bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inferring personality traits of clients with Parkinson's disease from their descriptions of favourite activities
Authors: Lyons Kathleen Doyle , Tickle-Degnen Linda , DeGroat Emily J
Published: September 2005

Objective: To explore the extent to which practitioners effectively use cues from clients' verbal descriptions of their favourite activities to form accurate impressions of the personality of clients with Parkinson's disease.

Participants: Ninety-nine practitioners from disciplines of occupational, physical and speech therapy, nursing or medicine.

Procedure: Six men and six women with Parkinson's disease completed a self-report measure of personality and were individually interviewed regarding their favourite activities. The practitioners viewed 2-min segments of those videotaped interviews and provided judgements of the clients' personality.

Measure: The NEO-Five Factor Inventory and a coding scheme to describe characteristics of clients' favourite activities.

Analysis: Clients' self-reported personality was correlated with the activity characteristics to identify the degree to which each characteristic was a cue of personality. Practitioners' judgements of personality were correlated with the activity characteristics to identify how heavily the practitioners weighted each cue. These two sets of weightings were compared using Pearson's correlations to determine whether practitioners used an appropriate cue strategy related to the activity descriptions.

Results: Practitioners appropriately used the personality cues found in the clients' favourite activity descriptions to assess the traits of Openness to Experience, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness ( r = 0.66, r = 0.60, and r = 0.55, respectively, all p 5 ≤ 0.02). Practitioners appeared to use less effective cue strategies for the traits of Neuroticism and Extraversion.

Conclusion: Clients with Parkinson's disease appear to express their personality in their descriptions of favourite activities, and practitioners appear to make use of these expressive verbal cues effectively for some aspects of personality.
Reelin provides an inhibitory signal in the migration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons
Authors: Cariboni Anna , Rakic Sonja , Liapi Anastasia , Maggi Roberto , Goffinet Andre , Parnavelas John G.
Published: October 2005

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, a small number of cells scattered in the hypothalamic region of the basal forebrain, play an important role in reproductive function. These cells originate in the olfactory placode and migrate into the basal forebrain in late embryonic life. Here, we show that reelin, which is expressed along the route of the migrating cells, has an inhibitory role in guiding GnRH neurons to the basal forebrain. Only a small(approximately 5%) subpopulation of these neurons expresses one of the reelin receptors (ApoER2/Lrp8), and all GnRH neurons appear to lack the intracellular adaptor protein Dab1, suggesting that the function of reelin is not mediated by the conventional signal transduction pathway. The importance of reelin in the establishment of GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus was confirmed by our finding that the brains of developing and adult reeler mice of both sexes contained a markedly reduced number of these neuroendocrine neurons. Furthermore, the testes of adult males showed dilation of seminiferous tubules and reduction in their density when compared with controls. Mutants lacking the reelin receptors ApoER2 and Vldlr, and scrambler mice lacking Dab1, showed a normal complement of GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus,confirming that the effect of reelin in their migration is independent of Dab1.
DNA-binding domain mutations in SMAD genes yield dominant-negative proteins or a neomorphic protein that can activate WG target genes inDrosophila
Authors: Takaesu Norma T. , Herbig Eric , Zhitomersky David , O'Connor Michael B. , Newfeld Stuart J.
Published: September 2005

Mutations in SMAD tumor suppressor genes are involved in approximately 140,000 new cancers in the USA each year. At this time, how the absence of a functional SMAD protein leads to a tumor is unknown. However, clinical and biochemical studies suggest that all SMAD mutations are loss-of-function mutations. One prediction of this hypothesis is that all SMAD mutations cause tumors via a single mechanism. To test this hypothesis, we expressed five tumor-derived alleles of human SMAD genes and five mutant alleles of Drosophila SMAD genes in flies. We found that all of the DNA-binding domain mutations conferred gain-of-function activity, thereby falsifying the hypothesis. Furthermore, two types of gain-of-function mutation were identified – dominant negative and neomorphic. In numerous assays, the neomorphic allele SMAD4100T appears to be capable of activating the expression of WG target genes. These results imply that SMAD4100T may induce tumor formation by a fundamentally different mechanism from other SMAD mutations, perhaps via the ectopic expression of WNT target genes – an oncogenic mechanism associated with mutations in Adenomatous Polyposis Coli. Our results are likely to have clinical implications, because gain-of-function mutations may cause tumors when heterozygous, and the life expectancy of individuals with SMAD4100T is likely to be different from those with other SMAD mutations. From a larger perspective, our study shows that the genetic characterization of missense mutations, particularly in modular proteins,requires experimental verification.
C/EBPδ is a crucial regulator of pro-apoptotic gene expression during mammary gland involution
Authors: Thangaraju Muthusamy , Rudelius Martina , Bierie Brian , Raffeld Mark , Sharan Shikha , Hennighausen Lothar , Huang A-Mei , Sterneck Esta
Published: September 2005

