bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A CORRELATION ESTIMATE FOR QUANTUM MANY-BODY SYSTEMS AT POSITIVE TEMPERATURE
Authors: SEIRINGER ROBERT
Published: June 2006

We present an inequality that gives a lower bound on the expectation value of certain two-body interaction potentials in a general state on Fock space in terms of the corresponding expectation value for thermal equilibrium states of non-interacting systems and the difference in the free energy. This bound can be viewed as a rigorous version of first-order perturbation theory for many-body systems at positive temperature. As an application, we give a proof of the first two terms in a high density (and high temperature) expansion of the free energy of jellium with Coulomb interactions, both in the fermionic and bosonic case. For bosons, our method works above the transition temperature (for the non-interacting gas) for Bose–Einstein condensation.
THE BIEDENHARN APPROACH TO RELATIVISTIC COULOMB-TYPE PROBLEMS
Authors: HORVÁTHY P. A.
Published: June 2006

The approach developed by Biedeharn in the 1960s for the relativistic Coulomb problem is reviewed and applied to various physical situations.
THE CAUCHY PROBLEM FOR THE WAVE EQUATION WITH LÉVY NOISE INITIAL DATA
Authors: ØKSENDAL BERNT , PROSKE FRANK , SIGNAHL MIKAEL
Published: June 2006

In this paper we study the Cauchy problem for the wave equation with spacetime Lévy noise initial data in the Kondratiev space of stochastic distributions. We prove that this problem has a strong and unique C2-solution, which takes an explicit form. Our approach is based on the use of the Hermite transform.
A NOTE ON KONNO'S PAPER ON QUANTUM WALK
Authors: OBATA NOBUAKI
Published: June 2006

Konno's idea of quantum walk on trees remains applicable to a wider family of graphs by means of quantum probabilistic machinery for asymptotic spectral analysis of graphs.
ON THE EXISTENCE OF E0-SEMIGROUPS
Authors: ARVESON WILLIAM
Published: June 2006

Product systems are the classifying structures for semigroups of endomorphisms of [Formula: see text], in that two E0-semigroups are cocycle conjugate iff their product systems are isomorphic. Thus it is important to know that every abstract product system is associated with an E0-semigroup. This was first proved more than 15 years ago by rather indirect methods. Recently, Skeide has given a more direct proof. In this note we give yet another proof by an elementary construction.
Optimising the Heuristics in Latent Semantic Indexing for Effective Information Retrieval
Authors: Srinivas S. , AswaniKumar Ch.
Published: June 2006

Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) is a famous Information Retrieval (IR) technique that tries to overcome the problems of lexical matching using conceptual indexing. LSI is a variant of vector space model and proved to be 30% more effective. Many studies have reported that good retrieval performance is related to the use of various retrieval heuristics. In this paper, we focus on optimising two LSI retrieval heuristics: term weighting and rank approximation. The results obtained demonstrate that the LSI performance improves significantly with the combination of optimised term weighting and rank approximation.
Validating Enterprise Management Engineering Through the Use of Knowledge Capital Assessments
Authors: Stankosky Michael , Mac Garrigle Ellen F.
Published: June 2006

This is the first in a series of studies intended to validate the efficacy of the Enterprise Management Engineering© (EME) approach, a more flexible variation of the usual systems engineering (SE) approach, to KM systems implementation. The study used large US publicly-traded non-financial firms due to the need for public financial data. Subject organisations were assessed using a measure of intangible valuation developed by Professor Baruch Lev of NYU called Knowledge Capital Earnings© (KCE). These organisations were surveyed on the 18 points of the EME approach, and the EME results were then compared against each other and against each organisation's KC scores. The data show that companies with high KCE also implement most if not all of the 18 steps within the EME construct and demonstrate that a quantifiable correlation exists between the EME approach and successful KM implementation. Now that there is a correlation, work can begin on investigating causative factors (which factors in the systems development produce MORE value for a company — and which ones have we overlooked altogether?) and on modifying the model to address the results of the survey. This in turn should contribute to the slim body of objective knowledge on the design, deployment, and measurement of KM systems.
Lysophosphatidic acid as a mediator for proinflammatory agonists in a human corneal epithelial cell line
Authors: Zhang Zhihong , Liu Zuguo , Meier Kathryn E.
Published: June 2006

