bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lingual foramina on the mandibular midline revisited: A macroanatomical study
Authors: Liang X. , Jacobs R. , Lambrichts I. , Vandewalle G.
Published: May 2006

The purpose of the present study was to determine the incidence, size, location, course, and content of the foramina and bony canals located on the lingual side of the mandibular midline. Fifty dry human mandibles were morphometrically analyzed by measuring the distances of these midline foramina from the mandibular base and the dimensions of these foramina and their bony canals. In addition, macro‐ and microanatomical dissection was performed on 12 intact cadaver mandibles. The macroanatomic midline foramina were classified into superior and inferior genial spinal foramina according to their vertical location with respect to the genial spines. This study showed that out of 50 dry mandibles, 49 (98%) had at least one midline lingual foramen; only one lacked a true midline foramen. Evaluation of the microanatomical dissections indicated a clear neurovascular bundle in both superior and inferior genial spinal foramina and canals. For the superior canal, the content was found to derive from the lingual artery and the lingual nerve. For the inferior canal, however, the arterial origin was submental and/or sublingual, while the innervation derived from a branch of the mylohyoid nerve. In conclusion, different kinds of lingual foramina have been identified according to their location. The superior and inferior genial spinal foramina have different neurovascular contents, determined by their anatomical location above or below the genial spines. Clin. Anat. 20:246–251, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The anatomic relationships of the axillary nerve and surgical landmarks for its localization from the anterior aspect of the shoulder
Authors: Apaydin Nihal , Uz Aysun , Bozkurt Murat , Elhan Alaittin
Published: May 2006

The axillary nerve has long been known to be one of the nerves vulnerable to damage during shoulder arthroscopic and open surgical procedures. The relationship of the axillary nerve to the shoulder capsule and the subscapularis muscle has not been well defined in orthopedic literature. This descriptive anatomical study aimed to present the course and the relations of the axillary nerve with neighboring neurovascular structures and the shoulder capsule and to define anatomical landmarks and regions that can be used practically in anterior surgical approaches to the shoulder region. To investigate the course of the axillary nerve and its relationship with neighboring structures, 30 shoulders of 15 fixed adult cadavers were dissected under the microscope through an anterior approach. A triangle‐shaped anatomic area containing the axillary neurovascular bundle was defined. The closest distance between the axillary nerve and the anteromedial aspect of the coracoid tip and the glenoid labrum was measured as 3.7 cm and 1.1 cm on average, respectively. The distance between the anteromedial aspect of the coracoid tip and the point where the nerve passes through the medial edge of the subscapularis was measured as 2.5 cm on average. The results of this study demonstrate the anatomic pattern and the course of the axillary nerve and its relations with the shoulder capsule. Knowing the exact localization of the axillary nerve under the guidance of the defined anatomic triangle may provide a safer surgery. Clin. Anat. 20:273–277, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Membrane Binding and Structure of De Novo Designed α‐Helical Cationic Coiled‐Coil‐Forming Peptides
Authors: Vagt Toni , Zschörnig Olaf , Huster Daniel , Koksch Beate
Published: May 2006

We introduce a de novo designed peptide model system that enables the systematic study of 1) the role of a membrane environment in coiled‐coil peptide folding, 2) the impact of different domains of an α‐helical coiled‐coil heptad repeat on the interaction with membranes, and 3) the dynamics of coiled‐coil peptide–membrane interactions depending on environmental conditions. Starting from an ideal α‐helical coiled‐coil peptide sequence, several positively charged analogues were designed that exhibit a high propensity toward negatively charged lipid membranes. Furthermore, these peptides differ in their ability to form a stable α‐helical coiled‐coil structure. The influence of a membrane environment on peptide folding is studied. All positively charged peptides show strong interactions with negatively charged membranes. This interaction induces an α‐helical structure of the former random‐coil peptides, as revealed by circular dichroism measurements. Furthermore, vesicle aggregation is induced by a coiled‐coil interaction of vesicle‐bound peptides. Dynamic light scattering experiments show that the strength of vesicle aggregation increases with the peptide’s intrinsic ability to form a stable α‐helical coiled coil. Thus, the peptide variant equipped with the strongest inter‐ and intra‐helical coiled‐coil interactions shows the strongest effect on vesicle aggregation. The secondary structure of this peptide in the membrane‐bound state was studied as well as its effect on the phospholipids. Peptide conformation within the peptide–lipid aggregates was analyzed by 13C cross‐polarization magic‐angle spinning NMR experiments. A uniformly 13C‐ and 15N‐labeled Leu residue was introduced at position 12 of the peptide chain. The 13C chemical shift and torsion angle measurements support the finding of an α‐helical structure of the peptide in its membrane‐bound state. Neither membrane leakage nor fusion was observed upon peptide binding, which is unusual for amphiphatic peptide structures. Our results lay the foundation for a systematic study of the influence of the α‐helical coiled‐coil folding motif in membrane‐active events on a molecular level.
Fibrous Membranes Electrospinning from Acrylonitrile‐Based Polymers: Specific Absorption Behaviors and States of Water
Authors: Wan Ling‐Shu , Xu Zhi‐Kang , Jiang Hong‐Liang
Published: May 2006

