bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urinary Incontinence: Its Prevalence, Risk Factors and Effects on the Quality of Life of Women Living in a Region of Turkey
Authors: Özerdoğan Nebahat , Beji Nezihe Kızılkaya , Yalçın Önay
Published: July 2004

Background: The aim of this population-based cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of urinary incontinence (UI) in women aged 20 years or older and to assess its influence on the quality of life (QOL). Materials and Methods: The study group was comprised of 625 women determined using the stratified sampling technique according to age and residence. The data were collected through a questionnaire and the Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Instrument. Results: The prevalence of UI was 25.8%. UI was significantly associated with body mass index (OR 12.75, 95% CI 6.68–24.6), diabetes mellitus (OR 3.55, 95% CI 1.44–8.73), neurological disorders (OR 3.80, 95% CI 1.69–8.58), recurrent urinary tract infections (OR 4.73, 95% CI 2.52–8.88). Impairment of QOL was related with the type of UI, frequency of UI episodes, amount of leakage and UI during sexual intercourse. Conclusion: Our study results determined that UI is common in women. The QOL of women was either mildly and moderately affected by UI.
Use of Once-Daily Netilmicin to Treat Infants with Suspected Sepsis in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Brooks J.R. , Marlow N. , Reeves B.C. , Millar M.R.
Published: July 2004

Once-daily administration of aminoglycoside antibiotics has become the most acceptable dosing schedule for the majority of patients. There are few published data on the impact of post-natal age on aminoglycoside concentrations in preterm infants receiving once-daily dosage regimens. Netilmicin was administered as a once-daily dose of 4 mg/kg. In 141 episodes of suspected sepsis in 123 babies, trough netilmicin concentrations ranged from undetectable to 4.0 mg/l. Netilmicin concentrations were above a level of 2 mg/l in 10.6% of episodes. Netilmicin concentrations decreased with increasing post-natal age and weight. Levels were higher in males compared to females. Increased creatinine concentrations were associated with higher netilmicin concentrations. This study emphasises the importance of post-natal age as a determinant of aminoglycoside concentrations with a once-daily dosing regimen in a neonatal intensive care population. Trough levels should be carefully monitored and consideration given to extending dosage intervals particularly when netilmicin is administered once daily to preterm infants in the first week of life.
Treatment of Hydatid Disease of the Liver
Authors: Silva M.A. , Mirza D.F. , Bramhall S.R. , Mayer A.D. , McMaster P. , Buckels J.A.C.
Published: July 2004

Background: Hydatid disease of the liver though endemic in many countries, is rare in the UK. We evaluated a 16-year experience of treating hydatidosis using a management protocol combining surgery with anti-scolicidals. Patients and Methods: There were 30 patients. 14 (47%) males, median age 41 (range 25–72) years, of whom 21 (70%) were symptomatic. Diagnosis was by serological tests and imaging. All had disease confined to the liver and received peri-operative anti-scolicidal drug therapy. Results: The initial 4 (13%) patients received praziquantel combined with albendazole for 2 weeks and the following 26 (87%) patients received two cycles of albendazole 400 mg twice daily for 28 days, with a 14-day break in between. However, 2 (7%) patients could not tolerate albendazole, one due to GI side effects and the other developed deranged liver functions. These 2 patients subsequently received praziquantel for 2 weeks. All patients underwent surgery. Subtotal cystectomy was carried out on 29 (96%) patients and 1 patient required a segmentectomy. Cystobiliary communications were identified in 15 (50%) of patients which were oversewn using fine absorbable sutures. Of these, 7 had the bile ducts decompressed using a T tube, with only 1 developing a post-operative bile leak. In comparison, 8 were not drained of which 6 leaked (p = 0.03). The median post-operative hospital stay was 8 days (range 5–24). Patients who developed post-operative bile leaks, however, needed prolonged abdominal drainage for a median of 21 days (range 18–24). Two (7%) patients developed histologically proven recurrent disease. The median follow-up was 56 months (range 3–87). Conclusion: Surgery combined with anti-scolicidal therapy proved effective. Cystobiliary communications are common and, when identified, should result in the biliary system being drained, to avoid post-operative bile leaks.
Diagnostic Evaluation of Patients with Faecal Incontinence at a Specialist Institution
Authors: Mimura Toshiki , Kaminishi Michio , Kamm Michael A.
Published: July 2004

