bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tie-in arrangements of life insurance and savings
Authors: Venezia Itzhak 
Published: July 2003

Cash-value insurance contracts can be viewed as tying life insurance with savings. The main purpose of this article is to provide an economic rationale for this widespread practice. It is assumed that there is an asymmetry of information between the insurers and insureds, where the latter know better their probability of death, and hence adverse selectin may cause a market failure. To overcome this problem, a multiperiod (for exposition purposes a three-period model is used) contract and a single-period contract are offered. The multiperiod contract specifies a savings element which may be received by the insured at his or her discretion. If the insured lives at the end of the second period. It is shown that by the right choice of the savings element and the return on this element, the insurers can induce insureds to self-select. Insureds with lower probabilities of death will choose the multiperiod contract whereas insureds with higher mortality will choose successive single-period contracts. It is therefore shown that tie-in arrangements of savings and insurance may help the problem of adverse selection and hence an economic rationale is provided for their existence. (reprinted with permission).
A population pharmacokinetic model for paclitaxel in the presence of a novel P‐gp modulator, Zosuquidar Trihydrochloride (LY335979)
Authors: Callies Sophie , De Alwis Dinesh P. , Harris Adrian , Vasey Paul , Beijnen Jos H. , Schellens Jan H. , Burgess Michael , Aarons Leon 
Published: July 2003

Aims  To develop a population pharmacokinetic model for paclitaxel in the presence of a MDR modulator, zosuquidar 3HCl.Methods  The population approach was used (implemented with NONMEM) to analyse paclitaxel pharmacokinetic data from 43 patients who received a 3‐h intravenous infusion of paclitaxel (175 mg m−2 or 225 mg m−2) alone in cycle 2 or concomitantly with the oral administration of zosuquidar 3HCl in cycle 1.Results  The structural pharmacokinetic model for paclitaxel, accounting for the Cremophor ELTM impact, was a three‐compartment model with a nonlinear model for paclitaxel plasma clearance (CL), involving a linear decrease in this parameter during the infusion and a sigmoidal increase with time after the infusion. The final model described the effect of Zosuquidar 3HCl on paclitaxel CL by a categorical relationship. A 25% decrease in paclitaxel CL was observed, corresponding to an 1.3‐fold increase in paclitaxel AUC (from 14829 µg l−1 h to 19115 µg l−1 h following paclitaxel 175 mg m−2) when zosuquidar Cmax was greater than 350 µg l−1. This cut‐off concentration closely corresponded to the IC50 of a sigmoidal Emax relationship (328 µg l−1). A standard dose of 175 mg m−2 of paclitaxel could be safely combined with doses of zosuquidar 3HCl resulting in plasma concentrations known, from previous studies, to result in maximal P‐gp inhibition.Conclusions  This analysis provides a model which accurately characterized the increase in paclitaxel exposure, which is most likely to be due to P‐gp inhibition in the bile canaliculi, in the presence of zosuquidar 3HCl (Cmax > 350 µg l−1) and is predictive of paclitaxel pharmacokinetics following a 3 h infusion. Hence the model could be useful in guiding therapy for paclitaxel alone and also for paclitaxel administered concomitantly with a P‐gp inhibitor, and in designing further clinical trials.
Pharmacokinetics and clinical effects of phenytoin and fosphenytoin in children with severe malaria and status epilepticus
Authors: Ogutu Bernhards R. , Newton Charles R. J. C. , Muchohi Simon N. , Otieno Godfrey O. , Edwards Geoffrey , Watkins William M. , Kokwaro Gilbert O. 
Published: July 2003

