bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A framework to understand depression among older persons
Authors: Zeng Wen , North Nicola , Kent Bridie
Published: July 2012

Aims and objectives.  To develop an explanatory framework to understand depression among community‐dwelling Chinese older persons in Macau.

Background.  Depression has been described as the most common psychological problem among Chinese older persons. Dominant psychosocial theories are derived from research conducted mainly in western societies and similar research in Chinese populations is scant.

Design.  Mixed methods.

Methods.  Qualitative and quantitative methods (mixed methods) were employed to collect data from 31 participants between 2007–2009 in Macau.

Results.  Four categories of factors related to depression emerged: (1) negative thinking, (2) physical limitations and complaints, (3) present living conditions and social support and (4) past experiences. Each category interacts with the others and, consequently, one category both affects and is affected by others. The categories captured participants’ life‐long hardship and bio‐psycho‐social‐cultural disability that lay at the root of their negative thinking. The consequences and impacts of their negative thinking appear to feed and sustain depression.

Conclusion.  The framework offers a deeper understanding of the nature and meaning of the experiences of depressed older persons in a Chinese context.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The findings have several implications for clinical practice. First, the cultural context of Chinese older persons should be emphasised in nursing practice. Second, the root of depression among Chinese older persons is seen to lie in their social, family, cultural and day to day living issues. Finally, this study illustrates the potential for incorporating psychosocial nursing interventions as a therapeutic approach on its own or as an adjunct to other therapy.
A quantitative exploration of the subjective burden experienced by nurses when caring for patients with delirium
Authors: Mc Donnell Siobhan , Timmins Fiona
Published: July 2012

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this study is to examine the subjective burden experienced by nurses when they provide care for patients with acute delirium.

Background.  Nurses’ responses to dealing with the increased functional and copious demands associated with caring for a patient with delirium are not well explored.

Design.  The study was descriptive and retrospective, adopting quantitative research methodologies.

Methods.  The Strain of Care for Delirium Index (SCDI) was used to collect data in 2007 from a random sample of the national nurses’ register (n = 800), in the Republic of Ireland.

Results.  The subjective burden that nurses experience when caring for patients with delirium was high (M = 2·97). The hyperactive/hyperalert subscale was deemed the most challenging to deal with (M = 3·41). In relation to individual behaviours, the patients who averaged highest in terms of burden are those who are uncooperative and difficult to manage (M = 3·58).

Conclusion.  This study represents the first reported measurement and examination of the subjective burden nurses experience when caring for patients with delirium, following initial development and testing of a sensitive tool (International Journal of Nursing Studies41, 775). Findings outlined the subtypes and behaviours that increase the burden of caring for patients with delirium. This is an issue that needs to be addressed and further research is needed to explore the impact of nurse reactions further and to identify supportive/preventative methods for nurses. A specific examination into the factors that cause high levels of strain needs is required.

Relevance to clinical practice.  This study highlights and confirms that nursing patients with delirium is challenging for nurses. It raises awareness of the practice and policy implications of nurses’ potential negative reactions to these patients. It highlights the need for additional training and education to ensure that nurses understand this condition to provide for prevention, early detection and prompt intervention.
Registered nurses’ decision‐making regarding documentation in patients’ progress notes
Authors: Tower Marion , Chaboyer Wendy , Green Quentine , Dyer Kirsten , Wallis Marianne
Published: July 2012

Aims and objectives.  To examine registered nurses’ decision‐making when documenting care in patients’ progress notes.

Background.  What constitutes effective nursing documentation is supported by available guidelines. However, ineffective documentation continues to be cited as a major cause of adverse events for patients. Decision‐making in clinical practice is a complex process. To make an effective decision, the decision‐maker must be situationally aware. The concept of situation awareness and its implications for making safe decisions has been examined extensively in air safety and more recently is being applied to health.

Design and methods.  The study was situated in a naturalistic paradigm. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 17 registered nurses who used think‐aloud research methods when making decisions about documenting information in patients’ progress notes. Follow‐up interviews were conducted to validate interpretations. Data were analysed systematically for evidence of cues that demonstrated situation awareness as nurses made decisions about documentation.

Results.  Three distinct decision‐making scenarios were illuminated from the analysis: the newly admitted patient, the patient whose condition was as expected and the discharging patient. Nurses used mental models for decision‐making in documenting in progress notes, and the cues nurses used to direct their assessment of patients’ needs demonstrated situation awareness at different levels.

