bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Postnatal Depression on Breastfeeding Duration
Authors: Henderson Jennifer J. , Evans Sharon F. , Straton Judith A.Y. , Priest Susan R. , Hagan Ronald
Published: December 2004

Abstract: Background: Postnatal depression can cause adverse effects on both mother and infant, but its impact on breastfeeding duration is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between maternal postnatal depression and breastfeeding duration.

Methods: A cohort of 1745 women was recruited on the postnatal wards of two large Australian obstetric hospitals. Self‐report questionnaires were completed at recruitment, and at 2, 6, and 12 months postpartum. Breastfeeding status was determined at each follow‐up, and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to screen for symptoms of depression. Diagnostic psychological interviews were conducted on a subsample of women at each interval.

Results: Breastfeeding was initiated by 96 percent of the participants; at 2 months 79 percent were still breastfeeding, 57 percent at 6 months, and 22 percent at 12 months. Of the 18 percent of participants diagnosed with postnatal depression, the onset occurred before 2 months in 63 percent of cases. Median duration of breastfeeding was 26 weeks for women with early‐onset depression, 28 weeks for women with late‐onset depression, and 39 weeks for women without depression. After adjustment for confounding factors, early cessation of breastfeeding was found to be significantly associated with postnatal depression (adjusted hazard ratio 1.25, 95% CI 1.03–1.52). Onset of postnatal depression occurred before cessation of breastfeeding in most cases.

Conclusions: Postnatal depression has a significant negative impact on breastfeeding duration. Assistance with breastfeeding issues should be included in the management of postnatal depression. (BIRTH 30:3 September 2003)
Breastfeeding Patterns of Primiparous Mothers in Hong Kong
Authors: Dodgson Joan E. , Tarrant Marie , Fong Daniel Y.T. , Peng Xiu‐Hong , Hui Wai‐Hing Choi
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  Background:  An understanding of patterns of breastfeeding is necessary for the effective implementation of breastfeeding promotion and intervention programs. In Hong Kong, little current data have been gathered on women's breastfeeding rates. The objective of this study was to determine how patterns of breastfeeding, maternal demographics, and maternal employment affect continuation of breastfeeding in primiparous women in Hong Kong.

Method:  A longitudinal self‐report survey was used to collect data when first‐time mothers (n = 218) were in the hospital, at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postpartum, or until they weaned their infant. All data (self‐report survey, demographic data, and follow‐up telephone surveys) were collected in Cantonese and then translated into English. Data were analyzed by determining, first, the influence of individual variables on the length of breastfeeding using a simple Cox regression analysis, and second, by grouping variables according to time sequence and entering them into a Cox regression model in 4 sequential phases.

Results:  Factors that were significantly associated with continuation of breastfeeding were maternal age (HR = 0.97; p = 0.048); attendance at a prenatal breastfeeding class (HR = 0.69; p = 0.020); intended weeks of breastfeeding (HR = 0.97; p < 0.001); breastfeeding score in hospital (HR = 0.99; p = 0.009); and length of exclusive breastfeeding (HR = 0.93; p < 0.001). Similar results were obtained in the multiphase Cox regression analysis; only the breastfeeding score in hospital became marginally insignificant (p = 0.053) after adjusting for demographics, prenatal, and other immediate postpartum factors.

Conclusions:  Short periods of exclusive breastfeeding and early supplementation were common in this sample. Unlike previous research, maternal employment was not a statistically significant factor in length of continued breastfeeding. Study findings show that multiple factors influence continued breastfeeding in Hong Kong, suggesting further areas for investigation. Changes in practice may improve continued and exclusive breastfeeding rates. (BIRTH 30:3 September 2003)
Intestinal Epithelial Cells Synthesize Glucocorticoids and Regulate T Cell Activation
Authors: Cima Igor , Corazza Nadia , Dick Bernhard , Fuhrer Andrea , Herren Simon , Jakob Sabine , Ayuni Erick , Mueller Christoph , Brunner Thomas
Published: December 2004

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are important steroid hormones with widespread activities in metabolism, development, and immune regulation. The adrenal glands are the major source of GCs and release these hormones in response to psychological and immunological stress. However, there is increasing evidence that GCs may also be synthesized by nonadrenal tissues. Here, we report that the intestinal mucosa expresses steroidogenic enzymes and releases the GC corticosterone in response to T cell activation. T cell activation causes an increase in the intestinal expression of the steroidogenic enzymes required for GC synthesis. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that these enzymes are confined to the crypt region of the intestinal epithelial layer. Surprisingly, in situ–produced GCs exhibit both an inhibitory and a costimulatory role on intestinal T cell activation. In the absence of intestinal GCs in vivo, activation by anti-CD3 injection resulted in reduced CD69 expression and interferon-γ production by intestinal T cells, whereas activation by viral infection led to increased T cell activation. We conclude that the intestinal mucosa is a potent source of immunoregulatory GCs.
Flavonoids Influence Monocytic GTPase Activity and Are Protective in Experimental Allergic Encephalitis
Authors: Hendriks Jerome J.A. , Alblas Jacqueline , van der Pol Susanne M.A. , van Tol Eric A.F. , Dijkstra Christine D. , de Vries Helga E.
Published: December 2004

