bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Der Einfluß von 10%iger Hydroxyäthylstärke 200/0,5 und 10%igem Dextran 40 auf Fließeigenschaft und Gerinnung von Vollblut in vivo
Authors: Klose R. , Feldmann U. , Hoecker P.
Published: June 2009

In einer randomisierten Studie erhielten normovolämische Patienten präoperativ innerhalb von 30 min entweder 500 ml 10% Dextran 40 (n = 8) Oder 10% HAS 200/0,5 (n = 10). Die Bestimmung von Hämatokrit, Hämoglobin, kolloidosmotischem Druck, Gesamtprotein, Thrombozytenzahl und Thrombozytenaggregation sowie die globalen Gerinnungstests zeigten über 24 h keine wesentlichen Veränderungen und keine Unterschiede zwischen den beiden Kollektiven. Die schergradabhängige Vollblutviskosität wurde im schergradrelevanten Bereich von 1,24–91,0 s––1 bestimmt. Beide Kolloide führen zu einer ausgeprägten Viskositätsabnahme, die auch noch nach 24 h in den niedrigeren klinisch relevanten Schergradbereichen nachweisbar ist. Die Plasmaviskosität zeigt keine Veränderungen. Die Wahl, welches der beiden Kolloide zur Viskositätssenkung eingesetzt wird, ist von der Häufigkeit und dem Ausmaß unerwünschter Nebenwirkungen abhängig zu machen.
Positive Minor Cross-Reaction due to Red Blood Cell T-Activation in a Neonate with Perforated Colon
Authors: Lenz G. , Sugg U. , Peter E. , Mayer G.
Published: June 2009

Es wird der Fall eines 39 Tage alten Frühgeborenen mit mechanischem Ileus und Kolonperforation berichtet, dessen Blutgruppe ohne Auffälligkeit als 0-Rh (D)-positiv bestimmt wurde. Bei der Kreuzprobe fielen alle Minor-Tests bei 4 Blutkonserven positiv aus, während die Major-Tests negativ waren. Die positive Minor-Reaktion ist wahr-scheinlich auf die nachgewiesene In-vivo-Freilegung von Thomsen-Friedenreich-Kryptantigenen an der Erythrozytenmembran (T-Aktivierung) und nachfolgende Agglutinationsreaktion mit Anti-T des Spenderserums zurückzuführen.
Heme Oxygenase-1 Increases Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Authors: Wu Ben J. , Midwinter Robyn G. , Cassano Carlos , Beck Konstanze , Wang Yutang , Changsiri Dechaboon , Gamble Jennifer R. , Stocker Roland
Published: June 2009

Objectives—

Induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protects against atherosclerotic disease in part by promoting reendothelialization. As endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute to reendothelialization, we examined the role of HO-1 on bone marrow and circulating EPCs.

Methods and Results—

In a rabbit model of aortic balloon injury, pharmacological induction of HO-1 enhanced reendothelialization at sites with and without adjacent blood vessels, the latter indicative of a contribution by EPCs. Coinciding with maximal HO-1 induction in the injured vessel, plasma concentrations of bilirubin and the numbers of circulating progenitor cells were elevated. Both processes were abolished by cotreatment of the animals with an inhibitor of HO-1. Inducers of HO-1 promoted bone marrow cells to form progenitor cell colonies, and Flk1
+
/Sca-1
+
-cells to adhere to the luminal surface of the injured vessel. In noninjured mice, HO-1 inducers also increased bone marrow and circulating EPCs, and the ability of these cells to differentiate and form colonies. Compared to wild-type mice, bone marrow cells from HO-1
−/−
mice generated fewer endothelial colony-forming cells, and HO-1 inducers failed to promote CFU-Hill colony formation.

Conclusions—

These findings suggest that HO-1 contributes to vascular repair by increasing circulating EPCs derived from the bone marrow.
Targeted Metabolomic Evaluation of Arginine Methylation and Cardiovascular Risks
Authors: Wang Zeneng , Tang W. H. Wilson , Cho Leslie , Brennan Danielle M. , Hazen Stanley L.
Published: June 2009

Background—

We examine the relationship of related posttranslational modification products of arginine methylation and coronary artery disease (CAD) phenotypes.

Methods and Results—

Plasma was isolated from 1011 consecutive consenting subjects undergoing elective diagnostic cardiac catheterization, and future major adverse cardiac events (MACE, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and death) at 3 years were investigated. Plasma levels of asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA, endogenous nitric oxide synthase [NOS] inhibitor), symmetrical dimethylarginine (SDMA, which lacks NOS inhibitory activity), N-mono-methylarginine (MMA, a potent NOS inhibitor), methyl-lysine (Methyl-Lys, an unrelated methylated amino acid), arginine, and its major catabolites (citrulline and ornithine) were quantified simultaneously by stable isotope dilution HPLC with online electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and adjusted for traditional risk factors, C-reactive protein, and estimated creatinine clearance. High SDMA levels (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.6, 95%CI, 1.1 to 2.6,
P
<0.001), low MMA (adjusted OR 0.5, 95%CI 0.4 to 0.8,
P
=0.007), but not ADMA (adjusted OR 1.3, 95%CI 0.88 to 2.0,
P
=0.177) were associated with increased prevalence of significantly obstructive CAD. Elevated levels of SDMA (adjusted Hazard Ratio [HR] 2.4, 95%CI 1.2 to 4.6,
P
=0.009), ADMA (adjusted HR 2.2, 95%CI 1.2 to 4.0,
P
=0.015), as well as an integrated index of arginine methylation [ArgMI=(ADMA+SDMA)/MMA] (adjusted HR 2.4, 95%CI 1.3 to 4.5,
P
=0.006) were significant independent predictors of incident MACE. ArgMI was predictive of incident MACE even following adjustments for global arginine bioavailability, particularly within secondary prevention patients.

