bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A policy mechanism for housing construction activity to achieve social and environmental goals: a case for India
Authors: Tiwari Piyush 
Published: November 2004

AbstractAdequate shelter for all is one of the most pressing challenges faced by developing countries. India is currently facing a shortage of 17.6 million houses. Construction sector represents the most pressing need, viz. shelter. Technologies, which are sustainable environmentally, are another important issue in developing countries, who are on their path to development. Earlier researchers have indicated that construction activity contributes 17% to the carbon dioxide emission in India. In this paper, we have tried to interweave various issues and propose a construction strategy for the Indian housing sector. Affordability of a house and availability of building materials for its construction are the main determinants of access to shelter. This demands efficient use of resources at low cost. This paper analyzes whether it is possible to provide a housing solution at affordable cost by adopting technologies which are less emitting. A policy instrument, energy tax, is designed in this paper that would enforce a switch in technology and promote those technologies, which are well known as least cost but less adopted. An optimization framework developed by Tiwari et al. (1999) and Tiwari (2001) for technology evaluation in house construction based on design codes for India, is used in this paper. Recent government housing policy statements have indicated that an annual supply of two million new houses would be required to meet the current shortage of housing in India. This model is applied to the construction of two million houses. The construction technologies that we evaluate are the commonly used construction technologies as well as the low‐cost techniques. It is asserted that by a proper selection of such techniques and material, the costs and emissions can be reduced substantially and at the same time employment can be generated.
School location methodology in urban areas of developing countries
Authors: Pizzolato Nelio D. , Barcelos Fabricio Broseghini , Nogueira Lorena Luiz Antonio 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThis study is concerned with the location of primary public schools. The public system should have the capacity to satisfy all the demand, although students may choose between public and private schools if they can afford the corresponding costs. A number of factors, such as questionable education quality, limited capacity, poor location and social preferences, secure a participation of about 30% to the private school system. The purpose of this study is both the evaluation of the existing public school network and a relocation proposal. The result of the former was the identification of areas with shortage and excess in school offer. The latter suggests school relocation using capacitated and uncapacitated models. ArcView, a software of the geographic information system (GIS) family, was employed, allowing the efficient handling of large problems and improving the presentation and evaluation of the findings. This methodology was applied to the primary public school network in the area of Vitoria, a state capital located in the southeast region of Brazil with about 300,000 inhabitants. Finally, the practical use of this study and its importance for planning purposes are discussed.
The Effect of Area HMO Market Share on Cancer Screening
Authors: Baker Laurence C. , Phillips Kathryn A. , Haas Jennifer S. , Liang Su‐Ying , Sonneborn Dean 
Published: November 2004

Objective. Managed care may have widespread impacts on health care delivery for all patients in the areas where they operate. We examine the relationship between area managed care activity and screening for breast, cervical, and prostate cancer among patients enrolled in more managed care plans and patients who are enrolled in less managed plans.Data and Methods. Data on cancer screening from the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) were linked to data on health maintenance organization (HMO) and preferred provider organization (PPO) market share and HMO competition at the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) level. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between area managed care prevalence and the use of mammography, clinical breast examination, Pap smear, and prostate cancer screening in the past two years, controlling for important covariates.Results. Among all patients, increases in area‐level HMO market share are associated with increases in the appropriate use of mammography, clinical breast exam, and Pap smear (OR for high relative to low managed care areas are 1.75, p<.01, for mammography, 1.58, p<.05, for clinical breast exam, and 1.71, p<.01, for Pap smear). In analyses of subgroups, the relationship is significant only for individuals who are enrolled in the nonmanaged plans; there is no relationship for individuals in more managed plans. No relationship is observed between area HMO market share and prostate cancer screening in any analysis. Neither the level of competition between area HMOs nor area PPO market share is associated with screening rates.Conclusions. Area‐level managed care activity can influence preventive care treatment patterns.
Globalization and National Identity in Japan
Authors: Sasaki Masamichi 
Published: November 2004

Abstract:  Globalization and national identity are two separate but important concepts in contemporary sociology; however, neither is well grounded. There is little consensus. Yet we need to establish a foundation for talking about globalization and national identity and the relationship between them. By reviewing literature, this paper presents many sides of the related controversies. Globalization can be interpreted from many different perspectives: economic, social, psychological, political, even philosophical. There is little argument that globalization is now a major characteristic of our daily lives. Identity had its beginnings in psychology and was then superimposed upon social systems, thereby explicating local, regional and national identities: Who are we? We are like those people, but unlike those other people. When considering complex concepts, we need to ask appropriate questions of both parents and their children (due to socialization). In the research study described in this paper, two sample data sets from Japan were used (N = 2,164), both employing an identical questionnaire: (a) a nationwide survey of parents and their children aged 15 through 17; and (b) a nationwide survey of adults. The two stage stratified sampling method was used. The study revealed that Japanese children had more positive and open‐minded attitudes toward “others” than did their parents and older adult groups. One's generation has an important impact on national identity among the Japanese. The findings also indicate that Japan is not a nation‐state in which national identity plays a particularly significant role. The study also suggested numerous opportunities for future research.
Off‐label and non‐classical prescriptions of antipsychotic agents in ordinary in‐patient practice
Authors: Barbui C. , Ciuna A. , Nosé M. , Patten S. B. , Stegagno M. , Burti L. , Amaddeo F. , Tansella M. 
Published: November 2004

