bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neural regeneration and the peripheral olfactory system
Authors: Schwob James E.
Published: August 2002

The peripheral olfactory system is able to recover after injury, i.e., the olfactory epithelium reconstitutes, the olfactory nerve regenerates, and the olfactory bulb is reinnervated, with a facility that is unique within the mammalian nervous system. Cell renewal in the epithelium is directed to replace neurons when they die in normal animals and does so at an accelerated pace after damage to the olfactory nerve. Neurogenesis persists because neuron‐competent progenitor cells, including transit amplifying and immediate neuronal precursors, are maintained within the population of globose basal cells. Notwithstanding events in the neuron‐depleted epithelium, the death of both non‐neuronal cells and neurons directs multipotent globose basal cell progenitors, to give rise individually to sustentacular cells and horizontal basal cells as well as neurons. Multiple growth factors, including TGF‐α, FGF2, BMPs, and TGF‐βs, are likely to be central in regulating choice points in epitheliopoiesis. Reinnervation of the bulb is rapid and robust. When the nerve is left undisturbed, i.e., by lesioning the epithelium directly, the projection of the reconstituted epithelium onto the bulb is restored to near‐normal with respect to rhinotopy and in the targeting of odorant receptor‐defined neuronal classes to small clusters of glomeruli in the bulb. However, at its ultimate level, i.e., the convergence of axons expressing the same odorant receptor onto one or a few glomeruli, specificity is not restored unless a substantial number of fibers of the same type are spared. Rather, odorant receptor‐defined subclasses of neurons innervate an excessive number of glomeruli in the rough vicinity of their original glomerular targets. Anat Rec (New Anat) 269:33–49, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spinal fusion with recombinant human growth and differentiation factor‐5 combined with a mineralized collagen matrix
Authors: Spiro Robert C. , Thompson Andrea Y. , Poser James W.
Published: August 2002

The availability of recombinant osteoinductive growth factors and new osteoconductive matrices offers an alternative to the use of autogenous bone (autograft) for grafting indications. This study evaluates the bone‐forming activity of a mineralized collagen matrix combined with recombinant human growth and differentiation factor‐5 in a rabbit posterolateral spinal fusion model. The activity of three distinct matrix‐growth factor formulations is assessed by radiographic, histologic, and mechanical strength methods. Results show that the radiographic density, histologic quality, and mechanical strength of fusion at 12 weeks post‐treatment rank consistently within the treatment groups. Optimal formulations are shown to perform similar to autograft in both the rate and strength of fusion. Fusion rates as high as 80% are observed within specific matrix/growth factor formulations. The average biomechanical strength of treated motion segments in the most efficacious formulation is 82% higher than that obtained with autograft, although this difference is not statistically significant. The fusion mass formed in response to matrix/growth factor formulations is composed of normal trabecular bone with a thin outer cortical plate and modest hematopoietic bone marrow. These results demonstrate that the combination of a mineralized collagen matrix with recombinant human growth and differentiation factor‐5 maximizes the inherent conductive and inductive properties of each component, respectively, to provide an effective alternative to autograft for bone grafting procedures. Anat Rec 263:388–395, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
COBRA combination therapy in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: Long‐term structural benefits of a brief intervention
Authors: Landewé Robert B. M. , Boers Maarten , Verhoeven Arco C. , Westhovens Rene , van de Laar Mart A. F. J. , Markusse Harry M. , van Denderen J. Christiaan , Westedt Marie Louise , Peeters Andre J. , Dijkmans Ben A. C. , Jacobs Piet , Boonen Annelies , van der Heijde Désirée M. F. M. , van der Linden Sjef
Published: August 2002

Objective

The Combinatietherapie Bij Reumatoide Artritis (COBRA) trial demonstrated that step‐down combination therapy with prednisolone, methotrexate, and sulfasalazine (SSZ) was superior to SSZ monotherapy for suppressing disease activity and radiologic progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The current study was conducted to investigate whether the benefits of COBRA therapy were sustained over time, and to determine which baseline factors could predict outcome.

Methods

All patients had participated in the 56‐week COBRA trial. During followup, they were seen by their own rheumatologists and were also assessed regularly by study nurses; no treatment protocol was specified. Disease activity, radiologic damage, and functional ability were the primary outcome domains. Two independent assessors scored radiographs in sequence according to the Sharp/van der Heijde method. Outcomes were analyzed by generalized estimating equations on the basis of intent‐to‐treat, starting with data obtained at the last visit of the COBRA trial (56 weeks after baseline).

Results

At the beginning of followup, patients in the COBRA group had a significantly lower mean time‐averaged 28‐joint disease activity score (DAS28) and a significantly lower median radiologic damage (Sharp) score compared with those in the SSZ monotherapy group. The functional ability score (Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ]) was similar in both groups. During the 4–5 year followup period, the time‐averaged DAS28 decreased 0.17 points per year in the SSZ group and 0.07 in the COBRA group. The Sharp progression rate was 8.6 points per year in the SSZ group and 5.6 in the COBRA group. After adjustment for differences in treatment and disease activity during followup, the between‐group difference in the rate of radiologic progression was 3.7 points per year. The HAQ score did not change significantly over time. Independent baseline predictors of radiologic progression over time (apart from treatment allocation) were rheumatoid factor positivity, Sharp score, and DAS28.

