bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new corrosion‐resistant material for use as an inert anode in electrolytic molten salt aluminium extraction systems
Authors: Yuchun Li , Tao Zhou , Kechao Zhou , Yong Liu , Fang Liu , Fang Zhang
Published: January 2004

The spinel NiFe2O4 has been identified as being a potentially successful anti‐corrosion ceramic that can be used in aluminium electrolysis under molten salt corrosive conditions (970°C). The evaluation and fabrication processing of NiFe2O4 has been studied in this paper. According to the analysis and comparison of material properties, it has been concluded that fabrication technology for making anti‐corrosion electrode material would not be exceptionally difficult and therefore that the material has a strong potential for use in this service.
The effect of Nb and Ga addition on the corrosion resistance of Nd‐Fe‐B permanent magnets in acidic environments
Authors: Gurappa I.
Published: January 2004

This paper describes the effect of alloying elements such as Nb and Ga on the corrosion behaviour of Nd‐Fe‐B permanent magnetic alloy. The results revealed that the alloying elements are not helpful in improving the corrosion resistance of the base magnet; rather their presence makes the base alloy highly vulnerable to corrosion in acidic environments. In particular, Nb addition is more detrimental to corrosion as was evidenced by potentiodynamic, cyclic polarisation, Ecorr vs time, electrochemical impedance and SEM results. The studies also showed that the degradation of the alloys with and without alloying addition takes place due to preferential dissolution of grain boundaries.
Pitting corrosion of copper in chloride solutions
Authors: El Warraky A. , El Shayeb H.A. , Sherif E.M.
Published: January 2004

The pitting corrosion of copper in chloride solution has been studied using potentiostatic polarisation and surface analysis techniques. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results enabled conclusions to be drawn about the nature of the film formed in different chloride concentrations. In dilute chloride solutions (C≤10−3 M), XPS proved the existence of Cu2O film on the copper surface. It was found that, depending on the chloride content, pitting of copper was evident only after the formation of a protective film of Cu2O. A current‐time trend plot showed the onset of fluctuations, which were dependent on the NaCl content. On the other hand, introduction of O2 into the solution during prepolarisation time period increased the current value of the fluctuations at the same concentration of NaCl in comparison with the freely aerated solution. These results, together with the surface analysis, confirm the role of chloride ion on the mechanism of pitting attack on copper metal.
The role of LIS faculty in the information literate university: taking over the academy?
Authors: Johnston Bill , Webber Sheila
Published: January 2004

This paper aims to identify potential roles for Library and Information Science (LIS) faculty in an information literate University (ILU). The authors note the pressures on universities for change, and the debates and issues arising from these pressures. They define Information Literacy (IL) and present their concept of the ILU. Two case studies in curriculum development are outlined. The first describes development of compulsory Integrative Studies classes in the Strathclyde University’s Business School. These are taught by a cross‐disciplinary team, and they represent a rethinking of the course curriculum. The second case study, of the IL class at Strathclyde University, provides an example of experimenting with a holistic IL curriculum. Building on this, the authors propose possible roles for LIS faculty within the ILU. The paper concludes by suggesting that LIS faculty have some way to progress in fulfilling all their potential roles.
Impact evaluation, professional practice, and policy making
Authors: Johnson Ian M. , Williams Dorothy A. , Wavell Caroline , Baxter Graeme
Published: January 2004

This paper examines the relationship between research into the evaluation of the impact of library and information services, policy making in the field, and professional practice and education. The paper first summarises the background to a recent critical literature review undertaken on behalf of Resource: the Council on Museums, Archives and Libraries. The review was intended to identify any published evidence that Museums, Archives and Libraries are making a contributory impact to developments in the British Government’s key policy areas. Except in the field of learning, little supporting evidence was found. Methodological weakness undermined the validity of much of the related work identified by the review. After considering approaches to ensuring the impact of research on policy making, including a more appropriate publication strategy and greater face‐to‐face dialogue, the paper discusses the attitudes of LIS practitioners towards academic research and the need for closer collaboration. Finally, the paper speculates on some of the implications for LIS educators in developing future researchers better equipped to identify the contribution that libraries make, and more effective in influencing policy makers.
Public libraries as democratic intermediaries: some examples from Sweden
Authors: Johansson Veronica
Published: January 2004

Government practices concerning self‐administered, direct Internet publishing of material are burgeoning. In this situation, local public libraries can balance democratically unfavourable consequences of new ICT practices in early e‐government initiatives, an important task, especially considering that the intermediary and disseminating functions of traditional mass media are being questioned. Using Habermas’s theories on public spheres and mass media, the concept of intermediary in today’s society is discussed in the context of international information policy documents and public library manifestos. Against this background, two Swedish cases concerning work within a municipal library and regional politics are presented. In conclusion, it is suggested that public libraries have both the obligation and the possibility to counteract tendencies toward shallow representation of public administration, fragmentation of societies and documents, and dislocations of responsibilities from government agencies to libraries. If handled properly, library practices that add value might even strengthen and rejuvenate the democratic system.
Is the education on digital libraries adequate?
Authors: Quan Liu Yan
Published: January 2004

