bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overall survival in erythrodermic cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma: an analysis of prognostic factors in a cohort of patients with erythrodermic cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Vidulich Kelley A. , Talpur Rakhshandra , Bassett Roland L. , Duvic Madeleine
Published: February 2009

Background  The most common cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome.

Aim  To determine whether blood stage and other prognostic variables affect overall survival (OS) in CTCL.

Methods  We studied retrospectively 1197 CTCL patients seen at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center since 1987.

Results  We identified 124 (10.3%) patients with erythrodermic CTCL (E‐CTCL), 63% of whom had positive gene rearrangements in skin and 19 of whom had no evidence of hematologic involvement. The median age at diagnosis was 63 years (range, 26–90 years); the male to female ratio was 1.3 : 1. OS curves were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using log‐rank tests. The median OS in all 124 E‐CTCL patients was 5.1 years (range, 0.4–18.6 years) regardless of the cause of death or blood involvement. Patients were stratified by the H0–H4 staging system with manual or flow cytometric determination of Sézary cell counts (Russell‐Jones R, Whittaker SJ. Sézary syndrome: diagnostic criteria and therapeutic options. Semin Cutan Med Surg 2000; 19: 100–108). The median OS was 7.6 years for H0–H2 (< 1000 Sézary cells/L) (n = 23), 5.4 years for H3 (≥ 1000 to ≤ 10,000 Sézary cells/L) (n = 79), and 2.4 years for H4 (≥ 10,000 Sézary cells/L) (n = 22) (P = 0.011). Treatment with systemic steroids, age, serum lactate dehydrogenase, and white blood cell count ≥ 20,000 µL were significant prognostic factors, but large cell transformation, T‐cell receptor gene rearrangement, tumor–node–metastasis stage, treatments, and CD4 : CD8 ratio were not. In multivariate analysis, advanced age and elevated lactate dehydrogenase were the strongest predictors of a poor prognosis.

Conclusions  Serum LDH and age were the strongest predictive factors for OS in E‐CTCL.
The impact of acne vulgaris on the quality of life and psychologic status in patients from upper Egypt
Authors: Abdel‐Hafez Kamal , Mahran Ayman M. , Hofny Eman R. M. , Mohammed Khaled A. , Darweesh Alaa M. , Aal Ahmed A.
Published: February 2009

Background  Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease. Although neither life threatening nor physically debilitating, acne can severely affect social and psychologic functioning.

Aim  To study the overall impact of acne vulgaris on the quality of life and psychologic functioning of patients in Egypt.

Methods  One hundred and fifty patients with acne vulgaris and 50 healthy controls were evaluated. Acne patients were evaluated using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Culture Free Self‐Esteem Inventory – Adult Version (CFSEI‐AD), and Symptom Check List‐90 – Revised (SCL‐90‐R). The controls were evaluated using SCL‐90‐R and CFSEI‐AD.

Results  The mean DLQI scores of male acne patients were found to be higher than those of female patients with regard to symptoms and feelings, daily activities, personal relationships, and treatment; however, the differences were significant for leisure (P = 0.005) and total score (P = 0.022) only. The CFSEI‐AD score of patients was significantly lower than that of controls (P = 0.001). Acne patients had significantly higher scores than controls in all items of the SCL‐90‐R. Significant positive correlations were found between the duration and severity of illness and DLQI and SCL‐90‐R scores. There was a significant negative correlation between the duration and severity of acne and CFSEI‐AD scores.

Conclusion  Acne vulgaris has a significant effect on the quality of life. Our results highlight the importance of recognizing psychiatric comorbidity in acne patients.
Periorificial dermatitis in children: an update and description of a child with striking features
Authors: Kihiczak George G. , Cruz Manuel A. , Schwartz Robert A.
Published: February 2009

Background  Perioral dermatitis is a relatively important and often enigmatic type of eczema.

Methods  We describe a child with this disorder and review our experience and the literature.

Results  Clinical features of perioral dermatitis in our patient and in many others decribed elsewhere show a high prevalence of perinasal and periocular involvement alongside perioral findings.

Conclusions  Perioral dermatitis is more suitably termed periorificial dermatitis.
Significance of serum interleukin‐8 levels in patients with Behcet's disease: high levels may indicate vascular involvement
Authors: Kartal Durmazlar Selda Pelin , Ulkar Gul Bahar , Eskioglu Fatma , Tatlican Semih , Mert Ali , Akgul Ahmet
Published: February 2009

Background  Interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) has been shown previously to associate with different individual clinical manifestations and activity of Behcet's disease (BD), but its association with vascular involvement has not been established.

Methods  Forty‐five untreated patients with BD and 29 healthy individuals were included in the study. The activity of patients was based on the existence of two or more symptoms and a statistically significantly high Behcet's Disease Activity Index (BDAI) at the time of the study. IL‐8, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C‐reactive protein (CRP) results were evaluated with respect to activity, vascular involvement, and other specific individual clinical manifestations of the disease.

