bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reducing the Adversarial Burden on Presidential Appointees: Feasible Strategies for Fixing the Presidential Appointments Process
Authors: Sullivan Terry
Published: October 2009

Can the current presidential appointments process be improved? This essay highlights three kinds of problems: inexperienced appointees, a lengthening process, and tedious and adversarial inquiry. While the essay side‐steps trying to affect the prerogatives of institutions involved in the tussle over appointments, it concentrates on improving the support of presidential personnel operations and the process of inquiry that nominees face, and it identifies patterns of repetitiveness among the roughly 2,800 details that a nominee must provide in responding to some 295 individual questions in nine categories. The most adversarial and tedious categories of inquiry include identifying personal background, reporting on criminal entanglements, and assaying potential conflicts of interest. Five strategies are identified for better matching the needed experience in the White House to the demands of presidential personnel. These changes would indirectly shorten the nomination and confirmation process, and the author makes three important recommendations for structuring inquiry that could reduce the adversarial burden on nominees by nearly a third.
Weber, Wilson, and Hegel: Theories of Modern Bureaucracy
Authors: Sager Fritz , Rosser Christian
Published: October 2009

Convergence between Woodrow Wilson's and Max Weber's thought, as well as their differences with regard to the politics–administration dichotomy, can be ascribed to the Hegelian tradition of public administrative theory. On the one hand, Wilson was strongly influenced by Georg W. F. Hegel. On the other hand, there is an empirical connection between Hegel and Weber. Both shared a consciousness of the German bureaucratic tradition based on Hegel's Philosophy of Right. These insights have important methodological and theoretical implications for the contemporary comparative study of public administration.
Understanding the Policy Process: The Work of Henry Mintzberg
Authors: Matheson Craig
Published: October 2009

Do Henry Mintzberg's writings make an enduring, invaluable contribution to our understanding of the contemporary public policy process? Mintzberg argues that organizations display eight structural configurations and corresponding coordinating mechanisms. Such structural configurations are shaped by a variety of contingency factors, especially power and environmental ones. Using Mintzberg's work, eight policy modes, corresponding to structural configurations within government organizations and political systems, are identified and placed on a matrix that comprises two dimensions: standardization and centralization. Six polarities in the policy process arise from this matrix. Mintzberg's work, the paper argues, remains of enduring value because it provides a seminal framework for a richer understanding of the current policy process, by offering a contingency theory of structures and policy modes, as well as by frank acknowledgment of the protean nature of the policy process.
Drafting the BOLERO Plan
Authors: Brewer Gene A.
Published: October 2009

This year marks the sixty‐fifth anniversary of the D‐Day invasion, when Allied forces crossed the English Channel and established beachheads along a 50‐mile stretch of the Normandy coast in northern France. Troops overcame stiff resistance and systematically moved inland, liberating Northern Europe and forcing the surrender of Germany and the end of World War II in that part of the world.

The D‐Day invasion took place on June 6, 1944, but its planning began more than two years earlier. This case studies the strategic planning that led up to the invasion. The Operations Division of the War Department General Staff, formerly known as the War Plans Division, was the principal staff agency of the U.S. Army high command during World War II. The story focuses on the Operations Division's role in formulating a strategic plan for ending the war as well as Operation BOLERO—the American military troop buildup in Great Britain that preceded the cross‐channel invasion.

By reprinting this case from the original U.S. Army historical record, PAR pays tribute to the brave men and women who planned and executed this bold maneuver, many of whom paid the ultimate price to achieve victory and restore freedom. Popularized as the “Greatest Generation,” they were ordinary people who answered the call of public service with extraordinary bravery and sacrifice. Members of the modern‐day public administration community proudly stand on their shoulders.

This chapter‐length excerpt is taken from Ray S. Cline, Washington Command Post: The Operations Division (Washington, DC: Office of the Chief of Military History, Department of the Army, 1951), chapter IX, “Case History: Drafting the BOLERO Plan,” pp. 143–63.
EFA Keynote Speech: “Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility: What Do Investors Care about? What Should Investors Care about?”
Authors: Starks Laura T.
Published: October 2009

This article is the keynote address from the Eastern Finance Association meeting in New Orleans in March 2007 with updated references and examples. In this keynote address, I discuss what we can learn about institutional investors' views on corporate governance and corporate social responsibility from research and surveys.
Earnings‐Based Bonus Compensation
Authors: Câmara António
Published: October 2009

This article studies the cost of contingent earnings‐based bonus compensation. We assume that the firm has normal and abnormal earnings. The normal earnings result from normal firm activities and are modeled as an arithmetic Brownian motion. The abnormal earnings result from surprising activities (e.g., introduction of an unexpected new product, an unexpected strike) and are modeled as a compound Poisson process where the earnings jump sizes have a normal distribution. We investigate, in a simple general equilibrium model, how normal and abnormal earnings affect the cost of contingent bonus compensation to the firm.
Director Compensation and the Reliability of Accounting Information
Authors: Boumosleh Anwar
Published: October 2009

