bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Explanators of Local Government Distress
Authors: Jones Stewart , Walker R. G.
Published: August 2007

This article develops a statistical model to explain sources of distress in local government. Whereas ‘financial distress’ in the private sector has been equated with a failure to meet financial commitments, here ‘distress’ is interpreted as an inability to maintain pre‐existing levels of services to the community. Since the late 1990s local councils in an Australian state (New South Wales) have been required to estimate the cost of restoring infrastructure assets to a satisfactory condition (a requirement which predates that form of reporting on infrastructure condition introduced as an option in U.S. GASB 34). Information regarding the cost of restoring infrastructure is used in this study as a proxy for levels of distress (in contrast to the binary classification that characterizes much of prior private sector financial distress research). Data regarding service levels for a sample of 161 councils for 2001 and 2002 were used and a multiple regression model was estimated and interpreted. The main findings were that the degree of distress in local councils is positively associated with the size of the population they serve and the size and composition of their revenues. Road maintenance costs featured prominently in results, as higher road program costs were associated with higher levels of distress (particularly when interacted with other variables). However, the revenue generating capacity of councils had the strongest statistical impact on local government distress. Councils with lower percentages of rates revenue to total revenue and lower ordinary revenue levels to total assets were typically identified as more distressed. However, no systematic evidence was found that rural councils have higher distress levels than urban councils (i.e., both rural and urban councils serving larger populations were relatively more distressed than councils serving smaller populations). It is suggested that the model (or modifications thereof) may serve as an early warning system for those monitoring the circumstances and performance of local governments.
WHY HAVE UK DISABILITY BENEFIT ROLLS GROWN SO MUCH?
Authors: McVicar Duncan
Published: August 2007

Abstract Over the last 30 years many countries – including the UK – have seen a dramatic rise in the share of the working age population receiving sickness and disability benefits (hereafter disability benefits). This is despite health levels that are generally thought to be slowly improving. This paper describes the time path of UK disability benefit rolls and explores the existing UK literature together with literature from the USA in search of potential explanations for it. Since the early 1990s, despite a number of detailed descriptive studies, surprisingly little attention has been paid to quantifying the importance of the different factors believed to be driving the UK benefit roll growth. This is all the more surprising given the continued growth and the level of policy attention recently and currently devoted to disability benefits in the UK.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE EXPECTATIONS: SURVEY AND SYNTHESIS
Authors: Jongen Ron , Verschoor Willem F.C. , Wolff Christian C.P.
Published: August 2007

Abstract This paper reviews the empirical literature on foreign exchange rate expectations. Prominent issues are the forward premium puzzle, expectations formation in financial markets, heterogeneity of expectations, market microstructure, time‐varying risk premiums and forecast performance. Although much has been learned in each field, this survey highlights the areas of research in which our understanding of the mechanism of exchange rate expectations is still incomplete. Our survey suggests that both irrational expectations and time‐varying risk premiums account for the forward discount anomaly, that long‐term expectations reverse towards their long‐run equilibrium values and that heterogeneous behaviour of market participants has the potential of explaining some of the empirical regularities in the international finance literature.
Governance through Publicity: Anti‐social Behaviour Orders, Young People, and the Problematization of the Right to Anonymity
Authors: Cobb Neil
Published: August 2007

Since the early twentieth century, young people under eighteen involved in legal proceedings have been granted a degree of protection from the glare of media publicity. One controversial consequence of recent reforms of the anti‐social behaviour order (ASBO), however, is the incremental reduction in the anonymity rights available to those subject to the mechanism, together with calls by the Home Office for details of such individuals to be publicized as a matter of course. Numerous commentators have criticized the government accordingly for reinstating the draconian practice of ‘naming and shaming’. This paper contends that these developments can be usefully analysed through the lens of Foucault's work on state governance. It explores, in particular, how challenges to the right reflect both the fall of anonymity and the rise of publicity in the governance of what I term ‘ASBO subjects’, together with the communities in which they live, under ‘advanced liberal’ rule.
Genetically stable expression of functional miraculin, a new type of alternative sweetener, in transgenic tomato plants
Authors: Sun Hyeon‐Jin , Kataoka Hiroshi , Yano Megumu , Ezura Hiroshi
Published: August 2007

Miraculin is a taste‐modifying protein isolated from the red berries of Richadella dulcifica, a shrub native to West Africa. Miraculin by itself is not sweet, but it is able to turn a sour taste into a sweet taste. This unique property has led to increasing interest in this protein. In this article, we report the high‐yield production of miraculin in transgenic tomato plants. High and genetically stable expression of miraculin was confirmed by Western blot analysis and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Recombinant miraculin accumulated to high levels in leaves and fruits, up to 102.5 and 90.7 µg/g fresh weight, respectively. Purified recombinant miraculin expressed in transgenic tomato plants showed strong sweetness‐inducing activity, similar to that of native miraculin. These results demonstrate that recombinant miraculin was correctly processed in transgenic tomato plants, and that this production system could be a good alternative to production from the native plant.
Do No Harm: Aid, Weak Institutions and the Missing Middle in Africa
Authors: Birdsall Nancy
Published: August 2007

