bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cholinergic Deficit and Response to Donepezil Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease with Dementia
Authors: Hiraoka Kotaro , Okamura Nobuyuki , Funaki Yoshihito , Hayashi Akiko , Tashiro Manabu , Hisanaga Kinya , Fujii Toshikatsu , Takeda Atsushi , Yanai Kazuhiko , Iwata Ren , Mori Etsuro
Published: July 2012

Background: Although donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, has been proved to be effective in ameliorating cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease with dementia (PDD), the responsiveness of patients to donepezil therapy varies. [5-11C-methoxy]donepezil, the radiolabeled form of donepezil, is a ligand for positron emission tomography (PET), which can be exploited for the quantitative analysis of donepezil binding to acetylcholinesterase and for cholinergic imaging. Objectives: To investigate the deficits of the cholinergic system in the brain in PDD and its association with response to donepezil therapy. Methods: Twelve patients with PDD and 13 normal control subjects underwent [5-11C-methoxy]donepezil-PET imaging. For patients with PDD, daily administration of donepezil was started after [5-11C-methoxy]donepezil-PET imaging and continued for 3 months. Results: In the PDD group, the mean total distribution volume of the cerebral cortices was 22.7% lower than that of the normal control group. The mean total distribution volume of the patients with PDD was significantly correlated with improvement of visuoperceptual function after 3 months of donepezil therapy. Conclusion: The results suggest that donepezil therapy is more effective in patients with less decrease in acetylcholinesterase, a binding site of donepezil, at least in the specific cognitive domain.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Memory Aid System
Authors: Bayen Ute J. , Dogangün Aysegül , Grundgeiger Tobias , Haese André , Stockmanns Gudrun , Ziegler Jürgen
Published: July 2012

Background: The ability to remember future intentions is compromised in both healthy and cognitively impaired older adults. Assistive technology provides older adults with promising solutions to cope with this age-related problem. However, the effectiveness and efficiency of such systems as memory aids is seldom evaluated in controlled, randomized trials. Objectives: We evaluated the effectiveness of a memory aid system, the InBad (engl. InBath), for bathroom-related daily care. Conceptually, the InBad learns user behavior patterns and detects deviations from the learned pattern in order to notify the user of a forgotten task. Methods: We simulated a challenging morning routine consisting of 22 bathroom activities with a sample of 60 healthy older adults. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: (1) ‘no memory support’, i.e. participants received no support at all, (2) ‘list support’, i.e. participants could retrieve a list of all activities, and (3) ‘system support’, i.e. participants received prompts for specific activities that had not yet been executed. Results: Both support groups executed significantly more activities compared to the ‘no support’ group. In addition, system support resulted in significantly better performance compared to list support with no significant differences between the two groups in overall task duration. Conclusion: The assistive support system was the most effective and efficient memory aid. The results suggest that assistive technology has the potential to enable older adults to remain safe and independent in their own home.
Prostate Biopsy Quality Is Independent of Needle Size: A Randomized Single-Center Prospective Study
Authors: Cicione Antonio , Cantiello Francesco , De Nunzio Cosimo , Tubaro Andrea , Damiano Rocco
Published: July 2012

Objective: To evaluate sample quality, prostate cancer detection rate and biopsy morbidity in transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy (PBx) using 16- or 18-gauge Tru-Cut needles. Patients and Methods: Patients undergoing TRUS PBx were consecutively randomized with a 1:1 ratio into two study arms: group A (16-gauge needle) and group B (18-gauge needle). Core fragmentation and small specimen length (<10 mm) rate were the sample quality criteria. Three consecutive visual analog scale tests for pain and the Clavien surgical classification complications grading for rectal bleeding were used to evaluate TRUS PBx morbidity. Results: Overall, 250 patients were evaluated. No statistically significant difference between 16- and 18-gauge biopsy needles was recorded for cancer detection rate (29.6 vs. 30.4%, p = 0.890), core fragmentation rate (5 vs. 7%, p = 0.425) and shorter specimen (2 vs. 2%, p = 0.309). Pain control was similar in the two groups during the biopsy, 30 min after biopsy and the evening of the same day. Very small or absent bleeding was the more frequent complication observed in each group. Conclusion: Prostate detection rate and sample quality were not influenced by needle size. A 16-gauge needle biopsy does not increase TRUS PBx morbidity.
Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea With Risk of Serious Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Loke Yoon K. , Brown J. William L. , Kwok Chun Shing , Niruban Alagaratnam , Myint Phyo K.
Published: July 2012

Background—

The relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cardiovascular events remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review to determine the incident risk of cardiovascular events among patients with OSA.

