bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
UV‐C irradiation reduces breakdown and chilling injury of peaches during cold storage
Authors: Gonzalez‐Aguilar Gustavo , Wang Chien Y , Buta George J
Published: March 2004

Pre‐storage exposure of peaches (Prunus persica cv Jefferson) with UV‐C irradiation for 3, 5 or 10 min significantly reduced chilling injury after 14 and 21 days of storage at 5 °C plus 7 days of shelf‐life at 20 °C. Similar reduction in fungal decay was also found by these treatments. Skin browning and UV damage were found to be moderate to severe in peaches after the 15 or 20 min of UV‐C treatments. The 20 min of exposure accelerated deterioration. Fruit treated with UV‐C for 3, 5 or 10 min remained firmer and softened more slowly than the control and those treated with longer durations of exposure. No differences were found in weight loss or respiration rates among the treatments. However, ethylene production was stimulated by all of the UV‐C treatments compared with the control. Putrescine levels increased initially after 3 or 5 min of exposure to UV‐C. A tendency toward higher accumulation of spermidine and spermine was found in peaches after UV exposure. These higher levels of polyamines apparently are a response to the UV‐C irradiation and might be beneficial in increasing the resistance of fruit tissue to deterioration and chilling injury. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of preharvest applied herbicides on breadmaking quality of hard red spring wheat
Authors: Manthey Frank A , Chakraborty Monisha , Peel Michael D , Pederson Jeremy D
Published: March 2004

Certain herbicides can be applied prior to harvest for weed control in wheat. Research was conducted to determine the effect of preharvest applications of glyphosate, paraquat and metsulfuron + 2, 4‐D on grain, flour and the breadmaking quality of hard red spring wheat. Herbicides were applied at soft dough (SD), ∼500 g kg−1 kernel moisture and hard dough (HD), ∼350 g kg−1 kernel moisture stages of ‘Parshall’ hard red spring wheat. Test weight was reduced 1.3 and 2.3 kg hl−1, 1000 kernel weight was reduced 3.5 and 4.5 g, and large kernel content was reduced 230 and 280 g kg−1 by glyphosate and paraquat respectively when applied at SD. Metsulfuron + 2, 4‐D did not affect physical grain quality. Glyphosate and paraquat applied at SD and HD increased gluten index two to eight units. Metsulfuron + 2, 4‐D reduced the gluten index four units when applied at SD. Dough mixing stability was increased 1.7 min by glyphosate applied at SD or HD, and by paraquat applied at SD. Dough mixing time during bread making was 0.5 min longer with flour from wheat treated with glyphosate and was 0.4 min shorter with flour from wheat treated with Metsulfuron + 2, 4‐D at SD. Loaf volume, symmetry and crumb score were not affected by herbicide treatments. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Steeping‐induced physicochemical changes of milled waxy rice and their relation to the quality of yukwa (an oil‐puffed waxy rice snack)
Authors: Cho Sung Bin , Chang Hyun‐Joo , Kim Hye Young L , Kim Woo Jung , Chun Hyang Sook
Published: March 2004

The influence of water‐steeping periods (0 to 15 days, 25 °C) on the physicochemical properties of raw waxy rice in relation to the yukwa quality was investigated. The moisture contents in waxy rice and reducing sugar in its steeping medium were increased, while contents of protein and minerals of raw waxy rice were decreased in proportion to the water‐steeping duration. With longer steeping periods, swelling power, solubility and peak viscosity were increased, while grain hardness was decreased with apparent kernel structural change. Depending on the water‐steeping duration of raw waxy rice, the hardness decreased from 26.0 to 1.8 g, and the expansion ratio of yukwa increased from 762 to 1539%. Correlations between the physicochemical properties and yukwa quality indicated that variables having the most positive influential on expansion ratio were reducing sugar (γ = 0.961, P < 0.01) and peak viscosity (γ = 0.897, P < 0.01), and those for hardness of yukwa were crude protein (γ = 0.875, P < 0.01) and hardness (γ = 0.887, P < 0.01) of the steeped waxy rice. It is suggested that steeping‐induced physicochemical changes of raw waxy rice had a significant influence on the final quality of yukwa in terms of hardness and expansion ratio. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Tuber components affecting acrylamide formation and colour in fried potato: variation by variety, year, storage temperature and storage time
Authors: Olsson Kerstin , Svensson Rita , Roslund Carl‐Axel
Published: March 2004