The implicit assumption of the donor community is that Africa is trapped by its poverty, and that aid is necessary if it is to escape. This article suggests an alternative view: that Africa is caught in an institutional trap, signalled and reinforced by the small share of income of its independent middle strata. Theory and historical experience elsewhere suggest that a robust middle‐income group contributes critically to the creation and sustenance of healthy institutions, particularly of the state. The article argues that if external aid is to be helpful for institution‐building in Africa's weak and fragile states, donors need to emphasise not providing more aid but minimising the risks more aid poses for this group.
Students' response to traditional and computer‐assisted formative feedback: A comparative case study
Authors: Denton Philip , Madden Judith , Roberts Matthew , Rowe Philip
Published: August 2007

The national movement towards progress files, incorporating personal development planning and reflective learning, is supported by lecturers providing effective feedback to their students. Recent technological advances mean that higher education tutors are no longer obliged to return comments in the ‘traditional’ manner, by annotating students' work with red pen. This paper considers some of the options currently available for returning computer‐assisted feedback, including the Electronic Feedback freeware. This MS Office application enables tutors to readily synthesise and email feedback reports to students. To further ascertain the value of this software, 169 1st‐year Pharmaceutical Science and Pharmacy students completed a questionnaire to gauge their reaction to formative feedback on an extended laboratory report. This included 110 responses from students graded by three tutors who marked work using either handwritten annotations or the Electronic Feedback program. Principle component analysis (PCA) of the Likert scale responses indicates that the identity of the marker did not significantly affect the response of students. However, the type of feedback was a factor that influenced the students' responses, with electronic feedback being rated superior. A Mann‐Whitney analysis of the satisfaction ratings (generated by PCA) indicates that four features of the assignment and feedback were considered significantly improved when the software was used to create feedback, namely; markscheme clarity, feedback legibility, information on deficient aspects, and identification of those parts of the work where the student did well. Modern academics face a number of challenges if they wish to return meaningful and timely feedback to students, among them large class sizes and infrequent face‐to‐face contact. It is pleasing to note, therefore, that assessors reported taking less time to mark when using the software. It is concluded that electronic formative feedback can be returned more quickly and may be used to synthesise relevant feedback that is both fair and balanced.
Critical success factors for e‐learning and institutional change—some organisational perspectives on campus‐wide e‐learning
Authors: White Su
Published: August 2007

Computer technology has been harnessed for education in UK universities ever since the first computers for research were installed at 10 selected sites in 1957. Subsequently, real costs have fallen dramatically. Processing power has increased; network and communications infrastructure has proliferated, and information has become unimaginably accessible through the Internet and the World Wide Web. However, perhaps because higher education institutions are resistant to change, educational technology in universities has not managed to match the ubiquity of technology in everyday life. The reasons for differences between everyday experiences and those of higher education may lie in higher education practice. Higher education practice reflects the wider agendas of institutions manifested through their organisation, structure, culture and climate. These factors may particularly impact upon the potential for higher education to embrace and manage change in its educational activities, especially technology‐enhanced learning such as blended learning and e‐learning. This paper briefly reviews the progress of educational technology, then identifies critical success factors for e‐learning through an organisational perspective derived from studies of six UK higher education institutions.
The kinship system of the Aghriā: a case study of peasants in Middle India
Authors: Skoda Uwe
Published: August 2007

The kinship system of the Aghriā offers new data on Middle Indian kinship and in particular on a dominant peasant caste, immigrated into ‘tribal’ northwestern Orissa. Their kinship system shows an elaborate terminology as well as an impressive autonomy of the different levels of kinship. The categories, for example, do not correspond to the ideal and practice of cross‐cousin marriage, which itself seems to be in the process of change.

Le système de parenté des Aghriā fournit de nouvelles données sur la notion de parenté en Inde centrale, et en particulier chez une caste de paysans dominants qui ont immigré dans le Nord‐ouest « tribal » de l'Orissa. Le système de parenté s'accompagne d'une terminologie élaborée ainsi que d'une autonomie impressionnante des différents niveaux de parenté. Les catégories ne correspondent pas, par exemple, à l'idéal ni à la pratique des mariages entre cousins, qui semblent eux‐mêmes en train d'évoluer.
THE MACROECONOMIC EFFECTS OF GOVERNMENT DEBT ON CAPITAL FORMATION IN THE UNITED STATES: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION*
Authors: ISLAM M. FAIZUL , HASAN MOHAMMAD S.
Published: August 2007

In this paper we empirically examine the effects of government debt on interest rate, price, output and capital formation in the USA during the post‐war period. Using cointegration methodology supplemented with variance decompositions and impulse response functions, the study found a long‐run equilibrium as well as a strong feedback relationship between real debt and real capital formation. The results also indicate that public debt increases inflation with adverse effects on capital formation and real output which broadly support the views of ‘monetarists’, and partially of the neo‐Ricardian economists.
UNIONS, FISCAL POLICY AND CENTRAL BANK TRANSPARENCY*
Authors: CICCARONE GIUSEPPE , MARCHETTI ENRICO , DI BARTOLOMEO GIOVANNI
Published: August 2007

