bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community Pharmacists’ Interventions in Asthma Care: A Descriptive Study
Authors: René-Henri Nola , Khamla Yvonne , Nadaira Natalie , Ouellet Catherine , Blais Lucie , Lalonde Lyne , Collin Johanne , Beauchesne Marie-France
Published: December 2008

BACKGROUND

Factors influencing community pharmacists’ interventions have been identified, but little information is available regarding these factors in asthma care.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the type and frequency of pharmacists’ asthma care interventions and to identify factors influencing those interventions.

METHODS

A pretested, self-administered questionnaire was mailed to all community pharmacists registered with the Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec in 2006. The form included questions about the pharmacists’ interventions in asthma care in the community setting (21 questions), factors influencing the provision of those interventions (13 questions), and the responders’ characteristics (17 questions).

RESULTS

A total of 4587 questionnaires were sent; 917 pharmacists returned the questionnaires (response rate 20%), and 877 were eligible for analysis. Overall, community pharmacists who completed the questionnaire appeared to intervene frequently when the initial prescription for asthma medication was filled. About 98% of responders reported providing verbal information always or often on new asthma medication prescriptions. Furthermore, checking for overuse of rescue medication and underuse of maintenance therapy always or often was reported by 91% and 85.8% of responders, respectively. Other interventions at follow-up were not as frequently reported. For example, only 8.4% of pharmacists reported reassessing inhalation technique always or often. Lack of time was reported to be an important barrier to the type and frequency of intervention, while interest on the part of the patient appeared to be a significant facilitator. About 99% of pharmacists agreed with the statement that they have an important role in asthma care.

CONCLUSIONS

Community pharmacists appear to intervene with patients with asthma mostly at the initiation of treatment, but some interventions at follow-up are not frequently done, which could be attributed to organizational factors.
Seeing versus Believing: Conflicting Immediate and Predicted Feedback Lead to Suboptimal Motor Performance
Authors: Fishbach Alon , Mussa-Ivaldi Ferdinando A.
Published: December 2008

Reaching hand movements tend to follow straight paths. Previous work has suggested that when visual feedback is perturbed such that straight hand motions are seen as curved motions, the motor system adapts to restore straight visual motion. We show that under a nonlinear visuomotor transformation, one that maps straight hand motions to high-curvature motions of a visual cursor, reaching movements do not converge with practice toward a straight path of either the hand or the cursor. Instead, hand trajectories converged to a repeatable and characteristic curved shape. We propose a new computational model in which the adapted trajectories are obtained by minimizing a cost function composed of two terms. The first term enforces hand-movement smoothness. The second term penalizes average visual aiming error, which is the instantaneous discrepancy between the direction of the hand movement and the direction of the vector that points from the cursor to the target. Our results are consistent with the model's predictions and demonstrate a persistent effect of the predicted feedback of direction errors despite the possibility of producing smoother hand motions by ignoring it.
Paint-by-Numbers Democracy: The Stakes, Structure, and Results of the 2007 Vietnamese National Assembly Election
Authors: Malesky Edmund , Schuler Paul
Published: December 2008

The 2007 National Assembly (NA) election in Vietnam inspired the imagination of observers. New electoral procedures boded well for increased competition and representation. This article probes this outcome, providing a detailed account of how the Vietnamese electoral process works in practice. It concludes that despite well-publicized institutional changes, the composition of the post-election NA still reflects a preplanned script and even possesses slightly smaller shares of non-party members and self-nominated candidates than in previous years. Nevertheless, the authors found some room for optimism in the unprecedented rejection of central nominees, primarily in wealthy, donor provinces.
Time to reconsider nonsurgical therapy of benign non-toxic multinodular goitre: focus on recombinant human TSH augmented radioiodine therapy
Authors: Fast Søren , Nielsen Viveque Egsgaard , Bonnema Steen Joop , Hegedüs Laszlo
Published: December 2008

The treatment of benign multinodular goitre (MNG) is controversial, but surgery is recommended in large compressive goitres. While some patients decline surgery others may have contraindications due to comorbidity, since MNG is prevalent in the elderly. Therefore, non-surgical treatment alternatives are needed. Until recently, levothyroxine therapy was the preferred non-surgical alternative, but due to low efficacy and potential side-effects, it is not recommended for routine use in recent international guidelines. Conventional radioiodine (131I) therapy has been used for two decades as an effective and safe alternative to surgery in the treatment of symptomatic non-toxic MNG. Since much higher activities of131I are employed when treating non-toxic rather than toxic MNG, there has been reluctance in many countries to use this treatment modality. Frequently, the131I -uptake in a non-toxic MNG is low, which makes131I therapy less feasible. Another challenge is the negative correlation between the initial goitre size and goitre volume reduction (GVR). With its ability to more than double the thyroid131I-uptake, recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) increases the absorbed radiation dose and thus enhances the GVR by 35–56% at the expense of up to fivefold higher rate of permanent hypothyroidism. An alternative strategy is to reduce the administered131I-activity with a factor corresponding to the rhTSH induced increase in131I-uptake. Hereby, the extrathyroidal irradiation can be reduced without compromising efficacy. Thus, although in its infancy, and still experimental, rhTSH-augmented131I therapy may profoundly alter the non-surgical treatment of benign non-toxic MNG.
Nutritional Practices in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Analysis of a 2006 Neonatal Nutrition Survey
Authors: Hans Deborah M. , Pylipow Mary , Long Jeffrey D. , Thureen Patti J. , Georgieff Michael K.
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE. The goal of this investigation was to determine how current parenteral nutrition and enteral nutrition practice intentions for preterm infants compare with published recommendations and previous feeding practices.

