bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public awareness, knowledge and attitudes regarding the CEN system in South Australia
Authors: Heale Penny , Hawks David , Lenton Simon
Published: June 2007

A sample of 605 South Australian residents was surveyed in 1997 regarding the Cannabis Expiation Notice (CEN) System. Thirty‐nine percent had ever used cannabis and 14.5% used cannabis at least once a year. While only 17% knew of the CEN scheme, 76% were familiar with the ‘on‐the‐spot fine’ scheme. There was confusion about the legal status of two expiable offences; 24% thought possession of less than 100g of cannabis was legal and 53% thought growing three plants was legal. Only 40% knew that the two expiable offences involved some legal sanction. Regarding attitudes to cannabis law, the majority thought that growing 15 plants, selling 25g for profit, possession of less than 100g by a juvenile and driving while affected by cannabis should remain illegal. Eighty per cent thought medical use of cannabis should be legal. Half of the sample thought that growing three plants and possession of less than 100g of cannabis should be legal and most of those who thought the two offences should be illegal said a fine was the appropriate penalty. Most people (57%) thought the cannabis laws should either remain as they are or become less strict, indicating general support for expiation.
Alcohol use among Australian secondary students in 1996
Authors: WHITE VICTORIA M. , HILL DAVID J. , LETCHER TESSA R.
Published: June 2007

This research estimates the prevalence of alcohol use among Australian secondary students in 1996 and examines trends in alcohol prevalence over a 12‐year period. A national randomly selected representative sample of 434 secondary schools participated in the 1996 study. Eghty students were selected randomly from each school and completed a questionnaire anonymously. Current drinking (drinking alcohol in the week before the survey) increased with age from 17% of boys and 10% of girls aged 12 to 56% of boys and 50% of girls aged 17. Comparisons with data collected by similar surveys in 1984, 1987, 1990 and 1993 showed that while fewer 12–15‐year‐olds were current drinkers in 1996 than in 1984 or 1987, the 1996 proportion was no different from the 1993 proportion. In 1996, there were more hazardous drinkers among male current drinkers aged 12–15 than in any other survey period. Among 16‐and 17‐year‐olds, there were more current drinkers in 1996 than in 1993 or 1990, and more male and female current drinkers were drinking at hazardous levels in 1996 than in 1987 and 1990. Extrapolating from the 1996 findings, nearly 424000 students aged 12–17 years were current drinkers.
POVERTY DYNAMICS: An analysis of the 1994 and 1995 waves of the European Community Household Panel Survey
Authors: Whelan Christopher T. , Layte Richard , Maître Bertrand , Nolan Brian
Published: June 2007

Recent poverty research based on analyses of panel data have highlighted the importance of income dynamics. In this paper we study mobility into and out of relative income poverty from one year to the next using data for twelve countries from the European Community Household Panel Survey (ECHP). The ECHP has unique potential as a harmonized data set to serve as the basis for comparisons of income and poverty dynamics across EU countries, and here we begin exploiting this potential by analysing income poverty transitions from Wave 1 to Wave 2. As well as describing the extent of these transitions, we analyse the pattern by fitting log-linear and linear by linear models commonly employed in the analysis of social mobility. Moving from general to specific models we show the relative impact of hierarchy, immobility and affinity effects. Our analysis shows that cross-national variation in short-term poverty dynamics is predominantly a consequence of ‘shift’ rather then ‘association effects’. Variation across countries in patterns of poverty persistence is extremely modest. Models that assume that the processes underlying poverty dynamics are constant across countries perform almost as well as those that allow for cross-national variability.
Effect of wastewater treatment plant discharges on the functional nitrifying communities in river sediments
Authors: Montuelle B. , Balandras B. , Volat B. , Féray C.
Published: June 2007

Sediments were collected in three small water courses upstream and downstream a water treatment plant discharge, in one highly fertilized eutrophic pond, and from one oligotrophic brook. They were analysed for ammonium oxidation activity, for nitrite oxidation activity and for their respective nitrifying community size. The relationships between variables was investigated by a principal components analysis of the physicochemical and biological data.

Upstream sites of treatment plant discharges looked similar to an oligotrophic river, but the downstream sites have certain similarities with a highly eutrophic pond. Globally, whatever the hydrosystem, the organic carbon and organic nitrogen content of the sediments were highly correlated with nitrifying activity and nitrifiers number (significance level α = 0.001), but there was no significant correlation between the nitrifiers number and the related activity. The hypothesis of a role of the grain size on the nitrification communities was tested. A Mann-Withney U test (α = 0.05) indicated that, whatever the sediment, the two fractions of sand (500–200 μm and 200–50 μm) were non significantly different for nitrification. Conversely, the silt-clay fraction was significantly different from sands for all the nitrification's parameters. This silt-clay fraction exhibited the highest functional nitrifying community per mass unit indicating that the silt fraction is a main contributor to the nitrification process in river sediment. Finally, for each river, there were significant differences (at α = 0.05) between the nitrifiying communities in downstream and upstream sediments. In the 3 studied rivers, upstream sites were significantly higher in terms of activity and in terms of number of nitrifying bacteria. The effect of wastewater effluents discharge seems to be site specific.
Child and parental personality are associated with glycaemic control in Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Vollrath M. E. , Landolt M. A. , Gnehm H. E. , Laimbacher J. , Sennhauser Felix H.
Published: June 2007

Aim  Little is known about the influence of the personality of the child and the personalities of the child's parents on glycaemic control in Type 1 diabetes. Our objective was to examine the extent to which glycaemic control is associated with the child's and the parents’ stable personality traits, using the Big Five personality model as the basic framework.

