bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalência de fissuras labiopalatais no município de Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, 1999-2004
Authors: Nunes Luiz Maurício Nogueira , Queluz Dagmar de Paula , Pereira Antonio Carlos
Published: June 2007

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência de fissuras labiopalatais no município de Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, Brasil, em crianças nascidas entre 01/01/1999 e 31/12/2004. Foram considerados a faixa etária, tipo de fissura, sexo e raça da criança, além do estado civil, grau de escolaridade e procedência da mãe do portador na época do parto. Deste modo, foram verificados os prontuários de pacientes inscritos em serviços de referência em tratamento de anomalias craniofaciais, com o objetivo de selecionar os nascidos e/ou domiciliados no município de Campos dos Goytacazes. Após seleção inicial, foi realizada busca no Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC), definindo o universo do estudo, a saber: nascidos vivos entre 1999 e 2004, cujas mães eram residentes em Campos dos Goytacazes. Neste período, o número de nascidos no município, por residência da mãe, foi de 46.707, dos quais 63 possuíam algum tipo de fissura labiopalatal, representando uma prevalência de 1,35 casos por 1000 nascidos vivos. A análise dos dados revelou que 55,6% dos pacientes eram do sexo masculino. Os tipos de fissuras mais encontrados foram o de lábio e palato e o de palato isolado (34,9% cada). Embora a raça branca tenha representado 61,3% dos indivíduos estudados, o percentual de casos por raça não diferiu estatisticamente em relação à distribuição de nascidos na população. Com relação à mãe do portador, a maior parte das mães era solteira ou casada, possuindo como característica o baixo grau de escolaridade.
Placental mesenchymal dysplasia associated with fetal overgrowth and mosaic deletion of the maternal copy of 11p15.5
Authors: Robinson W.P. , Slee J. , Smith N. , Murch A. , Watson S. K. , Lam W.L. , McFadden D.E.
Published: June 2007

Placentae with mesenchymal dysplasia (PMD) are typically larger than average and show cystic areas on ultrasonography. Fetal outcomes are variable and are often associated with growth restriction. However, enigmatically, some associated fetuses show signs of Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS). PMD has recently been shown to result from androgenetic (complete paternal uniparental disomy) chimerism in the placenta in pregnancies that were associated with some fetal growth restriction. Cases of PMD associated with overgrowth have not previously been investigated molecularly. We present a case of focal PMD associated with a male fetus showing overgrowth with an enlarged heart, marked fetal ascites and intrauterine fetal death at 34 weeks, but no other BWS manifestations. Mosaicism for an unbalanced translocation leading to deletion of the maternal copy of the BWS region on 11p15.5 and partial duplication of 17q was observed in placenta, but not fetal samples. While the placental findings of PMD can be caused by an unbalanced dosage of genes in 11p15.5 alone, fetal growth parameters appear to depend on the underlying mechanism and likely also the level and distribution of abnormal cells. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of composition and component structure on thermal behavior and miscibility of polypropylene catalloys
Authors: Shangguan Yonggang , Tao Liyang , Zheng Qiang
Published: June 2007

The thermal behavior and the miscibility of an in‐situ polypropylene blend named polypropylene catalloys (PP‐cats) were investigated by using modulated differential scanning calorimeter (MDSC). It is found that all PP‐cats samples present two glass transitions, one of which is ascribed to the ethylene‐propylene random copolymer (EPR), and the other, to isotactic polypropylene (PP). However, no glass transition of ethylene‐propylene block copolymer (E‐b‐P) responsible for a third component in PP‐cats could be found. With the increase of EPR, the glass transition temperatures responding to PP and EPR components, Tg, PP and Tg, EPR, shift to low temperature, because of the enhancement of the interaction between PP and EPR component and the increase of ethylene content in EPR, respectively. Furthermore, the difference between Tg, PP and Tg, EPR remarkably decreases with the increase of the total ethylene content in PP‐cats, which indicates that the miscibility of PP‐cats is strongly dependent on the composition. Comparing the Tg, PP and Tg, EPR with Tg of fractionated PP and EPR, we ascribe the Tg change of PP fraction to the increase of EPR content; while that of EPR, to the increase of ethylene content in EPR. These experimental results suggest that the existence of E‐b‐P plays an important role in improving the miscibility between propylene homopolymer and EPR in PP‐cats. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Preparation and evaluation of a vancomycin‐immobilized silica monolith as chiral stationary phase for CEC
Authors: Dong Xiaoli , Dong Jing , Ou Junjie , Zhu Yan , Zou Hanfa
Published: June 2007

