bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Traumatised by peace? A critique of five assumptions in the theory and practice of conflict-related trauma policy in Northern Ireland
Authors: Gilligan Chris 
Published: March 2006

English
In recent years there has been a growing international recognition of the impact of violent conflict on mental health and a growth in interventions to deal with what have come to be referred to as the psychosocial dimensions of conflict. Mental health interventions are widely understood to be a crucial feature of contemporary peace building. This article critically examines the intersection of these two developments – peace building and psychosocial dimensions of conflict – as they have been articulated in relation to dealing with conflict-related trauma during the peace process in Northern Ireland.
The revaluation of council tax bands: more than rearranging the deck chairs
Authors: Jones Colin , Leishman Chris , Orr Allison M. 
Published: March 2006

English
The article contributes to debate on the future of the council tax by focusing on the revaluation of council tax bands. Originally, no revaluations were foreseen and as yet none has occurred in Britain. The article argues there is a strong equity argument for frequent revaluations. An assessment of the potential impact of a revaluation is undertaken for a sample area of 11 local authority areas in Scotland. This research finds that, while addressing the equity issue, a revaluation is likely to create more disruption to local government, personal finances and the housing market than revaluations within a capital value-based tax system.
Change in the policy community of human genetics: a pragmatic approach to open governance
Authors: Salter Brian , Jones Mavis 
Published: March 2006

English
The 1999 Review of biotechnology regulation required the policy community of human genetics to introduce a new and open approach to governance. In implementing this policy of self-reform, the policy community is obliged to reconcile conflicting political demands from the policy networks of civil society, science and industry as it seeks to establish and maintain the legitimacy of the new regulatory apparatus. Drawing on documentary and interview evidence, this article explores how policy community change may be limited and structured by its existing culture and policy networks in ways not predicted by existing theory.
Getting a policy to ‘stick’: centralising control of social rent setting in England
Authors: Marsh Alex , Walker Bruce 
Published: March 2006

English
The attempts of English central government to control the rents that social housing landlords set for individual properties offer a fruitful example of the role that context and content play in shaping policy implementation. Since the early 1970s there have been three initiatives to assert greater central control over this policy variable. Using a modified version of the conceptual framework proposed by van Meter and van Horn (1975), this article identifies the factors influencing the implementation of each initiative. It concludes by highlighting the role of context, as opposed to the policy design or communication, in getting a policy to ‘stick’.
Developing the public health workforce: a ‘communities of practice’ perspective
Authors: Mallinson Sara , Popay Jennie , Kowarzik Ute , Mackian Sara 
Published: March 2006

English
The qualitative research described in this article aims to explore the dynamics of routine public health practice and policy within two local health systems. Using a theoretical framework drawn from social science and management literatures on ‘communities of practice’ (Wenger, 1998), we seek to illuminate the values and ideas that shape the way in which public health practice and policy making is ‘done’ on a routine basis. In particular, we suggest that people's narratives about their daily work resonate with the concepts of engagement, peripheral participation and marginalisation used in the communities of practice literature.
Workforce diversity in the public sector: an evaluation of the performance of English local authorities
Authors: Andrews Rhys , Boyne George A. , Walker Richard M. 
Published: March 2006

English
The increased recognition of diversity within Western democracies has resulted in particular attention being paid to the representativeness of staff within public organisations. However, little systematic research has been conducted into workforce diversity in public organisations in the UK. In this article we develop criteria of performance on workforce diversity, and analyse the Best Value Performance Indicators for 2001–03 to evaluate whether employment in English local government is equitable with respect to gender, minority ethnicity and disability. Our analysis shows that the relative performance of councils varies markedly, depending on the dimension of diversity and the criterion of performance that is applied.
Policy process, governance and democracy in the EU: the case of the Open Method of Coordination on social inclusion in Germany
Authors: Friedrich Dawid 
Published: March 2006

