bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delayed Linear Growth in Children with Enterocystoplasties
Authors: WAGSTAFF KAREN E. , WOODHOUSE C. R. J. , DUFFY P. G. , RANSLEY P. G.
Published: December 2008

A series of 60 children whose urine was stored in pouches formed in whole or in part from bowel were reviewed to establish the effect on growth in height and weight. The mean age at operation was 7.8 years (range 0.9–14.1). Patients were included only if there were at least 2 measurements of both parameters pre‐operatively and 2 post‐operatively over a minimum follow‐up of 2.5 years. Delayed growth in height alone occurred in 12 children (20%), with a mean loss of 25 percentile points (range 10–50). Delayed growth in height and weight occurred in 4. Accelerated growth in height alone, weight alone and in both occurred in 2,7 and 7 respectively. There was no difference in a wide range of laboratory data between any of these groups.

Although changes in growth rate (for better or worse) may occur for a variety of reasons after major surgery, delayed linear growth in isolation is an unusual and worrying finding that suggests a major alteration in bone development.
Pulsed Dye Laser Lithotripsy–the Toa Payoh Hospital Experience
Authors: NG F. C. , RAVI T. , LIM P. H. C. , CHNG H. C.
Published: December 2008

Summary— We report our experience with pulsed dye laser lithotripsy in the treatment of 100 ureteric stones in 95 patients over a 14‐month period from July 1989 to September 1990.

The overall rate of successful stone fragmentation was 97%. There was a low incidence of minorcomplications–mild haematuria, ureteric colic and urinary tract infection; ureteric perforation occurred in only 3 patients, all of whom were successfully treated conservatively.

Pulsed dye laser lithotripsy is a safe and effective mode of treatment for ureteric stones. Currentindications for laser fragmentation of stones are ureteric stones, impacted pelviureteric junction stones and Steinstrasse.
Subtrigonal Phenol Injections in the Treatment of Idiopathic Detrusor Instability in the Female–a Long‐term Urodynamic Follow‐up
Authors: RAMSAY I. N. , CLANCY S. , HILTON P.
Published: December 2008

Summary— A total of 36 subtrigonal phenol injections were performed on 29 patients with detrusor instability. Long‐term follow‐up (mean 13.7 months) showed a subjective response rate of only 14%, and objectively there was no significant change in any urodynamic parameter in the group as a whole. There was, however, a significant improvement in cystometric capacity and volume at first contraction, in those under 55 years of age. One patient developed a vesicovaginal fistula following repeat injections. This suggests that subtrigonal phenol injections have little place in the treatment of detrusor instability, especially in the over 55s, and repeat injections should be abandoned because of the risk of major complications.
Encrustation of Intraprostatic Stents–a Comparative Study
Authors: HOLMES S. A. V. , MILLER P. D. , CROCKER P. R. , KIRBY R. S.
Published: December 2008

Summary— Metallic stents have been used in the management of prostatic disease in patients unfit for surgery. A variety of stents have become available but the optimum design and metal of construction has not yet been defined. This study examined one of the potential complications of stent insertion by demonstrating that they are susceptible to encrustation. Using an in vitro model it compares the ability of the different materials used in their construction to resist this encrustation. Titanium appears less able to resist deposition than the other metals examined. The long‐term complication of encrustation may inhibit the use of some of these stents.
Sphincter Electromyography in Patients after Radical Prostatectomy and Cystoprostatectomy
Authors: LIU S. , CHRISTMAS T. J. , NAGENDRAN K. , KIRBY R. S.
Published: December 2008

Summary— Urethral sphincter weakness may occur after major pelvic surgery and urinary incontinence, either temporary or permanent, may result. In order to determine whether the cavernous nerves described by Donker and Walsh carry fibres to the distal urethral sphincter as well as those supplying the corporal bodies, we have studied prospectively the sphincter electromyography in 2 groups of 10 patients: (1) those who had undergone nerve‐sparing radical prostatectomy for prostatic carcinoma and (2) those who has undergone radical cystoprostatectomy for bladder carcinoma. This study group was compared with a control group of normal individuals. The results showed significant differences in duration of motor units between the control group and prostatectomy group and between the control group and cystectomy group but no significant difference between the 2 operated groups. There was no significant difference in amplitude of the motor units, the sacral reflex latencies or the pudendal somatosensory evoked potentials between all 3 groups. It was therefore concluded that division of the cavernous nerve of Walsh does not compromise distal urethral sphincter function. Furthermore, radical transabdominal lower urinary tract surgery may induce significant electromyographic changes in the external sphincter which may not be clinically evident. This may potentially affect continence later if secondstage urinary reconstructive surgery is undertaken.
Psychological Factors in Recurrent Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: HUNT JENNIFER C. , WALLER GLENN
Published: December 2008

