bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social climate within secure inpatient services for people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Langdon P. E. , Swift A. , Budd R. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground The social climate of inpatient facilities is thought to be an important contributor to treatment outcome. However, little research has focused on this construct within secure forensic services for people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the social climate of two different types of secure units (‘low’ secure vs. ‘medium’ secure) contained within the same facility for offenders with ID. Two hypotheses were generated: (1) residents would rate the social climate of the whole facility in a more negative direction than staff, and (2) residents and staff would rate the social climate of the ‘low’ secure unit in a more positive direction than that of the ‘medium’ secure unit.Method Using a 2 (factor ‘Participant’ = Staff or Resident) × 2 (factor ‘Unit’ = ‘Low’ or ‘Medium’ Secure Unit) between‐subjects design, 18 residents and 37 staff members were recruited and completed the Correctional Institutions Environment Scale (CIES), a measure of social climate.Results Residents tended to rate the units in a more positive direction than staff on some sub‐scales. Participants rated the ‘low’ secure unit in a more positive direction than the ‘medium’ secure unit on two sub‐scales of the CIES. However, on selected sub‐scales there were differences. The findings of this study suggest that the CIES may be a valid instrument for use within forensic services for people with ID, and further suggests that residents and staff have different perceptions of the shared social climate, which may have implications for service development.
Induction of Interleukin‐6 Release from Monocytes by Serine Proteinases and its Potential Mechanisms
Authors: Li T. , Wang H. , He S. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractSerine proteinases have been recognized playing an important role in inflammation via proteinase‐activated receptors (PAR). However, little is known of the influence of serine proteinases and PAR on interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) secretion from highly purified monocytes. We challenged monocytes from human peripheral blood with serine proteinases and agonist peptides of PAR and measured the levels of IL‐6, IL‐1β and IL‐12 in culture supernatants by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that thrombin, trypsin, tryptase and elastase stimulated approximately up to 2.9‐, 2.0‐, 1.8‐ and 2.1‐fold increase in IL‐6 release from monocytes following 16 h of incubation, respectively. Proteinase inhibitors inhibited the actions of proteinases on monocytes. Agonist peptides of PAR‐1 (SFLLR‐NH3) and PAR‐4 (GYPGQV‐NH2), but not PAR‐3 (TFRGAP‐NH2), also induced IL‐6 release from monocytes. The proteinases and agonists of PAR failed to stimulate IL‐1β and IL‐12 secretion. In conclusion, the induction of IL‐6 secretion by serine proteinases may be through the activation of PAR.
The preservation potential of some recent stromatolites
Authors: PARK ROBERT K. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTStromatolites are laminated organo‐sedimentary structures, generally compared to present day blue‐green algal mats. Their morphology, species composition and overall extent are largely governed by the amount of wetting, although other factors such as competition, predation and desiccation, also contribute.The Trucial Coast mats are essentially intertidal. Stromatolite accretion rates in this area are of the order of 0·2 mm p.a. but lamina growth is far from regular. The area is also characterized by the development of evaporites, especially gypsum which proves to be an important agent of mat destruction. The growth of crystals causes disruption within the upper portions of the stromatolite section with the result that none of the upper intertidal mat forms are preserved. Other agencies of destruction include bacterial decay, desiccation and dehydration, and compaction under burial which may depress and deform the original mat relief. Decay results in the almost total loss of cellular contents, only a few empty sheaths and the pigment surviving into the fossil record.Preservation may be effected via (a) burial or (b) lithification. However, few modern algal mat structures bear any resemblance to fossil stromatolite heads with the exception of those from Shark Bay. From this, one might infer that pene‐contemporaneous lithification is a prerequisite for their preservation.
A Histochemical Investigation of Different Distribution of TSH Cells in Adenohypophsis of Female and Male Rats
Authors: Kum S. , Eren U. , Sandikci M. , Musal B. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryThe aim of the present study was to investigate histochemically the localization of thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) cells and the number of TSH cells in adenohypophysis of ovariectomized adult females, intact females at estrous and diestrous phase of sexual cycles and castrated and non‐castrated adult male rats. TSH cells, distributed throughout the pars distalis in all groups, were observed more frequent in areas near to the pars intermedia than other regions. The cells were round, ovoid, stellar‐shaped and had contacts with sinusoids. Their nuclei were large and round‐shaped. The cells were found mostly single or occasionally in groups of double and triple. The number of TSH cells was higher in estrous than diestrous phase in intact rats. In adenohypophysis of ovariectomized rats, their numbers were less than that of intacts in estrous, but higher than that of found in diestrous phases. Furthermore, the numbers of TSH cells in intact females during estrous phase was higher than those found in intact and castrated male rats. On the other hand, castration reduced the number of TSH cells while ovariectomy had no effect in this respect.
In vitro efficacy of 75 essential oils against Aspergillus niger
Authors: Pawar V. C. , Thaker V. S. 
Published: June 2006

