bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of polymorphic N‐acetyl transferase2 and cytochrome P4502E1 gene in antituberculosis treatment‐induced hepatitis
Authors: Bose Purabi Deka , Sarma Manash Pratim , Medhi Subhash , Das Bhudev Chandra , Husain Syed Akhtar , Kar Premashis
Published: April 2010

Background and Aim:  Antituberculosis drugs, isoniazid and rifampicin, in combination, are known to develop drug‐induced hepatotoxicity (DIH). A higher risk of DIH during antituberculosis treatment (ATT) has been reported in the Indian subcontinent compared to its Western counterparts. The role of genetic factors in a higher incidence of ATT hepatotoxicity in the Indian population is still unclear. The present study was aimed at investigating the role of the N‐acetyltransferase2 (NAT2) and cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) gene polymorphisms in ATT hepatotoxicity.

Methods:  The study population included 218 pulmonary tuberculosis patients who were started on ATT and followed up for the occurrence of ATT‐induced hepatitis. The genetic polymorphisms of the NAT2 and CYP2E1 genes were studied by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Results:  The occurrence of DIH was 18.8% (41/218). There was a higher prevalence of NAT2 slow‐acetylator genotypes in DIH (70.73%) compared to non‐DIH (44.63%; P < 0.05). The frequency of the NAT2*5/*7 and NAT2*6/*7 genotypes was significantly higher in DIH than non‐DIH (19.51% vs 6.78%, and 19.51% vs 5.08%). No association of the CYP2E1 RsaI polymorphism could be demonstrated with DIH. However, the DraI C/D genotype of the CYP2E1 gene was mostly prevalent in DIH (85.37%), compared to non‐DIH (64.41%) (P < 0.05). Slow‐acetylator status and the CYP2E1 C/D or C/C genotype together showed a higher frequency in DIH (65.85%) compared to non‐DIH (28.81%) (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion:  The study demonstrates for the first time a possible association between the DraI polymorphism of the CYP2E1 gene and the risk of ATT hepatotoxicity. The genotyping of the NAT2 and CYP2E1 genes could possibly identify the groups at highest risk of developing ATT‐induced hepatitis prior to medication.
Adaptive immune responses during acute uncomplicated and fulminant hepatitis E
Authors: Srivastava Ratika , Aggarwal Rakesh , Sachdeva Sanjeev , Alam Mohammad Intakhab , Jameel Shahid , Naik Sita
Published: April 2010

Background and Aim:  Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is endemic in several developing countries. Clinical manifestations of this infection vary widely from asymptomatic infection to uncomplicated acute viral hepatitis and fulminant hepatic failure. The pathogenesis of this disease and the reason of varying disease severity remain unknown. In viral infections, tissue injury can be caused either by virus itself or by host immune responses directed against infected cells. We therefore studied adaptive immune responses to HEV antigens in patients with hepatitis E of varying disease severity and healthy controls.

Methods:  Cytokine secreting CD4+ T cells and antibody‐producing B cells specific for HEV were enumerated through intracellular cytokine staining and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent spot assay, respectively.

Results:  Patients with fulminant hepatitis E had a less marked expansion of HEV‐specific interferon‐γ or tumor necrosis factor‐α secreting CD4+ T cells than patients with uncomplicated hepatitis E and healthy controls. These patients also had fewer CD4+ T cells that produce γ‐interferon or tumor necrosis factor‐α upon in vitro polyclonal stimulation. In addition, patients with fulminant disease had a more marked expansion of B cells that can secrete immunoglobulin G anti‐HEV than patients with uncomplicated infection and control patients.

Conclusion:  These findings suggest that less‐marked antiviral cellular immune responses and heightened antiviral humoral responses are associated with a more severe disease during HEV infection.
Community‐based prostate cancer screening in Japan: Predicting factors for positive repeat biopsy
Authors: Okada Koichi , Okihara Koji , Kitamura Koji , Mikami Kazuya , Ukimura Osamu , Kawauchi Akihiro , Kamoi Kazumi , Nakao Masahiro , Miki Tsuneharu
Published: April 2010

Objectives:  To assess possible predictors in determining criteria for repeat biopsy in a prostate cancer screening population.

Methods:  A total of 50 207 men over 55 years‐of‐age have participated in a prostate cancer screening program in Otokuni, Kyoto, Japan for 12 years. Transperineal systematic biopsy was carried out in case of positive digital rectal examination (DRE) or positive transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) or a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) value greater than 10.0 ng/mL. For those with a PSA level from 4.1 to 10.0 ng/mL, and negative DRE and TRUS findings, biopsy was indicated only when PSA density (PSAD) was greater than 0.15. The same indication was applied for the repeat biopsy.

Results:  A repeat biopsy after an interval of more than 2 years was carried out in 140 patients and was positive in 50 (36%) patients. The PSA value at the diagnosis of cancer declined from the initial value in six (12%) patients. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, PSA velocity (PSAV) as well as PSAD and DRE findings at latest screening were independent predictors for positive repeat‐biopsy outcome. The odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) of PSAV >0.48, latest PSAD >0.33 and positive latest DRE were 4.17 (1.05–18.5), 4.15 (1.31–14.0), and 3.62 (1.06–13.2), respectively. A combination of three variables defined as positive if any of these were positive, reduced 31% of unnecessary biopsies while missing 8% of low volume, low grade cancers.