In the chronic disabling disease multiple sclerosis (MS), migration of monocytes across the blood-brain barrier is a crucial step in the formation of new lesions in the central nervous system (CNS). Infiltrating monocyte-derived macrophages secrete inflammatory mediators such as oxygen radicals, which contribute to axonal demyelination and damage, resulting in neurological deficits. Flavonoids are compounds occurring naturally in food, which scavenge oxygen radicals and have antiinflammatory properties. To investigate whether they might suppress clinical symptoms in MS, we treated rats sensitized for acute and chronic experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, an experimental model of MS, with flavonoids. We demonstrated that the flavonoid luteolin substantially suppressed clinical symptoms and prevented relapse when administered either before or after disease onset. Luteolin treatment resulted in reduced inflammation and axonal damage in the CNS by preventing monocyte migration across the brain endothelium. Luteolin influenced migration by modulating the activity of Rho GTPases, signal transducers involved in transendothelial migration. Oral administration of luteolin also significantly reduced clinical symptoms.
Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Therapy for Epstein-Barr Virus+ Hodgkin's Disease
Authors: Bollard Catherine M. , Aguilar Laura , Straathof Karin C. , Gahn Benedikt , Huls M. Helen , Rousseau Alexandra , Sixbey John , Gresik M. Victoria , Carrum George , Hudson Melissa , Dilloo Dagmar , Gee Adrian , Brenner Malcolm K. , Rooney Cliona M. , Heslop Helen E.
Published: December 2004

Epstein Barr virus (EBV)+ Hodgkin's disease (HD) expresses clearly identified tumor antigens derived from the virus and could, in principle, be a target for adoptive immunotherapy with viral antigen–specific T cells. However, like most tumor-associated antigens in immunocompetent hosts, these potential targets are only weakly immunogenic, consisting primarily of the latent membrane protein (LMP)1 and LMP2 antigens. Moreover, Hodgkin tumors possess a range of tumor evasion strategies. Therefore, the likely value of immunotherapy with EBV-specific cytotoxic effector cells has been questioned. We have now used a combination of gene marking, tetramer, and functional analyses to track the fate and assess the activity of EBV cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) lines administered to 14 patients treated for relapsed EBV+ HD. Gene marking studies showed that infused effector cells could further expand by several logs in vivo, contribute to the memory pool (persisting up to 12 mo), and traffic to tumor sites. Tetramer and functional analyses showed that T cells reactive with the tumor-associated antigen LMP2 were present in the infused lines, expanded in peripheral blood after infusion, and also entered tumor. Viral load decreased, demonstrating the biologic activity of the infused CTLs. Clinically, EBV CTLs were well tolerated, could control type B symptoms (fever, night sweats, and weight loss), and had antitumor activity. After CTL infusion, five patients were in complete remission at up to 40 mo, two of whom had clearly measurable tumor at the time of treatment. One additional patient had a partial response, and five had stable disease. The performance and fate of these human tumor antigen–specific T cells in vivo suggests that they might be of value for the treatment of EBV+ Hodgkin lymphoma.
Coordinated Redistribution of Leukocyte LFA-1 and Endothelial Cell ICAM-1 Accompany Neutrophil Transmigration
Authors: Shaw Sunil K. , Ma Shuo , Kim Michael B. , Rao Ravi M. , Hartman Charles U. , Froio Richard M. , Yang Lin , Jones Todd , Liu Yuan , Nusrat Asma , Parkos Charles A. , Luscinskas F. William
Published: December 2004

The leukocyte integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) and its endothelial ligand intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 play an important role in transmigration as demonstrated by in vivo and in vitro models of inflammation. Despite the prominent role, little is known concerning the distribution and dynamic behavior of these adhesion molecules during leukocyte transmigration. Therefore, we examined the spatial and temporal distribution of LFA-1 on neutrophils actively transmigrating tumor necrosis factor-α–activated human umbilical vein endothelial monolayers under shear flow. Upon neutrophil arrest, LFA-1 was evenly distributed. However, once neutrophils initiated transmigration, LFA-1 rapidly redistributed to form a ringlike cluster at the neutrophil–endothelial junctional interface through which transmigration occurred. As transmigration was completed, LFA-1 redistributed to the neutrophil uropod. Endothelial ICAM-1 and JAM-A both colocalized with the ringlike LFA-1 cluster. Further analysis of PMA-stimulated neutrophils, which increase mobility of LFA-1, showed a rapid redistribution of LFA-1 and ICAM-1, but not endothelial JAM-A. Thus, endothelial JAM-A does not appear to contribute to adhesion or transmigration in this system. This is the first demonstration that neutrophil LFA-1 rapidly redistributes to form a ringlike structure that coclusters with endothelial ICAM-1 as the neutrophil transmigrates.
Age-related Defects in CD4 T Cell Cognate Helper Function Lead to Reductions in Humoral Responses
Authors: Eaton Sheri M. , Burns Eve M. , Kusser Kimberly , Randall Troy D. , Haynes Laura
Published: December 2004

