bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of the Vestibular Apparatus and Central Vestibular Connections in a Wallaby (Macropus eugenii)
Authors: McCluskey S.U. , Marotte L.R. , Ashwell K.W.S.
Published: April 2008

We have studied the early development of the vestibular apparatus and its central connections in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) in order to determine whether the vestibular system anatomy is sufficiently mature at birth to assist in climbing to the pouch. Structural development was studied with the aid of hematoxylin and eosin stained sections and immunoreactivity for GAP-43, whereas the development of vestibular system connections was examined by carbocyanine dye tracing. At the time of birth, the otocyst has distinct utricle, saccule and semicircular canals with immature sensory regions receiving innervation by GAP-43 immunoreactive fibers. Vestibular nerve fibers can be traced into the brainstem to the developing vestibular nuclei, which are not yet cytoarchitectonically distinct. The vestibular nuclei do not contribute direct projections to the lower cervical spinal cord at birth; most bulbospinal projections in the newborn appear to be derived bilaterally from the gigantocellular, lateral paragigantocellular reticular and ventral medullary nuclei. A substantial bilateral projection to the vestibular ganglion and apparatus from the region of the gigantocellular and lateral paragigantocellular nuclei was seen at birth, but not in subsequent ages. This is similar to a projection seen in newborn Ameridelphians. By postnatal day (P) 5, the vestibular apparatus had extensive projections to all vestibular nuclei and neurons projecting in the lateral vestibulospinal tract could be identified in the lateral vestibular nucleus. Cytoarchitectonic differentiation of the vestibular nuclei proceeded over the next 3 to 4 weeks with the emergence of discrete parvicellular and magnocellular components of the medial vestibular nucleus by P19. GAP-43 immunoreactivity stayed high in the lateral vestibulospinal tract for several months after birth, suggesting that the development of this tract followed a prolonged timecourse. Our findings indicate that central and peripheral connections of the vestibular ganglion are present at birth, but that there is no direct projection from the vestibular nuclei to the cervical spinal cord until P5. Nevertheless, the possibility remains that an indirect projection between the vestibular nuclei and the medial reticular formation is present at birth and mediates control of the climb.
Brain Organization and Specialization in Deep-Sea Chondrichthyans
Authors: Yopak Kara E. , Montgomery John C.
Published: April 2008

Chondrichthyans occupy a basal place in vertebrate evolution and offer a relatively unexplored opportunity to study the evolution of vertebrate brains. This study examines the brain morphology of 22 species of deep-sea sharks and holocephalans, in relation to both phylogeny and ecology. Both relative brain size (expressed as residuals) and the relative development of the five major brain areas (telencephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon, cerebellum, and medulla) were assessed. The cerebellar-like structures, which receive projections from the electroreceptive and lateral line organs, were also examined as a discrete part of the medulla. Although the species examined spanned three major chondrichthyan groupings (Squalomorphii, Galeomorphii, Holocephali), brain size and the relative development of the major brain areas did not track phylogenetic groupings. Rather, a hierarchical cluster analysis performed on the deep-sea sharks and holocephalans shows that these species all share the common characteristics of a relatively reduced telencephalon and smooth cerebellar corpus, as well as extreme relative enlargement of the medulla, specifically the cerebellar-like lobes. Although this study was not a functional analysis, it provides evidence that brain variation in deep-sea chondichthyans shows adaptive patterns in addition to underlying phylogenetic patterns, and that particular brain patterns might be interpreted as ‘cerebrotypes’.
Integrated Ocean Skin and Bulk Temperature Measurements Using the Calibrated Infrared In Situ Measurement System (CIRIMS) and Through-Hull Ports
Authors: Jessup A. T. , Branch R.
Published: April 2008

The design and performance of a shipboard-integrated system for underway skin and bulk temperature is presented. The system consists of the Calibrated Infrared In situ Measurement System (CIRIMS) and through-hull temperature sensors. The CIRIMS is an autonomous shipboard radiometer system that measures the sea surface skin temperature Tskin for validation of satellite-derived sea surface temperature products. General design considerations for shipboard radiometer systems are discussed and the philosophy behind the CIRIMS design is presented. Unique features of the design include a constant temperature housing to stabilize instrument drift, a two-point dynamic calibration procedure, separate sky- and sea-viewing radiometers for simultaneous measurements, and the ability to use an infrared transparent window for environmental protection. Laboratory testing and field deployments are used to establish an estimated error budget, which includes instrumentation and environmental uncertainties. The combination of this testing and field comparison to the Marine-Atmosphere Emitted Radiance Interferometer (M-AERI) and Infrared SST Autonomous Radiometer (ISAR) instruments indicates that the CIRIMS meets the design goal of ±0.10°C accuracy. Temperature and pressure sensors were installed in custom-designed through-hull ports on the NOAA research vessel (R/V) Ronald H. Brown and the University of Washington R/V Thomas G. Thompson to complement the CIRIMS measurements. The ports allow sensors to be installed while the ship is in water and can accommodate a variety of sensors. The combined system provides the ability to measure near-surface temperature profiles from the skin to a depth of 5 m while underway.
Comparisons of Shipboard Infrared Sea Surface Skin Temperature Measurements from the CIRIMS and the M-AERI
Authors: Branch R. , Jessup A. T. , Minnett P. J. , Key E. L.
Published: April 2008

