bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Management of extrinsic malignant ureteral obstruction with urinary diversion
Authors: Kanou Takehiro , Fujiyama Chisato , Nishimura Kazushige , Tokuda Yuji , Uozumi Jiro , Masaki Zenjiro 
Published: June 2007

Objective:  The effectiveness of urinary diversion for patients with renal insufficiency due to extrinsic ureteral obstruction was assessed.Methods:  Between 1990 and 2003, 30 males and 45 females, ranging 36–90 years of age (average, 62.7) who had secondary ureteral obstruction due to either a retroperitoneal or pelvic invasion of malignant disease, underwent nephrostomy or ureteral stenting using a double‐J stent without side holes.Results:  Ureteral stenting was attempted as an initial procedure in 51 of the 75 cases. The remaining 24 cases had a nephrostomy at the first step. Of 51, 37 cases were successfully stented, while internal stenting was unsuccessful in the remaining 14 cases. These 14 cases were treated with nephrostomy at the second step following the unsuccessful internal stenting. Eight cases of the 37 successfully stented cases were eventually changed to a nephrostomy because of catheter trouble. As a result, 29 cases could be managed by internal ureteral stenting up until the end of their life. The follow‐up period for the 75 cases who underwent urinary diversion ranged from 5 days to 19 months, averaging 5.7 months. The average period from diversion to death was 5.6 months in the internally stented group and 5.9 months in the nephrostomy group.Conclusion:  The high patency rate of the internal ureteral stent in our cases might be due to our use of a stent without shaft vent holes.
A comparison of the high‐affinity peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands DAA1106 and (R)‐PK11195 in rat models of neuroinflammation: implications for PET imaging of microglial activation
Authors: Venneti Sriram , Lopresti Brian J. , Wang Guoji , Slagel Susan L. , Mason N. Scott , Mathis Chester A. , Fischer Michelle L. , Larsen Niccole J. , Mortimer Amanda D. , Hastings Teresa G. , Smith Amanda D. , Zigmond Michael J. , Suhara Tetsuya , Higuchi Makoto , Wiley Clayton A. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractActivated microglia are an important feature of many neurological diseases and can be imaged in vivo using 1‐(2‐chlorophenyl)‐N‐methyl‐N‐(1‐methylpropyl)‐3‐isoquinolinecarboxamide (PK11195), a ligand that binds the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR). N‐(2,5‐dimethoxybenzyl)‐N‐(5‐fluoro‐2‐phenoxyphenyl) acetamide (DAA1106) is a new PBR‐specific ligand that has been reported to bind to PBR with higher affinity compared with PK11195. We hypothesized that this high‐affinity binding of DAA1106 to PBR will enable better delineation of microglia in vivo using positron emission tomography. [3H]DAA1106 showed higher binding affinity compared with [3H](R)‐PK11195 in brain tissue derived from normal rats and the rats injected intrastriatally with 6‐hydroxydopamine or lipopolysaccharide at the site of the lesion. Immunohistochemistry combined with autoradiography in brain tissues as well as correlation analyses showed that increased [3H]DAA1106 binding corresponded mainly to activated microglia. Finally, ex vivo autoradiography and positron emission tomography imaging in vivo showed greater retention of [11C]DAA1106 compared with [11C](R)‐PK11195 in animals injected with either lipopolysaccaride or 6‐hydroxydopamine at the site of lesion. These results indicate that DAA1106 binds with higher affinity to microglia in rat models of neuroinflammation when compared with PK11195, suggesting that [11C]DAA1106 may represent a significant improvement over [11C](R)‐PK11195 for in vivo imaging of activated microglia in human neuroinflammatory disorders.