With increasing age, the ability to produce protective antibodies in response to immunization declines, leading to a reduced efficacy of vaccination in the elderly. To examine the effect of age on the cognate function of CD4 T cells, we have used a novel adoptive transfer model that allows us to compare identical numbers of antigen-specific naive T cells from young and aged TCR transgenic (Tg) donors. Upon transfer of aged donor CD4 T cells to young hosts, there was significantly reduced expansion and germinal center (GC) differentiation of the antigen-specific B cell population after immunization. This reduced cognate helper function was seen at all time points and over a wide range of donor cell numbers. In hosts receiving aged CD4 cells, there were also dramatically lower levels of antigen-specific IgG. These age-related defects were not due to defects in migration of the aged CD4 T cells, but may be attributable to reduced CD154 (CD40L) expression. Furthermore, we found that there was no difference in B cell expansion and differentiation or in IgG production when young CD4 T cells were transferred to young or aged hosts. Our results show that, in this model, age-related reductions in the cognate helper function of CD4 T cells contribute significantly to defects in humoral responses observed in aged individuals.
Loss of Synchronized Retinal Phagocytosis and Age-related Blindness in Mice Lacking αvβ5 Integrin
Authors: Nandrot Emeline F. , Kim Yoonhee , Brodie Scott E. , Huang Xiaozhu , Sheppard Dean , Finnemann Silvia C.
Published: December 2004

Daily phagocytosis by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of spent photoreceptor outer segment fragments is critical for vision. In the retina, early morning circadian photoreceptor rod shedding precedes synchronized uptake of shed photoreceptor particles by RPE cells. In vitro, RPE cells use the integrin receptor αvβ5 for particle binding. Here, we tested RPE phagocytosis and retinal function in β5 integrin–deficient mice, which specifically lack αvβ5 receptors. Retinal photoresponses severely declined with age in β5−/− mice, whose RPE accumulated autofluorescent storage bodies that are hallmarks of human retinal aging and disease. β5−/− RPE in culture failed to take up isolated photoreceptor particles. β5−/− RPE in vivo retained basal uptake levels but lacked the burst of phagocytic activity that followed circadian photoreceptor shedding in wild-type RPE. Rhythmic activation of focal adhesion and Mer tyrosine kinases that mediate wild-type retinal phagocytosis was also completely absent in β5−/− retina. These results demonstrate an essential role for αvβ5 integrin receptors and their downstream signaling pathways in synchronizing retinal phagocytosis. Furthermore, they identify the β5−/− integrin mouse strain as a new animal model of age-related retinal dysfunction.
Cadherin-11 Provides Specific Cellular Adhesion between Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes
Authors: Valencia Xavier , Higgins Jonathan M.G. , Kiener Hans P. , Lee David M. , Podrebarac Theresa A. , Dascher Christopher C. , Watts Gerald F.M. , Mizoguchi Emiko , Simmons Barry , Patel Dhavalkumar D. , Bhan Atul K. , Brenner Michael B.
Published: December 2004

Cadherins are integral membrane proteins expressed in tissue-restricted patterns that mediate homophilic intercellular adhesion. During development, they orchestrate tissue morphogenesis and, in the adult, they determine tissue integrity and architecture. The synovial lining is a condensation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and macrophages one to three cells thick. These cells are embedded within the extracellular matrix, but the structure is neither an epithelium nor an endothelium. Previously, the basis for organization of the synovium into a tissue was unknown. Here, we cloned cadherin-11 from human rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-derived FLS. We developed L cell transfectants expressing cadherin-11, cadherin-11 fusion proteins, and anti–cadherin-11 mAb. Cadherin-11 was found to be expressed mainly in the synovial lining by immunohistologic staining of human synovium. FLS adhered to cadherin-11–Fc, and transfection of cadherin-11 conferred the formation of tissue-like sheets and lining-like structures upon fibroblasts in vitro. These findings support a key role for cadherin-11 in the specific adhesion of FLS and in synovial tissue organization and behavior in health and RA.
Finding a Place for Tumor-specific T Cells in Targeted Cancer Therapy
Authors: Riddell Stanley R.
Published: December 2004

A goal in cancer therapeutics is to develop targeted modalities that distinguish malignant from normal cells. T cells can discriminate diseased cells based on subtle alterations in peptides displayed in association with MHC molecules at the cell surface. Recent success using the adoptive transfer of tumor-specific T cells has fueled optimism that this approach may find a place as a targeted therapy for some human cancers.
The Role of Innate Immunity in Autoimmunity
Authors: Bach Jean-François , Bendelac Albert , Brenner Michael B. , Cantor Harvey , De Libero Gennaro , Kronenberg Mitchell , Lanier Lewis L. , Raulet David H. , Shlomchik Mark J. , von Herrath Matthias G.
Published: December 2004

During the 2004 International Congress of Immunology in Montreal, a panel of experts gathered for an “Ideashop” discussion on the potential role of innate immunity in autoimmunity and the ways in which this might be targeted in future therapies.
A 𝑞-sampling theorem related to the 𝑞-Hankel transform
Authors: Abreu L.
Published: December 2004

A

q
q

-version of the sampling theorem is derived using the

q
q

-Hankel transform introduced by Koornwinder and Swarttouw. The sampling points are the zeros of the third Jackson

q
q

-Bessel function.
Compact homomorphisms of URM algebras
Authors: Behrouzi F. , Mahyar H.
Published: December 2004

We show when a homomorphism from a URM algebra into a uniform algebra or into a regular Banach algebra is weakly compact or compact. We prove that every homomorphism from URM algebras into

D
1

(
X
)

D^1(X)

is compact. Finally, we characterize the spectra of compact endomorphisms of URM algebras defined on a connected compact Hausdorff space

X
X

.
Frames and the Feichtinger conjecture
Authors: Casazza Peter , Christensen Ole , Lindner Alexander , Vershynin Roman
Published: December 2004

