bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Financial Participation and Other Forms of Employee Participation: New Survey Evidence from Europe
Authors: Poutsma Erik , Kalmi Panu , Pendleton Andrew D.
Published: October 2006

This article explores the relationships between financial participation and other forms of participation drawing on data collected from listed companies in Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. The authors provide evidence on two questions. First, does the presence of either direct or indirect participation predict the use of profit sharing and employee equity plans? Second, to what extent is employee participation in profit sharing and equity plans influenced by the presence of other forms of participation? Overall, the results provide little evidence of complementarity between financial participation and other forms of participation. There are also clear differences between types of financial participation. It is found that indirect participation has a weak relationship with use of profit sharing and participation in profit sharing plans. Direct participation is not associated with the use of equity plans or profit sharing but with participation in stock acquisition plans. Employee participation in plan design is strongly associated with participation in profit sharing and stock acquisition plans but not stock options.
The Fit of Employee Ownership with Other Human Resource Management Practices: Theoretical and Empirical Suggestions Regarding the Existence of an Ownership High-Performance Work System
Authors: Kaarsemaker Eric C.A. , Poutsma Erik
Published: October 2006

This article embeds employee ownership within a strategic human resource management (SHRM) framework, and in so doing, aims to redress in part a lack of attention in previous employee ownership and SHRM literatures. The study extends the configurational approach to SHRM to include the construct of the workforce philosophy as the factor that determines the coherence of HRM systems. Companies that have employee ownership as a central element and core HRM practice should do two things in order to ensure that their HRM system is coherent and potentially a high-performance work system (HPWS). First, these firms should propagate the idea that employees deserve to be co-owners and take employees seriously as such. Second, the HRM system should reflect this workforce philosophy: the HRM system should contain HRM practices that mirror the rights that make up the very construct of ‘ownership’. The core HRM practices of the ‘ownership-HPWS’, in addition to employee ownership, are: participation in decision-making, profit sharing, information sharing, training for business literacy and mediation.
A Multidimensional Partial Credit Model With Associated Item and Test Statistics: An Application to Mixed-Format Tests
Authors: Yao Lihua , Schwarz Richard D.
Published: October 2006

Multidimensional item response theory (IRT) models have been proposed for better understanding the dimensional structure of data or to define diagnostic profiles of student learning. A compensatory multidimensional two-parameter partial credit model (M-2PPC) for constructed-response items is presented that is a generalization of those proposed to date along with a compensatory multidimensional three-parameter logistic model for multiple-choice data (M-3PL). Estimation of these models using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods is discussed. To further evaluate these models and characterize item and test functioning, multidimensional representations of statistics such as information, difficulty, and discrimination for the M-3PL and M-2PPC are presented. Many assessment programs have a mixture of item types in which multiple choice and constructed response are administered together. An example is presented in which the dimensional structure of a test containing mixed item types is examined. Goodness-of-fit testing under various model formulations and derived statistics are discussed.
Childhood, parenting and early intervention: A critical examination of the Sure Start national programme
Authors: Clarke Karen
Published: October 2006

The Sure Start programme is central to New Labour’s long-term strategy for preventing social exclusion. Its focus on young children and early intervention epitomizes a social investment approach to social policy and reflects a social integrationist understanding of social inclusion that identifies individual opportunity in the labour market as the means for achieving inclusion, and educational achievement as its basis. Evidence on which Sure Start is based has been used by the government to support a primarily individual and instrumental approach to combating social exclusion. Complex research evidence is transformed into a set of target outcomes for Sure Start resulting in a policy that at national level promotes a view of mothers as principally responsible for children’s development and well-being, and risks sliding into a moral discourse of social exclusion that blames parents for poor outcomes.
The European Cross-border Dimension to Collective Bargaining in Multinational Companies
Authors: Arrowsmith James , Marginson Paul
Published: October 2006

The international dimension is becoming increasingly important to collective bargaining in multinational companies (MNCs) as a result of changes in their operating environment and internal structures. This article examines this process in two sectors and four EU countries. The findings show that although the cross-border dimension to collective bargaining remains muted in formal terms, its significance may be masked by it assuming an implicit rather than explicit character, and that European Works Councils have had some effect in reinforcing the relevance of the international dimension for domestic and, occasionally, transnational collective bargaining.
Regional Economies of Local Food Production
Authors: Maye Damian , Ilbery Brian
Published: October 2006

