bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Post‐occupancy evaluation of zoo Atlanta's Giant Panda Conservation Center: Staff and visitor reactions
Authors: Wilson Megan , Kelling Angela , Poline Laura , Bloomsmith Mollie , Maple Terry 
Published: August 2003

AbstractConstruction of a new zoo animal exhibit impacts animals, visitors, and staff, and considerable attention should be paid to evaluation of the exhibit. In November 1999, Zoo Atlanta received two giant pandas from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Sichuan, China, which presented an opportunity to evaluate the new giant panda exhibit. The present study documents the reactions of staff and visitors to Zoo Atlanta's Giant Panda Conservation Center by a post‐occupancy evaluation (POE). Confidential interviews were conducted with 23 staff, and 145 zoo visitors completed questionnaires. Staff and visitors were asked to assign quality ratings to specific areas of the exhibit, and complete a series of open‐ended questions. The findings suggest that staff and visitors evaluated Zoo Atlanta's giant panda exhibit favorably. On a five‐point scale, the exhibit received mean ratings of 3.64 from the staff and 4.50 from the visitors. With a few exceptions, most areas of the exhibit met or exceeded staff expectations. Staff and visitors identified a number of strengths and weaknesses of the exhibit. Staff most frequently recommended changes to the pandas' space and the ability to address husbandry issues, while a large number of visitors did not suggest any changes, or did not respond to the question. Visitors that did respond to the question most often recommended that the zoo display additional pandas and modify the pandas' space. There were no significant differences in visitors' ratings of the different areas of the enclosure, or in their overall impressions of the exhibit, as a function of the pandas' location. The results are examined in terms of general implications for zoo exhibit design, construction, and evaluation, and in light of the goals of this facility. The study highlights the benefits of conducting POEs in a zoo setting. Zoo Biol 22:365–382, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Imprint cytology versus frozen section: intraoperative analysis of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer
Authors: Liang Rhea , Craik Jan , Juhasz Eva S. , Harman C. Richard 
Published: August 2003

Background:  Intraoperative analysis of the sentinel node status in breast cancer adds the benefit of proceeding to axillary dissection at the same time as the primary breast operation, without the need for a second trip to theatre. However, the method of intra­operative analysis must be both rapid and accurate for use in this setting.Methods:  A prospective series of 20 consecutive patients in one hospital who underwent sentinel node biopsy was performed. Intraoperative evaluation by imprint cytology and frozen section was compared with the final histopathological results. The time taken for both procedures was recorded.Results:  A total of 21 sentinel node procedures was performed. The sentinel node was found in 20 procedures (95%). The average time to perform intraoperative pathological analysis was 17 min (range: 5−35 min). Of the eight positive sentinel nodes, five were positive on imprint cytology alone and five were positive on frozen section alone (62.5% accuracy). The statistical false negative rate was 18.8% and the ‘false reassurance rate’ (patients with an initially negative node that was subsequently positive on formal histology who required a second trip to theatre for axillary dissection) was 37.5%. All patients with a negative sentinel node had a negative axilla.Conclusions:  Intraoperative analysis of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer can be performed quickly. Imprint cytology and frozen section show comparable accuracy in predicting sentinel node status.
Europeanization and the “Needle's Eye”: The Transformation of Employment Policy in Germany1
Authors: LIEBERT ULRIKE 
Published: August 2003

AbstractWhat have been the impacts of Europeanization in European Union (EU) member states in the domain of employment policy from a gender perspective? The essay explores this question for one of the traditional “male breadwinner–female caretaker” gender policy regimes in the EU—the case of Germany. Since German women's employment status is behind the status of women in many other EU countries, it has been expected that the impact of European (EC) equal opportunity and equal treatment norms on domestic policy change has remained minimal (Ostner & Lewis, 1995). This, however, is not the case any more. On the contrary, it is argued that Europeanization, although against considerable domestic resistances and with delays, helps to “gender” German public employment policy, namely in three respects: with respect to underlying gender norms, regarding the distinction of gender specific target groups and scope, and the introduction of innovative gender‐sensitive policy instruments. This claim is illustrated by three examples. An explanation for these shifts is developed that accounts for member state change despite misfits with EU norms, not as a consequence of legal compliance mechanisms, but as an outcome of a combination of three mechanisms—the politicization of controversial issues, shifts in dominant discourses, and political advocacy building—conducive to the “gendering” of Europeanization.
In vivo effects of an Er:YAG Laser, an ultrasonic system and scaling and root planing on the biocompatibility of periodontally diseased root surfaces in cultures of human PDL fibroblasts
Authors: Schwarz Frank , Aoki Akira , Sculean Anton , Georg Thomas , Scherbaum Werner , Becker Jürgen 
Published: August 2003

