bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Putting public service motivation into context: a balance between universalism and particularism
Authors: Giauque David , Ritz Adrian , Varone Frédéric , Anderfuhren-Biget Simon , Waldner Christian
Published: June 2011

Research on Public Service Motivation (PSM) has increased enormously in the last 20 years. Besides the analysis of the antecedents of PSM and its impact on organizations and individuals, many open questions about the nature of PSM itself still remain. This article argues that the theoretical construct of PSM should be contextualized by integrating the political and administrative contexts of public servants when investigating their specific attitudes towards working in a public environment. It also challenges the efficacy of the classic four-dimensional structure of PSM when it is applied to a specific context. The findings of a confirmatory factor analysis from a dataset of 3754 employees of 279 Swiss municipalities support the appropriateness of contextualizing parts of the PSM construct. They also support the addition of an extra dimension called, according to previous research, Swiss democratic governance. With regard to our results, there is a need for further PSM research to set a definite measure of PSM, particularly in regard to the international diffusion of empirical research on PSM.

Points for practitioners

This study shows that public service motivation is a relevant construct for practitioners and may be used to better assess whether public agents are motivated by values or not. Nevertheless, it stresses also that the measurement of PSM must be adapted to the institutional context as well. Public managers interested in understanding better the degree to which their employees are motivated by public values must be aware that the measurement of this PSM construct has to be contextualized. In other words, PSM is also a function of the institutional environment in which organizations operate.
Thailand’s Agrarian Myth and Its Proponents
Authors: Dayley Robert
Published: June 2011

Thailand’s agrarian myth holds that culturally-based, small-scale subsistence farming is the most desirable form of community life for rural Thais. This article outlines Thailand’s agrarian myth and argues that its current promotion finds support in an obsolete ‘sufficiency ethic’, rather than from the country’s pragmatically-oriented farmers. Proponents of this myth come from Thailand’s cultural and bureaucratic elite, urban intellectuals, and religious fundamentalists. Based on field research and secondary sources the article demonstrates how the attitudes and behaviors of contemporary Thai farmers belie the agrarian myth which non-farming elites now advocate. The article concludes that yellow-shirted proponents of Sufficiency Economy, Community Culture, and austere Buddhist fundamentalism should adjust their vision to the reality that Thailand’s forward-looking farmers desire a rural lifestyle beyond the agrarian myth.
Does Multicultural Education Improve Students’ Racial Attitudes? Implications for Closing the Achievement Gap
Authors: Okoye-Johnson Ogo
Published: June 2011

The effects of multicultural education on the racial attitudes of students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade are examined in this meta-analysis. Multicultural education was operationalized for this study as programs and curricula dealing with racial and cultural diversity. The effect sizes of curricular intervention and reinforcement dimensions of multicultural education in suburban and urban settings among age groups 3-8 and 9-16 were compared to see the relative effectiveness of multicultural education on students’ racial attitudes. The mean effect size of 0.488 from a total of 60 effect sizes calculated using 30 studies shows that exposure to multicultural education led to a reduction in students’ racial attitudes. However, the mean effect size of 0.645 from curricular intervention studies was higher than the mean effect size of the reinforcement studies at 0.08, indicating that the curricular intervention dimension of multicultural education was more effective in reducing students’ racial attitudes. Multicultural education was more effective in reducing racial attitudes in urban areas with a mean effect size of 0.72, than in suburban areas with a mean effect size of 0.587. Multicultural education was also more effective in reducing racial attitudes among the 9-16 age group with a mean effect size of 0.751, than among the 3-8 age group with a mean effect size of 0.208. Implications for research and for practice with emphasis on closing the achievement gap that exists among the various student subgroups primarily in under achieving inner-city public schools are discussed.
From Slavery to Genocide
Authors: Cooper Allan D.
Published: June 2011

This paper analyzes the failure of the ‘Reparations for Slavery’ movement within the African American community over the past century. It argues that the association of reparations with a “debt” has complicated the ability to win legal arguments for reparations. The author asserts that a stronger legal case can be made by arguing that the Jim Crow era constituted a form of genocide as defined by the 1948 UN Genocide Convention, and that a potential reparations claim made on this basis can overcome the obstacles that have thus far defeated previous reparation law suits.
Concurrent Validity of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI)
Authors: Flowers Lamont A. , Bridges Brian K. , Moore James L.
Published: June 2011

Concurrent validation procedures were employed, using a sample of African American precollege students, to determine the extent to which scale scores obtained from the first edition of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) were appropriate for diagnostic purposes. Data analysis revealed that 2 of the 10 LASSI scales (i.e., Anxiety and Test Strategies) significantly correlated with a measure of academic ability. These results suggested that scores obtained from these LASSI scales may provide valid assessments of African American precollege students’ academic aptitude. Implications for teachers, school counselors, and developmental studies professionals were discussed.
Cold Suppresses Agonist-induced Activation of TRPV1
Authors: Chung M.-K. , Wang S.
Published: June 2011

