bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of inoculation of high dry matter alfalfa silage on ensiling characteristics, ruminal nutrient degradability and dairy cow performance
Authors: Rizk Charbel , Mustafa Arif F , Phillip Leroy E
Published: November 2004

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a homolactic acid inoculant on ensiling characteristics and nutritive value of high dry matter (DM) alfalfa. The ensiling characteristics were determined by ensiling inoculated and untreated alfalfa haylage in mini‐silos for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 45 days. Two lactating cows fitted with ruminal fistulas were used to determine ruminal degradabilities of nutrient in inoculated and untreated alfalfa silage (45‐day silage). Effects of feeding inoculated and untreated alfalfa silage on animal performance were determined using 28 lactating dairy cows fed total mixed diets (40% forage and 60% concentrate) with the forage portion consisting of inoculated or untreated alfalfa silage. The pH of the inoculated silage declined from 5.9 to 4.5 within 2 days of ensiling while the pH of the untreated silage did not drop below 5 until day 16 post‐ensiling. At all ensiling times, inoculated alfalfa silage had lower pH than untreated alfalfa silage. The concentration of lactic acid was higher while that of water‐soluble carbohydrates was lower for inoculated than untreated alfalfa silage at all ensiling times. Inoculation increased proteolysis as indicated by a reduction in true protein and neutral detergent insoluble protein and an increase in non‐protein nitrogen. Ruminal degradability of DM, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber of alfalfa silage were not affected by inoculation. The average effective degradability of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber was 66, 65 and 62%, respectively. Dairy cows fed inoculated alfalfa silage had DM intake (average 22 kg day−1) and milk yield (average 42 kg day−1) similar to cows fed untreated alfalfa silage. It was concluded that the inoculant used in this study improved the ensiling characteristics of alfalfa silage with no significant effects on dairy cow performance. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
In vitro availability of starch in heat‐treated potatoes as related to genotype, weight and storage time
Authors: Leeman A Margareta , Bårström L Mattias , Björck Inger ME
Published: November 2004

The objective of the study was to determine the influence of potato variety, weight and storage time after lifting on the glycaemic index (GI) and resistant starch (RS) content predicted from measurement of the rate and extent of in vitro starch hydrolysis, respectively. The potatoes were either boiled, or boiled and subjected to different heat‐cycling conditions selected to promote retrogradation of amylose or amylopectin, respectively. The hydrolysis indices (HI) and predicted GIs of all 19 potato products were high and fell within narrow ranges of 122–144 and 118–138, respectively. No correlation between average weight of the potato tuber and HI was found. Furthermore, there was no difference in HI between potatoes stored for 1–3 or 8–10 months, nor between varieties of new potato and winter potato. However, the HI was significantly lowered by temperature cycling at conditions known to promote retrogradation of amylopectin (6 °C, 48 h) compared with 6 °C for 24 h followed by 70 °C for 24 h. RS content was already substantial in boiled potatoes, 4.5 g 100 g−1 (starch basis), and could be increased further by temperature cycling, the highest yield obtained, 9.8 g 100 g−1 (starch basis), following heat treatment at 6 °C for 24 h followed by 70 °C for 24 h; that is at conditions known to favour amylose retrogradation. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Content of low molecular weight carbohydrates in vining peas (Pisum sativum) after blanching and freezing: effect of cultivar and cultivation conditions
Authors: Ekvall J , Stegmark R , Nyman M
Published: November 2004

The content of low molecular weight carbohydrates (LMWC, glucose, fructose, sucrose, raffinose, stachyose and verbascose) was investigated in 29 cultivars of vining peas after blanching and freezing. The peas were harvested at about the same degree of ripeness. There was a positive correlation between the amount of raffinose, stachyose and sorbitol, while a high content of verbascose only could be seen when there was a low content of these sugars. High concentrations of sucrose were generally associated with high concentrations of glucose and fructose. Samples from 1999 had a significantly (p < 0.001) higher content of raffinose, stachyose and sorbitol and lower of verbascose, probably because of the drier and warmer summer that year compared with 1998. Furthermore, medium and late maturing cultivars contained larger amounts of raffinose, stachyose and sorbitol than early cultivars, possibly due to the fact that these cultivars, to a greater extent, were exposed to a higher temperature and more intense sunlight for a longer time. Considerable differences in the content of LMWC could be seen both between the different cultivars and the various trials. Glucose and sucrose were generally similarly affected by cultivar and cultivation conditions, while cultivation conditions had a greater influence on the content of sorbitol and the raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFO; raffinose, stachyose, verbascose) in late‐maturing groups. It is concluded that many factors affect the content of LMWC in peas. However, as the content of RFO is comparatively small in vining peas, any nutritional significance of these sugars in the human colon is probably rather small. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of electronegativity on transport properties of (La0.83M0.17)0.67Ca0.33MnO3 (M = Y, Bi)
Authors: Xia Z. C. , Dong B. , Liu G. , Liu D. W. , Chen L. , Fang C. H. , Liu L. , Liu S. , Tang C. Q. , Yuan S. L.
Published: November 2004

