bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges in implementing individualized medicine illustrated by antimetabolite therapy of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Nersting Jacob , Borst Louise , Schmiegelow Kjeld
Published: December 2011

Predicting the response to medical therapy and subsequently individualizing the treatment to increase efficacy or reduce toxicity has been a longstanding clinical goal. Not least within oncology, where many patients fail to be cured, and others are treated to or beyond the limit of acceptable toxicity, an individualized therapeutic approach is indicated. The mapping of the human genome and technological developments in DNA sequencing, gene expression profiling, and proteomics have raised the expectations for implementing genotype-phenotype data into the clinical decision process, but also multiplied the complex interaction of genetic and other laboratory parameters that can be used for therapy adjustments. Thus, with the advances in the laboratory techniques, post laboratory issues have become major obstacles for treatment individualization. Many of these challenges have been illustrated by studies involving childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), where each patient may receive up to 13 different anticancer agents over a period of 2-3 years. The challenges include i) addressing important, but low-frequency outcomes, ii) difficulties in interpreting the impact of single drug or single gene response data that often vary across treatment protocols, iii) combining disease and host genomics with outcome variations, and iv) physicians' reluctance in implementing potentially useful genotype and phenotype data into clinical practice, since unjustified downward or upward dose adjustments could increase the of risk of relapse or life-threatening complications. In this review we use childhood ALL therapy as a model and discuss these issues, and how they may be addressed.
Tobin as an Econometrician
Authors: Dimand Robert W.
Published: December 2011

Best known as a Keynesian macroeconomist and monetary theorist, James Tobin was also actively engaged in empirical economics from his doctoral dissertation onward. His innovative combination of time-series data with household budget surveys in his 1947 dissertation and 1950 food demand study, and his 1955 and 1958 papers on limited dependent variables (Tobit estimation), were contributions to econometrics, not just the use of existing techniques by an applied economist. The present essay examines Tobin's involvement with econometrics from his student days “teaching myself econometrics” at Harvard to his later advocacy of an approach to empirical macroeconomic modeling based on his “general equilibrium approach to monetary theory” that contrasted sharply with new classical macroeconomic modeling that interpreted general equilibrium in a very different way.
A History of Japanese Developments in Econometrics
Authors: Ikeo Aiko
Published: December 2011

In Japan the systematic collection of economic data, including the prices of such commodities as rice, started for policy purposes in the sixteenth century. Yet such external impacts as the Tokyo meeting of the International Statistical Institute (1930) and the visit of two founding members of the Econometric Society (established 1930) to Japan were instrumental in promoting statistical studies and inspiring Japanese students to study abroad. Eiichi Sugimoto was trained in Berlin and drew a shifting demand curve for rice over time in a three-dimensional space in 1935. After World War II, Shinichi Ichimura, Michio Hatanaka, and Takeshi Amemiya were trained in the United States and introduced to empirical studies. Ichimura became responsible for building macroeconometric models and input-output tables for the Japanese and other East Asian economies. Hatanaka and Amemiya contributed to a more advanced econometrics thanks to the abundant use of U.S. economic data.
The Introduction of the Cobb-Douglas Regression and Its Adoption by Agricultural Economists
Authors: Biddle Jeff E.
Published: December 2011

The first part of this essay reviews Paul Douglas's twenty-year research program of using the Cobb-Douglas function to statistically estimate relationships between inputs and outputs. Emphasis is placed on the evolution of Douglas's own conceptualization of the program, and also the variety of views that arose among economists as to the significance of Douglas's results and, more generally, the potential value of the type of work he was doing. The second part examines the work of a group of agricultural economists who successfully established the Cobb-Douglas regression as a research tool in their field. They saw the regression as a way to address long-standing questions specific to agricultural economics. As a result, their defense and development of the method, as well as the criticisms they attracted from their colleagues, while drawing on the earlier literature surrounding Douglas's work, had noticeably different emphases and helped establish the Cobb-Douglas regression as a general purpose empirical tool for economists.
Econometrics and Psychometrics: Rivers Out of Biometry
Authors: Aldrich John
Published: December 2011

The period 1895–1925 saw the origins and establishment of the fields that came to be called econometrics and psychometrics. I consider what these fields owed to biometry—the statistical approach to the biological problems of evolution—and make some comparisons between all three. I emphasize developments in biology and psychology, for these are less familiar to historians of econometrics. These developments are interesting to contemplate, for the biometricians and psychometricians were already discussing issues associated with the respective roles of statistical analysis and of subject matter theory, issues that became prominent in econometrics only much later.
Econometrics and the Computer: Love or a Marriage of Convenience?
Authors: Renfro Charles G.
Published: December 2011

