bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antiatherogenic Effect of Antioxidant Polyphenols from Phellinus baumii  in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice
Authors: Noh Jung-Ran , Lee In-Kyoung , Kim Yong-Hoon , Gang Gil-Tae , Hwang Jung Hwan , Ly Sun-Yung , Yun Bong-Sik , Lee Chul-Ho
Published: December 2011

Aims: The present study was carried out to investigate the antiatherosclerotic effect of antioxidant polyphenols from Phellinus baumii (PBE) in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE–/–) mice. Methods and Results: apoE–/– mice were randomly divided into three groups: mice on a normal chow diet comprised the normal group, mice on an atherogenic diet plus vehicle were the control group, and mice on an atherogenic diet plus PBE (500 mg/kg) comprised the PB500 group. After 8 weeks of treatment, the plasma lipids and cytokine levels were measured. Although no significant differences were found in cholesterol levels among groups, the triglyceride level was significantly decreased in the PBE-treated group compared with the control group. Plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were reduced by PBE treatment. Real-time PCR analysis of the aorta showed that PBE significantly prevented the upregulation of the vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β expression. Furthermore, reduced macrophage infiltration, lipid accumulation and atherosclerotic lesions were observed in the aortic sinus and en face of the whole aorta in PBE-fed apoE–/– mice compared with atherogenic diet-fed control mice. Conclusions: Collectively, the findings of the present study suggest that the antiatherosclerotic effect of PBE is probably related to the inhibition of adhesion molecule and cytokine expression resulting in amelioration of lesion development.
Imaging Study of Ventricular Scar in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Marra Martina Perazzolo , Leoni Loira , Bauce Barbara , Corbetti Francesco , Zorzi Alessandro , Migliore Federico , Silvano Maria , Rigato Ilaria , Tona Francesco , Tarantini Giuseppe , Cacciavillani Luisa , Basso Cristina , Buja Gianfranco , Thiene Gaetano , Iliceto Sabino , Corrado Domenico
Published: December 2011

Background—

The hallmark lesion of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is fibrofatty scar replacement. We compared endocardial voltage mapping (EVM) and contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (CE-CMR) for imaging scar lesions in ARVC patients.

Methods and Results—

We studied 23 consecutive ARVC patients (16 males; mean age, 38±12 years) who underwent RV EVM and CE-CMR and 37 control subjects. In 21 (91%) of 23 ARVC patients, RV EVM was abnormal, with a total of 45 electroanatomical scars (EAS): 17 (38%) in the inferobasal region, 12 (26.6%) in the anterolateral region, 8 (17.7%) in the RV outflow tract (RVOT), and 8 (17.7%) in the apex. RV delayed contrast enhancement (DCE) was found in 9 (39%) of 23 patients, with a total of 23 RV DCE scars: 4 (17.4%) in the inferobasal region, 9 (39.1%) in the anterolateral region, 4 (17.4%) in the RVOT, and 6 (26.1%) in the apex. There was a mismatch in 24 RV scars, with 22 EAS not confirmed by DCE and 2 DCE scars (both in the RVOT) undetected by EVM. In 9 (75%) of 12 patients with abnormal RV EVM/normal RV DCE, ≥1 DCEs were identified in the left ventricle (LV). Overall, ventricular DCE was detected in 78% of patients. No control subjects showed either EAS or DCE.

Conclusions—

EVM and CE-CMR allow identification of RV scar lesions in most ARVC patients. CE-CMR is less sensitive than EVM in identifying RV scar lesions. The high prevalence of LV DCE confirms the frequent biventricular involvement and indicates the diagnostic relevance of LV scar detection by CE-CMR.
Randomized Ablation Strategies for the Treatment of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Dixit Sanjay , Marchlinski Francis E. , Lin David , Callans David J. , Bala Rupa , Riley Michael P. , Garcia Fermin C. , Hutchinson Mathew D. , Ratcliffe Sarah J. , Cooper Joshua M. , Verdino Ralph J. , Patel Vickas V. , Zado Erica S. , Cash Nancy R. , Killian Tony , Tomson Todd T. , Gerstenfeld Edward P.
Published: December 2011

Background—

The single-procedure efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is less than optimal in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Adjunctive techniques have been developed to enhance single-procedure efficacy in these patients. We conducted a study to compare 3 ablation strategies in patients with persistent AF.

Methods and Results—

Subjects were randomized as follows: arm 1, PVI + ablation of non-PV triggers identified using a stimulation protocol (standard approach); arm 2, standard approach + empirical ablation at common non-PV AF trigger sites (mitral annulus, fossa ovalis, eustachian ridge, crista terminalis, and superior vena cava); or arm 3, standard approach + ablation of left atrial complex fractionated electrogram sites. Patients were seen at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year; transtelephonic monitoring was performed at each visit. Antiarrhythmic drugs were discontinued at 3 to 6 months. The primary study end point was freedom from atrial arrhythmias off antiarrhythmic drugs at 1 year after a single-ablation procedure. A total of 156 patients (aged 59±9 years; 136 males; AF duration, 47±50 months) participated (arm 1, 55 patients; arm 2, 50 patients; arm 3, 51 patients). Procedural outcomes (procedure, fluoroscopy, and PVI times) were comparable between the 3 arms. More lesions were required to target non-PV trigger sites than a complex fractionated electrogram (33±9 versus 22±9;
P
<0.001). The primary end point was achieved in 71 patients and was worse in arm 3 (29%) compared with arm 1 (49%;
P
=0.04) and arm 2 (58%;
P
=0.004).

