bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of single bursts versus single spikes at excitatory dendrodendritic synapses
Authors: Masurkar Arjun V. , Chen Wei R.
Published: January 2012

The synchronization of neuronal activity is thought to enhance information processing. There is much evidence supporting rhythmically bursting external tufted cells (ETCs) of the rodent olfactory bulb glomeruli coordinating the activation of glomerular interneurons and mitral cells via dendrodendritic excitation. However, as bursting has variable significance at axodendritic cortical synapses, it is not clear if ETC bursting imparts a specific functional advantage over the preliminary spike in dendrodendritic synaptic networks. To answer this question, we investigated the influence of single ETC bursts and spikes with the in vitro rat olfactory bulb preparation at different levels of processing, via calcium imaging of presynaptic ETC dendrites, dual electrical recording of ETC –interneuron synaptic pairs, and multicellular calcium imaging of ETC‐induced population activity. Our findings supported single ETC bursts, versus single spikes, driving robust presynaptic calcium signaling, which in turn was associated with profound extension of the initial monosynaptic spike‐driven dendrodendritic excitatory postsynaptic potential. This extension could be driven by either the spike‐dependent or spike‐independent components of the burst. At the population level, burst‐induced excitation was more widespread and reliable compared with single spikes. This further supports the ETC network, in part due to a functional advantage of bursting at excitatory dendrodendritic synapses, coordinating synchronous activity at behaviorally relevant frequencies related to odor processing in vivo.
Pain management in intellectually disabled children: a survey of perceptions and current practices among Dutch anesthesiologists
Authors: Valkenburg Abraham J. , van der Kreeft Sylvia M. , de Leeuw Tom G. , Stolker Robert J. , Tibboel Dick , van Dijk Monique
Published: January 2012

Background:  Intellectually disabled children are more likely to undergo surgical interventions and almost all have comorbidities that need to be managed. Compared with controls, intellectually disabled children tend to receive less intraoperative analgesia and fewer of them are assessed for postoperative pain.

Aim:  To evaluate perceptions and practices of anesthesiologists in the Netherlands concerning pain management in intellectually disabled children.

Methods/Materials:  We surveyed members of the Section on Pediatric Anesthesiology of the Netherlands Society of Anesthesiology in 2005 and 2009, using a self‐designed questionnaire.

Results:  The response rate was 47% in both years. In 2005, 32% of the anesthesiologists rated intellectually disabled children as ‘more sensitive to pain’ than nonintellectually disabled children – vs 25% in 2009. But no more than 7% in 2005 vs 6% in 2009 agreed with the statement ‘children with intellectually disabled children need more analgesia’. Most anesthesiologists gave similar doses of intraoperative opioids for intellectually disabled and nonintellectually disabled children, 92% in 2005 vs 89% in 2009. In 2005, only 3% applied a pain assessment tool validated for intellectually disabled children, vs 4% in 2009.

Conclusions:  Anesthesiologists in the Netherlands take a different approach when caring for intellectually disabled children and they were not aware of pain observation scales for these children. However, the majority think that intellectually disabled children are not more sensitive to pain or require more analgesia. These opinions did not change over the 4‐year period. One way to proceed is to implement validated pain assessment tools and to invest in education.
The complete larval development of Panopeus lacustris Desbonne 1867 (Brachyura: Panopeidae), from the Amazon region, reared in the laboratory
Authors: de Souza Adelson S. , da Costa Rauquírio M. , Abrunhosa Fernando A.
Published: January 2012

Larvae of the mud crab Panopeus lacustris were reared in laboratory from ovigerous females collected in the estuarine area of the Caeté River in the Amazonian region. The complete development of this species consisted of four zoeal and one megalopal stages, which were described and illustrated in detail. The results are compared with those of other previous studies on larval development of the species belonging to the genus Panopeus and then briefly discussed.
SUPERMARKETS AS A NATURAL OLIGOPOLY
Authors: ELLICKSON PAUL B.
Published: January 2012

This paper proposes and tests a model of supermarket competition based upon an endogenous fixed cost (EFC) framework (Sutton, J. Sunk Cost and Market Structure: Price Competition, Advertising, and the Evolution of Concentration. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1991.). The relevance of the EFC framework to supermarket competition stems from the industry's surprisingly uniform competitive structure: irrespective of the size of the local market, a small number of firms (between three and six) capture the majority of sales. As markets grow, local rivalry drives firms to expand their fixed investments, limiting the number of firms that can profitably enter even the largest markets. Although markets stay concentrated, competition remains fierce, reflecting the inherently rivalrous nature of the underlying competitive mechanism. The goal of this paper is to identify the strategic focus of this rivalry, namely the drive to provide an ever greater variety of consumer products, and to eliminate alternative explanations for the observed structure by highlighting the unique form of firm conduct that characterizes this industry. (JEL D21, D43, L11, L13, L22, L81)
IMMATERIAL REWARDS AND SANCTIONS IN A VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION EXPERIMENT
Authors: PEETERS RONALD , VORSATZ MARC
Published: January 2012

