bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phase II Multicenter Trial of a Weekly Paclitaxel and Carboplatin Regimen in Patients With Advanced Breast Cancer
Authors: Loesch David , Robert Nicholas , Asmar Lina , Gregurich Mary Ann , O’Rourke Mark , Dakhil Shaker , Cox Edwin
Published: September 2002

PURPOSE: To determine the activity of weekly paclitaxel plus carboplatin as first-line therapy in patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC) by assessing response rate, survival, and safety.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred patients with ABC received paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 (group 1, n = 20) and carboplatin area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of 2. Paclitaxel was subsequently reduced to 100 mg/m2 (group 2, n = 80) because of toxicity. The median age was 58.5 years, and most patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of ≤ 2. Estrogen and progesterone receptor status were evenly distributed among both groups. Sixty-one patients received prior chemotherapy, 37 (61%) of whom received prior doxorubicin. Among 47 patients who received prior hormonal therapy, 43 received tamoxifen.

RESULTS: The overall response rate (ORR) among 95 assessable patients was 62%, including 8% complete responses and 54% partial responses. The median time to response was 1.8 months, and the median duration of response was 13.3 months. The median time to progression was 4.8 months. The median survival was 16 months. Neutropenia and leukopenia were the most common grade 3 and 4 toxicities. In group 1, neutropenia (50%) and leukopenia (35%) necessitated dose reductions for 50% of patients during the first three cycles, prompting the reduction in paclitaxel dose to 100 mg/m2. Grade 3 and 4 nonhematologic toxicities for all patients included peripheral neuropathy (11%), infection (6%), anemia (5%), weakness (6%), and paresthesia (3%).

CONCLUSION: The 62% ORR achieved with weekly paclitaxel plus carboplatin is among the highest achieved with chemotherapy for ABC. This high response rate and the lack of cardiotoxicity suggest that the regimen should be considered as a nonanthracycline regimen for future adjuvant therapy.
Effects of 5,6-Dimethylxanthenone-4-Acetic Acid on Human Tumor Microcirculation Assessed by Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Galbraith Susan M. , Rustin Gordon J.S. , Lodge Martin A. , Taylor N. Jane , Stirling J. James , Jameson Michael , Thompson Paul , Hough David , Gumbrell Lindsey , Padhani Anwar R.
Published: September 2002

PURPOSE: 5,6-Dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA) causes vascular shutdown in preclinical models. Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were performed in the phase I trials to examine changes related to blood flow and permeability in tumor and muscle.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients treated with DMXAA from 500 to 4,900 mg/m2 had DCE-MRI examinations before and after treatment. The maximum gradient, the maximum enhancement, and the area under the signal-intensity–time curve (AUC) over the first 90 seconds were calculated for each pixel in regions of interest (ROIs) in muscle and tumor, and the median value for each ROI was obtained. Changes after treatment were compared with 95% limits of agreement for an individual and for groups using data from our reproducibility study.

RESULTS: Nine of 16 patients had significant reductions in AUC 24 hours after the first dose of DMXAA, and eight of 11 patients had reductions of up to 66% in AUC 24 hours after the last dose. Mean reductions in gradient, enhancement, and AUC were 25%, 18%, and 31%, respectively, 24 hours after the last dose, significantly greater than the 95% limits of change for a group of 11 patients. Enhancement and AUC in muscle 24 hours after the first dose were significantly reduced, but no significant changes were seen 24 hours after the last dose.

CONCLUSION: DMXAA significantly reduces DCE-MRI parameters related to tumor blood flow, over a wide dose range, consistent with the reported tumor vascular targeting activity. Further clinical evaluation of DMXAA is warranted.
Clinical Significance of p21 Expression in Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Shoji Tsuyoshi , Tanaka Fumihiro , Takata Tetsuya , Yanagihara Kazuhiro , Otake Yosuke , Hanaoka Nobuharu , Miyahara Ryo , Nakagawa Tatsuo , Kawano Yozo , Ishikawa Shinya , Katakura Hiromichi , Wada Hiromi
Published: September 2002

PURPOSE: The clinical significance of p21 expression remains unclear, whereas many experimental studies have demonstrated that p21, the product of the WAF1/CIP1/SDI1 gene, plays an important role in regulation of the cell cycle as an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases. The purpose of this study was to clarify the clinical significance in resected non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 233 consecutive patients with completely resected pathologic stage I to IIIA NSCLC were retrospectively reviewed. Expression of p21 and the status of p53 were examined immunohistochemically. Proliferative activity was also evaluated immunohistochemically. The incidence of apoptotic cell death was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end-labeling staining.

RESULTS: Expression of p21 was positive in 120 patients (51.5%). The 5-year survival rate of p21-positive patients was 73.8%, significantly higher than that of p21-negative patients (60.7%; P = .006). Aberrant expression of p53 was positive in 98 patients (42.1%). When combined with p53 status, the prognostic value of p21 status was enhanced: the 5-year survival rate of p21-positive and p53-negative patients was 80.7%, markedly higher than that of p21-negative and p53-positive patients (50.0% for both; P = .001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that positive expression of p21 was a significant factor for predicting a favorable prognosis. There was no significant correlation between p21 expression and p53 status, proliferative activity, or incidence of apoptosis.

