bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining the “F” in Gifted: Academically Gifted Adolescents' Physiological and Affective Responses to Scholastic Failure
Authors: Roberts Shawn M. , Lovett Suzanne B.
Published: October 2011

The present investigation examined whether academically gifted children, relative to their nongifted peers (a) were subject to greater self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism, (b) endorsed higher levels of Ellis' (1962) irrational beliefs, and (c) were prone to more negative reactions to an experimentally induced failure. Relative to their nongifted and academically achieving peers, the academically gifted students demonstrated more negative affective and physiological stress reactions to the experimentally induced failure, as well as higher levels of self-oriented perfectionism and irrational beliefs. The present findings highlight the need for research within the relatively new and unexplored field of gifted students' reactions to scholastic failure.
Low Incidence of Behavior Problems among Elementary School Students in Gifted Programs
Authors: Cornell Dewey G. , Delcourt Marcy A. B. , Bland Lori C. , Goldberg Marc D. , Oram Guy
Published: October 2011

This report summarizes a comparison of 675 gifted and 322 regular education students (grades 2 or 3) on the incidence of behavior problems as rated by parents using the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and by teachers using the Teacher Report Form of the CBCL. After controlling for grade and minority status, there were no significant differences between gifted and regular education students in the incidence of any form of behavior problems as rated by either teachers or parents. The small group of gifted education students rated as having a clinically high level of total behavior problems did not differ from a comparable group of regular education students in the kinds of behavior problems they exhibited. Agreement between parent and teacher ratings was surprisingly low, indicating the need to consider both sources of information in evaluating a child's overall behavioral adjustment.
Emotional Development, Intellectual Ability, and Gender
Authors: Miller Nancy B. , Silvermany Linda Kreger , Falk R. Frank
Published: October 2011

Dabrowski's Theory of Emotional Development provides the framework for investigating the dynamic interplay of emotion and cognition in the personality development of a group of intellectually gifted adults and a group of graduate students. When the gifted adults were compared to the graduate students on developmental potential, as measured by their over-excitability scores, the gifted subjects showed substantially greater potential for emotional development; but when actual level of development was compared, no significant differences between the two groups were found. Gender differences were discovered in areas related to traditional gender-role socialization—women scored higher on emotional potential and level of emotional development while men were higher on intellectual potential. In support of Dabrowski's theoretical position, emotional, intellectual, and imaginational intensity significantly predicted level of development.
Parent Competence in Families with Gifted Children
Authors: Strom Robert , Strom Shirley , Strom Paris , Collinsworth Pat
Published: October 2011

This study examined parent influence as perceived by gifted junior high school students and their parents. Ninety-three adolescents reported on 171 parents; self-reports were provided by 172 parents. Both generations were administered parallel versions of the Parent Strengths and Needs Inventory which identifies (a) aspects of parenthood that are satisfying, (b) ways in which parents successfully perform their role, (c) the scope of teaching expected of parents, (d) problems with the obligations of parenting, (e) child behaviors which are upsetting to parents, and (f) information parents need to function more effectively. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to determine the effects of generation of respondent, gender of parent, and child school performance on parent effectiveness, Analyses revealed significant main effects for all three independent variables. Interaction effects emerged for school performance and parent gender. Implications are considered for planning parent education programs.
Specific Writing Disabilities in Intellectually Gifted Children
Authors: Yates Cheryl M. , Berninger Virginia W. , Abbott Robert D.
Published: October 2011

To determine whether some gifted children may have specific writing disabilities, we compared 10 gifted and 10 average children in grades 1 through 6 (N = 120). The primary question addressed was whether gifted writers exhibit more advanced skills than their average-IQ peers in both higher level cognitive writing processes (as manifested in quality of text generation) and lower level writing processes (as manifested in transcription), or solely at one of those levels. Results supported our hypothesis that gifted and average children differ in higher level cognitive processes but not in lower level processes in writing. Poor writing performance in gifted students may reflect low-level transcription deficits and is not necessarily the result of laziness, boredom, or lack of motivation as is often believed. Implications of this research for identifying writing-related learning disabilities in gifted students are discussed.
Achievement and Self-Concept of Minority Students in Elementary School Gifted Programs
Authors: Cornell Dewey G. , Delcourt Marcia A. B. , Goldberg Marc D. , Bland Lori C.
Published: October 2011

Despite considerable interest in the identification of minority students for gifted programs, few studies have investigated minority students actually selected for gifted programs. The present study reports on the standardized achievement scores and self-concept levels of African-American (N = 299), Hispanic (N = 52), and white (N = 595) elementary school students placed in gifted or regular school programs. Results indicate that minority students identified for gifted programs scored significantly higher on achievement measures than minority students placed in regular classrooms, although white gifted-program students scored significantly higher than both African-American and Hispanic gifted-program students. There were no minority-group differences in academic or social self-concept. Additional analyses suggested that the distinction between academic and social self-concept used with white students may not be applicable to minority students. This article challenges gifted education to address the conceptual problems and methodological difficulties in interpreting the meaning of standardized achievement test scores for minority students in gifted programs.
The Gifted Metaphor from the Perspective of Traditional Civilizations
Authors: Hunsaker Scott L.
Published: October 2011