Summary Aspergillus niger is an opportunistic human pathogen and a strong air pollutant. A study was conducted with 75 different essential oils for the inhibition of hyphal growth and spore formation in Aspergillus niger. Cinnamomum zeylanicum (bark), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (leaf), Cinnamomum cassia, Syzygium aromaticum and Cymbopogon citratus were the top five essential oils which demonstrated marked inhibitory effect against hyphal growth and spore formation of A. niger. The chemical composition of these five most active essential oils was investigated by gas chromatography–mass spectra (GC–MS). Most of the other essential oils were found challenging to combat A. niger, suggesting their use as strong aroma therapeutic agents.
Incidence and odds ratio of appendicitis as first manifestation of colon cancer: A retrospective analysis of 1873 patients
Authors: Lai Hung‐Wen , Loong Che‐Chuan , Tai Ling‐Chen , Wu Chew‐Wun , Lui Wing‐Yiu 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Obstruction of the lumen of the appendix is the major cause of appendicitis. Tumors could obstruct this lumen and cause appendicitis in the elderly. The association between appendicitis and colon cancer has not been sufficiently investigated, and this study was designed to clarify this association.Methods:  This was a retrospective study. Patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis from January 1998 to December 2003 at the Taipei Veterans General Hospital were surveyed. Patients found to have colon cancers immediately or subsequently after appendectomy were included and analyzed.Results:  A total of 1873 patients were diagnosed as having appendicitis of whom 16 were found to have colon cancer. The incidence of appendicitis associated with colon cancer was 0.85%. The time from appendectomy to the recognition of colonic cancer was at a median delay of 5.8 months. From the Taiwan Cancer Research Annual Report, the incidence of colon cancer was 31.91/100 000 in the year 2000. The odds ratio of colon cancer incidence had a 38.5‐fold increase among patients older than 40 with acute appendicitis.Conclusions:  In patients over 40 years who present with symptoms of acute appendicitis the possibility of a coexistent colonic neoplasm should always be kept in mind. These patients should undergo colonoscopy 6 weeks after surgery to exclude the possibility of a coexistent colorectal cancer.
Pause, prompt and praise – peer tutored reading for pupils with learning difficulties
Authors: Burns Eila 
Published: June 2006

Eila Burns undertook the enquiry that is the subject of this article while studying for her MEd degree at the University of Birmingham. She is now a lecturer in teacher education at Jyvaskyla University of Applied Sciences in Finland. The project she describes here aimed to assess the effectiveness of peer tutoring and the advantages of the structured ‘pause, prompt and praise’ reading method in improving reading skills among pupils working in Key Stage 4. Action research was undertaken in a secondary level special school catering for pupils with moderate learning difficulties (MLD) in order to explore the benefits of establishing such interventions within special school environment.The pause, prompt and praise reading sessions were conducted at the beginning of lessons, employing same‐age peer tutors and using subject‐based texts. The findings reveal that, after a slow start, the tutees' rates of self‐correction began to rise, indicating improvements in reading skills. Eila Burns also reports growing skills and confidence in the tutors, suggesting benefits for all involved in the peer tutoring process. She describes, in detail, interesting differences between outcomes for the different tutor‐tutee pairings in her work and proposes a number of ways in which her small‐scale enquiry could be taken forward. The implications of this study are, however, very encouraging for practitioners considering the use of peer tutoring in their own environments.
Changing Understandings of ‘Public’ and ‘Private’ in Higher Education: the United Kingdom Case
Authors: Tight Malcolm 
Published: June 2006

