bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of glutamate residues in substrate recognition by human MATE1 polyspecific H+/organic cation exporter
Authors: Matsumoto Takuya , Kanamoto Takuji , Otsuka Masato , Omote Hiroshi , Moriyama Yoshinori
Published: February 2008

Human multidrug and toxic compound extrusion 1 (hMATE1) is an electroneutral H+/organic cation exchanger responsible for the final excretion step of structurally unrelated toxic organic cations in kidney and liver. To elucidate the molecular basis of the substrate recognition by hMATE1, we substituted the glutamate residues Glu273, Glu278, Glu300, and Glu389, which are conserved in the transmembrane regions, for alanine or aspartate and examined the transport activities of the resulting mutant proteins using tetraethylammonium (TEA) and cimetidine as substrates after expression in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells. All of these mutants except Glu273Ala were fully expressed and present in the plasma membrane of the HEK-293 cells. TEA transport activity in the mutant Glu278Ala was completely absent. Both Glu300Ala and Glu389Ala and all aspartate mutants exhibited significantly decreased activity. Glu273Asp showed higher affinity for cimetidine, whereas it has reduced affinity to TEA. Glu278Asp showed decreased affinity to cimetidine. Both Glu300Asp and Glu389Asp had lowered affinity to TEA, whereas the affinity of Glu389Asp to cimetidine was fourfold higher than that of the wild-type transporter with about a fourfold decrease in Vmax value. Both Glu273Asp and Glu300Asp had altered pH dependence for TEA uptake. These results suggest that all of these glutamate residues are involved in binding and/or transport of TEA and cimetidine but that their individual roles are different.
Capsaicin-sensitive vagal afferents modulate posttranscriptional regulation of the rat Na+/glucose cotransporter SGLT1
Authors: Stearns Adam T. , Balakrishnan Anita , Rounds Jan , Rhoads David B. , Ashley Stanley W. , Tavakkolizadeh Ali
Published: February 2008

Introduction: the intestinal Na+/glucose cotransporter (SGLT1) displays rapid anticipatory diurnal rhythms in mRNA and protein expression. The vagus nerve has been implicated in the entrainment of some transporters. We aimed to clarify the influence of the vagus nerve on the diurnal entrainment pathway for SGLT1 and examine the role of vagal afferent fibers. Methods: male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to three groups, total subdiaphragmatic vagotomy, selective deafferentation of the vagus with capsaicin, or sham laparotomy. Postoperatively, animals were maintained in a 12-h light-dark cycle with food access limited to night. On the ninth postoperative day, animals were euthanized to harvest jejunal mucosa at 6-h intervals starting at 10 AM. Whole cell SGLT1 protein was measured by semiquantitative densitometry of immunoblots. Sglt1 and regulatory subunit RS1 mRNA was assessed by quantitative PCR. Fluorogold tracer technique was used to confirm adequacy of the vagotomy. Results: the diurnal rhythm in intestinal SGLT1, with a 5.3-fold increase in Sglt1 mRNA at 4 PM, was preserved in both vagotomy and capsaicin groups. However, the rhythmicity in SGLT1 protein expression (2.3-fold peak at 10 PM; P = 0.041) was abolished following either total vagotomy or deafferentation. Lack of change in RS1 mRNA suggests this is independent of the RS1 regulatory pathway. Conclusion: SGLT1 transcription is independent of the vagus. However, dissociation of the protein rhythm from the underlying mRNA signal by vagotomy suggests the vagus may be involved in posttranscriptional regulation of SGLT1 in an RS1 independent pathway. Disruption following afferent ablation by capsaicin suggests this limb is specifically necessary.
Chronic candesartan alters expression and activity of NKCC2, NCC, and ENaC in the obese Zucker rat
Authors: Madala Halagappa Veerendra K. , Tiwari Swasti , Riazi Shahla , Hu Xinqun , Ecelbarger Carolyn M.
Published: February 2008

The obese Zucker rat reportedly has increased activity of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which conceptually could contribute to elevated salt sensitivity and blood pressure (BP). Our aim was to determine whether there was increased angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R)-mediated upregulation of expression or activity of the bumetanide-sensitive Na-K-2Cl cotransporter, the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC), and/or the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in obese vs. lean Zucker rats. Male obese and lean Zucker rats (10-wk old) were fed either 1) control chow (1% NaCl) or 2) chow with candesartan (CAN), an AT1R antagonist (25 mg/kg·diet) for 14 wk ( n = 8/treatment/body type). BP measured by radiotelemetry, was markedly reduced by CAN (∼20–25 mmHg) in both lean and obese rats with no body-type differences. Obese rats had significantly greater net natriuretic response to single injections of hydrochlorothiazide and benzamil, suggesting increased activity of NCC and ENaC, respectively; however, only the response to benzamil was reduced by CAN. CAN led to a significant reduction in whole kidney levels of NCC and γ-ENaC (70-kDa band) in both lean and obese rats. However, it significantly increased α-ENaC and Na-K-2Cl cotransporter levels, and these increases were greater in obese rats. These studies suggest that relatively increased ENaC, but not NCC activity, in obese rats is due to enhanced AT1R activity. CAN attenuated the reduction of several renal transporters in the obese rat kidney. Finally, differences in intrarenal AT1R activity do not seem directly responsible for BP differences between lean and obese rats.
Endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation of the superficial femoral artery in spinal cord-injured subjects
Authors: Thijssen D. H. J. , Kooijman M. , de Groot P. C. E. , Bleeker M. W. P. , Smits P. , Green D. J. , Hopman M. T. E.
Published: February 2008

