bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Job Satisfaction and Gender in the APS: Who’d Want to be a Male?
Authors: Lindorff Margaret
Published: March 2011

This article uses the 2008 State of the Service survey data to compare the job satisfaction and attitudes toward work of men and women in the Australian Public Service (APS). It shows that up to and including Executive Level (EL) women are significantly more positive than men about their work and the organisation. At Senior Executive Service (SES) level men are more satisfied. The article also looks at the predictors of job satisfaction separately for men and women at each level, and finds that career progression, support for work‐life balance, agency leadership, role clarity and authority and good immediate management are significant contributors for most employees. It suggests that the APS use these findings to identify those areas which need to be developed in order to attract men, and increase the job satisfaction of existing male staff at Executive Level and below.
Competition and Collaboration in the Contracting of Family Relationship Centres1
Authors: Butcher John , Freyens Benoît Pierre
Published: March 2011

In 2005–06 the Australian government announced the establishment of 65 Family Relationship Centres (FRCs) – a ‘gateway’ service assisting separating couples to reach agreement about child custodial arrangements without recourse to courts. The use of a multi‐round competitive contracting regime for the purpose of selecting service providers gave rise to a number of tensions amongst not‐for‐profit organisations (NFPOs) which, to a degree, compromised the full realisation of stated public policy aims. Reporting on fieldwork conducted with a sample of FRC operators, industry representatives and key government officials this article evaluates the extent to which the case of FRCs conforms to critiques commonly aired in the social policy literature that attribute various forms of policy failure and/or social capital depletion to the competitive contracting of human services within quasi‐markets. Although the competitive selection process imposed significant costs on the NFPOs involved, the program also exhibited substantial collaborative and collegial behaviours between government and NFPOs, thus diverging from the critique usually portrayed in the literature.
The Fallout to the Guide to the Proposed Basin Plan
Authors: Crase Lin
Published: March 2011

The political fallout from the release of the Guide to the Proposed Basin Plan in the Murray‐Darling is illustrative of the difficulties associated with reallocating water resources in this context. The response of Minister Burke has been somewhat predictable, with a resurgent interest in public subsidy of irrigation infrastructure evident. This article is used to examine the policy background to the Guide and critically consider further subsidy of irrigation infrastructure. The article concludes that infrastructure investment at the expense of the public purse will fail to deal with the problems at hand and generate a plethora of additional future problems.
The Impact of Energy Asset Privatisation on State Government Debt Management and Service Provision in Victoria and New South Wales
Authors: Abbott Malcolm
Published: March 2011

The purpose of this article is to look at the impact of the privatisation of the electricity and gas industries in the state of Victoria on the level of state government debt and subsequent ability of the state to deliver public services in the areas of health, education and law and order. In order to undertake this, a comparison is made with the state of New South Wales (NSW), where the privatisation of the electricity industry was often debated during the 1990s and 2000s, but never undertaken.
Efficient Depth‐of‐Field Rendering with Adaptive Sampling and Multiscale Reconstruction
Authors: Chen Jiating , Wang Bin , Wang Yuxiang , Overbeck Ryan S. , Yong Jun‐Hai , Wang Wenping
Published: March 2011

Depth‐of‐field is one of the most crucial rendering effects for synthesizing photorealistic images. Unfortunately, this effect is also extremely costly. It can take hundreds to thousands of samples to achieve noise‐free results using Monte Carlo integration. This paper introduces an efficient adaptive depth‐of‐field rendering algorithm that achieves noise‐free results using significantly fewer samples. Our algorithm consists of two main phases: adaptive sampling and image reconstruction. In the adaptive sampling phase, the adaptive sample density is determined by a ‘blur‐size’ map and ‘pixel‐variance’ map computed in the initialization. In the image reconstruction phase, based on the blur‐size map, we use a novel multiscale reconstruction filter to dramatically reduce the noise in the defocused areas where the sampled radiance has high variance. Because of the efficiency of this new filter, only a few samples are required. With the combination of the adaptive sampler and the multiscale filter, our algorithm renders near‐reference quality depth‐of‐field images with significantly fewer samples than previous techniques.
ANALYSING POLICY DELIVERY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM: THE CASE OF STREET CRIME AND ANTI‐SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Authors: SMITH MARTIN J. , RICHARDS DAVID , GEDDES ANDREW , MATHERS HELEN
Published: March 2011

For all governments, the principle of how and whether policies are implemented as intended is fundamental. The aim of this paper is to examine the difficulties for governments in delivering policy goals when they do not directly control the processes of implementation. This paper examines two case studies – anti‐social behaviour and street crime – and demonstrates the difficulties faced by policy‐makers in translating policy into practice when the policy problems are complex and implementation involves many actors.
PUBLIC POLICY NETWORKS AND ‘WICKED PROBLEMS’: A NASCENT SOLUTION?
Authors: FERLIE EWAN , FITZGERALD LOUISE , McGIVERN GERRY , DOPSON SUE , BENNETT CHRIS
Published: March 2011

The last two decades have seen a shift in public services organizations from hierarchies to networks. Network forms are seen as particularly suited to handling ‘wicked problems'. We make an assessment of the nature and impact of this shift. Using recent evidence from the United Kingdom (UK) National Health Service (NHS), we explore the nature and functioning of eight different public policy networks. We are also interested in whether there has been a radical transition – or not – from hierarchical to network forms.
THE LIMITATIONS OF PUBLIC MANAGEMENT NETWORKS
Authors: McGUIRE MICHAEL , AGRANOFF ROBERT
Published: March 2011