The STAT3 transcription factor is an important initiator of mammary gland involution in the mouse. This work shows that the STAT3 target gene CCAAT/enhancer binding protein delta (C/EBPδ) is a crucial mediator of pro-apoptotic gene expression events in mammary epithelial cells. In the absence of C/EBPδ, involution is delayed, the pro-apoptotic genes encoding p53, BAK, IGFBP5 and SGP2/clusterin are not activated, while the anti-apoptotic genes coding for BFL1 and Cyclin D1 are not repressed. Consequently, p53 targets such as survivin, BRCA1, BRCA2 and BAX are not regulated appropriately and protease activation is delayed. Furthermore,expression of MMP3 and C/EBPδ during the second phase of involution is perturbed in the absence of C/EBPδ. In HC11 cells, C/EBPδ alone is sufficient to induce IGFBP5 and SGP2. It also suppresses Cyclin D1 expression and cooperates with p53 to elicit apoptosis. This study places C/EBPδbetween STAT3 and several pro- and anti-apoptotic genes promoting the physiological cell death response in epithelial cells at the onset of mammary gland involution.
Transient Analysis of Tyre Friction Generation Using a Brush Model with Interconnected Viscoelastic Bristles
Authors: Mavros G , Rahnejat H , King P D
Published: October 2005

An analysis of the mechanism of tyre contact force generation under transient conditions is presented. For this purpose, two different versions of a brush model are used, both with inertial and viscoelastic properties. The first model consists of independent bristles, while the second, with a more realistic scenario, introduces viscoelastic circumferential connections between the sequential bristles, which affect the lateral degrees of freedom. Friction between the tyre and the ground follows an experimentally verified stick-slip law. For the model with independent bristles, the state of each bristle at any instant of time depends only on the state of the same bristle at a previous time step. In the second model, the instantaneous state depends on the state of the same bristle at the preceding time step, as well as on the state of the two adjacent bristles at the same time. Simulation results reveal the differences between the two models and most importantly show how transient friction force generation may differ substantially from steady state predictions. The findings suggest that transient tyre behaviour should not be attributed solely to the contributions of the flexible belt and carcass. On the contrary, the observed transience in the neighbourhood of the contact patch should also be taken into account.
Urban versus rural populations' views of health care in Scotland
Authors: Farmer Jane , Hinds Kerstin , Richards Helen , Godden David
Published: October 2005

Objectives: To compare satisfaction with, and expectations of, health care of people in rural and urban areas of Scotland.

Methods: Questions were included in the 2002 Scottish Social Attitudes Survey (SSAS). The Scottish House-hold Survey urban-rural classification was used to categorize locations. A random sample of 2707 people was contacted to participate in a face-to-face interview and a self-completion questionnaire survey. SPSS (v.10) was used to analyse the data. Relationships between location category and responses were explored using logistic regression analysis.

Results: In all, 1665 (61.5%) interviews were conducted and 1507 (56.0%) respondents returned self-completion questionnaires. Satisfaction with local doctors and hospital services was higher in rural locations. While around 40% of those living in remote areas thought A&E services too distant, this did not rank as a top priority for health service improvement. This could be due to expectations that general practitioners would assist in out-of-hours emergencies. Most Scots thought services should be good in rural areas even if this was costly, and that older people should not be discouraged from moving to rural areas because of their likely health care needs. In all, 79% of respondents thought that care should be as good in rural as urban areas. Responses to many questions were independently significantly affected by rural/urban location.

Conclusions: Most Scots want rural health care to continue to be good, but the new UK National Health Service (NHS) general practitioner contract and service redesign will impact on provision. Current high satisfaction, likely to be due to access and expectations about local help, could be affected. This study provides baseline data on attitudes and expectations before potential service redesign, which should be monitored at intervals in future.
Voluntary organisations as e-democratic actors: political identity, legitimacy and accountability and the need for new research
Authors: Taylor John , Burt Eleanor
Published: September 2005

English

Voluntary sector organisations (VSOs) are actors of growing significance within the ‘information polity’. One testament to their significance is the UK government's recent proposal for the development of an electronic mixed economy that will see VSOs act as ‘intermediaries’ in the delivery of e-government services, including e-democratic services. As VSOs independently harness information and communication technologies (ICTs) in ways that are enabling them to strengthen their ‘voices’ within both the national and international political system, so interrelated questions about their political identity, democratic legitimacy and accountability become profoundly important within the intermediaries context.
Introduction: from New Public Management to the new governance?
Authors: Radcliffe James , Dent Mike
Published: September 2005