Enantiomeric separations in CEC with the macrocyclic antibiotic vancomycin immobilized silica monolith as a chiral stationary phase are presented. The monolithic silica capillary columns were prepared by a sol–gel process in fused‐silica capillaries with an inner diameter of 50 μm and subsequently in situ immobilization of vancomycin as a chiral selector by reductive amination. Enantioselectivity was obtained for eight pairs of enantiomers in nonaqueous polar organic or aqueous mobile phases and most of them were baseline‐separated with high column efficiencies. It was observed that the organic modifier ratio (MeOH/ACN) in the polar organic mobile phase played a significant role in controlling the resolution and efficiency of the enantiomers. In enantiomeric separation of propranolol, repeatability for column efficiency and resolution in the nonaqueous mobile phase was given in terms of RSD values at 1.1 and 2.3% (n = 5) for run‐to‐run injections and 7.2 and 9.6% (n = 5) for column‐to‐column testing while repeatability for the separation of thalidomide in the aqueous mobile phase was given in terms of RSD values at 1.5, 2.8% and 6.1, 10.5%, respectively.
Enantioseparation of chiral tropa alkaloids by means of cyclodextrin‐modified microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography
Authors: Bitar Yaser , Holzgrabe Ulrike
Published: June 2007

CD‐modified microemulsion EKC as a CE technique has been applied to the chiral separation of atropine, scopolamine, ipratropium and homatropine. Enantioseparations of these tropa alkaloids were optimized by using a standard oil‐in‐water (O/W) microemulsion and varying the nature and concentration of CD additives as well as of the organic modifier (methanol, 2‐propanol or ACN) whilst keeping the applied voltage of 15 kV and capillary temperature of 30°C constant. The standard (O/W) microemulsion BGE solution consisted of 0.8% w/w octane, 6.6% w/w 1‐butanol, 2.0% w/w SDS and 90.6% w/w 10 mM sodium tetraborate buffer (pH 9.2). Enantioseparations with high resolution and short migration times of all tropa alkaloids were achieved by using heptakis(2,3‐di‐O‐methyl‐6‐O‐sulfo)‐β‐CD and sulfated β‐CD in the microemulsion BGE and were superior to corresponding CD‐modified CE methods.
Supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the central nervous system frequently harbor deletions of the CDKN2A locus and other genomic aberrations distinct from medulloblastomas
Authors: Pfister Stefan , Remke Marc , Toedt Grischa , Werft Wiebke , Benner Axel , Mendrzyk Frank , Wittmann Andrea , Devens Frauke , von Hoff Katja , Rutkowski Stefan , Kulozik Andreas , Radlwimmer Bernhard , Scheurlen Wolfram , Lichter Peter , Korshunov Andrey
Published: June 2007

Supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors (stPNETs) and medulloblastomas have long been thought to arise from a common cell type in the subventricular germinal matrix. Because of the infrequent occurrence of stPNETs, little is known about their genetic background. Here, we performed a genome‐wide screening for DNA copy‐number aberrations in 10 supratentorial PNETs using array‐based comparative genomic hybridization (array‐CGH). Comparing our findings with data from a previous array‐CGH study on 47 medulloblastomas, we identified differences in the frequency of copy‐number losses at chromosome regions 1p12‐22.1 and 9p, and gains at 19p, all of them more frequently occurring in stPNETs. In contrast to previous reports, we detected chromosome 17 aberrations by array‐CGH in 2/10 stPNETs. To validate our findings obtained by array‐CGH, we analyzed the loci of interest by fluorescence in situ hybridization in an independent set of 11 stPNETs and found deletions of 9p21 in 5/11 tumors of the second set, three of them being homozygous. All 9p21 deletions were associated with loss of CDKN2A protein expression. Altogether, CDKN2A deletions were detected in 7/21 stPNETs including four homozygous deletions, whereas such deletions were only found in 4/112 medulloblastomas, all of these being heterozygous (P < 0.001). Gains of 19p (14% vs. 0% in medulloblastomas, P = 0.02) were found to be significantly more frequent in stPNETs, whereas gains of 17q (14% vs. 45% in medulloblastomas, P = 0.02) were confirmed to be more frequent in medulloblastomas. These data further support the hypothesis of two different tumor entities of embryonal neuroepithelial tumors with characteristic genetic aberrations. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Performance of the general circulation HadAM3P model in simulating circulation types over the Mediterranean region
Authors: Anagnostopoulou CHR. , Tolika K. , Maheras P. , Kutiel H. , Flocas H. A.
Published: June 2007

The capability of the general circulation model(GCM) Hadley Center atmospheric general circulation model 3P (HadAM3P) to reproduce the mean pattern and the frequency of circulation types concerning the 500 hPa geopotential height fields and 1000–500 hPa thickness fields over Europe and the Mediterranean region are evaluated against the NCEP/NCAR dataset for the period 1960–1990. Daily catalogues of the circulation types describing the regional circulation over Greece at the 500 hPa and 1000–500 hPa thickness fields are constructed based on the two datasets, and the corresponding seasonal frequencies are also estimated. The evaluation is performed for the mean seasonal fields of the two parameters, as well as for those derived for each circulation type separately. It is demonstrated that the HadAM3P model generally succeeds in reproducing the two fields over the examined area, while their seasonal variability is underestimated. The mean patterns of the circulation types are well represented by the model but the seasonal simulated frequencies of the circulation types are not in good agreement with the national centers for environmental predictions (NCEP) ones. The systematic errors of the frequency estimation and the variability in some anticyclonic or cyclonic types should be considered seriously, because it can introduce some degree of uncertainty in the results of a downscaling method based on a circulation type approach. Nevertheless, the links between the precipitation, temperature and circulation types frequency seem to hold in the GCMs. It is therefore safe to use the frequencies of circulation types as predictor in a downscaling technique in order to obtain future precipitation and temperature. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Determinants of small trading companies' performance in high‐tech industries
Authors: Li Lee , Ng Peggy , Gaber Brian
Published: June 2007