Extreme inactivity of the legs in spinal cord-injured (SCI) individuals does not result in an impairment of the superficial femoral artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD). To gain insight into the underlying mechanism, the present study examined nitric oxide (NO) responsiveness of vascular smooth muscles in controls and SCI subjects. In eight healthy men (34 ± 13 yr) and six SCI subjects (37 ± 10 yr), superficial femoral artery FMD response was assessed by echo Doppler. Subsequently, infusion of incremental dosages of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was used to assess NO responsiveness. Peak diameter was examined on a second day after 13 min of arterial occlusion in combination with sublingual administration of nitroglycerine. Resting and peak superficial femoral artery diameter in SCI subjects were smaller than in controls ( P < 0.001). The FMD response in controls (4.2 ± 0.9%) was lower than in SCI subjects (8.2 ± 0.9%, P < 0.001), but not after correcting for area under the curve for shear rate ( P = 0.35). When expressed as relative change from baseline, SCI subjects demonstrate a significantly larger diameter increase compared with controls at each dose of SNP. However, when expressed as a relative increase within the range of diameter changes [baseline (0%) − peak diameter (100%)], both groups demonstrate similar changes in response to SNP. Changes in diameter during SNP infusion and FMD response are larger in SCI subjects compared with controls. When these results are corrected, superficial femoral artery FMD and NO sensitivity in SCI subjects are not different from those in controls. This illustrates the importance of appropriate data presentation and suggests that, subsequent to structural inward remodeling of conduit arteries as a consequence of extreme physical inactivity, arterial function is normalized.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Affects Performance of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task during Provision of Feedback
Authors: Ko Ji Hyun , Monchi Oury , Ptito Alain , Petrides Michael , Strafella Antonio P.
Published: February 2008

Early functional neuroimaging studies of tasks evaluating executive processes, such as the Wisconsin card sorting task (WCST), only assessed trials in blocks that may contain a large amount of different cognitive processes. More recently, we showed using event‐related fMRI that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DL‐PFC) significantly increased activity during feedback but not matching periods of the WCST, consistent with its proposed role in the monitoring of information in working memory. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a method that allows to disrupt processing within a given cortical region and to affect task performance for which this region is significantly solicited. Here we applied rTMS to test the hypothesis that the DL‐PFC stimulation influences monitoring of working memory without interfering with other executive functions. We applied rTMS to the right DL‐PFC and the vertex (control site) in different time points of the WCST. When rTMS was applied to the DL‐PFC specifically during the period when subjects were receiving feedback regarding their previous response, WCST performance deteriorated, while rTMS did not affect performance during matching either when maintaining set or during set‐shifting. This selective impairment of the DL‐PFC is consistent with its proposed role in monitoring of events in working memory.
Variational Methods for Almost Periodic Solutions of a Class of Neutral Delay Equations
Authors: Ayachi M. , Blot J.
Published: February 2008

We provide new variational settings to study the a.p. (almost periodic)
solutions of a class of nonlinear neutral delay equations. We extend
Shu and Xu (2006) variational setting for
periodic solutions of nonlinear neutral delay equation to the almost periodic settings. We obtain
results on the structure of the set of the a.p. solutions, results of existence of a.p. solutions,
results of existence of a.p. solutions, and also a density result for the forced
equations.
Thermal Behavior of TiO2-xNx Nanostructured Powder
Authors: Balek Vladimír , Šubrt Jan , Irie Hiroshi , Hashimoto Kazuhito
Published: February 2008

Diffusion structural analysis (DSA), based on the
measurement of the release of radon previously incorporated
into the samples, was used to characterize thermal behavior of
N‐doped titania powder prepared by heat treatment of anatase
in gaseous ammonia at 575∘C and the reference TiO2 powder prepared from the ST‐01 anatase
titania powder (Ishihara Ltd., Japan). The results of DSA,
surface area and porosity measurements by nitrogen adsorption,
SEM micrographs, XPS, and XRD are
presented and discussed. The results of DSA are in agreement
with the results of other methods and indicated the annealing of
the subsurface structure irregularities of the samples.
Transport properties of the samples were determined from the
mobility of radon atoms released on sample heating in air. The
decrease of radon permeability in the porous titania powders in
the temperature range 850–1000∘C due to annealing of the subsurface structure
irregularities, that served as radon diffusion paths in the
samples, was evaluated from the DSA results.
A Constraint‐Based Approach to Visual Speech for a Mexican‐Spanish Talking Head
Authors: Lazalde Oscar Martinez , Maddock Steve , Meredith Michael
Published: February 2008

