bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic syndrome in severe chronic kidney disease: Prevalence, predictors, prognostic significance and effects of risk factor modification
Authors: JOHNSON DAVID W , ARMSTRONG KIRSTEN , CAMPBELL SCOTT B , MUDGE DAVID W , HAWLEY CARMEL M , COOMBES JEFF S , PRINS JOHANNES B , ISBEL NICOLE M
Published: May 2007

Background:  Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, mortality and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general population. However, the prevalence, predictors, prognostic value and treatment of MS in the CKD population have not been rigorously studied.

Methods:  The study involved 200 stages 4 and 5 CKD patients enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of intensive multiple risk factor modification (targeting hypercholesterolaemia, hyperhomocysteinaemia, anaemia and disordered bone mineral metabolism) versus usual care. Participants were followed for a median period of 22 months.

Results:  The overall prevalence of MS was 30.5%. MS was independently predicted by older age, peritoneal dialysis and Maori/Pacific Islander origin. When laboratory parameters were included as covariates, the only significant predictors of MS were higher serum malondialdehyde and lower serum adiponectin concentrations. MS was an independent predictor of time to composite end‐point of cardiovascular death, acute coronary syndrome, revascularization, non‐fatal stroke and amputation (adjusted hazard ratio 2.46, 95% CI 1.17–5.18). No significant difference in cardiovascular event‐free survival was observed in those allocated to intensive risk factor modification compared with usual care.

Conclusion:  Metabolic syndrome occurs in 30.5% of stages 4 and 5 CKD patients and is associated with older age, peritoneal dialysis, ethnicity, increased oxidative stress, lower serum adiponectin concentrations and a significantly increased risk of future cardiovascular events. Intervention strategies targeting hypercholesterolaemia, hyperhomocysteinaemia, anaemia and disordered bone mineral metabolism may not be effective in ameliorating the heightened cardiovascular risk of CKD patients with MS.
Predictors of long‐term survival in patients with restrictive thoracic disorders and chronic respiratory failure undergoing non‐invasive home ventilation
Authors: BUDWEISER Stephan , MÜRBETH Raymund E. , JÖRRES Rudolf A. , HEINEMANN Frank , PFEIFER Michael
Published: May 2007

Background and objectives:  Non‐invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is an established treatment in restrictive thoracic disorders (RTD) with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of long‐term survival for patients on NPPV therapy.

Methods:  In a 10‐year retrospective cohort of patients with RTD and chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure, survival and the predictive value of nocturnal and daytime blood gases, lung function and laboratory data measured before initiation of NPPV were assessed. The impact of ventilator settings and daily use of NPPV on survival were also evaluated. Patients were re‐admitted every 6 months for follow‐up assessment.

Results:  The study recruited 77 patients; 18 died during the study period and three ceased NPPV. Respiratory failure caused eight of the nine respiratory deaths (88.9%). One‐, 2‐ and 5‐year survival rates were 92.5%, 81.0% and 59.0%, respectively. In univariate analyses, higher night‐time PaCO2, base excess (night‐ and daytime) and lower Hb at baseline were associated with significantly worse survival (P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed night‐time PaCO2 as an independent predictor of survival (P = 0.042). The small differences in daily duration of use of NPPV and ventilator settings were not significantly related to survival. At follow up, significant improvements were observed for blood gases, lung and respiratory muscle function, as well as a decrease in Hb level (P < 0.01 each).

Conclusions:  Base excess, Hb and particularly nocturnal PaCO2 are relevant prognostic factors for survival in RTD and should be considered in assessing patients receiving NPPV.
Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection among children in Mongolia: Results of a nationwide survey
Authors: DAVAALKHAM DAMBADARJAA , OJIMA TOSHIYUKI , NYMADAWA PAGVAJAV , TSEND NAVAANSODOV , LKHAGVASUREN TSERENKHUU , WIERSMA STEVEN , UEHARA RITEI , WATANABE MAKOTO , OKI IZUMI , NAKAMURA YOSIKAZU
Published: May 2007

Background: Because Mongolia is one of the highly endemic countries for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the world, hepatitis B (HB) vaccine was introduced into the National Expanded Program on Immunization in 1991. However, relatively few data are available concerning HBV infection among children born after the start of the program, so far. The aim of the present paper was to describe the seroepidemiology of HBV infection among primary school children using representative national data.

Methods: In 2004, a nationwide school‐based cross‐sectional serosurvey was carried out throughout Mongolia, covering both urban and rural areas. Serum samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) as well as for liver enzymes.

Results: A total of 1145 children aged 7–12 years were studied, which represents nearly 2% of the second grade population of elementary schools in Mongolia. The overall prevalence of HBsAg and anti‐HBc was 5.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.9–6.5%) and 15.6% (95%CI: 13.5–17.7%), respectively. Among HBsAg‐positive children 67.8% (95%CI: 55.9–79.7%) were also positive for HBeAg. The prevalence of chronic HBV infection increased by age and was significantly higher among children from rural areas compared to those from urban areas (7.7% vs 3.0%; P < 0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, rural residence (odds ratio [OR]: 2.57; 95%CI: 1.45–4.58), male sex (OR: 1.9; 95%CI: 1.08–3.26) and age (OR: 1.5; 95%CI: 1.10–2.05) were independent demographic predictors for chronic HBV infection.

