bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of disease and age on human cardiac stem cells
Authors: Hu Shengda , Yan Gaoliang , He Wei , Liu Zhiyong , Xu Hongzeng , Ma Genshan
Published: November 2013

Recent studies have found that cardiac stem cells (CSCs) are present in the adult heart. CSCs play an important role in maintaining the balance of the number of myocardial cells. The purpose of this study was to examine characteristics of human CSCs and their correlation with clinical characteristics of patients. We collected heart auricles of 105 patients (age range, 1–78 years; mean, 55.6 ± 17.0 years) undergoing cardiac surgery to obtain CSCs. We assayed the percentage of c-kit positive (c-kit+) CSCs with flow cytometry. Plasma Nɛ-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The percentage of c-kit+ CSCs was 4.96 ± 3.12% (0.98–17.17%), and this was significantly negatively correlated with age, the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and coronary heart disease (CHD) ( r values were −0.797 [ P < 0.01], −0.500 [ P < 0.01] and −0.250 [ P = 0.011], respectively). The percentage of c-kit+ CSCs was significantly negatively correlated with CML concentrations ( r = −0.859, P < 0.01). The percentage of c-kit+ CSCs decreases with ageing and is further decreased in patients with DM and/or CHD. Furthermore, plasma CML concentrations may have potential as an indicator of the number of c-kit+ CSCs.
Middle years students’ experience with new media
Authors: Chandler Paul D
Published: November 2013

This study draws on a survey of 800 upper primary school students concerning their knowledge of certain ‘new media’ applications. The findings concur with other studies in suggesting that students’ relationship with technology is more complex and nuanced than is conveyed by a simple branding of ‘digital native’. Some differential experiences between classes and genders are identified, along with an important minority of students who have much more out-of-school experience with new media than others. The role of the school and teacher in inducting students to new media is presented as central, with important implications for curriculum leadership and teacher professional development.
Country teaches: The significance of the local in the Australian history curriculum
Authors: Harrison Neil
Published: November 2013

This article develops the case for a greater focus on the teaching of local histories in the Australian Curriculum: History. It takes as its starting point an Indigenous epistemology that understands knowledge to be embedded in the land. This connection between knowledge and country is used to examine recent literature on whether the teaching of history in schools can succeed in the context of the new Australian history curriculum. Various proposals from academics to develop a framework that can be used to select appropriate content and approaches to teaching history in Australia are explored. It questions whether a geographically dispersed and diverse body of students can ever be engaged with knowledge that is often taught far from the place of its making. This article eschews the traditional concepts used by historians to teach and interpret history, in order to observe how the country can teach the student.
Self-predicted classroom behaviour without external controls: Imagining a ‘Lord of the Flies’ scenario
Authors: Lewis Ramon (Rom) , Montuoro Paul , McCann Patricia
Published: November 2013

This study examines Australian primary and secondary school students’ self-reported responsible behaviour and their predicted level of misbehaviour in the absence of external controls. Participants were 4225 students from the fourth to 10th grade. High levels of responsible behaviour were reported amongst all students. Nevertheless, in the hypothetical scenario where all external controls were removed, 64% of primary school students and 46% of secondary school students predicted that their behaviour would become worse or much worse. The findings of the present study suggest that for many students, acts of responsibility may be motivated by the imposition of external controls.
Teachers’ perceptions of the factors influencing their engagement with statistical reports on student achievement data
Authors: Pierce Robyn , Chick Helen , Gordon Ian
Published: November 2013

In Australia, as in other countries, school students participate in national literacy and numeracy testing with the resulting reports being sent to teachers and school administrators. In this study, the Theory of Planned Behaviour provides a framework for examining teachers’ perceptions of factors influencing their intention to engage with these data. Most teachers perceived the data to be useful, but there were some negatively held views. For both primary and secondary teachers, males were more positive and had weaker perceptions of barriers to their use of data from system reports compared to females. Teachers who had studied statistics at the post-secondary level and/or attended relevant professional learning generally felt more capable of using the data, and senior teachers and principals were more favourably disposed to using these kinds of statistical reports. Many teachers had concerns about the timeliness of the data’s release and the effort required to interpret them.
Australia, quality education and the ‘best interests of the child’
Authors: Cumming Joy , Mawdesley Ralph
Published: November 2013

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Australia, states that the ‘best interests of the child’ shall be a primary consideration in all decisions about children, yet these are rarely considered in Australian education-related legislation and policy. This article considers the history and current practice of national educational reforms aimed at high quality education, including educational accountability and publication of school performance data. Research on quality education and parent perspectives is examined in two contexts: first, economic research on relationships between reported school performance and housing prices; and, second, research on indicators that parents value as quality education. The final section examines legal decisions in family law, where decisions about quality education and choice of school are explicitly based on the best interests of the child. We conclude that current Australian educational reforms, while intended to promote education quality, do not always give specific attention to the best interests of the child. They should.
Perceived Barriers to Care in a Pediatric Medical Home
Authors: Fedele David A. , Molzon Elizabeth S. , Eddington Angelica R. , Hullmann Stephanie E. , Mullins Larry L. , Gillaspy Stephen G.
Published: November 2013

