bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Map-Mediated Dialogues: Effects of Map Orientation Differences and Shared Reference Points on Map Location-Finding Speed and Accuracy
Authors: van der Kleij Rick , te Brake Guido
Published: August 2010

Objective: The effects of individual differences in map orientation on a location-finding dyadic team task were examined in a controlled experimental setting.

Background: Research on maps has been mainly directed at individuals navigating with cartographic maps. An important question remains about how to present information about others’ locations to distributed team members.

Method: In a repeated-measures factorial design, distributed dyad members had to reach a shared understanding through map-mediated human-to-human dialogues about specific preset locations on digitized maps. Maps were rotated independently to different degrees, which produced alignment differences of various magnitudes between both members. Some of these maps were complemented with additional geospatial information (i.e., landmarks, compass rose, and map grid) to provide for shared reference points.

Results: Dyads using maps with identical orientations for both members performed the task more accurately than dyads using maps that varied in orientation between dyad members. The addition of geospatial information to maps providing for shared reference points helped the teamwork. Distributed dyads using maps that vary in orientation between dyad members benefit more from shared reference points than dyads using maps with orientations that are identical for both members.

Conclusion: We conclude that shared reference points help distributed dyads using maps that vary in orientation between dyad members to perform as well as dyads using maps with identical alignment.

Application: This article shows how to provide support for team coordination in distributed settings and facilitates the development of groupware to support distributed teamwork.
Globalization intentions in tension: The case of Singapore
Authors: Ng Irene Y.H.
Published: August 2010

This study uses Singapore as a case study to discuss the intricate interplay between globalization, social policy and two important social trends: inequality and intergenerational immobility. The article explains what intergenerational mobility is and the need for social workers and policy-makers to better understand the phenomenon.
Balancing the global and the local: Some normative reflections on international social work
Authors: Trygged Sven
Published: August 2010

The main point of departure for international social work consists of the UN declarations on equal rights and opportunities. Important issues are globalization, global standards, universal as opposed to local contexts and the need for comparative studies. The article argues against particularism in favour of universalism and critical modernity.
Shifting perspectives on international alliances in social work: Lessons from Ghana and Nicaragua
Authors: Kreitzer Linda , Wilson Maureen
Published: August 2010

A growing movement of social work educators and practitioners worldwide is involved in democratizing activities through cross-national alliances. Through reflection on two experiences of cross-national collaborations in Ghana and Nicaragua, this article identifies elements for effective international collaboration that encourage a shift in perspective.
Globalization and cross-border reproductive services: Ethical implications of surrogacy in India for social work
Authors: Palattiyil George , Blyth Eric , Sidhva Dina , Balakrishnan Geeta
Published: August 2010

Surrogacy in the context of cross-border care has hitherto received little attention from the international social work community. In India, the provision of surrogacy services for foreign couples may be seen as part of the country’s wider health tourism industry. This article overviews current evidence on surrogacy in India, and discusses the extent to which proposed legislation, the Assisted Reproductive Technologies (Regulation) Bill and Rules 2009, satisfactorily addresses social workers’ concerns to ensure adequate protection of the interests of young Indian women engaged in surrogacy, as outlined in the International Federation of Social Workers’ policy on cross-border reproductive care.
‘Indigenization’ and knowledge development: Extending the debate
Authors: Gray Mel , Coates John
Published: August 2010

This article attempts to extend the discourse on ‘indigenization’ from a marginal movement in social work to chart its course as a field of knowledge development that uses knowledge, training and resources that is particular to a culture and in which increasing numbers of leading researchers creatively pursue culturally and locally relevant research. It argues for the development of truly indigenized and culturally appropriate social work knowledges that are free from the restrictions and expectations of positivistic western worldviews.
Thermally Induced Changes in the Chemical and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Foam
Authors: Kinyanjui John M. , Hatchett David W.
Published: August 2010

The influence of thermal treatment on the chemistry, physical, and mechanical properties of epoxy foam was evaluated. The foam was subjected to repeated thermal cycles (25—95°C), encompassing the temperature regime in which the forward and the retro Diels—Alder reaction occurs. Changes in the chemistry of the foam were evaluated using in situ FTIR spectroscopy during thermal exposure. In addition, the structural siloxane units within the epoxy foam were identified and evaluated using FTIR analysis. Thermal analysis was used to evaluate expansion, degradation, and mass loss during thermal exposure. Finally, the physical and mechanical properties were evaluated to determine how thermal cycling influences the density and modulus of the epoxy foam. Thermal exposure below the temperature required for the breakage of conjugated double bonds via Diels—Alder mechanism increases thermal expansion influencing the structural integrity and packing of siloxane chains. The data indicates that the chemical changes and the thermal expansion of the foam are irreversible. The combination of thermal expansion and the change in chemistry for the system strongly diminished the structural rigidity of the foam lowering the density and modulus of the material.
Oxidative Stress, Systemic Inflammation, and Severe Periodontitis
Authors: D’Aiuto F. , Nibali L. , Parkar M. , Patel K. , Suvan J. , Donos N.
Published: August 2010

