bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sentinel lymph‐node biopsy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis
Authors: Jensen Jørgen Bjerggaard , Jensen Klaus Møller‐Ernst , Ulhøi Benedicte Parm , Nielsen Søren Steen , Lundbeck Finn 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate a single‐centre experience with sentinel lymph‐node biopsy (SLNB) as a staging procedure in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the penis.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study included 60 patients with SCC of the penis, who had SLNB in all groins where no palpable nodes were found, and in groins with palpable nodes with negative fine‐needle aspiration cytology. Lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative lymph node detection was done using 99mTc‐nanocolloid and no use of blue dye.RESULTSIn all, there were 97 SLNB procedures in 52 patients; 20 (20.6%) of the SLNB were positive for nodal metastases. Two negative SLNB proved to be false‐negative during the observation period. The false negative‐rate was 9%, the sensitivity 91% and the negative predictive value 97.5%. Minor early complications occurred after 4% of the SLNB procedures. No major or late complications were recorded.CONCLUSIONSSLNB is minimally invasive and can be used as a safe and reliable staging procedure in patients with SCC of the penis. Thus standard lymph‐node dissection can be avoided in most patients.
Cognitive Dynamics of Capability Development Paths
Authors: Laamanen Tomi , Wallin Johan 
Published: February 2009

abstractRecent research on capability dynamics has increasingly turned its attention to the cognitive microfoundations of capability development. On the basis of a longitudinal case study of the evolution of three network security software firms, we find that the effects of managerial cognition can be detected at three distinct levels of capability development. At the level of operational capabilities, instrumental cognition affects the way in which capabilities are developed. At the level of a firm's capability portfolio, shifts in management's attention regarding capability development cause different evolutionary paths to emerge. Finally, at the extended enterprise level, managerial foresight influences the way in which a firm's capability constellation morphs over time. Our findings provide novel empirical evidence and contribute to an improved understanding of the role of managerial cognition in capability development.
Pedagogic strategies supporting the use of Synchronous Audiographic Conferencing: A review of the literature
Authors: De Freitas Sara , Neumann Tim 
Published: February 2009

AbstractSynchronous audiographic conferencing (SAC) refers to a combination of technologies for real‐time communication and interaction using multiple media and modes. With an increasing institutional uptake of SAC, users require an understanding of the complex interrelations of multiple media in learning scenarios in order to support pedagogic‐driven planning and effective use of the tool. This paper provides a review of recent literature that explores the pedagogic strategies used to underpin practical uses of SAC for the benefit of learners especially in non‐standard contexts such as distance education. The paper reports on approaches from practitioner‐oriented perspectives as well as approaches based on educational theory, notably the community of inquiry model, task design and multimodal models of cognition, meaning and interaction. The main features of these models were extracted to provide both a synthesis for future work on dedicated pedagogic models for SAC and a resource for practitioners wanting to link SAC with educational theory.
Visualizing and monitoring effective interactions in online collaborative groups
Authors: Calvani Antonio , Fini Antonio , Molino Marcello , Ranieri Maria 
Published: February 2009

AbstractOnline education based on small self‐managing groups, with slight supervision by a professional tutor, is a strategically interesting methodology for lifelong learning. This solution may combine aspects of cost‐effectiveness (reducing tutors' work) with the demands for active and engaging learning methods based on the exchange and sharing of experiences. In such a context, how can information on collaborative attitudes and behaviour be gathered? A typical tool for online learning activities is the threaded web forum. This study proposes a methodology for assessing effective collaborative interactions within the add‐on module, Forum Plus, for the Moodle learning management system (LMS). The methodology here presented is able to supply an early overview of the level of effectiveness of the collaborative group and therefore it may provide a useful instrument to guide further qualitative observations conducted directly in the web forum.
Using a games console in the primary classroom: Effects of ‘Brain Training’ programme on computation and self‐esteem
Authors: Miller David J. , Robertson Derek P. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIt is known that computer games are motivating for children, but there is limited direct evidence of their effects on classroom learning. The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the effects of a commercial off‐the‐shelf computer game on children's mental computation skills and on aspects of self‐perceptions. A pre–post design was employed. The participants were 71 primary school children (10–11 years old) from three classes. In School 1, a class of 21 children used a games console for 20 minutes each day, running a ‘brain training’ game. Two comparison groups were used. In School 2, 31 children used ‘Brain Gym’ techniques in their class over the treatment period. In school three, a class of 19 children acted as no‐treatment controls. The treatment period was 10 weeks. Significant pre–post gains were found in the games console group for both accuracy and speed of calculations, while results for the two comparison groups were mixed. The games console group showed significant gains in global self‐esteem, but not in other aspects of self‐concept. The comparison groups showed no significant gains in any area of self‐perceptions. There is a need now for upscaling to investigate generalisability.
Factors affecting teachers' adoption of educational computer games: A case study
Authors: Kebritchi Mansureh 
Published: February 2009

