bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hepatic proliferation in Gunn rats transplanted with hepatocytes: effect of retrorsine and tri‐iodothyronine
Authors: Cubero F. J. , Maganto P. , Mula N. , Ortiz A. , Barrutia M. G. , Codesal F. J. , Arahuetes R. M.
Published: June 2005

Abstract.   Hepatocyte transplantation would offer an attractive alternative to liver transplantation in the treatment of inborn errors of liver metabolism. However, a major problem in most transplantation studies to date has been the limited growth of transplanted cells in the recipient organ. We performed a strategy for selective proliferation of transplanted cells by interfering with the proliferative capacity of resident hepatocytes, using the pyrrolizidine alkaloid retrorsine and then transplanting liver cells in conjunction with repeated administration of triiodothyronine, an inducer of hepatocyte proliferation in rats. In the present study, foetal and adult syngeneic hepatocyte transplantation into spleen was performed in retrorsine‐treated hyperbilirubinemic Gunn rats. In parallel, repeated injections of triiodothyronine were given to recipients. Rats were sacrificed at 1, 7, 30 and 90 days after transplantation and blood and bile samples were taken to assess the functionality of transplanted cells. The proliferative activity of transplanted hepatocytes was evaluated using proliferating cell nuclear antigen labelling index. In summary, both adult and foetal hepatocyte transplantation were effective in correcting a metabolic abnormality in Gunn rats for as long as 3 months. The RS/T3 model, as a measure to increase graft function, could represent an important advance to future clinical application of hepatocyte transplantation.
Clinicopathologic review of 19 patients with systemic candidiasis with skin lesions
Authors: Bae Gee Young , Lee Hae Woong , Chang Sung Eun , Moon Kee Chan , Lee Mi Woo , Choi Jee Ho , Koh Jai Kyoung
Published: June 2005

Background  A diagnosis of systemic candidiasis is often delayed or missed owing to the absence of sensitive, specific, and timely diagnostic tools. Skin lesions are not common, but they can help to rapidly establish a diagnosis. We report on a 14‐year experience of systemic candidiasis with skin lesions in our institution. We report the prevalence, clinical findings, histologic findings, etiologic Candida species, underlying conditions, treatment modalities, and outcomes of the cases and compare them with the previous reports.

Methods  We reviewed the medical records and laboratory data of patients diagnosed with systemic candidiasis from June 1989 to September 2002 at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.

We thoroughly reviewed the data on those patients with characteristic skin lesions. We included the cases in which Candida organisms were either shown or cultured from the skin. We also included the patients who had developed the characteristic rash at the onset of infection if there was no other possible explanation for the rash.

Results  Of 53 documented systemic candidiasis cases, 19 (35.8%) had the characteristic skin lesions. Fifteen patients (78.9%) had hematologic problems and were neutropenic. The skin lesions were a maculopapular or nodular rash and plaques. In addition to the trunk and proximal extremities, the rash also involved the face and distal extremities. The rashes were mostly purpuric, not consistently associated with underlying thrombocytopenia but also associated with underlying vascular damage as a result of Candida organisms. The underlying vascular damage also caused intraepidermal necrotic and vesicular change. One case of transepidermal elimination of organisms was newly found. The most common causative species was Candida tropicalis in the 19 patients with skin lesions, in contrast with Candida albicans in a total of 53 patients. The mortality rate was 84.2%.

Conclusions  The prevalence of systemic candidiasis‐associated skin lesions may be higher than previously reported. Dermatologists should be familiar with the clinical appearance of skin lesions and suspect this fatal infection when seeing neutropenic patients with a resistant fever and accompanying rash.
Response of vitiligo to PUVA therapy in Saudi patients
Authors: Tallab T. , Joharji H. , Bahamdan K. , Karkashan E. , Mourad M. , Ibrahim K.
Published: June 2005

Background  Vitiligo is not uncommon in southern Saudi Arabia. The response of Saudi patients to PUVA therapy has not been previously assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate this response.

Methods  This is a retrospective study for the period of 1990–2001 in which 32 patients were included: Data were collected from the patients’ records, including: age, sex, age at onset of disease, type of vitiligo, cumulative dose, maintenance dose, total number of sessions, number of sessions to induce pigmentation, treatment duration, and response rate.

Results  The overall response rate was 59.4%. The most sensitive sites were the face, trunk, arms, and legs, while the most resistant sites were the hands, feet, and perioroficial areas (perioral and periorbital). Acute complications occurred in 59.4%, while chronic complications occurred in 78.1%. Analysis of the factors that affect the response rate showed that age, sex, the disease duration, and the treatment duration did not affect the response rate, while the surface area and the number of sessions to induce pigmentation showed a positive relation.