Conclusion

An initial 6‐month cycle of intensive combination treatment that includes high‐dose corticosteroids results in sustained suppression of the rate of radiologic progression in patients with early RA, independent of subsequent antirheumatic therapy.
Rheumatoid factor is the major predictor of increasing severity of radiographic erosions in rheumatoid arthritis: Results from the Norfolk Arthritis Register Study, a large inception cohort
Authors: Bukhari M. , Lunt M. , Harrison B. J. , Scott D. G. I. , Symmons D. P. M. , Silman A. J.
Published: August 2002

Objective

To identify the relative contributions of clinical and laboratory variables, determined at baseline, in predicting the deterioration of radiographic damage 5 years after presentation in patients with inflammatory polyarthritis.

Methods

Data from 439 subjects who sought primary care for inflammatory polyarthritis were analyzed. All subjects had paired radiographs, of which the first was obtained within 24 months of presentation and the second at 5 years after presentation. The contribution of baseline clinical and laboratory variables in predicting the degree of radiologic severity as judged by the Larsen score was assessed at both time points. Additionally, the role of these factors in predicting change after adjustment for baseline severity was also measured.

Results

By 5 years, 49% of subjects had evidence of erosions. The median Larsen score on the first film was 2 (interquartile range [IQR] 0–10) and the median score on the followup film was 7 (IQR 1–25). These corresponded to a median deterioration of 3 (IQR 0–14) in all subjects, whereas those subjects with evidence of erosions at first film showed a median deterioration of 15 (IQR 6–29) on followup. The rheumatoid factor (RF) status, C‐reactive protein levels, the presence of nodules, and number of swollen joints at baseline were all predictive of radiographic severity at first film. Not surprisingly, the baseline radiographic score was a predictor of severity of deterioration. However, after adjusting for baseline severity, a high titer of RF (>1:160) was also an independent predictor of deterioration over 5 years: individuals with an initial RF at that level had a progression in their Larsen score that was 2.3 times (95% confidence interval 1.7–3.2) higher than that in the RF‐negative individuals. Apart from this, only age had an independent effect, after adjusting for baseline severity, in predicting increasing radiographic joint damage.

Conclusion

High‐titer RF is an important variable in predicting continuing severity of radiographic damage during the first 5 years after presentation with inflammatory polyarthritis.
Reproductive factors and the risk of scleroderma: An Italian case–control study
Authors: Edith Pisa Federica , Bovenzi Massimo , Romeo Luciano , Tonello Alberta , Biasi Domenico , Bambara Lisa Maria , Betta Alberto , Barbone Fabio
Published: August 2002

Objective

To investigate the association between scleroderma (systemic sclerosis; SSc) and reproductive factors in a hospital‐based case–control study conducted at the University Hospital of Verona in Northeastern Italy.

Methods

Forty‐six confirmed cases of SSc in women (42 with diffuse SSc and 4 with limited SSc) and 153 female control subjects with orthopedic disorders were recruited at the University Hospital. For each subject, information on age at first pregnancy, number of children and abortions, and use of oral contraceptives was obtained by means of a structured questionnaire, and information on the subject's occupational history and lifestyle factors was also sought.

Results

Parous women had a reduced risk of SSc (age‐adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.3, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.1–0.8) compared with nulliparous women. The risk decreased with an increasing number of children: the age‐adjusted OR was 0.6 (95% CI 0.2–1.7) for those women who had had 1 child, 0.3 (95% CI 0.1–0.7) for those having had 2 children, and 0.3 (95% CI 0.1–0.8) for those having had 3 or more children. Abortive pregnancies were inversely related to SSc risk: for women who had an abortion, the OR was 0.5 (95% CI 0.2–1.5) compared with women with no history of abortion. The overall history of any pregnancy (abortive or age‐adjusted complete) was associated with a reduced risk of SSc (age‐adjusted OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.7).

Conclusion

Since the incidence of SSc is higher in women and has its peak after childbearing age, it has been hypothesized that immunobiologic modifications during pregnancy may be associated with SSc development. Our findings showing a reduced risk of SSc among parous women seem to exclude the possibility of pregnancy itself as a risk factor for SSc. The role of HLA compatibility between the mother and the fetus, however, should be evaluated in further research.
Risk factors for positive minor salivary gland biopsy findings in Sjögren's syndrome and dry mouth patients
Authors: Brennan Michael T. , Sankar Vidya , Leakan Rose Anne , Kleiner David , Atkinson Jane C. , Wilkinson William E. , Baum Bruce J. , Pillemer Stanley R.
Published: August 2002

Objective

To investigate risk factors for positive minor salivary gland biopsy results in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and dry mouth patients.