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) refers to a family of small phospholipid mediators that are generated in response to agonist stimulation in diverse cell types. LPA binds to G protein-coupled receptors to elicit numerous biological responses, including proliferation and inflammation. In this study, LPA production and response were characterized in a human corneal epithelial cell line, 2.040 pRSV-T. LPA levels in cells and medium are increased by exogenous 18:1 LPA (oleoyl-LPA), LPS, IL-1β, and TNF-α. LPS, IL-1β, and TNF-α, which mediate ocular inflammation, stimulate activation of p38, ERK, and Akt kinases in the corneal cell line. Similar responses are elicited by 18:1 LPA. Pertussis toxin (PTX) blocks LPA-induced activation of p38 and ERK but only slightly inhibits LPA-induced activation of Akt. All of the agonists tested, including LPA, stimulate proliferation of 2.040 pRSV-T cells. In these cells, both Akt and ERK pathways are important for LPA-induced proliferation. Thus PTX only partially suppresses the mitogenic response to LPA. Transcripts for the LPA receptors LPA1/EDG-2, LPA2/EDG-4, and LPA3/EDG-7 are expressed by the corneal cell line. Ki16425, an antagonist for LPA receptors, was used to explore the autocrine role of LPA. LPA-induced activations of p38, ERK, and Akt kinases, as well as proliferation, are inhibited by Ki16425. Ki16425 partially inhibits signal transduction and proliferation induced by the inflammatory agents tested. We conclude that LPA, produced in corneal epithelial cells in response to inflammatory agonists, contributes to mediating the mitogenic responses to these agonists in an autocrine fashion.
IFN-γ and TNF-α regulate human NHE3 gene expression by modulating the Sp family transcription factors in human intestinal epithelial cell line C2BBe1
Authors: Amin Md. Ruhul , Malakooti Jaleh , Sandoval Ricardo , Dudeja Pradeep K. , Ramaswamy Krishnamurthy
Published: June 2006

Diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel disease has been attributed to stimulated secretion of proinflammatory cytokines like IFN-γ and TNF-α, which have been shown to downregulate the expression of the sodium-hydrogen exchanger-3 (NHE3) gene. In this study, we have investigated the mechanism of NHE3 gene regulation by IFN-γ and TNF-α in C2BBe1 cells. In response to both IFN-γ (30 ng/ml) and TNF-α (20 ng/ml), the construct containing the bp −95 to +5 region of the human NHE3 promoter, which harbors a number of cis-elements including four potential Sp1 binding sites, showed a maximum repression of 60%. Knockdown of Sp1 and Sp3 expression using small interfering RNA resulted in a significant inhibition of the NHE3 promoter activity and resistance to cytokines effects. These cytokines showed no effects on the expression of Sp1 and Sp3 mRNA and protein levels as assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot analyses, respectively. After treatment with cytokines, the binding of Sp1 and Sp3 proteins to NHE3 promoter decreased significantly, as seen by gel mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. The inhibitory effects of both cytokines on the NHE3 promoter were completely blocked by the broad-range kinase inhibitor staurosporine and the selective protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor 8-bromoadenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphorothioate, Rp-isomer. The binding affinity of Sp1 and Sp3 proteins for NHE3 Sp1 probe was significantly decreased after in vitro phosphorylation of nuclear proteins by the α-catalytic subunit of PKA. Our data indicate that IFN-γ and TNF-α may repress the NHE3 promoter activity in C2BBe1 cells by PKA-mediated phosphorylation of Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors.
Endogenous and Half-Center Bursting in Morphologically Inspired Models of Leech Heart Interneurons
Authors: Tobin Anne-Elise , Calabrese Ronald L.
Published: June 2006

Based on a detailed morphology “Full Model” of a leech heart interneuron, we previously developed a computationally efficient, morphologically inspired “Reduced Model” to expedite tuning the model to produce endogenous bursting and alternating bursting when configured as a half-center oscillator (paired with reciprocally inhibitory synapses). To find conductance density distributions that produce endogenous bursting, we implemented a genetic algorithm automated parameter search. With multiple searches, we found eight parameter sets that produced endogenous bursting in the Reduced Model. When these parameter sets were applied to the Full Model, all produced endogenous bursting, although when the simulation time was extended from 80 to 300 s, only four parameter sets produced sustained bursting in the Reduced Models. All parameter sets produced alternating half-center bursting in the Reduced and Full Models throughout the entire 300 s. When conductance amplitudes were systematically varied for each of the four sustained burster sets, the effects on bursting activity differed, both for the same parameter set in the Reduced and Full Models and for different parameter sets with the same level of morphological detail. This implies that morphological detail can affect burst activity and that these parameter sets may represent different mechanisms for burst generation and/or regulation. We also tested the models with parameter variations that correspond to experimental manipulations. We conclude that, whereas similar output can be achieved with multiple different parameter sets, perturbations such as conductance variations can highlight differences. Additionally, this work demonstrates both the utility and limitations of using simplified models to represent more morphologically accurate models.
Mitochondrial Modulation of Ca2+-Induced Ca2+-Release in Rat Sensory Neurons
Authors: Jackson Joshua G. , Thayer Stanley A.
Published: June 2006

