bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The nature and extent of voluntary intellectual capital disclosures by Australian and UK biotechnology companies
Authors: White Gregory , Lee Alina , Yuningsih Yuni , Nielsen Christian , Nikolaj Bukh Per
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this research project is to compare the nature and extent of voluntary intellectual capital disclosures (ICD) by UK and Australian biotechnology companies. The motivating research question was whether the nature and extent of voluntary ICD by preparers of financial report data in these countries reflected the relative maturity of the UK, compared to Australian industry.

Design/methodology/approach

ICD was measured in annual reports and financial statements published on the company websites. A Danish disclosure index was used to evaluate voluntary disclosures by 156 companies about customers, employees, IT, strategy, R&D and processes (78‐items scored for each company).

Findings

A significant leverage effect was demonstrated in relation to the “nature” of ICD by UK and Australian biotechnology companies. Interestingly, mean customer ICD were higher in annual reports from high‐leveraged compared to low‐leveraged Australian firms. In contrast, UK firms showed higher mean R&D ICD for low‐leveraged firms than high‐leveraged firms. With regards to the “extent” of ICD measured, the study demonstrated a significant country effect.

Research limitations/implications

Potential limitations or bias may exist from the use of the disclosure index: binary scoring of disclosure versus non‐disclosure reduces the richness of data otherwise obtainable by limited case study or interviews; and data collection is limiting – narrative with managers actually preparing ICD is not possible.

Practical implications

Australian company financial accountants and managers preparing and/or including ICD information could be in danger of underestimating the importance of information asymmetry existing with lenders.

Originality/value

This finding contrasts the legitimate R&D focused ICD of low‐leveraged UK firms; namely to attract stakeholder attention to their expanding intellectual property base, with the findings from Australian firms' with a relatively predictable and naïve customer focus.
Intellectual capital reporting in sustainability reports
Authors: Oliveira Lídia , Lima Rodrigues Lúcia , Craig Russell
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse voluntary disclosures of intellectual capital (IC) items in the sustainability reports of Portuguese companies. The paper aims to highlight the level, pattern and determinants of IC disclosures in those sustainability reports; and the potential for sustainability reports to be a medium for IC disclosures.

Design/methodology/approach

An index of voluntary disclosure of intangibles is constructed and deployed to analyse IC disclosures in the sustainability reports for 2006 of Portuguese firms, published on the web site of the Portugal's Business Council for Sustainability Development. Four hypotheses are tested about associations between that disclosure index and firm‐specific variables.

Findings

Disclosure of information about IC is more likely in sustainability reports of firms that have a higher level of application of the Global Reporting Initiative framework, and are listed companies.

Research limitations/implications

This study is cross‐sectional. Subjective judgment is involved in constructing the disclosure index.

Practical implications

The observed level and pattern of disclosure of IC information suggests that the preparation of a sustainability report is an opportune starting point for the development of IC reporting.

Originality/value

The study highlights the determinants of IC disclosures in sustainability reports; the high incidence of such disclosures; and points to the enhancement of legitimacy and reputation as potential incentives for firms to engage in such practice.
A new standardization model for physician staffing at hospitals
Authors: Ben‐Gal Irad , Wangenheim Michael , Shtub Avraham
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a model for physician staffing requirements that could be generally applied to any hospital department, taking into account factors such as occupancy level, professional absences, allowances, physician work duties and patient service levels.

Design/methodology/approach

The ability to generalize the model was tested via its implementation in five hospital departments considered to represent a cross‐section of all hospital requirements: internal medicine, surgery, orthopedics children's (pediatrics), and gynecology. The work is based on a combination of a survey, work sampling and direct time study, conducted by professional observers with a high degree of frequency and over a relatively long period of time.

Findings

The model is based on the concept of “required work capacity” of physicians. The model makes it possible to account for such factors as yearly capacity, level of desired service, increments for work conditions, roster duties and necessary absences.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that the departments studied required a significant increase in their physician staffing. In these departments the present manpower situation stands at 80–90 percent of the necessary staffing based on the average annual occupancy. The new staffing requirements model can be implemented in various departments.

Originality/value

This paper is an original effort to develop a model for physician staffing requirements at hospitals based on a survey, work‐study and direct time study. This contributes to past research that focused on the development of staffing requirements models, e.g. for nurse or family physicians. The paper presents an original model for physician staffing requirements at hospitals.
The roles of law, client race and program visibility in shaping police interference with the operation of US syringe exchange programs
Authors: Beletsky Leo , Grau Lauretta E. , White Edward , Bowman Sarah , Heimer Robert
Published: November 2010

Aims To determine the comparative levels of and associations between policing interference and characteristics of US syringe exchange programs (SEPs).

Design Cross‐sectional.

Setting A national survey of US SEPs.

Participants A total of 111 program managers (representing 59% of all US SEPs).

Measurements Program manager self‐report.

