bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Impact of Mortality-Related Health-Risk Information: A Terror Management Theory Perspective
Authors: Jessop Donna C. , Albery Ian P. , Rutter Jean , Garrod Heather
Published: May 2008

Four studies explored the effects of providing mortality-related health-risk information from a terror management theory perspective. Study 1 (N = 48) revealed that exposure to information about the mortality-related risks of driving made mortality salient for young male drivers. Studies 2 (N = 60) and 3 (N = 139) demonstrated that young male drivers who perceived driving (fast) to be beneficial for self-esteem reported higher intentions to take driving risks (Study 2) and drive fast (Study 3) after exposure to such information compared to controls. Study 3 further demonstrated that the inclusion of a prime to behave responsibly eliminated this effect. Study 4 (N = 92) revealed that exposure to this prime alongside the mortality-related information generated increased accessibility of responsibility-related constructs and reduced accessibility of mortality-related constructs among young male drivers. The implications of these findings for terror management theory are discussed.
From Troubleshooter to The Apprentice: the changing face of business on British television
Authors: Boyle Raymond
Published: May 2008

This commentary seeks to open up a discussion around how British factual television has represented the world of business and finance over the last decade or so. It investigates the ways that factual television representations of the financial and business environment have changed and in so doing begins to identify the key drivers of this process. As the traditional boundaries between news and current affairs, drama and documentary have blurred and new formats emerged, this research begins to capture how British television has responded to these shifts through its engagement with the world of work, business and finance. Previous research in this area has tended to focus on the specific realm of television news journalism and the reporting of industrial and economic issues (Gavin, 2000; Jensen, 1987; Philo, 1995; Richardson, 1998), while more recently attention has been centred on the BBC and the issue of journalistic impartiality in its coverage of business (Svennevig, 2007). While such concerns naturally inform this research, attention here is on the ideas and discourses created beyond the television news arena and specifically on the role that factual entertainment television formats play in representing business on television.

Given the centrality of the BBC in this process, it is worth briefly reflecting on recent attempts to change the institutional climate within that organization regarding its coverage of the world of business.
Rates of Missing Responses in Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) Versus Paper Assessments
Authors: Palen Lori-Ann , Graham John W. , Smith Edward A. , Caldwell Linda L. , Mathews Catherine , Flisher Alan J.
Published: May 2008

This article describes rates of missing item responses in personal digital assistant (PDA) assessments as compared to paper assessments. Data come from the evaluation of a classroom-based leisure, life skills, and sexuality education program delivered to high school students in Cape Town, South Africa. Analyses show that the paper assessments had much higher rates of missing-ness than PDA assessments. This association is moderated by item order. Certain analyses also suggest that paper assessments have higher rates of missingness for items pertaining to participants' sexual behavior. Implications of these results for evaluation research will be discussed.
Injury-Induced Changes in mRNA Levels Differ Widely between Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial Collateral Ligament
Authors: Beye Jasmine A. , Hart David A. , Bray Robert C. , McDougall Jason J. , Salo Paul T.
Published: May 2008

Background

The drastic difference in healing capacity between the anterior cruciate ligament and the medial collateral ligament is still largely unexplained. Few studies have compared the profiles of messenger ribonucleic acid expression for healing-associated molecules in ligaments during the course of healing.

Hypothesis

Injury responses of the injured anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament are characterized by very different profiles of angiogenesis-promoting and repair-associated gene expression during the healing process.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to assay expression of messenger ribonucleic acid for 11 healing- and angiogenesis-associated molecules at 3 days and 2, 6, and 16 weeks after anterior cruciate ligament or medial collateral ligament injury in adult female New Zealand White rabbits.

