bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reviewing methodologically disparate data: a practical guide for the patient safety research field
Authors: Brown Katrina F. , Long Susannah J. , Athanasiou Thanos , Vincent Charles A. , Kroll J. Simon , Sevdalis Nick
Published: August 2010

This article addresses key questions frequently asked by researchers conducting systematic reviews in patient safety. This discipline is relatively young, and asks complex questions about complex aspects of health care delivery and experience, therefore its studies are typically methodologically heterogeneous, non‐randomized and complex; but content rich and highly relevant to practice. Systematic reviews are increasingly necessary to drive forward practice and research in this area, but the data do not always lend themselves to ‘standard’ review methodologies. This accessible ‘how‐to’ article demonstrates that data diversity need not preclude high‐quality systematic reviews. It draws together information from published guidelines and experience within our multidisciplinary patient safety research group to provide entry‐level advice for the clinician‐researcher new to systematic reviewing, to non‐biomedical research data or to both. It offers entry‐level advice, illustrated with detailed practical examples, on defining a research question, creating a comprehensive search strategy, selecting articles for inclusion, assessing study quality, extracting data, synthesizing data and evaluating the impact of your review. The article concludes with a comment on the vital role of robust systematic reviews in the continuing advancement of the patient safety field.
Estimated membrane structure and receptor subtype selection of an opioid alkaloid‐peptide hybrid
Authors: SCHWYZER ROBERT
Published: August 2010

Preferred conformation, orientation, and accumulation of dynorphin A‐(1‐8)‐octapeptide, Naltrexone, and Nβ‐(d‐Leu‐d‐Arg‐d‐Arg‐d‐Leu‐d‐Phe)‐naltrexamine (Lipkowsky et al., 1988) were estimated according to established procedures. Opioid binding site affinities and selectivities available from the literature were correlated with the estimated parameters of lipid membrane interaction. The results agreed with the molecular mechanism of opioid receptor subtype selection proposed earlier.
Solution conformation of Endothelin‐1 by 1H NMR, CD, and molecular modeling
Authors: SAUDEK VLADIMIR , HOFLACK JAN , PELTON JOHN T.
Published: August 2010

The solution conformation of Endothelin‐1, a recently discovered bicyclic, 21 amino acid peptide, has been examined by 1H NMR in deuterated dimethylsulphoxide and circular dichroism in aqueous and organic solvents. A total of 158 NOES were detected, which were used as distance constraints in the distance geometry program DISGEO. Two families of structures were obtained, both characterized by a helix‐like region extending from Lys9 to Cys15, but with opposite “handedness”. Circular dichroism studies of the peptide in both aqueous and trifluoroethanol solutions show a negative shoulder at 224 nm, characteristic of right‐handed helices. Molecular dynamics and energy minimization yielded a solution structure for this new peptide compatible with all experimental observations.
Conformational mimicry II. An obligatory cis amide bond in a small linear pep tide
Authors: SMITH G. DAVID , ZABROCKI JANUSZ , FLAK TOD A. , MARSHALL GARLAND R.
Published: August 2010

The structure of Z‐Proψ[CN4]‐Ala‐OBzl has been determined by X‐ray crystallographic techniques. The structure crystallizes in space group P21 with cell constants a = 22.176(3) Å, b = 6.141(1)Å, c = 8.275(1) Å, β= 98.31(1), and Z = 2. The structure has been refined to a residual of 0.038 for 2538 independent data. The amide bond between the prolyl and alanyl residues is cis, a result of the presence of the tetrazole ring system, as is the urethane bond linking the benzyloxycarbonyl and the prolyl groups. A comparison of the structures in this study to other structures containing cis amide bonds shows that the tetrazole ring system, when incorporated into peptides, mimics a cis amide bond. Changes in the distance between the α‐carbons adjacent to the tetrazole rings in the linear peptide as compared with the bicyclic diketopiperazine required a reassessment of the conformational mimicry with the cis amide bond.
Synthesis of diastereoisomeric peptides incorporating cycloglutamic acids Substrate specificity of vitamin K‐dependent carboxylation
Authors: ACHER FRANCINE , AZERAD ROBERT
Published: August 2010

Tripeptides Boc‐X‐Glu‐Val where X is α‐methyl glutamic acid or various cyclic analogues of glutamic acid, such as 1‐amino‐1,3‐dicarboxycyclohexane (cis or trans‐CHGA) or ‐cyclopentane (cis or trans‐CPGA) have been synthesized. Methods for the selective protection, activation, and coupling of such unnatural amino acids are described. The peptides, which are potential competitive inhibitors of the vitamin K‐dependent carboxylation, have been preliminarily tested with the rat liver microsomal carboxylase and found to be effective substrates of the carboxylation reaction.
Opioid receptor affinity and selectivity effects of second residue and carboxy terminal residue variation in a cyclic disulfide‐containing opioid tetrapeptide
Authors: HEYL DEBORAH L. , OMNAAS JOHN R. , SOBCZYK‐KOJIRO KATARZYNA , MEDZIHRADSKY FEDOR , SMITH CHARLES B. , MOSBERG HENRY I.
Published: August 2010