Conclusions—

These data suggest that additional substrate modification beyond PVI does not improve single-procedure efficacy in patients with persistent AF.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00379301.
The 719Arg Variant of KIF6 and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Statin-Treated, Stable Coronary Patients of the Treating to New Targets and Incremental Decrease in End Points Through Aggressive Lipid-Lowering Prospective Studies
Authors: Arsenault Benoit J. , Boekholdt S. Matthijs , Hovingh G. Kees , Hyde Craig L. , DeMicco David A. , Chatterjee Aurobindo , Barter Philip , Deedwania Prakash , Waters David D. , LaRosa John C. , Pedersen Terje R. , Kastelein John J.P.
Published: December 2011

Background—

Carriers of the KIF6 719Arg variant may be at increased risk for CVD and may benefit more from statin therapy, in terms of CVD risk reduction, than noncarriers. Our objective was to investigate whether carriers of the KIF6 719Arg genetic variant (rs20455) are at increased cardiovascular risk and obtain more benefit from high-dose statin therapy than do noncarriers.

Methods and Results—

We used an adjusted Cox proportional hazard model to assess the hazard ratio (HR) for the reduction of major cardiovascular events by 80 mg/d atorvastatin over 10 mg/d atorvastatin in 4599 patients of the Treating to New Targets (TNT) study and by 80 mg/d atorvastatin over 20–40 mg/d simvastatin in 6541 patients of the Incremental Decrease in End Points Through Aggressive Lipid-Lowering (IDEAL) study. A total of 381 and 648 patients had a cardiovascular event during follow-up in TNT and IDEAL, respectively. Heterozygotes and homozygotes for the minor allele were not at increased risk compared with noncarriers. In TNT, for noncarriers of the 719Arg allele, the HR for high- versus low-dose atorvastatin was 0.81 (95% confidence interval, 0.59–1.11). In carriers of 1 or 2 minor alleles, the HR was 0.85 (0.66–1.11) and carriers of 2 copies of the minor allele obtained a significant risk reduction (HR: 0.44, 95% confidence interval, 0.23–0.84). In IDEAL, the respective HRs were 0.85 (0.67–1.10), 0.88 (0.62–1.07) and 0.91 (0.58–1.43). The interaction term for carrier status by treatment was also nonsignificant (
P
=0.810 in TNT and
P
=0.909 in IDEAL).

Conclusions—

In these 2 large, randomized clinical trials, carriers of the KIF6 719Arg allele were not at increased cardiovascular risk and did not obtain consistent cardiovascular benefit from high-dose statin therapy compared with noncarriers.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00327691.
Serial Measurement of Cardiac Troponin T Using a Highly Sensitive Assay in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Masson Serge , Anand Inder , Favero Chiara , Barlera Simona , Vago Tarcisio , Bertocchi Federico , Maggioni Aldo P. , Tavazzi Luigi , Tognoni Gianni , Cohn Jay N. , Latini Roberto
Published: December 2011

Background—

Cardiac troponins are emerging as important prognostic markers in chronic cardiovascular conditions like stable coronary artery disease or chronic heart failure (HF). Less is known about the relation between serial measurements of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and future events in HF. We determined the association between changes over time in hs-cTnT and outcome in patients with chronic HF.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed 5284 patients with chronic HF from 2 independent randomized clinical trials, the Valsartan Heart Failure Trial (Val-HeFT) (n=4053) and the Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza nell'Insufficienza Cardiaca–Heart Failure (GISSI-HF) trial (n=1231). hs-cTnT was measured at randomization and after 3 months (GISSI-HF) or 4 months of follow-up (Val-HeFT). The association between changes over time of hs-cTnT and various outcomes was tested in multivariable models. In both studies, increases in hs-cTnT levels over time were associated with age, diabetes mellitus, worsening of renal function (reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate), and baseline and increases in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide concentrations. Increases in hs-cTnT concentrations were associated with all-cause mortality (incidence rates, 8.19 [7.51–8.88] and 6.79 [5.98–7.61] per 100 person-years in Val-HeFT and GISSI-HF, respectively, with hazard ratios [95% confidence intervals] of 1.59 [1.39–1.82] and 1.88 [1.50–2.35]) after adjustment for conventional risk factors and baseline levels of hs-cTnT and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide. Changes in hs-cTnT concentration modestly improved prognostic discrimination beyond baseline values for fatal outcomes only.

