bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The nutrition knowledge of older adults living in sheltered housing accommodation
Authors: Moynihan P. J. , Mulvaney C. E. , Adamson A. J. , Seal C. , Steen N. , Mathers J. C. , Zohouri F. V.
Published: August 2007

Background  Nutrition knowledge enables informed dietary choices. This paper reports on the nutrition knowledge of older adults residing in sheltered housing accommodation in socially deprived areas of north‐east England.

Method  As part of a cluster randomized dietary intervention trial, a validated questionnaire measured the knowledge of current dietary recommendations, nutrient sources, ability to select healthy meal options and knowledge of associations between diet and diseases of older adults aged 60 years and over residing in sheltered accommodation.

Results  Completed questionnaires were obtained from 177 (59%) subjects (147 female, 30 male), of whom 76% were overweight/obese and 2% underweight. The mean (SD) age was 76.4 (8.0) years. Of a possible score of 47, the mean score was 23.2, indicating that approximately 50% of questions were answered incorrectly. Knowledge of associations between diet and diseases was particularly poor; 90% of subjects being unaware of the benefits of high fruit and vegetable consumption. Respondents in the highest 10% of the nutrition knowledge score had a significantly higher intake of fruit and vegetables compared with those in the lowest 10%.

Conclusion  A high proportion of older adults had little basic nutrition knowledge; this presents a barrier to healthier eating that should be addressed.
The electromyographic activity of masseter and anterior temporalis during orofacial symptoms induced by experimental occlusal highspot
Authors: LI J. , JIANG T. , FENG H. , WANG K. , ZHANG Z. , ISHIKAWA T.
Published: August 2007

Summary  The aim of the present study was to investigate the short‐term impact of an occlusal highspot on the occurrence of orofacial symptoms by collecting self‐evaluation and using electromyography (EMG) evaluation. A rigid unilateral intercuspal occlusal highspot (A cast onlay of 0·5 mm) was placed on the right lower first molar of six adult volunteers (three males, three females), and remained for 6 days. Continuously all the induced orofacial symptoms were collected and the subjects scored the orofacial pain on a 10‐cm visual analogue scale (VAS) during the placement of onlay. The surface EMG was recorded before the placement of onlay, during (on the 3rd and 6th day) and after the onlay was removed. Then the contractile symmetry of bilateral masseter (MAL, MAR) and anterior temporalis (TAL, TAR) was measured by using an asymmetry index. On the 3rd day of the placement of the occlusal highspot, all subjects complained of headache in right temporal region (meanVAS ± s.d. = 3·7 ± 0·5); the activity of TAR at rest position of mandible increased significantly (P = 0·027). In addition, on the 3rd and 6th day with the highspot the EMG activity of the tested muscles during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) was significantly reduced; the asymmetry index of bilateral anterior temporalis during MVC was increased significantly (P3rd = 0·028; P6th = 0·046). A unilateral occlusal highspot may make the ipsilateral anterior temporalis become tenser at rest position. Furthermore, the activity of bilateral anterior temporalis becomes more unsymmetrical during MVC although there are inter‐individual differences between subjects. The changes in muscular activity may have some relationship with the occurrence of tension‐type headache in temporal region.
Evaluation of thein vivobehaviour of gentamicin sulphate ocular mini‐tablets in ponies
Authors: GASTHUYS F. , POCKELÉ K. , VERVAET C. , WEYENBERG W. , DE PRIJCK K. , PILLE F. , VLAMINCK L. , NELIS H. , REMON J. P.
Published: August 2007

Thein vivobehaviour of 5% gentamicin sulphate ocular mini‐tablets (2‐mm diameter, 6.525 mg weight) was compared with gentamicin eye drops in six ponies. Two mini‐tablets were inserted on the bulbar conjunctiva of the right eye while a similar dose of gentamicin was administered via eye drops in the left eye. Irritation induced by the mini‐tablets and the eye drops was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (0–10). Tears were sampled with ophthalmologic absorption triangles for 1 min for the determination of the concentration of gentamicin sulphate using a microbiological plate diffusion method. Irritation induced by the tablets was minor and clinically acceptable (overall median score of 1.7 ± 1.4). Eye drops induced a sharp increase in gentamicin sulphate concentration (364.4 μg/mL after 5 min) followed by a fast decline (10.8 μg/mL after 60 min). The increase in concentration induced by the ocular mini‐tablets was less pronounced (up to 56.2 μg/mL after 30 min) and followed by a gradual decrease; the concentration remained above 15 μg/mL for 8 h. Ocular 5% gentamicin sulphate mini‐tablets are clinically well‐tolerated in ponies, assuring a constant concentration in the tears for at least 8 h.
Comparative oxidative metabolic profiles of clomipramine in cats, rats and dogs: preliminary results from an in vitro study
Authors: LAINESSE C. , FRANK D. , BEAUDRY F. , DOUCET M.
Published: August 2007