The previously described cyclic, delta opioid receptor‐selective tetrapeptide H‐Tyr‐d‐Cys‐Phe‐d‐Pen‐OH, where Pen, penicillamine, is β,β‐dimethylcysteine, was modified at residues 2 and 4 by varying combinations ofd‐ andl‐Cys andd‐ andl‐Pen, and effects on mu and delta opioid receptor binding affinities and on potency in the mouse vas deferens (MVD) smooth muscle assay were evaluated. A comparison was drawn between consequences of alterations in this series of analogs and those of analogous modifications in the related cyclic pentapeptide series which includes the highly delta receptor‐selective [d‐Pen2,d‐Pen5]enke‐phalin, DPDPE. Unlike effects observed in the cyclic pentapeptide series, the mu receptor binding affinities of the cyclic tetrapeptides are not dramatically influenced by substitution of Pen for Cys at residue 2. Conversely, while binding of the pentapeptides is only slightly affected by alteration of the chirality of the carboxy‐terminal residue, modification of stereochemistry at the carboxy terminus in the tetrapeptides critically alters binding behavior at both mu and delta sites. In contrast with the pentapeptide series, the tetrapeptides appear to be highly dependent upon primary sequence for binding and activity, as only the lead compound binds with high affinity to the delta site. Results suggest that the less flexible cyclic tetrapeptides, lacking the Gly3residue, display more stringent structural requirements for binding and activity than do the corresponding cyclic pentapeptides.
Intellectual Property Rights in Biotechnology and the Fate of Poor Farmers' Agriculture
Authors: Adi Bongo
Published: August 2010

The recent revolution in the field of biotechnology has triggered off another round of controversy between the developed countries of the North and the developing countries of the South concerning access to genetic resources and equitable sharing of its benefits. Developed countries assert ownership claims on associated technologies, while developing countries claim ownership of genetic resources. The heart of the matter, however, lies in the application of conflicting conventions and protocols in respect of genetic resources and biotechnology: genetic resources are treated as public goods, while biotechnology is treated as a private good. Developing countries that claim ownership to a large reserve of the earth's pool of genetic resource feel that this exposes them to the exploitative tendencies of multinational corporations (MNCs) that are mainly owned by developed countries of the North. MNCs exploit the advantages as well as the weaknesses in the various conventions increasingly to monopolize the seed and germplasm industry, without due consideration for farmers and developing countries. This paper analyses these developments and proposes that a better regime of benefit sharing that recognizes farmers' or indigenous rights alongside patents and plant breeders' rights will go a long way to introducing a more even playing field that is mutually favourable to both parties.
Non‐conventional Frizzled ligands and Wnt receptors
Authors: Hendrickx Marijke , Leyns Luc
Published: August 2010

The Wnt family of secreted signaling factors plays numerous roles in embryonic development and in stem cell biology. In the adult, Wnt signaling is involved in tissue homeostasis and mutations that lead to the overexpression of Wnt can be linked to cancer. Wnt signaling is transduced intracellularly by the Frizzled (Fzd) family of receptors. In the canonical pathway, accumulation of β‐catenin and the subsequent formation of a complex with T cell factors (TCF) or lymphoid enhancing factors (Lef) lead to target gene activation. The identification of Ryk as an alternative Wnt receptor and the discovery of the novel Fzd ligands Norrie disease protein (NDP) and R‐Spondin, changed the traditional view of Wnts binding to Fzd receptors. Mouse R‐Spondin cooperates with Wnt signaling and Low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor related protein (LRP) to activate β‐catenin dependent gene expression and is involved in processes such as limb and placental development in the mouse. NDP is the product of the Norrie disease gene and controls vascular development in the retina, inner ear and in the female reproductive system during pregnancy. In this review a functional overview of the interactions of the different Wnt and non‐Wnt ligands with the Fzd receptors is given as well as a survey of Wnts binding to Ryk and we discuss the biological significance of these interactions.
Application of (lamellar) keratoplasty and limbal stem cell transplantation for corneal clouding in the mucopolysaccharidoses – a review
Authors: Pinello Luisa , Busin Massimo , Fontana Luigi , Dua Harminder S
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Corneal clouding or opacification is a prominent feature of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), particularly in MPS I and VI. In patients with marked corneal clouding and visual impairment, penetrating keratoplasty may be considered to improve the patient's vision, functional capacity and quality of life. In MPS, glycosaminoglycans mainly accumulate in the corneal stroma and not in Descemet's membrane or the endothelium, therefore deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) may be preferred in these patients over penetrating keratoplasty. Although there are only limited data on the use of DALK in MPS (I and VI) patients, the results are generally favourable. Nonetheless, when deciding on whether to perform keratoplasty in patients with MPS, the risk of general anaesthesia due to potential concomitant cardio‐pulmonary problems and cervical spine instability, the potential presence of other ocular manifestations that also impair vision (e.g. glaucoma, retinal degeneration and optic atrophy) and/or complications such as allograft rejection and the risk of re‐opacification of the graft, all need to be taken into consideration. Limbal stem cell transplantation, which can be combined with keratoplasty, also holds potential promise in the treatment of these complex cases. A review of the indications, local and systemic risks, techniques of lamellar and penetrating keratoplasty, and the potential of limbal stem cell transplantation is provided in the context of corneal opacity in MPS.
Pathology of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD): variability with time and treatment
Authors: Geboes K.
Published: August 2010

