bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing the effects of determinants of turnover intentions between Taiwanese and U.S. hospital employees
Authors: Ding Cherng G. , Lin Chieh‐Peng
Published: December 2006

This research assesses how the direct effects of career satisfaction and job satisfaction on turnover intentions and the indirect effects through organizational commitment differ between Taiwanese and U.S. hospital employees. Using data collected from 179 Taiwanese and 144 U.S. hospital employees, the test results find the following differences: the direct effect of job satisfaction on turnover intentions is negative and significant for Taiwanese hospital employees but not for U.S. hospital employees; the indirect effect of job satisfaction on turnover intentions through organizational commitment is stronger for Taiwanese hospital employees than for U.S. hospital employees; and the negative direct effect of career satisfaction on turnover intentions and the indirect effect through organizational commitment are stronger for U.S. hospital employees than for Taiwanese hospital employees. Finally, the managerial implications for human resource development are discussed.
Why we fail: How hubris, hamartia, and anagnosis shape organizational behavior
Authors: Ford Randal
Published: December 2006

This article presents three tendencies (hubris, hamartia, and anagnosis) to explain why organizational personnel are prone to fail. All people are subject to these tendencies. Few organizations or individuals understand them, however, and fewer still know how to manage them. The article employs short case studies to define them and offers solutions on how to overcome their impact.
EMP3 overexpression is associated with oligodendroglial tumors retaining chromosome arms 1p and 19q
Authors: Li Kay Ka Wai , Pang Jesse Chung‐Sean , Chung Nellie Yuk‐Fei , Ng Yeung Lam , Chan Norman Hok Ling , Zhou Liangfu , Poon Wai Sang , Ng Ho‐Keung
Published: December 2006

The epithelial membrane protein 3 (EMP3) gene located on chromosome 19q13 has been implicated as a candidate tumor suppressor gene (TSG) in neuroblastomas and gliomas. The aim of this study was to investigate whether EMP3 is involved in oligodendroglial tumors (OTs), which frequently carry combined chromosomes 1p and 19q deletion. We first investigated the transcript level of EMP3 in a cohort of 57 OTs by quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR. Our results showed that 10 (18%) tumors had reduced EMP3 expression level compared to normal brains. Six of these tumors carried chromosome 19q13 deletion but no statistical correlation was found between the 2 parameters. Intriguingly, a similar proportion (11 of 57, 19%) of tumors displayed EMP3 overexpression, with 8 of them having transcript level >10‐fold higher than normal brain. All 11 OTs retained chromosomes 1p36 and 19q13, and a significant association was found between EMP3 overexpression and balanced chromosomes 1p36 and 19q13 (p = 0.004). The methylation status of EMP3 was evaluated by bisulfite sequencing in 29 OTs with diverse expression levels. All tumors except 3 showed aberrant methylation of EMP3 and no correlation was observed between transcript level and methylation status, suggesting that methylation alone does not mediate transcriptional down‐regulation of EMP3 in OTs. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that EMP3 overexpression is involved in OTs retaining chromosomes 1p and 19q and does not support EMP3 as the target TSG on chromosome 19q13 in OTs. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of wollastonite‐poly(ethylmethacrylate co‐vinylpyrrolidone) based materials for multifunctional devices
Authors: Rodríguez‐Lorenzo Luis M. , Carrodeguas Raúl García , Rodríguez Miguel A. , De Aza Salvador , Parra Juan , Román Julio San
Published: December 2006

The manufacturing of a composite made of a synthetic bioactive ceramic, pseudowollastonite (psW), and a bioresorbable copolymer ethylmethacrylate–vinylpyrrolidone (EMA/VP) is presented in this article. psW porous blocks were produced by dipping an open porous polyurethane foam in a psW containing slurry. A 40/60 wt % EMA/VP monomers mixture was poured on the blocks, and free radical polymerization initiated by azobis(isobutyronitrile) at 50°C. Disks of 1 mm height were obtained by cutting the composite with a diamond saw, and bioresorption and bioactivity of the specimens were tested by immersion of the disks into SBF. A ceramic/polymer weight ratio of 72/28, greater than the usually achievable ratio by polymeric solidification of slurries of monomers charged with a powdered solid component, has been obtained. The system is bioactive and does not change the pH of the medium during the degradation test. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 80A:, 2007
Flow cytometric analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations in high‐sugar Chardonnay fermentations
Authors: Farthing Jeffrey B , Rodriguez Susan B , Thornton Roy J
Published: December 2006

Fermentation of high‐sugar grape juice by five commercial strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was analyzed in real time both microbiologically and chemically. Viable, dead and ‘injured’ yeast were enumerated by flow cytometry. Chemical changes in the fermentations were measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Sensory testing of wines was conducted at 3 and 6 months post bottling. Fermentation kinetics varied among the five strains of yeast, with two of the yeasts unable to completely ferment the juice. Wines differed in glycerol and volatile acidity production. Sensorial differences were detected in all wine pairs tested at 3 months, but only in one of the four wine pairs tested at 6 months. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Deep‐hidden anastomoses in monochorionic twin placentae are harmless
Authors: van den Wijngaard Jeroen P. H. M. , Lopriore Enrico , van der Salm Sandra M. A. , Schaap Arty H. P. , Vandenbussche Frank P. H. A. , DeRuiter Marco C. , van Gemert Martin J. C.
Published: December 2006

Objectives

Our objective was to identify the clinical consequences of deep‐hidden anastomoses that occur underneath the placental surface.

