bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Good and Guilt-Free: The Role of Self-Accountability in Influencing Preferences for Products with Ethical Attributes
Authors: Peloza John , White Katherine , Shang Jingzhi
Published: August 2012

The market share of brands positioned using ethical attributes typically lags behind brands that promote attributes related to product performance. Across four studies, the authors show that situational factors that heighten consumers' self-accountability (i.e., activation of their desire to live up to their self-standards) lead to increased preferences for products promoted through their ethical attributes. They investigate their predictions regarding self-accountability in multiple ways, including examining the moderating roles of awareness of the discrepancy between a person's internal standards and actual behavior, self-accountability priming, and the presence of others in the decision context. Furthermore, they demonstrate that the subtle activation of self-accountability leads to more positive reactions to ethical appeals than explicit guilt appeals. Finally, they show that preference for a product promoted through ethical appeals is driven by the desire to avoid anticipated guilt, beyond the effects of impression management. Taken together, the results suggest that marketers positioning products through ethical attributes should subtly activate consumer self-accountability rather than using more explicit guilt appeals.
Are Same-Sex and Single Adoptive Parents More Likely to Adopt Transracially? A National Analysis of Race, Family Structure, and the Adoption Marketplace
Authors: Raleigh Elizabeth
Published: August 2012

This study contributes to the literature on child adoption by providing an analysis of how conceptions of kinship and constructions of race shape how families are sorted and matched in an adoption marketplace. Drawn from a national sample of adoptive households (n = 63,681), the author analyzes whether there is significant variation in the likelihood of white married, single, divorced, and same-sex couples choosing transracial adoption. Results indicate that “nontraditional” same-sex and single adoptive parents are the most likely to adopt non-white children, even when controlling for additional market variables. Although white adoptive parents, in general, are more likely to transracially adopt Hispanic and Asian children, white single and same-sex adoptive parents are significantly more likely to adopt black children. The author's findings underscore the importance of considering how market forces shape even the most intimate aspects of family building decisions.
Using Normative Theory to Explain the Effect of Religion and Education on Volunteering
Authors: Son Joonmo , Wilson John
Published: August 2012

Many studies have found that volunteers tend to be more religious and better educated, but it is not clear why. One explanation is that churches and schools instill a sense of obligation in people to help others and this obligation is fulfilled by doing volunteer work. In this study data from National Survey of Midlife in the United States are used to examine the influence of education and having been raised in a religious home on adults' sense of obligation and subsequent volunteering. Religious background has no direct effect on sense of obligation. However, it exerts an influence on obligation through private (but not public) adult religiosity. Education has both direct and indirect effects (through obligations) on adult volunteering. The results underline the fact that social norms should not be ignored in explanations of volunteerism.
Who's to Blame? The Identity Talk of Welfare-To-Work Program Managers
Authors: Seale Elizabeth , Buck Alison , Parrotta Kylie
Published: August 2012

U.S. welfare policy and devolution involve contradictions in implementing financial assistance as welfare workers must attempt to place clients with severe barriers in formal employment while meeting restrictive requirements. In interviews with North Carolina welfare-to-work program managers, the authors find that they engage in identity talk to construct images of themselves as effective workers despite these contradictions, using the symbolic identities of the “middle-class achiever” and the “thwarted advocate.” Location in rural counties with fewer resources leads to more polarizing strategies. The authors propose that service providers who face conflicting information and excessive frustration tend toward extremes, such as blaming clients or policymakers for program failures. This analysis contributes to the social psychological literature on inequality by demonstrating that reconciling contradictions as a service provider often entails certain strategic characterizations of clientele, both positive and negative.
Real, but Not Too Real: A Hierarchy of Reality for Recreational Middle-Class Boxers
Authors: Satterlund Travis D.
Published: August 2012

This article looks at how the (mostly) white, middle-class recreational boxers at KO Gym constructed an authentic boxing experience from which they could derive identity rewards from accomplishing a type of masculinity without stigma or injury. Gender, as we will see, was a central part of the story. Furthermore, social class complicated matters considerably, creating dilemmas for the white, middle-class male recreational boxers who sought risk—albeit a “pseudo-risk”—but were concerned about signifying hypermasculinity. It was thus vital for them to manage their conduct to express a certain situated kind of masculinity. In essence, class means there is a different style of self-presentation when men and women attempt to do gender.
Effects of Systematic Screening and Detection of Child Abuse in Emergency Departments
Authors: Louwers Eveline C.F.M. , Korfage Ida J. , Affourtit Marjo J. , Scheewe Dop J.H. , van de Merwe Marjolijn H. , Vooijs-Moulaert Anne-Françoise S.R. , van den Elzen Annette P.M. , Jongejan Mieke H.T.M. , Ruige Madelon , Manaï Badies H.A.N. , Looman Caspar W.N. , Bosschaart Adriaan N. , Teeuw Arianne H. , Moll Henriëtte A. , de Koning Harry J.
Published: August 2012

OBJECTIVE:

Although systematic screening for child abuse of children presenting at emergency departments might increase the detection rate, studies to support this are scarce. This study investigates whether introducing screening, and training of emergency department nurses, increases the detection rate of child abuse.

