bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Higher Still Programme in Psychology: Implications of School and College Provision for Higher Education
Authors: Woolfson Lisa , Howe Christine , Smyth Kenneth
Published: November 2010

Psychology was introduced as a subject in Scottish schools in 1999 and has steadily grown in popularity since then. Records show 426 students took Higher psychology exams in 2000, 1186 in 2001, 1951 in 2002 and 3062 in 2003. To respond to the demand, teachers trained in other disciplines have been recruited to teach psychology. More students will now be entering university first year psychology classes with prior experience of studying psychology. Psychology's popularity at school level raises two key issues for psychology departments in Scottish universities: (1) is there a role to play in addressing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) needs of psychology teachers in school, and (2) how can they best address the diversity of psychology background entry qualifications that first year university students now present? This paper reports on the results of a survey of the CPD needs of teachers of psychology in all 446 secondary schools and 48 Further Education (FE) colleges in Scotland. Possible ways for Higher Education (HE) psychology departments to take cognisance of students' prior learning in psychology are explored.
An Evaluation of the Use of Simulated Patient Role-Plays in the Teaching and Assessment of Clinical Consultation Skills in Clinical Psychologists' Training
Authors: Melluish Steve , Crossley Jon , Tweed Alison
Published: November 2010

Simulated patient role-plays (SPRs) with trained actors are a recent development in the training of clinical psychologists. This paper reports on the introduction and evaluation of SPRs as both a method used to teach clinical consultation skills and as a method to formatively assess trainee clinical psychologists' acquisition of these skills. The evaluation used a number of focus groups with clinical psychology trainees, programme staff and clinical supervisors to explore the acceptability of these methods in teaching and assessment, the experience of using them and the impact on trainees' learning. Focus group interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using template analysis. The core theme from the analysis concerned the capacity of SPRs to authentically recreate a clinical environment and capture the trainee's clinical practice. The concept of authenticity is discussed in relation to clinical skills teaching and the wider profession of clinical psychology.
What Makes a Research Domain More ‘Scientific’? Undergraduate Judgements on Biology and Psychology
Authors: Rowley Martin , Hartley James , Betts Lucy , Robinson Elizabeth J.
Published: November 2010

There is considerable discussion about the assumptions that individuals have about the nature of knowledge and beliefs, and whether or not these views are general or specific to different domains of knowledge. The aim of this study was to compare views about research into psychological development and biological development held by undergraduate psychology students. One hundred and seventy first-year psychology students completed a questionnaire about their beliefs concerning research in biology and psychology. Fifty-four of these students had a background in biology and 116 did not. Both groups judged research findings from biology to be significantly more certain, less complex and less open to evaluation and interpretation than research findings from psychology. These views were held to an even greater extent by the students with a background in biology. Our findings are discussed in relation to students' views about the nature of science acquired in school science classes and the implications for teachers of psychology wishing to develop students' understanding of the discipline.
Academic Folk Wisdom: Fact, Fiction and Falderal
Authors: Skinner Nicholas F.
Published: November 2010

Each generation of professors and students is heir to the academic folk wisdom of its predecessor. However, empirical evidence calls several tenets of this well-intentioned legacy into question. Specifically, data presented here suggest the following iconoclastic conclusions: placing a few easy questions at the beginning of a multiple-choice examination does not build student confidence; changing the first-chosen answer to a multiple-choice question can frequently be beneficial; printing multiple-choice examinations on paper of different colours (to discourage cheating) can be disadvantageous to students; choosing ‘c’ when in doubt about an answer is not an effective multiple-choice examination strategy; students sitting in front/middle seats do not always receive the highest marks; most students are not academically dishonest; humour on examinations enhances student performance; the highest grades are not achieved in morning classes; most students do not perform considerably better on multiple-choice than essay questions (or vice versa); and, students with unusual names do not typically earn poor grades. Consequently, caution is advisable in the acceptance of apparent academic truisms.
Teaching Cultural Competency for Working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Clients
Authors: Riggs Damien W. , Fell Gregory R.
Published: November 2010

Whilst currently not mandated as a part of psychological studies in Australia, awareness of the mental health issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people is necessary to provide culturally appropriate services to this population. The findings reported in this paper represent one attempt at developing a workshop for psychology students on psychological practice with LGBT people, with a specific focus on the effects of heteronormativity. Measures assessed before and after the workshop showed significant changes on attitudes, knowledge, behavioural intent, and cultural competency. It is suggested that workshops such as this may usefully contribute to ensuring that psychology graduates in Australia are aware of evidence-based practice as it pertains to working with LGBT people, and that they are able to apply this to best meet the needs of LGBT clients.
Use of Motivational Teaching Techniques and Psychology Student Satisfaction
Authors: Malouff John M. , Hall Lena , Schutte Nicola S. , Rooke Sally E.
Published: November 2010