The gifted metaphor implies that exceptionally promising abilities or aptitudes are inherited, acquired, or given from some source. This article offers information from ancient and classic cultures (Western and non-Western) relating to beliefs about the specific sources of gifts. These beliefs are used to discuss the images we hold of gifted individuals and the attitudes we have about serving this exceptional population in the school setting.
Multiple Intelligences, Problem Solving, and Diversity in the General Classroom
Authors: Maker C. June , Rogers Judith A. , Nielson Aleene B. , Bauerle Patricia R.
Published: October 2011

Classroom teaching strategies and curriculum based on the theory of multiple intelligences (Gardner, 1983), principles for differentiation to meet the needs of gifted students (Maker et) Nielson, 1996), and integration of culturally and linguistically appropriate content have been advocated for students with diverse learning needs, including gifted students and students learning English as a second language.

In this study of two teachers' classrooms, pre- and postassessments were used to compare teacher's level of implementation of the DISCOVER1 approach on: problem-solving behaviors, number of students identified as gifted, problem solving by gender, and problem solving by students' language of preference. Significant relationships were found between level of implementation by teacher and positive changes in problem solving in Pablo® and math activities, mean math performance, and number of students identified as gifted on postassessment. The results indicate the value of the DISCOVER approach in general classrooms with a high proportion of Spanish-speaking or bilingual children.
A Study of Language Arts Curriculum Effectiveness with Gifted Learners
Authors: Van Tassel-Baska Joyce , Johnson Dana T. , Hughes Claire E. , Boyce Linda Neal
Published: October 2011

This study of language arts curriculum effectiveness presents data that lend support to the utilization of the Integrated Curriculum Model (ICM) with high-ability learners in various grouping contexts. Significant growth gains were demonstrated in literary analysis, persuasive writing, and linguistic competency for seven experimental classes using a unit of study modelled on ICM. Implications for heterogeneous classroom use include concerns for lack of differentiation of reading selections for students not classified as advanced readers and the degree of abstraction contained in specific performance tasks.
A four-week walking exercise programme in patients with knee osteoarthritis improves the ability of dual-task performance: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hiyama Yoshinori , Yamada Minoru , Kitagawa Akira , Tei Norihiro , Okada Shuichi
Published: October 2011

Objective: To investigate whether a four-week walking exercise programme in patients with knee osteoarthritis improves the ability of dual-task performance in older adults with knee osteoarthritis.

Design: A randomized controlled trial with two groups: a walking group and a control group.

Subjects: Forty older adults with knee osteoarthritis, 20 participants in each group.

Intervention: The walking intervention was designed to increase the number of steps walked daily. The walking group was instructed to increase their number of steps to 3000 steps more than before the intervention.

Main outcome measures: Dual-task performance was computed by an automaticity index: the walking velocity under single-task condition/under dual-task conditions × 100 (%), defined as automaticity. The nearer to 100% automaticity, the better the dual-task performance. Decrease of the Trail Making Test (TMT) performance was defined as ΔTMT. ΔTMT was calculated as the difference between times (part B–part A) as a measure of executive function. In addition, functional ability was measured by the Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure.

Results: The walking group improved significantly in automaticity ( P < 0.001, from 75.2 (7.6) to 86.9 (10.4), ΔTMT ( P < 0.001, from 63.4 (43.1) to 48.3 (29.6)) and Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure score ( P < 0.001, from 54.4 to 51.9) compared with before the intervention, while the control group displayed no significant differences.

Conclusions: We found that walking exercise improves executive function and dual-task performance.
The Quest for “Magnalux”
Authors: Gross Benjamin
Published: October 2011

In September 1951, Radio Corporation of America chairman David Sarnoff celebrated his 45th year in the electronics industry by publicly challenging his research staff to develop three new technologies in time for his golden anniversary dinner 5 years later. This article considers the fate of one of these items, the “Magnalux” light amplifier, to explore how scientists, manufacturing personnel, and managers viewed the significance of fundamental research to technological innovation. Following a discussion of the content and context of Sarnoff’s request, the article focuses on the creation of two prototype light amplifiers to emphasize the contingency of technological success and failure and the centrality of commercial considerations in defining those categories. This case study reaffirms the value of historical methodologies to the social study of corporate science.
We Spent a Million Bucks and Then We Had To Do Something
Authors: Schleifer David
Published: October 2011

