bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A two‐step up‐scaling method for mapping runoff and sediment production from pasture and woody encroachment on semi‐arid hillslopes
Authors: Muñoz‐Robles Carlos , Tighe Matthew , Reid Nick , Frazier Paul , Briggs Sue V. , Wilson Brian
Published: December 2011

Management of woody encroachment and pasture to reduce runoff and sediment production is important in semi‐arid areas. However, the study of relationships between vegetation and surface hydrology at hillslope scale is difficult because of cost and time constraints. Up‐scaling eco‐hydrological responses measured at fine scale can overcome these constraints and provide insights into runoff and erosion at scales relevant to management. In this study, runoff and sediment production were modelled on two adjacent hillslopes, one with woody encroachment (3500 stems ha−1) and the other a volunteer pasture cultivated to oats 18 months previously. Spatial modelling was undertaken to integrate small‐plot (1 m2) rainfall simulation, slope and the spatial distribution of ground cover. The estimates of runoff and sediment production in the woody hillslope were considerably lower than in the pasture hillslope in both years of the study. Runoff and sediment production in the woody hillslope were similar in consecutive years, whereas the estimates of runoff and sediment production in the pasture hillslope were lower in the second year as a result of the establishment of a water spreading system of contour banks. The results showed the importance of measuring patchiness and connectivity of runoff source areas for runoff and sediment production. The spatial modelling approach allowed a description of fine‐scale, surface eco‐hydrological interactions on hillslopes, based on high resolution spatial data and experimental fine‐scale rainfall simulations. A similar modelling approach could be used to explore runoff and sediment production resulting from varying management of semi‐arid lands. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of exosome release and its prognostic value in human colorectal cancer
Authors: Silva J. , Garcia V. , Rodriguez M. , Compte M. , Cisneros E. , Veguillas P. , Garcia J. M. , Dominguez G. , Campos‐Martin Y. , Cuevas J. , Peña C. , Herrera M. , Diaz R. , Mohammed N. , Bonilla F.
Published: December 2011

A significant proportion of extracellular nucleic acids in plasma circulate highly protected in tumor‐specific exosomes, but it is unclear how the release of exosomes is modulated in carcinogenesis. We quantified by cytometry exosomes in plasma of 91 colorectal cancer patients to evaluate their potential as a tumor indicator and their repercussions on diagnosis and prognosis. We examined the involvement of TSAP6, a TP53‐regulated gene involved in the regulation of vesicular secretion, in levels of circulating exosomes in plasma of colorectal patients and in HCT116 TP53‐(wild‐type and null) human colorectal cancer cell lines. The fraction of exosomes in cancer patients was statistically higher than in healthy controls (mean rank = 53.93 vs. 24.35). High levels of exosomes in plasma of patients correlated with high levels of carcino‐embryonic antigen (P = 0.029) and with poorly differentiated tumors (P = 0.039) and tended to have shorter overall survival than patients with low levels (P = 0.056). Release of exosomes did not correlate with TSAP6 expression; and regulation of TSAP6 by TP53 was not shown either in tumor samples or in HCT116 cell lines. Although it was not suggested that the TP53/TSAP6 pathway regulates the release of exosomes into the plasma of colorectal cancer patients, the level of circulating exosomes may be used as a tumor indicator, because it correlates with poor prognosis parameters and shorter survival. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adenosine dysfunction in epilepsy
Authors: Boison Detlev
Published: December 2011

Extracellular levels of the brain's endogenous anticonvulsant and neuroprotectant adenosine largely depend on an astrocyte‐based adenosine cycle, comprised of ATP release, rapid degradation of ATP into adenosine, and metabolic reuptake of adenosine through equilibrative nucleoside transporters and phosphorylation by adenosine kinase (ADK). Changes in ADK expression and activity therefore rapidly translate into changes of extracellular adenosine, which exerts its potent anticonvulsive and neuroprotective effects by activation of pre‐ and postsynaptic adenosine A1 receptors. Increases in ADK increase neuronal excitability, whereas decreases in ADK render the brain resistant to seizures and injury. Importantly, ADK was found to be overexpressed and associated with astrogliosis and spontaneous seizures in rodent models of epilepsy, as well as in human specimen resected from patients with hippocampal sclerosis and temporal lobe epilepsy. Several lines of evidence indicate that overexpression of astroglial ADK and adenosine deficiency are pathological hallmarks of the epileptic brain. Consequently, adenosine augmentation therapies constitute a powerful approach for seizure prevention, which is effective in models of epilepsy that are resistant to conventional antiepileptic drugs. The adenosine kinase hypothesis of epileptogenesis suggests that adenosine dysfunction in epilepsy undergoes a biphasic response: an acute surge of adenosine that can be triggered by any type of injury might contribute to the development of astrogliosis via adenosine receptor‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms. Astrogliosis in turn is associated with overexpression of ADK, which was shown to be sufficient to trigger spontaneous recurrent electrographic seizures. Thus, ADK emerges as a promising target for the prediction and prevention of epilepsy. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Satellite‐based ET estimation in agriculture using SEBAL and METRIC
Authors: Allen Richard , Irmak Ayse , Trezza Ricardo , Hendrickx Jan M. H. , Bastiaanssen Wim , Kjaersgaard Jeppe
Published: December 2011