In a unionized economy with endogenous fiscal policy central bank transparency has two contrasting effects on wages, the relative strength of which determines the macroeconomic performance. This finding allows us to demonstrate that (i) if the central bank is populist the effect of transparency is negative, and (ii) if policy makers are sufficiently conservative and the government is active, transparency decreases inflation and unemployment, but opposite results apply if a populist government faces a tight fiscal constraint. Macroeconomic volatility disappears with full transparency and increases, in general, with opacity, but the relationship is hump‐shaped when the central bank is strongly populist.
Intuitions and Individual Differences: The Knobe Effect Revisited
Authors: NICHOLS SHAUN , ULATOWSKI JOSEPH
Published: August 2007

Abstract: Recent work by Joshua Knobe indicates that people’s intuition about whether an action wasintentionaldepends on whether the outcome is good or bad. This paper argues that part of the explanation for this effect is that there are stable individual differences in how ‘intentional’ is interpreted. That is, in Knobe’s cases, different people interpret the term in different ways. Thisinterpretive diversityof ‘intentional’ opens up a new avenue to help explain Knobe’s results. Furthermore, the paper argues that the use of intuitions in philosophy is complicated by fact that there are robust individual differences in intuitions about matters of philosophical concern.
The Economics of IPO Stabilisation, Syndicates and Naked Shorts
Authors: Jenkinson Tim , Jones Howard
Published: August 2007

Stabilisation is the bidding for and purchase of securities by an underwriter immediately after an offering for the purpose of preventing or retarding a fall in price. Stabilisation is price manipulation, but regulators allow it within strict limits – notably that stabilisation may not occur above the offer price. For legislators and market authorities, a false market is a price worth paying for an orderly market. This paper compares the rationale for regulators' allowing IPO stabilisation with its effects. It finds that stabilisation does have the intended effects, but that underwriters also seem to have other motives to stabilise, including favouring certain aftermarket sellers and enhancing their own reputation and profits. A puzzling aspect of stabilisation is why underwriters create ‘naked short’ positions which are loss‐making to cover when, as is usual, the aftermarket price rises to a premium. We set up a model to show that the lead underwriter may profit from a naked short at the expense of the rest of the syndicate given the way commissions are apportioned between them. We argue that a naked short mitigates the misalignment of interests which stabilisation causes between issuer and lead underwriter, although it does so at the expense of the non‐lead underwriters.
Managerial Stock Options and the Hedging Premium
Authors: Hagelin Niclas , Holmén Martin , Knopf John D. , Pramborg Bengt
Published: August 2007

Previous studies have found mixed evidence on whether hedging increases firm value. Some studies have shown that managerial incentives may influence firm hedging. In this paper we provide evidence that when hedging is based upon incentives from managers' options, firm value decreases.
Irrevocable Commitments, Going Private and Private Equity
Authors: Wright Mike , Weir Charlie , Burrows Andrew
Published: August 2007

This paper adds to growing interest in public to private buy‐outs and mechanisms to ensure bid success. Using a unique, hand‐collected dataset of 155 public to private buy‐outs we provide one of the first examinations of the determinants of irrevocable commitments. Irrevocable commitments involve undertakings given by existing shareholders to agree to sell their shares to the bidder before the bid to take the company private is announced. We find that, for management buy‐outs, the level of irrevocable commitments is increased by the bid premium, the reputation of the private equity backer and board shareholdings. The level of irrevocable commitments is reduced by rumours of a takeover bid and bid value. We therefore find evidence that management and private equity firms' activity prior to the bid's announcement can have an important impact on the process of going private.
Absolute vs Relative Performance Rating Formats: Implications for fairness and organizational justice
Authors: Roch Sylvia G. , Sternburgh Angela M. , Caputo Pat M.
Published: August 2007

The choice of performance rating format may influence employees' fairness perceptions. Participants in two studies, one consisting of 208 participants and the other of 393 participants, evaluated the fairness of common relative and absolute rating formats. The participants in the second study also evaluated the fairness of two rating formats, one absolute and one relative, presented in organizational contexts of varying procedural and distributive justice. Results indicate that not only are absolute formats perceived as more fair than relative formats, but differences in fairness perceptions also occur among relative and absolute formats. Furthermore, it appears that rating format influences procedural justice, especially when outcomes are perceived as fair. Implications for organizations' appraisal practices are discussed.
Examination of the Discriminant, Convergent, and Criterion‐Related Validity of Self‐Ratings on the Emotional Competence Inventory
Authors: Byrne John C. , Dominick Peter G. , Smither James W. , Reilly Richard R.
Published: August 2007