Methods

A total of 289 patients with dry mouth symptoms were evaluated. Potential risk factors for positive minor salivary gland biopsy results (>1 focus of lymphocytes) were studied in 2 phases. In phase 1, predictor variable candidates were identified for the test study (phase 2). Odds ratios were calculated for predictor variables.

Results

IgG, IgA, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and sex, identified as the best predictor variables from phase 1 data, were included in a logistic regression model using phase 2 data. Only IgG demonstrated association with biopsy results (χ2 = 20.4, P = 0.0001). An elevated IgG level (>1,482 mg/dl) had a high specificity (97% and 97%), high positive predictive value (PPV) (97% and 97%), but poor sensitivity (40% and 45%) in predicting positive biopsy results and SS, respectively.

Conclusion

Elevated serum IgG levels best predicted a positive biopsy result and SS with high PPV and specificities.
Joint protection and home hand exercises improve hand function in patients with hand osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Stamm Tanja Alexandra , Machold Klaus Peter , Smolen Josef Sebastian , Fischer Sabine , Redlich Kurt , Graninger Winfried , Ebner Wolfgang , Erlacher Ludwig
Published: August 2002

Objective

To determine the effect of joint protection and home exercises on hand function of patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Randomized, controlled, 3‐month trial with a blinded assessor. Primary outcome parameter was grip strength; secondary parameters were Health Assessment Questionnaire and visual analog scales (VAS) for pain and global hand function. Forty patients with hand OA were randomly assigned to 2 groups: One group received instruction for joint protection and home hand exercises (JPE group), the control group received an information session about hand OA.

Results

Grip strength improved by 25% in the JPE group (right hand, P < 0.0001; left hand, P = 0.0005), but not in the control group. Global hand function (by VAS) improved in a larger proportion (65%) of patients in the JPE group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Joint protection and hand home exercises, easily administered and readily acceptable interventions, were found to increase grip strength and global hand function.
Design criteria for children's Web portals: The users speak out
Authors: Large Andrew , Beheshti Jamshid , Rahman Tarjin
Published: August 2002

Four focus groups were held with young Web users (10 to 13 years of age) to explore design criteria for Web portals. The focus group participants commented upon four existing portals designed with young users in mind: Ask Jeeves for Kids, KidsClick, Lycos Zone, and Yahooligans! This article reports their first impressions on using these portals, their likes and dislikes, and their suggestions for improvements. Design criteria for children's Web portals are elaborated based upon these comments under four headings: portal goals, visual design, information architecture, and personalization. An ideal portal should cater for both educational and entertainment needs, use attractive screen designs based especially on effective use of color, graphics, and animation, provide both keyword search facilities and browsable subject categories, and allow individual user personalization in areas such as color and graphics.
European research letter: Cross‐language system evaluation: The CLEF campaigns
Authors: Peters Carol , Braschler Martin
Published: August 2002

The goals of the CLEF (Cross‐Language Evaluation Forum) series of evaluation campaigns for information retrieval systems operating on European languages are described. The difficulties of organizing an activity which aims at an objective evaluation of systems running on and over a number of different languages are examined. The discussion includes an analysis of the first results and proposals for possible developments in the future.
The range inter‐event process in a symmetric birth–death random walk
Authors: Vallois Pierre , Tapiero Charles S.
Published: August 2002

This paper provides new results for the range inter‐events process of a birth–death random walk. Motivations for determining and using the inter‐range event distribution have two sources. First, the analytical results we obtain are simpler than the range process and make it easier, therefore, to use statistics based on the inter‐range event process. Further, most of the results for the range process are based on long‐run statistical properties which limits their practical usefulness while inter‐range events are by their nature ‘short‐term’ statistics. Second, in many cases, data on amplitude change are easier to obtain and calculate than range and standard deviation processes. As a results, the predicted statistical properties of the inter‐range event process can provide an analytical foundation for the development of statistical tests that may be used practically. Application to outlier detection, volatility and time‐series analysis is discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On testing of parameters in modulated power law process
Authors: Muralidharan K.
Published: August 2002

The modulated power law process (MPLP) is often used to model failure data from repairable system, when both renewal type behaviour and time trends are present. The MPLP allows for the failure rate of a system to be affected by the failure and repair. Since the MLEs of the estimates do not have closed form expressions, they have to be approximated, and hence deriving a test procedure will be difficult. Black and Rigdon (1996) have proposed asymptotic MLEs and asymptotic likelihood ratio tests for the parameters which also do not have closed form expressions and hence are not easy for application. In this paper, we derive a closed form expression for the test statistics which is simple and easy to apply for testing (i) H0:β=1 versus H1:β≠1 whenκis known and (ii) H0: (β=1 andκ=1) versus H1: (β≠1 orκ≠1). The simulation study for percentiles and powers are given. We also compare the performance of the test with that of Black and Rigdon's (1996) test. Some numerical examples are also provided to illustrate the testing procedures. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of age and single versus multiple dose pharmacokinetics of letrozole (Femara®) in breast cancer patients
Authors: Pfister Christian U. , Martoni Antonio , Zamagni Carlo , Lelli Giorgio , De Braud Filippo , Souppart Claire , Duval Martine , Hornberger Ulrike
Published: August 2002

