bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulating the communication of genetic risk information: the Italian legal approach to questions of confidentiality and disclosure
Authors: Battistuzzi L , Ciliberti R , Forzano F , De Stefano F
Published: July 2012

Battistuzzi L, Ciliberti R, Forzano F, De Stefano F. Regulating the communication of genetic risk information: the Italian legal approach to questions of confidentiality and disclosure.

Communication of genetic risk is a complex process in which the rights of the individual and those of relatives may conflict with regard to the information revealed by DNA testing. If patients who participate in clinical genetic testing refuse to share their genetic information with at‐risk relatives, healthcare professionals need to reach a proper ethical balance between the right of individual patients regarding the confidentiality of their genetic test result and the right of families to be informed about their genetic risk. Rules and legislation in most countries generally protect the confidentiality of medical information but allow limited disclosure of genetic test results without the patient's consent in specific cases when certain conditions are met. The aim of this article is to draw attention to how Italian policymakers have attempted to balance protection of autonomy and confidentiality, and protection of health by means of a hybrid instrument. Furthermore, we show that some of the requirements of that instrument depart from the most widely recognized standards for non‐consensual disclosure of genetic risk information, while at the same time allowing an unusually high level of discretion to healthcare professionals involved in genetic counseling and testing.
Pharmacogenetics of pain and analgesia
Authors: Smith MT , Muralidharan A
Published: July 2012

Pain severity ratings and the analgesic dosing requirements of patients with apparently similar pain conditions may differ considerably between individuals. Contributing factors include those of genetic and environmental origin with epigenetic mechanisms that enable dynamic gene–environment interaction, more recently implicated in pain modulation. Insight into genetic factors underpinning inter‐patient variability in pain sensitivity has come from rodent heritability studies as well as familial aggregation and twin studies in humans. Indeed, more than 350 candidate pain genes have been identified as potentially contributing to heritable differences in pain sensitivity. A large number of genetic association studies conducted in patients with a variety of clinical pain types or in humans exposed to experimentally induced pain stimuli in the laboratory setting, have examined the impact of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in various target genes on pain sensitivity and/or analgesic dosing requirements. However, the findings of such studies have generally failed to replicate or have been only partially replicated by independent investigators. Deficiencies in study conduct including use of small sample size, inappropriate statistical methods and inadequate attention to the possibility that between‐study differences in environmental factors may alter pain phenotypes through epigenetic mechanisms, have been identified as being significant.
Cell Counts and Survival to Vitrification of Bovine In Vitro Produced Blastocysts Subjected to Sublethal High Hydrostatic Pressure
Authors: Trigal B , Muñoz M , Gómez E , Caamaño JN , Martin D , Carrocera S , Casais R , Diez C
Published: July 2012

Contents

This work analyses the effects of a high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment on in vitro survival of in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryos vitrified with the Cryologic Vitrification Method (CVM). Consequences on embryo quality in terms of cell proliferation and differentiation, and levels of embryonic Heat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp‐70) were also examined. Day 7 and 8 bovine in vitro‐produced blastocysts were submitted to an HHP treatment (60 MPa, at 32°C for 1 h) and allowed to recover for 1 or 2 h in culture medium. The HHP treatment did not improve blastocyst survival rates after vitrification/warming. Survival (24 h post‐warming) and hatching (48 h post‐warming) rates were 79.3 ± 4.9 and 51.8 ± 4.2 vs 73.9 ± 4.2 and 44.7 ± 4.1 for untreated controls and HHP‐treated embryos, respectively. Total cell numbers measured in fresh embryos were reduced after 1 h at 32°C, with or without HHP treatment, indicating that cell proliferation was stopped as a result of stress. Vitrified HHP‐treated embryos that hatched at 48 h after warming showed increased cell numbers in their ICM compared with untreated controls (50.2 ± 3.1 vs 38.8 ± 2.7), indicating higher embryo quality. Treatment of blastocysts with HHP did not alter the level of the Hsp‐70 protein. In our conditions, HHP treatment did not affect the cryoresistance of these embryos. However, combination of HHP treatment and vitrification in fibreplugs resulted in an increase in the ICM cell number of hatched embryos 48 h post‐warming.
Preterm neonatal cardiovascular instability: Does understanding the fetus help evaluate the newborn?
Authors: Bennet Laura , Booth Lindsea C , Drury Paul P , Quaedackers Josine SL , Gunn Alistair J
Published: July 2012

Preterm newborns, particularly very low birth weight newborns, frequently experience intermittent hypotension and/or hypoperfusion.

Organ perfusion is largely distinct from systemic hypotension, suggesting that changes in underlying vascular tone are the major determinants of perfusion.

Preterm fetuses have a remarkable anaerobic tolerance and ability to survive major insults with no or limited injury, balanced by relative immaturity of key autonomic responses.

Exposure to hypoxia–ischaemia and infection trigger complex changes in vascular tone that evolve over many days and there is evidence that these are centrally controlled and linked, in part, with underlying organ metabolism.

Hypoperfusion frequently occurs after hypoxia–ischaemia without organ injury occurring.