We found that self‐ratings on the Emotional Competence Inventory (ECI) had small relationships with, but a distinct factor structure from, the Big‐Five personality dimensions. ECI self‐ratings were unrelated to academic performance and general mental ability. ECI self‐ratings had significant, albeit small, correlations with EC‐related behaviors and peer nominations of influence during a leaderless group discussion, coworkers' ratings of managerial skills, and number of promotions received. However, with one exception, these significant relationships disappeared after controlling for personality and age.
Personality Measures in Personnel Selection: Some new contributions
Authors: Viswesvaran Chockalingam , Deller Jürgen , Ones Deniz S.
Published: August 2007

With the increasing use of personality, several measurement issues have been raised. The papers included in the special section of this journal, across three issues, address some of these concerns. In this post‐script, we summarize some of the major themes and conclusions that appear across papers published in the special issue. Questions around the magnitudes of validity coefficients associated with personality measures, the efforts to enhance the usefulness of personality assessments, the strategies on administering, scoring and analyzing personality tests, etc., are addressed. Promising directions for future research are delineated.
Integration of CEECs into EU Market: Structural Change and Convergence*
Authors: CRESPO NUNO , FONTOURA MARIA PAULA
Published: August 2007

The central and eastern European countries (CEECs) have gone through a dramatic process of industrial restructuring in which the Europe Agreements have played a major role. Using detailed statistics, we analyse the transformation of CEECs' export structures and whether it led to structural convergence with the remaining EU members. We also analyse structural transformation within sectors in terms of quality ranges. The results show that, in general terms, CEECs have converged both at inter‐ and intra‐sectoral levels towards pre‐existing European Union (EU) members. We discuss whether further restructuring and relocation of CEECs' industrial patterns are probable in the aftermath of EU membership.
Using pregnancy rates and perinatal mortality to evaluate the success of recovery strategies for endangered island foxes
Authors: Clifford D. L. , Woodroffe R. , Garcelon D. K. , Timm S. F. , Mazet J. A. K.
Published: August 2007

Following a dramatic population decline in 1999, captive‐breeding and translocation programs were initiated to recover the Santa Catalina Island foxUrocyon littoralis. Neonatal losses during the first year of captive breeding raised concerns, but little information was available on which to base reproductive expectations in captivity, and pregnancy rates and pup mortality had not been assessed in free‐ranging foxes. In 2002 and 2003 we evaluated the relative contributions of captive breeding and translocation to population recovery by comparing pregnancy rates and perinatal mortality in free‐ranging and captive Santa Catalina Island foxes, and by comparing pregnancy rates and perinatal mortality were also compared between resident free‐ranging foxes and foxes that had been captive bred and released, or translocated as juveniles. Pregnancy rates and fetal number were determined using ultrasound. Free‐ranging pregnant foxes were followed via radiotelemetry, and a combination of camera‐traps, observation and targeted trapping was used to determine how many pups survived to weaning. Video cameras and observations were used to determine the weaning success for captive foxes. The adult pregnancy rate for free‐ranging foxes (95.0%) was higher than for adult captive foxes (47.6%;P=0.003). Perinatal mortality for pups born to free‐ranging mothers (43.2%) was higher than for pups born to captive mothers (15.0%,P=0.055). Adult pregnancy rates and perinatal mortality were 100 and 25.0% for translocated and captive‐bred foxes combined, and 92.3 and 53.6% for resident wild foxes. The average weaned litter size (±standard deviation) for free‐ranging foxes (1.8±0.6) was similar to that for captive foxes (2.1±0.4). Successful pup production by translocated and captive‐bred foxes supports the utility of these strategies to recover island foxes. Our approach, integrating veterinary and field biology techniques to assess the contributions of different management strategies to population recovery, can be utilized for other endangered species.
Reelin signals survival through Src‐family kinases that inactivate BAD activity
Authors: Ohkubo Nobutaka , Vitek Michael P. , Morishima Atsuyuki , Suzuki Yoji , Miki Tetsuro , Maeda Nobuji , Mitsuda Noriaki
Published: August 2007

Reelin plays an important role in the migration of embryonic neurons, but its continuing presence suggests additional functions in the brain. We now report a novel function where reelin protects P19 embryonal cells from apoptosis during retinoic acid‐induced neuronal differentiation. This increased survival is associated with reelin activation of the phosphatidyl‐inositol‐3‐kinase (PI3 K)/Akt pathway. When PI3 K was inhibited with LY294002, reelin failed to protect against this retinoic acid‐induced apoptosis. The protective effect of reelin includes activating the Src‐family kinases/PI3 K/Akt pathway which then led to selective phosphorylation of Bcl‐2/Bcl‐XL associated death promoter (BAD) at serine‐136, while the phosphorylation‐incompetent mutation of BAD (S136A) suppressed this protection. These and additional studies define a novel pathway where reelin binds apoE receptors, significantly activates the PI3 K/Akt pathway causing phosphorylation of BAD which helps to protect cells from apoptosing, thus serving an important role in promoting the survival of maturing neurons in the brain.
IP3 receptor/Ca2+ channel: from discovery to new signaling concepts
Authors: Mikoshiba Katsuhiko
Published: August 2007

Inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) is a second messenger that induces the release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The IP3 receptor (IP3R) was discovered as a developmentally regulated glyco‐phosphoprotein, P400, that was missing in strains of mutant mice. IP3R can allosterically and dynamically change its form in a reversible manner. The crystal structures of the IP3‐binding core and N‐terminal suppressor sequence of IP3R have been identified. An IP3 indicator (known as IP3R‐based IP3 sensor) was developed from the IP3‐binding core. The IP3‐binding core’s affinity to IP3 is very similar among the three isoforms of IP3R; instead, the N‐terminal IP3 binding suppressor region is responsible for isoform‐specific IP3‐binding affinity tuning. Various pathways for the trafficking of IP3R have been identified; for example, the ER forms a meshwork upon which IP3R moves by lateral diffusion, and vesicular ER subcompartments containing IP3R move rapidly along microtubles using a kinesin motor. Furthermore, IP3R mRNA within mRNA granules also moves along microtubules. IP3Rs are involved in exocrine secretion. ERp44 works as a redox sensor in the ER and regulates IP3R1 activity. IP3 has been found to release Ca2+, but it also releases IRBIT (IP3R‐binding protein released with IP3). IRBIT is a pseudo‐ligand for IP3 that regulates the frequency and amplitude of Ca2+ oscillations through IP3R. IRBIT binds to pancreas‐type Na, bicarbonate co‐transporter 1, which is important for acid‐base balance. The presence of many kinds of binding partners, like homer, protein 4.1N, huntingtin‐associated protein‐1A, protein phosphatases (PPI and PP2A), RACK1, ankyrin, chromogranin, carbonic anhydrase‐related protein, IRBIT, Na,K‐ATPase, and ERp44, suggest that IP3Rs form a macro signal complex and function as a center for signaling cascades. The structure of IP3R1, as revealed by cryoelectron microscopy, fits closely with these molecules.
Evaluating Florida's Medicaid Provider Services Network Demonstration
Authors: Paul Duncan R. , Lemak Christy H. , Bruce Vogel W. , Johnson Christopher E. , Hall Allyson G. , Porter Colleen K.
Published: August 2007

Research Objective. To evaluate the design, development, and implementation of Florida's Medicaid provider service network (PSN) demonstration, and the implications of that demonstration for subsequent Medicaid Reform in Florida.

Data Sources, Data Collection. Organizational analyses were based on archival and enrollment data obtained from Florida's Medicaid program and the South Florida Community Care Network, as well as key informant interviews. Closely related fiscal analyses utilized Medicaid claims data from March 1999 through October 2001 extracted from the Florida Medicaid Management Information System.

Study Design. The organizational analyses reported here were based on a structured case study research design.

Principal Findings. Almost every aspect of the development of the new organizational form (PSN) took longer and was more difficult than anticipated. Prior organizational experience with insurance functions proved to be an asset. While fiscal analyses indicated that the program saved the state of Florida a significant amount of money, tracking the precise origin of the savings proved to be challenging.

Conclusions. By most standards, the PSN program was observed to meet its stated objectives. Based in part on this conclusion, the state chose to extend the use of PSNs within its 2006 Medicaid Reform initiative.
Liver: an alarm for the heart?
Authors: Mirbagheri Seyed Amir , Rashidi Armin , Abdi Seifollah , Saedi Daryoush , Abouzari Mehdi
Published: August 2007

Background/Aims: Fatty liver (FL) and coronary artery disease (CAD) have several risk factors in common, which are usually considered to account for their frequent coexistence. The independent association between FL and angiographic CAD was assessed in this case–control study by considering the contribution of their shared risk factors.

Methods: Three hundred and seventeen adult patients who underwent elective coronary angiography (CAG) were recruited immediately after CAG and classified into either of the two groups A (normal or mildly abnormal CAG; n=85) or B (clinically relevant CAD; n=232). A liver sonography was performed on the same day as CAG.

Results: The groups were significantly different in terms of gender, fasting blood glucose, low‐density lipoproteins, diabetes (DM), hypertension and FL. In binary logistic regression, FL was the strongest independent predictor of CAD [P<0.001, odds ratio (OR)=8.48%, 95% confidence interval (CI)=4.39–16.40], followed by DM (P=0.002, OR=2.94) and male gender (P=0.014, OR=2.31). This pattern of associations did not change after clinically significant variables (waist‐to‐hip ratio, body mass index, triglycerides and high‐density lipoproteins) were added to analysis.

Conclusion: Fatty liver seems to be a strong independent alarm for the presence of significant CAD.
Up‐regulation of proproliferative genes and the ligand/receptor pair placental growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 in hepatitis C cirrhosis
Authors: Huang Xiao X. , McCaughan Geoffrey W. , Shackel Nicholas A. , Gorrell Mark D.
Published: August 2007

Background/Aims: Cirrhosis can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Non‐diseased liver and hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐associated cirrhosis with or without HCC were compared.

Method: Proliferation pathway genes, immune response genes and oncogenes were analysed by a quantitative real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and immunostaining.

