of need; negotiation; and justifying and taking coercive action. Two critical junctures - decision to engage and impasse - determine the progression from one stage to the next. The process of justifying coercion allows a nurse to engage in behavior generally disapproved of while retaining a self-image of a ‘good’ nurse.
Nurse Moral Distress and Ethical Work Environment
Authors: Corley Mary C , Minick Ptlene , Elswick R K , Jacobs Mary
Published: June 2005

This study examined the relationship between moral distress intensity, moral distress frequency and the ethical work environment, and explored the relationship of demographic characteristics to moral distress intensity and frequency. A group of 106 nurses from two large medical centers reported moderate levels of moral distress intensity, low levels of moral distress frequency, and a moderately positive ethical work environment. Moral distress intensity and ethical work environment were correlated with moral distress frequency. Age was negatively correlated with moral distress intensity, whereas being African American was related to higher levels of moral distress intensity. The ethical work environment predicted moral distress intensity. These results reveal a difference between moral distress intensity and frequency and the importance of the environment to moral distress intensity.
Regression of Ocular Adnexal Lymphoma AfterChlamydia Psittaci–Eradicating Antibiotic Therapy
Authors: Ferreri Andrés J.M. , Ponzoni Maurilio , Guidoboni Massimo , De Conciliis Carlo , Resti Antonio Giordano , Mazzi Benedetta , Lettini Antonia Anna , Demeter Judit , Dell'Oro Stefania , Doglioni Claudio , Villa Eugenio , Boiocchi Mauro , Dolcetti Riccardo
Published: June 2005

Purpose

Some infectious agents contributing to lymphomagenesis have been considered targets for new therapeutic strategies. Chlamydia psittaci DNA has been detected in 80% of ocular adnexal lymphomas. The present pilot study was carried out to assess whether C psittaci–eradicating antibiotic therapy is associated with tumor regression in ocular adnexal lymphomas.

Patients and Methods

Nine patients with C psittaci–positive marginal-zone B-cell lymphoma of the ocular adnexa at diagnosis or relapse were treated with doxycycline 100 mg, bid orally, for 3 weeks. The presence of C psittaci DNA in peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was also assessed before and after treatment in seven patients. Objective lymphoma regression was assessed 1, 3, and 6 months after therapy conclusion and every 6 months during follow-up.

Results

All patients completed antibiotic therapy with excellent tolerability. At 1 month from doxycycline assumption, chlamydial DNA was no longer detectable in PBMCs of all four positive patients. Objective response was complete in two patients, partial response (> 50%) was observed in two patients, and minimal response (< 50%) was observed in three patients. Duration of response in the seven responders was 12+, 29+, 31+, 8+, 7+, 2+, and 1+ months, respectively.

Conclusion

C psittaci–eradicating antibiotic therapy with doxycycline is followed by objective response in patients with ocular adnexal lymphoma, even after multiple relapses of the disease. A confirmatory, large, phase II trial is warranted to confirm whether this fast, cheap, and well-tolerated therapy could replace other more aggressive strategies as first-line treatment against ocular adnexal lymphomas.
An Efficient Method for Alkylation of Alcohols with Alkyl P,P-diphenyl-N-(methanesulfonyl)phosphinimidates
Authors: Aoki Hidenori , Mukaiyama Teruaki
Published: June 2005

Alkyl P,P-diphenyl-N-(methanesulfonyl)phosphinimidates, easily prepared from alkyl diphenylphosphinites and methanesulfonyl azide, are used as a useful reagent for O-alkylation of alcohols in the presence of a catalytic amount of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (Me3SiOTf).
Rhenium Complexes of N-Methyl N-Confused Tetraphenylporphyrin and Its Normal Isomer
Authors: Toganoh Motoki , Furuta Hiroyuki
Published: June 2005

The rhenium tricarbonyl complexes bearing tridentate porphyrin ligands, N-methyltatraphenylporphyrin and N-methyl N-confused tatraphenylporphyrin, were prepared and their structures were studied by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Drastic change of HOMO–LUMO gap by confusion of N-methylpyrrole moiety was illustrated from experimental and theoretical studies.
Post-operative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy with carboplatin and 5-fluorouracil for primary branchiogenic carcinoma
Authors: Katori Hideaki , Nozawa Akinori , Tsukuda Mamoru
Published: June 2005

Background: Branchiogenic carcinoma occurs only rarely. A pathologic description and post-operative adjuvant therapy with carboplatin (CBDCA) and daily oral 5-fluorouracil (UFT) are analysed.