Background: Evaluation of the anorectal function, clinically, structurally, and functionally, in patients with faecal incontinence should ensure appropriate and individual treatment. Methods: Two hundred and twenty-six patients with faecal incontinence were reviewed regarding disease history and results of anorectal physiological tests and anal ultrasonography. Results: The mean age was 54 years, and 191 patients (85%) were female. Sixty-two patients had passive faecal incontinence only, 49 had urge faecal incontinence only, and 115 had both passive and urge faecal incontinence. Patients with passive faecal incontinence only had a significantly higher voluntary contraction pressure and less external sphincter abnormalities than patients with urge faecal incontinence or both passive and urge faecal incontinence. The structural abnormalities of the internal and external anal sphincters identified on anal ultrasonography were significantly associated with a low maximum resting pressure and with a low voluntary contraction pressure, respectively. The causes identified for this faecal incontinence were: in 90 patients idiopathic, in 76 obstetric injury, in 36 internal anal sphincter degeneration, in 20 anal surgical injury, in 6 rectal prolapse, and in 9 patients miscellaneous. Conclusions: The anal sphincter structure as demonstrated by ultrasonography was closely related to the anorectal function, as determined by anorectal physiological tests, and the observations from these were reflected in the range of patient-reported symptoms. Anal ultrasonography and anorectal physiological tests are useful tools, enabling us to identify the mechanisms and causes of faecal incontinence in at least 60% of the patients.
Outcome of Duodenum-Preserving Resection of the Head of the Pancreas for Intraductal Papillary-Mucinous Neoplasm
Authors: Hirano Satoshi , Kondo Satoshi , Ambo Yoshiyasu , Tanaka Eiichi , Morikawa Toshiaki , Okushiba Shunichi , Katoh Hiroyuki
Published: July 2004

Background: The standard surgical procedure for intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm of the pancreatic head is pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy. A less extensive resection may be justified because most intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasms are benign or of low-grade malignancy. Aims and Methods: The outcome of duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection with preservation of the main bile duct was evaluated retrospectively in 13 patients with a branch-type intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm in the head of the pancreas and with a median (range) follow-up of 60.0 (0.3–99.5) months. Results: Post-operative complications included anastomotic leakage (n = 3), bile duct perforation (n = 1), intra-abdominal bleeding (n = 3), delayed gastric emptying (n = 2) and death (n = 2). All the resection margins were clear of tumour on histological examination. Ten of 11 patients maintained over 90% of their pre-operative body weight. Glucose tolerance improved in 4 of 11 evaluable patients, was unchanged in 6 and worsened in 1 patient. Biliary scintigraphy showed that bile flow was delayed compared with that before surgery (8.8 ± 1.1 vs. 19.6 ± 4.6 min; p = 0.03). Neither recurrence nor metastasis was observed. Conclusion: The results of duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection for branch duct-type intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm were satisfactory and provided a good quality of life.
Symptom Dimensions in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Factor Analysis on a Clinician-Rated Scale and a Self-Report Measure
Authors: Denys Damiaan , de Geus Femke , van Megen Harold J.G.M. , Westenberg Herman G.M.
Published: July 2004

Although obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is regarded as a unitary nosological entity, it encompasses a rich variety of heterogeneous mental and behavioural phenomena. The identification of clinical subtypes within this broad concept has been a focus of attention in recent years. In the present study, we administered a clinician-rated scale, the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) with the Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist (Y-BOCS CL), as well as a self-report questionnaire, the Padua Inventory revised (PI-R), to 150 outpatients with OCD. A principal component analysis on the Y-BOCS CL, along with the PI-R, identified 6 consistent symptom clusters: (1) contamination obsessions and cleaning compulsions, (2) sexual/religious/somatic obsessions and checking, (3) high risk assessment and checking, (4) impulses and fear of loss of control, (5) need for symmetry and exactness, and ordering and counting compulsions, and finally (6) rumination. The Y-BOCS CL and PI-R showed great overlap and consistency regarding content and severity of the OCD symptoms. On inspection of items with identical content, only half of the items showed significant agreement. Both inventories have unique factors: rumination is represented solely in the PI-R, somatic obsessions and checking solely in the Y-BOCS CL. This means that the use of both clinician-administered and self-report measures is recommended, so that the entire spectrum of symptoms is represented.
Vaccine Engineering Improved by Hybrid Technology
Authors: Linhart Birgit , Valenta Rudolf
Published: July 2004

The term ‘vaccination’ describes the induction of protective immune responses against infectious diseases, but is also used to define antigen-specific forms of immunotherapy for allergy, cancer and autoimmunity. Successful vaccination requires either immune modulation or the induction of robust specific immunity to several disease-causing antigens. However, natural antigen sources may contain greatly varying amounts of these antigens and some of them may exhibit low immunogenicity. An approach for overcoming the latter problems has been developed for allergy vaccines recently. This approach is based on the genetic engineering of hybrid molecules, consisting of several major disease-eliciting antigens/epitopes. Such hybrid molecules can be built to include the most relevant epitopes of complex antigen sources. Moreover, fusion of different antigens in the form of hybrid molecules strongly increases their immunogenicity. The hybrid approach can also be used for the generation of mosaic antigens with altered immunological properties, which consist of re-shuffled antigen pieces. We exemplify the use of hybrid technology for the generation of new allergy vaccines and discuss its potential applicability for the development of vaccines for infectious diseases, cancer and autoimmunity.
ACE Inhibitor, Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist, Monotherapy or Combined Therapy?
Authors: Karlsen Finn Michael , Kamper Anne-Lise
Published: July 2004

