bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Seasonal Occurrence and Histology of Septate Fibers in Kalopanax Pictus
Authors: Itabashi Tetsuo , Yokota Shinso , Yoshizawa Nobuo
Published: February 2014

Septate wood fibers were abundant in the following parts of growth rings of Kalopanax pictus Nakai: 1) around the vessels, 2) in the vicinity of ray cells, 3) in terminal regions of the growth rings. Septum formation in wood fibers progressed from the initial region (pore zone) towards the terminal region within a current growth ring with progressing 1ignification of the wood fiber walls. Many septate wood fibers at the end of the growth ring had radially continuous septa. Karyokinesis was observed in severa1 wood fibers before the initiation of septum formation, while lignification was in progress after the completion of the S3 layer deposition. This suggests that the septation starts in parallel with the progress of lignification after the deposition of the S3 layer.
Wood Anatomy, Stem Anatomy, and Cambial Activity of Barbeuia (Caryophyllales)
Authors: Carlquist Sherwin
Published: February 2014

Liquid-preserved material of mature sterns of Barbeuia madagascariensis Steud. permiUed analysis of meristematic activities. The species has successive cambia, each producing secondary xylem and phloem; outside of these vascular strands is a nondiffuse lateral meristem, probably functionally a single cell in thickness, which produces radial files of secondary cortex to the outside and conjunctive tissue and vascular cambia to the inside. The secondary xylem of Barbeuia has dimorphism in vessel diameter, reminiscent of vessel dimorphism in other lianas, such as Agdestis. Diffuse parenchyma and tracheids, found in Barbeuia, also occur in Stegnosperma and Agdestis but not other Phytolaccaceae s.l., and are traditionally considered primitive features. Wood anatomy and lateral meristem activity of Barbeuia are distinctive enough to support segregation of the genus from Phytolaccaceae s. s.
Revision of the Culicoides (Avaritia) Imicola complex Khamala & Kettle (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from the Australasian region
Authors: BELLIS GLENN , DYCE ALAN , GOPURENKO DAVID , YANASE TOHRU , GARROS CLAIRE , LABUSCHAGNE KARIEN , MITCHELL ANDREW
Published: February 2014

The monophyly of the Imicola complex, a natural species complex within subgenus C. subgen. Avaritia Fox of the biting midge genus Culicoides Latreille, is supported using morphological and molecular analyses. A diagnosis for the group along with comparative redescriptions of the male and female of the species represented in Australasia, C. brevitarsis Kieffer and C. nudipalpis Delfinado and a description of C. asiatica Bellis sp. nov., are presented together with keys for their specific determination and molecular support for their status.
Chronic Cervical Esophageal Foreign Bodies in Children
Authors: Schramm Jordan C. , Sewell Ryan K. , Azarow Kenneth S. , Raynor Stephen C. , Abdessalam Shahab F.
Published: February 2014

Objectives:

We reviewed the surgical management of chronic cervical esophageal foreign bodies (CCEFBs) in a pediatric population after failed endoscopic retrieval.

Methods:

A descriptive analysis via a retrospective chart review of patients with CCEFBs who failed initial endoscopic management was performed between 2008 and 2013. Details were recorded regarding presenting symptoms, time from symptom onset to diagnosis of the CCEFB, surgical approach, and complications.

Results:

Three patients with CCEFBs unsuccessfully managed with endoscopy were identified. The range of ages at diagnosis was 14 months to 4.5 years. The foreign bodies (FBs) were present for at least 1 month before diagnosis (range, 1 to 10 months). Respiratory symptoms were predominant in all cases. Neck exploration with removal of the FB was performed in each case. Complications included esophageal stricture necessitating serial dilations (patient 1), left true vocal fold paresis that resolved spontaneously (patient 3), and tracheoesophageal fistula with successful endoscopic closure (patient 3). No long-term sequelae were experienced.

Conclusions:

A high index of suspicion is required to recognize CCEFBs in children with respiratory distress. Although endoscopic management remains the first-line treatment, it may fail or may not be possible because of transmural FB migration. In this setting, neck exploration with FB removal is a safe and effective alternative.
Inflammatory Protein Expression in Human Subglottic Stenosis Tissue Mirrors That in a Murine Model
Authors: Haft Sunny , Lee Jennifer Y. , Ghosh Ankona , Philiponis Genevieve , Malaisrie Nora , Leahy Kevin P. , Singhal Sunil , Cohen Noam A. , Mirza Natasha
Published: February 2014

Objectives:

We undertook to describe the genetic and protein composition of subglottic stenosis (SGS) by measuring an array of protein expression and messenger RNA levels within human SGS tissue. We also sought to compare this human array to cytokine expression from a murine model of SGS in order to confirm the effective translational nature of our animal model.