English

The four articles following this introduction originated from the 7th International Research Conference on Dilemmas for Human Services. The articles cover a range of topics which illuminate some of the problems associated with the concept of governance and New Public Management (NPM). While the problem of governance has led to more flexible relationships between government and the governed, for example through Third Way dialogues or the Social Investment State, in certain circumstances NPM is still clearly present. In addition, such variation is also evident when international comparisons are made, with constitutional and institutional precedents playing a significant role in governance structures.
Beyond the New Public Management? Public services and the social investment state
Authors: Newman Janet , McKee Bob
Published: September 2005

English

Recent years have seen the proliferation of political discourses around the Third Way, progressive governance, social investment and social inclusion. This article explores the implications for public management, drawing on documentary and interview data on the changing fortunes of the public library service, a service seemingly well positioned to take full advantage of these new policy discourses. The article concludes by tracing some of the key contradictions inherent in the idea of the social investment state, and the challenges these produce for public managers.
Characterization of Intact Hemoglobin and Oxaliplatin Interaction by Nanoelectrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Peng Jun , Mandal Rupasri , Sawyer Michael , Li Xing-Fang
Published: September 2005

Background: Mass spectrometric (MS) detection of intact hemoglobin (Hb) adducts presents considerable analytical challenges because of the noncovalent association of the 4 subunits of Hb, and MS characterization of the interaction of intact Hb with platinum drugs has not been reported. We developed a technique for detecting intact Hb and its drug adduct and studied the interactions between intact Hb and oxaliplatin.

Methods: We incubated a series of mixtures of Hb and oxaliplatin at 37 °C for 24 h or 5 days to investigate adduct formation. Blood samples from colorectal cancer patients undergoing oxaliplatin treatment were analyzed for novel adducts of intact Hb–oxaliplatin, which were characterized with nanoelectrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight MS.

Results: Two intact Hb adducts, one with the whole oxaliplatin molecule and the other with oxaliplatin losing the oxalate ligand, were identified. Analysis of erythrocytes from the cancer patients provided direct evidence that oxaliplatin accumulated as Hb adducts in erythrocytes. A higher fraction (∼70%) of Hb was bound to oxaliplatin in erythrocytes from a patient who could not tolerate oxaliplatin treatment than in erythrocytes from another patient who benefited from this treatment.

Conclusions: The nanoelectrospray tandem MS technique enabled determination of the intact Hb tetramer and its association with oxaliplatin. Hb–oxaliplatin adducts in erythrocytes may serve as a clinical biomarker for toxic response and treatment efficacy.
Design of an osteoinductive biodegradable cell scaffold based on controlled release technology of bone morphogenetic protein
Authors: Takahashi Yoshitake , Yamamoto Masaya , Tabata Yasuhiko
Published: September 2005

Biodegradable gelatin sponges with or without 50 wt% of ß‐tricalcium phosphate (ß‐TCP) incorporation were fabricated to design an osteoinductive scaffold that is capable of the controlled release of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)‐2. The sponges prepared had an interconnected pore structure with an average pore size of 200 μm, irrespective of the ß‐TCP incorporation. When seeded into the sponge by an agitated method, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) isolated from rat bone marrow were homogeneously distributed throughout the sponge. Osteogenic differentiation experiments demonstrated that the in vitro differentiation and proliferation of MSC was enhanced by ß‐TCP incorporation. The in vivo osteoinduction activity of gelatin or ß‐TCP‐incorporated gelatin sponges containing BMP‐2 was studied in terms of histological and biochemical examinations following the implantation into the back subcutis of rats. As a result, homogeneous bone formation was histologically observed inside the sponge implanted, although the gelatin sponge exhibited significantly higher osteoinduction activity than that of the gelatin sponge incorporating ß‐TCP. The in vivo release test revealed that BMP‐2 was released from the sponge in vivo, in a similar time period, whether or not ß‐TCP was incorporated. BMP‐2 was retained for a time period longer than 28 days. These results suggest that the gelatin sponge with an ability to release BMP‐2 is a promising cell scaffold for osteoinduction in vivo, although the effect of ß‐TCP incorporation on the osteoinductivity of sponges was different between the in vitro and in vivo systems.
Synthesis, characterization, and degradation of poly(ester‐anhydride) for particulate delivery
Authors: Modi Sweta , Jain Jay Prakash , Kumar Neeraj
Published: September 2005

