bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adjustment to colostomy: stoma acceptance, stoma care self‐efficacy and interpersonal relationships
Authors: Simmons Kingsley L. , Smith Jane A. , Bobb Karen‐Ann , Liles Laura L.M. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractTitle.  Adjustment to colostomy: stoma acceptance, stoma care self‐efficacy and interpersonal relationships Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to examine adjustment and its relationship with stoma acceptance and social interaction, and the link between stoma care self‐efficacy and adjustment in the presence of acceptance and social interactions.Background. There have been significant advances in stoma appliances and an increase in nurses specialising in stoma care. Despite this, a large proportion of patients continue to experience adjustment problems, which suggests that improvements in the management of the stoma are by themselves not enough to enhance psychosocial functioning. Illness acceptance and interpersonal relationships are widely reported as correlates of adjustment to chronic illness, but these have not been specifically examined in patients with a colostomy. Evidence of their association could offer stoma therapists alternative ways of aiding adjustment.Method.  Between 2000 and 2002, 51 patients with colostomies provided demographic and clinical data and completed validated questionnaires to measure acceptance of the stoma, relationship with others and stoma care self‐efficacy 6 months after surgery.Findings. Multiple regression analysis showed that stoma care self‐efficacy, stoma acceptance, interpersonal relationship and location of the stoma were strongly associated with adjustment. The model explained 77% of the variance. Stoma‐care self‐efficacy accounted for 57·5%, the psychosocial variables 13% and location of the stoma 4·6%. The addition of gender, which was not statistically significant (P > 0·05), explained a further 1·9% of the variance.Conclusion.  Addressing psychosocial concerns should become part of the care routinely given to stoma patients. We recommend more emphasis on dispelling negative thoughts and encouraging social interactions.
Characteristics of patient and healthcare service utilization associated with inappropriate hospitalization days
Authors: Hwang Jee‐In 
Published: November 2007

AbstractTitle.  Characteristics of patient and healthcare service utilization associated with inappropriate hospitalization days Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to examine the number of inappropriate days of hospitalization and to identify the characteristics of patient and healthcare service utilization associated with inappropriate hospital stays.Background.  Inappropriate hospitalization stays are recognized as an important indication of the misuse of healthcare services, but the published literature shows inconsistent findings on factors influencing this.Method.  A descriptive, correlational study was carried out in September 2005, with a patient survey and a review of patient records. Data were collected for 383 patients discharged from eight general nursing care units in a tertiary teaching hospital in Korea. Inappropriate hospitalization days were defined as inpatient days not requiring continuous and active medical, nursing or paramedical treatment provided by hospital services, and were judged using the Korean version of the Appropriate Evaluation Protocol. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with inappropriate hospitalization days.Findings.  A total of 3076 hospitalization days were reviewed. The average proportion that were inappropriate was 5·1% (±16·0) per patient, and 14·1% of patients were determined to have had at least one inappropriate hospitalization day. The most common reason judged as appropriate was need for nursing/life support services. Statistically significant factors associated with inappropriate stay included gender, age, primary disease, length of stay and ward bed occupancy level during the patient’s hospitalization.Conclusion.  Managers should take into account patient and clinical characteristics to promote better utilization of hospital resources.
Nurse absenteeism and workload: negative effect on restraint use, incident reports and mortality
Authors: Unruh Lynn , Joseph Lindell , Strickland Margaret 
Published: November 2007

AbstractTitle.  Nurse absenteeism and workload: negative effect on restraint use, incident reports and mortality Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to assess the impact of nurse absenteeism on the quality of patient care.Background.  Nurse absenteeism is a growing management concern. It can contribute to understaffed units, staffing instability, and other factors that could have a negative impact on patient care. The impacts of absenteeism on the quality of nursing care have rarely been studied.Method.  Retrospective monthly data from incident reports and staffing records in six inpatient units for 2004 were analysed. Dependent variables were the numbers of restraints, alternatives to restraints, incident reports, deaths, and length of stay. Explanatory variables were nurse absenteeism hours, patient days per nursing staff, and interaction between these variables. Controls were patient acuity and unit characteristics. Fixed effects regressions were analysed as regular or negative binomial models.Findings.  Neither high Registered Nurse absenteeism nor high patient load was related to restraint use when taken separately. However, high Registered Nurse absenteeism was related to restraint use when patient load was high. Registered Nurse absenteeism was related to a lower use of alternatives to restraints. Incident reports were increased by high patient load, but not absenteeism, or absenteeism given patient load. When both patient load and absenteeism were high, deaths were higher also.Conclusion.  Absenteeism alone may not be a strong factor in lowering quality, but the combination of high Registered Nurse absenteeism and high patient load could be a factor. Staffing and absenteeism may be part of a vicious cycle in which low staffing contributes to unit absenteeism, which contributes to low staffing, and so on.
