bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iodine Intake of Slovenian Adolescents
Authors: Štimec Matevž , Fidler Mis Nataša , Smole Katarina , Širca-Čampa Andreja , Kotnik Primož , Zupančič Mirjana , Battelino Tadej , Križišnik Ciril
Published: November 2007

Background: Slovenia is classified as being iodine-deficient. We recently found that Slovenian adolescents are iodine-sufficient (median urinary iodine concentration of the population 140 µg/l) and the prevalence of goiter is low (0.9%). The objective of this study was to evaluate iodine intake, the prevalence of marginal, low and excessive intake (<50, 50–100 and ≧300 µg/day), as well as the main sources of iodine in the diet of Slovenian adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 2,581 adolescents (1,415 girls, 1,166 boys, mean age ± SD 15.6 ± 0.5 years) representing 10% of 15-year-old Slovenian adolescents. Iodine intake was determined using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in the whole population studied (n = 2,485) and weighted 3-day dietary protocols (3DPs) in a subgroup of participants (n = 191). Results: Median iodine intake determined from FFQ was 155.8 µg/day. There was no significant difference between genders. Marginal, low and excessive iodine intake was observed in 3.3, 20.3 and 11.3% of the adolescents, respectively. The major food sources of dietary iodine included table salt (39 % of the mean daily iodine intake), beverages (22%) and milk/milk products (19%). Conclusions: Dietary iodine intake in Slovenian adolescents is adequate, illustrating the effective salt iodization program.
Socioeconomic Position, Race/Ethnicity, and Inflammation in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Ranjit Nalini , Diez-Roux Ana V. , Shea Steven , Cushman Mary , Ni Hanyu , Seeman Teresa
Published: November 2007

Background—

Low socioeconomic position is known to be associated with cardiovascular events and atherosclerosis. Reasons for these associations remain a topic of research. Inflammation could be an important mediating mechanism linking socioeconomic position to cardiovascular risk.

Methods and Results—

This cross-sectional study used data from the baseline examination of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), a study of 6814 men and women 45 to 84 years of age. Race- and ethnicity-stratified regression analyses were used to estimate associations of household income and education with C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 before and after adjustment for infection and medication use, psychosocial factors, behaviors, adiposity, and diabetes mellitus. Low income was associated with higher concentrations of interleukin-6 in all race/ethnic groups. Percent differences associated with 1-SD–lower income were 9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7 to 11), 6% (95% CI, 1 to 10), 8% (95% CI, 4 to 11), and 8% (95% CI, 3 to 13) for whites, Chinese, blacks, and Hispanics. Low levels of education were associated with higher levels of interleukin-6 only among whites and blacks (percent difference in interleukin-6 associated with 1-SD–lower education: 9% [95% CI, 6 to 12] among Whites, and 7% [95% CI, 3 to 10] among blacks). Similar patterns were observed for C-reactive protein. Adiposity was the single most important factor explaining socioeconomic position associations, especially among blacks and whites. A smaller effect was seen for psychosocial factors and behaviors in all race groups.

Conclusions—

Both household income and education are associated with inflammation, but associations vary across race/ethnic groups. Associations likely result from socioeconomic position patterning of adiposity and other factors.
Comparison-Based Algorithms Are Robust and Randomized Algorithms Are Anytime
Authors: Gelly Sylvain , Ruette Sylvie , Teytaud Olivier
Published: November 2007

Randomized search heuristics (e.g., evolutionary algorithms, simulated annealing etc.) are very appealing to practitioners, they are easy to implement and usually provide good performance. The theoretical analysis of these algorithms usually focuses on convergence rates. This paper presents a mathematical study of randomized search heuristics which use comparison based selection mechanism. The two main results are that comparison-based algorithms are the best algorithms for some robustness criteria and that introducing randomness in the choice of offspring improves the anytime behavior of the algorithm. An original Estimation of Distribution Algorithm combining both results is proposed and successfully experimented.
A Note on Problem Difficulty Measures in Black-Box Optimization: Classification, Realizations and Predictability
Authors: He Jun , Reeves Colin , Witt Carsten , Yao Xin
Published: November 2007

Various methods have been defined to measure the hardness of a fitness function for evolutionary algorithms and other black-box heuristics. Examples include fitness landscape analysis, epistasis, fitness-distance correlations etc., all of which are relatively easy to describe. However, they do not always correctly specify the hardness of the function. Some measures are easy to implement, others are more intuitive and hard to formalize.