CONCLUSION: p21 expression was shown to be an independent prognostic factor in NSCLC.
Subsequent Chemotherapy Regimens Are Well Tolerated After Radioimmunotherapy With Yttrium-90 Ibritumomab Tiuxetan for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Authors: Ansell Stephen M. , Ristow Kay M. , Habermann Thomas M. , Wiseman Gregory A. , Witzig Thomas E.
Published: September 2002

PURPOSE: Yttrium-90 (90Y) ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin; IDEC Pharmaceutical, San Diego, CA) is an effective therapy for patients with relapsed B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The predominant toxicity of90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan has been myelosuppression, and concern has been expressed about the tolerability of further treatment after this therapy. The goal of this analysis was to evaluate the therapy given to patients who relapsed after90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 58 patients treated at a single institution on five separate protocols that used90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan 0.4 mCi/kg. All patients had experienced disease progression after90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan treatment and received subsequent therapy. The toxicity seen in this cohort of patients with subsequent treatment regimens was analyzed and compared with that of control groups who did not receive90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan.

RESULTS: The median number of subsequent therapies was two (range, one to seven). Sixteen (28%) of the 58 patients received growth factor support with subsequent chemotherapy, and two patients were treated with reduced doses because of persistent pancytopenia. Eight patients subsequently had an autologous stem-cell transplantation with stem cells collected after90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan therapy. Excluding patients hospitalized at the time of transplantation, 13 patients were hospitalized for neutropenic fever, thrombocytopenia, or both. When compared to patients who did not receive90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan, there was no significant difference in toxicity.

CONCLUSION: We conclude that chemotherapy or autologous stem-cell transplantation after prior therapy with90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan is feasible and reasonably well tolerated. The toxicity with subsequent therapy seems similar to that in patients not treated with90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan.
Phase I Study of Recombinant Human Endostatin in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Herbst Roy S. , Hess Kenneth R. , Tran Hai T. , Tseng Jennifer E. , Mullani Nizar A. , Charnsangavej Chusilp , Madden Timothy , Davis Darren W. , McConkey David J. , O’Reilly Michael S. , Ellis Lee M. , Pluda James , Hong Waun K. , Abbruzzese James L.
Published: September 2002

PURPOSE: Endostatin, a 20-kd fragment of collagen XVIII, is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. We evaluated recombinant human endostatin (rh-Endo) in a phase I trial designed to assess safety, pharmacokinetics, and serum markers of angiogenesis in patients with solid tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients were enrolled onto a dose-finding trial of rh-Endo administered as an intravenous bolus over a 20-minute period once daily. Three patients each were treated at dose levels of 15, 30, 60, 120, 180, and 600 mg/m2/d, and seven patients were treated at 300 mg/m2/d. Treatment consisted of a minimum of two 28-day cycles. Evaluations included noninvasive imaging, pharmacokinetics, and serum biomarkers.

RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were treated with rh-Endo. Treatment was well tolerated; there were no dose-limiting toxic effects. Bacteremia from frequent central line access was the most common problem. The pharmacokinetic disposition of rh-Endo was linear and best described using a two-compartmental open model. The overall mean half-life was 10.7 ± 4.1 hours. A dose of 300 mg/m2 achieved an area under the concentration-time curve associated with activity in preclinical models. In two patients, there was evidence of antitumor activity, but no responses were seen. Serum markers of angiogenic activity did not provide insight into rh-Endo’s activity. Serum antibodies were observed against both rh-Endo and the Pichia pastoris vector, but no allergic reactions were observed.

CONCLUSION: rh-Endo was safe and well tolerated. rh-Endo pharmacokinetic profiles achieved area under the concentration-time curves associated with activity in preclinical models. Evidence of minor antitumor activity was observed and further studies are indicated.
Randomized Comparison of Low-Dose Involved-Field Radiotherapy and No Radiotherapy for Children With Hodgkin’s Disease Who Achieve a Complete Response to Chemotherapy
Authors: Nachman James B. , Sposto Richard , Herzog Philip , Gilchrist Gerald S. , Wolden Suzanne L. , Thomson John , Kadin Marshall E. , Pattengale Paul , Davis P. Charlton , Hutchinson Raymond J. , White Keith
Published: September 2002

PURPOSE: Current standard therapy for children and adolescents with Hodgkin’s disease includes combination chemotherapy and low-dose involved-field radiation (LD-IFRT). Because radiation may be associated with adverse late effects, the Children’s Cancer Group (CCG) investigated whether radiation could be omitted in patients achieving a complete response to initial chemotherapy without jeopardizing the excellent outcome obtained with combined-modality therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1995 and December 1998, 829 eligible patients were enrolled onto CCG 5942. A total of 501 patients who achieved an initial complete response after risk-adapted combination chemotherapy were randomized to receive LD-IFRT or no further treatment. Event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival were assessed from the date of study entry or the date of randomization, as appropriate.