English
Many scholars attach normative expectations to the Open Method of Coordination (OMC), a new European governance instrument, with regard to its ability to decrease the EU's democratic deficit by creating a participatory policy process. This article argues that the existing OMC literature insufficiently relates the normative expectations with empirical research by scrutinising the policy process of the OMC on social inclusion with regard to their openness and participative character, taking the National Action Plans in Germany as an example. The empirical results are discussed in light of the normative expectations on the OMC's democratic potential.
Assessing the Requirement for the 6-Hour Interval between Specimens in the American Heart Association Classification of Myocardial Infarction in Epidemiology and Clinical Research Studies
Authors: MacRae Andrew R , Kavsak Peter A , Lustig Viliam , Bhargava Rakesh , Vandersluis Rudy , Palomaki Glenn E , Yerna Marie-Jeanne , Jaffe Allan S 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Background: The American Heart Association (AHA) case definition for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) requires an “adequate set” of biomarkers: 2 measurements of the same marker at least 6 h apart. A sensitive troponin assay might detect significant changes in concentration earlier. We determined AMI prevalence, using protocols with shorter intervals between measurements, with and without incorporating the time from onset of symptoms.
Methods: The AHA case definition was used to retrospectively assign a diagnosis in 258 patients presenting to the emergency department with symptoms of cardiac ischemia. AMI was diagnosed if either specimen in an adequate set had a cardiac troponin I (cTnI) above the 99th percentile (AccuTnI® &gt;0.04 μg/L; Beckman Coulter) with a ≥20% change in concentration between specimens. We assessed positivity for AMI after progressively decreasing the time interval between specimens in specimen sets. In addition, for each patient, 2 additional specimen pairs were selected: pairs collected at least 1 h apart with 1 specimen being either ≥3 h after onset or ≥6 h after onset.
Results: When we used the AHA definition, the AMI prevalence was 35.7%. Prevalence was not significantly diminished when the interval between specimens was ≥5, ≥4, or ≥3 h (36.4%, 34.5%, and 33.7%, respectively) compared with the AHA ≥6 h interval. When the time from onset of symptoms was included in the specimen selection algorithm, a 1-h interval was sufficient provided that at least one specimen was collected ≥6 h after onset (prevalence, 34.1%; P = 0.48 vs AHA definition).
Conclusion: A sensitive cTnI assay in specimen sets with time intervals ≥3 h, or having one specimen ≥6 h after onset, gave an AMI prevalence equivalent to the AHA definition.
Comparison of the Corrosion Fatigue Characteristics of 23Mn-21Cr-1Mo Low Nickel, 22Cr-13Ni-5Mn, and 18Cr-14Ni-2.5Mo Stainless Steels
Authors: Roach MD , Williamson RS , Zardiackas LD 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the notched corrosion fatigue (CF) characteristics of a series of stainless steel alloys including 18Cr-14Ni-2.5Mo (ASTM F 138), 22Cr-13Ni-5Mn (ASTM F 1314), and 23Mn-21Cr-1Mo low nickel stainless steel (ASTM F 2229). Evaluation of alloy composition, microstructure, static single cycle mechanical properties, stress corrosion cracking, and smooth sample corrosion fatigue was performed on the same lots of each material in a previous study in our laboratories. Notched CF tensile samples of each alloy were machined using low stress grind techniques to a 2.5 mm notch root diameter (Kt=3.2) and tested at 1 Hz according to ASTM F 1801 in Ringer's solution at 37°C. A minimum of three samples was tested at five tension-tension sinusoidal load levels including a run-out level at 106 cycles. SEM analysis was performed on the fractured surfaces of representative samples of each alloy to characterize and compare the failure mechanisms. Previous evaluation of corrosion fatigue on smooth samples of these alloys found no significant differences in the fracture modes or cycles to failure between the samples run in distilled deionized water and those run in Ringer's solution indicating corrosion fatigue mechanisms were not in effect. However, a significant lowering of fatigue strength was observed for the notched samples of each alloy compared to the smooth samples previously tested. This suggests that even though the notch sensitivity of these alloys under static single cycle conditions has been shown to be acceptable, a notch under dynamic fatigue mechanisms may cause a substantial reduction in strength and implant life. Despite this reduction in fatigue strength, in high strength applications where the implant must be bent during surgery or may be scratched during implantation BioDur 108 proved to be the best alternative. For lower strength applications, 316LS revealed the least fatigue notch sensitivity of any of the alloys tested.
Thermal Residual Stress Relaxation in Powder Metal IN100 Superalloy
Authors: Buchanan DJ , John R , Ashbaugh NE 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Relaxation of shot peen induced compressive residual stresses due to thermal exposure was measured using X-ray diffraction. The material used in this study was a hot isostatically pressed (HIP) powder metal (PM) IN100 nickel base superalloy. A total of 14 IN100 samples were shot peened to an Almen intensity of 6A using MI-170-R shot with 125 % coverage. The sample dimensions were nominally 16×13×4-mm thick with an irradiated X-ray region of 8×5 mm. Residual stress measurements were made at the surface and at nominal depths of 12, 25, 50, 75, 125, 175, 250, and 350 microns. The shot peened samples were thermal exposed at two temperatures (650, 704°C) and a range of exposure times (0.5–300 h). Residual stress measurements on shot peened samples without thermal exposure were used as a basis for comparison. The relaxation of shot peened compressive residual stresses under purely thermal loading was examined. The residual stresses exhibited an initial rapid decrease on the surface and in the depth at both temperatures. However, continued thermal exposure produced little or no change in surface residual stresses while peak compressive stresses in the depth continued to relax with time at both temperatures. In all cases of this study the retained peak compressive residual stress after thermal exposure was greater than 50 % of the baseline value.
Experimental Evaluation of the J or C* Parameter for a Range of Cracked Geometries
Authors: Davies CM , Kourmpetis M , O'Dowd NP , Nikbin KM 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
In the current ASTM Standard Test Method for Measurement of Creep Crack Growth Rates in Metals (E 1457) the experimental C* parameter is related to the load and creep load line displacement rate through the geometry related η factor. In this work η factors for a range of geometries are presented. The geometries examined are the compact tension specimen, C(T), single edge notch specimen in tension, SEN(T), and bending, SEN(B), double edge notch specimen in tension, DEN(T), middle crack specimen in tension, M(T) and the C-shaped specimen in tension CS(T). Calculations have been performed for a linear elastic-power law hardening material but the resulting η factors are applicable to either power law plastic or power law creeping materials. Values for ηLLD and ηCMOD, based on the load line displacement and crack mouth opening displacement, respectively, have been determined. A wide range of crack depths, 0.1⩽a/W⩽0.7, where a is crack length and W is specimen width, and hardening exponents, 3 ⩽N ⩽10, under plane stress and plane strain conditions have been examined using the finite element method. The influence of specimen length, crack length, material properties and out of plane stress state on the η factor has also been considered. It has been found that for shallow cracks the value of η depends quite strongly on the exponent, N in the material power law, regardless of whether η is defined based on the load line displacement or crack mouth opening displacement. The ηLLD factor has also been found to be strongly sensitive to plane stress/strain conditions imposed, a/W and specimen length, whereas ηCMOD depends more weakly on a/W and is almost independent of specimen length for the cases examined. There is, however, no clear trend in these variations over the range of specimen geometries and a/W examined. These results are found to be consistent with those in the literature. Recommendations are made regarding the most appropriate values for η, depending on the specimen type and geometry while taking into account the variability due to the material properties, out of plane stress state and variations between the numerical analyses.
Residue Analysis on Implants
Authors: Luginbuehl R , Gasser B , Frauchiger V 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Process agent residues on implant surfaces have become the center of attention after implant failures that were clearly attributed to problems of contamination and cleanliness during manufacturing. The success of modern implants depends strongly on the quality control after manufacturing since a minor degree of contamination may generate increased inflammation of the wound. Therefore, process and quality control requires tools to identify and quantify contaminations on implant surfaces. We evaluated a series of analytical methods, including gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis, thin layer chromatography, total organic carbon, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, regarding their suitability for the different type of residues. The focus was put on extraction of soluble non-polar organic agents and subsequent analysis. All methods were assessed with internal standard contamination oil that contains a variety of surface-active agents used in common commercial cutting oils and emulsions for medical device machining.
Analysis by cDNA microarrays of gene expression patterns of human adrenocortical tumors
Authors: Slater E P , Diehl S M , Langer P , Samans B , Ramaswamy A , Zielke A , Bartsch D K 
Published: March 2006

