bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of compulsory competitive tendering on the structure and performance of local government systems in the State of Victoria*
Authors: Alam Quamrul , Pacher John 
Published: August 2002

AbstractAround the world, the public sector is introducing private sector management practices. Abandoning the binary model of public and private sectors the State Government of Victoria introduced the compulsory competitive tendering system under which local government bodies are required to tender out their services to private sector service providers. The aim was to encourage local government bodies to operate in contestable situations so that they can increase efficiency, decrease operating costs, develop clear programme goals and objectives, become responsive to client goals, and improve the quality of goods and services. The article describes how the practice of the compulsory competitive tendering system has introduced major changes to organizational cultures, attitudes of employees, power and authority structures, sytems of decision making, delegation of financial and managerial authority, and the nature of control and accountability. In addition, the article explains the degree of competitiveness and efficiency that local government bodies have achieved and describes how the corporatized structure has helped to achieve the financial objectives. The article also discusses how the role of the elected councils is diminishing under this new management structure and argues that in the absence of a genuine monitoring system and accountability mechanism the local government bodies find it difficult to assert their role as quality service deliverers. This has forced the councils to comply with the requirements of the competition laws which have reduced direct accountability of government to the public. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A concept for bifocal contact‐ or intraocular lenses: liquid single crystal hydrogels (“LSCH”)
Authors: Amigó‐Melchior Agustín , Finkelmann Heino 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe synthesis of liquid single crystal hydrogels (“LSCH”) in suitable molds offers an innovative concept to realize bifocal contact‐ or intraocular‐lenses. LSCH combine the properties required for applications as bifocal ophthalmic lenses: the soft and water‐containing hydrogel enables oxygen permeation and exhibits high birefringence due to the liquid crystalline phase structure built up by rigid rod‐like amphiphiles. Via a photo‐initiated crosslinking reaction of aqueous solutions of monomeric lyotropic liquid crystalline amphiphiles in the macroscopically ordered liquid crystalline state, we obtain optically uniaxially ordered and transparent LSCH. The orientation process and the phase structure of the anisotropic hydrogel is analyzed by deuterium NMR‐spectroscopy. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface modification of inorganic oxide particles with silane coupling agent and organic dyes
Authors: Lin Jun , Siddiqui Junaid A. , Ottenbrite Raphael M. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe silane coupling agent 3‐glycidoxypropyl trimethoxylsilane (GPS) was grafted onto the surface of silica gel, P
2 glass beads and TiO
2 oxide particles. FT‐IR, thermogravimetric and elemental analysis were used to characterize the modified particles. The effects of various factors on the GPS grafting efficiency such as catalyst, GPS concentration, reaction temperature and time were studied. After modification with GPS, the xanthene dye rhodamine B and azo dyes 4‐phenylazophenol and 4‐phenylazoaniline, respectively, were grafted on to the particles, which were then used as pigment fillers. The colors of the pigments were adjusted by changing the kind of dyes, the concentration, the pH and the reaction solvents. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of a simple, non‐toxic alamar blue cell survival assay to monitor tomato cell viability
Authors: Byth Heather‐Anne , Mchunu Bongani I. , Dubery Ian A. , Bornman Liza 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe Alamar Blue (AB) assay, which incorporates a redox indicator that changes colour or fluorescence in response to metabolic activity, is commonly used to assess quantitatively the viability and/or proliferation of mammalian cells and micro‐organisms. In this study the AB assay was adapted for the determination of the viability of plant cells. Cell suspension cultures of tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum, L., with differing viabilities, served as the experimental model for a comparison of the AB assay with the conventional 2,3,5‐triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) viability assay. The AB assay showed a sigmoidal relationship between cell viability and AB reduction (as quantified by spectrofluorometry or spectrophotometry), which was similar to that obtained using the TTC assay. Both assays detected a significant reduction in cell viability after 48 h exposure to virulent Ralstonia solanacearum (biovar III), while the TTC assay, in addition, revealed cell proliferation in control cells from 24 to 72 h. The TTC assay detected cell proliferation over a wider range of cell densities, while the AB assay was more rapid and versatile whilst being non‐toxic and thus allowing subsequent cell analysis. