bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of active antenna receivers and calibration method for digital beamforming
Authors: Mori Kohei , Arai Hiroyuki
Published: May 2003

In next‐generation high speed wireless communications, the development of digital beamforming (DBF) is indispensable for the creation of base stations and terminal antennas with high functionality, low cost. and small size. On the other hand, active antennas that combine a passive antenna and active devices are advantageous for use in DBF, because the feed line can be shortened and phase and amplitude imbalance among the array branch elements can be reduced. Further, if technologies to reduce the number of active devices, such as the direct conversion and Low IF schemes, are combined, it is possible to attempt miniaturization and reduction of individual differences. In this paper, a receiver of small size for DBF is proposed and experimentally studied by using an active integrated antenna containing an amplifier and a Low IF scheme. A calibration circuit for amplitude and phase corrections is discussed in which the error factors in the characteristics between the devices are taken into account. Further, experimental results on beam pattern generation by the test system in an anechoic chamber are presented. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 86(11): 20–29, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10119
Circularly polarized loop‐line antennas
Authors: Hirose Kazuhide , Sakurai Kenya , Nakano Hisamatsu
Published: May 2003

A novel miscrostrip line antenna consisting of loop radiation cells is analyzed using the method of moments. First, an open‐loop line antenna is analyzed as a reference antenna. The analysis shows that, as the number of radiation cells is decreased, the reflected current increases to deteriorate the axial ratio. Next, a closed‐loop line antenna is proposed. The antenna is characterized by its radiation mechanism where both the traveling and reflected currents contribute to the radiation of the same rotational sense of circular polarization. The number of the radiation cells is chosen to be four, where the reference antenna cannot radiate a CP wave. It is found that the antenna radiates a CP wave with an axial ratio of less than 3 dB in a frequency bandwidth of 3%, where the gain is approximately 15 dBi. These bandwidth and gain are also found to be comparable to those of a conventional array composed of four loop antennas. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 86(11): 11–19, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10122
Analysis of communication traffic characteristics of a cellular system with ad hoc networking
Authors: Tanaka Akio , Nakano Keisuke , Sengoku Masakazu , Shinoda Shoji
Published: May 2003

In cellular communication systems, every call is carried through a base station, and when the communication path to the base station is obstructed by buildings or other obstacles, the communication may not be established. It is expected that ad hoc relaying of such an obstructed call will increase the performance of the network as a whole. This paper discusses how to theoretically analyze the communication traffic performance of a cellular system with ad hoc networking and shows that the network performance can be increased even with relatively small range of relaying capability of terminals. This paper also shows by simulation that multihop relaying does not give significantly greater performance improvement than that by two‐hop relaying. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 86(11): 1–10, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10135
Complex resonant converter with a power factor improvement by voltage feedback
Authors: Takahama Masanobu , Yasumura Masayuki
Published: May 2003

As a highly efficient, high‐power‐factor power supply system, the authors have proposed a voltage feedback power factor improved circuit that achieves a power factor improvement by using the primary switching voltage in a complex resonant converter in which voltage resonance is also provided on the secondary side in a primary voltage resonant converter. This technique, however, presented considerable difficulties in circuit design for achieving superior performance characteristics, due to the fact that the incorporation of multiple resonant systems resulted in complex operations, and performance was significantly influenced by the constants of the system components. In this paper, through simulation studies and experiments, we identify the impact on performance of the components of the power‐factor improvement circuit. By demonstrating performance changes due to four circuit parameters and the impact of the parameters on the switching operations, we have identified the conditions under which high efficiency can be maintained while achieving an improvement in the power factor. The effectiveness of the converter is also demonstrated by means of experiments. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 86(11): 93–101, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.1181
A 100‐GHz‐band quadruple power combined monolithic HBT oscillator
Authors: Uchida Kenji , Matsuura Hiroyuki , Yakihara Tsuyoshi , Kobayashi Shinji , Oka Sadaharu , Fujita Tadashige , Miura Akira
Published: May 2003

In this paper we discuss a design methodology we used to fabricate a 100‐GHz‐band monolithic oscillator that power‐combines four heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) based suboscillators, and the experimental results we obtained. We analyzed the oscillation condition by considering the loop gain when feedback is present, and adjusted the design parameters so as to combine the output powers of four suboscillators by making them oscillate in phase. The active elements we used for the suboscillators were InGaP/InGaAs HBTs with emitter dimensions 1.0 µm × 5.0 µm, for which fT and fmax were 190 and 240 GHz, respectively. The signal frequency of the completed oscillator was 97. 4 GHz, its output power +3.0 dBm. The biases on the HBTs were IC = 10 mA and VCE = 2.0 V. In order to discuss the power combining efficiency, we fabricated test oscillators with only one and dual power combined oscillators, which were investigated under the same measurement conditions. These circuits oscillated at 100.5 and 100.4 GHz, respectively, with −3.2 and −0.4 dBm output powers. These results confirm that the output power increases with the number of suboscillators. As far as we know, our article is the first to report a monolithic oscillator that power‐combines four suboscillators. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 86(6): 13–22, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.10003
Design of a robust PWM power amplifier using approximate two‐degree‐of‐freedom digital integral‐type control only with voltage feedback
Authors: Higuchi Kohji , Nakano Kazushi , Araki Kuniya , Chino Fumiho
Published: May 2003

