bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding How Resources and Capabilities Affect Performance: Actively Applying the Resource-Based View in the Classroom
Authors: Sheehan Norman T.
Published: May 2006

The resource-based view is a strategic framework for understanding why some firms outperform others. Its importance is reflected in its wide inclusion in strategy texts as a tool for assessing a firm’s internal strengths and weaknesses. This article outlines an experiential exercise that demonstrates how different bundles of resources and capabilities may explain differences in value created across firms. The primary benefit of this in-class exercise is that students actively apply Barney’s VRIO ( v aluable, r are, i nimitable, and o rganized) framework to understand why their team won or lost. The debrief can also focus on issues such as the impact of imitability on sustainability, why strategies emerge, and elements of a good strategy. Preliminary data from 18 undergraduate and graduate sections indicates that learning objectives have been consistently met.
“Social Change” and “Status Quo” Framing Effects on Risk Perception
Authors: Durfee Jessica L.
Published: May 2006

Operating from a guard-dog perspective of the media, this study investigates whether “social change” or “status quo”news frames affected individuals’ risk perceptions, using an experimental design. Participants who read a news story that used the social change frame reported the highest level of risk awareness ( F = 34.88, p = .00), indicating that the way the media frame a story about environmental issues has the potential to influence the audience’s perception of risk.
A Longitudinal Study of the New York Times Science Times Section
Authors: Clark Fiona , Illman Deborah L.
Published: May 2006

The weekly science section of the New York Times, Science Times, is an important and influential entity in science journalism. This article presents the results of an in-depth, longitudinal study of Science Times over twenty years. Sampling every five years from 1980 to 2000, the authors analyzed changes in the size of the section, advertising, and coverage emphasis in terms of disciplines and themes treated. Science Times grew from 1.7 pages per issue, on average (excluding advertising), in 1980 to 5.4 pages per issue in 2000. While the downturn in computer-related advertising is often blamed for the demise of science sections in other newspapers, Science Times was bigger in 2000 than during the boom years of computer-related advertising. Medicine, health, and behavior received the most attention overall, although the proportion varied over time. While research findings were the most frequent theme, explanations, reviews, and profiles were a substantial component. The findings are discussed with regard to the institutional history of Science Times.
What Do We Know about Health Care Team Effectiveness? A Review of the Literature
Authors: Lemieux-Charles Louise , McGuire Wendy L.
Published: May 2006

This review of health care team effectiveness literature from 1985 to 2004 distinguishes among intervention studies that compare team with usual (nonteam) care; intervention studies that examine the impact of team redesign on team effectiveness; and field studies that explore relationships between team context, structure, processes, and outcomes. The authors use an Integrated Team Effectiveness Model (ITEM) to summarize research findings and to identify gaps in the literature. Their analysis suggests that the type and diversity of clinical expertise involved in team decision making largely accounts for improvements in patient care and organizational effectiveness. Collaboration, conflict resolution, participation, and cohesion are most likely to influence staff satisfaction and perceived team effectiveness. The studies examined here underscore the importance of considering the contexts in which teams are embedded. The ITEM provides a useful framework for conceptualizing relationships between multiple dimensions of team context, structure, processes, and outcomes.
Ethics in Conflict
Authors: Barnes Michael C. , Keleher Michael
Published: May 2006

The past two decades have seen an increased emphasis placed on the relationship between communication and ethics, a subject that philosophers have debated for centuries. An analysis of textbooks as disciplinary artifacts reveals that students enrolled in communication courses across the university are often presented with conflicting or contradictory ethics instruction. Commonly, business and technical communication textbooks advocate a foundational approach toward the subject, whereas interpersonal communication textbooks, as taught within the liberal arts, support a nonfoundational view. Rather than bolstering students’ understanding of the importance of ethical communication, such broad-based contradictions might lead to an overall ambivalence toward the subject. A critical pedagogy—one that acknowledges and explores this tacit disciplinary debate on ethics—would provide students a more comprehensive philosophical and historical basis for determining their own perspectives on ethical communication.
Caught the “Big One”: How a Newly Integrated Home Health Billing Department, Working With a Coach, Used the FISH Philosophy to Catch Team Spirit
Authors: White Katharine , Whitman Patti
Published: May 2006

This article tells how a manager and her coach used creative change strategies including the FISH philosophy to help two companies bring together two billing departments. What resulted was a true fish tale. Through the effective use of persistence, humor, team building tools and techniques, and a healthy dose of asking for the right kind of help at the right time through coaching, the manager and the team stayed the course through the best and worst of times. This article presents lessons that can be applied to departments and organizations.
Does It Exist? Studying Citizens’ Attitudes of Racial Profiling
Authors: Reitzel John , Piquero Alex R.
Published: May 2006

A controversial issue in policing is the alleged use of racial profiling by police to stop, search, question, or frisk citizens. Currently, only a small amount of empirical research exists concerning the practice of racial profiling. The empirical evidence that does exist has shown substantial minority over-representation in both police stops and searches. Moreover, almost all studies to date have focused on empirical study of police practices, thus leaving out one crucial element—the perspective of citizens. In this study, the authors use data from a random sample of New York City residents to study their perceptions of—and experiences with—racial profiling. In particular, factors are examined that relate to the perception that racial profiling is widespread, justified, and the extent of direct experience that citizens have had with racial profiling.
An Analysis of Traffic Stop Data in Riverside, California
Authors: Gaines Larry K.
Published: May 2006