Small trading companies in high‐tech industries have experienced increasingly high failure rates in the last decade. Their threats result from the prevalence of the Internet, short product life cycles, frequent product replacements, and high inventory risks. This study explores the strategies adopted by small trading companies to survive competition in high‐tech industries. Findings from this study suggest that small trading companies in high‐tech industries should operate in a variety of markets and product lines, focus on manufacturers that adopt differential pricing policy, provide customers with bundles of products and complementary services, and continuously innovate new methods of distribution or transactions. These strategies help small trading companies sustain their value‐adding contributions in the distribution process. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Old technology meets new technology: complementarities, similarities, and alliance formation
Authors: Rothaermel Frank T. , Boeker Warren
Published: June 2007

Alliance formation is commonplace in many high‐technology industries experiencing radical technological change, where established firms use alliances with new entrants to adapt to technological change, while new entrants benefit from the ability of established players to commercialize the new technology. Despite the prevalence of these alliances, we know little about how these firms choose to ally with specific firms given the range of possible partners they may choose from. This study explores factors that lead to alliance formation between pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. We focus on the alliance tie as the unit of analysis and argue that dyadic complementarities and similarities directly influence alliance formation. We then introduce a contingency model in which the positive effect of complementarities and similarities on alliance formation is moderated by the age of the new technology firm. We draw theoretical attention to the intersection between levels of analysis, in particular, the intersection between dyadic and firm‐level constructs. We find that a pharmaceutical and a biotechnology firm are more likely to enter an alliance based on complementarities when the biotechnology firm is younger. Another noteworthy finding is that proxies for broad capabilities appear to be at least as effective, if not more so, in predicting alliance formation compared to fine‐grained science and technology‐related indicators, like patent cross‐citations or patent common citations. We conclude by suggesting that future studies on alliance formation need to take into account interactions across levels; for example, how dyadic capabilities interact with firm‐level factors, and the advantages and disadvantages of more or less fine‐grained measures of organizational capabilities. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chlamydia screening: the role of general practice
Authors: Emmett, Lynsey , Battison Teresa , Clarke, Janette
Published: June 2007

The English National Chlamydia Screening Programme is an important public health intervention that has the potential to make a substantial difference to the sexual health of young people. The authors outline practical ways in which general practice can help to make this a reality. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd
Scaled Quantum Mechanical Force Fields for the CF3SX Molecules (X = H, F, Cl, Br, I)
Authors: Ledesma A. E. , Brandán S. A. , Varetti E. L. , Ben Altabef A.
Published: June 2007

Density functional theory calculations at different levels of theory were performed on the molecules of the series CF3SX (X = H, F, Cl, Br, I) in order to obtain their optimized geometric parameters and conformations, the wavenumbers corresponding to the normal modes of vibrations and the associated force constants. The obtained force fields were transformed to local symmetry coordinates and scaled to reproduce the experimental wavenumbers.
Divine Causality and the Monarchy of God the Father in Gregory of Nazianzus
Authors: Beeley Christopher A.
Published: June 2007

Gregory Nazianzen's doctrine of the Trinity has had a most unusual reception in modern times. Since the Council of Chalcedon in 451 Gregory has been honored with the title “the Theologian” for his definitive teaching on the Trinity in the late-fourth century. His influence was then strongly felt in the christological developments that continued through the eighth century, and his stature in Greek Christian tradition is comparable only to that of Augustine in the West, although his influence is felt there as well. Yet despite his acknowledged ecumenical significance, Gregory's theological achievement has often eluded modern patristic scholars and systematic theologians. Even the most recent wave of specialized work on Gregory and the current synoptic studies of patristic doctrine have tended to overlook major aspects of his work. One of the most acute points of confusion in current scholarship—and a matter of no little significance for Nicene theology—is Gregory's doctrine of divine causality and the monarchy of God the Father within the Trinity. The recent debate over this topic, I would suggest, reflects the extent to which Gregory's doctrine has yet to be assimilated in contemporary historical and systematic theology. In this article I will seek to clarify Gregory's doctrine of divine causality in light of its current reception and to give some indication of its wider significance.
Spontaneous maxillary sinus rupture in the absence of pre-existing sinus disease: case report
Authors: Beaumont H , Sharma N , Ahmed S K , O'Connell J E
Published: June 2007

Introduction:

Spontaneous fracture of the maxillary sinus is usually associated with enophthalmos and pre-existing sinus disease.