Electrical transport and magnetic properties of (La0.83M0.17)0.67Ca0.33MnO3 (M = Y and Bi) have been investigated. Experimental results show that the doped samples have obviously different electrical transport and magnetic properties; the difference cannot be interpreted only on the basis of the effect of the ionic radius 〈rA〉, where 〈rA〉 is the average ionic radii of A‐site cations. Together with the ionic radius and the electronegativity of the doping ion, the differences of electrical transport and magnetic properties between the Bi3+‐ and Y3+‐doped (La0.83M0.17)0.67Ca0.33MnO3 are discussed, in which the electronegativity has an important effect on the electrical transport and magnetic properties. Especially, the Bi‐doped sample shows an enhanced magnetoresistance with a widened temperature window, which is encouraging concerning the potential application of magnetoresistive materials. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Orientation dependence properties of modified tetragonal 0.88Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.12PbTiO3 single crystals
Authors: Zhang Shujun , Lebrun Laurent , Randall Clive A. , Shrout Thomas R.
Published: November 2004

Tetragonal 0.88Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.12PbTiO3 (PZNT12) single crystals were found to possess high electromechanical coupling k33 ∼ 86–88% and large coercive field ∼8 kV/cm, while exhibiting good temperature stability till its Curie temperature (TC) ∼190 °C. The role of dopants on the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of PZNT12 crystals modified with the Fe, Co, Ce and Mn, all resulted in a downward shift of TC, effectively increasing the dielectric permittivity, while the mechanical quality factor Q was found to be greatly improved. The detailed characterization of doped Mn‐PZNT12 crystals was performed along different crystallographic orientations, in which the figure of merit d · Q was found to be the highest when the sample was poled along the [110] direction, along with a very low strain‐electric field hysteresis, making the manganese modified PZNT12 crystals promising candidates for high power resonance transducers. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Bayesian non‐response models for categorical data from small areas: an application to BMD and age
Authors: Nandram Balgobin , Liu Ning , Choi Jai Won , Cox Lawrence
Published: November 2004

We provide a Bayesian analysis of data categorized into two levels of age (younger than 50 years, at least 50 years) and three levels of bone mineral density (normal, osteopenia, osteoporosis) for white females at least 20 years old in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. For the sample, the age of each individual is known, but some individuals did not have their BMD measured. We use two types of models: In the ignorable non‐response models the propensity to respond does not depend on BMD and age of an individual, while in the non‐ignorable non‐response models it does. These are the baseline models which are used to derive all models for testing. Our non‐ignorable non‐response models are ‘close’ to the ignorable non‐response models, thereby reducing the effects of the assumptions about non‐respondents that cannot be tested in non‐response models. We have data from 35 counties, small areas, and therefore our models are hierarchical, a feature that allows a ‘borrowing of strength’ across the counties, and they provide a substantial reduction in variation. The non‐ignorable non‐response models are generalizations of the ignorable non‐response models, and therefore, the non‐ignorable non‐response models allow broader inference. The joint posterior density of the parameters for each model is complex, and therefore, we fit each model using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods to obtain samples which are used to make inference about BMD and age. For each county we can estimate the proportion of individuals in each BMD and age cell of the categorical table, and we can assess the relation between BMD and age using the Bayes factor. A sensitivity analysis shows that there are differences (typically small) in inference that permits different levels of association between BMD and age. A simulation study shows that there is not much difference between the baseline ignorable and non‐ignorable non‐response models. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simple fitting of subject‐specific curves for longitudinal data
Authors: Durbán M. , Harezlak J. , Wand M. P. , Carroll R. J.
Published: November 2004

We present a simple semiparametric model for fitting subject‐specific curves for longitudinal data. Individual curves are modelled as penalized splines with random coefficients. This model has a mixed model representation, and it is easily implemented in standard statistical software. We conduct an analysis of the long‐term effect of radiation therapy on the height of children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia using penalized splines in the framework of semiparametric mixed effects models. The analysis revealed significant differences between therapies and showed that the growth rate of girls in the study cannot be fully explained by the group‐average curve and that individual curves are necessary to reflect the individual response to treatment. We also show how to implement these models in S‐PLUS and R in the appendix. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Semi‐parametric modelling for costs of health care technologies
Authors: Conigliani C. , Tancredi A.
Published: November 2004

Cost data that arise in the evaluation of health care technologies usually exhibit highly skew, heavy‐tailed and, possibly, multi‐modal distributions. Distribution‐free methods for analysing these data, such as the bootstrap, or those based on the asymptotic normality of sample means, may often lead to inefficient or misleading inferences. On the other hand, parametric models that fit the data (or a transformation of the data) equally well can produce very different answers. We consider a Bayesian approach, and model cost data with a distribution composed of a piecewise constant density up to an unknown endpoint, and a generalized Pareto distribution for the remaining tail. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statistical consideration of the strategy for demonstrating clinical evidence of effectiveness—one larger vs two smaller pivotal studies
Authors: Shun Zhenming , Chi Eric , Durrleman Sylvain , Fisher Lloyd
Published: November 2004