Cold therapy is frequently used to reduce pain and edema following acute injury or surgery such as tooth extraction. However, the neurobiological mechanisms of cold therapy are not completely understood. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a capsaicin- and heat-gated nociceptive ion channel implicated in thermosensation and pathological pain under conditions of inflammation or injury. Although capsaicin-induced nociception, neuropeptide release, and ionic currents are suppressed by cold, it is not known if cold suppresses agonist-induced activation of recombinant TRPV1. We demonstrate that cold strongly suppressed the activation of recombinant TRPV1 by multiple agonists and capsaicin-evoked currents in trigeminal ganglia neurons under normal and phosphorylated conditions. Cold-induced suppression was partially impaired in a TRPV1 mutant that lacked heat-mediated activation and potentiation. These results suggest that cold-induced suppression of TRPV1 may share a common molecular basis with heat-induced potentiation, and that allosteric inhibition may contribute, in part, to the cold-induced suppression. We also show that combination of cold and a specific antagonist of TRPV1 can produce an additive suppression. Our results provide a mechanistic basis for cold therapy and may enhance anti-nociceptive approaches that target TRPV1 for managing pain under inflammation and tissue injury, including that from tooth extraction.
Sliding Contact Fatigue of Graded Zirconia with External Esthetic Glass
Authors: Ren L. , Janal M.N. , Zhang Y.
Published: June 2011

Veneer chipping and fracture are common failure modes for porcelain-veneered zirconia dental restorations. We hypothesized that the graded glass/zirconia/glass with external esthetic glass (e-GZG) can increase the lifetime and improve resistance to veneer chipping and fracture relative to porcelain-veneered zirconia, while providing necessary esthetics. Previously, we have demonstrated that a graded glass-zirconia surface possesses excellent resistance to occlusal-like sliding contact fatigue. Here, we investigated the sliding contact fatigue response of this graded glass-zirconia surface with external esthetic glass. This external glass is essential for shade options, for preventing excessive wear of opposing dentition, and for protecting Y-TZP from hydrothermal degradation. e-GZG plates were bonded to composite blocks and subjected to prolonged sliding contact up to 10 million cycles at 200 N in water. The resistance to sliding contact fatigue of e-GZG matches that of monolithic Y-TZP, and both of these materials demonstrated lifetimes that were orders of magnitude longer than that of porcelain-veneered zirconia. Graded e-GZG is a promising restorative material.
Counting and Understanding the Contingent Workforce
Authors: Liu Cathy Yang , Kolenda Ric
Published: June 2011

Contingent workers are a large and increasingly important segment of the US labour force. This paper uses the Contingent Work Supplement of the Current Population Survey to gain some understanding of this workforce and to link that information to larger on-going annual and decennial surveys for sub-national-level estimation and analysis. A typology is developed of the non-standard workforce based on their work arrangement and the industries in which they concentrate; with four types of worker: contingent core, standard workers in contingent industries, non-standard workers in traditional industries, and traditional workers. The state of Georgia is used as an example of a regional economy that has experienced much economic growth in recent years and possibly a surge in contingent workforce as well. Characterising these workers by demographic and economic characteristics demonstrates much diversity across these four groups. Possible policy implications on employment quality and economic development are also discussed.
Chinese Outbound Tourists’ Destination Image of America
Authors: Li Xiang (Robert) , Stepchenkova Svetlana
Published: June 2011

This study was designed to obtain a collective mental picture of the United States as a travel destination among Chinese long-haul outbound travelers. In addition to identifying major features and components of the America travel brand, the authors also attempted to map the links and associations among various image components and sketch an associative network. Findings of this study revealed that overall, Chinese outbound tourists’ perceptions of America are highly urban, featuring advanced economic development, an open and democratic system, high technology, and big cities. Most American destinations and attractions Chinese tourists can think of are located on the East and West coasts. By analyzing the data from multiple perspectives and using various tools, the authors also hope to contribute some methodological insights on how to make sense of a large amount of categorical image data.
Reliabilities, Validities, and Cutoff Scores of the Depression Hopelessness Suicide Screening Form Among Women Offenders
Authors: Kroner Daryl G. , Kang Tamara , Mills Jeremy F. , Harris Andrew J.R. , Green Michelle M.
Published: June 2011

Depression and hopelessness can be associated with negative outcomes among offenders, such as reduced treatment impact, institutional misconduct, suicide risk, and health care costs. This study evaluated the reliability and validity of the Depression Hopelessness Suicide Screening Form (DHS) among women offenders. The DHS Depression and Hopelessness scales showed good internal consistency and test—retest reliability. Convergent and discriminant validities were supported through the relationship of the DHS with other established scales of depression, mood, suicidal intentions, and psychological distress. Optimal and conservative cutoff scores for the DHS Depression and Hopelessness scales were evaluated against criteria from a DSM-IV-based interview. Discussion centers on the importance of gender-based norms when assessing women offenders.
Self-Regulatory Deficits as Predictors of Sexual, Aggressive, and Self-Harm Behaviors in a Psychiatric Sex Offender Population
Authors: Stinson Jill D. , Robbins Sharon B. , Crow Charles W.
Published: June 2011

