bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capital Flows, Interest Payments and the Balance‐of‐Payments Constrained Growth Model: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis
Authors: Moreno‐Brid Juan Carlos
Published: July 2003

The analytical framework known as the balance‐of‐payments constrained growth model introduced by Anthony P. Thirlwall more than two decades ago, and further developed by him and N. Hussain, was a major contribution to understanding the relevance of a foreign exchange constraint on the long‐run growth performance of open economies. In its simplest expression this model is known as Thirlwall's law. Recent contributions have revised this analytical model in order to ensure that the pattern of foreign debt accumulation, implicit in the economy's balance‐of‐payments constrained growth path, is sustainable.

Up to now most theoretical presentations of Thirlwall's law do not incorporate interest payments explicitly and, moreover, the empirical studies carried out within this tradition do not take them into account. This omission may be a major shortcoming in the analysis of the long‐term growth path of economies—like many developing ones—whose net interest payments abroad are a large debit item in the current account of their balance of payments. In the present paper we introduce an extension of the balance‐of‐payments constrained growth model that explicitly captures the influence on foreign interest payments of the economy's long‐run rate of growth—while at the same time guaranteeing that foreign indebtedness is not on an explosive track—and test its empirical adequacy by applying it to examine the Mexican case.
The Measurement of Low Pay in the UK Labour Force Survey*
Authors: Skinner Chris , Stuttard Nigel , Beissel‐Durrant Gabriele , Jenkins James
Published: July 2003

Consideration of the National Minimum Wage requires estimates of the distribution of hourly pay. The UK Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a key source of such estimates. The approach most frequently adopted by researchers has been to measure hourly earnings from several questions on pay and hours. The Office for National Statistics is now applying a new approach, based on an alternative more direct measurement introduced in March 1999. These two measures do not produce identical values and this paper investigates sources of discrepancies and concludes that the new variable is more accurate. The difficulty with using the new variable is that it is only available on a subset of respondents. An approach is developed in which missing values of the new variable are replaced by imputed values. The assumptions underlying this imputation approach and results of applying it to LFS data are presented. The relation to weighting approaches is also discussed.
Endothelial Cells Are Main Producers of Interleukin 8 through Toll-Like Receptor 2 and 4 Signaling during Bacterial Infection in Leukopenic Cancer Patients
Authors: Oude Nijhuis C. S. M. , Vellenga E. , Daenen S. M. G. J. , Kamps W. A. , de Bont E. S. J. M.
Published: July 2003

Cancer patients who are leukopenic due to chemotherapy are susceptible to bacterial infections. Normally, clinical conditions during bacterial infections are caused by pathogen-associated molecular patterns, which are components that bind to Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 (TLR-2) and TLR-4 on leukocytes, resulting in the production of inflammatory cytokines. The mechanism of this inflammatory response in cancer patients with diminished numbers of leukocytes is not completely clear. The levels of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha measured in the circulation of leukopenic cancer patients are lower than those measured in that of nonleukopenic patients during bacterial infections, whereas plasma interleukin 8 (IL-8) levels show distinct identical increases during bacterial infections in both leukopenic and nonleukopenic patients. Normally, these cytokines are mainly secreted by leukocytes. In cancer patients with bacterial infections and a diminished number of leukocytes, other sources of IL-8 production, such as endothelial cells, might be expected. Endothelial cells instead of leukocytes become the most important producers of IL-8 during bacterial infections in patients with chemotherapy-induced leukopenia through TLR-2 and TLR-4 signaling. Whole blood samples from six cancer patients were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and then IL-8 concentrations in supernatants were measured. Further, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with sera from leukopenic cancer patients with or without bacterial infections, and then IL-8 concentrations in supernatants were measured (n= 6). In addition, the same HUVEC experiment was performed with the addition of neutralizing antibodies against TLR-2 and TLR-4. During leukopenia (<109cells/liter), LPS stimulation of whole blood did not result in an increase in IL-8 levels. However, when endothelial cells were incubated with sera from leukopenic cancer patients during bacterial infections, a three- to eightfold increase in IL-8 production was found, compared to the IL-8 production found after incubation with sera from patients without signs of infections. This increase did not reflect a higher level of IL-8 already present in the sera. Further, we demonstrated that IL-8 production induced in endothelial cells by sera from patients with documented gram-negative infections could be reduced significantly by up to 40% when the cells were incubated with neutralizing antibodies against TLR-4 (P= 0.028). The addition of TLR-2 antibodies slightly enhanced the reduction of IL-8 production. These results suggest that during bacterial infections in cancer patients with markedly diminished numbers of leukocytes, endothelial cells become important producers of IL-8 through TLR-4 signaling and, to a lesser extent, TLR-2 signaling.
Use of Mouse Models To Evaluate the Persistence, Safety, and Immune Modulation Capacities of Lactic Acid Bacteria
Authors: Pavan Sonia , Desreumaux Pierre , Mercenier Annick
Published: July 2003