Methods

Twelve placentae that underwent intrauterine laser ablation of placental anastomoses for twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and 14 non‐TTTS controls were investigated for deep‐hidden anastomoses. Additionally, we investigated the inter‐twin haemoglobin differences as an indicator for fetofetal transfusion. Placentae were divided into four groups: TTTS placentae without residual chorionic‐plate anastomoses without deep‐hidden anastomoses (group 1) and with deep‐hidden anastomoses (group 2), and non‐TTTS placentae with chorionic‐plate anastomoses without deep‐hidden anastomoses (group 3) and with deep‐hidden anastomoses (group 4).

Results

Deep‐hidden anastomoses were identified in 58% (7/12) of the TTTS placentae after laser surgery and in 64% (9/14) of the non‐TTTS placentae. Groups 1 and 2 had equal inter‐twin haemoglobin differences: medians 1.4 and 1.2 gr/dL, respectively (p = 0.48). In group 3, the median inter‐twin haemoglobin difference without deep‐hidden anastomoses was 2.6 gr/dL (group 3) and with deep‐hidden anastomoses (group 4) it was 5.1 gr/dL (p = 0.26).

Conclusion

Both comparisons imply that deep‐hidden anastomoses did not cause any additional increase in Hb difference. In conclusion, haematological and additional hemodynamical analysis show that deep‐hidden anastomoses are likely to occur without any clinical consequences. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time‐variance of interacting dipole systems
Authors: Kühn M. , Kliem H.
Published: December 2006

In a previous paper we performed numerical calculations of transient polarization relaxations for an interacting system of statistically distributed permanent dipoles. These simulations in the time‐domain showed the typical Kohlrausch relaxation law. Now the relaxating system is tested for time‐invariance. Using the dependencies of the dielectric circle integral transformations between time domain and frequency domain are carried out and are compared to our Monte Carlo simulations. The following simulation of the field reversal experiment based on the superposition principle for the polarization or rather current density demonstrates an alternative of testing a system for the properties of linearity and time‐invariance. The interacting systems exhibit a time‐variant character. In this paper we focus on the small signal response after applying a step function of the electric field. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Enhanced reductive dechlorination of PCE in unconsolidated soils
Authors: Payne Fred C. , Suthersan Suthan S. , Nelson Denice K. , Suarez Gus , Tasker Ian , Akladiss Naji
Published: December 2006

An Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) forum was recently held that focused on six case studies in which bioremediation of dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) was performed. The objective was to demonstrate that there is credible evidence for bioremediation as a viable environmental remediation technology. A discussion of the first case study from the ITRC forum was published in the previous issue of Remediation. This article presents a discussion of the second case study, which involves enhanced reductive dechlorination (ERD) of tetrachloroethene (PCE) in unconsolidated soils—primarily silts and clays with very low permeabilities. The project results indicate that complete reductive dechlorination was achieved and provide encouragement that large amounts of nonaqueous solvent can be brought into the reductive dechlorination treatment process by dissolution and desorption, giving support to the contention that the capacity to attack nonaqueous mass is a prerequisite for any effective treatment of DNAPL source zones. The site geology for this project was relatively unfavorable, and further work is needed to confirm that the ERD technology can economically reach a natural attenuation endpoint for this type of setting. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Before‐after control‐impact paired modeling of groundwater bentazon treatment at a phytoremediation site
Authors: Conger Robert Mark , Portier Ralph J.
Published: December 2006

A Before‐ After Control‐ Impact Paired (BACIP) model was used to evaluate the effectiveness of phytoremediation treatment on reduction of bentazon concentrations in shallow groundwater at a study site in Louisiana. Two different statistical approaches were made to evaluate the impact to this test site from the remediation program through time. Data were evaluated by Bayesian analysis of variance test methods. Data sets were unique in that the control data used for impact evaluation, as compared to before and after data, were compiled from groundwater upgradient monitoring wells existing prior to remediation. The statistical model supports the hypothesis that the phytoremediation program has positively impacted groundwater at the study site. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The lichen genus Porina in Macaronesia, with descriptions of two new species
Authors: SÉRUSIAUX Emmanuël , BERGER Franz , BRAND Maarten , van den BOOM Pieter
Published: December 2006

