bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification of Hiatal Hernias Using Dynamic Three-Dimensional Reconstruction
Authors: Kavic Stephen M. , Segan Ross D. , George Ivan M. , Turner Patricia L. , Roth J. Scott , Park Adrian
Published: June 2007

Hiatal hernias and paraesophageal hernias are common clinical entities and have a well-known classification system. Multiple modalities have been used to illustrate these hernias, most relying on artists’ renderings or two-dimensional radiographic studies. However, surgeons would benefit from a comprehensive graphic representation of hiatal hernias based on current imaging technologies. We have applied polygonal mesh surface modeling techniques to render dynamic three-dimensional computed tomography-based models of the four recognized types of hiatal hernias. The resulting images allow nearly real-time navigation in an intuitive and clinically relevant fashion. This model should clarify and eventually advance the existing classification by applying modern and sophisticated image processing to established concepts.
A Novel Method of Assessing Clinical Reasoning in Surgical Residents
Authors: Meterissian Sarkis H.
Published: June 2007

At present, surgical educators can readily assess knowledge with multiple-choice examinations, and inanimate models can be used to assess technical skills. Clinical judgment and reasoning are indispensable skills used by expert surgeons to solve ill-defined problems encountered in the emergency department, clinic, and operating room. The Script Concordance Test, a new tool of clinical reasoning assessment, can test the elaborated networks of knowledge that experienced surgeons develop over the years. It allows for multiple different approaches to the same problem and could be developed as both a formative and summative assessment tool in general surgery residency programs. This article explores the theoretical and practical aspects of the Script Concordance Test.
Laparoscopic Expertise Increases Hospital Volume of Adrenal Surgery
Authors: Novitsky Yuri W. , Kercher Kent W. , Harrell Andrew G. , Heniford B. Todd
Published: June 2007

The laparoscopic approach is preferred for most adrenal tumors but technical challenges limit its use. We evaluated the effects of the availability of laparoscopic expertise on the volume of the adrenal surgery at a tertiary care hospital. Patients undergoing adrenalectomy 5 years before and 5 years after an advanced laparoscopic program was established were retrospectively reviewed. The average annual volume increased from 2 cases during the first period to 15 cases during the 5 years (1999-2003) after laparoscopic expertise became available. The average distance of travel to the hospital was significantly greater for the latter patients and significantly more patients were referred from outside of a 30-mile radius. Although the average statewide annual number of adrenalectomies has not significantly changed, the proportion of adrenalectomies performed at our institution rose. Offering a laparoscopic approach has altered physicians’ referral patterns and has significantly increased the volume of adrenal surgery at the institution.
Holmium: Yttrium Aluminium Garnet Laser Lithotripsy for Symptomatic Kock Pouch Calculi
Authors: Baig Mirza K. , Valerian Brian , Hakim Lawrence , Ghoniem Gamal , Wexner Steven D.
Published: June 2007

Kock first described continent ileostomy for fecal diversion in 1969 as an alternative procedure to conventional ileostomy. Later, this procedure was replaced by restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis as the procedure of choice. The main reasons for its virtual abandonment include technical difficulty, high morbidity, and the need for a stoma. To our knowledge, this report is the first published case of successful enterolith destruction and retrieval from a Kock pouch, using a Holmium: yttrium aluminium garnet laser. This outpatient procedure can avoid the morbidity and cost of a laparotomy.
Endoscopic Placement of Radiopaque Markers for Focused Evaluation of Intestinal Motility
Authors: Turner Patricia L. , Kavic Stephen M. , Park Adrian E.
Published: June 2007

Using traditional techniques in novel ways often can improve management of common surgical problems. Additionally, established products may find new utility when deployed in a slightly different fashion to enhance patient care in a clinically relevant way. This article describes endoscopic placement of radiopaque markers into the proximal small intestine as a means to evaluate motility in a focused fashion. A method to delineate the location of dysmotility in a patient with several potential sites is described. This technique is safe, feasible, reasonably inexpensive, and is easily performed by a skilled endoscopist. Moreover, this technique has the added benefit of providing functional data in a timely fashion.
Classifying Cause of Death After Cancer Surgery
Authors: Waljee Jennifer F. , Windisch Stephanie , Finks Jonathan F. , Wong Sandra L. , Birkmeyer John D.
Published: June 2007

A retrospective, single-center study was conducted to understand variation in mortality after elective cancer surgery. Fifty-two patients who died perioperatively after elective cancer resections (colon, esophageal, pancreatic, lung, gastric and liver) were identified. A methodology was developed and used during medical record review to capture the occurrence and chronology of 21 postoperative complications. Data were reviewed by 3 attending surgeons who assigned cause of death based on information from the entire clinical record. This methodology demonstrated good construct validity, with 81% agreement between cause of death assigned by expert review of data from the instrument and that assigned by expert review of the clinical records (κ = 0.75, P < .005). Cause-specific mortality can be reliably and systematically measured after cancer surgery. Understanding variation in cause-specific mortality can inform future quality improvement efforts.
The Idea of a ‘Missionary Bishop’ in the Spread of the Anglican Communion in the Nineteenth Century
Authors: Yates Timothy
Published: June 2007

