bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Truth, Values and the Value of Truth in Critical International Relations Theory
Authors: Fluck Matthew
Published: November 2010

This article describes the central role played by conceptions of truth in critical IR scholarship. Two broad positions are identified. Firstly, despite their differences, Critical Theorists and post-structuralists understand truth in intersubjective terms, and its political significance as arising from its relationship to the norms and practices constitutive of political reality. In contrast, Critical Realists understand truth in terms of the cognitive relationship of subjects with an independent objective reality, and its significance as arising from the importance of accurate knowledge of that reality. The article suggests that each of these positions blocks the legitimate insights of the other. It argues that a way out of the resultant impasse can be found in Theodor Adorno’s theory of truth, in which a concern with the primacy of the objective is coupled with an insistence on the connection between truth and human needs.
Oxcarbazepine does not suppress cortical spreading depression
Authors: Hoffmann Ulrike , Dileköz Ergin , Kudo Chiho , Ayata Cenk
Published: November 2010

Background: Cortical spreading depression is the electrophysiological substrate of migraine aura, and may trigger headache. Recently, chronic treatment with five migraine prophylactic drugs was shown to suppress cortical spreading depression, implicating spreading depression as a common therapeutic target in migraine prophylaxis.

Materials and methods: In order to assess the negative predictive value of spreading depression susceptibility as a preclinical drug screening tool, we tested oxcarbazepine, an anti-epileptic ineffective in migraine prophylaxis. Valproate served as the positive control. Cortical spreading depression susceptibility was measured in rats using topical KCl or electrical stimulation.

Results: Oxcarbazepine did not suppress spreading depression either after a single dose or after daily treatment for 5 weeks. As previously shown, valproate suppressed spreading depression susceptibility after chronic dosing, while a single dose was ineffective.

Conclusions: These data provide further support for spreading depression as a relevant target in migraine prophylaxis, and demonstrate the predictive utility of employed spreading depression models.
Behavioural treatment programme contributes to normalization of contingent negative variation in children with migraine
Authors: Siniatchkin Michael , Müller Gabriele Gerber-von , Darabaneanu Stephani , Petermann Franz , Stephani Ulrich , Gerber Wolf-Dieter
Published: November 2010

Background: Migraine is a disorder of central information processing which may be characterized by increased amplitudes and reduced habituation of evoked and event-related potentials. In this pilot study, special behavioural training of habituation to aversive stimuli (MIPAS-Family = Migraine Patient Seminar for Families) was developed and proven effective in children suffering from migraine without aura.

Methods: 13 children with migraine participated in the MIPAS-Family programme and 13 other children with migraine were treated with biofeedback. The influence of both treatments on abnormal cortical information processing in migraine was assessed using recordings of the contingent negative variation (CNV), an event-related slow cortical potential.

Results: Both MIPAS training and biofeedback caused an equal reduction of migraine frequency and severity. However, MIPAS treatment was associated with a significant increase in iCNV habituation. Changes in the clinical course of migraine correlated positively with normalization of habituation: the greater the reduction in headache frequency, the greater the increase in CNV habituation was. These effects were not observed in the biofeedback group.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the specific treatment programme which was evolved from knowledge of pathogenetic mechanisms of migraine influences central information processing and leads to a clinical effect.
Occupational and Organizational Commitment in Different Occupational Contexts
Authors: Kim Sang-Wook , Mueller Charles W.
Published: November 2010

Although the positive relationship between occupational commitment and organizational commitment has been well documented for occupation-specific and organization-specific studies, there is much less research that documents between-occupation differences in this relationship. Drawing from the occupational subculture literature, the authors offer and test hypotheses about between-occupation differences in levels of occupational and organizational commitment and in the correlation between these two forms of work commitment. Data from the 2005 Korean General Social Survey are used in the analysis. They find that (a) these two forms of commitment, although distinct constructs, are positively related for those in all occupations, with no significant between-occupation differences in the correlations; however (b) occupational commitment is greater for professionals than for managers as well as the nonprofessional cluster of clerical, service and sales, and manual occupations; and (c) managers exhibit greater organizational commitment relative to semiprofessionals and those in the nonprofessional cluster of clerical, service and sales, and manual occupations. In addition, it is only for professionals that occupational commitment is greater than organizational commitment. The authors do not believe that these results are unique to Korean society but argue that research such as theirs on between-occupation differences in work commitment needs to be undertaken in other cultural contexts. Perhaps more important, the impact on work commitment of the conflict between occupational subcultures and organizational cultures needs to be a focus in future research.
An ex-situ state-based approach using rheological properties to measure and model cure in polymer composites
Authors: Kashani P. , Minaie B.
Published: November 2010