Methods:

Human granulation tissue from 10 patients with early symptomatic SGS was compared to control bronchus. The expression levels of 24 different cytokines were measured by a Luminex protein assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results:

The protein expression in human SGS mirrors that seen in murine SGS. Transforming growth factor β1, interleukin 1β, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 were markedly elevated in both human and mouse SGS tissues. The protein array showed a statistically significant elevation in the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and interferon γ.

Conclusions:

This is the first study, to our knowledge, to measure an array of protein expression within human SGS tissue. The expression profile suggests that symptomatic tracheal granulation tissue is mostly within the early inflammatory phase of wound healing and has only begun fibrotic and angiogenic remodeling. This study validates our murine model of SGS, and also helps to define the exact pathways of tissue injury, in the hope of leading to new treatments for this difficult condition.
Microscopic Examination of Iatrogenic Subglottic Tracheal Stenosis
Authors: Welkoborsky Hans-J. , Hinni Michael L. , Moebius Hartmut , Bauer Lothar , Ostertag Helmut
Published: February 2014

Objectives:

The histopathologic origin of iatrogenic subglottic tracheal stenosis (ISTS) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to use detailed operative microscopy to systematically examine the operative en bloc specimens of patients with ISTS and to observe the histologic and morphological changes in the hopes that these observations will provide insight into the histopathologic origin of these devastating injuries.

Methods:

The operative specimens of 18 patients who underwent open tracheal or laryngotracheal resection for ISTS were examined. Precise morphological characteristics were investigated for each tissue layer, including the adventitia, the outer surface of the perichondrium, the cartilage, the inner surface of the perichondrium, the submucosa, and the mucosa. Each tissue layer was evaluated independently and in relationship to the other layers. The cartilaginous airway was further evaluated relative to the pars membranacea.

Results:

The most common morphological finding in the epithelium was squamous metaplasia with occasional intense inflammation visible in the underlying mucosa, including cicatrization. The underlying cartilage demonstrated ossific metaplasia with sequestration in many cases. By far the most pronounced changes were found in the outer perichondrium and overlying adventitia and included diffuse paucicellular or hyperplastic fibrosis with intense hyperplastic scar formation or hyaline cicatrization. In the pars membranacea, severe scar formation and hyperplastic fibrosis were predominant. Ossific metaplasia was particularly severe in the lateral or outer parts of the tracheal ring, particularly in the vicinity of the adventitia and outer perichondrium. These changes were much more pronounced than the relatively minor changes observed in the submucosa and mucosa.

Conclusions:

The most severe pathologic observations occurred in the lateral tissue layers, ie, the outer perichondrium and adventia. Given that an injury occurs from the tracheal lumen, these tissue layers have the greatest distance from the site of injury. As only minor changes occurred in the inner tissue layers, we hypothesize that these tissues have a greater regenerative capacity than the outer layers. This study supports the theory that the depth of the airway injury is more critical to the development of ISTS than is the extent or length of the injury.
Lipomas of the Internal Auditory Canal and Cerebellopontine Angle
Authors: Bacciu Andrea , Di Lella Filippo , Ventura Elisa , Pasanisi Enrico , Russo Alessandra , Sanna Mario
Published: February 2014

Objectives:

Lipomas of the internal auditory canal (IAC) and cerebellopontine angle (CPA) are exceedingly rare lesions. The purpose of this report was to describe our experience with lipomas of the IAC and CPA and perform a review of the literature.

Methods:

We report 8 cases of lipomas involving the IAC and/or the CPA that were managed at Gruppo Otologico between April 1987 and October 2012.

Results:

Four cases of entirely intracanalicular lipomas were radiologically misinterpreted as vestibular schwannomas and underwent tumor removal by a translabyrinthine approach. Two of these patients experienced postoperative facial nerve palsy. Lipomas were suspected in 4 patients on the basis of imaging findings and were managed conservatively. Of these 4 cases, 3 did not show any growth after an average period of 28 months, and 1 case demonstrated tumor growth on follow-up imaging.

Conclusions:

Neuroimaging represents an extremely important tool for this diagnosis. Attempts to achieve complete resection may result in severe neurologic sequelae, especially in large lesions. Observation with repeated imaging in order to detect growth of the lesion is usually recommended. Debulking of the tumor, mainly aimed at brain stem and cranial nerve decompression, should be considered in cases of disabling and uncontrolled neurologic symptoms and signs.
Effect of Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty on Leptin and Endothelial Function in Sleep Apnea
Authors: Lin Ching-Chi , Wang Ying-Piao , Lee Kuo-Sheng , Liaw Shwu-Fang , Chiu Chung-Hsin
Published: February 2014

Objectives:

This study evaluated the effects of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) on serum leptin levels and endothelial function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Methods:

Fifteen healthy subjects and 35 patients with moderate to severe OSAS who desired UPPP were prospectively enrolled. The serum levels of leptin and nitric oxide derivative (NOx) from their peripheral blood samples were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All subjects participated in sleep studies, which were repeated 3 months after UPPP in the patients with OSAS.

