bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DYNAMIC COMMON AGENCY AND INVESTMENT: THE ECONOMICS OF MOVIE DISTRIBUTION
Authors: Filson Darren
Published: August 2005

This article analyzes investment and other strategies in a stationary dynamic common agency model of movie distribution. Contract choices interact with other strategic choices. The model explains several facts; movie distributors avoid head‐to‐head new hit releases, hits have longer runs than flops, and distributors receive the lion's share of value generated by hits. The model yields testable implications about the effects of vertical integration on inventory turnover, release decisions, run lengths, and allocations, but the results depend on how integration affects relative bargaining power. Vertical integration is privately profitable and may improve social welfare even though it reduces industry profits. (JELL14,L22,L82,C61)
Two-Stage Regression and Multilevel Modeling: A Commentary
Authors: Gelman Andrew
Published: August 2005

These articles demonstrate, in several different examples, the effectiveness of two-level regression: the procedure of fitting several separate regression models, and then fitting a second, higher-level, regression to the estimated coefficients (for example, fitting a separate regression model to survey data from each of several countries, then regressing the coefficient estimates on country-level predictors). For simplicity, we will refer to the first- and second-level units as “persons” and “countries,” respectively, but our points apply more generally.
Genetic studies on serum transferrins in Atlantic salmon
Authors: Møller D.
Published: August 2005

Published and unpublished data on genetic variation at the transferrin locus (TF*) in Atlantic salmon from rivers in eastern North America sampled from 1968 to 1970 were reanalysed and compared with data for samples collected in 1998 from nine of the same rivers. Genetic differentiation among rivers was highly significant as was spatial differentiation among tributary samples within the Miramichi River system, the largest rivers studied. Comparison of allele frequencies in rivers also sampled in 1998 show no overall evidence of significant genetic change after 30 years, spanning 9 generations. The results strongly support the stability of the patterns of spatial genetic differentiation and support the occurrence in Atlantic salmon of reproductive isolation among rivers and among tributaries within large river systems.
Genetic analysis of fish genomes and populations: allozyme variation within and among Atlantic salmon from Downeast rivers of Maine
Authors: Cordes J. F. , Perkins D. L. , Kincaid H. L. , May B.
Published: August 2005

Analysis of genetic variation within and among samples of naturally produced Atlantic salmon (n = 372) from 7 Maine (U.S.A.) and one Canadian river were conducted based on 54 allozyme loci. Eight of the 54 loci proved polymorphic, and estimated heterozygosities (HS) based on all loci ranged from 0·012 to 0·026 (mean = 0·021, s.e. = 0·002). Only one of 56 tests revealed genotypic proportions that deviated significantly from Hardy–Weinberg expectations. Genetic distances (D) between samples ranged from 0·002 to 0·022. No obvious association existed between genetic and geographic distances. Cluster analysis of genetic distances revealed the Dennys River sample as the most differentiated when all samples were included in the analysis, though bootstrap support of the cluster analysis was generally weak. G‐tests revealed significant differences in allele frequencies among samples at five of the polymorphic loci, and the G‐value summed over all loci also indicated significant differences among samples. FST values indicated that 3·4% of the total genetic diversity was due to variability among samples, while 96·6% was due to variability within samples. These results indicate that the Atlantic salmon analyzed in this study had levels of genetic variability and differentiation among samples comparable to native populations from other areas collected across a similar geographic range.
Stocking‐related patterns of genetic variation at enzymatic loci in south European Atlantic salmon populations
Authors: Morán P. , Perez J. , Dumas J. , Beall E. , García‐Vázquez E.
Published: August 2005

Genetic variation at 24 enzymatic loci was investigated in eight south European Atlantic salmon populations from the rivers Nivelle, Cares, Sella, Narcea, Esva, Navia, Porcia and Eo. In these rivers, management based on supplementation of native populations with foreign stocks was carried out for more than one decade. Population genetic patterns expressed in terms of allele frequencies, mean heterozygosity and conformity to Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium, were significantly different between populations. Relevant temporal changes of genetic variability were reported. Evidence that foreign stocking has disturbed the genetic patterns of some of the studied populations is presented.
Influence of seed size on dispersal patterns of woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagothricha) at Tinigua Park, Colombia
Authors: Stevenson P. R. , Pineda M. , Samper T.
Published: August 2005