Objective. To examine the association of minority status to perceived barriers to care and health-related quality of life in families presenting to a Medical Home. Method. Fifty-three caregivers were classified as minority or nonminority caregivers based on self-reported race/ethnicity. Caregivers completed a measure of perceived barriers to care and child health–related quality of life. Results. Minority caregivers reported more perceived barriers to care with regard to the pragmatics of obtaining health care. The association between perceived barriers to care and child health–related quality of life was moderated by minority status. Perceived barriers to care were only related to child health–related quality of life among minority caregivers. Conclusion. Minority families may have difficulties with the cost of health care or logistics of obtaining health care for their child. Perceived health care barriers may still exist within pediatric Medical Homes for minority caregivers and affect child health–related quality of life.
Revisiting the Safety of Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Medications in the Pediatric Population
Authors: Yang Michele , So Tsz-Yin
Published: November 2013

Increased reports of serious adverse events in young children have led to numerous investigations of its therapeutic role in the pediatric population. A review of the literature has shown limited support of its use in young children, with the majority of randomized controlled trials showing no difference in endpoints when compared to placebo. Because of the recent recommended changes to pediatric cough and cold medication use, studies have suggested a decline in ingestion misuses, health care referrals, and reports of adverse events. While these patterns of use are reassuring, clinicians should continue to educate and provide caregivers guidance in managing cough and cold symptoms. Although a tremendous improvement in frequency of therapeutic error ingestions in children younger than 2 years was shown in these studies, the same magnitude of improvement was not seen in children 2 to 12 years. Therefore, future research is necessary to investigate its role in children younger than 12 years.
How Much Do the Crimes Committed by Released Inmates Cost?
Authors: Ostermann Michael , Caplan Joel M.
Published: November 2013

The goal of this study is to explore the monetary costs of crimes committed by former inmates as they attempt to transition back into their communities. We use data gathered from New Jersey prison releases from 2005 to 2007 ( n = 31,831) for our explorations. In addition to describing local-, county-, and state-level costs of crimes, we construct a series of regression models to predict costs using several predictors of recidivism. Results indicate that age, minority status, area-level deprivation, and whether the inmate was released to parole supervision were statistically significant predictors of costs in expected directions. However, strongly established predictors of recidivism such as criminal history and policy-relevant predictors such as time served are not significant predictors of postrelease costs of crimes. Our discussion presents a simple cost-benefit analysis according to two distinct policy approaches: (a) targeting evidence-based correctional principles toward high-risk former inmates and (b) incapacitating high-risk former inmates.
Killing Range
Authors: Asal Victor , Gill Paul , Rethemeyer R. Karl , Horgan John
Published: November 2013

This paper presents an analysis of the Provisional Irish Republican Army's (PIRA) brigade level behavior during the Northern Ireland Conflict (1970-1998) and identifies the organizational factors that impact a brigade's lethality as measured via terrorist attacks. Key independent variables include levels of technical expertise, cadre age, counter-terrorism policies experienced, brigade size, and IED components and delivery methods. We find that technical expertise within a brigade allows for careful IED usage, which significantly minimizes civilian casualties (a specific strategic goal of PIRA) while increasing the ability to kill more high value targets with IEDs. Lethal counter-terrorism events also significantly affect a brigade's likelihood of killing both civilians and high-value targets but in different ways. Killing PIRA members significantly decreases IED fatalities but also significantly decreases the possibility of zero civilian IED-related deaths in a given year. Killing innocent Catholics in a Brigade's county significantly increases total and civilian IED fatalities. Together the results suggest the necessity to analyze dynamic situational variables that impact terrorist group behavior at the sub-unit level.
Cultural Differences in Stranger–Child Interactions
Authors: Otto Hiltrud , Potinius Inga , Keller Heidi
Published: November 2013

This study analyzes the embodiment of stranger–child interaction in the cultural context of German middle-class families and Cameroonian Nso farming families. We videotaped 22 encounters between a female stranger and a 1-year-old child in both cultural contexts and developed a coding manual to microanalytically assess differences on the part of the stranger and the child during the first minute of their interaction. We demonstrate that the stranger and the child apply an interaction style that respects the cultural agenda of their cultural context: The German stranger shows a responsive-sensitive interaction style and considers the child’s mother’s reaction, whereas the Cameroonian stranger displays a directive interaction style without monitoring the child’s mother. Likewise, German children take initiatives during the interaction; Cameroonian children follow the suggestions of the stranger. Because stranger–child encounters are incorporated in the paradigm of the strange situation, our data challenge the cross-cultural validity of this procedure.
Contact and Attitudes Toward International Students in Australia
Authors: Mak Anita S. , Brown Patricia M. , Wadey Danielle
Published: November 2013

