bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infrastructure services and needs for the provision of enhanced qualitative data resources
Authors: Corti Louise
Published: June 2009

The article provides an overview of the opportunities and challenges faced by a national qualitative data service provider, and specifically, how these relate to broader infrastructural requirements, based mainly on the case of the UK. Tracing the history of the UK service Qualidata since 1994 makes it possible to pinpoint how major cultural and funding barriers have been overcome, and how new opportunities have enabled the UK service to gain a renewed lease of life. The second part of the article outlines the new UK Economic and Social Data Service, which has a specific qualitative data component built in to it. The new directions of the service and its promised deliverables are described, and suggestions made on some key developments in national infrastructure that would greatly contribute to its success. Two areas of particular significance are the establishment of more coordinated and mandatory social science datasets policies by research funders; and a nationally coordinated research methods training strategy that recognises the value of secondary analysis of qualitative data. Finally, the article provides specific information on a UK pilot project to make qualitative research data on Edwardian England available online.
The concept of social integration: a policy‐research agenda
Authors: Huber Bob
Published: June 2009

This article reviews the concept of “social integration” as it developed through the series of international conferences and summits held over the last decade. Social integration, which was once viewed in a welfarist way that emphasised giving help to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups so that they could integrate better into “normal” society, was redefined to focus on the very nature of society and the relations among all its component groups. Emphasis is shifted from a narrow focus on groups to a broader understanding of social forces that create vulnerability and disadvantage. Implications of this shift for social policy research are suggested. The article also summarises the main activities of the Social Integration Branch of the Division for Social Policy and Development, UNDESA, which has primary responsibilities within the United Nations Secretariat for policies and activities related to the situation of specific social groups, including youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, families and persons in situations of conflict.
Towards monopolisation and re‐nationalisation of European social science research? Some critical remarks on the 6th Framework Programme*
Authors: Pohoryles Ronald J.
Published: June 2009

With the launching in December 2002 of the first calls of the “6th Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities, contributing to the creation of the European Research Area and to innovation (2002 to 2006)”, it is very timely to have a critical look at its reality and its potential impact on the European Research Area, in particular with respect to the social sciences. It is argued that it is by no means guaranteed that the Framework Programme will be able to mobilise the creative research potential within and outside the European Union and include the best European researchers. There is a significant danger that the Framework Programme will lead to a monopolisation of research activities within bureaucratic national research institutes (and within the networks they build) and greater political influence on research, especially by the member states and their National Research Institutes. This endangers the existing European Research Area as manifested in the open and flexible research networks that have proven their capacity in the 4th and 5th Framework Programmes. The article will start from the history of the 6th Framework Programme up to its first implementation, describe the First Call and its impacts on consortium building, and finally draw some preliminary conclusions.
Conduct problems, IQ, and household chaos: a longitudinal multi‐informant study
Authors: Deater‐Deckard Kirby , Mullineaux Paula Y. , Beekman Charles , Petrill Stephen A. , Schatschneider Chris , Thompson Lee A.
Published: June 2009

Background:  We tested the hypothesis that household chaos would be associated with lower child IQ and more child conduct problems concurrently and longitudinally over two years while controlling for housing conditions, parent education/IQ, literacy environment, parental warmth/negativity, and stressful events.

Methods:  The sample included 302 families with same‐sex twins (58% female) in Kindergarten/1st grade at the first assessment. Parents’ and observers’ ratings were gathered, with some collected over a two‐year period.

Results:  Chaos varied widely. There was substantial mother–father agreement and longitudinal stability. Chaos covaried with poorer housing conditions, lower parental education/IQ, poorer home literacy environment, higher stress, higher negativity and lower warmth. Chaos statistically predicted lower IQ and more conduct problems, beyond the effects of other home environment factors.

Conclusions:  Even with other home environment factors controlled, higher levels of chaos were linked concurrently with lower child IQ, and concurrently and longitudinally with more child conduct problems. Parent self‐reported chaos represents an important aspect of housing and family functioning, with respect to children’s cognitive and behavioral functioning.
Record rates of pressurized gas‐flow in the great horsetail, Equisetum telmateia. Were Carboniferous Calamites similarly aerated?
Authors: Armstrong Jean , Armstrong William
Published: June 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.03012.xCommentary p 6
Effects of starter culture combinations using isolates from traditional cheese on the quality of Turkish white cheese
Authors: KAYAGIL FULYA , CANDAN GURAKAN
Published: June 2009

Four types of Turkish white cheese with good curd and acid formation properties were produced, one by using commercial starter culture and the other three by using different combinations of isolates from traditional cheese with no starters added. The effects of using these combinations on quality were determined. Starter culture combinations did not influence the chemical properties of cheese significantly. However, one cheese type produced from combinations of isolates of rural cheese was found to be comparable to the samples produced from commercial starter cultures in terms of sensory and microbial quality. This combination could have promise for white cheese production.
The muscarinic M1 receptor activates Nrf2 through a signaling cascade that involves protein kinase C and inhibition of GSK‐3beta: connecting neurotransmission with neuroprotection
Authors: Espada Sandra , Rojo Ana I. , Salinas Marta , Cuadrado Antonio
Published: June 2009

