bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What forInternally
Authors: Leu Thomas
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The present paper is concerned with the internal structure of Germanicwhat forphrases. A comparative look atwhat foracross Dutch, German, Norwegian, Swedish, and Swiss German leads to a drastic revision of the traditional view onwhat for. The proposal recognizes an (often silent) functional nominalSORTas a constitutive part of thewhat forconstruction.Foris analyzed as a prepositional complementizer whose complement contains the (silent) nominal and the trace ofwhat, to whichforassigns accusative Case. The projection offor, forP, is argued to sit in a specifier position in the extended projection of the head noun, similar to adjectival modifiers on a Cinquean view.Whatmoves out of forP into the left periphery of the noun phrase.
Truth and sight: generalizing without universalizing
Authors: Bloch Maurice
Published: March 2008

This paper examines the link between truth and sight, and the implications of this link for our understandings of the concept of evidence. I propose to give an example of precisely how we might attempt to generalize about a phenomenon such as the recurrence of the association between truth and sight without ignoring important anti‐universalist points. In doing this, I hope to give one example of how anthropology, in the original sense of the term, is a still possible enterprise, in spite of the criticisms such an approach has had to face in the last thirty years.

L'auteur examine le lien entre vérité et vision et ses implications pour notre compréhension du concept de preuve. Il propose un exemple de la manière dont nous pourrions tenter de généraliser un phénomène tel que la récurrence de l'association entre vérité et vision, sans négliger d'importants arguments anti‐universalistes. Par la même occasion, l'auteur espère donner un exemple de la façon dont l'anthropologie, au sens originel du terme, est encore une entreprise possible malgré les critiques que cette approche a essuyées au cours des trente dernières années.
The evidence of the senses and the materiality of religion
Authors: Keane Webb
Published: March 2008

Religious practices are commonly treated as evidence for something else, such as beliefs. There are a number of problems with privileging beliefs or ideas when trying to define religion. An alternative is to rethink the relationship between the materiality of religious activity and the ideas that have sometimes been taken to define ‘religion’. This approach may also be a productive way to look at religious practices across widely differing contexts without eliminating their fundamentally historical character.

Les pratiques religieuses sont habituellement envisagées comme des preuves d'autre chose, par exemple de croyances. Or le fait de privilégier les croyances ou les idées pour tenter de définir la religion pose plusieurs problèmes. Une autre approche consiste à repenser la relation entre la matérialité de l'activité religieuse et les idées qui ont parfois été employées pour définir la « religion ». Cette approche peut être un moyen productif d'examiner les pratiques religieuses à travers des contextes très différents, sans éliminer leur caractère fondamentalement historique.
Linguistic and cultural variables in the psychology of numeracy
Authors: Stafford Charles
Published: March 2008

Although anthropologists pride themselves on paying attention to the small details of everyday life, experimental psychologists arguably have an even smaller scale of research – examining variables such as infant staring time and the speed at which words are pronounced. This paper considers the impact of these different approaches to scale and selectivity in research objects, focusing in particular on studies of Pirahã and Chinese numerical cognition. Everyone accepts that cultural factors, such as the use of different counting term sets in different languages, may influence numerical thought. But the tendency of psychologists to restrict scale and eliminate variables, including cultural ones, in order to be able to falsify their claims sits uncomfortably with the anthropological tendency to incorporate variables in order to be holistic.

Bien que les anthropologues se targuent de faire attention aux petits détails de la vie de tous les jours, les psychologues expérimentaux travaillent à une échelle de recherche encore plus petite, sur des variables telles que le temps de fixation du regard d'un nourrisson ou la vitesse à laquelle les mots sont prononcés. Le présent article examine l'effet de ces approches différentes de l'échelle et de la sélectivité dans les objets de recherches en se concentrant en particulier sur des études de la cognition numérique chez les Pirahã et les Chinois. Il est largement admis que des facteurs culturels, tels que l'utilisation de systèmes différents de numération, influent sur la pensée numérique. Toutefois, la tendance des psychologues à restreindre l'échelle et àéliminer les variables, y compris culturelles, pour falsifier leurs affirmations les place en porte‐à‐faux par rapport à la tendance de l'anthropologie à intégrer les variables dans une approche holistique.
Some problems with property ascription
Authors: Knight Nicola , Astuti Rita
Published: March 2008

We discuss the practice of property ascription in anthropology. While recognizing that it is an inevitable and often useful way to convey the knowledge that anthropologists have acquired through ethnographic fieldwork, we identify three of the most common ways in which ascription can be misleading. First, when a property is ascribed to a collective entity, but it is unevenly distributed among social sub‐groupings; second, when an ascribed mental property is alleged to cause an individual's behaviour, but the property proves to be empirically unsupported; third, when a belief is ascribed to an individual, while another belief that effectively contradicts the first one is also entertained by that same individual. We review anthropological and psychological solutions to these problems.