Objective:  To estimate the proportion of off‐label prescriptions of antipsychotics (APs) in ordinary in‐patient practice.Method:  From the South‐Verona Psychiatric Case Register all admissions to the in‐patient unit during 2001–02 were extracted. Prescriptions of APs were defined off‐label when dispensed outside the licensed indications. In addition, the proportion of ‘non‐classical prescriptions’ was calculated.Results:  During the 2 years surveyed AP agents were prescribed in 311 cases. Nearly 50% of second‐generation AP prescriptions were for an off‐label indication. In contrast, <15% of first‐generation AP prescriptions were for an off‐label indication. About 30% of first‐ and second‐generation agents were prescribed for a non‐classical indication.Conclusion:  Approved labels for second‐generation AP agents cover a much narrower range of indications than any of the first‐generation agents, and this explains the higher proportion of off‐label prescriptions. In contrast, the everyday use of first‐ and second‐generation APs cover a similar range of clinical indications.
A comparison of a computer‐based questionnaire and personal interviews in determining oral health‐related behaviours
Authors: Chestnutt Ivor G. , Morgan Maria Z. , Hoddell Ceri , Playle Rebecca 
Published: November 2004

Abstract –  Background:  A major challenge for survey‐based research is to reduce bias. In an interview, subjects may claim more favourable behaviour to please the interviewer or comply with accepted norms.Objectives:  This study aimed to: (i) determine if adolescents give different answers when using a self‐completed computer‐administered oral health questionnaire compared with a personal interview, (ii) ascertain if responses to a face‐to‐face interview are dependant on whether a dentist or nonclinical researcher administered the questionnaire and (iii) examine if responses were influenced by whether they undertook the computer questionnaire first or second.Methods:  A randomized crossover design was used to investigate the responses to 15 closed questions on oral health‐related practices. These were administered to 453, 12‐year olds attending school dental inspections in South Wales.Results:  A total of 449 valid pairings of computer/interview responses were available for analysis. Responses to the questionnaire variables demonstrated good to very good levels of agreement (κ 0.68–0.90) when comparing the face‐to‐face and computer‐administered questionnaire. With the exception of questions on dental attendance, responses were not influenced by whether the questions were posed by the research officer or the dentist. A minimal order effect could be detected when undertaking the computer‐administered questionnaire first.Conclusions:  Whilst a study such as this cannot determine the true validity of the responses achieved, it is concluded that a computer‐administered questionnaire, comprising closed questions, can be utilized to determine oral health‐related behaviours in oral health surveys.
Assessment of different methods for diagnosing dental caries in epidemiological surveys
Authors: Assaf Andréa Videira , Meneghim Marcelo de Castro , Zanin Luciane , Mialhe Fábio Luiz , Pereira Antonio Carlos , Ambrosano Gláucia Maria Bovi 
Published: November 2004

Abstract – Aims:  The aims of the study were: (i) to assess different clinical diagnostic methods of dental caries during epidemiological surveys; (ii) to determine which combinations of methods and diagnostic adjuncts show the best performances in epidemiological surveys when compared with examinations performed in a traditional dental setting (standard); (iii) to evaluate the influence of including noncavitated (NC) lesions in dental caries estimation.Methods:  Forty 12‐year‐old children were divided into low and moderate caries prevalence groups. The individuals were submitted to 12 epidemiological examinations (in an outdoor setting), which combined three methods (blade, mirror and mirror + CPI (Community Periodontal Index) dental probe) with or without diagnostic adjuncts (previous dental brushing and dental drying). The last examination was performed in a traditional dental setting (standard examination). The unit of measure was the DMFS (decayed, missing and filled surfaces) index according to WHO criteria. The variance analysis, Dunnet's and Tukey's tests were applied.Results:  For the DMFS analysis, the visual/tactile method, with or without diagnostic adjuncts, was the best method for both groups, presenting a performance higher than 90% when compared with the standard examination, except for the examinations without previous dental brushing for the low caries prevalence group. Previous dental brushing was more relevant than dental drying (P = 0.0054). All of the epidemiological examinations underestimated the NC diagnosis even with the association of diagnostic adjuncts when compared with the standard examination.Conclusion:  The visual–tactile (for both groups) and the visual (mirror) methods plus dental brushing (for the moderate group) are appropriate for diagnosing cavitated lesions, but not NC lesions.
Chronic thrombocytopenia of childhood: use of non‐invasive methods in clinical evaluation
Authors: Rajantie J. , Javela K. , Joutsi‐Korhonen L. , Kekomäki R. 
Published: November 2004