Periodontal infections have been associated with a state of chronic inflammation. To ascertain whether severe periodontitis and its treatment are associated with oxidative stress, we recruited 145 cases (periodontitis) and 56 controls in a case-control study. A further pilot intervention study of 14 cases (periodontal therapy) was performed. Blood samples were taken at baseline (case-control) and 1, 3, 5, 7, and 30 days after treatment (intervention). Diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites (D-ROM), anti-oxidant potential, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6, and lipid profiles were determined with high-sensitivity assays in serum. Patients with severe periodontitis exhibited higher D-ROM levels (P < 0.001) and lower total anti-oxidant capacity (P < 0.001) compared with healthy control individuals. These findings were independent of age, gender, smoking habits, ethnicity, and standard lipids differences. D-ROM levels were positively correlated with CRP (R = 0.4, P < 0.001) and clinical periodontal parameters (R = 0.20, P < 0.05). Acute increases of D-ROM (P < 0.01) were observed following periodontal therapy. Analysis of these data suggests a positive association between severe periodontitis and oxidative stress.
New Approaches to Enhanced Remineralization of Tooth Enamel
Authors: Cochrane N.J. , Cai F. , Huq N.L. , Burrow M.F. , Reynolds E.C.
Published: August 2010

Dental caries is a highly prevalent diet-related disease and is a major public health problem. A goal of modern dentistry is to manage non-cavitated caries lesions non-invasively through remineralization in an attempt to prevent disease progression and improve aesthetics, strength, and function. Remineralization is defined as the process whereby calcium and phosphate ions are supplied from a source external to the tooth to promote ion deposition into crystal voids in demineralized enamel, to produce net mineral gain. Recently, a range of novel calcium-phosphate-based remineralization delivery systems has been developed for clinical application. These delivery systems include crystalline, unstabilized amorphous, or stabilized amorphous formulations of calcium phosphate. These systems are reviewed, and the technology with the most scientific evidence to support its clinical use is the remineralizing system utilizing casein phosphopeptides to stabilize and deliver bioavailable calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions. The recent clinical evidence for this technology is presented and the mechanism of action discussed. Biomimetic approaches to stabilization of bioavailable calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions and the localization of these ions to non-cavitated caries lesions for controlled remineralization show promise for the non-invasive management of dental caries.
Destructive and Protective Roles of Cytokines in Periodontitis: A Re-appraisal from Host Defense and Tissue Destruction Viewpoints
Authors: Garlet G.P.
Published: August 2010

Periodontal diseases (PD) are chronic infectious inflammatory diseases characterized by the destruction of tooth-supporting structures, being the presence of periodontopathogens required, but not sufficient, for disease development. As a general rule, host inflammatory mediators have been associated with tissue destruction, while anti-inflammatory mediators counteract and attenuate disease progression. With the discovery of several T-cell subsets bearing distinct immunoregulatory properties, this pro- vs. anti-inflammatory scenario became more complex, and a series of studies has hypothesized protective or destructive roles for Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg subpopulations of polarized lymphocytes. Interestingly, the “protective vs. destructive” archetype is usually considered in a framework related to tissue destruction and disease progression. However, it is important to remember that periodontal diseases are infectious inflammatory conditions, and recent studies have demonstrated that cytokines (TNF-α and IFN-γ) considered harmful in the context of tissue destruction play important roles in the control of periodontal infection. Therefore, in this review, the state-of-the-art knowledge concerning the protective and destructive roles of host inflammatory immune response will be critically evaluated and discussed from the tissue destruction and control-of-infection viewpoints.
Cognitive Status in Persons with Amalgam-related Complaints
Authors: Sundström A. , Bergdahl J. , Nyberg L. , Bergdahl M. , Nilsson L.-G.
Published: August 2010

Self-reported cognitive symptoms are frequent in persons with amalgam-related complaints, but few studies have focused on their cognitive function. The aim was to examine a symptom profile and whether participants with amalgam-related complaints have cognitive deficits in comparison with control individuals. We drew 342 participants with amalgam-related complaints and 342 one-to-one matched control individuals from a longitudinal population-based study. For 81 of the participants with amalgam-related complaints and controls, data were available approximately five years before the onset of complaints, making a longitudinal analysis possible. All participants were assessed by a self-reported health questionnaire and a comprehensive cognitive test battery. The participants with amalgam-related complaints reported more symptoms, mainly musculoskeletal and neuropsychological, compared with control individuals (p < 0.001). The results revealed no significant difference between the amalgam and control group, either cross-sectionally or longitudinally, for any of the cognitive tests. These results suggest that cognitive decline is not associated with amalgam-related complaints.
What Psychosocial Factors Influence Adolescents’ Oral Health?
Authors: Baker S.R. , Mat A. , Robinson P.G.
Published: August 2010