New directions in the literature describing etiology and treatment of sexual offending have suggested that self-regulation and self-regulatory deficits are an important component in the development of these behaviors. Here, the authors discuss the proposed relationships among self-regulatory deficits, dysregulation, and maladaptive behavior, including problematic sexual behavior. Emotional, cognitive, and behavioral dysregulation were evaluated in a sample of 256 psychiatric inpatients with a history of illegal sexual behaviors in both community and residential care settings. Factor analysis assisted in identifying categories of dysregulation, including emotional and cognitive dysregulation from psychiatric variables and behavioral dysregulation from histories of criminality, sex offending, and suicidal behaviors. Regression procedures demonstrated predictive relationships among these variables. The results indicate that emotional and cognitive dysregulation are differentially predictive of different types of maladaptive behavior. A discussion of findings and relevance to the current literature is included.
David and His Friends: Social-Scientific Perspectives on the David-Jonathan Friendship
Authors: Stansell Gary
Published: June 2011

The narrative of the David and Jonathan friendship in 1 Samuel continues to fascinate modern readers as a tale of an enduring friendship under strong political and family pressures. Modern readers are apt to read the story through a lens somewhat beclouded by romanticism and anachronism. This study aims to read the David-Jonathan narratives with the help of a cross-cultural model derived from the work of the social sciences, especially cultural anthropology.
Network Characteristics and Patenting in Biotechnology, 1990-2006
Authors: Demirkan Irem , Demirkan Sebahattin
Published: June 2011

In this study, the authors focus on specifically which types of networks and what types of relationships matter most for the focal firm’s innovative performance in biotechnology patenting. They suggest that certain network characteristics, such as quality and the source of knowledge, and the quality of relationships among actors may have a profound effect on the knowledge exchange and hence the number of patents granted to the firm. The authors focus on the research coauthorship networks of 381 firms in the U.S. biotechnology industry over a span of 17 years, from 1990 to 2006. In the biotechnology industry, firms depend heavily on the social network of academic scientists for the exchange and production of knowledge, with firm-level patenting closely linked to it. Their findings largely support the hypotheses, suggesting the necessity to consider the characteristics of the actors and the qualitative nature of the relationships in the network while assessing the role of the firm’s networks on its patenting.
The Too-Much-of-a-Good-Thing Effect in Management
Authors: Pierce Jason R. , Aguinis Herman
Published: June 2011

A growing body of empirical evidence in the management literature suggests that antecedent variables widely accepted as leading to desirable consequences actually lead to negative outcomes. These increasingly pervasive and often countertheoretical findings permeate levels of analysis (i.e., from micro to macro) and management subfields (e.g., organizational behavior, strategic management). Although seemingly unrelated, the authors contend that this body of empirical research can be accounted for by a meta-theoretical principle they call the too-much-of-a-good-thing effect (TMGT effect). The authors posit that, due to the TMGT effect, all seemingly monotonic positive relations reach context-specific inflection points after which the relations turn asymptotic and often negative, resulting in an overall pattern of curvilinearity. They illustrate how the TMGT effect provides a meta-theoretical explanation for a host of seemingly puzzling results in key areas of organizational behavior (e.g., leadership, personality), human resource management (e.g., job design, personnel selection), entrepreneurship (e.g., new venture planning, firm growth rate), and strategic management (e.g., diversification, organizational slack). Finally, the authors discuss implications of the TMGT effect for theory development, theory testing, and management practice.
Affective Trust in Chinese Leaders
Authors: Chen Xiao-Ping , Eberly Marion B. , Chiang Ting-Ju , Farh Jiing-Lih , Cheng Bor-Shiuan
Published: June 2011

Adopting the theoretical framework of social exchange, the authors used the two dominant Confucian values—hierarchy and relationalism—to theorize the mediating role of affective trust in the relationship between paternalistic leadership and employee in-role and extra-role performance in the Chinese organizational context. Data from 601 supervisor–subordinate dyads of 27 companies in a Taiwanese conglomerate revealed that while the benevolence and morality dimensions of paternalistic leadership are positively associated with both in-role and extra-role performance, the authoritarian paternalistic leadership dimension is negatively related to subordinate performance. Furthermore, affective trust mediated the relationship between benevolent and moral paternalistic leadership and employee performance but did not mediate the relationship between authoritarianism and employee performance. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed in the Chinese context and beyond.
The Puerto Affair: Revealing the Difficulties of the Fight Against Doping
Authors: Soule Bastien , Lestrelin Ludovic
Published: June 2011

