bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interferon β-1a Induces Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1 but Decreases Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 2 Leukocyte mRNA Levels in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Reuβ Reinhard , Pohle Susanne , Retzlaff Kerstin , Hemberger Jürgen , Oschmann Patrick
Published: February 2009

Objective: Members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily play a major role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. To elucidate the role of TNF receptors, in 53 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients, we measured the TNF receptor 1 and receptor 2 (TNF-R1 and TNF-R2) mRNA levels in peripheral blood leukocytes in natural history (n = 27) and during administration of interferon (IFN) β-1a (n = 26). Methods: Every 3 months for the duration of 1 year peripheral blood leukocytes were investigated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Every 6 months, MRI scans of the brain were analyzed semiquantitatively. Results: At baseline, clinical expanded disability status scale score and TNF-R1 mRNA level were correlated. In the therapy group, the difference between T2 lesion load at baseline and after 12 months correlated negatively with the difference between TNF-R1 mRNA level at baseline and after 12 months. Subcutaneously applied IFN β increased the amount of TNF-R1 mRNA, but partly decreased the amount of TNF-R2 mRNA in clinically and subclinically defined responders to therapy after 1 year compared to baseline. Conclusion: This result might support the notion that due to different signal transduction properties of both receptors in the natural course of multiple sclerosis, TNF-α signaling in leukocytes via TNF-R1 might be beneficial, but detrimental via proinflammatory TNF-R2: part of the therapeutic efficacy of current first-line standard therapy with IFN might be due to the modulation of signal transduction pathways.
N-Methyl-D-Aspartate and σ-Ligands Change the Production of Interleukins 8 and 10 in Lymphocytes through Modulation of the NMDA Glutamate Receptor
Authors: Kvaratskhelia Eka , Maisuradze Ekaterine , Dabrundashvili Nino G. , Natsvlishvili Nino , Zhuravliova Elene , Mikeladze David G.
Published: February 2009

Human T lymphocytes express both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors that control immune responses, cell activation, maturation and death. In this study, we examined the effect of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and σ1-receptor ligands on the secretion of the proinflammatory chemokine interleukin 8 (IL-8) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10) in human leukemia Jurkat cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). We have shown that NMDA increased IL-8 and decreased IL-10 secretion and that σ-ligands modulated the action of NMDA. Moreover, the effects of NMDA and σ-ligands were interrelated with the nitric oxide (NO) content, suggesting that the intracellular concentration of NO could play a major role in the synthesis of cytokines. Western blots against the NR2A and NR2B subunits of the NMDA glutamate receptor revealed that long-term (48 h) treatment of PBLs with glutamate at concentrations within normal plasma levels (1 × 10–5M), in contrast to low concentrations (0.3 × 10–6M), downregulates the NR2A subunit, probably by internalization. Furthermore, we found that PBLs with noninternalized NR2A secreted less IL-10 than lymphocytes with downregulated NR2A; under these conditions, the transcriptional activity of NF-κB was increased whereas the transcriptional activity of c-Fos was decreased. These findings implicate that the activities of NF-κB and c-Fos control the expression of the IL8 and IL10 genes, depending on the subunit composition of the NMDA receptor. In conclusion, we suggest that lymphocytes express an active NMDA receptor only in a low-glutamate milieu.
Age at Natural Menopause and Risk of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Lisabeth Lynda D. , Beiser Alexa S. , Brown Devin L. , Murabito Joanne M. , Kelly-Hayes Margaret , Wolf Philip A.
Published: February 2009

Background and Purpose—

Women have increased lifetime stroke risk and more disabling strokes compared with men. Insights into the association between menopause and stroke could lead to new prevention strategies for women. The objective of this study was to examine the association of age at natural menopause with ischemic stroke risk in the Framingham Heart Study.

Methods—

Participants included women who survived stroke-free until age 60, experienced natural menopause, did not use estrogen before menopause, and who had complete data (n=1430). Participants were followed until first ischemic stroke, death, or end of follow-up (2006). Age at natural menopause was self-reported. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between age at natural menopause (<42, 42 to 54, ≥55) and ischemic stroke risk adjusted for age, systolic blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, current smoking, cardiovascular disease and estrogen use.

Results—

There were 234 ischemic strokes identified. Average age at menopause was 49 years (SD=4). Women with menopause at ages 42 to 54 (hazard ratio=0.50; 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.89) and at ages ≥55 (hazard ratio=0.31; 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.76) had lower stroke risk compared with those with menopause <42 years adjusted for covariates. Women with menopause before age 42 had twice the stroke risk compared to all other women (hazard ratio=2.03; 95% CI: 1.16 to 3.56).

