bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hétérogénéité des déficits cognitifs dans la démence de type Alzheimer et prise en charge cognitive de la mémoire: particularités et enjeux méthodologiques
Authors: Bier Nathalie , Gagnon Lise , Desrosiers Johanne
Published: December 2005

Numerous studies suggest that the clinical presentation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is varied and that AD is thus a heterogeneous disorder. Evidence of this inter-individual variability has had an important impact on the approaches to the cognitive rehabilitation of AD, particularly in the early stages of the disease. Research has shown that, despite variable cognitive profiles, many preserved capabilities are observed in the first stages of AD and that the disease does not affect all cognitive functions globally. These preserved capabilities make it possible to apply cognitive interventions. However, numerous methodological difficulties are encountered in evaluating the effectiveness of these interventions, many of which are related to the heterogeneity of the deficits. The purpose of this article is to discuss this heterogeneity and its impact on methodological characteristics, especially participant selection and research design.
Comparison of Provincial and Territorial Legislation Governing Substitute Consent for Research
Authors: Bravo Gina , Gagnon Michaël , Wildeman Sheila , Marshall David T. , Pâquet Mariane , Dubois Marie-France
Published: December 2005

In Canada, provincial and territorial laws address circumstances in which a substitute decision-maker may be appointed for an adult deemed legally incapable of making decisions in one or more areas of life. We searched for provincial and territorial laws that explicitly address substitute decision-making about research participation, and found significant differences among Canadian jurisdictions. In some provinces and territories there is no direct statutory guidance on the issue. Differences among jurisdictions that address substitute decision-making about research in legislation include whether judicial intervention is required to authorize the substitute decision-maker, whether any advance directive in place must explicitly authorize the decision about research in order for a proxy to consent, and how risk and benefit thresholds beyond which substitute consent to research is prohibited are articulated. It is imperative that government, researchers, and the Canadian public revisit the principles underpinning substitute decision-making about research in light of national and international norms, in order to lend clarity and consistency to this area of law and research practice.
The Role of Social Support in the Relationship between Urinary Incontinence and Psychological Distress in Older Adults
Authors: Corna Laurie M. , Cairney John
Published: December 2005

While an association between UI and psychological distress among older adults has been established in the literature, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain less clear. Using a sample of 4,689 older adults from the Canadian Community Health Survey (1.1), we test the potential mediating and moderating effects of four dimensions of social support on the UI–distress relationship. Incontinent older adults are significantly more likely to report higher levels of distress than continent adults. Although we do not find support for a mediating effect of any of the dimensions of social support, we do report a significant interaction between one dimension of social support (tangible support) and UI. A buffering effect of tangible support is evident for continent – but not incontinent – respondents. These findings emphasize the need to assess the types of social support and the context in which they operate.
Patient Outcomes after Discharge from a Geriatric Day Hospital
Authors: Crilly Richard G. , Lylwynec Sonya , Kloseck Marita , Smith Jan M. , Olsen Tyler , Gold Bill , Masse Shelley
Published: December 2005

Evidence suggests that frailer older patients benefit from a continuum of care rather than the admit/discharge model of our health system. This study examined patient outcomes after discharge from a geriatric day hospital (GDH) to determine what proportion continues to do well, what proportion declines, how the two groups differ, and if factors predictive of deterioration can be identified. Using telephone survey and Goal Attainment Scaling methodologies, the goals of 151 patients discharged from a GDH between 6 and 18 months previously were examined to determine whether GDH achievements were maintained or lost. All but 5 patients improved between GDH admission and discharge; after discharge, 39 per cent deteriorated. The need for more support in the community was predictive of deterioration, probably reflecting patient frailty. Number of medical diagnoses or medications were not predictive. Frailer older patients tend not to maintain goals achieved in a GDH after discharge and may benefit from ongoing maintenance.
Competence, Capacity, and Informed Consent: Beyond the Cognitive-Competence Model
Authors: Kluge Eike-Henner W.
Published: December 2005

Only competent persons can give informed consent to health care. Current approaches define competence in essentially cognitive terms, thereby ignoring the fact that someone may be cognitively competent yet lack the capacity to give a valid consent. I outline a more robust theory of competence that includes not only cognitive but also emotional and valuational parameters. I then distinguish competence from capacity, and indicate the role this distinction can usefully play in the extended and continuing care setting. I also show how this distinction is consistent with several recent Canadian legal decisions, and outline its usefulness in interpreting and applying relevant provincial statutes.
Translating Evidence into Practice: The Case of Dementia Guidelines in Specialized Geriatric Services
Authors: Lewis David L. , Jewell David , Turpie Irene , Patterson Christopher , McCoy Barbara , Baxter Julia
Published: December 2005