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to investigate the in vivo effects of an Er:YAG laser (ERL), an ultrasonic system and scaling and root planing (SRP) on the biocompatibility of periodontally diseased root surfaces in cultures of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDL).Study Design/Materials and MethodsForty single rooted teeth, considered for extraction due to severe periodontal destruction, have been randomly assigned to the following groups: (1) ERL at 160 mJ/pulse and 10 Hz, or (2) Vector® ultrasonic system (VUS), or (3) SRP using hand instruments, or (4) untreated control (C). Immediately after instrumentation, all test and control teeth were extracted and root specimens (4 mm2) were prepared from all mesial and distal surfaces (n = 80). Following the prescribed treatments, the root specimens were incubated with human PDL fibroblast cultures. Adherent cells were stained with methylene blue and counted using a reflected light microscope and the cell density per mm2 was calculated. Additionally, the cell morphology was investigated using SEM (n = 8 teeth).ResultsCell counts within each group yielded the following means and standard deviations (cells/mm2): ERL, 111 ± 27; VUS, 75 ± 25; SRP, 41 ± 17; control, 25 ± 11. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences in the number of attached cells between the test and control groups (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.01, respectively). ERL and VUS treated specimens showed significantly higher numbers of cells/mm2 than the SRP group (P < 0.001, respectively). The difference between the ERL and VUS group was statistically significant (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe results of the present study indicate that (i) ERL, VUS, and SRP promote the attachment of PDL fibroblasts on previously diseased root surfaces, (ii) periodontally diseased root surfaces inhibit the adherence of PDL fibroblasts, and (iii) the surface structure of ERL and VUS instrumented roots seem to offer better conditions for the adherence of PDL fibroblasts than SRP. Lasers Surg. Med. 33:140–147, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Kinetics and mechanism of acid‐catalyzed hydrolysis of the diazo functional group of diazophenylacetamide
Authors: Chang J. A. , Kresge A. J. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe acid‐catalyzed hydrolysis of diazophenylacetamide giving mandelamide as product was found to occur with a normal (kH/kD>1) hydronium ion isotope effect and to be subject to general acid rather than specific hydronium ion catalysis. This shows that the reaction occurs by rate‐determining hydron transfer from the catalyzing acid to the diazo carbon atom of the substrate, followed by rapid displacement of the diazo group by water. Comparison of the rate of this reaction with those of the same process for other diazophenylacetic acid functional derivatives, PhCN2COX, reveals that the reactivity of these substrates is controlled by the electron‐releasing resonance ability of the group X. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mapping low‐resolution three‐dimensional protein structures using chemical cross‐linking and Fourier transform ion‐cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry
Authors: Dihazi Gry H. , Sinz Andrea 
Published: August 2003