Recent clinical and experimental observations showed that specific probiotic microorganisms may provide therapeutic benefits in inflammatory bowel disease. However, a rigorous screening for new candidate probiotic strains with optimized therapeutic properties necessitates also determining possible adverse interactions with the host, particularly in individuals who are not healthy. We have evaluated the persistence of strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the digestive tracts of mice, their immunomodulation capacity, and their safety in healthy animals and in a colitis model. Following daily administration of 10
9
CFU of viable LAB orally, intragastrically, or intrarectally, the animals' feces were examined for bacterial excretion and cytokines were quantified in intestinal samples by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. The level of bacterial translocation was assessed in healthy mice and in mice suffering from colitis induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). Irrespective of the route of administration, the potential probiotic strain
Lactobacillus plantarum
NCIMB8826 was found to persist for up to 10 days in the digestive tracts of mice. This strain did not induce detrimental effects in healthy or in TNBS-treated animals, as was reflected by the absence of weight loss, intestinal inflammation, modification of cytokine levels in the ileum and colon (healthy mice), and bacterial dissemination (healthy and colitic animals). Moreover, the translocation of endogenous microflora to the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen was greatly reduced in the TNBS-treated mice after administration of LAB. This property, together with the strain's persistence capacity and innocuousness renders
L. plantarum
NCIMB8826 an attractive candidate as a probiotic to be used in the prevention or treatment of chronic inflammation.
Systemic Inflammatory Responses in Children with Acute Otitis Media Due toStreptococcus pneumoniaeand the Impact of Treatment with Clarithromycin
Authors: Scharer Gunter , Zaldivar Frank , Gonzalez Guillermo , Vargas-Shiraishi Ofelia , Singh Jasjit , Arrieta Antonio
Published: July 2003

This pilot study was designed to determine the serum cytokine profile of acute otitis media (AOM) due toStreptococcus pneumoniaeand the impact of clarithromycin (Abbott Laboratories, Inc). Serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-6, and IL-8 were measured at diagnosis and 3 to 5 days after start of antibiotic treatment in 10 patients (mean age, 18.3 ± 13.9 months) who had middle ear fluid culture positive forS. pneumoniae.The mean concentrations of all cytokines were elevated at diagnosis of AOM compared to levels in healthy controls, yet only IL-6 reached statistical significance (P= 0.05). IL-6 showed a statistically significant decrease in mean serum concentration at visit 2 (P= 0.03). IL-8 displayed a similar pattern to IL-6, but the difference between samples from day 1 and day 2 did not reach statistical significance. The cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α appear to be elevated in the serum of patients withS. pneumoniaeAOM, but there was no significant change between mean serum levels obtained pre- and postinitiation of antibiotic treatment in the time frame studied. The results suggest a systemic inflammatory response as evidenced by increased IL-6. A significant decrease of IL-6 and improvement of clinical symptoms were observed. Determining cytokine levels, especially IL-6, in AOM could offer a powerful tool for objective assessment of response to treatment, minimizing unnecessary treatment of asymptomatic children who may still have some otoscopic findings suggestive of AOM at follow-up visits.
Exponentially Small Splitting and Arnold Diffusion for Multiple Time Scale Systems
Authors: Procesi Michela
Published: July 2003

We consider the class of Hamiltonians: [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text], and the perturbing function f(q) is a rational function of eiq. We prove upper and lower bounds on the splitting for such class of systems, in regions of the phase space characterized by one fast frequency. Finally using an appropriate Normal Form theorem we prove the existence of chains of heteroclinic intersections.
End‐of‐Life Infrastructure Economics for “Clean Vehicles” in the United States
Authors: Boon Jane E. , Isaacs Jacqueline A. , Gupta Surendra M.
Published: July 2003

Rising fuel prices and concern over emissions are prompting automakers and legislators to introduce and evaluate “clean vehicles” throughout the United States. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are now on the roads, electric vehicles (EVs) have been test marketed, and niche vehicles such as high‐fuel‐economy microcars are being considered for introduction. As these vehicles proliferate and mature, they will eventually reach their end of life (EOL). In the United States, an extensive recycling infrastructure exists for conventional, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Its primary constituents are the disassembler and the shredder. These industries, as well as battery recyclers, are expected to play integral roles in the EOL processing of clean vehicles.

A model of the automobile‐recycling infrastructure and goal programming techniques are used to assess the materials streams and process profitabilities for several different clean vehicles. Two‐seat EVs with lead‐acid or NiMH batteries are compared with two‐ and four‐seat HEVs and microcars. Changes to the nonferrous content in the vehicle bodies are explored and compared for the effect on processing profit‐ability. Despite limitations associated with the linearity of goal programming techniques, application of this tool can still provide informative first‐order results. Results indicate that although these clean vehicles may not garner the same profit levels as conventional ICE vehicles, they are profitable to process if there are markets for parts and if there are sufficient quantities of nonferrous materials.
Seasonal Contrasting Features of Heat and Moisture Budgets between the Eastern and Western Tibetan Plateau during the GAME IOP
Authors: Ueda Hiroaki , Kamahori Hirotaka , Yamazaki Nobuo
Published: July 2003

Using the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX) Asian Monsoon Experiment (GAME) four-dimensional data assimilation (4DDA) upper-air data, the large-scale heat source (Q1) and moisture sink (Q2) over the western and eastern Tibetan Plateau are examined for a 4-month period from 1 May to 31 August 1998. The computations were performed on the sigma–pressure hybrid coordinate, named η-coordinate, since the analysis area includes high-elevation mountains.