This paper describes a process of identifying best practice guidelines for non-pharmacological management for individuals with dementia and disseminating them to a group of frontline practitioners in specialized geriatric services. Our dissemination plan involved early participation of practitioners, development of a chart summarizing five guidelines showing commonalities, contrasts, and gaps in the guidelines, and their interpretation, colour-coded for the strength of the evidence on which they were based. Two sequential workshops were held in which recommendations for action were developed. Outcomes of the process included a resource manual, a network of practitioners, and action recommendations based upon survey data. An early follow-up evaluation showed increased adoption of guidelines.
Patterns of Paid and Unpaid Work: The Influence of Power, Social Context, and Family Background
Authors: McMullin Julie Ann
Published: December 2005

Over the last several decades there have been changes in how paid and unpaid labour is divided between men and women: The rate of women's participation in the labour force women has increased as has men's participation in household labour. Although a plethora of research has addressed these changes by analysing couple and individual data, few have examined them within the context of multi-generational families. Using a case study analysis of a three-generation family, this paper shows that gender, class, social context, and family background influence how paid and unpaid work is divided within families. The case study shows that the social context of a given time conditions the options women and men have available to them in negotiating the balance of work and family responsibilities. Yet within this context, family background also matters. Negative childhood experiences were an impetus for adult children negotiating patterns of paid and unpaid labour that were different from those of their parents.
Julie McMullin. Understanding Social Inequality: Intersections of Class, Age, Gender, Ethnicity, and Race in Canada. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press, 2004.
Authors: Moore Spencer
Published: December 2005

Dans Understanding Social Inequality, Julie McMullin présente une discussion utile et provocatrice des différentes approches et théories utilisées pour l'analyse des inégalités sociales. Quoique l'approche de McMullin soit ancrée dans une perspective critique de l'inégalité sociale, elle présente un cadre exhaustif pour comprendre la manière dont la classe, le sexe, l'âge, l'ethnicité et la race interagissent pour produire des inégalités sociales au Canada. La discussion et l'analyse sont à la fois fines et informatives. Bien que l'auteure examine des positions théoriques complexes, elle émaille sa présentation d'illustrations concrètes, lesquelles constituent des exemples pratiques à des fins de formation. Les glossaires, questions et lectures complétant chaque chapitre faciliteront les discussions en classe. Compte tenu de la finesse des arguments de McMullin, le texte semble être destiné à des personnes familières avec les théories sociales et les méthodes sociologiques.
Personality, Cognitive Adaptation, and Marital Satisfaction as Predictors of Well-Being among Older Married Adults
Authors: O'Rourke Norm
Published: December 2005

The current study examines constructs that contribute to the well-being of an international sample of older married adults. A convenience sample of 208 participants was recruited through an Internet site as well as more traditional means such as newspaper advertisements and contact with community groups. The resulting structural equation model provides further support for the revised theory of cognitive adaptation. Within this model, the direct and indirect contributions of personality, marital satisfaction, and cognitive adaptation are examined in relation to well-being. Contrary to previous findings, personality appears to have an indirect effect upon both marital satisfaction and well-being. Cognitive adaptation, in contrast, has both a direct and indirect effect upon the well-being of older adults. Limitations of use of the Internet as a vehicle for data collection are considered as well as directions for future study.
Karl Pillemer and Kurt Lüscher (Eds.). Intergenerational Ambivalences: New Perspectives on Parent–Child Relations in Later Life. Contemporary Perspectives in Family Research, 4. Amsterdam: JAI Press (Elsevier), 2003.
Authors: Phillips Judith
Published: December 2005

Dirigé par Karl Pillemer et Kurt Lüscher, cet ouvrage s'inscrit dans le débat sur le concept de l'ambivalence dans les relations intergénérationnelles. Bien conçu et structuré, il est le produit de la collaboration de chercheurs provenant de plusieurs pays. Une force de cet ouvrage est certes de soulever des perspectives conceptuelles et méthodologiques tout en fournissant des exemples empiriques illustrant le concept de l'ambivalence. Ce livre, indispensable pour ceux intéressés par ce concept, constituera une ressource importante pour les étudiants en gérontologie, en psychologie ou en sociologie ainsi que pour les professionnels oeuvrant dans le domaine de la thérapie familiale, des services sociaux et des soins de santé.
Risk Factors for Falling among Community-Dwelling Veterans and Their Caregivers
Authors: Speechley Mark , Belfry Shannon , Borrie Michael J. , Jenkyn Krista Bray , Crilly Richard , Gill Dawn P. , McLean Sarena , Stolee Paul , Vandervoort Anthony A. , Jones Gareth R.
Published: December 2005

Purpose: To assess the prevalence and strength of association of risk factors for falling in Canadian veterans of World War II and Korea and their caregivers.

Methods: Questionnaires were sent to addresses of 3,000 Canadian veterans (response rate = 70%). Risk factors for falls and the frequency of falls and injurious falls in the past 12 months were collected.

Results: Veterans had more risk factors than did caregivers, and more had fallen in the past year (39.8% vs. 29.7%). Risk factors in the logistic model for veterans included lower extremity disability (odds ratio = 1.98, 95% confidence interval 1.5–2.6); lower extremity weakness (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.3–2.3); worse memory than peers (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.1–2.5); one or more visits to the family doctor in the past month (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.2–2.0); and worse memory than 5 years ago (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.0–1.8).