Conclusion—

In this prospective study, age at natural menopause before age 42 was associated with increased ischemic stroke risk. Future stroke studies with measures of endogenous hormones are needed to inform the underlying mechanisms so that novel prevention strategies for midlife women can be considered.
Namque als Variante von nam?
Authors: Schrickx Josine
Published: February 2009

The particle namque is generally regarded as a variant of nam which can be used in its place when preceding a word with an initial vowel. The two particles do indeed have the same function, as described by Kroon (1995, 144): "nam marks discourse units that provide subsidiary information with regard to another, more central discourse unit". And namque is preferred before vowels in poetry. But more important is that namque seems to be more grammaticalized and hence less marked than nam. Unlike nam, in prose namque can appear in another position in the sentence than the first. Moreover, namque is avoided in complicated situations, where the addressee needs a clear signal of subsidiarity. Hence nam is preferred before coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, in praeteritio and occupatio and in interrogative sentences.
Theoretical Assessment of Uncertainty in Regional Averages due to Network Density and Design
Authors: PaiMazumder Debasish , Mölders Nicole
Published: February 2009

Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model simulations are performed over Russia for July and December 2005, 2006, and 2007 to create a “dataset” to assess the impact of network density and design on regional averages. Based on the values at all WRF grid points, regional averages for various quantities are calculated for 2.8° × 2.8° areas as the “reference.” Regional averages determined based on 40 artificial networks and 411 “sites” that correspond to the locations of a real network are compared with the reference regional averages. The 40 networks encompass 10 networks of 500, 400, 200, or 100 different randomly taken WRF grid points as sites. The real network’s site distribution misrepresents the landscape. This misrepresentation leads to errors in regional averages that show geographical and temporal trends for most quantities: errors are lower over shores of large lakes than coasts and lowest over flatland followed by low and high mountain ranges; offsets in timing occur during frontal passages when several sites are passed at nearly the same time. Generally, the real network underestimates regional averages of sea level pressure, wind speed, and precipitation over Russia up to 4.8 hPa (4.8 hPa), 0.7 m s−1 (0.5 m s−1), and 0.2 mm day−1 and overestimates regional averages of 2-m temperature, downward shortwave radiation, and soil temperature over Russia up to 1.9 K (1.4 K), 19 W m−2 (14 W m−2), and 1.5 K (1.8 K) in July (December). The low density of the ten 100-site networks causes difficulties for sea level pressure. Regional averages obtained from the 30 networks with 200 or more randomly distributed sites represent the reference regional averages, trends, and variability for all quantities well.
Formation of Convective Clouds at the Foothills of the Tropical Eastern Andes (South Ecuador)
Authors: Bendix Jörg , Trachte Katja , Cermak Jan , Rollenbeck Rütger , Nauß Thomas
Published: February 2009

This study examines the seasonal and diurnal dynamics of convective cloud entities—small cells and a mesoscale convective complex–like pattern—in the foothills of the tropical eastern Andes. The investigation is based on Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-East (GOES-E) satellite imagery (2005–07), images of a scanning X-band rain radar, and data from regular meteorological stations. The work was conducted in the framework of a major ecological research program, the Research Unit 816, in which meteorological instruments are installed in the Rio San Francisco valley, breaching the eastern Andes of south Ecuador. GOES image segmentation to discriminate convective cells and other clouds is performed for a 600 × 600 km2 target area, using the concept of connected component labeling by applying the 8-connectivity scheme as well as thresholds for minimum blackbody temperature, spatial extent, and eccentricity of the extracted components. The results show that the formation of convective clouds in the lowland part of the target area mainly occurs in austral summer during late afternoon. Nocturnal enhancement of cell formation could be observed from October to April (particularly February–April) between 0100 and 0400 LST (LST = UTC − 5 h) in the Andean foothill region of the target area, which is the relatively dry season of the adjacent eastern Andean slopes. Nocturnal cell formation is especially marked southeast of the Rio San Francisco valley in the southeast Andes of Ecuador, where a confluence area of major katabatic outflow systems coincide with a quasi-concave shape of the Andean terrain line. The confluent cold-air drainage flow leads to low-level instability and cellular convection in the warm, moist Amazon air mass. The novel result of the current study is to provide statistical evidence that, under these special topographic situations, katabatic outflow is strong enough to generate mainly mesoscale convective complexes (MCCs) with a great spatial extent. The MCC-like systems often increase in expanse during their mature phase and propagate toward the Andes because of the prevailing upper-air easterlies, causing early morning peaks of rainfall in the valley of the Rio San Francisco. It is striking that MCC formation in the foothill area is clearly reduced during the main rainy season [June–August (JJA)] of the higher eastern Andean slopes. At a first glance, this contradiction can be explained by rainfall persistence in the Rio San Francisco valley, which is clearly lower during the time of convective activity (December–April) in comparison with JJA, during which low-intensity rainfall is released by predominantly advective clouds with greater temporal endurance.
On the Relationship between African Easterly Waves and the African Easterly Jet
Authors: Leroux Stephanie , Hall Nicholas M. J.
Published: February 2009