A series of poly(ester‐anhydride) from poly(lactic acid) and poly(sebacic acid) have been synthesized and characterized. Poly(lactic acid) of molecular weight 2,550 Da has been synthesized from pharmaceutical grade lactic acid. The copolymers are in the molecular weight range of 3,000‐15,000 Da, with the higher molecular weights obtained for the polymers with higher sebacic acid content. With increase in sebacic acid content, the melting point is also found to increase. The polymers with 50% or more poly(sebacic acid) content melt between 80 and 84 °C. These polymers have been formulated into microspheres and their degradation studied. Due to their biodegradability and the flexibility to alter their degradation profile, they find a wide application in drug delivery.
Biodegradable polymers: An update
Authors: Shikanov Ariella , Kumar Neeraj , Domb Abraham J.
Published: September 2005

The use of polymeric materials for the administration of pharmaceuticals, and as biomedical devices has increased dramatically. This review focuses on synthetic biodegradable polymers of current interest for medical use, based on ester and anhydride bonds. Special attention is given to factors affecting biodegradation, including: polymer structure, morphology, molecular weight, radiation, and chemical treatment, as well as the effects of drugs and plasticizers added to the polymer mass. The toxicity and biocompatibility of the polymers and their current and future applications in medicine are also briefly reviewed.
In vivo degradation of semi‐rigid polymeric films made of alginate and polyethylene glycol
Authors: Livnat Maya , Peled Eli , Boss Jochanan , Seliktar Dror
Published: September 2005

Alginate‐based biomaterials can form naturally derived polymeric hydrogels with sufficient structural integrity to readily be used in many clinical applications. However, ionically cross‐linked alginate gels do not always possess structural properties suitable for application as erodable polymeric films for controlled release of drugs and growth factors. In this study, semi‐rigid polymeric films were constructed of sodium alginate and polyethylene glycol (PEG) by means of a rehydration cross‐linking technique. The films were assembled by dehydrating a solution of alginate and PEG and cross‐linking the alginate during its rehydration with a solution of calcium chloride. The product is a highly dense polymeric network that prevents in vivo cellular infiltration and disassembles primarily by surface erosion. By implanting the PEG‐alginate films into the subcutis of rats, the mechanism of polymer degradation was demonstrated to occur via inflammation‐mediated erosion of the material rather than by means of cellular infiltration. There were extensive areas of foamy macrophages at the site of the implant, indicating a likely mechanism of removal and disposal of the disassembled PEG and alginate polymer. The eroded fragments of the film that remained after six weeks did not exhibit signs of a cellular infiltrate but rather stayed intact, appearing as small, dense fragments of polymer. Our observations that nearly all the PEG‐alginate material was cleared from the implantation site by the sixth postoperative week highlight the potential exploitation of these films as bioresorbable wound dressings with prospective utilization as a drug delivery device. Moreover, the employment of polymeric films made of functionalized PEG, which enables covalent attachment of biological molecules, potentiates their use for growth factor delivery applications.
Sustained release of IL‐1Ra from biodegradable microspheres prolongs its IL‐1‐neutralizing effects
Authors: Lavi Galia , Dinarello Charles A. , Apte Ron N. , Cohen Smadar
Published: September 2005

A sustained delivery system for interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra) may have great therapeutic and industrial potential due to the cytokine activity as an IL‐1 inhibitor. Here, we investigated the capability of biodegradable polymeric microspheres to sustain the release and prolong the therapeutic efficacy of IL‐1Ra. IL‐1Ra was encapsulated within rapidly degrading poly(lactic/glycolic acid) PLGA RG502H microspheres, which showed a desirable release profile of IL‐1Ra in vitro. Pharmacokinetic study in mice revealed elevated serum levels of the recombinant IL‐1Ra (rIL‐1Ra) for up to 8 days following subcutaneous injection of IL‐1Ra microspheres. In comparison, the serum levels of rIL‐1Ra following subcutaneous or intravenous bolus injection of the soluble cytokine decreased very rapidly; within 48 h no recombinant cytokine was detected in mice sera. The sustained delivery of rIL‐1Ra for over two weeks was efficient in inhibiting IL‐1ß‐stimulated induction of serum IL‐6. These results suggest that the present therapeutic protocol of daily bolus injections of the IL‐1Ra may be replaced by a weekly injection of IL‐1Ra within PLGA RG502H microspheres.
Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable copolyesters and copolyanhydrides prepared from fumaric and succinic acid trimers and oligomers
Authors: Ben‐Shabat Shimon , Elmalak Omar , Nyska Abraham , Domb Abraham J.
Published: September 2005

A series of new biodegradable copolymers and copolyanhydrides built of trimers of fumaric and succinic acid and propylene glycol, covering a wide range of compositions, were prepared and characterized for use as drug carriers. The polymers were found to degrade within a period of weeks. Polyanhydrides loaded with ibuprofen as a model drug released the drug for a period of one week, while the polyesters released the drug for more then 30 days. The biocompatibility and the rate of evacuation of trimer‐based polymers of fumaric and succinic acids were investigated in rats. All polymers were found compatible when implanted in mice.
Predicting Life History Traits of Yellow Perch from Environmental Characteristics of Lakes
Authors: Purchase C. F. , Collins N. C. , Morgan G. E. , Shuter B. J.
Published: September 2005