Electron backscatter diffraction documents randomly orientated c‐axes in moonmilk calcite fibres: evidence for biologically induced precipitation
Authors: RICHTER DETLEV K. , IMMENHAUSER ADRIAN , NEUSER ROLF D. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractMoonmilk represents a conspicuous but controversially discussed precipitate of cave settings. Here, new electron backscatter diffraction microscopic and petrographic evidence on the origin of moonmilk calcite is presented. Calcite fibres in a moonmilk mat from the walls of an active cave (Tunnel‐Cave) in Devonian massive limestones in the northern part of the Rhenish Massif (Germany) show orientations of the crystallographic c‐axis independent of the morphological fibre orientation. This observation and the morphology of the fibres are in agreement with microbially induced, as opposed to abiogenic, calcite precipitation. Carbon‐isotope data are higher (1·9 to 3·3‰) than those commonly measured regionally in speleothem calcite (stalagmites, stalactites and flowstones), an observation attributed to kinetic effects. In combination, these findings add independent evidence to the complex interplay of inorganic and bio‐induced carbonate precipitation in cave environments.
Heat flow of the eastern Canadian rifted continental margin revisited
Authors: Goutorbe Bruno , Drab Laureen , Loubet Nicolas , Lucazeau Francis 
Published: November 2007

AbstractContinental shelves are regions where heat flow is not measured directly by conventional marine techniques, but estimated from oil exploration data with possible bias. In order to overcome this problem, we recently proposed a method based on neural networks (Geophys J Int 2006, 166:115) that provides better constraints on thermal conductivity: it allowed us to derive 161 heat flow estimates on the eastern margin of Canada, where previous studies had concluded to the existence of heat flow higher than that in the adjacent continent and ocean. We conversely found rather homogeneous values (∼45–55 mW m−2) all along and across the margins, from Labrador to Nova Scotia. The difference seems essentially related to the porosity of sediments that was not taken into account in previous studies. Our results support a high asymmetry for the conjugate Iberian‐Canadian margins, and could indicate that mantle heat flow increases abruptly from the Canadian shield to the margins.
Transferring to insulin detemir from NPH insulin or insulin glargine in type 2 diabetes patients on basal‐only therapy with oral antidiabetic drugs improves glycaemic control and reduces weight gain and risk of hypoglycaemia: 14‐week follow‐up data from PREDICTIVE™
Authors: Dornhorst A. , Lüddeke H.‐J. , Koenen C. , Meriläinen M. , King A. , Robinson A. , Sreenan S. ,   PREDICTIVE Study Group
Published: November 2007

Aim:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of insulin detemir in type 2 diabetes patients previously receiving NPH insulin (NPH group, n = 175) or insulin glargine (glargine group, n = 118) in combination with oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs).Methods:  Patients were transferred to insulin detemir, while the OAD regimen and number of injections remained the same. The incidence of serious adverse drug reactions, including major hypoglycaemia, and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting glucose, within‐patient fasting glucose variability and body weight change were measured at 14 weeks.Results:  Glycaemic control improved in both NPH (HbA1c = −0.2%, p < 0.05; fasting glucose −1.0 mmol/l, p < 0.0001) and glargine (HbA1c = −0.6%, p < 0.0001; fasting glucose −1.4 mmol/l, p < 0.0001) groups, including a reduction in fasting glucose variability (p < 0.01 for both). The incidence of total and nocturnal hypoglycaemia was reduced in both NPH and glargine groups. The incidence of major hypoglycaemia was low and did not change significantly during the follow‐up period. Mean body weight was significantly reduced in the NPH (−0.7 kg, p < 0.01) and glargine (−0.5 kg, p < 0.05) groups.Conclusions:  These results indicate that in type 2 diabetes, transferring from other basal insulins to insulin detemir in combination with OADs was associated with improvements in glycaemic control, which were accompanied by a reduced risk of hypoglycaemia and a reduction in body weight.