METHODS:

In an intervention cohort study, children aged 0 to 18 years visiting the emergency departments of 7 hospitals between February 2008 and December 2009 were enrolled. We developed a screening checklist for child abuse (the “Escape Form”) and training sessions for nurses; these were implemented by using an interrupted time-series design. Cases of suspected child abuse were determined by an expert panel using predefined criteria. The effect of the interventions on the screening rate for child abuse was calculated by interrupted time-series analyses and by the odds ratios for detection of child abuse in screened children.

RESULTS:

A total of 104 028 children aged 18 years or younger were included. The screening rate increased from 20% in February 2008 to 67% in December 2009. Significant trend changes were observed after training the nurses and after the legal requirement of screening by the Dutch Health Care Inspectorate in 2009. The detection rate in children screened for child abuse was 5 times higher than that in children not screened (0.5% vs 0.1%, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

These results indicate that systematic screening for child abuse in emergency departments is effective in increasing the detection of suspected child abuse. Both a legal requirement and staff training are recommended to significantly increase the extent of screening.
Risk Adjustment for Neonatal Surgery: A Method for Comparison of In-Hospital Mortality
Authors: Lillehei Craig W. , Gauvreau Kimberlee , Jenkins Kathy J.
Published: August 2012

OBJECTIVE:

To develop a risk-adjustment method for evaluation of in-hospital mortality after noncardiac neonatal surgery regardless of gestational age.

METHODS:

Infants ≤30 days old undergoing noncardiac surgical procedures were identified by using the Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID) 2000 + 2003. Neonates were included regardless of gestational age. International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes were used to assign procedures to 1 of 4 previously derived risk categories. Prematurity and other clinical variables were assessed in logistic regression analysis. The final multivariable model was validated in 3 independent data sets: KID 2006, Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) 2001–2003, and PHIS 2006–2008. The model was applied to generate standardized mortality ratios for institutions within PHIS 2006–2008.

RESULTS:

Among 18 437 eligible cases in KID 2000 + 2003, 15 278 (83%) had 1 of 66 procedure codes assigned to a risk category and were eligible for analysis. In-hospital mortality for premature infants was 10.5% compared with 2.0% for full-term neonates. In addition to risk category, the clinical variables improving prediction of in-hospital death were prematurity, serious respiratory conditions, necrotizing enterocolitis, neonatal sepsis, and congenital heart disease. Area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve for the final model was 0.90. The model also showed excellent discrimination in the 3 validation data sets (0.90, 0.89, and 0.89). Within 41 institutions in PHIS, standardized mortality ratios ranged from 0.37 to 1.91.

CONCLUSIONS:

This validated method provides a tool for risk adjustment of neonates undergoing noncardiac surgery to allow comparative analyses of in-hospital mortality.
The Role of Herd Immunity in Parents’ Decision to Vaccinate Children: A Systematic Review
Authors: Quadri-Sheriff Maheen , Hendrix Kristin S. , Downs Stephen M. , Sturm Lynne A. , Zimet Gregory D. , Finnell S. Maria E.
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Herd immunity is an important benefit of childhood immunization, but it is unknown if the concept of benefit to others influences parents’ decisions to immunize their children. Our objective was to determine if the concept of “benefit to others” has been found in the literature to influence parents’ motivation for childhood immunization.

METHODS:

We systematically searched Medline through October 2010 for articles on parental/guardian decision-making regarding child immunization. Studies were included if they presented original work, elicited responses from parents/guardians of children <18 years old, and addressed vaccinating children for the benefit of others.

RESULTS:

The search yielded 5876 titles; 91 articles were identified for full review. Twenty-nine studies met inclusion criteria. Seventeen studies identified benefit to others as 1 among several motivating factors for immunization by using interviews or focus groups. Nine studies included the concept of benefit to others in surveys but did not rank its relative importance. In 3 studies, the importance of benefit to others was ranked relative to other motivating factors. One to six percent of parents ranked benefit to others as their primary reason to vaccinate their children, and 37% of parents ranked benefit to others as their second most important factor in decision-making.

CONCLUSIONS:

There appears to be some parental willingness to immunize children for the benefit of others, but its relative importance as a motivator is largely unknown. Further work is needed to explore this concept as a possible motivational tool for increasing childhood immunization uptake.
Diagnosis and Management of Childhood Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Authors: Marcus Carole L. , Brooks Lee Jay , Draper Kari A. , Gozal David , Halbower Ann Carol , Jones Jacqueline , Schechter Michael S. , Sheldon Stephen Howard , Spruyt Karen , Ward Sally Davidson , Lehmann Christopher , Shiffman Richard N.
Published: August 2012

OBJECTIVES:

This revised clinical practice guideline, intended for use by primary care clinicians, provides recommendations for the diagnosis and management of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children and adolescents. This practice guideline focuses on uncomplicated childhood OSAS, that is, OSAS associated with adenotonsillar hypertrophy and/or obesity in an otherwise healthy child who is being treated in the primary care setting.