Hypoxia–ischaemia, infection and many clinical interventions, such as steroid therapy and ventilation, can interact to increase or decrease the risk of brain injury.
The Asian Research & Collaboration Center for Nursing & Cultural Studies in Japan
Authors: Mochizuki Yuki , Iwasaki Yayoi , Masaki Harue
Published: July 2012

The purpose of this paper is to describe current cultural issues in Japanese health‐care services that have resulted from the increased immigration. Also described is the establishment of a new academic research centre that will focus on culturally appropriate nursing care. There are many health‐care issues in Japan caused by a shortage of health‐care workers and disparities in access to health care. The major issues are an increase in the number of foreign patients, foreign nurses and care workers. Despite the occurrence of similar issues in other countries, Japan's situation and the causes are different. In response to dynamic demographic and health‐care changes in Japan, we launched the Asian Research & Collaboration Center for Nursing & Cultural Studies at Chiba University Graduate School of Nursing.
Effects of familiar voices on brain activity
Authors: Tanaka Yuji L , Kudo Yumi
Published: July 2012

This study aimed to examine the extent to which a familiar voice influences brain activity. Participants were nine healthy female volunteers aged 21–34 years old (with a mean age of 25.78 ± 4.04 years). Brain activity was recorded during periods of silence, familiar and unfamiliar voices. Electroencephalographic data were collected and analyzed using a frequency rate set at 5 min. To account for emotional influences imbedded into the contents of the voice stimuli, both the voice of a familiar family member and the voice of a stranger were used to record a well‐known Japanese fairy tale, ‘Momotaro’. Results revealed that listening to familiar voices increased the rate of the β band (13–30 Hz) in all four brain areas (F3, F4, C3 and C4). In particular, increased activity was observed at F4 and C4. Findings revealed that in study, participants' familiar voices activated cerebral functioning more than unfamiliar voices.
Promoting cultural awareness in nursing education through international videoconferences
Authors: Kemppainen Jeanne K , Kim‐Godwin Yeoun Soo , Mechling Brandy , Kanematsu Yuriko , Kikuchi Kazuko
Published: July 2012

This paper describes a highly successful, 10 year long international videoconference exchange between nursing students in Iwate Prefectural University in northern Japan and the University of North Carolina Wilmington in the United States. A summary of the literature on the use of videoconferencing in nursing education is presented, as well as a brief overview of the collaborative partnership that led to the development of the annual videoconference series. A description of the process for conducting the annual real‐time sessions is included along with student perspectives about their experiences. Planning, support and open‐mindedness on the part of both students and nursing faculty have contributed to the success of this collaborative effort.
Comparison of single‐incision laparoscopic high anterior resection with standard laparoscopic high anterior resection
Authors: Osborne A. J. , Lim J. , Gash K. J. , Chaudhary B. , Dixon A. R.
Published: July 2012

Aim  Single‐incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is gaining momentum. The aim of the present study was to compare the outcome of SILS for high anterior resection with that of standard laparoscopic resection (StdLS).

Method  Patients undergoing laparoscopic high anterior resection were prospectively entered into an institutional approved database. Patients treated with SILS were compared with those undergoing StdLS.

Results  Between April 2000 and April 2009, 327 (143 cancer) consecutive unselected patients underwent StdLS; there were three (1%) conversions and 12 (3.6%) covering ileostomies. After April 2009, 55 (29 cancer) consecutive, unselected patients underwent SILS; there were two conversions to a three‐port technique (3.6%), no conversions to open resection and two (3.6%) covering ileostomies. There were no significant differences in age, sex, body mass index, hospital of operation or American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) grade between the two groups. The operating time for SILS was significantly shorter (113 ± 44 min for StdLS vs 79 ± 37 min for SILS; P < 0.0001). SILS patients tolerated a normal diet earlier [10 (2–24) h for SILS vs 18 (2–96) h for StdLS] and were discharged faster [1 (1–8) days for SILS vs 3 (1–24) days for StdLS]. There were no significant differences in return to theatre, readmissions or 30‐day mortality.

Conclusion  SILS for high anterior resection is feasible, safe and quicker to perform than standard three‐port laparoscopic colectomy. It seems to be associated with a faster recovery and earlier discharge.
Factors influencing circumferential resection margin in rectal cancer
Authors: Hiranyakas A. , da Silva G. , Wexner S. D. , Ho Y.‐H. , Allende D. , Berho M.
Published: July 2012

Aim  Abdominoperineal excision (APR) has been associated with higher circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement and local recurrence rates than extralevator APR for low rectal cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the CRMs in APR and low anterior resection (LAR) specimens and to identify factors influencing CRM involvement.

Method  All pathological specimens from consecutive patients with rectal cancer who underwent curative resection at the Cleveland Clinic Florida, from January 2000 to July 2010, were reviewed by two pathologists. Demographics, tumour characteristics, operative data, postoperative pathology and Dworak’s tumour regression grade were compared between specimens with positive and negative CRMs.

Results  One‐hundred and fifty‐four patients underwent curative APR (n = 65) or LAR (n = 69). Mean tumour size was 3.6 cm, and mean distance from the dentate line was 5.4 cm. Nine (6.8%) patients had a positive CRM (n = 6 APR, n = 3 LAR), which was associated with tumour size > 5.9 cm (P = 0.002), a distance of ≤ 2.6 cm from the dentate line (P = 0.013), microvascular invasion (P = 0.009), perineural invasion (P < 0.001), number of positive lymph nodes (P = 0.046) and incomplete total mesorectal excision (TME) (P < 0.001). APR specimens were three times more likely than LAR specimens to have an incomplete mesorectum (9.8%vs 2.9%, P = 0.322).

Conclusions  Factors associated with a positive CRM were tumour size > 5.9 cm, a distance of ≤ 2.6 cm from the dentate line, incomplete TME, number of positive nodes and microvascular and perineural invasion. The incidence of a positive CRM was not significantly different between LAR and APR (n = 3 LAR and n = 6 APR).
Training and tailored outreach support to improve alcohol screening and brief intervention in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
Authors: Clifford Anton , Shakeshaft Anthony , Deans Catherine
Published: July 2012

Introduction and Aims

Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) are often the primary point of contact for Indigenous Australians experiencing alcohol‐related harms. Screening and brief intervention (SBI) is a cost‐effective treatment for reducing these harms. Factors influencing evidence‐based alcohol SBI delivery in ACCHSs have been identified. Evaluations of strategies targeting these factors are required. The aim of this paper is to quantify the effect of training and tailored outreach support on the delivery of alcohol SBI in four Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs).