METHODS. A survey of feeding strategies for 3 preterm infant weight groups was sent to NICU directors, neonatal fellowship directors, neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, and neonatal dieticians. A total of 775 surveys were distributed by both electronic and standard mail services.

RESULTS. There were 176 survey responses (23%). The majority of practitioners initiated parenteral nutrition for very preterm infants in the first day of life. Ninety-one percent of respondents increased protein delivery daily. Most respondents increased lipid delivery at a fixed rate, rather than on the basis of triglyceride levels. Insulin was used in 98% of units, but only 12% of the time as a nutritional adjuvant to increase weight gain. Across all birth weight categories, breast milk was prescribed most commonly for the first enteral feeding. Enteral feedings were started earlier and increased faster than in the past, especially for extremely low birth weight infants (<1000 g). The majority of respondents prescribed enteral feedings for infants with indwelling umbilical arterial (75%) and umbilical venous (93%) catheters. Despite data that more rapid feeding advancement is safe, >80% of respondents increased feedings at rates of 10 to 20 mL/kg per day across all weight categories.

CONCLUSIONS. Clinicians reported that they are initiating parenteral and enteral nutrition earlier and in larger volumes than in the past, reflecting increased knowledge about best nutritional practices in very preterm neonates. The data suggest that the persistent extrauterine growth failure of preterm infants is not attributable to a lack of best nutritional practice knowledge and intention.
Clinical and Molecular Study of 320 Children With Marfan Syndrome and Related Type I Fibrillinopathies in a Series of 1009 Probands With Pathogenic FBN1 Mutations
Authors: Faivre Laurence , Masurel-Paulet Alice , Collod-Béroud Gwenaëlle , Callewaert Bert L. , Child Anne H. , Stheneur Chantal , Binquet Christine , Gautier Elodie , Chevallier Bertrand , Huet Frédéric , Loeys Bart L. , Arbustini Eloisa , Mayer Karin , Arslan-Kirchner Mine , Kiotsekoglou Anatoli , Comeglio Paolo , Grasso Maurizia , Halliday Dorothy J. , Béroud Christophe , Bonithon-Kopp Claire , Claustres Mireille , Robinson Peter N. , Adès Lesley , De Backer Julie , Coucke Paul , Francke Uta , De Paepe Anne , Boileau Catherine , Jondeau Guillaume
Published: December 2008

From a large series of 1009 probands with pathogenic FBN1 mutations, data for 320 patients <18 years of age at the last follow-up evaluation were analyzed (32%). At the time of diagnosis, the median age was 6.5 years. At the last examination, the population was classified as follows: neonatal Marfan syndrome, 14%; severe Marfan syndrome, 19%; classic Marfan syndrome, 32%; probable Marfan syndrome, 35%. Seventy-one percent had ascending aortic dilation, 55% ectopia lentis, and 28% major skeletal system involvement. Even when aortic complications existed in childhood, the rates of aortic surgery and aortic dissection remained low (5% and 1%, respectively). Some diagnostic features (major skeletal system involvement, striae, dural ectasia, and family history) were more frequent in the 10- to <18-year age group, whereas others (ascending aortic dilation and mitral abnormalities) were more frequent in the population with neonatal Marfan syndrome. Only 56% of children could be classified as having Marfan syndrome, according to international criteria, at their last follow-up evaluation when the presence of a FBN1 mutation was not considered as a major feature, with increasing frequency in the older age groups. Eighty-five percent of child probands fulfilled international criteria after molecular studies, which indicates that the discovery of a FBN1 mutation can be a valuable diagnostic aid in uncertain cases. The distributions of mutation types and locations in this pediatric series revealed large proportions of probands carrying mutations located in exons 24 to 32 (33%) and in-frame mutations (75%). Apart from lethal neonatal Marfan syndrome, we confirm that the majority of clinical manifestations of Marfan syndrome increase with age, which emphasizes the poor applicability of the international criteria to this diagnosis in childhood and the need for follow-up monitoring in cases of clinical suspicion of Marfan syndrome.
Social Experience in 10-Year-Old Children Born with a Cleft: Exploring Psychosocial Resilience
Authors: Feragen Kristin Billaud , Borge Anne I. H. , Rumsey Nichola
Published: December 2008

Objective:

The purposes of this study were to investigate self-reported social experience in 10-year-old children born with a cleft lip and/or palate and to gain a better understanding of variables implicated in psychosocial resilience.

Design:

Cross-sectional study of 10-year-old children from five consecutive birth cohorts, born from 1992 to 1997.

Participants:

A total of 268 children treated by the Oslo cleft team (Norway) participated in the study. The children's cleft conditions included cleft lip and palate, cleft lip alveolus, cleft palate, and submucous cleft palate.