In this article, we compare the causes and effects of immaterial rewards and sanctions on cooperation in a voluntary contribution experiment. It appears that both rewards and sanctions increase contributions (and that rewards are more effective than sanctions) only when subjects interact repeatedly within the same group. The effect is, however, insignificant, which could be due to the higher variance in presence of rewards and sanctions. Furthermore, it is evidenced that rewards have some negative effect on the future contribution for both the imposer and the imposed when the partner matching is applied, but both rewards and sanctions have mainly positive effects under the stranger matching. Thus it seems that the recipient of the feedback takes the message as a reliable external evaluation of her contribution only under the stranger matching protocol when the strategic use of feedback can largely be excluded. (JEL C92, H41)
Diapraxis rules OK
Authors: Benthall Jonathan
Published: January 2012

Social‐cultural anthropologists' well established tradition of studying conflict resolution has hitherto had only limited application in practical programmes for intercultural ‘mediation’ on a large scale. This guest editorial suggests how the new concept of ‘diapraxis’, a practical replacement for ‘dialogue’, might stimulate a more systematic engagement from anthropologists. Some examples of diapraxis relating to the Islamic world are summarized, as described in a recent issue of Swiss government journal Politorbis.
‘Material support’: US anti‐terrorism law threatens human rights and academic freedom
Authors: Price Michael , Rubinstein Robert A. , Price David H.
Published: January 2012

A US federal law prohibiting the provision of “material support” or resources to terrorist groups has broad implications for anthropologists and other academics working with groups who may be designated as terrorists and the populations that support them or live under their influence. The broad scope and vague language of the law raises the possibility that individuals engaging in some forms of humanitarian aid, charitable giving, peace‐building or academic activities could be prosecuted for offering material aid to terrorists. Problems with the material support law are critically examined as are the dangers faced by anthropologists whose ordinary research, writing and speaking activities might be seen as violating the law. Historical context and the chilling effect on anthropological research and analysis are considered.
Counterinsurgency and the M‐VICO System: Human Relations Area Files and anthropology's dual‐use legacy
Authors: Price David H.
Published: January 2012

Over the past decade, ANTHROPOLOGY TODAY has published a number of features covering the relationship between anthropology and the security state. Here, David Price draws attention to an aborted counterinsurgency project, known as the M‐VICO project. Building on the categories and structures employed in the Human Relation Area Files (HRAF), this project relied on anthropologists to encode data cross‐culturally on all forms of behaviour in as many strategic localities as possible, which the security services subsequently scrutinize and probe for possible weaknesses that could be exploited. In this article, David Price shows that, in the secrecy that often surrounds the financing and precise purposes of its projects, anthropology is not all that different from many other disciplines, with some projects serving what he calls ‘dual‐use’ ends. Since civilian researchers are not supposed to have full knowledge of these ends, research into these semi‐covert purposes is particularly challenging.
ARREST FOR ATTEMPTED STREET THEATRE
Authors: Power Camilla , Knight Chris
Published: January 2012

On the eve of the royal wedding, two anthropologists and an actor – members of a street theatre troupe known as ‘The Government of the Dead’– were arrested for conspiracy to stage a performance. We adopt a Bakhtinian perspective of carnival laughter as essential to the scientific investigation of officialdom and ceremonial power.
Video Games and Violence: Legislating on the ‘Politics of Confusion’
Authors: ROBINSON NICHOLAS
Published: January 2012

This article explores the way that politicians and legislators have responded to concerns over the link between videogames and violence in the UK, particularly in terms of ensuring that inappropriate content remains inaccessible to minors. It explores the recent changes to the regulatory framework centred on videogames, arguing that the move to a universal statutory framework has implications that are more symbolic than real‐policy is still underpinned by the ‘precautionary principle’ and the framework remains equally likely to be undermined by the actions of parents who ignore ratings and purchase age‐inappropriate games for their children. Perhaps predictably, the political establishment has been unwilling to engage with this parental neglect, attributing it to ‘ignorance’ and ‘the need for a simplification of the ratings system’. This paper argues that such responses are essentially a smokescreen used by governments which are understandably unwilling to take prosecutions into the home and retail space.
Of Butchery and Bicycles: The WTO and the ‘Death’ of the Doha Development Agenda
Authors: WILKINSON RORDEN
Published: January 2012

The World Trade Organization's (WTO) Doha round is in trouble; but so is the way we talk about the institution and the negotiations. Economists, international lawyers, political scientists, practitioners and pundits alike have locked themselves into a deeply constraining and quite unhelpful way of talking and thinking about the WTO that has little to offer either the round or the Organization. Indeed, the way commentators have chosen to talk about the problems of the round, as well as the options for moving forward, may actually be compounding matters, reinforcing the likelihood that Doha will produce little, that future negotiations will continue to be dramatic and hard to conclude, and that inequitable outcomes will persist. My aim here is to shine a light on the bounded nature of the current debate with a view to agitating for a less constrained and more fruitful conversation about Doha, the WTO and beyond.
A refined efficiency rate for ordinary least squares and generalized least squares estimators for a linear trend with autoregressive errors
Authors: Lee Jaechoul , Lund Robert
Published: January 2012