Ca2+-induced Ca2+-release (CICR) from ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+stores provides a mechanism to amplify and propagate a transient increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). A subset of rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in culture exhibited regenerative CICR when sensitized by caffeine. [Ca2+]ioscillated in the maintained presence of 5 mM caffeine and 25 mM K+. Here, CICR oscillations were used to study the complex interplay between Ca2+regulatory mechanisms at the cellular level. Oscillations depended on Ca2+uptake and release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Ca2+influx across the plasma membrane because cyclopiazonic acid, ryanodine, and removal of extracellular Ca2+terminated oscillations. Increasing caffeine concentration decreased the threshold for action potential-evoked CICR and increased oscillation frequency. Mitochondria regulated CICR by providing ATP and buffering [Ca2+]i. Treatment with the ATP synthase inhibitor, oligomycin B, decreased oscillation frequency. When ATP concentration was held constant by recording in the whole cell patch-clamp configuration, oligomycin no longer affected oscillation frequency. Aerobically derived ATP modulated CICR by regulating the rate of Ca2+sequestration by the ER Ca2+pump. Neither CICR threshold nor Ca2+clearance by the plasma membrane Ca2+pump were affected by inhibition of aerobic metabolism. Uncoupling electron transport with carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl-hydrazone or inhibiting mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+exchange with CGP37157 revealed that mitochondrial buffering of [Ca2+]islowed oscillation frequency, decreased spike amplitude, and increased spike width. These findings illustrate the interdependence of energy metabolism and Ca2+signaling that results from the complex interaction between the mitochondrion and the ER in sensory neurons.
Self-Organization of Atmospheric Macroturbulence into Critical States of Weak Nonlinear Eddy–Eddy Interactions
Authors: Schneider Tapio , Walker Christopher C.
Published: June 2006

It is generally held that atmospheric macroturbulence can be strongly nonlinear. Yet weakly nonlinear models successfully account for scales and structures of baroclinic eddies in Earth's atmosphere. Here a theory and simulations with an idealized GCM are presented that suggest weakly nonlinear models are so successful because atmospheric macroturbulence organizes itself into critical states of weak nonlinear eddy–eddy interactions. By modifying the thermal structure of the extratropical atmosphere such that its supercriticality remains limited, macroturbulence inhibits nonlinear eddy–eddy interactions and the concomitant inverse energy cascade from the length scales of baroclinic instability to larger scales. For small meridional surface temperature gradients, the extratropical thermal stratification and tropopause height are set by radiation and convection, and the supercriticality is less than one; for sufficiently large meridional surface temperature gradients, the extratropical thermal stratification and tropopause height are modified by baroclinic eddies such that the supercriticality does not significantly exceed one. In either case, the scale of the energy-containing eddies is similar to the scale of the linearly most unstable baroclinic waves, and eddy kinetic and available potential energies are equipartitioned. The theory and simulations point to fundamental constraints on the thermal structures and global circulations of the atmospheres of Earth and other planets, for example, by providing limits on the tropopause height and estimates for eddy scales, eddy energies, and jet separation scales.
The Growth of Ice Crystals by Molecular Diffusion
Authors: Youk Hyun , List Roland , Ola Theophilus
Published: June 2006

The mass transfer of water molecules by diffusion onto ice particles is best described by their Sherwood number (Sh), a dimensionless quantity, which combines molecular and convective effects and depends on the airflow as represented by the Reynolds number (Re). While Sh (Re > 0) has been previously measured in experiments for typical crystal shapes, the limiting case of pure molecular diffusion (Sh0) for zero flow with Re = 0 is not known well and needs independent determination.

The direct numerical solution of the controlling Laplace equation links diffusion with electric fields through the electrostatic analogy. It will be solved for the electrostatic potential V around a crystal-shaped conductor of capacitance C. The results will then be converted by similarity theory. This led to the first numerical determination of Sh0 for hexagonal plates, hexagonal columns, stellar crystals, capped columns, and broad-branched crystals. The new data represent another necessary step in the formulation of an experiment-based theory of the growth of freely falling ice crystals in the atmosphere.

A discrete version of Gauss's flux law is developed to compute the flux generated by a crystal-shaped conductor in a finite Cartesian grid box, using a Gauss–Seidel iterative scheme. This method is general and can be applied to compute Sh0 for any rectilinear shapes to any degree of accuracy. The dimensionless mass transfer by molecular diffusion, Sh0, is identical to the diffusion of heat characterized by the Nusselt number Nu0.
African American Feminist Masculinities: Personal Narratives of Redemption, Contamination, and Peak Turning Points
Authors: White Aaronette M.
Published: June 2006

This descriptive study focuses on the qualitative meanings of feminist Black men’s lives, gleaned from narrative patterns inherent in their life stories. The intent of the study was to understand how each man evolved a feminist masculinity and his ability to change. Turning points were categorized as redemption (a positive experience following a negative experience), peak (a positive experience following another positive experience), or contamination (a negative experience following a positive experience). Most turning points were categorized as redemption narrative sequences, followed by peak, then contamination accounts. These narrative accounts help us to understand key life episodes that led some African American men to accept feminism as a guide for reconstructing their definitions and practices of masculinity
Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial in Psychotherapy Research: An Epistemological Controversy
Authors: Freire Elizabeth Schmitt
Published: June 2006