METHODS:

Of 3166 articles from 1999–2010, 350 provided relevant data. Most articles were level II–IV. The resulting evidence report was used to formulate recommendations.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:

The following recommendations are made. (1) All children/adolescents should be screened for snoring. (2) Polysomnography should be performed in children/adolescents with snoring and symptoms/signs of OSAS; if polysomnography is not available, then alternative diagnostic tests or referral to a specialist for more extensive evaluation may be considered. (3) Adenotonsillectomy is recommended as the first-line treatment of patients with adenotonsillar hypertrophy. (4) High-risk patients should be monitored as inpatients postoperatively. (5) Patients should be reevaluated postoperatively to determine whether further treatment is required. Objective testing should be performed in patients who are high risk or have persistent symptoms/signs of OSAS after therapy. (6) Continuous positive airway pressure is recommended as treatment if adenotonsillectomy is not performed or if OSAS persists postoperatively. (7) Weight loss is recommended in addition to other therapy in patients who are overweight or obese. (8) Intranasal corticosteroids are an option for children with mild OSAS in whom adenotonsillectomy is contraindicated or for mild postoperative OSAS.
Vivências maternas associadas ao aleitamento materno exclusivo mais duradouro: um estudo etnográfico
Authors: Polido Carolina Guizardi , Mello Débora Falleiros de , Parada Cristina Maria Garcia de Lima , Carvalhaes Maria Antonieta Barros Leite , Tonete Vera Lúcia Pamplona
Published: August 2012

OBJETIVO: Descrever as experiências da amamentação de mães usuárias do Sistema Único de Saúde buscando, tanto aprender conhecimentos, expectativas, concepções e sentimentos envolvidos como identificar aspectos relevantes para o aleitamento materno exclusivo mais prolongado. MÉTODOS: Estudo qualitativo de cunho etnográfico realizado com oito primíparas e familiares de referência, mediante observação e entrevistas domiciliares durante o 1º semestre de vida dos bebês. Os dados foram sistematizados em três categorias: Iniciando a amamentação; Vivenciando o processo de desmame precoce; Mantendo o aleitamento materno exclusivo. RESULTADOS: A amamentação apresentou-se como evento particular nos diferentes contextos de sua ocorrência, porém foi possível identificar que o aleitamento exclusivo esteve ligado à determinação materna, a despeito das dificuldades vividas. O aleitamento materno exclusivo mais duradouro relacionou-se às mães que se mostraram motivadas com a prática, cientes de seus benefícios e apoiadas pela família, mesmo diante de interferência contrária de seu meio cultural. CONCLUSÃO: A ausência de determinação materna em amamentar exclusivamente deve ser investigada e, quando presente, receber abordagem especial pelos profissionais de saúde.
Clinical Features of Schwannomatosis: A Retrospective Analysis of 87 Patients
Authors: Merker Vanessa L. , Esparza Sonia , Smith Miriam J. , Stemmer-Rachamimov Anat , Plotkin Scott R.
Published: August 2012

Background.

Schwannomatosis is a recently recognized form of neurofibromatosis characterized by multiple noncutaneous schwannomas, a histologically benign nerve sheath tumor. As more cases are identified, the reported phenotype continues to expand and evolve. We describe the spectrum of clinical findings in a cohort of patients meeting established criteria for schwannomatosis.

Methods.

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients seen at our institution from 1995–2011 who fulfilled either research or clinical criteria for schwannomatosis. Clinical, radiographic, and pathologic data were extracted with attention to age at onset, location of tumors, ophthalmologic evaluation, family history, and other stigmata of neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) or NF2.

Results.

Eighty-seven patients met the criteria for the study. The most common presentation was pain unassociated with a mass (46%). Seventy-seven of 87 (89%) patients had peripheral schwannomas, 49 of 66 (74%) had spinal schwannomas, seven of 77 (9%) had nonvestibular intracranial schwannomas, and four of 77 (5%) had intracranial meningiomas. Three patients were initially diagnosed with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor; however, following pathologic review, the diagnoses were revised in all three cases. Chronic pain was the most common symptom (68%) and usually persisted despite aggressive surgical and medical management. Other common diagnoses included headaches, depression, and anxiety.

Conclusions.

Peripheral and spinal schwannomas are common in schwannomatosis patients. Severe pain is difficult to treat in these patients and often associated with anxiety and depression. These findings support a proactive surveillance plan to identify tumors by magnetic resonance imaging scan in order to optimize surgical treatment and to treat associated pain, anxiety, and depression.
Enhancement of nitrate removal in synthetic groundwater using wheat rice stone
Authors: Hong Siqi , Zhang Jianmei , Feng Chuanping , Zhang Baogang , Ma Puxi
Published: August 2012