In this study, we provide evidence that the muscarinic M1 receptor targets NF‐E2‐related factor‐2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes containing antioxidant response elements (AREs) in their promoters and that collectively constitute the phase II antioxidant response. In hippocampal primary and cerebellar granule neuron cultures expressing endogenous M1 receptor, carbachol increased the levels of a prototypical phase II antioxidant enzyme, heme oxygenase‐1. Moreover, in a heterologous system, based on lentiviral expression of M1 receptor in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells, we found that M1 increased total and nuclear Nrf2 protein levels and heme oxygenase‐1 messenger RNA and protein levels. Luciferase reporter constructs for AREs and the use of two inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), chelerythrine and 2‐aminoethyl diphenylborinate, or transfection with relevant expression vectors allowed us to identify Gαq, phospholipase C‐β and the classical PKC‐γ isoenzyme, as responsible for the regulation of Nrf2. A PKC‐insensitive Nrf2S40A single‐point mutant partially channeled M1 signaling to AREs, therefore suggesting the participation of additional intermediates. Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β) augmented M1‐dependent activation of AREs while a PKC‐insensitive mutant of GSK‐3β (GSK‐3β‐Δ9) blocked this effect and prevented M1‐induced accumulation of Nrf2 in the nucleus. Our results demonstrate a previously unidentified role of the Gαq/phospholipase C‐β/PKC/GSK‐3β axis in regulation of Nrf2 by M1. Such role provides additional conceptual support for the use of cholinemimetics in the treatment of pathologies that, like Alzheimer’s disease, require a reinforcement of the cell antioxidant capacity.
Evidence for a dopaminergic innervation of the pedunculopontine nucleus in monkeys, and its drastic reduction after MPTP intoxication
Authors: Rolland Anne‐Sophie , Tandé Dominique , Herrero Maria‐Trinidad , Luquin Maria‐Rosario , Vazquez‐Claverie Marianne , Karachi Carine , Hirsch Etienne C , François Chantal
Published: June 2009

The involvement of the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) and the adjacent cuneiform nucleus (CuN), known as the mesencephalic locomotor area, in the pathophysiology of parkinsonian symptoms is receiving increasing attention. Taking into account the role of dopamine (DA) in motor control and its degeneration in Parkinson’s disease, this neurotransmitter could induce dysfunction in the PPN and CuN through a direct dopaminergic innervation of these brainstem structures. This study provides the first demonstration that the PPN and CuN are innervated by dopamine transporter‐bearing fibres in normal monkeys, which points to a novel dopaminergic system that targets the lower brainstem. Intoxication with MPTP induced a significant loss of dopamine transporter‐positive fibres in the PPN and CuN of young (3–5 years old) acutely or chronically intoxicated monkeys compared with control animals. The more severe DA depletion found after chronic intoxication may explain, at least in part, deficits that appear late in the evolution of Parkinson’s disease. A drastic loss of DA fibres was also observed in aged acutely intoxicated monkeys (about 30 years old) suggesting that age‐ and disease‐related loss of dopaminergic fibres might be responsible for symptoms, such as gait disorders, that are more severe in elderly parkinsonian patients.
Alterations in forearm position and environmental temperature influences the segmental volume expansion during venous occlusion plethysmography – special attention on hand circulation
Authors: Vedung Torbjörn , Jorfeldt Lennart , Henriksson Jan
Published: June 2009

Aim:  To find evidence that small changes in the positioning of the strain gauge, the environmental temperature (sympathetic activation) and position of the arm (venous pressure) alters the outcome of the venous occlusion plethysmography (VOP) measurement of forearm blood flow and to investigate if the hand circulation influences the results.

Methods:  Forearm blood flow was measured with VOP (n = 6) on three occasions with air temperatures of 13, 20 and 38°C, respectively. At each occasion the arm position was varied; raised by 10°, horizontal or lowered by 15°. Strain gauges were placed on the forearm at the maximal circumference; 5 cm distal; and 5 cm proximal to this site, respectively. The hand circulation was excluded in half of the measurements.

Results:  The simple main effect of temperature was highly significant (P<0·001). With excluded hand circulation (but not when included), there was a two factor interaction between arm position – strain gauge position (P<0·05). The highest expansion rate was found in the proximal segment when the arm was elevated, but in the distal segment when the arm was lowered. With hand circulation (but not without) there was a two factor interaction between temperature and strain gauge position (P<0·01). The highest expansion rate was found in the distal segment at normal and high temperatures, but in the proximal segment at low temperature.