A common approach to produce visual speech is to interpolate the parameters describing a sequence of mouth shapes, known as visemes, where a viseme corresponds to a phoneme in an utterance. The interpolation process must consider the issue of context‐dependent shape, or coarticulation, in order to produce realistic‐looking speech. We describe an approach to such pose‐based interpolation that deals with coarticulation using a constraint‐based technique. This is demonstrated using a Mexican‐Spanish talking head, which can vary its speed of talking and produce coarticulation effects.
Common Fixed Point Theorems on Weakly Contractive and Nonexpansive Mappings
Authors: Xiao Jian-Zhong , Zhu Xing-Hua
Published: February 2008

A family of commuting nonexpansive self-mappings, one of which is weakly contractive, are studied. Some convergence theorems are established for the iterations of types Krasnoselski-Mann, Kirk, and Ishikawa to approximate a common fixed point. The error estimates of these iterations are also given.
Influence of Nanosized Silicon Carbide on Dimensional Stability of Al/SiC Nanocomposite
Authors: Zebarjad S. M. , Sajjadi S. A. , Vahid Karimi E. Z.
Published: February 2008

This study concentrated on the role of particle size of silicon carbide (SiC) on dimensional stability of aluminum. Three kinds of Al/SiC composite reinforced with different SiC particle sizes (25 μm, 5 μm, and 70 nm) were produced using a high-energy ball mill. The standard samples were fabricated using powder metallurgy method. The samples were heated from room temperature up to500∘Cin a dilatometer at different heating rates, that is, 10, 30, 40, and60∘C/min. The results showed that for all materials, there was an increase in length change as temperature increased and the temperature sensitivity of aluminum decreased in the presence of both micro- and nanosized silicon carbide. At the same condition, dimensional stability of Al/SiC nanocomposite was better than conventional Al/SiC composites.
Effect of Cavities on the Optical Properties of Bullet Rosettes: Implications for Active and Passive Remote Sensing of Ice Cloud Properties
Authors: Yang Ping , Zhang Zhibo , Kattawar George W. , Warren Stephen G. , Baum Bryan A. , Huang Hung-Lung , Hu Yong X. , Winker David , Iaquinta Jean
Published: February 2008

Bullet rosette particles are common in ice clouds, and the bullets may often be hollow. Here the single-scattering properties of randomly oriented hollow bullet rosette ice particles are investigated. A bullet, which is an individual branch of a rosette, is defined as a hexagonal column attached to a hexagonal pyramidal tip. For this study, a hollow structure is included at the end of the columnar part of each bullet branch and the shape of the hollow structure is defined as a hexagonal pyramid. A hollow bullet rosette may have between 2 and 12 branches. An improved geometric optics method is used to solve for the scattering of light in the particle. The primary optical effect of incorporating a hollow end in each of the bullets is to decrease the magnitude of backscattering. In terms of the angular distribution of scattered energy, the hollow bullets increase the scattering phase function values within the forward scattering angle region from 1° to 20° but decrease the phase function values at side- and backscattering angles of 60°–180°. As a result, the presence of hollow bullets tends to increase the asymmetry factor. In addition to the scattering phase function, the other elements of the phase matrix are also discussed. The backscattering depolarization ratios for hollow and solid bullet rosettes are found to be very different. This may have an implication for active remote sensing of ice clouds, such as from polarimetric lidar measurements. In a comparison of solid and hollow bullet rosettes, the effect of the differences on the retrieval of both the ice cloud effective particle size and optical thickness is also discussed. It is found that the presence of hollow bullet rosettes acts to decrease the inferred effective particle size and to increase the optical thickness in comparison with the use of solid bullet rosettes.
Convective–Stratiform Precipitation Variability at Seasonal Scale from 8 Yr of TRMM Observations: Implications for Multiple Modes of Diurnal Variability
Authors: Yang Song , Smith Eric A.
Published: February 2008

This study investigates the variability of convective and stratiform rainfall from 8 yr (1998–2005) of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar (PR) and TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) measurements, focusing on seasonal diurnal variability. The main scientific goals are 1) to understand the climatological variability of these two dominant forms of precipitation across the four cardinal seasons and over continents and oceans separately and 2) to understand how differences in convective and stratiform rainfall variations ultimately determine how the diurnal variability of the total rainfall is modulated into multiple modes.