Letrozole (trademark Femara®) is a new orally active, potent and selective aromatase inhibitor for the hormonal treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The pharmacokinetics of letrozole and the suppression of peripheral estrogens were studied in 28 breast cancer patients after a single dose and at steady state. The pharmacokinetics of two distinct age groups (⩾50, ⩽65, N=15 and ⩾70 years old, N=9) were compared. There were no significant differences in area under the curve (AUC) or terminal half‐life between the two age groups neither after a single dose nor at steady state. However, when comparing steady state to single dose kinetics, half‐life and AUC increased significantly by 42% (90% CI: 1.13, 1.78) and 28% (90% CI: 1.12, 1.47), respectively. This deviation from linearity was probably due to a partial saturation or auto‐inhibition of the dominant metabolic clearance mechanism of letrozole. At steady state, approximately 70% of the administered dose was excreted in urine as unchanged letrozole (6.0±3.8%) or as the glucuronide of the major, pharmacologically inactive metabolite CGP44645 (64.2±22.7%). A single dose of letrozole caused suppression of serum estrogen levels close to the quantification limit of the assay. No difference between single dose suppression and suppression at steady state could be detected. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Taking stock of naturalistic decision making
Authors: Lipshitz Raanan , Klein Gary , Orasanu Judith , Salas Eduardo
Published: August 2002

We review the progress of naturalistic decision making (NDM) in the decade since the first conference on the subject in 1989. After setting out a brief history of NDM we identify its essential characteristics and consider five of its main contributions: recognition‐primed decisions, coping with uncertainty, team decision making, decision errors, and methodology. NDM helped identify important areas of inquiry previously neglected (e.g. the use of expertise in sizing up situations and generating options), it introduced new models, conceptualizations, and methods, and recruited applied investigators into the field. Above all, NDM contributed a new perspective on how decisions (broadly defined as committing oneself to a certain course of action) are made. NDM still faces significant challenges, including improvement of the quantity and rigor of its empirical research, and confirming the validity of its prescriptive models. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hypersensitivity symptoms associated with exposure to cellular telephones: No causal link
Authors: Hietanen Maila , Hämäläinen Anna‐Maija , Husman Tuula
Published: August 2002

The hypothesis that there exist hypersensitive persons who perceive subjective symptoms from radiofrequency (RF) fields emitted by hand held mobile phones (cellular phones) was tested using double blind provocation experiments. We also tested whether sensitive subjects are able to determine whether the phone is on or off by sensing RF fields. The study group consisted of 20 volunteers (13 women and 7 men) who reported themselves as being sensitive to cellular phones. The RF exposure sources were one analogue NMT phone (900 MHz) and two digital GSM phones (900 and 1800 MHz). The duration of a test session was 30 min, and three or four sessions were performed in random order for each subject during 1 day. The subjects were asked to report symptoms or sensations as soon as they perceived any abnormal feelings. In addition, the subjects' blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing frequency were monitored every 5 min. The results of the study indicated that various symptoms were reported, and most of them appeared in the head region. However, the number of reported symptoms was higher during sham exposure than during real exposure conditions. In addition, none of the test persons could distinguish real RF exposure from sham exposure. Hence, we conclude that adverse subjective symptoms or sensations, though unquestionably perceived by the test subjects, were not produced by cellular phones. Bioelectromagnetics 23:264–270, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The radial‐symmetric hydra and the evolution of the bilateral body plan: an old body became a young brain
Authors: Meinhardt Hans
Published: August 2002

The radial symmetric cnidarians are regarded as being close to the common metazoan ancestor before bilaterality evolved. It is proposed that a large fraction of the body of this gastrula‐like organism gave rise to the head of more evolved organisms. The trunk was added later in evolution from an unfolding of a narrow zone between the tentacles and the blastoporus. This implies that, counter intuitively, the foot of the hydra corresponds to the most anterior part (forebrain and heart) while the opening of the gastric column gave rise to the anus. Two fundamentally different modes of midline formation evolved. In vertebrates, the organiser attracts cells from the both sides of the marginal zone. These leave the organiser as a unified band. The midline is formed sequentially from anterior to posterior. In insects, the midline forms opposite a dorsal repelling center, i.e., on the ventral side. This can occur more or less simultaneously over the whole anteroposterior extension. BioEssays 24:185–191, 2002. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sonic Hedgehog as a mediator of long‐range signaling*
Authors: Goetz John A. , Suber Liza M. , Zeng Xin , Robbins David J.
Published: August 2002