Conclusion:  The volume expansion rate in a particular segment is dependent not only on arterial inflow. Segmental differences in capacity for venous expansion results in redistribution of blood to and from a segment, thus influencing the results obtained.
HOW DO MANAGERS BEHAVE IN STOCK OPTION PLANS? CLINICAL EVIDENCE FROM EXERCISE AND SURVEY DATA
Authors: Sautner Zacharias , Weber Martin
Published: June 2009

We use unique case study data to analyze the behavior of top managers in an executive stock option plan. We gather questionnaire data on the managers' traits and combine it with exercise data. Managers in our sample expect low volatilities (compared to historical estimates) and are well diversified and modestly risk averse. This implies that the value–cost wedge of options can be smaller than usually assumed. The exercise decisions vary with expected volatility, managerial wealth, and mental accounting. Managers expecting lower volatility exercise earlier. This result is consistent with the predictions of expected utility models using our managers' survey parameters.
WHY MOST FIRMS CHOOSE LINEAR HEDGING STRATEGIES
Authors: Frestad Dennis
Published: June 2009

I investigate the efficiency of alternative hedging strategies of nonfinancial firms facing hedgeable price risk, unhedgeable quantity risk, and financial contracting costs in low‐profit events. The analysis suggests that variance‐minimizing hedging strategies are very close in economic terms to optimal, value‐maximizing hedging strategies for most firms. Furthermore, the marginal gains from shifting to nonlinear hedging strategies are often small enough to be neglected. These results illuminate some puzzling findings in survey studies of firms’ hedging practices and suggest an alternative view on firms’ selective hedging practices termed “cautious selective hedging.”
The biological effects of topical alginate treatment in an animal model of skin wound healing
Authors: Lee Woo‐Ram , Park Ji‐Hyun , Kim Kyung‐Hyun , Kim Soo‐Jung , Park Dae‐Hwan , Chae Mi‐Hyun , Suh Soong‐Hyuck , Jeong Seung‐Won , Park Kwan‐Kyu
Published: June 2009

Wound healing is a dynamic and complex process of tissue repair that involves a number of cellular and molecular events. It proceeds from inflammatory response to reepithelialization and finally to formation of a permanent scar. Alginate is a polymer of guluronic and mannuronic acid that is used as a scaffolding material in biomedical applications. For the purpose of studying wound healing, full‐thickness skin defects were produced on the dorsal area in rats. We measured the relative sizes of the wounds on days 3, 5, 7, 14, and 28. The wound sizes were decreased in the alginate‐treated group compared with the control group and the vaseline‐treated group. The expressions of transforming growth factor‐β1, fibronectin, and vascular endothelial growth factor were significantly decreased in the alginate‐treated group compared with the control group, while the expression of collagen‐I was increased in the alginate‐treated group, as indicated by Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. These data suggest that alginate has significant wound healing promoting activity. The results from the present study indicate that the effect of alginate on wound healing may involve biological mechanisms associated with the expression of transforming growth factor‐β1, fibronectin, vascular endothelial growth factor, and collagen‐I.
Endogenous and Exogenous Vasopressin during Hemodialysis
Authors: Thompson Aliza M. , Oliver Juan A.
Published: June 2009

Intradialytic hypotension likely results from hypovolemia as well as patient and dialysis‐specific factors. An impaired vasoconstrictive response to volume loss during hemodialysis has been demonstrated and increasing evidence suggests that deficiency in the hormone arginine vasopressin may be a contributing factor. Although vasopressin is widely recognized for its role in the regulation of serum osmolality, vasopressin is also an important regulator of blood pressure in health and in various disease states. That vasopressin deficiency contributes to the pathogenesis of intradialytic hypotension is suggested by several observations. First, vasopressin levels typically fall during hemodialysis when a rise might be expected as a result of volume loss. Second, therapies that prevent a fall in osmolality during dialysis, including dialysis against a high sodium bath and isolated ultrafiltration, have been shown to improve intradialytic blood pressure stability. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the administration of low‐dose exogenous vasopressin during dialysis has been shown to support blood pressure and improve volume removal. Further research is needed to determine the effect of chronic vasopressin (or selective V1a agonist) administration during dialysis on volume removal, inter‐ and intradialytic blood pressure control, and, ultimately, clinical outcomes in end‐stage renal disease patients on dialysis.
Order‐Restricted Semiparametric Inference for the Power Bias Model
Authors: Davidov Ori , Fokianos Konstantinos , Iliopoulos George
Published: June 2009

Summary The power bias model, a generalization of length‐biased sampling, is introduced and investigated in detail. In particular, attention is focused on order‐restricted inference. We show that the power bias model is an example of the density ratio model, or in other words, it is a semiparametric model that is specified by assuming that the ratio of several unknown probability density functions has a parametric form. Estimation and testing procedures under constraints are developed in detail. It is shown that the power bias model can be used for testing for, or against, the likelihood ratio ordering among multiple populations without resorting to any parametric assumptions. Examples and real data analysis demonstrate the usefulness of this approach.
Statistical Methods for Analyzing Right‐Censored Length‐Biased Data under Cox Model
Authors: Qin Jing , Shen Yu
Published: June 2009