There is currently strong political desire at both European and national scales to ‘relocalize’ food production and supply. While advocacy remains high, few studies have interrogated the form of these ‘new’ food chains. This article provides an analysis of such chains in the Scottish–English borders. It traces supply links between small-scale ‘specialist’ food producers and associated intermediaries for three product sectors. Linking the two stages of the food chain together, the analysis shows differences within and between, as well as similarities across, sectors in terms of spatial and economic organization. It also reveals the ‘hybrid’ nature of specialist food chains in the region; local producers have created their own ‘niche spaces’ within the food system.The article thus contributes to debates on new agro-food geographies and regional economic geography and argues that local (specialist) small-scale enterprises do not usually establish food chains which are ‘independent’ of the wider food supply system.
The Sangha Mane
Authors: Mathrani Vinalini , Periodi Vani
Published: October 2006

This article flows out of a qualitative study that examined processes associated with the construction and use of Mahila Samakhya sangha manes (literally, home of the women's groups) in seven villages in seven districts of Karnataka. We explore the idea whether possessing ‘a space of one's own’ is empowering. Does it help women transcend socially prescribed gender roles? Is the sangha mane a medium through which women effectively exercise citizenship? Are they able to influence their own and the lives of others in the village through this structure?
Missing Girls
Authors: Bhat R.L. , Sharma Namita
Published: October 2006

A study of the declining sex ratio in India particularly in the 0 to 6 age group raises one very pertinent question: Where have all the girls gone? The phenomenon has become particularly disturbing in some northern states of India. It appears that the growth in incomes and education of women, variables that would grant women an equal status in society, have actually worked in a reverse direction in states like Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Discrimination against females is engineered even before birth through female foeticide. It seems that education and incomes, which were supposed to result in the emancipation of women, have actually increased, not lowered, the bias in favour of the male child.
Empowering Women
Authors: Jakimow Tanya , Kilby Patrick
Published: October 2006

Development agencies have increasingly regarded ‘empowerment’ as an essential objective to improve the well-being of marginalised women in India. The perceived success of self-help group (SHG) programmes in this project has encouraged their widespread application across India, becoming the primary mechanism to empower women. However, this success has often been assumed rather than proven, with evaluations generally lacking a conceptualisation of empowerment based on theoretical understandings of power relations. This article aims to overcome this by evaluating the potential of SHG programmes through the reduction of internal, institutional and social constraints that prevent the marginalised from pursuing their interests. An analysis of the ‘normative’ model of SHG programmes, and its actual application shows that while SHG programmes have the potential to empower women, this is often not realised through the persistence of ‘top-down’ approaches in implementation. SHG programmes are further limited in their ability to transform social relations due to their apparent insistence that the marginalised are the only legitimate actors in their own empowerment. Rather than argue for the discontinuation of SHG programmes in India, their potential to empower women can be increased through a ‘bottom-up’ orientation in implementation, while recognising that in and of themselves SHG programmes cannot reduce all the constraints preventing the pursuit of interests.
Successful Resume Fraud
Authors: Wexler Mark N.
Published: October 2006

This article investigates the social accounts employed by 11 highly paid professionals and managers for neutralizing the moral stigma of losing their job due to resume fraud. This ethnographic study, based on 66 hours of interviews, explores the retrospective sense making used by resume fraudsters to justify, personally pardon and excuse behaviour seen as morally problematic by others. In this study the resume fraudsters sampled were selected because they all found high-paying jobs after their public humiliation, and each one morally disengages. They put their transgressions behind them, not by seeing the light of day or asking for forgiveness, but by pointing to the ubiquity of information distortion in their companies, the victimless nature of their so-called transgression, and, most interesting, a portrayal of themselves and their act of resume fraud as the very type of risk taking required to instil capitalism with a passion and a will to succeed. The article closes with a discussion of how moral disengagement enlarges the zone of indifference in populations and reinforces cultures in which the pursuit of amorality thrives.
Humour, Jokes and the Statement
Authors: Acharya Sukanta
Published: October 2006

In standard theories of knowledge, issues like jokes, humour and laughter are not dealt with for the simple reason that these categories do not inhabit the world of true knowledge, and are hence not worthy of serious attention or study because these issues do not by their nature contribute to further generation of true knowledge. Taking a cue from Sigmund Freud, this article seeks to work on the possibilities of jokes, humour and even laughter, and their relation to the language of the statement of truth. It may be seen that in spite of the superior claims of the so-called language of the statement of truth, and its not so veiled indignation at humour and jokes, one category is in dialogue with another in contexts and perhaps with itself.
Assessing Procedural Pain in Children With Cancer in Beirut, Lebanon
Authors: (Zahr) Lina Kurdahi Badr , Puzantian Houry , Abboud Miguel , Abdallah Ahmad , Shahine Randa
Published: October 2006