This study investigates the state of education for digital libraries. For this study, a Web survey was conducted of syllabi of courses on the subject of digital libraries (DL). Similarities and differences on such subjects as teaching emphases, course outlines, textbooks and assignments were compared. The majority of classes now contain a “hands‐on” element, a practical component of the course that requires that the students interact with digital libraries. Not all of the course contents are up‐to‐date in the field of library and information technology. While the quality of DL education seems to have advanced at those schools and institutions that offer classes with “hands‐on” requirements, the educational approach at many of the “hands‐off” universities seems somewhat technophobic and overly dependent on outdated pedagogical methods. Those students who have received practical experience with digital libraries, like those provided in the “hands‐on” courses, appear to be best served for future practice in the field of librarianship.
Determination of the rate of hardening of unsaturated polyesters by the measurement of the electric resistance
Authors: Kalenda P.
Published: January 2004

This paper presents a method for the determination of the kinetic parameters for the oxidation‐reduction hardening reactions of unsaturated polyesters with styrene. The method was based on the measurement of the change in the specific internal electric resistance during the hardening. This paper discusses the accelerating effects of ferrocene and some of its derivatives (acetylferrocene, benzoylferrocene, 1,1′‐diethylferrocene) on the hardening of unsaturated polyesters.
Effects of the process of the incorporation of deltamethrin on slow release property of insecticidal paint
Authors: Acharya B.N. , Nivsarkar M. , Saxena C. , Kaushik M.P.
Published: January 2004

Slow release insecticidal paint formulations had been prepared by incorporating deltamethrin, an additive to impart insecticidal property to the paint formulation. The effects of the mode of incorporation of deltamethrin on the retention of the insecticide in the paint matrix, on drying, had been studied. Deltamethrin had been introduced (1 per cent by wt) in the grind and let‐down portions of the paint formulation. Extraction and high performance liquid chromatography studies of the insecticide had been carried out. It has been found that after drying, the paint samples contained a very high concentration of deltamethrin where the insecticide had been added in the grind portion instead of in the let‐down portion of the paint formulation.
Let’s be strange: brand familiarity and ad‐brand incongruency
Authors: Lange Fredrik , Dahlén Micael
Published: January 2004

Reports on an experimental study where the effects of ad‐brand incongruency on a familiar brand and an unfamiliar brand, respectively, are measured. Building on theory on information incongruency, tests the notion that ads that are incongruent with the brand image may be more effective in raising brand interest and brand memorability. However, this depends on the familiarity of the brand: the incongruency reinforces the existing associations for a familiar brand by increasing elaboration of the brand message, whereas the incongruent associations may take the upper hand for an unfamiliar brand with weaker existing associations. The results show that ad‐brand incongruency enhances brand attitude and brand memorability and reduces ad memorability for the familiar brand. The only significant effect of ad‐brand incongruency for the unfamiliar brand is a reduced brand memorability.
Communication message strategies for brand extensions
Authors: Young Kim Joo
Published: January 2004

This study searches for the communication message strategies for two distinct brand extension types: close and remote brand extensions. An experiment is conducted with four cells which were exposed to different communication strategies for five extension types. Communication strategies used were brand essence cue, extension attribute cue, extension dissonance reducer cue, and some combinations of the named cues. Results show that different communication strategies are necessary for extension situations that differ in distance from parent brand territories.
Electrophotographic printing of part and binder powders
Authors: Kumar Ashok V. , Dutta Anirban , Fay James E.
Published: January 2004

A solid freeform fabrication (SFF) technique is described where powder is deposited layer‐by‐layer using electrophotographic printing. In the electrophotography process, powder is picked up and deposited using an electrostatically charged surface. A test bed was designed and constructed to study the application of electrophotography to SFF. It can precisely deposit powder in the desired shape on each layer. A polymer toner powder was used to build small components by thermally fusing each layer of printed powder using a hot compaction plate. The feasibility of 3D printing using this approach was also studied by printing a binder powder using electrophotography on to a part powder bed.
Direct‐write deposition of fine powders through miniature hopper‐nozzles for multi‐material solid freeform fabrication
Authors: Kumar Pranav , Santosa James K. , Beck Elizabeth , Das Suman
Published: January 2004

In this paper, we present a concept for multi‐material solid freeform fabrication of heterogeneous components. This concept features hopper‐nozzles designed for depositing thin layers of multiple patterned materials followed by selective laser sintering for consolidation to desired densities. Although prior work on the design of small‐scale nozzles for powder delivery is lacking, our design is guided by background theory for particle flow through industrial hoppers. Experimental guidelines for the delivery of powders in the 10 to 125 μm range from 0.5 to 2 mm hopper‐nozzle orifices are presented.
Comparisons between thermal modeling and experiments: effects of substrate preheating
Authors: Dai K. , Li X‐X. , Shaw L.L.
Published: January 2004

