bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Dynamic Model of Brand Choice When Price and Advertising Signal Product Quality
Authors: Erdem Tülin , Keane Michael P. , Sun Baohong
Published: May 2008

In this paper, we develop a structural model of household behavior in an environment where there is uncertainty about brand attributes and both prices and advertising signal brand quality. Four quality signaling mechanisms are at work: (1) price signals quality, (2) advertising frequency signals quality, (3) advertising content provides direct (but noisy) information about quality, and (4) use experience provides direct (but noisy) information about quality. We estimate our proposed model using scanner panel data on ketchup. If price is important as a signal of brand quality, then frequent price promotion may have the unintended consequence of reducing brand equity. We use our estimated model to measure the importance of such effects. Our results imply that price is an important quality-signaling mechanism and that frequent price cuts can have significant adverse effects on brand equity. The role of advertising frequency in signaling quality is also significant, but it is less quantitatively important than price.

In the printed version of Marketing Science, Vol. 27, No. 6, Erdem et al. (2008) was mistakenly identified as a Research Note. It is a regular article and has been corrected here and in the online table of contents.
BidAnalyzer: A Method for Estimation and Selection of Dynamic Bidding Models
Authors: Jap Sandy D. , Naik Prasad A.
Published: May 2008

Online reverse auctions generate real-time bidding data that could be used via appropriate statistical estimation to assist the corporate buyer's procurement decision. To this end, we develop a method, called BidAnalyzer, which estimates dynamic bidding models and selects the most appropriate of them. Specifically, we enable model estimation by addressing the problem of partial observability; i.e., only one of N suppliers' bids is realized, and the other (N-1) bids remain unobserved. To address partial observability, BidAnalyzer estimates the latent price distributions of bidders by applying the Kalman filtering theory. In addition, BidAnalyzer conducts model selection by applying multiple information criteria. Using empirical data from an automotive parts auction, we illustrate the application of BidAnalyzer by estimating several dynamic bidding models to obtain empirical insights, retaining a model for forecasting, and assessing its predictive performance in out-of-sample. The resulting one-step-ahead price forecast is accurate up to 2.95% median absolute percentage error. Finally, we suggest how BidAnalyzer can serve as a device for price discovery in online reverse auctions.
Nitrifying Genera in Activated Sludge May Influence Nitrification Rates
Authors: Dytczak M. A. , Londry K. L. , Oleszkiewicz J. A.
Published: May 2008

Sequencing batch reactors were acclimated under aerobic and alternating anoxic/aerobic conditions. Greater nitrification rates in the alternating reactor were investigated by comparing environmental conditions. In the alternating reactor, pH, alkalinity, oxygen, and nitrite were higher at the onset of aerobic nitrification. Kinetic studies and batch tests, with biomass developed under aerobic and alternating conditions, revealed that these factors were insufficient to explain the divergent nitrification rates. Nitrifying genera vary in nitrification kinetics and sensitivity to environmental conditions. Nitrosospira and Nitrospira spp. could dominate in aerobic reactors, as they are adapted to low nitrite and oxygen conditions. Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter spp. are better competitors with abundant substrates and have higher nitrite tolerance, so they could excel under alternating conditions. This theoretical explanation is consistent with the kinetics and environmental conditions in these reactors and argues for using alternating treatment, because the harsh conditions select for populations with inherently faster nitrification rates.
Levels and Distribution of DDT in the Cinca River (Spain)
Authors: Ormad M. P. , Ratia J. S. , Rodriguez L. , Ovelleiro J. L.
Published: May 2008

The evolution over time of the levels and distribution of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in water, surface sediments, and fish from the River Cinca (Spain), a tributary of the River Ebro, during the period 1999 to 2004, was investigated by means of gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The sampling site corresponded to a point downstream from Monzón, a heavily industrialized town with drainage into the river. This river has historically been a source of emissions of DDT and its metabolites. The highest levels were found in 1999 and 2000, although the concentrations of organic compounds in sediments and fish have decreased since then. The levels of DDT in water were below the quantification limit during the period of study. The average composition of DDT isomers measured in sediments and fish showed the prevalence of p,p′‐DDE, the product of aerobic degradation of p,p′‐DDT. Concentrations in fish were compared with sediment samples, and high quotients indicate that they are highly bioavailable.
Bioavailability of Dissolved Organic Nitrogen in Treated Effluents
Authors: Urgun‐Demirtas Meltem , Sattayatewa Chakkrid , Pagilla Krishna R.
Published: May 2008