Design and Methods

A pre‐ post‐ assessment of alcohol information recorded in computerised patient information systems of four ACCHSs.

Results

For ACCHSs combined there was a statistically significant increase in the proportion of eligible clients with an electronic record of any alcohol information (3.2% to 7.5%, P < 0.0001) and a valid alcohol screen (1.6% to 6.5%, P < 0.0001), and brief intervention (25.75% to 47.7%, P < 0.0001). All four ACCHSs achieved statistically significant increases in the proportion of clients with a complete alcohol screen (10.3%; 7.4%; 2%, P < 0.0001 and 1.3%, P < 0.05), and two in the proportion with a heavy drinking screen (7% and 3.1%, P < 0.0001).

Discussion and Conclusions

Implementing evidence‐based alcohol SBI in ACCHSs is likely to require multiple strategies tailored to the characteristics of specific services. Outreach support provided by local drug and alcohol practitioners and a one item heavy drinking screen offer considerable promise for increasing routine alcohol SBI delivery in ACCHSs. Training and outreach support appear to be effective for achieving modest improvements in alcohol SBI delivery in ACCHSs.
The evolution of China’s banking system: bank loan announcements 1996–2009
Authors: Gan Christopher , Zhang Yuan , Li Zhaohua , Cohen David A.
Published: July 2012

This study investigates China’s evolving banking systems from 1996 to 2009 by testing the market response to bank loan announcements in the China. The results show a significant negative market response to bank loan announcements in the Chinese financial market for the sample period 1996–2004. However, after a series of reforms in the Chinese banking system, the significantly negative market response to bank loan announcements disappears for the sample period 2005–2009.
Citizen Dissatisfaction Leads to Budget Cuts, or Not: A Case Study of a Local Taiwanese Government (低满意度必然导致预算删减？未必：台湾地方政府的个案研究)
Authors: Kuo (郭乃菱) Nai‐Ling
Published: July 2012

This article addresses how government agencies allocate their program budgets in response to citizen dissatisfaction. It examines three unpopular public programs with varying budget allocations overseen by different government agencies in New Taipei City, Taiwan. The article argues that low levels of citizen satisfaction do not necessarily lead to budget cuts. Rather, budget allocation is mediated by the policy preference of the elected mayor and the intrinsic characteristics of a program. An unpopular program gets cut only if it is of less political priority and there is a lack of interest in the given agency. According to the bureau‐shaping model, bureau heads only expand programs give them primacy as policy makers rather than program operators or fund distributers. However, this article shows that whether the program does this or not, the program can still be in preference if the mayor remains in sympathy with the program or the program is associated with the agency's policy function. The former would lead to the reallocation of funds for gaining citizen support; the latter would earn more funds to improve the program performance.

本文以台湾新北市三个分受不同机构管辖的低满意度或支持度之计划为个案，探讨政府机构如何以调整预算资源的配置来响应民众对施政计划的不满。本文指出，民众对计划的满意度高低，并非唯一影响预算删减与否的因素，计划预算的调整亦与民选市长对计划的偏好程度及计划的内在特质相关。研究指出，只有民选市长与管辖的机关对计划的偏好程度低的计划，会以民众不满为由删减其预算。首先，根据官僚型塑模型（bureau‐shaping model），相较于计划执行者或资源分配者，机关首长更偏好能塑造其政策制定者角色的计划，且通常倾向于扩张此类计划的预算。此外，本文亦发现，无论（不受民众欢迎的）计划的本质是否能增加机关首长的政策制定者角色，只要民选首长对此计划有偏好，其预算能免于删减。根据新北市的个案研究，不受民众欢迎的计划，若民选首长有较强的政策偏好，则机关首长会加强政策倡导、与民沟通等业务的预算，以增加民众的满意度；若民选首长对政策无偏好或偏好中立，但该计划能强化机关首长的政策制定角色，则民众对计划的不满反能成为要求计划之预算扩增以促进绩效的理由。
Building Citizen‐centred E‐government in Taiwan: Problems and Prospects (发展以公民为核心的电子化政府‐台湾的经验与启示)1
Authors: Hung (洪美仁) Mei Jen
Published: July 2012

This article assesses the practice of e‐government in Taiwan from a citizen‐centred perspective. Since the late 1990s, the government of Taiwan has earned international recognition for its e‐government initiatives. However, the analysis of e‐government in Taiwan reveals that the government has neither made the best use of technology to understand and incorporate citizens’ needs into e‐government nor made the necessary changes in the process and established institutional arrangements for integrated services. This article identifies the problems and challenges to enhance e‐government in Taiwan. It contends that the limited role and narrow‐mindedness of IT personnel in charge of designing e‐government as well as a risk‐averse culture amongst public servants could stop e‐government from moving forward. The article concludes by discussing the lessons learned from Taiwan's experience and claims that transforming the role of IT personnel, strengthening political leadership and developing strong public value are necessary to building citizen‐centric e‐government.