Findings With overall interference profiles ranging from systematic to totally interference‐free, 43% of respondents reported at least monthly client harassment, 31% at least monthly unauthorized confiscation of clients' syringes, 12% at least monthly client arrest en route to or from SEP and 26% uninvited police appearances at program sites at least every 6 months. In multivariate modeling, legal status of SEP, jurisdiction's syringe regulation environment and affiliation with health department were not associated with frequency of police interference. Programs serving predominantly injection drug users (IDUs) of color were 3.56 times more likely to report frequent client arrest en route to or from SEP and 3.92 times more likely to report unauthorized syringe confiscation. Those serving more than three sites were 3.96 times more likely to report client harassment, while stationary operation was protective against uninvited police appearances. The majority (56%) reported not documenting adverse police events; those who did were 2.92 times more likely to report unauthorized syringe confiscation from clients.

Conclusions Findings highlight limitations of the impact of legal reforms on aligning police activities with SEP operations. Systematic adverse event surveillance and evidence‐based structural interventions are needed to maximize the benefits of public health prevention targeting IDUs and other criminalized populations. SEPs that report no adverse events may represent programs already working in harmony with law enforcement agencies, a priority highlighted in US Centers for Disease Control's new SEP guidelines. The significance of mechanisms translating criminal justice disparities into health disparities is discussed.
Cigarette tax and public health: what are the implications of financially stressed smokers for the effects of price increases on smoking prevalence?
Authors: Martire Kristy A. , Mattick Richard P. , Doran Christopher M. , Hall Wayne D.
Published: November 2010

Aims  This paper models the predicted impact of tobacco price increases proposed in the United States and Australia during 2009 on smoking prevalence in 2010 while taking account of the effects of financial stress among smokers on cessation rates.

Methods  Two models of smoking prevalence were developed for each country. In model 1, prevalence rates were determined by price elasticity estimates. In model 2 price elasticity was moderated by financial stress. Each model was used to estimate smoking prevalence in 2010 in Australia and the United States.

Results  Proposed price increases resulted in a 1.89% and 7.84% decrease in smoking participation among low socio‐economic status (SES) groups in the United States and Australia, respectively. Model 1 overestimated the number of individuals expected to quit in both the United States (0.13% of smokers) and Australia (0.36% of smokers) by failing to take account of the differential effects of the tax on financially stressed smokers. The proportion of low‐income smokers under financial stress increased in both countries in 2010 (by 1.06% in the United States and 3.75% in Australia).

Conclusions  The inclusion of financial stress when modelling the impact of price on smoking prevalence suggests that the population health returns of increased cigarette price will diminish over time. As it is likely that the proportion of low‐income smokers under financial stress will also increase in 2010, future population‐based approaches to reducing smoking will need to address this factor.
Quantitative trait loci affecting eggshell traits in an F2 population
Authors: Tuiskula‐Haavisto M. , Honkatukia M. , Preisinger R. , Schmutz M. , de Koning D. J. , Wei W. H. , Vilkki J.
Published: November 2010

Good eggshell quality is important for both table egg quality and chicken reproductive performance. Weak eggshells cause economic losses in all production steps. Poor eggshell quality also poses increased risk for Salmonella infections. Eggshell quality has been a difficult trait to improve by traditional breeding, as it can be measured only for females and it is difficult and expensive to measure. Breeding for improved shell quality may therefore benefit from the use of marker‐assisted selection. In an effort to find markers linked to eggshell quality, we have used an F2 population of 668 females to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting eggshell traits (eggshell deformation, breaking force, weight). By using 160 microsatellite markers on 27 chromosomes, we found 11 genome‐wide and 15 suggestive QTL for shell traits measured at different times during production. Loci affecting the deformation were found on chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 10, 14 and Z. Loci affecting the breaking force were detected on chromosomes 2, 3, 10, 12 and Z. Loci affecting the shell weight were detected on chromosomes 6, 12, 24 and Z. Each QTL explains between 1.5% and 4.6% of the phenotypic variance, adding up to 10‐15% of total phenotypic variance explained for the different traits. No epistatic effects were observed between loci affecting eggshell traits. Because the effects for quality are mainly additive, these results provide a basis for further characterization of the loci to identify closely linked markers to be used in marker‐assisted selection.
Successful strategies to improve RN retention and patient outcomes in a large medical centre in Hawaii
Authors: Kooker Barbara Molina , Kamikawa Cynthia
Published: November 2010

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of this paper is to describe an assessment of a major retention initiative implemented at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, in response to the nursing workforce shortage in the state.

Background.  After tracking the situation for several years, nursing leadership at the medical centre critically analysed their registered nurse retention data. The retention rate among new nurses in their first year of employment was only 55·97%.

Design.  A training programme was initiated to improve registered nurse retention and patient care outcomes with external funding from the US Health Resources and Services Administration.

Method.  New nurses were supported via additional training and clinical coaches beyond the basic orientation period. Leadership skills of nurse managers were expanded to strengthen their role in retention of new nurses. Four inpatient nursing units became Magnet Pilot Units to demonstrate progress towards achievement of Magnet standards and improvement of patient outcomes.