Aims  Status epilepticus is common in children with severe falciparum malaria and is associated with poor outcome. Phenytoin is often used to control status epilepticus, but its water‐soluble prodrug, fosphenytoin, may be more useful as it is easier to administer. We studied the pharmacokinetics and clinical effects of phenytoin and fosphenytoin sodium in children with severe falciparum malaria and status epilepticus.Methods  Children received intravenous (i.v.) phenytoin as a 18 mg kg−1 loading dose infused over 20 min followed by a 2.5 mg kg−1 12 hourly maintenance dose infused over 5 min (n = 11), or i.v. fosphenytoin, administered at a rate of 50 mg min−1 phenytoin sodium equivalents (PE; n = 16), or intramuscular (i.m.) fosphenytoin as a 18 mg kg−1 loading dose followed by 2.5 mg kg−1 12 hourly of PE (n = 11). Concentrations of phenytoin in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), frequency of seizures, cardiovascular effects (respiratory rate, blood pressure, trancutaneous oxygen tension and level of consciousness) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow velocity were monitored.Results  After all routes of administration, a plasma unbound phenytoin concentration of more than 1 µg ml−1 was rapidly (within 5–20 min) attained. Mean (95% confidence interval) steady state free phenytoin concentrations were 2.1 (1.7, 2.4; i.v. phenytoin, n = 6), 1.5 (0.96, 2.1; i.v. fosphenytoin, n = 11) and 1.4 (0.5, 2.4; i.m. fosphenytoin, n = 6), and were not statistically different for the three routes of administration. Median times (range) to peak plasma phenytoin concentrations following the loading dose were 0.08 (0.08–0.17), 0.37 (0.33–0.67) and 0.38 (0.17–2.0) h for i.v. fosphenytoin, i.v. phenytoin and i.m. fosphenytoin, respectively.CSF:  plasma phenytoin concentration ratio ranged from 0.12 to 0.53 (median = 0.28, n = 16). Status epilepticus was controlled in only 36% (4/11) following i.v. phenytoin, 44% (7/16), following i.v. fosphenytoin and 64% (7/11) following i.m. fosphenytoin administration, respectively. Cardiovascular parameters and MCA blood flow were not affected by phenytoin administration.Conclusions  Phenytoin and fosphenytoin administration at the currently recommended doses achieve plasma unbound phenytoin concentrations within the therapeutic range with few cardiovascular effects. Administration of fosphenytoin i.v. or i.m. offers a practical and convenient alternative to i.v. phenytoin. However, the inadequate control of status epilepticus despite rapid achievement of therapeutic unbound phenytoin concentrations warrants further investigation.
Promoting psychosocial well‐being in unaccompanied asylum seeking young people in the United Kingdom
Authors: Kohli Ravi , Mather Rosie 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACTUnaccompanied minors looking for asylum in industrialized nations come with a host of psychosocial needs associated with separation and settlement. They are also resourceful, and willing to make the best of themselves in their new environments. This paper reviews literature concerning vulnerability and resilience that has emerged from refugee related studies, and those from social work with children looked after by local authorities. In combining these two areas of enquiry, the paper tests the messages they contain in reference to the work of a young asylum seekers project run in the United Kingdom. It confirms the view that unaccompanied minors are children first and foremost, exhibiting understandable vulnerabilities associated with separation and trauma, as well as being carriers of capacities that can help them to recover and settle after arrival. In this paper, it is proposed that promoting psychosocial well‐being for unaccompanied minors involves entering the young people's inner and outer worlds with therapeutic care, to aid the processes of self‐recovery. It also involves finding ways to regenerate a lost sense of belonging and of being in charge of their lives. Examples from the project's work with the young people are used to illustrate the complexity of helping them find a sense of home within their new territories.
Effects of boron and calcium nutrition on the establishment of the Rhizobium leguminosarum–pea (Pisum sativum) symbiosis and nodule development under salt stress
Authors: EL‐HAMDAOUI A. , REDONDO‐NIETO M. , RIVILLA R. , BONILLA I. , BOLAÑOS L. 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACTThe effects of modifying boron (B) and calcium (Ca2+) concentrations on the establishment and development of rhizobial symbiosis in Pisum sativum plants grown under salt stress were investigated. Salinity almost completely inhibited the nodulation of pea plants by Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae 3841. This effect was prevented by addition of Ca2+ during plant growth. The capacity of root exudates derived from salt‐treated plants to induce Rhizobium nod genes was not significantly decreased. However, bacterial adsorption to roots was highly inhibited in plants grown with 75 mM NaCl. Moreover, R. leguminosarum 3841 did not grow in minimal media containing such salt concentration. High Ca2+ levels enhanced both rhizobial growth and adsorption to roots, and increased nodule number in the presence of high salt. Nevertheless, the nodules developed were not functional unless the B concentration was also increased. Because B has a strong effect on infection and cell invasion, these processes were investigated by fluorescence microscopy in pea nodules harbouring a R. leguminosarum strain that expresses green fluorescent protein. Salt‐stressed plants had empty nodules and only those treated with high B and high Ca2+ developed infection threads and exhibited enhanced cell and tissue invasion by Rhizobium. Overall, the results indicate that Ca2+ promotes nodulation and B nodule development leading to an increase of salt tolerance of nodulated legumes.
Modification of the intracellular sugar content alters the incidence of freeze‐induced membrane lesions of protoplasts isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana leaves
Authors: UEMURA M. , STEPONKUS P. L. 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACTSugar content and freezing tolerance of protoplasts of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves were manipulated by incubating seedlings in a sucrose solution before protoplast isolation. Incubation in a 400 mM sucrose solution at 2 °C in the dark increased their freezing tolerance equivalent to that achieved after a conventional cold acclimation at 2 °C. The increased freezing tolerance was due to a decrease in the incidence of freeze‐induced lesions: expansion‐induced lysis (EIL) between −2 and −4 °C and loss of osmotic responsiveness (LOR) between −5 and −12 °C. The concentration of sucrose in the incubation medium required to minimize the incidence of the lesions was substantially different: 10–35 mM for EIL and 30–400 mM for LOR. Incubation in the sucrose solution at 23 °C decreased LOR only at −5 and −6 °C but less than that incubated at 2 °C, and there was no effect on EIL. Incubation in sorbitol solutions at 2 °C also decreased LOR at −5 and −6 °C but much less than in the sucrose solution. These results suggest that low concentrations of sucrose act as a metabolic substrate for the low‐temperature‐induced alterations required for the amelioration of EIL and, at higher concentrations, sucrose has a direct cryoprotective effect to minimize LOR.
An Arabidopsis porB porC double mutant lacking light‐dependent NADPH:protochlorophyllide oxidoreductases B and C is highly chlorophyll‐deficient and developmentally arrested
Authors: Frick Geneviève , Su Qingxiang , Apel Klaus , Armstrong Gregory A. 
Published: July 2003