This paper rigorously defines difficulty measures in black-box optimization and proposes a classification. Different types of realizations of such measures are studied, namely exact and approximate ones. For both types of realizations, it is proven that predictive versions that run in polynomial time in general do not exist unless certain complexity-theoretical assumptions are wrong.
On the Hardness of Offline Multi-objective Optimization
Authors: Teytaud Olivier
Published: November 2007

It has been empirically established that multiobjective evolutionary algorithms do not scale well with the number of conflicting objectives. This paper shows that the convergence rate of all comparison-based multi-objective algorithms, for the Hausdorff distance, is not much better than the convergence rate of the random search under certain conditions. The number of objectives must be very moderate and the framework should hold the following assumptions: the objectives are conflicting and the computational cost is lower bounded by the number of comparisons is a good model. Our conclusions are: (i) the number of conflicting objectives is relevant (ii) the criteria based on comparisons with random-search for multi-objective optimization is also relevant (iii) having more than 3-objectives optimization is very hard. Furthermore, we provide some insight into cross-over operators.
Association of Eating Attitudes Between Teenage Girls and Their Parents
Authors: Yanez Aina A. , Peix Maria A. , Atserias Neus , Arnau Anna , Brug Johannes , Yanez Aina A. , Peix Maria A. , Atserias Neus , Arnau Anna , Brug Johannes
Published: November 2007

Background: Mothers of eating disordered adolescents were more likely to have an eating disorder. However, some contradictory findings were reported because some studies failed to find this association.

Aims: The main objective of the study was to determine the association of eating attitudes in adolescent girls with eating attitudes in their parents.

Methods: A sample of 969 girls from Osona County (Barcelona, Spain) and their parents participated in the study. Girls completed the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and their weight and height were measured. Parents completed questionnaire with self-reported weight and height, demographic characteristics and EAT-26.

Results: 10.1% of girls showed high EAT-26 scores (> 20 points), indicating abnormal eating attitudes. Female adolescents were almost three times more likely to have abnormal eating attitudes if their mothers scored high on EAT-26 (OR = 2.8; 95% CI 1.5—5.2). Other significant predictors of high EAT-26 scores were age and obesity.

Conclusions: An abnormal eating attitude of the mother was identified as a potential risk factor in the development of eating disorders in female adolescents.
Ethnic Disparities in Mental Health and Educational Attainment: Comparing Migrant and Native Children
Authors: Van Oort Floor V.A. , Van der Ende Jan , Crijnen Alfons A.M. , Verhulst Frank C. , Mackenbach Johan P. , Joung Inez M.A.
Published: November 2007

Study background and aims: Ethnic disparities in mental health in adolescence may play a role in the development of ethnic disparities in educational attainment. The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of ethnic disparities in mental health problems in adolescence to ethnic disparities in educational attainment in adulthood.

Methods: We followed two community samples of respectively 486 Dutch native and 168 Turkish migrant adolescents (11—15 years old) into adulthood (21—25 years old). Mental health was measured in adolescence, and educational attainment was assessed in adulthood. The contribution of mental health disparities to educational disparities was estimated by the degree of attenuation of the odds ratio (OR) for low education after adjustment for mental health problems.

Results: Adult Turkish men more often had attained lower education than Dutch men (OR 1.81 (1.01—3.25)). Additional adjustment for mental health problems during adolescence did not change the OR. In Turkish women, however, the OR was 1.94 (1.04—3.62), and adjustment for mental health problems lowered it by 96% to 1.04 (0.51—2.14). The contribution was mostly due to ethnic disparities in internalizing problems.

Conclusion: In women, but not in men, ethnic disparities in mental health, especially internalizing problems, were a strong predictor for the development of ethnic disparities in educational attainment. Prevention or treatment of internalizing problems among Turkish girls will probably contribute to the prevention of educational disparities.
How Children Stigmatize People With Mental Illness
Authors: Corrigan Patrick W. , Watson Amy C.
Published: November 2007

Many advocates have called for more anti-stigma programs targeting the attitudes of children towards people with mental illness as a way to forestall subsequent prejudice and discrimination as they age and develop. In order to better understand how children stigmatize people with mental illness, we reviewed the substantial literature on social cognitive development and ethnic prejudice. This literature suggests a curvilinear relationship. Children as young as three show some endorsement of stereotypes about people of color, which slowly increases and seems to peak around age fi ve to siX. Older children, interestingly, show lower rates of ethnic prejudice. Differences between mental illness and ethnicity-related stigma may influence the form of this relationship and we provide some hypotheses representing this difference. We then summarize the literature on stigma change, focusing on how specific strategies interact with what is known about social cognitive development and prejudice. Strategies that are reviewed include education, contact, social cognitive skills training, role play for empathy, peer interaction, protest and consequences. Implications for continued research in this area are highlighted throughout the article.
Changes in Social Network Diversity and Perceived Social Support After Psychiatric Hospitalization: Results From a Longitudinal Study
Authors: Müller Brigitte , Nordt Carlos , Lauber Christoph , Rössler Wulf
Published: November 2007

Background: There is a large empirical basis for the importance of social networks and support for people with a mental illness. However, only a few studies have eXamined the predictors, changes and correlations of these constructs within a longitudinal framework.