In the 1830s, among those associated with the Tractarian revival in England and also among certain figures in the (then) Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States (PECUSA), the idea of the ‘missionary bishop’ was propagated, which presented the bishop as a pioneer evangelist as the apostles were understood to be in New Testament times and saw the planting of the Church as necessarily including a bishop from the beginning for the ‘full integrity’ of the Church to be present. This view of the bishop as the ‘foundation stone’ was not held by the Evangelicals of the Church Missionary Society (CMS), who saw the bishop by contrast as the ‘crown’ or coping stone of the young churches. Two main protagonists were the High Churchman, Samuel Wilberforce, Bishop of Oxford, and the honorary secretary and missionary strategist, Henry Venn. The party, led by C.F. Mackenzie as Bishop and mounted by the Universities’ Mission to Central Africa (UMCA) in 1861 to the tribes near Lake Nyassa, was the outworking of this Tractarian ideal.
Innovation and Undecidability: Some Implications for theKoinoniaof the Anglican Church
Authors: Pickard Stephen
Published: June 2007

The Anglican Church is now a worldwide communion and international Anglicanism is marked by a high degree of variety and significant tensions both at local and international levels. Dealing with diversity and conflict across the communion may be the most pressing issue facing Anglicanism in the twenty-first century. Certainly the needs of mission require a strong focus on local and regional concerns and the history of Anglicanism bears testimony to a strong emphasis on a contextual and incarnational approach to discipleship, worship and social engagement. For this reason the Anglican Church has always wrestled with the tension between its inherited identity and the demand for relevance in an expanding communion. Many of the tensions and unresolved conflicts that beset modern Anglicanism arise because of the astonishing capacity of the Church to develop new responses in new situations that result in practices that do not fit easily with the received tradition. These point to a fundamental fact of Christianity; its inherent creativity and capacity for innovation. But not all innovations are wise for the Church; many innovations generate further conflict and the people of God are often confused or puzzled about what innovations to adopt or reject, and how to facilitate either of these scenarios. Some examples in the history of Christianity include controversies over the date of Easter, the development of church order (for example, episcopacy), doctrinal developments (for example,homoousionof the Nicene Creed), and issues to do with slavery, marriage, divorce and, more recently, ordination of women. None of these ‘innovations’ were greeted with immediate consensus at the point of local adoption nor as the innovation became more widely known and assimilated into the life of the Church.

From an ecclesial point of view the fact of innovation represents both a challenge to, and opportunity for an enhancedkoinoniain the gospel. Minimally this involves commitment to ongoing patient dialogue and face-to-face encounter as innovations are wrestled with, differences explored and conflicts faced. This article considers further the concepts of innovation and undecidability as critical issues underlying much of our current difficulties. The article then inquires as to their relevance and importance for thekoinoniaof the Anglican Communion.
Naturalized Virtue Ethics and the Epistemological Gap
Authors: Brown Stephen
Published: June 2007

The proponent of the epistemological gap maintains that value claims are justified in a different way than are nonvalue claims. I show that a neo-Aristotelian naturalized virtue ethics does not fall prey to this gap. There are ethical claims concerning human beings that are epistemically justified in a way logically identical to the way in which are justified certain nonethical claims about human and nonhuman organisms. This demonstration (1) lends credibility to naturalized virtue ethics, (2) calls into question the very notion of an epistemological gap, and (3) confronts antinaturalists with a dilemma.
The Legacies of John Rawls
Authors: D’agostino Fred
Published: June 2007

To understand the continuing importance of John Rawls’s work, we need to understand the background, the object and the method of his fifty-year quest as a political thinker. The background to Rawls’s investigation was a (carefully circumscribed) acknowledgement of a certain kind of evaluative pluralism. The object of Rawls’s work was to develop a method of commensuration that would enable us, the free and equal citizens of a democratic society, to identify a common basis for our dealings, in search of mutual benefit, with one another. Finally, the method used by Rawls in his work was broadly, though tacitly rather than explicitly, pragmatist in character, especially in the sense that Rawls was aiming, now explicitly, to develop principles of political association that generate their own support in the attitudes and actions of those whose behavior they are intended to guide.
Patients' and nurses' views of nurse-led heart failure clinics in general practice: a qualitative study
Authors: Lloyd-Williams Ffion , Beaton Susan , Goldstein Pauline , Mair Frances , May Carl , Capewell Simon
Published: June 2007

Objectives: To ascertain nurses' and patients' views and experiences of a nurse-led heart failure clinic provided in general practice.

Methods: The study was set in eight general practices in the North-West of England. Semi-structured interviews were devised and administered, with all the nurses providing the clinics and a purposive sample of patients attending the clinics. The interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed. Constant comparative analysis was used to identify key issues and themes.

Results: Nurses felt that the self-care advice provided had empowered patients to manage their condition. Explaining why a medication had been prescribed, and how it controlled heart failure, was felt to increase compliance. Although communication was deemed good, some patients were reticent about asking questions. Patients were knowledgeable about their prescribed heart failure medications, but some did not recall having discussed their medications. Also, medication inserts led some patients to question their prescription. Patients remained confused about the purpose and outcome of investigations. Furthermore, many patients suggested that they had problems adhering to or remembering the advice given.

