bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple‐laboratory comparison of in vitro assays utilized to characterize hematopoietic cells in cord blood
Authors: Moroff Gary , Eichler Hermann , Brand Anneke , Kekomäki Riitta , Kurtz James , Letowska Magdalena , Pamphilon Derwood , Read Elizabeth J. , Lecchi Laura Porretti, Lucilla , Reems Jo‐Anna , Sacher Ronald , Seetharaman Shalini , Takahashi Tsuneo A. ,   Biomedical Excellence for Safer Transfusion (BEST) Collaborative
Published: February 2006

BACKGROUND:  Understanding the variability in results obtained by multiple laboratories is important because cord blood units are distributed worldwide for transplantation.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Four exercises were conducted by multiple laboratories to assess assay variability on nucleated cell (NC), mononuclear cell (MNC) by hematology analyzers [HAs], and CD34+ cell (flow cytometry) measurements. Exercise 1 was an intralaboratory exercise in which the reproducibility of cell measurements was determined. Exercises 2 and 3 involved the shipment of identical processed cord blood samples. In Exercise 2, laboratory‐specific methods were utilized. In Exercise 3, two commercial CD34+ cell methods (Stem‐Kit and TruCOUNT) were used. In Exercise 4, CD34+ cell levels were determined on repetitive regating of identical list‐mode files.RESULTS:  Intralaboratory reproducibility was highest for NC measurements and lowest for CD34+ cell measurements. In Exercise 2, all laboratories except one utilized HA with an impedance technology and determined comparable results for NC and MNC levels, whereas the other laboratory utilized a HA with an optical counting method. Substantial variation was observed on measuring CD34+ cells with ranges of 32 to 141, 32 to 66, and 25 to 116 CD34+ cells per µL for the three identical samples. In Exercise 3, on the use of one specific commercial assay, the ranges of CD34+ levels were 214 to 411 and 62 to 178 cells per µL for the two identical samples. Nearly all participating laboratories determined comparable CD34+ levels on the use of identical list‐mode files.CONCLUSION:  These studies indicate that substantial variability in CD34+ cell levels were determined with flow cytometry. The variability in NC and MNC levels was minimal with HA methodology.
The Equity Impacts of Municipal Tax Incentives: Leveling or Tilting the Playing Field?
Authors: Reese Laura A. , Sands Gary 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe widespread use over the past two decades of Michigan's PA 198 Industrial Tax Abatement program provides an opportunity to assess the inter‐urban equity impacts of this economic development tool. Not only has PA 198 been used relatively more often by suburban municipalities, local governments at the metropolitan periphery are more likely to use abatements to attract new plants and new jobs. The older central cities primarily use the program to retain existing jobs, albeit at high cost of lost tax revenues. On balance, it appears that PA 198 has done little to alter the location decisions of participating firms.
Public Policy and Foreign Policy: Divergences, Intersections, Exchange
Authors: Lentner Howard H. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractPolicy studies tend to be divided between domestic matters and foreign affairs. Scholars seldom employ one another's literature, and they largely draw on different traditions within political science. This article explores the potential for cross‐fertilization and calls for greater integration of these related subfields.The argument considers the case for unity, parallelism, and overlap between domestic public policy studies and foreign policy studies. It examines the reasons for the divide and surveys a variety of attempts to find solutions for the problem of intersection at the boundary between national life and the international environment. It places the dichotomy in a broader context of political science as a whole and offers suggestions about potentially fruitful exchanges. It treats globalization and suggests that a theory of the state could be helpful to both tendencies in policy studies.
Value Conflict and Policy Change
Authors: Stewart Jenny 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe analysis of policy change has produced a number of contrasting theoretical approaches, each offering a lens through which to view policy phenomena. This article suggests that the existing menu of approaches for understanding change can be usefully complemented by an understanding of the role played by value conflict. Using institutionalist analysis, I argue that the need to make value‐choices in a nondisruptive way shapes large areas of government activity, particularly in Westminster systems, and explains many observed patterns of stability and change.Building on work by Thacher and Rein, I describe and characterize six types of response to value conflict, giving examples of the role and implications of each. It is not claimed that all policy change can be understood in this way—simply that some types of change reflect the value‐based nature of public policy itself, and the fact that political and bureaucratic systems must evolve mechanisms for dealing simultaneously with thousands of competing and conflicting policy values.
The Academic Discipline of Management and Homeland Security
Authors: Inamete Ufot B. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe aim of this article is to examine the role the academic discipline of management can play in terms of homeland security (which has emerged as a very major policy area). Specifically, this article analyzes how the accumulated research knowledge in various areas of the management discipline (for example, organizational culture studies, organizational change studies, organizational relations studies, and leadership studies) can be used (together with research knowledge from numerous other academic disciplines) to help advance homeland security as a policy area and policy phenomenon and as a field of study. In its areas shown above and other areas, this article is of the view that the academic discipline of management can make unique and important contributions to the effectiveness and efficiency of homeland security.
State‐Funded College Scholarships: General Definitions and Characteristics
Authors: Duffourc Danielle 
Published: February 2006