Conclusions—

ADMA, SDMA, and the integrated quantification of arginine methylation (in the form of a methylation index) provided independent risk prediction for both significantly obstructive CAD and incident MACE in stable patients undergoing cardiac evaluation. These results suggest that factors beyond direct NOS inhibition contribute to the clinical associations between methylarginines and CAD outcomes.
Stimulation of Coronary Collateral Growth by Granulocyte Stimulating Factor
Authors: Carrão Ana Catarina R. , Chilian William M. , Yun June , Kolz Christopher , Rocic Petra , Lehmann Kerstin , van den Wijngaard Jeroen P.H.M. , van Horssen Pepijn , Spaan Jos A.E. , Ohanyan Vahagn , Pung Yuh Fen , Buschmann Ivo
Published: June 2009

Objective—

The purpose of this study was to determine whether G-CSF promotes coronary collateral growth (CCG) and decipher the mechanism for this stimulation.

Methods and Results—

In a rat model of repetitive episodic myocardial ischemia (RI, 40 seconds LAD occlusion every 20 minutes for 2 hours and 20 minutes, 3 times/d for 5 days) CCG was deduced from collateral-dependent flow (flow to LAD region during occlusion). After RI, G-CSF (100 μg/kg/d) increased CCG (
P
<0.01) (0.47±0.15) versus vehicle (0.14±0.06). Surprisingly, G-CSF treatment without RI increased CCG (0.57±0.18) equal to G-CSF+RI. We evaluated ROS by dihydroethidine (DHE) fluorescence (LV injection, 60 μg/kg, during two episodes of ischemia). DHE fluorescence was double in G-CSF+RI versus vehicle+RI (
P
<0.01), and even higher in G-CSF without RI (
P
<0.01). Interestingly, the DHE signal did not colocalize with myeloperoxidase (immunostaining, neutrophil marker) but appeared in cardiac myocytes. The study of isolated cardiac myocytes revealed the cytokine stimulates ROS which elicit production of angiogenic factors. Apocynin inhibited G-CSF effects both in vivo and in vitro.

Conclusions—

G-CSF stimulates ROS production directly in cardiomyocytes, which plays a pivotal role in triggering adaptations of the heart to ischemia including growth of the coronary collaterals.
Is Diabetes Mellitus an Independent Risk Factor for Venous Thromboembolism?
Authors: Heit John A. , Leibson Cynthia L. , Ashrani Aneel A. , Petterson Tanya M. , Bailey Kent R. , Melton L. Joseph
Published: June 2009

Objective—

Although diabetes mellitus is reported as a risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE), persons with diabetes are frequently hospitalized for medical illness or surgery, or confined to a nursing home, all major VTE risk factors. Consequently, we tested diabetes for an independent association with incident VTE.

Methods and Results—

Using Rochester Epidemiology Project resources, we identified all Olmsted County, Minn residents who met objective criteria for incident VTE over the 25-year period, 1976 to 2000 (n=1922), and 1 to 2 resident controls per case, matched on age, gender, and length of medical history (n=2115). Complete medical histories in the community were reviewed for previously identified independent VTE risk factors and diabetes-related variables. We tested diabetes and diabetes complications (retinopathy, nephropathy or neuropathy, and ketoacidosis) as potential VTE risk factors, both alone and after adjusting for VTE risk factors. Univariately, diabetes by clinical diagnosis or by stricter criteria (fasting ambulatory blood glucose ≥140 mg/dL or antidiabetic drug therapy), and diabetes complications, were associated with overall incident VTE. However, after controlling for hospitalization for major surgery or medical illness and nursing home confinement, diabetes was no longer associated with VTE.

Conclusion—

Diabetes mellitus and diabetes complications are not independent risk factors for incident VTE.
Somitovasculin, a Novel Endothelial-Specific Transcript Involved in the Vasculature Development
Authors: Mariappan Devi , Niemann Rabea , Gajewski Martin , Winkler Johannes , Chen Shuhua , Choorapoikayil Suma , Bitzer Marco , Schulz Herbert , Hescheler Jürgen , Sachinidis Agapios
Published: June 2009

Objective—

We recently isolated and characterized endothelial-like CD31
+
cells derived from mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells and identified their transcriptome. The main objective of this study was to determine the functional relevance of the transcripts of unknown function (TUF) for vasculature development.