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is activated in several diseases, and angiotensin II mediates a number of putative detrimental effects through activation of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor, while the clinical role of the type 2 receptor has not yet been settled. Inhibition of the RAS is either achieved by the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists (AIIA). Although a combined inhibitory therapy might seem attractive, thus far limited data has emerged to support such a strategy. In hypertension, losartan has proven slightly more efficient than atenolol to prevent cardiovascular complications, overall mortality was however identical. In heart failure, AIIA should only be considered in ACE inhibitor-intolerant patients. Both ACE inhibitors and AIIA have proven efficient in diabetic microalbuminuria and in proteinuria. ACE inhibitors are first-line treatment in type 1 diabetic nephropathy and in nondiabetic nephropathy, while AIIA are highly efficient in type 2 diabetic nephropathy. Combination therapy might be superior to monotherapy in nondiabetic nephropathy.
Efficacy of 1,000 mg Effervescent Acetylsalicylic Acid and Sumatriptan in Treating Associated Migraine Symptoms
Authors: Diener H.C. , Eikermann A. , Gessner U. , Göbel H. , Haag G. , Lange R. , May A. , Müller-Schwefe G. , Voelker M.
Published: July 2004

Recently a new effervescent acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) tablet with high buffering capacity has been developed. In this double-blind, 3-arm, multicenter, parallel-group study, 433 patients were treated either with 1,000 mg effervescent ASA or 50 mg encapsulated sumatriptan or placebo. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients with complete remission of the 3 accompanying symptoms nausea, photophobia and phonophobia within 2 h after intake of the study drug. 43.8% of patients treated with ASA, 43.7% of patients treated with sumatriptan and 30.9% of patients treated with placebo showed complete remission of all 3 accompanying symptoms (p < 0.05 for ASA and sumatriptan vs. placebo). Both active treatments were superior to placebo regarding the individual symptoms photophobia and phonophobia, but not for nausea. The percentage of patients with reduction in headache severity from moderate or severe to mild or no pain (secondary objective) was 49.3% for ASA, 48.8% for sumatriptan and 32.9% for placebo. All active treatments were superior to placebo (p < 0.05). 25.3, 24.4 and 14.5% of patients treated with ASA, sumatriptan or placebo were pain free at 2 h. Drug-related adverse events were reported in 3.9, 4.7 and 6.7% of patients treated with placebo, ASA or sumatriptan. The study showed that administration of effervescent ASA leads to remission of the migraine symptoms nausea, photophobia and phonophobia, reduces migraine headache and is comparable to sumatriptan.
A Note on the Applied Use of MDL Approximations
Authors: Navarro Daniel J.
Published: July 2004

An applied problem is discussed in which two nested psychological models of retention are compared using minimum description length (MDL). The standard Fisher information approximation to the normalized maximum likelihood is calculated for these two models, with the result that the full model is assigned a smaller complexity, even for moderately large samples. A geometric interpretation for this behavior is considered, along with its practical implications.
Fair Attribution of Functional Contribution in Artificial and Biological Networks
Authors: Keinan Alon , Sandbank Ben , Hilgetag Claus C. , Meilijson Isaac , Ruppin Eytan
Published: July 2004

This letter presents the multi-perturbation Shapley value analysis (MSA), an axiomatic, scalable, and rigorous method for deducing causal function localization from multiple perturbations data. The MSA, based on fundamental concepts from game theory, accurately quantifies the contributions of network elements and their interactions, overcoming several shortcomings of previous function localization approaches. Its successful operation is demonstrated in both the analysis of a neurophysiological model and of reversible deactivation data. The MSA has a wide range of potential applications, including the analysis of reversible deactivation experiments, neuronal laser ablations, and transcranial magnetic stimulation “virtual lesions”, as well as in providing insight into the inner workings of computational models of neurophysiological systems.
A New Concept for Separability Problems in Blind Source Separation
Authors: Theis Fabian J.
Published: July 2004

The goal of blind source separation (BSS) lies in recovering the original independent sources of a mixed random vector without knowing the mixing structure. A key ingredient for performing BSS successfully is to know the indeterminacies of the problem—that is, to know how the separating model relates to the original mixing model (separability). For linear BSS, Comon (1994) showed using the Darmois-Skitovitch theorem that the linear mixing matrix can be found except for permutation and scaling. In this work, a much simpler, direct proof for linear separability is given. The idea is based on the fact that a random vector is independent if and only if the Hessian of its logarithmic density (resp. characteristic function) is diagonal everywhere. This property is then exploited to propose a new algorithm for performing BSS. Furthermore, first ideas of how to generalize separability results based on Hessian diagonalization to more complicated nonlinear models are studied in the setting of postnonlinear BSS.
Blind Separation of Positive Sources by Globally Convergent Gradient Search
Authors: Oja Erkki , Plumbley Mark
Published: July 2004