Conclusions.  Nurses demonstrate situation awareness at different levels in their decision‐making processes. While situation awareness is important, it is also important to use an appropriate decision‐making framework. Cognitive continuum theory is suggested as a decision‐making model that could support situation awareness when nurses made decisions about documenting patient care.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Because nurses are key decision‐makers, it is imperative that effective decisions are made that translate into safe clinical care. Including situation awareness training, combined with employing cognitive continuum theory as a decision‐making framework, provides a powerful means of guiding nurses’ decision‐making.
Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of short‐form Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adolescents
Authors: Chang Li‐Chun , Hsieh Pei‐Lin , Liu Chieh‐Hsing
Published: July 2012

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of short‐form Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adolescents.

Background.  Assessing health literacy is vital to design health education programme; however, there are no measurement tools exist for use specifically in Chinese adolescents.

Design.  A non‐experimental design was used to test the psychometric properties of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adolescents.

Methods.  The short‐form Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adolescents was translated and back translated into a Chinese language version. Thirty high school students were recruited to validate the scenario of Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adolescents. Based on the multiple‐stage stratified random sampling method, 300 high school students from four counties in Taiwan were invited to participate in this study to evaluate the psychometric properties of Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adolescents.

Results.  The Functional Health Literacy in Adolescents had good internal consistency reliability and excellent test–retest reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a one‐factor solution.

Conclusion.  Contrary to the original version of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adolescents, the findings revealed that the 36‐item, one‐factor model for the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adolescents is the best‐fit model.

Relevance to clinical practice.  This is a suitable instrument to assess health literacy levels in Chinese adolescents before health education programmes can be appropriately planned, implemented and evaluated.
An exploration of the perceived changes in intimacy of patients’ relationships following head and neck cancer
Authors: O’Brien Kathryn , Roe Brenda , Low Christopher , Deyn Lorraine , Rogers Simon N
Published: July 2012

Aims and objectives.  This paper reports the experiences of former patients who have undergone a range of head and neck cancer treatments and their perceptions of the changes in intimacy experienced, as an individual and through their relationships with partners, family and friends.

Background.  A diagnosis of head and neck cancer, subsequent surgical treatment and radiotherapy can lead to an altered quality of life. Whilst important developments have been made to improve the quality of life for this patient group from a functional perspective, psychosocial perspectives are much less understood.

Design.  A qualitative study approach.

Methods.  Data were collected in 2007/2008 via interview using open‐ended questions from a purposive sample of 16 participants who were at least one year post‐treatment. A thematic analysis was employed to interpret the findings.

Results.  Analysis of the data produced three broad themes. These were ‘personal identity’, ‘re‐establishing social networks’ and ‘intimate relationships’ and explored the person as an individual and their perceived changes to self‐esteem and image. The perception of their altered position in society, the impact this has on their willingness to re‐engage with society and the degree to which treatment can alter an individual’s ability to resume former intimate relationships with family and partners.

Conclusion.  Patients’ definitions of intimacy are multifaceted and related directly to the type of relationship that existed prior to treatment. The concerns and challenges faced by patients need to be addressed and support opportunities considered as part of the rehabilitation process.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The paper gives insight for nurses and other healthcare professionals who are expected to provide effective emotional and therapeutic support for patients who have undergone treatment for head and neck cancer. Understanding of patient concerns and recognition of adaptive and coping strategies are essential for this practice.
Perceived learning needs of Yemeni patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: Alkubati Sameer A , Al‐Zaru Ibtisam M , Khater Wejdan , Ammouri Ali A
Published: July 2012

Aims and objectives.  To explore the information needs of Yemeni patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery before hospital discharges and to examine the differences in the patients’ learning needs according to age, gender, level of education and working condition.

Background.  Postcoronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients need more information before their discharge from the hospital. This need of information must be assessed and provided for them before their discharge from hospital to help them with adequate care and recovery at home.

Design.  A descriptive, correlational design.

Methods.  Data were collected from 120 CABG patients before their discharge from Al‐ Thawra Hospital, Sana’a, Yemen, by using modified Cardiac Patients Learning Needs Inventory (CPLNI) instrument. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used to analyse the collected data.

Results.  The information about chest and leg wound care, medication information, other pertinent information and complications were indicated to be the most valued by CABG patients prior to discharge. There was a statistically significant difference between patients’ total learning needs according to their socio‐demographic characteristics. Male patients needed more information than female patients (p = 0·004). Younger (p = 0·021) and middle‐aged (p = 0·032) patients needed more information than older ones. Highly educated (p = 0·000) and school‐level (p = 0·002) patients needed more information than those in the uneducated group. Working patients needed more information than non‐working ones (p = 0·000).

Conclusion.  This study suggests that CABG patients have high information needs within 24–48 hours before hospital discharge. In addition, the results of this study showed that there are statistically significant differences in patients’ learning needs according to their demographic characteristics.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Assessment of CABG patients’ information needs before their discharge from hospital helps in developing effective educational programme that will help these patients in their recovery at home.
Testing a Nursing‐Specific Model of Electronic Patient Record documentation with regard to information completeness, comprehensiveness and consistency
Authors: von Krogh Gunn , Nåden Dagfinn , Aasland Olaf Gjerløw
Published: July 2012

Aims and objectives.  To present the results from the test site application of the documentation model KPO (quality assurance, problem solving and caring) designed to impact the quality of nursing information in electronic patient record (EPR).