We show that the conjectured generalization of the Bourgain-Tzafriri restricted-invertibility theorem is equivalent to the conjecture of Feichtinger, stating that every bounded frame can be written as a finite union of Riesz basic sequences. We prove that any bounded frame can at least be written as a finite union of linearly independent sequences. We further show that the two conjectures are implied by the paving conjecture. Finally, we show that Weyl-Heisenberg frames over rational lattices are finite unions of Riesz basic sequences.
A big Picard theorem for quasiregular mappings into manifolds with many ends
Authors: Holopainen Ilkka , Pankka Pekka
Published: December 2004

We study quasiregular mappings from a punctured Euclidean ball intonn-manifolds with many ends and prove, by using Harnack’s inequality, a version of the big Picard theorem.
Relative flux homomorphism in symplectic geometry
Authors: Ozan Yildiray
Published: December 2004

In this work we define a relative version of the flux homomorphism, introduced by Calabi in 1969, for a symplectic manifold. We use it to study (the universal cover of) the group of symplectomorphisms of a symplectic manifold leaving a Lagrangian submanifold invariant. We also show that some quotients of the universal covering of the group of symplectomorphisms are stable under symplectic reduction.
Multiplicatively spectrum-preserving maps of function algebras
Authors: Rao N. , Roy A.
Published: December 2004

Let

X
X

be a compact Hausdorff space and

A

⊂
C
(
X
)

\mathcal {A}\subset C(X)

a function algebra. Assume that

X
X

is the maximal ideal space of

A

\mathcal A

. Denoting by

σ
(
f
)

\sigma (f)

the spectrum of an

f
∈

A

f\in \mathcal {A}

, which in this case coincides with the range of

f
f

, a result of Molnár is generalized by our Main Theorem: If

Φ
:

A

→

A

\Phi :\mathcal {A} \rightarrow \mathcal {A}

is a surjective map with the property

σ
(
f
g
)
=
σ
(
Φ
(
f
)
Φ
(
g
)
)

\sigma (fg)=\sigma (\Phi (f)\Phi (g))

for every pair of functions

f
,
g
∈

A

f,g\in \mathcal {A}

, then there exists a homeomorphism

Λ
:
X
→
X

\Lambda :X\rightarrow X

such that
\[

Φ
(
f
)
(
Λ
(
x
)
)
=
τ
(
x
)
f
(
x
)

\Phi (f)(\Lambda (x))=\tau (x)f(x)

\]
for every

x
∈
X

x\in X

and every

f
∈

A

f\in \mathcal {A}

with

τ
=
Φ
(
1
)

\tau =\Phi (1)

.
“Beurling type” subspaces of 𝐿^{𝑝}(𝐓²) and 𝐇^{𝐩}(𝐓²)
Authors: Redett D.
Published: December 2004

In this note we extend the “Beurling type” characterizations of subspaces of

L
2

(

T

2

)

L^2(\mathbf {T}^2)

and

H
2

(

T

2

)

H^2(\mathbf {T}^2)

to

L
p

(

T

2

)

L^p(\mathbf {T}^2)

and

H
p

(

T

2

)

H^p(\mathbf {T}^2)

, respectively.
A counterexample to a weak-type estimate for potential spaces and tangential approach regions
Authors: Soria Javier , Svensson Olof
Published: December 2004

We show that for every potential space

L

K

1

(

R

n

)

L^{1}_{K}(\mathbb {R}^{n})

, there exists an approach region for which the associated maximal function is of weak-type, but the boundedness for the completed region is false, which is in contrast with the nontangential case.
Polynomial detection of matrix subalgebras
Authors: Birmajer Daniel
Published: December 2004

The double Capelli polynomial of total degree

2
t

2t

is
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="sigma-summation left-brace left-parenthesis normal s normal g sigma tau right-parenthesis x Subscript sigma left-parenthesis 1 right-parenthesis Baseline y Subscript tau left-parenthesis 1 right-parenthesis Baseline x Subscript sigma left-parenthesis 2 right-parenthesis Baseline y Subscript tau left-parenthesis 2 right-parenthesis Baseline midline-horizontal-ellipsis x Subscript sigma left-parenthesis t right-parenthesis Baseline y Subscript tau left-parenthesis t right-parenthesis Baseline vertical-bar sigma comma tau element-of upper S Subscript t Baseline right-brace period">

∑

{
(

s
g

σ
τ
)

x

σ
(
1
)

y

τ
(
1
)

x

σ
(
2
)

y

τ
(
2
)

⋯

x

σ
(
t
)

y

τ
(
t
)

|

σ
,

τ
∈

S
t

}

.

\begin{equation*} \sum \left \{ (\mathrm {sg}\, \sigma \tau ) x_{\sigma (1)}y_{\tau (1)}x_{\sigma (2)}y_{\tau (2)}\cdots x_{\sigma (t)}y_{\tau (t)} |\; \sigma ,\, \tau \in S_t\right \}. \end{equation*}

It was proved by Giambruno-Sehgal and Chang that the double Capelli polynomial of total degree

4
n

4n

is a polynomial identity for

M
n

(
F
)

M_n(F)

. (Here,

F
F

is a field and

M
n

(
F
)

M_n(F)

is the algebra of

n
×
n

n \times n

matrices over

F
F

.) Using a strengthened version of this result obtained by Domokos, we show that the double Capelli polynomial of total degree

4
n
−
2

4n-2

is a polynomial identity for any proper

F
F

-subalgebra of

M
n

(
F
)