With regard to public management network theory development, among the most important issues that remain is a recognition of the limitations of networks. Networks often find reasonable solution approaches, but then run into operational, performance, or legal barriers that prevent the next action step. Networks face challenges in converting solutions into policy energy, assessing internal effectiveness, surmounting the inevitable process blockages, mission drift, and so on. While research on network management continues unabated, it is necessary to consider how networks are limited and challenged, and how/when these limitations can be overcome.
BRINGING STRUCTURES BACK IN: THE ‘GOVERNANCE NARRATIVE’, THE ‘DECENTRED APPROACH’ AND ‘ASYMMETRICAL NETWORK GOVERNANCE’ IN THE EDUCATION AND SPORT POLICY COMMUNITIES
Authors: GOODWIN MARK , GRIX JONATHAN
Published: March 2011

We reflect upon the ‘governance narrative’ as a means of conceptualizing recent developments in the British state. Recent public administration research has advocated a ‘decentred approach’ that would reject the linear narrative of a shift from hierarchical to network governance. We seek to build on ‘decentring’ theorists' critique of existing governance literature by offering case studies of the education and sport policy communities, arguing that the ‘new’ governance form is present in these sectors, but only as an element of a state strategy, the effect of which is to reduce autonomy and increase dependence on the centre among actors outside the core executive. We use the case studies to reflect back on the utility of the decentred approach and suggest that the range of questions it might tackle could be expanded by allowing for a greater role for structures and institutions in explanation, alongside the ideas, culture and belief of actors.
THE ORDER OF QUESTIONS IN A SURVEY ON CITIZEN SATISFACTION WITH PUBLIC SERVICES: LESSONS FROM A SPLIT‐BALLOT EXPERIMENT
Authors: VAN DE WALLE STEVEN , VAN RYZIN GREGG G.
Published: March 2011

Surveys of citizen satisfaction with local public services have become widespread, with the results increasingly used to reorganize services, to allocate budgets, and to hold managers accountable. But evidence from a split‐ballot experiment that we conducted suggests that the order of questions in a citizen survey has important effects on reported satisfaction with specific public services as well as overall citizen satisfaction. Moreover, the correlations of specific service ratings with overall satisfaction, and thus the identification of key drivers of overall satisfaction, also turn out to be highly sensitive to question order. These findings are in line with research on priming and question order effects in the survey methodology literature, but these effects have not been carefully examined before in the context of citizen surveys and public administration research. Policy and management implications of these finding are discussed.
The Contemporary Significance of Schmalenbach's Concept of the Bund
Authors: Hetherington Kevin
Published: March 2011

This paper will look at a form of sociation known as the Bund, conceptualized by Schmalenbach in the 1920's. I shall argue that this long ignored concept, dealing with affectual form of solidarity in small groups, is of considerable relevance to contemporary issues concerning individuality and lifestyle, particularly in relation to debates surrounding their significance in modernity and postmodernity. After looking at the historical origins of the German word Bund and its usage by various groups from the Bundschuh to the Wandervogel, I shall consider its significance in the sociology of Herman Schmalenbach, particularly in relation to his critiques of Tönnies's Gemeinschaft/Gesellschaft dualism and Weber's typology of social action. A comparison of the Bund will then be made with Victor Turner's concept of communitas and Maffesoli's concept of the neo-tribe. The paper will conclude by looking at some contemporary examples of Bund-like sociations using a diverse range of examples including: the womens' peace camp at Greenham Common; soccer crews and Tom Peter's notion of the workplace based ‘self-managing team’. My central argument shall be that an understanding of the Bund is of use in explaining the significance and dynamics of all manner of elective groups and lifestyles
‘Race’-Education Policy as Social Control?
Authors: Gabe Jonathan
Published: March 2011

This paper focuses on the instrumentalist Marxist model which has been used to explain the policies of the British state in the field of ‘race’-education. After discussing the model's core assumptions and its application in this field the paper explores the model's explanatory adequacy through a case study of the role of the quasi-state agencies of the ‘race’-relations industry in developing ‘race’-education policy in initial teacher education. It ends by considering whether a new conceptual framework is needed to understand ‘race’-education policy.
A Fallible Safety System: Institutionalised Irrationality in the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Wright Chris
Published: March 2011

The circumstances surrounding the explosion on platform Piper Alpha, July 6th 1988, are analysed in order to account for the failure of the principal administrative safety system, the Permit to Work. It is discovered that the system was incoherent and that failures to follow its procedures were endemic and normal. Two consequent problems are addressed. First, why were such unprocedural practices accepted, unremedied and engaged in by all levels of management; attention is drawn to the effects on work organisation of sub-contract employment and to structurally generated limitations of managerial expertise. Second, is it possible to sustain conventional sociological models of organisational rationality in a setting of such institutionalised irrationality; attention is drawn to the significance of the ritualisation of procedure in situations of limited control. Therefore, the necessity of developing models within sociology of non-rational action and organisation is noted.
The PI3K‐Akt pathway inhibits senescence and promotes self‐renewal of human skin‐derived precursors in vitro
Authors: Liu Shuang , Liu Shu , Wang Xinyue , Zhou Jiaxi , Cao Yujing , Wang Fei , Duan Enkui
Published: March 2011