There are distinct day–night differences for both convective and stratiform rainfall. Oceanic (continental) convective rainfall is up to 25% (50%) greater during nighttime (daytime) than daytime (nighttime). The seasonal variability of convective rainfall’s day–night difference is relatively small, while stratiform rainfall exhibits very apparent day–night variations with seasonal variability. There are consistent late evening diurnal peaks without obvious seasonal variations over ocean for convective, stratiform, and total rainfall. Over continents, convective and total rainfall exhibit consistent dominant afternoon peaks with little seasonal variations—but with late evening secondary peaks exhibiting seasonal variations. Stratiform rainfall over continents exhibits a consistent strong late evening peak and a weak afternoon peak, with the afternoon mode undergoing seasonal variability. Thus, the diurnal characteristics of stratiform rainfall appear to control the afternoon secondary maximum of oceanic rainfall and the late evening secondary peak of continental rainfall. Even at the seasonal–regional scale spatially or the interannual global scale temporally, the secondary mode can become very pronounced, but only on an intermittent basis. Overall, the results presented here demonstrate the importance of partitioning the total rainfall into convective and stratiform components and suggest that diurnal modes largely arise from distinct diurnal stratiform variations modulating convective variations.
Beliefs About Schizophrenia and Its Treatment in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Authors: Swami Viren , Furnham Adrian , Kannan Kumaraswami , Sinniah Dhachayani
Published: February 2008

Background: Lay beliefs about schizophrenia have been extensively studied in cross-cultural settings, but research on ethnic differences are currently lacking. Aims: This study examined beliefs about the manifestations, causes and cures of schizophrenia in a multi-ethnic sample from Malaysia.

Methods: In this study, 561 Malay, Chinese and Kadazan-Dusun participants rated 72 statements about schizophrenia on a 7-point scale.

Results: Results showed that Malaysians tended to favour social-environmental explanations for schizophrenia. There were also ethnic and sex differences in these results. Specifically, Malay participants more strongly agreed that schizophrenia has a social cause, that treatment should affect changes at a societal level, that schizophrenic behaviour is sinful and that mental hospitals do not provide effective treatments.

Conclusions: Lay beliefs about schizophrenia may serve different functions for different ethno-cultural groups, which have an influence on help-seeking behaviour.
Amo: Volo ut sis
Authors: Martel James
Published: February 2008

Although critical of what she calls the `antipolitical' forces of love and sovereignty, Arendt reluctantly embraces these aspects as the basis of politics itself. I explain this paradox by arguing that Arendt seeks to balance Greek and Roman notions of freedom with modern conceptions of the will. The solipsistic will poses a threat to politics (it is the source of sovereignty itself). Yet the will is a fact of modern life and cannot be ignored. I argue that despite her embrace of classical understandings of freedom as contingency, Arendt seeks to limit contingency and even freedom itself. She does this to accommodate the will which must have some sense of agency and continuity in order to be able to function at all. Arendt argues that sovereignty can, if properly constrained, produce a `certain limited reality' and can (along with love) serve as a basis for politics. I claim that Arendt sacrifices her classical ideals, allowing for the possibility of a modern, lesser version of freedom (which in her view is better than no freedom at all).
Using music to cue autobiographical memories of different lifetime periods
Authors: Cady Elizabeth T. , Harris Richard Jackson , Knappenberger J. Bret
Published: February 2008

Little previous research has examined the link between popular music and autobiographical memory. College-age participants recalled a memory associated with a song from each of five lifetime eras and then described and rated the memories. Participants heard part of the song, read the lyrics, saw a picture of the artist or began describing their memory immediately. Ratings for vividness, specificity, feeling brought back and feeling emotional in connection with the memory were all significantly different across lifetime eras. Differences also existed between sensory conditions in memory description length, feeling brought back and feeling emotional. However, hearing the song did not produce higher ratings than all the other sensory conditions. These findings show that music is a valuable cue to evoke autobiographical memory.
Increased Expression of Tyrosine Phosphatase SHP2 in Experimental Pneumococcal Meningitis: Correlation With Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha and Cerebrospinal Fluid Pleocytosis
Authors: Mei Feng  , Ruopeng Sun  , Chengmei Zhang  , Enhua Sun  , Shaochun Wei  , Jiaqing Wan  , Ruopeng Sun
Published: February 2008

Protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 plays a crucial role in the development of the central nervous system. To explore the expression and possible role of SHP2 during the course of bacterial meningitis, this article reports a juvenile rat bacterial meningitis model established by direct intracisternal injection of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Expression of SHP2 at both mRNA and protein levels were assessed. White blood cell count and concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were also measured. In the cortex, bacterial meningitis led to a significant upregulation of mRNA encoding SHP2. SHP2 protein levels and CSF white blood cell count were positively correlated. However, there was no significant correlation between the levels of SHP2 protein and TNF-alpha concentrations in CSF. These findings do not support an essential role of SHP2 in the pathogenesis of experimental pneumoniae meningitis, but it is possible that SHP2 protein expression may be used as a marker of disease activity.
Representing the Homeland
Authors: Abdelhady Dalia
Published: February 2008