RESULTS: The projected 3-year EFS from study entry for the entire cohort was 87% ± 1.2%. Among patients who achieved a complete response to initial chemotherapy, 92% ± 1.9% of those randomized to receive LD-IFRT were alive and disease free 3 years after randomization, versus 87% ± 2.2% for patients randomized to receive no further therapy (stratified log-rank test; P = .057). With an “as-treated” analysis, 3-year EFS after randomization for the radiation cohort was 93% ± 1.7% versus 85% ± 2.3% for patients receiving no further therapy (stratified log-rank test; P = .0024). Three-year survival estimates for patients treated with and without LD-IFRT were 98% ± 1.1% for patients who received radiation and 99% ± 0.5% for patients who did not receive radiation.

CONCLUSION: LD-IFRT after an initial complete response to risk-adapted chemotherapy improved EFS. At this time, there is no survival advantage for LD-IFRT, but follow-up remains short.
Solvation Structures and Solvent Exchange Reactions of Metal Ions in Various Coordinating Solvents
Authors: Funahashi Shigenobu , Inada Yasuhiro
Published: September 2002

The solvation structures and the reaction mechanisms of the solvent exchange reactions of metal ions are essential aspects of the interactions of the metal ions with the solvent molecules and information about them is necessary to understand the reactivities of the metal ions in solution. The solvation structures in various coordinating solvents were discussed on the basis of the structure parameters determined by the extended X-ray absorption fine structure technique, referring to the ionic size, ionic charge, and electronic configuration of the metal ions and the bulkiness and electron donating ability of the solvent molecules. It was shown that the deficient bulkiness of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylurea leads to a unique variation in the solvation number for a series of 3d-block metal ions and that the strong electron donating ability of propylamine reduces the solvation number. The solvent exchange mechanisms of various metal ions were discussed on the basis of the activation parameters determined by the nuclear magnetic resonance technique, and the effects of the ionic charge, ionic size, and electronic configuration of the metal ions were regularized. The kinetic results for the solvent exchange of the Ni2+ and Mn2+ ions in a series of nitriles revealed the effect of the solvent bulkiness on the variation in the mechanism. The kinetic chelate effect was pointed out on the basis of the activation parameters for the solvent exchange of the divalent first-row transition metal ions in bidentate solvents such as ethylenediamine and trimethylenediamine.
Intercalation of 2-Aminoethanethiol into Layered Titanium Phosphate and Its Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions
Authors: Hayashi Aki , Nakayama Hirokazu , Tsuhako Mitsutomo
Published: September 2002

In order to develop a new type of adsorbent of toxic heavy metal ions, 2-aminoethanethiol-intercalated layered phosphates were synthesized. 2-Aminoethanethiol was intercalated into titanium(IV) dihydrogenphosphate phosphate dihydrate (γ -titanium phosphate), Ti(H2PO4)(PO4)·2H2O, with a monolayer structure. The intercalation compound could adsorb heavy metal ions, such as Ag+, Hg2+, Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cr3+, by interacting with a mercapto group (–SH). Also, it could completely adsorb Ag+ and Hg2+, even from any concentration of aqueous solutions. The adsorption amounts increased with an increase of the 2-aminoethanethiol content in the intercalation compound. The adsorption mechanism was investigated by using powder X-ray diffraction and solid-state NMR. For a comparison, propylamine-intercalated γ -titanium phosphate was also examined.
“Syn-Effect” in the Isomerization of (E)-α-Fluorovinylic Sulfones to the Corresponding Allylic Sulfones under Basic Conditions
Authors: Nakamura Tetsuya , Guha Samar Kumar , Ohta Yoshihiro , Abe Daisuke , Ukaji Yutaka , Inomata Katsuhiko
Published: September 2002

Toward the elucidation of the origin of the “syn-effect,” the stereochemistry of the isomerization of (E)-α-fluorovinylic sulfones to the corresponding allylic sulfones under mild basic conditions was investigated. The ratio of (Z)-isomers of the resulting allylic sulfones decreased in the following order for the γ-substituents of the starting vinylic sulfones: F- > EtO- > CH3- > BnS- > CH3CH2- > (CH3)2CH- > (CH3)3C-, C6H5-. The fluorine atom showed the highest “syn-effect,” which is herein defined as an effect that stabilizes the syn-conformation in the transition state against a steric or nonbonded repulsion; the rest of the series was in accord with previous results found in the conversion of α-unsubstituted (E)-vinylic sulfones to the corresponding allylic sulfones under similar conditions. These results were rationalized based on the σ→π* interaction.
The effect of environmental conditions on the distribution of eggs and larvae of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus L.) in the Black Sea
Authors: Kideys Ahmet E. , Gordina Anna D. , Bingel Ferit , Niermann Ulrich
Published: September 2002

Recent events in the Black Sea have had a severe impact on all compartments of the ecosystem, including ichthyoplankton. The distribution of eggs and larvae of the anchovy, the major commercial fish species, was investigated in relation to ambient conditions in the southern Black Sea during July 1992, August 1993, and June–July 1996. Average highest egg and larva numbers were observed in June–July 1996. Ichthyoplankton distribution was closely connected with the hydrography. Besides surface temperature and salinity, among the numerous biotic parameters tested, abundance of fodder zooplankton and of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi showed significant correlations with the distribution of either eggs or larvae of the anchovy. The results help in explaining the shift observed in the spawning grounds.
Biophysical study of a molecular intermediate preceding collapse of tight couple and Kaltschmidt–Wittmann ribosomes
Authors: Bonincontro Adalberto , Nierhaus Knud H. , Ortore Maria Grazia , Risuleo Gianfranco
Published: September 2002