Aim: To analyze changes in social network diversity as measured by the number of social roles and perceived social support over the course of three years after a psychiatric hospitalization while controlling for sociodemographic and clinical variables. A further aim was to inquire whether some social roles are perceived as being more supportive than others.

Method: Random coefficient models were applied to the data of a longitudinal study on the life circumstances of people with affective disorders or schizophrenia ( N = 183).

Results: The majority of participants had relatives, friends and co-workers, while a markedly smaller proportion had a spouse/partner or children. Social network diversity increased during the time period observed while the perception of social support did not change. Being male, without a job (competitive or sheltered), or having a low income predicted less diverse networks. Partners and friends were perceived as most supportive. Persons without a close friendship perceived less overall support, but only at baseline (hospitalization), while persons with a job on the competitive labor market felt better supported.

Conclusions: Social disintegration in the course of mental illness that is found in some studies has no equivalent in our study in what concerns network diversity and perceived support. According to our results, characteristics of vocational and economic integration are of much greater relevance, as they enhance or hinder access to social participation.
Mental Illness Stigma in the Israeli Context: Deliberations and Suggestions
Authors: Tal Amir , Roe David , Corrigan Patrick W.
Published: November 2007

Background: In this paper we deliberate mental illness stigma in the Israeli conteXt and suggest ways to reduce it, emphasizing the community's role in the rehabilitation of persons with mental illness.

Material: A literature review of Israeli and international literature of mental illness stigma.

Discussion: Community mental health, in addition to its traditional focus on developing community-based services, should focus also on community-based interventions such as the delivery of anti-stigma interventions.

Conclusions: Providing individualized rehabilitation services in the community while addressing stigma-induced social barriers may create a better recovery ground for Israelis with mental illness.
Re-Thinking Unemployment: A Challenge to the Legacy of Jahoda et al
Authors: Cole Matthew
Published: November 2007

The research of Jahoda et al. in the Austrian town of Marienthal in the 1930s had a formative influence over the future of unemployment research in the social sciences. This article contends that that research was predicated on a tacit set of beliefs about a gendered relationship between `human nature' and `work'. One consequence of this was that a moral discourse of human nature as fundamentally a working or labouring nature firmly anchored the trajectory of subsequent research into unemployment. This article presents a detailed critique of the moral discourse of human nature that underpins the Marienthal study and its theoretical elaboration into staged theories of psychological response to unemployment, and in so doing argues the necessity for freeing the sociological imagination from the types of belief reproduced by Jahoda et al. as to what human beings, and therefore human societies, are for.
The Relationship Between Gender Equality and Democracy: A Comparison of Arab Versus Non-Arab Muslim Societies
Authors: Rizzo Helen , Abdel-Latif Abdel-Hamid , Meyer Katherine
Published: November 2007

Inglehart and Norris argue that the core clash between the Islamic world and the West is over issues concerning gender equality rather than democracy. However, a comparison between Arab and non-Arab Muslim societies is essential before drawing this conclusion. Here, we compared nations from each society and found significant differences in attitudes toward gender equality, democratic governance and religious identities. We analyzed models predicting support for democracy including views toward gender equality in each set of countries. In non-Arab Muslim countries, there were higher levels of support for women's rights, and those who supported gender equality were significantly more likely to support democracy.The reverse was true in the Arab Muslim countries. We argue that for a complete and unbiased form of democracy to emerge in the Arab Middle East, a rule of law that would protect gender equality, minority rights and citizen inclusion would need to be instituted.
Using Quasi-variance to Communicate Sociological Results from Statistical Models
Authors: Gayle Vernon , Lambert Paul S.
Published: November 2007

This article introduces a sociological audience to `quasi-variances' as a solution to the `reference category problem'.The reference category problem is associated with the interpretation of the effects of categorical explanatory variables within statistical models, and is especially relevant to sociological applications, where categorical explanatory variables are very common. This article presents a selection of examples (using multiple and logistic regression) to illustrate and comment on quasi-variance calculations for sociological models. In addition, the article is augmented with online materials provided by the authors, which aim to help social researchers practise and apply this technique using the popular data analysis software packages SPSS and Stata.The authors conclude that quasi-variance methods offer an attractive and practicable solution to the reference category problem that can, and should, be routinely operationalized by sociological researchers.
Dynamics of Religion and Gender amongst Young British Muslims
Authors: Ramji Hasmita
Published: November 2007