Summary: Fibrous membranes with a fiber diameter ranging from 80 to 800 nm are prepared from polyacrylonitrile and poly[acrylonitrile‐co‐(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone)] by the electrospinning process. The parameters can be controlled to fabricate fibrous membranes with similar fiber diameters (between 600 and 800 nm) for further studies on the swelling behaviors and water states. Water swelling experiments indicate that the fibrous membrane has a great capacity for water sorption, which reaches a maximum in a few minutes because of its extremely high porosity. Furthermore, a remarkable overshoot occurs as a result of polymer chain relaxation and the non‐compact structure of the fibrous membranes. Contrary to the dense membrane, the equilibrium water content in the fibrous membrane decreases with the content of hydrophilic NVP though the maximum is almost the same. Results from DSC experiments demonstrate that only non‐freezable bound water and free water can be distinguished in the fibrous membrane. On the basis of the results of water swelling and DSC experiments, it is concluded that the specific behaviors of the fibrous membranes are induced by the non‐compact and pore‐fiber discontinuous structure, which is different from either dense membranes or hydrogels.

DSC curves of fully swollen electrospun fibrous membranes and of fully swollen dense membranes with different NVP contents.

magnified image

DSC curves of fully swollen electrospun fibrous membranes and of fully swollen dense membranes with different NVP contents.
Exciton creation in LuAlO3 single crystalline film
Authors: Kolobanov Vitaly , Mikhailin Vitaly , Petrovnin Nikolai , Spassky Dmitry , Zorenko Yurij
Published: May 2006

Single crystalline films (SCF) of LuAP attract attention because of the perspective of its application as 2D screens for X‐ray registration with high spatial resolution. An intensive sharp reflectivity peak at the edge of the fundamental absorption region with maximum at 8.37 eV at 10 K was found for a series of LuAP SCF grown by liquid phase epitaxy on YAP substrate. The dependence of the peak maximum and profile on temperature demonstrates its exciton origin. The absorption spectrum was calculated from reflectivity using Kramers–Kronig relations; the bandgap value was determined for LuAP as Eg = 8.44 eV at 10 K. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A data‐driven methodology for assessing impact of earthquakes on the health of building structural systems
Authors: Bernal Dionisio , Hernandez Eric
Published: May 2006

A data‐driven approach for post‐earthquake posting of buildings is presented. The approach is based on the analysis of residuals obtained as differences between measured responses and reference signals computed using a set of observers. The observers are particular to every output channel and can be described as mathematical structures that offer a reference signal for the channel in question when response at all the other channels is prescribed. The basic feature of the reference signals is that when there is no damage they closely match the actual measurements. The time histories of the residuals are used to calculate two metrics: the first one measures the extent of nonlinearity and the second captures how much the nonlinear response leads to permanent loss of stiffness. A suggested mapping from the selected metrics to the current ATC‐20 posting categories is provided. The approach is tested, with encouraging results, using a number of buildings taken from the CSMIP database.
Advances in conversational case-based reasoning
Authors: AHA DAVID W. , MCSHERRY DAVID , YANG QIANG
Published: May 2006

A considerable amount of research in case-based reasoning (CBR) has recently focused on conversational CBR as a means of providing more effective support for interactive problem solving. We review progress made to date and identify challenges that remain to be addressed.
Emergent case-based reasoning applications
Authors: LOPEZ DE MANTARAS RAMON , CUNNINGHAM PADRAIG , PERNER PETRA
Published: May 2006

The basic principle underpinning case-based reasoning (CBR) is that new problems can be solved by reusing solutions to past problems. The generality of this idea means that CBR is finding application in a wide variety of areas. The special advantage of CBR is that a case can be a very convenient means of capturing knowledge, especially in weak theory domains where the relationship between causes and effects may not be well understood. Cases may embody more than problem-solving knowledge; the knowledge in a case may be a creative structure or a complex behavior pattern. The widespread applicability of this idea means that it has been exploited in a diverse range of areas across the arts and sciences. This article provides a brief summary of some of these applications.
English then and Norwegian da/så compared: a Relevance-theoretic account
Authors: Fretheim Thorstein
Published: May 2006

An analysis of the English adverb then is suggested, which treats it as ambiguous, encoding two distinct meanings, one of which is anaphoric and corresponds to the meaning of the Norwegian temporal adverb da, and the other is non-anaphoric and corresponds to the meaning of the Norwegian temporal adverb så. The paper challenges the commonly made assumption that cases of supposed ambiguity which exist cross-linguistically might be better reanalyzed in terms of a univocal semantics and a range of pragmatic inferences, either as implicated meanings along Gricean lines or as the outcome of context-dependent inference at the explicit level of content, in keeping with the practice of adherents of Relevance Theory. Data from some other European languages and four African languages are examined and compared to the polar situations represented by English on the one hand and Norwegian on the other.
An Information Theory Approach to Measuring Industrial
Diversification
Authors: Attaran Mohsen , Zwick Martin
Published: May 2006

