bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Aspartic Acid on Calcite Dissolution Rate and Solubility
Authors: Yoshino Toru , Kagi Hiroyuki 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The dissolution rate and solubility of calcite, a polymorph of CaCO3, were determined in aspartic acid (Asp) solutions: Asp inhibited the surface reaction of calcite dissolution but accelerated the transport process. The crossover of these contrastive effects caused a local maximum of the dissolution rate constant and the transition of rate-determining processes. The calcite solubility increased with increasing Asp concentration, which may reflect its association with the change of the calcite surface structure derived from the addition of Asp.
Morphology-controlled Preparation of Silver Nanocrystals and Their Application in Catalysis
Authors: Bi Yingpu , Lu Gongxuan 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The morphologies of silver nanocrystals have been successfully tuned from wire to versatile rod, cube, and sphere by varying the molecular structure of polyols. Effects of crystal shape on the catalytic performance of silver for hydrogen generation from HCHO solution have also been investigated. It was found that silver nanocubes were more active than nanorods, nanowires, and nanospheres.
A New Method for Catalytic Syntheses of Block Copolymers via ROMP: Development of Stereoblock Copoly(endo-dicyclopentadiene)
Authors: Hayano Shigetaka , Tsunogae Yasuo 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
A new method for catalytic block copolymerization of cyclic olefins was developed for the first time. Cross metathesis was successfully utilized as a reversible chain-transfer reaction. Sequential addition of plural monomers to the polymeric terminal olefin provided a block copolymer of Mw⁄Mn≈2.0. This paper also focuses on the development of a new crystalline–amorphous block copolymer, hydrogenated stereoblock copoly(endo-dicyclopentadiene).
Late-Onset Rosiglitazone-Associated Acute Liver Failure in a Patient with Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Authors: El-Naggar Moustafa HM , Helmy Ahmed , Moawad Mahmoud , Al-Omary Mohamed , Al-Kadhi Yusuf , Habib Bassil 
Published: April 2008

Objective: To report a case of rosiglilazone-associated hepatotoxicity in a patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Case Summary: A 52-year-old man presented with low-grade fever and fatigue that had been present for 4 months. He had been receiving insulin for 5 years and rosiglitazone 4 mg/day for 11 months for control of type 2 diabetes; he was receiving no other drug therapy. During hospitalization, hepatotoxicity was shown, with abnormal liver function test results including alanine aminotransferase 488 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase 344 U/L, alkaline phosphatase B32 U/L, total bilirubin 4.61 mg/dL, and direct bilirubin 3.63 mg/dL. Rosiglitazone was discontinued after further elevation of bilirubin (total 14.67 mg/dL, direct 12.10 mg/dL) occurred. Other causes for hepatotoxicity were ruled out, Hodgkin's lymphoma was diagnosed during the workup; however, liver imaging and biopsy also excluded this as the direct cause of acute liver failure. Despite discontinuation of rosiglitazone, the bilirubin level continued to increase to 49.29 mg/dL (direct >20 mg/dL). The patient died 3 months after admission. Discussion: Rosiglitazone maleate is a thiazolidinedione approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The first member of this drug class, troglitazone, was withdrawn from the market due to reports of acute liver failure. Rosiglitazone has been shown to be much safer than troglitazone, despite some reported cases of early-onset nonfatal hepatotoxicity. Use of the Naranjo probability scale indicated that rosiglitazone was the probable cause of acute liver failure in our patient. Conclusions: We conclude that rosiglitazone may be associated with late-onset acute liver failure. Clinicians should be aware of such a complication and monitor liver function in patients receiving the drug.
Patients’ Perceptions of Electronic Monitoring Devices Affect Medication Adherence in Hypertensive African Americans
Authors: Schoenthaler Antoinette , Ogedegbe Gbenga 
Published: April 2008