Conclusions: Veterans appear more frail and prone to falling than their caregivers.
Secondary Physical Education Teachers' Beliefs and Practices in Teaching Students with Severe Disabilities: A Descriptive Analysis
Authors: Ammah Jonathan O. A , Hodge Samuel R
Published: December 2005

The purpose was to describe the beliefs and practices of general physical education (GPE) teachers at the high school level on inclusion and teaching students with severe disabilities. Participants were two experienced GPE teachers at separate suburban high schools. The research paradigm was descriptive using a combination of naturalistic observation and interviewing (Fontana & Frey, 2000; Gay, 1996). Data were collected from eighteen lessons using field notes, wireless microphones, a video camera, an observation instrument, and interviews. Descriptive statistics and thematic narratives were used to present findings. The teachers mostly verbally interacted with those students who had severe disabilities. They varied in their teaching efficacy. Three recurring themes emerged from the data: (a) wavering beliefs, complexities of inclusion, and troubled confidence. Teachers must believe they are adequately prepared, well equipped, and supported to confidently exhibit effective inclusive GPE pedagogies.
Is Ignorance Bliss? Pre-service Teachers' Attitudes Toward Multicultural Education
Authors: Cho Grace , DeCastro-Ambrosetti Debra
Published: December 2005

In the United States, the number of school-aged students from diverse backgrounds is increasing, yet, according to research, the majority of teachers and those in teacher education programs continue to be predominantly Caucasian, middle class and English monolingual speakers. Studies have shown that many of those entering the field of teaching have a lack of knowledge of the experiences, needs, and resources of culturally and linguistically diverse student populations. As such, teacher preparation programs have developed and required that pre-service teachers complete a multicultural education course. This study explored the effect a multicultural education course has on pre-service teachers' attitudes about the experiences, needs, and resources of culturally and linguistically diverse student populations as well as the value they place on multicultural education. Using anonymous pre and post test surveys, we began by examining the initial attitudes of pre-service teachers' prior to taking a multicultural education course. We then studied the extent to which their attitudes changed subsequent to the instruction. The findings showed pre-service teachers' attitudes improved as they developed an increased awareness of and appreciation toward other cultures. Even with this increased awareness and appreciation of students' diverse cultures, the pre-service teachers expressed a sense of being ill equipped to teach students from diverse backgrounds. This sentiment also included a fear of being rejected by parents of minority students. Based upon the findings, implications and recommendations for program and curriculum revisions are discussed.
A Comparison of Students' Choices of 9th Grade Physical Education Activities by Ethnicity
Authors: Hill Grant M , Cleven Brian
Published: December 2005

The purposes of this study were to determine physical education activity preferences of 9th grade students in a southern California school district and to compare preferences by ethnicity. Results indicated that basketball, football, bowling, softball/baseball, swimming, and volleyball were the most preferred activities. These preferences may be based on socio-economic status, racial stereotyping, perceived dominance of particular sports by a culture, and role modeling within a culture. There were significant differences for 13 of the 37 activities listed when responses were compared by ethnicity. Results suggest that, given the importance of curriculum design in engaging students, physical education teachers with diverse ethnic class compositions have a more challenging task than teachers of classes with more homogeneous ethnic groupings. It is recommended teachers survey students yearly for their activity preferences to identify units that appeal to a wide section of students. Physical education teachers are also encouraged to allow their students the choice to participate in units taught by other physical education teachers during the same class period. Further research should seek to identify why various students of various ethnic groups prefer specific physical education activities.
A Test of the Validity of the Strong Interest Explorer with a Sample of Junior High and High School Latino Youth
Authors: Levinson Edward M. , Ohler Denise L , Maus Marcy , Christy Angela
Published: December 2005

Using the Career Key as a criterion measure, the validity of the Strong Interest Explorer was tested with a sample of Latino junior high school and senior high school students. A total of 85 Hispanic youth were administered the Strong Interest Explorer and the Career Key in counterbalanced order. Separate correlational analyses were conducted for (a) the total sample, (b) junior high/senior high students, and (c) males/females. Results generally offered support for the validity of the Strong Interest Explorer Artistic, Social and Enterprising scales but not the Investigative, Conventional or Realistic scales. Cautions regarding use of the Strong Interest Explorer with Latino youth are discussed.
Posing, Pretending, Waiting for the Bell: Life in High School Classrooms
Authors: Pierce K. M
Published: December 2005