Summary— Recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) is a very common medical complaint among women. A large proportion of such recurrence is attributable to a small sub‐group of sufferers. Medical factors have proven insufficient to explain all such cases, and a number of psychological factors have been suggested as having a causal role. This study examines the evidence for the effects of behavioural and personality factors. Neuroticism and specific “risky” behaviours are identified as particularly important, being related to both the diagnosis of recurrent UTI and the frequency of infection. These findings suggest that treatment of recurrent, intractable UTI might include a psychological component.
Percutaneous Nephrolithotripsy for Renal Stones in over 1000 Patients
Authors: EL‐KENAWY M. R. , EL‐KAPPANY H. A. , EL‐DIASTY T. A. , GHONEIM M. A.
Published: December 2008

Summary— Over a period of 5 consecutive years, 1039 renal units were treated by percutaneous nephrolithotripsy for stone disease of the kidney. The success rate was 93.7%. Residual stones remained in 4.2% of patients and in 2.1% we failed to remove the stones. The complication rate was 17.8%. Complications were treated conservatively in most cases but nephrectomy was required on one occasion to control severe bleeding. The average hospital stay was 6.9 days.

Follow‐up of 339 renal units (333 patients), for a minimum of 60 months, revealed minor late sequelae such as pelviureteric junction obstruction in 1 patient (0.3%) and post‐catheterisation strictures of the anterior urethra in 4 (1.2%). Stone recurrence was observed in 9.1% of patients.

Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy is an effective, safe treatment for renal stones with minimal late sequelae and is still required even in the era of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.
Abscess of Urachal Remnant Mimicking Urinary Bladder Neoplasm
Authors: CHEN WEI‐JEN , HSIEH HWEI‐HO , WAN YON‐LIANG
Published: December 2008

Summary— Three cases of urachal abscess with extensive interstitial inflammation and fibrosis are reported. Clinically, all patients had a lower abdominal mass and CT scan and ultrasonic examination revealed a large tumour located anterior or superior to the bladder. They all underwent laparotomy and had either a partial cystectomy or an en bloc resection of the bladder and adjacent organs due to severe adhesions. Microscopic examination of the specimens revealed no evidence of carcinoma and only abscess formation with extensive chronic interstitial inflammation and fibrosis were seen. In one case, residual columnar epithelium suggestive of urachal origin was identified in the abscess cavity. Urachal abscess should be considered when dealing with lower abdominal masses.
Cystodiathermy under Local Anaesthesia using the Flexible Cystoscope
Authors: GERMAN K. , HASAN S. T. , DERRY C.
Published: December 2008

Summary— The use of the flexible cystoscope in the follow‐up of patients with bladder carcinoma is becoming more widespread. In a series of 17 patients, cystodiathermy of small recurrent tumours using the flexible cystoscope and topical urethral anaesthesia proved to be a safe, effective and well tolerated procedure.
Hormonal Cytoreduction and Radiotherapy for Carcinoma of the Prostate
Authors: SHEARER R. J. , DAVIES J. H. , GELISTER J. S. K. , DEARNALEY D. P.
Published: December 2008

Summary— We report the effect on prostatic volume of the administration of the luteinising hormone‐releasing hormone (LHRH) analogue goserelin in 22 patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the prostate; 20 achieved a significant reduction in volume, the median volume being 66 ml before treatment (range 40–130) and 30 ml after 17 weeks (range 13–47). If used before external beam radiotherapy (RT), volume reduction will permit smaller boost fields and thus potentially reduce adverse radiotherapy effects. In addition, reducing tumour volume before RT may lead to an increase in local control. We discuss the possible role of hormonal volume reduction in the management of prostatic cancer.
Natural History and Prognosis of Prostate Carcinoma in Adolescents and Men under 35 Years of Age
Authors: SANDHU D. P. S. , MUNSON K. W. , BENGHIAT A. , HOPPER I. P.
Published: December 2008

Summary— Prostate cancer is extremely rare in men under 35 years of age. The tumour is invariably poorly differentiated and aggressive, with rapidly growing bulky soft tissue metastases and negative tumour markers. Bone metastases develop late and are usually osteolytic. The disease responds poorly to radiation or hormonal therapy and is too advanced at presentation for radical surgery. Chemotherapy appears to be of some benefit, though in the majority of cases death occurs within a year.

We describe a 3 1‐year‐old man with carcinoma of the prostate. A review of the literature is presented. This is the first patient in whom the epithelial origin of the prostate cancer was confirmed by immunoperoxidase staining with prostatic specific antigen. Plasma prostatic specific antigen was normal despite a large tumour burden and widespread metastases. He did not respond to conventional treatment.

The phenotypic expression and biological behaviour of these tumours are distinct from those occurring in men beyond the fourth decade.
Thiazide Treatment for Calcium Urolithiasis in Patients with Idiopathic Hypercalciuria
Authors: OHKAWA M. , TOKUNAGA S. , NAKASHIMA T. , ORITO M. , HISAZUMI H.
Published: December 2008