Effect of high‐fat diet on glucose homeostasis and gene expression in glucokinase knockout mice
Authors: Gorman T. , Hope D. C. D. , Brownlie R. , Yu A. , Gill D. , Löfvenmark J. , Wedin M. , Mayers R. M. , Snaith M. R. , Smith D. M. 
Published: November 2007

Aim:  We have generated a heterozygous glucokinase knockout mouse (gkdel/wt), upon which we investigated the effect of high‐fat diet (HFD) with respect to metabolic control and both hepatic and β‐cell gene expression. We also investigated the in vitro efficacy of a glucokinase activator (GKA) on glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in gkdel/wtmouse islets.Methods:  Male gkdel/wtand gkwt/wtmice were grouped (n = 8–10) at 10 weeks of age and fed HFD or chow diet (CD) for 10 weeks. Multiple parameters including blood glucose, plasma insulin and glucose tolerance were assessed. Further animal groups were used for in vitro GSIS and islet and liver gene expression analysis.Results and Conclusions:  gkdel/wtmice showed early‐onset persistent hyperglycaemia, raised glycated haemoglobin levels, impaired GSIS and glucose tolerance but no change in plasma cholesterol, non‐esterified fatty acids or triglyceride levels. After HFD feeding, insulin levels of gkdel/wtmice were less than half that of gkwt/wtmice, although they were equivalent to gkwt/wtmice on CD. While gkwt/wtmice maintained moderate hyperglycaemia, gkdel/wtmice became overtly diabetic, with worsened glucose tolerance. A GKA (GKA50) increased GSIS, at 10 mM glucose, in gkdel/wtmice to an extent at least as great as that seen in gkwt/wtmice on both CD and HFD. gkdel/wtmice showed only a small number of changes in gene expression compared with gkwt/wtmice. We propose the high fat–fed gkdel/wtmouse as a model of type 2 diabetes and report retained efficacy of a GKA on in vitro GSIS.
Molecular network of obesity: what does it promise for pharmacotherapy?
Authors: Myslobodsky M. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryThere is growing evidence that receptors that respond to orexigenic and anorexigenic signals of respective neuropeptides are also implicated in cognitive, emotional, sensory and motor functions. How do these signals trigger a particular appetitive function while also acting in so different contexts in controlling non‐appetitive behaviours? This perspective seeks an answer in their peculiar modular organization when each module planted in complex networks controlling appetite is also engaged in different domains. Network analysis may be essential in considering pharmacotherapeutic interventions and, in particular, when anticipating untoward central effects of agents explored from a therapeutic point of view.