The current study investigated the impact of intercultural contact between domestic and international students on attitudes toward international students, and potential mediators of this relationship. A total of 247 Australian-born domestic undergraduates completed a survey of the quantity and quality of their contact with international students, levels of intergroup anxiety (IA) and intercultural communication emotions (ICE), and their attitudes toward international students. Positive quality of intercultural contact, less IA, and more positive ICE were all related to more positive attitudes toward international students. In addition, ICE mediated the relationship between positive quality of contact and attitudes, and between IA and attitudes. Quality of contact exerted both direct and indirect effects (via IA and intercultural communications emotions) on intergroup attitudes. Results highlight the importance of addressing communication barriers and the emotions associated with these when promoting positive interactions between domestic and international students. Suggestions are made for a theoretical integration of intergroup and communication-based perspectives when considering attitudes toward linguistically diverse outgroups like international students.
HIV and HCV Serostatus and Knowledge Among Patients in Urban Versus Rural Methadone Maintenance Clinics in Kunming
Authors: Chang Yen-Jung , Hsieh Julie , Peng Ching-Yi , Li Jianhua , Hser Yih-Ing
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this study was to document the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) among urban and rural methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients and to examine differences in knowledge of HIV and HCV among this population. We compared 147 MMT patients attending urban versus rural clinics in Kunming, Yunnan, China, concerning their serostatus and knowledge of HIV and HCV. The rates of HIV and HCV seropositive status were higher among rural patients. Both urban and rural patients showed limited HIV and HCV knowledge. Recent opioid injection and geographic area were strong predictors of HIV and HCV serostatus. The lack of knowledge of HIV and HCV among both urban and rural MMT patients suggests the need to strengthen current HIV and HCV education programs in MMT clinics. In addition, prevention programs should take into consideration geographic characteristics of the target population.
Detecting DIF With Ideal Point Models
Authors: Seybert Jacob , Stark Stephen , Chernyshenko Oleksandr S.
Published: November 2013

Ideal point models have become increasingly popular in research and practice, but little is known about how traditional methods for linking and detecting differential item functioning (DIF) perform with data satisfying ideal point assumptions. Very few studies have been conducted on this topic, and the results of some well-known area and parameter difference DIF detection methods have been inconsistent with previous research involving dominance models. Consequently, the authors conducted a Monte Carlo study to help identify sources of these discrepancies. Specifically, they compared the effectiveness of the Lord’s chi-square parameter difference method and the differential functioning of items and tests (DFIT) area method for detecting DIF with the Generalized Graded Unfolding Model (GGUM). The results clearly indicated that when DIF was simulated via parameter shifts that produced constant magnitudes of effect for all designated items, Lord’s chi-square and DFIT performed similarly well. In addition, the authors found that iterative item characteristic curve (ICC) linking outperformed iterative test characteristic curve (TCC) linking in most experimental conditions. The implications of these findings for DIF detection research and practice with ideal point models are discussed.
Energy, saturated fat and fibre intakes among Dutch children and adolescents at breakfast and implications for educational messages
Authors: Raaijmakers LGM , Bessems KMHH , Kremers SPJ , Assema P van
Published: November 2013

The aim of this study was to assess energy, saturated fat and fibre intakes at breakfast among Dutch youngsters aged 10–19 years and the extent to which they meet nutritional value recommendations and the educational messages on food group intake by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (NNC). A cross-sectional design was used and data were collected through an online questionnaire among 2380 students attending 71 Dutch schools for primary and secondary education. Energy intake at breakfast was, on average, 15.8% of daily recommended energy intake; mean saturated fat intake was 7.5 en% and mean fibre intake 1.0 g per 100 kcal. Of the participants, 67.2% met the saturated fat intake recommendation and 35.3% the fibre intake recommendation. In addition, 25.5% were assessed to have an adequate energy intake based on daily recommended, but not individually measured, age- and gender-specific energy intake. Most participants consumed products from the grains food group, in combination with products from one or two other food groups. Consumption from two or more food groups resulted in less favourable intake. Our study found generally inadequate fibre intake at breakfast as well as an indication of inadequate energy intake at breakfast among Dutch youngsters. The educational message of the NNC to consume at least (wholemeal) bread or another fibre-rich product (cereals) at breakfast seems realistic in terms of compliance and favourable in terms of the resulting nutritional value. The educational message to preferably eat from each of the five main food groups should be reconsidered.
The Urban Problematic
Authors: Bishop Ryan , Phillips John W.P.
Published: November 2013

