bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rhetoric and Action in Regulating the Public Schools in Norway and Sweden
Authors: Helgøy Ingrid
Published: May 2006

In the past few decades, Norway and Sweden, like the rest of the Western world, have attempted to restructure and deregulate education. In both countries, the established governing models were threatened due to lack of legitimacy and efficiency. This article discusses the extent to which the different explanations of stability and institutional change address what happened when Management by Objectives and Results (MbOR) was introduced in Norway and Sweden. However, both the content and the course of change were different in the two countries. More specifically, one can talk about processes combining lock‐in mechanism and layering in the Norwegian course of development. In Sweden, the process of change was characterized by sudden and radical decisions. A decision made in 1991 could be explained as a state of punctuated equilibrium, as strong forces produced a situation where nothing else was to be done except make a radical change, turning the centralized system into a decentralized one. The period has parallels to the concept of ‘critical juncture’, representing a moment of openness to and possibility for different and new actors to influence a new constitution. In Norway, the transformation of policy tools for education purposes has thus far dominated the process and direction of change. In Sweden, through processes of conversion, the policy tool has gained a more dominating influence over education policy. Accordingly, there was a stronger emphasis on MbOR in its original version in Sweden than in Norway, which has transformed and defined the concept in line with educational purposes. This article outlines two cases of institutional change that combine elements of lock in with new developments. In neither Norway nor Sweden was the development pushed further in the same trajectory, rather it was transformed and, in the case of Sweden, radically changed within a larger nationally specific framework of sequence of events, values, norms and traditions of policy making.
Scandinavian Corporatism in a Trans‐Atlantic Comparative Perspective
Authors: Pallesen Thomas
Published: May 2006

Although the concept of ‘neo‐corporatism’ has been around for 30 years, it has many different meanings. Nonetheless, evaluations of the level of corporatism in different countries turn out to be remarkably similar despite differences in the theoretical meaning of ‘corporatism’. That the Scandinavian countries are among the most corporatist countries and the United States the least is thus shared conventional wisdom among different corporatist schools. The conventional wisdom and its underlying conceptual pragmatism are challenged in this research. Empirically, it is demonstrated that the level of corporatism in the United States comes close to the level in Denmark if the Scandinavian ‘boards and commissions’ variant of the concept of ‘corporatism’ is applied. It can even be argued that the pattern of interest groups’ participation in boards and commissions in the United States is more in line with the corporatist idea that interest group involvement varies with the saliency of issues of the boards and commissions to interest group than it is the case in Denmark. The empirical findings of the study conflict with deeply rooted perceptions of the presence of corporatism in the United States and Scandinavia. How to make sense of similar levels of ‘Scandinavian’ corporatism in the United States and Denmark is discussed in the conclusion of the article.
Prison or Voluntary Cooperation? The Possibility of Withdrawal from the European Union
Authors: Berglund Sara
Published: May 2006

Can a Member State choose to leave the European Union (EU)? Are there provisions in the Treaties that establish a right to withdraw? What would the political and economic implications be? In this article, these questions are addressed. In a first step, the Treaties of the EU and the provisions of international law are consulted in order to clarify if a legal right to withdraw exists. The conclusion is that there is no guaranteed legal right to withdraw in the current situation, but the entering into force of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe would create such a right. However, a formal right to withdraw does not necessarily mean that leaving the EU is a real option, and therefore the political and economic sides of the issue are also examined. From the literature on secession and Europeanization, a number of issues that could arise in a case of withdrawal are identified – namely ‘fear of fragmentation’, ‘lost investment’, ‘costs’ and ‘the effects of Europeanization’. The extent to which these issues were of importance is examined in the only existing case of withdrawal: Greenland. Subsequently, an assessment is made of the extent to which these issues could form obstacles for a Member State that wishes to withdraw in the current situation. The main conclusion is that large economic costs and the constitutional changes that follow from EU membership could rule out withdrawal as a realistic option.
Survey Non-Response and the Duration of Unemployment
Authors: Van Den Berg Gerard J. , Lindeboom Maarten , Dolton Peter J.
Published: May 2006

Social surveys are often used to estimate unemployment duration distributions. Survey non-response may then cause a bias. We study this by using a data set that combines survey information of individual workers with administrative records of the same workers. The latter provide information on durations of unemployment and personal characteristics of all survey respondents and non-respondents. We develop a method to distinguish empirically between two explanations for a bias in results based on only survey data: selectivity due to related unobserved determinants of durations of unemployment and non-response and a causal effect of a job exit on non-response. The latter may occur even in fully homogeneous populations. The methodology exploits variation in the timing of the duration outcome relative to the survey moment. The results show evidence for both explanations. We discuss implications for standard methods to deal with non-response bias.
Responsive Design for Household Surveys: Tools for Actively Controlling Survey Errors and Costs
Authors: Groves Robert M. , Heeringa Steven G.
Published: May 2006

