bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mental health of refugees in inner-London
Authors: Murphy D. , Ndegwa D. , Kanani A. , Rojas-Jaimes C. , Webster A.
Published: September 2002

What follows is an attempt to describe the provision of mental health care for refugees (including asylum seekers). Our views are based on our work with refugees in inner-London and on consultation with service providers.
Medico-legal implications of drug treatment in dementia: prescribing out of licence
Authors: Lawrence R. M. , Scott K. , Duggal A. , Darwin C. , Brooks E. , Christodoulou G.
Published: September 2002

AIMS AND METHOD

There is increasing evidence-based knowledge in the drug treatment of psychotic and behavioural symptoms in dementia, but drugs do not possess a formal licence for these indications. Drug companies, health authorities, NHS trusts and medical defence unions were asked for their advice on the medico-legal implications for the prescribing clinician.

RESULTS

Drug companies, health authorities, medical defence unions and NHS trusts are aware of out-of-licence prescribing and leave ultimate accountability with the clinician. A suggested best practice is that of obtaining the patient's consent.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Out-of-licence prescribing for psychotic and behavioural symptoms in dementia is widespread. This patient group may be unable to grant consent. The accountability of individual clinicians should be supported by more adequate medico-legal frameworks.
Health technology assessment and mental health
Authors: Mackay Angus
Published: September 2002

In company with all other branches of the NHS, those concerned with mental health are currently the target of a plethora of standards, guidelines and derivatives thereof. In England and Wales, the responsibility for the production of national clinical guidelines rests with the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), and the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) is charged with the monitoring of performance. In Scotland, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) and the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland (CSBS) undertake these respective responsibilities. However, NICE is also responsible for a rather different form of activity, and one that has forced it recurringly into the media limelight in the 2 years since its creation. This is the formulation of national advice on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of new and existing health technology. Health technology is a rather pedantic, if precisely defined, term that means essentially any health intervention and it includes medicines, devices, clinical procedures and even health care settings. Post-devolution and in the wake of the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, the Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) was created by statute in April 2000. This organisation shares with NICE the responsibility for issuing advice on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of health technologies, in HTBS's case primarily to NHS Scotland. Therefore, two nationally-oriented organisations exist on either side of Hadrian's Wall, responsible to their respective Parliaments for providing authoritative opinions on whether or not a particular health intervention should be provided within the NHS. A crude approximation to the subject of this advice would be ‘value for money’. While, for reasons that will be explained, such a term is potentially misleading, it does serve to identify the basic elements of the need to which this activity is a response.
Accredited accommodation: an alternative to in-patient care in rural north Powys
Authors: Readhead C. , Henderson R. , Hughes G. , Nickless J.
Published: September 2002

Various alternatives to psychiatric in-patient care have recently been reviewed (Boardman & Hodgson, 2000). The Accredited Accommodation Scheme in north Powys represents a novel, local alternative to in-patient care, for a targeted group of patients with enduring forms of mental illness.
Unemployment rates among patients with long-term mental health problems
Authors: Perkins Rachel , Rinaldi Miles
Published: September 2002

Aims and Method

To examine the vocational status of people with longer-term mental health problems in the inner London Borough of Wandsworth. Data collected over 10 years on 1 April each year as part of an annual census of adults with longer-term mental health problems using community mental health and rehabilitation teams were analysed to examine the vocational status of these groups.

Results

Within the borough unemployment rates among people with longer-term mental health problems increased steadily during the 1990s, despite a decreasing rate of general unemployment for the majority of that period. Unemployment among people with long-term mental health problems increased from 80% in 1990 to 92% in 1999, and the unemployment rates among those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia increased from 88% in 1990 to 96% in 1999.

Clinical Implications

Work and employment is important in health as well as social functioning. Greater attention to vocational issues in clinical teams is required: the challenge for mental health services is to make employment interventions of demonstrated effectiveness available to all who need them.
Scottish survey of learning disability psychiatrists
Authors: Smiley E. , Cooper S.-A. , Miller S. , Robertson P. , Simpson N.
Published: September 2002

Aims and Method

A survey was undertaken to determine the working arrangements of learning disability psychiatrists in Scotland. A questionnaire was sent to each of the 15 NHS providers of learning disabilities services in Scotland. Results were converted to the equivalent of whole time equivalent (WTE) consultant.

Results

The results showed a wide range in the level of psychiatric staffing throughout services. The median consultant learning disability psychiatrist in Scotland covers a catchment population of 160 000 and works with 0.65 WTE non-consultant career-grade psychiatrists and 0.68 WTE training-grade psychiatrists. They are responsible for a median of 3.7 assessment and treatment beds, no rehabilitation beds, no day hospital places, 23 long-stay beds, 0.6 respite beds and 0.7 forensic beds. At the time of the survey, 15.6% of consultant posts were vacant.