Les auteurs discutent de la pratique d'attribution de propriétés en anthropologie. Tout en reconnaissant qu'il s'agit d'un moyen inévitable, et souvent utile, de transmettre les connaissances que les anthropologues ont acquises sur le terrain, ils identifient trois des manières les plus courantes dont cette attribution peut induire en erreur : premièrement, lorsqu'une propriété attribuée à l'identité collective est répartie inégalement parmi les sous‐groupes sociaux ; deuxièmement, lorsqu'on affirme qu'une propriété mentale attribuée est la cause du comportement d'un individu, mais que cette propriété s'avère dépourvue de fondement empirique ; troisièmement, lorsqu'une croyance est attribuée à un individu alors que ce même individu entretient une autre croyance, qui contredit de facto la première. Les auteurs examinent les solutions anthropologiques et psychologiques à ces problèmes.
DECOMPOSING THE TECHNOLOGY SHIFT: EVIDENCE FROM THE SWEDISH MANUFACTURING SECTOR
Authors: LUNDQUIST KARL‐JOHAN , OLANDER LARS‐OLOF , SVENSSON HENNING MARTIN
Published: March 2008

The aim of this paper is to conduct an analysis of the changing geographies of production and industrial renewal in Sweden during the period 1978 to 2004. Conceptually, we build on the regional version of the technology shift cycle thesis. This is performed in two steps and by combinations of national and regional empirical evidence. First, we construct a taxonomic method that distinguishes between renewed, followers, transformed, induced, contracting, and obsolete industries in the national production system. These different kinds of industries have all had different roles in the dramatic transformation of Swedish manufacturing, and we empirically identify the groups of industries using new time series data. Second, the regional footprints of the transformation are investigated applying a systemic view of regional development. The results of our investigations provide a detailed picture of the anatomies of both sector and regional transformation of the Swedish economy.
REGIONAL KNOWLEDGE ECONOMIES: AN EU‐UK AND ISRAEL PERSPECTIVE
Authors: COOKE PHILIP , SCHWARTZ DAFNA
Published: March 2008

This paper elaborates on the concept of ‘knowledge economy’ as a prelude to demonstrating its incidence at regional and sub‐regional levels in the UK, EU and Israel. The paper shows consistencies in the incidence of knowledge economies across the countries and georegion. This is a good test of the basic methodology, which is simple, and suggests its underlying theory is robust for distinctive spaces and times. It should thus contribute to standard methodology in academic and policy environments. The future economy will be characterised by more knowledge‐intensive activities, and as shown in the paper, will be a highly disequilibriated one in spatial terms. Consequently the need for counter‐measures is growing in order to continuously follow up and to take the needed actions in lagging regions. This is an acute challenge for future policy, namely to correct market failure in the knowledge economy for peripheral and otherwise deprived areas.
INDUSTRIAL LOCATION AT A LOCAL LEVEL: COMMENTS ON THE TERRITORIAL LEVEL OF THE ANALYSIS
Authors: ARAUZO‐CAROD JOSEP‐MARIA
Published: March 2008

This paper contributes to the existing literature on industrial location by discussing the territorial levels that are used in location analysis. We use data for new manufacturing firms and analyse the advantages and disadvantages of performing location analyses at three levels: municipality, county and travel‐to‐work areas. We show that location determinants vary according to the territorial level used in the analysis and conclude that the level at which the investigation is performed should be carefully selected.
APPLIED GEOGRAPHY AND ETHICS IN SPATIAL PLANNING: THE DUTCH NATIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGY 2006
Authors: HOEKVELD GERARD A.
Published: March 2008

The ethical dimensions of geography attract attention of academic and applied geographers more and more. Still, in contrast with the planners, applied geographers mostly only deal with ethics in vague terms and ways, not suitable for the evaluative practices of geography applied in spatial planning. In this paper, some principles or criteria explicitly used in planning or implicitly in applied geography are formulated. One can distinguish the normative ex ante evaluation from the ex post evaluation of a decision. Both have their own set of criteria, but in practice the ex post principles will be used in the ex ante evaluation too and vice versa. The ‘Nota Ruimte’ is the major Dutch planning document, in force since 2006. The ex ante and ex post evaluations are applied to the parliamentary discussions when deciding to accept the Nota. The final ethical evaluation of the Nota has to be postponed until its elaboration at lower governmental levels has become clear.
Sound and Fury: Pretextual Prosecution and Department of Justice Antiterrorism Efforts
Authors: LOCHNER TODD
Published: March 2008

Using Justice Department antiterrorism efforts as a case study, this article expands upon existing theories of pretextual prosecution by distinguishing a law enforcement system that employs a pretextual strategy from one that employs what I term technical or disingenuous prosecutions. Contrary to Justice Department claims, the data suggest that since September 2001, federal investigators continually have referred a large number of specious antiterrorism matters to federal prosecutors. The data further suggest that federal prosecutors are more likely to be engaging in technical or disingenuous prosecutions than pretextual prosecutions.
Accountability or Expectations Management? The Role of the Ombudsman in Financial Regulation
Authors: GILAD SHARON
Published: March 2008

Current research of third‐party complaint handling institutions evaluates their success in providing redress and advancing service improvement. This focus is driven by a normative predisposition. In contrast, this study is based on an inductive, ethnographic research of the UK Financial Ombudsman Service. This inductive analysis is employed to develop hypotheses to guide future research on third‐party complaint handling. It is suggested that current literature may have overlooked the role of third‐party complaint handling schemes in managing what, from a professional point of view, are citizen‐consumers’ excessive expectations for redress. The normative implications of this tentative empirical claim are further discussed.
EQUAL ORGANIC COMPOSITION OF CAPITAL AND REGULARITY
Authors: Burmeister Edwin
Published: March 2008

