bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bunko, the Home and Community Library in Japan: a qualitative study
Authors: Cheunwattana Aree
Published: February 2008

Presents an account of bunko libraries in Japan. Bunko are home libraries or community-based libraries. The bunko movement, developed and managed by Japanese women on a voluntary basis, is aimed towards creating a better reading environment for children and filling the gaps in the provision of public library services. A bunko can be located in a house or any place where quality books can be made conveniently accessible to children. Services offered include free voluntary reading, book loans, storytelling, singing, reciting nursery rhymes, paper folding, and making toys and handicrafts. The bunko plays an important role in cultivating the reading habit in children at an early age in a homely and nurturing environment. Adults who are involved in bunko activities enjoy friendships forged among themselves and derive fulfilment from their participation and contribution. This unique library service is one of the models that are globally applicable for children's library services.
Indicators of the Emerging Information Society in Pakistan
Authors: Shafique Farzana , Mahmood Khalid
Published: February 2008

This paper reviews the transformation of Pakistan's agricultural society into an information society and factors causing this transformation. Key indicators of emerging information society in Pakistan are analyzed with the help of literature search, website visits and personal communication with experts. The analysis reveals that many internal and external factors are causing this transformation such as declining natural resources and rapid growth in population and its needs, international debt and dictation by IMF and World Bank in each and every economic and political move. The picture captured through literature and website review reveals that Pakistan's agricultural society is rapidly transforming into the information society. Key indicators for the emergence of the information society in Pakistan include e-government, IT policy, rapid growth of the IT and telecom sector, increased teledensity, Internet services, e-learning, e-health, e-commerce, etc.
We Knew Them When
Authors: Stone Margaret R. , Barber Bonnie L. , Eccles Jacquelynne S.
Published: February 2008

Discriminant function analysis assessed the predictive relevance of nine characteristics measured in sixth grade for differentiating among social identities claimed 4 years later by 616 participants in the Michigan Study of Life Transitions. For females, the first discriminant function, associated with academic motivation, self-esteem, and appearance, accounted for 47% of between-group variability, and the second (sports competence and social skills) accounted for 36%. For males, the first discriminant function (academic ability and self-concept of appearance, in opposite directions) accounted for 54% of variability, and the second (sports competence) accounted for 30%. Findings suggest that differences among individuals with particular high school social identities predate adolescence and point to differences in the primary predictors of male and female identity categories.
The Prevalence of Mental Disorders in a German Sample of Male Incarcerated Juvenile Offenders
Authors: Köhler Denis , Heinzen Hanna , Hinrichs Günter , Huchzermeier Christian
Published: February 2008

The current study investigated the prevalence of mental disorders among incarcerated juvenile offenders in Germany and sought to identify clinically relevant subgroups. In sum, 149 newly incarcerated male juvenile delinquents ( M age = 19 years) were included. Diagnostic tools included the German version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV and the Psychopathy Checklist—Screening Version. The most prevalent diagnoses in the sample included conduct disorders (81%), Cluster B personality disorders (up to 62%), and substance-related disorders (up to 60%). Moreover, psychopathic features were found among 21% of the participants. Cluster analysis distinguished three subgroups among this group of young offenders. The most problematic consisted of juveniles with multiple psychopathology, including antisocial traits, personality pathology, higher scores on the Psychopathy Checklist, as well as multiple substance abuse. Study outcomes are discussed in light of their implications for the development of effective treatment for juvenile offenders.
Steroid-Responsive Chronic Cerebellitis With Positive Glutamate Receptor δ2 Antibody
Authors: Kubota Masaya , Takahashi Yukitoshi
Published: February 2008

We report the clinical course of a 4-year-old girl with chronic cerebellitis (onset 2 days after diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccination at 1 year and 7 months old) associated with anti-glutamate receptor δ2 antibody, who improved dramatically with steroid therapy (methylprednisolone pulse therapy plus oral prednisolone). Recently, it has been reported that the anti-glutamate receptor δ2 selectively expressed at the post-synaptic site of parallel fiber—Purkinje cell synapses has an important role in cerebellar function in the developing brain. The present case suggests that anti-glutamate receptor δ2 antibody plays a primary role in an immune-mediated process causing chronic cerebellar symptoms, and the lesion site seems to be localized to the parallel fiber—Purkinje cell synapse. Because the cerebellum is strongly involved in language acquisition as well as motor development, treatment must facilitate time for language learning while reducing the side effects of the corticosteroid therapy.
Dosage Effect of a Dominant CLCN1 Mutation: A Novel Syndrome
Authors: Bernard Geneviève , Poulin Chantal , Puymirat Jack , Sternberg Damien , Shevell Michael
Published: February 2008