Results:

Before UPPP, the patients with OSAS had a higher serum level of leptin and a lower NOx level than did the control subjects. The serum leptin levels in the 17 of the 35 patients with OSAS who were surgical responders decreased from 24.2 ± 6.1 ng/mL before operation to 15.9 ± 6.0 ng/mL after operation. The serum NOx levels in these 17 patients increased from 18.5 ± 7.5 µmol/L before operation to 27.3 ± 8.2 µmol/L after operation. In the 18 patients who were unresponsive to surgery, the serum leptin and NOx levels remained impaired after the UPPP.

Conclusions:

Successful treatment of OSAS with UPPP leads to the normalization of serum leptin and NOx levels.
Early and Severe Dyspnea After Supracricoid Partial Laryngectomy
Authors: Loyo Myriam , Espinoza Sophie , Giraud Philippe , Laccourreye Ollivier
Published: February 2014

We present the case of a not-yet-reported complication that occurred during the immediate postoperative period after supracricoid partial laryngectomy. We include a review of the literature on complications following this procedure, emphasizing technical considerations that are critical during this surgery. Clinical, diagnostic, and operative findings are presented, as is a differential diagnosis for early and severe postoperative dyspnea following supracricoid laryngectomy.
Alternative to Canal Wall–Down Mastoidectomy for Sclerotic Mastoid Cavities
Authors: Heo Kyung Wook , Kang Myung Koo , Park Jae Yeong
Published: February 2014

Objectives:

Surgical procedures for chronic ear disease can be grossly divided into two tympanoplasty procedures: canal wall–up and canal wall–down (CWD) mastoidectomies. The choice depends on the surgeon’s preference. Epitympanoplasty with mastoid obliteration (EMO) has shown postoperative results similar to those of CWD mastoidectomy with long-term follow-up. In this study, we compared the outcomes of EMO and CWD mastoidectomy in preoperatively sclerotic mastoid cavities with cholesteatoma, chronic otitis media with poor eustachian tube function, or adhesive otitis media. The operations were performed by the same surgeons in order to eliminate any effect of surgeon preference on the surgical outcomes.

Methods:

We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent tympanoplasty with EMO (EMO group) or CWD mastoidectomy (CWD group) and followed them for more than 28 months. The postoperative outcomes were analyzed and compared.

Results:

The EMO and CWD groups comprised 132 and 110 ears, respectively. In both groups, the air-bone gaps were significantly reduced after operation. The relapse rates of the groups were similar. Cavity problems were the most common complication in the CWD group. The overall complication rate in the EMO group was significantly lower than that in the CWD group (p = 0.044).

Conclusions:

Epitympanoplasty with mastoid obliteration can be considered an alternative procedure to CWD mastoidectomy in patients with preoperatively sclerotic mastoid cavities. It gives similar surgical results and has fewer complications.
OK432 Versus Doxycycline for Treatment of Macrocystic Lymphatic Malformations
Authors: Motz Kevin M. , Nickley Katherine B. , Bedwell Joshua R. , Yadav Bhupender , Guzzetta Philip C. , Oh Albert K. , Bauman Nancy M.
Published: February 2014

Objectives:

A variety of sclerotherapy agents are used to treat macrocystic lymphatic malformations (LMs). This retrospective study at a single institution was performed to compare the outcomes of pediatric macrocystic LMs of the head and neck that were treated with doxycycline or with OK432.

Methods:

The outcomes measured included early response to therapy, number of treatments required, operating room time, and adverse events.

Results:

The rates of clinical success for OK432 and doxycycline were similar (83% and 82%, respectively; p > 0.05), although OK432-treated patients required more treatments than did doxycycline-treated patients (1.9 versus 1.0 injections; p = 0.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.57 to 0.27). The average operating room time for a single OK432 injection was significantly shorter than that for doxycycline (53.2 versus 98.1 minutes; p < 0.001); however, when the total number of treatments administered was considered, the overall times in the operating room were similar. Adverse events in the early postoperative period were more common in OK432-treated patients, who experienced marked postoperative swelling compared to doxycycline-treated patients.

Conclusions:

OK432 and doxycycline are both effective sclerosants for the treatment of predominantly macrocystic LMs. The administration time for OK432 is shorter than that for doxycycline, but OK432 required more treatments overall to achieve clinical success. Early adverse events were more common in OK432-treated patients, but longer follow-up is necessary to determine whether rates of recurrence and adverse events are similar, particularly in light of the risk of tooth discoloration in doxycycline-treated patients.
Results of Anterior Facial Nerve Rerouting Procedures for Removing Skull Base Tumors
Authors: Yi Jong Sook , Lim Hyun Woo , Chang Young Soo , Choi Seung Hyo , Cho Yang-Sun , Chung Jong Woo
Published: February 2014

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to estimate the rates of functional recovery of the facial nerve and of total tumor resection in patients who undergo short anterior rerouting and long anterior rerouting of the facial nerve in removal of skull base tumors.

