bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Compliance with a risk factor‐based intrapartum prophylaxis program for neonatal group B streptococcal disease
Authors: MCILWAINE Kate , KNEEBONE Kim , BARKEHALL‐THOMAS Andrea , WALLACE Euan M. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAim:  The US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) recently amended their guidelines for the prevention of early‐onset group B streptococcal disease (EOGBSD) of the newborn to recommend bacteriological screening, rather than risk factor‐based screening, as the preferred method of identifying ‘at risk’ mother–infant pairs. This recommendation was derived from population data suggesting that the effectiveness of bacteriological screening was superior to a risk‐factor approach because antibiotic compliance was better with the former. Whether poor compliance and therefore impaired prevention is inherent in risk‐factor screening has not been widely tested.Methods:  For a 6‐month period we audited compliance with an established risk‐factor EOGBSD prophylaxis program.Results:  During the audit period, 1243 women delivered, of whom 287 (23%) had at least one risk factor. Of these women, 193 (67%), representing 15% of all women giving birth, received antibiotics. Thus, there were 94 women who were eligible for antibiotics but did not receive prophylaxis. There were sound clinical reasons for withholding antibiotics in 68 of these. Therefore, the corrected compliance rate within our program was 73%.Conclusion:  This compares favourably with published compliance rates with bacteriological‐based programs, but we have suggested mechanisms to improve compliance further.
Improved management in threatened preterm labour with rapid fetal fibronectin testing
Authors: PARRY Emma , SINGH Thakur Geeta , DOW David , NOOVAO Fiona 
Published: May 2006

AbstractRecently, a new rapid system for fetal fibronectin (fFN) analysis (TLIIQ) has been developed with accuracy equal to the gold standard, ELISA (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) testing. The objective of this quality improvement project was to confirm that a reduction in intervention and a reduced length of stay did occur, as expected, after the testing of fFN was introduced at a tertiary referral hospital (National Women's Hospital) for women in threatened preterm labour.There was a reduction in investigation and treatment of women after fFN was introduced. The average length of stay reduced from 3.8 to 2.9 days after testing was introduced. For the women who were fFN negative, the average length of stay was 1.7 days.
First trimester medical termination of pregnancy: An alternative for New Zealand women
Authors: GOODYEAR‐SMITH Felicity , KNOWLES Alison , MASTERS Jonathan 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground:  First trimester medical terminations of pregnancy (TOP) have been carried out in a private abortion clinic in Auckland from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2005.Aims:  To audit first trimester medical TOP outcomes over the first 2 years and to compare the demographics and complication rates of women opting for medical TOP with those choosing surgical TOP during this period.Methods:  Retrospective, consecutive case audit of women presenting for a first trimester TOP. Anonymous audit included ethnicity, gestation at first appointment, pain relief requirements, blood loss, timing from the taking of misoprostol to expulsion of products of conception, complications and comparison of outcomes and characteristics between medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP) and surgical termination of pregnancy (STOP).Results:  A total of 3311 TOPs were performed over the 2‐year study period, including 390 MTOPs (12%). No significant differences were found in age, ethnicity or history of previous TOP between women choosing MTOP or STOP. Gravida 1 and nulliparous women were significantly more likely to choose MTOP. Five per cent (21/390) of women taking mifepristone progressed to STOP. Complications involving hospitalisation occurred in six MTOPs (1.5%) and 18 STOPs (0.6%).Conclusions:  First trimester MTOP is safe and effective and is a realistic alternative for women wanting choice of method in New Zealand.
Corporate Investment and Asset Price Dynamics: Implications for SEO Event Studies and Long‐Run Performance
Authors: CARLSON MURRAY , FISHER ADLAI , GIAMMARINO RON 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTWe present a rational theory of SEOs that explains a pre‐issuance price run‐up, a negative announcement effect, and long‐run post‐issuance underperformance. When SEOs finance investment in a real options framework, expected returns decrease endogenously because growth options are converted into assets in place. Regardless of their risk, the new assets are less risky than the options they replace. Although both size and book‐to‐market effects are present, standard matching procedures fail to fully capture the dynamics of risk and expected return. We calibrate the model and show that it closely matches the primary features of SEO return dynamics.