Many scholars assume that industry meddles in scientific research in order to defend their products. But this article shows that industry meddling in science can have a variety of consequences. American food manufacturers long denied that trans fats were associated with disease. Academic scientists, government scientists, and activists in fact endorsed trans fats as a healthier alternative to saturated fats. But in 1990, a high-profile study showed that trans fats increased risk factors for heart disease more than saturated fats did. Industry funded a U.S. Department of Agriculture study that they hoped would exonerate trans fats. But the industry-funded U.S. Department of Agriculture study also indicated that trans fats increased risk factors for heart disease more than saturated fats. Industry quickly began developing trans fat alternatives. This confirms that corporations get involved in science in order to defend their products. But involvement in science can be the very means by which corporations persuade themselves to change their products.
When a robot is social: Spatial arrangements and multimodal semiotic engagement in the practice of social robotics
Authors: Alač Morana , Movellan Javier , Tanaka Fumihide
Published: October 2011

Social roboticists design their robots to function as social agents in interaction with humans and other robots. Although we do not deny that the robot’s design features are crucial for attaining this aim, we point to the relevance of spatial organization and coordination between the robot and the humans who interact with it. We recover these interactions through an observational study of a social robotics laboratory and examine them by applying a multimodal interactional analysis to two moments of robotics practice. We describe the vital role of roboticists and of the group of preverbal infants, who are involved in a robot’s design activity, and we argue that the robot’s social character is intrinsically related to the subtleties of human interactional moves in laboratories of social robotics. This human involvement in the robot’s social agency is not simply controlled by individual will. Instead, the human–machine couplings are demanded by the situational dynamics in which the robot is lodged.
A study on the attitudes and behavioural influence of construction waste management in occupied Palestinian territory
Authors: Al-Sari Majed I , Al-Khatib Issam A , Avraamides Marios , Fatta-Kassinos Despo
Published: October 2011

As a step towards comprehending what drives the management of construction waste in the occupied Palestinian territory, this paper quantifies construction waste generation and examines how the local contractors’ waste management attitudes and behaviour are influenced. Collection of data was based on a survey, carried out in the southern part of the West Bank between April and May 2010. The survey targeted contractors who specialized in the construction of buildings. A logistic regression model was used to investigate the relationship between various attributes and the attitudes and behaviour that the local contractors demonstrate towards waste management. The results showed that during the construction of buildings, 17 to 81 kg of construction waste are generated per square metre of building floor. Although the area of a building is the key factor determining 74.8% of the variation of construction waste generation, the employment of labour-intensive techniques in the study area means that human factors such as the contractor’s attitude and behaviour towards waste management, exert a key influence on waste generation. Attitudes towards the 3Rs of waste minimization and behaviour towards waste disposal are generally positive with smaller contractors exhibiting more positive attitudes and more satisfactory behaviour towards waste management. Overall, while contractors’ behaviour towards waste sorting and disposal tends to be more satisfactory among contractors who are more conscious about the potential environmental impacts of construction waste, it was generally observed that in the absence of a regulatory framework, the voluntary attitudes and behaviour among the local contractors are mostly driven by direct economic considerations.
Effects of dimethylsulfoxide on behavior and antioxidant enzymes response of planarian Dugesia japonica
Authors: Yuan Zuoqing , Zhao Bosheng , Zhang Yu
Published: October 2011

In this study, the toxicity, behavioral and antioxidant activity effects of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on planarian Dugesia japonica were investigated. The results showed that the mortality was directly proportional to the DMSO concentration, and planarian locomotor velocity decreased as the concentration of DMSO increased. The recovery of the motility for planarians pre-exposed to DMSO was found to be time- and dose-dependent, and only those pre-exposed to 0.1–3% DMSO resulted in full recovery. The antioxidant enzymes of planarians in response to long-term DMSO stress was also altered in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Planarians revealed more tolerance to DMSO toxicity at low DMSO (0.1%) level in short- and long-term DMSO stress, in which an efficient antioxidant system was involved and the motility was not affected.
Ecoregional Planning
Authors: Mason Robert J.
Published: October 2011

Ecoregional planning—broadly defined here as planning for regions delineated by natural boundaries—seemed poised to prosper in the early 1970s. Faced with immense political and economic challenges, however, it subsequently transformed itself, taking a more collaborative, less regulatory tack. Ecoregional planning capacity has expanded, though highly unevenly, at multiple spatial scales. Today’s multiple initiatives receive financial, technical, and logistical support from federal and state funding programs, land trusts, watershed organizations, and ballot questions—and they may be further bolstered by climate change mitigation and adaptation policies. As they continue to develop, ecoregional programs must contend with issues of equity, efficiency, affordability, and intense opposition.
Perpetual Transitions
Authors: Mungiu-Pippidi Alina , Stefan Laura
Published: October 2011