This paper studies the effect of incentive‐based compensation on directors' monitoring of management. Using total accruals to measure the level of earnings management, I find that director stock option compensation is associated with higher levels of total accruals. I interpret this result to suggest that director stock options are more likely to align interests of directors with those of managers and that this convergence of interest manifests in lower transparency and reliability of financial information. The results suggest that director stock option compensation provides incentive for directors to compromise their task in the financial reporting process.
The Intertemporal Risk‐Return Relation in the Stock Market
Authors: Jiang Xiaoquan , Lee Bong Soo
Published: October 2009

We reexamine the intertemporal risk‐return relation. We find a positive risk‐return relation by measuring expected returns and conditional variance in a consistent manner using firm fundamentals. As measures of fundamentals, we use earnings and dividends. For the robustness of our results, we consider various sample periods and model specifications. Our finding of a positive relation is robust as long as we use firm fundamentals in measuring expected returns and conditional variances in a consistent manner.
Out‐of‐Sample Predictability in International Equity Markets: A Model Selection Approach
Authors: Su Xiaojing , Wang Tao , Yang Jian
Published: October 2009

For 13 major international stock markets, there is much evidence of out‐of‐sample predictability for growth stocks especially when evaluated with economic criteria, and to a noticeably lesser extent for general stock markets and value stocks. Our results shed light on the recent debate about stock return predictability, using different assets (growth‐style indexes), forecasting variables (past returns), forecasting models (nonlinear models), and alternative forecasting evaluation criteria (economic criteria). Our analysis suggests that (growth) stock returns might be predictable.
Fractional Integration in Commodity Futures Returns
Authors: Elder John , Jin Hyun J.
Published: October 2009

We reexamine commodity futures returns for evidence of fractional integration utilizing two estimators based on wavelets. We summarize basic wavelet methods for signal processing and decompose commodity futures returns by wavelet scale. We find the evidence for long memory is not conclusive based on visual inspection of the wavelet decomposition, but formal statistical tests suggest evidence of long memory, in the form of antipersistence, in about half of agricultural commodity futures. We find little evidence of long memory in metal futures. Our results are useful in interpreting previous disparate findings based on frequency domain estimators.
The Corporate Acquisition Policy of Financially Distressed Firms
Authors: Parnes Dror
Published: October 2009

The paper examines a unique motive for corporate acquisitions among distressed firms: the desire to enhance creditworthiness by both the acquirer and the acquired firms. I develop a theoretical model of the creditworthiness conditions necessary for corporate acquisitions and identify the optimal policy in searching for an acquirer. I distinguish between strategic and nonstrategic acquisitions and find the necessary conditions and most favorable policy for a strategic acquisition to evolve. I demonstrate the importance of the cost of finding an acquirer, the impact of sharing bargaining leverage, and the economic significance of credit quality for the success of the accord.
The Forward Exchange Rate Bias Puzzle Is Persistent: Evidence from Stochastic and Nonparametric Cointegration Tests
Authors: Aggarwal Raj , Lucey Brian M. , Mohanty Sunil K.
Published: October 2009

An important puzzle in international finance is the failure of the forward exchange rate to be a rational forecast of the future spot rate. We document that even after accounting for nonstationarity, nonnormality, and heteroskedasticity using parametric and nonparametric tests on data for over a quarter century, U.S. dollar forward rates for the major currencies (the British pound, Japanese yen, Swiss franc, and the German mark) are generally not rational forecasts of future spot rates. These findings deepen the forward exchange rate bias puzzle, especially as these markets are the most liquid foreign exchange markets with very low trading costs.
Personal Bankruptcy Law and New Business Formation
Authors: Francis Bill , Hasan Iftekhar , Wang Haizhi
Published: October 2009

Using a panel of all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia from 1990 to 1999, we report a nonlinear relation between state bankruptcy exemptions and new business formation. The rate of new business formation first increases as exemptions increase, but it then decreases. This result reflects the fact that bankruptcy exemptions tend to affect both demand for and supply of external financing to potential entrepreneurs.
Impact of Occluder Device Type on Success of Percutaneous Closure of Atrial Septal Defects–A Medium‐Term Follow‐up Study
Authors: BECKER MICHAEL , FRINGS DOROTHEE , SCHRÖDER JÖRG , OCKLENBURG CHRISTINA , MÜHLER EBERHARD , HOFFMANN RAINER , FRANKE ANDREAS , LEPPER WOLFGANG
Published: October 2009

Objective: To identify differences between various occluder types regarding thromboembolic event rates and existence of residual shunts during medium‐term follow‐up.

Methods: Three hundred nine consecutive patients with presumed paradoxical embolism and scheduled for percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale or atrial septal defect between 1997 and 2006 were considered for this study. Device implantation failed in seven patients (nonstable device position), so 302 patients (46 ± 12 years, 190 males) formed the study group using Amplatzer™ (n = 208), Starflex™ (n = 61), and Cardiastar™ (n = 33) occluders. Follow‐up transesophageal echocardiography was performed 1, 3, and 6 months after implantation.