Conclusions:  A combination of latest PSAD, PSAV and positive DRE at latest screening might help to reduce unnecessary repeat biopsies in high‐risk patients with an initial negative biopsy.
De novo detrusor underactivity after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Matsukawa Yoshihisa , Hattori Ryohei , Komatsu Tomonori , Funahashi Yasuhito , Sassa Naoto , Gotoh Momokazu
Published: April 2010

Objective:  The aim of this study was to investigate bladder function following laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, with a focus on de novo detrusor underactivity.

Methods:  Records on pre‐ and postoperative urodynamic studies were retrospectively investigated in 110 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Patients exhibiting de novo detrusor underactivity were selected on the basis of an overt strain voiding pattern during the postoperative pressure flow study with detrusor pressure at a maximum flow rate <10 cm H2O accompanied by an increase in abdominal pressure. In these patients, a follow‐up urodynamic study was performed to assess subsequent long‐term changes in the bladder function.

Results:  Of the 110 patients, 10 (9.1%) were observed to exhibit de novo detrusor underactivity during the postoperative urodynamic study. During the voiding phase of the pre‐ and postoperative pressure flow study in these 10 patients, the mean detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate showed a significant decrease postoperatively from 57.6 to 3.0 cm H2O (P < 0.001), although the mean abdominal pressure at maximum flow rate significantly increased from 23.1 to 102.5 cm H2O (P < 0.001). The follow‐up urodynamic study performed on seven patients at 36 months following surgery revealed no significant change in each urodynamic parameter. De novo detrusor underactivity persisted even over the long term following surgery, and no improvement in bladder function was observed.

Conclusions:  Detrusor contractility may be impaired during radical prostatectomy. Postoperative detrusor underactivity following radical prostatectomy seems to be an irreversible phenomenon persisting even over the long term.
New policies create a new politics: issues of institutional design in climate change policy
Authors: Ergas Henry
Published: April 2010

Institutional design focuses on the task of providing accountability and effective monitoring of decision‐making by bodies vested with the coercive powers of the state in a context where information is inherently limited, costly to acquire and asymmetrically distributed. This paper focuses on issues of institutional design in the context of climate change policy. It examines proposals advanced in the June 2008 Draft and Final Reports of the Garnaut Climate Change Review (‘Garnaut Reports’), and in the Government’s July 2008 Green Paper and December 2008 White Paper on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (‘Green and White Papers’) with respect to how revenues raised by the sale of emissions permits would be used; and second, the proposed governance arrangements for the emissions trading scheme.
Auctioning greenhouse gas emissions permits in Australia*
Authors: Betz Regina , Seifert Stefan , Cramton Peter , Kerr Suzi
Published: April 2010

The allocation of permits is an important design aspect of an emissions trading scheme. Traditionally, governments have favoured the free allocation of greenhouse gas permits based on individual historical emissions (‘grandfathering’) or industry benchmark data. Particularly in the European Union (EU), the free allocation of permits has proven complex and inefficient and the distributional implications are politically difficult to justify; auctioning emissions permits has therefore become more popular. The EU is now moving to auction more than 50 per cent of all permits in 2013, and in the US the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) has begun auctioning more than 90 per cent of total allowances. Another case in point is the Australian proposal for a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS), which provides for auctioning a significant share of total permits. This paper discusses the proposed Australian CPRS’s auction design. A major difference to other emissions trading schemes is that the CPRS plans to auction multiple vintages of emissions permits simultaneously.
When Labour Makes a Difference: Union Mobilization and the 2007 Federal Election in Australia
Authors: Wilson Shaun , Spies‐Butcher Benjamin
Published: April 2010

In advanced democracies, unions influence industrial relations through collective action and law. They also maintain influence in politics through their alliances with labour parties. But the weakness of some labour movements, most apparent in falling membership, raises questions about their capacity to shape future industrial relations policy, reach voters and maintain their party alliances. Drawing on literature in industrial relations and political sociology, this article provides a framework for understanding how the Australian union movement successfully campaigned against the conservative Howard government's labour laws called WorkChoices. We characterize the union movement's campaign — Your Rights at Work — as a form of political organizing that responded to both shifting state strategy and the limits of traditional defences constituted by industrial action, legal protection and reliance on the Labor Party. Political mobilizations produce different kinds of impacts. Given that the campaign relied on a sophisticated electoral strategy, we analyse Australian Election Study (AES) 2007 data to assess its impact on voters and on activism. We find that the campaign increased the salience of industrial relations to voters, that union activism jumped in the lead‐up to the election, and that unionized voters voted against the government in record numbers. While this article primarily assesses electoral impact, we offer brief perspective on the movement's impact on policy and politics in the conclusion.
Opening up Open Marxist Theories of the State: A Historical Materialist Critique
Authors: Tsolakis Andreas
Published: April 2010