Sex‐specific life history variation was examined among 72 populations of yellow perchPerca flavescensfrom Ontario, Canada. We sought to determine whether relationships could be applied to other populations to predict parameter values when life history data are not available. Each of the measured traits (early growth rate, maturation size and age, reproductive investment, and maximum size) varied two‐ to threefold among populations. Relationships were developed to predict standard calculations of life history traits from population‐specific data for use in poorly sampled lakes. Associations between life history traits and environmental variables can be used in unsampled lakes. Early growth rate was positively related to lake surface area, while relative density was positively related to total dissolved solids. For both sexes, maximum body size was positively related to lake surface area and negatively related to growing degree‐days. Additional variation in female maximum size was explained by a positive relationship with water hardness. Much variation in yellow perch growth could not be accounted for, despite incorporation of the major hypotheses that appear in the literature relating environmental variation to life history. Although explained variation was too low to generate important management policies, the results indicate types of lakes capable of producing large fish and therefore of interest for future study.
Behavioral Couples Therapy for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse: Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, and Where We’re Going
Authors: Fals-Stewart William , O’Farrell Timothy J. , Birchler Gary R. , Córdova James , Kelley Michelle L.
Published: September 2005

Among the various types of couple and family therapies used to treat substance abuse, Behavioral Couples Therapy (BCT) has the strongest empirical support for its effectiveness. During the last 3 decades, multiple studies have consistently found participation in BCT by married or cohabiting substance-abusing patients results in significant reductions in substance use, decreased problems related to substance use (e.g., job loss, hospitalization), and improved relationship satisfaction. Recently, investigations exploring other outcomes have found that, compared to traditional individual-based treatments, participation in BCT results in significantly (a) higher reductions in partner violence, (b) greater improvements in psychosocial functioning of children who live with parents who receive the intervention, and (c) better cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness. In addition to providing an overview of the theoretical underpinnings of BCT, methods used with this intervention, and the literature supporting its use, this article also examines the future directions of BCT research for substance abuse.
A Critical Look at Dual-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Treatments for Comorbid Substance Use and Psychiatric Disorders: Strengths, Limitations, and Future Directions
Authors: Conrod Patricia J. , Stewart Sherry H.
Published: September 2005

Several large-scale studies examining outcome predictors across various substance use treatments indicate a need to focus on psychiatric comorbidity as a very important predictor of poorer SUD treatment involvement and outcome. We have previously argued that current cognitive-behavioral treatments (CBT) approaches to SUD treatment do not focus on the necessary content in treatment in order to effectively address specific forms of psychiatric comorbidity, and thus only provide clients with generic coping strategies for managing psychiatric illness (as would be achieved in other SUD treatment approaches; Conrod et al., 2000). Furthermore, following our review of the literature on dual-focused CBT treatment programs for concurrent disorders in this article, we argue that combining CBT-oriented SUD treatments with specific CBT treatments for psychiatric disorders is not as straightforward as one would think. Rather, it requires very careful consideration of the functional relationship between specific disorders, patient reactions to specific treatment components, and certain barriers to treatment in order to achieve an integrated dual-diagnosis focus in treatment that is meaningful and to which clients can adhere.
Current Directions in the Treatment of Hypochondriasis
Authors: Taylor Steven , Asmundson Gordon J. G. , Coons Michael J.
Published: September 2005

Hypochondriasis was once considered treatment resistant. Recent studies, however, suggest that several interventions can be effective. This article presents a narrative review of psychosocial and pharmacologic treatments for hypochondriasis, supplemented by a meta-analysis of treatments to identify the most promising interventions. Findings suggest that cognitive behavior therapy is the most effective treatment for hypochondriasis. Fluoxetine also is promising, although the long-term effects of this and other medications remain to be examined. Psychoeducation appears to be sufficient for mild hypochondriasis. Future research on the mechanisms of hypochondriasis may shed light on how we can improve treatments, particularly for severe cases, which are least likely to benefit from psychosocial and drug interventions.
Physician Offered Prayer and Patient Satisfaction
Authors: Mann Joshua R. , McKay Scott , Daniels Damon , Lamar C. Scott , Witherspoon Patricia W. , Stanek Michele K. , Larimore Walter L.
Published: October 2005

Objective:

While there is ongoing debate about the role of physician-offered prayer during the physician-patient encounter, many physicians feel inclined to include prayer in their practices. This randomized-controlled trial evaluated patients' acceptance of physician-offered prayer in a family practice setting, and the impact of physician-offered prayer on patient satisfaction with the physician-patient encounter.