The research objective was to assess dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) bioavailability in wastewater effluents from a pilot‐scale nitrification plant and a laboratory‐scale total nitrogen (TN) removal plant. The DON bioavailability was assessed using a 14‐day bioassay protocol containing bacterial and algal inocula. Nitrogen species, dissolved organic carbon, chlorophyll a, and biomass (as total suspended solids and culturable cell counts) concentrations were measured to assess DON bioavailability. The results showed an increase in algal chlorophyll a concentration, with a concurrent increase in algal biomass over time; increased bacterial counts and a decrease in DON concentration over time; and increased carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratio at the end of the 14‐day bioassay, indicating effluent DON bioavailability to algae and bacteria. Approximately 18 to 61% of the initial DON in low‐total‐nitrogen wastewater effluent (TN = 4 to 5 mg/L) sample was bioavailable. The results show that bacteria and algae uptake and release DON during their growth.
Enhanced Removal of Heavy Metals in Primary Treatment Using Coagulation and Flocculation
Authors: Johnson Pauline D. , Girinathannair Padmanabhan , Ohlinger Kurt N. , Ritchie Stephen , Teuber Leah , Kirby Jason
Published: May 2008

The goal of this study was to determine the removal efficiencies of chromium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc from raw wastewater by chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) and to attain a total suspended solids removal goal of 80%. Operating parameters and chemical doses were optimized by bench‐scale tests. Locally obtained raw wastewater samples were spiked with heavy metal solutions to obtain representative concentrations of metals in wastewater. Jar tests were conducted to compare the metals removal efficiencies of the chemical treatment options using ferric chloride, alum, and anionic polymer. The results obtained were compared with those from other studies. It was concluded that CEPT using ferric chloride and anionic polymer is more effective than CEPT using alum for metals removal. The CEPT dosing of 40 mg/L ferric chloride and 0.5 mg/L polymer enhanced heavy metals removal efficiencies by over 200% for chromium, copper, zinc, and nickel and 475% for lead, compared with traditional primary treatment. Efficient metals capture during CEPT can result in increased allowable headworks loadings or lower metal levels in the outfall.
Predicted Distributed State Effects on Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal in a 5‐Stage Bardenpho Wastewater Treatment Configuration
Authors: Schuler Andrew J. , Xiao Yao
Published: May 2008

Conventional wastewater treatment simulation programs use a “lumped” approach, where process rates are calculated using bulk concentrations of biomass and microbial storage products. A recently developed distributed, or agent‐based, approach, where individual bacteria are modeled to account for their potentially variable hydraulic experiences, was applied to the 5‐stage Bardenpho process, a type of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) that includes internal recycle flows, which were hypothesized to affect distributed state development. Consistent with previous results, the EBPR predicted performance was worse according to the distributed approach than the lumped approach. In addition, increasing the internal recycle rate increased the anoxic reactor nitrate concentrations, tending to decrease EBPR performance. However, in the distributed approach, differences in the state distributions in internal recycle‐linked reactors decreased with increasing recycle flow, tending to improve EBPR. These phenomena tend to have simultaneous and opposite effects on EBPR. The net effect will depend largely on the specific systems and the nitrate concentration in anoxic reactors.
Improved Computational Model (AQUIFAS) for Activated Sludge, Integrated Fixed‐Film Activated Sludge, and Moving‐Bed Biofilm Reactor Systems, Part III: Analysis and Verification
Authors: Sen Dipankar , Randall Clifford W.
Published: May 2008

Research was undertaken to analyze and verify a model that can be applied to activated sludge, integrated fixed‐film activated sludge (IFAS), and moving‐bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) systems. The model embeds a biofilm model into a multicell activated sludge model. The advantage of such a model is that it eliminates the need to run separate computations for a plant being retrofitted from activated sludge to IFAS or MBBR. The biofilm flux rates for organics, nutrients, and biomass can be computed by two methods—a semi‐empirical model of the biofilm that is relatively simpler, or a diffusional model of the biofilm that is computationally intensive. Biofilm support media can be incorporated to the anoxic and aerobic cells, but not the anaerobic cells. The model can be run for steady‐state and dynamic simulations. The model was able to predict the changes in nitrification and denitrification at both pilot‐ and full‐scale facilities. The semi‐empirical and diffusional models of the biofilm were both used to evaluate the biofilm flux rates for media at different locations. The biofilm diffusional model was used to compute the biofilm thickness and growth, substrate concentrations, volatile suspended solids (VSS) concentration, and fraction of nitrifiers in each layer inside the biofilm. Following calibration, both models provided similar effluent results for reactor mixed liquor VSS and mixed liquor suspended solids and for the effluent organics, nitrogen forms, and phosphorus concentrations. While the semi‐empirical model was quicker to run, the diffusional model provided additional information on biofilm thickness, quantity of growth in the biofilm, and substrate profiles inside the biofilm.
Oxygen Transfer in a Full‐Depth Biological Aerated Filter
Authors: Stenstrom Michael K. , Rosso Diego , Melcer Henryk , Appleton Ron , Occiano Victor , Langworthy Alan , Wong Pete
Published: May 2008