This study explored the relationship between the frequency of use of specific motivational teaching techniques and satisfaction of students with their psychology courses. One hundred and thirty-five university students rated the level of use of specific teaching techniques used in psychology courses they had completed and indicated their overall satisfaction with their psychology courses. Higher student ratings of frequency of use of motivational teaching strategies were related to more student satisfaction. The specific motivational teaching techniques that were significantly related to satisfaction spanned nine categories ranging from providing a model of interest in learning to relating course content to student interests. Among the specific motivational teaching techniques significantly related to student satisfaction were expressing interest in facilitating student learning, showing warmth and empathy, giving interesting assignments, praising students for good effort, and providing prompt, constructive feedback. The findings suggest potential value in psychology instructors testing the effects of specific motivational teaching methods.
A Novel Route for the Synthesis of Mesoporous and Low-Thermal Stability Materials by Coupled Dissolution-Reprecipitation Reactions: Mimicking Hydrothermal Mineral Formation
Authors: Brugger Joël , McFadden Aoife , Lenehan Claire E. , Etschmann Barbara , Xia Fang , Zhao Jing , Pring Allan
Published: November 2010

Replacement reactions ('pseudomorphism') commonly occur in Nature under a large range of conditions (T 25 to >600 °C; P 1 to >5 kbar). Whilst mineral replacement reactions are often assumed to proceed by solid-state diffusion of the metal ions through the mineral, many actually
proceed via a coupled dissolution and reprecipitation (CDR) mechanism. In such cases, a starting mineral is dissolved into a fluid and this dissolution is coupled with the precipitation of a replacement phase across the reaction front. In cases where there are close relationships between
the crystal structures of the parent and newly formed minerals, the replacement can be topotactic (interface-coupled dissolution and reprecipitation). The kinetics and chemistry of the CDR route are fundamentally different from solid-state diffusion and can be exploited i) for the synthesis
of materials that are often difficult to synthesise via traditional methods and ii) to obtain materials with unique properties. This review highlights recent research into the use of CDR for such synthetic challenges. Emphasis has been given to i) the use of CDR to synthesise compounds
with relatively low thermal stability such as the thiospinel mineral violarite ((Ni,Fe)3S4), ii) preliminary work into use of CDR for the production of roquesite (CuInS2), a potentially important photovoltaic component and, iii) examples where the textures
resulting from CDR reactions are controlled by the nature and texture of the parent phase and the reaction conditions; these being the formation of micro-porous gold and three-dimensional ordered arrays of nanozeolite of uniform size and crystallographic orientation.
Phase Decomposition upon Alteration of Radiation-Damaged Monazite–(Ce) from Moss, Østfold, Norway
Authors: Nasdala Lutz , Ruschel Katja , Rhede Dieter , Wirth Richard , Kerschhofer-Wallner Ljuba , Kennedy Allen K. , Kinny Peter D. , Finger Friedrich , Groschopf Nora
Published: November 2010

The internal textures of crystals of moderately radiation-damaged monazite–(Ce) from Moss, Norway, indicate heavy, secondary chemical alteration. In fact, the cm-sized specimens are no longer mono-mineral monazite but rather a composite consisting of monazite–(Ce) and apatite
pervaded by several generations of fractures filled with sulphides and a phase rich in Th, Y, and Si. This composite is virtually a 'pseudomorph' after primary euhedral monazite crystals whose faces are still well preserved. The chemical alteration has resulted in major reworking and decomposition
of the primary crystals, with potentially uncontrolled elemental changes, including extensive release of Th from the primary monazite and local redeposition of radionuclides in fracture fillings. This seems to question the general alteration-resistance of orthophosphate phases in a low-temperature,
'wet' environment, and hence their suitability as potential host ceramics for the long-term immobilisation of radioactive waste.
Severe postpartum morbidity and mode of delivery: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Farchi Sara , Polo Arianna , Franco Francesco , Di Lallo Domenico , Guasticchi Gabriella
Published: November 2010

The aim of this population‐based study was to estimate the risk of postpartum maternal complications associated with mode of delivery in a population of low‐risk pregnancies. Data from 324,883 full‐term singleton births between 2001 and 2007 were retrieved from birth and hospital discharge databases of the Lazio Region, Central Italy. Women with breech presentation births and those with chronic/pregnancy‐related diseases in the mother/fetus were excluded. The association between mode of delivery and maternal outcome was estimated for women by odds ratios (ORs), adjusted for potential confounders. Of nulliparous women 78.6% intended vaginal delivery, while for multiparous this was 68.6%. Elective cesarean section was associated with a higher risk of hysterectomy, obstetric shock and anesthetic complications compared with women in the intended vaginal delivery group. This suggests there is a need for a program to reduce unnecessary elective cesarean sections.
Prevalence of suicidal thoughts and attempts among pregnant Pakistani women
Authors: Asad Nargis , Karmaliani Rozina , Sullaiman Nasreen , Bann Carla M. , McClure Elizabeth M. , Pasha Omrana , Wright Linda L. , Goldenberg Robert L.
Published: November 2010

