bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ARIMA, cointegration, Kalman‐filter, α ‐stable distributions
Authors: Emmenegger Jean‐François , Bardadym Tamara , Pervukhina Elena , Serbinenko Anna
Published: March 2008

A group of scientists, from Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Switzerland met at the 3rd International Congress on Industrial and Applied Mathematics (ICIAM95) Hamburg. They decided to pool their applied research efforts and experiences in the domain of mathematics, statistics and economics and to collaborate in empirical research on the subject of the transitional economies of Ukraine and Eastern Europe after 1989. The activity started in autumn 1995 within the framework of a project titled Analysis of Economic and Environmental Time Series (AEETS).At theMinisymposium Cointegrating, Kalman Filtering of Economic Time Series, α‐stable Distributions, of the ICIAM07 in Zurich, the AEETS group has presented a sample of recently treated questions. In this abstract two of these subjects are summarised. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A speculative transmission scheme for scheduling‐latency reduction
Authors: Iliadis Ilias , Minkenberg Cyriel
Published: March 2008

Low latency is a critical requirement in some switching applications, specifically in parallel computer interconnection networks. The minimum latency in switches with centralized scheduling comprises two components, namely, the control‐path latency and the data‐path latency, which in a practical high‐capacity, distributed switch implementation can be far greater than the cell duration. We introduce a speculative transmission scheme to significantly reduce the average control‐path latency by allowing cells to proceed without waiting for a grant, under certain conditions. It operates in conjunction with any centralized matching algorithm to achieve a high maximum utilization and incorporates a reliable delivery mechanism to deal with failed speculations. The speculative transmission scheme is employed in a non‐blocking N ×N R input‐queued crossbar switch with R receivers per output. The control‐path latency can be almost entirely eliminated for loads up to 50%. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Analysis of the blunting anti‐wrapping strategy
Authors: Jackson Kenneth R. , Nedialkov Ned S. , Neher Markus
Published: March 2008

Interval methods for ODEs often face two obstacles in practical computations: the dependency problem and the wrapping effect. Taylor model methods, which have been developed by Berz and his group, have recently attracted attention. By combining interval arithmetic with symbolic calculations, these methods suffer far less from the dependency problem than traditional interval methods for ODEs. By allowing nonconvex enclosure sets for the flow of a given initial value problem, Taylor model methods have also a high potential for suppressing the wrapping effect.

Makino and Berz [1] advocate the so‐called blunting method. In this paper, we analyze the blunting method (as an interval method) for a linear model ODE. We compare its convergence behavior with that of the well‐known QR interval method. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Cellular rubber: Theoretical investigation on the basis of the mixture of theory and experiments
Authors: Johlitz Michael , Diebels Stefan , Steeb Holger
Published: March 2008

In this contribution we investigate a compressible cellular rubber experimentally and theoretically. In an appropriate model we apply the theory of porous media to describe the viscoelastic properties. The model parameters are identified by an algorithm based on evolution strategies. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Scalable solver software
Authors: Keyes David E.
Published: March 2008

Towards Optimal Petascale Simulations (TOPS) is a scalable solver software project based on domain decomposed parallelization to research, implement, and support in collaborations with users an open‐source package for large‐scale discretized PDE problems. Optimal complexity methods, such as multigrid/multilevel preconditioners, keep the time spent in dominant algebraic kernels close to linear in discrete problem size as the applications scale on massively parallel computers. Krylov accelerators and Jacobian‐free variants of Newton's method, as appropriate, are wrapped around the multilevel methods to deliver robustness in multirate, multiscale coupled systems, which are solved either implicitly or in more traditional forms of operator splitting. The TOPS software framework is being extended beyond direct computational simulation to computational optimization, including design, control, and inverse problems. We outline and illustrate the philosophy of TOPS. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Finite‐element formulations of shear localization in granular materials
Authors: Tuyet Trinh Bach , Hackl Klaus
Published: March 2008

Displacement and mixed finite element formulations of shear localization in granular materials are presented. The formulations are based on hypoplastic constitutive laws for soils and the mixed‐enhanced treatment involving displacement, strain and stress rates as independently varied fields. Included in these formulations are the standard displacement method, the three‐field mixed formulation, the method of incompatible modes, the enhanced assumed strain method and the mixed enhanced strain method. Several numerical examples demonstrating the capability and performance of the different finite element formulations are presented. The numerical results are compared with available experimental data of Hostun RF sand and numerical results of Karlsruhe sand on biaxial tests. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The free‐discontinuity problem of inverse crack identification from boundary measurements
Authors: Tsotsova Rumena
Published: March 2008

The inverse crack identification of planar cracks from elastostatics boundary measurements is regarded as free‐discontinuity problem in respect to the unknown displacement field and the discontinuity region of the cracked body. The proposed solution strategy is based on the variational approximation of the sharp interface problem by elliptic functionals developed by Ambrosio and Tortorelli. The numerical calculation is realized by the finite element method. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
3D complex structures imaging based on acoustic wave equation
Authors: Zhang Wensheng
Published: March 2008