本篇研究主要以公民为核心来探讨台湾电子化政府的发展过程，台湾的电子化政府从1990年代晚期开始发展，近年在国际评比上表现十分出色，然而，进一步深入了解台湾电子化政府的决策及执行过程，可以发现政府并未妥善运用信息科技来了解人民需求，或者是依照人民需求来调整既有政府的运作过程。本篇研究试图找出如何强化以公民为核心的电子化政府发展的问题与策略，包括政府信息人员在组织中的角色与功能，以及公务员保守避险的心态都有可能阻碍电子化政府以公民为核心的发展，未来主要可行的策略包括有政府信息人员角色的转换、政治领导的强化以及公务员公共价值的培养等。
Delivery of Public Services by Non‐Government Organisations (非营利组织的公共服务提供)1
Authors: Housego Anthony , O’Brien Terry
Published: July 2012

All levels of government in Australia (national, state and territory, municipal) are increasingly contracting with charitable and other not‐for‐profit organisations (and, at times, for‐profit businesses) for the delivery of public services. While estimates vary about the extent of such arrangements, recent statistics suggest they are a large and growing phenomena. The shift to ‘purchase of service’ contracting and other forms of ‘managed markets’ has been partly motivated by a desire to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery. However, there are some criticisms of the approach, arguing that it leads to a range of problems for not‐for‐profit organisations, including being burdened by excessive regulation, movement away from their core purpose (so‐called ‘mission drift’), and a weakening of the connections with the community they serve. This article examines the prevalence of the contracting arrangements and some of the main reasons why they have come about. It also considers the main gains and challenges resulting from such arrangements, in particular for public sector management. The article draws on recent work by the Productivity Commission (‘the Commission’) including the 2010 study of the contribution of the not‐for‐profit sector (PC 2010); the 2011 inquiry on disability care and support (PC 2011a); and the 2011 inquiry on caring for older Australians (PC 2011b). It also draws more broadly on a range of other Commission work, including recent reports on government services produced for the Council of Australian Governments (SCRGSP 2011a, 2011b).

澳大利亚各级政府（国家级，州和领地级，市级）正越来越多地将公共服务的提供承包予慈善机构和其他非营利组织（有时也包括以营利为目的的企业）。虽然对此种安排所达到的规模估计各不相同，最近有统计数字表明，这是一个庞大且不断增长的现象。政府转向“购买服务”和其他形式的“管理市场”，其部分动因是希望改善服务提供的效率和效益。然而，有一些批评意见认为它会给非营利组织导致一系列问题，其中包括监管过度带来的负担，偏离组织本身的核心目的（所谓的“使命漂移”），与所服务的公民的联系被削弱。本文探讨服务承包这一现象所达到的规模，以及导致其存在的主要原因。本文还讨论了这种安排的主要优点和挑战，尤其是针对公共部门管理。本文基于生产力委员会（“委员会”）近期的研究，它包括2010年对非营利组织贡献的研究（PC 2010）；2011年对残障护理和支持工作的调查（PC 2011a）；和2011年对老年澳大利亚人护理的工作的调查（PC 2011b）。本文还广泛吸收生产力委员会的其他研究，包括近期为澳大利亚政府理事会制作的关于政府服务的报告。
Advocacy by Chinese Nonprofit Organisations: Towards a Responsive Government? (中国非营利组织的倡导性活动：趋向于促成反应式政府？)
Authors: Zhang (张志斌) Zhibin , Guo (郭超) Chao
Published: July 2012

To what extent do Chinese nonprofit organisations, through advocacy activities, engage citizens in influencing public policies and contribute to the development of a participatory policy process in China? Based on data collected through a mail survey of 203 registered nonprofit organisations, this study examines the advocacy activities of Chinese nonprofits and their contributions to a responsive government. We find that the intensity of advocacy activities by Chinese nonprofits is relatively low and varies by organizational type, by degree of professionalisation, and by dependence on government funding. We find no association between advocacy intensity and the extent to which Chinese nonprofits engage citizens at the organisational level prior to their advocacy efforts. The ineffective marshalling and integration of citizens’ interests within Chinese nonprofit organisations might be attributable to the corporatist structure of the institutional and resource environments in which Chinese nonprofit organisations operate.

中国的非营利组织通过其倡导性活动，究竟在多大的程度上能发动引导公民参与和影响公共政策，进而又能在多大程度上推动中国参与式政策过程或反应式政府的发展？基于对203个注册了的非营利组织邮寄调查所获得的数据，本研究考察了中国非营利组织的倡导性活动及其对中国反应式政府的影响。研究发现表明，中国非营利组织倡导性活动的强度相对来说较弱，而其对反应式政府的影响也相当有限。这一有限性与中国非营利组织在从事倡导性活动之前，难以有效地引导公民参与组织内部的治理与运作有关。换句话说，中国的非营利组织在政治与社会体系中倡导公民的权益之前，未能有效地在组织内部先行整合与回应公民的权益和诉求。这种组织内部对公民权益与诉求整合和回应的低效可以进一步归结于中国非营利组织所处的法团主义结构的制度与资源宏观外部环境。
Managed Social Innovation: The Case of Government‐Sponsored Venture Philanthropy in Shanghai (政府管理下的社会创新：以上海市政府发起的公益创投为例)1
Authors: Jing (敬乂嘉) Yijia , Gong (公婷) Ting
Published: July 2012

In recent years, a model of ‘managed social innovation’ seems to be emerging in China where local governments take the lead in generating and implementing new citizen‐oriented products, processes, and services; the central government has embraced such local innovative activities as part of its high profile ‘harmonious society’ strategy. The aim is to not only accommodate but also promote and craft civil society initiatives. However, questions remain as to why governments have actively engineered such social innovations and how and to what extent they can be successful in balancing potential conflicts between their own pursuits and those initiated by citizens. In this article, we examine a hybrid form of social innovation combining government engineering and citizen participation as the Chinese government's most recent strategy to cope with the rise of nonprofit organisations. Empirically, we focus on a case of social innovation, the government‐sponsored venture philanthropy program in Shanghai. We argue that managed social innovation may create mixed results. It deviates from a genuine citizen‐empowered process due to the imposed regulatory hurdles, and the lack of significant citizen‐based inputs. On the other hand, it may still provide space and resources for new social ideas, strategies, and organisations. The Chinese government has demonstrated some success in managing these social innovations but faces dilemmas in managing government‐nonprofit relations because of embedded institutional requirements.