Detailed studies on the lichen genus Porina in Macaronesia have led to a reappraisal of the genuine identity of Porina atlantica (Erichsen) P. M. Jørg., a characteristic species that has previously been confused with P. guaranitica, P. heterospora, P. nucula, P. mastoidea or P. rhodostoma in the literature, and is here reported from Madeira, the Canary Islands, Ireland, France and Portugal. Two new species are described: P. effilata Brand & Sérus. sp. nov. (known from Madeira, the Canary Islands, Great Britain, Ireland and Portugal) and P. ocoteae Brand & Sérus. sp. nov. (restricted to La Palma, Canary Islands, and São Jorge in the Azores). Porina leptospora Nyl. is recognized at the species level, and P. isidiata Kalb & Hafellner is reduced into synonymy with P. atlantica. A key to all known species of Porina in Macaronesia is provided.
Cardiac anomalies in the setting of the Abernethy malformation of the portal vein
Authors: Ratnasamy Christopher , Kurbegov Amethyst , Swaminathan Sethuraman
Published: December 2006

We describe a child with tricuspid atresia associated with a porto-systemic shunt and complete absence of the portal vein, the latter known as the Abernethy malformation. As far as we are aware, this association has not previously been reported. We review the various cardiac defects that have been reported in children with the Abernethy malformation, emphasizing the interesting clinical presentations of this rare malformation of the portal venous system.
A kinase subunit of the human mediator complex, CDK8, positively regulates transcriptional activation
Authors: Furumoto Tadashi , Tanaka Aki , Ito Mitsuhiro , Malik Sohail , Hirose Yutaka , Hanaoka Fumio , Ohkuma Yoshiaki
Published: December 2006

The human thyroid hormone receptor‐associated proteins (TRAP)/Mediator and related complexes mediate transcription through regulatory factors. To further understand the structural and functional diversity of these complexes we established three HeLa cell lines each expressing one of three epitope‐tagged human TRAP/Mediator subunits, MED6, MED7, and CDK8 and isolated the complexes in which these subunits were contained by affinity and HPLC‐gel filtration chromatography. The largest complexes from each cell line had a molecular mass of 1.5 MDa and possessed almost identical subunit compositions; we designated these complexes TRAP/Mediator‐like complex 1 (TMLC1). Two potential subcomplexes were additionally observed: a 1‐MDa complex from the CDK8‐cell line (TMLC2) and a 600‐kDa complex from the MED6‐cell line (TMLC3). All three complexes regulated transcription in vitro; TMLC1 and TMLC3 augmented transcriptional activation, whereas TMLC2 repressed it. TMLC1 and TMLC2 phosphorylated RNA polymerase II (Pol II), but TMLC3 did not. Furthermore, TMLC1 predominantly interacted with the general transcription factors TFIIE, TFIIF, and TFIIH, which function during transcription initiation and the transition to elongation. In a final experiment, knockdown of CDK8 using RNA interference prevented transcriptional activation by Gal4‐VP16 in a luciferase‐assay. This, together with the effect of TMLC1 on transcription in vitro, suggests that CDK8 play positive roles in transcriptional activation.
Curriculum integration in nursing education: a concept or a way of life? A study of six courses integrating basic nursing education and health visiting in a single course
Authors: Owen Grace M.
Published: December 2006

The purpose of this study was to record the historical development of ‘integrated’ nursing courses, which were an innovation in nursing education, and also to attempt to identify any differences existing between health visitors who trained on ‘integrated’ courses and those who had trained on the 3‐year SRN courses, with an additional year for health visiting. The ‘integrated’ courses, first established in 1957, aimed to attract intelligent candidates to nursing and to offer a more appropriate method of preparation for health visiting between hospital and university or college, integrating hospital nursing with health visiting.

The original area of investigation was carried out by means of unstructured questionnaires to all health visitors completing the ‘integrated’ courses in 1972, and a comparable group of health visitors completing the 1‐year course at the same point in time. Certain significant differences were identifiable between the two groups in terms of expectations, values and satisfactions in nursing and health visiting, and differences also emerged between the stereotypes of nursing and health visiting held by both groups.

A further study carried out among employers revealed some interesting attitudes held by their professional colleagues towards those trained on ‘integrated’ courses, and gave some indication of the ways in which their performance was evaluated by nursing officers and others. The concluding discussion outlines some of the possible implications of diese findings in the context of present day nursing education in the United Kingdom and an integrated health service.
Nurses'perception of their psychological role in treating rehabilitation patients: a study employing the Critical Incident Technique
Authors: Rimon Devorah
Published: December 2006

This study presents the theoretical literature on the psychological role of nurses. The nurses' perception of their psychological role is empirically obtained, employing the critical incident technique. General aims and objectives of psychological care of physically ill patients are formulated and are found to generally support the theoretical literature. Nurses were clearly found to perceive their psychological role as covering a very broad spectrum, the ultimate of which was the ability to anticipate and meet the emotional needs of the patient. The importance of implementing the application of social science concepts and methods to nursing is discussed.
An interdisciplinary tool for assessing patients’ readiness for discharge in the rehabilitation setting*
Authors: Fenwick Ann M.
Published: December 2006

This paper describes the setting up of an interdisciplinary tool to assess readiness for discharge of patients from hospital. The rationale behind the tool is discussed and the literature is reviewed for current perspectives of measurement in rehabilitation, the desirability of planning discharges or referrals and the interdisciplinary nature of the health care team. The concept of readiness is also discussed. Finally, the evolution of the tool is described and its use wiik selected patients in a rehabilitation hospital is demonstrated.
Academic gaming in nurse education
Authors: French Peter
Published: December 2006

This paper describes a study of the usefulness of academic gaming in nurse education. The research has been carried out over the course of 3 years and represents an attempt by a nurse tutor to carry out a study on research lines, during the course of normal working and with a minimum of interference to the normal working of a nurse education department.