The diagnosis of chronic idiopathic IBD and the differential diagnosis between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can be made in most cases on cumulative clinical, radiological, endoscopical, biochemical and pathological evidence. Diagnostic difficulties can however, occur in fulminant colitis, in early onset disease and in long‐standing disease. The microscopic evaluation of disease activity is based on the presence of active inflammation. Effective medical treatment has however, an influence upon the morphology and the evolution of the lesions and hence can affect the diagnostic features and the microscopic features used for the assessment of disease activity. A literature review was performed on clinical drug trials in IBD and the effect of the drugs upon the microscopic features. Several studies have shown that the diagnostic microscopic features and the features characteristic for disease activity vary with time and treatment. For an adequate analysis of biopsy samples of patients with IBD the pathologist should be aware of the duration of the symptoms and the type of treatment given to the patient.
Relationship of angiogenesis and p53 protein expression in colorectal carcinomas
Authors: Sarioglu S. , Sökmen S. , Terzi C. , Özer E. , Füzün M. , Küpelioglu A.
Published: August 2010

Objective

Recently, new functions have been attributed to the p53 protein, particularly a prominent role in the regulation of angiogenesis. Tumours expressing mutant forms of p53 protein may be associated with increased angiogenesis. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between p53 protein expression and the quantitative expression of tumour angiogenesis in colorectal carcinomas.

Patients and methods

Sections from paraffin‐embedded blocks from 46 patients with primary colorectal carcinomas that had been completely removed were analysed. p53 protein expression and all vascular structures were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The vessel parameters of angiogenesis including vascular surface density (VSD), number of vessels per mm2 (NVES) and number of vessels in unit area (n) were assessed by morphometry. Mann–Whitney U‐test was used for comparing the extent of neovascularization in p53‐positive and ‐negative cases.

Results

Twenty‐four (52%) cases were p53+ and 22 (48%) were p53−. Mean VSD, NVES and n values for p53 protein‐positive and ‐negative groups were as follows: VSD 96.7 ± 65.4/mm vs 79.6 ± 45.24/mm; NVES 104.8 ± 97.5/mm2vs 62.2 ± 44.3/mm2; n 79.7 ± 74.2 vs 52 ± 35.7, respectively. There was no association between the angiogenesis parameters and p53‐positive and ‐negative cases, when VSD (P=0.226) or n (P=0.176) were considered, but a statistically significant difference was obtained for NVES values (P=0.035).

Conclusion

The authors concluded that tumoural angiogenesis assayed by morphometric investigation in colorectal carcinomas might be related to p53 protein expression when NVES is considered. This finding supports the possible role of p53 protein in increased angiogenesis in colorectal tumours.
Anorectal manifestations of sexually transmitted infections
Authors: Schofield J. B. , Winceslaus S. J.
Published: August 2010

Sexually transmitted infections have a wide range of clinical presentations, including involvement of the anal verge, anal canal and rectum. This review focuses on anorectal sexually transmitted infections which may cause diagnostic difficulty when encountered by the coloproctologist. An approach to the diagnosis of a variety of sexually transmitted infections is set out, with a discussion of the role of biopsy and a summary of relevant histopathological findings. The value of early antibiotic treatment is discussed. Problems related to HIV/AIDS are highlighted, as clinical presentation may be atypical in immunosuppressed individuals. Sexually transmitted oncogenic viruses and their role in anal neoplasia are also briefly summarized.
A multivariate analysis of risk factors associated with recurrence following surgery for Crohn’s disease
Authors: Platell C. , Mackay J. , Woods R.
Published: August 2010

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with the recurrence of Crohn’s disease (CD) after definitive surgery.

Patients and methods

A retrospective review was conducted on 228 patients with histologically proven CD who had undergone surgery to remove macroscopic disease. Recurrence was defined as the requirement to undergo further surgery for symptomatic CD. Logistic linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between 16 independent variables and the incidence of recurrent disease.

