bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plerixafor Enables Successful Hematopoietic Stem Cell Collection in an Extensively Pretreated Patient with Testicular Cancer
Authors: Saure Christian , Weigelt Christian , Schroeder Thomas , Klärner Viola , Galonska Lars , Haas Rainer , Kobbe Guido
Published: November 2010

Plerixafor is a reversible CXCR4 antagonist that leads to a rapid release of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HPSCs) from the bone marrow into the peripheral blood by interfering with the CXCL12-CXCR4 interaction. Based on two multicenter phase III studies, plerixafor in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for autologous HPSC mobilization in patients with multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. We report the case of a 26-year-old man with testicular cancer who was extensively pretreated and failed to mobilize a sufficient number of HPSCs after cytotoxic chemotherapy and the administration of G-CSF and pegylated G-CSF (PEG-G-CSF). Using a combination of plerixafor, G-CSF and PEG-G-GSF after chemotherapy, a sufficient number of HPSCs could be collected for the support of 3 sequential high-dose therapies. The patient achieved a complete and uncomplicated engraftment following each cycle of HPSC-supported high-dose therapy. Patients suffering from advanced germ cell cancer may be another group that benefits from the use of plerixafor, which to date has only been approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma and lymphoma. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of successful mobilization of HPSCs with plerixafor in a patient with testicular cancer.
Ox Brain versus Rabbit Brain Thromboplastin Assays Are the Best Tool for a Preliminary Diagnosis of the Arg304Gln Factor VII Defect (FVII Padua)
Authors: Girolami A. , Berti de Marinis G. , Bonamigo E. , Sartori R. , Vettore S.
Published: November 2010

Factor VII (FVII) deficiency, the most frequent defect among the rare bleeding disorders, is commonly divided into type I and type II. In the former, there is a concomitant decrease in FVII activity and antigen. In the latter, there is a clear discrepancy between activity which is low and antigen which is normal or nearly normal. FVII Padua (Arg304Gln) is characterized by different reactivity towards different tissue thromboplastins. FVII levels were assayed by the use of different tissue thromboplastins, namely rabbit brain, human placenta, human recombinant and ox brain thromboplastin, in 6 homozygous patients. Cases reported in the literature were also evaluated. Ox brain thromboplastins yielded normal values, whereas human tissue or recombinant human thromboplastins yielded only slightly higher levels of activity than those obtained with rabbit brain reagents. The ox brain versus rabbit brain ratio was about 22, whereas the ratio for human placenta or human recombinant versus rabbit brain thromboplastin was only about 5. The FVII antigen versus rabbit brain, human tissue and ox brain activity ratios were 24.8, 4.3 and 1.1, respectively. These results indicate that the ox brain versus the rabbit brain thromboplastin ratio supplies a wider difference than the one between human tissue and rabbit brain. The antigen/ox brain activity ratio of 1.1 fully confirms this assertion.
Greater Consumption of Sweetened Beverages and Added Sugars Is Associated with Obesity among US Young Adults
Authors: Bermudez Odilia I. , Gao Xiang
Published: November 2010

Background/Aims: This study sought to examine the associations of the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and of added sugars with total and abdominal obesity in American adults aged 20–39 years who participated in the 1999–2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the U.S. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on a sample of 947 adults (aged 20–39 years): 424 non-Hispanic whites, 222 non-Hispanic blacks, and 301 Mexican-Americans. Obesity was defined as a body mass index ≧30 and abdominal obesity as a waist circumference >102 cm in men or >88 cm in women. The use of sweetened beverages and added sugars was stratified into quartiles of intake. Odds ratios (ORs) for total and abdominal obesity were estimated with logistic regression models. Results: Compared to the lowest intake quartile of sweetened beverages, those with the highest intake had a higher intake of energy, added sugars, and carbohydrates, as well as a lower intake of fiber, orange juice, and low-fat milk. A greater intake of sweetened beverages was associated with a higher risk of total and abdominal obesity (ptrend <0.02 for both). The adjusted ORs comparing 2 extreme quartiles of sweetened beverages were 2.1 (95% CI 1.2–3.7) for total obesity and 2.0 (95% CI 1.1–3.6) for abdominal obesity. Conclusions: An increased consumption of sweetened beverages was associated with total and abdominal obesity in US adults aged 20–39 years. Further investigation of the potential role of sweetened beverages and other dietary components, and of the mechanisms by which these intakes contribute to weight gain, is needed to accelerate our efforts to halt or somewhat alleviate the current obesity epidemic facing the American population.
The Significance of Bone Marrow Involvement in Aggressive Lymphomas: A Retrospective Comparison of Clinical Outcomes between Peripheral T Cell Lymphoma and Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma in China
Authors: Yi Shuhua , An Gang , Qi Junyuan , Zou Dehui , Zhao Yaozhong , Zhang Peihong , Chen Huishu , Wang Jun , Qiu Lugui
Published: November 2010