Variation in asparagine and glucose contents, identified as precursors for acrylamide development in model experiments, has been studied in eight potato clones during long‐term storage at 3 and 10 °C. In addition, glutamine, fructose and sucrose contents were determined and the role of all five substances in colour formation in fried potato products was assessed. Large genotype differences were found in all characteristics, and the ranking order was almost the same for different years and storage times. Breeding for potatoes with low asparagine levels as well as low reducing sugar levels might be another way, in addition to altering processing parameters, to keep the acrylamide level low in fried products. Storage per se at low temperature did not result in higher asparagine levels. The risk that elevated reducing sugar levels during low‐temperature storage might lead to increased acrylamide levels needs further investigation. The determined tuber components accounted for only 11–60 per cent of the total variation in fry colour after storage at 3 °C. It is suggested that screening based on crisp colour in November, perhaps complemented with a few later controls on interesting clones, could be useful for sorting out clones with good crisping abilities during the rest of the low‐temperature storage season. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Preventive effect of adding antioxidants on mutagenic compound formation in fumes of cooking oil
Authors: Wu She‐Ching , Yen Gow‐Chin
Published: March 2004

The preventive effect of various antioxidants on the formation of mutagenic compounds such as trans,trans‐2,4‐decadienal in degummed peanut oil (DPO) fumes was investigated. The mutagenicity of the DPO fumes was significantly reduced by antioxidants added before heating. The addition of antioxidants increased the smoke point and oxidative stability of DPO and decreased the yield of oil fumes and the amount of mutagens. Butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene were more effective than natural antioxidants in reducing the amount of four enal compounds in fumes from DPO. Thus edible cooking oil with a high smoke point, less fume and lower mutagenicity might be developed with an appropriate antioxidant. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Human genomic DNA analysis using a semi‐automated sample preparation, amplification, and electrophoresis separation platform
Authors: Raisi Fariba , Blizard Benjamin A. , Raissi Shabari Akbar , Ching Jesus , Kintz Gregory J. , Mitchell Jim , Lemoff Asuncion , Taylor Mike T. , Weir Fred , Western Linda , Wong Wendy , Joshi Rekha , Howland Pamela , Chauhan Avinash , Nguyen Peter , Petersen Kurt E.
Published: March 2004

The growing importance of analyzing the human genome to detect hereditary and infectious diseases associated with specific DNA sequences has motivated us to develop automated devices to integrate sample preparation, real‐time PCR, and microchannel electrophoresis (MCE). In this report, we present results from an optimized compact system capable of processing a raw sample of blood, extracting the DNA, and performing a multiplexed PCR reaction. Finally, an innovative electrophoretic separation was performed on the post‐PCR products using a unique MCE system. The sample preparation system extracted and lysed white blood cells (WBC) from whole blood, producing DNA of sufficient quantity and quality for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Separation of multiple amplicons was achieved in a microfabricated channel 30 μm × 100 μm in cross section and 85 mm in length filled with a replaceable methyl cellulose matrix operated under denaturing conditions at 50°C. By incorporating fluorescent‐labeled primers in the PCR, the amplicons were identified by a two‐color (multiplexed) fluorescence detection system. Two base‐pair resolution of single‐stranded DNA (PCR products) was achieved. We believe that this integrated system provides a unique solution for DNA analysis.
An FPTAS for scheduling a two‐machine flowshop with one unavailability interval
Authors: Ng C.T. , Kovalyov Mikhail Y.
Published: March 2004

We study a deterministic two‐machine flowshop scheduling problem with an assumption that one of the two machines is not available in a specified time period. This period can be due to a breakdown, preventive maintenance, or processing unfinished jobs from a previous planning horizon. The problem is known to be NP‐hard. Pseudopolynomial dynamic programming algorithms and heuristics with worst case error bounds are given in the literature to solve the problem. They are different for the cases when the unavailability interval is for the first or second machine. The existence of a fully polynomial time approximation scheme (FPTAS) was formulated as an open conjecture in the literature. In this paper, we show that the two cases of the problem under study are equivalent to similar partition type problems. Then we derive a generic FPTAS for the latter problems with O(n5/ε4) time complexity. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004.
A balancing problem for mixed model assembly lines with a paced moving conveyor
Authors: Zhao Xiaobo , Ohno Katsuhisa , Lau Hon‐Shiang
Published: March 2004

We state a balancing problem for mixed model assembly lines with a paced moving conveyor as: Given the daily assembling sequence of the models, the tasks of each model, the precedence relations among the tasks, and the operations parameters of the assembly line, assign the tasks of the models to the workstations so as to minimize the total overload time. Several characteristics of the problem are investigated. A line‐balancing heuristic is proposed based on a lower bound of the total overload time. A practical procedure is provided for estimating the deviation of any given line‐balance solution from the theoretical optimum. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the methodology. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004.
Coordinating independent buyers with integer‐ratio time coordination and quantity discounts
Authors: Wang Qinan
Published: March 2004