Results

The male to female ratio was 1:1.3, the mean age at operation was 32 years (range 11–93 years), and the patients were followed post‐operatively for a mean of 58 months (range 1–396 months). Survival analysis found that 29.2% of patients had a recurrence of CD at 5 years, and 46.0% at 10 years. Univariate analysis identified the following factors which were significant predictors for recurrence—an abscess as an indication for surgery, the absence of Mesalazine/Sulphasalazine therapy in the preoperative period, length of follow up, development of post‐operative septic complications (abscess, anastomotic leak, fistula formation), and the presence of anal disease (perianal fistula, abscess, rectovaginal fistula, anal ulceration). The only significant independent predictors for recurrence were follow‐up time (P=0.04, odds ratio (OR) 1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00–1.01) and the absence of preoperative Mesalazine/Sulphasalazine therapy (P=0.05, OR 2.02, 95% CI 0.99–4.13).

Conclusion

The results suggest that the use of Mesalazine/Sulphasalazine before surgery influenced the subsequent recurrence of CD. The clinical relevance of this observation requires further validation.
Surveillance colonoscopies for colorectal polyps – too often, too many! An Audit at a Large District General Hospital
Authors: John B. J. , Irukulla S. , Pilgrim G. , Swift I. , Abulafi A. M.
Published: August 2010

Introduction  The British society of Gastroenterologists (BSG) have laid down guidelines for surveillance colonoscopies in patients with large bowel adenomatous polyps. However, numerous studies have shown the gross over‐utilization of colonoscopic services in their management. We audited our practice of polyp management and looked at guideline compliance amongst patients on our colonoscopic surveillance list.

Method  All patients undergoing adenoma surveillance and those with newly detected adenomas over a 2‐month period were included in the first loop of the audit. Data on the colonoscopic findings, histology and management were retrieved from paper and on‐line records. The BSG guidelines were printed, laminated and displayed in the colorectal clinics. Following this, we re‐audited (second loop) our practice. In the second part of the study, we randomly retrieved 533/1800 case notes from our colonoscopic waiting list. Amongst those on surveillance for polyps, compliance was ascertained as regards need for procedure and appropriateness of surveillance interval.

Findings  Fifty‐four patients were included in the first loop and 59 during the second loop of the audit. Guidelines were followed in 16% (4/25, 95% CI: 0.054–0.33) of patients in the first loop and 46.5% (13/28, 95% CI: 0.293–0.642) in the second loop (P = 0.017). Of the patients on our colonoscopic waiting list for adenomatous polyps, 17.7% satisfied guidelines, 23.4% did not require any further surveillance and 58.9% were booked for a procedure earlier than recommended.

Conclusion  The mere framing of guidelines is insufficient to improve clinical practice. Strategies to improve implementation need to be explored. Audit of individual practice is recommended.
Operationalizing governability: a case study of a Lake Malawi fishery
Authors: Song Andrew Moonseok , Chuenpagdee Ratana
Published: August 2010

Governability is seen as an adjustment process between governing needs and governing capacities. Understanding these two aspects and the interplay between them in a governance setting would pave a way for managing the pervasive difficulties confronting fisheries. In this study, we demonstrate how to operationalize the concept of governability by applying governability assessment framework to an inland fishery in the Southeast Arm of Lake Malawi. First, the needs and the demands of the natural and socio‐economic aspects of the lake fishery system are examined according to four properties – diversity, complexity, dynamics and scale. Similarly, the capacities of the governing system are assessed. The characteristics of the governing interactions between these systems are next explored to provide a basis for improving governability. Assessment findings produce a systematic and holistic image of the fishery, and offer some insights into key governance issues and processes. In the Southeast Arm fishery, these include taking a close look at the internal, normative drivers of illegal fishing to ease the socio‐economic complexity and streamlining the institutional structure to boost governing capacity.
Day‐to‐day experiences of amae in Japanese romantic relationships
Authors: Marshall Tara C. , Chuong Kim , Aikawa Atsushi
Published: August 2010

The cultural psychology of romantic relationships is relatively understudied. To redress this lacunae, the present study examined the Japanese concept of ‘amae’, or the state of expecting a close other's indulgence when one behaves inappropriately, within the day‐to‐day relationships of 30 Japanese undergraduate romantic couples. For 2 weeks, both partners completed daily diaries that assessed their amae behaviour (requesting, receiving, and providing amae), relationship quality, conflict, and motivation to enhance closeness. Results revealed that amae behaviour was associated with greater relationship quality and less conflict. The motivation to enhance closeness partially mediated the association of amae with relationship quality.
Teaching Quaternions is not Complex
Authors: McDonald J.
Published: August 2010

Quaternions are used in many fields of science and computing, but teaching them remains challenging. Students can have a great deal of trouble understanding essentially what quaternions are and how they can represent rotation matrices. In particular, the similarity transform  which actually achieves rotation, can often be baffling even after students have seen a full derivation. This paper outlines a constructive method for teaching quaternions, which allows students to build intuition about what quaternions are, and why simple multiplication is not adequate to represent a rotation. Through a set of examples, it demonstrates exactly how quaternions relate to rotation matrices, what goes wrong when qv is naively used to rotate vectors, and how the similarity transform fixes the problem.
Tone Mapping Operators on Small Screen Devices: An Evaluation Study
Authors: Urbano C. , Magalhães L. , Moura J. , Bessa M. , Marcos A. , Chalmers A.
Published: August 2010