This article studies comparatively the property restitution policies of Eastern and Western Balkan countries, focusing mostly on internal and external constraints to a permanent solution. The role of the European Court of Human Rights is analyzed in depth, as well as the subtle shift of policy of the EU institutions from the earlier Eastern Balkan accession to the Western Balkans one. While the situation of property restitution in South-Eastern Europe provides clear evidence that Europeanization helps transformation, particularly if the EU openly assumes the role of a transformation agent, it also highlights the limits of its power.
Routine Activity Theory and the Determinants of High Cybercrime Countries
Authors: Kigerl Alex
Published: October 2011

Cybercrime and the threat it creates are growing in its reach, in accordance with similar growth in information technology. Some countries account for more of the variation in cybercrime activity than others, which affects less criminally involved nations as well, considering that cybercrime does not respect national borders over the Internet. Routine activity theory (RAT) has been used to explain cybercrime at the individual level, but not at the national level. Much research has focused on high cybercrime countries, but this research is often conducted by cybersecurity firms and is exclusively descriptive, making no inferences. This research sought to determine what characteristics predict whether a nation is high in either spamming activity or phishing activity. In a sample of 132 countries, it was found that wealthier nations with more Internet users per capita had higher cybercrime activity. Unemployment was also found to interact with Internet users such that the effect of the proportion of Internet users on spam was strongest in nations with higher unemployment. The implications these findings have for policy and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Applying the Theory of Work Adjustment to Latino Immigrant Workers
Authors: Eggerth Donald E. , Flynn Michael A.
Published: October 2011

Blustein mapped career decision making onto Maslow’s model of motivation and personality and concluded that most models of career development assume opportunities and decision-making latitude that do not exist for many individuals from low income or otherwise disadvantaged backgrounds. Consequently, Blustein argued that these models may be of limited utility for such individuals. Blustein challenged researchers to reevaluate current career development approaches, particularly those assuming a static world of work, from a perspective allowing for changing circumstances and recognizing career choice can be limited by access to opportunities, personal obligations, and social barriers. This article represents an exploratory effort to determine if the theory of work adjustment (TWA) might meaningfully be used to describe the work experiences of Latino immigrant workers, a group living with severe constraints and having very limited employment opportunities. It is argued that there is significant conceptual convergence between Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and the work reinforcers of TWA. The results of an exploratory, qualitative study with a sample of 10 Latino immigrants are also presented. These immigrants participated in key informant interviews concerning their work experiences both in the United States and in their home countries. The findings support Blustein’s contention that such workers will be most focused on basic survival needs and suggest that TWA reinforcers are descriptive of important aspects of how Latino immigrant workers conceptualize their jobs.
Optimum sintering region for laser sintered nylon-12
Authors: Vasquez M , Haworth B , Hopkinson N
Published: October 2011

It is well known that the mechanical properties of laser sintered Nylon-12 improve with increased applied energy. However properties can reach a maximum after which, the application of additional energy can a lead to a decline in part properties. It is thought that the reason for this decline is that the additional energy causes polymer chain degradation or other changes in molecular structure. This paper aims to use thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to investigate the thermal degradation of nylon-12 and explain the deterioration of mechanical properties when high energy density conditions are applied during processing. The key findings are the application of modelling methods to predict the temperatures achieved during laser sintering of nylon-12. It is shown that temperatures in the laser sintering machine can achieve levels above 300°C. At these temperatures, TGA data show that mass loss occurs and could cause mechanical property breakdown. This practical work coupled differential scanning calorimetry and TGA as a means of identifying thermal transitions in the material. The term ‘stable sintering region’ is proposed as a novel concept for the laser sintering community, and can have implications for better understanding of how process parameters can affect parts built in the machine. In addition, the concept could be used in the material selection process when screening potential new polymers for the process. One limitation of laser sintering, compared to other polymer processes such as injection moulding, is the limited understanding of the connection between machine parameters and part properties. This work aims to improve that understanding by discussing the pattern of thermal behaviour, including degradation, seen in polyamide exposed to high laser parameters.
Adaptive compliance control of a hydraulic manipulator in free forging
Authors: Wang J , Gao F , Zhang Y
Published: October 2011

The increased demand for large size forgings has led to developments and innovations of heavy-duty forging manipulators. Besides the huge carrying capacity, forging manipulators should possess robot features, such as force perception, delicacy, and flexibility. The aim of this work is to develop a practical compliance control method for hydraulic forging manipulators. A hybrid force–position control method is proposed and performed on a novel serial–parallel forging manipulator designed by the author’s institute. A specific study is carried on a hybrid pressure–position control system. The simulated and experimental results show the control method is feasible. The experiment on hybrid control is executed on a programmable logic controller considering industrial applications.
Analysis and estimation of energy consumption for numerical control machining
Authors: He Y , Liu F , Wu T , Zhong F-P , Peng B
Published: October 2011