Supply chain members can gain substantial benefits by coordinating their activities. However, a remaining challenge is to create useful coordination mechanisms when channel members are independent. This paper develops a coordination strategy with which a supplier uses quantity discounts to entice independent buyers to comply with an integer‐ratio time coordination scheme. The problem is analyzed as a Stackelberg game in which the supplier acts as the leader by announcing its coordination policy in advance and buyers act as followers by deciding their ordering decisions with this information. The strategy is compared to a coordination mechanism with quantity discounts and power‐of‐two time coordination. While both strategies are able to produce substantial benefits over simple quantity discounts, integer‐ratio time coordination provides a better coordination mechanism for a decentralized supply chain. It is shown that power‐of‐two time coordination may not be able to provide a stable equilibrium coordination strategy when buyers act independently and opportunistically. Furthermore, if this is not the case, integer‐ratio time coordination is at least equally effective. Unlike a centralized solution, under which the improvement by integer‐ratio over power‐of‐two time coordination is limited to 2% of optimality, system cost reduction from a decentralized coordination strategy could be much more significant. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004.
Two‐dimensional failure modeling with minimal repair
Authors: Baik J. , Murthy D.N.P. , Jack N.
Published: March 2004

In this paper, we discuss two‐dimensional failure modeling for a system where degradation is due to age and usage. We extend the concept of minimal repair for the one‐dimensional case to the two‐dimensional case and characterize the failures over a two‐dimensional region under minimal repair. An application of this important result to a manufacturer's servicing costs for a two‐dimensional warranty policy is given and we compare the minimal repair strategy with the strategy of replacement of failure. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004.
Resource allocation with lumpy demand: To speed or not to speed?
Authors: Chen Bintong , Munson Charles L.
Published: March 2004

In the classical EPQ model with continuous and constant demand, holding and setup costs are minimized when the production rate is no larger than the demand rate. However, the situation may change when demand is lumpy. We consider a firm that produces multiple products, each having a unique lumpy demand pattern. The decision involves determining both the lot size for each product and the allocation of resources for production rate improvements among the products. We find that each product's optimal production policy will take on only one of two forms: either continuous production or lot‐for‐lot production. The problem is then formulated as a nonlinear nonsmooth knapsack problem among products determined to be candidates for resource allocation. A heuristic procedure is developed to determine allocation amounts. The procedure decomposes the problem into a mixed integer program and a nonlinear convex resource allocation problem. Numerical tests suggest that the heuristic performs very well on average compared to the optimal solution. Both the model and the heuristic procedure can be extended to allow the company to simultaneously alter both the production rates and the incoming demand lot sizes through quantity discounts. Extensions can also be made to address the case where a single investment increases the production rate of multiple products. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004.
Preservation of stochastic orders for random minima and maxima, with applications
Authors: Li Xiaohu , Zuo Ming J.
Published: March 2004

It is shown, in this note, that the right spread order and the increasing convex order are both preserved under the taking of random maxima, and the total time on test transform order and the increasing concave order are preserved under the taking of random minima. Some inequalities and preservation properties in reliability and economics are given as applications. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004.
Crane scheduling with spatial constraints
Authors: Lim Andrew , Rodrigues Brian , Xiao Fei , Zhu Yi
Published: March 2004

In this work, we examine port crane scheduling with spatial and separation constraints. Although common to most port operations, these constraints have not been previously studied. We assume that cranes cannot cross, there is a minimum distance between cranes and jobs cannot be done simultaneously. The objective is to find a crane‐to‐job matching which maximizes throughput under these constraints. We provide dynamic programming algorithms, a probabilistic tabu search, and a squeaky wheel optimization heuristic for solution. Experiments show the heuristics perform well compared with optimal solutions obtained by CPLEX for small scale instances where a squeaky wheel optimization with local search approach gives good results within short times. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004.
Flow shop scheduling with earliness, tardiness, and intermediate inventory holding costs
Authors: Bülbül Kerem , Kaminsky Philip , Yano Candace
Published: March 2004

We consider the problem of scheduling customer orders in a flow shop with the objective of minimizing the sum of tardiness, earliness (finished goods inventory holding), and intermediate (work‐in‐process) inventory holding costs. We formulate this problem as an integer program, and based on approximate solutions to two different, but closely related, Dantzig‐Wolfe reformulations, we develop heuristics to minimize the total cost. We exploit the duality between Dantzig‐Wolfe reformulation and Lagrangian relaxation to enhance our heuristics. This combined approach enables us to develop two different lower bounds on the optimal integer solution, together with intuitive approaches for obtaining near‐optimal feasible integer solutions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper that applies column generation to a scheduling problem with different types of strongly 𝒩𝒫‐hard pricing problems which are solved heuristically. The computational study demonstrates that our algorithms have a significant speed advantage over alternate methods, yield good lower bounds, and generate near‐optimal feasible integer solutions for problem instances with many machines and a realistically large number of jobs. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004.
Aber lenken sie auch? (But do they also guide?)
Authors: Drescher Uwe
Published: March 2004

One of the most intriguing problems in developmental neurobiology is that of how growing axons find the correct way to their proper target cells. Often axonal connections are organized in topographic maps, where neighboring cells of the projecting area are connected to neighboring cells in the target area, thus allowing a faithful transfer of positionally stored information from one area to another. The retinotectal projection is the classical model system for studying topographic projections. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 59: 3–7, 2004
Work‐life policies and programs: Comparing the responsiveness of nonprofit and for‐profit organizations
Authors: Pitt‐Catsouphes Marcie , Swanberg Jennifer E. , Bond James T. , Galinsky Ellen
Published: March 2004