Outcome Measures:

Psychosocial resilience was measured with the Child Experience Questionnaire (CEQ). Other variables were obtained during a clinical interview with the child. Cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial functioning was measured with the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC). Satisfaction with appearance was assessed through the use of the Satisfaction with Appearance Scales (SWA). Informants were both children and parents.

Results:

Cleft types differed significantly with respect to subtype and frequency of additional difficulties. Psychosocial resilience was associated with adequate emotional functioning, high satisfaction with appearance, and a lower frequency of reported teasing. Child characteristics such as visibility of cleft, gender, and additional diagnosis did not contribute to explain psychosocial resilience.

Conclusions:

Results reported here emphasise the importance of assessing the child's subjective report of satisfaction with appearance and psychosocial experience.
Internet-Derived Information on Cleft Lip and Palate for Families with Affected Children
Authors: Antonarakis Gregory Stylianos , Kiliaridis Stavros
Published: December 2008

Objective:

To investigate the nature and readability of cleft lip and palate–related family information on the Internet.

Materials and Methods:

An Internet search for “cleft lip,” “cleft palate,” and “family information” was carried out using three search engines. Within each search, the first 25 relevant websites identified were downloaded and assessed for country of origin, authorship, domain, referencing, links, advertising, mention of orthodontics, illustrations, cleft-specificity, and content. Readability was determined using the Flesch Reading Ease Score, the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, and the Fog Scale Level. Data were analyzed by simple descriptive statistics.

Results:

The initial search returned in excess of 1,800,000 hits. A total of 49 websites were evaluated, excluding repetitions, with a wide range of information available. The websites assessed were mostly of U.S. origin, with a .org domain, authored by universities/hospitals, not cleft-specific, without advertisements, contained links but not references, mentioned orthodontics even if to a small extent, contained some form of illustrations, and varied greatly in quantity and quality of information presented. A wide range of readability scores was obtained, equating to reading ages from fourth grade to university graduate level, with a mean reading age at the eighth to ninth grade level.

Conclusions:

Cleft lip and palate–related information for families on the Internet is variable in content, quality, and readability. Clinicians should have the responsibility to guide and help parents with website retrieval, while authors of websites should aim to keep information readable and relevant to family demands.
Rehabilitation of an Edentulous Cleft Lip and Palate Patient with a Soft Palate Defect Using a Bar-Retained, Implant-Supported Speech-Aid Prosthesis: A Clinical Report
Authors: Hakan Tuna S. , Pekkan Gurel , Buyukgural Bulent
Published: December 2008

Prosthetic rehabilitation of an edentulous cleft lip and palate patient with a combined hard and soft palate defect is a great challenge, due to the lack of retention of the obturator prosthesis as a result of its weight and the inability to obtain a border seal. Dental implants improve the retention, stability, and occlusal function of prostheses when used in carefully selected cleft lip and palate cases. This clinical report presents an edentulous unilateral cleft lip and palate patient who has hard and soft palate defects and an atrophied maxilla, treated with an implant-supported speech-aid prosthesis.
Advanced S(t)imulator for Cleft Palate Repair Techniques
Authors: Nagy Krisztián , Mommaerts Maurice Y.
Published: December 2008

Objective:

Our aim was to create a simple, inexpensive, reproducible, and life-size model of the oral cavity of a cleft palate patient. A step-by-step description of the assembly of our cleft palate simulator and its usefulness is presented.

Materials:

This model was made with readily available components, such as alginate impression material, impression plaster, paper template, latex examination gloves, ink pad, disposable water cup, rubber dam, rubber band, and water-based and fast-setting glue.

Result:

Repeated trials showed that the model can be assembled in a fast and straightforward way. The model was appropriate for simulating the structure of a cleft palate, and the Furlow double-opposing Z-plasty could be readily performed on this model.

Conclusion:

Our cleft palate simulator enables both the novice and keen cleft surgeons to simulate the intraoral situation of a cleft palate patient and to stimulate them to practice surgical techniques of palatal repair.
Prosthetic Rehabilitation of Segmental Odontomaxillary Dysplasia: Seven-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Özpınar Birgül , Gökçe Bülent , Uzel Gökhan , Çömlekoğlu M. Erhan
Published: December 2008

Segmental odontomaxillary dysplasia is an uncommon maxillofacial deformity. Clinically, overgrowth and maturation of the maxillary right or left posterior alveolus and the respective gingiva, lack of premolars, delayed eruption of the adjacent teeth, and malformed primary molars are observed. The purpose of this report was to describe the clinical and radiographic findings of a 47-year-old female with segmental odontomaxillary dysplasia and summarize the prosthetic rehabilitation with fixed and removable partial dentures. A 7-year follow-up did not reveal biomechanical or functional problems except the loss of the mandibular left central incisor and wear of the artificial teeth.
Apolipoprotein A-I, A-II, C-II, and H expression in the developing lung and sex difference in surfactant lipids
Authors: Provost Pierre R , Boucher Eric , Tremblay Yves
Published: December 2008

