bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of spatial resolution, contrast sensitivity and binocularity in normal and strabismic kittens
Authors: Li XR , Crewther SG , Westbrook A , Crewther DP
Published: November 2007

The purpose of the present experiment was to evaluate visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and binocularity in teno‐tomized, strabismic kittens of various ages.
Postoperative suture manipulation for control of corneal graft astigmatism
Authors: Hirst Lawrence W , McCoombes John A , Reedy Manjula
Published: November 2007

Purpose: To assess the effect on post‐keratoplasty astigmatism of postoperative manipulation of a single running suture.

Methods: All corneal transplant patients in whom a single 10/0 nylon running suture was placed between November 1990 and April 1996 were included in a prospective study of the effect of manipulation of the suture at the earliest possible time after surgery when the keratometry became possible by virtue of the epithelial surface integrity and where this revealed astigmatism of greater than 2 D.

Results: One hundred and ninety eyes underwent suture manipulation and were followed up. Follow up on 30 eyes was discontinued. Repeat manipulation of the running suture was the most common reason for discontinuation of follow up. The remaining patients were followed for a mean (± SD) 415.5 ± 326.4 days. Mean astigmatism of 7.8 ± 3.1 D was reduced to 1.7 ± 2.0 D immediately after manipulation, but regressed to 3.0 ± 1.9 D (n= 76) by 1 year. The suture was removed in 32 patients. Twenty‐five eyes had post‐removal astigmatism measurements. In these 25 eyes, astigmatic error appeared not to revert to premanipulation levels. The only significant complication was one broken suture at manipulation.

Conclusions: Early suture manipulation is effective in reducing suture in post‐keratoplasty astigmatism, but some regression is seen.
Lacrimal canalicular obstruction associated with topical ocular medication
Authors: McNab Alan A
Published: November 2007

Purpose: To describe the association between the use of various types of topical ocular medications and acquired lacrimal canalicular obstruction in 14 patients.

Methods: The records of all patients in the author's practice with either lacrimal canalicular or punctal occlusion associated with the use of topical ocular medication were reviewed.

Results: Fourteen cases were identified. The obstructions occurred at any point from the punctum to the common canaliculus, but most commonly occurred 2–5 mm from the lacrimal punctum. There was an association with various degrees of clinically apparent subconjunctival scaring maximal at the inner canthus, rarely to a severe degree, with symblepharon, medial canthal keratinization and cicatricial medial entropion. In some cases, no subconjunctival scarring could be clinically detected. Topical medications used were often multiple and included prednisolone acetate/phenylephrine hydrochloride (n= 5), timolol maleate (n= 5), pilocarpine (n= 3), dipivefrine hydrochloride or adrenaline (n= 3), chloramphenicol (n= 3), tobramycin (n= 3), indomethacin (n= 2), ecothiopate iodide (n= 1), betaxolol (n= 1), dexamethasone (n= 1), tropicamide (n= 1) and the long‐term use of naphazoline and various artificial tear preparations (n= 1). The duration of exposure ranged from 3 weeks to 20 years, with seven patients having used drops for 3–6 weeks. Seven patients had surgical repair, three by dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and glass by‐pass tube (all successful), three by canalicular repairs (one failed) and one by DCR and canalicular repair that restenosed at the puncta, who then had successful punctoplasty and silicone intubation.

Conclusions: Lacrimal canalicular obstruction may occur after relatively short‐term exposure to topical ocular medications or as part of a more widespread cicatricial reaction in patients on long‐term medication. While a direct causal relationship cannot be confirmed, there appears to be a strong association and the site of the obstructions makes other causes unlikely.
Technetium‐99m (V) dimercaptosuccinic acid uptake by choroidal melanoma before and after iodine‐ 125 brachytherapy
Authors: Kiratli Hayyam , Kiratli Pinar Özgen , Ercan Meral Tayan , Bilgiç Sevgül
Published: November 2007

Purpose: The value of the new tumour‐seeking agent technetium‐99m (V) dimercaptosuccinic acid (99mTc (V) DMSA), is assessed by the visualization of choroidal melanoma before and after iodine‐ 125 episcleral plaque brachytherapy.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 12 consecutive patients with choroidal melanoma that was to be treated with plaque brachytherapy. The pre‐operative mean (± SD) maximal tumour basal diameter was 12.9 ± 2.9 mm and the mean tumour height was 8.2 ± 2.9 mm. Each patient had planar scintigraphy and single‐photon emission computed tomography using 99mTc (V) DMSA 2 days before treatment and 8 months following plaque removal. The calculated tumour to background ratios of these two tests were compared.

Results: The pre‐operative tumour to background ratio was 1.8 ± 0.4 and all tumours could be correctly identified. At the time of postoperative imaging, all melanomas showed varying degrees of regression. The mean tumour height was 4.4 ± 2.1 mm. The tumour to background ratio was 1.4 ± 0.3. The difference between the two scintigraphic results was statistically significant (P= 0.002).