Conclusions  PUVA is still considered as the most appropriate and effective treatment for vitiligo. Saudi patients showed good response to treatment in general. Some sites such as the face, trunk, arms, and legs showed sensitivity to therapy, while hands, feet, and periorificial areas showed resistance to therapy. Generalized type was the best type to respond, followed by the periorificial type. Acral and segmental types were very resistant to therapy.
Warty and clear cell Bowen's disease
Authors: Hernández‐Pérez Enrique , Figueroa Dagoberto Espinoza
Published: June 2005

A 54‐year‐old man presented with multiple lesions (seven) on the lower extremities and abdomen. These lesions had been present for at least 12 years with gradual growth and some had spontaneously disappeared; all were asymptomatic. Some of them had been treated with topical steroids and antimycotic creams with poor results. Past personal history was uneventful, but family history revealed the death of a son from metastatic visceral carcinoma.

On dermatologic examination, six erythematous plaques of similar appearance were observed on the legs, abdomen and buttocks. All averaged 3 × 4 cm, with well‐defined but irregular borders that did not seem to be infiltrated. On the skin surface, thick scales and crusts were present. Areas of spontaneous involution with residual hypopigmentation were present. On the dorsum of the left foot the biggest lesion was observed, measuring 4 × 8 cm. Unlike other lesions this was verrucous in appearance, with peripheral inflammation (Fig. 1). No ulceration or regional lymphadenopathies were present. General physical examination was unremarkable.

The warty lesion located at the ankle

image

Histopathology revealed an intraepidermal carcinoma with an intact basal membrane, consistent with Bowen's disease. The presence of multiple clear cells was noted. The biopsy of the verrucous lesion showed an extreme thickening of the epithelium with the papilli reduced to very thin strands. The architectural features seemed to be fully disorganized. Numerous cells appeared highly atypical, with large, hyperchromatic nuclei. Multinucleated atypical cells were often present. Dyskeratotic cells with homogenous, strongly eosinophilic cytoplasm were numerous. The most distinctive feature was, however, the presence of multiple clear cells in the whole thickness of the epidermis. At some points there was effacement of the epidermal/dermal junction because of an intense chronic inflammatory reaction. Nevertheless, no atypicial cells were observed in the dermis (Fig. 2).

Warty and clear cell Bowen's disease (Hematoxylin and Eosin, ×10)

image

All lesions were treated with cryosurgery except for the verrucous lesion, which was excised, and a full thickness skin graft was performed, whose donor site was the abdomen. The borders and bottom of the excised skin were free of tumor. The malignancy work‐up was negative.
Successful treatment of extensive basidiobolomycosis with oral itraconazole in a child
Authors: Mathew Renu , Kumaravel S. , Kuruvilla Sheela , Varghese Renu G’boy , Shashikala  , Srinivasan S. , Mani M. Z.
Published: June 2005

Background  Basidiobolomycosis is a rare chronic subcutaneous infection caused by Basidiobolus ranarum, which is usually treated with potassium iodide. Extensive deforming lesions in children can occur owing to lack of early diagnosis and/or inappropriate treatment.

Case report  An 8‐year‐old girl child presented to us with extensive deforming plaque‐like lesions over the left thigh and leg with multiple ulcerations of 1 year's duration. Histopathology was suggestive of subcutaneous zygomycosis with Splendore Hoeppli phenomenon. Microscopic examination of the tissue showed branching, sparsely septate fungal hyphae on a 10%KOH mount, and culture yielded Basidiobolus ranarum. The patient was initially treated with potassium iodide for 6 weeks to which only a poor response was observed. Itraconazole therapy resulted in rapid regression of the lesions and complete resolution after 15 weeks of therapy. She continues to be disease‐free at 1 year of follow up.

Conclusions This case report highlights that in an older child even longstanding extensive basidiobolomycosis can be safely treated with itraconazole. Surgery is not usually necessary in these patients.
Sigmoidorectal (Mainz II) pouch for continent urinary diversion in bladder cancer
Authors: TRIANTAFYLLIDIS ARGYRIOS , ROMBIS VASILIOS , PAPATSORIS ATHANASIOS GEORGE , PAPATHANASIOU ATHANASIOS , KALAITZIS CHRISTOS , TOULOUPIDIS STAVROS
Published: June 2005

Abstract  Background:  We aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and outcome of the sigmoidorectal (Mainz II) pouch for urinary diversion in patients with invasive bladder cancer.

Methods:  Twenty‐nine patients (25 men and four women), aged 65–76 years, who had undergone radical cystectomy and the sigmoidorectal pouch procedure for invasive bladder cancer were included in this study. Postoperative evaluations included metabolic testing, standard laboratory screening, renal ultrasonography, pouchography, and intravenous urography or pouchoscopy when indicated.

Results:  The median operative time was 175 min. Urine leakage was encountered in two patients (6.8%), deep vein thrombosis in one (3.4%), and ileus necessitating surgery in another one. Two patients developed pyelonephritis due to ureterocolonic stricture, which was treated with antegrade balloon dilatation. No local relapses of bladder cancer were found. All patients were continent during the day, but one patient was occasionally incontinent during the night. In the long term, six patients (20.6%) developed metastatic disease, and five patients (17.2%) died because of cancer‐related causes. Overall survival was 100, 96 and 60% at 1, 2 and 3 years after the operation, respectively. The mean survival was 36.8 ± 1.9 months, which was statistically significantly associated with the M stage (P < 0.001), but not with the T (P = 0.091) or N (P = 0.081) stages.