SummaryLength‐biased time‐to‐event data are commonly encountered in applications ranging from epidemiological cohort studies or cancer prevention trials to studies of labor economy. A longstanding statistical problem is how to assess the association of risk factors with survival in the target population given the observed length‐biased data. In this article, we demonstrate how to estimate these effects under the semiparametric Cox proportional hazards model. The structure of the Cox model is changed under length‐biased sampling in general. Although the existing partial likelihood approach for left‐truncated data can be used to estimate covariate effects, it may not be efficient for analyzing length‐biased data. We propose two estimating equation approaches for estimating the covariate coefficients under the Cox model. We use the modern stochastic process and martingale theory to develop the asymptotic properties of the estimators. We evaluate the empirical performance and efficiency of the two methods through extensive simulation studies. We use data from a dementia study to illustrate the proposed methodology, and demonstrate the computational algorithms for point estimates, which can be directly linked to the existing functions inS‐PLUSorR.
A young woman with visual hallucinations, delusions of persecution and a history of performing arson with possible three‐generation Fahr disease
Authors: Shirahama M. , Akiyoshi J. , Ishitobi Y. , Tanaka Y. , Tsuru J. , Matsushita H. , Hanada H. , Kodama K.
Published: June 2009

Objective:  Fahr disease (FD) is a rare neurological and psychiatric disorder. The disease is classified by intracranial calcification of the basal ganglia with the globus pallidus region being particularly affected. We examined a young woman with visual hallucinations, delusions of persecution and a history of performing arson with possible third‐generation FD.

Method:  Case report of third‐generation FD.

Results:  A 23‐year‐old woman was arrested for two arsons: i) The patient exhibited progressive psychotic symptoms, including visual hallucinations, delusion of injury, irritability, lability of mood, mental retardation and visual disorders and ii) Computed tomography (CT) imaging demonstrated bilateral calcifications of the basal ganglia (globus pallidus) in the patient, her mother and her grandmother.

Conclusion:  We found a family with a three‐generation history of FD who exhibited calcification in the brain and mental retardation. Compared to her mother, the patient described here displayed anticipation of disease onset.
Two new unstable haemoglobins leading to chronic haemolytic anaemia: Hb Caruaru [β122 (GH5) Phe→Ser], a probable case of germ line mutation, and Hb Olinda [β22 (B4) ‐ 25 (B7)], a deletion of a 12 base‐pair sequence
Authors: Bezerra Marcos A. C. , Albuquerque Dulcinéia M. , Santos Magnun N. N. , Kimura Elza M. , Jorge Susan E. D. C. , Oliveira Denise M. , Domingues Betânia L. T. B. , Peres Jaqueline C. , Araújo Aderson S. , Costa Fernando F. , Sonati Maria F.
Published: June 2009

We describe here two new unstable β‐globin variants, Hb Caruaru and Hb Olinda, found in northeastern Brazil, both associated with chronic haemolytic anaemia. Haemoglobin Caruaru is caused by a single base substitution at codon 122 (TTC→TCC), possibly originating from the germ line cells of the patient’s grandmother. Haemoglobin Olinda is also a de novo mutation, caused by a 12 bp deletion leading to the removal of the 22nd to the 25th residues of the normal β‐globin chain.
Skin–textile friction and skin elasticity in young and aged persons
Authors: Gerhardt L.‐C. , Lenz A. , Spencer N. D. , Münzer T. , Derler S.
Published: June 2009

Background/purpose: The mechanical properties of human skin are known to change with ageing, rendering skin less resistant to friction and shear forces, as well as more vulnerable to wounds. Until now, only few and contradictory results on the age‐dependent friction properties of skin have been reported. This study has investigated in detail the influence of age on the friction of human skin against textiles.

Methods: In vivo skin‐friction measurements on a force plate were combined with skin analyses concerning elasticity, hydration, pH value and sebum content. Thirty‐two young and 28 aged persons rubbed their volar forearm in a reciprocating motion against various textiles on the force plate, using defined normal loads and sliding velocities, representing clinically relevant contact conditions.

Results: Mean friction coefficients ranged from 0.30 ± 0.04 (polytetrafluoroethylene) to 0.43 ± 0.04 (cotton/polyester). No significant differences in the friction properties of skin were found between the age groups despite skin elasticity being significantly lower in the aged persons. Skin hydration was significantly higher in the elderly, whereas no significant differences were observed in either skin pH value or sebum content.

Conclusion: Adhesion is usually assumed to be the dominant factor in skin friction, but our observations imply that deformation is also an important factor in the friction of aged skin. In the elderly, lower skin elasticity and skin turgor are associated with more pronounced skin tissue displacements and greater shear forces during frictional contact, emphasizing the importance of friction reduction in wound‐prevention programmes.
Protective effects of green tea extracts on photoaging and photommunosuppression
Authors: Li Yuan‐Hong , Wu Yan , Wei Hua‐Chen , Xu Yuan‐Yuan , Jia Li‐Li , Chen Jing , Yang Xue‐Song , Dong Guang‐Hui , Gao Xing‐Hua , Chen Hong‐Duo
Published: June 2009

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether the sunscreen‐containing 2–5% green tea extracts (GTEs) protect ultraviolet irradiation (UVR)‐induced photoaging and photoimmunosuppression.