Summary— In a randomised trial based on a parallel design to determine the prophylactic effect of thiazide on stone formation, 210 calcium urolithiasis patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria were allocated either to treatment with trichlormethiazide (4 mg/day) or no treatment with only close follow‐up; 35 patients were excluded for various reasons, including voluntary withdrawal. The background of the remaining 175 patients (82 in the thiazide group and 93 in the control group), including age and sex, was similar for both groups. In patients treated with thiazide there was a statistically significant fall in urinary calcium output. Statistical analyses also demonstrated that the stone formation rate in the thiazide group was significantly less than that in the control group. Adverse clinical reactions probably due to the drug were observed in 9 patients. These findings indicate that trichlormethiazide has a prophylactic effect on calcium urolithiasis in patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria.
Long‐term Follow‐up of Women Treated with Perurethral Teflon Injections for Stress Incontinence
Authors: BECKINGHAM I. J. , WEMYSS‐HOLDEN G. , LAWRENCE W. T.
Published: December 2008

Summary— The perurethral injection of Teflon has been advocated as a simple, economical and effective treatment of stress incontinence in women. We have reviewed patients treated by this technique in Nottingham. Improvement in their symptoms fell from 80% immediately after operation to 27% at follow‐up 3 years later. Because of the disappointing long‐term results we have abandoned this procedure for the treatment of stress incontinence.
Effect of Vaginal Ultrasound Probe on Lower Urinary Tract Function
Authors: WISE B. G. , BURTON G. , CUTNER A. , CARDOZO LINDA D.
Published: December 2008

Summary— Vaginal ultrasonography has been advocated as an alternative to videocystourethrography. Ultrasound avoids the potential risks of X‐rays and reduces the cost of equipment. We have investigated the effect of the vaginal probe on the physiology of the bladder and urethra. A series of 24 women underwent urethral pressure profilometry, with and without a vaginal probe in situ. There was a significant increase in maximum urethral pressure, functional urethral length and area under the profile curve both at rest and during stress in the presence of the device. This was due to stretching and compression of the urethra by the probe. Transmission pressure ratios were significantly increased for the first 3 quartiles of the urethra.

Twenty women underwent lateral bead chain urethrocystography with and without a vaginal probe. At rest, the probe resulted in elevation of the bladder neck and apposition to the symphysis pubis, and during a Valsalva manoeuvre the descent of the bladder neck was restricted by the presence of the probe. These results indicate that a vaginal probe alters the position and function of the lower urinary tract. We postulate that incontinence is reduced as a result of the probe. The use of vaginal ultrasonography in the assessment of women with urinary incontinence is therefore not recommended.
Detrusor Mast Cells in Refractory Idiopathic Instability
Authors: MOORE KATE H. , NICKSON P. , RICHMOND D. H. , SUTHERST J. R. , MANASSE P. R. , HELLIWELL T. R.
Published: December 2008

Summary— The diagnosis of interstitial cystitis (IC) is not usually considered in patients with idiopathic instability. Because histamine provokes detrusor contractions in vitro, we assessed detrusor mast cell counts in 29 females with refractory instability. Raised mast cell counts (> 28/mm2 of detrusor muscle, consistent with a histological diagnosis of IC) were found in 29% of such cases. Thus cystoscopy and bladder biopsy should be considered in patients with idiopathic instability which fails to respond to anticholinergic drugs, as alternative therapy may be useful.

Patients with refractory instability and normal detrusor mast cell counts often gave a history of prolonged childhood nocturnal enuresis (55% of cases); in contrast, patients with intractable instability and abnormally high mast cell counts seldom gave such a history (12%). These trends may give some insight into the aetiology of idiopathic instability—“congenital” or acquired?
Male and Female Sexual Function and Activity Following Ileal Conduit Urinary Diversion
Authors: NORDSTRÖM G. M. , NYMAN C. R.
Published: December 2008

Summary— A group of 66 patients (40 males, 26 females) underwent an ileal conduit urinary diversion because of bladder cancer (44 patients) or incontinence/bladder dysfunction (22). They were questioned about pre‐and post‐operative sexual function and activity and it was found that 90% of the males (26/29) who were sexually active before surgery lost the ability to achieve erection following radical cystectomy. Although they were unable to achieve penile erection, 41% were able to experience orgasm by means of masturbation. Five of the 29 males received penile implants. Five of the 6 females treated by cystectomy, who were sexually active before the operation, reported either a decrease or cessation of sexual activity (i.e. coitus) post‐operatively.

The main problems were a decrease in sexual desire, dyspareunia and vaginal dryness. One women reported the inability to experience orgasm after surgery. Compared with women with bladder cancer, those with incontinence/bladder dysfunction were more likely to have an active sexual life after urostomy surgery. Seven females in this group, of whom 4 were sexually inactive before surgery, increased their sexual activity after the operation. For these women the conduit operation removed the need to use incontinence pads or indwelling catheters.
Vacuum Constriction Devices: Second‐line Conservative Treatment for Impotence
Authors: GILBERT H. W. , GINGELL J. C.
Published: December 2008

Summary— Intracavernosal pharmacotherapy is not a universally successful treatment of impotence. Vacuum constriction devices are reported to be an effective non‐operative alternative. This study investigated the value of these devices in 45 impotent men who had failed to become established on intracavernosal papaverine. Although 38 were able to obtain an erection‐like state using a vacuum constriction device, only 12 were able to enjoy satisfactory sexual intercourse and, of these, just 7 men found them of sufficient benefit to warrant purchase. Success is not predicted by aetiology. Vacuum constriction devices are of some use, but a trial period of use should be allowed to each patient before purchase.
Vacuum constriction devices in erectile dysfunction: acceptance and effectiveness in patients with impotence of organic or mixed aetiology
Authors: VRIJHOF H.J.E.J. , DELAERE K.P. J.
Published: December 2008

Objective To investigate the value of vacuum constriction devices in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Patients and methods A total of 67 patients were treated with vacuum constriction devices. The impotence was of organic origin in 36 men (54%) while in the remaining 31 (46%) it was of mixed aetiology (organic and psychological factors). Forty‐seven patients continued to use the device at home for the duration of the practice period.