Taken from a larger study about life in high school classrooms from students' perspectives, this paper discusses how study participants pinpointed individual classrooms as the nerve centers in students' high school experiences.
Once inside individual classrooms, students work hard to follow tacit codes for appropriate behavior among assembled peers. Although this unspoken but de facto student culture can differ period to period, it nevertheless dominates students' experience of school. Because this finding reveals so much about students' social compromise and so little about their engaged learning, it seems that classroom teachers hold the surest, most immediate power to reclaim and reform classrooms from sites of student accommodation to sites of active and even enjoyable accomplishment.
Seek Balance, Connect with Others, and Reach All Students: High School Students Describe a Moral Imperative for Teachers
Authors: Whitney Jean , Leonard Maureen , Leonard William , Camelio Marilyn , Camelio Vincent
Published: December 2005

This article documents a collaborative, teacher inquiry process to uncover a diverse sample of 271 students from an urban high school reflect on teachers they admire and classes in which they feel the most comfortable. The findings indicate that the students described teachers in terms of who the teacher is as a person, the role that he or she plays in creating positive learning environments, and in reference to the learner. Major themes that emerged across these dimensions were related to student-teacher connections, teaching all students, and balancing extremes. Implications for teacher education, induction, and school reform are made.
Education and Fertility: A Panel Data Analysis for Middle Eastern Countries
Authors: Akin Mustafa Seref
Published: December 2005

In this research, the relationship between fertility, education (by genders and levels), women's participation rate in labor market, urbanization, infant mortality and relative cohort size is investigated in the 14 Middle Eastern countries for the period of 1980 and 1998. Pooled cross-sectional time series GLS model is applied. Results indicate that education of females in secondary and primary levels, female labor participation and urbanization are negatively associated and significant with fertility and tertiary education is negatively correlated but not significant. On the other hand, male education in primary and secondary education and infant mortality are positively associated with fertility. Two conclusions can be drawn. The first is that even though a region where traditional values are overwhelming in the society, enhancing female status may change fertility decisions. The second is that better health care may not be sufficient to lower fertility but a broad range of family planning should backup health care to accomplish low fertility rate. In this research, it is also considered the relative income theory (cohort size, Easterlin Hypothesis). An evidence to support the relative income hypothesis can not be found for the Middle Eastern region. This may reflect that these countries are still in the transition stage in terms of demographical dynamics or younger generation gives higher priority to having children so that the desired number of children overcomes the fierceness of the competitive labor market.
Occupational Segregation, Wage Discrimination, and Impact on Poverty In Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Akter S. (Shaheen)
Published: December 2005

This study quantifies occupational segregation and wage discrimination in rural labour market of Bangladesh. Wage equations for seven employment categories was estimated applying Heckman's two-step procedure. Multinomial logit analysis was applied to estimate occupational attainment for males from a set of personal characteristics and then an occupational distribution for females was simulated. Data set used was a part of an eight-village census undertaken by the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex. Ideally the capacity to transform time and strength of labour into income between men and women should differ due to the difference in productivity. This analysis shows that more than seventy per cent of total gender pay gap remains unjustified and is due mainly to the concentration to the low paid work owing to job discrimination. Development programmes in the rural sector have achieved some success in bringing poor women into the paid job but failed to reduce within job discrimination. Attempts to reduce poverty will not bring the desired goal unless women have free access to paid work and the unjustified job segregation and pay discrimination are considerably reduced.
Vertical Specialization-Based Production and Intraindustry Trade
Authors: Clark Don P
Published: December 2005

This paper investigates industry and country-level determinants of intraindustry trade (IIT) between the United States and seventy-two trading partners. Its primary focus is on the relationship between vertical specialization-based production and IIT. Industries engaged in vertical specialization across national boundaries are identified through their use of Offshore Assembly Provisions (OAPs) in the U.S. tariff code. OAPs encourage firms to transfer one or more production stages abroad, export components for assembly, and subsequently import more advanced stages of the product. Three indicators of vertical specialization-based production are found to exert significant positive influences on IIT. Industries that engage in this pattern of production contribute to IIT because resulting two-way trade flows often fall under the same industry classification. Other findings support predictions of modern trade theories. (JEL F0, F1)
The Application of Contingent Valuation Method to Community-Led Financing Schemes: Evidence from Rural Cameroon
Authors: Fonta William M , Ichoku H. Eme
Published: December 2005

A key decision problem facing several programme officers of many donor agencies in developing countries like Cameroon, is how to price intended financing schemes for community participation. This paper provides further evidence on how useful the contingent valuation method (CVM) can be for such pricing decision problems facing these organizations. In this regard, a case study was conducted by a non-governmental organization(NGO) to elicit the willingness-to-pay (WTP) values, for an intended community-based financing scheme aimed, at introducing new variety of fish species (Tilapia nilotica and Heterotis niloticus) into the Bamendjim dam reservoir located in the Ndop area of the Northwest Province of Cameroon for long-term fish productivity. To assess the theoretical underpinning of the study, we used a censored Tobit model . The results show that factors such as household income, the level of education attained by household heads, occupational status of household heads, payment mechanism and the hypothetical prices used in the elicitation format (referendum format) can influence the propensity of community members to pay more for such a proposed scheme. However, the study recommends that it would be important for NGO's to compare the CVM results with the actual cost of financing the schemes.
Catching-Up Industrial Development of East Asian Economies and Its Application to Vietnam
Authors: Ha Ngo Trinh
Published: December 2005