Results: Periinterventional complications occurred in two patients (cardiac arrhythmias). There were more residual shunts in the Starflex™ and Cardiastar™ group than in the Amplatzer™ group at 6‐month follow‐up (8/61 vs. 7/33 vs. 8/208, P = 0.0005). Performing logistic regression, the type of occluder device was a significant risk factor for the presence of residual shunt 6 months after implantation (P = 0.0033; Cardiastar™ vs. Amplatzer™ OR 6.346, 95% CI 1.998 – 20.156; Starflex™ vs. Amplatzer™ OR 4.369, 95% CI 1.444 – 13.222). During mean follow‐up of 31 ± 8 months 16 recurrent thromboembolic events occurred; the annual recurrence was 2.1% for combined end‐point stroke, TIA, and peripheral embolism (Amplatzer™: 1.3%, Starflex™: 3.9%, and Cardiastar™: 3.6%, P = 0.0467). The presence of an atrial septal aneurysm was the only significant risk factor (P = 0.0168, OR 3.664, 95% CI 1.263 – 10.630) for the occurrence of thromboembolic events.

Conclusions: Percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale or atrial septal defect is a safe procedure with little incidence of peri‐ and postprocedural complications. There is a significant difference between the Amplatzer™, Cardiastar™, and Starflex™ occluders in regard to complete closure of the defects and annual recurrence of thromboembolic events.
Aberrant human leucocyte antigen‐G expression and its clinical relevance in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lin A. , Chen H.‐X. , Zhu C.‐C. , Zhang X. , Xu H.‐H. , Zhang J.‐G. , Wang Q. , Zhou W.‐J. , Yan W.‐H.
Published: October 2009

The clinical relevance of human leucocyte antigen‐G (HLA‐G) has been postulated in malignancies. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major contributor to cancer incidence and mortality worldwide; however, potential roles of HLA‐G in HCC remain unknown. In the current study, HLA‐G expression in 219 primary HCC lesions and their adjacent non‐tumourous samples was analysed with immunohistochemistry. Correlations among HLA‐G expression and various clinical parameters were evaluated. Meanwhile, functional analysis of transfected cell surface HLA‐G expression on NK cell cytolysis was performed in vitro. HLA‐G expression was observed in 50.2% (110/219) of primary HCC lesions, and undetectable in corresponding adjacent normal liver tissues. HLA‐G expression was found in 37.8%, 41.9% and 71.4% of stage I, II and III HCC lesions, respectively. Data revealed that HLA‐G expression in HCC was strongly correlated to advanced disease stage (I versus II, P= 0.882; I versus III, P= 0.020; II versus III, P= 0.037). HLA‐G expression was also more frequently observed in elder patients (≥median 52 years, 57.5%versus 43.4%, P= 0.004). Meanwhile, plasma soluble HLA‐G in HCC patients was significantly higher than that in normal controls (median, 92.49U/ml versus 9.29U/ml, P= 0.000). Functional assay showed that HLA‐G expression in transfected cells could dramatically decrease the NK cell cytolysis (P= 0.036), which could be markedly restored by the blockade of HLA‐G (P= 0.004) and its receptor ILT2 (P= 0.019). Our finding indicated that HLA‐G expression was strongly correlated to advanced disease stage, and more frequently observed in elder patients. Its relevance to HCC progression might be result from the inhibition of NK cell cytolysis.
Osseointegration of titanium alloy and HA‐coated implants in healthy and ovariectomized animals: a histomorphometric study
Authors: Vidigal Guaracilei Maciel , Groisman Mario , Gregório Luiz Henrique , Soares Gloria de Almeida
Published: October 2009

Objectives: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the response to dental implants in healthy and osteoporotic bone.

Materials and methods: Ten ovariectomized (OVX) New Zealand rabbits submitted to a hypocalcic diet and 10 sham‐aged rabbits were used. All animals were submitted to bone mineral density (BMD) measurements before ovariectomy, and also 4 months afterwards, using dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry. The BMD measurements showed a significant loss of bone mass, between the first and second examinations, only in the experimental group (P<0.05). After the bone mass loss induction period, three different implants were installed in the proximal tibia metaphisis of each animal: a titanium alloy implant (Ti), a plasma‐spray hydroxyapatite‐coated implant (HA‐PS), and another implant coated with hydroxyapatite with the biomimetic process (HA‐B).

Results: After 3 months, histomorphometry showed a bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) for Ti implants of 73.09±13.74% in healthy and 66.09±30.01% in OVX animals. The BIC for the HA‐PS was 64.83±15.65% and 90.17±8.14% for healthy and OVX animals, respectively, and 88.66±5.30% and 87.96±10.71% for the HA‐B implants placed in the same conditions. The differences between the implants in healthy and OVX conditions were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The only significant difference within groups was observed in the healthy animals between HA‐B and Ti implants (P<0.06).

Conclusion: Within the parameters used in this animal model it was not possible to observe BIC differences between osteoporotic and healthy animals.
Influence of sterilization on the retention properties of magnetic attachments for dental implants
Authors: Boeckler Arne F. , Morton Dean , Ehring Carolin , Setz Juergen M.
Published: October 2009

Objectives: When used with dental implants advantages of the magnetic attachments include control of load transmitted to implants, improvements in stability, support and retention for the prosthesis, and the relative ease of prostheses fabrication. Clinically, the use of sterilized components is required, and this may be problematic as magnetic alloys are sensitive to temperature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of autoclave sterilization on the maximum retentive forces and characteristic curves for magnetic attachments recommended for use with dental implants.