Conclusions: Technetium‐99m (V) DMSA scintigraphy can accurately detect choroidal melanoma and document tumour response following episcleral radioactive plaque therapy. As such, this test can be an alternative ancillary investigative tool in the rare event of opaque media or diagnostic uncertainty.
Lipaemia retinalis
Authors: El‐Harazi Sherif M , Kellaway Judianne , Arora Anil
Published: November 2007

Purpose: To present a patient with the rare condition of lipaemia retinalis and discuss the clinical features of this condition and its association with elevated triglyceride levels.

Methods: Clinical evaluation of the patient, including fundus photographs before and after the initiation of a low fat diet, was undertaken.

Results: Lowering of serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels was associated with complete resolution of the clinical picture of lipaemia retinalis.

Conclusions: Lipaemia retinalis is a rare condition that is related to markedly elevated triglyceride levels. Lowering triglycerides levels leads to resolution of the clinical picture of this disease.
Persistent infra‐orbital nerve hyperaesthesia after blunt orbital trauma
Authors: Tengtrisorn Supaporn , McNab Alan A , Elder James E
Published: November 2007

Background: Hyperaesthesia involving the infra‐orbital nerve is rarely associated with orbital floor fracture.

Methods: An 11‐year‐old boy and a 34‐year‐old man had persistent and severe hyperaesthesia in the distribution of the infra‐orbital nerve 12 and 26 months, respectively, after blunt orbital trauma.

Results: Surgical decompression of the infra‐orbital nerve resulted in rapid and complete resolution of the hyperaesthesia in both cases.

Conclusion: Persistent hyperaesthesia of the infra‐orbital nerve is another indication for exploration of the orbital floor following blunt orbital trauma.
Combined astigmatic keratotomy with corneal valvular incision in the treatment of high surgical astigmatism
Authors: Dada T , Tityal JS , Sharma N
Published: November 2007

Background: Astigmatic keratotomy is used conventionally to correct moderate surgical astigmatism. However, cases with very high surgical astigmatism due to wound compression can show a dramatic response to relaxing keratotomies made in the steeper meridian. The effect obtained cannot be predicted pre‐operatively by using standard nomograms.

Methods: Coupled arcuate keratotomies combined with corneal valvular incisions were performed in a case of high astigmatism post‐cataract surgery.

Results/Conclusion: Coupled arcuate keratotomies were combined with a corneal valvular incision enabled a surgical correction of nearly 9 D of astigmatism.
Pterygium surgery in Victoria: A survey of ophthalmologists
Authors: Snibson Grant R , Luu Chi D , Taylor Hugh R
Published: November 2007

Aim: To determine the surgical approaches and adjunctive therapies currently used by Victorian ophthalmologists for the treatment of primary and recurrent pterygia.

Method: Ophthalmologists practising in Victoria were asked to complete a written survey relating to their experience with pterygium surgery.

Results: Responses were received from 142 of 165 ophthalmologists surveyed (86%). Of these, 107 (75%) had performed at least one pterygium operation during the preceding 2 years. Excision followed by beta irradiation was the most commonly performed procedure for both primary (57%) and recurrent (35%) pterygia. The next most commonly performed procedure for primary pterygia was excision leaving bare sclera (15%) and, for recurrent pterygia, excision with autologous conjunctival transplantation (26%). Considerable variation was observed in surgical technique, choice of adjunctive therapy, postoperative care and in the surgeons' estimates of the frequency of major complications.

Conclusion: Although there is little consensus regarding the surgical management of pterygium, beta irradiation remains the most commonly used adjunctive therapy in Victoria.
Adjunctive intra‐operative local anaesthesia in paediatric strabismus surgery: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Carden Susan M , Colville Deb J , Davidson Andrew J , McKenzie Ian M , Mackey David A , McKenzie John , Elder James E
Published: November 2007

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that adjunctive local anaesthesia decreases postoperative pain, vomiting or length of stay in children having strabismus repair

Method: A prospective, randomized, triple‐armed clinical trial involving a treatment comparison between topical amethocaine, sub‐conjunctival bupivacaine and, as a placebo, topical normal saline was performed. All treatments were given at the end of surgery before emergence from the anaesthetic.

Results: Overall, there was no statistically significant difference between outcome measures in the three trial groups. Using post hoc analysis there was a statistically significant difference between the groups receiving amethocaine and bupivacaine compared with the saline group in terms of the pain score at 120 min postoperatively. This difference has little clinical significance.

Conclusions: Neither topical amethocaine nor subconjunctival bupivacaine makes a clinically significant difference to postoperative pain, emesis or length of stay. Moderate dose paracetamol per rectum alone appears to be effective analgesia for strabismus surgery, although it probably masked any small adjunctive effect of the topical anaesthesia used in the present trial.
Motion capture and the ‘Ouchi’ effect
Authors: Hine Trevor J , Cook Michael , Zanker Johannes M
Published: November 2007

Purpose: The role of motion contrast and motion capture in the ‘Ouchi’ effect was investigated in a simplified stimulus.

Methods: Sinewave gratings were rapidly oscillated vertically within two concentric stationary ‘apertures’, an innerdisc surrounded by an annulus.

Results: A strong illusion of relative motion between the disc and annulus is observed in the horizontal direction for 8 and 12 cycles/deg given small orientation differences between the two gratings.