Seed size in tropical forests is expected to vary in relation to dispersal mode, recruitment requirements and the nature of seed enemies in each community. Some studies have emphasized an advantage of large‐seeded species in environments subject to low rates of disturbance, but at the same time the number of dispersers tends to decrease as seed size increases. In this paper we describe how seed size affects the probabilities of seed dispersal by woolly monkeys at Tinigua National Park and we compare dispersal patterns among age/sex classes. The results are based on 1236 fecal samples recovered from focal individuals during two years. Woolly monkeys are able to swallow wide seeds; however, there seems to be a limit imposed by anatomical constraints that does not allow them to swallow seeds wider than 18 mm. Most of the seed mass dispersed by the monkeys falls in the categories between 6 and 12 mm wide. Seed selection in terms of mass was not observed for small‐seeded species, but it was observed for some of the medium sized species (without any clear size preference) and there was a clear tendency to swallow relatively small seeds from the large‐seeded species. Although we did not observe a difference in the number of seeds dispersed by deposition among age/sex classes, juveniles disperse a lower seed mass than adult animals. These differences highlight that different age/sex categories play distinct ecological roles in terms of seed dispersal processes. Seed selection by primates might impose selection pressures in seed size traits, but more studies are necessary to ascertain their potential evolutionary role.
Importance of nutritional and anti‐parasite strategies in the foraging decisions of horses: an experimental test
Authors: Fleurance Geraldine , Duncan Patrick , Fritz Herve , Cabaret Jacques , Gordon Iain J.
Published: August 2005

The primary goal of foraging herbivores is to maximise the net rate of intake of digestible energy (or of a limiting nutrient). However, foraging strategies of herbivores are also sensitive to other selective forces (e.g. predation, parasites), which may modify their choice of feeding patches. Horses feed in spatially complex swards, and allocate their time among patches which vary both in terms of their nutritional benefits, and the risk of parasitism. It has long been suggested that horses allocate time among patches principally in relation to the risk of parasitism, though the nutritional costs and benefits of different foraging choices must play some role too. In this study, we investigated the roles of nutritional and anti‐parasite factors in foraging decisions by horses. Six naturally parasitized and six unparasitized two‐year‐old geldings were allowed to graze from pairs of trays (112×72 cm) with swards at two heights (tall: 52 cm, medium: 15 cm) and two levels of contamination (280 g m−2 of faeces, no faeces) in a latin square, pair‐wise design with six different choices. In nutritional terms the differences between the swards were slight: the tall sward provided larger bite sizes and higher intake rates (+36%). Feeding motivation was not high, and the faecal stimulus was strong. The horses selected uncontaminated swards when the nutritional benefits were identical, and tall swards in virtually all circumstances. Contamination of the preferred tall sward (i.e. a test of the tradeoff between anti‐parasite and nutritional strategies) had little effect on its selection by the horses. Their parasite status also had little effect: both groups selected the tall sward in the tradeoff (though this was only a trend for the non‐parasitised group in one analysis). We conclude that patch selection by horses in these particular conditions was driven principally by their nutritional strategy.
Large herbivores affect the stoichiometry of nutrients in a regenerating woodland ecosystem
Authors: Carline Kathryn A. , Jones Helen E. , Bardgett Richard D.
Published: August 2005

Previous studies on the effects of herbivores on nutrient cycling have given little consideration to the relationship between soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability. Here we examined how browsing by red deer influences the relative availability of N and P in a regenerating woodland ecosystem. We found that removal of browsing by fencing for 14 years led to a shift from N toward P limitation of the dominant tree species Betula pubescens. This was evidenced by a significant increase in foliar N:P ratio of B. pubescens as a result of removal of browsing; mean N:P ratio of foliage from browsed areas was 13.2 suggesting that trees growing in browsed areas were N limited, whereas foliage from unbrowsed areas had a mean N:P ratio of 15.8, suggesting that these areas were more P limited. Further evidence of a shift toward P limitation in unbrowsed areas came from the finding that root uptake of labelled 32P was significantly greater in roots collected from unbrowsed than browsed trees. Soil phosphatase activity did not significantly differ between browsed and unbrowsed areas. Our data indicate therefore that herbivores have the potential to significantly affect the stoichiometry of N and P in forest ecosystems.
Harvesting strategies for Norwegian spring‐spawning herring
Authors: Lillegård Magnar , Engen Steinar , Sæther Bernt‐Erik , Toresen Reidar
Published: August 2005

The overfishing of an increasing number of fish populations has put focus on the need for development of robust sustainable harvest strategies that can be easily implemented. This requires estimates and modelling of the deterministic and stochastic components of the population dynamics as well as an evaluation of the contribution of different harvest strategies to future population fluctuations. Here we present an example of such an approach, using the collapse of Norwegian spring‐spawning herring stock as a case. We demonstrate that the collapse probably was due to overfishing, and that the large influence of the environmental stochasticity could only influence the timing of the collapse. We suggest that a proportional threshold strategy with a threshold around 14 billion individuals (4 200 000 tons), combined with a harvest of 30–40% of the individuals above this threshold will give a sustainable yield with little annual variation. The choice of harvest strategy should also be strongly influenced by the uncertainty in the assessment of stock size. When the population stock is estimated with uncertainty, the proportional threshold strategy give a mean annual yield close to the optimum for known population size.
Salmonid population dynamics: stability under weak density dependence?
Authors: Einum S
Published: August 2005