The objectives of this in vitro study were to describe cytochrome‐dependent metabolism of clomipramine in canine and feline microsomes, compare metabolic profiles between cats, rats and dogs, and investigate a potential gender‐related difference in metabolic activity between male and female cats. Pooled liver microsomes were incubated with clomipramine, where species and gender‐specific reactions were initiated by the addition of a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate regenerating system and quenched with methanol at 0, 5, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min, and 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 and 360 min respectively. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure clomipramine and its metabolites. Preliminary results showed that cat microsomes biotransformed clomipramine slower and less efficiently than rat and dog microsomes. Moreover, gender differences in metabolic profiles suggested that male cat microsomes may be less efficient demethylators and hydroxylators than female cat microsomes. As gender metabolic differences may carry clinical significance for this antidepressant, further studies are warranted.
Pharmacokinetics and lung‐targeting characterization of a newly formulated enrofloxacin preparation
Authors: TANG S. , ZHOU Y. , LI R. , CHEN Q. , XIAO X.
Published: August 2007

A new lung‐targeting and controlled releasing preparation, enrofloxacin microsphere, was formulated and its physical properties, stability, pharmacokinetics and lung‐targeting characteristics were tested in this study. The enrofloxacin microsphere prepared was demonstrated round and regular, which was easy to be dispersed and stable in both light stability test and heat stability test. Following intravenous administration of a single dose in dog, the drug concentration–time data in the lung were fitted most suitably with three‐compartment open model. Compared with enrofloxacin injection (Baytril®), half‐life of distribution phase in the lung was shortened from 0.72 to 0.16 h, half‐life of elimination phase in the lung was prolonged from 5.15 to 33.86 h and clearance of drug concentration in the lung was decreased from 0.603 to 0.267 L/h/kg. Lung‐targeting parameters, including the relative intake rate (Re), targeting efficacy (Te) and the ratio of peak concentration (Ce), were calculated according to the pharmacokinetic parameters. The results showed thatRe(2.48) andCe(4.27) of the lung was much greater than that of other tissues and the ratio ofTe(microsphere)toTe(Baytril®) increased by a factor of 1.77 (compared with liver) to 3.51 (compared with spleen). Therefore, the enrofloxacin microsphere prepared in this study had controlled releasing and lung‐targeting effects in dog.
The 2006 Orionid outburst imaged by all-sky CCD cameras from Spain: meteoroid spatial fluxes and orbital elements
Authors: Trigo-Rodríguez Josep M. , Madiedo José M. , Llorca Jordi , Gural Peter S. , Pujols Pep , Tezel Tunc
Published: August 2007

By using high-resolution low-scan-rate all-sky CCD cameras, the SPanish Meteor Network (SPMN) detected an outburst of Orionid meteors associated with comet 1P/Halley on 2006 October 20–21. This detection was made possible due to the operational concept of the SPMN that involves continuous monitoring of meteor activity throughout the year. Accurate heliocentric orbits have been obtained for three meteors imaged simultaneously from two stations during the outburst. Additional astrometry of 33 single-station meteors indicates that the activity was produced from a conspicuous geocentric radiant located at α= 922 ± 05 and δ=+154 ± 06 which is similar to the radiant observed during the 1993 Orionid outburst despite the fact that the last one peaked on a different date. The radiant position obtained by the SPMN is consistent with that derived from digital pictures taken a few hours before from Ankara (Turkey). The extent of the outburst (a background of bright meteors was observed over several days), its absence in other years, and the orbital period of the three Orionid orbits suggest that the outburst could be produced by meteoroids trapped in resonances with Jupiter but additional data are required. The SPMN's continuous coverage of meteor activity allowed the identification of the main sources of meteors during 2006 October: mostly due to the Orionid stream, the two branches of the Taurid stream associated with comet 2P/Encke, and the δ Aurigids. Surprisingly, once a detailed analysis of the double-station video meteors was completed, some additional minor stream activity was discovered, that is, the ν Aurigids. In consequence, we also present two accurate orbits of this unexpected, but previously identified, minor shower.
Peripheral corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and a novel CRF1 receptor agonist, stressin1‐A activate CRF1 receptor expressing cholinergic and nitrergic myenteric neurons selectively in the colon of conscious rats
Authors: Yuan P.‐q. , Million M. , Wu S. V. , Rivier J. , Taché Y.
Published: August 2007

Abstract  Intraperitoneal (i.p.) corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) induced a CRF1 receptor‐dependent stimulation of myenteric neurons and motility in the rat proximal colon. We characterize the colonic enteric nervous system response to CRF in conscious rats. Laser capture microdissection combined with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and immunohistochemistry in longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus whole‐mount colonic preparations revealed CRF1 receptor expression in myenteric neurons. CRF (i.p., 10 μg kg−1) induced Fos immunoreactivity (IR) (cells per ganglion) selectively in myenteric plexus of proximal (18.3 ± 2.4 vs vehicle: 0.0 ± 0.0) and distal colon (16.8 ± 1.2 vs vehicle: 0.0 ± 0.0), but not in that of gastric corpus, antrum, duodenum, jejunum and ileum. The selective CRF1 agonist, stressin1‐A (i.p., 10 μg kg−1) also induced Fos IR in myenteric but not in submucosal plexus of the proximal and distal colon. Fos IR induced by CRF was located in 55 ± 1.9% and 53 ± 5.1% of CRF1 receptor‐IR myenteric neurons and in 44 ± 2.8% and 40 ± 3.9% of cholinergic neurons with Dogiel type I morphology, and in 20 ± 1.6% and 80 ± 3.3% of nitrergic neurons in proximal and distal colon respectively. CRF and stressin1‐A elicit defecation and diarrhoea. These data support that one mechanism through which peripherally injected CRF ligands stimulate colonic function involves a direct action on colonic cholinergic and nitrergic myenteric neurons expressing CRF1 receptor.
Seasonal and plant‐density dependency for quantitative trait loci affecting flowering time in multiple populations of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: BOTTO JAVIER F. , COLUCCIO MARÍA PAULA
Published: August 2007

