bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photosensitive polymer optical fibres and gratings
Authors: Tao Xiao-ming , Yu Jian-ming , Tam Hwa-yaw
Published: October 2007

This paper reports the development of photosensitive polymer optical fibres for gratings. These fibres, processed by the preform drawing technique, are composed of polymethylmethacrylate cladding and methyl methacrylate copolymer cores. Three core systems with enhanced UV sensitivity are proposed, including benzyl methacrylate (with strong UV absorption) co-monomer contained, benzophenone (photo-initiator)-doped, and trans-4-stilbenemethanol (a molecule which undergoes photo-isomerization)-doped cores, respectively. These cores display significant absorption at wavelength longer than ∼250 nm in which the cladding PMMA is basically transparent. Irradiation tests disclosed the occurrence of photo-induced change in absorption upon exposure to UV at wavelength longer than 250 nm for these cores, ie, at 260 and 280 nm for benzyl methacrylate contained, at around 320 nm for both benzophenone-doped and trans-4-stilbenemethanol-doped. The photo-induced change in refractive index was detected on trans-4-stilbenemethanol-doped core polymer by the Prism Coupler. The photosensitivity of this doped system was demonstrated by Bragg gratings in the core of the fibre fabricated by use of a pulse laser at 325 nm with a low photo-energy and comparatively short exposure time.
Processing and characterization of conductive yarns by coating or bulk treatment for smart textile applications
Authors: Devaux Eric , Koncar Vladan , Kim Bohwon , Campagne Christine , Roux Céline , Rochery Maryline , Saihi Dhouha
Published: October 2007

The use of intelligent materials reacting to external stimuli is rapidly growing in the field of technical textiles. In this paper, the processing of conductive yarns for the development of smart textiles is discussed. Two different methods are exposed: the coating of textile yarns using conductive polymers, and the bulk treatment of spinnable polymers by conductive nanofillers. In the first part of this article, polyaniline (PANI)-coated ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE, Dyneema®) yarns were prepared. Their electrical, morphological and electro-mechanical properties including the temperature influence were investigated. Power handling of PANI-coated conductive yarns as a function of the current was also evaluated. Three different prototypes of conductive multiple yarns have been proposed. In the second part, the use of multi-walled carbon nanotubes as reinforcing conductive nanofiller for spinnable polymers has been studied. The major influence of the homogeneous dispersion of the nanotubes in the host matrix is particularly pointed out, and the electrical behaviour of the nanocomposite yarns has been investigated. Different conductive yarns, developed in our laboratory, are expected to be used as fibrous sensors, connection elements in smart clothing, electro-mechanical or thermal data acquisition devices and conductive fabrics for electromagnetic shielding applications.
Understanding the Learner—Environment Relationship
Authors: Bowler Josephine , Annan Jean , Mentis Mandia
Published: October 2007

This conceptual article re-examines the contribution of a contextual perspective to the practice of educational psychology. The two dimensions of environment and learner are placed along a continuum of active to passive. A range of theory is then situated within this matrix. The article explains and illustrates how the matrix encompasses different views on the learner's developmental relationship with the environment and how each perspective leads to specific types of interventions. The model is applied to special education, school curricula and policy making. It is argued that the matrix can facilitate a comprehensive analysis of an individual's situation and inform communication among professionals working in different paradigms. Implications for professional practice are discussed.
The Quality of Disabled Students' School Integration
Authors: Reversi Stefania , Langher Viviana , Crisafulli Valeria , Ferri Rosa
Published: October 2007

The aim of this study was to assess the quality of school integration for disabled students in the Italian state school system, according to two criteria: the mainstream and the special teachers' point of view concerning the disabled students' social and syllabus integration, and the sense of loneliness of the disabled students in their classes. Ninety-one classes in 36 schools in three Italian cities, Padova, Roma and Messina participated in the study. Two different questionnaires were administered to 85 mainstream teachers, 88 special teachers, 102 disabled students and 102 non-disabled students. For the teachers' questionnaires, both special and mainstream teachers showed a positive evaluation of the disabled students' social and syllabus integration. The disabled and non-disabled students showed quite a low sense of loneliness in their classes, although the disabled students showed a higher level of loneliness in their classes. Some factors, e.g. gender, number of disabled students in class, seemed to affect this result. Our results confirm the need to monitor constantly the quality of school integration, and to investigate this process by further research, in order to improve our educational practices with disabled students.
The Role of Finance and Corporate Governance in National Systems of Innovation
Authors: Tylecote Andrew
Published: October 2007