Material and methods: Eleven SmCo and NeFeB implant magnetic attachments were evaluated as provided by the respective manufacturers. Implant magnetic abutment and the corresponding denture magnet (n=5 magnet pairs) were tested before and after standardized autoclave sterilization (10 min at 134°C). Each magnet pair was tested 10 times in a calibrated universal testing machine using a non‐magnetic test device (s=40 mm, v=20 mm/min). Results were recorded electronically and statistically analyzed using t‐test and ANOVA (Welch and Brown‐Forsythe test; P<0.05).

Results: After autoclave sterilization all magnetic pairs produced lower (though statistically insignificant) overall retention forces compared with the untreated pairs. After sterilization mean maximum retentive forces (SD) ranged from 5.65 (0.33) to 1.41 (0.07) N. The characteristic force–displacement curves of the tested magnetic systems showed differences among the single products.

Conclusions: Autoclave sterilization caused a non‐significant reduction in retentive force of 0.04–14.6% when compared with the unsterilized magnet pairs. There were differences between the tested magnetic pairs for both the initial breakaway forces and the characteristic force–displacement curves. Within the limitations of this study all tested magnetic attachments were sterilized in an autoclave without significant change of retention properties. Nevertheless magnetic implant abutments should be sterilized with caution to reduce the risk of alterations of the retention properties.
Patient satisfaction with two designs of implant supported removable overdentures; ball attachment and magnets
Authors: Ellis Janice Susan , Burawi Gamal , Walls Angus , Thomason John Mark
Published: October 2009

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare ball and magnet attachments within implant‐supported mandibular overdentures (ISMOD) using patient centred outcome measures. Our a priori hypothesis was that there is no difference in patient satisfaction between the two attachment types.

Material and methods: In this within‐subject crossover randomised clinical trial, edentulous patients were recruited to the study and completed a denture satisfaction questionnaire before having two implants placed in the intraforaminal region of the mandible. They were randomly assigned to receive an ISMOD retained by either ball or magnetic attachment. After 3 months satisfaction questionnaires were repeated before attachments were changed to the alternative design. After a further 3 months patients completed final questionnaires. Patients were asked to choose their preferred prostheses and record the most influential factors in their final choice. The outcome variables of patient satisfaction were compared between baseline and the two attachment types using non‐parametric two‐related sample tests (Wilcoxon's signed rank).

Results and discussion: Sixteen patients completed the study. Patient satisfaction improved significantly between baseline and the new prosthesis with each attachment type for all domains of satisfaction (P<0.05). Ball attachments provided greater satisfaction in the domains of general satisfaction, stability and ability to chew (P<0.05). Patients' general satisfaction with ball attachment retained overdentures was greater than that for magnetic attachments; however, both designs provide significantly greater satisfaction than conventional dentures. In this study, the majority preferred to retain the ball attachment although one‐third of patients actively chose the magnetic attachment.
Prevention of work‐related skin diseases: teledermatology as an alternative approach in occupational screenings
Authors: Baumeister Thomas , Weistenhöfer Wobbeke , Drexler Hans , Kütting Birgitta
Published: October 2009

Background: Prevention of occupational skin diseases is of high socio‐economic impact. Implementing teledermatology into preventive occupational screenings holds obvious advantages; nevertheless, studies concerning this subject are scarce.

Objectives: The present cross‐sectional study was aimed at determining if results of a teledermatological examination are equally sensitive and specific at detecting minimal skin lesions as the conventional face‐to‐face examination.

Methods: The skin condition of the hands of 100 male wet workers was assessed in a face‐to‐face examination and a tele‐examination by means of a score for minimal skin lesions.

Results: The comparison of the total score values that each participant received in face‐to‐face examination with those obtained in tele‐examination proved the skin condition to be estimated significantly worse when seen in tele‐examination (P < 0.0001). The median values of the sum totals and the median values for secondary lesions were higher in the tele‐examination than in the face‐to‐face examination.

Conclusions: Our findings show a tendency in tele‐examination to assess the skin condition more critically in comparison with face‐to‐face examination. The teledermatological examination is sufficiently sensitive in detecting early signs of hand eczema, whereas signs for chronicity may get overestimated.
The continuing rise of contact dermatitis, Part 2: The scientific journal
Authors: Smith Derek R.
Published: October 2009

Background: Although citation analysis represents an increasingly common method for examining the performance of scientific journals, few longitudinal studies have been conducted in the specialist fields of dermatology.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to provide the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis of Contact Dermatitis for the 30‐year period between 1977 and 2006.

Materials and Methods: Detailed historical data were extracted from the Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports® and systematically analysed. The most highly cited articles published in the journal were also identified and then examined for citation frequency and lag time.

Results: Citation analysis showed that the impact factor of Contact Dermatitis has increased significantly over the past 30 years, experiencing a sixfold improvement between 1977 and 2006.