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative determination of cytotoxic­Friedo‐nor‐oleanane derivatives from five morphological types of Maytenus ilicifolia (celastraceae) by reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Filho Waldemar Buffa , Corsino Joaquim , Bolzani Vanderlan da Silva , Furlan Maysa , Pereira Ana Maria S. , França Suzelei Castro 
Published: August 2002

AbstractFive different morphological types of Maytenus ilicifolia of the same age and harvested under the same conditions showed distinct accumulations of some friedo‐nor‐oleananes. A rapid, sensitive and reliable reverse‐phase HPLC method (employing an external standard) was used for the determination of the cytotoxic triterpenoids, 20α‐hydroxymaytenin, 22β‐hydroxymaytenin, maytenin, celastrol and pristimerin in each of the five types. Well resolved peaks with good detection response and linearity in the range­1.0–100 µg/mL were obtained. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First trimester maternal serum placenta growth factor (PIGF)concentrations in pregnancies with fetal trisomy 21 or trisomy 18
Authors: Spencer Kevin , Liao Adolfo W. , Ong Charas Y. T. , Geerts Lut , Nicolaides Kypros H. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractPlacenta growth factor (PIGF), an angiogenic factor belonging to the vascular endothelial growth factor family, pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A (PAPP‐A) and free β‐human chorionic gonadotrophin (β‐hCG) were measured in maternal serum from 45 pregnancies with trisomy 21, 45 with trisomy 18 and 493 normal controls at 10–13 completed weeks of gestation. In the normal pregnancies maternal serum PIGF levels increased exponentially with gestation. The median multiple of the median (MoM) PIGF concentration in the trisomy 21 group (1.26 MoM) was significantly higher (p<0.0001) than in the control group (1.00 MoM). In the trisomy 18 group the median PIGF was lower (0.889 MoM) but this did not quite reach significance (p=0.064). The corresponding median MoM values for PAPP‐A were 1.00 MoM for the controls, 0.49 MoM for trisomy 21 and 0.16 MoM for trisomy 18. The median MoM values for free β‐hCG were 1.00 MoM for the controls, 2.05 MoM for trisomy 21 and 0.38 MoM for trisomy 18. In the control group there was a small but significant correlation of PIGF with free β‐hCG (r=+0.1024) and PAPP‐A (r=+0.2288). In the trisomy 18 group there was a significant association between PIGF and free β‐hCG (r=+0.2629) but not with PAPP‐A (r=+0.0038). In the trisomy 21 group there was a small but significant association with PAPP‐A (r=+0.1028) but not with free β‐hCG (r=+0.0339). The separation of affected and unaffected pregnancies in maternal serum PIGF is small, and therefore it is unlikely that measurement of PIGF would improve screening for these abnormalities provided by the combination of fetal nuchal translucency and maternal serum PAPP‐A and free β‐hCG. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enlarged fetal bladders: aetiology, management and outcome
Authors: McHugo Jo , Whittle Martin 
Published: August 2002

AbstractUltrasound routinely identifies the fetal bladder from 10 weeks of gestation. Understanding the normal embryology of the fetal bladder forms the basis of understanding the mechanisms for pathology. Early onset megacystis <12 mm (maximum diameter) frequently regresses spontaneously however when associated with other structural abnormalities 40% are chromosomally abnormal. Survival in this group is rare and the underlying histopathology is of urethral fibrostenosis. Second and third trimester megacystic indicates a heterogenous group where a precise antenatal diagnosis may be impossible. A distended thick wall bladder associated with a dilated posterior urethra and oligohydramnios is pathonemonic of posterior urethral valves; without this combination of ultrasound signs the underlying pathology is less certain. Prediction of other aetiologies for the megacystis is less accurate but includes primary reflux, cloacal plate, urethral duplication and megacystic microcolon in the differential diagnosis. Robust published data is currently unavailable to define appropriate management for individual cases of megacystis. Therefore current best practice for antenatal management will be discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methylphenidate in children with hyperactivity: review and cost–utility analysis
Authors: Gilmore Anna , Milne Ruairidh 