Lobón‐Cerviá and Rincón analysed the dynamics of a stream‐resident brown trout (Salmo trutta) population using stock‐recruitment relationships, and reported no indication of density dependence but strong effects of water discharge on juvenile production. The authors concluded to have demonstrated an example of a population where “… endogenous density‐dependent mechanisms played, at most, a limited role” for population dynamics (p. 643), and that the population persists with “… little or no operation of endogenous regulatory mechanisms” (p. 641). Further, they “… question the extent to which generalizations claiming that most natural animal populations should be subject to the operation of regulatory feedback mechanisms hold for fish populations” (p. 644). If these conclusions were accurate, it should radically alter our view of fish population dynamics and how such populations should be managed. However, here I argue that these conclusions should be treated cautiously, and suggest alternative interpretations which are more consistent with theory and previous empirical research. Furthermore, using the study of Lobón‐Cerviá and Rincón as an illustrative example, I suggest that additional insight into population dynamics may be attained by shifting the focus away from the conventional absolute distinction between density‐dependent and ‐independent factors towards studies that address the potential for interactions between external forces and density.
Parent or nurse? The experience of being the parent of a technology‐dependent child
Authors: Kirk Susan , Glendinning Caroline , Callery Peter
Published: August 2005

Aims.  This paper reports a study exploring parents’ experiences of caring for a child who is dependent on medical technology, and in particular of performing clinical procedures on their own children.

Background.  A group of children with a continuing need for the support of medical technology have emerged in community settings as a result of medical advances and government policies. Caring for these children has a significant social and emotional impact on parents, because of their specialized and intensive care needs. Obtaining appropriate and coordinated home support services is problematic.

Methods.  Grounded theory techniques were used, and in‐depth interviews were conducted with the parents of 24 children.

Findings.  Parents’ accounts revealed that their constructions of parenting were shaped by the nature of their role in caring for their child and by the transformation of their homes by medical equipment and personnel. They described themselves as having a role that had both parenting and nursing dimensions. Parents managed this tension and defined their role and relationship to their child to be primarily one of parenting by differentiating parental care‐giving and its underpinning knowledge from that of professionals, particularly nurses.

Conclusions.  Parenting a technology‐dependent child alters the meaning of parenting. Professionals need to recognize that providing care has a substantial emotional dimension for parents, and that they need opportunities to discuss their feelings about caregiving and what it means for their parenting identity and their relationship with their child. A key professional nursing role will be giving emotional support and supporting parents’ coping strategies. Parents’ perceptions of nurses raise questions about whether nurses’ caregiving is individualized to the needs of the child and family, and whether parental expertise is recognized.
Fieldwork in nursing research: positionality, practicalities and predicaments
Authors: Borbasi Sally , Jackson Debra , Wilkes Lesley
Published: August 2005

Aims.  This paper draws on the literature to explore some of the issues of concern to nurses undertaking fieldwork in contemporary healthcare settings.

Background.  The emergence of poststructuralist and postmodern perspectives has raised questions about ethnographic approaches, and problematized the role of researchers in the construction of plausible and credible ethnographic accounts. As a practice discipline, nursing needs to negotiate a thorny path between methodological purity and practical application, with nurse researchers required to take account of both philosophical and pragmatic concerns.

Discussion.  There is general agreement that researching with an individual or group rather than researching on an individual or group is the more effective way to approach fieldwork. Feminist writers appear to have dealt with this issue best, advocating intimacy, self‐disclosure, and reciprocity in encounters with research participants. The duality of the nurse researcher role; power and politics and the moral implications of fieldwork are acknowledged as factors influencing nurses in the planning and conduct of fieldwork. Nurses as researchers may be better equipped than other social researchers to deal with contingencies in the field.

Conclusions.  Laying the epistemological ground for the participant observer role during fieldwork and understanding its impact on the resultant ethnographic account is essential to methodological rigour in field research. Consideration of some of the practicalities and predicaments experienced by nurses as researchers when conducting fieldwork prior to going out into the field is an important research strategy and will facilitate methodological potency.
Nurse prescribers: who are they and how do they perceive their role?
Authors: Bradley Eleanor , Campbell Pam , Nolan Peter
Published: August 2005

Aims.  This paper reports a study to elicit background data from recently qualified nurse prescribers and explore aspects of their work.

Background.  Nurse prescribing has been introduced quite recently in the United Kingdom. Although a certain amount of information is available about the characteristics of nurse prescribers, relatively little is known about their professional backgrounds, their reasons for choosing to become nurse prescribers and their perceptions of their emerging role. More information is needed to inform the selection, education and support of nurse prescribers.

Method.  All nurses who undertook a nurse prescribing course in one university in the West Midlands during 2003–2004 were invited to participate in the study. A 40‐item questionnaire was used to gather data on demographics, expectations of nurse prescribing, personal and professional development and perceived education needs.