Multiple mutations in the CLCN1 gene coding for the voltage-gated chloride channel have been documented to cause myotonia congenita. We report a kindred featuring an index patient who possesses 2 copies of a dominantly inherited mutated CLCN1 allele with a resulting novel phenotypic presentation. The index patient is a boy who presented initially for evaluation at the age of 5 years with a 2-year history of gait problems. Both parents and 3 male siblings were entirely well. Examination revealed a striking diffuse muscular hypertrophy, diffuse mild to moderate weakness, Gower sign, percussion, and grip myotonia. Electromyography confirmed myotonia, and molecular analysis revealed 2 copies of the T310M mutation on the CLCN1 gene. Testing of family members revealed a normal neurological examination without clinical myotonia in all and electromyographic evidence of myotonia and a single copy of the T310M mutation in both parents and 2 siblings. Our kindred is the initial demonstration of the dosage effect of a dominant mutated allele in the CLCN1 gene.
A Systematic Review of Neuroimaging for Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Korzeniewski Steven J. , Birbeck Gretchen , DeLano Mark C. , Potchen Michael J. , Paneth Nigel
Published: February 2008

The American Academy of Neurology now recommends that all cases of cerebral palsy of unknown origin undergo neuroimaging. Controversy surrounds this recommendation because of concerns about the adequacy of the supporting evidence. This article reviews the evidence provided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) imaging studies in cerebral palsy and discusses the potential benefits of imaging, techniques in current use, and future directions, with a focus on improving etiologic understanding. Most (83%) children with cerebral palsy have abnormal neuroradiological findings, with white matter damage the most common abnormality. Combined gray and white matter abnormalities are more common among children with hemiplegia; isolated white matter abnormalities are more common with bilateral spasticity or athetosis, and with ataxia; isolated gray matter damage is the least common finding. About 10% of cerebral palsy is attributable to brain malformations, and 17% of cerebral palsy cases have no abnormality detectable by conventional MR or CT imaging. Although neuroimaging studies have increased our understanding of the abnormalities in brain development in cerebral palsy, they are less informative than they might be because of 4 common problems: (1) inappropriate assignment of etiology to morphologic findings, (2) inconsistent descriptions of radiologic findings, (3) uncertain relationship of pathologic findings to brain insult timing estimates, and (4) study designs that are not based on generalizable samples. Neuroimaging is not necessarily required for diagnosis of cerebral palsy because the disorder is based on clinical findings. The principal contribution of imaging is to the understanding of etiology and pathogenesis, including ruling in or out conditions that may have implications for genetic counseling, such as malformations. In the future, as more sophisticated imaging procedures are applied to cerebral palsy, specific morphologic findings may be linked to etiologic events or exposures, thus leading to potential pathways for prevention.
Assessing Our Knowledge of Identity Theft
Authors: White Michael D. , Fisher Christopher
Published: February 2008

Identity theft, defined as the unlawful use of another's identifying information for gain, has quickly become the most prevalent financial crime in the United States. Despite its substantial growth, basic questions about identity theft—such as its prevalence, nature, and consequences; characteristics of offenders and victims; and extent of victims' losses—remain unanswered. This article highlights the primary challenges that hinder our knowledge about identity theft and simultaneously limit the effectiveness of prevention and intervention efforts. These challenges include limitations of current definitions, the fragmented law enforcement response, problems with existing data sources, and the nature of the crime itself—specifically, how it is committed, discovered, and reported. With these fundamental problems as a backdrop, the authors adopt a situational crime prevention framework and offer recommendations for prevention and intervention that center on reducing opportunity through more secure places and enhanced guardianship but also emphasize systematic data collection and research to improve our knowledge base of the crime.
Citizens' Views on Using Alternate Reporting Methods in Policing
Authors: Alarid Leanne F. , Novak Kenneth J.
Published: February 2008

Most people agree that local police should continue to place a high priority on responding to violent and other felony crime. At the same time, departments are increasingly asked to assume more service-related responsibilities within the community, creating a situation of thinly spread resources. Some nonemergency problems might be handled in an alternate way to increase efficiency in the delivery of police services. To measure community perceptions of alternate reporting methods, we mailed a survey to 6,000 urban residents in Kansas City. Most citizens embraced phone reporting, but were less willing to use mail-in reporting and the Internet. Policy implications are discussed.
Race, Ethnicity, and Habitual-Offender Sentencing
Authors: Crow Matthew S. , Johnson Kathrine A.
Published: February 2008

Although sentencing research has expanded over the past decade, very little has been published in the area of habitual-offender statutes. The current research revisits and updates two of the few studies that focused on these sentencing enhancements. Crawford, Chiricos, and Kleck (1998), and later Crawford (2000), examined the application of the habitual-offender sentence enhancement for offenders in Florida in 1992 and 1993. Consistent with the prior research, this study includes individual-level as well as county-level variables and also updates the analysis by examining more recent data, including a measure of ethnicity, and using hierarchical general linear modeling to simultaneously model individual-level data nested within counties. The racial threat perspective serves as the backdrop to explain racial and ethnic disparity in punishment decisions based on contextual as well as individual threat. The findings indicate that racial and ethnic sentence disparity exists when habitual-offender status is invoked in Florida.
Matching the Message to the Medium
Authors: Klofstad Casey A. , Boulianne Shelley , Basson Danna
Published: February 2008