As a regulatory strategy, it is nowadays not uncommon to conduct one confirmatory pivotal clinical trial, instead of two, to demonstrate efficacy and safety in drug development. This paper is intended to investigate the statistical foundation of such an approach. The one‐study approach is compared with the conventional two‐study approach in terms of power, type‐I error, and fundamental statistical assumptions. Necessary requirements for a single‐study model is provided in order to maintain equivalent evidence as that from a two‐study model. In general, one‐study model is valid only under a ‘one population’ assumption. In addition, higher data quality and more convincing and robust results need to be demonstrated in such cases. However, when ‘one‐population’ assumption is valid and appropriate methods are selected, a one‐study model can have a better power using the same sample size. The paper also investigates statistical assumptions and methods for making an overall inference when a two‐study model has been used. The methods for integrated analysis are evaluated. It is important for statisticians to select correct pooling strategy based on the project objective and statistical hypothesis. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The minimal interspecific introgression resulting in male sterility in Drosophila
Authors: SAWAMURA KYOICHI , YAMAMOTO MASA-TOSHI
Published: November 2004

Introgression of Drosophila simulans genes into the Drosophila melanogaster genome provides an ideal system for analysing genetic incompatibility between species. Females and males homozygous for the introgression Int(2L)S (cytologically, 30F3-31C5 to 36A2-7) are sterile. Genetic dissection of the proximal part of the introgression (34D1-3 to 36A2-7) has indicated that introgressions of 0·7–1·6 Mb size result in male sterility when homozygous. In the present analysis we examine the distal part of the introgression (30F3-31C to 34D1-3) and reveal that introgressions with similar DNA content (1·8–2·1 Mb) result in male sterility. Compared with introgressions between the more closely related species Drosophila mauritiana and D. simulans, the minimal introgression resulting in male sterility is smaller by several-fold.
Genotype-assisted optimum contribution selection to maximize selection response over a specified time period
Authors: MEUWISSEN THEO H. E. , SONESSON ANNA K.
Published: November 2004

Genotype-assisted selection (GAS), i.e. selection for an identified quantitative trait locus (QTL) and polygenic background genes, has been shown to increase short-term genetic gain but may reduce long-term genetic gains. In order to avoid this reduction of long-term gain, multi-generation optimization of truncation selection schemes is needed. This paper presents a multi-generation optimization of optimum contribution (OC) selection with selection on an identified QTL. This genotype-assisted optimum contribution (GAOC) selection method assumes that the optimum selection differential at the QTL is constant over the time horizon, and achieves this by controlling the increase of the frequency of the positive QTL allele. Implementation was straightforward by an additional linear restriction in the OC algorithm. GAOC achieved 35·2%, 2·3% and 1·1%, respectively, more cumulative genetic gain than OC selection (ignoring the QTL) using time horizons of 5, 10 and 15 generations. When one-generation optimization of GAS was used instead of multi-generation optimization, these figures were 2·8%, 3·1% and 3·2%, respectively. Simulated annealing was used to optimize the increases of the frequency of the positive QTL allele in order to test the optimality of GAOC. This latter resulted in genetic gains that were always within 0·4% of those of GAOC. In practice, short-term genetic gains are also important, which makes one-generation optimization of genetic gain closer to optimal.
Observational evidence of rapid chlorine activation by mountain waves above northern Scandinavia
Authors: Kühl S. , Dörnbrack A. , Wilms‐Grabe W. , Sinnhuber B.‐M. , Platt U. , Wagner T.
Published: November 2004

The Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME) routinely maps atmospheric column densities of chlorine dioxide (OClO), an important indicator of chlorine activation. In previous studies it was shown that the level of OClO during polar winters is anticorrelated to synoptic‐scale temperatures inside the polar vortex. Here we present observations of exceptionally fast chlorine activation by mesoscale polar stratospheric clouds during the mountain wave event above northern Scandinavia between 20 and 22 January 1997. The observed slant column densities of OClO in the area of the mountain wave activity increase from 0.6 * 1014 molec/cm2 to 1.3 * 1014 molec/cm2. Combining the GOME observations with radiative transfer calculations, the corresponding vertical column densities are derived, and by applying pressure and temperature profiles from mesoscale simulations, the mixing ratios for OClO and ClO at the different altitude levels are estimated. The vertical column densities of OClO indicate a level of chlorine activation that is about two times higher compared to the days before the mountain wave event, and the deduced mixing ratios for ClO imply that chlorine was almost completely activated over a wide altitude range. The area showing enhanced OClO values increased by approximately 750.000 km2 which is more than 3% of the polar vortex area (≈23.0 * 106 km2). These observations are in good agreement with previous model studies, where comparable increases and areas of chlorine activation were calculated. The case of 21 January 1997 and similar GOME OClO observations in other Arctic winters confirm the importance of stratospheric mountain waves for the activation of chlorine species in the northern hemisphere.
Electron and atomic force microscopy of the trimeric ammonium transporter AmtB
Authors: Conroy Matthew J , Jamieson Stuart J , Blakey Daniel , Kaufmann Thomas , Engel Andreas , Fotiadis Dimitrios , Merrick Mike , Bullough Per A
Published: November 2004