Conclusions—

Despite very low circulating concentrations, changes in hs-cTnT concentrations over time are robust predictors of future cardiovascular events in patients with chronic HF but add limited prognostic discrimination.

Clinical Trial Registration—

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00336336.
Predictors of Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator Nonresponders According to Location of Vessel Occlusion
Authors: Mendonça Nuno , Rodriguez-Luna David , Rubiera Marta , Boned-Riera Sandra , Ribo Marc , Pagola Jorge , Piñeiro Socorro , Meler Pilar , Alvarez-Sabin Jose , Montaner Joan , Molina Carlos A.
Published: December 2011

Background and Purpose—

Information on the clinical and hemodynamic profile of intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator nonresponders, at different locations of arterial occlusion, may improve the selection of candidates for rescue reperfusion therapies. Therefore, we aim to investigate predictors of failing intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator therapy according to occluded vessel and location of the clot.

Methods—

We prospectively evaluated consecutive patients with an acute ischemic stroke admitted within the first 6 hours of onset. Five hundred forty-eight patients with documented intracranial occlusion were included. Patients were categorized according to site of vessel occlusion into 4 distinct groups: proximal middle cerebral artery occlusion (n=251), distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (n=194), internal carotid artery bifurcation occlusion (n=61), and basilar artery occlusion (n=42). Recanalization was assessed on transcranial Doppler at 1 hour of tissue-type plasminogen activator bolus.

Results—

Among patients with proximal middle cerebral artery occlusion, the presence of severe extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis or occlusion (OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.15–4.84;
P
=0.02) and age >74 years (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.02–3.31;
P
=0.04) independently predicted no recanalization. No independent predictors of no recanalization were identified in patients with distal middle cerebral artery occlusion. In patients with internal carotid artery bifurcation occlusion, a previous diagnosis of hypertension (OR, 12.77; 95% CI, 2.12–76.88;
P
=0.05), and absence of atrial fibrillation (OR, 8.15; 95% CI, 1.40–47.44;
P
=0.02) emerged as independent predictors of no recanalization. Similarly, among patients with basilar artery occlusion, absence of atrial fibrillation was as an independent predictor of no recanalization (OR, 7.50; 95% CI, 1.40–40.35;
P
=0.02).

Conclusions—

The use of relevant predictors of no recanalization and a rapid neurovascular evaluation may improve the selection of patients for more aggressive rescue strategies.
The Evolution of Third-Party Mediation in Sharīʿa Courts in 19th- and early 20th-century Central Asia
Authors: Sartori Paolo
Published: December 2011

Abstract

While in the Ottoman Empire reconciling disputing parties insharīʿacourts occurred without the direct involvement of state officials, in modern Central Asia functionaries appointed by the ruler’s chancellery acted as mediators and mediation procedures were consistent with the state’s intervention in the resolution of a conflict. This ended with Russian colonization. Conflict resolution was left to thesharīʿacourts; mediation continued to be important but state appointees were no longer officially involved in bringing it about. The Russian colonial and Soviet administrations made the community responsible for seeking amicable settlements. Only afterwards did they realize how easy this made it for local groups to circumvent the state’s supervision.
Assimilation of Reflectivity Data in a Convective-Scale, Cycled 3DVAR Framework with Hydrometeor Classification
Authors: Gao Jidong , Stensrud David J.
Published: December 2011

The impact of assimilating radar reflectivity and radial velocity data with an intermittent, cycled three-dimensional variational assimilation (3DVAR) system is explored using an idealized thunderstorm case and a real data case on 8 May 2003. A new forward operator for radar reflectivity is developed that uses a background temperature field provided by a numerical weather prediction model for automatic hydrometeor classification. Three types of experiments are performed on both the idealized and real data cases. The first experiment uses radial velocity data only, the second experiment uses both radial velocity and reflectivity data without hydrometeor classification, and the final experiment uses both radial velocity and reflectivity data with hydrometeor classification. All experiments advance the analysis state to the next observation time using a numerical model prediction, which is then used as the background for the next analysis. Results from both the idealized and real data cases show that, assimilating only radial velocity data, the model can reconstruct the supercell thunderstorm after several cycles, but the development of precipitation is delayed because of the well-known spinup problem. The spinup problem is reduced dramatically when assimilating reflectivity without hydrometeor classification. The analyses are further improved using the new reflectivity formulation with hydrometeor classification. This study represents a successful first effort in variational convective-scale data assimilation to partition hydrometeors using a background temperature field from a numerical weather prediction model.
Advection-Based Adjustment of Radar Measurements
Authors: Lauri Tuomo , Koistinen Jarmo , Moisseev Dmitri
Published: December 2011