The instantaneous noise-free linear mixing model in independent component analysis is largely a solved problem under the usual assumption of independent nongaussian sources and full column rank mixing matrix. However, with some prior information on the sources, like positivity, new analysis and perhaps simplified solution methods may yet become possible. In this letter, we consider the task of independent component analysis when the independent sources are known to be nonnegative and well grounded, which means that they have a nonzero pdf in the region of zero. It can be shown that in this case, the solution method is basically very simple: an orthogonal rotation of the whitened observation vector into nonnegative outputs will give a positive permutation of the original sources. We propose a cost function whose minimum coincides with nonnegativity and derive the gradient algorithm under the whitening constraint, under which the separating matrix is orthogonal. We further prove that in the Stiefel manifold of orthogonal matrices, the cost function is a Lyapunov function for the matrix gradient flow, implying global convergence. Thus, this algorithm is guaranteed to find the nonnegative well-grounded independent sources. The analysis is complemented by a numerical simulation, which illustrates the algorithm.
A Solution for Two-Dimensional Mazes with Use of Chaotic Dynamics in a Recurrent Neural Network Model
Authors: Suemitsu Yoshikazu , Nara Shigetoshi
Published: July 2004

Chaotic dynamics introduced into a neural network model is applied to solving two-dimensional mazes, which are ill-posed problems. A moving object moves from the position at t to t + 1 by simply defined motion function calculated from firing patterns of the neural network model at each time step t. We have embedded several prototype attractors that correspond to the simple motion of the object orienting toward several directions in two-dimensional space in our neural network model. Introducing chaotic dynamics into the network gives outputs sampled from intermediate state points between embedded attractors in a state space, and these dynamics enable the object to move in various directions. System parameter switching between a chaotic and an attractor regime in the state space of the neural network enables the object to move to a set target in a two-dimensional maze. Results of computer simulations show that the success rate for this method over 300 trials is higher than that of random walk. To investigate why the proposed method gives better performance, we calculate and discuss statistical data with respect to dynamical structure.
Modeling Mental Navigation in Scenes with Multiple Objects
Authors: Byrne Patrick , Becker Suzanna
Published: July 2004

Various lines of evidence indicate that animals process spatial information regarding object locations differently from spatial information regarding environmental boundaries or landmarks. Following Wang and Spelke's (2002) observation that spatial updating of egocentric representations appears to lie at the heart of many navigational tasks in many species, including humans, we postulate a neural circuit that can support this computation in parietal cortex, assuming that egocentric representations of multiple objects can be maintained in prefrontal cortex in spatial working memory (not simulated here). Our method is a generalization of an earlier model by Droulez and Berthoz (1991), with extensions to support observer rotation. We can thereby simulate perspective transformation of working memory representations of object coordinates based on an egomotion signal presumed to be generated via mental navigation. This biologically plausible transformation would allow a subject to recall the locations of previously viewed objects from novel viewpoints reached via imagined, discontinuous, or disoriented displacement. Finally, we discuss how this model can account for a wide range of experimental findings regarding memory for object locations, and we present several predictions made by the model.
The Earth Charter and Militarism: An Ecological Feminist Analysis
Authors: Davion Victoria
Published: July 2004

This essay explores the Earth Charter through an ecological feminist lens. In a previous essay on the Charter (Davion 2002), I argued that although basically consistent with ecological feminist approaches, the charter fails adequately to consider issues of ethical responsibility, social location, and power. I shall now argue that while my original observations remain troubling, the Charter does have profound implications for the morality of war. In what follows I first introduce ecological feminism. I then review my earlier conclusions concerning the charter, explaining why I believe they remain crucial. I conclude with a discussion of why, despite some important flaws, the Charter has important moral implications concerning themorality of war.
The Earth Charter and Global Ethics
Authors: Dower Nigel
Published: July 2004

In what sense(s) is the Earth Charter a global ethic? The Earth Charter is a global ethic as a set of values and norms which can be supported from many worldviews rather than as a "set of values and norms plus a particular worldview"; and the Earth Charter is also a global ethic as an ethic which is widely shared across the world rather than as one which is universally shared by all. What kinds of resistance does promoting the Earth Charter meet? A number of intellectual positions are addressed, such as realism in international relations and the neoliberal paradigm. The Earth Charter thus raises many issues in global ethics as an intellectual enquiry, particularly if it is thought of as a tool to be used in the spirit of critical loyalty.
In Search of Global Law: The Significance of the Earth Charter
Authors: Bosselmann Klaus
Published: July 2004

Western legal traditions are anthropocentric in character and largely hostile to ecological principles. However, domestic and international environmental law show signs of an ecocentric orientation. In the search for a legal framework for ecologically sustainable development the Earth Charter marks an important step forward. Among its ground-breaking principles are ecologically defined concepts of sustainability, justice and rights.
The Earth Charter and the Debate On Biotechnology—the New Zealand Case
Authors: Taylor Prue
Published: July 2004