AbstractState‐funded scholarship programs are transforming the way citizens and policymakers think about higher education. Advocates see these programs as a remedy to problems facing the state workforce such as “brain drain” and “unequal opportunity” for a sound education. Opponents see low retention rates and the number of already‐privileged students receiving benefits as signs that these programs are not reaching their maximum potential. This article traces the development of state‐funded college scholarships from earlier need‐based programs to current merit‐based programs and outlines current debates on policy effectiveness. Currently, 14 states have a state‐funded scholarship program. Differences between programs revolve around the political and economic circumstances of each state.
Chromium‐Based Regulations Applicable to Metal Finishing Industries in the United States: A Policy Assessment
Authors: Baral Anil , Engelken Robert , Stewart Patrick 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThis article seeks to briefly evaluate the context behind the development of regulations related to chromium pollution control in metal finishing industries. The available evidence suggests the possibility of elevation of the issue to the agenda for agency rule‐making, and subsequent implementation can occur even in the absence of focusing events. Based on historical evidence, this article illustrates that gradual accumulation of knowledge of harmful effects of chromium over the period of decades has been instrumental in the formulation and implementation of standards and guidelines to regulate chromium in the environment under major statutes such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and so on. The implementation of command and control regulations has resulted in appreciable reduction of chromium released into the environment, thereby minimizing the impact on human health and the environment. However, achieving full compliance from metal finishing industries is still an illusion. There are examples of violations committed by industries. In response to this realization, policy evolution in the chromium pollution control domain has occurred in two directions: (1) gradual replacement of existing standards with more stringent standards and guidelines and (2) emphasis on multimedia, voluntary, and participatory approaches to improve compliance. But the results from the latter are not as dramatic as previously envisioned. Borrowing from the experience of the Common Sense Initiative (CSI), this article argues that consensus‐based, multistakeholder collaboration can be a policy development tool.
Pretreatment social functioning predicts 1‐year outcome in early onset psychosis
Authors: Meng H. , Schimmelmann B. G. , Mohler B. , Lambert M. , Branik E. , Koch E. , Karle M. , Strauss M. , Preuss U. , Amsler F. , Riedesser P. , Resch F. , Bürgin D. 
Published: February 2006

Objective:  The aim was to investigate the association of pretreatment social functioning (12 months before initial presentation) with symptom dimensions and social functioning at 1‐year follow‐up.Method:  Fifty‐six adolescents, age 14–18, first admitted for early onset psychosis, were evaluated at baseline and 1‐year follow‐up assessing psychopathology (PANSS), social functioning (Strauss and Carpenter Prognostic Scale), and duration of untreated psychosis (DUP).Results:  Adolescents with low pretreatment social functioning were at risk of more severe negative symptoms and lower social functioning at follow‐up. Negative symptoms at baseline were less predictive and DUP was not predictive in this sample.Conclusion:  Results of this study suggest a strong longitudinal inter‐relatedness between social functioning and negative symptoms in this age group. An integrative treatment approach including family interventions, social skills training, long‐term specialized work/school rehabilitation, and adequate antipsychotic treatment is warranted to improve both, social functioning and negative symptoms.
The Psychosocial Outcomes of Total and Subtotal Hysterectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Flory Nicole , Bissonnette François , Amsel Rhonda T. , Binik Yitzchak M. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Current controversies involve the adverse effects of hysterectomy on women's psychosocial functioning and whether subtotal as opposed to total hysterectomy mitigates these effects.

Aim
To investigate the psychosocial effects of hysterectomy by examining sexual, pain, and psychological outcomes of total vs. subtotal hysterectomy in a randomized controlled trial.

Methods
Patients suffering from benign gynecological conditions were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (i) total hysterectomy, that is, laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (TOT, N = 32); or (ii) subtotal hysterectomy, that is, supracervical laparoscopic hysterectomy (SUB, N = 31). Both groups were premenopausal and underwent hysterectomy without concurrent oophorectomy. Two premenopausal control groups: (i) minor gynecological surgery (SURG-CON, N = 30); and (ii) healthy nonsurgical controls (NORM-CON, N = 40), were also tested. All surgical groups were assessed 2–3 weeks before surgery and then 6–7 months afterward; the nonsurgical control group was assessed at the time of recruitment and 6–7 months later.

Outcome Measures
Assessments included semistructured interviews, standardized questionnaires, and standardized gynecological examinations.