In this paper, studies of measurement and modeling of viscoelastic properties of two commercial prepregs, MTM45 and MTM45-1 manufactured by ACG, have been carried out using an encapsulated sample rheometer. The key variables of cure process directly correlated with the viscoelastic states of the material during the cure cycle. The viscoelastic properties (storage modulus, loss modulus, and tan δ) and glass transition temperature of the prepregs were measured using an oscillatory shear rheometry with different isothermal cure cycles below the final glass transition temperature (Tg∞ ). A semi-empirical curing model based on the viscoelastic properties of the prepreg was developed and compared with the experimental data collected at a constant frequency. The model can be used by a process engineer to monitor, control, and optimize a process and to aid in the curing of parts that have time and temperature history discrepancies. The model can be statistically correlated to critical composite properties and it can be validated with time and temperature feedback. Therefore, the primary in-situ sensor remains a temperature sensor and there is no need for additional material state sensors to be placed inside the autoclave or other process unit.
Litwak and Longino’s Developmental Model of Later-Life Migration: Evidence From the American Community Survey, 2005–2007
Authors: Bradley Don E.
Published: November 2010

The present study revisits Litwak and Longino’s seminal article, “Migration Patterns among the Elderly: A Developmental Perspective.” Data from the American Community Survey, 2005—2007 are exploited to partially replicate and build on the original study. Findings indicate that Florida later-life migrant exchanges with selected states in the Northeast and Midwest appear to be characterized by positively selected in-bound streams and negatively selected out-bound streams, consistent with the results reported by Litwak and Longino. The “amenity in-migrant, assistance out-migrant” pattern is also evident in the exchange of older migrants between Florida and other regions, excepting the West. Older in-migrants to Arizona from the Midwest and West similarly appear to be positively selected compared to their out-bound counterparts leaving Arizona for destinations in those same regions. Implications of these results are discussed together with study limitations and directions for further research.
Continuity Amid Discontinuity? George W. Bush, Federal Employment Discrimination, and “Big Government Conservatism”
Authors: Bradbury Mark D. , Battaglio R. Paul , Crum John L.
Published: November 2010

One of the major substantive components of “big government conservatism” was a decided predisposition against public employee unions, toward privileging managerial discretion, and yet still maintaining equal opportunity in the workplace. However, could this predisposition be resolved in practice without harming federal employees’ rights, benefits, and morale in the workplace? To address this question, this article examines whether the attitudes of federal employees toward variants of subjective discrimination in the workplace changed significantly during the George W. Bush presidency. We find that trends related to perceptions of retaliation and discrimination have improved in recent years. However, perceptions of retaliation and discrimination are found to exist among minority and female employees and managers in the federal workplace that require vigilance. These results suggest that big government conservatism’s predisposition to pursue equal opportunity as opposed to affirmative action—while diminishing the power of public employee unions and enhancing managerial prerogatives—either succeeded on its own merits or that the earlier momentum could not be stopped.
Faithful Infidelity: “Political Time,” George W. Bush, and the Paradox of “Big Government Conservatism”
Authors: Durant Robert F. , Stazyk Edmund C. , Resh William G.
Published: November 2010

George W. Bush assumed the presidency with the ill-fated political aim of creating a permanent electoral alignment favoring Reagan Republicanism in America by pursuing a “big government conservatism”, agenda with human resource management (HRM) strategies lying at its heart. In the process of setting the other HRM-focused contributions to this symposium in broader context, the authors define the logic of big government conservativism as a strategy for electoral realignment, discuss the place of HRM as a tactical means for advancing that agenda, and place Bush’s efforts in “political time.” In offering an integrative framework for assessing the critical role of the White House, the executive office of the president, and political appointees in redefining the career civil service as a key component of Bush’s big conservatism agenda, we portray Bush’s failed efforts at constructing a permanent Republican political majority as encountering similar dynamics and meeting a similar fate as other “orthodox innovators” in presidential history. At the same time, his place in political time was not destiny, because he achieved a mixed record of strategic, political, and tactical competence while operating within the constraints of his political time.
Civil Service Reform Under George W. Bush: Ideology, Politics, and Public Personnel Administration
Authors: Kellough J. Edward , Nigro Lloyd G. , Brewer Gene A.
Published: November 2010