Over the past few years surveys have expanded to new populations, have incorporated measurement of new and more complex substantive issues and have adopted new data collection tools. At the same time there has been a growing reluctance among many household populations to participate in surveys. These factors have combined to present survey designers and survey researchers with increased uncertainty about the performance of any given survey design at any particular point in time. This uncertainty has, in turn, challenged the survey practitioner's ability to control the cost of data collection and quality of resulting statistics. The development of computer-assisted methods for data collection has provided survey researchers with tools to capture a variety of process data (‘paradata’) that can be used to inform cost–quality trade-off decisions in realtime. The ability to monitor continually the streams of process data and survey data creates the opportunity to alter the design during the course of data collection to improve survey cost efficiency and to achieve more precise, less biased estimates. We label such surveys as ‘responsive designs’. The paper defines responsive design and uses examples to illustrate the responsive use of paradata to guide mid-survey decisions affecting the non-response, measurement and sampling variance properties of resulting statistics.
The Children Act 2004 and Implications for Counselling in Schools in England and Wales
Authors: JENKINS PETER , POLAT FILIZ
Published: May 2006

A questionnaire survey of 607 secondary schools in England and Wales, carried out in 2003–4, provided initial information on counselling as being a decentralized, largely school‐based, demand‐led, non‐statutory, multi‐sourced form of provision. It was mainly school funded, broadly child‐centred and was provided by individual counsellors, who were directed by school managers in a loosely integrated manner. The advantages of school counselling were identified as benefiting individual pupils and as providing educational, behavioural and social benefits to the host school. The disadvantages were largely managerial and professional, i.e. related to resources and addressing the barriers to future service development.

The authors contrast this diverse, demand‐led model of counselling provision with the emerging profile of counselling, provided by multi‐agency teams, based in extended schools, which is promoted by the Green Paper, ‘Every Child Matters’. The community focus of such a model, and expectations of high levels of information sharing among professional staff with flexible role descriptions, are likely to present major challenges to existing role‐based forms of school counselling. Particular issues explored are the professional orientation of the service, confidentiality and relationship with other professions.
Does Every Child Know They Matter? Pupils' Views of One Alternative to Exclusion
Authors: HARRIS BELINDA , VINCENT KERRY , THOMSON PAT , TOALSTER RICHARD
Published: May 2006

Schools are now urged to make every child matter. In this paper we present the case of the Coalfields Alternatives to Exclusion (CATE) strategy in which pupils at risk of permanent exclusion are offered the opportunity to start afresh in a new school. Without the stigma of exclusion, pupils are able to develop new relationships with peers and teachers and enhance self‐esteem. We argue that this system of managed moves, despite some difficulties and challenges, offers an insight into the ways in which feelings of mattering can be translated into new behaviours and intentions. This we suggest provides pupils with a positive opportunity to resume their education and to be genuinely included in the life of their new school.
Sexualities Equality in Schools: Why Every Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT) Child Matters
Authors: BIDDULPH MAX
Published: May 2006

In an increasingly complex global society, schools frequently have to re‐examine their understanding of the social and cultural dimensions that constitute ‘community’. One such dimension is the sexual orientation of individuals who make up this group. Historically, this has been a difficult task, given the tension that exists between sexuality and education and the heteronormative practices within schools. Consequently, individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT), are thought to be LGBT or who are connected with the LGBT community, have frequently found themselves in a marginalized and vulnerable position. In the case of young people, the consequences of this include lowered self‐esteem, absenteeism, underachievement and, in some cases, suicide. Given the mantra that Every Child Matters, schools now have a strategic opportunity to formulate new responses in supporting this group. A key question in this article relates to the ways in which the dimensions of strategy can be integrated into ‘joined‐up’, effective action.
‘Do You Know Harry Potter? Well, He is an Orphan’: Every Bereaved Child Matters
Authors: HUNT KATHY
Published: May 2006

The needs of children who are experiencing loss in all its many guises including separation through divorce, death, war, to name but a few, are many and varied. Presenting issues may include emotional disturbance. In addition, many bereaved children have to cope with a vulnerability to physical illness. In some schools, children are offered counselling or specialist emotional and therapeutic support at times of bereavement. In this article, the author uses case‐study examples and autobiographical material, to suggest that child‐chosen play, art and children's literature can provide a vehicle for bereavement management and eventual resolution. The author argues that professionals involved in the care and education of children can work together to benefit grieving children.
The Europeanization of Higher Education: Markets, Politics or Learning?*
Authors: BACHE IAN
Published: May 2006

This article looks at increased European co‐operation in higher education, taking as its main case study the proposal for universities to adopt a common core curriculum for European studies. The article situates higher education co‐operation in the context of political and economic imperatives promoting ‘ever closer union’ and highlights immanent dangers for academic goals. However, it also identifies the scale of European co‐operation as an opportunity for national higher education actors to resist together what they may be unable to resist alone: namely, greater economic and political intrusion into academic life. Long term, this may prove crucial to the vitality of the European integration process.
Subregional Integration and EU Enlargement: Where Next for CEFTA?*
Authors: DANGERFIELD MARTIN
Published: May 2006