“政府管理下的社会创新”模式近年来在中国的社会管理实践中逐渐出现，即地方政府率先创造和实施一些具有公民导向的新产品、过程和服务，而中央政府倾向于肯定这些地方创新行为，作为其高调提出的和谐社会策略的一部分。这种新生的模式不仅接受而且进一步倡导和型塑来自公民社会的创意。在这种发展的背后，引人注意的是为什么政府会积极推进这些社会创新，同时又是如何并且多大程度上成功地平衡了其与公民之间可能存在的目标冲突。本文首先在理论上，对中国政府应对非营利组织兴起的最新策略进行分析，总结这种将政府管理与公民参与相结合的混合型社会创新；并从该分析框架出发，对发生在上海的由市政府发起的公益创投项目进行实证分析。本文认为政府管理下的社会创新导致了双重结果：由于政府管制的束缚和公民投入的缺乏，一个完全基于公民赋权的过程难以有效实现；而同时，政府管理下的社会创新仍然为新的社会思想、策略和组织的成长提供了机会和资源。中国政府在推进社会创新上获得了一些成功，但是在处理政府与非营利组织关系上仍需要突破现有制度所造成的多种困境。
Learning as a Key to Citizen‐centred Performance Improvement: A Comparison between the Health Service Centre and the Household Registration Office in Taipei City (“学习”作为公民为基绩效改善之关键因素：台北市健康服务中心与户政事务所之比较研究)1
Authors: Wai Yip So (苏伟业) Bennis
Published: July 2012

The function of ‘learning’ as a key to enhancing public responsiveness, outwards accountability and performance improvement has been well identified. But is there any variation in impact if different learning roles are played by people at different levels in organisational hierarchies? Through a comparative study of two frontline service systems and their performance management mechanism in Taipei City of Taiwan, the author identifies two kinds of learning: policy learning and instrumental learning, and argues that if policy learning is taken by a policymaking/supervisory agency, it will strengthen upwards accountability of its subordinate executive agencies at the expense of outwards accountability, and will stimulate their instrumental learning for target‐based performance measurement, on the other hand, if policy learning spurred by their own performance evaluation is taken by executive agencies, it will strengthen their outwards accountability without any negative impact on upwards accountability.

“学习”作为提升公共响应性、外部问责及绩效改善的关键因素已被注意到。但学习角色在组织系统中的层级分布差异会否带来不同的效果呢？透过台北市两个前线服务系统及它们绩效管理机制之比较研究，本文作者辨识出两种学习模式：政策性学习及工具性学习，并主张如果由政策制定或上级机关进行政策性学习的话，这会强化对下属执行机关的垂直问责，但会牺牲外部问责，由此刺激工具性学习。另一方面，如果由绩效评估驱动政策性学习，且由执行机关进行这学习的话，那么就能强化外部问责，但不会对垂直问责造成任何负面影响。
The Rise of Social Accountability in China (社会问责在中国的兴起)
Authors: Ma (马骏) Jun
Published: July 2012

The development of Chinese social accountability illustrates that society itself is a powerful force for enhancing accountability. It can enable a form of societal control of the government in a non‐electoral regime. However, the absence of competitive election has limited the development of social accountability in China. The Chinese case nevertheless helps improve our understanding of the role of society in accountability building.

长期以来，关于社会问责的讨论都局限在实行选举民主的国家。最近十来年，社会问责开始在中国兴起。这主要是因为，经过三十多年的经济体制改革，中国社会也发生巨大的变化。公民社会正在形成之中，要求建立一个负责的政府的呼声也越来越强烈。在这个背景下，正在形成中的公民社会开始发展成为一个推动政治问责的重要力量，各种形式的社会问责开始出现。随着社会问责的兴起，尽管中国仍然是一个非竞争性选举的国家，一种对政府的社会控制开始发展起来。这表明，“没有选举的问责”是可能的。然而，缺乏竞争性的选举也同时制约着社会问责在中国的发展。例如，绝大部分社会问责形式都缺乏制度化或者制度化程度比较低。尽管如此，中国的例子仍然有助于我们理解公民社会在问责机制建设中发挥的作用，也有助于我们理解政治问责在非西方世界的复杂性。
Does Participatory Budgeting Improve the Legitimacy of the Local Government?: A Comparative Case Study of Two Cities in China (参与式预算是否能提高地方政府的合法性？：中国两个城市的比较案例研究)
Authors: Wu (吴彦) Yan , Wang (王闻) Wen
Published: July 2012

This research applies David Beetham's theory of legitimacy to analyse the current decision‐making procedures of public budgeting in mainland China. Specifically, it evaluates the impact of two forms of participatory budgeting (PB) on improving the legitimacy of public budgeting in two regional provinces/cities; Wuxi (near Shanghai) and Wenling (a coastal city some 400 km south of Shanghai). Comparative case studies are employed to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of PB in the two cities. The comparisons are made from all three aspects of legitimacy based on Beetham's framework, investigating in which aspects and to what extent PB has contributed to enhancing the legitimacy of budgetary decision‐making. Difficulties and limitations in promoting PB in China are also discussed.