This article, which introduces the special section on The Urban Problematic, takes as its starting point the ways in which categories associated with the ‘urban’ have broken down, such that the once singular and coherent concept ‘city’ has disintegrated in certain ways: the notion has been demythologized, so that representations of the city must now be regarded as partial and invested; and cities themselves have become opaque and unpredictable both to urban scholars and to governments, planners and various kinds of welfare organizations. The indications of crisis, captured for instance by concerns about the slums, favelas and shanty towns of the world’s megacities, also indicate that much of what counts in modern urban life is in some way connected with the marginal, the unofficial, and the supplemental. The article takes a supplemental view of the current state of urban dwelling. This involves at the same time a longer, more patient, historical view in its attempt to understand the current state of the city as part of a shift in the play of heterogeneous forces. With reference to the articles contained in The Urban Problematic, this introductory article finally draws attention to some of the urgent and critical issues of contemporary urbanism.
Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of borderline personality disorder: A study of the association with valproic acid
Authors: Bellino Silvio , Bozzatello Paola , Rocca Giuseppe , Bogetto Filippo
Published: November 2013

Omega-3 fatty acids have received increasing interest due to their effects in stabilizing plasmatic membranes and regulating cell signaling. The efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids in psychiatric disorders, in particular mood disorders, has been studied. There have been two trials on eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) in the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD). The present 12-week controlled trial aimed to assess the efficacy of the association of EPA and DHA with valproic acid, compared to single valproic acid, in 43 consecutive BPD outpatients. Participants were evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks with: Clinical Global Impression – Severity (CGI-S), Hamilton Scales for depression and anxiety (HAM-D, HAM-A), Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), borderline personality disorder severity index (BPDSI), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale – version 11 (BIS-11), Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS), Self-Harm Inventory (SHI) and Dosage Record Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (DOTES).
Influence of Cell Differentiation and IL-1β Expression on Clinical Outcomes After Matrix-Associated Chondrocyte Transplantation
Authors: Albrecht Christian , Tichy Brigitte , Zak Lukas , Aldrian Silke , Nürnberger Sylvia , Marlovits Stefan
Published: November 2013

Background:

Several patient- and defect-specific factors influencing clinical outcomes after matrix-associated chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) have been identified, including the patient’s age, location of the defect, or duration of symptoms before surgery. Little is known, however, about the influence of cell-specific characteristics on clinical results after transplantation.

Purpose:

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of cell differentiation and interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) expression on clinical outcomes up to 5 years after MACT.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Twenty-seven patients who underwent MACT of the tibiofemoral joint area of the knee were included in this study. Clinical assessments were performed preoperatively as well as 6, 12, 24, and 60 months after transplantation by using the following scores: the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form, the Noyes sports activity rating scale, the Brittberg clinical score, and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. The quality of repair tissue was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging using the magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score at 1 and 5 years. Cell differentiation (defined as collagen type II:type I expression ratio), aggrecan, and IL-1β expression were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction in transplant residuals and were correlated with clinical outcomes.

Results:

The largest improvements in clinical scores were found during the first year. Two years postoperatively, a stable improvement was reached until 5 years after transplantation, with a mean IKDC score of 34.4 ± 8.6 preoperatively to 77.9 ± 16 after 24 months ( P < .001). Cell differentiation showed a significant positive correlation with nearly all clinical scores at different time points, especially after 12 months ( P < .05). IL-1β expression negatively influenced clinical outcomes at 24 months (Brittberg score) and 60 months (Brittberg and VAS scores) after surgery ( P < .05). No correlation was found between the MOCART score and clinical outcomes or gene expression.

Conclusion:

Our data demonstrate that cell differentiation and IL-1β expression influence clinical outcomes up to 5 years after MACT.
A Qualitative Investigation of the Decision to Return to Sport After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Tjong Vehniah K. , Murnaghan M. Lucas , Nyhof-Young Joyce M. , Ogilvie-Harris Darrell J.
Published: November 2013

Background:

Primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is known to have excellent outcomes, but many patients do not return to their preinjury level of sport participation. Previous studies have used subjective outcome scores to evaluate this discrepancy, but none to date has used qualitative, in-depth patient interviews.

Purpose:

To understand the factors influencing a patient’s decision to return to his or her preinjury level of sport after ACL reconstruction.

Hypothesis:

Extrinsic and intrinsic factors may affect one’s decision to return to sport after primary ACL reconstruction despite good functional knee scores.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

An experienced interviewer conducted qualitative, semistructured interviews of 31 patients, aged 18 to 40 years, who had undergone primary ACL reconstruction surgery. All participated in sport before injury and had a minimum 2-year follow-up with no further surgeries or knee injuries. Qualitative analysis was then performed to derive codes, categories, and themes. An assessment of preinjury and current sport participation by type, level of competition, and Marx activity score, along with patient-reported knee function, was also conducted.