Method:

Subjects were 137 patients in an urban, largely African American, Southeastern family medicine practice who were randomized to receive usual care plus an offer of physician-led prayer or usual care alone. Satisfaction surveys were administered following the clinical encounter. The outcomes of interest were the rate of acceptance of physician-offered prayer and the impact of the prayer offer on patient satisfaction. Personal characteristics and satisfaction scores for patients accepting prayer were compared to those for patients declining prayer.

Results:

Over 90% of patients accepted the offer of prayer. The offer of prayer had no significant impact on patient satisfaction scores. The number of patients declining prayer was too low to permit comparison of prayer decliners with acceptors.

Conclusions:

This small pilot trial demonstrated that patient responses to spiritual interventions by physicians can be evaluated using randomized study designs. A large majority of patients accepted an offer of physician-led prayer, but no significant short-term impact on patient satisfaction was detected. Future research with larger sample sizes and more diverse patient populations should evaluate the effects of physician-offered prayer on the physician-patient relationship. Difficulties in conducting such research are discussed.
Privatization and Trade in Health Services: A Review of the Evidence
Authors: Holden Chris
Published: October 2005

Health care provision, like other areas of welfare, has increasingly been subject to processes of privatization and contracting out, leading in some cases to an increased involvement of for-profit corporations. Such processes are likely to interact with processes of liberalization at the international level in ways that we would expect to lead to a growth in the international trading of such services. However, health service provision is usually deeply embedded in state structures at the national level, and the form of such structures varies greatly. The degree and type of private involvement allowed for or facilitated by national-level systems defines the scope for the potential development of international trade in health services. The author reviews existing sources of data on the levels of private provision across advanced capitalist countries, countries in transition from Soviet-type systems, and developing countries, and highlights processes of change that are likely to increase such provision. Private provision is growing slowly but steadily in most countries. While levels of international trade in health services are difficult to ascertain, the interaction between national processes of reform and international processes of liberalization is likely to increase such trade.
The Current Decline in Archaeological Society Memberships in Connecticut: Causes, Effects, and Possible Solutions
Authors: Bouchard Michael C.
Published: October 2005

The archaeological community is composed of professionals and amateurs who want to learn more about the past. Since both segments use information collected by the other, spreading information becomes part of the learning. People write about what they find, others read these reports, and everyone benefits. However, this is happening less and less. The system has broken down and needs to be fixed. We will attempt to find solutions for strengthening the structure of the various archaeological societies and organizations, encouraging new members by broadening the appeal, and exploring an improved system for transferring archaeological information. At the same time we must expand the places receiving archaeological information to include schools and historical societies now only concerned with recent American history. As part of this new program, a statewide research database available any time, anywhere to anyone is being suggested.
The Effect of Extraneous Stimulation on Aesthetic Preference
Authors: Martindale Colin , Moore Kathleen , Anderson Karen
Published: October 2005

Two experiments were conducted in order to test predictions derived from Berlyne's theory of aesthetic preference. According to the theory, preference is an inverted-U function of arousal potential; the determinants of arousal potential are summed, with the consequence that an increase in the amount of one determinant leads to a decrease in the maximally preferred level of other determinants; and arousal induced by extraneous stimulation is pooled with the arousal potential of a focal stimulus. The experiments supported none of these predictions. Preference tended to be related to its determinants by monotonic functions. The predicted trade-off among the determinants of preference was not generally present. Extraneous stimulation seemed to affect preference by distracting attention rather than by influencing arousal. The results are explained in terms of a neural-network theory of aesthetic preference.
Comparing Several Human and Computer-Based Methods for Scoring Concept Maps and Essays
Authors: Koul Ravinder , Clariana Roy B. , Salehi Roya
Published: October 2005

This article reports the results of an investigation of the convergent criterion-related validity of two computer-based tools for scoring concept maps and essays as part of the ongoing formative evaluation of these tools. In pairs, participants researched a science topic online and created a concept map of the topic. Later, participants individually wrote a short essay from their concept map. The concept maps and essays were scored by the computer-based tools and by human raters using rubrics. Computer-based concept map scores were a very good measure of the qualitative aspects of the concept maps ( r = 0.84) and were an adequate measure of the quantitative aspects ( r = 0.65). Also, the computer-based essay scores were an adequate measure of essay content ( r = 0.71). If computer-based approaches for scoring concept maps and essays can provide a valid, low-cost, easy to use, and easy to interpret measure of students' content knowledge, then these approaches will likely gain rapid acceptance by teachers at all levels.
The Causes of Increasing World Poverty and Inequality; Or, Why the Matthew Effect Prevails
Authors: Wade Robert Hunter
Published: October 2005