Surface Energy Balance Algorithms for Land (SEBAL) and Mapping EvapoTranspiration at high Resolution with Internalized Calibration (METRIC) are satellite‐based image‐processing models that calculate evapotranspiration (ET) as a residual of a surface energy balance. Both models are calibrated using inverse modelling at extreme conditions approach to develop image‐specific estimations of the sensible heat flux (H) component of the surface energy balance and to effectively remove systematic biases in net radiation, soil heat flux, radiometric temperature and aerodynamic estimates. SEBAL and METRIC express the near‐surface temperature gradient as an indexed function of radiometric surface temperature, eliminating the need for absolutely accurate surface temperature and the need for air temperature measurements. Slope and aspect functions and temperature lapsing are used in METRIC applications in mountainous terrains. SEBAL and METRIC algorithms are designed for relatively routine application by trained professionals familiar with energy balance, aerodynamics and basic radiation physics. The primary inputs for the models are short‐wave and long‐wave (thermal) images from satellite (e.g. Landsat and MODIS), a digital elevation model and ground‐based weather data measured within or near the area of interest. ET ‘maps’ (i.e. images) developed using Landsat images provide means to quantify ET on a field basis in terms of both rate and spatial distribution. METRIC takes advantage of calibration using weather‐based reference ET so that both calibration and extrapolation of instantaneous ET to 24‐h and longer periods compensate for regional advection effects where ET can exceed daily net radiation. SEBAL and METRIC have advantages over conventional methods of estimating ET using crop coefficient curves or vegetation indices in that specific crop or vegetation type does not need to be known and the energy balance can detect reduced ET caused by water shortage, salinity or frost as well as evaporation from bare soil. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
THE PURCHASING POWER PARITY HYPOTHESIS IN THE US–CHINA RELATIONSHIP: FRACTIONAL INTEGRATION, TIME VARIATION AND DATA FREQUENCY
Authors: Alberiko Gil‐Alana Luis , Jiang Liang
Published: December 2011

This article deals with the analysis of the purchasing power parity (PPP) hypothesis in China using fractional integration or I(d) techniques. Using real exchange rates data between the Chinese Yuan and the US dollar, the results indicate that the estimated integration order d is generally larger than 1, which means that the PPP hypothesis in China does not hold in the long run over the sample period January 1994 to November 2010. Moreover, to check the stability of d across the sample period, we reestimated it recursively over different subsample periods with 5‐year and 10‐year data frequencies, respectively. The recursive estimated results show that after the structural change at the beginning of the sample period, the fractional differencing parameter d remains stable and generally larger than 1. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of the comparative analgesic effectiveness of transdermal and oral opioids in cancer patients: A propensity score analysis
Authors: Apolone G. , Deandrea S. , Montanari M. , Corli O. , Greco M.T. , Cavuto S.
Published: December 2011

Background

Transdermal delivery systems containing fentanyl or buprenorphine, despite the relatively lack of comparative studies, have reached an impressive share of the market in several countries. In the context of a wider observational study, we applied the propensity score to test the comparative effectiveness of the two routes of administration (oral vs. transdermal).

Methods

We applied the propensity score in a subgroup of patients (starting the World Health Organization third step therapy during the scheduled follow‐up of 28 days) using pre‐planned primary (pain intensity change) and secondary endpoints, such as increase in doses, need for switching and safety profile. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out.

Results

Three‐hundred sixty‐six eligible cases were analysed. We found a difference among the two groups in terms of variables potentially associated with therapy choice and outcomes. After adjusting for propensity score, results were in favour of transdermal delivery systems for the primary endpoint (odds ratio 1.68; p = 0.04). A similar trend was also present for the other secondary endpoints. Only in the case of nausea and vomiting, patients receiving transdermal delivery systems reported a higher frequency of events.

Conclusion

The application of the propensity score has helped understand better the actual effectiveness of transdermal delivery systems that are at least equivalent to the oral opioids, and even more effective for pain intensity reduction.
Contribution of mu and delta opioid receptors to the pharmacological profile of kappa opioid receptor subtypes
Authors: Brissett D.I. , Whistler J.L. , van Rijn R.M.
Published: December 2011