Escherichia coli AmtB is an archetypal member of the ammonium transporter (Amt) family, a family of proteins that are conserved in all domains of life. Reconstitution of AmtB in the presence of lipids produced large, ordered two‐dimensional crystals. From these, a 12 Å resolution projection map was determined by cryoelectron microscopy, and high‐resolution topographs were acquired using atomic force microscopy. Both techniques showed the trimeric structure of AmtB in which each monomer seems to have a pseudo‐two‐fold symmetry. This arrangement is likely to represent the in vivo structure. This work provides the first views of the structure of any member of the Amt family.
Intra‐industry structure and performance: strategic groups and strategic blocks in the worldwide airline industry
Authors: Boyd Jens L.
Published: November 2004

Abstract Strategic groups and strategic blocks offer alternative ways to study intra‐industry structure and to predict systematic performance differences across firms. Yet, this paper argues that more accurate predictions of competitive performance can be derived from an integrated use of these concepts. Integrating the concepts of strategic groups and blocks calls for a more nuanced definition of intra‐industry structure than is customary in strategic management today. Such a reconceptualization has consequences not just for research, it would also require changes in the tools that practitioners use to analyze intra‐industry structure. The validity of a joint model of intra‐industry structure is established empirically in the worldwide airline industry using inside‐out and outside‐in analysis concurrently.
Excess of nutrients results in plant stress and decreased grass miner performance
Authors: Scheirs Jan , De Bruyn Luc
Published: November 2004

We studied the relationship between plant stress intensity and herbivore response in the grass miner Chromatomyia milii (Kaltenbach) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) on nutrient stressed plants. We subjected the host grass Holcus lanatus (Poaceae) to a range of nutrient treatments (0%, 25%, 50%, 100%, and 200% Hoagland nutrient solution) and recorded plant stress intensity (plant growth and foliar chlorophyll a and b levels) and offspring performance of C. milii. Plant growth and foliar chlorophyll a and b levels decreased from the 25% treatment to the 200% treatment. The plant stress intensity from the 0% treatment was equal to or only slightly higher than the 25% treatment. Offspring survival of C. milii was lower on the 100% and the 200% treatments than on the other treatments. Offspring development time and pupal mass did not differ between the nutrient treatments. Offspring survival of C. milii showed a monotonic non‐linear increase with decreasing plant stress intensity. These results clearly show that an excess of nutrients may result in plant stress and reduced herbivore performance.
2. A Methodological Comparison of Age-Period-Cohort Models: The Intrinsic Estimator and Conventional Generalized Linear Models
Authors: Yang Yang , Fu Wenjiang J. , Land Kenneth C.
Published: November 2004

Age-period-cohort (APC) accounting models have long been objects of attention in statistical studies of human populations. It is well known that the identification problem created by the linear dependency of age, period, and cohort (Period = Age + Cohort or P = A + C) presents a major methodological challenge to APC analysis, a problem that has been widely addressed in demography, epidemiology, and statistics. This paper compares parameter estimates and model fit statistics produced by two solutions to the identification problem in age-period-cohort models—namely, the conventional demographic approach of constrained generalized linear models (Fienberg and Mason 1978, 1985; Mason and Smith 1985) and the intrinsic estimator method recently developed by Fu (2000; Knight and Fu 2000; Fu, Hall, and Rohan 2004). We report empirical analyses of applications of these two methods to population data on U.S. female mortality rates. Comparisons of parameter estimates suggest that both constrained generalized linear models and the intrinsic estimator method can yield similar estimates of age, period, and cohort effects, but estimates obtained by the intrinsic estimator are more direct and do not require prior information to select appropriate model identifying constraints. We also describe three statistical properties of the estimators: (1) finite-time-period bias, (2) relative statistical efficiency, and (3) consistency as the number of periods of observed data increases. These empirical analyses and theoretical results suggest that the intrinsic estimator may well provide a useful alternative to conventional methods for the APC analysis of demographic rates.
4. Adjusting for Time-Varying Confounding in Survival Analysis
Authors: Barber Jennifer S. , Murphy Susan A. , Verbitsky Natalya
Published: November 2004

In this paper we illustrate how directly including endogenous time-varying confounders in the model of the effect of an exposure on a response can lead to bias in discrete time survival analysis. An alternative to this method is Hernán, Brumback, and Robins' (1999) use of sample weights to adjust for endogenous time-varying confounding. We discuss when this method can be used to provide unbiased estimators, and we illustrate the method by addressing a substantive research question using existing survey data. We also critically examine the robustness of the weighting method to violations of the underlying assumptions via a simulation analysis.
8. A New Approach to Evaluating the Quality of Measurement Instruments: The Split-Ballot MTMM Design
Authors: Saris Willem E. , Satorra Albert , Coenders Germà
Published: November 2004