WITTGENSTEIN'S CRITIQUE OF FRAZER
Authors: Bouveresse Jacques 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThis paper provides a systematic exposition of what Wittgenstein took to be the fundamental error committed by James George Frazer, author of the classic anthropological work The Golden Bough, in his account of ritual practices. By construing those rituals in scientific or rationalistic terms, as aimed at the production of certain effects, Frazer ignores, according to Wittgenstein, their expressive and symbolic dimension. It is, moreover, an error to try to explain the powerful emotions evoked even today by traditions such as fire festivals (which may once have involved human sacrifice) by searching for their causal origins in history or prehistory; the disquieting nature of such practices needs to be understood by attending to the inner meaning they already have in our human lives. Certain important general lessons are drawn about the necessarily limited power of scientific and causal explanations when it comes to alleviating many of our fundamental perplexities not just in the area of anthropology but in philosophy as well.1
THE TIGHTROPE WALKER
Authors: Schroeder Severin 
Published: November 2007

AbstractContrary to a widespread interpretation, Wittgenstein did not regard credal statements as merely metaphorical expressions of an attitude towards life. He accepted that Christian faith involves belief in God's existence. At the same time he held that although as a hypothesis, God's existence is extremely implausible, Christian faith is not unreasonable. Is that a consistent view?According to Wittgenstein, religious faith should not be seen as a hypothesis, based on evidence, but as grounded in a proto‐religious attitude, a way of experiencing the world or certain aspects of it. A belief in religious metaphysics is not the basis of one's faith, but a mere epiphenomenon. Given further that religious doctrine is both falsification‐transcendent and that religious faith is likely to have beneficial psychological effects, religious doctrine can be exempt from ordinary standards of epistemic support. An unsupported religious belief need not be unreasonable.However, it is hard to see how one could knowingly have such an unsupported belief, as Wittgenstein seems to envisage. How can one believe what, at the same time, one believes is not likely to be true? This, I argue, is the unresolved tension in Wittgenstein's philosophy of religion.
Asymmetric Volume‐Return Relation and Concentrated Trading in LIFFE Futures
Authors: Puri Tribhuvan N. , Philippatos George C. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract This study demonstrates that intraday volume and return on LIFFE interest rate and currency futures exhibit an asymmetric volume‐return relationship characterised by significantly larger volume associated with negative returns than with non‐negative returns. This finding is unlike the stylised asymmetric relation often observed in equity markets, where the volume on price rise is larger than the volume on price decline. The asymmetric relationship in LIFFE futures is also found to be dynamic as the direction of asymmetry can reverse during the day. It has been argued in the past that a costly short sale restriction that requires a higher transaction cost on a short position than on a long position is responsible for the asymmetric effect in equity markets. Since such a restriction is absent in futures markets, they should not exhibit any asymmetric volume behaviour. Based on the results of this research, the costly short sale hypothesis is rejected. An alternative explanation of the asymmetric relation observed in futures is presented based on recent information models that take into consideration asymmetrically‐informed traders, their dispersion of beliefs, quality and quantity of the information signal, and how the traders process it. The paper also confirms a strong U‐shape trading pattern in 15‐minute volume, but no such pattern is identified in intraday returns.
Clustering in US Stock Prices after Decimalisation
Authors: Ikenberry David L. , Weston James P. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract Early in 2001, US equity markets transitioned from trading in discrete price fractions to a smoother decimal format with a tick size of one penny. Theory suggests in an unconstrained world, stock prices should be distributed uniformly, particularly if the cost of defeating time priority is low. This regime change provides a natural experiment to test whether investors prefer to trade at particular price points even when their choices are essentially unconstrained by regulation. Instead of uniformity, we find widespread evidence of price clustering at increments of five and ten cents (nickels and dimes); the overall magnitude of clustering is double in scale of what is otherwise expected. Previous studies which documented clustering around even‐eighths argued that these patterns were a rational market response to trading impediments. We report consistent findings, but also find that the overall level of post‐decimalisation clustering is far more extensive than is reasonably explained by prior hypotheses. The evidence instead suggests a more fundamental human bias for prominent numbers as discussed in the psychology literature. Contrary to previous studies, we find no difference in price clustering, ceteris paribus, between the Nasdaq and NYSE after decimalisation. Should regulators choose to revisit the notion of tick size, our evidence suggests that for many stocks there would be only minor impact between the transaction prices that prevail now and those that would occur if the tick size were increased to five cents.
Simmel on Acceleration, Boredom, and Extreme Aesthesia
Authors: AHO KEVIN 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTBy focusing on the unique velocity and over‐stimulation of metropolitan life, Georg Simmel pioneered an interpretation of cultural boredom that has had a significant impact on contemporary social theory by viewing it through the modern experience of time‐pressure and social acceleration. This paper explores Simmel's account of boredom by showing how—in the frenzy of modern life—it has become increasingly difficult to qualitatively distinguish which choices and commitments actually matter to us. Furthermore, this emotional indifference invariably pushes us towards more excessive and risky behavior, towards, what I call, “extreme aeshesia.” Insofar as novel experiences quickly become routine in the technological age, it appears that only extreme sensations and experiences can break the spell of boredom, allowing us to momentarily feel strongly for something.