Conclusions: The prevalence of chronic HBV infection has been decreasing in the Mongolian young generation, most likely due to infant HB vaccination. However, significant rural–urban differences in the prevalence of HBV infection were found that demand further investigation to estimate the potential causes.
Prader–Willi syndrome in Taiwan
Authors: LIN HSIANG‐YU , LIN SHUAN‐PEI , YEN JUI‐LUNG , LEE YANN‐JINN , HUANG CHI‐YU , HUNG HAN‐YANG , HSU CHYONG‐HSIN , KAO HSIN‐AN , CHANG JUI‐HSING , CHIU NAN‐CHANG , HO CHE‐SHENG , CHAO MEI‐CHYN , NIU DAU‐MING , TSAI LI‐PING , KUO PAO‐LIN
Published: May 2007

Background: Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a congenital disorder caused by absent expression of paternal genes in 15q11‐13 affecting multiple systems. The information concerning the clinical features of this genetic disorder is incomplete in Taiwan.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out of 70 PWS patients (39 male, 31 females; age range, 1 month–22 years) seen in four major medical centers in Taiwan from January 1980 through June 2005. All cases were confirmed by methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction. The molecular characteristics, birth history, clinical presentation and laboratory studies were analyzed.

Results: Complete genetic analysis was performed in 52 of the 70 patients with PWS. The abnormalities found included deletions in 45 (87%), maternal uniparental disomy (UPD) in five (10%), and a probable imprinting center deletion or an imprinting defect in two (4%). The average weight of the patients at birth was 2588 ± 540 g. Bone age delay of >2 years and growth hormone (GH) deficiency were noted in 11/40 (28%) and 12/20 (60%), respectively. In the 18 in whom both bone age and GH were assessed, abnormalities of both were found in two (11%). In 2000, Taiwan instituted the Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs Act and mandated a three‐phase screening protocol for PWS. Of the 41 patients diagnosed with PWS before 2000, only four (10%) were diagnosed before the age of 3 months; in the 29 patients diagnosed after 2000, in 15 (52%) the syndrome was confirmed before 3 months of age (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: The present finding is in contrast to that of most previous reports that indicated a higher incidence of UPD in PWS. It is unclear whether this discrepancy in the incidence of UPD arises from under‐diagnosis or because of ethnic differences, a question worthy of further study. The three‐phase screening protocol has generated notable improvement in the early diagnosis of PWS in Taiwan.
Renal replacement therapies in pediatric intensive care patients: Experiences of one center in Turkey
Authors: KENDİRLI TANIL , EKİM MESİHA , ÖZÇAKAR ZEYNEP BİRSİN , YÜKSEL SELÇUK , ACAR BANU , ÖZTÜRK‐HIİŞMİ BURCU , DERELLİ EMEL , KAVAZ ASLI , YALAKİ ZAHİDE , YALÇINKAYA FATOŞ
Published: May 2007

Background: Despite constant improvements in caring for critically ill neonates and infants with congenital cardiac disease, sepsis, bone marrow and solid organ transplantation, acute renal failure (ARF) is an important problem in these children. ARF, severe fluid overload and inborn errors of metabolism are some of the indications for acute dialysis in infants and children.

Methods: The authors had retrospectively evaluated the medical records of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey patients who had required acute renal replacement therapy between the dates of January 2002 to February 2005.

Results: Medical records of 332 patients were reviewed. Acute renal replacement therapy was performed in 21 patients (6.3%; mean age, 9.6 ± 7.4 years). Dialysis modalities were peritoneal dialysis in 15 patients (71.4%; mean age, 3.9 ± 5.6 years) and hemodialysis in six patients (28.6%; mean age, 12.1 ± 3.2 years). A total of 90% of patients had severe systemic disease leading to ARF. A total of 95% of patients had multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The most common cause of ARF was refractory shock. At the beginning of renal replacement therapy, 10 patients were anuric, nine patients had volume overload, seven patients had decompensated metabolic acidosis and nine patients had hypotension. The average dialysis period was 4.7 ± 6.4 days. Mortality rate was 66.7%. Eight patients recovered from ARF and chronic renal failure had developed in one patient.

Conclusion: In the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, ARF is frequently seen together with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and the mortality rate is high. Both peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis are important renal replacement treatment modalities in patients with ARF. The age and hemodynamic status of the patients are important when choosing treatment modality; generally peritoneal dialysis is preferred in infants and toddler, while hemodialysis is preferred in older children.
Intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm newborns: Risk factors and results from a University Hospital in Istanbul, 8 years after
Authors: VURAL MEHMET , YILMAZ IKBALE , ILIKKAN BARBAROS , ERGINOZ ETHEM , PERK YILDIZ
Published: May 2007

Background: In this prospective study, the authors aimed to show intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) incidence of premature newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey, and its risk factors, and they tried to compare these results with those they reported 8 years ago.