Background: Peripheral T cell lymphomas (PTCL) have been demonstrated to have a poorer prognosis than diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) due to a high frequency of bone marrow involvement (BMI). However, the clinical characteristics of PTCL with BMI have not been fully described, and the clinical outcomes of PTCL with BMI and DLBCL with BMI have not been well compared. Methods: The clinical characteristics and survival of 25 nodal PTCL cases with BMI and 42 DLBCL cases with BMI were compared. Results: Most of the PTCL patients with BMI had lymphadenopathy (88%), B symptoms (76%), an elevated LDH level (68%), anemia (64%), splenomegaly (60%), and a poor performance status (52%). Except for the differences of lymphadenopathy and thrombocytopenia between PTCL with BMI and DLBCL with BMI, similarities in gender, age, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, a bulky mass, B symptoms, elevated LDH, ≧2 extranodal sites, ECOG scores ≧2, anemia, and international prognostic index (IPI) and age-adjusted IPI scores were observed between the 2 groups. The 2 groups also had similar 3-year overall survival (25.8 vs. 30.0%, p = 0.846) and progressive-free survival (21.3 vs. 25.2%, p = 0.815) rates. Conclusions: PTCL with BMI have a similar aggressive course and poor survival compared to DLBCL with BMI. Thus, the immunophenotype of either T or B lineage may not be a crucial prognostic indicator of survival for these 2 aggressive lymphomas.
Saliva Substitutes in Combination with Highly Concentrated Fluorides and Brushing: In vitro Effects on Enamel Subsurface Lesions
Authors: Tschoppe P. , Siegel A. , Meyer-Lueckel H.
Published: November 2010

Hyposalivation is often associated with high caries activity, in particular in patients undergoing irradiation in the head/neck area. Besides the use of saliva substitutes to relieve the oral symptoms, daily application of fluoride gels or toothpaste (5,000 µg F–/g) is recommended for caries prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate potentially remineralising effects of these fluoride agents in combination with saliva substitutes on enamel subsurface lesions. Demineralised bovine specimens were either stored in mineral water [control; saturation with respect to octacalcium phosphate (SOCP): 0.8], a demineralising saliva substitute (Glandosane; SOCP: 0.3) or in a modified (with respect to SOCP) saliva substitute [Saliva natura (SN); SOCP: 1.9] for 5 weeks (37°C). The following treatments were applied twice daily (11–13/group): no treatment (0), ProSchmelz fluoride gel (PS; 10 min application), Duraphat toothpaste (DP; 10 s; brushing with toothpaste/storage solution slurry), combination of DP+PS. Mineral parameters before/after storage were evaluated from microradiographs. Storage in Glandosane led to significant demineralisation (p < 0.05; paired t test), whereas additional use of fluoride agents neutralised the demineralising effect (p > 0.05). Storage in water alone resulted in no changes in mineral parameters (p > 0.05), whereas in combination with fluorides remineralisation could be shown (p < 0.05). For SN alone, remineralisation was observed (p < 0.05), but no additional beneficial effects of fluorides were detected. Under the conditions chosen, the fluoride agents reduce the demineralising effects of Glandosane and promote the remineralisation of specimens stored in water. Remineralising effects of SN could not be enhanced by the fluorides.
Non-Sentinel Lymph Node Status and Prognosis of Breast Cancer Patients with Micrometastatic Sentinel Lymph Nodes
Authors: Onishi T. , Jinno H. , Takahashi M. , Hayashida T. , Sakata M. , Nakahara T. , Shigematsu N. , Mukai M. , Kitagawa Y.
Published: November 2010

Background: The prognostic significance of sentinel lymph node (SLN) micrometastases and the need for axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) on patients with micrometastases in SLNs remain controversial. Methods: A prospective database of 657 breast cancer patients who underwent SLN biopsy (SLNB) was analyzed. SLNs were detected using a combined method of isosulfan blue dye and small-sized technetium-99m-labeled tin colloid. Results: Micrometastases in SLNs were found in 50 (7.6%) of 657 patients. Twenty-nine (58.0%) of 50 patients with micrometastatic SLNs underwent ALND and no further metastases were found in non-sentinel lymph nodes. Among 21 patients (42.0%) with micrometastatic SLNs who decided to forego ALND, no axillary lymph node recurrence has been observed during a median follow-up time of 47 months. There is no significant difference in recurrence-free survival between the patients with micrometastatic and negative SLNs (p = 0.90). Conclusions: These data suggest that it may not be necessary to perform ALND on patients with micrometastases in SLNs and that the presence of micrometastases in SLNs may not be associated with prognosis.
Aspirin Increases Apolipoprotein-A-I-Mediated Cholesterol Efflux via Enhancing Expression of ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A1
Authors: Wang Yu-Hua , Chen Yan-Fang , Chen Shao-Rui , Chen Xi , Chen Jian-Wen , Shen Xiao-Yan , Mou Yong-gao , Liu Pei-Qing
Published: November 2010