This article examines the representation of home among members of the Lebanese diaspora in New York, Montreal and Paris. Lebanese immigrants view home as both a concrete reality that is achieved physically or in relation with others and a symbolic reference point that moves beyond territorial boundaries. These overlapping strategies allow them to imagine and recreate their sense of home and belonging (to both a past and present) that provide sources of stability used in dealing with life in the diaspora. However, these strategies also highlight a lack of desire to return to Lebanon as they illustrate how Lebanese immigrants bring home to their new settings in ways that question national forms of belonging and ethnic identification. As a result, the myth of return which was once considered a defining feature of diasporic communities is no longer a unifying point among members of the diaspora.
Action Research
Authors: Bargal David
Published: February 2008

Action research was originally introduced by the late Kurt Lewin, who coined the term and who frequently used it in the realm of intergroup relations. Eight principles of action research based on Lewin's writings, and adopted by leading theorists and practitioners, are elaborated on in this article accompanied by illustrations of how they have been used in the study reported in this special issue.
Group Processes to Reduce Intergroup Conflict
Authors: Bargal David
Published: February 2008

This article's main emphasis is on describing and illustrating several group processes and theories that were used in an intervention to reduce conflict between Arab and Jewish youth in Israel as an additional example to the main one presented in this volume. These theories used in the Israeli example contribute substantially to the latter. Following a description of the Israeli workshop setting, participants, and structure, this article deals with the change processes that may affect participants' attitudes and behaviors. The theoretical perspectives used to analyze the group processes used in the workshop are the following: the psychodynamic and group therapy perspective, the cognitive-behavioral perspective, and the self-theory perspective. These three perspectives are applied to analyze the processes that occurred during the workshop in relationship to participants, facilitators, workshop structure, and content.
Preschool Family and Child Characteristics Associated With Stable Behavior Problems in Children
Authors: Stormont Melissa
Published: February 2008

This longitudinal study investigated child and family characteristics associated with stable behavior problems in children. Parents of 41 preschoolers with and without externalizing problems participated in a 5-year follow-forward assessment. Parents completed a behavioral checklist and children were placed into one of three behavior groups: stable problems, improved, and comparisons. Results indicated that, at preschool age, the group of children with stable behavior problems had mothers who used more controlling child-rearing practices, and had parents who used more aggressive tactics during conflict with each other than the parents of children in the other groups. Children with stable behavior problems were also more intense, active, and less easy to manage at preschool age than were the other two groups of children.
Examination of Quantitative Methods Used in Early Intervention Research: Linkages With Recommended Practices
Authors: Snyder Patricia , Thompson Bruce , Mclean Mary E. , Smith Barbara J.
Published: February 2008

Findings are reported related to the research methods and statistical techniques used in the 450 group quantitative studies examined as part of the literature review portion of the Division for Early Childhood Recommended Practices project. Twelve trained coders used an investigator-developed coding form to analyze studies across seven major dimensions: (a) sampling procedures, (b) variable selection, (c) variable definition, (d) measurement integrity, (e) treatment fidelity, (f) statistical analyses, and (g) magnitude-of effect reporting. Results suggested that the methodological integrity of the quantitative research used to inform recommended practices was not uniformly convincing and compelling. Implications are offered related to the strength of empirical support for recommended practices and the conduct and reporting of future research.
Child Welfare Referrals to Part C
Authors: Robinson Cordelia C. , Rosenberg Steven A.
Published: February 2008

Interagency coordination on behalf of eligible infants and toddlers and their families is a defining feature of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. In the present study, enrollment data for child welfare services and Part C services were examined to assess the degree of overlap between the two service systems. Results indicated that only a small proportion of young children receiving child welfare services also were enrolled in Part C early intervention services. These findings suggest that more effective procedures are needed for identifying the developmental problems of infants and toddlers enrolled in child welfare services and for enrolling them into Part C early intervention services.
Chracteristics and Development of Children with CHARGE Association/Syndrome
Authors: Salem-Hartshorne Nancy , Jacob Susan
Published: February 2008

CHARGE association/syndrome refers to a group of congenital anomalies occurring together more often than chance. Parents of children with CHARGE were surveyed and asked to indicate whether their child had various features commonly found among individuals with CHARGE (e.g., vision or hearing impairment) and to complete an adaptive behavior scale for their child. One hundred parents completed surveys. Adaptive behavior scores revealed a broader and higher-reaching range of development for this population than previously reported, with about half achieving normal range scores. Correlation analyses revealed negative relationships between (a) degree of deaf-blindness, (b) age at walking, (c) degree of hearing impairment, and (d) medical involvement variables and the dependent variable, adaptive behavior. Age at walking had the strongest relationship to adaptive behavior scores. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Teaching Enhanced Milieu Language Teaching Skills to Parents in Multiple Risk Families
Authors: Peterson Pete , Carta Judith J. , Greenwood Charles
Published: February 2008