Case report: We present the case of a 52-year-old man with a lateral neck mass lesion. A fine-needle aspiration was performed and cytological examination showed class IV disease. The patient underwent excision of the mass and an intra-operative rapid pathological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma was made; we then went on to perform neck dissection. The patient received post-operative radiation therapy (total 64 Gy) and chemotherapy (CBDCA 100 mg/week and UFT 300 mg/day). He was followed up for 62 months after surgery without any evidence of recurrence of cancer.

Conclusion: This case satisfies the histological criteria established by Martin and Khafif for a primary branchiogenic carcinoma. The management would be wide surgical excision of the tumour, including neck dissection, followed by adjuvant therapy, such as chemoradiation. As post-operative adjuvant therapy for primary branchiogenic carcinoma, chemoradiotherapy with carboplatin and UFT was a safe and well tolerated regimen.
“That Bright New Light”: Schenker, Universal Edition, and the Origins of the Erläuterung Series, 1901–1910
Authors: BENT IAN D.
Published: June 2005

In 1912, Schenker began to reconceptualize four works already published, in press, or in preparation as a series parallel to his Neue musikalische Theorien und Phantasien, under the collective title Erläuterungsausgaben (elucidatory editions): his editions of C. P. E. Bach keyboard works with companion brochure, Ein Beitrag zur Ornamentik (1903; 2nd ed. 1908); J. S. Bach's Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue (1910); Beethoven's last five piano sonatas (1913–20); and his monograph on Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (1912). A close reading of the texts associated with the first two of these brings out the characteristics of Schenker's newly forged mode of musical discourse and helps us understand why Schenker prized it so highly.

Inspection of Schenker's correspondence with J. G. Cotta and Universal Edition (also the latter's publication records and catalogues) and his diary makes possible a detailed history of the works concerned and of his unsuccessful attempt to establish the second series; it also reveals the central role he envisioned for himself in the future of Universal Edition and casts light on his complex interactions with Emil Hertzka, on relationships with his private patrons, and on his sense of exclusion from Viennese musical circles.
Learning to Cope: How Far Is Too Close?
Authors: Wolpin Brian M. , Chabner Bruce A. , Lynch Thomas J. , Penson Richard T.
Published: June 2005

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Describe the human aspects of caring for dying patients and the frustrations of futile oncology treatment.Explain the importance of addressing how issues of life and death affect caregivers.Discuss the advantages and risks of close relationships with patients.

Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 hour of AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com

Shortly before his death in 1995, Kenneth B. Schwartz, a cancer patient at Massachusetts General Hospital, founded The Kenneth B. Schwartz Center. The Schwartz Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing compassionate health care delivery, with the goal of providing hope to patients and support to caregivers. The Schwartz Center Rounds is a monthly multidisciplinary forum where caregivers reflect on important psychosocial issues faced by patients, families, and caregivers, and gain insight and support from fellow staff members.

The case is presented of a patient with a precipitous decline in health due to rapidly progressive, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. The discussion at Schwartz Center Rounds centers on oncologists’ feelings of failure and coping mechanisms when dealing with patients’ deaths. This discussion is followed by a first-year oncology fellow's reaction to caring for this and other terminally ill patients. Then, to provide a broader framework in which to understand these issues, the emotional cost and measurable benefit of close relationships with patients is investigated. To conclude, further educational initiatives are advocated to assist both physicians-in-training and more senior clinicians in dealing with the difficult issues that arise when caring for very ill and dying patients.
Nontraditional constant pressure filtration behavior
Authors: Stickland Anthony D. , De Kretser Ross G. , Scales Peter J.
Published: June 2005