In this paper, a general expression of the 3D hybrid imaging method based on acoustic wavefield extrapolation is presented. Moreover, the planewave synthesization method is given. The numerical results of 3D shot‐profile migration and planewave synthesization migration for the SEG/EAEG 3D benchmark model show the good imaging ability of the hybrid imaging method. This method can be applied in field data processing. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Cardiac liposarcoma and bilateral ovarian mature teratoma in a patient with congenital heart disease and f‐anisosplenia
Authors: Pollono  , Drut Ricardo
Published: March 2008

A 10‐year‐old female with atrial septal defect presented with bilateral ovarian mature cystic teratomas. Three spleniculi adjacent to the main spleen were noticed while the endoscopic surgery. Two years later a heart tumor was discovered which led to death. Pathologic examination of samples of the mass proved it to be a liposarcoma. The unusual combination of atrial septal defect, f‐anisosplenia (female, congenital heart disease, multiple unevenly‐sized spleens, left lung type pulmonary isomerism), bilateral ovarian mature cystic teratomas and liposarcoma of the heart appears to be a unique presentation. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:304–305. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis, characterization and application of poly[(1‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone)‐co‐(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)] as controlled‐release polymeric system for 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic chloride using an ultrafiltration technique
Authors: del C Pizarro Guadalupe , Marambio Oscar G , Jeria‐Orell Manuel , Avellán Miguel C , Rivas Bernabé L
Published: March 2008

BACKGROUND: Polymers supporting chemicals used in agriculture have recently been developed to overcome the serious environmental problems of conventional agrochemicals. The success of these formulations is based on a suitable choice of polymer support. Degradable polymeric hydrogels are of particular interest. The gradual release of the bioactive agent can be achieved by hydrolytic or enzymatic cleavage of the linking bond.

RESULTS: In this context, poly[(1‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone)‐co‐(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)] [poly(NVP‐co‐HEMA)] has been used as a bioactive carrier reagent. Herein, we report a controlled‐release system with the herbicide 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) using an ultrafiltration system. Hydrolysis was studied by testing the release at various pH values. A high release with poly(NVP‐co‐HEMA)–2,4‐D was observed at pH = 7 and 10 after two days (Z = 2). The release percentage of copolymer–herbicide increased at pH = 10. It showed release values between 79.0 and 94.5%. Poly(NVP‐co‐HEMA)–herbicide can release a bioactive compound in aqueous solution at pH = 3, 7 and 10.

CONCLUSION: Based on the results of homogeneous hydrolysis, it is argued that the herbicide release rate depends on the pH of the reaction environment. This functional polymer could be employed as a biodegradable material for applications in agrichemical release. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Compostability of polymers
Authors: Kijchavengkul Thitisilp , Auras Rafael
Published: March 2008

In recent years, biobased polymers have gained attention from industries, consumers and governments as a way to reduce municipal solid waste. Much attention has been given to their production and implementation. However, these materials only reach their potential environmental benefits when they are recovered through recycling or composting and/or their energy is recovered by incineration. These end‐of‐life scenarios allow closing the carbon cycle loop. A lot of confusion and misunderstanding about these new materials and their end‐of‐life scenarios, particularly composting, have been generated. This paper addresses definitions and environmental performance of these materials and their compostability. Current methods for measuring biobased content and biodegradability of polymers and factors affecting it, such as exposure conditions and polymer characteristics, are discussed, and the use of life cycle assessment as a tool to evaluate the environmental performance of biopolymers is presented. Although there are some obstacles for the growth and implementation of biobased polymers, such as consumer adoption and available composting facilities accepting these materials, new opportunities are growing due to government regulation and business initiatives in the past five years. However, consumers' understanding of when the use of these materials provides environmental benefits and when not is still missing. Therefore, to adopt and to implement these new biopolymers cooperative work among industry, consumers and government is needed. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
UV‐curable, oxetane‐toughened epoxy‐siloxane coatings for marine fouling‐release coating applications
Authors: Chen Zhigang , Chisholm Bret , Kim Jongsoo , Stafslien Shane , Wagner Rachel , Patel Sandeep , Daniels Justin , Wal Lyndsi Vander , Li Jun , Ward Kaley , Callow Maureen , Thompson Stephanie , Siripirom Chavanin
Published: March 2008

BACKGROUND: UV‐curable coatings are promising candidates for environmentally friendly marine fouling‐release coatings. Cationic UV‐curable epoxy‐siloxane release coatings show good release performance but suffer from poor coating mechanical properties. A difunctional oxetane monomer, DOX, was co‐photopolymerized with an epoxy‐siloxane oligomer at loading levels from 10 to 40 wt% to obtain toughened fouling‐release coatings.