Primers and polymerase chain reaction conditions for DNA barcoding teleost fish based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b and nuclear rhodopsin genes
Authors: SEVILLA RAFAEL G. , DIEZ AMALIA , NORÉN MICHAEL , MOUCHEL OLIVIER , JÉRÔME MARC , VERREZ‐BAGNIS VÉRONIQUE , VAN PELT HILDE , FAVRE‐KREY LAURENCE , KREY GRIGORIOS , CONSORTIUM THE FISHTRACE , BAUTISTA JOSÉ M. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThis report describes a set of 21 polymerase chain reaction primers and amplification conditions developed to barcode practically any teleost fish species according to their mitochondrial cytochrome b and nuclear rhodopsin gene sequences. The method was successfully tested in more than 200 marine fish species comprising the main Actinopterygii family groups. When used in phylogenetic analyses, its combination of two genes with different evolutionary rates serves to identify fish at the species level. We provide a flow diagram indicating our validated polymerase chain reaction amplification conditions for barcoding and species identification applications as well as population structure or haplotyping analyses, adaptable to high‐throughput analyses.
Cellular senescence in human myoblasts is overcome by human telomerase reverse transcriptase and cyclin‐dependent kinase 4: consequences in aging muscle and therapeutic strategies for muscular dystrophies
Authors: Zhu Chun‐Hong , Mouly Vincent , Cooper Racquel N. , Mamchaoui Kamel , Bigot Anne , Shay Jerry W. , Di Santo James P. , Butler‐Browne Gillian S. , Wright Woodring E. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryCultured human myoblasts fail to immortalize following the introduction of telomerase. The availability of an immortalization protocol for normal human myoblasts would allow one to isolate cellular models from various neuromuscular diseases, thus opening the possibility to develop and test novel therapeutic strategies. The parameters limiting the efficacy of myoblast transfer therapy (MTT) could be assessed in such models. Finally, the presence of an unlimited number of cell divisions, and thus the ability to clone cells after experimental manipulations, reduces the risks of insertional mutagenesis by many orders of magnitude. This opportunity for genetic modification provides an approach for creating a universal donor that has been altered to be more therapeutically useful than its normal counterpart. It can be engineered to function under conditions of chronic damage (which are very different than the massive regeneration conditions that recapitulate normal development), and to overcome the biological problems such as cell death and failure to proliferate and migrate that limit current MTT strategies. We describe here the production and characterization of a human myogenic cell line, LHCN‐M2, that has overcome replicative aging due to the expression of telomerase and cyclin‐dependent kinase 4. We demonstrate that it functions as well as young myoblasts in xenotransplant experiments in immunocompromized mice under conditions of regeneration following muscle damage.
The Role of Medical Directors in Dialysis Facilities :Series Editor : Robert A. Gutman: The Dialysis Medical Director’s Role in Quality and Safety
Authors: Kliger Alan S. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe medical director of dialysis is responsible for leadership in a dialysis facility’s quality improvement activities and patient safety initiatives. The Director should have knowledge of, and an ability to utilize, Continuous Quality Improvement techniques, evidence‐based guidelines, standardized mortality, hospitalization and transplantation data and other modalities to improve systems of care.
Differential Effects of Direct Antagonism of AII Compared to ACE Inhibitors on Serum Potassium Levels and Azotemia in Patients With Severe Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Blake James , Devereux Richard B. 
Published: June 2007

Objectives. The present study was undertaken to determine if direct blockade of angiotensin II receptors by losartan potassium as compared to ACE inhibition might result in greater tolerability in patients with congestive heart failure in whom ACE inhibition resulted in hyperkalemia and azotemia.Background. Blockade of angiotensin II receptors by losartan potassium may produce similar benefits in congestive heart failure as ACE inhibition. However, some observations suggest losartan potassium may have different effects on renal function than ACE inhibition.Methods. Five consecutive patients with severe congestive heart failure were identified in whom treatment with ACE inhibition was complicated by hyperkalemia (K>5.7) and azotemia. In three of these patients losartan potassium was substituted for ACE inhibition while losartan potassium was added to treatment with ACE inhibition in the remaining two. The mean of four serial values of potassium, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine were compared before and after change in treatment using a two tailed t test.Results. The addition or substitution of losartan potassium resulted in statistically insignificant reductions in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine and a significant reduction in potassium from 5.7±0.1 to 4.9±0.3, p<0.03. Two patients who had required kayexalate were withdrawn. In all patients, hyperkalemia resolved and did not reoccur.Conclusions. There appear to be fundamental differences between the effects of losartan potassium and ACE inhibitors on potassium excretion in congestive heart failure patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency. Losartan potassium may also be associated with less azotemia in such patients. These differences may have important clinical implications, particularly in the subset of patients in whom ACE inhibition is poorly tolerated as a result of hyperkalemia and azotemia.