This article describes a traffic stop study in Riverside, California, with an effort to identify evidence of racial profiling. Racial profiling was defined using the California Statute, which is limited relative to other definitions. All traffic stops for 2003 were examined. The data were disaggregated into stops made by the traffic unit and stops made by patrol and investigative units. No disparity was found in the traffic unit stops, but there was minority over-representation in the patrol and investigative stops, but differences were not statistically significant. The patrol and investigative stops were then correlated with the crime and calls for service for the department’s 133 reporting districts, which produced high correlations. Race and ethnicity of those stopped were correlated with racial and ethnic suspect information in the reporting districts, and it was found that there were high correlations. In addition, the dispositions of stops were examined by race and ethnicity.
Community Policing in the News Media
Authors: Chermak Steven , Weiss Alexander
Published: May 2006

Although there is a very large body of research examining community policing practices in the United States, no study has yet to examine the efforts by police departments to promote community policing in the news media. This study fills this gap. Specifically, this study presents the results from a national survey of public information officers and media personnel in large-sized cities to examine the efforts by police departments to promote innovative programs such as community policing in the news and document how community policing is presented in the news. The results indicate that although police departments and media personnel agree that they have a very good working relationship and that there are many opportunities to promote community policing, most police departments make only minimal effort to do so. The analysis of newspaper coverage of community policing finds that it is rarely presented in the news and the coverage that occurs is isolated.
Combining evidence, biomedical literature and statistical dependence: new insights for functional annotation of gene sets
Authors: Aubry Marc , Monnier Annabelle , Chicault Celine , de Tayrac Marie , Galibert Marie-Dominique , Burgun Anita , Mosser Jean
Published: May 2006

Background

Large-scale genomic studies based on transcriptome technologies provide clusters of genes that need to be functionally annotated. The Gene Ontology (GO) implements a controlled vocabulary organised into three hierarchies: cellular components, molecular functions and biological processes. This terminology allows a coherent and consistent description of the knowledge about gene functions. The GO terms related to genes come primarily from semi-automatic annotations made by trained biologists (annotation based on evidence) or text-mining of the published scientific literature (literature profiling).

Results

We report an original functional annotation method based on a combination of evidence and literature that overcomes the weaknesses and the limitations of each approach. It relies on the Gene Ontology Annotation database (GOA Human) and the PubGene biomedical literature index. We support these annotations with statistically associated GO terms and retrieve associative relations across the three GO hierarchies to emphasise the major pathways involved by a gene cluster. Both annotation methods and associative relations were quantitatively evaluated with a reference set of 7397 genes and a multi-cluster study of 14 clusters. We also validated the biological appropriateness of our hybrid method with the annotation of a single gene (cdc2) and that of a down-regulated cluster of 37 genes identified by a transcriptome study of anin vitroenterocyte differentiation model (CaCo-2 cells).

Conclusion

The combination of both approaches is more informative than either separate approach: literature mining can enrich an annotation based only on evidence. Text-mining of the literature can also find valuable associated MEDLINE references that confirm the relevance of the annotation. Eventually, GO terms networks can be built with associative relations in order to highlight cooperative and competitive pathways and their connected molecular functions.
The impact of imprecisely measured covariates on estimating gene-environment interactions
Authors: Greenwood Darren C , Gilthorpe Mark S , Cade Janet E
Published: May 2006

Background

The effects of measurement error in epidemiological exposures and confounders on estimated effects of exposure are well described, but the effects on estimates for gene-environment interactions has received rather less attention. In particular, the effects of confounder measurement error on gene-environment interactions are unknown.

Methods

We investigate these effects using simulated data and illustrate our results with a practical example in nutrition epidemiology.

Results

We show that the interaction regression coefficient is unchanged by confounder measurement error under certain conditions, but biased by exposure measurement error. We also confirm that confounder measurement error can lead to estimated effects of exposure biased either towards or away from the null, depending on the correlation structure, with associated effects on type II errors.

Conclusion

Whilst measurement error in confounders does not lead to bias in interaction coefficients, it may still lead to bias in the estimated effects of exposure. There may still be cost implications for epidemiological studies that need to calibrate all error-prone covariates against a valid reference, in addition to the exposure, to reduce the effects of confounder measurement error.
Checking linearity of non-parametric component in partially linear models with an application in systemic inflammatory response syndrome study
Authors: Liang Hua
Published: May 2006

Two tests are proposed for checking the linearity of nonparametric function in partially linear models. The first one is based on a Crámer-von Mises statistic. This test can detect the local alternative converging to the null at the parametric rate 1/√ n. A bootstrap resample technique is provided to calculate the critical values. The second one is constructed in a penalized spline framework along with linear mixed-effects (LME) modeling. This is an extension likelihood ratio test for testing zero variance of random effects in LME models. Simulation experiments are conducted to explore the numerical performance of two tests. It is observed that two tests have good level properties, and the first test has a substantially superior power property over the second test in a variety of cases. A real data set is analysed with the proposed tests.
Memory performance in multiple sclerosis patients correlates with central brain atrophy
Authors: Hildebrandt H , Hahn H K , Kraus J A , Schulte-Herbrüggen A , Schwarze B , Schwendemann G
Published: May 2006