A sex difference in surfactant lipids is associated with a higher incidence of respiratory distress syndrome for males in cases of preterm birth. In animal models, the sex difference in surfactant lipids was shown to be androgen receptor-dependent. This report examines expression of apolipoprotein (apo)A-I, apoA-II, apoC-II, apoE, apoH, and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) by quantitative real-time PCR in pools of male and female fetal lung tissues from various mouse litters from gestation day (GD) 15.5 to 18.5, and in various adult tissues. Although the expression profiles of ApoA-I, ApoA-II, ApoC-II, and ApoH are complex, these genes are co-regulated and they all present a sex difference (P=0.0896, 0.0896, 0.0195, and 0.0607 respectively) with higher expression for females for several litters. Pulmonary expression of apoA-I, apoA-II, and apoH were specific to the developing lung. ApoE and LPL mRNAs showed a significant increase from GD 17.5 to 18.5. An increase in apoA-I-, apoA-II-, apoC-II-, and apoH-mRNA accumulation was observed from GD 16.5 to 17.5 in correlation with the emergence of mature type II pneumonocytes. These four apolipoprotein genes are co-regulated with type 2 and 5 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, which are respectively involved in inactivation and synthesis of androgens. Finally, apoC-II was detected by immunohistochemistry in epithelial cells of the distal epithelium. Positive signals looking like secretory granules were located near the basal membrane. Our results are compatible with a role for apolipoproteins in lipid metabolism and transport in the developing lung in association with the sex difference in surfactant lipid synthesis.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Identification of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Mandell David S. , Wiggins Lisa D. , Carpenter Laura Arnstein , Daniels Julie , DiGuiseppi Carolyn , Durkin Maureen S. , Giarelli Ellen , Morrier Michael J. , Nicholas Joyce S. , Pinto-Martin Jennifer A. , Shattuck Paul T. , Thomas Kathleen C. , Yeargin-Allsopp Marshalyn , Kirby Russell S.
Published: December 2008

Objectives. We sought to examine racial and ethnic disparities in the recognition of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

Methods. Within a multisite network, 2568 children aged 8 years were identified as meeting surveillance criteria for ASD through abstraction of evaluation records from multiple sources. Through logistic regression with random effects for site, we estimated the association between race/ethnicity and documented ASD, adjusting for gender, IQ, birthweight, and maternal education.

Results. Fifty-eight percent of children had a documented autism spectrum disorder. In adjusted analyses, children who were Black (odds ratio [OR] = 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.64, 0.96), Hispanic (OR = 0.76; CI = 0.56, 0.99), or of other race/ethnicity (OR = 0.65; CI = 0.43, 0.97) were less likely than were White children to have a documented ASD. This disparity persisted for Black children, regardless of IQ, and was concentrated for children of other ethnicities when IQ was lower than 70.

Conclusions. Significant racial/ethnic dispatrities exist in the recognition of ASD. For some children in some racial/ethnic groups, the presence of intellectual disability may affect professionals' further assessment of developmental delay. Our findings suggest the need for continued professional education related to the heterogeneity of the presentation of ASD.
Public Awareness and Use of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Tests: Results From 3 State Population-Based Surveys, 2006
Authors: Goddard Katrina A. B. , Duquette Debra , Zlot Amy , Johnson Jenny , Annis-Emeott Ann , Lee Patrick W. , Bland Mary Pat , Edwards Karen L. , Oehlke Kristin , Giles Rebecca T. , Rafferty Ann , Cook Michelle L. , Khoury Muin J.
Published: December 2008

We conducted population-based surveys on direct-to-consumer nutrigenomic testing in Michigan, Oregon, and Utah as part of the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Awareness of the tests was highest in Oregon (24.4%) and lowest in Michigan (7.6%). Predictors of awareness were more education, higher income, and increasing age, except among those 65 years or older. Less than 1% had used a health-related direct-to-consumer genetic test. Public health systems should increase consumer and provider education and continue surveillance on direct-to-consumer genetic tests.
The Influence of the Physical Environment and Sociodemographic Characteristics on Children's Mode of Travel to and From School
Authors: Larsen Kristian , Gilliland Jason , Hess Paul , Tucker Patricia , Irwin Jennifer , He Meizi
Published: December 2008

Objectives. We examined whether certain characteristics of the social and physical environment influence a child's mode of travel between home and school.

Methods. Students aged 11 to 13 years from 21 schools throughout London, Ontario, answered questions from a travel behavior survey. A geographic information system linked survey responses for 614 students who lived within 1 mile of school to data on social and physical characteristics of environments around the home and school. Logistic regression analysis was used to test the influence of environmental factors on mode of travel (motorized vs “active”) to and from school.

Results. Over 62% of students walked or biked to school, and 72% from school to home. The likelihood of walking or biking to school was positively associated with shorter trips, male gender, higher land use mix, and presence of street trees. Active travel from school to home was also associated with lower residential densities and lower neighborhood incomes.

Conclusions. Our findings demonstrate that active travel is associated with environmental characteristics and suggest that school planners should consider these factors when siting schools in order to promote increased physical activity among students.
Proximity of Fast-Food Restaurants to Schools and Adolescent Obesity
Authors: Davis Brennan , Carpenter Christopher
Published: December 2008

Objectives. We examined the relationship between fast-food restaurants near schools and obesity among middle and high school students in California.

Methods. We used geocoded data (obtained from the 2002–2005 California Healthy Kids Survey) on over 500 000 youths and multivariate regression models to estimate associations between adolescent obesity and proximity of fast-food restaurants to schools.