从“参与式预算（participatory budgeting）”在中国兴起至今已近十年。由于其改革成效受到普遍认可，试点城市不断增加。本研究尝试用戴维•比瑟姆（David Beetham）的合法性（legitimacy）理论来分析当今中国公共预算决策过程，并以江苏省无锡市和浙江省温岭市为例来探究两种不同的参与式预算模式对所在地方政府公共预算合法性的影响。本文采用比较案例的研究方法，通过比较分析参与式预算在这两个城市的改革模式与效果，从比瑟姆提出的“合法律性（legality）”，“道德正当性（moral justification）”和“认同度（consent）”三方面评价参与式预算如何以及在多大程度上提高了公共预算决策的合法性。最后，文章也讨论了中国参与式预算改革过程中遇到的困难及其局限性。
Children’s Reasoning About Self‐Presentation Following Rule Violations: The Role of Self‐Focused Attention
Authors: Banerjee Robin , Bennett Mark , Luke Nikki
Published: July 2012

Rule violations are likely to serve as key contexts for learning to reason about public identity. In an initial study with 91 children aged 4–9 years, social emotions and self‐presentational concerns were more likely to be cited when children were responding to hypothetical vignettes involving social‐conventional rather than moral violations. In 2 further studies with 376 children aged 4–9 years, experimental manipulations of self‐focused attention (either by leading children to believe they were being video‐recorded or by varying audience reactions to transgressions) were found to elicit greater attention to social evaluation following moral violations, although self‐presentational concerns were consistently salient in the context of social‐conventional violations. The role of rule transgressions in children’s emerging self‐awareness and social understanding is discussed.
A Customized Particle Swarm Method to Solve Highway Alignment Optimization Problem
Authors: Shafahi Yousef , Bagherian Mehdi
Published: July 2012

Abstract:  Optimizing highway alignment requires a versatile set of cost functions and an efficient search method to achieve the best design. Because of numerous highway design considerations, this issue is classified as a constrained problem. Moreover, because of the infinite number of possible solutions for the problem and the continuous search space, highway alignment optimization is a complex problem.

In this study, a customized particle swarm optimization algorithm was used to search for a near‐optimal highway alignment, which is a compound of several tangents, consisting of circular (for horizontal design) and parabolic (for vertical alignment) curves. The selected highway alignment should meet the constraints of highway design while minimizing total cost as the objective function. The model uses geographical information system (GIS) maps as an efficient and fast way to calculate right‐of‐way costs, earthwork costs, and any other spatial information and constraints that should be implemented in the design process. The efficiency of the algorithm was verified through a case study using an artificial map as the study region. Finally, we applied the algorithm to a real‐world example and the results were compared with the alignment found by traditional methods.
Development of orthographic knowledge in German‐speaking children: a 2‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Ise Elena , Arnoldi Carolin Judith , Schulte‐Körne Gerd
Published: July 2012

There is growing evidence that children develop orthographic knowledge from the very beginning of literacy acquisition. This study investigated the development of German‐speaking children's orthographic knowledge with a nonword choice task. One nonword in each pair contained a frequent consonant doublet (zommul) and the other nonword contained an infrequent doublet (zobbul). Children (N = 54) performed at chance level in kindergarten but chose nonwords with frequent doublets significantly more often than expected by chance in first and second grade. Correlations between children's orthographic knowledge and their reading and spelling skills were not found. The results indicate that knowledge of frequent double consonants is evident in German‐speaking children from first grade onwards, but it is not related to their reading and spelling performance. This finding is consistent with the view that children in transparent orthographies rely less on frequent letter patterns during reading and spelling compared to children in deep orthographies.
Non‐stationary autoregressive processes with infinite variance
Authors: Chan Ngai Hang , Zhang Rongmao
Published: July 2012

Consider an AR(p) process , where {ɛt} is a sequence of i.i.d. random variables lying in the domain of attraction of a stable law with index 0<α<2. This time series {Yt} is said to be a non‐stationary AR(p) process if at least one of its characteristic roots lies on the unit circle. The limit distribution of the least squares estimator (LSE) of for {Yt} with infinite variance innovation {ɛt} is established in this paper. In particular, by virtue of the result of Kurtz and Protter (1991) of stochastic integrals, it is shown that the limit distribution of the LSE is a functional of integrated stable process. Simulations for the estimator of β and its limit distribution are also given.
Mapping the potential extinction debt of butterflies in a modern city: implications for conservation priorities in urban landscapes
Authors: Soga M. , Koike S.
Published: July 2012

Read the Commentaries on this Feature Paper: Extinction debt at different spatial scales; Setting conservation priorities when what you see is not what you get

Response from the authors: From ecological pessimism to conservation chance: reviving living dead in changing landscapes
A simplified incubation method using chip‐trays as incubation vessels to identify sulphidic materials in acid sulphate soils
Authors: CREEPER N. , FITZPATRICK R. , SHAND P.
Published: July 2012