Understanding and estimating the energy consumed by machining are essential tasks as the energy consumption during machining is responsible for a substantial part of the environmental burden in manufacturing industry. Facing the problem, the present paper aims to analyse the correlation between numerical control (NC) codes and energy-consuming components of machine tools, and to propose a practical method for estimating the energy consumption of NC machining. Each energy-consuming component is respectively estimated by considering its power characteristics and the parameters extracted from the NC codes, and then the procedure estimating energy consumption is developed by accounting for the total energy consumption of the components via the NC program. The developed method is verified by comparing the estimated energy consumption with the actual measurement results of machining two test workpieces on two different machine tools, an NC milling machine and an NC lathe, and is also applied to evaluate the energy consumption of two different NC programs on the NC milling machine. The results obtained show that the method is efficient and practical, and can help process planning designers make robust decisions in choosing an effective energy-efficient NC program.
Modelling pellet flow in single extrusion with DEM
Authors: Michelangelli O P , Yamanoi M , Gaspar-Cunha A , Covas J A
Published: October 2011

Plasticating single-screw extrusion involves the continuous conversion of loose solid pellets into a pressurized homogeneous melt that is pumped through a shaping tool. Traditional analyses of the solids conveying stage assume the movement of an elastic solid plug at a fixed speed. However, not only the corresponding predictions fail considerably, but it is also well known that, at least in the initial screw turns, the flow of loose individual pellets takes place. This study follows previous efforts to predict the characteristics of such a flow using the discrete element method. The model considers the development of normal and tangential forces resulting from the inelastic collisions between the pellets and between them and the neighbouring metallic surfaces. The algorithm proposed here is shown to be capable of capturing detailed features of the granular flow. The predictions of velocities in the cross- and down-channel directions and of the coordination number are in good agreement with equivalent reported results. The effect of pellet size on the flow features is also discussed.
A fully autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle landing controller synthesis: quantitative feedback theory and H∞ technique comparison
Authors: López J , Dormido R , Dormido S , Gómez J P
Published: October 2011

This article presents an overview of the design of an autonomous landing controller. The flight control system must be robust against the effects of wind and must control the height accurately enough to support an autoland function. This study design and compare two different altitude command tracker controllers for an unmanned air vehicle using H∞ and quantitative feedback theory (QFT) techniques during the landing phase. The different stages of QFT methodology have been done with help of software tool quantitative feedback theory interactive tool. This is a free software tool that is characterized by its easy of use and interactive nature. QFT is standing as a viable control design method that can be applied to practical problems and produce implementable results. Tests with realistically large control inputs are used to validate and compare both designs.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) serum levels and gene polymorphism in Egyptian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Abbas D , Ezzat Y , Hamdy E , Gamil M
Published: October 2011

Objectives: to investigate the association of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism and serum ACE level among Egyptian SLE patients and its relation to disease activity parameters. Subjects and methods: we enrolled 50 Egyptian female systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and 29 healthy controls. Measurement of serum ACE level was done using ELISA, and the ACE genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction using genomic DNA from peripheral blood. Results: a significant difference was found in ACE genotypes between SLE patients and controls (χ2 = 7.84, p = 0.02). The frequency of ACE DD versus (DI and II) genotypes was significantly higher in SLE patients compared with controls (χ2 = 5.57, p = 0.018 and OR for risk of SLE was 3.1 with 95% confidence interval: 1.198.06). Mean serum ACE level was significantly higher in the SLE group compared with controls ( p = 0.006). Subjects with DD genotype had a significantly higher mean level than those with DI ( p = 0.015) and II genotypes ( p = 0.02). Lupus nephritis patients had a significantly higher frequency of DD versus DI and II genotypes compared with lupus patients without nephritis (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.025) and controls (χ 2 =8.74, p = 0.003). SLE patients with vasculopathy had a significantly higher frequency of DD versus DI/II genotypes compared with SLE patients without vasculopathy (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.04) and controls (χ2 = 9.84 and p = 0.002). Mean serum ACE level was significantly higher in the lupus nephritis and SLE patients with vasculopathy compared with controls ( p = 0.008, p = 0.001, respectively). Significant positive correlations were found between serum ACE level and serum creatinine and 24 h proteinuria ( p = 0.03, 0.009, respectively). SLE patients with DD genotype had a statistically significant higher mean SLEDAI score than those with (DI/II) genotypes ( p = 0.02). Significant positive correlation was found between serum ACE levels and SLEDAI scores ( p = 0.04). Conclusion: ACE genotype and subsequently serum ACE level could be associated with the disease activity of Egyptian SLE patients; in addition, ACE deletion polymorphism might be used as one of the predictive factors for the activity of SLE. Further studies on a larger number of patients should be done to determine the exact prevalence of ACE gene polymorphism among Egyptian SLE patients.
Efficacy and safety of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium in combination with two glucocorticoid regimens for the treatment of active lupus nephritis
Authors: Zeher M , Doria A , Lan J , Aroca G , Jayne D , Boletis I , Hiepe F , Prestele H , Bernhardt P , Amoura Z
Published: October 2011

