bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Methadone treatment of chronic non‐malignant pain and opioid dependence — A long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Rhodin A. , Grönbladh L. , Nilsson L.‐H. , Gordh T. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractIatrogenic opioid addiction among chronic pain patients was the initiative for starting a methadone programme for pain patients at the University Hospital of Uppsala. The aims were to improve pain relief and quality of life in pain patients with problematic opioid use and to investigate background factors explaining problems with opioid use.Methods Records of all 60 patients included in the methadone programme 1994–2002 were studied. An interview was done after a mean of 34 months of methadone treatment regarding pain relief, quality of life and side effects on 48 patients.Results Titration of oral methadone mixture in daily doses ranging from 10 to 350 mg (mean 99.5 mg) was done on all patients. Background factors were low back and musculoskeletal pain in 40%, psychiatric disease in 68%, and substance use disorder in 32% of the patients. Before methadone treatment all patients were on sick leave. After treatment five patients returned to work. Ten patients failed treatment, 4 due to intractable nausea, 4 to drug diversion, 1 because of methadone related arrhythmia and 1 because of insufficient analgesia. Pain relief was rated good by 75% and moderate by 25% of the patients. Global quality of life was rated at mean of 50(0‐100), which favourably compares with Swedish chronic pain patients mean 33(0‐100).Conclusion A structured methadone programme can be used for treating chronic pain patients with opioid dependence improving pain relief and quality of life. However, side effects and serious adverse events may limit the beneficial effects of the method.
A high incidence of intussusception in Japan as studied in a sentinel hospital over a 25-year period (1978–2002)
Authors: NAKAGOMI T. , TAKAHASHI Y. , ARISAWA K. , NAKAGOMI O. 
Published: June 2005

SUMMARYThe development of second-generation rotavirus vaccines requires knowledge of baseline incidence rates for intussusception in infants prior to vaccine introduction. To obtain such estimates we reviewed clinical records in a hospital that served as the major provider of paediatric beds in a local community in the northern part of Japan. During the 25-year period (1978–2002), there were 91 hospitalizations due to radiologically confirmed intussusception in children <5 years of age, of which 45% were <1 year of age. Assuming that all children with intussusception in the area had been admitted to this hospital, there were an average of 185 and 78 hospitalizations per 100 000 person-years for children <1 year old and 5 years old respectively. There was period-to-period variability with no long-term secular trend in the incidence of intussusception. The incidence rate in Japan was among the highest thus far reported, providing further evidence of geographic variability.
Oxidative Bax dimerization promotes its translocation to mitochondria independently of apoptosis
Authors: D'Alessio M. , De Nicola M. , Coppola S. , Gualandi G. , Pugliese L. , Cerella C. , Cristofanon S. , Civitareale P. , Ciriolo M. R. , Bergamaschi A. , Magrini A. , Ghibelli L. 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACTBax is a cytosolic protein, which in response to stressing apoptotic stimuli, is activated and translocates to mitochondria, thus initiating the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. In spite of many studies and the importance of the issue, the molecular mechanisms that trigger Bax translocation are still obscure. We show by computer simulation that the two cysteine residues of Bax may form disulfide bridges, producing conformational changes that favor Bax translocation. Oxidative, nonapoptogenic treatments produce an up‐shift of Bax migration compatible with homodimerization, which is reverted by reducing agents; this is accompanied by translocation to mitochondria. Dimers also appear in pure cytosolic fractions of cell lysates treated with H2O2, showing that Bax dimerization may take place in the cytosol. Bax dimer‐enriched lysates support Bax translocation to isolated mitochondria much more efficiently than untreated lysates, indicating that dimerization may promote Bax translocation. The absence of apoptosis in our system allows the demonstration that Bax moves because of oxidations, even in the absence of apoptosis. This provides the first evidence that Bax dimerization and translocation respond to oxidative stimuli, suggesting a novel role for Bax as a sensor of redox imbalance.
Review of materials for solar thermal collectors
Authors: Alghoul M.A. , Sulaiman M.Y. , Azmi B.Z. , Wahab M.Abd. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeTo cover the main contributions and developments in solar thermal collectors through focusing on materials, heat transfer characteristics and manufacturing challenges.Design/methodology/approachA range of published papers and internet research including research work on various solar thermal collectors (flat plate, evacuated tubes, and heat pipe tube) were used. Evaluation of solar collectors performance is critiqued to aid solar technologies make the transition into a specific dominant solar collector. The sources are sorted into sections: finding an academic job, general advice, teaching, research and publishing, tenure and organizations.FindingsProvides information about types of solar thermal collectors, indicating what can be added by using evacuated tube collectors instead of flat plate collectors and what can be added by using heat pipe collectors instead of evacuated tubes.Research limitations/implicationsFocusing only on three types of solar thermal collectors (flat plate, evacuated tubes, and heat pipe tube).Practical implicationsUseful source of information for consultancy and impartial advice for graduate students planning to do research in solar thermal technologies.Originality/valueThis paper fulfils identified information about materials and heat transfer properties of materials and manufacturing challenges of these three solar thermal collectors.