Results

Marked differences were found in the postinjury changes in messenger ribonucleic acid levels in the anterior cruciate ligament compared to the medial collateral ligament. Notably, messenger ribonucleic acid levels for the important repair-associated growth factor transforming growth factor-β1 did not increase in injured anterior cruciate ligament at any time point. Similarly, Unlike the injured medial collateral ligament, no statistically significant increases in messenger ribonucleic acid levels for the important scar matrix protein collagen III were detected in injured anterior cruciate ligament. In contrast, matrix metalloproteinase Messenger ribonucleic acid levels were markedly elevated in injured anterior cruciate ligament but only modestly increased in Medial collateral ligament.

Conclusion

The results suggest that injury leads to an antifibrotic, catabolic response in the rabbit anterior cruciate ligament, Possibly to prevent fibrosis and diminish the risk for loss of joint motion.

Clinical Relevance

The development of effective biologically based treatments for anterior cruciate ligament injuries will need to incorporate strategies to deal with the significant differences in the molecular responses to injury of these tissues.
Non-linear Oscillations of Orthotropic Plates on a Non-linear Elastic Foundation
Authors: Chen Chun-Sheng , Tan An-Hung , Chien Rean-Der
Published: May 2008

In this paper, the non-linear vibration response of an orthotropic plate rests on a nonlinear foundation that subjected to non-uniform initial stress is investigated. The non-linear partial differential equations of motion for an orthotropic plate are derived by Hamilton's principle. By using these derived governing equations, the large amplitude vibration of an initially stressed plate on a non-linear elastic foundation model was studied. Galerkin's approximate method was applied to the governing partial differential equations to yield ordinary differential equations. The ordinary differential equations were solved by employing a Runge—Kutta method to obtain the ratio of nonlinear to linear frequencies. The initial stress is taken to be a combination of pure bending stresses plus extensional stresses in the plane of the plate. The softening non-linear elastic foundation model is used to describe the plate—foundation interaction. Numerical example of simply supported Mindlin plates subjected to the initial stress and resting on a Winkler non-linear foundation was solved. The frequency responses of non-linear vibration are sensitive of initial stress, amplitude of vibration, material properties, linear foundation stiffness and non-linear foundation stiffness.
Jordanian Clay-Based Heat Insulator Composites: Mechanical Properties
Authors: Abu-Jdayil Basim , Al-Malah Kamal
Published: May 2008

In this study formulation of composite materials was made using different types and compositions of Jordanian fillers of virgin, untreated bentonite, and feldspar. Unsaturated polyester liquid blended with the filler with a given polyester/filler ratio was transformed into solid upon thermo-set process using chemical reagents to initiate the thermo-set process, and later control the propagation and termination steps. The solid samples produced were then subjected to mechanical, thermal conductivity, and water absorption tests to come up with a product formulation having best or optimum properties in terms of previously tested characteristics. In this paper, the results of the mechanical tests will be presented. In brief, it was found that mechanical properties did improve with increasing clay weight percentage up to 60 wt%. Beyond 60 wt% the product formulation was found to be inconsistent and non-reproducible. Furthermore, it was found that a composite material based on a certain type of clay (with highest content of Al2O3 and SiO 2), possessed superior characteristics in terms of mechanical properties and compared with calcium-carbonate-containing, polyester-based composite materials.
Landau-Kleffner Syndrome Beginning With Stuttering: Case Report
Authors: Tütüncüoğlu Sarenur , Serdaroğlu Gül , Kadoğlu Bengü
Published: May 2008

Landau-Kleffner syndrome is marked by an acquired aphasia in children who have had normal language and motor development. A 3.5-year-old girl was referred to our clinic with stuttering. She was diagnosed as having benign myoclonic epilepsy of infancy at 3.5 months of age and treated with valproic acid. Her electroencephalogram (EEG) returned to normal at the end of the first year. The therapy was stopped after a 2-year seizure-free period. She started to stutter prominently 3 months after the discontinuation of antiepilepsy drugs. She had no verbal agnosia. Her EEG revealed multiple spike and wave discharges. She was diagnosed as having Landau-Kleffner syndrome. Her previous epilepsy history had contributed to her having obtained an EEG in the early period. We suggest that if a child with normal language function starts to stutter, Landau-Kleffner syndrome must be considered in the differential diagnosis. ( J Child Neurol 2002;17:785—788).
Oxidative Stress in the Brain of Fukuyama Type Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Yamamoto Tomoko , Shibata Noriyuki , Kobayashi Makio , Saito Kayoko , Osawa Makiko
Published: May 2008