AbstractWhere does higher education in the United Kingdom sit today in terms of the public–private distinction, and what does that distinction mean in the higher education context? This article considers these questions and related issues, noting how the particular example of the United Kingdom compares with other systems internationally. Following a historical exploration of the meaning of ‘public’, ‘private’ and other related terms, an examination is undertaken of their currency during the post‐war period in the UK higher education system. This is exemplified through an analysis of the two major British higher education reports of the last 50 years – the Robbins Report of 1963 and the Dearing Report of 1997. It is argued that the contemporary UK higher education system could be seen as suffering from the worst of both worlds, trapped between and suffering from the seemingly contrary pressures of privatisation and nationalisation.
Levels of matrix metalloproteinases‐8 and ‐9 with simultaneous presence of periodontal pathogens in gingival crevicular fluid as well as matrix metalloproteinase‐9 and cholesterol in blood
Authors: Söder B. , Airila Månsson S. , Söder P‐Ö , Kari K , Meurman J 
Published: June 2006

Background and Objectives:  To investigate the levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) ‐8 and ‐9 with the simultaneous presence of periodontal pathogens in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) as well as MMP‐9 and cholesterol in blood. Although bacterial pathogens are required to initiate the periodontal disease process, in some individuals the reaction to bacteria may lead to an excessive host response, resulting in a general inflammatory response.Methods:  MMP‐9 and lipids were analyzed from the blood samples of 33 subjects with a 16‐year history and oral health records of periodontal disease as well as from 31 periodontally healthy controls. Information was obtained on education, body mass index, and family history of atherosclerosis. GCF was taken to determine MMP‐8 and MMP‐9 levels, and bacterial samples were simultaneously collected for polymerase chain reaction assessment of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola. Analysis of variance, chi‐squared test, and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the results.Results:  Demographic data showed significant differences between patients and controls in smoking (P < 0.01), body mass index (P < 0.05), family history of atherosclerotic disease (P < 0.01), and education (P < 0.01). Significant differences were also observed in oral health data, in the detection of P. gingivalis (P < 0.001), P. intermedia (P < 0.01), P nigrescens (P < 0.001), and T. forsythia (P < 0.001) and in the levels of MMP‐8 and MMP‐9 in GCF between patients and controls. T. forsythia[odds ratio(OR) 10.1; P = 0.001] and age (OR 5.54; P = 0.008) appeared to be the main independent predictors for high MMP‐8 in GCF. Patients had significantly higher total cholesterol (P < 0.01), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.05), and triglycerides (P < = 0.01) than controls. Plasma levels of MMP‐9 were significantly higher in patients than in controls (P = 0.001).Conclusions:  Specific periodontal microorganisms appeared to induce host response, with increased release of MMP‐8 and MMP‐9 in gingival pockets as well as of MMP‐9 in plasma, possibly triggering its up‐regulation in blood.
The effect of Emdogain® on the growth and differentiation of rat bone marrow cells
Authors: Van Den Dolder J. , Vloon A. P. G. , Jansen J. A. 
Published: June 2006