This article discusses the epistemological underpinnings of the use of the randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) in psychotherapy research. It is argued that underlying the therapy-choice dispute overtly targeted by the RCT is an epistemologically controversial (and covert) theory-choice dispute. Furthermore, the RCT is not a theory-neutral evaluative method but rather a research method shaped by assumptions that originate in behaviorist theories of therapy. Because there is no neutral language or basic vocabulary shared by the competing theories that would enable the comparison of their observation reports and because behaviorist and nonbehaviorist therapies are grounded in incommensurable theories, an RCT cannot be used to compare them. Therefore, RCT cannot be held up as the definitive method for investigating psychotherapy. The current perspective of sociology of science is provided to explain the social factors embedded in the use of the RCT to generate lists of empirically supported treatments
Critical Issues in Therapy Outcome Research
Authors: Pfaffenberger Angela H.
Published: June 2006

This article attempts to mark the boundaries and the context in which the current research on therapy outcome takes place. It delineates in greater depth the limitations imposed by the positivistic paradigm on the research, and it brings critical theory to bear on the interpretation of the findings. It concludes that the current research is too narrow to present the field of psychotherapy adequately. The positivistic paradigm serves as a metatheory that conceals issues of privilege and power because it leaves the underlying values and assumptions unaddressed. This article’s intent is to remind psychologists of their responsibility to be critical consumers of research and to acknowledge controversial issues regardless of whether their economic interests are served or not
Frank Barron and the Study of Creativity: A Voice That Lives on
Authors: Richards Ruth
Published: June 2006

The late Frank X. Barron was a remarkable figure in psychology. His monograph, “The Psychology of Creativity,” appeared in New Directions in Psychology at a time when the study of creativity was still new and not well understood. Throughout several decades, Dr. Barron not only helped bring the field of creativity to a high degree of sophistication, but this wide-ranging thinker and researcher changed in significant ways how we think about exceptionality, human purpose, process and personal evolution, and self as part of an evolving whole. Here, through one researcher’s eyes, are contributions in four diverse areas and how they have helped change the way we see the world today: (a) creativity as a way of life and everyday event; (b) creativity and mental health (or is it unhealth?); (c) creativity, complexity, and the health of dynamical systems; and (d) creativity as a source of beauty, awe, and openness to greater meaning
The Priestly Ideology of the Septuagint Translator of Numbers 16—17
Authors: Findlay James
Published: June 2006

Although the narrative of Numbers 16–17 has long drawn the attention of biblical interpreters due to its apparently composite character, this article approaches that material using text-critical rather than redaction-critical methods. A comparison of the LXX and Masoretic texts of these chapters reveals a number of differences between the versions which indicate an apparent attempt by the Septuagint translator to accentuate the role of Aaron in the narrative, and to denigrate the role of Korah and the rebels who follow him. This evidence leads to the conclusion that tensions between Levitical and Aaronide groups were present at the time the Septuagint translation was being produced, and that the translator exhibits a distinctly pro-Aaronide ideology in the rendering of Numbers 16–17.
Effect of Organoclay and Ethylene-Octene Copolymer Inclusion on the Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Polyamide/Polypropylene Blends
Authors: Wahit M. U. , Hassan A. , Rahmat A. R. , Lim J. W. , Ishak Z. A. Mohd
Published: June 2006

A series of compatibilized polyamide 6/polypropylene (PA6/PP) blends, of composition 70/30, 50/50, and 30/70 have been prepared in a twin screw extruder followed by injection molding. The four types of PA6/PP blends involved are the neat PA6/PP blends, PA6/PP/ethylene-octene copolymer (polyolefin elastomer, POE), PA6/PP/organoclay, and PA6/PP/POE/organoclay. Tensile, flexural, and Izod impact test are performed on these blends. The morphology of the blends is characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties of the blends are found to be strongly dependent on the PA6/PP blend ratio. For any blend system, with the increase in PP concentration, the strength and stiffness decreases, while the toughness increases. The incorporation of 4 wt% organoclay into PA6/PP blends significantly increases the modulus and strength but with corresponding reductions in impact strength. Conversely, the incorporation of POE increases the toughness, while the strength and stiffness decrease. However, PA6/PP blends containing both organoclay and POE elastomer are shown to have the potential to be more rigid and tougher than the neat PA6/PP itself. Blend ratio and presence of organoclay are found to influence the morphology (e.g., POE particle size and distribution) of POE toughened nanocomposites systems. A finer particle size and better distribution of POE elastomer has been observed in high PP concentration PA6/PP blends and organoclay filled PA6/PP blends.
Numerical Analysis and Research of Crack Tip Macro-Micro Stress Concentration for Polymer-matrix Composites
Authors: Xie Guilan , Zhang Ping , Gong Shuguang , Cao Weilan , An Xiaojun
Published: June 2006