Considerable attention has been given to young British Asian Muslim identity in recent years. Whilst much of the literature has addressed the diasporic and transnational nature of British Muslim identity there has been a growing recognition of the need to address the national context in which this identity is formed. However, there is still a comparative lacuna of information about how religion features in the internal dynamics of this grouping, particularly the gender dynamics involved in the articulation of British Muslim men and women's identities.This article presents extracts from discussions with young British Asian Muslim men and women to explore how religion is mobilized as a power resource in the construction of their gender identity. It discusses how the mobilization of religion is often ambivalent, contradictory and intersected with other social differences, particularly class. The article uses Bourdieu's concepts of capital and field to explore the respondents' interviews.
Are friends and romantic partners the “best medicine”? How the quality of other close relations mediates the impact of changing family relationships on adjustment
Authors: Beyers Wim , Seiffge-Krenke Inge
Published: November 2007

In this longitudinal study, the link between changing relationships between adolescents and their parents and the mediating role of friendships and support from romantic partners on internalizing and externalizing symptoms were analyzed. Based on data on parent—child relationships obtained in 228 adolescents (ages 14 to 17) and their fathers and mothers, three different developmental trajectories were found which were differently linked with internalizing and externalizing symptomatology at ages 17 and 21. The quality of relationships with friends and romantic partners mediated the links between earlier parent—adolescent relationships and later problem behavior. The impact of close relationships with friends and romantic partners as a mediating process between family development trajectories and adaptation was more prominent for females than for males, highlighting the darker side of females' close relationships.
Relationships with intimate partner, best friend, and parents in adolescence and early adulthood: A study of the saliency of the intimate partnership
Authors: Meeus Wim H. J. , Branje Susan J. T. , van der Valk Inge , de Wied Muriel
Published: November 2007

We studied the psychological importance of best friend and intimate partner in the personal network of adolescents and early adults, and links between relationships and emotional problems as well as links between relationships themselves. A series of hypotheses derived from the “intimate partner (IP) general saliency perspective” and “the intimate partner (IP) early adult saliency perspective” was tested. The IP general saliency perspective predicts that the relationship with intimate partner is psychologically more meaningful than the relationship with best friend in adolescence and early adulthood. The IP early adult saliency perspective predicts that the relationship with intimate partner does not have superior psychological value in adolescence and acquires it in early adulthood. Data of Waves 1 and 3 of a six-year longitudinal study of 1041 adolescents and early adults, aged 12—23 at Wave 1, were used. Results showed that when early adults and adolescents make the shift from best friend to intimate partner, relational commitment becomes stronger and emotional problems become smaller, supporting the IP general saliency perspective. Results also showed that only in early adulthood was a stronger commitment to intimate partner related to less emotional problems, and more parental support was linked to stronger relational commitment to intimate partner. These findings clearly support the IP early adult saliency perspective. In sum, when adolescents and early adults make the transition to the intimate partnership they enter a psychologically more meaningful relationship. When individuals enter early adulthood the psychological value of the intimate partner relationship becomes more salient: the quality of the intimate relationship becomes more stable and linked to emotional adjustment.
The norms of filial piety and grandmother roles as perceived by grandmothers and their grandchildren in Japan and South Korea
Authors: Maehara Takeko , Takemura Akiko
Published: November 2007

The purpose of this study was to clarify the differences in relationships between grandmothers and grandchildren in Japan and South Korea. Ninety-seven and 194 pairs of grandmothers and grandchildren from Tokyo and Seoul, respectively, completed measures to assess their evaluations of four types of grandmother roles (“transmission”, “socialization agent”, “secure base”, and “parent surrogate”) and their degree of norms for assisting grandmothers. Only the role of socialization agent was associated with country difference, but not with any demographic factors; it was more highly evaluated by living in Seoul. The norm for assisting grandmothers was higher for both grandmothers and grandchildren in Seoul than in Tokyo. In Seoul, grandmothers' expectations of assistance positively correlated with grandchildren's sense of obligation; however, this was not the case in Tokyo. In addition, in Seoul, the grandmother role of a socialization agent was positively associated with the norm of assistance for both grandmothers and grandchildren. Based on these results, we argue that intergenerational solidarity is stronger in South Korea than in Japan, and that grandmothers in South Korea play influential roles in enhancing the norm of assistance.
Parents' expectations and students' achievement in two western nations
Authors: Neuenschwander Markus P. , Vida Mina , Garrett Jessica L. , Eccles Jacquelynne S.
Published: November 2007

The present study compares the relations of family SES and parents' educational expectations during early adolescence with students' self-concept of ability and academic achievement in mathematics and language in two western countries, Switzerland and USA Participants were drawn from two US longitudinal samples, The Michigan Study of Adolescent Life Transitions (1983) and the Childhood and Beyond study (1990) and a representative sample of Swiss sixth graders (2002). Results from a series of structural equation models indicate a high predictability and stability across nations indicating the broad usefulness of the model for understanding the role of parents' expectations on student's self-concepts and achievement.
Awareness of peers' judgments of oneself: Accuracy and process of metaperception
Authors: Malloy Thomas E. , Albright Linda , Scarpati Stan
Published: November 2007