Skin‐derived precursors (SKPs) are embryonic neural crest‐ or somite‐derived multipotent progenitor cells with properties of dermal stem cells. Although a large number of studies deal with their differentiation ability and potential applications in tissue damage repair, only a few studies have concentrated on the regulation of SKP self‐renewal. Here, we found that after separation from their physiological microenvironment, human foreskin‐derived SKPs (hSKPs) quickly senesced and lost their self‐renewal ability. We observed a sharp decrease in Akt activity during this process, suggesting a possible role of the PI3K‐Akt pathway in hSKP maintenance in vitro. Blocking this pathway with several inhibitors inhibited hSKP proliferation and sphere formation and increased hSKP senescence. In contrast, activating this pathway with PDGF‐AA and a PTEN inhibitor, bpV(pic), promoted proliferation, improved sphere formation, and alleviated senescence of hSKPs, without altering their differentiation potential. Data also implied that this effect was associated with altered actions of FoxO3 and GSK‐3β. Our results suggest an important role of the PI3K‐Akt pathway in the senescence and self‐renewal of hSKPs. These findings also provide a better understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying hSKP self‐renewal and stem cell senescence to allow more efficient expansion of hSKPs for regenerative medical applications.
Store‐operated calcium entry remains fully functional in aged mouse skeletal muscle despite a decline in STIM1 protein expression
Authors: Edwards Joshua N. , Blackmore Daniel G. , Gilbert Daniel F. , Murphy Robyn M. , Launikonis Bradley S.
Published: March 2011

Store‐operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is a robust mechanism in skeletal muscle, supported by abundant STIM1 and Orai1 in the junctional membranes. The precise role of SOCE in skeletal muscle Ca2+ homeostasis and excitation–contraction coupling remains to be defined. Regardless, it remains important to determine whether the function and capacity of SOCE changes in aged skeletal muscle. We identified an approximate 40% decline in the expression of the integral SOCE protein, stromal interacting molecule 1 (STIM1), but no such decline in its coupling partner, Orai1, in muscle fibers from aged mice. To determine whether this changed aspects of SOCE functionality in skeletal muscle in aged mice, Ca2+ in the cytoplasm and t‐system were continuously and simultaneously imaged on a confocal microscope during sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release and compared to experiments under identical conditions using muscle fibers from young mice. Normal activation, deactivation, Ca2+ influx, and spatiotemporal characteristics of SOCE were found to persist in skeletal muscle from aged mice. Thus, SOCE remains a robust mechanism in aged skeletal muscle despite the decline in STIM1 protein expression, suggesting STIM1 is in excess in young skeletal muscle.
Autonomic arousal and relational aggression in heterosexual dating couples
Authors: MURRAY‐CLOSE DIANNA , HOLLAND ASHLEY S. , ROISMAN GLENN I.
Published: March 2011

This study investigated the association between romantic relational aggression and autonomic nervous system (ANS) arousal in the context of heterosexual dating couples (N = 115 couples). Results indicated that romantic relational aggression was associated with low resting sympathetic arousal, high resting parasympathetic arousal, and exaggerated fight or flight responses to a conflict discussion (sympathetic activation and parasympathetic withdrawal). However, ANS activity was more strongly associated with romantic relational aggression in the context of low‐quality romantic relationships, and sympathetic activity was more strongly associated with aggression among females, whereas parasympathetic activity was more strongly associated with aggression among males. Results indicate that psychophysiological functioning may serve as a risk factor for the perpetration of relational aggression against romantic partners.
Daily stress, closeness, and satisfaction in gay and lesbian couples
Authors: TOTENHAGEN CASEY J. , BUTLER EMILY A. , RIDLEY CARL A.
Published: March 2011

A daily diary analysis of the associations among stress, closeness, and relationship and sexual satisfaction was conducted with a sample of 40 gay male and 55 lesbian couples. Using interdependence theory as a guide, both actor and partner effects of stress, closeness, and their interaction were investigated. As predicted, it was found that participants' own feelings of closeness toward their partners buffered the negative association between stress and satisfaction but that when participants' partners felt particularly close on a stressful day their closeness exacerbated associations between stress and reduced satisfaction. These contrasting effects of closeness underscore the importance of considering the daily processes of both partners contributing to relationship quality.
Mechanism‐based inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP)2A6 by chalepensin in recombinant systems, in human liver microsomes and in mice in vivo
Authors: Ueng Yune‐Fang , Chen Chien‐Chih , Chung Yu‐Ting , Liu Tsung‐Yun , Chang Yu‐Ping , Lo Wei‐Sheng , Murayama Norie , Yamazaki Hiroshi , Souček Pavel , Chau Gar‐Yang , Chi Chin‐Wen , Chen Ruei‐Ming , Li Ding‐Tzai
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Chalepensin is a pharmacologically active furanocoumarin compound found in rue, a medicinal herb. Here we have investigated the inhibitory effects of chalepensin on cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2A6 in vitro and in vivo.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Mechanism‐based inhibition was studied in vitro using human liver microsomes and bacterial membranes expressing genetic variants of human CYP2A6. Effects in vivo were studied in C57BL/6J mice. CYP2A6 activity was assayed as coumarin 7‐hydroxylation (CH) using HPLC and fluorescence measurements. Metabolism of chalepensin was assessed with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS).