Multiple environmental cues regulate the transition to flowering. In natural environments, plants perceive seasonal progression by changes in day length and growth temperature, and plant density is monitored by changes in the light quality reflected from neighbouring vegetation. To understand the seasonal and plant‐density dependence associated with natural allelic variation in flowering time, we conducted a quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping study in Ler × Cvi, Bay × Sha and Ler × No‐0 recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations of Arabidopsis thaliana. Days and total leaf number to bolting were examined under low and high plant density (200 or 1600 plants m−2) in autumn–winter and spring seasons. We found between 4 and 10 QTLs associated with seasonal and density variations in each RIL population. For Ler × Cvi and Bay × Sha RIL populations, a major proportion of QTLs showed seasonal and density interaction (up to 63%) and four QTLs were common to all environments (21%). Only three QTLs showed seasonal or density dependency. By aligning the linkage maps onto a common physical map, we detected at least one QTL at chromosome 2 and two QTLs at chromosome 5 that overlap between the three RIL populations, suggesting that these QTLs play a crucial role in the adaptive control of flowering time.
Our experience in liver transplantation in patients over 65 yr of age
Authors: Bilbao Itxarone , Dopazo Cristina , Lazaro Jose Luis , Castells Luis , Escartin Alfredo , Lopez Iñigo , Sapisochin Gonzalo , Balsells Joaquin , Margarit Carlos
Published: August 2007

Abstract:  Objectives:  The aim of this study was to analyze short‐ and long‐term results of liver transplantation (LT) in patients over 65 yr.

Material and methods:  Between 1996 and 2004, 386 patients underwent 415 LT at our center. The main indication for LT was post‐necrotic cirrhosis in 59%, followed by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) over cirrhosis in 33%. Half of the patients (53%) were hepatitis C virus (HCV) +. Overall, 72 patients were >65 yr of age. Actuarial survival, causes of mortality and postoperative complications were compared between groups: patients under and over 65 yr. Risk factors for poor outcome in patients over 65 yr were also analyzed.

Results:  The older group had more patients at Child A stage, more HCC as an indication for LT and more HCV (+) patients, p < 0.05. No differences were observed in donor and surgery characteristics, except for lower multi‐transfusion and higher incidence of grafts with steatosis in the older group (p < 0.05). Actuarial survival at one, three, five and 10 yr was 82%, 75%, 72%, and 70% for the <65 yr group vs. 77%, 66%, 55%, and 55% for the >65 yr group (p = 0.03). Main causes of mortality in patients >65 yr were recurrence of underlying disease and medical causes. In the older age group, fewer infections (p = ns) and rejections (p = 0.017) occurred in the postoperative period. Risk factor for poor outcome in the group of patients over 65 yr in multivariate analyses was pre‐LT renal insufficiency (odds ratio 3.5, p = 0.002, 95% confidence interval 1.58–7.82).

Conclusion:  Results in patients >65 yr are comparable to those <65 yr if older LT candidates are carefully selected. Overimmunosuppression should be avoided in older candidates, as its effects could worsen the pre‐existing diseases common in elderly patients.
The abundance of a single domain cyclophilin in Solanaceae is regulated as a function of organ type and high temperature and not by other environmental constraints
Authors: Kiełbowicz‐Matuk Agnieszka , Rey Pascal , Rorat Tadeusz
Published: August 2007

The abundance of a single domain cyclophilin (CyP), designated as SsCyP, was investigated in Solanum sogarandinum and Solanum tuberosum plants during development and in response to various environmental constraints. We show that under control conditions, SsCyP is distributed throughout the plant but in an organ‐specific manner. In both Solanum species, the highest protein levels are observed in transporting organs and in tubers, and substantial amounts are noticed in open flowers and in stamens. We also show that the SsCyP abundance in leaves strongly decreases with age. In in vitro‐grown plantlets of S. sogarandinum, the SsCyP gene is induced by low temperature at the transcript level but not at the protein level, indicating that post‐transcriptional mechanisms control SsCyP expression under cold conditions. In in vivo‐grown Solanum plants, the organ‐dependent SsCyP protein distribution and abundance are not modified by cold, drought, salinity and photooxidative treatments. In contrast, the protein abundance substantially decreases in all organs of Solanum plants subjected to heat shock. We conclude that the SsCyP protein acts mainly during development and does not belong to the group of stress‐induced CyPs.
The Semifossorial Function of the Forelimb in the Common Rice Tenrec (Oryzorictes hova) and the Streaked Tenrec (Hemicentetes hemispinosus)
Authors: Endo H. , Oishi M. , Yonezawa T. , Rakotondraparany F. , Hasegawa M.
Published: August 2007