Firms are central actors in innovation, and their actions are much affected by their corporate governance and the finance available. Thus a country's finance and corporate governance system is a key element of its national system of innovation. The technological regimes of sectors (and sub-sectors) vary in ways that affect the demands innovation makes on the financial and corporate governance system. Finance and corporate governance systems (FCGSs) vary among countries in their ability to meet these demands. By setting three dimensions of regime variation alongside the three corresponding dimensions of FCGS variation, patterns of relative and absolute technological advantage among economies can be largely explained — particularly when the focus is on nationality of firm rather than location of activity.
Parenting Styles and Youth Well-Being Across Immigrant Generations
Authors: Driscoll Anne K. , Russell Stephen T. , Crockett Lisa J.
Published: October 2007

This study examines generational patterns of parenting styles, the relationships between parenting styles and adolescent well-being among youth of Mexican origin, and the role of generational parenting style patterns in explaining generational patterns in youth behavior (delinquency and alcohol problems) and psychological well-being (depression and self-esteem). This study uses two waves of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). The proportion of teens with permissive parents increased with generation; other parenting styles declined. The rate of youth with behavioral problems increased with generation. Self-esteem improved with generation; depression scores did not. Bivariate generational patterns of behavioral and psychological outcomes are a function of the patterns seen for youth with permissive parents, coupled with the increase in the proportion of permissive parents with each successive generation. In contrast, these outcomes did not worsen with generation for youth with authoritative parents.
How Children and Their Caregivers Adjust After Intimate Partner Femicide
Authors: Hardesty Jennifer L. , Campbell Jacquelyn C. , McFarlane Judith M. , Lewandowski Linda A.
Published: October 2007

Approximately 3,300 children are affected by intimate partner femicide each year. Despite the multitude of stressors and the potential for negative outcomes, little is known about these children or their caregivers. This in-depth interview study used family stress theory to explore caregivers' and children's adjustment after intimate partner femicide in 10 families. Data were analyzed qualitatively using framework analysis. Results suggest that children and their caregivers manage numerous health and adjustment challenges in the context of ongoing hardships, resource-poor environments, and continued efforts to come to terms with the loss of their loved one and its effects on their family. Future directions are provided, with a specific focus on family-centered, strengths-based, and advocacy approaches.
Grandparents in a Parental or Near-Parental Role
Authors: Lumpkin James R.
Published: October 2007

Although about 11% of grandparents are raising their grandchildren, a larger percentage provide a significant amount of care and serve in a near-parental role. Both parental and near-parental roles create stress. The stressors that these grandparents face and the strategies that they use to cope were investigated in this descriptive, exploratory study. Those high in the near-parental role used coping strategies to a greater degree than did those who considered themselves low in this role. The near-parental-role grandparents reported using problem-focused strategies and dealing with the problems causing the stress head-on with a plan of action. They rely on their faith to make something good out of the situation. The grandparents also used the emotion-focused tactic of escapism and dreamed of the situation's “just going away.” They also relied on social support and not just themselves to cope with the stress.
When There Is Conflict
Authors: Bradford Kay , Vaughn LaToya Burns , Barber Brian K.
Published: October 2007

This study examined direct and indirect associations between overt and covert interparental conflict (IPC), parent—child conflict, and their links to youth problem behaviors. Data were collected from a sample of 641 school-age youth, ages 12 to 18 years, using a school-based survey. Analyses yielded direct positive linkages from overt IPC to antisocial behavior and from covert IPC to depression and antisocial behavior. When parent—child conflict was added to the model, significant direct associations were again observed between covert conflict and depression, with significant indirect effects through increased parent—child conflict. Likewise, significant direct associations were observed between overt conflict and antisocial behavior, with significant indirect effects through increased parent—child conflict. Although there was little variance in the findings when contextualized, youth ratings of religiosity were moderately and negatively associated with antisocial behavior. These findings document distinct pathways in the spillover of IPC to parent—child relations and youth well-being.
Building collaboration between professionals in health and education through interdisciplinary training
Authors: O'Toole Ciara , Kirkpatrick Vickie
Published: October 2007

This study examined the impact of a training programme which aimed to support language-, literacy- and social-communication-promoting strategies for professionals working with children with language delay. Sixteen teachers, special needs assistants and therapists based in services for children with mild to severe learning difficulties attended workshops and took part in six video-feedback sessions from the Hanen `Learning Language and Loving It' Programme (Weitzman, 1992). Video analysis found that participants' language and social interaction skills significantly improved on most of the targeted skills. However, the majority of skills needed further development as indicated by a rating scale. There was also a significant improvement in how participants rated their skills in working with children with speech and language difficulties and in their attitudes towards their role in remediating speech and language difficulties. There was no significant change in their opinions towards collaborative working practices. The findings suggest that with appropriate training, allied education and health professionals can produce measurable changes in behaviour and attitudes towards implementing speech- and language-promoting strategies.
Having a difficult time leaving: experiences and attitudes of nurses with palliative sedation
Authors: Rietjens Judith A. C. , Hauser Joshua , van der Heide Agnes , Emanuel Linda
Published: October 2007