Results  IL‐8 levels were found to be significantly elevated in active BD compared with inactive BD (P = 0.006) and healthy controls (P = 0.000), with median values of 267 (53–2000), 137 (52–290), and 58 pg/mL (53–160 pg/mL), respectively. Unlike ESR and CRP, IL‐8 levels showed a high correlation with BDAI scores (r = 0.743, P = 0.00) and the number of active clinical manifestations (r = 0.646, P = 0.00). Serum levels of IL‐8 were increased in patients with oral ulcers, genital ulcers, eye lesions, and vascular lesions, with median values and significance levels of 254.5 (53–2000), P = 0.05; 254.5 (52–1400), P = 0.03; 254.5 (72–2000), P = 0.029; and 593 pg/mL (110–2000 pg/mL), P = 0.001, respectively. In addition, IL‐8 levels in the active patient group with vascular involvement were significantly higher than the levels in those without vascular involvement.

Conclusion  Serum IL‐8 levels are increased in the active phase of BD. This marker may be useful in the early detection of vascular involvement.
In vivo characterization of the inflammatory infiltrate and apoptotic status in imiquimod‐treated basal cell carcinoma
Authors: De Giorgi Vincenzo , Salvini Camilla , Chiarugi Alessandra , Paglierani Milena , Maio Vincenza , Nicoletti Paola , Santucci Marco , Carli Paolo , Massi Daniela
Published: February 2009

Background  Imiquimod use in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has proven to be successful in a large percentage of cases, inducing tumor regression; however, the exact cellular mechanism has not been fully clarified.

Aim  To measure the morphological changes in the tumor microenvironment and the markers of apoptosis in skin biopsies from patients with BCC before and after imiquimod treatment.

Methods  In this open label study, skin biopsies obtained from 11 patients with BCC were evaluated before and after imiquimod treatment for: (i) morphological changes in the tumor microenvironment, with specific emphasis on the immunophenotype of inflammatory cells around the tumor; and (ii) markers of apoptosis, including expression of death receptors.

Results  Imiquimod treatment induced a significant increase in the mononuclear inflammatory response. In the majority of cases, the cellular infiltrate was predominantly composed of CD3+/CD4+ T cells, suggesting that the effector response is mediated by CD3+/CD4+ lymphocytes, with a minor cytotoxic and natural killer (NK) component. An increase in the cytotoxic CD3+/CD8+ T‐cell population was also observed. Imiquimod treatment was associated with a marked increased in CD20+ B cells, and a less pronounced enhancement in cells of monocyte–macrophage origin (CD68+) surrounding, or within, the tumor. This finding indicates either that macrophages play a minor role in the imiquimod‐induced response, or the recruitment of these cells is related to time and dose. Imiquimod treatment decreased CD1A+ Langerhans cells in the epidermis and increased the number of CD1A+ dendritic cells within the tumor aggregates. Imiquimod reduced Bcl‐2 expression, but no difference was found in Bax, Fas/FasL, and p53 expression in BCC cells.

Conclusions  Our results support the hypothesis that imiquimod activity in the treatment of BCC is partly a result of a pro‐inflammatory action mediated by CD3+/CD4+ lymphoid cells and of a pro‐apoptotic activity associated with decreased Bcl‐2 expression.
Using novel subcision technique for the treatment of primary essential cutis verticis gyrata
Authors: Hsu Ya‐Jing , Chang Ying‐Jui , Su Lin‐Hui , Hsu Yu‐Ling
Published: February 2009

Background  Primary essential cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is characterized by folds and furrows of the scalp, resembling the convoluted appearance of the brain, and is not associated with other abnormalities. Most patients with CVG are treated with surgical methods, such as scalp reduction; however, surgery may not be suitable for patients in whom the area involved is large.

Methods  A 37‐year‐old man with primary essential CVG was treated with a scalp subcision technique under local anesthesia.

Results  A successful cosmetic improvement was obtained.

Conclusions  The scalp subcision technique is a safe procedure and should be a treatment option for primary CVG.
Reducing allergenicity by altering allergen fold: a mosaic protein of Phl p 1 for allergy vaccination
Authors: Ball T. , Linhart B. , Sonneck K. , Blatt K. , Herrmann H. , Valent P. , Stoecklinger A. , Lupinek C. , Thalhamer J. , Fedorov A. A. , Almo S. C. , Valenta R.
Published: February 2009

Background:  The major timothy grass pollen allergen, Phl p 1, resembles the allergenic epitopes of natural group I grass pollen allergens and is recognized by more than 95% of grass‐pollen‐allergic patients. Our objective was the construction, purification and immunologic characterization of a genetically modified derivative of the major timothy grass pollen allergen, Phl p 1 for immunotherapy of grass pollen allergy.

Methods:  A mosaic protein was generated by PCR‐based re‐assembly and expression of four cDNAs coding for Phl p 1 fragments and compared to the Phl p 1 wild‐type by circular dichroism analysis, immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐binding capacity, basophil activation assays and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay competition assays. Immune responses to the derivative were studied in BALB/c mice.