This idealized modeling study investigates how convectively triggered African easterly waves (AEWs) are influenced by the intraseasonal variability of the African easterly jet (AEJ). A set of 10-day averaged zonally varying basic states is constructed with the NCEP-2 reanalysis (1979–2006). A primitive equation model is used to simulate linear AEWs on each of these basic states using the same idealized convective heating localized over the Darfur mountains as an initial trigger. It is shown that the transient response depends strongly on the basic state. With the same trigger, many configurations of the AEJ fail to produce a wave disturbance, while others produce strong easterly wave structures. Necessary conditions for the development of strong waves can be characterized by a strong jet, a strong vertical shear, or a strong and extended potential vorticity reversal. In strong-wave cases the jet is extended to the south and west, and the jet core is aligned with the maximum of surface westerlies, maximizing the vertical shear. The pattern that is optimal for generating easterly waves also closely resembles the dominant mode of variation of the AEJ revealed by an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of the set of basic states.
Two Types of Strong Northeast Asian Summer Monsoon
Authors: Kim Jung-Eun , Yeh Sang-Wook , Hong Song-You
Published: February 2009

The characteristics of a strong northeast Asian summer monsoon (NEASM) with and without (A and B type, respectively) a basinwide warming in the Indian Ocean during the preceding winter are examined for the period of 1979–2006. In the case of the A type, strong El Niño–like sea surface temperature (SST) decays very rapidly from the preceding winter (December–February) to the following summer (June–August), which may be due to a feedback process of the warm Indian Ocean. In addition, the A-type strong NEASM is more associated with a weak western North Pacific summer monsoon than the B-type strong NEASM. On the other hand, for the B type an El Niño–like SST during the preceding winter is a persistent influence into the following summer. A striking difference can be found in the atmospheric teleconnection pattern from the tropics to the midlatitudes over the Indo-Pacific region, that is, the Pacific–Japan-like pattern versus a pronounced Rossby wave train pattern. This may result from the difference in location of the maximum center of rainfall anomalies over the tropical northwestern Pacific between the two types of strong NEASM. The authors argue that Indian Ocean basin warming plays a role in modifying the convective system over the subtropical western Pacific, resulting in changes in atmospheric teleconnections between the two types of strong NEASM. The weak NEASM, in which the anomalous rainfall pattern resembles that of the A-type strong NEASM except for the sign, is also discussed.
Convection Parameterization, Tropical Pacific Double ITCZ, and Upper-Ocean Biases in the NCAR CCSM3. Part I: Climatology and Atmospheric Feedback
Authors: Song Xiaoliang , Zhang Guang Jun
Published: February 2009

The role of convection parameterization in the formation of double ITCZ and associated upper-ocean biases in the NCAR Community Climate System Model, version 3 (CCSM3) is investigated by comparing the simulations using the original and revised Zhang–McFarlane (ZM) convection schemes. Ten-year model climatologies show that the simulation with the original ZM scheme produces a typical double ITCZ bias, whereas all biases related to the spurious double ITCZ and overly strong cold tongue in precipitation, sea surface temperature (SST), wind stress, ocean thermocline, upper-ocean currents, temperature, and salinity are dramatically reduced when the revised ZM scheme is used. These results demonstrate that convection parameterization plays a critical role in the formation of double ITCZ bias in the CCSM3. To understand the physical mechanisms through which the modifications of the convection scheme in the atmospheric model alleviate the double ITCZ bias in the CCSM3, the authors investigate the impacts of convection schemes on the atmospheric forcing and feedback in the uncoupled Community Atmospheric Model, version 3 (CAM3). It is shown that the CAM3 simulation with the original ZM scheme also produces a signature of double ITCZ bias in precipitation, whereas the simulation with the revised ZM scheme does not. Diagnostic analyses have identified three factors on the atmospheric side (i.e., the sensitivity of convection to SST, the convection–shortwave flux–SST feedback, and the convection–wind–evaporation–SST feedback) that may contribute to the differences in the coupled simulations.
Significant Atmospheric Nonlinearities in the ENSO Cycle
Authors: Philip Sjoukje , van Oldenborgh Geert Jan
Published: February 2009

The nonlinearities that cause El Niño events to deviate more from the mean state than La Niña events are still not completely understood. This paper investigates the contribution of one candidate mechanism: ENSO nonlinearities originating from the atmosphere. The initially linear intermediate complexity model of the equatorial Pacific Ocean, in which all couplings were fitted to observations, describes the ENSO cycle reasonably well. In this linear model, extra terms are systematically introduced in the atmospheric component: the nonlinear response of mean wind stress to SST anomalies, the skewness of the driving noise term in the atmosphere, and the relation of this noise term to the background SST or the ENSO phase. The nonlinear response of mean wind stress to SST in the ENSO region is found to be the dominant term influencing the ENSO cycle. However, this influence is only visible when noise fields are used that are fitted to observed patterns of prescribed standard deviation and spatial decorrelation. Standard deviation and skewness of noise do have a dependence on the ENSO phase, but this has a relatively small influence on the ENSO cycle in this model. With these additional nonlinearities in the representation of the atmosphere, a step forward has been made toward building a realistic reduced complexity model for ENSO.
Distinct Principal Modes of Early and Late Summer Rainfall Anomalies in East Asia*
Authors: Wang Bin , Liu Jian , Yang Jing , Zhou Tianjun , Wu Zhiwei
Published: February 2009