There is a need for robust PWM power amplifiers whose transient response characteristics do not deteriorate in the presence of extensive load variation and/or direct‐current power‐supply voltage variation. In this paper, a methodology is proposed for designing a digital robust controller using only voltage feedback for PWM power amplifiers which can satisfy such demands. The controlled object (PWM power amplifier) is represented by a discrete‐time system with consideration of input dead‐time and the conversion of current feedback to voltage feedback. First, a model matching system using only voltage (output) feedback is created for this controlled object. Next, it is shown that an approximate two‐degree‐of‐freedom digital robust control system can be created by connecting the robust compensator obtained by approximating this model matching system. Furthermore, it is shown that a digital integral‐type controller using only voltage feedback is obtained by equivalent transformation. Methods for determining the parameters of the LC filter and the controller, and a sampling time which satisfies design specifications are shown. Finally, it is verified by simulation and experiment that all the given specifications are satisfied by the proposed digital controller and that the design method with consideration of input dead‐time is useful. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 86(6): 1–12, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.10110
An automatic cloud region classification of satellite image by using clustering in local area
Authors: Ozawa Noriaki , Aoki Toshinori , Kato Nei , Nemoto Yoshiaki
Published: May 2003

This paper proposes a technique for automatically classifying cloud regions in satellite images. The proposed technique uses visible images and brightness temperature images to automatically classify cloud and noncloud regions. The authors assume that dividing the image into small regions (local regions) enables the feature vector distribution of each category within a local region to be approximated by using a Gaussian distribution, and they divide the distribution into two clusters. In addition, they introduce the “degree of coincidence” for judging whether or not it is appropriate to use each cluster for subsequent category classification and use the mean vectors of clusters that satisfy the degree of coincidence and the EM algorithm to perform classification. By using the degree of coincidence, the authors show that the vector distribution within the feature space becomes distinct and that clustering can be suitably performed. A feature of the proposed technique is that it aims to distribute feature vectors continuously so that they link each category. By considering the straight lines linking each category and using only those straight lines that are close to the mean vectors of each category, threshold values are determined dynamically for each image. Finally, the authors apply the proposed algorithm to NOAA and Himawari (GMS) images. Good classification results are obtained compared with results that were obtained manually by specialists. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 86(6): 33–43, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.10153
Identification and localization of multiple robots using omnidirectional vision sensors
Authors: Kato Koji , Ishiguro Hiroshi , Barth Matthew
Published: May 2003

The development of multirobot systems for solving complex, dynamic problems in real‐world situations is one of the key issues in robotics research. Robust methods of identifying each robot are required to implement collaborative behavior in multirobot systems. In this paper, the authors propose a method of identifying each robot and obtaining its relative position in a robot system using omnidirectional vision sensors. In addition, they verified this system by performing experiments in simulations and a real‐world environment. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 86(6): 44–53, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.10154
“Smartface”: A face recognition system robust to variations of facial pose and expression
Authors: Yamaguchi Osamu , Fukui Kazuhiro
Published: May 2003

There has been rapid progress in the development of techniques for identifying individuals from facial images, to be used in human interface and for security purposes. This paper proposes the Smartface recognition system, which can be used on a portable PC. To reduce restrictions on the user's movements, a face recognition should usually accept variations in the user's facial orientation and expression. The proposed system uses a motion image‐based algorithm with feature points that is robust to such variations. A method of reducing the cost of the additional computations is also proposed. Applications of the proposed system include: (1) individualized voice response and environment setting for different users; (2) use of face recognition to control a screen saver; and (3) real‐time disguise simulation. The proposed system consists only of software and can be operated on a portable PC equipped with a camera. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 86(6): 54–61, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.10155
Resource leveling scheduling system: A two‐phase CLP relaxation method
Authors: Takada Masayoshi , Terano Takao
Published: May 2003

We have developed a production scheduling system called “K‐CHIP,” which handles operator resource leveling, using CLP (constraint logic programming). This system has the following features: (1) it approaches constraint satisfaction problems (CSP) as two‐phase problems, consisting of production line scheduling and operator assignment scheduling, (2) it uses an interactive method for relaxing constraints on operator skills and on the number of operators as the intra‐CSP adjustment method, and (3) it guarantees skill constraint satisfaction by creating a future training schedule. A simulation carried out based on this system produced the prospect of a 33% reduction in manpower. The simulation also demonstrated that the method can be effectively utilized to expand the system integration functions, centered on skills that are the main concern in plant management. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 86(6): 62–72, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.10156
Deterioration detection system using local stationary binomial models for telecommunication services
Authors: Matsumoto Kazunori , Hashimoto Kazuo
Published: May 2003