Results. We found that students with fast-food restaurants near (within one half mile of) their schools (1) consumed fewer servings of fruits and vegetables, (2) consumed more servings of soda, and (3) were more likely to be overweight (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02, 1.10) or obese (OR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.02, 1.12) than were youths whose schools were not near fast-food restaurants, after we controlled for student- and school-level characteristics. The result was unique to eating at fast-food restaurants (compared with other nearby establishments) and was not observed for another risky behavior (smoking).

Conclusions. Exposure to poor-quality food environments has important effects on adolescent eating patterns and overweight. Policy interventions limiting the proximity of fast-food restaurants to schools could help reduce adolescent obesity.
Perceptions of Smoking-Related Risks and Benefits as Predictors of Adolescent Smoking Initiation
Authors: Song Anna V. , Morrell Holly E. R. , Cornell Jodi L. , Ramos Malena E. , Biehl Michael , Kropp Rhonda Y. , Halpern-Felsher Bonnie L.
Published: December 2008

Objectives. The predictive value of perceptions of smoking-related risks and benefits with regard to adolescent smoking initiation has not been adequately established. We used prospective, longitudinal data to directly test whether smoking-related perceptions predict smoking initiation among adolescents.

Methods. We administered surveys assessing perceptions of smoking-related risks and benefits to 395 high school students, beginning at the start of their ninth-grade year. We conducted follow-up assessments every 6 months until the end of 10th grade, obtaining 4 waves of data.

Results. Adolescents who held the lowest perceptions of long-term smoking-related risks were 3.64 times more likely to start smoking than were adolescents who held the highest perceptions of risk. Adolescents who held the lowest perceptions of short-term smoking-related risks were 2.68 times more likely to initiate. Adolescents who held the highest perceptions of smoking-related benefits were 3.31 times more likely to initiate.

Conclusions. Findings from this study provide one of the first sets of empirical evidence to show that smoking initiation is directly related to smoking-related perceptions of risks and benefits. Thus, efforts to reduce adolescent smoking should continue to communicate the health risks of smoking and counteract perceptions of benefits associated with smoking.
Association Between Metabolic Syndrome and Depressive Symptoms in Middle-Aged Adults
Authors: Akbaraly Tasnime N. , Kivimäki Mika , Brunner Eric J. , Chandola Tarani , Marmot Michael G. , Singh-Manoux Archana , Ferrie Jane E.
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE—Although it is possible that the association between depression and the metabolic syndrome is a “two-way street,” the metabolic syndrome as a predictor of depression has been little investigated. We examined whether the metabolic syndrome is associated with the onset of depressive symptoms in a cohort of middle-aged British civil servants.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Analyses included 5,232 participants (41–61 years of age) from the Whitehall II prospective cohort study. Depressive symptoms were assessed in 1991–1993 and again 6 years later using the depression subscale from the 30-item General Health Questionnaire. Metabolic syndrome was assessed in 1991–1993, according to National Cholesterol Education Program criteria.

RESULTS—Presence of the metabolic syndrome was associated with an increased risk of future depressive symptoms, odds ratio 1.38 (95% CI 1.02–1.96) after adjustment for potential confounders. Of the five components, only central obesity, high triglyceride levels, and low HDL cholesterol levels predicted depressive symptoms. These components explained most of the association between the metabolic syndrome and the onset of depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS—Our results suggest that the metabolic syndrome, in particular the obesity and dyslipidemia components, is predictive of depressive symptoms.
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma in a donkey. Use of laparoscopy to aid the diagnosis
Authors: Spanton J. A. , Mair T. S. , Krudewig C.
Published: December 2008

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in a 15‐year‐old donkey that presented with signs of chronic laminitis, weight loss and chronic colic. An intra‐abdominal mass was identified by exploratory laparoscopy, and this was subsequently confirmed to be a pancreatic adenocarcinoma at post mortem examination. Unlike most previously reported cases of pancreatic disease in equids, this donkey had no clinicopathological evidence of an associated hepatopathy.
Cutaneous habronemiasis in a 9‐year‐old Arab gelding in the United Kingdom
Authors: Down S. S. , Hughes I. , Henson F. M. D.
Published: December 2008

Cutaneous habronemiasis causes ulcerative granulating lesions in the skin of equids. Dramatic exuberant tissue may be seen, which becomes traumatised by the horse. To the authors' knowledge, cutaneous habronemiasis has not previously been documented on the distal limb of horses in the UK. Cutaneous habronemiasis should be considered as a potential differential diagnosis for ulcerative granulating skin lesions on the distal limb of the horse.
Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma in situ within viral papillomas in an aged Quarter Horse mare
Authors: Smith M. A. , Levine D. G. , Getman L. M. , Parente E. J. , Engiles J. B.
Published: December 2008

This report describes the diagnosis and treatment of vulvar papillomatosis with carcinoma in situ in a 25‐year‐old mare. Papillomavirus was demonstrated via immunohistochemical staining of biopsies of the lesion. The papillomas were removed via laser excision and the surrounding vulvar tissue injected with 5‐fluorouracil. Additional more extensive laser excisions were required due to recurrence.
Pyrin and ASC Co-Localize to Cellular Sites that Are Rich in Polymerizing Actin
Authors: Waite Andrea L. , Schaner Philip , Hu Chunbo , Richards Neil , Balci-Peynircioglu Banu , Hong Arthur , Fox Michelle , Gumucio Deborah L.
Published: December 2008