Two distinctly different quantitative approaches are used to evaluate measurement instruments: the split-ballot experiment and the multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) approach. The first approach is typically used to indicate whether variation in the method causes differences in the response distribution; the second approach evaluates the reliability and validity of different methods. The new approach, suggested in this paper, combines the more attractive features of both methods. The strength of the split-ballot experiment is its use of independent random samples from the same population to provide information about differences in response distributions. This is also possible with the new approach, but this approach provides more detailed information about the reasons
THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF FOREST POLICY IN MEXICO AND CHILE
Authors: Silva Eduardo
Published: November 2004

Widespread agreement exists on the broad outlines of the concept of sustainable development for developing countries. This calls for a development model capable of meeting basic needs without depleting natural resources at a rate that robs future generations of their use. In this regard, citizen participation is also considered key to legitimise such policy choices. However, there is considerable disagreement over the substance and meaning of the major components of the concept and the relationship between them. This paper argues that positions in policy disputes over the sustainable development of the forest cluster in two distinct approaches: market‐friendly initiatives and grassroots development. Since market economies prevail almost everywhere, the question that is posed concerns the conditions under which the grassroots development approach is included as a significant complement to market‐friendly initiatives. This is a political question, requiring an examination of actors, interests and power resources. The paper thus applies a political economy framework to a paired comparison of Mexico, where grassroots development approaches (community forestry) had notable successes, and Chile, where market‐friendly forest policy crowded out alternatives.
SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF WORLD BANK/IMF‐FUNDED ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING IN BOLIVIA: AN ANALYSIS OF ENRON AND SHELL'S HYDROCARBONS PROJECTS
Authors: Hindery Derrick
Published: November 2004

With the spectacular financial collapse of Enron in 2001, Enron and Shell's Rio San Miguel‐Cuiabá gas pipeline gained international notoriety for degrading the last, most intact dry tropical forest in the world, Bolivia's Chiquitano forest. The paper uses specific case studies, including the case of the Cuiabá pipeline, to examine how economic restructuring sponsored by the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Inter‐American Development Bank (IDB) facilitated the entrance of multinational oil corporations that have caused significant social and environmental impacts in Bolivia. The paper explores the influence of international financial institutions and multinational oil corporations on Bolivian state institutions, particularly their ability to regulate and address impacts caused by developments in the hydrocarbons sector. It concludes that neoliberal policies, which resulted in partial privatisation of the state oil company and in expanded control over natural resources by multinational corporations (MNCs), were detrimental to sensitive ecosystems and indigenous inhabitants.
CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN THE DECENTRALISATION OF BRAZIL'S WATER RESOURCES: ASSESSING PARTICIPATION IN THREE STATES
Authors: Brannstrom Christian , Clarke James , Newport Mariana
Published: November 2004

Decentralisation, the transfer of powers to a lower level of government, is thought to encourage more efficient and equitable management of natural resources. Participation of civil society organisations (CSOs) is considered critical to create positive outcomes of decentralisation. Here we examine aspects of civil society participation in decentralised management using the case of Brazil's water resources management. Several Brazilian states have enacted reforms mandating watershed committees in which the participation of civil society is either encouraged or required. However, actual participation of civil society is not yet well understood. To assess participation, we collected qualitative data on watershed districts in three Brazilian states (Bahia, Paraná and São Paulo). Our findings reaffirm the importance of the state in establishing a transparent legal framework to encourage participation and in defining “civil society”. The ability of civil society leaders to obtain and deploy local environmental knowledge, which frames environmental issues in new geographical scales, is useful to achieve the efficiency and efficacy objectives of decentralisation. However, by “upscaling” political activities beyond decentralisation's new territories, CSOs could make decentralisation irrelevant to local environmental issues.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN EL HATILLO, NICARAGUA: GENDER, NEOLIBERALISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISK
Authors: Cupples Julie
Published: November 2004

El Hatillo is a rural community in the Sébaco valley in Nicaragua, which suffers from an eroding resource base, high levels of poverty and malnutrition, and a high susceptibility to hazards. Structural adjustment policies have been devastating for small and subsistence farmers and have increased the level of economic, social and environmental marginalisation in rural Nicaragua. This paper explores initiatives to promote sustainable development in Nicaragua in the context of structural adjustment and environmental degradation. Drawing on qualitative research conducted in El Hatillo, it outlines the ways in which women in this community are attempting to address the multiple challenges of rural poverty and environmental risk and considers the potential of these strategies for gender equality.
Milia in regressing plaques of mycosis fungoides: provoked by topical nitrogen mustard or not?
Authors: Kalayciyan Aylin , Oguz Oya , Demirkesen Cuyan , Serdaroglu Server , Kotogyan Agop
Published: November 2004

Objective  To report three cases of mycosis fungoides with milia formation in the regressing lesions.

Patients and setting  Dermatology clinic of a university hospital (referral center). Three patients with mycosis fungoides with body surface involvement of 10% in one case (stage IIb) and exceeding 30% in two cases (stages IIb and III). All patients were treated with photochemotherapy and topical nitrogen mustard ointment in a concentration of 0.01%. After approximately 3 months multiple milia erupted on regressing plaques.