Astrocytes in the cerebrum and medulla oblongata of cases of Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy were examined by immunohistochemistry of oxidative modification products and free-radical scavenging enzymes because abnormal glia limitans formed by astrocytic end feet is considered to be involved in the genesis of brain lesions of Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy. The study was performed on two fetal cases of Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy of 18 and 20 weeks' gestation and seven patients with Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy ranging in age from 2 to 27 years. Eight age-matched control cases were used. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to ascertain the gene phenotype of two child cases, in which prenatal gene analysis was not performed. Astrocytes, especially layer I astrocytes, of postnatal cases of Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy were weakly positive for N ε-(carboxymethyl)lysine and argpyrimidine, suggesting that they were sensitive to oxidative stress, and the accumulation may be related to the abnormal glia limitans. Secondary increase of manganese (Mn) superoxide dismutase against the increase of free radicals was considered in patients with Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy more than 14 years old considered to be homozygous for founder haplotype: homozygosity was suggested by PCR in two cases. In contrast, expression of Mn superoxide dismutase was decreased in 2- and 6-year-old children with Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy that were heterozygous. Moreover, accumulation of argpyrimidine was exclusively found in astrocytes of the 2-year-old child that exhibited severe brain lesions. Function of astrocytes might be impaired or immature in severe or heterozygous cases. These results may confirm that astrocytes play an important role in the etiology of the brain lesion. ( J Child Neurol 2002;17:793—799).
Cerebrospinal Fluid Levels of Nitric Oxide and Nitrotyrosine in Neonates With Mild Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Authors: Gücüyener Kivicim , Ergenekon Ebru , Demiryürek Tuncay , Erbas Deniz , Öztürk Güler , Koç Esin , Atalay Yildiz
Published: May 2008

The objective of this study was to determine the role of cerebral nitric oxide and its powerful oxidant peroxynitrite following mild birth asphyxia. The cerebrospinal fluid levels of nitric oxide and 3-nitrotyrosine as a marker for peroxynitrite are measured in neonates with mild hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Based on the classification of Sarnat and Sarnat, term neonates with mild hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and neurologically normal neonates suspected of sepsis were taken as the control group. Nitric oxide measurements were done by chemiluminescence, and nitrotyrosine measurements were made by high-performance liquid chromatography. The Mann Whitney U-test was used, and a P value < .05 was considered significant. Eleven patients with grade 1 hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and nine controls were included. The gestational age and birthweights were similar in both groups. Neither of the cerebrospinal fluid levels of nitric oxide (8.60 ± 0.49 μmol/L) and nitrotyrosine (0.45 ± 0.33 μmol/L) of the neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy showed significant differences from that of the means of nitric oxide (8.66 ± 1.07 μmol/L) and nitrotyrosine levels (0.25 ± 0.13 μmol/L) of the controls. These data suggest that the oxidative stress is not overexpressed to lead nitric oxide and peroxynitrite to play a pathologic role in the early phase of mild hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy of the newborn. ( J Child Neurol 2002;17:815-818).
Neuron-Specific Enolase Levels and Neuroimaging in Asphyxiated Term Newborns
Authors: Ezgü Fatih Süheyl , Atalay Yidiz , Gücüyener Kivilcim , Tunç Sükran , Koç Esin , Ergenekon Ebru , Tiraş Ülkü
Published: May 2008