Since the late 1980s, Open Marxism has focused on the conceptualisation of the relationship between global capital, the international system and the state—therein lies its original contribution to knowledge. This essay offers a sympathetic reflection on Open Marxist approaches to the state, which emphasises the strength of the definition ‘organisation of subjection’, yet argues that its validity is undermined by inadvertent structural-functionalist applications, by a tendency to view organisations of subjection as unitary ‘political forms’ and by assertions that the emergence of the international system is necessarily correlated to the historical globalisation of capital. The article offers a more nuanced alternative as fluid, contradictory organisation of subjection: as a social relation constituting and constituted by broader production relations, the state is a terrain of systematic intra-elite and class struggles.
Northern Ireland: The Intelligence War 1969–75
Authors: Sanders Andrew
Published: April 2010

Contemporary security affairs depend on accurate and timely military intelligence; without them, security efforts can descend into farce or something altogether more dangerous: civil war. The role of intelligence is central to any serious attempt to end violence. Many important lessons can be learned from the United Kingdom's security efforts in Northern Ireland and the importance of effective military intelligence policy is one of these lessons. This article will show how damaging the ineffective and inefficient United Kingdom security policy was in Northern Ireland, how the lack of co-operation at a variety of levels acted to the detriment of the security situation in Northern Ireland and how this negatively impacted the ability of security force personnel to counter adequately the increasing violence.
Cost‐sensitive methods of constructing hierarchical classifiers
Authors: Penar Wojciech , Wozniak Michal
Published: April 2010

Abstract: The cost of a future exploitation of a decision support system plays a key role. The paper deals with the problem of feature value acquisition cost for such systems. We present a modification of a cost‐sensitive learning method for decision‐tree induction with fixed attribute acquisition cost limit. Properties of the concept are established during computer experiments conducted on chosen benchmark databases from the UCI Machine Learning Repository and a real medical decision task. The results of experiments confirm that, for some decision problems, our proposition allows us to obtain a classifier with the same quality as a classifier obtained without cost limit but its exploitation is cheaper.
Stadium Architecture and Urban Development from the Perspective of Urban Economics
Authors: AHLFELDT GABRIEL , MAENNIG WOLFGANG
Published: April 2010

A range of econometric studies suggest that neither major sports events nor related new stadium construction typically have any appreciable effect on income or employment at municipal scale. However, one important issue has long been ignored in the literature: architectural quality. At present, international stadium architecture is gaining markedly in significance. New stadia are intended to serve as visiting cards for their hometowns and to accelerate urban (re)development. This article discusses the current transition in international stadium architecture and demonstrates important trends, such as the use of iconic elements, by means of selected examples. We provide an overview of the first evidence for the welfare effects of the built environment as well as of expected stadium‐related social costs and benefits. The article also reviews the first empirical evidence for the impact of a stadium at neighborhood scale. Unconventional stadium architecture is recommended as a means of either supporting area rehabilitation or amplifying the image and spending effects produced by professional sports.

Un arsenal d'études économétriques suggère que ni les grands événements sportifs, ni la construction des nouveaux stades pour les accueillir n'ont généralement d'impact sensible sur le revenu ou l'emploi à l'échelon municipal. Toutefois, les publications ont longtemps négligé un aspect important: la qualité architecturale. Aujourd'hui, l'architecture des stades internationaux gagne clairement en prégnance. Les nouveaux stades servent de carte de visite aux villes et à accélérer l'aménagement ou la rénovation urbaine. L'article analyse la transition que connaît actuellement l'architecture des stades internationaux et dégage les tendances importantes, telles que les composantes iconiques, à partir d'une sélection d'exemples. Sont présentées les premières indications concernant les effets de l'environnement construit sur le bien‐être, ainsi que les coûts et avantages sociaux attendus relatifs à un stade. L'article examine aussi les premières données empiriques concernant l'impact d'un stade à l'échelon d'un quartier. Une architecture non conventionnelle est conseillée soit pour accompagner la réhabilitation d'une zone, soit pour amplifier les effets au niveau de l'image et des dépenses que génèrent les sports professionnels.
Pain during topical photodynamic therapy: uncomfortable and unpredictable
Authors: Arits AHMM , Van De Weert MM , Nelemans PJ , Kelleners‐Smeets NWJ
Published: April 2010

Background  The major drawback of the widely used photodynamic therapy (PDT) is treatment‐related pain.

Objective  Gain insight into the intensity of and predictive factors for painful burning sensation associated with PDT.

Methods  A prospective cohort study was performed at the department of Dermatology in the Maastricht University Medical Centre in Maastricht, a reference centre for dermatological oncology in The Netherlands. A total of 141 lesions in 108 patients were included, treated from November 2008 until June 2009 with PDT for superficial basal cell carcinoma, Bowen’s disease (BD) or actinic keratosis (AK). Painful burning sensation was scored based on an 11‐point pain intensity numeric rating scale (PI‐NRS) (0 = no pain; 10 =  worst possible pain).

Results  The percentage of patients with a PI‐NRS score over six was 32.6% and 37.9% during the primary and follow‐up PDT session respectively. A total of 76.6% (95/124) of the patients was consistent in pain intensity score reporting. Factors associated with higher PI‐NRS scores were treatment of AK or BD, tumour localization in the head/neck region, patient’s age over 70, Fitzpatrick skintype I/II, photosensitizer 5‐aminolevulinic acid and use of oral analgesics. After mutual adjustment of these factors, Fitzpatrick skintype remained the only independent predictor of PI‐NRS scores during PDT.