Methods and Results—

We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE in January 2011 for prospective studies that followed up patients with OSA for incident ischemic heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality. Outcomes data were pooled using random effects meta-analysis and heterogeneity assessed with the I
2
statistic. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of different gradations of OSA severity based on apnea-hypopnea index. We identified 9 relevant studies from 1731 citations. OSA was associated with incident stroke in a meta-analysis of 5 studies (8435 participants), odds ratio (OR) 2.24; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.57–3.19; I
2
=7%. A significant association was seen in studies that were predominantly on men; OR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.91–4.31, whereas data on women were sparse. In the overall analysis of 6 studies (8785 participants), OSA was nonsignificantly associated with ischemic heart disease (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 0.83–2.91), with significant findings in the 5 studies that recruited mainly men (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.06–3.48). Substantial heterogeneity was noted (I
2
=74%). OSA was linked to cardiovascular death in 2 studies involving 2446 participants (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.20–3.65, I
2
=0%). Regression analysis showed greater likelihood of stroke or cardiovascular events with increasing apnea-hypopnea index values.

Conclusions—

OSA appears to be associated with stroke, but the relationship with ischemic heart disease and cardiovascular mortality needs further research.
Calcium Leak Through Ryanodine Receptors Leads to Atrial Fibrillation in 3 Mouse Models of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: Shan Jian , Xie Wenjun , Betzenhauser Matthew , Reiken Steven , Chen Bi-Xing , Wronska Anetta , Marks Andrew R.
Published: July 2012

Rationale:

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, however the mechanism(s) causing AF remain poorly understood and therapy is suboptimal. The ryanodine receptor (RyR2) is the major calcium (Ca
2+
) release channel on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) required for excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac muscle.

Objective:

In the present study, we sought to determine whether intracellular diastolic SR Ca
2+
leak via RyR2 plays a role in triggering AF and whether inhibiting this leak can prevent AF.

Methods and Results:

We generated 3 knock-in mice with mutations introduced into RyR2 that result in leaky channels and cause exercise induced polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in humans [catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)]. We examined AF susceptibility in these three CPVT mouse models harboring RyR2 mutations to explore the role of diastolic SR Ca
2+
leak in AF. AF was stimulated with an intra-esophageal burst pacing protocol in the 3 CPVT mouse models (RyR2-R2474S
+/−
, 70%; RyR2-N2386I
+/−
, 60%; RyR2-L433P
+/−
, 35.71%) but not in wild-type (WT) mice (
P
<0.05). Consistent with these in vivo results, there was a significant diastolic SR Ca
2+
leak in atrial myocytes isolated from the CPVT mouse models. Calstabin2 (FKBP12.6) is an RyR2 subunit that stabilizes the closed state of RyR2 and prevents a Ca
2+
leak through the channel. Atrial RyR2 from RyR2-R2474S
+/−
mice were oxidized, and the RyR2 macromolecular complex was depleted of calstabin2. The Rycal drug S107 stabilizes the closed state of RyR2 by inhibiting the oxidation/phosphorylation induced dissociation of calstabin2 from the channel. S107 reduced the diastolic SR Ca
2+
leak in atrial myocytes and decreased burst pacing–induced AF in vivo. S107 did not reduce the increased prevalence of burst pacing–induced AF in calstabin2-deficient mice, confirming that calstabin2 is required for the mechanism of action of the drug.

Conclusions:

The present study demonstrates that RyR2-mediated diastolic SR Ca
2+
leak in atrial myocytes is associated with AF in CPVT mice. Moreover, the Rycal S107 inhibited diastolic SR Ca
2+
leak through RyR2 and pacing-induced AF associated with CPVT mutations.
Responsible Tax as Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Muller Alan , Kolk Ans
Published: July 2012

Anecdotal evidence often suggests that multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in developing countries “exploit their multinationality” to avoid paying taxes to host governments. This article explores the concept of “responsible tax” as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) issue for MNEs, based on the notion that MNEs face considerable variation in the extent, monitoring, and application of tax laws internationally. This variation creates a “moral free space” as to which tax payments to make. Using firm-level data from three important sectors in India, the authors explore whether foreign MNE subsidiaries pay higher taxes than local firms, and whether, in the case of MNEs, there are differences between subsidiaries of MNEs with and without a reputation for CSR. The results show that MNEs pay considerably higher effective tax rates than do local firms, and MNE subsidiaries known for CSR pay more tax than do MNE subsidiaries less known for CSR. This set of findings suggests that MNEs operating in India see taxation in developing countries in relation to CSR.
Confidence Intervals Make a Difference
Authors: Hoekstra Rink , Johnson Addie , Kiers Henk A. L.
Published: July 2012