Background.  The KPO model was developed by means of consensus group and clinical testing. Four documentation arenas and eight content categories, nursing terminologies and a decision‐support system were designed to impact the completeness, comprehensiveness and consistency of nursing information.

Design.  The testing was performed in a pre‐test/post‐test time series design, three times at a one‐year interval.

Methods.  Content analysis of nursing documentation was accomplished through the identification, interpretation and coding of information units. Data from the pre‐test and post‐test 2 were subjected to statistical analyses. To estimate the differences, paired t‐tests were used.

Results.  At post‐test 2, the information is found to be more complete, comprehensive and consistent than at pre‐test.

Conclusions.  The findings indicate that documentation arenas combining work flow and content categories deduced from theories on nursing practice can influence the quality of nursing information.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The KPO model can be used as guide when shifting from paper‐based to electronic‐based nursing documentation with the aim of obtaining complete, comprehensive and consistent nursing information.
veA‐dependent RNA‐pol II transcription elongation factor‐like protein, RtfA, is associated with secondary metabolism and morphological development in Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Ramamoorthy Vellaisamy , Shantappa Sourabha , Dhingra Sourabh , Calvo Ana M.
Published: July 2012

In Aspergillus nidulans the global regulatory gene veA is necessary for the biosynthesis of several secondary metabolites, including the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin (ST). In order to identify additional veA‐dependent genetic elements involved in regulating ST production, we performed a mutagenesis on a deletion veA (ΔveA) strain to obtain revertant mutants (RM) that regained the capability to produce toxin. Genetic analysis and molecular characterization of one of the revertant mutants, RM3, revealed that a point mutation occurred at the coding region of the rtfA gene, encoding a RNA‐pol II transcription elongation factor‐like protein, similar to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rtf1. The A. nidulans rtfA gene product accumulates in nuclei. Deletion of rtfA gene in a ΔveA background restored mycotoxin production in a medium‐dependent manner. rtfA also affects the production of other metabolites including penicillin. Biosynthesis of this antibiotic decreased in the absence of rtfA. Furthermore, rtfA is necessary for normal morphological development. Deletion of the rtfA gene in wild‐type strains (veA+) resulted in a slight decrease in growth rate, drastic reduction in conidiation, and complete loss of sexual development. This is the first study of an Rtf1 like gene in filamentous fungi. We found rtfA putative orthologues extensively conserved in numerous fungal species.
Molecular function and potential evolution of the biofilm‐modulating blue light‐signalling pathway of Escherichia coli
Authors: Tschowri Natalia , Lindenberg Sandra , Hengge Regine
Published: July 2012

Escherichia coli senses blue light via the BLUF‐EAL protein BluF (YcgF). The degenerate EAL domain of BluF does not have cyclic‐di‐GMP phosphodiesterase activity, but BluF directly antagonizes the MerR‐like repressor BluR (YcgE), which leads to expression of the ycgZ‐ymgABC operon and activation of the Rcs system (Tschowri et al., 2009; Genes Dev 23: 522–534). While bluR, bluF and ycgZ have individual transcriptional start sites, comparative genome analysis indicates that the bluR‐bluF‐ycgZ‐ymgAB region represents a functional unit in various enteric bacteria that is characterized by bluF alleles encoding degenerate EAL domains. Re‐introducing conserved amino acids involved in phosphodiesterase activity of EAL domains did not restore enzymatic activity or c‐di‐GMP binding of BluF, but weakened its ability to antagonize BluR and improved a residual interaction with the BluR paralogue MlrA, which controls expression of the biofilm regulator CsgD and curli fibres. We identified the BluR binding site in the ycgZ promoter and observed that BluR also has residual affinity for the MlrA‐dependent csgD promoter. Altogether, we propose that BluF evolved from a blue light‐regulated PDE into a specific antagonist of a duplicate of MlrA that became BluR, which controls not only curli but various biofilm functions via the Ymg/Rcs pathway.
Poor effectiveness of proton pump inhibitors in non‐erosive reflux disease: the truth in the end!
Authors: Scarpignato C.
Published: July 2012