This article reports the results of an experiment that varies whether respondents are informed that they will receive a reminder email if they fail to complete an Internet questionnaire. The findings show that informing respondents about impending reminder emails effectively increases Internet survey response rates. Moreover, this method increases the representativeness of the study without negatively affecting data quality.
Expectations Are Changing for Disaster Relief
Authors: Aeberhard Patrick
Published: February 2008

Health is often the most critical issue during the initial emergency period after a disaster, whereas the next period is typically devoted to reconstruction. There has been a considerable amount of change in the field of disaster relief over the past 30 years. For example, access to victims has now become a right, the coordination between the different actors has become more organized, and principles have been created to guide relief response activities. Also, fund-raising continues to become increasingly more efficient. Still, there are many improvements that need to be made to prevent disasters and to best organize relief action when disaster does occur.
Advocacy Activities in Nonprofit Human Service Organizations
Authors: Schmid Hillel , Bar Michal , Nirel Ronit
Published: February 2008

The article describes political and advocacy activity in nonprofit human service organizations for children, elderly people, women, and people with disabilities. On the whole, the level of their political activity was found to be moderate, as perceived by the directors of the organizations. The main findings reveal a significant positive correlation between advocacy and political activity in nonprofit organizations and their perceived influence on setting the public agenda. Analysis of the findings indicates that the larger the number of volunteers in the organization, the greater the organization's political influence. In addition, it was found that the more dependent the organizations were on funding from local authorities, the lower the level of advocacy and political activity. The effectiveness of strategies used to attain political influence was also analyzed. The most effective strategy was exerting pressure on decision makers, both on the national and local levels.
How a deaf boy gamed his way to second-language acquisition: Tales of intersubjectivity
Authors: Gastão Saliés Tânia , Starosky Priscila
Published: February 2008

Taking an experiential approach to language development, this article links gaming to the language development of a 10-year-old deaf child under speech therapy. Specifically, it examines face-to-face interactions between mediators and the child, during 1 year of gaming in clinical encounters. To do so, it codes data by means of interactional variables (intentionality and subjectivity/intersubjectivity) and textual variables (function versus content words). Results show that gaming yielded affordances in the use of strategic behavior and syntax by the child. They also reveal that repetition is a recurrent communicative strategy that contributes to meaning making, culture learning, and discursive involvement. Furthermore, role reversals by the child and the mediators suggest that gaming played a constitutive part in the development of the boy's subjectivity/intersubjectivity—ultimately, in his development of Portuguese as a second language.
New and Useless
Authors: Driver Michaela
Published: February 2008

The purpose of this article is to advance research on creativity in organizations by developing a psychoanalytic perspective from which creativity may be understood as an imaginary construction of the self. This self aims at producing the new and useful yet fails to do so. The useful is only marginally so, and many of the interactions designed to ensure usefulness result in socially useless activities. The article suggests, however, that from a psychoanalytic perspective, the failure of the imaginary is also useful. It is useful to the creative person as subject of the unconscious providing opportunities for struggles with otherness and alienation. Such struggles allow respondents to experience their creative potential and produce something beyond organizational kitsch. The implications for the theory and practice of organizational creativity are discussed.
Regaining Lost Relevance
Authors: Lorsch Jay W.
Published: February 2008

How has the study of organizations evolved since its inception before and after World War II, and how should its trajectory be changed? These are the central questions the author raises in this article. His basic argument is that the founders of this field of inquiry and their immediate disciples are concerned with building knowledge that was relevant to managers and leaders, in fact, to anyone concerned with improving organizations. However, in the intervening years, in spite of, or maybe because of the growing number of scholars involved, their research has lost its relevance to practice. The author lays out his view of why this has transpired and provides some thoughts of how this probably can be rectified. At the heart of his argument is the fundamental belief that we can have both rigorous and relevant research. One does not have to occur at the expense of the other.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Authors: Keane Carl
Published: February 2008

Organizational scholars, and most social scientists for that matter, have rarely examined the use of the secret in controlling organizational behavior. On one hand, organizational secrets are necessary for the survival of the organization; on the other hand, organizational secrets are often used to hide unethical and illegal behavior. In this essay, the author examines the phenomenon of the secret as part of organizational life, from both a functional and dysfunctional perspective. Specifically, the author illustrates how from a functional point of view, secrets can legally protect organizational vulnerabilities, whereas from a dysfunctional point of view, secrets control organizational members and prevent the communication of knowledge to others. Both processes occur through the construction of social and cognitive boundaries as a form of social control.
The Bali Road Map
Authors: Clémençon Raymond
Published: February 2008

The Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol met in Bali in December 2007.1 After some high-stakes poker about emission reduction frameworks and the role of emerging economies, participants settled on a road map for negotiating a new climate agreement by the end of 2009. The Bali meeting also managed to achieve progress on a number of important issues relating to the Adaptation Fund, avoidance of deforestation through REDD, technology transfer, and CDM. Conference side events show-cased emerging business opportunities in global carbon markets and provided a forum for countries to share experiences with national policies that have been put in place to meet Kyoto Protocol targets. Bali no doubt advanced international climate negotiations one step further, but it also highlighted the great challenges facing negotiators in the coming 20 months.2 This article takes stock of the current status of climate negotiations and discusses key issues likely to shape future talks.
Local Governments' Asymmetric Reactions to Grants
Authors: Lago-Peñas Santiago
Published: February 2008

In this article, a data set corresponding to Spanish municipalities is used to test asymmetries in the effects of increases and decreases in grants on total spending, with political and financial factors included as possible explanations of them. Estimation results strongly support the hypothesis of asymmetry. Recipients compensate part of the loss in grants by increasing other revenues. This fiscal replacement form of asymmetry is explained by two factors: incumbent's ideology and financial capacity of getting into debt. The relationship between deficits and ideology is studied. While increases in deficits because of reductions in grants are statistically significant only in the case of leftist incumbents, there are other causal mechanisms relating ideology and propensity toward deficits. These differences play in opposite directions, and the net result is that the relationship between ideology and deficit size is not statistically significant.
Do Payroll Taxes Matter in Estimating Taxable Income Elasticities?
Authors: Eaton David H.
Published: February 2008

A growing literature examines the responsiveness of taxable income to changes in federal income tax rates. The literature has found evidence of small but consistent taxable income elasticities to changes in federal tax rates. This article extends the analysis to examine the responsiveness of taxable income and labor income measures to changes in payroll tax rates. Using data to exploit the change in payroll taxes from 1979 to 1981, this article finds that taxpayers respond in the same way to changes in payroll taxes and individual income taxes.
Commentary: How Far Is Brazil from Africa?
Authors: Pedreira Rabinovich Elaine
Published: February 2008

The article by Keller, Demuth and Yovsi et al. holds a special interest for Brazilian psychology because of the influence of African culture on Brazilian ways of living and identity. It contributes to knowledge, assuming a clear position alongside the qualitative differences and the dialogical co-existence of the dimensions of autonomy and relatedness implicit in intra-individual and inter-individual variability. At the same time, the authors look for similarities, showing that tradition and novelty co-exist and that their manifestation depends on contextual dynamics. The commentary offers an overview of Brazilian historical ethnical formation to emphasize some political aspects of these contextual dynamics. I also comment on some similarities and differences based on a study with Brazilian afro-descendents. Finally, this commentary presents some questions about physical punishment, education as a value, complexity and linearity, translation and betrayal, the concepts of independence and autonomy.
Commentary: Building a New House out of Old Materials—and with Sharpened Tools
Authors: Bang Jytte
Published: February 2008

I discuss Eugene Matusov's claim that there is a clash between the cultural-historical paradigm and the sociocultural paradigm within Vygotskian academia. I argue that even though the paradigms may look quite opposite, none of them seem to be based on a dialectical (Hegelian) analysis of culture and on the concreteness of cultural change and development. The lack of dialectics in general tends to lead to mechanical socioculturalism and mechanical ideas of development. The example of headscarves used among Muslims girls and women to gain potentials for action illustrates the dynamic nature of cultural change. It is argued that we need to get beyond a point where the notion of culture is based on philosophical elementarism (so strongly criticized by William James). In general, I argue for an indeterminist-dialectical version of cultural-historical change which, hopefully, will vaporize false dichotomies like `if something is contextual, it cannot be universal'. Thus, for the sake of discussion, I am trying to challenge the way Matsuov presents the problem of `clashes between paradigms' in the first place.
Response: Dialogue with Sociohistorical Vygotskian Academia about a Sociocultural Approach
Authors: Matusov Eugene
Published: February 2008

I argue that all four commentators belong to the cultural-historical paradigm that I described and discussed in my original article, based on their opposition to a sociocultural approach, and their focus on developmentalism, the hierarchy of values, and the value of monism, agreement, and oneness. I provide my replies to their charges against a sociocultural approach especially of relativism. Finally, I discuss new problematics of cultural contact with power asymmetry for the cultural-historical paradigm that I have noticed in the commentaries.
Increase in social inequality in health expectancy in Denmark
Authors: Brønnum-Hansen Henrik , Baadsgaard Mikkel
Published: February 2008