Conclusions:  The sigmoidorectal (Mainz II) pouch seems to be a feasible, safe and effective method for continent urinary diversion. It is able to provide good quality of life, and ensure good overall survival rates.
Bladder‐sparing surgery and continent urinary diversion using the appendix (Mitrofanoff procedure) for urethral cancer
Authors: KOBAYASHI MIZUKI , NOMURA MASAYOSHI , YAMADA YOJI , FUJIMOTO NAOHIRO , MATSUMOTO TETSURO
Published: June 2005

Abstract  We performed bladder‐sparing surgery and continent urinary diversion in two patients with urethral cancer. The first patient was a 58‐year‐old man with bulbomembranous urethral cancer (squamous cell carcinoma, cT2N0M0). The second patient was a 77‐year‐old woman with urethral cancer invading the vaginal wall (transitional cell carcinoma with squamous cell carcinoma, cT3N0M0). After bladder‐sparing urethrectomy, continent urinary diversion with appendicovesicostomy (Mitrofanoff procedure) was performed in the both patients. More than 4 years after the surgery, both patients were continent, had no trouble with catheterization, and experienced no recurrence of cancer. Bladder‐sparing surgery and urinary diversion based on the Mitrofanoff procedure can be considered for appropriately selected patients with urethral cancer.
Stereo‐Photogrammetric Mapping of Tooth Replicas Incorporating Texture
Authors: Grenness Malcolm J. , Osborn Jon E. , Tyas Martin J.
Published: June 2005

Commercial digital photogrammetric software has been applied to convergent stereoscopic photography of human tooth replicas prepared to exhibit optical texture resulting in successful generation of 3D coordinate data. Tooth replicas were imaged using a semi‐metric 35 mm camera and f = 100 mm macro lens on extension bellows. Model precision was within acceptable limits of 12 μm or better for manual target matching and 21 μm or better for automatic image matching. Further improvement in optical texture is required to achieve automatic image matching precision comparable to that of manual target matching. Small errors in interior orientation parameters attributed to instability in the bellows as well as small errors in the relative orientation resulted in some systematic errors. The use of a fixed camera lens system is expected to reduce these errors. When combined with commercially available, moderately priced, digital SLR cameras this brings 3D model generation closer to everyday clinical dental practice.
The inter‐specific hybrid Silene latifolia×S. viscosa reveals early events of sex chromosome evolution
Authors: Zluvova Jitka , Lengerova Martina , Markova Michaela , Hobza Roman , Nicolas Michael , Vyskot Boris , Charlesworth Deborah , Negrutiu Ioan , Janousek Bohuslav
Published: June 2005

Summary The dioecious plant species Silene latifolia has a sex determination mechanism based on an active Y chromosome. Here, we used inter‐specific hybrids in the genus Silene to study the effects of gene complexes on the Y chromosome. If the function of Y‐linked genes has been maintained in the same state as in the hermaphrodite progenitor species, it should be possible to substitute such genes by genes coming from a related hermaphrodite species. In the inter‐specific hybrid, S. latifolia×S. viscosa, anthers indeed develop far beyond the early bilobal stage characteristic of XX S. latifolia female plants. The S. viscosa genome can thus replace the key sex determination gene whose absence abolishes early stamen development in females (loss of the stamen‐promoting function, SPF), so that hybrid plants are morphologically hermaphrodite. However, the hybrids have two anther development defects, loss of adhesion of the tapetum to the endothecium, and precocious endothecium maturation. Both these defects were also found in independent Y‐chromosome deletion mutants of S. latifolia. The data support the hypothesis that the evolution of complete gender dimorphism from hermaphroditism involved a major largely recessive male‐sterility factor that created females, and the appearance of new, dominant genes on the Y chromosome, including both the well‐documented gynoecium‐suppressing factor, and two other Y specific genes promoting anther development.
Teaching Headache in America: Survey of Neurology Chairs and Residency Directors
Authors: Kommineni Maya , Finkel Alan G.
Published: June 2005

Objective.—To determine the status of headache education in American medical schools and Neurology Residency Training Programs.

Methods.—One hundred and thirty‐three programs were identified using the Association of University Professors of Neurology listing. Two hundred and seventeen surveys were mailed to departmental chairs (DC) and residency training directors (RTD) with fax back response sheets enclosed. Two additional mailings were sent to nonresponders. Questions regarding the presence of medical school or resident educational opportunities in headache medicine including lectures and electives were included. Additional questions were asked to assess beliefs about headache education in America.

Results.—One hundred nineteen surveys were returned. Ninety‐five institutions responded including 75 Chairs and 44 RTD. Eighty percent of institutions have formal medical school lectures in headache/migraine. Fifty‐five institutions claim to have a headache clinic, 52 within neurology departments. Thirty‐two percent offer a headache elective to medical students. Nearly all departments offer formal resident lectures in headache/migraine, and 57% offer a headache elective. Essentially, all individual respondents believe that migraine is a valid neurological disorder and an important subject to teach in medical school. Ninety‐one agree or strongly agree that headache is an important public health issue. Twenty‐nine percent agree or strongly agree that headache diagnosis and management is adequately taught. Eighty‐four percent believe the pharmaceutical industry has influenced migraine education and management. No important differences in response were found between Chairs and RTD.