SummaryA key reaction in the biosynthesis of chlorophylls (Chls) a and b from cyanobacteria through higher plants is the strictly light‐dependent reduction of protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) a to chlorophyllide (Chlide) a. Angiosperms, unlike other photosynthetic organisms, rely exclusively upon this mechanism to reduce Pchlide and hence require light to green. In Arabidopsis, light‐dependent Pchlide reduction is mediated by three structurally related but differentially regulated NADPH:Pchlide oxidoreductases, denoted as PORA, PORB, and PORC. The PORA and PORB genes, but not PORC, are strongly expressed early in seedling development. In contrast, expression of PORB and PORC, but not PORA, is observed in older seedlings and adult plants. We have tested the hypothesis that PORB and PORC govern light‐dependent Chl biosynthesis throughout most of the plant development by identifying porB and porC mutants of Arabidopsis, the first higher plant por mutants characterized. The porB‐1 and porC‐1 mutants lack the respective POR transcripts and specific POR isoforms because of the interruption of the corresponding genes by a derivative of the maize Dissociation (Ds) transposable element. Single por mutants, grown photoperiodically, display no obvious phenotypes at the whole plant or chloroplast ultrastructural levels, although the porB‐1 mutant has less extensive etioplast inner membranes. However, a light‐grown porB‐1 porC‐1 double mutant develops a seedling‐lethal xantha phenotype at the cotyledon stage, contains only small amounts of Chl a, and possesses chloroplasts with mostly unstacked thylakoid membranes. PORB and PORC thus seem to play redundant roles in maintaining light‐dependent Chl biosynthesis in green plants, and are together essential for growth and development.
From here to there: a proposed mechanism for transforming journals from closed to open access
Authors: Prosser David C. 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACTA major barrier to the greater take‐up of an open access model for journal publishing has been the concern of many journal owners that they will not easily be able to migrate from the current subscription‐based model to open access. This paper presents a potential migration path which should significantly reduce the financial risk to journal owners, while allowing them to offer open access to their authors.
The National Minimum Wage and Hours of Work: Implications for Low Paid Women*
Authors: Connolly Sara , Gregory Mary 
Published: July 2003