Conclusion: These parameters coincide with those of the ‘Ouchi’ effect, suggesting a sharing of the same causal mechanism.
Motion perception in global versus local attentional modes
Authors: Duke CC , Crewther SG , Lawson ML , Henry L , Kiely PM , West SJ , Crewther DP
Published: November 2007

Purpose: Global and local attention are two forms of selective visual attention which activate different areas of the cortex. The purpose of this experiment was to test subjects' motion coherence thresholds under conditions of global or local attention. It was hypothesized that thresholds in global attention would be lower than in local attention.

Methods: Eleven adult subjects participated in this study. Subjects were required to identify direction of motion at variable coherence levels, while simultaneously identifying either the global or local letter. Three velocities were used for coherent motion (3, 6 and 18°/s).

Results: The results showed that letter identification (global or local) did not significantly affect motion coherence thresholds; however; thresholds were significantly higher at 18°/s than in the lower velocities.

Conclusions: These results highlight the attentional limitations of visual information shown by increased motion coherence thresholds when two objects must be identified simultaneously in a brief display.
Intracellular structures of retinal vascular endothelium in normal and early diabetic rats
Authors: Yu PK , Yu DY , Alder VA , Su EN , Cringle SJ
Published: November 2007

Purpose: To determine whether the arrangement of microfilaments in retinal vascular endothelium is altered in early diabetes.

Methods: F‐actin and nuclei of retinal vascular endothelial cells of normal and diabetic (28 weeks postinduction) rats were examined using confocal microscopy.

Results: An increase in the incidence of aberrant F‐actin bundle arrangement in the diabetic retinal arteriole was observed, but there was no disruption of peripheral border F‐actin. The diameter of superficial capillaries was increased in diabetic rats.

Conclusion: These changes may be related to the endothelial dysfunction demonstrated in a previous pharmacological study.
Preservation of vasoactive properties of human retinal arteries after cryopreservation
Authors: Su Er‐Ning , Yu Dao‐Yi , Cringle Stephen , Alder Valerie , Yu Paula , Buckland Lisa
Published: November 2007

Purpose: Although we have several established in vitro systems for studying the vasoactive properties of the ocular vasculature. the restricted availability of human donor tissue has forced us to rely predominantly on animal studies.

Methods: The present paper describes, for the first time, a controlled‐rate cryopreservation technique capable of maintaining vasoactive function in human retinal arteries after extended storage.

Results/Conclusion: The response to constrictive (erdothelin‐1) and vasodilatory agents (nimodipine and betaxolol) was comparable with that in fresh pig vessels. It is now possible to obtain multiple segments of retinal artery from a single donor eye and to preserve them for detailed pharmacological assessment.
Patterns of peri‐operative prophylaxis for cataract surgery: A survey of Australian ophthalmologists
Authors: Morlet Nigel , Gatus Barrie , Coroneo Minas
Published: November 2007

Background: Although peri‐operative prophylaxis to prevent endophthalmitis is commonly practised by ophthalmologists, no one method has clearly been demonstrated to be more effective than another. We surveyed 570 Fellows of the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists to determine what their methods of prophylaxis were and whether these differed for patients who developed endophthalmitis.

Methods: The questionnaire asked about the types of antibiotics and other methods of prophylaxis used before, during and after cataract surgery. Of those who reported cases of endophthalmitis, we asked specifically about the methods of prophylaxis used for those patients.

Results: The response was 89% and the incidence of endophthalmitis was calculated as 0.11%. There was little difference in the methods of prophylaxis used by those who reported endophthalmitis compared with others, but pre‐operative antibiotics were used more commonly by those who reported the disease (P= 0.06). Surgeons who had practised for 20 years or more reported a lower rate of endophthalmitis than others, as did those who performed more than 300 cataract operations per year. However, the pattern of prophylaxis used by these two sub‐groups was quite divergent. Differences in the methods of prophylaxis had no bearing on the development of endophthalmitis, with the exception that subconjunctival antibiotics were used less often in those patients who developed the disease (P= 0.03).

Conclusions: The results of the present study provide no clear answer regarding appropriate peri‐operative prophylaxis. The wide range of prophylactic regimens used suggests that no one method is superior to another. Formal case‐controlled studies are required to identify which method would be most efficacious.
Immunocytochemical localization of basic fibroblast growth factor and glial fibrillary acidic protein after laser photocoagulation in the Royal College of Surgeons rat
Authors: Chu Yi , Humphrey Martin F , Alder Valerie V , FRACS Ian J Constable
Published: November 2007

Purpose: Argon laser photocoagulation slows photoreceptor degeneration in the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat, as does intravitreal injection of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). We hypothesize that up‐regulation of retinal bFGF is a consequence of laser lesioning in RCS rats. Therefore, we examined the localization of bFGF after laser and correlated this with Müller cell glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression, which is known to increase after injury.

Methods: A total of 34 RCS rats at postnatal day 23 were anaesthetized (ketamine 40 mg/kg) and their retinas were irradiated with a grid pattern of 40 non‐overlapping argon green lesions with a power of 120 mW for 0.2 s using a 50 μm spot size. At 0,6, 12,24 and 48 h and 7, 14 and 21 days post‐lesion, rats were anaesthetized and their eyes were enucleated and cryostat sectioned and the sections were processed using either an antibody to bFGF or GFAP using the standard avidin‐biotinylated peroxidase complex method. Five age‐matched RCS rats without laser lesions served as controls.