M_n(F)

. Subsequently, we present a similar result for nonsplit inequivalent extensions of full matrix algebras.
On a theorem of Ax
Authors: Kaliman Shulim
Published: December 2004

We show that in the case of affine and complete algebraic varieties over an algebraically closed field of zero characteristics any endomorphism of such a variety, that is injective on the complement to a subvariety of codimension

2
2

, is an automorphism.
The ratio of the length of the unit circle to the area of the unit disc in Minkowski planes
Authors: Mustafaev Zokhrab
Published: December 2004

In their paper “An Introduction to Finsler Geometry,” J. C. Alvarez and C. Duran asked if there are other Minkowski planes besides the Euclidean for which the ratio of the Minkowski length of the unit “circle” to the Holmes-Thompson area of the unit disc equals 2. In this paper we show that this ratio is greater than 2, and that the ratio 2 is achieved only for Minkowski planes that are affine equivalent to the Euclidean plane. In other words, the ratio is 2 only when the unit “circle” is an ellipse.
On the existence of Pettis integrable functions which are not Birkhoff integrable
Authors: Rodríguez José
Published: December 2004

Let

X
X

be a weakly Lindelöf determined Banach space. We prove that if

X
X

is non-separable, then there exist a complete probability space

(
Ω
,
Σ
,
μ
)

(\Omega ,\Sigma ,\mu )

and a bounded Pettis integrable function

f
:
Ω
⟶
X

f:\Omega \longrightarrow X

that is not Birkhoff integrable; when the density character of

X
X

is greater than or equal to the continuum, then

f
f

is defined on

[
0
,
1
]

[0,1]

with the Lebesgue measure. Moreover, in the particular case

X
=

c

0

(
I
)

X=c_{0}(I)

(the cardinality of

I
I

being greater than or equal to the continuum) the function

f
f

can be taken as the pointwise limit of a uniformly bounded sequence of Birkhoff integrable functions, showing that the analogue of Lebesgue’s dominated convergence theorem for the Birkhoff integral does not hold in general.
Uncorrelatedness sets for random variables with given distributions
Authors: Ostrovska Sofiya
Published: December 2004

Let

ξ
1

\xi _1

and

ξ
2

\xi _2

be random variables having finite moments of all orders. The set
\[
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper U left-parenthesis xi 1 comma xi 2 right-parenthesis colon equals StartSet left-parenthesis j comma l right-parenthesis element-of bold upper N squared colon bold upper E left-parenthesis xi 1 Superscript j Baseline xi 2 Superscript l Baseline right-parenthesis equals bold upper E left-parenthesis xi 1 Superscript j Baseline right-parenthesis bold upper E left-parenthesis xi 2 Superscript l Baseline right-parenthesis EndSet">

U
(

ξ
1

,

ξ
2

)
:=

{
(
j
,
l
)
∈

N

2

:

E

(

ξ
1
j

ξ
2
l

)

=

E

(

ξ
1
j

)

E

(

ξ
2
l

)

}

U(\xi _1,\xi _2):=\left \{(j,l)\in \textbf {N}^2:\textbf {E}\left (\xi _1^j\xi _2^l\right )=\textbf {E}\left (\xi _1^j\right )\textbf {E}\left ( \xi _2^l\right )\right \}

\]
is said to be an uncorrelatedness set of

ξ
1

\xi _1

and

ξ
2

.

\xi _2.

It is known that in general, an uncorrelatedness set can be arbitrary. Simple examples show that this is not true for random variables with given distributions. In this paper we present a wide class of probability distributions such that there exist random variables with given distributions from the class having a prescribed uncorrelatedness set. Besides, we discuss the sharpness of the obtained result.
On the topology of nested set complexes
Authors: Feichtner Eva , Müller Irene
Published: December 2004

Nested set complexes appear as the combinatorial core of De Concini-Procesi arrangement models. We show that nested set complexes are homotopy equivalent to the order complexes of the underlying meet-semilattices without their minimal elements. For atomic semilattices, we consider the realization of nested set complexes by simplicial fans proposed by the first author and Yuzvinsky and we strengthen our previous result showing that in this case nested set complexes in fact are homeomorphic to the mentioned order complexes.
Polynomials on Banach spaces with unconditional bases
Authors: Grecu Bogdan , Ryan Raymond
Published: December 2004

We study the classes of homogeneous polynomials on a Banach space with unconditional Schauder basis that have unconditionally convergent monomial expansions relative to this basis. We extend some results of Matos, and we show that the homogeneous polynomials with unconditionally convergent expansions coincide with the polynomials that are regular with respect to the Banach lattices structure of the domain.
Relating exponential growth in a manifold and its fundamental group
Authors: Manning Anthony
Published: December 2004

We relate the growth rate of volume in the universal cover of a compact Riemannian manifold to the growth in the fundamental group in terms of word length in a given set of generators and the length of geodesics representing these generators.
On questions of Fatou and Eremenko
Authors: Rippon P. , Stallard G.
Published: December 2004

Let

f
f

be a transcendental entire function and let

I
(
f
)

I(f)

be the set of points whose iterates under

f
f

tend to infinity. We show that

I
(
f
)

I(f)

has at least one unbounded component. In the case that

f
f

has a Baker wandering domain, we show that

I
(
f
)

I(f)

is a connected unbounded set.
Scaling exponents of self-similar functions and wavelet analysis
Authors: Saka Koichi
Published: December 2004