When a straight line is fitted to time series data, generalized least squares (GLS) estimators of the trend slope and intercept are attractive as they are unbiased and of minimum variance. However, computing GLS estimators is laborious as their form depends on the autocovariances of the regression errors. On the other hand, ordinary least squares (OLS) estimators are easy to compute and do not involve the error autocovariance structure. It has been known for 50 years that OLS and GLS estimators have the same asymptotic variance when the errors are second‐order stationary. Hence, little precision is gained by using GLS estimators in stationary error settings. This article revisits this classical issue, deriving explicit expressions for the GLS estimators and their variances when the regression errors are drawn from an autoregressive process. These expressions are used to show that OLS methods are even more efficient than previously thought. Specifically, we show that the convergence rate of variance differences is one polynomial degree higher than that of least squares estimator variances. We also refine Grenander's (1954) variance ratio. An example is presented where our new rates cannot be improved upon. Simulations show that the results change little when the autoregressive parameters are estimated.
The U.S. Diversity Visa Programme and the Transfer of Skills from Africa
Authors: Ikubolajeh Logan B. , Thomas Kevin J. A.
Published: January 2012

The Diversity Visa (DV) programme is designed to improve the multicultural composition of the U.S. “melting pot” beyond the traditional source countries in Europe. In pursuit of this objective, the basic eligibility requirement for participation in the programme is a high school diploma. Despite its salutary objective and design, the programme’s implications for the African brain drain may not all be benign. The “tired, poor, huddled masses” from Africa are defined in more restrictive terms, and the obstacles they face are more economically and administratively onerous than those encountered by their early European counterparts. The costs of transforming a lottery win to an actual diversity visa and Green Card are so high that only Africans in well‐paying jobs, who are likely to be professionals rather than mere high school graduates, are likely to be able to afford the full costs of programme participation. In this sense, the programme has an in‐built, skills‐selective mechanism. The main objective of this study is to examine the extent to which the DV has facilitated the movement of professional, technical and kindred workers (PTKs) from Africa to the United States, and some of the economic and policy implications of the process.
Should female genital cosmetic surgery and genital piercing be regarded ethically and legally as female genital mutilation?
Authors: Kelly B , Foster C
Published: January 2012

Please cite this paper as: Kelly B, Foster C. Should female genital cosmetic surgery and genital piercing be regarded ethically and legally as female genital mutilation? BJOG 2012;119:389–392.
Perceived injustice in injured workers: analysis of public responses to an injured worker who took Workers’ Compensation Board employees hostage
Authors: Brown Cary A. , Bostick Geoff P. , Lim Jeannette , Gross Douglas P.
Published: January 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2012; 26; 569–578

Perceived injustice in injured workers: analysis of public responses to an injured worker who took WORKERS’ Compensation Board employees hostage

Introduction: Injured workers’ perceived injustice can contribute to retaliatory, aggressive actions. Research also shows a relationship between persistent pain, anger and aggressive, maladaptive coping.

Aims: We took the unique opportunity afforded by a workers compensation board (WCB) hostage taking incident to address four questions: (i) What contemporary values, beliefs, and potential behaviours about the WCB system are reflected in the online postings of other claimants (or family members of claimants) in response to the hostage taking incident? (ii) To what degree do the narratives of people who posted online (PWP) in response to this incident, demonstrate the theme of perceived injustice and support retaliatory actions? (iii) How accurate is the information relayed by PWP about the WCB system where the hostage taking occurred? (iv) What is the quality and the public utility of the information this WCB makes available to the public through on‐line posting?

Methods: We thematically analysed comments posted on a national news website in response to the hostage‐taking. We focused on posted narratives from people who stated that they had personal involvement with WCB. We also assessed the accuracy of the comments about WCB made in these narratives against the information available on the WCB website. A standardized assessment tool was used to determine the readability and accessibility of the WCB website.

Findings: Emergent themes were: retribution, perceived systemic mistreatment, justice/injustice, empathy, disbelief, and loss. There were many inaccurate beliefs about the Workers’ Compensation Board. The overall quality of readability and accessibility of the website was low.

Conclusion: Narratives indicated perceived procedural injustice attributed to a flawed and uncaring compensation system. Inaccurate beliefs about WCB and poor quality of the public website may have contributed to suffering, miscommunication and perceptions of unjust, systemic mistreatment. Findings support a relationship between perceived injustice and aggressive retaliatory action.
‘The responsibility of someone else’: a focus group study of collaboration between a university and a hospital regarding the integration of caring science in practice
Authors: Lindberg Elisabeth , Persson Eva , Bondas Terese
Published: January 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2012; 26; 579–586

‘The responsibility of someone else’: a focus group study of collaboration between a university and a hospital regarding the integration of caring science in practice

Aim:  The aim of the study was to develop insights into how nurses, senior preceptors and head nurses experience the integration of caring science in practice and how they value the contributions of nursing students to the integration of caring science in practice.