Aims: Health expectancy represents the average lifetime in various states of health and differs among social groups. The purpose of the study was to determine trends in social inequality in health expectancy since 1994 between groups with high, medium and low educational levels in Denmark. Methods: The study was based on data from nationwide registers on educational level and mortality during the period 1994—2005 and data on health status derived from the Danish Health Interview Surveys carried out in 1994, 2000 and 2005. Expected lifetime in self-rated good and poor health, lifetime without and with longstanding illness and expected lifetime without and with long-lasting difficulties or restrictions were estimated by Sullivan's method. Results: Between 1994 and 2005, life expectancy at age 30 years increased by 1.9 years for men and 1.5 years for women with a low educational level. For people with a high educational level, the increase was 2.7 years for men and 2.2 years for women. The difference between people with low and high educational level in expected lifetime in self-rated good health increased by 2.0 and 1.3 years for 30-year-old men and women, respectively. The social gap also increased for other indicators. Conclusions: During the past 12 years, social inequality in life expectancy and health expectancy has increased in Denmark, but the proportion of the population with a low educational level has decreased.
Self-rated general health among 40-year-old Danes and its association with all-cause mortality at 10-, 20-, and 29 years' follow-up
Authors: Sternhagen Nielsen Anni Brit , Siersma Volkert , Conradsen Hiort Line , Drivsholm Thomas , Kreiner Svend , Hollnagel Hanne
Published: February 2008

Aims: Self-rated general health (SRH) predicts future mortality. We examined all-cause mortality at 10, 20, and 29 years' follow-up and its association with SRH measured at the age of 40 years in a cohort of 1,198 healthy Danes born in 1936 and who were residents in suburban Copenhagen. Methods: The association between SRH (dichotomized into good versus poor) and all-cause mortality was estimated in standard time-homogenous Cox regression models adjusting for covariates related to mortality, and in time-heterogeneous Cox regression models without covariate adjustment, where time-heterogeneity features as a separate risk assessment for each of the three follow-up periods defined by the follow-up examinations. Results: At the age of 40 years, 153 (14.6%) of 1,045 participants reported poor and 85.4% good SRH. Dead participants totalled 36 at the 10-year, 96 at the 20-year, and 207 at the 29-year follow-up. For poor SRH, mortality hazard ratios (multivariate analysis) were persistently significant, but slowly declining with follow-up time. The time-heterogeneous models explain this feature: increased mortality risk was significant only in the first decade after assessment: 2.30 (95% CI 1.11-4.78) vs. 0.91 (95% CI 0.36-2.31) and 0.73 (95% CI 0.34-1.55). Conclusions: The association between poor SRH and mortality emphasizes the importance of health personnel taking account of people's health rating, particularly when a recent assessment has been made. SRH is related to death, even when controlling for known covariates, but it is not a long-term effect.
Workplace Satisfaction and Thermal Comfort in Air Conditioned Office Buildings: Findings from a Summer Survey and Field Experiments in Iran
Authors: Nasrollahi Nazanin , Knight Ian , Jones Phil
Published: February 2008

This study explores the interaction between perceived and calculated thermal comfort in Iranian office buildings. To achieve this, a questionnaire survey in six office buildings in Tehran (Iran) is conducted in conjunction with physical measurements. The study results reveal that there is a good agreement between perceived thermal sensation and calculated predicted mean vote (PMV) from the measurements for the majority of the offices (four out of six). This finding implies that the calculation of PMV is valid for the Iranian cultural situation in air conditioned and HVAC office buildings. The results also show that more than half of the studied offices are not in good compliance with the comfort levels suggested in ASHRAE Standard 55 and ISO Standard 7730.
The social must be limited
Authors: Wickham Gary
Published: February 2008

Focusing on Foucault's distinction between an older, superseded model — the juridical/sovereignty model — and a newer one — which he refers to by a variety of names, such as disciplinary bio-power, art of government and governmentality — this article seeks, first, to demonstrate that his account of modern positive power is an unsatisfactory explanation of this type of power. It does this by contrasting it with an account that locates modern positive power in a set of early modern limiting mechanisms, mechanisms that actually produced the modern limited domain of the social, the principal object of sociology, initially only as a domain of respite from raging religious violence. On the back of this argument, the article also seeks to show that Foucault's account is politically problematic, in two ways: one, that it is rooted in a tradition of unengaged `critique' and, two, that it is tied, albeit inadvertently, to totalitarianism.
Patterns of injury sustained by car occupants with relation to the direction of impact with motor vehicle trauma — evidence based review
Authors: Hazarika Shariff , Willcox Nadine , Porter Keith
Published: February 2008

Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) have been reported as the leading cause of major trauma and subsequent morbidity and mortality, for people under 20 and those between 20 and 64 years of age. Crash fatalities have significantly reduced in number since the introduction of appropriate seat belt restraints and air bags for drivers and front seat passengers. Other factors which have positively influenced the outcome of MVCs include information from pre-hospital personnel at the crash scene, regarding the vehicle's exterior and interior damage, in addition to the direction of impact. The patterns of injury sustained by car occupants during a collision depend upon the direction of impact. We provide an up to date review of the key literature regarding injury patterns sustained to occupants of light passenger vehicles (passenger cars, vans, utility vehicles and pickup trucks) in correlation with the direction of impact. We strongly believe that this knowledge can allow pre-hospital personnel and clinicians in the emergency department to gain foresight when suspecting and identifying the injuries sustained by car occupants during a motor vehicle collision.
Gamekeepers thumb
Authors: Rhee Shin-Jae , Cobiella Carlos
Published: February 2008

Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury is a common hand injury, with significant morbidity particularly if undiagnosed or treated late. This common sports related injury (e.g. 9.5% of all skiing injuries) has an ever increasing prevalence. Specific imaging investigations may be required as an adjunct to clinical examination to assess the degree of instability and injury to the UCL. These injuries are often misdiagnosed in the emergency department and present late for specialist treatment. Ideally, acute tears (within 2 weeks) are best treated with cast immobilisation or primary repair of the ligament. With chronic instability at the MCP joint due to UCL laxity, dynamic or static ligament reconstruction using free tendon grafts are the best available options. This paper reports the results of a literature review and reports history, treatment and controversies in UCL management.
Meniscal repair and replacement: a review of efficacy
Authors: Gilbert Rob , Ashwood Neil
Published: February 2008

For years partial meniscectomy has been the mainstay of treatment for torn knee menisci. Innovations in surgical techniques have led to the preservation of meniscal tissue. These developments have come in the form of meniscal repair and replacement/transplant. This review aims to assess the success of these techniques.
Multislice computed tomography in blunt abdominal trauma
Authors: Mauritz Walter , Weninger Patrick
Published: February 2008

Blunt abdominal trauma is a frequent finding in patients with multiple trauma, and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Multislice computed tomography (MSCT), allowing for multiplanar reconstructions and three-dimensional images, has become the imaging modality of choice for these patients. MSCT is indicated in all haemodynamically stable patients with suspected blunt abdominal trauma. A `focussed CT' algorithm, as recommended by the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS®) program, may be useful for patients with isolated abdominal trauma who are conscious and cooperative. For unconscious patients with or without multiple trauma `unfocussed' whole-body MSCT algorithms should be used, as these lead to earlier as well as more accurate diagnosis. MSCT allows for rapid diagnosis of abdominal and retroperitoneal injuries and for grading of solid organ injuries. Active haemorrhage may be detected with accuracy similar to angiography. Even bowel, diaphragmatic and bladder injuries, where CT used to miss a significant number of injuries, can be diagnosed with high accuracy by the new generation of MSCT scanners.
Suicide: scientific overview and relevance for trauma care providers
Authors: Crandall Marie
Published: February 2008

The World Health Organization estimates that in the year 2000, approximately one million people died from suicide worldwide. Over the last 45 years, suicide rates have increased by 60%, with a particularly precipitous rise among young people. The underlying psychology of suicide is complex and individual. However, certain themes emerge from studying individuals who have attempted or completed suicides. This paper will provide an overview of suicide and suicidal behaviour as it relates to trauma practitioners, detailing risk factors, biologic and genetic interactions, and opportunities for prevention and treatment.
Interventions for postconcussion syndrome
Authors: Allen Elizabeth A
Published: February 2008

Although Postconcussion syndrome (PCS) only develops in a minority of cases of mild traumatic brain injury, affected individuals can experience significant distress and prove challenging for services. This paper outlines the risk factors for PCS, relevant theoretical models are discussed, and studies of therapeutic interventions reviewed. It is concluded that early intervention is beneficial, but much further research is required in order to determine which aspects of interventions are most effective for chronic PCS.
Endovascular Repair of a Spontaneous Right Common Iliac Artery—Inferior Vena Cava Fistula Due to Infrarenal Aortoiliac Aneurysm
Authors: Se Hwan Kwon  , Joo Hyeong Oh  , Sun Jin Park  , Ho Chul Park
Published: February 2008

Most abdominal aortic aneurysms are asymptomatic, but 1% to 4% of cases present with a life-threatening complication. A spontaneous right common iliac artery—inferior vena cava fistula, a rare condition caused by infrarenal aortoiliac aneurysm, is reported. In this case, the condition was successfully managed with primary endovascular stent-graft treatment.
Cryoperforator Surgery: A New Treatment of Incompetent Perforating Veins
Authors: Klem Taco Marius Adrianus Leonardus , Wittens Cornelis Hendrikus Anna
Published: February 2008