Background: Electronic monitoring devices (EMDs) are regarded as the gold standard for assessing medication adherence in clinical research. However, little is known about the effect of patients’ acceptance of EMDs on medication adherence in African Americans with hypertension who are followed in primary care practices Objective: To assess patients’ perceptions of EMDs, their acceptance of EMDs, and the relationship of these perceptions to medication adherence in African Americans with hypertension who are followed in community-based practices. Methods: Patients were recruited from a larger randomized controlled trial assessing the effect of motivational interviewing on medication adherence and blood pressure in hypertensive African American patients followed in 2 New York City primary care practices. Medication adherence was assessed with a Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) during a 12-month monitoring period. At the 12-month follow-up, patients’ perceptions of the MEMS were assessed with a 17-item questionnaire. ANOVA was used to compare patients’ responses (agree, neither, disagree) with the MEMS adherence over the monitoring period. Tukey's post hoc tests were used to determine whether there were significant differences among the 3 groups. Results: Participants were predominantly women, low-income, unemployed, had a high school education, and were a mean age of 53 years. Approximately two-thirds of the participants stated that the MEMS helped them remember to take their medications, 93% reported that the MEMS was easy to open, 85% did not find it stressful, and 75% liked the MEMS and used it everyday. One-third of patients preferred using a pillbox and 25% did not like traveling with the MEMS. Patients who stated that they used the MEMS every day, felt comfortable using it in front of others, and remembered to put refills in the MEMS had significantly better adherence over the study period than did those who disagreed (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: African American patients treated for hypertension in community-based practices held positive perceptions about a MEMS. Perceptions about the practicality of a MEMS may yield important information about actual medication-taking behavior.
Assessing Intellectual Disability in Children: Are IQ Measures Sufficient, or Even Necessary?
Authors: Colmar Susan , Maxwell Amanda , Miller Leanne 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA number of critical issues concerning the assessment of children with intellectual disabilities, including definitional problems, psychometric factors, and practical difficulties, are raised in this article. It is suggested that school counsellors and psychologists should consider these issues when assessing children with probable or known intellectual disabilities, particularly when using IQ tests. The use of adaptive scales as an additional means of defining and measuring intellectual disability is also examined. Although no ideal means of formally assessing children with intellectual disabilities is put forward, a range of concerns is explored and some suggestions for appropriate additions and caveats to present practice are proposed.
Students With Severe Challenging Behaviour in Regular Classrooms: Prevalence and Characteristics
Authors: Carter Mark , Clayton Mark , Stephenson Jennifer 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis article reports on part of a commissioned research study into students with severe challenging behaviour in primary schools serviced by the Catholic Education Office (Parramatta Diocese) in western Sydney. The focus of the study was on the prevalence of severe challenging behaviour and the nature of presenting behaviour. Questionnaires were directed to school staff and information was obtained from 41 of the 53 primary schools in the diocese. Using very conservative criteria, the estimate of numbers of students with severe challenging behaviour was approximately 1 per school. Students were typically male and were academically below average. The most frequently reported challenging behaviour (e.g., calling out, out of seat) was inherently minor in nature for the most part, but at high frequency this could be extremely disruptive to the operation of a classroom. More serious behaviours, such as physical aggression to other school students and staff, were also reported at concerning frequency, noting that such behaviours place staff and other students at risk. The present study adds to the limited Australian data describing students in regular schools with challenging behaviour by providing specific information on the classroom frequency of such behaviour and the academic performance of students.
The Use of Group Therapy as a Means of Facilitating Cognitive–Behavioural Instruction for Adolescents With Disruptive Behaviour
Authors: Larmar Stephen 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis article reports on the findings of an action research enquiry examining the efficacy of group therapy as a means of facilitating cognitive–behavioural instruction for students who exhibit disruptive behaviours. A curriculum comprising the key tenets of cognitive–behaviour modification was developed and taught over a 9-week period to a group of 12 Year 7 adolescent students selected from a primary school in the Brisbane metropolitan district, Queensland, Australia. Six of the participants for the investigation were identified as ‘at-risk’ of engaging in disruptive behaviours based on extensive observations from members of the school administration team. The remaining students served as role models of prosocial behaviours throughout the intervention. Each session incorporated group discussions and physical challenges that were formulated to facilitate investigation of key concepts of cognitive– behavioural therapy. The findings that emerged from the investigation provide support for the use of group therapy for this form of intervention.
The Legacy of the Journal of Accounting Case Research (1992–2007)/L'HÉRITAGE DE LA JOURNAL OF ACCOUNTING CASE RESEARCH (1992–2007)
Authors: Krause Michael J. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper studies the output of the Journal of Accounting Case Research (JACR) from its inception in 1992 through its amalgamation into the CAAA's journal Accounting Perspectives in 2007. JACR had the important distinction of being the only periodical devoted solely to publishing accounting cases. This paper summarizes JACR's output by topic, specific accounting field of study, and targeted audience, as well as information on authors and their academic institutions. These analyses suggest that JACR promoted diversity in the scholarship of accounting education, produced valuable learning aids, and provided important publication opportunities for scholars with an interest in the development of instructional cases.RÉSUMÉL'auteur se penche sur l'héritage de la publication Journal of Accounting Case Research (JACR), depuis sa création en 1992 jusqu'à sa fusion avec la publication de l'ACPC Perspectives comptables, en 2007. Fait important, le JACR se caractérisait par son statut de seul périodique consacré exclusivement à la publication d'études de cas en comptabilité (Weinstein, 2005). L'auteur présente sommairement le patrimoine du JACR selon les sujets, les domaines d'études précis de la comptabilité et les publics visés, de même que les données relatives aux auteurs et aux établissements universitaires auxquels ils sont attachés. Ces analyses semblent indiquer que le JACR a fait la promotion de la diversité dans la recherche en comptabilité, a produit de précieux outils d'apprentissage et a largement ouvert ses pages aux chercheurs intéressés à l'élaboration d'études de cas destinées à l'enseignement.
A vena cava inferioron keresztül a jobb pitvarba terjedő mellékveserák sikeres műtéti eltávolításar
Authors: Péterffy Árpád , Dezső Balázs , Adler Ildikó , Árkossy Péter , Szerafin Tamás 
Published: April 2008