Acid sulphate soils (ASS) can pose a significant hazard to natural ecosystems and developed areas situated within ASS landscapes. Management techniques used to minimize these hazards rely on methods that can classify ASS materials. These methods have traditionally required complex and time‐consuming techniques. A new simplified incubation method, modified from existing ones, was therefore developed to classify ASS materials in a timely manner. The simplified incubation method was found to be a viable alternative where samples cannot be incubated to a stable pH because of logistical or time constraints, but where there is still a need to classify slowly acidifying sulphidic materials. The use of chip‐trays as incubation vessels was also examined. Chip‐trays offer many advantages in terms of transport, storage and analysis of soil samples compared with soil‐slabs. This study establishes an acceptable level of precision ( ± 0.1 pH units with 95% confidence) for pH measurements in the incubation method and confirms that an acceptable level of precision is obtainable when using chip‐trays in the pH incubation method.
Retracted: Exendin‐4 reverts behavioural and neurochemical dysfunction in a pre‐motor rodent model of Parkinson's disease with noradrenergic deficit
Authors: Rampersaud N , Harkavyi A , Giordano G , Lever R , Whitton J , Whitton PS
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by progressive dopaminergic cell loss; however, the noradrenergic system exhibits degeneration as well. Noradrenergic deficit in PD may be responsible for certain non‐motor symptoms of the pathology, including psychiatric disorders and cognitive decline. The aim of this study was to generate a pre‐motor rodent model of PD with noradrenergic denervation, and to assess whether treatment with exendin‐4 (EX‐4), a glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor agonist, could reverse impairment exhibited by our model.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We generated a model of PD utilizing N‐(2‐chloroethyl)‐N‐ethyl‐2‐bromobenzylamine and 6‐hydroxydopamine to create partial lesions of both the noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems respectively. We then assessed the validity of our model using an array of behavioural paradigms and biochemical techniques. Finally, we administered EX‐4 over a 1 week period to determine therapeutic efficacy.

KEY RESULTS Our model exhibits anhedonia and decreased object recognition as indicated by a decrease in sucrose preference, increased immobility in the forced swim test and reduced novel object exploration. Tissue and extracellular dopamine and noradrenaline were reduced in the frontal cortex and striatum. TH+ cell counts decreased in the locus coeruleus and substantia nigra. Treatment with EX‐4 reversed behavioural impairment and restored extracellular/tissue levels of both dopamine and noradrenaline and TH+ cell counts.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS We conclude that early treatment with EX‐4 may reverse certain neuropsychiatric dysfunction and restore dopamine and noradrenaline content.
Low glycemic index treatment for seizures in Angelman syndrome
Authors: Thibert Ronald L. , Pfeifer Heidi H. , Larson Anna M. , Raby Annabel R. , Reynolds Ashley A. , Morgan Amy K. , Thiele Elizabeth A.
Published: July 2012

Purpose: The low glycemic index treatment (LGIT) is a high fat, limited carbohydrate diet used in the treatment of epilepsy. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of the LGIT for the treatment of refractory seizures in pediatric patients with Angelman syndrome.

Methods: A pediatric Angelman syndrome cohort with refractory epilepsy was treated with the LGIT and followed prospectively over 4 months. Parents recorded a daily seizure log for a minimum of 1 month prior to the start of treatment as well as throughout the LGIT trial. Electroencephalography (EEG) and neuropsychological assessments (Scales of Independent Behavior‐Revised and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales‐2nd Edition were obtained for each subject at both baseline and 4‐month follow‐up time points. Clinical evaluations of subjects were completed by a neurologist and dietitian at the time of enrollment, as well as following both the first and fourth months of dietary therapy. At each time point, blood for laboratory chemistries was drawn and anthropometric measures were obtained.

Key Findings: Six children (mean age 3.3 years, range 1.1–4.8) with genetically confirmed Angelman syndrome initiated the LGIT, and completed the trial with no significant adverse events. Cohort averages for indices of seizure severity were as follows: age of 1.6 years at seizure onset, 3 lifetime antiepileptic drugs tried (range 1–6), and baseline seizure frequency of 10.1 events/week (range: 0.4–30.9). All subjects had a decrease in seizure frequency on the LGIT, with five of six exhibiting >80% seizure frequency reduction. All posttrial EEG studies showed improvement and three of four children with epileptiform activity on his or her baseline EEG had no discharges present on follow‐up EEG. Developmental gains were noted by parents in all cases, although few of these neurocognitive gains were statistically significant on neuropsychological assessment.

Significance: This is the first prospective study assessing the LGIT for epilepsy. Our results indicate that this dietary therapy is highly effective in treating Angelman syndrome–related seizures. The diet was well tolerated by subjects as evidenced by five of six subjects remaining on the LGIT after completion of the trial. Beyond the prospective trial window, all five subjects who remained on the diet had >90% seizure reduction after 1 year of LGIT therapy. Despite the small sample size in this prospective study, the results indicate a potentially higher degree of efficacy of the LGIT for the Angelman syndrome population than that observed in the general epilepsy population. Although this study is too small to make definitive recommendations, these results suggest that the LGIT is a promising treatment option for Angelman syndrome–related epilepsy.
Cortical stimulation mapping and Wada results demonstrate a normal variant of right hemisphere language organization
Authors: Drane Daniel L. , Roraback‐Carson Jenny , Hebb Adam O. , Hersonskey Tamir , Lucas Timothy , Ojemann George A. , Lettich Ettore , Silbergeld Daniel L. , Miller John W. , Ojemann Jeffrey G.
Published: July 2012

Purpose:  Exclusive right hemisphere language lateralization is rarely observed in the Wada angiography results of epilepsy surgery patients. Cortical stimulation mapping (CSM) is infrequently performed in such patients, as most undergo nondominant left hemisphere resections, which are presumed not to pose any risk to language. Early language reorganization is typically assumed in such individuals, taking left hemisphere epileptiform activity as confirmation of change resulting from a pathologic process. We present data from CSM and Wada studies demonstrating that right hemisphere language occurs in the absence of left hemisphere pathology, suggesting it can exist as a normal, but rare variant, in some individuals. Furthermore, these data confirm the Wada test findings of atypical dominance.