Conclusions: Bibliometric trends as identified in the current study clearly demonstrate the ongoing rise of Contact Dermatitis, from early beginnings in the mid‐1970s, into the leading scientific periodical we know today.
The additive value of patch testing with patients' own products at an occupational dermatology clinic
Authors: Slodownik Dan , Williams Jason , Frowen Kathryn , Palmer Amanda , Matheson Melanie , Nixon Rosemary
Published: October 2009

Background and objectives: Patch testing with commercially available kits detects only 70–80% of relevant allergens in patients with contact dermatitis. This is not ideal, especially when occupational issues are being evaluated. This study analyses our data regarding reactions to patients' own products.

Methods: In a 5‐year period, 1532 patients were assessed in our occupational dermatology clinic.

Results: We found that 101 patients (6.6%) reacted to their own samples. In 20 (1.3%) cases, reacting to their own samples was the only clue for detecting the responsible allergen. In 59 (3.9%) cases, testing with their own samples reinforced their reactions to commercial allergens.

Conclusions: We found the overall additive value of testing with patients' own products to be 5.2%. This is not a low proportion considering the 20–30% false negative rate when patch testing. Patch testing with patients' own samples, appropriately diluted should be undertaken whenever possible.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Are Polymorphisms in the ACE and PAI‐1 Genes Associated with Recurrent Spontaneous Miscarriages?
Authors: Goodman Chelsi , Hur Jee , Goodman Cyle S. , Jeyendran Rajasingham S. , Coulam Carolyn
Published: October 2009

Problem  To determine whether the ACE D/D genotype or the combination of PAI‐1 4G/4G and ACE D/D genotypes may serve as a risk factor for recurrent pregnancy loss.

Method of study  Buccal swabs were obtained from 120 women experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss and from 84 fertile control women. DNA was extracted from the buccal swab samples using the Qiagen DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen), followed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR products were analyzed for the ACE gene polymorphism, which consists of the insertion or deletion (I/D) of a 287‐bp fragment in intron 16, and the PAI‐1 4G/4G genotype.

Results  No significant differences in specific ACE gene mutations were observed when patients experiencing recurrent miscarriage were compared with control women. When the frequencies of homozygous mutations for ACE D/D and PAI‐I 4G/4G were compared between recurrent aborters and controls, again no significant differences in the prevalence of the combination of these gene mutations were noted.

Conclusion  Homozygosity for the D allele of the ACE gene and the combination of the D/D genotype with two 4G alleles of the PAI‐1 promoter gene are not associated with a significant increase in the risk of recurrent miscarriage.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Correlation Between Natural Cytotoxicity Receptors and Intracellular Cytokine Expression of Peripheral Blood NK Cells in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Losses and Implantation Failures
Authors: Fukui Atsushi , Ntrivalas Evangelos , Fukuhara Rie , Fujii Shunsaku , Mizunuma Hideki , Gilman‐Sachs Alice , Beaman Kenneth , Kwak‐Kim Joanne
Published: October 2009

Problem  Natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) are unique markers, which regulate NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production. We investigated whether women with recurrent pregnancy losses (RPLs) and implantation failures have aberrant correlation between NCRs and intracellular cytokine expression of NK cells.

Method of study  Peripheral blood NK cells (CD56dim and CD56bright) were analyzed for NCRs (NKp46, NKp44 and NKp30) and cytokine expression (TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, IL‐4, IL‐10) using flow cytometry in RPL (n = 22), implantation failures (n = 23) or controls (n = 15).

Results  In type 1 cytokine studies, CD56bright/NKp30+ cells in controls (r = 0.696, P < 0.05) were positively correlated with CD56bright/IFN‐γ+/TNF‐α+ cells. CD56bright/NKp46+ cells in implantation failures (r = −0.76, P < 0.01) were negatively correlated with CD56bright/IFN‐γ+/TNF‐α− cells. RPL did not have any correlation. In type 2 cytokine studies, CD56+/NKp46+ cells (r = 0.758, P < 0.01) and CD56+/NKp30+ cells (r = 0.637, P < 0.05) were positively correlated with CD56bright/IL‐4+/IL‐10+ cells in controls. CD56+/NKp30+ cells in implantation failures (r = −0.778, P < 0.05) were negatively correlated with CD56bright/IL‐10+/IL‐4+ cells. There were no correlations in RPL.

Conclusion  Recurrent pregnancy losses and implantation failures have lack of, or negative correlation between NCRs and intracellular cytokines expression. This observation suggests that excessive pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression in NK cells in RPL and implantation failures may be exerted through the NCRs or interruption of signal transduction processes.
Effect of storage media on human periodontal ligament cell apoptosis
Authors: Chamorro Mónica M. , Regan John D. , Opperman Lynne A. , Kramer Phillip R.
Published: October 2009