The City of San Diego, California, evaluated the performance capabilities of biological aerated filters (BAFs) at the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant. The City conducted a 1‐year pilot‐plant evaluation of BAF technology supplied by two BAF manufacturers. This paper reports on the first independent oxygen‐transfer test of BAFs at full depth using the offgas method. The tests showed process‐water oxygen‐transfer efficiencies of 1.6 to 5.8%/m (0.5 to 1.8%/ft) and 3.9 to 7.9%/m (1.2 to 2.4%/ft) for the two different pilot plants, at their nominal design conditions. Mass balances using chemical oxygen demand and dissolved organic carbon corroborated the transfer rates. Rates are higher than expected from fine‐pore diffusers for similar process conditions and depths and clean‐water conditions for the same column and are mostly attributed to extended bubble retention time resulting from interactions with the media and biofilm.
Interviewees' Overuse of the Word “Like” and Hesitations: Effects in Simulated Hiring Decisions
Authors: Russell Brenda , Perkins Jenna , Grinnell Heather
Published: May 2008

This study examined the use of hesitations and discourse markers such as “uh” and “like,” sex of an interviewee, and professional or student participants on hiring decisions of job interviewees. Participants consisted of 105 students between the ages of 18 to 43 years and 71 professionals between the ages of 22 to 76 years (120 women, 56 men). Adult professionals and students were least likely to want to hire, perceived the applicant as less professional, and were less likely to recommend the interviewee for hiring if the interviewee overused the word “like” compared to “uh” or control. Professionals were less likely than students overall to want to hire interviewees across conditions. Sex of the interviewee was not found to be significant.
Effects of Anonymity on Antisocial Behavior Committed by Individuals
Authors: Nogami Tatsuya , Takai Jiro
Published: May 2008

The present study examined association between anonymity and antisocial individual behavior without any influence from the presence of others. Anonymity was operationally defined as consisting of two components, nonidentifiability and nonaccountability. Antisocial behavior was defined as rule-breaking behavior seeking a monetary reward. It was hypothesized that anonymity would increase antisocial behavior among individuals. Undergraduate students (20 men, 50 women) were recruited from two psychology classes and were randomly assigned to four experimental conditions (Anonymous, Nonidentifiable, Nonaccountable, and Nonanonymous) to examine whether they would violate game rules to obtain the monetary reward through anonymity. Only participants in the Anonymous condition violated the rules to obtain the reward. Implications for the effects of anonymity on antisocial individual behavior are discussed.
Adult Needs and Strengths Assessment–Abbreviated Referral Version to Specify Psychiatric Care Needed for Incoming Patients: Exploratory Analysis
Authors: Nelson Charles , Johnston Megan
Published: May 2008

The present study examined the Adult Needs and Strengths Assessment-Abbreviated Referral Version ratings for a group of 272 incoming psychiatric patients over a 2-yr. period to assess whether the rating scale was useful in predicting clinical placement for psychiatric treatment. Participants were patients (125 women) admitted to Regional Mental Health Care, St. Thomas, Canada between April 2004 and June 2006. Most participants were Euro-Canadian and ranged in age from 16 to 87 years. Clinical cutoff scores were established using observed mean differences in the patients' total scores and are expected to help guide psychiatric triage and longer term rehabilitation placement decisions. A canonical discriminant function analysis showed 85.9% of original level of care placements were correctly classified. The rating scale is a valid and reliable tool to specify level of psychiatric care needed for adults with mental disorders.
Social Support Mediating between Coping by Emotional Expression and Depression
Authors: Uchida Kanako , Yamasaki Katsuyuki
Published: May 2008

The present purpose was to investigate the effects of social support on the relationship between coping by expressing emotions and depression in women. Japanese undergraduate students ( N = 218) completed four self-report questionnaires: the dispositional and situational versions of the Emotional Coping Questionnaire which measures the mode of expression as being either to self as in a diary or to others as in telling a friend, the Social Support Scale to evaluate received support, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale. Analysis showed that expression of emotions to self in both dispositional and situational coping had significant positive correlations with depression, especially for women who scored high on depression, and expression of emotions to others in both dispositional and situational coping were significantly positively correlated with social support. However, no significant mediation effects of social support in emotional expression and depression were found. Limitations and topics for research are discussed.
Correlation between Maternal Stress and Children's Stress
Authors: Björkqvist Kaj , åman-Back Susanna , Taxell Jenny , Broman Terese
Published: May 2008

Mothers ( N=168, M age = 37.0 yr., SD = 4.6) responded to a questionnaire of scales measuring sources of stress and symptoms of stress within themselves, and symptoms of stress in their 5–8-yr.-old children (61 girls, 98 boys; M age = 7.3 yr., SD=1.0). Scores on all scales intercorrelated significantly, indicating a relationship between maternal stress and stress of the child. Both types of stress also correlated with the frequency of punishment of the child. Both maternal stress and frequency of punishment predicted stress symptoms in the children, maternal stress being a somewhat stronger predictor.
The Distinct Emotional Flavor of Gnostic Writings from the Early Christian Era
Authors: Whissell Cynthia
Published: May 2008