The study involved psychiatric nurse learners at Winterton Hospital, Sedgefield, Durham and attempted to assess the usefulness of academic gaming by evaluating one academic game which has been designed for nurse learners. This game aims to teach various aspects of the digestive system and digestive processes. The questions which required answers were, can nurse learners learn from academic games? Do they like this method of learning? How does this method compare with other learning methods?

Eighty‐six learners participated in a test/game/test situation and completed a questionnaire after playing the game. Results suggest that learners can increase their knowledge of the subject by playing the game but it may be most useful as a consolidation method. Learners most often stated that they enjoyed the game and when ranked according to preference, gaming was preferred to film, reading and discussion methods but equally preferred to the lecture method.
Hospital ward layout and nurse staffing*
Authors: Seelye Alan
Published: December 2006

This literature review discusses the evidence that modem wards divided into small bedrooms or bays, require higher nurse staffing levels. Aspects of ward design and operation such as patient privacy, nursing efficiency, patient dependency and ward organization are outlined and methods for establishing staffing levels which take ward design into account are described. The majority of ward evaluation studies concerned with nurse staffing concentrate on two areas, the use of the nurses’ time (particularly in travel) and user opinion of wards.

The conclusions drawn suggest that the two main measures of ward layout which relate to effective and efficient nursing care are short travel distances and features which facilitate the maximum contact between nurses and patients. Further, how these two principles are incorporated effectively into a ward will depend upon a number of other factors which effect nursing work viz, the number and characteristics of the patients and ward staff and the policies and practices of the nurses themselves.
Ward sister – teacher or facilitator? An investigation into the behavioural characteristics of effective ward teachers
Authors: Marson S. N.
Published: December 2006

The ward sister role is increasingly coming under study. This paper summarizes research into learning in the ward environment. The study being one of several on a similar theme, to have been published in the past 2 years. The research concentrated in particular on the behavioural characteristics of trained nurses perceived as good teachers. Attitudes and perceptions of teaching and learning were investigated by interviewing trained and trainee nurses.

The data concerning good teachers collected at interviews were developed into a questionnaire and the results factor analysed. In the third phase of the study trained nurse‐trainee verbal communications were observed and analysed to determine any relationship between verbal behaviours and effective teaching.

The findings of the study led to the conclusion that on the job teaching of nurses is a complex global act in which the role model presented to the learner has a powerful influence while it could not be said conclusively that a link between effective teaching and verbal behaviour was identified, a trend towards a more participative mode of communication was noted in two identified good teachers.
Career paths of graduates of a degree‐linked nursing course*
Authors: Montague Susan E. , Herbert Rosamund A.
Published: December 2006

The aim of this study was to follow the career development of all 103 former students of the BSc (Hons) degree in human biology at the University of Surrey who also took the nursing option leading to qualification as SRN, at St George's School of Nursing, London. These individuals qualified between 1970 and 1980.

A postal questionnaire was used and a 97% response was obtained. The employment of each respondent was recorded at various time intervals after qualification and categorized to facilitate analysis.

Findings were generally in accordance with the preliminary findings of the Universities of Manchester and Edinburgh follow‐up studies. The majority of respondents chose and followed careers in nursing. The most common categories of employment for the first 5 years after qualification were hospital and community nursing. Sixty‐two percent had taken further training in various fields of nursing. A larger proportion of human biologist nurse graduates had selected careers in community nursing, nursing research and nursing education than had Edinburgh nurse graduates.

There was support for the suggestion that nurse graduates choose to consolidate their experience before breaking their career on account of motherhood.

Between 9 and 31% were in non‐nursing employment during the first 5 years of employment. Most of these were studying or working in health related fields. This figure was higher than that found in Edinburgh and reflects the nature of the degree‐linked human biology/nursing option course.
Educating teachers of nursing: the attitudes of students
Authors: Sheahan John
Published: December 2006

One hundred and twenty‐four experienced registered nurses representing four status categories (nurse managers, full‐time student teachers of nursing, first year part‐time student teachers of nursing, and second year part‐time teachers of nursing) participated in a study to investigate the nature of their social attitudes.

Oliver's Survey of Opinions about Education was used as a measure of social attitudes.