In this paper we give estimations of the pointwise scaling exponents of self-similar functions on the

n
n

-dimensional Euclidean space

R

n

{\mathbb R}^{n}

. These estimations are derived by using a technique based on wavelet analysis. Examples of such self-similar functions include indefinite integrals of self-similar measures on

R

{\mathbb R}

, and they also include widely oscillatory functions (e.g. the Takagi function, the Weierstrass function and Lévy’s function). Pointwise scaling exponents provide an objective description of an irregularity of a function at a point. Our results are applied to compute the scaling exponents of several oscillatory functions.
Viscosity convex functions on Carnot groups
Authors: Wang Changyou
Published: December 2004

We prove that any upper semicontinuous v-convex function in any Carnot group is h-convex.
Geometric inequalities for a class of exponential measures
Authors: Koenig Hermann , Tomczak-Jaegermann Nicole
Published: December 2004

Using

M
M

-ellipsoids we prove versions of the inverse Santaló inequality and the inverse Brunn-Minkowski inequality for a general class of measures replacing the usual volume on

R

n

\mathbb {R}^n

. This class contains in particular the Gaussian measure on

R

n

\mathbb {R}^n

.
Vietnam's Rice Policy: Recent Reforms and Future Opportunities
Authors: Nielsen Chantal Pohl
Published: December 2004

The present paper examines the economic consequences of the most recent reform of Vietnam's rice policy, the removal of the rice‐export quota. The reform is analyzed in light of domestic policy barriers, such as restrictions on cross‐sectoral land mobility, as well as international policy barriers, such as distortions introduced by preferential trade agreements. The analysis expands and amends a global computable general equilibrium model to represent these features. The analysis shows that the export quota has been a very restrictive policy tool that has kept Vietnamese rice production and exports well below potential. Both the domestic and international policy constraints contribute to this situation.
Fiscal Policies and Poverty Incidence: The Case of Thailand
Authors: Warr Peter
Published: December 2004

The evidence presented in this paper suggests that moderate, once‐only pro‐poor fiscal reallocations may have significant effects on both poverty incidence and inequality. The paper simulates the effects of hypothetical reallocations of the total tax burden away from taxes falling heavily on the poor (indirect taxes in general) and towards those falling predominantly on the rich (direct taxes, especially the personal income tax). It performs a similar exercise for hypothetical reallocations of expenditures and for changes in the overall size of taxes and expenditures, deriving the effects that these reallocations have on both poverty incidence (headcount measure) and inequality (Gini coefficient).
Multilateralism, Regionalism, Bilateral and Crossregional Free Trade Arrangements: All Paved with Good Intentions for ASEAN?
Authors: Low Linda
Published: December 2004

Current initiatives in Asia and Asia Pacific regionalism are responses to regionalism happening elsewhere in the context of globalization, information communication technology and knowledge‐based economy. The conclusion is that many economies are ‘having it both ways’ in multilateralism under World Trade Organization (WTO) and new regionalism. The argument is that the ‘first best’ theory of free trade under multilateralism and WTO have fallen short. A ‘second best’ theory of new regionalism has been acknowledged by the Doha ministerial declaration to complement and supplement WTO. Both Asia challenged Asia‐Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Association of South‐East Asian Nations (ASEAN) are challenged by ASEAN Plus Three (APT), which originated from the Asian crisis in the failed Asian Monetary Fund (AMF).

 Singapore has responded to these challenges in bilateral trading agreements, driven by its idiosyncratic features of a small, city–state economy and frustrated by laggard ASEAN. Increasingly, there is a divergence in macroeconomic policy between Singapore and ASEAN in terms of openness and competition. The dilemma in Singapore's strategy of bilateral trading agreements and foreign economic trade policy is precisely this divergence in macroeconomic philosophy and policy. The pressure on ASEAN is no less from APT, China and regionalism elsewhere than from Singapore. However, the present paper concedes that bilateral and crossregional trading arrangements are still second best, and that broader regionalism and multilateralism are still superior. With so many regional trading arrangements and emerging competition policy there may be rules of origin or ‘spaghetti bowl’ effects for Singapore. In ‘realpolitiks’ and real political economy, the balancing of gains and benefits is not easy.
Technical Efficiency of Industrial State‐Owned Enterprises in Vietnam
Authors: Vu Quoc Ngu
Published: December 2004

Measured among themselves, industrial state‐owned enterprises (SOE) in Vietnam have recorded a rather high level of technical efficiency, as well as a moderate improvement in technical efficiency between the 1997 and 1998. Of the possible factors, the share of skilled workers, location in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and engagement in export activities were considered the most important in determining the technical efficiency level. Between 1997 and 1998 there was no evidence of technological progress. For the ongoing SOE reform process in Vietnam, attention should be given to improving the skills of the work force and to encouraging the export‐led development strategy. Creating a competitive envir‐onment and a fully developed system of market‐supporting institutions is also highly needed. In addition, it is necessary to invest in new technology for industrial SOE in Vietnam.
Co‐operation despite disagreement: from politics to healthcare
Authors: Zohar Noam J.
Published: December 2004