The ability of Hedgehog (Hh) proteins to exert their biological effects is regulated by a series of post‐translational processes. These processes include an intramolecular cleavage, covalent addition of cholesterol and/or palmitate, and conversion into a multimeric freely diffusible form. The processing of Hh proteins affects their trafficking, potency, and ability to signal over many cell diameters. Accordingly, the loss of gene products required for these processes abrogates the Hh proteins' abilities to exert their effects, which can be long range, short range, or both. We review here recent evidence demonstrating that Hh proteins are directly responsible for their long‐range biological effects. Additionally, we integrate both genetic and biochemical data to delineate a model illustrating how the unusual biochemistry of Hh family members may allow them to act as morphogens, signaling over both short and long distances. BioEssays 24:157–165, 2002. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Regulator‐driven functional diversification of protein phosphatase‐1 in eukaryotic evolution
Authors: Ceulemans Hugo , Stalmans Willy , Bollen Mathieu
Published: August 2002

We have used the (nearly) completed eukaryotic genome sequences to trace the evolution of thirteen families of established vertebrate regulators of type‐1 protein phosphatases (PP1). Two of these families are present in all lineages of the eukaryotic crown and therefore qualify as candidate primordial regulators that determined the surface of PP1. The set of regulators of PP1 has continued to expand ever since, often in response to functional innovations in different eukaryotic lineages. In particular, the development of metazoan multicellularity was accompanied by an explosive increase in the number of regulators of PP1. The further increase in the functional diversity of PP1 in the vertebrate lineage was mainly achieved by the duplication of genes for regulatory subunits and by the conversion of already existing proteins into regulators of PP1. Unexpectedly, our analysis has also enabled us to classify nine poorly characterized proteins as likely regulators of PP1. BioEssays 24:371–381, 2002. ©2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Tec family of cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases: mammalian Btk, Bmx, Itk, Tec, Txk and homologs in other species
Authors: Smith C.I. Edvard , Islam Tahmina C. , Mattsson Pekka T. , Mohamed Abdalla J. , Nore Beston F. , Vihinen Mauno
Published: August 2002

Cytoplasmic protein‐tyrosine kinases (PTKs) are enzymes involved in transducing a vast number of signals in metazoans. The importance of the Tec family of kinases was immediately recognized when, in 1993, mutations in the gene encoding Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) were reported to cause the human disease X‐linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA).(1,2) Since then, additional kinases belonging to this family have been isolated, and the availability of full genome sequences allows identification of all members in selected species enabling phylogenetic considerations. Tec kinases are endowed with Pleckstrin homology (PH) and Tec homology (TH) domains and are involved in diverse biological processes related to the control of survival and differentiation fate. Membrane translocation resulting in the activation of Tec kinases with subsequent Ca2+ release seems to be a general feature. However, nuclear translocation may also be of importance. The purpose of this essay is to characterize members of the Tec family and discuss their involvement in signaling. The three‐dimensional structure, expression pattern and evolutionary aspects will also be considered. BioEssays 23:436–446, 2001. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The effects of spacer length on the fluorescence quantum yields of the benzofurazan compounds bearing a donor–acceptor system
Authors: Onoda Maki , Uchiyama Seiichi , Santa Tomofumi , Imai Kazuhiro
Published: August 2002

We studied the effects of spacer length on the fluorescence quantum yields (Φ) of photoinduced electron transfer (PET) reagents, using nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD) derivatives that have the –NMe2 moiety and NBD–NH– fluorophore as electron donor (D) and electron acceptor (A), respectively. The Φ values were reduced as the spacer length became shorter (n ≤ 4; n is the number of methylene units of the spacer) and the fluorescence recovered by suppression of the PET process. It is necessary for the useful PET reagents to link D and A with a short spacer to obtain a difference in the Φ values between fluorescent ‘off‐state’ and ‘on‐state’. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variability of cork from Portuguese Quercus suber studied by solid‐state 13C‐NMR and FTIR spectroscopies
Authors: Lopes M. H. , Barros A. S. , Pascoal Neto C. , Rutledge D. , Delgadillo I. , Gil A. M.
Published: August 2002

A new approach is presented for the study of the variability of Portuguese reproduction cork using solid‐state 13C‐NMR spectroscopy and photoacoustic (PAS) FTIR (FTIR‐PAS) spectroscopy combined with chemometrics. Cork samples were collected from 12 different geographical sites, and their 13C‐cross‐polarization with magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) and FTIR spectra were registered. A large spectral variability among the cork samples was detected by principal component analysis and found to relate to the suberin and carbohydrate contents. This variability was independent of the sample geographical origin but significantly dependent on the cork quality, thus enabling the distinction of cork samples according to the latter property. The suberin content of the cork samples was predicted using multivariate regression models based on the 13C‐NMR and FTIR spectra of the samples as reported previously. Finally, the relationship between the variability of the 13C‐CP/MAS spectra with that of the FTIR‐PAS spectra was studied by outer product analysis. This type of multivariate analysis enabled a clear correlation to be established between the peaks assigned to suberin and carbohydrate in the FTIR spectrum and those appearing in the 13C‐CP/MAS spectra. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopolymers (Biospectroscopy) 62: 268–277, 2001
Dynamical model development and parameter identification for an anaerobic wastewater treatment process
Authors: Bernard Olivier , Hadj‐Sadok Zakaria , Dochain Denis , Genovesi Antoine , Steyer Jean‐Philippe
Published: August 2002