A three‐dimensional thermal finite element model including the effect of the powder‐to‐solid transition has been developed to investigate the transient temperature distribution and effects of substrate preheating during laser densification of dental powder bed for the layer‐by‐layer fabrication. The model encompasses the effects of the temperature‐ and porosity‐dependent thermal conduction and radiation as well as the temperature‐dependent natural convection. Substrate preheating is found to be important in preventing the formation of cracks in the dental porcelain body during laser densification. The simulation results are found to match the experiments very well.
Characterization of H13 steel produced via electron beam melting
Authors: Cormier Denis , Harrysson Ola , West Harvey
Published: January 2004

Electron beam melting (EBM) is a direct‐metal freeform fabrication technique in which a 4 kW electron beam is used to melt metal powder in a layer‐wise fashion. As this process is relatively new, there have not yet been any independently published studies on the H13 steel microstructural properties. This paper describes the EBM process and presents results of microstructural analyses on H13 tool steel processed via EBM.
Precision extruding deposition and characterization of cellular poly‐ε‐caprolactone tissue scaffolds
Authors: Wang F. , Shor L. , Darling A. , Khalil S. , Sun W. , Güçeri S. , Lau A.
Published: January 2004

Successes in scaffold guided tissue engineering require scaffolds to have specific macroscopic geometries and internal architectures to provide the needed biological and biophysical functions. Freeform fabrication provides an effective process tool to manufacture many advanced scaffolds with designed properties. This paper reports our recent study on using a novel precision extruding deposition (PED) process technique to directly fabricate cellular poly‐ε_rm;‐caprolactone (PCL) scaffolds. Scaffolds with a controlled pore size of 250 μm and designed structural orientations were fabricated.
ISO 9001: 2000 implementation – the North American experience
Authors: Bhuiyan Nadia , Alam Nadeem
Published: January 2004

Presents the findings of an empirical study conducted on Canadian firms on the latest version of the ISO9000 standard, ISO9001:2000, which takes a process‐based approach to quality management systems. The study focuses on the difficulties faced by firms and attempts to determine the characteristics of firms that face difficulties. Results show that: large companies faced fewer difficulties; the number of years that companies were in operation had no effect on the difficulties they faced; companies serving markets outside of North America, mainly in Europe, faced fewer difficulties than those that serve North American markets only.
Action research to explore perceptions of risk in project management
Authors: Parker David , Mobey Alison
Published: January 2004

Uses research in a major UK company on the introduction of an electronic document management system to explore perceptions of, and attitudes to, risk. Phenomenological methods were used; with subsequent dialogue transcripts evaluated with Winmax dialogue software, using an adapted theoretical framework based upon an analysis of the literature. The paper identifies a number of factors, and builds a framework, that should support a greater understanding of risk assessment and project management by the academic community and practitioners.
Parental Participation: Essential Partners in Guidance
Authors: Irving Barrie
Published: January 2004

The relationship between parents and schools has in recent years been a controversial and contradictory one. Here Barrie Irving discusses one dimension that impinges on this relationship—vocational guidance—and how interactions between teachers and parents could be made more productive, particularly from the perspective of parents. Having suggested that often the interchange of information and ideas is limited by the attitudes and perceived interests of both schools and parents, Irving goes on to focus on a particular issue, the fact that although parents are given information about their children, they are rarely if ever given the means to develop on this.
Orchestrating Success in Personal, Social and Educational Areas: Using Peer Support
Authors: Charlton Tony , David Kenneth
Published: January 2004

Charlton and David argue that counselling is not the only form of support available to pupils—and they in fact suggest that ‘counselling’ may be an overused term. They highlight pupils' need and right to be listened to. They go on to point out that in busy classrooms, teachers may not always find time to listen to and adequately support pupils. Alternative ‘listening’ facilities via peer support are discussed. Finally, the benefits of this peer resource are outlined for teachers as well as those administering and in receipt of help.
A Whole‐School Approach to Guidance: A Hong Kong Experience
Authors: Hui Eadaoin K. P. , Lo Rita C. C.
Published: January 2004

As in England, approaches to guidance/pastoral care in Hong Kong have in recent years become more proactive and less exclusively reactive. This paper presents an example of this, focusing on a secondary school in Hong Kong which has sought to implement a whole‐school approach through developmental guidance programmes. The writers' evaluation of this suggests that the integration of guidance/PSE into the whole‐school curriculum was feasible, with a favourable outcome perceived by the school community. The findings also identified a number of important factors which facilitated the implementation and development of the policy.
Teachers' Perceptions of Discipline Problems in a Jordanian Secondary School
Authors: Haroun Ramzi , O'Hanlon Christine
Published: January 2004