Materials and methods: Twenty volunteers were exposed to repetitive solar‐simulated UVR (ssUVR) on the upper back at a dosage of 1.5 minimal erythema doses (MED) per day for four consecutive days. Thirty minutes before each UVR and 6, 24, and 48 h after the last UV exposure, the products containing vehicle, and 2–5% GTEs were applied onto five sites on the dorsal skin, respectively. The skin biopsies were obtained 72 h after the last UVR. The thickness of the stratum corneum and epidermis was measured under the microscope and the expression of cytokeratins (CK)‐5/6, CK16, metalloproteinases (MMP)‐2, MMP‐9, and the CD1a+ Langerhans cells (LCs) were determined using immunohistochemistry.

Results: Our results showed that UVR substantially induced cutaneous erythema, thickening of the epidermis, overexpression of CK5/6, CK16, MMP‐2, MMP‐9, and depletion of CD1a+ LCs. The sunscreens containing different concentrations of GTEs conferred significant protection against the photoaging and photoimmunology‐related biological events. Interestingly, the protective effects were not parallel to the concentrations of GTEs, with 2% and 3% GTEs showing the most efficacious photoprotection.

Conclusions: GTEs‐containing sunscreens have potential photoprotective effects on UVR‐induced photoaging and photoimmunosuppression.
A novel approach to controlling bacterial contamination on toothbrushes: chlorhexidine coating
Authors: Turner LA , McCombs GB , Hynes WL , Tolle SL
Published: June 2009

Abstract:  Purpose:  This project was conducted to determine the effectiveness of chlorhexidine‐coated toothbrush filaments in reducing quantities of bacteria.

Materials and methods:  An Institutional Review Board (IRB)‐approved, two‐group, double‐blind, randomized, post‐test only study was conducted. Sixty‐four individuals utilized control and experimental toothbrushes, for 30 days. At the end of the study toothbrushes were returned and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Microorganisms were detached from the filaments by sonification and vortexing then plated on Mitis Salivarius (MS) (selective) and trypticase soy agar (TSA) 5% Sheep Blood (non‐selective) media. Inoculated plates were incubated aerobically for 24 h at 37°C. After incubation, bacterial colony‐forming units (CFU) were determined. Data were analysed using Wilcoxon and Kruskal–Wallis tests.

Results:  Fifty‐nine toothbrushes were returned for analysis; experimental (n = 31) and control (n = 28). Data from TSA media revealed a mean CFU for the control group of 5.41 × 105 compared with 6.28 × 105 for the experimental group. Data from MS agar resulted in a mean CFU for the control group of 4.32 × 105 compared with 4.20 × 105 for the experimental group.

Conclusion:  Results revealed no statistically significant difference in the quantity of bacteria surviving on toothbrush filaments between control and experimental groups, on both selective and non‐selective media, after 30 days.
Prevalence and correlates of musculoskeletal disorders among Australian dental hygiene students
Authors: Hayes MJ , Smith DR , Cockrell D
Published: June 2009

Abstract:  Introduction:  Although musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) have been identified as a significant occupational health issue for dental hygienists, few studies have explored this problem among the dental hygiene student population.

Aim:  The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and correlates of MSD among a selection of undergraduate dental hygiene students in Australia.

Methodology:  A self‐reporting questionnaire was distributed to dental hygiene students at an Australian university during 2008, from which a response rate of approximately 72% was achieved.

Results:  Musculoskeletal disorders were most commonly reported by students at the neck (64.29%), lower back (57.94%) and shoulder (48.41%) regions. Logistic regression indicated various correlations with MSD. Students who did not undertake regular exercise every week experienced an increased risk of lower back pain [Odds Ratio (OR): 4.88, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.75–14.9]. Students undertaking 16–20 h of desk‐based study per week were much more likely to report neck pain (OR: 19.7, 95% CI: 1.34–378.94). Working 6–10 h on a computer each week was a risk factor for shoulder (OR: 7.03, 95% CI: 1.42–39.49) and upper back pain (OR: 5.29, 95% CI: 1.21–25.56).

Conclusions:  Overall, this study suggests that MSD are a reasonably common problem for dental hygiene students in Australia. As such, further studies are required to establish epidemiological patterns of MSD, and our profession will need to carefully consider preventive strategies to help minimize the impact of this important occupational health issue on the next generation of dental hygienists.
Tooth sensitivity experience among residential university students
Authors: Bamise CT , Kolawole KA , Oloyede EO , Esan TA
Published: June 2009

To cite this article:
 
Int J Dent Hygiene  DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2009.00385.x Bamise CT, Kolawole KA, Oloyede EO, Esan TA. Tooth sensitivity experience among residential university students

Abstract:  Objectives:  The aim of this study was to assess the experience of residential University students about ‘sensitive teeth’.

Subject and methods:  Self‐administered questionnaires were given randomly to students in all the residential hostels located in the University campus. Data on presence of sensitive teeth, initiating stimulus and duration of each episode of discomfort were elicited. History of common aetiological factors of tooth sensitivity was also taken.