Methods: A total of 103 premature newborns, hospitalized between August 2003 and January 2005 with a gestational age equal or less than 33 weeks, were included in this study. IVH rates and changes in the incidences of risk factors were compared with those that had been reported between January 1995 and January 1997.

Results: Mean birthweight of this population was 1400 ± 380 g (min, 550 g; max, 2000 g) and gestational age 30.3 ± 2.1 weeks (min, 25 weeks; max, 33 weeks). IVH was diagnosed in 13 (13%) of them. IVH rates were 37, 10 and 5% for birthweight groups 501–1000, 1001–1500 and 1501–200 g, respectively. Statistically significant risk factors were found to be birthweight, gestational age, clinical risk index for babies score >5, mechanical ventilation, sepsis and hypotension. Maternal corticosteroid administration was found to be significantly protective. IVH rates and incidences of risk factors in this study were decreased compared to those reported 8 years ago.

Conclusions: In developing countries, where well equipped Neonatal Intensive Care Units are limited, prevention of prematurity, better prenatal care and maternal corticosteroid administration become essential points for the prevention of IVH and its neurological consequences.
Effects of Spascupreel versus hyoscine butylbromide for gastrointestinal cramps in children
Authors: MÜLLER‐KRAMPE BRIGITTE , OBERBAUM MENACHEN , DIPL‐MATH PETER KLEIN , WEISER MICHAEL
Published: May 2007

Background: Gastrointestinal spasms and cramps are common in children as well as in adults. Alternative medical practices such as chiropractice and homeopathy are becoming increasingly popular in Europe and the USA. The effectiveness and tolerability of the homeopathic preparation Spascupreel was compared with that of hyoscine butylbromide treatment in children <12 years of age.

Methods: An observational cohort study in 204 children <12 years was conducted over a 1 week treatment period. The efficacy of the respective therapies were evaluated on the effect on severity of spasms and clinical symptoms (pain/cramps, sleep disturbances, distress, eating or drinking difficulties and frequent crying). Compliance was evaluated on a four‐point scale from ‘very good’ to ‘low’. Evaluation was done by the practitioner based on information given by the patient or minder.

Results: The analysis showed comparative improvements with the homeopathic preparation and hyoscine butylbromide therapy on severity of spasms, pain/cramps, sleep disturbances, eating or drinking difficulties, and frequent crying, all as evaluated by the practitioner. Both treatments were very well tolerated.

Conclusions: For patients opting for a homeopathic therapy, Spascupreel seems to be an effective and well tolerated alternative to conventional therapies in children suffering from gastrointestinal spasms.
Depression: The ‘invisible grey fog’ influencing the midlife health of African Canadian women
Authors: Etowa Josephine , Keddy Barbara , Egbeyemi Julius , Eghan Felicia
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT:  Depression is a topic that is often avoided in discussions among Black women for a myriad of reasons. The purpose of this study was to investigate the midlife health of Black women living in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. This paper will present one of the key findings of this research; midlife depression. It will examine the factors associated with depression among mid‐life African Canadian women and how these women deal with depression. A triangulation of qualitative and quantitative methods guided by the principles of participatory action research (PAR) was used in the study. Data collection methods included 50 in‐depth interviews of mid‐life African Canadian women aged 40–65, focus groups, and workshops as well as the CES‐D structured instrument. Purposive sampling method was the primary recruitment strategy and 113 people participated in the study. Although the women rarely openly discussed depression, they described depression as emotional feelings that range from “feeling blue” to being clinically depressed. Women viewed midlife depression as the consequence of a complex set of circumstances and stressors that they face. At midlife, Black women frequently recognize the importance of greater self‐care and the need to pay more attention to their health, but they are reluctant to do so because they have to be “strong” in order to deal with their daily experiences of racism. Racism, among other things, leads to accumulated stress and undermines Black women’s ability to cope and make healthy life choices. This signifies the implications of these research findings for clinical practice.
Decline of soil microbial diversity does not influence the resistance and resilience of key soil microbial functional groups following a model disturbance
Authors: Wertz Sophie , Degrange Valérie , Prosser James I. , Poly Franck , Commeaux Claire , Guillaumaud Nadine , Le Roux Xavier
Published: May 2007