Results: Real‐time RT‐PCR showed up‐regulation of genes in HCV cirrhosis including the proliferation‐associated genes bone morphogenetic protein 3 (BMP3), placental growth factor 3 (PGF3), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) and soluble VEGFR1, the oncogene FYN, and the immune response‐associated genes toll‐like receptor 9 (TLR9) and natural killer cell transcript 4 (NK4). Expressions of TLR2 and the oncogenes B‐cell CLL/lymphoma 9 (BCL9) and PIM2 were decreased in HCV cirrhosis. In addition, PIM2 and TLR2 were increased in HCV cirrhosis with HCC compared with HCV cirrhosis. The ligand/receptor pair PGF and VEGFR1 was intensely expressed by the portal tract vascular endothelium. VEGFR1 was expressed in reactive biliary epithelial structures in fibrotic septum and in some stellate cells and macrophages.

Conclusion: PGF and VEGFR1 may have an important role in the pathogenesis of the neovascular response in cirrhosis.
Recommendations From the Exploring Accreditation for State and Local Health Departments: Do We Have the Political Will?
Authors: Bender Kaye
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT
Acting upon several years of related work from a variety of public health practice arenas, 4 leading public health organizations received funding to conduct a study of the desirability and feasibility of establishing a national voluntary public health accreditation system. The study was conducted by a 25‐member Steering Committee, with representatives from public health organizations at the local, state, and federal levels. The study was advised by input from additional numbers of public health experts participating in workgroups, as consultants, or in public comment groups. Public health nursing was represented by 3 members of the Steering Committee, including the chair, and by 7 other nurses who served on work groups or as staff to the process. The report of the study committee, released in the fall of 2006, contained answers to 2 questions related to the desirability and feasibility of such a program. Additionally, the report contained recommendations regarding the program's initial implementation. This article summarizes those recommendations and discusses the policy implications for their implementation, with a special emphasis on the role of the public health nursing community in the establishment of a national voluntary public health accreditation system.
Public Health Nursing Competencies 1953–1966: Effective and Efficient
Authors: Weierbach Florence M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT
The Quad Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations developed public health nursing competencies in 2003. They are guides for determining skills at two levels, and they identify public health nurses as providing care to individuals and families or to populations and systems with the nurse having proficiency, awareness, or knowledge. The primary purpose of this paper is to discuss historical nursing roles and qualifications as judged by the 2003 competencies, including educational preparation and experience for the administrative and staff nurse. The historical exemplar for the nursing roles is a combination public/private nursing association, referred to as the partnership, that took place in 1953–1966. Primary sources include archived material from the Instructive Visiting Nurse Association, Richmond, VA. Administrative responsibilities were divided between the chief nurse and the nursing supervisors. Staff nurse responsibilities included clinic activities, home visitation, and referral coordination between health care organizations. The delineation of nursing roles demonstrates nurses' meeting the 2003 competencies. Based on the Quad Council's 2003 public health nursing competencies, the partnership nurses were competent.
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy With a Pulsatile Tubular Pump: Parameters Must Be Adjusted in Each Case
Authors: Mencía Santiago , Cid Jesús López‐Herce , Sánchez César , Rodríguez Daniel , Del Cañizo Juan F.
Published: August 2007

Abstract:  A three‐valve, pulsatile tubular pump was used in 24 pigs weighing 10.2 ± 3.2 kg; the pump was connected to a neonatal hemofiltration circuit. Ninety‐two periods of 30 min were studied to analyze the efficacy of the system with variations in the percentage time in diastole, the diastolic speed, the systolic speed, and the percentage time in systole during which the postfilter valve was closed. System efficacy was determined by the blood flow through the filter, the ultrafiltrate volume, the vascular overload measured by the inlet aspiration pressure, and the filter overload measured by the cross‐filter pressure drop and the transmembrane pressure. The variations in the pump parameters did not lead to significant differences in the efficacy of the system or in the vascular or filter overload. The parameters must be adjusted in each case to obtain the best yield with the lowest vascular and filter overload.
Are Depression and Cognitive Performance Related in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy?
Authors: Tracy Joseph I. , Lippincott Cynthia , Mahmood Tariq , Waldron Brigid , Kanauss Kevin , Glosser David , Sperling Michael R.
Published: August 2007

Summary

Purpose: The degree to which depression interacts with the cognitive deficits of epilepsy to alter cognitive skill and general functioning is unknown. Depression has significant negative effects on adaptive functioning including cognitive skills. Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients are known to possess cognitive dysfunction. Thus, TLE patients who are depressed may suffer a double burden of cognitive deficits.

Methods: We examined whether depressed patients show increased cognitive deficits relative to nondepressed TLE patients (n = 59). We then sought to determine if this effect varied for left versus right TLE patients utilizing preoperative depression and neuropsychological data. To accurately study the lateralization of any observed effects, we selected only patients with definitive evidence of unilateral pathology and seizure focus and utilized a two‐year seizure‐free postsurgical outcome to capture this.