This study describes the relationship between different indicators of pain, including self-reports, behavioral observations, and physiological measures, in children with cancer undergoing invasive procedures. Forty-five children between the ages of 4 and 10 years were evaluated while undergoing Port-a-Cath access. The study was conducted in the outpatient clinics of the Children’s Cancer Center in Beirut, Lebanon. Children used 2 self-report measures of pain (the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale and an adaptation of the FACES, the DOLLS). Parents and nurses assessed the child’s pain on the FACES and the child’s distress on the Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress-Revised. Nurses recoded behavioral observations as well as physiological responses to pain. There was a high degree of consistency between the self-reports and moderate to high correlations between self-reports, behavioral parameters, and physiological parameters, suggesting that accurate pain assessments can be made by both nurses and parents. The results also demonstrate adequate validity and reliability of the DOLLS scale in a Lebanese population, in addition to being the preferred assessment tool for all the children in the study.
A Study on the Thermomechanical Properties of Shape Memory Alloys-based Actuators used in Artificial Muscles
Authors: Price Aaron , Edgerton Andrew , Cocaud Cedric , Naguib Hani , Jnifene Amor
Published: October 2006

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a class of smart material having the unique ability to return to a predefined shape when heated. These materials are employed in a variety of emerging applications, and may potentially be used to avoid traditionally voluminous and heavy prosthetic actuators. The primary focus of this article is to convey the design and evaluation of a compact, lightweight, and high-strain SMA ribbon-based artificial muscle for use in such biomimetic applications. A key factor in the design of such an actuator is a thorough understanding of the thermomechanical response of the shape memory material. As such, a review of the relevant constitutive models is included. A selected hysteresis model is evaluated for potential application to ribbon type elements. The proposed actuator achieves strains of 31.6%; a marked improvement over previously documented SMA-based actuators.
Use of Fiber-optic Strain Sensors and Holder Exponents for Detecting and Localizing Damage in an Experimental Plate Structure
Authors: Nichols J. M. , Trickey S. T. , Seaver M. , Moniz L.
Published: October 2006

The vibration-based structural health monitoring paradigm is predicated on the practitioner's ability to acquire accurate structural response data and then to use that information to infer something about the structure's health. Here the authors combine advances in both sensing and signal analysis and demonstrate the ability to detect damage in a simple experimental structure. A distributed network of nine fiber-optic strain sensors is used to acquire time series data from a rectangular steel plate where damage is considered as a cut of varying lengths. Both the sensors and the associated optical hardware are described. A new feature, Holder continuity, is then introduced as a means of identifying the presence and location of the cut length. This particular metric is derived from the field of nonlinear dynamics and is based on a phase space description of a structure's dynamic response. Specifically, the authors compute the Holder exponent which quantifies the differentiability of the functional relationship between an ‘undamaged’ and a ‘damaged’ structural response. As damage is incurred, this relationship is expected to degrade. Both univariate and multivariate applications of the method are presented. The metric shows sensitivity to damage comparable to that exhibited by the plate's modal frequencies, a traditionally used feature in health monitoring applications.
Excitation-Induced Stability and Phase Transition: A Review
Authors: Ibrahim Raouf A.
Published: October 2006

Dynamical systems may experience undesirable behavior or instability, which can be eliminated using feedback control means. However, in the absence of feedback control, the stability of some systems may be increased by imposing parametric excitation. In other cases, the exit time of the system response from the stable to the unstable domain may be prolonged by imposing external noise, a phenomenon termed noise-enhanced stability (NES). This article presents an assessment of the mechanisms of stabilization via multiplicative noise and noise-enhanced stability. The first part deals with stabilization via deterministic parametric excitation of gravity-defying systems such as the inverted simple and spherical pendulums, aeroelastic structures, human walking, and quantum nonlinear couplers. The second part introduces the concept of noise-induced transition (NIT) in one-dimensional nonlinear systems and ship roll motion. Stabilization of originally unstable systems via multiplicative noise is treated in the third part. The fourth part addresses the influence of additive noise in delaying the exit time of system response to an unstable domain. This topic is related to the phenomenon of stochastic resonance (SR) and NES of systems with one or more metastable states and fluctuating potential. Finally, this review article also introduces some applications in other fields such as the Ising model, ecosystems, and tumor-immune system models.
The Impact of Secondary Mortgage Market and GSE Purchases on Home Prices
Authors: Freeman Lance , Galster George , Malega Ron
Published: October 2006