Objective To assess whole brain and central brain atrophy as well as their differential relation to memory, cognitive performance, fatigue, depression and quality of life in patients with relapsingremitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Methods A 3D flow compensated gradient recalled T1-weighted MRI was acquired in 45 RRMS patients. An automated analysis tool was used to calculate brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) and ventricular brain fraction (VF). All patients were assessed with neuropsychological tests focusing on memory and self-rating scales for depression, fatigue and quality of life. Age corrected partial correlations between brain atrophy, motor performance, psychological scales and test scores were calculated.

Results BPF correlated moderately (0.35≤r<0.5) with duration of symptoms and disease, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), the upper extremity motor performance, and with mental aspects of quality of life. VF correlated moderately with EDSS, upper and lower extremity motor performance and memory functions. Neither BPF nor VF correlated with fatigue and depression. Results of several cognitive tests correlated moderately with depression and fatigue, the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) showing the largest correlation.

Conclusions Memory performance shows a correlation with relative ventricular size in RRMS patients, indicating the strategic location of the ventricle system along the structures of the limbic system and its vulnerability in MS. The PASAT and several other cognitive tests show moderate correlations with depression and fatigue, arguing for an inter relation between the cognitive functioning and the emotional state of patients. However, this relation is independent of measurable brain atrophy.
Meeting the mental and physical healthcare needs of carers
Authors: Cormac Irene , Tihanyi Peter
Published: May 2006

The health of family carers may affect not only their own lives but also the lives of the people for whom they provide care. This article describes how the caring role can affect the health and well-being of a carer of a person who has a mental or physical disorder. Suggestions are made about how to recognise and ameliorate some of the detrimental effects of the caring role on the carer's own health.
Repeated self-injury: perspectives from general psychiatry
Authors: Fagin Leonard
Published: May 2006

Patients who repeatedly injure themselves present particular management problems for general psychiatric teams. This article, the first of a series of four, examines the characteristics of those that present to adult mental health services, and the possible underlying background and trigger factors that lead to these anxiety-raising events. Suggestions are made on preventive and assessment procedures, staff reactions and management strategies aimed at helping patients deal with the overwhelming feelings that underlie self-injury.
Clinical errors and medical negligence
Authors: Oyebode Femi
Published: May 2006

This article discusses the definition, nature and origins of clinical errors and potential means of prevention. The relationship between clinical errors and medical negligence is examined, as are the characteristics of litigants and events that prompt litigation. Legal aspects of medical negligence are outlined and clinical situations most commonly associated with negligence claims are described. Probably no more than 1 in 7 adverse events in medicine results in a negligence claim and the factors that predict whether patients will resort to litigation include a prior poor relationship with the clinician and the feeling that they are not being kept informed. The actual rate of negligence claims in psychiatry is unknown, but it is rising. Clinicians must therefore be aware of the risks and of which areas of practice are most risky.
Memory and cognitive effects of ECT: informing and assessing patients†
Authors: Robertson Harold , Pryor Robin
Published: May 2006

Over the past few years electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has come under increased scrutiny in the UK, with the first systematic review of patients' experiences and new national guidelines. Our aim in this article is to translate recent and sometimes confusing research and policy statements into practical guidance that benefits patients. We examined the evidence on the permanent memory and cognitive effects of ECT, with a focus on delineating their nature, understanding how ECT may cause them, informing prospective patients about them, and assessing their impact on former patients. We describe a simple and effective method for assessing retrograde amnesia. Data do not exist at this time to confirm the mechanisms by which ECT exerts its adverse effects, but clinicians should fully inform patients of the possible permanent adverse effects of the treatment, which include amnesia, memory disability and cognitive disability, and should provide follow-up testing using relevant instruments.
Signs of change: hormone receptors that regulate plant development
Authors: Bishopp Anthony , Mähönen Ari Pekka , Helariutta Ykä
Published: May 2006

Hormonal signalling plays a pivotal role in almost every aspect of plant development, and of high priority has been to identify the receptors that perceive these hormones. In the past seven months, the receptors for the plant hormones auxin, gibberellins and abscisic acid have been identified. These join the receptors that have previously been identified for ethylene,brassinosteroids and cytokinins. This review therefore comes at an exciting time for plant developmental biology, as the new findings shed light on our current understanding of the structure and function of the various hormone receptors, their related signalling pathways and their role in regulating plant development.
A threshold requirement for Gbx2 levels in hindbrain development
Authors: Waters Samuel T. , Lewandoski Mark
Published: May 2006