AbstractTechniques in mass spectrometry (MS) combined with chemical cross‐linking have proven to be efficient tools for the rapid determination of low‐resolution three‐dimensional (3‐D) structures of proteins. The general procedure involves chemical cross‐linking of a protein followed by enzymatic digestion and MS analysis of the resulting peptide mixture. These experiments are generally fast and do not require large quantities of protein. However, the large number of peptide species created from the digestion of cross‐linked proteins makes it difficult to identify relevant intermolecular cross‐linked peptides from MS data. We present a method for mapping low‐resolution 3‐D protein structures by combining chemical cross‐linking with high‐resolution FTICR (Fourier transform ion‐cyclotron resonance) mass spectrometry using cytochrome c and hen egg lysozyme as model proteins. We applied several homo‐bifunctional, amine‐reactive cross‐linking reagents that bridge distances from 6 to 16 Å. The non‐digested cross‐linking reaction mixtures were monitored by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOFMS) to determine the extent of cross‐linking. Enzymatically digested reaction mixtures were separated by nano‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (nano‐HPLC) on reverse‐phase columns applying water/acetonitrile gradients with flow rates of 200 nL/min. The nano‐HPLC system was directly coupled to an FTICR mass spectrometer equipped with a nano‐ESI (electrospray ionization) source. Cross‐linking products were identified using a combination of the GPMAW software and ExPASy Proteomics tools. For correct assignment of the cross‐linking products the key factor is to rely on a mass spectrometric method providing both high resolution and high mass accuracy, such as FTICRMS. By combining chemical cross‐linking with FTICRMS we were able to rapidly define several intramolecular constraints for cytochrome c and lysozyme. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of computerized image analysis in the morphometric characterization of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) spermatozoa obtained from the epididymis 4 hours postmortem
Authors: Pérez‐Garnelo S.S. , Delclaux M. , Talavera C. , López M. , De la Fuente J. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe reproductive tract of Chu‐Lin, a giant panda that had died at Madrid Zoo, was removed. Four hours postmortem the epididymides was cut with a blade, and the spermatozoa were collected and immersed in a freezing medium. The sample was kept under refrigeration at 5°C. After 4 hr the sperm suspension was aspirated into 0.25‐mL straws, which were held for 7 min in nitrogen vapors before they were plunged into liquid nitrogen. To characterize sperm population and distribution, a morphometric study of the triple‐stained smears of the thawed semen sample was undertaken with the aid of computerized image analysis. Spermatozoa with intact acrosomes were selected and assessed using an immersion lens (1,000×) and bright‐field illumination. The software made it possible to take six basic linear measurements of each spermatozoon: maximum head width (HW), base of the head (BH), maximum head length (HL), midpiece length (ML), midpiece width (MW), and terminal piece length (TL). The system was connected to a data base from which derived parameters could be calculated: head form factor (HL/HW), total flagellum length (TFL), total sperm length (TSL), and the proportion of each of the sections in relation to the whole. The results of the morphometric study did not demonstrate the existence of sperm subpopulations, as the measurements of the 100 spermatozoa analyzed were relatively homogeneous with regard to their distribution for each of the parameters considered. The sperm head of the giant panda displayed a relatively rounded morphology, and the HL/HW was 1.24±0.03. Mean head length was 5.05±0.08 µ, and mean head width was 4.07±0.08 µ. The mean total length of the giant panda spermatozoon was 49.26±0.67 µ. Zoo Biol 22:355–364, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sexual function after aortic surgery
Authors: Magee Reginald 
Published: August 2003

Background:  Male patients attending for follow up after aortic surgery have often commented that there has been a change in their sexual function.Methods:  A survey of patients attending vascular outpatient clinic and private practice following aortic surgery was carried out by personal interview.Results:  Of those who were sexually active before operation, 40% thought that there had been a diminution in performance and 11% thought that there was some improvement. Similar results have been found in other centres.Conclusions:  Aortic surgery carries a risk of diminution in sexual function as a consequence of the operation. It is the duty of the surgeon to warn patients of this risk when seeking informed consent.
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: initial Tasmanian experience
Authors: Semple Craig W. , Chehata Ashraf , Wilkinson Stephen , Wertheimer Michael A. 
Published: August 2003