This study was conducted to determine the feasibility of cryoperforator surgery in the treatment of incompetent perforating veins. Fifteen patients with C2-C4 varicose disease (according to the Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology classification) were enrolled in this study. Under local anesthesia, incompetent perforating veins were treated with a duplex-guided cryoprobe. Duplex scans were performed 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. Fifteen patients with 28 incompetent perforating veins were treated with cryoperforator surgery. Distribution of the incompetent perforating veins was as follows: posterior tibial perforator, 12; paratibial perforator, 11; intergemellar perforator, 1; lateral leg perforator, 4 (range = 1-5 incompetent perforating veins per patient). Follow-up showed successful treatment of 12 incompetent perforating veins (43%). This study showed that cryoperforator surgery is feasible for treatment of incompetent perforating veins. Higher success rates could be obtained with our modified diamond-dust coated cryoprobe. Major advantages are the treatment in an outpatient setting and the possibility of treating all incompetent perforating veins, intraluminal or extraluminal.
Extracting Leadership Knowledge from Formative Experiences
Authors: Janson Annick
Published: February 2008

Leadership formative experiences (LFEs) are those experiences that make a high impact on leaders resulting in learning relevant to their leadership. This intervention was designed to capture LFEs through bi-focal lenses of leadership research (explore the process by which leaders build and share knowledge) and development (raise participants' awareness of self and others to shape effective leadership interventions). Senior leaders participating on a leadership development programme recounted LFEs in peer groups to surface their learning. Most LFEs occurred in adulthood (76%) identifying `self-improvement' (40%), `coping with struggle'(33%), `personal relationship/role model' (13%) and `parental/symbolic relationship' (5%) sensemaking categories. Only 8 per cent addressed a `natural process'supporting a `born leader' view and 1 per cent involved identification with a cause. Experiences powered `from within' in pursuit of self-development were more effective in extracting lessons from LFEs than where learning occurred through coping with adversity. The research details LFE impact located in the social construction process embedded in micro-interactions of leaders with those they help develop.
FTIR spectroscopic analysis of sputum: Preliminary findings on a potential novel diagnostic marker for COPD
Authors: Whiteman S.C. , Yang Y. , Jones J.M. , Spiteri M.A.
Published: February 2008

COPD is a common, progressively disabling disease and a major health burden worldwide. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy provides for sensitive analysis of complex biological samples. COPD pathogenesis involves quantitative and qualitative changes in sputum biosynthesis. This first study explores whether FTIR can produce distinct spectral profiles of human sputum, and capture differences between COPD and health. Sputum obtained from 15 COPD patients and 15 healthy volunteers was analysed using FTIR spectroscopy; differences in peak positions, height and configuration were identified and measured. All samples gave reproducible characteristic IR absorption spectra. The most relevant regions identified were the amide and glycogen rich regions, showing crucial spectral differences between health and COPD relating to peak position shifts or intensity alteration. These novel preliminary findings support further exploration of FTIR sputum profiling in a clinical study to determine its potential as a practical method for monitoring COPD.
Augmentation therapy for emphysema due to alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
Authors: Tirado-Conde Gema , Lara Beatriz , Miravitlles Marc
Published: February 2008

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT) is a hereditary recessive autosomal disease caused by mutations in the AAT gene. This disease is characterized by abnormally low AAT concentrations in plasma, which, in its homozygote form, carries a high risk for the development of early pulmonary emphysema and liver damage. Since the end of the 1980s augmentation therapy with AAT from human plasma has been available for specific treatment of emphysema due to AAT deficiency. Intravenous augmentation therapy has been demonstrated to be safe and weekly infusions of AAT have resulted in plasma AAT concentrations above those considered protective for the lungs. However, life-long weekly infusions are not well accepted by patients, therefore pharmacokinetic studies have been performed to try to individualize the therapeutic regimen in order to obtain adequate trough serum AAT levels with prolonged intervals of administration. Therapeutic regimens administered every two weeks appear to be safe and result in adequate trough serum concentrations, but less-frequent administrations result in trough levels below the target. Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency is largely unrecognized and underdiagnosed. The foundation of national and international registries is a valid strategy to increase awareness about the disease and collect information about the natural history of this deficiency. Furthermore, the identification of a large number of patients will allow the development of new clinical trials aimed at finding better treatments for this infrequent condition.
Review: Pulse pressure, arterial stiffness and wave reflections (augmentation index) as cardiovascular risk factors in hypertension
Authors: Safar Michel E.
Published: February 2008

For many years, the cyclic blood pressure (BP) curve was described exclusively from two specific points of this curve, the highest, called systolic blood pressure, and the lowest, called diastolic blood pressure, both dominating the basis of cardiovascular (CV) hypertensive epidemiology. Nowadays, it is largely admitted that the BP curve should be characterized from pulsatile arterial hemodynamics, thus leading to the definition of novel indices in CV epidemiology. The present chapter details these new aspects.
Review: Role of the augmentation index in hypertension
Authors: Shimizu Motohiro , Kario Kazuomi
Published: February 2008