Background: The efflux of cellular cholesterol mediated by apolipoprotein (apo)A-I and ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is a major pathway of reverse cholesterol transport. We investigated the effect of aspirin on this process. Methods: The expression levels of ABCA1 in RAW264.7 cells were determined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. 3H-cholesterol efflux was measured by scintillation counting. Results: 0.5 mmol/l aspirin increased apoA-I-mediated cholesterol efflux and increased the expression of ABCA1. By increasing the dose of aspirin higher than 0.5 mmol/l, ABCA1 expression and function were significantly decreased. In cells transfected with a specific peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α small interfering RNA, the induction of ABCA1 expression and apoA-I-mediated 3H-cholesterol efflux by aspirin were substantially suppressed. Conclusions: The data demonstrate that low-dose aspirin increases ABCA1 expression via a PPAR-α-dependent mechanism and increases apoA-I-mediated cholesterol efflux.
The Use of Anti-Human T Lymphocyte Porcine Immunoglobulin and Cyclosporine A to Treat Patients with Acquired Severe Aplastic Anemia
Authors: Bing Han , Siyi Yan , Wei Zhang , Jian Li , Minghui Duan , Li Jiao , Shujie Wang , Daobin Zhou , Nong Zou , Tienan Zhu , Ying Xu , Yongqiang Zhao , Ti Shen
Published: November 2010

Objective: To evaluate the treatment efficacy and tolerance of anti-human T lymphocyte porcine immunoglobulin (p-ALG) plus cyclosporine A (CsA) in acquired severe aplastic anemia (SAA). Method: Forty-eight SAA patients [31 males and 17 females; 17 with very SAA (VSAA)] were treated with p-ALG plus CsA and were analyzed retrospectively according to early mortality, response rate and quality, survival rate, toxicity, and complications. They were stratified further by gender, age, disease severity, interval from diagnosis to treatment, and preexisting infections. Result: The median age was 28 years (range 13–64). The interval from diagnosis to treatment was 45 days. The median neutrophil count was 0.178 × 109/l. The overall response was 83.3% (54.2% complete and 29.2% partial) with a 90-day median time (range 23–380), and 10.4% died of infection within 30 days. The 1.5-year survival was 87.5%. vSAA patients had less response, a higher early mortality, and less survival (64.7, 29.4, 51.8%) compared to SAA patients (93.5, 0, and 100%, respectively; p < 0.05). Groups with different age, gender, intervals between diagnosis and treatment, and preexisting infections had the same response. Mild toxicities were observed. Conclusion: p-ALG plus CsA is a reliable and well-tolerated treatment for SAA, and it has the great advantage of a much lower cost compared to horse/rabbit ATG. VSAA was a poor predictive factor for the response rate.
Sealing Distal Proximal Caries Lesions in First Primary Molars: Efficacy after 2.5 Years
Authors: Martignon S. , Tellez M. , Santamaría R.M. , Gomez J. , Ekstrand K.R.
Published: November 2010

Background: The prevalence of proximal caries in primary molar teeth is high in many countries. Aims: (1) To study by means of a split-mouth design the 1- and 2.5-year efficacy of sealing proximal lesions vs. flossing instructions (control) on primary molar teeth. (2) To assess children’s behaviour and pain perception during the procedure. Methods: Ninety-one 4- to 6-year-old children from Bogotá, Colombia participated. Participants had to have at least two proximal lesions scored according to the following radiographic classification system: radiolucency (1) in enamel outer half, (2) restricted to enamel-dentine junction, or (3) restricted to dentine outer third. Baseline, 1- and 2.5-year follow-up bitewing radiographs were taken. Test and control lesions were randomly selected. After temporary separation test lesions were sealed (adhesive). Parents/caregivers received a flossing leaflet for their children. Progression of the lesions was assessed by means of independent reading of conventional bitewing radiographs. Results: One-year (n = 73) test vs. control lesion progression was 27.4 vs. 50.7%, respectively (p < 0.01, McNemar’s test), and 2.5-year (n = 56) test vs. control lesion progression was 46.4 vs. 71.4%, respectively (p < 0.01). The dropouts did not differ from those who remained in the study regarding relevant caries baseline data. More than 88% of the participants presented positive to definitively positive behaviour and very low or low pain intensity at both first and second appointments. Conclusion: The sealing technique was superior to flossing instructions both after 1 and 2.5 years of follow-up and the majority of the participants had no anxiety or pain during the treatment.
Bactericidal Activity of Mouse α-Defensin Cryptdin-4 Predominantly Affects Noncommensal Bacteria
Authors: Masuda Koji , Sakai Naoki , Nakamura Kiminori , Yoshioka Sawako , Ayabe Tokiyoshi
Published: November 2010