Results:

Patient interviews revealed 3 overarching themes: fear, lifestyle changes, and innate personality traits. Elements of these factors were shown to largely influence the decision to return to the preinjury sport both in those patients who had returned and those who had not returned to sport. Less common factors included the surgeon’s advice not to return, depressed mood, and persistent knee pain.

Conclusion:

Patients who did not return to their preinjury level of sport after primary ACL reconstruction despite having good knee function were largely influenced by fear, shifts in priority, and individual personalities. This study highlights the importance for treating physicians to recognize and address psychological factors and lifestyle changes that largely contribute to a patient’s postoperative decision to return to sport. Results from this study will allow surgeons and health care professionals to educate patients contemplating surgery and to better understand the recovery process not only from sport-related surgeries but other surgical interventions with the goal of returning to activity.
Are There Differences in Neurocognitive Function and Symptoms Between Male and Female Soccer Players After Concussions?
Authors: Covassin Tracey , Elbin R.J. , Bleecker Alisha , Lipchik Adam , Kontos Anthony P.
Published: November 2013

Background:

Researchers have suggested that there are sex differences in outcomes after sport-related concussions. Factors such as sport type/rules, age, and body mass index (BMI) may influence these differences.

Hypotheses/Purpose:

The purposes of this study were (1) to examine neurocognitive performance after concussions between male and female soccer players and (2) to compare concussion symptoms between male and female soccer players. We hypothesized that female concussed soccer players would report more concussion symptoms and worse cognitive performance compared with male concussed soccer players.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

A total of 39 male (mean BMI, 22.21 ± 2.34 kg/m2; mean age, 17.69 ± 2.10 years) and 56 female (mean BMI, 23.47 ± 2.66 kg/m2; mean age, 17.78 ± 2.30 years) concussed soccer players participated in this study. Participants were similar in age, history of concussion, sport, and time since injury. Participants completed computerized neurocognitive tests and symptom reports at baseline and 8 days after injury. Body mass index served as a covariate in all analyses.

Results:

After adjusting for BMI, results from a repeated-measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed a group by time interaction for visual memory (F1,82 = 5.50; P = .021). Specifically, female concussed soccer players (mean score, 68.7 ± 15.2) performed worse at 8 days after a concussion compared with male concussed athletes (mean score, 77.2 ± 8.9). Results of another ANCOVA for total concussion symptoms indicated an interaction for group by time (F1,82 = 4.26; P = .04). Specifically, female concussed soccer players (mean score, 11.9 ± 15.7) reported more total concussion symptoms at 8 days compared with male concussed athletes (mean score, 5.3 ± 7.4). There were significant main effects for sex on verbal (F1,82 = 5.98; P = .017) and visual (F1,82 = 4.65; P = .034) memory, with female athletes reporting lower scores than male athletes. Female athletes also reported more symptoms on the migraine-cognitive-fatigue (F1,82 = 10.8; P = .001) and sleep (F1,82 = 9.2; P = .003) clusters than male athletes.

Conclusion:

In contrast to recent studies, after controlling for BMI, female athletes exhibited lower performance on visual memory composite scores and higher scores on total symptoms than male athletes after concussions.
The Single-Item Math Anxiety Scale
Authors: Núñez-Peña M. Isabel , Guilera Georgina , Suárez-Pellicioni Macarena
Published: November 2013

This study examined whether the Single-Item Math Anxiety Scale (SIMA), based on the item suggested by Ashcraft, provided valid and reliable scores of mathematical anxiety. A large sample of university students ( n = 279) was administered the SIMA and the 25-item Shortened Math Anxiety Rating Scale (sMARS) to evaluate the relation between the scores of the two measures. The university students were also administered other tests to provide validity evidence for the SIMA scores. The temporal stability of the SIMA scores was also evaluated over a 7-week test-retest interval. The findings of the study demonstrated that the SIMA scores showed evidence of validity and strong test-retest reliability. We advocate for the use of the SIMA as a quick and useful means of assessing math anxiety, particularly in research and educational settings when large samples have to be assessed.
The Relationships Between Poor Sleep Efficiency and Mild Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson Disease
Authors: Gunn David G. , Naismith Sharon L. , Terpening Zoe , Lewis Simon J. G.
Published: November 2013

Background:

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and sleep disturbances are common features in Parkinson disease (PD). This study sought to investigate whether patients with MCI in PD (PD-MCI) have more pronounced sleep disturbance compared to those without PD-MCI and whether phenotypic presentations differ according to the PD-MCI subtypes.