This paper examines the catching-up process in industrial development in East Asia. For this purpose, RCA curve will be used to depict this process and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient will be employed as a supporting evidence for the catching-up. Evolving specialization patterns of East Asian economies are consistent with the prediction of the Catching-up Product Cycle model. Japan has the most advanced industrial structure, followed by NIEs, and ASEAN. Their specialization patterns evolved from a late-industrializing pattern to an intermediate, and finally to an advanced pattern. The late-industrializing economies followed in the footsteps of early industrializing ones creating a regional interdependence linkage. The paper suggests that the late industrializing economies could accelerate industrialization by following in the footsteps of the early industrializing economies. The paper further finds that Vietnam joined the regional network. However, its trade policy has been impeding industrial development so that labor-intensive production has been untapped, on one hand, and Vietnam selected the 'wrong' industries to target on the other hand.
Trade Liberalization in Bangladesh: The Process and Its Impact on Macro Variables Particularly Export Expansion
Authors: Hossain Mohammad A , Alauddin Mohammad
Published: December 2005

This paper examines the process of Bangladesh's trade liberalization and its impact on the growth and structure of exports, imports, GDP and other relevant macroeconomic variables with particular emphasis on exports. It also provides an updated account of the various structural adjustment programs undertaken in Bangladesh including trade, fiscal, industrial and financial reforms, and explains how these reforms supplemented one another to promote greater market and export orientation. Various Indicators of trade liberalization show a substantial shift of the Bangladesh external trade regime and the resultant reduction in anti-export bias. Spearheaded by textiles and readymade garments, both total- and manufacturing exports consistently grew over the post-liberalization period. Real GDP also registered a steady growth during the post-liberalization period, particularly during the 1990s. An empirical investigation based on a distributed lag modeling and cointegration suggests that both anti-export bias reduction and import-GDP ratio, the latter being a proxy for imported capital, have significantly impacted on exports in the long-term.
The Asian Crisis: An Economic Analysis of the Causes
Authors: Khan Saleheen , Islam Faridul , Ahmed Syed
Published: December 2005

Prevailing views suggest that short-term, unhedged foreign borrowing and crony capitalism, in combination with a weak financial system and lack of transparency may lie at the heart of the Asian financial crisis of 1997. Although the crisis first began in Thailand, it quickly spread to the rest of the region. While it is important to know the causes of the crisis, perhaps it is no less important to understand the process by which it spreads to other countries. From theoretical considerations trade links should be seen as a relevant and important channel in explaining the propagation of the Asian crisis. This paper empirically examines and analyzes the historical trade pattern among the seven South and East Asian countries to demonstrate how intraregional trade evolved over time. In addition it also provides a formal test of contagion through co-movement in real exchange rates during the pre-crisis and crisis period.
Optimal Policies in a Three Sector Economy With Open Unemployment and Surplus Labor
Authors: Khandker A. Wahhab , Rashid Salim , Suliman Mohamed Osman
Published: December 2005

This article analyzes a three-sector economy with a significant subsistence sector. Previous studies essentially derived first-best conditions based on an optimal subsidy system where technical efficiency is achieved. In our model, technical efficiency cannot exist from within our system. A unique feature of our model is the existence of an endogenous subsidy implying that a full-employment subsidy can only be non-uniform. Adjustment in the endogenous subsidy by the amount of wage differentials will equalize wage rates in the market economy. Full employment can be achieved if and only if the marginal products of the two modern sectors are equalized with the subsistence wage. That is, significant reduction of the subsistence sector is a necessary and sufficient condition for acquiring full employment in a three-sector economy.
The Demand Behavior of Consumers in Peru: A Demographic Analysis Using the QUAIDS
Authors: Molina Jose Alberto , Gil Ana Isabel
Published: December 2005

This paper models the demand behaviour of consumers in Peru. To that end, we estimate a demographic version of the Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (QUAIDS) using one Peruvian cross-section from 1997. Our results indicate first that the rank two AIDS model is rejected in favour of the rank three demographic QUAIDS model. Secondly, the income elasticities reveal that Transport and Leisure are luxury goods, whilst Tobacco, Health and Miscellaneous Goods are found to be necessities. Our policy recommendations indicate that policy makers should not focus exclusively on economic variables. Rather, it is similarly important to define social policies (education, health, …) that harmoniously redistributes income, as well as to improve their efficiency in such a way that the individual becomes more productive.
Convergence and Divergence of Basic Needs and Income: An International Comparison
Authors: Nissan Edward , Niroomand Farhauq
Published: December 2005

Using per capita income and the Human Development Index (HDI) data on 100 countries classified by income (High, Middle, Low) for the years 1975 to 1998, this paper investigates convergence or divergence among the three income classifications. Results indicate overall convergence for HDI and overall divergence for income. Countries performing better or worse than expected for both income and HDI are identified.
Effects of Smoking on Productivity: Estimating Aggregate Production Technology Using Cross-Sectional Time Series Data
Authors: Quah Euston , Saw Sutaip L. C , Tan Khye-Chong , Yong Jongsay
Published: December 2005

