bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two Adult Patients with Ellis-van Creveld Syndrome Extending the Clinical Spectrum
Authors: Rudnik-Schöneborn S. , Zerres K. , Graul-Neumann L. , Wiegand S. , Mellerowicz H. , Hehr U.
Published: September 2011

Ellis-van Creveld (EvC) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive malformation syndrome with the main features cardiac defects, postaxial hexadactyly, mesomelic shortening of the limbs, short ribs, dysplastic nails and teeth, oral frenula and various other abnormalities while mental function is normal. We describe 2 adult EvC patients with the cardinal skeletal features of mesomelic short stature and severe, progressive genu valgum deformity, resulting from loss of function mutations in the EVC genes. While the genu valgum was the predominating and disabling feature in patient 1, patient 2 showed acroosteolyses in the distal phalanges and a symmetrical synostosis of metacarpals in his hands. Moreover, patient 2 developed synostoses in the additional fingers in adolescence which had not been present at the age of 12 years, suggesting a further progression of skeletal disease. Joint fusion of phalanges so far has not been reported in EvC syndrome. Our data further expand the phenotypic spectrum of EvC related skeletal malformations and contribute important new information on the clinical course of EvC syndrome with increasing age.
Ethnic Differences in Macrovascular and Microvascular Function in Systolic Heart Failure
Authors: Shantsila Eduard , Wrigley Benjamin , Shantsila Alena , Tapp Luke D. , Blann Andrew D. , Gill Paramjit S. , Lip Gregory Y.H.
Published: September 2011

Background—

Endothelial dysfunction is implicated in the pathophysiological features of heart failure (HF), and ethnic differences in the presentation of cardiovascular disease are evident, with an excess seen among South Asians (SAs). However, data on ethnic differences in endothelial function in HF are limited.

Methods and Results—

In a cross-sectional study, we recruited 128 subjects with systolic HF: 50 SAs, 50 whites, and 28 African Caribbeans (ACs). In addition, SAs with systolic HF were compared with 40 SAs with coronary artery disease without HF (“disease controls”) and 40 SA healthy controls. Macrovascular endothelial function was assessed by measurement of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in response to hyperemia, arterial stiffness was assessed by the pulse-wave velocity, and microvascular endothelial function was assessed by forearm laser Doppler flowmetry. CD144-expressing endothelial microparticles were measured by flow cytometry. When compared with disease controls and healthy controls, SAs with HF had an impaired microvascular response to acetylcholine (
P
=0.001) and reduced FMD (
P
<0.001). In comparing ethnic groups, SAs with HF had an impaired response to acetylcholine (123±95.5%) compared with whites (258±156%) and ACs (286±173%,
P
<0.001 for both). Whites had a higher FMD (8.49±4.63%) than SAs (4.76±4.78%,
P
<0.001) and ACs (4.55±3.56%,
P
=0.01). No difference in endothelial-independent response was observed between study groups or in pulse-wave velocity. Ethnicity remained associated with microvascular endothelial function even after adjustment for age, presence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, blood pressure, and glucose levels (
P
=0.003). There were no differences in numbers of endothelial microparticles.

Conclusions—

The SAs with HF have impaired microvascular and macrovascular endothelial function but preserved arterial elastic properties. Significant ethnic differences in endothelial function are evident in subjects with HF, with ethnicity being associated with microvascular endothelial dysfunction in this disorder.
Whole-saliva Proteolysis and Its Impact on Salivary Diagnostics
Authors: Thomadaki K. , Helmerhorst E.J. , Tian N. , Sun X. , Siqueira W.L. , Walt D.R. , Oppenheim F.G.
Published: September 2011

There is growing interest in the use of human whole saliva for diagnostics and disease monitoring as an alternative to blood samples. In contrast to blood, whole saliva is a non-sterile body fluid. Proper hand-ling and storage are required to preserve the integrity of potential biomarkers. We investigated salivary autoproteolytic degradation using a variety of approaches. We determined inhibition of protease activities by monitoring the endogenous proteome. In addition, the stability of highly protease-susceptible proteins—histatin 5, statherin, and PRP1—was assessed. Experimental variables included (a) protease inhibitors, (b) salivary pH, (c) incubation temperatures, and (d) sample heating. A cocktail containing AEBSF, aprotinin, pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, leupeptin, antipain, and EDTA could not prevent histatin 5, statherin, or PRP1 degradation in whole saliva. Among the other treatments evaluated, short-term storage of freshly collected samples on ice was effective without interfering with the chemistry of the proteome. In conclusion, whole saliva contains a unique mixture of enzymes as evidenced from their resilience to protease inhibition. Analytical evidence on protein stability is needed to ensure the validity of salivary biomarker study outcomes. Analysis of the data presented will provide help and guidance for the use of saliva samples for diagnostic purposes.
Role of Subchondral Bone during Early-stage Experimental TMJ Osteoarthritis
Authors: Embree M. , Ono M. , Kilts T. , Walker D. , Langguth J. , Mao J. , Bi Y. , Barth J.L. , Young M.
Published: September 2011