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease caused by mutations in the MEFV locus, which encodes the protein pyrin. While it is known that pyrin is expressed in myeloid cells and several fibroblastic cell types, the exact function of pyrin in these cells and the mechanism underlying the pathological effect of pyrin mutations have yet to be revealed. Here, we document that in migrating human monocytes, pyrin protein is dramatically polarized at the leading edge, where it co-localizes with polymerizing actin. ASC (Apoptosis-associated Speck protein with CARD domain), a known pyrin-interacting protein and a critical component of the inflamma-some, is also located at the leading edge in migrating monocytes. Similarly, both pyrin and ASC concentrate in dynamically polymerizing actin-rich tails generated by Listeria monocytogenes. Pyrin’s B-box and coiled-coil region is required for its association with Listeria tails. Pyrin also binds, with low affinity and via the same domains, to actin, VASP, and Arp3. Though disease-causing mutations in pyrin do not appear to alter its localization to the leading edge or to Listeria rocket tails, they could potentially have important functional consequences in the context of processes such as migration and cell synapse formation. The co-localization of pyrin and ASC together at such sites may provide an important link between cytoskeletal signaling and inflammasome function.
PLANNING INSTRUMENTS IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Authors: Kapliński Oleg
Published: December 2008

„Planning instruments in construction management" Ukio technologinis ir Ekonominis vystymas, 14(4), p. 449-451
MODELLING AND SIMULATION OF MONOLITHIC CONSTRUCTION PROCESSES / MONOLITINĖS STATYBOS PROCESŲ MODELIAVIMAS
Authors: Hajdasz Magdalena
Published: December 2008

This research is focused on revealing construction processes from modelling and simulation perspectives. This article reveals the working of the expert system designed and presents analytical capabilities of selected modules. Correct combination of complex production systems of machine sets and group of workers is the main task of the modules activity. The capacity of some modules will be emphasised as far as solution simulations and visualisation of results are concerned. The modules discussed are part of the expert system controlled by users’ preferences. Taking into account the specific character of the domain, two kinds of rules have been distinguished (micro and macro rules). Modules SiCE and CoCE exemplify microrules activity, which describe technological and organisational process. Santrauka Šiame moksliniame tyrime modeliuojami statybos procesai. Straipsnyje parodomas sukurtos ekspertinės sistemos funkcionavimas ir pristatomos analitinės pasirinktų modulių savybės. Pagrindinė modulių užduotis – pasiūlyti tinkamą gamybos sistemą, sudarytą iš tam tikro skaičiaus mechanizmų ir darbininkų. Kai kurie moduliai gali būti panaudoti tik tada, kai reikia atlikti gautų rezultatų modeliavimą ir vizualizaciją. Minėti moduliai yra ekspertinės sistemos, kontroliuojamos vartotojo, dalis. Įvertinant specifines duomenų savybes gali būti taikomos dvi modeliavimo taisyklių rūšys – mikro- ir makrolygmens. Moduliai SiCE ir CoCE iliustruoja mikrolygmens taisyklių, apibūdinančių technologinius ir organizacinius procesus, veikimą.
EXPERIENCE OF THE GAME THEORY APPLICATION IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT / LOŠIMŲ TEORIJOS TAIKYMO PATIRTIS STATYBOS VADYBOJE
Authors: Peldschus Friedel
Published: December 2008

The game theory allows mathematical solutions of conflict situations. Besides the fairly established application to economical problems, approaches to problems in construction operation have been worked out. An overview of applications is given. Solution strategies for such engineering problems are collected. Furthermore, concrete application examples are presented and an overview of further potential applications is given. Solutions of two‐person zero‐sum games are discussed as well as approaches to fuzzy games. Santrauka Lošimų teorija teikia matematinių sprendimų konfliktinėse situacijose. Straipsnyje pateikta daug ekonominių problemų sprendimo pavyzdžių, sukurtų statybos valdymo problemų sprendimo metodikų. Atlikta šių tyrimų apžvalga, surinktos minėtų inžinerinių problemų sprendimo strategijos. Pateikiami konkretūs teorijos taikymo pavyzdžiai dabarties sąlygomis ir ateityje. Aptariami „dviejų asmenų nulinės sumos“ lošimų sprendiniai, taip pat neapibrėžtų aibių teorijos taikymo lošimuose atveju.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND MAJOR INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS: THE BENEFICIAL ROLE OF RISK‐ORIENTED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING / RIZIKA GRINDŽIAMOS KONSTRUKCIJŲ INŽINERIJOS ĮTAKA MAŽINANT SUNKIŲ PRAMONIŲ AVARIJŲ POVEIKĮ DARNIAM VYSTYMUISI
Authors: Vaidogas Egidijus Rytas , Juocevičius Virmantas
Published: December 2008