This research focused on children's awareness of peers' social judgments of them, age differences in accuracy attained, and the process by which accuracy is achieved. Children were accurately aware of peers' perceptions of them on behavioral, social status, and ability dimensions in Grades 1 through 6. Older children were more accurate than younger children, yet even the youngest children were able to accurately infer peers' judgments of them. In terms of process, the best fitting model suggested that academic ability affects both self and others' (i.e., teacher and peers') perceptions, and that self-perception is the basis for predicting others' judgments of oneself. Because self and other perception have a common cause (i.e., academic performance) accuracy is achieved.
The Initiation and Evolution of Interfirm Knowledge Transfer in R&D Relationships
Authors: Faems Dries , Janssens Maddy , van Looy Bart
Published: November 2007

In this study, we examine the process of interfirm knowledge transfer in R&D relationships. Based upon an embedded case study, we develop a model for understanding the initiation and evolution of interfirm knowledge transfer. Complementing previous cross-sectional research, this model points to the importance of legal clauses as a formal design alternative to equity governance structures, expectations of a long-term relationship as a specific indicator of trust, and similarity of technological equipment as an important facilitator for acquisition and assimilation of knowledge. This model also indicates that interfirm knowledge transfer is likely to continue in R&D relationships as long as perceived market threats remain limited and perceived technological complementarities remain extensive. In addition, we point to two strategies to organize an R&D relationship such that continuation of interfirm knowledge transfer is more likely to occur.
A Rhetoric-in-Context Approach to Building Commitment to Multiple Strategic Goals
Authors: Jarzabkowski Paula , Sillince John
Published: November 2007

There are still few explanations of the micro-level practices by which top managers influence employee commitment to multiple strategic goals. This paper argues that, through their language, top managers can construct a context for commitment to multiple strategic goals. We therefore propose a rhetoric-in-context approach to illuminate some of the micro practices through which top managers influence employee commitment. Based upon an empirical study of the rhetorical practices through which top managers influence academic commitment to multiple strategic goals in university contexts, we demonstrate relationships between rhetoric and context. Specifically, we show that rhetorical influences over commitment to multiple goals are associated with the historical context for multiple goals, the degree to which top managers' rhetoric instantiates a change in that context, and the internal consistency of the rhetorical practices used by top managers.
On Lacan and the `Becoming-ness' of Organizations/Selves
Authors: Harding Nancy
Published: November 2007

Poststructuralist accounts of organizations understand them as flows, as verbs in process of always-becoming. Subjects who work `in' organizations are similarly always in a process of becoming. Organization and members are mutually constitutive, each enfolded within the other. The process by which each is enfolded within and constituted by the other is what is explored in this essai. Its aim is to analyse something of the becoming-ness of organizations/selves, in which the researcher-self is imbricated in this becoming-ness and must therefore be part of that which is studied. To achieve this aim I draw on Lacan's concepts: of the mirror stage, or how I am in an agonistic relationship with the other; Nachträglichkeit or the reliving of the past in the present (deferred action); and identification. I apply these concepts to an interview I, an academic, carried out with a manager, emphasizing the importance of these organizational identities in our encounter with each other. The conclusion I reach is that the organization I am `in' is at the same time `in' me: there is no inside and no outside.
The Ubiquity of Organization
Authors: Loasby Brian J.
Published: November 2007

Systems consist of selected elements which are connected in particular ways, and their properties depend both on the elements which they contain and on the organization of these elements. There are many kinds of systems; formal organizations serve to develop and use knowledge, especially complex knowledge, which is itself structured. The ubiquity of organization may be explained by economizing and evolutionary principles. The microfoundations of formal organizations, and of overall economic organization, are to be found in the cognitive capacities and motivations of humans, which lead to the differentiation and integration of knowledge. This theme is explored by bringing together the work of authors spread over two and a half centuries.
Company research
Authors: James Sylvia
Published: November 2007

A considerable amount of company legislation has been added to the European Union (EU) statute book in the last few years. There have also been many initiatives to modernize existing law. Much of the legislation affects every type of company, but some is specific to listed companies, securities markets and financial institutions. It is all very significant for business information professionals, who need to follow these changes, monitor developments and understand the impact on their day-to-day work. This article reviews the major EU company legislation that has been implemented recently and looks at some calls for further controls on company activities and practices. Following a brief review of all the legislation, with links and references for further study, the main part of the article describes the effects and implications for the ongoing and future work of business information professionals.
Staying competitive through continuous improvement
Authors: Beattie Jacqueline
Published: November 2007