RESULTS: The DOX‐toughened coatings showed enhanced cationic photopolymerization activity, solvent resistance and modulus. DOX‐toughened coatings (10 and 20 wt%) exhibited higher impact resistance. The DOX‐toughened coatings showed no leachate toxicity and the coatings were hydrophobic and non‐toxic to biofilm growth when analyzed with marine bacteria and algae. In general, 10 and 20 wt% DOX‐toughened coatings exhibited better marine bacteria and algae fouling‐release performance among the DOX‐toughened coatings. Pseudo‐barnacle shear release stress for the DOX‐toughened coatings increased with increasing DOX content. Live barnacle reattachment assay showed that 10 and 20 wt% DOX‐toughened coatings had comparable barnacle removal stress to commercial silicone reference coatings.

CONCLUSIONS: DOX‐toughened (10 and 20 wt%) UV‐curable epoxy‐siloxane coatings exhibited enhanced mechanical properties and better overall marine fouling‐release performance among the toughened UV‐curable release coatings studied. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
A comparison of theoretical efficiencies of multi‐junction concentrator solar cells
Authors: Kurtz Sarah , Myers Daryl , McMahon W. E. , Geisz John , Steiner Myles
Published: March 2008

Champion concentrator cell efficiencies have surpassed 40% and now many are asking whether the efficiencies will surpass 50%. Theoretical efficiencies of >60% are described for many approaches, but there is often confusion about “the” theoretical efficiency for a specific structure. The detailed balance approach to calculating theoretical efficiency gives an upper bound that can be independent of material parameters and device design. Other models predict efficiencies that are closer to those that have been achieved. Changing reference spectra and the choice of concentration further complicate comparison of theoretical efficiencies. This paper provides a side‐by‐side comparison of theoretical efficiencies of multi‐junction solar cells calculated with the detailed balance approach and a common one‐dimensional‐transport model for different spectral and irradiance conditions. Also, historical experimental champion efficiencies are compared with the theoretical efficiencies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toxicological and biochemical response to azinphos‐methyl in Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) among orchards from the Argentinian Patagonia
Authors: Soleño Jimena , Anguiano Liliana , de D'Angelo Ana Pechen , Cichón Liliana , Fernández Darío , Montagna Cristina
Published: March 2008

BACKGROUND: Azinphos‐methyl is the main insecticide used to control codling moth on apple and pears in Northern Patagonia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicological and biochemical response of diapausing larvae of codling moth in orchards subjected to different insecticide selection pressure.

RESULTS: Dose–mortality assays with azinphos‐methyl in diapausing larvae of Cydia pomonella L. showed significant differences between the LD95 from a population collected in one untreated orchard (2.52 µg moth−1) compared with that in a laboratory‐susceptible population (0.33 µg moth−1). Toxicity to azinphos‐methyl in field populations of diapausing larvae collected during 2003–2005 was evaluated by topical application of a discriminating dose (2.5 µg moth−1) that was obtained from larvae collected in the untreated orchard (field reference strain). Significantly lower mortality (37.71–84.21%) was observed in three out of eight field populations compared with that in the field reference strain. Most of the field populations showed higher esterase activity than that determined in both the laboratory susceptible and the field reference strains. Moreover, there was a high association between esterase activity and mortality (R2 = 0.64) among the field populations. On the other hand, a poor correlation was observed between glutathione S‐transferase activity and mortality (R2 = 0.33) among larvae collected from different orchards.

CONCLUSIONS: All the field populations evaluated exhibited some degree of azinphos‐methyl tolerance in relation to the laboratory susceptible strain. Biochemical results demonstrated that esterases are at least one of the principal mechanisms involved in tolerance to this insecticide. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Magnetoelectric laminate based DC magnetic field sensor
Authors: Karmarkar Makarand , Dong Shuxiang , Li Jiefang , Viehland Dwight , Priya Shashank
Published: March 2008

We report on a DC magnetic field sensor that utilizes magnetoelectric (ME) laminate composites. It consists of a ring‐dot piezoelectric transformer laminated to a magnetostrictive disc. When a constant voltage is applied to the ring section of the piezoelectric layer at resonance, a stress is induced in the dot section. Then, if an external magnetic object is introduced in the vicinity of the dot section, the effective elastic stiffness is increased, altering the resonance frequency. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Evaluation of the statistical power for multiple tests: a case study
Authors: Yeo Adeline , Qu Yongming
Published: March 2008

It is challenging to estimate the statistical power when a complicated testing strategy is used to adjust for the type‐I error for multiple comparisons in a clinical trial. In this paper, we use the Bonferroni Inequality to estimate the lower bound of the statistical power assuming that test statistics are approximately normally distributed and the correlation structure among test statistics is unknown or only partially known. The method was applied to the design of a clinical study for sample size and statistical power estimation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring changes in treatment effects across design stages in adaptive trials
Authors: Friede Tim , Henderson Robin
Published: March 2008

The recently published Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use reflection paper on flexible designs highlights a controversial issue regarding the interpretation of adaptive trials. The guideline suggests that a test for heterogeneity should be preplanned and if treatment effect estimates differ significantly between design stages then data collected before and after the interim analysis might not be combined in a formal analysis. In this paper we investigate error rates for such a procedure in the presence of calendar‐time effects. Furthermore, we present an alternative testing strategy based on change point methods. In a simulation study we demonstrate that our procedure performs well in comparison to that suggested by the guideline. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of ion trap technology to liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry quantitation of large peptides
Authors: Shipkova Petia , Drexler Dieter M. , Langish Robert , Smalley James , Salyan Mary Ellen , Sanders Mark
Published: March 2008