Methods and Results—

We selected 2 TUFs of more than 27 to study their role for blood vessel development in zebrafish. Morpholino (MO) knockdown of the zebrafish orthologs of the first TUF (TUF1, mouse cDNA BC022623) showed disruption of the intersegmental vessels (ISV) at 2 days postfertilization as observed by live imaging of
fli:EGFP
-transgenic embryos. The morphants showed abnormal blood circulation, but no effect on hematopoiesis was observed as demonstrated by
gata-1
in situ hybridizations. Because knockdown of TUF1 resulted in disruption of the ISV patterning we named the TUF1 somitovasculin. TUF2 has been identified as cDNA clone BC020535. The MO knockdown of TUF2 resulted in a phenotype with an enlarged heart and the embryos lacked circulation completely.

Conclusion—

We have shown the participation of a novel transcript (named somitovasculin) in circulatory vessel development. The combination of expression profiling in differentiating mES cells and the zebrafish model has the potential for rapid identification and functional characterization of TUFs.
Reversible Oxidative Modification
Authors: Figtree Gemma A. , Liu Chia-Chi , Bibert Stephanie , Hamilton Elisha J. , Garcia Alvaro , White Caroline N. , Chia Karin K.M. , Cornelius Flemming , Geering Kaethi , Rasmussen Helge H.
Published: June 2009

Angiotensin II (Ang II) inhibits the cardiac sarcolemmal Na
+
-K
+
pump via protein kinase (PK)C-dependent activation of NADPH oxidase. We examined whether this is mediated by oxidative modification of the pump subunits. We detected glutathionylation of β
1
, but not α
1
, subunits in rabbit ventricular myocytes at baseline. β
1
Subunit glutathionylation was increased by peroxynitrite (ONOO
−
), paraquat, or activation of NADPH oxidase by Ang II. Increased glutathionylation was associated with decreased α
1
/β
1
subunit coimmunoprecipitation. Glutathionylation was reversed after addition of superoxide dismutase. Glutaredoxin 1, which catalyzes deglutathionylation, coimmunoprecipitated with β
1
subunit and, when included in patch pipette solutions, abolished paraquat-induced inhibition of myocyte Na
+
-K
+
pump current (
I
p
). Cysteine (Cys46) of the β
1
subunit was the likely candidate for glutathionylation. We expressed Na
+
-K
+
pump α
1
subunits with wild-type or Cys46-mutated β
1
subunits in
Xenopus
oocytes. ONOO
−
induced glutathionylation of β
1
subunit and a decrease in Na
+
-K
+
pump turnover number. This was eliminated by mutation of Cys46. ONOO
−
also induced glutathionylation of the Na
+
-K
+
ATPase β
1
subunit from pig kidney. This was associated with a ≈2-fold decrease in the rate-limiting E
2
→E
1
conformational change of the pump, as determined by RH421 fluorescence. We propose that kinase-dependent regulation of the Na
+
-K
+
pump occurs via glutathionylation of its β
1
subunit at Cys46. These findings have implications for pathophysiological conditions characterized by neurohormonal dysregulation, myocardial oxidative stress and raised myocyte Na
+
levels.
The Impact of Body Mass Index on Mortality After Stroke
Authors: Towfighi Amytis , Ovbiagele Bruce
Published: June 2009

Background and Purpose—

Little is known about the contribution of obesity to the higher mortality risk among stroke survivors. We assessed the independent association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality among stroke survivors.

Methods—

Cross-sectional and prospective data from a nationally representative survey of noninstitutionalized civilian U.S. population aged 25 or older (n=20 050) with a baseline history of stroke (n=644) followed up from survey participation (1988–1994) through mortality assessment in 2000. Relationships between BMI and mortality attributable to all causes or cardiovascular causes were examined after adjusting for established prognosticators after stroke.

Results—

Stroke survivors were more likely to be overweight (BMI 25 to 29 kg/m
2
) or obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m
2
) than those without stroke (64.3% versus 53.2%,
P
=0.003). In multivariable analysis, overall risk for all-cause mortality increased per kg/m
2
of higher BMI (
P
=0.030), but an interaction between age and BMI (
P
=0.009) revealed that the association of higher BMI with mortality risk was strongest in younger individuals and declined linearly with increasing age, such that in the elderly, overweightness and obesity had a protective effect. The results were similar for the cardiovascular mortality outcome.

Conclusions—

Higher BMI after stroke is associated with a greater risk of all-cause and cardiovascular death among younger individuals. Younger stroke survivors may especially benefit from more vigorous efforts to monitor and treat obesity.
Influence of Age on Racial Disparities in Stroke Admission Rates, Hospital Charges, and Outcomes in South Carolina
Authors: Feng Wuwei , Nietert Paul J. , Adams Robert J.
Published: June 2009

Background and Purpose—

Racial disparities among US stroke patients have been well documented. However, the extent to which disparities in outcomes vary by age is unclear. This study’s goals were to examine the degree of racial disparities in South Carolina between African Americans (AAs) and Caucasian Americans (CAs) in stroke admission rates, hospital charges, and outcomes and to determine whether racial differences varied by age.

Methods—

From the state hospital discharge database, admissions with a primary diagnosis of stroke discharged from 2002 to 2006 were identified. Age group–specific stroke admission rates, hospital charges, length of stay, intensive care unit utilization, medical complications, and discharge disposition (in-hospital death, discharged home, discharge to rehabilitation facility) were compared between AAs and CAs by multiple-linear or logistic-regression analysis.