When making radar-based precipitation products, a radar measurement is commonly taken to represent the geographical location vertically below the contributing volume of the measurement sample. However, when wind is present during the fall of the hydrometeors, precipitation will be displaced horizontally from the geographical location of the radar measurement. Horizontal advection will introduce discrepancies between the radar-measured and ground level precipitation fields. The significance of the adjustment depends on a variety of factors related to the characteristics of the observed precipitation as well as those of the desired end product. In this paper the authors present an advection adjustment scheme for radar precipitation observations using estimated hydrometeor trajectories obtained from the High-Resolution Limited-Area Model (HIRLAM) MB71 NWP model data. They use the method to correct the operational Finnish radar composite and evaluate the significance of precipitation advection in typical Finnish conditions. The results show that advection distances on the order of tens of kilometers are consistently observed near the edge of the composite at ranges of 100–250 km from the nearest radar, even when using a low elevation angle of 0.3°. The Finnish wind climatology suggests that approximately 15% of single radar measurement areas are lost on average when estimating ground level rainfall if no advection adjustment is applied. For the Finnish composite, area reductions of approximately 10% have been observed, while the measuring area is extended downstream by a similar amount. Advection becomes increasingly important at all ranges in snowfall with maximum distances exceeding 100 km.
Effects of Surface Exchange Coefficients and Turbulence Length Scales on the Intensity and Structure of Numerically Simulated Hurricanes
Authors: Bryan George H.
Published: December 2011

Using numerical simulations, this study examines the sensitivity of hurricane intensity and structure to changes in the surface exchange coefficients and to changes in the length scales of a turbulence parameterization. Compared to other recent articles on the topic, this study uses higher vertical resolution, more values for the turbulence length scales, a different initial environment (including higher sea surface temperature), a broader specification of surface exchange coefficients, a more realistic microphysics scheme, and a set of three-dimensional simulations. The primary conclusions from a recent study by Bryan and Rotunno are all upheld: maximum intensity is strongly affected by the horizontal turbulence length scale lh but not by the vertical turbulence length scale lυ, and the ratio of surface exchange coefficients for enthalpy and momentum, Ck/Cd, has less effect on maximum wind speed than suggested by an often-cited theoretical model. The model output is further evaluated against various metrics of hurricane intensity and structure from recent observational studies, including maximum wind speed, minimum pressure, surface wind–pressure relationships, height of maximum wind, and surface inflow angle. The model settings lh ≈ 1000 m, lυ ≈ 50 m, and Ck/Cd ≈ 0.5 produce the most reasonable match to the observational studies. This article also reconciles a recent controversy about the likely value of Ck/Cd in high wind speeds by noting that simulations in a study by Emanuel used relatively large horizontal diffusion and low sea surface temperature. The model in this study can produce category 5 hurricanes with Ck/Cd as low as 0.25.
Climate Change: Challenging Business, Transforming Politics
Authors: Okereke Chukwumerije , Wittneben Bettina , Bowen Frances
Published: December 2011

Climate change challenges contemporary management practices and ways of organizing. While aspects of this challenge have been long recognized, many pertinent dimensions are less effectively articulated. Based on contemporary literature and insights from articles submitted to this special issue, the guest editors of this special issue highlight some of the challenges posed by climate change to government and business, and indicate the range of options and approaches being adopted to address these challenges.
Critical agency, resistance and a post-colonial civil society
Authors: Richmond Oliver P.
Published: December 2011

IR’s dominant theoretical and methodological approaches are, to varying degrees, compliance oriented. IR needs a theory of resistance if it is to survive its current methodological and ethical crisis. Resistance, read from a broadly Foucaultian perspective, is a process in which hidden, small-scale and marginal agencies have an impact on power, on norms, civil society, the state and the ‘international’. This may be in the form of individual or grass-roots critical agency not coordinated or mobilized on a large scale but still globally connected. Such agency is often discursive and aimed at peaceful change and transformation. Through such critical agency a post-colonial civil society has emerged, which is transversal, transnational, fragmented, but may be constitutive of new, hybrid and post-liberal forms of peace.
Conflicts about water: Securitizations in a global context
Authors: Stetter Stephan , Herschinger Eva , Teichler Thomas , Albert Mathias
Published: December 2011

In the current literature in International Relations and Conflict Studies, water as a source of conflict is either extremely over- or exceedingly underrated. In order to account for the dynamics of water conflicts, it is argued in this article that the study of water conflicts should be linked to comprehensive theories of social conflict and world society. A theoretical framework is developed based on a combination of securitization theory, modern systems theory and sociological neo-institutionalism. The usefulness of this framework is illustrated through two empirical cases of water conflicts, namely Spain and Egypt/Sudan. This study contributes to an understanding of the evolution of water conflicts as a result of securitization practices, the dynamics of these conflicts as complex social systems and as the outcome of local adaptations to and of ‘world cultural’ frames.
Muted differences: Entrenching legitimacy of the Bosnian statehood?
Authors: Berg Eiki , Solvak Mihkel
Published: December 2011