Few studies have examined, comprehensively and prospectively, determinants of oral-health-related quality of life. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between psychosocial factors and oral health status, health perceptions, and quality of life. Measures of symptom and functional status, health perceptions, quality of life, oral health beliefs, and psychological (sense of coherence, self-esteem, health locus of control) and social factors (parents’ income and education) were collected from 439 12- and 13-year-olds at baseline and six-month follow-up, together with a clinical examination at baseline. Structural equation modeling indicated that increased levels of caries and more symptoms predicted more functional limitations, and, cross-sectionally, greater functional impact was associated with worse health perceptions, which were linked to lower quality of life. Sense of coherence was the most important psychosocial predictor. These factors are important in understanding how oral health affects young people’s daily lives.
Assessing Tooth Color Differences in Digital Facial Portraits
Authors: Lindsey D.T. , Wee A.G.
Published: August 2010

Although a large body of scientific literature shows that background color and luminance affect color perception, previous measurements of tooth color difference thresholds have not taken the effects of viewing context into account. The present study tested the hypothesis that differences in skin/gingival color influence individuals’ judgments of tooth color differences. Perceptibility and acceptability thresholds were determined in 10 individuals using a signal detection paradigm. They evaluated 500 pseudo-random presentations of two facial portraits: an African-American and a Caucasian. These portraits varied trial-to-trial only in the direction (CIELAB +L*, +a*, or +b*) or magnitude of the color difference between a portrait’s two central incisors. The individuals were significantly less sensitive to tooth color differences in the +L* direction in the Caucasian portrait than for any other combination of color direction or portrait type. Furthermore, comparable perceptibility and acceptability thresholds were generally not statistically significant from each other.
Subgingival Microbial Profiles of Smokers with Periodontitis
Authors: Shchipkova A.Y. , Nagaraja H.N. , Kumar P.S.
Published: August 2010

The subgingival microbiome is largely uncultivated, and therefore, cultivation-based and targeted molecular approaches have limited value in examining the effect of smoking on this community. We tested the hypothesis that the subgingival biofilm is compositionally different in current and never-smokers by using an open-ended molecular approach for bacterial identification. Subgingival plaque from deep sites of current and never-smokers matched for disease was analyzed by 16S sequencing. Smokers demonstrated greater abundance of Parvimonas, Fusobacterium, Campylobacter, Bacteroides, and Treponema and lower levels of Veillonella, Neisseria, and Streptococcus. Several uncultivated Peptostreptococci, Parvimonas micra, Campy-lobacter gracilis, Treponema socranskii, Dialister pneumosintes, and Tannerella forsythia were elevated in this group, while Veillonella sp. oral clone B2, Neisseria sp. oral clone 2.24, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Capnocytophaga sp. clone AH015 were at lower levels. The microbial profile of smoking-associated periodontitis is distinct from that of non-smokers, with significant differences in the prevalence and abundance of disease-associated and health-compatible organisms.
TGF-β Signaling in Gingival Fibroblast-Epithelial Interaction
Authors: Ohshima M. , Yamaguchi Y. , Matsumoto N. , Micke P. , Takenouchi Y. , Nishida T. , Kato M. , Komiyama K. , Abiko Y. , Ito K. , Otsuka K. , Kappert K.
Published: August 2010

The underlying mechanism and the therapeutic regimen for the transition of reversible gingivitis to irreversible periodontitis are unclear. Since transforming growth factor (TGF)-β has been implicated in differentially regulated gene expression in gingival fibroblasts, we hypothesized that TGF-β signaling is activated in periodontitis-affected gingiva, along with enhanced collagen degradation, that is reversed by TGF-β inhibition. A novel three-dimensional (3D) gel-culture system consisting of primary human gingival fibroblasts (GF) and gingival epithelial (GE) cells in collagen gels was applied. GF populations from patients with severe periodontitis degraded collagen gels, which was reduced by TGF-β-receptor kinase inhibition. Up-regulation of TGF-β-responsive genes was evident in GF/GE co-cultures. Furthermore, the TGF-β downstream transducer Smad3C was highly phosphorylated in periodontitis-affected gingiva and 3D cultures. These results imply that TGF-β signaling is involved in fibroblast-epithelial cell interaction in periodontitis, and suggest that the 3D culture system is a useful in vitro model for therapeutic drug screening for periodontitis.
Randomized Clinical Trial of Treatment for TMJ Disc Displacement
Authors: Haketa T. , Kino K. , Sugisaki M. , Takaoka M. , Ohta T.
Published: August 2010