Methods:

A total of 95 patients with idiopathic PD (53 meeting criteria for PD-MCI and 42 who were not cognitively impaired) and 22 controls underwent neurological and neuropsychological examination. They wore actigraphy watches for 2 weeks, from which measures of nocturnal sleep efficiency were calculated.

Results:

Patients with PD-MCI has significantly poorer sleep efficiency compared to those without PD-MCI. This effect was particularly apparent in those with multiple-domain PD-MCI, compared to those with single-domain PD-MCI. Furthermore, patients in the PD-MCI group had significantly more nontremor features.

Conclusions:

These data suggest that PD-MCI is associated with greater sleep disturbance and nontremor features of PD. This is further evidence for the potential role that sleep disturbance plays in the heterogeneity of PD.
Clinical and Cognitive Correlates of Structural Hippocampal Change in “At-Risk” Older Adults
Authors: Elcombe Emma L. , Lagopoulos Jim , Mowszowski Loren , Diamond Keri , Paradise Matthew , Hickie Ian B. , Lewis Simon J. G. , Naismith Sharon L.
Published: November 2013

With estimates of dementia expected to rise over the coming decades, there is interest in understanding the factors associated with promoting neuroprotection and limiting neurodegeneration. In this study, we examined the change in the volume of the hippocampus over a 2-month period in 34 older people “at risk” of cognitive decline (mean age = 66.8 years, 38% male). Factors that were examined included cognitive reserve, neuropsychological functioning, depression as well as a lifestyle (cognitive training) intervention. The results showed that over a 2-month period, increases in hippocampal size were associated with having higher premorbid intellect, greater occupational attainment, superior memory, and higher levels of functioning. Conversely, depression and disability were associated with decreases in hippocampal volume. Cognitive training was not associated with changes in hippocampal volume. These findings suggest that factors associated with cognitive reserve, cognition and depression may play an integral pathophysiological role in determining hippocampal volumes in “at-risk” older adults.
Researching child poverty: Towards a lifeworld orientation
Authors: Roets Griet , Roose Rudi , Bouverne-De Bie Maria
Published: November 2013

Childhood research with children in poverty involves a diversity of dilemmas and complexities. In the context of a recent research project in Belgium, the authors attempt to embrace child poverty as a normative issue created a crisis of representation. In order to untangle this, they situate different methodological approaches in relation to the constructed epistemological windows on child poverty. The authors differentiate between research in which the authentic voice of children in poverty is represented, and research in which their lifeworld is interpreted through a lifeworld orientation perspective that pursues human dignity and social justice in our societies.
Towards a musical stylistics: Movement in Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’
Authors: Morini Massimiliano
Published: November 2013

A very recent trend in stylistics proposes the extension of its field of enquiry to accommodate various forms of multimodal art. Reflecting as it does the growing semiotic complexity of contemporary aesthetics, ‘multimodal stylistics’ is a welcome development. So far, however, its proponents have concentrated on genres in which texts are complemented by, or realized through, the visual medium – films, stage plays, television series and illustrated books.

In this article, a multimodal stylistic analysis is attempted on a genre which has attracted little critical attention in linguistics – modern pop-rock music. A 1985 song by singer-songwriter Kate Bush, ‘Running Up That Hill’, is studied linguistically and musically. Employing a blend of stylistic and musicological techniques, and some of the insights provided by newborn multimodal stylistics, the author explores the complex ways in which meaning is created in a pop-rock song.
Narrative and ideologies of violence against women: The Legend of the Black Lagoon
Authors: López Maestre María D
Published: November 2013

The complete eradication of violence against women remains a challenge for 21st-century societies. In Spain 606 women were killed by their partners or ex-partners in the period 2003–2011 inclusive. Figures like these make this phenomenon a very serious social problem which requires intervention at a plurality of levels. The language used in narratives about these issues is very important. It can be an additional factor that contributes to the transmission of sexism and the perpetuation of indirect sexist ideologies that naturalize violence against women. This article presents a critical stylistics analysis of one such narrative from a feminist point of view. It is a text displayed at a Visitors’ Centre in Spain to show local culture to children and the tourists who visit the area. Applying a combined methodology based on feminism, stylistics and critical discourse analysis, the analysis carried out shows how the text conveys an underlying sexist ideology that normalizes violence against women and adopts a victim-blaming stance. The article concludes by stressing the need to raise awareness of the consequences of indirect sexism and naturalized ideologies covert in discourse, particularly in the field of writing for children and in the public domain in general.
Princes’ Wars, Wars of the People, or Total War? Mass Armies and the Question of a Military Revolution in Germany, 1792–1815
Authors: Hewitson Mark
Published: November 2013