Extensive comparisons are made of the infrared sea surface skin temperature Tskin measured by the Calibrated Infrared In situ Measurement System (CIRIMS) and the Marine-Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (M-AERI). Data were collected from four separate deployments on the NOAA research vessel (R/V) Ronald H. Brown and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Polar Sea over a wide range of latitudes and environmental conditions. The deployment time totaled roughly 6 months over a 4-yr period and resulted in over 7000 comparison values. The mean offset between the two instruments showed that CIRIMS consistently measured a lower temperature than the M-AERI, but by less than 0.10°C. This mean offset was found to be dependent upon sky condition, wind speed, and ship roll, which implies the offset is likely due to uncertainty in the emissivity. The CIRIMS Tskin was recomputed using two alterative emissivity values, one based on emissivity measured by the M-AERI and the other based on a wind-speed-dependent model. In both cases, the recomputation of the CIRIMS Tskin significantly reduced the mean offset. The overall standard deviation between the M-AERI and CIRIMS Tskin was 0.16°C, did not significantly depend on environmental conditions, and was within the expected values of instrument and comparison uncertainties. These comparisons demonstrate the success of CIRIMS in achieving good agreement with the M-AERI over a wide range of conditions. The results also highlight the importance of the sea surface emissivity when measuring the ocean surface skin temperature.
REFRACTT 2006
Authors: Roberts Rita D. , Fabry Frédéric , Kennedy Patrick C. , Nelson Eric , Wilson James W. , Rehak Nancy , Fritz Jason , Chandrasekar V. , Braun John , Sun Juanzhen , Ellis Scott , Reising Steven , Crum Timothy , Mooney Larry , Palmer Robert , Weckwerth Tammy , Padmanabhan Sharmila
Published: April 2008

The Refractivity Experiment for H2O Research and Collaborative Operational Technology Transfer (REFRACTT), conducted in northeast Colorado during the summer of 2006, provided a unique opportunity to obtain high-resolution gridded moisture fields from the operational Denver Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) and three research radars using a radar-based index of refraction (refractivity) technique. Until now, it has not been possible to observe and monitor moisture variability in the near-surface boundary layer to such high spatial (4-km horizontal gridpoint spacing) and temporal (4–10-min update rates) resolutions using operational NEXRAD and provide these moisture fields to researchers and the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters in real time. The overarching goals of REFRACTT were to 1) access and mosaic the refractivity data from the operational NEXRAD and research radars together over a large domain for use by NWS forecasters in real time for short-term forecasting, 2) improve our understanding of near-surface water vapor variability and the role it plays in the initiation of convection and thunderstorms, and 3) improve the accuracy of quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPF) through improved observations and assimilation of low-level moisture fields. This paper presents examples of refractivity-derived moisture fields from REFRACTT in 2006 and the moisture variability observed in the near-surface boundary layer, in association with thunderstorm initiation, and with a cold frontal passage.
Radiative–Convective Feedbacks in Idealized States of Radiative–Convective Equilibrium
Authors: Stephens Graeme L. , van den Heever Susan , Pakula Lyle
Published: April 2008

This paper examines feedbacks between the radiative heating of clouds and convection in the context of numerical radiative–convective equilibrium experiments conducted using both 2D and 3D versions of a cloud-resolving model. The experiments are conducted on a large domain, and equilibria develop as juxtaposed regions of dry and moist air that are connected and sustained by circulations between them. The scales of such variability are large and differ significantly between the 2D and 3D versions of the experiments. Three sensitivity experiments were conducted which, when compared to the control experiment, provide insight into the relative influences of cloud–radiation feedback mechanisms on the equilibrium state achieved. It emerges from the experiments conducted that radiation feedbacks operate via two main pathways, with the radiative heating by high clouds being the governing process of both. The predominant bimodal nature of the moist equilibrium is established by gradients in radiative heating that, in turn, are determined by high cloud differences between wet and dry regions that, in turn, are controlled by convection. Convection, on the other hand, is also influenced by the localized effects of cloud radiative heating by these extended layers of high clouds. The results of the experiments demonstrate how high cloud radiative heating, which is a by-product of the convection itself, provides a feedback that acts to regulate the high clouds produced in the wet convective areas of the equilibrium.
A Global Climatology of Surface Wind and Wind Stress Fields from Eight Years of QuikSCAT Scatterometer Data
Authors: Risien Craig M. , Chelton Dudley B.
Published: April 2008