This report concerns a system for monitoring the quality of connections in the gateway switches that interconnect telecommunication networks. Although the time series to be monitored is clearly nonstationary, movements that are almost periodic can be seen if a seven‐day interval is set as the period. Therefore, this system introduces a new technique, which is called “partition model optimization”, for using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) to determine appropriate groups of local stationary models from a quasi‐periodic time series. Also, to perform quality management in real time, a high‐speed decision technique called the sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) is introduced. The effectiveness of the partition model optimization technique was systematically investigated in advance by using actual traffic data. Not only was decision parameter maintenance unnecessary, but deterioration could also be detected more accurately than with the conventional system. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 86(6): 73–82, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.10157
Very low bit rate video compression using MPEG‐4 sprite coding
Authors: Jinzenji Kumi , Watanabe Hiroshi , Okada Shigeki , Kobayashi Naoki
Published: May 2003

The new MPEG‐4 image coding standard that has recently been established offers higher image quality in low‐bit‐rate coding than conventional coding methods such as H.26X, MPEG‐1, and MPEG‐2, as well as coding for each object unit (a new function).

This paper proposes an algorithm for the automatic extraction of video objects consisting of a foreground object and a background sprite. It is based on “sprite coding,” which can greatly reduce the number of code bits compared to conventional methods. The foreground and background video objects processed by the proposed method are subjected to MPEG‐4 object coding and sprite coding, respectively, and are compared with MPEG‐4 simple profile (normal) coding. In particular, the influence of the frame rate and the foreground object rate on the number of code bits was investigated. It was found that the proposed method can reproduce images with the same quality while using about one‐fourth to one‐half as many code bits as the normal coding method when the foreground rate is 10 to 15% of the whole image, regardless of the frame rate. In addition, the proposed method can attain more than double the frame rate of the normal coding method at a very low bit rate (e.g., 128 and 64 kbit/s) with a similar SNR. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 86(6): 83–93, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.10158
Improving reliability of an ion flow head
Authors: Seino Taisaku , Mori Akira , Kamio Keiji
Published: May 2003

The charger of a solid state discharge type (solid state discharge device) used as an ion source in ion flow printers has a high ion generation capability but is degraded by electrical erosion. Therefore, its lifetime is short. In this investigation, by coating the ion generation electrode with a thick‐film glass, electrical erosion is reduced in an attempt to extend the life of the solid state discharge device. The relationship between the thickness of the passivation film for longer life and the ion generation capability is predicted from numerical calculations. This project is applied to estimation of the film thickness that will maintain the reduction of the ion supply capability due to formation of the passivation film within the allowable range. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 86(6): 23–32, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.1124
Geriatric depression in Nigerian primary care attendees
Authors: Sokoya Olukunle O. , Baiyewu Olusegun
Published: May 2003

Objective

To determine the rate and correlates of geriatric depression in two primary care facilities within a teaching hospital in Nigeria.

Method

202 older people were screened using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The Geriatric Mental State schedule (GMS) was administered to participants who scored above the cut‐off on the GDS in order to assess psychopathology. Diagnosis of depression was based on ICD‐10 criteria as well as the GMS‐AGECAT program.

Results

The rate of geriatric depression in primary care was found to be 7.4%. Severe depression was only 1.5%. Very low income and subjective report of poor health were significantly associated with depression in the cohort. AGECAT recognition of depression was comparable to that by the ICD‐10 (k = 0.7).

Conclusion

The study is the first known study of geriatric depression in primary care in Nigeria. The rates are comparable with rates obtained in other countries. Specific correlates of depression in the older Nigerians identified included poor self‐assessed health and low income. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bright light treatment improves sleep in institutionalised elderly—an open trial
Authors: Fetveit Arne , Skjerve Arvid , Bjorvatn Bjørn
Published: May 2003

Study Objectives

This study evaluates the effects of bright light therapy among demented nursing home patients with sleep disturbances.

Design and setting

11 nursing home patients with actigraphically measured sleep efficiency below 85% took part in an open, non‐randomised study where the subjects served as their own control.

Intervention

After two weeks of baseline measurements and two weeks of pretreatment measurements, patients received bright light exposure 2 h/day within the period 08:00–11:00 for two weeks.

Measurements and Results

Sleep‐wake patterns during the 24‐h day were evaluated by nursing staff ratings and wrist‐worn motor activity devices (actigraphs). Sleep improved substantially with bright light exposure. Waking time within nocturnal sleep was reduced by nearly two h, and sleep efficiency improved from 73% to 86%. Corresponding improvements were found in nursing staff ratings. Effects were consistent across subjects.