More than 500,000 scored words in 83 documents were used to conclude that it is possible to identify the source of documents (proto-orthodox Christian versus early Gnostic) on the basis of the emotions underlying the words. Twenty-seven New Testament works and seven Gnostic documents (including the gospels of Thomas, Judas, and Mary [Magdalene]) were scored with the Dictionary of Affect in Language. Patterns of emotional word use focusing on eight types of extreme emotional words were employed in a discriminant function analysis to predict source. Prediction was highly successful (canonical r = .81, 97% correct identification of source). When the discriminant function was tested with more than 30 additional Gnostic and Christian works including a variety of translations and some wisdom books, it correctly classified all of them. The majority of the predictive power of the function (97% of all correct categorizations, 70% of the canonical r2) was associated with the preferential presence of passive and passive/pleasant words in Gnostic documents.
Sex Differences in Relational Aggression in Preschool Children in Iran
Authors: Shahim Sima
Published: May 2008

The purpose of this study was to compare scores on a Relational Aggression Questionnaire for preschool boys and girls in Iran. The questionnaire was developed here, and its reliability and validity were assessed. Teachers' reports of relational aggression in 258 children ages 3 to 7 years was studied. Sex differences in relational aggression were not observed and was not significantly different across age groups.
The Influence of Liability Information, Severity of Injury, and Attitudes toward Vengeance on Damage Awards
Authors: Woody William Douglas
Published: May 2008

This jury simulation study explored the effects of liability-related descriptive information, severity of injury, and attitudes toward vengeance on damage awards. 311 individual mock jurors read a trial summary describing a plaintiff injured in a motor vehicle accident. Half of the participants read liability-related descriptive information, theoretically unrelated to judgments concerning damages, and the other half did not. Half read about a mildly injured plaintiff, and the other half read about a severely injured plaintiff. In Phase 1 participants decided compensatory awards and in Phase 2 participants read punitive damages evidence and decided, if appropriate, punitive damages. The presence of liability-related description influenced neither compensatory nor punitive damages. Severity of the plaintiff's injuries affected compensatory awards and punitive awards. Although revenge has historically played an integral role in punitive damages, participants' attitudes toward vengeance were not associated with punitive damage awards.
Assessing Reliability and Validity of the Farsi Version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale in a Sample of Substance-Using Patients
Authors: Besharat Mohammad Ali
Published: May 2008

The aim of this study was to estimate reliability and factorial validity of the Farsi version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale–20 (TAS–20) for 321 substance-abusing patients (187 men and 134 women). All were asked to complete the Farsi version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale–20, the Emotional Intelligence Scale, and The Mental Health Inventory. Analysis supported the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and three-factor structure of the Farsi version of the TAS–20 for substance users. The factors are similar to the three reported previously and were labeled as Difficulty Identifying Feelings, Difficulty Describing Feelings, and Externally oriented Thinking. These results provide evidence for applicability of the TAS–20 and its cross-cultural validity
Parrots Are “More Human” than Chickens
Authors: Abel Ernest L.
Published: May 2008

Analysis of an Internet database of pets' names showed owners were more likely to give anthropomorphic names to pets living within homes than those living outside.
Framing Effects in Group Investment Decision Making: Role of Group Polarization
Authors: Cheng Pi-Yueh , Chiou Wen-Bin
Published: May 2008

Prospect theory proposes that framing effects result in a preference for risk-averse choices in gain situations and risk-seeking choices in loss situations. However, in group polarization situations, groups show a pronounced tendency to shift toward more extreme positions than those they initially held. Whether framing effects in group decision making are more prominent as a result of the group-polarization effect was examined. Purposive sampling of 120 college students (57 men, 63 women; M age = 20.1 yr., SD = 0.9) allowed assessment of relative preference between cautious and risky choices in individual and group decisions. Findings indicated that both group polarization and framing effects occur in investment decisions. More importantly, group decisions in a gain situation appear to be more cautious, i.e., risk averse, than individual decisions, whereas group decisions in the loss situation appear to be more risky than individual decisions. Thus, group decision making may expand framing effects when it comes to investment choices through group polarization.
Flow Experience among Information and Communication Technology Users
Authors: Rodríguez-Sánchez Alma M. , Schaufeli Wilmar B. , Salanova Marisa , Cifre Eva
Published: May 2008

The use of technologies is more common in daily life; working with technologies might be associated with positive experiences such as flow. However, there is little empirical research on flow experiences in technology settings. The main aim of this study was to confirm the three-dimensional construct of flow, i.e., absorption, enjoyment, and intrinsic interest, among 517 Information and Communication Technology users [234 students whose mean age was 23 yr. ( SD = 3.8)] from different areas of study, mainly Law, Public Administration, Chemistry, and Psychology, and 283 employees [whose mean age was 33 yr. ( SD = 7.8)] of 21 different companies from various sectors of production, namely, public administration, industrial production, and services. Analysis showed, as expected, flow is a three-dimensional psychological construct and invariant among samples of technology users. Practical and theoretical implications as well as further research are discussed.
One-Month-Old Infants' Sensitivity to Social Contingency from Mothers and Strangers: A Pilot Study
Authors: Okanda Mako , Itakura Shoji
Published: May 2008