Results:  Grass‐pollen‐allergic patients exhibited greater than an 85% reduction in IgE reactivity to the mosaic as compared with the Phl p 1 allergen and basophil activation experiments confirmed the reduced allergenic activity of the mosaic. It also induced less Phl p 1‐specific IgE antibodies than Phl p 1 upon immunization of mice. However, immunization of mice and rabbits with the mosaic induced IgG antibodies that inhibited patients’ IgE‐binding to the wild‐type allergen and Phl p 1‐induced degranulation of basophils.

Conclusion:  We have developed a strategy based on rational molecular reassembly to convert one of the clinically most relevant allergens into a hypoallergenic derivative for allergy vaccination.
Unawareness and undertreatment of asthma: follow‐up in a different geographic area in Denmark
Authors: Backer V. , Nolte H. , Pedersen L. , Dam N. , Harving H.
Published: February 2009

Background:  Early detection and treatment of asthma is important to minimize morbidity and healthcare costs. The objective of this study was to investigate asthma awareness and management in a western society.

Methods:  In a random sample of 10 400 subjects aged 14–44 years, 686 (6.6%) reported symptoms of asthma in a standardized screening questionnaire. All 686 were evaluated by respiratory specialists and diagnosed by history, symptoms, lung function tests, bronchial challenges and allergy testing. Of these 686 participants, 69 (10%) had asthma alone, 205 (30%) had rhinitis alone and 217 (32%) had both asthma and rhinitis; 195 (28%) had nonasthmatic respiratory reports.

Results:  Awareness of asthma was found among 163 (57%) of the 286 asthmatics, and 204 (95%) had doctor‐diagnosed rhinitis as well. In a multivariate regression analysis, comorbidity with rhinitis (β = 0.489, P < 0.001), smoking (β = −0.116, P < 0.01), doctor‐diagnosed bronchitis (β = 0.086, P < 0.05), and earlier emergency visits at hospital (β = 0.147, P < 0.001) was significantly associated with awareness. A difference in awareness was found between those who had asthma and rhinitis (62.2%) and those who had asthma alone (40.6%) (P < 0.01). Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) were used by 27% of those with asthma, including 12% who used both ICS and long‐acting beta‐agonist.

Conclusions:  More than half of the persons with asthma were aware of their disorder; and the awareness was more likely in those with comorbidity of rhinitis. In general, asthma management was inadequate.
A functional network module for Smith–Magenis syndrome
Authors: Girirajan S , Truong HT , Blanchard CL , Elsea SH
Published: February 2009

Disorders with overlapping diagnostic features are grouped into a network module. Based on phenotypic similarities or differential diagnoses, it is possible to identify functional pathways leading to individual features. We generated a Smith–Magenis syndrome (SMS)‐specific network module utilizing patient clinical data, text mining from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database, and in vitro functional analysis. We tested our module by functional studies based on a hypothesis that RAI1 acts through phenotype‐specific pathways involving several downstream genes, which are altered due to RAI1 haploinsufficiency. A preliminary genome‐wide gene expression study was performed using microarrays on RAI1 haploinsufficient cells created by RNAi‐based ∼50% knockdown of RAI1 in HEK293T cells. The top dysregulated genes were involved in growth signaling and insulin sensitivity, neuronal differentiation, lipid biosynthesis and fat mobilization, circadian activity, behavior, renal, cardiovascular and skeletal development, gene expression, and cell‐cycle regulation and recombination, reflecting the spectrum of clinical features observed in SMS. Validation using real‐time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction confirmed the gene expression profile of 75% of the selected genes analyzed in both HEK293T RAI1 knockdown cells and SMS lymphoblastoid cell lines. Overall, these data support a method for identifying genes and pathways responsible for individual clinical features in a complex disorder such as SMS.
Successful living donor liver transplant in a child with Abernethy malformation with biliary atresia, ventricular septal defect and intrapulmonary shunting
Authors: Singhal Ashish , Srivastava Ajitabh , Goyal Neerav , Vij Vivek , Wadhawan Manav , Bera Motilal , Gupta Subash
Published: February 2009

Abstract:  Congenital portosystemic shunts are the anomalies in which the mesenteric venous drainage bypasses the liver and drains directly into the systemic circulation. This is a report of a rare case of LDLT in a four‐yr old male child suffering with biliary atresia (post‐failed Kasai procedure) associated with (i) a large congenital CEPSh from the spleno‐mesentric confluence to the LHV, (ii) intrapulmonary shunts, (iii) perimembranous VSD. The left lobe graft was procured from the mother of the child. Recipient IVC and the shunt vessel were preserved during the hepatectomy, and the caval and shunt clamping were remarkably short while performing the HV and portal anastomosis. Post‐operative course was uneventful; intrapulmonary shunts regressed within three months after transplantation and currently after 18 months following transplant child is doing well with normal liver functions. CEPSh has been extensively discussed and all the published cases of liver transplantation for CEPSh were reviewed.
An audit of transfusion of red blood cell units in pediatric anesthesia
Authors: KEUNG CHARLOTTE Y. , SMITH KATHERINE R. , SAVOIA HELEN F. , DAVIDSON ANDREW J.
Published: February 2009

Background:  Patients undergoing surgery are an important user of red blood cells (RBC). Increasingly, medical staff and patients wish to know the likelihood of RBC transfusion for appropriate resource allocation and to inform preoperative discussions regarding risk. Although some adult data are available, little is known about RBC use in children.