The use of confidence intervals (CIs) as an addition or as an alternative to null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) has been promoted as a means to make researchers more aware of the uncertainty that is inherent in statistical inference. Little is known, however, about whether presenting results via CIs affects how readers judge the probability that an effect is present in the population of interest and whether a replication would be likely to reveal the same results. In the present study, 66 PhD students were asked to interpret statistical outcomes presented as CIs or as conventional statistics ( t statistics and associated p values). Fewer misinterpretations of statistics—such as accepting the null hypothesis—and more references to effect size were found when results were presented as CIs. Furthermore, participants tended to be more certain about the existence of a population effect in the expected direction and about the replicability of the results when the results were presented following the conventions of NHST than when presented using CIs. Contrary to expectations, no evidence of a more precipitous drop in the belief of the existence of a population effect and replicability estimates when p values exceeded the significance level of .05 was found when data were presented using NHST instead of by CIs.
The Underexplored World of Remedial Law in Public Administration Scholarship
Authors: Chanin Joshua M.
Published: July 2012

Remedial law involves the use of litigated reform and injunctive relief to bring misfeasant state and local bureaucracies in line with federal law. This article highlights the need for further scholarly engagement with remedial law. It also indicates that within each stage of the remedial process lies a series of important research questions, making the area fertile ground for the very type of administrative expertise and agency-centric approaches that are lacking from our scholarly discourse. Attention to remedial law would not only strengthen the management of rights-driven reform but also contribute to the ongoing legitimacy of the public administration field.
Public-Interest Institutionalism
Authors: Ginosar Avshalom
Published: July 2012

Two ongoing debates in regulation research concentrate on public-interest versus private-interest theories, and actor-centered theories versus institutionalism. The first controversy is about the origins and goals of regulation, and the latter is about the analysis of regulatory processes. A theoretical framework that combines these four concepts is suggested. Four patterns of regulation are presented; each addresses a regulatory goal as well as a regulatory process. Each pattern is associated with a different type of regulator: the selfish, the manipulative, the combative, and the coordinating. The author argues that by employing institutional considerations and tools, the coordinating regulator best serves the public interest.
An Evaluation of Item Response Theory Classification Accuracy and Consistency Indices
Authors: Wyse Adam E. , Hao Shiqi
Published: July 2012

This article introduces two new classification consistency indices that can be used when item response theory (IRT) models have been applied. The new indices are shown to be related to Rudner’s classification accuracy index and Guo’s classification accuracy index. The Rudner- and Guo-based classification accuracy and consistency indices are evaluated and compared with estimates from the more commonly applied IRT-recursive procedure using a simulation study and data from two large-scale assessments. Results from the simulation study and practical examples suggested that the Guo- and Rudner-based indices tended to produce estimates that were closer to the simulated values and exceeded those from the IRT-recursive-based procedure. However, results did suggest that the Rudner- and Guo-based indices can have some undesirable features that are important to keep in mind when applying them in practice. The values of the classification accuracy and consistency indices appeared to be affected by a number of factors including the distribution of examinees, test length, the placement of the cut-scores, and the proficiency estimators applied to estimate examinee ability. Suggestions are made that an important part of investigations evaluating classification accuracy and consistency indices should be the creation of figures that show the value of the classification accuracy and classification consistency for individual examinees across the range of possible scores as these figures can help provide indications into subtle and important differences between indices.
The Muslim Minority in Greek Historiography: A Distorted Story?
Authors: Katsikas Stefanos
Published: July 2012

This article provides a bibliographical review of the major academic works which have been published in or translated into Greek and deal with the life of the Muslim minority of Greece. The article focuses on the methodological approach of these works, the time of their publication and the research fields which they cover or disregard. It argues that Greek academic works on the subject are highly influenced by the climate of Greek–Turkish relations. Most remain silent about Muslim populations who lived in the country prior to 1923 and focus on the Muslims of western Thrace, of whose minority life they give a distorted picture. This has started to change since 1989, but there is still a long way to go until Greek academia overcomes its biased, emotional and politically-influenced modus operandi on the subject and adopts a more dispassionate approach.
Masculinity and Catholicism: The Leagues of the Sacred Heart in Belgium, 1900–1940
Authors: Van Osselaer Tine
Published: July 2012

From the late nineteenth century onwards, concerns about men’s piety and the alleged incompatibility of masculinity and religion increasingly pervaded Catholic discourse. In order to counter that criticism, the Catholic clergy was willing to develop initiatives to improve and display men’s religious involvement. These Catholic initiatives have received little scholarly attention, and this article therefore focuses on the Leagues of the Sacred Heart for men, an all-male Catholic movement. More specifically, it examines the Belgian Leagues, one of the most successful branches of this male apostolate, and analyses the practices and discourses they adopted to attract a large membership. Focusing on this appeal to men, the article sheds new light on the importance of demonstrative Catholic masculinity and the uneasy fit between a hierarchically structured Church and the ideal of (male) democratic equality.
A narrative literature review of the contribution of volunteers in end-of-life care services
Authors: Morris Sara , Wilmot Amanda , Hill Matthew , Ockenden Nick , Payne Sheila
Published: July 2012

Background:

Volunteers are integral to the history of hospices and continue to play a vital role. However, economic, policy and demographic challenges in the twenty-first century raise questions about how best to manage this essential resource.

