bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scheduling Employees in Quebec’s Liquor Stores with Integer Programming
Authors: Gendron Bernard
Published: November 2005

The SAQ (in French, Société des alcools du Québec) is a public corporation of the Province of Quebec responsible for distributing and selling alcohol-based products in its territory through a large network of more than 400 stores and warehouses. Every week, the SAQ has to schedule more than 3,000 employees. Until 2002, it handled this process manually, incurring estimated expenses of $1,300,000 (CAN). I developed a solution engine that interacts with a Web-based database system developed in house to produce the desired schedules. This solution engine implements an integer-programming (IP) model using ILOG Concert Technology and solves the IP formulation with ILOG CPLEX. The project has contributed to increasing the efficiency of the organization by reducing the costs of producing the schedules and by improving the SAQ’s management of human resources. Overall, the SAQ estimates that automated scheduling has saved over $1,000,000 (CAN) annually.
The Daniel H. Wagner Prize for Excellence in Operations Research Practice
Authors: Discenza Joseph H.
Published: November 2005

The Wagner prize for 2004 goes to Merrill Lynch, winning over five strong competitors.
Practice Abstracts
Authors: Denton Brian T.
Published: November 2005

The goal of “Practice Abstracts” is to present interesting, topical, and novel applications of operations research methodology to a wide range of industrial applications. “Practice Abstracts” are intended to provide Interfaces readers with short (2–4 page) descriptions of the most relevant aspects of operations research-based projects, in a form that is accessible to academics and practitioners in other organizations. Contributions should be sent for evaluation to the editor of “Practice Abstracts,” Brian T. Denton, Division of Health Care Policy and Research, Pavilion 3, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, denton.brian@mayo.edu.
Dissolution of uranium dioxide in simulated Boom clay water
Authors: Guilbert S. , Guittet M.J. , Barré N. , Trocellier P. , Gautier-Soyer M. , Andriambololona Z.
Published: November 2005

The solubility behavior of uranium dioxide was studied under oxidizing and reducing conditions in simulated Belgian Boom clay water at 25 °C, on unirradiated fuel pellets. For a comparable period (1 month), the uranium concentration and the dissolution rate (10−12mol m−2s−1) in reduced medium were ∼30 times smaller than in oxidizing conditions (3 × 10−11mol m−2s−1). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses revealed that U(VI) and U(IV) oxidation states were present in the altered layer in both cases. In the case of the experiments performed in oxidizing conditions, this technique also revealed the formation of U-OH bonds. Although steady state was not reached, geochemical calculations allowed us to suggest a class of secondary phases able to control the uranium solubility in the long term.
Synthesis and investigation of Pu-doped single crystal zircon, (Zr, Pu)SiO4
Authors: Burakov B. E. , Hanchar J. M. , Zamoryanskaya M. V. , Garbuzov V. M. , Zirlin V. A.
Published: November 2005

Single crystals of zircon doped with 239Pu, up to 2 mm in size, were grown for the first time ever, using a Li-Mo flux. The crystals were transparent and free of inclusions of separated Pu phases. The zircon crystals were studied using optical and scanning electron microscopy, the electron microprobe, and cathodoluminescence imaging and spectroscopy. The incorporation of 239Pu ranged from 0.1 to 1.4 wt.% el. The intensity of the CL emission in the Pu-doped crystals is correlated with the Pu content.
Old Bone Marrow Cells Inhibit Skin Wound Vascularization
Authors: Schatteman Gina C. , Ma Ning
Published: November 2005

Local injection of hematopoietic stem cell–enriched cells, including mouse lin− cells, accelerates vascularization in animal injury models, apparently by release of angiogenic factors. Locally injected lin− cells from nondiabetic mice dramatically improve, but those from obese diabetic mice inhibit vascular growth in obese diabetic mouse skin wounds. Because of similarities between diabetes and aging and because autologous bone marrow–derived cells are currently being tested in clinical trials involving older patients, we investigated the effects of old lin− cells on skin wound vascularization in nondiabetic and obese diabetic mice. Treatment with old lin− bone marrow cells resulted in decreased vessel size and numerical density, leading to profoundly reduced vascular volume density in wounds of non-diabetic and diabetic mice. Our data suggest that bone marrow–derived cells may be poor candidates for therapeutic use in older patients and could actually harm them.
How Today's Developments in the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Will Change Tomorrow's Standards of Care
Authors: Kris Mark G.
Published: November 2005

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Discuss the current status of adjuvant therapy in NSCLC.Articulate the developing rate of targeted agents in the treatment of NSCLC.Describe how tumor molecular biology may impact response to novel treatment.

Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 hour of AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com

Cisplatin (Platinol®; Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, http://www.bms.com) and carboplatin (Paraplatin®; Bristol-Myers Squibb), together with newer chemotherapies, such as docetaxel (Taxotere®; Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Bridgewater, NJ, http://www.aventispharma-us.com), paclitaxel (Taxol®; Bristol-Myers Squibb), vinorelbine (Navelbine®; GlaxoSmith-Kline, Philadelphia, http://www.gsk.com), pemetrexed (Alimta®; Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, http://www.lilly.com), and gemcitabine (Gemzar®; Eli Lilly and Company), have improved treatment outcomes in both advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and in the adjuvant/neoadjuvant setting. Newer systemic treatments for NSCLC, used in advanced stage IV management, are beginning to be studied in earlier stages of the disease, when treatment is better tolerated and potentially curative. Hopefully, newer agents with proven efficacies in advanced disease will enhance curability. Following the successful addition of bevacizumab (Avastin®; Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, http://www.gene.com) to carboplatin/paclitaxel in advanced disease, bevacizumab is now being incorporated into adjuvant and neoadjuvant trials. Trials in stage IB–IIIA patients will study neoadjuvant docetaxel/cisplatin/bevacizumab. The discovery that patients with exon 19 and 21 mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene EGFR have around an 80% response rate to gefitinib (Iressa®; AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Wilmington, DE, http:// www.astrazeneca-us.com) and that this response confers survival benefit indicates its potential utility for mutation-positive patients with advanced- and earlier-stage disease. Clinical characteristics, such as never smoking status and adenocarcinoma, and especially bronchioloalveolar carcinoma histological features, can also identify individuals likely to respond to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Studies of neoadjuvant erlotinib (Tarceva®; OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Melville, NY, http://www.osip.com) in operable NSCLC are planned. One such study includes cisplatin and docetaxel. Effective development of active agents and disease management based on molecular profiling of lung tumors will change tomorrow's standard of care.
Rapid Evolution in Colorectal Cancer: Therapy Now and Over the Next Five Years
Authors: Gramont Aimery
Published: November 2005

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to:Discuss the public health importance and natural history of colorectal cancer.Describe how treatments developed in the context of clinical trials have changed the prognosis of this disease.Explain the potential impact of clinical trials on future treatment guidelines.

Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 hour of AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com

A large number of patients with colorectal cancer have relatively early disease, and thus, adjuvant therapy has the potential to save lives. In stage III patients, there has been a steady improvement in 3-year disease-free survival with the use of 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV) regimens and capecitabine (Xeloda®; Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., Nutley, NJ, http://www.rocheusa.com) regimens. A median survival longer than 20 months was observed in patients with metastatic disease when treated with combination chemotherapy containing oxaliplatin (Eloxatin®; Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc., New York, http://www.sanofi-synthelabo.us) or irinotecan (Camptosar®; Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, New York, http://www.pfizer.com). This has led to 5-FU/LV/oxaliplatin becoming standard therapy, along with 5-FU/LV/irinotecan. New data confirm the beneficial effect on disease-free survival of adding oxaliplatin to adjuvant colorectal cancer regimens based on 5-FU. These regimens show an effect when given in bolus as well as in infusional schedules. Interest in future adjuvant regimens focuses on the potential additional benefit of molecularly targeted agents, such as bevacizumab (Avastin®; Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, http://www.gene.com), and on the ability of applied genomics to distinguish between high- and low-risk populations.
Endoscopic Laser Treatment of Benign Tracheal Stenoses
Authors: Otto Wlodzimierz , Szlenk Zbigniew , Paczkowski Pawel , Gackowski Wojciech , Najnigier Boguslaw , Karwowski Andrzej
Published: November 2005

We present the technique and results of endoscopic neodymium‐yttrium aluminum garnet laser treatment of benign tracheal stenoses. This therapy was used in 15 patients with tracheal stenoses. Benign tracheal granulomas were caused by prolonged tracheal intubation in eight patients, permanent maintenance of tracheostomy tube in five patients, and nonspecific inflammatory process of the trachea in two patients. The clinical picture was dominated by dyspnea and stridor. The achievement of normal tracheal patency required several laser therapy sessions, repeated at 5‐ to 7‐day intervals. In 30% of patients additional laser vaporization was required as well. The immediate and short‐term results were encouraging; in all cases the normal tracheal lumen was restored, resulting in alleviation of patients' symptoms.
Head and Neck Manifestations of Beckwith‐Wiedemann Syndrome
Authors: Rimell Frank L. , Shapiro Andrew M. , Shoemaker David L. , Kenna Margaret A.
Published: November 2005

Beckwith‐Wiedemann syndrome is a congenital disorder manifested by organomegaly, omphalocele, hypoglycemia, and macroglossia. We have found a significant number of these children to be at risk for upper airway obstruction during infancy or childhood. In this review of 13 children, 2 required tracheotomy during infancy for cor pulmonale caused by macroglossia. Seven of nine children older than 1 year required tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy to relieve upper airway obstruction. Although macroglossia can be a cause of airway obstruction in infants with Beckwith‐Wiedemann syndrome, we have found that airway obstruction during childhood is related to tonsillar and adenoidal hypertrophy and not to macroglossia. Anterior tongue reduction is reserved for the correction of malocclusion, articulation errors, or cosmesis, whereas tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy may be curative of obstructive symptoms.
Safe and Effective Infundibulotomy Technique
Authors: Lebowitz Richard A. , Jacobs Joseph B. , Tavin M. Ellis
Published: November 2005