Results.  From 2005–2009, first‐year‐registered nurse retention improved from 55·97–68·20%; registered nurse vacancy rate decreased from 11·26–2·19%; patient satisfaction increased from 84·6–87·8%; registered nurse satisfaction‐autonomy improved from 43·55–49·29; registered nurse satisfaction‐decision‐making went from 41·13–47·97%; and nosocomial decubitus ulcer rate decreased from 15·3–6·7% in the intensive care units.

Conclusions.  Dedicated resources and targeted activities can make a difference in outcomes for both nurses and patients. Keys to success included engaging staff, having high expectations coupled with high support, providing data to unit‐level staff to measure improvements emphasising renewed accountability and maintaining the focus on quality patient care.

Relevance to clinical practice.  When the goal is to provide the highest level of quality patient care, professional development of staff and managers is important to meet performance expectations and achieve target clinical goals. Improving registered nurse retention and vacancy rates while also improving patient outcomes had significant human resource and financial benefits for the organisation and contributed to achieving Magnet Recognition.
The joys and terrors of fast adaptation: new findings elucidate antibiotic resistance and natural selection
Authors: Roth John R.
Published: November 2010

Experiments of Pränting and Andersson demonstrate how bacteria adapt to the growth limitation caused by antibiotic resistance mutations. The process of adaptation relies on gene copy number changes that arise at high rates, including duplications (10−4 per cell per generation), amplifications (10−2 per cell per generation) and mutant copy loss (10−2 per cell per division). Reversible increases in copy number improve growth by small steps and provide more targets for rare sequence alterations (10−9 per cell per division) that can stably improve growth. After sequence alteration, selection favours loss of the still mutant gene copies that accelerated adaptation. The results strongly support the amplification‐reversion model for fast adaptation and argue against the alternative idea of ‘stress‐induced mutagenesis’.
Role of dopamine D2and D3receptors in mediating the U‐50,488H discriminative cue: comparison with methamphetamine and cocaine
Authors: Yoshizawa Kazumi , Narita Minoru , Mori Tomohisa , Miyatake Mayumi , Isotani Kana , Tomiyasu Shiro , Tsukiyama Yoshi , Suzuki Tsutomu
Published: November 2010

Substitutions of the dopamine D2or D3receptor agonists for the discriminative stimulus effect induced by U‐50,488H, methamphetamine (METH) and cocaine in rats were examined. The D2receptor agonist R‐propylnorapomorphine [(−)‐NPA] failed to substitute for U‐50,488H cue, while the D3receptor‐preferred agonist (+/–)‐7‐hydroxy‐dipropylaminotetralin hydrobromide (7‐OH‐DPAT) produced dose‐related increases in drug‐appropriate responding up to 0.03 mg/kg, which fully substituted. At doses greater than 0.03 mg/kg of 7‐OH‐DPAT, there was a dose‐dependent decrease in the percentage of responses on the U‐50,488H‐appropriate lever. Furthermore (−)‐NPA and 7‐OH‐DPAT at high doses substituted for the discriminative stimulus effect induced by both METH and cocaine, indicating that 7‐OH‐DPAT at high doses may interact with D2receptors. These results suggest that the stimulation of D2receptor may be critical for the production of the discriminative stimulus effect induced by METH and cocaine, whereas the stimulation of D3receptor may contribute to the production of the U‐50,488H cue.
Using monosodium glutamate to initiate ethanol self‐administration in inbred mouse strains
Authors: McCool Brian A. , Chappell Ann M.
Published: November 2010

Voluntary oral ethanol consumption in rodents is generally limited by strong taste‐aversion in these species. Historically, this has been overcome by combining ethanol with a sweetener, typically sucrose or saccharine, and then slowly ‘fading’ away the sweetener. While useful in most instances, this approach has not proven as successful for some inbred strains of mice (e.g. DBA/2J) despite consistent evidence in the literature that these same strains express strong conditioned place preference for intraperitoneal‐ or intragastric‐administered ethanol. Importantly, DBA/2J mice express a polymorphism in a ‘sweet’ taste receptor subunit gene that reduces the potency of sweet substances in these mice. We hypothesized that the presence of this polymorphism might help explain the contrasting behavioral findings of weak voluntary oral ethanol consumption following sucrose‐fade yet robust conditioned place preference for ethanol in this strain. To test this, we compared ethanol consumption initiated by either a ‘traditional’ sucrose‐fade or a fade from an alternative tastant, monosodium glutamate (MSG). We found that in both C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice, the MSG‐fade produced robust increases in home cage ethanol consumption relative to the traditional sucrose‐fade. This increased ethanol intake following MSG‐fade was evident across a range of ethanol concentrations. Our findings suggest the potential utility of the MSG‐fade to establish stable voluntary oral ethanol consumption in mice, particularly ethanol ‘non‐preferring’ strains such as DBA/2J and lend additional support to the notion that ethanol consumption in DBA/2J mice is limited by pronounced taste aversion.
Utility of contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography with Sonazoid in radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Masuzaki Ryota , Shiina Shuichiro , Tateishi Ryosuke , Yoshida Haruhiko , Goto Eriko , Sugioka Yosuke , Kondo Yuji , Goto Tadashi , Ikeda Hitoshi , Omata Masao , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: November 2010

Background and Aims:  Kupffer imaging in contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with Sonazoid, which lasts for 60 min or longer, may be useful in ultrasound‐guided percutaneous tumor ablation. The utility of Sonazoid in radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was investigated in this study.