The overall conclusion was that the social attitudes of the subjects in the study were more similar than dissimilar. Significant differences were found between the managers and the full time teachers (t =−2.03, P < 0.05) on radicalism. The teachers were found to be more radical. Significant differences were found between the managers and the first year part‐time teachers (t =−2.55, P < 0.05) on tender‐mindedness. The teachers were found to be more tender‐minded. Significant differences were also found on tender‐mindedness between the managers and the second year part‐time teachers (t =−2.37, P < 0.05). Again, the teachers were found to be more tender‐minded than the managers. Apart from these differences, the social attitudes of the subjects were found to be well balanced.

When the findings of the present study are compared with other studies relating to the social attitudes of nurses, the pattern which emerges is a more balanced one. However, previous studies mainly used subjects in the l8–21‐year age group. The difference in the ages of the subjects is likely to be an important factor on their social attitudes, but further research would be required to determine whether factors other than a difference in ages play a part.
A personal construct theory approach to the socialization of nursing trainees in two British general hospitals
Authors: Heyman R. , Shaw M. P. , Harding J.
Published: December 2006

Student and pupil nurses (64), from an initial sample of 117, completed repertory grids questionnaires and interviews on the first day of training, at 4 and 18 months. Measures of identification attraction and ideal/actual congruence were derived from the grids. Trainees were found to become more identified with and attracted to medical roles during training and less identified with and attracted to lower‐status non‐medical roles such as factory worker. Ideal/ actual congruence with medical roles other than trainee also increased. Some measures derived from the grids related to trainee ‘wastage’ and to satisfaction with the hospital.
A conceptual approach to the development of motivational strategies
Authors: Wong Julia , Wong Shirley , Mensah Lynette L.
Published: December 2006

Teachers in both general and professional education are well aware of the importance of motivation as the basis of effective teaching. Heidgerken maintains that a major problem that faces nursing educators is to select the right type of motivation and to know how to effect motivation. The authors propose a conceptual model for developing strategies to deal with motivational problems. This model is an application of Vroom's value/expectancy theory and Rotter's social learning theory, and is based on the premise that nursing faculty are in strategic positions to enhance student motivation for learning by manipulating variables that are believed to influence motivation. These suggested strategies include: enhancing student's need value by rewarding them with rewards that they value the most; increasing student's perceptions of a strong link between performance and rewards; providing students with consistent and clear role perceptions; improving student satisfaction towards learning.
Nurses' attitudes towards the nursing process
Authors: Bowman Gerald S. , Thompson David R. , Sutton Terence W.
Published: December 2006

The attitudes of qualified nursing staff towards the nursing process were studied. Three distinct nursing units received varying degrees of planning and education regarding the principles and practice of the nursing process. The attitudes of the nursing staff of these units were assessed by means of a 20 — item questionnaire. Statistically significant differences (P>0·001) between the mean attitude scores for the three units were found, but comparison of the overall mean attitude scores for the three grades of nurses within each unit did not result in statistical significance (P<0·35). Further analysis indicated that a structured educational programme was beneficial in creating a positive attitude towards the nursing process whereas a less structured approach had the opposite effect.
Shorebird roost‐site selection at two temporal scales: is human disturbance a factor?
Authors: PETERS KIMBERLY A. , OTIS DAVID L.
Published: December 2006

Roost‐site selection in shorebirds is governed by ambient factors, including environmental conditions and human disturbance. Determination of the extent to which these factors affect roost use and the associated implications for shorebird habitat protection is important for conservation strategies and informed management of human recreational use of these habitats. Shorebird conservation as a whole is a high priority world‐wide because a large proportion of shorebird species is in decline. However, little is understood about the consistency of roost use by different species, what conditions affect species‐specific roost‐site selection, and at what spatial and temporal scales conditions influence selection.

We studied high‐tide roost‐site selection by eight species of non‐breeding shorebirds on a critically important stopover and wintering refuge. We calculated spatial and temporal variability in roost use for each species based on counts and consistency of incidence. We then examined roost‐site selection in relation to structural, environmental and human disturbance factors, and how this varied across spatial and temporal scales.

Most roosts were used less than 50% of the time, although larger roosts were used more consistently. This varied among species, with red knot Calidris canutus tending to concentrate at a few roosts and American oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus, dowitcher Limnodromus griseus and Limnodromus scolopaceus and ruddy turnstone Arenaria interpres more diffusely distributed among roosts.

At an annual scale, the principal factors affecting shorebird presence at roosts were roost length (size), local region, substrate and aspect. The extent and direction of these effects varied among species. Among years, red knots avoided roosts that had high average boat activity within 1000 m, but disturbance did not appear to be a factor for other species.