Recent studies have revealed the clinical usefulness of central blood pressure (BP) as an index of risk for cardiovascular disease. The arterial pulse waveform is the sum of the forward pressure wave generated by left ventricular ejection and a backward propagating wave that is subsequently reflected from the peripheral site, and the time point at which these forward and backward propagating waves merge and the amplitude of the reflected (backward) wave affect the level of central BP. The augmentation index (AIx) has been proposed as a measure of the wave reflection, and its clinical usefulness has also been evaluated. In the process, the non-linear relationship between age and AIx, the prognostic value of AIx, and the various effects of antihypertensive drugs on AIx have been shown. However, the clinical usefulness of AIx has not been established, and several questions about its use remain. Future studies will be needed to address these questions, and may contribute to important changes in the management of cardiovascular disease. In this review, we present recent findings on the AIx and discuss the role of this parameter in clinical practice.
Review: Adverse cardiovascular effects of NSAIDs: driven by blood pressure, or edema?
Authors: Aneja Ashish , Farkouh Michael E.
Published: February 2008

The non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsNSAIDs) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors are commonly utilized agents for musculoskeletal conditions. The harmful cardiorenal effects of some nsNSAIDs are well described and thought to be related to inhibition of prostanoid synthesis. Since the non-specific inhibition of both cyclooxygenase enzymes was associated with a higher incidence of gastrointestinal side effects, the selective targeting of the COX-2 enzymes with the COX-2 inhibitors promised and delivered a lower incidence of gastrointestinal side effects. However, the COX-2 inhibitors have not been found to be bereft of cardiorenal side effects. Indeed, some of these agents lead to increased blood pressure, an excessive risk of congestive heart failure and pro-thrombotic effects, especially in high risk populations. These deletrious effects, however, may not be class-specific and possibly related to pharmacokinetics, enzyme specificity and endothelium effects. This article also reviews the body of literature linking the nsNSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors with important adverse cardiorenal effects and their putative mechanisms.
Review: Aspirin and Diabetes Mellitus: revisiting an old player
Authors: Manrique Camila , Lastra Guido , Palmer John , Gardner Michael , Sowers James R.
Published: February 2008

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus confers an excess risk of cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms involved in the development of the disease are an active field of research, and prompt the development of newer and safer therapeutics with implications for cardiovascular disease. Currently there is increasing awareness of the role of platelet dysfunction, low-grade chronic inflammation and thrombogenesis in the pathophysiology of insulin resistance, T2DM, as well as type 1 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. This new evolving knowledge has allowed a better understanding of the role of aspirin, an old medication with proven beneficial effects on patients with established cardiovascular disease. The influence of salicylates on insulin resistance, glucose homeostasis, platelet function and inflammatory pathways, in particular related to the activation of the NF κB pathway, is a promising field of active research, and will help in the management of both diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic-related cardiovascular disease.
Targeting DCIR on human plasmacytoid dendritic cells results in antigen presentation and inhibits IFN-α production
Authors: Meyer-Wentrup Friederike , Benitez-Ribas Daniel , Tacken Paul J. , Punt Cornelis J. A. , Figdor Carl G. , de Vries I. Jolanda M. , Adema Gosse J.
Published: February 2008

C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) fulfill multiple functions within the immune system by recognition of carbohydrate moieties on foreign or (altered) self-structures. CLRs on myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) have been well characterized as pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) combining ligand internalization with complex signaling events. Much less is known about CLR expression and function in human plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), the major type I interferon (IFN) producers. In this study, we demonstrate that, next to the CLR BDCA-2, human pDCs express DC immunoreceptor (DCIR), a CLR with putative immune-inhibitory function, but not dectin-1, mannose receptor, or DC-specific ICAM-3–grabbing nonintegrin. DCIR surface levels are reduced on pDC maturation after TLR9 triggering. Interestingly, DCIR triggering inhibits TLR9-induced IFN-α production while leaving up-regulation of costimulatory molecule expression unaffected. Furthermore, DCIR is readily internalized into pDCs after receptor triggering. We show that DCIR internalization is clathrin-dependent because it can be inhibited by hypertonic shock and dominant-negative dynamin. Importantly, antigens targeted to pDCs via DCIR are presented to T cells. These findings indicate that targeting DCIR on pDCs not only results in efficient antigen presentation but also affects TLR9-induced IFN-α production. Collectively, the data show that targeting of DCIR can modulate human pDC function and may be applied in disease preven-tion and treatment.
RAGs found “not guilty”: cleared by DNA evidence
Authors: Tsai Albert G. , Lieber Michael R.
Published: February 2008

A recent paper from the Alt laboratory shows that recombination activating genes (RAGs) are not responsible for double-strand DNA breaks associated with some chromosomal translocations in pre–T-cell lymphomas.