Analysing the consequences of the decrease in biodiversity for ecosystem functioning and stability has been a major concern in ecology. However, the impact of decline in soil microbial diversity on ecosystem sustainability remains largely unknown. This has been assessed for decomposition, which is insured by a large proportion of the soil microbial community, but not for more specialized and less diverse microbial groups. We determined the impact of a decrease in soil microbial diversity on the stability (i.e. resistance and resilience following disturbance) of two more specialized bacterial functional groups: denitrifiers and nitrite oxidizers. Soil microbial diversity was reduced using serial dilutions of a suspension obtained from a non‐sterile soil that led to loss of species with low cell abundance, inoculation of microcosms of the same sterile soil with these serial dilutions, and subsequent incubation to enable establishment of similar cell abundances between treatments. The structure, cell abundance and activity of denitrifying and nitrite‐oxidizing communities were characterized after incubation. Increasing dilution led to a progressive decrease in community diversity as assessed by the number of denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) bands, while community functioning was not impaired when cell abundance recovered after incubation. The microcosms were then subjected to a model disturbance: heating to 42°C for 24 h. Abundance, structure and activity of each community were measured 3 h after completion of the disturbance to assess resistance, and after incubation of microcosms for 1 month to assess resilience. Resistance and resilience to the disturbance differed between the two communities, nitrite oxidizers being more affected. However, reducing the diversity of the two microbial functional groups did not impair either their resistance or their resilience following the disturbance. These results demonstrate the low sensitivity of the resistance and resilience of both microbial groups to diversity decline provided that cell abundance is similar between treatments.
Detergent‐induced cell aggregation in subpopulations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a preadaptive survival strategy
Authors: Klebensberger Janosch , Lautenschlager Karin , Bressler Daniel , Wingender Jost , Philipp Bodo
Published: May 2007

During growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1 with the toxic detergent SDS, a part of the population actively formed macroscopic cell aggregates while the other part grew as freely suspended cells. The physiological function of aggregation for growth with SDS was investigated. Three mutants growing with SDS without aggregation were isolated: the spontaneous mutant strain N and two mutants with transposon insertions in the psl operon for exopolysaccharide synthesis. SDS‐induced aggregation in strain N but not in a pslJ mutant was restored by complementation with two genes encoding diguanylate cyclases responsible for synthesis of cyclic‐di‐guanosine monophosphate (c‐di‐GMP). By expressing a c‐di‐GMP‐specific phosphodiesterase SDS‐induced aggregation of strain PAO1 was reduced. Upon exposure to SDS in the presence of the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide chlorophenylhydrazone, the aggregating strains had ca. 500‐fold higher survival rates than the non‐aggregating strains. Co‐incubation experiments revealed that strain N could integrate into aggregates of strain PAO1 and thereby increase its survival rate more than 1000‐fold. These results showed that SDS‐induced aggregation involved c‐di‐GMP signalling with the psl operon as a possible target. Cell aggregation could serve as a pre‐adaptive strategy ensuring survival and growth of P. aeruginosa populations in environments with multiple toxic chemicals.
The Pharmacy Diabetes Care Program: assessment of a community pharmacy diabetes service model in Australia
Authors: Krass I. , Armour C. L. , Mitchell B. , Brillant M. , Dienaar R. , Hughes J. , Lau P. , Peterson G. , Stewart K. , Taylor S. , Wilkinson J.
Published: May 2007

Aim  To assess the impact of a community pharmacy diabetes service model on patient outcomes in Type 2 diabetes.

Methods  The study utilized a multisite, control vs. intervention, repeated‐measures design within four states in Australia. Fifty‐six community pharmacies, 28 intervention and 28 control, were randomly selected from a representative sample of urban and rural areas. Intervention pharmacies delivered a diabetes service to patients with Type 2 diabetes, which comprised an ongoing cycle of assessment, management and review, provided at regular intervals over 6 months in the pharmacy. These services included support for self monitoring of blood glucose, education, adherence support, and reminders of checks for diabetes complications. Control pharmacists assessed patients at 0 and 6 months and delivered no intervention.

Results  A total of 289 subjects (149 intervention and 140 control) completed the study. For the intervention subjects, the mean blood glucose level decreased over the 6‐month study from 9.4 to 8.5 mmol/l (P < 0.01). Furthermore, significantly greater improvements in glycaemic control were seen in the intervention group compared with the control: the mean reduction in HbA1c in the intervention group was −0.97% (95% CI: −0.8, −1.14) compared with −0.27% (95% CI: −0.15, −0.39) in the control group. Improvements were also seen in blood pressure control and quality of life in the intervention group.

Conclusion  A pharmacy diabetes service model resulted in significant improvements in clinical and humanistic outcomes. Thus, community pharmacists can contribute significantly to improving care and health outcomes for patients with Type 2 diabetes. Future research should focus on clarifying the most effective elements of the service model.
Educating for Adulthood or for Citizenship: social competence as an educational goal
Authors: TEN DAM GEERT , VOLMAN MONIQUE
Published: May 2007

In this article we discuss the social competence students should acquire to participate in society in an adequate manner. The focus is on social competence as an educational goal and on the question of how to evaluate the efforts of schools in enhancing the social competence of their students. First, a review study is presented of research on the social competence or pro‐social development of students. Two perspectives figure in the literature on the meanings of social competence in modern society: an ‘educating for adulthood’ perspective and an ‘educating for citizenship’ perspective. Each emphasises different aspects of the social competence youngsters need to develop and follows a different line of thought in considering the task of education in enhancing social competence. In the second part of this article we select the components of social competence that should form part of the development of children and young people in a democratic society. We question what instruments are necessary to assess educational results in the field of social competence. On the basis of the review study we also analyse what type of instruments are currently available and what problems have been identified in measuring educational results in the field of social competence. The article concludes with a discussion of the normative character of the concept of social competence.
Policy Learning: can Government discover the treasure within?
Authors: LEICESTER GRAHAM
Published: May 2007

