bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PUBLIC‐PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP CONTRACTS: A TALE OF TWO CITIES WITH DIFFERENT CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS
Authors: CUNHA MARQUES RUI , BERG SANFORD 
Published: July 2011

This paper analyses regulation by contract in public‐private partnerships (PPPs) for infrastructure services. Although the benefits of competition for the market and subsequent regulatory contracts are recognized, the literature also identifies contract design failures.When considering these limitations, it is useful to distinguish between contracts associated with purely contractual PPPs (concessions) and contracts for institutionalized PPPs (mixed company). Two cases from the Portuguese water sector are used to illustrate problems arising in the preparation of public tender documents: the ‘best’ bidder is often not the winner. Often, risks are not allocated correctly nor is effective monitoring ensured. Comparisons between the two types of contracts show how external regulation can be useful in mitigating contractual problems. This examination of bidding procedures and contract design yields several implications for policy‐makers; in addition, the study presents recommendations for improving regulatory contracts.
Evaluating the Efficiency of Research in Academic Departments: an Empirical Analysis in an Italian Region
Authors: Agasisti Tommaso , Dal Bianco Antonio , Landoni Paolo , Sala Alessandro , Salerno Mario 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThis paper investigates the efficiency of university departments in science, technology and medicine in an Italian Region (Lombardy). The aim of the paper is twofold: (i) to analyse the changes in productivity in recent years (from 2004 and 2007); and (ii) to detect factors that are potentially affecting efficiency. The research benefited from a new and unique dataset (called QuESTIO) developed by the Lombardy Regional Government. Using facilities and academic staff as inputs and research grants and publications as outputs, the research activity of academic departments was modelled. The methodological approach for computing efficiency scores is (DEA) Data Envelopment Analysis; Malmquist indexes have been used to measure changes in productivity, while Kruskal‐Wallis tests were employed to study the potential determinants of efficiency. Two main results were obtained. First, the academic departments improved their efficiency but, at the same time, the efficiency frontier worsened. Second, external and measurable factors (such as scientific sector, proportion of tenured staff, location, etc.) have a limited impact in explaining efficiency differentials. The policy implications of both results are discussed.
Development of Manager‐Academics at Institutions of Higher Education in Catalonia
Authors: Castro Diego , Tomàs Marina 
Published: July 2011

AbstractManagers at Spanish universities are having to deal with increasingly complex managerial tasks as a result of current changes in higher education. This paper presents the results of a study into the professional development of deans and department heads at universities in Catalonia. At management level, these universities are typically based on an elected, rotating model rather than an appointed or permanent one. The findings from 23 qualitative interviews and a focus group identified three phases in the development of academic management: learning and contextualization, development of functions, and the institutional projection and transmission of management tasks.
Widowhood, family support, and self‐rated health among older adults in China
Authors: Li Yawen , Chi Iris , Krochalk Pamela C. , Xu Ling 
Published: July 2011

Li Y, Chi I, Krochalk PC, Xu L. Widowhood, family support, and self‐rated health among older adults in ChinaInt J Soc Welfare 2011: 20: S72–S85 © 2011 The Author(s), International Journal of Social Welfare © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare.Although widowhood can be an extended life experience, research generally treats the widowed as one homogenous group, thus masking the variability within this group. Using national representative survey data from China, we examined whether length of widowhood among older adults moderates the effects of family support on self‐rated health. Based on bivariate descriptive statistics and logistic regressions and controlling for demographic variables, we found that persons who were widowed longer, had more children, and took care of grandchildren were more likely to report poor self‐rated health than their married counterparts. In addition, those widowed were less likely to report negative health if they regarded their children as filial, particularly among those widowed longer, thus suggesting that filial piety may have a buffering effect. Further specified is the complex role family support plays in self‐rated health suggesting that length of time widowed should be considered in order to understand its long‐term effects on health status.
Filial piety of children as perceived by aging parents in China
Authors: Mao Weiyu , Chi Iris 
Published: July 2011