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) is a degenerative disease that affects both cartilage and subchondral bone. We used microarray to identify changes in gene expression levels in the TMJ during early stages of the disease, using an established TMJ OA genetic mouse model deficient in 2 extracellular matrix proteins, biglycan and fibromodulin ( bgn-/0fmod-/-). Differential gene expression analysis was performed with RNA extracted from 3-week-old WT and bgn-/0fmod-/- TMJs with an intact cartilage/subchondral bone interface. In total, 22 genes were differentially expressed in bgn-/0fmod-/- TMJs, including 5 genes involved in osteoclast activity/differentiation. The number of TRAP-positive cells were three-fold higher in bgn-/0fmod-/- TMJs than in WT. Quantitative RT-PCR showed up-regulation of RANKL and OPG, with a 128% increase in RANKL/OPG ratio in bgn-/0fmod-/- TMJs. Histology and immunohistochemistry revealed tissue disorganization and reduced type I collagen in bgn-/0fmod-/- TMJ subchondral bone. Early changes in gene expression and tissue defects in young bgn-/0fmod-/- TMJ subchondral bone are likely attributed to increased osteoclast activity. Analysis of these data shows that biglycan and fibromodulin are critical for TMJ subchondral bone integrity and reveal a potential role for TMJ subchondral bone turnover during the initial early stages of TMJ OA disease in this model.
A framework for simulation-based optimization of business process models
Authors: Kamrani Farzad , Ayani Rassul , Moradi Farshad
Published: September 2011

The Assignment Problem is a classical problem in the field of combinatorial optimization, having a wide range of applications in a variety of contexts. In general terms, the Assignment Problem consists of determining the best assignment of tasks to agents according to a predefined objective function. Different variants of the Assignment Problem have been extensively investigated in the literature in the last 50 years. In this work, we introduce and analyze the problem of optimizing a business process model with the objective of finding the most beneficial assignment of tasks to agents. Despite similarities, this problem is distinguished from the traditional Assignment Problem in that we consider tasks to be part of a business process model, being interconnected according to defined rules and constraints. In other words, assigning a business process to agents is a more complex form of the Assignment Problem. Two main categories of business processes, assignment-independent and assignment-dependent, are distinguished. In the first category, different assignments of tasks to agents do not affect the flow of the business process, while processes in the second category contain critical tasks that may change the workflow, depending on who performs them. In each category several types of processes are studied. Algorithms for finding optimal and near-optimal solutions to these categories are presented. For the first category, depending on the type of process, the Hungarian algorithm is combined with either the analytical method or simulation to provide an optimal solution. For the second category, we introduce two algorithms. The first one finds an optimal solution, but is feasible only when the number of critical tasks is small. The second algorithm is applicable to large number of critical tasks, but provides a near-optimal solution. In the second algorithm a hill-climbing heuristic method is combined with the Hungarian algorithm and simulation to find an overall near-optimal solution. A series of tests is conducted which demonstrates that the proposed algorithms efficiently find optimal solutions for assignment-independent and near-optimal solutions for assignment-dependent processes.
Government Contracts and “Managing the Market”
Authors: Johnston Jocelyn M. , Girth Amanda M.
Published: September 2011

Theory tells us that competition is the chief driver of improved efficiency and effectiveness in government contracting, yet contract provider markets are often noncompetitive. This study offers a detailed, contextualized examination of public administrative responses to thin contract markets. Following an inductive approach with data from semistructured interviews with contract administrators, the authors offer a preliminary typology of the conditions that give rise to thin markets, and the “market management” strategies used to create, enhance, and sustain competition in the markets from where governments purchase goods and services. The authors then review the efficacy and implications of these strategies for public services to citizens.
“Doing the Job as a Parent”
Authors: Millar Michelle , Coen Liam , Bradley Ciara , Rau Henrike
Published: September 2011

Recent studies of family life in Ireland have focused on changes in “traditional” family structures, including the increase in one-parent families. This article illustrates the impact dominant conceptions in Irish society that privilege the family based on marriage have on one-parent family policy. The authors focus on two key areas of social interaction associated with family life—parenthood and (un)paid work—to identify both congruences and tensions between social policy and the needs of one-parent families. The article draws on interview and survey data collected in Galway in 2007 to show how existing welfare policies create some opportunities for those parenting alone while at the same time perpetuating inequalities within the gendered family context and across multiple generations.
Pressure-painful scalp arteries in children and adolescents suffering from migraine
Authors: Cianchetti Carlo , Serci Maria Celeste , Madeddu Francesco , Cossu Silvia , Ledda Maria Giuseppina
Published: September 2011

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the presence of pressure-painful scalp arteries in children and adolescents with migraine.

Materials and methods: Pressure-painful points on scalp arteries were searched in 130 consecutive children (6–12 years old) and adolescents (>13 years old) affected with migraine, 89 females and 41 males, and in 40 age-matched controls.