Results—

There were 58 272 stroke admissions during the 5-year period. Stroke admission rates were persistently higher for AAs in all age groups except those ≥85 years old. Hospital charges totaled $1.51 billion; 24.0% ($362.5 million) of this total was attributable to racial disparities, 70.8% ($256.5 million) of which stemmed from the 36.6% of patients <65 years old. Most of the acute outcomes were poorer for AAs compared with CAs across age groups.

Conclusions—

Racial disparities in stroke admissions are more pronounced in younger age groups and result in significant economic consequences. Although AA stroke patients experienced generally worse acute outcomes than did CAs, these differences appear to be relatively consistent across age groups.
Robust Docosahexaenoic Acid–Mediated Neuroprotection in a Rat Model of Transient, Focal Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Belayev Ludmila , Khoutorova Larissa , Atkins Kristal D. , Bazan Nicolas G.
Published: June 2009

Background and Purpose—

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), an ω-3 essential fatty acid family member, is the precursor of neuroprotectin D1, which downregulates apoptosis and, in turn, promotes cell survival. This study was conducted to assess whether DHA would show neuroprotective efficacy when systemically administered in different doses after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in rats.

Methods—

Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with isoflurane and subjected to 2 hour of MCAo. Animals were treated with either DHA (low doses=3.5 or 7 mg/kg; medium doses=16 or 35 mg/kg; and high dose=70 mg/kg) or an equivalent volume of saline intravenously 3 hours after MCAo onset. Neurologic status was evaluated during occlusion (60 minutes) and on days 1, 2, 3, and 7 after MCAo. Seven days after MCAo, brains were perfusion-fixed, and infarct areas and volumes were determined.

Results—

Only the low and medium doses of DHA significantly improved the neurologic score compared with vehicle-treated rats at 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days. DHA markedly reduced total corrected infarct volume in all treated groups compared with vehicle-treated rats (3.5 mg/kg, 26±9 mm
3
; 7 mg/kg, 46±12 mm
3
; 16 mg/kg, 37±5 mm
3
; and 35 mg/kg, 34±15 mm
3
vs vehicle, 94±12 mm
3
). Cortical and striatal infarct volumes were also significantly reduced by treatment with DHA. No neuroprotective effects were observed with 70 mg/kg DHA.

Conclusions—

We conclude that DHA experimental therapy at low and medium doses improves neurologic and histologic outcomes after focal cerebral ischemia and might provide benefits in patients after ischemic stroke.
Fast and Robust Learning by Reinforcement Signals: Explorations in the Insect Brain
Authors: Huerta Ramón , Nowotny Thomas
Published: June 2009

We propose a model for pattern recognition in the insect brain. Departing from a well-known body of knowledge about the insect brain, we investigate which of the potentially present features may be useful to learn input patterns rapidly and in a stable manner. The plasticity underlying pattern recognition is situated in the insect mushroom bodies and requires an error signal to associate the stimulus with a proper response. As a proof of concept, we used our model insect brain to classify the well-known MNIST database of handwritten digits, a popular benchmark for classifiers. We show that the structural organization of the insect brain appears to be suitable for both fast learning of new stimuli and reasonable performance in stationary conditions. Furthermore, it is extremely robust to damage to the brain structures involved in sensory processing. Finally, we suggest that spatiotemporal dynamics can improve the level of confidence in a classification decision. The proposed approach allows testing the effect of hypothesized mechanisms rather than speculating on their benefit for system performance or confidence in its responses.
Quantifying Statistical Interdependence by Message Passing on Graphs—Part I: One-Dimensional Point Processes
Authors: Dauwels J. , Vialatte F. , Weber T. , Cichocki A.
Published: June 2009

We present a novel approach to quantify the statistical interdependence of two time series, referred to as stochastic event synchrony (SES). The first step is to extract “events” from the two given time series. The next step is to try to align events from one time series with events from the other. The better the alignment, the more similar the two time series are considered to be. More precisely, the similarity is quantified by the following parameters: time delay, variance of the timing jitter, fraction of noncoincident events, and average similarity of the aligned events.

The pairwise alignment and SES parameters are determined by statistical inference. In particular, the SES parameters are computed by maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation, and the pairwise alignment is obtained by applying the max-product algorithm. This letter deals with one-dimensional point processes; the extension to multidimensional point processes is considered in a companion letter in this issue.