In 2006, an investigation by the Spanish Guardia Civil led to the identification of a huge network practicing blood doping. Difficulties in terms of fight against doping of professional cyclists are analyzed using a systemic approach. This article aims at enlightening the factors that made it impossible to impede the spreading of doping via auto-transfusion as well as the attempts at restoring a balance among the professional cyclist elite. Through a qualitative inquiry, results show that timid attempts at gathering information prevent a full exposure of the affair and the punishment of its actors. The teleological priorities of many protagonists generate strategies preventing the identification of the network involved and the issuing of sanctions. Besides, we perceive the limits of a regulating system confronted with difficulties in characterizing the behaviors it is supposed to punish, with diverse legal and regulatory frameworks, and which is subject to an unwilling judicial authority.
“We Need a Showing of All Hands”
Authors: Sivek Susan Currie
Published: June 2011

Make magazine is a quarterly publication focused on do-it-yourself projects involving technology and innovation. The magazine also sponsors a biannual event, the Maker Faire, that brings “makers” together to share their knowledge. As a strategy for building audience loyalty and identification with the magazine, the Make products are skillfully crafted. However, they also invoke ideals such as environmentalism and nationalism in a potent mix that not only engages readers, but also represents an additional cultural demonstration of the phenomenon of technological utopianism.
Myocardial protection during aortic surgery: comparison between Bretschneider-HTK and cold blood cardioplegia
Authors: Scrascia G , Guida P , Rotunno C , De Palo M , Mastro F , Pignatelli A , de Luca Tupputi Schinosa L , Paparella D
Published: June 2011

The ideal cardioplegic strategy in thoracic aorta operations requiring long cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp time has not been established. Suboptimal myocardial protection may lead to myocardial damage and possible post-operative complications. We evaluate post-operative cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) release, low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) and mortality, using a cold crystalloid single-dose intracellular or cold blood multidose cardioplegia in 112 elective or emergent thoracic aorta operation patients. Fifty-four patients (HTK group) received Custodiol® cardioplegic solution and 58 received cold blood cardioplegia (CB group). Cross-clamp time, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time and cTnI peak release were similar in both groups. No differences were found for atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, inotropic support, LCOS and in-hospital mortality. Two-way ANOVA analysis revealed an interactive effect on cTnI peak (p=0.012) of cardioplegic solution type across the cross-clamp time quintile. In the fifth quintile, cross-clamp time patient (>160 min) cTnI peak value was higher in CB patients (p=0.044). HTK and CB cardioplegic solutions assure similar myocardial protection in patients undergoing thoracic aorta operations. In long cross-clamp times, the lower post-operative cTnI release detected using HTK may be indicative of a better myocardial protection in these extreme conditions.
Factors contributing to burnout among perfusionists in the United States
Authors: Bui J , Hodge A , Shackelford A , Acsell J
Published: June 2011

Introduction: As the job climate continues to change, many perfusionists are faced with high employee turnover rates, working longer hours, and increased stress related to more complex surgeries. Understanding the sources of professional burnout and stress may allow the formulation of a strategy to help prevent such negative outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the current level of stress and burnout among perfusionists.

Methods: A questionnaire was constructed with the use of SurveyMonkey®. Invitations requesting participation in the survey were distributed by electronic mail to members of PerfList and PerfMail. To assess burnout, components of the well-established Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) tool were used.

Results: At p<0.05, job demand variables such as stress level, conflict, call duties, hours worked, and case load were all shown to have a statistically significant relationship to burnout.

Conclusion: The study found that, among the various factors, job demands were the most likely culprit contributing to burnout. Stress level and conflict, in particular, had the strongest association to burnout.
Relationships between antithrombin activity, anticoagulant efficacy of heparin therapy and perioperative variables in patients undergoing cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Muedra V , Bonanad S , Gómez M , Villalonga V , Sánchez F , Llopis J E
Published: June 2011

Introduction: A study on 149 cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) patients was performed to elucidate possible relationships between antithrombin (AT) activity and a subject’s clinical profile or surgery characteristics.

Methods: An initial dose (300 IU/kg) of heparin was administered before CPB. Additional boluses (100 IU/kg) were administered if the activated clotting time (ACT)≤460 s. AT activity and hematological parameters were determined preoperatively, during and after CPB, and at 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours post-intervention.

Results: 29.5% patients required an additional dose of heparin during CPB. Preoperative AT was 96.5 ± 13.9% in all but 4 patients. AT was significantly lower during CPB and upon leaving the operating room (59.7%-80.0%). A small, but significant, inverse correlation was observed between AT at the end of CPB and the patient’s age, as well as between basal preoperative AT and total heparin administered.