Results: The data suggested that cognitive performance was not related to depression, and that depression did not reliably mediate the cognitive presentation of either our left or right TL patients. The notion of a double burden on cognition did not receive support from our data. The data did produce the expected advantage on verbal memory measures for right TLE patients.

Conclusions: The reasons for the limited statistical effects are discussed and issues in unraveling the causal relationships between depression, cognition, and TLE are considered. We discussed the potential role depression may play in the cognitive skills of TLE patients, but the major implication is that depression and neurocognitive performance appear to bear a limited relationship in the context of TLE.
Introduction of Infection Control Measures to Reduce Infection Associated With Implantable Pain Therapy Devices
Authors: Burgher Abram H. , Barnett Crawford F. , Obray Jon B. , Mauck W. David
Published: August 2007

Introduction:  Implantable pain therapy devices for chronic pain include spinal cord stimulators (SCS) and intrathecal drug delivery systems (IDDS). A number of different complications can occur after implantation of these devices, but among the most serious is infection. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for prevention of surgical site infection, published literature on infection risk with implantable pain therapy devices, and recommendations from groups within our own our institution, we introduced infection control measures for all patients receiving either SCS or IDDS.

Methods:  After approval from the Institutional Review Board, we performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing primary implantation of SCS or IDDS before and after introduction at our institution of safety measures designed to reduce device‐related infection. We compared infection incidence and compliance to infection precautions before and after introduction of these measures.

Results:  Thirty‐four SCS or IDDS were implanted before implementation of the infection control measures and 58 were placed after. Five device‐related infections occurred. Adherence to most infection precautions improved during the study period, but 100% compliance was seen only with venue used for implantation. Infection incidence declined after introduction of the safety measures, but the reduction was not statistically significant.

Conclusions:  Introduction of infection control measures for implantable pain therapy devices improved adherence to most infection precautions in our practice. Lack of specific documentation could have hindered practice surveillance within our group. A tool to document performance of infection control measures would be useful not only as a marker of compliance but could also serve as a reminder to perform certain safety measures.
Psychological Research on Homelessness in Western Europe: A Review from 1970 to 2001
Authors: Philippot Pierre , Lecocq Catherine , Sempoux Fanny , Nachtergael Hilde , Galand Benoit
Published: August 2007

The rapidly growing, but still small, research literature on homelessness in Europe has often been provided by non‐academics, using qualitative methods, and has been published in sources that are not widely available. This article summarizes definitions employed, observed prevalence, the socio‐demographic characteristics, and the physical and mental health status of the homeless in Western Europe. Research pertaining to the causes of homelessness and the societal response to the problem are also reviewed, and the ethical and methodological questions raised by European researchers are debated. A critical analysis of the largely descriptive European research is provided, and some noteworthy exceptions are described. We also discuss a number of promising theoretical models, including those that focus on learned helplessness, social strain, and social stress.
Homelessness in Europe and the United States: A Comparison of Prevalence and Public Opinion
Authors: Toro Paul A. , Tompsett Carolyn J. , Lombardo Sylvie , Philippot Pierre , Nachtergael Hilde , Galand Benoit , Schlienz Natascha , Stammel Nadine , Yabar Yanélia , Blume Marc , MacKay Linda , Harvey Kate
Published: August 2007

Random samples of 250–435 adults were interviewed by telephone in five different nations (N= 1,546): Belgium, Germany, Italy, the UK, and the United States. The interview included questions on respondent attitudes, knowledge, and opinions regarding homelessness; respondents' own personal experiences with homelessness and homeless people; and demographic characteristics of the respondents. The highest rates for lifetime literal homelessness were found in the UK (7.7%) and United States (6.2%), with the lowest rate in Germany (2.4%), and intermediate rates in Italy (4.0%) and Belgium (3.4%). Less compassionate attitudes toward the homeless were also found on many dimensions in the United States and the UK. Possible explanations of these findings, drawn from various theoretical perspectives, and policy implications are provided.
A Comparative Study of Homelessness in the United Kingdom and Japan
Authors: Okamoto Yoshihiro
Published: August 2007

This article describes the problem of homelessness in Japan, and contrasts the status of the problem between the United Kingdom and Japan. Demographic characteristics of the homeless, including age and gender, vary across the two countries (for example, there are very few homeless women in Japan). Factors contributing to the development of homelessness in each country are discussed and contrasted. Differences in social welfare systems may be the primary contributor to differences in the apparent rates of homelessness and the conditions that the homeless must endure across the two nations. Housing and homeless policy in Japan are discussed in depth.
Policeman or Friend? Dilemmas in Working with Homeless Young People in the United Kingdom
Authors: McGrath Liz , Pistrang Nancy
Published: August 2007