Background: Palliative sedation is an important topic of medical and ethical debates. Although nurses often participate in its use, little is known about their attitudes and experiences. Methods: In a qualitative study, we explored nurses' attitudes and experiences with palliative sedation. In semi-structured interviews with 16 nurses, we collected data about their most memorable cases of palliative sedation. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed using constant comparative analysis. Results: In all of the described cases, palliative sedation was used primarily to address physical suffering in severely ill patients. Concomitant reasons for the use of palliative sedation were nonphysical suffering, the patient's wish and the family's distress about the patient's suffering. The use of palliative sedation for the patient's nonphysical suffering was often difficult for many of the nurses. Nurses had different perspectives on whether palliative sedation may have had a life-shortening effect on the patient. Some thought that it had not accelerated death; others thought that it may have accelerated death but that this was justified when there was no other way of relieving discomfort. A third group thought that palliative sedation was close to the practice of euthanasia and they often found it difficult to be involved in its use. Nevertheless, palliative sedation was considered by all the nurses to positively contribute to the patient's quality of dying in all discussed cases. Conclusions: The struggles that nurses in this study cohort experienced indicate the need for further study and may suggest the need for more nursing education and discussion about ethical aspects of palliative sedation. Palliative Medicine 2007; 21 : 643—649
Oropharyngeal dysphagia: the experience of patients with non-head and neck cancers receiving specialist palliative care
Authors: Roe Justin W. G. , Leslie Paula , Drinnan Michael J.
Published: October 2007

Background: Difficulty swallowing is a well-documented symptom in head and neck cancer and oesophageal malignancy. The frequency of oropharyngeal swallowing difficulties in the palliative phase of other malignancies is less reported. Aim: 1) To describe the patient experience of swallowing and associated difficulties while receiving specialist palliative care for malignancies other than those affecting the head and neck and 2) to identify the quality of life issues for the participants with dysphagia and compare with normative and dysphagic data provided by SWAL-QOL. Design: Four month prospective pilot study - questionnaire design. Setting: Acute teaching hospital. Participants: Eleven patients receiving specialist palliative care. Methods: Participants were interviewed using a modified version of the SWAL-QOL, a validated quality of life assessment tool for use specifically with people with oropharyngeal dysphagia. Eight quality of life domains were explored as well as fourteen dysphagic symptoms. Results: Seven of the 11 participants had dysphagic symptoms detailed in the SWAL-QOL and a further two patients reported transient dysphagic symptoms since diagnosis of their disease. Nine participants reported an impact on their quality of life and three reported a considerable impact in four or more domains. Eight of the 11 participants had self-selected softer textured foods. A notable group were three patients with lung cancer and one with lung metastases with a history of vocal fold motion impairment, all of who had experienced dysphagic symptoms since diagnosis. Conclusions: Patients with cancers not affecting the head and neck are at risk of developing symptoms of oropharyngeal dysphagia and subsequently, compromized nutrition, hydration and quality of life. Areas for further research are suggested. Palliative Medicine 2007; 21 : 567—574
Landing Mechanics between Noninjured Women and Women with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction during 2 Jump Tasks
Authors: Ortiz Alexis , Olson Sharon , Libby Charles L , Trudelle-Jackson Elaine , Kwon Young-Hoo , Etnyre Bruce , Bartlett William
Published: October 2007

Background

Women with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction have different neuromuscular strategies than noninjured women during functional tasks after ligament reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Hypothesis

Landing from a jump creates high loads on the knee creating dynamic instability in women with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, whereas noninjured women have stable knee landing mechanics.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Fifteen noninjured women and 13 women with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction performed 5 trials of a single-legged 40-cm drop jump and 2 trials of a 20-cm up-down hop task. Multivariate analyses of variance were used to compare hip and knee joint kinematics, knee joint moments, ground-reaction forces, and electromyographic findings between the dominant leg in noninjured women and reconstructed leg in women with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Results

No statistically significant differences between groups were found for peak hip and knee joint angles for the drop jump task. Statistically significant differences in neuromuscular activity ( P = .001) and anterior-posterior knee shear forces ( P < .001) were seen in women with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction compared with noninjured women in the drop jump task. However, no statistically significant differences ( P > .05) between groups were found for either peak hip and knee joint angles, peak joint kinetics, or electromyographic findings during the up-down hop task.