In this study the numerical analysis and simulation of the microstress field for the polymer matrix composites are achieved by combining the finite element method with the homogenization theory at the location of the crack tip where macrostress concentration occurs. The relation of the macro-micro stress concentration is investigated, and the results obtained show that the microstress concentration coefficients are relevant to the material property of inclusion at the microstatus, but not with the inclusion volume fraction or the location at the macrostructure. The microstress field is obtained in which the material property of inclusion is changed from flexibility to rigidity and the inclusion material possesses different volume fractions. The distribution rule of concentration coefficient for the principal stress, the radial stress, the tangential stress, and the Von Mises stress is displayed along the circumferential interface of inclusion respectively.
Constrained Spatial Layout and Simultaneous Production Evaluation for a Production System
Authors: Lan Chun-Hsiung , Kang Chung-Jen
Published: June 2006

This paper proposes a mathematical model called Multi-objective Production System Design (MOPSD) model and a two-staged solving procedure. The MOPSD model not only considers the two-dimensional layout of a production system under the constrained factory space to achieve the minimal total material transportation flow but also determines the optimal assigned number of workstations and the optimal system cycle time concerning a simultaneous production situation. The first major objective of MOPSD model is regarded as a Quadratic Assignment Problem (QAP), but it considers the size of operation element, the multiple production lines, and the constrained two-dimensional factory space where traditional QAP studies are seldom mentioned. The second objective of the MOPSD model is to determine the optimal system cycle time as well as the optimal assigned number of workstations under the simultaneous production situation for preventing the underestimation of the system production rate.

The first-stage solving procedure of the MOPSD model applies the space discrete technique to make the infinite deployable locations become finite, and then one can achieve the major objective through the system layout. In addition, the Four Position Coding Technique (FPCT) is developed to code the nodes in the deployed production system obtaining from the first stage, and therefore those FPCT codes can function as the input parameters in the second-stage solving procedure. These two solving procedures are constructed by the syntax of Lingo 9.0 extended version, and a numerical example is followed to describe the detailed solving procedure. In summary, the repeated characteristic of the MOPSD model and its solving procedure make this study a valuable decision support tool because they are constructed by the packaged software Lingo 9.0. That is, a factory can easily duplicate to solve other cases by changing its input parameters only.
Integration of CAD/CAM/CAE in Product Development System Using STEP/XML
Authors: Balakrishna A. , Babu R. Suresh , Rao D. Nageswara , Raju D. Ranga , Kolli Sudhakar
Published: June 2006

Everyday the companies make strategic business decisions to improve their position in the market. They examine the business value chain to improve the product innovation, customer intimacy, and operational efficiency. Product development is one of the key weapons in the war for a competitive advantage. Policy in product development is in the form of five ‘rights’, viz. the right information, in the right format, for the right people, in the right location, and at the right time. The design and development of the product in small-scale and large-scale industries are managed with CAD/CAM/CAE systems. All the systems are heterogeneous. The Standard for the Exchange of Product (STEP) model data [1] is used as the standard format for models created in the CAD/CAM/CAE systems. In this research, an interface program to communicate the product data in the client/server environment has been developed. The interface program converts the STEP file into an XML file. The XML format is the lightweight web-based communication format. With a properly secured web page communication for different users in the enterprise, the authors achieve the concurrent engineering environment throughout the product life cycle
Product Development Process Modeling Based on Information Feedback and Requirement Cooperation
Authors: Huang Hong-Zhong , Gu Ying-Kui
Published: June 2006

The objective of product development process modeling is to satisfy the process requirements. There exist both conflicting and cooperative relationships among the process requirements and these relationships could deeply affect the development process modeling. In this study, the macro-feedback and micro-feedback models of product development process are developed based on information feedback. By analyzing the conflicting or cooperative relationships among the process requirements, the reasoning scheme for inferring the relationships between the requirements and information, and the feedback control mechanism are developed. Using the proposed method, three reorganization activities, reorganizing the constraints, reorganizing the process, and reorganizing the structure of a designer’s preference, can be carried out to transfer the balance point of the development process from one point to another or be optimized at the initial place. The case study shows that the macro-feedback and micro-feedback modeling of a product development process based on information feedback and requirement cooperation is an important method to realize lifecycle design, optimize the whole development process and product performance, capture the designer’s preferences, and satisfy the process requirements.
Argument-predicate distance as a filter for enhancing precision in extracting predications on the genetic etiology of disease
Authors: Masseroli Marco , Kilicoglu Halil , Lang François-Michel , Rindflesch Thomas C
Published: June 2006

Background

Genomic functional information is valuable for biomedical research. However, such information frequently needs to be extracted from the scientific literature and structured in order to be exploited by automatic systems. Natural language processing is increasingly used for this purpose although it inherently involves errors. A postprocessing strategy that selects relations most likely to be correct is proposed and evaluated on the output ofSemGen, a system that extracts semantic predications on the etiology of genetic diseases. Based on the number of intervening phrases between an argument and its predicate, we defined a heuristic strategy to filter the extracted semantic relations according to their likelihood of being correct. We also applied this strategy to relations identified with co-occurrence processing. Finally, we exploited postprocessedSemGenpredications to investigate the genetic basis of Parkinson's disease.

