bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unusual association of ST-T abnormalities, myocarditis and cardiomyopathy with H1N1 influenza in pregnancy: two case reports and review of the literature
Authors: Chan Karen , Meek David , Chakravorty Indranil
Published: July 2011

Introduction

Myocarditis is rarely reported as an extra-pulmonary manifestation of influenza while pregnancy is a rare cause of cardiomyopathy. Pregnancy was identified as a major risk factor for increased mortality and morbidity due to H1N1 influenza in the pandemic of 2009 to 2010. However, to the best of our knowledge there are no previous reports in the literature linking H1N1 with myocarditis in pregnancy.

Case presentation

We report the cases of two pregnant Caucasian women (aged 29 and 30), with no pre-existing illness, presenting with respiratory manifestations of H1N1 influenza virus infection in their third trimester. Both women developed evidence of myocarditis. One woman developed acute respiratory distress syndrome, almost reaching the point of requiring extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation, and subsequently developed persistent cardiomyopathy; the other recovered without any long-term consequence.

Conclusions

While it is not possible to ascertain retrospectively if myocarditis was caused by either infection with H1N1 virus or as a result of pregnancy (in the absence of endomyocardial biopsies), the significant association with myocardial involvement in both women demonstrates the increased risk of exposure to H1N1 influenza virus in pregnant women. This highlights the need for health care providers to increase awareness amongst caregivers to target this 'at risk' group aggressively with vaccination and prompt treatment.
Environmental Catalysts for Complete Oxidation of Volatile Organic Compounds and Methane
Authors: Imanaka Nobuhito , Masui Toshiyuki , Yasuda Keisuke
Published: July 2011

Excellent oxidation catalysts, which can completely oxidize volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and methane at moderate temperatures, have been prepared. A new concept based on the design of solid electrolytes has been applied to the preparation of the catalysts. By the synergetic effect of precious metals and rare earth oxides, complete oxidation of VOCs and methane into CO2 and steam at moderate temperatures has been realized for the present catalysts.
Preparation and Antitumor-promoting Activity of Curcumin Encapsulated by 1,3-β-Glucan Isolated from Vietnam Medicinal Mushroom Hericium erinaceum
Authors: Huong Le Mai , Thu Ha Phuong , Thuy Nguyen Thi Bich , Ha Tran Thi Hong , Thi Ha Thi Minh , Trang Mai Thu , Hang Tran Thi Nhu , Nghi Do Huu , Phuc Nguyen Xuan , Quang Duong Tuan
Published: July 2011

The clinical application of curcumin in cancer treatment is considerably limited due to its serious poor delivery characteristics. In order to increase the hydrophilicity and drug delivery capability, we encapsulated curcumin into 1,3-β-glucan isolated from Vietnam medicinal mushroom Hericium erinaceum. The 1,3-β-glucan-encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles (Cur–Glu) were found to be spherical with an average size of 50 nm, being suitable for drug delivery applications. They were much more soluble in water not only than free curcumin but also than other biodegradable polymer-encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles. An antitumor-promoting assay was carried out, showing the positive effects of Cur–Glu on tumor promotion of Hep-G2 cell line in vitro.
DNA Morphologic Changes Induced by Spermine on a Gold Surface under DNA Crowding Conditions
Authors: Kobayashi Katsuaki , Tateishi-Karimata Hisae , Tsutsui Ken , Wada Yasuo , Sugimoto Naoki
Published: July 2011

DNA immobilized on a gold surface was globule in the absence of spermine. Upon addition of spermine, the DNA underwent a structural transition that was dependent on DNA length from a globular structure to a random coil. This effect was opposite the DNA morphologic changes observed in dilute solutions.
Synthesis of a Novel Silicone Monomer Bearing Amide Groups to Improve Compatibility with Hydrophilic Vinyl Monomers
Authors: Yokota Mitsuru , Nakamura Masataka , Ajiro Hiroharu , Akashi Mitsuru
Published: July 2011

We designed a novel monomer bearing one organosiloxanyl group and two amide groups in order to improve its compatibility with hydrophilic vinyl monomers. The novel monomer, N-2-(N′,N′-dimethylcarbamoyl)ethyl-N-[3-tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylpropyl]acrylamide (SiDAAA) showed good miscibility with N-(hydroxyethyl)acrylamide (HEAA) and formed a transparent hydrogel with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) in the presence of a crosslinker. In contrast, the conventional monomer did not show transparency, such as tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylpropyl methacrylate (TRIS). These results validated our monomer design concept.
Controlled Synthesis and Photoluminescent Properties of Cu2O Microcrystals with Different Morphologies
Authors: Qin Zengming , Zhou Baibin , Yin Yongkui , Sun Yuzeng
Published: July 2011