Gbx2 is a homeobox gene that plays a crucial role in positioning the mid/hindbrain organizer (isthmus), which regulates midbrain and cerebellar development primarily through the secreted factor FGF8. In Gbx2 null homozygotes, rhombomeres (r) 1-3 fail to develop and the isthmic expression of Fgf8 is reduced and disorganized. These mutants fail to form a cerebellum, as it is derived from r1. Here, we analyze mice homozygous for a Gbx2 hypomorphic allele (Gbx2neo). Quantitative RT-PCR and RNA in situ analyses indicate that the presence of a neo-resistance cassette impairs normal Gbx2 splicing thus reducing wild-type Gbx2 mRNA levels to 6-10% of normal levels in all domains and stages examined. In Gbx2 hypomorphic mutants, gene marker and neuronal patterning analyses indicate that reduced Gbx2 expression is sufficient to support the development of r3 but not r2. The posterior region of r1, from which the lateral cerebellum develops, is unaffected in these mutants. However, the anterior region of r1 is converted to an isthmus-like tissue. Hence, instead of expressing r1 markers, this region displays robust expression of Fgf8 and Fgf17, as well as the downstream FGF targets Spry1 and Spry4. Additionally, we demonstrate that the cell division regulator cyclin D2 is downregulated, and that cellular proliferation is reduced in both the normal isthmus and in the mutant anterior r1. As a result of this transformation, the cerebellar midline fails to form. Thus, our studies demonstrate different threshold requirements for the level of Gbx2 gene product in different regions of the hindbrain.
Chromatin and epigenetics in development: blending cellular memory with cell fate plasticity
Authors: Cavalli Giacomo
Published: May 2006

The epigenetic regulation of chromatin structure and composition has often been studied molecularly in the context of specific DNA-dependent processes. However, epigenetics also play important global roles in shaping and maintaining cell identity, and in patterning the body plan during normal development. Moreover, alterations in epigenetic regulation are involved in many diseases, including cancer. The advances in our understanding of the impact of epigenetics in development and disease were discussed at a recent Keystone symposium.
Reciprocal expression of gill Na+/K+-ATPaseα-subunit isoforms α1a and α1b during seawater acclimation of three salmonid fishes that vary in their salinity tolerance
Authors: Bystriansky J. S. , Richards J. G. , Schulte P. M. , Ballantyne J. S.
Published: May 2006

The upregulation of gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity is considered critical for the successful acclimation of salmonid fishes to seawater. The present study examines the mRNA expression of two recently discovered α-subunit isoforms of Na+/K+-ATPase(α1a and α1b) in gill during the seawater acclimation of three species of anadromous salmonids, which vary in their salinity tolerance. Levels of these Na+/K+-ATPase isoforms were compared with Na+/K+-ATPase activity and protein abundance and related to the seawater tolerance of each species. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) quickly regulated plasma Na+, Cl– and osmolality levels within 10 days of seawater exposure, whereas rainbow trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus)struggled to ionoregulate, and experienced greater perturbations in plasma ion levels for a longer period of time. In all three species, mRNA levels for theα1a isoform quickly decreased following seawater exposure whereasα1b levels increased significantly. All three species displayed similar increases in gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity during seawater acclimation, with levels rising after 10 and 30 days. Freshwater Atlantic salmon gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity and protein content was threefold higher than those of Arctic char and rainbow trout, which may explain their superior seawater tolerance. The role of the α1b isoform may be of particular importance during seawater acclimation of salmonid fishes. The reciprocal expression of Na+/K+-ATPase isoforms α1a and α1b during seawater acclimation suggests they may have different roles in the gills of freshwater and marine fishes; ion uptake in freshwater fish and ion secretion in marine fishes.
Removal of the chorion before hatching results in increased movement and accelerated growth in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)embryos
Authors: Ninness Marcie M. , Stevens E. Don , Wright Patricia A.
Published: May 2006

We investigated the effects of the chorion on movement and growth in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) embryos. To test if the chorion restricts movement and growth before hatching, we manually removed the chorion 3–6 days before the natural time of hatching (dechorionated) and compared movement, growth and oxygen consumption in dechorionated embryos and in embryos whose chorions remained intact until the time of hatching(chorionated). Dechorionated embryos exhibited 36 times more movement before hatching compared with intact embryos. By 10 h post-hatch there was no difference in the number of movements between the two groups. At the time of hatching [30 days post-fertilization (d.p.f.)], dechorionated embryos had a significantly greater embryonic body dry mass compared with chorionated embryos, which persisted up to 45 d.p.f. At first feeding (50 d.p.f.) there was no significant difference in embryonic body dry mass between the two groups. Dechorionated embryos had a significantly greater embryonic body protein content after hatching (32, 33 d.p.f.) compared with chorionated embryos. Despite the differences in movement and growth, there were no significant differences in oxygen consumption between chorionated and dechorionated embryos. Furthermore, there was no correlation between the number of movements and oxygen consumption in rainbow trout embryos(chorionated, dechorionated, and hatched). Taken together, the data indicate that rainbow trout embryos have the capacity to be relatively active before hatching, but that the chorion restricts or inhibits movement. Moreover,precocious activity in pre-hatch embryos is correlated with accelerated growth and higher protein content, suggesting that the exercise training effect observed in adult salmonids is also present in early developmental stages.
Common and specific inhibitory motor neurons innervate the intersegmental muscles in the locust thorax
Authors: Bräunig Peter , Schmäh Michael , Wolf Harald
Published: May 2006