The fifth enlargement of the EU has necessitated various adjustments to the pan‐European trade and integration framework. This article discusses ways in which the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) has been affected by this process. What was CEFTA's role in the EU pre‐accession process? How did CEFTA downsizing affect trade arrangements between the enlarged EU and the remaining CEFTA members? Also, how realistic is the idea that the end of CEFTA's role in central Europe could be a prelude to its revitalization as a vehicle for multilateralization of trade arrangements in the south east European setting?
What Makes a Good EU Presidency? Italy and Ireland Compared*
Authors: QUAGLIA LUCIA , MOXON‐BROWNE EDWARD
Published: May 2006

What makes a ‘good’ EU presidency? A comparison between the two most recent Italian and Irish experiences in office can be instrumental in evaluating the crucial factors that affect presidency performance. The argument is developed in three main stages. Firstly, four key roles are selected in order to benchmark presidencies. Secondly, these roles are applied to the empirical record as criteria to devise a score‐card of the two presidencies under consideration. Thirdly, presidency‐specific factors are elicited and analysed, arguing that intangible assets, such as knowledge of EU affairs (process expertise, content expertise and information); political credibility and reputation; and general attitudes towards European integration, are crucial in performing the roles of president‐in‐office effectively and legitimately.
Eighteen years of saturation tagging data reveal a significant increase in nesting hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) on Long Island, Antigua
Authors: Richardson J. I. , Hall D. B. , Mason P. A. , Andrews K. M. , Bjorkland R. , Cai Y. , Bell R.
Published: May 2006

Hawksbill sea turtle Eretmochelys imbricata nesting on Long Island, Antigua, West Indies (also known as Jumby Bay) has been monitored since 1987. Although the numbers of nesting females remained relatively constant for the first 11 survey seasons (1987–1997), inclusion of more recent data (1998–2004) in the analysis reveals a statistically significant upward trend. In particular, neophytes have shown a significant upturn in numbers, whereas the remigrant subpopulation has remained stationary. This indicates that recruitment is driving the upward trend in the total number of nesters. Predictive models based on the Poisson distribution suggest that the neophyte subpopulation will continue to grow in size by an average of 10% per annum. Model‐based predictions and their limitations are discussed. The Jumby Bay Hawksbill Project, which has monitored and protected nesting hawksbills and their eggs since the project's onset, is one among several factors that may contribute to the recent increase in nesting females.
Sleep disruptions and emotional insecurity are pathways of risk for children
Authors: El‐Sheikh Mona , Buckhalt Joseph A. , Mark Cummings E. , Keller Peggy
Published: May 2006

Background:  Sleep problems are prevalent in American children. A critical need is to identify sources and processes related to sleep disruptions and their sequelae. We examined a model linking parental marital conflict and children's emotional insecurity, sleep disruptions, and their adjustment and academic problems.

Method:  One hundred and sixty‐six elementary school children reported on marital conflict and their emotional insecurity, the quantity and quality of children's sleep were examined through actigraphy, and parents and teachers reported on child functioning.

Results:  In the context of exposure to normative levels of marital conflict, children's emotional insecurity regarding their parents’ marital relationship is an intervening variable in the marital conflict–sleep disruptions link. In turn, disruptions in the quality and duration of children's sleep have a negative effect on children's behavioral, emotional, and academic performance.

Conclusions:  Findings highlight the importance of marital conflict and children's emotional insecurity as variables that can affect a fundamental aspect of biological regulation, sleep, which consequently influences children's adjustment and academic performance.
Improving library services for graduate nurse students in New Zealand
Authors: Honey Michelle , North Nicola , Gunn Cathy
Published: May 2006

Background:  Graduate students are expected to have basic information literacy skills. Knowing how to access and select relevant information and then utilize that information is a necessary skill in today's knowledge and information‐age world. In the health‐care sector, the rise in evidence‐based medicine has brought into focus the importance of information literacy skills for nurses. In the case described, information literacy skills are embedded in the curriculum and strengthened in collaboration with library staff.

Aims:  To identify graduate student nurses’ use of the library, and the library's response to findings.

Methods:  A case‐study approach was used with both quantitative and qualitative data. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to all nurses enrolled in graduate courses in the second semester of 2002. Interviews were then undertaken with library staff.

Results:  The university library services were not used by 43% of graduate nursing students and the library responded by developing a number of initiatives.

Conclusions:  Finding a deficit in use of the library by graduate nurses, this paper outlines the response by the library to improving awareness of services, access and providing education in a bid to improve literacy skills.
Evaluation of the KA24 (Knowledge Access 24) service for health‐ and social‐care staff in London and the south‐east of England. Part 1: quantitative
Authors: Cumbers Barbara , Urquhart Christine , Durbin Jane
Published: May 2006

Aims and objectives: This two‐part paper aims to identify the main transferable lessons learned from both the quantitative and qualitative evaluations of the Knowledge Access 24 (KA24) service of online databases and selected full‐text journals for health and social care staff in London and the south‐east of England. The quantitative evaluation analysed usage rates and user registration with the objective of measuring uptake by previously disadvantaged staff, and to inform the subsequent qualitative survey.