Results: In the absence of a migraine episode, we examined 76 patients: 54 (71.1%) reported one or more pressure-painful arteries and 22 reported none. Of the 40 controls, pressure-painful arteries were present in 11, with a highly significant difference (p < 0.0001).

During a migraine attack, of the 54 patients examined, 43 (79.6 %) reported one or more pressure-painful arteries and 11 reported none. The arteries most frequently painful were the frontal branch and the superficial temporal artery.

Conclusions: Scalp arteries are frequently painful on pressure in children and adolescents with migraine, both in the absence of and during a migraine attack. Painful arteries suggest hypersensitivity of periarterial nociceptive afferents.
Treatment Outcomes of Alginate-Embedded Allogenic Mesenchymal Stem Cells Versus Autologous Chondrocytes for the Repair of Focal Articular Cartilage Defects in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Tay Liang Xin , Ahmad Raja Elina , Dashtdar Havva , Tay K.W. , Masjuddin T. , Ab-Rahim S. , Chong Pan Pan , Selvaratnam L. , Kamarul T.
Published: September 2011

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising alternative form of cell-based therapy for cartilage injury. However, the capacity of MSCs for chondrogenesis has not been fully explored. In particular, there is presently a lack of studies comparing the effectiveness of MSCs to conventional autologous chondrocyte (autoC) treatment for regeneration of full-thickness cartilage defects in vivo.

Hypothesis: Treatment with allogenic undifferentiated MSCs (alloMSCs) results in superior cartilage tissue regeneration profiles when compared with autoC for repair of focal articular cartilage defects.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Methods: Full-thickness articular cartilage defects were created on the weightbearing surface of the medial femoral condyles in both knees of New Zealand White rabbits (N = 30). Six weeks after the defect was induced, the right knee was treated with either alloMSCs (n = 12) or autoC (n = 18), while the left knee remained untreated (control). The rabbits were sacrificed at 6 months after treatment for assessment of cartilage tissue regeneration, which included the Brittberg morphologic score, histologic grading by O’Driscoll score, and quantitative analysis of glycosaminoglycans per total protein content.

Results: Apart from significantly higher Brittberg scores in the alloMSC treatment group (8.8 ± 0.8) versus the autoC treatment group (6.6 ± 0.8) ( P = .04), both treatments showed similar cartilage regenerative profiles. All outcome measures were significantly higher in the treatment groups compared with their respective controls ( P < .05).

Conclusion: AlloMSCs have similar effectiveness as autoC for repair of focal cartilage defects. Both treatments resulted in superior tissue regeneration compared with untreated defects.

Clinical Relevance: The results have an implication of supporting the potential use of MSCs for cartilage repair after sports injuries or diseases, in view of similar efficacy but less patient morbidity and potential cost savings as compared with conventional autoC therapy.
Ethnic Variation in Oral Health and Social Integration Among Older Rural Adults
Authors: Arcury Thomas A. , Chen Haiying , Savoca Margaret R. , Anderson Andrea M. , Leng Xiaoyan , Bell Ronny A. , Quandt Sara A.
Published: September 2011

This analysis examines the associations of oral health with social integration among ethnically diverse (African American, American Indian, White) rural older adults. Data are from a cross-sectional survey of 635 randomly selected community-dwelling adults aged 60+. Measures include self-rated oral health, number of teeth, number of oral health problems, social engagement, and social network size. Minority elders have poorer oral health than do White older adults. Most rural elders have substantial social engagement and social networks. Better oral health (greater number of teeth) is directly associated with social engagement, whereas the relationship of oral health to social network size is complex. The association of oral health with social engagement does not differ by ethnicity. Poorer oral health is associated with less social integration among African American, American Indian, and White elders. More research on the ways oral health affects the lives of older adults is warranted.
Association of the Congenital Neuromuscular Form of Glycogen Storage Disease Type IV With a Large Deletion and Recurrent Frameshift Mutation
Authors: Li Sing-Chung , Hwu Wuh-Liang , Lin Ju-Li , Bali Deeksha S. , Yang Chen , Chu Shih-Ming , Chien Yin-Hsiu , Chou Hung-Chieh , Chen Chien-Yi , Hsieh Wu-Shiun , Tsao Po-Nien , Chen Yuan-Tsong , Lee Ni-Chung
Published: September 2011

Anderson disease, also known as glycogen storage disease type IV (MIM 232500), is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of glycogen branching enzyme. Glycogen storage disease type IV has a broad clinical spectrum ranging from a perinatal lethal form to a nonprogressive later-onset disease in adults. Here, we report 2 unrelated infants who were born small for their gestational age and who had profound hypotonia at birth and thus needed mechanical ventilation. Both of these patients shared the same frameshift mutation (c.288delA, pGly97GlufsX46) in the GBE1 gene. In addition, both of these patients were found to have 2 different large deletions in the GBE1 gene; exon 7 and exons 2 to 7, respectively, on the other alleles. This case report also highlights the need for a more comprehensive search for large deletion mutations associated with glycogen storage disease type IV, especially if routine GBE1 gene sequencing results are equivocal.
Comparison of Cerebral Volume in Children Aged 18-22 and 36-47 Months Born Preterm and Term
Authors: Lowe Jean R. , MacLean Peggy C. , Caprihan Arvind , Ohls Robin K. , Qualls Clifford , VanMeter Joy , Phillips John P.
Published: September 2011