DETERMINING REPORTING SCHEDULES FOR ONGOING MANAGERIAL PROCESSES
Authors: HANNUM WILLIAM H. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTSetting up a system for maintaining control over an ongoing administrative process involves the problem of determining how frequently control information should be obtained. In this article a model for determining optimum reporting frequencies is described and explored from a managerial point of view emphasizing the data inputs and interpretations necessary to make the model operationally meaningful. Several forms of reporting schedules are discussed and procedures are given for determining optimum schedules under various operating conditions. An appendix contains a detailed statement of the mathematics and computations of a recursive procedure for determining an optimum schedule for a particular reporting situation and flow charts of the computer programs used for calculating optimum schedules for general use.
SOME MONEY GAMES
Authors: RENSHEW EDWARD F. , RENSHAW VERNON 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTThe authors consider three games which come directly to grips with important ideas in finance, are complex enough to be interesting, yet sufficiently simple to be explained and played in less than one class period. Their purpose is to help students become more involved in the art of economic model building and to impart a better understanding of the demand for money. It seems likely that these games can be used to test specific hypotheses about the learning process and human decision making under conditions of uncertainty.
THE ANALYSIS OF RAIL TRANSPORT PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: DeHAYES DANIEL W. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTThis study was designed to suggest and evaluate empirically a series of variables to explain the behavior of two important rail transport system performance parameters: speed and reliability of transit time. Variables related to the carriers, the economic situation, the location and the nature of the shipper/carrier interaction were tested using a combination of factor analysis and regression analysis. The results support the premise that while distance is very important in explaining rail service, other variables also contribute substantially to understanding transit time by this transport mode.
QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN THE UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULA OF AACSB MEMBER INSTITUTIONS
Authors: BURFORD ROGER L. , WILLIAMS DONALD R. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTSince the discipline of quantitative methods varies more widely from institution to institution than any other discipline, a survey was conducted to establish a profile of the undergraduate quantitative methods curricula. The survey was made among member institutions of the American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business in order to determine the current status of the structure and orientation of undergraduate programs in quantitative methods, faculty background and requirements, undergraduate course requirements for each of the major areas in business, and directions of future changes. This paper presents the survey results.
PERT: A DYNAMIC APPROACH
Authors: SHERRARD WILLIAM R. , MEHLICK FRED 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTThis paper combines learning curves with a PERT network to produce a dynamic PERT model. The dynamic model takes cognizance of the fact that many projects are of a repetitive nature and that the network may vary between runs of the project through the addition or deletion of activities attendant to producing variations of a basic model. Thus, on any given run, the activities comprising a network will exhibit varying degrees of repetitiveness.The proposed model treats the estimated completion times of activities comprising the network as a function of (1) the number of times the various activities have been repeated on prior runs of the project, and (2) the learning rate attendant to each activity. Thus, the estimated completion time for a run through the project changes as additional units are produced.A sixteen event PERT network is simulated (using the proposed dynamic model) through twenty runs of a project. The simulation is conducted under three situations; namely, with learning taking place on (1) only noncritical activities, (2) only critical activities, and (3) all activities. In all three cases the results are compared to the static PERT model. The implications of the proposed model for improved decision making are presented in the concluding remarks of the paper.