A multiple baseline design across three parent-child dyads of families with multiple risk factors was used to determine the effectiveness of teaching parents to use milieu language teaching procedures. Parents were taught to use two sets of milieu language teaching skills: responsive interaction and incidental teaching. Results showed that parents were able to acquire milieu language teaching skills and that they maintained those skills after the intervention was completed. Children increased their verbal behavior in the form of child comments and correct responding to parent questions. Increases in children's mean length of utterance and Sequenced Inventory of Communication Development scores also were noted. Parents' use of responsive interaction skills was more likely to encourage child comments while parental use of incidental teaching was more likely to promote correct responses from children participating in the study. Implications for future research and practice include the need to explore implementation factors related to parent characteristics and environmental risks.
Functional Communication Training with Toddlers in Home Environments
Authors: Dunlap Glen , Ester Tera , Langhans Sherri , Fox Lise
Published: February 2008

This study was conducted to examine the effects of functional communication training when used by mothers to address the serious challenging behaviors of toddlers. Multiple baseline (across home routines) designs were used with two mother-child dyads. The data showed mothers used the procedures correctly and interventions produced reductions in the children's challenging behaviors and increases in their use of communicative replacement skills. Social validity data supported the clarity of the effects and indicated that the procedures were viewed by the mothers as feasible and as having acceptable contextual fit. Results are discussed in relation to the importance of resolving challenging behaviors early in a child's life, and the need for additional research on effective strategies that can be used by typical intervention agents in natural settings.
Early Intervention Service Coordination Models and Service Coordinator Practices
Authors: Dunst Carl J. , Bruder Mary Beth
Published: February 2008

The relationship between three different service coordinator models (dedicated and independent, dedicated but not independent, and blended) and the use of nine different service coordinator practices was examined in a study of families of infants and toddlers enrolled in the IDEA Part C early intervention program. Results showed that service coordinators provided children and families fewer services when using a dedicated and independent model and that the same service coordinators had less frequent contact with families and early intervention staff compared to service coordinators working in the context of the other two service coordination models. Strengths and limitations of the different service coordination models are discussed.
A Program-Wide Model of Positive Behavior Support in Early Childhood Settings
Authors: Hemmeter Mary Louise , Fox Lise , Jack Susan , Broyles Linda
Published: February 2008

An increasing need exists in the field of early intervention for effective approaches to address challenging behavior in early childhood settings. This need is driven by the growing number of preschool children reported to have challenging behavior and the increasing knowledge base about the long-term outcomes for children who engage in problem behavior during the early childhood years. Teachers report that challenging behavior is one of their highest priority training needs. A promising approach to addressing challenging behavior in early childhood settings is a program-wide system of positive behavior support (PBS). While a program-wide PBS model has been clearly articulated for use in elementary and secondary schools, relatively little attention has been given to program-wide models of behavior support in early childhood programs. The purpose of this article is to describe the essential elements of a program-wide model of positive behavior support that reflects an understanding of the needs of young children and the unique characteristics of early childhood settings (e.g., Head Start, public preschool, child care). The article also will provide an illustration of the adoption of the program-wide model by a rural Head Start program.
An Exploration of Child Sexual Abusers' Sexual Fantasies Before and After Treatment
Authors: Swaffer Tracey , Hollin Clive , Beech Anthony , Beckett Richard , Fisher Dawn
Published: February 2008

Although there is a substantial literature looking at the relationship between deviant sexual fantasies and child sexual abuse, there is scant previous work that focuses upon the actual content of such fantasies. The present study looks at child sexual abusers' deviant fantasies both pre- and postintervention. Using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, a description of the frequency and content of, and triggers for, child sexual abusers' deviantfantasies is reported both pre- and postintervention. The implications of this information for subsequent intervention programs is explored.
Goal Attainment Scaling with Sexual Offenders: A Measure of Clinical Impact at Posttreatment and at Community Follow-Up
Authors: Stirpe Tania Simone , Wilson Robin J. , Long Carmen
Published: February 2008

The impact of cognitive-behavioral interventions was assessed for 28 low-moderate risk and 20 high-risk sexual offenders on conditional release to the Greater Toronto Area. Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS—T. Hogue, 1994) for sexual offenders was used to rate clinical and motivational elements of treatment taken from reports written at pretreatment, posttreatment, and after 3 months of community follow-up. Results indicated that both groups of offenders benefited from treatment, although low-moderate risk offenders showed consistently better results on all measures. Performance along nonrelapse prevention related dimensions increased from pretreatment to posttreatment and remained relatively steady in the community. Relapse prevention related treatment components showed a steady increase from pretreatment throughout follow-up in the community for low-moderate risk offenders, but not for high-risk offenders. Both groups improved substantially in level of motivation from pretreatment to posttreatment; however, only those in the low-moderate risk group maintained their motivation levels once released to the community. These results are discussed with respect to the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral treatment of sexual offenders.
Memory of Childhood Sexual Abuse Among Clinicians: Characteristics, Outcomes, and Current Therapy Attitudes
Authors: Little Liza , Hamby Sherry L.
Published: February 2008