Mycophenolic acid, in combination with glucocorticoids, has been shown in a series of trials to be safe and effective for treatment of lupus nephritis. Regimens that permit glucocorticoid dose reduction without loss of efficacy would be advantageous. MyLupus was a 24-week, multicentre, open-label, study in patients with active proliferative lupus nephritis treated with enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS), randomized to standard-dose ( n = 42) or reduced-dose ( n = 39) glucocorticoids. Complete response at week 24, the primary endpoint, was achieved in 19.8% (16/81) of patients (19.0% standard-dose, 20.5% reduced-dose; lower limit of 97.5% CI for the difference −15.9%, p = 0.098, i.e. non-inferiority was not shown). Partial response occurred in 42.0% of patients (34/81). From baseline to week 24, the mean global British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) score decreased from 14.0 ± 5.4 to 5.0 ± 3.8 ( p < 0.001). The incidence of adverse events was 80.2% (65/81), most frequently gastrointestinal complications (31/81, 38.3%). Infections were reported in 57.1% and 35.9% of standard- and reduced-dose glucocorticoid patients, respectively ( p = 0.056), with herpes zoster in 16.7% and 0% ( p = 0.012). Three patients discontinued study medication due to adverse events. This exploratory study suggests that EC-MPS may facilitate glucocorticoid reduction without loss of efficacy in patients with active lupus nephritis, but results require confirmation in a controlled, longer-term study versus the current standard of care.
Novel cardiovascular risk prediction models in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Kawai VK , Solus JF , Oeser A , Rho YH , Raggi P , Bian A , Gebretsadik T , Shintani A , Stein CM
Published: October 2011

Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) which is underestimated by the Framingham risk score (FRS). We hypothesized that new risk scores that include inflammation or vascular age in the risk calculation would better identify women with SLE at risk for CHD, particularly in those with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis. We calculated the FRS and Reynolds risk score (RRS) in 121 women with SLE and 65 age-matched female controls; coronary age-modified risk scores (camFRS, camRRS) were calculated using coronary age derived from the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score. Risk scores were compared in SLE and controls, and in SLE patients with and without CAC. Although CAC was present in 21 SLE patients (17%) and four controls (6%) ( p = 0.033); the FRS, camFRS, RRS, and camRRS, did not differ significantly among SLE and controls ( p > 0.05), but were all significantly higher in SLE patients with CAC compared with those without ( p < 0.001 for all). The camFRS (8%, p = 0.016) but not camRRS (5%, p = 0.221) assigned significantly more SLE patients to a category of ≥ 10% risk than conventional FRS (1%) and RRS (2%). The RRS was of limited use but coronary age may improve CHD risk prediction in SLE.
Changes in how ICU nurses perceive the DNR decision and their nursing activity after implementing it
Authors: Park Young-Rye , Kim Jin-A , Kim Kisook
Published: October 2011

This study investigated the perceptions and attitudes of ICU nurses towards the ‘do not resuscitate’ (DNR) decision and changes in their nursing activities after implementation of the DNR decision in South Korea. A data survey was conducted in South Korea between August and October 2008, with a convenience sample of 252 ICU nurses who had more than one year of clinical experience. The data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire. Most of the nurses perceived the necessity of the DNR decision in cases where there would be no chance of patient recovery despite massive efforts. Very few of the nurses' activities changed, either passively or actively, after implementation of the DNR decision. Moreover, the findings of this research provide suggestions for the future direction of the DNR decision and ethical nursing guidelines in South Korea. Further investigations are needed for the development of decision-making skills and intervention guidelines for end-of-life nursing.
Social Stories™ and Young Children
Authors: More Cori M.
Published: October 2011

Social Stories are becoming a popular intervention used to improve the social skills of children with disabilities. This article examines the use of Social Stories with young children with disabilities. Social Stories are described, creation guidelines are recommended, and strategies for Social Story implementation in the classroom are discussed.
African American Grandchildren Raised in Grandparent-Headed Families: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Kelch-Oliver Karia
Published: October 2011

There has been an increase in grandparents raising their grandchildren due to parental absence. This family structure has affected urban, single, low-income African Americans at a higher rate than any other racial group. Research on grandchildren reared in grandparent-headed families (GHF) states these children are at risk of significant emotional, behavioral, physical problems, and learning disabilities than children living with their biological parents. This exploratory study involved qualitative individual interviews with 14 African American grandchildren ages 10–16 and their 6 grandparent caregivers. Results indicated that although the majority of the grandchildren were content living with their grandparents, they experienced adjustment issues related to their histories of family disruption and parental loss. Family factors that might affect grandchildren’s adjustment to living in a GHF are discussed, as well as implications for counselors and recommendations for future research with grandchildren from GHF.
Representation and Negotiation of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Authors: Danell Jenny-Ann Brodin
Published: October 2011