The negative health effects of smoking are substantial and well documented. There are, however, few studies that focus on another aspect of the costs of smoking, namely its impact on productive activities, specifically in terms of productivity loss as a result of smoking. Previous economic studies of smoking tend to focus on the effectiveness of various smoking control measures, and the externalities of smoking in the form of higher health care costs that smokers impose on the wider community. The present study make use of aggregate time-series and cross-sectional data to carefully examine the relationship between smoking and productivity as measured by a properly specified and estimated aggregate production function. The questions we examine are whether smoking affects productivity, and if so, by how much. The empirical analysis makes use of data of 14 OECD countries over a period of 23 years, from 1970 to 1992. The results indicate that smoking appears to be a statistically significant factor in explaining productivity, in both level and growth. There is, however, no firm evidence that smoking has an adverse effect on productivity, although results from the output growth model appear to indicate that the effects are mostly negative, especially for countries with high per capita tobacco use.
Malayo-Sumbawan
Authors: Adelaar K. Alexander
Published: December 2005

Using phonological and lexical evidence, this paper seeks to demonstrate that Balinese, Sasak, and Sumbawa (which form an exclusive subgroup) are more closely related to Malay than they are to Javanese. It concludes—especially on the basis of phonological evidence—that the previously posited Malayo-Javanic subgroup should be replaced by a "Malayo-Sumbawan" subgroup that includes Malayic, Chamic, and the Balinese-Sasak-Sumbawa group in one branch, and Sundanese and Madurese in two other branches. Javanese is excluded from this subgroup.
The Role of Phonological Predictability in Sound Change: Privileged Reduction in Oceanic Reduplicated Substrings
Authors: Blevins Juliette
Published: December 2005

Phonetic reduction is more likely when a word is predictable or recoverable independent of acoustic information. Attributing higher rates of phonetic reduction to lexical predictability has implications for subword domains. A range of historical developments in Oceanic support this position. In reduplication, where the content of the reduplicated substring is wholly predictable and recoverable from the base, the reduplicant undergoes leniting sound changes more readily than the base, and more readily than other prosodically comparable domains. Synchronic consequences of these developments challenge models associating reduplication with the emergence of unmarked structures.
Liver and Lungs: A Semantic Dyad in Austronesian Languages
Authors: Blust R. A
Published: December 2005

A number of Austronesian languages reflect PAn *qaCay 'liver' either singly or in combination with a modifying word in the meaning 'lungs'. A smaller set of languages reflects PAn *baRaq 'lungs' in the meaning 'liver'. These terms are paired in the formal dyadic ritual language of Roti, and so raise the question whether the observed semantic crossover might be a historical residue of culturally determined semantic relationships in a similar ritual language that existed by at least Proto—Malayo-Polynesian times. However, because the interchange of meanings in reflexes of *qaCay and *baRaq is unparalleled by other examples of a similar type, this interpretation is rejected, and it is concluded that the crossover linking liver and lungs is a practical consequence of similarities based on shape as seen in the internal organs of butchered animals, particularly pigs.
Word Order in New Guinea: Dispelling a Myth
Authors: Donohue Mark
Published: December 2005

It has been claimed that the appearance of SVO order in a non-Austronesian language of New Guinea and its environs is evidence of contact and influence from Austronesian languages. I suggest that, because SVO is an innovative order in Austronesian languages as well, the influence might well be in the other direction, from a period before the popularization of SOV in New Guinea.
Unraveling the History of the Vowels of Seventeen Northern Vanuatu Languages
Authors: Francois Alexandre
Published: December 2005

Data collected on the 17 languages spoken in the Banks and Torres Islands (northern Vanuatu) reveal strikingly diverse vowel systems, differing both in the quality and the quantity of their phonemes. Except for Mota, which still perpetuates the five vowels of Proto-Oceanic, the languages of this area have historically increased their inventories to as many as 13 and even 16 vowels. The aim of this paper is to track the systematic correspondences between modern languages and their common ancestor, and to reconstruct the processes that led to the present-day phonemic diversity. The phonemicization of new vowels, including diphthongs and long vowels, is shown to result from stress-induced vowel reduction and metaphony. This general process of "vowel hybridization" yielded results that differed from one language to another, and sometimes within the same language. After describing and classifying the various patterns of sound changes attested, this paper shows how a proper understanding of vowel hybridization proves indispensable for the reconstruction of both the lexicon and the historical morphology of these northern Vanuatu languages.
Reference to Motion Events in Six Western Austronesian Languages: Toward a Semantic Typology
Authors: Huang Xuanfan , Tanangkingsing Michael
Published: December 2005