Cu2O microcrystals with cubic, spherical, and octahedral morphologies were easily synthesized in aqueous solution under the assistance of ultrasonic irradiation. The obtained products were characterized by using X-ray power diffractometry (XRD) and field emission scanning electronic microscopy (FE-SEM). The morphologies of Cu2O microcrystals could be controlled by simply adjusting NaOH concentration. It is believed that the difference in the growth rate of Cu2O crystal facets led to the formation of different morphologies of microcrystals, which exhibited good room-temperature photoluminescence properties with new green emission peaks at 530 nm, making them have potential applications as phosphors and biolabels.
Rapid and Specific Quantification of Ethylene Glycol Levels
Authors: Juenke JoEtta M. , Hardy Lindsay , McMillin Gwendolyn A. , Horowitz Gary L.
Published: July 2011

Ethylene glycol ingestion, accidental or intentional, can be a life-threatening emergency. Assays are not available from most clinical laboratories, and, thus, results often require many hours or days to obtain. Enzymatic assays, adaptable to automated chemistry analyzers, have been evaluated, but they have been plagued by analytic problems. With an alternative method of data analysis applied to an existing enzymatic assay, a modified assay was developed and validated on 2 different automated chemistry systems. Compared with a previously validated method based on gas chromatography with flame ionization detection, the modified enzymatic assay showed excellent agreement on patient samples (y = 1.0227x −1.24; r2 = 0.9725), with a large analytic measuring range (2.5–300 mg/dL [0.4–48.4 mmol/L]). Interferences from propylene glycol, various butanediols, and other related compounds were almost entirely eliminated; when present, they generated error flags rather than falsely elevated ethylene glycol results. This modified assay should make it possible for more clinical laboratories to offer ethylene glycol measurements.
Spectrin Isoforms
Authors: Wolgast Lucia R. , Cannizzarro Linda A. , Ramesh K. H. , Xue Xiaonan , Wang Dan , Bhattacharyya Pritish K. , Gong Jerald Z. , McMahon Christine , Albanese Joseph M. , Sunkara Jaya L. , Ratech Howard
Published: July 2011

Spectrins are large, rod-like, multifunctional molecules that participate in maintaining cell structure, signal transmission, and DNA repair. Because little is known about the role of spectrins in normal hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis, we immunohistochemically stained bone marrow biopsy specimens from 81 patients for αI, αII, βI, and βII spectrin isoforms in normal reactive marrow (NRM), myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloproliferative neoplasm, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with well-characterized cytogenetic abnormalities, acute erythroid leukemia (EryL), and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (MegL). In NRM, spectrin isoforms were differentially expressed according to cell lineage: αI and βI in erythroid precursors; αII and βII in granulocytes; and βI and βII in megakaryocytes. In contrast, 18 (44%) of 41 AMLs lacked αII spectrin and/or aberrantly expressed βI spectrin (P = .0398; Fisher exact test) and 5 (100%) of 5 EryLs expressed βII spectrin but lacked βI spectrin. The frequent loss and/or gain of spectrin isoforms in AMLs suggests a possible role for spectrin in leukemogenesis.
The Challenges of Universalizing Religions: The Kabbalah Centre in France and Britain
Authors: Altglas Véronique
Published: July 2011

The Kabbalah Centre is an offshoot of Judaism, which since the 1990s, has spread kabbalistic teaching in several countries to a religiously diverse audience. This article compares two European branches of the Kabbalah Centre: the flourishing London Centre, and the Parisian Centre that declined in the late 1990s before closing its doors in 2005. It emphasizes, in particular, the responses they stirred from the media, anticult movements, Orthodox Judaism, and the Jewish population generally. Ultimately, these case studies allow us to observe the trajectory of a global religion torn between its Jewish roots and universalistic ambitions.
Clinical Application of Stereolithographic Surgical Guide With a Handpiece Guidance Apparatus: A Case Report
Authors: Ozan Oguz , Seker Emre , Kurtulmus-Yilmaz Sevcan , Ersoy Ahmet Ersan
Published: July 2011

The success of implant-supported restorations depends on the treatment planning and the transfer of planning through the surgical field. Recently, new computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) techniques, such as stereolithographic (SLA) rapid prototyping, have been developed to fabricate surgical guides to improve the precision of implant placement. The objective of the present case is to introduce a recently developed SLA surgical guide system into the rehabilitation of a 62-year-old male patient with mandibular edentulism. After obtaining a cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) scan of the mandible with a radiographic template, the images were transferred into a 3-dimensional (3D) image-based software for implant planning. The StentCad Beyond SLA surgical guide system, which is a combination of a currently used surgical template with pilot hollows and a surgical handpiece guidance apparatus, was designed to transfer a preoperatively defined implant position onto the surgical site without any drill-surgical guide contact. For the fabrication of this system, a surgical handpiece was scanned by a laser optical scanner and a mucosa-supported surgical guide was designed according to the patient's 3D model, which was attained from the CBCT images. Four dental implants were inserted through the SLA surgical guide system by a torque-controlled surgical handpiece to the interforaminal region via a flapless surgical procedure. Implants were assessed 3 months after surgery, and an implant-retained mandibular overdenture was fabricated. The present case emphasizes that CAD/CAM SLA surgical guides, along with CBCT images and scanning data, may help clinicians plan and place dental implants.
Human Histologic Evaluation of the Use of the Dental Putty for Bone Formation in the Maxillary Sinus: Case Series
Authors: Kim David M. , Nevins Myron , Camelo Marcelo , Nevins Marc L. , Schupbach Peter , Rodrigues Vinicius S. , Fiorellini Joseph P.
Published: July 2011