By analyzing surrogate data, we demonstrate that SES is able to quantify both timing precision and event reliability more robustly than classical measures can. As an illustration, neuronal spike data generated by the Morris-Lecar neuron model are considered.
Direct Estimation of Inhomogeneous Markov Interval Models of Spike Trains
Authors: Wójcik Daniel K. , Mochol Gabriela , Jakuczun Wit , Wypych Marek , Waleszczyk Wioletta J.
Published: June 2009

A necessary ingredient for a quantitative theory of neural coding is appropriate “spike kinematics”: a precise description of spike trains. While summarizing experiments by complete spike time collections is clearly inefficient and probably unnecessary, the most common probabilistic model used in neurophysiology, the inhomogeneous Poisson process, often seems too crude. Recently a more general model, the inhomogeneous Markov interval model (Berry & Meister, 1998 ; Kass & Ventura, 2001 ), was considered, which takes into account both the current experimental time and the time from the last spike. Several techniques were proposed to estimate the parameters of these models from data. Here we propose a direct method of estimation that is easy to implement, fast, and conceptually simple. The method is illustrated with an analysis of sample data from the cat's superior colliculus.
Law in Romans Regulation and Instruction
Authors: Gosnell Peter
Published: June 2009

Paul, in Romans, appears inconsistent in quoting from the Law while declaring believers in Jesus to be discharged from it. This discussion suggests a resolution, first by comparing Paul's use of the term νομοζ with his appeals to scripture. After observing Paul's tendency to refer to νομοζ as written regulation, not to scripture, the study discusses problem passages to observe Paul using νομοζ ambiguously to advance his argument. That sets up Paul's normative appeal to laws in 13:8-10. Paul appears to advocate reading Torah as instructing scripture, while declaring its regulatory force at an end in Christ.
Wiederentstehung und Erneuerung (Tit 3:5) Zu einem erhaltenswerten Aspekt der Soteriologie des Titusbriefs
Authors: Zimmermann Christiane
Published: June 2009

The soteriological metaphor in Tit 3:5 δια λουτρου παλιγγενεσιαζ και ανακαινωσεωζ seems to be a combination of Pauline and pagan language. The Pauline neologism ανακαινωσιζ describes the individual salvation in the context of the new creation as a universal process, and seems to serve as an explanation of the preceding term παλιγγενεσια. The author of Titus uses the expression παλιγγενεσια, which is probably influenced by the reception of Stoic terminology by Philo, to describe not only the salvation of the individual person, but also of all believers in a universal sense. As the Stoic term παλιγγενεσια is used for the cosmic renewal of the world, this connotation has to be remembered even in Titus. Consequently παλιγγενεσια has to be translated rather with “regeneration” than with “rebirth”.
μακρουμειν in Ben Sira 35:19 and Luke 18:7 A Lexicographical Note
Authors: Rogland Max
Published: June 2009

This article investigates the lexical meaning of μακρουμειν in Luke 18:7 with a view to clarifying whether the verb means “to be patient or longsuffering” or “to delay or tarry”. The former meaning is well-attested in Greek sources, while evidence for the latter is sparse and is primarily supported by appeal to Sir 35:19 [22], in which μακρουμειν occurs in parallelism with βραδυνειν. After noting some of the limitations of parallelism as a lexicographical tool, the article examines the underlying Hebrew text of Sir 35:19. The verb μακρουμειν is used to render the hithpael of ℘ℑℵ, a verb which never indicates a “slowness to act” but rather refers to restraining or controlling oneself. Lexical evidence that μακρουμειν means “to delay or tarry” is therefore lacking; any sense of a temporal “delay” in Luke 18 or Sir 35 is to be attributed to the larger literary context and not to the semantics of the verb itself.
The Initial Location of the Pericope Adulterae in Fourfold Tradition
Authors: Keith Chris
Published: June 2009

This article responds to the recent claim of Josep Rius-Camps that the Pericope Adulterae was originally composed by Mark. Rius-Camps, in making his creative proposal, has overlooked significant textual and patristic evidence regarding where early Christians confronted the story of Jesus and the adulteress. This evidence suggests that, while the Pericope Adulterae is not original to the Gospel of John, its first location in fourfold gospel tradition was its traditional location, John 7:53-8:11.
Total Cholesterol Content of Erythrocyte Membranes and Coronary Atherosclerosis: An Intravascular Ultrasound Pilot Study
Authors: Giannoglou George D. , Koskinas Konstantinos C. , Tziakas Dimitrios N. , Ziakas Antonios G. , Antoniadis Antonios P. , Tentes Ioannis K. , Parcharidis George E.
Published: June 2009

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that erythrocytes may participate in atherogenesis. We sought to investigate the relationship between total cholesterol content in erythrocyte membranes (CEM) and coronary atheroma burden in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We prospectively enrolled 28 participants: 11 patients with angiographically significant CAD and 17 controls. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and 3-dimensional reconstruction of coronary arteries was performed in the patient subgroup. Results: Cholesterol content of erythrocyte membranes was higher in patients compared to controls (P < .01). Cholesterol content of erythrocyte membranes correlated with total atheroma volume (r = .82, P < .01) and with percentage plaque area at the vessel site with minimal lumen area (r = .75, P < .05). On multivariate analysis, CEM was the only variable independently predicting total atheroma volume (P = .05). Conclusions: This pilot study is the first to demonstrate a significant relation between CEM and coronary atherosclerotic burden, suggesting a possible role of erythrocyte membrane—derived lipids in the expansion of atheromata. The results merit validation in larger studies.
Managing in the creative industries: Managing the motley crew
Authors: Townley Barbara , Beech Nic , McKinlay Alan
Published: June 2009