The ostiomeatal complex has been identified as an important anatomic region in the pathogenesis of sinusitis. Functional endoscopic techniques rely on removal of mucosal disease from this site to improve drainage and aeration. Structural variations and the use of a sharp blade to create the infundibulotomy can result in inadvertent injury to the orbit. To avoid orbital penetration we perform the infundibulotomy with a curved, blunt dental elevator and displace the uncinate with its medial and lateral mucosa toward the middle turbinate. This stretches the infundibulum to reveal the maxillary ostium at its depth. The remaining mucosal attachments of the uncinate process are then incised under direct vision, and the complex is resected, creating an initial wide antrostomy. This technique has avoided orbital penetration in 700 cases in patients with early or late stages of mucosal disease.
Significance of Auditory Brain Stem Response and Gadolinium‐Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Busaba Nicolas Y. , Rauch Steven D.
Published: November 2005

Previous studies tried to correlate prognosis and response to oral corticosteroids in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss to such factors as the age of the patient, presence of vertigo, shape of the audiogram, or severity of the hearing loss. However, temporal bone histopathologic evidence shows that idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss may be caused by cochleitis or cochlear nerve neuritis. Herein we report results of a retrospective study of 96 consecutive patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss who were evaluated with auditory brain stem responses and gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Results of the auditory brain stem response and magnetic resonance imaging were correlated with hearing outcome. Follow‐up was available for 65 patients: 14 with abnormal and 51 with normal auditory brain stem responses. The overall rate of hearing recovery or improvement was 65% in the normal auditory brain stem response group compared with 43% in the abnormal auditory brain stem response group (p = 0.07). Among the 38 patients treated with a tapering course of oral corticosteroids, the recovery or improvement rate was 83% for those with normal auditory brain stem responses and 56% for those with abnormal auditory brain stem responses (p < 0.05). Of the 27 patients who did not receive steroid therapy, the improvement rate was 41% in those with normal auditory brain stem responses and 20% in those with abnormal auditory brain stem responses (p = 0.09). Magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium was obtained on all 14 patients with abnormal auditory brain stem responses but on none with normal auditory brain stem responses. Only 1 magnetic resonance image of 14 demonstrated an abnormality, showing a high signal intensity in the distal internal auditory canal; this resolved 6 weeks later on a follow‐up magnetic resonance image. We conclude that idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients with abnormal auditory brain stem responses have poorer hearing prognoses compared with those patients with normal auditory brain stem responses, irrespective of treatment. Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients with abnormal auditory brain stem responses may have cochlear neuritis causing their hearing loss or may have a more extensive involvement of their auditory system, and this “lesion” may have a lower spontaneous recovery rate and less response to therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium may show abnormal signal intensities along the course of the eighth nerve in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, but this is infrequent, and its prognostic implications are not clear.
Enhanced Retrosigmoid Exposure with Posterior Semicircular Canal Resection
Authors: Arriaga Moises , Gorum Michael
Published: November 2005

A subset of patients with acoustic neuromas and useful hearing have tumors that are inadequately approached by both middle fossa and retrosigmoid techniques. The enhanced retrosigmoid technique combines the hearing preservation of posterior semicircular canal ablation to achieve lateral internal auditory canal exposure with the ample cerebellopontine angle exposure of the standard retrosigmoid technique.
Aspergillus Sinusitis: Clinical Aspects and Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Min Yang‐Gi , Kim Hae Song , Lee Kang‐Soo , Kang Myung‐Koo , Han Moon Hee
Published: November 2005

Seventy‐two cases of Aspergillus sinusitis were analyzed during a period of 14 years from January 1980 through October 1993. There were 60 cases of primary type and 12 cases of secondary type. The maxillary and ethmoid sinuses were most commonly affected in both primary and secondary types. The sphenoid sinus was commonly involved in secondary type. Fourteen (23%) cases of primary type and 4 (33%) cases of secondary type demonstrated sinus wall destruction on computed tomography or magnetic resonance images. Seventy percent of primary type and all cases of secondary type showed focal or diffuse areas of increased attenuation in the soft tissue mass on computed tomography scans. Sixteen cases assessed by magnetic resonance imaging showed decreased signal intensities on T1‐weighted images and markedly reduced signal intensities on T2‐weighted images. Fifty‐nine (98%) of 60 cases of primary type were noninvasive, and 1 was invasive. In secondary type, 10 (83%) of 12 patients had noninvasive disease. The most common coexisting disease in secondary aspergillosis was diabetes mellitus. Thickened mucosa with necrotic brownish green material, which was the most common finding in both types, was found in 33 patients with primary type and in 5 with secondary type. Surgery was performed in most cases, among which 4 patients received chemotherapy after surgery with amphotericin B with or without flucytosine. All patients were cured without recurrence during a mean follow‐up period of 13 months.
Long‐term follow‐up of Stapedectomy in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Millman Brad , Giddings Neil A. , Cole James M.
Published: November 2005