Objective. To determine the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and attempts and to identify demographic variables and mental health correlates such as anxiety/depression and domestic violence among pregnant women in an urban community in Pakistan. Design. Cross‐sectional data from a prospective cohort study are presented. Setting. Women enrolled in an antenatal care clinic and followed to delivery in an urban area of Pakistan. Population. Cohort of pregnant women in Pakistan. Methods. A total of 1,369 pregnant women were enrolled and interviewed regarding various maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes, and were asked specific questions about suicidal thoughts and attempts and administered the Aga Khan University Anxiety Depression Scale at 20–26 weeks of gestation. Main outcome measures. Suicidal thoughts and attempts, verbal, sexual or physical abuse. Results. Overall, 148 of the 1,369 (11%) women studied had considered suicide. Of these, 148 women, 67 (45%) had attempted suicide. In all, 18% of the women were classified as having depression/anxiety, almost half (48%) reported experiencing verbal abuse and 20% reported physical/sexual abuse. Women who had anxiety/depression or had experienced verbal or physical/sexual abuse were significantly more likely to have had suicidal thoughts and attempts. Conclusions. Women at the greatest risk for having suicidal thoughts or a suicide attempt were those who were depressed/anxious and had experienced some form of domestic abuse. With the high prevalence of these conditions, attention should be given to the establishment of effective mental health treatment programs for pregnant women.
Another Journal on Nanomaterials?
Authors: Nann Thomas
Published: November 2010

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Nanomaterials, a new open access journal, which is dedicated to the fabrication, characterization, functionalization, modeling and application of nanomaterials. In answer to the title question, I would like to (mis)quote one of my favourite pieces of literature: I "[We] hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men ... are endowed ... with certain unalienable rights, that among these are ..." free access to information and education. The prime goal of Nanomaterials is to publish first-class, original research articles under an open access policy with minimal fees for the authors. The quality of the published articles will be assured by a fast yet rigorous peer-review process. [...]
Visible and Infrared Remote Imaging of Hazardous Waste: A Review
Authors: Slonecker Terrence , Fisher Gary B. , Aiello Danielle P. , Haack Barry
Published: November 2010

One of the critical global environmental problems is human and ecological exposure to hazardous wastes from agricultural, industrial, military and mining activities. These wastes often include heavy metals, hydrocarbons and other organic chemicals. Traditional field and laboratory detection and monitoring of these wastes are generally expensive and time consuming. The synoptic perspective of overhead remote imaging can be very useful for the detection and remediation of hazardous wastes. Aerial photography has a long and effective record in waste site evaluations. Aerial photographic archives allow temporal evaluation and change detection by visual interpretation. Multispectral aircraft and satellite systems have been successfully employed in both spectral and morphological analysis of hazardous wastes on the landscape and emerging hyperspectral sensors have permitted determination of the specific contaminants by processing strategies using the tens or hundreds of acquired wavelengths in the solar reflected and/or thermal infrared parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. This paper reviews the literature of remote sensing and overhead imaging in the context of hazardous waste and discusses future monitoring needs and emerging scientific research areas.
MAC-Bridging for Multi-PHYs Communication in BAN
Authors: Ullah Sana , Khan Pervez , Ullah Niamat , Kwak Kyung Sup
Published: November 2010

Body Area Network (BAN) is a collection of low-power, miniaturised, and intelligent sensor nodes that are used for unobtrusive and ambulatory health monitoring of a patient without any additional constraints. These nodes operate on different frequency bands or Multiple Physical Layers (Multi-PHYs). Additionally, some BAN applications demand a logical connection between different nodes working on different Multi-PHYs. In this paper, the idea of controlling Multi-PHYs using one MAC protocol is introduced. Unlike existing procedures where different nodes working on different channels are connected at the link layer bridging/switching, the proposed procedure called bridging logically connects them at the MAC layer. In other words, the bridge is used to relay or filter packets between different PHYs in the same BAN. Numerical approximations are presented to analyze the stochastic behaviour of the bridges, all of them having Multi-PHYs interfaces. The MICS and the ISM bands are regarded as PHY1 and PHY2, respectively. The performance results are presented for PHY2 (given that data is already received from PHY1) in terms of probability of successful transmission, number of failed requests, power consumption, and delay. Simulations are conducted to validate the analytical results. It can be seen that the deployment of multiple bridges along with the corresponding nodes allows Multi-PHYs communication with high transmission probability, low power consumption, and tolerable delay.
Making of Viral Replication Organelles by Remodeling Interior Membranes
Authors: Sasvari Zsuzsanna , Nagy Peter D.
Published: November 2010