Methods:

We retrospectively collected data on 37 patients with skull base tumors who underwent facial nerve rerouting during the procedure for tumor removal. Information on the rerouting technique, the completeness of tumor resection, and changes in facial nerve function were obtained from the medical records. Rerouting techniques were classified as short anterior rerouting or long anterior rerouting.

Results:

Ten of 16 patients (62.5%) in the group with short anterior rerouting showed postoperative facial palsy, and all completely recovered within 1 year. In the group with long anterior rerouting, 18 of 21 patients (85.7%) showed postoperative facial palsy, and recovery to a preoperative level of facial function was found in 10 patients at 1 year of follow-up. Total tumor resection was possible in 94% and 81% of patients with short rerouting and long rerouting, respectively. The mean operation time was not significantly related to the postoperative recovery of facial function.

Conclusions:

Short rerouting techniques, when appropriately chosen on the basis of tumor and patient characteristics, offer excellent preservation of facial function and tumor resection, comparable to those of long rerouting techniques.
“La creatura più alta del regno vivente”: Storie di formazione e disumanità contemporanea in Acciaio di Silvia Avallone
Authors: Farina Caterina Mongiat
Published: February 2014

Questo saggio ripercorre i temi del corpo, l’animale e la materia nel romanzo Acciaio (2010) di Silvia Avallone, inserendoli nel contesto estetico del romanzo di formazione italiano dagli anni Novanta a oggi e filosofico del postumanesimo. Un’analisi puntuale delle similitudini e metafore tra essere umano, animale e macchina offre lo spunto per una riflessione sulla vitalità che anima il romanzo tra umanità, natura, subcultura e tecnologia all’alba del terzo millennio. La vita delle giovani protagoniste, fatta di affetti familiari, amicizie, primi amori e delusioni, ma anche discriminazioni, ingiustizie e sfruttamento è raccontata non tanto in maniera separata da natura e tecnologia, quanto stabilendo analogie. Questa scelta retorica, lungi dall’essere puramente estetica, implica una profonda rivoluzione epistemologica che include la valorizzazione dell’animalità umana.
Reevaluating the “Subjective Weathering” Hypothesis
Authors: Benson Janel E.
Published: February 2014

The subjective weathering model contends that subjective aging is a key component of the stress process. This study reevaluates and extends this model by considering how adaptive capacities influence subjective aging and depressive symptoms in late adolescence and young adulthood. Using longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n = 7,230), I investigate how earlier stressors and coping resources contribute to older age identities (ages 18–22) and how these self-perceptions influence subsequent depressive symptoms (ages 25–29). The results show that subjective weathering alone does not lead to depressive symptoms; the critical issue is the level of psychosocial maturity that accompanies an older age identity. Those with high levels of psychosocial maturity, regardless of subjective age, were least likely to exhibit depressive symptoms. These results demonstrate that psychosocial maturity is an important adaptive resource that can shield young adults from the negative effects of “subjective weathering” or growing up fast.
Multiple Disadvantaged Statuses and Health
Authors: Denise Eric Joy
Published: February 2014

The double disadvantage hypothesis predicts that adults who hold more than one disadvantaged status may experience worse health than their singly disadvantaged and privileged counterparts. Research that has tested this thesis has yielded mixed findings due partly to a failure to examine the role of discrimination. This article uses data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (N = 2,647) to investigate the relationship between multiple disadvantaged statuses and health, and whether multiple forms of interpersonal discrimination contribute to this association. The results suggest that multiply disadvantaged adults are more likely to experience major depression, poor physical health, and functional limitations than their singly disadvantaged and privileged counterparts. Further, multiple forms of discrimination partially mediate the relationship between multiple stigmatized statuses and health. Taken together, these findings suggest that multiply disadvantaged adults do face a “double disadvantage” in health, in part, because of their disproportionate exposure to discrimination.
Adaptation of the Knowledge Validation Inventory to Measure Training Needs of Vocational Rehabilitation Service Providers in Kuwait Schools
Authors: Alfawair Ahmad (M. J.) O. , Lee Lay Wah
Published: February 2014

Research on vocational rehabilitation in Kuwait is limited, in part, due to the availability of instruments validated for use in Arab countries. The purpose of this study was to adapt the Knowledge Validation Inventory (KVI) for use in Arabic populations and to determine the psychometric characteristics of the adapted inventory for assessing the training needs of vocational rehabilitation service providers in Kuwait. The Knowledge Validation Inventory–Arabic Version (KVI-A) was administered to a convenient sample of 764 service providers from Kuwait special schools. Internal consistency for the three scales of the KVI-A ranged from .94 to .97. Exploratory factor analysis identified six distinct factors: (a) assessment and career counseling; (b) resources and services of rehabilitation; (c) counseling theories, techniques, and applications; (d) medical, environmental, and functional implications of disability; (e) case management; and (f) techniques and strategies of disability prevention and working effectively. Years of experience, job title, and service provider qualifications predicted training needs scores. Significant differences in knowledge domains and training needs were obtained across the identified predictor variables. Evidence suggests that the KVI-A is applicable for use in primarily Arab countries. The knowledge domains identified can be used to develop a training curriculum and certification credentials for Kuwait.
The Role of Optimism and Religious Involvement in the Association Between Race-Related Stress and Anxiety Symptomatology
Authors: Lee Daniel B. , Neblett Enrique W. , Jackson Veronica
Published: February 2014