Aim:

This narrative review explores the recent literature on end-of-life care volunteering and reflects upon the issues pertinent to current organisational challenges and opportunities.

Design:

The parameters of the review were set deliberately wide in order to capture some of the nuances of contemporary volunteer practices. Articles reporting on research or evaluation of adult end-of-life care services (excluding prison services) that use volunteers and were published in English between 2000 and 2011 were included.

Data sources:

Seven electronic databases, key journals and grey literature databases.

Results:

Sixty-eight articles were included in the analysis. The articles were drawn from an international literature, while acknowledging that volunteer roles vary considerably by organisation and/or by country and over time. The majority of articles were small in scale and diverse in methodology, but the same topics repeatedly emerged from both the qualitative and quantitative data. The themes identified were individual volunteer factors (motivation, characteristics of volunteers, stress and coping, role boundaries and value) and organisational factors (recruiting for diversity, support and training and volunteers’ place in the system).

Conclusions:

The tensions involved in negotiating the boundary spaces that volunteers inhabit, informality and regulation, diversity issues and the cultural specificity of community models, are suggested as topics that merit further research and could contribute to the continuing development of the volunteer workforce.
Alcohol and Other Drug Use in Middle School
Authors: Wormington Stephanie V. , Anderson Kristen G. , Tomlinson Kristin L. , Brown Sandra A.
Published: July 2012

The current study examined the impact of supportive social relationships (i.e., teacher support, adult support, school relatedness) and peer victimization on middle school students’ substance use. Over 3,000 middle school students reported on alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use, supportive social relationships, and instances in which they were the victim of aggressive behavior. Mixed-effects logit regression analyses revealed complementary patterns of results across types of substances. Students who perceived high levels of social support were less likely to report alcohol and drug use initiation, particularly at low levels of peer victimization. Gender moderated the negative effect of peer victimization, with highly victimized boys most likely to report alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use. Results indicated a complex interplay of social influences and moderating variables in predicting early onset alcohol and other drug use, one that researchers should consider when studying adolescents’ decisions to use alcohol and other drugs.
Results of a 2-year retrospective cohort study of newly prescribed triptan users in European nationwide practice databases
Authors: Ng-Mak Daisy S , Chen Ya-Ting , Ho Tony W , Stanford Bianca , Roset Montse
Published: July 2012

Objective: This study was conducted to characterize prescription refill patterns for triptans among European patients with new prescriptions of triptans.

Background: Persistency with prescriptions of triptan monotherapy for migraine headache among newly prescribed users in European primary-care practices has not been well described.

Methods: Using electronic medical databases in the UK ( N = 3618), France ( N = 2051) and Germany ( N = 954), we conducted a retrospective cohort analysis to identify refill patterns over 2 years among migraineurs receiving new prescriptions of triptan monotherapy in 2006.

Results: Of all patients, >33% of migraineurs with new triptan prescriptions received ≥1 refill of their index triptan prescriptions (UK, 44.3%; France, 34.2%; Germany, 37.7%). More than 50% never received index-triptan refill prescriptions (UK, 55.7%; France, 65.8%; Germany, 63.3%). Small proportions of patients (<7.0%) switched to alternative triptans, and even fewer switched to different prescription-medication classes (UK and Germany, 2.3%; France, 4.0%). More than 48% of patients received no further prescriptions for migraine after index prescriptions (UK, 48.5%; France, 54.9%; Germany, 54.7%). After the second year, >83.0% of patients in each country had no further prescriptions for migraine medications, <14.0% remained persistent with index prescriptions, <4.0% switched to other triptans, and <3.0% switched to alternative medication classes.

Conclusions: In migraine patients who received new prescriptions of triptan monotherapy from their primary-care physicians, poor triptan prescription refill frequency was observed in Europe. Although consistent with potential clinical challenges in migraine management, our findings should be interpreted with caution given certain inherent limitations associated with the database study design. Further research is warranted to confirm our findings and to identify reasons for, or predictors of, triptan discontinuation.
Modelling production processes in a vehicle recycling plant
Authors: Simic Vladimir , Dimitrijevic Branka
Published: July 2012