Absztrakt
A szerzők egy 47 éves asszony esetét ismertetik, akinek bal oldali mellékveserák eltávolítása után néhány hónap múlva helyileg kiújult a daganata, és a vena cava inferioron keresztül beterjedt a jobb pitvarba. A vena cava inferiort szinte teljesen kitöltő tumorthrombus jelentős májpangást, ascitest és alsó végtagi vizenyőt okozott. A tumorthrombust extracorporalis keringés és 20°C testhőmérsékletnél teljes keringésmegállítás segítségével, a jobb pitvar feltárásával, szem ellenőrzése mellett sikerült egészben eltávolítani. Egy hónappal később eltávolításra került a bal oldali mellékvese helyén kiújult daganat is. A szövettani vizsgálatok közepesen differenciált adrenocorticalis carcinomát mutattak, 10% feletti proliferációs rátával. A beteg a legutóbbi műtéte óta onkológiai gondozásban részesül, egy éve panasz- és daganatmentes. Klinikai tapasztalatok alapján megállapítható, hogy a vena cava inferiorba beterjedő különböző eredetű tumorthrombus eltávolítása extracorporalis keringés segítségével (keringés megállításával vagy anélkül) biztonságosan elvégezhető, és a túlélési esélyek jók, ha az elsődleges daganat is eltávolítható.
Communicating and Controlling Strategy: An Empirical Study of the Effectiveness of the Balanced Scorecard
Authors: Malina Mary A. , Selto Frank H. 
Published: April 2008

This paper reports evidence on the effectiveness of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) as a strategy communication and management-control device. This study first reviews communication and management control literatures that identify attributes of effective communication and control of strategy. Second, the study offers a model of communication and control applicable to the BSC. The study then analyzes empirical interview and archival data to model the use and assess the communication and control effectiveness of the BSC. The study includes data from multiple divisions of a large, international manufacturing company. Data are from BSC designers, administrators, and North American managers whose divisions are objects of the BSC. The study accumulates evidence regarding the challenges of designing and implementing the BSC faced by even a large, well-funded company. These findings may be general-izable to other companies adopting or considering adopting the BSC as a strategic and management control device.Data indicate that this specific BSC, as designed and implemented, is an effective device for controlling corporate strategy. Results also indicate disagreement and tension between top and middle management regarding the appropriateness of specific aspects of the BSC as a communication, control, and evaluation mechanism. Specific results include evidence of causal relations between effective management control, motivation, strategic alignment, and beneficial effects of the BSC. These beneficial effects include changes in processes and improvements in both the BSC and customer-oriented services. In contrast, ineffective communication and management control cause poor motivation and conflict over the use of the BSC as an evaluation device.
Weak Proinsulin Peptide–Major Histocompatibility Complexes Are Targeted in Autoimmune Diabetes in Mice
Authors: Levisetti Matteo G. , Lewis Danna M. , Suri Anish , Unanue Emil R. 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVE—Weak major histocompatibility complex (MHC) binding of self-peptides has been proposed as a mechanism that may contribute to autoimmunity by allowing for escape of autoreactive T-cells from the thymus. We examined the relationship between the MHC-binding characteristics of a β-cell antigen epitope and T-cell autoreactivity in a model of autoimmune diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The binding of a proinsulin epitope, proinsulin-1(47–64) (PI-1[47–64]), to the MHC class II molecules I-Ag7 and I-Ak was measured using purified class II molecules. T-cell reactivity to the proinsulin epitope was examined in I-Ag7+ and I-Ak+ mice.RESULTS—C-peptide epitopes bound very weakly to I-Ag7 molecules. However, C-peptide–reactive T-cells were induced after immunization in I-Ag7–bearing mice (NOD and B6.g7) but not in I-Ak–bearing mice (B10.BR and NOD.h4). T-cells reactive with the PI-1(47–64) peptide were found spontaneously in the peripancreatic lymph nodes of pre-diabetic NOD mice. These T-cells were activated by freshly isolated β-cells in the presence of antigen-presenting cells and caused diabetes when transferred into NOD.scid mice.CONCLUSIONS—These data demonstrate an inverse relationship between self-peptide–MHC binding and T-cell autoreactivity for the PI-1(47–64) epitope in autoimmune diabetes.
An open future? The principle of autonomy within medical ‘codes of conduct’ versus the heteronomy effects of predictive medicine
Authors: Devisch Ignaas 
Published: April 2008