Clinical Implications

Service provision appears to be variable across Scotland. The implications of this may warrant closer scrutiny.
Simplified Restrainer Design Procedure for Multiple-Frame Bridges
Authors: DesRoches Reginald , Fenves Gregory L.
Published: September 2002

The collapse of existing bridges due to unseating at supports and intermediate (in-span) hinges with inadequate seat-width can be prevented by the use of restrainers to limit the relative hinge opening. A new simplified procedure for the design of restrainers in bridges accounts for the dynamic characteristics and out-of-phase motion of adjacent frames as well as the inelastic behavior of the bridge. The simplified procedure is developed from an empirical relationship for the restrainer stiffness as a function of the frame stiffnesses, initial hinge displacement, target displacement, and target ductility of the structure. Parameter studies and case studies show that the simplified procedure limits the relative hinge displacement to a designer-specified value.
Analytical and Experimental Seismic Studies of Transformers Isolated with Friction Pendulum System and Design Aspects
Authors: Ersoy Selahattin , Ala Saadeghvaziri M. , Liu Gee-Yu , Mau S. T.
Published: September 2002

This paper presents the results of analytical and experimental studies on the use of an advanced technology for seismic rehabilitation and design of substation transformers. The isolation system, known as Friction Pendulum System (FPS), combines the concepts of sliding bearings and pendulum motion. Discussion of formulation is followed by an extensive parametric study using a typical transformer. Among parameters are peak ground acceleration, bidirectional motions, effect of vertical motion, and isolation radius. Inertia reduction and the maximum displacement of the system are the criteria used in evaluating the seismic response and the effectiveness of FPS bearings. Using the results of the parametric study, charts that can be used in design are developed for each criterion. Furthermore, two commonly used response combination rules, namely SRSS and CQC, are evaluated, and recommendations are made with regard to the suitability of each method in estimating the total responses under orthogonal motions. Finally, the results of an experimental study, which considers 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D responses of fixed and base isolated transformer models supporting a bushing, are presented. Experimental results are consistent with the analytical results and further support the effectiveness of FPS bearings in reducing inertia forces, thus, providing a suitable procedure to mitigate the seismic hazard of substation transformers.
Seismic Behavior of Dual Systems with Column Hinging
Authors: Lopes Mário S. , Bento Rita
Published: September 2002

In order that moment-resisting frames exhibit adequate ductile behavior under seismic actions, it is necessary that inelastic deformations spread throughout the height of the frames. It is widely accepted that this is only possible if vertical members remain essentially elastic, such as enforced in the most advanced codes of practice. The results of nonlinear dynamic analysis shown in this work demonstrate that this is not the case if frames resist earthquake ground motions together with structural walls. This was attributed to the fact that these elements prevent the development of sidesway mechanisms even if plastic hinges form at all column extremities at a given floor. As a consequence, it is proposed to relax the capacity design procedures for design of ductile frames that resist earthquake ground motions together with structural walls.
Joint Hazard of Earthquake Shaking at Two or More Locations
Authors: Rhoades David A. , McVerry Graeme H.
Published: September 2002

The continuation of a system, activity, or lifeline after an earthquake may depend on one or all of several critical facilities at different sites remaining operational. Hence the joint hazard of strong shaking at two or more locations in the same earthquake is of much interest. Taking account of uncertainties, we derive estimates for the probability that strong shaking will exceed stated thresholds jointly at two or more sites in an earthquake of given source location and magnitude. The method is extended to estimation of the joint hazard at two or more sites when potential sources are distributed in location and magnitude. Examples show that the ratio between the joint and individual hazards can vary widely. The ratio depends on the relative sizes of the between-earthquake and within-earthquake components of variability, and on the number of earthquake sources contributing to the hazard.
Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of 230-kV Porcelain Transformer Bushings
Authors: Gilani Amir S. , Whittaker Andrew S. , Fenves Gregory L.
Published: September 2002

Static and earthquake-simulator testing of two 230-kV, 3000A, Type-U transformer bushings manufactured in the mid 1980s by the General Electric (GE) Company was undertaken to evaluate both the seismic performance of bushings known to be vulnerable to damage from moderate earthquake shaking, and the efficacy of simple retrofit details. Both bushings survived earthquake shaking compatible with the IEEE spectrum for High Level qualification when mounted on a rigid frame. When mounted on a flexible frame, one 230-kV bushing was unable to sustain the High Level qualification shaking without oil leakage and slip of the porcelain units. Two retrofit details utilizing two semicircular ring plates and epoxy filler were prepared by utility representatives with the objective of limiting slip of the UPPER-1 porcelain unit over the gasket connection. The second detail, Ring-2, permitted the 230-kV bushing to sustain substantially larger accelerations and displacements than those of the unretrofitted bushing and eliminated the permanent slip of the UPPER-1 porcelain unit over the gasket connection for extreme earthquake shaking.
Responses of the Earthquake Engineering Research Community to the Chi-Chi (Taiwan) Earthquake
Authors: Loh Chin-Hsiung , Tsay Ching-Yen
Published: September 2002

In the early morning of 21 September 1999, a devastating earthquake struck the central region of Taiwan. This earthquake became known as the “Chi-Chi” Taiwan earthquake. Immediately after the occurrence of the earthquake, the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) organized reconnaissance teams to investigate the damage in the earthquake-affected area. The purpose of this paper is to describe the inter-collaborations and actions that were taken by NCREE and the engineering research community. This paper also describes the damage situation from an engineering point of view that includes fault investigations, studies of strong ground motion characteristics, building and bridge damage investigations, geotechnical damage surveys, and lifeline damage investigations. The NCREE's emergency response decision support system and the HAZ-Taiwan earthquake loss assessment program are also described.
Concurrent Design Forces in Structures under Three-Component Orthotropic Seismic Excitation
Authors: Anastassiadis K. , Avramidis I. E. , Panetsos P.
Published: September 2002