Mouse Paneth cell α-defensins, termed cryptdins, are secreted into the intestinal lumen, have microbicidal activity, and contribute to intestinal innate immunity. Among them, cryptdin-4 (Crp4) has the most potent microbicidal activity. In the intestinal lumen, commensal bacteria colonize and elicit beneficial effects in the host. However, the effects of Crp4 against commensal bacteria are poorly understood. Thus, we investigated the bactericidal activities of Crp4 against commensal bacteria compared to noncommensal bacteria. Oxidized Crp4 showed only minimal or no bactericidal activity against 8 out of 12 commensal bacterial species, including Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus casei. We further addressed a role of the conserved disulfide bonds of Crp4 by analyzing reduced Crp4 (r-Crp4). r-Crp4 demonstrated significantly greater bactericidal activities against 7 of 12 commensal bacteria than did oxidized Crp4. Oxidized Crp4 and r-Crp4 elicited equivalently potent bactericidal activities against 11 of the 11 noncommensal bacteria tested, such as Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium,and against 5 of 12 commensal bacteria. Furthermore, when r-Crp4 was exposed to a processing enzyme of cryptdins, i.e. MMP-7, r-Crp4 was degraded and the bactericidal activities disappeared. These findings suggest that Crp4 has selective bactericidal activities against intestinal microbiota and that the activities are dependent on the disulfide bonds.
Restless Legs Syndrome and Pregnancy: Follow-Up of Pregnant Women before and after Delivery
Authors: Neau Jean-Philippe , Marion Pauline , Mathis Stéphane , Julian Adrien , Godeneche Gaëlle , Larrieu Delphine , Meurice Jean-Claude , Paquereau Joël , Ingrand Pierre
Published: November 2010

Aims: To describe the frequency of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in a French population of randomly selected women during their third trimester of pregnancy and its evolution up to 3 months after delivery and to identify potential factors associated with the improvement of RLS after delivery. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Results: 186 pregnant women living in a French town were included. 32% of women were affected by RLS during the third trimester of their pregnancy. Multiple pregnancies and iron intake during pregnancy were significantly associated with RLS during the third trimester. RLS disappeared after delivery among 64.8% of the women, and by less than 2 weeks after delivery in half of them. This improvement after delivery was not associated with the number of previous pregnancies, the RLS severity and iron intake during pregnancy, peridural anaesthesia, caesarean section, delivery complications, newborn weight, breastfeeding, dopaminergic agent intake after delivery, and with the absence of RLS before pregnancy. Conclusions: RLS affects one third of pregnant women during their third trimester and usually improves after delivery. Although there is no allowed treatment, most of the time only counselling and iron status assessment should be provided.
A Multiscale Observational Case Study of a Pacific Atmospheric River Exhibiting Tropical–Extratropical Connections and a Mesoscale Frontal Wave
Authors: Ralph F. Martin , Neiman Paul J. , Kiladis George N. , Weickmann Klaus , Reynolds David W.
Published: November 2010

A case study is presented of an atmospheric river (AR) that produced heavy precipitation in the U.S. Pacific Northwest during March 2005. The study documents several key ingredients from the planetary scale to the mesoscale that contributed to the extreme nature of this event. The multiscale analysis uses unique experimental data collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) P-3 aircraft operated from Hawaii, coastal wind profiler and global positioning system (GPS) meteorological stations in Oregon, and satellite and global reanalysis data. Moving from larger scales to smaller scales, the primary findings of this study are as follow: 1) phasing of several major planetary-scale phenomena influenced by tropical–extratropical interactions led to the direct entrainment of tropical water vapor into the AR near Hawaii, 2) dropsonde observations documented the northward advection of tropical water vapor into the subtropical extension of the midlatitude AR, and 3) a mesoscale frontal wave increased the duration of AR conditions at landfall in the Pacific Northwest.
Do Voluntary Labour Initiatives Make a Difference for the Conditions of Workers in Global Supply Chains?
Authors: Robinson Pamela K.
Published: November 2010

Since the mid-1990s a plethora of voluntary labour initiatives has been introduced in global supply chains that serve northern-based consumer markets. The chief aim of these new systems of labour governance is to establish minimum standards and conditions for workers employed in the production of goods for export. This concern for labour follows a period of market liberalism, a major shift in the regulatory position of nation-states and the globalization of business. Voluntary initiatives, which largely draw on the International Labour Organization (ILO) core conventions, include codes of conduct, certifiable standards and International Framework Agreements (IFAs). The article explores the effectiveness of these initiatives in a highly concentrated industry: the banana trade. The banana trade is dominated on the production side by three North American agri-businesses: Chiquita Brands International, Dole Food Company and Fresh Del Monte Produce. Yet these businesses are increasingly being directed by international retailers, particularly in the UK, where the four major supermarket groups command access to the consumer, and comprise Tesco, ASDA (owned by Wal-Mart), J Sainsbury and Wm Morrison Supermarkets. The continuing increase of retail buyer power within global supply chains, coupled with supermarkets’ intent to respond to demands for social responsibility in the chains that serve them, raises the prospect of better conditions for workers. However, the article argues that although some improvements have been made, while supermarkets continue to drive down costs to benefit consumers, workers ultimately pay the price.
Worker Representation in a Multiform System: A Framework for Evaluation
Authors: Heery Edmund
Published: November 2010

The system of worker representation in many countries today is comprised of multiple institutions: trade unions, statutory works councils, employer-sponsored participation and civil society organizations that speak on behalf of particular groups in the workforce or on particular issues. The purpose of this article is to propose an evaluation framework that can be applied to all of the institutions of representation within this multiform system. Application of the framework, using secondary evidence from the United Kingdom, suggests that trade unions are the most effective institution of worker representation but that they can operate successfully in conjunction with other forms. A multiform system of worker representation can advance the interests of people at work, provided a revitalized trade union movement lies at its heart.
Asking, giving, receiving: Friendship as survival strategy among Accra’s street children
Authors: Mizen Phillip , Ofosu-Kusi Yaw
Published: November 2010