This article focuses on the George W. Bush administration’s failed effort to impose radical personnel reforms on the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. We use an analytical framework suggesting three overlapping primary reasons for reform: (a) technical concerns, (b) ideological beliefs, and (c) a desire by the executive to enhance political control. The results of our analysis show that, whereas motivations for the Bush reforms were mixed, changes advocated by the administration were largely politically and ideologically motivated. As a result, they met stiff resistance from stakeholders, particularly federal employee unions and their supporters in Congress, and the reforms were ultimately scuttled. One lesson from this experience is that reformers should avoid radical changes to personnel systems based largely on ideological and political preferences. Reforms that are more incremental in nature and grounded more firmly on technical matters related to the implementation of core personnel functions will, in our view, be more likely to succeed. Yet a conundrum exists: if presidential scholars are correct, even these types of reforms may be held hostage by proposals that reflect the views of partisans unwilling to compromise in what appears to be an enduring era of polarized politics in Washington.
Do Federal Law Enforcement Grants Reduce Serious Crime?
Authors: Worrall John L.
Published: November 2010

A number of researchers have concluded that federal assistance to local law enforcement agencies reduces serious crime. This article critiques such studies, makes recommendations for improvement, and then implements the recommendations using data from a 12-year panel of approximately 5,000 cities, focusing in particular on the relationship between Local Law Enforcement Block Grants and serious crime. Results suggest researchers should be cautious in attributing crime reductions to grant funding programs.
Multimodality and the study of popular drama
Authors: Richardson Kay
Published: November 2010

This article reviews a range of methodological issues in the study of dialogue in popular drama (film and television). First of all it discusses some of the factors that may until recently have acted to discourage such research, showing that there are no intractable difficulties. Secondly it compares two recent logocentric studies of dialogue-in-film, one emerging from stylistics itself (McIntyre, 2008) and one from film studies (Kozloff, 2000), both of which, despite a primary focus on interactive spoken language, recognize and address the multimodal character of film productions. Finally, it concludes that, subject to certain provisos, there is merit in approaching the multimodality of film and TV drama productions from a methodologically logocentric perspective.
Trade and Transport in Central Asia
Authors: Pomfret Richard
Published: November 2010

Until 1991 Central Asia was part of the integrated economic space of the Soviet Union without borders and with a relatively efficient transport network, but oriented toward the needs of the Soviet economy. The role of the Central Asian republics in the Soviet division of labor was as providers of raw materials, primarily cotton, minerals, and energy products; roads and railways led north or west to the Russian republic, and eastern and southern borders were effectively closed to trade. Since independence the Central Asian countries have continued to exploit their comparative advantage in raw material exports, but their trade has been hampered by poor transport facilities and by failure to improve the soft infrastructure of trade. Being landlocked exacerbates these weaknesses, but location could be turned to advantage as Central Asia is adjacent to the world’s most dynamic large economies. To benefit from this the hard and soft infrastructure of transport and trade need upgrading, and regional cooperation to facilitate transit is needed to stimulate intra- and extra-regional trade.
How Bad are Central Asia’s Business Environments and What Can be Done about Them?
Authors: de Tray Dennis
Published: November 2010

Central Asian countries need private investment to promote growth and to meet economic diversification goals. This article starts by looking at what we know about determinants of external and domestic investment, the key driver of private sector growth. Country context matters greatly when judging the importance of business environments in determining investment. Countries that have attracted substantial private investment and the growth that comes with it that exhibited middling to poor business environments all share certain characteristics. They are large in population terms, geographically well located, and none is landlocked. Small countries, and countries less well situated geographically that did well in attracting investment and achieving high growth were all at or near the top of business environment rankings. If Central Asia’s relatively small and poorly situated countries are to compete for domestic and international investment, their business environments cannot just be good. They must rank at the top of business environment indicators.
Volunteering and Volunteers: Benefit-Cost Analyses
Authors: Handy Femida , Mook Laurie
Published: November 2010

This article examines the phenomenon of volunteering from a benefit—cost perspective. Both the individual making a decision to volunteer and the organization making a decision to use volunteer labor face benefits and costs of their actions, yet these costs and benefits almost always remain unarticulated, perhaps because the common perception of the do-good volunteer who contributes his or her labor for free discourages rational benefit—cost calculus. In this article, we examine, conceptually, the benefits and costs (both direct and indirect) accruing to the volunteer and the organization that uses volunteer labor. It is important for organizations making resource allocation both to understand and to delineate these benefits and costs. Using a case study of an organization and recent methods in social accounting, we present a practical model for doing so.
Valuation of Drug Abuse: A Review of Current Methodologies and Implications for Policy Making
Authors: Schori Maayan
Published: November 2010

This article reviews the use of several valuation methods as they relate to drug abuse and places them within the context of U.S. policy. First, cost-of-illness (COI) studies are reviewed and their limitations discussed. Second, three additional economic methods of valuing drug abuse are reviewed, including cost—effectiveness analysis (CEA), benefit—cost analysis (BCA) and willingness-to-pay (WTP). As the demand for cost-effective and evidence-based practices and policies grows, the importance of economic research into drug abuse treatment is increasing. However, societal perceptions of drug abuse and their effects on current resource allocation must also be considered when designing and implementing new strategies. Findings based on rigorous and innovative methodologies have the potential to positively impact the development and delivery of new cost-effective and beneficial services, thereby providing a more solid foundation for policy makers.
In-situ ground vibration tests in Southern Taiwan Science Park
Authors: Chen Cheng-Hsing , Huang Tsung-Chen , Ko Yung-Yen
Published: November 2010

The Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) passes through the Southern Taiwan Science Park (STSP) where the high-tech fabs inside are very sensitive to ground vibrations. In order to characterize the attenuation of ground vibration with distance in STSP, a series of small-scale in-situ vibration tests were conducted at STSP sites before the operation of THSR. The tests include falling weight tests and shaking tests which were performed on the ground surface, on shallow foundation, and on prototype pile foundation. For falling weight tests, hammer weights of 80, 120, 220, 260, 430 kN and drop heights of 0.5 m—3.0 m were adopted to generate different levels of ground vibration. For shaking tests, exciters that can generate harmonic loads up to 100 or 200 kN were used for ground vibration tests. For all tests, the ground vibrations at various distances were monitored to deduce the associated attenuation coefficients. In this paper, results of all falling weight tests and shaking tests are summarized and compared with those of in-situ measurements of ground vibrations induced by the test runs of THSR trains. Conclusions show that the results of small-scale falling weight vibration tests can be used to predict the decay of ground vibration induced by the operation of high speed trains.
Synchronization via active control of parametrically and externally excited Φ6 Van der Pol and Duffing oscillators and application to secure communications
Authors: Njah A.N.
Published: November 2010

In this paper active controllers based on the Lyapunov stability theory and the Routh-Hurwitz criteria, are designed to completely synchronize two parametrically and externally excited φ6 Van der Pol oscillators, φ6 Duffing oscillators, and a φ6 Van der Pol oscillator with a φ6 Duffing oscillator in the triple-well configuration of the φ6 potential. The coefficient matrix of the error dynamics between each pair of synchronized systems is chosen such that the number of active control functions reduces from two to one, thereby significantly reducing controller complexity in the design. The designed controllers enable the state variables of the response system to synchronize with those of the master system in both the identical and nonidentical cases. The results are validated using numerical simulations. Application to secure communications is computationally demonstrated.
Nonlinear response of a soft magneto elastic cantilever beam with end mass under static and dynamics magnetic field
Authors: Pratiher B. , Dwivedy SK
Published: November 2010

In this work, the nonlinear vibration of a cantilever beam with end mass subjected to both static and alternating transverse magnetic field has been studied. The governing temporal equation of motion of the system which contains nonlinearities of geometric and inertial type along with parametric excitation and non-linear damping terms due to the body force and couple generated by the magnetic field has been derived. Method of multiple scales (MMS) is used to determine the instability region and frequency response curves of the system. The influences of the damping, amplitude of static and dynamic magnetic field strength, and tip mass on the instability regions and frequency response curves for simple and principal parametric resonance conditions have been investigated. These results are found to be in good agreement with those obtained by numerically solving the temporal equation of motion.
Control of torsional rotor vibrations using an electrorheological fluid dynamic absorber
Authors: Sun Y. , Thomas M.
Published: November 2010

Torsional rotor vibrations are undesirable phenomena which are very difficult to control in rotating systems. A common method for reducing vibrations involves the use of dynamic absorbers. However, if their physical parameters are constant, the frequency range of efficiency of dynamic absorbers is tight, making them unsuitable for systems with variable speeds. The use of smart materials, due to their variable and controllable mechanical properties, may be a powerful tool for increasing the frequency range. Electrorheological (ER) fluids are attractive materials that undergo very fast reversible changes in their rheological properties upon the application of an electric field. In this study, an electrorheological dynamic torsional absorber, called the Smart ER Dynamic Absorber, has been designed in order to reduce torsional rotor vibrations. Under shear mode, the ER absorber can exhibit various torsional damping and stiffness characteristics when an electric field is applied. A nonlinear empirical model of the dynamic behavior of ER materials has been developed. An On-Off control strategy has been applied and absorber efficiency measured. The results show that the ER dynamic absorber exhibits very good performances.
Hierarchical sliding mode observers for distributed parameter systems
Authors: Drakunov Sergey V , Reyhanoglu Mahmut
Published: November 2010