Teachers in a large, all‐male urban school in Jordan were interviewed about their perceptions of the most frequently occurring student misbehaviour. It was hoped to be able to identify the causes of such ‘disruption’ to teaching and learning in the school. Teachers spontaneously identified eight forms of student misbehaviour, which reflected clearly different kinds of interference with the teacher's authority. Teachers showed great awareness of the constraints which operate in the school context, which in turn affect their means of managing discipline in the classroom. Though this study was undertaken in a context which is significantly different from England, it is interesting that the issues these teachers saw themselves confronted with were not significantly different from those reported in this country. The conclusions that the researchers draw from their data have relevance beyond the specific context in which this study was undertaken.
Peace Education: Cooperative Building of a Humane Future
Authors: Vriens Lennart
Published: January 2004

The notion of peace education has been a subject of considerable controversy and criticism. Indeed, at one time it was one of the major targets of the last UK government's attack on what it saw as trendy, left‐wing teaching. Although the attacks were often frenzied, it seemed that there was little clarity about what peace education did or should actually involve. In this paper, Lennart Vriens provides a clear and well‐argued antidote to this lack of clarity. He sets out the main arguments that are levelled against peace education and then counters each one effectively. He goes on to provide a clear and instructive explanation of peace education as an active, ongoing process, explaining what this should involve and why it is of great importance.
A Tale of Two Solitudes: Comparing Conflict and Development‐induced Internal Displacement and Involuntary Resettlement
Authors: Muggah Robert
Published: January 2004

Development projects and war regularly lead to the internal displacement and involuntary resettlement of tens of millions of people each year. Though most “internally displaced people” settle spontaneously, a significant proportion is involuntarily resettled into planned “camps” and “settlements”. This article is primarily concerned with a relatively understudied category of forced migration studies: resettlement. It contends that until very recently, the theory, policy, and practice of resettlement for people internally displaced by development and war have been treated as intellectually and practically exclusive. Decision makers and scholars working on the subject are frequently beholden to narrow disciplinary and bureaucratic interests and are unable or unwilling to look across institutional boundaries. As a result, policies and programmes intended to resettle populations have been clustered into two discrete (and disparate) narratives. Each of these draw from distinct normative moorings, government and non‐governmental interpretations of “success” and “failure” and a division of labour closely tailored to the disciplines and expertise of those in the development and humanitarian communities. Though arising from separate traditions and conceived exclusively by donors, policy makers, and scholars, this article contends that they actually share many common features.

Drawing on a vast and rapidly growing literature, this article seeks to frame the key debates on development and war‐induced internal displacement and resettlement. It begins with an overview of definitional issues — including “internal displacement” and “resettlement”— two concepts that are regularly contested and misunderstood. The article observes that the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement have, to some extent, clarified the rights of development and conflict‐induced internally displaced people, as well as the responsibilities of states. It notes that in practice, however, resettlement of both types of populations is treated separately. The article then turns to a number of seminal theoretical contributions to the study of development and conflict‐induced internal displacement and involuntary resettlement (DIDR and CIDR, respectively). The article highlights their separate evolution in theory and practice over time. It closes with a brief treatment of some of the common features of DIDR and CIDR, including their political economy, their institutional and bureaucratic logic, and similar patterns of impoverishment risks.
The Determinants of Immigration from Fiji to New Zealand: An Empirical Reassessment using the Bounds Testing Approach
Authors: Narayan Paresh Kumar , Smyth Russell
Published: January 2004

This article re‐examines Gani's (1998) findings on the determinants of migrant flows from Fiji to New Zealand by employing the bounds testing procedure to cointegration, within an autoregressive distributive lag framework. The main findings are that in the long run all variables are statistically insignificant, although correctly signed with the exception of the unemployment differential. In the short run, in sharp contrast to Gani's (1998) findings, political instability is consistently the most important determinant of migration flows while the standard of living and real wage differentials are statistically insignificant across all specifications.
“Active” and “Passive” Resettlement: The Influence of Support Services and Refugees' own Resources on Resettlement Style
Authors: Peisker Val Colic , Tilbury Farida
Published: January 2004

This paper explores the process of resettlement among recent refugees in Perth, Western Australia. We propose four refugee resettlement styles created through the interaction of a number of factors. These factors can be clustered as: (1) the social features of refugees (their human, social, and cultural capital), and (2) the host society's responses to refugee settlers (Australia's resettlement policy and services and the broader influence of the host society's responses to refugees). We propose that refugees approach their resettlement in predominantly active (“achievers” and “consumers”) or passive (“endurers” and “victims”) ways and that these are differentially successful strategies. Medicalization of the refugee experience in Australia is a factor that may influence refugees to adopt a passive “victim role”, so we propose that a greater emphasis during early resettlement should be placed on refugees' own culturally defined priorities such as employment and stable housing. The argument developed in this paper is supported by data from two qualitative research projects conducted in Western Australia. The fieldwork consisted of interviews, focus groups, and participant observation, and targeted refugees from the former Yugoslavia and the Horn of Africa who arrived in Australia during the 1990s and 2000s, as well as resettlement service providers.
English Language Proficiency of Immigrants and Refugees in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area
Authors: Fennelly Katherine , Palasz Nicole
Published: January 2004