Despite acid secretion being normal in the majority of patients with gastro‐esophageal reflux disease (GERD) or Barrett’s esophagus, acid inhibition represents the mainstay of treatment for both these conditions, with the aim of reducing the aggressive nature of the refluxate toward the esophageal mucosa. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) represent, therefore, the first choice medical treatment for GERD, in that they are able to provide an 80–85% healing rate for esophageal lesions, a 56–76% symptom relief and also reduce the incidence of complications, such as strictures as well as dysplasia and adenocarcinoma in Barrett’s esophagus. According to a widely quoted systematic review, compared to patients with erosive esophagitis, patients with non‐erosive reflux disease (i.e., NERD) display a reduced symptom relief with PPIs, with about 20% reduction of therapeutic gain. In this issue of NeuroGastroenterology & Motility, Weijenborg et al. address for the first time the PPI efficacy in subpopulations of patients with NERD. The study shows clearly that, when the diagnosis is accurately made by including a functional test, NERD patients respond to PPI therapy in a similar way to those with erosive disease. Although not as frequent as previously suggested, however, PPI‐refractory heartburn does exist. Some 20% (range: 15–27%) of correctly diagnosed and appropriately treated patients do not respond to PPI treatment at standard doses. Although the pathophysiology underlying PPI failure in GERD is complex and likely multifactorial, acid (be it the sole component of refluxate or not) still remains a major causative factor. A better and more predictable form of acid suppression should therefore be pursued.
Post‐deposition diffusion of 137Cs in lake sediment: Implications for radiocaesium dating
Authors: KLAMINDER J. , APPLEBY P. , CROOK P. , RENBERG I.
Published: July 2012

Peak activities of radiocaesium (137Cs) in lake sediments have frequently been used to infer the ages of sediments deposited in the 1960s (137Cs derived from nuclear bomb testing) or in 1986 (Chernobyl derived 137Cs). Records of the vertical distribution of 137Cs in sediments can thus be used to provide accurate dates for a critical period in which palaeoecological reconstructions often overlap contemporary monitoring data. However, knowledge regarding how the distribution of 137Cs in sediments is affected by post‐depositional processes is limited to interpretations based on the 137Cs distribution in sediments sampled at a single given date. This study assesses the extent to which the 137Cs record in annually laminated (varved) lake sediments is affected by post‐depositional diffusion, using 11 archived sediment cores sampled between 1986 and 2007. The sediment record reveals how Chernobyl 137Cs incorporated into the 1986 varve diffused downwards in the core at a decreasing rate over time, whereas the surface sediments continued to receive inputs of 137Cs mobilized from the catchment soils or lake margin. In spite of these processes, all cores post‐dating the Chernobyl accident had a clear and well‐resolved peak in the 1986 varve, justifying the use of this feature as a fixed chronostratigraphic feature. Because of the very high levels of Chernobyl fallout at this site, downwards migration of Chernobyl 137Cs has, however, completely masked the nuclear weapons 137Cs fallout peak that had been clearly preserved in the 1964 varve of a pre‐Chernobyl core sampled just three weeks before the Chernobyl accident. In consequence, the weapons fallout marker is likely to be of little use for determining 137Cs dates in areas strongly affected by high levels of Chernobyl fallout.
Pineal chordoid meningioma complicated by repetitive hemorrhage during pregnancy: Case report and literature review
Authors: Lee Kyung‐Hwa , Lall Rohan R , Chandler James P , Bigio Eileen H. , Mao Qinwen
Published: July 2012

Chordoid meningioma is an uncommon variant of meningioma, and is very rarely found in the pineal region. We report a case of pineal region chordoid meningioma occurring in a young woman complicated by repetitive hemorrhages in the setting of pregnancy. A 23‐year‐old woman, 28 weeks pregnant, was transferred to our hospital for further management of a multi‐septated, hemorrhagic pineal region mass and hydrocephalus. MRI revealed a heterogeneous T2‐hyperintense lesion measuring 1.7 × 1.7 cm in the pineal gland. Resection of the tumor through an occipital transtentorial approach was performed. Histopathologic examination of the lesion confirmed the diagnosis of chordoid meningioma demonstrating cords and clusters of eosinophilic cells with rare cytoplasmic vacuolation arranged in a mucinous stroma. Additionally, there was abundant lymphoplasmacytic infiltration within the tumor. The details of this case are presented with a review of the literature.
Evaluation of mental health first aid training in a diverse community setting
Authors: Morawska Alina , Fletcher Renee , Pope Susan , Heathwood Ellen , Anderson Emily , McAuliffe Christine
Published: July 2012