Conclusions: Patient’s age could be a moderate indicator of AT activity drop and low preoperative AT activity could be a sign of reduced anticoagulant efficacy of heparin during CPB.
Using Innovative Technology to Develop Sustainable Assessment Practices in Marketing Education
Authors: Debuse Justin C. W. , Lawley Meredith
Published: June 2011

Timely, constructive feedback on assessment is critically important to students and yet is increasingly difficult for time-poor academics to consistently provide. Marketing educators also face pressure to incorporate sustainability into both the curriculum and practices such as assessment. This article outlines the development of an innovative computer-based marking tool, SuperMarkIt (SMI), which promotes sustainability. Using an action research method, this article reports the results of the sixth cycle of review and improvement with data gathered from both educators and students. Results support the improvements in sustainability achieved by using SMI. Educationally, students report improved feedback quality in areas such as timeliness, legibility, constructiveness, personalization, and detail. Economically, academics report major increases in feedback quantity, and students report reductions in time and cost. Environmentally, SMI reduces reliance on paper as well as reducing travel required to submit and collect hard copy assessments. Continued development of SMI focuses on improving aspects related to technology adoption by educators.
The Median Group and Psychiatry: Reclaiming the Mind
Authors: Schoellberger Roberto
Published: June 2011

This article will give a short presentation of the median group of Patrick de Maré (1991) in its clinical application as socio-therapy and as a suitable setting in which to use the mind to disentangle dualities and to transform through dialogue the hate of being together into koinonia or fellowship. Reference is made to the theory of mind (de Maré and Schoellberger, 2002—08), clinical experiences and two research articles regarding efficacy and satisfaction.
‘Defacing the Currency?’: A Group-Analytic Appreciation of Homelessness, Dangerousness, Disorder and Other Inarticulate Speech of the Heart
Authors: Scanlon Christopher , Adlam John
Published: June 2011

In their work with the homeless, the dangerous and the disordered, helping agencies and the workers they deploy are faced, on a daily basis, with the task of engaging people whose essentially anti-social stance is, or is construed to be, one of a refusal to join in. The premise of our discussion is that, despite considerable attention over recent years having apparently being addressed to the problems of the socially excluded, there remains, and will most likely always be, a group of people who refuse to be engaged. It is our contention that even if the best efforts of our most experienced workers were channelled into addressing these problems—and this, in our experience, is rarely actually the case—there would always remain a group of people who refuse to play the game and resist all efforts to bring them ‘in from the cold’. We argue that mental health and social policy directives that optimistically, or cynically, envisage a future when all such people will be ‘socially included’ involve an equally stubborn and dangerous societal refusal to face up to the reality of these problems: a denial of their essential complexity and the part that society itself plays in perpetuating the very problems they seek to alleviate. We will contend that this systemic refusal is dangerous because, no matter how ‘politically correct’ the policy, or how sophisticated the needs assessment tools, such belief systems are setting up socially excluded people, and the workers charged with trying to reach out to them, to fail. We will then share our perspectives on how this experience of failure exacerbates a sense of exclusion in the excluded and increases, sometimes to breaking point, a pervasive sense of disaffection and demoralization in the workers. The central problem which we therefore face is how to relate to the refusal that is at the heart of these difficulties—how to relate to offensiveness without becoming offended—and how to do this without the egalitarian ‘we’ quickly collapsing into an us and a them. In making our case we would like also to suggest that we need to side-step ‘old-fashioned’ allegiances to one or another particular school of thought or practice that includes/excludes others’ contributions on the basis of dogma or prejudice and to join with others to dare to tell the truth and if necessary, to deface the falsely discriminating currency of our times.
Response to ‘Defacing The Currency?’ by Christopher Scanlon and John Adlam
Authors: Tubert-Oklander Juan
Published: June 2011

This article deals with social and political matters, which we do not usually address. It is a clear example of group-analytic thinking, applied to an urgent social problem: the plight of the homeless, the dangerous and the disordered, who reject the aid of the ‘helping’ agencies and their workers.

The reference to Diogenes the Cynic, whose borderline position, neither in nor out of society, allowed him to question the political currency of Athens, is a metaphor of our own critical position as group-analysts. The Diogenes paradigm is a way of living, thinking and acting in the fringe, neither fully in society nor completely out of it. This is the place of both the victims of society and its critics.

An ‘inside’ may only exist as a result of the creation of an ‘outside’. The mental health professionals, living in a housed state of mind, are at odds to imagine and understand the un-housed and dis-membered states that these people strive to express by their choice of dwelling place and way of living. This breeds a mutual misunderstanding, only overcome when they listen to each other and develop a dialogue, which brings both parties a new understanding of oneself, the other, and their mutual plight.

This places a heavy load on the mental health practitioners, since it is bound to throw them into a crisis, as they question their own position vis-à-vis an inadequate social system. It is a most painful enterprise, which cannot be done alone, but only as a member of a group. The authors’ answer to this problem is the Diogenes paradigm— understood as a way of critical thinking that favours the meeting of groups of like-minded professionals involved in the inquiry of these deeply traumatizing and excluding processes.