KEY RESULTS CYP2A6.1, without pre‐incubation with NADPH, was competitively inhibited by chalepensin. After pre‐incubation with NADPH, inhibition by chalepensin was increased (IC50 value decreased by 98%). This time‐dependent inactivation (kinact 0.044 min−1; KI 2.64 µM) caused the loss of spectrally detectable P450 content and was diminished by known inhibitors of CYP2A6, pilocarpine or tranylcypromine, and by glutathione conjugation. LC/MS analysis of chalepensin metabolites suggested an unstable epoxide intermediate was formed, identified as the corresponding dihydrodiol, which was then conjugated with glutathione. Compared with the wild‐type CYP2A6.1, the isoforms CYP2A6.7 and CYP2A6.10 were less inhibited. In mouse liver microsomes, pre‐incubation enhanced inhibition of CH activity. Oral administration of chalepensin to mice reduced hepatic CH activity ex vivo.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Chalepensin was a substrate and a mechanism‐based inhibitor of human CYP2A6. Formation of an epoxide could be a key step in this inactivation. ‘Poor metabolizers’ carrying CYP2A6*7 or *10 may be less susceptible to inhibition by chalepensin. Given in vivo, chalepensin decreased CYP2A activity in mice.
Endocannabinoids and traumatic brain injury
Authors: Shohami Esther , Cohen‐Yeshurun Ayelet , Magid Lital , Algali Merav , Mechoulam Raphael
Published: March 2011

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents the leading cause of death in young individuals. It triggers the accumulation of harmful mediators, leading to secondary damage, yet protective mechanisms are also set in motion. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system consists of ligands, such as anandamide and 2‐arachidonoyl‐glycerol (2‐AG), receptors (e.g. CB1, CB2), transporters and enzymes, which are responsible for the ‘on‐demand’ synthesis and degradation of these lipid mediators. There is a large body of evidence showing that eCB are markedly increased in response to pathogenic events. This fact, as well as numerous studies on experimental models of brain toxicity, neuroinflammation and trauma supports the notion that the eCB are part of the brain's compensatory or repair mechanisms. These are mediated via CB receptors signalling pathways that are linked to neuronal survival and repair. The levels of 2‐AG, the most highly abundant eCB, are significantly elevated after TBI and when administered to TBI mice, 2‐AG decreases brain oedema, inflammation and infarct volume and improves clinical recovery. The role of CB1 in mediating these effects was demonstrated using selective antagonists or CB1 knockout mice. CB2 were shown in other models of brain insults to reduce white blood cell rolling and adhesion, to reduce infarct size and to improve motor function. This review is focused on the role the eCB system plays as a self‐neuroprotective mechanism and its potential as a basis for the development of novel therapeutic modality for the treatment of CNS pathologies with special emphasis on TBI.

LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed issue on Cannabinoids in Biology and Medicine. To view the other articles in this issue visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2011.163.issue‐7
Fangchinoline induces autophagic cell death via p53/sestrin2/AMPK signalling in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Wang Ning , Pan Weidong , Zhu Meifen , Zhang Maosheng , Hao Xiaojian , Liang Guangyi , Feng Yibin
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Fangchinoline is a novel anti‐tumour agent with little known of its cellular and molecular mechanisms of action. Here we have investigated the mode of cell death induced by fangchinoline and its underlying mechanism in two human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Apoptosis and autophagy were monitored in fangchinoline‐treated HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5 cells by histological methods. The signal transduction pathways involved in activation of autophagy were examined, using immunoblotting, real‐time PCR and siRNA techniques.

KEY RESULTS Fangchinoline did not induce apoptosis in HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5 cells but triggered, dose‐dependently, autophagy, an alternative mode of cell death which may contribute to fangchinoline's anti‐tumour action. Nuclear translocation of p53 was involved in induction of autophagy by fangchinoline, followed by selective transactivation of the autophagy‐related gene sestrin2 and initiation of the autophagic process. Signalling by the AMP‐activated protein kinase was also involved as a downstream target of sestrin2 and induced mTOR‐independent autophagic cell death in both cell lines. siRNA for Atg 5 or pharmacological block of p53 abolished fangchinoline‐induced autophagy and inhibition of autophagy switched cell death to apoptosis in these cells, suggesting that cell death is irreversible once autophagy is induced by fangchinoline.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Fangchinoline is a highly specific agent inducing autophagic cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma cells with a novel mechanism, which elucidates the potential of fangchinoline to potentiate programmed cell death in cancer cells.
Cognitive Interviews to Test and Refine Questionnaires
Authors: García Alexandra A.
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT Survey data are compromised when respondents do not interpret questions in the way researchers expect. Cognitive interviews are used to detect problems respondents have in understanding survey instructions and items, and in formulating answers. This paper describes methods for conducting cognitive interviews and describes the processes and lessons learned with an illustrative case study. The case study used cognitive interviews to elicit respondents' understanding and perceptions of the format, instructions, items, and responses that make up the Diabetes Symptom Self‐Care Inventory (DSSCI), a questionnaire designed to measure Mexican Americans' symptoms of type 2 diabetes and their symptom management strategies. Responses to cognitive interviews formed the basis for revisions in the format, instructions, items, and translation of the DSSCI. All those who develop and revise surveys are urged to incorporate cognitive interviews into their instrumentation methods so that they may produce more reliable and valid measurements.
Satellite Lesions in Congenital Melanocytic Nevi—Time for a Change of Name
Authors: KINSLER VERONICA
Published: March 2011