Findings.  Respondents considered that, despite initial problems, the nurse prescribing initiative would ultimately prove to be a cornerstone of improved service delivery for service users. The majority of nurses were already heavily involved in prescribing ‘by proxy’ and the course merely formalized what they were currently doing. Potentially, prescribing could advance the professional development of nurses, improve communication between professionals and patients, and make the experience of patients more beneficial. However, some concerns were expressed about how supportive the current climate in health care could be, given the multiple demands on time and energy required by so many other innovations.

Conclusions.  Respondents appeared balanced in their perceptions of this innovation and what it could realistically achieve. They were not indifferent to the many short and long‐term problems that need to be resolved before it can be claimed to have become embedded in practice. The success of non‐medical prescribing may depend on organizational support, coupled with a robust continuing professional development strategy for all nurse prescribers.
Clinical caring – the diary of a nurse
Authors: Skott Carola , Eriksson Anki
Published: August 2005

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this study was to explore the content of individual acts of nursing care and to discuss how these context‐specific acts relate to the concept of caring.

Design and methods.  The point of departure was a diary kept by a nurse on an oncology ward over a period of six months. Hermeneutic interpretation, including content analysis of verb phrases, was carried out to inspire reflection and discussion rather than to generalize.

Results.  The verbs that occurred in the diary text represented three categories of acts: physical care, speech and reflection.

Conclusions and discussion.  The diary text expresses the carer's acts as situated in a specific space and time through her presence, communication and reflection. The absence of bodies in this text points to the discourse of nursing as subjected to dualism and to the medical rules of knowledge. Caring emerges as experience‐near action that through history is connected to situated knowledges, actual discourse and universal human condition.

Relevance to clinical practice.  This study demonstrated that caring acts are situated and conditioned and that they should therefore be researched in relation to the carers’ acts and thoughts. This confirms the need for cooperation between researchers and clinical nurses in the quest of deepening our understanding of caring.
Living with unexplained chest pain
Authors: Jerlock Margaretha , Gaston‐Johansson Fannie , Danielson Ella
Published: August 2005

Aim. The aim was to describe patients’ experience of unexplained chest pain, and how the pain affected their everyday life.

Background. Chest pain is one of the most common reasons for patients to consult the emergency department. Often no clear ischaemic heart disease or any other somatic explanation is found. Exploring the pain experience and how the pain affects everyday life may provide insights into the patients’ perspective, fill the gaps in our knowledge about this condition and give needed direction for nursing practice.

Method. The study sample (n = 19) included 11 men and eight women admitted to the emergency department. An open‐ended unstructured interview was conducted with each patient and the data were analysed using content analysis.

Results. The categories concerning pain include the informants’ descriptions of several aspects of pain. These aspects are described in four categories and four subcategories: (i) pain location, (ii) pain duration with the subcategories ‘periodic pain’ and ‘continuous pain’, (iii) pain intensity, (iv) quality of pain with the subcategories ‘sensory aspects’ and ‘affective aspects’ . The content of pain experience in everyday life was divided into four subthemes and was further abstracted into a theme. Four subthemes, each comprising several meaning units, were created and labelled: (i) fear and anxiety, (ii) feeling of uncertainty, (iii) feeling of stress, and (iv) loss of strength. In these descriptions, it was obvious that chest pain considerably disturbed and affected the informants’ lives and an overall theme ‘intrusion into the everyday life world’ emerged.

Conclusion. The results of this study show that unexplained chest pain intrudes into everyday life in a destructive manner that cannot be ignored.

Relevance to clinical practice. Patients are not receiving optimal care to relieve their pain and there is therefore a need for specialized nurses who can give adequate help and support.
District nurses’ involvement and attitudes to mental health problems: a three‐area cross‐sectional study
Authors: Haddad Mark , Plummer Susan , Taverner Ann , Gray Richard , Lee Soo , Payne Fiona , Knight Denise
Published: August 2005

Aims and objectives.  The main aims of this study were to obtain information on the extent of staff contact and input with mental health problems and to determine their experience, training and attitudes to such problems.

Background.  Historical changes and policy shifts have resulted in primary care providers playing an increasing role in the care of mental health problems. Such problems are common within community settings and a major cause of suffering and disability. District nurses in particular are likely to encounter a high level of psychological co‐morbidity in their patients. Information is lacking on their involvement, attitudes and specific training for this area of their work.

Design and methods.  A cross‐sectional study was conducted of the staff of district nursing services in three areas, Jersey (Channel Islands), Lewisham and Hertfordshire, using a postal questionnaire.

Results.  Questionnaires were sent to 331 staff; 66% responded. Community and district nurses estimated a 16% prevalence of mental health problems among their patients, most commonly dementia, depression and anxiety disorders. Staff noted participation in a wide range of psychological care activities, but identified a lack of training for this aspect of their role (three‐quarter of nurses had received no such training during the past five years). They reported a willingness to develop their understanding and skills by means of educational programmes. Attitude measures revealed generally optimistic views concerning depression treatment, a rejection of deterministic attitudes about this condition and confidence in the role of district nursing staff in managing such problems.