In previous works we evidenced, by different biophysical approaches, two levels of structural organization in Escherichia coli ribosomal particles. Thermal treatment up to a defined and non‐denaturing temperature causes demolition of only one level of structural complexity. By consequence the ribosomal particle exists in an intermediate state between the native form and the completely collapsed one. In this communication we report on a structural comparison of this intermediate state in Kaltschmidt–Wittmann (LC) and ‘tight couple’ (TC) ribosomes. Three different biophysical approaches were adopted: dielectric spectroscopy, fluorescence and light scattering. Differential responses to thermal treatment are evidenced in the two ribosomal species. In particular TC show a more compact structure and the overall particle population is more homogeneous than LC in the native state. On the other hand, LC particles after thermal treatment undergo major alterations of geometry and/or phenomena of supra‐particle aggregation.
Rab3A and calmodulin regulate acrosomal exocytosis by mechanisms that do not require a direct interaction
Authors: Yunes R , Tomes C , Michaut M , De Blas G , Rodriguez F , Regazzi R , Mayorga L.S
Published: September 2002

The interaction between Rab3A and calmodulin is necessary for the inhibitory effect of Rab3A in neuroendocrine cells. Contrastingly, Rab3A triggers the exocytosis known as acrosome reaction in permeabilized spermatozoa. Here we show that a Rab3A mutant that cannot bind calmodulin was fully capable of triggering acrosomal exocytosis. Additionally, calmodulin by itself abrogated the exocytosis triggered by Rab3A. The effect was observed with both the wild type protein and the calmodulin binding deficient mutant. Our results indicate that the inhibitory and stimulatory effects of Rab3A in different exocytic processes are mediated by different effectors.
Retardation of the G2‐M phase progression on gene disruption of RNA binding protein Sam68 in the DT40 cell line1
Authors: Li Qing-Hua , Haga Izumi , Shimizu Toshiki , Itoh Michiyasu , Kurosaki Tomohiro , Fujisawa Jun-ichi
Published: September 2002

Sam68 is an RNA binding protein that is tyrosine‐phosphorylated by Src during mitosis and has been postulated to have a role in cell cycle control by modulating RNA metabolism. To elucidate the function of this protein, we isolated a Sam68‐deficient DT40 cell line by gene disruption. The Sam68‐deficient cells exhibited markedly decreased growth and the growth retardation was due to elongation of the G2‐M phase, however, the kinase activity associated with Cdc2 remained unaltered. Our results indicate that Sam68 may play a critical role in G2‐M progression in a manner independent of the control of Cyclin/Cdc2 kinase activity.
Selective attention for pain‐related information in healthy individuals: the role of pain and fear
Authors: Roelofs Jeffrey , Peters Madelon L , Vlaeyen Johan W.S
Published: September 2002

The aim of this study was to investigate whether pain itself or pain‐related fear is crucial in eliciting attentional bias towards pain‐related information in healthy individuals. The results from two successive experiments provide evidence that attentional bias does not take place as a function of pain‐related fear or as a function of pain per se. Attentional bias for pain words was neither found to be related to trait variables like anxiety, depression, catastrophising, fear of pain, and pain vigilance. Implications of the results are discussed and directions for future research are provided.
Cost‐effectiveness of the treatment of heart failure with ramipril: a Spanish analysis of the AIRE study
Authors: Hart Warren Mark , Rubio‐Terres Carlos , Pajuelo Francisco , Juanatey Jose R. González
Published: September 2002

Aims

To estimate the cost‐effectiveness of adding ramipril to conventional treatment in patients with heart failure after myocardial infarction from the perspective of the Spanish National Health System.

Methods and results

A retrospective analysis of the AIRE study was made, using previously published data from the clinical trial combined with local Spanish resource and cost data. A typical rehospitalisation for a heart failure episode would last an average of 11.6 days with an average cost of €350.80 per day. The incremental cost of ramipril per life‐year gained in the baseline case was €1550.10 after 3.8 years of follow‐up. Sensitivity analysis showed that the basic conclusions were robust in spite of extreme variations in the values of the key parameters of the model.

Conclusion

The use of ramipril in addition to conventional treatment in heart failure patients after myocardial infarction is cost‐effective both according to currently accepted international standards of what constitutes a cost‐effective intervention and also indirectly by comparing the results with similar pharmaceutical products financed under the Spanish National Health System.
A new and diverse plant fossil assemblage from the
upper Westphalian Benxi Formation, Shanxi, China,
and its palaeofloristic significance
Authors: CLEAL CHRISTOPHER J. , ZIQIANG WANG
Published: September 2002