Results

The filtering procedure for increased precision is based on the intuition that arguments which occur close to their predicate are easier to identify than those at a distance. For example, if gene-gene relations are filtered for arguments at a distance of 1 phrase from the predicate, precision increases from 41.95% (baseline) to 70.75%. Since this proximity filtering is based on syntactic structure, applying it to the results of co-occurrence processing is useful, but not as effective as when applied to the output of natural language processing.

In an effort to exploitSemGenpredications on the etiology of disease after increasing precision with postprocessing, a gene list was derived from extracted information enhanced with postprocessing filtering and was automatically annotated withGFINDer, a Web application that dynamically retrieves functional and phenotypic information from structured biomolecular resources. Two of the genes in this list are likely relevant to Parkinson's disease but are not associated with this disease in several important databases on genetic disorders.

Conclusion

Information based on the proximity postprocessing method we suggest is of sufficient quality to be profitably used for subsequent applications aimed at uncovering new biomedical knowledge. Although proximity filtering is only marginally effective for enhancing the precision of relations extracted with co-occurrence processing, it is likely to benefit methods based, even partially, on syntactic structure, regardless of the relation.
Epidemiologic profile of otorhinolaryngological, head and neck disorders in a tertiary hospital unit in Greece: a challenge for general practitioners?
Authors: Symvoulakis Emmanouil K , Klinis Spyridon , Alegakis Athanasios , Kyrmizakis Dionysios E , Drivas Emmanouil I , Rachiotis Georgios , Philalithis Anastas , Velegrakis George A
Published: June 2006

Background

In Greece, primary care is still developing. The aim of this study was to define the epidemiologic profile of common otorhinolaryngological, head and neck disorders in order to help general practitioners to deal with them in a primary care future.

Methods

A total of 6771 patients attended the Otorhinolaryngology emergency department of the University General Hospital of Heraklion (Crete), between January and December 2004. All cases were included in this retrospective study. The registry of the Otorhinolaryngology emergency department was analysed and age, sex, seasonality and clinical diagnosis were tabulated. All patients were evaluated by Otorhinolaryngologists. The classification of the cases was based on the main symptom or clinical sign that conditioned the reason for seeking care. Diagnoses were also coded according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).

Results

The male to female ratio was 1:1. The mean age for females was 36.3 years standard deviation (SD): 21.1 and for males was 36.8 years (SD = 22.0). Eight hundred eighty six patients (13.1%) formed the paediatric sub-group. Over 60% of the cases were classified in ten major groups of diagnosis. Acute tonsillitis (12.3%) and acute pharyngitis (9.0%) were the most common causes of all medical visits, followed by otitis media (7.6%) and external ear canal obstruction by ear wax (6.2%). Oedema of the larynx was detected in 0.4%. A negative diagnosis of otorhinolaryngological, head and neck disorder was formulated in 553 patients (8.2%). Hospitalization rate was 5.2%. The highest rate of visits was registered in March.

Conclusion

Most patients used the facility as a primary care service. Real emergencies were a minority. Recovering data about which areas of Otorhinolaryngology deserve more emphasis might help primary health care providers to diagnose and manage the common otorhinolaryngological, head and neck disorders properly.
A UK-wide postal survey to evaluate palliative care education amongst General Practice Registrars
Authors: Low Joe , Cloherty Michele , Wilkinson Susie , Barclay Stephen , Hibble Arthur
Published: June 2006

Objectives: To evaluate the content of General Practice Registrars’ (GPRs) palliative care education in the UK. Methods: Postal questionnaires were sent to 492 eligible GPRs across six purposively sampled UK postgraduate deaneries. Results: GPRs were satisfied with their course coverage on control of pain, other symptoms and communication skills, and were also moderately confident in applying the knowledge gained in these areas. They showed a high level of knowledge in the management of cancer-related pain. There was less satisfaction with the coverage given to syringe driver use (38%) and bereavement care (36%), with fewer expressing confidence in applying their knowledge to these areas. Conclusions: GPRs have mixed perceptions about their palliative care education. Future educational packages should ensure that GPRs receive planned systematic training in bereavement care and some practical experience in the use of syringe drivers. Both Postgraduate General Practice Education departments and specialist palliative care providers should explore ways of working more closely together to provide GPRs with more expertize in palliative care.
Investigation of diagnostic criteria for cancer-related fatigue syndrome in patients with advanced cancer: a feasibility study
Authors: Murphy Helen , Alexander Susanna , Stone Patrick
Published: June 2006

The primary aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of applying diagnostic criteria for cancer-related fatigue syndrome (CRFS) in patients with advanced cancer. A secondary aim was to assess the use of screening instruments for fatigue and depression in this population. Patients with advanced cancer ( n = 16) were interviewed using the Diagnostic Interview for CRFS and a semi-structured psychiatric interview. Subjects also completed the Bi-dimensional Fatigue Scale (BFS) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) as screening instruments. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 50% (8/16). The EPDS was found to have a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 100% for detecting depression. The prevalence of clinically significant fatigue symptoms was 62.5% (10/16). The BFS was found to have a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 64% for detecting clinically significant fatigue. The prevalence of CRFS was 12.5% (2/16).
Who receives specialist palliative care in Western Australia - and who misses out
Authors: Rosenwax LK , McNamara BA
Published: June 2006