The inhibitory innervation of the intersegmental (body wall) muscles between the first and the second thoracic segment of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, was investigated using neuroanatomical,immunocytochemical and electrophysiological techniques. Three neurons located in the prothoracic ganglion show GABA-like immunoreactivity and project into the intersegmental nerve. Two are common inhibitors. One of those innervates the oblique intersegmental muscle M59 and two dorsal longitudinal muscles (M81 and M82). The second common inhibitor also innervates M59 and the ventral longitudinal muscle M60. The third neuron innervates M60 exclusively and, for that reason, has to be regarded as the first specific inhibitor ever observed in insect neuromuscular assemblies. According to their innervation pattern, we term these neurons CI59/60, CI59/81/82, and SI60. CI59/81/82 and CI59/60 appear to be segmentally homologous to CIa and CIb neurons,respectively, in the other body segments.
Synthesis and Characterization of a New μ-Alkoxodiiron(III) Complex with NO5 Donor Set Environments
Authors: Kawata Satoshi , Nakamura Masaaki , Yamashita Yoichi , Asai Kichizo , Kikuchi Koichi , Ikemoto Isao , Katada Motomi , Sano Hirotoshi
Published: May 2006

A new dinuclear iron(III) complex, [Fe2(hpta)(Obz)(H2O)2], where H5hpta is 2-hydroxy-1,3-propanediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid and HObz is benzoic acid, was prepared and characterized. X-Ray structure analysis revealed that the complex has mono(μ-carboxylato)(μ-alkoxo) diiron(III) core and each iron atom has an NO5 donor set in a distorted octahedron.
An Efficient Synthesis of Cerbinal, a 10 π Aromatic Iridoid
Authors: Ge Yuting , Isoe Sachihiko
Published: May 2006

Cerbinal, an unusual iridoid with 10 π-System, was synthesized from (+)-genipin in 6 steps via dehydration of the hemiacetal and subsequent dehydrogenation with DDQ.
Preparation of Chloroacetaldehyde Cyclic Trimer and Its Depolymerization
Authors: Wakasugi Takashi , Tonouchi Naka , Miyakawa Tadashi , Ishizuka Makoto , Yamauchi Takashi , Itsuno Shinichi , Ito Koichi
Published: May 2006

Chlorination of paraldehyde gave chloroacetaldehydes which were treated with concd sulfuric acid to afford cyclic trimer (3) of chloroacetaldehyde (CA). Depolymerization of 3 yielded pure CA satisfactory.
Novel Naphthalene Derivatives Undergoing Thermal Valence Isomerization to hemi-Dewar-naphthalene
Authors: Miki Sadao , Katayama Tatsuo , Yoshida Zen-ichi
Published: May 2006

1,2,3-Tri-t-butyl-8-methyl- (1a), 1,2,3-tri-t-butyl-6-methyl-8-bromo- (1b), and 1,2,3-tri-t-butyl-8-bromo-naphthalene (1c) were synthesized. They underwent thermally forbidden electrocyclic reaction to give hemi-Dewar-naphthalenes (2a,b,c). Interconversion between 1 and 2 was thermally reversible. Energy profiles for the reactions were determined.
Optical Humidity Sensor Using Reichardt’s Betain Dye-Polymer Composites
Authors: Sadaoka Yoshihiko , Matsuguchi Masanobu , Sakai Yoshiro , Murata Yu-uki
Published: May 2006

By using Reichardt’s betain dye dispersed in poly(methyl methacrylate) thin film, a bifunctional optical humidity sensor was fabricated. The optical intensity and the wavelength of maximum observed at around 780 nm were sensitive to the humidity. The characteristic of the dye dispersed in polymer was also influenced by the hydrogen bond acidity of the polymer matrix.
Enantioselective Construction of Cyclopropane Rings via Asymmetric Simmons-Smith Reaction of Allylic Alcohols
Authors: Ukaji Yutaka , Nishimura Mitsuhiro , Fujisawa Tamotsu
Published: May 2006

The Simmons-Smith reaction starting from allylic alcohols using (R,R)-diethyl tartrate as a chiral auxiliary was found to proceed enantioselectively; i.e., the treatment of allylic alcohols with diethylzinc and diethyl tartrate, followed by the reaction with diethylzinc and diiodomethane, afforded the corresponding cyclopropylmethyl alcohols in optically active form.
Crystallization of Two-Dimentional Chromophore Arrays in Aqueous Chiral Bilayer Membranes
Authors: Nakashima Naotoshi , Nakamura Chikako , Hiraishi Toshiko , Manabe Osamu , Yoshizuka Kazuharu
Published: May 2006

Crystallization behavior for the alignment of an aromatic chromophore in the aqueous chiral bilayer was examined based on its enhanced circular dichroism (CD). It was found that the existence of crystalline phase in the fluid bilayer promotes rapid crystallization of chromophere arrays in the bilayer. We also found that CD spectra oscillate at phase transition region of the bilayer.
Reaction of Tantalum-Alkyne Complexes with Hydrazones. Stereoselective Synthesis of (E)-Allylic Hydrazines
Authors: Takai Kazuhiko , Miwatashi Seiji , Kataoka Yasutaka , Utimoto Kiitiro
Published: May 2006

