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External Control (external + control)
Selected AbstractsAn examination of perceived behavioral control: Internal and external influences on intentionPSYCHOLOGY & MARKETING, Issue 7 2003Blair Kidwell We explore the dimensionality and structure of internal and external perceived behavioral control, extending research on the relationship between these control components. Two conceptual models were identified and tested in Study 1. External control was manipulated in Study 2 to further explicate hypothesized variation in perceived internal control. The results from both studies provide support for an antecedent relationship between control constructs with external control as an antecedent and internal control as the more proximate determinant of behavioral intent. Theoretical implications of findings are discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Sister chromatid exchange analysis in smelting plant workers exposed to arsenicENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 4 2006Leiliane Paiva Abstract There are many studies documenting the genotoxic effects of environmental exposure to arsenic. Nevertheless, few data are available on the genotoxic risks of occupational arsenic exposure. In the present study, we have evaluated whether or not occupational exposure to arsenic in a copper smelting plant results in a significant increase in the frequency of sister chromatid exchange (SCE). SCE frequencies, proliferation rate index (PRI), and high frequency cells (HFCs) were evaluated in peripheral blood lymphocytes from a group of 105 arsenic-exposed workers from a Chilean smelting plant (exposed group). Similar assays were conducted on a group of 55 workers employed at the same mine but involved in administrative jobs (internal control), and on 48 workers of another mine, with no significant levels of arsenic (external control). Small but significant increases in SCE frequency were observed in the arsenic-exposed workers compared with the external control group (6.28 ± 0.09 vs. 5.84 ± 0.14 SCE/cell; P < 0.01). Also, significantly higher frequencies of HFCs were observed in the exposed group (2.21% ± 0.20%) than in either the external control group (1.20 ± 0.23; P = 0.002) or the internal control group (1.30 ± 0.24; P = 0.008). However, there was no relationship between arsenic levels in the urine of the subjects and SCE or HFC frequency. The results of the study indicate that copper smelting results in slightly increased levels of DNA damage. However, our data were not consistent with arsenic exposure being the cause of the increase. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The relationship of some negative events and psychological factors to periodontal disease in an adult Swedish population 50 to 80 years of ageJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 3 2002A. Hugoson Abstract Background: Clinical observations and epidemiological studies suggest that experiences of negative life events, especially those manifested as depression, may contribute to an increased susceptibility to periodontal disease. Objective: In the present study, the prevalence of some negative life events and psychological factors and their relation to periodontal disease were investigated. The sample consisted of individuals 50,80 years of age from an extensive cross-sectional epidemiological study performed in 1993 in the city of Jönköping, Sweden. Method: 298 dentate individuals from the Jönköping study were randomly selected. Clinical and radiographic examinations included registration of the number of existing teeth, plaque index, gingival index, pocket depth, and alveolar bone loss. In addition, a questionnaire about socioeconomic status, life events, and psychological and stress-related factors was used. Results: The results revealed that, in addition to the well-documented periodontal disease risk factors such as increased age, oral hygiene status, and smoking, the loss of a spouse (being a widow or widower) and the personality trait of exercising extreme external control were also associated with severe periodontal disease. Conclusion: The findings support recent studies suggesting that traumatic life events such as the loss of a spouse may increase the risk for periodontal disease. Above all, the present results indicate that an individual's ability to cope with stressful stimuli (coping behavior), as measured by the beliefs of locus of control of reinforcements may play a role in the progression of periodontal disease. Zusammenfassung Hintergrund: Klinische Beobachtungen und epidemiologische Studien legen den Schluss nahe, dass negative Ereignisse im Laufe des Lebens, insbesondere solche, die sich in Depression manifestieren, zu einer erhöhten Empfänglichkeit für Parodontitis beitragen. Zielsetzung: Untersuchung der Prävalenz von negativen Ereignissen im Lebenslauf sowie psychologischen Faktoren und deren Beziehung zu Parodontalerkrankungen in einer Population im Alter zwischen 50 und 80 Jahren, die im Rahmen einer extensiven epidemiologischen Querschnittsstudie im Jahre 1993 in der Stadt Jönköping in Schweden untersucht worden war. Material und Methoden: 298 bezahnte Personen wurden randomisiert aus der Jönköping-Studie ausgewählt. Die klinischen und röntgenologischen Untersuchungen umfassten die Erhebung der vorhandenen Zähne, der Plaque Index, Gingival Index, Sondierungstiefen und alveolärem Knochenabbau. Zusätzlich wurden durch Befragung sozioökonomischer