We live in powerful times and are experiencing a conceptual emergency. The imperative to learn is evident. Yet in spite of advances in knowledge about how we learn, our application of that knowledge in practice remains patchy at best. A key part of the challenge is to encourage government itself to participate in the learning process, and to overcome the psychological and structural constraints it faces that militate against learning. The article suggests a number of measures to facilitate learning within the policy process: including first tackling denial, making space for reflection, empowering the boundary spanners and — most important — practising innovation as learning. The Delors Commission for UNESCO on education for the 21st century called learning ‘the treasure within’. It is no longer possible for government to ignore the turbulence and complexity of its operating environment: it needs to find its own treasure within. This is the case for policy learning.
Inter‐Ethnic Relations among Children at School: the perspectives of young people in Scotland
Authors: HILL MALCOLM , GRAHAM CATHERINE , CAULFIELD CATRIONA , ROSS NICOLA , SHELTON ANITA
Published: May 2007

In the UK, policies and academic writings about inter‐ethnic relations have witnessed many changes in recent decades, with a growing focus on the effects of different forms of racism and anti‐racism. Opinions have been diverse on the extent to which both the majority and minority populations should respect and adapt to each other's traditions. Relatively little research has been undertaken on the experiences and perceptions of children. This article reports on findings from three linked studies which highlight the viewpoints of white and minority ethnic children as they made the transition to secondary schools. With a few exceptions, the children felt that their schools respected their religious practices and other customs. Most children of minority backgrounds had mixed friendship groups and the range of achievements, experiences and attitudes in relation to school were largely unrelated to ethnic background. Hardly any young people saw teachers as overtly racist, though small numbers believed teachers discriminated in favour of other groups. Peer racism was endemic and reported to be more frequent in secondary school than primary school. Teacher responses were often seen as inadequate.
Competing Higher Education Futures in a Globalising World
Authors: LEFRERE PAUL
Published: May 2007

Globalisation, together with readier access to capability‐enhancing technologies and to technological insights once restricted to a few leading economies, are resulting in greater competition within Europe, and more widely within the developed world, for influence of all kinds (not just influence over the choices that foreign students make about the Higher Education courses on offer to them from Europe, but also influence of a more overtly imperialist kind, extending to the policies, incomes and futures of others). This article looks at trends in one important market for European Higher Education, the Middle East (particularly the GCC countries), which has many providers from North America and Australia. As observed by the late Edward Said, the USA is particularly forceful in the Middle East. Its technological superiority is accompanied by fervour to introduce American methods and curricula, and strong belief in their merit, reminiscent of the belief of the old French empire that ‘France had a “mission civilisatrice”, to civilize the natives”. The danger, highlighted in a recent UNESCO report ‘New Ignorances, New Literacies’, is that the natives will not be listened to. Is Europe listening more or less than the USA, and is it being listened to? Despite attention‐gaining initiatives such as the proposed European Institute of Technology, EIT, and the commitment of EU governments to the Lisbon goals on competitiveness, there are indications of a drop in the influence of European Higher Education institutions in the Middle East. This paper explores the kinds of issues that may be at work, and the implications for European Higher Education policy.
The Big Picture: understanding learning and meta‐learning challenges
Authors: CARNEIRO ROBERTO
Published: May 2007

The future learning agenda is fraught with uncertainty. This opening article attempts to pose broad societal questions that determine the learning agenda‐setting as well as the emergence of new knowledge paradigms. It begins with a quick overview of the futures of learning agenda. Then, it moves on to depict the value chain that departs from industrial societies to reach post‐knowledge learning societies, including a tentative explanation of the constitutive role of technology in such a transition. As a consequence, three scenarios leading to a learning society are offered. In the following section, the article discusses the related evolution taking place in delivery strategies that are moving up the ladder from ODL methods to flexible and new learning solutions.

The article advances a proposal of a new social contract combining the right to education with the duty of learning. This 21st century social contract serves both the goal of a more equitable distribution of knowledge and also that of a more inclusive learning society.

A final section provides the outline of the whole issue, as well as summaries of each specialised contribution comprised in the present publication.
Human stratum corneum as a substrate for in vitro sunscreen testing
Authors: PEARSE A.D. , EDWARDS C.
Published: May 2007

Synopsis

In this study we have described the construction of a dedicated, inexpensive and portable instrument designed to evaluate sunscreens throughout the UVB and UVA range (290–400 nm). Both TransporeTM and an alternative substrate of readily obtainable human stratum corneum have been used as substrates on to which to spread the test products. The transmission of UVR through the substrate of stratum corneum was greater than through TransporeTM tape. Both substrates demonstrated a good correlation with in vivo or expected SPF results. However, in 10 out of the 11 sunscreens studied, the comparison of the two substrates demonstrated that the predicted SPF using TransporeTM tape was consistently higher than that using human stratum corneum. One sunscreen tested was alcohol based and as such was not suitable to test on TransporeTM tape. Predictions of SPF from products with SPF values less than 20 were not significantly different between substrates. However, product SPF values of greater than 20 demonstrated that TransporeTM tape overestimated the ‘true’SPF. It is postulated that use of human stratum corneum in in vitro SPF testing systems more closely resembles that of human skin in vivo than does TransporeTM tape with regard to spreading and absorption of the potential sunscreen product.