Mental health first aid (MHFA) training has been disseminated in the community and has yielded positive outcomes in terms of increasing help‐seeking behaviour and mental health literacy. However, there has been limited research investigating the effectiveness of this programme in multicultural communities. Given the increasing levels of multiculturalism in many countries, as well as the large number of barriers presented to these groups when trying to seek help for mental illnesses, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of MHFA in these settings. A total of 458 participants, who were recruited from multicultural organizations, participated in a series of MHFA training courses. Participants completed questionnaires pre and post the training course, and 6‐month follow‐up interviews were conducted with a subsample of participants. Findings suggested that MHFA training increased participant recognition of mental illnesses, concordance with primary care physicians about treatments, confidence in providing first aid, actual help provided to others, and a reduction in stigmatizing attitudes. A 6‐month follow up also yielded positive long‐term effects of MHFA. The results have implications for further dissemination and the use of MHFA in diverse communities. In addition, the results highlight the need for mental health training in health‐care service providers.
The effect of compression stresses, stress level and stress order on fatigue crack growth of multiple site damage
Authors: KIM J.‐H. , CHAU‐DINH T. , ZI G. , KONG J.‐S.
Published: July 2012

Structural components are generally subjected to a wide stress spectrum over their lifetime. Service loads are accentuated at the areas of stress concentration, mainly at the connection of components. When there is a critical level of multiple site damage at connections, cracks link up to form a large crack which abruptly reduces the residual strength of the damaged structural member. Therefore, it is important to estimate the fatigue life before the cracks link up due to critical multiple site damage. In this study, the extended finite element method was applied to predict lifetime under constant amplitude cyclic loadings of fatigue tests on several multiple site damage specimens made of Al 2024‐T3. Then the multiple crack growths under service stress spectra are calculated to investigate the effects of compressive stress, stress orders and the effect of sequence cyclic loadings on stress levels by using Forman and NASGROW equations.
Effect of verb argument structure on picture naming in children with and without specific language impairment (SLI)
Authors: Andreu Llorenç , Sanz‐Torrent Mònica , Legaz Lucia Buil , MacWhinney Brian
Published: July 2012

Background: This study investigated verb argument structure effects in children with specific language impairment (SLI).

Aims: A picture‐naming paradigm was used to compare the response times and naming accuracy for nouns and verbs with differing argument structure between Spanish‐speaking children with and without language impairment.

Methods & Procedures: Twenty‐four children with SLI (ages 5;3–8;2 [years;months]), 24 age‐matched controls (ages 5;3–8;2), 24 MLU‐w controls (ages 3;3–7;1 years), and 31 adults participated in a picture‐naming study.

Outcomes & Results: The results show all groups produced more correct responses and were faster for nouns than all verbs together. As regards verb type accuracy, there were no differences between groups in naming one‐argument verbs. However, for both two‐ and three‐argument verbs, children with SLI were less accurate than adults and age‐matched controls, but similar to the MLU‐matched controls. For verb type latency, children with SLI were slower than both the age‐matched controls and adults for one‐ and two‐argument verbs, while no differences were found in three‐argument verbs. No differences were found between children with SLI and MLU‐matched controls for any verb type.

Conclusions & Implications: It has been shown that the naming of verbs is delayed in Spanish children with SLI. It is suggested that children with SLI may have problems encoding semantic representations.
Impact of rocuronium vs succinylcholine neuromuscular blocking drug choice for laparoscopic pyloromyotomy: is there a difference in time to transport to recovery?
Authors: Ghazal Elizabeth , Amin Ami , Wu Aimee , Felema Biftu , Applegate Richard L
Published: July 2012

Objectives/Aim:  This study evaluates the relationship between neuromuscular blocking drug administered and transport time following laparoscopic pyloromyotomy.

Background:  Infants with pyloric stenosis have indication for rapid sequence induction. While succinylcholine has rapid onset and short duration, its use in children may be associated with rare serious adverse effects. Rocuronium is a widely accepted alternative, but its duration could contribute to delay at surgery end.

Methods:  Infants undergoing laparoscopic pyloromyotomy at Loma Linda University Medical Center Children’s Hospital from January 2006 to July 2011 were studied retrospectively. Only term infants receiving propofol induction, sevoflurane maintenance, no intraoperative opioid, and rocuronium, succinylcholine, or both were included. The primary outcome measure was time to transport after surgery stop as a measure of recovery from both anesthesia and relaxant. Data was analyzed for relationships between drug choice and time to transport.

Results:  Data from 246 patients was analyzed. Patients were similar in all groups. Time to transport was not affected by doses of propofol or neuromuscular blocking drug, anesthesia to surgery end interval or surgery length. Time to transport (minutes median, interquartile range) was 13 (7–21) in patients receiving only succinylcholine compared to 18 (11–24) in those receiving only rocuronium (P = 0.03).

Conclusions:  For laparoscopic pyloromyotomy in term infants using propofol, sevoflurane and no intraoperative opioid, succinylcholine may be the best neuromuscular blocking drug choice, provided no contraindication is present. However, based on the small difference in time to transport, rocuronium as administered herein may be a reasonable alternative preferred by some clinicians.
Facilitating and inhibiting effects of priming and selection criteria in a sequence of dichotic listening trials
Authors: SÆTREVIK BJØRN
Published: July 2012

Sætrevik, B. (2012) Facilitating and inhibiting effects of priming and selection criteria in a sequence of dichotic listening trials. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 53, 309–315.