Results:  One thousand and nineteen responses (650 males; 369 females) were analysed in this study. Approximately 697 (68.4%) volunteers claimed to have sensitive teeth. Majority described their discomfort as sharp pain, cold as the initiating stimulus and drinking was mostly interfered with. Tooth sensitivity was found to be common among hard toothbrush users. Multiple regression analysis showed that hard toothbrush had a significant association with tooth sensitivity. Other common aetiological factors, such as history of gastric acid reflux, vomiting, soft drinks and the use of vitamin C were found to have a weak association with tooth sensitivity.

Conclusion:  Prevalence of tooth sensitivity was 68.4%. Presence of tooth sensitivity among these students was associated more with history of hard toothbrush use contrary to widely held belief that erosive agents were mostly responsible. Future studies are needed to provide more epidemiological data on tooth brushing and tooth sensitivity.
Prospective clinical study evaluating the long‐time adjunctive use of chlorhexidine after one‐stage full‐mouth SRP
Authors: Stratul S‐I , Rusu D , Didilescu A , Mesaros‐Anghel M , Lala C , Tion L , Sculean A , Jentsch H
Published: June 2009

Abstract:  Objectives:  Scaling and root planing are the causal procedure in the treatment of periodontitis. Many attempts have been made to improve the outcome. The aim of this study was to verify the influence of the extended use of chlorhexidine after one‐stage full‐mouth (FM) SRP in patients with chronic periodontitis on the clinical outcome after 3 months.

Methods:  Eighty‐one patients with pockets ≥5 mm were treated by FM. All patients rinsed additionally with 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) twice daily over 3 months. Plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded at baseline and after 1 and 3 months.

Results:  In the test group, all variables were significantly improved after 1 and 3 months. Mean reduction of PD and CAL gain was 2.25 ± 1.08 and 1.67 ± 1.08 after 1 and 2.99 ± 1.11 and 2.33 ± 1.31 after 3 months respectively.

Conclusions:  Over 3 months of extended use of CHX mouth rinse after SRP showed slightly but statistically significant better results.
Oral health education for schoolchildren: a qualitative study of dental care professionals’ view of knowledge and learning
Authors: Hedman E , Ringberg K , Gabre P
Published: June 2009

Abstract:  Aim:  The aim of the study was to describe and interpret dental professionals’ view of knowledge, learning, health promotion and their expectations of and attitudes to the response from schoolchildren.

Methods:  A qualitative study design was used with discourse method. Nine dental hygienists and dental nurses, who have practised oral health education among schoolchildren, described their work in tape‐recorded, semi‐structured interviews. The discourse method stresses the variation and distinctions in the statements, and to understand the content of the text, its contextual dependence must be taken into account.

Results:  The preventive discourse could be found in all interviews, but it was concentrated on disease prevention and less on maintaining health. The biomedical view of knowledge dominated. Children’s and parent’s own responsibility for healthy habits was stressed, but no reflection of ethical considerations associated with influencing people’s life‐style was found. The text revealed discrepancy between the informants, and even within the same individual, showing ambivalence towards oral health education. Some individuals suggested lessons guided by communication with the children, while others wanted to maintain methods based on information about oral diseases to a greater extent.

Conclusions:  Different perspectives were found. The expression ‘oral health promotion’ was frequently used and supported by all the interviewed informants, but the statements did not reveal the informant’s definition of the concept. Several educators focused on signs of diseases and less on the individual’s view of their own health. In the future, oral health education programme needs to focus on quality of life, behavioural variables and indicators of empowerment rather than just disease outcomes.
Early nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation versus continuous positive airway pressure for respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Sai Sunil Kishore M , Dutta Sourabh , Kumar Praveen
Published: June 2009

Aim:  To determine whether early nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), in comparison to early continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), can reduce the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation in preterm neonates with suspected respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Methods:  In this stratified open‐label randomized controlled trial, neonates (28–34 weeks gestation) with respiratory distress within 6 h of birth and Downe's score ≥ 4 were eligible. Subjects were randomly allocated to ‘early‐NIPPV’ or ‘early‐CPAP’ after stratifying for gestation (28–30 weeks, 31–34 weeks) and surfactant use. Primary outcome was failure of the allocated mode within 48 h.

Results:  Seventy‐six neonates were enrolled (37 in ‘early‐NIPPV’ and 39 in ‘early‐CPAP’ groups). Failure rate was less with ‘early‐NIPPV’ versus ‘early‐CPAP’[13.5% vs. 35.9%, respectively, RR 0.38 (95% CI 0.15–0.89), p = 0.024]. Similarly, need for intubation and mechanical ventilation by 7 days (18.9% vs. 41%, p = 0.036) was less with NIPPV. Failure rate with NIPPV was less in the subgroups of subjects born at 28–30 weeks (p = 0.023) and who did not receive surfactant (p = 0.018).