Discussion: There are practical benefits to be obtained from attending a nurse-led heart failure clinic in primary care. However, patients and healthcare providers may have quite divergent views about such a service and its benefits, emphasizing the potential value of consumer involvement and feedback when developing and delivering such services.
Effects of a brief computer-assisted diabetes self-management intervention on dietary, biological and quality-of-life outcomes
Authors: Glasgow Russell E. , Nutting Paul A. , Toobert Deborah J. , King Diane K. , Strycker Lisa A. , Jex Marleah , O'Neill Caitlin , Whitesides Holly , Merenich John
Published: June 2007

Objective: There is a need for practical, efficient and broad-reaching diabetes self-management interventions that can produce changes in lifestyle behaviours such as healthy eating and weight loss. The objective of this study was to evaluate such a computer-assisted intervention.

Methods: Type 2 diabetes primary care patients ( n=335) from fee-for-service and health maintenance organization settings were randomized to social cognitive theory-based tailored self-management (TSM) or computer-aided enhanced usual care (UC). Intervention consisted of computer-assisted self-management assessment and feedback, tailored goal-setting, barrier identification, and problem-solving, followed by health counsellor interaction and follow-up calls. Outcomes were changes in dietary behaviours (fat and fruit/vegetable intake), haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), lipids, weight, quality of life, and depression.

Results: TSM patients reduced dietary fat intake and weight significantly more than UC patients at the 2-month follow-up. Among patients having elevated levels of HbA1c, lipids or depression at baseline, there were consistent directional trends favouring intervention, but these differences did not reach significance. The intervention proved feasible and was implemented successfully by a variety of staff.

Conclusions: This relatively low-intensity intervention appealed to a large, generally representative sample of patients, was well implemented, and produced improvement in targeted behaviours. Implications of this practical clinical trial for dissemination are discussed.
Church, World and Christ in Teilhard de Chardin
Authors: Grumett David
Published: June 2007

In the cosmology and theology of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, the Church has not often been considered to possess any significant function. In fact, Teilhard devotes considerable attention to several key ecclesiological questions. Fundamental to the Christian mission of the conversion of the world to Christ is an incarnational theology of the conversion of the Church to the world. This requires the Church to accept the modern world as currently and contingently constituted. The Church spiritually transforms the materiality of the world in its sacraments and through the practical works of its members. It provides the physical means of the convergence of the world towards its final unity, and for this reason calls its members to obedience, despite its imperfections. Catholicism has the potential to bring all Christians to unity in a self-transforming ecumenism that could also encompass other faiths.
Composition Profiler: a tool for discovery and visualization of amino acid composition differences
Authors: Vacic Vladimir , Uversky Vladimir N , Dunker A Keith , Lonardi Stefano
Published: June 2007

Background

Composition Profiler is a web-based tool for semi-automatic discovery of enrichment or depletion of amino acids, either individually or grouped by their physico-chemical or structural properties.

Results

The program takes two samples of amino acids as input: a query sample and a reference sample. The latter provides a suitable background amino acid distribution, and should be chosen according to the nature of the query sample, for example, a standard protein database (e.g. SwissProt, PDB), a representative sample of proteins from the organism under study, or a group of proteins with a contrasting functional annotation. The results of the analysis of amino acid composition differences are summarized in textual and graphical form.

Conclusion

As an exploratory data mining tool, our software can be used to guide feature selection for protein function or structure predictors. For classes of proteins with significant differences in frequencies of amino acids having particular physico-chemical (e.g. hydrophobicity or charge) or structural (e.g. α helix propensity) properties, Composition Profiler can be used as a rough, light-weight visual classifier.
New criteria for selecting the origin of DNA replication in Wolbachia and closely related bacteria
Authors: Ioannidis Panagiotis , Hotopp Julie C Dunning , Sapountzis Panagiotis , Siozios Stefanos , Tsiamis Georgios , Bordenstein Seth R , Baldo Laura , Werren John H , Bourtzis Kostas
Published: June 2007

Background

The annotated genomes of two closely related strains of the intracellular bacteriumWolbachia pipientishave been reported without the identifications of the putative origin of replication (ori). Identifying theoriof these bacteria and related alpha-Proteobacteria as well as their patterns of sequence evolution will aid studies of cell replication and cell density, as well as the potential genetic manipulation of these widespread intracellular bacteria.

Results

Using features that have been previously experimentally verified in the alpha-ProteobacteriumCaulobacter crescentus, the origin of DNA replication (ori) regions were identifiedin silicoforWolbachiastrains and eleven other related bacteria belonging toEhrlichia,Anaplasma, andRickettsiagenera. These features include DnaA-, CtrA- and IHF-binding sites as well as the flanking genes inC. crescentus. TheWolbachia oriboundary genes were found to behemEand COG1253 protein (CBS domain protein). Comparisons of the putativeoriregion among relatedWolbachiastrains showed higher conservation of bases within binding sites.