Objectives: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant neoplasm with extremely poor prognosis. The molecular mechanisms of adrenocortical tumorigenesis are still not well understood. The comparative analysis by cDNA microarrays of gene-expression patterns of benign and malignant adrenocortical tumors allows us to identify new tumor-suppressor genes and proto-oncogenes underlying adrenocortical tumorigenesis.
Design and methods: Total RNA from fresh-frozen tissue of 10 ACC and 10 benign adrenocortical adenomas was isolated after histologic confirmation of neoplastic cellularity of at least 85%. The reference consisted of pooled RNA of 10 normal adrenal cortex samples. Amplified RNA of tumor and reference was used to synthesize Cy3- and Cy5-fluorescently labeled cDNA in a flip-color technique. D-chips containing 11 540 DNA spots were hybridized and scanned and the images were analyzed by ImaGene 3.0 software.
Results: The comparative analysis of gene expression revealed many genes with more than fourfold expression difference between ACC and normal tissue (42 genes), cortical adenoma and normal tissue (11 genes), and ACC and cortical adenoma (21 genes) respectively. As confirmed by real-time PCR, the IGF2 gene was significantly upregulated in ACCs versus cortical adenomas and normal cortical tissue. Genes that were downregulated in adrenocortical tumors included chromogranin B and early growth response factor 1.
Conclusions: Comprehensive expression profiling of adrenocortical tumors by the cDNA microarray technique is a very powerful tool to elucidate the molecular steps associated with the tumorigenesis of these ill-defined neoplasms. To evaluate the role of identified genes, further detailed analyses, including correlation with clinical data, are required.
Increased micronucleus frequencies in peripheral blood lymphocytes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Yesilada Elif , Sahin Ibrahim , Ozcan Hamdi , Yildirim Ibrahim Halil , Yologlu Saim , Taskapan Cagatay 
Published: March 2006