AbstractEven though computer games hold considerable potential for engaging and facilitating learning among today's children, the adoption of modern educational computer games is still meeting significant resistance in K‐12 education. The purpose of this paper is to inform educators and instructional designers on factors affecting teachers' adoption of modern educational computer games. A case study was conducted to identify the factors affecting the adoption of Dimenxian, which was a new educational computer game designed to teach Algebra to middle school students. The diffusion of innovations theory was used as the conceptual framework of this study. The results indicated that compatibility, relative advantage, complexity and trialability played important roles in the game adoption. These findings were compared with the existing literature on (1) the adoption of educational software, and (2) the barriers in the use of educational computer games in K‐12 settings to help guide future research and practice. The comparison showed that (1) adoption attributes for the games and other educational software had a similar pattern from high to low significance: relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability and observability; and (2) the game adoption factors were more inclusive than the barriers of using the computer games.
Mind and Matter: A Physicist's View
Authors: Polkinghorne John 
Published: February 2009

AbstractPhysics explores a universe of wonderful order, expressed in terms of beautiful mathematical equations. Mathematics itself is understood to be the exploration of a realm of noetic reality. Science describes matter in terms of concepts with mind‐like qualities. The psychosomatic nature of human persons is best understood in terms of a dual‐aspect monism, in which matter and mind are complementary aspects of a unitary being. The new science of complexity theory, with its dualities of parts/whole and energy/information, offers modest resources for the speculative exploration of this idea. The intrinsic unpredictabilities present in nature afford the metaphysical opportunity to consider dissipative systems as exhibiting top–down causality.
Aquinas on the Materiality of the Human Soul and the Immateriality of the Human Intellect
Authors: Klima Gyula 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis paper argues that Aquinas's conception of the human soul and intellect offers a consistent alternative to the dilemma of materialism and post‐Cartesian dualism. It also argues that in their own theoretical context, Aquinas' arguments for the materiality of the human soul and immateriality of the intellect provide a strong justification of his position. However, that theoretical context is rather “alien” to ours in contemporary philosophy. The conclusion of the paper will point in the direction of what can be done to render Aquinas's position more palatable to contemporary philosophers.
A Simple Explanation of the Forecast Combination Puzzle*
Authors: Smith Jeremy , Wallis Kenneth F. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis article presents a formal explanation of the forecast combination puzzle, that simple combinations of point forecasts are repeatedly found to outperform sophisticated weighted combinations in empirical applications. The explanation lies in the effect of finite‐sample error in estimating the combining weights. A small Monte Carlo study and a reappraisal of an empirical study by Stock and Watson [Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Economic Quarterly (2003) Vol. 89/3, pp. 71–90] support this explanation. The Monte Carlo evidence, together with a large‐sample approximation to the variance of the combining weight, also supports the popular recommendation to ignore forecast error covariances in estimating the weight.
Spatial Effects in Website Adoption by Firms in European Regions
Authors: BILLON MARGARITA , EZCURRA ROBERTO , LERA‐LÓPEZ FERNANDO 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence on the neighboring effects of Internet adoption as measured by the percentage of firms with their own website in the European regions. This is the first study that explicitly analyzes the role played by spatial effects to explain website adoption for the European case. A set of instruments and techniques commonly used in the spatial econometrics framework is employed to test the hypothesis that proximity matters when explaining Internet adoption by firms. Results show that firms in physically adjacent regions register a similar degree of Internet adoption, confirming the presence in this context of positive spatial dependence. Nevertheless, the spatial effects detected are mainly constrained by national borders. Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, population density, sectoral composition, and education are positively related to geographic distribution of Internet adoption in the enlarged European Union. In addition, regional disparities in Internet adoption were found to be less important than territorial inequalities in GDP per capita.
New Insights into Senior Travel Behavior: The Canadian Experience
Authors: SCOTT DARREN M. , NEWBOLD KENNETH BRUCE , SPINNEY JAMIE E.L. , MERCADO RUBEN , PÁEZ ANTONIO , KANAROGLOU PAVLOS S. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTSocieties in many developed nations around the world are aging. Over the past decade, a growing body of research has emerged internationally in an effort to anticipate and prepare for the transport challenges posed by this unprecedented demographic change. This paper contributes to this line of research by offering new insights into senior travel behavior focusing on the recent Canadian experience. Using weekday data from the 1992 and 2005 General Social Surveys on time use, changes in the number of trips, the duration of trips, trip mode, and trip timing are evaluated for urban seniors. In contrast to the experiences of many other developed nations, analysis of the first three indicators of behavioral change refutes the notion that “automobility” has increased in Canada over the 13‐year period. While this finding is encouraging, it is tempered by the fact that Canadian seniors who choose to travel by car are doing so increasingly during the morning and evening peak periods. The results from a peak versus non‐peak departure‐time model that pools data from both years offer important insights into factors driving this change. For instance, the results suggest that the propensity to start a trip during rush hour has increased over time for non‐work trip purposes.
A new water‐in‐powder technology: a novel structure for creating unique cosmetic products
Authors: Igarashi K. , Sagara K. , Egawa J. 
Published: February 2009