Social Structure and Social Relations
Authors: ELDER‐VASS DAVE 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTThis paper replies to Porpora, King, and Varela's responses to my earlier paper “For Emergence”, focussing on the relationship between the concepts of social structure and social relations. It recognises the importance of identifying the mechanisms responsible whenever we make claims for the emergence of causal powers, and discusses the mechanism underlying one case of social structure: normative institutions. It also shows how critical realism reconciles the claims that both social structures and human individuals have emergent causal powers that combine to produce actual social events.
Multiple biochemical similarities between infectious and non‐infectious aggregates of a prion protein carrying an octapeptide insertion
Authors: Biasini Emiliano , Medrano Andrea Z. , Thellung Stefano , Chiesa Roberto , Harris David A. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractA nine‐octapeptide insertion in the prion protein (PrP) gene is associated with an inherited form of human prion disease. Transgenic (Tg) mice that express the mouse homolog of this mutation (designated PG14) spontaneously accumulate in their brains an insoluble and weakly protease‐resistant form of the mutant protein. This form (designated PG14Spon) is highly neurotoxic, but is not infectious in animal bioassays. In contrast, when Tg(PG14) mice are inoculated with the Rocky Mountain Laboratory (RML) strain of prions, they accumulate a different form of PG14 PrP (designated PG14RML) that is highly protease resistant and infectious in animal transmission experiments. We have been interested in characterizing the molecular properties of PG14Spon and PG14RML, with a view to identifying features that determine two, apparently distinct properties of PrP aggregates: their infectivity and their pathogenicity. In this paper, we have subjected PG14Spon and PG14RML to a panel of assays commonly used to distinguish infectious PrP (PrPSc) from cellular PrP (PrPC), including immobilized metal affinity chromatography, precipitation with sodium phosphotungstate, and immunoprecipitation with PrPC‐ and PrPSc‐specific antibodies. Surprisingly, we found that aggregates of PG14Spon and PG14RML behave identically to each other, and to authentic PrPSc, in each of these biochemical assays. PG14Spon however, in contrast to PG14RML and PrPSc, was unable to seed the misfolding of PrPC in an in vitro protein misfolding cyclic amplification reaction. Collectively, these results suggest that infectious and non‐infectious aggregates of PrP share common structural features accounting for their toxicity, and that self‐propagation of PrP involves more subtle molecular differences.
Total protein concentration and total bacterial load as measures of residual interproximal plaque in comparative clinical trials
Authors: Milanovich Nebojsa , Wei Jinling , Jenkins Wendy , Hefti Arthur F. , De Jager Marko 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAim: Establish total protein concentration and total bacterial load as quantitative measures of residual interproximal plaque (IPP) in a clinical model designed to evaluate oral hygiene interventions.Material and Methods: This clinical model was a randomized, examiner and laboratory technician‐blinded, parallel‐design study whereby levels of residual IPP were compared for subjects using a manual toothbrush or a toothbrush+floss. Differences between interventions were compared after 7 and 21 days of use. Protein concentration was measured using 3‐(4‐carboxybenzoyl) quinoline‐2‐carboxaldehyde in a fluorescence microplate format and bacterial load was assessed by quantitative real‐time PCR with universal primers specific for 16S rRNA and detected by SYBR Green. ancova was used to assess the statistical significance of the differences between interventions while clinical relevance was evaluated by a statistical model described by Man‐Son‐Hing et al. 2002.Results: Ninety‐three subjects completed the study. Significant differences between interventions, using both outcome measures, were observed after 7 and 21 days. The difference between interventions by total protein concentration were further determined to be clinically relevant.Conclusions: Only total protein concentration provided both statistically significant and clinically relevant differences between two clinically distinct oral hygiene interventions in this clinical model for evaluating IPP.