Conclusions.—This survey provides the first comprehensive assessment of the status of headache medicine education in academic departments of neurology
The Quality of Headache Treatment in The United States: Review and Analysis of Recent Data
Authors: Loder Elizabeth W. , Sheftell Fred
Published: June 2005

The methods and results of a recent large study of the quality of health care in the United States are reviewed with special emphasis on findings specific to headache care. The study's implications for educational and quality improvement efforts in the headache field are considered. These include (i) the need to teach and reinforce fundamental history‐taking and physical‐examination processes at all levels of medical education; (ii) the importance of recognizing serious problems of underuse and misuse of proven evaluation and treatment technologies; (iii) the desirability of shifting educational resources from simple messages that have been adequately absorbed toward more nuanced and targeted educational goals; and (iv) the value of novel and unorthodox educational strategies. Professional headache societies need to devote considerable resources to address the problem of widespread and important deficiencies in simple, fundamental care processes for headache.
Policy Subsystem Configurations and Policy Change: Operationalizing the Postpositivist Analysis of the Politics of the Policy process
Authors: Howlett Michael , Ramesh M.
Published: June 2005

Over the past two decades thinking about the role of politics in the policy process has taken several different shapes. Analysts in the “positivist” school of policy analysis have tended to use restricted notions of politics in their search for policy determinants or causes of policy change. This approach can be contrasted usefully with “postpositivist” analyses, which emphasize the role played by policy discourses in the policy process. This article discusses the manner in which policy networks and policy communities integrate ideas and interests in public policymaking and provide an opportunity to overcome the positivist/post‐positivist conceptual dichotomy. It proposes a model setting out how different subsystem configurations relate to paradigmatic and intraparadigmatic processes of policy change. The paper suggests that the identification of the nature of the policy subsystem in a given policy sector reveals a great deal about its propensity to respond to changes in ideas and interests and is therefore a good indicator of the likely effect “politics,” in either the restrictive or broad sense of the term, will have on policymaking.
The Struggle to Reform Regulatory Procedures, 1978–1998
Authors: Anderson James E.
Published: June 2005

This article examines the attempts between 1978 and 1998 to enact general regulatory procedural reform legislation. Two decades of off‐again, off‐again legislative efforts have yielded only fragments of reform. A major explanation for this, despite the official popularity of reform, seems to be the inability of putative reformers‐traditionalists, populists, and restrictivists‐to agree among themselves on the direction and content of general reform legislation. This experience raises a number of important theoretical issues for students of regulation, including the ethicalness of using procedural restraints deliberately to disrupt or impede the regulatory process and the impact of procedural controls on regulatory policy.
Policy Analysis and Evidence: A Craft Perspective
Authors: Weimer David L.
Published: June 2005

Both rational empiricist methods and discursive approaches associated with post positivism can inform usefully the craft of policy analysis. Systematically comparing policy alternatives in terms of relevant policy goals is a fundamentally important element of cr. Selecting relevant goals for policy open can be informed usefully by discourse with stakeholders. Formulating policy alternatives often can benefit from a catholic approach that includes interpretative as well as rational empiricist approaches. These two functions, which can be thought of as labeling appropriately the rows and columns of a goals/alternatives matrix, thus potentially benefit from post positivist perspectives. Yet prediction which can be thought of as filling in all the cells of the goals/alternatives matrix, is unlikely to be informed usefully by post positivist. Indeed, to the extent that post positivist goes by and reinforcing healthy skepticism about rational empiricist theories and methods to their fundamental rejection, it reduces the potential for policy analysis to contribute to the good society.
Models of Policy Discourse: insights versus Prediction
Authors: DeLeon Peter
Published: June 2005

Policy researchers traditionally have adhered to the quantitative: (or positivist) approach. Recently, some policy analysts have emphasized a more qualitative (or postpositivist) approach. Little, if any, of the latter has been considered by proponents of the former as serious policy (i.e., “objective”) analysis. This tension has produced some conflicts as to which camp is more attuned to a policy version of “truth.”

This essay attempts to demonstrate the strong and weak points of both paradigms, and argues that either by itself has serious debilitations. For instance, positivists deny the subjective nature of values that denigrate the putatively “objective” orientations of their analyses, perhaps even rendering it “undemocratic.” On the other hand, postpositivists have a difficult time operationalizing their preferred research methodologies with the necessary rigor.