Mao W, Chi I. Filial piety of children as perceived by aging parents in ChinaInt J Soc Welfare 2011: 20: S99–S108 © 2011 The Author(s), International Journal of Social Welfare © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare.How aging parents perceive their children's filial piety has been shown to be an important indicator of older adults' well‐being. The few studies that have discussed factors associated with perceived filial piety from the viewpoints of older adults in the Chinese context are limited in terms of the number of factors considered and the representativeness of samples. This study examined potential correlates of perceived filial piety of children among older adults in China. It was based on a subsample (n = 19,415) of adults aged 60 and older with children from the national representative study Sample Survey on Aged Population in Urban/Rural China in 2000. Results from logistic regression show that older adults who received financial and instrumental support from children perceived their family as harmonious, and those who coresided with a married son or married daughter were more likely to consider their children as pious.
Attenuation of scratch‐induced reactive astrogliosis by novel EphA4 kinase inhibitors
Authors: Parmentier‐Batteur Sophie , Finger Eleftheria N. , Krishnan Raghu , Rajapakse Hemaka A. , Sanders John M. , Kandpal Geeta , Zhu Hong , Moore Keith P. , Regan Christopher P. , Sharma Sujata , Hess J. Fred , Williams Theresa M. , Reynolds Ian J. , Vacca Joseph P. , Mark Robert J. , Nantermet Philippe G. 
Published: July 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 1016–1031.AbstractThe EphA4 receptor and its ephrin ligands are involved in astrocytic gliosis following CNS injury. Therefore, a strategy aimed at the blockade of EphA4 signaling could have broad therapeutic interest in brain disorders. We have identified novel small molecule inhibitors of EphA4 kinase in specific enzymatic and cell‐based assays. In addition, we have demonstrated in two in vitro models of scratch injury that EphA4 receptor kinase is activated through phosphorylation and is involved in the repopulation of the wound after the scratch. A potent EphA4 kinase inhibitor significantly inhibited wound closure and reduced the accumulation of the reactive astrocytes inside the scratch. We have also shown that after the transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats, a large glial scar is formed by the accumulation of astrocytes and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan surrounding the infarcted tissue at 7 days and 14 days of reperfusion. EphA4 protein expression is highly up‐regulated in the same areas at these time points, supporting its potential role in the glial scar formation and maintenance. Taken together, these results suggest that EphA4 kinase inhibitors might interfere with the astrogliosis reaction and thereby lead to improved neurological outcome after ischemic injury.
Changes in bird communities in Swaziland savannas between 1998 and 2008 owing to shrub encroachment
Authors: Sirami Clelia , Monadjem Ara 
Published: July 2011

AbstractAim  This study investigates changes in bird communities between 1998 and 2008 in four savanna sites in Swaziland and the extent to which shrub encroachment is responsible for these changes.Location  Swaziland, southern Africa.Methods  Generalized estimated equations were used to estimate changes in bird species occurrence between 1998 and 2008. Remote sensing of aerial photographs/satellite images was used to assess vegetation changes during the same period. We assessed the role of shrub encroachment for bird communities by testing the relationship between change in species occurrence and species habitat using a general linear model. We also estimated species richness, colonization and extinction and used general linear models to test the effects of vegetation changes on these parameters.Results  More than half of the bird species showed a significant change in occurrence between 1998 and 2008: 32 species increased and 29 decreased. Change in species occurrence was significantly explained by species habitat. Species significantly increasing were mainly associated with wooded savanna, whereas species significantly decreasing were mainly associated with open savanna. Species richness decreased significantly, and this decrease was significantly explained by shrub cover increase at the plot scale (from 24% to 44% on average). Extinction at the plot scale was significantly influenced by the loss of grass cover, while colonization at the plot scale was influenced by tree cover increase.Main conclusions  This study represents the first evidence of temporal changes in bird communities owing to shrub encroachment in southern Africa. Despite its short time frame (10 years), this study shows dramatic changes in both vegetation structure and bird community composition. This confirms the general concern for southern African bird species associated with open savanna if current trends continue.
Effect of Mental Disorders on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survival of Older Adults with Colon Cancer
Authors: Baillargeon Jacques , Kuo Yong‐Fang , Lin Yu‐Li , Raji Mukaila A. , Singh Amanpal , Goodwin James S. 
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the extent to which preexisting mental disorders influence diagnosis, treatment, and survival in older adults with colon cancer.DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.SETTING: The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)–Medicare linked database.PARTICIPANTS: Eighty thousand six hundred seventy participants, aged 67 and older with a diagnosis of colon cancer.MEASUREMENTS: The association between the presence of a preexisting mental disorder and the stage of colon cancer at diagnosis, receipt of cancer treatment, and overall and colon cancer‐specific mortality were assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression and logistic regression.RESULTS: Participants with mental disorders were more likely to have been diagnosed with colon cancer at autopsy (4.4% vs 1.1%; P<.001) and at an unknown stage of cancer (14.6% vs 6.2%; P<.001); to have received no surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy (adjusted risk ratio (ARR)=2.09, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.86–2.35); and to have received no chemotherapy for Stage 3 cancer (ARR=1.63, 95% CI=1.49–1.79). The rate of overall mortality (hazard ratio (HR)=1.33, 95% CI=1.31–1.36) and colon cancer‐specific mortality (HR=1.23, 95% CI=1.19–1.27) was substantially higher in participants with a preexisting mental disorder than in their counterparts. All of these associations were particularly pronounced in participants with psychotic disorders and those with dementia.CONCLUSION: Public health initiatives are needed to improve colon cancer detection and treatment in older adults with mental disorders.
A model for blood components processing
Authors: Lowalekar Harshal , Ravichandran N. 
Published: July 2011