A proof-of-principle study was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of dental putty as an alternative sinus augmentation biomaterial. Six healthy patients requiring a total of 10 sinus augmentations received sinus augmentations. All patients volunteered and signed an informed consent based on the Helsinki declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000. The sinus augmentation was performed under local anesthesia with a mucoperiosteal flap elevated to expose the buccal wall of the maxillary sinus. The space was then filled with the dental putty in several increments, and the window was covered with an absorbable collagen membrane. Biopsies were harvested from all 10 treated sinuses using a 3-mm trephine bur at the time of implant placement at either 6 or at 9 months after sinus augmentation. All patients completed the study without complications, except for 1 patient who reported fistulas at 1 and 2 months after the surgery. Clinical reentry revealed that regenerated bone on the osteotomy site was soft and immature. The ground sections of the biopsied cores revealed minimum amounts of trabeculation surrounded by an abundant array of irregular-shaped residual alloplastic particles embedded in loose connective tissue. The present study's findings revealed inadequate bone formation, although the material appears to be bioinert as there is no elicitation of inflammatory response.
Auto-percepção das condições de saúde da população adulta, Sul do Brasil
Authors: Traebert Jefferson , Bortoluzzi Marcelo Carlos , Kehrig Ruth Terezinha
Published: July 2011

O objetivo do estudo foi estimar como a população adulta (20 a 59 anos) de Joaçaba, SC, avalia sua condição de saúde. Realizou-se um estudo transversal em 2006 envolvendo amostra representativa (n = 707). O questionário levantou condições sociodemográficas, restrição das atividades diárias, realização de consulta médica, internação hospitalar e auto-percepção de saúde. Procedeu-se a análise de regressão logística múltipla hierarquizada. Constatou-se que 74,7% dos indivíduos percebia sua saúde como boa e 3,9% a percebia como ruim/muito ruim. Não estar trabalhando no momento da entrevista e deixar de realizar atividades habituais por problemas de saúde aumentaram significativamente a chance de uma auto-avaliação da condição de saúde como ruim/muito ruim.
Avaliação dos diferentes métodos de medida de força de compressão em três equipamentos mamográficos diferentes
Authors: Lykawka Rochelle , Biasi Patrícia , Guerini Clauzi Rodrigo , Bemvenuti Marcelo Schneider , Hoff Gabriela
Published: July 2011

OBJETIVO: Verificar a concordância dos resultados apresentados por diferentes métodos de medida e as variações apresentadas na aplicação deles em diferentes equipamentos mamográficos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas 10 medidas de força de compressão para cada método proposto em cada equipamento avaliado (Mammomat 3000-Siemens, Mammo Diagnostic UC-Philips e Alpha ST-GE), sendo avaliadas as diferenças entre esses equipamentos mamográficos para aplicação dos mesmos métodos de medida e as diferenças entre os métodos aplicados. RESULTADOS: Diferenças significativas foram observadas entre os resultados para os diferentes métodos propostos, sendo o valor medido com auxílio de "balança tipo de banheiro", o que subestimou o valor da força de compressão. Cada sistema de compressão mostrou diferentes respostas para os métodos propostos. CONCLUSÃO: Diferenças foram verificadas para os sistemas de compressão e métodos utilizados. Dessa forma, a escolha do modo de realização do teste de compressão torna-se importante para aceitação de equipamentos mamográficos, e a competência para a definição do método mais adequado e realista é do responsável técnico. Sugere-se que a medida de força de compressão seja realizada com auxílio de dinamômetro de extensão e não de compressão se não se conhece o funcionamento do sistema de compressão do mamógrafo.
Responsabilidade civil do radiologista no diagnóstico do câncer de mama através do exame de mamografia
Authors: Oliveira Frederico Guilherme Fonseca Torres de , Fonseca Lea Mirian Barbosa da , Koch Hilton Augusto
Published: July 2011

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a responsabilidade civil por erro médico no que tange, especificamente, à conduta do radiologista no diagnóstico do câncer através do exame mamográfico. Foram analisadas, para exemplificar, decisões judiciais com o objetivo de mostrar o entendimento dos tribunais nacionais, dentre eles, o Supremo Tribunal Federal, a quem compete revisar, em grau de recurso, as decisões judiciais que afrontam a Constituição Federal, bem como o Superior Tribunal de Justiça, que tem a competência de julgar em grau de recurso as decisões violadoras das leis federais. O material utilizado demonstra a visão dos tribunais acerca do tema objeto desta pesquisa, revelando as consequências do erro do médico radiologista e dos serviços de radiologia no âmbito do direito civil, que possui a indenização monetária como consequência da existência de responsabilidade civil. Ou seja, o dever de indenizar decorre da constatação da existência da responsabilidade civil. Assim, afastada a responsabilidade civil, fica afastado o dever de indenizar. Indenização não se confunde com a responsabilidade civil, esta é fundamento daquela.
Avaliação da superexpressão da proteína p53 e das mutações no éxon 8 do gene TP53 em carcinomas mamários caninos e glândulas normais
Authors: Teixeira Maria Juliana D. , Sobral Ana Paula V. , Abreu-e-Lima Maria do Carmo , Maia Frederico C.L. , Christilis Madriano , Souza Daniela M.B. , Adrião Manoel , Wischral Aurea
Published: July 2011

Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a expressão da proteína p53, pela técnica de imuno-histoquímica, em neoplasmas mamários malignos em cadelas, além de investigar mutações no éxon 8 do gene supressor Tp53 por meio do padrão de bandas obtidas por PCR-RFLP. Dezenove mamas de cadelas saudáveis foram usadas como controle (Grupo 1). Amostras de 18 casos de tumores malignos (Grupo 2) e suas glândulas mamárias contralaterais (Grupo 3) foram obtidas na rotina do Hospital Veterinário da UFRPE. Os tumores foram identificados histologicamente e classificados em graus de malignidade. O método da estreptoavidina-biotina peroxidase foi utilizado para a análise da expressão de p53 por imuno-histoquímica, de acordo com a localização e intensidade da coloração. A expressão da proteína p53 não foi observada nas amostras do Grupo 1, mas foi encontrada em todas as amostras de tumores malignos (Grupo 2) seja só no núcleo, ou também no citoplasma. No Grupo 3, a expressão foi observada em quatro amostras normais e em duas que apresentavam tumor. Para a análise molecular, o DNA genômico foi extraído e submetido à PCR-RFLP com as seguintes endonucleases: AluI, BsoBI, DdeI e SmaI. O padrão de bandas foi polimórfico entre os grupos, mas não entre as variantes tumorais. Esse polimorfismo detectou mutações no fragmento estudado - éxon 8 do gene Tp53 - que podem resultar em alterações nos nucleotídeos, localizados nos sítios de restrição das enzimas. Esses achados levam a conclusão de que a imunoexpressão da p53 não tem relação com o subtipo histológico ou grau de malignidade do tumor, mas sim com a presença dos tumores no tecido mamário de cadelas. A PCR-RFLP pode ser usada como importante ferramenta para o estudo da carcinogênese mamária na cadela, possibilitando gerar diagnósticos precoces através do polimorfismo obtido com endonucleases de restrição pré-selecionadas.
O espaço da cooperativa "amigos do meio ambiente": cooperativa de trabalho ou cooperfraude?
Authors: Sterchile Shirla Patrícia Weber , Batista Alfredo
Published: July 2011

O presente artigo é resultado de pesquisa acadêmica que tem como objeto de estudo-pesquisa "A forma de existir e de ser da Cooperativa dos Agentes Ambientais de Santa Helena 'Amigos do Meio Ambiente' e sua imbricação na Usina de Beneficiamento de Resíduos Sólidos do município de Santa Helena-PR". Verificando o cotidiano profissional, o descontentamento de trabalhadores catadores de matérias recicláveis, o incentivo do gestor municipal para a instalação da usina e a formação da cooperativa, aliado aos postulados do capitalismo, em sua fase tardia, propusemos desconstruir e reconstruir o movimento do objeto em questão a partir da pesquisa teórica e empírica. Para coletar os dados utilizando a técnica de gravação, recorremos à análise documental e à observação. Após esse processo descrevemos e analisamos os conteúdos presentes. Concluímos em nosso estudo-pesquisa, que a Cooperativa - "Amigos do Meio Ambiente", é uma "cooperfraude", legitimada pelo Estado, que suprime os princípios do cooperativismo e exime o capital da raiz da exploração da força de trabalho
Temporal distribution of ichthyoplankton in the Ivinhema River (Mato Grosso do Sul State/ Brazil): influence of environmental variables
Authors: Reynalte-Tataje David Augusto , Nakatani Keshiyu , Fernandes Rodrigo , Agostinho Angelo Antônio , Bialetzki Andréa
Published: July 2011

Information on ichthyoplankton is an important tool in determining reproduction periods that - if associated to environmental variables - allows for inferences about the factors that regulate their intensity, beginning, and ending. In this context, this study aims to establish (i) ichthyoplankton composition; (ii) temporal variations in the overall density of eggs and larvae and among the most important taxa; and (iii) the influence of some abiotic and biotic variables on these organisms' abundance. Ichthyoplankton sampling was undertaken during the period between April 2005 and March 2006 at the Ivinhema River, upper Paraná River basin (MS/Brazil). Differences in the ichthyoplankton's temporal variation were evaluated using unifactorial ANOVAs. Principal Component Analysis and Pearson's correlation were used for the relationships between eggs and larvae densities and environmental variables. A total of 3,341 eggs and 2,896 larvae were captured during the period studied, and most of them were medium-sized and large species that carried out some type of reproductive migration. The highest densities of eggs and larvae occurred during the months of spring and summer, except for those of Bryconamericus stramineus, which was most abundant during the winter. The density of ichthyoplankton was most positively correlated with the water's outflow and temperature. However, Plagioscion squamosissimus was positively related to the increase in pH and in zooplanktonic organisms, while B. stramineus was inversely correlated with water outflow and temperature. The study concludes that spawning is most intense in the spring and summer, especially between November and January, and is related to the greatest values of water temperature and outflow. Nevertheless, the response and reproductive intensity in relation to the environmental variables vary according to the species.
Lapped transform‐based codec for frame‐memory reduction in super‐quality LCD overdrive
Authors: Wang Jun , Huang Bormin , Wu Jiaji , Chong Jong‐Wha
Published: July 2011