Equal organic composition of capital (EOCC) is shown to be a necessary and sufficient condition for constant relative prices in no‐joint production technologies with neoclassical production functions. It is then proved that such neoclassical technologies are regular (which implies that consumption is well behaved across steady‐state equilibria). Regularity is also a necessary and sufficient condition for near aggregation (which implies an aggregate production function with all but one of the usual neoclassical properties). Except perhaps for some fluke cases, the existence of an aggregate production function with all of the usual neoclassical properties (full aggregation) requires the stronger EOCC property.
THE OBSIDIAN IN THE AEGEAN BEYOND MELOS: AN OUTLOOK FROM YALI
Authors: GEORGIADIS MERCOURIOS
Published: March 2008

Summary.  Obsidian is an important material circulated throughout the Aegean. Melian obsidian is found at many sites and researchers have concentrated on Melos without acknowledging obsidian from other sources. This article endeavours to highlight obsidian of non‐Melian origin, such as that from the Carpathians, central Anatolia, Antiparos and, particularly, Yali. It is demonstrated that this latter source was a central one for certain islands, with its obsidian found at a number of sites in the Dodecanese and beyond. It is also emphasized that there were circulation modes of obsidian parallel to that of Melos, as well as different procurement conditions. Therefore, by including important regional sources such as Yali in the obsidian discourse, our understanding of obsidian exchange and circulation is enriched.
DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE AND SOCIAL DIFFERENCES IN NORTH‐EASTERN IBERIA DURING THE IRON AGE (c.525–200 BC)
Authors: BELARTE MARIA CARME
Published: March 2008

Summary.  This paper is concerned with the organization of societies in north‐eastern Iberia (present‐day Catalonia) during the Iron Age, using data provided by domestic architecture and settlement organization. I offer an analysis of the social differences detected in the dwellings based on a sample of houses excavated at different types of settlement. Although many Iberian houses had simple layouts and small surface areas, some larger dwellings at the main sites are distinguished by the shape of their ground plans, their surface areas, architectural features, and central locations; these houses are believed to be the residences of the Iberian elite. Such dwellings are not found at all sites and the data suggest that there was a relationship between the category of the settlement (or its function) and the types of dwelling in it.
THE POLITICS OF INVESTMENT PARTISANSHIP: AND THE SECTORAL ALLOCATION OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
Authors: PINTO PABLO M. , PINTO SANTIAGO M.
Published: March 2008

This paper explores the existence of partisan cycles in foreign direct investment performance. Our theoretical model predicts that the incumbent government's partisanship should affect foreign investors' decision to flow into different sectors of the host country: pro‐labor governments would encourage the inflow of the type of investment that complements labor in production; pro‐capital governments would promote the entry of investment that substitutes for labor. Empirical evidence from a sample of Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development countries reveals a pattern of foreign investors' response to partisan cycles consistent with the predictions of the model. First, foreign investment systematically flows into different sectors of the host economy under left‐ and right‐leaning incumbents. Second, we find a positive correlation between foreign investment and changes in average wages under left‐leaning incumbents, but no effect on wages under right‐leaning governments.
THE WTO AND ANTIDUMPING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Authors: BOWN CHAD P.
Published: March 2008

Since the 1995 inception of the World Trade Organization (WTO), developing countries have become some of the most frequent users of the WTO‐sanctioned antidumping (AD) trade policy instrument. This paper exploits newly available data to examine sector‐level use of nine of the major “new user” developing countries, matching data on production in 28 different three‐digit ISIC industries to data on AD investigations, outcomes, and imports at the six‐digit Harmonized System product level. We present economically significant evidence consistent with theory that developing‐country industries that seek and receive AD import protection are responding to macroeconomic shocks, exhibit characteristics consistent with endogenous trade policy formation, and face some changing market conditions consistent with requirements of the WTO Antidumping Agreement. However, the evidence also suggests substantial heterogeneity in determinants of AD use across developing countries, which highlights the flexibility of this policy as a protectionist tool responsive to many different types of political‐economic shocks.
Therapeutic outcome 3 years after switching of immunomodulatory therapies in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis in Argentina
Authors: Carrá A. , Onaha P. , Luetic G. , Burgos M. , Crespo E. , Deri N. , Halfon M. , Jaacks G. , López A. , Sinay V. , Vrech C.
Published: March 2008