This paper deals with the development and the parameter identification of an anaerobic digestion process model. A two‐step (acidogenesis–methanization) mass‐balance model has been considered. The model incorporates electrochemical equilibria in order to include the alkalinity, which has to play a central role in the related monitoring and control strategy of a treatment plant. The identification is based on a set of dynamical experiments designed to cover a wide spectrum of operating conditions that are likely to take place in the practical operation of the plant. A step by step identification procedure to estimate the model parameters is presented. The results of 70 days of experiments in a 1‐m3 fermenter are then used to validate the model. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 75: 424–438, 2001.
Photosynthetic productivity of conical helical tubular photobioreactor incorporating Chlorella sorokiniana under field conditions
Authors: Morita Masahiko , Watanabe Yoshitomo , Saiki Hiroshi
Published: August 2002

The photosynthetic performance of a conical, helical tubular photobioreactor (HTP) incorporating Chlorella sorokiniana was investigated under conditions of high temperature and light intensity during midsummer in an outdoor environment. Although the culture medium temperature exceeded 40°C for approximately 5 h each day, peaking at 47.5°C under sunny conditions, a photosynthetic productivity of 30.0 g · m−2 (installation area) · day−1 and a photosynthetic efficiency of 8.66% [photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), 400–700 nm] were achieved. A maximum photosynthetic productivity of 33.2 g · m−2 · day−1 was achieved on a sunny day, when solar energy input was also maximal (11.5 MJ · m−2 · day−1 [PAR]). On the other hand, a maximum photosynthetic efficiency of 9.54% was obtained on a day that was rainy in the morning and cloudy in the afternoon, and there was relatively little solar energy input. The average daily photosynthetic efficiency over the two culture periods (August 4 to 7 and August 10 to 13, 1999) was 7.25%. Thus, a high level of photosynthetic performance was achieved in the conical HTP incorporating Chlorella sorokiniana despite the fact that culture medium temperature was not controlled. The use of Chlorella sorokiniana in the conical HTP should be a good choice to produce microalgal biomass during the summer under field conditions. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 77: 155–162, 2002.
An assessment of seed quality and its influence on productivity estimation in an industrial antibiotic fermentation
Authors: Cunha C. C. F. , Glassey J. , Montague G. A. , Albert S. , Mohan P.
Published: August 2002

This study investigates the benefits of including seed quality information into data‐based models for final productivity estimation in an industrial antibiotic fermentation process. Multiway principal component analysis is applied to assess the seed quality using routinely gathered plant data. Multiway partial least‐squares regression is then used to estimate the final productivity using data from the main fermentation only. The issue of selecting appropriate process variables as inputs is investigated. Subsequently, seed characteristics are included into the estimation models to assess the benefits of including information from this stage for productivity estimation. It is shown that it is possible to extract seed fermentation features related to the final productivity both at pilot and production scales. It is postulated that significant influential variations are mirrored in monitored variables during the main fermentation, and therefore seed quality is implicitly accounted for. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 78: 658–669, 2002.
Selective extraction of carotenoids from the microalga Dunaliella salina with retention of viability
Authors: Hejazi M. A. , de Lamarliere C. , Rocha J. M. S. , Vermuë M. , Tramper J. , Wijffels R. H.
Published: August 2002

Simultaneous production and selective extraction of β‐carotene from living cells of Dunaliella salina in a two‐phase system of aqueous and organic phases has been investigated. Solvents with values of log Poctanol, which denotes hydrophobicity of a compound, ranging from 3 to 9 were used as organic phase. Viability and activity of Dunaliella salina in the presence of organic solvents were checked by microscopic observation and photosynthetic oxygen‐production‐rate measurements, respectively. Extraction ability of different solvents for both β‐carotene and chlorophyll was determined spectrophotometrically. In addition, β‐carotene contents of the cells growing in the aqueous phase and extracted β‐carotene by the different organic phases were quantified by the same method. Results showed that solvents having log Poctanol > 6 can be considered biocompatible for this alga. Moreover, pigment extraction ability of a solvent is inversely dependent on its log Poctanol value. By increasing the degenerative hydrophobicity the extraction ability for both chlorophyll and β‐carotene, decreases. However, this decrease is more profound for chlorophyll. Therefore, selective extraction of β‐carotene becomes feasible. Comparison of the total β‐carotene produced in the presence and in the absence of solvents shows that the presence of a second phase of biocompatible solvents in the culture media may induce the β‐carotene production pathway. The β‐carotene productivity per cell in a two‐phase system with dodecane was the highest observed. Extraction ability of the biocompatible solvents dodecane, tetradecan, and hexadecane was similar. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 79: 29–36, 2002.
Dynamic modeling of the central carbon metabolism of Escherichia coli
Authors: Chassagnole Christophe , Noisommit‐Rizzi Naruemol , Schmid Joachim W. , Mauch Klaus , Reuss Matthias
Published: August 2002