Case report:

We present a case of spontaneous maxillary sinus fracture without enophthalmos and with no preceding history of trauma or evidence of sinusitis.

Discussion:

The closest condition to that presented is silent sinus syndrome. The differences between our case and this syndrome are reviewed. There are no previously reported cases of lateral wall maxillary fracture and associated facial surgical emphysema following nose-blowing.
Winter nitrification contributes to excess NO3− in groundwater of an agricultural region: A dual‐isotope study
Authors: Savard Martine M. , Paradis Daniel , Somers George , Liao Shawna , van Bochove Eric
Published: June 2007

Conventional thinking is that bacterial nitrification leading to labile nitrate in fertilized agricultural soils of northern regions greatly diminishes during winter. We have carried out seasonal water sampling over 2 years to understand the fate of nitrate present in a rapidly responding groundwater/surface water system. Nitrate results show no seasonal δ15N trend. Significant δ18O downward shifts were observed between the spring‐summer and autumn‐winter periods of 2003–2004 (10.0‰) and 2004–2005 (1.3‰). Using mass‐balance mixing calculations of soil leachate with groundwater and assuming seasonal nitrification, we reproduce the observed water and nitrate oxygen‐isotope trends. These calculations suggest that nitrification takes place throughout all seasons. We also use a hydroclimatic index to establish a relationship between δ18O values in nitrate and recharge weighted by temperature. Our findings imply that nitrifying activities occur all year long and that winter nitrate production is high. This conclusion has important implications for modeling the nitrogen cycle of regions where seasonal changes in soil water mark the oxygen isotopes of nitrate.
Differential regulation of Akt, caspases and MAP kinases underlies smooth muscle cell apoptosis during aortic remodelling in SHR treated with amlodipine
Authors: Duguay D , DeBlois D
Published: June 2007

Background and purpose:

The regression of aortic hypertrophy is initiated by a transient wave of smooth muscle cell (SMC) apoptosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) treated with antihypertensive drugs, although the molecular pathways remain unclear.

Experimental approach:

Enzymes involved in apoptosis regulation were examined daily during onset aortic remodelling in SHR treated with amlodipine (20 mg kg−1day−1).

Key results:

Significant reduction of aortic SMC number occurred by day 3 of amlodipine, reaching ‐13% at 28 days, followed by a significant regression of medial hypertrophy by day 5, reaching ‐13% at 28 days. ISOL‐positive (apoptotic) SMC nuclei increased by 4.6‐fold between days 2 and 4, in temporal correlation with the activation of caspase‐8 (2.7‐fold) at day 2 only, caspase‐3 at days 3 and 4 (1.7‐fold) and caspase‐9 at day 3 only (3.1‐fold). Akt phosphorylation, a pro‐survival pathway, was reduced prior to apoptosis at day 1 (‐52%) and until day 3. During the first 6 days of amlodipine treatment, significant reduction in phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinases was transient for p38 (‐46% at day 3 only) but continuous for ERK1/2 after 3 days (‐40%), and for JNK after 4 days (>‐50%).

Conclusions and implications:

Amlodipine inhibition of Akt occurred prior to and during SMC apoptosis induction, a process mediated by the early activation of caspase‐8 followed by caspase‐9 and ‐3 and associated with MAP kinase inhibition. These findings provide insights about the molecular pathways underlying SMC apoptosis leading to vascular remodelling during amlodipine treatment of hypertension.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2007)151, 1315–1323; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707334
Tuning the endocannabinoid system: allosteric modulators of the CB1 receptor
Authors: Ross R A
Published: June 2007

Cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonists are novel therapeutics with potential for the treatment of a number of conditions including obesity, nicotine addition and metabolic syndrome. In 2005, Price et al. demonstrated that the cannabinoid CB1 receptor contains an allosteric‐binding site which binds synthetic small molecules. In this issue of the British Journal of Pharmacology, Horswill et al. have extended these observations. They demonstrate that a structurally similar small molecule allosterically modulates the cannabinoid CB1 receptor and reduces body weight and food intake in an acute feeding model. Allosteric modulation now contends as a new strategy in the therapeutic exploitation of cannabinoid receptors that may offer certain advantages over the more familiar small molecules targeting the orthosteric site.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 152, 565–566; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707349; published online 25 June 2007
Molecular-based light-activated thyristor
Authors: Iimori Toshifumi , Ohta Nobuhiro , Naito Toshio
Published: June 2007

A photoinduced electrical conductivity switching is observed in the molecular conductor of α-[bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene]2I3 at different temperatures with different irradiation light intensities. The threshold voltage for the differential-negative-resistance effect appearing in the current-voltage characteristic curve decreases and increases, respectively, as the light intensity is increased and as the temperature decreases below the insulator-metal phase transition. The potential application of molecular conductor in bidirectional light-activated thyristor devices is demonstrated.
Optically trapped and controlled microapertures for studies of spatial coherence in an arbitrary light field
Authors: Lee W. M. , Dholakia K.
Published: June 2007