It is demonstrated that entropy is a useful measure for examining
industrial diversity either among regions or for a particular region
over time. Using the entropy method, employment diversity indices are
computed for the 50 states and the district of Columbia for the ten‐year
period from 1972 to 1981. Of the 51 study areas, roughly half show high
to moderate diversification, and none are distinguished as either highly
diversified or highly specialised. Furthermore, the entropy measure is
disaggregated into its between‐set and within‐set elements to express
the extent and pattern of dispersal between and within different groups
and subsets of industries in the United States for the 28‐year period
from 1960 to 1987. The US economy is found to be relatively diversified
in terms of employment over the period of study. However, there is a
decreasing contribution of manufacturing and an increasing contribution
of non‐manufacturing to the degree of economic diversification within
the total economy.
The Economics of Authors’ Royalty Contracts: Some Analytics
Authors: Gemmell Norman
Published: May 2006

This article examines the alleged conflict between authors and
publishers whereby authors allegedly prefer a sales‐maximising price
while publishers prefer a profit‐maximising price. It is shown that: (1)
given some initial royalty rate proposal, there is limited scope for
royalty rate changes which can make both parties better off by
maximising profits‐plus‐royalties compared with profit or sales
maximisation; (2) where publishers adopt a profit‐maximising price,
there is an inverted‐U relationship between authors′ royalty receipts
and the royalty rate with a consequent “maximal” rate; (3)
appropriate demand and cost assumptions yield royalty rate predictions
broadly in line with those observed, without assuming any bargaining
bias in favour of the publisher.
American Exceptionalism and the Economic Role of the Public Sector: Canada and the US Compared
Authors: Lucore Robert E.
Published: May 2006

The American public exhibits an exceptionally strong bias against public sector activity in the economy. Why this is so is investigated by applying the traditional literature on “American exceptionalism” and the comparative method. A defence of an active role for government in the economy is developed, based on social and institutional economics. The traditional explanations for American exceptionalism given by Sombart, Commons and Perlman are outlined. A comparison of the Canadian and US politico‐economic cultures is employed as a means for evaluating the validity of the arguments in the traditional exceptionalist literature. Although those investigating American exceptionalism have often compared the US with Europe, it is argued that Canada makes a better subject for comparison with the US. This is because the two countries are very similar, yet exhibit different attitudes toward the public sector.
Gustav von Schmoller: Social Economist
Authors: O'Brien John C.
Published: May 2006

The author′s purpose is to show by reference to Schmoller′s own
writings that he can be classified as a social economist. Schmoller
rejected the study of economics in isolation, but preferred a holistic
approach. He eschewed laissez‐faire and thought little of
self‐seeking entrepreneurs who made no contribution to the common good.
The Role of the Promotion Fund of the International Coffee
Agreement
Authors: Greer Thomas V. , Chattalas Michael J.
Published: May 2006

Coffee is the developing world′s largest export after oil, and
coffee revenues are vital to many nations. However, growth prospects for
consumption of this critically important commodity are not encouraging
on a global basis and are discouraging in the US where volume is on a
long‐term decline. The Promotion Fund of the International Coffee
Agreement attempts to encourage consumption. The fund is financially
supported by coffee producing countries that have signed the
International Coffee Agreement. In light of objectives to assist
developing nations and help these nations to help themselves, it is
important to understand the operations of the Fund. The Promotion Fund
of the International Coffee Agreement may serve as a skeletal model for
the development of similar agreements for other products significant to
the developing world.
Creating Countertrade Opportunities in Financially Distressed Developing Countries: Framework and Nigerian Example
Authors: Smith David K.
Published: May 2006

This article addresses the question of how firms interested in identifying and exploiting business opportunities in less developed countries (LDCs) can use countertrade exchange mechanisms to accomplish their objectives. Key dimensions of this issue are illuminated using a business development model. To highlight critical interactions between countertrading and the business analysis model, the case of Nigeria (an African economy bedeviled by economic problems and external debts) is examined. Several issues suggested by the case analysis are generalised into “do′s and don′ts” for prospective LDC countertraders. The article concludes with predictions, regarding the type of countertrade most likely to be utilised by LDCs and identification of several LDC countertrade‐related issues on which additional research would be useful.
Compatibility Management: Customer‐to‐Customer
Relationships in Service Environments
Authors: Martin Charles L. , Pranter Charles A.
Published: May 2006