To enhance the efficiency of nitrate removal from synthetic groundwater, wheat rice stone (WRS) and granular activated carbon (GAC) were employed as biofilm carriers for denitrification under different HRT (hydraulic retention time) and C/N ratios. Four different ratios of GAC to WRS (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0) were investigated to determine the most appropriate ratio of GAC and WRS. The NO3−-N, NO2−-N, COD levels and pH of the effluent were also investigated under various HRT and C/N ratios. The results showed that the column at a GAC/WRS ratio of 1.0 performed best under a C/N ratio of 0.9 and an HRT of 8 h, with 99% nitrate being removed. In addition, little nitrite accumulation and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were observed in effluent under these conditions. These results demonstrated that, with no addition of phosphor in the influent, the nitrate removal efficiency can be enhanced by WRS because WRS can leach trace elements and phosphor to promote the growth of bacteria.
Development of a horizontal subsurface flow modular constructed wetland for urban runoff treatment
Authors: Choi J. Y. , Maniquiz M. C. , Geronimo F. K. , Lee S. Y. , Lee B. S. , Kim L. H.
Published: August 2012

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are well recognized as having low construction and maintenance cost and low energy requirement. However, CW design has been mainly based on rule-of-thumb approaches. In this study, the efficiency of a modular horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) CW using four different design schemes was investigated. Based on the results, the four systems have attained more than 90% removal of total suspended solids and more than 50% removal efficiency for total phosphorus, PO4-P and Zn. The planted system achieved higher pollutant removal rates than the unplanted system. In terms of media, bottom ash was more effective than woodchip in reducing the pollutants. Considering the flow length, optimum removal efficiency was achieved after passing the sedimentation tank and vertical media layer; with respect to depth, more pollutants were removed in the upper sand layer than in the lower gravel layer. This study recommended a surface area of 0.25 to 0.8% of catchment area for planted CW and 0.26 to 0.9% for unplanted CW using the 7.5 to 10 mm design rainfall.
Measurement and mathematical modelling of nutrient level and water quality parameters
Authors: Alasl M. Kashefi , Khosravi M. , Hosseini M. , Pazuki G. R. , Nezakati Esmail Zadeh R.
Published: August 2012

Physico-chemical water quality parameters and nutrient levels such as water temperature, turbidity, saturated oxygen, dissolved oxygen, pH, chlorophyll-a, salinity, conductivity, total nitrogen and total phosphorus, were measured from April to September 2011 in the Karaj dam area, Iran. Total nitrogen in water was modelled using an artificial neural network system. In the proposed system, water temperature, depth, saturated oxygen, dissolved oxygen, pH, chlorophyll-a, salinity, turbidity and conductivity were considered as input data, and the total nitrogen in water was considered as output. The weights and biases for various systems were obtained by the quick propagation, batch back propagation, incremental back propagation, genetic and Levenberg–Marquardt algorithms. The proposed system uses 144 experimental data points; 70% of the experimental data are randomly selected for training the network and 30% of the data are used for testing. The best network topology was obtained as (9-5-1) using the quick propagation method with tangent transform function. The average absolute deviation percentages (AAD%) are 2.329 and 2.301 for training and testing processes, respectively. It is emphasized that the results of the artificial neural network (ANN) model are compatible with the experimental data.
Water quality in a surface-flow constructed treatment wetland polishing tertiary effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant
Authors: Beutel Marc W.
Published: August 2012

Constructed treatment wetlands (CTWs) are unique ecotechnologies that can sustainably treat a range of wastewaters. This study focused on a 0.23 ha vegetated surface-flow CTW polishing nitrate-rich (3–6 mg-N/L) tertiary effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. Water quality was monitored longitudinally in the fall of 2009 and 2010. The CTW cooled water by from around 20 °C to <15 °C in both years. Longitudinal temperature profiles were successfully modeled using an energy balance approach (2009 R2 = 0.69; 2010 R2 = 0.92). The magnitude of key model fitting parameters, including albedo (0.1–0.2) and convective transfer coefficient (0.1–0.9 MJ/m2 d °C), were within ranges reported in the literature. In both years, dissolved oxygen decreased through the wetland from 6–7 mg/L to 3–4 mg/L, yielding an oxygen mass consumption rate of 0.08–0.09 g/m2 d. Longitudinal nitrate profiles were well represented by the P-k-C* model (2009 R2 = 0.88; 2010 R2 = 0.92). First order removal rates were 20.2 m/yr in 2009 and 29.0 m/yr in 2010 at a P value of 6.0. Levels of ammonia and total phosphorus increased negligibly through the wetland, remaining below 0.25 mg/L. This study shows that vegetated surface-flow CTWs are well suited to cool and polish low-BOD nitrate-dominated tertiary effluents with little degradation of other water quality parameters of concern, including phosphorus and ammonia.
Interactions of inorganic oxide nanoparticles with sewage biosolids
Authors: Rottman Jeff , Shadman Farhang , Sierra-Alvarez Reyes
Published: August 2012