Methods: User and usage data were analysed by type of NHS Trust, by type of user, and by what was being used. The evaluation assessed development in user registration and usage of both databases and journals over a 2‐year period. Data were aggregated and analysed both monthly and quarterly.

Results: Usage levels increased, but uptake in both the mental health and primary care sectors was comparatively slow. Nurses and allied professionals used the service more than doctors. The increase in usage of full‐text journals over the usage of databases was marked.

Conclusions: Previously disadvantaged staff used electronic resources. A qualitative survey was needed to identify the main enablers and barriers to uptake.
Demonstrating the positive impact of information support on patient care in primary care: a rapid literature review
Authors: Bryant Sue Lacey , Gray Anne
Published: May 2006

Aim: To review the literature on the positive impact of information services, or information resources, on patient care in primary care.

Objectives: To identify and summarize key papers on which librarians might draw in making the case for investment, and to highlight gaps in the research evidence

Methodology: A rapid literature review was conducted in the summer of 2005.

Results: There is a small body of evidence to demonstrate the positive impact of library and information services on the direct care of patients as well as a beneficial impact on the care of future patients through the application of evidence to multiple patients.

Conclusions: There is relatively limited research evidence of the impact of information, and library services, in primary care, in comparison with hospital settings and the research available is generally reliant on small samples. There is a lack of impact studies conducted with non‐clinical staff. The review highlights the value of critical incident technique (CIT). It is possible to gather evidence of the potential for information services to deliver cost savings.
The Evaluation of a Sexual Assault Self-Defense and Risk-Reduction Program for College Women: A Prospective Study
Authors: Gidycz Christine A. , Rich Cindy L. , Orchowski Lindsay , King Carrie , Miller Audrey K.
Published: May 2006

The present study evaluated the efficacy of a sexual assault risk-reduction program that included a physical self-defense component for college women ( N = 500). Program group women significantly increased their protective behaviors over the 6-month follow-up period compared to the waiting-list control group. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding rates of sexual victimization, assertive communication, or feelings of self-efficacy over the follow-up periods. Program group women who were victimized during the 3-month follow-up period evidenced less self-blame and greater offender blame for their assaults than control group women who were victimized following the program. Given that program women evidenced a greater awareness of sexual assault at the end of the study than control group women, the difficulty in addressing the impact of programming on rates of sexual victimization is discussed.
Dilemmatic Negotiations: The (UN)Tenability of Feminist Identity
Authors: Quinn Julie E. A. , Radtke H. Lorraine
Published: May 2006

We explored how women talk about feminism and feminists and position themselves in relation to a feminist identity within a conversational setting. Nine pairs of female graduate and senior undergraduate students talked about feminism in sessions lasting 60 minutes. Sessions were analyzed using discourse analysis. Participants positioned themselves in multiple ways in relation to feminism. Notably, a feminist subject position was both difficult to take up and difficult to reject. In resolving the dilemma, to be or not to be feminist, participants drew on three interpretative repertoires: a liberal version emphasizing equality and rights, an extremist version emphasizing undesirable extremism, and a lifestyle feminist version entailing being feminist by virtue of how one lives. We discuss the implications of this multiplicity for conceptualizing feminist identity and for feminism as a political project.
The Relations Among Feminist Identity Development, Gender-Role Orientation, and Psychological Well-Being in Women
Authors: Saunders Kendra J. , Kashubeck-West Susan
Published: May 2006

This study examined relations between feminist identity development, gender-role orientation, and psychological well-being in 244 women of varying ages and backgrounds. As hypothesized, both feminist identity development and gender-role orientation contributed independently to the explanation of variance in psychological well-being. Instrumentality, expressiveness, and a more developed feminist identity were all related positively to psychological well-being. In addition, instrumentality and a more developed feminist identity were correlated positively. Implications of these findings as well as limitations and future directions are discussed.
Metalloproteinase‐9 in circulating monocytes in pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Cantini‐Salignac Caroline , Lartaud Isabelle , Schrijen Francine , Atkinson Jeffrey , Chabot François
Published: May 2006

The role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in pulmonary hypertension (PH) is complex as MMPs are involved in both the vascular and cardiac remodelling associated with PH. To gain insight into this problem, monocytes were isolated from pulmonary arterial blood in patients suffering from PH, related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 6), chronic pulmonary thromboembolism (n = 3) or pulmonary arterial hypertension (n = 8). The severity of PH was associated with decreases in cardiac index (CI) and mixed venous blood oxygen saturation (SO2), and an increase in right atrial pressure (). Monocyte pro‐MMP‐9 content (zymography) was positively correlated with SO2 (r = 0.73, P < 0.05) and CI (r = 0.66, P < 0.05), and negatively with (r = 0.54, P < 0.05); there was no significant correlation with pulmonary vascular resistance. In conclusion, the pro‐MMP‐9 content of circulating monocytes was lower in the more severe forms of PH which showed heart failure suggesting that such MMP enzymatic activity reflects heart failure following pulmonary vascular and myocardial remodelling in PH.
Metabolic normalization of α‐ketoglutarate against N‐nitrosodiethylamine‐induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats
Authors: Dakshayani K.B. , Subramanian P. , Manivasagam T. , Mohamed Essa M.
Published: May 2006