Daily roost use was influenced primarily by wind speed and the ability of roosts to provide shelter from the wind. Only dowitchers appeared to track daily disturbance, avoiding prospective roosts when boat activity within 100 m was high.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings emphasize the need to consider species‐specific differences in temporal‐ and spatial‐scale effects of roost‐site selection factors, including human disturbance, when employing conservation measures for shorebirds. We suggest that conservation management should aim to provide a wide range of potential roosts (both natural and artificial) that could be used under different wind conditions and that are within reasonable travelling distance of preferred feeding areas. Roost use is often highly variable, and monitoring efforts must take this into account before making inferences about changes in use or selection of roost sites.
Will agri‐environment schemes deliver substantial biodiversity gain, and if not why not?
Authors: WHITTINGHAM MARK J.
Published: December 2006

One of the main aims of agri‐environment schemes (AES) is to increase biodiversity on farmland. Common conservation practice is to identify areas containing valuable resources (e.g. habitats, ecosystems and species) and then to protect them: ‘protected area’ schemes. AES differ from typical protected area schemes because they are often applied to small patches of land, such as field boundaries, and are sometimes located in areas where the target species does not occur.

AES require an enormous amount of funding and they have been applied across a large geographical area, i.e. the European Union. However, recent evidence suggests mixed results regarding the effects of AES on biodiversity.

It is hard to predict the consequences of AES on biodiversity because a number of factors are seldom accounted for explicitly. For example: (i) the occurrence of target species will vary between patches; (ii) there will be variation in habitat preference by species in different geographical areas; (iii) both optimal foraging theory and metapopulation theory predict that the distance from breeding individuals is likely to determine patch use; (iv) if resources are widely spread then the home ranges of some species may need to increase to encompass the multiple resources needed for breeding. The potential for these factors to affect the outcome of AES on biodiversity is discussed.

Synthesis and applications. AES are likely to increase biodiversity if a lower number of larger resource patches are provided, in contrast to current practice that promotes many small fragmented areas of environmental resource. One way of achieving this may be to run these schemes more like traditional protected area schemes, with farms or groups of farms managed using extensive farming methods. Such an approach negates some of the problems of current AES and may help to address a wider range of concerns held by different countryside stakeholders.
Ghrelin Stimulates Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH) Secretion by Human ACTH‐Secreting Pituitary Adenomas In Vitro
Authors: Giraldi F. Pecori , Bucciarelli L. G. , Saccani A. , Scacchi M. , Pesce S. , Losa M. , Cavagnini F.
Published: December 2006

Ghrelin is a brain‐gut peptide with wide‐ranging endocrine, metabolic, cardiovascular and neural effects. Ghrelin, like its synthetic counterparts, the growth hormone (GH) secretagogues, has been shown to markedly stimulate adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol secretion in humans and the ACTH‐releasing effect of GH secretagogues is even greater in patients with pituitary ACTH‐secreting tumours. Furthermore, these tumours synthesize ghrelin itself, suggesting an intrapituitary ghrelin circuit. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ghrelin on ACTH secretion by human pituitary corticotroph tumours in vitro to test the functionality of this circuit. Nine ACTH‐secreting pituitary tumours (four microadenomas, five macroadenomas) were collected during surgery and incubated with 10–100 nM human ghrelin or with 10 nM human corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH). Control experiments were performed in rat anterior pituitary primary cultures. ACTH secretion was assessed after 4 h and 24 h incubation by immunometric assay. After 4 h of incubation with ghrelin, medium ACTH concentrations were two‐ to ten‐fold higher compared to ACTH concentrations in unstimulated wells. The ACTH‐releasing effect of ghrelin was significantly less than the response elicited by 10 nM CRH (up to 40‐fold) Similar results were obtained after 24 h of incubation and a superimposable response pattern was observed in rat anterior pituitary primary cultures. The present study demonstrates that the endogenous GH secretagogue, ghrelin, stimulates ACTH secretion directly from human tumoural corticotrophs, as well as from normal rat pituitary, and indicates that the marked ACTH release elicited by ghrelin in patients with Cushing's disease in vivo is due, at least in part, to its action on the pituitary tumour. However, the reversal of the response pattern reported in vivo, with ghrelin proving a lesser stimulant than CRH in vitro, suggests that additional, suprapituitary mechanisms are involved in the in vivo response. Moreover, these data uphold the concept of a functional intratumoural ghrelin paracrine circuit in human corticotroph adenomas.
“The Grand Experiment”: Modeling Adult Learning with Adult‐Ministry Students
Authors: Simmons Laura K.
Published: December 2006

Abstract.  Adult‐learning theory challenges faculty to adapt their teaching to certain characteristics of adult learners, including self‐direction: if adults direct the bulk of their lives outside of school, they should be permitted to direct their own educational experiences. To what extent is self‐directed learning an optimal, or even realistic, methodology for seminary teaching? Does it matter what subjects we are teaching? This essay details an experiment with self‐directed learning in a seminary ministry class: what worked, what might be improved, and how it challenges our view of ourselves as faculty to teach in this way. Student feedback from the course in question enhances our understanding of the best (and most challenging) features of the experiment.
The effect of cortical activation on orthodontic tooth movement
Authors: Cho K‐W , Cho S‐W , Oh C‐O , Ryu Y‐K , Ohshima H , Jung H‐S
Published: December 2006

Objective:  Cortical activation is one of the procedures to accelerate tooth movement by manipulating the cortical bone. In this study, the effect of cortical activation on orthodontic tooth movement was investigated clinically and histologically in the surrounding bony tissue.