Global seasonal cycles of the wind and wind stress fields estimated from the 8-yr record (September 1999–August 2007) of wind measurements by the NASA Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) are presented. While this atlas, referred to here as the Scatterometer Climatology of Ocean Winds (SCOW), consists of 12 variables, the focus here is on the wind stress and wind stress derivative (curl and divergence) fields. SCOW seasonal cycles are compared with seasonal cycles estimated from NCEP–NCAR reanalysis wind fields. These comparisons show that the SCOW atlas is able to capture small-scale features that are dynamically important to both the ocean and the atmosphere but are not resolved in other observationally based wind atlases or in NCEP–NCAR reanalysis fields. This is particularly true of the wind stress derivative fields in which topographic, SST gradient, and ocean current influences on surface winds are plainly visible. Discussions of five example regions are presented to highlight these seasonally recurring small-scale features. It is expected that the SCOW atlas will prove valuable to researchers conducting hydrographic and modeling studies.
Contribution of a Wide-Swath Altimeter in a Shelf Seas Assimilation System: Impact of the Satellite Roll Errors
Authors: Le Hénaff Matthieu , De Mey Pierre , Mourre Baptiste , Le Traon Pierre-Yves
Published: April 2008

The authors investigate the potential qualitative improvement brought by wide-swath, interferometry-based ocean altimetry measurements with respect to classical nadir altimeters in a coastal/shelf data assimilation system. In addition, particular attention is paid to roll errors, which could significantly reduce the expected benefits of wide-swath altimetry. A barotropic, nonlinear free-surface model is set up over the European shelf as part of an ensemble Kalman filter. Experiments assimilating simulated data are performed over the North Sea to test the ability of altimeter configurations to reduce model errors due to the action of meteorological forcing in the presence of bathymetric uncertainties. A simplified wide-swath observation scheme is used, composed of nadir altimeter height plus a nadir-centered cross-track sea level slope measurement. The simplified wide-swath measurements are found to be able to constrain events unsampled by a single nadir altimeter owing to a wider domain of influence in the cross-track direction and the ability to detect cross-track gradients.

Since the satellite-borne interferometer is highly sensitive to the platform behavior, especially satellite roll, experiments taking roll errors into account are then carried out. Whereas observational errors are considered independent in most data assimilation studies, the roll of the platform correlates those errors along the path of the satellite. Despite the large amplitude of the roll errors, the contribution of the wide-swath altimeter in coastal zones remains valuable as long as the roll frequency is known (within Gaussian error) and the assimilation scheme is designed to take observational error correlations into account.
Use of Simulation in a Public Administration Process
Authors: Kovacic Andrej , Pecek Bojan
Published: April 2008

Simulations are commonly used in technical systems. This paper demonstrates their applicability to systems where the human factor is more important. It will discuss an eXample of a process in the public administration where the effects of a reorganization are simulated. The intention of the reorganization is positive, however easing the load on clients means that the process takes longer. Through the simulations it is possible to monitor the process and acquire data which is otherwise impossible to obtain.
A Web-based Remote Simulation System for the Glass Pressing Process
Authors: Songxin Shi  , Guojun Zhang  , Yunqing Rao  , Yun Zhang
Published: April 2008

Numerical simulation of the glass pressing process has become popular and software application by Application Service Provider (ASP) instead of customers' local installation has expanded rapidly. An approach to create a remote ASP-oriented simulation tool for the glass pressing process is presented in this paper. The original functionality of the simulation system is divided into several independent modules: main server, job scheduler, simulating units and user interface (including visualization). The construction approach and implementation techniques of the system are described in detail. Furthermore, the united model and methodology is presented to establish an integrated simulation platform for the multiple aspects of the forming process. The modeling and formulation of glass pressing, part cooling, mold cooling residual stresses and shrinkage are also discussed.
Bibliotherapy
Authors: Jack Sarah J. , Ronan Kevin R.
Published: April 2008

Recent years have witnessed an upsurge in the therapeutic use of books. With its initial roots in psychodynamic theory, available models emphasize features of the relationship between the personality of a reader and the cognitive and affective experience offered through literature. This article explores the historical development of bibliotherapy focusing on its use in therapeutic practice and associated research. The current authors suggest that the field of bibliotherapy is in need of development with regard to more methodologically stringent forms of validation, notwithstanding meta-analytic findings in some areas. Additionally, coherent taxonomies and theory-driven practice models are particularly needed to underpin increased rigor in answering scholarly questions. With these caveats in mind, and in light of findings in recent years, bibliotherapy does hold promise as a useful adjunct for the busy practitioner and client. Highlighted throughout the article are the suggested benefits of bibliotherapy as well as a call for practitioners to consider the value of pragmatic evaluation of bibliotherapy within the context of managing their own local practice.
Grade-Level Differences
Authors: Chen Jennifer Jun-Li
Published: April 2008