Background:  Research still reveals differences between theory and practice by nursing students. In Sweden, clinical education units have become one way of creating consistency between university and health care practices on values of caring.

Method:  The study is hermeneutic in design comprising data from three focus group interviews. The participants include registered nurses, senior preceptors and head nurses.

Result:  The study shows that roles and mandates are not clearly defined between the different actors. The university and hospital collaboration in caring science integration was regarded as ‘someone else’s responsibility’. Research and development seemed excluded from the everyday life of the hospital units. The students seemed to fall somewhere between the hospital ‘practice and concrete world of production’ and the university ‘theory world of education and research’. Three themes emerge: ‘integration – someone else’s responsibility’, ‘the hospital – a culture of production’ and ‘the hospital and the university – different realities’.

Discussion:  The results suggest the need for professionals within health care and university to reflect on their responsibilities in terms of research and development. The ethos of caring science implies the alleviation of suffering and caring for vulnerable patients including research and development.
A qualitative investigation of the experience of a mindfulness‐based intervention with incarcerated adolescents
Authors: Himelstein Samuel , Hastings Arthur , Shapiro Shauna , Heery Myrtle
Published: January 2012

Background:  This study investigated the experience of 23 incarcerated male adolescents who participated in an adapted 10‐week mindfulness‐based intervention.

Method:  Participants completed semi‐structured interviews immediately following the final class of the treatment intervention. A six‐step thematic content analysis was used to identify major themes from the transcribed semi‐structured interviews.

Results:  Four major clusters of themes were identified: increase in subjective well‐being, increase in self‐regulation, increase in awareness, and accepting attitude toward the treatment intervention.

Conclusion:  Results suggest that adapted mindfulness‐based interventions are feasible as treatments for incarcerated youth and have promising potential. Clinical implications are discussed.
Antenatal care, identification of suboptimal fetal growth and risk of late stillbirth: Findings from the Auckland Stillbirth Study
Authors: Stacey Tomasina , Thompson John M.D. , Mitchell Edwin A. , Zuccollo Jane M. , Ekeroma Alec J. , Mccowan Lesley M.E.
Published: January 2012

Introduction

Stillbirth remains an important public health problem in Australia and New Zealand. The role that antenatal care plays in the prevention of stillbirth in high‐income countries is unclear.

Methods

Cases were women with a singleton, late stillbirth without congenital abnormality, booked to deliver in the Auckland region and born between July 2006 and June 2009. Two controls with ongoing pregnancies were randomly selected at the same gestation at which the stillbirth occurred. Data were collected through interview‐administered questionnaires and from antenatal records.

Results

One hundred and fifty five of 215 (72%) cases and 310 of 429 (72%) controls consented to take part in the study. Accessing <50% of recommended antenatal visits was associated with a more than twofold increase in late stillbirth (adjusted odds ratio, aOR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.04–6.90) compared with accessing the recommended number of visits. Small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) babies that had not been identified as SGA prior to birth were significantly more at risk of being stillborn (aOR, 9.46; 95% CI, 1.98–45.13) compared with SGA babies that were identified as such in the antenatal period. No relationship was found between type or model of maternity care provider at booking and late stillbirth risk.

Discussion

This study reinforces the importance of regular antenatal care attendance. Identification of SGA may be one way by which antenatal care reduces stillbirth.
The Intuitive Case for β‐blockers in Patients with ESRD
Authors: McQuillan Rory F. , Chan Christopher T.
Published: January 2012

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is common in dialysis patients accounting for up to 25% of all‐cause mortality. Unlike in the general population, occlusive coronary artery disease is implicated in a minority of these deaths. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system is prevalent in the dialysis population and may underlie this high rate of SCD. β‐blockers reduce SCD in the general population and, given their mode of action, β‐blockers would seem to be an ideal class of agents to prevent SCD in dialysis patients. In this review, we will explore the etiology of SCD in dialysis patients and discuss the evidence supporting the use of β‐blockers in patients with ESRD. We will also examine potential impediments to the use β‐blocker in the dialysis population and outline directions for future trials in this area.
The Goal Trumps the Means: Highlighting Goals is More Beneficial than Highlighting Means in Means‐End Training
Authors: Gerson Sarah A. , Woodward Amanda L.
Published: January 2012