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of Western Australian (WA) people who received, and did not receive, specialist palliative care (SPC) during their last 12 months of life. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting and participants: People who died between 1 July 2000 and 31 December 2002 in WA, and whose cause of death was from cancer or selected non-cancer conditions. Main outcome measures: Use of SPC in the last 12 months of life. Results: There were 27 971 deaths from all causes in WA over the study period. Two-thirds (68%) of people who died of cancer received SPC, but less than one in ten (8%) who died of selected non-cancer conditions received SPC. Those who died of cancer were significantly less likely to receive SPC if they were single or widowed, aged-/ 85 years or lived in a region other than a major city. Of those who died of selected non-cancer conditions, people other than those who were married were significantly less likely to have accessed SPC. Indigenous people were less likely to have accessed SPC, although this was not statistically significant (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.36-1.34). Conclusions: Within a WA context, this study confirms established international evidence for problems of access to SPC by non-cancer patients and other disadvantaged groups. Importantly, this evidence is provided at a population level, thus documenting the extent of inequities in palliative care service provision. By pointing to the areas of most critical need, this study assists in health service policy and planning.
Factors predictive of preferred place of death in the general population of South Australia
Authors: Foreman Linda M , Hunt Roger W , Luke Colin G , Roder David M
Published: June 2006

In a population survey, 2652 respondents aged 15+years reported their preferred place of death, if dying of ‘a terminal illness such as cancer or emphysema’, to be home (70%), a hospital (19%), hospice (10%), or nursing home (< 1%). The majority of respondents in all socio-demographic categories reported a preference for dying at home, with the greatest majorities occurring in younger age groups. After weighting to the age-sex distribution of all South Australian cancer deaths, 58% in our survey declared a preference to die at home, which is much higher than the 14% of cancer deaths that actually occurred at home in South Australia in 2000-2002. Multivariable analyses indicate that predictors of preferred home death include younger age, male, born in the UK/Ireland or Italy/Greece, better physical health, poorer mental health, and fewer concerns about dying at home. Predictors of preference for death in a hospice rather than hospital include older age, female, single, metropolitan residence, having higher educational and income levels, paid employment, awareness of advanced directives, and interpreting ‘dying with dignity’ as death without pain or suffering. Investigating the differences between preferred and actual places of death may assist service providers to meet end-of-life wishes.
The use of benzodiazepines in palliative care
Authors: Henderson M , MacGregor E , Sykes N , Hotopf M
Published: June 2006

Background: Benzodiazepines are widely used in palliative care, but few studies have attempted to study their use. Aim: To determine the frequency and nature of benzodiazepine prescribing in a palliative care setting. Method: The notes of a consecutive series of 100 patients who had died or been discharged from the hospice were studied. Demographic, illness and prescription data were noted. The indication for the administration of benzodiazepines, their effectiveness and any adverse effects were recorded. Results: Notes were found on 93 patients. Some 54 (58%) were prescribed benzodiazepines either by the hospice or their General Practitioner. Younger patients and those on opioids or anti-psychotics were more likely to be prescribed benzodiazepines. Most administration of benzodiazepines occurred within the last three weeks of life in response to symptoms of anxiety or less specific distress. Conclusions: A relatively high proportion of patients was prescribed benzodiazepines. The role of benzodiazepines at different stages of palliative care merits further study.
Informing patients about cancer in Nepal: what do people prefer?
Authors: Gongal Rajesh , Vaidya Pradeep , Jha Rajshree , Rajbhandary Om , Watson Max
Published: June 2006

Introduction: Traditionally, doctors in Nepal do not discuss a diagnosis of malignancy with their patient. Instead, discussion is more likely to take place with family members, who then filter the information that the patient receives. This study aims to quantify the amount of actual disclosure of a cancer diagnosis that takes place, through a survey of patients admitted for hospice care, and to compare this with preferences regarding cancer disclosure from a survey of the general population. Objectives: (a) To determine what proportion of patients, referred for hospice care with advanced cancer, who were aware of their disease and prognosis. (b) To determine the attitude among the public toward disclosure of information of a diagnosis of malignancy, if they or a close relative were to develop the disease. (c) To observe if educational attainment impacts on issues related to disclosure of a cancer diagnosis. Method: (a) Prospective survey of patients with cancer admitted to ‘Hospice Nepal’ over a one-year period, recording details of how much patients knew of their diagnosis. (b) Survey of the general population in and around the Kathmandu valley, with a questionnaire asking the following two questions: If you were diagnosed with cancer would you like to be informed of your cancer? If a close relative was diagnosed with cancer would you like them to be informed of their cancer? Results: A survey of the 96 patients admitted to ‘Hospice Nepal’ over the one-year study period showed that 19 (20%) of the patients had knowledge of both their disease and the stage of the disease; 16 (17%) knew that they had cancer but did not know about their disease progression or prognosis; 61 (63%) were unaware of the nature, seriousness or prognosis of their disease. A survey of the general population in Kathmandu showed 204 (80%) of the 256 respondents wanted to be informed if they were diagnosed with cancer, even if it was incurable; 44 (17%) wanted to be informed of such a diagnosis only if it was curable; and 8 (3%) did not want to be informed of such a diagnosis at all. Conclusion: In Nepal, there is a clear disparity between what patients would like to be told should they develop cancer, and what patients with cancer know about their disease. In the Asian context, it is not unusual to be advised that western practices of disclosure are inappropriate, yet this study, conducted in a very non-western culture, shows that the patient’s wish to know about their illness is a desire which can transcend cultural and ethnic differences.
Does Induction Chemotherapy Have a Role in the Management of Locoregionally Advanced Squamous Cell Head and Neck Cancer?
Authors: Adelstein David J. , LeBlanc Michael
Published: June 2006