This article introduces its subject with a brief overview of some of the contention concerning the creative industries, in terms of their purview, their significance within political economy, and the extent to which, and how, they may differ from other sectors. Arguing that the `motley crew' is a very broad church, and management must not confine itself solely to the management of production but should also consider the role of consumption, the authors suggest that research into the creative industries may be considered in relation to the capitals that inform its domain: intellectual capital (creative ideas), social capital (networks), and cultural capital (recognized authority or expertise). Considering research in these terms allows us to identify a matrix that might provide the basis for conversations between a range of discrete research areas, while also guiding future research into the creative industries.
Latent organizations in the film industry: Contracts, rewards and resources
Authors: Ebbers Joris J. , Wijnberg Nachoem M.
Published: June 2009

The main aim of this article is to study the extent to which the project-based organization (PBO) and the latent organization determine the actual behavior of actors in a project-based industry and how this is mediated by the types of contracts and rewarding practices these organizational forms allow. Labor contracts connected to the PBO are mostly transactional in nature, while the members of the latent organization are linked by relational contracts. Interviews with Dutch film producers show that the transactional contracts connected to the PBO are less important than the relational contracts connected to the latent organization in governing the actual behavior of the involved actors. Relational contracts that structure relationships in the latent organization allow flexible rewarding practices, just as in `normal' organizations. In turn, employees prove willing to assist the organization in handling environmental uncertainty by making resources available without insisting on immediate compensation.
The elephant in the room? Class and creative careers in British advertising agencies
Authors: McLeod Charlotte , O'Donohoe Stephanie , Townley Barbara
Published: June 2009

Advertising in Britain has traditionally been the preserve of a middle-class, public school and Oxbridge-educated workforce. Although this narrow recruitment base is recognized as problematic, the influence of social class on advertising careers remains largely unexplored. This article explores the career trajectories of British advertising creatives from different social class backgrounds and the forms of capital at their disposal. Drawing on life history interviews with creatives, we explore how they got started, got in and got on in advertising careers. In particular, we highlight how the `working-class' creatives struggled to overcome the economic, social and cultural barriers they face in entering the industry. We suggest, however, that once `in', the influence of their social class background was more subtle and less detrimental, due to the social capital they accumulated en route and the value of their distinctive brand of cultural capital.
Comparing local governments' performance internationally: a mission impossible?
Authors: Padovani Emanuele , Scorsone Eric
Published: June 2009

While some attempt has been made to address cross-national trends in performance measurement systems (PMSs) in local governments, very few systemic efforts have been attempted to uncover similarities and differences. This article seeks to advance the understanding of the variables researchers should consider when comparing the adoption characteristics and process of PMSs across countries at the local level. Specifically, a framework is constructed to argue that the intersection of the level of performance regime, the types of intergovernmental relationships and the focus of PMS in use on the different types of measure, shape a specific `performance measurement context' that affects comparability. The framework is then empirically motivated by a comparison between Italy and Michigan, USA. For practitioners and analysts, the framework is a tool to guide effective comparisons across service areas for applied research and organizational learning purposes.

Points for practitioners While benchmarking has become an increasingly used practice by local governments for various purposes — e.g. disclosure to citizens, definition of targets in budgeting processes, personnel evaluation — its domain is usually limited to comparisons within the same country. This article seeks to advance the understanding of the variables practitioners should consider when comparing local governments across countries at the local level. They are: the level of performance regime, the types of intergovernmental relationships and the focus of performance measurement systems in use including the different types of measures. These are discussed in the article and are the basis of a conceptual framework that will assist practitioners in understanding the comparability of local governments' performance systems across countries.
Financial autonomy and consistency of central government policy towards local governments
Authors: Oulasvirta Lasse , Turala Maciej
Published: June 2009

Traditionally, empirical assessment of local government financial autonomy has concentrated on the different income sources available to local governments. In this article we extend such evaluation to the expenditure autonomy side and combine these two dimensions of autonomy into a comprehensive evaluation of local government financial autonomy. The operationalization of financial autonomy offers a basis for an evaluation of the consistency of central government policy towards local governments. Our approach is then used for a comparison of two countries — Finland and Poland.

Points for practitioners

Key implications in our approach are the systematic evaluation of both income and expenditure autonomy of local governments, and combining these two dimensions of autonomy into a comprehensive evaluation of local government financial autonomy. The measurement of financial autonomy which is developed can be used as a management tool in central government policy towards local governments.
How to raise commitment in public university lecturers
Authors: Bayona-Sáez Cristina , Goñi-Legaz Salomé , Madorrán-García Cristina
Published: June 2009

The purpose of this article is to qualify the hypothesis that states that the presence of committed workers contributes to organizational success. So, it is necessary to clarify first of all what type of commitment and what kind of success is meant. The article then examines which variables the organization needs to act upon in order to influence it. A survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to academic staff at a public university in Spain. Data were analyzed using two ordered logit models, one for each type of commitment analyzed: affective commitment and continuance commitment. Analysis of the data shows that personal variables have a positive impact on affective commitment, and, while job-related characteristics do not appear to be significant, group variables such as working atmosphere have a positive impact. With respect to continuance commitment, age proved to be negatively significant and possession of a doctorate has a positive influence. The variables used to capture available opportunities to leave the organization are negatively significant.