The essay concludes that the research problem—rather than a favorite methodology—should determine the research approach, and that both the quantitative and qualitative aspects can be used in a consonant manner.
Game Theory and Institutional Entrepreneurship: Transfer Pricing and the Search for Coordination International Tax Policy
Authors: Radaelli Claudio M.
Published: June 2005

Coordination in international tax policy is extremely problematic. Economists and political scientists have explained this lack of coordination by arguing that tax competition triggers a prisoner's dilemma. In this article I argue that not all international tax policy can be reduced to the prisoner's dilemma syndrome. Transfer pricing policy, the object of this study, can be modeled as a coordination game. By drawing upon game theory and new institutional analysis, I argue that institutional entrepreneurs who decide to play their favorite option first can facilitate the emergence of international policy coordination. This idea is examined in the context of the creation of the new Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development rules on transfer pricing. The conclusion is that coordination emerges in transfer pricing policy through a process of conflictual institutionalization.
Systems Theory and Skeptical Humanism in French Ecological Thought
Authors: Whiteside Kerry H.
Published: June 2005

In systems theory, nature appears as an intricate interweaving of homeostatic processes–processes that mankind disrupts at its own peril. For many non‐French ecologists, only respecting nature's “intrinsic value” will avert catastrophe. Such reasoning is rare in France. In its place, theorists like Edgar Morin and Michel Serres promote a systems‐inspired ecologism that skirts the problematic dualism of nature and humanity by questioning skeptically how we understand both the world and ourselves.
All Hazardous Waste Politics is Local: Grass‐roots Advocacy and Public Participation in siting and Cleanup Decisions
Authors: Lowry Robert C.
Published: June 2005

The combined effects of federalism and interest group pluralism pose particularly difficult problems for hazardous waste siting and cleanup decisions. Most national environmental groups have only limited involvement in local hazardous waste politics, while local grass‐roots advocates have very different interests and sometimes are pitted against one another. Both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy recently have begun to use site‐specific citizen advisory boards at cleanup sites. This approach appears to improve communications at some sites, but does not address the issues of “not in my back yard” politics and alleged inequitable exposure to hazardous wastes.
Stumbling Towards Union: Policymaking in the EU
Authors: Zeff Eleanor E. , Pirro Ellen B.
Published: June 2005

Desmond Dinan (Ed.), Encyclopedia of the European Union.

Pierre‐Henri Lament and Marc Maresceau (Eds.), The State of the European Union

John McCormick, The European Union: Politics and Policies.

Stelios Stavridis, Elias Mossialos, Roger Morgan, and Howard Machin (Eds.), New Challenges to the European Union: Policies and Policy‐Making.

Helen Wallace and William Wallace (Eds.), Policy‐Making in the European Union.
Relationship between intracellular ROS production and membrane mobility in curcumin‐ and tetrahydrocurcumin‐treated human gingival fibroblasts and human submandibular gland carcinoma cells
Authors: Atsumi T , Fujisawa S , Tonosaki K
Published: June 2005

Objective:  Curcumin is a well‐known chemopreventive agent of oral cancers as well as stomach and intestinal cancers. The relationship between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell membrane mobility was investigated to clarify the pro‐oxidant mechanism of curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin (TH‐curcumin).

Methods:  The intracellular ROS production and membrane mobility by curcumin or TH‐curcumin were measured in human submandibular adenocarcinoma cells (HSGs) and human primary gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). ROS and mobility were measured by 5‐(and ‐6)‐carboxy‐2′,7′‐dichlorofluorescein diacetate staining and fluorescence recovery after photo bleaching, respectively.

Results:  Curcumin produced ROS dose‐dependently. ROS appeared in the region surrounding the cell membrane. The membrane mobility coefficient of the curcumin‐treated cells was significantly lower than that of control cells. The lowered membrane mobility induced by curcumin was reversed by the addition of glutathione, an antioxidant. In contrast, TH‐curcumin did not affect the ROS production or the membrane mobility coefficient. The alternations induced by curcumin treated HSG cells were greater than those by HGF cells.

Conclusion:  The reduction in membrane mobility induced by curcumin was attributed to ROS production. The oxidative effects of curcumin may be related to the structure of the α, β‐unsaturated carbonyl moiety as well as the phenolic OH group of this compound.
Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome
Authors: Auluck A , Suhas S , Pai KM
Published: June 2005

Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a congenital disorder characterized by triad of vascular nevi, venous varicosities and hyperplasia of soft and hard tissues in the affected area. This syndrome usually affects the extremities but occasionally can manifest in the craniofacial region, including the oral cavity. We report a case of KTS and discuss the oro‐surgical and dental considerations regarding hemorrhagic tendencies caused by the known local anomalies such as vascular malformations associated with this syndrome as well as systemic abnormalities.
Family literacy as a third space between home and school: some case studies of practice
Authors: Pahl Kate , Kelly Sally
Published: June 2005

In this article, the relationship between literacy practices and spatiality is explored in the context of family literacy. The article draws on fieldwork in family literacy classrooms as part of two evaluations in Croydon and Derbyshire of family learning provision. Methods of evaluation included classroom observations in rural and suburban locations. In addition, teachers and parents were interviewed. In this instance, family learning included literacy and language activities with parents and children in school and nursery settings. These were learning spaces where parents and children collaborated on joint projects including book making, storytelling, the making of visual artefacts and reading and writing activities. The research revealed how family literacy classrooms could be understood as ‘third spaces’, between home and school, offering parents and children discursive opportunities drawing on both domains.
Radiotherapy and wound healing
Authors: Dormand Emma‐Louise , Banwell Paul E , Goodacre Timothy EE
Published: June 2005

