bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do patients require outpatient follow‐up after rapid referral double contrast barium enema?
Authors: Odofin O. , Alexander R. , Bowers H. , Chave H. , Branagan G. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIntroduction  In our hospital, patients above the age of 40 years referred with a change in bowel habit without rectal bleeding undergo a double contrast barium enema (DCBE) ideally within 2 weeks. Results of benign studies are sent to a consultant colorectal surgeon and a routine clinic visit arranged. The aim of this study was to identify whether, following DCBE, patients (i) presented at a later date with colorectal cancer and (ii) needed assessment in clinic.Method  This is a review looking at all patients who underwent DCBE prior to routine clinic visit between January 2004 and December 2005. Hospital databases were cross‐referenced to identify any patients presenting with a new diagnosis of colorectal malignancy between DCBE and April 2007. Clinic letters were reviewed to identify the number of outpatient visits prior to discharge and reasons for continued follow‐up.Results  During the study period, 521 patients (age range 31–93 years, 316 female) had DCBE prior to assessment in clinic. Diagnoses: cancer 48 (9.2%), polyps 13 (2.5%), colitis 3 (0.6%), no significant pathology 457 (87.7%). Of this latter cohort, 387 (84.7%) were discharged after one clinic visit; 54 (11.9%) attended twice and 11 (2.4%) were seen more than twice. Reasons for multiple attendances were management of haemorrhoids/anal fissure or investigations of unrelated symptoms. No new cancers were identified in this cohort between January 2004 and April 2007.Conclusion  Double contrast barium enema is a safe screening tool following a ‘2‐week rule’ referral with CIBH. Following a report of no significant pathology, there is no need to arrange routine follow‐up.
Circumferential stapled procedure for bleeding ano‐rectal varices is an effective treatment – experience in nine patients
Authors: Kaul A. K. , Skaife P. G. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjective  The objective of this study was to demonstrate that stapled disruption of rectal varices is a feasible and suitable method of controlling bleeding varices.Method  Patients known to have bleeding rectal varices secondary to liver failure were offered this procedure. All these patients had failed medical and endoscopic management. All nine patients underwent the procedure as an emergency, with the intention of controlling haemorrhage. The procedure was carried out under general anaesthetic by a colorectal surgeon experienced in using the stapled device for haemorrhoidectomy.Results  Nine patients underwent this procedure, with successful control of bleeding achieved in all. Follow‐up period from 4 to 24 months revealed no further re‐bleeding.Conclusion  We conclude that stapled disruption of bleeding rectal varices in patients with known portal hypertension is a very useful and effective procedure when carried out by an experienced colorectal surgeon.
Corneal stromal sequestration in a dog
Authors: Bouhanna Laurent , Liscoët Laure B. , Raymond‐Letron Isabelle 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA case of corneal sequestrum in a 9‐year‐old Shih Tzu is reported. On the ophthalmic examination a brown‐pigmented ulcer with mild edema and corneal vascularization was present. The brownish plaque was facing an inferior palpebral tumor. A superficial keratectomy followed by a grid keratotomy and removal of the palpebral mass were performed. Histological findings revealed an inflammatory cell infiltration underneath the acellular stromal layers. No melanin granules were observed. No vascular infiltration was present within the necrotic stroma. The surgical area healed and no recurrence has been reported by the owners at the time of writing. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a corneal sequestrum in a dog.
Myocilin protein levels in the aqueous humor of the glaucomas in selected canine breeds
Authors: MacKay E. O. , Kallberg M. E. , Barrie K. P. , Miller W. , Sapienza J. S. , Denis H. , Ollivier F. J. , Plummer C. , Rinkoski T. , Scotty N. , Gelatt K. N. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjective  To compare aqueous humor myocilin protein levels in dogs with the primary glaucomas to those with the secondary glaucomas, primary cataracts, and diabetic cataracts.Materials and methods  Four groups were selected, based on diagnosis by the attending veterinary ophthalmologists and included: primary glaucoma (primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary closed angle glaucoma (PCAG); n = 155); secondary glaucoma (n = 94); primary (presumed inherited) cataract (n = 142), and diabetic cataract (n = 83). A total of 474 samples (187 males, 263 females, 24 unreported) with average ages of 117 months for the males and 101 months for the females were analyzed. Myocilin protein was measured using the Coomassie staining and Western blot methods relative to a myocilin control.Results  Differences were seen between nonglaucomatous (cataractous) and glaucomatous dogs with myocilin levels in glaucomatous eyes being many times higher than those in the cataractous dogs. Primary glaucomatous dogs were found to have an aqueous humor myocilin protein level of 17.30 ± 1.03 units. Secondary glaucomas had the highest level of myocilin in the aqueous humor with 19.27 ± 1.41 units. Diabetic cataractous dogs had the lowest levels of myocilin reported with 6.60 ± 0.88 (mean ± SEM) units. Normal (cataractous) dogs had a myocilin level in the aqueous humor of 8.05 ± 0.86 units.Conclusion  Aqueous humor protein levels were elevated, relative to the myocilin control, in both the primary and secondary glaucoma groups compared to the cataract and diabetic cataract groups. Like in the Beagle POAG, aqueous humor myocilin protein levels are increased. Further studies are indicated to investigate the exact role of the aqueous humor myocilin protein in the genesis in increased IOP in these primary glaucomatous breeds.