Otosclerosis presenting in children and adolescents is uncommon. Typically, otosclerosis presents as a slowly progressive conductive hearing loss in the third to fourth decade. Many well‐documented studies have demonstrated excellent long‐term hearing results with stapedectomy. Although stapedectomy is highly effective, the rare complications may be devastating. Thirty‐one patients, 21 years or younger, underwent 40 stapedectomies for otosclerosis at our institution. The average age at surgery was 16 years, with a range of 7 to 21 years. Postoperative results showed an average improvement in air‐bone gap of 22 dB. Clinical and audiologic data were collected over a mean follow‐up period of 25 years. There was no statistically significant difference in air‐bone gap when comparing the immediate postoperative gap (measured 2 months after stapedectomy) with the last gap recorded (mean, 25 years after stapedectomy). Fifty percent of the ears operated on maintained an air‐bone gap within 10 dB at the last follow‐up, and an additional 40% maintained a 10‐ to 20‐dB gap. There were no significant relationships between demographic or clinical factors and “success” (gap ≤ 10 dB) or long‐term gap closure. Our data demonstrate that stapedectomy is an effective method for closing the air‐bone gap in children and adolescents with otosclerosis, and long‐term results parallel those of adults, showing maintenance of excellent gap closure. This review represents the largest population with the longest follow‐up in children who underwent stapedectomy for the treatment of otosclerosis.
Anterior Facial Nerve Rerouting in Cranial Base Surgery: A Comparison of Three Techniques
Authors: Von Doersten Peter G. , Jackler Robert K.
Published: November 2005

Anterior rerouting of the facial nerve is a maneuver designed to enhance exposure of the jugular foramen and carotid canal during resection of cranial base tumors. Our clinical impression is that the degree of additional exposure afforded by moving the facial nerve varies considerably according to both anatomic variations and the technique used. Three possible techniques exist based on the extent of facial nerve mobilization and point of rotation: canal wall up‐second genu pivot point (CWU‐2G); canal wall down‐second genu pivot point (CWD‐2G); and canal wall down‐first genu pivot point (CWD‐1G). We anatomically studied 20 human cadaver heads to establish clinically relevant guidelines for the selective use of these techniques. At the level of the dome of the jugular bulb, the facial nerve mobilized anteriorly a mean of 4.2 mm for CWU‐2G, 10 mm for CWD‐2G, and 14 mm for CWD‐1G. Detailed analysis of numerous measurements and rotation angles suggests that the typical exposure afforded by the various rerouting techniques is as follows: CWU‐2G, complete exposure of the jugular bulb; CWD‐2G, exposure of the jugular bulb and a mean of 6 mm of the posterior aspect of the carotid artery; and CWD‐1G, exposure of the jugular bulb and entire carotid genu. Minimizing the amount of facial nerve manipulation needed to achieve sufficient surgical exposure helps optimize postoperative functional status.
Processing of Adenoid and Tonsil Specimens in Children: A National Survey of Standard Practices and a Five‐Year Review of the Experience at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Authors: Dohar Joseph E. , Bonilla Jose A.
Published: November 2005

The best means of pathologically examining routine tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy specimens in children remains controversial. Otolaryngologists fear missing an unsuspected diagnosis. However, the cost‐effectiveness of microscopic analysis, given the rare incidence of unsuspected diagnosis, is questionable. If a significant pathologic diagnosis is missed, the medicolegal implications could be significant. A questionnaire was sent to 111 members of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology. Additionally, we reviewed our experience at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for the 5‐year span from 1989 to 1994 to determine our incidence of unsuspected pathologic diagnoses. Sixty‐five questionnaires were returned (59% response rate). More than half (56%) of the respondents stated that microscopic analysis was routinely performed on all specimens, and 42% replied that only gross examination was performed, reserving microscopic examination for selected cases. Three respondents said that they discarded their specimens in the operating room. From March 1989 to October 1994, in 1985 children undergoing bilateral tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, no significant pathologic diagnoses were found. Twenty‐seven additional children who underwent only tonsillectomy between January 1991 and October 1994 were also reviewed. One lymphoma, suspected before surgery, and a glycogen storage disorder, not suspected before surgery, were diagnosed. Therefore, in a total of 2012 children, we found only one clinically significant unsuspected diagnosis. In conclusion, we found no national consensus governing the best way to examine routine adenotonsillectomy specimens in children. Given that unsuspected diagnoses are rare, reserving microscopic analysis for specific clinical indications may be both more cost‐effective and medically feasible.
Intraoperative Auditory Monitoring in Acoustic Neuroma Surgery
Authors: Zappia John J. , Wiet Richard J. , O'Connor Cathleen A. , Martone Lisa
Published: November 2005