According to the model of Penzien and Watabe, the three translational ground motion components on a specific point of the ground are statistically noncorrelated along a well-defined orthogonal system of axes p, w, and v, whose orientation remains reasonably stable over time during the strong motion phase of an earthquake. This orthotropic ground motion is described by three generally independent response spectra Sa, Sb, and Sc, respectively. The paper presents an antiseismic design procedure for structures according to the above seismic motion model. This design includes a) determination of the critical orientation of the seismic input, i.e., the orientation that gives the largest response, b) calculation of the maximum and the minimum values of any response quantity, and c) application of either the Extreme Stress Method or the Extreme Force Method for determining the most unfavorable combinations of several stress resultants (or sectional forces) acting concurrently at a specified section of a structural member.
Regional Modeling of Liquefaction-Induced Ground Deformation
Authors: Bardet Jean-Pierre , Tobita Tetsuo , Mace Nicholas , Hu Jianping
Published: September 2002

Liquefaction-induced ground deformations are permanent ground displacements resulting from earthquakes, which can extend over areas as large as a few square kilometers and have amplitudes ranging from a few centimeters to few tens of meters. This type of ground deformation caused substantial damage to lifelines and pile-foundations of buildings and bridge piers along the Kobe shoreline during the 1995 Hyogoken-Nanbu, Japan, earthquake. This paper presents a four-parameter multiple-linear-regression model for estimating the amplitude of liquefaction-induced ground displacement for both ground-slope and free-face conditions at a regional scale. The applicability of the model for mapping the amplitude of liquefaction-induced ground deformation is investigated over selected regions. The paper also presents a regional model for estimating the probability for the displacements to exceed some threshold amplitude, and to fall within confidence intervals. Both models are useful for risk assessment to spatially distributed lifeline networks resulting from future earthquakes.
Determination of Site Response in Anchorage, Alaska, on the Basis of Spectral Ratio Methods
Authors: Martirosyan A. , Dutta U. , Biswas N. , Papageorgiou A. , Combellick R.
Published: September 2002

This paper deals with the site response (SR) in the Anchorage basin in south-central Alaska. The investigation is based on the analysis of seismograms of 114 earthquakes recorded by 22 weak-motion stations and 46 earthquakes recorded by 19 strong-motion stations in the study area. We have computed SR for 41 sites, using standard spectral ratio and horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio methods in the frequency range from 0.5 to 11 Hz. Based on these results, we have calculated band-average site response values in two frequency ranges: low frequency (from 0.5 to 2.5 Hz) and high frequency (from 3 to 7 Hz). There is a good correlation between SR values and surficial geology of the Anchorage area in the low-frequency range. SR values increase by a factor of three from the foothills of the Chugach Mountains in the east to the west towards the deeper part of the basin. The highest site response values (SR>2.5) in the same frequency range are observed in the west-central part of the city, which is underlain by cohesive facies of the Bootlegger Cove formation. The SR has a good correlation with the uppermost 30-m time-average shear-wave velocity with a correlation coefficient of 0.82. Moreover, the low-frequency SR values are close to the NEHRP site coefficients for 1 sec. However, high-frequency SR values lack correlation with 30-m average shear-wave velocity and short-period NEHRP site coefficients.
Seismic Investigation of Steel Pile Bents: I. Evaluation of Performance
Authors: Shama Ayman A. , Mander John B. , Blabac Blaise A. , Chen Stuart S.
Published: September 2002

The main objective of this study is to assess the seismic vulnerability of a class of highway bridges existing in certain regions of the eastern and central states, where steel H-piles extends out of the soil to support the pier cap. During severe ground motions, the overall performance of the bridge will be governed by the local performance of the pile-to-cap beam connection. The scope of work was divided into several tasks as follows: (1) a theory was developed to predict the performance of the connection under lateral loading; (2) an initial experimental program was conducted to investigate the seismic behavior of the steel bents; (3) a retrofit strategy is proposed; (4) a second experimental study was carried out to validate the proposed retrofit method; and (5) fragility curves for such structures were developed. This paper deals with the first two tasks of the study. The other three tasks are the subject of a second companion paper (Shama 2002).
Seismic Investigation of Steel Pile Bents: II. Retrofit and Vulnerability Analysis
Authors: Shama Ayman A. , Mander John B. , Chen Stuart S.
Published: September 2002

This paper is the second of a two-part study on the seismic vulnerability of deck bridges supported on steel pile bents. A conceptual elastic cap/elasto-plastic steel pile retrofit strategy is proposed in this part with the aim of strengthening the connection and ensuring plastification takes place only in the steel pile. An experimental program was carried out to assess the retrofit strategy. On the basis of the experimental results for existing as well as retrofitted connections, a seismic vulnerability analysis for bridges supported by steel pile bents was performed. Fragility curves for such structures were developed using a simplified fundamental mechanics-based approach. The study showed that the retrofitted connections exhibited superior energy absorptions with respect to the existing connections. Fragility curves also demonstrated the effectiveness of the retrofit strategy proposed.
Performance of Structures with Passive Energy Dissipators
Authors: Miyamoto H. Kit , Singh J. P.
Published: September 2002