Pressure filtration is a common industrial process used for solid–liquid separation and laboratory technique used to measure the compressional rheological properties of suspensions. Traditional approaches to the modeling of constant pressure filtration behavior of particulate systems stipulate quadratic behavior of time with filtrate volume. However, this is not necessarily a fundamental attribute of pressure filtration, but rather a result of the assumptions made of the compressibility and permeability of the material. This work solves diffusion‐type constant pressure filtration governing equations using a finite‐difference technique to demonstrate that filtration, under certain circumstances, is expected to show negligible quadratic behavior. Materials that exhibit such behavior have often been classified as nontraditional and methodologies have been developed to interpret such trends. This work illustrates that such behavior is in fact covered by extant filtration models and does not require any extra interpretation of the forces involved. Furthermore, it is shown that traditional or nontraditional behavior is dependent on the initial solids concentration and the applied pressure, such that the filtration of a suspension may show relatively long cake formation times at low initial concentrations or pressures, and relatively short times at high initial concentrations or pressures. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
A unified probabilistic approach for modeling trajectory‐based separations
Authors: Wei Jing , Realff Matthew J.
Published: June 2005

The traditional approach to modeling solid–solid separations is based on solving differential equations for particle concentration profiles. This approach is difficult to generalize when the particle properties, such as size and charge, are random variables. If we view particle trajectories as the ultimate differentiating factor, and the nonsharpness of separation as a result of the existence of various random variables such as the random particle properties, and random velocities caused by such phenomena as hydrodynamic interactions, then the recovery can be modeled as a joint probability of particles reaching a certain separation boundary. It is shown that the probabilistic model is a unified approach for various trajectory‐based particle separations including sink‐float, froth flotation, and electrostatic separation. We transform the recovery models, which have various forms, to the single‐form partition curve model that can simplify the design. The design procedure is reduced to optimally setting two model parameters by adjusting the design and operating variables. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
Pharmacokinetics of Amiodarone in hyperlipidemic and simulated high fat‐meal rat models
Authors: Shayeganpour Anooshirvan , Jun Andrew S. , Brocks Dion R.
Published: June 2005

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a high fat meal and hyperlipidemia on the pharmacokinetic behavior of amiodarone. To evaluate these effects, single doses of amiodarone were administered to rats i.v. (25 mg/kg) or orally (50 mg/kg). Some rats were rendered hyperlipidemic by intraperitoneal doses of poloxamer 407 followed by amiodarone i.v. In other normolipidemic rats, amiodarone was administered i.v. in a fasted state or after the administration of 1% cholesterol in peanut oil. Amiodarone plasma concentrations were considerably (>11‐fold) increased in hyperlipidemia. Substantial decreases were noted in the clearance, volume of distribution and unbound fraction (11.6, 23 and 24.7‐fold, respectively) in plasma of hyperlipidemic rats. Oral lipid caused a significant increase in plasma AUC0−∞ (1.38‐fold) and a significant decrease in clearance (1.5‐fold) of amiodarone after intravenous doses. Oral consumption of 1% cholesterol in peanut oil significantly increased the plasma AUC (1.83‐fold) and bioavailability of amiodarone (1.31‐fold) after oral doses. In determining oral bioavailability of lipophilic drugs such as amiodarone in food effect studies, in addition to the increase in absorption of drugs, other factors such as a decrease in clearance due to increases in lipoprotein levels should be taken into account. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First results of triple‐modality treatment combining radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hyperthermia for the treatment of patients with Stage IIB, III, and IVA cervical carcinoma
Authors: Westermann Anneke M. , Jones Ellen L. , Schem Baard‐Christian , van der Steen‐Banasik Elzbieta M. , Koper Peter , Mella Olav , Uitterhoeve Apollonia L. J. , de Wit Ronald , van der Velden Jacobus , Burger Curt , van der Wilt Clasina L. , Dahl Olav , Prosnitz Leonard R. , van der Zee Jacoba
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND

Patients with advanced cervical carcinoma are treated routinely with radiotherapy and cisplatin‐containing chemotherapy. It has been shown that hyperthermia can improve the results of both radiotherapy and cisplatin. In the current study, the feasibility and efficacy of the combination of all three modalities was studied in previously untreated patients with cervical carcinoma.