The UNDP report The Silent Majority Speaks (2007) demonstrates widespread consent and a popular desire for change while promoting a single state with strong regions as a compromise model for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Surprisingly, our own research (2009) on political legitimacy reveals quite the opposite tendencies, where political entities such as the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and the Republika Srpska (RS) more often drift apart than merge together. What strikes us is the fact that the FBiH, which advocates a more integrated state, does not necessarily have more legitimate grounds for achieving that goal than the secessionist counterclaim of RS in its own right. The two entities remain worlds apart on a range of issues and agree only on rather abstract principles of an ideal political order.
From reason-giving to collective action: Argument-based learning and European integration
Authors: Riddervold Marianne
Published: December 2011

The aim of this article is to contribute to the further development of deliberative theory—to make it more applicable to research on EU integration—by establishing alternative and more concise micro-mechanisms to those of the rationalist bargaining perspectives. It is suggested that the micro-mechanism through which deliberation has an effect on outcomes is what is termed argument-based learning, which means that an actor accepts the validity of a presented argument so that (s)he acts upon it. Moreover, the article differentiates between three types of argument-based learning considered relevant in the EU context. On this basis, it suggests a two-step analytical approach for studies of EU decision-making processes. In trying out the empirical relevance of the framework, it is applied to a case where one would not expect agreements on common EU policies to have been reached due to argument-based learning, namely EU coordination towards the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). The framework proved helpful in accounting for agreements that are puzzling from a rationalist perspective.
Missing in action? EU crisis management and the link to the domestic political debate
Authors: Koivula Tommi , Sipilä Joonas
Published: December 2011

One of the key themes in recent discussions about the EU’s foreign and security policy has been the question of Europeanization. This article seeks to contribute to this field of research by investigating the way in which a single EU military crisis management operation, the EUFOR Chad/CAR, has been perceived and debated on a national parliamentary arena in two member states, Sweden and Finland. The results suggest that a marked discontinuity prevailed between these nations’ policies in the context of the CSDP/ESDP and the discourse on CSDP/ESDP in the respective parliaments. While highlighting the need to pay more attention to the domestic dimension of Europeanization, these findings also call into question some of the basic premises of the discussion on Europeanization.
Equity, Adequacy, and Categorical Funding in Colorado School Finance
Authors: Ramirez Al , Siegrist Michael , Krumholz Patrick , Rainey Tracie
Published: December 2011

This study investigates the interrelationship of categorical funding mechanisms within the Colorado school finance system for English language learners (ELLs) in an effort to test overall equity of the system in light of an underfunded categorical program. Using several analytical techniques, the study set out to determine the degree to which issues of adequacy within the ELL categorical program bear on equity among school districts in the state. Specific attention was focused on school districts with high levels of ELL students and school districts with little or no ELL programming needs. Results show an adverse trend as the percentage of ELL students increases in a school district. Equity overall among school districts is similarly adversely affected.
Predicting Maximum Acceptable Efforts for Repetitive Tasks
Authors: Potvin Jim R.
Published: December 2011

Objective: The objective was to develop an equation, for repetitive tasks, that uses frequency and/or duty cycle (DC) to predict maximum acceptable efforts (MAE) relative to maximum voluntary efforts (MVE).

Background: Ergonomists must determine acceptable physical demands for a wide variety of tasks. Although a large database exists in the literature for maximum single-effort strength, far fewer repetitive tasks have psychophysical and/or physiological data available to guide the prediction of acceptable submaximal, repeated efforts.

Method: DC represents the total effort duration divided by the cycle time. MAEs were calculated by dividing average psychophysics-based acceptable loads by corresponding single-effort maximum strength using 69 values from studies of the upper extremities. The author developed an equation to characterize the relationship between MAE and DC.

Results: The resulting equation had DC taken to the exponent 0.24, and it predicted MAE very well ( r2 = 0.87%, root mean square [RMS] difference = 7.2% of the maximum strength). At higher DC values, the equation also demonstrated good agreement with the published physiological data.

Conclusion: The limited psychophysical database in the literature makes it difficult for ergonomists and engineers to recommend acceptable efforts for the large variety of repetitive tasks they evaluate. However, the proposed equation now allows for a correction of the large strength database to estimate acceptable force and torque limits for repetitive occupational tasks.

Application: The proposed equation will have wide applications for ergonomic practitioners performing evaluations of repetitive tasks.
A qualitative examination of women involved in prostitution in Mumbai, India: The role of family and acquaintances
Authors: Karandikar Sharvari , Gezinski Lindsay B. , Meshelemiah Jacquelyn C.A.
Published: December 2011

In this qualitative study, 48 female prostitutes from Mumbai, India were interviewed to understand their experiences related to their entry into prostitution. Respondents’ vulnerabilities and the role of family and acquaintances in entry were researched. The findings of the study indicate that poverty, marital abuse, sexual abuse and the death of a parent or husband were the main reasons for entry into prostitution. The majority of the respondents were sold into prostitution by family members or acquaintances. This research provides recommendations for policy, practice and research in the area of sex trafficking.
Human trafficking: Improving victim identification and service provision
Authors: Okech David , Morreau Whitney , Benson Kathleen
Published: December 2011