Conclusions

The findings add further evidence of the effectiveness of morning bright light exposure in the treatment of disturbed sleep among demented nursing home patients. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association of life events and psychosocial factors with early but not late onset depression in the elderly: implications for possible differences in aetiology
Authors: Grace Janet , O'Brien John T.
Published: May 2003

Background

Depression occurring for the first time in later life (after age 60, late onset depression (LOD)) may have a different, more organic, aetiology from early onset depression (EOD). We investigated the possible role of life events, the presence of a confidante and personality factors in the aetiology of depression in the elderly, testing the hypothesis that these factors would be associated with EOD but not LOD.

Methods

Subjects consisted of 66 elderly patients (aged over 60) with DSM‐IV Major depression (30 EOD, 33 LOD; groups matched for age) and 38 age and sex matched controls. Life events in the 12 months prior to onset of depression (or prior to interview for controls) were recorded using a previously validated 12‐item scale. Personality was assessed using the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ).

Results

Subjects with EOD reported having a close confidente significantly less frequently (52%) than controls (82%, p < 0.05) or LOD (80%, p < 0.05). Bereavement life events occurred significantly more frequently in EOD (52%) than LOD (16%, p < 0.01) and were also more frequent in controls (42%) than LOD (p < 0.05). Higher EPQ ‘extraversion’ and ‘neuroticism’ were found in both EOD and LOD compared to controls, with no differences between EOD and LOD.

Conclusions

LOD was associated with fewer bereavement life events and more frequent presence of a confidente than EOD. This supports a greater role for psychosocial factors in the aetiology of EOD and different, probably neurobiological, factors in LOD. Personality attributes may have a greater relevance for both EOD and LOD than previously recognized. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Delusions of Japanese patients with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Ikeda Manabu , Shigenobu Kazue , Fukuhara Ryuji , Hokoishi Kazuhiko , Nebu Akihiko , Maki Naruhiko , Nomura Michie , Komori Kenjiro , Tanabe Hirotaka
Published: May 2003

Background

Delusions constitute one of the most prominent psychiatric complications in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there is little consensus of the prevalence and associated factors for delusions in AD.

Aims

To reveal the characteristics of delusions among Japanese patients with AD.

Method

112 consecutive patients with AD were recruited over a one year period and administered the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI).

Results

Delusions were present in 53 patients (47.3%). Delusions of theft were the most common type of delusion (75.5% of patients with delusions), followed by misidentification delusions and delusions of suspicion. More hallucination, agitation, and female gender were found in the delusions group.

Conclusions

The authors found a high frequency of delusions, particularly of delusions of theft and suggested that gender was associated with the expression of delusions in Japanese patients with AD. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent trends in elderly suicide rates in a multi‐ethnic Asian city
Authors: Kua Ee‐Heok , Ko Soo‐Meng , Ng Tze‐Pin
Published: May 2003

Background

There are a few reports on the trends of elderly suicide rates in western countries but none from Asian countries.

Objectives

To describe the trends of elderly suicide rates of Chinese, Malays and Indians in Singapore from 1991 to 2000.

Design

Data obtained from the National Department of Statistics were used in the analysis of sex‐ and age‐standardized suicide rates and relative risks.

Results

Overall, the suicide rates for the elderly showed a decline from 40.1 per 100,000 in 1990 to 17.8 per 100,000 in 2000, with the most pronounced decline occurring from 1995 to 2000. The suicide rate for elderly Chinese was at a peak of 52 per 100,000 in 1995 and declined to 20 per 100,000 in 2000. The rates for elderly Malays were consistently low at 2.2 per 100,000 for the 10 years; for elderly Indians the rates were between the other two ethnic groups.

Conclusion

In the 10‐year period, the elderly suicide rates in Singapore declined markedly, especially for elderly Chinese. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Apathy and cognitive performance in older adults with depression
Authors: Feil Denise , Razani Jill , Boone Kyle , Lesser Ira
Published: May 2003

Objectives

Recent studies have linked apathy to frontal lobe dysfunction in persons with dementia, but few studies have explored this relationship in older, depressed persons without dementia. We examined the association between apathy and cognitive function in a group of older persons with major depression using standardized neuropsychological tests. We hypothesized that presence of apathy in depression is associated with poorer frontal executive performance.

Methods

We analyzed data from 89 older adults with major depression. We defined apathy using four items from the Hamilton Psychiatric Rating Scale for Depression which reflect the clinical state of apathy, including ‘diminished work/interest,’ ‘psychomotor retardation,’ ‘anergy’ and ‘lack of insight.’

Results

Apathy most strongly correlated with two verbal executive measures (Stroop C and FAS), a nonverbal executive measure (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test—Other Responses), and a measure of information processing speed (Stroop B). Apathy was not associated with age, sex, education, medical illness burden, Mini‐Mental State Examination score and Full Scale IQ score. Stepwise regression analyses of significant cognitive tests showed that apathy alone or apathy plus depression severity, age, or education accounted for a significant amount of the variance.