Radiotherapy is an invaluable weapon when treating cancer. However, the deleterious effects of radiation, both immediate and long‐term, may have a significant effect on local tissues. Problematic wound healing in radiation‐damaged tissue constitutes a major problem that is frequently overlooked during the management of patients who require radiotherapy, or have had radiotherapy in the past. Poor wound healing may lead to chronic ulceration, pain, secondary infection and psychological distress and compromise the outcome of general or reconstructive surgery. We discuss the pathophysiology of poor wound healing following radiotherapy, specific problems for radiation‐damaged tissue and potential treatments to improve wound healing of irradiated tissues.
Can the use of a topical antifungal nail lacquer reduce risk for diabetic foot ulceration? Results from a randomised controlled pilot study
Authors: Armstrong David G , Holtz Katherine , Wu Stephanie
Published: June 2005

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the routine use of a topical antifungal nail lacquer (AFL) could reduce the risk for ulceration by theoretically increasing the frequency of patient self‐inspection. In this randomised controlled trial, 70 persons at high risk for diabetic foot ulceration were enrolled into a preventative care program involving daily self‐inspection with the possible use of an AFL (ciclopirox 8%) versus self‐inspection instructions alone (NAFL). Patients were followed for 12 months or until ulceration. Using an intent to treat analysis, there was no significant difference in proportion of persons ulcerating in the AFL versus the NAFL groups (5·9% versus 5·6%P = 0·9). There was also no difference in the number of unexpected visits (P = 0·2) or missed appointments (P = 0·7) between treatment arms. Interestingly, while there was no difference in proportion of patients with clinically diagnosed hyperkeratosis or tinea pedis on entry into the study (P = 0·2), a significantly lower proportion of AFL patients had a clinical diagnosis on study termination (52·9% versus 77·8%P = 0·03, OR = 1·7, 95% confidence interval = 1·1–2·7). The results of this study suggest that there may be no immediate prophylactic benefit through the use of AFL to prevent wounds. The incidental finding of a potential reduction in hyperkeratosis and tinea pedis is a compelling one and may deserve further investigation.
Applying Thermodynamics in Search of Superior Engine Efficiency
Authors: Amann Charles A.
Published: June 2005

Historically, a succession of thermodynamic processes has been used to idealize the operating cycles of internal combustion engines. In this study, the 256 possible combinations of four reversible processes—isentropic, isothermal, isochoric, and isobaric—are surveyed in search of cycles promising superior thermal efficiency. Regenerative cycles are excluded. The established concept of the air-standard cycle, which mimics the internal combustion engine as a closed-cycle heat engine, is used to narrow the field systematically. The approach relies primarily on graphical interpretation of approximate temperature-entropy diagrams and is qualitative only. In addition to identifying the cycles offering the greatest efficiency potential, the compromise between thermal efficiency and mean effective pressure is addressed.
Adapting the Micro-Gas Turbine Operation to Variable Thermal and Electrical Requirements
Authors: Bozza Fabio , Cameretti Maria Cristina , Tuccillo Raffaele
Published: June 2005

This paper examines the possibilities for a micro-gas turbine operation under a wide range of thermal and mechanical load requirements. The authors focus the attention on a partially recuperated thermal cycle based on a by-pass option towards the heat recovery boiler, in order to adapt the gas turbine operation to increasing needs of thermal output. In addition, a variable speed operation is considered as a more reliable method for decreasing the mechanical output without producing an excess in efficiency decay. The actual possibilities of the above-named regulation tools are examined by an integrated procedure which involves, besides an accurate thermodynamic preliminary analysis, the component matching study and the CFD based simulation of the combustion chamber.
Modeling and Validation of the Thermal Effects on Gas Turbine Transients
Authors: Nielsen Annette E. , Moll Christoph W. , Staudacher Stephan
Published: June 2005

Secondary effects, such as heat transfer from fluid to engine structure and the resulting changes in tip and seal clearances affect component performance and stability. A tip clearance model to be used in transient synthesis codes has been developed. The tip clearance model is derived as a state space structure. The model parameters have been identified from thermomechanical finite element models. The model calculates symmetric rotor tip clearance changes in the turbomachinery and symmetric seal clearance changes in the secondary air system for engine transients within the entire flight envelope. The resulting changes in efficiency, capacity, and cooling airflows are fed into the performance program. Corrections for tip clearance changes on the component characteristics are derived from rig tests. The effect of seal clearance changes on the secondary air system is derived using sophisticated air system models. The clearance model is validated against FE thermomechanical models. The modeling method of modifying the component characteristics is verified comparing engine simulation and test data, which show good agreement. Based on a representative transient maneuver typical transient overshoots in fuel flow and turbine gas temperature and changes in component stability margins can be shown. With the use of this model in the performance synthesis the transient engine performance can be predicted more accurate than currently in the engine development program.
Matrix Representation of Topological Changes in Metamorphic Mechanisms
Authors: Dai Jian S. , Jones John Rees
Published: June 2005