A diverse assemblage of Carboniferous plant fossils occurs in the upper Benxi Formation at
the Kaihuagou Section near Taiyuan, Shanxi, China. It consists of impressions and fusain fragments,
the latter revealing anatomical details. Unlike previously published assemblages from the Benxi
Formation, there are no pteridosperms, but a predominance of noeggerathioids and fern fragments.
There are three new species: Achlamydocarpon taiyuanensis, Conchophyllum suboblongifolium, and
the first reported example of a Selaginella from the Carboniferous System of China, S. benxiensis.
The arborescent lycophytes do not to belong to Lepidodendron, as previously claimed, but to
Synchysidendron, and three new combinations are therefore proposed for species from the Benxi
Formation: S. galeatum, S. subrhombicum and S. tripunctatum. The Benxi Formation flora represents
a transition between the tropical swamp vegetation represented in the Westphalian floras of Europe
and North America, and the Stephanian and Permian Cathaysian floras of China. It is evidence of an
essential continuity between the Late Palaeozoic vegetation of the western and eastern tropics, which
should be united as a single phytochorion, the Amerosinian Realm.
Evidence for Thailand's Missing Social History: Thai Women in Old Mural Paintings
Authors: Gordon Alec , Sirisambhand Napat
Published: September 2002

With the burning of central Thailand's capital city, Ayudhya, in 1767 and the destruction of virtually all the records kept there by the centralized bureaucracy of that kingdom, and with the Burmese occupation of the north and the devastating years of fighting around 1800 to drive them out, there is virtually no written record left at all for Thailand prior to the nineteenth century. There is a little material on rulers and some of their activities, but for social history the record is nearly blank. Is there then no way to write a social history or a gender history for Thailand?
Bradyrhizobium japonicum mutants allowing improved nodulation and nitrogen fixation of field-grown soybean in a short season area
Authors: ZHANG H. , DAOUST F. , CHARLES T. C. , DRISCOLL B. T. , PRITHIVIRAJ B. , SMITH D. L.
Published: September 2002

In short-season soybean production areas, low soil temperature is potentially a major factor limiting plant growth and yield. Although Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain 532 C is widely used in inoculants in Canadian soybean production, and USDA 110 is widely used in American soybean production, they are both inhibited by low temperatures. Genistein is an important plant-to-bacteria signal compound secreted by soybean roots. The addition of genistein has proven to be an effective means of generating increases in nitrogen fixation and yield but genistein is expensive. We used UV mutagenesis to make 10 mutants from USDA 110 that express nod genes without the addition of plant-to-bacteria signal compounds such as genistein. A field experiment was conducted at the Lods Agronomy Research Centre in southwestern Quebec in 1998 and 1999. The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of inoculant type (no inoculant (control) and inoculants containing the mutants Bj 30050, Bj 30051, Bj 30052, Bj 30053, Bj 30054, Bj 30055, Bj 30056, Bj 30057, Bj 30058, Bj 30059 and the wild type USDA110 or 532 C) and soybean cultivar (Bayfield and Maple Glen). The experiment was structured following a randomized complete block design with four blocks. Data were collected on nodule number, nodule dry weight, shoot nitrogen yield and total nitrogen fixation at five development stages. Averaged over the 2 years of the study, when pods were 2 cm long at one of the four uppermost nodes on the main stem (R4), inoculation with Bj 30055 and Bj 30058 resulted in greater nodule number (23 and 14%, respectively), nodule dry weight (16 and 13%, respectively), shoot nitrogen yield (19 and 21%, respectively) and total nitrogen fixation (10·9 and 12·7%, respectively) than 532 C, which is currently used in Canadian inoculants. The cultivar Bayfield produced more nodules, and higher nodule weight than Maple Glen, but there were no differences between the cultivars for shoot nitrogen yield and total nitrogen fixation.
Allometric relationships in Bactris gasipaes for heart-of-palm production agroecosystems in Costa Rica
Authors: ARES A. , QUESADA J. P. , BONICHE J. , YOST R. S. , MOLINA E. , SMYTH J.
Published: September 2002

Peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) agroecosystems for hearts-of-palm constitute a productive and sustainable land use for the humid tropics. Allometric models allow to predict biomass non-destructively at any time, and subsequently, to determine the span of growth phases, biomass and nutrient pools, and economic yields. The overall goals of this study were to obtain and validate predictive functions of above-ground dry biomass of peach palm shoots, and to relate standing biomass with heart-of-palm yields as well. Towards this purpose, peach palm shoots were harvested and separated into components (foliage, petiole and stem) in the Atlantic region of Costa Rica. Basal diameter (BD) was a more effective predictor of biomass than height to the fork between the spear leaf and the first fully expanded leaf, total height and number of leaves. Regression models explained 70–89% of the variance in component (foliage, petiole and stem) or total shoot biomass. Nonlinear regression, which independently calculates equation coefficients for biomass components and total shoot biomass, was compared with a nonlinear seemingly unrelated regression (NSUR) procedure, which simultaneously fits the component equations that predict leaf, petiole and stem in order to assure biomass additivity. Equation coefficients for NSUR fitted-regressions that also model unequal variances, were substantially different from those for individual regressions; e.g. Biomassleaf = 11·4739 BD1·8042, Residual mean square (RMS) = 69·9 for the individual equation, versus Biomassleaf = 6·841 BD2·086, RMS = 72·4 for the NSUR fitted-equation. NSUR equations had slightly less precision in estimating biomass than individual equations but consistently less bias. In separate harvests of peach palm plants within four stands ranging in age from 1·9 to 21 years, estimates of component and total above-ground shoot biomass were similar to observed values except for the youngest stand in which biomass was overestimated. In another harvest, yield of heart-of-palm per plant was linearly related to total above-ground biomass in two peach palm stands of age 5 and 9 years. The non-destructive estimation of above-ground biomass from easily measured plant dimensions will permit any-time, less expensive and reasonable precise biomass estimates in peach palm. Biomass data can be incorporated to decision support aids for nutrient management in heart-of-palm agroecosystems and serve other purposes such as for carbon sequestration calculations.
SURNAME ANALYSIS OF THE CORSICAN POPULATION REVEALS AN AGREEMENT WITH GEOGRAPHICAL AND LINGUISTIC STRUCTURE
Authors: MORELLI LAURA , PAOLI GIORGIO , FRANCALACCI PAOLO
Published: September 2002