The European Directive on end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) fundamentally changed the business philosophy of the European vehicle recycling system, which was exclusively profit-oriented. As the dominant participants of this system, vehicle recycling plants (VRPs) are especially affected by its implementation. For VRPs to successfully respond to the prescribed eco-efficiency quotas, investment will be needed to procure modern sorting equipment as well as to achieve full transformation of their production process. However, before VRPs decide to make this very important investment decision, it is necessary to determine the adequacy of such a decision in detail. Consequently, the following questions become unavoidable: Can modernly equipped VRPs conduct profitable business? Are eco-efficiency quotas actually attainable? How will the new changes in vehicle design influence VRPs? To provide answers to these essential questions, a production planning model of a modernly equipped VRP was first developed and then tested extensively using real data. Based on the answers provided by the proposed model testing analysis it was concluded that VRP transformation is not only necessary but completely justified and that the final success of the ELV Directive is realistic.
The Relationship of Negative Self-Schemas and Insecure Partner Attachment Styles With Anger Experience and Expression Among Male Batterers
Authors: McKee Michael , Roring Steven , Winterowd Carrie , Porras Claudia
Published: July 2012

The purpose of the study was to explore how negative self-schemas and partner attachments were related to the experience and expression of anger (i.e., trait anger, inward and outward expression of anger) in a sample of male batterers ( n = 40) who participated in court-mandated group services. They completed the Experience in Close Relationships (ECR), the Young Schema Questionnaire-2 (YSQ-2), the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2), and a demographic sheet. Male batterers who experienced pervasive anger (i.e., trait anger) tended to experience negative self-schemas associated with the Impaired Limits domain (respecting the rights of others, insufficient self-control, entitlement). Male batterers who tended to suppress their anger tended to feel avoidantly attached to their romantic partner and endorsed negative self-schemas associated with the Disconnection and Rejection domain (abandonment, emotional deprivation, defectiveness/shame). Implications for clinical practice with male offenders and future research are discussed.
Risk Factors for Domestic Violence in Curacao
Authors: van Wijk N. Ph. L. , de Bruijn J. G. M.
Published: July 2012

One out of three people (25% of men, 38% of women) in Curacao have experienced some form of domestic violence at some point in their adult lives. The most significant risk factors for domestic violence in Curacao are the female gender, a young age, low education, and experiencing domestic violence victimization in childhood. Divorce, single parenthood, and unemployment increase the risk for women, but not for men. These findings are consistent with current literature on the subject. Further research on the context, nature, and severity of domestic violence in the Caribbean is necessary. Studies should preferably combine the strengths of national crime surveys and family conflict studies: nationally representative samples (including men and women) and questionnaires that include all possible experiences of psychological, physical, and sexual assaults by current and former partners, family, and friends.
Parental Psychological Violence and Adolescent Behavioral Adjustment
Authors: Gagné Marie-Hélène , Melançon Claudiane
Published: July 2012

The role of coping strategies (approach and avoidance) as a mediating factor between parental psychological violence and adolescent behavior problems, both internalized and externalized, as well as the protective role of social support were examined separately for boys and girls. A group of 278 adolescents (mean age: 14.2) were recruited in three high schools located in low, moderate, and high socioeconomic areas. Participants were in the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades, and each completed a self-administered questionnaire. The use of avoidant coping strategies partially mediated the link between parental psychological violence and behavior problems among girls. The use of approach coping strategies partially mediated the link between parental psychological violence and behavior problems among boys. In all cases, coping enhanced this link. No protective role of social support was found. On the contrary, this variable was found to increase the relationship between parental psychological violence and externalized behavior problems among boys. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at strengthening coping skills and social support in adolescents may not be effective in alleviating various behavioral symptoms associated with parental psychological violence. They highlight the importance of prevention of psychologically violent parental practices, instead of only reacting to the problem after it has occurred.
Having to Fight
Authors: Crowther Simon , Goodson Christina , McGuire James , Dickson Joanne M.
Published: July 2012

Existing research that attempts to understand aggressive behavior often focuses on adults and/or individual traits. The present study used a Grounded Theory approach to develop a theoretical framework of how younger adolescents constructed an understanding of their own aggressive behavior within the social context of their lives. The participants were 11 adolescents (aged 12-16) who had previously been involved in incidents of aggression at a school for children with emotional and behavioral difficulties. The identified theoretical framework outlined that aggressive behavior was fundamental to an identity of toughness that participants sought to portray to others. This identity emerged in a hostile peer environment to prevent victimization and establish friendships. The findings are discussed in relation to their clinical implications, limitations, and possibilities for further research.
The Moderating effects of Cluster B Personality Traits on Violence Reduction Training
Authors: Gerhart James I. , Ronan George F. , Russ Eric , Seymour Bailey
Published: July 2012

Cognitive behavioral therapies have positive effects on anger and aggression; however, individuals differ in their response to treatment. The authors previously found that dynamic factors, such as increases in readiness to change, are associated with enhanced outcomes for violence reduction training. This study investigated how less dynamic factors, specifically Cluster B personality traits, moderate the effects of violence reduction training. The authors used mixed modeling to fit growth curves to 14 weeks of anger strategies data and evaluated whether the presence of Cluster B traits affected pretreatment anger levels and rates of change. As expected, overall levels of negative anger strategies decreased across the 14-week treatment. Participants with antisocial, borderline, and histrionic personality features reported higher rates of negative anger strategies, whereas those with narcissistic personality features reported fewer negative anger strategies. Those with antisocial personality features improved at a rate similar to the overall trend of those without Cluster B traits. Those with borderline and histrionic features improved at an accelerated rate.
Social Security in the BRIC Countries
Authors: Pieters Danny , Schoukens Paul
Published: July 2012