Results  The presence of milia was evident and was confirmed by histopathology. Regression of mycosis fungoides was noted in these plaques both clinically and in comparison with the pretreatment histologic appearance. Two of the patients showed a histological picture of follicular mucinosis.

Conclusions  We do not know the significance of milia in mycosis fungoides (MF). However, we suggest that follicular rupture or a degenerative process might result in milia formation.
Acquired localized cutis laxa confined to the face: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Riveros Claudia Jimena Perafán , Gavilán Maria Filomena Bejarano , França Luis Fernando Sayago , Sotto Mírian Nacagami , Takahashi Maria Denise Fonseca
Published: November 2004

Background Cutis laxa is an uncommon entity characterized by laxity of the skin, which hangs in loose folds, producing the appearance of premature aging. It can be subdivided into congenital and acquired. This latter variant is rare and the skin involvement varies from generalized to localized. We report a case of a localized acquired cutis laxa confined to the face, without preceding inflammatory lesions or systemic compromise. Four similar cases have been reported to date. The etiology remains unknown and there is no definitive treatment.

Methods A 27‐year‐old White woman came to our hospital with a wrinkled face, pendulous earlobes and drop eyelids. Changes began 5 years prior, and she appeared much older than her age.

Results Histological analysis and ultrastructural examination of skin biopsy revealed reduction and fragmentation of elastic fibers, confirming the diagnosis of cutis laxa. No systemic involvement was diagnosed. The patient was submitted to plastic surgery for repair, with satisfactory results to date.

Conclusions Acquired localized cutis laxa confined to the face without preceding inflammatory lesions is extremely rare. The etiology remains unknown. Clinical features and histopathologic findings confirm the diagnosis. Surgical repair seems to be the only therapeutic choice, but the results are variable and temporary.
Effect of pimecrolimus cream 1% on the long‐term course of pediatric atopic dermatitis
Authors: Papp Kim , Staab Doris , Harper John , Potter Paul , Puig Lluis , Ortonne J.‐P. , Molloy Stephen , Barbier Nathalie , Paul Carle ,   for the Multicentre Investigator Study Group
Published: November 2004

Background  This report investigates the effect of pimecrolimus cream 1% (Elidel®, Novartis pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland), a nonsteroid, cell‐selective, cytokine inhibitor on the course of atopic dermatitis (AD), as assessed by changes in body surface involvement and pattern of drug use over time.

Methods  Data from 961 patients in two 1‐year double‐blind, multicenter, pediatric studies of similar design were analyzed: 250 infants (aged 3–23 months) were randomized 4 : 1 and 711 children (aged 2–17 years) were randomized 2 : 1 to receive pimecrolimus cream 1% or vehicle, respectively. Emollients were used by all patients to alleviate dry skin and, at the first signs or symptoms of AD, pimecrolimus or vehicle was applied twice daily to prevent progression to flares. If flares occurred in either group, moderately potent topical corticosteroids were mandated.

Results  Pimecrolimus was applied for 68.4% (infants) and 53.8% (children) of study days, and frequency of use of pimecrolimus decreased over time, reflecting improvement in disease control. The mean total body surface area affected decreased continuously over time. Significantly more patients in the pimecrolimus than control groups were maintained without corticosteroid therapy (infants: 63.7% vs. 34.8%, P < 0.001; children: 57.4% vs. 31.6%, P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion  The need for pimecrolimus therapy decreases over time as the patients’ disease improves. Hence, once long‐term management of AD with pimecrolimus is established, the burden of disease for both the patient and the caregiver decreases significantly and disease‐free periods become more frequent.
Spectrum of autoimmune bullous diseases in Kuwait
Authors: Nanda Arti , Dvorak Richard , Al‐Saeed Khloud , Al‐Sabah Humoud , Alsaleh Qasem A.
Published: November 2004

Background  Autoimmune bullous diseases (ABDs) are a rare but significant group of dermatoses that pose great challenges to the treating dermatologist. Most epidemiological studies have focused on a single ABD. Few surveys have been carried out to describe the whole spectrum of ABDs in a region, and no such studies are available from the Arabian Peninsula.

Objectives  To determine the clinico‐epidemiological features of various ABDs in Kuwait, and to compare the results with those reported elsewhere.

Methods  A total of 128 cases of ABDs were studied over a span of 11.5 years. The diagnosis in all cases was confirmed by histopathology, and direct and indirect immunofluorescence (IMF). The diagnosis of various subepidermal ABDs was further confirmed by indirect IMF on salt‐split skin (SSS) and that of pemphigus by desmoglein 1 and 3 enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results  Eighty seven per cent of patients were of Arab ethnicity. Pemphigus was observed to be the commonest ABD (47%), followed by pemphigoid (22%), pemphigoid gestationis (PG) (19%), linear IgA bullous disease (LABD) (7%), lichen planus pemphigoides (LPP) (3%), and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) (2.3%). The minimum estimated incidence in the local population was 4.6, 2.14, 1.83, 0.69, 0.30, and 0.23 cases per million per year, respectively. Pemphigus patients were observed to have a younger age of onset (36.50 ± 11.36 years) than reported elsewhere. BP, although the second commonest ABD, was less prevalent than in Europe and Singapore, and BP patients were observed to have a striking female predominance (85%). The prevalence of PG was much higher than that reported elsewhere. LABD was the fourth commonest ABD, and 89% of patients were children.