Researchers have long been interested in understanding factors affecting student achievement. To contribute new insights to the literature, this study investigated grade-level differences in the relationships of students' perceived academic support (from parents, teachers and peers) to academic achievement directly and also indirectly through their perceived academic engagement. Questionnaire data were collected from 270 Hong Kong adolescents in Forms 3—5 (equivalent to Grades 9—11 in the United States). Structural equation modelling analyses revealed important and interesting grade-level differences in the academic support-based achievement relationships. Specifically, perceived parental support was negatively linked to academic achievement for Form 4 students, but it was positively related to academic achievement through perceived academic engagement for Form 3 students. Perceived teacher support was a significant predictor of academic achievement only for Form 3 students. Surprisingly, perceived peer support had no significant direct or indirect relationship to student achievement. These findings were interpreted from cultural, educational, socioeconomic and developmental perspectives. Suggestions for promoting particular sources of academic support for adolescents in different grade levels were discussed.
Bullying in Greek Primary and Secondary Schools
Authors: Sapouna Maria
Published: April 2008

The problem of school bullying among Greek primary and secondary school children was investigated by using a translated version of the Olweus Questionnaire with a total of 1,758 students, mainly aged 10—14, from 20 schools in the greater Thessaloniki area. Overall, 8.2 percent of all students were victims, 5.8 percent were bullies and 1.1 percent were bully/victims. In line with earlier findings, more boys were identified as bullies, whereas no sex differences emerged for rates of victimization. Separate results for primary school pupils revealed that boys and girls were equally self-identified as bullies. Younger students were more at risk of being bullied. The most common type of bullying was `general name-calling'. Significant sex differences in types of victimization emerged only for physical bullying, which was more common in boys, and for spreading malicious rumours, which was more common in girls. Survey results were similar to those of other countries with regard to class and gender of the bully and location of bullying. Surprisingly, almost 25 percent of victims reported being victimized in the gym class.
Comparison of non-parametric confidence intervals for the area under the ROC curve of a continuous-scale diagnostic test
Authors: Gengsheng Qin  , Hotilovac Lejla
Published: April 2008

The accuracy of a diagnostic test with continuous-scale results is of high importance in clinical medicine. It is often summarised by the area under the ROC curve (AUC). In this article, we discuss and compare nine non-parametric confidence intervals of the AUC for a continuous-scale diagnostic test. Simulation studies are conducted to evaluate the relative performance of the confidence intervals for the AUC in terms of coverage probability and average interval length. A real example is used to illustrate the application of the recommended methods.
Constituent Factors of HRD in Health Care
Authors: Shah Nidhi , Dhar Upinder
Published: April 2008

Health care has emerged as one of the clearest and most visible expressions of society's attitude to the value of life. The WHO.'s target of ‘Health for All’ has raised expectations of easier access to and affordability of efficient medical treatment, together with com-passionate care. HRD has come to be regarded as a vital variable in the field of health care given the fact that it has 90 per cent of human interface and only 10 per cent of equipment-supported interface. The rationale of the study stemmed from the feeling that professional health care both in developed and developing countries is not totally on a harmonious wavelength with important aspects of HRD. The objective of the study was to identify the factors of HRD in health care and compare them across India and the USA. In order to make health care systems more cohesive and integrated, weaker factors, whether primary or secondary, deserve attention for better synthesis with the stronger ones. The knowledge generated has important implications for enhancing efficiency, effectiveness, quality, learning orientation, and feedback and benefits of improved health care both in developed as well as developing countries.
Socio-economic and Cultural Dimensions, and Health-seeking Behaviour for Leptospirosis
Authors: George Mathew
Published: April 2008

The present article is an attempt to examine the role of public health services in the context of the epidemic of leptospirosis (1998–2002), commonly known as rat fever in the state of Kerala. This is carried out within the larger context of the changing nature of health ser-vices in the state as part of the structural adjustment policies, as well as the specific nature of the disease characteristics (epidemics). From a public health point of view, control of an epidemic is possible not merely by preventing the occurrence of disease, but also by effectively taking care of those affected, thereby preventing transmission and also avoiding any possible disability from disease. This is possible only by coordinated interventions at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. This within the broader perspective of social epidemiology addresses the social, political, economic, cultural and ecological determinants of the disease. In the context of the leptospirosis epidemic, it has been found that primary-level care focuses either on the techno-centric approach of killing of vectors (rat) or on educating the com-munity. From a social epidemiology perspective, the question of livelihood and ecological imbalance become political questions whose solution being ‘long term’ gets conveniently sidelined. What remains to the people ultimately is the secondary-level care in which the prevalent health services play the leading role. This study reveals that even in Kerala, where private health services are widely used by the people and are claimed to be the reason for better their health status, the role of public health services in taking care of those affected with epidemics like leptospirosis cannot be overlooked.
New Developments in Health Care Organisational Management
Authors: Thweatt Evangeline G. , Kleiner Brian H.
Published: April 2008