The forelimb muscles of the two semifossorial species of Tenrecidae (Oryzoryctinae: common rice tenrec; and Tenrecinae: streaked tenrec) were compared macroscopically with those of the unspecialized terrestrial–arboreal species, the Talazac long‐tailed tenrec. The structure of the hand was also observed using three‐dimensional reconstructed images from computed tomography data. The two semifossorial species had similar muscle weight ratios in the lateral and long heads of M. triceps brachii and M. teres major. A similar hand skeleton structure (in which the second, third and fourth metacarpals and phalanges act as a digging apparatus) was observed in both species. Our observations confirm that both these species have muscular–skeletal adaptations supporting fossorial locomotion. As each species belongs to a monophyletic subfamily within the Tenrecidae isolated in Madagascar, such semifossorial adaptations are assumed to have evolved convergently.
Effects of Sex‐sorted Spermatozoa on the Efficiency of in vitro Fertilization and Ultrastructure of in vitro Produced Bovine Blastocysts
Authors: Palma G. A. , Olivier N. S. , Neumüller Ch. , Sinowatz F.
Published: August 2007

Frozen‐thawed sexed semen from six bulls (Holstein) was used for studying their efficiency in an in vitro fertilization (IVF)‐programme and to compare their ultrastructure with in vitro produced bovine blastocysts produced with non‐sorted sperm. Progressive motility of sorted spermatozoa, their IVF rate, development of produced blastocysts and the ultrastructure of the blastocysts were analysed. The cleavage rates of sexed sperm of bulls (groups S1, S2 and S4) were significantly lower than that of unsorted control sperm (P < 0.01). Blastocyst development at day 7 of the sexed semen groups varied between 3.5% and 28.8% versus 33.6% for non‐sexed semen. The individual blastocyst yield with sexed semen of group S5 (28.8%) was similar to the mean blastocyst production of the non‐sexed control spermatozoa (C, 33.6%; P > 0.05). The remaining five sexed sperm groups resulted in significantly lower developmental rates of blastocysts on day 7 (S1, 4.9%; S2, 0%; S3, 0%, S4, 3.5%; S6, 25.8%, P < 0.01). Group S2 showed microbiological contamination in 50% (four of eight) and S3 in 100% of the experiments (eight of eight). Progressive motility of sexed sperm was significantly lower than that of unsorted sperm (S1, 48 ± 12.0%; S2, 41 ± 11.9%; S3, 39.0 ± 9.9%; S4, 42 ± 4.6%; P < 0.01; S5, 72 ± 7.1% and S6, 64 ± 9.3; P < 0.05 versus C 82 ± 4.6%). The percentage of progressive motile spermatozoa showed a good correlation with the developmental capacity of blastocysts (r2: >0.70), the regression parameter was significant (P < 0.01). Furthermore, with a straw containing 10 × 106 sexed spermatozoa significantly lower number oocytes was fertilized than with the same concentration of non‐sexed sperm (P < 0.01). Our results demonstrate that the suitability of sperm sorting for in vitro fertilization (IVF) is lower than no sexed sperm. Our ultrastructural studies showed that blastocysts produced with flow‐cytometrically sex‐sorted spermatozoa possessed deviations in the number and structure of organelles like mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and nuclear envelope. These morphological alterations may be responsible for compromised development that observed in embryos produced with sex‐sorted spermatozoa. Thus, we conclude that sperm sex sorting can markedly affect the efficiency of an IVF‐programme.
Paranasal sinus fungus ball: diagnosis and management
Authors: Pagella Fabio , Matti Elina , Bernardi Francesca De , Semino Lucia , Cavanna Caterina , Marone Piero , Farina Claudio , Castelnuovo Paolo
Published: August 2007

Paranasal sinus fungus ball is an extramucosal mycosis, usually occurring in immunocompetent people as a monolateral lesion. To review the literature data and to report the Policlinico S. Matteo, University of Pavia experience, 81 patients presenting paranasal fungus ball have been treated (January 1994 to May 2005). Twenty‐seven men and 54 women (19–91 years old; mean 49.4 years) were considered. Seventy‐three patients had a single sinus affected, but eight presented multiple localisations. Maxillary was the most involved sinus followed by sphenoidal and ethmoidal. Moulds have been isolated in 28/81 cases. Histology showed fungal colonisation but not invasion in all cases. Tomography showed bone erosion in 33.3% of patients. All have been treated only by functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Seventy‐seven of 81 patients have been cured. Four of 81 patients needed another surgical treatment. Follow up was between 6 and 132 months (average: 63 months). Fungus ball is a sinusal pathology caused by mycetes like Aspergillus spp. Histology confirms the fungal aethiology excluding tissue invasion. Mycological culture consented to identify the pathogenic mould in 34.5% of cases. Actually functional endoscopic sinus surgery is the gold standard for treatment of this pathology, and antifungal therapy is unnecessary.
Otomycosis in western Nigeria
Authors: Fasunla James , Ibekwe Titus , Onakoya Paul
Published: August 2007