The current seasonal prediction of East Asia (EA) summer monsoon deals with June–July–August (JJA) mean anomalies. This study shows that the EA summer monsoon may be divided into early summer [May–June (MJ)] and late summer [July–August (JA)] and exhibits remarkable differences in mean state between MJ and JA. This study reveals that the principal modes of interannual precipitation variability have distinct spatial and temporal structures during the early and late summer. These principal modes can be categorized as either El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) related or non-ENSO related. During the period of 1979–2007, ENSO-related modes explain 35% of MJ variance and 45% of JA variance, and non-ENSO-related modes account for 25% of MJ variance and 20% of JA variance. For ENSO-related variance, about two-thirds are associated with ENSO decaying phases, and one-third is associated with ENSO developing phases. The ENSO-related MJ modes generally concur with rapid decay or early development of ENSO episodes, and the opposite tends to apply to ENSO-related JA modes. The non-ENSO MJ mode is preceded by anomalous land surface temperatures over southern China during the previous March and April. The non-ENSO JA mode is preceded by lasting equatorial western Pacific (the Niño-4 region) warming from the previous winter through late summer. The results suggest that 1) prediction of bimonthly (MJ) and (JA) anomalies may be useful, 2) accurate prediction of the detailed evolution of ENSO is critical for prediction of ENSO-related bimonthly rainfall anomalies over East Asia, and 3) non-ENSO-related modes are of paramount importance during ENSO neutral years. Further establishment of the physical linkages between the non-ENSO modes and their corresponding precursors may provide additional sources for EA summer monsoon prediction.
Detailed Aerosol Optical Depth Intercomparison between Brewer and Li-Cor 1800 Spectroradiometers and a Cimel Sun Photometer
Authors: Cachorro V. E. , Berjón A. , Toledano C. , Mogo S. , Prats N. , de Frutos A. M. , Vilaplana J. M. , Sorribas M. , De La Morena B. A. , Gröbner J. , Laulainen N.
Published: February 2009

Aerosol optical depth (AOD) using different instruments during three short and intensive campaigns carried out from 1999 to 2001 at El Arenosillo in Huelva, Spain, are presented and compared. The specific aim of this study is to determine the level of agreement between three different instruments running in operational conditions. This activity, however, is part of a broader objective to recover an extended data series of AOD in the UV range obtained from a Brewer spectroradiometer. This instrument may be used to obtain AOD at the same five UV wavelengths used during normal operation for ozone content determination. As part of the validation of the Brewer AOD data, a Cimel sun photometer and another spectroradiometer, a Li-Cor 1800, were used. A detailed comparison of these three instruments is carried out by means of near-simultaneous measurements, with particular emphasis on examining diurnal AOD variability. Absolute AOD uncertainties range from 0.02 for the Cimel to 0.08 for the Brewer, with intermediate values for the Li-Cor 1800. All data during the comparison are in reasonable agreement, when taking into account the different performance characteristics of each instrument. The comparison also demonstrates current deficiencies in the Brewer data and thus the difficulty to determine AOD values with low errors.
Drop Shapes and Axis Ratio Distributions: Comparison between 2D Video Disdrometer and Wind-Tunnel Measurements
Authors: Thurai M. , Bringi V. N. , Szakáll M. , Mitra S. K. , Beard K. V. , Borrmann S.
Published: February 2009

Comparisons of drop shapes between measurements made using 2D video disdrometer (2DVD) and wind-tunnel experiments are presented. Comparisons are made in terms of the mean drop shapes and the axis ratio distributions. Very close agreement of the mean shapes is seen between the two sets of measurements; the same applies to the mean axis ratio versus drop diameter. Also, in both sets of measurements, an increase in the oscillation amplitudes with increasing drop diameter is observed. In the case of the 2DVD, a small increase in the skewness was also detected. Given that the two sets of measurements were conducted in very different conditions, the agreement between the two sets of data implies a certain “robustness” in the mean shape of oscillating drops that may be extended to natural raindrop oscillations, at least in steady rainfall and above the surface layer.
Religiosity and Social Values of the Cypriots
Authors: Yeşilada Birol , Noordijk Peter , Webster Craig
Published: February 2009

The authors explore some of the social values and religiosity of the separated Turkish and Greek speaking communities in Cyprus in light of the European Union's objectives of unifying the island, and promoting the social value of tolerance. They find that the two communities are more similar to each other in religiosity than they are to most other European states, but are more similar in formal and personal religiosity to their opposite mainland counterparts. Religion, education, age and political orientation are major indicators of intolerance. The effects of religion, personal and formal religiosity and political orientation are reversed or mediated by the community, providing insight for European Union and Cypriot policy-makers.
Le christianisme orthodoxe au sein de la République de Chypre: développement institutionnel et attitudes religieuses
Authors: Roudometof Victor
Published: February 2009