The study was designed to investigate the cerebrospinal fluid and serum levels of neuron-specific enolase, along with cranial ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and electroencephalography (EEG), for predicting the clinical state and neurologic outcome of 26 asphyxiated term newborns. The babies were graded according to the Sarnat and Sarnat classification. Cerebrospinal fluid neuron-specific enolase levels of the 18 babies in the whole hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy group were higher than the 8 babies in the “no encephalopathy” group. Cerebrospinal fluid neuron-specific enolase levels of 13 cases in the hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy grade 2 and 3 groups (high-risk group) were higher than both the no encephalopathy and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy grade 1 groups when pooled. Cerebrospinal fluid neuron-specific enolase levels of the 7 newborns in the hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy grade 3 group were also significantly higher than the 5 in the hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy grade 1 group. The findings of cranial MRI, EEG, and cerebrospinal fluid neuron-specific enolase levels were correlated with each other and the clinical grade of the patients and also were predictive of the neurologic outcome at 1 year of age. Cerebrospinal fluid neuron-specific enolase levels, cranial MRI, and EEG are predictive of outcome of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in asphyxiated newborns, and this predictivity would increase with the combination of these diagnostic parameters. ( J Child Neurol 2002; 17: 824—829).
Migraine-Type Headaches in Children Receiving Chemotherapy and Ondansetron
Authors: Khan Raja B.
Published: May 2008

Six children developed severe daily migraine-type headaches during cancer treatment. In addition to chemotherapy drugs, all received daily doses of ondansetron, a 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor antagonist. 5-Hydroxytryptamine is considered to play a central role in migraine pathogenesis, and ondansetron may have caused headaches by producing 5-hydroxytryptamine dysfunction in the brain. All six children had either a personal or a family history of migraine, and this may be a risk factor for developing ondansetron-associated migraine-type headaches. Ondansetron-induced headaches respond to withholding the drug and to standard antimigraine medications, but further study of a larger group of patients is required to confirm this impression. ( J Child Neurol 2002;17:857—858).
Sleep-Wake Patterns in Children With Intrauterine Growth Retardation
Authors: Leitner Yael , Mimouni Bloch Aviva , Sadeh Avi , Neuderfer Orit , Tikotzky Liat , Harel Shaul
Published: May 2008

The purpose of this study was to characterize the sleep patterns of children with intrauterine growth retardation, known to be at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, and seek a possible correlation with behavior, concentration, and attention problems. The sleep patterns of 26 children with intrauterine growth retardation aged 4 to 7 years were compared with those of 47 control children using activity monitors (actigraphs), In addition, data were collected from the parents regarding sleep habits, behavior, concentration, and attention. Children with intrauterine growth retardation aged 4 to 7 years were found to have a tendency toward poorer quality of sleep than their matched controls. This inclination was statistically significant only for one sleep measure, the true sleep time. A tendency toward increased fragmentation of sleep, prolonged wakes, and decreased sleep efficiency, although not statistically significant in this study, was demonstrated. Our results showed that 58% of the children with intrauterine growth retardation, compared with 40% of the children in the control group, could be defined as “poor sleepers” (sleep efficiency lower than 90 or three or more waking episodes per night). This disturbed sleep profile is probably an integral part of the neurodevelopmental profile typical of these at-risk children. No significant correlations were found between sleep quality and behavior, concentration, and attention problems. ( J Child Neurol 2002; 17: 872—876).
Clinical and Diagnostic Profile of Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum
Authors: Shevell Michael I.
Published: May 2008