By controlling the rotation rate of a trapped birefringent particle with an optically applied torque, the authors introduce a miniscule wave front deformation at a specific location within an arbitrary light field, with the particle acting as an optical microdiffuser. A trapped birefringent particle and a trapped silica microsphere are positioned to form Young’s double slit experiment within a probe light field. The far-field interference from the diffracted optical fields from these particles enable the authors to infer the relative spatial coherence between these local sampling points. With multiple trapped particles, the authors may perform multipoint coherence analysis of a light field.
Transit-time spin field-effect transistor
Authors: Appelbaum Ian , Monsma Douwe J.
Published: June 2007

The authors propose and analyze a four-terminal metal-semiconductor device that uses hot-electron transport through thin ferromagnetic films to inject and detect a charge-coupled spin current transported through the conduction band of an arbitrary semiconductor. This provides the possibility of realizing a spin field-effect transistor in Si using electrostatic transit-time control of coherent spin precession in a perpendicular magnetic field.
Medical-Care Costs Associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Vietnam Veterans
Authors: Marshall Richard P. , Jorm Anthony F. , Grayson David A. , O'Toole Brian I.
Published: June 2007

Objective: This study examined the relationship between medical-care costs of Vietnam veterans and predictor factors, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Method: We merged medical-care cost data from the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Health Insurance Commission with data from an epidemiological study of 641 Australian Vietnam veterans. Posttraumatic stress disorder and other factors were examined as predictors of medical-care cost using regression analysis.

Results: We found that a diagnosis of PTSD was associated with medical costs 60% higher than average. Those costs appeared to be partly associated with higher treatment costs for physical conditions in those with PTSD and also related mental health comorbidities. Major predictors of medical-care cost were age ($137 per year for each 5-year increase in age) and number of diagnoses reported ($81 to $112 per year for each diagnosis). Mental health factors such as depression ($14 per year for each symptom reported) and anxiety ($27 per year for each symptom reported) were also important predictors.

Conclusions: The findings indicate that, however they are incurred, high healthcare and, presumably, also economic and personal costs are associated with PTSD. There is an important social obligation as well as substantial economic reasons to deal with these problems. From both perspectives, continued efforts to identify and implement effective prevention and treatment programs are warranted.
Lifetime Prevalence of Trauma among Homeless People in Sydney
Authors: Buhrich Neil , Hodder Tracey , Teesson Maree
Published: June 2007

Objective: The experience of lifetime trauma among homeless women in the USA is well documented. Less information is available concerning homeless men. There are no prevalence studies concerning lifetime trauma among homeless people in Australia. Our aim was to assess the lifetime prevalence of trauma as reported by homeless men and women in Sydney.

Method: We interviewed 119 men and 38 women who were visiting or residing at the seven largest refuges for homeless people in inner Sydney, using the lifetime trauma section of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview.

Results: All women and over 90% of men reported at least one event of trauma in their life. Fifty-eight per cent suffered serious physical assault and 55% witnessed someone being badly injured or killed. Half the women and 10% of men reported that they had been raped.

Conclusion: The experience of at least one lifetime event of trauma is almost universal among homeless people in Sydney and is considerably higher than for the USA general population. Reasons for such high prevalence rates are discussed. Depression and posttraumatic stress disorder are associated with a history of trauma. Health professionals need to be aware of past events of trauma among individuals who are homeless.
Neuroleptic and Anticholinergic Drug Use in Chinese Patients with Schizophrenia Resident in a State Psychiatric Hospital in Singapore
Authors: Chong Siow-Ann , Sachdev Perminder , Mahendran Rathi , Chua Hong-Choon
Published: June 2007

Objective: The objective of this study was to survey the prescribing pattern in Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia in a state mental hospital in Singapore, and to compare our findings with those of surveys of Chinese patients in other countries.

Method: We surveyed the use of neuroleptic and anticholinergic agents among Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia (n = 534) in a state mental hospital in Singapore.

Results: Fifty-nine per cent of the patients received two or more neuroleptics (median daily dose of 400 mg chlorpromazine equivalents, range 50–2875 mg). There were no differences in gender distribution between those prescribed multiple neuroleptics as against an older group of those receiving none or only one neuroleptic medication. Sixty-six per cent of the patients were receiving depot neuroleptics, with more than half of these subjects also receiving additional oral neuroleptics. Patients who were prescribed multiple neuroleptics received significantly higher total doses than those receiving just one neuroleptic. Only 1% of patients were prescribed an atypical neuroleptic. Sixty-five per cent of patients were prescribed an anticholinergic agent. Those prescribed anticholinergic agents were younger, in receipt of higher doses of neuroleptic medications and had lower Simpson-Angus scores for extrapyramidal side-effects.