Political interaction among citizens who hold opposing moral views commonly requires reaching beyond toleration, toward actual co‐operation with policies one opposes. On the more personal level, however, regarding (e.g.) interactions between healthcare providers and patients, several authors emphasise the importance of preserving integrity. But those who oppose any ‘complicity in evil’ often wrongly conflate instances in which the other's position is (and should be) totally rejected with instances of legitimate, although deep, disagreement. Starting with a striking example from the context of a particular tradition, I argue generally that in the latter sort of disagreements, talk of ‘complicity’ should be largely replaced with a more co‐operative moral stance, grounded in a pluralistic framework. Co‐operation Despite Disagreement (CDD) should be sought either for institutional reasons – akin to the political – or for relational reasons. CDD involves sharing another's perspective and sometimes calls for adopting another's moral judgements in preference to one's own. I seek to identify some of the conditions and circumstances that would justify such a shift, particularly in scenarios involving assistance, such as physician‐assisted suicide (PAS) or the role of an anaesthesiologist in abortion. This discussion is meant to provide examples of the kind of second‐order reasons appropriate for determining the terms for CDD – in distinction from first‐order considerations (e.g., the much‐contested ‘active/passive’ distinction) which are likely to be the subject of the initial disagreement and hence cannot serve to resolve it.
‘Hitting you over the head’: Oncologists’ disclosure of prognosis to advanced cancer patients
Authors: Gordon Elisa J. , Daugherty Christopher K.
Published: December 2004

The disclosure of prognosis to terminally ill patients has emerged as a recent concern given greater demands for patient involvement in medical decision‐making in the United States. As part of the informed consent process, American physicians are legally and ethically obligated to provide information to such patients about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of all available treatment options including the use of experimental therapies. Although not legally required, the disclosure of a terminal prognosis is ethically justified because it upholds the principle of self‐determination and enables patients to make treatment decisions consistent with their life goals. To understand oncologists’ attitudes about disclosing prognostic information to cancer patients with advanced disease, we interviewed fourteen oncologists and conducted one focus group of medical fellows. Although oncologists reported to disclose prognosis in terms of cancer not being curable, they tend to avoid using percentages to convey prognosis. Oncologists’ reported reluctance to disclosing prognosis was conveyed through the use of metaphors depicting the perceived violent impact of such information on patients. Oncologists’ reluctance to disclose prognosis and preserve patient hope are held in check by their need to ensure that patients have ‘realistic expectations’ about therapy. We discuss these data in light of the cultural, ethical, and legal dimensions of prognosis disclosure, patient hope and the doctor–patient relationship, and recommend ways to enhance the communication process.
Lethal injection, autonomy and the proper ends of medicine
Authors: Silver David
Published: December 2004

Gerald Dworkin has argued that it is inconsistent with the proper ends of medicine for a physician to participate in an execution by lethal injection. He does this by proposing a principle by which we are to judge whether an action is consistent with the proper ends of medicine. I argue: (a) that this principle, if valid, does not show that it is inconsistent with the proper ends of medicine for a physician to participate in an execution by lethal injection; and (b) that this principle is not valid, and this is because it mistakenly views the promotion of patient autonomy as one of the proper ends of medicine. Rather, I propose, we should view respect for a patient's autonomy as a constraint on the pursuit of the proper ends of medicine, rather than as one of the proper ends itself. With this revised understanding of the proper ends of medicine, we can conclude that it is inconsistent with the proper ends of medicine for a physician to participate in an execution by lethal injection.
Special education provision in Zimbabwe
Authors: Peresuh Munhuweyi , Barcham Lesley
Published: December 2004

Munhuweyi Peresuh, Senior Lecturer in Special Education at the University of Zimbabwe, and Lesley Barcham, Distance Learning Co‐ordinator, with the British Institute of Learning Disabilities, examine issues of policy, provision, facilities and human resources characterising special education in Zimbabwe, and analyse the key opportunities and difficulties in providing special education in a developing country. Their article examines the impetus for growth in integrated provision for children with disabilities and difficulties in learning.
Changing from a special school to an inclusion service
Authors: Bannister Carol , Sharland Vivienne , Upton Vivian , Walker David , Thomas Gary
Published: December 2004

Members of the Somerset Inclusion Project and Gary Thomas (professor and reader in education at the University of the West of England, Bristol) discuss the need for schools to become more inclusive in response to the Government’s recent Green Paper (DfEE, 1997), which emphasises that special schools need to work in different ways and to provide services to local mainstream schools. The notion that inclusion is right and segregation is wrong led the staff to convert the Princess Margaret School (PMS) in Taunton, Somerset to an inclusion service.
Conductive Education: towards an ‘educational model’
Authors: Coles Caroline , Zsargo Liz
Published: December 2004

Caroline Coles, Headteacher of Horton Lodge School in Staffordshire, and Liz Zsargo, Lecturer in Conductive Education at Keele University, consider the development of Conductive Education (CE) in the UK, and place it in the context of some of the sociological analyses of disability. They argue that CE can provide the basis for an educational model of disability (in which disability is seen as a result of a complex interaction between the environment and the individual), that all children have the right to an education suitable for their needs, and that a lack of access to an appropriate education can be a disabling factor.
Human Resource Management and the Theory of Rewards: Evidence from a National Survey
Authors: Poole Michael , Jenkins Glenville
Published: December 2004

This paper has two central aims. The first is descriptive and entails an examination of the extent to which firms in Britain have adopted performance‐related (‘new pay’) policies. The second is explanatory and involves the deployment of ‘structural’ and ‘action’ approaches to account for observed variations in policies and practices on remuneration in British companies. Original data based on a survey of fellows and members of the Institute of Management inform the analysis. At an explanatory level, ideas are also presented to account for the gap between policies on remuneration and their implementation in actual practice.
The Survival of National Bargaining in the Electrical Contracting Industry: A Deviant Case?
Authors: Gospel Howard , Druker Jan
Published: December 2004