Published: August 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of methylphenidate in the treatment of children with hyperkinetic disorder as defined using ICD‐10 criteria.DesignComprehensive literature review and cost utility analysis comparing methylphenidate treatment with placebo. Costs and effects were estimated from a NHS perspective according to the methodology developed by the previous South and West Development and Evaluation Committee. The number of Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) gained was estimated by using the Index of Health Related Quality of Life to model treatment effects.ResultsEvidence from good and medium quality randomized controlled trials shows benefits of methylphenidate over weeks and months respectively. Evidence beyond 6 months is poorer and it is uncertain whether effects of methylphenidate persist into adolescence and adulthood. Methylphenidate is of reasonable cost‐effectiveness when considering short‐ and medium‐ term benefits with an estimated cost per QALY of £7400 to £9200 at 1997 prices.ConclusionsShort‐term treatment of hyperkinetic children with methylphenidate is effective and cost effective. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Drug switching patterns among patients taking non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs: a retrospective cohort study of a general practitioners database in the United Kingdom
Authors: Langman Michael , Kahler Kristijan H. , Kong Sheldon X. , Zhang Qiaoyi , Finch Elizabeth , Bentkover Judith D. , Stewart Edward J. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the frequency and determinants of switching between different non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the relationship with co‐prescription of gastro‐protective drugs (GPDs).DesignThis was an analysis of 30 654 patients receiving a total of 209 140 NSAID prescriptions in the UK from 1 January 1997 to 31 December1998 identified through the MediPlus database. Analyses examined switching, repeat, termination and GPD co‐prescription rates in new and continuing takers according to age and sex.ResultsEach patient received an average of 6.8 prescriptions in the year of study. Of the prescriptions 72.2% were for one of three NSAIDs, ibuprofen, diclofenac, or naproxen, and 7.2% of prescriptions were for fixed combination products of an NSAID plus a gastroprotective drug. At least 16.0% of continuing takers, and 28.5% of new takers switched to another NSAID in the review period. On average, new patients switched more frequently than continuing patients (0.39 switches/patient/year versus 0.23 switches/patient/year, p<0.001). Switching between NSAIDs decreased with age and was less common in women (p<0.05). Switching was associated with a 24% and 33% increased probability of GPD prescription in new and continuing takers, respectively.DiscussionThe frequency of switching, and of GPD co‐prescription at switching, suggest that dissatisfaction with NSAIDs is frequent, and that gastrointestinal intolerance is a common feature of this dissatisfaction. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contribution of pharmacists to the reporting of adverse drug reactions
Authors: van Grootheest A. C. , van Puijenbroek E. P. , de Jong–van den Berg L. T. W. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractPurposeThe aim of the study is to get a better view about the possible contribution of pharmacists' reports to the quantity and the quality of reports and in this way to the quality of a voluntary reporting system of adverse drug reactions.MethodsA total of 15 293 reports, sent to the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Foundation Lareb between 1995 and 2000 were analysed for the characteristics of pharmacists' reports and the differences with reports from physicians i.e. dispersion of adverse drug reactions in relation to the different System and Organ Classes, the seriousness of the reports according to the CIOMS criteria and the documentation grade of the reports. A total of 200 reports were selected at random and their quality assessed.ResultsPharmacists are responsible for 40% of the reports sent in to Lareb during this period. Their reports more frequently concern adverse effects in relation to skin and the eyes. Adverse drug reactions reported by pharmacists tend to be less severe than those reported by physicians and pharmacists' reports tend to be of a lower documentation grade than those of physicians. Also, the quality of the clinicial information is higher in physicians' reports.ConclusionsThe contribution of pharmacists to the voluntary reporting system in the Netherlands is of great importance, both for the number and quality of the reports. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dielectric analysis of the linear polymerization of an epoxy resin