Switching treatment may be beneficial in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who respond inadequately to first‐line immunomodulatory therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes after switching treatment in such patients. This prospective longitudinal observational study included 114 patients with RRMS who failed first‐line monotherapy and were switched treatments after 3 years. Every 3 months, patients underwent a full neurological examination. Outcome was compared between the 3‐year Before Switch and After Switch treatment periods. The primary outcome measure was the annualized relapse rate; secondary outcome measures were the proportion of relapse‐free patients and the median change in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Patients were switched either from low‐dose to high‐dose interferon‐β (IFNβ; n = 31), from IFNβ to glatiramer acetate (GA; n = 52) or mitoxantrone (n = 13), or from GA to IFNβ (n = 16). In 3 years after switching, annualized relapse rates fell by 57–78% according to the group. The proportion of relapse‐free patients varied from 56% to 81%. Least improved was observed in patients switching between INFβ preparations. Median EDSS scores remained stable in all groups except the GA to IFNβ switchers. In conclusion, patients who fail first‐line immunomodulatory therapy generally benefit from switching to another class of immunomodulatory therapy.
Serum level of CNTF is elevated in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and correlates with site of disease onset
Authors: Laaksovirta H. , Soinila S. , Hukkanen V. , Röyttä M. , Soilu‐Hänninen M.
Published: March 2008

We measured serum levels of neurotrophic cytokines ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and leukaemia inhibiting factor (LIF) in 96 patients either with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS, n = 18) or sporadic ALS (SALS, n = 78) and in 27 inflammatory neurological controls (13 multiple sclerosis and 14 Guillain‐Barré syndrome) and in 27 healthy controls. Serum level of CNTF was significantly higher in ALS patients than in inflammatory neurological controls or healthy controls, and significantly higher in patients with ALS onset from upper or lower extremities than in patients with a purely bulbar onset of the disease. Serum CNTF levels did not significantly differ between patients with FALS and SALS, and it did not correlate with the age of onset or duration of the disease. No detectable serum levels of LIF were observed in the patient groups or in the healthy controls.
Kinematic evaluation of gestural and repetitive single joint movements of the arm after posteroventral pallidotomy, subthalamotomy or both procedures combined in two Parkinson’s disease patients: two case studies
Authors: Merello M. , Balej J. , Tenca E. , Leiguarda R.
Published: March 2008

Two patients with severe Parkinson’s disease undergoing partial or complete ablative interruption of basal ganglia (BG) output are presented. One patient who underwent bilateral subthalamotomy, and a second who underwent unilateral posteroventral pallidotomy, followed 7 years later by a bilateral subthalamotomy because of contralateral disease progression, were studied. In addition to the usual clinical evaluation, changes in joint kinematics observed during unconstrained, skilled multi‐joint movement and repetitive single joint (RSJ) movement of the wrist were studied. Clinical UPDRS items referred to hand movements contralateral to the procedure, and instrumental measurement of RSJ improved in both patients after either pallidotomy or subthalamotomy. When both BG outflow paths were interrupted as was the case in the second patient (bilateral subthalamotomy after the initial pallidotomy), no added clinical improvement was observed, RSJ even deteriorated slightly. Instrument‐based studies for movement alteration detection after simultaneous ablation of the globus pallidus and the subthalamic nucleus of these two patients showed greater sensitivity than clinical evaluation alone. Complex gestural movement performance remained unaffected after partial (subthalamotomy or pallidotomy) or complete interruption of BG outflow (case 2), indicating BG compensatory capacity after total outflow interruption remained intact.
The assessment of depression in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Koerts J. , Leenders K. L. , Koning M. , Bouma A. , Beilen M. van
Published: March 2008

Background:  Motor symptoms form the hallmark of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), although features like depression are often present. Depression rating scales [e.g. Montgomery‐Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)] used in PD measure affective, cognitive and somatic symptoms. An important clinical question is which items of the MADRS are likely to be influenced by PD symptoms.

Methods:  Depression was assessed in 43 PD patients who scored below the cut‐off of the MADRS and who differed widely in motor severity.

Results:  Parkinson’s Disease patients scored relatively highest on Concentration difficulties, Reduced sleep and Inner tension. Reduced sleep, Lassitude and Suicidal thoughts were associated with motor severity and specifically with Bradykinesia, Rigidity and Axial impairment, however not with Tremor.

To avoid a possible influence on our results of coincidentally included PD patients with a depression, all associations between somatic MADRS items and motor severity were corrected for the influence of affective symptoms of depression. All associations remained significant.

Discussion:  In conclusion, the items Reduced sleep and Lassitude of the MADRS are likely to be influenced by motor symptoms. The high score on Concentration difficulties is suggested to be a reflection of cognitive dysfunction in PD. Thus, when assessing depression in PD, using a depression rating scale like the MADRS, adjusted cut‐off scores are required.
Morphine in the management of dyspnoea in ALS. A pilot study
Authors: Clemens K. E. , Klaschik E.
Published: March 2008

Background and purpose:  The study aimed to verify the efficacy and safety of morphine in the management of dyspnoea in patients with terminal amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A further aim was to assess the effect of morphine on ventilation and the potential diminishing effect of nasal O2‐insufflation preceding morphine administration on the intensity of dyspnoea.

Methods:  Six dyspnoeic ALS patients were included in a prospective, non‐randomized study. The intensity of dyspnoea was measured with a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS 0–10). Transcutaneous carbon dioxide partial pressure (tcpaCO2), oxygen saturation (SaO2) and pulse frequency were continuously monitored during the nasal insufflation of O2 preceding the first morphine dose and also afterwards.