Results: Basic fibroblast growth factor immunoreactivity (IR) was normally located within cells in the ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer and in retinal pigment epithelium cells and in the extracellular matrix/cell membranes of the outer nuclear layer (ONL). In lasered retinas, there was elevated bFGF‐IR in the coagulated outer segments for the first 24 h. Retinal blood vessels/Müller cells/astrocytes were moderately labelled in and near each lesion immediately after lesion and became more intense after 48 h and persisted for at least 21 days. There was an elevation of bFGF‐IR in the ONL on the lesion flanks at 14 days. Müller cell GFAP‐IR was first detected at 6 h post‐lesion and spread for a considerable distance beyond the lesion site. At 7 and 14 days, Müller cells at the lesion site had sprouted, while those on the flanks were still GFAP‐IR.

Conclusions: Following laser lesion there was an increase in bFGF at the lesion core only for the first 24 h. However elevated levels of bFGF were observed in the ONL at 14 days, which extended into the lesion flanks for a similar distance to that over which increased photoreceptor survival is found. These results provide support for the hypothesis that laser lesions induce bFGF and this may be the mechanism whereby photoreceptors are spared. Müller cell activation is consistent with growth factor stimulation, but was more widespread than the bFGF changes in ONL. However blood vessel labelling was similarly widespread and so the responses may be linked between Müller cell GFAP reaction and blood vessel bFGF localization after laser lesions.
Current concepts in monitoring patients on antimalarials
Authors: Easterbrook Michael
Published: November 2007

1. Patients should be assessed within 6 months after starting antimalarials.

2. Appropriate examination should include visual acuity, colour vision testing (Ishihara), Amsler and corneal examination.

3. Routine automated perimetry is not indicated.

4. Patients with no risk factors need to be examined no more than once a year.
Diode laser cyclophotocoagulation: Dose‐standardized therapy in end‐stage glaucoma*
Authors: Walland Mark J.
Published: November 2007

Background: Ciliary body ablation in end‐stage glaucoma has been widely performed with cryotherapy and neodymium: yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd: YAG) laser; both techniques frequently involving considerable pain and postoperative inflammation, with an unpredictable final intraocular pressure (IOP) and a significant risk of phthisis. Diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (cyclodiode laser) has recently been introduced in an attempt to avoid some of these problems.

Methods: Thirty patients with uncontrolled IOP and advanced glaucoma were divided on clinical grounds into two groups and were treated with either a half or a full standardized dose of laser (40 × 1500 mW for 1500 ms) and monitored for IOP control, visual acuity, postoperative inflammation and phthisis. Success of IOP control was defined as IOP < 22 mmHg or a decrease in IOP of > 30%; preservation of visual acuity or control of pain in blind eyes was also assessed.

Results: A sustained lowering of IOP was achieved in 90% of patients, with a mean follow up of 10.4 months. For the full treatment cases (group A), mean (± SD) pre‐operative and postoperative IOP was 49.4 ± 11.2 and 25.8 ± 17.7 mmHg, respectively (a 48% reduction); 55% of patients achieved IOP < 22 mmHg and 68% gained an IOP reduction of > 30%. For the half‐treatment cases (group B), the mean preoperative and postoperative IOP was 29.4 ± 4.3 and 18.9 ± 5.7 mmHg, respectively (a 36% reduction); 63% of patients achieved IOP < 22 mmHg and 50% gained an IOP reduction of > 30%. Neovascular glaucoma was present in 60% of patients; the full‐treatment subgroup of these patients achieved a mean lowering of IOP of 58%. Of 22 sighted eyes, 11 (50%) recorded no change in vision; seven (32%) eyes lost and four (18%) eyes gained vision; pain control was achieved in six of eight blind eyes (75%). There was no significant postoperative inflammation, one case of hypotony and no suggestion to date of sympathetic ophthalmia.

Conclusion: Diode laser cyclophotocoagulation appears to be simple, safe and is frequently successful in the control of IOP in end‐stage glaucoma. Optimum dosage parameters remain to be determined.
Inferior rectus rupture following blowout fracture
Authors: Sloan Brian , McNab Alan A.
Published: November 2007

Background: Extra‐ocular muscle rupture is uncommon, usually seen after penetrating trauma or surgery. It is a very rare cause of diplopia following blunt orbital trauma.

Methods: A patient who presented with no inferior rectus function after blunt orbital trauma is described.

Results: Computed tomography (CT) scans demonstrated a large orbital floor fracture and suggested that the inferior rectus muscle was ruptured. This was confirmed at operation. Despite anatomical repair, there was no postoperative improvement in ocular motility.

Conclusions: Traumatic rupture of the inferior rectus is rare. Forced duction and force generation testing and CT are important in diagnosing ocular motility defects following orbital trauma.
Association between anterior and posterior keratoconus
Authors: Vajpayee Rasik B. , Sharma Namrata
Published: November 2007

Background/Methods: We studied a 53‐year‐old male patient, presenting with a history of reduced vision since childhood in the right eye and since birth in the left eye.