Whether 1-mo.-old infants were sensitive to social contingency of their mothers and strangers via a Double Video live-replay paradigm was studied. 8 infants were tested ( M age = 45.4 days, 50 = 7.4) to compare behavioral changes across conditions: a first contingency (Live 1), a noncontingent (Replay), and a second contingency (Live 2). Infants showed an increase in gaze during Replay, counter to expectation. Also, these infants could detect mothers' noncontingent responses but not those of strangers. The result suggests that detection and expectancy may be subcomponents of sensitivity to social contingency. Detection appeared first and seems basic, while expectancy in social contingency appeared later.
Pilot Study of Light Therapy and Neurocognitive Performance of Attention and Memory in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Bersani Giuseppe , Marconi Daniela , Limpido Lucilla , Tarolla Emanuele , Caroti Eleonora
Published: May 2008

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether light therapy improves healthy subjects' neurocognitive performance of attention, memory, and language. Ten subjects were treated with white bright light for 5 days and a control group of 10 with no treatment were assessed with a battery of neurocognitive tests which included the Stroop Colour Word Interference Test, the Verbal Fluency Test, the Story Recall Test, and the Word Pairs Recall Test. Analysis showed improvements in cognitive scores in both groups, although on all the cognitive tests the mean difference scores between baseline and endpoint were significantly larger in the light-treated group. These preliminary results suggest that short-term bright light may exert beneficial effects on cognitive functions.
Clients' Perceptions of How Reorientation Therapy and Self-Help Can Promote Changes in Sexual Orientation
Authors: Dean Byrd A. , Nicolosi Joseph , Potts Richard W.
Published: May 2008

Presented is a summary of 882 homosexual people's responses to 5 open-ended questions about sexual reorientation therapy. Of the 882 participants, 726 reported that they had received reorientation therapy from a professional therapist or a pastoral counselor. As a group, 779 (89.7%) of the participants viewed themselves as “more homosexual than heterosexual,” “almost exclusively homosexual,” or “exclusively homosexual” in their orientation before receiving reorientation therapy or making self-help efforts to change. The majority reported they believed sexual reorientation therapy and various forms of self-help were helpful to them, psychologically, spiritually, and sexually.
Psychometric Characteristics of the Italian Clinical Depression Questionnaire Using a 5-Point Rating Scale with Undergraduates
Authors: Cioffi Raffaele , Balsamo Michela , Saggino Aristide
Published: May 2008

The aim was to investigate the psychometric properties of a proposed experimental version of the 1979 Italian adaptation of the Clinical Depression Questionnaire (Krug & Laughlin, 1976). This version is composed of an increased number of choice alternatives (5 instead of 3), tested with 240 Italian undergraduates. An exploratory item-factor analysis yielded one factor, which accounted for 28.2% of the variance. Analysis of the relationship between this version and an experimental one in 2002 of the 1979 Italian edition of the Anxiety Scale Questionnaire showed the corrective factor was not effective in increasing the discriminative power of the questionnaire for anxiety.
Relationship among Four Big Five Measures of Different Length
Authors: Furnham Adrian
Published: May 2008

This study examined the relationship between three short measures of the Big Five. 100 participants completed the 60-item NEO-FFI, the 10-item Personality Inventory, the 5-item Single-Item Measure of Personality, as well as estimating their own NEO-FFI score. Correlations varied from r = .30 to .75. Concerns and advantages of short measures are discussed.
Defining Traits Differently for Self and Others
Authors: Niewiarowski Jakub , Karylowski Jerzy J.
Published: May 2008

Identical trait labels may be understood differently in thinking about self and in thinking about others. Specifically, when making self-judgments, individuals define traits primarily in terms of unobservable manifestations, e.g., how one feels. However, in making other-judgments, particularly in making judgments about relatively unfamiliar others, individuals define traits primarily in terms of observable manifestations, e.g., how one looks. This prediction was tested in three experiments (Exp. 1: N = 96, Polish undergraduates including 19 men, 77 women; Exp. 2: N = 96, U.S. undergraduates including 18 men, 78 women; Exp. 3: N = 74, Polish undergraduates including 18 men, 56 women). Participants were asked to perform a generic trait judgment task followed by a specific trait judgment task in which the same traits were preceded by a qualifier “feels” or “looks”. As expected, in the case of self-judgments, generic judgments predicted feels judgments better than looks judgments. This pattern did not occur for judgments of others and was reversed for judgments about others who were relatively unfamiliar.
Exact Permutation Probability Values for Weighted Kappa
Authors: Berry Kenneth J. , Johnston Janis E. , Mielke Paul W.
Published: May 2008

A permutation algorithm and associated FORTRAN program are provided for weighted kappa. Program EWK provides the weighted kappa test statistic and the exact one-sided upper-tail probability values.
Personality Correlates of Equity Sensitivity for Samples of Canadian, Bulgarian, and Mexican Businesspeople
Authors: Mintu-Wimsatt Alma , Madjourova-Davri Anna , Lozada Héctor R.
Published: May 2008