Studies investigating differences in regional brain volumes in children born preterm and term during early childhood are limited. Neuroimaging could help understand patterns of deficit in children born preterm and target areas of development associated with these regions. The goal of this study was to identify differences in regional brain volume at 2 different ages using magnetic resonance imaging in preterm and term children. Magnetic resonance imaging and developmental testing occurred in children 18 to 22 months old (16 preterm and 10 term children) and 36 to 47 month old (12 preterm and 10 term children). There were significant differences between the 4 groups in the parietal region, cerebral white matter, third ventricle, and lateral ventricle. Correlations between regional cerebral volume and developmental testing were explored for the third and lateral ventricles. Our findings indicate that in young children differences in regional cerebral volume are due to both maturation and prematurity.
Public Engagement as a Tool of Hegemony: The Case of Designing the New Central Harbourfront in Hong Kong
Authors: Tang Wing-Shing , Lee Joanna Wai Ying , Ng Mee Kam
Published: September 2011

Hong Kong society nowadays is overwhelmed by the rhetoric of hegemony, but there is no serious attempt to discuss it, especially in the domain of urban development. This article expands on Henri Lefebvre’s concept of urbanizing Gramsci to resolve contradictions of space under increasing urbanization by urban specialists and applies it to investigate the public engagement exercise of Central harbourfront planning in Hong Kong. By dissecting its contents and procedures, the article illustrates how public engagement has insisted on technical rationality, thereby perpetuating the functioning of the land (re)development regime. In consequence, the ordinary residents may have been excluded from ‘rational’ consideration in the (re)development of Hong Kong.
Performance and emission characteristics of a hydrogen-enriched compressed-natural-gas direct-injection spark ignition engine diluted with exhaust gas recirculation
Authors: Liu Y-F , Liu B , Zeng K , Huang Z , Zhou L , Sun L
Published: September 2011

Compressed natural gas (CNG) has been widely used in city buses or taxis because of its relatively low price and great abundance. Most of the CNG engines externally mix the natural gas with the intake air and utilize a lean-burn strategy to achieve low nitrogen oxide (NO x) emissions and high fuel economy. However, the well-examined external mixing of gas fuel with the intake air will result in a volumetric efficiency loss at high engine loads and may cause backfire when the natural gas is enriched with hydrogen. Also, the lean-burn technique may not sufficiently satisfy increasingly restricted future legislation. In this paper, the use of the stoichiometric equivalence ratio with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) was investigated experimentally on a direct-injection spark ignition engine fuelled with hydrogen–natural-gas blends. Attention is focused on the advantages of combining EGR with hydrogen enrichment. The results show that hydrogen enrichment increases the brake mean effective pressure, which dramatically deteriorates under high-level EGR. Optimal efficiencies are achieved with an EGR rate of 5–10 per cent; the NO x emissions can be decreased by about 80 per cent with 25 per cent EGR dilution, but the combustion variation increases simultaneously. With hydrogen enrichment, the combustion variation can be controlled under 5 per cent, while the NO x, hydrocarbon, and carbon monoxide emissions are kept at a low level. Worse EGR tolerance was exhibited for the late-injection-timing case.
Radar-based target identification and tracking on a curved road
Authors: Zhang D , Li K , Wang J
Published: September 2011

Existing target determination methods for radar only work properly on straight roads, so the application of radar in driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control (ACC), is limited to detecting target vehicles directly in front of the host vehicle. Preceding vehicles around a curve cannot be detected by current radar systems. This paper describes a new algorithm for radar-based target vehicle identification and tracking on curved roads for ACC applications. The key problems are the distinction between target curve entry/exit and lane change and the identification of the host-lane preceding vehicle from the adjacent-lane vehicle while driving through a curve. In order to make a more accurate distinction between curve entry/exit and lane change of the target vehicle, the goodness of fit (GOF) corresponding to these two scenarios is found from the correlation coefficient and by introducing additional distinct criteria that have clear physical meanings. Furthermore, the deviation of the measured lateral distance from a theoretical value is used to estimate whether the preceding vehicle is in the host or adjacent lane. Tests show that this method can identify the position of the target vehicle on a curved road with high reliability.
Phosphorus deposition on a three-way catalyst under accelerated ageing conditions
Authors: Benjamin S F , Brogan M , Collin T , Disdale W , Roberts C A , Wei J
Published: September 2011