This study examined the associations between individual, institutional, and cultural race-related stress and somatic and cognitive anxiety. We adopted a risk and resilience framework to investigate the protective role of optimism and religious involvement in the race-related stress-anxiety link. A total of 171 African American young adults completed measures of race-related stress, optimism, religious involvement, and anxiety symptomatology. Institutional race-related stress was positively associated with cognitive and somatic anxiety. Optimism moderated the association between individual race-related stress and cognitive anxiety. Religious involvement enhanced the protective function of optimism in the association between individual and cultural race-related stress and cognitive anxiety. These results illustrate the utility of a multidimensional framework for understanding the impact of race-related stress on anxiety symptomatology. Moreover, the pattern of findings suggests that high religious involvement and high optimism may produce the most advantageous outcomes with respect to the association between race-related stress and anxiety in African American young adults.
The significance of the interculturally competent school psychologist for achieving equitable education outcomes for migrant students
Authors: Lanfranchi Andrea
Published: February 2014

This article examines procedures and processes that result in the over-referral of migrant students to separate special education programmes and, as a consequence, their exclusion from general education. The particular focus is on the role of the school psychologist in this process. The empirical study is a comparison of Swiss teachers’ and school psychologists’ responses to the paper case of a boy with behavioural and learning difficulties whose name and ethnicity was varied so that one version identified him as from an ethnically mainstream, Swiss German background and the other as a migrant and foreign first language speaker. The results show that, compared with teachers, school psychologists’ assessments and choice of interventions demonstrated less cultural bias and higher levels of intercultural competence. These findings support the call that school psychologists have a vital role to play in the reduction of discrimination against migrant students and in the implementation of a more inclusive and equitable education system.
A Conceptual and Empirical Review of the Structure of Assessment Center Dimensions
Authors: Meriac John P. , Hoffman Brian J. , Woehr David J.
Published: February 2014

Although the design, scoring, and interpretation of assessment centers (ACs) commonly focuses on job-relevant dimensions, over three decades of past studies have questioned the evidentiary basis underlying dimension-based interpretations of ACs. This review combines multiple approaches to examine the structure of AC dimensions. First, we consulted the AC, job performance, leadership, and personality literatures to articulate competing models of the dimensions underlying AC ratings. Next, meta-analytic confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to compare the fit of these models to existing AC data. The results supported a model including administrative skills, relational skills, and drive. Third, socioanalytic theory was used as a basis to examine the nomological network of these three broad factors, specifically their relationships with general mental ability and the five factor model of personality. The analyses supported the nomological network of drive and administrative skills but less so for relational skills. These findings are discussed with regard to the construct-related validity of AC dimensions, the fidelity of ACs to the broader criterion domain, and the value of applying generalizable models to the analysis of AC ratings.
A Psychometric Evaluation of a Revised School Climate Teacher Survey
Authors: Liu Ying , Ding Cody , Berkowitz Marvin W. , Bier Melinda C.
Published: February 2014

The concept of school climate has been an important topic for education and it has been studied extensively over the past several decades. One of the challenges in such a research effort is to develop instruments that effectively and efficiently measure the construct. Literature has documented a number of school climate instruments, most of which target students’ perceptions. A review of recent literature on school climate suggests that it is imperative to assess teachers’ perceptions of school climate. The purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure and reliability of a revised version of a teacher survey instrument designed to measure school climate. Based on the data from a comprehensive character education project implemented in an urban school district in 2007 ( n = 380), 2008 ( n = 305), and 2010 ( n = 277), results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed a seven-factor structure across 3 years, indicating a stable factor structure of the revised form. The scales in this abbreviated form demonstrated similar reliability to those of the original form.
Associations Between Emotional Intelligence, Socio-Emotional Adjustment, and Academic Achievement in Childhood
Authors: Brouzos Andreas , Misailidi Plousia , Hadjimattheou Anastasia
Published: February 2014

This study examined the relationship between trait emotional intelligence (EI) with children’s socio-emotional adjustment at school and academic achievement. Children aged 8 to 10 ( n = 106) and 11 to 13 years ( n = 99) completed the youth version of the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i: YV). Their socio-emotional adjustment was measured with scales from the Teacher’s Report Form assessing socio-emotional problems and adaptive functioning at school. Trait EI was positively correlated with aspects of children’s adaptive functioning and academic achievement only in the 11- to 13-year-old but not in the 8- to 10-year-old group. Our results illustrate the importance of taking age into consideration when assessing the relationship between trait EI with socio-emotional adjustment at school and academic achievement. The consequences and limitations of these findings are discussed.
The Swedish Version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form
Authors: Gerhardsson Emma , Nyqvist Kerstin Hedberg , Mattsson Elisabet , Volgsten Helena , Hildingsson Ingegerd , Funkquist Eva-Lotta
Published: February 2014

Background:

Among Swedish mothers, breastfeeding duration has been declining in recent years. An instrument for early identification of women at risk for shorter breastfeeding duration may be useful in reversing this trend.