Methods  Participants were 64 children (aged 6–16 years) with recent‐onset Type 1 diabetes and their parents. Glycaemic control (HbA1c) was assessed at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after diagnosis; personality was assessed at 4–6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year after diagnosis. Associations of personality with mean HbA1c over 2 years were examined.

Results  Children with better glycaemic control had a personality pattern of high Agreeableness, high Conscientiousness and low Neuroticism. Mothers of children with better glycaemic control showed a similar personality pattern, whereas the personality of the father was only marginally related to glycaemic control. Children's Conscientiousness and mothers’ Agreeableness together predicted 18% of the variability in mean HbA1c. All associations were unchanged when we controlled for child's age.

Conclusions  Glycaemic control in the child was associated with the same child and maternal personality characteristics that influence treatment adherence, health‐promoting behaviours and general adjustment in adult populations. In future, studies are needed to examine attitudinal and behavioural mediators of this relationship. It is suggested that attention to the personalities of the child and the mother can help to tailor diabetes education to the individual child.
Advanced Practice Nurse‐Directed Telephone Management of Acute Pain Following Pediatric Spinal Fusion Surgery
Authors: Czarnecki Michelle L. , Garwood Molly Murphy , Weisman Steven J.
Published: June 2007

PURPOSE. Children undergoing spinal fusion surgery require sophisticated pain management. This study describes an integrated system of pain management primarily directed by an advanced practice nurse (APN), encompassing both the inpatient and outpatient settings.

DESIGN AND METHODS. A retrospective chart review was conducted. Pain management and patient education began in the hospital. The APN provided telephone‐based follow‐up and management after discharge.

RESULTS. An average of four phone calls over 9 days was required per patient. No complications were reported.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Results of this study support the APN telephone management of postoperative pain once children are discharged following extensive surgery.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS DECISION MAKING: RATIONAL, INTUITIVE AND IMPROVISATIONAL APPROACHES
Authors: PINA E CUNHA MIGUEL
Published: June 2007

In this paper entrepreneurship is presented as decision making. Mintzberg and Westley's (2001) decision making typology is adapted to the case of entrepreneurial decision making. These authors complemented the rational, step-by-step mode of decision making, with the intuitive and improvisational modes, Complementing the rational view of decision making with the analysis of entrepreneurship as intuitive or improvisational decision making, a richer and more integrated understanding of entrepreneurial behavior is obtained. To make the implications of the three decision making approaches to entrepreneurship clear, the entrepreneurial process under each of the three modes, will be considered. Ireland, Hitt and Sirmon's (2003) model of strategic entrepreneurship is used as a framework. With this framework, the three resulting theoretical representations of the entrepreneurial process will be discussed. Ireland et al,'s model of strategic entrepreneurship suggests that to understand how entrepreneurial activity leads to competitive advantage and wealth creation, four building blocks of entrepreneurial activity should be considered: entrepreneurial mindset, entrepreneurial culture and leadership, strategic management of resources and application of creativity and development of innovation.
COVARIANT LAGRANGIAN FORMALISM FOR CHERN-SIMONS THEORIES
Authors: BOROWIEC A. , FATIBENE L. , FRANCAVIGLIA M. , MERCADANTE S.
Published: June 2007

We review the global formalism for Chern–Simons theories. Superpotentials are computed and the relation between the global Chern–Simons Lagrangian and the augmented variational principle is investigated.
TOPOS THEORY AND SPACETIME STRUCTURE
Authors: KRÓL JERZY
Published: June 2007

According to the recently proposed model of spacetime, various difficulties of quantum field theories and semiclassical quantum gravity on curved 4-Minkowski spacetimes gain new formulations, leading to new solutions. The quantum mechanical effects appear naturally when diffeomorphisms are lifted to 2-morphisms between topoi. The functional measures can be well defined. Diffeomorphisms invariance and background independence are approached from the perspective of topoi. In the spacetimes modified at short distances by the internal structure of some topoi, the higher dimensional regions appear and field/strings duality emerges. We show that the model has natural extensions over extremely strong gravity sources in spacetime and shed light on the strong string coupling definition of B-type D-branes.
The RNA Degradosome of Escherichia coli: An mRNA-Degrading Machine Assembled on RNase E
Authors: Carpousis Agamemnon J.
Published: June 2007