The language of motion events is a system used to specify the motion of objects through space with respect to other objects. Recent research has shown that languages differ in the relative saliency of manner or path they focus on in motion event descriptions. These can be thought of as different strategies dedicated to specifying the spatial relationship between objects in motion and the landmark object. We propose a four-way typology based on the narrative data from six western Austronesian languages. Evidence is presented that each of the languages examined typically has a preferred strategy for describing motion events and that each has a distinct narrative style. These six languages are shown to share the commonality of giving greater attention to path information in motion events. Path salience in the encoding of motion clauses appears to exhibit a strong diachronic stability, suggesting that Proto-Austronesian was probably also a path-salient language.
Iconicity as Evidenced in Saisiyat Linguistic Coding of Causative Events
Authors: Huang Shuping , Su Lily I-Wen
Published: December 2005

Causatives have been subjected to intensive scrutiny by linguists in recent years. Cross-linguistic studies suggest that the formation of causatives reflects the real world perception of cause-result relations, though some studies contradict this finding. The aim of this study is to explore the underlying principles that determine the way an event is encoded linguistically in Saisiyat, a Formosan language. Following Croft's model of idealized single events, we promote the study of causatives to the discourse level. The results show that the iconicity of language is reflected in the ordering of linguistic elements as well as their grammatical integrity.
Syntax of Verbal Nouns in Marquesan
Authors: Krupa Viktor
Published: December 2005

Verbal nominalization is a productive process in Marquesan and in other Polynesian languages. The markers are predominantly suffixal in nature. The transient character of the verbal nominalizations is underscored by their partial compatibility with both nominal and verbal particles. Their frequency of occurrence varies from text to text, as can be seen when the two main types of data used in this study are compared: folkloristic material, and a translation of St. John's gospel. Attention is given to the syntactic functions of verbal nominalizations and to the ways in which their logical subjects are marked.
The Apicolabial Shift in Nese
Authors: Lynch John
Published: December 2005

Nese is one of a dozen or so languages/dialects spoken in the south Santo—north Malakula area of Vanuatu that reflect original simple bilabials before nonround vowels as apicolabials. In some of these languages, the apicolabials subsequently became dentals/alveolars. Nese is unusual, however, in the inconsistency of its reflexes: the most frequent reflex of Proto-Oceanic *b in this environment is indeed the apicolabial stop b, but the most common reflex of *m is alveolar n, while with *p both apicolabial v and labiodental v occur with roughly equal frequency. This paper attempts to explain this variation, and also attempts to explain why *p behaved far less consistently across a range of languages in this area than did *b and *m.
Soluble Donor DNA Concentrations in Recipient Serum Correlate with Pancreas-Kidney Rejection
Authors: Gadi Vijayakrishna K , Nelson J Lee , Boespflug Nicholas D , Guthrie Katherine A , Kuhr Christian S
Published: January 2006

Background: There is no reliable serum marker available to monitor incipient pancreas or islet-cell rejection. We tested the hypothesis that quantification of donor-specific genomic DNA in serum (from tissue damage) can serve as a marker of rejection.

Methods: Using a recently developed panel of HLA-specific quantitative PCR assays (Q-PCR), we tested 158 sera from 42 pancreas-kidney transplant recipients. Temporally related biopsies for 65 sera permitted analysis for correlation of donor DNA concentrations with rejection.

Results: Donor DNA concentrations were higher in sera from recipients who had experienced allograft rejection (n = 31) than from those who had not (n = 34). Median concentrations, expressed as the genome-equivalent (gEq) number of donor cells per 106 host cells, were 2613 and 59 gEq/106, respectively (P = 0.03).

Conclusion: Q-PCR for donor-specific genetic polymorphisms merits further investigation as a noninvasive approach to monitor pancreas-kidney as well as other types of allograft rejection.
Book Reviews
Authors: Brookshaw David , Cannon Jackie , Robinson R.A.H.
Published: January 2006

The Cape Verdean Diaspora in Portugal: Colonial Subjects in a Postcolonial World, Luis Batalha (2004) Lanham MD: Lexington Books, viii+249 pp., ISBN 0-7391-0797-6

Spain: A Modern European Economy, Joseph Harrison and David Corkill (2004) Aldershot: Ashgate,
241 pp., ISBN 0-7546-0145-5 (hbk)

Anarchism, The Republic and Civil War in Spain: 1931–1939, Julián Casanova (2004) London: Routledge, xi + 229 pp., ISBN 0-415-32095-X (hbk)
NASBA: a novel approach to assess hormonal receptors and ERBB2 status in breast cancer
Authors: Lamy Pierre-Jean , Verjat Thibault , Paye Malick , Servanton Anne-Claire , Grenier Jean , Leissner Philippe , Mougin Bruno
Published: December 2005