Results: Ocular examination revealed the presence of anterior keratoconus in the right eye and posterior keratoconus in the left eye.

Conclusion: To our knowledge, co‐occurrence of both varieties of keratoconus in the same patient has not been previously reported.
Interspecific conflict in lizards: Social dominance depends upon an individual's species not its body size
Authors: LANGKILDE TRACY , SHINE RICHARD
Published: November 2007

Abstract  Animals frequently compete for resources (food, shelter, etc.) against conspecifics as well as against individuals of other species; larger animals typically are dominant over smaller ones. Although body size thus correlates with social dominance in interspecific as well as intraspecific encounters, the causal connection remains unclear. That is, one species might dominate another not simply because of larger size, but some other species‐specific attribute. In such a case, we expect an animal of the subordinate taxon to be subservient to all members of the ‘dominant’ species, even those too small to pose a physical threat. This scenario can be tested by staging encounters over resource use in the laboratory. We conducted such trials using a guild of sympatric montane lizards (Reptilia: Scincidae), that compete for shelter sites (rock crevices), with larger species routinely displacing smaller taxa. Remarkably, neonates of larger species effectively deterred adults of smaller species from entering occupied retreat sites – even when the neonates were much smaller than the adults they displaced. Thus, the outcomes of interspecific interactions in this system depend upon the species of the participants, not their relative body sizes. Measurements of bite force confirm that the neonates of the most dominant species posed little physical threat to heterospecific adults, so that species‐specific variation in fighting ability cannot explain this puzzling result. However, juveniles often share shelter sites with conspecific adults, so that avoidance of neonates may reduce the risk of attack by an unseen adult resident.
The 2004 Madrid train bombings: an analysis of pre‐hospital management
Authors: Carresi Alejandro López
Published: November 2007

The terrorist train bombings in Madrid, Spain, on 11 March 2004 triggered a swift and massive medical response.1 This paper analyses the pre‐hospital response to the attacks to gain insight into current trends in disaster management among Madrid's Emergency Medical Services (EMSs). To this end, the existing emergency planning framework is described, the basic structures of the different EMSs are presented, and the attacks are briefly depicted before consideration is given to pre‐hospital management. Finally, an explanation of the main underlying misconceptions in emergency planning and management in Madrid is provided to aid understanding of the origins of some of the problems detected during the response. These are attributable mainly to inappropriate planning rather than to mistakes in field‐level decision‐making. By contrast, many of the successes are attributable to individual initiatives by frontline medics who compensated for the lack of clear command by senior managers by making adaptive and flexible decisions.
Metaphors and Theory Building in Organization Theory: What Determines the Impact of a Metaphor on Theory?*
Authors: Cornelissen Joep P. , Kafouros Mario
Published: November 2007

A long‐standing stream of organizational research suggests that our ability to theorize and reason about organizations is significantly influenced by metaphorical representations of organizations. This study contributes to this research stream by examining how different metaphors influence theory development and academic thinking about organizations. We asked scholars from UK business schools to rate different metaphors in terms of their impact on theory building. We then examined whether, and to what extent, these metaphors (after they had been selected) had helped in clarifying and advancing their understanding of organizations. The results indicate that the ability of a metaphor to advance and clarify theoretical understandings of organizations is based upon (1) the degree to which that metaphor is seen to capture multiple salient features of organizations and (2) the ease with which the metaphor is understood. We discuss the implications of these results for theorizing and research on organizations.
Terrorism, Emergency Powers, and the Role of the US Supreme Court: An Interview with Neal K. Katyal*
Authors: KATYAL NEAL K. , BONGIOVANNI GIORGIO , VALENTINI CHIARA
Published: November 2007

Abstract.  The dialogue focuses on the major issues of the contemporary theoretical debate on judicial review and the Supreme Court's role in American constitutional democracy. The discussion begins with the US Supreme Court's case Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, successfully argued by Prof. Katyal last year, and covers important issues such as the separation and balance of powers after 9/11, the legitimacy of the laws of terror, the relation between US constitutional law and foreign law, the counter‐majoritarian difficulties posed by the exercise of judicial review, and the legal academy's influence on legal practice.
Modeling the Evolution of Legal Discretion. An Artificial Intelligence Approach
Authors: KANNAI RUTH , SCHILD URI , ZELEZNIKOW JOHN
Published: November 2007

Abstract.  Much legal research focuses on understanding how judicial decision‐makers exercise their discretion. In this paper we examine the notion of legal or judicial discretion, and weaker and stronger forms of discretion. At all times our goal is to build cognitive models of the exercise of discretion, with a view to building computer software to model and primarily support decision‐making. We observe that discretionary decision‐making can best be modeled using three independent axes: bounded and unbounded, defined and undefined, and binary and continuous. Examples of legal tasks are given from each of the eight ensuing octants and we conclude by saying what this model shows about current legal trends. We should stress that our taxonomy has been based on our observations of how discretionary legal decisions are made. No claim is made that our model is either complete (providing advice in every domain) or exact, but it does help knowledge engineers construct legal decision support systems in discretionary domains.
Anne White
Authors: Holman Andrew
Published: November 2007

Anne is co‐chair of her local Partnership Board.