The Effect of Short Selling on Bubbles and Crashes in Experimental Spot Asset Markets
Authors: HARUVY ERNAN , NOUSSAIR CHARLES N. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTA series of experiments illustrate that relaxing short‐selling constraints lowers prices in experimental asset markets, but does not induce prices to track fundamentals. We argue that prices in experimental asset markets are influenced by restrictions on short‐selling capacity and limits on the cash available for purchases. Restrictions on short sales in the form of cash reserve requirements and quantity limits on short positions behave in a similar manner. A simulation model, based on DeLong et al. (1990), generates average price patterns that are similar to the observed data.
Corporate Equity Ownership and the Governance of Product Market Relationships
Authors: FEE C. EDWARD , HADLOCK CHARLES J. , THOMAS SHAWN 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTWe assemble a sample of over 10,000 customer–supplier relationships and determine whether the customer owns equity in the supplier. We find that factors related to both contractual incompleteness and financial market frictions are important in the decision of a customer firm to take an equity stake in their supplier. Evidence on the variation in the size of observed equity positions suggests that there are limits to the size of optimal ownership stakes in many relationships. Finally, we find that relationships accompanied by equity ownership last significantly longer than other relationships, suggesting that ownership aids in bonding trading parties together.
Does a Parent–Subsidiary Structure Enhance Financing Flexibility?
Authors: VIJH ANAND M. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTI examine whether firms exploit a publicly traded parent–subsidiary structure to issue equity of the overvalued firm regardless of which firm needs funds, and whether this conveys opposite information about firm values. Using 90 subsidiary and 37 parent seasoned equity offering (SEO) announcements during 1981–2002, I document negative returns to issuers but insignificant returns to nonissuers in both samples, and insignificant changes in combined firm value and parent's nonsubsidiary equity value in subsidiary SEOs. Firms issue equity to meet their own financing needs. My evidence contrasts with previous studies and suggests that parent–subsidiary structures do not enhance financing flexibility.
“It’s Great When People Don’t Even Have Their Welfare Cases Opened”: TANF Diversion as Process and Lesson
Authors: Ridzi Frank , London Andrew S. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) encouraged states to reduce welfare caseloads. Caseload reduction can be accomplished by promoting exit for work, marriage, or other private means of support and by diverting new applicants. Most research on caseload decline has focused on welfare‐to‐work outcomes; less is known about processes of diversion. This study employs administrative records and ethnographic data to examine diversion in West County, New York, from 1999 to 2003. Findings demonstrate a high level of diversion and suggest that application is an ongoing and at times remedial process rather than an event. Diversion occurs at all points of the expanded TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) intake process and is associated with one‐time lump sum payments as well as the hassle factor engendered by new eligibility requirements. The encumbered lives of applicants and TANF staff discretion are also implicated as factors contributing to diversion. We conclude with an analysis of the implications of TANF diversion for access to benefits.
Exploitation of host plant preferences in pest management strategies for oilseed rape (Brassica napus)
Authors: Cook S.M. , Smart L.E. , Martin J.L. , Murray D.A. , Watts N.P. , Williams I.H. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractNew control strategies for insect pests of arable agriculture are needed to reduce current dependence on synthetic insecticides, the use of which is unsustainable. We investigated the potential of a simple control strategy to protect spring‐sown oilseed rape, Brassica napus L. (Brassicaceae), from two major inflorescence pests: the pollen beetle, Meligethes aeneus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), and the seed weevil, Ceutorhynchus assimilis (Paykull) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), through exploitation of their host plant preferences. The strategy comprised, for the main crop, Starlight [an oilseed rape cultivar with relatively low proportions of alkenyl glucosinolates in the leaves (thereby releasing lower levels of attractive isothiocyanates than conventional cultivars)] and turnip rape, Brassica rapa (L.) (Brassicaceae), as a trap crop. We tested the system in laboratory, polytunnel semifield arena, and field experiments. The odours of Starlight were less attractive in olfactometer tests to both pests than those from a conventional cultivar, Canyon, and the plants were less heavily colonized in both polytunnel and field experiments. Turnip rape showed good potential as a trap crop for oilseed rape pests, particularly the pollen beetle as its odour was more attractive to both pests than that of oilseed rape. Polytunnel and field experiments showed the importance of relative growth stage in the system. As turnip rape flowers earlier than oilseed rape, beetles would be maintained on turnip rape past the damage‐susceptible growth stage of oilseed rape. The development of a pest control regime based on this strategy is discussed.