Conclusion

The sequences of theoriregions described here are only similar among closely related bacteria while fundamental characteristics like presence of DnaA and IHF binding sites as well as the boundary genes are more widely conserved. The relative paucity of CtrA binding sites in theoriregions, as well as the absence of key enzymes associated with DNA replication in the respective genomes, suggest that several of these obligate intracellular bacteria may have altered replication mechanisms. Based on these analyses, criteria are set forth for identifying theoriregion in genome sequencing projects.
Cocaine reward and locomotion stimulation in mice with reduced dopamine transporter expression
Authors: Tilley Michael R , Cagniard Barbara , Zhuang Xiaoxi , Han Dawn D , Tiao Narry , Gu Howard H
Published: June 2007

Background

The dopamine transporter (DAT) plays a critical role in regulating dopamine neurotransmission. Variations in DAT or changes in basal dopaminergic tone have been shown to alter behavior and drug responses. DAT is one of the three known high affinity targets for cocaine, a powerful psychostimulant that produces reward and stimulates locomotor activity in humans and animals. We have shown that cocaine no longer produces reward in knock-in mice with a cocaine insensitive mutant DAT (DAT-CI), suggesting that cocaine inhibition of DAT is critical for its rewarding effect. However, in DAT-CI mice, the mutant DAT has significantly reduced uptake activity resulting in elevated basal dopaminergic tone, which might cause adaptive changes that alter responses to cocaine. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine how elevated dopaminergic tone affects how mice respond to cocaine.

Results

We examined the cocaine induced behavior of DAT knockdown mice that have DAT expression reduced by 90% when compared to the wild type mice. Despite a dramatic reduction of DAT expression and marked elevation in basal dopamine tone, cocaine produced reward, as measured by conditioned place preference, and stimulated locomotor activity in these mice.

Conclusion

A reduction in DAT expression and elevation of dopaminergic tone do not lead to adaptive changes that abolish the rewarding and stimulating effects of cocaine. Therefore, the lack of reward to cocaine observed in DAT-CI mice is unlikely to have resulted from the reduced DAT activity but instead is likely due to the inability of cocaine to block the mutated DAT and increase extracellular dopamine. This study supports the conclusion that the blockade of DAT is required for cocaine reward and locomotor stimulation.
Phosphorylation of Irs1 at SER-522 Inhibits Insulin Signaling
Authors: Giraud Jodel , Haas Michael , Feener Edward P. , Copps Kyle D. , Dong Xiaocheng , Dunn Sarah L. , White Morris F.
Published: June 2007

Multisite phosphorylation of Irs1 on serine and threonine residues regulates insulin signaling that can contribute to insulin resistance. We identified by mass spectrometry the phosphorylation of Ser522 in rat Irs1 (S522Irs1). The functional effects of this phosphorylation site were investigated in cultured cells using a sequence-specific phosphoserine antibody. Insulin stimulated the phosphorylation of S522Irs1 in L6 myoblasts and myotubes. S522Irs1 phosphorylation was inhibited by wortmannin, whereas PD98059, rapamycin, or glucose-starvation had no effect. Reducing Akt expression with small interfering RNA inhibited insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of S522Irs1, suggesting the involvement of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase→ Akt cascade. A S522Irs1→A522Irs1 substitution increased insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of Irs1 and signaling, whereas a S522Irs1→E522Irs1 substitution reduced insulin-stimulated Irs1 tyrosine phosphorylation. Together, these results suggest the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase→Akt cascade can inhibit insulin signaling through the phosphorylation of S522Irs1.
Subcellular Localization Modulates Activation Function 1 Domain Phosphorylation in the Androgen Receptor
Authors: Kesler Cristina T. , Gioeli Daniel , Conaway Mark R. , Weber Michael J. , Paschal Bryce M.
Published: June 2007

Although the steady-state distribution of the androgen receptor (AR) is predominantly nuclear in androgen-treated cells, androgen-bound AR shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In the present study we have addressed how nucleocytoplasmic shuttling contributes to the regulation of AR. Nuclear transport signal fusions were used to force AR localization to the nucleus or cytoplasm of prostate cancer cells, and the effect of localization on shuttling, transcription, androgen binding, and phosphorylation was determined. Fusing the simian virus 40 nuclear localization signal or c-Abl nuclear export signal to AR resulted in androgen-independent localization to the nucleus or cytoplasm, respectively. AR forced to the nucleus was transcriptionally active on prostate-specific antigen and mouse mammary tumor virus promoters driving reporter genes. AR forced to the cytoplasm was largely inactive on the prostate-specific antigen promoter, but, surprisingly, AR was active on the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter and on two endogenous genes examined. Thus, highly transient nuclear localization of AR is sufficient to activate transcription. Androgen dissociation rates and the dissociation constant (KD) of AR for androgen were similar whether AR was localized to the cytoplasm or the nucleus, suggesting the ligand-binding cycle of AR is not strictly linked to its compartmentalization. Using phosphosite antibodies, we found that compartmentalization influences the phosphorylation state of AR. We show there is a bias for androgen-dependent phosphorylation of Ser81, Ser256, and Ser308 in the nucleus and androgen-independent phosphorylation of Ser94 in the cytoplasm. We propose that one function of nucleocytoplasmic shuttling is to integrate the signaling environment in the cytoplasm with AR activity in the nucleus.
Reduced passage-averaged N-S equations of the threedimensional flowfield in a multi-stage environment
Authors: Gao L M , Xi G , Liu B , Wang S J
Published: June 2007