This article considers friendship among street children in Accra. Drawing upon the findings of a three-year qualitative research project, the article argues that friendship is a neglected element of research yet cooperation, mutuality and exchange between friends are essential to street children’s survival. Living within the extremities of the urban informal sector, the article considers the existence of a strong ethos of ‘help’ between friends and how street children go about the (re) creation of friendship around those aspects of their lives essential for their daily survival.
Children’s agency and the welfare state: Policy priorities and contradictions in Australia and the UK
Authors: Redmond Gerry
Published: November 2010

Since the early 1990s, liberal welfare regimes have begun to treat lone parents as workers rather than as carers. This has happened in conjunction with an ongoing ‘moral panic’ about the need to develop policies to invest in children, and to protect them from adult worlds. The purpose of this article is to analyse contradictions within and between these strands of policy in two liberal welfare states — Australia and the UK. The article argues that recent welfare-to-work policies in both countries bring into sharp relief the contradictions inherent in assumptions that welfare states make about the agency of lone parents as workers and carers, and of children as incompetent.
Managing mobile relationships: Children’s perceptions of the impact of the mobile phone on relationships in their everyday lives
Authors: Bond Emma
Published: November 2010

This article explores English children’s use of mobile phones in managing and maintaining friendships and relationships in their everyday lives. Based on the accounts of 30 young people aged between 11 and 17, this research adopts a social constructivist perspective to offer a theoretical framework which explores how children themselves actually use mobile phone technologies and understand risk in their everyday lives. This is an interpretative account that offers a methodological rationale for hearing children’s voices and viewing them as experts on their own lives.
‘My favourite things to do’ and ‘my favourite people’: Exploring salient aspects of children’s self-concept
Authors: Tatlow-Golden Mimi , Guerin Suzanne
Published: November 2010

This study explores the potential of the ‘draw-and-write’ method for inviting children to communicate salient aspects of their self-concept. Irish primary school children aged 10—13 years drew and wrote about their favourite people and things to do (social and active self). Children drew and described many salient activities (39 in total) and people — including pets. Results suggest that widely used, adult-constructed self-esteem scales for children, while multidimensional, are limited, and that ‘draw-and-write’ is an effective multimodal method with which children can express their social and active self-concepts.
Public Management or Managing the Public?
Authors: Clarke John
Published: November 2010

This paper starts from the paradox of public decline and public proliferation as a basis for examining three contemporary puzzles about public management in the UK. The first centres on the question of what is the ‘public’ in public services and explores several different potential answers. The second examines the relationship between public management and managing the public, looking at new demands and pressures on public services to produce an improved public. The third considers the increasingly difficult relationship between public futures and future publics.
Images of a ‘good nurse’ presented by teaching staff
Authors: de Araujo Sartorio Natalia , Pavone Zoboli Elma Lourdes Campos
Published: November 2010

Nursing is at the same time a vocation, a profession and a job. By nature, nursing is a moral endeavor, and being a ‘good nurse’ is an issue and an aspiration for professionals. The aim of our qualitative research project carried out with 18 nurse teachers at a university nursing school in Brazil was to identify the ethical image of nursing. In semistructured interviews the participants were asked to choose one of several pictures, to justify their choice and explain what they meant by an ethical nurse. Five different perspectives were revealed: good nurses fulfill their duties correctly; they are proactive patient advocates; they are prepared and available to welcome others as persons; they are talented, competent, and carry out professional duties excellently; and they combine authority with power sharing in patient care. The results point to a transition phase from a historical introjection of religious values of obedience and service to a new sense of a secular, proactive, scientific and professional identity.
Evaluation of nursing students’ training in medical law
Authors: Kurban Nevin Kuzu , Savaş Halide , Çetinkaya Bengü , Turan Türkan , Kartal Asiye
Published: November 2010

There is no co-ordinated focus on liabilities arising from nurses’ medical interventions in terms of occupational, administrative, civil legal and criminal activities. However, the Turkish Criminal Code, the Turkish Medical Ethics Code of Practice, and guidelines for patients’ rights offer some framework for the relevant ethical principles and responsibilities of nurses. The aim of this study was to investigate the evaluation of nursing students’ training in their legal liabilities. The sample consisted of 309 students who were taking a course entitled ‘Nurses’ legal liabilities under Turkish criminal and civil law arising from medical interventions’. Data were obtained by means of self-administered questionnaires and McNemar’s test was used to evaluate the answers. In conclusion, after their training, a great majority of the students demonstrated an improvement in terms of their percentage of correct answers relating to malpractice. This does not, however, mean that they will not face malpractice charges after graduating, but their increased awareness of the issue may encourage them to make more effort to reduce the risk of mistakes. It is recommended that nursing faculty carry out studies into medical malpractice, that they focus more on this subject in nursing education, and that all nursing schools review their curricula from the point of view of malpractice.
Unresolved pain in children: A relational ethics perspective
Authors: Olmstead Deborah L , Scott Shannon D , Austin Wendy J
Published: November 2010