Abstract:  The term “satellite lesions” is used in many conditions in dermatology, generally to describe smaller lesions near the edges of a principal lesion. An online medical dictionary gives the definition “a smaller lesion accompanying a main one and situated nearby,” and this can apply both macroscopically and microscopically. The implication is that the smaller lesions have spread from the parent lesion. Given this definition and usual understanding of the term its use is not apt in the case of congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN). In the vast majority of cases where the patient is said to have satellite lesions these are not restricted to the area around or near the edge of the principal lesion, and are not necessarily significantly smaller. It seems likely that the early use of the term in this condition is an adaptation of the established and correct use in the context of melanoma. Not only is the term not apt clinically but has no known etiological basis. This leaves us with the question of what to call these lesions in cases of CMN. This proposal is to categorise cases into single or multiple CMN, where multiple is 2 or more nevi of any size at birth. An accurate count or good estimate of the number of lesions at birth should also be recorded, and the largest lesion classified as usual with respect to projected adult size.
Annular Lipoatrophic Panniculitis of the Ankles
Authors: Corredera Cristina , Iglesias Maribel , Hernández‐Martín Angela , Colmenero Isabel , Dilme Elisabet , Torrelo Antonio
Published: March 2011

Abstract:  We report a girl with lipophagic lobular panniculitis of unknown origin located on her ankles leading to circumferential fat atrophy of the ankles, a condition usually referred to as “annular lipoatrophy of the ankles.” According to our patient’s features and five additional cases reported so far, we conclude that this condition is actually an end‐stage manifestation of an idiopathic lobular panniculitis of children localized to the lower part of the lower limbs. An association with some autoimmune manifestations is highlighted.
Surgical Treatment of a Meningoencephalocele in a Cat
Authors: Dewey Curtis W. , Brewer David M. , Cautela Michaela A. , Talarico Lauren R. , Silver Gena M.
Published: March 2011

Objective: To report the clinical signs, imaging findings and surgical treatment of a meningoencephalocele in a cat.

Study Design: Case report.

Animal: Domestic shorthaired cat, 4 months old.

Methods: A parietal meningoencephalocele was identified and characterized by magnetic resonance and computed tomography (CT) imaging. The abnormal tissue was excised and submitted for histopathology, and the meningeal and skull defects were reconstructed.

Results: The cat made a full recovery and the episodes of aggression, restlessness and apparent discomfort that occurred before surgery ceased after surgical treatment. The cat was clinically normal 1 year postoperatively.

Conclusion: Surgical management of meningoencephalocele in cats may be a viable treatment option.
A Wound Retraction Device for Laparoscopic‐Assisted Intestinal Surgery in Dogs and Cats
Authors: Gower Sara B. , Mayhew Philipp D.
Published: March 2011

Objectives: To report experience with laparoscopic‐assisted intestinal resection and anastomosis for treatment of discrete intestinal masses using a novel wound retraction device.

Study Design: Case series.

Animals: Dogs (n=2) and cats (6).

Methods: Dogs and cats with discrete intestinal masses identified by ultrasonography without evidence of intestinal perforation or peritonitis, were included. A 2 portal technique was used; 1 portal was enlarged for insertion of the wound retraction device through which the intestine was examined as thoroughly as possible. The diseased portion of the intestine was exteriorized through the wound retractor and resection and anastomosis of the intestinal mass performed.

Results: Of the 8 animals, laparoscopic‐assisted intestinal resection and anastomosis through the wound retractor was performed in 2 dogs and 3 cats. In 3 cats, based on either location or extent of the lesion, 2 were converted to laparoscopic‐assisted intestinal biopsies and 1 to an open colocolostomy. No other intra‐ or perioperative complications were encountered and all animals survived to discharge.

Conclusions: Laparoscopic‐assisted intestinal resection and anastomosis can be performed in select canine and feline patients with modestly sized, discrete intestinal masses.
Outcome after Repair of a Sarcoma‐Related Pathologic Fracture in Dogs: A Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology Retrospective Study
Authors: Boston Sarah E. , Bacon Nicholas J. , Culp William T.N. , Bhandal Jitender , Bruce Charles , Cavanaugh Ryan P. , Hamilton Michael H. , Lincoln James D. , Liptak Julius M. , Scharvogel Stefan
Published: March 2011

Objective: To report outcome in dogs after internal fixation of a sarcoma‐related pathologic fracture of the appendicular skeleton.

Study Design: Multi‐institutional case series.

Animals: Dogs (n=16).

Methods: Medical records of participating VSSO members were reviewed for dogs with pathologic fracture associated with a confirmed bone sarcoma of the appendicular skeleton repaired by external or internal fixation. Dogs were included if they had a histological diagnosis of osteosarcoma or sarcoma and excluded if they had radiation before fracture. Data collected were analyzed for signalment, fracture location, staging performed, method of fracture fixation, histopathology, adjunctive treatment and outcome.