Otomycosis is a recognized clinical entity in the tropical regions of the world. However, there is scanty information on this disease in some parts of Sub‐Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of etiological agents of otomycosis in western Nigeria. Medical records of patients with otomycosis seen in the Otorhinolaryngology Department of the University College Hospital, Ibadan from 1996–2005 were reviewed for all essential clinical data. Of the 5784 patients with ear diseases, 378 (6.54%) had otomycosis which consisted of 145 (38.36%) males and 233 (61.64%) females. Seventeen patients (4.50%) had recurrence within six months of treatment, 4 (1.06%) had poorly controlled plasma glucose. A significant number of our patients, 52 (13.76%), had prior topical aural antibiotic treatment following misdiagnosis. The predominant etiological agents in our series were Aspergillus niger (48.35%) and Aspergillus fumigatus (33.96%).
Prevalence ofCandidaon the tongue and intertriginous areas of psoriatic and atopic dermatitis patients
Authors: Leibovici Vera , Alkalay Ronen , Hershko Klilah , Ingber Arieh , Westerman Maria , Leviatan‐Strauss Nurith , Hochberg Malka
Published: August 2007

Data in the literature regarding the prevalence ofCandidain psoriatic and atopic dermatitis patients are controversial. We conducted a prospective study to determine the prevalence ofCandidaon the tongue, axillae and groin of psoriatic patients when compared with atopic dermatitis patients and normal controls. During the period 2003–2005, data were collected from 100 psoriatic patients, 100 patients with atopic dermatitis and 100 normal controls. Fungal test specimens forCandidawere collected from the axillae, groin and tongue of each patient. There was no increase in the prevalence ofCandidain intertriginous area of either psoriatic or atopic dermatitis patients. However, the prevalence ofCandidaon the tongue was significantly higher in psoriatic patients (32%) compared with atopic dermatitis (18%) (P = 0.024) and higher, although not significantly, than in normal controls (21%) (P = 0.08). Our study did not reveal higher prevalence ofCandidain the axillae and groin of either psoriatic or atopic dermatitis patients. There was a higher prevalence ofCandidaon the tongue of psoriatic patients. TheCandidaof the tongue was asymptomatic and did not correlate with age, gender, type of psoriasis or severity of the disease, therefore we conclude that this is clinically irrelevant.
Gaining length in ileal‐anal pouch reconstruction: a review
Authors: Uraiqat A. A. , Byrne C. M. D. , Phillips R. K. S.
Published: August 2007

Objective  Construction of a satisfactory ileal reservoir‐anal anastomosis is dependent on the ability of the reservoir to reach the anus without tension.

Method  A literature review of English language scientific papers from Medline and Pubmed between 1978 and 2004 about ileal pouch surgery techniques was conducted.

Results  The critical factor in tension free pouch construction is the length and reach of the superior mesenteric artery. There are a variety of techniques for lengthening the small bowel mesentery including the precise location of division of the ileocolic artery and other mesenteric vessels, mesenteric peritoneal relaxing incisions, folding of the pouch and differences between stapled and handsewn anastomosis and pouch construction.

Conclusion  With particular attention to detail, sufficient length can be achieved to permit safe anastomosis in most patients.
Treatment of chronic anal fissure by gonyautoxin
Authors: Garrido R. , Lagos N. , Lagos M. , Rodríguez‐Navarro A. J. , Garcia C. , Truan D. , Henriquez A.
Published: August 2007

Objective  The use of gonyautoxin has been reported to be safe and effective in healing acute and chronic anal fissures. This study was designed to show better efficacy in healing patients with chronic anal fissure by increasing the frequency of toxin injection.

Method  Twenty‐three chronic anal fissure patients were treated with doses of 100 units of gonyautoxin, which was intrasphincteric, infiltrated. The frequency of injection was every 4 days. Anorectal manometries were performed before and 4 min after infiltration.

Results  Total remissions were achieved within 7–14 days. The patients healed with a mean time of 8.2 ± 2.4 days. No relapsed were observed during the 10‐month follow up. Neither faecal incontinence nor other side effects were observed. All patients showed immediate sphincter relaxation detected by clinical examination. The maximum anal resting pressures, recorded 4 min after injections decreased to 62.9 ± 27.7 mmHg, being 65.3 ± 29.6% of baseline. Immediately after infiltration, patients reported anaesthetic effect with a fall down of the postdefecatory pain.

Conclusion  Although, gonyautoxin anal fissures treatment recently published proved to be safe and effective, this study shows a better protocol for anal fissure treatment, showing better efficacy by shorting the healing time with better perception of healing by patients. Gonyautoxin anal sphincter infiltration proves to be safe and effective, reducing discomfort and healing time, advantageously comparing with alternative therapeutic approaches for chronic anal fissure.
Reconciling the Returns to Education in Off‐Farm Wage Employment in Rural China
Authors: De Brauw Alan , Rozelle Scott
Published: August 2007

Previous studies have found that the returns to education in rural China are far lower than estimates for other developing economies. In this paper, we seek to determine why previous estimates are so low and provide estimates of what we believe are more accurate measures of the returns. Whereas estimates for the early 1990s average 2.3 percent, we find an average return of 6.4 percent. Furthermore, we find even higher returns among younger people, migrants, and for post‐primary education. The paper demonstrates that, although part of the difference between our estimate and previous estimates can be attributed to increasing returns during the 1990s, a larger part of the difference is due to the nature of the data and the methodological approaches used by other authors.
Imports, Status Preference, and Foreign Borrowing
Authors: Fisher Walter H.
Published: August 2007