The surname is a cultural trait that is extremely useful for historical and linguistic studies and can effectively be used as a genetic marker. In many human populations the surname is inherited in the paternal lineage, and can therefore be considered a marker for the Y chromosome. In this study, surnames were recorded from the white pages of telephone directories in current use in Corsica in 1993. All surnames present in thirteen villages scattered over the whole island and covering the main historical regions were transcribed. Surname variability was found to be higher in coastal villages, and lower in more isolated communities. The isonymy detected among the thirteen villages allowed the calculation of kinship values, visualized in a tree showing two main clusters, one referring to the northern villages and one encompassing the villages of the south. The pattern reflects the administrative division of the island, with the exception of Vico, which belongs to the southern administrative region but is geographically close to the northern villages, and Ghisoni, which belongs to the northern district but is more similar to the village of Bastelica in the southern district. The data presented here show a structure in the surname distribution that is in substantial agreement with the geographical patterns. The kinship values are consistent with a moderated gene flow among villages producing a surname structure according to the geographic features of the territory.
INDUCED ABORTION IN SRI LANKA: WHO GOES TO PROVIDERS FOR PREGNANCY TERMINATION?
Authors: JIN BAN DEOK , KIM JINHYUN , INDRALAL DE SILVA W.
Published: September 2002

The sociodemographic characteristics of abortion seekers and the reasons they give for procuring termination were studied in 356 clients selected from two abortion clinics in the city of Colombo. Nearly 80% were Buddhists and about 10% were Christians. Almost all had some formal education but only 20% were employed outside the home. Over 95% were currently married and at the peak of their childbearing age. More than one-half were aged 30 years or over, while adolescents only constituted about 3%. Fourteen per cent were nulliparous and about two-thirds had one or two living children at the time of obtaining the abortion. A significantly high proportion also had a very young child. In total, the 356 women had had 1130 pregnancies, and the mean rate of abortion was 42 per 100 pregnancies. Over one-quarter had had more than one abortion and about 10% had had three or more. Almost all abortions were performed within the first trimester with a mean gestation period of 6 weeks. About one-third of the clients were using some method of contraception at the time they became pregnant. The most common reasons cited for the present abortion were ‘pregnancy too soon after previous delivery’, ‘no more children desired’ or ‘curtailment of opportunity for foreign employment’. Unmarried women constitute a special group of abortion seekers who have different needs and behave differently from married women. Their needs are not currently being met by reproductive health programmes in Sri Lanka, and it is important that they should be given special attention in the future. An interesting finding is that a significant minority of the abortion seekers answered negatively to the question regarding providing medical facilities for abortions without difficulty. This underscores the ambivalence many people have to abortion.
THE HIDE-AND-SEEK GAME: MEN’S PERSPECTIVES ON ABORTION AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE WITHIN MARRIAGE IN A RURAL COMMUNITY IN ZIMBABWE
Authors: CHIKOVORE JEREMIAH , LINDMARK GUNILLA , NYSTROM LENNARTH , MBIZVO MICHAEL T. , MAINA AHLBERG BETH
Published: September 2002

This paper is based on a study aimed at understanding the perceptions of men to induced abortion and contraceptive use within marriage in rural Zimbabwe. Two qualitative methods were combined. Men were found to view abortion not as a reproductive health problem for women. Instead, they described abortion as a sign of illicit sexual activity and contraceptive use as a strategy married women use to conceal their involvement in extramarital sexual activity. Men felt anxious and vulnerable for lack of control over women. In the absence of verbal communication on sexual matters, women and men resort to what are called here ‘hide-and-seek’ strategies, where women acquire and use contraceptives secretly while men search for evidence of such use. It is concluded that promoting women’s sexual and reproductive health requires both short- and long-term strategies. The short-term strategy would entail providing women with reproductive technology they can use without risking violence. The long-term strategy would entail understanding men’s concerns and the way these are manifested. In turn this requires the use of methodologies that encourage dialogue with research participants, in order to capture their deep meanings and experiences.
UNIVERSAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SOME WEANING PRACTICES DO MAKE SENSE
Authors: BØHLER ERIK
Published: September 2002

In the July 2001 issue of the Journal of Biosocial Science Tina Moffat presents an interesting study from Nepal (Moffat, 2001). She refers to several studies, among them our study from Nepal’s neighbouring country Bhutan (Bøhler & Ingstad, 1996), to show that weaning practices are determined by different aspects of the environment, and thus cannot be made universal. However, she goes on to conclude that the recommendation of exclusive breast-feeding for 6 months may not be appropriate for the population she studied. This part of her conclusion is, in my view, far from sufficiently supported by her data.
Anti-Catholicism in Wales,
1900–1960
Authors: HUGHES TRYSTAN OWAIN
Published: September 2002