Intraoperative auditory monitoring is a useful adjunct that is currently evolving. Near‐field monitoring techniques such as electrocochleography and direct eighth nerve compound action potential are being used more frequently. The use of these two techniques is compared in 26 patients undergoing hearing preservation acoustic neuroma resection. Overall, 9 (35%) of the 26 patients had their hearing preserved. Three (23%) of the 13 with electrocochleography monitoring and 6 (46%) of the 13 with direct compound action potential monitoring had hearing preserved after surgery. Although there was a suggestion of improved results with direct compound action potential monitoring, the results were not statistically different. It was noted that lack of electrical response at the completion of the procedure (regardless of monitoring technique) was correlated with poor postoperative hearing, whereas the presence of a waveform at termination in no way predicted satisfactory postoperative hearing. The two techniques and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed.
Pediatric Cholesteatoma: An Individualized, Single‐Stage Approach
Authors: Parisier Simon C. , Hanson Matthew B. , Han Jin C. , Cohen Adam J. , Selkin Bryan A.
Published: November 2005

We report our experience with a one‐stage surgery for pediatric cholesteatoma in 216 ears. Our technique is based on three main principles: (1) the surgery is individualized; (2) the goal of surgery is to completely remove cholesteatoma and related disease in one operation; and (3) the reconstruction is performed to provide both good hearing and a dry, trouble‐free ear. The incidence of recidivism was 10.2%, and the rate achieved was 13.3% at 5 years and 24% at 10 years. Canal wall down surgery was the predominant procedure used. The incidence of intraoperative neurosensory hearing loss, vertigo, and facial nerve injury was extremely low. The postoperative cavity problems encountered were minimal.
Allergic Rhinitis: Clinical Practice Guideline
Authors: Fornadley John A. , Corey Jacquelynne P. , Osguthorpe J. David , Powell Jeffrey P. , Emanuel Ivor A. , Boyles John H. , Watson Theodore A. , Hurst David S. , Bryant James L. , Pershall Kim E. , Renfro Bonnie L.
Published: November 2005

This guideline was compiled by members of a standing committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy. The intent of this guideline is to provide practitioners, referring physicians, patients, third‐party payers, and cognizant government authorities with the fundamental principles involved in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient with allergic rhinitis.

Although developed solely through the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, the statements and recommendations are drawn from the entire spectrum of English‐speaking literature from the United States and Europe. Articles were independently reviewed by members of the Committee, many of whom sit on editorial review boards for major professional publications.

A grading system was used to categorize individual articles to demonstrate the format used to arrive at conclusions. The grade is recorded at the end of each article reference. The grading scale follows:

Grade A: A study involving prospective or well‐selected retrospective patient populations. The conclusions drawn are well supported by the scientific work. Little controversy relating to these conclusions would be expected.

Grade B: A scientific study executed without major flaws. Limitations may exist such that the conclusions drawn remain subject to controversy.

Grade C: An anecdotal or case report study.
The making of an ageing disease: the representation of the male menopause in Finnish medical literature
Authors: VAINIONPÄÄ KIRSI J. , TOPO PÄIVI
Published: November 2005

Male ageing is in focus nowadays. The aim of this study was to investigate conceptions of the male menopause (also known as andropause) in the educational and professional literature of Finnish physicians from 1982 to 2002, and the main point of interest was how the presentation of the male menopause and its treatments have changed. Published items for analysis were retrieved from the two main Finnish medical journals and from introductory gynaecology and urology textbooks using keywords for male ageing and hormones. It was found that disagreements about the male menopause have been marked. Some authors described it as a consequence of the decline in gonad functioning that comes with increased age, and some argued that we are making a disease out of normal ageing, but its association with sexual problems has risen in prominence: libido and potency disorders have recently been identified as symptoms. The treatment provided for male menopause was androgens, about which opinions diverged, especially the effect of androgen therapy on cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. New forms of testosterone treatment have been eagerly adopted, but opinions varied on the appropriate duration of the therapies. By the 2000s, the male menopause was increasingly likened to the female menopause, with emphasis upon the similar symptoms. While gerontological thinking largely sees the male menopause as an aspect of ageing and a normal condition, the andrological approach regards it as a treatable disease and its rapid adoption can be seen as a reflection of both private and public concerns about increased longevity.
A note on the ethics of free trade
Authors: PALMETER DAVID
Published: November 2005

Arguments against free trade are often couched in ethical terms. They usually describe the plight of those who lose from free trade, but seldom consider the costs of protectionism. This essay examines free trade from the perspective of several important ethical theories and concludes that free trade is consistent with each of them.
United States-Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000
Authors: HORN HENRIK , MAVROIDIS PETROS C.
Published: November 2005

On 16 January 2003, the WTO Appellate Body (AB) issues its report on the appeal of the Panel decision in United States-Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000). The report concerns the consistency of the US Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 (the ‘CDSOA’, or the so-called Byrd Amendment) with several WTO provisions. A host of complainants (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the European Community, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Thailand) as well as four third parties evidence the interest in the dispute among WTO Members. The appeal was directed against the Panel's finding that the legislation was inconsistent with the US obligations under the WTO Agreements on Antidumping (AD) and Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM).
The WTO's first decade
Authors: MOORE MIKE
Published: November 2005