Objective: We aimed to assess possible genomic instability in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Design: The frequency of micronuclei in cultured peripheral lymphocytes was used as a biomarker of genomic instability in somatic cells.
Methods: Nineteen women, diagnosed with PCOS and 19 healthy female volunteers of corresponding ages and body-mass index (BMI) were included in the study. Micronuclei frequencies were assessed in cytokinesis-blocked lymphocytes.
Results: The frequency of micronucleated cells (per thousand) was 9.00 (5.00) (interquartile range in parentheses) for patient group and 3.0 (3.0) for the control group (P < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney U-test). The serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, prolactin, glucose and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and the homeostasis model of assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were not different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Serum total testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and insulin levels and hirsutism score in the PCOS group were significantly (P = 0.007, P < 0.0001, P = 0.009 and P < 0.0001 respectively) higher than those of the control group (2.3 (2.1) nmol/l vs 1.7 (0.4) nmol/l; 8.5 (5.88) mU/ml vs 4.8 (4.4) mU/ml; 6.8 (5.1) μU/ml vs 9.7 (4.2) μU/ml; 19.5 (6.5) vs 4.0 (2.5) respectively). However, the mean level of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in PCOS group was significantly (P = 0.004) lower than in control group (36.4(22.6) nmol/l vs 48.6(25.2) nmol/l respectively).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that women with PCOS have a high incidence of genomic instability, and this condition is positively correlated with the hirsutism score, BMI, LH and serum total testosterone and insulin levels, and is negatively correlated with SHBG.
Long term control of hypercortisolism with fluconazole: case report and in vitro studies
Authors: Riedl Michaela , Maier Christina , Zettinig Georg , Nowotny Peter , Schima Wolfgang , Luger Anton 
Published: March 2006