Methods:  We analyzed a total of 716 HCC nodules that were detected on dynamic computed tomography in 316 patients. Detectability of these nodules was compared between CEUS and conventional ultrasonography. The effectiveness in the treatment was assessed by comparing the mean numbers of treatment sessions of RFA in patients treated with CEUS and that in historical controls matched for tumor and background conditions.

Results:  Detectability of tumor nodule was 83.5% in conventional ultrasonography and 93.2% in CEUS (P = 0.04). Sixty‐nine nodules in 52 patients were additionally detected with CEUS. The number of additionally detected tumor nodules was positively correlated with serum albumin level (P = 0.016). The number of RFA sessions was 1.33 ± 0.45 with CEUS as compared to 1.49 ± 0.76 in the historical controls (P = 0.0019).

Conclusions:  CEUS with Sonazoid is useful for HCC detection in patients with a well‐conserved liver function reservoir. The decrease in RFA session numbers indicated the utility of Sonazoid in RFA treatment of HCC.
Validation of an extension of the international non‐invasive criteria for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma to the characterization of macroscopic portal vein thrombosis
Authors: Sorrentino Paolo , Tarantino Luciano , D'Angelo Salvatore , Terracciano Luigi , Ferbo Umberto , Bracigliano Alessandra , Panico Luigi , De Chiara Giovanni , Lepore Mariolina , De Stefano Noe , Fiorentino Francesco , Vecchione Raffaela
Published: November 2010

Background and Aim:  We aimed to validate the non‐invasive criteria for the characterization of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In a prospective study, we examined the impact of arterial hypervascularity, as established by the European Association for the Study of the Liver and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases recommendations for the non‐invasive diagnosis of HCC, as a criterion for characterizing macroscopic PVT (EASL/AASLD extension criteria).

Methods:  A total of 96 cases of PVT detected using ultrasonography in patients with cirrhosis and HCC were included in the study. When coincidental arterial hypervascularity was detected by contrast perfusional ultrasonography and helical computed tomography, the thrombus was considered malignant according to our EASL/AASLD extension criteria. In all cases, an ultrasound‐guided biopsy examination of the thrombus was performed.

Results:  Coincidental hypervascularity was found in 54 of 96 nodules (56.2%), and all were malignant upon biopsy (100% positive predictive value). Twenty‐four (25%) had negative results with both techniques (non‐vascular thrombus). Biopsies showed HCC in five non‐vascular thrombi (5.3% of all thrombi) and in 13 of 18 thrombi with a hypervascularity result from only one technique.

Conclusions:  The EASL/AASLD extension criteria for non‐invasive diagnosis of malignant thrombosis were satisfied in 75.2% of malignant thrombi; thus, a biopsy is frequently required in this setting. However, in the presence of coincidental hypervascularity of a thrombus with both techniques, a biopsy is not required (absolute positive predictive value for malignancy). Relying on imaging techniques in thrombi could miss the diagnosis of malignant portal invasion in up to 24.9% of cases.
Impact of Helicobacter pylori CagA diversity on gastric mucosal damage: An immunohistochemical study of East‐Asian‐type CagA
Authors: Abe Takashi , Kodama Masaaki , Murakami Kazunari , Matsunari Osamu , Mizukami Kazuhiro , Inoue Kunimitsu , Uchida Masahiro , Okimoto Tadayoshi , Fujioka Toshio , Uchida Tomohisa , Moriyama Masatsugu , Yamaoka Yoshio
Published: November 2010

Background and Aims:  Recently, we successfully produced an anti‐East‐Asian‐type CagA‐specific antibody called α‐EAS Ab, which is specifically immunoreactive only with East‐Asian‐type CagA but not Western‐type CagA. In this study, the correlations between Helicobacter pylori CagA protein diversity and gastric mucosal condition was investigated using immunohistochemical staining with α‐EAS Ab in Japan.

Methods:  There were 254 H. pylori‐positive patients enrolled in this study. α‐EAS Ab was used to determine the CagA phenotype instead of cagA sequencing, and, moreover, the histological findings and endoscopic gastric mucosal condition were evaluated according to the updated Sydney System and the Kimura–Takemoto classification system, respectively.