The trafficking of humans is a serious issue. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) is the main legislative effort in the US that addresses this problem. Based on social work values, the article provides an assessment of the TVPA and suggests that service provision and victim identification need to be strengthened to better serve human trafficking victims. Global trends, efforts, and limitations in reducing trafficking are discussed. Specific interventions by social workers in victim identification and service provision are presented.
Legal and Definitional Issues Affecting the Identification and Education of Adults With Specific Learning Disabilities in Adult Education Programs
Authors: Taymans Juliana M.
Published: December 2011

Although the exact prevalence is not determined, a noticeable subset of individuals who enroll in adult education and training programs have either diagnosed or undiagnosed specific learning disabilities (SLD). Understanding SLD is important basic information for adult educators to inform program policies as well as determine effective instructional practices. This article discusses the development of definitions of SLD and current agreement on the nature of SLD relevant to working with adults. It concludes with implications for adult education programs.
The Role of Postsecondary Education in the Path From High School to Work for Youth With Disabilities
Authors: Fleming Allison R. , Fairweather James S.
Published: December 2011

Youth with disabilities lag behind their peers in participating in postsecondary education, which adversely affects employment options and career earnings. Yet little is known about factors affecting participation. Particularly problematic is the relative importance of disability-related factors—the primary focus of special education and services—and traditional predictors of college going, such as parental education, economic resources, and academic achievement in high school. This study found that for youth with disabilities, the traditional predictors of college going are more important than disability-related factors for enrolling in universities; disability-related factors are slightly more important for enrolling in postsecondary vocational education. A discussion of implications for service planning and implementation is presented.
PERT-type projects: time–cost tradeoffs under uncertainty
Authors: Laslo Zohar , Gurevich Gregory
Published: December 2011

Factual and anecdotal evidence confirms that investments in projects are inherently risky, as most large projects fail to meet their on-time and on-budget objectives. In one KPMG survey, 67% of the companies said that their project management function was in need of improvement. To address this issue, we examine two currently used procedures for crashing the project completion time by additional budget and develop a new stochastic procedure for this purpose. We consider projects with various patterns of activities, where the randomness of their duration derives from external uncertainty, internal uncertainty or both and where the correlation between their actual cost and random duration is known. The objective is to optimize the budget allocation among project activities, i.e. to determine the optimized activity execution speeds. We aim to minimize the project budget or any chance-constrained project cost, subject to any chance-constrained project completion time. We conduct Monte Carlo comparisons of the relative efficiency of the alternative procedures for crashing the project completion time on PERT-type projects. Broad Monte Carlo simulations confirm that the newly developed procedure can be an efficient tool for project management.
Correction of the evaporative resistance of clothing by the temperature of skin fabric on a sweating and walking thermal manikin
Authors: Ueno Satoru , Sawada Shin-ichi
Published: December 2011

Determining the evaporative resistance of clothing by using a sweating thermal manikin requires the accurate skin temperature of the manikin. The skin temperature measured by an embedded wire sensor (EWS), which is widely used in existing manikins, is theoretically higher than that of the wet skin fabric on the manikin where water evaporates. Therefore, we directly measured the surface temperature of the skin fabric using multiple thermistors (MT) and compared it with that of EWS. Four different work clothing ensembles were tested in an isothermal condition. The mean skin temperatures of MT were lower than those of EWS by 0.49, 0.62, 0.75, and 0.89°C, for the manikin walking at 0.00 (standing), 0.27, 0.53, and 0.80 m/s, respectively. Concomitantly, the real evaporative resistances using MT were lower than those using EWS by 9.1, 10.9, 12.5, and 14.4%. These results clearly show that the skin temperature of EWS should be corrected. In our thermal manikin, the temperature difference (TD) (°C) between MT and EWS was calculated for each of five parts: Arm, Trunk, Hip, Thigh, and Calf. The area-weighted average TD of the five parts was expressed as follows: TD = Heat Flux (W/m2) × 0.0092. This equation provides an estimate of TD without measuring surface skin temperature directly and helps to correct the evaporative resistance of clothing ensembles.
Theater of the Oppressed as a Rhizome
Authors: Ferreira Mariana Leal , Devine Dominique
Published: December 2011

The spread of Augusto Boal’s Theater of the Oppressed across the Americas and the rest of the world can be understood in terms of Deleuze and Guattari’s metaphor of the rhizome, whose nomadic habit of growth and propagation mirrors the power of Theater of the Oppressed to reproduce itself in more than 70 countries worldwide. The Theater of the Oppressed rhizome is now deeply rooted in academia and has sprouted in classrooms and in the streets, bringing together students, scholars, administrators, policy makers, and community activists in the pursuit of social justice and human rights. An examination of its use as a pedagogical tool calls attention to its potential for creating a world in which human rights are appreciated and protected. Its use is particularly timely today given the worldwide attention to the rights of the indigenous peoples represented by the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2007.