This paper considers the implications of consumption and borrowing externalities in a small open economy framework. The former reflect the assumption that status conscious agents care about the relative consumption of imported goods, while the latter arise because agents do not take into account the effects of their borrowing decisions on the interest rate on debt. We analyze in the paper the impact of an increase in the degree of status preference on the saddlepath adjustment of the decentralized economy. In addition, the contrasting steady‐state and dynamic properties of the social planner’s economy are derived, along with the corresponding optimal tax and subsidy policies.
On the Growth Implications of Foreign Aid for Public Investment Co‐Financing
Authors: Kalaitzidakis Pantelis , Kalyvitis Sarantis
Published: August 2007

In this paper we present an endogenous growth model with foreign transfers for public capital formation in order to analyze the implications for growth maximization when the public sector in recipient countries co‐finances investment projects. Our main innovation is to show that, first, there is a unique growth‐maximizing absorption rate of funds that decreases with the co‐financing ratio and, second, that high amounts of assistance may be an impediment to growth due to the excess domestic taxation required to co‐finance investment projects. We then derive a policy rule for designing the growth‐maximizing co‐financing share under a given level of assistance. Finally, we also highlight some implications for EU regional policies, which aim at fostering growth in poorer EU countries by co‐financing public capital formation.
Trade Liberalization and Wage Inequality: Evidence from India
Authors: Kumar Utsav , Mishra Prachi
Published: August 2007

We evaluate empirically the impact of the dramatic 1991 trade liberalization in India on the industry wage structure. The empirical strategy uses variation in industry wage premiums and trade policy across industries and over time. In contrast to most earlier studies on developing countries, we find a strong, negative, and robust relationship between changes in trade policy and changes in industry wage premiums over time. The results are consistent with liberalization‐induced productivity increases at the firm level, which get passed on to industry wages. We also find that trade liberalization has led to decreased wage inequality between skilled and unskilled workers in India. This is consistent with the magnitude of tariff reductions being relatively larger in sectors with a higher proportion of unskilled workers.
Political Economy of Conditional Aid in a Federal Economy
Authors: Sharma Pooja
Published: August 2007

This paper employs a political economy approach to model the joint determination of national and subnational sectoral protection in an open federal economy. Political interactions between special interest groups and policymakers as well as economic interrelationships between federal and state government policies are analyzed. The model is applied to study the effects of conditional financial assistance on policy‐making in the aid‐receiving federal economy. We find that policy‐based financial assistance to the federal government tends to reduce the extent of distortions resulting from the federal government policy. However, if federal and state government policies are strategic substitutes, state government induced policy distortions would increase, thereby detracting from the effectiveness of conditionality in reducing overall policy distortions in the recipient economy.
Dialogical Imaginations
Authors: Jones Gareth
Published: August 2007

The Rainbow of Faiths: Critical Dialogues on Religious Pluralism, John Hick
REVIEWS
Authors: MARGOLIS JOSEPH
Published: August 2007

Book reviewed in this article:

George Pitcher, A Theory of Perception.
BOOKS Review
Authors: Ross Steven , Godlove Terry F.
Published: August 2007

Life's Dominion: An Argument about Abortion, Euthanasia, and Individual Freedom. By Ronald Dworkin.

Thought's Ego in Augustine and Descartse. By Gareth B. Matthews.
BOOKS Reviews
Authors: Campbell James , Clark Ann Kramer
Published: August 2007

William James and the Reinstatement of the Vague. By William Joseph Gavin.

Anti‐foundationalism Old and New. Edited by Tom Rockmore and Beth Singer.
ART, POLITICS AND KNOWLEDGE: FEMINISM, MODERNITY, AND THE SEPARATION OF SPHERES
Authors: MULLIN AMY
Published: August 2007

Abstract: Feminist epistemology and feminist art theory are characterized by an opposition to modernity's separation of art, politics, and knowledge into three autonomous spheres. However, this opposition is not enough to distinguish them from other philosophies. In this paper I examine parallels between the two fields of inquiry in order to discover what makes them distinctively feminist. Feminist epistemology sees interconnections between knowledge and politics, feminist art theory sees connections between art and politics. We need to explore as well connections between art and knowledge.

Compared to feminist epistemology, feminist art theory has had much less exposure, and in this paper I emphasize what the former can learn from the latter. In particular, I suggest that feminist art can answer a call made by feminist theories of knowledge for a kind of transformative knowledge. If we focus on the features of activist art explored by feminist art theories, we see that feminist art is particularly suited to engage emotions as well as the intellect. It is an example of nonpropositional knowledge, and is interactive rather than striving to pass down lessons from above. Feminist art celebrates the power of art to “make strange” and to unsettle fixed identities which can transform our understanding of the world.