Sustainable development can be restricted by major accidents which occur in hazardous industries. Almost every major accident may have negative influence on each of the three constituents of the sustainable development: social, environmental and economic part. A characteristic feature of the most of major accidents is severe damage to the structural systems built inside and outside of the industrial facility in which the accident happens. To avoid such accidents or at least to reduce their consequences, structural systems should be designed using a risk‐based approach. On the level of detailed structural design, a formal measure of risk should be introduced and applied to express the effectiveness of the structural solution in terms of accident mitigation and minimization of potential consequences. The structural design should involve the consideration of possible accident scenarios and positive or negative contribution of structures and structural failures to the escalation or de‐escalation of the accident. This can be done by applying the risk‐oriented structural design. A well‐established methodological framework for such a design is provided by the quantitative risk assessment. A consequent application of a risk‐based approach can be one of the risk management tools which will reduce the number of major accidents and thus their negative influence on sustainable development. Santrauka Darnus vystymasis gali būti stabdomas sunkių pramoninių avarijų, kurių kartkartėmis nutinka pavojingose pramonės įmonėse. Beveik kiekviena sunki avarija gali turėti neigiamą įtaką vienam iš trijų darnaus vystymosi komponentų: socialiniam, gamtiniam ir ekonominiam. Būdingas beveik kiekvienos sunkios avarijos bruožas yra rimti konstrukcijų, stovinčių tiek avariją patyrusioj gamykloj, tiek ir už jos, pažeidimai. Norint išvengti tokių avarijų ar bent mažinti jų pasekmes, konstrukcines sistemas reikia projektuoti taikant rizika grindžiamą požiūrį. Rengiant detalų projektą reikia naudoti matematinį rizikos matą, kuriuo galima išreikšti konstrukcinių sprendimų efektyvumą, užkertant avariją ar mažinant jos pasekmes. Projektavimas turėtų aprėpti galimų avarijos scenarijų analizę bei teigiamą ar neigiamą konstrukcijos įtaką potencialiam avarijos eskalavimui ar deeskalavimui. Tai galima atlikti pasitelkiant projektavimą, kuris yra orientuotas į riziką. Metodologinis tokio projektavimo pagrindas yra kiekybinis rizikos vertinimas. Sistemingas jo taikymas yra vienas iš rizikos valdymo būdų, leidžiančių sumažinti sunkių avarijų skaičių ir neigiamą jų įtaką darniajam vystymuisi.
CROSS‐NATIONAL MENTORING NGOS IN TRANSITION SOCIETIES: FIELD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTS IN BULGARIA
Authors: Bogdanova Mariana
Published: December 2008

Non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) in societies undergoing socio‐economic transition are widely regarded as central to building a civil society that encourages democracy. At the moment, the Bulgarian civil society depends greatly on foreign funding whilst NGOs are unable to empower their beneficiaries in decision‐making. Given this reality, are cross‐national NGO partnerships able to strengthen organisations? What kinds of support are on offer, what kinds of (inter) dependency relations occur and to what extent do NGOs model their management practices on their mentor and with what results? This paper sets out to situate these questions in the context of a proposed theoretical construct, organizational mentoring, which occurs where national or local organisations have access to and support of well‐established NGOs abroad. The model is constructed on the findings of a qualitative case study conducted in Bulgaria on the development of a Bulgarian NGO and its relationship with a UK NGO. This is preceded by a discussion on selected literature reflecting the meaning of transition, change in societal values and organizational practices in Eastern Europe, and the development of voluntary sector organizations in transforming countries. The theoretical model proposed here is relevant in providing a systematic discussion on organizational change towards a more enlightened engagement between civil society organizations in cross‐national partnerships. Such discussion has implications for the development of hybrid forms of coexistence between Eastern and Western European partners reflected in their interdependent organizational practices.
EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF STATE AID TO BUSINESS BY MULTICRITERIA METHODS
Authors: Ginevičius Romualdas , Podvezko Valentinas , Bruzgė Šarūnas
Published: December 2008

One of the forms of state intervention in market development is state aid (subsidies) to private sector enterprises. Over the period of 2004–2006, a great part of the EU aid was granted to business in Lithuania through the EU structural funds. State aid is a complicated phenomenon. It may have several aims, with none of them being dominant. The effects of this aid may also be varied and hardly described by a single criterion or indicator. Therefore, multiple criteria evaluation methods can be used to compare the aid to various businesses and to determine its effect on their development objectively. The analysis of state subsidies to enterprises based on these methods allowed us to state that the aid had the greatest effect on the development of projects in the areas of production, research, experiments and education. The most influencing factor is aid intensity (the more intensive the aid, the greater the effect), while the best ratios of investments to the effect obtained was found in the area of educational projects, followed by research, experimental and production projects. The aid to enterprises providing services was the least effective. The results obtained in multicriteria evaluation of state aid to business show that these methods are well suited to the analysis of this phenomenon, providing an objective view of the picture.
FOREIGN CAPITAL DESTINATIONS: BALTIC STATES VERSUS INDIA
Authors: Tvaronavičienė Manuela , Grybaitė Virginija , Korsakienė Renata
Published: December 2008