La difusión del Teatro del oprimido de Augusto Boal a través las Américas y el resto del mundo puede verse en términos de la metáfora del rizoma utilizada por Deleuze y Guattari, donde el hábito de crecimiento nomádico y propagación refleja el poder de dicho método de reproducirse en más de 70 países alrededor del mundo. El rizoma del Teatro del oprimido se ha enraizado profundamente en el ámbito académico y florecido en aulas y calles, uniendo estudiantes, investigadores, administradores, responsables políticos y activistas comunitarios interesados en la justicia social y los derechos humanos. Un análisis de su uso como herramienta pedagógica muestra su potencial para crear un mundo que reconozca y proteja los derechos humanos. Esto resulta de particular relevancia hoy día dada la atención mundial conferida a los derechos de los pueblos indígenas a partir de la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas de 2007.
Performing Mulata-ness
Authors: Pravaz Natasha
Published: December 2011

In Rio de Janeiro, mulatas—brown-skinned women of mixed racial descent who dance the samba in Carnival parades and in nightclubs—have become multifocal symbols eliciting associations that resonate both with colonial morality and with mestiçagem, the narrative of racial and cultural mixing as a cornerstone of nationhood. Because of these associations, a dangerous border crossing takes place whenever they dance the samba in public: they may become icons of nationhood, but this may call into question their moral standing. Women who occupy this subject position attempt to maintain a modicum of respectability as they manipulate the objectifying gaze of Brazilians and foreigners to the best of their ability. They also attempt to portray their dance skills as culturally “authentic” in the search for legitimacy and racial pride. Ultimately, samba is a stage upon which the economic needs, embodied desires, and ethnic identities of Brazilian women clash and collude with the neo-colonial dreams of tourists and cosmopolitans.

Na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, as mulatas—mulheres de ascendência racial misturada que dançam o samba nos desfiles de carnaval e nas boites—se tornaram símbolos polivalentes que evocam associações ressonantes com a moralidade colonial e com o discurso da mestiçagem (mistura racial e cultural) comofundamento da brasilidade. Por causa destas associações, elas negociam um espaço perigoso cada vez que sambam em público: podem tornar-se símbolos da nação, mas isto pode gerar dúvidas sobre a sua reputação moral. As mulheres nesta posição social tentam manter um mínimo de respeito social através da manipulação dos olhares brasileiros e estrangeiros que as reificam. Em busca de legitimidade e orgulho racial, elas procuram definir suas habilidades artísticas comoculturalmente “autênticas.” Por fim, o samba é um palco onde as necessidades econômicas, os desejos encarnados e as identidades étnicas da mulher brasileira se embatem e conspiram com os sonhos neo-coloniais de turistas e cosmopolitas.
An Evaluation of the Effects of Experimenter Control of Objects on Individuals’ Engagement in Object Stereotypy
Authors: Stangeland Lindsay A. , Smith Dean P. , Rapp John T.
Published: December 2011

In two experiments, the authors evaluated the extent to which (a) individuals preferred engaging in object stereotypy versus observing an experimenter while the experimenter engaged in object stereotypy and (b) an experimenter’s engagement in object stereotypy decreased the participants’ engagement in object stereotypy. Results of Experiment 1 indicated that behaver-controlled (BC) object stereotypy was preferred over experimenter-controlled (EC) object stereotypy by three of four participants. Results of Experiment 2 indicated that EC object stereotypy decreased object stereotypy for only one of three participants. Implications of these findings for determining the relative importance of control over stimulation generated by stereotypy are briefly discussed.
A Pilot Study Examining the Initial Effectiveness of a Brief Acceptance-Based Behavior Therapy for Modifying Diet and Physical Activity Among Cardiac Patients
Authors: Goodwin Christina L. , Forman Evan M. , Herbert James D. , Butryn Meghan L. , Ledley Gary S.
Published: December 2011

Approximately 90% of cardiac events are attributable to a small number of modifiable behavioral risk factors that, if changed, can greatly decrease morbidity and mortality. However, few at-risk individuals make recommended behavioral changes, including those who receive formal interventions designed to facilitate healthy behavior. Given evidence for the potential of specific psychological factors inherent in acceptance-based behavior therapy (ABBT; that is, intolerance of discomfort, mindfulness, and values clarity) to impact health behavior change, the authors evaluated the feasibility and initial effectiveness of an ABBT pilot program designed to increase adherence to behavioral recommendations among cardiac patients. Participants ( N = 16) were enrolled in four, 90-min group sessions focused on developing mindfulness and distress tolerance skills, and strengthening commitment to health-related behavior change. Participants reported high treatment satisfaction and comprehension and made positive changes in diet and physical activity. This was the first evaluation of an ABBT program aimed at increasing heart-healthy behaviors among cardiac patients.
Comparing the Effectiveness of Error-Correction Strategies in Discrete Trial Training
Authors: Turan Michelle K. , Moroz Lianne , Croteau Natalie Paquet
Published: December 2011