Results All 67 patients underwent a vacuum test which resulted in nearly half of them achieving an erection sufficient for intercourse. Adequate erections were achieved in 34 of 47 (72%) patients who used the device at home during the practice period. In the group of patients with organic impotence (venous leakage), rigidity was better and the frequency of' intercourse higher than in patients with diabetes and in those with neurogenic disorders.

Conclusion These findings support further the role for vacuum devices for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in carefully selected patients.
Antecedents of Budget Participation: Leadership Style, Information Asymmetry, and Evaluative Use of Budget
Authors: Kyj Larissa , Parker Robert J.
Published: December 2008

This study explores the causes or antecedents of budget participation to understand more fully the role of participation in the workplace. The study focuses on the reasons why superiors encourage the budget participation of their subordinates and draws upon several theoretical perspectives including leadership theory, agency theory and organizational justice. To examine the issues, a survey was administered to managers and supervisors in several companies. Results of path analysis suggest that superiors encourage subordinate participation when the superior's leadership style is considerate. This implies that budget participation may mediate the relation between leadership style and work outcomes. Results also suggest that superiors encourage participation when budget goals are used in the performance evaluation of subordinates, in which case, the study argues, the superiors encourage participation because of concerns about organizational justice. This finding implies that budget participation may mediate the relation between the evaluative use of budget and those work outcomes that prior research has linked to organizational justice. The proposed relation between information asymmetry and budget participation is not supported.
Knowledge Accession and Knowledge Acquisition in Strategic Alliances: The Impact of Supplementary and Complementary Dimensions
Authors: Buckley Peter J. , Glaister Keith W. , Klijn Elko , Tan Hui
Published: December 2008

This paper advances the concepts of knowledge accession and knowledge acquisition in strategic alliances by identifying supplementary and complementary dimensions to these knowledge transfer modes. Complementary knowledge transfer reflects the similarity of knowledge that the partners have and is conducted in pursuit of higher efficiency and productivity to enhance partner firms' existing competitiveness. Supplementary knowledge transfer occurs when partners each possess distinctive core competences and the information that is acquired or accessed increases the business scope of partners. As knowledge accession entails knowledge amalgamation that does not involve organizational learning, costs associated with the transfer process are lower and trust is easier to establish than in the case of knowledge acquisition. The paper reviews the implications of these transfer modes on trust building in alliances and their costs implications and presents a number of propositions for further exploration.
Fathers’ narratives of reducing and quitting smoking
Authors: Bottorff Joan L. , Radsma Jenny , Kelly Mary , Oliffe John L.
Published: December 2008

Despite much attention on women's efforts to reduce or stop smoking during pregnancy and postpartum, less attention has been directed to fathers’ experiences in modifying their smoking. Using narrative methods, interviews with 29 new fathers were examined to identify different ways in which men approached reducing or quitting smoking. Four storylines were identified: the cold turkey storyline framed quitting smoking as a snap decision with no need for support or smoking cessation aids; the planned reduction storyline focused on building up reasons to quit and developing detailed strategies to enhance the likelihood of success; the baby as the patch storyline dramatised how the baby displaced the need to smoke, increased motivation for cessation and enhanced success; and, finally, a story of forced reduction that highlighted difficulties with smoking cessation for a highly addicted smoker and the tension and conflict this created in his relationship with his partner. Common to all the storylines was the men's reluctance to rely on smoking cessation resources; instead, self‐reliance, willpower, and autonomy figured more prominently in their narratives. The findings from this study support developing gender‐sensitive tobacco reduction interventions for fathers who smoke.
Towards a history of choice in UK health policy
Authors: Greener Ian
Published: December 2008

This paper examines health policy documents from the period in which the NHS was planned through to New Labour's reforms, to examine how the terms ‘choice’ and ‘responsiveness’ are used to position both users and the public in particular roles. It suggests that health consumerism is a process that has gradually appeared in the NHS through an extension of the choices offered to patients and the terms on which they were offered. Utilising Hirschman's classic framework of exit, voice and loyalty, we suggest that although there appears to be a strong relationship between the introduction of choice with the aim of securing greater responsiveness, that does not necessarily work in the opposite direction because the analysis of responsiveness suggests that there are other means of achieving this goal other than increasing choice through consumerist approaches to organisation. The implications of this analysis are explored for contemporary health service reform.
‘Doing’ chronic illness? Complementary medicine use among people living with HIV/AIDS in Australia
Authors: Thorpe Rachel D.
Published: December 2008