Points for practitioners

The results that emerge can help educational managers to understand the predictors of the different types of commitment and design effective human resource policies. The empirical application is carried out in an organization within the services sector, specifically, a public university in Spain. A further contribution is the incorporation of variables from all categories or groups of antecedents, which permits a thorough diagnosis.
Women, the Military, and Academe
Authors: Harris G.L.A.
Published: June 2009

Academia, the military, and the family are greedy institutions that make total claims on women while vying for their unwavering commitment. This comparative analysis examines the sacrifices that women in the military and academe make in the quest toward promotion and tenure, offers solutions that might prove to be mutually beneficial to all involved, and points to the potential implications for public management and future research.
Nearest-Neighbor and Logistic Regression Analyses of Clinical and Heart Rate Characteristics in the Early Diagnosis of Neonatal Sepsis
Authors: Xiao Yuping , Griffin M. Pamela , Lake Douglas E. , Moorman J. Randall
Published: June 2009

Objectives. To test the hypothesis that nearest-neighbor analysis adds to logistic regression in the early diagnosis of late-onset neonatal sepsis. Design. The authors tested methods to make the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis using continuous physiological monitoring of heart rate characteristics and intermittent measurements of laboratory values. First, the hypothesis that nearest-neighbor analysis makes reasonable predictions about neonatal sepsis with performance comparable to an existing logistic regression model was tested. The most parsimonious model was systematically developed by excluding the least efficacious clinical data. Second, the authors tested the hypothesis that a combined nearest-neighbor and logistic regression model gives an outcome prediction that is more plausible than either model alone. Training and test data sets of heart rate characteristics and laboratory test results over a 4-y period were used to create and test predictive models. Measurements. Nearest-neighbor, regression, and combination models were evaluated for discrimination using receiver-operating characteristic areas and for fit using the Wald statistic. Results. Both nearest-neighbor and regression models using heart rate characteristics and available laboratory test results were significantly associated with imminent sepsis, and each kind of model added independent information to the other. The best predictive strategy employed both kinds of models. Conclusion. The authors propose nearest-neighbor analysis in addition to regression in the early diagnosis of subacute, potentially catastrophic illnesses such as neonatal sepsis, and they recommend it as an approach to the general problem of predicting a clinical event from a multivariable data set.
Latissimus Dorsi and Teres Major Tears in Professional Baseball Pitchers
Authors: Schickendantz Mark S. , Kaar Scott G. , Meister Keith , Lund Pamela , Beverley Laurel
Published: June 2009

Background

Latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon tears are uncommon injuries. Only a few case reports exist, mainly in high-level athletes.

Purpose

To describe a series of latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon tears in professional baseball pitchers.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

Injury data from 3 Major League Baseball clubs were collected over a total of 10 seasons. Any baseball player who sustained an injury to either the latissimus dorsi or teres major identified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was included. All injured players were treated nonoperatively with a goal of returning to full velocity throwing at 3 months from the time of injury.

Results

Ten players sustained injuries to the latissimus dorsi and/or the teres major during pitching. The MRI findings documented 5 isolated latissimus dorsi tears, 4 isolated teres major tears, and 1 combined injury. All athletes returned to pitching, and all but 1 player returned to baseball at the same level of competition in the same season. Nine of 10 players returned at 3 months from the time of their injury. One recurrence was seen 6 months after returning to throwing; however, this healed with further nonoperative treatment, and the player returned to competition at the same level 6 weeks later. One player had continued shoulder symptoms and retired at the end of the season.

Conclusion

Although uncommon, tears of the latissimus dorsi and teres major occur in professional baseball players. Acute injuries are demonstrated on standard shoulder MRI, although larger field-of-view images are required to accurately assess the injury. Most heal successfully with nonoperative treatment, and most players are able to return to the same level of competition in 3 months.
Nuclear Weapons as Shields
Authors: Beardsley Kyle , Asal Victor
Published: June 2009

What security benefits do nuclear weapons provide to their possessors? After accounting for two potential selection effects, the empirical evidence from all international crises from 1945 to 2000 indicates that opponents of nuclear-weapon states demonstrate restraint in turning to violent aggression. Nuclear weapons, however, have little effect on overall crisis occurrence.The authors also explore the behavioral effects of nuclear-weapons programs and find that program states have a higher proclivity for crisis occurrence.
Revisiting Predictions of War Duration
Authors: Bennett D. Scott , Stam Allan C.
Published: June 2009

We reexamine the fit of Bennett and Stam's 1996 model of war duration, correcting errors in the reported estimates of prediction accuracy.We discuss how to assess fit in the absence of standard or widely accepted measures of fit in duration models. We introduce a proportional reduction in error measure for duration models and report new estimates of model fit from the Bennett and Stam model.The model does significantly reduce prediction error relative to a naïve model.
Evaluating the Monadic Democratic Peace
Authors: Quackenbush Stephen L. , Rudy Michael
Published: June 2009