Conclusion:  Among preterm infants with suspected RDS, early use of NIPPV reduces the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation compared to CPAP.
The Effect of Population Growth on Economic Growth: A Meta‐Regression Analysis of the Macroeconomic Literature
Authors: Headey Derek D. , Hodge Andrew
Published: June 2009

Many studies have sought to gauge the impact of population growth on economic growth. A well‐known stylized fact of this literature is that the estimated effects of population growth measures on economic growth are not robust, varying between being positive, negative, and insignificantly different from zero. The present study analyzes 471 statistical regressions from 29 prominent economic growth studies using meta‐regression analysis to identify the effect of alternative methodologies on key population growth results. This study finds that a broad set of methodological factors explains more than half of the variation in the population growth effects observed from this literature, including the types of variables used to measure population growth, the countries selected, the time frame of the analysis, and the nature of the control variables specified. The study also yields results that have implications for policymakers, especially insofar as several policy factors seem to influence the population change–economic growth nexus. Particularly strong is the evidence in support of the increasingly adverse effects of population growth in the post‐1980 period, suggesting that demographic issues should warrant greater attention than they currently receive from the policymaking community.
Risk Exposure in Early Life and Mortality at Older Ages: Evidence from Union Army Veterans
Authors: Su Dejun
Published: June 2009

This study examines the relation between risk exposures in early life and hazard of mortality among 11,978 Union Army veterans aged 50 and over in 1900. Veterans' risk exposures prior to enlistment—as approximated by birth season, country of birth, residential region, city size, and height at enlistment—significantly influenced their chance of survival after 1900. These effects are robust irrespective of whether socioeconomic well‐being in 1900 has been taken into account; however, they are sensitive to the particular age periods selected for survival analysis. Whereas some of the effects such as being born in Ireland and coming from large cities became apparent in the first decade after 1900 and then dissipated over time, the effects of birth season, being born in Germany, residential region in the United States, and height at enlistment were more salient in the post‐1910 periods. Height at enlistment shows a positive association with risk of mortality in the post‐1910 periods. Compared to corresponding findings from more recent cohorts, the exceptional robustness of the effects of risk exposures prior to enlistment on old‐age mortality among the veterans highlights the harshness of living conditions early in their lives.
A Gendered Assessment of Highly Skilled Emigration
Authors: Docquier Frédéric , Lowell B. Lindsay , Marfouk Abdeslam
Published: June 2009

Although women form a large and increasing proportion of international migrants, women's mobility has generally been overlooked in the literature. Quantifying and characterizing female migration should lead to a better understanding of the forces that shape international migration. We build an original data set providing gender‐disaggregated indicators of international migration by educational attainment for 195 source countries in 1990 and 2000. We find that women represent an increasing share of the immigration stock in the OECD countries and exhibit higher skilled emigration rates than men.
Introduction
Authors: Haaga John G.
Published: June 2009

This is an expanded version of comments on the future of the demography of aging at an invited session of the 2008 annual meeting of the Population Association of America. In an introduction, John Haaga offers reasons for a revival of interest in population aging, including greater realization of plasticity in aging trajectories at both individual and societal levels. Linda Martin proposes that population scientists working in aging emulate those studying fertility and family planning in previous decades, learning from interventions (in this case, aimed at increasing retirement savings and reducing disability at older ages). Changes in family structure will increasingly affect new cohorts of the elderly, and Linda Waite speculates on the ways in which changes in the economy, medicine, and the legal environment could affect the social context for aging. Research on mortality at older ages is “alive and well” asserts James Vaupel, who sets out six large questions on mortality trends and differentials over time and across species. Lastly, Wolfgang Lutz expands the scope of projections, showing the considerable uncertainty about the timing and pace of population aging in the developing world and the effects on future elderly of the increases in educational attainment in much of the world during the second half of the twentieth century.
Interventions to Improve Late Life
Authors: Martin Linda G.
Published: June 2009

This is an expanded version of comments on the future of the demography of aging at an invited session of the 2008 annual meeting of the Population Association of America. In an introduction, John Haaga offers reasons for a revival of interest in population aging, including greater realization of plasticity in aging trajectories at both individual and societal levels. Linda Martin proposes that population scientists working in aging emulate those studying fertility and family planning in previous decades, learning from interventions (in this case, aimed at increasing retirement savings and reducing disability at older ages). Changes in family structure will increasingly affect new cohorts of the elderly, and Linda Waite speculates on the ways in which changes in the economy, medicine, and the legal environment could affect the social context for aging. Research on mortality at older ages is “alive and well” asserts James Vaupel, who sets out six large questions on mortality trends and differentials over time and across species. Lastly, Wolfgang Lutz expands the scope of projections, showing the considerable uncertainty about the timing and pace of population aging in the developing world and the effects on future elderly of the increases in educational attainment in much of the world during the second half of the twentieth century.
The Changing Family and Aging Populations
Authors: Waite Linda J.
Published: June 2009