There is a tendency in some feminist art theory to separate the more concrete work (rediscovering women artists, recognizing women's crafts as art forms, and investigating sexist imagery in art), from the theoretical project of reenvisioning the relations of art to its sociopolitical context. I conclude by arguing that without an awareness of the dialectical relationship between the concrete and the theoretical, feminist art theories run the risk of losing their feminist specificity. They would then amount to little more than abstract pronouncements of the interconnections between art, politics, and knowledge. We need to maintain the feminist specificity of feminist politics in our theories of art and knowledge, and I use examples throughout the essay, drawn particularly from feminist activist art, with this goal in mind.
‘There Isn't Supposed To Be a Speaker Against!’ Investigating Tensions of ‘Safe Space’ and Intra‐Group Diversity for Trade Union Lesbian and Gay Organization
Authors: Bairstow Sam
Published: August 2007

Trade union engagement with the continuing inequalities facing minority groups has been one of the guiding principles of attempts to re‐energize the labour movement in recent years. This article focuses on attempts by six British trade unions to create and maintain separate organizational ‘spaces’ for their lesbian and gay members. Through consideration of group representation within a union framework, the strategy of separate organizing and the complications of representing a diverse membership, this article considers issues of intra‐group diversity and ‘safe space’ for this particular group of members. It concludes that the recognition and actualization of the internally diverse lesbian and gay constituency will be important in the long term for trade unions seeking to renew their pool of potential activists.
Ethnic Entrepreneurship Among Indian Women in New Zealand: A Bittersweet Process
Authors: Pio Edwina
Published: August 2007

This research article explores the lived‐in and lived‐through experiences of Indian women entrepreneurs in New Zealand in the context of ethnic entrepreneurship. Through a four‐stage model emerging from qualitative interviews, the article illuminates the bittersweet entrepreneurial process of ethnic minority migrant women. The four stages are: the low permeability for entry into the job market for ethnic minority migrant women; underemployment; setting up a micro‐enterprise and expanding the business and creating employment for others, primarily co‐ethnics as well as an expanding customer base. A combination of factors ranging from perceived discrimination, low self esteem and feelings of being devalued, to ethnic networks and lack of access/knowledge of government resources and the entry of women from Indian business families feed into each of the four stages of this model. The article offers an analysis of minority voices, along with implications for future research.
Performing Women: The Gendered Dimensions of the UK New Research Economy
Authors: Fletcher Catherine , Boden Rebecca , Kent Julie , Tinson Julie
Published: August 2007

This article explores the development and maintenance of familiar gendered employment patterns and practices in UK universities, which are exemplars of new modes of knowledge production, commodification and marketization. After discussing in detail the evidence of gender discrimination in UK higher education and the changes in the academic labour process consequent to the incorporation of universities, at least at the policy level, into the ‘knowledge economy’, institution‐specific data is used to highlight the gendered aspects of the research economy from the three intermeshing perspectives of research culture, research capital and the research production process. This nexus is constructed in such a way as to systematically militate against women's full and equal involvement in research. Lack of transparency, increased competition and lower levels of collegiate activity coupled with networking based on homosociability are contributing to a research production process where women are marginalized.
Working Part‐Time for the State: Gender, Class and the Public Sector Pay Gap
Authors: Thornley Carole
Published: August 2007

This article explores the role and nature of disadvantages associated with part‐time working in perpetuating the gender pay gap in the public sector. It does so by means of a detailed case study of local government workers in the UK, with particular reference to the more than one and a half million local government service workers covered by National Joint Council bargaining arrangements. The article draws from original pay data analysis and national survey work conducted by the author. It argues that little has changed since the findings reported 20 years ago by Beechey and Perkins with respect to the disadvantages experienced by part‐time workers and the ‘construction’ of employment in gendered ways. However, the role of class may have been understated in previous accounts: class fractions in gender‐segregated employment continue to hold deep significance and provide some potential for solidaristic approaches by trade unions alongside traditional ‘equality’ initiatives.
Police power
Authors: House Michael
Published: August 2007

He (the constable) will be civil and obliging to all people of every class and rank. He must be particularly cautious not to interfere idly or unnecessarily in order to make a display of his authority. … if he does his duty in a quiet and determined manner such conduct will probably excite the well‐disposed of the bystanders to assist him if he requires them…particular care is to be taken that the constables of the police do not form false notions of their powers and duties. Initial regulations of the Metropolitan Police, 1829.
Continuing Education: will the trans‐binary initiative survive⃛ and suffice?
Authors: McNay Ian
Published: August 2007

A review of lost opportunities suggests that now must be when higher education develops a serious commitment to continuing education, as must other necessary partners ‐ employers, professional bodies and government. Present provision lacks a coherent framework, is confusing, ill‐co‐ordinates and less than cost effective. The potential of the joint NAB/UGC initiative as a force for development is considered: the unequal commitment of the two major sectors of higher education may be its weakness. Other models are considered with particular attention given to the possibility of the Manpower Services Commission, through its Adult Training Strategy, coming to dominate higher education as it now does non‐advanced further education.
The DES and Whitehall
Authors: Kogan Maurice
Published: August 2007