The use of systemic chemotherapy before definitive locoregional management, or induction chemotherapy, has been a theoretically attractive and well-studied approach in the management of squamous cell head and neck cancer. Although a decrease in distant metastases has frequently been observed, an improvement in survival from induction has been difficult to demonstrate. When chemotherapy and radiation are used concomitantly, however, an improvement in both survival and locoregional control can be identified, and this has led to the adoption of concurrent chemoradiotherapy as a standard of care for these patients. With this improvement in locoregional control, distant metastases have become a more frequently recognized cause of treatment failure, suggesting that an intervention, such as induction chemotherapy, directed at improving distant control might now be of some importance in improving overall treatment success. The recent development of taxane-containing, three-drug induction regimens that are capable of producing significantly better response rates than the older cisplatin and fluorouracil combination has also raised the possibility of a new and more important role for induction. The results of phase II investigations using this kind of a sequential schedule of induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy have been encouraging, and phase III trials are now underway. This treatment approach remains investigational however, and these phase III studies are critical. The current randomized trials are reviewed and discussed.
Estimating Air-Cargo Overbooking Based on a Discrete Show-Up-Rate Distribution
Authors: Popescu Andreea , Keskinocak Pinar , Johnson Ellis , LaDue Mariana , Kasilingam Raja
Published: June 2006

Most airlines overbook their actual capacity (for both passengers and cargo) because part of the booked demand often does not show up at the flight departure. A key element of overbooking is a model that accurately predicts the show-up rate of the current bookings. Given the increasing importance of cargo within their business, most major airlines now scrutinize estimates of show-up rates for cargo bookings. The current practice is to apply the same methodology to the cargo sector as in the passenger business. We investigate the suitability of the current practice, and based on the results, we propose an alternate show-up-rate estimator for cargo and demonstrate its benefits. Tested on real-world data from a major airline as well as on simulated data, the study shows that improved estimation of the show-up rate can improve profits and customer service.
Book Reviews
Authors: Lev Benjamin
Published: June 2006

The range of books reviewed is wide, covering theory and applications in operations research, statistics, management science, econometrics, mathematics, computers, and information systems (no software is reviewed). In addition, we include books in other fields that emphasize technical applications. Publishers who wish to have their books reviewed should send them to Professor Benjamin Lev. We list the books received; not all books received can be reviewed because space is limited. Those who would like to review books are urged to send me their names, addresses, and specific areas of expertise. We commission all reviews and do not accept unsolicited book reviews. Readers are encouraged to suggest books that might be reviewed or to ask publishers to send me copies of such books.

The authors or editors of the books reviewed in this issue are Charles A. Ingene, Mark E. Parry, H. S. Kasana, K. D. Kumar, Istvan Maros, Vincent T’kindt, Jean-Charles Billaut, Christoph Weber, Bang Ye Wu, and Kun-Mao Chao.
The Cyclist (Bicycleran)
Authors: WEINBERGER STEPHEN
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT Mohsen Makhmalbaf, onetime Iranian revolutionary and self-taught filmmaker and humanist, has made a series of highly acclaimed and deeply personal films. The Cyclist has much in common with the style and content of Vittorio De Sica's neorealist classic, The Bicycle Thief. However, despite the similarities, Makhmalbaf, like his fellow filmmakers, has made neorealism distinctively Iranian.
The Expeditions of Sir Aurel Stein in Central Asia
Authors: Harmatta János
Published: June 2006

This paper focuses on the historical data that can be gathered from the
sources about Alexander's campaign against nomadic tribes living around the
Amu-darya and the Sir-darya. The identity of the Dahae and the Massagetae for
Arrian is pointed out; the names “Dahae” and “Massagetae” are interpreted; the
symbiosis between Sogdians and Dahae is touched upon, as well as the nomads
called “royal Sakas” living beyond the Sir-darya; the geographical location of
Nautaka in Bactria is determined; and the reliability of the reports of
Alexander's campaign in Central Asia is illustrated with the examples of
Sogdian proper names preserved by Arrian and Strabo.