Treatment of tantalum-alkyne complexes with dimethylhydrazones by the assistance of Me3Al in a mixed solvent of DME, benzene, and THF at 45 °C for 16 h gives (E)-allylic hydrazines stereoselectively.
Regulation of Catalytic Activity of Peptide–Heme Conjugate by Conformational Change with Trifluoroethanol
Authors: Sakamoto Seiji , Fukushima Hidekazu , Kudo Kazuaki
Published: May 2006

A peptide–heme conjugate in which two α-helix segments were covalently coupled at the heme propionates was designed, and the relationship between the structure and the peroxidase-like catalytic activity was examined. The activity and coordination state of heme were regulated by the conformational change of peptide induced upon the addition of trifluoroethanol.
Atrazine-imprinted Microspheres Prepared Using a Microfluidic Device
Authors: Kubo Asami , Shinmori Hideyuki , Takeuchi Toshifumi
Published: May 2006

Atrazine-imprinted microspheres were prepared using a microfluidic device. With a dispersed phase containing atrazine, methacrylic acid, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and 2,2-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) and a continuous phase containing poly(vinyl alcohol), droplets could be generated by shearing force of continuous phase in a Y-junction microfluidic device. Monodisperse droplets were polymerized by UV irradiation to yield the imprinted polymer that showed selective binding for atrazine.
Changing Dynamics in Korea-Japan Economic Relations: Policy Ideas and Development Strategies
Authors: Rhyu Sang-young , Lee Seungjoo
Published: May 2006

The hierarchical economic relationship between Korea and Japan has gradually unraveled since mid-1980 as Korea began to build a competitive economic structure. The emergence of new policy ideas and development strategies in Korea was pivotal in bringing about this dramatic turnaround.
The Molecular Identities of the Caenorhabditis elegans Intraflagellar Transport Genes dyf-6, daf-10 and osm-1
Authors: Bell Leslie R , Stone Steven , Yochem John , Shaw Jocelyn E , Herman Robert K
Published: May 2006

The Caenorhabditis elegans genes dyf-6, daf-10, and osm-1 are among the set of genes that affect chemotaxis and the ability of certain sensory neurons to take up fluorescent dyes from the environment. Some genes in this category are known to be required for intraflagellar transport (IFT), which is the bidirectional movement of raft-like particles along the axonemes of cilia and flagella. The cloning of dyf-6, daf-10, and osm-1 are described here. The daf-10 and osm-1 gene products resemble each other and contain WD and WAA repeats. DYF-6, the product of a complex locus, lacks known motifs, but orthologs are present in flies and mammals. Phenotypic analysis of dyf-6 mutants expressing an OSM-6∷GFP reporter indicates that the cilia of the amphid and phasmid dendritic endings are foreshortened. Consistent with genetic mosaic analysis, which indicates that dyf-6 functions in neurons of the amphid sensilla, DYF-6∷GFP is expressed in amphid and phasmid neurons. Movement of DYF-6∷GFP within the ciliated endings of the neurons indicates that DYF-6 is involved in IFT. In addition, IFT can be observed in dauer larvae.
Varicella-Related Hospitalization and Emergency Department Visit Rates, Before and After Introduction of Varicella Vaccine, Among White and Black Children in Hamilton County, Ohio
Authors: Staat Mary Allen , Meinzen-Derr Jareen , Welch Timothy , Roberts Nancy E. , Jamison Linda , Gerber Michael A. , Morrow Ardythe L.
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVE. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended routine use of varicella vaccine in pediatric practice in 1995. We examined the impact of varicella immunization on population-based rates of pediatric varicella-related hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits in the years before and after introduction of varicella vaccine.

STUDY DESIGN. Discharge data for hospitalizations and ED encounters from 1990 through 2003 were queried for patients <20 years of age with varicella International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes (052.0–052.9) in any diagnostic position. Addresses were geocoded for identification of Hamilton County, Ohio, residents. Rates were calculated according to year, age, and race, with census estimates.

RESULTS. During the 14-year study period, there were 3983 incident varicella cases; 335 patients were hospitalized and 3833 were treated only in the ED. The rate of varicella-related hospitalizations decreased from 15.7 cases per 100000 population to 5.5 cases per 100000 population between the prevaccine period (1990–1995) and the postvaccine period (1996–2003); varicella-related ED use decreased from 178.2 cases per 100000 population to 61.2 cases per 100000 population. In the prevaccine period, hospitalization and ED visit rates were significantly higher for black children than for white children. In the postvaccine period, hospitalization rates did not differ according to race but ED visit rates remained significantly higher for black children, compared with white children.