Abstract— Overdrive is commonly used to reduce the liquid‐crystal response time and motion blur in liquid‐crystal displays (LCDs). However, overdrive requires a large frame memory in order to store the previous frame for reference. In this paper, a lapped transform‐based codec (LTC) is proposed to reduce the frame memory needed for LCD overdrive. In the latest literature, a directional prediction‐based codec (DPC) employs eight directional predictions, which takes up a large percentage of the computational complexity of the codec and does not consider the de‐correlation of the inter‐blocks. Therefore, the LTC first uses the lapped transform to decompose the correlation of the inter‐blocks in the YUV color space. A hadamard transform is then used for energy compaction. The reordered coefficients are pre‐quantized and encoded using the proposed adaptive bit‐plane coding (ABPC) method for a simple hardware implementation. The simulation results show that the proposed LTC significantly improves the DPC in both subjective and objective performance and outperforms the block truncation coding (BTC) and adaptive multi‐level BTC (AM‐BTC), which have been described in the literature.
The Importance of Good Data
Authors: Spetz Joanne
Published: July 2011

In 1977, the federal government launched the nation's largest and most significant program to collect data on the registered nurse (RN) workforce of the United States—the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN). This survey is conducted by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, first in 1977 and then every 4 years since 1980. This article offers the history of the NSSRN and a review of the ways in which the NSSRN data have been used to examine education, demographics, employment, shortages, and other aspects of the RN workforce. The influence this body of research has had on policymaking is explored. Recommendations for future research are offered, in the hope that future waves of the NSSRN will continue to be used to their fullest potential.
Bullying, Harassment, and Horizontal Violence in the Nursing Workforce The State of the Science
Authors: Vessey Judith A. , Demarco Rosanna , Difazio Rachel
Published: July 2011

In the complex health care workplace of nurses, intra/interprofessional ideals intersect with the expectations of patients, families, students, and coworkers in a context of managed care environments, academia, and other health care enterprises. Integral to quality assessment, management, and assurance is collegial and respectful communication. Decades of reported descriptive and anecdotal data on intra/inter professional and on client communication, describe the antithesis of these ideals. Specifically, increasing frequency and rates of persistent bullying, harassment, or horizontal violence (BHHV) have shown to yield detrimental effects on workplace satisfaction, workforce retention, and the psychological and physical health of nurses as well as implied effects on quality of patient care and risk of poor health outcomes. Persistent BHHV among nurses is a serious concern. In advancing the science of description and explanation to a level of prevention intervention, explanatory models from biology, developmental psychology, intra/interpersonal interactionism are described along with theoretical explanations for the prevalence of BHHV in nurse workplaces. Making the connection between explanatory models and creative solutions to address BHHV through multiple levels of behavioral influence such as individual, environmental, interpersonal, and cultural contexts is key to advancing the science of the relationship between professional behavior and client/family/community health care outcomes.
Job Satisfaction and Retention of Military Nurses A Review of the Literature
Authors: Zangaro George A. , Watts Kelley Patricia A.
Published: July 2011

Job satisfaction is an extremely important concept that influences a nurse's decision to stay in an organization, as well as the cost of turnover and the nursing shortage. The purpose of this review is to identify published research studies that have assessed job satisfaction and retention (intent to stay) in military nurses serving in the Army, Navy, or Air Force. The available literature was searched from 1980 to 2010 and the review resulted in 21 studies. The majority of the studies used a descriptive correlational design and was specific to one particular service. The researchers reported several satisfiers such as strong sense of teamwork, favorable work environments, pay and benefits, promotional opportunities, leadership and management experiences offered to junior officers. One of the major dissatisfiers was the lack of support from leadership. Nurse researchers must expand the retention science with robust longitudinal interventional studies. Nurse researchers are well positioned to provide military nurse leaders with the best possible evidence to address issues and make decisions regarding nurse retention.
Cognitive Education: A Transactional Metacognitive Perspective
Authors: Haywood H. Carl
Published: July 2011

Characteristics that are common to a number of cognitive education approaches and programs are identified and discussed, as are several that are not shared across approaches and programs. The author presents a list of qualities that are desirable in cognitive and/or metacognitive educational programs. The central idea is that any successful cognitive education program must rest on a body of theory regarding cognitive development, individual differences, and learning, and that body of theory should include a clear discussion of the nature of human ability. A “transactional metacognitive perspective” on human ability is offered, followed by a discussion of its application to cognitive/metacognitive education. Examples from the program Bright Start: Cognitive Curriculum for Young Children are offered.
Student Teachers’ Stress and Social Problem-Solving Skills
Authors: Montgomery Cameron
Published: July 2011