Since the problem is much wider than the plight of the homeless and their would-be helpers, this reviewer believes that the proposal should be amplified to include non-professional community groups. This is not just a question of community psychiatry and social work, but of community survival, and it concerns us all.
The Moral Dimension of Lifelong Learning
Authors: Zhao Kang , Biesta Gert
Published: June 2011

A key aspect of contemporary lifelong learning theory, policy, and practice is the idea that, because of rapid changes in contemporary societies, there is a constant need for individuals to learn new knowledge and skills in order to adapt themselves to changing conditions. There is, therefore, an increased emphasis on the personal dimension of lifelong learning and on the need to reflexively engage in the (re)construction of one’s self and identity. We can find this, for example, in Anthony Giddens’s idea of the “reflexive project of the self.” The authors argue that this idea is too individualistic and lacks recognition of the moral dimension of self-formation. It therefore not only leads to an impoverished conception of the self but also to an impoverished view of the role of learning in this process. The authors present ideas from Charles Taylor on self and identity to show the role that moral and intersubjective dimensions play in the formation of self and identity. The authors argue that Taylor’s work points to a different form of lifelong learning in late-modernity, one that is more explicitly concerned with the moral dimension of lifelong learning and adult education.
Photoprotective effect of flax seed oil (Linum usitatissimum L.) against ultraviolet C-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in rats
Authors: Tülüce Yasin , Özkol Halil , Koyuncu İsmail
Published: June 2011

The aim of this study is to determine antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of flax seed oil (FSO) on rats exposed to ultraviolet C (UVC). Malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels as well as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured in lens, skin and serum. In addition, β-carotene, vitamin A, C and E contents were measured in serum, while apoptosis was determined in retina. Rats were divided into three groups as control, UVC and UVC + FSO. UVC and UVC + FSO groups were exposed to UVC light for 1 h twice a day for 4 weeks. FSO (4 ml/kg bw) was given by gavage before each irradiation period to the UV + FSO group. While MDA and PC levels of the UVC group increased compared to the control group, their levels decreased in the UVC + FSO group compared with the UVC group in skin, lens and serum. Skin GSH level decreased significantly in the UVC and UVC + FSO groups. As GPx and SOD activities of the UVC group were lower, their activities were higher in the UVC + FSO group in skin, lens and serum. There was only marked elevation of vitamin A level in the UVC group compared to the control group. Apoptosis increased in the UVC group and the UVC + FSO groups in retina. However, retinal apoptosis were lower in the UVC + FSO group compared with the UVC group. This investigation demonstrated that UVC exposure led to oxidative stress and apoptosis in rats as reflected by increased MDA, PC contents and decreased enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant levels, FSO may be useful for preventing photoreactive damage.
Lead hepatotoxicology
Authors: Sá I , da Costa MJP , Cunha EM
Published: June 2011

The increasing use of lead (Pb) for industrial purposes has resulted in the significant increase in environmental contamination of our planet especially in concern to water and food. In this study using the electron scanning microscopy (SEM), the authors showed the effects of this metal as a result of a chronic and cumulative process. As a primary method of detection of Pb in situ, SEM was chosen, coupled with a detection system Noran Voyager of basic microanalysis X-ray (SEM-XRM), with detection system energy dispersive spectrometry. Mice BALB/c was used as a study model. An animal model of inflammation was used, that consisted in the formation of a subcutaneous pocket of air. It was observed that 75% of Pb stock was captured by the liver, the main target organ in the capture of the metal, the kidney was the second organ to capture the Pb stock and the third was the spleen. It was verified that a low deposition of Pb was found in the lungs and the brain. The main results of this study showed how Pb is captured by different organs. We also demonstrated the vulnerability to inflammation of this metal.
Chronic toxicity of pesticides to the mRNA expression levels of metallothioneins and cytochrome P450 1A genes in rainbow trout
Authors: Ceyhun Saltuk Buğrahan , Aksakal Ercüment , Kırım Birsen , Atabeyoğlu Kübra , Erdoğan Orhan
Published: June 2011

The hazardous effects of pesticides on various metabolic pathways are a great problem for environmental health and should be well determined. In the present study, the authors treated rainbow trout with 0.6 μg/L deltamethrin for 28 days and 1.6 mg/L 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate for 21 days. After this time period, the authors observed alterations in mRNA expression levels of MT-A, MT-B and CYP-1A. Chronic exposure to low levels of pesticides may have a more significant effect on fish populations than acute poisoning. While both pesticides caused a significant increase on mRNA levels of MT-A and CYP-1A, MT-B mRNA levels were increased significantly only upon deltamethin administration. The significant increase in mRNA levels of the corresponding genes may be considered as a defence mechanism in addition to the antioxidants against oxidative stress, as well as a detoxification mechanism against adverse effects of pesticides.
The Effectiveness of Survey Recruitment Methods in Second Life
Authors: Dean Elizabeth , Cook Sarah , Murphy Joe , Keating Michael
Published: June 2011