This article takes the use of complementary medicine by a group of people living with HIV/AIDS as the starting point for exploring the options for living with chronic illness in contemporary western societies. Some authors have suggested that the situation of living with chronic illness may not be a significant departure from the process of negotiating choice that is theorised to be a defining feature of late‐modern society and that there are now many ways of living with or ‘doing’ chronic illness. This article uses these theoretical concepts to explore the experiences of people who have lived with HIV/AIDS for a number of years. It is argued that while different options for managing chronic illness may exist, it is not always possible or desirable for individuals to put these choices into practice. The article is based on 18 qualitative interviews with people living with HIV/AIDS who were using complementary medicine.
Rural young people and physical activity: understanding participation through social theory
Authors: Lee Jessica , Macdonald Doune
Published: December 2008

Studies from around the world point to the inadequate participation of young people in physical activity and sport, and the consequences of this on their health. However, very few interventions to increase the levels of physical activity amongst young people have been sustainable. The aim of this paper is to use Bourdieu's notions of the logic of practice along with habitus and capital to theorise young people's participation in physical activities to add to the wealth of empirical material. Data are drawn from a cohort of rural participants in an Australian longitudinal, qualitative research project with young people from diverse social, cultural and geographical backgrounds. It was found that traditional rural gender roles impact on young women's perceptions of legitimate physical activity options and practices. The role of the family in the reproduction of the social order which sustains gendered understandings of physical activity is also explored. This paper demonstrates how Bourdieu's theories can be applied to explain gender distinctions in health behaviours. It is proposed that building bridges between epidemiological and sociological understandings of participation in physical activities will lead to the generation of more equitable and sustainable physical activity and health promotion initiatives.
The changing nature of prescribing: pharmacists as prescribers and challenges to medical dominance
Authors: Weiss Marjorie C. , Sutton Jane
Published: December 2008

This paper investigates the potential threat to medical dominance posed by the addition of pharmacists as prescribers in the UK. It explores the role of prescribing as an indicator of professional power, the legitimacy and status of new pharmacist prescribers and the forces influencing professional jurisdictional claims over the task of prescribing. It draws upon 23 interviews with pharmacist supplementary prescribers. Data suggest that the legitimacy of pharmacists as prescribers, as experienced in the workplace, has been aided by: (1) blurred definitions of prescribing; (2) the emphasis on new prescribers’ competence urging pharmacist prescribers to limit their areas of clinical practice; and (3) a team approach to patient management. Competence, self‐limitation on practice and the benefits of team working as part of the ideology of patient safety were thus an important influence on pharmacists’ jurisdictional claim over prescribing. While pharmacists have successfully negotiated a role for themselves as prescribers, medicine has retained its high status, relative to other health professionals and with patients; it controls the knowledge base relevant for prescribing practice and has managed to develop an ‘overseer’ role over the process of prescribing. Prescribing, as an indicator of medicine's autonomy of control over their work and professional status, has changed. Yet the extent to which new prescribers have been able to threaten the professional dominance of medicine is debatable.
The Undisclosed Renminbi Basket: Are the Markets Telling Us Something about Where the Renminbi–US Dollar Exchange Rate is Going?
Authors: Funke Michael , Gronwald Marc
Published: December 2008

On 21 July 2005 China adopted an undisclosed basket exchange rate regime. We formally assess and envisage the gradual evolution of the renminbi over time. We utilise nonlinear dependencies in the renminbi exchange rate and describe the smooth transition of the renminbi/US dollar (RMB/USD) exchange rate using the family of time‐varying autoregressive (TV‐AR) models. The results indicate that the forward‐looking nonlinear model adequately depicts the gradual reform process underlying the new RMB exchange rate regime.
The Urban Question Revisited: The Importance of Cities for Social Movements
Authors: NICHOLLS WALTER J.
Published: December 2008

What roles do cities play in fostering general social movements? This article maintains that cities facilitate particular types of relations that are good at making high‐quality resources available to mobilizations operating at a variety of spatial scales. However, while large and complex urban systems may be well suited for these types of relations, whether they actually develop depends on the nature of local power relations between political authorities and civic organizations. In certain cities local configurations of political power may favor the growth of these relations, with these cities becoming important nodal points in geographically extended social movement networks. In other cities, by contrast, local configurations of political power may hamper the formation of these relations. This is a theoretical article that draws on network theory to inform the conceptual framework and a variety of empirical cases for illustrative purposes.

Quels rôles les villes jouent‐elles dans l’alimentation des mouvements sociaux généraux? Elles facilitent des types particuliers de relations qui réussissent à rendre des ressources de qualité accessibles à des mobilisations opérant à divers échelons spatiaux. Pourtant, si les grands réseaux urbains complexes sont sans doute bien adaptés à ces types de relations, leur développement effectif dépend de la nature des relations de pouvoir locales entre les autorités politiques et les organisations de citoyens. Dans certaines villes, les configurations locales du pouvoir politique peuvent favoriser l’intensification de ces relations, ces villes devenant d’importants points nodaux au sein de réseaux de mouvements sociaux de grande ampleur géographique. Dans d’autres, en revanche, les configurations locales du pouvoir politique peuvent gêner la constitution de ces relations. Cet article théorique utilise la théorie des réseaux pour éclairer le cadre conceptuel et plusieurs cas empiriques à titre indicatif.
The Relationship Between Childhood Abuse, Psychological Symptoms and Subsequent Sex Offending
Authors: Hayes Susan
Published: December 2008

Background  Childhood sexual and physical abuse has been related to subsequent offending behaviour in non‐disabled individuals as well as people with intellectual disabilities, but there is a dearth of research examining the link between these two characteristics and psychological, behavioural and psychiatric symptoms amongst sex offenders with intellectual disabilities. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between childhood abuse, history of psychological and psychiatric symptoms, and patterns of violence in later offending.