This paper reports preliminary data on a sample of therapists with memory of childhood sexual abuse. Therapists who reported experiencing childhood sexual abuse (CSA, n = 131) were compared with therapists who suspected sexual abuse but had no memories (n = 24) on variables related to abuse characteristics, outcomes, and perceived difficulties working with clients with a CSA history. Therapists who suspected abuse, in contrast to those who made definite reports, were more likely to report that the perpetrator was a family member, that their CSA did not involve physical contact, that there was alcoholism in their families of origin, and that the CSA had negative effects on their relationships with their own children, ability to trust others, sexual satisfaction, and work life. Therapists who suspected abuse also reported more difficulty treating CSA clients because of interpersonal pulls during sessions, arousal without memories of abuse, and some countertransferential behaviors. These findings indicate that issues related to personal trauma should be addressed during training and practice.
Resiliency in the Victim-Offender Cycle in Male Sexual Abuse
Authors: Lambie Ian , Seymour Fred , Lee Alan , Adams Peter
Published: February 2008

The prevalence of childhood sexual abuse in child molesters is considerably higher than that in the general population. This finding had led to the "victim-offender cycle" being popularized as an explanation for sexual offending. However, not all child molesters were victimized as children, so it is of interest to examine the factors that contribute to the victim-offender cycle or, conversely, resiliency. This study examined the "moderating factors" that may prevent a male victim of sexual abuse from entering the victim-offender cycle. Two groups were interviewed as part of the study: a "resilient group" (n = 47) and a victim-offender group (n = 41). After correction for age and education level, the resilient group were less likely to have fantasized and masturbated about the abuse, less likely to report deriving pleasure from the abuse, more likely to have had frequent social contact with adolescent peers and to have had more family and nonfamily support during childhood. The findings support the need for multifactorial models of resiliency, the victim-offender cycle, and sexual offending. Recommendations about the prevention of the victim-offender cycle are made, including the need for a thorough systemic assessment of all male victims of sexual abuse and the involvement of their family system in counseling.
Collaboration Among Sex Offender Treatment Providers and Probation and Parole Officers: The Beliefs and Behaviors of Treatment Providers
Authors: McGrath Robert J. , Cumming Georgia , Holt John
Published: February 2008

New and emerging collaborative responses to sex offender management are challenging traditional notions about how treatment providers and probation and parole officers (POs) deliver services to this difficult population. Typically, sex offender treatment professionals provide community-based services to offenders who are supervised by POs. Yet, no comprehensive survey has investigated how treatment providers and POs collaborate and view their relationships with each other. This national random survey examined the beliefs and behaviors of community-based adult sex-offender treatment providers concerning various types of provider and PO interactions and collaborative models. Overall, treatment providers reported that they value frequent and substantive communication with POs concerning mutual clients. There was, however, considerable diversity in practice and opinion among providers with regard to POs leading, coleading, and observing sex offender treatment groups. Treatment providers' opinions about various clinical, ethical, and legal issues evident in these collaborative approaches are examined.
A Case Study of Preferential Bestiality (Zoophilia)
Authors: Earls Christopher M. , Lalumiere Martin L.
Published: February 2008

Humans show a wide array of sexual preferences and behaviors. Although most humans prefer and have sex with consenting adults of the opposite sex, some individuals have unconventional preferences with regard to the sex or age of sexual partners, or with regard to the nature of sexual activities. In this paper, we describe a rare case of preferential bestiality, or zoophilia. The client meets the most stringent criteria for the diagnosis of zoophilia. In particular, his phallometrically measured arousal pattern shows a sexual preference for horses over other species, including humans.
The Relationship Between Static and Dynamic Risk Factors and Reconviction in a Sample of U.K. Child Abusers
Authors: Beech Anthony , Friendship Caroline , Erikson Matt , Hanson R. Karl
Published: February 2008

This study examined how well historical information and psychometric data predicted sexual recidivism in a sample of child abusers about to undergo group-based cognitive behavioral treatment in the community. Static, historical factors, as measured by the Static-99 (R. K. Hanson & D. Thornton, 2000), significantly predicted recidivism over the 6-year follow-up period. High-risk men were over 5 times more likely to be reconvicted for a sexual offence compared to low-risk men. Adding psychometric measures of dynamic risk (e.g., pro-offending attitudes, socio-affective problems) significantly increased the accuracy of risk prediction beyond the level achieved by the actuarial assessment of static factors. This result indicates the importance of considering dynamic risk factors in any comprehensive risk protocol.
Distorted Attitudes and Perceptions, and Their Relationship With Self-Esteem and Coping in Child Molesters
Authors: Marshall W.L. , Marshall L.E. , Sachdev Sarah , Kruger Raina-Lianne
Published: February 2008