Conclusions: The pervasive use of multiple typical neuroleptics, marked under-utilisation of atypical neuroleptics, and the lack of anticholinergic medication in patients who might benefit from such treatment are issues of substantial concern, warranting action in both psychiatry practice and mental health policy.
The Impact Factor: Time for Change
Authors: Bloch Sidney , Walter Garry
Published: June 2007

Objective: The Impact Factor (IF) has received virtually no attention in the psychiatric literature, despite its long-term use, expanding influence and evidence of misapplication. We examine the IF's validity as a measure of a paper's scientific worth, and consider alternative ways to conduct such an appraisal.

Method: We explored medical databases and websites, and conferred with acknowledged experts on the subject.

Results: Irremediable problems, both conceptual and technical, make the IF a flawed measure. The notion that citations vouch for the quality of an article is questionable. Moreover, the IF's vulnerability to misuse in domains such as academic promotion and research grant assessment is a serious development.

Conclusion: The IF (and all measures derived from it) should be abandoned. A ‘return to basics’ in evaluating published work is overdue. As seductive as a simple formula is to assess quality, shortcuts are unavailable and unlikely to be useful. Publishing a short-list of papers annually, judged as objectively as possible by peers to merit special attention, may be a more meaningful option. Conceivably, every psychiatric journal could participate in this cyclical exercise, leading to a ‘grand short-list’. This could be made readily available to all professionals, both researchers and clinicians, by being posted on a suitable website. Since peer review has a long-standing role in scientific publishing, our proposal is essentially an extension of that process.
Mental Disorders and Burden of Disease: How was Disability Estimated and is It Valid?
Authors: Sanderson Kristy , Andrews Gavin
Published: June 2007

Objective: The Global Burden of Disease study found mental disorders to be the world's leading cause of disability. Few studies have examined the validity of the novel approach used to estimate disability, the person trade-off preference method. This paper describes, and examines the validity of, the burden of disease person trade-off protocol.

Method: The person trade-off provides preferences for health states (how good or bad you think it is in relation to perfect health). General practitioners (n = 20) with training in mental health provided preferences for 19 mental disorders using the person trade-off method. Descriptions for the mental disorders were derived from the average symptom severity and disability observed in the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Validity was investigated by comparison with two other methods (rating scale and rank order).

Results: The general practitioners found the person trade-off complex and affronting. Only a moderate concordance was observed with two validity comparisons, however, validity was significantly increased following the opportunity for group discussion among the clinicians. The disability weights were higher than those used in the global study, a possible consequence of differences in disorder descriptions.

Conclusions: The present study is limited by small subject numbers and by using only one type of key informant (clinicians). While this study provided some evidence for the validity of the person trade-off, it also echoes concerns from recent commentaries about the feasibility of this method. These concerns are particularly relevant for mental disorder burden, which relies heavily on the magnitude of the disability weights. Further work is required to ensure that disability burden is validly estimated, and thus can appropriately be used to inform mental health policy.
A First‐class Environment? Working‐class playgroups as preschool experience
Authors: Finch Janet
Published: June 2007

This article examines the voluntary, non‐profit‐making playgroup as a ‘self‐help’ alternative to nursery education. It is an alternative increasingly favoured by governments as an initiative to accompany cuts in state‐funded services. The article presents data from a small‐scale, longitudinal and qualitative study of self‐help playgroups in inner city areas on council estates. It shows that the form and character which these groups take means that they cannot be regarded as an alternative to nursery schools in the provision of preschool education, which is what parents wish them to be. Working‐class women cannot produce self‐help nursery education when they lack the material and cultural resources, nor should they be expected to do so.
Factors in the Use of Lap‐dissolve Presentation Methods for Teaching the Visualisation of Spatial Transformations
Authors: Seddon G. M. , El Farra A. O. K. , Jusoh I.
Published: June 2007

Two experiments were performed to study the effects of varying the exposure‐time and the dissolve‐time in the use of a lap‐dissolve control unit in presenting programmes intended to teach 14‐15‐year‐old students to visualise the effects of performing reflections and rotations on molecules represented in diagrams. Both experiments employed a two‐dimensional design with three levels for each of the two factors. The Rotations Programme was not effective with any of the combinations of exposure‐ and dissolve‐times. The effectiveness of the Reflections Programme showed a significant U‐shaped relationship as the exposure‐time changed from 5 through 7.5 to 10 seconds. There was no significant effect involving dissolve‐time.
Traditionalists and Trendies: teachers' attitudes to educational issues
Authors: Kelly Alison , Baldry Angela , Bolton Elizabeth , Edwards Suzanne , Emery Jo , Levin Charmian , Smith Simon , Wills Malcolm
Published: June 2007

Questionnaires were sent to 900 secondary school teachers throughout England and Wales; 373 (41%) were returned. Teachers agreed on many issues but opinion was divided on the abolition of the remaining grammar schools and the question of mixed‐ability teaching. Underlying dimensions of traditionalism, belief in equality of the sexes and feminism were identified in teachers' attitudes. Older teachers were more traditional than younger ones, and science and craft teachers were more traditional than arts teachers. Women were more emphatic about sex equality than men and London teachers were more feminist than others. Teachers in schools which had been involved in the Girls Into Science and Technology (GIST) project were slightly less traditional and more in favour of equality of the sexes than other teachers.
Approaches to Normal Learning Tasks Adopted by Senior Secondary School Pupils
Authors: Selmes Ian P.
Published: June 2007