Status, Lebensereignisse sowie psychologische und stressbezogene Faktoren erfasst. Ergebnisse: Die Resultate ergaben, dass zusätzlich zu den bekannten Parodontitisrisikofaktoren wit Alter, Mundhygienestatus und Rauchen der Verlust des Ehepartners, also eine Witwe oder ein Witwer zu sein, und das Persönlichkeitsmuster extreme externe Kontrolle auszuüben, mit schwerer Parodontitis assoziiert waren. Schlussfolgerungn: Diese Ergebnisse unterstützen neuere Studien, die Hinweise dafür gegeben haben, dass traumatische Lebensereignisse wie der Verlust eines Ehenpartners das Risiko an Parodontitis zu erkranken erhöhen. Darüber hinaus legen die Ergebnisse den Schluss nahe, dass die individuelle Fähigkeit mit Stress umzugehen (Coping), die in dieser Studie durch die Erfragung der Überzeugung über die Lokalisation der Kontrolle von Verstärkungen erfasst wurde, eine Rolle in der Progression der Parodontitis spielen. Résumé Origine: Des observations cliniques et des études épidémiologiques suggèrent que des évènements négatifs, particulièrement ceux manifestés par une dépression, puisse contribuer à une susceptibilité augmentée à la maladie parodontale. But: Dans cette étude, la prévalence de ces évènements négatifs et les facteurs psychologiques et leurs relations avec la maladie parodontale ont été recherchés. L'échantillon était composé de personnes âgées de 50 à 80 ans issues d'une étude épidémiologique extensive croisée réalisé en 1993 dans la ville de Jonkoping en Suède. Méthode: 298 individus dentés de cette étude furent sélectionnés au hasard. Les examens cliniques et radiographiques comprenaient l'enregistrement du nombre de dents présentes, l'indice de plaque, l'indice gingival, la profondeur de poche et la perte osseuse alvéolaire. De plus, un questionnaire sur le statut socio économique, les évènements de la vie et les facteurs psychologiques en relation avec le stress, fut utilisé. Résultats: Les résultats montrèrent qu'en plus des facteurs de risque bien documentés de maladie parodontale comme l'âge, l'hygiène orale et le tabagisme, la perte d'un époux (que l'on soit veuf ou veuve) et le trait de personnalité de pouvoir exercer un contrôle externe extrême étaient aussi associés avec une maladie parodontale sévère. Conclusion: Ces résultats soutiennent de récentes études qui suggèrent que des évènements traumatisant de la vie quotidienne comme la perte d'un époux puisse augmenter le risque pour la maladie parodontale. Par-dessus tout, ces résultats indiquent que la capacité d'un individu à gérer des stimuli stressants, (comportement gestionnel), mesurés par les convictions de contrôle des renforcements pourrait jouer un rôle dans la progression de la maladie parodontale. [source] Locally delivered rhTGF-,2 enhances bone ingrowth and bone regeneration at local and remote sites of skeletal injuryJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 1 2001Dr. Sumner The purposes of the present study were to determine if recombinant human transforming growth factor-beta-2 (rhTGF-,2) enhances bone ingrowth into porous-coated implants and bone regeneration in gaps between the implant and surrounding host bone. The implants were placed bilaterally for four weeks in the proximal humeri of skeletally mature, adult male dogs in the presence of a 3-mm gap. In three treatment groups of animals, the test implant was treated with hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate (HA/TCP) and rhTGF-,2 in buffer at a dose per implant of 1.2 ,g (n = 6), 12 ,g (n = 7), or 120 ,g (n = 7) and placed in the left humerus. In these same animals, an internal control implant treated only with HA/TCP and buffer was placed in the right humerus. In a non-TGF-, treated external control group of animals (n = 7), one implant was treated with HA/TCP while the contralateral implant was not treated with the ceramic. In vitro analyses showed that approximately 15% of the applied dose was released within 120 h with most of the release occurring in the first 24 h. The TGF-, treated implants had significantly more bone ingrowth than the controls with the greatest effect in the 12 ,g/implant group (a 2.2-fold increase over the paired internal control (P = 0.004) and a 4-fold increase over the external control (P < 0.001)). The TGF-, treated implants had significantly more bone formation in the gap than the controls with the greatest effect in the 12 and 120 ,g groups (1.8-fold increases over the paired internal controls (P = 0.003 and P = 0.012, respectively) and 2.8-fold increases over the external controls (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively)). Compared to the external controls, the internal control implants tended to have more bone ingrowth (1.9-fold increase, P = 0.066) and had significantly more bone formation in the gap (1.7-fold increase, P = 0.008). Thus, application of rhTGF-,2 to a porous-coated implant-stimulated local bone ingrowth and gap healing in a weakly dose-dependent manner and stimulated bone regeneration in the 3-mm gap surrounding the contralateral control implant, a site remote from the local treatment with the growth factor. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Using Metallo-Supramolecular Block Copolymers for the Synthesis of Higher Order Nanostructured AssembliesMACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 1 2010Adam O. Moughton Abstract Many research groups have explored the properties and solution self-assembly of main chain metallo-supramolecular multiblock copolymers. Until recently, these metal complexes have been used to prepare mainly micelle type structures. However, the self-assembly of such copolymers has been exploited further to create more advanced architectures which utilize the reversible supramolecular linkage of their building blocks as a key component in their synthesis. Furthermore, the incorporation of multiple orthogonal interactions and stimuli responsive polymers into their design, enables more precise external control of their properties. This feature article discusses recent developments and provides an insight into their potential exploitation and development for the creation of novel, smart, and responsive nanostructures. [source] Magnetic field induced charging effect in a single CdSe quantum dotPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (B) BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 4 2009Qijun Ren Abstract We report the magneto-photoluminescence spectroscopy measurements on single CdSe/ZnSe self-assembled QDs. The evolution of the single dot excitonic transition lines exhibits an abnormal energy shift which deviates from the diamagnetic shift and linewidth broadening under magnetic field, followed by the photoluminescence quench at a certain magnetic field. A model involving electron cyclotron motion and tunneling processes is proposed to interpret these novel phenomena and is verified by the coincidence of the large energy shift and the linewidth broadening. This mechanism could be an effective way of external control of charges and optical properties of single QDs. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] An examination of perceived behavioral control: Internal and external influences on intentionPSYCHOLOGY & MARKETING, Issue 7 2003Blair Kidwell We explore the dimensionality and structure of internal and external perceived behavioral control, extending research on the relationship between these control components. Two conceptual models were identified and tested in Study 1. External control was manipulated in Study 2 to further explicate hypothesized variation in perceived internal control. The results from both studies provide support for an antecedent relationship between control constructs with external control as an antecedent and internal control as the more proximate determinant of behavioral intent. Theoretical implications of findings are discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Development of a Competitive Quantitative PCR Strategy for Evaluating the Expression Stability of 18s rRNA during In Vitro Maturation of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Follicular OocytesREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 2 2007APS Aswal Contents The present work describes the development of a quantitative competitive PCR strategy for quantifying the relative abundance of 18s rRNA transcripts in buffalo oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM). As a method, the competitive PCR overcomes some of the shortcomings of conventional reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) procedure making it a more authentic quantitative method. A composite primer based approach was used to generate the competitor cDNA to be used as external control. Validity of the method for its efficiency was demonstrated by quantitative analysis of the competition parameters. Using this method the relative abundance of buffalo oocyte 18s rRNA transcript over the period of IVM was found to vary within a narrow range of 0.93,1.06 folds which establishes the accuracy of the method and reflects the stability of its expression during IVM. This qualifies the use of this house keeping gene as a valid internal control in studies investigating the gene expression pattern in buffalo oocytes. The competitive PCR approach described in this study could be used for quantification of other transcripts from a limited number of oocytes where a conventional RT-PCR method is either difficult to use or multiplexing it with highly abundant house keeping genes is apparently problematic. [source] A further comparison of external control and problem-solving interventions to teach social skills to adults with intellectual disabilitiesBEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS, Issue 3 2004Mark F. O'Reilly We compared the effectiveness of a problem-solving and an external control intervention to teach social skills to two adults with mild intellectual disabilities. Each participant received the problem-solving intervention with one social skill and the external control intervention with another social skill. The comparative effectiveness of the social skill training protocols was evaluated using individual participant alternating treatment designs. Overall, there seemed to be little difference between the interventions in terms of acquisition, generalization, or maintenance of social skills with either participant. Limitations of the current study and issues for future research are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Feeling in Control During Labor: Concepts, Correlates, and ConsequencesBIRTH, Issue 4 2003AFBPsS, CPsychol, Josephine M. Green BA(Hons) Since not all studies conceptualize "control" in the same way or distinguish between "external" and "internal" control, the purpose of this study is to advance understanding of how these senses of control relate to each other. Methods:, Questionnaires were sent to women 1 month before birth to assess their preferences and expectations and at 6 weeks after