Triple quadrupole mass spectrometers are generally considered the instrument of choice for quantitative analysis. However, for the analysis of large peptides we have encountered some cases where, as the data presented here would indicate, ion trap mass spectrometers may be a good alternative. In general, specificity and sensitivity in bioanalytical liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) assays are achieved via tandem MS (MS/MS) utilizing collision‐induced dissociation (CID) while monitoring unique precursor to product ion transitions (i.e. selected reaction monitoring, SRM). Due to the difference in CID processes, triple quadrupoles and ion traps often generate significantly different fragmentation spectra of product ion species and intensities. The large peptidic analytes investigated here generated fewer fragments with higher relative abundance on the ion trap as compared to those generated on the triple quadrupole, resulting in lower limits of detection on the ion trap. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modular prostheses in the treatment of proximal humerus metastases: review of 40 cases
Authors: Scotti C. , Camnasio F. , Peretti G. M. , Fontana F. , Fraschini G.
Published: March 2008

Background

The humerus is the second most common site of metastatic bone disease involving long bones. Tumors which have a predilection for dissemination to bone are those of breast, prostate, thyroid, lung and kidney. The rationale for surgical treatment of these lesions is to prevent or treat pathological fractures in order to relieve pain and improve function.

Materials and methods

Forty patients who had resection of the proximal humerus for metastatic bone disease and reconstruction with a modular prosthesis were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Mean functional outcome was 73.1% (Enneking score) and better results were achieved when a reverse prosthesis was implanted. Overall survival was 70% at 1 year, 42.5% at 2 years and 20% at 5 years. Local recurrence occurred in 4 patients, each of whom had initially been treated for a pathological fracture.

Conclusions

It is important to follow rational guidelines, like those of Capanna and Mirels, in order to prevent pathological fractures and to give the patient a definitive treatment, as the advances in the management of cancer prolong the survival of these patients. In this series, satisfactory results were obtained, giving the patients an acceptable quality of life.
How do porosity-inducing techniques affect antibiotic elution from bone cement? An in vitro comparison between hydrogen peroxide and a mechanical mixer
Authors: Shiramizu K. , Lovric V. , Leung A. , Walsh W. R.
Published: March 2008

Background

Increasing the porosity of an antibiotic-loaded cement spacer increases the antibiotic elution, but the correlation between porosity and antibiotic elution is not well documented. The purposes of this study was to attempt new porosity-increasing methods and to investigate the correlation between antibiotic elution and both total and surface porosity.

Materials and methods

Five types of antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) using 2 g cefazolin and 40 g cement were prepared. Other than manual mixing, hydrogen peroxide was used as a foaming agent and a mixing drill piece was used as a mechanical device to try to induce porosity when mixing the cement. Elution of antibiotic into phosphate-buffered saline was measured from 1 h to 1 week. Surface porosity was calculated from density values which were measured with a density kit and an electronic balance, while total porosity was quantified using micro-computed tomography.

Results

When a mixing drill piece was used to induce porosity, we observed a significant increasin antibiotic elution compared to a manually mixed ALBC. On the other hand, hydrogen peroxide reduced the elution significantly. Mild correlation between the total amount of cluted in 1 week antibiotic elution and total porosity was observed.

Conclusions

In terms of improving elution, the mixing drill piece seemed to be efficient. A relationship between surface porosity and elution efficacy was not observed.
Low‐dose aspirin promotes endothelial progenitor cell migration and adhesion and prevents senescence
Authors: Hu Zhengli , Zhang Fumin , Yang Zhijian , Zhang Jinying , Zhang Dingguo , Yang Naiquan , Zhang Yuqing , Cao Kejiang
Published: March 2008

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a key role in restoring endothelial function and enhancing angiogenesis. However, the effects of low‐dose aspirin on circulating EPCs are not well known. We investigated the effects of low‐dose aspirin on EPC migration, adhesion, senescence, proliferation, apoptosis and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression. EPC migration was detected by a modified Boyden chamber assay. EPC adhesion assay was performed by counting adherent cells on fibronectin‐coated culture dishes. EPC senescence was assessed by both senescence‐associated‐β‐galactosidase staining and DAPI staining. EPC proliferation was analyzed by MTT assay. EPC apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometric analysis. eNOS protein expression was measured by Western blotting analysis. Aspirin promoted EPC migratory and adhesive capacity at concentrations between 0.1 and 100 μmol/L and prevented senescence at concentrations between 50 and 100 μmol/L. Meanwhile, aspirin in a range of these concentrations did not affect EPC proliferation, apoptosis or eNOS expression. Our findings indicate that low‐dose aspirin promotes migration and adhesion and delays the onset of senescence of EPCs.
Effects of Wnt proteins on cell proliferation and apoptosis in HEK293 cells
Authors: Jia Liwei , Miao Chenglin , Cao Yujing , Duan En Kui
Published: March 2008