A METHODOLOGY FOR DECISION MAKING THROUGH QUEUING ANALYSIS
Authors: Gupta Jatinder N. D. , Wyskida Richard M. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTMany queuing situations present themselves in which multiple alternatives should be evaluated. This is especially true in cases where the alternatives refer to the number of service channels and types of service channels to be utilized. In such cases, it is appropriate to develop suitable queuing models and introduce the additional exogenous variables in the model graphically. This paper presents an example where such a methodology of model construction is feasible and helpful in deciding guidelines for making decisions. The working methodology is explained with a numerical illustration and guidelines for using the proposed methodology are described.
A SIMULATION STUDY OF DECENTRALIZED DECISION MAKING*
Authors: Philippakis Andreas S. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTThis study develops a heuristic procedure for decision making coordination in a decentralized organization structure. The procedure consists of simplified rules of iterative communication between decentralized units and a central agent. The central agent assigns budgeted profit levels and adjusts such levels guiding the system toward optimality.The decision making procedure developed in this study is compatible with management by objectives practices and can serve as a prototype for decentralized management.
Tutorial and Survey
Authors: Ferratt Thomas W. , Mabert Vincent A. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTThis paper illustrates the use of the Box‐Jenkins methodology by analyzing the Ohio Electrical Power Consumption time series. The three basic analytical steps discussed are the following:1) Model identification ‐ by matching sample autocorrelation functions against theoretical autocorrelation functions.2) Non‐linear estimation of parameters ‐ by minimizing the sum of the squared residuals.3) Diagnostic checking ‐ by analyzing the pattern of the autocorrelation function of the residuals.Regular and adaptive forecasts are then developed using the appropriate model that emerges from the time series analysis.
A STOCHASTIC COST VOLUME PROFIT ANALYSIS
Authors: Kim Chaiho 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTIn most models dealing with the cost‐volume‐profit analysis, the costs and price are usually assumed to be deterministic variables. In this paper, we build such models by explicitly assuming that they are stochastic variables. We then evaluate a number of statistical properties of these models and, in turn, consider the usefulness of the models for a short term financial analysis.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE DYNAMIC THEORY OF THE MULTI—PRODUCT FIRM USING THE CALCULUS OF VARIATIONS
Authors: Duvall Richard M. , Sanders Richard D. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to present the theory of the multi‐product firm in situations where the revenue function depends not only on the rate of output but also on changes in the rate of output, and, similarly, where the cost function depends on changes in the rate of factor utilization as well as the rate of their utilization. Since the analysis will utilize the calculus of variations, a general introduction to this technique is also presented. The model analyzed assumes perfect foresight and knowledge concerning the revenue, cost, and production functions, and the calculus of variations is used to derive the conditions for an extremum. The first section presents the mathematical model and the model of the firm, and the optimality conditions are discussed in the second section.
METHODOLOGICAL ANALYSIS THROUGH SYSTEMS SIMULATION
Authors: King William R. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTSimulation techniques are widely used for analyzing the policy decisions of managers. This paper presents a “higher‐level” use of simulation to analyze the modeling decisions of analysts, which models are, in turn, useful for policy analysis. Methodological systems simulation (MSS) is described in terms of a systems performance prediction problem. The MSS program is outlined and the two major uses of MSS‐evaluation of alternative models and simulation of the analyst–are described in terms of the results of simulation runs using the systems performance prediction context.
L1 ESTIMATION IN SMALL SAMPLES WITH LAPLACE ERROR DISTRIBUTIONS
Authors: Hunt Jerry G. , Dowling J. Malcolm , Glahe Fred R. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTIn this paper a Monte Carlo sampling study consisting of four experiments is described. Two error distributions were employed, the normal and the Laplace; and two small sample sizes (20 and 40) were tested. The question of simultaneous‐equation bias called for two‐stage estimators. The L1, norm was employed as a means of comparing the performance of the L1 or least squares estimators. A relatively new algorithm for computing the direct least absolute (DLA) and two‐stage least absolute (TSLA) estimators was employed for the experiments. The results confirmed the hypotheses that for non‐normal error distributions such as the Laplace the least absolute estimators were better.