Aim:  The aim of this study was to describe RBC use in the perioperative period in a large pediatric hospital.

Methods:  Over a 2‐year period the hospital operating theatre database and trauma registry was merged with the blood bank database to identify episodes where RBC units were transfused in association with anesthesia. Incidence of transfusion of RBC units associated with particular procedures was then calculated.

Results:  A total of 21 441 patients underwent 32 511 anesthetics from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007, and 9838 units of RBC were released from the hospital blood bank of which 4070 (41%) were transfused in the perioperative period. Cardiac surgery was the greatest user of RBC units (2359 units). Acute major trauma accounted for only 159 units. Overall 6.3% of anesthetics were associated with a RBC transfusion. The procedures with the greatest frequency of RBC transfusion were cardiac surgery on bypass (79%), cardiac off bypass (55%), liver transplant (87%) and cranioplasty (61%).

Conclusion:  In a tertiary pediatric hospital surgery accounts for a substantial proportion of total RBC use, with particular procedures accounting for the majority of transfusions.
Plant genetics shapes inquiline community structure across spatial scales
Authors: Crutsinger Gregory M. , Cadotte Marc W. , Sanders Nathan J.
Published: February 2009

Recent research in community genetics has examined the effects of intraspecific genetic variation on species diversity in local communities. However, communities can be structured by a combination of both local and regional processes and to date, few community genetics studies have examined whether the effects of instraspecific genetic variation are consistent across levels of diversity. In this study, we ask whether host‐plant genetic variation structures communities of arthropod inquilines within distinct habitat patches – rosette leaf galls on tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima). We found that genetic variation determined inquiline diversity at both local and regional spatial scales, but that trophic‐level responses varied independently of one another. This result suggests that herbivores and predators likely respond to heritable plant traits at different spatial scales. Together, our results show that incorporating spatial scale is essential for predicting the effects of genetically variable traits on different trophic levels and levels of diversity within the communities that depend on host plants.
Resource dynamics influence the strength of non‐consumptive predator effects on prey
Authors: Preisser Evan L. , Bolnick Daniel I. , Grabowski Jonathan H.
Published: February 2009

Predators influence prey populations both by consuming individual prey, and by inducing changes in prey behaviour that limit reproduction and survival. Because prey trade‐off predation risk for forageing gains, the magnitude of predators’ non‐consumptive effects should depend on resource availability. Studies of non‐consumptive effects generally adopt either of two strategies: (i) maintaining a static ration of the prey’s resources; and (ii) using resource populations that vary dynamically in response to prey behaviour. Contrasting these experimental designs using meta‐analysis, we evaluated whether resource dynamics influence the magnitude of non‐consumptive effects on prey growth, survival, fecundity, population density, forageing rate and habitat use. Predators had a more negative effect on prey demography in dynamic‐ vs. static‐resource experiments. Our results highlight the importance of resource dynamics in mediating the magnitude of non‐consumptive effects of predators on prey, and illustrate the often‐unintended impacts of experimental design on estimates of effect size in ecological interactions.
Corporate Board Attributes, Team Effectiveness and Financial Performance
Authors: Payne G. Tyge , Benson George S. , Finegold David L.
Published: February 2009

abstract 

Researchers have recently begun to integrate the literatures on corporate boards and team effectiveness in an effort to better understand how boards function and impact company performance. This study identifies five attributes of high‐performing teams – knowledge, information, power, incentives and opportunity/time – and argues that these attributes will promote board effectiveness, which in turn influence corporate financial performance. These relationships are investigated using combined survey and archival sources of data for 210 Fortune 1000 companies. Findings indicate that most team effectiveness attributes are associated with higher levels of board effectiveness as rated by the board directors, and that board effectiveness is significantly related to corporate financial performance.
The impact of school‐based prevention of overweight on psychosocial well‐being of children
Authors: Van Wijnen L. G. C. , Wendel‐Vos G. C. W. , Wammes B. M. , Bemelmans W. J. E.
Published: February 2009

This review aimed to gain insight in the extent to which psychosocial effects of obesity prevention programmes have been studied, to give an overview of the methods used to measure the particular psychosocial aspects and – if possible – to quantify the effects found. Intervention studies (n = 267) covering the period 1990–October 2005 were derived from seven reviews about childhood obesity interventions. An additional search identified 2754 studies covering the period January 2005–February 2008. In total, 2901 papers (excluding 120 duplicates) were screened for inclusion. Sixty‐nine papers covering 53 interventions were included and screened on measuring psychosocial variables. All original authors were contacted. Seven of the selected interventions measured psychosocial variables, five of which evaluated a net intervention effect as compared with a control condition. Only two interventions reported a statistically significant net intervention effect (a decrease in use of purging or diet pills and a decrease in peer ratings of aggression and observed verbal aggression). We conclude that a minority of childhood obesity interventions investigate the effects of their programmes on psychosocial well‐being of children and adolescents. It is recommended that in the future, these programmes will be evaluated in a uniform way on a broad range of psychosocial aspects
Perspective on biomaterials used in the surgical treatment of morbid obesity
Authors: Henry J. A. , Pandit A.
Published: February 2009