This article investigates whether a military revolution took place in the German lands during the revolutionary and Napoleonic periods, with the potential to transform institutions and to alter contemporaries’ attitudes not merely to war, but to politics and diplomacy. The scholarly debate about a metamorphosis of warfare during the revolutionary and Napoleonic periods involves three connected controversies: the meaning and timing of any ‘revolution’ in the conduct of war, the existence of a ‘total war’ in or after 1792, and the continuation of ‘cabinet warfare’ by the majority of the German states. Recently, historians have argued that the geographical and political diversity of the German states, in conjunction with popular criticism of the burdens and sacrifices of conflict in southern and western Germany, militated against a broad military revolution. This study contends that such reactions were themselves indicative of the transformation wrought by the conscription of more mobile and destructive mass armies in a seemingly unending series of wars, which ensured that military conflicts impinged more fully on civilian life.
Ottoman Arab Officers between Nationalism and Loyalty during the First World War
Authors: Uyar Mesut
Published: November 2013

According to commonly held opinion, Arab officers of the Ottoman Army were instrumental in the initiation of the Arab Revolt and the Ottoman final defeat by throwing their lot in with the British and French. This article is an effort to correct this stereotypical opinion by making use of untapped Ottoman archive records and creating a data set. Even though the Ottoman Empire did not manage to integrate different ethnic groups, it did succeed in creating a viable and effective officer corps by making use of military educational institutions for implanting general unity and a sense of inclusiveness. Thanks to esprit de corps and long-established military institutions, most of the Arab officers stayed loyal to the empire up until the very end.
Profit Efficiency of Indian Commercial Banks in the Post-liberalisation Period: A Stochastic Frontier Approach
Authors: Bardhan Samaresh
Published: November 2013

This article estimates bank-specific profit efficiency of three broad ownership groups of Indian banks during the period 1995–96 to 2011–12, using the stochastic frontier methodology. Results reveal that during the post-liberalisation period, public sector banks in India are the best performers in terms of estimated profit efficiency. Further, foreign banks operating in India record higher profit efficiency levels compared to domestic private banks. The introduction of prudential regulations, such as capital adequacy ratios, has had a significant positive impact on the profit efficiency of Indian banks, while loan defaults adversely affect their profit efficiency. Market power does not necessarily lead to an increase in profit efficiency, while bank mergers have had a significant positive effect. Contrary to the expectation that the Indian banking system is highly resilient and sufficiently robust to cope with external shocks, the results reveal that the ongoing global financial crisis has had a significant adverse effect on the profit efficiency of Indian banks.

JEL classifications: C14, G21, G28
Poverty Dynamics in Rural India: An Asset-Based Approach
Authors: Dutta Swati , Kumar Lakshmi
Published: November 2013

To make directed policy for different categories of identified rural poor in India, the current focus on static income poverty as a measure is insufficient. This article uses the asset-based approach to quantify poverty dynamics for the years 1992, 1998 and 2005, for the entire country and for various states. We find that at all India level 35 per cent of the rural households are asset poor, of which 22 per cent are chronically poor and 13 per cent are transient poor. An additional 9 per cent of rural non-poor households live under the threat of poverty. This article also analyses trends in asset poverty in various states, with policy recommendations based on their asset poverty status.

JEL Classification: I32, I38, C21, C25
Is Urban Economic Growth Inclusive in India?
Authors: Tripathi Sabyasachi
Published: November 2013

This article measures the overall inclusive growth of a city by considering changing trends in key economic variables (that is, poverty, inequality, economic growth, education, employment, unemployment and the standard of living index) based on the ‘Borda ranking’ and establishes a relationship between city economic growth and overall city inclusive growth. Based on data for 52 large cities in India, this article finds that higher urban economic growth is associated with an increase in the growth rate of urban inequality, a reduction in the growth rate of urban poverty and a lower level of overall inclusive growth of a city, that is, urban economic growth is not inclusive.

JEL Classifications: R11, D63, O15
The Demand for E-Payments in Malaysia: An Examination of Usage Intensity
Authors: Lee Helen S.H. , Loke Yiing Jia , Tan Andrew K.G.
Published: November 2013

The successful operation of retail e-payment systems depend on several stakeholders, such as consumers, merchants and financial institutions. As consumers constitute an essential target group for retail e-payments, their profile information has come to be seen as important in the demand management of e-payments. As such, this study aims to examine the effects of socio-demographic factors on the intensity of using e-payments in Malaysia. Results from the censored Tobit model analysis based on a cross-sectional sample of 578 respondents indicate that younger consumers with higher levels of education and income utilise e-payments in a more intensive manner, ceteris paribus. Ethnic background, marital status and type of occupation are also important predictors in determining the intensity of using e-payments amongst consumers. A better understanding of how such socio-demographic factors may influence consumers’ e-payments usage intensity is essential for policy makers to efficiently design and implement effective policy measures.