Objectives:

The aims of this study were to translate and psychometrically test the Swedish version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form (BSES-SF), examine the relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy and demographic variables, and evaluate associations with breastfeeding continuation plans in Swedish mothers.

Methods:

The BSES-SF was translated into Swedish using forward and back translation. The sample consisted of 120 mothers who, during the first week postpartum, came for a routine follow-up visit at the postnatal unit in a university hospital. The mothers were compared based on demographic data and their future breastfeeding plans.

Results:

The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for internal consistency for the BSES-SF was 0.91 and the majority of correlation coefficients exceeded 0.3. A 1-factor solution was found that explained 46% of the total variance. There was no difference in confidence in breastfeeding between mothers with early hospital discharge and mothers who received postnatal care at the hospital. Primiparas who stayed longer at the hospital were less confident in breastfeeding than primiparas who had a shorter hospital stay. Breastfeeding mothers who planned to partially breastfeed in the near future had lower BSES-SF scores, compared to those who planned to continue exclusive breastfeeding.

Conclusion:

The Swedish version of the BSES-SF has good reliability, validity, and agreement with mothers’ plans regarding breastfeeding continuation and exclusivity.
Financial Decision Making in Family Firms
Authors: Koropp Christian , Kellermanns Franz W. , Grichnik Dietmar , Stanley Laura
Published: February 2014

Adapting the theory of planned behavior to the area of financial choices in family firms, we argue that these choices in family firms are largely affected by family norms, attitude, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intentions. A time-lagged sample, estimated via structural equation modeling of 118 German family firms, supports a behavioral approach to the study of financing decisions. Specifically, we show that family norms and attitude toward external debt and external equity affect behavioral intention to use the respective financing choices, which in turn affects financing behavior. Perceived behavioral control, however, was shown to negatively affect behavioral intentions to use external equity and was positively related to the use of internal funds. Implications of these capital structure decisions and ideas for future research are discussed.
What happens on the ground: Persistent issues in implementation research
Authors: Hupe Peter
Published: February 2014

Since the demise of what has been labelled as the policy-implementation paradigm, the heyday of implementation research appears to be over. This suggests that the issues going back to the ‘top-down/bottom-up’ controversy have been resolved. Central in this article is the exploration of how these issues are being dealt with in contemporary implementation studies. An issue like the one of the ‘too many variables’ seems to have been settled, especially in quantitative studies. Other issues, however, like the theory/practice relationship, the multi-layer problem and the policy/politics nexus appear to have remained relatively unsolved problems. Solutions are explored how to deal with them when doing implementation research.
‘They’re all tribals’: Essentialism, context and the discursive representation of Sudanese refugees
Authors: Hanson-Easey Scott , Augoustinos Martha , Moloney Gail
Published: February 2014

The theory of psychological essentialism provides an account of how and why some social groups are represented as if they possessed an inhering, immutable and group-defining ‘essence’. Whilst much of the empirical and theoretical work on essentialism has attended to characterising its cognitive components through the utilisation of survey measures, this article, adopting a synthetic discursive psychological approach, examines naturally-occurring conversations on talkback radio. We demonstrate how speakers attribute Sudanese refugees with essentialised cultural or tribal properties. These qualities were employed to account for the violent behaviour of Sudanese refugees, both in Sudan and in Australia, as relatively invariant and collectively shared attributes. Although participants recurrently depicted Sudanese refugees as sharing a cultural essence, these latent propensities were constructed to only manifest in the behaviour of some group members. We contend that essentialist ontologies can be established on implicit lay theories, causally linking culture to behaviour, and acting ideologically as rationalisations for illiberal and racist ends. We discuss how a discursive approach affords insights into the nuanced practice of psychological essentialism in everyday talk.
Non-pollen palynomorphs show human- and livestock-induced eutrophication of Lake Nussbaumersee (Thurgau, Switzerland) since Neolithic times (3840 bc)
Authors: Hillbrand Martina , van Geel Bas , Hasenfratz Albin , Hadorn Philippe , Haas Jean Nicolas
Published: February 2014