Authors: Gallone Giuseppe , Capaccioli Simone , Levita Giovanni , Rolla Pier Angelo , Corezzi Silvia 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe dielectric properties of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy resin and n‐butylamine have been studied in the frequency range 100 Hz to 3 GHz at 25 °C. The unreacted mixture showed a single relaxation which gradually split in two relaxations, the separation of which increased as the reaction progressed. The low and high frequency relaxations are attributed to the structural dynamics of the growing macromolecules and to the motions of the dipoles associated with the monomers, respectively. The increase of the structural relaxation time is described by a phenomenological relationship, similar to the Williams–Landel–Ferry equation, that allows estimation of the conversion at vitrification. A marked decrease of the electrical conductivity has also been observed, as a result of the increasing viscosity of the system. The conductivity and the structural relaxation time are correlated by means of a generalized Debye–Stokes–Einstein model. It has also been found that both components of the complex dielectric permittivity, measured at microwave frequencies, yield information on the advancement of the polymerization process.© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Polysaccharides from prickly pear peel and nopals of Opuntia ficus‐indica: extraction, characterization and polyelectrolyte behaviour
Authors: Majdoub Hatem , Roudesli Sadok , Deratani André 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe extraction at natural pH of carbohydrate polymers from Opuntia ficus‐indica and their physicochemical characterization are reported. Polysaccharides extracted from nopal pulp, nopal peel and pear peel, are denoted NPU, NPE and PPE respectively. For comparison, extraction of the peel of fruit has also been carried out using the conventional acid process generally employed for pectin (PPI). The sugar composition indicates that all the polysaccharides obtained contain anionic moieties, galacturonic acid residues, from 10% for NPU to about 50% for those extracted from peels, the composition of which is typical of pectin. The macromolecular features of these compounds have been characterized by size‐exclusion chromatography coupled with multi‐angle laser light‐scattering detection (SEC–MALLS) and by capillary viscometry, leading to information on conformation and size dimension of macromolecules in dilute aqueous solutions. Our findings show that the polysaccharides from nopals have a random coil structure, whereas those from fruit peel exist as a compact sphere which is assumed to be due to a branched structure. The polyelectrolyte character related to the presence of fixed charges on the chain has been investigated as a function of pH and ionic strength. The conformational change from a compact form in acidic medium to an expanded one takes place in the pH range 4–6. A strong tendency to form aggregates in acidic medium is evidenced by SEC–MALLS. The differences observed in the solution behaviour of the studied polysaccharides are discussed in terms of intra‐ and inter‐macromolecular interactions.© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Stability of the adjustment scales for children and adolescents
Authors: Canivez Gary L. , Perry Amanda R. , Weller Elizabeth M. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractInvestigation of the short‐term (90‐day) stability of the Adjustment Scales for Children and Adolescents is reported for 124 randomly selected children in grades ranging from kindergarten to grade 12. Significant test‐retest stability coefficients were obtained and mean differences across the retest interval did not exceed .8 raw score points. The Solitary Aggressive‐Impulsive, Diffident, and Lethargic/Hypoactive syndromes and the global Underactivity scale showed significant raw score and T score changes across the retest interval, but the effect strengths were small. Syndromic Profile Classifications and Discriminant Classifications were also significantly consistent across the retest interval. Results were similar to those obtained in other stability studies of teacher report behavior rating scales. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Solvatochromism of carbenium–arene EDA (electrondonor–acceptor) complexes and their behaviour on silica
Authors: Spange Stefan , Fährmann Annett , Reuter Anett , Walther Ralph , Zimmermann Yvonne 
Published: August 2002