BACKGROUND: Blood component therapy is advantageous in terms of increasing the effective availability of blood units and reducing the transfusion‐related risks. One unit of blood can be separated into components and made available to multiple patients by transfusing suitable components. It is often believed that most, if not all, of the blood should be fractionated. But the process of componentizing increases the availability of blood products at the expense of increased costs of holding, processing, and wastage at a blood bank. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum level of components to be produced at a blood bank given its objectives and context.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We developed a simulation‐based model to determine the optimum amount of fresh blood to be fractionated at a blood bank operating in southern India was developed. The simulation model is a virtual representation of an actual blood bank, and it can help the administrator to test the effects of changing the level of components production on the overall blood bank performance.RESULTS: The results from the model suggest that it may not be optimal for the chosen blood bank to componentize large amounts of fresh blood as it leads to high costs of operation and huge wastage in the system.CONCLUSIONS: The same methodology can be applied to determine the optimum level of componentizing at other blood banks by providing appropriate inputs to the simulation model.
Long‐term follow‐up of turned single implants placed in periodontally healthy patients after 16–22 years: radiographic and peri‐implant outcome
Authors: Dierens M. , Vandeweghe S. , Kisch J. , Nilner K. , De Bruyn H. 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Objectives: Retrospectively evaluate the survival, radiographic and peri‐implant outcome of single turned Brånemark™ implants after at least 16 years.
Materials and methods: From 134 patients (C‐group), 101 could be contacted concerning implant survival and 50 (59 remaining implants) were clinically examined (I‐group). Marginal bone level was radiographically measured from the implant–abutment junction at baseline (=within 6 months after abutment connection) and 1–4, 5–8 and 16–22 years post‐operatively. Probing depth, gingival and plaque index were measured. Marginal bone‐level changes were analyzed using Friedman's and Wilcoxon's signed ranks tests. Spearman's correlations between radiographic and clinical parameters were calculated.
Results: In the C‐group, 13 out of 166 implants in 11 out of 134 patients failed (CSR=91.5%). In the I‐group (28 males–22 females; mean age 23.9 years at baseline; range 14–57), the mean follow‐up was 18.4 years (range 16–22). The mean bone level was 1.7±0.88 mm (range −0.8 to 5) after 16–22 years. Changes in the mean marginal bone level were statistically significant between baseline and the second measuring interval (1–4 years). Thereafter, no significant differences could be demonstrated. The mean interproximal probing depth, gingival and plaque indices were 3.9±1.27 mm, 1.2±0.81 and 0.2±0.48, respectively. Probing depth was moderately correlated with gingival inflammation (r=0.6; P<0.001) but not with bone level (P>0.05). 81.4% of the implants had a bone level ≤2nd thread and 91.5% had a probing depth ≤5 mm. 76.3% had both bone level ≤2nd thread and probing depth ≤5 mm.
Conclusions and clinical implications: The single turned Brånemark™ implant is a predictable solution with high clinical survival and success rates. In general, a steady‐state bone level can be expected over decades, with minimal signs of peri‐implant disease. A minority (5%), however, presents with progressive bone loss.
To cite this article: Dierens M, Vandeweghe S, Kisch J, Nilner K, De Bruyn H. Long‐term follow‐up of turned single implants placed in periodontally healthy patients after 16–22 years: radiographic and peri‐implant outcome. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 23, 2012; 197–204. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2011.02212.x
A simple photograph‐based approach for discriminating between free‐ranging long‐finned (Globicephala melas) and short‐finned (G. macrorhynchus) pilot whales off the east coast of the United States
Authors: Rone Brenda K. , Pace, III Richard M. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractLine transect based abundance estimation is complicated for long‐finned (LFPW, Globicephala melas) and short‐finned (SFPW, G. macrorhynchus) pilot whales because of their similarity in appearance and their overlapping summertime range in some areas. We developed a photograph‐based approach to distinguish between species of free‐ranging pilot whales in the northwest Atlantic. We collected skin samples and photographs during the summers of 2004–2007 and used skin samples to distinguish species based on mitochondrial DNA. Relative morphometric measurements from photographs were examined using mixed‐effect models and logistic regression. The best model among 94 candidate models had an overall classification error rate of 2.5%. We tested the presence/absence of pigmentation in four regions of the dorsal body (melon, eye, cape, and saddle) for differences. Pigmentation was present in all four regions in 100% of the SFPWs sampled. Melon patch, blaze, and saddle patch pigmentation were present in 6%, 68%, and 50%, respectively, of the LFPWs, but the cape was completely absent. Both types of analyses provided positive species discrimination of free‐ranging animals. We created a cost‐effective, simple tool which could ultimately assist in providing appropriate management, mitigation, and conservation strategies for both northwest Atlantic species of pilot whales.
Transformative Linguistic Styles in Divorce Mediation
Authors: Donohue William A. , Liang Yuhua Jake 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to test the influence of the transformative mediation (TM) linguistic markers of empowerment and recognition on mediation outcome. The linguistic structure of the word usage in 20 divorce mediation cases was analyzed with the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count program. Overall empowerment and recognition linguistic markers for husbands and wives were compiled and analyzed to determine the differences in linguistic usage between disputants. While some linguistic markers differed in the hypothesized direction, others remained relatively static. Husbands and wives in settled mediations had higher levels of linguistic synchrony for positive empowerment markers than husbands and wives in unsettled mediations. Findings were partially supportive of the role that language reflective of the TM model plays in helping disputants reach a settlement. The implications of current findings for future research are also discussed.
Working in Pajamas: Telecommuting, Unfairness Sources, and Unfairness Perceptions
Authors: Thatcher Sherry M. B. , Bagger Jessica 
Published: July 2011