Lake Nussbaumersee, located SW of Lake Constance (Switzerland/Germany), was studied at high temporal resolution for non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs) within a calcareous gyttja sediment core from the deepest part of the lake. At the Nussbaumersee lakeshore, three pile-dwelling settlements have been excavated and dendrochronologically dated (to the Neolithic, 3840–3695 bc; late Early Bronze Age, 1580–1538 bc; and Late Bronze Age, 850–780 bc). The NPP study revealed three peaks of cyanobacteria, likely related to three settlement phases causing phosphate eutrophication of the lake water. The fast decline in cyanobacteria and reduction in green algae blooms after the abandonment of the Neolithic village and the quick recovery of the lake water back to oligotrophic conditions indicate a high prehistoric resilience of the lake ecosystem. After the second eutrophication phase starting around 2500 bc, the density of NPP eutrophication indicators remained at much higher levels, probably showing a loss of resilience of the lake ecosystem due to repeated human disturbance.
Collective bargaining for paid parental leave in Australia 2005–2010: A complex context effect
Authors: Baird Marian , Murray John
Published: February 2014

In the period leading up to the federal government’s May 2009 announcement of a paid parental leave scheme, there was a surge in community and media debate about the absence of such a scheme in Australia. This article explores whether this context had some bearing on bargaining outcomes during that time. We analyse data from the Australian Workplace Agreements Database to determine the incidence and length of paid parental leave in collective agreements registered between 2005 and 2010. The results show an increase in the number of agreements that included paid parental leave clauses in the period, with just over 14% of all current agreements including a paid parental leave clause by 2010. Moreover, 18% of all agreements lodged in 2010 included a paid parental leave clause, suggesting an increase in bargaining outcomes over time. We also find a slight increase in the average duration of paid parental leave in collective agreements. A leave of 14 weeks is most common in public sector agreements but less than 3% of agreements in the private sector provide for 14 weeks or more. These marked differences between the public and private sectors suggest minimal change in private sector bargaining outcomes. We conclude that the legislative context does influence bargaining outcomes, but that this effect is felt more in public sector than private sector bargaining.
Acculturation and Health of Korean American Adults
Authors: Shin Cha-Nam , Lach Helen W.
Published: February 2014

Increasing cultural diversity in the United States and significant health disparities among immigrant populations make acculturation an important concept to measure in health research. The purpose of this cross-sectional, descriptive study was to examine acculturation and health of Korean American adults. A convenience sample of 517 Korean American adults in a Midwestern city completed a survey in either English or Korean. All four groups of Berry’s acculturation model were identified using cluster analysis with Lee’s Acculturation Scale. Assimilation, integration, and separation were found in the English survey sample, whereas integration, separation, and marginalization were found in the Korean survey sample. Moreover, the findings revealed that acculturation is a bidimensional process, and the unique nature of samples may determine acculturation groups. Physical health and mental health were significantly related to acculturation in the English survey sample. However, there was not a significant relationship between health and acculturation in the Korean survey sample.
Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Nguyen Anna Thao
Published: February 2014

The purpose of this study was to explore diabetes self-management strategies and underpinnings of behaviors among Vietnamese with type 2 diabetes. Using Leventhal’s illness representation model, semistructured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 23 participants, 14 women and 9 men. NVivo 8 software was used for content analysis. Data revealed that participants constructed implicit theories of the identity, causes, consequences, timeline, and controllability of diabetes, which were inconsistent with the biomedical literature. Participants labeled diabetes by their symptoms of hypo-/hyperglycemia, and they focused on the relief of these symptoms. However, the participants’ focus on symptomatology undermined their use of blood glucose monitoring to manage diabetes as a majority of the participants had diabetes-related complications. Participants integrated the continuum of Eastern and Western treatment belief systems to achieve a balance to create harmony between the two systems.
Development of multi-degree-of-freedom microvibration emulator for efficient jitter test of spacecraft
Authors: Park Geeyong , Lee Dae-Oen , Han Jae-Hung
Published: February 2014

A number of components and payload systems installed in satellites are found to be exposed to various disturbance sources, such as the reaction wheel assembly, the control moment gyro, coolers, and others. Low damping in space causes continuous microvibration that degrades the performance of various payload systems; this is customarily called jitter problem in spacecraft community. Various isolation systems have been developed to improve the performance of the optical payloads under the microvibration environments. During the spacecraft development process, an experimental validation of jitter effects (either controlled or not) on the performance of optical payloads using all the flight model components is not often conducted due to the scheduling issue or the product assurance activities. The disturbance characteristics of a prototype or an engineering model of the disturbance source such as reaction wheel assembly are significantly different from their flight model counterparts. Therefore, in order to facilitate jitter test as well as the performance evaluations of an isolator during the satellite development process, this article proposes a microvibration emulator that generates the real disturbance spectrums of flight models. The development procedure for the reaction wheel assembly emulator is described. Prototype single-axis and three-axis microvibration emulators are demonstrated, and the performances are evaluated by means of disturbance characteristics similar to those of the reaction wheel assembly.
Optimum resistive loads for vibration-based electromagnetic energy harvesters with a stiffening nonlinearity
Authors: Cammarano A , Neild SA , Burrow SG , Wagg DJ , Inman DJ
Published: February 2014