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the earthquake performance of structures with passive energy dissipators. This paper addresses the following issues: (1) evaluation of seismic intensity levels at which frames incorporating the energy dissipating system (EDS) remain elastic; (2) performance evaluation of frames incorporating an EDS for high-intensity ground shaking; and (3) evaluation of SEAOC Blue Book provisions. Linear time-history analyses indicate that frames with an EDS generally remain elastic during earthquake events that do not greatly exceed the UBC Zone 4 response spectrum. Nonlinear time-history analyses indicate the following: (1) the frames with an EDS can provide “immediate occupancy performance” for high-intensity earthquakes; (2) the performance level of the frames with an EDS exceeds that of frames without an EDS; and (3) the performance of the frame with an EDS, which was designed per Blue Book provisions, can exceed life safety performance.
Preferred Direction of Damage to Concrete Block Fences in the M6.7 Northridge Earthquake of 17 January 1994
Authors: Snyder David L. , Borchardt Glenn
Published: September 2002

The Northridge earthquake toppled three times more concrete block fences that were oriented east-west than those oriented north-south. Toppled fences were twice as likely to fall to the north as to the south. This was discovered during damage causation studies for insurance companies in our survey of more than 200 single-family residences within 29 km of the epicenter. Two hundred nineteen fences were built within 11 degrees of either north (55%) or east (45%), providing an opportunity to study the effect of orientation. Of those fences that were completely toppled, 19 were oriented east-west, while only 7 were oriented north-south. This preferred direction of damage for toppled fences was observed in all four quadrants about the epicenter and at distances of up to 17 km. In the NW quadrant, immediately above the aftershock zone, all toppled fences were oriented E-W, none were oriented N-S. The 58 fences oriented within 11 degrees of either NE or SE had no preferred direction of damage. In general, the failure rate for all 297 fences correlated with Modified Mercalli Intensity, location on alluvium as opposed to bedrock, and lack of structural reinforcement.
Empirical Evidence for Site Coefficients in Building Code Provisions
Authors: Borcherdt Roger D.
Published: September 2002

Site-response coefficients, Fa and Fv, used in U.S. building code provisions are based on empirical data for motions up to 0.1 g. For larger motions they are based on theoretical and laboratory results. The Northridge earthquake of 17 January 1994 provided a significant new set of empirical data up to 0.5 g. These data together with recent site characterizations based on shear-wave velocity measurements provide empirical estimates of the site coefficients at base accelerations up to 0.5 g for Site Classes C and D. These empirical estimates of Fa and Fv as well as their decrease with increasing base acceleration level are consistent at the 95 percent confidence level with those in present building code provisions, with the exception of estimates for Fa at levels of 0.1 and 0.2 g, which are less than the lower confidence bound by amounts up to 13 percent. The site-coefficient estimates are consistent at the 95 percent confidence level with those of several other investigators for base accelerations greater than 0.3 g. These consistencies and present code procedures indicate that changes in the site coefficients are not warranted. Empirical results for base accelerations greater than 0.2 g confirm the need for both a short- and a mid- or long-period site coefficient to characterize site response for purposes of estimating site-specific design spectra.
Seismic Behavior of Squat Reinforced Concrete Shear Walls
Authors: Hidalgo Pedro A. , Ledezma Christian A. , Jordan Rodrigo M.
Published: September 2002

The behavior of reinforced concrete walls that exhibit the shear mode of failure is studied, through the results of an experimental program that included the test of 26 full-scale specimens subjected to cyclic horizontal displacements of increasing amplitude. Test parameters were the aspect ratio of the walls, the amount of vertical and horizontal distributed reinforcement, and the compressive strength of concrete. The results include the cracking shear strength, the maximum shear strength, the drifts associated to these loads and the drift associated to a collapse limit state for each of the specimens tested. Conclusions are drawn concerning the deformation capacity, the energy absorption, the dissipation characteristics and the strength deterioration after maximum strength shown by the walls and the influence of vertical distributed reinforcement on the seismic behavior of walls.
Magnitude Recurrence Relations for Colorado Earthquakes
Authors: Charlie Wayne A. , Battalora Raymond J. , Siller Thomas J. , Doehring Donald O.
Published: September 2002