Wnt proteins and Wnt signalings have been implicated in a variety of development and cell processes, while aberrant activation of Wnt signaling is linked to a range of cancers in many tissues. In this study, we used the HEK293 cell line to investigate the effects of Wnt3a and Wnt5a on proliferation and apoptosis in a serum starvation culture. After Wnt3a and Wnt5a proteins were expressed, they both promoted the proliferation of HEK293 cells under serum starvation. After 48 h of serum starvation, both Wnt3a and Wnt5a inhibited serum starvation‐induced apoptosis of HEK293 cells and continued up to 96 h. We demonstrated that Wnt3a and Wnt5a can promote proliferation of HEK293 cells and inhibit serum starvation‐induced apoptosis, which implies that Wnt3a and Wnt5a can maintain the survival of HEK293 cells under stress, and also provide a novel insight into the role of Wnt3a and Wnt5a and their related signalings in carcinogenesis.
Effects of FGF2 and TGFβ1 on the differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells in vitro
Authors: He Huixia , Yu Jinhua , Liu Yuan , Lu Shouchang , Liu Hongchen , Shi Junnan , Jin Yan
Published: March 2008

Two crucial growth factors, FGF2 and TGFβ1, were investigated in this study to determine their inductive effects on the odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in vitro. DPSCs were isolated by immunomagnetic bead selection using the STRO‐1 antibody, and then co‐cultured respectively with FGF2, TGFβ1 and FGF2 + TGFβ1. The results showed that FGF2 can exert a significant effect on the cell proliferation, while TGFβ1 or FGF2 + TGFβ1 can initiate an odontoblast‐like differentiation of DPSCs. Moreover, FGF2 can synergistically upregulate the effects of TGFβ1 on the odontoblastic differentiation of DPSCs, as indicated by the increased alkaline phosphatase activity, the polarized cell appearance and secretary ultrastructural features, the formation of mineralized nodules and the gene/protein expression of dentin sialoprotein and dentin matrix protein‐1. Together, FGF2 acted primarily on the cell proliferation, while TGFβ1 and FGF2 + TGFβ1 mainly stimulated the odontoblastic differentiation of DPSCs. This study provides interesting progress in the odontoblastic differentiation of DPSCs induced by FGF2 and TGFβ1.
Arousal has no effect on non‐nutritive breathing–swallowing coordination during the first year of human life
Authors: Kelly Bronwen N. , Huckabee Maggie‐Lee , Frampton Christopher M.A. , Jones Richard D.
Published: March 2008

Although the brainstem plays an important role in breathing–swallowing coordination (BSC), the role of suprabulbar structures is ill defined. Given the known decrease in global cerebral activity during sleep, the sleep–wake paradigm was used to elucidate suprabulbar influences. Non‐nutritive BSC of 10 healthy human infants was monitored longitudinally during wakefulness and sleep from birth to 1 year of age. Time‐locked recordings of submental muscle activity, nasal airflow, and thyroid acoustics enabled the categorization of swallows depending on the preceding and following respiratory phase. In contrast to the change in the overall pattern of BSC with age, and despite well‐known marked postnatal cortical development over this time, no arousal‐related differences were seen during the first year of life. This most likely reflects complete brainstem control of non‐nutritive BSC in infants.
Effects of an anti‐thyroid drug, methimazole, administration to rat dams on the cerebellar cortex development in their pups
Authors: Hasebe Miki , Matsumoto Ikumi , Imagawa Tomohiro , Uehara Masato
Published: March 2008

In the present study, the effects of methimazole (a major anti‐thyroid drug) administration to rat dams on the development of cerebellum of their pups were investigated with morphological, morphometrical and functional procedures. A motor performance in the pups was evaluated by a rota‐rod test. Brains removed on 6, 9, 12, 15, 25, and 30 postnatal days were analyzed using the sagittal sections of the cerebellum. Results showed that orally administered methimazole to dams produced a congenital hypothyroid model accompanied with an impaired motor coordination assured by the reduced thyroid hormones. The prominent anomaly was found in the internal granular layer in that there were excess bulges or branching and formation of excess sublobules although the normal lobulation pattern was kept. Three dimensional reconstruction imaging revealed the complex morphological pattern of internal granular layer of the cerebellar hemispheres as well as of the vermis, in which bulges and branches were viewed stereoscopically as the smooth ridges rather than irregular or nodal. In addition, the external granular layer in hypothyroidism survived another several days than that in controls. It is suggested that the complex internal granular layer resulted from the overproduced internal granular cells, which originate in the prolonged external granular layer.
The development of cancer pain management and palliative care over the last 5 years in Japan
Authors: Takahashi Hidenori , Toya Miki , Shuto Mariko , Nakayama Rika , Orimo Kaori , Murakami Satoshi , Tozawa Ikufumi , Kadota Waki , Hattori Seiji , Shimoyama Naohito
Published: March 2008