This essay considers some of the circumstances that have characterized econometric practice during the past fifty to sixty years, including both the invention and use of the electronic computer and the growing accessibility of both micro- and macroeconomic data. However, its particular focus is econometric computation and the degree to which computational algorithms are not determined by econometric theory, thus making it important for historians of econometricians to begin to consider the specific way in which econometrics is practiced as well as how the theory has evolved over the years. At issue are both the way in which particular calculations should be made and the choice of misspecification and other tests that are made available in the existing econometric software packages.
“Money Is a Sterile Thing”: Martin Luther on the Immorality of Usury Reconsidered
Authors: Singleton John D.
Published: December 2011

In the history of economic thought, Martin Luther is frequently identified with medieval Scholastic doctrine. His belief that “money is sterile” is offered in support of this assessment. However, this obscures the fact that Luther rarely invokes this line of reasoning in his writings on usury and that his argument for its immorality is not dependent upon the proposition. These facts, which differentiate Luther from the Scholastic writers, are consistent with his opposition to Aristotelian natural philosophy and the influence of nominalism on his thought. In order to establish the immorality of the census contract, condoned by the German Scholastic theologians, Luther reconstitutes the argument. The unappreciated significance of Luther's thought is therefore twofold: (1) there exists a burgeoning degree of independence between the positive analysis of usury and the reasons for its immorality; and (2) individual conscience and personal interpretation are left the arbiters in determining ethical practice.
Relationship between neonatal screening results by HPLC and the number of α-thalassaemia gene mutations; consequences for the cut-off value
Authors: Bouva M J , Sollaino C , Perseu L , Galanello R , Giordano P C , Harteveld C L , Cnossen M H , Schielen P C J I , Elvers L H , Peters M
Published: December 2011

Objectives

To evaluate the relationship between FAST peak percentage by adapted Bio-Rad Vnbs analysis using the valley-to-valley integration and genotypes with the aim to improve differentiation between severe α-thalassaemia forms (HbH disease) and the milder disease types.

Method

DNA analysis for α-thalassaemia was performed on 91 dried blood spot samples presenting normal and elevated FAST peak levels, selected during three years of Dutch national newborn screening.

Results

Significant differences were found between samples with and without α-thalassaemia mutations, regardless of the genetic profiles. No significant difference was demonstrated between HPLC in -α/αα and -α/-α, between -α/-α and –/αα and between –/αα and –/-α genotypes.

Conclusion

This study confirms that the percentage HbBart's, as depicted by the FAST peak, is only a relative indication for the number of α genes affected in α-thalassaemia. Based on the data obtained using the modified Bio-Rad Vnbs software, we adopted a cut-off value of 22.5% to discriminate between possible severe α-thalassaemia or HbH disease and other α-thalassaemia phenotypes. Retrospectively, if this cut-off value was utilized during this initial three-year period of neonatal screening, the positive predictive value would have been 0.030 instead of 0.014.
The D1152H cystic fibrosis mutation in prenatal carrier screening, patients and prenatal diagnosis
Authors: Peleg Leah , Karpati Mazal , Bronstein Silvia , Berkenstadt Michal , Frydman Moshe , Yonath Hagith , Pras Elon
Published: December 2011

Objective

To assess the frequency of the D1152H mutation in the CFTR gene in normal individuals, in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and in the setting of prenatal diagnosis.

Setting

A database analysis of sequential screening results seen at the Sheba Medical Center, Israel, between 2001 and 2010.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the frequency of D1152H in a large cohort of healthy individuals who were screened as part of a routine prenatal care programme, in individuals referred due to CF-related symptoms and in the setting of prenatal diagnosis.

Results

We found one asymptomatic homozygous female and 195 D1152H carriers among 49,940 healthy individuals screened, establishing a carrier rate of 1:255 for this mutation. We detected D1152H in nine of 103 individuals referred due to CF-related symptoms. Four suffered from respiratory symptoms and five from congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD). During this period D1152H was detected in three pregnancies, two of which were aborted.

Conclusion

The increased frequency of D1152H in individuals referred due to CF-related symptoms compared with healthy individuals included in the CF carrier screening programme (P < 0.001) clearly indicates that it is a disease-causing mutation.
A comparative case study of bowel cancer screening in the UK and Australia: Evidence lost in translation?
Authors: Flitcroft K L , John D J B St , Howard K , Carter S M , Pignone M P , Salkeld G P , Trevena L J
Published: December 2011

Objectives

(i) To document the current state of the English, Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish and Australian bowel cancer screening programmes, according to seven key characteristics, and (ii) to explore the policy trade-offs resulting from inadequate funding.

Setting

United Kingdom and Australia.

Methods

A comparative case study design using document and key informant interview analysis. Data were collated for each national jurisdiction on seven key programme characteristics: screening frequency, population coverage, quality of test, programme model, quality of follow-up, quality of colonoscopy and quality of data collection. A list of optimal features for each of the seven characteristics was compiled, based on the FOBT screening literature and our detailed examination of each programme.