Studies of the determinants of English language ability have generally focused on the largest immigrant groups in the United States. Much less is known about smaller, but significant regional concentrations of immigrants and refugees. This article presents data on four very distinct and understudied groups: Russians, Somalis, Hmong, and Mexicans in the Midwest. We found large differences in English language proficiency across the different national origin groups, even after controlling for background variables. These differences were not attributable to refugee status or to linguistic distance from English. Being Somali, migrating to the United States at a young age and having a college diploma were the best predictors of both spoken and written proficiency. The returns to higher education were particularly noteworthy — respondents with college diplomas were more than 29 times more likely than non‐high school graduates to speak English well, and more than 20 times as likely to read well. Women appear to have benefited more than men from completing college in terms of spoken English proficiency since the male‐female gap narrows among the highly educated. Length of time in the United States was a good predictor of whether an individual speaks English at home, regardless of age of entry to the country.
Unemployment Transitions among Brazilians in the United States and Canada
Authors: Goza Franklin , DeMaris Alfred
Published: January 2004

This study uses the job search framework to examine the unemployment experiences of Brazilian immigrants in the North American labour force. Primary data gathered in Canada and the United States is used in these analyses. The model generally used to monitor transitions among the native‐born was modified to make it more appropriate to the immigrant experience. To do this a composite model was constructed that incorporates variables unique to the immigrant experience.

Event history analyses revealed that, in general, job search theory is very relevant for examining the transitions of immigrants. However, not all standard measures behaved as predicted (e.g. reservation wage). Several immigrant specific variables were very significant (e.g. target earner and legal status) and improved the overall model fit. Brazilians who worked primarily with other co‐ethnics were more likely to become re‐employed than those who did not, while working for a Brazilian employer had no effect on being re‐employed. US/Canadian comparisons also revealed that residents of Canada endured longer periods of unemployment. We believe this result is because Canadian residents had greater access to public services and, as such, were able to have higher reservation wages.
Retired and Making a Fresh Start: Older Russian Immigrants Discuss their Adjustment in Israel
Authors: Remennick Larissa
Published: January 2004

Social research on immigrants has usually centred on working age groups or youth, while studies on retired immigrants were typically driven by the social work, geriatric, or nursing agendas, centring on the issues of health, stress, social, and medical services. Trying to explore migration in old age from a broader sociological perspective, this qualitative study addressed different aspects of the socio‐cultural adjustment of older Russian immigrants of the 1990s in Israel. Drawing on group discussions and in‐depth interviews conducted in two major urban centres, the study covers senior immigrants' attitudes toward the host Israeli society; material privations and coping tools; intergenerational families; patterns of social organization, communication, and cultural consumption; ties with places of origin in the former Soviet Union (FSU); and the perceived sum total of losses and gains from migration. The findings indicate that older immigrants have developed multiple ways for meaningful identification with Israel and generally perceived their resettlement experience as difficult but positive. As their social networks were limited to the Russian immigrant community, most elders did not see their poor knowledge of Hebrew as a major integration obstacle. The main reported difficulties were in the areas of housing, low income, and weakening ties with younger family members.
Sponsorship of Relatives for Migration and Immigrant Settlement Intention
Authors: Khoo Siew‐Ean
Published: January 2004

The paper examines how important family reunification is in immigrants' decision to settle permanently in their country of destination. Using longitudinal data for a cohort of recent immigrants to Australia, it examines whether migrants' permanent settlement intention reported soon after arrival is related to their family sponsorship patterns and intention to sponsor, and whether family sponsorship patterns and intention in turn have an effect on immigrants' permanent settlement/return migration decision.

The results show that a significant relation exists between sponsorship of close family members for migration and immigrants' permanent settlement intention and that the relation is particularly strong among skilled migrants. The study demonstrates the importance of kinship ties in permanent settlement and return migration decisions and suggests that liberal policies on family reunion migration may minimize settle loss, especially among skilled immigrants.
Do CRA Agreements Influence Lending Patterns?
Authors: Bostic Raphael W. , Robinson Breck L.
Published: January 2004

This article considers the broader impact of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) agreements—bank pledges to extend a certain volume of lending to targeted groups and communities—by examining whether they are associated with changes in lending to lower–income and minority communities in the markets where they are initiated. We find the number of newly initiated CRA agreements in a county to be associated with significant increases in CRA, minority and overall conventional mortgage lending in a county over a three–year period. The results are consistent with the view that the increases in lending represent new lending, with some evidence suggesting that the increases in lending are relatively short–lived. Overall, the results are consistent with the notion that lenders view CRA agreements as a form of insurance against the potentially large and unknown costs associated with fair lending violations, poor CRA performance ratings and adverse publicity from CRA–related protests of mergers or other applications. The results are also consistent with the view that the effectiveness of CRA agreements in increasing lending activity is ultimately determined by the persistence and sophistication of community groups in monitoring compliance with CRA agreements.
Modeling the Korean Chonsei Lease Contract
Authors: Ambrose Brent W. , Kim Sunwoong
Published: January 2004