Degradation of catalyst performance with time is described as ageing. There are two significant ageing mechanisms: poisoning and sintering. Experimental data on ageing have been obtained on an engine test bed using a specially designed catalyst core holder; the catalyst samples were subjected to different accelerated ageing regimes and durations. The ageing regimes were as follows: low temperature dosed (mainly poisoning); high temperature not dosed (mainly sintering); high temperature dosed (both sintering and poisoning). The experiments provided a series of samples from which the spatial and time dependences of the poisoning have been found. Portions of the samples were subjected to X-ray fluorescence analysis after ageing. A combined model of poisoning and sintering was developed and incorporated into a computational fluid dynamics model. This combined model can predict the level of deactivation as a function of length along the catalyst and as a function of time. Agreement between measured poison accumulation and predictions was achieved by tuning the sintering parameter.
An exhaust gas recirculation control strategy for passenger car diesel engines using an inverse valve model
Authors: Oh B , Lee M , Park Y , Lee K , Sunwoo M
Published: September 2011

In diesel engines, accurate control of the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is important because of its effects on the nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions. The conventional EGR control system adopts a simple proportional–integral (PI) control algorithm with a lookup-table-based feedforward control and gain scheduling. However, this lookup-table-based control system has limited control performance in transient operations because the lookup tables are obtained from static engine data.

The objective of this paper is to improve the control performance of the diesel engine EGR system by using a mathematical model of the EGR path. The proposed EGR control system is composed of PI controller gain scheduling and a feedforward control algorithm based on the mathematical model. The gain-scheduling algorithm provides a PI controller gain based on a sensitivity function that elucidates the relationship between the effective flow area of the EGR valve and the EGR mass flowrate. The feedforward algorithm calculates the EGR valve position based on the inverse model of the EGR valve.

The driving cycle test result showed that, compared with the conventional EGR control system, the r.m.s. and maximum values of the target tracking error were reduced by 2.5 per cent and 8.0 per cent respectively.
A study of the effects of diesel–biodiesel–bioethanol fuels on emission reduction in a compression ignition engine
Authors: Lee D , Roh H G , Park S , Lee C S
Published: September 2011

This study describes the effects of diesel–biodiesel–bioethanol blending fuels on the combustion and emission characteristics of a compression ignition engine. The experiments were investigated for various blending ratios and various fuel injection parameters. In this study, biodiesel fuel was blended not only to prevent phase separation between bioethanol and diesel but also to compensate for the low viscosity of bioethanol. The bioethanol blending ratio is restricted up to 30 vol. % to maintain the ignition characteristics. The results showed that the ignition delay was extended and that the fuel consumption and the maximum rate of pressure rise deteriorated with increasing bioethanol blending ratio. In addition, the diesel–biodiesel–bioethanol fuel reduced the indicated specific soot emissions. As the bioethanol blending ratio is increased, the indicated specific carbon monoxide (CO), the indicated specific unburned hydrocarbon, and the indicated specific nitrogen oxide emissions increased slightly.
The United States to Africa lupus prevalence gradient revisited
Authors: Gilkeson GS , James JA , Kamen DL , Knackstedt TJ , Maggi DR , Meyer AK , Ruth NM
Published: September 2011

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease that has a significantly higher prevalence, morbidity and mortality in African Americans compared with Americans of European descent. The pathogenesis of lupus is unclear but appears to be a result of environmental factors interacting with a genetically susceptible host. Despite the high disease load of SLE in African Americans, there is the perception that lupus is relatively rare in Africa. This prevalence gradient suggests that comparative studies of related cohorts from the two continents may provide insight into the genetic/environmental interactions that result in the development of lupus. To define if a lupus gradient exists, we began a study of autoimmunity prevalence utilizing two unique cohorts. The first is the Gullah population of the Sea Islands of South Carolina, who are unique in their low genetic admixture and their known ancestral heritage. The second is the population of young women served by the West Africa Fistula Foundation in Bo, Sierra Leone. Anthropologic studies indicate a direct ancestral link between the Gullah population and Sierra Leoneans. Since it is impossible to perform an epidemiologic study of lupus in Sierra Leone at this time, we assessed the prevalence of lupus serum autoantibodies, serologic evidence of specific infections and levels of serum 25-OH vitamin D in young women in the two cohorts who have no known relatives with lupus. Our results indicate similar prevalence of serum antinuclear antibodies in the two cohorts, though there was a significantly increased prevalence of antiphospholipid and anti-Sm antibodies in the Sierra Leone cohort. Seropositivity to common viral infections was significantly higher in women from Sierra Leone, while serum 25-OH vitamin D levels were markedly lower in the Gullah population. These data suggest that the prevalence of autoimmunity is similar in the two populations, but that there are significant environmental differences that may impact progression to autoimmune disease. Further studies comparing these two cohorts is likely to provide important insight into the impact of environmental factors on development of lupus.
Assessment of Genetic Damage Among Chewers of Mixture Containing Mainly Areca Nut and Tobacco
Authors: Joshi Mayur S , Verma Yogendra , Gautam Anil K. , Shivgotra Vijay K. , Parmar Girish , Kumar Sunil
Published: September 2011