Is fruit size important in the selection of oviposition sites by cranberry fruitworm, Acrobasis vaccinii?
Authors: Marchand David , McNeil Jeremy N. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractUnder laboratory conditions, females of Acrobasis vaccinii (Riley) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) oviposit significantly more often on larger than on smaller cranberry fruit. This behaviour ensures that neonate larvae have access to maximum resources and are larger when moving to the next fruit. However, while there is some evidence that on a large spatial scale females may lay eggs in patches of larger fruit, there was no evidence of such an oviposition preference within patches in natural bogs. These results may be explained by the fact that the oviposition period for A. vaccinii begins early in the cranberry season, before fructification is completed, leading to potential competition among females for the first fruit present in the environment. Laying eggs on the first fruit available may be advantageous as this behaviour increases the probability that females select unexploited fruit. This strategy would be particularly effective for maximizing female fitness in grazer frugivorous species (such as the cranberry fruitworm) that live in environments where severe climatic conditions induce limited flowering/fruit formation and where hosts thus are rare.
The presence of an operculum verified by optical coherence tomography and other prognostic factors in macular hole surgery
Authors: Larsson Jörgen , Holm Kristina , Lövestam‐Adrian Monica 
Published: May 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate the prognostic influence of the presence of an operculum in macular hole and to correlate the prognosis for postoperative visual acuity (VA) with the size of the macular hole, its duration and preoperative VA.Methods:  We carried out a prospective study of 61 eyes of 59 patients with full thickness macular hole. All patients were examined with optical coherence tomography (OCT) in order to ascertain the presence of an operculum. The VA was measured with the ETDRS chart. A standard pars plana vitrectomy with inner limiting membrane peeling was performed in all cases and 20% C2F6 was used as tamponade.Results:  Anatomical closure was obtained after one surgical procedure in 59/61 (97%) patients. Linear regression analysis showed only baseline VA to be predictive of visual outcome (p < 0.001). The presence of an operculum preoperatively did not correlate with VA either pre‐ or postoperatively, nor with the anatomical closure rate.Conclusion:  The finding that postoperative VA in macular hole correlates with preoperative VA seems to allow for good prediction of postoperative VA in macular hole surgery. However, the presence of an operculum is of no prognostic significance.
Dentin resorption and cementum‐like tissue formation by bone morphogenetic protein application
Authors: Miyaji H. , Sugaya T. , Kato K. , Kawamura N. , Tsuji H. , Kawanami M. 
Published: May 2006

Background and Objective:  Recent studies have shown that bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) stimulates mineralization and osteoclast differentiation. Osteoclastic resorption by BMP‐2 application may play an important role in the regulation of new cementum‐like tissue formation on the dentin surfaces. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of BMP‐2 application on dentin resorption and cementum‐like tissue formation at the dentin surfaces.Material and Methods:  Seventy‐two flat dentin blocks were prepared from rat roots and treated with 24% EDTA. Each block was assigned to group 0, group 100, or group 400, and immersed correspondingly in 0, 100, or 400 µg/ml BMP‐2. The dentin blocks were then implanted into palatal connective tissue of rats, and specimens were prepared 2, 4 and 8 wk after surgery for histologic and histomorphometric analyses.Results:  BMP‐2 caused a dose‐dependent increase in dentin resorption by osteoclastic cells. New cementum‐like tissue was randomly formed on parts of the nonresorbed and resorbed dentin surfaces in groups 100 and 400. Dentin resorption in groups 100 and 400 was significantly greater than group 0 (p < 0.01). However, at 8 wk, new cementum‐like tissue formed in 41.8% of group 100, as compared with 16.2% of group 400 (p < 0.05).Conclusion:  Dentin resorption was stimulated by a high dose of BMP‐2, and cementum‐like tissue was induced by a low dose of BMP‐2, effectively suggesting that BMP‐2 application, at an appropriate dose, to a dentin surface may enhance periodontal regeneration.