Conclusion  It remains difficult to decide which patients should be considered for pain relieving measures. The solution remains to support all patients treated with PDT with pain relieving techniques or to let the support of pain relieving measures depend on the reported pain score for the primary session.
Bird responses to fire severity and time since fire in managed mountain rangelands
Authors: Pons P. , Clavero M.
Published: April 2010

Broom matorrals are subjected to extensive burning in the Pyrenees to improve grazing value, despite being a habitat of conservation interest in Europe. Our aim here is to evaluate the impact of such management practices over the long term, and of fire severity over the short term, on avifauna. Bird‐habitat stations were distributed in broom shrublands from a few months to 51 years after fire, at 1400–2100 m a.s.l. Overall, shrub cover was the main habitat variable affecting the bird community composition. The abundance trends of bird species for half a century after fire were varied, but population recovery seemed slower (especially in the Dartford warbler Sylvia undata) than it had been reported at a lower altitude. Three species of European conservation concern (Alauda arvensis, Lullula arborea and Lanius collurio) showed abundance peaks at 10–19 years after fire. This time interval showed the highest species richness, abundance and conservation value, whereas shrub cover continued to increase afterwards. The bird assemblage tended to impoverish with increasing fire severity in the first year after a fire. Our results emphasize: (1) the slow recovery of bird community of burnt mountain shrublands; (2) the need for long‐term biodiversity assessments to help improve planning of fire intervals at different altitudes; (3) the relevance of reducing fire severity due to its impact on fauna.
Mobilization of metals from uranium mine waste: the role of pyoverdines produced by Pseudomonas fluorescens
Authors: EDBERG F. , KALINOWSKI B. E. , HOLMSTRÖM S. J. M. , HOLM K.
Published: April 2010

Microorganisms produce chelating agents, such as siderophores and other ligands, which allow them to mobilize and scavenge essential elements from the environment when bioavailability is low. To better understand the effects of biologically mediated leaching of metals from mine waste, Pseudomonas fluorescens was cultivated in the presence of processed ore from the former uranium mine in Ranstad, southern Sweden. Light conditions, the concentration of the mineral source and oxygen availability were varied. The presence of ore in the culture flasks enhanced bacterial growth and raised the pH of the culture medium. Increasing the amount of ore or enhancing aeration of the medium further encouraged cell growth and pH rise. Bacteria mobilized Fe, Ni and Co from the ore. Fe‐siderophore complexes were detected and estimated to be present at approximately 9 μm. In the presence of bacteria and light, dissolved Fe and U concentrations were higher compared to dark conditions. Increasing the amount of ore resulted in higher dissolved Ni concentrations but lower dissolved Fe, most likely due to precipitate formation. Data from this study support siderophore production by bacteria that allowed mobilization of essential nutrients from the processed ore. However, the availability of potentially toxic metals like Ni and U may also be enhanced. Microbial‐promoted mobilization could contribute to leaching of toxic metals in current and historic mining areas. This process should be considered during design and implementation of remediation projects where trace metals are of environmental concern.
A Mitochondrial view of aging, reactive oxygen species and metastatic cancer
Authors: Ladiges Warren , Wanagat Jonathan , Preston Bradley , Loeb Lawrence , Rabinovitch Peter
Published: April 2010

This perspective article highlights the growing evidence placing mitochondria and mitochondrial function at the center of cancer as an age‐related disease. The discussion starts from the mitochondrial free radical hypothesis that predicts the involvement of endogenous mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer development and summarizes studies demonstrating the impact of the modulation of ROS levels on cancer development and metastasis. Cancer is fundamentally a complex interplay of cell growth, division, metastasis and death‐ processes connected to mitochondria through energy metabolism. Based on this evidence, therapeutics focused on mitochondrial function and mitochondrial ROS production are an attractive approach to modulating the progression of metastatic cancer and the general improvement of human health span.
Recent Research on Food Additives: Implications for CAMH
Authors: Stevenson Jim
Published: April 2010

The question of the possible role of food additives, and specifically food colours, in elevating hyperactive behaviour in children has been long debated. There is now replicated evidence that the removal of food colours from the diet can make a small improvement in the behaviour of some children with ADHD. However, as yet the characteristics of those who benefit from this dietary change are unknown. Two studies from a research group at Southampton have extended this work to show that some children from the general population without ADHD show a similar benefit. The implications of these findings for those in CAMH services are discussed. They are considered alongside other forms of dietary treatment for ADHD such as the use of ‘few foods’ diet and omega‐3 fatty acids.
AN ASSUMPTION‐FREE FRAMEWORK FOR MEASURING PRODUCTIVITY CHANGE
Authors: Balk Bert M.
Published: April 2010