Background:  The laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) is a minimally invasive, adjustable and reversible bariatric pro­cedure. The present paper reports an initial 2 year experience at Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania.Methods:  Between February 1999 and June 2001, 207 patients underwent LAGB insertion (176 female, 31 male). The mean age was 43 years (range: 16−74 years). Mean preoperative weight was 125 kg (range: 83−210 kg) and mean body mass index (BMI) was 45.9 (range: 32.6−67.0). The Bioenterics LAGB (Inamed, Chullora, NSW, Australia) was used in all cases. The average follow up was 17 months (range: 3−24 months). Three patients were lost to follow up (1.5%).Results:  The average weight loss was 12.4 kg at 3 months, 25.3 kg at 1 year and 34.8 kg at 2 years. The average BMI was reduced from 45.9 preoperatively to 41.3 at 3 months, 36.9 at 1 year and 33.5 at 2 years. Reoperation for band slippage occurred in 24 patients (11%), and the injection reservoir required changes in 22 patients (11%). There were three perforations while inserting the LAGB, two non‐fatal pulmonary emboli (1%) and two cases of deep vein thrombosis (1%). There has been no mortality.Conclusions:  Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is a safe and effective method of achieving significant (P < 0.0001) weight reduction in the morbidly obese.
Preoperative cardiac assessment for patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms: a survey of current practice by vascular surgeons in New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory
Authors: Wong Shen , Appleberg Michael , Neale Michael L. , Fisher Charles M. , Lewis David R. 
Published: August 2003

Background:  The reported mortality rate following open elective repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) varies between 0  and 12%. Much of the mortality and major morbidity is caused by cardiac events. The evidence regarding best practice for cardiac assessment and optimization of this patient group is unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate current practice of cardiac risk factor assessment by vas­cular surgeons in New South Wales (NSW) and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) for patients undergoing open elective repair of infrarenal AAA.Methods:  A postal questionnaire was sent to 46 surgeons in NSW and ACT identified as expressing a principal or major interest in vascular surgery. If no response was received within 3 weeks, a second questionnaire was sent and if no response was received after the second mailing, a telephone survey of non‐responders was conducted. Data were collated regarding the importance of risk factors elicited by clinical history, preoperative investigation, referral for cardiological opinion, use of perioperative beta‐blockade and the timing of aortic surgery in relation to coronary artery revascularization and acute myocardial infarction.Results:  The overall response rate was 87% (40/46) and the median (range) response time was 14 (4−109) days. Only 22 of 40 and 23 of 40 surgeons consider diabetes mellitus or renal impairment, respectively, to be important when assessing cardiac risk and 34 of 40 surgeons do not employ a validated risk index in preoperative assessment. Sixteen of 40 surgeons refer all patients needing AAA repair to a cardiologist, while 24 of 40 would initiate cardiac investigations themselves (either stress electrocardiography, scintigraphy or echocardiography). Seventeen surgeons always or usually commenced perioperative beta‐blockade with wide variations in the commencement (1 to > 28 days preoperatively) and duration (< 1 week to > 28 days postoperatively) of treatment. The timing of AAA repair following coronary revascularization ranged from < 1 week to 6 months and delay in surgical repair of AAA following myocardial infarction ranged from < 1 week to > 6 months.Conclusion:  Preoperative assessment of cardiac risk in patients for repair of AAA lacks consensus among vascular surgeons in NSW and ACT. The diversity of clinical practice may rest with the paucity of prospective trials published in the medical literature or the influence of local institutional facilities.
Routine circumcision practice in Western Australia 1981−1999
Authors: Spilsbury Katrina , Semmens James B. , Wisniewski Z. Stan , Holman C. D’Arcy J. 
Published: August 2003