Means‐end actions are an early‐emerging form of problem solving. These actions require initiating initial behaviors with a goal in mind. In this study, we explored the origins of 8‐month‐old infants’ means‐end action production using a cloth‐pulling training paradigm. We examined whether highlighting the goal (toy) or the means (cloth) was more valuable for learning to perform a well‐organized means‐end action. Infants were given the opportunity to both practice cloth‐pulling and view modeling of the action performed by an adult throughout the session. Infants saw either the same toy or the same cloth in successive trials, so that the goal or means were highlighted prior to modeling of the action. All infants improved throughout the session regardless of which aspect of the event was highlighted. Beyond this general improvement, repetition of goals supported more rapid learning and more sustained learning than did repetition of means. These findings provide novel evidence that, at the origins of means‐end action production, emphasizing the goal that structures an action facilitates the learning of new means‐end actions.
Anger and Positive Reactivity in Infancy: Effects on Maternal Report of Surgency and Attention Focusing in Early Childhood
Authors: He Jie , Hane Amie Ashley , Degnan Kathryn Amey , Henderson Heather A. , Xu Qinmei , Fox Nathan A.
Published: January 2012

We examined two aspects of temperamental approach in early infancy, positive reactivity and anger, and their unique and combined influences on maternal reports of child surgency and attention focusing at 4 years of age. One hundred and fourteen infants were observed for their positive reactions to novel stimuli at 4 months, and their anger expressions during arm restraint at 9 months. Child surgency and attention focusing at age 4 years were assessed by maternal report. Infants who expressed more anger to restraint were rated higher in surgency during early childhood relative to infants who expressed less anger. The effects of positive reactivity to novelty on attention focusing were moderated by anger to restraint. These findings suggest that infant temperamental approach tendencies are multifaceted and have both unique and combined influences on later maternal report of attention and social behavior.
Maternal Caregiving Moderates the Relation Between Temperamental Fear and Social Behavior with Peers
Authors: Penela Elizabeth C. , Henderson Heather A. , Hane Amie A. , Ghera Melissa M. , Fox Nathan A.
Published: January 2012

Temperament works in combination with a child’s environment to influence early socioemotional development. We examined whether maternal caregiving behavior at infant age 9 months moderated the relation between infant temperamental fear (9 months) and observations of children’s social behavior with an unfamiliar peer at age 2 in a typically developing sample of 155 children. When infants received lower quality maternal caregiving, temperamental fear was inversely related to observed social engagement and aggression. These relations were nonsignificant when infants received higher quality maternal caregiving. Findings indicate that variations in temperamental fear may predict individual differences in future peer interactions, but sensitive, nonintrusive caregiving behaviors can attenuate these associations.
Estimating Absolute and Relative Case Fatality Ratios from Infectious Disease Surveillance Data
Authors: Reich Nicholas G. , Lessler Justin , Cummings Derek A. T. , Brookmeyer Ron
Published: January 2012

SummaryKnowing which populations are most at risk for severe outcomes from an emerging infectious disease is crucial in deciding the optimal allocation of resources during an outbreak response. The case fatality ratio (CFR) is the fraction of cases that die after contracting a disease. The relative CFR is the factor by which the case fatality in one group is greater or less than that in a second group. Incomplete reporting of the number of infected individuals, both recovered and dead, can lead to biased estimates of the CFR. We define conditions under which the CFR and the relative CFR are identifiable. Furthermore, we propose an estimator for the relative CFR that controls for time‐varying reporting rates. We generalize our methods to account for elapsed time between infection and death. To demonstrate the new methodology, we use data from the 1918 influenza pandemic to estimate relative CFRs between counties in Maryland. A simulation study evaluates the performance of the methods in outbreak scenarios. AnRsoftware package makes the methods and data presented here freely available. Our work highlights the limitations and challenges associated with estimating absolute and relative CFRs in practice. However, in certain situations, the methods presented here can help identify vulnerable subpopulations early in an outbreak of an emerging pathogen such as pandemic influenza.
Brain Wave Biofeedback: Benefits of Integrating Neurofeedback in Counseling
Authors: Myers Jane E. , Young J. Scott
Published: January 2012

Consistent with the 2009 Standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, counselors must understand neurobiological behavior in individuals of all developmental levels. This requires understanding the brain and strategies for applying neurobiological concepts in counseling practice, training, and research. Neurofeedback, biofeedback for the brain, is one modality based in neuroscience that empowers individuals to recognize, monitor, and self‐regulate brain wave activity to create greater wellness. Neurofeedback has significant potential in counseling preparation, research, and practice.
Assessing Diagnostic Expertise of Counselors Using the Cochran–Weiss–Shanteau (CWS) Index
Authors: Witteman Cilia L. M. , Weiss David J. , Metzmacher Martin
Published: January 2012

Counseling studies have shown that increasing experience is not always associated with better judgments. However, in such studies performance is assessed against external criteria, which may lack validity. The authors applied the Cochran–Weiss–Shanteau (CWS) index, which assesses the ability to consistently discriminate. Results showed that novice counselors performed almost on the same level as very experienced counselors. The authors thus replicated earlier findings with a novel approach: applying an internal coherence criterion.
Racial/Ethnic Identity, Gender‐Role Attitudes, and Multicultural Counseling Competence: The Role of Multicultural Counseling Training
Authors: Chao Ruth Chu‐Lien
Published: January 2012