Molecular cloning has identified three opioid receptors: mu (MOR), delta (DOR) and kappa (KOR). Yet, cloning of these receptor types has offered little clarification to the diverse pharmacological profiles seen within the growing number of novel opioid ligands, which has led to the proposal of multiple subtypes. In the present study, utilizing in vitro and in vivo methods including the use of opioid receptor knockout mice, we find that certain antinociceptive effects of the KOR‐1 and KOR‐2 subtype‐selective ligands (+)‐(5α,7α,8β)‐N‐Methyl‐N‐[7‐(1‐pyrrolidinyl)‐1‐oxaspiro[4.5]dec‐8‐yl]‐benzene‐acetamide (U69, 593) and 4‐[(3,4‐Dichlorophenyl)acetyl]‐3‐(1‐pyrrolidinylmethyl)‐1‐piperazine‐carboxylic acid methyl ester fumarate (GR89, 696), respectively, are potentiated by antagonism of MOR and DOR receptors. We believe that our findings can be best explained by the existence of KOR‐DOR and KOR‐MOR heteromers. We only find evidence for the existence of these heteromers in neurons mediating mechanical nociception, but not thermal nociception. These findings have important clinical ramifications as they reveal new drug targets that may provide avenues for more effective pain therapies.
Feasibility of international data collection and feedback on post‐operative pain data: Proof of concept
Authors: Zaslansky R. , Chapman C.R. , Rothaug J. , Bäckström R. , Brill S. , Davidson E. , Elessi K. , Fletcher D. , Fodor L. , Karanja E. , Konrad C. , Kopf A. , Leykin Y. , Lipman A. , Puig M. , Rawal N. , Schug S. , Ullrich K. , Volk T. , Meissner W.
Published: December 2011

Post‐operative pain exacts a high toll from patients, families, healthcare professionals and healthcare systems worldwide. PAIN‐OUT is a research project funded by the European Union's 7th Framework Program designed to develop effective, evidence‐based approaches to improve pain management after surgery, including creating a registry for feedback, benchmarking and decision support. In preparation for PAIN‐OUT, we conducted a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of international data collection with feedback to participating sites. Adult orthopaedic or general surgery patients consented to participate between May and October 2008 at 14 collaborating hospitals in 13 countries. Project staff collected patient‐reported outcomes and process data from 688 patients and entered the data into an online database. Project staff in 10 institutions met the enrolment criteria of collecting data from at least 50 patients. The completeness and quality of the data, as assessed by rate of missing data, were acceptable; only 2% of process data and 0.06% of patient‐reported outcome data were missing. Participating institutions received access to select items as Web‐based feedback comparing their outcomes to those of the other sites, presented anonymously. We achieved proof of concept because staff and patients in all 14 sites cooperated well despite marked differences in cultures, nationalities and languages, and a central database management team was able to provide valuable feedback to all.
Two‐week cast immobilization induced chronic widespread hyperalgesia in rats
Authors: Ohmichi Y. , Sato J. , Ohmichi M. , Sakurai H. , Yoshimoto T. , Morimoto A. , Hashimoto T. , Eguchi K. , Nishihara M. , Arai Y.‐C.P. , Ohishi H. , Asamoto K. , Ushida T. , Nakano T. , Kumazawa T.
Published: December 2011

It has been postulated that physical immobilization is an essential factor in developing chronic pain after trauma or surgery in an extremity. However, the mechanisms of sustained immobilization‐induced chronic pain remain poorly understood. The present study, therefore, aimed to develop a rat model for chronic post‐cast pain (CPCP) and to clarify the mechanism(s) underlying CPCP. To investigate the effects of cast immobilization on pain behaviours in rats, one hindlimb was immobilized for 2 weeks with a cast and remobilization was conducted for 10 weeks. Cast immobilization induced muscle atrophy and inflammatory changes in the immobilized hindlimb that began 2 h after cast removal and continued for 1 week. Spontaneous pain‐related behaviours (licking and reduction in weight bearing) in the immobilized hindlimb were observed for 2 weeks, and widespread mechanical hyperalgesia in bilateral calves, hindpaws and tail all continued for 5–10 weeks after cast removal. A sciatic nerve block with lidocaine 24 h after cast removal transitorily abolished bilateral mechanical hyperalgesia in CPCP rats, suggesting that sensory inputs originating in the immobilized hindlimb contribute to the mechanism of both ipsilateral and contralateral hyperalgesia. Intraperitoneal injection of the free radical scavengers 4‐hydroxy‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperydine‐1‐oxy1 or N‐acetylcysteine 24 h after cast removal clearly inhibited mechanical hyperalgesia in bilateral calves and hindpaws in CPCP rats. These results suggest that cast immobilization induces ischaemia/reperfusion injury in the hindlimb and consequent production of oxygen free radicals, which may be involved in the mechanism of widespread hyperalgesia in CPCP rats.
Patient predictor variables for six forms of suicidality
Authors: Fishbain D.A. , Lewis J.E. , Bruns D. , Gao J. , Disorbio J.M. , Meyer L.
Published: December 2011

Objectives

There has been a significant amount of research performed on the relationship between the presence of chronic pain and all forms of suicidality. This study explored which rehabilitation acute pain patient (APP) and rehabilitation chronic pain patient (CPP) variables are predictive of six suicidality items: wanting to die because of pain; wanting to die because life is hard; history of wanting to die; history of suicide attempts; recent frequent suicide ideation; and having a suicidal plan.

Methods

The six suicide items were contained within the Battery for Health Improvement‐Research Version (BHI‐R) and were administered to a healthy community sample (n = 1478), community patients (n = 158), rehabilitation APPs (n = 326), rehabilitation CPPs (n = 341) and rehabilitation patients without pain (n = 110).