Equity sensitivity concerns perceptions of what is or is not equitable. Previous studies have shown that equity sensitivity is associated with one's relationship orientation. Relationships are also influenced by personality variables. As both personality and equity sensitivity influence relationships, equity sensitivity and personality may be correlated also; so, this study examined that possibility. The relations of equity sensitivity with 3 personality variables were explored across three culturally different samples. This allowed validation across cultures of the proposed equity-personality relationship which has traditionally been assessed in a U.S. setting. In general, personality-equity sensitivity relationship was not supported across the samples.
Measurement of Equity Sensitivity: A Comparison of the Equity Sensitivity Instrument and Equity Preference Questionnaire
Authors: Shore Ted H. , Strauss Judy
Published: May 2008

The psychometric properties of the Equity Sensitivity Instrument (Huseman, Hatfield, & Miles, 1985, 1987) and Equity Preference Questionnaire (Sauley & Bedeian, 2000) are compared. 173 undergraduate business majors completed several work attitude and personality measures. Results suggest that the Equity Preference Questionnaire may be a better measure of the equity sensitivity construct than the Equity Sensitivity Instrument which is typically used in research. Reliabilities for the scores on the Equity Sensitivity Instrument and Equity Preference Questionnaire were equivalent (coefficient alphas of .85 and .86, respectively); however, evidence for convergent and content validity was greater for the Equity Preference Questionnaire. Understanding individual differences in perceptions of equity and how best to measure these differences can affect workplace outcomes (e.g., turnover, employee engagement).
Teaching Inference in Personality Test Interpretation: Verbal Abstract Reasoning and the Tat
Authors: Petrosky Edward M.
Published: May 2008

Instructors of personality assessment are challenged with teaching students how to execute the tacit thinking skills necessary to make sound test interpretations. The author provides a concrete tool for teaching students how to make interpretive inferences from verbal personality test data utilizing the construct of verbal abstract reasoning. Applied specifically to Thematic Apperception Test interpretation, the author discusses how the construct of verbal abstract reasoning can be utilized: as a model for providing explicit instruction on the implicit process of drawing inferences in test interpretation; for grounding students in data when constructing interpretations and avoiding making overpersonalized interpretations; as a means of basing interpretations on a convergence of data; as a means of gauging the level of confidence one can place in interpretations; and for understanding inferences drawn from other tests, such as the Rorschach.
Possible Relation of Suicide Rates of Elderly with Societal Crime: A Cross-National Study
Authors: Shah Ajit
Published: May 2008

There are few studies examining the relationship between elderly suicides and societal crime. Therefore, a cross-national study examining the relationship between suicide rates of elderly persons and the percentage of the population victimised by different categories of crime was undertaken by using cross-national data from the World Health Organisation and United Nations databases. The main finding was a negative correlation between suicide rates in elderly men age 75+ years and women in both the elderly age-bands with the percentage of the population victimised by the crime of robbery. The findings were at variance with the study's hypothesis and may be explained by several factors, including methodological issues. Individual-level case-control or cohort studies of suicides and attempted suicides by elderly persons are suggested to examine the relationship of suicides by elderly and experience of being victimised by crime.
Approximating Cartography to the Customer's Expectations: Applying the “House of Quality” to Map Design
Authors: López Francisco Javier Ariza , Balboa José Luis García
Published: May 2008

The design of a map and guide for a Spanish natural park has been guided by the application of a product-development methodology known as quality function deployment (QFD). QFD is a tool for bringing the voice of the customer into the product-development process, from conceptual design to manufacturing. In order to develop a high-quality product whose design meets customers’ needs, market research has been developed to discover customers’ expectations and the strengths and weaknesses of competitors’ products. Sixteen main customer expectations (WHATs) were considered in relation to product comfort, content, and portrayal. In order to take into account the aforementioned expectations, 24 technical descriptors (HOWs) were considered. The product was finally specified by all the technical descriptors and their target values (HOW MUCHs). Results of the methodology are expressed using a set of matrices that depicts a house, the “House of Quality,” that concentrates the most important aspects of a product plan. Applying this methodology is an enriching experience, but somewhat difficult and time consuming.
Setting the Record Straight: On the Russian Origins of Dasymetric Mapping
Authors: Petrov Andrey N.
Published: May 2008

A growing volume of dasymetric mapping research poses a very important and still unanswered question about the historical origins of this method. Conflicting versions offered in the literature propagate confusion among researchers. This article attempts to clarify who invented the dasymetric mapping method and first published dasymetric maps, as well as when this took place. Evidence presented in this article suggests that the Russian geographer Benjamin Semenov-Tian-Shansky must be considered the originator and first practitioner of modern dasymetric mapping. He developed this technique in 1911 and published a substantial number of maps in the 1920s. Reviews and descriptions of Semenov-Tian-Shansky's works in English appeared in the Geographical Review a decade before the frequently cited article by John Wright was published in the same journal.
Watersheds in layers: Landform influences on tree growth and understory species richness
Authors: Mouw Jason E.B. , Dixson William M.
Published: May 2008

Questions:

1. Does tree growth differ among bedrock‐controlled and depositional (floodplains and alluvial fans) riparian landforms? 2. Will the elemental composition of tree cores reveal long‐term differences in nutrient availability among bedrock‐controlled and depositional landforms? 3. Is under‐story vascular plant species richness higher on depositional landforms than bedrock‐controlled landforms, and highest yet on floodplains?