In this work we suggest hierarchical sliding mode observers for complex systems which include distributed parameter systems and combinations of distributed parameter and lumped parameter systems, modeling, for example, an actuator dynamics. The main idea is based on the observer suggested previously for general nonlinear lumped parameter systems that is using the equivalent values of the discontinuous function to obtain additional information about the system state. Such observers can be written directly into system’s original variables without requiring the state transformation. In this paper, using a modal representation of the distributed system and the hierarchy of sliding modes, we develop a structure of such an observer for a wide class of systems described by partial differential equations or combinations of ordinary and partial differential equations. An example is presented which illustrates the proposed method.
Fuzzy-based intelligent controller for power generating systems
Authors: Soundarrajan A. , Sumathi S.
Published: November 2010

In this paper an intelligent fuzzy logic controller is proposed to control the frequency and voltage of a power generating system. The load frequency control (LFC) and automatic voltage regulator (AVR) are installed in each generator to control the real and reactive power flows. Due to rising and falling power demand, the real and reactive power balance is harmed and hence frequency and voltage get deviated from nominal value. This necessitates the need for an intelligent fuzzy controller to generate and deliver power in an interconnected system as economically and reliably as possible while maintaining the voltage and frequency within permissible limits. The conventional PID controllers employed for this task will have zero steady-state error but lead to large deviations in frequency and voltage under varying load conditions. The proposed method overcomes the drawbacks of a conventional fixed gain controller and improvement is achieved in terms of settling time, oscillations and overshoot. The single and two area LFC and AVR are modeled in MATLAB using the transfer function of the system. Fuzzy rules and membership functions are tuned based on the knowledge of experts and from previous experience about the plant behavior. The models are simulated for different load conditions and regulations in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller. Simulation results emphasise the improved performance in comparison with fixed gain controllers.
Adaptive pose output decoupling for a hydraulically-driven 6-DOF parallel manipulator
Authors: Yao Jianjun  , Fu Wei  , Hu Shenghai
Published: November 2010

Since kinematic and dynamic coupling phenomena occur in a parallel manipulator, the outputs of the system corresponding to a sinusoidal pose contains coupling poses besides the fundamental input, causing coupling pose outputs. The method for pose output decoupling based on adaptive noise cancellation, a method for noise control and vibration control, is proposed here. The task is accomplished by generating a reference signal with the same frequency of the input pose. The reference input is weighted by the least mean square (LMS) algorithm in such a way that it closely matches the coupling pose output. The weighted reference signal is added to the fundamental signal such that the coupling pose output is cancelled leaving the desired pose alone. The weights of the LMS algorithm are adjusted by the coupling pose output, which is to be cancelled. The system is based on linkspace control, and its pose output is calculated in real-time from the actuator lengths by forward kinematics. The above concept is used as a basis for the development of an adaptive pose output decoupling algorithm. Experimental results performed with a hydraulically driven six degrees-of-freedom parallel manipulator demonstrate the efficiency and validity of the proposed control scheme.
Modified stochastic gradient identification algorithms with fast convergence rates
Authors: Jing Chen  , Feng Ding
Published: November 2010

The stochastic gradient identification algorithm has slow convergence rates. This paper presents a modified stochastic gradient algorithm by introducing a convergence index in order to improve the convergence rate of the parameter estimation. The parameter estimation accuracy can be enhanced by choosing the convergence index and a numerical example shows that the proposed method is efficient.
On the total variation of a third-order semi-discrete central scheme for 1D conservation laws
Authors: Dehghan Mehdi , Jazlanian Rooholah
Published: November 2010

In this work, we present a third-order, semi-discrete, central-upwind scheme for computing approximate solutions of 1D systems of conservation laws. We combine the third-order CWENO reconstruction proposed in Levy et al., the semi-discrete central-upwind numerical flux proposed in Kurganov et al. and the third-order TVD Runge—Kutta method, proposed in Shu and Osher. We are interested in the behavior of the total variation of the approximate solution obtained with this scheme. Also we test our scheme on both scalar and gas dynamics problems. We observe that the total variation of computed solutions is close to the total variation of the exact solution or a reference solution.
Wavelet-based general methodology for multiple fault detection on induction motors at the startup vibration transient
Authors: Rodriguez-Donate C. , Romero-Troncoso RJ , Cabal-Yepez E. , Garcia-Perez A. , Osornio-Rios RA
Published: November 2010

Fault preventive monitoring on induction motors has risen in order to reduce maintenance costs and increase their life expectancy. There are many developments for detecting a single induction motor fault using several methodologies and techniques. Different methodologies have been developed for multiple fault detection having the disadvantage of giving a qualitative result requiring an expert technician for estimating the motor condition, with the possibility of inducing observation errors. This work proposes a quantitative general methodology for online induction motor monitoring and identification of multiple faults in an automatic way, and its hardware processing unit for real time applications, based on the startup vibration transient analysis. The proposed methodology is tested on three different cases of study: a motor with broken rotor bars, an unbalanced motor shaft, and a motor with misaligned load. The results show that the proposed methodology is highly reliable for detecting different faults in induction motors with a certainty of 99.7%. The developed approach can be extended for detecting other faults by a proper calibration, thanks to its generalized nature.
A note on the attenuation of the sommerfeld effect of a non-ideal system taking into account a MR damper and the complete model of a DC motor
Authors: Castão Kleber AL , Goes Luis CS , Balthazar José M
Published: November 2010