This year the World Trade Organisation (WTO) celebrates its tenth year of existence. That celebration is also an opportunity to review, audit, and evaluate its place, progress, and evolution. I am aware that this issue of the World Trade Review is carrying several articles about the 10th Anniversary. This contribution is targeted at the populist perception that the WTO is undemocratic. It also accepts that there are great injustices in the world trading system, but the answer to that is not the rejection of multilateralism but to conclude the Doha Development Round. The problem of poor nations is never too much trade; it is not enough trade. The WTO is unique among the international institutions and plays a vital role in the international architecture.
The World Trade Organization: three priorities
Authors: RUGGIERO RENATO
Published: November 2005

At the end of April 2005 we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Linear stability of spiral Poiseuille flow with a radial temperature gradient: Centrifugal buoyancy effects
Authors: Cotrell David L. , McFadden G. B.
Published: November 2005

For spiral Poiseuille flow with a radial temperature gradient and radius ratio η=Ri∕Ro=0.5, we have computed complete linear stability boundaries for several values of the rotation rate ratio μ=Ωo∕Ωi, where Ri and Ro are the inner and outer cylinder radii, respectively, and Ωi and Ωo are the corresponding (signed) angular speeds. The effects of gravity are neglected, but the variation of density with temperature induces radial buoyancy effects through the centripetal acceleration term in the radial momentum equation. The analysis extends previous results with no axial flow (Reynolds number Re=0) to the range of Re for which the annular Poiseuille flow is stable and accounts for arbitrary disturbances of infinitesimal amplitude. For μ<η2 and a temperature gradient consistent with the Boussinesq approximation, we show that over the entire range of Re considered the stability boundaries do not differ significantly from those found for the isothermal case by Cotrell and Pearlstein [“The connection between centrifugal instability and Tollmien-Schlichting-like instability for spiral Poiseuille flow,” J. Fluid. Mech. 509, 331 (2004)]. For μ>η2 and Re=0, we show for the first time that the flow is destabilized for any positive value of the radial buoyancy parameter (i.e., β=αoΔT), where ΔT=To−Ti is the temperature difference between the outer and inner cylinder walls, respectively, and αo is the coefficient of thermal expansion. This differs significantly from the isothermal results which show that there is no linear instability for 0⩽Re⩽Remin in the absence of centrifugal buoyancy effects, where Remin is the turning point value in the isothermal results.
High resonant mass sensor evaluation: An effective method
Authors: Tseytlin Yakov M.
Published: November 2005

Micro- and nanocantilever mass sensors in higher resonant oscillation modes are very sensitive to an additional mass, which is positioned along their length except for the nodal points. However, the known evaluation methods of this sensitivity are usually complicated, which is not effective in applications for atomic force microscopy. Our solution is simple, unified, and based on the superposition force method, which allows us to estimate effective spring constants, effective mass factors, and correct prediction of sensitivity for nano- and microcantilevers along their length in higher resonant modes. Simple analytical and computer aided calculation algorithms are developed. Calculation results are close to the experimental and computer simulation data within a few percent.
Linear radiation model for phase of thermal emission spectroscopy
Authors: Bennett Ted D. , Yu Fengling
Published: November 2005

A linear radiation model is developed that overcomes the analytical complexity in phase of thermal emission spectroscopy. It is shown that the linear radiation model can result in a simple algebraic relation between the phase of thermal emission and four coating properties, enabling these properties to be determined by nonlinear regression analysis of experimental measurements. Suitability of the linear radiation model to various measurement conditions is explored, and the model is applied to the phase of thermal emission measurements performed on a thermal barrier coating.
Short focal length Kirkpatrick-Baez mirrors for a hard x-ray nanoprobe
Authors: Liu Wenjun , Ice Gene E. , Tischler Jonathan Z. , Khounsary Ali , Liu Chian , Assoufid Lahsen , Macrander Albert T.
Published: November 2005

We describe progress in the fabrication of short-focal-length total-external-reflection Kirkpatrick-Baez x-ray mirrors with ultralow figure errors. The short focal length optics produce nanoscale beams (<100nm) on conventional (∼64m long) beamlines at third generation synchrotron sources. The total-external reflection optics are inherently achromatic and efficiently focus a white (polychromatic) or a tunable monochromatic spectrum of x rays. The ability to focus independent of wavelength allows novel new experimental capabilities. Mirrors have been fabricated both by computer assisted profiling (differential polishing) and by profile coating (coating through a mask onto ultra-smooth surfaces). A doubly focused 85×95nm2 hard x-ray nanobeam has been obtained on the UNICAT beamline 34-ID at the Advanced Photon Source. The performance of the mirrors, techniques for characterizing the spot size, and factors limiting focusing performance are discussed.
Large lattice relaxation deep levels in neutron-irradiated GaN
Authors: Li S. , Zhang J. D. , Beling C. D. , Wang K. , Wang R. X. , Gong M. , Sarkar C. K.
Published: November 2005

Deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and deep level optical spectroscopy (DLOS) measurements have been carried out in neutron-irradiated n-type hydride-vapor-phase-epitaxy-grown GaN. A defect center characterized by a DLTS line, labeled as N1, is observed at EC−ET=0.17eV. Another line, labeled as N2, at EC−ET=0.23eV, seems to be induced at the same rate as N1 under irradiation and may be identified with E1. Other defects native to wurtzite GaN such as the C and E2 lines appear to enhance under neutron irradiation. The DLOS results show that the defects N1 and N2 have large Frank-Condon shifts of 0.64 and 0.67eV, respectively, and hence large lattice relaxations. The as-grown and neutron-irradiated samples all exhibit the persistent photoconductivity effect commonly seen in GaN that may be attributed to DX centers. The concentration of the DX centers increases significantly with neutron dosage and is helpful in sustaining sample conductivity at low temperatures, thus making possible DLTS measurements on N1 an N2 in the radiation-induced deep-donor defect compensated material which otherwise are prevented by carrier freeze-out.
Cluster-eliminating filter for depositing cluster-free a-Si:H films by plasma chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Koga Kazunori , Kaguchi Naoto , Bando Kouki , Shiratani Masaharu , Watanabe Yukio
Published: November 2005

A cluster-eliminating filter is developed to reduce a volume fraction VF of amorphous silicon nanoparticles above approximately 1 nm in size (referred to as a cluster) incorporated into a-Si:H films. The filter reduces the VF value by using the difference between a sticking probability of clusters and a surface reaction probability of SiH3 radicals, which are the predominant deposition radicals. By employing the filter together with a cluster-suppressed plasma chemical vapor deposition reactor, the VF value is reduced below 1∕180 compared to that for the conventional device quality films. Such cluster-free a-Si:H films have an extremely small hydrogen concentration associated with Si-H2 bonds below 5.46×10−3at.%.
Large-area, low-noise, high-speed, photodiode-based fluorescence detectors with fast overdrive recovery
Authors: Bickman S. , DeMille D.
Published: November 2005

Two large-area, low-noise, high-speed fluorescence detectors have been built. One detector consists of a photodiode with an area of 28mm×28mm and a low-noise transimpedance amplifier. This detector has a input light-equivalent spectral noise density of less than 3pW∕Hz, can recover from a large scattered light pulse within 10μs, and has a bandwidth of at least 900 kHz. The second detector consists of a 16–mm-diam avalanche photodiode and a low-noise transimpedance amplifier. This detector has an input light-equivalent spectral noise density of 0.08pW∕Hz, also can recover from a large scattered light pulse within 10μs, and has a bandwidth of 1 MHz.
Hot hole redistribution in impurity states of boron-doped silicon terahertz emitters
Authors: Lv P.-C. , Troeger R. T. , Zhang X. , Adam T. N. , Kolodzey J. , Odnoblyudov M. A. , Yassievich I. N.
Published: November 2005

The relative intensities of emission peaks from boron-doped silicon terahertz sources have been measured under various pumping conditions. These data have been analyzed to determine the hole occupations in the excited states. As the pumping current increased, the hole concentrations increased approximately linearly. The hole population increased faster in the lower energy 1Γ8− state than in other excited states. At a fixed pumping current, the hole population decreased as temperature increased, but the decrease was slower for the 1Γ8− lower-energy state. These results suggest that to achieve terahertz emission at high temperatures it would be best to use dopants with transitions that have a strong oscillator strength from the lowest-energy excited state.
Expansion of the plasma stability range in radio-frequency atmospheric-pressure glow discharges
Authors: Shi J. J. , Kong M. G.
Published: November 2005

Reliable applications of atmospheric-pressure glow discharges (APGDs) depend critically on their plasma stability. A common technique of ensuring APGD stability is to keep their operation well within their stability range by decreasing their discharge current. However, this reduces the achievable densities of the reactive plasma species and, thereby, compromises the application efficiency. In this letter, the use of high excitation frequencies in radio-frequency APGD is shown to substantially expand their stability range. It is also demonstrated that high-frequency operation introduces an added benefit of higher electron energy and greater electron density, thus enabling more abundant reactive plasma species and improved application efficiency.
Corrected infrared Sellmeier coefficients for gallium selenide
Authors: Allakhverdiev K. R. , Baykara T. , Gulubayov A. Kulibekov , Kaya A. A. , Goldstein J. , Fernelius N. , Hanna S. , Salaeva Z.
Published: November 2005