Since 1992, the federal government has established regulations encouraging the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase home mortgages originated in neighborhoods traditionally underserved by financial institutions, with the aim of stimulating housing-market activity within such neighborhoods. This research tests this proposition empirically through an econometric analysis of variations in secondary mortgage market activity and single-family home prices across underserved census tracts in Cleveland, Ohio, from 1993 to 1999. We find no large or statistically significant relationship between variations in secondary-market purchasing rates of home-purchase mortgages in underserved neighborhoods and home prices one or two years hence, controlling for a rich variety of dwelling and neighborhood characteristics. These conclusions follow both for GSE and other sectors of the secondary market. We find some evidence that the secondary market was more responsive to changes in home prices than vice versa. We offer a possible explanation and draw policy implications.
What Blocked Heterosexual Women and Lesbians in Leaving Their Abusive Relationships
Authors: Patzel Brenda
Published: October 2006

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that the process of permanently separating from an abusive partner is in many ways similar for heterosexual women and lesbians. However, research suggests that factors that prevent women from leaving the relationship differ.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the component of ambivalence related to leaving the abusive relationship is referred to as “holding back.” Factors that contribute to “holding back” lesbians and heterosexual women leaving their abusive relationships are examined.

DESIGN: Naturalistic inquiry is conducted on 10 heterosexual women and 20 lesbians who were able to leave their abusive relationships.

RESULTS: Factors that contribute to the women’s staying in their abusive relationship are personal and situational, in additional to cultural factors such as homophobia and “lesbian ideals.”

CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations include dissemination of information addressing the levels and complexity of abuse and the need for education regarding occurrence of abuse in both heterosexual and lesbian relationships.
The state of youth in contemporary Greece
Authors: Chtouris Sotiris , Zissi Anastasia , Papanis Efstratios , Rontos Konstantinos
Published: October 2006

The present study examines the state of youth in contemporary Greece to better understand how Greek young people organize their lives in various important life domains, such as living conditions, education and career, employment, relationships and use of leisure time. It also examines their values, social priorities and worries, while assessing their participation in social life and the wider political scene. The empirical findings demonstrate that young people in Greece develop their social capital and their socialization process in the framework of the nuclear family. In contrast, outside the boundaries of the Greek family,young people demonstrate an alienation from community and public institutions.
A longitudinal study of physical education trainee teachers’ experiences on school placements in the south-east of England (1994-2004)
Authors: Stidder Gary , Hayes Sid
Published: October 2006

This research highlights issues relating to Physical Education (PE) and Initial Teacher Education (ITE) over the last ten years. The discussion is based upon data collected from three separate surveys of trainee teachers and their teaching experiences of PE during statutory periods of school-based training. The samples used in this, the most recent survey and in our previous surveys, were four-year undergraduate trainee PE teachers studying a Bachelor of Arts Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) degree course at a university in the south-east of England with a strong tradition of PE teacher training. The secondary schools used for school-based training by the university covered the south-east region of England and included state, independent and single-sex schools. The trainees had all completed the statutory thirty-two weeks of school-based experience. A questionnaire was formulated after discussions with trainees based on their continued professional development. The results of this latest survey (2000-4) have been analysed in the light of our previous two surveys (1994-8; 1997-2001). Hence, this article constitutes a longitudinal study covering the period 1994-2004. Key findings are identified in the areas of gender, examination experiences, the use of information and communications technology (ICT) and national curriculum activity areas of study. This article identifies areas where there have been some changes to practice, as well as demonstrating aspects where little has changed in the last ten years of ITE.
Satisfaction with Life, Psychosocial Health and Materialism among Hungarian Youth
Authors: Piko Bettina F.
Published: October 2006

Previous research suggests that youth’s life satisfaction may be influenced by health and certain socioeconomic/sociocultural factors, which may be important in a post-socialist country like Hungary. We investigated the relationship between youth’s life satisfaction, materialism and their psychosocial health in a sample of secondary school students ( N = 1114) in Hungary. Findings show that youth’s psychosocial health may play an important role in their levels of life satisfaction, particularly depressive and psychosomatic symptoms and health behaviors (e.g. diet control and smoking). SES self-assessment and materialistic success were positively, while materialistic happiness was negatively related to youth’s life satisfaction.
Predicting Stock Returns
Authors: Panda Chakradhara , Narasimhan V.
Published: October 2006

In this article, we use the artificial neural network in the forecasting of daily Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Sensitive Index (Sensex) returns. We compare the performance of the neural network with performances of random walk and linear autoregressive models by using six performance measures. The major findings are that neural network out-performs linear autoregressive and random walk models by all performance measures in both in-sample and out-of-sample forecasting of daily BSE Sensex returns. The findings suggest that stock markets do not follow a random walk and there exists a possibility of predicting stock returns. The superiority of the neural network model over linear autoregressive and random walk models in forecasting daily BSE Sensex returns indicates that neural network is able to capture non-linearities contained in stock returns.
Internal Trade Barriers in India
Authors: Das-Gupta Arindam
Published: October 2006