Results

Each country made different implementation choices or trade-offs intended to conserve costs and/or manage limited and expensive resources. The overall outcome of these trade-offs was probable lower programme effectiveness as a result of compromises such as reduced screening frequency, restricted target age range, the use of less accurate tests, the deliberate setting of low programme positivity rates or increased inconvenience to participants from re-testing.

Conclusions

Insufficient funding has forced programme administrators to make trade-offs that may undermine the potential net population benefits achieved in randomized controlled trials. Such policy compromise contravenes the principle of evidence-based practice which is dependent on adequate funding being made available.
Health-related quality-of-life in children with coeliac disease, measured prior to receiving their diagnosis through screening
Authors: Nordyke Katrina , Norström Fredrik , Lindholm Lars , Carlsson Annelie , Danielsson Lars , Emmelin Maria , Högberg Lotta , Karlsson Eva , Ivarsson Anneli
Published: December 2011

Objective

To compare the health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) of children with screening-detected coeliac disease (CD), before they learned of their diagnosis, with that of children without CD and in those previously diagnosed with CD.

Methods

In a cross-sectional CD screening study (‘ETICS’: Exploring the Iceberg of Coeliacs in Sweden), of 10,041 Swedish 12-year-olds invited, 7567 (75%) consented to participate, and 7208 (72%) children without previously diagnosed CD had serological markers analysed. Before the screening results were known, 7218 children (72%) and 6524 of their parents (65%) answered questionnaires. Questionnaires included the Swedish child-friendly pilot version of the EQ-5D instrument and proxy version of the EQ-5D instrument, which are generic tools used to describe HRQoL.

Results

We found no significant difference in HRQoL between the groups of children with screening-detected CD, without CD, and those previously diagnosed with CD.

Conclusion

The HRQoL reported by 12-year-olds with screening-detected CD, before they learned of their diagnosis, was not worse than that of the children without CD or those previously diagnosed with CD. Thus, mass screening for CD should not be justified on the basis that children with unrecognized CD have a poor HRQoL. However, because these children rated their HRQoL before diagnosis and treatment, they may not have recognized or perceived symptoms as severe enough to seek medical attention which demonstrates how difficult clinical/active case finding can be. Mass screening may still, therefore, be considered if the aim is early detection and prevention of future complications.
Newborn screening for medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency in England: Prevalence, predictive value and test validity based on 1.5 million screened babies
Authors: Oerton Juliet , Khalid Javaria M , Besley Guy , Dalton R Neil , Downing Melanie , Green Anne , Henderson Mick , Krywawych Steve , Leonard James , Andresen Brage S , Dezateux Carol
Published: December 2011

Background

Medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD) is a rare, life-threatening condition. Early diagnosis by screening asymptomatic newborns may improve outcome, but the benefit to newborns identified with variants not encountered clinically is uncertain.

Objective

To estimate, overall and by ethnic group: screen-positive prevalence and predictive value (PPV); MCADD prevalence; proportion MCADD variants detected of predicted definite or uncertain clinical importance.

Setting

All births in areas of high ethnic minority prevalence in England.

Methods

Prospective multicentre pilot screening service; testing at age five to eight days; standardized screening, diagnostic and management protocols; independent expert review of screen-positive cases to assign MCADD diagnosis and predicted clinical importance (definite or uncertain).

Results

Approximately 1.5 million babies (79% white; 10% Asian) were screened. MCADD was confirmed in 147 of 190 babies with a positive screening result (screen-positive prevalence: 1.20 per 10,000; MCADD prevalence: 0.94 per 10,000; PPV 77% [95% CI 71–83]), comprising 103 (70%) with MCADD variants of definite clinical importance (95 white [95%]; 2 Asian [2%]) and 44 (30%) with variants of uncertain clinical importance (29 white [67%]; 12 Asian [28%]).

Conclusion

One baby in every 10,000 born in England is diagnosed with MCADD by newborn screening; around 60 babies each year. While the majority of MCADD variants detected are predicted to be of definite clinical importance, this varies according to ethnic group, with variants of uncertain importance most commonly found in Asian babies. These findings provide support for MCADD screening but highlight the need to take account of the ethnic diversity of the population tested at implementation.
Enhanced Flame-Retardant Capacity of Natural Rubber/Organo-Montmorillonite and Hyper-Branched Organo-Montmorillonite Composites
Authors: Wang Jincheng , Guo Xi , Zheng Xiaoyu , Zhao Yi , Li Weifei
Published: December 2011