Results:  A significant decrease was seen in both respiratory rate (from 42.0 ± 6.0/min to 29.0 ± 4.0) (P = 0.027) and the intensity of dyspnoea (from 7.5 ± 1.9 to 1.8 ± 0.8) (P = 0.027) 120 min after the morphine administration. Neither a significant tcpaCO2 increase nor a SaO2 decrease were seen. O2‐insufflation did not significantly decrease the intensity of dyspnoea. The anxiety of choking correlated highly significantly with the intensity of dyspnoea (r = 0.861, P = 0.028) in all patients. There were no cases of respiratory depression.

Discussion:  Therapeutic doses of morphine were effective and safe in the management of dyspnoea in ALS patients.
Relationship between weight, levodopa and dyskinesia: the significance of levodopa dose per kilogram body weight
Authors: Sharma J. C. , Ross I.N. , Rascol O. , Brooks D.
Published: March 2008

Purpose:  Levodopa dose per kilogram body weight is reported to be a significant factor for dyskinesia in Parkinson’s disease. We have investigated this hypothesis in data from the studies comparing ropinirole versus levodopa as the initial therapy.

Methods:  Data from the ropinirole versus levodopa studies 056 and REAL‐PET in early Parkinson’s disease were pooled and manipulated to calculate levodopa dose per kilogram body weight. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate significant variables for the development of dyskinesia. Only the patients on levodopa monotherapy or with ropinirole were analyzed.

Results:  Analysis of levodopa therapy patients revealed that dyskinetic patients had received significantly higher absolute levodopa dose and levodopa dose per kilogram body weight. Logistic regression revealed that the most significant factor was the higher levodopa dose per kilogram body weight, P = 0.005, odds ratio 1.078, 95% CI 1.023–1.135; younger age was the second factor –P = 0.026. Variables of gender, absolute levodopa dose, weight, disease duration and initial motor Unified Parkinson’s disease rating score were not significant.

Conclusion:  Higher levodopa dose per kilogram body weight is an independently significant factor for developing dyskinesia. This relationship should be considered in treatment of Parkinson’s disease patients aiming to prevent and manage dyskinesia.
No muscle involvement in myoclonus‐dystonia caused by ɛ‐sarcoglycan gene mutations
Authors: Hjermind L. E. , Vissing J. , Asmus F. , Krag T. , Lochmüller H. , Walter M. C. , Erdal J. , Blake D. J. , Nielsen J. E.
Published: March 2008

Mutations in the ɛ‐sarcoglycan gene (SGCE) can cause autosomal dominant inherited myoclonus‐dystonia (M‐D). Defects in other sarcoglycans; α‐, β‐, γ‐, and δ can cause autosomal recessive inherited limb girdle muscular dystrophies. ɛ‐ and α‐sarcoglycans are very homologous and may substitute for one‐another in different tissues. We therefore investigated whether mutations in SGCE also cause abnormalities of skeletal and myocardial muscle.

Six patients with clinically and genetically verified M‐D and no signs of limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy were included. Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained from all patients, and endomyocardial muscle biopsy from one of the patients. Morphological and immunohistological investigations were performed and compared with controls.

Histological and immunohistological investigations of muscle and clinical assessment of muscle strength and mass showed no difference between M‐D patients and controls.

Our findings indicate that patients with M‐D have no signs or symptoms of muscle disease. This suggests a different role of the sarcoglycan complex ɛβγδ versus αβγδ complex in humans, as earlier suggested in rodents.
The impact of employee‐share‐ownership schemes on performance in unionised and non‐unionised workplaces
Authors: Sengupta Sukanya
Published: March 2008

Conventional wisdom suggests that higher performance is observed when employee‐share‐ownership (ESO) schemes coexist with employee participation arrangements. However, the evidence is inconclusive and it has been suggested that performance benefits occur in ESO workplaces only when employees are actually involved in the decision‐making process. Drawing on the cross‐section data from the 1998 Workplace Employee Relations Survey, the article shows that higher productivity is observed in those workplaces where unions coexist with ESO schemes. This result highlights the relevance of unions to High Performance Work Systems.
Mobilising workers within inter‐organisational relationships in the UK voluntary sector
Authors: Cunningham Ian
Published: March 2008

This article assesses the prospects for union membership growth in the UK voluntary sector. It examines the efforts of workplace activists to defend terms and conditions and recruit and retain members in two voluntary organisations in the context of the sector's close relationship with external state funding and regulatory bodies. The study confirms the importance of workplace activists in contributing to successful mobilisation. It also finds, however, that differences in inter‐organisational relations between the two organisations and state funding bodies that are shaped by product markets and competition are pivotal in explaining the variability in outcomes for union mobilisation efforts. The article has wider significance in telling us more about why union campaigns in areas of the economy characterised by close supply chain relations succeed or fail.
Expecting the worst: circumstances surrounding pregnancy discrimination at work and progress to formal redress
Authors: McDonald Paula , Dear Kerriann , Backstrom Sandra
Published: March 2008

This study explored the details of 318 cases of alleged workplace pregnancy discrimination reported to a community advocacy organisation in Australia. Circumstances surrounding pregnancy discrimination included derogatory comments about physical appearance, changed working conditions, denial of access to opportunities and less favourable work performance appraisals. Dismissal or constructive dismissal was often reported. The study also highlights the complexity and difficulty in navigating formal complaints processes and examines some of the outcomes for women who chose this course of action.
Migraine and Left-Handedness are not Associated. A New Case—Control Study and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Biehl K , Frese A , Marziniak M , Husstedt I-W , Evers S
Published: March 2008