ON CAPITAL STRUCTURE, RISK SHARING AND CAPITAL ADEQUACY IN ISLAMIC BANKS
Authors: ARCHER SIMON , KARIM RIFAAT AHMED ABDEL 
Published: May 2006

Islamic banks do not pay interest on customers' deposit accounts. Instead, customers' funds are placed in profit-sharing investment accounts (PSIA). Under this arrangement, the returns to the bank's customers are their pro-rata shares of the returns on the assets in which their funds are invested, and if these returns are negative so are the returns to the customers. The bank is entitled to a contractually agreed share of positive returns (profits) as remuneration for its work as asset manager; however, if the returns are zero or negative, the bank receives no remuneration but does not share in any loss.In the case of Unrestricted PSIA, the investment account holders' funds are invested (i.e., commingled) in the bank's asset pool together with the bank's shareholders' own funds and the funds of current account holders. In that case, the bank's own funds that are invested in the asset pool are treated the same as those of Unrestricted PSIA holders for profit and loss sharing purposes; however, the shareholders also receive as part of their profit the remuneration earned by the bank as asset manager (less certain expenses not chargeable to the PSIA holders). This remuneration (management fees) represents an important source of revenue and profits for Islamic banks.From a capital market perspective, this arrangement presents an apparent anomaly, as follows: shareholders and Unrestricted PSIA holders share the same asset risk on the commingled funds, but shareholders enjoy higher returns because of the management fees. On the other hand, competitive pressure may induce the bank to forgo some of its management fees in order to pay a competitive return to its PSIA holders. In this way, some of the PSIA holders' asset risk is absorbed by the shareholders. This phenomenon has been termed "displaced commercial risk" [2].This paper analyzes this phenomenon. We argue that, in principle, displaced commercial risk is potentially an efficient and value-creating means of sharing risks between two classes of investor with different risk diversification capabilities and preferences: wealthy shareholders who are potentially well diversified, and less wealthy PSIA holders who are not. In practice, however, Islamic banks set up reserves with the intention of minimizing any need to forgo management fees.
Fixed point sets of maps homotopic to a given map
Authors: Soderlund Christina L 
Published: May 2006

AbstractLet "Equation missing" be a self-map of a compact, connected polyhedron and "Equation missing" a closed subset. We examine necessary and sufficient conditions for realizing "Equation missing" as the fixed point set of a map homotopic to "Equation missing". For the case where "Equation missing" is a subpolyhedron, two necessary conditions were presented by Schirmer in 1990 and were proven sufficient under appropriate additional hypotheses. We will show that the same conditions remain sufficient when "Equation missing" is only assumed to be a locally contractible subset of "Equation missing". The relative form of the realization problem has also been solved for "Equation missing" a subpolyhedron of "Equation missing". We also extend these results to the case where "Equation missing" is a locally contractible subset.
Fixed point indices and manifolds with collars
Authors: Benjamin Chen-Farng , Gottlieb Daniel Henry 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThis paper concerns a formula which relates the Lefschetz number "Equation missing" for a map "Equation missing" to the fixed point index "Equation missing" summed with the fixed point index of a derived map on part of the boundary of "Equation missing". Here "Equation missing" is a compact manifold and "Equation missing" is "Equation missing" with a collar attached.