Of the various conservative treatment modalities available for temporomandibular disorders, we believe that therapeutic exercise has a good prognosis, especially for anterior disc displacement without reduction. Since its effectiveness has not been extensively evaluated, we conducted a comparative study to verify the hypothesis that treatment efficacy would not differ for exercise and occlusal splints. Fifty-two individuals with anterior disc displacement without reduction were randomly assigned to a splint or a joint mobilization self-exercise treatment group. Four outcome variables were evaluated: (i) maximum mouth-opening range without and (ii) with pain, (iii) current maximum daily pain intensity, and (iv) limitation of daily functions. All outcome variables significantly improved after 8 weeks of treatment in both groups. In particular, the mouth opening range increased more in the exercise group than in the splint group. This result demonstrates that therapeutic exercise brings earlier recovery of jaw function compared with splints.
The rgg Gene is a Specific Marker for Streptococcus oralis
Authors: Park H.K. , Lee H.J. , Jeong E.-G. , Shin H.-S. , Kim W.
Published: August 2010

Although the pathogenesis of Streptococcus oralis may be different from that of other viridans group streptococci, S. oralis shares a high degree of DNA sequence similarity with these streptococci. As a result, discrimination of S. oralis from its close relatives has long been considered difficult. This study was conducted to find specific genes that allow for the in vitro identification of S. oralis, but not other oral commensals. Four hundred ninety S. oralis clones obtained by suppressive subtractive hybridization were used for Southern hybridization, and positive clones were sequenced. Of 5 S. oralis-specific clones, newly designed primer sets based on the glucosyltransferase regulatory gene amplified genomic DNA only from S. oralis strains, but not from any of the other 125 strains tested. Our findings may be useful for the future development of efficient diagnostic tools for the rapid identification and differentiation of S. oralis from other oral streptococci strains.
Comparative Human Salivary and Plasma Proteomes
Authors: Loo J.A. , Yan W. , Ramachandran P. , Wong D.T.
Published: August 2010

The protein compositions, or the proteomes, found in human salivary and plasma fluids are compared. From recent experimental work by many laboratories, a catalogue of 2290 proteins found in whole saliva has been compiled. This list of salivary proteins is compared with the 2698 proteins found in plasma. Approximately 27% of the whole-saliva proteins are found in plasma. However, despite this apparent low degree of overlap, the distribution found across Gene Ontological categories, such as molecular function, biological processes, and cellular components, shows significant similarities. Moreover, nearly 40% of the proteins that have been suggested to be candidate markers for diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and stroke can be found in whole saliva. These comparisons and correlations should encourage researchers to consider the use of saliva to discover new protein markers of disease and as a diagnostic non-proximal fluid to detect early signs of disease throughout the body.
An emotional system with application to blood cell type identification
Authors: Khashman Adnan
Published: August 2010

Emotional processes and responses are biological and psychological processes in humans. The modelling of these biological processes in machines is considered a challenging and often controversial task in the field of bio-inspired computing. This is because of the complexity of emotional processes and rarity of available emotional computational models. However, research into possible mechanisms that allow emotional phenomena to influence cognitive and behavioural processes and how they can be implemented in robots has recently been gaining momentum with successful results in modelling emotions within systems. The motive for this trend is that future machines and robots will be capable of making better decisions if their cognition is enhanced by emotions. We present in this paper an emotional neural network based on an improved emotional back propagation (EmBP) learning algorithm. The modified algorithm, namely the iEmBP learning algorithm, models within its configuration three emotional responses: anxiety, confidence and impression. The proposed iEmBP-based emotional neural network will be implemented to a blood cell type identification problem, and its performance will be compared to two other neural networks. Experimental results show that the iEmBP-based emotional neural network has improved performance when compared to the EmBP-based network, and significantly outperforms the conventional back propagation (BP)-based neural networks in recognition results and time cost.
Model validation for a pair of biologically abstracted quadruped forelimbs through the design of experiment (DOE) technique
Authors: Vadakkepat Prahlad , Tan Shin Jiuh , Hong Choo Yang
Published: August 2010

This paper presents a statistical approach used for model validation of a pair of biologically abstracted quadruped forelimb. The forelimb design is abstracted from the skeletal anatomy of a typical canine dog, introducing an additional link in place of the scapula. Parameter limits are obtained from known biological data of a typical canine during locomotion. Model performance is based on quadruped forelimb trot gaits at 0.8, 1 and 1.2 Hz stride frequencies with sinusoidal joint rotations. Successive applications of the design of experiment statistical tool allows for quick model validation with respect to model variables. Results are confirmed using tedious factorial simulations coupled with a simple two-stage manual verification procedure. Forelimb performance indicates a correlation of high-speed trot motion with narrow profiles with model stability dominated by the neck–spine joint at low speeds.
Association Between Short Sleep Duration and Obesity Among South Korean Adolescents
Authors: Park Sunhee
Published: August 2010