A sub-set of the costs and benefits of sub-national fiscal autonomy in federations is examined with the major focus being on road check-posts. The examination is done with reference to Indian states and using a partial equilibrium, diagrammatic analysis. Empirical analyses of the revenue impact of abolition of ‘fiscal frontiers’ in the European Union in 1993, and the revenue performance of the state of Maharashtra in India, which has no check-posts, relative to other Indian states, point to the preliminary conclusion that road check-posts have positive revenue benefits that cannot be made good by other, information based, enforcement mechanisms. Possible ways of mitigating road check-post costs are reviewed and some issues relating to fiscal barriers requiring further analysis are identified.
The professional identity of secondary school teachers in Spain
Authors: Bolívar Antonio , Domingo Jesús
Published: October 2006

This article examines the problems of lower secondary education in Spain (ESO, or compulsory secondary education), in view of the implementation of several education reforms, focusing on their effect on the crisis in secondary teachers’ professional identity. Using research data, we analyse their experience of the crisis and the problems involved in rebuilding teachers’ identity in times of change. Finally, some guidelines are provided for reaffirmation of teachers’ professional status.
Running in Cyberspace
Authors: Grochowski Thomas
Published: October 2006

This article considers numerous web sites devoted to the O. J. Simpson case. Reviewing the literature on crime news production, the author argues that there is a dynamic that exists among law enforcement, journalists, and the public. The technology of the internet provided a cyberspace in which individual authors could review and analyze evidence and media discourse to support various claims about the case. While acknowledging that the internet is not a utopian democratic landscape, the author does claim that some decentering of the forces of knowledge production is possible, as evidenced from the web pages that present counterinformation.
Teaching History to Planners
Authors: Fischler Raphaël
Published: October 2006

The article presents the planning history course given in the master’s program at McGill University. The particularities of the course are that it brings together history and theory, is taught in parallel with a neighborhood planning studio, and relies on primary sources and on-site visits for the bulk of its information.
Urban History for Planners
Authors: Abbott Carl
Published: October 2006

This article analyzes the conceptual and historiographic differences between the closely related fields of urban history and planning history. It reviews the origins of urban history as a distinct field and argues that work in urban history falls into three broad categories dealing with civic life, individual and group relations, and the physical evolution of urban places. It identifies topics that are particularly fruitful and generate new scholarship, and suggests ways in which each of these realms of urban history raises questions of relevance to urban planning and urban policy.
Surviving Post-merger ‘Culture Clash’: Can Cultural Leadership Lessen the Casualties?
Authors: Bligh Michelle C.
Published: October 2006

Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity continues to rise, despite evidence that the majority of M&As fail to meet the financial and synergistic expectations of shareholders or employees. Post-merger ‘cultural clashes’ are often blamed for disappointing M&A outcomes, yet little research exists to guide organizations through the difficult process of cultural integration. In particular, the process of cultural leadership as an important influence on merging organizational cultures and subcultures has been only sporadically examined. Through an analysis of interviews with 42 post-merger employees, this study qualitatively explores the construct of cultural leadership (Trice & Beyer, 1991, 1993). The results advance the definition and measurement of cultural leadership, bringing it out of the theoretical realm to explore the key processes of creation, change, and integration that comprise effective post-merger cultural leadership. These findings have important implications for how organizations can anticipate post-merger cultural clashes and tailor leadership programs to address their underlying roots, ultimately enhancing merger success rates.
university-community engagement in Australia
Authors: Winter Alexandra , Wiseman John , Muirhead Bruce
Published: October 2006

The rise of a community engagement movement offers a range of possibilities for universities to function as ‘sites of citizenship’. These include contributing to community social and economic infrastructure, supporting equity and diversity within higher education, and education for democratic citizenship. This article provides an overview of the findings of a recent study of engagement practices and policies in Australian universities. The article then goes on to discuss some of the possibilities and problems surrounding community engagement as a site of citizenship. It is suggested that while university-community engagement contributes to the public good, it also reflects a changed economic and social context in which concepts of ‘community’ have superseded broader notions of the social.
Gender differences in responses to speed cameras
Authors: Corbett Claire , Caramlau Isabela
Published: October 2006