This article outlines conflicting views of the place of the DES in the making of education policy at large and higher education in particular. It demonstrates how it changes over time and in different policy contexts. It documents different views of the status of the Department within Whitehall and seeks to account for its alleged separateness from the rest of government. An analysis of the relationships with the Treasury and the PESC system is offered. The connections with policy communities and the role of DES ministers are noted. The competence of the DES is appraised, against the status accorded to non‐economic departments generally. The ability of the DES to generate stronger support for higher education is discussed in the context of the weakness of higher education as a political issue.
The UGC's Research Rankings Exercise
Authors: Smith Trevor
Published: August 2007

The UGC's ranking of research strengths was part of a wider, radical revision of university funding. Inevitably, the exercise aroused much hostile academic criticism which stemmed from both science‐based and arts‐based sources: this has focused specifically on the methodology employed, the secrecy surrounding it, and the denial of appellate provision. Additional criticisms made here are: (i) the techniques devised were inadequate for the task; and (ii) that they represented a mechanistic approach to an essentially organic problem. Although the UGC exercise was deeply flawed, evaluation per se seems to have been generally accepted, however reluctantly. The exercise is unlikely to be repeated in the same form since it has been overtaken by events. Proposals for contract funding and a three‐tier university system suggest that assessments will be of a different kind in future.
The National Advisory Body Planning Exercise 1987–88: A Shot in the Foot
Authors: Knight Peter C.
Published: August 2007

The National Advisory Body was established to advise the Secretary of State for Education and Science on the allocation of money to support advanced work in polytechnics and colleges. The committee system of NAB was representative of local authority and college interests and there was always a tension between NAB and the Department of Education and Science. The paper charts the decisions that were taken by NAB in progressing the 1987–88 planning exercise. The policy context of these decisions is analysed and the political consequences are discussed. The paper argues that the 1987–88 exercise was the wrong approach to the planning problems and that the resulting conflict with the Government destroyed the credibility of NAB.
Higher Education and Industry
Authors: McKinnon K. R.
Published: August 2007

University research in Australia has in the past been devoted primarily to basic curiosity‐initiated research based on the English model. Most senior academic staff have had advanced degrees from British universities and the ethos of pure research has permeated their work. In 1984 68 per cent of all higher education research and development was classified as basic research. The impetus for change in the early 1980s has come largely from federal government. In particular shrinking per student grants have forced universities to try to supplement their incomes from other sources. This paper summarizes and analyses some of the new initiatives and concludes with an examination of future prospects.
Issues Confronting American Higher Education
Authors: Gardner David P.
Published: August 2007

The American system of higher education — massive, decentralized, and diverse —faces a number of critical issues in the years immediate ahead. This paper considers four of those issues — the impact of demographic change; the long‐term implications for higher education of the national movement to reform secondary education; the growing interest in the character and quality of undergraduate education; and the role of universities, especially research universities, in economic development — and suggests a few of the directions American higher education may take in response to them.
Adult Students — The New Mission for Higher Education?
Authors: Slowey Maria
Published: August 2007

This paper identifies the main factors underlying the increasing demand by adults for higher education within industrialized countries. The patents of adult participation in higher education in the UK are outlined in the context of a recent imitational project on Adult Participation in Higher Education, conducted by the Centre for Educational Research and Innovation of the Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (CERI/OECD). While the current levels of participation of adults in higher education vary considerably between countries, a number of common trends can be identified. Two trends in particular emerge as having significant policy implications in terms of the relationship between access issues for individuals 10 higher education, and the vocational updating activities which are frequently regarded as synoyomous with short‐course work. In the first place, as most adult students currently gaining entry to higher education have already achieved relatively high levels of educational qualifications, those who are often referred to as the ‘second chance’ students are in the minority. Secondly, career interests figure predominantly amongst the reasons given by adult students for choosing to return to study.

The pattern of student involvement in an innovative programme in one English polytechnic is provided as an illustration of an attempt to provide for both the needs of individuals for access, and for those in employment for updating and post‐experience vocational education in an integrated way.
The Passing of the Education Reform Act
Authors: Crequer Ngaio
Published: August 2007

When the Education Reform Bill, now an Act, was published higher education received little attention. It was a massive Bill, with major changes for the schools. But as time went on reaction outside Parliament, and lobbies within it caused higher education, but mainly the universities and their role, to be forced to the front of the political stage.

Although key government concessions were made in the Commons, most of the action happened in the Lords. The government may have wanted to deflect the Lords from making substantial changes to their school reforms by giving their Lordships something to bite on in higher education. Or was it the success of the CVCP campaign, which undoubtedly raised morale in the universities, that was responsible for key changes? Was it luck, political circumstance, or the intellectual vigour of the arguments that led to government defeats on the question of academic freedom? This paper traces the passage of the Bill as it affected higher education.
Changes in Schooling: The Impact on Higher Education
Authors: Mortimore Peter , Mortimore Jo
Published: August 2007

This paper describes some of the more significant changes that have occurred in recent years in schools in England and Wales and discusses their implications for institutions of higher education. Further changes and their possible consequences are outlined. The authors differentiate between demographic, attitudinal and structural factors but make the point that, frequently, these interact. They discuss whether institutions should adopt a more proactive stance and consider the implications of doing so. Finally, they describe a situation in which different kinds of institution might compete or co‐operate with each other in their attempt to respond to changes in schooling.