To investigate the possible association between migraine and left-handedness, we enrolled 100 patients with a diagnosis of migraine according to the International Headache Society diagnostic criteria and 100 age- and sex-matched control subjects into a case—control study. Handedness was determined by the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. There was no significant difference in the frequency or grade of left-handedness between the two groups. Additionally, we pooled our data with those from five similar studies, which did not alter the result. Thus, neither our study nor the meta-analysis support Geschwind and Behan's hypothesis of an association between migraine and left-handedness.
Patent Foramen Ovale and Migraine: A Quantitative Systematic Review
Authors: Schwedt TJ , Demaerschalk BM , Dodick DW
Published: March 2008

Initial studies indicate an increased prevalence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in migraineurs with aura, and an increased prevalence of migraine and migraine with aura in persons with PFO. Retrospective analyses of PFO closure suggest clinically significant improvements in migraine patterns. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of migraine in patients with PFO, the prevalence of PFO in migraineurs, and the effect of PFO closure on migraine. We conducted a quantitative systematic review of articles on migraine and PFO that met inclusion criteria, then reviewed, appraised, and subjected them to data extraction. Of 134 articles identified, 18 met a priori selection criteria. The estimated strength of association between PFO and migraine, reflected by summary odds ratios (ORs), was 5.13 [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.67, 5.59], and between PFO and migraine with aura the OR was 3.21 (95% CI 2.38, 4.17). The grade of evidence was low. The association between migraine and PFO was OR 2.54 (95% CI 2.01, 3.08). The grade of evidence was low to moderate. Six studies of PFO closure suggested improvement in migraine, but had a very low grade of evidence. The low-to-moderate grade of evidence from observational studies supports an apparent association between PFO and migraine. Although PFO closure seemed to affect migraine patterns favourably, the very low grade of available evidence to support this association precludes definitive conclusions.
Peripheral blood eosinophilia in association with generalized pustular and erythrodermic psoriasis
Authors: Mansur AT , Göktay F , Yaşar ŞP
Published: March 2008

Background  In recent studies, it has been documented that the eosinophil cells play active role in many kinds of inflammatory disorders. Measurements of the mediators released by eosinophils and cell counts in serum and skin have provided some evidence indicating the role of eosinophils in psoriasis.

Objective  To evaluate the blood eosinophil cell count in patients with erythrodermic psoriasis and generalized pustular psoriasis.

Methods  In this study, 48 patients with histopathologically proven psoriasis (33 with erythrodermic, 15 with generalized pustular); 43 patients with maculopapular, erythematous, or bullous drug eruption with widespread involvement; and 51 patients with basal cell carcinoma were included. These three groups were compared with each other in terms of their absolute eosinophil cell counts and percentage of eosinophils.

Results  Forty‐one point seven per cent of patients with psoriasis had peripheral blood eosinophilia compared with 58.1% of the patients with drug eruption and 11.8% of patients with basal cell carcinoma. The percentage of patients with eosinophilia both in patients suffering from psoriasis and drug eruption were significantly increased compared with the patients with basal cell carcinoma (P < 0.001). The absolute median eosinophil cell counts both in patients with psoriasis and drug eruption were also significantly differed from patients with basal cell carcinoma (259.2, 439.1 and 183.1, respectively; P < 0.001)

Conclusions  Peripheral blood eosinophilia seems to be associated with severe forms of psoriasis. This finding may suggest that the eosinophils have significant roles in the pathogenesis of these types of psoriasis.
Sunscreens in human plasma and urine after repeated whole‐body topical application
Authors: Janjua NR , Kongshoj B , Andersson A‐M , Wulf HC
Published: March 2008

Background  The three chemical ultraviolet absorbers benzophenone‐3 (BP‐3), octyl‐methoxycinnamate (OMC) and 3‐(4‐methylbenzylidene) camphor (4‐MBC) are commercially used in sunscreens worldwide. Apart from sun protection, they may possess endocrine‐disrupting effects in animals and in vitro. For all three compounds, only sporadic measurements of percutaneous absorption and excretion after topical application in humans have been described.

Methods  In this study, 32 healthy volunteers, 15 young males and 17 postmenopausal females, were exposed to daily whole‐body topical application of 2 mg/cm2 of sunscreen formulation at 10% (w/w) of each for 4 days. Blood concentrations were measured at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 24 and 96 h and urine concentrations at 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h.

Results  Almost all three sunscreens were undetectable in plasma and urine before the first application. One to 2 h after the first application, all three sunscreens were detectable in plasma. The maximum median plasma concentrations were 187 ng/mL BP‐3, 16 ng/mL 4‐MBC and 7 ng/mL OMC for females and 238 ng/mL BP‐3, 18 ng/mL 4‐MBC and 16 ng/mL OMC for men. In the females, urine levels of 44 ng/mL BP‐3 and 4 ng/mL of 4‐MBC and 6 ng/mL OMC were found, and in the males, urine levels of 81 ng/mL BP‐3, 4 ng/mL of 4‐MBC and OMC were found. In plasma, the 96‐h median concentrations were higher compared with the 24‐h concentrations for 4‐MBC and OMC in men and for BP‐3 and 4‐MBC in females.
Acne: prevalence, perceptions and effects on psychological health among adolescents in Aydin, Turkey
Authors: Uslu G , Şendur N , Uslu M , Şavk E , Karaman G , Eskin M
Published: March 2008

Background  Acne vulgaris is a common disease among adolescents and known to have adverse effects on psychological status.