This article examines the relevance of the Earth Charter to ethical debate on biotechnology. It uses the New Zealand Bioethics Council as a case study to demonstrate the positive contributions that the Charter could make to a nation's efforts to articulate ethical principles. It begins by examining the general tasks of the Council and demonstrates that the Charter is primarily useful as a fundamental source document and a critical tool for stimulating ethical dialogue. But its articulation of universal responsibility, together with its inspirational and educational nature, are also of significance. Moving from the general to the particular, the article applies one of the Charter's principles, "respect for all life", to the particular issue of transgenic animals. It is argued that this principle could help to fundamentally reframe debate on this issue.
Negotiating under the Cross: The Story of the Forty Day Siege of the Church of Nativity
Authors: Cristal Moty
Published: July 2004

This article provides an insider's observation of negotiations with terrorists, in particular, the negotiation process carried out by Israel and armed Palestinians who were barricaded in the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem. By applying various negotiation methodologies, the author describes the challenges, strategies and methods used by the military Crisis Negotiation Unit to manage and resolve this international crisis, and draws general lessons for future negotiation situations developed within the modern counter-terrorism arena.
Negotiating with Terrorists: The Hostage Case
Authors: Faure Guy Olivier
Published: July 2004

This article provides an overview of hostage negotiations, drawing upon historical cases and analyzing them from the perspective of negotiation theory. Various situational factors are studied, including the parties involved, hostage taker motivations and profiles, negotiator objectives and what is considered to be negotiable, the issue of legitimacy, and the negotiation context. The article also analyzes the dynamics of the negotiation process, addressing the different phases, hostage attitudes, information gathering, and the role of the media and public opinion. The intercultural and psychological dimensions of hostage negotiation are also addressed. The final section of the article considers end-game scenarios, and assessing the negotiation outcome of such complex and uncertain processes.
Testing the Role Effect in Terrorist Negotiations
Authors: Donohue William , Taylor Paul
Published: July 2004

This article examines the effects of role on terrorists' use of power and affiliative strategies in negotiation as a function of terrorist ideology, incident type, and the outcome that is achieved. Data were scores on eight behavioral scales designed to reflect the dynamics of 186 terrorist negotiations, as reported in detailed chronological accounts. Results supported the hypothesized one-down effect with terrorists' use of power-oriented strategies complemented by authority's use of affiliation-oriented strategies. The extent to which terrorists used aggressive strategies was related to the resolution of the incident, with attenuated outcomes more likely for those using more aggressive strategies. These dynamics differed across incident type, with aerial hijackings involving more overt power strategies than barricade-siege incidents, which were more likely to involve bargaining for certain outcomes. Finally, terrorist ideology and the associated identity concerns magnified the one-down effect, with religious fundamentalists engaging in more violence and less compromising strategies than terrorists with other ideological backgrounds.
Ethnographying Public Memory:The Commemorative Genre for the victims of Terrorism in Italy
Authors: Tota Anna Lisa
Published: July 2004

This article addresses one concern that is central to much of the sociology of memory currently ongoing: how can we remember terror and how can we forget it? And moreover, is there any cultural shape of remembering terror, which is more suitable than others? By addressing the issue of the social representation of a very controversial past - the massacre at the Bologna railway station in 1980 - the focus is here on the relation between the collective knowledge of public events, such as a terror attack, and the process of their fixing and shaping into social practices (commemorative ceremonies) and cultural objects (public symbols of the slaughter). It will be shown how, in the Bologna case, this process reflects tensions and articulates contradictions in the public inscription of the legitimate version of this past, between state and civil society. It will be argued that, due to a specific group of agents of memory - composed primarily by the association of the victims’ relatives and the committees of solidarity founded in the city during the last two decades - the structure of the commemorative ceremony has led to the public fixing of a specific genre of memorization in Italy for the victims of terrorism. This genre, that defines the number of its degrees of freedom (the range of possible variation within itself), becomes a crucial key to understanding the public making of cultural memories. The methodological considerations that arise from this research are related to the possible ways to analyse controversial versions of the past. It will be shown how ethnographying public enactment of personal experience and interviewing the victims and their relatives represent a very specific type of research experience, where many usual assumptions used by qualitative interviews are violated.
Ethnography Online: ‘Natives’ Practising and Inscribing Community
Authors: Gatson Sarah N. , Zweerink Amanda
Published: July 2004

The article is an analysis of the methodology used to study a community spawned from an Internet website devoted to a television serial. In the five and a half years the site was in existence, its real-time, linear, archived Posting Board spawned a community. Herein, we discuss how our work at the site offers insights into significant concepts in the practice of ethnography. In particular, we are concerned with such questions as: How much distance is necessary between the ethnographer and her site/subjects? Is distance necessary? Who is inscribing whom? We also discuss the generative problem of anonymity and how this concern has opened up our perceptions of ourselves and our field site.
Maximizing Transparency in a Doctoral Thesis1: The Complexities of Writing About the Use of QSR*NVIVO Within a Grounded Theory Study
Authors: Bringer Joy D. , Johnston Lynne H. , Brackenridge Celia H.
Published: July 2004