Case study describing the realignment of the Business Information Service (BIS) in ABN AMRO. Explains the reasons for change and the plans to incorporate the concept of continuous improvement, helping to ensure the service constantly evolves to meet demands of the organization. Includes a description of the bank and its operations and explains the role of the BIS within it. Explains how the service will be realigned to embrace the principles of continuous improvement, covering changes in both the Research and Support Services sections, and outlines how these changes will be achieved. Concludes that to make a difference, such change must be a constant.
Why Do We Need to Create a Moral Image of the World?
Authors: Pía Lara María
Published: November 2007

This article deals with our constructed notions of evil and how an historical appraisal takes shape after specific stories and narratives become important objects of public deliberation, historical criticism, and disclosive views of what constitutes the moral harms of human cruelty. I analyze the historical representations of the meaning of evil in specific historical times through narratives that have made important contributions to our historical understanding of them. I also propose that our learning from them is the result of public debates, of memory wars, and of important interventions from public intellectuals, writers, historians and witnesses. Therefore, deliberating about human cruelty is always a reconstructive effort to understand and judge what has happened and why it could have been prevented. The term evil is a moral filter that allows us to situate the kind of moral harm that needs a specific lens of moral understanding and a reconfiguration of actions that tie perpetrators to sufferers. Moral harms are better ways to describe the kind of actions that we call evil. The article highlights the relevance of language, disclosive views, criticism, public debate and the ways in which societies cope with their past in order to envision a different future.
Religion and the Project of Autonomy
Authors: Smith Karl E.
Published: November 2007

Despite his own observations that autonomy is never complete, never once-and-for-all — in short, that autonomy is always relatively more-or-less; or rather, human subjects, institutions and societies can only ever be more-or-less autonomous, and thus more-or-less heteronomous — Castoriadis nevertheless polarizes autonomy and heteronomy. From the polarized perspective, then, he maintains that religion is intrinsically heteronomous, and thus intrinsically antithetical to the project of autonomy. By exploring Taylor's more nuanced understanding of the varieties of religious experience, I argue in this article that there must be room for religious belief within an autonomous society, and that religiosity per se is not incompatible with the project of creating an autonomous society.
Clostridium difficile—Associated Diarrhea, an Emerging Epidemic: Therapeutic Options
Authors: Emerson Christopher R.
Published: November 2007

Clostridum difficile—associated disease (CDAD) is the leading cause of infectious diarrhea and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The incidence is estimated to range from 3.4 to 8.4 cases per 1000 hospital admissions, and it has become a growing problem at many institutions. Treatment options for CDAD are limited due to a paucity of new pharmacologic agents and studies examining other potential treatments. Historically oral metronidazole and oral vancomycin have been used as first-line agents in the treating CDAD, however recent reports of treatment failure and recurrence with these agents have surfaced. These reports illustrate a need for novel pharmacologic agents and a thorough review of currently available agents that may have activity against C difficile. Available data on the treatment of CDAD were extracted and reviewed to outline the appropriate management of CDAD.
Possible Increase in Liver Enzymes Secondary to Atorvastatin and Black Cohosh Administration
Authors: Patel Nima M. , Derkits Ramona M.
Published: November 2007

Introduction: Since the publication of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trials, there has been a decline in the use of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). The risks outweighed the benefits in the WHI trials, and therefore women are seeking alternative treatments including herbal remedies to HRT for mitigation of postmenopausal conditions. The authors report a case of drug-herb interaction between black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa ) and atorvastatin leading to elevation in liver enzymes. Case summary: A 53-year-old woman with a past medical history significant for atypical chest pain, family history of coronary artery disease, and menopause discontinued oral HRT and started black cohosh for treatment of her menopausal symptoms. The patient also reported taking atorvastatin, aspirin, glucosamine/chondroitin, and vaginal estradiol (Vagifem® ). Routine lab results revealed an acute elevation of her liver enzymes. At this time, additional blood tests were performed to rule out other plausible causes of acute elevation in liver enzymes, which did not reveal other etiologies. It was recommended that she discontinue the black cohosh immediately due to a potential drug-herb interaction. Following the patient's discontinuation of black cohosh, her liver enzymes decreased within 1 week and completely returned to normal within 1 month. Discussion: Several case reports have associated black cohosh with hepatotoxicity. It was reported that a commercially available formulation of black cohosh may potently inhibit human cytochrome (CYP) 3A4. Inhibition of CYP3A4 by black cohosh could possibly elevate levels of atorvastatin, causing an elevation of liver enzymes. To the authors' knowledge, they report the first case report of drug-herb interaction with use of the black cohosh and atorvastatin. Conclusion: The use of black cohosh concomitantly with atorvastatin may potentially lead to a drug-herb interaction resulting in an elevation of liver enzymes. According to the Naranjo probability scale, there was a possible drug-induced adverse event. Black cohosh should not be routinely recommended for treatment of menopausal symptoms. However, if a patient chooses to use black cohosh against medical advice, particular attention should be given to the potential CYP3A4 drug interactions.
A Review of Drug Interactions With Psychiatric Medicines for the Pharmacy Practitioner
Authors: Kutscher Eric C. , Alexander Bruce
Published: November 2007