METHODS

Patients with advanced cervical carcinoma were registered prospectively in the U.S., Norway, and the Netherlands. External‐beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy were administered for a biologically effective dose ≥ 86.7 gray. At least 4 courses of weekly cisplatin (40 mg/m2) and 4 sessions of weekly locoregional hyperthermia were added to radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Sixty‐eight patients with a median age of 45 years were enrolled. Full‐dose radiotherapy was delivered to all patients according to plan. At least 4 courses of chemotherapy were received by 97% of patients, and at least 4 courses of hyperthermia treatment were received by 93% of patients. Toxicity was fully comparable to that described for chemoradiotherapy alone, and the median total treatment time was 45 days. Complete remission was achieved by 61 patients (90%). After a median follow‐up of 538 days, 74% of patients remained alive without signs of recurrence, and the overall survival rate was 84%.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of full‐dose radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hyperthermia was feasible and effective in a multicenter international setting among patients with advanced cervical carcinoma. A Phase III study comparing this novel triplet with standard chemoradiation, designed to show at least a 15% improvement in overall survival, has been launched. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Ifosfamide/liposomal daunorubicin is a well tolerated and active first‐line chemotherapy regimen in advanced soft tissue sarcoma
Authors: Siehl Jan M. , Thiel Eckhard , Schmittel Alexander , Hütter Gero , Deckert Peter M. , Szelényi Hubert , Keilholz Ulrich
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND

The anthracycline/ifosfamide combination is the most effective chemotherapy in soft tissue sarcoma. To improve the tolerability and potential efficacy of this combination, the authors combined a moderate dose of continuous infusion ifosfamide with liposomal daunorubicin (L‐Dauno).

METHODS

In a single‐arm, Phase II study, 40 patients with a median age of 57 years (range, 19–78 years) were enrolled. Of these, 35 patients were treated with first‐line chemotherapy. The treatment regimen was comprised of ifosfamide at a dose of 5 g/m2 over 24 hours and L‐Dauno at a dose of 100 mg/m2 every 4 weeks with granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor support.

RESULTS

Eleven (31%) of 35 anthracycline/ifosfamide‐naive patients achieved a partial/complete response, 6 patients (17%) had stable disease, and 13 patients (37%) had disease progression. Three patients were not evaluable, and there were two intermittent deaths. The median time to disease progression was 6 months, the median overall survival was 14 months, and the median time to treatment failure was 15 months. Toxicity was tolerable.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of Ifosfamide and L‐Dauno was found to be a highly active chemotherapy regimen for first‐line treatment of soft tissue sarcoma. Therefore, we believe randomized studies with this regimen are warranted. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Isospectral finiteness on hyperbolic 3‐manifolds
Authors: Kim Inkang
Published: June 2005

In this paper we show that for a given set of lengths of closed geodesics, there are only finitely many convex‐cocompact, hyperbolic 3‐manifolds with incompressible boundary, up to orientation‐preserving isometries. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The fate of human malignant melanoma cells transplanted into zebrafish embryos: Assessment of migration and cell division in the absence of tumor formation
Authors: Lee Lisa M.J. , Seftor Elisabeth A. , Bonde Gregory , Cornell Robert A. , Hendrix Mary J.C.
Published: June 2005

Certain aggressive melanoma cell lines exhibit a dedifferentiated phenotype, expressing genes that are characteristic of various cell types including endothelial, neural, and stem cells. Moreover, we have shown that aggressive melanoma cells can participate in neovascularization in vivo and vasculogenic mimicry in vitro, demonstrating that these cells respond to microenvironmental cues and manifest developmental plasticity. To explore this plasticity further, we transplanted human metastatic melanoma cells into zebrafish blastula‐stage embryos and monitored their behavior post‐transplantation. The data show that human metastatic melanoma cells placed in the zebrafish embryo survive, exhibit motility, and divide. The melanoma cells do not form tumors nor integrate into host organs, but instead become scattered throughout the embryo in interstitial spaces, reflecting the dedifferentiated state of the cancer cells. In contrast to the fate of melanoma cells, human melanocytes transplanted into zebrafish embryos most frequently become distributed to their normal microenvironment of the skin, revealing that the zebrafish embryo contains possible homing cues that can be interpreted by normal human cells. Finally, we show that within the zebrafish embryo, metastatic melanoma cells retain their dedifferentiated phenotype. These results demonstrate the utility of the zebrafish embryonic model for the study of tumor cell plasticity and suggest that this experimental paradigm can be a powerful one in which to investigate tumor‐microenvironment interactions. Developmental Dynamics 233:1560–1570, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.