This article discusses the challenges of how to provide a transparent account of the use of the software program QSR*NVIVO (QSR, 2000) within a grounded theory framework (Glaser and Strauss, 1967; Strauss and Corbin, 1998). Psychology students are increasingly pursuing qualitative research projects to such an extent that the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) advise that students should have skill in the use of computer assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS) (Economic and Social Research Council, 2001). Unlike quantitative studies, rigid formulae do not exist for writing-up qualitative projects for doctoral theses. Most authors, however, agree that transparency is essential when communicating the findings of qualitative research. Sparkes (2001) recommends that evaluative criteria for qualitative research should be commensurable with the aims, objectives, and epistemological assumptions of the research project. Likewise, the use of CAQDAS should vary according to the research methodology followed, and thus researchers should include a discussion of how CAQDAS was used. This article describes how the evolving process of coding data, writing memos, categorizing, and theorizing were integrated into the written thesis. The structure of the written document is described including considerations about restructuring and the difficulties of writing about an iterative process within a linear document.
Research Impact: How Seemingly Innocuous Social Cues in a CEO Survey Can Lead to Change in Board of Director Network Ties
Authors: Seidel Marc-David L. , Westphal James D.
Published: July 2004

This study extends earlier research suggesting that board network ties may reflect the strategic and/or political concerns of top managers by considering how the managerial objectives that drive the formation and maintenance of board interlock ties may be subject to social influence. The particular form of social influence examined in this study derives from the social network research process itself. Specifically, we draw from research on social information processing and the framing of information to suggest how the administration of social network surveys can influence managers’ perceptions about their relationship to directors and the potential benefits to be derived from director network ties, thus affecting their subsequent selection of board members in ways that change the firm’s board interlock ties.We also consider how this social influence effect may diffuse beyond the actual survey respondents to create a more pervasive influence on the actions of managers at other firms in the board interlock network. We test our theoretical argument with an original quasiexperiment in which CEOs are randomly assigned to different versions of a survey questionnaire that have the potential to prime different schemata about the possible benefits to be derived from board network ties. Beyond addressing the potential for social influence in the formation and maintenance of board network ties, our study also addresses the potential for unintended reactive measurement effects in social network research, wherein network surveys influence the very ties that they are designed to measure.
The Strategic Signaling of Capabilities by Service Firms in Different Information Asymmetry Environments
Authors: Skaggs Bruce C. , Snow Charles C.
Published: July 2004

This study investigates how firms in high or low information asymmetry environments obtain performance benefits from their capabilities. Using data obtained from a sample of 234 service firms, the results indicate that service firms in low information asymmetry environments obtain direct performance benefits from the mere possession of capabilities. In high information asymmetry environments, such as professional services, the performance benefits of capabilities only occur when firms use strategic positioning to signal the presence of their resources. Firms in high information asymmetry environments use the focus of their service offering as well as the degree of service customization to indicate the presence of underlying capabilities.
Who Gets Wall Street’s Attention? How Alliance Announcements and Alliance Density Affect Analyst Coverage
Authors: Jensen Michael
Published: July 2004

This study integrates research on strategic alliances and security analysts by focusing on the extent to which alliance announcements affect the amount of coverage firms obtain from security analysts. Adopting the perspective that alliance announcements constitute important market signals, I argue that they increase analyst coverage at a decreasing rate, but also that the strength of the relationship between announcements and coverage depends on the density of alliances. The relationship is strongest when alliance density is low because more attractive alliance partners are available, or when alliance density is high because more attractive resources are available in the alliance network. I find support for these arguments in the empirical context of alliance announcements among computer technology firms and discuss their consequences for research on alliance-based market signals.
Eradication of B-CLL by autologous and allogeneic host nonreactive anti–third-party CTLs
Authors: Arditti Fabian D. , Aviner Shraga , Dekel Benjamin , Krauthgamer Rita , Gan Judith , Nagler Arnon , Tabilio Antonio , Martelli Massimo , Berrebi Alain , Reisner Yair
Published: July 2004