Application of metabolic engineering principles to the rational design of microbial production processes crucially depends on the ability to describe quantitatively the systemic behavior of the central carbon metabolism to redirect carbon fluxes to the product‐forming pathways. Despite the importance for several production processes, development of an essential dynamic model for central carbon metabolism of Escherichia coli has been severely hampered by the current lack of kinetic information on the dynamics of the metabolic reactions. Here we present the design and experimental validation of such a dynamic model, which, for the first time, links the sugar transport system (i.e., phosphotransferase system [PTS]) with the reactions of glycolysis and the pentose‐phosphate pathway. Experimental observations of intracellular concentrations of metabolites and cometabolites at transient conditions are used to validate the structure of the model and to estimate the kinetic parameters. Further analysis of the detailed characteristics of the system offers the possibility of studying important questions regarding the stability and control of metabolic fluxes. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 79: 53–73; 2002.
Different strokes: regulatory styles and environmental strategy in the North‐American oil and gas industry
Authors: Sharma Sanjay
Published: August 2002

The environmental management and policy literature presents competing arguments for and against different styles of environmental regulations – command‐and‐control versus flexible regulations that enable voluntary actions. On the one hand, it is argued that firms will not adopt minimum environmental standards without command‐and‐control regulations and that such regulations may actually result in competitive benefits for first movers. On the other hand, the literature argues that command‐and‐control regulations stifle innovation and that flexible regulations encourage proactive environmental strategies that lead to competitive benefits for organizations. This study compared the environmental strategies and competitiveness of oil and gas firms in two different regulatory contexts – the command‐and‐control based US environmental regulations and the flexible collaborative Canadian context. The study found no significant differences in the degree to which firms within the two contexts were more or less proactive in their environmental strategies or in the extent of competitiveness associated with corporate environmental strategies. Follow‐up interviews with 12 Canadian and US companies indicated that regulations appeared to be more important drivers of corporate environmental practices at initial stages and eventually other external and internal drivers became more important influences on corporate environmental strategies. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
An analysis of the argument that clinicians under‐predict sexual violence in civil commitment cases
Authors: Wollert Richard
Published: August 2002

This paper presents the results of an analysis that evaluated the assumptions and arguments set forth in a recent paper (Doren, 1998), which concluded that clinicians under‐predict the risk that candidates for commitment as dangerous sex offenders will recidivate. This analysis indicates that such a conclusion is untenable because almost all of the assertions on which it is based might be disputed in one way or another. These flaws undermine the paper's value as a source of secondary authority in hearings pertaining to the commitment of dangerous sex offenders. Nonetheless, its publication will probably be beneficial for professional practice in this arena because it raises several important issues that stand in need of resolution. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial patterns of serial murder: an analysis of disposal site location choice
Authors: Lundrigan Samantha , Canter David
Published: August 2002

Although the murders committed by serial killers may not be considered rational, there is growing evidence that the locations in which they commit their crimes may be guided by an implicit, if limited rationality.

The hypothesized logic of disposal site choice of serial killers led to predictions that (a) their criminal domains would be around their home base and relate to familiar travel distances, (b) they would have a size that was characteristic of each offender, (c) the distribution would be biased towards other non‐criminal activities, and (d) the size of the domains would increase over time.

Examination of the geographical distribution of the sites at which 126 US and 29 UK serial killers disposed of their victims' bodies supported all four hypotheses. It was found that rational choice and routine activity models of criminal behavior could explain the spatial choices of serial murderers. It was concluded that the locations at which serial killers dispose of their victims' bodies reflect the inherent logic of the choices that underlie their predatory activities. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parasitic conjoined twins: external, internal (fetuses in fetu and teratomas), and detached (acardiacs)
Authors: Spencer Rowena
Published: August 2002

During the course of researching the embryologic etiology of conjoined twins, more than 1260 individual cases were collected from the literature and the reported abnormal anatomy tabulated and evaluated in the light of known embryology. It soon became apparent that the association of conjoined twins and their parasites with fetuses in fetu, acardiacs, and teratomas was more frequent than could be attributed to chance. These anomalous fetuses form a continuum, strongly suggesting that they are all variations of abnormal conjoined twinning, with the site of union and the extent of damage (or defect) of one embryo resulting in (1) an externally attached parasitic twin, (2) an enclosed fetus in fetu, (3) an internal teratoma, or (4) an acardiac connected via the placenta. Common patterns among them are a family history of twinning, the predominance of females, and the frequent presence of a twin or triplet accompanying the malformation. The several reports of chromosomal abnormality suggest that perhaps, at least on occasion, it is a genetically imperfect embryo that develops into a defective fetus. Of singular importance is the fact that rarely, if ever, is either a functional heart or a competent brain found in any of these abnormal fetuses, suggesting that the etiology of all of them is a primary cardiac malformation with secondary disruption in the development of the brain. Clin. Anat. 6:428–444, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The nerve supply of the human auricle
Authors: Peuker Elmar T. , Filler Timm J.
Published: August 2002