Automated speed cameras in England and Wales have become a very common means of enforcement of speed limit breaches in most police force areas, but they are not without controversy despite the majority of public opinion behind them. Research in the mid-1990s showed that drivers responded to speed cameras in one of several key ways, and the typology of responses produced was linked with drivers’ characteristics. Now that women comprise more than 4 out of 10 licensed drivers in England and Wales, it is timely to revisit the earlier research by considering the gender characteristics of the driver typology, and this article contrasts the results longitudinally with those obtained from a 2003 survey that inter alia explored similar issues. The implications for road safety of the behavioural and attitudinal differences noted by gender (and age) are discussed, especially in the context of risk-based control policies and the term ‘drivers’. This latter aspect is achieved by way of a brief analysis of national newspaper articles.
N-terminal region of Saccharomyces cerevisiae eRF3 is essential for the functioning of the eRF1/eRF3 complex beyond translation termination
Authors: Urakov Valery N , Valouev Igor A , Kochneva-Pervukhova Natalia V , Packeiser Anna N , Vishnevsky Alexander Yu , Glebov Oleg O , Smirnov Vladimir N , Ter-Avanesyan Michael D
Published: October 2006

Background

Termination of translation in eukaryotes requires two release factors, eRF1, which recognizes all three nonsense codons and facilitates release of the nascent polypeptide chain, and eRF3 stimulating translation termination in a GTP-depended manner. eRF3 from different organisms possess a highly conservative C region (eRF3C), which is responsible for the function in translation termination, and almost always contain the N-terminal extension, which is inessential and vary both in structure and length. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae the N-terminal region of eRF3 is responsible for conversion of this protein into the aggregated and functionally inactive prion form.

Results

Here, we examined functional importance of the N-terminal region of a non-prion form of yeast eRF3. The screen for mutations which are lethal in combination with the SUP35-C allele encoding eRF3C revealed the sup45 mutations which alter the N-terminal domain of eRF1 and increase nonsense codon readthrough. However, further analysis showed that synthetic lethality was not caused by the increased levels of nonsense codon readthrough. Dominant mutations in SUP35-C were obtained and characterized, which remove its synthetic lethality with the identified sup45 mutations, thus indicating that synthetic lethality was not due to a disruption of interaction with proteins that bind to this eRF3 region.

Conclusion

These and other data demonstrate that the N-terminal region of eRF3 is involved both in modulation of the efficiency of translation termination and functioning of the eRF1/eRF3 complex outside of translation termination.
Development of a Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (HRQL) for patients with Extremity Soft Tissue Infections (ESTI)
Authors: Storck Aric J , Laupland Kevin B , Read Ronald R , Mah Manuel W , Gill John M , Nevett Deborah , Louie Thomas J
Published: October 2006

Background

Past clinical trials of antimicrobial treatment in soft tissue infections have focused on non-standardized clinical and physiological outcome variables, and have not considered the subjective experience of patients. The objective of this study was to develop a health-related quality of life questionnaire (HRQL) for patients with extremity soft tissue infections (ESTI) for future use in clinical trials.

Methods

The design of this study followed published guidelines and included item generation, item reduction, and questionnaire preparation. Study subjects were consenting English-speaking adults with acute ESTI requiring prescription of at least two days of outpatient intravenous antibiotic therapy.

Results

A list of 49 items that adversely impact the quality of life of patients with ESTI was generated by literature review, informal health professional feedback, and semi-structured interviews with twenty patients. A listing of these items was then administered to 95 patients to determine their relative importance on quality of life. A questionnaire was prepared that included the twenty most important items with a 5-point Likert scale response. Questionnaire domains included physical symptoms, problems performing their activities of daily living, impairment of their emotional functioning, and difficulties in their social interactions as related to their ESTI. The final questionnaire was pre-tested on a further ten patients and was named the ESTI-Score.

Conclusion

The ESTI-Score is a novel instrument designed to quantify the impact of ESTI on quality of life. Future study is required to determine its validity and responsiveness before use as an outcome measure in clinical trials.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis on the penis: a case report
Authors: Hagiuda Jun , Ueno Munehisa , Ashimine Satoshi , Kuroda Isao , Ishizawa Keisuke , Deguchi Nobuhiro
Published: October 2006

Background

Langerhans cell histiocytosis affects mainly young children and features an accumulation of CD1a+ dendritic Langerhans cells in the bone, skin, and other organs. A few cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis on the penis have been reported in the literature. We present a case of Langerhans cell histiocytosis on the penis and review the similar cases in the literature.

Case presentation

The patient was a 13-year-old boy who had a history of lymph node, femur bone, and pituitary-thalmic axis lesions from Langerhans cell histiocytosis who noticed a painful nodule on the prepuce of his penis. The histological and immunohistochemical examination fulfilled the criteria of Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Conclusion

We herein describe the case reported of Langerhans cell histiocytosis on the penis.
Harm reduction services for British Columbia's First Nation population: a qualitative inquiry into opportunities and barriers for injection drug users
Authors: Wardman Dennis , Quantz Darryl
Published: October 2006

Background

Aboriginal injection drug users are the fastest growing group of new Human Immunodeficiency Virus cases in Canada. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive harm reduction services available to First Nation persons, particularly for First Nation people dwelling in rural and reserve communities. This paper reports findings from an exploratory study of current harm reduction practices in First Nation communities. The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of the availability and content of current harm reduction practices, as well as to identify barriers and opportunities for implementing these services in First Nation communities.