Analysis of the data from the 1998 Business Work‐Life Study, one of the first comprehensive studies of
how U.S. organizations are responding to the work‐life needs of the nation's changing workforce,
indicates that nonprofits with one hundred or more employees are more likely than for‐profits to offer
particular types of work‐life policies and programs (such as extended leaves following birth or
adoption) and to pay for at least some of the costs of health insurance for part‐time employees. In
contrast, nonprofits are less likely to offer other work‐life supports (such as paid maternity
leave). Despite the resource constraints that can restrict the compensation and benefits packages offered by
some nonprofits, the overall scope of the work‐life initiatives established by nonprofits is similar to
those initiatives at for‐profit organizations. Regression analyses find that although organizations'
profit status does not explain variance in the scope of their work‐life initiatives, three of the variables
measured by this study (indicators of workplace commitment to diversity and work‐life issues,
percentage of women in executive positions, and the size of the workforce) do.
Exploring OD in Africa: A response to David Lewis
Authors: James Rick
Published: March 2004

Organization development (OD) has become an increasingly popular approach among international donors
who are eager to improve the impact of their aid to developing countries. Major questions, however, have been
raised as to whether this is not another example of “technique peddling” by Western donors and
consultants. Many argue that this participatory, imported, Western approach to organizational change relies on
cultural assumptions of open discussion that are simply not present in many developing societies. Taking up
Lewis's challenge in his article “Organization and Management in the Third Sector: Towards a
Cross‐Cultural Research Agenda” (NML 2002), this article explores the veracity of such
concerns. Using practitioner experience of implementing OD with African NGOs, this article reveals that many
principles of OD are pre‐existing within African cultures and are not a new foreign import. It concludes
that, as with any culture, there are aspects that undermine and reinforce particular approaches to management and
change. An anthropological perspective can assist in understanding the local culture sufficiently to be able to
identify, avoid, or overcome cultural resistance, while at the same time using cultural symbols as levers for
change.
Planned change at The Center on Philanthropy: The CLER model
Authors: Brescia William
Published: March 2004

This article examines the creation of The Center on Philanthropy as an example of organizational change
using the Configurational, Linkages, Environments, Resources (CLER) Model. In a case study, the CLER
Model is used as a tool for analyzing planned change. Applying the model aided the rapid identification of the
environment as favorable and able to provide necessary support. CLER determined that linkages were key in this
change, due to the numerous formal and informal linkages that were positive and favorable toward the change.
The importance of resources for implementing this change also became apparent in the analysis.
Adverse drug reactions and off‐label prescribing for paediatric outpatients: a one‐year survey of spontaneous reports in Sweden
Authors: Ufer Mike , Kimland Elin , Bergman Ulf
Published: March 2004

Purpose

To investigate the extent and characteristics of off‐label prescribing for paediatric outpatients among drugs reported to have caused an adverse reaction.

Methods

A retrospective, cross‐sectional, observational analysis of spontaneous adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports in Sweden in the year 2000. We included all reports concerning drugs prescribed for outpatients younger than 16 years. Each ADR was classified with respect to its causality, seriousness and type of reaction. Off‐label prescribing was evaluated with respect to age, dose, indication, formulation and route and frequency of administration.

Results

We identified 112 patient‐linked reports corresponding to 158 ADRs of which 31% were serious. Antiasthmatic drugs were most frequently suspected as a cause of almost every third adverse reaction. The average proportion of off‐label drug prescribing amounted to 42.4%. It was more frequently associated with serious than non‐serious ADRs and mostly due to a non‐approved age or dose. The most common clinical manifestations were psychiatric disorders and mucocutaneous inflammatory reactions.

Conclusions

Off‐label prescribing for paediatric outpatients is common among drugs reported to have caused an ADR. It is suggested to further identify unlabelled drugs frequently contributing to, in particular serious ADRs in children for a proper benefit‐risk assessment of off‐label drug use. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Loving styles: relationships with personality and attachment styles
Authors: Heaven Patrick C. L. , Da Silva Tatiana , Carey Christine , Holen Janet
Published: March 2004

We investigated the ability of the major personality dimensions, some of their underlying facet scales, and attachment styles to predict primary and secondary loving styles, as conceptualized by Lee. Personality was assessed using the International Personality Item Pool, and attachment styles through an inventory devised by Collins and Read. Respondents were 302 undergraduate students (212 females; 90 males) who participated in the study in exchange for course credit. Results of regression path analysis showed that N was the only personality dimension without direct predictive links to loving styles. Instead, the influence of N was through an anxious attachment style. There were no personality predictors of Agape, and similarities were also observed between these results and those obtained in Hong Kong. The results are discussed with reference to previous studies and some suggestions for further research are also noted. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parent and child personality characteristics as predictors of negative discipline and externalizing problem behaviour in children
Authors: Prinzie P. , Onghena P. , Hellinckx W. , Grietens H. , Ghesquière P. , Colpin H.
Published: March 2004