Cette étude décrit la construction d'un appareil portable bon marché servant àévaluer des écrans solaires sur les rayons UVA et UVB entre 290 et 400 nm. Le TransporeTM et le substrat alternatif d'un stratum corneum ont été utilisés comme substrats sur lesquels on a appliqué les produits tests. La transmission des rayons UVR à travers le substrat du stratum corneum était plus importante qu'à travers le TransporesTM. Chaque substrat a montré une bonne corrélation avec les réultats des facteurs de protection solaire prévus ou in‐vivo.

Cependant sur 10 des 11 écrans solaires étudiés, la comparaison des deux substrats a montré que les résultats prévus de facteurs de protection solaires obtenus avec le ruban TransporeTMétaient considérablement plus élevés qu'avec le stratum corneum. Un des écrans solaires testé contenait de l'alcool et ne pouvait être testé sur le ruban TransporeTM.

Les prévisions de SPF avec des produits dont les valeurs SPF étaient inférieures à 20 n'ont pas montré de différences notables entre les substrats. Cependant les valeurs SPF supérieures à 20 ont montré que le TransporeTM surestimait le SPF réel. Il semble que l'utilisation de stratum corneum humain pour des tests de SPF in vitro corresponde mieux au comportement de la peau humaine in vivo que le Transpore pour l'application et l'absorption d'un écran solaire potentiel.
The Distributional Properties of the Debt to Equity Ratio: Some Implications for Empirical Research
Authors: Ataullah Ali , Higson Andrew , Tippett Mark
Published: May 2007

The purpose here is to assess empirically the quasi‐supply side model of the firm developed in the paper by Ashton et al. (2004) by testing the prediction of the model that the evolution of a firm's debt to equity ratio will be compatible with a non‐linear (target adjustment) process whose underlying probability density function possesses no convergent moments. Using a thirty‐two‐year history of the debt to equity ratio for each of ninety ‘mature’ United Kingdom firms, a non‐parametric estimation procedure shows that the debt to equity ratio evolves in terms of a process which is largely consistent with the predictions of this model. In particular, the evolution of the debt to equity ratio is compatible with a ‘long (fat) tailed’ density function with no convergent moments. This has the important implication, supported by our empirical analysis, that the linear dynamic models which characterize empirical work in this area will be mis‐specified and will return inconsistent and temporally unstable estimates of the target adjustment process as a consequence.
The Introduction of Mandatory Environmental Reporting Guidelines: Australian Evidence
Authors: Frost Geoffrey R.
Published: May 2007

This article augments the empirical literature on environmental reporting through an analysis of the impact the introduction of mandatory reporting guidelines had on the environmental disclosures of seventy‐one Australian companies. Specifically it documents three implications from the enactment in 1998 of s. 299(1)(f) of Australia's Corporations Law that requires companies to report on their environmental performance with respect to any ‘particular and significant environmental regulation’. First, from a review of annual reports for two reporting periods prior to and two periods post the operative date of the provision, there was found to be a significant increase in the number of companies reporting and the level of information provided on environmental performance. Second, considerable variation was identified in the approaches adopted for reporting, hence confirming concerns expressed as to the practical application of the provision. Finally, there was an increase in the level of total environmental disclosure, most significantly for those companies that reported breaches of regulations and that do not issue a stand‐alone environmental report. The analysis directly links increases in reporting and the introduction of s. 299(1)(f), therefore highlighting the limitations of continual reliance upon voluntary reporting to provide consistent substantive information on environmental performance. In addition, the analysis provides evidence that the introduction of additional reporting media influences the level of disclosure of environmental information within the annual report.
Effects of Milk Marketing Order Regulation on the Share of Fluid‐Grade Milk in the United States
Authors: Balagtas Joseph V. , Smith Aaron , Sumner Daniel A.
Published: May 2007

The share of raw milk meeting fluid quality (Grade A) standards in the United States rose steadily through the latter half of the twentieth century, but a shrinking portion of that was used in fluid products. Grade A milk exceeds the quality standards for the manufactured products for which it has been increasingly used. We present an econometric model that exploits regional and temporal variation in policy implementation to identify the effect of marketing orders on the Grade A share of milk. Results support the hypothesis that marketing orders significantly encouraged the growth in the Grade A share of milk.
Supply Response to Countercyclical Payments and Base Acre Updating under Uncertainty: An Experimental Study
Authors: McIntosh Christopher R. , Shogren Jason F. , Dohlman Erik
Published: May 2007