The decline of anti-Catholic sentiment in twentieth-century England stood in stark contrast to
attitudes in Wales, where a distinct and persistent anti-Catholic polemic was common as recently
as the 1960s. While research into British anti-Catholicism has ignored the situation in
twentieth-century Wales, many of the reasons suggested for the fervent nineteenth-century English hostility
seem not only to explain the absence of Welsh animosity in the same era, but also to illuminate the
predicament in Wales a century later. What we have is a striking example of historical
synchronicity: two eras where the majority Christian denomination, already facing an internal
crisis, reacts to a Church that is seen to threaten its existence and status, as well as the national
way of life it upholds.
Globalisation or regionalism? States, markets and the structure of international trade
Authors: Pelagidis Theodore , Papasotiriou Harry
Published: September 2002

The structure of international trade is determined not only by market forces, but also by the political objectives of states. Weak states participate least in the open international trading system. The strong states that do participate channel trade largely within regional trading blocks. The major states in Europe and East Asia have an incentive to diminish their dependence on the hegemonic power, that is, the United States, which has reacted with its own regionalism (NAFTA). Moreover, regionalism is interpreted as a strategy that reduces states' exposure to major shocks in the global economy. Additionally, it permits them to support weak sectors of their economies at a regional level without entirely undermining the long-term growth benefits of international trade, since a substantial degree of autarky is more feasible and efficient at a regional rather than at the national level.
Literacy and development as discourse, cognition or as both?
Authors: BAMBERG MICHAEL
Published: September 2002

Commenting on R&T's ‘Developing Linguistic Literacy’ is not an easy task.
Their attempt addresses precisely the right questions, in all their complexities
and breadth, centring and bundling these questions in strategic and potentially novel ways, and thereby exploring new territories and encouraging
investigators to enter these territories. However, I still feel left with a sense
of incompleteness and exclusion when it comes to a more discursive
orientation to theorizing literacy and development.
Canonical number systems, counting automata and fractals
Authors: SCHEICHER KLAUS , THUSWALDNER JÖRG M.
Published: September 2002

In this paper we study properties of the fundamental domain [Fscr ]β of number systems, which are defined in rings of integers of number fields. First we construct
addition automata for these number systems. Since [Fscr ]β defines a tiling of the n-dimensional
vector space, we ask, which tiles of this tiling ‘touch’ [Fscr ]β. It turns out
that the set of these tiles can be described with help of an automaton, which can
be constructed via an easy algorithm which starts with the above-mentioned addition automaton. The addition automaton is also useful in order to determine the
box counting dimension of the boundary of [Fscr ]β. Since this boundary is a so-called
graph-directed self-affine set, it is not possible to apply the general theory for the
calculation of the box counting dimension of self similar sets. Thus we have to use
direct methods.
Standardly stratified algebras and cellular algebras
Authors: XI CHANGCHANG
Published: September 2002

Let A be an Artin algebra. Then there are finitely many non-isomorphic simple
A-modules. Suppose S1, S2, …, Sn form a complete list of all non-isomorphic simple
A-modules and we fix this ordering of simple modules. Let Pi and Qi be the projective
cover and the injective envelope of Si respectively. With this order of simple modules
we define for each i the standard module Δ(i) to be the maximal quotient of Pi with
composition factors Sj with j [les ] i. Let Δ be the set of all these standard modules
Δ(i). We denote by [Fscr ](Δ) the subcategory of A-mod whose objects are the modules
M which have a Δ-filtration, namely there is a finite chain

0 = M0 ⊂ M1 ⊂ M2 ⊂ … ⊂ Mt = M

of submodules of M such that Mi/Mi−1 is isomorphic to a module in Δ for all i.
The modules in [Fscr ](Δ) are called Δ-good modules. Dually, we define the costandard
module ∇(i) to be the maximal submodule of Qi with composition factors Sj with
j [les ] i and denote by ∇ the collection of all costandard modules. In this way, we have
also the subcategory [Fscr ](∇) of A-mod whose objects are these modules which have
a ∇-filtration. Of course, we have the notion of ∇-good modules. Note that Δ(n) is
always projective and ∇(n) is always injective.
The impact of sporadic campylobacter and salmonella infection on health and health related behaviour: a case control study
Authors: SMITH G. E. , LEWIS M. , PATERSON S. , GRAY J. , GUNN K. , FARRINGTON F. , CROFT P.
Published: September 2002

The aim of the work was to explore the impact on general and psychological health of those with a proven bacterial gastrointestinal infection and to compare this with controls from whom no bacterial pathogen was identified. A case control study was conducted using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Thirty-nine cases from whose faeces salmonella or campylobacter had been cultured were compared with matched controls. Reported gastrointestinal symptoms, general health and self-reported hygiene practices were compared. At the time of acute illness the General Household Questionnaire suggested similar levels of morbidity, though by follow up the controls were substantially more likely to be distressed. Cases were more likely to have changed their food preparation practices, to avoid certain eating places and to have been given advice about food preparation. In this small study a positive diagnosis of salmonella or campylobacter seems to have had a reassuring effect when compared with those for whom no diagnosis was made.
Ranging behaviour and activity of the Malay civet (Viverra tangalunga) in a logged and an unlogged forest in Danum Valley, East Malaysia
Authors: Colón Christina Paulette
Published: September 2002