Describes how customers potentially influence the satisfaction and
dissatisfaction of other customers in many service environments.
Explains why service marketers and operations marketers should be aware
of the impact of such customer‐to‐customer relations. Examines the
issues of customer compatibility and customer behaviour, finding that
the classification of compatible and incompatible behaviours is often
situation‐specific. Explores how the way customers affect each other can
be positively influenced.
Promotion Investments that Keep Paying Off
Authors: Bhasin Ajay , Dickinson Roger , Hauri Christine G. , Robinson William A.
Published: May 2006

Considers the nature and extent of sales promotion activity.
Examines promotions as a method of protecting a brand in the future,
various promotion techniques, and how to prepare for the growth of a
promotion. Surmises that the trends that have made promotion so
prevalent will continue, so brands that utilize franchise and
image‐building promotions will reap rewards in the future.
Satisfaction guaranteed: a marketing research approach to
measuring customer satisfaction and identifying competitive
opportunities
Authors: Linda Pacheco P.
Published: May 2006

Addresses recent industrial and services market research literature
that points out the need for improving product quality and customer
service in response to stiffer competition. Offers a quantitative
approach for measuring current levels of satisfaction with one′s product
or service relative to the competition. Provides some basic marketing
research tools for identifying the components of customer satisfaction
and measuring the relative importance of each in managers′ overall
evaluations of the company and its products.
Preferential trade areas, multinational enterprises, and welfare
Authors: Ranjan Priya
Published: May 2006

Abstract.  The effects of preferential trade areas (PTAs) on the investments by multinational enterprises and their implications for the welfare of members and non‐members are studied in a model with two types of firms: national firms and multinational firms. In the presence of multinational activity PTAs can create new investment as well as divert investment from non‐members to members. Both affect the welfare of members positively. More interestingly, if the investment creation effect of a PTA is sufficiently strong, then the PTA could be welfare enhancing for non‐members as well. JEL classification: F2, L1
Leptin and ghrelin expression in adipose tissues and serum levels in gastric banding patients
Authors: Knerr I. , Herzog D. , Rauh M. , Rascher W. , Horbach T.
Published: May 2006

Background  To determine how leptin and ghrelin are expressed in the adipose tissues of obese adults undergoing gastric banding (LAGB), and to correlate tissue expression with serum concentrations and parameters of the metabolic syndrome.

Materials and methods  A cross‐sectional analysis of 92 patients: 61 obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) 49·2 ± 1 kg m−2 received LAGB, 20 patients underwent band exchange (BMI, 36·6 ± 1·4 kg m−2) and 11 adult patients (BMI, 24·3 ± 0·6 kg m−2) with fundoplication served as controls. Clinical data such as BMI and blood pressure were evaluated along with subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue gene expression and fasting levels of leptin and ghrelin. Tissue transcripts were measured using real‐time PCR, serum protein concentrations radio‐immunologically.

Results  Leptin gene expression was highest in the primary LAGB group and more pronounced in subcutaneous fat in both sexes (P < 0·0001). Serum leptin concentrations were highest in the LAGB group (P < 0·001), whereby women exhibited higher serum levels than men. Leptin concentrations correlated positively to expression in subcutaneous fat (P < 0·0001), and leptin expression was also correlated to BMI and systolic blood pressure. We detected ghrelin gene expression in both types of fat. The ghrelin mRNA amounts in adipose tissues were similar in both sexes and comparable within groups; serum concentrations were lower in patients with primary LAGB than in controls (P < 0·05).

Conclusions  Human adipose tissue expression of leptin is weight‐course dependent and ghrelin is constitutional. Serum levels of leptin, but not of ghrelin, are indicative of an adaptive pattern of local gene expression in obese subjects undergoing weight reduction.
Identification of an Intracellular Trafficking and Assembly Pathway for HIV‐1 Gag
Authors: Perlman Mira , Resh Marilyn D.
Published: May 2006

Retroviral Gag proteins are membrane‐bound polyproteins that are necessary and sufficient for virus‐like particle (VLP) formation. It is not known how Gag traffics through the cell or how the site of particle production is determined. Here we use two techniques, biarsenical/tetracysteine (TC) labeling and release from a cycloheximide block, to follow the trafficking of newly synthesized HIV‐1 Gag. Gag first appears diffusely distributed in the cytosol, accumulates in perinuclear clusters, passes transiently through a multivesicular body (MVB)‐like compartment, and then travels to the plasma membrane (PM). Sequential passage of Gag through these temporal intermediates was confirmed by live cell imaging. Induction of a transient rise in cytoplasmic calcium increased the amounts of Gag, Gag assembly intermediates and VLPs in MVBs, and resulted in a dramatic increase in VLP release. These results define an intracellular trafficking pathway for HIV‐1 Gag that uses perinuclear compartments and the MVB as trafficking intermediates. We propose that the regulation of Gag association with MVB‐like compartments regulates the site of HIV‐1 budding and particle formation.
Comparison of prevalence rates of microbiological markers between bone/tissue donations and new blood donors in Scotland
Authors: Galea G. , Dow B. C.
Published: May 2006

Background and Objectives  Blood‐borne virus prevalence rates of samples accompanying tissue donors are not widely available. This article compares the rates in Scottish bone/tissue donors with those of new blood donors for the 7‐year period, 1998–2004.