Conclusions The study suggests that similar surveys from different regions would expand our understanding of ABD.
Randomized controlled trial of asthma education after discharge from an emergency department
Authors: Khan MSR , O'Meara M , Stevermuer TL , Henry RL
Published: November 2004

Objectives:  To test the hypothesis that reinforcement of the advice given at the time of discharge from the emergency department by telephone consultation would improve asthma outcomes.

Methods:  A randomized controlled trial of the parents of 310 children who had been discharged from the emergency department with asthma was undertaken. The parents were randomized to receive either standard care (155 children) or standard care plus education by telephone (155 children) from a trained asthma educator. Symptoms, parental asthma knowledge, parental quality of life and use of asthma action plans and preventer therapy were collected at baseline and 6 months later. The primary measure was days of wheeze in last 3 months; intermediate measures were regular use of preventer medications, possession and use of written asthma action plan, parental asthma knowledge scores and parental quality of life scores.

Results:  A total of 266 parents (136 intervention) completed the follow‐up questionnaires after 6 months. Both groups showed similar symptoms and process measures at baseline, apart from more regular use of preventer medication in the control children. At follow up, the intervention group children were significantly more likely than controls to possess (87.5% vs 72.3%; P = 0.002) a written asthma action plan. Possession of action plans increased from baseline in the intervention group but tended to decrease in the control group. Use of action plans was greater in the intervention group but decreased from baseline in both groups. Both intervention and control groups showed significant decreases in asthma symptoms.

Conclusions:  Reinforcement by telephone consultation did not improve the primary outcome of wheeze in the last 3 months. However, it increased the possession and regular use of written asthma action plans in the intervention group.
Ubiquitin and ubiquitin‐related proteins in the brains of patients with atypical Pick's disease without Pick bodies and dementia with motor neuron disease
Authors: Furukawa Yoshiko , Iseki Eizo , Hino Hiroaki , Odawara Toshinari , Ikeda Kenji , Tsuchiya Kuniaki , Kosaka Kenji
Published: November 2004

Nine cases of atypical Pick's disease without Pick bodies (aPiD) and seven cases of dementia with motor neuron diseases (D‐MND) were compared using immunohistochemistry of ubiquitin (ub) and ub‐related proteins. All cases showed rostral‐dominant atrophy in the temporal and frontal lobes, although the degree of atrophy with neuronal loss was much more severe in the aPiD cases. In both aPiD and D‐MND cases, ub‐positive and tau‐negative structures were found mainly in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and cerebral cortex. Granular cells of the dentate gyrus showed similar ub‐positive intraneuronal inclusions in both cases. In the aPiD cases, most of the ub‐positive cortical structures were ub‐positive dendrites in layers II‐IIIab and layers V‐VI, although some neurons also showed diffuse ub‐positive staining in the cytoplasm. In the D‐MND cases, some neurons showed ub‐positive inclusions in layers II‐IIIab, and ub‐positive dendrites were unremarkable. The number of ub‐positive neurons and dendrites in relation to the degree of neuronal loss in the cerebral cortex were then evaluated. The number of ub‐positive neurons in the regions showing very mild to mild neuronal loss was significantly greater in the D‐MND cases than in the aPiD cases. However, in the aPiD cases, the number of ub‐positive neurons was significantly greater in the regions showing moderate neuronal loss. When double‐immunostained, almost all ub‐positive structures were positive for ub‐binding protein p62. Some ub‐positive or negative neurons in the cerebral cortex were immunostained with anti‐ub ligase (Parkin) and anti‐ub C‐terminal hydrolase (UCH‐L1) antibodies. Granular cells of the dentate gyrus were weakly positive for UCH‐L1. There could be some differences in the mechanism by which neurons in the cerebral cortex accumulate ub between aPiD and D‐MND.
Rationality and Its Symbols: Signalling Effects and Subjectification in Management Consulting*
Authors: Armbrüster Thomas
Published: November 2004

abstract 

In service sectors such as management consulting, it is very difficult to measure the impact or success of a service even after it has been delivered. In these markets of goods between experience and credence, symbolic value is helpful and necessary to complement quality perceptions. The leading management consulting firms, in particular, do not only deliver data‐driven analyses but also represent and symbolize the rational approach to business issues. This article looks at the role of personnel selection in the context of quality symbolization. It argues that the predominant tool for personnel selection in the consulting sector, the case study, accounts for both a signalling effect of rationality to the business environment and a subjectification of consulting staff to the consulting culture and rationality beliefs. The case is made that, rather than leading to a valid selection of high‐performance personnel, the process of personnel selection has latent effects, which nonetheless contribute to the consulting industry's success.
Influence of large intrahepatic blood vessels on the gross and histological characteristics of lesions produced by radiofrequency ablation in a pig liver model
Authors: Tamaki Katsuyoshi , Shimizu Ichiro , Oshio Atsuo , Fukuno Hiroshi , Inoue Hiroshi , Tsutsui Akemi , Shibata Hiroshi , Sano Nobuya , Ito Susumu
Published: November 2004

Abstract: Aims: To determine whether the presence of large intrahepatic blood vessels (≥3 mm) affect radiofrequency (RF)‐induced coagulation necrosis, the gross and histological characteristics of RF‐ablated areas proximal to or around vessels were examined in normal pig livers.