Results

Affirmation of the six items in APPs/CPPs ranged from 6.13% to 34.90%. Logistic regression predictor models for each item for APPs/CPPs were developed utilizing available variables from the BHI‐R. Predictor variables differed between APPs and CPPs and between items. Most predictor variables had previously been delineated in non‐pain behaviour studies (e.g., substance abuse). Some novel variables such as perseverance were also identified. Contrary to the behaviour suicide literature, no demographic variables (except employment) were predictive. Correct patient classification ranged from 87% to 95%, in most cases being better than the base rate prediction.

Discussion

Suicidality predictor variables were differentially distributed between APPs and CPPs and between different forms of suicidality. Some suicidality predictor variables appeared to be specific to pain patients.
Does the neonatal clinical risk for illness severity influence pain reactivity and recovery in preterm infants?
Authors: Valeri B.O. , Gaspardo C.M. , Martinez F.E. , Linhares M.B.M.
Published: December 2011

Background

The biobehavioural pain reactivity and recovery of preterm infants in the neonatal period may reflect the capacity of the central nervous system to regulate neurobiological development.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to analyse the influence of the neonatal clinical risk for illness severity on biobehavioural pain reactivity in preterm infants.

Methods

Fifty‐two preterm infants were allocated into two groups according to neonatal severity of illness, as measured by the Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB). The low clinical risk (LCr) group included 30 neonates with CRIB scores <4, and the high clinical risk (HCr) group included 22 neonates with CRIB scores ≥4. Pain reactivity was assessed during a blood collection, which was divided into five phases (baseline, antisepsis, puncture, recovery‐dressing and recovery‐resting). Behavioral pain reactivity was measured using the scores, and magnitude of responses in Neonatal Facial Coding System (NFCS) and Sleep‐Wake States Scale (SWS). The heart rate was continuously recorded.

Results

The HCr demonstrated a higher magnitude of response on the SWS score from the baseline to the puncture phase than the LCr. Also, the HCr exhibited a higher mean heart rate and minimum heart rate than the LCr in the recovery‐resting phase. In addition, the HCr exhibited a higher minimum heart rate from the baseline to the recovery‐resting phase than the LCr.

Conclusion

The infants exhibiting a high neonatal clinical risk showed high arousal during the puncture procedure and higher physiological reactivity in the recovery phase.
Risk factors of chronic neck pain: A prospective study among middle‐aged employees
Authors: Kääriä S. , Laaksonen M. , Rahkonen O. , Lahelma E. , Leino‐Arjas P.
Published: December 2011

Objective

To study the associations of sociodemographic factors, working conditions, lifestyle and previous pain in the spine with new onset chronic neck pain (NP).

Methods

The participants were municipal employees free of chronic NP at baseline, aged 40, 45, 50, 55 or 60 years (n = 5277, 80% women). Self‐reported data on occupational class, working conditions, body mass index, smoking, exercise, mental well‐being, sleep problems, NP and low back pain (LBP) were obtained from baseline questionnaire surveys in 2000–2002. The question on chronic NP was repeated in a follow‐up in 2007. Logistic regression analysis was used.

Results

The incidence of chronic NP was 15% in women and 9% in men. In multivariable analysis among women, acute NP [odds ratio (OR) 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.9–5.1], chronic LBP (1.6, 1.2–2.2), reporting current workplace bullying (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.4), earlier bullying at the present workplace (1.6, 1.2–2.0), and earlier bullying in another workplace (1.8, 1.3–2.4), frequent sleep problems (1.5, 1.2–2.0), overweight (1.2, 1.0–1.5), and obesity (1.4, 1.1–1.8) predicted chronic NP at follow‐up. Men with acute NP (2.3, 1.4–3.8), chronic LBP (2.3, 1.2–4.3), manual occupational class (1.8, 1.1–3.1) and high work‐related emotional exhaustion (1.9, 1.1–3.3) at baseline had an increased risk of new onset chronic NP.

Conclusions

We found potentially modifiable predictors of chronic NP among employees: workplace bullying, sleep problems, and high body mass index in women, and work‐related emotional exhaustion in men. In both genders, previous acute NP and chronic LBP were predictive of chronic NP.
The Minnesota Studies of Creative Behavior: National and International Extensions
Authors: TORRANCE E. PAUL
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT On the basis of over 300 reports by independent investigators and voluminous correspondence from all of the United States and over 36 foreign countries, the author summarizes some of the national and international extensions of the Minnesota (now Georgia) Studies of Creative Behavior. In these extensions, other investigators have used the research instruments and instructional materials developed by the author and his associates. Instruments have been translated into at least seventeen different languages, and one book, Gifted Children in the Classroom, has been published in both Spanish and Japanese.