Materials and Methods  Data were collated from existing internal reports. Age distributions of the donor populations were obtained by extracting information from existing computer databases.

Results  Scottish bone/tissue donors were found to have a fourfold higher prevalence for hepatitis B virus (HBV), a 1·6‐fold higher prevalence for hepatitis C virus (HCV), an 11‐fold higher prevalence for human T‐cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) and a 34‐fold higher prevalence for syphilis compared with new blood donors. Excluding confirmed positives, the repeat‐reactive rates for bone/tissue donors were similar to those of new blood donors.

Conclusions  The data demonstrated that the prevalence of blood‐borne viruses in Scottish bone/tissue donors is higher than in new blood donors. We believe that the different age profiles of the two donor populations plays a significant role.
Successful treatment of premature rupture of membranes after genetic amniocentesis by intra‐amniotic injection of platelets and cryoprecipitate (amniopatch): a case report
Authors: Sipurzynski‐Budraß S. , Macher S. , Haeusler M. , Lanzer G.
Published: May 2006

Background and Objectives  Iatrogenic premature rupture of membranes (PROM) occurs in approximately 1% of patients after genetic amniocentesis. If membranes do not seal spontaneously, fluid leakage through the vagina may cause infection and pregnancy loss. Intra‐amniotic infusion of a platelet concentrate followed by a cryoprecipitate (amniopatch) is a possible therapeutic approach to restore the amnio‐corial link and to facilitate the amniotic repair process.

Materials and Methods  The autologeous platelet concentrate was produced by apheresis (MCS+, Haemonetics) and contained a total amount of 48 × 109 platelets in a volume of 30 ml. The concentration of fibrinogen in our cryoprecipitate (20 ml) was 680 mg/dl. An amniocentesis was performed to apply the amniopatch. The platelet concentrate was administered first followed by the cryoprecipitate.

Results  We report the successful treatment of a 38‐year‐old woman with ruptured membranes after genetic amniocentesis in the 16th gestational week. Ten days after placement of the amniopatch we found a complete closure of the rupture, and in the 36th week of gestation the patient delivered a healthy infant by Caesarean section.

Conclusions  Intra‐amniotic injection of platelets and cryoprecipitate was a successful and safe therapy for PROM in this patient. Knowledge of the site of rupture is not necessary for the amniopatch, as platelets seem to find their way to the defect and seal it. We consider that amniopatch therapy for iatrogenic PROM is a possible therapeutic alternative for prolonging and preserving pregnancy and improving the fetal outcome.
Laparoscopic vs open subtotal colectomy for benign and malignant disease
Authors: Tilney H. S. , Lovegrove R. E. , Purkayastha S. , Heriot A. G. , Darzi A. W. , Tekkis P. P.
Published: May 2006

Aim  The present meta‐analysis aims to compare short‐term and long‐term outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic or open subtotal colectomy for benign and malignant disease.

Methods  A literature search of Medline, Ovid, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed to identify studies published between 1992 and 2005, comparing laparoscopic (LSC) and open (OSC) subtotal colectomy. A random effect meta‐analytical technique was used and sensitivity analysis performed on studies published since the beginning of 2000, higher quality papers, those reporting on more than 40 patients, and those studies reporting on adult cases or acute colitis.

Results  A total of eight studies satisfied the criteria for inclusion. These included outcomes on 336 patients, 143 (42.6%) of whom had undergone laparoscopic resection, with an overall conversion rate to open surgery of 5% (range 0–11.8%). Operative time was significantly longer in the laparoscopic group by 86.2 min (P < 0.001) and throughout subgroup analysis, although it was only in patients with acute colitis that this finding was without significant heterogeneity. Operative blood loss was less in the laparoscopic group by 57.5 millilitres in high quality and studies published since 2000, and 65.3 millilitres in those reporting on more than 40 patients. There was no significant difference in early or long‐term complications between the groups. A statistically significant reduction in length of postoperative stay was observed in the laparoscopic groups by 2.9 days (P < 0.001).

Conclusion  Laparoscopic subtotal colectomy was associated with longer operating times but a reduced length of stay compared to open surgery. Although short‐term outcomes were equivalent in both groups, the suggested benefits in terms of reduced long‐term obstructive complications were not supported by this meta‐analysis.
Undulatory fish swimming: from muscles to flow
Authors: Müller Ulrike K. , Van Leeuwen Johan L.
Published: May 2006