Methods

Key informant interviews were conducted with 13 addictions service providers from the province of British Columbia, Canada.

Results

Participants identified barriers to these services such as community size and limited service infrastructure, lack of financial resources, attitudes towards harm reduction services and cultural differences.

Conclusion

It was recommended that community education efforts be directed broadly within the community before establishing harm reduction services and that the readiness of communities be assessed.
Metrics in the Science of Surge
Authors: Handler Jonathan A. , Gillam Michael , Kirsch Thomas D. , Feied Craig F.
Published: October 2006

Metrics are the driver to positive change toward better patient care. However, the research into the metrics of the science of surge is incomplete, research funding is inadequate, and we lack a criterion standard metric for identifying and quantifying surge capacity. Therefore, a consensus working group was formed through a “viral invitation” process. With a combination of online discussion through a group e‐mail list and in‐person discussion at a breakout session of the Academic Emergency Medicine 2006 Consensus Conference, “The Science of Surge,” seven consensus statements were generated. These statements emphasize the importance of funded research in the area of surge capacity metrics; the utility of an emergency medicine research registry; the need to make the data available to clinicians, administrators, public health officials, and internal and external systems; the importance of real‐time data, data standards, and electronic transmission; seamless integration of data capture into the care process; the value of having data available from a single point of access through which data mining, forecasting, and modeling can be performed; and the basic necessity of a criterion standard metric for quantifying surge capacity. Further consensus work is needed to select a criterion standard metric for quantifying surge capacity. These consensus statements cover the future research needs, the infrastructure needs, and the data that are needed for a state‐of‐the‐art approach to surge and surge capacity.
The prevalence of migraine in meniere's disease
Authors: Rassekh Christopher H. , Harker Lee A.
Published: October 2006

This study attempted to determine the prevalence of migraine in unilateral classic Meniere's disease and vestibular Meniere's disease. Diagnostic criteria for these three entities were identified and charts of patients with episodic vertigo were reviewed. A questionnaire was designed to assess the prevalence of migraine using criteria established previously by other authors. Questionnaires were mailed to patients with classic Meniere's disease, patients with vestibular Meniere's disease, and a normal control group The response rates from the questionnaires in the three groups were 75%, 70%, and 36%. The percentages of the respondents who met the predetermined criteria for migraine in the three groups were 22%, 81%, and 33%. The significant difference in migraine prevalence between classic and vestibular Meniere's disease suggests the possibility of different etiologies for the two entities.
Abductor laryngeal dystonia: A series treated with botulinum toxin
Authors: Blitzer Andrew , Brin Mitchell F. , Stewart Celia , Aviv Jonathan E. , Fahn Stanley
Published: October 2006

Abductor laryngeal dystonia (LD) is characterized by a hoarse voice quality which is broken up by breathy or whispered portions. Botulinum toxin injection (Botox) has been a safe and effective treatment for adductor laryngeal dystonia and is currently accepted medical therapy. As an extension of the established treatment program, in 1989 treatment of abductor LD was initiated. Thirty‐two patients have been treated by sequential percutaneous electromyogram‐guided (EMG) injections of the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscles. Most patients required treatment of both PCA muscles and improved to an average of 70% of normal voice. Patients who had a preexisting tremor, evidence of dystonia in other muscle groups, vocal tremor, or respiratory dysrhythmia had less improvement. Ten patients also required injection of the cricothyroid muscles and/or type I laryngoplasty.
How i do it: Head and neck and plastic surgery: Maxillary removal and reinsertion for improved access to anterior cranial base tumors
Authors: Schuller David E. , Goodman Joseph H. , Brown Berna L. , Frank John E. , Ervin‐Miller Kevin J.
Published: October 2006

Portions or all of the maxillae are oftentimes removed solely to provide access to certain cranial base tumors rather than because they are involved directly with disease. The purpose of this report is to describe an approach that involves removal of one or both maxillae to improve tumor exposure with subsequent reinsertion as free bone grafts which are stabilized with titanium craniofacial fixation plates. The titanium permits postoperative imaging studies and radiotherapy. Eleven patients ranging from 10 to 69 years of age have undergone 12 operations using this technique for resection of 4 benign and 8 malignant tumors at The Ohio State University. Seven of the 8 patients with malignancies underwent postoperative radiation therapy. There have been no permanent complications and no evidence of bone resorption in this group after follow‐up of up to 15 months.
Lymphoma of the parotid gland
Authors: Mehle Mark E. , Wood Benjamin G. , Tucker Harvey M. , Lavertu Pierre , Tubbs Raymond , Kraus Dennis H.
Published: October 2006