Colorado has a significant potential for damaging earthquakes. The Colorado Geological Survey has identified 92 potentially active faults. Two faults have documented slip-rates approaching 1 mm per year. Four hundred and seventy-seven Colorado earthquakes have been felt and/or equaled or exceeded magnitude of 2.0 between 1870 and 1996. Eighty-two earthquakes have equaled or exceeded an MMI Scale of V. Colorado's largest historical earthquake, which occurred on 7 November 1882 (8 November UCT), had an estimated magnitude of 6.5 and maximum MMI of VII to VIII. Colorado's maximum credible earthquake has been estimated at 7.5 ML. In this paper we analyze independent earthquakes (foreshocks, aftershocks, and fluid-injection induced earthquakes removed) to develop magnitude-recurrence relations. Analysis of instrumentally measured earthquakes predicts that a 6.5 ML or larger earthquake occurring somewhere in Colorado has a mean recurrence interval of about 420 years. A magnitude 6.6 ML earthquake has a 10 percent Poisson's probability of exceedance in 50 years. A 7.5 ML earthquake has a 2 percent Poisson's probability of exceedance in 50 years. Colorado's magnitude-recurrence (Gutenberg-Richter) relation is log N=2.58−0.80 ML.
Static vs. Modal Analysis of Asymmetric Buildings: Effectiveness of Dynamic Eccentricity Formulations
Authors: Calderoni Bruno , D'Aveni Antonino , Ghersi Aurelio , Rinaldi Zila
Published: September 2002

The use of modal analysis appears necessary in order to reduce both displacement demand under weak seismic events and ductility demand under strong earthquakes. Static analysis can be effective only if used with proper values of additional eccentricities. To overcome the inaccuracy of the code formulations, the authors propose a simple procedure that gives the exact values of these eccentricities and discuss the influence of the main parameters that govern the structural behavior. They also point out the difficulty in evaluating some parameters (stiffness radius of gyration, structural eccentricity) in the case of multistory buildings and discuss the validity of simplified formulations proposed to overcome this problem. The effectiveness of static analysis, applied to three-dimensional multistory structures with properly evaluated corrective eccentricities, is analyzed with reference both to regularly asymmetric multistory schemes and to an actual irregularly asymmetric structure (the main building of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Catania, Italy).
On the Evolution of Energy Dissipation Devices for Seismic Design
Authors: Martínez-Rueda Juan Enrique
Published: September 2002

A review of the evolution of energy dissipation devices of hysteretic type is presented. Both friction and yielding devices are included in the paper covering a worldwide range of applications. Due to the increasingly large number of available devices, the paper does not attempt to present a state-of-the-art on the subject, but to focus on discussing the main original research efforts that have paved the way of the current technology of energy dissipation devices. Relevant past applications of devices are briefly described making particular emphasis on important issues such as experimental assessment, effectiveness of their modeling by nonlinear analysis techniques, materials and constructability. Devices selected for discussion in the paper are presented in a historical perspective and are considered pioneer original steps or research efforts directed towards an efficient and rational use of energy dissipation technology.
Site Response in Singapore to Long-Distance Sumatra Earthquakes
Authors: Pan Tso-Chien , Lee Chin Long
Published: September 2002

Tremors caused by distant Sumatra earthquakes have reportedly been felt in Singapore for many years. The national network of seismic stations consisting of seven stations was therefore set up in 1996 to locate regional earthquake epicenters and investigate the site response characteristics when subjected to long distance Sumatra earthquakes. During the Sumatra earthquake on 1 April 1998, the downhole seismic array at the KAP seismic station successfully captured the first set of instrumental acceleration records in Singapore. The earthquake ground accelerations were recorded at three levels: ground surface, −32 m, and −50 m. Studies of the downhole data show that the soil layers within the 50-m depth at the KAP site of marine clay (locally called Kallang Formation) have a fundamental frequency around 1 Hz. This supports the observation that medium- and high-rise Singapore buildings located in Kallang Formation have been more responsive to long-distance Sumatra earthquakes. Based on the linear site response analysis for vertically propagating shear waves, numerical simulation has successfully reproduced the acceleration waveforms recorded at the ground surface and the middle level (−32 m) of KAP site for the Sumatra earthquake on 1 April 1998.
Endocrinological Disorders and Celiac Disease
Authors: Collin Pekka , Kaukinen Katri , Välimäki Matti , Salmi Jorma
Published: August 2002

Celiac disease is a permanent intolerance to dietary gluten. Its well known features are abdominal symptoms, malabsorption of nutrients, and small-bowel mucosal inflammation with villous atrophy, which recover on a gluten-free diet. Diagnosis is challenging in that patients often suffer from subtle, if any, symptoms. The risk of clinically silent celiac disease is increased in various autoimmune conditions. The endocrinologist, especially, should maintain high suspicion and alertness to celiac disease, which is to be found in 2–5% of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or autoimmune thyroid disease. Patients with multiple endocrine disorders, Addison’s disease, alopecia, or hypophysitis may also have concomitant celiac disease. Similar heredity and proneness to autoimmune conditions are considered to be explanations for these associations. A gluten-free diet is essential to prevent celiac complications such as anemia, osteoporosis, and infertility. The diet may also be beneficial in the treatment of the underlying endocrinological disease; prolonged gluten exposure may even contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases. The diagnosis of celiac disease requires endoscopic biopsy, but serological screening with antiendomysial and antitissue transglutaminase antibody assays is an easy method for preliminary case finding. Celiac disease will be increasingly detected provided the close association with autoimmune endocrinological diseases is recognized.
The Intrauterine Environment Is a Strong Determinant of Glucose Tolerance during the Neonatal Period, Even in Prematurity
Authors: Gray I. P. , Cooper P. A. , Cory B. J. , Toman M. , Crowther N. J.
Published: September 2002

The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of birth weight and gestational age to glucose tolerance in premature neonates. The study group consisted of 100 premature and/or small-for-gestational age infants. Anthropometric measurements were performed both at birth and at the time of a standardized milk feed carried out at 19.6 ± 12.1 d (range, 1–65 d) after birth. Fasting and postprandial glucose and insulin levels were measured.