She doesn’t want to be paid for this work as she wants to be free to say what she thinks.

She has some very good ideas for change that should be thought about by government.

Living independently can be scary, looking to the future on one's own.

Anne is very proud of her work and what she has done.
Castells' Catalan routes: nationalism and the sociology of identity1
Authors: MacInnes John
Published: November 2007

Castells' analysis of the rise of a global network society and information age is underpinned, paradoxically, by a nationalist vision with organic links in a Gramscian sense to Catalan nationalism. This leads to various weaknesses in his theory, especially an over‐emphasis on language and nation at the expense of class. Exploring the specifically Catalan origins of his work, and testing its adequacy there, helps us to understand Castells' broader approach. Discussion of Castells has perhaps overlooked his commitment to nationalism because the sociology of identity sometimes unwittingly adopts what Billig has called a banal nationalist perspective. A stricter distinction between the different meanings of the term identity would help sociology to avoid arguments, such as that of Castells, that risk becoming determinist, teleological or both. The article concludes by asking whether the ‘sociological imagination’ has been alert enough to its banal nationalist form, facilitated by its intimate relationship with the state, its concern for policy relevance and methods of data gathering.
Do differences in general trust explain cultural differences in dispositionism?1
Authors: ISHII KEIKO
Published: November 2007

Abstract:  It has been suggested that Westerners are more inclined than Easterners to endorse dispositionism. To help explain what produces this cultural difference, I examined the responses of Japanese and American students to determine whether levels of general trust, which is the expectation of benign or cooperative behavior based on the goodwill of another person (Yamagishi & Yamagishi, 1994), would matter. As predicted, in accounting for either a prosocial or deviant behavior, high trusters were more likely than low trusters to show dispositionism on all three measures (dispositional attribution, trait inference, and behavioral consistency), whereas cultural differences in dispositionism almost vanished. This tendency was found regardless of the desirability of behaviors.
Peripheral refraction measurement: does it matter if one turns the eye or the head?
Authors: Radhakrishnan Hema , Charman W. Neil
Published: November 2007

It has been suggested that, following eye movements, the changing pressures exerted by the extraocular muscles and the lids might distort the shape of the eyeball and alter refraction across the visual field. To confirm or refute this hypothesis, the pattern of monocular peripheral refraction in the right eyes of 10 healthy young adults was measured either by turning the eye to fixate a series of horizontally spaced targets or by turning the head to view the same targets while maintaining central fixation and the eye in its primary position. In each case a fixed Shin‐Nippon autorefractor was used to measure peripheral refraction at 5° intervals over the central ±30° of the visual field. The duration of any eye turn was ≤1 min. Repeated‐measures analysis showed no significant differences between the spherical equivalents of peripheral refraction measured under the two conditions (p = 0.223). A further study of five subjects involving 2.5‐min periods of fixation with an eye or head turn of 25° also showed no significant refractive differences. Thus, within the conditions of the study (eye‐turn durations and field angles ≤2.5 min and 30° respectively), the results fail to confirm the occurrence of large differences in peripheral refraction when measurements are made with eye turn rather than head turn.
CAP Reforms in the 1990s and their Price and Welfare Implications: The Case of Wheat
Authors: Thompson Stanley R. , Gohout Wolfgang , Herrmann Roland
Published: November 2007

We use a nonlinear commodity market model to assess, theoretically and empirically, the impacts of recent reforms of the CAP on prices and economic welfare in the EU. The empirical analysis is based on an aggregate structural econometric model of the EU wheat economy and its links to the rest of the world. Instability issues are also investigated. Impacts of CAP reforms on the variance of domestic and world prices are analysed and a Monte Carlo simulation is used to evaluate uncertainty in the model's welfare computations. Recent reforms led to a net welfare gain within the EU during the period 1993–2000. Additional budgetary costs are less than the welfare gains of consumers and producers. Producers gained as lower price support was overcompensated by additional direct payments.
Evaluating Commodity Market Efficiency: Are Cointegration Tests Appropriate?
Authors: Kellard Neil
Published: November 2007

This paper investigates the claim that the finding of cointegration between commodity spot and lagged futures rates reflects the existence of commodity arbitrage and not, as is generally accepted, long‐run market efficiency. The methodology of Kellard et al. (1999) is employed to match spot and lagged futures rates correctly for the UK wheat futures contract traded at LIFFE. Bi‐variate analysis shows that spot and lagged futures rates are cointegrated with the vector (1, ‐1), a necessary condition for market efficiency. However, at variance with asymptotic theory, in a tri‐variate VECM estimation, the spot rate, lagged futures rate and lagged domestic interest rate are shown to be cointegrated with the vector (1, −1, 1). The “cointegration” paradox is explained by investigating the relative magnitudes of the forecast error and the domestic interest rate. The small sample results demonstrate that it is impossible to distinguish between the influence of commodity arbitrage and the existence of market efficiency using cointegration‐based tests. In summary, this work implies that such tests are not wholly appropriate for evaluating commodity market efficiency.
Measuring the Recreational Value of Open Space
Authors: Fleischer Aliza , Tsur Yacov
Published: November 2007