In the last decade, an increasing number of techniques have been developed to reproduce high dynamic range imagery on traditional displays. These techniques, known as Tone Mapping Operators (TMOs), have been compared and ranked in different ways according to several image characteristics. However, none of these algorithms has been developed specifically for small screen devices (SSD). In this paper, we present an evaluation of currently used TMOs to show that SSDs with limited size, resolution and colour depth require specific research to find or create an appropriate solution. The research described in this paper is based on psychophysical experiments; using three different types of displays (CRT, LCD and SSD). The obtained results show that rankings obtained are similar for the LCD and CRT but are significantly different for the SSD. Furthermore, these rankings show additionally that some characteristics of TMOs need to be emphasized to obtain better high‐fidelity mapped images for SSDs.
Ultimate 100‐m world records through extreme‐value theory
Authors: Einmahl John H. J. , Smeets Sander G. W. R.
Published: August 2010

We use extreme‐value theory to estimate the ultimate world records for the 100‐m running, for both men and women. For this aim we collected the fastest personal best times set between January 1991 and June 2008. Estimators of the extreme‐value index are based on a certain number of upper order statistics. To optimize this number of order statistics we minimize the asymptotic mean‐squared error of the moment estimator. Using the thus obtained estimate for the extreme‐value index, the right endpoint of the speed distribution is estimated. The corresponding time can be interpreted as the estimated ultimate world record: the best possible time that could be run in the near future. We find 9.51 seconds for the 100‐m men and 10.33 seconds for the women.
Sequencing and Depth of Regional Economic Integration: Lessons for the Americas from Europe
Authors: Baldwin Richard E.
Published: August 2010

The paper first reviews Europe's experience with regional integration, stressing the political economy forces that governed the direction and speed of the process. It argues that the geographic spread of economic integration in Europe is driven by a domino effect by which each successive integration increases the pressure on non‐participants to join the integration effort. On the depth of integration, the paper argues that the path of European integration – from completion of the customs union, to the Single Market programme, to the Maastricht Treaty and monetary union – was dictated by a political economy dynamo set in motion by the unique institutional features established by the 1957 Treaty of Rome. Consequently, the lessons for other regions must be considered with great care.
Economic Integration and the Civilising Commerce Hypothesis
Authors: Anderson James E.
Published: August 2010

Economic integration lowers one form of trade costs, tariffs and stimulates changes in other trade costs. This paper offers a model in which integration may raise or lower the important trade cost associated with insecurity. The model can help to explain the varied experience with integration and it points to the usefulness of combining enforcement‐policy integration with trade‐policy integration.
Ownership Reform, Foreign Competition and Efficiency of Chinese Commercial Banks: A Non‐parametric Approach
Authors: Yao Shujie , Han Zhongwei , Feng Genfu
Published: August 2010

Since China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, the pressure for bank reforms has mounted as China ought to have fully opened up its financial market to foreign competition by 2006. Efficiency is key for domestic banks to survive in a liberalised environment, but it appears that the last hope for raising bank efficiency is through ownership reform. Whether ownership reform and foreign competition can solve China's banking problem remains to be tested. This paper aims to answer this question using a non‐parametric approach to analyse the efficiency changes of 15 large commercial banks during 1998–2005. We find that ownership reform and foreign competition have forced Chinese commercial banks to improve performance, as their total factor productivity rose by 5.6 per cent per annum. This coincides with the recent bullish Chinese stock markets led by three listed state‐owned commercial banks. Despite such encouraging results, we remain cautious about the future of Chinese banks, as the good results may have been artificially created with massive government support and the fundamentals of the banks may be still weak.
Trade Expansion of China and India: Threat or Opportunity?
Authors: Qureshi Mahvash Saeed , Wan Guanghua
Published: August 2010

By exploring the export performances and specialisation patterns of China and India, we assess their trade competitiveness and complementarity vis‐à‐vis each other as well as with the rest of the world. Our analysis indicates that (a) India faces tough competition from China in the third markets especially in clothing, textiles and leather products; (b) there is a moderate potential for expanding trade between the two countries; (c) China poses a challenge for the East Asian economies, the US, and most European countries especially in medium‐technology industries; (d) India appears to be a competitor mainly for its neighbouring South Asian countries; (e) complementarity exists between the imports of China and India, and the exports of the US, some European states and East Asian countries, especially Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, implying opportunities for trade expansion; and finally (f) the export structure of China is changing with the exports of skill‐intensive and high‐technology products increasing and those of labour‐intensive products decreasing gradually. This suggests that challenges created by China in traditional labour‐intensive products might reduce in the long run.
THE WHITE PAPER ON INDUSTRIAL AND LABOUR POLICY
Authors: BURCHARDT. F.
Published: August 2010

Summary

We may summarize as follows the main conclusions arising from this discussion of the White Paper:

(1) The drift of inflation can be stopped by general rationing. Wage increases are the result rather than the cause of inflation. A pegging of wages by the State would impair the war effort and would not stop a further rise in prices in the near future.