Positive-stranded RNA (+RNA) viruses exploit host cell machinery by subverting host proteins and membranes and altering cellular pathways during infection. To achieve robust replication, some +RNA viruses, such as poliovirus (PV), build special intracellular compartments, called viral replication organelles. A recent work from the Altan-Bonnett laboratory [1] gave new insights into the formation of poliovirus replication organelles, which are unique subcellular structures containing many individual replication complexes as a result of dynamic cellular membrane remodeling.
Subscapularis Function Following the Latarjet Coracoid Transfer for Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Instability
Authors: Elkousy Hussein , Gartsman Gary M. , Labriola Joanne , O’Connor Daniel P. , Edwards T. Bradley
Published: November 2010

The Latarjet procedure may be performed with both subscapularis splitting and subscapularis transecting approaches. The subscapularis splitting approach may better preserve subscapularis function and anatomy. The goal of this study was to determine the functional status of the subscapularis after the Latarjet procedure with a subscapularis splitting approach using the quantified belly press test.

Thirty patients with traumatic anterior shoulder instability were prospectively enrolled in the study. All patients underwent a Latarjet procedure through a subscapularis splitting approach. Both operative and nonoperative extremities were tested preoperatively with a belly press test using an Isobex muscle strength analyzer (Medical Device Solutions AG, Oberburg, Switzerland). Fifteen patients returned for postoperative Isobex belly press testing at a minimum of 6 months. Average patient age was 23.3 years, and average follow-up interval was 13 months. We detected no significant differences in pre- vs postoperative subscapularis strength in the surgical shoulder (decreased by 0.3 kg [95% CI, −1.0 to 1.7 kg;
P
=.630]). There was no difference in control vs surgical arm at preoperative (control +0.3 kg stronger; 95% CI, −0.8 to 0.1 kg;
P
=.124) vs postoperative (control +0.3 kg stronger; 95% CI, −1.1 to 0.5 kg;
P
=.444) measurements. Neither sex (
P
=.593) nor surgery in the dominant arm (
P
=.459) had an effect on recovery of subscapularis strength. Finally, the surgical arm at follow-up was not significantly different from reported height- and weight-based normative values for either men (
P
=.481) or women (
P
=.298).

This study suggests that subscapularis strength is not significantly altered by the Latarjet procedure with a subscapularis splitting approach.
Complete Stress Shielding of the Achilles Tendon: Ultrastructure and Level of Interleukin-1 and TGF-β
Authors: Wang Wei , Tang Xiaoyu , Zhang Jing , Yan Xiaoyan , Yanhong Ma
Published: November 2010

Few studies emphasize the collagen metabolism-related cytokines and ultrastructure of the completely stress-shielded Achilles tendon. In this study, we used a rat model with complete stress shielding of the Achilles tendon to observe the changes in the ultrastructure of the Achilles tendon and concentration of IL-1 and TGF-β 3 weeks after stress shielding.

The model group comprised 12 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The stress of the Achilles tendon of the left hind limb was shielded through tendon cerclage combined with sciatic nerve transection, and the right served as a normal control. Three weeks later, the ultrastructure of the Achilles tendon was observed under electron microscopy and IL-1 and TGF-β levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Compared with the control side, collagen fibrils of the shielded Achilles tendons were irregularly arranged and loose. The number of small-diameter collagen fibrils increased significantly with the decrease of the average diameter of collagen fibrils. At the same time, IL-1 concentrations increased significantly in the model group as compared to that in the control group, but no significant difference was found in TGF-β levels.

These results suggest that IL-1 may play an important role in the change of ultrastructure after stress shielding.
Isolated Rupture of the Teres Major Tendon: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Lester Jonathan D. , Boselli Karen J. , Kim Paul D. , Ahmad Christopher S.
Published: November 2010

Acute isolated rupture of the teres major is an uncommon injury. This article presents the first report of midterm subjective and objective functional results following nonoperative management of an isolated teres major rupture. A 30-year-old right hand dominant man presented after a waterskiing traction injury to his left upper extremity. On physical examination, the patient had swelling and retraction of the teres major at the lower scapular border, which was accentuated with resisted adduction of the extremity. His teres major attachment at the humerus was not palpable. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an isolated teres major tendon rupture. The patient was treated non-operatively with a rehabilitation protocol emphasizing rotator cuff, periscapular, and latissimus muscle strengthening. By 3 months postinjury, the patient had returned to all of his usual sporting activities, despite a persistent muscle retraction deformity over the teres major. At 3-year follow-up, the patient had no subjective complaints in the injured extremity and excellent functional outcome scores. A mean 37 kg loss of internal rotation strength (as measured by dynamometer) in the affected extremity with the arm abducted to 90° existed, although this difference was not subjectively appreciable. Although previously published reports have presented various options for the management of teres major injuries, the present case demonstrates that nonoperative treatment can produce excellent midterm subjective results in spite of objective internal rotation weakness.
Preparing New Nurses with Complexity Science and Problem-Based Learning
Authors: Hodges Helen F.
Published: November 2010