The exploitation of nonlinear behavior in vibration-based energy harvesters has received much attention over the last decade. One key motivation is that the presence of nonlinearities can potentially increase the bandwidth over which the excitation is amplified and therefore the efficiency of the device. In the literature, references to resonating energy harvesters featuring nonlinear oscillators are common. In the majority of the reported studies, the harvester powers purely resistive loads. Given the complex behavior of nonlinear energy harvesters, it is difficult to identify the optimum load for this kind of device. In this paper the aim is to find the optimal load for a nonlinear energy harvester in the case of purely resistive loads. This work considers the analysis of a nonlinear energy harvester with hardening compliance and electromagnetic transduction under the assumption of negligible inductance. It also introduces a methodology based on numerical continuation which can be used to find the optimum load for a fixed sinusoidal excitation.
Internalizing Motivation to Self-Care
Authors: Aujoulat Isabelle , Janssen Magda , Libion France , Charles Anne-Sophie , Struyf Catherine , Smets Françoise , Stephenne Xavier , de Magnée Catherine , Sokal Etienne , Lerut Jan , Ciccarelli Olga , Reding Raymond
Published: February 2014

The transition from parent-controlled care to self-managed care represents an important challenge for adolescents with chronic conditions. We sought to gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing the internalization of motivation to self-care in adolescent liver transplant recipients. We conducted a qualitative study using in-depth interviews with 18 young patients. We triangulated the data collected from the patients with data from parents and health care providers, and used an inductive approach to analyze the data. Our results illustrate three interrelated challenges that impact on young patients’ motivation to self-care: (a) the cognitive challenge of fully understanding one’s condition and personal health risks; (b) the behavioral challenge of developing independence regarding self-management issues; and (c) the psychological challenge of building a sense of self-ownership and purpose. The latter involves overcoming the trauma of survival and coming to terms with feelings of obligation, two challenges inherent to transplantation that warrant further investigation.
In Their Own Voices
Authors: Smith-Chandler Natalie , Swart Estelle
Published: February 2014

Individuals with disabilities continue to experience exclusion from mainstream contexts amid stereotypical constructions of disability as an inferior status. To address these inequities, we contend that the ramifications for both theory and praxis in disability research rests heavily on the way in which disability is theorized. In this article, we draw on the findings of a narrative inquiry as a context to frame an alternative theoretical model for disability research at both individual and social levels. We propose the efficacy of an integrated theoretical approach using the vehicle of narrative inquiry to present alternative stories by individuals with disabilities themselves. In alignment with a poststructuralist epistemology, we propose the addition of Lacanian psychoanalysis to address the construct of internalized oppression felt at an individual psychological level. We conclude that the epistemological and ontological lens through which research is conceptualized has the power either to subjugate or to emancipate individual experience.
Using Mixed-Method Assessment to Advance Adolescent HIV Prevention
Authors: Fisher Colleen M. , Lee Michael G. , Boudreau Mary E.
Published: February 2014

This two-phase, community-based pilot study examined the impact of an innovative calendar-based assessment on HIV risk perception and risk reduction planning with racially diverse youth aged 14 to 21 at a public health clinic. Participants ( N = 232) completed a Sexual Health History Calendar (SHHC) assessing behaviors over the previous 12 months, risk self-appraisals, and future behavioral intentions. Youths’ narratives included negative self-appraisals (36%), named a risk-related critical incident (13%) or regret (9%), or expressed increased risk awareness (9%) and need for behavior change (18%). A minority were positive (28%) or reflected improvement (7%). All Phase 2 participants ( n = 122) identified at least one specific risky behavior they intended to change. These data and the SHHC’s visual cues facilitated risk-reduction intervention tailored to the unique circumstances in which each youth’s risk taking occurred. For nurses and other providers in clinical settings, the SHHC can offer a critical link between assessment and intervention.
Mechanisms Linking Transformational Leadership and Team Performance
Authors: Chi Nai-Wen , Huang Jia-Chi
Published: February 2014

Extending previous research on transformational leadership (TFL), the present study explores the mechanisms that explain the relationship between TFL and team performance. Drawing on the three-stage model of TFL (Conger & Kanungo, 1998), we theorize that TFL predicts high levels of team performance through shaping team goal orientation and group affective tone. To test the hypotheses, we use data collected from managers and members of 61 research and development teams and use the partial least squares analysis to test hypotheses. The results show that TFL positively predicts positive group affective tone through team learning goal orientation but negatively predicts negative group affective tone via team avoiding goal orientation. Finally, we find that positive group affective tone is positively associated with team performance, whereas negative group affective tone is negatively associated with team performance.