Over the western Tibetan Plateau in May, there is a deep layer of heating occupying the whole troposphere with the maximum value exceeding 3 K day−1 around 400–600 hPa. The smaller magnitude of the apparent moisture sink is confined in the lower troposphere 1 km above the ground surface. Vertically integrated heat sources of 103 W m−2 over the western Tibetan Plateau are accompanied by a moisture sink of about half that (60 W m−2). These results indicate that the latent heat release associated with condensation plays an important role in the total heating besides the sensible heat supply from the land surface. Later in July, the moisture sink over the eastern Tibetan Plateau nearly equals the heat source indicating the dominance of moist processes associated with summertime monsoon rains.

The contrasting features of the heat source and moisture sink are closely related to the circulation fields. Throughout May and June, we observe strong upward motion along the western and southwestern slopes of the western Tibetan Plateau, while there is salient subsidence motion over the eastern Tibetan Plateau. The analyses of static stability and lifting condensation level indicate that the release of latent heat relevant to moist convection is a dominant factor for tropospheric heating after the monsoon onset, while the premonsoon period (May) is composed of both convective rainfall and dry thermal convection.

Thus, the heating mechanism prior to the onset of the monsoon, especially over the western Tibetan Plateau, can be characterized by the hybrid nature of “wet” processes due to condensation heating and “dry” processes associated with the sensible heat flux from the elevated mountain surface.
Intensity of Hydrological Cycles in Warmer Climates
Authors: Yang Fanglin , Kumar Arun , Schlesinger Michael E. , Wang Wanqiu
Published: July 2003

The fact that the surface and tropospheric temperatures increase with increasing CO2 has been well documented by numerical model simulations; however, less agreement is found for the changes in the intensity of precipitation and the hydrological cycle. Here, it is demonstrated that while both the radiative heating by increasing CO2 and the resulting higher sea surface temperatures contribute to warm the atmosphere, they act against each other in changing the hydrological cycle. As a consequence, in a warmer climate forced by increasing CO2 the intensity of the hydrological cycle can be either more or less intense depending upon the degree of surface warming.
Observations of SST-Induced Perturbations of the Wind Stress Field over the Southern Ocean on Seasonal Timescales
Authors: O'Neill Larry W. , Chelton Dudley B. , Esbensen Steven K.
Published: July 2003

The surface wind stress response to sea surface temperature (SST) over the latitude range 30°–60°S in the Southern Ocean is described from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's QuikSCAT scatterometer observations of wind stress and Reynolds analyses of SST during the 2-yr period August 1999 to July 2001. While ocean–atmosphere coupling at midlatitudes has previously been documented from several case studies, this is the first study to quantify this relation over the entire Southern Ocean. The spatial structures of the surface wind perturbations with wavelengths shorter than 10° latitude by 30° longitude are closely related to persistent spatial variations of the SST field on the same scales. The wind stress curl and divergence are shown to be linearly related, respectively, to the crosswind and downwind components of the SST gradient. The curl response has a magnitude only about half that of the divergence response. This observed coupling is consistent with the hypothesis that SST modification of marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) stability affects vertical turbulent mixing of momentum, inducing perturbations in the surface winds. The nonequivalence between the responses of the curl and divergence to the crosswind and downwind SST gradients suggests that secondary circulations in the MABL may also play an important role by producing significant perturbations in the surface wind field near SST fronts that are distinct from the vertical turbulent transfer of momentum. The importance of the wind stress curl in driving Ekman vertical velocity in the open ocean implies that the coupling between winds and SST may have important feedback effects on upper ocean processes near SST fronts.
Fracture Toughness of Wood—Wood and Wood—FRP Bonded Interfaces Under Mode-II Loading
Authors: Wang Jialai , Qiao Pizhong
Published: July 2003

In this paper, the shear-mode (Mode-II) fracture toughness of wood-wood and wood-fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) bonded interfaces using unique linear tapered end-notched flexure (TENF) specimens is evaluated. A tapered beam on elastic foundation (TBEF) model developed for design and analysis of the TENF specimens is briefly introduced. Based on the TBEF model, the TENF specimens are designed to achieve an approximate constant compliance rate change for fracture tests, and design procedures for Mode-II fracture of bonded interface are accordingly developed. The linear compliance rate changes of the designed TENF specimens are verified experimentally by the compliance calibration tests and numerically by finite element modeling. Two types of TENF specimens, namely for wood-wood and wood-FRP bonded interfaces, are designed and tested to determine the fracture toughness values of adhesively bonded interfaces under Mode-II loading. The critical loads for crack initiation and arrest are measured during the testing, in which the critical strain energy release rates are then easily evaluated by making use of the approximate constant compliance rate change of the designed specimens over defined crack lengths. The wood-wood and wood-FRP bonded interfaces tested in this study exhibit a stable crack propagation behavior. The unique TENF specimen and experimental-design program presented in this paper can be efficiently used to evaluate the Model-II fracture toughness of hybrid material interface bonds, and the fracture toughness values obtained can be applied to detect the potential delamination and crack growth of the adhesively bonded joints.
Magnitude and Endurance in Interstate and Ethnic-State Crises: The Arab-Israeli Conflict, 1947-2000
Authors: Ben-Yehuda Hemda , Sandler Shmuel
Published: July 2003