Morbid obesity is defined as having a body mass index greater than or equal to 40.0 kg m−2, or 37.0 kg m−2 with comorbidities. Bariatric surgery remains the most effective treatment for morbid obesity. Bariatric procedures such as sleeve gastrectomy, vertical banded gastroplasty and adjustable gastric banding all generate excess body‐weight loss typically over 3–5 years. The biomaterials used during these procedures, namely silicone, polypropylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and titanium, are all non‐degradable biomaterials. Hence, their presence in vivo exceeds the functional requirement of an implant to treat morbid obesity. Accordingly, research into non‐invasive and reversible surgical procedures has increased, particularly in light of the dramatic increase in paediatric obesity. Tissue engineering is an alternative approach to treat morbid obesity, as it incorporates both engineering and biological principles into the design and development of an implant to surgically treat morbid obesity. It is hypothesized that a biodegradable polymer to treat morbid obesity could be developed to effectively promote excess weight loss. The aim of this review is to discuss morbid obesity with regards to its aetiology, prevalence and current modalities of treatment. Specifically, the shortcomings of the biomaterials currently used to surgically treat morbid obesity shall be reviewed, and alternative biomaterials shall be proposed.
Family Control and Stock Market Reactions to Innovation Announcements
Authors: Chang Shao‐Chi , Wu Wann‐Yih , Wong Ying‐Jiuan
Published: February 2009

Although family firms are common around the world, studies on family‐controlled business are limited. Prior studies mainly focused on the influences of family ownership on overall firm performance, and the results were mixed. In this study we attempted to explore the impacts of family ownership on innovation by examining the association of family control and stock market reactions to innovation announcements. We found that firms with greater family control experienced significantly more negative stock market reactions to innovation announcements. The results further indicated that divergence of cash flow and voting rights was strongly and negatively correlated with announcement‐period abnormal returns. In addition, the findings suggested a significantly positive moderating effect of institutional ownership. The conclusions were robust under various measures of family control, and remained valid after controlling other influential factors for stock market reactions to innovation announcements.
Governance–Performance Relationship: A Re‐examination Using Technical Efficiency Measures
Authors: Bozec Richard , Dia Mohamed , Bozec Yves
Published: February 2009

The objective of this study is to analyse further the governance–performance relationship while improving on two methodological issues: control for endogeneity and firm performance measurement. To mitigate the endogeneity problem, we first focus on subsamples of firms for which weex anteexpect better corporate governance to cause better performance. Second, we use generalized least squares regressions for panel data. To control for potential measurement bias, we measure firm performance using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The research is conducted in Canada over a five‐year period from 2001 to 2005. Corporate governance is measured based on theReport on Businesscorporate governance index published by the Globe and Mail. Overall, the results show that better governed firms are more efficient. This study is in line with a growing number of recent studies that propose alternative measures of firm performance. By using DEA, this study brings together the corporate finance and productivity literature.
Traumatic stress and psychological adjustment in treatment‐seeking women sexually abused in childhood: A follow‐up
Authors: ELKLIT ASK
Published: February 2009

The objective of this study was to assess post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological distress, and risk factors among women sexually abused in childhood (CSA) after six months in therapy. Thirty in‐treatment CSA survivors reported their abuse history and filled out several questionnaires. Comparisons were made to a non‐CSA in‐treatment sample. Although, 50% of the CSA women still had PTSD, there was a remarkable decrease in PTSD symptoms (Cohen's d= 1.06). A considerable change in self‐worth and in attachment styles was found. It was concluded that CSA survivors benefit much from 6 months of weekly treatment. However, it is recommended that treatment should continue for a still longer period.
Semi‐subsistence Producers and Biosecurity in the Slovenian Alps
Authors: Larsen Ana Frelih
Published: February 2009

In this article I examine the encounter between biosecurity and semi‐subsistence producers in the Slovenian Alps. The article shows that biosecurity, as part of a broader shift in agri‐food governance stemming from Slovenia's entry to the European Union, has dramatically reshaped the playing field for semi‐subsistence producers, driving agricultural restructuring and diminishing farmers' strategies of subsistence slaughter and informal marketing. By examining farmers' adjustments to and perceptions of these changes, as well as their attempts to contest biosecurity regulations, this article explores the interplay of economic, cultural and symbolic influences that have resulted in suspicion of the logic of state regulation. In this context, farmers' experiences of biosecurity also strongly impact on their perception of and interest in state‐led rural development initiatives. Based on extensive ethnographic interviews with 42 farm households, this article examines practical and conceptual aspects of the tension between semi‐subsistence production and biosecurity in a Central Eastern European context.
Supporting Spatial Semantics with SPARQL
Authors: Kolas Dave
Published: February 2009