AbstractThe largest group of beneficiaries from the introduction of the National Minimum Wage in the UK were women working part‐time. A potential threat to these wage gains is a reduction in the working hours available, with part‐time (flexible) jobs particularly vulnerable. This paper reports a range of difference‐in‐difference estimates using individual‐level data from the New Earnings Survey and the British Household Panel Survey. No significant changes in hours worked by either full‐ or part‐time women are found 1, 2 and 3 years after the NMW, and no change in the probabilities of remaining in full‐ or part‐time work or transiting between the two.
Using the BHPS Wave 9 Additional Questions to Evaluate the Impact of the National Minimum Wage*
Authors: Stewart Mark B. , Swaffield Joanna K. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractThis paper presents evidence on the impact of the introduction of the National Minimum Wage using specially designed questions added to wave 9 of the British Household Panel Survey. New direct information on the basic hourly wage rate of hourly paid employees demonstrates the almost complete truncation and ‘spike’ at £3.60. The paper presents an analysis of the causes of the differences between hourly wage constructions, and of who has benefited from the introduction of the minimum wage and by how much, and a brief summary of the findings from the other minimum wage questions added to wave 9.
Expression of a 28-Kilodalton Glutathione
S
-Transferase Antigen of
Schistosoma mansoni
on the Surface of Filamentous Phages and Evaluation of Its Vaccine Potential
Authors: Rao Kakuturu V. N. , He Yi-Xun , Kalyanasundaram Ramaswamy 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACT

A cloning and expression system that allows display of proteins on the surface of filamentous phages was exploited to display a 28-kDa glutathione
S
-transferase (Sm28GST) antigen of the human parasite
Schistosoma mansoni
. The phage-displayed Sm28GST (pdGST) was immunoreactive and was recognized by immune sera, suggesting that the Sm28GST protein displayed on the surface of phages potentially maintains native conformation. Subsequent immunization studies showed that mice can develop high titers of antibodies against pdGST and do not require any additional adjuvant for immunization. Isotype analysis suggested that the pdGST immunization predominantly induced immunoglobulin G2b (IgG2b), IgG3, and IgM anti-GST antibodies in mice. Furthermore, the pdGST immunization was found to confer about 30% protection after a challenge infection with 100 cercariae of
S. mansoni
in BALB/c mice. These findings suggest that phage display is a simple, efficient, and promising tool to express candidate vaccine antigens for immunization against infectious agents.
C-Terminal Region of Outer Surface Protein C Binds Borreliacidal Antibodies in Sera from Patients with Lyme Disease
Authors: Jobe Dean A. , Lovrich Steven D. , Schell Ronald F. , Callister Steven M. 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACTBorreliacidal antibodies specific for outer surface protein C (OspC) are induced shortly after infection withBorrelia burgdorferi. In this study, we identified the region of OspC recognized by immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG borreliacidal antibodies. Sera from patients with early Lyme disease were screened for borreliacidal activity specific forB. burgdorferi50772 and OspC antibodies. Seven sera that contained similarly high titers of each response were then chosen randomly and adsorbed with OspC or a truncated OspC (OspC-Dra) containing the 50 amino acids nearest the carboxy terminus. Adsorption with OspC or OspC-Dra completely eliminated the borreliacidal activity in six (86%) of seven sera and significantly decreased the activity in the remaining serum (titer of 10,240 to 1,280). Moreover, OspC antibodies were no longer detected by OspC enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or in a Western blot that contained native OspC. The findings confirmed that sera from patients with early Lyme disease contain high concentrations of IgM or IgG borreliacidal antibodies that bind a conserved region of OspC.
Analytical Performance of a Highly Sensitive C-Reactive Protein-Based Immunoassay and the Effects of Laboratory Variables on Levels of Protein in Blood
Authors: Aziz Najib , Fahey John L. , Detels Roger , Butch Anthony W. 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACT

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase reactant whose levels increase in response to a variety of inflammatory stimuli. Elevated levels in serum are observed after trauma, tissue necrosis, infection, surgery, and myocardial infarction and are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. CRP levels are also elevated in noninflammatory states, such as obesity, sleep disturbances, depression, chronic fatigue, aging, and physical inactivity. In this study, the performance of a highly sensitive CRP enzyme immunoassay was evaluated, along with common laboratory variables (specimen type, processing time, and storage conditions) that may influence measured blood concentrations of CRP. The measurement range of the assay was from 0.4 to 50 μg/liter. Total imprecision (coefficient of variation) ranged from 8.1 to 11.4%. CRP levels obtained with the enzyme immunoassay were highly correlated with those obtained with an automated immunonephelometric assay. Comparable results were obtained for plasma (heparin and EDTA treated) and serum samples, and levels were unaffected by delays in sample processing and storage temperature. CRP levels were also unaffected by up to seven freeze-thaw cycles. The median CRP concentration in healthy adults was determined to be 0.94 mg/liter, with a 95% working reference interval of 0 to 6.9 mg/liter. In view of these data, we recommend that serial serum or plasma samples for CRP should be stored at 4
o
C for short periods of time or at −70
o
C for longer periods and tested within the same run to minimize interassay variability.
Cement Manufacture and the Environment Part II: Environmental Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: van Oss Hendrik G. , Padovani Amy C. 
Published: July 2003

SummaryConstruction materials account for a significant proportion of nonfuel materials flows throughout the industrialized world. Hydraulic (chiefly portland) cement, the binding agent in concrete and most mortars, is an important construction material. Portland cement is made primarily from finely ground clinker, a manufactured intermediate product that is composed predominantly of hydraulically active calcium silicate minerals formed through high‐temperature burning of limestone and other materials in a kiln. This process typically requires approximately 3 to 6 million Btu (3.2 to 6.3 GJ) of energy and 1.7 tons of raw materials (chiefly limestone) per ton (t) of clinker produced and is accompanied by significant emissions of, in particular, carbon dioxide (CO2), but also nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and particulates. The overall level of CO2output, about 1 ton/ton clinker, is almost equally contributed by the calcination of limestone and the combustion of fuels and makes the cement industry one of the top two manufacturing industry sources of this greenhouse gas. The enormous demand for cement and the large energy and raw material requirements of its manufacture allow the cement industry to consume a wide variety of waste raw materials and fuels and provide the industry with significant opportunities to symbiotically utilize large quantities of by‐products of other industries.This article, the second in a two‐part series, summarizes some of the environmental challenges and opportunities facing the cement manufacturing industry. In the companion article, the chemistry, technology, raw materials, and energy requirements of cement manufacture were summarized. Because of the size and scope of the U.S. cement industry, the article relies primarily on data and practices from the United States.
The Influence of Pacific SST Variability on the Precipitation over Southern Africa
Authors: Misra Vasubandhu 
Published: July 2003

Abstract
This study is an analysis of AGCM model results to understand the dynamics of the response of precipitation over southern Africa (SA) to anomalies in the sea surface temperature (SST) over the Pacific Ocean. The pattern of interannual precipitation anomaly over SA and its temporal variations are quite similar in both the ensemble mean of the control (where AGCM is forced with observed SSTs in all ocean basins) and experimental runs (where AGCM is forced with seasonally varying climatological SST over the Pacific Ocean). However, the amplitude of the variability is found to be relatively reduced in the experimental runs. This is shown to be a result of the modulation of the Walker circulation by the variability of Pacific Ocean SST. The regional teleconnection pattern between the dominant mode of SA precipitation variability and SST anomalies over the eastern Indian Ocean is also influenced by the variations in Pacific SST. The nature of the teleconnection between SA precipitation and eastern Indian SST is apparent only when the Pacific SST variability is excluded. This is corroborated from observations as well.
Depolymerization of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Waste Using 1,4-Butanediol and Triethylene Glycol
Authors: Mansour S. H. , Ikladious N. E. 
Published: July 2003

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) wastes were depolymerized using 1,4-butanediol (BD) and triethylene glycol (TEG) in the presence of zinc acetate as a transesterification catalyst. The glycolyzed products were analyzed for hydroxyl and acid values and identified by elemental analysis, GPC, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and mass spectra techniques. It was found that the glycolyzed products consist mainly of bis-(hydroxybutyl terephthalate) monomer and dimer by using 1,4-butanediol. The depolymerization using TEG resulted in products of TEG-(TPA- TEG) n for n = 1−3. All glycolyzed products had a low acid value indicating the presence of a minor fraction of terephthalate oligoesters.