Results: Signalment and fracture location of 16 dogs that met the inclusion criteria was similar to dogs with appendicular OSA without fracture. One of 14 dogs had pulmonary metastasis and 3 of 5 dogs had bone metastasis. Bone plate or interlocking nail were used for repair in 12 dogs. Limb use immediately after surgery in 13 dogs was good (4), weight‐bearing but lame (7) and non‐weight bearing (2). Adjunctive therapy was administered in 5 dogs (chemotherapy, 3; radiation, 4; pamidronate, 3). Survival time ranged from 18 to 897 days; median survival was 166 days.

Conclusions: Repair of pathologic fracture can result in palliation and prolonged survival.
Anatomic Study of the Canine Stifle Using Low‐Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and MRI Arthrography
Authors: Pujol Esteban , Van Bree Henri , Cauzinille Laurent , Poncet Cyrill , Gielen Ingrid , Bouvy Bernard
Published: March 2011

Objective: To investigate the use of low‐field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MR arthrography in normal canine stifles and to compare MRI images to gross dissection.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Sample Population: Adult canine pelvic limbs (n=17).

Methods: Stifle joints from 12 dogs were examined by orthopedic and radiographic examination, synovial fluid analysis, and MRI performed using a 0.2 T system. Limbs 1 to 7 were used to develop the MR and MR arthrography imaging protocol. Limbs 8–17 were studied with the developed MR and MR arthrography protocol and by gross dissection. Three sequences were obtained: T1‐weighted spin echo (SE) in sagittal, dorsal, and transverse plane; T2‐weighted SE in sagittal plane and T1‐gradient echo in sagittal plane.

Results: Specific bony and soft tissue structures were easily identifiable with the exception of articular cartilage. The cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments were identified. Medial and lateral menisci were seen as wedge‐shaped hypointense areas. MR arthrography permitted further delineation of specific structures. MR images corresponded with gross dissection morphology.

Conclusions: With the exception of poor delineation of articular cartilage, a low‐field MRI and MR arthrography protocol provides images of adequate quality to assess the normal canine stifle joint.
Successful ELF Communications and Implications for ELT: Sequential Analysis of ELF Pronunciation Negotiation Strategies
Authors: MATSUMOTO YUMI
Published: March 2011

This is a qualitative study of nonnative English speakers who speak English as a lingua franca (ELF) in their graduate student dormitory in the United States, a community of practice (Wegner, 2004) comprised almost entirely of second language users. Using a sequential analysis (Koshik, 2002; Markee, 2000; Sacks, Schegloff, & Jefferson, 1974; Schegloff, Koshik, Jacoby, & Olsher, 2002), the study investigates how these ELF speakers successfully manage their intercultural communication through accommodation strategies (e.g., Jenkins, 2000, 2006) used to address differences in pronunciation and familiarity with a range of ELF speech styles. Drawing on my own experience as a member of this community, I investigate how speakers display equality and legitimacy as English language users in the ELF community in face‐to‐face interactions when they negotiate understanding in spite of their different accents. ELF speakers exhibit a wide variety of pronunciations as a result of first language cross‐linguistic influence, and those phonological differences may hamper intercultural communication, more than any other linguistic feature. For this reason, I have chosen to focus on phonological issues for this study. I argue that sequential analysis of the interactions among speakers of English as a lingua franca may provide useful examples of successful communication among these groups. Data from such analysis should be included in English language teaching as a model of successful interaction strategies directed toward students who will face these situations. The analysis of this ELF data will also be useful as a model for the study of other languages that are often used as lingua francas.
Public Information and Coordination: Evidence from a Credit Registry Expansion
Authors: HERTZBERG ANDREW , LIBERTI JOSÉ MARÍA , PARAVISINI DANIEL
Published: March 2011

This paper provides evidence that lenders to a firm close to distress have incentives to coordinate: lower financing by one lender reduces firm creditworthiness and causes other lenders to reduce financing. To isolate the coordination channel from lenders' joint reaction to new information, we exploit a natural experiment that forced lenders to share negative private assessments about their borrowers. We show that lenders, while learning nothing new about the firm, reduce credit in anticipation of other lenders' reaction to the negative news about the firm. The results show that public information exacerbates lender coordination and increases the incidence of firm financial distress.
Private Equity and Long‐Run Investment: The Case of Innovation
Authors: LERNER JOSH , SORENSEN MORTEN , STRÖMBERG PER
Published: March 2011

A long‐standing controversy is whether leveraged buyouts (LBOs) relieve managers from short‐term pressures from public shareholders, or whether LBO funds themselves sacrifice long‐term growth to boost short‐term performance. We examine one form of long‐run activity, namely, investments in innovation as measured by patenting activity. Based on 472 LBO transactions, we find no evidence that LBOs sacrifice long‐term investments. LBO firm patents are more cited (a proxy for economic importance), show no shifts in the fundamental nature of the research, and become more concentrated in important areas of companies' innovative portfolios.
Do Buyouts (Still) Create Value?
Authors: GUO SHOURUN , HOTCHKISS EDITH S. , SONG WEIHONG
Published: March 2011