It is considered the right of children to have their pain managed effectively. Yet, despite extensive research findings, policy guidelines and practice standard recommendations for the optimal management of paediatric pain, clinical practices remain inadequate. Empirical evidence definitively shows that unrelieved pain in children has only harmful consequences, with no benefits. Contributing factors identified in this undermanaged pain include the significant role of nurses. Nursing attitudes and beliefs about children’s pain experiences, the relationships nurses share with children who are suffering, and knowledge deficits in pain management practices are all shown to impact unresolved pain in children. In this article, a relational ethics perspective is used to explore the need for nurses to engage in authentic relationships with children who are experiencing pain, and to use evidence-based practices to manage that pain in order for this indefensible suffering of children to end.
Moral distress experienced by psychiatric nurses in Japan
Authors: Ohnishi Kayoko , Ohgushi Yasuko , Nakano Masataka , Fujii Hirohide , Tanaka Hiromi , Kitaoka Kazuyo , Nakahara Jun , Narita Yugo
Published: November 2010

This study aimed to: (1) develop and evaluate the Moral Distress Scale for Psychiatric nurses (MDS-P); (2) use the MDS-P to examine the moral distress experienced by Japanese psychiatric nurses; and (3) explore the correlation between moral distress and burnout. A questionnaire on the intensity and frequency of moral distress items (the MDS-P: 15 items grouped into three factors), a burnout scale (Maslach Burnout Inventory — General Survey) and demographic questions were administered to 391 Japanese psychiatric nurses in 2007—2008. These nurses experienced relatively low levels of moral distress despite the fact that they were commonly confronted by morally distressing situations. All the circumstances in which the participants experienced moral distress were included in the ‘low staffing’ factor, which reflects the characteristics of Japanese psychiatric care. The frequency score of the low staffing factor was a significant predictor of burnout.
Ethics in independent nurse consulting: Strategies for avoiding ethical quicksand
Authors: Creel Eileen L , Robinson Jennifer C
Published: November 2010

Changes in health care have created a variety of new roles and opportunities for nurses in advanced practice. One of these changes is the increasing number of advanced practice nurses carrying out independent consultation. Differences in goals between business and health care may create ethical dilemmas for nurse consultants. The purpose of this article is to describe possible ethical pitfalls that nurse consultants may encounter and strategies to prevent or solve these dilemmas. Three themes related to nursing codes of ethics will be discussed: the duty to uphold human rights, the duty to fulfill commitments, and the duty to practice the profession competently.
Cultural safety and the socioethical nurse
Authors: Woods Martin
Published: November 2010

This article explores the social and ethical elements of cultural safety and combines them in a model of culturally safe practice that should be of interest and relevance for nurses, nurse educators and nurse ethicists in other cultures. To achieve this, the article briefly reviews and critiques the main underpinnings of the concept from its origins and development in New Zealand, describes its sociocultural and sociopolitical elements, and provides an in-depth exploration of the key socioethical elements. Finally, a model is presented to illustrate the strong connection between the social and ethical components of cultural safety that combine to produce culturally safe practice through the activities of a ‘socioethical’ nurse.
Meaningful Differences: Comparison of Adult Women Who First Traded Sex as a Juvenile Versus as an Adult
Authors: Martin Lauren , Hearst Mary O. , Widome Rachel
Published: November 2010

The authors analyzed experiences, characteristics, and risks of adult women who trade sex in Minneapolis, MN ( n = 117), and found significant differences between women who first traded sex as a juvenile compared with those who first traded sex as an adult. Adult starters were 3.44 times more likely to use drugs prior to their first sex trade. They were also more likely to have children. Juvenile starters were more likely to trade sex prior to their first instance of drug use and they had worse outcomes in most other domains that were measured. The study findings showed that they can be useful in shaping prevention of prostitution and methods to be used for its intervention.
College Women: History of Childhood Abuse and Its Relationship to Smoking
Authors: De Von Figueroa-Moseley Colmar , Abramson Jill Marise , Williams Geoffery C.
Published: November 2010

Few studies have examined the influence of childhood abuse on smoking in women. The objective of the study was to determine if abuse in childhood is associated with increased risk for smoking in women. Two hundred ninety-six women completed an anonymous survey on childhood abuse and smoking. Results showed that abuse was a better predictor of smoking than status variables. Those experiencing two or more abuses before age 17 were three times more likely to be early smokers and seven times more likely to be current smokers. Findings highlight abuse in childhood as a stressor that increases a woman’s risk for smoking.
Who Are the Defendants in Domestic Violence Protection Order Cases?
Authors: Moracco Kathryn E. , Andersen Kathryn , Buchanan Rebecca M. , Espersen Christina , Bowling J. Michael , Duffy Courtney
Published: November 2010

Domestic violence protective orders (DVPOs) are the nation’s most widely used intimate partner violence (IPV)—related legal intervention, and there is emerging evidence that DVPOs are effective. However, little is known about DVPO defendants. We examined a population-based sample of male DVPO defendants. Most had previous IPV-related offenses, mental health issues, and alcohol and drug-use histories. Court personnel should be aware of the severity of violence plaintiffs are likely experiencing, and the potential danger posed by defendants, and ensure that expedited and appropriate protection is awarded. Concurrent treatment for substance abuse and mental health may enhance the effectiveness of DVPOs.
Substance Use by Soldiers Who Abuse Their Spouses
Authors: Martin Sandra L. , Gibbs Deborah A. , Johnson Ruby E. , Sullivan Kristen , Clinton-Sherrod Monique , Walters Jennifer L. Hardison , Rentz E. Danielle
Published: November 2010