Conclusions.  The need for primary care mental health training is widely noted and based upon consistent evidence of the limited detection and treatment of these problems. This study has employed quantitative methods to clarify the extent and nature of district nursing staff involvement in this area of practice and indicates that training needs are acknowledged by community nurses from geographically distinct settings.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Staff are interested in developing knowledge and skills pertinent to the psychological problems of their patients and their views reveal a consensus that the most important areas for learning are recognition of mental disorders, anxiety management, crisis intervention and pharmacological treatments for depression.
Development of an instrument measuring Chinese adolescent beliefs and attitudes towards substance abuse
Authors: Fok May SM , Tsang Warren YW
Published: August 2005

Aim.  To develop an instrument measuring the beliefs and attitudes of Chinese adolescents towards substance abuse.

Background.  It is documented that many negative consequences for youth, including physical, mental and psychosocial health problems are associated with substance abuse. There has led to a growing concern about promoting anti‐drug education among health care professionals in Hong Kong. It is therefore important to conduct research on substance abuse to promote more effective anti‐drug programmes for adolescents. To conduct research on the above aspect, valid and reliable instruments for measuring factors associated with drug abuse are needed. An instrument, namely the Beliefs and Attitudes of Substance Abuse Inventory (BASAI) was developed for the purpose of this study.

Design and methods.  Both qualitative and quantitative approaches to instrument development were adopted in the study. There were two phases to the study. Relevant literature and the Delphi technique were employed in the first phase of the study. A panel of experts was interviewed for the development of a pool of items for the instrument. Content analysis was used to manage the qualitative data obtained from the interviews. Factor analysis was used for the psychometric testing of the items of the BASAI. A Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to test the internal consistency of the instrument. The standard error of the mean (SEM) was measured to further support the reliability of the BASAI. The results are estimates of the validity and reliability of the instrument.

Results.  Three main categories and nine sub‐categories were derived from the interview data in the first phase of the study. The overall inter‐rater reliability of the categories was 0.89 (kappa statistics). In the second phase, a Content Validity Index (CVI) of 0.92 for the instrument was achieved with the assistance of another panel of experts. The factor structure of the instrument was identified by undertaking a Principal Component Analysis. Three factors were extracted with a total variance account of approximately 70%. Reliability was established with α = 0.82 for the entire scale and a range of 0.78–0.92 between the sub‐scales of the instrument. A small SEM of 3.21% was calculated to further support the reliability.

Conclusion.  A culturally sensitive instrument was developed with a satisfactory level of validity and reliability. Further research is recommended to continuously improve and refine the instrument so that it can be useful currently in research and/or practice.

Relevance to clinical practice.  To promote the healthy development of children and adolescents, child health professionals need to implement effective health promotion strategies including anti‐drug programmes. The instrument that was developed in this study will hopefully contribute to the development of more effective and evidence‐based anti‐drug programmes for youths.
Report on the 12th International Society of Blood Transfusion platelet immunology workshop
Authors: Bessos H. , Wilson D. W. L. , Metcalfe P. , Allen D. , Urbaniak S. J.
Published: August 2005

Background and Objectives  The aims of the 12th International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Platelet Immunology Workshop were to evaluate the proficiency of molecular human platelet antigen (HPA) genotyping and detection of platelet antibodies of unusual specificity or reactivity, to assess whether quantification of anti‐HPA‐1a is practicable, and to determine the variability of reagents and components used in the monoclonal antibody immobilization of platelet antigens assay (MAIPA).

Materials and Methods  Forty participants from 23 countries were sent 10 samples for DNA typing, five samples for antibody detection, a freeze‐dried anti‐HPA‐1a standard, three samples for anti‐HPA‐1a quantification and a MAIPA method questionnaire.

Results  The detection and identification of HPA antibodies varied from 2·7 to 95% of participants. The number of HPA genotyping errors per sample ranged from 0 to 3·96% per HPA loci. The majority of laboratories were able to assign an arbitrary number of units/ml of anti‐HPA‐1a activity to the unknown samples. The MAIPA questionnaire indicated a wide variation among participants, both in method and in reagents used.