This article examines what is often seen to be a deviant case in bargaining structure in British industry, namely the electrical contracting industry, where multi‐employer national bargaining is often said to have remained strong. The first main part of the paper briefly outlines the wider context of collective bargaining trends in British industry. The development of collective bargaining in electrical contracting is then outlined. The third part investigates recent developments and the degree to which arrangements in the industry have deviated from the rest of the private sector. In the final section, explanations are offered and implications explored.
The Relaunch of the Trades Union Congress
Authors: Heery Edmund
Published: December 2004

Despite the institutional bias in British industrial relations research, one of the oldest institutions, the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has been neglected by researchers. This article seeks to rectify this deficiency through an analysis of the formal relaunch of the TUC since 1994 under its new General Secretary, John Monks. It reviews the internal reforms and innovations in policy that comprise the relaunch and identifies two competing visions of the union future that lie at its centre. In the first of these, the TUC’s role is to act as an authoritative social partner in relations with government and employers, while in the second its function is to promote, co‐ordinate and support organizing activity by its member unions. Each of these perspectives on the TUC’s role is informed by experience overseas in continental Europe in the one case and in Australia and the United States in the other. The article concludes that social partnership and the ‘organizing model’ are not easily reconciled and that, despite the relaunch, the TUC has yet to make a key strategic choice: whether to follow the European or the North American route as it enters the twenty‐first century.
Selling the Case for Gender Equality: Deregulation and Equality Bargaining
Authors: Colling Trevor , Dickens Linda
Published: December 2004

This article explores the implications of deregulation for gender equality. Comparative, outcomes‐based analyses suggest that deregulated systems are characterized by inequality. A critical case study of British Gas is used here to evaluate the prospects for equality bargaining, that is the use of voluntary, joint regulation to further equality, in the wake of radical deregulation. Responsibility for equality in the workplace is found to have been privatized. The state as regulator has stood back and managers have reclaimed equality policy within managerial prerogative. Action on inequality has become conditional upon the existence of a business case, an approach that is insufficient for the task. Some re‐regulation is required to help bargainers exploit fully the potential of joint regulation for equality.
Contesting Local Pay: The Decentralization of Collective Bargaining in the NHS
Authors: Thornley Carole
Published: December 2004

Local pay determination formed a key plank in the Conservative government’s attempt to restructure industrial relations in the NHS, and to ‘reassert managerial control’ of the paybill at local (trust) level. This paper reports the findings of a national survey of Unison lead negotiators, complemented by case study interviews and documentary research, on the processes and outcomes of local pay determination, and its impact on industrial relations at both national and local levels. The paper strongly refutes recent suggestions that local pay leads to ‘improved’ industrial relations and greater pay equity. Moreover, and contrary to claims that Staff Side organizations are ‘too weak’ to challenge ‘new managerial strategies’, the study’s findings show that the search for managerial control remains, as always, a contested terrain.
The Revival of Apprenticeship Training in Britain?
Authors: Gospel Howard
Published: December 2004

This article examines the attempt to revive apprenticeship training in Britain in the 1990s in the form of the Modern Apprenticeship. Drawing on historical and comparative examples, it puts this attempt into a broader context. The design of the Modern Apprenticeship is assessed and the operation in practice is evaluated. While some optimistic conclusions are drawn, there are worries in terms of the quantity and quality of training under the initiative. The Modern Apprenticeship is seen as being probably the last opportunity in Britain to revive the employment‐based route to initial training.
Bargaining for Skills: Trade Unions and Training at the Workplace
Authors: Heyes Jason , Stuart Mark
Published: December 2004

Training and development have featured as key issues on the ‘new bargaining agenda’ outlined by the TUC. Although evidence suggests that union successes in achieving a role in training decisions at the workplace have thus far been limited, few studies have sought to examine the impact of union involvement on training outcomes. Drawing on a survey of members and representatives from the Manufacturing Science and Finance union, this paper demonstrates that union involvement in training decisions is associated with relatively superior training activities and outcomes at the workplace.
Call My Bluff: Multiple Interpretations of an Organizational Process
Authors: Brooks Ian
Published: December 2004

This paper attempts to illustrate the value of interpreting organizational processes from a variety of perspectives. It demonstrates that this approach reflects the natural richness of organization and avoids the rather blinkered search for single‐paradigm explanations. It does not seek to offer the answer, but rather some possible insights. By combining both actor and researcher frames, it sheds light upon a particular process of social interaction within an organization. Both the context, an NHS trust hospital, and the content, a significant change scenario, brings richness and relevance to the debate.

The paper outlines the macro and micro context before focusing on the interpretative methodological approach. The research involved collecting and analysing over thirty hours of taped, semi‐structured interview discourse with senior and middle management and some junior staff. After describing the change initiative, an attempt at multi‐skilling and the response of recipient actors to the proposals, the paper outlines three readings which seek to explain the events that occurred. The reader is invited to play the game ‘Call my Bluff’ and to choose the scenario that represents the most plausible explanation. The three interpretative frames employed are a managerial, a cultural and a political perspective. The paper concludes by raising some important issues in research, organizational change and the NHS.