The study focuses on the Arab-Israeli conflict as reflected in 26 international crises over the 1947-2000 period. It draws upon data from the ICB dataset. While the subject matter and empirical case study determine a realist orientation, the study is modulated by an appreciation for the worldwide phenomenon of ethnic conflict. The main concern is the distinction between endurance and magnitude of a conflict that has both interstate and ethnic dimensions. In contrast to existing research in international crisis in general and in the Arab-Israeli conflict in particular, the article asserts that in protracted ethnic conflicts, endurance and magnitude do not always concur. Endurance, measured by the frequency of crises, encompasses the temporal aspect of the conflict. In this study, magnitude is measured via three indicators which take place throughout an international crisis: gravity of threat, violence, and outcomes. Using theoretical postulates, it is suggested and proved that (1) ethnic-state crises will manifest themselves more than interstate ones in conflict endurance; (2) interstate crises will reveal higher magnitude than ethnic-state ones; and (3) ethnic-state crises will follow the patterns of interstate crises but with a time-lag. Hence, it is the ethnic dimension of the conflict that prohibits the dispute from conclusion. As far as magnitude over time is concerned, some decline has taken place on the interstate level of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Finally, magnitude changes in the interstate domain preceded those in the ethnic-state one. Moreover, modifications in the interstate domain had an impact on the ethnic-state dimension present since the first Arab-Israeli crisis, and predominant since 1974.
One Country, Four Systems: Comparing Changing Health Policies in New Zealand
Authors: Gauld Robin
Published: July 2003

There is a growing literature in comparative health policy that analyzes the experiences of different countries. This article draws upon the comparative tradition, but has an intra-country focus. It considers the case of New Zealand, which has had four different public health sector structures in a decade, with fundamental changes enacted following general elections in 1990, 1996 and 1999. New Zealand's structures have included a system of locally based area health boards responsible for both funding and services delivery in their regions; a competitive, profit-oriented market system with separate agencies purchasing and providing health-care services; a centralized system with one corporate agency planning for population needs and purchasing services from a range of providers; and a system in which planning and purchasing is devolved to district boards. In tandem with the constant restructurings, a variety of policy and service innovations have emerged in areas such as the organization of primary-care physicians, indigenous Maori health care, pharmaceutical purchasing and the prioritization of services and patients. First, the article reviews the field of comparative health policy studies. Next, it outlines New Zealand's four health sector structures. Lastly, the article discusses the performance, implications and lessons of New Zealand's successive health sector changes.
Prediction of Bending Strength for Filament-Wound Composite Pipes
Authors: Natsuki T. , Takayanagi H. , Tsuda H. , Kemmochi K.
Published: July 2003

This paper describes the analytical and experimental studies on bending strength of filament-wound (FW) composite pipes. Based on the maximum stress failure criterion, a theoretical approach was presented to predict the strength and failure mode of FW composite pipes. Four-point bending tests were performed for FW glass/vinyl ester pipes whose lay-ups were [± 30] s, [± 55] s and [± 70] s. The failure mode of filament-wound composite pipes depended on their winding angle. The theoretical prediction on both strength and failure modes agreed well with experimental results.
Are Children with Imaginary Playmates and Children Said to Remember Previous Lives Cross-Culturally Comparable Categories?
Authors: Mills Antonia
Published: July 2003

Some 15-66% of children in western countries talk about imaginary playmates; in India only 0.2% of children are said to remember a previous life. Both phenomena occur from the age of 30 months to 60-90 months. This article explores whether the two phenomena are cross-culturally comparable categories. The article describes a study of the psychological characteristics of a sample of 15 children said to remember a previous life in India, compared with a matched sample; and compares it with a sample of 15 children with imaginary playmates and a matched sample from Charlottesville, Virginia. No significant differences between the target group and the comparison group were found in either culture, suggesting that both phenomena are normal. One case of an American child with an imaginary playmate and one case of a child in India who is said to remember a previous life are described, using a video-recording of the child's dialogue.
Social Capital as a Communicative Paradigm
Authors: Ginman M.
Published: July 2003