The Malay civet Viverra tangalunga is a relatively little known member of Borneo's carnivore community found throughout Peninsular Malaysia, Palawan, Sumatra and adjacent islands and Sulawesi. To investigate the basic ecology of this species and examine the potential impact of selective logging, a radiotelemetry study was carried out in the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve in Sabah, East Malaysia. From December 1995 to June 1997, home range, movement and activity data were collected on 12 study animals in a dipterocarp rain forest, and comparisons made between civets in a selectively logged and an unlogged site. Mean home‐range size was 110 ha and did not differ between sites or gender. In areas of range overlap, radio‐collared civets tended to avoid one another. Day beds were located on the ground and were associated with dense cover. Activity levels averaged 55% and were similar between forest types and gender. Most activity occurred from 18:00 to 07:00 during which mean activity was 81%. In a single day, males travelled further and covered a larger part of their home range than females. Roads and trails were used by both sexes, and roads were the only observed source of mortality resulting from vehicles. While density was higher in the unlogged forest, this species persists in both areas. The ability to survive in disturbed habitats might be influenced by the proximity of undisturbed habitat that served as a biological reservoir, or source of individuals to immigrate into the disturbed habitat.
The role of the male's cerci in copulation and mate guarding in decorated crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus)
Authors: Ritz Markus S. , Sakaluk Scott K.
Published: September 2002

Cerci are paired, sensory appendages extending from the terminal abdominal segment of crickets. While the cerci are acutely sensitive to air currents and thereby function in the detection of potential predators, they are also known to play a role in co‐ordinating movements of males and females during copulation. The role of the male's cerci at four stages of the mating sequence (courtship, copulation, mate guarding and spermatophore removal) was examined by experimentally removing the cerci of male decorated crickets Gryllodes sigillatus and comparing their mating success with that of control males. The mating success of cercectomized males was significantly reduced relative to control males, primarily because of their greater inability to induce females to mount. Even when they succeeded in securing an initial mount, cercectomized males took significantly longer to transfer a spermatophore than did control males. Cercectomy had no influence on the efficacy of post‐copulatory mate guarding by males, nor did females discriminate against cercectomized males by removing their spermatophores sooner than those of control males. We conclude that the primary function of the male's cerci in sexual interactions in G. sigillatus is to provide tactile stimuli to females that either elicit or guide their mounting response.
Types, type locality and subspecies of the gerenuk Litocranius walleri (Artiodactyla: Bovidae)
Authors: Grubb P.
Published: September 2002

From what is known about the discovery of the gerenuk Litocranius walleri, the type locality is here restricted to the vicinity of Chisimaio, Somalia. Two discrete subspecies can be recognized. The smaller L. w. walleri occurs in north‐east Tanzania, Kenya, southern Somalia and southern Ethiopia. The larger L. w. sclateri is restricted to Djibouti, northern Somalia and adjacent parts of northern Ethiopia and is present in very few protected areas.
Secrets of the Glasgow Haskell Compiler
inliner
Authors: PEYTON JONES SIMON , MARLOW SIMON
Published: September 2002

Higher-order languages such as Haskell encourage the programmer to build abstractions by
composing functions. A good compiler must inline many of these calls to recover an efficiently
executable program. In principle, inlining is dead simple: just replace the call of a function by
an instance of its body. But any compiler-writer will tell you that inlining is a black art, full
of delicate compromises that work together to give good performance without unnecessary
code bloat. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to articulate the key lessons we learned
from a full-scale “production” inliner, the one used in the Glasgow Haskell compiler. We
focus mainly on the algorithmic aspects, but we also provide some indicative measurements
to substantiate the importance of various aspects of the inliner.
Comment: Fascism, Single-Party Dictatorships, and the Search for a Comparative Framework
Authors: Roberts David D.
Published: September 2002

Salazar's Portugal, Franco's Spain, Mussolini's Italy and Hitler's Germany were roughly contemporaneous departures from what had come to seem the progressive democratic mainstream. Seeking greater authority and effectiveness, each revolved around a strong leader and a single party. So there was unquestionably a family resemblance among them, and comparison surely illuminates each. Moreover, it is useful to pinpoint the variables that account for the differences among them. By doing so, in fact, we can devise a comparative array, a scale of radicalisation, understood in the neutral sense as the extent of departure from the norm and/or the prior situation.
Stem cell therapy and research
Authors: LOVELL-BADGE ROBIN
Published: September 2002

Stem cells are capable of regenerating tissue cells. They have an important potential use in a wide range of therapies, especially as an alternative to organ transplantation, with the advantage that they can be derived from the patient and thus avoid rejection. Embryonic stem cells are potentially capable of forming all kinds of cells. Their use is controversial however, because they are derived from early embryos and because, if they were to match the patient, they would have to be obtained using the same techniques that could, in theory, be used to produce cloned individuals. This article discusses the uses and problems of stem cell research and therapy.