Methods  Twenty sex offenders with intellectual disabilities were compared with 20 non‐disabled sex offenders. The Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, and a structured clinical interview were administered to participants.

Results  Offenders with ID were more likely to report that they had been the victim of physical abuse during childhood; aggressive behaviour during adulthood was related to a history of having been the victim of childhood physical abuse, or exposure to family violence. Participants in the ID group were more likely to be diagnosed with depression, post‐traumatic stress disorder and aggressive behaviour. A history of childhood exposure to violence was related to the development of later symptoms, for both ID and non‐disabled offenders. Perpetrators with ID who had been physically abused during their developmental years were significantly more likely to threaten or use violence during the offence.

Conclusions  The study suggests that childhood abuse may be related to severity of the crime, and to the development of later psychological and psychiatric symptoms. Longitudinal research in this area and a larger sample size are needed to clarify and extend the present findings.
The Complex and Diversified Mitochondrial Gene Pool of Berber Populations
Authors: Coudray C. , Olivieri A. , Achilli A. , Pala M. , Melhaoui M. , Cherkaoui M. , El‐Chennawi F. , Kossmann M. , Torroni A. , Dugoujon J. M.
Published: December 2008

The mitochondrial DNA variation of 295 Berber‐speakers from Morocco (Asni, Bouhria and Figuig) and the Egyptian oasis of Siwa was evaluated by sequencing a portion of the control region (including HVS‐I and part of HVS‐II) and surveying haplogroup‐specific coding region markers. Our findings show that the Berber mitochondrial pool is characterized by an overall high frequency of Western Eurasian haplogroups, a somehow lower frequency of sub‐Saharan L lineages, and a significant (but differential) presence of North African haplogroups U6 and M1, thus occupying an intermediate position between European and sub‐Saharan populations in PCA analysis. A clear and significant genetic differentiation between the Berbers from Maghreb and Egyptian Berbers was also observed. The first are related to European populations as shown by haplogroup H1 and V frequencies, whereas the latter share more affinities with East African and Nile Valley populations as indicated by the high frequency of M1 and the presence of L0a1, L3i, L4*, and L4b2 lineages. Moreover, haplogroup U6 was not observed in Siwa. We conclude that the origins and maternal diversity of Berber populations are old and complex, and these communities bear genetic characteristics resulting from various events of gene flow with surrounding and migrating populations.
Guard cell photosynthesis and stomatal function
Authors: Lawson Tracy
Published: December 2008

Contents

Summary
13

I.
Introduction
14

II.
Osmoregulation in guard cells
16

III.
Role of guard cell chloroplasts in stomatal function
18

IV.
Chlorophyll a fluorescence studies to examine guard cell photosynthesis
22

V.
Linking stomatal behaviour to mesophyll photosynthesis
23

VI.
Stomata in relation to water use/manipulation of behaviour
26

VII.
Concluding remarks and future direction
27

Acknowledgements
28

References
29
Information and Values in Popular Protests: Costa Rica in 2000
Authors: FRAJMAN EDUARDO
Published: December 2008

The mass demonstrations in Costa Rica in 2000 opposing a government initiative to deregulate the electricity and telecommunications markets point to the importance of the paths of communication between the people and government leaders to understand mass political mobilisation. This article explains the surprising reaction of the Costa Rican public by focusing on the unwillingness or inability of the policy‐makers to articulate their position in a way acceptable to the citizenry, leaving public space under the dominant influence of social organisations that opposed the initiative.
Fear of childbirth according to parity, gestational age, and obstetric history
Authors: Rouhe H , Salmela‐Aro K , Halmesmäki E , Saisto T
Published: December 2008

Objective  To examine fear of childbirth according to parity, gestational age, and obstetric history.

Design  A questionnaire study.

Population and setting  1400 unselected pregnant women in outpatient maternity clinics of a university central hospital.

Methods  Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W‐DEQ) and preferred mode of delivery.

Main outcome measures  W‐DEQ and VAS scores according to parity, gestational age, obstetric history, and preferred mode of delivery.