Undulatory swimming is employed by many fish for routine swimming and extended sprints. In this biomechanical review, we address two questions: (i) how the fish's axial muscles power swimming; and (ii) how the fish's body and fins generate thrust. Fish have adapted the morphology of their axial musculature for high power output and efficiency. All but the superficial muscle fibres are arranged along curved trajectories, and the myomeres form nested cones. Two conflicting performance goals shape the fibre trajectories of the axial muscles. Maximum power output requires that all fibres contract uniformly. In a bending fish, uniform contraction in a single myomere can be ensured by curved fibre trajectories. However, uniform strain is only desirable if all muscle fibres have the same contractile properties. The fish needs several muscle‐fibre types that generate maximum power at different contraction speeds to ensure effective muscle power generation across a range of swimming speeds. Consequently, these different muscle‐fibre types are better served by non‐uniform contractions. High power output at a range of swimming speeds requires that muscle fibres with the same contractile properties contract uniformly. The ensuing helical fibre trajectories require cone‐shaped myomeres to reduce wasteful internal deformation of the entire muscle when it contracts. It can be shown that the cone‐shaped myomeres of fish can be explained by two design criteria: uniform contraction (uniform strain hypothesis) and minimal internal deformation (mechanical stability hypothesis). So far, only the latter hypothesis has found strong support. The contracting muscle causes the fish body to undulate. These body undulations interact with the surrounding water to generate thrust. The resulting flow behind the swimming fish forms vortex rings, whose arrangement reflects the fish's swimming performance. Anguilliform swimmers shed individual vortex rings during steady swimming. Carangiform swimmers shed a connected chain of vortex rings. The currently available sections through the total flow fields are often not an honest representation of the total momentum in the water – the wake of carangiform swimmers shows a net backward momentum without the fish accelerating – suggesting that our current picture of the generated flow is incomplete. To accelerate, undulatory swimmers decrease the angle of the vortex rings with the mean path of motion, which is consistent with an increased rate of backward momentum transfer. Carangiform swimmers also enlarge their vortex rings to accelerate and to swim at a higher speed, while eel, which are anguilliform swimmers, shed stronger vortex rings.
The Diffusion of Cricket to America: A Figurational Sociological Examination
Authors: MALCOLM DOMINIC
Published: May 2006

Abstract  This paper examines the historical development of cricket in America and seeks to explain why, despite having a significant initial impact, the game ultimately became culturally marginal. It is argued that class and cricketing relations in England in the mid‐nineteenth century had a significant and hitherto unacknowledged impact on the diffusion of the game to America, and that this unplanned social process can only be understood in the light of the specific interdependencies between the British and Anglo‐Americans, between upper and lower class English immigrants, and between English immigrants and “Native White Americans”. Correlatively, this analysis spreads new light on the establishment of baseball as America’s national game, illustrating a greater level of dependence on the English and English sport than is traditionally attributed.
Does Transparency of Central Banks Produce Multiple Equilibria on Currency Markets?
Authors: Lindner Axel
Published: May 2006

A recent strand of literature shows that multiple equilibria in models of markets for pegged currencies vanish if there is slightly diverse information among traders; see Morris and Shin (2001). It is known that this approach works only if the common knowledge in the market is not too precise. This has led to the conclusion that central banks should try to avoid making their information common knowledge. We develop a model in which more transparency of the central bank implies better private information, because each trader utilises public information according to her own private information. Thus, transparency makes multiple equilibria less likely.
Monetary Institutions, Monopolistic Competition, Unionized Labor Markets and Economic Performance*
Authors: Coricelli Fabrizio , Cukierman Alex , Dalmazzo Alberto
Published: May 2006

Recent literature on the interactions between labor unions and monetary institutions features either a supply or a demand channel of monetary policy, but not both. This leads to two opposing views about the effects of central bank conservativeness. We evaluate the relative merits of those conflicting views by developing a unified framework. We find that: (i) the effect of conservativeness on employment depends on unions’ relative aversion to unemployment versus inflation, and (ii) for plausible values of this relative aversion (and more than one union), social welfare is maximized under a highly conservative central bank. We also evaluate the effects of centralization of wage bargaining and product market competition on unemployment and inflation.
High Rate of Helicobacter pylori Reinfection in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Halitim Fairouz , Vincent Pascal , Michaud Laurent , Kalach Nicolas , Guimber Dominique , Boman Françoise , Turck Dominique , Gottrand Frederic
Published: May 2006

Aims:  Primary Helicobacter pylori infection occurs predominantly in childhood. The aims of this study were to establish the rate of H. pylori reinfection after successful eradication in children and adolescents and to determine the risk factors associated with reinfection.

Patients and Methods:  This retrospective study involved 45 children (20 girls, 25 boys) who met the following criteria: eradication of H. pylori confirmed at least 4 weeks after the completion of therapy, and the search for reinfection at least one year after control of eradication of H. pylori. Demographic data, socioeconomic status and living conditions were recorded.

Results:  Forty‐five children aged 1.2–17.6 years (median, 10.9 years) at the time of H. pylori treatment were reviewed 1 to 9 years after H. pylori eradication. Eight children (18%) had been reinfected (5.4% to 6% per patient‐year). Six of 25 (24%) children older than 10 years at the time of diagnosis became reinfected. None of the studied risk factors was associated with reinfection. However, having a sibling younger than 5 years was found in four of seven (57%) reinfected children versus five of 24 (21%) nonreinfected children (p = .08).