In the judgment of the author, there is little relationship between the kinds of effort that have an impact on research and the ones that influence educational practice. The most popular topic of the research studies collected was the validity of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking. Unfortunately, most of these studies have been preoccupied with the relationship between measures of creativity and measures of intelligence and school achievement. Nevertheless, these studies did yield a variety of evidence of construct, concurrent, and predictive validity, and test‐retest reliability. The author makes a plea for future investigators to build upon rather than endlessly repeat these studies and make use of the theoretical rationales upon which the instruments and materials have been developed.
The Conditions for Creativity
Authors: ALAMSHAH WILLIAM H.
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT We must attempt to formulate those conditions which are both necessary and sufficient for creativity. These conditions, at a minimum, appear to be:

(1) Motivation. This includes inherent needs, which provide the “push”, and acquired traits and attitudes, which provide the “pull”. (2) Self‐limitation (or selectivity). This means proper use and the setting of proper curbs on our talents and energies; the adoption of an adequate valuing‐system and the development of the kind of character that will help us meet the demands of the environment and our creative projects. (3) Receptivity (or openness). This makes it possible for us to take in new ideas, experience new feelings and attitudes, apprehend new aesthetic forms relevant to originality. (4) Competence. This involves mastery of those tools used in, and required for, the creative project. These conditions may be held to be minimal for creativity.
The Creative Medical Student: A Descriptive Study
Authors: GRAVES GRANT O. , INGERSOLL RALPH W. , EVANS LLOYD R.
Published: December 2011

Biographical study distinguished high from low creative medical students by broken homelife, greater preference for movies, modern music, serious books, bridge playing and creative hobbies. High creatives seek challenge, academic or research careers, verbal and imaginative expression. Low creatives have higher motivation, better academic grades, more economic and family interests, are often oldest children and head for general practice. Independent, original explorations characterize high creativity while traditional, authoritative explanations satisfy the less creative. Fricke's Opinion, Attitude and Interest Survey made the creativity identification. Factor analysis related OAIS Scores, Omnibus Personality Inventory and Medical College Admission Test scores to cross check with biography data. A motivational Index is suggested as a predictor of supportive value to the creativity score.
Training Creativity in Adolescence: A Discussion of Strategy*
Authors: DAVIS GARY A.
Published: December 2011

Contemporary psychologists are beginning to do more than identify those traits characteristic of creative adolescents, for while a trait approach to creativity is indeed informative, it fails to suggest precisely how creativity may be enhanced. In the following paper, Davis suggests that creativity profitably may be conceptualized as consisting mainly of three trainable components, (1) appropriate creative attitudes, the most critical of which is a favorable attitude toward highly imaginative problem solutions, (2) various cognitive abilities which facilitate whatever mental abstracting, combining, perceiving, associating, filling in gaps, etc., contribute to the fluent production of original ideas, and (3) techniques for the conscious and systematic production of new combinations of ideas. Further, by incorporating many concepts and principles from this three‐part model, Davis describes a novel program for developing creativity in adolescents.
Understanding Creative Writing By Research Scientists: A Simple Guide to Translating And Interpreting Abstracts
Authors: SALKIND NEIL J.
Published: December 2011

The research scientist is often concerned with concise, explicit descriptions of research that leave nothing to the imagination. Occasionally, however, the results can only be read and understood by the author. This guide will assist the critical, nontechnical reader in acquiring the basic skills of translating and interpreting scientific articles. It may also be useful as a model for potential contributors to this journal.
College Level Creativity Course Content
Authors: MONTOGOMERY DIANE , BULL KAY S. , BALOCHE LYNDA
Published: December 2011

The purpose of this study was to explore the nature of creativity courses taught at the university or college level. Prompted by a national conference sponsored by the Alden B. Dow Creativity Center at Northwood Institute and the Dow Foundation, this study analyzed the content of sixty‐seven (67) creativity course syllabi, collected from a variety of courses taught in all geographical areas of the United States. From the content analysis emerged a theoretical framework descriptive of the dimensions of creativity as taught on the university level. These dimensions can be characterized broadly as factors of prerequisite, conceptual tools and production factors. Implications for course construction based on these broad factors are discussed.
Young Children's Creative Solutions To Realistic and Fanciful Story Problems
Authors: ALEXANDER PATRICIA A. , JETTON TAMARA L. , WHITE STEVEN H. , PARSONS JAMES L. , COTROPIA KIMLA K. , LIU HSAIO‐CHIN , ACKERMAN CHERYL M.
Published: December 2011

This study examined the creative problem solving of young children as evidenced in their responses to realistic and fanciful stories posing similar problems (i.e., key character trapped and in need of rescue). One‐hundred young children listened to two stories; one about a puppy trapped in a hole (realistic) and one about a prince caught in a tower (fanciful). The children were asked to complete the stories by thinking of ways to get the puppy or the prince out. The children's responses were scored for fluency (number), elaboration (detail), flexibility (conceptual shifts), originality (novelty), effectiveness, and realism. Overall, the results suggest that the children's performance improved with age and experience, although their solutions tended to remain ineffective and unoriginal. As predicted, the children strongly preferred the puppy to the prince story, although preference did not generally affect their creative performance. The practical and theoretical implications of the study are discussed and suggestions for future research are presented.
When Consonance Is Not Enough … A Study of the Use of Dissonant Music In Psychotherapy*
Authors: SOLOMON ELIDÉ H.
Published: December 2011