Competing models of attention make different predictions of how priming from recent stimulus processing could interact with intended selection. The present experiment examined the interaction between exogenous attention and endogenous priming across trial sequences. A sound cue directed attention to left, right or both sides before a dichotic syllable pair was presented. Participants were asked to report one syllable from each trial. Results showed that responses were slower on trials where one of the presented syllables had also been presented on the previous trial. Within these trials, the repeated syllable was selected less frequently, and the responses doing so were slower. Examined according to response choice on the preceding trial, syllables that had been ignored on the preceding trial tended to be ignored on the current trial (negative priming), while syllables that had been selected on the preceding trial tended to be selected on the current trial (positive priming). Responses that followed these selection biases were faster than responses that did not. Response selection was also influenced by the attention direction cue for the current trial, but not by the cue presented on the preceding trial. The results support an attentional model where traces from the preceding processing are retained, and current selection is biased to minimize cognitive conflict between recent and current processing. Negative priming appears to be due to after‐effects of preceding processing, independently of the intentions behind that processing. The study accounts for positive and negative priming of dichotic listening sequences within an established, computationally viable biased competition framework.
An International Crime Decline: Lessons for Social Welfare Crime Policy?
Authors: Knepper Paul
Published: July 2012

During the past two decades, crime rates have declined in Europe and North America. A number of explanations have been offered for why this has come about, but there has been much less discussion about what governments should do now. This article considers the policy implications of an international crime decline with a focus on the relationship between crime reduction and social welfare. The discussion here includes the possibility of a convergence across social welfare improvements, the danger of misreading the USA as a trend‐setter, the potential of the Scandinavian way in situational crime prevention, the chance of persistence in high‐crime politics and the dilemma of realizing social policy objectives from crime reduction initiatives.
Advise, Assist and Befriend: Can Probation Supervision Support Desistance?
Authors: Healy Deirdre
Published: July 2012

An important step on the journey towards desistance involves the reintegration of ex‐offenders into their communities. In order to desist fully, individuals must gain access to new social resources, overcome existing problems and ‘knife off’ their criminal pasts. They must also find ways to make amends for the harm they have caused. Yet, the reality is that many ex‐offenders continue to experience high levels of social marginalization and low levels of life success at least when measured using conventional indicators. Appropriate social policies can encourage desistance and improve the life chances of ex‐offenders, for example by increasing their social and human capital or addressing obstacles to change.

The Irish Probation Service offers a useful site for exploring the nexus between social and criminal justice policies. Irish probation officers use a welfare‐oriented, casework approach and endeavour to assist probationers with personal and social problems. The new penology has yet to make substantial inroads in this jurisdiction and the signs that indicate a shift in this direction, such as a focus on risk management, punishment and cognitive behavioural work, are not entrenched.

Drawing on the results of a prospective study of desistance among adult men on probation, this article examines the extent to which probation policy and practice support the desistance process. In particular, it explores participants' perceptions of the state response to their desistance attempt and whether this response enhanced or impeded their efforts to change. Finally, it proposes policy recommendations that would help to promote desistance.
The Relational Context of Desistance: Some Implications and Opportunities for Social Policy
Authors: Weaver Beth
Published: July 2012

Desistance from offending is generally conceptualized as a process involving an interplay between ‘objective’, or external factors, and ‘subjective’, or internal factors, with different theoretical and empirical accounts of desistance prioritizing either the role of social contexts or agency in the process. Drawing on both the life stories of a naturally forming group of men, now in their 40s, who once offended together, but whose lives have since diverged and Pierpaolo Donati's relational theory of reflexivity, this study foregrounds a re‐conceptualization of the desistance process as inescapably relational. Emphasizing the importance of the relational context of desistance necessarily has implications for social and penal policy and practice responses, and this article thus proceeds to explore the extent to which extant policies variously facilitate or hinder processes of change and make relevant social supports. In so doing, this article considers how social and penal policy might become more orientated to generating, developing and sustaining the kinds of social capital and reflexive, relational networks relevant to desistance.
‘Regulating the Poor’: Observations on the ‘Structural Coupling’ of Welfare, Criminal Justice and the Voluntary Sector in a ‘Big Society’
Authors: Rodger John J.
Published: July 2012