Conclusion

Women with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction have neuromuscular strategies that allow them to land from a jump similar to healthy women, but they exhibit joint moments that could predispose them to future injury if they participate in sports that require jumping and landing.
Three-Dimensional Analysis of Ankle Instability after Tibiofibular Syndesmosis Injuries
Authors: Teramoto Atsushi , Kura Hideji , Uchiyama Eiichi , Suzuki Daisuke , Yamashita Toshihiko
Published: October 2007

Background

Rupture of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis commonly occurs with extreme external rotation. Most studies of syndesmosis injuries have concentrated only on external rotation instability of the ankle joint and have not examined other defects.

Hypothesis

Syndesmosis injuries cause multidirectional ankle instability.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Ankle instability caused by distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries was examined using 7 normal fresh-frozen cadaveric legs. The anterior tibiofibular ligament, interosseous membrane, and posterior tibiofibular ligament, which compose the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis, were sequentially cut. Anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral traction forces, as well as internal and external rotation torque, were applied to the tibia; the diastasis between the tibia and fibula and the angular motion among the tibia, fibula, and talus were measured using a magnetic tracking system.

Results

A medial traction force with a cut anterior tibiofibular ligament significantly increased the diastasis from 1.1 to 2.0 mm ( P = .001) and talar tilt angles from 9.6° to 15.2° ( P < .001). External rotation torque significantly increased the diastasis from 0.5 to 1.8 mm ( P= .009) with a complete cut; external rotation torque also significantly increased rotational angles from 7.1° to 9.4° ( P = .05) with an anterior tibiofibular ligament cut.

Conclusion

Syndesmosis injuries caused ankle instability with medial traction force and external rotation torque to the tibia.

Clinical Relevance

Both physicians and athletes should be aware of inversion instability of the ankle joint caused by tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries.
Acute Infantile Bilateral Striatal Necrosis: Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) Imaging and Review
Authors: Zevit Noam , Steinmetz Adam , Kornreich Liora , Straussberg Rachel
Published: October 2007

Acute infantile bilateral striatal necrosis is a rarely described acute neurological syndrome associated with radiological findings. Its etiology and pathogenic mechanisms are unknown. Clinically, the syndrome usually follows respiratory illnesses and presents with an array of neurological findings, including axial ataxia, grimacing, mutism, head nodding, and high-pitched cry. This study follows a child with acute infantile bilateral striatal necrosis both clinically and radiologically. In addition, for the first time, the authors describe the serial findings of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) from onset of illness through 20 months. Their findings indicate an initial insult apparent on both magnetic resonance imaging and SPECT localized to the basal ganglia, which, although improved over time, does not fully regress. The residual lesion on SPECT was clinically associated with only mild attention deficit disorder and no motor pathology. The authors review the published literature concerning acute infantile bilateral striatal necrosis and suggest possible mechanisms of this poorly understood and probably underreported condition.
Pediatric Headache: An Examination of Process Variables in Treatment
Authors: Cvengros Jamie A. , Harper Dennis , Shevell Michael
Published: October 2007

The goal of this article is to provide a rational methodological review of studies addressing the treatment of childhood headache. In particular, the goal is to provide a review of process variables that may be associated with the efficacy of behavioral and psychological treatments for childhood headache. A search for studies that examined the efficacy of treatment for headache among children younger than 12 years of age was conducted using Medline from 1966 to 2005. A total of 9 studies were selected for the present systematic review. The findings from this study suggest that although research supports the use of behavioral treatments for headache among this patient population, process variables such as child demographics, as well as treatment characteristics such as time in treatment, may moderate treatment efficacy.
Benign Hereditary Chorea: Clinical, Neuroimaging, and Genetic Findings
Authors: Mahajnah Muhammad , Inbar Dov , Steinmetz Adam , Heutink Peter , Breedveld G.J. , Straussberg Rachel
Published: October 2007

Benign hereditary chorea is an autosomal dominant disease with an early onset of symptoms. In some families, symptoms tend to decrease in adulthood, suggesting that the disorder results from a developmental disturbance in the brain. Individuals with benign hereditary chorea, a nonprogressive disease, have normal or slightly below normal intelligence. The locus for benign hereditary chorea is on chromosome 14. Benign hereditary chorea is a result of mutations in the thyroid transcription factor 1 gene. Previous neuroimaging and pathological investigations of the brain showed no notable abnormalities in patients with this condition. In this study, 5 patients from 1 family with typical clinical features of benign hereditary chorea are presented. Clinical severity varied considerably in the family. Brain magnetic resonance imaging results were normal. Brain single photon emission computed tomography in 3 children, performed 1 hour after intravenous injection of 0.35 mCi/kg of body weight of technetium 99m ethyl cysteinate dimer, showed markedly decreased uptake in the right striatum and the right thalamus in 1 child. The oldest child had mildly reduced uptake in the right putamen and the left thalamus. Brain single photon emission computed tomographic findings in the youngest child were normal. Contrary to other reports of radionuclide brain imaging, notable brain single photon emission computed tomography changes were detected in 2 of 5 patients. Brain single photon emission computed tomography findings did not seem to correlate with the clinical status of the children.
Neurological Examination of Difficult and Poorly Cooperative Children
Authors: Jan Mohammed M. S.
Published: October 2007