Researchers and practitioners have been pursuing how to enhance counselors' multicultural counseling competencies (MCC). With a sample of 460 counselors, the author examined whether multicultural training changed the relationship between (a) racial/ethnic identity and MCC and (b) gender‐role attitudes and MCC. The author found significant interaction effects of (a) racial/ethnic identity and multicultural training and (b) gender‐role attitudes and multicultural training on multicultural knowledge but not on multicultural awareness.
Client Accounts of Hope in Early Counseling Sessions: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Larsen Denise J. , Stege Rachel
Published: January 2012

Hope enables individuals to envision a future in which they wish to participate (Jevne, 1994) and is foundational to counseling practice. However, there has been little research examining client accounts of hope in session. Using basic interpretive inquiry, this case study examines clients' accounts of hope during counseling using video‐assisted recall. Three categories emerged: hope‐fostering counseling relationship, supportive identity development, and perspective change. Implications for counseling are discussed.
Gene expressional changes in prostate fibroblasts from cancerous tissue
Authors: Reinertsen Tove , Halgunset Jostein , Viset Trond , Flatberg Arnar , Haugsmoen Linn Lervik , Skogseth Haakon
Published: January 2012

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men. It is assumed that the tumor microenvironment of the prostate contributes to invasion and metastasis. Stroma‐epithelial crosstalk has shown to change with progression of prostate cancer, and thereby the stromal compartment might be an attractive target in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to prostate cancer. The purpose of this project was to study the reciprocal influence between fibroblasts and cancer cells in prostate cancer. Prostate fibroblast primary cultures from areas with cancer and hyperplasia were cocultivated with cells of the PC‐3 lineage. Gene expression profiles of both cell types were studied to reveal possible associations to cancer invasion and metastasis. There were 383 differentially expressed genes between fibroblasts from cancerous areas and fibroblasts from areas with hyperplasia before cocultivation with PC‐3 cells. Several of the differentially expressed gene classes are associated with cancer development and metastasis. After cocultivation, there were 26 differentially expressed genes between cancerous and hyperplastic fibroblasts. There were only three differentially expressed genes between PC‐3 cells that had been cocultivated with cancerous fibroblasts and PC‐3 cells that had been cocultivated with hyperplastic fibroblasts. The fibroblasts from cancer areas showed a different expression pattern from the characteristics reported as reactive stroma in previous studies. We found tenascin C to be downregulated, which is contrary to previous findings. TGF‐β3 and TGF‐βR3 were also downregulated, which has been associated with disturbance of TGF‐β signaling during prostate cancer progression. Cocultivation with PC‐3 cells seems to make the cancerous and hyperplastic fibroblasts more alike each other, as the number of differentially expressed genes decreases. It is desirable to find out if the reduction in differential gene expression is attributable to that hyperplastic fibroblasts become more alike the cancerous fibroblasts or vice versa. Also, we think that the lower expression levels of c‐Jun and c‐Fos in cancerous fibroblasts without coculture may cause loss of normal fibroblast differentiation, proliferation and inflammatory response, and hence, favor the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells.
Alterations in intraoral manipulation and splitting of food by subjects with tooth‐ or implant‐supported fixed prostheses
Authors: Svensson Krister G. , Grigoriadis Joannis , Trulsson Mats
Published: January 2012

Objectives

Sensory information provided by the periodontal mechanoreceptors (PMRs) is used by the nervous system to optimize the positioning of food, force levels, and force vectors involved in biting. The aim of this study was to describe motor performance during a novel manipulation‐and‐split task and to assess the extent to which control of this performance involves information from the PMRs.

Materials and methods

A total of 10 subjects with natural teeth, 10 with bimaxillary tooth‐supported fixed prostheses (TSP) and 10 with bimaxillary implant‐supported fixed prostheses (ISP) (61–83 [mean 69] years of age) were asked to perform an intraoral manipulation‐and‐split task that involved positioning a spherical chocolate dragée between the front teeth and then splitting it into two parts of equal size. The vertical jaw movement, sound of food cracking and masseter muscle activity were monitored during this task and the accuracy of the split was evaluated.

Results

The group with natural teeth was significantly better than the other groups at splitting the candy with high precision. The jaw movements were similar between groups, but the contact phase prior to the split was significantly longer for those with natural dentition.

Conclusions

The present findings support the conclusion that the nervous system collects rich information about contact between the teeth and food from the PMRs prior to powerful jaw action. Impairment (TSP) or absence (ISP) of this information alters motor behavior and impairs performance during the natural biting task employed here.
Haemodynamics using transthoracic echocardiography in healthy pregnant and non‐pregnant baboons (Papio hamadryas)
Authors: Dennis Alicia T. , Castro Julian M. , Heffernan Scott , Hennessy Annemarie
Published: January 2012

Background  To determine systolic and diastolic function using transthoracic echocardiography in the baboon (Papio hamadryas).

Methods  Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in eight non‐pregnant female and six pregnant baboons according to American Society of Echocardiography recommendations.