Most natural and synthetic rubbers have inherently high flammability, a property which limits their uses. The aim of the present work was to study the effect of organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) and modified OMMT on the flame-retardance and mechanical properties of natural rubber (NR) composites. The OMMT was modified with hyper-branched polymer via condensation polymerization between the intercalation agent, N,N-di(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-dodecyl-N-methylammonium chloride, and the monomer, N,N-dihydroxyl-3-aminomethyl propionate. This modified OMMT was then reacted with phosphate, and a novel flame-retardant hyper-branched organic montmorillonite (FR-HOMMT) was thus obtained. The surface morphology, interlayer space, interlamellar structure, and thermal properties of these modified clays were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The FR-HOMMT showed increased basal spacing and better thermal stabilities due to the different arrangement and thermal stability of the novel organic macromolecular surfactant. Natural rubber NR/OMMT and NR/FR-HOMMT composites were prepared by conventional compounding with OMMT and the phosphorus-based organo-montmorillonite. The cure characteristics, tensile strength, wear resistance, thermal stabilities, and flame-retardant properties were researched and compared. The best dispersion of this modified clay was observed for 20 phr (parts per hundred of rubber) of FR-HOMMT-filled composite, which resulted in the best mechanical performance with an increase of 47% in tensile strength, of 40% in elongation at break, and decrease of 140% in abrasion loss compared with 20 phr of the OMMT-filled matrix. A mechanism for reinforcing and flame retardance is proposed here. The 'anchor' effect caused by the hyper-branched polymer may decrease the number and size of the voids in the NR matrix, and thus increase the crack path during tensile drawing. Meanwhile, the flame retardance of the OMMT and the phosphate may increase the number of carbonaceous layers, thus inhibiting the degree of pyrolysis of the NR matrix during burning.
Adsorption of Low-Concentration Ammonium Onto Vermiculite from Hebei Province, China
Authors: Wang Mingshan , Liao Libing , Zhang Xiuli , Li Zhaohui , Xia Zhiguo , Cao Weida
Published: December 2011

Vermiculite is a common layered silicate clay mineral which has good adsorption and ion-exchange properties, and which is used to remove pollutants from groundwater. The adsorption by vermiculite from Heibei Province, China, of low-concentration ammonium in water was assessed here to evaluate the effects of adsorption time, particle size, adsorbent dose, pH, and temperature. Using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, the concentration of NH4+ at 1430 cm−1 was evaluated after ammonium was adsorbed by vermiculite. Based on Langmuir-model analysis, the adsorption capacity of the Chinese vermiculite (in the particle-size range 0.025–0.075 mm) for ammonium was 18 mg/g after 3 h of equilibration. Optimal adsorption occurred at pH 6–7 and 60°C, which is different from that at high ammonium concentrations. Smaller particle-size fractions showed greater degrees of adsorption. Increase in Mg2+, K+, or Na+ concentrations influenced ammonium adsorption and, therefore, indicated that cation exchange was the mechanism for ammonium uptake from low-concentration solutions.
A Critical Textural Evolution Study of Zerovalent Iron/Montmorillonite Nanosized Heterostructures Under Various Iron Loadings
Authors: Fan Mingde , Yuan Peng , Bergaya Faïza , He Hongping , Chen Tianhu , Zhu Jianxi , Liu Dong
Published: December 2011

Heterostructures formed by nanoparticles hybridized with porous hosts are of great potential in many practical applications such as catalysis, adsorption, and environmental remediation, based on their intrinsic properties. The objectives of this study were to synthesize zerovalent iron nanoparticles/montmorillonite heterostructures and to investigate their textural evolution under different Fe loadings. Iron nanoparticles were hybridized with montmorillonite by impregnation of montmorillonite by ferric ions followed by chemical reduction with sodium borohydride in solution. These hybridized Fe nanoparticles were well dispersed on the montmorillonite surface, size adjustable, and resistant to oxidation under the protection of native Fe-oxide shells. The textural evolution of these heterostructures under various Fe loadings was investigated using nitrogen physisorption, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and elemental analyses. As the Fe loadings increased, the total pore and mesopore volumes were almost unchanged; the total, micropore, and external surface areas as well as the micropore volume decreased; and the average pore diameter increased. These textural changes could be attributed to the filling of the interparticle pores of montmorillonite by a variable amount of Fe nanoparticles. In addition, with increasing Fe loadings, the mesoporous character was enhanced for these heterostructures. These fundamental results are important in understanding the structure of these heterostructures as well as in developing some novel applications in related fields.
First-Principles Study of Isomorphic (‘Dual-Defect’) Substitution in Kaolinite
Authors: He Man-Chao , Zhao Jian , Fang Zhi-Jie , Zhang Ping
Published: December 2011