We design an experiment to simulate how people make agricultural production decisions under three policy scenarios, each incorporating direct payments (DPs): (a) price uncertainty without countercyclical payments (CCPs); (b) price uncertainty with CCPs; and (c) price uncertainty, CCPs, and uncertainty regarding base acreage updating. Results are the CCP program and perceived possibility of future base updating created incentives for subjects to invest more in program (base) crops, despite payments being decoupled from current production decisions. Those choosing to reduce revenue risk by increasing plantings of base crops may face reduced incomes, suggesting the efficiency of crop markets may be diminished.
Time to Eat: Household Production under Increasing Income Inequality
Authors: Hamermesh Daniel S.
Published: May 2007

Using time diaries and expenditure data for the United States for 1985 and 2003, I examine how income and time prices affect time and goods inputs into eating. Both inputs increase with income, and higher time prices reduce time inputs. Between 1985 and 2003 the goods intensity of eating increased, especially lower in the income distribution, and average time inputs dropped, particularly time spent shopping, preparing, and cleaning up after meals. The results are consistent with relatively difficult goods‐time substitution in eating that becomes more difficult as household production expands.
On the New Frontiers of Justice. A Dialogue
Authors: NUSSBAUM MARTHA C. , FARALLI CARLA
Published: May 2007

Abstract.  The dialogue focuses on the book by Martha C. Nussbaum Frontiers of Justice. The discussion covers the major issues treated in the text, including the relationship between the capabilities approach and the theories of Rawls and Sen, nonhuman animals, people with mental or physical disabilities, and transnational justice.*
Is You Is or Is You Ain't Hart's Baby? Epstein's Minimum Content of Natural Law
Authors: ALLAN JAMES
Published: May 2007

Abstract. In this paper the author re‐examines Hart's famous description of “The Minimum Content of Natural Law” and defends its extremely limited ambit against the attempted inflation of Richard Epstein.
Tax Effects on the Real Exchange Rate
Authors: Beck Stacie , Coskuner Cagay
Published: May 2007

This study examines the impact of taxes on the real exchange rate through their marginal effects on economic activity. We hypothesize that an increase in the capital interest tax rate leads to real domestic currency depreciation while an increase in wage or consumption tax rates leads to a real domestic currency appreciation. These hypotheses are supported by an empirical study using panel data estimations of annual data from 10 OECD countries over 17 years.
American Media and Deliberative Democratic Processes
Authors: Rohlinger Deana A.
Published: May 2007

Despite the importance of mass media to deliberative democratic processes, few scholars have focused on how market forces, occupational norms, and competition among outlets affect the quality of media discourse in mainstream and political outlets. Here, I argue that field theory, as outlined by new institutionalism and Pierre Bourdieu, provides a useful theoretical framework for assessing the quality of media discourse in different kinds of media outlets. The value of field theory is that it simultaneously highlights the importance of homogeneity and heterogeneity within a field of action, which provides a framework for discussing the roles different kinds of outlets play in deliberate democratic processes and evaluating the quality of discourse in mainstream and political venues. I illustrate the utility of this conceptualization through an analysis of 1,424 stories on abortion in nine U.S. media outlets and interviews with journalists, editors, and producers in these venues. I find that political media outlets provide higher-quality discourse than that of mainstream venues. Additionally, I find that while market pressures may heighten a focus on conflict in the abortion debate, this emphasis is exacerbated by mainstream journalists themselves, who assume that the general public is familiar with, and has taken a firm position on, abortion. I conclude by discussing the implications of these findings for deliberative democratic processes.
Bourdieu, Flaubert, and the Sociology of Literature
Authors: Eastwood Jonathan
Published: May 2007

In The Field of Cultural Production and The Rules of Art, Pierre Bourdieu offered a highly suggestive reading and analysis of Gustave Flaubert's Sentimental Education. Bourdieu's approach has been extraordinarily influential in recent years in both the sociology of culture and, increasingly, literary criticism. Yet, his treatment of Flaubert's work, this article argues, despite its indisputable insight is problematic in several ways. This article has two objectives in this connection: (1) to show how the weaknesses in Bourdieu's treatment of the novel point to certain key weaknesses in his broader social theory, and (2) to use a parallel reading of the same novel both to demonstrate said weaknesses and to embark on a discussion of the future possibilities of the sociology of literature, arguing that though we should not simply engage in Bourdieuian readings of literary texts, a consideration of the late sociologist's work could inspire a renewed, vigorous research program in this area.
Time, Self, and the Curiously Abstract Concept of Agency
Authors: Hitlin Steven , Elder Glen H.
Published: May 2007