JEL Classifications: D12, E42, E51
Macroeconomic Announcements and the Implied Volatility Index: Evidence from India VIX
Authors: Shaikh Imlak , Padhi Puja
Published: November 2013

This study examines the impact of scheduled macroeconomic announcements on the option’s implied volatility index in the emerging market. The macroeconomic indicators considered are RBI monetary policy statements, the consumer price index, wholesale price index, index of industrial production, the employment rate and gross domestic product (GDP growth rate). The study reveals that during non-announcement periods the implied volatility index (India VIX) increases significantly. Once results are announced, uncertainty is resolved and the India VIX returns to normal levels. It confirms that the India VIX declines significantly following scheduled GDP news, but rises significantly on the announcement of monthly inflation rates (WPI). Indeed, the joint effect of the announcements relating to monetary policy, the industrial output, employment rate and GDP is found to be statistically significant (and negative).

JEL Classification: E52, E58, G12, G14
Farmer Companies in Sri Lanka: Lessons from Agricultural Cooperatives in Japan
Authors: Esham Mohamed , Kobayashi Hajime
Published: November 2013

It is widely accepted that farmer-based organizations are vital for empowering and improving small farmers’ access to markets. However, farmer-based organizations have not always been successful as it is the case with farmer companies in Sri Lanka. The purpose of this article is to examine some of these issues and propose solutions drawing from long-accumulated experiences of Japanese agricultural cooperatives. The article is based on review of scholarly literature, secondary data and discussions with stakeholders of farmer companies in Sri Lanka and agricultural cooperatives in Japan. This article highlights some important lessons related to structure, governance, collective action and integrated service provision valuable for strengthening farmer companies in Sri Lanka and farmer-based organizations in other countries. Based on these lessons, a federated model is proposed to overcome some of the issues impeding the performance of farmer companies in Sri Lanka.
Has Trade been an Engine of Inclusive Growth? India’s Experience under Globalization
Authors: Joseph K.J.
Published: November 2013

In the current context of heightened concern for inclusive development, this article explores the link between trade liberalization and inclusive growth by analyzing the channels by which trade liberalization-induced structural change and employment patterns influence growth, inequality and poverty. Drawing from the empirical evidence from India, it is observed that trade-induced structural change has been associated with jobless growth and growing wage inequality. Hence, higher growth has not been inclusive, as it has not resulted in commensurate decline in poverty while inequality increased. To the extent that the nature of trade induced structural change is governed by the prevailing systems of innovation, the article calls for building and strengthening the learning, innovation and competence building systems at the national, regional and sectoral level such that growth becomes inclusive and human capabilities and freedoms are expanded.
South Asian Agrifood Trade Networks in India: A Case Study of Onion Exports
Authors: Singh Sukhpal
Published: November 2013

South Asia has emerged as one of the fastest-growing regions of the world while global agricultural trade has expanded since its inclusion into the WTO framework, especially for developing agrarian economies such as India, which are expanding as suppliers of agricultural products to various markets. Within South Asia, agriculture still remains crucial to economic growth and poverty reduction. Though the relative contribution of agriculture has come down in all of the South Asian countries, but the value-added farm products exports have grown in importance and have direct implications for farm incomes and rural livelihoods. It is in this context that this article examines the nature and dynamics of Regional Production Networks (RPNs) or regional value chains in South Asia in the food sector with case studies of fresh onions and their product exports as they originate from India. It tries to understand the organization of value chains and the networks for smaller companies and farmers supplying to lead buyers or chain drivers, explores product, process, and labour standards and suggests mechanisms for leveraging RPNs for better trade, growth and poverty reduction.
Small and Medium Food Enterprises in Malaysia: Institutional Support and Policy Perspectives
Authors: Noh Fatimah Mohamed Arshad, Kusairi Mohd. , Saari Mohd. Yusof
Published: November 2013

In Malaysia, SMEs constitute 99.2 per cent of the manufacturing establishments while the food SMEs or SMFES account for only about 1 per cent of the total. The SMEs are engine of growth, growing at a rate higher than the country’s average growth rate. However, the SMFEs sector has not progressed in tandem with the increase in demand for food due to rise in population and income. Malaysia has instituted a number of policy innovations to steer its SME development through the National SME Development Council (NSDC), which mobilizes 15 ministries and 60 agencies to support this sector on all aspects—finance, infrastructure, entrepreneurial training, legal support and so on. This article provides a review of the SMFEs in Malaysia and examines the institutional support available for this sector. The article concludes that despite the support provided, the SMFEs are plagued with structural problems that require more than institutional support and that include R&D and innovation, infrastructural development and specific policies to address their unique problems.