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is not only increasingly popular and frequently used in Western societies, it is also a growing scientific field. But how are results from clinical CAM studies received and represented by other researchers? This article discusses the migration and representation of three clinical CAM studies, published in high-impact medical journals, analyzed with help from quantitative and qualitative citation context analysis. The results indicate a great variety concerning the migration of results and that this kind of research is subject to different kinds of boundary work, especially concerning biomedical standards and design of the studies.
Efficacy Information in Media Coverage of Infectious Disease Risks
Authors: Evensen Darrick T. , Clarke Christopher E.
Published: October 2011

Communication scholars have argued that print media ineffectively communicate efficacy information about zoonotic infectious diseases. In this study, the authors analyze U.S. newspaper coverage of West Nile virus and avian influenza, focusing on (a) personal efficacy information and (b) actions societal actors (e.g., government officials) can/should take to address disease risks (“societal efficacy”). Their findings indicate an emphasis on societal efficacy (64% of West Nile virus sample; 81% avian influenza) versus personal efficacy (51% and 55%) and disease symptoms (32% and 10%). The authors speculate that scholars potentially underestimate the magnitude and types of efficacy information within mass media coverage and discuss implications for risk communication.
Active vibration suppression of flexible structure using a LMI-based control patch
Authors: Wang Hua , Shen Xian-Hai , Zhang Liang-Xu , Zhu Xiao-Jin
Published: October 2011

Based on the linear matrix inequality, a linear feedback control is presented to realize active vibration suppression of a class of flexible structure. By introducing an appropriate modal transformation, the controller design procedure can be simplified greatly. A specific Lyapunov function is adopted to induce the asymptotical stability of the flexible structure. Simulation results for flexible spacecraft are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
The influence of the higher order modes on the dynamic response of suspension bridges
Authors: Abdel-Rohman Mohamed
Published: October 2011

The influence of the higher order modes of vibrations on the dynamic response of a suspension bridge is studied for two cases of loading. The first case is when the bridge is subjected to wind loading on the suspended cables and the bridge deck. The second case is when the bridge is subjected to a moving load on the bridge deck. The dynamic responses of the bridge deck and the suspended cables considering some higher order modes of vibrations are compared with the bridge response when it is modeled by the first dominant modes for each case of loading. It is shown that the influence of the higher order modes when the suspension bridge is subjected to wind loading is more significant than in the case when the bridge is subjected to a moving load. Therefore, it is recommended to investigate the influence of some higher order modes on the dynamic response of the suspension bridges and not always to depend on the response estimated from the first dominant modes of vibration.
Race, Gender, and Tokenism in Policing
Authors: Stroshine Meghan S. , Brandl Steven G.
Published: October 2011

According to tokenism theory, “tokens” (those who comprise less than 15% of a group’s total) are expected to experience a variety of hardships in the workplace, such as feelings of heightened visibility, isolation, and limited opportunities for advancement. In the policing literature, most previous studies have defined tokenism narrowly in terms of gender. The current research extends prior research by examining tokenism as a function of gender and race, with an examination of racial/ethnic subgroups. Particular attention is paid to Latino officers as this study represents the first known study of tokenism and Latino police officers. Quantitative analyses reveal that, for the most part, token police officers do experience the effects of tokenism as predicted by tokenism theory. Although all minorities experienced some level of tokenism, Black males and Black females experienced greater levels of tokenism than Latino officers, suggesting that race is a stronger predictor of tokenism than gender.
Impaired cortical deactivation during hand movement in the relapsing phase of multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional and longitudinal fMRI study
Authors: Pantano Patrizia , Bernardi Silvia , Tinelli Emanuele , Pontecorvo Simona , Lenzi Delia , Raz Eytan , Tona Francesca , Gasperini Claudio , Pozzilli Carlo
Published: October 2011

Background: Little is known about the cortical activation changes during clinical relapses in multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: To assess cross-sectional and longitudinal differences in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) cortical patterns between the relapsing and stable phases of MS.

Methods: We studied 32 patients with relapsing–remitting MS with mild disability: 19 within 48 h of symptom onset of a new relapse (G1) and 13 in the stable phase, relapse-free for at least 6 months (G2). All patients underwent fMRI twice, upon entry (time 1) and 30–50 days later (time 2), during right-hand movement.