In this study we examined the relationship between stress and social problem-solving skills in student teachers. Results did not show any significant increase in social problem skills at the end of student teaching in 117 primary education student teachers at Laval University in Quebec City. Similarly, stress did not significantly increase. Our results suggest that the more student teachers increase their social problem-solving skills over the course of their student-teaching experience, the less their stress increases. The training of certain social problem-solving skills (problem orientation, generation of alternative solutions, cognition and emotion strategies) could be a promising method for reducing student teachers’ stress. The more we teach student teachers to manage their emotional stress and relax after school or work (relaxation potential), the more they will succeed in reducing their anxiety and overcoming depression.
Local and Global Processing by Persons with Williams Syndrome: The Case of Visuo-Constructive Tasks
Authors: Fayasse Michèle , Thibaut Jean-Pierre
Published: July 2011

Williams syndrome (WS) is a rare genetically based neurodevelopmental disorder resulting in mild to moderate mental retardation. People with WS are known for their particular weakness in visuo-spatial construction. In a block-design task and a jigsaw-puzzle task, we compared WS persons with normally developing children matched for mental age. Three hypotheses were contrasted: (a) the standard local hypothesis, maintaining that WS persons are biased toward local processing and have a deficit in processing the global level of stimuli (Bellugi & al., 1994); (b) the disengaging from the global level hypothesis, which states that they have difficulties disengaging from global configurations when local processing is required (Pani & al., 1999); and a new hypothesis (c) the disengaging from the local level hypothesis, which states that they have difficulties in disengaging from salient local features when global processing is required. The third hypothesis is compatible with most of the observations regarding visuo-constructive problems in WS. We propose an interpretation of WS persons’ problems in terms of executive functions.
Teachers’ Epistemological World Views and Educational Practices
Authors: Schraw Gregory , Olafson Lori
Published: July 2011

This article examines the implications of teachers’ beliefs about knowledge. We compare three epistemological world views we refer to as realist, contextualist, and relativist. An epistemological world view is a set of beliefs about knowledge and knowledge acquisition that influences the way teachers think and make important instructional decisions. We assume that different epistemological world views lead to different choices about curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment. We describe ongoing research that examines the beliefs held by teachers, instructional practices, and the consistency between beliefs and classroom practices. We summarize findings from our research and discuss their implications for teacher training. We also consider environmental factors such as school culture and mandated standards that affect teachers’ beliefs. We relate our findings to implications for teacher training. We also identify directions for future research.
Logical Necessity in Class Inclusion Development and the Ability to Process Transformations
Authors: Perret Patrick
Published: July 2011

The use of Markman’s modification task in the study of class inclusion development revealed a developmental gap between the ability to compare the extensions of classes and subclasses and the understanding that the superiority of the class extension is a logical necessity. Barrouillet and Poirier (1997) have proposed that the main difficulty in Markman’s task lies in its demand for the processing of transformations. Indeed, necessity arises from the impossibility of transforming facts. The present study explores this hypothesis by comparing children’s performances on a task of logical necessity and a task that requires them to process transformations of class extension. The results, consistent with Barrouillet and Poirier’s view, are discussed with reference to Piaget’s morphism theory and Halford’s relational complexity theory.
On Mentors, Cognitive Development, Education, and Constructivism: An Interview with Juan Pascual-Leone
Authors: Cardellini Liberato , Pascual-Leone Juan
Published: July 2011

In an interview format, Juan Pascual-Leone discusses the historical Piagetian origins of his dialectical theory of constructive operators (TCO) to ground the concepts intuitively and relate them to Piaget’s notions.The narrative of historical events helps to exhibit theoretical contrasts and differences of opinion that emerged between him and his teacher Piaget. Pascual-Leone discusses differences between his organismic model of mental processing and other current models of psychological information-processing and shows how the “learning paradox” problem of cognitive development can be solved. He sheds light on his intellectual personal history, contrasts psychology with psychiatry, and offers memories about personal experiences with Herman Witkin and Jean Piaget. He comments also on epistemological issues important for science education and cognitive psychology: the meaning and kinds of constructivism and his choice of dialectical constructivism as the most promising epistemology for psychology and education. The potential practical usefulness for educators of the TCO and its methods of rational task analysis is explored.
Curriculum-Based Measurement: Describing Competence, Enhancing Outcomes, Evaluating Treatment Effects, and Identifying Treatment Nonresponders
Authors: Fuchs Lynn I. , Fuchs Douglas
Published: July 2011