The democratic peace is a well established empirical law in the international relations literature.Two key findings mark the cornerstone of the democratic peace: first, democracies almost never fight other democracies, and second, democracies regularly fight non-democracies. Although most empirical analyses and theoretical explanations have focused on the dyadic nature of the democratic peace, some have argued that democratic norms make democracies more peaceful than other regime types in general, not just in their relations with other democracies. In this article, we evaluate the monadic democratic peace to examine support for the claim that democracies are more peaceful in general than non-democracies. Examining the frequency of conflict and the likelihood of dispute initiation using four different measures of democracy, our results indicate that, while the dyadic democratic peace is strongly supported, there is little, if any, empirical support for the monadic democratic peace.
New Datasets on Political Institutions and Elections, 1972—2005
Authors: Regan Patrick M. , Frank Richard W. , Clark David H.
Published: June 2009

This article introduces two new datasets produced by the Institutions and Elections Project.Those datasets contain nuanced information describing the political institutions, the constitutional and practical arrangements in governments, and every national election for every country in the international system between 1972 and 2005.We believe the 127 variables in these data represent a significant contribution to research programs in comparative and world politics interested in the nuances of domestic politics.
Community Service Among a Panel of Beginning College Students: Its Prevalence and Relationship to Having Been Required and to Supporting “Capital”
Authors: Griffith James
Published: June 2009

To meet several information needs in the study of community service, survey data gathered from a nationally representative sample of first-time beginning college students (approximately 9,500), first as freshmen and later as juniors, were analyzed. About half (48%-50%) of the students at both points in time performed community service, of which about one tenth (8%-9%) was required by the student’s college program. Having done community service in 2004, whether required or not, showed a statistically reliable relationship to having done community service in 2006. Results suggest that not all types of community service draw on the same "capital" or resources, offering possible directions for future methods to promote general and specific types of community service.
Comparing Formal and Informal Lobbying Practices in China
Authors: Kennedy Scott
Published: June 2009

The marketization of China's economy and the attendant need for a supporting regulatory framework have resulted in extensive lobbying by Chinese and foreign industry. The central party-state has adopted an ambivalent posture toward this development. On the one hand, the government has encouraged the development of industry associations, public hearings, and comment-and-response periods for draft laws and regulations to routinize public policy consultations. On the other hand, the central party-state is deeply concerned about the political consequences of permitting greater social activism, and hence, it continues to constrain the maturation of these same formal institutions and processes. As a consequence, informal lobbying practices, such as direct lobbying and manipulation of the media, have become more prominent vehicles for industry involvement in the policy process.
Judicial Interpretation of China's Supreme People's Court as “Secondary Law” with Special Reference to Criminal Law
Authors: Keith Ronald C. , Zhiqiu Lin
Published: June 2009

The analysis of the profile and role of China's Supreme People's Court needs updating. The Court is actively developing new interpretative formats that concern its relations with sister organizations and the National People's Congress. This article contextualizes these formats within China's changing institutional dynamics. China does not have a separation of powers; however, the Chinese system of justice does have its own separation of functions. The Court is playing a pivotal role from within the changing separation of functions, but the extent and quality of its independence from other organizations are open to question. In the context of deepening legal reform, the law is still incomplete and imperfect, and Court interpretation has often served as “secondary law.” In short, pragmatic judicial interpretations have sometimes preceded legislation by Congress. Remedy such as secondary law might be justified as absolute administrative necessity given the outstanding structural problems that characterize China's criminal justice system, but it has attracted internal criticism that argues for narrowing the function of the Court to a more tightly disciplined judicial role as well as for plugging the holes in legal process and structure by creating guiding case law and supporting the “freedom of judge's decision making.”
Family, Welfare and Districts
Authors: Mingione Enzo
Published: June 2009

Southern European countries such as Spain, Greece and Italy have recently been the primary final destination of immigrants trying to reach Europe. For this reason these countries are becoming interesting cases for a comparison of the processes of settlement, integration and conflict experienced by immigrants. Even though a comprehensive comparative analysis among European states is not entirely feasible, we can already notice certain characteristics of immigrant settlements as well as the trajectories of their social and geographic mobility. This article is mostly centred on the Italian context and discusses three themes: recent immigration in some industrial districts, female immigrants as care workers in urban centres, and finally emerging/changing social conflicts as a direct consequence of immigration fluxes. The Italian cases illustrated in this article suggest the emergence of forms of territorial settlement which are not very segregated, but may in any event be potentially conflictual. In this respect I will discuss the growing economic competition among different types of immigrant entrepreneurs, the segregation and discrimination of immigrant children in schools, and finally the ethno-spatial conflicts which recently came to the fore in Milan.
Poles To Newcastle
Authors: Stenning Alison , Dawley Stuart
Published: June 2009

Identifying a missing local and regional scale in most analyses of UK migration, this article maps the geography of post-accession migrants from Central Europe (A8 migrants) and highlights the need to analyse the phenomenon of migration to localities and regions with little history of immigration and with underperforming labour markets. It draws on the particular example of the North East of England to ask how migrant workers are grounded in local labour markets, and uses this case-study to examine the interrelations between migration and labour markets. The article explores the role of different institutions — public and private — at different scales in mediating and regulating the labour market participation of migrant workers, and reviews the processes of A8 labour migration in the context of debates over regional labour markets and skills. In short, the article reflects in both conceptual and policy terms on the place of migrant workers in peripheral regions, and connects the analysis to debates over the potential contribution of migration to regional labour markets and economies, as policymakers increasingly look to migration for rejuvenation of skills and employment.