Abstract:Objectives : An unselected group of 21 children with chronic thrombocytopenia was investigated to understand the patients’ platelet abnormality better.Methods : Platelet counts, mean platelet volumes (MPV), membrane glycoproteins and Fcγ receptor type IIA (FcγRIIA) polymorphism H131R, reticulated platelets (%RP), antiplatelet antibodies and plasma thrombopoietin (TPO) were measured.Results : Sixteen patients had idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) (group 1: platelets <50 × 109/L, n = 6; group 2: 50–99 × 109/L, n = 4; group 3: 100–149 × 109/L, n = 4; group 4: splenectomised patients with normal platelet counts, n = 2). Five patients had familial thrombocytopenia. Six healthy children were studied as a reference. In the 19 thrombocytopenic patients, the platelets were significantly larger and %RP and TPO levels were significantly higher than those in the controls. Increased megakaryocytosis at diagnosis was associated with larger MPV and higher %RP but not with platelet level or TPO. The %RP was remarkably high in all ITP patients of group 1 indicating a brisk production of platelets despite low peripheral count. In all patients with familial thrombocytopenia, TPO was increased suggesting that the syndrome was not because of defective TPO production. The distribution of FcγRIIA alleles in the patients was similar to that in the controls.Conclusions : A combined application of %RP and TPO could be helpful in classifying patients with chronic thrombocytopenia into different categories. The observations may be of value in the clinical evaluation of ITP patients and lead to avoidance of invasive examinations at least in some patients.
Yellow fever vaccine: a successful vaccination of an immunocompromised patient
Authors: Gowda R. , Cartwright K. , Bremner J. A. G. , Green S. T. 
Published: November 2004

Abstract: We report on the successful vaccination of a patient, 21/2 yr after bone marrow transplantation for myeloma. He was not severely immunosupressed and responded to the yellow fever vaccine (17D, a live attenuated vaccine) without any adverse affects.
The predictive value of megakaryocytic and erythroid colony formation and platelet function tests on the risk of thromboembolic and bleeding complications in essential thrombocythaemia
Authors: Niittyvuopio Riitta , Juvonen Eeva , Kekomäki Riitta , Oksanen Kalevi , Anttila Pekka , Ruutu Tapani 
Published: November 2004

Abstract:The predictive value of spontaneous in vitro colony formation of megakaryocytic and erythroid progenitors (154 patients), and defective platelet aggregation responses (55 patients) on the risk of thrombohaemorrhagic complications in patients with essential thrombocythaemia (ET) was evaluated retrospectively. In the in vitro cultures of haematopoietic progenitors, 114/154 patients (74%) showed either spontaneous megakaryocytic or erythroid colony formation or both. Forty‐three per cent of patients with any spontaneous colony growth and only 20% of those without this phenomenon had an arterial thrombosis at diagnosis or during the follow‐up (P = 0.02). In the whole patient group neither spontaneous megakaryocytic nor spontaneous erythroid colony formation alone predicted the risk of arterial thrombosis. In patients younger than 45 yr of age, the prognostic value of spontaneous megakaryocytic growth was statistically significant: 44% of the patients with spontaneous megakaryocytic colony formation, but only 14% of those without it, experienced arterial thrombosis (P = 0.04). The presence of spontaneous colony formation had no effect on the risk of bleeding complications. Forty‐one of the 55 patients (75%) showed abnormalities in the platelet aggregation responses. There was no statistically significant correlation between the platelet function response and the risk of bleeding or thrombotic complications. No correlation was found between the platelet aggregation responses and the presence of spontaneous colony growth. In conclusion, spontaneous colony formation indicated an increased risk of thrombohaemorragic events but the platelet function test had no predictive value for these complications.
Effect of Proteasome Pathway on Initiation of Mouse Labor Induced by Antiprogesterone
Authors: Kimura Tadashi , Nakamura Hitomi , Ogita Kazuhide , Koyama Shinsuke , Tomiie Mari , Yoshida Susumu , Tsutsui Tateki , Shimoya Koichiro , Koyama Masayasu , Murata Yuji 
Published: November 2004