Though the intersection of spatial data and semantic web technologies holds significant promise, there are still many challenges before this promise can be realized. One of these challenges is query representation. History suggests that an appropriate solution is a specialized query language for spatial data; however, with a broad interpretation of the SPARQL specification and extensions that would be useful outside the spatial realm, one can use SPARQL to query spatial concepts effectively. This article establishes a set of desiderata for a query language capable of dealing with spatial Semantic Web‐based data, discusses the challenges facing such a query language, and addresses these challenges with straightforward solutions that are broadly applicable. The effectiveness of these extensions is demonstrated using example queries.
Geographical Linked Data: The Administrative Geography of Great Britain on the Semantic Web
Authors: Goodwin John , Dolbear Catherine , Hart Glen
Published: February 2009

Ordnance Survey, the national mapping agency of Great Britain, is investigating how semantic web technologies assist its role as a geographical information provider. A major part of this work involves the development of prototype products and datasets in RDF. This article discusses the production of an example dataset for the administrative geography of Great Britain, demonstrating the advantages of explicitly encoding topological relations between geographic entities over traditional spatial queries. We also outline how these data can be linked to other datasets on the web of linked data and some of the challenges that this raises.
A SCIENTIFIC ACCOUNT OF MEANING: DEFLATIONARY BUT NOT DISENCHANTING
Authors: Wiebe Donald
Published: February 2009

In The Really Hard Problem, Owen Flanagan maintains that accounting for meaning requires going beyond the resources of the physical, biological, social, and mind sciences. He notes that the religious myths and fantastical stories that once “funded” flourishing lives and made life meaningful have been epistemically discredited by science but nevertheless insists that meaning does exist and can be fully accounted for only in a form of systematic philosophical theorizing that is continuous with science and does not need to invoke myth. He sees such a mode of thought as a new, empirical‐normative science, which he labels eudaimonistic scientia, that evades the disenchantment produced by natural scientific accounts of meaning. I argue that such an empirical‐normative science does not provide us with a scientific account of meaning but is itself simply another way of making sense of one's life that is open to scientific explanation. Such an explanation will be deflationary in the sense that it presumes no greater scheme of things for meaning beyond the span of human existence (collective and possibly individual) but not disenchanting in that it does not explain away the flourishing lives human persons and communities create for themselves.
OUR COMMON ENEMY: COMBATTING THE WORLD'S DEADLIEST VIRUSES TO ENSURE EQUITY HEALTH CARE IN DEVELOPING NATIONS
Authors: Carvalho John J.
Published: February 2009

In a previous issue of Zygon (Carvalho 2007), I explored the role of scientists—especially those engaging the science‐religion dialogue—within the arena of global equity health, world poverty, and human rights. I contended that experimental biologists, who might have reduced agency because of their professional workload or lack of individual resources, can still unite into collective forces with other scientists as well as human rights organizations, medical doctors, and political and civic leaders to foster progressive change in our world. In this article, I present some recent findings from research on three emerging viruses—HIV, dengue, and rotavirus—to explore the factors that lead to the geographical expansion of these viruses and the increase in frequency of the infectious diseases they cause. I show how these viruses are generating problems for geopolitical stability, human rights, and equity health care for developing nations that are already experiencing a growing poverty crisis. I suggest some avenues of future research for the scientific community for the movement toward resolution of these problems and indicate where the science‐religion field can be of additional aid.
RELIGION AND THE MODE OF PRACTICE IN MICHAEL OAKESHOTT
Authors: Corey Elizabeth
Published: February 2009

Michael Oakeshott's religious view of the world stands behind much of his political and philosophical writing. In this essay I first discuss Oakeshott's view of religion and the mode of practice in his own terms. I attempt next to illuminate his idea of religion by describing it in less technical language, drawing upon other thinkers such as Georg Simmel and George Santayana, who share similar views. I then evaluate Oakeshott's view as a whole, considering whether his ideas about religion can stand up to careful scrutiny and whether they have value for present‐day reflection on religion.
OAKESHOTT ON SCIENCE AS A MODE OF EXPERIENCE
Authors: Kaldis Byron
Published: February 2009

I offer a critical exposition and reconstruction of Michael Oakeshott's views on natural science. The principal aim is to enrich Oakeshott's modal schema by throwing light on it in terms of its internal consistency and by bringing to bear on it recent developments in philosophy in general and the philosophy of science in particular. The discussion brings out the special place reserved for philosophy, the crucial tenet of the separateness of these modes seen as Leibnizian monads as well as the special status allowed to science. It considers the possibility of combining one moment of philosophical thinking, namely ethics, with science in the midst of such modal separateness. I first offer a general introduction of how to approach Oakeshott's views on science. The next section stresses philosophy and its relation to science. This is followed by an elaboration of what the modes of experience are meant to be and how science is placed among them. An examination of Oakeshott's more particular views on science concludes the essay.
Is Thomas Reid a Direct Realist about Perception?
Authors: Benbaji Hagit
Published: February 2009