This study reports the clinical profile, etiologies identified, and outcomes for a consecutive series of children with partial or complete agenesis of the corpus callosum. Children with agenesis of the corpus callosum were identified in a comprehensive computerized database of all patients seen in a single pediatric neurology practice over an 11-year interval. Medical records were then systematically reviewed. Twenty-four children with agenesis of the corpus callosum were identified of a total of 6911 children in the database (0.35%). Fifteen were male (62.5%); 9 (37.5%) had presented antenatally, 6 (25%) neonatally, and 9 (37.5%) postneonatally. Eight (33.3%) were microcephalic, 12 (50%) were dysmorphic, 11 (45.8%) had coexisting epilepsy, and 9 (37.5%) had a cerebral palsy variant. Investigations revealed an etiology in 11 (45.8%): 3 chromosomal abnormality, 3 metabolic disorder, 3 cerebral dysgenesis, and 2 genetic syndromes (Aicardi, Andermann). Outcomes identified included normal or mild developmental delay in 7 (29.2%) and moderate-severe developmental delay in the remaining 17 (70.8%). Factors predictive of successful etiologic determination on bivariate analysis included moderate-severe developmental delay or associated cerebral dysgenesis. Factors predictive of eventual developmental outcome included microcephaly, coexisting epilepsy, cerebral palsy, or cerebral dysgenesis. A spectrum of clinical presentations, underlying etiology, and developmental outcome is thus apparent in children with agenesis of the corpus callosum. An underlying etiology can be identified in slightly less than half of cases, and a normal or mildly delayed outcome is apparent in slightly less than a third. Factors predictive of identifying an underlying etiology or eventual outcome can be identified. ( J Child Neurol 2002;17:895—899).
Factors Influencing the Self-Determination of Transition-Age Youth With High-Incidence Disabilities
Authors: Pierson Melinda R. , Carter Erik W. , Lane Kathleen Lynne , Glaeser Barbara C.
Published: May 2008

Recognizing the contributions of self-determination to improved outcomes for transition-age youth with disabilities, researchers are increasingly directing their efforts toward identifying factors associated with (a) these students' acquisition of skills that enhance self-determination and (b) educators' efforts to promote opportunities to be self-determined. This article examines the contributions of social skills and problem behaviors to the self-determination of 90 high school students with emotional disturbances and learning disabilities. Social skills were found to be a significant predictor of students' capacity for self-determination, but were not associated with self-determination opportunities at school. Ratings of students' problem behaviors added no additional predictive value. The association between these skill domains has important implications for the design of meaningful transition experiences for these youth.
Conceptualisation of Health and Illness
Authors: Dixit Shikha , Mishra Mamata , Sharma A.K.
Published: May 2008

The present article attempts to understand the relationship between culture and health through an empirical investigation of health and illness conceptualisation among the members of Bondo tribe of Orissa in India. The investigation of socio-cultural definitions and meanings of health and illness was done using the social representations framework. The dynamic nature of health and illness conceptualisation was investigated among the three groups of Bondos: The upper, isolated group; middle, partially assimilated group; and lower assimilated group. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews, observations and focus group discussions. Qualitative content analysis of responses was done in order to extract the meaning of categories employed by the three groups of Bondos. The content of these categories reflected the content of the social representations of health and illness among the Bondos. The categories employed by the Bondos for sense-making of health and illness states revealed the meanings of health and illness, beliefs regarding causes of illness, healing practices and treatment pattern and the difference in meanings and definitions of health and illness among the three groups of Bondos.
A Commentary on “Piercing the Bubble”
Authors: Dart Raymond
Published: May 2008

This commentary contrasts “Piercing the Bubble” by proposing “pull” (rather than “push”) strategies as a way for business schools to more meaningfully engage poverty and social exclusion. By reframing poverty issues in such a manner that they connect with core business student interests of career opportunities, current management practices, and wealth creation, there is a better chance of their substantial connection to the curriculum and orientation of business schools. This article points to parallel developments in the environmental sustainability field and in management education in North American settings.
Symbolic Geographies and Visions of Identity
Authors: Mishkova Diana
Published: May 2008

The aim of this article is to interrogate the current mainstream interpretation of the relations between the Balkans and the West by exploring the agencies of the transmission of knowledge through which the Balkans became familiar with the West. Interest is focused on how concepts about `us' and the `other', cultural and social self-definitions were historically mediated by concepts of Europe. Issues of cultural transfer form a point of departure, in this sense suggesting that Balkan visions of Europe cannot be understood as simply mirroring the representations of the Western hegemonic discourse about the Balkans. In order to understand these visions, more attention needs to be paid to local and regional dynamics in the production of ideologies and self-narrations.
Non-response bias in a postal questionnaire survey on respiratory health in the old and very old
Authors: Hardie Jon A. , Bakke Per S. , Mørkve Odd
Published: May 2008