After the release of the World Health Organization guidelines in 1986, palliative care units (PCUs) were authorized to offer effective cancer pain management under the Japanese National Health Insurance in 1990. Although the number of PCUs increased to more than 100 during this decade, they could only cover 5% of all terminal‐stage cancer patients in Japan. Due to the resistance to opioids together with the delay in establishing oncology practice, palliative care including cancer pain management was offered only to terminal cancer patients in PCUs, and cancer pain management did not improve sufficiently in general practice during the 1990s. To change the situation, the concept of hospital‐based palliative care teams (HPCTs) were introduced into general hospitals and covered by the National Health Insurance in 2002. The HPCT mainly acts as a consultation team to help primary physicians or nurses who care for cancer patients in a general hospital. After the initiation of HPCTs, the role of palliative care in Japan is gradually changing because the HPCTs have been required to cover not only the terminal phase, but also overall cancer care. In addition to the spread of HPCTs, the types and formulations of opioids available and education on cancer pain management has also improved during the last 5 years. To further improve cancer pain management and palliative care in Japan, a triangle system should be established to offer seamless care in all healthcare settings based on the coordination among PCUs, general hospitals with HPCTs, and home‐based care. This is referred to as a “palliative care program”.
Opioid Use in the Philippines — 20 years after the introduction of the WHO analgesic ladder
Authors: Javier Francis O. , Calimag Minerva P.
Published: March 2008

Aim: To find out if the opioid usage has improved in the Philippines 20 years after the introduction of the WHO analgesic ladder.

Background: Twenty years after the introduction of the WHO analgesic ladder in the Philippines, usage of morphine for cancer pain relief is still low. Barriers to opioid prescribing persist because of factors attributable to physicians, patients, families and constraints imposed by government regulatory bodies.

Methods: A survey of 211 physicians on a purposive sampling representing various regions in the country was done. Respondents included anesthesiologists, surgeons, oncologists, and palliative care specialists, who were expected to prescribe opioids in their practice. A 20‐item multiple‐choice questionnaire was developed to explore possible barriers to opioid prescribing.

Results: There is a very good awareness of the WHO analgesic ladder (72%) as well as the availability of opioids in their areas of practice (89.57%). Monitoring of pain as the “fifth vital sign” is adhered to by 68.25% of the respondents. There was only 60.66% compliance regarding availment of a narcotics license among respondent physicians. Various reasons were identified as to why they failed to get a narcotics license.

Conclusions: There was adequate knowledge about the WHO analgesic ladder among the respondents. There is a perceived resistance to prescribe strong opioids like morphine making the step 2 of the ladder as a comfort zone by the physicians who tend to “overstay” in this step. Government regulatory policies have affected the physicians' attitudes concerning narcotics license application. There is a very slow, though steady increase in morphine and oxycodone usage in the country. Barriers to opioid use in cancer pain management still persist twenty years after the introduction of the WHO analgesic ladder.
Proposed 5‐step World Health Organization analgesic and side effect ladder
Authors: Riley Julia , Ross Joy R. , Gretton Sophy K. , A'Hern Roger , du Bois Ron , Welsh Ken , Thick Michael
Published: March 2008

The WHO analgesic ladder has, up to now, been the “gold standard” for pain management. The ladder focuses on the presence or absence of pain relief but, at present, does not take into account the intolerable side effects of opioids. We believe that debilitating side effects are an equally valid reason for changing analgesia, particularly in light of new evidence supporting 'opioid switching'. Opioid switching involves changing a patient's strong opioid to an alternative strong opioid with the aim of improving analgesic response and/or reducing adverse side effects.

We propose adding two additional steps to the WHO analgesic ladder to build an alternative five step ladder. The proposed fourth step involves 'opioid switching' and includes both pain and side effects as criteria for switching analgesics. The evidence for Step IV uses an algorithm derived from analysis of intervention patterns based on our recent trial data to identify the point at which a change in management is indicated. In our prospective study we identified four main factors which predict the need to switch. Three out of the four factors are opioid‐induced side effects. Thus, once a strong opioid has been commenced (Step 3) and a patient has had an adequate trial of titration on their first‐line strong opioid, the need for opioid switching (Step 4) is identified in the clinical setting once side effect scores fall within a critical range, triggering a change of treatment.

If switching opioids fails, we propose that the fifth and final step of the WHO analgesic ladder should involve anaesthetic intervention.
Oxycodone hydrochloride controlled‐release tablets (OxyContin®): post‐marketing surveillance (PMS) study for relieving moderate to severe non‐cancer pain
Authors: Yuguang Huang , Bifa Fan , Wenxue Fang , Dongping Du , Hua Xu , Shengmei Zhu , Guodong Zhao , Meng Xu , Rongcheng Luo , Zhenhe Lu , Jianguo Xu , Jiaxiang Ni , Baosen Zheng , Wenge Song , Jian Lin , Jianjun Cui , Zhendong Chen
Published: March 2008

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oxycodone hydrochloride controlled‐release (CR) tablets (Oxycontin®, Mundipharma International Limited, Cambridge, UK), 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg in relieving moderate to severe non‐cancer pain.