The controversy over the interpretative issue—is Thomas Reid a perceptual direct realist?—has recently had channelled into it a host of imaginative ideas about what direct perception truly means. Paradoxically enough, it is the apparent contradiction at the heart of his view of perception which keeps teasing us to review our concepts: time and again, Reid stresses that the very idea of any mental intermediaries implies scepticism, yet, nevertheless insists that sensations are signs of objects. But if sensory signs are not mental intermediaries, what are they? Hasn't Reid merely swapped the common ‘sensation’ for the notorious ‘idea’, ending up with indirect realism?1 Current imaginative strategies answer negatively: Reid's sensory sign does not contradict direct perception, and those who think otherwise merely fail to understand what it means.
Organising campaigns as ‘revitaliser’ for trade unions? The example of the Lidl campaign
Authors: Gajewska Katarzyna , Niesyto Johanna
Published: February 2009

US‐style organising campaigns are a relatively new repertoire of action for German trade unions and can be seen as further evidence of their transformation. The example of the Lidl campaign organised by German United Service Union ver.di is chosen to illustrate tensions between organising and campaigning as revitalisation strategies.
The role of training and skills development in active labour market policies
Authors: Meager Nigel
Published: February 2009

There is persistent evidence over several decades that the UK lags behind its international competitors in terms of the skills and qualifications of its workforce, with a detrimental impact on overall economic performance. The most recent attempt by the UK government to address this includes a new strategy aimed at increasing the degree of integration between skills policy and employment policy in the UK. In light of this development, this review paper considers the extensive international evidence on the role and effectiveness of training and skills interventions, as part of a broader portfolio of active labour market policies. The review concludes that while large‐scale, ‘broad brush’ schemes have little impact as part of such a portfolio, more targeted programmes addressing specific skill needs may have some impact on employment chances of workless groups.
Young managers' interpersonal stress and its relationship to management development practices: an exploratory study
Authors: Uen Jin‐Feng , Wu Ting , Huang Hui‐Yu
Published: February 2009

This exploratory study investigates whether there is a relationship between young managers' interpersonal stress and various management development practices. In recent years, practitioners and researchers have focused on stress studies and related practices in the workplace. However, stress encountered by young managers has received less attention. We examine possible sources of young managers' interpersonal stress and develop a scale through exploratory factor analysis. Participants are less than 35 years old, mainly from the financial, high‐tech and service industries in Taiwan.

Organizational managerial development practices are discussed to understand their relevance to young managers' interpersonal stress. The results suggest that the more opportunities young managers have to make decisions, the more their opinions will differ from those of their middle‐aged fellow managers and senior subordinates. However, organizations with formal assessment may lessen disagreements with middle‐aged fellow managers. Future studies regarding young managers' interpersonal stress can be carried out using this scale and can explore whether other, specific organizational management development practices are related to lower stress levels among young managers.
The contribution of vocational training to employment, job‐related skills and productivity: evidence from Madeira
Authors: Budría Santiago , Telhado‐Pereira Pedro
Published: February 2009

In this paper, we analyse the transition to the labor market of participants in vocational training in Madeira in Portugal. The analysis is in two stages. First, we investigate how the employment status at different dates (1 month, 1 year, and 2 years after the completion of the training program) depends on relevant variables, such as age, gender, education and the content and duration of the training. Second, we use individuals' self‐assessment of the effectiveness of the training program along three dimensions: employment, job‐related skills and productivity. The respondents score training activities high on every dimension. Moreover, we find that training is more effective among the educated, indicating that vocational training is far from being remedial. We also find that long training programs and training related to tourism are particularly effective.
Chemical modification of pyroclastic rock by hot water: an experimental investigation of mass transport at the fluid–solid interface
Authors: HARA J. , TSUCHIYA N.
Published: February 2009

Hydrothermal water–(pyroclastic) rock interactions were examined using flow‐through experiments to deduce the effect of mass transport phenomena on the reaction process. A series of experiments were conducted over the temperature range 75–250°C, with a constant temperature for each experiment, and at saturated vapour pressure, to estimate the apparent rate constants as a function of temperature.

Based on the chemistry of analysed solutions, the water–rock interaction in the experiments was controlled by diffusion from the reaction surface and by the existence of a surface layer at the rock–fluid interface, which regulated the chemical reaction rate. The reaction progress depended to a high degree on flow velocity and temperature conditions, with element abundances in the fluid significantly affected by these factors. Mass transport coefficients for diffusion from the rock surface to the bulk solution have been estimated. Ca is selectively depleted under lower temperature conditions (T < 150°C), whereas Na is greatly depleted under higher temperature conditions (T > 150°C), and K reaction rates are increased when flow velocity increases. Using these conditions, specific alkali and alkali earth cations were selectively leached from mineral surfaces. The ‘surface layer’ comprised a 0.5–1.8 mm boundary film on the solution side (the thickness of this layer has no dependence on chemical character) and a reaction layer. The reaction layer was composed of a Si, Al‐rich cation‐leached layer, whose thickness was dependent on temperature, flow velocity and reaction length. The reaction layer varied in thickness from about 10−4 to 10−7 mm under high temperature/low fluid velocity and low temperature/high fluid velocity conditions, respectively.
Package FLUIDS. Part 3: correlations between equations of state, thermodynamics and fluid inclusions
Authors: BAKKER R. J.
Published: February 2009