Results
For the TOT group, sexual drive, arousal, and sexual behavior significantly improved postoperatively. For the SUB group, sexual behavior and overall sexual functioning significantly improved. For both TOT and SUB groups, unprovoked pain in the abdomen and pain in the abdomen during gynecological examinations was significantly reduced. For both TOT and SUB groups, overall psychological functioning did not significantly change postoperatively. Although between 3% and 16% of women undergoing hysterectomy reported adverse changes in psychosocial well-being after surgery, similar percentages of women in the control groups reported such effects.

Conclusions
Hysterectomy resulted in a consistent reduction in abdominal pain, some improvement in sexual functioning, but no change in overall psychological functioning. There was no evidence supporting the idea that subtotal hysterectomy produced more favorable psychosocial outcomes than total hysterectomy nor was there any evidence that either type of hysterectomy resulted in adverse effects.
Validation of a skinfold based index for tracking proportional changes in lean mass
Authors: Slater G J , Duthie G M , Pyne D B , Hopkins W G 
Published: February 2006

Background:The lean mass index (LMI) is a new empirical measure that tracks within-subject proportional changes in body mass adjusted for changes in skinfold thickness.Objective:To compare the ability of the LMI and other skinfold derived measures of lean mass to monitor changes in lean mass.Methods:20 elite rugby union players undertook full anthropometric profiles on two occasions 10 weeks apart to calculate the LMI and five skinfold based measures of lean mass. Hydrodensitometry, deuterium dilution, and dual energyxray absorptiometry provided a criterion choice, four compartment (4C) measure of lean mass for validation purposes. Regression based measures of validity, derived for within-subject proportional changes through log transformation, included correlation coefficients and standard errors of the estimate.Results:The correlation between change scores for the LMI and 4C lean mass was moderate (0.37, 90% confidence interval −0.01 to 0.66) and similar to the correlations for the other practical measures of lean mass (range 0.26 to 0.42). Standard errors of the estimate for the practical measures were in the range of 2.8–2.9%. The LMI correctly identified the direction of change in 4C lean mass for 14 of the 20 athletes, compared with 11 to 13 for the other practical measures of lean mass.Conclusions:The LMI is probably as good as other skinfold based measures for tracking lean mass and is theoretically more appropriate. Given the impracticality of the 4C criterion measure for routine field use, the LMI may offer a convenient alternative for monitoring physique changes, provided its utility is established under various conditions.
Counselling increases physical activity behaviour nine weeks after rehabilitation
Authors: van der Ploeg H P , Streppel K R M , van der Beek A J , van der Woude L H V , Vollenbroek-Hutten M M R , van Harten W H , van Mechelen W 
Published: February 2006

Background:For people with disabilities, a physically active lifestyle can reduce the risk of secondary health problems and improve overall functioning.Objectives:To determine the effects of the sport stimulation programme “rehabilitation and sports” (R&S) and R&S combined with the daily physical activity promotion programme “active after rehabilitation” (AaR) on sport participation and daily physical activity behaviour nine weeks after inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation.Methods:Subjects in four intervention rehabilitation centres were randomised to a group receiving R&S only (n  =  315) or a group receiving R&S and AaR (n  =  284). Subjects in six control rehabilitation centres (n  =  603) received the usual care. Most common diagnoses were stroke, neurological disorders, and back disorders. Two sport and two daily physical activity outcomes were assessed with questionnaires seven weeks before and nine weeks after the end of rehabilitation. Data were analysed by intention to treat and on treatment multilevel analyses, comparing both intervention groups with the control group.Results:The R&S group showed no significant change. Intention to treat analyses of the R&S+AaR group showed significant improvements in one sport (p  =  0.02) and one physical activity outcome (p  =  0.03). On treatment analyses in the R&S+AaR group showed significant improvements in both sport outcomes (p<0.01 and p  =  0.02) and one physical activity outcome (p<0.01).Conclusions:Only the combination of R&S and AaR had increased sports participation and daily physical activity behaviour nine weeks after the end of inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation.
Injuries among elite snowboarders (FIS Snowboard World Cup)
Authors: Torjussen J , Bahr R 
Published: February 2006