(2) The democratic machinery for settling labour questions could be fully maintained, if the principle of general rationing were accepted. Bargaining would be for a fair share in the present—more or less fixed—supply of consumers' goods by strictly designed rationing and for a fair share in national savings which Mr. Keynes has termed ‘deferred consumption. ’

(3) To secure the best managers for the real resources of the country ‘Rationalization Councils’ could be set up to transfer wasteful or non‐co‐operative managers to other employment and to give scope to good managers irrespective of property or other established privileges.

(4) In order to avoid an extension of methods of compulsion, considerations should be given to obtain the fullest co‐operation of labour in the war effort through suitable organizations agreed upon by trade unions and the Government. They might stand a greater chance of success than similar attempts in 1917‐18 if the unsettling effects of the vicious spiral which made a rational solution of labour questions impossible in the last war and up till now in this war, are broken by general rationing. Once this fundamental issue of our war economic order has been settled, all other labour questions will become manageable and can be solved in a democratic way by consent.
OPENING A NEW PRISON
Authors: Towndrow Eric
Published: August 2010

This paper is a description of the detailed preparations which were made by the Governor for receiving and introducing staff members and prisoners at a newly opened prison (Blundeston). It underlines the importance of adequate communications at all stages and the care which was taken to facilitate discussions of staff and prisoner problems.
GROUP WORK IN THE MANAGEMENT OF AN OLD PRISON
Authors: Perrie W.
Published: August 2010

A description of the introduction of group‐work preliminaries to the staff and inmates of an old prison (Swansea); the difficulties which arise and ways in which these can be overcome; with an appraisal of the outcome of group work in terms of better communications and greater realism.
PRISON FOR WOMEN
Authors: Heidensohn Frances
Published: August 2010

In discussing womens' prisons, both here and in the United States, Frances Heidensohn compares them with penal institutions for men, and explores the social and psychological needs of the female offender.
LIBRARY SERVICES IN FOUR WEST RIDING PRISONS
Authors: Turner Anne
Published: August 2010

The prison library service is one of the many features of prison treatment and training. It is at present under review by a working party whose report is expected to cover the points made in the following article.
The Importance of Northern Ireland for Criminal Justice Research in Great Britain
Authors: Pease Ken , Morrissey Michael
Published: August 2010

This paper introduces the special Ulster issue of the Journal. It argues that Ulster offers enough similarities with other jurisdictions in the British Isles to enable comparison, and enough distinctive features to make such comparison interesting. The papers in the issue are briefly commented upon. This paper goes on to identify a number of topics not dealt with in this issue where comparative research may be fruitful. These include: conditional release from prison; trends in crime reporting and clear‐up rates; the problems of maintaining civil rights at times of civil conflict; and the role of private security services in law enforcement.
Crime, Conflict and Counting: Another Commentary on Northern Ireland Crime Statistics
Authors: MORISON JOHN , GEARY RAY
Published: August 2010

Abstract: This paper is concerned with the levels of ordinary crime in Northern Ireland. The most recent Chief Constable's Report claims a fall in the level of serious crime and the highest overall detection rate since 1969. The authors argue that the optimism following from such figures may be misplaced. In the absence of a detailed crime survey we cannot, in the unique situation prevailing in Northern Ireland, make any assessment of the dark figure of crime or any meaningful comparative analysis. It is argued that the existing interpretations of the official statistics, and the resulting views of crime in Northern Ireland, are in need of revision.
Preparing Life Sentence Prisoners for Release
Authors: MITCHELL BARRY
Published: August 2010

Abstract: This article is based on a research study carried out for the Home Office and is concerned with the custodial part of a life sentence of life imprisonment, or its equivalent. It assumes that a significant proportion of lifers will be released on licence. This study seeks to assess the existing procedures and arrangements for preparing lifers for release. How effectively are the needs of lifers identified and addressed so as to maximise their chances of successful release? How well, for example, do prison staff and probation officers work together? Should the current arrangements of release be developed or reformed to cope with increased numbers of prisoners?
THE PROBATION SERVICE, BREACH AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT 1991
Authors: DRAKEFORD MARK
Published: August 2010

Abstract: The Criminal Justice Act 1991 threatens to create a climate and a set of procedures which will result in an increased rate of breach in probation orders. The author considers the justajkations for such a new approach and concludes that they are likely to result in counterproductive practice which has little to offer the courts, the service or its clients. He concludes by offering some practical suggestionr through which the dangers of the new breach‐enthusiasm might be avoided and a more productive minimalist approach in this area reafirmed.
GIVING VICTIMS A VOICE: A NEW ZEALAND EXPERIMENT
Authors: MORRIS ALLISON , MAXWELL GABRIELLE M. , ROBERTSON JEREMY P.
Published: August 2010