The RNA degradosome of Escherichia coli is a multiprotein complex involved in the degradation of mRNA. The principal components are RNase E, PNPase, RhlB, and enolase. RNase E is a large multidomain protein with an N-terminal catalytic region and a C-terminal noncatalytic region that is mostly natively unstructured protein. The noncatalytic region contains sites for binding RNA and for protein-protein interactions with other components of the RNA degradosome. Several recent studies suggest that there are alternative forms of the RNA degradosome depending on growth conditions or other factors. These alternative forms appear to modulate RNase E activity in the degradation of mRNA. RNA degradosome-like complexes appear to be conserved throughout the Proteobacteria, but there is a surprising variability in composition that might contribute to the adaptation of these bacteria to the enormously wide variety of niches in which they live.
Mechanisms of Food Intake Repression in Indispensable Amino Acid Deficiency
Authors: Gietzen Dorothy W. , Hao Shuzhen , Anthony Tracy G.
Published: June 2007

Animals reject diets that lead to indispensable amino acid (IAA) depletion or deficiency. This behavior is adaptive, as continued IAA depletion is incompatible with maintenance of protein synthesis and survival. Following rejection of the diet, animals begin foraging for a better IAA source and develop conditioned aversions to cues associated with the deficient diet. These responses require a sensory system to detect the IAA depletion and alert the appropriate neural circuitry for the behavior. The chemosensor for IAA deprivation is in the highly excitable anterior piriform cortex (APC) of the brain. Recently, the well-conserved general AA control non-derepressing system of yeast was discovered to be activated by IAA deprivation via uncharged tRNA in mammalian APC. This system provides the sensory limb of the mechanism for recognition of IAA depletion that leads to activation of the APC, diet rejection, and subsequent adaptive strategies.
Shaping the Northern Media's Human Rights Coverage, 1986—2000
Authors: Ramos Howard , Ron James , Thoms Oskar N.T.
Published: June 2007

What influences the Northern media's coverage of events and abuses in explicit human rights terms? Do international NGOs have an impact, and, if so, when are they most effective? This article addresses these questions with regression analysis of human rights reporting by The Economist and Newsweek from 1986 to 2000, covering 145 countries. First, it finds that these two media sources cover abuses in human rights terms more frequently when they occur in countries with higher levels of state repression, economic development, population, and Amnesty International attention. There is also some evidence that political openness, number of battle-deaths, and civil societies affect coverage, although these effects were not robust. Second, it finds that Amnesty International's press releases appear to have less impact on media coverage when discussing abuses in countries that are central to the media's zone of concern. Indeed, Amnesty's press advocacy may be more effective when addressing violations in lesser-noticed countries. The article attributes this to the saturation of coverage of abuses in highly mediatized countries. Cumulative attention by multiple journalists and others raises a country's media profile but also makes it more difficult for any one voice to be heard. The authors conclude that Amnesty's press advocacy may have greater media impact when focusing on abuses in countries located away from the media's core areas of concern. Overall, the authors are encouraged by the Northern media's sensitivity to actual patterns of repression and to Amnesty's lobbying, since both indicate that the media is potentially a useful ally in efforts to combat abuses worldwide. Yet, the discouraging effects of poverty on the media's human rights coverage are cause for concern.
Stability issues of parenteral chemotherapy drugs
Authors: de Lemos Mário L , Hamata Linda
Published: June 2007

The pharmacist often needs to have all the information required to prepare and to assign an expiry date for parenteral products of antineoplastic agents. The pharmaceutical manufacturers usually provide data on how to prepare their products and the associated physicochemical stability. Standard reference texts also provide additional summary information of other primary data. However, it is not uncommon to find knowledge gaps in this area. Hence, additional extrapolation and consensus on interpretation is often needed to address issues not covered by data from the pharmaceutical manufacturers, standard reference texts, or official guidelines. Some of the key issues have been identified in our recent development of a chemotherapy preparation and stability chart. These include use of data from different brands, expiry date of original vial and final products, risk of contamination, infusion volume and stability, multi-day home-use products, syringe preparations, and products to be used immediately. Potential approaches to address these common issues are described in this article. J Oncol Pharm Practice (2007) 13: 27–31.
Controle da hipertensão arterial em uma unidade de saúde da família
Authors: Araujo Jairo Carneiro de , Guimarães Armênio Costa
Published: June 2007