Since 1999 quality care issues have become a primary concern for health care organisational management. During this year, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report that indicated that 98,000 preventable deaths occur each year in the US. Additionally, the report revealed that the individual competence of the practitioner is not the primary source of blame. Rather, it was the faulty system in place. This report was shocking and caused many organisational leaders to evaluate their systems of care delivery. The heightened con-cern for patient safety remains a top priority for health care leaders. The IOM (2001) re-ported specific aims to help guide the organisational changes needed to address the problems associated with patient safety. Each aim is dealt with in detail, and examples of case stud-ies are discussed to give meaning to the strategies outlined by the IOM. The challenges to the implementation of the IOM's strategies also are covered to provide adequate information concerning the challenges the organisational leader faces. The focus for the organisational leader is leading the change towards a ‘culture of safety’.
How Transferable is Deming's Approach to a Health and Social Care Setting?
Authors: Patwardhan Anjali , Patwardhan Dhruv
Published: April 2008

The current consumer demand–led environment poses a threat to the current state of health and social care system. It is expected to keep their sanctities for human values as always, but also provide ‘quality for cost’ services as any other commercial organisation.

The structural complexity of health care services and their unique professional and human element of management make it difficult to bring about change by applying any one magic approach.

Deming's approach was successfully implemented in the manufacturing industry, and whether this can this be applied to manage quality in the health care sector is question-able. Deming's ‘total quality improvement’ (TQI) approach has been experimented with very little success and satisfaction worldwide. This article analyses the rationale for its non-transferability to the health and social care system, and the causes of its failure in the past. This begs few serious questions: Did we apply management tools that were basically designed for the manufacturing and commercial industries to a service industry like health care inappropriately in the first place? Were these tools applied with sufficient understanding, and were they given enough time before evaluating their suitability?

There is a need for this discussion as to why and which part of his approach is and is not transferable to a health and social care setting. Adjustments may be needed either in the approach or the systems to be successful.
Management by Objectives as a Motivational, Appraisal and Effective Management Tool
Authors: P. Satyashankar , Rinkoo A.V. , G. Somu
Published: April 2008

This article shares the experience of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, a tertiary care teaching hospital, in implementing management by objectives (MBO) as a motivational, appraisal and effective management tool. Keeping up its position as one of the finest medical college teaching hospitals, the management had initiated the MBO concept in October 2003. The policy of the hospital was evolved through a brainstorming session with employees and with the help of extensive feedback from the prime customers, that is, patients and medical students. Extensive awareness programmes were held to drive down the policy to each and every employee. Top-level objectives were fixed to measure the achievement of the policy. The respective departments in consultation with the top management defined individual departmental objectives. Review of the levels of achievement and newer actions to achieve these objectives were done in various meetings held from time to time. Findings after nine months showed that there was a substantial improvement in the overall performance. This shows that performance is better when people had specific objectives than when they are simply asked to do their best. The degree of accomplishment of the objective is also used as an appraisal tool and it is linked to the incentives. Problems faced in the implementation of this policy are also discussed.
The nutrition transition in Jordan: the political, economic and food consumption contexts
Authors: Madanat Hala N. , Troutman Kelly P. , Al-Madi Bader
Published: April 2008

This paper describes and analyzes the nutrition transition in Jordan. The nutrition transition is shifting from undernutrition of a population to a diet high in fat, sugar, and refined carbohydrates (overnutrition) and corresponding premature morbidity and mortality from ensuing chronic diseases. The paper reviews and examines secondary data on demographic, epidemiological, economic, social, and dietary changes in the region. Jordan is moving through the nutrition transition at a rapid pace. Demographic, epidemiological, economic, and social changes have been accompanied by changes in diet, food expenditure, and general health. Although mortality rates have dropped significantly, fertility rates still remain high at 3.6 children per woman, especially compared to other countries in the region. Urbanization has increased rapidly from 46% of the population residing in urban areas in 1965 to 75% currently. Declines in real per capita income have created a state in which 27% of families live under the poverty line. Dietary changes in the region, due in part to changes in food availability over the last 40 years, include a general rise in caloric intake (from 2,165 Kcals in 1965 to 3,161 Kcals in 1997) with an increasing percentage of energy supply coming from fats and cereals. Undernutrition and chronic rates of malnutrition are low compared to other developing countries; however, various sources reveal that overweight and obesity are on the rise. Obesity in Jordan tends to be higher among women (16%) than among men (10%), with a much higher prevalence of obesity among uneducated women (50%). In conclusion, overweight and obesity are an emerging problem in Jordan, especially for women. There is a high prevalence of risk factors associated with diet-related non-communicable diseases among both men and women. (Promot Educ, 2008; 15 (1): pp. 6-10)
Health education's role in framing pornography as a public health issue: local and national strategies with international implications
Authors: Perrin Paul C. , Madanat Hala N. , Barnes Michael D. , Carolan Athena , Clark Robert B. , Ivins Natasha , Tuttle Steven R. , Vogeler Heidi A. , Williams Patrick N.
Published: April 2008