Chemoprevention of cancer is one of the reliable approaches to control the incidence of cancer. In the present study, we investigated the chemopreventive role of α‐ketoglutarate (α‐KG) during N‐nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)‐induced hepatocarcinogenesis. The activities of serum aspartate and alanine transaminases were found to be significantly higher in NDEA + CCl4‐treated animals when compared with control animals. Administration of α‐KG restored the activities of transaminases to near normal range. The levels of lipid peroxides, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were decreased in the liver tissue of NDEA + CCl4‐treated animals when compared with control animals. α‐KG reversed the lipid peroxide levels to near normal range. Levels of antioxidants, reduced glutathione and activities of its dependent enzymes, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione‐S‐transferase were found to be significantly higher in liver tissue of NDEA + CCl4‐treated animals when compared with control animals. α‐KG administration positively modulated the antioxidant levels to near normal range. In conclusion, it can be suggested that α‐KG exerts chemopreventive role which may attributable to its ability to positively modulate the transaminase activities and oxidant–antioxidant imbalance during hepatocarcinogenesis.
ONTOGENY AND RELATIONSHIPS OF THE TRILOBITE PSEUDOPETIGURUS PRANTL AND PŘIBYL
Authors: WENWEI YUAN , FORTEY RICHARD A. , TURVEY SAMUEL T.
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  The ontogeny of Pseudopetigurus deprati Turvey et al., 2006 from the Ordovician Dawan Formation (Arenigian), Anhui Province, South China, is described. The presence of an anterior cranidial border in Pseudopetigurus is recognized for the first time. On account of the short (tr.), spindle‐shaped anterior border, and the distinct, steeply inclined, wall‐like pygidial margin, Pseudopetigurus is assigned to the family Dimeropygidae, the first genus of this family endemic to Gondwana. It has previously been regarded as a member of family Isocolidae. Cladistic analysis of species assigned to Dimeropygidae supports the monophyly of a clade including Dimeropyge, Dimeropygiella, Ischyrotoma, Pseudohystricurus and Pseudopetigurus, which may represent a subfamily Dimeropyginae. The distribution of Dimeropyginae shows a predominantly palaeotropical distribution, while the Gondwana Pseudopetigurus must have diverged from the dimeropygine common ancestor in pre‐Arenigian time.
A NEW ELASMOBRANCH ASSEMBLAGE FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF THAILAND
Authors: CAPPETTA HENRI , BUFFETAUT ERIC , CUNY GILLES , SUTEETHORN VARAVUDH
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  The discovery of a new elasmobranch assemblage from the Lower Cretaceous of Thailand allows expansion of the faunal list and refinement of our knowledge of the dental morphological features of some previously described taxa. The root morphology of Thaiodus is now known and a more complete description of the dentition of the genus Heteroptychodus, known formerly by a single tooth from Japan, is given. A new genus and species, Acrorhizodus khoratensis, characterized by teeth of very special morphology is described. Besides these taxa, some teeth of a genus probably close to Hybodus, but with more bulbous teeth, are present. Owing to the sedimentological characters of the deposits and the associated fauna (dinosaurs), it is probable that this elasmobranch fauna lived in a freshwater or brackish environment. The simultaneous occurrence of teeth of Heteroptychodus in Thailand and Japan favours the existence of a large continental area in south‐east Asia during the Early Cretaceous.
Anatomizing the early‐modern eye: a literary case‐study
Authors: Langley Eric F.
Published: May 2006

This article discusses developments in early‐modern literary and scientific conceptions of vision, examining the effect that anatomical discoveries had upon aesthetic representations of the eye. Analysing both scientific and poetic texts, I illustrate features of the period's depictions of the visual member, before moving into an extended discussion of Phineas Fletcher's somatic epic, The Purple Island. Fletcher's text, heavily aestheticised and scientifically informed, provides an opportunity to display anatomical innovation impacting upon traditional poetic motifs of the eyebeam. Contributing to current debate concerning Renaissance science, this article engages with the increasing critical interest in the previously neglected work of Fletcher.
Pietro Aretino, religious writer
Authors: Waddington Raymond B.
Published: May 2006