AbstractWe utilize organizational justice theory and the multifoci framework to illustrate that coworkers are seen as unfairness sources in the telecommuting context. We show that nontelecommuters often perceive unfairness when their coworkers telecommute. However, working in pajamas is not a panacea as telecommuters also perceive unfairness owing to their remoteness. We support our arguments by highlighting representative quotes from employees and managers in four telecommuting organizations.
Estimating the location and shape of hybrid zones
Authors: GUEDJ BENJAMIN , GUILLOT GILLES 
Published: July 2011

AbstractWe propose a new model to make use of georeferenced genetic data for inferring the location and shape of a hybrid zone. The model output includes the posterior distribution of a parameter that quantifies the width of the hybrid zone. The model proposed is implemented in the GUI and command‐line versions of the Geneland program versions ≥3.3.0. Information about the program can be found on http://www2.imm.dtu.dk/gigu/Geneland/.
Coagulation Profiles of Healthy Andalusian Donkeys are Different than Those of Healthy Horses
Authors: Mendoza F.J. , Perez‐Ecija R.A. , Monreal L. , Estepa J.C. 
Published: July 2011

Background: Coagulation disorders are frequently diagnosed, especially in hospitalized equidae, and result in increased morbidity and mortality. However, hemostatic reference intervals have not been established for donkeys yet.Objectives: To determine whether the most common coagulation parameters used in equine practice are different between healthy donkeys and horses.Animals: Thirty‐eight healthy donkeys and 29 healthy horses.Methods: Blood samples were collected to assess both coagulation and fibrinolytic systems by determination of platelet count, fibrinogen concentration, clotting times (prothrombin time [PT] and activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT]), fibrin degradation products (FDP) and D‐Dimer concentrations.Results: PT and aPTT in donkeys were significantly (P < .05) shorter than those of horses. In contrast, FDP and D‐Dimer concentrations were significantly (P < .05) higher in donkeys than in horses.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The coagulation parameters most commonly determined in equine practice are different in donkeys compared with horses. Thus, the use of normal reference ranges reported previously for healthy horses in donkeys might lead to a misdiagnosis of coagulopathy in healthy donkeys, and unnecessary treatments in sick donkeys. This is the first report of normal coagulation profile results in donkeys, and further studies are warranted to elucidate the physiological mechanisms of the differences observed between donkeys and horses.
Prevalence of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in a Cohort of British Shorthair Cats in Denmark
Authors: Granström S. , Nyberg Godiksen M.T. , Christiansen M. , Pipper C.B. , Willesen J.T. , Koch J. 
Published: July 2011

Background:Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has been described previously in British Shorthair cats (BSH), but until now, no reports have been published describing the prevalence of the disease within this breed.Objectives:The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of HCM in a large cohort of BSH and to evaluate the effect of sex, weight, and increasing age as potential risk factors for this disease.Animals:Three hundred and twenty‐nine BSH presented for routine HCM screening during a 4‐year period.Methods:Prospective cross‐sectional study in which all cats were screened for HCM by conventional echocardiography.Results:A total of 329 cats were examined, 214 females and 115 males, with a median age of 2.3 years (range, 0.8–14.1). Twenty‐eight cats (8.5%) were classified as HCM‐positive, 14 (4.3%) as equivocal, 282 (85.7%) as HCM‐negative, and 5 (2.1%) were diagnosed with other cardiac diseases. The median age for diagnosis of HCM was 2.7 years (range, 0.9–14.1). Male cats had a significantly higher occurrence of HCM (20.4%) compared with the females (2.1%) corresponding to an odds ratio of 7.89 (95 % CI, 2.54–28.08) for males versus females adjusted for age and weight (P< .001).Conclusion:The BSH in our cohort had a high prevalence of HCM, often of early onset and with a significant male sex predisposition. We strongly recommend echocardiographic screening in this breed, especially cats used for breeding.