Establishment of cell lines capable of killing leukemia cells, in the absence of alloreactivity against normal host cells, represents a most desirable goal in bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and cancer immunotherapy. By using a human → mouse chimeric model, we demonstrate that allogeneic anti-third-party cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) depleted of alloreactivity are endowed with a potent anti-B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) reactivity. Likewise, CTL preparations generated from autologous T cells of the same patients with B-CLL exhibited comparable leukemia eradication, suggesting that the reactivity of allogeneic anti-third-party CTLs is not mediated by residual antihost clones. This specificity was also exhibited in vitro, and annexin staining revealed that B-CLL killing is mediated by apoptosis. While the CTLs killing of third-party cells could be blocked by anti-CD3 antibody, the lysis of the B-CLL cells was not inhibited by this antibody, suggesting a T-cell receptor (TCR)-independent cytotoxicity. The role of cell contact leading to apoptosis of B-CLL cells is shown in transwell plates and by anti-lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1)-blocking antibody. Up-regulation of CD54 and the subsequent apoptosis of B-CLL cells depend on the initial LFA-1/ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) interaction. Taken together, these results suggest that allogeneic or autologous host nonreactive anti-third-party CTLs may represent a new therapeutic approach for patients with B-CLL. (Blood. 2005;105:3365-3371)
Two-phase culture in Diamond Blackfan anemia: localization of erythroid defect
Authors: Ohene-Abuakwa Yaw , Orfali Karen A. , Marius Carine , Ball Sarah E.
Published: July 2004

The erythroid defect in Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA) is known to be intrinsic to the stem cell, but its molecular pathophysiology remains obscure. Using a 2-phase liquid erythroid culture system, we have demonstrated a consistent defect in DBA, regardless of clinical severity, including 3 first-degree relatives with normal hemoglobin levels but increased erythrocyte adenosine deaminase activity. DBA cultures were indistinguishable from controls until the end of erythropoietin (Epo)–free phase 1, but failed to demonstrate the normal synchronized wave of erythroid expansion and terminal differentiation on exposure to Epo. Dexamethasone increased Epo sensitivity of erythroid progenitor cells, and enhanced erythroid expansion in phase 2 in both normal and DBA cultures. In DBA cultures treated with dexamethasone, Epo sensitivity was comparable to normal, but erythroid expansion remained subnormal. In clonogenic phase 2 cultures, the number of colonies did not significantly differ between normal cultures and DBA, in the presence or absence of dexamethasone, and at both low and high Epo concentrations. However, colonies were markedly smaller in DBA under all conditions. This suggests that the Epo-triggered onset of terminal maturation is intact in DBA, and the defect lies down-stream of the Epo receptor, influencing survival and/or proliferation of erythroid progenitors.
Prognostic and biologic significance of chromosomal imbalances assessed by comparative genomic hybridization in multiple myeloma
Authors: Gutiérrez Norma C. , García Juan L. , Hernández Jesús M. , Lumbreras Eva , Castellanos Mariana , Rasillo Ana , Mateo Gema , Hernández José M. , Pérez Sonia , Orfao Alberto , Miguel Jesús F. San
Published: July 2004

Cytogenetic abnormalities, evaluated either by karyotype or by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), are considered the most important prognostic factor in multiple myeloma (MM). However, there is no information about the prognostic impact of genomic changes detected by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). We have analyzed the frequency and prognostic impact of genetic changes as detected by CGH and evaluated the relationship between these chromosomal imbalances and IGH translocation, analyzed by FISH, in 74 patients with newly diagnosed MM. Genomic changes were identified in 51 (69%) of the 74 MM patients. The most recurrent abnormalities among the cases with genomic changes were gains on chromosome regions 1q (45%), 5q (24%), 9q (24%), 11q (22%), 15q (22%), 3q (16%), and 7q (14%), while losses mainly involved chromosomes 13 (39%), 16q (18%), 6q (10%), and 8p (10%). Remarkably, the 6 patients with gains on 11q had IGH translocations. Multivariate analysis selected chromosomal losses, 11q gains, age, and type of treatment (conventional chemotherapy vs autologous transplantation) as independent parameters for predicting survival. Genomic losses retained the prognostic value irrespective of treatment approach. According to these results, losses of chromosomal material evaluated by CGH represent a powerful prognostic factor in MM patients. (Blood. 2004;104:2661-2666)
Intersensory Redundancy Enhances Memory in Bobwhite Quail Embryos
Authors: Lickliter Robert , Bahrick Lorraine E. , Honeycutt Hunter
Published: July 2004

Information presented concurrently and redundantly to 2 or more senses (intersensory redundancy) has been shown to recruit attention and promote perceptual learning of amodal stimulus properties in animal embryos and human infants. This study examined whether the facilitative effect of intersensory redundancy also extends to the domain of memory. We assessed bobwhite quail chicks' ability to remember and prefer an individual maternal call presented either unimodally or redundantly and synchronously with patterned light during the period prior to hatching. Embryos provided with unimodal auditory exposure failed to prefer the familiar call over a novel maternal call postnatally at 48 hr and 72 hr following exposure. In contrast, embryos provided with redundant, synchronous audiovisual stimulation significantly preferred the familiar call at 48 hr following exposure, but not at 72 hr. A second experiment provided chicks with a single 10‐min refamiliarization with the familiar call at either 48 hr or 72 hr following hatching. Chicks given only unimodal auditory exposure prior to hatching did not appear to benefit from this brief postnatal refamiliarization, showing no preference for the familiar call at either 72 or 96 hr. Chicks that received redundant audiovisual stimulation prenatally showed a significant preference for the familiar call (following the brief reexpo sure 24 hr earlier) at both 72 and 96 hr of age. These results are the first to demonstrate that redundantly specified information is remembered longer and reactivated more easily than the same information presented unimodally. These findings provide further evidence of the salience of intersensory redundancy in guiding selective attention and perceptual learning during early development.
Discrimination of Large and Small Numerosities by Human Infants
Authors: Lipton Jennifer S. , Spelke Elizabeth S.
Published: July 2004