Method: Two multi‐center, open‐label, prospective, self‐controlled clinical trial, used identical protocols. All the subjects were patients with moderate to severe non‐cancer pain. The clinical data were collected in the natural course of clinical treatment.

Results: Treatments with oxycodone CR tablets was associated with fast onset on pain relief; 85.2% of patients in study 1 and 91.8% of patients in study 2 achieved pain relief within 1 hour of drug administration.

Clinical efficacy: Both studies demonstrated that oxycodone CR tablets showed good clinical efficacy for relieving both moderate and severe non‐cancer pain. Patients experienced sustained pain relief from the first week of treatment. Patients in both study 1 and study 2 experienced a dramatic pain score reduction (as assessed by VAS) after the first week of treatment.

Safety profile: During oxycodone CR treatment, use of concomitant medications decreased significantly. A few patients developed ADRs in the first week, which decreased significantly as the treatment continued. Constipation was the most common ADR in the first week, which decreased to 10% of patients from the second week of treatment.

Conclusion: Oxycodone CR tablets demonstrated fast onset of pain control and superior efficacy for relieving both moderate and severe non‐cancer pain, as well as significant reductions in the number of concomitant medications, demonstrating a good safety profile.
Opioids in non‐cancer chronic pain
Authors: Cho Min‐Soo , Kim Min‐Soo , Kim Sang‐Woo , Kim Seong‐Ho
Published: March 2008

The objective of this review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oxycodone administration for chronic non‐cancer pain. We have started to use oxycodone for 107 patients with intractable pain (mean NRS 7.8) not sufficiently relieved by other medical treatment from January 2004 to December 2005. The data were extracted by one independent investigator. The average pain duration was 13.7 (3‐46) months. The most common etiology of pain was spinal cord injury, followed by degenerative spine and failed back surgery syndrome, peripheral nerve injury, post‐herpetic neuralgia, spine fracture, spine infection, and post‐stroke pain.

The average duration and dosage of oxycodone were 3.9 months and 30.6 mg/day. Seventeen (15.9%) patients reported their pain was not relieved with oxycodone. Less than 50% pain relief was seen in 19 (17.8%) patients and more than 50% pain relief in 56 (52.3%) patients. Four (3.7%) patients complained of lack of effectiveness but were still using it, and in 12 (11.2%) patients, the pain has been controlled with continuous use for over 12 months. It seemed to be less effective in post‐herpetic neuralgia and severe pain from spinal cord injury. There were no addiction problems with oxycodone. Side effects of oxycodone were not frequent and not life‐threatening. The most common adverse event was dizziness. Eleven (10.3%) patients refused to use it because of trouble with the drug rather than its effect.

Oxycodone is a useful drug for the management of chronic non‐cancer pain.
Comparative pharmacological profiles of oxycodone and morphine in a neuropathic pain‐like state in mice
Authors: Suzuki Tsutomu , Nakamura Atsushi , Ozaki Masahiko , Suzuki Masami , Narita Minoru
Published: March 2008

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for cancer patients with moderate or severe pain, morphine is the standard treatment for cancer pain. However, the use of morphine is sometimes accompanied by side effects such as constipation, emesis and drowsiness. Oxycodone, a series of opioids, interacts primarily with the μ‐opioid receptor and has been used for opioid rotation. In the clinic, oxycodone has been used for pain management since 1917 and is widely acknowledged as an invaluable alternative to morphine. This review aims to compare the pharmacological profiles of oxycodone and morphine in a neuropathic pain‐like state in mice.
The isomorphism conjecture for 3-manifold groups and K-theory of virtually poly-surface groups
Authors: Roushon Sayed K.
Published: March 2008

This article has two purposes. In [15] we showed that the FIC (Fibered Isomorphism Conjecture for pseudoisotopy functor) for a particular class of 3-manifolds (we denoted this class by C) is the key to prove the FIC for 3-manifold groups in general. And we proved the FIC for the fundamental groups of members of a subclass of C. This result was obtained by showing that the double of any member of this subclass is either Seifert fibered or supports a nonpositively curved metric. In this article we prove that for any M ε C there is a closed 3-manifold P such that either P is Seifert fibered or is a nonpositively curved 3-manifold and π1(M) is a subgroup of π1(P). As a consequence it is obtained that the FIC is true for any B-group (see definition 4.2 in [15]). Therefore, the FIC is true for any Haken 3-manifold group and hence for any 3-manifold group (using the reduction theorem of [15]) provided we assume the Geometrization conjecture. The above result also proves the FIC for a class of 4-manifold groups (see [14]).