Abstract: More weight is now being given in many criminal justice systems to the needs and wishes of victims. Few jurisdictions, however, have gone as far as the recently introduced system of’ youth justice in New Zealand. There, a meeting is arranged between the victim (or their representatives), the young person who committed the offence, his or her family and a police officer to decide the appropriate response to the offending. The arguments behind this were that it would increase victims' satiSfaction, enhance the prospects of reconciliation and provide a more effective means of restitution and reparation. In this article, we examine the extent to which these objectives have been met.
Social Work Effectiveness Research: Implications for Probation and Juvenile Justice Services
Authors: SHELDON BRIAN
Published: August 2010

Abstract: This paper reviews the general trends in social work effectiveness research, including the results of experiments, pre‐post comparisons and client opinion studies published in the last 40 years. This broad approach is taken in the belief that the experience of colleagues practising in equally challenging fields will be of some interest to probation officers and staff engaged in juvenile justice work since the methods under test are in widespread use throughout the services. Next, studies of more direct relevance to the criminal justice sector are highlighted, and finally, the (sometimes uncomfortable) implications for practice, management and training are examined
Prison Drug Dealing and the Ethnographic Lens
Authors: CREWE BEN
Published: August 2010

Abstract: Based on fieldwork conducted in a medium‐security UK prison for men, this article highlights the strengths of ethnographic research methods for exploring prison drug dealing. Having detailed the way that the research project proceeded, it analyses prison drug dealing as an individually meaningful act that takes place within a broader context of cultural codes, social relations and institutional policies. It suggests that, to unpack these issues fully, and chart the terms of the internal economy which heroin dominates, a committed attendance in the prison establishment, and an approach that is broad and exploratory, is of great benefit.
(In)Visible Barriers: The Experience of Asian Employees in the Probation Service
Authors: HEER GURMIT , ATHERTON SUSIE
Published: August 2010

Abstract: This article is based on a small piece of research, which was prompted by the National Association of Asian Probation Staff (NAAPS). They wanted to investigate the experience of Asian employees in the probation service in England and Wales and consider wider issues of attitudes toward Asians from staff. The research was conducted jointly with the University of Central England in Birmingham (now Birmingham City University), with a focus on recruitment, retention and progression within the probation service. Key findings include a lack of confidence amongst Asian staff with regard to how management addresses diversity issues; a perception of change in attitudes towards Asian staff directly related to the events of 9/11; a lack of understanding from other black and minority ethnic (BME) and white staff regarding Asian culture, and concern about promotion chances and job security. There has been little research on the culture of the probation service, specifically with regard to how management implements policy and how much attention is paid to diversity issues. This research highlights the need for further exploration of these issues, on a wider scale, especially in light of more recent events impacting on attitudes towards Asians, particularly from the south and east of Asia, namely, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and China.
EQUILIBRIUM LENDING MECHANISM AND AGGREGATE ACTIVITY*
Authors: Wang Cheng , Zhou Ruilin
Published: August 2010

We construct a model of the credit market where financial contracting is subject to costly state verification and moral hazard. The economy's aggregate activity and its equilibrium lending mechanism are determined jointly. We analyze how changes in the model's exogenous variables, including the returns of the economy's investment projects and the supply of loans, affect the economy's aggregate output and the types of the credit through which investment is funded.
VAPORWARE*
Authors: Choi Jay Pil , Kristiansen Eirik Gaard , Nahm Jae
Published: August 2010

It is a widely adopted practice for firms to announce new products well in advance of actual market availability, especially in the computer industry. In this article, a firm makes pre‐announcements on its product, which are “cheap talk.” We develop a reputation model of “vaporware” where the product pre‐announcement can partially convey information about the product's quality. We discuss its implications for social welfare.
COMPLEMENTS VERSUS SUBSTITUTES AND TRENDS IN FERTILITY CHOICE IN DYNASTIC MODELS*
Authors: Jones Larry E. , Schoonbroodt Alice
Published: August 2010

Demographers emphasize decreased mortality and “economic development” as the main contributors generating the demographic transition. Contrary to previous findings, we show that simple dynastic models à la Barro–Becker can reproduce observed changes in fertility in response to decreased mortality and increased productivity growth if the intertemporal elasticity of substitution is low enough. We show that this is largely due to number and welfare of children being substitutes in the utility of parents in this case. We find that with an IES of one‐third, model predictions of changes in fertility amount to two‐thirds of those observed in U.S. data since 1800.
CORRELATED EQUILIBRIA, GOOD AND BAD: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY*
Authors: Duffy John , Feltovich Nick
Published: August 2010

We report results from an experiment that explores the empirical validity of correlated equilibrium, an important generalization of Nash equilibrium. Specifically, we examine the conditions under which subjects playing the game of Chicken will condition their behavior on private third‐party recommendations drawn from publicly announced distributions. We find that when recommendations are given, behavior differs from both a mixed‐strategy Nash equilibrium and behavior without recommendations. In particular, subjects typically follow recommendations if and only if (1) those recommendations derive from a correlated equilibrium and (2) that correlated equilibrium is payoff‐enhancing relative to the available Nash equilibria.
A COMOMENT CRITERION FOR THE CHOICE OF RISKY INVESTMENT BY FIRMS*
Authors: Magill Michael , Quinzii Martine
Published: August 2010