This study explores the thesis that dissonant music is of significant help in psychoanalytic process and treatment. The survey emphasizes the spiritual dimension of abstract music, which creates an ego‐less state, affording an important treatment toward the listener's well being. The term “spiritual” as used here, refers not to organized religion, but rather to positive, evolutionary self‐growth beyond the ego. The investigation involved seven individual listening sessions conducted in psychoanalytic training schools and four sessions with non‐analytic minded subjects. The verbal feedback showed that dissonant music, abstract and unfamiliar sound styles, can make a meaningful contribution to healing during psychoanalytic treatment.
Transcendence as a Subset of Evolutionary Thinking: A Darwinian View of the Creative Experience
Authors: GROSSMAN STEPHEN R.
Published: December 2011

The states of transcendence and affective discontinuities as features of the creative act are posited as analogous to Darwin's theory of evolution. The intellectual essence of Darwin's argument is that randomness processed through a selection system yields purpose. Some recent studies suggest this process holds true for profound acts of creativity. Darwin's two criteria for change, randomness and a system of recognition, are examined in application to the creative act. The argument is made that extraordinary creative people use a specific selection process coupled with the ability to de‐structure or randomize their mental environment. Finally, techniques are proposed to structure a creative recognition system and to de‐structure the input that is processed to enhance creative results.

Considerable research into creativity has been concerned with transcendent thinking, the sudden discontinuous pattern shifts that lead to wonderful new insights. Three schools of thought have attempted to explain and resolve this discontinuity. Overton and Newman (1982) describe two of these. There is the reductionist view taking the position that all creative thinking can be explained by continuous processing. Discontinuity is treated merely as a behavioral or affective phenomenon since by nature pre‐conscious algorithms are unavailable for systematic inquiry.

The organismic view, on the other hand, takes the lofty position that transcendence is a function of indeterminacy: ideas actually operate in earthly terms but are post‐Newtonian in nature. That is, transcendent states are delocalized concepts operating beyond the tangible limitations of space and time. Attempts to measure these phenomena are doomed to the same outcome as the proverbial killing of the goose that laid the golden egg.

McCarthy (1993) has recently attempted to reconcile the above positions by arguing that the answer may well be found in the field of quantum physics and elementary particle research. She proposes that nature is a duality. Creative insight and transcendence come about through the superposition of two realities, one which is “boundary‐free”; the other a more conscious process which is hierarchal and “boundary‐laden.”

Presented here is a reductionist point of view asserting that what we consider to be transcendence — the mystical nature of creativity — is not only sequential but a subset of the evolutionary process as set forth by Charles Darwin in The Origin of Species (1859). Further, the principles of Darwin's theory may be applied to speed and improve the creative process both for individuals and groups. Other researchers in the field (Campbell, 1960, Finke, Ward, & Smith, 1992, Gruber& Davis, 1988, Kantorovich, 1993; Simonton, 1988), have invoked evolutionary thinking to explain the creative process. However, this argument looks at the two properties of evolution necessary for its function and shows how in highly creative people they may operate differently.
Attention‐Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Creativity — What is the connection?
Authors: CRAMOND BONNIE
Published: December 2011

The focus of this article is on the similarities between the behavioral manifestations of ADHD and creativity, some speculations about their common etiology, some illustrative case studies, and practical implications of mistaking one for the other. The possibility of an overlap in the conditions of high creativity and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is proposed. Evidence in both groups of mixed laterality and anomalies in cerebral dominance, more spontaneous ideation, higher levels of sensation seeking behavior, and higher energy and activity than in normal populations is presented.

Calvin, one of the title characters in the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, exemplifies many teachers' worst nightmare. He is the Dennis the Menace of the 90's — bright, inquisitive, imaginative, active, and always into something. Many strips depict his conflicts with school personnel and other adults, often as a result of his runaway imagination. Because his imagination is so vividly depicted, the strips provide excellent examples of creative strengths. However, the same strips could also be used to illustrate the behavior of a classic case of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There are so many similarities in the behavioral descriptions of creativity and ADHD that one is left to wonder, could these be overlapping phenomena?