Birth weight, as a proxy mirror of the intrauterine environment, was found to influence the glucose concentration following a standardized milk feed (β = −0.46; P = 0.01 for birth weight z-score with 60-min glucose level), whereas gestational age did not. Small-for-gestational age neonates had higher 60-min insulin levels than appropriate-for-gestational age neonates (115.4 ± 9.5 vs. 68.4 ± 14.2; P < 0.05) despite similar glucose levels. Neonates born of mothers who were on antihypertensive treatment were smaller and had a higher insulin secretory response than neonates from normotensive mothers. Postnatal growth velocity (kilograms per day) correlated with birth weight (β = −0.65; P < 0.0001) and insulin resistance (β = −0.31; P = 0.0004), independently of each other.

This study shows that glucose tolerance of the neonate is determined by weight attained at birth irrespective of gestational age and that maternal blood pressure may influence insulin sensitivity of the newborn. Furthermore, catch-up growth in neonates is determined by birth weight and insulin sensitivity.
Differences in Adipose Tissue Metabolism between Postmenopausal and Perimenopausal Women
Authors: Ferrara Cynthia M. , Lynch Nicole A. , Nicklas Barbara J. , Ryan Alice S. , Berman Dora M.
Published: September 2002

Changes in adipose tissue metabolism may contribute to the changes in body fat distribution seen during the menopause transition. We compared in vitro abdominal and gluteal sc adipose tissue metabolism [basal and stimulated lipolysis and activity of adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (AT-LPL)] in postmenopausal and perimenopausal women (n = 12/group), matched for race, body mass index (29.5 ± 3.8 kg/m2; mean ± sd), and percentage body fat (42 ± 6%). The postmenopausal women were older (54 ± 3 vs. 48 ± 3 yr; P < 0.01) and had higher FSH (55.5 ± 26.4 vs. 16.6 ± 22.5 IU/ml; P < 0.01) and lower estradiol (33.8 ± 14.9 vs. 97.4 ± 61.7 pmol/liter; P < 0.05) concentrations than the perimenopausal women. Despite similar fat cell size and β-adrenergic receptor and postreceptor (dibutyryl-cAMP)-stimulated lipolysis, basal lipolysis was 77% lower in gluteal adipose cells from postmenopausal compared with perimenopausal women (P < 0.05). Within each group, AT-LPL activity in the gluteal region was significantly higher than in the abdominal region (P < 0.05). In addition, AT-LPL activity was significantly higher in the postmenopausal compared with perimenopausal women in both gluteal (4.9 ± 3.6 vs. 2.0 ± 1.4 nmol free fatty acid/g·min; P < 0.05) and abdominal (3.2 ± 2.6 vs. 1.3 ± 0.9 nmol free fatty acid/g·min; P < 0.05) adipose cells. The results of this study suggest that menopause status is associated with differences in adipose tissue metabolism in both the abdominal and gluteal fat depots. The lower lipolysis and higher AT-LPL activity in postmenopausal women may predispose them to gain body fat after menopause.
Genetic Variants at the Resistin Locus and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Caucasians
Authors: Ma Xiaowei , Warram James H. , Trischitta Vincenzo , Doria Alessandro
Published: September 2002

Resistin is a newly identified hormone secreted by adipocytes that inhibits insulin action on peripheral tissues. The aim of our study was to investigate whether genetic variability at this locus is associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes. By sequencing 32 subjects with type 2 diabetes, we identified 8 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5′-flanking region and introns of the resistin gene. Allele and genotype distributions were determined for all 8 SNPs in 312 cases with type 2 diabetes and 303 nondiabetic controls, all of Caucasian origin. No significant association with type 2 diabetes was found at any of the polymorphic loci. However, an interactive effect of genotype at SNP 6 (IVS2 + 181G→A) and obesity was a significant determinant of type 2 diabetes risk in this population. The relative risk of diabetes for the A/A genotype was 4.8 (95% confidence interval, 1.1–21.0) in individuals above the median for body weight, but only 0.7 (95% confidence interval, 0.2–2.1) in those below the median. This difference between relative risks was significant (χ2 = 4.5; P = 0.03). A similar, but much weaker, interaction with obesity was observed for SNPs in linkage disequilibrium with SNP6. In conclusion, resistin does not appear to be a major gene for type 2 diabetes. However, our data suggest a synergistic effect of sequence differences at the resistin locus and obesity on risk of type 2 diabetes. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding in other populations.
Palladium(II) and bidentate phosphine‐catalyzed selective synthesis of N‐aryl‐2‐pyrrolidinones via cyclocarbonylative coupling of 2‐aminophenol and 2‐aminothiophenol
Authors: Longo Luigia , Mele Giuseppe , Ciccarella Giuseppe , Sgobba Vito , Ali Bassam El , Vasapollo Giuseppe
Published: August 2002