Negative discipline has been linked to childhood externalizing behaviour. However, relatively little attention has been given to the potential effect of individual personality characteristics of children and parents. Using the Five Factor Model, we examined the extent to which parents' and children's personality characteristics were related to parenting and children's externalizing behaviour in a proportional stratified general population sample (N=599) of elementary‐school‐aged children. Based on Patterson's macromodel of parenting, an initial model was built, hypothesizing that the impact of parents' and child's personality dimensions on externalizing problems was fully mediated by negative discipline. Results supported a modified model that added direct pathways between parent and child personality characteristics and externalizing problem behaviour. For the mother data, as well as for the father data, children's Extraversion and Imagination were positively related to children's externalizing problem behaviours. Children's Benevolence and Conscientiousness and parents' Emotional Stability were negatively related to externalizing problem behaviours. For the mother data, maternal Agreeableness was positively related to externalizing problem behaviours too. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three method factors explaining the low correlations between assessment center dimension ratings and scores on personality inventories
Authors: Kolk Nanja J. , Born Marise Ph. , van der Flier Henk
Published: March 2004

In general, correlations between assessment centre (AC) ratings and personality inventories are low. In this paper, we examine three method factors that may be responsible for these low correlations: differences in (i) rating source (other versus self), (ii) rating domain (general versus specific), and (iii) rating format (multi‐ versus single item). This study tests whether these three factors diminish correlations between AC exercise ratings and external indicators of similar dimensions. Ratings of personality and performance were combined in an analytical framework following a 2 × 2 × 2 (source, domain, format) completely crossed, within subjects design. Results showed partial support for the influence of each of the three method factors. Implications for future research are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Age differences in personality traits across cultures: self‐report and observer perspectives
Authors: McCrae Robert R. , Costa Paul T. , Hr̆ebíc̆ková Martina , Urbánek Tomás̆ , Martin Thomas A. , Oryol Valery E. , Rukavishnikov Alexey A. , Senin Ivan G.
Published: March 2004

Using self‐report measures, longitudinal studies in the US and cross‐sectional studies from many cultures suggest that the broad factors of Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Openness to Experience decline from adolescence to adulthood, whereas Agreeableness and Conscientiousness increase. Data are inconsistent on the rate of change during adulthood, and on the generalizability of self‐report findings to informant ratings. We analysed cross‐sectional data from self‐reports and informant ratings on the Revised NEO Personality Inventory in Czech (N = 705) and Russian (N = 800) samples. Some curvilinear effects were found, chiefly in the Czech sample; informant data generally replicated self‐reports, although the effects were weaker. Although many of the details are not yet clear, there appear to be pan‐cultural trends in personality development that are consistent with the hypothesis of intrinsic maturation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Early radiographic and clinical features associated with bronchiectasis in children
Authors: Redding Gregory , Singleton Rosalyn , Lewis Toby , Martinez Patricia , Butler Jay , Stamey David , Bulkow Lisa , Peters Helen , Gove James , Morray Barbara , Jones Carol
Published: March 2004

Bronchiectasis among children living in developing regions is associated with respiratory infections during early childhood, but specific risk factors that precede childhood bronchiectasis are not fully characterized. We hypothesized that severe respiratory syncytial viral (RSV) infection in infancy would increase the risk of bronchiectasis among Alaska Native children in rural Alaska. This was a follow‐up cohort study of a 1993–1996 case‐control study of RSV‐hospitalized case patients and their controls. For each 5–8‐year‐old former case‐patient and control subject, we reviewed medical records, interviewed parents, performed physical examinations and spirometry, collected sera, and analyzed all historical chest radiographs. Ten (11%) RSV cases and 10 (9%) controls had radiographic evidence of bronchiectasis. The mean age at radiographic diagnosis of bronchiectasis was 3.3 years (range, 1.2–6.1 years). Children were more likely to develop bronchiectasis if their chest radiographs, when they were <2 years of age, showed lung parenchymal densities (RR = 3.9, P < 0.013), persistent parenchymal densities >6 months' duration (RR = 3.0, P = 0.02), or infiltrates on multiple episodes (test for trend, P = 0.003). Radiographic features of hyperinflation and atelectasis among children <2 years old were not associated with eventual bronchiectasis. A single severe infection with RSV alone did not predispose Alaska Native infants to bronchiectasis. Childhood bronchiectasis was associated with lung and hence airway injury, manifested on radiographs by parenchymal densities or “pneumonia” rather than by hyperinflation or atelectasis. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 37:297–304. © 2004 Wiely‐Liss, Inc.
Maximal expiratory flow at FRC (V′maxFRC): Methods of selection and differences in reported values
Authors: Koumbourlis Anastassios C. , Chen Xin C. , Rao J. Sunil , Schluchter Mark D. , Easley Kirk , Colin Andrew A. , Hiatt Peter , Kattan Meyer , McCarthy Kevin , Mellins Robert B. , Peavy Hannah , Platzker Arnold C.G. , Steinbach Suzanne , Ting Andrew , Weisner Michael D. , Wohl Mary Ellen B.
Published: March 2004