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto da implantação do Programa de Saúde da Família sobre o controle da hipertensão arterial, em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados 135 pacientes com o diagnóstico confirmado de hipertensão, 45 de cada equipe da Unidade Básica de Saúde, que iniciaram o tratamento entre dezembro de 2003 e dezembro de 2004, com seguimento até julho de 2005, em Salvador, Bahia. Comparou-se a pressão arterial no início e no fim do período de observação e sua associação com fatores de risco cardiovascular, e com as variáveis gênero, idade, índice de massa corporal, número de consultas, quantidade de medicamentos anti-hipertensivos usados por paciente, escolaridade e renda familiar. Os dados foram expressos em valores absolutos, percentagem, média e desvio-padrão e foram realizados os testes de Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis e qui-quadrado. RESULTADOS: As médias da pressão arterial inicial e final foram 155,9±24,1/95,3±13,9 mmHg e 137,2±16,1/85,7±8,7 mmHg (p<0,01), respectivamente. No início do tratamento, 28,9% dos hipertensos tinham níveis pressóricos controlados (<140/90 mmHg) contra 57% no final do período observacional (p<0,01). A média de consultas nesse período foi de 10,1±3,9, com 91,8% de adesão. Identificou-se uso de dois anti-hipertensivos por 50,4% e uso de um medicamento por 35,6% dos pacientes. As prevalências dos demais fatores de risco avaliados quando da admissão no programa foram sobrepeso/obesidade (71,9%), dislipidemia (58,5%) e diabetes/intolerância a glicose (43,7%). Os resultados por equipe foram comparáveis. CONCLUSÕES: O impacto da implantação do Programa de Saúde da Família trouxe melhoria do controle da hipertensão arterial, mas os fatores de risco associados permaneceram acima dos níveis atualmente recomendados, necessitando controle adequado.
A prescrição de medicamentos em um município do Norte do Paraná
Authors: Girotto Edmarlon , Silva Poliana Vieira da
Published: June 2007

INTRODUÇÃO: No setor saúde, os medicamentos representam um instrumento essencial para a capacidade resolutiva dos serviços prestados. Neste processo, dá-se grande importância à política de medicamentos, que regulamenta um dos maiores gastos nos serviços públicos de saúde, em especial os medicamentos essenciais, que são aqueles considerados indispensáveis para atender a maior parte da população assistida pelo Sistema Único de Saúde, e que são distribuídos gratuitamente. OBJETIVO: Identificar os indicadores de prescrição do município de Ibiporã, PR. METODOLOGIA: Para tal, foram recolhidas 3.119 prescrições médicas de Clínica Geral, Pediatria e Ginecologia do município. A partir destas receitas, foram calculados os indicadores de prescrição propostos pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) e os medicamentos prescritos foram classificados obedecendo à classificação da Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical, também da OMS. RESULTADOS: No município de Ibiporã, PR, são prescritos, em média, dois medicamentos por receita médica. Do total de medicamentos prescritos, 70,2% são prescritos por seus nomes genéricos. Em 22,0% das prescrições foi encontrada a indicação de antibióticos. Houve prescrição de injetáveis em 7,0% das receitas médicas. Em relação à lista municipal de medicamentos, 58,4% dos medicamentos fazem parte desta lista. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: Tais resultados sugerem dificuldades na implantação de uma política de medicamentos essenciais. Neste contexto, estes indicadores podem contribuir para a formulação de políticas voltadas para a reorientação dos serviços farmacêuticos, promovendo a melhoria do acesso e o uso racional dos medicamentos.
Service Consumers’ Value Perception: Evidence from Restaurants in the City of São Paulo
Authors: Garcia Mauro N. , Bedinelli Rossi George , Da Silva Dirceu , Debessa Fernando
Published: June 2007

This research aims at creating a model that could explain consumers’ value perception of restaurants attended on Sundays in the city of São Paulo. The research was carried out in two phases. The first was an exploratory research – a focus‐group type with two groups of eight individuals each, whose objective was to discover the main variables that impact the value perception of consumers who attend restaurants on Sundays. Thus, a balanced Likert‐type scale was generated, with seven levels of concurrence. The scale was submitted to five experts for a theoretical validation and was applied to a nonprobabilistic sample pursuant to the judgment of 360 consumers with the same profile as of those of the focus group. Then, in a second phase, validation of the scale by the confirmatory factor analysis method was provided as well as the building and analysis of five causal models by the method of structural equation modeling and the five‐hypotheses test. The final model with a better adjustment (hypothesis 1) was composed of PRICE as an endogenous variable and ENVIRONMENT, SERVICE, FOOD, and HYGIENE as exogenous variables. Such conclusions allow the perception of the decision process in relation to restaurant selection in two phases: (1) when a group of restaurants is chosen, and (2) the moment when the PRICE variable takes over the role of defining the value offered by each restaurant, which will motivate the selection.
How to Build Fully π‐Conjugated Architectures with Thienylene and Phenylene Fragments
Authors: Lois Sandrine , Florès Jean‐Charles , Lère‐Porte Jean‐Pierre , Serein‐Spirau Françoise , Moreau Joël J. E. , Miqueu Karinne , Sotiropoulos Jean‐Marc , Baylère Patrick , Tillard Monique , Belin Claude
Published: June 2007

A series of small‐sized model π‐conjugated oligomers have been prepared from thienylene and phenylene or dimethyl‐ or dimethoxy‐substituted phenylene units. Crystallographic data for the methoxylated compound show a quasi‐planar conformation with a non‐covalent S–O interaction. The resulting strong conjugation in the gas phase has also been highlighted by UV/photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations (DFT). Indeed, for these compounds there is a large energy gap ΔEπ arising from the interaction between the molecular orbitals of the isolated thienylene‐phenylene species. This can be explained in terms of the energies of the two π orbitals of the dimethoxyphenylene unit, the shape of these molecular orbitals in a three‐orbital interaction diagram and by the presence of the S···O interaction which reduces the inter‐ring angle between the two aromatic cycles. The nature of the sulfur–oxygen interaction, discussed from a theoretical point of view, is mainly electrostatic, the orbital contribution from the only correctly directed orbitals nOσ and σ*S–C being slightly stabilising. These results show extensive conjugation of the π system corroborated by a small HOMO–LUMO gap. These studies, carried out in the solid state and in the gas phase, show how important it is to combine thienylene and dialkoxyphenylene fragments to obtain oligomers with a strong electronic delocalisation. Thus, these compounds are of interest in the fields of electronic and optoelectronic devices. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Robotic prostatectomy: where are we now?
Authors: Mayer, E.K. , Karim, O. , Vale J.A. , Hrouda, D.
Published: June 2007