Chonsei is a unique Korean lease contract in which the tenant pays an up–front deposit, typically about 40 to 80% of the value of the property, with no requirement for periodic rent payments. At the contract maturation, the landlord then returns the nominal value of the deposit. Since there is no legal obligation on the part of the landlord to deposit the money in an escrow account, the principal default risk associated with the chonsei contract falls on the tenant. We discuss the development and popularity of this contractual agreement in the context of the public policy initiatives, historical and institutional settings surrounding the Korean housing and housing finance market. We develop a contingent–claims model that recognizes the compound options embedded in the chonsei contract. Theoretical predictions are confirmed by an empirical analysis using monthly data from 1986 to 2000. Our analysis shows that the chonsei contract is an indigenous market response to economic conditions prevalent in Korea.
House Price Appreciation, Transactions and Structural Change in the British Housing Market: A Macroeconomic Perspective
Authors: Andrew Mark , Meen Geoffrey
Published: January 2004

This paper constitutes the first of two interrelated studies and is concerned with the relationship between house prices and transactions. Using aggregate time–series data, we find a strong relationship in Britain between the two variables, but the relationship changed during the 1990s. Transactions became much lower. We suggest that structural changes in macroeconomic relationships are increasingly likely to occur in a world of greater inequality and our results are one symptom. We argue that macroeconomic estimation needs to be complemented by careful microeconomic analysis. The second study, also appearing in this issue, therefore examines the microeconomic aspects of the issue.
Role of prophylactic oophorectomy at the time of hysterectomy in ovarian cancer prevention in Thailand
Authors: Charoenkwan Kittipat , Srisomboon Jatupol , Suprasert Prapaporn , Phongnarisorn Chailert , Siriaree Sitthicha , Cheewakriangkrai Chalong
Published: January 2004

Aim:  To determine the impact of prophylactic oophorectomy on ovarian cancer prevention in Thai women by estimating the magnitude of reduction in ovarian cancer incidence in Thailand if the procedure was routinely offered.

Methods:  A database of 752 women with epithelial ovarian cancer treated at Chiang Mai University Hospital between January 1990 and December 2001 was reviewed in an attempt to identify those who had hysterectomy performed for indications other than ovarian and corpus cancer with conservation of one or both ovaries prior to diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Pertinent clinical and pathologic data of the women in this subset were further reviewed in detail.

Results:  Of 752 ovarian cancer patients, 13 (1.73%) had hysterectomy performed prior to the diagnosis of ovarian cancer with only one woman (0.13%) having had a hysterectomy at the age of 45 or above. The mean interval between the hysterectomy and the diagnosis of ovarian cancer was 9.9 years (range 2–25 years). Considering the rate of prior hysterectomy at age 45 or beyond of 0.13% and the annual national ovarian cancer incidence of 1252 cases, an estimated one to two cases of ovarian cancer could be prevented annually if prophylactic bilateral oophorectomy at the time of hysterectomy in a woman age 45 or beyond were routinely offered in Thailand.

Conclusion:  Prophylactic oophorectomy at the time of hysterectomy in general Thai population as a preventive measure for subsequent ovarian cancer should not be recommended without complete knowledge of patients’ socioeconomic background and propensity to comply with hormone replacement therapy regimens.
Vaginal delivery in a woman with uncorrected coarctation of aorta
Authors: Singh Bhawna Malhotra , Kriplani Alka , Bhatla Neerja
Published: January 2004

Aortic coarctation is an uncommon condition complicating pregnancy and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Due to the perceived risk of aortic dissection/rupture during labor, the rate of cesarean delivery is higher in these women. We report a young woman with uncorrected coarctation of aorta who had two successive vaginal deliveries with successful maternal and neonatal outcome. Cesarean delivery is not mandatory for women with coarctation of aorta.
Prospective study of saline infusion sonohysterography in evaluation of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding
Authors: Pasrija Shikha , Trivedi Shubha Sagar , Narula Mahinder Kaur
Published: January 2004

Aim:  To evaluate saline infusion sonohysterography as an investigative modality in abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Methods:  Fifty‐eight patients, 52 perimenopausal and six postmenopausal women, with abnormal uterine bleeding were selected from the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Shrimati Sucheta Kriplani Hospital. After complete work‐ups, transvaginal examinations were performed followed by sonohysterographies. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values and negative predictive values were calculated for transvaginal sonography (TVS) and saline infusion sonohysterography as compared with findings of hysteroscopy/hysterectomy.

Results:  Saline infusion sonohysterography was performed in 56 cases. It could not be done in one perimenopausal and one postmenopausal woman. Cavity was normal in 41 perimenopausal and five postmenopausal women. Ten women displayed abnormalities. Two had submucosal fibroids, two had intramural fibroids, one had fibroid polyp, three had endometrial polyps and two patients had endometrial growths. We found that TVS missed three endometrial polyps and one endometrial growth and led to mislabeling two intramural fibroids as submucosal. On comparing the sonohysterographic findings with those of hysteroscopy or hysterectomy, one endometrial polyp and one endocervical polyp was missed on sonohysterography, and one false positive growth was observed on sonohysterography. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and the negative predictive value of TVS were 84.8%, 79%, 82.4% and 82%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and the negative predictive value of saline infusion sonohysterography were 94.1%, 88.5%, 91.4% and 92%, respectively.