CONCLUSIONS. Varicella-related hospitalization and ED visit rates decreased significantly for both white and black children in Hamilton County, Ohio, after the introduction of varicella vaccine, and the racial disparity found before licensure decreased after licensure.
Do Bullied Children Get Ill, or Do Ill Children Get Bullied? A Prospective Cohort Study on the Relationship Between Bullying and Health-Related Symptoms
Authors: Fekkes Minne , Pijpers Frans I.M. , Fredriks A. Miranda , Vogels Ton , Verloove-Vanhorick S. Pauline
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVES. A number of studies have shown that victimization from bullying behavior is associated with substantial adverse effects on physical and psychological health, but it is unclear which comes first, the victimization or the health-related symptoms. In our present study, we investigated whether victimization precedes psychosomatic and psychosocial symptoms or whether these symptoms precede victimization.

DESIGN. Six-month cohort study with baseline measurements taken in the fall of 1999 and follow-up measurements in the spring of 2000.

SETTING. Eighteen elementary schools in the Netherlands.

PARTICIPANTS. The study included 1118 children aged 9 to 11 years, who participated by filling out a questionnaire on both occasions of data collection.

OUTCOME MEASURES. A self-administered questionnaire measured victimization from bullying, as well as a wide variety of psychosocial and psychosomatic symptoms, including depression, anxiety, bedwetting, headaches, sleeping problems, abdominal pain, poor appetite, and feelings of tension or tiredness.

RESULTS. Victims of bullying had significantly higher chances of developing new psychosomatic and psychosocial problems compared with children who were not bullied. In contrast, some psychosocial, but not physical, health symptoms preceded bullying victimization. Children with depressive symptoms had a significantly higher chance of being newly victimized, as did children with anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS. Many psychosomatic and psychosocial health problems follow an episode of bullying victimization. These findings stress the importance for doctors and health practitioners to establish whether bullying plays a contributing role in the etiology of such symptoms. Furthermore, our results indicate that children with depressive symptoms and anxiety are at increased risk of being victimized. Because victimization could have an adverse effect on children's attempts to cope with depression or anxiety, it is important to consider teaching these children skills that could make them less vulnerable to bullying behavior.
Pediatric Hospitalists: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Landrigan Christopher P. , Conway Patrick H. , Edwards Sarah , Srivastava Rajendu
Published: May 2006

BACKGROUND. Systematic reviews have demonstrated consistently decreased length of stay and costs in internal medicine hospitalist systems. Systematic reviews of pediatric hospitalist systems have not been conducted.

OBJECTIVE. Our aim was to determine the effects of pediatric hospitalist systems on length of stay, costs, quality of care, and provider satisfaction and experience.

METHODS. We searched PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library databases, and the Pediatric Academic Societies National Meeting research abstracts for all primary-data studies published or presented on pediatric hospitalist systems. Studies presenting primary data on efficiency, financial performance, clinical outcomes, or family, referring provider, and housestaff experience in hospitalist systems were included; review articles and case studies were excluded. To minimize publication bias, we contacted all primary authors to obtain information about unpublished studies.

RESULTS. Of 47 publications reviewed, 20 were primary-data studies that met criteria for inclusion. Six of 7 studies that compared traditional and hospitalist systems of care demonstrated improvements in costs and/or length of stay in pediatric hospitalist systems. The average decrease in cost was 10%; average decrease in length of stay was 10%. Three of 3 economic analyses, however, demonstrate that efficiency gains do not generally translate into revenues for the hospitalist programs themselves; most hospitalist programs are currently losing money. Surveys of families, referring providers, and pediatric residents demonstrate neutral or improved experiences in hospitalist systems, although these data are less comprehensive. Data on quality of care are insufficient to draw conclusions.

CONCLUSIONS. Emerging research suggests that pediatric hospitalist systems decrease hospital costs and length of stay without adversely affecting provider, parent, or housestaff experiences. The quality of care in pediatric hospitalist systems is unclear, because rigorous metrics to evaluate quality are lacking. Studies of the processes and outcomes of hospital care are needed.
Findings in Older Children With Abusive Head Injury: Does Shaken-Child Syndrome Exist?
Authors: Salehi-Had Hani , Brandt James D. , Rosas Angela J. , Rogers Kristen K.
Published: May 2006

Shaken-baby syndrome (SBS) has been hypothesized to occur after shaking by an adult during the first 2 years of life. We wondered whether it is possible to achieve rotational forces sufficient to cause SBS-like injuries in children >2 years of age. The present study describes cases of child abuse in older children who presented with the classic ophthalmologic and intracranial findings of SBS. In this case series, 4 cases of older children (2.5–7 years old; 11.8–22 kg) who died from abusive head injuries and who had diffuse retinal hemorrhages identified antemortem were selected for review. The cases were abstracted from hospital charts, records from autopsies, coroners' and district attorneys' offices, and court transcripts. In all 4 cases the history provided by the primary caregiver did not match the severity of the injuries. Three case subjects presented with patterned bruises. Multilayered retinal hemorrhages and acute subdural hematoma were observed in all 4 cases. At autopsy, diffuse axonal injury was evident in 3 of the 4 cases; all 4 cases had optic nerve sheath hemorrhages. None of the victims had skeletal fractures on radiologic examination or at autopsy. This case series demonstrates that it is possible to observe SBS-like retinal and central nervous system findings in the older and heavier child. Our findings underscore the need for providers to consider intentional shaking as a mechanism of injury in the evaluation of abusive head injury in older children.
Epilepsy Surgery in Young Children With Tuberous Sclerosis: Results of a Novel Approach
Authors: Weiner Howard L. , Carlson Chad , Ridgway Emily B. , Zaroff Charles M. , Miles Daniel , LaJoie Josiane , Devinsky Orrin
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVE. Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is associated with medically refractory epilepsy and developmental delay in children and usually results from cortical tubers. Seizures that begin in young patients are often refractory and may contribute to development delay. Functional outcome is improved when seizures are controlled at an early age. Previous reports have shown modest benefit from surgical resection of single tubers/seizure foci in older children; however, many children with TSC develop uncontrolled seizures before age 1. To identify patients who might benefit from surgery and to maximize outcome, we used a novel surgical approach in young children that consists of invasive intracranial monitoring, which is typically 3-staged and often bilateral.