Methods  A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 600 participants by means of a questionnaire designed for this study in high school students. In addition, an objective evaluation of acne in participants was undertaken. The questionnaire consisted of questions about acne, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale (RSES).

Results  Five hundred and sixty‐three questionnaires out of 600 were answered and 550 adolescents who gave permission for examination were evaluated. The study population consisted of 303 girls and 260 boys between the ages 13 and 19, and the mean age was 15.24 ± 1.05 years. Acne prevalence was 63.6% with 29.2% non‐inflammatory and 34.4% inflammatory acne. It was more prevalent and severe in boys than in girls. Not the objective but the subjective severity of acne and opinion that one could benefit from acne treatment was found to be related to anxiety, depression and self‐esteem. Factors implicated among causes of acne were food, bad skin hygiene and hormones in decreasing frequency. Forty‐eight per cent of adolescents expect a maximum duration of 4 weeks for treatment.

Conclusion  Despite the high prevalence of acne, there is still much deficiency of knowledge and wrong beliefs about acne. This indicates that there is an urgent need for education about etiopathogenesis, potential complications and importance of effective treatment for acne. Effective treatment may make significant contributions for the mental health of adolescent and as well as adult populations.
Onychomycosis: a new emerging infectious disease in childhood population and adolescents. Report on treatment experience with terbinafine and itraconazole in 36 patients
Authors: Ginter‐Hanselmayer G , Weger W , Smolle J
Published: March 2008

Background  Onychomycosis is a rare disease in children with an estimated prevalence ranging from 0% to 2.6%. Thus far, only limited experience with itraconazole and terbinafine treatment in children with onychomycosis is available in the literature.

Aim of the study  Evaluation of treatment experience with itraconazole or terbinafine in childhood onychomycosis.

Subjects  Thirty‐six children and adolescents (aged 4–17 years, 18 males and 18 females) with clinical and mycologically proven onychomycosis were enrolled in the present study.

Methods and outcome  In 27 of 36 patients, the causative agent (Trichophyton rubrum in 26 cases and Trichophyton interdigitale in one patient) could be identified by means of cultivation. Nineteen patients were treated with itraconazole 200 mg once daily for 12 weeks, and 17 patients were treated with terbinafine for 12 weeks in a dosage according to their body weight, respectively. Clinical cure was achieved within 1 to 5 months after discontinuation in all patients treated with itraconazole and in all but two patients after cessation of terbinafine treatment. Neither in the itraconazole nor in the terbinafine group were serious adverse events reported.Clinical cure was achieved within 1 to 5 months after discontinuation in all patients treated with itraconazole and in all but two patients after cessation of terbinafine treatment. Neither in the itraconazole nor in the terbinafine group were serious adverse events reported.

Conclusion  To our experience, a mycological and clinical cure appears in children in a shorter time after treatment discontinuation (average 2–5 months) compared with adults. Itraconazole and terbinafine seem to be safe and effective in childhood onychomycosis; therefore, these antifungals seem to be potential alternatives to griseofulvin.
Lack of association of iron metabolism and Dupuytren's disease
Authors: Hnanicek J , Cimburova M , Putova I , Svoboda S , Stritesky J , Kratka K , Sosna B , Horak J
Published: March 2008

Background Iron accumulation as seen in genetic haemochromatosis is a major cause of hepatic fibrogenesis. A link between chronic liver disease and Dupuytren's disease (DD) is well established, especially in alcoholics.

Aim  The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that iron accumulation might cause fibrosis of the palmar aponeurosis leading to DD.

Patients and methods  We examined iron metabolism, mutations of the HFE gene, serum cholesterol, alcohol consumption, presence of chronic liver disease, diabetes and history of severe manual work in a group of 90 patients who had undergone surgery for a severe form of DD. The tissue removed during surgery was histologically examined to confirm the diagnosis of DD. For a control group, we used 33 healthy subjects with similar profiles.