Results: No between-group differences were observed in age, disability or T2 lesion load. Between-group analysis showed a significant difference in the ipsilateral precentral gyrus (IPG) activation at time 1. Activity differences in the IPG expressed reduced deactivation in G1 compared with G2. Longitudinal changes in brain activity in the IPG were significantly greater in G1 than G2. G1 patients with a slow clinical recovery ( n = 8) showed different activity at baseline and greater activity changes over time in the IPG than patients with a fast recovery ( n = 11).

Conclusion: This study shows that the relapsing phase is associated with reduced brain deactivation in the IPG, which is more marked in patients with a slow clinical recovery. Increased cortical excitability associated with inflammation may determine functional modifications within the ipsilateral motor area.
The impact of environmental infections (parasites) on MS activity
Authors: Correale Jorge , Farez Mauricio F
Published: October 2011

MS incidence has significantly increased during the second half of the 20th century, generating considerable interest in analyzing the basis for this rise in the developed world. Particular emphasis is being placed on the role infections might play in exacerbating or preventing disease onset. Epidemiological data suggest that improvement in sanitation conditions and reduced exposure to infection might explain, at least in part, these changes. The hygiene hypothesis is not new and is currently used to explain the increasing incidence of allergies and other autoimmune diseases. Because helminths are powerful modulators of host immunity, some authors hypothesize that reduced parasite exposure due to improved hygiene conditions may favor MS development. We discuss epidemiological, experimental, clinical and molecular data supporting the protective role of helminthes against MS. Better understanding of host–parasite interactions caused by specific parasite molecules with immunomodulatory effects will help combat allergies and autoimmune disease without the price of untoward infection as a side-effect.
Intake of whole grain in Scandinavia: Intake, sources and compliance with new national recommendations
Authors: Kyrø Cecilie , Skeie Guri , Dragsted Lars O. , Christensen Jane , Overvad Kim , Hallmans Göran , Johansson Ingegerd , Lund Eiliv , Slimani Nadia , Johnsen Nina F. , HalkjæR Jytte , Tjønneland Anne , Olsen Anja
Published: October 2011

Aims: The aim of the present study was to describe the intake of whole grain (WG) in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, and to investigate what proportion of the study population that met the new WG recommendation (75 g WG/day per 10 MJ). Methods: Descriptive study. Data is from one 24h dietary recall (24HDR) collected in 1995–2000 from a subset ( n = 8,702) of the large Scandinavian cohort “HELGA” consisting of participants aged 30–65 years from three cohorts. Results: The mean WG intake was far below the recommended level. Between 16% (Danish men) and 35% (Norwegian women) consumed at least the recommended intake of WG. Among women, the median intake of WG products (g WG products/day) was 114 g/day in Norway and 108 g/day in Denmark, whereas the intake was much lower in Sweden (64 g/day). For women, the median intake of WG in absolute amounts (g WG/day) was again highest in Norway (44 g/day), but lower in both Sweden (35 g/day) and Denmark (31 g/day). For men (no data available for Norwegian men), the intake of WG products was higher in Denmark (138 g/day) compared to Sweden (79 g/day), but when looking at the WG intake in absolute amounts, the intake was highest in Sweden (49 g/day) compared to Denmark (41 g/day). Conclusions: The present study described the intake of WG as well as the sources of WG in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Between 16% and 35% met the new recommendations on intake of WG.
rTMS Combined With Task-Oriented Training to Improve Symmetry of Interhemispheric Corticomotor Excitability and Gait Performance After Stroke
Authors: Wang Ray-Yau , Tseng Hsin-Yuan , Liao Kwong-Kum , Wang Chung-Jen , Lai Kuan-Lin , Yang Yea-Ru
Published: October 2011

Background. The model of interhemispheric competition after stroke has been established for the upper but not for the lower extremity. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the brain has been shown to modulate cortical excitability. Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of rTMS followed by task-oriented training on cortical excitability and walking performance in individuals with chronic stroke. Methods. A total of 24 patients with average Fugl-Meyer lower limb scores of 17.88 ± 5.27 and average walking speeds of 63.81 ± 18.25 cm/s were randomized into an experimental group and a control group. Participants received rTMS (experimental group) or sham rTMS (control group) followed by task-oriented training (30 minutes) for 10 sessions over 2 weeks. Repetitive TMS was applied at a 1-Hz frequency over the leg area of the motor cortex of the unaffected hemisphere for 10 minutes. Outcomes, including motor-evoked potential (MEP), lower-extremity Fugl-Meyer score, and gait performance, were measured before and after training. Results. Decreased interhemispheric asymmetry of the amplitude of the MEP was noted after rTMS and task-oriented training. Improvement in spatial asymmetry of gait was comparable with increased symmetry in interhemispheric excitability. Motor control and walking ability were also significantly improved after rTMS and task-oriented training. Conclusions. rTMS enhances the effect of task-oriented training in those with chronic stroke, especially by increasing gait spatial symmetry and corticomotor excitability symmetry.