Conclusions  The results obtained from this workshop highlighted deficiencies in testing regimes and identified a need for internationally available reference materials.
The family theory–practice gap: a matter of clarity?
Authors: Segaric Cheryl A. , Hall Wendy A.
Published: August 2005

Despite recognition of the importance of family in health‐care and progress in family theory development, there has been limited transfer of family theory to acute care nursing practice. We argue that this family theory–practice gap results from a persistent lack of conceptual clarity in family nursing and other barriers. Lack of conceptual clarity takes the form of conceptual overlap and semantic inconsistency, as well as the complexity of language found in the family nursing literature. Barriers include practice contexts, relational problems, and knowledge types. Our exploration begins with a brief discussion of the intimate link between nursing theory and practice followed by an overview of some issues associated with the family nursing theory–practice gap. Based on a synthesis of family nursing literature, problems associated with conceptual clarity in family nursing theory are explored. We conclude with recommendations for family nursing research to develop concepts grounded in nursing practice.
Attachment, Temperament, and Preschool Children's Peer Acceptance
Authors: Szewczyk‐Sokolowski Margaret , Bost Kelly K. , Wainwright Ada B.
Published: August 2005

This study examined the relations between preschool children's attachment security, temperament, and peer acceptance. Ninety‐eight preschool children and their mothers were recruited through childcare centers in the southeast. Mothers and their children participated in two two‐hour home observations. Attachment security was assessed using the Waters Attachment Behavior Q‐set (AQS) completed by observers, and mothers reported on their children's temperament. Standard picture‐sociometric nominations and paired‐comparisons were used to measure children's peer acceptance. Results revealed significant associations between security and temperament. In addition, both attachment and temperament made significant and unique contributions to peer acceptance whereas temperament was found to be a stronger predictor of children's peer rejection. These findings underscore the dynamic interplay of inter‐ and intrapersonal factors that influence preschool children's peer relations. Implications of the findings for theory building and future research are discussed.
Patterns of Social Support in the Middle Childhood to Early Adolescent Transition: Implications for Adjustment
Authors: Levitt Mary J. , Levitt Jerome , Bustos Gastón L. , Crooks Noel A. , Santos Jennifer D. , Telan Paige , Hodgetts Jennifer , Milevsky Avidan
Published: August 2005

Children's social networks often include close family members, extended family members, and friends, but little is known about interindividual differences in the patterning of support from these sources. In this study, we used person‐oriented analyses to differentiate patterns of support for children undergoing the transition to adolescence. Social network and adjustment data were collected for an ethnically diverse sample of 691 fourth‐ and sixth‐grade children, with a two‐year follow‐up. Cluster analyses identified one pattern of support from both close family members and friends, a second pattern of support from both close and extended family members, and a third pattern of support primarily from close family members alone. Participants receiving support from close family in combination with either extended family or friends were better adjusted than were those without multiple support resources. The results suggest that a meaningful typology of children's social networks can be developed.
A Three‐factor Model of Teasing: The Influence of Friendship, Gender, and Topic on Expected Emotional Reactions to Teasing during Early Adolescence
Authors: Jones Diane Carlson , Newman Jodi Burrus , Bautista Shenna
Published: August 2005

This research examined the effects of three factors (friendship, gender, and topic of teasing) on adolescents’ predicted emotional reactions to hypothetical teasing episodes regarding appearance and academic competence. The 8th graders (n =131) in Study 1 made predictions regarding the negative emotions and humor experienced when teasing occurred in a same‐sex dyad of either friends or classmates. The 6th and 8th graders (n=211) in Study 2 responded to hypothetical teasing interactions between same‐sex or cross‐sex dyads of friends or classmates. The results revealed that teasing by friends was interpreted with a more benevolent frame than that accorded to classmates. Overall, girls expected greater negative affect to result from the teasing than did the boys, especially when teasing was regarding weight. Although 8th graders reported more frequent teasing at school among same‐sex peers, there were few grade differences in the predicted emotional reactions. For all students, teasing about weight was predicted to generate the most negative affect and least humor. The results support the relevance of the three factors for understanding the interpretation of teasing.
Parental Control and Affect as Predictors of Children's Display Rule Use and Social Competence with Peers
Authors: McDowell David J. , Parke Ross D.
Published: August 2005

Seventy‐six fourth‐grade children and their parents participated in a study of the linkages among parental control and positive affect, children's display rule use, and children's social competence with peers. Using observational measures of parental behavior and children's display rule use, it was found that parental positive affect and control were related to children's display rule use (including both positive and negative responses). Moreover, the links between parental affect and control and children's social competence one year later (as rated by teachers and peers) were found to be mediated by children's display rule use. Finally, fathers’ behavior was found to be particularly important in the prediction of children's display rule use. The importance of fathers in children's social and emotional development and the importance of examining multiple parental behaviors are discussed.
Gender‐linked Risks for Peer Physical and Relational Victimization in the Context of School‐level Poverty in First Grade
Authors: Dhami Mandeep K. , Hoglund Wendy L. , Leadbeater Bonnie J. , Boone Erin M.
Published: August 2005