Online virtual worlds are 3D graphical environments in which users create avatars that live, work, and play—some are actual games; others are social networking sites. These worlds offer significant potential for expanding the study of social and economic behavior. One of these worlds, Second Life (SL), began in 2003 and now has more than millions of unique accounts held by virtual residents and approximately 800,000 users who log in each month. Although few results from SL surveys have been published, automated surveys are common in the virtual world. They are conducted through links to web surveys, by in-world “survey bots” (programs that administer questionnaires), and through e-mail invitation to panel members recruited through SL. This article evaluates the effectiveness of recruitment techniques to complete a self-administered survey within SL. The authors tested several techniques: a billboard in an SL public space, classified ads in SL publications, paid search engine advertisements, and SL web forum posts. All survey recruits completed the same survey administered at the RTI SL facility kiosk. Our findings suggest that a diverse convenience sample can be obtained in SL at a minimal cost.
Development and Implementation of a Piperacillin-Tazobactam Extended Infusion Guideline
Authors: Heinrich Lynley S. , Tokumaru Sheri , Clark Nina M. , Garofalo John , Paek Jamie L. , Grim Shellee A.
Published: June 2011

Administration of β-lactam antibiotics by extended infusion optimizes the pharmacodynamic properties and bactericidal activity of these agents resulting in a potential improvement in patient outcomes and reduction in drug expenditure. Consequently, a pharmacist-led piperacillin-tazobactam extended 4-hour infusion guideline was implemented hospital-wide at a 500-bed academic medical center. Each piperacillin-tazobactam infusion was prospectively monitored for 5 weeks to ensure accurate administration and identify barriers to guideline adherence. Overall, a total of 103 patients received 1215 doses of piperacillin-tazobactam by extended infusions. In all, 98% of the doses were administered at the correct extended infusion rate and 94% of the doses were given at the scheduled time. There were a total of 20 missed doses and 53 delayed doses, accounting for 2% and 4% of the total administered doses, respectively. The primary barrier to adherence was the patient not being on the unit at the time of the scheduled dose followed by the piperacillin-tazobactam dose not being available on the floor. While insufficient power prevented meaningful evaluation of clinical outcomes, we anticipate a conservative annual estimated cost savings of $108 529. Key elements contributing to our success included consistent pharmacy leadership, multidisciplinary involvement, thorough inservicing to health care professionals, hospital-wide implementation, and extensive quality assurance monitoring.
Piezoelectrically actuated hydraulic valve design for high bandwidth and flow performance
Authors: Branson D T , Wang F C , Johnston D N , Tilley D G , Bowen C R , Keogh P S
Published: June 2011

The performance of hydraulically actuated machine systems could be improved with the use of valves that have high bandwidth and high flowrates under low pressure drops. Although high flowrates can be achieved using very large spool strokes and/or diameters, the overall bandwidth of the valve will be reduced. Research has therefore been undertaken on a prototype valve design incorporating the Horbiger plate principle, which utilizes multiple metering edges to allow high flowrates to be obtained at low pressure drops and small poppet displacements. The valve is directly activated using a piezoelectric actuator to achieve a fast dynamic response. Valve performance is assessed using a mathematical model that includes the piezoelectric actuator and power amplifier, the supply flow, fluid squeeze forces, end stop response, and valve mechanical components. The steady state relationship between valve flow, force and pressure drop, and the fluid inertance, were determined using computational fluid dynamics software. The simulation model has been validated using test data obtained from experimental tests undertaken on a prototype valve. Good agreement is obtained between the predicted and measured results and it is shown that the valve is capable of opening or closing fully in less than 1.5 ms, and can pass a flow of 65l/min at a pressure drop of 20 bar.
Evaluation of caustics and household detergents exposures in an emergency service
Authors: Arıcı MA , Ozdemir D , Oray NC , Buyukdeligoz M , Tuncok Y , Kalkan S
Published: June 2011

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the caustic and household detergent exposure cases were admitted to the Department of Emergency Medicine at Dokuz Eylul University Hospital (EMDEU) between 1993 and 2008. Methods: Age, sex, reason of exposure, clinical signs, rate of endoscopy in oral exposures, treatment attempts, length of hospital stay and outcome were evaluated. A chi-square test was used to analyse statistical differences. Results: Caustic exposures accounted for 8.5% (1160 cases) and 4.1% (1988 cases) of all poisonings in children and adults, respectively. Female/male ratio of caustic exposure poisonings was 0.8. Most of the exposures were unintentional (158, 86.8%). Intentional exposures were common in cases between 19 and 29 years old (χ2 = 25.685, p < 0.001). The most common caustic substance was alkaline (106, 58.3%) followed by acidic (47, 25.8%) and other household detergents (28, 15.4%). Vomiting (35.7%), nausea (14.8%) and sore throat (13.1%) were the most common clinical signs. The patients who had endoscopy, the most frequent finding was first-degree damage (58.7%). A 48-year-old man died from intentional hydrochloric acid ingestion. Conclusion: Because of the large number of unintentional caustic exposures, parent education is very important to decrease the caustic exposures in children.
Linkage of patient records from disparate sources
Authors: Li Xiaochun , Shen Changyu
Published: June 2011