Background and Objective:  The major extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in developing enamel can induce and maintain the formation and mineralization of other skeletal hard tissue, such as bone. Therefore, dental matrix proteins are ideal therapeutic agents when direct formation of functional bone is required for a successful clinical outcome. Emdogain® (EMD) consists of enamel matrix proteins which are known to stimulate bone formation. However, only a few studies in the literature have reported the effect of EMD on osteoblast‐like cells in vitro.Material and Methods:  In this study, rat bone marrow cells, obtained from the femora of Wistar rats, were precultured for 7 d in osteogenic medium. Then, the cells were harvested and seeded in 24‐well plates at a concentration of 20,000 cells/well. The wells were either precoated with 100 µg/ml EMD, or left uncoated. The seeded cells were cultured in osteogenic medium for 32 d and analysed for cell attachment (by using the Live and Dead assay), cell growth (by determining DNA content) and cell differentiation (by measuring alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium content, and by using scanning electron microscopy and the reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction).Results:  The results showed that at the 4‐h time point of the experiment, more cells were attached to EMD‐negative wells, but this effect was no longer apparent at 24 h. DNA analysis revealed that both groups showed a similar linear trend of cell growth. No differences in alkaline phosphatase activity or calcium content were observed, and no differences in gene expression (osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase and collagen type I) were found between the groups.Conclusion:  Based on our results, we conclude that EMD had no significant effect on the cell growth and differentiation of rat bone marrow cells.
The Role of Real Options in Capital Budgeting: Theory and Practice1
Authors: McDonald Robert L. 
Published: June 2006

Most discussions of capital budgeting take for granted that discounted cash flow (DCF) and real options valuation (ROV) are very different methods that are meant to be applied in different circumstances. Such discussions also typically assume that DCF is “easy” and ROV is “hard”—or at least dauntingly unfamiliar—and that, mainly for this reason, managers often use DCF and rarely ROV. This paper argues that all three assumptions are wrong or at least seriously misleading.DCF and ROV both assign a present value to risky future cash flows. DCF entails discounting expected future cash flows at the expected return on an asset of comparable risk. ROV uses “risk‐neutral” valuation, which means computing expected cash flows based on “risk‐neutral” probabilities and discounting these flows at the risk‐free rate. Using a series of single‐period examples, the author demonstrates that both methods, when done correctly, should provide the same answer. Moreover, in most ROV applications—those where there is no forward price or “replicating portfolio” of traded assets—a “preliminary” DCF valuation is required to perform the risk‐neutral valuation.So why use ROV at all? In cases where project risk and the discount rates are expected to change over time, the risk‐neutral ROV approach will be easier to implement than DCF (since adjusting cash flow probabilities is more straightforward than adjusting discount rates). The author uses multi‐period examples to illustrate further both the simplicity of ROV and the strong assumptions required for a typical DCF valuation.But the simplicity that results from discounting with risk‐free rates is not the only benefit of using ROV instead of—or together with—traditional DCF. The use of formal ROV techniques may also encourage managers to think more broadly about the flexibility that is (or can be) built into future business decisions, and thus to choose from a different set of possible investments. To the extent that managers who use ROV have effectively adopted a different business model, there is a real and important difference between the two valuation techniques. Consistent with this possibility, much of the evidence from both surveys and academic studies of managerial behavior and market pricing suggests that managers and investors implicitly take account of real options when making investment decisions.
How Kimberly‐Clark Uses Real Options
Authors: Amram Martha , Li Fanfu , Perkins Cheryl A. 
Published: June 2006

During the past five years, Kimberly‐Clark (K‐C) has faced a familiar management challenge: How can senior managers bring the rigor and discipline used to make daily operating decisions to the uncertain and risky world of innovation? The challenge was particularly acute at K‐C because the company is well known for its reliance on Return On Invested Capital (ROIC) and Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), both measures that are widely believed to lead to undervaluation of projects with risky upside potential.This article discusses how and why K‐C adopted and now uses the real options approach to project evaluation and management. The authors also share some lessons learned during the adoption process, including how the company adapted the real options framework to its own circumstances and requirements. The K‐C experience shows that successful adoption rests on a number of factors that have less to do with the rigor or precision of quantitative models than with matters of corporate process and organizational design.
Expectations‐Based Management
Authors: Copeland Tom , Dolgoff Aaron 
Published: June 2006