Results:  A total of 224 (88.2%) of the patients were immunoreactive for α‐EAS Ab. The remaining 30 (11.8%) were negative for α‐EAS Ab, suggesting that they were infected with either Western‐type CagA or CagA‐negative strains (i.e. non‐East‐Asian‐type CagA strains). The grades of activity of gastritis, mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia according to the updated Sydney System were significantly higher in patients infected with East‐Asian‐type CagA strains than those infected with non‐East‐Asian‐type CagA strains. The grade of endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy evaluated using the Kimura–Takemoto classification system was similar. All 28 strains isolated from patients with gastric cancer possessed the East‐Asian‐type CagA.

Conclusions:  Infection with East‐Asian‐type CagA H. pylori was more closely associated with gastric mucosal atrophy and gastric cancer than infection with non‐East‐Asian‐type CagA H. pylori. The efficiency of immunohistochemical analysis for CagA should be equivalent to that of cagA sequencing.
Insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐4 gene silencing in lung adenocarcinomas
Authors: Sato Hanako , Sakaeda Masashi , Ishii Jun , Kashiwagi Korehito , Shimoyamada Hiroaki , Okudela Koji , Tajiri Michihiko , Ohmori Takahiro , Ogura Takashi , Woo Tetsukan , Masuda Munetaka , Hirata Kazuaki , Kitamura Hitoshi , Yazawa Takuya
Published: November 2010

Gene silencing by promoter hypermethylation plays an important role in molecular pathogenesis. We previously reported that insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) binding protein‐4 (IGFBP‐4), which inhibits IGF‐dependent growth, is expressed via early growth response‐1 (EGR‐1) and is often silenced in cultivated lung cancer cells. The purpose of the present study was to clarify clinicopathological factors associated with IGFBP‐4 gene silencing in lung adenocarcinomas. Seventy‐six surgically resected adenocarcinomas (20 well‐, 35 moderately‐, and 21 poorly‐differentiated) were subjected to methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for EGR‐1‐binding sites located in the IGFBP‐4 promoter and immunohistochemistry for IGFBP‐4, EGR‐1, and Ki‐67. Thirty‐two adenocarcinomas (42%) revealed IGFBP‐4 promoter hypermethylation, and the severity inversely correlated with the level of IGFBP‐4 expression (P < 0.0001) and tumor differentiation (well versus poor, P= 0.0278; well/moderate versus poor, P= 0.0395). Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between Ki‐67 labeling index and IGFBP‐4 expression (P= 0.0361). These findings suggest that the expression of IGFBP‐4 in adenocarcinoma cells in vivo is downregulated by epigenetic silencing in association with tumor differentiation, resulting in disruption of the mechanism of IGFBP‐4‐mediated growth inhibition.
Navigating the labyrinth of Canadian undergraduate psychiatric nurse education
Authors: Morrissette Patrick J.
Published: November 2010

Historically, the education and training of psychiatric nurses in Canada have only been available within a psychiatric institutional setting or community college. This trend, however, has experienced a recent shift with the establishment of a Canadian undergraduate programme. This development is symbolic of the profession's evolution and serves three primary purposes. First, it continues to address the psychiatric nursing shortage; second, it provides additional educational and career opportunities for students; and third, it serves to advance the psychiatric nursing profession. This essay reflects on a decade of undergraduate psychiatric nurse education and discusses the salient challenges and needs of learners and educators.
A psychometric analysis of the Mental Health Consumer Participation Questionnaire
Authors: Happell Brenda , Moxham Lorna , Platania‐Phung Chris
Published: November 2010

If consumer participation is to be translated from rhetoric into reality, the attitudes of health professionals need to be addressed. Educational strategies can play an important role, but measures of attitudes are needed to determine the effectiveness of these strategies. This paper seeks to establish the Mental Health Consumer Participation Questionnaire (MHCPQ) on psychometric grounds, and explore attitude levels. Overall, the 150 nursing students who participated saw consumer participation in a favourable light, although this varied with the nature and extent of involvement. Psychometric properties, attitude structure, and attitude differences are reported. The MHCPQ displays good face validity and can be further developed and used in mental health‐care settings.
Retention of adolescents with substance dependence and coexisting mental health disorders in outpatient alcohol and drug group therapy
Authors: Pagey Bronwyn , Deering Daryle , Sellman Doug
Published: November 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate characteristics that might enhance retention among adolescents attending outpatient alcohol and drug group therapy within a youth mental health setting. An important goal was to provide information for nurses and other clinicians who work with adolescents with coexisting substance use and mental health disorders. A retrospective file audit reviewed the files of 64 adolescents who attended a weekly alcohol and drug group between 2002 and 2004. Five characteristics were shown to have a significant impact on enhancing participant group retention. These were Māori and Pacific Island ethnicity, past or current legal charges, youth drug court (YDC) involvement, having a diagnosis of cannabis dependence, and a diagnosis of conduct disorder. Logistic regression found that YDC involvement on its own significantly predicted treatment retention. In an area of limited research, the findings from this study expand the literature on enhancing treatment retention for a vulnerable and hard‐to‐engage adolescent group with complex treatment needs, and highlight the need for further investigation of the potential role of the YDC. From a practice perspective, the findings support group therapy interventions as a cost‐effective treatment modality for assisting adolescents with coexisting substance use and mental health issues, including those with conduct disorder and YDC involvement.
MODELS OF REGIONAL GROWTH: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
Authors: Harris Richard
Published: November 2010