Aims: The authors wished to describe non-responders and reasons for non-response and determine the magnitude and direction of non-response bias in connection with a postal questionnaire study of respiratory symptoms and disease among the elderly. Methods: An eight-page respiratory health questionnaire was mailed to subjects in a sex-age stratified random sample of the general population of Bergen, Norway, 70 years or older (n=2,871). A reminder with repeat questionnaire was sent out to initial non-responders after three weeks. A random sample of non-responders was interviewed by telephone. Results: There were a total of 1,649 respondents (57.4%); 1,356 to the initial mailing and 293 to the reminder mailing. The response rates were highest for the age group 70 - 74 years (76.6%) and fell dramatically with age (27.1% in age group 95+years). Men responded (63.7%) better than women (52.0%) and this was consistent at every age level. Late and non-responders had slightly lower frequencies of respiratory symptoms but higher frequencies of current-smoker status. Conclusions: All found, differences between responders and non-responders were small and would have only minimal effects on the final prevalence estimates for respiratory symptoms and disease. In comparing the results based on initial responders to results based on all responders, associations between predictor variables and outcome variables were essentially the same, showing that a reminder had little effect on the results of the study.
Does educational level influence the effects of smoking, alcohol, physical activity, and obesity on mortality? A prospective population study
Authors: Schnohr Christina , Højbjerre Lise , Riegels Mette , Ledet Luise , Larsen Tine , Schultz-Larsen Kirsten , Petersen Liselotte , Prescott Eva , Grønbæk Morten
Published: May 2008

Objectives: This study aims at examining whether the relation between established risk factors and mortality differs with socioeconomic status as measured by level of education. Methods: A population-based sample of 14,399 women and 16,236 men aged 20 - 93 years from Copenhagen was stratified into three educational levels measured as basic schooling, and the effect of smoking habits, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and body mass index, respectively, on mortality was assessed. Results: Those with the lowest level of education were most frequently heavy smokers, heavy drinkers, physically inactive, and obese. During a mean follow up of 16 years 10,952 subjects died. Compared with subjects with the lowest educational level, women with the highest educational level had a relative risk of 0.80 (95% CI; 0.70 - 0.91), and men of 0.71 (0.65 - 0.78). Heavy smoking compared with never smoking implied a more than twofold increased risk at all three educational levels among both men and women. The relation between alcohol intake and mortality was J-shaped on all three educational levels. There were decreasing risk functions describing the relations between physical activity and mortality on all three strata. Further, subjects who were either very lean or obese had increased risks of death compared with those of normal weight at all educational levels in both genders. Conclusions: The difference in distribution of the main known risk factors may be part of the explanation for the differences in mortality risk. However, these risk factors seem to influence mortality equally at different educational levels. Therefore, social inequalities in mortality do not seem to be explained only by differences in effect of lifestyle risk factors, but are also related to the social rank or unexamined factors within.
Previous physical activity decreases the risk of low back pain and pelvic pain during pregnancy
Authors: Mogren Ingrid M.
Published: May 2008

Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate physical activity prior to pregnancy, occupation, and treatment in women with low back pain and pelvic pain (LBPP) during pregnancy. Methods: All women who gave birth at two hospitals in northern Sweden from 1 January 2002 to 30 April 2002 were invited to complete a questionnaire on their obstetric and gynaecological history, actual pregnancy, and delivery. The sample was analysed with calculation of odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Cox regression analyses were performed. Women with LBPP reporting a pain maximum of 7 or more on a visual analogue scale (0—10 cm) were considered to have ``high pain score LBPP'' (hps-LBPP). Results: The response rate was 83% (n=891). A higher number of years of regular leisure physical activity (RLPA) decreased the risk of LBPP during pregnancy. The risk of hps-LBPP was increased for women who characterized their occupation as ``mainly active'' (OR=2.0, 95% CI: 1.1—3.5) and ``physically demanding'' (OR=1.9, 95% CI: 1.1—3.2). Visiting a physician as a result of LBPP was reported by 46.2%, and the mean number of visits was 2.0. One-third of women with LBPP had received treatment, as had half of women with hps-LBPP. Conclusions: A higher number of years of previous RLPA decreases the risk of LBPP during pregnancy. Occupations described as ``mainly active'' and ``physically demanding'' are associated with increased risk of hps-LBPP during pregnancy.
Followers' Personality and Leadership
Authors: Hetland Hilde , Sandal Gro Mjeldheim , Johnsen Tom Backer
Published: May 2008