This paper discusses the relationship between information culture and social capital, a phenomenon which has lately been brought forth as a decisive factor in human health and wellbeing. The phenomenon may be seen as an umbrella concept for all the advantages an individual can get from social support. It has been studied especially by researchers in social and health sciences, whereas information and communication sciences have paid considerably less attention to it, although it has implicitly been a generally accepted fact that the single individual is formed by his or her social environment. The power of the social environment and communication on the members in a collective particularly stresses the social malleability of the individual. The importance of information culture in this process is brought up for discussion in this paper.
The Impossibility of Rational Politics?
Authors: Stone Peter
Published: July 2003

Jon Elster denies that collectives can behave rationally. Rational behavior requires action in conformity with preferences and beliefs. According to Elster, however, social choice theory demonstrates that collectives cannot have preferences, even in principle, and this precludes them from behaving either rationally or irrationally. (Irrationality, after all, is a property that can only be possessed by something that could in theory be rational.) Elster, however, does not fully accept this refutation of the possibility of collective rationality. For in exploring the question of random selection, he argues that collectives, as well as individuals, can employ random selection as a tool to facilitate more rational behavior. This contradiction can be resolved if collective preferences are not as inconceivable as Elster suggests, and Elster himself gives reason for believing they may not be. He does this by distinguishing between a thin and a broad theory of rationality. His refutation of the possibility of collective preferences depends on a thin theory of preferences (and beliefs), a theory that he admits is inadequate for purposes of normative assessment. A broad theory of preferences and beliefs, when properly developed, could well accommodate the notion of collective preferences and beliefs, and thus of collective rationality.
Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma: computed tomography findings
Authors: Trigaux JP , Gevenois PA , Goncette L , Gouat F , Schumaker A , Weynants P
Published: July 2003

The aim of the present study was to investigate the appearance of bronchioloalveolar lung carcinoma on computed tomography (CT) scans, and to determine the frequency of signs suggestive of this diagnosis. CT features of 42 cases with pathologically proven bronchioloalveolar carcinoma were retrospectively analysed for pattern, size, location and secondary signs suggesting the diagnosis. Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma had one of the following patterns: solitary nodule or mass (16), lobar consolidation (10), multilobar consolidations (13) and diffuse nodules (3). The 16 solitary nodules or masses ranged in size from 2.0 to 9.4 cm (mean +/- SD 3.75 +/- 1.7 cm). Eleven of the 16 nodules or masses were peripheral and five were central: Eight of the 16 tumours had pleural tags, seven had spiculated margins, and three had bubblelike lucencies. The consolidations were peripherally distributed in 13 out of 23 cases; cystic airspaces were observed in 19 out of 23 consolidations; bulging of interlobar fissures in 8 out of 23; and the angiogram sign in 7 out of 23. In conclusion, computed tomography findings of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma have a wide spectrum, showing typically a peripheral nodule or consolidation. Computed tomography has a role in the diagnosis of nodular localized versus other forms, with subsequent therapeutic and prognostic implications.
Unexpected lung lesions in high resolution computed tomography (HRTC) among patients with advanced HIV disease
Authors: Guillemi SA , Staples CA , Hogg JC , Le AN , Lawson LM , Schechter MT , Montaner JS
Published: July 2003

The present pilot study was undertaken to characterize the frequency of lung lesions in asymptomatic human deficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals with advanced HIV disease. Thirty two consecutive HIV+ homosexual males assessed for initiation of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis, were prospectively studied. All patients underwent a complete medical history, physical examination, pulmonary function tests and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). HRCT scans were read by a single radiologist, who was blind as to the clinical status of the patient. Unexpected HRCT scan lesions were found in 60% of patients. There were no statistically significant differences between patients with normal and abnormal HRCT with respect to age, height, weight, CD4+ count, smoking history, serum albumin, alpha 1-antitrypsin level or body mass index. Forced vital capacity (FVC) (% of predicted) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) (% pred) were not significantly different between groups. For patients with normal and abnormal HRCT forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (% pred) was 99 +/- 12 vs 92 +/- 16, FEV1/FVC was 82 +/- 5 vs 76 +/- 9, and forced mid-expiratory flow (FEF25-75) (% pred) was 100 +/- 24 vs 77 +/- 27, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between patients presenting with destructive versus nondestructive lung HRCT lesions. Our results demonstrate that as many as 60% of HIV-infected patients have unexpected abnormalities on HRCT at the time of starting PCP prophylaxis. We speculate that these lesions may contribute to the high frequency of spontaneous pneumothoraces previously reported in this patient population.
Respiratory infections and the autumn increase in asthma morbidity
Authors: Dales RE , Schweitzer I , Toogood JH , Drouin M , Yang W , Dolovich J , Boulet J
Published: July 2003