Successful nurses function effectively with adaptability, improvability, and interconnectedness, and can see emerging and unpredictable complex problems. Preparing new nurses for complexity requires a significant change in prevalent but dated nursing education models for rising graduates. The science of complexity coupled with problem-based learning and peer review contributes a feasible framework for a constructivist learning environment to examine real-time systems data; explore uncertainty, inherent patterns, and ambiguity; and develop skills for unstructured problem solving. This article describes a pilot study of a problem-based learning strategy guided by principles of complexity science in a community clinical nursing course. Thirty-five senior nursing students participated during a 3-year period. Assessments included peer review, a final project paper, reflection, and a satisfaction survey. Results were higher than expected levels of student satisfaction, increased breadth and analysis of complex data, acknowledgment of community as complex adaptive systems, and overall higher level thinking skills than in previous years.
Benign Fleck Retinal Findings on Multifocal ERG, Microperimetry, and OCT
Authors: Galindo-Ferreiro Alicia , Sanabria M. Rosa , Garcia Eduardo Pérez-Salvador , Coco-Martin Rosa Maria , Galindo-Alonso Julio , Palencia-Ercilla Jesus
Published: November 2010

A middle-aged asymptomatic woman presented with multiple yellow-white flecks in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) affecting both fundi in a symmetrical pattern. The lesions were distributed around the posterior pole and midperiphery but sparing the macula, a picture similar to what was defined by Gass as benign fleck retina. Visual acuity, visual fields, full-field electroretinogram, electrooculogram, and dark adaptation were normal. Multifocal electroretinogram [0] (mfERG) was slightly subnormal in the isopters 17° to 20°. In this same area, microperimetry confirmed a mild decrease in sensitivity more patent in the upper temporal sector where some hypoautofluorescent spots were detected. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) obtained through the flecks revealed a small increase in the thickness of the RPE. Autofluorescence showed increased autofluorescence within the flecks. OCT confirmed the anatomical location of the defect, whereas mfERG and microperimetry demonstrated for the first time that benign fleck retina can entail a functional defect.
Solitary Lacrimal Gland Choristoma of the Limbal Conjunctiva
Authors: Tuncer Samuray , Araz Bilge , Peksayar Gonul , Buyukbabani Nesimi
Published: November 2010

Lacrimal gland choristoma occurs in cases with a failure in migration of any portion of the lacrimal secretory apparatus. It is a rare conjunctival tumor. The authors report the clinical and histopathologic features of a conjunctival lacrimal gland choristoma. A 34-year-old woman presented with a pinkish conjunctival mass in the left eye that had been present since birth. The lesion was removed by excisional biopsy and the histopathologic findings were consistent with conjunctival lacrimal gland choristoma. Clinically, these tumors resemble conjunctival hemangioblastoma, lymphangioma, or a lymphoid infiltrate. Its presence since birth, temporal epibulbar location, and pink solid appearance can help in the differential diagnosis.
Security Issues in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Sora Daniel
Published: November 2010

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is an emerging technology that shows great promise for various applications both for mass public and military. The sensing technology combined with processing power and wireless communication makes it lucrative for being exploited in abundance in future. The inclusion of wireless communication technology also incurs various types of security threats. The intent of this paper is to investigate the security related issues and challenges in wireless sensor networks. We identify the security threats, review proposed security mechanisms for wireless sensor networks. Finally, we will try to provide a general approach to planning and implementing wireless sensor networks to support the arrays of sensors needed to operate plants, conduct scientific experiments, and test components.
Confirmatory factor analysis of the Multi-dimensional Emotional Empathy Scale in the South African context
Authors: Olckers Chantal , Buys Michiel A. , Grobler Stephanie
Published: November 2010

Orientation: Empathy is a core competency in aiding individuals to address the challenges of social living. An indicator of emotional intelligence, it is useful in a globalising and cosmopolitan world. Moreover, managing staff, stakeholders and conflict in many social settings relies on communicative skills, of which empathy forms a large part. Empathy plays a pivotal role in negotiating, persuading and influencing behaviour. The skill of being able to empathise thus enables the possessor to attune to the needs of clients and employees and provides opportunities to become responsive to these needs.Research purpose: This study attempted to determine the construct validity of the Multi-dimensional Emotional Empathy Scale within the South African context.Motivation for the study: In South Africa, a large number of psychometrical instruments have been adopted directly from abroad. Studies determining the construct validity of several of these imported instruments, however, have shown that these instruments are not suited for use in the South African context.Research design, approach and method: The study was based on a quantitative research method with a survey design. A convenience sample of 212 respondents completed the Multi-dimensional Emotional Empathy Scale. The constructs explored were Suffering, Positive Sharing, Responsive Crying, Emotional Attention, a Feel for Others and Emotional Contagion. The statistical procedure used was a confirmatory factor analysis.Main findings: The study showed that, from a South African perspective, the Multi-dimensional Emotional Empathy Scale lacks sufficient construct validity.Practical/managerial implications: Further refinement of the model would provide valuable information that would aid people to be more appreciative of individual contributions, to meet client needs and to understand the motivations of others.Contribution/value-add: From a South African perspective, the findings of this study are significant in that the data indicate potential for measuring emotional empathy in the workplace. Research into emotional empathy in South Africa, however, is limited and additional studies could deepen the case for the Scale’s applicability and validity.
Pharmacotherapy Update: Pregabalin in the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Montgomery Stuart A. , Kasper Siegfried
Published: November 2010