The main purpose of this paper is to study the attenuation of the jump phenomena associated with the Sommerfeld Effect introduced by the nonlinearities of a magnetic rheological damper (MRD) in a non-ideal vibrational system, excited by a DC motor modeled as limited power source. Numerical simulations of the nonlinear vibrations of the system are carried out for different values of the MRD control parameter in order to show the amplitude reduction of the vibrations close to the system resonance introduced by the nonlinear damping effect of the MR system.
Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for rolling bearing performance degradation assessment and prognosis
Authors: Feiyun Cong  , Jin Chen  , Yuna Pan
Published: November 2010

Exploring an effective assessment index is significant for performance degradation assessment, which has been proposed to realize equipments’ near-zero downtime and maximum productivity. In this paper, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test based on an autoregressive model is proposed to assess the performance degradation of rolling bearings. Accelerated life test (in Hangzhou Bearing Test and Research Center) of rolling bearings was performed to collect vibration data over a whole lifetime (normal-fault-failure). The result shows that the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test method can obviously detect incipient weak defects and can reflect performance degradation process well. In particular, it can detect abnormal stages earlier before the bearing steps into failure, which is significant in condition maintenance and prognosis.
Social Cognitive Correlates of Young Adult Sport Competitors’ Sunscreen Use
Authors: Berndt Nadine C. , O'Riordan David L. , Winkler Elisabeth , McDermott Liane , Spathonis Kym , Owen Neville
Published: November 2010

Young adults participating in outdoor sports represent a high-risk group for excessive sun exposure. The purpose of this study was to identify modifiable social cognitive correlates of sunscreen use among young adult competitors. Participants aged 18 to 30 years who competed in soccer ( n = 65), surf-lifesaving ( n = 63), hockey ( n = 61), and tennis ( n = 48) completed a sun habits survey. Almost half ( n = 113) of the participants used sunscreen inadequately and 30% ( n = 70) reported not using sunscreen. In fully adjusted models, social cognitive attributes significantly ( p < .05) associated with inadequate sunscreen use (vs. nonuse) included skin cancer risk perceptions (OR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.3, 1.0), perceived barriers to sunscreen use (OR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3, 0.9), and stronger personal norms for applying sunscreen (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.0, 3.2). These findings provide insight into the attributes that enable or inhibit the use of sunscreen among young competitors and as a result may be useful in informing behavior change interventions within the sporting context.
Building a physically active and talent rich culture: An educationally sound approach
Authors: Collins Dave , Martindale Russell , Button Angela , Sowerby Katie
Published: November 2010

Physical education and sport are often critically evaluated for the potential impact they can have on the development of children, both from the perspective of health and the development of sporting talent. Reflecting these two important goals, this paper presents an evaluation of the efficacy of an evidence-based, educational and inclusive approach to the promotion of lifelong physical activity and development of talent in children. A two-year pilot programme (n = 1060, mixed gender) was delivered through formal lessons and extracurricular activity clubs within the Scottish Education System utilizing an integrated package of physical and mental skills development. A triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data, collected through a range of interviews and the Young Peoples’ Physical Activity Questionnaire and Young People’s Perception Questionnaire, provided evidence for the efficacy of such an approach in short-term promotion of present activity levels and longer term changes in the key attitudes required for success (e.g. perceived competence, self-determination and self-motivation). Significant improvements in participation levels, self-determination, perceived competence and self-motivation were found, supporting the qualitative results relating to the positive impact of the programme. The impact of such a philosophy and programme on child development, teacher education, initiative coherence, physical activity and talent development are discussed.
Physical activity, lesson context and teacher behaviours within the revised English National Curriculum for Physical Education: A case study of one school
Authors: Mersh Rachel , Fairclough Stuart J.
Published: November 2010