In a consecutive group of 452 patients undergoing parotid surgery at this institution, 18 (4%) were found to have lymphoma. Review and analysis of presenting symptoms, predisposing factors, histopathology, postsurgical morbidity, and long‐term outcome with treatment are presented. The current literature on parotid lymphoma is reviewed, and management strategies are outlined. Although a relatively uncommon primary lesion, lymphoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of any mass presenting in the parotid gland.
Nonwound infections following head and neck oncologic surgery
Authors: Weber Randal S. , Hankins Patti , Rosenbaum Beverly , Raad Issam
Published: October 2006

Little information exists regarding the comorbidity of postoperative nonwound infections (NWIs) in patients with head and neck cancer. Prospectively, 225 patients were randomized in a double‐blind fashion to receive either clindamycin or ampicillin sodium/sulbactam sodium for prevention of postoperative wound infection. Of the 113 patients receiving clindamycin, 14 developed nonwound infections, compared with 10 of 112 patients receiving ampicillin/sulbactam. A single site of nonwound infection occurred in 21 patients, and 2 sites occurred in 3 patients. The majority of infections were pulmonary (22), followed by urinary tract (3), septic phlebitis (1), and acute sinusitis (1). Gram‐negative organisms were isolated more frequently among patients on clindamycin (18) versus ampicillin/sulbactam (6) (P = .014). Risk factors for pulmonary nonwound infection included: longer surgery, a greater than 70 packs per year smoking history, blood transfusion, and hypoalbuminemia (P < .05). Nonwound infections produce significant postoperative morbidity and the predominance of gram‐negative organisms isolated from these infections has therapeutic implications.
Idiopathic facial nerve paralysis: A randomized double blind controlled study of placebo versus prednisone
Authors: Austin John R. , Peskind Steven P. , Rice Dale H. , Austin Sara G.
Published: October 2006

Idiopathic facial nerve paralysis (IFNP) is a common malady. Because its etiology is unclear, there are a variety of treatment options. Studies to date have not clearly established the benefits of treatment with oral steroids (prednisone).

The authors performed a randomized double‐blind controlled study comparing the use of placebo versus prednisone which shows that prednisone‐treated patients benefit from early treatment. Seventy‐six patients met inclusion criteria and completed follow‐up until recovery; 35 patients received prednisone and 41 received placebo. Their mean age was 36.8 years. Facial nerve function was assessed using the House‐Brackmann facial nerve grading scale, as well as a variety of other measures. Patients were evaluated pretreatment, regularly post‐treatment until judged recovered (return of facial function to a grade III or better), and at 6 months after recovery.

Difference in mean time to resolution for the prednisone (51.4 days) and placebo (69.3 days) groups was not statistically significant. There was a significant difference in grade at recovery, with the placebo group having a higher proportion of grade III results (P<.03). Eight of 10 patients with electroneurography (ENOG) evidence of denervation were in the placebo group and accounted for 6 of the 7 grade III results. However, the difference in proportion of patients with evidence of denervation for the prednisone (5.7%) and placebo (19.5%) groups did not achieve statistical significance.

This study shows that patients treated with prednisone have less denervation than placebo‐treated patients. They also have a significant improvement in facial grade at recovery compared to placebo‐treated patients. Therefore, the authors recommend that all patients at risk for developing denervation receive prednisone treatment.
Composite graft tympanoplasty in the treatment of ears with advanced middle ear pathology
Authors: Milewski Christian
Published: October 2006

In ears with advanced pathology, the functional and anatomical results of surgery are compromised by such factors as total perforation, tympanosclerosis, atelectasis, suppuration, or previous surgery. Perichondrium cartilage composite grafts (PCCGs) were used for membrane grafting in 550 such cases over a period of 5 years. In all, 197 tympanoplastic procedures of type I (25% with previous surgery) and 353 of type III (47% with previous surgery) were carried out. The graft was obtained from the tragus and/or the concha. Two slightly different surgical techniques of grafting were used.

Closure of the eardrum perforation was successful in 92% of the procedures. An air‐bone gap of less than or equal to 30 dB was obtained in 92.4% of tympanoplasty type I procedures and in 79% of tympanoplasty type III procedures. The conclusion drawn from the results is that PCCG is a reliable graft in cases of advanced destruction of the middle ear.