Kaolinite is often a cause of deformation in soft-rock tunnel engineering, leading to safety problems. In order to gain a better predictive understanding of the governing principles associated with this phenomenon, the physical and chemical properties of kaolinite were investigated using an efficient, firstprinciples scheme for studying isomorphic substitution of Al ions in kaolinite by two kinds of other elements (namely, the dual defect). Elements that are relatively common in natural kaolinite were chosen from groups II (Be, Mg, Ca, and Sr) and III (Fe and Sc) of the Periodic Table as dual-defect ions to substitute for Al ions in kaolinite. By systematically calculating the impurity-formation energies (which characterize the difference in the total crystal energy before and after the defect arises) and transitionenergy levels, which characterize the energy cost for the transformation between two different charge states, the (Be + Sc)Al (i.e. the replacement of two specific Al ions in kaolinite by external Be and Sc ions), (Ca + Sc)Al, (Mg + Sc)Al, and (Sr + Sc)Al ion pairs were determined to have low formation energies, suggesting that these combinations of ions can easily substitute for Al ions in kaolinite. The (Be + Fe)Al, (Ca + Fe)Al, (Mg + Fe)Al, and (Sr + Fe)Al ion pairs have relatively high formation energies which make isomorphic substitution (or doping) in kaolinite difficult. Moreover, these combinations of elements from groups II and III were found to have relatively low transition-energy levels compared with other element pairs. Among them, (Sr + Sc)Al have the lowest transition-energy level at 0.06 eV above the valence band maximum. When compared with single external substitutional defects in kaolinite, remarkably, the dual defects have relatively low formation energies and transition-energy levels. The results are helpful in understanding the chemical and physical properties of natural kaolinite.
Visible and Near-Infrared Spectra of the Secondary Combustion of a 152 mm Howitzer
Authors: Steward Bryan J. , Perram Glen P. , Gross Kevin C.
Published: December 2011

Visible and near-infrared spectra were collected from 53 firings of three different propellants from a 152 mm howitzer. The observable muzzle flashes had 50–100 ms durations and were collected with approximately 0.75 nm spectral and 10 Hz temporal resolutions. Atomic and molecular emissions were primarily limited to contaminant species including K, Na, Li, CaOH, CuOH, and CuO. A relatively strong continuum baseline was observed from hot particulate matter and plume-scattered solar radiation. A radiative transfer model was used to demonstrate self-absorption in an optically thick plume as the likely source of significant broadening of the potassium 4 2P3/2,1/2 – 4 2S1/2 doublet. Indeed, the entire O2 (X-b) absorption band is evident in the blue wing. This feature is used to estimate range to source to within 4–9% for individual firings and 0.5% with multiple observations. Ratios of atomic line intensities were used to differentiate munitions configurations, yielding ratios of between-class variance to within-class variance of 8.6 to 18.2 using 1 to 4 atomic lines. Further reduction of the number of features by characterizing the relative atomic line intensities by a temperature parameter ( T = 7900–8900 K) significantly degrades class discrimination.
The provision of citizenship education in Arab contexts
Authors: Almaamari Saif
Published: December 2011

Since the early 1990s, citizenship education has occupied a high profile in educational policies worldwide. Yet, this area has not received similar attention in Arabic countries as has been shown by some studies that have until now focused on this area. This article is a first attempt
to review the available literature in order to provide some indicators and insights regarding the current provision of citizenship education (CE) in Arab contexts. Specifically, the article starts by providing a brief geographical overview about Arab contexts and highlighting the right of
education as one of citizenship rights. This followed by discussing some difficulties about studying education in Arab contexts. Then debates about the meanings of citizenship and CE and its aims will be presented. After that, the approaches of introducing citizenship education, its content
and how it is delivered were discussed. The article ends by raising some challenges and drawing some conclusions.
Defining literacy and citizenship: Official language arts curricula in the United States and France
Authors: Cummings Briana
Published: December 2011

Since the early 1990s, statewide curriculum standards have become the lynchpin of education reforms in almost every state in the United States. The quality of these standards, however, has been little studied, particularly outside math and science. To fill this gap, this article describes
the content of the new language arts standards promulgated by one leader of standards-based reform in the United States, the Massachusetts Department of Education, in comparison with those set forth by the French Ministry of Education. The role of differing conceptions of citizenship in each
curriculum is discussed.
Citizenship education in Scandinavian multicultural schools: A comparative study of students and teachers perceptions
Authors: Biseth Heidi
Published: December 2011

Increasing demographic diversity in urban areas brings forth a query on how the educational systems manage to promote democratic virtues suited for a multicultural society. Through a qualitative study in fourteen schools in the Scandinavian capitals, information is collected from both
educators and students. In comparing their perspectives on how the educators and the school environments provide for and nurture civic development, the study suggests that students find educators who only to a limited extent manage to utilize the asset of diversity in citizenship education.
In a socially and politically difficult environment, the minority students of this study risk marginalization as future citizens, not to any large degree in the attention of the custodians of democracy, the educators.
Introducing pre-service citizenship teachers to the design and implementation of focus days to enhance their professional learning
Authors: Leighton Ralph
Published: December 2011