Although Pietro Aretino's vernacular biblical paraphrases and saints’ lives were popular and greatly admired in the sixteenth century, modern scholarship often has dismissed them as commercial potboilers. This study presents the case that Aretino was a serious reformer in religion and possibly a Nicodemite. It traces his long relationship with Antonio Brucioli, who was an important conduit of Protestant writings and whose reformist Bible translation enabled Aretino's paraphrases. Relying on their letters, it examines Aretino's friendship with Pier Paolo Vergerio and his attraction to Bernardino Ochino, both of whom became apostates, and his reaction to the arrest of his confessor for having Lutheran sympathies. Aretino's biblical paraphrases were esteemed in Italian reformist circles and translated into French by a prior attached to Marguerite of Navarre's court. In England Sir Thomas Wyatt based his Lutheran Penitential Psalms on Aretino's I sette Salmi.
Preterm outcome table (POT): A simple tool to aid counselling parents of very preterm infants
Authors: BOLISETTY Srinivas , BAJUK Barbara , ME Abdel‐Latif , VINCENT Trina , SUTTON Lee , LUI Kei
Published: May 2006

Background:  Outcome figures published in scientific journals are often cumbersome and difficult to understand by parents during counselling before or immediately after a very premature birth.

Aim:  To provide simplified up‐to‐date outcome information in a table for ease of counselling.

Methods:  Regional perinatal mortality rates for very premature births (23–31 weeks gestation) and incidence of significant neonatal events for those admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) were obtained from the NSW Midwives Data Collection, ACT Maternal and Perinatal Data Collection and the NSW and ACT NICUS Data Collection for 2000 and 2001. Neurodevelopmental outcome was obtained for the same cohort at 2–3 years of age, corrected for prematurity. The percentage outcomes were rounded off to the closest conservative multiple of 5 for each data point in a table.

Results:  The preterm outcome table (POT) for each gestational week was constructed from a total of 2315 births. Of these, 401 (17.3%) were reported as stillborn and were predominantly of 23 to 25 weeks gestation. Of those admitted to NICU, hospital survival rates were 30, 50, 65, 75, 80, 90 and > 95% for 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28–29 and 30–31 weeks, respectively. Neurodevelopmental outcome was available for 470 (75%) children, of whom 15% had a moderate to severe functional disability at 2–3 years of age, corrected for prematurity. Simplified data on survival to discharge and outcome were tabulated.

Conclusion:  POT appears simple and easy to use but also provides realistic data to assist clinicians in the counselling process.
Women's and health professionals’ preferences for prenatal testing for Down syndrome in Australia
Authors: LEWIS Sharon M. , CULLINANE Fiona M. , CARLIN John B. , HALLIDAY Jane L.
Published: May 2006

Aim:  To describe and compare women's and health professionals’ preferences for prenatal screening tests for Down syndrome.

Design:  Cross‐sectional questionnaire survey.

Participants and setting:  Women (n = 322) attending for a glucose challenge test at 26 weeks gestation and health professionals (266 midwives and 34 obstetricians) at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, between 13 December 2002 and 30 April 2003.

Outcome measures:  The relative value participants attach to attributes of Down syndrome screening tests as determined by conjoint analysis and ranking scales.

Results:  Women and health professionals shared similar relative values regarding the importance of detection rate of screening tests, according to coefficients from conjoint analysis models. However, health professionals placed higher relative values on timing of prenatal tests and risk associated with the subsequent diagnostic test than did women. Comparison of coefficients suggests that, compared with health professionals, women would wait longer and accept a greater decrease in detection rate for a test if it was safer. Using the more traditional ranking scale, the safest test was ranked first by 56% of women while 47% of health professionals ranked a test with the highest detection rate first. Equal proportions (∼10%) in both groups ranked the earliest test first.

Conclusion:  There is a general agreement between pregnant women and health professionals regarding the relative importance they attach to different attributes of a test. However, health professionals appeared to favour earlier timing of tests while women placed greater emphasis on safety. Utilising two different measures of preference demonstrated the complexity of decision‐making.
Clinicians’ evaluations of fetal oximetry sensor placement in a multicentre randomised trial (the FOREMOST trial)
Authors: EAST Christine E. , BRENNECKE Shaun P. , CHAN Fung Yee , KING James F. , BELLER Elaine M. , COLDITZ Paul B.
Published: May 2006

Background:  Fetal pulse oximetry (FPO) may improve the assessment of the fetal well‐being in labour. Reports of health‐care provider's evaluations of new technology are important in the overall evaluation of that technology.

Aims:  To determine doctors’ and midwives’ perceptions of their experience placing FPO sensors.

Methods:  We surveyed clinicians (midwives and doctors) following placement of a FPO sensor during the FOREMOST trial (multicentre randomised trial of fetal pulse oximetry). Clinicians rated ease of sensor placement (poor, fair, good and excellent). Potential influences on ease of sensor placement (staff category, prior experience in Birth Suite, prior experience in placing sensors, epidural analgesia, cervical dilatation and fetal station) were examined by ordinal regression.