Six experiments investigated infants' sensitivity to numerosity in auditory sequences. In prior studies (Lipton & Spelke, 2003), 6‐month‐old infants discriminated sequences of 8 versus 16 but not 8 versus 12 sounds, and 9‐month‐old infants discriminated 8 versus 12 but not 8 versus 10 sounds, when the continuous variables of rate, sound duration, and sequence duration were controlled. The current studies investigated whether infants' numerical discrimination is subject to the signature ratio limit of adults' numerosity discrimination. Four experiments at 6 and 9 months provided evidence for this signature limit, suggesting that common mechanisms underlie numerosity discrimination in infants and adults. In further experiments, infants failed to discriminate 2 versus 4 or 2 versus 3 sounds when tested under the same conditions as with large numbers. These findings accord with studies using visual‐spatial arrays (e.g., Clearfield & Mix, 1999) and suggest that separate systems underlie infants' representation of small and large numerosities.
The Role of Declarative Pointing in Developing a Theory of Mind
Authors: Camaioni Luigia , Perucchini Paola , Bellagamba Francesca , Colonnesi Cristina
Published: July 2004

It has been suggested that the child's capacity to represent and influence another person's attentional state about an object or event in triadic interactions (declarative communication) is an early manifestation of social understanding in the second year of life. This study tested the following predictions: First, in typically developing children declarative pointing emerges later than imperative pointing. Second, the capacity to use declarative pointing is linked to the understanding of other's intentions (i.e., to the capacity to reproduce other's intended acts after seeing failed attempts to perform these acts). The study was conducted in 2 phases. In the first phase, the parents of 133 typically developing infants completed the Questionnaire on Pointing Gesture, which allowed the identification of babies able to use pointing in familiar contexts. Of these children, 40 participated in the experiment and were tested on 2 tasks: a new task designed to elicit production and comprehension of imperative and declarative pointing, and a modified version of Meltzoff's (1995) task designed to assess understanding of others' intentions. Tasks were administered to each participant in 2 sessions carried out at 3‐month intervals. Children were 12 months old on average at the 1st session and 15 months old on average at the 2nd session. Results showed that children produced and understood declarative pointing later than imperative pointing. Furthermore, production of declarative pointing was clearly linked to understanding of others' intentions. No relation was found between production and comprehension of imperative pointing and intention understanding. Implications from the association between declarative pointing and inferring other's intentions are discussed.
Infant Side Biases and Familiarity‐Novelty Preferences During a Serial Paired‐Comparison Task
Authors: Fisher‐Thompson Donna , Peterson Julie A.
Published: July 2004

We monitored changes in looking that emerged when 3‐ to 6‐month‐old infants were presented with 48 trials pairing familiar and novel faces. Graphic displays were used to identify changes in looking throughout the task. Many infants exhibited strong side biases produced by infants looking repeatedly in the same direction. Although an overall novelty preference was found for the group, individual infants exhibited brief novelty runs. Few infants began with a familiarity preference. We argue that variable looking patterns emerged during the task from competition between the infants' preference to look for something novel versus their tendency to look back to previous locations. Our data suggest that looking during paired‐comparison tasks is a dynamic process dependent on perceptual‐motor events happening during the task itself.
Functional Elements in Infants' Speech Processing: The Role of Determiners in the Syntactic Categorization of Lexical Elements
Authors: Höhle Barbara , Weissenborn Jürgen , Kiefer Dorothea , Schulz Antje , Schmitz Michaela
Published: July 2004

How do children determine the syntactic category of novel words? In this article we present the results of 2 experiments that investigated whether German children between 12 and 16 months of age can use distributional knowledge that determiners precede nouns and subject pronouns precede verbs to syntactically categorize adjacent novel words. Evidence from the head‐turn preference paradigm shows that, although 12‐ to 13‐month‐olds cannot do this, 14‐ to 16‐month‐olds are able to use a determiner to categorize a following novel word as a noun. In contrast, no categorization effect was found for a novel word following a subject pronoun. To understand this difference we analyzed adult child‐directed speech. This analysis showed that there are in fact stronger co‐occurrence relations between determiners and nouns than between subject pronouns and verbs. Thus, in German determiners may be more reliable cues to the syntactic category of an adjacent novel word than are subject pronouns. We propose that the capacity to syntactically categorize novel words, demonstrated here for the first time in children this young, mediates between the recognition of the specific morphosyntactic frame in which a novel word appears and the word‐to‐world mapping that is needed to build up a semantic representation for the novel word.