This article challenges the liberal (or “neoliberal”) argument that free trade in goods and services (including financial services) makes for better overall economic performance at the level of the world economy and the level of national economies. Liberal champions infer that those who oppose the liberal prescriptions either fail to understand the theory or seek to protect vested interests, and hence regional bodies such as the European Commission and international bodies such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund should properly push the liberal agenda under the banner of “the general interest.” The author presents theoretical and empirical grounds on which to challenge the argument. He shows that Henry George's enigma— the association of poverty with progress—is still with us, and relates its persistence to the way that the positive feedback of the Matthew effect— “to him that hath shall be given”—dominates the negative feedback of neoclassical diminishing returns.
The “Whole Approach”: An Investigation of a School-Based Practicum Model of Teacher Professional Development in ICT
Authors: Lloyd Margaret , McRobbie Campbell
Published: October 2005

The question of what makes for effective teacher professional development in ICT is an enduring one. In a recent study in Queensland (Australia), we visited 19 rural and regional schools and interviewed teachers, administrators and ICT coordinators to find that a school-based practicum was effective in impacting the practice and beliefs of individual teachers. This article, through reference to our field study findings and briefly describing four of its case studies, concludes that the practicum's success is related to the situative nature of this professional development. The findings of the study have implications for professional development programs aimed at increasing the use and integration of ICT in classrooms.
Economic Efficiency versus Social Equality? The U.S. Liberal Model versus the European Social Model
Authors: Navarro Vicente , Schmitt John
Published: October 2005

This article begins by challenging the widely held view in neoliberal discourse that there is a necessary trade-off between higher efficiency and lower reduction of inequalities: the article empirically shows that the liberal, U.S. model has been less efficient economically (slower economic growth, higher unemployment) than the social model in existence in the European Union and in the majority of its member states. Based on the data presented, the authors criticize the adoption of features of the liberal model (such as deregulation of their labor markets, reduction of public social expenditures) by some European governments. The second section analyzes the causes for the slowdown of economic growth and the increase of unemployment in the European Union—that is, the application of monetarist and neoliberal policies in the institutional frame of the European Union, including the Stability Pact, the objectives and modus operandi of the European Central Bank, and the very limited resources available to the European Commission for stimulating and distributive functions. The third section details the reasons for these developments, including (besides historical considerations) the enormous influence of financial capital in the E.U. institutions and the very limited democracy. Proposals for change are included.
Solving Problems Reductively
Authors: Armoni Michal , Gal-Ezer Judith , Tirosh Dina
Published: October 2005

Solving problems by reduction is an important issue in mathematics and science education in general (both in high school and in college or university) and particularly in computer science education. Developing reductive thinking patterns is an important goal in any scientific discipline, yet reduction is not an easy subject to cope with. Still, the use of reduction usually is insufficiently reflected in high school mathematics and science programs. Even in academic computer science programs the concept of reduction is mentioned explicitly only in advanced academic courses such as computability and complexity theory. However, reduction can be applied in other courses as well, even on the high school level. Specifically, in the field of computational models, reduction is an important method for solving design and proof problems. This study focuses on high school students studying the unit “computational models”—a unique unit, which is part of the new Israeli computer science high school curriculum. We examined whether high school students tend to solve problems dealing with computational models reductively, and if they do, what is the nature of their reductive solutions. To the best of our knowledge, the tendency to reductive thinking in theoretical computer science has not been studied before. Our findings show that even though many students use reduction, many others prefer non-reductive solutions, even when reduction can significantly decrease the technical complexity of the solution. We discuss these findings and suggest possible ways to improve reductive thinking.
University Students' Knowledge of Alcoholic Drinks and Their Perception of Alcohol-Related Harm
Authors: Hasking Penelope , Shortell Carly , Machalek Mireille
Published: October 2005

A total of 371 university students were asked to estimate the amount of alcohol contained in a standard drink and to estimate the number of standard drinks contained in popular alcoholic beverages. In addition, students completed questionnaires assessing their perception of short and long term harm related to the consumption of beer, wine, spirits and pre-mixed alcopops. Results revealed that students were generally inaccurate in their estimate of alcoholic content of beverages, and national guidelines for low risk drinking. Students were also found to hold different perceptions regarding how harmful different alcoholic beverages were. While both male and female students considered spirits to be more harmful than beer, wine and pre-mixed drinks, males also believed beer to be more harmful than wine when considering the short term consequences. The pattern of beliefs reported by this sample suggest a high-risk population who are not aware of the risks they are exposing themselves to through their drinking behavior.
The Assessment of Preference for Balance: Introducing a New Test
Authors: Wilson Ashley , Chatterjee Anjan
Published: October 2005