The measurement of productivity change (or difference) is usually based on models that make use of strong assumptions such as competitive behavior and constant returns to scale. This survey discusses the basics of productivity measurement and shows that one can dispense with most if not all of the usual, neoclassical assumptions. By virtue of its structural features, the measurement model is applicable to individual establishments and aggregates such as industries, sectors, or economies.
Lidocaine/Monoethylglycinexylidide Test, Galactose Elimination Test, and Sorbitol Elimination Test for Metabolic Assessment of Liver Cell Bioreactors
Authors: Gerlach Jörg C. , Brayfield Candace , Puhl Gero , Borneman Reiner , Müller Christian , Schmelzer Eva , Zeilinger Katrin
Published: April 2010

Various metabolic tests were compared for the performance characterization of a liver cell bioreactor as a routine function assessment of cultures in a standby for patient application in clinical studies. Everyday quality assessment (QA) is essential to ensure a continuous level of cellular functional capacity in the development of hepatic progenitor cell expansion systems providing cells for regenerative medicine research; it is also of interest to meet safety requirements in bioartificial extracorporeal liver support systems under clinical evaluation. Quality criteria for the description of bioreactor cultures were developed using primary porcine liver cells as a model. Porcine liver cells isolated by collagenase perfusion with an average of 3 × 109 primary cells were used in 39 bioreactors for culture periods up to 33 days. Measurements of monoethylglycinexylidide synthesis and elimination of lidocaine, galactose elimination, and sorbitol elimination proved to be useful for routine QA of primary liver cell cultures. We demonstrate two methods for dispensing test substances, bolus administration and continuous, steady‐state administration. Bolus test data were grouped in Standard, Therapy, Infection/Contamination, and Cell‐free control groups. Statistical analyses show significant differences among all groups for every test substance. Post hoc comparisons indicated significant differences between Standard and Cell‐free groups for all elimination parameters. For continuous tests, results were categorized according to number of culture days and time‐dependent changes were analyzed. Continuous administration enables a better view of culture health and the time dependency of cellular function, whereas bolus administration is more flexible. Both procedures can be used to define cell function. Assessment of cellular function and bioreactor quality can contribute significantly to the quality of experimental or clinical studies in the field of hepatic bioreactor development.
Enhanced Bone Bonding of the Hydroxyapatite/β‐Tricalcium Phosphate Composite by Electrical Polarization in Rabbit Long Bone
Authors: Sagawa Hideki , Itoh Soichiro , Wang Wei , Yamashita Kimihiro
Published: April 2010

A review of the osteogenic cell activity and new bone growth in the regions bordering negatively charged surfaces of polarized Hydroxyapatite/β‐tricalcium phosphate (HA/TCP) composites implanted in the long bone in rabbits was conducted. Polarized and non‐polarized HA/TCP specimens were implanted into the right and left femoral condyle, respectively (each n = 10). After 3 and 6 weeks, five rabbits were sacrificed in each group, and histological analysis was administered. Large cuboidal‐shaped osteoblastic cells were predominantly observed lining the newly formed bone on the negatively charged surface (N‐surface) in the polarized HA/TCP implants. The TRAP‐positive multinucleated cells were observed extensively in the newly formed bone on the N‐surfaces compared with the 0‐surface and adhered directly to the HA/TCP composite. The bone area (B.Ar) value, newly formed bone area contacting the implant, and contact length (C.Le) value, percentage length of newly formed bone directly attaching to the implant, on both the 0‐ and N‐surface increased significantly with time in each group. Both the B.Ar and C.Le value on the N‐surface were significantly greater than those on the 0‐surface after 3 and 6 weeks. The number of TRAP‐positive cells/total length value on the N‐surface was significantly greater than that on the 0‐surface after 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively. It is hypothesized that electrical charge acquired by electrical polarization treatment may modify the biochemical and biophysical processes of the osteogenic cells, resulting in enhanced new bone formation and direct bonding between the recipient bone and implants.
Plasmapheresis Does Not Affect Polysomnographic Parameters in Patients With Myasthenia Gravis: A Case Series Study
Authors: Yeh Jiann‐Horng , Chen Wei‐Hung , Chiu Hou‐Chang , Lee Chien‐Te , Hsu Chung‐Yao
Published: April 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of plasmapheresis on sleep in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis and no respiratory symptoms. Seven myasthenia gravis patients, four women and three men, aged 24–52 years, underwent plasmapheresis treatment because of recent worsening of clinical weakness and poor response to previous treatments. We prospectively recorded the myasthenia gravis score, measured acetylcholine‐receptor antibody concentration, performed polysomnography, and checked the Epworth Sleepiness Scale at baseline and 1 day after completion of the last session of plasmapheresis. Myasthenic weakness was ameliorated following plasmapheresis in all patients with a median decrease in myasthenia gravis score of 2 points (P = 0.0002) and a median clearance of 43.3% of acetylcholine‐receptor antibody. However, there was no significant change in polysomnographic parameters, except for a trend toward shorter duration of the longest apnea period (P = 0.0763) following the treatment. Plasmapheresis did not affect polysomnographic parameters despite improved clinical weakness along with decreased myasthenia gravis score and acetylcholine‐receptor antibody concentration.
Effects of Cyclic Stretch Waveform on Endothelial Cell Morphology Using Fractal Analysis
Authors: Haghighipour Nooshin , Tafazzoli‐Shadpour Mohammad , Shokrgozar Mohammad Ali , Amini Samira
Published: April 2010