In human breast cancer, estrogen receptor-α (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor (ERBB2) status are currently determined using different techniques. We propose to assess the mRNA expression of these three clinically relevant markers using a unique technique, real-time nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA). Gene expression of hormone receptors was analyzed and compared to the cytosolic functional protein content as determined with a ligand binding assay (LBA), while
Bivariate statistical approach to evaluate laboratory performance by analysis of standard curves in an External Quality Assurance program for quantitative assays based on real-time PCR with Taq-Man™ probes
Authors: Reina Giuseppe , Orlando Claudio , Rebora Paola , Ambrogi Federico , Casini Raggi Claudia , Verderio Paolo , Marubini Ettore
Published: December 2005

Recently a revolutionary technique for quantitative PCR determination was introduced in diagnostic laboratories. To determine the influence of technical variability on the reliability of the quantitative assay, it is crucial to use External Quality Assurance (EQA) programs. An EQA program was developed in Italy to check the analytical performance of real-time PCR procedures based on Taq-Man™ probes. This article suggests a new statistical approach to discriminate, using a bivariate technique, laboratory performance that appears to be questionable, by separately considering the two main features of the standard curve: analytical sensitivity and efficiency. Furthermore, specific indexes to evaluate the impact of these two features on the determination of the initial number of molecules are given to help to improve the assay procedure.
Plasma levels of tumor M2-pyruvate kinase should not be used as a tumor marker for hematological malignancies and solid tumors
Authors: Staib Peter , Hoffmann Melanie , Schinköthe Timo
Published: December 2005

It has been reported that the dimeric isoform of the enzyme pyruvate kinase M2 was overexpressed in various solid tumor cells. Hence, it was suggested that circulating levels of the so-called tumor M2-pyruvate kinase (Tu M2-PK) could be used as a tumor marker for monitoring systemic therapies of various solid tumors. We analyzed its validity as a tumor marker by comparing plasma levels of Tu M2-PK in patients with different non-malignant diseases to levels in healthy individuals and in patients with hematological diseases. Plasma levels of Tu M2-PK were measured using an ELISA assay in a total of 284 patients. The mean Tu M2-PK concentration of 32 U/mL was significantly higher in the group of patients with hematological malignancies (n=121) (p<0.001). However, 37% of healthy individuals (n=63) and 44% of patients with non-malignant diseases (n=100), especially patients with an acute inflammatory reaction (67%), were found to have elevated levels of Tu M2-PK using a cutoff level of 15U/mL. The specificity was 59% and the sensitivity was 51%. There was no significant correlation between the prevalence of a hematological malignancy and positive Tu M2-PK result. Thus, our data imply that Tu M2-PK is not a useful tumor marker for hematological malignancies and solid tumors, as a significant number of false positive results were detected in healthy individuals and patients with non-malignant diseases.
APO A-V–1131T→C polymorphism frequency and its association with morbidity in a Brazilian elderly population
Authors: Chen Elizabeth S. , Cendoroglo Maysa S. , Ramos Luiz R. , Araujo Lara M.Q. , Carvalheira Gianna M.G. , de Lábio Roger W. , Burbano Rommel R. , Payão Spencer L.M. , Smith Marília de A.C.
Published: December 2005

Identification of genetic polymorphisms as risk factors for complex diseases affecting older people can be relevant for their prevention, diagnosis and management. The –1131T→C polymorphism of the apolipoprotein A-V gene (
Association study between fibronectin and coronary heart disease
Authors: Zhang Ying , Zhou Xin , Krepinsky Joan C. , Wang Chunhong , Segbo Julien , Zheng Fang
Published: December 2005

Fibronectin is a known chemoattractant for several cell types that play a role in the wound healing process, including fibroblasts, endothelial cells and macrophages. It also generates a scaffold that allows attachment of other extracellular matrix components. Large amounts of fibronectin have been detected in atherosclerotic plaques, suggesting that it may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. To examine the possible involvement of fibronectin in the etiology of atherosclerotic coronary heart disease, we analyzed four polymorphisms in the human fibronectin gene and determined the plasma fibronectin levels in patients with coronary heart disease (n=109) and age- and gender-matched controls (n=123) in Chinese Han people. No significant positive association was observed between these polymorphisms and coronary heart disease. The levels of circulating plasma fibronectin, however, were significantly lower in patients with coronary heart disease (mean±SD 245±87mg/L) compared with controls (354±88 mg/L) (p<0.001). The odds ratio (OR) for plasma fibronectin was 0.94 in a multivariate unconditional logistic regression model (OR=0.94, 95% CI 0.91–0.96, p<0.001). We conclude that, in our population, the four fibronectin gene polymorphisms detected are not associated with clinical coronary heart disease. Our data suggest that low circulating fibronectin levels might be a new marker of coronary heart disease.
Serum calcium and phosphorus associate with the occurrence and severity of angiographically documented coronary heart disease, possibly through correlation with atherogenic (apo)lipoproteins
Authors: Rasouli Mehdi , Mohseni Kiasari Asadollah
Published: December 2005

The associations of serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations as well as other cardiovascular risk factors were investigated in relation to the existence and severity of coronary heart disease (CHD) in 260 clinically stable, angiographically defined CHD patients aged 40–70years. The subjects were classified as CHD