Background:Although snowboarding is already established as an Olympic sport, it is still a developing sport, with new disciplines, more demanding snow installations, and spectacular tricks. A recent study on subjects at Norwegian national elite level showed that injury risk is high and that injuries among competitive snowboarders differ from those seen in recreational snowboarders, with fewer wrist injuries and more knee and back injuries.Objective:To describe the incidence and type of injuries among female and male snowboarders at international elite level.Method:At the last race of the Fédération Internationale de Ski Snowboard World Cup, acute injuries resulting in missed participation and overuse injuries influencing performance, were recorded during a retrospective interview (91% response rate). The registration period was from April 2002 (end of season) until March 2003. Exposure was recorded as the number of runs in all disciplines, and the incidence was calculated as number of injuries per 1000 runs.Results:The 258 athletes interviewed reported 3193 competition days (n = 46 879 runs) in all disciplines. In total, 135 acute injuries were recorded; 62 (46%) during competition in the official disciplines. Of the 135 acute injuries, the most common injury locations were knee (n = 24; 18%), shoulder (n = 18; 13%), back (n = 17; 13%), and wrist (n = 11; 8%). The overall incidence during competition was 1.3 (95% confidence interval 1.0 to 1.7) injuries per 1000 runs; 2.3 (0.9 to 3.8) for big air (n = 10), 1.9 (1.1 to 2.8) for halfpipe (n = 21), 2.1 (1.2 to 3.0) for snowboard cross (n = 20), 0.6 (0.2 to 1.0) for parallel giant slalom (n = 8), and 0.3 (0.0 to 0.7) for parallel slalom (n = 3). The severity of injuries was graded based on time loss (27% lost >21 days) and score on the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) (38% AIS 1, 61% AIS 2 and 1% AIS 3). There were 122 overuse injuries, 38 (31%) of these to the knee.Conclusion:The injury risk for big air, snowboard cross, and halfpipe disciplines is high, while that for the snowboard slalom disciplines is lower. The injury pattern is different from recreational athletes, with a greater share of knee injuries and fewer wrist injuries. Compared with national level, the injury risk appears to be lower at World Cup level.
Calcitonin gene related peptide and neuropeptide Y in skeletal muscle after eccentric exercise: a microdialysis study
Authors: Jonhagen S , Ackermann P , Saartok T , Renstrom P A 
Published: February 2006

Objectives:To detect neuropeptides in human skeletal muscle at rest and after eccentric exercise.Method:Eight healthy subjects participated in the study. Microdialysis of the distal part of the vastus lateralis of the quadriceps muscle and pain evaluation were performed immediately after eccentric exercise, after two days, and at rest. Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), representatives of the sensory and autonomic nervous system, were analysed by radioimmunoassay.Results:Overall, the measured concentrations were low, some even below the limit of detection. At rest, CGRP was detected in two of seven samples, but after eccentric exercise it was detected in 27 of 30 samples. At rest, all NPY concentrations were below the limit of detection, but after exercise it was found in six of 30 samples.Conclusion:The significant increase in detectability of CGRP after eccentric exercise may be related to the increased experience of pain. Therefore the occurrence of CGRP after heavy eccentric exercise may be associated with the regulation of delayed onset muscle soreness and possibly also the stimulation of tissue regeneration.
Nestin expression in odontoblasts and odontogenic ectomesenchymal tissue of odontogenic tumours
Authors: Fujita S , Hideshima K , Ikeda T 
Published: February 2006

Background:Nestin, one of the intermediate filaments constituting the cytoskeleton, is a marker of neural stem cells or progenitor cells. Its expression is also related to tooth development and repair of dentine.Aims:The aim of this study was to investigate nestin expression in various odontogenic tumours and evaluate its usefulness for histopathological diagnosis.Methods:We studied formalin fixed, paraffin embedded specimens from 129 cases of odontogenic tumours and 9 of mandibular intraosseous myxoma. After characterisation of odontogenic ectomesenchymal tissues in these tumours using antibodies to vimentin, desmin, neurofilament, and glial fibrillary acidic protein, we immunohistochemically examined nestin expression.Results:No differentiation towards muscle and nervous tissues was found in the odontogenic ectomesenchymal tissues. Although almost all the ameloblastomas and malignant ameloblastomas were negative for nestin, odontogenic ectomesenchyme in the odontogenic mixed tumours demonstrated nestin immunolocalisation, particularly in the region adjacent to the odontogenic epithelium. Odontoblasts and their processes, pulp cells near the positive odontoblasts, and flat cells adhering to the dentine showed immunoreaction with nestin in the odontomas and odontoma-like component in the ameloblastic fibro-odontomas. Neoplastic cells in almost half cases of jaw myxoma and one case of odontogenic fibroma expressed nestin.Conclusions:The distribution of nestin in the odontogenic mixed tumours suggests that nestin expression in the odontogenic ectomesenchyme is upregulated by stimulation from odontogenic epithelium. In addition, nestin may also be involved in the differentiation from pulp cells to odontoblasts in odontogenic tumours. Therefore, nestin is a useful marker for the odontogenic ectomesenchyme and odontoblasts in odontogenic tumours.Nestin, one of the intermediate filaments constituting the cytoskeleton, is a marker of neural stem cells or progenitor cells. Its expression is also related to tooth development and repair of dentine.