Conclusion:  Saline infusion sonohysterography is a safe, convenient, time conserving, cost effective, easily accessible and acceptable investigative modality. It definitely enhances the diagnostic potential of TVS in assessment of endometrium and intracavitary pathologies.
Serum carbohydrate antigen elevations in endometrial adenocarcinomas: Characterization of DU‐PAN‐2 expression as a tumor marker
Authors: Yasuda Masanori , Saito Kaoru , Kobayashi Youichi , Muramatsu Toshinari , Miyamoto Tsuyoshi , Murakami Masaru , Shinozuka Takao , Ishizuka Bunpei , Makino Tsunehisa , Kajiwara Hiroshi , Osamura Robert Yoshiyuki
Published: January 2004

Aim:  To characterize serum elevations of carbohydrate antigens; DU‐PAN‐2, CA19‐9, sialyl Lewisx and CA125 in endometrial adenocarcinomas (EMACs), particularly focusing on the clarification of DU‐PAN‐2 expression profiles.

Methods:  Sixty‐four resected EMACs of endometrioid type were used. The preoperative serum values of four markers were measured and comparatively analyzed regarding the relationship between histological grade and clinicopathological stage.

Results:  The overall ratios of positive cases were 26.2% for DU‐PAN‐2, 25.0% for CA19‐9, 13.6% for sialyl Lewisx, and 35.5% for CA125. DU‐PAN‐2 decreased as the grading went up (G1: 410.3 ± 243.8 to G3: 246.7 ± 90.0 U/mL), however, the reverse was true with CA19‐9 (G1: 123.9 ± 147.4 to G3: 320.0 ± 180.0 U/mL). Sialyl Lewisx showed a strong tendency towards high elevation in G1 (346.3 ± 102.6 U/mL), compared to G3 (<2.5 U/mL). CA125 increased markedly as the grading went up (G1: 43.5 ± 6.3 to G3: 578.0 ± 10.0 U/mL). During staging‐up from I + II to III + IV, the positive ratios inclined in all four markers as follows: DU‐PAN‐2, 18.4–53.3%; CA19‐9, 20.4–40.0%; sialyl Lewisx, 11.4–22.2%; CA125, 31.8–44.4%. Serum elevations and positive ratios were correlated for DU‐PAN‐2, CA19‐9 and CA125, while the reverse relationship was found for sialyl Lewisx.

Conclusion:  It is suggested that DU‐PAN‐2 tends to be produced more in well‐differentiated components of EMACs than in poorly differentiated ones. Since approximately half the cases with EMAC were serologically positive for DU‐PAN‐2 in stage III + IV, the marker is believed to be of much use for monitoring the cases with an extrauterine extent.
Changes of lipocalin‐type prostaglandin D synthase level during pregnancy
Authors: Shiki Yasuhiko , Shimoya Koichiro , Tokugawa Yoshihiro , Kimura Tadashi , Koyama Masayasu , Azuma Chihiro , Murata Yuji , Eguchi Naomi , Oda Hiroshi , Urade Yoshihiro
Published: January 2004

Aim:  Prostaglandin D (PGD), synthesized by lipocalin‐type prostaglandin D synthase (L‐PGDS), has marked effects on a number of biological processes, including the prevention of platelet aggregation and the relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. The aim of the study presented here was to examine the significance of L‐PGDS in human pregnancy.

Methods:  We measured the concentration of plasma L‐PGDS in pregnant and non‐pregnant women, and the concentration of L‐PGDS in the umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid and urine of newborns by enzyme‐linked immunoabsorbent assay. To determine the localization of L‐PGDS, we performed immunohistochemical analysis. To evaluate the usefulness of diagnosis of rupture of membranes (ROM), we determined the concentration of L‐PGDS in cervicovaginal secretions.

Results:  Pregnant women and non‐pregnant women had similar L‐PGDS concentrations (0.57 ± 0.13 µg/mL vs 0.53 ± 0.07 µg/mL). Umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid and newborn urine contained higher L‐PGDS concentrations (1.87 ± 0.73 µg/mL, 2.62 ± 0.86 µg/mL, 6.31 ± 4.62 µg/mL, respectively) than maternal blood. The concentration of L‐PGDS in amniotic fluid from 19 weeks onward was significantly greater than that at 15–18 weeks (3.201 ± 0.384 µg/mL, n = 6 vs 1.735 ± 0.477 µg/mL, n = 4; P < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the amniotic cells of the placenta expressed L‐PGDS. The sources of L‐PGDS in amniotic fluid are fetus urine and amniotic cells. The concentration of L‐PGDS in cervicovaginal secretions with rupture of membrane (ROM) were significantly higher than those without ROM.