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in manufacturing continues to increase despite the growing concern over their potential environmental and health effects. Understanding the interaction of NPs and sewage sludge is crucial for determining the ultimate fate of NPs released to municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as those interactions will determine whether the bulk of the material is retained in the sludge or released in the effluent stream. Analyzing the affinity of aluminum oxide, cerium oxide, and silicon oxide NPs, which are commonly used in semiconductor manufacturing processes, for biosolids used in municipal WWTPs provides a basis for estimating their removal efficiency. Batch studies were performed and the NPs were shown to partition onto the cellular surface. At the maximum equilibrium values tested (75–92 mg nanoparticles/L), the concentration of Al2O3, CeO2 and SiO2 associated with the sludge was 137, 238, and 28 mg/g-sludge VSS, respectively. These results suggest that electrostatic interactions play a major role in determining NP association with biosolids.
Removal of trace organic chemical contaminants by a membrane bioreactor
Authors: Trinh T. , van den Akker B. , Stuetz R. M. , Coleman H. M. , Le-Clech P. , Khan S. J.
Published: August 2012

Emerging wastewater treatment processes such as membrane bioreactors (MBRs) have attracted a significant amount of interest internationally due to their ability to produce high quality effluent suitable for water recycling. It is therefore important that their efficiency in removing hazardous trace organic contaminants be assessed. Accordingly, this study investigated the removal of trace organic chemical contaminants through a full-scale, package MBR in New South Wales, Australia. This study was unique in the context of MBR research because it characterised the removal of 48 trace organic chemical contaminants, which included steroidal hormones, xenoestrogens, pesticides, caffeine, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). Results showed that the removal of most trace organic chemical contaminants through the MBR was high (above 90%). However, amitriptyline, carbamazepine, diazepam, diclofenac, fluoxetine, gemfibrozil, omeprazole, sulphamethoxazole and trimethoprim were only partially removed through the MBR with the removal efficiencies of 24–68%. These are potential indicators for assessing MBR performance as these chemicals are usually sensitive to changes in the treatment systems. The trace organic chemical contaminants detected in the MBR permeate were 1 to 6 orders of magnitude lower than guideline values reported in the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling. The outcomes of this study enhanced our understanding of the levels and removal of trace organic contaminants by MBRs.
Removal of volatile organic compounds by heterogeneous ozonation on microporous synthetic alumina silicate
Authors: Brodu Nicolas , Zaitan Hicham , Manero Marie-Hélène , Pic Jean-Stéphane
Published: August 2012

A hybrid process combining adsorption and ozonation was examined as an alternative treatment for odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) was chosen to study the influence of operating parameters. Two synthetic aluminosilicates (faujasite-Y and ZSM-5) were tested for adsorption and reactivity with ozone. The adsorption equilibrium measurement on both adsorbents showed that adsorption performance depends on temperature but is not sensitive to relative humidity, due to the hydrophobic properties of the materials. Adsorbed VOCs were oxidized at low temperature when ozonated flow was sent to the reactor. Regeneration of the fixed bed was achieved at the same time, releasing mainly CO2 and H2O. Intermediates of oxidation, such as 2,3-butanedione and acetic acid, were identified, leading to incomplete mineralization. The influence of concentration and humidity are discussed. Four successive cycles were tested: after the first adsorption/ozonation cycle, the adsorption efficiency was not affected during subsequent cycles. These results show that the same sample of adsorbent can be used in the treatment process for a long time. Ozonation regeneration is a promising process for VOC removal.
Recent advances in structure and reactivity of dissolved organic matter: radiation chemistry of non-isolated natural organic matter and selected model compounds
Authors: Ayatollahi Shakiba , Kalnina Daina , Song Weihua , Cottrell Barbara A. , Gonsior Michael , Cooper William J.
Published: August 2012

The importance of natural organic matter (NOM) as a source of carbon in natural waters, as the source of reactive oxygen species, or for the complications its presence causes in treatment of natural waters, is undeniable. Recent studies have also pointed to the major photochemical role of triplet excited state of natural organic matter in the environmental fate of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) in waters. However, the characterization of NOM is problematic due to its complex molecular structure. One approach to better understand NOM chemistry is the use of model compounds. As the condensation of a plant's phenolic compounds leads to humification and the formation of NOM, a structurally broad group of nine phenolic compounds were selected as model compounds for this study. With methods used in the discipline of radiation chemistry, the oxidative chemistry and transient spectra of these phenols were studied. In addition, the oxidative chemistry and transient spectra of a sample of NOM from the Black River, North Carolina, USA, was characterized. This natural water sample was used as received and represents the first studies of non-isolated NOM by pulsed radiolysis. The results of the transient spectra of the NOM revealed that the radical intermediates were very long lived. This phenomenon was not captured using the nine model compounds suggesting that more complex compounds are needed to further our understanding of the oxidation chemistry of NOM.
Selective separation of Cr(III) and Fe(III) from liquid effluents using a chelating resin
Authors: Fernandes Sandra , Romão Inês S. , Abreu Carlos M. R. , Quina Margarida J. , Gando-Ferreira Licínio M.
Published: August 2012