Depuis la proclamation de la République de Chypre en 1960 et sa division en deux parties—grecque et turque—en 1974, la société chypriote grecque s'est fortement urbanisée sous l'effet d'une intense modernisation. Les auteurs s'emploient à reconstituer les grandes étapes liées au développement des structures organisationnelles de l'Église orthodoxe de Chypre (EOC). Dans les années soixante, et surtout après le décès de l'évêque Makarios III (en 1977), le principe chypriote d'ethnarchie sera définitivement abandonné. Contrastant avec cette conception de la gouvernance assurée par une seule personne, les développements structurels de l'Église vont l'acheminer vers un système d'organisation synodal. Depuis les années soixante, cette modernisation a accentué, au sein de la société chypriote, un clivage entre conservateurs religieux et laïcs.
Cult versus Church Religiosity: Comparative Study of Hare Krishna Devotees and Catholics in Slovenia
Authors: Črnič Aleš
Published: February 2009

The leading question addressed by the author is whether there are any notable differences between religiosity performed either within cults or within Churches (as ideal types of religious organizations). To find an answer, the author compares the religious practices (and their influence on everyday life of believers) of Slovene adherents of the Hare Krishna movement and Catholics. He presents the results of the systematic case study research into the Hare Krishna movement in Slovenia, and compares them with some results of international surveys (Aufbruch, 1997 and ISSP, 1998). The findings prove that Krishna adherents are considerably more active in their religious activities than Catholics and quite orthodox when it comes to the application of religious rules to everyday life. The differences are sufficient to allow the possibility of distinguishing between two distinctive types of religiosity. But counter to the general conviction this leads neither to noticeable exclusiveness on the part of the Krishna community and its isolation from society, nor to extreme conservatism among its members.
The Evolution of Political Power in Political Development
Authors: Werlin Herbert H.
Published: February 2009

To understand political science, we must understand political power. Our misunder-standing of political power is especially problematic for those concerned with comparative politics.Political Elasticity (PE) theory, including the concepts of ‘quality of power’ and ‘political software’, is used to examine and clarify such dichotomies as: (i) transitive and intransitive power; (ii) hard and soft forms of power; and (iii) power as a resource and power as a relationship. What PE theory attempts to prove (by presenting many examples and using comparative case studies) is that political power tends to be more elastic (with rubber band and balloon characteristics) in more developed countries than in less developed countries.As the conclusion, the relationship of democracy to the evolution of political power is examined, including questions having to do with corruption, authoritarian rule and bureaucratization.The PE theory is also defended against criticisms that it is ‘untestable’ and ‘tautological’.
The Limits of Popular Participation in Salvador, Brazil
Authors: Reiter Bernd
Published: February 2009

This article focuses on the changing nature of state-society interactions in the state of Bahia, Brazil and on the factors that condition democratic participation. During several research trips, conducted between 2001 and 2006, I collected data on participatory budgeting and on participatory urban planning in the city of Salvador. I was therefore able to compare two thematic sites where local states interacted with society in general, and with civil society speci?cally. In both cases, I found a very wide gap between the de jure mandate of citizen participation and the de facto state of affairs. The examined empirical cases point to some of the conditionalities of democratic participation at the local level. The existence of this gap between law and reality can, in part, be explained by the continued importance of ‘Carlismo’ as a way of doing local politics in Bahia and therefore, to the persistence of local political regimes persisting despite changes in political leadership.
Za Zdorovye!
Authors: Fox Karen F. A.
Published: February 2009

Soviet-era health campaigns relied heavily on posters. Soviet-era health posters can be viewed as social advertising, aiming to attract interest and to motivate behavior change. Health-related posters from major Russian and US collections were analyzed in terms of their themes and the types of appeals used. These posters, promoting cleanliness and better infant and child care and attacking smoking and drunkenness, used a variety of appeals, including use of statistics and graphs, testimonials, appeals to authority, appeals to fight the enemy, and bandwagon, rational and shame appeals. The Institute for Health Education, founded in Moscow in 1928, played a leading role in creating and distributing health posters. The process of identifying themes, selecting artists, reviewing and pretesting posters, and undergoing censorship review is described.
Studying the Family Enterprise Holistically
Authors: Basco Rodrigo , Pérez Rodríguez María José
Published: February 2009

This research contributes to the family business literature by empirically demonstrating that family enterprises that give more emphasis to family and business as a whole have better family results and similar business results when compared to those enterprises that limit governance to only the business. The article includes a review of the literature, and it identifies a set of four basic dimensions that focus on different aspects of family enterprise. The study then combines measures of these dimensions to describe both the governance and the nature of the family and the business. A representative sample of 732 Spanish family enterprises enabled the research to reveal empirical support for the theory positing that balanced attention to governing the subsystems is an effective route to family enterprise management.
Updating Systems Concepts in Family Businesses
Authors: Distelberg Brian , Sorenson Ritch L.
Published: February 2009