Pornography is a public health issue. However, since the US Surgeon General's workshop on pornography and public health reached a consensus statement about the impacts of pornography in 1986, few policy actions have been taken to deal with this public health problem, and intense discussion surrounding the regulation of pornography has continued. This debate spans a continuum between individual rights on one extreme and complete restriction of such material for society's good on the other extreme. However, during this same period much research has been done on the impacts of pornography on children and adults. This paper focuses on reviewing the effects of pornography on society including women, children, and consumers, and includes discussion on the current and failed policies aimed at regulating pornography. The growing phenomenon of Internet pornography use is discussed in depth, and specific policy ideas pertaining to Internet pornography are presented from a public health perspective. (Promot Educ, 2008; 15 (1): pp. 11-18)
How have Global Health Initiatives impacted on health equity?
Authors: Hanefeld Johanna
Published: April 2008

This review examines the impact of Global Health Initiatives (GHIs) on health equity, focusing on low- and middle-income countries. It is a summary of a literature review commissioned by the WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health. GHIs have emerged during the past decade as a mechanism in development assistance for health. The review focuses on three GHIs, the US President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the World Bank's Multi-country AIDS Programme (MAP) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. All three have leveraged significant amounts of funding for their focal diseases — together these three GHIs provide an estimated two-thirds of external resources going to HIV/AIDS. This paper examines their impact on gender equity. An analysis of these Initiatives finds that they have a significant impact on health equity, including gender equity, through their processes of programme formulation and implementation, and through the activities they fund and implement, including through their impact on health systems and human resources. However, GHIs have so far paid insufficient attention to health inequities. While increasingly acknowledging equity, including gender equity, as a concern, Initiatives have so far failed to adequately translate this into programmes that address drivers of health inequity, including gender inequities. The review highlights the comparative advantage of individual GHIs, which point to an increased need for, and continued difficulties in, harmonisation of activities at country level. On the basis of this comparative analysis, key recommendations are made. They include a call for equity-sensitive targets, the collection of gender-disaggregated data, the use of policy-making processes for empowerment, programmes that explicitly address causes of health inequity and impact assessments of interventions' effect on social inequities. (Promot Educ, 2008; 15 (1): pp. 19-23)
Ethics, Industry, and Outcomes
Authors: Merry Alan F.
Published: April 2008

Evidence-based medicine depends on research that is reliable, well conducted, and free of influence from interest groups (which are not confined to industry). There are many ways to influence the outcome of clinical research, and the history of influence in research related to tobacco is illuminating in this regard. Health care depends on industry, and if properly managed, the relationship between industry and medical academia can be symbiotic. Achieving positive outcomes from such relationships depends on ensuring the presence of the elements needed for reasonable independence on the part of investigators, and on understanding the ways in which influence can be exerted over the production and publication of evidence. Regulation cannot substitute for integrity, particularly the integrity of the investigators. Pushing the limits of ethics in research threatens to undermine not only the reputation of those conducting the research but also the standing of science itself.
A Qualitative Exploration of Relationship and Attachment Themes in Families with an Eating Disorder
Authors: Dallos Rudi , Denford Sarah
Published: April 2008

A qualitative study is described which explored the experiences of four families each of which contained a young person who had suffered with anorexia nervosa. The focus included an exploration of current relationships in the family, transgenerational patterns of relating, and the role of food in relation to comfort. Individual interviews were conducted with the young person with anorexia, a key sibling, both parents, and a joint family interview was also conducted. Interpretative theme analysis and discourse analysis were combined to generate a set of common themes across the families: False or Fragile Reality, Troubled Relationships, Arguments and Triangulation, Lack of Comfort, and Negative Relationships with Food. The findings suggest that experiences of relationships as conflictual and of communicational processes as confusing was common to all family members. Across all four families it appeared that the young person with anorexia was playing a pivotal role in the parents' attempts to correct their negative experiences from their own childhoods. The article concludes with an attempt to extend our understanding of eating disorders by offering an integration of concepts from attachment and systemic perspectives. Implications are offered for clinical work with families.
Street capital
Authors: Sandberg Sveinung
Published: April 2008