Abstract –  The ability of storage media to preserve periodontal ligament (PDL) cell vitality has been previously evaluated. However, the mechanisms by which different storage conditions alter the functional status of PDL cells have not been determined. The purpose of the present study was to investigate, in vitro, the level of programed cell death or apoptosis in a population of PDL cells following storage under different conditions. Primary human PDL cells were plated into 24‐well‐culture plates and allowed to attach for 24 h. Cells were then exposed for 1 h to milk, Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS), Soft Wear contact lens solution or Gatorade at room temperature or on ice. Culture medium was used as a negative control. Apoptosis was evaluated at 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment on quadruplicate samples by using the ST 160 ApopTag Fluorescein Direct In Situ Detection Kit. The total number of cells and the total number of apoptotic cells were counted. The results indicated that at 24 and 72 h, PDL treated with Gatorade and the contact lens solution displayed the highest percentages of apoptotic cells when compared with the other treatment groups at room temperature. Overall, cells treated on ice showed significantly lower levels of apoptosis when compared with treatments at room temperature. In conclusion, the results indicated that apoptosis plays a major role in cell death in cells treated with Gatorade and contact lens solutions in comparison to other storage solutions and that storage on ice can inhibit programed cell death.
The current opinions and use of MTA for apical barrier formation of non‐vital immature permanent incisors by consultants in paediatric dentistry in the UK
Authors: Mooney Gillian Catherine , North Sarah
Published: October 2009

Abstract –  The purpose of the study was to assess the current opinions and usage of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) for apical barrier formation of non‐vital immature permanent teeth by consultants in paediatric dentistry in the UK. A semi‐structured postal questionnaire was sent to all known consultants in paediatric dentistry in the UK. The response rate was 78.6% (44 of 56). Thity‐eight consultants (86.3%) agreed that the use of this material was a good idea with 68.2% having used or arranged for its use in apical barrier formation. Forty‐two consultants (95.5%) agreed that reduced number of visits was an advantage to the technique, with only 34.1% agreeing that this procedure was less likely to weaken the tooth and 63.6% agreed that material and equipment costs were a drawback and 50% agreed that lack of available evidence was a disadvantage to its use. The results from this study give an indication of the extent of MTA use by consultant‐led services in paediatric dentistry in the UK and highlights the need for a multi‐centre randomised controlled clinical trial.
Clinical management and subsequent healing of teeth with horizontal root fractures
Authors: Versiani Marco Aurélio , Sousa Cássio José Alves de , Cruz‐Filho Antônio Miranda , Perez Danyel Elias da Cruz , Sousa‐Neto Manoel Damião
Published: October 2009

Abstract –  Horizontal root fractures are uncommon, mainly occurring on the cervical and middle third of the root of permanent upper incisors. The diagnosis is essentially radiographic and requires different healing patterns, depending on some pre‐ and postinjury factors. The aim of this article was to report the clinical management and different healing types in three cases of horizontal root fractures on permanent dentition. In case 1, the pulp tissue was vital and no treatment was necessary. In case 2, a root canal treatment of the cervical fragment was necessary and in case 3, pulpal necrosis was verified and an apical surgery was performed.
Dental trauma that require fixation in a children's hospital
Authors: Bruns Timothy , Perinpanayagam Hiran
Published: October 2009

Abstract –  Children and adolescents who suffer traumatic injuries often seek emergency treatment at a Children's Hospital. Complex injuries to permanent teeth and their periodontium require immediate repositioning and stabilization. Many of these emergencies are treated by pediatric dental residents at the Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York. The purpose of this study was to characterize these complex injuries of permanent teeth that require emergency treatment in a Children's Hospital. All of the cases of dental trauma which had involved permanent teeth and which had been treated with a splint in 2001 and 2002 were reviewed. There were 79 patients that were between 5 and 19 years of age with twice as many males (54) as females (25). The number of males increased from childhood (5–10 years) to early adolescence (11–15 years) and then decreased rapidly in late adolescence (16–19 years), whereas the number of females decreased steadily with age. Most of the incidents occurred during the summer months (72%), particularly in June and July (42%), and Fridays and Saturdays were the busiest days of the week. Most of the injuries were caused by organized and recreational sporting activities (39%) and accidental falls (33%), followed by interpersonal violence (15%) and a few motor vehicle accidents (7%). The 173 permanent tooth injuries were mostly luxations (62%) or avulsions (20%), with only a few fractures of the alveolar bone (5%) or tooth root (1%). Most of the displacements were lateral luxations (40%) or extrusions (18%) with only a few intrusions (3%). These injuries most commonly afflicted the maxillary central incisors (54%), followed by the maxillary laterals (18%) and mandibular centrals (17%). The emergency treatment that was provided at the Children's Hospital included replantation and repositioning, and the placement of a semi‐rigid or flexible splint.
Dento‐alveolar and maxillofacial injuries: a 5‐year multi‐center study. Part 1: General vs facial and dental trauma
Authors: Lin Shaul , Levin Liran , Goldman Sharon , Peleg Kobi
Published: October 2009

Abstract –  Maxillofacial injuries are a significant cause of morbidity and demand meticulously planned treatment. The aim of this present multi‐center study was to evaluate the occurrence of dento‐alveolar and maxillofacial injuries over a 5‐year period. A retrospective cohort study of data from the Israel Trauma Registry was conducted for the years 2000–2004. The registry includes all trauma patients admitted and hospitalized due to an injury. Of the 111 010 hospitalized trauma patients, 5886 (5.3%) were diagnosed with maxillofacial or dental injuries. The main causes of injuries for hospitalized trauma patients were falls (48.1%) and motor vehicle accidents (25.2%), while the major causes of facial and dental injuries were vehicle accidents (39.6%, 56.8%, respectively) and falls (32.1%, 26.7%, respectively). High‐risk age groups for dental and facial trauma were 10–18 years and 19–28 years, respectively, while for other trauma, ages for the greatest risk ranged from 0 to 9 years and over 59 years. Males were injured two to three times more frequently than females. A better understanding of the etiology of maxillofacial and dental injuries and identifying the high‐risk groups should lead to appropriate prevention programs and treatment methods.
Calcium ion diffusion from mineral trioxide aggregate through simulated root resorption defects
Authors: Özdemir Hüseyin Özgür , Özçelik Bahar , Karabucak Bekir , Cehreli Zafer C.
Published: October 2009