Evaluation of corrosion cost in some selected food and agro‐processing industries in Nigeria
Authors: Jekayinfa S.O. , Okekunle P.O. , Amole I.G. , Oyelade J.A. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeBecause of the peculiar nature of food and agro‐processing industries, the industries cannot tolerate corrosion deposits in their production lines. Hence, there is the need to account for corrosion control before and during the production operations. This is more so in Nigeria where there is little or no proper accountability of corrosion cost in all production system.Design/methodology/approachThe industries investigated were grouped into: meat and meat product, dairy and milk, beverages and brewery, confectionery and agro‐processing centres. Questionnaires and interview pro forma were used to collect information from ten major factories/outlets in each category. The study involved the use of life cycle costing to assess corrosion management alternatives and to determine the annualized value of each option.FindingsAmong the corrosion prevention methods identified in the industries, greasing gave the least cost contribution (15.9 percent) to the total cost of corrosion prevention followed by painting (17.97 percent) and cleaning (66.14 percent) in that order, while the contribution of each corrosion maintenance method to the total cost of corrosion maintenance was, respectively, 13.08, 7.23, 20.73 and 58.96 percent for annual maintenance, repair, rehabilitation and wages of workers.Originality/valueThis study reveals some of the control measures commonly adopted for minimizing corrosion damage in some selected food and agro‐processing industries in Nigeria. It also investigated the cost implication of each measure and how it affects the present value of processing machineries in each industry. The results of the study have created a state of awareness of corrosion problems to stakeholders, which would encourage preventive actions.
Corrosion inhibition of brass by benzotriazole derivatives in NaCl solution
Authors: Ravichandran R. , Nanjundan S. , Rajendran N. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeCopper and its alloys are widely used in industries because of their good resistance to corrosion and are often used in cooling water systems. Brass has been widely used for shipboard condensers, power plant condensers and petrochemical heat exchangers. Brass is susceptible to the corrosion process known as dezincification by means of which brass looses its valuable physical and mechanical properties leading to failure of structure. The aim of this investigation was to control the dezincification of brass in 3 per cent NaCl solution using benzotriazole (BTA) derivatives.Design/methodology/approachBTA derivatives namely 1‐hydroxymethylbenzotriazole (HBTA) and N,N‐dibenzotriazol‐l‐ylmethylamine(ABTA) were synthesised and their inhibition behaviour on brass in 3 per cent NaCl solution was investigated by the weight‐loss method, potentiodynamic polarisation, electrochemical impedance and solution analysis techniques. The morphology of the brass after corrosion in the presence and absence of the BTA derivatives was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).FindingsPotentiodynamic polarisation studies showed that the BTA derivatives investigated were mixed type inhibitors, inhibiting the corrosion of brass by blocking the active sites of the brass surface. Changes in the impedance parameters (charge transfer resistance and double layer capacitance) were related to the adsorption of BTA derivatives on the brass surface, leading to the formation of a protective film. Solution analysis revealed that the BTA derivatives excellently controlled the corrosion of brass. SEM micrographs showed the formation of compact surface film on the brass surface in the presence of inhibitors, thereby providing better corrosion inhibition.Originality/valueContributes to research on corrosion protection for copper and its alloys.
Equity and relationship quality influences on organizational citizenship behaviors
Authors: Wat Dennis , Shaffer Margaret A. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeTo develop and test an expanded social exchange model of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) that includes characteristics of the social context (i.e. perceived fairness and leader‐member exchange (LMX)) as well as the capacity (i.e. trust in the supervisor and psychological empowerment) to engage in citizenship behaviors.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from a matched sample of 183 Hong Kong investment‐banking personnel and their supervisors. Multiple regression was used to test direct and mediating effects.FindingsAnalyses provide strong support for the direct effects of trust in the supervisor and psychological empowerment on all dimensions of OCBs. Trust in the supervisor played an important mediating role in all relationships. Only one dimension of empowerment (i.e. impact) acted as a mediator.Originality/valueThis study extends the social exchange conceptualization of OCB to include both equity and interpersonal relationship influences. The influence of empowerment on OCBs highlights the importance of providing employees with the motivation to engage in these behaviors.