Methods:  Cortical stimulation mapping data were examined for all right hemisphere surgical patients with right hemisphere speech at our center between 1974 and 2006. Of 1,209 interpretable Wada procedures, 89 patients (7.4%) had exclusive right hemisphere speech, and 21 (1.7%) of these patients underwent surgery involving the right hemisphere. Language site location was determined by examining intraoperative photographs, and site distribution was statistically compared to published findings from left hemisphere language dominant patients.

Key Findings:  Language cortex was identified in the right hemisphere during CSM for all patients with available data. All sites could be classified in superior or middle temporal gyri, inferior parietal lobe, or inferior frontal gyrus, all of which were common zones where language was identified in the left hemisphere dominant comparison sample.

Significance:  Results suggest that the Wada procedure is a valid measure for identifying right hemisphere language processing without any false lateralization found in the patients mapped with CSM (i.e., a positive Wada is 100% sensitive for finding right hemisphere language sites), and that the distribution of language sites is consistent across right hemisphere and left hemisphere language dominant patients, supporting the theory that right hemisphere language can occur as a normal variant of language lateralization.
Internal desynchronization facilitates seizures
Authors: Smyk Magdalena K. , Coenen Anton , Lewandowski Marian H. , van Luijtelaar Gilles
Published: July 2012

Purpose:  The occurrence of spike‐wave discharges (SWDs) in WAG/Rij rats is modulated by the circadian timing system and is shaped by the presence of a light–dark cycle, motor activity, and state of vigilance. Here it is investigated whether the response to a phase shift is different between the SWDs and general motor activity rhythm. The process of reentrainment of both rhythms and its effect on number of absences was compared after a phase shift in the light–dark cycle, a condition known to induce internal desynchronization in the circadian timing system.

Methods:  Chronic electroencephalographic and motor activity recordings were made in adult WAG/Rij rats, kept in the 12:12 h light–dark cycle. After four baseline days, rats were exposed to an 8‐h phase delay by shifting the light onset. Recordings were continuously made for another 10 consecutive days.

Key Findings:  An immediate effect of the phase shift on both rhythms was observed: the acrophases were 7.5 h advanced. Next, they gradually returned to the baseline level, however, with a different speed. The more robust motor activity rhythm stabilizes first, whereas the weaker rhythm of SWDs adapted more slowly. The phase shift caused a prolonged aggravation of epileptic activity, observed mostly during the light phase.

Significance:  Different speed and character of reentrainment suggests that the occurrence of seizures and motor activity are controlled by distinct circadian oscillators. The prolonged increase in absences after the phase shift has immediate practical consequences.
Outcome of frontal lobe epilepsy surgery
Authors: Lazow Stefanie P. , Thadani Vijay M. , Gilbert Karen L. , Morse Richard P. , Bujarski Krzysztof A. , Kulandaivel Kandan , Roth Robert M. , Scott Rodney C. , Roberts David W. , Jobst Barbara C.
Published: July 2012

Purpose:  There is still controversy in deciding which patients with frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) should undergo resective surgery, even though it is a well‐established therapy. The aim of this study is to define multiple outcome measures and determine whether there are certain subpopulations of preferred surgical candidates that have a more favorable seizure prognosis.

Methods:  Fifty‐eight patients underwent resective FLE surgery with a mean follow‐up period of 79.3 months (range 12–208 months). Patient demographics, clinical seizure characteristics, seizure‐onset zone within the frontal lobes, and diagnostic tests were tabulated. Engel class, International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) class, postoperative seizure patterns, time to first recurrent seizure, and seizures and employment during the last year of follow‐up were used as outcome measures. Neuropsychological performance and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores were used to define neuropsychological outcome and examined as predictors of seizure outcome.

Key Findings:  Thirty‐three (57%) patients with resective surgery had an Engel class I outcome and 29 (50%) had an ILAE class I outcome. Mean time to first seizure after surgery was 33.3 months (range 0–208). Only 14 patients (24%) were completely seizure‐free without auras (Engel IA) throughout the entire follow‐up period. The most common pattern of seizure recurrence was mixed, with prolonged periods of seizure freedom intermixed with recurrences. In addition, 32% of patients made gains in employment and 52% were able to reduce use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), although only 9% discontinued AEDs. No significant association was found between class I or class IA outcome and the presence of a focal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormality, any specific localization of seizure focus within the frontal lobe, or neuropsychological change.

Significance:  Findings indicate that that long‐term outcome is generally favorable in FLE resective surgery, and support the need for considering multiple outcome measures to more fully characterize clinically relevant postsurgical changes. Outcome can be favorable even in MRI‐negative patients.
Familial focal epilepsy with variable foci mapped to chromosome 22q12: Expansion of the phenotypic spectrum
Authors: Klein Karl Martin , O’Brien Terence J. , Praveen Kavita , Heron Sarah E. , Mulley John C. , Foote Simon , Berkovic Samuel F. , Scheffer Ingrid E.
Published: July 2012

We aimed to refine the phenotypic spectrum and map the causative gene in two families with familial focal epilepsy with variable foci (FFEVF). A new five‐generation Australian FFEVF family (A) underwent electroclinical phenotyping, and the original four‐generation Australian FFEVF family (B) (Ann Neurol, 44, 1998, 890) was re‐analyzed, including new affected individuals. Mapping studies examined segregation at the chromosome 22q12 FFEVF region. In family B, the original whole genome microsatellite data was reviewed. Five subjects in family A and 10 in family B had FFEVF with predominantly awake attacks and active EEG studies with a different phenotypic picture from other families. In family B, reanalysis excluded the tentative 2q locus reported. Both families mapped to chromosome 22q12. Our results confirm chromosome 22q12 as the solitary locus for FFEVF. Both families show a subtly different phenotype to other published families extending the clinical spectrum of FFEVF.