Data on 7,424 soldier spouse abuse offenders were analyzed to determine the prev alence of substance use during abusiv e incidents, and to examine differences between substance-using and non-substance-using offenders. Results showed that 25% of all offenders used substances during abusiv e incidents, with males and non-Hispanic Whites being more likely to hav e used substances. Substance-using offenders were more likely to perpetrate physical spouse abuse and more sev ere spouse abuse. These findings underscore the importance of educating military personnel (including commanders) about links between substance use and domestic v iolence, and of coordinating prev entiv e and therapeutic substance abuse and v iolence-related interv entions.
Teen Magazines as Educational Texts on Dating Violence: The $2.99 Approach
Authors: Kettrey Heather Hensman , Emery Beth C.
Published: November 2010

This study analyzed the portrayal of dating violence in teen magazines published in the United States. Such an investigation is important because previous research indicates that dating violence is a serious problem facing adolescents, teen magazines overemphasize the importance of romantic relationships, and teens who read this genre frequently or for education/advice are especially susceptible to its messages. Results indicated that although teen magazines do frame dating violence as a cultural problem, they are much more likely to utilize an individual frame that emphasizes the victim. Results were discussed as they apply to the responsibilities of professionals working with adolescents.
Students’ Perceived Preference for Visual and Auditory Assessment With E-Handwritten Feedback
Authors: Crews Tena B. , Wilkinson Kelly
Published: November 2010

Undergraduate business communication students were surveyed to determine their perceived most effective method of assessment on writing assignments. The results indicated students’ preference for a process that incorporates visual, auditory, and e-handwritten presentation via a tablet PC. Students also identified this assessment process would improve their writing by helping them understand the types of errors they were making and why these errors were incorrect. Students also indicated this type of assessment would help build a relationship with the instructor and help them be successful in the class.
Outsourced: Using a Comedy Film to Teach Intercultural Communication
Authors: Briam Carol
Published: November 2010

Given that feature films can enhance the teaching of intercultural communication, this article describes in detail how the 2006 comedy film, Outsourced , can be integrated into a course. The article relates the film to four different functions of film and shows how Outsourced can help create an intercultural experience for students, serve as the basis for a case analysis of cross-cultural adjustment, give meaning to cultural concepts, and create powerful metaphorical images to expand classroom discussions to broader issues. Also explored are ways the film can be used in teaching advanced intercultural communication concepts.
Vector-Valued Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment for the Effects of Vertical Ground Motions on the Seismic Response of Highway Bridges
Authors: Gülerce Zeynep , Abrahamson Norman A.
Published: November 2010

The vertical ground motion component is disregarded in the design of ordinary highway bridges in California, except for the bridges located in high seismic zones (sites with design horizontal peak ground acceleration greater than 0.6 g). The influence of vertical ground motion on the seismic response of single-bent, two-span highway bridges designed according to Caltrans Seismic Design Code (SDC-2006) is evaluated. A probabilistic seismic hazard framework is used to address the probability of exceeding the elastic capacity for various structural parameters when the vertical component is included. Negative mid-span moment demand is found to be the structural parameter that is most sensitive to vertical accelerations.A series of hazard curves for negative mid-span moment are developed for a suite of sites in Northern California. The annual probability of exceeding the elastic capacity of the negative mid-span moment is as large as 0.01 for the sites close to active faults when the vertical component is included. Simplified approaches based on the distance to major faults or the median design peak acceleration show that there is a large chance (0.4 to 0.65) of exceeding the elastic limit if the current 0.6 g threshold is used for the consideration of vertical ground motions for ordinary highway bridges. The results of this study provide the technical basis for consideration of a revision of the 0.6 g threshold.
Estimating Downtime from Data on Residential Buildings after the Northridge and Loma Prieta Earthquakes
Authors: Comerio Mary C. , Blecher Howard E.
Published: November 2010

The performance-based earthquake engineering (PBEE) methodology developed by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research (PEER) center uses data from recent earthquakes to calibrate its loss models. This paper describes a detailed review of building department permit data from the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Although the data is limited to wood-framed residential structures, it provides some insight into the length of time between an event and re-occupancy. Based on a review of approximately 4,900 records, the typical repair of damaged multifamily residential buildings required two years and building replacement required almost four years. When this data is supplemented with additional case studies from other events, the capacity to better calibrate downtime models will improve, particularly if construction-repair times are separated from estimates of the time gap between closure and start-of-repair.
Ground-Motion Attenuation Model for Small-To-Moderate Shallow Crustal Earthquakes in California and Its Implications on Regionalization of Ground-Motion Prediction Models
Authors: Chiou Brian , Youngs Robert , Abrahamson Norman , Addo Kofi
Published: November 2010