IFSCC Magazine, 11 (2008) (1) 31–34A water‐in‐powder cosmetic is one in which a large amount of water is encapsulated in a powder. In this study we describe the development of this type of cosmetic. We first focused on the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of the nano‐sized powder surface. We looked at surface state of powders in the gas adsorption test and discovered functional powders that have an optimized balance of hydrorepellency and hydrophilicity due to fractal surface and free hydroxyl groups, respectively. Using this material we created a new powder technology that can encapsulate a large quantity of water in a stable structure. We also looked at how the powders encapsulated water by observing them with wet‐SEM and how the encapsulated water is stabilized by measuring the water mobility with 17O‐NMR. Based on these result, we developed a new technology with water and powder. By encapsulating a large amount of water, we achieved a cosmetic with many unique characteristics: The powder cosmetic can become a liquid by application of friction on skin, it is convenient to use and provides moist, cool feel. It also functions as an excellent makeup by spreading smoothly on skin to form a uniform makeup coating.
Coenzyme Q10 has anti‐aging effects on human hair
Authors: Giesen M. , Welß T. , Zur Wiesche E. S. , Scheunemann V. , Gruedl S. , Oezkabakcioglu Y. , Poppe E. , Petersohn Dirk 
Published: February 2009

IFSCC Magazine, 11 (2008) (1) 37–42Ubiquinones are the most widespread and therefore best investigated bioquinones. Due to their hydrophobic isoprenoid side chain, ubiquinones can be solubilized in organic solvents or lipids but are insoluble in water. Using a specific emulsifier system it has been possible to deliver positive effects to biological systems also from aqueous formulations. Ubiquinone‐50, also referred to as coenzyme Q10, is well known in cosmetic science and especially in skin care because of its antioxidant activity. It is found in the membranes of peroxisomes, lysosomes, vesicles, the endoplasmic reticulum and notably in the inner membrane of the mitochondrion, where it is an important part of the electron transport chain. Using coenzyme Q10 in the proposed emulsifier system we could show that the molecule not only has relevance as an anti‐aging bioactive in skin care but also has positive effects on the human hair follicle. The hair follicle is a complex mini organ and synthesis of hair keratin, the major component of hair fibers, is an essential prerequisite for the growth of strong and healthy hair. But like all biological systems the hair follicle, the biologically active part of the hair, also undergoes an aging process associated among other things with a decline in certain hair keratins. Due to this age‐related shift in basic structural proteins of the hair shaft, mature hair often becomes fragile and difficult to manage. Therefore it is a challenge for cosmetic science to provide bioactives to fight age‐related changes and maintain a youthful appearance of hair. Using cultivated hair follicle keratinocytes we identified coenzyme Q10 as a potent bioactive that stimulates the gene expression of different hair keratins, especially those which are reduced during aging processes in hair follicles. These results led us to investigate a shampoo and a tonic formulation enriched with coenzyme Q10 in a placebo‐controlled panel study. In a left/right comparison a group of healthy volunteers older than 40 years of age applied the formulations daily for 4 days. Throughout the test period the gene expression of different hair keratins from plucked hair follicles was determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction techniques. Subsequent statistical analysis revealed an increase in age‐relevant hair keratins in human hair roots treated with coenzyme Q10, thus pointing out the striking benefits of coenzyme Q10 in hair care formulations. We conclude that coenzyme Q10 is an ideal ingredient for hair care formulations, providing anti‐aging properties through activation of specific keratins aligned with the needs of mature hair.