Materials and methods:  In the lower and upper jaws of two beagle dogs, cortical activation was applied to the buccal and lingual side of the alveolar bone in the right jaw where 12 holes were made on each cortical plate 4 weeks after the extraction of all the second bicuspids while under deep anesthesia. All third bicuspids on both jaws were forced to move forward by a 150‐g force using NiTi coil spring with/without guiding wire. The tooth movement was measured and the animals were killed after tooth movement.

Results:  Rapid initial tooth movement was apparent after cortical activation. However, after 6 months of cortical activation, the cell number and cellular activity of the surrounding periodontal tissue were decreased.

Conclusions:  This experiment showed that rapid initial tooth movement was apparent following the application of orthodontic force after cortical activation but the cellular activity and fibroblast structure were abnormal in the surrounding periodontal tissue.
HIGH ENERGY PROTON–BERYLLIUM COLLISIONS: IS NATURE DICTATED BY POWER LAW?
Authors: BISWAS S. K. , DE BHASKAR , GUPTAROY P. , BHATTACHARYA A. , BHATTACHARYYA S.
Published: December 2006

In the present study on proton–Beryllium collisions at two distinctly different energies obtained by one FERMILAB Collaboration, we attempt to focus on the unsettled controversy between the exponential models versus power law models, both of which are found to be in wide applications. The study concludes that none of them could be abandoned finally. And the resolution of the debate, the authors argue, might rest, not on the acceptance of just any one of them, but on a suitable combination of both of them, acting in the different domains of the transverse momentum values.
GRAIN SIZE EFFECT ON THE COLOSSAL MAGNETORESISTANCE IN GRANULAR PEROVSKITE La0.7Pb0.3MnO3
Authors: YOUNG S. L. , CHEN H. Z. , KAO M. C. , HORNG L. , WU K. M. , HO Y. W. , SHIH Y. T.
Published: December 2006

Magnetic behaviors and transport properties in granular perovskite La 0.7 Pb 0.3 MnO 3 with different grain sizes have been synthesized. The results show that magnetic susceptibility, ferromagnetic ordering temperature and magnetoresistance are affected by the grain size. These compounds with different grain sizes exhibit two kinds of magnetoresistance origins, intragrain double exchange and intergrain interfacial tunneling. With the increasing grain size, the intrinsic transport is dominant while the extrinsic tunneling gradually disappears. Thus, the basis of magnetotransport mechanism is the result of competition between the double exchange interaction and the interfacial tunneling effect.
MAGNETORESISTIVITY PROPERTIES AND EFFECTIVE ACTIVATION ENERGY IN YBa2Cu3O7-ρ SUPERCONDUCTING THIN FILM
Authors: DEMIREL ALI IHSAN , ORAK SALIM
Published: December 2006

The resistive properties and activation energy of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-ρ ( YBCO ) superconducting materials change in magnetic field. It is explained that magnetoresistive behavior in terms of the presence of two-dimensional vortices being pinned effectively when they are perpendicular to the CuO 2 planes and an exponential behavior of the activation energy versus the applied field was obtained. The resulting activation energies ranging from 1 to 5 Tesla were attributed to inter-granular flux creep process.
A HIGH VISUAL QUALITY SPRITE GENERATOR USING INTELLIGENT BLENDING WITHOUT SEGMENTATION MASKS
Authors: KUO I-SHENG , CHEN LING-HWEI
Published: December 2006

The sprite generator introduced in MPEG-4 blends frames by averaging, which will make places, that are always occupied by moving objects, look blurred. Thus, providing segmented masks for moving objects is suggested. Several researchers have employed automatic segmentation methods to produce moving object masks. Based on these masks, they used a reliability-based blending strategy to generate sprites. Since perfect segmentation is impossible, some ghost-like shadows will appear in the generated sprite. To treat this problem, in this paper, an intelligent blending strategy without needing segmentation masks is proposed. It is based on the fact that for each point in the generated sprite, the corresponding pixels in most frames belong to background and only few belong to moving objects. A counting schema is provided to make only background points participate in average blending. The experimental result shows that the visual quality of the generated sprite using the proposed blending strategy is close to that using manually segmented masks and is better than that generated by Lu-Gao-Wu method. No ghostlike shadows are produced. Furthermore, a uniform feature point extraction method is proposed to increase the precision of global motion estimation, the effectiveness of this part is presented by showing the comparison results with other existing method.
Profiling of CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+CD25+CD45RO+FoxP3+ T Cells in Patients with Malignant Glioma Reveals Differential Expression of the Immunologic Transcriptome Compared with T Cells from Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Learn Chris A. , Fecci Peter E. , Schmittling Robert J. , Xie Weihua , Karikari Isaac , Mitchell Duane A. , Archer Gary E. , Wei ZhengZheng , Dressman Holly , Sampson John H.
Published: December 2006

Purpose: Analyses of T-cell mRNA expression profiles in glioblastoma multiforme has not been previously reported but may help to define and characterize the immunosuppressed phenotype in patients with this type of cancer.