Most of Pierre Bourdieu's work describes struggles over symbolic capital and hierarchies among the economic and cultural elite. However, his theories and concepts are not exclusive to studies of those with power. By using Bourdieu's conceptualizations of social space, capital and habitus, the article discusses the hierarchies and struggles over symbolic capital at the bottom of societies. The analysis is grounded in interviews and fieldwork with ethnic minority youths on the streets of Oslo, Norway. Analysing the violence among the young men, the article argues that marginalized ethnic minorities and certain groups of refugees use particular strategies in order to accumulate symbolic capital. They have embodied experiences that can be transformed into forms of `street capital' favourable in a violent street culture.
Urinary tract trauma — diagnosis and management
Authors: Brown David JG , Martindale Andrew D
Published: April 2008

Urological trauma is rare but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality if missed or not managed appropriately. The careful assessment and involvement of specialist investigations and treatments are paramount to a good patient outcome. This article is aimed at the non-urologist to highlight the potential pitfalls and the importance of clinical suspicion. It should be used as a guide, but should not negate the involvement of a urologist early on in the investigation and management of trauma patients.
Prevention of secondary brain injury following Head Trauma
Authors: Cowley Nicholas J , da Silva Egidio J
Published: April 2008

Over half of admissions to hospital with severe trauma have associated head injury. Suboptimal management of traumatic brain injury greatly increases mortality and morbidity. This article reviews current practice in the management of head injury resulting from trauma with particular attention to management strategies that have been proven to minimise secondary brain injury in the early resuscitation period. Ongoing management of confirmed severe brain injury is detailed, including maintenance of cerebral perfusion and the control of raised intracranial pressure.
Fractures of the neck of the femur
Authors: Parker Martyn J
Published: April 2008

A hip fracture represents one of the commonest reasons for an elderly patient to be admitted to an acute orthopaedic ward. The average age of patients is about 80 years and the most patients are female. Surgical treatment is recommended for the majority of fractures. For intracapsular fractures internal fixation is indicated for all undisplaced fractures and displaced fractures in those aged less than about 65—70 years. Arthroplasty is more appropriate for the elderly patient with a displaced intracapsular fracture. A cemented unipolar hemiarthroplasty is generally used, but for the fitter active patients a total hip replacement may be superior. The sliding hip screw remains the implant of choice for trochanteric hip fractures with intramedullary fixation being mainly used for subtrochanteric fractures. Aggressive rehabilitation methods with minimally transfer of patients and early community support programmes can reduce the length of hospital stay.
Resuscitation of patients after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Hulme Jonathan
Published: April 2008

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the commonest worldwide cause of death and disability in people under 45 years of age. Following an injury of this nature, physiological derangements, both systemic and within the brain, rapidly progress and have a deleterious effect on outcome. There is a lack of brain specific treatments that significantly improve outcome and management must therefore be best care of appropriate physiology, along the familiar ABC lines. There are international guidelines that describe targets to be achieved. Methods to do this plus the rationale for doing so are discussed in this article.
National Anglican Identity Formation: An African Perspective
Authors: Fape Michael O.
Published: April 2008

Africa played a prominent role in the formation of earliest Christianity not least in the persons of Cyprian of Carthage and Augustine of Hippo. The Anglican heritage is considered through the experience of the Yoruba people in south-west Nigeria through whom christian faith came to the rest of Nigeria. The Anglicanism which came to the Yoruba was evangelical through the Church Missionary Society, though a key role was played by liberated slaves from Sierra Leone. Contexts in which the gospel is proclaimed and the way it is expressed may change, yet the contents of the gospel do not. A contextualized curriculum thus includes key courses such as biblical studies and systematic theology. It also includes contextual subjects such as African traditional religions and Islam and Christianity. The Church of Nigeria has thus undertaken a thorough review of the curriculum to adequately represent this kind of contextualized theology.
Anglican Identity and Theological Formation in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Te Paa Jenny Plane
Published: April 2008

St John's College Auckland has served the New Zealand church for over 150 years. In 1992 the Anglican Church in New Zealand changed its constitution to give recognition to the Pakeha, Maori and Polynesian groups in the church. The Canon concerning St John's College was also changed to reflect the new Constitutional arrangements. From that time the college was committed to recognizing the two cultural traditions in its leadership and across all aspects of the college's activities and environment. This implied significant curriculum challenges. Some difficult choices have been faced as to the relationship with a secular university and its implications for the presence in the curriculum of Anglican studies. These have been resolved in a way which honours the contextual issues and the tradition of Anglican faith.
Anglican National Identity: Theological Education and Ministerial Formation in Multifaith Malaysia
Authors: Walters Albert Sundararaj
Published: April 2008