Conclusions

The results of this study provide support for an apathy syndrome associated with poorer executive function in older adults with major depression. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical and phenomenological comparisons of delusional and non‐delusional major depression in the Chinese elderly
Authors: Lee Tien‐Wen , Tsai Shih‐Jen , Yang Cheng‐Hung , Hwang Jen‐Ping
Published: May 2003

Objective

Distinct clinical entities, with and without delusions, have been reported for depressed patients. This study explores the clinical and phenomenological aspects of delusional and non‐delusional major depression in elderly Chinese patients.

Methods

A total of 156 depressed patients (105 males and 51 females) admitted to our geriatric psychiatry ward were investigated. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were compared between patients divided into two groups—according to presence or absence of delusions.

Results

On admission, higher risk of suicide attempt, higher chance of guilt feelings, and greater daily functional impairment were observed for the deluded group. Further, the score of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was higher and the score of Mini‐Mental State Examination was lower for delusional depressives.

Conclusion

Our findings were grossly concordant with previous Western reports, and highlight the importance of identifying the delusional subgroup of depressive patients because of the higher risk of suicide attempt. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Factors associated with antipsychotic drug use in residential care: changes between 1990 and 1997
Authors: Lindesay James , Matthews Ruth , Jagger Carol
Published: May 2003

Background

There is limited information from population‐based studies about the rates of antipsychotic drug use in residential and nursing homes in the UK, and associated adverse effects.

Objectives

To examine the relationship between antipsychotic drug prescription, cognitive impairment and disturbed behaviour in this population over time, and to identify possible adverse consequences of their use.

Methods

Two censuses of the residential and nursing home population aged 65 years and older in Leicestershire, carried out in 1990 and 1997. A questionnaire was completed by care staff for each resident, including information on demographic details, physical functioning, cognitive impairment, behaviour disturbance, urinary incontinence, falls, mobility, daytime alertness (1997 only), and prescribed medication.

Results

The prevalence of staff‐rated moderate or severe cognitive impairment increased from 38.0% in 1990 to 44.3% in 1997. The prevalence of staff‐rated disturbed behaviour decreased from 11.8% in 1990 to 10.4% in 1997. Cognitive impairment was strongly associated with disturbed behaviour in both years. The prescription rate of antipsychotic drugs increased from 17.8% in 1990 to 21.9% in 1997. There was no significant change in the prescription rates to cognitively impaired residents between 1990 and 1997 (29.1% vs 30.7%). In residents without cognitive impairment, the prescription rate rose from 10.7% to 15.0%. Antipsychotic drug use was independently associated with: younger age, type of home (1990 only), cognitive impairment, offensive behaviour, lower ADL dependency (1990 only), antidepressant drug use, reported urinary incontinence and greater mobility. There was no association with increased liability to falls or drowsiness. In the cognitively unimpaired residents, antipsychotic drug use was not associated with urinary incontinence in 1997, and there was an association with increased drowsiness in that year.

Conclusions

The only significant change in antipsychotic drug prescribing practice in this population over the period covered by this study was an increase in the prescription rate in cognitively unimpaired residents in 1997, possibly related to mental hospital closures. Urinary incontinence was the principal adverse effect of antipsychotic drug use observed in the group as a whole. Changes in the adverse effects associated with antipsychotic drug use may be a function of the increasing frailty. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screening for late life depression: cut‐off scores for the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia among Japanese subjects
Authors: Schreiner Andrea S. , Hayakawa Hiroshi , Morimoto Tomoko , Kakuma Tatsuyuki
Published: May 2003

Background

Proper screening of depression among older adults depends on accurate cut‐off scores. Recent articles have recommended the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) for this screening. However, there has been no investigation of the sensitivity and specificity of either scale using Japanese subjects. The purpose of the present study was to identify appropriate GDS and CSDD cut‐offs for Japanese older adults.

Methods

The GDS and the CSDD were interview‐administered to nondepressed Japanese older adults (n = 74) and to Japanese older adults with a SCID‐IV diagnosis of major or minor depression (n = 37). Depressed subjects were also administered the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Data were also collected on demographic variables, mental status, health status, and medication use.

Results

ROC curve analysis identified a cut‐off score of 6 for the GDS which had a sensitivity of 0.973, a specificity of 0.959, a False Positive Rate (FPR) of 0.894, and a False Negative Rate (FNR) of 0. A cutoff score of 5 for the CSDD yielded a sensitivity of 1, a specificity of 0.919, a FPR of 0.942, and a FNR of 0. Comparisons indicate current HDRS cut‐offs may overlook subthreshold depression. The GDS cut‐off score identified among Japanese subjects was the same as that reported for Western subjects.