We examine how leveraged buyouts from the most recent wave of public to private transactions created value. Buyouts completed between 1990 and 2006 are more conservatively priced and less levered than their predecessors from the 1980s. For deals with post‐buyout data available, median market‐ and risk‐adjusted returns to pre‐ (post‐) buyout capital invested are 72.5% (40.9%). In contrast, gains in operating performance are either comparable to or slightly exceed those observed for benchmark firms. Increases in industry valuation multiples and realized tax benefits from increasing leverage, while private, are each economically as important as operating gains in explaining realized returns.
Corporate Governance, Product Market Competition, and Equity Prices
Authors: GIROUD XAVIER , MUELLER HOLGER M.
Published: March 2011

This paper examines whether firms in noncompetitive industries benefit more from good governance than do firms in competitive industries. We find that weak governance firms have lower equity returns, worse operating performance, and lower firm value, but only in noncompetitive industries. When exploring the causes of the inefficiency, we find that weak governance firms have lower labor productivity and higher input costs, and make more value‐destroying acquisitions, but, again, only in noncompetitive industries. We also find that weak governance firms in noncompetitive industries are more likely to be targeted by activist hedge funds, suggesting that investors take actions to mitigate the inefficiency.
Institutional Trade Persistence and Long‐Term Equity Returns
Authors: DASGUPTA AMIL , PRAT ANDREA , VERARDO MICHELA
Published: March 2011

Recent studies show that single‐quarter institutional herding positively predicts short‐term returns. Motivated by the theoretical herding literature, which emphasizes endogenous persistence in decisions over time, we estimate the effect of multiquarter institutional buying and selling on stock returns. Using both regression and portfolio tests, we find that persistent institutional trading negatively predicts long‐term returns: persistently sold stocks outperform persistently bought stocks at long horizons. The negative association between returns and institutional trade persistence is not subsumed by past returns or other stock characteristics, is concentrated among smaller stocks, and is stronger for stocks with higher institutional ownership.
Local Dividend Clienteles
Authors: BECKER BO , IVKOVIĆ ZORAN , WEISBENNER SCOTT
Published: March 2011

We exploit demographic variation to identify the effect of dividend demand on corporate payout policy. Retail investors tend to hold local stocks and older investors prefer dividend‐paying stocks. Together, these tendencies generate geographically varying demand for dividends. Firms headquartered in areas in which seniors constitute a large fraction of the population are more likely to pay dividends, initiate dividends, and have higher dividend yields. We also provide indirect evidence as to why managers may respond to the demand for dividends from local seniors. Overall, these results are consistent with the notion that the investor base affects corporate policy choices.
Safety, Efficacy, and Performance of Implanted Recycled Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices in Underprivileged Patients
Authors: HASAN REEMA , GHANBARI HAMID , FELDMAN DUSTIN , MENESSES DANIEL , RIVAS DANIEL , ZAKHEM NICOLE C. , DUARTE CARLOS , MACHADO CHRISTIAN
Published: March 2011

Introduction: Patients in underdeveloped nations have limited access to life‐saving medical technology including cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices. We evaluated alternative means to provide such technology to this patient population while assessing the safety and efficacy of such a practice.

Methods: Patients in the United States with clinical indications for extraction of CRM devices were consented. Antemortem CRM devices were cleaned and sterilized following a protocol established at our institution. Surveillance in vitro cultures were performed for quality assurance. The functional status of pulse generators was tested with a pacing system analyzer to confirm at least 70% battery life. Most generators were transported, in person, to an implanting institution in Nicaragua. Recipients with a Class I indication for CRM implantation, and meeting economical criteria set forth, were consented for implantation of a recycled device.

Results: Between 2003 and 2009, implantation was performed in 17 patients with an average age of 42.1 ± 20.3 years. Of the 17 patients, nine were male and eight were female. Mean follow‐up was 68 ± 38 months. Device evaluation occurred prior to discharge, 4 weeks post implantation, and every 6 months thereafter. There were three deaths during the follow‐up period secondary to myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure. Hematoma formation occurred in one patient. No infections, early battery depletion, or device malfunction were identified during follow‐up.

Conclusions: Our case series is the longest follow‐up of recipients of recycled antemortem CRM devices. Our findings support the feasibility and safety of this alternative acquisition of life‐saving technology. (PACE 2011; 653–658)
Adenosine‐Dependent Concealed Accessory Pathway
Authors: TINT DIANA , KUN CSABA , BEKE ILDIKO , CSANADI ZOLTAN
Published: March 2011

Adenosine is routinely used during ventricular pacing to exclude the persistence of retrograde accessory pathways conduction after radiofrequency (RF) ablation procedures by blocking conduction over the atrioventricular node. This is the first report of an adenosine‐dependent concealed accessory pathway demonstrating transient conduction only after adenosine administration. Our findings may have potential clinical implications in reducing recurrence after accessory pathway ablation. Furthermore, it may add relevant information regarding the ability of adenosine to elicit dormant conduction after RF ablation, a phenomenon that has acquired considerable interest in the era of pulmonary vein isolation. PACE 2012; 35:e91–e93)
Case Fatality in Children with Supraventricular Tachycardia in the United States
Authors: SALERNO JACK C. , GARRISON MICHELLE M. , LARISON CINDY , SESLAR STEPHEN P.
Published: March 2011

Background: The prognosis for most patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is thought to be excellent. However, the fatality rate in children with SVT is poorly defined and there are no large‐scale, multicenter studies to support this commonly held belief.