Short sleep duration and obesity are common health concerns in youth. This study of South Korean adolescents explores the association between the two conditions analyzing secondary data from the 2007 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey. The sample is representative of the South Korean adolescent population ( N = 73,836). For data analysis, analysis of variance, chi-square test, and logistic regression were used. Findings indicated that (a) sleep duration is inversely associated with levels of body mass index, F(4, 72654) = 240.07, p < .0001, and risks for overweight and obesity, χ2(4, 72659) = 27.41, p < .0001; and (b) after controlling for obesity-related factors, reduced sleep is strongly associated with a greater risk for overweight and obesity, OR = 0.94, p < .0001. Given the important link between sleep and obesity, health professionals should consider sleep habits as a significant factor in obesity-related problems of youth.
An empirical analysis of the effectiveness of occupational health and safety management systems in SMEs
Authors: Arocena Pablo , Núñez Imanol
Published: August 2010

This article analyses the effectiveness of occupational health and safety (OHS) management in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In particular, we (1) provide an overview of the implementation of occupational risk preventive activities in a sample of SMEs; (2) characterize alternative approaches of OHS management systems; (3) assess the effectiveness of the identified OHS systems in occupational safety outcomes; and (4) analyse the factors affecting the adoption of such OHS systems. The study is based on primary data obtained by means of a survey on OHS management in 193 Spanish manufacturing SMEs. The analysis disentangles differences between the OHS activity of small-sized enterprises (SSEs) — those under 50 employees — and medium-sized enterprises (MSEs) — 50—250 employees. We find evidence that the effort and type of OHS management system does significantly affect the injury rate. More specifically, firms that complement traditional technical preventive activities with people and organization-oriented procedures are the most effective in reducing occupational accidents. Such advanced OHS systems are significantly less developed in SSEs. Our results also reveal that the choice of OHS system is determined by the quality of industrial relations, rate of unionization, intensity of price-based competition, access to public aid and training activities provided by the OHS public agencies, technology intensity, and the manual nature of workers’ tasks.
The problems of using social networks in entrepreneurial resource acquisition
Authors: Jing Zhang
Published: August 2010

This article identifies and classifies the problems perceived by entrepreneurs when they use social network ties (direct and indirect ties) to acquire resources during the early stages of new venture formation process. On the basis of field interviews with 128 high-tech entrepreneurs in Singapore, the author finds that entrepreneurs have a high level of awareness of the potential problems of social networks, though they rely extensively on network ties. Substantial variations occur across the three dimensions of potential problems (information, influence and solidarity) and three types of resources (financial resources, key team members and lead users). This study offers a more complete understanding of how and why entrepreneurs use social networks and the influence of their use on the entrepreneurial process.
Aortic arch replacement and elephant trunk procedure: an interdisciplinary approach to surgical reconstruction, perfusion strategies and blood management
Authors: McKay Christine , Allen Peter , Jones Philip M , Chu Michael WA
Published: August 2010

Surgical treatment of patients who present with large aneurysms of the ascending aorta, transverse arch and descending aorta, including the thoracic and abdominal aorta typically consists of a two-staged elephant trunk procedure. Typically, these operations are lengthy, requiring long cardiopulmonary bypass times, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and multiple anastamotic suture lines, which increases the risks for coagulopathic bleeding and the need for massive transfusions. The purpose of this report is to describe our approach, involving advanced surgical techniques and the innovative perfusion considerations as well as modified blood management strategies to minimize perioperative blood loss and the need for transfusions. All of the above will highlight critical cardiac team communications. An ever-evolving case requires forward thinking, revised judgments, open discussion and the continued involvement of all team members. In turn, this ensures evidence-based medical and perfusion practices that lead to achieving a positive peri-operative course, with optimal blood conservation.
The internal logic of the cosmos as ‘justice’ and ‘reconciliation’: Micro-level perceptions in post-conflict Guatemala
Authors: Viaene Lieselotte
Published: August 2010

Recently there has been greater interest from academics and practitioners in the role of ‘traditional’ justice mechanisms in politics of peace, reconciliation and transitional justice efforts after a period of large-scale human rights violations. However, this call for ‘culturally sensitive’ approaches remains at a rhetorical level. This article attempts to fill the knowledge gap of empirical local studies and focuses on post-conflict processes in Guatemala. It explores the actual and potential role of particularities of Mayan Q’eqchi’ culture in local social reconstruction processes after the internal armed conflict. Based on extensive ethnographic field research, the article explores how concepts of justice and reconciliation are locally and culturally understood. It uncovers the existence of multiple ways of understanding these concepts and further, the fact that they are perceived very differently from interpretations in international law and transitional justice studies. Impunity, as defined by international law, is not the end of accountability, nor truth recovery or reparation. Here, the internal logic of the cosmos through an invisible spiritual force, fosters social and spiritual repair at community level, contributing to the lack of demands of justice by Q’eqchi’ survivors.
Struggling for autonomy: from estate labourers to organic farmers in Andalusia
Authors: Luetchford Peter , Pratt Jeff , Montiel Marta Soler
Published: August 2010

This article records verbatim interviews with a small group of labourers who became pioneer organic farmers and formed a cooperative in rural Andalusia. Their voices provide acute insights into strategies to avoid economic exploitation, and the politics of autonomy which is characteristic of the left in this part of Spain.
Aging and Mobility in Rural and Small Urban Areas
Authors: Mattson Jeremy W.
Published: August 2010