AbstractThis paper presents an overview of various models of regional growth that have appeared in the literature in the last 40 years. It considers thepast, and therefore supply‐side models, such as the standard neoclassical, juxtaposed against essentially demand‐side approaches such as the export‐base and cumulative causation models (as integrated into the Kaldorian approach); before moving on to the ‘present’ and more recent versions of the neoclassical model involving spatial weights and ‘convergence clubs’, as well as new economic geography core–periphery models, and the ‘innovation systems’ approach. A key feature of the more recent literature is an attempt to explicitly include spatial factors into the model, and thus there is a renewed emphasis on agglomeration economies and spillovers. Discussing ‘present’ and ‘future’ approaches to regional growth overlaps with the current emphasis in the literature on the importance of more intangible factors such as the role of ‘knowledge’ and its influence on growth. Finally, there is a discussion of the greater emphasis that needs to be placed at the ‘micro‐level’ when considering what drives growth, and thus factors such asinter aliafirm heterogeneity, entrepreneurship and absorptive capacity.
CLUSTERING TECHNIQUES AND DISCRETE PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHM FOR MULTI‐DOCUMENT SUMMARIZATION
Authors: Aliguliyev Ramiz M.
Published: November 2010

Multi‐document summarization is a process of automatic creation of a compressed version of a given collection of documents that provides useful information to users. In this article we propose a generic multi‐document summarization method based on sentence clustering. We introduce five clustering methods, which optimize various aspects of intra‐cluster similarity, inter‐cluster dissimilarity and their combinations. To solve the clustering problem a modification of discrete particle swarm optimization algorithm has been proposed. The experimental results on open benchmark data sets from DUC2005 and DUC2007 show that our method significantly outperforms the baseline methods for multi‐document summarization.
An Overflow Loss Network Model for Capacity Planning of a Perinatal Network
Authors: Asaduzzaman Md , Chaussalet Thierry J.
Published: November 2010

A model framework is developed to solve capacity planning problems that are faced by many perinatal networks in the UK. We propose a loss network model with overflow based on a continuous time Markov chain for a perinatal network with specific application to a network in London. We derive the steady state expressions for overflow and rejection probabilities for each neonatal unit of the network on the basis of a decomposition approach. Results obtained from the model are very close to observed values. Using the model, decisions on numbers of cots can be made for specific levels of admission acceptance probabilities for each level of care at each neonatal unit of the network and specific levels of overflow to temporary care.
Adverse reactions caused by consecutive injections of different fillers in the same facial region: risk assessment based on the results from the Injectable Filler Safety study
Authors: Bachmann F. , Erdmann R. , Hartmann V. , Becker‐Wegerich P. , Wiest L. , Rzany B.
Published: November 2010

Background  The combination of different injectable fillers in one area is considered to increase the risk of adverse reactions.

Objectives  To characterize adverse reactions in patients who received more than one filler in the same facial region.

Methods  Data (up to July 2009) of the Injectable Filler Safety Study, a German‐based registry for adverse filler reactions, was analysed descriptively. All cases were discussed individually.

Results  In 22 of the 161 patients (13.7%), two or more different fillers were injected consecutively into the same facial region. All patients were female with an average age of 50.6 (SD 13.6) years. In 12 of the 22 patients (54.5%), a specific filler could be attributed to the adverse reactions whereas in the other 10 patients (45.5%), the filler was not clearly attributable to one filler substance causing the adverse reactions.

Conclusions  With the continuous changes in the filler market, the combination of different fillers in one area becomes more likely. Based on our data, there is not a lot of evidence that the combination of different injectable fillers, specifically biodegradable fillers, in the same region increases the risk of adverse reactions.
Joint clinical and pathological review meetings improve patient care: a prospective evaluation in dermatology
Authors: Gardinal‐Galera I. , Bulai Livideanu C. , Lamant L. , Viraben R. , Meyer N. , Mazereeuw‐Hautier J. , Maza A. , Prey S. , Nespoulous M. , Paul C.
Published: November 2010

Background  Joint clinical and pathological review meeting exists in most academic dermatology departments.

Objective  The primary objective of the study was to assess the impact of the joint clinical and pathological review meeting in dermatology on patient care.

Methods  Prospective descriptive study over 6 months (May to October 2008) on all clinical cases of dermatology reviewed at the joint clinical and pathological review meeting in our University Hospital.

Results  A total of 139 cases were reviewed during the 6‐month period. In 97 cases (69.8%), the joint clinical and pathological review meeting had a positive impact on final diagnosis and/or on patient management. For 27 cases, a consensus diagnosis different from the initial proposal was established. In 21 cases, the joint clinical and pathological review meeting led to additional investigations or therapeutic proposals. The impact of the joint clinical and pathological review meeting was highest for inflammatory skin diseases.