This study assessed student activity levels, lesson contexts, and teacher behaviours within the revised English National Curriculum for Physical Education (NCPE). Fifteen Year 7 (age 11—12 years) PE lessons were systematically observed for each gender using SOFIT (System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time). Boys engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for 59.7 percent of lesson time compared to 46.1 percent for girls (p < .0001). Most MVPA was accrued during the NCPE lesson range and content theme of Outwitting Opponents (63 percent), and the least during Accurate Replication lessons (38.7 percent; p < .0001). Students participated in most MVPA during game play lesson contexts within the Outwitting Opponents and Exercising Safely and Effectively themes. Less MVPA was evident during management and general knowledge lesson contexts. Achievement of MVPA is a worthwhile PE goal but is influenced by a range of social, environmental and pedagogical determinants, the latter of which can be modified by teachers.
Worried no more: The effects of medication status on treatment response to a CBT group for children with anxiety in a community setting
Authors: Eichstedt Julie A. , Tobon Juliana I. , Phoenix Elizabeth , Veitch Wolfe Vicky
Published: November 2010

The present study compared preexisting groups of medicated and non-medicated children aged 8—13 years, with a primary diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, participating in a 12-session, manualized cognitive-behavior therapy group (GCBT). Of the 42 children, 13 (31%) were concurrently treated with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) for anxiety while they attended group treatment. Treatment outcomes for these medicated children were compared to those of children who were not on any medications for anxiety. Results suggested that both groups showed a significant decrease in their anxiety symptoms from pre- to post-treatment and from pre-treatment to 4-month follow-up, based on both child- and parent-report. No significant differences in anxiety symptoms were found between the medicated and non-medicated groups at pre-, post-, or 4-month follow-up, suggesting that the two groups benefited similarly from GCBT.
Healthy and unhealthy eating at lower secondary school in Norway
Authors: Hilsen Marit , Eikemo Terje A. , Bere Elling
Published: November 2010

Aims: To assess adolescents’ eating/drinking habits of a selection of healthy and unhealthy food items at school, variations in gender and socioeconomic status in these eating habits, and variations between the schools. Methods: A cross-sectional study among 2870 adolescents (mean age: 15.5 years) within the Fruits and Vegetables Make the Marks (FVMM) project. A survey questionnaire was completed by the pupils in the classroom in the presence of a trained project worker. One school lesson (45 minutes) was used to complete the questionnaire. A total of two healthy (fruit and vegetables (FV), water) and five unhealthy (candy and/or potato chips, sweet bakery, instant noodles, regular soft drinks, and diet soft drinks) food items were assessed by food frequency questions. All variables were dichotomised to less than once a week and once a week or more. Results: Several pupils reported to consume snacks (33%), sweet bakery (36%) and regular soft drinks (24%) at school at least once a week. The proportion of pupils who reported to eat FV at least once a week (40%) was low. Girls and pupils with plans of higher education had a more favourable intake of healthy versus unhealthy food items at school. In two-level variance component analyses the proportional school variation ranged from 3.4% (diet soft drinks) to 30.7% (noodles). Conclusions: A large number of adolescents consume unhealthy food items at school and few eat FV. Large differences were observed between groups of pupils and between the schools in consumption of these foods.
Barriers to healthy eating among Norwegian-Pakistani women participating in a culturally adapted intervention
Authors: Råberg Kjøllesdal Marte K. , Telle Hjellset Victoria , Bjørge Benedikte , Holmboe-Ottesen Gerd , Wandel Margareta
Published: November 2010

Aims: To explore barriers to healthy dietary changes experienced by Pakistani immigrant women participating in a culturally adapted intervention, and whether these barriers were associated with intentions to change dietary behaviours. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to control and intervention group. The 7-month intervention consisted of six educational group sessions on diet and physical activity, based on knowledge about Pakistani lifestyle and focusing on blood glucose control. Data on barriers for and intentions to healthy dietary changes were collected through an interview with help of a questionnaire. The article is based on data from follow-up assessments in the intervention group, comprising 82 women, aged 28—62 years, without a history of type 2 diabetes. Results: The most important barriers to healthy dietary changes were preferences of children and other family members and perceived expectations during social gatherings. The perceived pressure from other family members was especially strong when the women were trying to change to more vegetables, lentils, and fish and to use less oil in food preparation. The barriers were inversely related to intentions to change. Conclusions: The women encountered various types of barriers when trying to change to healthier food habits, the most prominent being those related to the social dimensions of food consumption, as well as to awareness of the amount of oil used for cooking.
Does the southern European cardiovascular mortality advantage extend to total mortality? 50-year trends in death risks between 40 and 70 years of age in Western European men and women
Authors: Vollset Stein Emil
Published: November 2010