The passage-averaged flow model was proved to be a more rigorous and complicated model than the mixing plane model in the flow prediction of multi-stage turbomachinery using the steady-state method. In the present work, the novel time- and passage-averaging operators are applied and a reduced average-passage N-S equation system is derived, in which the bodyforce and the blockage factor are eliminated. In order to consider the time-averaged effect of the periodic unsteadiness, a semi-empirical model with the interface approach is employed to evaluate the deterministic stresses instead of overlapping domain approach. Finally, two computations for a tested centrifugal compressor are performed and compared with the corresponding experimental data to verify the reduced passage-averaged equation system and the corresponding numerical method: one is the solution of the reduced passage-averaged equations with a semiempirical model and; the other is that of the steady Navier-Stokes equations with the mixing plane.
Flock properties effect on task assignment and formation flying of cooperating unmanned aerial vehicles
Authors: Gurfil P , Kivelevitch E
Published: June 2007

In this article, a hierarchical algorithm was developed for autonomous formation flying, communication, and task assignment for cooperating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and Dudek's taxonomy was used to evaluate the performance of the autonomous UAV group cooperating in mission execution against a group of enemy agents in an unknown environment. The authors showed that increasing the number of UAVs in the group proves to be beneficial as it allows the group to react to more enemy events, even if the overall search and detect capabilities remain invariant with the number of UAVs. It is also showed that, in general, using communication improves the cooperation among the flock members; however, using infinite communication range or infinite communication bandwidth results in considerable computational complexity. In conclusion, it is sufficient to use finite-bandwidth communication, keeping the computational complexity constant with the number of UAVs in the group, thus allowing the group to be scalable to large numbers of UAVs. The authors use a behavioural flocking algorithm to control the movement of the UAVs when searching, and show that flocking assists the UAVs in dispersing in the environment and improves the overall detection probability of the flock. Finally, it is showed that using flocking improves the group performance only if the group is capable of mission task collaboration.
Unsteady boundary layer flow due to an impulsively started moving plate
Authors: Mehmood A , Ali A
Published: June 2007

The problem dealing with the unsteady two-dimensional boundary layer flow of a viscous fluid past an impulsively started infinite plate moving parallel to itself with a constant velocity has been investigated. The fluid at infinity is assumed to be flowing with a constant free-stream velocity. By using the appropriate transformations for the stream function, the basic governing equations are reduced to a single equation. This equation is solved analytically subject to the relevant boundary conditions by homotopy analysis method. The present analytic solution is uniformly valid for all time. Finally, the results are discussed through graphs.
A study of tape spring fold curvature for space deployable structures
Authors: Walker S J I , Aglietti G S
Published: June 2007

Tape springs, defined as thin metallic strips with an initially curved cross-section, are an attractive structural solution and hinge mechanism for small satellite deployable structures because of their low mass, low cost, and general simplicity. They have previously been used to deploy booms and array panels in various configurations that incorporate a two-dimensional deployment of the tape. However, applications currently exist that incorporate three-dimensional tape springs folds. To accurately model the deployment of an appendage mounted with tape spring hinges, it is necessary to accurately model the opening moments produced from the material strains in the tape spring fold. These moments are primarily a function of curvature. This publication uses a photographic method to analyse the curvature assumptions of two-dimensional tape spring folds and to define the curvature trends for three-dimensional tape spring folds as a basis for calculating the opening moment. It is found that although a variation in the curvature can be seen for three-dimensional tape spring folds, its effect is secondary to the tape thickness tolerance. Therefore, constant curvature models are concluded to be accurate enough for general tape fold applications.
Whither Russia? A Review of Andrei Shleifer's A Normal Country
Authors: Zhuravskaya Ekaterina
Published: June 2007

In this review, the author reflects on the heated debates around views about Russia's postcommunist transition expressed in essays collected in new Andrei Shleifer's book, A Normal Country: Russia after Communism (Harvard University Press, 2005), which were initially published at different times during transition. She focuses on the three questions that have been in the center of the debate among academics and policymakers: What should the sequencing and the speed of reforms be? Should a country have political centralization for fiscal decentralization to be efficient? Is Russia normal? The author argues that Russia's most recent history provides convincing evidence in support of the logic of political and economic transformation as it was understood by Shleifer as early as the beginning of the 1990s.
Business Groups in Emerging Markets: Paragons or Parasites?
Authors: Khanna Tarun , Yafeh Yishay
Published: June 2007

Diversified business groups, consisting of legally independent firms operating across diverse industries, are ubiquitous in emerging markets. Groups around the world share certain attributes but also vary substantially in structure, ownership, and other dimensions. This paper proposes a business group taxonomy, which is used to formulate hypotheses and present evidence about the reasons for the formation, prevalence, and evolution of groups in different environments. In interpreting the evidence, the authors pay particular attention to two aspects neglected in much of the literature: the circumstances under which groups emerge and the historical evidence on some of the questions addressed by recent studies. They argue that business groups are responses to different economic conditions and that, from a welfare standpoint, they can sometimes be “paragons” and, at other times, “parasites.” The authors conclude with an agenda for future research.
Investor Sentiment in the Stock Market
Authors: Baker Malcolm , Wurgler Jeffrey
Published: June 2007