Balance is a central feature that contributes to the organizational structure of aesthetic visual images. Balance gives unity to an otherwise diverse display. Dynamic balance refers to the way in which disparate elements of an image produce visual forces that compensate for each other. Despite the importance of balance on aesthetic perception and production, few tests are designed to assess sensitivity or preference for this important attribute of images. Here, we introduce the assessment of preference for balance (APB) and report a method to derive an objective balance score. In selecting items for this test, we eliminated images that produce local grouping effects and confound assessment of the effects of dynamic balance per se. Our final test constitutes 130 images comprised of circles or hexagon elements. The objective balance scores accounted for 73% and 78% of the variance, respectively, in subjective preferences for these images.
Nonspousal Family Loss among Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Williams Beverly Rosa , Baker Patricia Sawyer , Allman Richard M.
Published: October 2005

We examined the prevalence and correlates of recent nonspousal family loss among older adults using data from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging, a stratified random sample of community-dwelling older adults living in central Alabama. Twenty-three percent of participants reported a recent nonspousal family loss. African American ethnicity, education <12th grade, functional difficulty, restricted life-space mobility, depressive symptomology, pain and other somatic symptoms were associated with recent nonspousal family loss. Compared to non-widowed participants, widows with family loss reported a higher proportion of mental health and activity-limiting physical problems as well as restricted life-space. Programs to improve physical function and enhance health and wellbeing in older bereaved spouses should be expanded to include older adults with nonspousal family loss, particularly targeting the mental health needs of previously widowed persons who lose another family member.
Occupational Safety and Health in China, Part I: U.S.-China Symposium on “Integrating Occupational and Environmental Health”
Authors: Quinn Margaret , Geiser Ken , Lin Li
Published: October 2005

A joint China-U.S. symposium entitled “Integrating Occupational and Environmental Health” was organized by the Department of Science and Technology of Hebei Province, PRC, and the Department of Work Environment at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, U.S.A. A framework called “Sustainable Production” was proposed by U.S. participants to link environmental and worker protection. Sustainable production focuses on systems of production that integrate concerns for the long-term viability of the environment, worker health and safety, the community, and the economic performance of firms and other enterprises. The disciplines of environmental and occupational health and safety were brought together by Chinese participants under the unifying theme of the development, implementation, and impact of new technologies. As production processes are increasingly concentrated in China, collaboration among U.S. and Chinese environmental and occupational health and safety professionals is ever more essential.
How Autistic Children May Use Narrative Discourse to Scaffold Coherent Interpretations of Events: A Case Study
Authors: Levy Elena T. , Fowler Carol A.
Published: October 2005

High-functioning autistic children often behave as if they fail to integrate information or seek out coherence. In this article we present a social-pragmatic account of this impairment, in which we propose that social and linguistic deficits tend to isolate autistic children from the experiences that promote the integration of information by other children. This hypothesis is based on the view that, in typical human development, language plays a central role in creating coherence, including the ability to infer the intentions of others. The proposal is supported by a case study of an autistic adolescent who, when provided with adult scaffolding as he repeatedly retells a story, shows the same kinds of changes shown by unimpaired, although younger, children. An implication is that the difficulty that autistic children have in pulling information together arises, in part, from problems with the narrative mode of discourse. We infer that, provided with the right kinds of language-use experiences, high-functioning autistic children may develop the ability to find coherence in the events they experience.
Dual cerebella model neural networks based robust adaptive output feedback control for electromechanical actuator with anti‐parameter perturbation and anti‐disturbance
Authors: Hu Jian , Cao Mengmeng , Bai Yanchun , Song Qiuyu , Yao Jianyong
Published: February 2024

To realize a high‐accuracy tracking control of an electromechanical actuator in which only position signal is available, a new robust adaptive output feedback control strategy based on dual CMAC neural networks is proposed in this article. A high‐gain observer and a neural network are combined to estimate the unmeasured system states, in which a neural network is designed to estimate and compensate the system parameter estimation error and other uncertain nonlinearity to improve the performance of the traditional observer. A robust adaptive controller and another neural network are combined to decrease the impact of parameter perturbation and external disturbance and strengthen the system robustness. Lyapunov theorem is used to derive an on‐line weight adaption law for the two neural networks and an on‐line parameter adaptation law for the uncertain parameters to stabilize the system. Thus the parameter uncertainty and disturbance can be compensated with feedforward compensation technique. A nonlinear robust feedback term is designed to suppress the model compensation deviation. Considering the stronger approximation ability of CMAC basis function against RBF basis function, an improved CMAC neural network is introduced in the proposed controller. A large number of simulations and experiments show that the proposed controller has better tracking performance than many main‐stream output feedback controllers in present.