A MODEL FOR EVALUATING IMPERFECT CONTROL SYSTEMS
Authors: Hannum William H. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTA model is developed for evaluating alternative control systems for an ongoing managerial process in terms of expected contribution per unit time under conditions of imperfect information. A variety of process failure distributions and economic characteristics are accepted by the model. An example illustrates the versatility of this approach for comparing alternative systems and for performing sensitivity analysis on process and control system parameters.
SUCCESSFUL INDUSTRIAL INNOVATIONS: A MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS*
Authors: Utterback James M. 
Published: June 2007

The complexity of the process through which new technology is developed requires the use of multivariate models and research hypotheses. However, few studies of innovation have attempted these tools; because of the expense of obtaining large enough samples and the qualitative or nominal nature of most data on technical change.Descriptive data are available for one large sample (n = 567) of new products and processes. Five industries are represented. These data include characteristics of the innovations such as cost and change required in the production process, and characteristics of the basic information used in their development, such as its source and initiation.While there are severe limitations and problems of reliability and validity for the data, some encouraging results have been obtained using a multivariate binary classification technique to test several hypotheses. Industry differences have been predicted on the basis of various characteristics of their successful innovations (R2= 0.27) and on the basis of communication characteristics (R2= 0.17). Some more rigorous approaches are suggested for future work.
PIECEWISE APPROXIMATION FUNCTIONS AN EDUCATIONAL NOTE*
Authors: Kraft Arthur 
Published: June 2007

This paper gives a survey of piecewise approximation functions. Aside from the use of dummy variables, little research has employed such functions. Piecewise functions permit the dependent variable of a functional relationship to take on different forms with respect to the independent variable on various subintervals of the domain of the independent variable.Three types of piecewise approximation functions are considered: dummy variables, piecewise linear regressions and cubic splines. The theoretical and empirical properties of such functions are discussed within the context of an illustrative example involving the increase in ridership over time on urban mass transit systems. Dummy variables take account of shifts in the structural relation in a discontinuous fashion. Piecewise regressions and cubic splines allow for structural shifts without discontinuities arising.Tests are performed to determine whether a linear, quadratic, or cubic piecewise continuous function should be employed. In addition a test is employed to see if structural change occurs in the functional relation at the shift points.
SOME OF THE UNDERLYING SELECTION CRITERIA FOR MIDDLE MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN FINANCIAL POSITIONS: A FACTOR ANALYTIC STUDY
Authors: Miller Edwin L. , Hill Raymond E. 
Published: June 2007

A sample of middle managers were asked to make ratings regarding the importance of thirteen variables they considered when making decisions to select candidates into the ranks of middle management. These thirteen selection variables were developed based on previous research on managerial selection by Edwin Miller and on research conducted at General Electric by another investigator.The set of decision variables was then subjected to factor analysis in an effort to recover the fundamental structure of the decision space used to select middle managers. The analysis yielded encouraging results due to the distinctness with which certain factors were indicated. Three fundamental decision criteria were suggested: (1) a leadership‐administrative skills factor, (2) a technical competence factor, and (3) a capability‐willingness to work factor. These three factors were discussed in terms of their relevance to previous research on managerial selection.
CORPORATE RISK MANAGEMENT: A MODEL AND ITS APPLICATION
Authors: Bassler John F. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTA problem faced by any corporate risk manager, once he has decided what set of properties will be insured, is to choose among the policies offered by potential insurers. This choice usually involves negotiating with insurers over the exact premium and deductible amounts which will characterize the coverage. In this paper, the problem is modeled in terms of expected utility of different forms of coverage. The model enables a risk manager to select among available terms of coverage and, more significantly, provides guidelines for him in negotiating with the insurers to obtain the best possible terms. As an illustration, an application using real data is described.