The article argues that the criminalizing tendency in contemporary social policy gets to the heart of how contemporary welfare systems work today. Analyses which point to criminalizing social policy (Rodger 2008), governing through crime (Simon 2007), cultures of control (Garland 2001) and the penalization of the poor (Wacquant 2009) all focus on what I will argue is actually the normal working of contemporary Western welfare systems. In the face of autonomous global economic processes, and largely uncontrollable macro‐economic systems which place governments in a subordinate relationship to global financial forces, governance of present‐day society is increasingly focused on the management of the behavioural dispositions of populations. In order to make these key themes and relationships visible, the article draws on Niklas Luhmann's functional structural systems theory and his concept of structural coupling to theorize the emerging policy relationships between the welfare system, the criminal justice system and civil society.
What Prospects Youth Justice? Children in Trouble in the Age of Austerity
Authors: Yates Joe
Published: July 2012

This article critically explores the challenges and opportunities presented by the current trajectory of the UK coalition government's youth justice policies and the implications for children living in marginalized communities. Drawing on the data generated from an ethnographic study, on youth and crime in a working class community (the Estate), the article critically appraises the prospects for youth justice in the age of austerity. The article argues that in terms of social policy in the field of criminal justice, in some respects, the austerity measures offer an opportunity to re‐examine costly and counter‐productive institutional practices and to reverse the broader criminalization of social policy which has taken hold over recent years (Muncie 1999). However, in terms of social justice, the austerity measures are translating into a radical retraction in the level of services provided to the poorest children and young people in the UK. These cuts are impacting across a range of social policy domains and will potentially place further strain on children and young people coming of age in socially excluded contexts. The article concludes by offering a critical appraisal of the extent to which the proposed payment by results model, which is being presented as the social policy model to replace elements of state sector provision, can meet the needs of children growing up and getting by in marginalized communities or whether it will further exacerbate their marginalization and exclusion.
Bleak Times for Children? The Anti‐social Behaviour Agenda and the Criminalization of Social Policy
Authors: Jamieson Janet
Published: July 2012

The introduction, expansion and reform of anti‐social behaviour (ASB) powers over recent years in England and Wales have witnessed the extension and intensification of interventions designed to exert control over children's ‘troublesome’ behaviour, with those residing in marginalized and socially excluded contexts proving a particular target for the use of surveillant, correctional and ultimately punitive ASB measures. The ASB agenda resonates with the state's approach to social policy more broadly to define, legislate and sanction in relation to the duties and responsibilities it views as fundamental to the membership rights of a law‐abiding citizenship. Charting the continuities and shifts within youth justice policy generally and ASB policy specifically, this article will argue that developments in each reflect a consolidation and escalation of the criminalization of social policy within England and Wales. Focusing explicitly on the use and impacts of dispersal powers (to be rationalized as ‘direction powers’ under current coalition government proposals), it will be argued that criminalizing modes of state interventions such as dispersal/direction powers are likely to promote children's hostility and exclusion from a law abiding citizenship and to extend the criminalization net.
Statistics in the speed cameras debate
Authors: Girard Jean Claude
Published: July 2012

This article illustrates how statistical arguments can be used to influence public policy . . . for better or for worse.
An Adaptive Method of Non‐stationary Variogram Modeling for DEM Error Surface Simulation
Authors: Chen Chuanfa , Li Yanyan
Published: July 2012

Geostatistical characterization of local DEM error is usually based on the assumption of a stationary variogram model which requires the mean and variance to be finite and constant in the area under investigation. However, in practice this assumption is appropriate only in a restricted spatial location, where the local experimental variograms vary slowly. Therefore, an adaptive method is developed in this article to model non‐stationary variograms, for which the estimator and the indicator for characterization of spatial variation are a Voronoi map and the standard deviation of mean values displayed in the Voronoi map, respectively. For the adaptive method, the global domain is divided into different meshes with various sizes according to the variability of local variograms. The adaptive method of non‐stationary variogram modeling is applied to simulating error surfaces of a LiDAR derived DEM located in Sichuan province, China. Results indicate that the locally adaptive variogram model is more accurate than the global one for capturing the characterization of spatial variation in DEM errors. The adaptive model can be considered as an alternative approach to modeling non‐stationary variograms for DEM error surface simulation.
SPATIAL HEDONICS AND THE WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR RESIDENTIAL AMENITIES*
Authors: Small Kenneth A. , Steimetz Seiji S.C.
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT We investigate the role of spatial multipliers when using spatial‐lag hedonic models to measure the benefits of residential amenity improvements. Such benefits are commonly measured using the product of the coefficient of the amenity in question and a spatial multiplier. We show this is correct only when the spatial spillovers transmitted through the multiplier are strictly technological. If they are instead strictly pecuniary, then benefits are fully measured using the coefficient with no spatial multiplier. In either case, or in intermediate cases where both types of spillovers exist, a spatial‐lag specification is required to obtain valid benefits measures.
IS PRODUCTIVITY HIGHER IN BRITISH CITIES?*
Authors: Harris Richard , Moffat John
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT This paper examines the determinants of total factor productivity (TFP) using a GB plant‐level data set. The main findings relate to whether spatial spillovers and “place” effects are important: plants located in cities generally perform better than plants in the same region outside of these cities; but with the exception of Bristol, no city has significantly higher TFP levels than the South East. This suggests that spatial externalities associated with city location are not as important as the benefits of being situated in the South East region.
Syntax and Discourse in Near‐Native French: Clefts and Focus
Authors: Donaldson Bryan
Published: July 2012