Conclusions  The joint clinical and pathological review meeting is a useful procedure to improve diagnostic accuracy in difficult cases.
Effect of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 deficiency or administration on the occurrence of acne
Authors: Ben‐Amitai D. , Laron Z.
Published: November 2010

Background  The role of growth hormone, insulin, and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) in the development of acne is incompletely understood.

Objective  To study the effect of the absence of IGF‐1 and its pharmacologic replacement on the occurrence of acne vulgaris.

Patients and Methods  Laron syndrome (LS) is characterized by congenital IGF‐1 deficiency. The study group consisted of 21 patients with classical LS, who underwent puberty: 13 (8 male, 5 female) untreated and under regular follow‐up until age 20?48 years; and 8 (2 male, 6 female) treated with IGF‐1 (70–200 μg/kg/day), including 6 adults (2 male, treated at age 14.5–29 years and 4 female, treated at age 30–37 years) and 2 adolescents (2 female, treated at age 3.5–16 years). The medical files were reviewed for occurrence of acne and the corresponding sex hormone levels, and the findings were compared between the treated and untreated patients.

Results  Puberty was delayed in all untreated patients. Only one patient had slight acne at age 22 years, when he reached full puberty. Among the 2 IGF‐1 treated male patients, none acquired acne. Among the 6 treated female patients, 3 had signs of hyperandrogenism (oligo‐amenorrhea) and acne during IGF‐1 over‐dosage. On reduction of the IGF‐1 dose (to 50 μg/kg/day) or cessation of treatment, the acne disappeared in all 3 patients.

Conclusion  This study demonstrates for the first time that serum IGF‐1 deficiency prevents the occurrence of acne. The findings suggest that an interaction between IGF‐1 and androgens is necessary for the development of acne.
The effect of parental divorce on young adults' romantic relationship dissolution: What makes a difference?
Authors: CUI MING , FINCHAM FRANK D. , DURTSCHI JARED A.
Published: November 2010

It was proposed that parental divorce does not have a uniform effect on young adults' romantic relationships and that differential outcomes depend on how young adults perceive their parents' divorce. Using a sample of 571 young adults, structural equation modeling suggested that, compared with those from intact families, young adults whose parents divorced held a more favorable attitude toward divorce. A positive attitude toward divorce was associated with lower commitment to their romantic relationship, which in turn affected its dissolution. More importantly, young adults' perception of parental divorce varied depending on interparental conflict and parents' marital quality before the divorce. The variation in the perception of interparental divorce was linked to relationship dissolution via attitude toward divorce and relationship commitment.
The Effect of Prophylactic Medications on TMS for Migraine Aura
Authors: Almaraz Amy C. , Dilli Esma , Dodick David W
Published: November 2010

Purpose.— Low frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has recently been shown to be effective for the acute treatment of migraine with aura. TMS has recently been shown to inhibit cortical spreading depression (CSD). Prophylactic medications (PM) may reduce the frequency of migraine attacks by elevating CSD threshold. The interaction between PM and TMS is unknown.

Methods.— Subgroup analysis was performed on a double‐blind, Sham‐controlled study that evaluated the efficacy and safety of TMS for the acute treatment of migraine with aura. Analysis of the primary efficacy endpoint pain‐free at 2 hours (pain‐free rate [PFR]) between TMS and Sham groups was performed based on the non‐randomized use of PM.

Results.— A total of 164 subjects eligibly treated at least 1 migraine with aura attack with TMS (n = 82) or Sham stimulation (n = 82). Baseline pain intensity at the time of treatment for the first attack was no pain (31%), mild (40%), moderate (23%), or severe pain (6%). PM were used by 37% (31/82) and 41.5% (34/82) in the Sham‐ and TMS‐treated patients, respectively. Sham patients on no PM (Sham without) had significantly higher PFR than Sham‐treated patients on PM (Sham with) (P = .0014). There was no difference in PFR between TMS‐treated patients on (TMS with) or off (TMS without) PM (P = .5513). However, TMS with had significantly higher PFR than Sham with patients (P = .002). There was no difference in PFR between TMS without and Sham without patients (P = .4061).

Conclusion.— Prophylactic medications do not appear to influence the treatment response to TMS. The better response in Sham‐treated patients not on PM may indicate a more responsive subgroup or different patient phenotype than those currently using PM. These findings will need to be verified in a larger patient sample randomized by presence or absence of PM.
Commentary From the Refractory Headache Special Interest Section on Defining the Pharmacologically Intractable Headache for Clinical Trials and Clinical Practice
Authors: Schulman Elliott A. , Lipton Richard , Peterlin B. Lee , Levin Morris , Grosberg Brian M.
Published: November 2010

(Headache 2010;50:1637‐1639)
Do Pedometers Increase Physical Activity in Sedentary Older Women? A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: McMurdo Marion E. T. , Sugden Jacqui , Argo Ishbel , Boyle Paul , Johnston Derek W. , Sniehotta Falko F. , Donnan Peter T.
Published: November 2010

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of a behavior change intervention (BCI) with or without a pedometer in increasing physical activity in sedentary older women.

DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled trial.

SETTING: Primary care, City of Dundee, Scotland.

PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred four sedentary women aged 70 and older.

INTERVENTIONS: Six months of BCI, BCI plus pedometer (pedometer plus), or usual care.

MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome: change in daily activity counts measured by accelerometry. Secondary outcomes: Short Physical Performance Battery, health‐related quality of life, depression and anxiety, falls, and National Health Service resource use.

RESULTS: One hundred seventy‐nine of 204 (88%) women completed the 6‐month trial. Withdrawals were highest from the BCI group (15/68) followed by the pedometer plus group (8/68) and then the control group (2/64). After adjustment for baseline differences, accelerometry counts increased significantly more in the BCI group at 3 months than in the control group (P=.002) and the pedometer plus group (P=.04). By 6 months, accelerometry counts in both intervention groups had fallen to levels that were no longer statistically significantly different from baseline. There were no significant changes in the secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION: The BCI was effective in objectively increasing physical activity in sedentary older women. Provision of a pedometer yielded no additional benefit in physical activity, but may have motivated participants to remain in the trial.

Trial registration: ISRCTN26786857
Palliative Care for Patients with Dementia: A National Survey
Authors: Torke Alexia M. , Holtz Laura R. , Hui Siu , Castelluccio Peter , Connor Stephen , Eaton Matthew A. , Sachs Greg A.
Published: November 2010

OBJECTIVES: To determine the extent to which hospice and nonhospice palliative care (PC) programs provide services to patients with dementia and to describe barriers and facilitators to providing nonhospice PC.

DESIGN: Telephone and Web‐based surveys.

SETTING: U.S. hospice and PC programs from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's program list.

PARTICIPANTS: Executive directors of 240 hospice programs, 173 programs providing hospice and nonhospice PC, and 13 programs providing nonhospice PC.

MEASUREMENTS: A telephone survey of hospice and PC providers followed by an online survey of programs providing nonhospice PC.

RESULTS: Ninety‐four percent of hospices and 72% of PC programs had served at least one patient with a primary diagnosis of dementia within the past year. Based on 80 responses to the online survey, the most highly rated barriers to providing PC were lack of awareness of PC by families and referring providers, need for respite services, and reimbursement policies. Highly rated needs were family information, assistance with caregiver burden, and behavioral symptoms. Strategies critical for success were an interdisciplinary team, collaboration with community organizations, and alternatives to aggressive end‐of‐life care.

CONCLUSION: Almost all hospices and a majority of nonhospice PC programs serve patients with dementia. Education and policy efforts should focus on education for families and providers, support for caregivers, and reforming reimbursement structures to provide coverage for interdisciplinary PC earlier in the disease, when patients have high needs but are not hospice eligible.
Loss of Muscle Strength, Mass (Sarcopenia), and Quality (Specific Force) and Its Relationship with Functional Limitation and Physical Disability: The Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project
Authors: Hairi Noran N. , Cumming Robert G. , Naganathan Vasi , Handelsman David J. , Le Couteur David G. , Creasey Helen , Waite Louise M. , Seibel Markus J. , Sambrook Philip N.
Published: November 2010

OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between loss of muscle strength, mass, and quality and functional limitation and physical disability in older men.

DESIGN: Cross‐sectional study of older men participating in the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project (CHAMP).

SETTING: Elderly men living in a defined geographical region in Sydney, Australia.

PARTICIPANTS: One thousand seven hundred five community‐dwelling men aged 70 and older who participated in the baseline assessments of CHAMP.

MEASUREMENTS: Upper and lower extremity strength were measured using dynamometers for grip and quadriceps strength. Appendicular skeletal lean mass was assessed using dual X‐ray absorptiometry. Muscle quality was defined as the ratio of strength to mass in upper and lower extremities. For each parameter, subjects in the lowest 20% of the distribution were defined as below normal. Functional limitation was assessed according to self‐report and objective lower extremity performance measures. Physical disability was measured according to self‐report questionnaire.

RESULTS: After adjusting for important confounders, the prevalence ratio (PR) for poor quadriceps strength and self‐reported functional limitation was 1.91 (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.10–2.40); for performance‐based functional limitation the PR was 1.81 (95% CI=1.45–2.24). The adjusted PR for poor grip strength and physical disability in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) was 1.37 (95% CI=1.20–1.56). The adjusted PR for low skeletal lean mass (adjusted for fat mass) and physical disability in basic activities of daily living was 2.08 (95% CI=1.37–3.15). For muscle quality, the PR for lower extremity specific force and functional limitation and physical disability was stronger than upper extremity specific force.

CONCLUSION: Muscle strength is the single best measure of age‐related muscle change and is associated with physical disability in IADLs and functional limitation.