In a short‐term longitudinal study of 432 first‐grade children, we examined whether gender interacted with contextual differences (school‐level poverty) and individual differences at school entry (behavioral problems, emotional problems, and social competence) to predict changes in peer physical and relational victimization and receipt of prosocial acts. Gender differences in peer victimization were observed in schools with low levels of student poverty, such that girls showed significant decreases in peer victimization relative to boys. Girls in schools with high levels of student poverty were at greater risk for increases in victimization relative to girls in low‐poverty schools. Individual differences at school entry also contributed to risks for physical (but not relational) victimization. Girls with high levels of behavioral problems and boys with low levels of social competence showed increased risks for physical victimization. We discussed the implications of the present findings for school‐based peer‐victimization prevention programs.
Pre‐schoolers, print and storybooks: an observational study using eye movement analysis
Authors: Justice Laura M. , Skibbe Lori , Canning Andrea , Lankford Chris
Published: August 2005

This study used eye‐gaze analysis to determine the extent to which pre‐school children visually attended to print when looking at two storybooks, to contrast visual attention to print for a print‐salient versus a picture‐salient storybook, and to study individual differences in pre‐schoolers' visual preferences. Results indicated that pre‐school children infrequently attended to print: in a traditional picture‐salient storybook, 2.7% of their fixations focused on print and 2.5% of their time was spent looking in regions of print. The children fixated more frequently on print and spent more time looking in print regions when reading a print‐salient storybook, within which 7% of fixations focused on print and 6% of time was spent in print zones. Effect size estimates showed this difference to be consistent with a very large effect. Little variation in visual attention to print was observed across the ten children, and children's alphabet knowledge was not associated with the variance in children's visual attention to print. Educational implications are discussed.
Letter‐position encoding and dyslexia
Authors: Whitney Carol , Cornelissen Piers
Published: August 2005

This article focuses on applying the SERIOL model of orthographic processing to dyslexia. The model is extended to include a phonological route and reading acquisition. We propose that the temporal alignment of serial orthographic and phonological representations is a key aspect of learning to read, driving the formation of a phonemic encoding. The phonemic encoding and the serial representations are mutually reinforcing, leading to automatic, proficient processing of letter strings. A breakdown in any component of this system leads to the failure to form string‐specific phonological and visual representations, resulting in impaired reading ability.
Guardianship for people with learning disabilities: the current perspective in Hong Kong
Authors: Kwok Henry W. M. , Scully Paula
Published: August 2005

With the promotion and wider acceptance of the concept of ‘normalization’ and ‘community integration’, an increased number of adults with learning disabilities are living in the community and facing more social and health care problems. The authors describe the introduction of new guardianship laws in Hong Kong with the creation of a Guardianship Board to safeguard the interests of all those who are mentally unable to make decisions about their personal, medical or financial affairs. Some case vignettes are provided to illustrate its functions and roles. By sharing the Hong Kong experience, it is hoped that this paper can raise awareness of circumstances in countries that are planning to develop or reform their guardianship practices for people with learning disabilities.
A simple way to increase service use: triggers of women's uptake of postpartum services
Authors: Kabakian‐Khasholian Tamar , Campbell Oona M.R.
Published: August 2005

Objective  To examine the socio‐demographic and service‐related determinants of utilisation of postpartum services.

Design  Data were used from a single‐blind, randomised controlled trial aimed at changing women's knowledge, attitude and behaviour regarding certain postpartum health issues by providing written information via a specially prepared booklet.

Setting  Four private hospitals, two in Beirut and two in the Bekaa region, were selected. All were privately owned and one in Beirut was a teaching hospital.

Sample  All women delivering a live birth in the designated hospitals during a three‐ to four‐month period were recruited into the study. Of the 503 eligible women, 450 agreed to complete the initial questionnaire and 378 completed the postpartum interviews.

Methods  Eight trained female interviewers collected the baseline data. On discharge, interviewers handed each woman a sealed and numbered envelope containing the intervention booklet or the placebo leaflets. Interviewers were blind about the allocation group of women. Interviewers conducted follow up assessment at women's residence 6–20 weeks after delivery.

Main outcome measures  Any postpartum visit with or without a preset appointment.

Results  Multivariable analysis with adjusted ORs show that women given an appointment for their postpartum visit were more likely to having had that visit (OR = 6.8, 95% CI 6.2–7.4). In the absence of such an appointment, university education (OR = 3.6, 95% CI 2.6–4.7), information on maternal health (OR = 4.9, 95% CI 4.0–5.8) and the intervention booklet (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 2.0–3.9) were important determinants of a postpartum visit.

Conclusion  Giving women appointments for postpartum visits, or written or verbal information on maternal health can increase their use of health services.
Initial Asian experience in hysteroscopic sterilisation using the Essure permanent birth control device
Authors: Chern Bernard , Siow Anthony
Published: August 2005

Objective  To present our initial experience in the use of the Essure permanent birth control device in a predominately Asian population.

Design  A retrospective study.

Setting  Minimally Invasive Surgery Unit, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.

Population  Eighty women seeking permanent birth control.