AbstractTraditionally, the average code of conduct within Western health care starts from the autonomy of the patient. In addition, medicine today is ‘evidence based’ and the patient is an ‘informed consent’. Yet, the individual autonomy of the patient in health care is not simply enhancing today. Quite a few fundamental changes have and are currently at work within health care, which I will summarize here with the paradigm of predictive medicine. One of the characteristics of this paradigm is the increase of medical consults which are not autonomously chosen by an individual. For reasons of public health and diminishing of health risks or for reasons of prevention, on one hand we are dealing with ethical codes centered around the autonomy of patients and the face-to-face relations with health care workers, on the other, we are dealing with a society that takes an increasingly greater medical initiatives. Therefore, the question arises if predictive medicine confronts us with the limits of an ethical code as we know it today. Is there not an urgent need for a political code of conduct in health care?
Elevated serum ferritin concentrations in prediabetic subjects
Authors: Sharifi Faranak , Nasab N Mousavi , Zadeh H Jazebi 
Published: April 2008

Background Few data are available on the association of variables of the insulin resistance syndrome and serum ferritin, an indicator of body iron stores. We examined the relationship between serum ferritin levels and impaired fasting glucose, a pre-diabetes stage associated with insulin resistance, in this study. Subjects & methods One hundred and eighty seven people, including 91 subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and 96 healthy people who were well matched for age and sex, were enrolled. Body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure of the participants were measured and serum cholesterol, triglyceride, white blood cells (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin were evaluated. All the data were analysed by t-test, X2 test and analysis of variance. Results The IFG group had higher serum ferritin concentrations (85.5±6.6 μg/L vs. 49.4±3.7 μg/L, p=0.001). A positive correlation was found between fasting plasma glucose and serum ferritin (r=0.29, p=0.001). Using multiple regression analysis, we found an association between serum ferritin and blood pressure (0.15, p=0.01), FPG (0.29, p=0.001), triglyceride (0.08, p=0.01) and cholesterol (0.07, p=0.03). The odds ratio for the association of IFG in male subjects with a high serum ferritin level was 8.3 (95% CI: 1.2–11.9, p=0.01) and for females was 3.06 (95% CI: 0.58–15, p=0.1). Conclusion Based on the data from our study, aelevation in serum ferritin can be seen in pre-diabetes stage, before the occurrence of an overt diabetes mellitus.
Beneficial effects of strategies for primary prevention of diabetes on cardiovascular risk factors: results of the Indian Diabetes Prevention Programme
Authors: Snehalatha Chamukuttan , Mary Simon , Joshi Vasant V , Ramachandran Ambady 
Published: April 2008

In subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) who participated in the Indian Diabetes Prevention Programme (IDPP), abnormalities related to body mass index, waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), lipid profile and electrocardiography were analysed (at baseline and third-year follow-up) in control, lifestyle modification (LSM), metformin (MET) and LSM + MET groups. At baseline, elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) showed the highest (78.6%) and total cholesterol (TC) showed the lowest (42%) prevalence. At follow-up, prevalence of hypertension (BP ≥ 130/≥.85 mmHg) had increased significantly in all groups. Cardiovascular abnormalities were lower in intervention groups, with the lowest rates in the MET group (p=0.013 vs. control); the LDL-C level decreased in intervention groups. In this programme, Asian Indian IGT subjects were observed to have a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. LSM and MET had beneficial effects on the atherogenic phenotype of lipids but had no influence on blood pressure.
Detection and characterisation of microcirculatory abnormalities in the skin of diabetic patients with microvascular complications
Authors: Brooks Belinda A , McLennan Susan V , Twigg Stephen M , Yue Dennis K 
Published: April 2008

The aim of this study was to characterise microvascular blood flow in the skin and to compare it with biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and tissue inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes with (n=20) or without (n=20) microvascular complications and 20 control subjects. Microvascular function was measured by laser Doppler velocimetry in combination with iontophoresis of acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Blood was collected for measurement of biomarkers including plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Both ACh and SNP responses fall progressively with the development of diabetes and microvascular complications. For the total cohort, there was a significant overall correlation between ACh and SNP response (r=0.7, p<0.0001), and this relationship was particularly strong in those with microvascular complications. There was a trend towards higher hsCRP levels across the three groups, but no difference in other biomarkers. Abnormalities of microvascular blood flow are evident in diabetes and become more marked with the development of microvascular complications. This relationship was similar to that shown by the marker of inflammation (hsCRP), but stronger than that pertaining to biomarkers of endothelial function. As both ACh and SNP responses are attenuated, the disturbance is not characteristic of endothelial dysfunction alone.