Methods: We reviewed an administrative database containing inpatient records from 41 stand‐alone children's hospitals and identified all hospitalized patients younger than 25 years with a discharge diagnosis of SVT between January 2003 and September 2008.

Results: We analyzed the index hospitalization of 1,755 patients with the discharge diagnosis of SVT, of whom 58% were male and 52% had comorbid structural heart disease (SHD). There were a total of 68 patient deaths (4%) with 56 of 68 (82%) of the deaths occurring in patients with SHD. In total, 6% of the patients with SHD died, whereas only 1% of the patients without SHD died. Regression analysis revealed that case fatality is increased in patients less than 1 month of age (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.35 to 4.32), in patients with SHD (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.22 to 5.80), and in those having cardiomyopathy with (OR 6.72, 95% CI 1.79 to 25.28) and without SHD (OR 6.74, 95% CI 1.67 to 27.26).

Conclusions: The case fatality in patients who have SVT without SHD is low. It is increased in the very young and in those with comorbid cardiovascular disease. Case fatality is highest in patients with a cardiomyopathy regardless of SHD. (PACE 2011; 34:832–836)
Regional Ganglionated Plexus Ablation Eliminated Rapid Firing in an Electrically Isolated Pulmonary Vein
Authors: JIANG RU‐HONG , JIANG CHEN‐YANG , LIU QIANG , PO SUNNY S.
Published: March 2011

Atrial fibrillation (AF) was initiated by rapid firing from left superior pulmonary vein (PV) by administration of isoproterenol (ISP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) before ablation. After successful isolation of all PVs, ISP and ATP were administered again. PVs were still isolated but an episode of rapid firing was observed inside the left PV isolation line during sinus rhythm. Radiofrequency energy was then delivered to the areas of superior left ganglionated plexus (GP) and inferior left GP. Then, PV firing could no longer be initiated. It suggests additional GP ablation may have additional benefit to circumferential PV isolation, to reduce the incidence of AF recurrence. (PACE 2012; 35:e316–e319)
Enhanced Conductivity and Nonlinear Voltage–Current Characteristics of Nonstoichiometric BaTiO3 Ceramics
Authors: Beltrán Héctor , Prades Marta , Masó Nahum , Cordoncillo Eloisa , West Anthony R.
Published: March 2011

The electrical conductivity of both BaO‐deficient and TiO2‐deficient BaTiO3 ceramics shows nonohmic, low‐field characteristics at temperatures >∼200°C in contrast to stoichiometric BaTiO3 for which the electrical conductivity is independent of applied voltage. The nonlinearity is observed in both bulk and grain‐boundary resistances of ceramics that are both porous (∼82%) and nonporous (∼98%) and is not associated with interfacial phenomena such as Schottky barriers and memristors or with charge injection from the electrodes. Results, shown as a function of time over the temperature range 200°–750°C with field gradients in the range ∼0.5–20 V/mm, indicate that an excited state is reached that is time, temperature, and field dependent. This effect appears to be caused by departures from local electroneutrality in the defect structure of nonstoichiometric BaTiO3 which are reduced by electron transfer on application of a dc bias, leading to a more conducting, low‐level excited state in which holes associated with underbonded oxygens, presumably as O− ions, are the principal charge carriers. Ceramics gradually return to their ground state in two stages on removal of the dc bias and the conductivity decreases overall by two to three orders of magnitude.
The role of CXCR7 on the adhesion, proliferation and angiogenesis of endothelial progenitor cells
Authors: Dai Xiaozhen , Tan Yi , Cai Shaoxi , Xiong Xin , Wang Lingqiao , Ye Qunfang , Yan Xiaoqing , Ma Kaiwang , Cai Lu
Published: March 2011

Previous studies confirmed that stromal cell‐derived factor 1 (SDF‐1) was a principal regulator of retention, migration and mobilization of haematopoietic stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) during steady‐state homeostasis and injury. CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) has been considered as the unique receptor of SDF‐1 and as the only mediator of SDF‐1‐induced biological effects for many years. However, recent studies found that SDF‐1 could bind to not only CXCR4 but also CXC chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7). The evidence that SDF‐1 binds to the CXCR7 raises a concern how to distinguish the potential contribution of the SDF‐1/CXCR7 pathway from SDF‐1/CXCR4 pathway in all the processes that were previously attributed to SDF‐1/CXCR4. In this study, the role of CXCR7 in EPCs was investigated in vitro. RT‐PCR, Western blot and flow cytometry assay demonstrate that both CXCR4 and CXCR7 were expressed highly in EPCs. The adhesion of EPCs induced by SDF‐1 was inhibited by blocking either CXCR4 or CXCR7 with their antibodies or antagonists. SDF‐1 regulated the migration of EPCs via CXCR4 but not CXCR7. However, the transendothelial migration of EPCs was inhibited by either blocking of CXCR4 or CXCR7. Both CXCR7 and CXCR4 are essential for the tube formation of EPCs induced by SDF‐1. These results suggested that both CXCR7 and CXCR4 are important for EPCs in response to SDF‐1, indicating that CXCR7 may be another potential target molecule for angiogenesis‐dependent diseases.