Two studies were conducted to compare various aspects of child molesters, nonsexual offenders, and community-based nonoffenders. These studies were aimed at examining some implications of our general model of sexual offending. Study 1 compared the responses of these 3 groups on measures of self esteem, attitudes toward women and children, and social desirability tendencies. The only observed difference was that child molesters had significantly lower setf-esteem than did the other 2 groups. In Study 2, child molesters displayed more cognitive distortions about sex between adults and children than did nonsexual offenders or nonoffenders. However in this study child molesters scored in the same range as the other participants on self-esteem and the tendency to use sex as a way of coping with problems. The results are discussed in terms of the differences between the present findings and earlier studies, and their implications for future research.
A Clinical Model for the Treatment of Personality Disordered Sexual Offenders: An Example of Theory Knitting
Authors: Buschman Jos , van Beek Daan
Published: February 2008

In this paper we present a clinical model for the treatment of personality disordered sexual offenders. The model is based on the theoretical assumption that cognitive distortions emerge from more general explanatory theories. It seems that the pathways of offending processes that are characterized by positive or negative affects can be found in all treated sex offenders regardless of their motivation. We assume that these pathways are activated by cognitive distortions that illustrate the underlying general explanatory theory held by the offender and that these distortions are typical for overall daily interpersonal behavior of the offender This means that, as predicted by our clinical model in the case of offenders with a personality disorder, the type of explanatory cognition that is underlying their sexual offenses is the same as the one that is underlying their general explanatory theories. We will describe the clinical model and the treatment program used at Forensic Psychiatric Hospital Center Veldzicht with a review of our experiences.
Measuring Motivation to Change in Sexual Offenders From Institutional Intake to Community Treatment
Authors: Barrett Marianne , Wilson Robin J. , Long Carmen
Published: February 2008

Changes in motivational levels occurring during various stages of treatment (institutional and community) were measured among 101 federally sentenced sexual offenders in the Ontario region. Motivation was conceptualized as a dynamic process that can be construed from behavioral referents and more global evaluations of internal featureslreadinesslpsychological stance. Five motivational indices were examined: acceptance of guilt for the offense; acceptance of personal responsibility for the offense; disclosure of personal information; motivation to change behavior; and participation in treatment. Offender scores on these indices were evaluated using the Goal Attainment Scaling protocol (T. Hogue, 1994), at four stages of the treatment process: (1 ) at institutional assessment, (2) following institutional treatment, (3) upon conditional release to the community, and (4)following a 12-week period of community treatment. Results showed that motivation to change sexually deviant behavior was higher at the end of institutional treatment relative to the initial assessment. However, levels of motivation decreased upon conditional release to the community, with few offenders making significant rebounds following 12 weeks of community treatment. Admission of guilt and acceptance of personal responsibility (measured at community treatment) were both significantly associated with treatment outcome.
Emotional Loneliness in Sexual Murderers: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Milsom Jacci , Beech Anthony R. , Webster Stephen D.
Published: February 2008

This study compared levels of emotional loneliness between sexual murderers and rapists who had not gone on to kill their victim/s. All participants were life-sentenced prisoners in the United Kingdom. Assessment consisted of a semistructured interview and was subjected to grounded theory analysis. This approach is defined as the breaking down, naming, comparing, and categorizing of data. As such, it is distinguished from other qualitative methods by the process of constant comparison. This continual sifting and comparing elements assists in promoting conceptual and theoretical development. The results of this process found that sexual murderers, compared to rapists, reported significantly higher levels of grievance towards females in childhood, significantly higher levels of peer group loneliness in adolescence, and significantly higher levels of self as victim in adulthood.
The Use of Actuarials at Civil Commitment Hearings to Predict the Likelihood of Future Sexual Violence
Authors: Berlin Fred S. , Galbreath Nathan W. , Geary Brendan , McGlone Gerard
Published: February 2008

Some have argued that actuarial methods such as the RRASOR, the MNSOST-R, and the Static-99, can outperform clinical judgments when utilized at a civil commitment hearing to make a prediction. Although actuarial data can be used to identify a group of persons to be considered for possible civil commitment, at present it cannot be used to accurately predict the likelihood of future acts of sexual violence with respect to any specific individual within such a group. For that reason, it might be best to restrict the use of actuarial data to the initial screening process, rather than introducing it at the commitment hearing itself
A Comparison of Relational Attitude and Personality Disorders in the Explanation of Child Molestation
Authors: Bogaerts Stefan , Vervaeke Geert , Goethals Johan
Published: February 2008

This study examined parental sensitivity, relational attitude (i.e., trust, friendship, adult romantic attachment), and personality disorders in the aetiology of sexual offences among a group of 84 child molesters and a matched normal control group (n = 80). The child molesters were selected from either a community-based, educational training program (n = 51), or a Belgium prison (n = 33). Analyses using structural equation modeling found that both relational attitude and personality disorders differentiated between the child molesters and the comparison group. Implications for the aetiology and treatment of child molesting is discussed.