Unexplained autumn increases in hospital admissions for asthma have been reported in many countries, including the United States, Canada, England and Wales. To investigate the role of infection, the association was tested between hospital admissions for asthma and respiratory infections among preschool children in Metropolitan Toronto, Canada during the period 1981 to 1989. The seasonal pattern in overall hospital utilization was assessed by admissions for nonrespiratory diseases. Time series analysis was used to remove potentially confounding temporal trends and the influence of correlated errors. A fourfold increase in asthma admissions occurred between July and October unaccompanied by similar increases in nonrespiratory admissions. Admissions began increasing during the third week of August, peaked during the third week in September, and slowly decreased during November and December. After adjusting for serial correlation, trends, climate, ambient air pollution and aeroallergens, the seasonal pattern of respiratory infection explained 14% of the variance in asthma admissions. Based on seasonal patterns, respiratory infection is the major identifiable risk factor for the large autumnal increase in asthma admissions.
Fish bone as a foreign body
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Joseph George , Kumar Seena , Clayton Malcolm
Published: July 2003

Fish bones are one of the most common foreign bodies in the upper aero-digestive tract. The use of plain X-ray in identifying fish bones has questionable value. We believe that the knowledge of the type of the fish ingested improves the diagnostic value of the neck X-rays. This study was designed to evaluate the relative radio-densities of the bones of commonly eaten fish in the UK. Twenty-three species of fish were studied and their bones were grouped into three depending upon their ratio-densities. This information is expected to be useful in identifying fish bones while reading plain radiography.
Pigmented vagal paraganglioma
Authors: Reddy C. Ekambar E. , Panda Naresh K. , Vaiphei Kim , Powari Manish
Published: July 2003

Paragangliomas are uncommon and those arising from the vagal trunk are rarer. Pigmented extra-adrenal paragangliomas are still rarer and reported sites of occurrence are the uterus, spine, retroperitoneum, bladder, mediastinum and orbit. The presence of abundant pigment in a cervical paraganglion has not been reported previously. We report one such unusual case of pigmented vagal paraganglioma that arose from the vagal trunk below the nodose ganglion, had massive central necrosis and showed hypovascularity on angiography. The unusual features and difficulties in the diagnosis of such cases are discussed.
Continuous Fiber Reinforced Titanium Matrix Composites: Fabrication, Properties, and Applications
Authors: Leyens C. , Hausmann J. , Kumpfert J.
Published: July 2003

Titanium matrix composites (TMCs) have been developed as high performance materials for light weight structural applications. The materials are comprised of a silicon carbide (SiC) fiber embedded in a titanium matrix, thus making use of the high strength of the SiC fibers, their high stiffness and creep resistance at elevated temperatures combined with the damage tolerance of titanium alloys. Since materials properties are closely related to the quality of the fabrication process, TMC processing is of major importance. Moreover, reinforcement‐induced anisotropy of the material and thermal residual stresses formed during the consolidation process must be considered and understood for proper component design. Finally, modeling using FE methods reduces the time needed for component development and helps to elucidate failure mechanisms of the material.
Assessment of Microwave Heating for Sintering of Al/SiC and for in‐situ Synthesis of TiC
Authors: Leparoux S. , Vaucher S. , Beffort O.
Published: July 2003

This work describes sintering of SiC‐reinforced Al‐matrix composites and in‐situ synthesis of TiC in a powder mixture of Ti and C. In the first case, microwave energy is absorbed by SiC grains, heating the metal matrix to sintering and even melting temperature. The composite is processed at <1 kW microwave power. Microwave absorption and the heating rate increase with decreasing SiC particle size. Composites with high SiC content (70 vol.‐%) are processed at 650 °C/1 h in the microwave furnace, whereas conventional resistive heating at the same temperature did not allow sintering of the sample. In the second case, radiative energy allowed the heating of Ti/C samples up to 950 °C, and microwave assistance enhanced the reaction sintering of Ti/C powder mixtures forming TiC at the border of the Ti particles. The results are compared with conventional processing. Optical images and XRD patterns confirmed the formation of TiC for both techniques.
Reactive Extraction In Stirred Columns – A Review
Authors: Bart H.‐J.
Published: July 2003

The use of liquid ion exchangers enables one to perform selective separations with reactive extraction of species such as metal ions or acids. For the simulation of countercurrent column performance, three major outstanding issues have to be tackled: The first step is in a description of reactive equilibria, based on Gibbs excess modeling, taking into account complex formation involving aqueous electrolytes and organic species. In addition to physical extraction, the mass transfer co‐efficient must be determined by taking into account diffusional and/or chemical reaction resistances. Finally, the column hydrodynamics have to be considered, where the state of the art design is to consider the deviation from plug flow with one parameter (e.g. the axial dispersion co‐efficient). The development of droplet population methods, and the helpful information from CFD‐calculations for the improvement of the physical understanding of complex flows, will be discussed. The use of lab‐scale equipment to estimate all necessary design parameters involving a minimum of matter, is also presented.
The Dawn of X‐Ray Astronomy (Nobel Lecture)
Authors: Giacconi Riccardo
Published: July 2003