Results  The W‐DEQ and VAS scores were higher in nulliparous (W‐DEQ 72.0 ± 20.0 [mean ± SD] and VAS 4.7 [median]) than parous women (65.4 ± 21.9; 3.2, P < 0.001 for both W‐DEQ and VAS). Higher W‐DEQ and VAS scores were found for those beyond 21 weeks of gestation compared with those before (W‐DEQ 71.6 ± 23.0 versus 66.6 ± 20.0, P < 0.001; VAS 4.7 versus 3.2, P < 0.001). Caesarean section was preferred mode of delivery for 8.1% and these women scored higher on fear (W‐DEQ 87.6 ± 26.5, VAS median 7.0) than those who preferred vaginal delivery (W‐DEQ 61.8 ± 18.7, VAS 2.7, P < 0.001, respectively). Those with a previous caesarean scored higher on fear (W‐DEQ 73.2 ± 23.5, VAS 5.1) than parous women without previous caesarean (W‐DEQ 63.3 ± 20.8, VAS 2.9, P < 0.001, respectively). Those with a history of a vacuum extraction (VE) (W‐DEQ 70.6 ± 19.7, VAS 5.0) had higher fear scores than those without (W‐DEQ 64.8 ± 22.0, P < 0.05 and VAS 3.0, P < 0.001).

Conclusion  Severe fear of childbirth was more common in nulliparous women, in later pregnancy, and in women with previous caesarean section or VE. Caesarean section as a preferred mode of childbirth was strongly associated with high score in both W‐DEQ and VAS.
Thermoelastic Determination of Individual Stresses in a Diametrally Loaded Disk
Authors: Foust B. E. , Rowlands R. E.
Published: December 2008

Abstract:  In a cyclically loaded structure which experiences adiabatic and reversible conditions, the measured change in temperature is associated with the change in the stresses. For proportional loading and isotropy, the technique measures information on the sum of the principal stresses. As engineering analyses frequently necessitate knowing the individual components of stress, supplementary experimental methods or information is sometimes required to ‘separate the stresses’. This need is circumvented here in that individual stresses are evaluated throughout a loaded disk without additional measured data by hybridising the TSA information with an Airy stress function and some known boundary conditions. Although demonstrated here to a circular aluminium disk under diametral compression, the approach is applicable to more complicated shapes, under more complex loadings and inverse problems. The technique does not pre‐suppose knowing the details. While TSA information has been displayed previously for a loaded disk, the authors are unaware of the stresses being thermoelastically separated for this case.
Experimental Characterisation and Numerical Modelling of Hexagonal Honeycomb Cellular Solids under Multi‐axial Loading
Authors: Lamb A. J. , Pickett A. K. , Chaudoye F.
Published: December 2008

Abstract:  Cellular solids are becoming increasingly popular for sandwich core and energy‐absorbing applications in many automotive and other transportation structures. This paper investigates experimentally and numerically the strength and post‐failure energy absorption of a popular hexagonal aluminium honeycomb material under multi‐axial loading conditions. For the experimental work, an improved Arcan test apparatus is used so that interaction of multi‐axial compression and shear loading on failure and crushing may be studied; optical measuring methods are used to extract deformation data. In addition, experimental work to characterise the material with pre‐deformation in the in‐plane directions has also been conducted. This experimental work provides input for computational modelling of the material and two alternative modelling approaches have been investigated. First, a three‐dimensional anisotropic, elastic–plastic model, with coupling of loading components is used to represent the material at the macro‐level and, second, a meso‐modelling approach using a fine shell representation of the thin‐walled honeycomb cellular structure is applied. For practical analysis of large‐scale structures, the former approach is computationally efficient and can reasonably treat the most important failure and crush characteristics of the material. However, for more accurate analysis, particularly in the case of complex non‐proportional loading, the meso‐shell model may provide a more realistic solution.
Prices, Rents and Rational Speculative Bubbles in the Sydney Housing Market*
Authors: HATZVI EDEN , OTTO GLENN
Published: December 2008

We examine whether asset pricing theory can explain residential property prices. Using quarterly data for Local Government Areas in Sydney from 1991 to 2006, we find little evidence that variations in price : rent ratios anticipate future real rent growth. Instead changes in price : rent ratios apparently reflect changing expectations about future discount factors. Some important geographical differences in the behaviour of property prices across metropolitan Sydney are identified. A significant proportion of the variation in property prices in outer western regions of Sydney is not explained by either rents or discount factors; pointing to a possible role for a speculative bubble.
Factors Influencing Housing Equity Withdrawal: Evidence from a Microeconomic Survey*
Authors: SCHWARTZ CARL , LEWIS CHRISTINE , NORMAN DAVID , HAMPTON TIM
Published: December 2008

The increase in housing equity withdrawal and coincident decline in aggregate savings rates in a number of countries in recent years is consistent with the consumption‐smoothing model of housing equity withdrawal. However, there are a variety of other theoretical models that purport to explain why households withdraw and inject equity. To assess the relative importance of these various theories, we use a comprehensive survey of the equity withdrawal and injection decisions of Australian households. We find support for several theories. Life cycle considerations appear to be most important, with older households accounting for the bulk of equity withdrawn. Portfolio rebalancing considerations also appear important, with financial asset accumulation the primary use of withdrawn funds. Consumption‐smoothing motives play an influential role, although primarily for smaller‐value transactions.
Innovation, Technological Conditions and New Firm Survival*
Authors: JENSEN PAUL H. , WEBSTER ELIZABETH , BUDDELMEYER HIELKE
Published: December 2008