This qualitative, phenomenological study examined the relationships between residents and staff in hostels for homeless young people in the UK. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 12 homeless youth (residents) and 10 hostel staff (keyworkers). The interviews focused on how participants perceived and experienced the keyworker relationship. Qualitative data analysis yielded three core themes, or dimensions, describing central features of the relationship: enforcement versus support, emotional involvement versus distance, and resident‐centered versus staff‐centered practice. The findings highlight some dilemmas and tensions experienced by both residents and staff, and point to effective ways of working with homeless youth. Issues arising in the relationship between keyworkers and homeless young people are considered in the context of other types of helping relationships.
Tackling Street Homelessness in Scotland: The Evolution and Impact of the Rough Sleepers Initiative
Authors: Anderson Isobel
Published: August 2007

This article presents a medium–long‐term analysis of the policy process in relation to tackling street homelessness in Scotland, through the Rough Sleepers Initiative. After setting the Scottish context in terms of governance and homelessness, the article takes a chronological approach to policy review, drawing on empirical evaluative data and other documentary evidence. The article then considers the overall effectiveness of the initiative in terms of its policy aims and in relation to the broader context of housing and welfare. The article concludes by drawing some lessons that may have relevance beyond Scotland and the United Kingdom.
Equilibrium Exhaustible Resource Price Dynamics
Authors: CARLSON MURRAY , KHOKHER ZEIGHAM , TITMAN SHERIDAN
Published: August 2007

We develop equilibrium models of exhaustible resource markets with endogenous extraction choices and prices. Our analysis demonstrates how adjustment costs can generate oil and gas forward price dynamics with two factors, consistent with the behavior these commodities exhibit in the Schwartz and Smith (2000) calibration. Our two‐factor model predicts that stochastic volatility will arise in these markets as a natural consequence of production adjustments, however, and we provide supporting empirical evidence. Differences between endogenous price processes from our general equilibrium model and exogenous processes in earlier papers can generate significant differences in both financial and real option values.
Executive Financial Incentives and Payout Policy: Firm Responses to the 2003 Dividend Tax Cut
Authors: BROWN JEFFREY R. , LIANG NELLIE , WEISBENNER SCOTT
Published: August 2007

We test whether executive stock ownership affects firm payouts using the 2003 dividend tax cut to identify an exogenous change in the after‐tax value of dividends. We find that executives with higher ownership were more likely to increase dividends after the tax cut in 2003, whereas no relation is found in periods when the dividend tax rate was higher. Relative to previous years, firms that initiated dividends in 2003 were more likely to reduce repurchases. The stock price reaction to the tax cut suggests that the substitution of dividends for repurchases may have been anticipated, consistent with agency conflicts.
Synthesis of an Al/MgAl2O4In situMetal Matrix Composite from Silica Gel
Authors: Sreekumar V. M. , Pillai R. M. , Pai B. C. , Chakraborty M.
Published: August 2007

An aluminum/MgAl2O4in situmetal matrix composite has been synthesized using silica gel containing ∼98% SiO2in an Al–5Mg alloy. The thermodynamics and kinetics of MgAl2O4formation have been discussed in detail. A transition phase of composition between MgO and MgAl2O4has been detected in the SEM‐EDS analysis of the particles extracted from the composite by a 25% NaOH solution. This confirms the gradual transformation of MgO to MgAl2O4by the reaction 3SiO2(s)+2MgO(s)+4Al(l)→2MgAl2O4(s)+3Si(l). The stoichiometry,n, of MgAl2O4has been found to sustain close to 1 and the crystallite growth of MgAl2O4has been stopped atD∼30 nm in the composites held at 750°C up to 10 h.
X‐Ray, Micro‐Raman, Optical Absorption/Emission Studies of ErNbO4 Grown by Vapor Transport Equilibration
Authors: Zhang De‐Long , Hua Ping‐Rang , Yue‐Bun Pun Edwin , Siu Guei‐Gu
Published: August 2007

Vapor transport equilibration (VTE) treatments were performed on a Y‐cut bulk Er (1.6 mol%)‐doped congruent LiNbO3 crystal and an X‐cut pure congruent crystal, on one surface of which a 40 nm‐thick film of erbium metal was coated before the VTE treatment. Scanning electron microscope, powder or single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD), polarized infrared absorption/emission of Er3+ as well as micro‐Raman spectroscopy were used to study the two VTE crystals. The results are discussed in comparison with a corresponding as‐grown bulk Er‐doped crystal, calcined ErNbO4 powder, and a locally Er‐doped congruent LiNbO3 crystal prepared by using the standard Er‐diffusion technique. The experimental results show that the VTE treatment induces the formation of micrometer‐sized ErNbO4 precipitates with the crystallographic morphology of a flat polyhedron not only on the surfaces of both crystals but also in the bulk of the homogeneously Er‐doped one. The optical absorption and emission studies show that the formation of the precipitates results in substantial spectral changes in both the 0.98 and 1.5 μm regions. The micro‐Raman studies allow to resolve four additional Raman peaks around 800 cm−1 in the E(TO) spectra of the two VTE crystals. These additional Raman peaks are associated with the characteristic vibrations with respect to the NbO43− group. Characteristic XRD, optical absorption, and emission and Raman peaks for identifying the ErNbO4 phase are proposed. Finally, the formation mechanism and light‐scattering effect of the precipitates are discussed.