Much attention has been give to the comparative efficacy of a range of approaches to the delivery of citizenship education in England. A recent inspection report expressed concern about a perceived over-reliance on collapsed timetable days (referred to here as focus days) as one such
mode of delivery. The effectiveness of focus day planning and delivery is considered in this article by scrutinizing the purpose(s), activities and outcomes on a post graduate pre-service programme for citizenship teachers in which such activities form a central theme. The motivation and aims
behind the inclusion of focus day planning is clarified and the extent to which these aims are met is discussed. The discussion is informed by data collected from teachers with whom the pre-service students liaised regarding the impact of the focus days on the schools where they took place,
and their immediate and longer-term impact on the student teachers who were involved. Most of the aims were found to be met and student and experienced teachers identified several benefits of the activity.
Future prospects of the print newspaper in Zimbabwe
Authors: CHARI TENDAI
Published: December 2011

The Internet has fundamentally transformed the media landscape in Zimbabwe. The technology has spawned new practices, whose impact on the printed newspaper is dialectical. On the one hand, newspapers are able to assert their presence globally through online editions, thus improving
their readership. On the other, the technology portends the demise of the printed newspaper due to competition presented by online editions. This study examines newspaper reading habits in Zimbabwe in order to ascertain the impact of the Internet on the printed newspaper. The study combines
survey method and in-depth interviews, in order to gain insights into the future prospects of the printed newspaper in the Internet age in an African context. The article argues that while there is considerable interest for the Internet newspaper in Zimbabwe, the print newspaper is far from
extinction. The reasons for this include the low diffusion of the Internet and a host of socio-economic and cultural factor.
‘Hitting the glass ceiling’ – gender and media management in sub-saharan africa
Authors: ZUIDERVELD MARIA
Published: December 2011

The aim of this study is to discuss the importance of gender in editorial leadership in African countries. Women in leading positions in the media industry work in a traditionally male-dominated area. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were carried out with five women on their work
in media management in Zambia, Uganda, Nigeria and Ethiopia in order to explore how a group of female media managers in a non-western setting manage both their gendered identity and their identity as media professionals. This study challenges a western-based understanding of the role of gender
in newsroom cultures. Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of capital is used as an analytical instrument. The study suggests that female gender is regarded as a positive capital, which contradicts other studies of women in media management. Another conclusion is that the ‘velvet ghetto’
is spreading, as women in journalism receive low salaries, if any.
Nurses’ Use of Qualitative Research Approaches to Investigate Tobacco Use and Control
Authors: Schultz Annette S. H. , Bottorff Joan L. , McKeown Stephanie Barclay
Published: December 2011

Qualitative research methods are increasingly used by nurse scientists to explore a wide variety of topics relevant to practice and/or health policy issues. The purpose of this chapter is to review the contributions of nurse scientists to the field of tobacco control through the use of qualitative research methods. A systematic literature search strategy was used to identify 51 articles published between 1980 and 2008. The majority (84%) of reviewed articles were authored by North American nurse scientists. Cessation was the most commonly (85%) studied aspect of tobacco control. Six qualitative research approaches were used: qualitative descriptive (55%), narrative analysis (8%), phenomenology (6%), grounded theory (14%), ethnography (12%), and case study (6%). Qualitative descriptive methods were primarily one-off studies to address practical problems or issues encountered in practice, and often validated current understandings related to tobacco. Researchers who used other types of qualitative methods and who conducted qualitative studies as part of programs of research were more likely to make more substantive contributions to the evolving field of tobacco control. These contributions related to how smoking intertwines with personal and social identities, the influence of social context on tobacco use, and nurses’ involvement in tobacco control (both of their own tobacco use and in assisting others). Nurse scientists interested in exploring tobacco-related issues are encouraged to consider the full range of qualitative research approaches. Qualitative research methods contribute to our understanding of tobacco use arising from nursing practice, health care and policy, along with the field of tobacco control in general.
Smoking Cessation Interventions in Cancer Care: Opportunities for Oncology Nurses and Nurse Scientists
Authors: Cooley Mary E. , Lundin Rebecca , Murray Lyndsay
Published: December 2011

Smoking cessation is essential after the diagnosis of cancer to improve clinical outcomes. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a systematic review of research on smoking cessation in the context of cancer care with an emphasis on nursing contributions to the field. Data sources included research reports of smoking cessation interventions conducted in people with cancer. Nineteen primary studies were reviewed. High intensity interventions, targeting multiple behaviors, and/or using a multicomponent intervention that included pharmacotherapy, behavioral counseling, and social support were characteristics of the most successful treatments for tobacco dependence. The majority of interventions were conducted in adults with smoking-related malignancies during acute phases of illness. The most striking finding was that more than one half of the studies tested the efficacy of nurse-delivered interventions. Conceptual and methodological issues that can be improved in future studies include: using theoretical frameworks to specify how the intervention will affect outcomes, ensuring adequate sample sizes, using biochemical verification to monitor smoking outcomes, and using standardized outcome measures of abstinence. Although effective interventions are available for healthy populations, further research is needed to determine if tailored cessation interventions are needed for patients with cancer. To provide optimal quality care it is imperative that delivery of evidence-based smoking cessation interventions be integrated into the cancer treatment trajectory. Multiple barriers, including patient and nurse attitudes toward smoking and lack of knowledge related to tobacco treatment, prevent translating evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment into clinical practice. Further nursing research is needed to address these barriers.
Why Nursing Research in Tobacco Control?
Authors: Sarna Linda , Bialous Stella Aguinaga
Published: December 2011