Endothelial cells are remodeled when subjected to cyclic loading. Previous in vitro studies have indicated that frequency, strain amplitude, and duration are determinants of endothelial cell morphology, when cells are subjected to cyclic strain. In addition to those parameters, the current study investigated the effects of strain waveform on morphology of cultured endothelial cells quantified by fractal and topological analyses. Cultured endothelial cells were subjected to cyclic stretch by a designed device, and cellular images before and after tests were obtained. Fractal and topological parameters were calculated by development of an image‐processing code. Tests were performed for different load waveforms. Results indicated cellular alignment by application of cyclic stretch. By alteration of load waveform, statistically significant differences between cell morphology of test groups were observed. Such differences are more prominent when load cycles are elevated. The endothelial cell remodeling was optimized when the applied cyclic load waveform was similar to blood pressure waveform. Effects of load waveform on cell morphology are influenced by alterations in load amplitude and frequency. It is concluded that load waveform is a determinant of endothelial morphology in addition to amplitude and frequency, and such effect is elevated by increase of load cycles. Due to high correlation between fractal and topological analyses, it is recommended that fractal analysis can be used as a proper method for evaluation of alteration in cell morphology and tissue structure caused by application of external stimuli such as mechanical loading.
Opaque Layer Firing Temperature and Aging Effect on the Flexural Strength of Ceramic Fused to Cobalt‐Chromium Alloy
Authors: De Vasconcellos Luis Gustavo Oliveira , Buso Leonardo , Lombardo Geraldo H. L. , Souza Rodrigo O. A. , Nogueira Júnior Lafayette , Bottino Marco Antonio , Özcan Mutlu
Published: April 2010

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the opaque layer firing temperature and mechanical and thermal cycling on the flexural strength of a ceramic fused to commercial cobalt‐chromium alloy (Co‐Cr). The hypotheses were that higher opaque layer temperatures increase the metal/ceramic bond strength and that aging reduces the bond strength.

Materials and Methods: Metallic frameworks (25 × 3 × 0.5 mm3; ISO 9693) (N = 60) were cast in Co‐Cr and airborne‐particle abraded (Al2O3: 150 μm) at the central area of the frameworks (8 × 3 mm2) and divided into three groups (N = 20), according to the opaque layer firing temperature: Gr1 (control)—900°C; Gr2—950°C; Gr3—1000°C. The opaque ceramic (Opaque, Vita Zahnfabrick, Bad Säckingen, Germany) was applied, and the glass ceramic (Vita Omega 900, Vita Zahnfabrick) was fired onto it (thickness: 1 mm). While half the specimens from each group were randomly tested without aging (water storage: 37°C/24 hours), the other half were mechanically loaded (20,000 cycles; 50 N load; distilled water at 37°C) and thermocycled (3000 cycles; 5°C to 55°C, dwell time: 30 seconds). After the flexural strength test, failure types were noted. The data were analyzed using 2‐way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α= 0.05).

Results: Gr2 (19.41 ± 5.5 N) and Gr3 (20.6 ± 5 N) presented higher values than Gr1 (13.3 ± 1.6 N) (p= 0.001). Mechanical and thermal cycling did not significantly influence the mean flexural strength values (p > 0.05). Increasing the opaque layer firing temperature improved the flexural bond strength values (p < 0.05). The hypotheses were partially accepted.

Conclusion: Increasing of the opaque layer firing temperature improved the flexural bond strength between ceramic fused to Co‐Cr alloy.
A Simplified Technique for Creating a Customized Gingival Emergence Profile for Implant‐Supported Crowns
Authors: Azer Shereen S.
Published: April 2010

A successful implant restoration is one that will allow adequate function and esthetics. Soft‐tissue management around implant‐supported restorations continues to present a considerable challenge for the restoring dentist as well as the laboratory technician while fabricating the final prosthesis. This article presents a simplified and economical technique to direct gingival tissue healing, as well as create a removable gingival replica of the customized gingival emergence profile. The created profile can then be used in the dental laboratory to achieve a superior and predictable esthetic outcome for implant‐supported fixed restorations.
9. Painful Shoulder Complaints
Authors: Huygen Frank , Patijn Jacob , Rohof Olav , Lataster Arno , Mekhail Nagy , Van Kleef Maarten , Van Zundert Jan
Published: April 2010

Painful shoulder complaints have a high incidence and prevalence. The etiology is not always clear. Clinical history and the active and passive motion examination of the shoulder are the cornerstones of the diagnostic process. Three shoulder tests are important for the examination of shoulder complaints: shoulder abduction, shoulder external rotation, and horizontal shoulder adduction. These tests can guide the examiner to the correct diagnosis. Based on this diagnosis, in most cases, primarily a conservative treatment with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs possibly in combination with manual and/or exercise therapy can be started. When conservative treatment fails, injection with local anesthetics and corticosteroids can be considered. In the case of frozen shoulder, a continuous cervical epidural infusion of local anesthetic and small doses of opioids or a pulsed radiofrequency treatment of the nervus suprascapularis can be considered.
Order Beyond Crisis: Organizing Considerations Across the Public Service Configuration Life Cycle
Authors: Witesman Eva M.
Published: April 2010