The study presented in this article investigates how the personality of subordinates is related to leadership, an area largely neglected in prior research. Subordinates ( n = 289) rated their immediate superior on transformational, transactional, and passive-avoidant leadership measured by the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) and completed the NEO-FFI, with the five traits neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. The results revealed that subordinates' personality ( n = 289) was only moderately associated with leadership ratings. Links were found between ratings of transformational leadership and subordinates' level of neuroticism and agreeableness. Furthermore, ratings of passive-avoidant leadership were associated with subordinates' level of agreeableness and openness.
A randomised, controlled trial of bosentan in severe COPD
Authors: Stolz D. , Rasch H. , Linka A. , Di Valentino M. , Meyer A. , Brutsche M. , Tamm M.
Published: May 2008

Pulmonary hypertension during exercise is common in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It was hypothesised that the use of the endothelin-receptor antagonist bosentan can improve cardiopulmonary haemodynamics during exercise, thus increasing exercise tolerance in patients with severe COPD.

In the present double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 30 patients with severe or very severe COPD were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either bosentan or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary end-point was change in the 6-min walking distance. Secondary end-points included changes in health-related quality of life, lung function, cardiac haemodynamics, maximal oxygen uptake and pulmonary perfusion patterns.

Compared with placebo, patients treated with bosentan during 12 weeks showed no significant improvement in exercise capacity as measured by the 6-min walking distance (mean±sd331±123versus329±94 m). There was no change in lung function, pulmonary arterial pressure, maximal oxygen uptake or regional pulmonary perfusion pattern. In contrast, arterial oxygen pressure dropped, the alveolar–arterial gradient increased and quality of life deteriorated significantly in patients assigned bosentan.

The oral administration of the endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan not only failed to improve exercise capacity but also deteriorated hypoxaemia and functional status in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients without severe pulmonary hypertension at rest.
Farm exposurein uteromay protect against asthma, hay fever and eczema
Authors: Douwes J. , Cheng S. , Travier N. , Cohet C. , Niesink A. , McKenzie J. , Cunningham C. , Le Gros G. , von Mutius E. , Pearce N.
Published: May 2008

The aim of the present study was to assess which factors contribute to the lower prevalence of allergic diseases in farmers’ children, and the importance of timing of exposure.

In a cross-sectional questionnaire survey, asthma symptoms, hay fever and eczema were assessed, as well as current, early and prenatal farm-related exposures in 1,333 farmers’ children and 566 reference children aged 5–17 yrs.

Farmers’ children had a lower incidence of asthma symptoms and eczema. Current and maternal exposure during pregnancy to animals and/or grain and hay reduced the risk of asthma symptoms, hay fever and eczema. The exposure–response association for maternal exposure was nonlinear for most outcomes. After mutual adjustment, the effects of prenatal exposure remained unchanged whereas current exposure remained protective only for asthma medication, asthma ever and hay fever. Exposure during the first 2 yrs was not associated with symptoms, after controlling for prenatal exposure. A combination of prenatal and current exposure was most strongly associated with wheeze (odds ratio (OR) 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28–0.80), asthma medication (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.30–0.82), asthma ever (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.33–0.76), hay fever (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.30–0.73) and eczema (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.30–0.70).