Abstract –  The purpose of this study was to investigate the diffusion of calcium ions (Ca+2) through exposed dentinal tubules following intracanal application of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Fifty‐two single‐rooted teeth were instrumented using 2.5% sodium hypochlorite for irrigation between each file size. Thereafter, standardized defects were created on the root surfaces so as to mimic external root resorption. The root canals and external defects received a final irrigation of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and distilled water. MTA powder was then mixed with saline and placed into the canals. All root surfaces except the cavities were sealed with two coats of varnish. Teeth with unfilled canals (n = 26) served as controls. The teeth were immersed in saline after which the release of Ca+2 from the defects into the saline was measured at 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. The results showed diffusion of Ca+2 through the defects in the dentin in MTA‐filled roots with a significant increase in concentration within time.
An unusual case of dental root injury after miniplate osteosynthesis of the mandible
Authors: Moertl Markus , Tsioutsias Thomas , Schmalz Gottfried , Reichert Torsten E. , Driemel Oliver
Published: October 2009

Abstract –  Based on the case history of a 44‐year‐old female patient with a mandibular fracture, dental root injury from cutting off the apical blood supply after miniplate osteosynthesis is reported. The different types of dental injuries and complications are emphasized as well as the resulting therapeutic strategies.
Comparative Effects of Pesticides on In Vivo Dopamine Release in Freely Moving Rats
Authors: Faro Lilian R. F. , Alfonso Miguel , Cervantes Rosa , Durán Rafael
Published: October 2009

Abstract:  The effects of different types of pesticides on the in vivo striatal dopamine release were investigated by using in vivo brain microdialysis technique. MPTP, paraquat, maneb, dicofol, DDT, lindane and flutriafol (1 mM) were administered directly into the striatum, and levels of dopamine and its metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovallinic acid (HVA) were measured using HPLC‐EC. Intrastriatal administration of pesticides induced the following maximal effects on the dopamine levels: maneb 791 ± 87%, dicofol 101 ± 1%, DDT 779 ± 32%, paraquat 956 ± 80%, lindane 281 ± 28% and flutriafol 218 ± 51% with respect to basal levels. Infusion of pesticides also produced alterations in extracellular DOPAC and HVA levels. A comparative scale of potency was developed to estimate the relative potency of pesticides to induce striatal dopamine release in vivo, using the same concentration and experimental conditions. According to this comparative scale of potency, paraquat is 10 times more potent (in a scale of 10) than dicofol, which did not induce any effect on dopamine release. The second more potent pesticide is maneb, followed by DDT, the organochlorine which has the highest potential to produce alterations on dopaminergic neurotransmission; flutriafol and the organochlorine lindane produced moderate increases in dopamine levels. These results suggest that different classes of pesticides, with different structures and biochemical activities, may affect the striatal dopaminergic system differently, inducing neurotoxicity.
The Effect of Tetramethylpyrazine on Hydrogen Peroxide‐Induced Oxidative Damage in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Authors: Li Wen‐Ming , Liu Hong‐Tao , Li Xiu‐Ying , Wu Jian‐Yong , Xu Gang , Teng Yong‐Zhen , Ding Song‐Tao , Yu Chao
Published: October 2009

Abstract:  Tetramethylpyrazine has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and hypertension. The underlying mechanism of cardioprotective effects, however, remains to be elucidated. Here, using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), we have assessed the protective effect of tetramethylpyrazine on H2O2‐induced oxidative damage. After pre‐incubation with tetramethylpyrazine (50, 100 and 150 μg/ml) for 24 hr., viability loss in H2O2‐induced HUVECs (76.5% of the control level, p < 0.05, at 400 μM of H2O2 for 12 hr.) was restored in a concentration‐dependent manner, and the maximal recovery (88.7% of the control level, p < 0.05) was achieved with tetramethylpyrazine at 150 μg/ml. The production of reactive oxygen species was suppressed by measuring fluorescent intensity of 2′,7′‐dichorofluorescein (83.1% of the H2O2‐treated group, p < 0.05, at 150 μg/ml of tetramethylpyrazine). Tetramethylpyrazine also increased activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (144.1% and 118.3% of the H2O2‐treated group, respectively, p < 0.05, at 150 μg/ml of tetramethylpyrazine). In addition, tetramethylpyrazine reduced levels of malonaldehyde, intracellular nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase (83.8%, 91.2% and 78.7% of the H2O2‐treated group, respectively, p < 0.05, at 150 μg/ml of tetramethylpyrazine). Furthermore, pre‐incubation of tetramethylpyrazine with HUVECs for 24 hr. resulted in reduction of apoptosis and removal of cell cycle arrest in the S phase (56.6% and 59.7% of the H2O2‐treated group, respectively, p < 0.01, at 150 μg/ml of tetramethylpyrazine). Altogether, these results suggest that tetramethylpyrazine has a protective effect on H2O2‐induced oxidative damage in HUVECs due to its antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties.
A Falling‐Head Method for Measuring Intertidal Sediment Hydraulic Conductivity
Authors: Li Hailong , Sun Pingping , Chen Shi , Xia Yuqiang , Liu Shuang
Published: October 2009