Many physicians consider examining the nervous system as one of the most difficult parts of the physical examination. Difficult and poorly cooperative children remain the most challenging group to examine accurately and completely. In this situation, the physician becomes less confident about the neurological findings and clinical evaluation. Several factors are predictive of difficult behavior during the evaluation, including anxiety when meeting unfamiliar people, short time to adjust to the medical situation, previous hospitalization, fear of injections, and parental anxiety. Limited neurological literature addresses the issues relating to the examination of difficult and poorly cooperative children. In this review, some practical tips and techniques are presented that can be used to improve the likelihood of obtaining accurate information about the neurological status of young and difficult children. Certainly, repeated examinations and experience play an important role; however, solid knowledge, strong communication skills, accurate observational skills, and use of proper techniques are crucial for eliciting and interpreting neurological signs in difficult children. Finally, a patient and empathetic physician and supportive guiding parents are needed for a successful neurological assessment.
Epilepsy in Patients With Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
Authors: Parmeggiani Antonia , Posar Annio , Antolini Chiara , Scaduto Maria Cristina , Santucci Margherita , Giovanardi-Rossi Paola
Published: October 2007

Data on epilepsy in pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified are few and scanty. Seventy-seven patients with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified were compared with 77 with autistic disorder, matched for age and sex. The 2 groups were divided into 3 subgroups each: A, without electroencephalography (EEG) paroxysmal abnormalities or epilepsy; B, with EEG paroxysmal abnormalities without epilepsy; and C, with epilepsy. Mild mental retardation ( P < .01), pathological neurological examination ( P < .05), cerebral lesions ( P < .01), abnormal EEG background activity ( P < .001), and associated genetic pathologies ( P < .01) were more common in pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. Familial antecedents for epilepsy prevailed in subgroup C ( P < .01). Epilepsy occurred in 35.1% of patients with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, with no statistically significant difference compared with autistic disorder. The mean age of seizure onset was earlier (2 years 8 months) in pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified ( P < .000). Seizure outcome was better in autistic disorder. Genetic diseases and cerebral lesions should be investigated in pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified to clarify the etiological and clinical features.
Perspectives on: Materials Aspects for Retinal Prostheses
Authors: Scholz Carmen
Published: October 2007

Retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration are both incurable eye diseases that lead to blindness due to photoreceptor degeneration. Electrically stimulating the remaining intact nerve cells may generate some useful vision for patients afflicted with these diseases. Various types of retinal prostheses, sub- and epi-retinal electrode arrays, as well as subretinal microphotodiode arrays are considered from a materials and biocompatibility point of view. Other, more innovative approaches to restoring vision, such as microfluidic pumps and activated nanosystems that deliver neurotransmitters in a controlled way and photodynamic therapy are being developed. This article discusses materials aspects of retinal prostheses that are currently in use or under development.
Preparation and Characterization of Antheraea pernyi Silk Fibroin Based Nanohydroxyapatite Composites
Authors: Ren Y.J. , Sun X.D. , Cui F.Z. , Wei Y.T. , Cheng Z.J. , Kong X.D.
Published: October 2007

In the present study, Antheraea pernyi silk fibroin (Ap-SF) is employed to regulate the mineralization of hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanocrystals. Calcium phosphate crystals precipitate in the aqueous solution of regenerated Ap-SF at pH 7.4 and room temperature. The samples are charaterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on the XRD results, the inorganic phase in the mineralized Ap-SF composites is HAp as small particles with low crystallinity. The FTIR analysis reveals that the HAp crystals are carbonate-substituted HAp and compounded with Ap-SF. The TEM images show mineralized nanofibrils in the composites as rod-like shapes 4—5 nm in diameter. Electron diffraction (SAED) patterns of selected areas of the composites exhibit polycrystalline rings that are ascribed to HAp. SEM images show mineralized Ap-SF composites with several mineralized rods 49—74 nm in diameter.
The Broken Covenant of Tito's People: The Problem of Civil Religion in Communist Yugoslavia
Authors: Flere Sergej
Published: October 2007