The focus of this article will be on the similarities between the behavioral manifestations of ADHD and creativity, some speculations about their common etiology, some illustrative case studies, and practical implications of mistaking one for the other. In order to comprehend how two such apparently different syndromes could be confused, a better understanding of the history and evolution of the concept of Attention‐Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is necessary. Therefore, this article will begin with a brief historical overview.
Creative Thinking From An Information Processing Perspective: A New Approach To Mednick's Theory Of Associative Hierarchies
Authors: CONEY JEFFREY , SERNA PETA
Published: December 2011

Mednick (1962) proposed a theory of the creative thinking process which asserts that in generating associative responses to a stimulus, creative individuals are characterized by a flatter associative hierarchy than are less creative individuals. In order to assess this idea, an associative priming paradigm was used to measure latencies to lexical decisions primed by associations of low, medium, or high strength. Mednick's theory was not supported. However, it was found that the responses of creative subjects were uniformly less facilitated at all levels of associative strength. The set of associative strengths employed in the experiment may not have ranged low enough to provide a realistic test of creative processes. If so, then the obtained findings may be consistent with Mednick's theory as it applies to the upper end of the associative continuum.
Context for Creativity: Listening to Voices, Allowing a Pause
Authors: TAVALIN FERN
Published: December 2011

Creativity occurs within a social context. As such, it is important to consider the environments which foster creative growth. Based on the observations of a small group of interpersonal women, the author describes some of the conditions which proved successful in facilitating the emergence of personal voice in writing. Many parallels surfaced between the appearance of voice in writing and the topic of creativity in general. Certain deeply felt aspects of creativity are difficult to uncover when the methods themselves do not include room for personal expression and response. Storytelling with group response might be a potential resource as yet undeveloped in creativity research.
Thought Patterns for Organizing Experience: Some Creative Possibilities
Authors: KING JAMES ROY
Published: December 2011

The confusion into which so many lives have fallen today gives special importance to patterns by which human experience has been or can be organized. These patterns often produce significant forms of creative behavior.
Group Creativity and Technology
Authors: SIAU KENG L.
Published: December 2011

Despite the popularity of brainstorming, research has shown that verbal brainstorming is not always effective in increasing group creativity. On the other hand, its electronic counterpart, electronic brainstorming, appears to produce much better results. Is technology the panacea for group idea generation? This paper first reviews the theory of group creativity and then examines the characteristics of electronic brainstorming that makes it more effective than verbal brainstorming. From the success of electronic brainstorming, it then argues that the use of technology might be the key to overcome the space and time constraints that are commonly faced by creativity groups.
Childhood Precursors of Women's Artistic Eminence
Authors: STARIHA WINIFRED E. , WALBERG HERBERT J.
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT The paper describes the traits and life experiences that appear to have influenced the success of 21 eminent women in the visual arts. Key familial, school and social childhood conditions provided support and encouragement during the childhoods of women who became outstanding artists. As children, artists were creative, versatile, vital, energetic, sensitive, and found joy in their work. Corroborating previous findings, early achievement predicted later accomplishments. As in the lives of eminent authors, musicians, philosophers, and other illustrious groups, early intensive concentration in one's field of accomplishment, often to the near exclusion of other activities, is associated with high levels of accomplishment.
Effects of Creative and Non‐Creative Work on the Tendency To Drink Alcohol During the Restitution Phase of the Creative Process
Authors: GUSTAFSON ROLAND , NORLANDER TORSTEN
Published: December 2011

An experimental study explored how type of task (hard or light creative task or hard non‐creative task) would affect the propensity to drink either alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages. Subjects worked for forty minutes and a following taste test indicated that subjects working on the hard creative task drank more totally and more of both the alcohol and the placebo drinks than subjects working on the hard non‐creative task. Also subjects with light creative work drank more alcohol than did the control subjects. The results were discussed in terms of a need to calm down during a phase of restitution after creative work. The results are in keeping with how creative artists seem to use alcohol.
A Structure To Foster Creativity: An Industrial Experience*
Authors: MOUKWA MOSONGO
Published: December 2011

A structure to foster creativity in a Research and Development environment is described. The structure and the resulting environment lead to a large pool of ideas that became the basis for projects in key technological areas for our company.

Twenty years ago, creative organizations were described as having idea‐people, innovative leadership, and open communication. They supported risk, and they tolerated errors (Guetzkow, 1965). They encouraged employees to discuss ideas and show their passion for a subject (Bruner, 1965). Eccentricity was encouraged(Guetzkow, 1965), employees were expected to have fun (Bruner, 1965), and ideas were evaluated on their own merit (Bower, 1965).

These characteristics of creative organizations are still true today and are, in fact, in more demand than ever before (Diebold, 1990; Waterman, 1988). The need for creativity and innovation in industrial organizations has become critical because of social and economic pressures accompanying an accelerated rate of technological change. Working hard simply is not enough. Working smarter, by creating and innovating, is the way to go. Creativity is both feasible and worthwhile in business (Peters, 1991).

A few years ago, I was asked to organize a core group of scientists and to plant the seeds for developing a corporate research group. The individuals involved were expected to be the nucleus of a group with the long range mission of leading the company into the technological future. In our company we develop and manufacture various chemicals and technologies for the construction industry. Although we enjoy a leadership position, it is imperative for us to continually stretch our imagination and strengthen our position in a technology‐based and highly competitive market.