Riccardo Giacconi joined the American Science and Engineering Corporation (AS & E) after leaving Princeton University in 1959, and in 1962 his group there detected the first extrasolar Xray source. Prof. Giacconi was subsequently responsible for the launch and use of the satellite UHURU (1970) and the EINSTEIN observatory (1978). He was appointed Associate Director of the High Energy Astrophysics Division of the Harvard‐Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in 1973 and was also appointed Professor of Astronomy at Harvard University that same year. In 1981 he became the first Director of the Space Telescope Science Institute and was also appointed Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Johns Hopkins University. In 1992 he was appointed Director General of the European Southern Observatory, an intergovernmental organization of eight nations. Prof. Giaconni is currently President of Associated Universities, Inc., and Research Professor at Johns Hopkins University. He was awarded the Wolf Prize in 1987, and the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2002.
Electrocatalysis of Some Biomacromolecules at C60 / DDAB Films
Authors: Li Meixian , Li Nanqiang , Gu Zhennan , Zhou Xihuang
Published: July 2003

Electrochemically stable fullerene films made from cationic surfactant DDAB containing C60 on a glassy carbon electrode were produced in an aqueous solution, and electrocatalysis of some biomacromolecules at C60 / DDAB films was studied.
Genetic variability among serotype G6 human rotaviruses: Identification of a novel lineage isolated in Hungary
Authors: Bányai Krisztián , Gentsch Jon R. , Griffin Dixie D. , Holmes Jennifer L. , Glass Roger I. , Szücs György
Published: July 2003

Rotavirus serotype G6 has been demonstrated to be a rare cause of gastroenteritis in man. To date, only a few well characterized strains have been described from Italy, Australia, and the United States. Nucleotide sequencing of G6 VP7 genes shows that these strains belong to two distinct G6 lineages, one for strains of serotype P11[14],G6 (PA169‐like strains) and one for strains of serotype P3[9],G6 (PA151‐like strains). In this study, we sequenced the VP7 genes and VP8* gene fragments of human rotavirus G6 strains detected in Hungary. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the VP7 genes of Hungarian G6 strains fell into three lineages, represented by a single PA169‐like strain, three PA151‐like strains, and two novel G6 strains, respectively. The amino acid sequence identity of VP7 was 97.2–100% within each lineage and 92–93.9% between any two lineages. The sequence analysis of VP8* revealed that the single PA169‐like Hungarian G6 strain belonged to genotype P[14] and was phylogenetically closely related to P11[14],G6 strains characterized previously. In contrast, the VP8* of PA151‐like Hungarian G6 strains clustered in accordance with their VP7 genes representing genetically distinguishable variants of genotype P[9]. This finding raises the possibility that Hungarian genotype P[9],G6 strains might have been generated through independent reassortment events. Serotype G6‐specific primers for each human G6 lineage were also developed. The use of these primers in reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction genotyping may help determine the epidemiological role of G6 strains in humans. J. Med. Virol. 71:124–134, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection and identification of Toscana and other phleboviruses by RT‐nested‐PCR assays with degenerated primers
Authors: Sánchez‐Seco María‐Paz , Echevarría José‐Manuel , Hernández Lourdes , Estévez Domingo , Navarro‐Marí José‐María , Tenorio Antonio
Published: July 2003

Phleboviruses are a large and widespread group of viruses that are transmitted by arthropods. Toscana virus is one of the principal agents that causes meningitis in humans during the summer in Italy and, possibly, in other Mediterranean countries. Rift Valley Fever virus can cause serious illness in both animals and humans, leading to high morbidity and mortality, and is considered to be a potential agent for epizootics and human epidemics. Since information on this group of viruses is still scant, reliable laboratory tools for diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance must be developed, in order to ascertain their real impact on Public Health. Sequence data obtained from Spanish isolates of Toscana virus and other phleboviruses confirmed that natural genome variability may hamper the diagnosis of these agents by molecular methods, so this must be borne in mind when developing reliable assays. In view of the above, a novel and useful protocol has been developed for the detection and specific identification of every member of the phlebovirus genus present in a sample, including Toscana virus, based on a generic RT‐nested‐PCR, followed by sequencing of the amplified fragment. A change in this method also allowed specific direct detection and identification of wild isolates of Toscana virus of different geographical origin, using newly designed primers. Testing clinical samples with these assays confirmed the role of Toscana virus as an agent that causes acute aseptic meningitis in the central region of Spain. J. Med. Virol. 71:140–149, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Global existence of solutions for non‐small data to non‐linear spherically symmetric thermoviscoelasticity
Authors: Gawinecki J.
Published: July 2003

We consider some initial–boundary value problems for non‐linear equations of thermoviscoelasticity in the three‐dimensional case. Since, we are interested to prove global existence we consider spherically symmetric problem. We examine the Neumann conditions for the temperature and either the Neumann or the Dirichlet boundary conditions for the elasticity equations. Using the energy method, we are able to obtain some energy estimates in appropriate Sobolev spaces enough to prove existence for all time without any restrictions on data. Due to the spherical symmetricity the constants in the above estimates increase with time so the existence for all finite times is proved only. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Platelet Chemokines and Chemokine Receptors: Linking Hemostasis, Inflammation, and Host Defense
Authors: GEAR ADRIAN R.L. , CAMERINI DAVID
Published: July 2003