Ocular melanosis in the Cairn Terrier: histopathological description of the condition, and immunohistological and ultrastructural characterization of the characteristic pigment‐laden cells
Authors: Petersen‐Jones Simon M. , Mentzer A. Lexi , Dubielzig Richard R. , Render James A. , Steficek Barbara A. , Kiupel Matti 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjective  To describe the microscopic features and lineage of proliferating/infiltrating pigmented cells in ocular melanosis of Cairn Terriers.Animals studied  Forty‐nine globes removed from 45 Cairn Terriers with ocular melanosis and three globes from control dogs were available for microscopic examination.Procedures  All globes were examined histologically, eight affected and three control globes were also examined by immunohistochemistry, and three affected and three control globes by transmission electron microscopy.Results  Large round pigment‐laden cells infiltrated the anterior uvea, obscured the drainage angle and were present within the sclera and episclera of affected globes. Similar pigmented cells were present in lower numbers in the posterior segment of the globe, the optic nerve meninges and periphery of the optic nerve. Changes due to chronic glaucoma were present in many globes and some had evidence of uveitis. Many of the pigmented cells were immunoreactive to HMB45 and some were MITF and vimentin positive. One globe, which was inflamed when removed, had many pigmented cells that were CD18 immunoreactive. The other eyes had lower numbers of CD18 positive cells. The pigmented cells were not immunoreactive to smooth muscle actin, S‐100, MART/Melan A, chromogranin A/B, PGP 9.5, synaptophysin, MNF116, AE1/AE3, and CD45. Ultrastructurally many of the pigmented cells had features typical of melanocytes while a smaller number appeared to be melanophages.Conclusions  Ocular melanosis in Cairn Terriers is characterized by an infiltration of pigment‐laden cells predominantly, but not exclusively, within the anterior uvea and anterior sclera. Most of these cells appear to be melanocytes although a variable proportion are pigment‐laden melanophages.
SEMI‐PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS OF COVARIANCE UNDER DEPENDENCE CONDITIONS WITHIN EACH GROUP
Authors: Aneiros‐Pérez Germán 
Published: July 2008

SummaryConsider the problem of covariance analysis based on regression models whose regression function is the sum of a linear and a non‐parametric component. We propose a parametric and a non‐parametric statistical test to compare the effects of the linear and non‐parametric components, respectively, on the response variable inL≥ 2groups. Serially correlated errors within each group are allowed. The first (second) test compares the differences between the estimates of the parametric (non‐parametric) components of each group by means of a Mahalanobis(L2)distance. The asymptotic distribution of each statistic under the null hypothesis is obtained. A modest simulation study and an application to a real data set illustrate our methodology.
Capital Inflows, Dutch Disease Effects, and Monetary Policy in a Small Open Economy
Authors: Lartey Emmanuel K. K. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis paper studies the role of monetary policy in a small open economy that experiences Dutch disease effects as a result of capital inflows, and examines the issue of whether such a policy should seek to address these effects from a welfare perspective. I find that Dutch disease effects occur under a fixed nominal exchange rate regime. However, a monetary policy regime characterized by generalized Taylor interest rate rules featuring either the real exchange rate or the nominal exchange rate avert Dutch disease effects. Welfare results reveal that the optimal rule is a generalized Taylor rule consistent with nominal exchange rate flexibility.
The United States is a Small Country in World Trade*
Authors: Magee Christopher S. P. , Magee Stephen P. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractDespite being the largest country in world trade and thus presumably having high optimal tariffs, the United States has long had low and declining levels of protection. This paradox suggests that the United States is failing to exploit its monopsony power by levying optimal tariffs. Using data on world output and trade flows, we find that the United States is a small country in world trade in that its trade policies have negligible impacts on world prices. In the median manufacturing industry, US tariffs reduce world prices by only 0.12%. United States optimal tariffs are also typically small (3.6% in the median industry) and are lower than existing US tariffs in most industries. It is no puzzle that the United States has been a champion of free trade since the 1930s—the United States, like other small countries, benefits economically from tariff reductions.