Metamorphic mechanisms form a class of mechanisms that has the facilities to change configuration from one kind to another with a resultant change in the number of effective links and mobility of movement. This paper develops formal matrix operations to describe the distinct topology of configurations found in a metamorphic mechanism and to complete transformation between them. A new way is hence introduced for modeling topological changes of metamorphic mechanisms in general. It introduces a new elimination E-elementary matrix together with a U-elementary matrix to form an EU-elementary matrix operation to produce the configuration transformation. The use of these matrix operations is demonstrated in both spherical and spatial metamorphic mechanisms, the mechanistic models taken from the industrial packaging operations of carton folding manipulation that stimulated this study.
Transpermanent Magnetics Using Alternating Uniform Linear Stacks
Authors: Silverberg Larry , Duval Luis
Published: June 2005

In this paper we apply recent developments in transpermanent magnetics to the problem of ultra-low-power valve control. Whereas the traditional approach to ultra-low-power valve control is based on latching mechanisms that turn off valves during inactive periods, in this paper we describe an approach that eliminates the need for latching mechanisms. Instead of latching mechanisms, the principles of transpermanent magnetics are employed to switch the states of permanent magnets; the use of permanent magnets instead of electromagnets eliminates power loads during inactive periods, thereby reducing power consumption to ultralow levels. The permanent magnets in a transpermanent magnet valve are configured in a stack. The relationships between the strength and number of permanent magnets in the stack and the stroke and resolution of the valve are developed. In this paper we show that the alternating uniform linear stack is well suited for digital process valves having a small number of states. Then in the paper we report on the design and testing of a laboratory prototype valve that uses an alternating uniform linear stack. The prototype valve had five states yielding a range of flow rates between 0 and 1.58m∕s with a resolution of 0.3m∕s. In this paper we find that transpermanent valves represent a promising valve technology for digital process valves.
Parallel Kinematic Machines: Design, Analysis and Simulation in an Integrated Virtual Environment
Authors: Zhang Dan , Wang Lihui , Lang Sherman Y. T.
Published: June 2005

Selecting a configuration for a machine tool that will best suit the needs of a forecast set of requirements can be a difficulty and costly exercise. This problem can now be addressed using an integrated virtual validation system. The system includes kinematic/dynamic analysis, kinetostatic model, CAD module, FEM module, CAM module, optimization module and visual environment for simulation and collision detection of the machining and deburring. It is an integration of the parallel kinematic machines (PKM) design, analysis, optimization and simulation. In this paper, the integrated virtual system is described in detail; a prototype of a 3-dof PKM is modeled, analyzed, optimized and remote controlled with the proposed system. Some results and simulations are also given. Its effectiveness is shown with the results obtained by NRC-IMTI during the design of the 3-dof NRC PKM.
Modeling and Design of an Optically Powered Microactuator for a Microfluidic Dispenser
Authors: Deshpande Mandar , Saggere Laxman
Published: June 2005

This paper presents systematic modeling and design of an optically powered piezoelectric microactuator for driving a microfluidic dispenser that could find a potential application in a retinal prosthesis. The first part of the paper treats a microactuator system comprised of a micron-scale piezoelectric unimorph integrated with a miniaturized solid-state solar cell. The microactuator design is tailored for driving a microfluidic dispenser to dispense a stored liquid chemical through its micron-sized outlet ports at a rate of about 1pl∕s when the integrated solar cell is irradiated by light at a power density of 3W∕m2, corresponding to the requirements of the potential application. The microactuator system design is accomplished by first obtaining analytical models for the solar cell characteristic behavior and the microactuator displacements and then combining them to obtain the key dimensions of the microactuator through a design optimization. An analysis of the performance characteristics of the microactuator and a finite element analysis validating the analytical model for the microactuator’s displacements and the peak stresses under the operating loads are presented. The latter part of the paper presents a design of a microfluidic dispenser utilizing the optically powered microactuator and satisfying the desired input/output requirements. An analytical model integrating various energy domains involved in the system, viz. opto-electrical, piezoelectric, mechanical and hydraulic, is derived for the liquid flow through the dispenser’s micron-sized outlet ports. Finally, the energetic feasibility of the microactuator design obtained for the specified input and output criteria is also discussed.
A Quadratic Programming Formulation for the Design of Reduced Protein Models in Continuous Sequence Space
Authors: Koh Sung K. , Ananthasuresh G. K. , Croke Christopher
Published: June 2005