The concept of deep and surface approaches to learning, previously described in higher education, was extended to pupils studying a curriculum of Scottish Higher grades or A‐levels. The rationale for employing a qualitative methodology in investigating the process of learning is outlined. Thirteen male pupils were questioned by semi‐structured interview. Transcripts were analysed qualitatively using the rigorous and systematic method pioneered by Marton. Three categories of a deep approach (personal integration, inter‐relationships and meaningfulness) and three categories of a surface approach (isolating, memorisation, and passivity) were described. Functional relationships between the context in which a study task was experienced, personal factors and approach to learning were also established. Subsequent work to facilitate effective learning by pupils is described, for which this paper's findings were the empirical basis. The implications for enhancing effective learning in secondary school are explored.
Young People's Attitudes to YTS: the first two years
Authors: Raffe David , Smith Patten
Published: June 2007

Data from the Scottish Young Peoples Surveys are used to examine attitudes to YTS among two successive year groups of young people in Scotland. Many of those who had joined YTS said they did so to get jobs or because they did not have jobs. Those who had refused schemes or left them early offered a variety of reasons, although many said they had had jobs or other preferred alternatives to go to. In answer to general questions, young people expressed mixed views of YTS. Many could see benefits with respect to training, interest or employment, but a majority felt it was a source of cheap labour and was just to keep unemployment figures down. YTS trainees were as likely as other young people to express these negative attitudes but their views were more favourable in other respects. Attitudes were also associated with gender, a middle‐class background and the local unemployment rate; they deteriorated slightly between the two year groups. The concluding discussion highlights the instrumentalism of most young people's orientations to YTS, identifies four strands in the folk mythology’ of YTS as exploitative, and attempts to explain why young people do not accept the government's ‘human capital’ justification of a YTS allowance well below current wage rates.
Changes in the Marking Standard and Reliability of Successive Assessments of Practical Skills in Science
Authors: Hubbard J. I. , Seddon G. M.
Published: June 2007

The investigation set out to determine whether there were significant changes in marking standard and reliability when eight experienced teachers carried out two successive assessments of the performance on a practical exercise using different random samples of 20 fourth‐year secondary school students on each occasion. The practical exercise required the students to prepare a salt by the reaction of an oxide with an acid, and the points of assessment concerned the production of the salt, and the performance of a filtration at an intermediate stage. The results showed a significant change in both the marking standard and the reliability for two of the four points assessed. However, the significant differences were observed only for the assessment of girls. More detailed analysis indicated that this sex bias occurred with both the men and women judges.
Disruptive Behaviour and Weather Patterns in a West Cumbria Secondary School
Authors: Badger Bill , O'Hare Eric
Published: June 2007

Arrangements for mid‐morning breaks on wet days, snow in the playground, windy days, etc., and their connections with pupil behaviour are part of teacher folklore. But is there any statistical relationship between the incidence of disruptive behaviour and weather conditions? This paper looks at correlations between the number of disruptive incidents on any one day, as indicated by referrals to a school quiet room, and weather variables such as maximum temperature, minimum temperature and wind speed. Support is found for previous research indicating that it is not so much the particular stable weather conditions on any one day, but rather the sudden changes in weather that may be predictive of pupil disturbance. A multi‐variable regression technique is used to identify the strength and order of weather variables predictive of the number of disruptive pupil referrals.
Testing Tensions: the politics of educational assessment
Authors: Troman Geoff
Published: June 2007

This paper is concerned with the recent policy initiatives of a National Curriculum, and National Assessment and Testing. These policy intentions are placed in a socio‐political and economic context. It is argued that the two assessment cultures of school‐based teacher assessment (including pupil profiles and records of achievement) and centralised testing lend themselves to professional accountability and market accountability, respectively. The paper concludes that official policy which advocates both modes of assessment, if implemented, will produce intolerable tension within the process of schooling.
Pupils' Selection and Application of Oversimplified Principles
Authors: Dreyfus Amos
Published: June 2007

The level at which scientific principles are taught must be adapted to the scientific level of the learner, and, accordingly school science consists only of simplified versions of these principles. However, these versions may turn out to have been over‐simplified, in the sense that the pupils remain unable to use them accurately at the required level. These ‘blurred representations’ of the principles lack the crucial attributes which confer upon them their specific meanings. Pupils then tend to ascribe to the principles meanings and implications which they do not possess. Such erroneous perceptions of the principles are difficult to diagnose because pupils display them only while irrelevantly using the principles, and irrelevant use is difficult to predict. This paper describes such a pattern of failure to apply relevant principles.
Cases Not Proven: an evaluation of two studies of teacher racism
Authors: Foster Peter
Published: June 2007