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common disorder that is chronic, disabling, and often goes undiagnosed. Currently, four distinct classes of medications have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of GAD: benzodiazepines, serotonin and/or norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs/SNRIs), histamine H1 receptor blockers (hydroxyzine), and pregabalin. Pregabalin acts via binding to an α2-δ subunit presynaptic membrane protein that inhibits neurotransmitter release in excited neurons. Pregabalin is renally excreted and undergoes minimal (<2%) hepatic metabolism, thus limiting the risk of drug–drug interactions. The efficacy of pregabalin for the treatment of GAD has been established based on the results of 8 double-blind, placebo-controlled, short-term led trials, and one 6-month relapse prevention study. The current review summarizes data showing that pregabalin has a significantly different safety profile from the benzodiazepines (eg, less sedation, less cognitive and psychomotor impairment, less risk of dependence and withdrawal), and SSRI/SNRI anxiolytics (eg, less gastrointestinal side effects and sexual dysfunction). The review also summarizes efficacy data showing that pregabalin is a broad spectrum anxiolytic that with a speed of onset similar to the benzodiazepines.
Celecoxib in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Authors: Battistone Michael J. , Sawitzke Allen Dale
Published: November 2010

Osteoarthritis is a major cause for pain worldwide and is increasingly so as the number of elderly people continues to grow. Finding treatments that are effective and safe for this pain has been challenging primarily because gastrointestinal risks increase with aging as well. One step in the direction of improvement was the development of selective COX-2 inhibitors, which as a group have lower gastrointestinal adverse reaction rates than traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, increases in cardiovascular adverse events with some of these have dampened initial enthusiasm for this approach. One of these inhibitors, celecoxib remains available in most areas of the world for use in pain associated with osteoarthritis. This review illustrates how best to consider it's role in the current treatment of pain associated with arthritis with an emphasis on osteoarthritis.
Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Tiotropium Bromide
Authors: Mamary A. James , Criner Gerard J.
Published: November 2010

In COPD, pathologic upregulation and stimulation of muscarinic (M) receptors contribute to bronchospasm, mucus hypersecretion and possibly airway remodeling. Tiotropium bromide (brand name Spiriva; Boehringer Ingelheim/Pfizer) inhalational powder was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in January 2004 for the long-term, once-daily, maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Tiotropium is recommended by the Global initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) as a first-line therapeutic in treating chronic moderate and severe COPD and is the only long acting inhaled anti-muscarinic (anti-cholinergic) therapy available for the treatment of COPD in the USA. The primary functional effect of tiotropium is mediated through antagonism of M3 receptors and the decreased acetylcholine induced airway smooth muscle bronchoconstriction.

Tiotropium is associated with increased lung function, health related quality of life, and exercise tolerance and reduced dyspnea and acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). On November 19, 2009 the Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee voted 11-1 for new product labeling about the benefits of tiotropium stating that the data provide “substantial and convincing evidence” that tiotropium decreases AECOPD. 1 This indication “for reducing COPD exacerbations” was added to product labeling in December 2009. Tiotropium is safe and well tolerated with few side effects. The large multicenter UPLIFT (Understanding the Potential Long-Term Impacts on Function with Tiotropium) trial demonstrated the long-term safety of tiotropium over four years of continuous use showing no increase in stoke and all cause mortality. Serious adverse events including respiratory failure, congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction were significantly less in the tiotropium group. In a pre-specified subgroup analysis Tiotropium retarded FEV1 decline in milder COPD. Additional review of cholinergic pathobiology relevant to COPD and asthma provides context for future therapeutic and preventative roles for tiotropium.
Sirolimus Eluting Stents
Authors: Hu Patrick P. , Mahmud Ehtisham
Published: November 2010

The sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) Cypher was the first commercially available drug-eluting stent. The use of this stent has resulted in significantly lower rates of restenosis and lesion revascularization compared to bare metal stents and balloon angioplasty. In this review, angiographic and clinical outcomes in patients treated with SES are compared to those treated with bare metal stents and other drug-eluting stents. Furthermore, efficacy and safety outcomes of SES in complex lesions (left main stenosis, bifurcation lesions, chronic total occlusions, long lesions and small vessels) and high risk populations (diabetes and acute myocardial infarction) are presented.
Nilotinib: A Review of its Use in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Authors: Lu Ting-Wei , Swords Ronan , Giles Francis J. , Kelly Kevin
Published: November 2010