We compared three methods of reporting maximal expiratory flow (V′maxFRC) measured in partial expiratory flow‐volume curves (PEFVCs) at the point of functional residual capacity (FRC). PEFVCs were obtained with the rapid thoracoabdominal compression technique (RTC) on a total of 446 occasions in 281 HIV‐negative, asymptomatic infants (4.8–28.1 months old). Three different expressions of V′maxFRC were recorded: 1) the highest measured flow (maxV′FRC), 2) the mean of the three highest flows (mean3V′FRC), and 3) the flow at FRC in a composite curve (compV′FRC) consisting of PEFVCs, obtained at different jacket pressures and superimposed at their distal limb. The numerical value of maxV′FRC was 7.4% (±5.6%) higher than the mean3V′FRC, and 11.9% (±17.7%) higher than the compV′FRC; the mean3V′FRC was 5% (±18.3%) higher than the compV′FRC. Bland‐Altman analysis was used to evaluate the agreement between the three indices. The mean difference and 95% limits of agreement were: maxV′FRC −mean3V′FRC, 14 ± 18 ml/sec; maxV′FRC − compV′FRC, 23 ± 58 ml/sec; and mean3V′FRC − compV′FRC, 10 ± 52 ml/sec. The differences between the slopes of the three indices (regressed against height) were statistically significant, although clinically unimportant. We conclude that despite their high correlation, the mean3V′FRC and maxV′FRC should not be used interchangeably, and that the composite analysis, although useful, does not improve the reproducibility of V′maxFRC, and thus it cannot be recommended for routine use in its current form. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 37:318–323. © 2004 Wiely‐Liss, Inc.
NO pathway in CF and non‐CF children
Authors: Wooldridge Jamie L. , Deutsch Gail H. , Sontag Marci K. , Osberg Iris , Chase Daniel R. , Silkoff Philip E. , Wagener Jeffery S. , Abman Steven H. , Accurso Frank J.
Published: March 2004

Controversy exists concerning abnormalities of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway in cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. Although some studies suggested that NO activity is impaired in CF, changes in NO production in young children have not been studied. We hypothesized that nitric oxide synthase (NOS II) expression is decreased in young children with CF, leading to decreased production of lower airway NO, and that decreased NOS II expression is related to airway inflammation. Accordingly, we measured lower airway exhaled NO, nitrate, and NOS II expression in airway epithelium and macrophages by bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and bronchial brushing in 13 children with CF, 4 adolescent patients with CF, and 14 disease control children. Lower airway NO and nitrate were not different between CF and disease controls. Immunostaining studies of NOS II expression in airway epithelial cells and macrophages were similar in CF and control patients. Within the CF group, however, expression of NOS II was inversely related to BAL neutrophil counts and IL‐8, two markers of airway inflammation. We conclude that lower airway NO, nitrate levels, and NOS II expression are not different in young children with CF and disease control patients, but that NOS II expression decreases in CF as airway inflammation increases. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 37:338–350. © 2004 Wiely‐Liss, Inc.
An antidepressant effect of Sho‐ju‐sen, a Japanese herbal medicine, assessed by learned helplessness model in mice
Authors: Kuribara Hisashi , Tomioka Hideo , Takahashi Reiko , Onozato Kazumi , Murohashi Naomi , Numajiri Tomomi , Iwata Hisato , Koya Sakuji
Published: March 2004

The antidepressant effect of Sho‐ju‐sen, a Japanese herbal medicine composed of extracts of three herbs; kumazasa leaf (Sasa Kurinensis Makino et Sibata), Japanese red pine leaf (Pinus densiﬂora Sieb. et Zucc) and ginseng radix (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), was assessed using a learned helplessness model in mice. The learned helplessness was produced by presenting 120 unavoidable/inescapable shocks for 3 days to the mouse in a shuttle box, and the avoidance training was carried out on day 4. Compared with the control group given tap water, free consumption of Sho‐ju‐sen (1%, 3% and 10%) for 21 days resulted in a signiﬁcant amelioration of the response rate at 1% and 3%, and both the response rate and % avoidance at 10%. Although Sho‐ju‐sen (10%) caused no signiﬁcant effect following the 7‐day intake, it ameliorated the response rate following the 14‐day intake. The extract of Japanese red pine leaf, but not kumazasa leaf or ginseng radix, mildly improved the response rate. Learned helplessness was signiﬁcantly and dose‐dependently reduced by imipramine (10 and 30 mg/kg i.p.), while only mildly by diazepam (1 mg/kg p.o.). These results suggest that a long‐term consumption of Sho‐ju‐sen is effective for the amelioration of depression, and the effectiveness is derived mainly from the extract of Japanese red pine leaf. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antibacterial activity of ent‐kaurene diterpenoids from Rabdosia rosthornii
Authors: Kubo Isao , Xu Yunlong , Shimizu Kuniyoshi
Published: March 2004