This article extends and expands current systems views of family business and provides a framework for interpreting family business holistically . The framework extends the definition of family-first and business-first systems and adds three categories that typify the gradations of firms that represent balanced systems emphases. In addition, this article discusses the goals, resource transfers, strengths, and limitations of each type of system and describes how firm adaptability and resource flows influence and change these family business systems; it argues that to understand family business health, one must understand the values and goals that guide the family, business, and ownership systems, as well as the overall family business system; and it presents an inclusive definition of family and business based on systems membership.
Multidisciplinary approach to reconstructing local pastoral activities: an example from the Pyrenean Mountains (Pays Basque)
Authors: Mazier F. , Galop D. , Gaillard M.J. , Rendu C. , Cugny C. , Legaz A. , Peyron O. , Buttler A.
Published: February 2009

In this study archaeology, history and palaeoecology (modern and fossil data sets of pollen and non-pollen palynomorphs) were used to reconstruct small-scale pastoral activities in the Pyrenees Mountains during the last two millennia. Modern pollen assemblages from the major vegetation units (both natural and anthropogenic) are studied on one restricted watershed area. A correlative model (RDA) of 61 modern pollen spectra and 35 external variables distinguishes two groups of taxa, providing information on the nature and spatial extent of human impact on the landscape. The first pool indicates local pastoral activities, and the second one implies regional input from outside the studied watershed, and is not characteristic of a specific land use. These pools are described as 'Local Pastoral Pollen Indicators' (LPPI) for this particular mountain region on crystalline bedrock and 'Regional Human Activities Pollen Indicators' (RHAPI). The modern data set is used to aid interpretation of the local pollen sequence of Sourzay that covers the last 2000 calendar years BP, using RDA reconstructions, and best modern analogues as a means of comparing modern and fossil spectra. The study also demonstrates agreement between the independent interpretations of two fossil proxies, LPPI and coprophilous fungi.
Is spontaneous regeneration of raised mire vegetation possible? A case study of the `Czarne Bagno' mire in the Bystrzyckie Hills, southern Poland
Authors: Obidziński Artur , Kloss Marek , Cedro Anna
Published: February 2009

Research carried out at the `Czarne Bagno' raised mire in the Bystrzyckie Hills range of Poland's Sudety Mountains aimed to determine dynamic trends for the site's peatland vegetation. Present vegetation was therefore characterized. An analysis of plant macroremains from peat cores was used to reconstruct the identity of the past peat-forming plant communities. Several succession stages of vegetation from the time of origin of the peatland through to the present day were indicated on this basis. Ecological indicative values of plant species were also used to determine the palaeohydrological changes experienced. Stages of the development of the tree stand growing on the mire were established from dendrochronology series. Results obtained point to an interruption of the succession of primary vegetation on the peatland around 250 years ago, when today's sparse tree stand of rhaetic pine, Norway spruce and downy birch began to develop. Nevertheless, the last 50 years have brought a reversal of this developmental trend, with elements typical for raised mire returning and the tree stand in retreat. These phenomena seem to have coincided with the onset of peatland drainage, followed by a gradual overgrowing of drainage ditches and consequent re-raising of water level in the mire, respectively.
Diatom and stable isotope records of late-Holocene lake ontogeny at Indrepollen, Lofoten, NW Norway: a response to glacio-isostasy and Neoglacial cooling
Authors: Mills Keely , Mackay Anson W. , Bradley Raymond S. , Finney Bruce
Published: February 2009

Borg Indrepollen is a coastal lake on the island of Vestvågøy, Lofoten, NW Norway. A sedimentary sequence spanning the last 4500 cal. yr BP was analysed for diatom, C/N and stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15 N). The record provides clear evidence of glacio-isostatic rebound in the Lofoten region. Five distinct lithostratigraphic-geochemical zones (I—V) and four major diatom zones (A—D) were identified. The early record (I—III, A—Biii; 4500—550 cal. yr BP) contains coarse sedimentary material and diatoms indicative of more marine conditions. The correlation between the isotopic data (high δ13C and low C/N) and trends in the biological data (marine/brackish flora) suggest the marine influence on the Indrepollen basin is a controlling factor of the source of organic material. The latter part of the record (IV, C; 550 cal. yr 550—226) indicates a transitional phase from marine-dominated diatom to brackish taxa and is coincident with a section of microlaminations in the core. The youngest zone (V, D; 226 cal. yr BP—present) is indicative of an isolated basin, with the deposition of fine sediments; freshwater diatom taxa dominate the biological record and δ13C are indicative of freshwater conditions. C/N suggests a shift to a terrestrial source of organic matter. The proxies show a transition from full marine conditions, when Indrepollen was a submerged fjord, to more freshwater, lacustrine conditions in the last 200 years. The record of land uplift from Borg Indrepollen mirrors changes in sedimentary records from across Northern Norway and relative sea-level curves for the region.
The use of pollen analysis to reveal Holocene treeline dynamics: a modelling approach
Authors: von Stedingk Henrik , Fyfe Ralph M.
Published: February 2009