Tobacco use is an epidemic of overwhelming proportions affecting survival, causing millions of deaths every year, causing untold human suffering worldwide, and contributing to escalating health care costs. Nursing research is vital to advancing knowledge in the field and to the translation of science to evidence-based practice. As the largest group of health care professionals (17 million worldwide), nurses have the capacity for an enormous impact on this leading cause of preventable death. This chapter thus provides a historical overview of the tobacco epidemic, health risks of smoking and benefits of quitting, nicotine addiction, and recommendations of evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment as a backdrop for understanding the importance and need for nursing scholarship. Also examined are nursing science efforts and leadership in removing two barriers to mounting programs of nursing research in tobacco control: (1) lack of nursing education and training in tobacco control, and (2) limited research funding and mentorship. The chapter also addresses the issue of smoking in the profession as it impacts nurses’ health, clinical practice, and, potentially, scholarship efforts.
Nursing Research in Tobacco Use and Special Populations
Authors: Browning Kristine K. , Baker Cathy J. , McNally Gretchen A. , Wewers Mary Ellen
Published: December 2011

Smoking is responsible for approximately one in five deaths in the United States per year. The Surgeon General’s 1964 report first linked smoking as a cause of cancer. Since then cigarette smoking has had a steady decline to its current estimate of 19.8%. There are, however, some special populations where smoking continues to occur at a higher prevalence than the general population. This chapter discusses tobacco dependence among the following special populations: low socioeconomic status including Medicaid, hard-core smokers, rural, and homeless; immigrants; and persons living with HIV. For each population, there is an overview of the disparities in tobacco use, special challenges unique to that population, and exploration of current research on tailoring of tobacco dependence treatment. Each of the special populations discussed present unique challenges with tobacco dependence treatment that will require careful examination before disparities will ultimately decrease. Eliminating disparities has been marked as an important research agenda item as noted in Healthy People 2010. Nurse researchers are well positioned to combine their clinical expertise and knowledge of patient psychosocial needs with investigation of patient-focused research questions in each of these special populations.
Systems Approaches to Tobacco Dependence Treatment
Authors: McDaniel Anna M. , Stratton Renee M. , Britain Maria
Published: December 2011

Nurses have been at the forefront of initiatives to improve patient outcomes through systems change. Nursing research addressing systems approaches to treatment of tobacco dependence has demonstrated increased implementation of evidence-based practice guidelines. Existing health system research conducted by nurse scientists has focused on four strategies: tobacco use identification systems, education and training of nursing staff to deliver tobacco intervention, dedicated staff for tobacco dependence treatment in both acute and primary care settings, and institutional policies to support tobacco intervention. Nursing involvement in multidisciplinary health services research focusing on tobacco treatment has lagged behind advances in clinical nursing research of individual-focused smoking cessation interventions. Health information technology shows promise as part of an integrated approach to systems changes to support tobacco intervention, particularly in light of the current national emphasis on adoption and meaningful use of electronic health records. Future directions for translational research present unprecedented opportunity for nurse scientists to respond to the call for policy and systems changes to support tobacco treatment.
Nursing Research in Community-Based Approaches to Reduce Exposure to Secondhand Smoke
Authors: Hahn Ellen J. , Ashford Kristin B. , Okoli Chizimuzo T. C. , Rayens Mary Kay , Ridner S. Lee , York Nancy L.
Published: December 2011

Secondhand smoke (SHS) is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States and a major source of indoor air pollution, accounting for an estimated 53,000 deaths per year among nonsmokers. Secondhand smoke exposure varies by gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. The most effective public health intervention to reduce SHS exposure is to implement and enforce smoke-free workplace policies that protect entire populations including all workers regardless of occupation, race/ethnicity, gender, age, and socioeconomic status. This chapter summarizes community and population-based nursing research to reduce SHS exposure.