The author attempts to demonstrate that the concept of civil religion is appropriate and illuminating in comprehending the culture and society of Communist Yugoslavia (1945-1991). Though manifestly contrary to theism, numerous elements of this civil religion make it deserving of the name: it contained a tale of an alleged sacred historical past and a transhistorical mission of the Yugoslav peoples, including an eschatology, and a sacred covenant. President Tito's charisma was the major element of this civil religion, the idea of a broken covenant was present, along with the rule of equalitarianism (particularly as a wealth taboo) at the ethical level. When Tito's physical presence disappeared, the entire civil religion was doomed (there was no possibility of routinizing and depersonalizing charisma), as well as the society it legitimated. Because of the charismatic nature of legitimation and the basically authoritarian nature of this cultural pattern, transformation into rational-legal legitimation was blocked.
Origins, Memory, and Identity: “Villages” and the Politics of Nationalism in the Republic of Moldova
Authors: Cash Jennifer R.
Published: October 2007

This article reconsiders the manifestation of nationalism in the Republic of Moldova during the late Soviet period and early 1990s. Whereas dominant approaches have focused on the ethnic dimensions of the national movement, I argue that rural-urban identities also played a significant role in shaping political events and outcomes of the recent past by drawing on ethnographic research among participants in the “folkloric movement” within the arts and performance world. This movement coincided with the broader national movement of the 1980s and demonstrates the centrality of “villages” in the construction of an anti-Soviet “national” identity among ethnic Moldovans. In conclusion, the politics of nationalism must be understood in a wider framework that also accounts for the importance of non-ethnic forms of collective identity, such as villages, and that investigates how individual origins and social memory shape civic and political participation.
Putting Theory-Oriented Evaluation Into Practice
Authors: Hense Jan , Kriz Willy Christian , Wolfe Joseph
Published: October 2007

Evaluations of gaming simulations and business games as teaching devices are typically end-state driven. This emphasis fails to detect how the simulation being evaluated does or does not bring about its desired consequences. This paper advances the use of a logic model approach, which possesses a holistic perspective that aims at including all elements associated with the situation created by a game. The use of the logic model approach is illustrated as applied to SIMGAME, a board game created for secondary school level business education in six European Union countries.
The Use of Propensity Scores as a Matching Strategy
Authors: John Lindsay , Wright Robin , Duku Eric K. , Willms J. Douglas
Published: October 2007

Objectives: This study reports on the concept and method of linear propensity scores used to obtain a comparison group from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth to assess the effects of a longitudinal, structured arts program for Canadian youth (aged 9 to 15 years) from low-income, multicultural communities. Method: This study compares 183 children in a community arts project to 183 children from a national longitudinal survey using propensity score matching. The variables included baseline scores of child-rated conduct problems, indirect aggression, emotional problems, self-esteem, and prosocial behavior and child gender, person most knowledgeable (PMK) education, PMK marital status, household income, and family functioning. Results: Mean score comparison showed that the groups were very similar on all covariates. Conclusions: Propensity score matching offers an alternative to true randomization that is cost-effective and convenient, particularly important for social work research in community-based organizations with a limited budget.
The Impact of Short-Term Counseling at a Domestic Violence Shelter
Authors: McNamara John R. , Tamanini Kevin , Pelletier-Walker Suzanne
Published: October 2007

Objective: Women who received counseling at a domestic violence shelter were evaluated with several measures to determine the impact of the services they received. Method: A pretest and posttest design using clinical measures for life functioning and coping ability along with posttest-only measures of satisfaction and helpfulness of service were used to assess the outcomes of their counseling and other social work services at the agency. Results: Significant improvement on clinical measures of life functioning as well as coping ability along with a sense of being helped and satisfied with the social work services received are noted. Conclusions: Counseling along with a supportive agency milieu prove beneficial to women seeking services for partner abuse. Limitations of this study are also noted.
Are Voting and Buying Behavior Consistent? Evidence from the South Carolina Education Lottery
Authors: Ghent Linda S. , Grant Alan P.
Published: October 2007

This article uses voting and sales data from the South Carolina Education Lottery to test whether the vote for a new lottery is driven by latent demand for lottery products or whether it reflects free-riding behavior or other public finance considerations. Including the predicted component of the lottery vote adds no explanatory power to a lottery sales regression. Given the dissimilarity of coefficients between vote and sales regressions, we conclude that there are significant differences in individuals' voting and buying behaviors. We find that the lottery vote is significantly higher in counties with underperforming schools and in counties along the state's borders, where cross-border shopping is an issue. We conclude that much of the variation in the vote is driven by these public finance issues. Finally, we discover that creation of the South Carolina lottery drew substantial revenues from North Carolina shoppers and stemmed an outflow of revenue to Georgia.
OutSMarTing the Social Security Crisis
Authors: Findley T. Scott , Caliendo Frank
Published: October 2007