The presented paper aims to elaborate which factors have the biggest influence on investment decisions while choosing between India and the new EU members ‐ Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. For analysis purpose the Baltic States have been juxtaposed to India, as the latter represents emerging market, and, according to almost unanimous prognosis, is one of the main FDI destinations for the nearest future. The Baltic States are considered as attractive recent entrants of the EU demonstrating high growth and representing new unsaturated market. FDI inflows into those rather different countries started in approximately 1991, thus driving forces behind international capital movement serve as object of scientific interest. The data retrieved and used for considerations embraces period from 1999 to 2008. Authors ground premises about significance of certain sets of driving factors and use multi‐criteria evaluation methods to indicate driving forces determining propensity to invest into the Baltic States’ region and India. Results of speculative analysis are supposed to add to better understanding of contemporary investment behaviour of well‐developed economies.
SERVICE QUALITY ASSESSMENT IN A GREEK HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTE
Authors: Zafiropoulos Costas , Vrana Vasiliki
Published: December 2008

Education service quality, even though it has become a major issue in higher education worldwide, in Greece it has gained attention only in the last few years. The paper analyzes how students and staff shape opinion about quality of education in a HE institute in Greece. This is one of the few analyses of the perceptions about quality of educational services, viewed both by students and staff of Higher Education Institute in Greece. The study uses the SERVQUAL instrument, adjusted in the educational context. It finds the gaps within students’ and staff's attitudes and reveals possible differences between students’ and staff's views. Gaps exist among some students’ attitudes regarding perceived and expected quality. Staff presents greater gaps than students in every SERVQUAL dimension. Although staff's scores about perceived and expected quality differentiate significantly from students’ scores, no statistically significant difference exists regarding the final SERVQUAL scores. The SERVQUAL instrument presents high reliability indices, however its validity is questioned. The issue has important strategic and managerial implications because it relates to the ability of the institution to bridge staff's and student's attitudes. Although SERVQUAL presents some limitations regarding applicability it still may be used as a complementary research instrument for assessing service quality. In the educational context SERVQUAL can be used to reveal differentiation among views of the key stakeholders, such as students and staff. Managers should take steps to ensure that both parts form a realistic view of the educational process.
ROLE OF FIXED INVESTMENTS IN ECONOMIC GROWTH OF COUNTRY: LITHUANIA IN EUROPEAN CONTEXT
Authors: Tvaronavičius Vytautas , Tvaronavičienė Manuela
Published: December 2008

The paper aims to detect character of relationship between fixed investments and economic growth in Lithuania and predict plausible tendencies of further change of considered variables. In order to achieve the indicated task, authors concentrate themselves on two major questions. Firstly, quantitative relationships between investments into major areas of economic activities and Lithuanian economic growth are being estimated. Secondly, comparative analysis of Lithuanian pattern of investment and randomly taken developed European country is being performed. Authors seek to trace how the latter invested during its process of development. Concrete period of observation is being chosen taking into account the current level of Lithuanian economic development. Authors seek to trace plausible consistent patterns of development in terms of relationship between fixed investments and economic growth as countries develop. Obtained results might allow identifying the role of fixed investments, and, if to go further, facilitating forecasts of possible trends of fixed investment and corresponding economic growth.
ANALYSIS OF LITHUANIAN TRANSPORT SECTOR POSSIBILITIES IN THE CONTEXT OF EUROPEAN‐ASIAN TRADE RELATIONS
Authors: Vasiliauskas Aidas Vasilis , Barysienė Jurgita
Published: December 2008

The fundamental importance of an integrated international multimodal transport system has been clearly recognised. The identification and development of well functioning transport relations on the basis of existing transport corridors and networks requires properly defined, formalised, and coordinated joint actions among the relevant countries, international institutions and organisations. The geographical position of Lithuania has determined that the country is crossed by the two European transport corridors approved at the Conferences of the European Transport Ministers in Crete and Helsinki, creating ability for Lithuania in trade between EU and Asia. Paper presents an overview of recent changes in world economy and international trade emphasizing the growing importance of European ‐ Asian relations. Then analysis of existing transport links assuring possible ways for freight movements between these two regions are examined and method for the comparison of transportation alternatives based on corridor utility is presented. Finally, some key development trends towards the strengthening of Lithuanian transport system role in the context of European‐Asian trade relations are discussed.
A NEW DELAY PARAMETER DEPENDENT ON VARIABLE ANALYSIS PERIODS AT SIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS. PART 1: MODEL DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Akgüngör Ali Payidar
Published: December 2008

Delay is an important factor in the optimization of traffic signals and the determination of the level of service of a signalized intersection. This paper proposes a methodology and a new formulation to identify the delay parameter in signalized intersection delay models. In this study, the delay parameter is modeled as a function of analysis period instead of a fixed value used by the existing delay models. Therefore, the proposed delay model including new delay parameter can produce more reasonable delay estimations at signalized intersections for variable time periods. A comparative study of the proposed time‐dependent model against the existing four different models was performed to present the improvements in this model.
GENETIC ALGORITHM FOR SOLVING DYNAMIC SIMULTANEOUS ROUTE AND DEPARTURE TIME EQUILIBRIUM PROBLEM
Authors: Li Shu-Guang
Published: December 2008

We present a genetic algorithm for solving dynamic simultaneous route and departure time equilibrium problem. Not only can a flow‐swapping process in the algorithm guarantee the flow conservation constraints between OD pair, but also accelerate the convergence velocity of the algorithm. Finally, a simulation example shows feasibility and validity of genetic algorithm.