High neonatal mortality is one of the most salient ‘facts’ about firm performance in the industrial organisation literature. We model firm survival and examine the relative influence of firm, industry and macroeconomic factors on survival for new vis‐à‐vis incumbent firms in Australia. In particular, we focus on how the intensity of innovation in each industry relates to firm survival. Our results imply that while new firms thrive in risky and innovative industries, they are also more susceptible to business cycle effects such as changes in the rate of growth of industry profits and the availability of equity finance.
Union Wage Effects in Australia: Is There Variation along the Distribution?*
Authors: CAI LIXIN , LIU AMY Y.C.
Published: December 2008

This study uses quantile regression models to examine whether the union wage effect varies across the conditional wage distribution. Although for men it is evident that the union wage effect decreases when moving up the conditional wage distribution, the effect for women is relatively stable except at the extremities of the distribution. Overall, unions are found to have a larger effect on men than on women wages. The decomposition results show that for men, the union wage effect explains a substantial proportion of the observed wage gap between union and non‐union workers; this is not the case for women.
Am “I” more important than “we”? Couples’ word use in instant messages
Authors: SLATCHER RICHARD B. , VAZIRE SIMINE , PENNEBAKER JAMES W.
Published: December 2008

Recent studies have identified robust associations between the types of words that people use and their psychological health. This study investigated whether couples’ word use in their daily instant messages (IMs) is linked to the quality and stability of their relationships. Sixty‐eight dating couples in the United States submitted 10 days of IM conversations with each other, which were analyzed with a linguistic word count program. Six months later, couples indicated whether they were still dating. Pronoun use and emotion word use both were associated with relationship satisfaction and stability. These findings extend previous research showing that the frequencies of certain words that people use are associated with the quality of their social relationships.
The dominance dilemma: Do women really prefer dominant mates?
Authors: SNYDER JEFFREY K. , KIRKPATRICK LEE A. , BARRETT H. CLARK
Published: December 2008

Previous research has led to a widely accepted conclusion that heterosexual women prefer mates who are high indominance. Three experiments designed to distinguish dominance fromprestigeand examine moderating contextual factors challenge this conclusion. College women at 2 U.S. universities evaluated hypothetical, potential mates described in written vignettes. Participants in Study 1 preferred a high‐prestige to a high‐dominance target. With dominance and prestige manipulated independently in Study 2, participants preferred high to low prestige but also preferred low to high dominance. Participants in Study 3 preferred high to low dominance, but only (a) when displayed in the context of an athletic competition and (b) in ratings of attractiveness and desirability as a short‐term (vs. long‐term) mate.
Women’s weekly relationship functioning and depressive symptoms
Authors: WHITTON SARAH W. , STANLEY SCOTT M. , MARKMAN HOWARD J , BAUCOM BRIAN R.
Published: December 2008

In an exploration of the links between relationship quality and depression, the extent to which women’s weekly reports of depressive symptoms vary as a function of same‐week relationship functioning was tested. A sample of 161 married or cohabiting U.S. women completed measures of relationship functioning, mood, and depressive symptoms weekly for 12 weeks. In a series of hierarchical linear models, results of within‐subject analyses indicated that depressive symptoms were negatively associated with same‐week relationship functioning. Weekly fluctuations in mood did not account for these associations. Results of between‐subjects analyses suggested that women low in stereotypical masculinity and in relationships of shorter duration are particularly likely to show increased depressive symptoms during weeks when they experience poorer relationship functioning than usual.
Arthroscopic Removal of Palmar/Plantar Osteochondral Fragments from the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint in Four Horses
Authors: RADCLIFFE ROLFE M. , CHEETHAM JON , BEZUIDENHOUT ABRAHAM J. , DUCHARME NORM G. , NIXON ALAN J.
Published: December 2008

Objective—To describe anatomic considerations and arthroscopic technique in horses for arthroscopic removal of palmar/plantar osteochondral fragments from the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint.

Study Design—Retrospective study.

Animals—Adult horses (n=4) with osteochondral fragments of the palmar/plantar PIP joint.

Methods—Arthroscopic removal of palmar/plantar osteochondral fragments within the PIP joint was performed with horses in dorsal recumbency under general anesthesia. Medical records of affected horses were reviewed to determine history; physical, lameness, and radiological findings; surgical technique; complications and outcome.

Results—Two horses had lameness localized to the PIP joint. Two other horses had lameness suspected, but not confirmed to the pastern region. One of these horses had a history of intermittent lameness, but was not lame on admission. All horses had radiographic evidence of palmar/plantar osteochondral fragmentation within the PIP joint. Fragmentation was located abaxially in 2 horses in the hind limb and axially in 2 horses in the left forelimb. Osteochondral fragments were successfully removed via a palmar/plantar arthroscopic approach in all horses. Three horses returned to previous levels of athletic performance; 1 horse was used for trail riding instead of reining.

Conclusions—Arthroscopy of the palmar/plantar pouch of the PIP joint allowed limited assessment of the joint and removal of osteochondral fragments.

Clinical Relevance—Arthroscopy of the palmar/plantar PIP joint pouch for assessment and removal of osteochondral fragments is possible and should be considered when lameness is localized to this joint.