birth to discover their experiences and assess psychological outcomes. Data are presented from 1146 women. Three control outcomes were considered: feeling in control of what staff do to you, feeling in control of your own behavior, and feeling in control during contractions. Results:, Women were less likely to report being in control of staff (39.5%) than in control of their own behavior (61.0%). Approximately one-fifth of the sample felt in control in all three ways, and another one-fifth did not feel in control in any of them. Parity was strongly associated with feeling in control, with multiparas feeling more in control than primiparas in all cases. In logistic regression analyses, feeling in control of staff was found to relate primarily to being able to get comfortable, feeling treated with respect and as an individual, and perceiving staff as considerate. Feeling in control of one's behavior and during contractions were primarily related to aspects of pain and pain relief, but also to antenatal expectations of control. Worry about labor pain was also an important antenatal predictor for primiparas. All three control outcomes contributed independently to satisfaction, with control of staff being the most significant; relationships with emotional well-being were also demonstrated. Conclusions:, All three types of control were important to women and contributed to psychological outcomes. Internal and external control were predicted by different groups of variables. Caregivers have the potential to make a significant difference to a woman's experience of childbirth. The ways in which women are helped to deal with pain will affect internal control; the extent to which they feel that they are actually cared about, rather than care being something that is done to them, will affect external control. Both contribute to satisfaction and emotional well-being. (BIRTH 30:4 December 2003) [source] Reference genes identified in the silkworm Bombyx mori during metamorphism based on oligonucleotide microarray and confirmed by qRT-PCRINSECT SCIENCE, Issue 5 2008Gen-Hong Wang Abstract Gene expression quantification at mRNA level is very important for post-genomic studies, as gene expression level is the reflection of the special biological function of the target gene. Methods used for gene expression quantification, such as microarray or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), require stable expressed reference genes. Thus, finding suitable control genes is essential for gene quantification. In this study, a genome-wide survey of reference genes during metamorphism was performed on silkworm Bombyx mori. Twelve genes were chosen as putative reference genes based on a whole genome oligonucleotide microarray normalized by external controls. Then, qRT-PCR was employed for further validation and selection of potential reference gene candidates. The results were analyzed, and stable genes were selected using geNorm 3.4 and NormFinder software. Finally, considering factors from every aspect, translation initiation factor 4A, translation initiation factor 3 subunit 4, and translation initiation factor 3 subunit 5 (represented by sw22934, swl4876, and swl3956) were selected as reliable internal controls across the examined developmental stages, while cytoplasmic actin (sw22671), the commonly used reference gene in a previous study was shown to vary drastically throughout the examined developmental stages. For future research, we recommend the use of the geometric mean of those three stable reference genes as an accurate normalization factor for data normalization of different developmental stages during metamorphism. [source] Bone resorption activity of osteolytic metastatic lung and breast cancersJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 6 2004Lih-Yuann Shih Abstract Production of bone resorption mediators and bone resorption activity were compared among osteolytic metastatic cancers, normal bone tissues, and soft tissue metastatic cancers to search for the possible factors leading to cancer-induced bone resorption. Twenty-five patients with untreated osteolytic metastatic breast or non-small cell lung cancers consisted of the study group. Normal bone tissues obtained from the same patient were used as internal controls; and tumor tissues from patients with soft tissue metastasis were used as external controls. Serum and urinary bone turnover markers were measured. Tissues harvested during surgery were subjected to tissue culture. The levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor-, (TNF-,), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the supernatant after 72 h of culture were measured. Bone resorption activity was measured by calcium release from cultured calvarias, and bone volume as well as osteoclast number in bone sections. Patients with osteolytic metastatic cancers showed significantly decreased serum osteocalcin, increased serum alkaline phosphatase, and urinary deoxypyridinoline levels. Osteolytic metastatic cancers produced significantly more PGE2 than both controls. Conditioned medium from osteolytic metastatic tumors showed significantly enhanced bone resorption activity, and indomethacin significantly reduced this activity. Levels of PGE2, and bone resorption activity increased in osteolytic tumor tissues than soft tissue metastatic tissues in the same patient indicated that the same tumor cells might respond differently to different microenvironments. Our observation showed that PGE2 was produced by osteolytic metastatic cancers and stimulated bone resorption in mice calvarias. PGE2 inhibitor may be applicable in reducing bone resorption by osteolytic metastatic cancers. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Locally delivered rhTGF-,2 enhances bone ingrowth and bone regeneration at local and remote sites of skeletal injuryJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 1 2001Dr. Sumner The purposes of the present study were to determine if recombinant human transforming growth factor-beta-2 (rhTGF-,2) enhances bone ingrowth into porous-coated implants and bone regeneration in gaps between the implant and surrounding host bone. The implants were placed bilaterally for four weeks in the proximal humeri of skeletally mature, adult male dogs in the presence of a 3-mm gap. In three treatment groups of animals, the test implant was treated with hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate (HA/TCP) and rhTGF-,2 in buffer at a dose per implant of 1.2 ,g (n = 6), 12 ,g (n = 7), or 120 ,g (n = 7) and placed in the left humerus. In these same animals, an internal control implant treated only with HA/TCP and buffer was placed in the right humerus. In a non-TGF-, treated external control group of animals (n = 7), one implant was treated with HA/TCP while the contralateral implant was not treated with the ceramic. In vitro analyses showed that approximately 15% of the applied dose was released within 120 h with most of the release occurring in the first 24 h. The TGF-, treated implants had significantly more bone ingrowth than the controls with the greatest effect in the 12 ,g/implant group (a 2.2-fold increase over the paired internal control (P = 0.004) and a 4-fold increase over the external control (P < 0.001)). The TGF-, treated implants had significantly more bone formation in the gap than the controls with the greatest effect in the 12 and 120 ,g groups (1.8-fold increases over the paired internal controls (P = 0.003 and P = 0.012, respectively) and 2.8-fold increases over the external controls (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively)). Compared to the external controls, the internal control implants tended to have more bone ingrowth (1.9-fold increase, P = 0.066) and had significantly more bone formation in the gap (1.7-fold increase, P = 0.008). Thus, application of rhTGF-,2 to a porous-coated implant-stimulated local bone ingrowth and gap healing in a weakly dose-dependent manner and stimulated bone regeneration in the 3-mm gap surrounding the contralateral control implant, a site remote from the local treatment with the growth factor. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Prevalence of respiratory symptoms among wheat flour mill workers in Ibadan, NigeriaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2004FWACP, K.T. Ijadunola MBChB Abstract Background While investigations into occupational health problems of various groups of workers have been conducted in Nigeria, so far, very little attention has been paid to the health status of workers in the grain industry. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among wheat flour mill workers and control groups in a medium size industrial setting in Nigeria was studied. Methods The study employed a cross-sectional analytical design. Data were collected using structured interviews, work-site observations, and physical examination. Respondents consisted of 91 flour-millers, 30 matched internal controls from the maintenance unit of the same flour mill factory, and 121 matched external controls. Results Fifty-four percent of the flour-millers reported at least one respiratory symptom compared with 30% of the internal controls (P,<,0.05) and 19% of the external controls (P,<,0.001). Most symptoms were significantly more prevalent among the flour-millers compared with control subjects, and this trend was more evident amongst non-smokers than ex-smokers. Conclusions The study concluded that wheat flour mill workers in Nigeria, like grain workers elsewhere, were at an increased risk of developing both pulmonary and non-pulmonary symptoms compared with control subjects. The result has implications for improved dust control measures in the grain industry in Nigeria. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:251,259, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Modelling Operational Losses: A Bayesian ApproachQUALITY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2004Paolo Giudici Abstract The exposure of banks to operational risk has increased in recent years. The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (known as Basel II) has established a capital charge to cover operational risks other than credit and market risk. According to the advanced methods defined in ,The New Basel Capital Accord' to quantify the capital charge, in this paper we present an advanced measurement approach based on a Bayesian network model that estimates an internal measure of risk of the bank. One of the main problems faced when measuring the operational risk is the scarcity of loss data. The methodology proposed solves this critical point because it allows a coherent integration, via Bayes' theorem, of different sources of information, such as internal and external data, and the opinions of ,experts' (process owners) about the frequency and the severity of each loss event. Furthermore, the model corrects the losses distribution by considering the eventual relations between different nodes of the network that represent the losses of each combination of business line/event type/bank/process and the effectiveness of the corresponding internal and external controls. The operational risk capital charge is quantified by multiplying the value at risk (VaR) per event, a percentile of the losses distribution determined, by an estimate of the number of losses that may occur in a given period. Furthermore, it becomes possible to monitor the effectiveness of the internal and external system controls in place at the bank. The methodology we present has been experimented as a pilot project in one of the most important Italian banking groups, Monte dei Paschi di Siena. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Contested hybridization of regulation: Failure of the Dutch regulatory system to protect minors from harmful mediaREGULATION & GOVERNANCE, Issue 2 2010Bärbel R. Dorbeck-Jung Abstract The hybridization of regulatory modes and instruments is currently a popular way to improve public regulation. However, it is still unclear whether combinations of hard law and soft law, co-regulation, and legally enforced self-regulation really make regulation more effective. Using the analytical framework of the "really responsive regulation" approach, in this article we explore effectiveness problems in a hybrid regulatory system that tries to protect minors from harmful media. In our analysis of low compliance rates in the context of system failures, we argue that effectiveness problems seem to arise from poorly informed staff members, lack of internal and external controls, low rule enforcement, insufficient overlap between public and private interests, poor social responsibility in the Dutch media sector, deficiencies in the institutional framework, an inconsistent regulatory strategy, and inadequate responses from responsible regulators. Furthermore, based on our case study we argue that institutional dynamics of standard-setting activities can be detrimental to regulatory goal achievement if there is no compensation at the systemic level. Ongoing "regulatory care" through control, corrective responses, and rule enforcement seems to be crucial for a hybrid regulatory system to perform well. [source] The German Charitable Welfare System: A Criticism from the Viewpoint of OrdnungspolitikANNALS OF PUBLIC AND COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS, Issue 1 2001Dirk Meyer Charitable social welfare care constitutes the market-leader in the provision of social services. Neocorporatist structures have resulted in the latter's exceptional situation. They are characterized by a preferential position in certain circumstances compared to commercial suppliers, cartel agreements which enjoy partial legal legitimacy, financial dependence on the state, as well as a say in social policy planning. Criticism from the viewpoint of Ordnungspolitik maintains a failure of internal and external controls, and above all of competitive structures. Possible starting points for a reform may be founded on the guarantee of equal opportunities and of non-discrimination against commercial suppliers. The governmental monopsonistic power should be removed by a decentralization of bargaining. In addition to this, the position of those having a right to such services needs to be strengthened by greater individual assistance combined with monetary allocations. [source] Too early to dismiss Yersinia enterocolitica infection in the aetiology of Graves' disease: evidence from a twin case,control studyCLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Thomas H. Brix Summary Background,Yersinia enterocolitica (YE) infection has long been implicated in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease (GD). The association between YE and GD could, however, also be due to common genetic or environmental factors affecting the development of both YE infection and GD. This potential confounding can be minimized by investigation of twin pairs discordant for GD. Aim, To examine whether YE infection is associated with GD. Design, We first conducted a classical case,control study of individuals with (61) and without (122) GD, and then a case,control study of twin pairs (36) discordant for GD. Methods, Immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG antibodies to virulence-associated Yersinia outer membrane proteins (YOPs) were measured. Main outcome measures, The prevalence of YOP IgA and IgG antibodies. Results, Subjects with GD had a higher prevalence of YOP IgA (49%vs. 34%, P = 0·054) and YPO IgG (51%vs. 35%, P = 0·043) than the external controls. The frequency of chronic YE infection, reflected by the presence of both IgA and IgG YOP antibodies, was also higher among cases than controls (49%vs. 33%, P = 0·042). Similar results were found in twin pairs discordant for GD. In the case,control analysis, individuals with GD had an increased odds ratio (OR) of YE infection: IgA 1·84 (95% CI 0·99,3·45) and IgG 1·90 (95% CI 1·02,3·55). In the co-twin analysis, the twin with GD also had an increased OR of YE infection: IgA 5·5 (95% CI 1·21,24·81) and IgG 5·0 (95% CI 1·10,22·81). Conclusion, The finding of an association between GD and YE in the case,control study and within twin pairs discordant for GD supports the notion that YE infection plays an aetiological role in the occurrence of GD, or vice versa. Future studies should examine the temporal relationship of this association in more depth. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||