The inter‐ and intra‐molecular regioselective cyclocarbonylative coupling of 2‐aminophenol (1a) and 2‐aminothiophenol (1b) with various allylhalides was achieved in the presence of a catalytic amount of palladium acetate and 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphino)butane to afford N‐aryl‐2‐pyrrolidinones (3, 4) in 47–65% yields. Other aminophenol derivatives have also been used and gave good yields of the corresponding N‐aryl‐2‐pyrrolidinones. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cyclocarbonylation reactions of allylphenols and allylnaphthols catalyzed by Pd/C– 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphine)butane
Authors: Maffei Annamaria , Mele Giuseppe , Ciccarella Giuseppe , Vasapollo Giuseppe , Crisafulli Carmelo , Scirè Salvatore , Mantia Franco La
Published: August 2002

Palladium/activated carbon (Pd/C) in the presence of 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphino)butane is an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for cyclocarbonylation reactions of 2‐allyl phenols affording five‐, six‐, and seven‐membered ring lactones. Various examples of cyclocarbonylation are reported and the regioselectivity is compared with the homogeneous system. Both commercial Pd/C and Pd/C prepared from activated carbons obtained from vegetable and polymeric wastes are investigated. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alumino‐organic derivatives of some dioximes
Authors: Voiculescu Nicolae
Published: August 2002

The alumino‐organic combinations of the dioximes (DOxH2) examined in this paper result from the substitution of the hydrogen bonds of oximes by alumino‐organic groups. Relative to the same alumino‐organic derivatives, diphenylglyoxime (DPGH2) behaves similarly to dimethylglyoxime (DMGH2). The chemical reactivity of DPGH2 towards these alumino‐organic compounds is, however, less than in the case of DMGH2. An exception is the monomer state of (DPG)[Al(i‐C4H9)2]2 in benzene solution. The behavior relative to amines of alkyl derivatives is similar to that found in coordinated oximes. In contrast, phenylaluminum derivatives of DMGH2 and DPGH2 are not soluble in amines. All compounds reported in this paper were separated from the reaction mixture as colored powders and were characterized by chemical analyses, IR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction spectra and 1H NMR. Finally, a comparison between the reactivity of free and coordinated dioximes is briefly considered. It is hoped that such comparisons will throw light on the problems associated with the reactivity of free and coordinated oxides versus alumino‐organic compounds. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Styrene polymerization in the presence of the CpTiCl3/Al2O3–SiO2/MAO catalytic system
Authors: Jamanek Dariusz , Woyda Anna , Skupiński Wincenty
Published: August 2002

Syndiotactic polymerization of styrene in the presence of heterogenized hemititanocene catalysts CpTiCl3/Al2O3–SiO2/MAO (Cp = cyclopentadienyl; MAO = methylaluminoxane) showed that the yield and selectivity of this reaction depend on the support composition, i.e. on the Al2O3 content in the support. The most active catalysts contained Al2O3 in a quantity of 50 to 70 wt%. Despite a relatively lower selectivity of 75–59%, the amount of syndiotactic polystyrene in the presence of those catalysts was the greatest. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Speciation of phenyltin(IV) compounds using high‐performance liquid chromatography. Part 2: The direct analysis of mixed standard solutions of triphenyltin halides/pseudohalide and of triphenyltin carboxylates containing functional group variations in the esteryl moiety
Authors: Lal Shobha K. , Tan G. H. , Tioh N. H. , Das V. G. Kumar
Published: August 2002

Simultaneous speciation of mixed standard solutions of triphenyltin halides (triphenyltin chloride, bromide, iodide) and pseudohalide (triphenyltin isothiocyanate) has been achieved with reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography on a Waters Spherisorb S5W ODS‐2 (octadecyl‐silica) column. An isocratic mixture of 95:5 (v/v) acetonitrile:water was used as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 ml min−1. A series of selected triphenyltin carboxylates, Ph3SnOCOZ, where Z = Me, Ph, CH:CHPh, CH:NOMe, CH2SC5H4N and CH2SC(S)NMe2, was also similarly analysed using this system with two separate isocratic elutions using 100% acetonitrile and 96:4 (v/v) acetonitrile:water as the mobile phase. UV detection was done at 254 nm and the total run time for each analysis was less than 3 min. The detection limits for all the phenyltin(IV) compounds were in the range 0.01–0.03 ppm. Spiked water samples containing the triphenyltin carboxylates could also be simultaneously analysed by the above method without the need for any prior derivatization, following extraction with hexane. Pretreatment of the aqueous sample with NaCl/HCl and of the organic phase with hexamethylphosphoramide enabled recoveries of about 80% of the triphenyltins. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural characterization and thermal properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolymers containing 2‐butyl‐2‐ethyl‐1,3‐propanediol
Authors: Kint Darwin P. R. , Martínez de Ilarduya Antxou , Sansalvadó Antoni , Ferrer Josep , Iribarren José I. , Muñoz‐Guerra Sebastián
Published: August 2002