In recent years a number of studies conducted in schools have claimed to provide evidence of the existence of racism amongst teachers, and practices within schools which significantly disadvantage many ethnic minority students. Unfortunately, there has been a tendency to accept such studies rather uncritically, without questioning the nature of the evidence they present to support their conclusions. In this paper I examine two such studies from a more critical point of view. I argue that both suffer from a number of serious weaknesses and that their claims should not have been accepted in the way that they have been.
Can Job/Training Projects be Successful? Some Research Results from the Netherlands
Authors: Meijers Frans
Published: June 2007

This article examines the possibility of motivating unemployed young people for training schemes whose instrumental pay‐off is—at least in the Netherlands—mostly small or very uncertain. Using data from three research projects, it is argued that it is very difficult to motivate youngsters to join training schemes because these schemes do not provide ‘normal’ work. Thus they do not allow young people to realise the life plan they have in mind. Precisely because these life plans are an integral part of a cultural habitus, they are self‐evident and for that reason difficult to change. The only way to make training schemes attractive is to make them offer the participants a training for a ‘real’ profession and, after that training, guarantee them work in that profession.
The Dialectic between Theory and Method in Critical Interpretive Research
Authors: Bartlett Leo
Published: June 2007

This paper focuses on the need for educational researchers to recognise the dialectic between theory and method. A methodology described as quasi‐historical and based on a theory of social action is discussed in the first section. The second section proposes a means whereby the meaning of actions can be understood. A schema for the interpretation of text evidence is then outlined. This schema or methodology draws upon the theoretical work of Giddens, Thompson and Habermas and the interpretation theory of Ricoeur. The proposed schema avoids a theory‐method dichotomy and offers researchers a form of disciplined enquiry.
A Study of Black Students' Perceptions of Racism in Initial Teacher Education
Authors: Siraj‐Blatchford Iram
Published: June 2007

The school experiences of black children in Britain are well documented. Concern has recently been shown by the Department of Education and Science and the Commission for Racial Equality about the supply and recruitment of black teachers in our education system. This paper provides an account of black students' perceptions of racism in initial teacher education and reflects on the implications to teacher educators and their institutions. My research suggests that factors as diverse as accommodation, courses and school placements influence the perceptions of students. In conclusion I argue that black students' experiences need to be as positive as those of their white peers and that the institutions and departments within which they are educated have a direct responsibility to set up adequate procedures to deal with racism at all levels.
The Effects of Gender and Attendance Period on Children's Adjustment to Nursery Classes
Authors: Davies Julie , Brember Ivy
Published: June 2007

This paper analyses the effects of gender and attendance period on children's adjustment to nursery classes as measured by the teachers using the Child at School Schedule. The sample consisted of 778 children in 16 nursery classes attached to primary schools in one Local Education Authority. The results of a two‐way analysis of variance showed that boys were perceived to be less well‐adjusted to school than girls (at F 1% level) and the afternoon attenders less well‐adjusted to school than the morning attenders (at F 1% level). The results are discussed in the light of other studies which indicate that boys settle with greater difficulty into school than girls and the effect that parental choice of session has on the composition of the two groups. Strategies to help the less well‐adjusted children to settle into school are discussed in terms of closer home/school liaison to help promote co‐operation between home and school for the benefit of the child.
Teaching as Exposure: the case of good practice in junior school history
Authors: Knight Peter
Published: June 2007

In order to master the English National Curriculum for history it is a necessary, but not a sufficient, condition that children be exposed to history topics. However, a study of 28 teachers who were reckoned to be skilled at teaching history in Key Stage 2 suggests that only the necessary condition prevails. What are the implications for the development of history teaching in Key Stage 2 if skilled teachers work on the assumption that ‘doing’ a topic is sufficient, when the curriculum prescribes a set of domain‐specific objectives?
Teacher Research and Educational Change: an empirical study
Authors: Vulliamy Graham , Webb Rosemary
Published: June 2007

This article reports the findings of a research study, using a combination of questionnaires and in‐depth interviews, designed to investigate in what ways teacher research enquiries, conducted in the context of an award‐bearing course, contribute to the processes of professional development and change within schools. The relationships between case‐study research and evaluation and action research and changes in school and classroom practice are discussed. Factors are identified which facilitate and constrain the change process. The findings are discussed in relation to the wider literature on the effects of inservice education and training (INSET), the professional development of teachers and the nature of educational change.
Underachievers or Underrated? The Experience of Pupils of South Asian Origin in a Secondary School
Authors: Troyna Barry
Published: June 2007

Research into the thorny issue of the educational ‘over/underachieve‐ment’ of white and ethnic minority pupils has assumed greater sophistication and insight in the last few years. However, attention continues to focus on educational outcomes or who gets what. As a corollary, analysis of who goes where in the allocation of pupils to high/low status credentialling courses and who, therefore, takes what, is almost routinely ignored. In this article I explore the allocative and selective procedures of a multiracial comprehensive school in England and argue that such considerations should be fully integrated into future studies on this theme.