This paper presents an in situ falling‐head method for measuring hydraulic conductivity of beach sediments in tidal environment. A polyvinyl chloride (PVC) standpipe was vertically pushed into the submerged beach sediments so that its lower part was filled by a sediment column. During the experiment, the sediments were submerged by sea water and the standpipe top was higher than the sea level. The pipe was fully filled with sea water at the beginning of the experiment. Then the water level time series inside and outside the standpipe were recorded. Analytical solutions were derived to describe the relation among the sediment's hydraulic conductivity and the water levels inside and outside the standpipe and used to analyze the experiment data obtained from the intertidal zone of Puqian Bay, Haikou, Hainan Province, China. The water levels predicted by the analytical solution agreed very well with all the experiment data. Experiments for horizontal hydraulic conductivity estimation were also conducted using L‐shaped standpipe which bends from vertical to horizontal in the beach sediments. The averaged hydraulic conductivity anisotropy ratio at the study area is about 2.9. After each in situ experiment, the sediments in the standpipe were stored in a plastic box and transported to university laboratory to measure the hydraulic conductivity using falling‐head method. It is found that the in situ hydraulic conductivity averages one order of magnitude greater than the laboratory one, indicating that the original beach surface sediments were loose due to tidal and wave actions and that the samples were significantly compacted during the transportation to laboratory.
Spatial Distribution of Incrustations around a Water Well after 38 Years of Use
Authors: Houben Georg J. , Weihe Ulrich
Published: October 2009

The spatial distribution of iron incrustations around an abandoned water well after 38 years of use was studied by analyzing the iron content of soil samples from 12 core borings. Three of these were performed inside the gravel pack, the rest at different distances in the adjacent aquifer. Incrustations had preferentially accumulated at the bottom of the screen coinciding with a zone of higher aquifer permeability. As expected, all cores from the annulus show buildup of iron oxides but the ones outside also showed elevated iron content up to 4 m away from the screen. Such distant incrustations are very difficult to remove, by mechanical or chemical methods. The common procedure of removing tubing and annulus material to install a new well at the same location could therefore give the replacement well a hydraulic disadvantage as the incrustations in the aquifer remain in place.
Rationalizing Protein–Ligand Interactions for PTP1B Inhibitors Using Computational Methods
Authors: Ajmani Subhash , Karanam Sudheer , Kulkarni Sudhir A.
Published: October 2009

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitors were reported to have anti‐diabetic properties and hence this enzyme has become interesting drug target in the recent time. Huge amount of data is available in public domain about the PTP1B inhibitors in the form of X‐ray structures. This study is an attempt to transform this data into useful knowledge which can be directly used to design more effective protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors. In this study, we have built quantitative models for activity of co‐crystallized protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors using two new approaches developed in our group, i.e. receptor–ligand interaction and Structure‐based compound optimization, prioritization and evolution based on receptor–ligand interaction descriptors and residue‐wise interaction energies as descriptors, respectively. These models have given insights into the receptor–ligand interactions essential for modulating the activity of PTP1B inhibitors. An external validation set of 22 molecules was used to test predictive power of these models on external set molecules.
THE BODY SPEAKS: BION'S PROTOMENTAL SYSTEM AT WORK1
Authors: Morgan‐Jones Richard
Published: October 2009

abstract

Psychoanalysis has primarily explored somatic experience in relation to love and intimacy. This paper focuses on the body in relation to work. It explores the experience that what patients increasingly present for analysis are the traumas and pleasures of being caught up with and belonging to a body larger than their own, whether in a couple, a group, a work organization or the body politic. It begins with an exploration of Bion's idea of a relationship between protomentality and group disease. It goes on to consider what can be conceived of as his ecological methodology, which enables movement between different ‘fields of study’ (Bion 1962). These are applied to the health risks encountered by psychotherapists and the profession as a whole. Finally, there is a proposal for mentoring to address professional health, as an under‐developed element in the profession.
IMPROVING THE CONTAINER: WARD COMMUNITY GROUPS AND THE MODERN ACUTE PSYCHIATRIC IN‐PATIENT SETTING
Authors: Crockett Philip , Forrester Michael , Treliving Linda
Published: October 2009

abstract

Ward community groups have been mostly lost from acute psychiatric in‐patient settings in recent years with changes related to care in the community and altered therapeutic expectations. This paper outlines the re‐introduction of ward community groups to such a setting and, by using the quantitative measure of patient complaints and qualitative observations, offers evidence for their usefulness as a therapeutic medium, beneficial to the acute psychiatric in‐patient ward, and as a container for disturbed states.