Conclusion:  Children become reinfected more frequently than adults. Adolescents become reinfected, whereas acquisition of primary H. pylori infection occurs predominantly in early childhood. Close contact with young children, especially siblings, younger than 5 years could be a more important risk factor than the age of the patient at the time of treatment for the high rate of reinfection in childhood.
An Assessment of the Potential Value of Elevated Homocysteine in Predicting Alcohol‐withdrawal Seizures
Authors: Bleich Stefan , Bayerlein Kristina , Hillemacher Thomas , Degner Detlef , Kornhuber Johannes , Frieling Helge
Published: May 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Higher homocysteine levels were found in actively drinking patients with alcohol dependence. Recent studies have shown that high homocysteine levels are associated with alcohol‐withdrawal seizures. The aim of the present study was to calculate the best predictive cutoff value of plasma homocysteine levels in actively drinking alcoholics (n = 88) with first‐onset alcohol‐withdrawal seizures.

Methods: The present study included 88 alcohol‐dependent patients of whom 18 patients had a first‐onset withdrawal seizure. All patients were active drinkers and had an established diagnosis of alcohol dependence, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM‐IV). Sensitivity and specificity were calculated by using every homocysteine plasma level found in the study population as cut‐off value. A Bayes theorem was used to calculate positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values for all cutoff values used.

Results: The highest combined sensitivity and specificity was reached at a homocysteine plasma cutoff value of 23.9 μM. Positive predictive values ranged from 0.23 to 0.745; the maximum was reached at a homocysteine plasma level of 41.7 μM. Negative predictive values ranged from 0.50 to 0.935, with a maximum at a homocysteine plasma level of 15.8μM.

Conclusions: Homocysteine levels above this cutoff value on admission are a useful screening tool to identify actively drinking patients at higher risk of alcohol‐withdrawal seizures. This pilot study gives further hints that biologic markers may be helpful to predict patients at risk for first‐onset alcohol‐withdrawal seizures.
Helping me, helping you: self‐referencing and gender roles in donor advertising
Authors: Hupfer M.E.
Published: May 2006

BACKGROUND:  Donor advertising typically emphasizes altruism, but an appeal to individual self‐interest may be more effective in heightening blood donation intentions among youthful nondonors.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  A total of 292 undergraduate business students at a Canadian university provided complete data in response to a between‐subjects full‐factorial advertising experiment with sex, self‐referencing, and message strategy factors. Self‐referencing, or mental processing that links information to the self‐concept, was elicited at either a low or moderate level, whereas the message strategy was either agentic (donate blood because you may need it yourself) or communal (donate blood because someone close to you may need it). Dependent variables included identification with the ad, donation intentions, and a discrimination measure of recognition memory.

RESULTS:  A three‐way interaction among sex, self‐referencing level (low or moderate), and message (agentic or communal) was found. Two‐way self‐referencing by message graphs of donation intentions and ad identification showed a parallel structure for males in that their responses were generally more favorable when self‐referencing was at a moderate level, regardless of the message type. Among women, however, crossover interactions between the level of self‐referencing and the message type (agentic vs. communal) were observed, such that the message’s effect differed with the level of self‐referencing. For both men and women, the agentic message was more effective than communal ad copy when a moderate level of self‐referencing was achieved.

CONCLUSION:  Collection agencies should consider appealing to young nondonors by suggesting that they give blood to make it available for themselves if required.
Improved strategy for mononuclear cell collection for donor lymphocyte infusions
Authors: Shaz Beth , Goodarzi Katayoon , Malynn Elizabeth , Uhl Lynne
Published: May 2006

BACKGROUND:  To improve donor management for donor lymphocyte collections, a protocol was established to tailor the amount of whole blood processed during leukapheresis to achieve the requested cellular dose.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  A retrospective review of donor and product records of all donors who provided donor lymphocytes during the period October 27, 1999, to March 2, 2005, was performed (25 donors, 54 collections). Data on product total CD3+ T cells collected and total blood volume (TBV) processed were used to establish a correlation between the two variables. The resultant correlation from the reference group (8 donors, 13 collections) was then used to prospectively determine the TBV to be processed in a subsequent series of collections (“prospective group”: 18 donors, 41 collections). Donor charts were also reviewed to determine leukapheresis‐associated adverse events.

RESULTS:  The application of the correlation data between TBV processed and CD3+ T‐cell yields from the initial reference group to the prospective group yielded 92 percent successful collections; in 3 of the 4 inadequate collections, the predefined maximum of three times their TBV was processed. Compared to the reference group, the TBV processed in the prospective group was decreased from 12,598 ± 4007 to 7942 ± 5079 mL; the length of procedure was decreased from 208 ± 53 to 146 ± 79 minutes. Adverse event data were reviewed for 51 collections; the percentage of procedures without adverse events increased from 23 percent in the reference group to 37 percent in the prospective group.