Malaysia became an independent nation in 1957 and has grown dramatically in prosperity since that time. The main groups in this ethnically diverse nation are Malays (65 per cent) Chinese (26 per cent) and Indians (7.7 per cent). Sixty per cent of the population are Muslim which is the official religion of the nation. Christians represent about 9 per cent of the population and there are 80,000 Anglican members. There has been political pressure against Christians in recent years and there is growing concern about the position of minority religious groups. Anglicans came with the British, though indigenous mission was the work of Indian and Chinese Christians. Theological education is mainly focused on the Seminari Theoloji Malaysia where a holistic curriculum has been developed. A sense of Anglican identity is developing in relation to the context in Malaysia but this has hindered clarity on the nature of the Anglican heritage. The challenges facing the Anglican Church in Malaysia are identified.
Tyndale's Gospel of St John: Translation and the Theology of Style
Authors: Pinti Daniel
Published: April 2008

Building on Rowan Williams's claims about William Tyndale's importance for English Reformation theology, this paper outlines a theological matrix within which we can situate and interpret Tyndale's translation work. Focusing on Tyndale's translation of the fourth Gospel in his 1534 New Testament, the central claim is that in light of more recent developments in biblical interpretation, the very style of Tyndale's translation has evident theological implications with compelling resonances for contemporary Anglicanism. This analysis of the theology of Tyndale's literary style also attempts to contribute to the ongoing reassessment of Tyndale's reputation. Tyndale's biographer, David Daniell, has lamented that ‘Tyndale as theologian… has been at best neglected and at worst twisted out of shape’, while ‘Tyndale as conscious [literary] craftsman has been… denied’. As a close reading of Tyndale's Gospel of John shows, Tyndale the theologian and Tyndale the craftsman can and should be approached as one and the same.
Effects of Bi on crystallisation in Ge–Sb–Te–Bi
Authors: Chen S. F. , Chen J. K. , Chen T. P.
Published: April 2008

Blue light optical storage products will become the next generation devices for recording media in the near future. To increase the crystallisation speed of recording by 405 nm wavelength blue laser diode, bismuth (Bi) is applied to substitute small quantities of antimony (Sb) in a pseudobinary GeTe–Sb2Te3 (GeSb2Te4) alloy material. It is shown that the activation energies for crystallisation of Ge–Sb–Te–Bi are reduced by addition of Bi indicating the improvement of recording speed. The Ge–Sb–Te–Bi material is incorporated into actual blue light phase change optical disks and is found to provide good land and groove recording characteristics, cross-talk characteristics, and cross-erase characteristics. It is demonstrated a promising candidate for HD DVD-RAM applications.
Experimental evaluation and simulation on aging characteristics of aluminised AP-HTPB composite solid propellant
Authors: Kadiresh P. N. , Sridhar B. T. N.
Published: April 2008

The aging behaviour of ammonium perchlorate hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene composite solid propellant was characterised using uni-axial tensile and stress relaxation mechanical property measurements at regular intervals during an accelerated aging period. The measured properties in the tension test were Young's modulus, breaking load and percentage of elongation at the time of break. In stress relaxation test, the load at the end of 180 min of relaxation was recorded and it was selected as one of the indicators for the study of aging behaviour. Scanning electron microscopy examinations were also conducted for the fractured tensile test specimens during the aging period to observe the microscopic structure of the fractured surface of the propellant after tension test. Relaxation tests with 5% constant strain with 3 h hold duration were simulated using a finite element computer program. The reaction forces were collected for the period of hold duration and compared with the experimental results. The simulated results are in good agreement with experimental results.
Solute redistribution during transient liquid phase bonding of IN738LC with BNi-3 interlayer
Authors: Mosallaee M. , Ekrami A. , Ohsasa K. , Matsuura K.
Published: April 2008

Redistribution of alloying elements in the transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding zone of IN738LC/BNi-3/IN738LC was studied to investigate microstructural evolution in this area. Wavelength dispersive spectrometry and electron probe microanalysis revealed that, during non-isothermal solidification in the TLP bonding zone, enrichment of residual liquid phase with the positive segregating elements caused formation of intermetallic in the bonding zone. Scanning electron microscopy observation indicated that the redistribution of alloying elements, between TLP bonding zone and base alloy, resulted in formation of a γ′ boundary layer, containing high density of fine γ′, around the bonding zone. Diffusion of γ′ promoting elements, from the base alloy inward the TLP zone, controlled the growth of this layer. Unlike TLP bonding at 1100–1150°C, isothermal solidification kinetic was reduced notably during TLP bonding at 1200–1250°C. Investigations demonstrated that the low isothermal solidification kinetic was not only due to the enrichment of liquid phase with the base alloying elements such as Ti and Zr, which was reported in the previous papers, but also the reduction of solid solubility limit of B in the base alloy contributed to the reduction of isothermal solidification kinetic.