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is characterized by the reciprocal chromosomal translocation, t(9;22), forming the BCR-ABL oncogene known as the Philadelphia chromosome. The development of imatinib, a small-molecule kinase inhibitor targeted against BCR-ABL, has revolutionized the management of CML and significantly improved the prognosis and outcome and until very recently was the standard of care in patients presenting with newly diagnosed CML. Nilotinib (Tasigna®) is an orally administered kinase inhibitor made by the Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation that was rationally designed to bind to the ABL kinase domain of BCR-ABL resulting in enhanced BCR-ABL inhibition. It is well tolerated and has a favourable safety profile. Nilotinib has been shown to be effective in patients who have failed prior therapy with imatinib. Recently a large randomized control trial comparing imatinib and nilotinib has demonstrated that niloitinb is superior to imatinib in the frontline treatment of CML. This review summarizes the preclinical and clinical data supporting the use of nilotinib in the frontline and secondline treatment of CML.
Pharmacotherapy of Restless Legs Syndrome with Pramipexole
Authors: Merlino Giovanni , Lorenzut Simone , Sommaro Martina , Gigli Gian Luigi , Valente Mariarosaria
Published: November 2010

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is one of the most common neurological diseases characterized by an urge to move the legs, often associated with unpleasant sensations relieved by movement. It is engendered by rest, and is worse in the evening or at night. Patients affected by severe RLS should be treated pharmacologically. Dopamine-agonists represent the first-line treatment for RLS symptoms. Pramipexole is a non-ergot derived dopamine agonist with a high selectivity for D2 and D3 receptors. At doses comprised between 0.125 and 0.75 mg, pramipexole improves subjective symptoms and objective signs of primary RLS even after the first administration. In addition, pramipexole seems to be safe and well tolerated. However, physicians should be aware that augmentation and compulsive behaviours might occur in their RLS patients treated with pramipexole. Further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of pramipexole in uremic RLS and in children affected by the sleep disorder.
Azelastine HCl: A Review of the Old and New Formulations
Authors: Horbal Jonathan M. , Bernstein Jonathan A.
Published: November 2010

Azelastine HCl (Astelin™) is an intranasal antihistamine indicated for use in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis (VMR). A side effect of this medication is bitter taste which many patients find aversive. To address the issue of bitter taste, azelastine has been reformulated to include sucralose and sorbitol. The new formulation (Astepro™ 0.1%) is approved for seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis and has been demonstrated to have comparable pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and therapeutic efficacy compared to Astelin. More recently, Astepro at a concentration 0.15% has been approved for once a day use. This review will provide an overview of the old and new formulations of Azelastine.
Varenicline: Smoking Cessation in Patients with Medical and Psychiatric Comorbidity
Authors: Tonstad Serena , Els Charl
Published: November 2010

Smoking remains a major public health challenge. Nicotine is the main psychoactive drug responsible for the addictive nature of tobacco, explaining why many smokers fail to quit without assistance. Pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation is deemed effective for a broad range of populations and should be routinely offered to smokers interested in making a quit attempt. Varenicline, a partial agonist at the α4β2 nicotinic receptor increases chances of quitting three-fold compared to placebo in smokers without comorbidities, and in smokers with cardiovascular disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Persons with mental illness have high rates of smoking, and the potential impact of varenicline on mental status and the underlying pathophysiology of mental illness, has become a salient concern. Varenicline is an appropriate aid for smoking cessation in patients with medical and/or psychiatric comorbidity. This conclusion is supported by current evidence on the safety and tolerability of the drug.
Robustness of efficient server assignment policies to service time distributions in finite‐buffered lines
Authors: Kırkızlar Eser , Andradóttir Sigrún , Ayhan Hayriye
Published: November 2010

We study the assignment of flexible servers to stations in tandem lines with service times that are not necessarily exponentially distributed. Our goal is to achieve optimal or near‐optimal throughput. For systems with infinite buffers, it is already known that the effective assignment of flexible servers is robust to the service time distributions. We provide analytical results for small systems and numerical results for larger systems that support the same conclusion for tandem lines with finite buffers. In the process, we propose server assignment heuristics that perform well for systems with different service time distributions. Our research suggests that policies known to be optimal or near‐optimal for Markovian systems are also likely to be effective when used to assign servers to tasks in non‐Markovian systems. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2010
Towards green loyalty: driving from green perceived value, green satisfaction, and green trust
Authors: Chen Yu‐Shan
Published: November 2010