Investor sentiment, defined broadly, is a belief about future cash flows and investment risks that is not justified by the facts at hand. The question is no longer whether investor sentiment affects stock prices, but how to measure investor sentiment and quantify its effects. One approach is “bottom up,” using biases in individual investor psychology, such as overconfidence, representativeness, and conservatism, to explain how individual investors underreact or overreact to past returns or fundamentals The investor sentiment approach that we develop in this paper is, by contrast, distinctly “top down” and macroeconomic: we take the origin of investor sentiment as exogenous and focus on its empirical effects. We show that it is quite possible to measure investor sentiment and that waves of sentiment have clearly discernible, important, and regular effects on individual firms and on the stock market as a whole. The top-down approach builds on the two broader and more irrefutable assumptions of behavioral finance—sentiment and the limits to arbitrage—to explain which stocks are likely to be most affected by sentiment. In particular, stocks that are difficult to arbitrage or to value are most affected by sentiment.
The Economics of Lesbian and Gay Families
Authors: Black Dan A , Sanders Seth G , Taylor Lowell J
Published: June 2007

In this essay, we provide some statistics about the gay and lesbian population in the United States, and ask if analysis based on economic reasoning can provide insight into the family outcomes we observe. We do not start with a hypothesis of innate differences in preferences, but instead seek to understand how differences in constraints systematically alter incentives faced by gay, lesbian, and heterosexual people. Our work reinforces a central theme of Gary Becker's: that family life and economic life are interwoven. Decisions within families—including couples' decisions to commit to one another, divorce, bear children, or adopt children—are intrinsically connected to other economic decisions, including human capital accumulation, labor supply, occupational choice, consumption, and decisions about where to live. We provide evidence addressing number of questions: Do differing biological constraints faced by gay, lesbian, and heterosexual couples affect choices over children? Do differences in fertility (or anticipated fertility), again owing to differences in constraints, influence where people live? Do same-sex couples have patterns of household specialization that differ in predictable fashion from heterosexual couples?
The History of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the US
Authors: Rosenbaum Cathy Creger
Published: June 2007

2006 marked the 40th year of publication for The Annals. Throughout its history, The Annals has provided important contributions to the development of clinical pharmacy. In 2007, we are continuing to publish articles reflecting on the history of clinical pharmacy through the eyes of practitioners, including those pioneering clinical pharmacy, as well as those who have more recently entered the profession and a well-established specialty. In addition, we are presenting articles and editorials from the early history of The Annals that have given direction and shape to the practice of clinical pharmacy (see page 1268).
Drug Importation and Safety of Drugs Obtained from Canada
Authors: Shepherd Marv
Published: June 2007

Drug importation from Canada has been holly debated for nearly a decade. Many believe that drug importation will bring needed competition and lower US drug prices. Opposition argues that the costs of ensuring product quality and safety, as well as added healthcare costs, will offset savings attained from imported pharmaceuticals. The US needs to become innovative and seek solutions that will provide effective, safe, and economical pharmaceuticals without placing a burden on other countries and without damaging the pharmaceutical research.
Topics and topicalization in Amharic
Authors: Demeke Girma A , Meyer Ronny
Published: June 2007

The paper examines the information structure of Amharic sentences with regard to topicalization. The morphemes -mma, -ss, and -mm in Amharic have been ascribed a function as topic markers (cf. Blejer 1986, Gasser 1983, Hetzron 1973, Kapeliuk 1978, Leslau 1995, etc.). From a synchronic point of view we disagree with Leslau's (1995) analysis of -mma as a combination of -mm ‘TOP:N’ and -a(a) ‘TOP:E’. Further, we argue that only the morphemes -mma and -ss can be considered topic markers while -mm is rather a focus marker. Topics in Amharic are generally marked by fronting the constituent in question to the sentence-initial position. Those which are additionally marked by the morphemes
-mma and -ss are contrastive, i.e., ‘as for’-topics, while topics only marked by fronting are non-contrastive.
The pH of the exhaled breath condensate: New method for investigation of inflammatory airway diseases
Authors: Szili Balázs , Bikov András , Kollai Márk , Horváth Ildikó
Published: June 2007

A kilélegzett levegő kondenzálása és a kondenzátum (EBC: Exhaled Breath Condensate) vizsgálata napjainkra egyre szélesebb körben terjed el pulmonológiai kutatásokban. Az eljárás során nem invazív úton nyerhetünk mintát a légutakból úgy, hogy a kilélegzett gázkeveréket egy hűtött kamrán áramoltatjuk át, és a kamra falára lecsapódó párát vizsgáljuk. A minta számos különböző mediátort, biomarkert tartalmaz. Kiemelt jelentőségű a különböző, eddig vizsgált biomarkerek közül a pH. Mérése egyszerű, olcsó és az optimális mérési tartományon belül van. Problémát a pH-érték instabilitása jelent, amit főként a minta CO
2
-koncentrációjának változása okoz. Számos publikáció jelent meg, amelyekben különböző légúti megbetegedésekben vizsgálták a kondenzátum pH-ját. Asthma bronchialéban (különösen akut exacerbatióban), valamint krónikus obstruktív tüdőbetegségben (COPD) savasabbnak találták a kondenzátumot. Szteroidkezelés hatására mindkét betegségben emelkedik a pH. Bronchiectasiában, cisztikus fibrosisban, valamint krónikus köhögésben (asthma bronchiale, gastrooesophagealis reflux, rhinitis chronica, ismeretlen eredet) is savasabbnak találták az EBC-mintákat. A légutak savasodása a különböző kórállapotokban fontos szerepet játszhat a betegségek patomechanizmusában, és az ezt jelző EBC-pH szerepet kaphat a légúti megbetegedések követésében.
Pseudosyncope and pseudoseizure
Authors: Benedek Krisztina , Pálinkás Attila , Ábrahám György , Beniczky Sándor , Vécsei László , Rudas László
Published: June 2007