The computer package FLUIDS (Bakker 2003) has been revised to calculate fluid properties in pores and inclusions. The programs are provided with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and are adapted to new operating systems, including MacOS, Windows and Linux. The van der Waals equation of state has been added to the group Loners and is used to illustrate a large variety of calculation procedures for many thermodynamic parameters and properties. The mathematical transformations can be applied to any equation of state with the form p(V,T,n), i.e. the pressure of a multi‐component fluid is expressed as a function of volume, temperature and amount of substance. The fluid properties that are usually observed in microthermometric analyses of fluid inclusions, such as phase separation, phase coexistence and stability, can be predicted with these equations of state by using its spinodal and critical point calculations, in addition to fugacity calculations of liquid and vapour phases. The computer program LonerW can be freely downloaded from the website: http://fluids.unileoben.ac.at/Computer.html.
Investigating the distribution of prairie dogs in an urban landscape
Authors: Magle S. B. , Crooks K. R.
Published: February 2009

Habitat fragmentation is a prevalent threat to biological diversity, and urbanization is a primary agent of fragmentation and a leading cause of species endangerment. Landscape biogeographic and local habitat characteristics can be important determinants of the distribution of species in habitat patches in urban landscapes. However, the specifics of which characteristics are most critical to maintaining biological diversity are not fully known for prairie ecosystems, especially in fragmented urban habitat. This study focuses on black‐tailed prairie dogs along an urban gradient in Denver, CO. Prairie dogs have declined precipitously throughout the region and are an essential part of the prairie ecosystem, making them excellent study subjects. We identified a series of habitat fragments along a gradient of urbanization in the fully urbanized areas and south suburbs of Denver, CO, both containing and not containing prairie dogs. Local characteristics, including fragment slope and vegetative cover, and landscape characteristics, including fragment size, age and connectivity, were measured on each fragment. We used likelihood‐based methods to explore which variables most accurately predicted prairie dog occurrence within our study area. Multiple factors influenced the distribution of prairie dogs in urban settings, with colony connectivity the strongest predictor of occupancy. Large and recently isolated fragments near other prairie dog colonies, flat areas and those with high graminoid cover were most likely to support prairie dog populations. Our study provides the first attempt to model prairie dog occurrence in highly fragmented urban habitat and has important implications for the management and conservation of prairie dogs.
Enhancing effects of morphine on methamphetamine‐induced reinforcing behavior and its association with dopamine release and metabolism in mice
Authors: Lan Kuo‐Cheng , Chang Alice Chien , Liu Shing‐Hwa , Ho Ing Kang , Lin‐Shiau Shoei‐Yn
Published: February 2009

Polydrug abuse has become a significant problem worldwide, and the combined use of methamphetamine (MA) and morphine (M) is now highly prevalent among addicts. In the present study, we investigated the neurobehavioral effects of repeated treatment regimens of these drugs (i.p. administration of 0.75 mg/kg/day MA, 5 mg/kg/day M, and their combination for five consecutive days followed by once weekly for five consecutive weeks) in mice. In addition, we used anin vivomicrodialysis technique to study the changes in extracellular concentrations of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites in the mouse striatum after challenge administration of these drugs. The results showed that systemic M increased MA‐induced conditioned place preference (CPP), as revealed by higher CPP values which were also maintained for a longer duration compared with those induced by an identical dose of MA or M alone. Subsequent to challenge with combined MA and M, mice exhibited an increase in stereotyped behavior, which appeared to be associated with an elevation of extracellular concentration of DA in the striatum. Our findings suggest that M not only produces synergistic effects on MA‐induced CPP, but also interacts with MA to induce stereotyped behavioral sensitization which is mediated by an increase in DA outflow in the striatum. These findings provide insight into the behavioral and neurochemical basis responsible for the combined abuse liability of MA and M.
The purine nucleosides adenosine and guanosine delay axonal degeneration in vitro
Authors: Press Craig , Milbrandt Jeffrey
Published: February 2009

Axonal degeneration is a key component of many neurodegenerative diseases. Injured axons undergo a program of self‐destruction termed Wallerian degeneration that is an active, well‐regulated process. The pathways leading to axon fragmentation are uncharacterized, but experiments with wlds mutant mice led to the discovery that over‐expression of NMN adenylyltransferase 1 or treatment with NAD+ can inhibit axonal degeneration. In this study, we show that the purine nucleosides adenosine and guanosine, but not inosine, inhibit injury‐induced axonal degeneration in cultured dorsal root ganglia neurons. Axons can be preserved by adding adenosine within 6 h of the axonal injury. The presence of adenosine was required continuously after the injury to maintain axonal protection. Together these results suggest that adenosine does not alter the neuronal response to injury, but instead inhibits a local axonal pathway necessary for the commitment and/or execution of the axon destructive program.