This study proposed four original concepts – green perceived value, green satisfaction, green trust, and green loyalty – and discussed their relationships. The results showed that enhancing green perceived value, green satisfaction, and green trust of customers can increase their green loyalty. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that green perceived value can not only directly influence green loyalty positively, but also indirectly influence it positively via green satisfaction and green trust. In addition, this study undertook a comparative analysis between the original model and the four competing models. The results indicated that it is imperative to separate green perceived value, green satisfaction, green trust, and green loyalty from perceived value, satisfaction, trust, and loyalty. In the environmental era, if companies intend to raise their customers' green loyalty, they need to invest resources to raise their customers' green perceived value, green satisfaction, and green trust, rather than perceived value, satisfaction, and trust. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Political Economy of Central Asia: Initial Reflections on the Need for a New Approach
Authors: Rustemova Assel
Published: November 2010

This article aims to give an overview of the analytical approaches to political economy of Central Asia. It argues that twenty years after transition paradigm we still find lingering separation between politics and economics that compartmentalizes studies of economic development, nation- and state-building into separate projects. 1 1 I am grateful to Peter Rutland, Philip Cerny and Frank Fischer for thought-provoking conversations that inspired me to write this article. The analytical separation between economics and politics creates two crucial problems for scholars of development in Central Asia: the suspense of theorization of economy and lack of attention to the new practices of governing.

Two theories tried to solve the issue of separation. First is the theory of the “resource curse”, which argues for the inability of a raw material supplier to develop a healthy democratic system (Pomfret, 2006; Auty, 2006a, 2006b, 2006c). The second view, “varieties of capitalism” traces institutional and historical peculiarities as preconditions for a stable market-oriented democratic system (Lane, 2006; Luong, 2000). However, the first view is rather deterministic in relying on a single variable to prove the case; whereas, the second view is highly arbitrary by picking specific historical and cultural contexts that suit the case.

I argue that post-structuralist approaches and specifically, the framework of “governmentality” – a term coined by Michel Foucault, allows for more fruitful heuristic exercise. Governmentality as an analytical approach looks at the way the state positions itself in its society and determines the type of governing rationale it adopts. Particularly, it incorporates both discursive and structural-technological conditions of each state into analysis by augmenting the data before constructing the theory to argue what rationale drives government activities in the state. Governmentality speaks to both “resource curse” and the “varieties of capitalism” by enriching and complicating them while allowing identification of how rationales of governing evolve and change over time.
Coming to Terms with the Complexity of External Agency in Central Asia
Authors: Kavalski Emilian
Published: November 2010

During the 1990s, Central Asia emerged as an idiom for the uncertainty pervading the post-Cold War climate of global life. This paper therefore queries the intertwining of the region in world politics and the ways in which the dynamics of international affairs affect Central Asia. In this respect, the investigation explores the scope and connotations of the “new Central Asia” label. Its framing provides a context for the conceptual engagement with the Central Asian agency of international actors. This assessment details the perception of a regional power vacuum and the emergence of awkward statehood as key contributing factors to the construction of Central Asia as a permissive environment for external agency. Consequently, the confrontation with the proliferation of “actorness” in Central Asia accounts for the dynamics of the “new great game” and the patterns of “hegemonic fragmegration” in the region.
“Religion, Nationality, or Politics: Catholicism in the Russian Empire, 1863–1905”
Authors: Weeks Ted
Published: November 2010

Focusing primarily on official sources, this essay examines perceptions of Catholicism and Catholics from the 1860s. Throughout this period, the Russian government almost instinctively understood “Catholic” and “Polish” as synonyms, even when it explicitly denied doing so. This conflation of religious and ethnic categories colored official policies toward other Catholics such as Belarusians and Lithuanians who ostensibly were potential allies against the Poles. Even measures such as the attempt to introduce Russian into Belarusian Catholic churches foundered in part on officialdom's profound distrust for Catholicism. This essay is a contribution to our understanding of religious and national categories in late Imperial Russia and also to the study of russification in this period.
Effects of temperature variations and light exposure on the time to growth of dermatophytes using six different fungal culture media inoculated with laboratory strains and samples obtained from infected cats
Authors: Moriello Karen A. , Verbrugge Maria J. , Kesting Rachel A.
Published: November 2010

In this study, 5/6 commercially available fungal culture media were comparable with respect to first growth, first colour change, and first sporulation when inoculated with three strains of Microsporum canis, one strain of Microsporum gypseum, and one strain of Trichophyton species when incubated at either 25°C or 30°C. Five of six plates showed 100% growth at both temperatures. Five of six plates showed 100% growth when inoculated with naturally infective M canis hairs and spores. One commercial product packaged as a self-sealing incubation plate showed growth in only 65.4% of times and the plates were prone to desiccation. M canis inoculated plates were incubated under four different light exposures (24 h of light, 24 h of dark, 12 h light/12 h dark, and room lighting) and no differences in growth or sporulation were noted.