Results  The DD group consisted of 82 men and 8 women. Chronic liver disease was found in 27% of DD patients, compared with 6.1% of control subjects (P = 0.013). A history of hand traumatization was present in 33% of DD patients vs. 15% of control subjects (P = 0.048). Excessive alcohol consumption was present in 35.5% of DD patients compared with 15.1% of controls (P = 0.029). None of the other tested parameters, including the prevalence of HFE gene mutations, showed a significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusions  Iron accumulation does not play a major role in the pathogenesis of DD. However, sex, age, manual labour and alcohol consumption are risk factors for progression of DD. We observed a high incidence of chronic liver disease in patients with DD.
Efficacy and safety of desloratadine combined with dipyridamole in the treatment of chronic urticaria
Authors: Khalaf AT , Liu X‐M , Sheng W‐X , Tan JQ , Abdalla AN
Published: March 2008

Chronic urticaria (CU) imposes profound impairment on patient's quality of life. Our study was done to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of desloratadine combined with dipyridamole, which is a platelet adhesion inhibitor in the treatment of CU. A randomized study was done in 64 autoimmunity CU patients with positive autologous plasma skin test (APST): 34 patients as treatment and 30 controls. The treatment group was treated with desloratadine and dipyridamole, and the control group was treated with desloratadine only. The efficiency and side‐effect were evaluated at the end of treatment. The levels of fragment F1+2 were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in all patients at pre‐ and post‐treatment. The clinical effectiveness rates of treatment and control group were, respectively, 85.20% (21 cured, 8 obvious effectiveness) and 70% (14 cured, 7 obvious effectiveness); they have a significant difference (x = 4.09, P < 0.05). Before treatment, the weals and pruritus in the treatment and control group were, respectively, (1.74 ± 0.90, 1.79 ± 0.73) and (1.67 ± 0.84, 1.73 ± 0.78). After treatment, the weals and pruritus in treatment and control group were, respectively, (0.38 ± 0.73, 0.58 ± 0.89) and (0.67 ± 0.96, 1.10 ± 1.12). These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of CU and suggest new therapeutic opportunities for treating this disease.
Re‐emergence of lymphogranuloma venereum
Authors: Kapoor S
Published: March 2008

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the L1, L2 and L3 serotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis. The disease has been in the spotlight recently because of recent outbreaks in Europe as well as the USA. A unique feature of the recent outbreaks has been that most cases have been caused by the L2 strain. Another unique feature of these outbreaks is the fact that most cases have occurred in men having sex with men, and most patients have presented with proctitis. Interestingly, most recent cases have occurred in human immunodeficiency virus–seropositive patients. Usually, the disease is divided into three phases: the primary stage characterized by a self‐healing papule, the secondary stage characterized by proctitis or lymphadenopathy and the tertiary stage characterized by lymphedema and anal strictures. Tests used for diagnosis include polymerase chain reactions and compliment fixation tests. The treatment of choice is doxycycline.
Relationship between periodontal findings and the TNF‐α Gene 1031T/C polymorphism in Turkish patients with Behçet's disease†
Authors: Akman A , Sallakci N , Kacaroglu H , Tosun O , Yavuzer U , Alpsoy E , Yegin O
Published: March 2008

Background  Genetic factors that predispose individuals to Behçet's disease (BD) and periodontal disease. Tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of both BD and periodontal disease. The relationship with periodontitis and the pathogenesis of BD has not yet been determined.

Objective  The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible relation of the periodontal scores and single nucleotide polymorphism of TNF‐α‐1031T/C with BD compared with healthy controls (HC) and recurrent aphtous stomatitis (RAS). We also sought to determine the effects of periodontal condition and TNF‐α‐1031T/C polymorphism on clinical severity of BD.

Methods  Eighty‐two unrelated patients with BD, 42 RAS patients and 77 HC were enrolled in the study. Periodontal status of all subjects was evaluated according to the World Health Organization community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN). For genotyping, polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism was employed.

Results  The mean CPITN was observed to be higher in patients with BD compared with HC and RAS (P < 0.001). TNF‐α‐1031C allele was significantly higher in patients with BD (P = 0.023) and RAS (P = 0.007) compared with HC. Mean CPITN was higher in CC genotype compared with other genotypes (P = 0.004). Moreover, CPITN and CC genotype was found to be correlated with the severity of the disease.

Conclusions  Our data indicate that the TNF‐α‐1031T/C gene polymorphism (CC genotype) is a risk factor for periodontitis, RAS and BD patients and also suggests that long‐term periodontal follow‐up and education of oral hygiene in patients with BD may help to prevent the development and/or progression of the disease.
Onycomycosis due to artificial nails
Authors: Shemer A , Trau H , Davidovici B , Grunwald MH , Amichai B
Published: March 2008

Background  The use of artificial nails (ANs) as part of nail‐care cosmetics is very popular. Several side effects and complications, such as contact dermatitis and bacterial and fungal infections, have been reported in patients using ANs.

Objective  The purpose of this study was to identify the fungal pathogens in nail abnormalities appearing in patients with ANs.

Methods  We evaluated 68 patients suffering from nail changes and paronychia, which appear after removal of ANs. Mycological samples were obtained from two sites: distal parts of the involved nail and the proximal nail fold. KOH examination and fungal culture were used for detection and identification of fungal infection.

Results  Mycological results from the distal part of the nail showed positive KOH test in 57 cases (83.8%), and culture was positive in 67 patients (98.5%). Mycological results obtained from the proximal nail fold showed positive KOH test in 36 patients (52.9%); in 36 of the cases, culture was positive. Candida spp. were the most common pathogen. Both KOH and culture results were significantly better while sampling from the distal part of the nail compared with sampling from the proximal nail fold (P = 0.0001).

Conclusion  Onychomycosis was found to be very common in nail changes due to ANs, leading to an increased risk of transmitting microbial infections. Therefore, health care personnel and workers in the food industry should avoid using ANs.