Although early results from studies using robotic‐assisted radical prostatectomy are encouraging, long‐term data are needed to establish the role of this technique in the treatment of organ‐confined prostate cancer. The authors discuss the emergence of the da Vinci system, comparing it with the existing techniques of open retropubic radical prostatectomy and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Copyright © 2006 Wiley Interface Ltd
Conversion of Phosphatidylcholine to Phosphatidylglycerol with Phospholipase D and Glycerol
Authors: Piazza George J. , Marmer William N.
Published: June 2007

When phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) is acted upon by the enzyme phospholipase D (PLD) in the presence of glycerol and water, at least two products can arise: phosphatidic acid (PtdOH) from hydrolysis and PtdGly from transphosphatidylation. Commercial PLD preparations from Streptomyces chromofuscus, Streptomyces sp., and cabbage were examined for their ability to selectively promote PtdGly formation in a two phase aqueous‐organic solvent system. Factors examined were enzyme amount, pH, glycerol concentration, and the type of organic solvent. The reaction of PtdCho to give products such as PtdGly was followed by HPLC using a stationary phase consisting of a polymerized poly (vinyl alcohol) on silica gel with ELSD. The identities of all products were confirmed by retention times and HPLC‐MS analyses. Under all tested conditions PLD from S. chromofuscus gave at most a 15% yield of PtdGly. Higher amounts of added glycerol inhibited this PLD. Nearly quantitative conversion to PtdGly was obtained with cabbage PLD when the mol ratio of glycerol to PtdCho was at least 64 (mol water/glycerol = 105). With PLD from Streptomyces sp. a nearly quantitative yield of PtdGly was obtained when the mol ratio of glycerol to PtdCho was at least 5.3 (mol water/glycerol = 1,266), demonstrating that this PLD had a higher selectivity for glycerol than cabbage PLD. When the glycerol concentration was very low, the level of PtdOH increased, and cardiolipin (diphosphatidylglycerol) was generated. The highest mol ratio PtdGly to PtdOH was observed when the solvents isopropyl ether or dichloromethane were used.
Quid tres? On What Precisely Augustine Professes Not to Understand in De Trinitate 5 and 7
Authors: Cross Richard
Published: June 2007

It is generally held by systematic theologians that Augustine more or less radically shifts the understanding of the doctrine of the Trinity found in his Greek sources, and that, at least in part, this shift is a consequence of his failure fully to understand these sources. His own testimony of puzzlement provides some strong prima facie evidence in favor of such readings.
Antiglaucoma Medication and Clinical Depression
Authors: Schweitzer Isaac , Maguire Kay , Tuckwell Virginia
Published: June 2007

Objective: The aim of this paper is to alert the medical community to the potential risk of clinical depression following the use of antiglaucoma medication.

Method: The available literature concerning systemic side-effects of topical antiglaucoma medication and the association of these agents with clinical depression were reviewed. In addition, two cases are reported of the occurrence of clinical depression following use of topical betaxolol which only resolved completely after switching glaucoma medication.

Results/Conclusions: The case reports presented here add to the increasing body of literature linking topical ophthalmic β-adrenoceptor antagonists with depression. While these cases are uncommon, this phenomenon continues to be poorly recognized by the medical profession, psychiatrists, ophthalmologists and general practitioners alike.
Straight or Bent? An inquiry into rating scales in repertory grids
Authors: Yorke D. M.
Published: June 2007

Ogden's (1932) analysis of opposition is used as the basis for an exploration of the ways in which respondents might use rating scales in repertory grids. The conceptual approach to the problem is described and the conclusion is drawn that the mathematical and semantic aspects of rating scales may not always be aligned. Empirical evidence is presented from a preliminary study which suggests that bipolarity is a more complex issue than might be suspected from a superficial consideration.
School‐based Examining: a mechanism for school‐based professional development and accountability
Authors: Torrance Harry
Published: June 2007

The paper describes the context and work of a recently completed study of school‐based examining—'School‐based Examining and the Professional Development of Teachers'. The paper reports on the contribution which school‐based examining can make to professional development and curriculum development, and outlines the conditions which sustain school‐based examining in the long term. It is argued that school‐based examining is a significant mechanism used by teachers engaged in curriculum development and that the experience so gained might be useful when considering accountability in terms of self‐evaluation.
Between the Lines: the analysis of interview data as an exact art
Authors: Hull Charles
Published: June 2007