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolymers (abbreviated PEBEPT) containing 2‐butyl‐2‐ethyl‐1,3‐propanediol (BEPD) for the whole range of compositions were prepared by bulk polycondensation of either terephthalic acid or dimethyl terephthalate as the diacid monomer with mixtures of ethylene glycol and BEPD. Polymer intrinsic viscosities varied from 0.4 to 0.8 dL/g with weight‐average molecular weights oscillating between 25,000 and 90,000. All the copolymers were found to have an almost ideal random microstructure. Melting and glass‐transition temperatures of the PEBEPTs decreased with the content in BEPD, whereas their thermal stability was barely affected by composition. The crystallinity and isothermal crystallization rate of the PEBEPTs rapidly decreased with the incorporation of BEPD. X‐ray diffraction revealed that the triclinic crystal structure of PET was retained in the copolymers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1077–1086, 2002
Preparation and performance characteristics of short‐glass‐fiber/maleated styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene/polypropylene hybrid composites
Authors: Tjong Sie Chin , Xu Shi Ai , Yu Li Robert Kwok , Mai Yiu Wing
Published: August 2002

Eighty/twenty polypropylene (PP)/styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS) and 80/20 PP/maleated styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS‐g‐MA) blends reinforced with 30 wt % short glass fibers (SGFs) were prepared by extrusion and subsequent injection molding. The influence of the maleic anhydride (MA) functional group grafted to SEBS on the properties of SGF/SEBS/PP hybrid composites was studied. Tensile and impact tests showed that the SEBS‐g‐MA copolymer improved the yield strength and impact toughness of the hybrid composites. Extensive plastic deformation occurred at the matrix interface layer next to the fibers of the SGF/SEBS‐g‐MA/PP composites during impact testing. This was attributed to the MA functional group, which enhanced the adhesion between SEBS and SGF. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements indicated that SEBS promoted the crystallization of PP spherulites by acting as active nucleation sites. However, the MA functional group grafted to SEBS retarded the crystallization of PP. Finally, polarized optical microscopy observations confirmed the absence of transcrystallinity at the glass‐fiber surfaces of both SGF/SEBS/PP and SGF/SEBS‐g‐MA/PP hybrid composites. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1303–1311, 2002
Synthesis and characterization of anionic graft copolymers containing poly(ethylene oxide) grafts
Authors: Atta Ayman M. , Arndt K.‐F.
Published: August 2002

Graft copolymers containing poly(ethylene oxide) side chain attached to maleic anhydride‐alt‐vinyl methyl ether (MA‐VME) copolymer were prepared by coupling MA‐VME and poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (MPEG) by esterification in DMF at 90°C. MPEG and dodecyl alcohol (DA) were grafted onto MA‐VME copolymer in o‐xylene at 140°C in the presence of p‐toluene sulfonic acid as catalyst. The molecular weights of MPEG were found to influence the rate of the grafting reaction and the final degree of conversion. The graft copolymers were characterized by IR, GPC, and 1H‐NMR. DSC was used to examine thermal properties of the graft copolymers. The analysis indicates that grafts have phase‐separated morphology with the backbone and the MPEG grafts forming separate phases. The properties in aqueous solutions of these grafts were studied with respect to aggregation behavior and viscometric properties. In aqueous solution, the polymers exhibited polyelectrolyte behavior (i.e., a dramatic increase of the viscosity upon neutralization). Graft copolymers with DA have lower viscosities. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1138–1148, 2002
Archaeological geophysics in East Anglia, UK
Authors: Cott Peter J.
Published: August 2002

Geophysical surveying in East Anglia has proven to be less successful than in other parts of the UK, and this is attributed to the soils in the region, which tend to contain much gravel and sand. However, some interesting results have been obtained using both resistivity and magnetometry. Three examples are given, at Caistor St Edmund, Norfolk, Pleshey, Essex, and Gosbecks, Colchester, Essex. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of bisphenol A in rat brain by microdialysis and column switching high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection
Authors: Sun Yen , Nakashima Mihoko N. , Takahashi Masakatsu , Kuroda Naotaka , Nakashima Kenichiro
Published: August 2002

A sensitive column switching HPLC‐fluorescence detection for determination of bisphenol A (BPA) in rat brain by coupling with microdialysis was developed. A microdialysis probe was inserted into the hypothalamus of rat brain and an artificial cerebrospinal fluid was used for perfusion. BPA in brain dialysate was subjected to a fluorescent derivatization with 4‐(4,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)benzoyl chloride (DIB‐Cl), and the excess reagent was removed by a column‐switching technique. Separation was carried out on two ODS semimicro‐columns with the mobile phase of acetonitrile–H2O–methanol–tetrahydrofuran (55:10:35:2.5, v/v) and acetonitrile–0.1 M acetate buffer (pH 3.0)–methanol (35:10:55, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.10 and 0.15 mL/min for a precolumn and a separation column, respectively. Fluorescence intensity was monitored at 475 nm with excitation of 350 nm. BPA could be sensitively detected at 0.3 ppb in 60 µL brain microdialysate at a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3. By the proposed method, concentrations of BPA in rat brain and plasma were monitored for 8 h after single i.v. or oral administration. It is proved that BPA is capable of penetrating the blood–brain barrier. The ratio of the area under the concentration–time curve of BPA in rat brain to that in blood was estimated to be about 3.0–3.8%. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.