Knowledge of the innervation of the outer ear is crucial for surgery in this region. The aim of this study was to describe the system of the auricular nerve supply. On 14 ears of seven cadavers the complete course of the nerve supply was exposed and categorized. A heterogeneous distribution of two cranial branchial nerves and two somatic cervical nerves was found. At the lateral as well as the medial surface the great auricular nerve prevails. No region with triple innervation was found. Clin. Anat. 15:35–37, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Conceptualizing ‘social capital’ for health promotion in small local communities: a micro‐qualitative study
Authors: Campbell Catherine , Gillies Pamela
Published: August 2002

This paper reports on a micro‐qualitative case study of peoples' experiences of local community life in a south‐east English town. This material is used as the basis for a critical discussion of the suitability of Putnam's notion of social capital as a conceptual tool for the design and evaluation of ‘community strengthening’ policies and interventions. The study was motivated by a concern that too much debate about social capital has been conducted by academics and policy‐makers in a top‐down manner, with inadequate attention to the realities of life in the local communities that they refer to. Three‐hour semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 37 residents in two less affluent wards in our town of interest. Informants—half men and half women, and spread across the 15–75 age group—were encouraged to talk about their personal experiences of local community life. Interview findings are presented within the ‘norm’ categories of trust, neighbourliness and reciprocal help and support, and the ‘network’ categories of participation in informal networks, voluntary groupings and community activist groupings. Our case study points to a number of ways in which Putnam's concept needs to be refined if it is to inform ‘community strengthening’ policies and interventions in England. Far more notice needs to be taken of the role played by informal networks of friends and neighbours in the construction of local community life. Attention also needs to be given to the complex and shifting geographical spread of peoples' significant social networks. Putnam's conceptualization of cohesive local communities and his unitary notions of trust and local identity may also be unduly essentialist. In our particular communities of interest, they failed to capture the fluidity of local community norms and networks in a rapidly changing society. They also failed to do justice to the extent to which social distinctions—such as age, gender, ethnicity and housing tenure—shape and constrain the way in which people create, sustain and access social capital. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of nitric oxide on iron‐mediated cytotoxicity in primary cultured renal proximal tubules
Authors: Wu Zhao‐long , Qiu Lian‐qun
Published: August 2002

Nitric oxide (NO) has been proved to be a mediator of hypoxic injury in renal proximal tubules (PT), but its effect on iron‐induced cytotoxicity has remained little known. In this study, we observed the relationship between NO production and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in primary proximal tubular epithelia co‐incubated with different doses of NTA‐Fe and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alone or in combination. NO production was monitored by NO2 concentration in supernatants based on the Griess reaction; while the semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR was applied to detect the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA level induced by NTA‐Fe and LPS together. In addition, experimental groups were subjected to reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers to determine the impact of the interaction between NO and ROS on iron‐mediated cytotoxicity. After a 12‐h co‐incubation, we found that NTA‐Fe increased both LDH release and 2− production in a dose‐dependent manner (P < 0.001). The level of iNOS mRNA induced by LPS was enhanced by 500 μm NTA‐Fe (P < 0.01), lower or higher concentrations had no effect. However, the supernatant 2− level in the same group did not change significantly (P > 0.05) although tubular injury was aggravated (P < 0.001). The addition of l‐arginine increased LDH release from 25.05 ± 8.36% in the iron group to 38.67 ± 7.67% in iron plus LPS group (P < 0.05); concomitantly, l‐NAME mitigated iron toxicity in LPS‐treated PT (P < 0.05). Hydroxyl scavengers provided complete protection against iron‐mediated cytotoxicity (P < 0.001), but the decrease of 2− production was only significant in the LPS‐treated group. In contrast, SOD was partially effective in the LPS group (P < 0.05) whereas the 2− level in the supernatant was inversely raised (P < 0.05). GSH had no effect on either iron toxicity or 2− production. Thus, we conclude that NO can exacerbate the cytotoxicity caused by NTA‐Fe in cultured proximal tubular epithelia, but NO is not the only factor. NTA‐Fe could enhance the upregulation of iNOS transcription induced by LPS in a specific concentration range, and its regulation of NO production might also involve a post‐transcription mechanism. The hydroxyl group is the major mediator in our model and the pro‐oxidant role of NO is probably due to its ability to promote the Fenton reaction and form both ONOO− and ˙OH via its interaction with ROS. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transfer Rates: A Problematic Criterion for Measuring the Community College
Authors: Townsend Barbara K.
Published: August 2002

Studies of transfer rates typically yield inaccurate perceptions about the role community colleges play in the attainment of baccalaureate degrees. This chapter provides a clearer picture than the one that emerges from the literature.
English as a Second Language at the Community College: An Exploration of Context and Concerns
Authors: Blumenthal Amy J.
Published: August 2002

Issues relating to instruction in English as a second language (ESL) in community colleges are the diversity of the student population, the position of ESL programs within institutions, the employment and training of instructors, the newly defined Generation 1.5 population, and financial and funding concerns.