Conclusions

Due to the substantial prevalence of psychiatric disorders found in false‐negative subjects, the above cut‐off scores were chosen to optimize the potential for true positives. These scores are recommended for alerting physicians and other caregivers as to when more intensive depression evaluation is needed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of constraints and surveillance in Norwegian wards for the elderly
Authors: Kirkevold Øyvind , Laake Knut , Engedal Knut
Published: May 2003

Objective

To describe the use of constraints and surveillance and their correlates in a nationwide sample of wards in institutions for the elderly in Norway.

Methods

Questionnaires were sent to 975 institutions and returned by 623 (64%) with 1398 wards. The wards' head nurses were asked whether any patient was currently subjected to physical restraints, electronic surveillance, force or pressure in medical examination or treatment, and force or pressure in ADL. The reporting of constraints was found reliable.

Results

In all, 79% of the head nurses reported daily or occasional use of constraints in their wards. Most frequently reported were force or pressure in the performing of activities of daily living (reported by 61%, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 59–64), use of force or pressure in medical treatment or examination (49%, 95% CI 47–53) and use of physical restraints (38%, 95% CI 36–41). Electronic surveillance was used less frequently (14%, 95% CI 13–16). All classes of constraints, except physical constraints, were used significantly more frequently in special care units for persons with dementia than in ordinary nursing home units. The methodology does not allow conclusions to be drawn regarding the role of ward size and person characteristics. The staffing was unrelated to the use of constraints which varied significantly across the counties.

Conclusion

Constraints are widely used in Norwegian institutions for the elderly. A different pattern in use of constraints was found between special care units for demented patients and ordinary units in nursing homes. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
External auditory canal eccrine spiradenocarcinoma: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Meyer Tanya K. , Rhee John S. , Smith Michelle M. , Cruz Michael J. , Osipov Vladamir O. , Wackym Phillip A.
Published: May 2003

Background.

Eccrine spiradenocarcinoma is a rare dermal appendage carcinoma believed to arise from transformation of a long‐standing benign spiradenoma. This tumor demonstrates highly malignant biologic behavior with a high recurrence rate, frequent lymph node metastases, and overall poor survival.

Methods.

We report the first case of eccrine spiradenocarcinoma arising in the external auditory canal. The management of this tumor, its histopathologic characteristics, and a review of literature are presented.

Results.

A literature review identified 17 cases of eccrine spiradenocarcinoma in the head and neck region. Local recurrence occurred in 58.8% of patients, with an average of 23 months from diagnosis. Lymph node metastasis occurred in 35.3%, with an average of 31 months from diagnosis. Other metastatic sites included skin, bone, and lung. Disease‐specific mortality was 22.2%.

Conclusions.

Eccrine spiradenocarcinoma is an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis. Primary treatment should include wide local excision with or without regional lymphadenectomy. Isolated successful treatments have been documented with adjuvant hormonal manipulation, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 25: 505–510, 2003
Vascular endothelial growth factor C and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 expression in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck
Authors: Neuchrist Csilla , Erovic Bohan M. , Handisurya Allesandra , Fischer Michael B. , Steiner Georg E. , Hollemann David , Gedlicka Claudia , Saaristo A. , Burian Martin
Published: May 2003

Background and Methods.

VEGF proteins and their receptors are involved in tumor vessel neoformation. The third VEGF receptor, VEGFR3 (flt‐4) is important during both blood vessel development and lymphatic vessel formation. Because HNSCC preferentially metastasizes to regional lymph nodes, we investigated the expression of VEGFR3 and its ligand VEGF‐C in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas by semiquantitative RT‐PCR (4 HNSCC cells lines and 6 HNSCC specimens) and by immunohistochemistry (18 HNSCC specimens). VEGFR3 protein expression was confirmed by Western blotting in four HNSCC cell lines and six HNSCC specimens.

Results.

Semiquantitative mRNA analysis showed VEGF‐C mRNA expression in three (SCC9, SCC25, LFFR) of four HNSCC cell lines and all six HNSCC specimens. VEGFR3 mRNA was found in two HNSCC cell lines (JPPA and SCC25) and only weakly detected in the other two HNSCC cell lines (SCC9 and LFFR). High amounts of VEGFR3 mRNA were shown in all six patients' tumor specimens. VEGFR3 Western blot analysis yielded a distinct band at the predicted size of 210 kD in JPPA and SCC9 and hardly detectable bands in SCC25 and LFFR cell lines. All six HNSCC specimens displayed strong VEGFR3 protein bands. Immunohistochemistry in 18 HNSCC specimens assigned strong to mediate VEGF‐C IR and minor VEGFR3 IR to tumor cells and strong VEGF‐C and VEGFR3 IR to tumor surrounding vessels. In addition, intense VEGF‐C immunostaining was observed on perivascular and mononuclear cells in the tumor surrounding stroma. Subtyping of VEGFR3+ microvascular tumor vessels revealed partially double immunolabeling with CD34 and flk‐1, indicating a common origin of blood and lymphatic vessels. The expression of VEGF‐C on tumor cells could be correlated with recurrences, and larger primary tumors had more VEGF‐C–positive vessels.