On the basis of an extensive literature study on the challenges and perspectives of social security in Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC), the authors of this article have been able to determine a set of 20 common challenges to the BRIC countries. The challenges focused on are the lack of social security paradigm, the coverage of all the (working) population, demography, changing family patterns and internal migration, interaction between economic development and social security, the diversity of economic and social realities within one country, the lack of transparency of the social security system, poverty alleviation and basic needs, the lack of solidarity and interaction between social assistance and social insurance, the weak interconnection between social security actors, the place of private actors in social security, pensions and other income replacement, the access to a qualitative health care and care, inflation and the validity of commitments for the future, identification and information technology–related issues, globalization and worldwide competition and the need for a sustainable financial and economic basis. On the basis of an analysis of each of these challenges, the article aims to give an insight into where the BRIC countries stand today and what their future plans are both on a governmental level and on a nongovernmental level.
Compliance with Baby-Friendly Policies and Practices in Hospitals and Community Health Centers in Quebec
Authors: Haiek Laura N.
Published: July 2012

Background:

Since 2001, Quebec’s ministry of health and social services has prioritized implementation of the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI), which includes the original hospital initiative and its expansion to community services.

Objective:

The objective was to document across the province compliance with the BFI’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding in hospitals, Seven Point Plan in community health centers (CHCs), and International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes (Code).

Methods:

Using managers/staff, mothers, and observers, the author measured the extent of implementation of indicators formulated for each step/point and the Code, based on the revised WHO/UNICEF recommendations.

Results:

Mean compliance scores in Quebec were 3.13 for 140 CHCs (range, 0 to 7) and 4.54 for 60 hospitals/birthing centers (range, 0 to 10). The mean compliance score for the Code was 0.69 for both CHCs and hospitals/birthing centers. The evaluation documented marked variations in implementation level for each of the steps/points and the Code. Also, managers/staff, mothers, and observers differed in their report of BFI compliance for most steps/points and the Code. Facilities that had applied for or obtained BFI designation demonstrated higher compliance with the BFI than those that had not.

Conclusions:

Results disseminated to participating organizations allowed comparisons on a regional/provincial perspective and in relation to BFI-designated facilities. Furthermore, this first portrait of BFI compliance in Quebec provided provincial, regional, and local health authorities with valuable information that can be used to bring about policy and organizational changes to achieve the international standards required for Baby-Friendly certification.
Effects of Therapeutic Touch on Anxiety, Vital Signs, and Cardiac Dysrhythmia in a Sample of Iranian Women Undergoing Cardiac Catheterization
Authors: Zolfaghari Mitra , Eybpoosh Sana , Hazrati Maryam
Published: July 2012

Purpose of the study: To investigate the effects of Therapeutic Touch (TT) on anxiety, vital signs, and cardiac dysrhythmia in women undergoing cardiac catheterization. Design: It was a quasi-experimental study. The participants had no history of hallucination, anxiety, or other psychological problems. Participants had to be conscious and have attained at least sixth-grade literacy level. Participants were randomly assigned into an intervention group ( n = 23; received 10-15 minutes TT), a placebo group ( n = 23; received 10-15 minutes simulated touch), and a control group ( n = 23; did not receive any therapy). Data were collected using Spielberger’s anxiety test, cardiac dysrhythmia checklist, and vital signs recording sheet. Statistical analyses were considered to be significant at α = .05 levels. Findings: Sixty-nine women ranging in age from 35 to 65 years participated. TT significantly decreased state anxiety p < 0.0001 but not trait anxiety ( p = .88), decreased the incidence of all cardiac dysrhythmias p < 0.0001 except premature ventricular contraction ( p = .01), and regulated vital signs p < 0.0001 in the intervention group versus placebo and control group. Conclusions: TT is an effective approach for managing state anxiety, regulating vital signs, and decreasing the incidence of cardiac dysrhythmia during stressful situations, such as cardiac catheterization, in Iranian cardiac patients.
From Course Assignment Paper to Publishable Manuscript
Authors: Rew Lynn
Published: July 2012