Results  Haemodynamic measurements were obtained from fourteen baboons. Compared to non‐pregnant baboons, pregnant baboons demonstrated: (mean ± SD, pregnant vs. healthy) increased cardiac output (1615 ± 121 ml/minutes vs. 1317 ± 134 ml/minutes P = 0.001) due to an increased heart rate [120 ± 11 beats per minute (BPM) vs. 105 ± 6 BPM P = 0.018]. The inter‐observer and intra‐observer variability (mean difference ± SD) for the left ventricular outflow tract diameter was 0.05 ± 0.07 cm and 0.01 ± 0.03 cm respectively. There was minimal impact to the animal’s daily activities.

Conclusions  Transthoracic echocardiography was applicable and reproducible for the assessment of haemodynamics in baboons thus enabling translation of animal results to human studies.
Release and diffusion of hydroxyl ion from calcium hydroxide‐based medicaments
Authors: Guerreiro‐Tanomaru Juliane Maria , Chula Daniele Guidette , de Pontes Lima Regina Karla , Berbert Fábio Luis Vilela Camargo , Tanomaru‐Filho Mário
Published: January 2012

Abstract –  The release and diffusion of hydroxyl ions (OH−) of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)‐based intracanal medications may be affected by the association with other substances. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diffusion of OH− ions through root dentin by the medications: G1, Ca(OH)2/saline; G2, Calen; G3, Calen/camphorated p‐monochlorophenol (CMCP); and G4, Calen/0.4% chlorhexidine (CHX). Root canals from bovine teeth were prepared in a standardized manner. A cavity until dentin was prepared in the middle third of the root surface of each specimen. The external surface of the root was made impermeable using a layer of adhesive, except the prepared cavity. The root canals were filled with different medications, and teeth were individually stored in flasks containing 10 ml distilled water at 37°C. The water pH was measured at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 30, and 60 days. Data obtained were subjected to anova and Tukey’s tests. Increase in pH was observed at 3 days for Calen/CHX and from 7 to 14 days for the other mixtures. Calen paste promoted pH increase up to 21 days. Calen/CMCP had the highest pH up to 21 days, and all groups had similar results at 30 days. At 60 days, the greatest pH values were observed for Calen/CMCP and Calen alone. All different formulations of Ca(OH)2‐based medications tested release hydroxyl ion that can diffuse through the dentin.
Binary Mixtures of Permanganate and Chlorinated Volatile Organic Compounds in Groundwater Samples: Sample Preservation and Analysis
Authors: Johnson Karen T. , Germain Margie Wickham‐St. , Ko Saebom , Huling Scott G.
Published: January 2012

Groundwater samples collected at sites where in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) has been deployed may contain binary mixtures of groundwater contaminants and permanganate (MnO4–), an oxidant injected into the subsurface to destroy the contaminant. Commingling of the oxidant and contaminant in aqueous samples may negatively impact the quality of the sample as well as the analytical instruments used to quantify contaminant concentrations. In this study, binary mixtures comprised of (1) a multicomponent standard with permanganate and (2) groundwater samples collected at two ISCO field sites were preserved with ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid reacts rapidly with the MnO4– and limits the reaction between MnO4– and the organic compounds in the mixture. Consequently, most of the compounds in the multicomponent standard were within the control limit for quality assurance. However, despite timely efforts to preserve the samples, the rapid reaction between permanganate and contaminant caused the concentration of several sensitive compounds to fall significantly below the lower control limit. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds in the field‐preserved binary mixture groundwater samples were greater than in samples refrigerated in the field and preserved upon arrival at the laboratory, indicating the time‐dependency and benefit of field preservation. The molar ratio of ascorbic acid required to neutralize KMnO4 was 1.64 (mol ascorbic acid/mol KMnO4); this provided a baseline to estimate the volume of ascorbic acid stock solution and/or the weight of crystalline ascorbic acid required to neutralize MnO4–. Excess ascorbic acid did not negatively impact the quality of the aqueous samples, or analytical instruments, used in the analyses.
The 1998 Curriculum Guidelines and Regulatory Criteria for family nurse practitioners seeking prescriptive authority: What should we be teaching nurse prescribers today?
Authors: Klein Tracy
Published: January 2012

Purpose: The Provus Discrepancy Model is applied to suggest revisions to consensus curriculum and regulatory guidelines for nurse practitioners (NPs) seeking prescriptive authority.

Data source: Literature review related to prescribing policy, regulation, NP role competencies, and pharmacologic trends.

Conclusion: The document "Curriculum Guidelines and Regulatory Criteria for Family Nurse Practitioners Seeking Prescriptive Authority to Manage Pharmacotherapeutics in Primary Care" should be examined for relevance to current prescribing practice, scope, and influences that emerged since publication.