The authors begin by summarizing the results of their recently published study of the relation between stock returns and changes in several annual performance measures, including not only growth in earnings and EVA, but changes during the year in analysts' expectations about future earnings over three different periods: (1) the current year; (2) the following year; and (3) the three‐year period thereafter. The last of these measures—changes in analysts' expectations about three‐ to five‐year earnings—had by far the greatest explanatory “power” of any of the measures tested.Besides being consistent with the stock market's taking a long‐term, DCF approach to the valuation of companies, the authors' finding that investors seem to care most about earnings three to five years down the road has a number of important implications for financial management: First, a business unit doesn't necessarily create shareholder value if its return on capital exceeds the weighted average cost of capital—nor does an operation that fails to earn its WACC necessarily reduce value. To create value, the business's return must exceed what investors are expecting. Second, without forecasting returns on capital, management should attempt to give investors a clear sense of the firm's internal benchmarks, both for existing businesses and new investment. Third, management incentive plans should be based on stock ownership rather than stock options. Precisely because stock prices reflect expectations, the potential for prices to get ahead of realities gives options‐laden managers a strong temptation to manipulate earnings and manage for the short term.
Forensic Science
Authors: Giannelli Paul C. 
Published: June 2006

The United States Supreme Court has long recognized the value of scientific evidence – especially when compared to other types of evidence such as eyewitness identifications, confessions, and informant testimony. For example, inEscobedo v. Illinois, the Court observed: “We have learned the lesson of history, ancient and modern, that a system of criminal law enforcement which comes to depend on the –confession— will, in the long run, be less reliable and more subject to abuses than a system which depends on extrinsic evidence independently secured through skillful investigation.” Similarly, inDavis v. Mississippi, the Court commented:Detention for fingerprinting may constitute a much less serious intrusion upon personal security than other types of police searches and detentions. Fingerprinting involves none of the probing into an individual's private life and thoughts that marks an interrogation or search. Nor can fingerprint detention be employed repeatedly to harass any individual, since the police need only one set of each person's prints. Furthermore, fingerprinting is an inherently more reliable and effective crime-solving tool than eyewitness identifications or confessions and is not subject to such abuses as the improper line-up and the “third degree.”
Implicit Uncertainty Propagation for Robust Collaborative Optimization
Authors: (Stacey) Gu Xiaoyu , Renaud John E. , Penninger Charles L. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIn this research we develop a mathematical construct for estimating uncertainties within the bilevel optimization framework of collaborative optimization. The collaborative optimization strategy employs decomposition techniques that decouple analysis tools in order to facilitate disciplinary autonomy and parallel execution. To ensure consistency of the physical artifact being designed, interdisciplinary consistency constraints are introduced at the system level. These constraints implicitly enforce multidisciplinary consistency when satisfied. The decomposition employed in collaborative optimization prevents the use of explicit propagation techniques for estimating uncertainties of system performance. In this investigation, we develop and evaluate an implicit method for estimating system performance uncertainties within the collaborative optimization framework. The methodology accounts for both the uncertainty associated with design inputs and the uncertainty of performance predictions from other disciplinary simulation tools. These implicit uncertainty estimates are used as the basis for a new robust collaborative optimization (RCO) framework. The bilevel robust optimization strategy developed in this research provides for disciplinary autonomy in system design, while simultaneously accounting for performance uncertainties to ensure feasible robustness of the resulting system. The method is effective in locating a feasible robust optimum in application studies involving a multidisciplinary aircraft concept sizing problem. The system-level consistency constraint formulation used in this investigation avoids the computational difficulties normally associated with convergence in collaborative optimization. The consistency constraints are formulated to have the inherent properties necessary for convergence of general nonconvex problems when performing collaborative optimization.