We present a rule-of-thumb consumption model with participation in a ``Save More TomorrowTM'' (SMarT) plan, and we analytically derive the fraction of life-cycle wage increases that must be saved to offset a reduction in social security benefits resulting from an aging population (holding taxes fixed and maintaining a balanced social security budget). We find that this ``critical'' SMarT rate is quite low, and much lower than the rate that participants actually used in real-world pilot implementations. This finding generally continues to hold even if wage growth is slow, even if the real return on private saving is low or extremely volatile, and even if enrollment in a SMarT plan is delayed until late in the life cycle. Moreover, we show that participation in a SMarT plan can improve lifetime utility.
Memory, Commemoration and the Meaning of a Suburban War Memorial
Authors: Stephens John
Published: October 2007

War memorials are a significant feature of the Australian landscape. Thousands were erected after the First World War in towns and suburbs across the nation as a community focus for memory, grief, and pride of their soldiers lost in the war. The Victoria Park memorial in Perth, Western Australia, originally constructed in 1917, before the war ended, and replaced in 1957, was a small suburban memorial that was born in the enthusiasm of Empire and the growing concept of Anzac. The biography of this memorial reveals a chequered and contested history typical of many local memorials in Western Australia. Concentrating on the Victoria Park memorial this article seeks to explore the relationships between its physical aspects and setting, its meaning to the community and the linkages between objects and memory.
An Anthropology of Luminosity
Authors: Bille Mikkel , Sørensen Tim Flohr
Published: October 2007

This article addresses the relationship between light, material culture and social experiences. It argues that understanding light as a powerful social agent, in its relationship with people, things, colours, shininess and places, may facilitate an appreciation of the active social role of luminosity in the practice of day-to-day activities. The article surveys an array of past conceptions of light within philosophy, natural science and more recent approaches to light in the fields of anthropology and material culture studies. A number of implications are discussed, and by way of three case studies it is argued that light may be used as a tool for exercising social intimacy and inclusion, of shaping moral spaces and hospitality, and orchestrating movement, while working as a metaphor as well as a material agent in these social negotiations. The social comprehension of light is a means of understanding social positions in ways that may be real or imagined, but are bound up on the social and cultural associations of certain lightscapes.
The Materiality of Domestic Waste
Authors: Douny Laurence
Published: October 2007

This article explores some of the multiple forms and uses of Dogon domestic waste, considering daily shared experiences of the matter. It examines the implicit meanings objectified in the materiality of, and the daily praxis associated with, rubbish that the Dogon select and allocate to particular places in and out of their `home container'. These are framed within a recycled cosmology that encompasses a plurality of entangled world-views that inform us about the life cycles of people, environment and society.
Retrospective evaluation of an intensive method of treatment for children with pervasive developmental disorder
Authors: Vorgraft Yitzchak , Farbstein Ilana , Spiegel René , Apter Alan
Published: October 2007

The objective of this preliminary study was to evaluate a novel intensive therapy program in young children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). Twenty-three children treated at the Mifne Institute in Israel between 1997 and 1999 were assessed. Videos taken before coming to Mifne and after intensive treatment at the institute and before and after another 6 months of continued treatment at children's homes were coded and blind rated by trained personnel using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the Social Behavior Rating Scale (SBRS). Total scores on both scales improved significantly after 3 weeks and after 6 months. There were some significant improvements at item level although the magnitude of the changes was modest. Despite the small number of participants, the modest increase in test scores, and the retrospective study design, these preliminary results are promising. There is a case for performing a full prospective, comparative investigation of this treatment approach.
An Evaluation of the Ventilation Performance of New SARS Isolation Wards in Nine Hospitals in Hong Kong
Authors: Li Yuguo , Ching W.H. , Qian H. , Yuen P.L. , Seto W.H. , Kwan J.K. , Leung J.K.C. , Leung M. , Yu S.C.T.
Published: October 2007

In response to the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) the Hong Kong Government promptly constructed 558 new state-of-the-art SARS isolation rooms with more than 1300 beds in 14 hospitals. These were completed by the end of 2003 and some will be available for H5N1 influenza patients, if any human cases occur. We investigated the ventilation of the wards after 18 months of operation and identified the major factors that affect ventilation effectiveness. Negative pressure, airflow path, air change rate and local ventilation effectiveness in selected rooms in 9 major hospitals were measured and their performance assessed against CDC requirements. Testing in 38 rooms found that 97% met the recommended negative pressure difference of 2.5 Pa between corridor and anteroom, 89% of 48 met the same requirement between anteroom and cubicle. No leakage of air to the corridor was found, but 60% of the toilets/bathrooms were operated under positive pressure. Over 90% of corridor-anteroom or anteroom-cubicle doors had bi-directional flow when the door was open. Of 35 tested cubicles, 26% had an air change rate <12 ACH and their ventilation was non-uniform. Despite using state-of-the-art technologies, 28% of the rooms tested still failed to meet the 12 ACH ventilation requirement and 60% had the wrong airflow direction for the toilets/bathrooms, but all satisfied the requirement of no air leakage to the corridor. Regular checks of airflow direction and air change rate are highly recommended together with specific education or training of hospital maintenance engineers and health care workers.
Online privacy as legal safeguard: the relationship among consumer, online portal, and privacy policies
Authors: Fernback Jan , Papacharissi Zizi
Published: October 2007