J. Cosmet. Sci., 59, 117–125 (March/April 2008) A dual mechanism of 4‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐3[2H]‐furanone inhibiting cellular melanogenesis
Authors: Kim H. J. , Mi an S. , Boo Y. C. 
Published: February 2009

SynopsisIn previous studies, 4‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐3[2H]‐furanone (HMF) was shown to have potent antioxidative and antimelanogenic effects, suggesting its potential use as a depigmenting agent. The present study investigated its mechanism of action on murine melanoma B16F10 cells stimulated by theophylline, an activator of the cyclic AMP/protein kinase A signaling leading to tyrosinase gene expression. When the cells were stimulated with theophylline, there were dose‐dependent increases in cellular tyrosinase protein content and melanin formation, as expected. HMF inhibited the theophylline‐stimulated melanin formation as effectively as arbutin, one of the most widely used depigmenting agents in cosmetics. HMF appeared to reduce tyrosinase mRNA and protein content in the cells stimulated by theophylline, indicating it inhibited tyrosinase gene expression. HMF also effectively inhibited tyrosinase‐catalyzed melanin formation from dihydroxyphenylalanine in the cells as well as in vitro. Therefore, the antimelanogenic effects of HMF were best explained by a dual mechanism inhibiting tyrosinase gene expression and the enzyme activity of pre‐existing tyrosinase.
J. Cosmet. Sci., 59, 139–150 (March/April 2008) Enhanced depigmenting effects of N‐glycosylation inhibitors delivered by pH‐sensitive liposomes into HM3KO melanoma cells
Authors: Park J. Y. , Choi H. , Hwang J. S. , Kim J. , Chang I.‐S. 
Published: February 2009

Presented in part at the 23rd Congress of the International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC), Orlando, Florida, October 2004, and in Proceedings of the IFSCC as “Enhanced Pigment Lightening Effects of N‐Glycosylation Inhibitors by the CHEMS Incorporated Nano‐Carrier.”SynopsisDelivery activity of pH‐sensitive 1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphoethanolamine (DOPE):cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHEMS) liposomes was assessed as an in vitro intracellular carrier system to increase the bioavailability of depigmentation actives. N‐glycosylation inhibitors have a glycosylation‐inhibiting effect, which is useful for the skin depigmentation that operates by interfering with the maturation of tyrosinase. However, an N‐glycosylation inhibitor does not easily pass through skin or even cellular membranes due to its water‐soluble property. Therefore, it should be transported to target cells by an efficient delivery carrier to reduce the glycosylated tyrosinase. Glycosylation‐inhibiting and depigmentation effects of Nbutyldeoxynojirimycine (NB‐DNJ) and 1‐deoxynojirimycine (DNJ)‐loaded liposomes were evaluated using Western blotting and measurement of synthesized melanin. Interestingly, it was found that the pH‐sensitive liposomes increased the glycosylation‐inhibiting and thus, pigment‐lightening effects of N‐glycosylation inhibitors in vitro. In addition, cargo materials loaded in pH‐sensitive liposomes were found to be much more efficiently delivered into the cytoplasm, as observed in fluorescent‐activated cell sorting (FACS) and confocal laser‐scanning microscopic (CLSM) analysis. These results indicate that pH‐sensitive DOPE: CHEMS liposomes have a strong potential as a carrier system to promote delivery efficiency and to enhance the biological effects of water‐soluble actives for applications in cosmetics, personal care products, and pharmaceutics.
Arbutin determination in medicinal plants and creams
Authors: Thongchai W. , Liawruangrath B. , Liawruangrath S. 
Published: February 2009