To investigate issues of aging and mobility in rural and small urban areas, this study analyzes the results from a survey AARP conducted of its North Dakota members. Specific objectives are to estimate the impact of age and other demographic and geographic characteristics on various measures of mobility, including ability to drive, use of public transportation, trip frequency for both discretionary and nondiscretionary travel, unmet travel demand, barriers to using public transportation, and satisfaction with available transportation options. Although most surveyed still drive, results show decreased mobility with increases in age and for people with disabilities due to decreases in driving and an increased likelihood of lack of transportation limiting the number of trips taken. People with disabilities were also significantly more likely to experience problems with public transportation. Women were found to be less likely to drive and more likely to use public transportation.
Successful Falls Prevention Programming for Older Adults in Texas
Authors: Smith Matthew Lee , Ahn Sang Nam , Sharkey Joseph R. , Horel Scott , Mier Nelda , Ory Marcia G.
Published: August 2010

This study assessed health-related changes of participants attending A Matter of Balance/Volunteer Lay Leader (AMOB/VLL) model falls-prevention program for older adults based on their residential location. Data were examined from 1,482 older Texans enrolled in AMOB/VLL over a 2-year period and assessed at baseline and postintervention. Results indicate participants significantly increased falls efficacy by an average of 14.4% ( p < .01), reduced activity interference due to their health by an average of 6.5% ( p < .01), and decreased the number of days limited from usual activity by an average of 28.2% ( p < .05). Regression models show that rural participants, despite entering and exiting the program with lower health status, report greater rates of positive change for falls efficacy and health interference compared with their urban counterparts. Findings contribute to the understanding of geographic variation with falls-prevention program outcomes.
The Communicative City: Conceptualizing, Operationalizing, and Policy Making
Authors: Jeffres Leo W.
Published: August 2010

The ‘‘communicative city’’ concept focuses attention on communication patterns that connect people in cities and relationships between urban context and communication phenomena so that those who plan, design, and manage cities recognize the impact their activities have on communication and how communication affects citizens and cities in turn. This review identifies goals of a model operationalizing ‘‘communicative city’’ and characteristics of communication systems important for sustainability. The author explores the concept of communication capital for civic engagement and how to conduct community communication audits. Reversing the flow of influence, the author discusses the relationship between the natural and constructed environment and communication.
Investigating variability in patient response to treatment – a case study from a replicate cross-over study
Authors: Senn Stephen , Rolfe Katie , Julious Steven A
Published: August 2010

It is a common belief that individual variation in response to treatment is an important explanation for the variation in observed outcomes in clinical trials. If such variation is large, it seems reasonable to suppose that progress in treating disease will be advanced by classifying patients according to their abilities or not to ‘respond’ to particular treatments. We consider that there is currently a lost opportunity in drug development. There is a great deal of talk about individual response to treatment and tailor-made drugs. However, relatively little work is being done to formally investigate, using suitable designs, where individual response to treatment may be important. Through a case study from a replicate cross-over study we show how, given suitable replication, it is possible to isolate the component of variation corresponding to patient-by-treatment interaction and hence investigate the possibility of individual response to treatment.
Changes in Children’s Reports of Symptom Occurrence and Severity During a Course of Myelosuppressive Chemotherapy
Authors: Baggott Christina , Dodd Marylin , Kennedy Christine , Marina Neyssa , Matthay Katherine K. , Cooper Bruce A. , Miaskowski Christine
Published: August 2010

The purposes of this study in children who underwent a cycle of myelosuppressive chemotherapy were to describe changes in symptom occurrence and severity during the chemotherapy cycle. Patients (N = 66) 10 to 18 years of age completed the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale for 10- to 18-year-olds (MSAS 10-18) at the start of a chemotherapy cycle (T1) and weekly for the next 2 weeks (T2 and T3). More than 30% of children reported 10 or more symptoms at all 3 time points. Symptom occurrence trajectories were tested with multilevel logistic regression. In all, 6 symptoms (ie, fatigue, sadness, irritability, worrying, weight loss, sweating) showed a decreasing linear trend. Significant quadratic patterns of change were found for feeling drowsy, nausea, and vomiting. Changes in symptom severity over time were evaluated with multilevel negative binomial regression. No significant differences over time were found in any of the symptom severity scores on the MSAS. Children experienced a high number of symptoms at the initiation of a chemotherapy cycle that persisted over the subsequent 2 weeks.
Childhood Experiences of Cancer
Authors: Griffiths Maya , Schweitzer Robert , Yates Patsy
Published: August 2010