This paper presents the results of simulated pollen counts from the central Scandes Mountains in Sweden which are used to examine the application of a pollen-based modelling approach to treeline fluctuations. Treelines are considered sensitive indicators of climate variability, and greater consideration of the palynological signal of treeline fluctuations is important in critical and rigorous use of pollen analysis to reconstruct variations in treelines. The approach presented here is to construct GIS-based models of the landscape (based on topographic and land cover attributes) onto which placement of different vegetation communities can represent changes in treelines in space (by adjusting the altitudinal positioning of treelines) and time (by using five time slices through the Holocene). The application of the POLLSCAPE model of pollen dispersal and deposition is then applied to generate simulated pollen counts for a large number (121) of sites placed across an altitudinal range in the simulated landscape. Comparison of simulated data to empirical pollen data from the region validates the approach through reasonable matching of the main trends in the pollen data sets. The success of the modelling approach is that it has helped to refine the process by which variations in fossil pollen assemblages are constructed, and also provides a tool by which the optimum sampling locations can be determined for treeline-focused work.
Explaining the past: abductive and Bayesian reasoning
Authors: Inkpen Rob , Wilson Graham P.
Published: February 2009

Abductive reasoning is the central form of explanation in environmental reconstruction. This paper outlines the nature of the abductive method restating it in Bayesian terms, ie, in terms of a priori belief based on context and the relations between multiple proxies. A key role within this working method is played by evidence and, in particular, proxies of the past in the explanatory framework. Proxies, whether singularly or as groups, are interpreted within the context of the event, and the derived hypothesis, for which they have evidential claim. They are not considered as independent entities but rather as inter-related pieces of information concerning the likelihood of specific events. The degree of belief in an individual proxy is based on the interplay between the belief in the hypothesis before the proxy is considered and the relations and belief in the cluster of proxies of which the individual proxy is usually a part.
Ethical Challenges in Pain Management Post-Surgery
Authors: Rejeh Nahid , Ahmadi Fazlollah , Mohamadi Eesa , Anoosheh Moniereh , Kazemnejad Anooshirvan
Published: February 2009

This qualitative study describes ethical challenges faced by Iranian nurses in the process of pain management in surgical units. To address this issue, semistructured interviews were conducted with 26 nurses working in surgery units in three large university hospitals in Tehran. An analysis of the transcripts revealed three main categories: institutional limitations; nurses' proximity to and involvement with pain and suffering; and nurses' fallibility. Specific themes identified within the categories were: insufficient resources, medical hierarchy; difficulties with believing patients' complaints regarding pain and suffering; and experiencing the consequences of poor judgments. Our findings lead us to conclude that, as nurses are much closer to patients' pain and suffering than other health professionals, being aware of their ethical problems, and being able to reflect on them and discuss and learn from them, will reduce the burden of the ethical challenges faced. The findings will help nurses in other countries to devise suitable ways to reduce the ethical burdens they bear in their daily practice.
Nurses' Moral Problems in Dialisys
Authors: Hermsen Maaike , van der Donk Marjolein
Published: February 2009

This article gives an overview of the moral problems experienced and described by nurses working in a dialysis unit in the Netherlands. The nurses raised a wide variety of issues that they considered were moral problems, which were grouped into seven topics. A selection of cases are described, one of which is analysed using the Nijmegen method of ethical case deliberation. This method facilitates practical approaches to the different types of moral problems encountered. The argument is made that, owing to their specific moral position and responsibility, nurses' contribution to ethical reflection in ward discussions should be valued more. All caregivers involved are indispensable in developing a basis for well-reasoned decisions when deliberating about moral problems.
Honoring American Nurse Ethicists
Authors: Ellenchild Pinch Winifred J
Published: February 2009

A project featuring scholars in nursing ethics was planned in 2005. The goal was to document the contributions of some 24 selected American nurse ethicists to bioethics, and to discuss and explore the future trajectory of that work through a two-day working seminar. This article outlines the beginnings of bioethics in the USA and the specific contribution of nurse scholars to the debate, the preparation for the seminar, the results of the project, and the possible application of such a model for teaching and archiving in the future. Documentation of the work carried out at the seminar resulted in the publication of a book. Short biographies of the participants at the seminar are included in Appendix 1.
German Nurses, Euthanasia and Terminal Care: a Personal Perspective
Authors: Giese Constanze
Published: February 2009

The nursing profession in Germany is facing a public debate on legal and ethical questions concerning euthanasia on request and physician-assisted suicide. However, it seems questionable if the profession itself, individual nurses or the professional associations are prepared to be involved in such a public debate. To understand this hesitation, the present situation is considered in the light of the tradition and history of professional care in Germany. Obedience to medical as well as to religious authorities was long part of nurses' professional identity, but is no longer relevant. The lack of reflection and discussion on how to take a balanced view of ethical and political questions concerning nursing, and the role and responsibility of nurses in end-of-life decisions and situations of caring for dying people are discussed using the situation of nurses in the Netherlands as a comparison.
Editorial
Authors: Vida Estacio Emee
Published: February 2009