We have measured the room-temperature refractive indices of GaSe throughout the 0.7–1.4 and 2.4–5μm ranges using the minimum-deviation method of light through a prism with polarization either parallel (extraordinary refractive index ne) or perpendicular to the crystal optical c axis (ordinary refractive index no). The birefringence (Δn) at room temperature has been measured directly using polarized light interference fringes obtained in the transmittance from 1.73to4.97μm (three samples with thicknesses of 1108±1, 2480±1, and 2660±1μm) and in the range from 11.85–16.37μm (sample thickness of 6000±1μm). The no, ne, and Δn values determined from the positions of fringe maxima were compared to those obtained from prism measurements in the mid-IR and with previously published results which were mainly obtained by indirect methods. It was found that the prism method and interference fringe method resulted in values of no, ne, and Δn accurate to ±0.003 and ±0.006, respectively.
Interstitial injection in silicon after high-dose, low-energy arsenic implantation and annealing
Authors: Tsamis C. , Skarlatos D. , BenAssayag G. , Claverie A. , Lerch W. , Valamontes V.
Published: November 2005

In this work, we investigate the interstitial injection into the silicon lattice due to high-dose, low-energy arsenic implantation. The approach consists in monitoring the diffusion of the arsenic profile as well as of the boron profile in buried δ-doped layers, when amounts of the as-implanted arsenic profile are removed by low-temperature wet silicon etching. The experimental results indicate that the contribution of the implantation damage to the transient enhanced diffusion of boron, and thus the interstitial injection, is not the main one. On the contrary, interstitial generation due to arsenic clustering seems to be more important for the present conditions.
Age-related changes of nuclear architecture inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Haithcock Erin , Dayani Yaron , Neufeld Ester , Zahand Adam J. , Feinstein Naomi , Mattout Anna , Gruenbaum Yosef , Liu Jun
Published: November 2005

Mutations in lamins cause premature aging syndromes in humans, including the Hutchinson–Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) and Atypical Werner Syndrome. It has been shown that HGPS cells in culture undergo age-dependent progressive changes in nuclear architecture. However, it is unknown whether similar changes in nuclear architecture occur during the normal aging process. We have observed that major changes of nuclear architecture accompanyCaenorhabditis elegansaging. We found that the nuclear architecture in most nonneuronal cell types undergoes progressive and stochastic age-dependent alterations, such as changes of nuclear shape and loss of peripheral heterochromatin. Furthermore, we show that the rate of these alterations is influenced by the insulin/IGF-1 like signaling pathway and that reducing the level of lamin and lamin-associated LEM domain proteins leads to shortening of lifespan. Our work not only provides evidence for changes of nuclear architecture during the normal aging process of a multicellular organism, but also suggests that HGPS is likely a result of acceleration of the normal aging process. Because the nucleus is vital for many cellular functions, our studies raise the possibility that the nucleus is a prominent focal point for regulating aging.
Cooperative water filling of a nonpolar protein cavity observed by high-pressure crystallography and simulation
Authors: Collins Marcus D. , Hummer Gerhard , Quillin Michael L. , Matthews Brian W. , Gruner Sol M.
Published: November 2005

Formation of a water-expelling nonpolar core is the paradigm of protein folding and stability. Although experiment largely confirms this picture, water buried in “hydrophobic” cavities is required for the function of some proteins. Hydration of the protein core has also been suggested as the mechanism of pressure-induced unfolding. We therefore are led to ask whether even the most nonpolar protein core is truly hydrophobic (i.e., water-repelling). To answer this question we probed the hydration of an ≈160-Å
3
, highly hydrophobic cavity created by mutation in T4 lysozyme by using high-pressure crystallography and molecular dynamics simulation. We show that application of modest pressure causes approximately four water molecules to enter the cavity while the protein itself remains essentially unchanged. The highly cooperative filling is primarily due to a small change in bulk water activity, which implies that changing solvent conditions or, equivalently, cavity polarity can dramatically affect interior hydration of proteins and thereby influence both protein activity and folding.
Deleterious mutations in small subunit ribosomal RNA identify functional sites and potential targets for antibiotics
Authors: Yassin Aymen , Fredrick Kurt , Mankin Alexander S.
Published: November 2005

Many clinically useful antibiotics interfere with protein synthesis in bacterial pathogens by inhibiting ribosome function. The sites of action of known drugs are limited in number, are composed primarily of ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and coincide with functionally critical centers of the ribosome. Nucleotide alterations within such sites are often deleterious. To identify functional sites and potential sites of antibiotic action in the ribosome, we prepared a random mutant library of rRNA genes and selected dominant mutations in 16S rRNA that interfere with cell growth. Fifty-three 16S rRNA positions were identified whose mutation inhibits protein synthesis. Mutations were ranked according to the severity of the phenotype, and the detrimental effect of several mutations on translation was verified in a specialized ribosome system. Analysis of the polysome profiles of mutants suggests that the majority of the mutations directly interfered with ribosome function, whereas a smaller fraction of mutations affected assembly of the small ribosomal subunit. Twelve of the identified mutations mapped to sites targeted by known antibiotics, confirming that deleterious mutations can be used to identify antibiotic targets. About half of the mutations coincided with known functional sites in the ribosome, whereas the rest of the mutations affected ribosomal sites with less clear functional significance. Four clusters of deleterious mutations in otherwise unremarkable ribosomal sites were identified, suggesting their functional importance and potential as antibiotic targets.