This article uses Taylor series expansions and the assumption of small risks to derive a comoment criterion that firms should maximize so that the resulting equilibrium is Pareto optimal. This is done in two models of production under uncertainty: the state‐of‐nature  model in which the firms’ outputs depend on states of nature and financial markets are complete with respect to these states of nature and the probability  model in which the firms’ risky outputs are modeled by their joint probabilities and financial markets span the outcome space of the firms. The comoment criterion provides a unifying framework for the two equilibrium models of production under uncertainty, has the merit of being based on information which is readily available to firms, and provides greater insight than the theoretical criterion into the risk characteristics of its profit stream that a firm should focus on when choosing its investment plan.
THE ROLE OF LABOR AND MARRIAGE MARKETS, PREFERENCE HETEROGENEITY, AND THE WELFARE SYSTEM IN THE LIFE CYCLE DECISIONS OF BLACK, HISPANIC, AND WHITE WOMEN*
Authors: Keane Michael P. , Wolpin Kenneth I.
Published: August 2010

Using data from the NLSY79, we structurally estimate a dynamic model of the life cycle decisions of young women. The women make sequential joint decisions about school attendance, work, marriage, fertility, and welfare participation. We use the model to perform counterfactual simulations designed to shed light on three questions: (1) How much of observed minority–majority differences in behavior can be attributed to differences in labor market opportunities, marriage market opportunities, and preference heterogeneity? (2) How does the welfare system interact with these factors to augment those differences? (3) How can new cohorts that grow up under the new welfare system (Temporary Aid for Needy Families) be expected to behave compared to older cohorts?
Temporal expression of calcium/calmodulin‐dependent adenylyl cyclase isoforms in rat articular chondrocytes: RT‐PCR and immunohistochemical localization
Authors: Memon Ismail , Khan Khalid M. , Siddiqui Sammer , Perveen Siddiqa , Ishaq Muhammad
Published: August 2010

A multitude of signalling cascades are implicated in the homeostasis of articular chondrocytes. However, the identity of these signalling pathways is not fully established. The 3, 5′‐cyclic AMP‐mediated signalling system is considered to be a prototype. Adenylyl cyclase (AC) is an effector enzyme responsible for the synthesis of cAMP. There are 10 mammalian AC isoforms and some of these are differentially regulated by calcium/calmodulin (Ca2+/CaM). Ca2+ is known to play an important role in the development and maintenance of skeletal tissues. Ca2+/CaM‐dependent AC isoforms and their temporal expression in articular chondrocytes in rats were identified using RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry techniques. All Ca2+/CaM‐dependent AC isoforms were expressed in chondrocytes from all age groups examined. Each isoform was differentially expressed in developing and adult articular chondrocytes. Generally, expression of AC isoforms was observed to increase with age, but the increase was not uniform for all Ca2+/CaM‐dependent AC isoforms. Expression of Ca2+/CaM‐dependent AC isoforms along with other signalling molecules known to be present in articular chondrocytes indicate complicated and multifactorial signalling cascades involved in the development and homeostasis of articular cartilage. The significance of these findings in terms of articular chondrocyte physiology is discussed.
An electrophysiological measure of visual short‐term memory capacity within and across hemifields
Authors: Delvenne Jean‐Francois , Kaddour Laura A. , Castronovo Julie
Published: August 2010

Recent electrophysiological research has identified a specific contralateral correlate of the contents of visual short‐term memory (VSTM). This posterior contralateral delay activity (CDA) persists during the retention period, and its amplitude is modulated by the number of items held at any one time. Here we show that, despite the contralateral nature of this activity, its amplitude is modulated by the number of objects from both hemifields. When objects from one side of the visual field are held in memory, CDA activity increased for arrays of one, two, and three objects, but stopped getting larger for arrays of four objects. However, when objects from both sides are memorized at the same time, CDA activity reached its asymptotic limit for arrays of two objects per side. These results suggest that, in spite of being contralaterally organized, VSTM is limited by the number of objects from both hemifields.
Interstimulus intervals for skin conductance response measurement
Authors: Breska Assaf , Maoz Keren , Ben‐Shakhar Gershon
Published: August 2010

This study examined, using the Concealed Information paradigm, whether interstimulus intervals (ISI) typically used for electrodermal measurement can be shortened. An ISI ranging from 16 s to 24 s (with a mean of 20 s) was compared with an ISI shortened by 50% using a within‐participants design. It was demonstrated that this shortening had no effect on the differential skin conductance responses to the personally significant details and nearly identical detection efficiency was observed under the 2 ISIs. However, overall responses were attenuated with the shorter ISI. The implications of these results for various types of studies, using skin conductance responses, were discussed.