Results:  There were 281 surveys returned for the 294 sensor placement attempts (response rate 96%). Sensors were placed by midwives (29%), research midwives (48%), registrars (22%) and obstetricians (1%). The majority of clinicians had 1 or more years’ Birth Suite experience, had placed six or more sensors previously, and rated ease of sensor placement as good. Advancing fetal station (P < 0.001) and the presence of epidural analgesia prior to sensor placement (P = 0.029) predicted improved ease of sensor placement. Having a clinician placing a sensor for the first time predicted a lower rating for ease of sensor placement (P = 0.001), compared to having placed one or more sensors previously.

Conclusions:  Clinicians with varying levels of Birth Suite experience successfully placed fetal oxygen saturation sensors, with the majority rating ease of sensor placement as good.
Male‐to‐female transsexualism: Laparoscopic pelvic floor repair of prolapsed neovagina
Authors: CONDOUS George , JONES Robert , LAM Alan M.
Published: May 2006

The incidence of prolapse of the neovagina after male‐to‐female gender reassignment surgery is unknown. We present the first case of laparoscopic total pelvic floor repair in a male‐to‐female transsexual. This surgical procedure combined an understanding of the anatomy of the male pelvis with the principles of laparoscopic pelvic floor repair in the XX female.
A retrospective review of self‐reported alcohol intake among women attending for antenatal care in Far North Queensland
Authors: RIMMER Claire , DE COSTA Caroline
Published: May 2006

Background:  Fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder are known to occur among children delivered to women in Far North Queensland; to date, the problem has not been quantified or related directly to maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Aims:  To identify the characteristics of women who consume alcohol during pregnancy, in order to identify ‘high‐risk’ women to whom educational intervention regarding fetal alcohol syndrome may be targeted.

Methods:  A retrospective descriptive study using the case notes of all women attending the antenatal booking clinic in Cairns Base Hospital over the 3‐month period from April to June 2005. Obstetric and demographic information and self‐reported alcohol intake before and during pregnancy were noted and self‐reported alcohol intake before and during pregnancy.

Results:  Five hundred and forty‐one women were included in this study. Of these women, 24.6% were found to consume alcohol during pregnancy and 57.7% were found to consume alcohol before pregnancy, indicating a reduction in alcohol consumed once women became aware of pregnancy. The most significant indicator for alcohol consumption during pregnancy was found to be alcohol consumption before pregnancy. Of women who consumed alcohol in pregnancy, 71.5% drank moderate amounts of alcohol before pregnancy and 28.7% drank heavily before pregnancy.

Conclusion:  Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is common in Far North Queensland. Methods currently used during antenatal booking visits to determine alcohol consumption before and during pregnancy are unreliable. Strategies to identify women consuming alcohol before and during pregnancy and education programs are vitally important if the incidence of fetal alcohol syndrome and spectrum disorder is to be reduced.
Ultrasound localisation and removal of non‐palpable Implanon implants
Authors: JAMES Phillip , TRENERY John
Published: May 2006

Background:  Implanon is the trade name for a contraceptive implant that releases etonogestrel over a 3‐year period. The rod is inserted into the subdermis of the upper arm. The implant should be palpable and easily removed through a small incision.

Aims:  To determine whether ultrasound is an accurate means of localising and guiding removal of non‐palpable Implanon implants.

Methods:  All patients referred to The Northern Hospital, between March 2002 and October 2005, for localisation and/or removal of their non‐palpable Implanon implants were included in this study. Ultrasound was used to locate the implants, the implant was considered localised when a linear echogenic rod with posterior acoustic shadowing was identified. When removal of the implant was requested and the implant was clear of neurovascular structures, blunt dissection was performed under ultrasound control and the implant was extracted. If the implant was considered too close to major neurovascular structures, the position of the implant was marked and the patient was referred for surgical removal.

Results:  Thirty‐four women were included in the study. In 33 patients the implant was identified. In one patient no implant was found and its absence was confirmed by serum assay. Twenty‐four patients were referred for implant removal. In 20 patients the implant was successfully removed under ultrasound guidance. In the other four patients the implant was close to neurovascular structures. The position of the implants was marked and surgical removal was successfully performed.

Conclusion:  Ultrasound is highly accurate at localising and guiding removal of non‐palpable Implanon implants.
Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in pregnant urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in northern Australia
Authors: PANARETTO Kathryn S. , LEE Heather M. , MITCHELL Melvina R. , LARKINS Sarah L. , MANESSIS Vivienne , BUETTNER Petra G. , WATSON David
Published: May 2006

Objective:  To assess the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in a cohort of pregnant urban Indigenous women and association of STI with preterm birth, low birthweight birth and perinatal mortality.

Design:  Prospective intervention program in a cohort of women attending Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Services (TAIHS) for shared antenatal care between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2003 incorporating routine screening for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, hepatitis B and syphilis.

Setting:  Townsville is a provincial urban centre with a regional Indigenous population of over 16 000.

Participants:  Four hundred and fifty‐six pregnant women who were screened for bacterial STI and other viral infections.

Main outcome measures:  Prevalence of STI, associated risk factors and perinatal outcomes.