The impact of corporatisation and national competition policy
Authors: James Wendy 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThis study seeks to survey managers of an Australian government‐owned enterprise undergoing organisational change as a result of public sector reform, specifically, National Competition Policy and Corporatisation. The purpose of the study is to examine the extent/type of organisational change and leadership style adopted to implement this change.Design/methodology/approachTo understand the effect of reforms, the researcher explored the extent of change and leadership style through the use of an intra‐organisational survey in a government‐owned Electricity Supply Corporation in Queensland, Australia. The instrument also included qualitative components to enable the researcher to qualify the statistical results.FindingsWithin the public sector, there is an uneasy tension between the need for a revolution of outdated bureaucracies in order to enhance flexibility and innovation, on the one hand, and the desire to maintain the standards and procedures that are necessary for quality civic service for a broad range of stakeholders, on the other. The results of this study indicate that there was significant organisational change and, according to responses, a change of leadership style indicative of this dilemma.Research limitations/implicationsThe implications suggest the consideration of embedded factors while determining the processes and directions of change. Furthermore, it is necessary to choose a leadership style that is indicative of the type of change to be implemented. Additionally, greater participation by organisational members can increase the success of organisational change. The limitations of the study include the measurement of organisational change and leadership style. This instrument was originally used in structured interviews; however, measures were taken to validate the instrument in its altered setting. Further, the study is confined to a single electricity organisation. Fertile fields for future research projects could include a larger quantitative study conducted with multiple states or nation‐wide electricity distribution companies.Originality/valueThe study provides empirical evidence of the extent of change as a result of public sector reform. In doing so the study utilises organisational change and leadership style models within a public sector environment.
Economic growth and income inequality: the case of the US
Authors: Hsing Yu 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the impact of income inequality on economic growth in the US.Design/methodology/approachThis paper applies the endogenous growth model including human capital and technological progress. The generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) technique is applied to estimate regression parameters. The number of patents granted is chosen to measure technological progress. Percentage of people 25 years old and over who have completed 4 years of college or more is selected to measure human capital.FindingsThe findings show that a higher Gini index hurts economic growth. Economic growth has a positive relationship with the growth in civilian employment, investment spending, technological progress, and human capital. When three other indicators of income inequality are considered, similar conclusions can be reached.Research limitations/implicationsA major implication is that a deterioration of inequality would be harmful to economic growth.Originality/valueMajor contributions of the paper are to consider human capital in the model and different measures of inequality in empirical work.
Mitigating the mobile agent malicious host problem by using communication patterns
Authors: Stengel I. , Fischer K.P. , Bleimann U. , Stynes J. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThis paper seeks to describe an approach to mitigate the unsoluble malicious host problem.Design/methodology/approachBy using obfuscation as a component of communication patterns and their switching in an environment of cooperating agents the malicious host can be detected and the attacked agents can be deleted.FindingsFinds that the information about the detected malicious host can be used further, e.g. to prevent another mobile agent from visiting this host.Originality/valueThis paper will be helpful to people involved in information management and computer security issues.
Ritzer's McDonaldization and applied qualitative marketing research
Authors: Nancarrow Clive , Vir Jason , Barker Andy 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThe purpose is to examine the insights gained from applying Ritzer's thesis of McDonaldization to international qualitative marketing research, in particular the four pillars of McDonaldization: efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control.Design/methodology/approachThe factors influencing choice of qualitative method in practice are examined drawing on the literature, the authors' observations based on experience (a team of practitioners) and a qualitative research study, using a mix of interviews and a workshop with those who co‐ordinate international research or who are subject to the co‐ordination.FindingsThe research suggests McDonaldization or “factory farming” may be a reality in some quarters in the qualitative marketing research industry and examples of how the four pillars of McDonaldization bear on the industry are examined.Research limitations/implicationsThere is a need to determine and monitor the extent of the McDonaldization phenomenon and at the same time explore across different cultures two key interfaces that can be adversely affected by McDonaldization, namely the respondent‐researcher interface and the researcher‐researcher interface when the researchers come from different cultures.Practical implicationsManagement may now reflect on whether their practices increase or decrease the likelihood of gleaning qualitative insights and the case for considering developing a more eclectic research philosophy.Originality/valueThis paper provides a new framework for evaluating applied qualitative marketing research.