The authors summarize research on curriculum-based measurement (CBM) within four strands. They provide an overview of studies demonstrating the psychometric tenability of CBM. They discuss the body of work showing how teachers can use CBM to inform instructional planning. They examine CBM’s potential use in evaluating treatment effects. Finally, they summarize work on CBM for the purpose of identifying children who fail to profit from otherwise effective instruction.
Improvement of Cognitive Functions in Children with Down Syndrome through the Bright Start Program
Authors: Molina García Santiago , Vived Conte Elías
Published: July 2011

22 boys and girls with Down syndrome were given Bright Start, a cognitive curriculum for young children, using a version that included some special modifications for use with this population. Learners with Down syndrome showed consistent and sustained improvement in their cognitive processes and scores on intelligence tests, yielding effect sizes ranging from the .70s to 1.07. There are some problems in interpreting these results because the sample could not be selected randomly, and because there was no untreated control group; nevertheless, the gains that these learners made suggested the power of cognitive education, systematically applied, to enhance the cognitive development of children and youth with Down syndrome. This work should be repeated with random sampling from relatively homogeneous populations of learners with Down syndrome so the outcomes could be compared with those of other studies of the effectiveness of Bright Start.
Use of Concept Maps to Represent Students’ Knowledge of Research Methods in Psychology: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Hibberd Ralph , Morris Erica , Jones Ann
Published: July 2011

This paper is a report of research on the potential validity of concept maps as a representation of students’ knowledge of research methods in psychology. Concept maps may provide insight into the content and structure of students’ knowledge that traditional assessment methods do not. In this paper we examine the rationale underlying the use of concept maps and issues associated with their use. We also report a qualitative study in which we employed concept maps to assess students’ knowledge. Finally, there is a description of a potential application of concept mapping to the evaluation of students’ knowledge, currently being investigated by the authors.
Providing Mediated Learning Experiences Through Multidimensional Play Therapy
Authors: Shin Wong Shyh
Published: July 2011

Multidimensional Play Therapy is an integrative, multidimensional metatheoretical approach to the use of play in working with clients’ different modalities, with specific focus on the provision of mediated learning experiences through play. It is an attempt to fill in the gap and act as a bridge to integrate different ideas and practices in the fields of cognitive education and play therapy. Specifically, Multidimensional Play Therapy expands the use of play therapy to include providing mediated learning experience, based on Feuerstein’s theory of structural cognitive modifiability and mediated learning experience. The use of play as mediation, proposed by Vygotsky, is integrated with Feuerstein’s systematic application of Vygotsky’s idea of a more competent human being (the play therapist) as mediator in the context of Multidimensional Play Therapy.
Effects of Peer Mediation With Young Children on Autonomous Behavior
Authors: Shamir Adina , Silvern Steven B.
Published: July 2011

The authors investigated the effect of the Peer Mediation with Young Children (PMYC) program on autonomy behavior of children trained to be mediators and on children mediated by trained peers. Previous findings have revealed higher levels of mediational teaching style and higher cognitive modifiability, a trait we believe to be associated with autonomy. The sample was composed of 40 pupils (20 pairs), randomly assigned to experimental or control groups (10 pairs each). The mediator in each pair was from third grade and the learner from first grade. The experimental children received instruction in the PMYC program, whereas the control children received general preparation for peer-assisted learning. Following the PMYC intervention, both groups participated in a peer-mediation condition. The interactions were videotaped and analyzed by the Observation of Autonomy Behavior Protocol. Experimental group children (mediators and learners) received significantly higher scores on autonomy behavior criteria than did the control group children.
Contribution of Intelligence and Cognitive-Affective Variables to University Grades among African, Indian, and White Engineering Students in South Africa
Authors: Skuy Mervyn , Skuy Melissa
Published: July 2011

In previous studies significant differences in measured intelligence between African and non-African first year engineering students have been found. Intellectual ability was found to correlate with academic performance, and black studednts had higher dropout and failure rates and performed less well than did their non-African counterparts. Given the low magnitude (r = 0.3), albeit significant, of the correlation between intelligence and academic performance, the question arose of the role of non-intellective factors, relative to intelligence, in determining academic performance of engineering students at University. Accordingly, 93% (n=100) of the second year Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering class were assessed on two measures of intellectual ability, and on measures of self concept, motivation, study attitudes and strategies, anxiety, locus of control, and autonomy. Whereas the intelligence test scores of non-African students (n=36) were significantly higher than those of African students (n=64), this was not the case for any of the non-intellective measures, or for academic achievement. Moreover, although the intellectual measures did not yield significant correlations with academic achievement, certain of the non-intellective measures did, and were able to differentiate between high and low academic performers. This was particularly true for the African group, suggesting that non-intellective variables can contribute significantly to academic performance, particularly in mitigating the effects of lower IQ.
Indigenous Conception of Intelligence, Ideal Child, and Ideal Parenting among Ethiopian Jews in Israel
Authors: Berhanu Girma
Published: July 2011