The notion of optimization is inherent in the design of a sequence of amino acid monomer types in a long heteropolymer chain of a protein that should fold to a desired conformation. Building upon our previous work wherein continuous parametrization and deterministic optimization approach were introduced for protein sequence design, in this paper we present an alternative formulation that leads to a quadratic programming problem in the first stage of a two-stage design procedure. The new quadratic formulation, which uses the linear interpolation of the states of the monomers in Stage I could be solved to identify the globally optimal sequence(s). Furthermore, the global minimum solution of the quadratic programming problem gives a lower bound on the energy for a given conformation in the sequence space. In practice, even a local optimization algorithm often gives sequences with global minimum, as demonstrated in the examples considered in this paper. The solutions of the first stage are then used to provide an appropriate initial guess for the second stage, where a rescaled Gaussian probability distribution function-based interpolation is used to refine the states to their original discrete states. The performance of this method is demonstrated with HP (hydrophobic and polar) lattice models of proteins. The results of this method are compared with the results of exhaustive enumeration as well as our earlier method that uses a graph-spectral method in Stage I. The computational efficiency of the new method is also demonstrated by designing HP models of real proteins. The method outlined in this paper is applicable to very large chains and can be extended to the case of multiple monomer types.
Time-Resolved Temperature Profiling of Flames With Highly Preheated/Low Oxygen Concentration Air in an Industrial Size Furnace
Authors: Shimada T. , Akiyama T. , Fukushima S. , Mitsui K. , Jinno M. , Kitagawa K. , Arai N. , Gupta Ashwani K.
Published: June 2005

A high-speed video camera was combined with a newly developed optical system to measure time resolved two-dimensional (2D) temperature distribution in flames. This diagnostics has been applied to measure the temperature distribution in an industrial size regenerative test furnace facility using highly preheated combustion air and heavy fuel oil. The 2D distributions of continuum emission from soot particles in these flames have been simultaneously measured at two discrete wave bands at 125 frames/sec. This allowed us to determine the temperature from each image on the basis of two-color 2D thermometry, in which the ratio of the 2D emission intensity distribution at various spatial position in the flame was converted into the respective 2D temperature distribution with much higher spatial resolution as compared to that obtainable with thermocouples. This diagnostic method was applied to both premixed and diffusion flames with highly preheated low oxygen concentration combustion air using heavy fuel oil. The results show that higher temperature regions exist continuously in the premixed flame as compared to the diffusion flame. This provided clear indication of higher NO emission from the premixed flame as compared to diffusion flames during the combustion of heavy fuel oil under high-temperature air combustion conditions. This observation is contrary to that obtained with normal temperature combustion air wherein diffusion flames result in higher NOx emission levels.
LIMITS ON NON-NEWTONIAN GRAVITY AND HYPOTHETICAL FORCES FROM MEASUREMENTS OF THE CASIMIR FORCE
Authors: CHEN F. , MOHIDEEN U. , MILONNI P. W.
Published: June 2005

Modern unification theories that seek to unify gravity with the other fundamental forces predict a host of new particles outside the standard model. Many also invoke extra dimensions. Both of these effects lead to deviations from Newtonian gravity. For sub micron distance between two bodies, the Casimir force far exceeds the gravitational force. Thus both understanding and using the Casimir force is very important for checking the relevance of these unification theories. In particular, measurements of the Casimir force has allowed one to set some of the strongest constraints for corresponding distance regions. This paper summarizes the techniques used to measure the Casimir force and some of the limits that follow from them.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ON EMBEDDING THEORIES OF SPACETIME
Authors: ROMERO C. , DAHIA F.
Published: June 2005

We review two recent developments on five-dimensional embedding theories of the spacetime: the embedding of branes, which is related to the Campbell-Magaard theorem, and the dynamics of particles in the context of the induced-matter theory. In the latter case, we show that there are two different ways of treating the anomalous acceleration of particles: the foliation and the embedding approach.
GRAVITY LOCALIZATION IN A 6-DIMENSIONAL BRANE WORLD
Authors: HARTMANN BETTI , BRIHAYE YVES
Published: June 2005

We study a 6-dimensional Einstein-Born-Infeld-Higgs model. In the limit of infinite Born-Infeld coupling, this model reduces to an Einstein-Abelian-Higgs model, in which gravity localizing solutions were shown to exist. In this proceeding, we discuss further properties of the gravity localizing solutions as well as of the solutions in the limit of vanishing cosmological constant.
INERTIAL DRAGGING AND KALUZA-KLEIN THEORY
Authors: GRØN ØYVIND
Published: June 2005

In the present article I give a five-dimensional interpretation of the Coulomb field in the context of Kaluza-Klein theory. It is shown that the projection into our four-dimensional world of the inertial dragging field due to a neutral particle moving around a closed fifth dimension, is interpreted as the electrical field of a charged particle from our four-dimensional point of view.
POINT CHARGE SELF-ENERGY IN THE GENERAL RELATIVITY
Authors: GOLUBEV M. B. , KELNER S. R.
Published: June 2005

Singularities in the metric of the classical solutions to the Einstein equations (Schwarzschild, Kerr, Reissner – Nordström and Kerr – Newman solutions) lead to appearance of generalized functions in the Einstein tensor that are not usually taken into consideration. The generalized functions can be of a more complex nature than the Dirac δ-function. To study them, a technique has been used based on a limiting solution sequence. The solutions are shown to satisfy the Einstein equations everywhere, if the energy-momentum tensor has a relevant singular addition of non-electromagnetic origin. When the addition is included, the total energy proves finite and equal to mc2, while for the Kerr and Kerr–Newman solutions the angular momentum is mca. As the Reissner–Nordström and Kerr–Newman solutions correspond to the point charge in the classical electrodynamics, the result obtained allows us to view the point charge self-energy divergence problem in a new fashion.