Conclusions.

The broad expression of VEGF C and VEGFR3 in HNSCC suggests involvement in tumor lymph angiogenesis and vascular angiogenesis, promoting tumor growth and propagation of cancer cells. This implies that inhibitors of lymph angiogenesis could become effective therapeutic options similar to classical angiogenesis inhibitors. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 25: 464–474, 2003
Medical malpractice and the thyroid gland
Authors: Lydiatt Daniel D.
Published: May 2003

Background.

A medical malpractice litigation “crisis” exists in this country. Analyzing litigation trends through verdict summaries may help understand causes.

Methods.

Jury verdict reviews from 1987–2000 were obtained from a computerized database. Reviews compile data on defendants, plaintiffs, allegations of wrongdoing, and verdict summaries.

Results.

Thirty suits from nine states occurred. Plaintiffs were women in 80% of the cases, with a median age of 41. Fifty percent of patients (15 of 30) had a bad outcome, (9 of 30 dead, 4 of 30 with neurologic deficits, 1 blind, and 1 alive with cancer). Thirty percent alleged surgical complications, mostly recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and 75% of cancer patients alleged a delay, either through falsely negative biopsies or no biopsy taken. Respiratory events occurred in 43% and frequently resulted in large awards.

Conclusions.

The liberal use of fine‐needle aspiration and documentation of surgical risks may help reduce litigation. Complications and bad outcomes do not indicate negligence. Analysis may contribute to risk management strategies or litigation reform. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 25: 429–431, 2003
Stage‐dependent effects of 20‐hydroxyecdysone on DNA synthesis of corpus allatum cells in the silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Gu Shi‐Hong , Chow Yien‐Shing
Published: May 2003

DNA synthesis in cells of the corpus allata (CA) of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, was studied immunocytochemically after in vivo labeling with 5‐bromo‐2'‐deoxyuridine (BrdU); developmental changes during the 3rd, 4th, and last larval instars and effects of 20‐hydroxyecdysone treatment were examined. During both the 3rd and 4th larval instars, the number of DNA‐synthesizing cells fluctuated, and relatively low levels were observed during the middle stages. On day 0 of the last larval instar, the number of DNA‐synthesizing cells per gland was 9.2, which then increased on day 1 and remained at levels ranging from 12.9 and 16.9 cells per gland. A major peak level (28 BrdU‐labeled cells per gland) occurred on day 8, two days after larvae entered the wandering stage. When last instar larvae were fed 20‐hydroxyecdysone‐supplemented mulberry leaves starting on day 0 or 1, the number of DNA‐synthesizing cells dramatically decreased to very low levels and these low levels were maintained throughout the remainder of the instar. However, no effect was observed when last instar larvae were fed 20‐hydroxyecdysone‐supplemented mulberry leaves starting on day 3, indicating the stage‐specific action of 20‐hydroxyecdysone. The mechanism by which 20‐hydroxyecdysone treatment inhibits DNA synthesis of CA cells was further examined by using continuous in vitro BrdU labeling for a 2‐day incubation. It was found that the decrease in responsiveness of DNA synthesis of CA cells of 20‐hydroxyecdysone‐treated larvae to stimu‐lation by growth factors from hemolymph may have been, at least in part, responsible for the indirect inhibitory effects of 20‐hydroxyecdysone. J. Exp. Zool. 297A:138–146, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Presence of putative histidine‐rich proteins in the amphibian epidermis
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo , Spisni Enzo , Toni Mattia
Published: May 2003