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of fluconazole as an alternative treatment for controlling hypercortisolism in Cushing’s syndrome and to determine its effect on glucocorticoid production in vitro.
Design: Case report and in vitro study in a University Clinic.
Case: An 83 year old patient presented with recurrence of Cushing’s syndrome due to pulmonary metastases three years after unilateral adrenalectomy. During a near fatal episode of sepsis she was started on fluconazole 200 mg/day intravenously which normalised cortisol excretion. The therapy was continued orally for 18 months. Upon temporary discontinuation and reintroduction of treatment, cortisol levels increased and normalized, respectively. At month 16, fluconazole had to be increased to a dose of 400 mg/day to keep cortisol excretion in the normal range. Disease progression was slow and no side effects occurred.
In vitro results: Fluconazole in a concentration of 500 μM nearly abolished corticosterone production over 24 h from the adrenal adenoma cell line Y-1 (8.6 ± 0.5% compared with control, P < 0.0001) and significantly reduced corticosterone production in concentrations of 50 μM (48.3 ± 1.9% vs. control, P < 0.0001) and 5 μM (80.5 ± 8.5% vs. control, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: These results demonstrate for the first time that fluconazole normalises cortisol concentrations in vivo in a patient with Cushing’s syndrome with adrenal carcinoma and inhibit glucocorticoid production in vitro in a cell line. Thus, fluconazole might be useful in controlling glucocorticoid excess in Cushing’s syndrome and because of its lower toxicity might be preferable to ketoconazole.
Pediatric renal allograft transplantation does not normalize the increased cortisol/cortisone ratios of chronic renal failure
Authors: Schroth Michael , Plank Christian , Rauh Manfred , Dörr Helmuth-Günther , Rascher Wolfgang , Dötsch Jörg 
Published: March 2006

Objective: The conversion of cortisol (F) to cortisone (E) is catalyzed by 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2). Children suffering from chronic renal failure (CRF) have a decreased activity of 11β-HSD2 contributing to increased arterial blood pressure. The objective was to investigate whether a normal conversion of F to E is achieved after renal transplantation (TX) in children.
Methods: Fifteen children with CRF, 17 children with steroid-free immunosuppression after TX, and 18 healthy controls (CO) were enrolled. The activity of 11β-HSD2 in plasma was calculated using the ratio of F/E determined by tandem mass spectrometry, the ratio of tetrahydrocortisol (THF) +5α-tetrahydrocortisol (5αTHF) in urine determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and the ratio of (THF +5αTHF)/tetrahydrocortisone (THE) in urine determined by tandem mass spectrometry.
Results: The F/E ratio (mean ± s.d./s.e.m.) was significantly higher in CRF and TX (5.6 ± 1.9/0.6, 7.12 ± 3.1/0.9) than in CO (1.18 ± 0.2/0.03, P < 0.0001) groups. The (THF + 5αTHF)/THE ratio in CRF (1.19 ± 1.1/0.5) and TX (1.19 ± 0.1/0.5) groups was significantly higher than in controls (0.21 ± 0.05/0.18, P < 0.0001). Positive correlations between plasma and urinary ratios (P = 0.0004. R2 = 0.73 in CRF, P = 0.0013, R2 = 0.56 in TX, P < 0.0001, R2 = 0.66 in CO) were found, whereas significant correlations between F/E or (THF + 5αTHF)/THE ratios and blood pressure, the number of antihypertensive drugs taken or creatinine clearance could not be found.
Conclusions: In all children with chronic renal failure plasma and urinary cortisol/cortisone ratios are elevated and do not return to normal levels after renal allograft transplantation. This suggests that renal transplantation does not normalize 11β-HSD2 activity.