A syncope gyakori kórkép, mely jelentős terheket ró az egészségügyre. Bár diagnosztikus eszközeink fejlődnek, az esetek egy kis hányadában az eszméletvesztés pontos oka az alapos kivizsgálás ellenére is rejtve marad. Az ismeretlen eredetű syncopék csoportjába tartozik a pszichogén álsyncope, mely – szemben a valódi syncopéval – nem jár az agyi keringés átmeneti zavarával. Az álsyncope valójában a konverziós betegség egyik megnyilvánulása, és mint ilyen, számos jellegzetességében osztozik az álgörcsrohammal. Az utóbbira ugyancsak jellemző, hogy a rohamok alatt hiányoznak a görcstevékenység jellegzetes neurológiai és EEG-manifesztációi. A két megjelenési forma esetenként ugyanazon betegben váltakozva léphet fel. Közleményünkben egy álsyncopékat és álgörcsrohamokat egyaránt produkáló beteg történetét mutatjuk be. Az eset kapcsán áttekintjük az álsyncope irodalmát, és felhívjuk a figyelmet az interdiszciplináris diagnosztikus megközelítés szerepére.
Whipple’s disease: current problems
Authors: Műzes Györgyi , Székely Hajnal , Tulassay Zsolt
Published: June 2007

A Whipple-kór bakteriális fertőzés okozta, ritkán előforduló, számos szerv érintettségével, így változatos klinikummal társuló, alattomos kezdetű, relapsusokkal kísért idült lefolyású, kezelés nélkül fatális gyulladásos betegség. A kórkép gyanúját a jellegzetes (de nem specifikus) tüneti triász (fogyás, krónikus hasmenés, arthralgia) megjelenése sugallhatja. Elhúzódó, intermittáló jellegű láz és lymphadenopathia társulásakor fennállásának különösen nagy a valószínűsége. A Whipple-kór vonatkozásában meghatározó jelentőségű volt az egyedi tulajdonságokkal bíró kórokozó, aTropheryma whippleifelismerése. A bakteriális fertőzés vélhetően gyakori, betegség viszont csak a hajlamosító immunológiai tényező(k) megléte esetén alakul ki. Tekintettel az alapvetően a macrophagokban perzisztáló és szaporodó baktériumokra, főként a mononuclearis-phagocyta rendszer kóros funkciója tételezhető fel. (A Whipple-kór elsősorban macrophag betegségként értelmezhető.) A klinikai kép sokszínű. Bár a Whipple-kórt eredetileg a gastrointestinalis rendszer megbetegedésének vélték, ma szisztémás betegségnek tekintik. A fertőzés gyanújakor az elsőként választandó vizsgálat a gasztroszkópia: jellegzetes esetben a postbulbaris duodenum és a jejunum területén az erythemas, erodált, sérülékeny nyálkahártyán szétszórt halványsárgás plaque-ok mutatkoznak. A szövettani mintákban előtérben áll a kifejezett macrophag infiltráció (a baktérium intracelluláris inváziójával). A betegség igazolásának klasszikus eszköze a vékonybél-biopsziás minták PAS-festése, valamint a kórokozó PCR-ral történő igazolása. A megfelelő antibiotikum kiválasztása és a terápia időtartama napjainkban is nagyrészt empirikus.
Post-elastic behaviour of ground-floor slabs. Part 2: Fabric-reinforced concrete slabs
Authors: Abbas A. A. , Pavlović M. N. , Kotsovos M. D.
Published: June 2007

Ground-floor slabs (GFS) are being increasingly designed to carry loads beyond their elastic limit, particularly by means of classical plastic analysis. To this end, a study has been carried out to investigate the inelastic behaviour of both plain and fabric-reinforced concrete GFS. The results of the study on plain-concrete GFS were reported in the first of a set of two papers, while the present, second paper is devoted to the research work carried out on fabric-reinforced concrete slabs. Both papers aim at advancing the understanding of the behaviour of these slabs by means of non-linear finite-element analysis (NLFEA) that employs a constitutive model which is based on experimental data on concrete behaviour under triaxial states of stress. Similarly to the findings for the plain-concrete GFS, and with design rationale in mind, a new performance-based (PB) definition for the failure criterion is also proposed for fabric-reinforced GFS, which takes into account the all-important slope condition (i.e. the effect of structural loading on flatness and levelness of the slab). Finally, NLFEA-based design recommendations are made on the effect of the steel reinforcement on the strength and serviceability of fabric-reinforced GFS, including also recommendations on the appropriate location (i.e. top or bottom) of the steel in order to achieve a balanced strength throughout the slab. The present research represents a considerable improvement on existing classical plastic analyses as the latter provide no information on deflections and slopes.
A new approach in assessing cement mortar remains on recycled aggregate
Authors: Tam V. W. Y. , Tam C. M.
Published: June 2007