Both undergraduate and graduate nursing students are expected to write numerous papers in their educational programs; however, most of these papers are never published. Many students and faculty lack the skills needed to convert a course assignment paper to a publishable manuscript. The purpose of this article is to describe 10 steps that can transform a course assignment paper into a publishable manuscript. These steps include outlining, clarifying the topic, clearly stating the purpose, identifying an appropriate audience, revising with faculty’s feedback, querying journal editors, revising to conform to journal’s author guidelines, requesting and responding to peer feedback, and finally editing and proofreading prior to submitting the manuscript. Faculty members are encouraged to make writing assignments that students can then convert to publishable manuscripts. Such publications form an essential cornerstone of professional holistic nursing.
Creation of an American Holistic Nurses Association Research Consultation Program
Authors: Robertson Sue , Clingerman Evelyn , Zahourek Rothlyn P. , Mariano Carla , Lange Bernadette
Published: July 2012

A goal of the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) Research Committee is to prepare holistic nurses to conduct holistic nursing research. This article describes the creation of a Research Consultation Program and how the knowledge gained from the program will contribute to the development of a formal research mentor program.
High-cycle fatigue simulation for aluminium alloy using cohesive zone law
Authors: Kim Kyungmok
Published: July 2012

This article describes high-cycle fatigue simulation for 7050-T7451 aluminium alloy using cohesive zone law. A three-dimensional finite element model is developed for fatigue behaviour of aluminium alloy subjected to cyclic bending. A bilinear, cycle-dependent cohesive zone law is implemented with a help of experimental S-N (stress amplitude–number of cycles to failure) data. In the finite element model, a cycle jump strategy is used including stiffness degradation and reduction of fracture energy during cyclic loadings. Additionally, bending experiments are conducted with unnotched specimens and S-N curves are determined. Direct comparison of S-N curves between the simulation and the experiment is performed on bilogarithmic scale. Results show that the proposed method provides a good means of simulating high-cycle fatigue behaviour of aluminium alloys.
Scientific citizenship in a democratic society
Authors: Árnason Vilhjálmur
Published: July 2012

Using the example of the sociological analysis of biological citizenship and literacy, it is argued that a merely descriptive analysis of these phenomena does not capture their distinctive normative features. While such a description realistically demonstrates how citizens respond to and are shaped by biotechnology and biomedical discourse, it provides no critique of the forces moulding the citizen-consumer. Ideas of active citizenship fuel the search for forms of public engagement in the spirit of deliberative democracy. While these attempts are guided by an important vision of policy making in democratic society, they are beset with several practical difficulties. It is argued that the discussion of deliberative practices has focused too much on direct participation of citizens in various dialogical events and its impact on policy and decision making. This approach ignores other important aspects of deliberative democratic theory, emphasizing public accountability and trustworthiness of democratic institutions.
Framing of climate change in newspaper coverage of the East Anglia e-mail scandal
Authors: Bowe Brian J. , Oshita Tsuyoshi , Terracina-Hartman Carol , Chao Wen-Chi
Published: July 2012

In late 2009, a series of e-mails related to climate research were made public following the hacking into a server and the e-mail accounts of researchers at the University of East Anglia Climate Research Unit. According to some skeptics of climate change research, the content of those e-mails suggested data were being manipulated, while climate scientists said their words were taken out of context. The news coverage of this scandal provides an opportunity to consider media framing. This study has two aims: to extend previous research using a cluster analysis technique to discern frames in media texts; and to provide insight into newspaper coverage of the scandal, which is often referred to as “Climategate.” This study examines the frames present in two British and two American newspapers’ coverage of the issue.
Bridging Levels of Analysis for Probabilistic Models of Cognition
Authors: Griffiths Thomas L. , Vul Edward , Sanborn Adam N.
Published: July 2012

Probabilistic models of cognition characterize the abstract computational problems underlying inductive inferences and identify their ideal solutions. This approach differs from traditional methods of investigating human cognition, which focus on identifying the cognitive or neural processes that underlie behavior and therefore concern alternative levels of analysis. To evaluate the theoretical implications of probabilistic models and increase their predictive power, we must understand the relationships between theories at these different levels of analysis. One strategy for bridging levels of analysis is to explore cognitive processes that have a direct link to probabilistic inference. Recent research employing this strategy has focused on the possibility that the Monte Carlo principle—which concerns sampling from probability distributions in order to perform computations—provides a way to link probabilistic models of cognition to more concrete cognitive and neural processes.
It’s All Relative
Authors: Lieberman Debra , Smith Adam
Published: July 2012

Animals—human and nonhuman alike—rarely prefer close genetic relatives as sexual partners. Moreover, in the lab and in real life, humans typically react to thoughts of sex with their family members with extreme aversion. Scientists generally agree about why such aversions exist: The sexual avoidance of close genetic relatives evolved because the offspring of close relatives suffer increased risks of disease and death. But how do these sexual aversions develop? Recent research has addressed this question by focusing on people’s aversions to sex with their siblings. Researchers have discovered a set of cues people use during development to estimate whether someone in their social world is likely to be a sibling. When present, these cues typically lead to the development of intense sexual aversions. When the cues are absent, as they are when siblings are reared apart, kin-based sexual aversions tend not to develop. This article discusses the kinship cues regulating the development of sibling sexual aversions and recent work suggesting that the intensity of people’s sibling-directed sexual aversions colors their moral attitudes regarding the sexual behavior of others. Taken together, research on human inbreeding avoidance addresses fundamental questions pertaining to development and mate choice, as well as morality and social policy.
Prospective Memory in Workplace and Everyday Situations
Authors: Dismukes R. Key
Published: July 2012