Blood platelets play critical roles in hemostasis, providing rapid essential protection against bleeding and catalyzing the important slower formation of stable blood clots via the coagulation cascade. They are also involved in protection from infection by phagocytosis of pathogens and by secreting chemokines that attract leukocytes. Platelet function usually is activated by primary agonists such as adenosine diphosphate (ADP), thrombin, and collagen, whereas secondary agonists like adrenalin do not induce aggregation on their own but become highly effective in the presence of low levels of primary agonists. Current research has revealed that chemokines represent an important additional class of agonists capable of causing significant activation of platelet function. Early work on platelet α–granule proteins suggested that platelet factor 4, now known as CXCL4, modulated aggregation and secretion induced by low agonist levels. Subsequent reports revealed the presence in platelets of messenger RNA for several additional chemokines and chemokine receptors. Three chemokines in particular, CXCL12 (SDF‐1), CCL17 (TARC), and CCL22 (MDC), recently have been shown to be strong and rapid activators of platelet aggregation and adhesion after their binding to platelet CXCR4 or CCR4, when acting in combination with low levels of primary agonists. CXCL12 can be secreted by endothelial cells and is present in atherosclerotic plaques, whereas CCL17 and CCL22 are secreted by monocytes and macrophages. Platelet activation leads to the release of α‐granule chemokines, including CCL3 (MIP‐1α), CCL5 (RANTES), CCL7 (MCP‐3), CCL17, CXCL1 (growth‐regulated oncogene–α), CXCL5 (ENA‐78), and CXCL8 (IL‐8), which attract leukocytes and further activate other platelets. These findings help to provide a direct linkage between hemostasis, infection, and inflammation and the development of atherosclerosis.
Food, Shelter and Half a Chance: Assessing the Needs of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children   I Did Not Choose to Come Here: Listening to Refugee Children   Supporting Refugee Children in 21st Century Britain: A Compendium of Essential Information   Working with Refugees and Asylum Seekers: A Social Work Resource Book
Authors: Warren‐Adamson Chris
Published: July 2003

Food, Shelter and Half a Chance: Assessing the Needs of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children
 
Selam Kidane  British Association for Adoption and Fostering, London, 2001(a), 30 pp. £6.50. ISBN 1 903699 02 9

I Did Not Choose to Come Here: Listening to Refugee Children
 
Selam Kidane  British Association for Adoption and Fostering, London, 2001(b), 40 pp. £6.95. ISBN 1 903699 03 7

Supporting Refugee Children in 21st Century Britain: A Compendium of Essential Information
 
Jill Rutter  Trentham Books, Stoke on Trent, 2001, 304 pp. £15.95. ISBN 1 85856 292 9

Working with Refugees and Asylum Seekers: A Social Work Resource Book
 
R. Torode, T. Walsh and M. Woods with T. Galvin and A.F. Keogh  Department of Social Studies, Trinity College, Dublin, 2001, 122 pp. ISBN 0 951576 87 9
Solving Problems in Foster Care: Key Issues for Young People, Foster Carers and Social Services
Authors: Berridge David
Published: July 2003

Philippa Padbury with Nick Frost  The Children's Society, London, 2002, 116 pp. £12.95. ISBN 1 899783 44 X
Clinical trials: introduction
Authors: Held P. , Wedel H. , Wilhelmsen L.
Published: July 2003

Abstract.  Held P, Wedel H, Wilhelmsen L (The Cardiovascular Institute, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden). Clinical trials: introduction (Clinical Trials). J Intern Med 2003; 254: 103–104.
Excitation energy flow at 77 K in the photosynthetic apparatus of overwintering evergreens
Authors: GILMORE A. M. , MATSUBARA S. , BALL M. C. , BARKER D. H. , ITOH S.
Published: July 2003

The flow of excitation energy from the antennae to photosynthetic reaction centre complexes at 77 K was studied in leaves of two evergreen species, namely, snow gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora Sieb. ex Spreng.) and a hemiparasitic mistletoe (Amyema miquelii, Lehm. ex Miq.). The leaves that were naturally acclimated to winter conditions of freezing temperatures and high irradiance displayed the recently discovered cold‐hard‐band or CHB feature of the chlorophyll a fluorescence spectra (Gilmore & Ball, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 97:11098–11101, 2000). A streak‐camera‐spectrograph was used and the double convolution integral method for global analysis was applied to simultaneously acquire and simulate, respectively, the time‐ and wavelength‐dependence of all major chlorophyll a components (Gilmore et al. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. B‐London 355:1371–1384, 2000). The CHB coincided with changed amplitudes and decreased excited state lifetimes for the main F685 nm and F695 nm emission bands from the photosystem II (PSII) core‐inner‐antenna. The CHB dissipates energy as heat separate from PSII while also reducing the PSII quantum yield by competing for both photon absorption and antenna excitation. The CHB did not correlate with changes in the decay kinetics of the PSI antenna F740 nm band. The spectral‐kinetic features of the altered energy flow were similar in the unrelated evergreen species. These results are consistent with a functional association between the CHB, PSII energy dissipation and protective storage of chlorophyll in overwintering evergreens.