In this paper I shall consider some problems of utilising interview data; in particular those difficulties associated with using as evidence transcripts the analyst has helped create, as interviewer. I shall be talking specifically about data elicited at ‘unstructured’ interviews where the tape‐recorder was visible but not consciously placed to maximise its sustained ‘presence’ in the interaction, and where transcription was the task of a project secretary familiar with the aims of the research but not present at interviews.
Some Thoughts on the Political and Pedagogical Implications of Mixed Sex Grouping in the Physical Education Curriculum
Authors: Evans John , Lopez Sue , Duncan Mark , Evans Moyra
Published: June 2007

In this paper we draw attention to an innovation, mixed sex grouping, which is increasingly featuring in the secondary school PE curriculum. The discussion considers the motivations which underpin this organisational change and examines what it means for the professional identities of teachers and their classroom practices. The paper also focuses on the process of differentiation in PE classrooms and suggests that in some circumstances innovations of this sort can exacerbate rather than attenuate childrens and teachers stereotypical attitudes.
The Distribution of Special Education (Moderate) Needs in Southampton
Authors: Molinero C. Mar , Gard J. F.
Published: June 2007

This paper examines the demand for special education (moderate) in the City of Southampton. It is shown that the number of children that require special education (moderate) in a particular area depends on the characteristics of the area concerned. A forecast of future demand for special education is produced. A comparison with the actual 1984 figures makes it possible to assess the influence of educational policies.
Democratised Primary School Government: policy in practice
Authors: Pascal Christine
Published: June 2007

Summary The debate over democratised school government continues and is particularly pertinent at a time when legislation is proposed which aims to significantly alter the system in favour of the parent interest. This article describes a research project, undertaken in Birmingham from 1981‐1985, which investigated how a system of democratised primary school government, in which parents were prominent, was functioning after three years experience.

The findings suggest that reforming governing bodies in this manner is an effective, acceptable and practicable reform. These bodies were achieving some success in liaising with, monitoring and supporting the school, but administrative and structural factors were inhibiting their influence.

The system in Birmingham provides a creditable exemplar of a policy of democratised school government in practice and is able to offer a number of strategies and guidelines for those currently concerned with developing and improving policy.
The Validity of Reliability Measures
Authors: Seddon G. M.
Published: June 2007

Summary It is shown that some commonly used indices can be misleading in their quantification of reliability. The effects are seen most vividly in assessing the reliability of gain or difference scores. In addition, it is explained that the calculation of all the currently used indices is based on a wrong assumption about the value of the correlation coefficient between true and error scores being zero. The practical effects of using this wrong assumption are shown to be very significant. Proposals are made to avoid both these sources of invalidity using a procedure to assess reliability in terms of upper and lower limits for the true scores of each examinee.
Academic Achievement as a Function of Integration in an Israeli Elementary School
Authors: Katz Yaacov J. , Ben‐Yochanan Avraham
Published: June 2007

A project in integration was initiated at the Gush Etzion Regional Elementary School in Israel at the beginning of the 1984/85 school year. Students of Oriental ethnic origin, from a lower achievement oriented environment and a lower SES level were placed in the first grade of the school together with higher achievement oriented and higher SES level students of Western ethnic background.

Educational and integrational interventions thought to be conducive to the fostering of improved academic achievement were undertaken after which all participants in the study were administered the standardised Israel Reading Comprehension Test.

The results of the lower SES students participating in the integration project were compared with those of a control group studying in the segregated Elah Valley Elementary School which serves a lower SES population, as well as with those of their higher SES peers in the Gush Etzion Regional Elementary School.

Statistical analyses indicate that the lower level subjects who were placed in the integrative school achieved significantly higher scores on the Israel Reading Comprehension Test than their control group peers. However, the higher level students maintained a superior level of achievement on the research measure despite the efforts made to close the achievement gap between higher and lower level students participating in the integration project.
Bringing out a new Publication ‐ the role of a catalyst in the micropolitics of the management of institutional change in education
Authors: Busher Hugh
Published: June 2007

This paper looks at the strategies that can be used by a low‐status member of an organisation to create temporary coalitions amongst other members so allowing the low‐status member to implement change according to his/her own agenda. It is argued that the coalitions are maintained by exchanges of differentiated tokens of support. It is observed that the process of change goes through some clearly demarcated phases and gateways which serve to legitimate the project being implemented. It is suggested that such a formally powerless implementer of change performs a role fundamentally distinct from that of the conventional change agent.
Effects of Traditional and Alternative Courses on Students in Post‐compulsory Education
Authors: Batten Margaret
Published: June 2007

Students in 14 schools participated in a study of a traditional and an alternative course offered in the final year of secondary education in Victoria, Australia. Three structured measures of student attitudes were used to monitor changes in students' perceptions of themselves and their courses over the year. The data analysis revealed significant differences between the two student groups. Compared with students from the traditional course, students from the alternative course showed a greater rise in self‐esteem, higher levels of satisfaction with school, and greater fulfilment of the aims of the course in areas of academic, personal, social and career development.
An Evaluation of Two Studies of Gender Imbalance in Primary Classrooms
Authors: Hammersley Martyn
Published: June 2007