This study examines aspects of the syntax‐discourse interface in near‐native French. Two cleft structures—c’estclefts andavoirclefts—are examined in experimental and spontaneous conversational data from 10 adult Anglophone learners of French and ten native speakers of French.C’estclefts mark focus, andavoirclefts introduce new discourse referents. Although previous research on the syntax‐discourse interface has revealed residual difficulties in near‐native speakers, the near‐natives in the present study evinced nativelike behavior on a range of measures, a finding that suggests complete acquisition of aspects of the syntax‐discourse interface.
Multi‐expression programming based model for prediction of formation enthalpies of nitro‐energetic materials
Authors: Bagheri Mehdi , Gandomi Amir Hossein , Bagheri Mehrdad , Shahbaznezhad Mohcen
Published: July 2012

There has been considerable interest in predicting the properties of nitro‐energetic materials to improve their performance. Not to mention insightful physical knowledge, computational‐aided molecular studies can expedite the synthesis of novel energetic materials through cost reduction labours and risky experimental tests. In this paper, quantitative structure–property relationship based on multi‐expression programming employed to correlate the formation enthalpies of frequently used nitro‐energetic materials with their molecular properties. The simple yet accurate obtained model is able to correlate the formation enthalpies of nitro‐energetic materials to their molecular structure with the accuracy comparable to experimental precision.
NeuroD1 is required for survival of photoreceptors but not pinealocytes: Results from targeted gene deletion studies
Authors: Ochocinska Margaret J. , Muñoz Estela M. , Veleri Shobi , Weller Joan L. , Coon Steven L. , Pozdeyev Nikita , Michael Iuvone P. , Goebbels Sandra , Furukawa Takahisa , Klein David C.
Published: July 2012

NeuroD1 encodes a basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor involved in the development of neural and endocrine structures, including the retina and pineal gland. To determine the effect of NeuroD1 knockout in these tissues, a Cre/loxP recombination strategy was used to target a NeuroD1 floxed gene and generate NeuroD1 conditional knockout (cKO) mice. Tissue specificity was conferred using Cre recombinase expressed under the control of the promoter of Crx, which is selectively expressed in the pineal gland and retina. At 2 months of age, NeuroD1 cKO retinas have a dramatic reduction in rod‐ and cone‐driven electroretinograms and contain shortened and disorganized outer segments; by 4 months, NeuroD1 cKO retinas are devoid of photoreceptors. In contrast, the NeuroD1 cKO pineal gland appears histologically normal. Microarray analysis of 2‐month‐old NeuroD1 cKO retina and pineal gland identified a subset of genes that were affected 2–100‐fold; in addition, a small group of genes exhibit altered differential night/day expression. Included in the down‐regulated genes are Aipl1, which is necessary to prevent retinal degeneration, and Ankrd33, whose protein product is selectively expressed in the outer segments. These findings suggest that NeuroD1 may act through Aipl1 and other genes to maintain photoreceptor homeostasis.
Extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 signaling promotes oligodendrocyte myelination in vitro
Authors: Xiao Junhua , Ferner Anita H , Wong Agnes W , Denham Mark , Kilpatrick Trevor J , Murray Simon S
Published: July 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 1167–1180.

Multiple extracellular factors have been implicated in orchestrating myelination of the CNS; however, less is known about the intracellular signaling cascades that regulate this process. We have previously shown that brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes oligodendrocyte myelination. Here, we screened for the activation of candidate signaling pathways in in vitro myelination assays and found that extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (Erk) signaling positively correlated with basal levels of oligodendrocyte myelination as well as BDNF‐induced myelination in vitro. By selectively manipulating Erk1/2 activation in oligodendrocytes in vitro, we found that constitutive activation of Erk1/2 significantly increased myelination, mimicking the promyelinating effect of BDNF, and also caused myelination to occur earlier. Conversely, selective inhibition of Erk1/2 in oligodendrocytes significantly reduced the basal level of myelination and blocked the promyelinating effect of BDNF. Analysis of myelinating spinal cord and corpus callosum white matter tracts revealed that the majority of mature oligodendrocytes are co‐labeled with phospho‐Erk1/2, whereas phospho‐Erk1/2 was rarely observed in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Finally, the total level of phospho‐Erk1/2 correlated with myelin formation during the early postnatal period. Collectively, these data identify that Erk1/2 signaling within oligodendrocytes exerts an important and direct effect to promote myelination.