The second aspect of this article is to relax a condition in the definition of strongly poly-surface group ([13]) and define a new class of groups (we call them weak strongly poly-surface groups). Then using the above result we prove the FIC for any virtually weak strongly poly-surface group. We also give a corrected proof of the main lemma of [13].
Ghosts of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council: Group Politics and Charter Litigation in Canadian Political Science
Authors: Smith Miriam
Published: March 2008

This article examines the criticism of the activist Supreme Court of Canada in Canadian political science, as exemplified by the work of F. L. Morton and Rainer Knopff. It compares the debate over the legitimacy of judicial review with a previous generation's debates over the same question with reference to the role and impact of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council on the development of Canadian federalism. The article argues that, particularly in examining the role of groups in the litigation process, we need to return to the lessons of the previous debate on the JCPC by emphasizing the ways in which group politics and litigation are connected to power relations in Canadian society. In the conclusion, the article offers an alternative approach to exploring the theoretical and empirical relationships between collective actors and litigation based on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Ghosts and Straw Men: A Comment on Miriam Smith's ''Ghosts of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council''
Authors: Knopff Rainer , Morton F. L.
Published: March 2008

Readers of Miriam Smith's article1 who have not also read our recent
book, The Charter Revolution and the Court Party, may conclude that she
is critical of everything in that book. This would be a mistake, since
nowhere in her article does she challenge the two central claims of the
book: (1) that there has been a “Charter revolution,” and (2) that
this revolution can be explained only in terms of a supporting
constituency. Smith accepts these central claims, which are made also by
Charles Epp in his fine book, The Rights Revolution: Lawyers, Activists,
and Supreme Courts in Comparative Perspective, a book Smith praises (9,
n. 12; 11). Smith disagrees primarily with our characterization of the
Charter revolution as undemocratic. She prefers Epp's view that the
rights revolution is democratic because it rests “on a support
structure that has a broad base in civil society” (11; quoting Epp,
Rights, 199) precisely, that is, because it is supported by
what we call a Court Party and Epp calls a “support structure for legal
mobilization.”
Partisanship as Political Science: A Reply to Rainer Knopff and F. L. Morton
Authors: Smith Miriam
Published: March 2008

One of the main points of “Ghosts of the JCPC” is that the study
of Charter politics is currently dominated by a sterile and well-worn
debate over the legitimacy of judicial review. Rainer Knopff and F. L.
Morton return to these issues in their reply. They frequently refer to
their own position or to my putative positions in their reply to my
work. But, they do not engage in a discussion of what is, or in making
arguments about how we might understand or explain what is, rather than
on constantly judging what is according to our own personal and partisan
political prejudices.
Modern Communications Technology in Ethnic Nationalist Hands: The Case of the Kurds
Authors: Romano David
Published: March 2008

This article examines the effect of modern media and communications technology on ethnic nationalist resurgence, using the Kurds as a case example. Television, satellite communications, the Internet and easy access to publishing technology now facilitate ethnic nationalist challenges to state hegemony and monopoly of information. Additionally, modern media and communications technology can turn a humiliating defeat into a catalyst for a more unified, stronger, ethnic nationalist movement. Globally broadcast images of such a defeat arouse the passions and indignation of even those people who only nominally identify themselves with the ethnic group in question. At the same time, communications technology such as telephones, faxes and e-mail facilitate the channeling of such indignation into immediate group protest and action which, in turn, strengthens the ethnic identification of action participants.
Lightning Rods Rather Than Light Switches: Arab Economic Sanctions against Canada in 1979
Authors: Ripsman Norrin M. , Blanchard Jean-Marc F.
Published: March 2008

The literature on economic sanctions consists of a series of studies assessing whether sanctions ''worked'' or not. Very little has been written on the factors that make economic sanctions more effective at achieving their intended purposes. This article examines the threatened 1979 Arab world boycott of Canada after Prime Minister Joe Clark announced the government's intention to relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. After determining that sanctions played a contributing role in motivating a Canadian policy reversal, it generates hypotheses from this misunderstood case about the political and economic factors that can contribute to the success of economic sanctions.
Editorial Foreword
Authors: Trautmann Thomas R.
Published: March 2008

SOCIAL HISTORIES OF FOOD Three elegant articles, devoted to ancient, medieval, and modern times, exemplify very different ways of treating the social history of food.
Empire of the Young: The Legacies of State Agricultural Policy on Local Capitalism and Social Support Networks in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Morris MacLean Lauren
Published: March 2008

While most American academics and policymakers are familiar with the problems facing the growing elderly population in the United States, many are surprised to learn of the troubles confronting the aged in Africa. In stark contrast to the mythic image of the tightly-knit extended family, where grandparents are lovingly cared for as a respected and integral part of the family unit, is the unforgiving reality of hunger, ill health, and loneliness that is the daily existence for many elderly Africans. It is critical that the problems of the aged in Africa and other parts of the developing world be examined, but we must recognize that these problems do not signify a simple convergence toward a common social ill across the globe. Rather, the nature of inter-generational solidarity varies, sometimes dramatically, over time and across contexts. This study employs a comparative analysis to reveal important differences in the nature of inter-generational solidarity over time between two similar sub-regions in neighboring Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire in West Africa, and asks what explains those differences.