SynopsisA simple flow injection (FI) manifold with spectrophotometric detection was fabricated and tested for arbutin determination. It is based on the measurement of a red‐coloured product at 514 nm formed by the complexation reaction between arbutin and 4‐aminoantipyrine (4‐AP) in the presence of hexacyanoferrate (III) in an alkaline medium. On injecting 300 μL standard solutions at various concentrations of arbutin into the FI system under optimum conditions, a linear calibration graph over the range of 1.0–30.0 μg mL−1arbutin was established. It is expressed by the regression equationy = 0.2188 ± 0.0036x + 0.1019 ± 0.0366 (r2 = 0.9990,n = 5). The detection limit (3σ) and the limit of quantitation (10σ) were 0.04 μg mL−1and 0.13 μg mL−1, respectively. The RSD of intraday and interday precisions were found to be 1.2–1.4% and 1.7–2.7%, respectively. The method was successfully applied in the determination of arbutin in four selected fruits and three commercial whitening cream extracts with the mean recoveries of the added arbutin over the range of 96.2–99.0%. No interference effects from some common excipients used in commercial whitening creams were observed. The method is simple, rapid, selective, accurate, reproducible and relatively inexpensive.
Ocular signs, symptoms and tear function tests of papulopustular rosacea patients receiving azithromycin
Authors: Bakar Ö , Demircay Z , Toker E , Çakır S 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground  Tetracycline derivatives provide moderate benefit in the treatment of ocular rosacea. Recently, azithromycin has been found to be an effective alternative in the treatment of cutaneous papulopustular rosacea.Objective  We planned a study to evaluate the effects of azithromycin on ocular symptoms, signs and tear function tests of papulopustular rosacea patients.Methods  An open‐labelled study was performed in a population of 20 papulopustular rosacea patients.Results  Eighteen subjects completed the trial. Significant improvement was seen in ocular symptoms, eyelid findings and conjunctival hyperaemia scores (P = 0.002, P < 0.0001, and P = 0.005, respectively). Therapeutic benefit was not observed in ocular surface staining scores. Baseline values of Schirmer test results were within normal limits. No significant side‐effects were observed.Limitations  The study population is limited to dermatology patients who had been referred to the ophthalmology clinic.Conclusion  Azithromycin may be a new promising therapeutic alternative in ocular rosacea.Conflicts of interestNone declared.
Intra‐operative cisplatin for the treatment of canine extremity soft tissue sarcomas
Authors: Havlicek M. , Straw R. S. , Langova V. , Dernell W. S. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractNineteen dogs with histologically confirmed soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities were treated with a combination of marginal surgery and intra‐operative chemotherapy in the form of cisplatin in a biodegradable implant delivery system (Atrigel®; Atrix Laboratories, Fort Collins, Co, USA). None of the dogs had evidence of metastasis at time of treatment. The median dose of cisplatin was 52.1 mg/m2(mean 55.4 mg/m2, range 18.5–108.6 mg/m2). Wound complications were noted in 16 dogs (84.2%). Median follow‐up time was 874 days (mean 777 days, range 125–1463 days). Nine dogs (47.3%) were alive at the time of analysis. Local recurrence occurred in three dogs (16.6%). The time to recurrence was 214, 264 and 874 days.