Several surveys attest to growing public concerns regarding privacy, aggravated by the diffusion of information technologies. A policy of self-regulation that allows individual companies to implement self-designed privacy statements is prevalent in the United States. These statements rarely provide specific privacy guarantees that personal information will be kept confidential. This study provides a discourse analysis of such privacy statements to determine their overall efficacy as a policy measure. The in-depth analysis of privacy statements revealed that they offer little protection to the consumer, instead serving to authorize business practices which allow companies to profit from consumer data. Using public good theory as a foundation, policy implications are discussed.
Premium rate culture: the new business of mobile interactivity
Authors: Goggin Gerard , Spurgeon Christina
Published: October 2007

This article considers a neglected but crucial aspect of the new business of mobile interactivity: the premium rate data services industry. It provides an international anatomy of this industry model and the ways in which it has been used to capitalize upon the surprising success of short message service (SMS) to provide a basis for the development of consumer markets for mobile data services. It situates this analysis within a wider consideration of the role of premium rate culture in the social shaping of interactivity in convergent media. Specifically, it looks at how premium rate services are being constructed in relation to telecommunications, television and the internet. The article concludes that although premium rate culture has rejuvenated innovation in broadcast television, potentially it may constrain the interactive potential of the mobile internet.
A study of beliefs and behaviors regarding digital technology
Authors: Poole Dawn
Published: October 2007

This study analyzed individual perceptions of various situations involving actions likely to be considered unethical by most people. It explored perceptions of the acceptability of parallel technology-based and non-technology-based vignettes, self-rated behavior regarding the survey scenarios and consistency between self-rated behavior and the level of acceptance of the vignettes.The responses from 453 participants were analyzed by age, gender, ethnicity and amount of weekly access to computers at home.The participants were more accepting of the technology-based survey items and were also more likely to engage in those behaviors than the non-technology items; however, the participant responses indicated a low level of acceptance for the scenarios and only a minimal likelihood that they would participate in them. Additional findings across the comparison groups are reported and discussed.
Democracy, deliberation and design: the case of online discussion forums
Authors: Wright Scott , Street John
Published: October 2007

Within democratic theory, the deliberative variant has assumed pre-eminence. It represents for many the ideal of democracy, and in pursuit of this ideal, online discussion forums have been proposed as solutions to the practical limits to mass deliberation. Critics have pointed to evidence which suggests that online discussion has tended to undermine deliberation. This article argues that this claim, which generates a stand-off between the two camps, misses a key issue: the role played by design in facilitating or thwarting deliberation. It argues that political choices are made both about the format and operation of the online discussion, and that this affects the possibility of deliberation. Evidence for the impact of design (and the choices behind it) is drawn from analysis of European Union and UK discussion forums. This evidence suggests that we should view deliberation as dependent on design and choice, rather than a predetermined product of the technology.
Two uses of third-person references in family gatherings displaying family ties: teasing and clarifications
Authors: Margutti Piera
Published: October 2007

This article examines two uses of third-person references — pronouns such as `he/she/they' or category terms such as `mother, father', etc. — as produced during first-visit encounters between formerly unacquainted guests and a family group. Members of the family use this practice to refer to another family member in a locally subsequent position, adjacent to a self-oriented turn by that same referrent. Two main functions are investigated: teasing and clarifications. It is pointed out that, besides employing the same practice and being deployed in a locally subsequent position, both activities have a number of other features in common, whereby teasing gets constructed as if doing clarification. In this way, family members provide alternative versions of the same description of events as the prior adjacent turn, designing the teasing activity as an information-giving activity to the guests' benefit. Thus, family members display a privileged access to the events that have been described and propose themselves as knowledgeable about the group and its life; a type of knowledge grounded in their having family ties.
Perspectives: A newsletter for individuals with Alzheimer's or a related disorder
Authors: Snyder Lisa
Published: October 2007

This article describes the development of a newsletter written for people living with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder and outlines some of its benefits for people living with dementia, family carers and professionals. The publication is one of a growing number of resources that attempts to address the direct needs and experiences of persons living with dementia.