Most of the nursing research in this area has been policy outcome studies, documenting improvement in indoor air quality, worker’s health, public opinion, and reduction in Emergency Department visits for asthma, acute myocardial infarction among women, and adult smoking prevalence. These findings suggest a differential health effect by strength of law. Further, smoke-free laws do not harm business or employee turnover, nor are revenues from charitable gaming affected. Additionally, smoke-free laws may eventually have a positive effect on cessation among adults. There is emerging nursing science exploring the link between SHS exposure to nicotine and tobacco dependence, suggesting one reason that SHS reduction is a quit smoking strategy. Other nursing research studies address community readiness for smoke-free policy, and examine factors that build capacity for smoke-free policy. Emerging trends in the field include tobacco free health care and college campuses. A growing body of nursing research provides an excellent opportunity to conduct and participate in community and population-based research to reduce SHS exposure for both vulnerable populations and society at large.
Opportunities for Nursing Research in Tobacco Control
Authors: Bialous Stella Aguinaga , Sarna Linda
Published: December 2011

Nurse scientists have made important contributions to evidence-based practice in tobacco control. This chapter will discuss recent tobacco control developments in the United States and globally, such as legislation giving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulatory authority over tobacco products manufacturing, marketing and sales, the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and a brief review of research that has guided policy advances and nursing research in tobacco control. Suggestions for future research based on the update of the U.S. Public Health Services Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence clinical practice guideline will be explored. These developments offer nursing researchers a wealth of opportunities and challenges to advance nursing and tobacco control knowledge, address research gaps, and bring a unique nursing perspective to tobacco use prevention, reduction of exposure to secondhand smoke, tobacco dependence treatment, and tobacco control policies. Additionally, we will address how nursing scholarship can and should be supported by academic and organizational leadership to support nurses in realizing their full potential in mitigating the global epidemic of tobacco-caused death and disease.
14-Item Resilience Scale (RS-14): Psychometric Properties of the Brazilian Version
Authors: Damásio Bruno Figueiredo , Borsa Juliane Callegaro , da Silva Joilson Pereira
Published: December 2011

The Resilience Scale (RS) was developed to evaluate the levels of resilience in the general population. Its reduced version (RS-14) has presented reliable internal consistency and external validity. However, its psychometric properties have not been systematically evaluated. The objective of this study was to present the psychometric properties of the Brazilian RS-14. A total of 1,139 subjects selected by convenience (62.9% women) from 14 to 59 years old (M = 26.1, SD = 11.61) participated in the study. Exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) and parallel analysis were conducted in order to assess the factor structure of the scale. A 13-item single-factor solution was achieved. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) and multigroup CFA (MGCFA) corroborated the goodness of fit and measurement invariance of the obtained exploratory solution. The levels of resilience correlated negatively with depression and positively with meaning in life and self-efficacy.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Appraisal of Health Scale in Stroke Survivors
Authors: Johnson Elizabeth A. , Bakas Tamilyn , Williams Linda S.
Published: December 2011

Background/Purpose: Little is known about the cognitive appraisal process influencing poststroke depressive symptoms. Based on a framework derived from Lazarus and Folkman (1984), psychometric properties of the Appraisal of Health Scale (AHS) were tested. Methods: Secondary analysis of data from 394 stroke survivors tested internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the AHS, consisting of 3 subscales (threat, benign, benefit). Results: Cronbach’s alphas were satisfactory (threat .92, benign .85, benefit .73). After principal axis factoring, two factors emerged (threat, benefit). Sequential multiple regression accounted for 43% of the variance in depressive symptoms (p< .001), partly explained by the threat and benefit subscales after controlling for depression history, disability, age, social support, self-esteem, and optimism. Conclusion: Threat and benefit AHS subscales demonstrated satisfactory evidence of internal consistency reliability and construct validity in stroke survivors.
“Go to Ruth’s House”: The Social Activism of Ruth Lubic and the Family Health and Birth Center
Authors: Fairman Julie
Published: December 2011

This case of the work of Ruth Watson Lubic, an internationally known nurse midwife and women’s and children’s health care activist, provides a modern-day example of the intersection of forceful individual personalities, nursing as a type of activism in itself, and grassroots and local actions that produce larger movement-based activist organizations. Her work as a nurse midwife, in partnership with other nurse midwives, physicians, and community members, illustrates how the efforts of individual actors at a grassroots community level can be as significant as larger traditionally situated activist movements on the lives of everyday citizens.
“The Relation of the Nurse to the Working World”: Professionalization, Citizenship, and Class in Germany, Great Britain, and the United States before World War I
Authors: Soine Aeleah
Published: December 2011

Campaigns for state nursing registration in the United States and Great Britain have a prominent place in the historical scholarship on nursing professionalization; the closely related German campaign has received less scholarly attention. Applying a transnational perspective to these three national movements highlights the collaborative and interrelated nature of nursing reform prior to World War I and recognizes the important contribution of German nurses to this dialogue and agenda. Focusing particularly on the years 1909–12, this article depicts a generation of German, American, and British nurses who organized national and international nursing associations to realize state registration as a stepping stone to other markers of professional recognition, such as collegiate education, full political citizenship, social welfare, and labor legislation. However, the consequent reliance of these strategies on nation-states as arbiters of citizenship and professional status undermined the shared ideological foundation of international and national nursing leaders. This article contributes to a more multinational understanding of how these international nursing leaders transcended and were confined by the limits of their nation-states in the years leading up to World War I.