Location:

Lower Indian Creek watershed, a tributary of Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet, Alaska, USA.

Methods:

Sampling of riparian forests was stratified by land‐form type. Forest structure, tree growth characteristics, and the elemental composition of tree cores were assessed within point‐centered‐quarter plots (n= 30). Plots were oriented along transects bisecting the valley floor, along which 50 m × 2 m plots (n= 35) were also sampled for understory species composition and richness.

Results:

Bedrock‐controlled and depositional landforms supported mature trees that did not differ in age, yet structural differences were significant. Forests on depositional landforms were less dense, radial tree growth (cm.a‐1) and annual basal area increments were significantly higher, and tree cores revealed lower C: N ratios than trees growing on bedrock‐controlled landforms. Species richness of vascular plants was higher on depositional landforms at the landform and plot (100 m2) scale. Floodplains supported higher species richness than fans at the landscape scale yet differences at the plot scale were insignificant.

Conclusions:

Stratification of sampling by landform showed that structural differences between landforms may strongly influence the ecology of riparian plants, and that studies conducted without regard to landform structure may overlook fundamental influences on the ecology of riparian forests.
Concerted Solvent Processes for Common Sulfonyl Chloride Precursors used in the Synthesis of Sulfonamide-based Drugs
Authors: D’Souza Malcolm J. , Yaakoubd Lamia , Mlynarski Stacey L. , Kevill Dennis N.
Published: May 2008

Specific rates of solvolysis in hydroxylic solvents available for the solvolysis of 2-thiophenesulfonyl chloride and phenylmethanesulfonyl chloride are supplemented by determining the values in fluoroalcohol-containing solvents. The data sets are then correlated using the extended Grunwald-Winstein equation. For both substrates, it is found that a single correlation controls the influence of solvent over the full range of solvent composition. The sensitivities to solvent nucleophilicity and solvent ionizing power are compared to values available for other substrates. Three of these previous studies are upgraded by the incorporation of additional specific rate values from the recent literature. With a methyl, isopropyl, benzyl, aromatic or heteroaromatic group as the R group of RSO2Cl, a concerted SN2 mechanism is proposed for the solvolysis.
Longitudinal respiratory health study of the wood processing industry
Authors: Glindmeyer Henry W. , Rando Roy J. , Lefante John J. , Freyder Laurie , Brisolara Joseph A. , Jones Robert N.
Published: May 2008

Background

A 5‐year longitudinal study examined nonmalignant respiratory effects of wood processing dust exposure.

Methods

Ten study plants, investigator selected from 447 candidate plants, included 1 sawmill‐planing‐plywood, 1 plywood, 1 milling, 3 cabinet and 4 furniture facilities. Personal dust samples (2363) were divided into three size fractions (extrathoracic, tracheobronchial, and respirable) which were apportioned into wood solids (WS) and residual particulate matter (RPM), and used to compute each individuals TWA exposure for the 6 exposure types. Serial spirometric tests and medical, smoking and occupational questionnaires were collected with 1,164 subjects having adequate follow‐up (minimum 3 datapoints over at least 2.5 years) for analyses. Forward selection regression was used to evaluate the effect of exposure on annual change in FEV1, FVC, FEF25–75, and FEV1/FVC.

Results

There were no significant adverse effects of WS exposures (overall means were 0.66, 0.32, and 0.05 mg/m3, for extrathoracic, tracheobronchial, and respirable fractions, respectively). Statistically significant effects were only to respirable RPM in the milling facility (mean exposures of 0.147 mg/m3 associated with changes in FEV1 = −32 ml/year, FEV1/FVC = −0.48%/year, and FEF25–75 = −0.11 l/s/year) and in the sawmill‐planing‐plywood facility (mean exposures of 0.255 mg/m3 associated with changes in FEV1 =  −59 ml/year and FVC = −103 ml/year).

Conclusion

Exposure to WS was not associated with significant adverse effects. Respirable RPM was associated with an obstructive effect in the milling facility, and respirable RPM was also associated with a restrictive effect in the sawmill‐planing plywood facility. Finally, this study does not exclude the possibility that other exposures common to this industry can cause respiratory effects, only that none were noted in this population for wood solids for the exposure levels and durations studied. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:595–609, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Localizing central nervous system immune surveillance: Meningeal antigen‐presenting cells activate T cells during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Kivisäkk Pia , Imitola Jaime , Rasmussen Stine , Elyaman Wassim , Zhu Bing , Ransohoff Richard M. , Khoury Samia J.
Published: May 2008

Objective

The onset of neurological signs in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is tightly associated with infiltration and reactivation of T cells in the central nervous system. The anatomic localization of the initial T cell‐antigen‐presenting cell (APC) interactions leading to reactivation of T cells in the central nervous system is, however, still unclear. We hypothesized that activated CD4+ T cells gain direct access to the subarachnoid space and become reactivated on encounter with cognate antigen in this compartment.