This is an expanded version of comments on the future of the demography of aging at an invited session of the 2008 annual meeting of the Population Association of America. In an introduction, John Haaga offers reasons for a revival of interest in population aging, including greater realization of plasticity in aging trajectories at both individual and societal levels. Linda Martin proposes that population scientists working in aging emulate those studying fertility and family planning in previous decades, learning from interventions (in this case, aimed at increasing retirement savings and reducing disability at older ages). Changes in family structure will increasingly affect new cohorts of the elderly, and Linda Waite speculates on the ways in which changes in the economy, medicine, and the legal environment could affect the social context for aging. Research on mortality at older ages is “alive and well” asserts James Vaupel, who sets out six large questions on mortality trends and differentials over time and across species. Lastly, Wolfgang Lutz expands the scope of projections, showing the considerable uncertainty about the timing and pace of population aging in the developing world and the effects on future elderly of the increases in educational attainment in much of the world during the second half of the twentieth century.
Lively Questions for Demographers about Death at Older Ages
Authors: Vaupel James W.
Published: June 2009

This is an expanded version of comments on the future of the demography of aging at an invited session of the 2008 annual meeting of the Population Association of America. In an introduction, John Haaga offers reasons for a revival of interest in population aging, including greater realization of plasticity in aging trajectories at both individual and societal levels. Linda Martin proposes that population scientists working in aging emulate those studying fertility and family planning in previous decades, learning from interventions (in this case, aimed at increasing retirement savings and reducing disability at older ages). Changes in family structure will increasingly affect new cohorts of the elderly, and Linda Waite speculates on the ways in which changes in the economy, medicine, and the legal environment could affect the social context for aging. Research on mortality at older ages is “alive and well” asserts James Vaupel, who sets out six large questions on mortality trends and differentials over time and across species. Lastly, Wolfgang Lutz expands the scope of projections, showing the considerable uncertainty about the timing and pace of population aging in the developing world and the effects on future elderly of the increases in educational attainment in much of the world during the second half of the twentieth century.
The Demography of Future Global Population Aging: Indicators, Uncertainty, and Educational Composition
Authors: Lutz Wolfgang
Published: June 2009

This is an expanded version of comments on the future of the demography of aging at an invited session of the 2008 annual meeting of the Population Association of America. In an introduction, John Haaga offers reasons for a revival of interest in population aging, including greater realization of plasticity in aging trajectories at both individual and societal levels. Linda Martin proposes that population scientists working in aging emulate those studying fertility and family planning in previous decades, learning from interventions (in this case, aimed at increasing retirement savings and reducing disability at older ages). Changes in family structure will increasingly affect new cohorts of the elderly, and Linda Waite speculates on the ways in which changes in the economy, medicine, and the legal environment could affect the social context for aging. Research on mortality at older ages is “alive and well” asserts James Vaupel, who sets out six large questions on mortality trends and differentials over time and across species. Lastly, Wolfgang Lutz expands the scope of projections, showing the considerable uncertainty about the timing and pace of population aging in the developing world and the effects on future elderly of the increases in educational attainment in much of the world during the second half of the twentieth century.
Population Dynamics in Italy in the Middle Ages: New Insights from Archaeological Findings
Authors: Barbiera Irene , Dalla‐Zuanna Gianpiero
Published: June 2009

Studies of settlements in Italy indicate that during the Early Middle Ages (6th–9th centuries) the Italian population was stagnant, whereas a slow but persistent growth followed during the High Middle Ages (10th–13th). However, the components of the dynamics of the Italian population in the long period between the Justinian Plague (around 565 in Italy) and the Black Death (1348) are largely unknown. In this article, data from anthropometric analysis of the skeletons in 154 Italian cemeteries that date between the 1st century BCE and the 13th century are used to gain new insights on mortality of adults and nutrition. Adult mortality was higher during the Early Middle Ages than during the Roman Empire and the High Middle Ages, suggesting that the stagnation of population was determined by higher mortality. During the Early Middle Ages, however, nutritional levels were higher, as suggested by taller statures, more widespread meat consumption, and longer periods of breastfeeding. We discuss some possible research lines to resolve this apparent contradiction.
US Presidential Elections and the Spatial Pattern of the American Second Demographic Transition
Authors: Lesthaeghe Ron , Neidert Lisa
Published: June 2009

This research note is a sequel to an earlier article in this journal (Lesthaeghe and Neidert 2006) in which we documented a strong and robust spatial correlation between the 2000 and 2004 presidential election results on the one hand and the extent to which states and counties had evolved on the “second demographic transition” (SDT) dimension. At that time the critique was voiced that this was an exceptional result valid for the Bush elections only, given the prominence of the “culture war” issues during these election campaigns. This correlation was predicted to shrink substantially if economic issues instead of cultural and life style ones were dominant campaign topics. The 2008 Obama–McCain contest provides a good test for this proposition, since the elections took place at a time when economic issues had risen to great prominence in the debate. In this note we show that the spatial association between the vote for McCain and the county‐ or state‐level values on the SDT dimension remained as strong and as robust as before. Moreover, controls for competing explanations again failed to weaken or eliminate the correlation with the SDT dimension. Instead, anomalies in the correlations in 2004 for several Southern and Appalachian states disappeared in 2008.