Forgetting to perform intended actions can have major consequences, including loss of life in some situations. Laboratory research on prospective memory—remembering (and sometimes forgetting) to perform deferred intentions—is growing rapidly, thanks to new laboratory paradigms that are being used to uncover underlying cognitive mechanisms. Everyday situations and workplace situations in fields such as aviation and medicine, which have been studied less extensively, reveal aspects of prospective remembering that have both practical and theoretical implications, which are discussed here. Several types of situations in which individuals are vulnerable to forgetting intentions, but which have not been studied extensively in laboratory research, are described, and ways to reduce vulnerability to forgetting are suggested.
The Self and Science
Authors: Klein Stanley B.
Published: July 2012

In this paper, I have three goals. First, I argue that the self, a concept whose tremendous utility for psychological theory is matched by its absence of clarity, can be meaningfully divided into two broad theoretical categories: the self of neural instantiation and the self of first-person experience (i.e., conscious awareness of personal subjectivity). Second, I discuss the nature of the self of first-person experience and its relation to scientific methods of inquiry. I argue that, in contrast to the self studied by neuroscience (i.e., the systems mediating knowledge of self), the self of conscious experience cannot yet be submitted to satisfying analysis via scientific methodology. Finally, I argue that “reality” does not consist in physicalism, mentalism, idealism, or any other “ism” that implies unity of process or substance. Rather, reality, in my view, is best treated as a plurality (James, 1909/1996) that cannot be confined to one (or two, as in dualism) basic categories.
Young Children Enforce Social Norms
Authors: Schmidt Marco F. H. , Tomasello Michael
Published: July 2012

Social norms have played a key role in the evolution of human cooperation, serving to stabilize prosocial and egalitarian behavior despite the self-serving motives of individuals. Young children’s behavior mostly conforms to social norms, as they follow adult behavioral directives and instructions. But it turns out that even preschool children also actively enforce social norms on others, often using generic normative language to do so. This behavior is not easily explained by individualistic motives; it is more likely a result of children’s growing identification with their cultural group, which leads to prosocial motives for preserving its ways of doing things.
Transcending Temptation Through Abstraction
Authors: Fujita Kentaro , Carnevale Jessica J.
Published: July 2012

Many goals that people pursue are distal in that they cannot be attained in the here and now but rather must be achieved through action across varied social contexts over time. Self-control requires people to make decisions consistent with distal goals when tempted by more immediate rewards. Inspired by construal-level theory, we propose and review evidence that the way in which people subjectively represent, or construe, events systematically influences these decisions. We suggest that high-level construal (the use of cognitive abstraction to extract the essential and goal-relevant features common across a class of events), relative to low-level construal (the process of highlighting the incidental and idiosyncratic features that render a particular event unique), promotes self-control. We discuss implications for future research.
Mechanisms of Cognitive Control
Authors: Dreisbach Gesine
Published: July 2012

Cognitive control enables humans to flexibly switch between different thoughts and actions. An important prerequisite for this cognitive flexibility is the human ability to form and apply general task rules. In this article, I review research investigating the functional role of task rules, with an emphasis on two main findings. First, the shielding function of task rules helps guide attention toward task-related information, thereby reducing possible distraction by irrelevant information. Second, this task shielding has to be relaxed when a task rule changes, thereby making the cognitive system more vulnerable to the intrusion of distracting information. Implications for developmental psychology and higher-level cognition are discussed.
The reactionary art of murder: Contemporary crime fiction, criticism and verisimilitude
Authors: Cobley Paul
Published: July 2012

One way in which specific crime fiction texts achieve prominence is through critical discourses which promote those texts’ ‘superior’ realism, valorizing the texts and setting them apart from neighbouring generic narratives. This article goes back to the 1921 analysis by Roman Jakobson which identifies a small number of strategies by which arguments about realism proceed. Particularly important for crime fiction criticism is that approach to realism, described by Jakobson, which focuses on contiguous details in narrative. In contrast to the claims of realism is the analytic concept of verisimilitude, based on the ‘rules of the genre’ and ‘public opinion’ or doxa. Verisimilitude, it is argued, has the capacity to address the important issue of generic stagnation, an example of which in crime fiction is the increasing reliance on murder (serial, single or repeated) to propel a narrative. Amidst the conformity in the genre, the article identifies complicity in the promotion of realism and the catalytic occurrence of murder as the key constituents of crime fiction. It also points to some exceptions to this tendency.