Cross‐functional involvement in new product development
Authors: Fredericks Elisa 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to garner multiple perspectives from cross‐functional new product development (NPD) team members and determine point of contact in and responsibilities throughout the development process.Design/methodology/approachThe use of an integrative literature review and in‐depth interviews were two qualitative approaches to data collection in the study of cross‐functional NPD. A convenience sample initiated research efforts, then snowball sampling facilitated the completion of semi‐structured, face‐to‐face interviews among 94 team members in 11 firms. The literature review culled research from fields as distinct as communication, industrial design, and research and development. The in‐depth, semi‐structured design provided the permitted open‐ended investigation and some unplanned questions. Face‐to‐face questioning allowed for the reading of facial expressions, other forms of body language, and the free pursuit of interesting subtopics. The study design utilized a 19‐question, one‐page interview guide. Bi‐directional dialogue lasted 45 min to 1½ h.FindingsExploratory results revealed the importance of pre‐project meetings and the use of a formal process in securing cross‐functional involvement during product development. Qualitative findings uncovered that involvement depended on team understanding of the NPD process, an understanding of requisite roles and responsibilities, and the task required at various stages throughout the NPD process. Variances were noted between business‐to‐business and business‐to‐consumer teams.Originality/valueThis research obtained the perspectives of 20 teams from seven departments, and thereby permitted a more expansive and comprehensive understanding of cross‐functional NPD. Previous research incorporated responses from three departments at best. This research underscores the importance of early involvement among highly interdependent, cross‐functional team members as a prerequisite to enhanced understanding of project particulars and team dynamics. The resource‐based theory of competitive advantage and human capital theories accentuate the importance of a wide range of functional representation during the innovation process. The importance of pre‐project meetings and a formal product development process were detailed as well as supporting team member roles and responsibilities.
Effective interpersonal communication in Japanese companies under performance‐ based personnel practices
Authors: Yamaguchi Ikushi 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the relationships among information‐seeking behavior, interpersonal communication, perceived procedural justice, and the reduction of job‐related uncertainty.Design/methodology/approachThe sample consisted of 323 Japanese white‐collar workers who completed the questionnaires, with a usable sample of 295.FindingsThe results of covariance structure analysis (SEM) revealed that: there were not any direct relationships between information‐seeking behavior and the reduction of work‐related uncertainty; information‐seeking behavior induced a change of voice, explanation, and rational interpersonal communication from decision makers; the provision of voice, explanation, and social sensitivity from decision makers caused outcome recipients’ perception of procedural justice; and their perception of procedural justice caused the reduction of job‐related uncertainty.Research limitations/implicationsThere are some limitations of the present study that can be addressed in future research. First, the concept of uncertainty might have been used too broadly to have been applied to the concept of job‐related uncertainty. Second, the respondents in the present research were highly educated white‐collar workers and were selected to attend business school by their companies.Practical implicationsThe results of the present study have some practical implications. Under a newly introduced managerial system of performance‐based personnel practices, Japanese companies need to establish a system by which workers can form judgements of fairness.Originality/valueThe paper suggests that one must exercise caution when generalizing the findings of the present study without taking into account the characteristics of the respondents.
Integrated marketing communication and postmodernity: an odd couple?
Authors: Thøger Christensen Lars , Torp Simon , Fuat Firat A. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that, under conditions of postmodernity, the market is too complex to be responded to with an IMC‐framework. While the desire of IMC scholars and practitioners to reinstate order and predictability in an increasingly disordered and fragmented world is understandable, such a mission may be misguided. The paper seeks to discuss the possibility that such attempts instead precipitate the production of complexity of an even more unpredictable nature.Design/methodology/approachThe paper proceeds through a critical juxtaposition of postmodernity and IMC, arguing that the latter – with its ambition to impose order and control – fails to understand important dimensions of contemporary markets.FindingsRather than imposing a monological and hegemonic identity on markets and organizations – an identity that will unavoidably be challenged by consumers and employees – contemporary marketers and managers need to realize that organizational change and adaptability presuppose openness to variety, difference and polyphony.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough organizations, just like individuals, need a coherent narrative, polyphony promotes shared understandings and involvement and permits a kind of collective ownership that cannot be attained through the simple application of one‐way managerial models that claim consistency and coherence without founding it in the life‐world of the receiver.Originality/valuePostmodern communication cannot adhere tightly to principles of IMC. Instead, openness towards fluidity and a certain degree of indeterminacy must be nurtured if organizations wish to cope with the postmodern world. Along with tolerance toward variety, organizations need to develop a tolerance for meanings negotiated together with consumer communities, such as brand communities, in the market.