There is a growing concern about environmental impacts resulting from construction activities. Accordingly, there is a pressing need for the adoption of recycled aggregate in Hong Kong. One of the key quality yardsticks in assessing the performance of recycled aggregate is the quantity of cement mortar that remains on the surface of the aggregate. There have been a number of methods designed to assess the mortar remains indirectly such as densities, water absorption rates, 10% fine values, etc. The present paper proposes a new method to assess the cement mortar remains and categorise the recycled aggregate using a classification system called CSAggregate with a CSAggregate index ranging from 0 to 100. A total of 10 samples of recycled aggregate collected from ten demolition sites and one ordinary aggregate were examined and compared. The reliability of the classification system was verified by correlating the index to water absorption rates and densities of aggregate.
Elevated End‐of‐Treatment Serum INSL3 Is Associated With Failure to Completely Suppress Spermatogenesis in Men Receiving Male Hormonal Contraception
Authors: Amory John K. , Page Stephanie T. , Anawalt Bradley D. , Coviello Andrea D. , Matsumoto Alvin M. , Bremner William J.
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT: The administration of testosterone plus a progestogen functions as a male contraceptive by inhibiting the release of pituitary gonadotropins. After 3 to 4 months of treatment, most men are azoospermic or severely oligospermic (≤1 million sperm/mL). However, 10% to 20% of men have persistent sperm production despite profound gonadotropin suppression. Since insulin‐like factor 3 (INSL3) has been shown to prevent germ cell apoptosis in mice, we hypothesized that INSL3 might be higher in men with persistent spermatogenesis during treatment with male hormonal contraceptives. In a retrospective analysis, we measured serum INSL3 in 107 men from 3 recent male hormonal contraceptive studies and determined the relationship between suppression of spermatogenesis and serum INSL3. At the end of treatment 63 men (59%) were azoospermic and 44 men (41%) had detectable sperm in their ejaculates. Baseline INSL3 did not predict azoospermia; however, end of treatment serum INSL3 was significantly higher in nonazoospermic men compared with those with azoospermia (median [interquartile range]: 95 [73–127] pg/mL vs 80 [67–101] pg/mL; P = .03). Furthermore, serum INSL3 was positively correlated with sperm concentration (r = .25; P = .009) at the end of treatment and was significantly associated with nonazoospermia by multivariate logistic regression (P = .03). After 6 months of treatment with a hormonal male contraceptive regimen, higher serum INSL3 concentrations were associated with persistent sperm production. INSL3 may play a role in preventing complete suppression of spermatogenesis in some men on hormonal contraceptive regimens. This finding suggests that INSL3 may be a potential target for male contraceptive development.
Chordee Without Hypospadias: Report of 79 Chinese Prepubertal Patients
Authors: Tang Yun‐Man , Chen Shao‐Ji , Huang Lu‐Gang , Wang Ming‐He
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT: A series of Chinese prepubertal patients with congenital chordee without hypospdias is presented and the clinical data described. From July 1999 to September 2006, 79 boys with congenital chordee without hypospadias were treated in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China. The ages ranged from 21 months to 14 years, with a mean of 76.8 months (6.4 years). The patients were categorized according to structural defect into 4 groups, with the aid of intraoperative artificial erection. Group I included those with skin tethering (28 cases, 35.4%); group II, fascial chordee (22, 27.8%); group III, corporal disproportion (10, 12.7%); and group IV, urethral tethering (19, 24.1%). Chordee‐related structural defect was considered the only criterion for classification, and urethral dysgenesis influenced the choice of surgical procedure. The chordee in group I patients was corrected with penile degloving; group II, release of dense fibrous tissue in addition; group III, dorsal‐midline‐plication‐based correction; and group IV, longitudinal‐island‐flap‐urethroplasty‐based repair. At a mean follow‐up of 14.8 months (range, 2 to 63), all patients had penile straightening except 1 group III patient with residual curvature that was managed upon reoperation. Glans dehiscence occurred in 1 group II patient who underwent a tubularized incised plate urethroplasty. Urethrocutaneous fistula and urethral stricture were found in 2 group IV patients who underwent island flap urethroplasty. With the categorization based on structural defect, chordee without hypospadias may be managed well with minimized complications.
High School Democratic Dialogues: Possibilities for Praxis
Authors: Hemmings Annette
Published: June 2007

Democratic dialogues enacted in the context of a public high school are described in this paper. The focus is on a history teacher and an English teacher who facilitated contrasting dialogues of public in-powerment and of self/community empowerment. Dialogues are analyzed in terms of liberal and radical frameworks for praxis, which include a general overview of theory and ideal types for educational practice conceived in terms of social relations, language usage and content. Analyses show that school contextual factors engendered contradictory outcomes with significant, implications for realizing possibilities for praxis.