Chewing mixture containing areca nut and tobacco is believed to be associated with oral cancer. Habit of chewing such mixture is prevalent among South Asian countries. This study aimed to evaluate the genotoxic effect of areca nut and tobacco on human lymphocytes. Peripheral blood from 107 subjects (nonchewers, 48; chewers, 59, including 20 subjects with oral submucous fibrosis [OSMF]) analyzed by cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) and alkaline comet assay. Nuclear anomalies, namely, binucleated cells with micronuclei (BN MN), total MN, nucleoplasmic bridge, and nuclear buds were higher in chewers whereas elevation in BN MN and total MN were significant among subjects with OSMF than nonchewers. DNA damage assessed by comet assay showed increased percentage of Tail DNA, Tail moment, and Olive tail moment among chewers as well as OSMF subjects. Significant positive correlation was observed between induction of CBMN and consumption of quids per day ( r = .280, P = .033). Results suggested cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of mixture containing areca nut and tobacco.
Child Care Hygiene Practices of Women Migrating From Rural to Urban Areas of Bangladesh
Authors: Begum Housne Ara , Moneesha Shanta Shyamolee , Sayem Amir Mohammad
Published: September 2011

Children’s hygiene is very important for better health but there is a paucity of studies in this area. This questionnaire study examined the child care hygiene practices of mothers of young children. A total of 354 women from slum areas of Dhaka city, Bangladesh, who migrated from rural to urban areas were selected for this study. The mean score on hygiene practice was 6.21 of 10 items (SD = 2.113). Low (score = 3) and high hygiene practice (score = 7-10) were practiced by 12.4% and 45.8% of participants, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that independent variables explained 39.9% of variance in hygiene practices. Eight variables have significant effect: participant’s education (0.108; P < .05), time spent since marriage to first birth (0.030; P < .05), number of children (−0.105; P < .05), number of antenatal visits (0.319; P < .001), microcredit status (0.214; P < .001), breastfeeding (0.224; P < .001), husband’s monthly income (0.146; P < .001), and household economic status (−0.0114; P < .05). The overall hygiene practice indicates the necessity of awareness building initiatives.
Social Meaning of Alcohol-Related Flushing Among University Students in China
Authors: Newman Ian M. , Jinnai Izumi , Zhao Jie , Huang Zhaoqing , Pu Jia , Qian Ling
Published: September 2011

This study explored drinking patterns, alcohol-related flushing, and ways students themselves and other people respond to flushing in drinking situations. Of 1080 Chinese undergraduate university students given the survey questionnaire, 725 (67.1%) returned the completed surveys. Eighty percent of the students were drinkers (93% of males and 69% of females); 68% of the drinkers were flushers. Most of the students (59.3%) said flushing had no special meaning, that is, would ignore flushing; 54% of the flushers said they could keep drinking “but less” when they flush; 27% of the students said that a flushing person should stop drinking; however, if the flushing person is a girl, 89% of the students said the girl should drink less or stop. If the flushing person was a boy, 61% of students said he should drink less or stop. The data do suggest gender differences in the understanding of and social reaction to alcohol-related flushing, and these differences raise interesting questions as to how flushing acts as a potential protective factor against alcohol misuse.
Socioeconomic Factors Associated With Contraceptive Use and Method Choice in Urban Slums of Bangladesh
Authors: Kamal S. M. Mostafa
Published: September 2011

This article explores the socioeconomic factors affecting contraceptive use and method choice among women of urban slums using the nationally representative 2006 Bangladesh Urban Health Survey. Both bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses were applied to examine the relationship between a set of sociodemographic factors and the dependent variables. Overall, the contraceptive prevalence rate was 58.1%, of which 53.2% were modern methods. Women’s age, access to TV, number of unions, nongovernmental organization membership, working status of women, number of living children, child mortality, and wealth index were important determinants of contraceptive use and method preference. Sex composition of surviving children and women’s education were the most important determinants of contraceptive use and method choice. Programs should be strengthened to provide nonclinical modern methods free of cost among the slum dwellers. Doorstep delivery services of modern contraceptive methods may raise the contraceptive prevalence rate among the slum dwellers in Bangladesh.
Sleep in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Vigeta Sônia Maria Garcia , Hachul Helena , Tufik Sergio , de Oliveira Eleonora Menicucci
Published: September 2011