Error-correction strategies are essential considerations for behavior analysts implementing discrete trial training with children with autism. The research literature, however, is still lacking in the number of studies that compare and evaluate error-correction procedures. The purpose of this study was to compare two error-correction strategies: Independent Probe and Delay across learners with autism in an intensive intervention program. Two studies were conducted. The first study compared the two procedures across receptive tasks for 3 individuals, and differential effects were seen across learners. The second study compared the two procedures across tact trials with two of the same learners and found that individual differences were noted, but in addition, the more effective error-correction strategy was consistent across the two verbal operants (i.e., receptive in Study 1, tacts in Study 2). These combined studies suggest the effectiveness of error-correction strategies may be individualized to the learner but may generalize across operants.
The Philippines: how much real democracy?
Authors: Dressel Björn
Published: December 2011

Democracy in the Philippines is a paradox. It was the first country in the region to topple authoritarian rule. Signs of a vibrant democracy are extensive: high voter turnout, civic engagement, institutional arrangements that theoretically promote accountability and safeguard rights and liberties. Yet the flaws in the democratic process are also extensive: elite dominance, institutional weakness, and widespread abuse of public office, which suggest true representation is largely illusory. Concerns about the quality of democracy have become central to political discourse in the Philippines, as seen in debates about constitutional reform and the hopes associated with the election of reform candidate Benigno Aquino III as president in 2010. This analysis examines how oligarchic structures and dysfunctional institutions threaten the emergence of true democracy in the Philippines.
The Quality of democracy in Asia-Pacific: issues and findings
Authors: Morlino Leonardo , Dressel Björn , Pelizzo Riccardo
Published: December 2011

In the comparative research we present here as the introduction to a set of case studies, we first assess the quality of democratic procedures, content and outcomes in eight countries in the Asia-Pacific region on the basis of quantitative and qualitative data. Second, we investigate whether, to what extent, and how democratic qualities relate to one another. These investigations are carried out by applying an analytical framework that we developed elsewhere. In contrast to our previous empirical findings demonstrating that all the qualities go hand in hand, that participation and competition are the main determinants of democratic qualities, and that the democratic qualities form a funnel of causality, the present study suggests a different set of conclusions. In the Asia-Pacific region, the democratic qualities are weakly related to one another, do not form a funnel of causality, and participation and competition are not the main drivers of democratic quality. The data presented in the empirical section of the paper claim the existence of an Asia-Pacific exceptionalism. By carefully examining the cases included in our sample, we provide a detailed explanation for why, at least as far as democratic qualities are concerned, the Asia-Pacific region may be exceptional and unique. We reach the conclusion that responsiveness could be achieved by a transition from a rule by law – often coupled with the prominence of patronage, patrimonialist practices and privileges for the elite – to a proper rule of law.
Better democracy, better economic growth? South Korea
Authors: Im Hyug Baeg
Published: December 2011

Koreans have worked hard to improve the quality of their democracy. They have promoted the rule of law, accountability, control of corruption, freedom, and responsiveness, and made an effort to make government more effective. They are also committed to economic freedom. In relation to the rule of law, significant attention has been devoted to reducing terrorism and violence, making government more effective, and enhancing regulatory quality. However, with regard to accountability, control of corruption, and transparency, Korea has still a long way to go. The analysis of democratization and improvements in the quality of democracy to date suggest that Korea has adapted to the changing economic environment and is sustaining its economic growth. This has been accompanied by social and economic polarization and a consequent demand for more and better welfare services.
Changing Frontiers
Authors: Ghosh Partha S.
Published: December 2011

This article focuses on patterns of the peopling of East Bengal from the seventeenth to the twentieth centuries and analyses the dynamics of this process in terms of the migrants’ religious, social and political values. In this process, a number of boundaries were crossed, which South Asian Area Studies experts are still struggling to understand. Exploring this phenomenon of changing frontiers from a comparative historical perspective, the westward expansion of America during almost the same phase is analysed, showing similarities between the two phenomena, but also distinct dissimilarities. In Bengal, unlike America, there was no major violence involved and the migrations into Bengal were not at the cost of the native inhabitants, as largely happened in America. Arguing that, in grappling with the present Bangladesh–India relations, such historical knowledge is necessary, the article calls for greater interactions between intellectuals from both sides, which may be called Track III dialogue.
Muslim Modernism and Trans-regional Consciousness in Bengal, 1911–1925
Authors: Bose Neilesh
Published: December 2011

Histories of Marxism in South Asia often focus on the great men of colonial Indian politics, such as M. N. Roy, who imagined political futures away from nation or identity, or narrowly on activists like Muzaffar Ahmad, the founder of the Communist Party of India, without consideration of the regional-historical and intellectual contexts out of which such activism and imaginations sprang. Using the Bengali Muslim context of the early twentieth century, this article examines how Muslim activists imagined their identity outside of and beyond normative frameworks such as nation or religious community. This article specifically analyses Samyabadi, a left-oriented journal published in Calcutta from 1922 to 1925, in the larger context of communist developments in Bengal and throughout India. The findings offer exciting support for new research approaches to regional and religious identity in late colonial South Asia.