Background:  Routine neonatal circumcision has declined in most English‐speaking countries. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the trends in incidence of routine circumcision in Western Australia and current patterns of the procedure according to sociodemographic factors.Methods:  Hospital morbidity data were used to conduct a population‐based study of all circumcisions performed in Western ­Australian hospitals during 1981−1999. Medicare insurance rebate statistics were used to estimate the numbers of circumcisions performed outside of hospital on boys <6 months of age between 1994 and 1999.Results:  In 1994, 9.8% of boys were circumcised before reaching 6 months of age, falling to 7.9% by 1999. Boys <6 months of age were 3.3 times more likely to undergo a hospital‐performed circumcision if they lived in country areas compared with metro­politan Perth. Middle socioeconomic class families were twice as likely to circumcise a son than those in the higher and lower socioeconomic groups. The decreasing circumcision rate in boys <6 months of age was partly offset by an increase in routine circumcisions in boys older than 6 months of age during 1981−1999.Conclusion:  Circumcision remains a relatively common procedure in Western Australia. Based on total routine circumcision rates in 1999, 10.2% of boys will be circumcised by the time they reach 15 years of age. The routine circumcision rate in boys <6 months is falling in contrast to a rising routine circumcision rate in older boys. Risk factors for a circumcision before 6 months of age include living in country areas and a middle socioeconomic status.
Ownership Structure Changes in the Insurance Industry: An Analysis of Demutualization
Authors: Viswanathan Krupa S. , Cummins J. David 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThis article focuses on the demutualization process and investigates why certain mutuals undergo this organizational structure change. The primary motivation for conversion is access to capital. By statute, mutual firms are limited in their capital‐raising activities while stock firms can attract funds through a variety of stock and debt offerings. By examining the financial characteristics of firms that demutualize, changes in business practices in the years surrounding conversion can be observed. Determinants of the conversion decision are explored through logistic regression. In the years before demutualization, converting property‐liability mutuals exhibit significantly lower surplus‐to‐asset ratios. This capital constraint eases after demutualization. Converting life‐health mutuals hold a significantly lower proportion of liquid assets; in addition, they have a higher proportion of separate accounts under management. This liquidity constraint and increased focus on a higher managerial discretion activity drive the demutualization decision. For both property‐liability and life‐health converting mutuals, support for the access to capital hypothesis is found.
Equal Employment Policy in Germany: Limited Results and Prospects for Reform
Authors: KOCH ANGELIKA 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThis article contributes to feminist debates on equal employment policy in Germany by pointing out the shortcomings of current German equal employment policy in the private sector and by suggesting a new approach to shore‐up the gaps of current policy. The first section of the article critically assesses existing legislation and the voluntary regulation of gender equality in the private sector by the social partners. The second section addresses prospects for reform and discusses a new approach to gender equality in the workplace. The article concludes with suggestions for a more effective equal opportunity law as a crucial part of a labor policy that includes issues of gender equality.
Transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) with short duration laser exposures induce heat shock protein (HSP) hyperexpression on choroidoretinal layers
Authors: Desmettre Thomas , Maurage Claude‐Alain , Mordon Serge 
Published: August 2003

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesTo assess a choroidal heat shock protein hyperexpression after transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) performed with exposures shorter than 60 seconds.Study Design/Materials and MethodsNine male pigmented rabbits were anesthetized and TTT was performed on their right eye with a 810 nm diode laser (Iridis, Quantel‐Medical (France)) (spot size: 1.3 mm). Three exposure durations (60, 30, or 15 seconds) were used with three ranges of power for each duration (“high,” “mild,” or “low”). A series of laser impacts was delivered to the posterior pole of the retina. Left eyes were used as controls. Twenty‐four hours after laser irradiation, the animals were killed and histological study was performed on chorioretinal layers. Tissue samples were fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. A monoclonal antibody was used to detect Hsp70 immunoreactivity (mouse IgGl, SPA‐810, Stress Gen, Victoria, BC, Canada), followed by a biotinylated goat anti‐mouse antibody (Dako, Glostrup, Denmark), revealed by the avidin–biotin complex (Vectastain kit, Vector Laboratries, Burlingame, CA, USA) and the AEC chromogen. Retinal structures were further identified by HES coloration.ResultsDuring the experiments, the laser spots were not visible except for the strongest “high” powers for each exposure duration, where a whitening was discernable at the end of the laser exposures. A strong HSP70 immunoreactivity was detected in choroidal, non‐pigmented cells for laser exposures lasting 60, 30, or 15 seconds with “mild” laser powers. On the contrary, rare HSP hyperexpression was detected with “high” or “low” laser powers lasting 60, 30, or 15 seconds. No HSP‐70 immunoreactivity was detected on control eyes nor outside of the irradiated zones of treated eyes.ConclusionsTranspupillary laser irradiation lasting 15, 30, or 60 seconds induces an hyperexpression of HSP on choroidal layers. This could be a basis for the use of TTT with “short” laser exposures. Lasers Surg. Med. 33:102–107, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.