The aim of this study was to identify factors that most influence the perception of sleep quality in postmenopausal women. We used the methodological strategy of the Collective Subject Discourse (CSD), which is based on a theoretical framework of social representations theory. We obtained the data by interviewing 22 postmenopausal Brazilian women who were experiencing insomnia. The women gave accounts of their difficulties with sleep; a variety of dimensions were identified within the data. The onset of sleep disorders might have occurred during childhood or in situations considered to be stressful, and were not necessarily associated with menopause. We found that hormonal alterations occurring during menopause, psychosocial factors, and sleep-breathing disorders triggered occasional sleep disturbances during this time of life. Participants were aware of the consequences of sleep deprivation. In addition, inadequate sleep hygiene habits figured prominently as determinants in the persistence of sleep disturbances.
Deportation Experiences of Women Who Inject Drugs in Tijuana, Mexico
Authors: Robertson Angela M. , Lozada Remedios , Vera Alicia , Palinkas Lawrence A. , Burgos José Luis , Magis-Rodriguez Carlos , Rangel Gudelia , Ojeda Victoria D.
Published: September 2011

Deportation from the United States for drug offenses is common, yet the consequences of deportation for women drug users are poorly documented. In 2008, in Tijuana, Mexico, we conducted an exploratory qualitative study of migration, deportation, and drug abuse by interviewing 12 Mexican injection-drug-using women reporting U.S. deportation. Women reported heavy drug use before and after deportation, but greater financial instability and physical danger following deportation than when in the United States. We identified an unmet need for health and social services among deported drug-using women, including HIV prevention, drug treatment, physical and mental health services, and vocational training. Binational coordination is needed to help deported women resettle in Mexico.
Building Community Partnerships to End Interpersonal Violence
Authors: Busch-Armendariz Noël Bridget , Johnson Regina Jones , Buel Sarah , Lungwitz Jeana
Published: September 2011

The article discusses the University of Texas at Austin’s (UT Austin) Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (IDVSA), an institution that was established in 2001. IDVSA is a collaboration of the Schools of Social Work, Law, and Nursing, and 150 community affiliates. Recognizing that interpersonal violence does not occur in a vacuum, the IDVSA operates within an ecological framework in which explanations for interpersonal violence acknowledge that individuals and families are nested in larger mezzo and macro systems, and factors such as gender, poverty, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and immigration status play influential roles in our understanding of these issues. The overarching goal is to advance knowledge and meaningful practice in the field through partnerships with survivors and community practitioners. Specifically, the mission is to advance the knowledge related to domestic violence and sexual assault in order to end interpersonal violence. IDVSA seeks to achieve its mission by focusing on three key areas: (1) rigorous research and scholarship on domestic violence and sexual assault; (2) comprehensive training, technical assistance, and information dissemination to the practitioner community and the community at large; and (3) substantial collaboration with our community partners. This article summarizes the authors’ pursuit.
Health and physical education pre-service teacher perceptions of journals as a reflective tool in experience-based learning
Authors: O'Connell Timothy , Dyment Janet
Published: September 2011

The pedagogical use of journals as a reflective tool has been used in many academic disciplines. Researchers have studied the effectiveness of implementing journal writing as an academic exercise, and results have generally touted journals as a successful means of encouraging learning and reflection. However, little is known about how students perceive journal writing, particularly with pre-service Health and Physical Education teachers who are often inundated by attempts to make them into ‘reflective practitioners’ (Schön, 1983).

The purpose of this study was to examine journal writing perceptions of Health and Physical Education pre-service teachers who participated in an experience-based learning activity. Results from this exploratory study indicate that journaling is appreciated by some pre-service teachers. While it supports the findings of previous studies that journaling can be an effective pedagogical technique, it raises the question as to whether or not journaling is for every student, particularly when considering academic specialization.
Physically fit or physically literate? How children with special educational needs understand physical education
Authors: Coates Janine
Published: September 2011

The role of physical literacy within physical education (PE) has become a widely debated topic in recent years. Its role in educating children about physicality through embodiment, skill acquisition and reading the environment is argued to be of great benefit to children. However, whether children understand the role of PE in the development of these competencies is not clear, and this is even truer for children who have special educational needs (SEN). Drawing on qualitative phenomenological data from 30 children in key stages two and three (7 to 14 years of age) who have SEN, this article explores notions of physical fitness and physical literacy as understood by children in PE lessons. It aims to gain insight into the ways that children understand the purpose of PE, and places these perceptions within a physical literacy framework, using the National Curriculum for PE (NCPE) as a foundation. Findings demonstrate that children with SEN perceive PE as a means for improving physical fitness, whereas concepts surrounding physical literacy appear to be lost. The article concludes by making recommendations for factoring physical literacy components more forcibly into the PE curriculum, and through initial teacher training and continued professional development.
The interaction of factors which influence secondary student physical education teachers’ knowledge and development as teachers
Authors: Capel Susan , Hayes Sid , Katene Will , Velija Philipa
Published: September 2011