Implications for practice: In order to prepare NPs of the future it is important to acknowledge the implications of increased autonomy, scope, and depth of practice that explicitly includes broad prescriptive authority.
Older adults who receive home‐based services, on the verge of passivity: the perspective of service providers
Authors: Vik Kjersti , Eide Arne
Published: January 2012

vik k. & eide a. (2013) Older adults who receive home‐based services, on the verge of passivity: the perspective of service providers. International Journal of Older People Nursing 8, 123–130 doi: 10.1111/j.1748‐3743.2011.00305.x

Background:  The increasing number of older adults will put pressure on health care services in the community. It is thus critical to ensure that services promote healthy ageing and participation.The aim of the study was to explore service providers’ perception and understanding of the conditions for participation among older adults who receive home‐based care.

Methods:  The study design was a grounded theory, with six focus groups representing different parts of home‐based care in two different municipalities. The data were analysed by a constant comparative method following the guidelines from grounded theory.

Results:  The findings showed how four different conditions influenced the opportunity for participation or could give a push towards passivity. Firstly, the timing of applications for services. Secondly, the older adults and their family’s expectations about participation. Thirdly, external factors such as adequate housing and assistive devices. Finally, the service delivery per se could constitute a barrier for participation, because the services often focused on passive help and ‘standard packages’.

Conclusion.  The findings show how factors at the system level, the execution of services and characteristics among older adults and their family may contribute to the individual service recipient being on the verge of being passive.
Testing two self‐care‐related instruments among older home‐dwelling people in Norway
Authors: Tomstad Solveig T. , Söderhamn Ulrika , Espnes Geir A. , Söderhamn Olle
Published: January 2012

Background.  Older persons’ ability and agency for self‐care is an important issue. Therefore, the development of reliable and valid instruments to measure self‐care with regard to both clinical nursing practice and personal health is important for nursing research and practice.

Aim and objective.  To test reliability and validity of the Norwegian versions of the two self‐care‐related instruments, the Self‐care Ability Scale for the Elderly (SASE) and the Nutritional Form For the Elderly (NUFFE) among older home‐dwelling individuals.

Methods.  A postal questionnaire that contained these instruments, background variables, health‐related questions and two other self‐care‐related instruments was completed by a randomised sample of 158 older persons in southern Norway. Reliability was assessed as internal consistency and validity as concurrent and construct validity.

Results.  SASE reached a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.85 and significant Spearman’s rank correlations for 16 of 17 items. For NUFFE, a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.64 was obtained and significant correlations for 13 of 15 items. Validity was supported for both instruments. An appropriate cut‐off was found for SASE. For NUFFE, a low cut‐off point was obtained.

Conclusions.  SASE was shown to have sufficient psychometric properties and can be used in research and clinical practice among older persons.

Implications for practice.  The psychometric properties of NUFFE can be assessed as sufficient, but further studies are needed regarding the cut‐off point.
The political economy of regulatory change: The case of British merger control
Authors: Buch‐Hansen Hubert
Published: January 2012

This article aims to explain the broader evolution of British merger control. To this end it outlines a novel critical political economy perspective on regulation and regulatory change which differs from established political economy approaches, such as the regulatory capitalism/state perspectives, in three main ways: it places regulatory ideas at the heart of the analysis, it differentiates between different degrees of regulatory change, and it links regulatory change in delineated issue areas with changing power balances between fractions of capital and labor. The application of this perspective to the analysis of the evolution of British merger control provides some important new insights, most notably that the content, form, and scope of merger control in Britain have been deeply transformed in accordance with neoliberal ideas since the 1980s and that this process, which was part of a broader regulatory and ideational shift, was premised on the ascendancy of transnational capital.
Does engagement with an intensive outreach service predict better treatment outcomes in ‘high‐risk’ youth?
Authors: Schley Carsten , Yuen Kally , Fletcher Karen , Radovini Alessandra
Published: January 2012

Aim: Engagement is critical in ensuring that the most ‘at risk’ clients receive care from psychiatric services, but the relationship between engagement and treatment outcomes remains unclear. This study investigated possible improvements in client engagement and the relationship between engagement and treatment outcomes in a group of difficult‐to‐engage, ‘high‐risk’ young people seen by the Intensive Mobile Youth Outreach Service (IMYOS) in Western Metropolitan Melbourne, Australia.

Methods: Data from standardized outcome measures on client engagement, suicidality, hostility, well‐being and functioning obtained at referral, after initial assessment and at discharge, were analysed retrospectively.

Results: Improved engagement was achieved after initial assessment and remained steady at discharge. All outcome measures showed significant improvement at discharge. Higher overall engagement following assessment was associated with decreased hostility risk and greater well‐being and functioning at discharge. The engagement dimensions ‘collaboration’, ‘perceived usefulness’ and ‘client‐therapist interaction’ were most consistently associated with better treatment outcomes.

Conclusion: Engagement at an early stage of treatment can be a useful predictor for later hostility risk, well‐being and functioning. To promote better outcomes for difficult‐to‐engage youth, service delivery needs to focus on collaborative client involvement, the development of a ‘strong’ therapeutic alliance and individualization of treatment in regard to client needs.