Evidence of Linkage to Chromosome 9q22.33 in Colorectal Cancer Kindreds from the United Kingdom
Authors: Kemp Zoe E. , Carvajal-Carmona Luis G. , Barclay Ella , Gorman Margaret , Martin Lynn , Wood Wendy , Rowan Andrew , Donohue Claire , Spain Sarah , Jaeger Emma , Evans D. Gareth , Maher Eamonn R. , Bishop Timothy , Thomas Huw , Houlston Richard , Tomlinson Ian ,   and the Colorectal Tumour Gene Identification Study Consortium
Published: May 2006

Abstract
About 30% of all colorectal cancers are thought to have a genetic basis and the known predisposing genes can only account for a small fraction of cases. A previous report suggested that a colorectal cancer candidate gene, explaining at least 20% of colorectal cancer cases with family history, was located within a 25 cM region on chromosome 9q22.2-q31.3. We typed 16 polymorphic markers encompassing the region of putative linkage in 57 colorectal tumor families from the United Kingdom. Known Mendelian syndromes had been excluded. We found suggestive evidence of linkage, as positive parametric (HLOD = 1.23) and nonparametric (NPL = 1.21, P = 0.11) LOD scores were obtained by analysis of the whole family set. Enrichment for cases with a priori genetic etiology by analyzing families with at least one person affected at &lt;45 years of age (n = 39 families) gave a maximum multipoint NPL score of 2.65 (P = 0.007). In this group, significant NPL scores &gt;1.67 (P &lt; 0.05) were found in a 6.5 cM region between D9S1851 and D9S277. With a more stringent threshold (NPL&gt;2.4, P &lt; 0.01), the linked region was 1.7 cM between D9S971 and D9S272/D9S173. Exclusion from the analysis of kindreds with a phenotype of multiple polyposis also found evidence of linkage in the same region (NPL = 2.47 at close to D9S277, P = 0.009). The type I transforming growth factor-β receptor, a prime candidate gene, was excluded as a cause of disease. The results presented here further support the existence of a colorectal cancer susceptibility gene on chromosome 9q and refine its likely location. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(10): 5003-6)
Antithrombin reduces endotoxin-induced hypotension by enhancing pulmonary sensory neuron activation in rats
Authors: Harada Naoaki , Isobe Hirotaka , Uchiba Mitsuhiro , Okajima Kenji 
Published: May 2006

SummaryWe recently demonstrated that activation of the pulmonary sensory neurons plays a critical role in prevention of endotoxininduced shock by releasing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in rats. CGRP increased the endothelial production of prostacyclin (PGI2) in the lungs, thereby preventing endotoxininduced shock response by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production. Since antithrombin (AT) enhances sensory neuron activation, we hypothesized that AT might reduce endotoxin-induced hypotension by enhancing the activation of pulmonary sensory neurons in rats. We examined this possibility using a rat model of endotoxin shock. AT-induced effects including reduction of hypotension (n=5) and inhibition of induction of iNOS (n=4 or 5) and TNF-α (n=5) in the lungs of endotoxin-treated animals were completely reversed by pretreatment with capsazepine (CPZ) (n=4 or 5), a vanilloid receptor antagonist, or CGRP(8–37), a CGRP receptor antagonist (n=4 or 5). AT enhanced endotoxin-induced increases in lung tissue levels of CGRP (n=4), but this effect of AT was not seen in animals pretreated with CPZ (n=4). CGRP produced therapeutic effects (n=5) similar to those induced by AT, and such therapeutic effects were completely abrogated by pretreatment with indomethacin (n=4). AT increased CGRP release from cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons only in the presence of anandamide (n=5),andAT-induced increase in CGRP release was not observed in the presence KT5720, an inhibitor of protein kinase A (n=5). AT markedly increased intracellular levels of cAMP in the presence of anandamide (n=5).These results strongly suggested that AT might reduce endotoxin-induced hypotension in rats by enhancing activation of sensory neurons via activation of protein kinase A.
Thromboembolism risk reduction in multiple myeloma patients treated with immunomodulatory drug combinations
Authors: Hussein Mohamad 
Published: May 2006

SummaryDeep vein thrombosis and its lethal complication pulmonary embolism are manifestations of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is typically associated with cancer and recent major surgery. Certain solid tumors and hematologic malignancies impose an inherently elevated risk of VTE that is compounded by chemotherapy and other risk factors. Multiple myeloma (MM) and other plasma cell dyscrasias are thrombogenic as a consequence of their multiple hemostatic effects, including elevated interleukin-6 levels, pro-coagulant antibody formation, paraprotein interference with fibrin structure, activated protein C re sistance, and endothelial damage. The oral immunomodulatory drugs thalidomide and lenalidomide have produced major therapeutic responses in patients with MM when used in combination with oral steroids and chemotherapy, but a high incidence of VTE has been reported. Various VTE prophylaxis strategies with thalidomide- and lenalidomide-containing combinations have been investigated in clinical studies. This review discusses emerging results on the use of VTE prophylaxis to minimize VTE risks associated with MM treatment regimens containing thalidomide and lenalidomide.