Pediatric oncology has emerged as one of the great medical success stories of the last 4 decades. The cure rate of childhood cancer has increased from approximately 25% in the 1960’s to more than 75% in more recent years. However, very little is known about how children actually experience the diagnosis and treatment of their illness. A total of 9 families in which a child was diagnosed with cancer were interviewed twice over a 12-month period. Using the qualitative methodology of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), children’s experiences of being patients with a diagnosis of cancer were explicated. The results revealed 5 significant themes: the experience of illness, the upside of being sick, refocusing on what is important, acquiring a new perspective, and the experience of returning to well-being. Changes over time were noted because children’s experiences’ were often pertinent to the stage of treatment the child had reached. These results revealed rich and intimate information about a sensitive issue with implications for understanding child development and medical and psychosocial treatment.
Self- and Other-Diagnosis in User-Led Mental Health Online Communities
Authors: Giles David C. , Newbold Julie
Published: August 2010

This article consists of a qualitative analysis of discussion forums in online mental health communities whose members routinely write about diagnosis. The analysis concerns the function of diagnosis from the perspective of personal identity, with particular focus on the status of official diagnosis, as well as community members’ discussions of symptoms and psychiatric syndromes that amount to informal diagnosis or consultation. Self-diagnosis sometimes takes the form of recommended “quizzes” and other online quasi-diagnostic tools. Other-diagnosis, in which a third party is discussed by community members, is also considered. We discuss the implications of such online discourse for Internet users themselves as well the challenges for the health and medical professions.
The Effects of Judicial Campaign Activity on the Legitimacy of Courts
Authors: Gibson James L. , Gottfried Jeffrey A. , Delli Carpini Michael X. , Jamieson Kathleen Hall
Published: August 2010

The purpose of this article is to investigate the consequences of judicial campaign activity for the perceived legitimacy of the Pennsylvania judiciary. The authors find that politicized campaign ads do detract from court support, although they find practically no difference between traditional campaign ads (e.g., presenting endorsements from groups) and strong attack ads. But this finding must be understood within the context of the 2007 Pennsylvania election increasing court support for all respondents, even those exposed to the most politicized ad content. Being exposed to politicized ads seems to retard the benefits of elections but does not eliminate them.
On the Relationship between Public Opinion and Decision Making in the U.S. Courts of Appeals
Authors: Calvin Bryan , Collins Paul M. , Eshbaugh-Soha Matthew
Published: August 2010

The authors explore whether the federal courts act as countermajoritarian institutions by investigating the influence of public mood on decision making in the U.S. Courts of Appeals from 1961 to 2002. The results indicate that public opinion affects courts of appeals decision making indirectly through judicial replacements and institutional constrains from Congress, but the authors fail to uncover evidence that courts of appeals judges respond directly to changes in public opinion. They conclude that, absent membership turnover in the circuit or in Congress, the courts of appeals are not responsive to the will of the public.
The Impact of Overreporting on MMPI-2-RF Substantive Scale Score Validity
Authors: Burchett Danielle L. , Ben-Porath Yossef S.
Published: August 2010

This study examined the impact of overreporting on the validity of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2—Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) substantive scale scores by comparing correlations with relevant external criteria (i.e., validity coefficients) of individuals who completed the instrument under instructions to (a) feign psychopathology or (b) feign somatic complaints, with validity findings for a control group of individuals who completed the MMPI-2-RF under standard instructions. Validity coefficients for MMPI-2-RF substantive scale scores were much weaker for feigners than for controls. The authors also found mean profiles to be more elevated for feigners than for controls. Effects were more extreme for psychopathology feigners than for somatic feigners. The results demonstrate the detrimental effect that overreporting psychopathology or somatic problems has on the validity of MMPI-2-RF scale scores. The findings illustrate the need for validity indices in self-report measures of personality and psychopathology.
Dynamic Analysis of a Slow-active Suspension System Based on a Full Car Model
Authors: ElMadany Mohamed M , Qarmoush Abdullah O
Published: August 2010

In this paper, a methodology for the design and evaluation of a slow-active vehicle suspension system is developed. The suspension consists of a limited bandwidth actuator in series with a passive spring; the combination being in parallel with a passive damper. An optimal multivariable controller is designed for a full car model. The controller takes the form of a linear quadratic regulator with supplementary states for added integral action. The car model is formulated as a linear lumped parameter model, comprised of five discrete rigid bodies. The three-dimensional vibratory motions of the vehicle are described in terms of seven degrees-of-freedom: bouncing, pitching and rolling motions of the sprung mass, and the bouncing motion of each unsprung mass. An integrated investigation of vehicle dynamics, roadway excitations and performance measures is developed in order to investigate the dynamic analysis and design of vehicle suspension systems and the consequences of vehicle ride quality. The ride isolation performance and road-holding qualities of the slow-active system are compared to those of a full bandwidth active suspension and a typical passive suspension system. The simulation results lead to the conclusion that the optimal control theory provides a useful mathematical tool for the design of active suspension systems. The optimally-controlled suspension designs prove to be effective in controlling vehicle vibrations, and achieve better performance than the conventional passive suspension. The slow-active systems offer significant improvements in controlling body resonances. In fact, the slow-active system tracks its full bandwidth active counterpart. The low power consumption capabilities of this type of system compared to full bandwidth active systems render it to be an attractive candidate for providing good ride qualities, with its real time implementation being promising.
Social Skills Interventions for Children With High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Schreiber Catherine
Published: August 2010