This paper presents the development of a ground-motion prediction model for small-to-moderate shallow crustal earthquakes (3M5.5, up to 200 km distance) using data from the California ShakeMap systems. Our goal is to provide an empirical model that can be confidently used in the investigation of ground-motion difference between California and other active tectonic regions (such as the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia, Canada) where the bulk of ground-motion data from shallow crustal earthquakes is in the small-to-moderate magnitude range. This attenuation model is developed as a small-magnitude extension of the Chiou and Youngs NGA model (CY2008). We observe, and incorporate into this model, a regional difference in median amplitude between central and southern California earthquakes. The strength of the regional difference diminishes with increasing spectral period. More importantly, it is magnitude dependent and becomes insignificant for M6 earthquakes, as indicated by the large-magnitude California data used in CY2008. Together, these findings have important implications on the practice of utilizing the regional differences observed in small-to-moderate earthquakes to infer the regional differences expected in large earthquakes, including the NGA model applicability in active tectonic regions outside California.
Reconsidering CIO Political Culture: Briggs Local 212 and the Sources of Militancy in the Early UAW
Authors: Williams Charles
Published: November 2010

The recent consensus on political culture in the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) emphasizes the view that working-class or labor-movement consciousness took shape through broad ideological appeals tied to a shared national political culture and the opening provided by the New Deal. In contrast, this analysis highlights the significance to the CIO of a distinct form of working-class consciousness rooted in local experiences and workplace relationships. In particular, this article explores the political culture and significance of United Autoworkers (UAW) Local 212 from the late 1930s through World War II, revealing that those workers helped to shape the UAW even as they embraced a local identity of rank-and-file militancy and related political radicalism that was confidently at odds with the overall trajectory of New Deal labor relations endorsed by national union leaders.
Labor's Cold War Missionaries: The Ifpcw's Transnational Mission for the Third World's Petroleum and Chemical Workers, 1954–1975
Authors: Williams Brandon Kirk
Published: November 2010

This article explores the brief yet illustrious life of the International Federation of Petroleum and Chemical Workers (IFPCW). Based out of Denver, Colorado, the IFPCW maintained international offices from 1954 to 1975 and attempted to organize and educate worldwide workers using an American-style trade union structure. The federation was successful for a short time but was brought to a speedy end by a jurisdictional dispute, ties to the Central Intelligence Agency and the U.S. government, and the shifting nature of international politics. The IFPCW's story exemplifies attempts to spread a particularly American form of labor organization and to confront communism in the third world during the height of the Cold War.
Vibrational Spectroscopic Analysis of Self-Aggregates of Synthetic Zinc and Cadmium 131-18O-Labeled Bacteriochlorophyll-d Analogs
Authors: Tamiaki Hitoshi , Morishita Hidetada
Published: November 2010

Zinc and cadmium complexes of methyl 31-demethylbacteriopheophorbide-d18O-labeled specifically at the 131-oxo moiety were prepared. The FT-IR vibrational band of the 13-carbonyl group was shifted to a much lower wavenumber by their self-aggregation, similarly as in natural light-harvesting antennae.
Ferromagnetic Gd–Cu, Tb–Cu, and Ho–Cu Couplings in Isomorphous [Ln2Cu] Complexes
Authors: Okazawa Atsushi , Watanabe Ryo , Nezu Masaru , Shimada Takashi , Yoshii Shunsuke , Nojiri Hiroyuki , Ishida Takayuki
Published: November 2010

Exchange couplings in [{Ln(hfac)3}2Cu(dpk)2] (Hdpk stands for di-2-pyridyl ketoxime) were evaluated by high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetization studies, showing ferromagnetic Ln–Cu couplings with JLn–Cu/kB = +1.271(7), +0.405(3), and +0.196(13) K for Ln: Gd, Tb, and Ho, respectively.
Preparation of Thin CuInSe2 Films Using Cu–In Alloy Nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Shih-Hsien , Chen Fu-Shan , Lu Chung-Hsin
Published: November 2010

Thin CuInSe2 films were synthesized via selenizing Cu–In alloy-containing precursors. The alloy nanoparticles with CuIn and Cu2In were obtained via chemical reduction in ethylene glycol. Nanoparticles with a size around 40–60 nm were formed. The thin monophasic chalcopyrite CuInSe2 film with large grains was formed at 450 °C. Using the alloy nanoparticles for the coating process was demonstrated to be a potential way for preparing thin CuInSe2 films.
Credibility of Palestinian media as a source of information for opinion leaders
Authors: Aqtash Nashat A
Published: November 2010

The main concern of this research is the credibility of Palestinian media amongst opinion leaders. The study surveyed 860 opinion leaders, (442) in the West Bank and (418) in Gaza, using purposive sample techniques. To assess credibility, opinion leaders were asked to answer according
to the credibility scale developed by Gaziano and McGrath. The findings show that 35.6 of the opinion leaders considered the Al-Jazeera satellite TV station to be the most credible media source. Of the sample, 6.9 said the Internet is the most credible media. The majority of Hamas leaders
(62.3) trust their media and consider Hamas' media to be the most credible source. Only 8.1 of Fateh opinion leaders trust their media as a source of information. Among the local daily newspapers, Al-Quds seems to be the most credible source.