International Outsourcing and R&D: Long‐Run Implications for Consumers*
Authors: Marjit Sugata , Mukherjee Arijit 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe show that international outsourcing and R&D by the outsourced firm may be either substitutes or complements. Outsourcing increases the R&D investment in small markets and in highly competitive product markets, whereas it decreases the R&D investment in large markets. If the outsourced firm can be technologically very efficient under exporting, outsourcing can make the consumers worse off by reducing the R&D investment. If there is skill differential in the production process and outsourcing occurs only in the unskilled activities, R&D‐reducing outsourcing occurs in a relatively low‐skilled industry. If outsourcing of the unskilled jobs reduces the effective cost of the skilled workers by increasing the productivities of the skilled workers, outsourcing provides further disincentive for R&D compared to the situation where outsourcing of the unskilled jobs does not affect the effective cost of the skilled workers.
Bureaucratic Advice and Political Governance
Authors: BOADWAY ROBIN , SATO MOTOHIRO 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis paper studies the conflict of interest between politicians and better‐informed bureaucrats when they have differing preferences over a public project. We start with a baseline model where a bureaucrat advises a single decision maker (politician) whether to adopt a project. The bureaucrat can be punished if his misrepresentation of the project is detected. We extend this to multiple projects and multiple bureaucrats, and compare the level of Type I and Type II errors generated with centralized and decentralized decision making. This typically depends on the form of the distribution function that determines the bureaucrats' expectation of being disciplined.
Bargaining by Limiting Cooperation: Withholding Consent for the Level of a Public Good
Authors: BURTON PETER S. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis paper analyzes how the ability to limit cooperation influences the outcome of complete information bargaining between two players. When cooperation involves prompt resolution of a conflict, as in alternating‐offer games and wars‐of‐attrition, the solutions equate the marginal rates of substitution between earlier resolution and more private goods. When cooperation involves consent for the level of a public good, the outcome again equates the marginal rates of substitution between greater cooperation (more public good) and more private goods (lower cost shares). Here, the equilibrium consists of balanced linear cost shares given by the ratio of marginal‐willingness‐to‐pay to marginal cost.
Bias Modelling in Evidence Synthesis
Authors: Turner Rebecca M. , Spiegelhalter David J. , Smith Gordon C. S. , Thompson Simon G. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryPolicy decisions often require synthesis of evidence from multiple sources, and the source studies typically vary in rigour and in relevance to the target question. We present simple methods of allowing for differences in rigour (or lack of internal bias) and relevance (or lack of external bias) in evidence synthesis. The methods are developed in the context of reanalysing a UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence technology appraisal in antenatal care, which includes eight comparative studies. Many were historically controlled, only one was a randomized trial and doses, populations and outcomes varied between studies and differed from the target UK setting. Using elicited opinion, we construct prior distributions to represent the biases in each study and perform a bias-adjusted meta-analysis. Adjustment had the effect of shifting the combined estimate away from the null by approximately 10%, and the variance of the combined estimate was almost tripled. Our generic bias modelling approach allows decisions to be based on all available evidence, with less rigorous or less relevant studies downweighted by using computationally simple methods.
Particle Filters for Partially Observed Diffusions
Authors: Fearnhead Paul , Papaspiliopoulos Omiros , Roberts Gareth O. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryWe introduce a novel particle filter scheme for a class of partially observed multivariate diffusions. We consider a variety of observation schemes, including diffusion observed with error, observation of a subset of the components of the multivariate diffusion and arrival times of a Poisson process whose intensity is a known function of the diffusion (Cox process). Unlike currently available methods, our particle filters do not require approximations of the transition and/or the observation density by using time discretizations. Instead, they build on recent methodology for the exact simulation of the diffusion process and the unbiased estimation of the transition density. We introduce the generalized Poisson estimator, which generalizes the Poisson estimator of Beskos and co-workers. A central limit theorem is given for our particle filter scheme.
Modelling Cell Generation Times by Using the Tempered Stable Distribution
Authors: Palmer Karen J. , Ridout Martin S. , Morgan Byron J. T. 
Published: July 2008

Summary
We show that the family of tempered stable distributions has considerable potential for modelling cell generation time data. Several real examples illustrate how these distributions can improve on currently assumed models, including the gamma and inverse Gaussian distributions which arise as special cases. Our applications concentrate on the generation times of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Numerical inversion of the Laplace transform of the probability density function provides fast and accurate approximations to the tempered stable density, for which no closed form generally exists. We also show how the asymptotic population growth rate is easily calculated under a tempered stable model.