This paper describes some aspects of the structure that was implemented in order to unleash employee's creativity. The structure and the resulting environment led to a large pool of ideas that became the basis for new projects in several key technologies. Within a very short time, a number of invention disclosures were filed, and some of them led to patents. Some of those ideas have already been capitalized upon by the business units of the company.
Turtle Soup: Establishing Innovation‐Friendly Conditions' for School Reform
Authors: AMBROSE DON
Published: December 2011

Pressure groups in today's complex society present our school systems with diverse, conflicting demands for school reform. Educators can retain eroding public support only through pervasive innovations in our school systems. In order for our schools to survive and thrive in changing times, educators must overcome serious organizational and contextual barriers that inhibit innovation in the schools. Educational leaders must address these barriers by attending to the essential nature of creative thought, and to some basic tenets of organizational change. These concepts are portrayed in the form of a visual metaphor, which captures the essence of creative organizational development and recommends some specific Jeadership initiatives.
Gender and Creativity In An Afro‐Arab Islamic Culture: The Case of Sudan
Authors: KHALEEFA OMAR H. , ERDOS GEORGE , ASHRIA IKHLAS H.
Published: December 2011

This study investigated the differences between males and females in creativity among a Sudanese sample of 149 males and 151 females; with ages between 15–20 years. Males and females performed about equal in one creativity test. Males performed significantly better than females on two of four creativity tests. However, females performed significantly better on the fourth test. The study showed no significant interaction between gender and education. The differences between males and females are thought to be related to the different opportunities for freedom and independence in the indigenous Sudanese culture which affect the promotion of creative thinking. These opportunities depend on the level of education as well as the degree of authoritarianism and conformity in the sociocultural system.
The Two‐Conditions View of Creativity
Authors: MELLOU ELENI
Published: December 2011

In‐an attempt to overcome the difficulties people face in defining the complex concept “creativity,” the present paper will consider creativity as two basic conditions: (a) as an interaction condition, and (b) as a transformation‐imagination‐fantasy condition. Creativity is a process that is the combination of these conditions of interaction, transformation, imagination, and fantasy. These conditions operate simultaneously in the activities of individuals. Indeed, none of them can stand alone, since one implies the others if creativity is to occur.
Effects of Alcohol On Scientific Thought During the Incubation Phase of The Creative Process
Authors: NORLANDER TORSTEN , GUSTAFSON ROLAND
Published: December 2011

The present study examined whether or not acute alcohol intoxication inhibits or facilitates the incubation phase of Wallas' (1926/1970) four‐stage model of creativity. Sixty male and female participants were randomly assigned to three groups of equal size: a Control group, a Placebo group and an Alcohol group (alcohol dose: 1.0 ml of 100% alcohol/kg body weight, delivered on two occasions). It was shown that the Alcohol group produced significantly more incubations and significantly higher levels of originality. No differences between groups regarding the scientific value of the products were obtained. Possible consequences of alcohol intoxication for creative production are discussed and a theoretical framework is introduced.
The Effects of Teaching Students How to Invent
Authors: WESTBERG KAREN L.
Published: December 2011

Teachers encourage students to develop inventions, organizations sponsor invention contests, and publishers sell guidebooks on inventing. Only a few studies have examined the relationship between these materials or opportunities to invent and students' inventiveness. The purpose of this experimental study was to provide an instructional unit on the invention process and to investigate the degree to which training influenced students' inventiveness. Students in the experimental group received eight lessons that were designed to provide training in the invention process and encourage the development of inventions, and students in the control group received one introductory lesson and opportunity to develop inventions. Using the Invention Evaluation Scale, experts assessed three aspects of students' inventions: originality, technical goodness, and aesthetic appeal. Regression analyses indicated that group membership was a significant predictor of the quantity of inventions, but not a significant predictor of the quality of students' inventions.
Creativity in an Indigenous Afro‐Arab Islamic Culture: The Case of Sudan
Authors: KHALEEFA OMAR H. , ERDOS GEORGE , ASHRIA IKHLAS H.
Published: December 2011

The present study attempted to appraise creativity in the indigenous Sudanese culture, which is formed by a complex integration and interaction of various social and cultural factors, mainly of African, Arab, and Islamic origin. More specifically, the study investigated the concept of creativity in a conformist culture, the problem of using Western tests and the problem of modernization. Also it attempted to find answers to some crucial questions: What is the scope available for creative expression in a tight sociocultural system? How could creativity coexist with conformity? What form of creativity can exist in the indigenous sociocultural system?
Varieties of Intellectual Talent1
Authors: STANLEY JULIAN C.
Published: December 2011

Precocity, prodigiousness, brightness, intelligence, talent, creativity, eminence, renown, greatness, and genius may be aspects or consequences of characteristics often lumped together under the multi‐dimensional term “giftedness.” Certain of these concepts can be traced from Galton through Spearman, Binet, and Terman to outstanding recent contributors. We consider identification of intellectually talented youth and, to some extent, their educational facilitation. Although the “abilities” view of talent is emphasized, more qualitative approaches such as those of Bloom, Ericsson, Gardner, Simonton, and Sternberg receive attention. Life outcomes of mathematically and/or verbally precocious youth identified across the nation by talent searches emanating since 1971 from Johns Hopkins University and elsewhere may help clarify relationships between intellectual precocity, creativity, and achievement.