This article responds to the preceding paper by Stephanie Moulton and Charles Wise, critiquing the dimensions that those authors use as organizing guides in the delivery of public services through public–private institutional configurations, including the evaluation of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). In this essay, Eva M. Witesman proposes a modification to the framework and provides suggestions for future research.
The Essence of the “Market Army”
Authors: Levy Yagil
Published: April 2010

Western armies have undergone substantial organizational‐cultural transformations since the end of the Cold War. Two main themes have been suggested to describe these transformations: postmodernity and post‐Fordism. This article analyzes these profound shifts. The author portrays the new Western army as a “market army,” distancing itself from the “citizen army,” and envisions a continuum between these extreme types. The market army emulates market practices in order to adapt to modern strategic, economic, political, and cultural constraints. What typifies the market army is the subjection of military doctrine to the market, a post‐Fordist structure, a network‐centric hierarchy, market values borrowed by the military profession, the convergence of military and civilian occupations, the commodification of military service, and new contractual forms of bargaining between soldiers and the military. Israel serves as a critical case with which to develop the theory of the market army.
Capacity, Leadership, and Organizational Performance: Testing the Black Box Model of Public Management
Authors: Andrews Rhys , Boyne George A.
Published: April 2010

According to recent “black box” models of public management, managerial capacity is a critical component for achieving service delivery improvement. In particular, black box models assume that the impact of management systems is maximized through integration with effective leadership. This assumption is tested by analyzing the effects of managerial capacity and organizational leadership on the performance of English local governments, while controlling for a range of other variables, including organizational size, resources, external constraints, and past performance. Empirical results show that capacity possesses a positive statistical association with local government performance and that leadership can enhance the impact of effective management systems.
Public–Private Partnerships and the Public Accountability Question
Authors: Forrer John , Kee James Edwin , Newcomer Kathryn E. , Boyer Eric
Published: April 2010

Public–private partnerships (PPPs) are growing in popularity as a governing model for delivery of public goods and services. PPPs have existed since the Roman Empire, but their expansion into traditional public projects today raises serious questions about public accountability. This article examines public accountability and its application to government and private firms involved in PPPs. An analytical framework is proposed for assessing the extent to which PPPs provide (or will provide) goods and services consistent with public sector goals of effectiveness, efficiency, and equity. Six dimensions—risk, costs and benefits, political and social impacts, expertise, collaboration, and performance measurement—are incorporated into a model that assists public managers in improving partnerships’ public accountability.
Exporting General Petraeus’s Counterinsurgency Doctrine: An Assessment of the Adequacy of Field Manual 3‐24 and the U.S. Government’s Implementation
Authors: Vizzard James W. , Capron Timothy A.
Published: April 2010

The authors review the U.S. Army’s field manual on counterinsurgency, consider the doctrine and tactics that it espouses, and survey its current critics. They present specific examples of its application and conclude that while counterinsurgency does achieve results, the U.S. government lacks a strategic doctrinal framework for implementing counterinsurgency elsewhere. This shortcoming urgently needs to be addressed in a meaningful way by political leaders.
Core–Peripheral Structure and Regional Governance: Implications of Paul Krugman’s New Economic Geography for Public Administration
Authors: Andrew Simon A. , Feiock Richard C.
Published: April 2010

Paul Krugman’s work is much celebrated in the fields of international trade and economic geography, recognized with the 2008 Nobel Prize in Economics. Although his work is less prominent in public administration, it has important implications for the study of political fragmentation, collaboration, economic development, and service delivery in metropolitan areas. The authors discuss how Krugman’s core–periphery model adds a critical piece to the regional governance puzzle by explaining the concentration and dispersion of economic activity and the productive advantages of spatial closeness. They summarize the central propositions of Krugman’s work to identify its policy inferences for intergovernmental coordination and strategies for successful management of urban growth, as well as its implications for public administration theories of governance, collaboration, and institutional collective action.
Randomized Comparison of Multipolar, Duty‐Cycled, Bipolar‐Unipolar Radiofrequency Versus Conventional Catheter Ablation for Treatment of Common Atrial Flutter
Authors: ERDOGAN ALI , GUETTLER NORBERT , DOERR OLIVER , FRANZEN WOLFGANG , SOYDAN NEDIM , BILGIN MEHMET , VOGELSANG PASCAL , PARAHULEVA MARIANA , TILLMANNS HARALD , STRACKE SIEGBERT , GUENDUEZ DURSUN , NEUHOF CHRISTIANE
Published: April 2010

Comparison of Radiofrequency Versus Conventional Catheter Ablation. Introduction: Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation has been established as an effective and curative treatment for atrial flutter (AFL). Approved methods include a drag‐and‐drop method, as well as a point‐by‐point ablation technique. The aim of this study was to compare the acute efficacy and procedural efficiency of a multipolar linear ablation catheter with simultaneous energy delivery to multiple catheter electrodes against conventional RF for treatment of AFL.

Methods:
Patients presenting to our department with symptomatic, typical AFL were enrolled consecutively and randomized to conventional RF ablation with an 8‐mm tip catheter (ConvRF) or a duty‐cycled, bipolar‐unipolar RF generator delivering power to a hexapolar tip‐versatile ablation catheter (T‐VAC) group. For both groups, the procedural endpoint was bidirectional cavotricuspid isthmus block.