This article provides a methodological assessment of some recent work on imbalances in classroom participation between girls and boys. It is premised on the belief that educational research, and particularly ethnographic work, is not subjected to the detailed public assessment that it deserves and needs. If there is to be any possibility of a cumulative development of ethnographic knowledge, such assessment is essential. Methodological assessment should enable us to identify weaknesses in our research strategies and to overcome them. This paper is offered in the spirit of encouraging such developments.1
Case Still Not Proven: a reply to Cecile Wright
Authors: Foster Peter
Published: June 2007

This paper is a reply to the response by Cecile Wright to my critique of her study of two comprehensive schools which formed part of the broader study entitled Education for Some.
Gender Bias in Examinations: how equal are the opportunities?
Authors: Stobart Gordon , Elwood Jannette , Quinlan Michael
Published: June 2007

Recent analyses of public examination results, particularly in the GCSE, have demonstrated significant gender differences in both entry patterns and outcomes. This generally involves better results for girls in subjects other than mathematics and some sciences. The article discusses whether examination boards should work for equal outcomes given that the assessment techniques used in examinations may differentially affect girls' and boys' performances, as evidenced by objective tests and coursework. We argue that the type of assessment is only one factor and that the different experiences and expectations of both pupils and teachers also play significant parts. Equal outcomes should not therefore be contrived simply by manipulation of assessment techniques. What may be required is more sensitivity to gender related differences in approach and experiences. How much the recent changes to national curriculum assessment will take account of these factors will need further monitoring.
Parents, Pupils and Grant‐maintained Schools
Authors: Power Sally , Halpin David , Fitz John
Published: June 2007

The 1988 Education Reform Act allows schools to ‘opt out’ of local education authority (LEA) control and become ‘grant‐maintained’ (GM). Advocates of the policy claim that ‘freeing’ schools from LEAs will enable them to become more responsive to parents and, through diversifying the education ‘market’, expand parental choice. The policy's critics, on the other hand, fear that it will contribute to a divisive system of education and ultimately diminish choice and opportunity. Five years on, it is possible to begin to evaluate some of these claims. Drawing on interview data from parents and pupils who use GM schools, as well as parents and pupils in LEA and independent schools, this paper explores the extent to which GM schools have diversified educational provision and expanded parental choice. The paper argues that there is little evidence to suggest that GM schools offer either a ‘new’ alternative or a ‘new’ educational experience. Neither do they appear to offer parents greater participation in the running of their schools. However, while GM schools may not constitute anything ‘new’, they are beginning to cultivate an image of being somehow ‘different’ from their LEA counterparts. Although it is too early to demonstrate the significance of such ‘differences’, exploration of two ‘micro‐markets’ indicates that opting out preserves and pronounces existing differences between schools.
Making a Difference: feminism, post‐modernism and the methodology of educational research
Authors: Griffiths Morwenna
Published: June 2007

Different versions of feminism and post‐modernism are surveyed and briefly described. The current debate about the relationship between feminism and post‐modernism is reviewed with particular regard to the challenges each set of theories offers to traditional epistemologies. The paper concludes with a section in which suggestions are made about the influence of feminism and post‐modernism on the methodology of educational research—including action research. The suggestions occur in the context of a reflection on the author's own recent research projects.
Gender, Ethnic and Socio‐economic Differences in Attainment and Progress: a longitudinal analysis of student achievement over 9 years
Authors: Sammons Pamela
Published: June 2007

The size and stability of gender, ethnic and socio‐economic differences in students' educational achievement are examined over a 9 year period. Both absolute differences in cognitive attainment and relative differences in progress are considered. The study, which is part of a follow up of an age cohort originally included in the ‘School Matters’ research, utilises multilevel modelling techniques. Attainment in reading and mathematics is reported at primary school (Year 3 and 5), secondary transfer (Year 6) and in the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) (Year 11). Whilst differences in achievement related to gender and socio‐economic factors remained consistent and generally increased over time, greater change was found in patterns of ethnic differences. Possible explanations for the findings are discussed, particularly in relation to the debate concerning performance assessment and equity. The importance of adequate control for socio‐economic background in the analysis of ethnic differences is noted.
The Reliability of Marking of General Certificate of Secondary Education Scripts: mathematics and English
Authors: Newton P. E.
Published: June 2007