Conclusion:  The measurement of L‐PGDS in cervicovaginal fluid was useful in the detection of ROM during pregnancy.
Smoking and disease
Authors: Bánóczy J. , Squier C.
Published: January 2004

Tobacco represents the single most preventable cause of disease and death in the world today. The countries of Central Europe bear a disproportionate burden of tobacco‐related morbidity and mortality. For example, some of the highest rates worldwide of cigarette consumption and smoking prevalence are in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania. This chapter first describes the extent of tobacco use in five central European countries, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia and then considers mortality from tobacco related disease. Data from two diseases, lung cancer and oral cancer, which result almost exclusively from tobacco use are considered. Finally, the relationship between tobacco use and oral disease is discussed.
Approaches to tobacco control: the evidence base
Authors: Lober Aquilino M. , Lowe J. B.
Published: January 2004

Tobacco production, distribution, and use are international issues with significant health and economic implications. This paper provides an overview of the effective approaches to tobacco control including decreasing demand for tobacco products through taxation, consumer education, research, bans on advertising and promotion, warning labels, and restrictions on public smoking. The effectiveness of reducing the supply of tobacco products through prohibition, restrictions on youth access, crop substitution, trade restrictions, and control of smuggling, will also be discussed. Decreasing smoking, particularly among young people, by preventing or delaying initiation, preventing regular use, and increasing cessation through behavioural approaches for all ages is reviewed. Cessation methods including pharmacological approaches, ‘quitlines’, Internet programmes, and the targeting of specific populations are discussed. Internet availability of tobacco products and sustainability of current efforts are presented as continuing challenges to tobacco control.
Inflammatory pseudotumor‐like follicular dendritic cell tumor of the spleen
Authors: Horiguchi Hisashi , Matsui‐Horiguchi Miwa , Sakata Haruhito , Ichinose Masanori , Yamamoto Tatsuo , Fujiwara Masachika , Ohse Hirotaka
Published: January 2004

A case of so‐called inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT), occurring in the spleen of a 77‐year‐old woman, is reported. The spleen contained a well‐circumscribed mass with central hemorrhage and necrosis. Histologically, spindle cells were dispersed in a background of abundant inflammatory cells, predominantly lymphocytes and plasma cells. The cells possessed enlarged, sometimes twisted or irregularly folded, nuclei that contained vesicular chromatin, and small but distinct, centrally located nucleoli. Immunohistochemically, the spindle cells were diffusely positive for vimentin, and focally positive for follicular dendritic cell (FDC) markers (Ber‐MAC‐DRC for CD35 and CNA.42). The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) was exclusively detected in the spindle cells by in situ hybridization analysis. The cells also expressed the latent membrane protein‐1 (LMP‐1) of EBV, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis revealed that the LMP‐1 gene had a 30‐bp deletion and three point mutations, although their significance remains controversial. Inflammatory pseudotumor is a descriptive term that encompasses several different entities, and recent investigations have revealed the existence of neoplastic entities among IPT. One of the neoplastic IPT, recently designated ‘IPT‐like FDC tumor’, is characterized by proliferation of EBV‐positive FDC and commonly occurs in the liver and spleen. Because such tumors are capable of recurrence and metastasis, it is important to consider the possibility of an IPT‐like FDC tumor when making a diagnosis of a hepatic/splenic IPT‐like lesion.
Invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast: Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study
Authors: De La Cruz Clarissa , Moriya Takuya , Endoh Mareyuki , Watanabe Mika , Takeyama Junji , Yang Ming , Oguma Mitsue , Sakamoto Kazuhiro , Suzuki Takashi , Hirakawa Hisashi , Orita Yojiro , Ohuchi Noriaki , Sasano Hironobu
Published: January 2004

Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPCa) of the breast refers to a unique variant of invasive ductal carcinoma, but its biological behavior has not been elucidated well. We analyzed 16 IMPCa cases (10 pure type, six mixed type). The incidence of IMPCa was 1.0% of all primary breast carcinoma. High nuclear grade (75.0%), as well as poorly differentiated histological grade (81.3%), was frequently seen. Lymph node metastases were evident in 92.9% of the examined cases, and about half of them showed more than 10 positive nodes. Comparison between serially experienced invasive ductal carcinoma, not otherwise specified (IDC‐NOS), revealed that both high nuclear grade and poor histological grade were significantly more frequent (P < 0001), there was a lower frequency of positive estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), a higher frequency of HER‐2 overexpression (P < 0.025), and more frequent lymph node metastases (P < 0.05) in IMPCa. The comparison between lymph node positive IDC‐NOS did not show any statistically significant differences in frequency for positive p53, matrix metalloproteinase protein‐2 (MMP‐2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or E‐cadherin. However, IMPCa showed a significantly increased number of blood vessels counted by CD34 immunostains (P < 0.05). These results suggest that IMPCa is, at least, the same or more aggressive than lymph node positive cases of IDC‐NOS. Hence, not only the high incidence of lymph node metastases but also distant, blood‐borne metastases may be important.