This study aimed to assess the selective separation of Cr(III) from Fe(III) from liquid solutions by using a chelating ion exchange resin, Diaion CR 11, from Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, in the H+ form. Equilibrium experiments with synthetic solutions of iron and chromium were carried out in batch mode. For both metals favorable adsorption isotherms were obtained, and the experimental data were well described by the Langmuir model. However, the resin exhibited higher affinity for iron than for chromium. The regeneration experiments revealed that, for both metals, HCl provided higher removal efficiencies than H2SO4 and HNO3. Moreover, precipitation with NaOH allows selectively separate chromium and iron to be stripped from the resin. Experiments in fixed bed operation were carried out to assess the dynamic behavior of the sorption of Cr(III) and Fe(III) into the tested resin by using synthetic and industrial solutions. The experiments with industrial effluent showed that the resin can remove low levels of contaminant transition metal ions, and thus the effluent can be purified for reuse of chromium during periods of 20–25 min. The resin regeneration was achieved with a sequential treatment with HCl and NaOH/H2O2. High efficiencies were observed for both monocomponent and multicomponent systems. A global strategy for separating and recovering Cr(III) from an effluent that also contains Fe(III) is presented, involving the integration of ion exchange (saturation and regeneration phases) and precipitation processes. In conclusion, our approach demonstrates that efficient separation of chromium and iron is possible if ion exchange operation in a fixed bed configuration is optimized and combined with conventional processes such as precipitation.
Participatory and decentralized water resources management: challenges and perspectives for the North Paraíba River Basin committee – Brazil
Authors: Ribeiro M. A. F. M. , Vieira Z. M. C. L. , Ribeiro M. M. R.
Published: August 2012

The Brazilian Water Resources Policy (Law 9433/1997) establishes participatory and decentralized management, involving civil society, water users and governmental bodies, with the basin committees as the basis of this process. Fifteen years after its implementation, it is possible to perceive accomplishments, but, at the same time, there are some difficulties in regards to the operation of the basin committees in the country. Considering the North Paraíba River Basin – which is completely included in the State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil, and presents great social and economic importance for the state – this article analyzes the process of formation, installation and functioning of its Basin Committee (CBH-PB), focusing on its composition, the reasons for the mobilization and demobilization of its members, the intra-relations between segments, and the inter-relations between the CBH-PB and other entities of the State Water Management System (the Water Executive Agency and the State Water Resources Council). The level of decentralization and the quality of participatory management (as it is being performed at the CBH-PB) are discussed and guidelines are suggested in order to allow greater effectiveness to the committee.
Does chlorhexidine in different formulations interfere with the force of orthodontic elastics?
Authors: Pithon Matheus Melo , Santana Dandara Andrade , Sousa Kássio Henrique , Farias Isa Mara Andrade Oliveira
Published: August 2012

Objective:

To evaluate the effects of different concentrations of chlorhexidine on the decline in force of orthodontic elastics.

Materials and Methods:

In a laboratory study, five groups of samples were tested, with one control group represented by distilled water (group 1) and four experimental groups: 0.12% manipulated chlorhexidine (group 2), 0.2% manipulated chlorhexidine (group 3), 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate–based oral solution (0.12% Periogard; group 4), and 0.2% Cleanform mouthwash (formula and action; group 5). The test groups were submersed in artificial saliva at 37°C. Templates were used and submerged in the chlorhexidine solutions for 30 seconds twice a day. Force was measured with a digital dynamometer at six different time intervals: 0, 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days.

Results:

No statistical differences were found among the groups in the initial period, at 24 hours, and at 7 days (P > .05). There were statistical differences between groups 2 and 5 at 14 days of the experiment and between group 1 and the others at 28 days. In the initial period, the force was statistically higher than it was at any of the other periods of the experiment (P < .05).

Conclusion:

In the present study, chlorhexidine showed no significant influence on the force degradation of the chain elastics tested.
The Item-Number Distortion Effect in Rank Order Testing: An Example Using the Clifton Strengthsfinder Inventory
Authors: Chara Paul J. , Eppright William J.
Published: August 2012

A possible distortion effect in tests that use (a) forced-choice ipsative scaling and (b) different numbers of items to determine categorical representation was investigated. It was proposed that the greater the number of items used to determine representation in a category, the lower the likelihood that category will be selected. The Clifton StrengthsFinder questionnaire, in which responses to 177 items are used to determine which of 34 talent themes are respondents' top five “Signature Themes,” was examined to ascertain whether or not the aforementioned distortion effect affected test results. Analysis of 1,198,645 completions of the questionnaire provided confirmatory evidence for the distortion effect. These findings call into question the trustworthiness of the Clifton StrengthsFinder questionnaire and any test that uses a similar design format.
Freudenfreude and Schadenfreude Test (FAST) Scores of Depressed and Non-Depressed Undergraduates
Authors: Chambliss Catherine , Cattai Ashley , Benton Peter , Elghawy Ahmed , Fan Madde , Thompson Kayleigh , Scavicchio Daniel , Tanenbaum Joshua
Published: August 2012