METHODS. Of 110 consecutive children who underwent epilepsy surgery by a single surgeon in the past 6 years, 25 patients (9 boys and 16 girls) had TSC. At the time of their first surgery at our institution, they were a median age of 4.0 years. A total of 31 separate admissions for epilepsy surgery in these 25 patients were identified. Bilateral electrode placement was performed in 13 children whose seizures could not be lateralized definitively preoperatively, and 22 patients underwent 3-stage surgeries.

RESULTS. At 6 months or longer after the initial resection, 21 (84%) children were class I, 2 (8%) children were class II, and 2 (8%) children were class IV. At a mean follow-up of 28 months, 17 (68%) children were class I, 6 (24%) were class II, and 2 (8%) were class III. Four of the 5 children who initially were rejected as surgical candidates because of multifocality and who required initial bilateral electrode study are now seizure-free.

CONCLUSIONS. This approach can help to identify both primary and secondary epileptogenic zones in young TSC patients with multiple tubers. Multiple or bilateral seizure foci are not necessarily a contraindication to surgery. Long-term follow-up will determine whether this approach has durable effects.
Should Pacifiers Be Recommended to Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?
Authors: Mitchell E.A. , Blair P.S. , L’Hoir M.P.
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVES. Our aim was to review the evidence for a reduction in the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) with pacifier (“dummy” or “soother”) use, to discuss possible mechanisms for the reduction in SIDS risk, and to review other possible health effects of pacifiers.

RESULTS. There is a remarkably consistent reduction of SIDS with pacifier use. The mechanism by which pacifiers might reduce the risk of SIDS is unknown, but several mechanisms have been postulated. Pacifiers might reduce breastfeeding duration, but the studies are conflicting.

CONCLUSIONS. It seems appropriate to stop discouraging the use of pacifiers. Whether it is appropriate to recommend pacifier use in infants is open to debate.
Delayed Whole-Body Cooling to 33 or 35°C and the Development of Impaired Energy Generation Consequential to Transient Cerebral Hypoxia-Ischemia in the Newborn Piglet
Authors: O'Brien Frances E. , Iwata Osuke , Thornton John S. , Vita Enrico De , Sellwood Mark W. , Iwata Sachiko , Sakata Yasuko S. , Charman Susan , Ordidge Roger , Cady Ernest B. , Wyatt John S. , Robertson Nicola J.
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVES. Fundamental questions remain about the precise temperature providing optimal neuroprotection after perinatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI). Furthermore, if hypothermia delays the onset of the neurotoxic cascade and the secondary impairment in cerebral energy generation, the “latent phase” may be prolonged, thus extending the period when additional treatments may be effective. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of delayed systemic cooling at either 33°C or 35°C on the following: (1) latent-phase duration, and (2) cerebral metabolism during secondary energy failure itself, in the 48-hour period after transient HI.

METHODS. Piglets were randomly assigned to the following: (1) HI-normothermic (HI-n) rectal temperature (Trectal; n = 12), (2) HI-Trectal 35°C (HI-35; n = 7), and (3) HI-Trectal 33°C (HI-33; n = 10). Groups were cooled to the target Trectal between 2 and 26 hours after HI. Serial magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed over 48 hours. The effect of cooling on secondary energy failure severity (indexed by the nucleotide triphosphate/exchangeable phosphate pool [NTP/EPP] and phosphocreatine/inorganic phosphate [PCr/Pi] ratios) was assessed.

RESULTS. Compared with HI-n, HI-35 and HI-33 had a longer NTP/EPP latent phase and during the entire study duration had higher mean NTP/EPP and PCr/Pi. The latent phase (both PCr/Pi and NTP/EPP) and the whole-brain cerebral energetics were similar for HI-35 and HI-33. During the hypothermic period, compared with HI-n, PCr/Pi was preserved in the cooled groups, but this advantage was not maintained after rewarming. Compared with HI-n, HI-35 and HI-33 had higher NTP/EPP after rewarming.

CONCLUSIONS. Whole-body hypothermia for 24 hours at either 35 or 33°C, commenced 2 hours after resuscitation, prolonged the NTP/EPP latent phase and reduced the overall secondary falls in mean PCr/Pi and NTP/EPP during 48 hours after HI. Reducing the temperature from 35 to 33°C neither increased mean PCr/Pi and NTP/EPP nor further lengthened the latent phase.