We review ideas, approaches and progress in the field of record linkage. We point out that the latent class models used in probabilistic matching have been well developed and applied in a different context of diagnostic testing when the true disease status is unknown. The methodology developed in the diagnostic testing setting can be potentially translated and applied in record linkage. Although there are many methods for record linkage, a comprehensive evaluation of methods for a wide range of real-world data with different data characteristics and with true match status is absent due to lack of data sharing. However, the recent availability of generators of synthetic data with realistic characteristics renders such evaluations feasible.
Histologic and molecular identification of disseminated Histoplasma capsulatum in a captive brown bear (Ursus arctos)
Authors: Highland Margaret A. , Chaturvedi Sudha , Perez Michael , Steinberg Howard , Wallace Roberta
Published: June 2011

A 33-year-old brown bear ( Ursus arctos) was evaluated for chronic cough, partial anorexia, and lethargy in early fall of 2009. Radiographs revealed a generalized increase in interstitial density with focal lung field consolidation and air bronchograms more prevalent in the cranial lung lobes. Tracheal sputum and wash fluid grew mixed bacteria and 2 species of Candida on bacterial and fungal cultures, respectively. Serum was negative for antibodies to Aspergillus, Blastomyces, Coccidioides, and Histoplasma by semiquantitative radial immunodiffusion. Antimicrobial and antifungal treatment was administered. The bear died 1 month after entering hibernation. Gross necropsy revealed coalescent nodules and sheets of firm tan tissue covering pleural surfaces of the thoracic cavity and within pulmonary parenchyma, enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, and intestinal ulcerations. Histopathology revealed granulomatous inflammation with intrahistiocytic yeast, consistent with Histoplasma organisms, in lung, diaphragm, mesenteric lymph nodes, intestine, and adrenal glands. Molecular analysis performed on DNA isolated from lung tissue, including conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the internal transcribed spacer region for the ribosomal RNA gene complex and real-time PCR targeting the gene encoding a unique region of M specific protein, identified the organism to be 100% identical to Histoplasma capsulatum with an average of 4.9 × 107 gene copies per gram of tissue. The present report describes histologic and molecular techniques for diagnosing histoplasmosis.
Complacency With Access and the Aggregate? Affirming an Individual Determination of Educational Benefit Under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act
Authors: Etscheidt Susan
Published: June 2011

Although some legal scholars argue that the progression of Congressional intent in laws for children with disabilities reflects a mission to raise the educational standards and their achievement levels, other insist that many students are not realizing equal educational opportunity and not receiving educational benefit. This article proposes that the alignment of the Individuals with disabilities Education Act (IDEA) with the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act may implicate a student’s right to a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) and cautions against complacency with mere access to the general curriculum and a satisfaction with aggregate accountability of outcome. An analysis of litigation from circuit courts is presented to confirm individual benefit as the legal standard of appropriateness, and the duties of IEP teams to monitoring individual progress on IEP goals are defined. Two recommendations for the reauthorization of both the NCLB Act and the IDEA are proposed.
Using Cost–Benefit Analysis to Understand the Value of Social Interventions
Authors: Lee Stephanie , Aos Steve
Published: June 2011

Since 1983, the Washington State Institute for Public Policy has conducted applied research as a nonpartisan agency of the state legislature. Over the years, discussions in the state have turned toward emphasizing “evidence-based” programs and policies in decision making, and research requests of the legislature have evolved to reflect this movement. This article discusses the usefulness of the Institute’s most recent approach to policy research, cost–benefit analysis. The authors discuss the two necessary conditions for driving policy change through cost–benefit analysis: institutional support and reliable analytical models. In addition, the authors provide nontechnical details of our three primary analytical steps: reviewing the research literature, computing the economics, and developing portfolios of policy options.
Physician Home Visits by Palliative Medicine Fellow
Authors: Ang Sik Kim , LeGrand Susan B. , Walsh Declan , Davis Mellar P. , Lagman Ruth L.
Published: June 2011

Background: Physician home visits (HVs) are an important model of care for the terminally ill. Hospice and palliative medicine (HPM) fellows make a minimum of 25 HVs. Objective: To describe HPM fellow hospice HVs in an academic palliative medicine practice. Methods: Retrospective chart review of HVs conducted by 1 HPM fellow. Results: Twenty-five HVs were made to 21 hospice patients. Nineteen had advanced cancer. Indications for visits were symptom management (22) and education (21). On average 2.8 symptoms (± SD 1) were addressed on each visit, usually pain. Medications were reviewed at every visit. Conclusions: HVs are an important part for patient care and fellow education, which provided an opportunity for medication revision and symptom education.