A community’s conception of child development, “native theories” of socialization, the meta-communicative framework, the cultural meaning and value system—including the parent-child dyadic relationship—as part of the wider historical and cultural process significantly influence the construction of a person. It includes reference to literacy events, parents’ conceptions of the ideal child, their educational objectives, and indigenous conception of “intelligence,” all of which can influence the academic progress of Ethiopian children. Although these cultural practices, native theories of development, and conceptions of “schooling” are “functional” and valued within the group—especially in their Ethiopian socio-cultural and economic milieu—the group’s encounter with the Israeli schools and other social systems has created a conflict that works to the disadvantage of Ethiopian children. The data presented here show the rift between school ethos and home environment of Ethiopian children, which inadequately prepares them for formal demands of the Israeli school system. There is a discontinuity between home and school, non-existent among middle class Israeli children.
Deaf Children’s Concept Formation in Mathematics
Authors: Foisack Elsa
Published: July 2011

The question of why deaf children have difficulties in learning mathematics is the basis of this study. The aim of the study is to illuminate deaf children’s concept formation in mathematics by describing how some deaf children express themselves and act on their way towards understanding two basic concepts: the concept of multiplication with whole numbers and the concept of length.

Theories developed by Feuerstein are used in order to describe how deaf children develop concepts, and to investigate possibilities to help deaf children develop their cognitive potential in a more effective and adequate way. Concept maps illustrate steps and pathways taken by the pupils. The importance of language in concept formation, with focus on sign language is illuminated.

The children in this study were pupils in a School for the Deaf, a bilingual school with the languages Swedish Sign Language and Swedish. Seven 11-year-old pupils, all the pupils in one group in grade 4, were studied. Video recordings were made of pupil-teacher interactions in problem solving situations in sign language only, with paper and pencil, with learning materials, and with real things.

A large variability in the pupils’ ability to solve the problems was found depending on different factors identified by Feuerstein, e.g., self-confidence, looking for meaning, search of challenge, intention to finish the work, and use of known facts. No difference was found concerning the steps towards comprehension of the concepts for the deaf pupils in the study compared to those of hearing pupils. In accordance with earlier studies, it was found that the deaf pupils needed more time to learn mathematics than hearing pupils normally do. As a consequence, they may learn certain concepts at a later age, and the pathways towards comprehension may vary compared to those of hearing pupils. The structure of sign language and the lack of an established terminology in mathematics are also of importance.

The bilingual situation for deaf pupils is a reason for developing methods of teaching mathematics to deaf pupils alternative to methods used today.
Transculturality and Cognitive Development: Some Observations and Some Questions
Authors: Haywood Carl H.
Published: July 2011

Transculturality is defined as “the condition of being either between cultures or astride two (or more) cultures.” The condition has both a dynamic aspect, i.e., movement between or across boundaries, but, more importantly, a social and psychological aspect, i.e., movement between or across social systems whose cultural characteristics are fundamentally different. Transculturality may occur both between and within persons. Data on language mastery and use, educational attainment, school dropout rates, occupations, and incomes of transcultural persons in the United States are examined for generalizable inferences. Language appears to be both a powerful component of culture and of great power in transcultural situations. Language mastery and use are strongly related to a host of adaptation variables. Three models (syndrome, risk factor, and multivariate) are discussed briefly.
Mediated Learning Activities Between Caregivers and Children Among New Immigrants and Veteran Families in Israel: An Experiment on Two “Home-Based” Tasks
Authors: Berhanu Girma
Published: July 2011

The author presents a study of the systematic observation of Mediated Learning Experience (MLE) among Ethiopian immigrants in Israel. The study was based on “semi-naturalistic” observation of two tasks–one experimental task with the new immigrants, another with veteran immigrants. The observation was conducted mainly on the basis of MLE parameters. The study illustrates the components of MLE that are most valuable and ones that are more emphasized than others as part of the overall cultural practice and its value system. Generally, Ethiopian parents infrequently use the mediation of transcendence infrequently and rarely provide mediation of competence and reward, especially in the explicit verbal form of a direct reward. More emphasis is placed on the accomplishment of actual acts with little room for making errors. The mediation of regulation of behavior is done with a more commanding and direct manner–sometimes scolding–with an authoritarian voice and body gestures. The overall picture of MLE among this immigrant population indicates that there is still a huge disparity between the mediational teaching style expressed as ideal in schools and the mediational styles that Ethiopian children are familiar with at home. This suggests a discontinuity between home and school that might inhibit a rapid adaptation to the school’s learning style for the children.
Becoming a Thinking Teacher
Authors: Green Lena
Published: July 2011

One consequence of the transformation to democracy in South Africa was the development of a new school curriculum based on constructivist principles. The curriculum specifies a number of Critical Outcomes that have much in common with the goals of cognitive education but says little about how these are to be achieved in practice. This creates a particularly difficult situation for many teachers who, through no fault of their own, have not had opportunities to develop as thinkers themselves. The paper describes the introduction of a particular approach to “teaching thinking” (Philosophy for Children) to various groups of teachers, and reports on perceived benefits to teachers in terms of analytic thinking skills, creativity, confidence, and classroom understanding. It is argued that these benefits, however conferred, are a necessary precondition for the effective classroom implementation of any cognitive education intervention and that the proponents of cognitive education have possibly underestimated the time it takes for teachers to internalize and implement cognitive approaches.