AbstractSpectral characteristics of two different types of electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complexes with charged components (arene–carbenium and anion–π acceptor) are presented. The UV–Vis absorption maxima of the charge‐transfer (CT) band (νmax,CT) of the EDA complexes were measured in various solvents and after adsorption on silica. Tropylium, triarylmethylium and diarylmethylium ions in combination with aromatic π donors, e.g. pyrene, acenaphthene and methoxy‐substituted benzene derivatives and also the tetraethylammonium iodide–1,3,5‐trinitrobenzene complex have been investigated by means of a special UV–Vis technique in transparent slurries of silica nanoparticles in 1,2‐dichloroethane. Multiple linear regression analyses of the νmax,CTvalues of the EDA complexes in various solvents and on silica with the Kamlet–Taft solvent parameters and structure–reactivity terms of the complex components, e.g. the oxidation potential of the arene component or the Hammett substituent constant, σp+, of the arylmethyl component, show their related properties to the solution complexes. The influence of the electron‐pair donating capacity of a solvent on νmax,CTof carbenium/arene complexes was compared with the property of the silica surface in order to link EDA complexes. For the diarylmethyl carbenium ion–pyrene complexes on silica, the presence of a σ‐like structure is discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Syntheses and characterizations of poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]–poly(propylene oxide)–poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] ABA triblock copolymers
Authors: Ni Pei‐Hong , Pan Qi‐Sheng , Zha Liu‐Sheng , Wang Chang‐Chun , Elaïssari Abdelhamid , Fu Shou‐Kuan 
Published: August 2002

AbstractA novel, near‐monodisperse, well‐defined ABA triblock copolymer, poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]‐b‐poly(propylene oxide)‐b‐poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate], was synthesized via oxyanion‐initiated polymerization. The initiator was a telechelic‐type potassium alcoholate prepared from poly(propylene glycol) and KH in dry tetrahydrofuran. The copolymers produced were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, 1H NMR, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). GPC and 1H NMR analyses showed that the products obtained were the desired copolymers, with narrow molecular weight distributions (ca. 1.09–1.11) very close to that of the original poly(propylene glycol). 1H NMR, surface tension measurements, and dynamic light scattering all indicated that the triblock copolymer led to interesting aqueous solution behaviors, including temperature‐induced micellization and very high surface activity. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 624–631, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10144
Synthesis and characterization of micrometer‐sized particles of narrow size distribution with chloromethyl functionality on the basis of single‐step swelling of uniform polystyrene template microspheres
Authors: Kedem Michal , Margel Shlomo 
Published: August 2002

AbstractPolystyrene template microspheres of 1.4 ± 0.1 μm were prepared by dispersion polymerization of styrene in a mixture of ethanol and 2‐methoxy ethanol. These template particles were then swelled at room temperature in a single step with emulsion that was prepared in sodium dodecyl sulfate aqueous solution from a swelling solvent (dibutyl phthalate) containing the initiator (benzoyl peroxide) and monomer(s) (chlormethylstyrene, divinylbenzene, or ethylene dimethacrylate). Composite uniform particles composed of the template polystyrene and noncrosslinked or crosslinked polychloromethylstyrene were prepared by polymerizing the monomer(s) within the swelled particles at 73 °C. Crosslinked uniform polychloromethylstyrene particles of higher surface area were formed by dissolving the template polystyrene polymer of the composite particles. The influence of various reaction parameters, such as dibuthyl phthalate concentration, chloromethylstyrene concentration, crosslinker type and concentration, and so forth on the molecular weight, size, size distribution, shape, morphology, surface area, and decomposition temperature of the particles was investigated. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1342–1352, 2002
Poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐N,O‐dimethacryloylhydroxylamine) particles by dispersion polymerization
Authors: Horák Daniel , Chaykivskyy Ostap 
Published: August 2002

AbstractPoly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐N,O‐dimethacryloylhydroxylamine) particles were prepared by dispersion polymerization in toluene/2‐methylpropan‐1‐ol medium using cellulose acetate butyrate and dibenzoyl peroxide (BPO) as a steric stabilizer and initiator, respectively. The particle size was reduced with decreasing solvency of the reaction medium (more nuclei were generated) because the critical chain length of the precipitated oligomers decreased with an increasing toluene content, which is a poorer solvent for the polymer than 2‐methylpropan‐1‐ol. There is an optimum initiator concentration (2 wt % BPO relative to monomers) for producing low‐polydispersity particles under given conditions. Additionally, discrete spherical particles were obtained at a low monomer concentration and/or higher polymerization temperature. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1625–1632, 2002