CONCLUSION:  Application of correlation data between TBV processed and CD3+ T‐cell yield was useful to predict efficient and successful donor lymphocyte collections.
Effectiveness of a chlorhexidine dentifrice in orthodontic patients: a randomized‐controlled trial
Authors: Olympio K. P. K. , Bardal P. A. P. , Bastos J. R. De M. , Buzalaf M. A. R.
Published: May 2006

This blind and randomized‐controlled trial analysed chlorhexidine dentifrices in relation to dental plaque, gingivitis, bleeding, calculus and enamel extrinsic staining development. Volunteers in fixed orthodontic therapy used the following dentifrices: 1100 ppmF, NaF (group A, n=27); experimental, 1100 ppmF, NaF and chlorhexidine 0.95% (group B, n=28); and experimental, chlorhexidine 0.95% (group C, n=28). At baseline, after 6, 12 and 24 weeks, clinical examinations were carried out. The gingivitis, bleeding and plaque data were tested by anova and Tukey's post hoc tests. Stain and calculus data were analysed by Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's post hoc tests (p<0.05). Plaque, gingivitis and bleeding scores improved in all three groups, but up to the 6 and 12 weeks examination the products containing chlorhexidine were statistically better. The chlorhexidine dentifrices significantly increased the mean of the stain index, although most of the patients did not notice the stains. The calculus index was not significantly modified. In summary, this study suggests that the use of dentifrices containing chlorhexidine seems to be effective for the treatment of gingivitis in orthodontic patients, although the intense motivating contact that the volunteers had with the researchers may have also played a role.
Heterogeneous presence of myofibroblasts in hereditary gingival fibromatosis
Authors: Bitu Carolina C. , Sobral Lays M. , Kellermann Michele G. , Martelli‐Junior Hercílio , Zecchin Karina G. , Graner Edgard , Coletta Ricardo D.
Published: May 2006

Background/Aim: Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) fibroblasts are characterized by an increased production of collagen and transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), resulting in a fibrotic enlargement of the gingiva of affected patients. A common feature of interstitial fibrosis is the occurrence of myofibroblasts, which are regarded as the predominant cells in matrix synthesis. The goal of this article is to describe the presence of myofibroblasts in HGF in order to elucidate the mechanisms underlying HGF gingival overgrowth.

Materials and Methods: Fibroblast cell lines and gingival samples from patients of two distinct families affected by HGF and from normal gingiva (NG) were included in this study. To characterize the presence of myofibroblasts, the expression of specific myofibroblast marker smooth muscle isoform of α‐actin (α‐SMA) was examined by semi‐quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), Western blot, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometric analysis. Immunohistochemistry against the α‐SMA antigen was performed in the gingival tissue samples.

Results: Our results demonstrated a significant increase in the expression of the myofibroblast marker α‐SMA in cells from one HGF family (designed as HGF Family 2), which are also characterized by an elevated expression of type I collagen, TGF‐β1 and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Additionally, α‐SMA‐positive cells were broadly detected in the gingival tissue samples from HGF Family 2 patients. In contrast, α‐SMA expression by HGF Family 1 cells was quite similar to NG cells and no myofibroblasts were detected immunohistochemically, despite the higher levels of TGF‐β1 and type I collagen in HGF Family 1 fibroblasts than in NG cells. The expression of CTGF, which has been considered a key molecule to promote the transdifferentiation of myofibroblasts via TGF‐β1 activation, by HGF Family 1 cultures was significantly lower compared with HGF Family 2 and similar to NG control cells.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the presence of myofibroblasts in HGF could be dependent on CTFG expression levels, and different biological mechanisms may account for the gingival overgrowth observed in HGF patients. This could be an underlying reason for the high variable clinical expressivity of disease.
Periodontology as a recognized dental speciality in Europe
Authors: Sanz Mariano , Van Der Velden Ubele , Van Steenberghe Daniel , Baehni Pierre
Published: May 2006

The impetus of the Bologna Process under the auspices of European Union governments has raised enormous expectations. It is the major educational change in Europe within the last 50 years and all the focus from university institutions, learned societies and thematic networks has shifted to this process, with the aim of developing consensus schemes in order to arrive at the expected European Convergence in Higher Education (to be completed by 2010). Dentistry as one of the health professions with clear Educational Standards, as defined by the European Dental Directives, is also reviewing its educational processes within this Bachelor–Master–Doctorate scheme and evaluating how the current and future dental specialities should be accommodated within this framework. Among these specialities, Periodontology is currently considered a formal dental speciality in 11 countries belonging to the EU however it lacks this legal status in the rest of the 14 EU countries. The purpose of this position paper is to provide evidence for the need for a recognized specialty in Periodontology at European level focusing on both the educational and professional perspective, with the hope of providing discussions that may contribute to facilitate its legal establishment as a new dental speciality in Europe.