Aims: To study 50-year mortality trends in men and women of northern and southern Western Europe. Methods: The World Health Organization mortality data base and multiple decrement life table methods was used to compute all-cause and cause-specific risks of middle-age death (40—69 years of age) for northern (Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and UK) and southern (France, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland) Western European countries. Results: From 1952 to 2001, the risk of a cardiovascular death in middle age was higher in the north compared to the south. The north/ south cardiovascular mortality ratios (MR) peaked in 1990—1993 and were 1.57 among women and 1.47 among men in 2001. In 1952, the all-cause risks of middle-age death were similar in the north and south for both women and men (39% and 27%, respectively). In 2001, middle-age death risks were similar for men in the north and the south (24% and 23%, MR = 1.05), but higher among women in the north compared to the south (14% and 11%, MR = 1.28). Cause-specific death risks demonstrated that the cardiovascular advantage for southern European men was countered by a disadvantage in cancer death risk (2001 north/south cancer MR = 0.85). For northern European women in 2001, there was a disadvantage also in the other major cause-of-death groups: cancer (MR = 1.22) and other diseases (MR = 1.28). Conclusions: The southern European cardiovascular middle-age mortality advantage extended to total mortality much more for women than for men. We suggest that forces behind this gender difference in this north/south mortality gradient include life style factors.
Design of a 20-month comprehensive, multicomponent school-based randomised trial to promote healthy weight development among 11-13 year olds: The HEalth In Adolescents study
Authors: Lien N. , Bjelland M. , Bergh I.H. , Grydeland M. , Anderssen S.A. , Ommundsen Y. , Andersen L.F. , Henriksen H.B. , Randby J.S. , Klepp K.-I.
Published: November 2010

Background and purpose: The lack of effective school-based interventions for preventing obesity in children has caused a call for longer duration of interventions and better reporting on design and evaluation methodology. The purpose of this paper is to present the development of the intervention, the design of the effectiveness study, and the test-retest reliability of the main outcome measures in the HEalth In Adolescents (HEIA) study. Methods/design: The HEIA intervention programme was developed based on literature reviews, a social ecological framework, and focus groups. The intervention aimed to increase total physical activity (PA) and consumption of fruit and vegetables and to decrease screen time and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. The intervention programme consisted of a classroom component, including dietary behaviour lessons, computer tailoring, fruit/vegetable and PA breaks, and posters, and an environmental component including active transport campaigns, equipment, suggestions for easy improvements of schoolyards, inspirational courses for teachers (all with regards to PA), and fact sheets to parents. The effect of the intervention programme is evaluated in a cluster randomised controlled trial design (intervention = 12 schools, control = 25 schools) including process evaluation. Main outcomes include anthropometry, PA, screen time, and consumption of fruit, vegetables, and sugar-sweetened beverages. A 2-week test— retest study was conducted among 114 pupils. Determinants of the behaviours were assessed. Similar data were collected from parents. Children’s PA was measured objectively by accelerometers. Conclusions: The HEIA study represents a theoretically informed randomised trial comprising a comprehensive set of multilevel intervention components with a thorough evaluation using reliable outcome measures. The study will contribute to a better understanding of determinants of healthy weight development among young people and how such determinants can be modified.
Psychotropic drug use among women exposed to intimate partner violence: A population-based study
Authors: Stene Lise Eilin , Dyb Grete , Jacobsen Geir Wenberg , Schei Berit
Published: November 2010

Aims: To investigate psychotropic drug use among women ever exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) in relation to mental distress and sociodemographic, lifestyle and somatic health characteristics, and to assess whether drug use differed for physical and/or sexual violence compared with psychological abuse alone. Methods: Cross-sectional data from women aged 30—60 years were drawn from self-reported questionnaires in the Oslo Health study 2000—2001. Women reporting hypnotic, anxiolytic and/or antidepressant drug use in the previous four weeks were defined as users. Differences in psychotropic drug use by IPV exposure were examined by logistic regression analyses. Results: In total, 880 (14%) of 6,471 included women reported ever experiencing IPV; 494 (8%) reported physical and/or sexual IPV, and 386 (6%) reported psychological IPV alone. Physical and/or sexual IPV was significantly associated with use of all psychotropic drugs: hypnotics (odds ratio (OR) 2.28; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.73—3.00); anxiolytics (OR 3.29; 95% CI, 2.43—4.44); and antidepressants (OR 2.72; 95% CI, 1.97—3.76). The associations remained significant for anxiolytics (OR 1.67; 95% CI, 1.14—2.45) and antidepressants (OR 1.50; 95% CI, 1.02—2.19) after adjusting for mental distress, sociodemographic, lifestyle and somatic health characteristics. Psychological IPV alone was associated with use of anxiolytics (OR 1.81; 95% CI, 1.20—2.75) and antidepressants (OR 2.38; 95% CI, 1.64—3.45). After adjustments the association persisted for use of antidepressants only (OR 1.64; 95% CI, 1.05—2.55). Conclusions: Women exposed to IPV were more likely to report use of psychotropic drugs, even after adjusting for mental distress. The study indicates that exposure to IPV; including psychological abuse should be evaluated as a possible source of distress when psychotropic drug treatment is considered.