The purpose of this study was to look at the influence of and interrelationships between concerns and socialization on the development of student physical education (PE) teachers’ knowledge for teaching and their development as teachers. Six secondary student PE teachers completed a journal on a monthly basis throughout the course of a one-year initial teacher education course. These student teachers and their mentors were interviewed in school towards the end of their course in June. Responses were analysed inductively. A major factor influencing these student teachers’ development throughout the year was their concerns about themselves, their teaching and the material they were to teach over-ridden by concern to pass the course. This was influenced by the student teachers’ socialization prior to and during the course. In turn, this influenced their views of the importance and value of knowledge developed on different parts of the course. The results are discussed in relation to student teachers’ development as teachers.
High school students’ experiences in a Sport Education unit: The importance of team autonomy and problem-solving opportunities
Authors: Smither Katelyn , Xihe Zhu
Published: September 2011

This study examined high school students’ experiences in a Sport Education unit being implemented with smaller teams and fewer roles. The participants included one physical education teacher and her 70 ninth-grade students. Each week, we conducted two to three observations and four to six informal interviews with the participants for over eight weeks. We also conducted a structured interview with the teacher and four interviews with 12 students. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using open and axial coding. Two themes emerged from data analysis. First, Sport Education transformed students from passive into active learners, reflected in team autonomy and problem solving. Second, smaller teams produced higher engagement especially in those students who rarely participated in the traditional team sport unit, reflected through their willingness to ‘work together’ to be successful. The results point to the importance of team autonomy and problem-solving opportunities that transformed students into active learners.
Temporal distance and blood donation intention
Authors: Choi Soe Yoon , Park Hee Sun , Oh Ju Yeon
Published: September 2011

This study tested Construal Level Theory and examined social desirability and cultural differences as factors affecting blood donation intention across different time frames. Findings showed that individuals indicated stronger intentions for the distant future (one-year and no-time indication frames) than for the near future (one-week and three-month frames). The relationship between social desirability rating of blood donation and intention was positive and significant for the no-time indication frame, but it was not significant for the one-week time frame and the three-month time frame. Koreans and Americans did not differ in the relationship between social desirability and intentions across different time frames.
‘Where once stood titans’: Second-order paradigm repair and the vanishing US newspaper
Authors: Carlson Matt
Published: September 2011

The demise of Rocky Mountain News and printed Seattle Post-Intelligencer only weeks apart in 2009 met with an outpouring of mediated concern among the journalistic community. In the shadow of the two failed newspapers, journalists defended the medium while warning of the growth of online news forms. In analyzing this response, this essay reappraises literature on ‘paradigm repair’ in which public repudiations of supposedly individual deviance aim to protect journalistic values and practices from scrutiny. It argues for the need to extend paradigm repair to account for an interpretive shift from individualizing and ostracizing incidents to holding them to be generalizable indicators of widespread paradigmatic challenges. Dubbed ‘second-order paradigm repair’, this concept aims to improve understanding of journalism in a time of change.
Bright light effects on working memory, sustained attention and concentration of elderly night shift workers
Authors: Kretschmer V , Schmidt K-H , Griefahn B
Published: September 2011

Night shift workers show a decline in performance during working time. Due to demographic change, the labour market requires more elderly people to work at night. Ageing is accompanied by a decrease in cognitive abilities, in the capabilities of the visual system and in coping with night work from the age of 40 onwards. This investigation focuses on the effects of bright light exposure on the working memory, concentration and sustained attention of elderly persons during three consecutive night shifts. After statistical control for neuroticism and intelligence as covariates, the results demonstrate that exposure to bright light at night reduces error rates for a working memory task and a concentration performance task but performance on a sustained attention task is completely unaffected.
Marriage and offending specialization: Expanding the impact of turning points and the process of desistance
Authors: McGloin Jean Marie , Sullivan Christopher J. , Piquero Alex R. , Blokland Arjan , Nieuwbeerta Paul
Published: September 2011

Research consistently demonstrates that offending versatility declines over the life course, yet the underlying meaning of this empirical observation remains unclear. Empirical work has connected shifting routines and social networks with intra-individual changes in offending versatility, which are also primary mechanisms whereby turning points facilitate desistance from crime (that is, the decline in offending frequency over the life course). The current paper hypothesizes that the narrowing of offending variety over the life course is part of the desistance process and, therefore, should be facilitated by entry into marriage. Analyses using data from the Criminal Career and Life-Course Study, which follows Dutch offenders throughout most of their adult lives, provide support for the notion that marriage is related to within-individual declines in offending versatility, even when accounting for offending frequency. The discussion considers the impact of these results on the understanding of desistance from crime.
Country survey: Criminology, crime and criminal justice in Lithuania
Authors: Dobryninas Aleksandras , Sakalauskas Gintautas
Published: September 2011

The article deals with the situation and development trends in criminology and criminal justice in Lithuania. The article emphasizes that both the science of criminology and the institutes of criminal justice were developing during a transitional period when, after the restitution of independence, Lithuanian society had started moving towards European standards. The article analyses crime and punishment trends during recent decades, as well as the structure and functions of the main institutions of criminal justice in Lithuania. Special attention is paid to attitudes among the public towards criminal justice, namely the political discourse of criminal justice, opinions of law enforcement institutions, and the representation of the crime situation in Lithuanian mass media.