While the number of children diagnosed with high-functioning autistism spectrum disorders (HFASD) continues to rise, the number of research-based methods to meet the needs of this population lags behind. Social dysfunction is perhaps the most pervasive and debilitating deficit for those diagnosed with HFASD. This article presents a narrative review of representative research conducted since the year 2000 concerning social skills interventions for school-aged children and adolescents with HFASD and presents conclusions based on the studies reviewed.
Effects of input on the early grammatical development of bilingual children
Authors: Blom Elma
Published: August 2010

This study investigates the language development of 2- to 3-year-old Turkish—Dutch bilingual children with different amounts of input quantity. Developmental patterns in spontaneous speech data of the bilingual children are compared to those of monolingual children of the same age. It is found that low input quantity leads to slower grammatical development, but only if input is clearly reduced. The observation that not only mean length of utterance but also the development of finiteness can show pronounced delays in bilingual language acquisition contradicts maturational views of grammatical development. However, such overall delays are expected given input-based theories of grammatical acquisition. All four bilingual children show difficulties in establishing the relation between finiteness and expression of grammatical subjects in Dutch. It is argued that cross-linguistic influence, driven by surface overlap between Turkish and Dutch, may account for this observation.
The midgestational maternal blood pressure decline is absent in mice lacking expression of the angiotensin II AT2 receptor
Authors: Carey Luke C , Rose James C
Published: August 2010

The midgestational maternal blood pressure (BP) decrease is absent in mice treated with an angiotensin II AT2 receptor blocker. We tested the hypotheses that there would be 1) no midgestational decrease in maternal systolic BP (SBP) in AT2-/- mice, and 2) a pattern of increased AT2 and/or decreased AT1a mRNA expression in tissues from normal (wild-type, WT) mice, corresponding with SBP changes. Heart, aorta, placenta and kidney tissue were obtained from WT and AT2-/- mice before pregnancy and on gestational days (Gd) 5-6, 12-13 and 18-19. AT1a and AT2 mRNA expression was quantified. SBP was measured. SBP was significantly decreased in WT Gd12-13 mice, but did not change during pregnancy in AT2-/- mice. In WT mice, aortic AT1a mRNA expression levels were significantly higher at Gd12-13 and Gd18-19 compared with before pregnancy. AT1a kidney and heart mRNA did not change during pregnancy. There were no changes in AT2 mRNA expression. There was no distinct pattern of change in AT1a expression in AT2-/mice. Placental AT1a and AT2 expression levels increased markedly between Gd12-13 and Gd18-19 in WT mice. We conclude that the AT2 receptor is essential for the midgestational SBP decline in WT mice. There is no consistent relationship between changes in tissue angiotensin II receptor mRNA expression and SBP in WT mice.
The expression of renin-angiotensin system components in the human gastric mucosa
Authors: Hallersund Peter , Elfvin Anders , Helander Herbert F , Fändriks Lars
Published: August 2010

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to map the distribution of representative protein components of the renin—angiotensin system (RAS) in the human gastric mucosa. Materials and methods: Biopsies from the antral and corporal mucosa of healthy Helicobacter pylori negative and positive volunteers were assessed by histology, Western blot and immunohistochemistry for angiotensin II subtype 1 and 2 receptors (AT1R, AT2R) and other RAS components (angiotensinogen, renin, angiotensin converting enzyme, and neprilysin). Mucosal levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) served as a protein marker of neutrophil infiltration. Results: AT1R and AT2R were located in a variety of cells in the human gastric mucosa, including AT1R on a subpopulation of endocrine cells in the antral mucosa. Angiotensinogen and renin were expressed by resident mesenchymal cells in lamina propria. All investigated RAS components were found in vascular endothelial cells. The AT1R protein expression was 3—4 times higher in the gastric mucosa of H. pylori positive subjects compared to the gastric mucosa of H. pylori negative subjects (p<0.05). Gastric mucosal AT1R protein expression correlated positively with neutrophil infiltration (r=0.7, p<0.05).

Conclusions: Protein components of RAS are present in the human gastric mucosa. The results suggest an angiotensin II mediated impact on mucosal epithelial functions, antral endocrine properties, microvascular permeability, and gastric inflammation.
Prototypes and primitive huts
Authors: Hill Jonathan
Published: August 2010

Established during the Italian Renaissance, the term ‘design’ derives from the Italian disegno , meaning ‘drawing’, suggesting both the drawing of a line on paper and the drawing forth of an idea. Consequently, the drawing is familiarly understood as the prototype for building. However, in this text, I suggest that the term ‘prototype’ is applicable to all stages of the architectural process, from drawing to building to using, as well as evolving conceptions of the architect.