The BBC comedy show `Harry and Paul' sparked media controversy in the UK and around the world for inciting stereotyped racial discrimination, vulgarity and violation of human rights when it portrayed a Filipino domestic worker as a sex toy in Episode 4 of the series. This incident raises the issue concerning the media's role in framing social issues and how it affects the wider determinants of health. There is a need for health psychology as an academic discipline to engage more in these issues. The Journal of Health Psychology provides a unique platform for discussion and debate of perspectives on racism, the media and health.
Health Psychology and Writing
Authors: Murray Michael
Published: February 2009

There has been substantial empirical research on the health benefits of expressive writing. However, there has been less psychological research on the broader nature of writing and its relationship with health. The aim of this special section is to promote a more extensive engagement between health psychology and writing. It includes three articles on the value of investigating more established forms of writing, the nature of creative writing and the value of an intensive analysis of written accounts of illness. This article introduces this special section.
Greater History of Weight-related Stigmatizing Experience is Associated with Greater Weight Loss in Obesity Treatment
Authors: Latner Janet D. , Wilson G. Terence , Jackson Mary L. , Stunkard Albert J.
Published: February 2009

Experiences of obesity stigmatization and fear of fat, body image and self-esteem, were examined in relation to weight loss and weight maintenance. Participants in obesity treatment ( N = 185) with more stigmatizing experiences had poorer body image and greater fear of fat. Higher initial BMI, more stigmatizing experiences, lower body dissatisfaction and greater fear of fat predicted greater weight loss. Higher initial BMI and more stigmatizing experiences predicted greater weight maintenance after six months in treatment. These findings suggest that despite the negative psychological correlates of stigmatization, experience and fear of obesity's negative consequences may also be associated with improved treatment outcome.
Loss of Resources as Mediators between Interpersonal Trauma and Traumatic and Depressive Symptoms among Women with Cancer
Authors: Banou Evangelia , Hobfoll Stevan E. , Trochelman R. Douglas
Published: February 2009

We hypothesized that loss of interpersonal, financial and work resources would mediate the relationship between physical and sexual abuse, cancer-related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, noncancer-related PTSD symptoms and depressive mood among women with cancer. Participants were 64 women with heterogeneous cancers (64.1% breast cancer) seeking outpatient treatment. Structured interviews were conducted to assess for pre-cancer interpersonal trauma, recent loss of interpersonal, financial and work resources, cancer-related PTSD symptoms, noncancer-related PTSD symptoms and depressive mood. Only interpersonal loss mediated the relationship between earlier interpersonal trauma and current PTSD symptoms and depressive mood. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Using Physiological Dysregulation to Assess Global Health Status
Authors: Hampson Sarah E. , Goldberg Lewis R. , Vogt Thomas M. , Hillier Teresa A. , Dubanoski Joan P.
Published: February 2009

Six measures of physiological dysregulation were derived from 11 clinically assessed biomarkers, and related to health outcomes and health behaviors for the Hawaii Personality and Health cohort ( N = 470). Measures summing extreme scores at one tail of the biomarker distributions performed better than ones summing both tails, and continuous measures performed better than count scores. Health behaviors predicted men's dysregulation but not women's. Dysregulation and health behaviors predicted self-rated health for both men and women, and depressive symptoms predicted self-rated health only for women. These findings provide preliminary guidelines for constructing valid summary measures of global health status for use in health psychology.
Pushed and Pulled
Authors: Porter Matthew C. , Diefenbach Michael A.
Published: February 2009

We used Self-Regulation Theory (SRT) to elaborate and describe cognitive and affective representations presumed to underlie CAM decisions in a sample of 55 men who were using CAM after having received conventional treatment for early-stage, localized prostate cancer. Positive representations of CAM were the strongest predictors of beliefs that CAM was necessary for one's health (a `pulling' effect toward CAM). Nonetheless, negative representations of conventional medicine made an important, though somewhat lesser contribution (a `pushing' effect away from conventional medicine and towards CAM). Our results also indicate preliminarily that affect may be more important than cognition in shaping CAM decisions.
Protection Motivation Theory and Stages of Change in Sun Protective Behavior
Authors: Prentice-Dunn Steven , Mcmath Ben F. , Cramer Robert J.
Published: February 2009

This study examined the usefulness of the stage of change model and protection motivation theory (PMT) in creating brief persuasive appeals to promote healthy sun-behavior. College women ( N = 254) read one of four essays that manipulated the level of threat and coping appraisal. The transition from the precontemplation to contemplation stage was promoted by threat appraisal information, but transition from contemplation to the preparation stage occurred only when individuals were provided with both high threat and high coping information. Thus, brief communications based on PMT may create attitudes leading to behavior change when later, more intensive, interventions are introduced.