Collegiality and Complexity: Humboldt's Relevance to British Universities Today
Authors: Elton Lewis 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe two fundamental features of Humboldt's prescription for the new University of Berlin in 1810 – research‐like learning as a collaboration of teachers and students, and academic freedom of research and teaching (based essentially on an intuitive, but deep understanding of complexity theory) – are as valid now as they were 200 years ago in spite of all the changes over the nearly 200 years, including the substantial loss of societal status of the academic profession. It proposes means of adapting them to 21st century conditions, in strong contrast with the increasing present practices of school‐like learning, micromanagement by top‐down administrations and constant interference by governments.Man, it seems, is a delicate machine, which gets out of order easily.N. Kazantzakis, ‘Christ Recrucified’
Migrants and Changing Urban Periphery: Social Relations, Cultural Diversity and the Public Space in Istanbul’s New Neighbourhoods
Authors: Ayata Sencer 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis study examines the dynamics of socio‐cultural change in a peripheral neighbourhood in Istanbul, an “edge city” that is ethnically mixed, culturally heterogeneous, socially differentiated and spatially multi‐functional. One major focus in the study is the changing nature of social relations in traditional groups. Though kinship, hemşeri (place of origin) and neighbourhood solidarity is still crucial in the lives of the migrants, participation in these groups becomes more voluntary and the ties among members less obligatory. Secondly, the ethnic and religious groupings in the neighbourhood are not always exclusive, authoritarian and patriarchal communities. What generally appears as rigid communitarian fragmentation is often one of cultural diversity for the residents of the locality. The associational pluralism that exists in the neighbourhood enables people to claim multiple ethnic, religious, political and cultural identities. Thirdly, though they compare unfavourably with their middle class counterparts in the city, the new neighbourhoods provide greater opportunities and more public space for interaction among the members of the locality than for instance, the rural communities. The study also questions the often taken‐for‐granted image of a rigidly polarized city in view of empirical evidence that indicates the multiple and complex economic and political links between the new neighbourhoods and the broader urban society. Finally, isolation from middle class areas in the city does not necessarily lead to the exclusion of the whole peripheral urban population from urban life, urban institutions and urban culture. These become increasingly present in the new neighbourhoods and available for the majority of the residents. The main conclusion is that Istanbul contains a number of such edge cities, which have powerful integrating and urbanizing influences on individuals.
International Labour Migrants’ Return to Meiji‐era Yamaguchi and Hiroshima: Economic and Social Effects
Authors: Dresner Jonathan 
Published: July 2008

AbstractInternational labour migration from Meiji era (1868–1912) Japan was intensely concentrated: over 60 per cent of the 29,000 participants in the government‐managed Hawai’i emigration programme (kan’yaku imin, 1885–1894) came from seven coastal counties around the Hiroshima‐Yamaguchi prefectural border in southwest Japan. Almost half of the emigrants became long‐term settlers instead of returning to their hometowns, but this paper examines what happened to returning emigrants and to their home communities. Since the migration was primarily economic in nature, the effect of migrant earnings was carefully monitored and is frequently cited by scholars. Surveys showed high rates of debt repayment and savings, and improved living conditions, but investment and entrepreneurship were limited. High‐emigration regions rarely became economic centers of any importance. Less carefully studied are non‐economic effects, partially because the labour programme was structured to minimize contact with Hawaiian or Caucasian culture, and thus returnees had little cultural experience to transfer to their hometowns. Local officials in Yamaguchi seemed proud of the lack of social change. Even long‐term sojourners, who returned due to family needs after a decade or more overseas, exhibited no readjustment difficulties. Returnees, particularly in Yamaguchi, sometimes moved on to Japanese colonial territories, creating multilateral and complex relationships with overseas communities. This sojourning migration, like contemporary analogs, was a powerful form of poverty relief in the midst of dislocating globalization, but did not produce a rise in entrepreneurship or a Westernization of local culture. Because this sojourning migration was structurally similar to our modern‐day patterns, it provides evidence of the longevity of those patterns and the possible long‐term effects, and raises questions about our expectations for migration policy.
Forced Migration and HIV/AIDS Risks in Angola
Authors: Agadjanian Victor , Avogo Winfred 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis study examines HIV/AIDS‐related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour of forced migrants in Luanda, Angola by comparing them with those of voluntary migrants and long‐time city residents. The study uses data from a survey of 1081 men and women conducted in 2004 in two suburban municipalities of Luanda. One of the municipalities has a large share and the other a small share of the forced migrant population. The analysis detects differences between forced migrants and the other groups in HIV/AIDS‐related knowledge and attitudes, but these differences are explained away by the demographic characteristics and socio‐economic disadvantages of forced migrants. With respect to behaviour, we find that regardless of other characteristics forced migrant men are more likely to engage in practices that may lead to increased HIV risks than long‐time male city dwellers. The differences between forced and voluntary male migrants show the same tendency but are not statistically significant. While women overall are less likely to engage in potentially risky practices than men, differences among women in the three migration‐status groups are not as pronounced as among men.