The Freudenfreude and Schadenfreude Test (FAST) had moderate test-retest reliability in an undergraduate sample. Freudenfreude scores were lower and Schadenfreude scores were higher among mildly depressed than non-depressed students. Distinctive reactions to personal success and failure were associated with depression. Responses to others' success and failure may also be related to depression.
The Irrational Beliefs Inventory: Psychometric Properties and Cross-Cultural Validation of its Arabic Version
Authors: AL-Heeti Khalaf N. M. , Hamid Abdalla A.R.M. , Alghorani Mohammad A.
Published: August 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the adapted Irrational Beliefs Inventory (IBI–34) and thus begin the process of assessing its adequacy for use in an Arab culture. The scale was translated and then administered to two samples of undergraduate students from the United Arab Emirates University. Data from 384 students were used in the main analysis, and data from 251 students were used for cross-validation. Principal components analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation followed by PCA with oblimin rotation yielded the same five components in both the main sample and the validation sample, thus consistent with the original Dutch study. Only 34 of the original 50 items were adequate to represent the five constructs. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the overall scale was .76 and for the subscales ranged between .71 and .76, except for the Rigidity subscale, which was .54. The adapted IBI–34 correlated significantly and negatively with the General Health Questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory, providing support for concurrent validity. Due to the non-significant differences between male and female participants on the total score of the IBI–34, the scale can be used for both sexes by summing across all items to give a total score that can be used as a general indicator of the irrational thinking.
Reliability and Validity of the Parent form of the Social Competence Scale in Chinese Preschoolers
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Ke Xue , Wang Xiaoyan
Published: August 2012

The Parent Form of the Social Competence Scale (SCS–PF) was translated into Chinese and validated in a sample of Chinese preschool children ( N = 443). Results confirmed a single dimension and high internal consistency in the SCS–PF. Mothers' ratings on the SCS–PF correlated moderately with teachers' ratings on the Teacher Form of the Social Competence Scale and weakly with teachers' ratings on the Student–Teacher Relationship Scale.
Validation of the Japanese Version of the Power of Food Scale in a Young Adult Population
Authors: Yoshikawa Takahiro , Orita Keisuke , Watanabe Yasuyoshi , Tanaka Masaaki
Published: August 2012

To validate a Japanese version of Power of Food Scale (PFS–J), and to describe characteristics in appetitive motives among current Japanese young adults, the original English PFS was translated into Japanese and translated back into English, to confirm conceptual and linguistic equivalence, and administered to university students. Test-retest reliability of the PFS–J was evaluated in additional experiments. The PFS–J demonstrated good internal consistency and stability over time. Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that the PFS–J has acceptable factor structure. Criterion validity was suggested, in that the relationship between the original PFS and Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire Revised–21 was similar to that between the Japanese versions of the scales. While no association was observed between the scores of PFS–J and Body Mass Index, the scores were higher in women than in men. Characteristics of the appetitive motives in Japan might be different from those in western countries.
Development and Psychometric Properties of the Scale for Self-Consciousness Assessment
Authors: Mylonas Kostas , Veligekas Panayiotis , Gari Aikaterini , Kontaxopoulou Dionysia
Published: August 2012

This scale development employed Duval and Wicklund's (1972), Carver's (1979), and Zaborowski's (1987) theories on self-consciousness. The aim of the study was to create a new method to assess the self-consciousness construct, in an effort to operationally express self-consciousness, while circumventing existing metric and other impediments. Initially, 38 pilot interviews were conducted with undergraduate psychology students, and two studies followed, one on 494 participants and one on 248 participants. Exploratory factor analysis models, equivalence testing, followed by a third confirmatory factor analysis study on a separate sample of 216 participants, resulted in a final 24-item scale. A four-factor structure of two public and two private self-consciousness dimensions emerged. The Scale for Self-Consciousness Assessment (SSCA) can be of use in various areas of psychological research, possibly in concurrent use with other constructs of interest, due to its theoretical and research importance and its adequate psychometric properties.
Personality and Mental Health: Arabic Scale of Mental Health, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and NEO Five Factor Inventory
Authors: Abdel-Khalek Ahmed M.
Published: August 2012

The aim of this research was to explore associations of mental health and personality factors through two studies. Two separate convenience samples of volunteer Kuwaiti college students took part in the study ( n1 =193, n2=128). Their ages ranged between 18 and 32 years. They responded, in small group sessions, to the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and to Costa and McCrae's Five Personality Factors in their Arabic forms. In addition, both samples responded to the Arabic Scale of Mental Health (ASMH). In the first study, scorers on the ASMH were significantly correlated ( r) with Neuroticism (–.63), Extraversion (.57), and Lie (.22) scores. Two orthogonal components were retained and labeled “Mental health and Extraversion versus Neuroticism,” and “Psychoticism versus Lie.” In Study 2, mental health scores were significantly positively correlated with Conscientiousness (.62), Extraversion (.59), Agreeableness (.34), and Openness (.26) scores, and negatively with Neuroticism (–.62) scores. Two orthogonal components were retained and labeled “Mental health, Agreeableness, Extraversion versus Neuroticism,” and “Openness, Conscientiousness, and Mental health.” It was concluded that the salient associations of the ASMH were with positive traits and scores on Extraversion, Conscientiousness (positive), and with Neuroticism (negative), indicating good construct validity of the ASMH.
Two Faces of Narcissism and Romantic Attraction: Evidence from a Collectivistic Culture
Authors: Feng Chunliang , Liang Yuling , Zhou Hui , Yi Li
Published: August 2012