In amphibian epidermis mucus is thought to constitute the matrix material that links keratin filaments present in cells of the corneous layer. As contrast in mammals, and perhaps in all amniotes, histidine‐rich proteins form the matrix material. In order to address the study of matrix molecules in the epidermis of the first tetrapods, the amphibians, an autoradiographic and electrophoretic study has been done after administration of tritiated histidine. Histological analysis of amphibian epidermis shows that histidine is taken up in the upper intermediate and replacement layers beneath the corneous layer. Ultrastructural autoradiographic analysis reveals that electron‐dense interkeratin material is labeled after administration of tritiated histidine. Electrophoretic analysis of the epidermis shows labeled proteic bands at 58–61, 50–55, 40–45, and some only weakly labeled at 30 and 24–25 kDa at 4–48 hours after injection of tritiated histidine. Keratin markers show that bands at 40–61 kDa contain keratins. Most histidine is probably converted into other amino acids such as glutamate and glutamine that are incorporated into newly synthetized keratins. However, non‐keratin histidine‐incorporating proteins within the keratin range could also be formed. The bands at 30 and 24–25 kDa suggest that these putative histidine‐rich proteins are not keratins. In fact, their molecular weigh is below the range of that for keratins. In contrast with the mammalian condition, but resembling reports for lizard epidermis, putative histidine‐rich proteins in amphibians have no high molecular weight precursor. Although filaggrin is not detectable by immunofluorescence in sections of amphibian epidermis, protein extraction, electrophoresis and immunoblotting are more sensitive. In the epidermis of toad and frog, but only occasionally in that of newt, filaggrin cross‐reactive proteic bands are seen at 50–55, 40–45, and sometimes at 25 kDa. This suggests that after extraction and unmasking of reactive sites in the epidermis of more terrestrial amphians (anurans), some HRPs with filaggrin‐like cross‐reactivity are present. The overlap that exists at 50–55 kDa between filaggrin‐positive and AE2‐positive keratins, but not that at 40–45 kDa further indicate that non‐keratin, filaggrin‐like proteins may be present in anuran epidermis. The present study suggests for the first time that very small amounts of histidine‐rich proteins are produced among keratin filaments in upper intermediate, replacement and corneous layers of amphibian epidermis. Although the molecular composition of these proteins is unknown, precluding understanding of their relationship to those of mammals and reptiles, these cationic proteins might have originated in conjunction with the formation of a horny layer during the adaptation to land during the Carboniferous and were possibly refined later in the epidermis of amniotes. J. Exp. Zool. 297A:105–117, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular cloning of zebrafish (Danio rerio) MutS homolog 6(MSH6) and noncoordinate expression of MSH6 gene activity and G‐T mismatch binding proteins in zebrafish larvae
Authors: Yeh Fu‐lung , Yan Hwei‐ling , Wang Shi‐ya , Jung Ting‐yi , Hsu Todd
Published: May 2003

Eukaryotic MutS homolog 6(MSH6) is a DNA mismatch recognition protein associated with mismatch repair of simple base‐base mispairs and small insertion‐deletion loops. As replication or recombination errors generated during embryonic development of living organisms should be efficiently corrected to maintain the integrity of genetic materials, we attempted to study MSH6 gene expression in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the influence of MSH6 expression on the production of mismatch binding factors. A full‐length cDNA encoding zebrafish MSH6 (zMSH6) was first obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The deduced amino acid sequence of zMSH6 shares 57% and 56% identity with human and mouse MSH6, respectively. The 190‐kDa recombinant zMSH6 containing 1,369 amino acids bound preferentially to a heteroduplex than to a homoduplex DNA. Northern blot and semiquantitative RT‐PCR analysis detected apparent levels of zMSH6 mRNA expression in 12 and 36‐hr‐old zebrafish embryos, while this expression in 84‐hr‐old larvae was dramatically reduced to 23% of that in 12‐hr‐old embryos when β‐actin mRNA was constitutively synthesized. Incubation of G‐T and G‐G heteroduplex probes with 12 to 60‐hr‐old zebrafish extracts produced predominantly high‐shifting binding complexes with very similar band intensity. Although low in zMSH6 mRNA production, the extracts of 84‐hr‐old larvae interacted significantly stronger than the embryonic extracts with both G‐T and G‐G mispairs, producing high and low‐shifting complexes. Heteroduplex‐recognition proteins in 108‐hr‐old larvae gave a similar pattern of mismatch binding. The intensities of G‐T complexes produced by 84 and 108‐hr‐old zebrafish extracts were 2.5 to 3‐fold higher than those of G‐G complexes. Our data indicate that the production of efficient MSH6‐independent binding factors, particularly G‐T‐specific recognition proteins, is upregulated in zebrafish at the larval stage when MSH6 gene activity is downregulated. J. Exp. Zool. 297A:118–129, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of ionomycin and thapsigargin on ion currents in oocytes of Bufo arenarum
Authors: Cavarra M. Soledad , Assef Yanina A. , Kotsias Basilio A.
Published: May 2003

In this study, two electrode voltage clamp technique was used to assess the ionic current of oocytes of the South American toad Bufo arenarum and to study the dependence of these currents on the extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Ca2+ chelators, ionomycin –a calcium ionophore‐ and thapsigargin, a blocker of the Ca2+ pump of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, were used. The main results were the following: Most oocytes showed a voltage activated rectifying conductance. Ionomycin (1μM) increased inward and outward currents in control solution. The effect of ionomycin was blocked partially at negative potentials and was blocked completely at positive potentials in absence of extracellular Ca2+. When the oocytes were treated with thapsigargin (2 μM) or BAPTA‐am, a membrane‐permeant intracellular chelator in control solution (10 μM), ionomycin did not increased either inward nor outward currents. The conclusion of our experiments is that there are two sources of Ca2+ for activation of the current induced by ionomycin, the cytoplasmic stores and the extracellular space. We believe ionomycin directly translocates Ca2+ from the SER into the cytoplasm but not from the extracellular medium. Ca2+ entry probably occurs through store‐operated‐Ca‐channels. J. Exp. Zool. 297A:130–137, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.