Biological activities of ent‐kaurene diterpenoids, rosthornins A–D, isolated from the ether extract of the dried leaves of Rabdosia rosthornii (Diels) Hara (Labiatae) were tested. They exhibited antibacterial activity speciﬁcally against Gram‐positive bacteria, among which Propionibacterium acnes was noted to be the most susceptible. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Receding Horizon Control for Legged Robot–Slack Variable Method for Swing Leg
Authors: Hiroki Takeuchi
Published: March 2004

The slack variable method is introduced into receding horizon control with inequality constraint, and formulation about swing leg is described. Generally, the conditions that swing leg does not fall under the floor altitude can be described as inequality state variable constraint. It is difficult to treat this as a states variable constraint, because there is not control input variable explicitly. In this paper, it proposes dealing this with a problem using slack variable. This simple formulation can be applied to a varied legged robot with any number of legs. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Control of Teleoperators with Communication Time Delay through State Convergence
Authors: Azorin Jose M. , Reinoso Oscar , Aracil Rafael , Ferre Manuel
Published: March 2004

This paper describes a new control method of teleoperation systems with communication time delay. This method models the teleoperation system in the state space, considering all the possible interactions that could appear in the operator‐master‐slave‐environment set, and it uses the Taylor expansion to model the time delay. The control system allows that the slave manipulator follows the master in spite of the time delay in the communication channel. The tracking is achieved by state convergence between the master and the slave. The method is also able to establish the desired dynamics of this convergence and the dynamics of the slave manipulator. Furthermore, a simple design procedure is provided to obtain the control system gains. These control gains are calculated solving a set of seven equations. The control method is robust to the uncertainty of the design parameters, so it is not necessary to obtain good estimations of these parameters. Simulations and experiments with a one DOF teleoperation system are presented to verify the control method. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dynamic Control of a Large Scale of Pneumatic Multichain Systems
Authors: Guihard M. , Gorce P.
Published: March 2004

The aim of this paper is to propose a general principle able to manage the supervision, coordination, and control problems of a large scale of multichain structures in dynamic and interacting tasks. The main originality lays in its modular feature. The number of chains and of joint per chain are indeed not restricted. The only assumption is that all the chains are linked to a principal element from which the dynamic stability will be computed. This is for example the case for multi‐finger and multi‐legged structures for which respectively the palm and the trunk represent the principal element. The principle consists in controlling the stability of this element and distributing the effort on the other chains to maintain the stability of the whole. To increase the compliant feature, we consider that each joint is pneumatically actuated. Each joint is then dynamically controlled to ensure the asymptotic stability of the local chain it belongs to. A global architecture is presented where each part is detailed. An example is then displayed showing the performances of a two‐legged robot in the standing posture under external perturbation effects. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new multi‐state fading model for mobile satellite channels based upon AFD and LCR data
Authors: Matolak David W.
Published: March 2004

Using measured data on average fade duration (AFD) and level crossing rate (LCR), we obtain new analytical expressions for the probability density function (pdf) of received signal envelope in a mobile satellite channel, via a new method. The measured data for an urban environment comes from Kanatas et al. Proceedings of the 1997 International Mobile Satellite Conference, Pasadena, CA, 16–18 June, 1997; 169–175, but the new method is general in nature and can be applied to other environments. The method is less direct than curve‐fitting to a histogram of the ‘raw’ measured fading amplitude data, but is comparable in complexity and yields good results. Our new model is a composite one, similar to other composite models given in the literature, e.g. the Loo and Lutz models, but in contrast to these, the new model affords a completely closed‐form expression for the pdf. As with these other composite models, the new model is amenable to the development of computer simulations of mobile satellite channel amplitude time series realizations, and can be combined with state transition models to provide a complete multi‐state fading model. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Angiotensin II effect on calcium mobilization and mitogen‐activated protein kinase activation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Montiel Mercedes , Gámez M. Idoia , García‐Vallejo J. Jesús , Pérez de la Blanca Enrique , Martín Elisa , Quesada Juan , Jiménez Eugenio
Published: March 2004

Angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) provoked a transient increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and induced a phosphorylation on mitogen‐activated protein kinase/extracellular signal regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK). Treatment of HUVEC with Ca2+‐ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin or Ca2+ ionophore A23187 resulted in a significant increase in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Ang II‐stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation was sensitive to the pretreatment of cells with U73122, a selective phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, resulting in a pronounced decrease of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Additionally, Ang II‐induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation was prominently reduced by the removal of Ca2+ from extracellular medium. Furthermore, activation of ERK1/2 was mimicked by phorbol 12‐myristate acetate, a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, while the Ang II‐provoked ERK1/2 phosphorylation was markedly attenuated by a PKC inhibition after the treatment of HUVEC with GFX109203X, a specific PKC inhibitor. This study demonstrated that Ang II mediates an increase in the MAPK/ERK phosphorylation in HUVEC which is dependent on [Ca2+]i and PKC activation.
Pompe's disease: A report of ten cases
Authors: Karakurt Cemşit , Karademir Selmin , Demirçeken Fulya , Oğuz Deniz , Şenocak Filiz , Öcal Burhan , Sungur Metin
Published: March 2004