This study investigated the consistency with which marks were awarded to scripts during the summer 1994 examinations in mathematics and English. It was demonstrated that the reliability of marking of mathematics scripts was extremely high. The consistency of marking in English was notably lower, although on the whole it appeared to be at least as good, if not better, than in previous studies. As a consequence of inconsistency in marking, the adjustment of Assistant Examiners’ marks is not uncommon for English. An investigation into this process demonstrated its validity. In comparison with mathematics, should we conclude that the examination boards are failing in their assessment of English? An alternative argument was proposed, claiming that any examining body must trade reliability of assessment against considerations of validity and cost‐effectiveness. Although problems of inconsistency arise in English, they are largely inevitable as long as we value the current assessment formats.
Room to Manoeuvre: Mobilising the ‘active partner’ in home‐school relations
Authors: McNamara Olwen , Stronach Ian , Rodrigo Marta , Beresford Emma , Botcherby Sue
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT Recent shifts within the popular conception of education as an aspect of the market economy positioning parent as consumer, teacher as producer and educated child as product have reformulated the various stakeholders as ‘partners' in the business of educating children. This article, based upon data collected in an action research and development project, attempts to open up an interpretation of the dynamics of home‐school relations in terms of a matrix of ‘mobilisations' and ‘demobilisations' between parents, teachers and children. In interpreting the agency/structure dualism in terms of such an interactive matrix, the article aims to establish some additional bases for practical and theoretical manoeuvres.
Tackling Alcohol Together: the evidence base for a UK alcohol policy
Authors: Ling Stephen
Published: June 2007

Book reviewed in this article:

DUNCAN RAISTRICK, RAY HODGSON & BRUCE RITSON (Eds)
Lamé polynomials, hyperelliptic reductions and Lamé band structure
Authors: Maier Robert S
Published: June 2007

The band structure of the Lamé equation, viewed as a one-dimensional Schrödinger equation with a periodic potential, is studied. At integer values of the degree parameter
ℓ
, the dispersion relation is reduced to the
ℓ
=1 dispersion relation, and a previously published
ℓ
=2 dispersion relation is shown to be partly incorrect. The Hermite–Krichever Ansatz, which expresses Lamé equation solutions in terms of
ℓ
=1 solutions, is the chief tool. It is based on a projection from a genus-
ℓ
hyperelliptic curve, which parametrizes solutions, to an elliptic curve. A general formula for this covering is derived, and is used to reduce certain hyperelliptic integrals to elliptic ones. Degeneracies between band edges, which can occur if the Lamé equation parameters take complex values, are investigated. If the Lamé equation is viewed as a differential equation on an elliptic curve, a formula is conjectured for the number of points in elliptic moduli space (elliptic curve parameter space) at which degeneracies occur. Tables of spectral polynomials and Lamé polynomials, i.e. band-edge solutions, are given. A table in the earlier literature is corrected.
Self‐reported and clinically determined oral health status predictors for quality of life in dentate older migrant adults
Authors: Mariño R. , Schofield M. , Wright C. , Calache H. , Minichiello V.
Published: June 2007

Abstract –  Objective:  This paper reports the impact of oral health on the quality of life (QOL) of Southern European, dentate older adults, living independently in Melbourne, Australia. Participants were recruited through ethnic social clubs and interviewed about oral health, general health, socio‐demographics, and QOL using the Medical Outcomes Study Short‐Form 12 (SF‐12). The SF‐12’s physical and mental health component summary scores (PCS and MCS, respectively) were computed. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14) assessed the specific impact of oral health on QOL. Participants were also given a clinical oral examination.

Results:  A total of 603 eligible older adults volunteered; 308 were from Greek background and 295 were from Italian background. Mean age was 67.7 years (SD 6.2), with 63.7% being female. The PCS score had a mean value of 45.8 (SD 11.8), and MCS had a mean of 47.8 (SD 5.7). PCS was associated with, periodontal status, chronic health condition, self‐perceived oral health needs, self‐assessed oral health status, oral health impact score and the interaction between gender and level of education [F(11 552) = 10.57; P < 0.0001]. These independent variables accounted for 16% of the variance in PCS. The multivariate model predicting MCS had only one significant variable (self‐reported gingival bleeding), explaining 1.5% of the variance. The OHIP‐14 ranged from 0 to 48 with a mean score of 5.6 (SD 9.3). The model predicting OHIP‐14 contained four significant variables: perceived oral health treatment needs, number of missing natural teeth, reports of having to sip liquid to help swallow food, and gender [F(4576) = 33.39; P < 0.0001], and explained 18% of the variance. The results demonstrated a negative association between oral health indicators and both the oral health‐related QOL and the physical component of the SF‐12.

Conclusion:  The present findings support a growing recognition of the importance of oral health as a mediator of QOL. However, the self‐selected sample and modest predictive power of the multivariate models suggest that further research is needed to expand this explanatory model.
Spin-Polarized Scanning Tunneling Microscopy of Magnetic Structures and Antiferromagnetic Thin Films
Authors: Wulfhekel Wulf , Kirschner Jürgen
Published: June 2007

We present an overview of the technique of spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy (Sp-STM) and its application to high-resolution magnetic imaging. In STM, the electron density near the sample surface is imaged. Additionally, Sp-STM allows a mapping of the spin polarization of the electronic density, which is related to the magnetic configuration of the sample. Two primary imaging modes of Sp-STM are currently in use: the spectroscopic mode and the differential magnetic mode. The principles of the two modes are explained in the framework of imaging ferromagnetic nanostructures and antiferromagnetic surfaces. The advantages and drawbacks of the two approaches are discussed, and the strength of Sp-STM to map even complex spin structures on the nanometer scale is illustrated.