The present study was aimed to extend the self-orientation model (Campbell, 1999) to vulnerable narcissism in a collectivistic culture. Two hundred and twenty-seven college students were recruited from China. Participants reported their ratings on measures of vulnerable and grandiose narcissism, attractions to different (caring vs perfect) targets, and their choices of potential romantic partners. Results indicated that those participants classified as grandiose or vulnerable narcissists were more attracted to perfect targets than non-narcissists. In addition, grandiose narcissists preferred to choose perfect targets as their romantic partners, while vulnerable narcissists did not show such a preference when choosing potential partners. These results suggested that culture could influence the function of narcissism. The self-orientation model could not fully explain the choices of vulnerable narcissists.
Predictive and Construct Validity of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence with the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study Instrument
Authors: Lung For-Wey , Chen Po-Fei , Shu Bih-Ching
Published: August 2012

This study aimed to investigate the concurrent validity of the parent-report Taiwan Birth Cohort Study Developmental Instrument (TBCS–DI) with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-Second Edition (BSID–II) and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R) at 6, 18, 36, and 60 months. 100 children were recruited at 6 months, 88 children followed-up at 18 months, 71 at 36 months, and 53 at 60 months. Longitudinally, the parent-report TBCS–DI, with the professional psychological assessments of the BSID–II and the WPPSI–R showed predictive validity. Looking at each time point in cross section, at 6 and 18 months the TBCS–DI had good concurrent validity with the BSID–II, and at 36 and 60 months the TBCS–DI was correlated only with the motor and performance domains of the BSID–II and WPPSI–R. With further investigation, the TBCS–DI may be used both in research and in clinical settings.
Life-Skills as a Predictor of Academic Success: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Currie Lacy K. , Pisarik Christopher T. , Ginter Earl J. , Glauser Ann Shanks , Hayes Christopher , Smit Julian C.
Published: August 2012

Traditional predictors of academic performance in college, such as measures of verbal and mathematical abilities [i.e., Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)] and academic achievement (i.e., high school GPA), often account for less than 25% of the variance in college performance, thus leaving a considerable amount of variance unexplained. The primary goal of this study was to examine developmental variables that may account for academic achievement beyond the traditional indices mentioned. Specifically, the relationships among four categories of life-skills and cumulative GPA were examined. A hierarchical multiple-regression analysis revealed that the four life-skills categories predicted an additional 9.4% of the variance in cumulative GPA beyond high school GPA and SAT scores. Of the four categories, physical fitness/health maintenance skills made a statistically significant, unique contribution to predicting cumulative GPA. Because of the exploratory nature of the current study, suggestions are made for conducting future research in light of the study's limitations.
Sex Differences in Instructional Dissent
Authors: Goodboy Alan K.
Published: August 2012

This study examined sex differences in students' expression of instructional dissent and the role that an instructor's sex plays in spurring this dissent. Participants were 446 undergraduate students ( M age = 20.1 yr., SD = 2.8; 148 men, 290 women, 8 unreported) who completed the Instructional Dissent Scale (IDS) and provided demographic information. Results indicated small effects for student sex and instructor sex on IDS scores. Female students reported communicating more expressive dissent than male students, whereas male students reported communicating more rhetorical dissent and vengeful dissent than female students. Students also directed vengeful dissent more towards male instructors than female instructors.
Warning Signs for Suicide in Internet Forums
Authors: McSwain Stephanie , Lester David , Gunn John F.
Published: August 2012

The presence of 10 warning signs for suicide proposed by the American Association of Suicidology was compared in 215 postings on a suicide forum and 94 postings on a self-injury forum. The suicide forum postings received a higher score on the 10 signs than the self-injury forum postings, and significant differences were found for 6 of the 10 signs: suicidal ideation, purposelessness, trapped, hopelessness, withdrawal, and, in the reverse direction, recklessness. Overall, the findings support the usefulness of the warning signs in identifying suicidal individuals.
Toxoplasma Gondii and Homicide
Authors: Lester David
Published: August 2012

In a sample of 20 European nations, the prevalence of the brain parasite Toxoplasma gondii was positively associated with national homicide rates, amplifying previous research indicating a positive association of Toxoplasma gondii with suicide rates. Possible causal mechanisms were proposed.
Effect of Manipulated State Aggression on Pain Tolerance
Authors: Stephens Richard , Allsop Claire
Published: August 2012

Swearing produces a pain lessening (hypoalgesic) effect for many people; an emotional response may be the underlying mechanism. In this paper, the role of manipulated state aggression on pain tolerance and pain perception is assessed. In a repeated-measures design, pain outcomes were assessed in participants asked to play for 10 minutes a first-person shooter video game vs a golf video game. Sex differences were explored. After playing the first-person shooter video game, aggressive cognitions, aggressive affect, heart rate, and cold pressor latency were increased, and pain perception was decreased. These data indicate that people become more pain tolerant with raised state aggression and support our theory that raised pain tolerance from swearing occurs via an emotional response.