Methods

C57Bl/6 mice were immunized with MOG35‐55, and interactions between CD4+ T cells and major histocompatibility class II+ APCs in the subarachnoid space were investigated using flow cytometry, confocal microscopy of leptomeningeal whole‐mount preparations, time‐lapse microscopy of leptomeningeal explants, and in vitro proliferation assays.

Results

CD4+ T cells, polarized to produce Th1/Th17 cytokines, accumulated in the subarachnoid space early during the course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, before CD4+ T cells were detected in the spinal cord parenchyma. At this time point, leptomeningeal but not parenchymal CD4+ T cells incorporated bromodeoxyuridine, indicating local proliferation of CD4+ T cells in the subarachnoid space. Time‐lapse microscopy indicated that these CD4+ T cells actively scanned the tissue and interacted with local major histocompatibility class II+ APCs, resulting in long‐lasting interactions between CD4+ T cells and major histocompatibility class II+ APCs, suggestive of immunological synapses.

Interpretation

These results support the concept that immune surveillance of the central nervous system involves the subarachnoid space and indicate that the leptomeninges play an important role in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis initiation. Ann Neurol 2009;65:457–469
Spreading depolarizations occur in human ischemic stroke with high incidence
Authors: Dohmen Christian , Sakowitz Oliver W. , Fabricius Martin , Bosche Bert , Reithmeier Thomas , Ernestus Ralf‐Ingo , Brinker Gerrit , Dreier Jens P. , Woitzik Johannes , Strong Anthony J. , Graf Rudolf
Published: May 2008

Objective

Cortical spreading depression (CSD) and periinfarct depolarization (PID) have been shown in various experimental models of stroke to cause secondary neuronal damage and infarct expansion. For decades it has been questioned whether CSD or PID occur in human ischemic stroke. Here, we describe CSD and PID in patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarction detected by subdural electrocorticography (ECoG).

Methods

Centres of the Co‐operative Study of Brain Injury Depolarisations (COSBID) recruited 16 patients with large middle cerebral artery infarction. During surgery for decompressive hemicraniectomy, an electrode strip was placed on the periinfarct region, from which four ECoG channels were acquired.

Results

A total of 1,638 hours was recorded; mean monitoring time per patient was 109.2 hours. A total of 127 CSD and 42 PID events were observed. In CSD, a stereotyped slow potential change spreading between adjacent channels was accompanied by transient depression of ECoG activity. In PID, a slow potential change spread between neighboring channels despite already established suppression of ECoG activity. Most CSDs and PIDs appeared repetitively in clusters. CSD or PID was observed in all but two patients. In these two patients, the electrode strip had been placed over infarcted tissue, and accordingly, no local ECoG or recurrent transient depolarization activity occurred throughout the observation period.

Interpretation

CSD and PID occurred spontaneously with high frequency in this study of patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarction. This suggests that the large volume of experimental studies of occlusive stroke that implicate spreading depolarizations in its pathophysiology can be translated, with appropriate caution, to patients and their treatment. Ann Neurol 2008
Treatment of childhood arterial ischemic stroke
Authors: Bernard Timothy J. , Goldenberg Neil A. , Armstrong‐Wells Jennifer , Amlie‐Lefond Catherine , Fullerton Heather J.
Published: May 2008

Traditional risk factors associated with adult arterial ischemic stroke (AIS; ie, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, smoking, and atherosclerosis) are relatively rare in children. Childhood AIS is instead associated with a variety of conditions including cerebral arteriopathies, congenital heart disease, infection, head and neck trauma, sickle cell anemia, and prothrombotic abnormalities. Although the pathophysiology and outcomes of adult AIS differ significantly from those in childhood AIS, therapeutic management remains similar, largely because of the paucity of evidence from devoted pediatric observational studies and clinical trials. The purpose of this article is to review the current guidelines and evidence in the treatment of childhood AIS, within the context of that which exists in adult AIS. Medical management of hypoxia, hyperglycemia, fever, blood pressure, and increased intracranial pressure has been insufficiently investigated in childhood stroke, resulting in a lack of guidance in these areas. Although acute antithrombotic management in childhood AIS has received relatively greater attention in published recommendations, it is based almost exclusively on consensus and expert opinion, and differs considerably among existing pediatric guidelines. Rehabilitation therapy in childhood AIS has great potential for meaningful improvements in long‐term outcomes, especially given the plasticity of the young brain; however, little guidance for rehabilitative measures is provided by published recommendations. Ongoing and future multicenter cohort study efforts, and ultimately devoted pediatric clinical trials, will be essential to establish comprehensive evidence‐based guidelines for the treatment of childhood AIS. Ann Neurol 2008