Results:
Sixty patients were enrolled, 30 patients each assigned to ConvRF and T‐VAC groups. Total procedure time (40.2 ± 15.8 min vs 60.5 ± 12.7 min), energy delivery time (8.5 ± 3.7 min vs 14.7 ± 5.2 min), radiation dose (14.5 ± 3.5 cGy/cm2 vs 31.7 ± 12.1 cGy/cm2), and the minimum number of RF applications needed to achieve block (4.2 ± 2.4 vs 8.9 ± 7.2) were significantly lower in the T‐VAC group. In 7 patients treated with the T‐VAC catheter, bidirectional block was achieved with less than 3 RF applications, versus no patients with conventional RF energy delivery.

Conclusion:
The treatment of typical AFL using a hexapolar catheter with a multipolar, duty‐cycled, bipolar‐unipolar RF generator offers comparable effectiveness relative to conventional RF while providing improved procedural efficiency. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 1109‐1113)
Effects of Texture on the Thermal Conductivity of the LaPO4 Monazite
Authors: Du Aibing , Wan Chunlei , Qu Zhixue , Wu Ruifen , Pan Wei
Published: April 2010

LaPO4 monazite, as an excellent structural ceramic, is expected to have thermal conductivity anisotropy because of its asymmetric crystal structure (monoclinic). For this motivation, the LaPO4 samples with different degrees of texture are fabricated via varying the powder synthesis processes and using hot‐pressing sintering and spark plasma sintering technique. The effect of the texture on the thermal conductivity of the LaPO4 samples is subsequently explored in this study. The results reveal that the thermal conductivities of the LaPO4 samples decrease firstly with the increasing degree of preferred orientation of the (200) planes along the direction perpendicular to the pressing direction, and approach a particular value, which is possibly the conductivity of the LaPO4 single crystal along the direction perpendicular to the (200) planes (a‐axis direction), when the orientation achieves a certain degree. The longitudinal or transverse speeds of all the textured LaPO4 samples are also measured and used to clarify the thermal conductivity anisotropy.
Quantification of Chemical Striae in Inorganic Melts and Glasses through Picture Processing
Authors: Jensen Martin , Keding Ralf , Yue Yuanzheng
Published: April 2010

Chemical striations occur in various types of inorganic melts like lava and glass melts, and affect the physical properties of materials. This paper reports a quantitative study of the chemical striations in iron‐rich aluminosilicate melts and glasses. In this study, an integrated method has been established, which consists of sample preparation, image acquiring, Fourier Transformation, and characteristic value determination. The principle of the established method is illustrated by picture processing‐based simulation. The extent of the chemical striations and the diffusion length of the striae can be measured using this method. It is found that the extent of the chemical striations is rather sensitive to the melting technique. Furthermore, the impact of chemical diffusion and stirring on the extent of striations is revealed using the picture processing‐based simulation approach. The diffusion process eliminates small striae and reduces the intensity of the larger ones. At a constant temperature, the diffusion determines the transformation rate of an inhomogeneous melt into a homogeneous one. During stirring, the size distribution of the large striae becomes broader, but the overall intensity of the striae becomes smaller.
Assessing the distortionary impact of state trading in China
Authors: McCorriston Steve , MacLaren Donald
Published: April 2010

State trading is a common feature in the management of imports and exports of agricultural products and it has been a long‐standing feature of China's agricultural trade regime. While the use of state trading was modified by China's accession to the WTO, it remains a dominant feature for some commodities, even though there have been recent attempts to diminish its importance. In this article, we review the role that the state trading enterprise (STE), China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Import and Export Company (COFCO), continues to play in the importing and exporting of some agricultural commodities. We then review the economic theory that has been developed to measure the tariff equivalent of importing STEs. Finally, we apply that theory through a calibration exercise to measure the tariff equivalent of COFCO in China's import market for wheat. The distortionary impact of COFCO depends on the bias in government policy toward agriculture, the competitiveness of the domestic procurement market, and also the number of firms that are allocated licenses to import alongside COFCO.
Spillovers from modern supply chains to traditional markets: product innovation and adoption by smallholders
Authors: Schipmann Christin , Qaim Matin
Published: April 2010

There is an emerging body of literature analyzing how smallholder farmers in developing countries can benefit from modern supply chains. However, most of the available studies concentrate on export markets and fail to capture spillover effects that modern supply chains may have on local markets. Here, we analyze the case of sweet pepper in Thailand, which was initially introduced as a product innovation in modern supply chains, but which is now widely traded also in more traditional markets. Using survey data from smallholder farmers and econometric techniques, we show that sweet pepper cultivation contributes significantly to higher household incomes. Strikingly, at this stage, participation in modern supply chains does not lead to higher incomes than supplying sweet pepper to traditional markets. However, the results also indicate that missing land titles, weak infrastructure conditions, and limited access to information constituted serious constraints during the early phases of sweet pepper adoption. Such constraints need to be overcome, so that smallholder farmers are better prepared for the prompt reactions needed under rapidly changing market conditions.