Methods: An RF ablation treatment using a two‐stepwise extension technique produced 12 lesions: six contained vessels (Group A), and the other six were localized around vessels (Group B).

Results: Gross examination revealed that the longest and shortest diameters of the ablated lesions were significantly larger in Group B than in Group A. In Group A, patent vessels contiguous to the lesion were present in a tongue‐shaped area, whereas the lesions in Group B were spherical. Staining with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide diaphorase was negative within the ablated area; but, if vessels were present in the ablated area, the cells around the vessels in an opposite direction to the ablation were stained blue.

Conclusions: Roll‐off can be achieved with 100% cellular destruction within a lesion that does not contain large vessels. The ablated area was decreased in lesions that contained large vessels, suggesting that the presence of large vessels in the ablated area further increases the cooling effect and may require repeated RF ablation treatment to achieve complete coagulation necrosis.
Randomized trial of three different regimens for 24 weeks for re‐treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients who failed to respond to interferon‐α monotherapy in Taiwan
Authors: Chuang Wan‐Long , Dai Chia‐Yen , Chen Shinn‐Cherng , Lee Li‐Po , Lin Zu‐Yau , Hsieh Ming‐Yuh , Wang Liang‐Yen , Yu Ming‐Lung , Chang Wen‐Yu
Published: November 2004

Abstract: With the favorable result of interferon (IFN)–ribavirin combination therapy for 24 weeks among naive Taiwanese chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, the optimal regimens of re‐treatment for CHC patients who failed initial IFN monotherapy is not well‐established. The study evaluated the effectiveness of re‐treatment for 24 weeks with 3 different regimens and predictors for sustained virological response (SVR).

Methods: Total 120 Taiwanese CHC patients (81 males, 70 relapsers, mean age: 48.6 years) who failed initial IFN monotherapy were enrolled. They were assigned randomly (with a ratio of 1:1:2) to receive one of the three regimens for re‐treatment for 24 weeks; group A: IFN 6 million units (MU) monotherapy (N=30), group B: combination therapy with ribavirin and IFN 3 MU (N=30) or group C: combination therapy with ribavirin and IFN 6 MU (N=60). The intention‐to‐treat rate of sustained virological response (SVR) was 38.3%. The SVR rate in group C (53.3%) was significantly higher than group A (16.7%, P<0.005) and group B (30%, P<0.05). Drop‐out rates were similar between the three groups. Patients achieving SVR had significant improvement histologically. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype non‐1b infection, lower pretreatment HCV RNA levels, combined with ribavirin and with higher IFN dose, and relapsers were independent predictors for SVR.

Conclusion: We concluded that more than one‐third Taiwanese CHC patients achieved SVR after 24 weeks re‐treatment and combination therapy, especially with higher dose of IFN, yielded higher efficacy.
Alterations of p53, Bcl‐2, and hMSH2 protein expression in the cirrhotic, macroregenerative, dysplastic nodules and hepatocellular carcinomas in Upper Egypt
Authors: Hussein Mahmoud R.
Published: November 2004

Abstract: Background: Hepatocarcinogenesis involves alterations in p53, Bcl‐2 and human Mut S homologue‐2 (hMSH2) genes. In Upper Egypt, the clinicopathologic and genetic changes during hepatocarcinogensis (cirrhotic nodules (CN); macroregenerative nodules (MRN) and dysplastic nodules (DN) are unknown.

Methods: To examine these issues, 48 hepatic resection specimens entailing 25 CN, 16 MRN, 23 DN and 48 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were immunohistochemically evaluated for p53, Bcl‐2 and hMSH2 protein expression.

Results: HCC was common in males than in females (2.6:1, P<0.05) and with hepatitis C virus than hepatitis B virus infection (77.1% vs. 18.7%, P=0.001). p53 expression was found in DN (3/23) and HCC (12/48). Its average weighted scores were high in DN/HCC as compared with CN (1.60±0.40 and 7.20±1.20, P=0.0001). Bcl‐2 expression was seen in CN, MRN, DN and HCC (7/48). Its average weighted scores were high in DN (7.60±1.60), HCC (6.86±0.85) as compared with CN (6.14±0.42) and MRN (6.50±0.50, P=0.22). hMSH2 average weighted scores were reduced in HCC (7.94±1.06) as compared with CN (8.47±0.52), MRN (8.00±1.00) and DN (8.20±0.80, P>0.05).

Conclusion: In Upper Egypt: (1) HCC had similar clinicopathologic features to those in the high‐risk regions, and (2) alterations of the p53, Bcl‐2 and hMSH2 proteins occur during hepatocarcinogensis.