The term “agency” is quite slippery and is used differently depending on the epistemological roots and goals of scholars who employ it. Distressingly, the sociological literature on the concept rarely addresses relevant social psychological research. We take a social behaviorist approach to agency by suggesting that individual temporal orientations are underutilized in conceptualizing this core sociological concept. Different temporal foci—the actor's engaged response to situational circumstances—implicate different forms of agency. This article offers a theoretical model involving four analytical types of agency (“existential,” “identity,” “pragmatic,” and “life course”) that are often conflated across treatments of the topic. Each mode of agency overlaps with established social psychological literatures, most notably about the self, enabling scholars to anchor overly abstract treatments of agency within established research literatures.
Semiparametric estimators of functional measurement error models with unknown error
Authors: Hall Peter , Ma Yanyuan
Published: May 2007

We consider functional measurement error models where the measurement error distribution is estimated non-parametrically. We derive a locally efficient semiparametric estimator but propose not to implement it owing to its numerical complexity. Instead, a plug-in estimator is proposed, where the measurement error distribution is estimated through non-parametric kernel methods based on multiple measurements. The root n consistency and asymptotic normality of the plug-in estimator are derived. Despite the theoretical inefficiency of the plug-in estimator, simulations demonstrate its near optimal performance. Computational advantages relative to the theoretically efficient estimator make the plug-in estimator practically appealing. Application of the estimator is illustrated by using the Framingham data example.
Estimation of Treatment Effects in Randomized Trials With Non-Compliance and a Dichotomous Outcome
Authors: Van Der Laan Mark J. , Hubbard Alan , Jewell Nicholas P.
Published: May 2007

We propose a class of estimators of the treatment effect on a dichotomous outcome among the treated subjects within covariate and treatment arm strata in randomized trials with non-compliance. Recent papers by Vansteelandt and Goetghebeur, and Robins and Rotnitzky have presented consistent and asymptotically linear estimators of a causal odds ratio, which rely, beyond correct specification of a model for the causal odds ratio, on a correctly specified model for a potentially high dimensional nuisance parameter. In this paper we propose consistent, asymptotically linear and locally efficient estimators of a causal relative risk and a new parameter—called a switch causal relative risk—which relies only on the correct specification of a model for the parameter of interest. Our estimators are always consistent and asymptotically linear at the null hypothesis of no-treatment effect, thereby providing valid testing procedures. We examine the finite sample properties of these instrumental-variable-based estimators and the associated testing procedures in simulations and a data analysis of decaffeinated coffee consumption and miscarriage.
Craniofacial growth in fetal Tarsius bancanus: brains, eyes and nasal septa
Authors: Jeffery Nathan , Davies Karen , Köckenberger Walter , Williams Steve
Published: May 2007

The tarsier skull has been of particular interest in studies of primate taxonomy and functional morphology for several decades. Despite this, there remains no comprehensive data on how the tarsier skull develops, especially in relation to the soft‐tissues of the head. Here we have documented for the first time fetal development of the skull and brain as well as the nasal septum and eyes in T. bancanus. We have also tested for the possible influence of these tissues in shaping skull architecture. Nineteen post‐mortem specimens were imaged using high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance microscopy. Landmarks and volume data were collected and analysed. Findings demonstrated massive increases of brain size and eye size as well as flattening of the midline cranial base, facial projection and orbital margin frontation. Little evidence was found to support the notion that growth of the brain or nasal septum physically drives the observed changes of the skull. However, increases in the size of the eyes relative to skull size were associated with orbital margin frontation. With the possible exception of the results for eye size, the findings indicate that rather than forcing change the soft‐tissues form a framework that physically constrains the morphogenetic template of the skeletal elements. This suggests, for example, that the degree of cranial base angulation seen in adulthood is not directly determined by brain expansion bending the basicranium, but by brain enlargement limiting the extent of cranial base flattening (retroflexion) in the fetus.
Rats exposed to cocaine during late gestation and early postnatal life show deficits in hippocampal pyramidal and granule cells in later life
Authors: Ismail Zul Izhar Mohd , Bedi Kuldip S.
Published: May 2007

In humans, the offspring of maternal cocaine misusers are known to have subtle cognitive and motor impairments in later life. It was therefore hypothesized that such exposure in animals would also affect the morphological structure of the brain. This possibility was investigated by exposing rats to cocaine between embryonic day 15 and postnatal day 6. Samples of the cocaine‐exposed and control rats were killed for examination at 22 and 150 postnatal days of age. Stereological procedures (the Cavalieri principle together with the physical disector method) were utilized to estimate the total number of pyramidal and granule cells in defined regions of the hippocampal formation. At 22 days of age, the control offspring had about 373 000 pyramidal cells whereas the cocaine‐treated animals only had about 310 000 cells in the CA1 + CA2 + CA3 region. By 150 days of age the values were about 396 000 and 348 000, respectively. The differences between age‐matched groups were statistically significant. There were about 626 000 and 687 000 dentate gyrus granule cells in the 22‐day‐old control and cocaine‐treated groups, respectively. By postnatal day 150 the control rats had about 832 000 granule cells whilst the cocaine‐treated rats had about 693 000. There was a significant main effect of age as well as group–age interaction in this measure. These results show that even moderate exposure to cocaine during the late gestation and early postnatal period in rats is a potent teratogen and can markedly influence the development of neurons in the hippocampal formation.