Methods  From 22 June 2001, women who sought sterilisation were counselled with regards to the various options of permanent birth control. Informed consent for hysteroscopic sterilisation was obtained only after the woman met the criteria for Essure permanent birth control. The sterilisation procedure was carried out without the need for general anaesthesia in a day surgery centre using the Essure permanent birth control device. The surgical details and post procedure follow up were analysed.

Main outcome measures  Feasibility and safety of the Essure permanent birth control device in Asians and its non‐placement rate.

Results  No serious adverse events or complications were encountered in using the Essure device. No pregnancies have been reported in our series to date. A significant reduction in the Essure device non‐placement rate (20.0%vs 4.0%, P= 0.021) and mean operation time (27.3 vs 19.6 minutes, P= 0.006) were seen when patients were pre‐medicated with spasmolytic agent and analgesia.

Conclusions  The Essure permanent birth control device is safe and suitable for Asians. Its non‐placement rate may be improved with pre‐medication of spasmolytic agent and analgesia.
REVIEW: The prevention of cervical cancer in developing countries
Authors: Denny Lynette
Published: August 2005

Cervical cancer remains the commonest cancer cause of death among women in developing countries, largely due to the failure to establish cytologically based cervical cancer screening programmes. There are many barriers to the establishment of screening programmes in poor countries ranging from limited financial, human and health resources to the complex infrastructural requirements of traditional screening programmes. Alternative approaches to cervical cancer prevention are currently being investigated, including primary prevention with prophylactic vaccines against human papillomavirus to alternative screening tests and protocols. These will be explored in this review.
REVIEW: Preventing mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV: successes and challenges
Authors: McIntyre James
Published: August 2005

Mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV continues to be a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality in resource‐poor settings. Intrapartum and postpartum nevirapine‐based regimens have been introduced in many settings. New research has shown that better efficacy can be achieved with the addition of single‐dose nevirapine to short course zidovudine regimens, and that selection of nevirapine‐resistant virus can be reduced with a short postpartum combination antiretroviral cover. Women who need antiretroviral therapy for their own health should receive it in pregnancy, and access for pregnant women needs to be expanded urgently. The reduction of transmission through breastfeeding remains a challenge.
Water and Electrolyte Contents, Cell pH, and Membrane Potential of Primary Cultures of Astrocytes from DBA, C57, and SW Mice
Authors: Chow Sen‐Yao , Li Jun , Woodbury Dixon M.
Published: August 2005

Summary: Some basic properties of primary cultures of astrocytes derived from the cerebral cortex of an audiogenic seizure‐sensitive strain of mice, DBA/2J (DBA), were studied with different approaches. The results were compared with those of audiogenic seizure‐resistant strains, C57BL/6J (C57) and Swiss Webster (SW). Contents of intracellular water, protein, and DNA of DBA astrocytes were 0.673 ± 0.019 ml/g cells, 0.082 ± 0.006 g/g cells, and 0.0072 ± 0.0005 g/g cells, respectively. These results are not different from those of either C57 or SW astrocytes. Intracellular concentration of K+, Na+, and Cl− ([K+]1, [Na+]1, and [Cl−]1) derived from the flame photometric and from the radioisotope uptake data of DBA astrocytes were 120.4 ± 8.5,25.9 ± 3.2, and 26.8 ± 1.8 mM/L cell H2O, respectively. [Na+]1 and [Cl−]1 in DBA astrocytes were lower than those in C57 and SW astrocytes. In DBA astrocytes, SITS decreased the cell/ medium ratio (C/M) of 36Cl− and increased the C/M of 125I−; ouabain increased the C/M of 22Na+ and decreased the C/M of 125I−; bumetanide decreased the C/M of both 36Cl− and 22Na+; and NaClO4 decreased the C/M of 125I−. Similar results were observed in both C57 and SW astrocytes. Intracellular pH (pHi) as determined with 14C‐DMO of astrocytes in HEPES‐buffered saline solution averaged 7.04 ± 0.03 for DBA, 7.01 ± 0.02 for C57, and 6.97 ± 0.02 for SW mice when pH of medium was maintained at 7.4. Modification of ion (HCO3‐, Cl−, Na+, and K+) concentration and pH of culture medium all changed the pHi of astrocytes. Membrane potential as derived from the distribution of Tl‐204 in cells of DBA astrocytes was ‐78.2 ± 1.8 mV, lower than that of C57 and SW astrocytes. In cultured astrocytes of these three strains of mice, membrane potential was correlated with K+ of medium [K+]o between 1.2 and 90 mM. A 10‐fold increase in [K+]o depolarized the astrocytes by ∼54–58 mV. The results of this study demonstrate that primary cultures of astrocytes derived from the cerebral cortex of DBA mice have biochemical and biophysical properties similar to those of the C57 and SW mice except that they have slightly lower membrane potentials despite lower concentrations of [Na+]1 and [Cl−]1. Their responses to various transport inhibitors and environmental changes of electrolytes are similar.