We develop aggregate measures of the recreational value of types of open space when data on individual site visitation are not available. Our procedure accounts for both the allocation (between the different types of open space) and participation (total number of trips) decisions. The procedure is applied to estimate the recreational value of three types of open spaces (beaches, urban parks and national parks) in Israel.
Consumer Welfare and the Loss Induced by Withholding Information: The Case of BSE in Italy
Authors: Mazzocchi Mario , Stefani Gianluca , Henson Spencer J.
Published: November 2007

The paper develops a measure of consumer welfare losses associated with withholding information about a possible link between BSE and vCJD. The Cost of Ignorance (COI) is measured by comparing the utility of the informed choice with the utility of the uninformed choice, under conditions of improved information. Unlike previous work that is largely based on a single equation demand model, the measure is obtained retrieving a cost function from a dynamic Almost Ideal Demand System. The estimated perceived loss for Italian consumers due to delayed information ranges from 12 percent to 54 percent of total meat expenditure, depending on the month assumed to embody correct beliefs about the safety level of beef.
Crop‐Level Supply Response by Agro‐Climatic Region in Ethiopia
Authors: Abrar Suleiman , Morrissey Oliver , Rayner Tony
Published: November 2007

Using farm‐level survey data from Ethiopia, this paper estimates a quadratic restricted profit function to assess the supply response of smallholder farmers. All major crops are identified in the analysis and variations in agro‐climatic and farming systems are accounted for. Peasant farmers, at least in the more commercial Central and Southern zones, do respond positively and significantly to price incentives. Farmers in the Northern zone are least commercial and least responsive to prices, and in fact the model based on profit maximisation does not adequately capture their behaviour. In general, non‐price factors, especially rainfall and market access, are more important than prices in affecting poduction, and which factors are most important varies depending on the crop and region in question. We conclude with suggestions regarding which crops appear most suitable to each agro‐climatic region, and identify the most relevant policy interventions in each case.
Subsistence Agriculture in Transition Economies: Its Roles and Determinants
Authors: Kostov Philip , Lingard John
Published: November 2007

This paper discusses some beneficial effects of subsistence agriculture with emphasis on transition countries. Micro‐economic models of subsistence agriculture are reviewed and a two‐stage decision model, combining risk aversion and transaction costs explanations for subsistence is developed. The role of subsistence agriculture is addressed in a static comparison to a purely commercial agriculture. We argue that subsistence can play a stabilising role and have beneficial impacts on the agricultural sector when the resources it employs are unwanted by the commercial sector. The exact conditions under which the latter is true are analysed in a static general equilibrium framework. Employing the concept of the subsistence level of consumption, the paper demonstrates that these static effects can be valid in a dynamic perspective, provided additional conditions are met. Policy recommendations with regard to agricultural commercialisation are presented. These explicitly rely upon assumptions about the orientation of subsistence farmers. The lack of current research into this important behavioural feature of farmers in transition countries requires urgent action. There is urgent need for more research into the motivation, objectives and behaviour of subsistence farmers in rural economies of countries in transition.
Testing Symmetry and Homogeneity in the Almost Ideal Demand System with Co‐integrated Data using Fully Modified Estimation and the Bootstrap
Authors: Tiffin Richard , Balcombe Kelvin
Published: November 2007

Conventional seemingly unrelated estimation of the almost ideal demand system is shown to lead to small sample bias and distortions in the size of a Wald test for symmetry and homogeneity when the data are co‐integrated. A fully modified estimator is developed in an attempt to remedy these problems. It is shown that this estimator reduces the small sample bias but fails to eliminate the size distortion. Bootstrapping is shown to be ineffective as a method of removing small sample bias in both the conventional and fully modified estimators. Bootstrapping is effective, however, as a method of removing size distortion and performs equally well in this respect with both estimators.
Time‐varying Hedge Ratios: A Principal‐agent Approach
Authors: Kuwornu John K. M. , Erno Kuiper W. , Pennings Joost M. E. , Meulenberg Matthew T. G.
Published: November 2007

We use the classic agency model to derive a time‐varying optimal hedge ratio for low‐frequency time‐series data: the type of data used by crop farmers when deciding about production and about their hedging strategy. Rooted in the classic agency framework, the proposed hedge ratio reflects the context of both the crop farmer's decision and the crop farmer's contractual relationships in the marketing channel. An empirical illustration of the Dutch ware potato sector and its futures market in Amsterdam over the period 1971–2003 reveals that the time‐varying optimal hedge ratio decreased from 0.34 in 1971 to 0.24 in 2003. The hedging effectiveness, according to this ratio, is 39%. These estimates conform better with farmers’ interest in using futures contracts for hedging purposes than the much higher estimates obtained when price risk minimisation is the only objective considered.
Laparoscopy in the treatment of ovarian tumours of low malignant potential
Authors: OBERMAIR Andreas , HIEBL Sonja
Published: November 2007

Laparoscopy is increasingly used by gynaecologists for the investigation of adnexal masses. Uncertainty exists whether ovarian tumours of low malignant potential can effectively be treated by laparoscopy, whether staging bears a benefit for all patients, whether port‐site metastases are a problem and how long patients need to be followed up after surgery. This review summarises the evidence to address these important questions.
Chronic Gastritis in Former Times and Now
Authors: Sipponen Pentti
Published: November 2007