With thousands of potential drug interactions, it is next to impossible to remember them all, especially with many people on multiple prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. With the increasing use of psychiatric medicines in the general population, drug interactions may occur without recognition or warning. Pharmacy computer software programs provide help with identifying the majority of potential drug interactions, but these systems are only as good as the user who develops them. Some drug interactions are negligible, whereas others are quite significant. It is most important to remember drug interactions that may have a significant clinical effect. Approximately half of all medications prescribed today are affected by cytochrome P450 enzymes, but other interactions that involve various mechanisms can also be problematic. This review identifies drug interactions that may occur with the most frequently prescribed psychiatric medications and provides a review of selected interactions that may be clinically relevant for the pharmacist to review.
Eszopiclone ingestions reported to Texas poison control centers, 2005—2006
Authors: Forrester Mathias B.
Published: November 2007

Eszopiclone is a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic for the treatment of insomnia and classified as schedule IV controlled substance. Limited information exists on eszopiclone ingestions reported to poison control centers. The distribution of eszopiclone ingestions reported to Texas poison control centers during 2005—2006 was determined for various factors. In addition, triage guidelines for the management of such ingestions were drafted. Of 525 total eszopiclone ingestions, 259 involved coingestants. Of coingestant cases, 78.8% involved suspected attempted suicide and 90.7% were managed at a healthcare facility. Of 266 ingestions of eszopiclone alone, 40.2% were suspected attempted suicide and 62.0% were managed at a healthcare facility. A final medical outcome and dose ingested were known for 60 ingestions of eszopiclone alone. The mean dose was 28.3 mg (range 0.3—210 mg). Ingestions of eszopiclone alone of ≤6 and >6 mg differed with respect to the proportion involving suspected attempted suicide (0.0% versus 64.7%), final medical outcome of minor or moderate effect (38.5% versus 67.6%) and management at a healthcare facility (34.6% versus 91.2%). Using 6 mg as a threshold dose for referral to a healthcare facility, 78% of cases not already at/en route to a healthcare facility were managed according drafted triage guidelines. Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26, 795— 800
Functional alterations of rabbit erythrocytes induced by Loxosceles gaucho venom
Authors: Barretto Orlando Cesar de Oliveira , Soeiro Prestes Karina , Figueiredo Fonseca Lorena Kessia , Achucarro Silveira Paulo Augusto
Published: November 2007

Loxoscelism is the syndrome caused by the brown spider Loxosceles gaucho bite in humans. Its effect on erythrocytes has been studied in humans, rabbits, pigs and guinea pigs. In this study, the damage that the L gaucho spider venom causes to the structure and function of erythrocytes in vivo was investigated in rabbits. Before and after the rabbits were envenomed, membrane proteins were studied through polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and membrane function was ascertained using the osmotic fragility test, together with the highly sensitive technique of ektacytometry. Six New Zealand rabbits were inoculated by intradermal injection into the dorsal region (10 μg of venom/kg of body weight in 0.2 mL of saline). Blood was collected at 24, 48, 72 and 120 h after inoculation. The membrane protein study did not reveal any alteration in their relative band concentrations, but the osmotic fragility test showed increased hemolysis in slightly hypotonic sodium chloride solutions (at 0.6 and 0.55%). In addition, the ektacytometer study revealed greater deformability to increasing shear stress on the order of 3—30 Pascals when compared with controls, showing that the L gaucho venom does in fact alter red cell function. Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26 , 817— 821
Hepatoprotective role of captopril on paraquat induced hepatotoxicity
Authors: Elmi A. , Sadeghi Zh , Elmi S. , Daraei B. , Ghazi-Khansari M.
Published: November 2007

Paraquat (PQ) is a highly toxic herbicide that is used in most of the countries without restriction. The cytotoxic effect of PQ is mediated by radicals, which are the products of PQ reduction in cells. The anti-oxidative action of captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, appears to be through its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species. In this study, the heptoprotective effect of captopril against PQ-induced hepatotoxicity was evaluated using primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Hepatocytes were isolated from male Wistar rats using a two-step collagenase perfusion, following incubation in the presence of captopril at 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mM with or without PQ (5 mM). Hepatoprotective effects of captopril were studied indicating glutathione level intensity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) formation, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and cell viability every 70 min for 210 min. Captopril at 0.2 mM concentration maintained the LDH leakage, glutathione level and cell viability in the presence of 5 mM PQ. In spite of a significant elevation in TBARs formation in the PQ group, captopril did not show any significant protection. In conclusion, our data reveals that incubation of freshly isolated rat hepa-tocytes with captopril (0.2 mM) significantly protected the hepatocytes against the cytotoxicity of PQ ( P < 0.05). Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26, 789— 794
Early nifurtimox-induced biochemical and ultrastructural alterations in rat heart
Authors: Bartel L.C. , Montalto de Mecca M. , Fanelli S.L. , Rodriguez de Castro C. , Diaz E.G. , Castro J.A.
Published: November 2007