Experimental Design: We did microarray studies that have shown significant and fundamental differences in the expression profiles of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and immunosuppressive CD4+CD25+CD45RO+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) from normal healthy volunteers compared with patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme. For these investigations, we isolated total RNA from enriched CD4+ and CD8+ T cell or Treg cell populations from age-matched individuals and did microarray analyses.

Results: ANOVA and principal components analysis show that the various T cell compartments exhibit consistently similar mRNA expression profiles among individuals within either healthy or brain tumor groups but reflect significant differences between these groups. Compared with healthy volunteers, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from patients with glioblastoma multiforme display coordinate down-regulation of genes involved in T cell receptor ligation, activation, and intracellular signaling. In contrast, Tregs from patients with glioblastoma multiforme exhibit increased levels of transcripts involved in inhibiting host immunity.

Conclusion: Our findings support the notion that key differences between expression profiles in T-cell populations from patients with glioblastoma multiforme results from differential expression of the immunologic transcriptome, such that a limited number of genes are principally important in producing the dysregulated T-cell phenotype.
Intraocular Fluid-Air Exchange Reduces Retinal Ganglion Cell Activity
Authors: Schanze Thomas , Hesse Lutz
Published: December 2006

Aim: To demonstrate the influence of intraocular fluid-air exchange on retinal ganglion cell activity. Methods: In two cats lensectomy and vitrectomy were performed in a two-step approach 2 weeks prior to recording experiments. To measure retinal activity, up to two fiber microelectrodes were inserted via a scleral port. Precise micromanipulator positioning of the electrodes’ tips onto the inner retinal surface were verified by ophthalmoscopy and simultaneous electrical recording. Neuronal activity of the retina was continuously recorded with or without visual stimulation. We maintained the intraocular pressure constant at 29 mm Hg. Fluid-air exchange and fluid refill were performed with an infusion tube integrated in the manipulator and slowly to avoid direct mechanical/stream-based damage of the retina. Results: We found that fluid-air exchange leads to a rapid reduction of spontaneous as well as visually evoked retinal ganglion cell activity. The activity started to diminish within few minutes, and then it halved approximately every 3 min. Even 1 h after eye fluid refill, the retinal activity recovered only partially. Conclusion: Decrease in retinal activity after fluid-air exchange can be explained by mechanical stress-induced drying of the inner retinal surface and by potential changes of extracellular ion concentration. Since even moderate airstream-based fluid-air exchanges can lead to retinal damage, the surgeon should minimize the quantity of air passing open sclerotomy sites until a better understanding of the retinal effects of this essential technique in modern vitrectomy is available.
Videocapillaroscopy in the Differential Diagnosis between Psoriasis and Seborrheic Dermatitis of the Scalp
Authors: Rosina Paolo , Zamperetti Maria Rosa , Giovannini Andrea , Girolomoni Giampiero
Published: December 2006

Background: Videocapillaroscopy (VCP) can be used to explore microcirculatory modifications in skin diseases. Psoriasis shows specific capillary alterations reflecting typical histopathological changes. Objective: To compare capillary morphology, distribution and density in psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp for differential diagnosis. Methods: VCP was performed on histology-confirmed scalp lesions of 30 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, 30 age- and sex-matched patients with seborrheic dermatitis and 30 healthy subjects. The morphology, mean density per mm2 and mean diameter of capillary loops was measured. Results: Scalp psoriasis exhibited homogeneously tortuous and dilated capillaries (bushy pattern), with a 73 ± 17 µm (mean ± standard deviation) diameter of capillary bushes. In contrast, scalp seborrheic dermatitis presented a multiform pattern, with mildly tortuous capillary loops and isolated dilated capillaries, but a substantial preservation of local microangioarchitecture. Mean diameter of capillary bush was significantly lower (27 ± 4 µm; p < 0.001) and similar to that of the scalp of healthy subjects (21 ± 5 µm). Capillary loop density was similar in patients with psoriasis (23 ± 5/mm2) seborrheic dermatitis (24 ± 2/mm2) and healthy scalp skin (24 ± 3/mm2). Conclusion: VCP could be a useful noninvasive approach for differentiating between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, especially when the scalp is the only affected site.
Dumbbell-Shaped Paraganglioma of the Cervical Spine in a Child
Authors: Ojha B.K. , Sharma M.C. , Rastogi M. , Chandra A. , Husain M. , Husain N.
Published: December 2006

Paragangliomas are tumors arising from extra-adrenal paraganglia and account for 0.3% of all neoplasms. The carotid body and temporal bone are the most frequent sites of paraganglioma, though it has been reported to occur in almost every part of the body. Spinal paragangliomas are uncommon and mainly take the form of intradural compression of the cauda equina or thoracic cord. Extradural paragangliomas are still rare; only few cases involving the dorsolumbar spine have been reported. We are reporting an interesting case of a dumbbell-shaped primary extradural paraganglioma of the cervical spine in an 8-year-old boy that presented with progressively increasing spastic quadriparesis.