Results:  Of the 456 women, 403 (88.4%) were screened for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomonas and 432 (94.7%) were screened for syphilis. A total of 92 cases of STI (20.2%, 95% CI 16.5–23.9) were detected, with 21 concurrent infection(s). The overall prevalence of chlamydia was 14.4%, gonorrhoea 6.1%, trichomoniasis 7.2% and infectious syphilis 2.5%. Predictors for STI were young age, harmful/hazardous alcohol use and unwanted pregnancy. Low birthweight and perinatal death were significantly associated with the presence of STI and infectious syphilis during pregnancy.

Conclusion:  The prevalence of STI among pregnant women in this urban Indigenous community is high, suggesting that screening for STI should be included in all antenatal care protocols for Indigenous women in Australia. Strategies to reach the whole Indigenous community of child‐bearing age, especially those aged less than 25 years, are needed to improve perinatal outcome.
Intrauterine growth restriction and the proliferation of smooth muscle cells in umbilical vessels
Authors: YOSHIMATSU Jun , GOTO Kiyomi , NASU Kaei , NARAHARA Hisashi , MIYAKAWA Isao
Published: May 2006

Aims:  The purpose of this study was to investigate the proliferation of smooth muscle cells in umbilical vessels of fetuses affected by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and to compare the findings with gestational age‐matched control cases.

Methods:  Sixty umbilical cords from fetuses at 36–37 weeks gestation were examined. Fetuses were divided into three groups: group I, appropriate for dates birthweight; group II, IUGR with reassuring fetal status; and group III, IUGR with abnormal umbilical Doppler waveforms. Umbilical cords were immunostained with an antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki‐67; stained smooth muscle cells were subsequently counted. Smooth muscle cell density was determined by counting the total number of cells in a representative area of vessel wall and the wall thickness of each vessel was also measured.

Results:  Proliferation marker‐positive cells were increased in the umbilical vessels of group II compared to group I, and there were more proliferating smooth muscle cells in the umbilical vessels of group III compared to the other two groups. The umbilical vessels of group III showed the highest smooth muscle cell density, but the wall thickness of all vessels was significantly thinner in group III than the other two groups.

Conclusions:  This study showed overproliferation of smooth muscle cells in the umbilical vessel walls associated with IUGR. It is hypothesised that hypoxia might induce this overproliferation given the further proliferation in IUGR fetuses with abnormal umbilical Doppler waveforms. Coexistence of a high cell density and lean vessel walls suggests small smooth muscle cells in umbilical vessels with IUGR.
Human papillomavirus infection: An old disease, a new vaccine
Authors: GILES Michelle , GARLAND Suzanne
Published: May 2006

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is common and causes a wide spectrum of disease. With recent advances in the development of prophylactic HPV vaccines, it is likely that these will be licensed for use in the near future. This review focuses on the science behind HPV vaccines, published clinical trial results for both prophylactic and therapeutic HPV vaccines, important issues relevant to implementation and cost‐effectiveness models of HPV vaccination programs. It may be that an HPV vaccine that protects against the complications of HPV infection such as cervical cancer will be one of the most significant public health initiatives of this decade.
Identification and characterisation of human endometrial stem/progenitor cells
Authors: GARGETT Caroline E.
Published: May 2006

The human endometrium is a dynamic, cyclically regenerating tissue. Because adult stem cells are present in other regenerative tissues, a clonal analysis of purified endometrial epithelial and stromal cells derived from hysterectomy tissue was undertaken, as a first attempt to identify and characterise endometrial stem/progenitor cells. Rare populations of epithelial and stromal cells were clonogenic. Only those cells initiating large clones, 0.09% of epithelial cells and 0.02% of stromal cells, are likely to be endometrial stem/progenitor cells.
Asset Float and Speculative Bubbles
Authors: HONG HARRISON , SCHEINKMAN JOSÉ , XIONG WEI
Published: May 2006

We model the relationship between asset float (tradeable shares) and speculative bubbles. Investors with heterogeneous beliefs and short‐sales constraints trade a stock with limited float because of insider lockups. A bubble arises as price overweighs optimists' beliefs and investors anticipate the option to resell to those with even higher valuations. The bubble's size depends on float as investors anticipate an increase in float with lockup expirations and speculate over the degree of insider selling. Consistent with the internet experience, the bubble, turnover, and volatility decrease with float and prices drop on the lockup expiration date.
Analysts' Selective Coverage and Subsequent Performance of Newly Public Firms
Authors: DAS SOMNATH , GUO RE‐JIN , ZHANG HUAI
Published: May 2006

This study examines the ability of analysts to forecast future firm performance, based on the selective coverage of newly public firms. We hypothesize that the decision to provide coverage contains information about an analyst's underlying expectation of a firm's future prospects. We extract this expectation by obtaining residual analyst coverage from a model of initial analyst following. We document that in the three subsequent years, initial public offerings with high residual coverage have significantly better returns and operating performance than those with low residual coverage. This evidence indicates analysts have superior predictive abilities and selectively provide coverage for firms about which their true expectations are favorable.