The roots of gastritis research stretch far back into the 19th century, and into early decades of the 20th century. Modern aspects in classification of gastritis and knowledge of the biologic course of chronic gastric inflammation, and of the links of chronic gastritis with many important gastric disorders were well known even at time of discovery of Helicobacter pylori in 1982. This discovery, however, significantly changed the field and raised the interest of gastroenterologists in gastritis. Chronic gastritis became a curable disease with known etiology and well‐established links to main gastric diseases including gastric cancer. The personal view of the author into this history is presented. Some events and observations which were, in his opinion, noteworthy and important in the story of chronic gastritis have been emphasized.
Role of Probiotics in Patients with Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Franceschi Francesco , Cazzato Alessia , Nista Enrico C. , Scarpellini Emidio , Roccarina Davide , Gigante Giovanni , Gasbarrini Giovanni , Gasbarrini Antonio
Published: November 2007

Probiotics are defined as live, nonpathogenic microbial feeds or food supplements that exert a positive influence on their host by altering his microbial balance. As shown in several studies, probiotics also possess a direct antimicrobial effect; for this reason, several authors have tested a possible application in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection. In particular, probiotics may compete directly with H. pylori, possibly through the inhibition of adherence, as well as produce metabolites and antimicrobial molecules, properties supported only by animal or in vitro data. Moreover, implementation of standard anti‐H. pylori regimens with probiotics can also improve patients’ compliance to therapy, reducing the occurrence of antibiotic‐related adverse events. The same effect was also reported after using a combination of two different prebiotics such as butyric acid and inulin in patients who underwent H. pylori eradication treatment. Based on current data, even though an effect against H. pylori has been described, probiotics cannot be considered as an alternative to standard anti‐H. pylori treatment. Nevertheless, their use in association with standard anti‐H. pylori treatment may be advisable, as they are able to improve patient compliance by reducing antibiotic‐related adverse events, thus increasing the number of patients completing the eradication therapy.
How heel oxygenation changes under pressure
Authors: Wong Vivian K. , Stotts Nancy A. , Hopf Harriet W. , Froelicher Erika S. , Dowling Glenna A.
Published: November 2007

The mechanism of heel pressure ulcers after hip surgery is not entirely understood. The purpose of this one‐group, prospective, repeated‐measures design study was to examine how the external pressure of the bed surface affects heel skin oxygen tension in adults on the first 3 days after hip surgery. Transcutaneous oxygen sensors were placed on the plantar surface of each foot, close to the heels. Measures were taken on room air and with an oxygen challenge with the heels (1) suspended above the bed surface (preload), (2) on the bed surface for 15 minutes (loading), and (3) again suspended above the bed surface for 15 minutes (unloading). Eighteen hip surgery patients (mean age 58.3±16.1 years) from two hospitals participated. When compared with preload on room air, both loading and unloading on all 3 days resulted in a reduction in heel oxygen tension bilaterally (p<0.001). Heel oxygenation decreased without the anticipated hyperemic response, raising the question of whether this is a sign of increased pressure ulcer risk. Further work is needed to understand why this short period of external pressure results in decreased oxygenation and why oxygen tension does not return to baseline when pressure is removed.
Site‐specific Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Sleep and Pain in Fibromyalgia: A Randomized, Sham‐controlled Study
Authors: Roizenblatt Suely , Fregni Felipe , Gimenez Rafaela , Wetzel Thiago , Rigonatti Sergio P. , Tufik Sergio , Boggio Paulo S. , Valle Angela C.
Published: November 2007

▪ Abstract

Objective:  To investigate whether active anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) (of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex [DLPFC] and primary motor cortex [M1]) as compared to sham treatment is associated with changes in sleep structure in fibromyalgia.

Methods:  Thirty‐two patients were randomized to receive sham stimulation or active tDCS with the anode centered over M1 or DLPFC (2 mA, 20 minutes for five consecutive days). A blinded evaluator rated the clinical symptoms of fibromyalgia. All‐night polysomnography was performed before and after five consecutive sessions of tDCS.

Results:  Anodal tDCS had an effect on sleep and pain that was specific to the site of stimulation: such as that M1 and DLPFC treatments induced opposite effects on sleep and pain, whereas sham stimulation induced no significant sleep or pain changes. Specifically, whereas M1 treatment increased sleep efficiency (by 11.8%, P = 0.004) and decreased arousals (by 35.0%, P = 0.001), DLPFC stimulation was associated with a decrease in sleep efficiency (by 7.5%, P = 0.02), an increase in rapid eye movement (REM) and sleep latency (by 47.7%, P = 0.0002, and 133.4%, P = 0.02, respectively). In addition, a decrease in REM latency and increase in sleep efficiency were associated with an improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms (as indexed by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire). Finally, patients with higher body mass index had the worse sleep outcome as indexed by sleep efficiency changes after M1 stimulation.

Interpretation:  Our findings suggest that one possible mechanism to explain the therapeutic effects of tDCS in fibromyalgia is via sleep modulation that is specific to modulation of primary M1 activity. ▪