Problem:  Various kinds of contraction‐associated molecules are up‐regulated at the initiation of labor. However, expression profiling has revealed that many molecules are also down‐regulated. The effect of down‐regulation of molecules by protein degradation on parturition is not known.Methods of study:  We administered lactacystin, a specific proteasome inhibitor, to mouse preterm birth model induced by antiprogesterone RU486 on day 16.0 post‐coitus. NF‐kappaB activity, and the levels of transcripts for oxytocin receptor, prostaglandin F2α receptor (FP), cyclooxygenase‐1, ‐2, and interleukin‐1β in the uterus were examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and semi‐quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction, respectively.Results:  Administration of lactacystin significantly prolonged the time until the delivery of the first pup. FP mRNA level was solely elevated by RU486 treatment, and lactacystin significantly suppressed this up‐regulation.Conclusions:  Proteolysis by proteasomes in the uterus regulates the initiation of labor, at least in part, via control of contraction‐associated molecules such as FP.
CD11b Expression on Circulating Leukocytes Increases in Preparation for Parturition
Authors: Luppi Patrizia , Irwin Tracy E. , Simhan Hyagriv , DeLoia Julie A. 
Published: November 2004

Problem:  Initiation of parturition is associated with migration of leukocytes to the reproductive tract. This migration is controlled in part by expression of adhesion molecules on the surface of leukocytes and vascular endothelial cells. Within the reproductive tract, certain endothelial adhesion molecules, including intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), are up‐regulated at the end of gestation. ICAM‐1 binds to the β2 integrin CD11b on the leukocytes. In this study, we wanted to investigate whether complementary changes occur in expression of adhesion molecules on maternal leukocytes in preparation for parturition.Method of study:  We used flow cytometry to ascertain changes in adhesion molecules expression on leukocytes throughout third trimester and labor.Results:  We found a significant increase in the expression of CD11b on monocytes and granulocytes in women at >37 weeks of gestation.Conclusions:  CD11b may be a key molecule for leukocyte trafficking to the reproductive tract at the end of pregnancy.
Tissue reaction to orthodontic tooth movement in acute and chronic corticosteroid treatment*
Authors: Kalia S. , Melsen B. , Verna C. 
Published: November 2004

Structured AbstractAuthors – Kalia S, Melsen B, Verna CObjectives – To study tissue reaction to orthodontic loading during the course of short‐ and long‐term corticosteroid administration.Design – ‘Split‐mouth’ design to perform orthodontic tooth movement in 64 six‐month‐old male rats divided into groups: no drug administration (n = 19), acute (n = 22) and chronic (n = 23) 8 mg/kg/day corticosteroid treatment. Performed in the Department of Orthodontics at Aarhus University.Experimental Variable – The upper left first molar was moved for 21 days. Bone markers were administered at 7 and 2 days before sacrifice. Histological sections were cut at the coronal level.Outcome Measure – Tooth movement rate, alveolar socket area, the relative extension of alveolar wall with erosion, and the mineralizing surfaces were measured and compared in the three groups.Results – Tooth movement rate increased in the chronic group. The mechanical load induced an enlargement of the alveolar wall that was less pronounced in both medicated groups. In the acute group the drug suppressed bone resorption and formation without mechanical stimulus. Force application resulted in significant increase in the relative extension of resorption and formation in both drug groups; it was particularly pronounced in the chronic group.Conclusion – Because acute corticosteroid ingestion reduces bone turnover, in these patients orthodontic treatment might best be postponed until a time the patient is free of the drug. Chronic steroid ingestion leads to an increased biological reaction to mechanical perturbation indicating that the orthodontic force level should be reduced and controlled more frequently in patients on chronic steroid treatment.
Clinical studies on the appearance of natural anterior teeth in young and old adults
Authors: Hartmann Rüdiger , Müller Frauke 
Published: November 2004

Objectives:  To evaluate the typical appearance of natural anterior teeth in young and elderly people and to develop guidelines for the natural appearance of dentures.Design:  Clinical examination and photography. Inclusion criteria were a dental state with natural anterior teeth and no more than two crowns.Subjects:  A study group (SG) consisting of 64 patients ranging in age from 60 to 86 years (67.3 ± 5.8) and a control group (CG) composed of 64 dental students aged 21–33 years (25.8 ± 2.4).Setting:  Dental schools of the Johannes‐Gutenberg‐University Mainz and the University of Leipzig.Results:  Most participants were content with the appearance of their own natural teeth. With relaxed lips a mean of 1.5 (±0.19) mm of upper incisors and 1.6 (±0.19) mm of lower incisors were visible in the SG compared with 2.5 (±0.16) and 0.4 (±0.07) mm in the CG, respectively. The subjects in the SG showed a greater diversity in position of teeth in the anterior arch and this was more often with incisors than with canines. Features such as stains, cracks and defects were much more noticeable in the SG. An inter‐dental ‘black triangle’ seemed to be a typical feature of an aged dental appearance.Conclusion:  The majority of people older than 60 years who still have their own natural anterior teeth would not wish for a change in appearance if they needed a prosthodontic reconstruction. Thus techniques for customisation should be promoted to obtain a natural appearance in dentures.