Nifurtimox (Nfx) and Benznidazole (Bz) are being used for the treatment of the acute phase of Chagas' disease. Recently, they were also considered for use in the indeterminate phase. Both the nitroheterocyclic drugs have serious toxic side effects. The mechanism of Nfx toxicity is associated with the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during nitroreduction. Potential effects on cardiac function have not been established yet, despite the well-known cardiopathy often produced by the disease itself. We describe experiments testing some acute effects of Nfx on the male Sprague Dawley rat heart. Nifurtimox was present in the heart at 1, 3 and 6 h after intragastric (i.g) treatment. In vitro studies on Nfx microsomal and cytosolic nitroreductase activities showed that only the microsomal fraction had the ability to nitroreduce it. Cytochrome P450 and cytochrome P450 reductase would be involved in the process as suggested by their response to specific inhibitors. Nifurtimox increased the cardiac protein carbonyl content at 1 and 3 h and decreased the protein sulfhydryl content at 3 h. In addition, 24 h after treatment ultrastructural alterations such as marked cytoplasmic vacuolization, separation and loss of myofibrils and mitochondrial swelling were observed. Results suggest that Nfx administration might aggravate pre-existing adverse cardiac conditions. Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26, 781 — 788
2006 Thesis and Dissertations Report: Family and Consumer Sciences
Authors: Pickard Mary J.
Published: November 2007

Twenty‐five universities reported their graduate students in Family and Consumer Sciences wrote 221 thesis and 79 dissertations in 2006. Students in nutrition completed 93 theses. Thirteen dissertations were from the fields of family relations and institution hotel and restaurant management, and 12 dissertations came from the field of nutrition. Because degree completion with a graduate project is not reported in the Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, this research productivity report accounts for a small fraction of graduate degrees granted in 2006.
An Exploratory Study of the Role Financial Satisfaction Has on the Thought of Subsequent Divorce
Authors: Grable John E. , Britt Sonya , Cantrell Joyce
Published: November 2007

This study is designed to test whether financial satisfaction can be used to distinguish between those who had considered getting a divorce during the past 3 years—an indicator of marital distress—from those who had not. Using a sample of U.S. midwestern individuals (n = 361), a classification and regression tree methodology was used to determine that individuals with a high level of financial satisfaction were significantly less likely to have thought about divorce during the past 3 years. In addition to financial satisfaction, other important factors that can be used to predict the likelihood of thinking about a divorce include di ference in partners' ages, the age of a spouse, self‐esteem, and employment characteristics of the married couple.
Contexts and Corporate Voluntary Environmental Behaviors
Authors: Moon Seong-Gin , deLeon Peter
Published: November 2007

Why do an increasingly large number of firms choose to spend their own money and resources to protect the environment beyond the extant regulatory requirements? This article addresses this question by examining the EPA's Green Lights (GL) voluntary program in which a firm's policy makers made an early commitment to limiting greenhouse gases through the installation of energy-e ficient lighting technology in its facilities. Two theoretical perspectives—resource-based theory and neo-institutional theory—are adopted to investigate the contexts by which a firm is encouraged to undertake voluntary environmental actions and evaluate environmental strategies associated with them. Accordingly, the authors focus on two major contexts: market contexts in which a firm adopts voluntary actions as a strategic response to market pressures and to advance competitiveness; and institutional contexts in which a firm takes voluntary postures as a strategic response to institutional pressures, to obtain institutional legitimacy and weaken regulatory scrutiny. The research results partially support both contexts and their associated strategic behaviors.
Remapping the Boundaries of `State' and `National Identity': Incorporating Diasporas into IR Theorizing
Authors: Adamson Fiona B. , Demetriou Madeleine
Published: November 2007

The structural components of a state are regularly conflated with a state's national identity. In reality, however, the assumption that the boundaries of a state and its national identity are coterminous is problematic. While this has always been the case, changes in the ability of actors in the international system to use communication and transportation technologies to sustain transnational collective identities points to the need for new empirical research in this area. Contemporary diasporas are defined by a national or cultural identity, yet differ from nation-states in terms of their organizational and spatial logics. By comparing diaspora mobilization in two cases, we find that both non-state political entrepreneurs and state elites are using diasporic practices of identity formation as a means of generating economic and political support in an increasingly integrated global economy. This points to discontinuities between a territorially defined states system and deterritorialized practices of collective identity formation.