Pompe's disease is a rare inherited metabolic disorder, which often leads to infantile death from severe cardiomyopathy. This report describes ten infants with clinical findings suggestive of Pompe's disease confirmed by histological investigation. All the infants had presented with cardiopulmonary symptoms. Two dimensional and Doppler echocardiography revealed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and six of them had left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. We emphasized the importance of echocardiography in the clinical diagnosis of this severe condition.
Seabird distribution on the Humboldt Current in northern Chile in relation to hydrography, productivity, and fisheries
Authors: Weichler Tanja , Garthe Stefan , Luna-Jorquera Guillermo , Moraga Julio
Published: March 2004

Factors affecting seabird distribution in the Humboldt Current upwelling system in northern Chile were studied in January 1999 using ship transect counts. Of 24 species recorded, the Peruvian booby (Sula variegata), the kelp gull (Larus dominicanus) and the Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) were the most abundant. Species composition varied among different areas of the system and distribution patterns differed substantially among eight of the more abundant species. Most species showed links to variation in environmental factors (trawler distribution, SST and chlorophyll concentration). Principal component analysis identified a feeding-flock factor as the most important one for explaining observed distribution patterns. One-third of all birds recorded were associated in feeding flocks and 3% of all individuals were directly attending fishing vessels.
A temperature-dependent reproductive model for spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) explaining spatio-temporal variations in reproduction and young-of-the-year recruitment in Florida estuaries
Authors: Kupschus Sven
Published: March 2004

Spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) exhibit various seasonal patterns of reproduction and juvenile recruitment in estuaries across their range. To explain this variability, data on the reproductive state of 1674 individual females from the Indian River Lagoon were used to develop a generalized additive model (GAM) describing the relationship between reproduction and local environmental conditions. The model predicted that optimum spawning conditions exist at a water temperature of 29°C, indicating that if this temperature was exceeded during the spawning season, spawning activity would be temporarily curtailed, which would lead to a bimodal recruitment curve. In contrast, daily mean water temperatures below the optimum condition would result in a single recruitment peak. The reproductive model was largely consistent with historical information on spotted seatrout spawning seasonality along the gulf and Atlantic coasts of the US. Factors other than temperature (i.e., hours after sunset, lunar period and size and condition factor of females) were also found to regulate reproductive activity. Model predictions of the number of recruits based on local temperature regimes during the spawning season were compared to actual catches of juvenile spotted seatrout in three Florida estuaries. The reproductive model was able to predict the timing and modality of recruitment, but the relative amplitude of the fluctuations in abundance was dampened considerably compared to the observed variation.
Buffered random sampling: a sequential inhibited spatial point process applied to sampling in a trawl survey for northern shrimp Pandalus borealis in West Greenland waters
Authors: Kingsley M.C.S. , Kanneworff P. , Carlsson D.M.
Published: March 2004

A stratified random sample survey has been carried out since 1988 as a component of the assessment of the stock of northern shrimp Pandalus borealis in offshore West Greenland waters. In 1999, the placing of stations independently and randomly was replaced by buffered random sampling, in which stations were randomly placed but prevented from being closer together than a prescribed limit. Buffered random sampling gave a more even distribution of stations within strata, and nearest-neighbour distances were on average increased by 50%. The statistical effects were difficult to determine, but did not appear to be large, and the estimated standard errors did not change much from previous years. However, the buffered sampling method generated designs in which stations were evenly distributed over the strata, and did away with the need for subjective manual adjustment of the positions of stations which independent random sampling sometimes placed too close to another station.
Comparison of shortest sailing distance through random and regular sampling points
Authors: Harbitz Alf , Pennington Michael
Published: March 2004

The shortest sailing distance through n sampling points is calculated for simple theoretical sampling domains (square and circle) as well as for a rather irregular and concavely shaped real sampling domain in the Barents Sea. The sampling sites are either located at the nodes of a square grid (regular sampling) or they are randomly distributed. For n less than ten, the exact shortest sailing distance is derived. For larger n, a traveling salesman algorithm (simulated annealing) was applied, and its bias (distance from true minimum) was estimated based on a case where the true minimum distance was known. In general, the average minimum sailing distance based on random sampling was considerably shorter than for regular sampling, and the difference increased with sample size until an asymptotic value was reached at about n=60 for a square domain. For the sampling domain in the Barents Sea used for shrimp (Pandalus borealis) abundance surveys (n=118 stations), the cruise-track lengths based on random sampling were approximately normally distributed. The mean sailing distance was 18% shorter than the cruise track for regular sampling and the standard deviation equalled 2.6%.