Prenatal exposure may contribute to the low prevalence of asthma, hay fever and eczema in farmers’ children, but continued exposure may be required to maintain optimal protection.
Precision, time, and cost: a comparison of three sampling designs in an emergency setting
Authors: Deitchler Megan , Deconinck Hedwig , Bergeron Gilles
Published: May 2008

The conventional method to collect data on the health, nutrition, and food security status of a population affected by an emergency is a 30 × 30 cluster survey. This sampling method can be time and resource intensive and, accordingly, may not be the most appropriate one when data are needed rapidly for decision making. In this study, we compare the precision, time and cost of the 30 × 30 cluster survey with two alternative sampling designs: a 33 × 6 cluster design (33 clusters, 6 observations per cluster) and a 67 × 3 cluster design (67 clusters, 3 observations per cluster). Data for each sampling design were collected concurrently in West Darfur, Sudan in September-October 2005 in an emergency setting. Results of the study show the 30 × 30 design to provide more precise results (i.e. narrower 95% confidence intervals) than the 33 × 6 and 67 × 3 design for most child-level indicators. Exceptions are indicators of immunization and vitamin A capsule supplementation coverage which show a high intra-cluster correlation. Although the 33 × 6 and 67 × 3 designs provide wider confidence intervals than the 30 × 30 design for child anthropometric indicators, the 33 × 6 and 67 × 3 designs provide the opportunity to conduct a LQAS hypothesis test to detect whether or not a critical threshold of global acute malnutrition prevalence has been exceeded, whereas the 30 × 30 design does not. For the household-level indicators tested in this study, the 67 × 3 design provides the most precise results. However, our results show that neither the 33 × 6 nor the 67 × 3 design are appropriate for assessing indicators of mortality. In this field application, data collection for the 33 × 6 and 67 × 3 designs required substantially less time and cost than that required for the 30 × 30 design. The findings of this study suggest the 33 × 6 and 67 × 3 designs can provide useful time- and resource-saving alternatives to the 30 × 30 method of data collection in emergency settings.
Nonlinear inversion of geoelectric data acquired across 3D objects using a finite-element approach
Authors: Marescot Laurent , Lopes Sérgio Palma , Rigobert Stéphane , Green Alan G.
Published: May 2008

We introduce a new finite-element-based scheme for the fast nonlinear inversion of large 3D geoelectric data sets acquired around isolated objects or across the earth’s surface. The principal novelty of this scheme is the combination of a versatile finite-element approach with (1) a method involving minimization of an objective function using a conjugate-gradient algorithm that includes an adjoint-field technique for efficiently establishing the objective-function gradient and (2) parabolic interpolation for estimating suitable inversion step lengths. This scheme is capable of handling large volumes of data acquired using diverse electrode configurations located around or across 3D structures. Only three solutions to the forward problem are required for each iteration. Computation of the Jacobian matrix, which might require computers with a large amount of memory, is not necessary. To minimize artificial irregularities in the inverted models, particularly near the electrodes, we smooth the model parametersafter each iteration. By including the influence of a reference model in the objective function, a priori information can be incorporated in the inversion process. Our new scheme is tested successfully on synthetic data generated for current and potential electrodes distributed around the surface of a complex object of finite extent. We also demonstrate the utility of the new scheme on geoelectric data acquired around a laboratory-scale object. Tomographic inversion of the 52,272 simulated voltage values in terms of an 8775-element model requires less than 45 minutes on a relatively slow Sun workstation. For the inversion of the 1016 observed voltage values in terms of an 81,480-element model, approximately 60 minutes of computer time is required. The rapid and flexible inversion scheme opens up new possibilities for resistivity imaging in geology, hydrology, engineering, nondestructive testing, and even biology and medicine, fields of study in which finite-element models are already used to represent complicated targets.
Adaptive curvelet-domain primary-multiple separation
Authors: Herrmann Felix J. , Wang Deli , Verschuur Dirk J. (Eric)
Published: May 2008

In many exploration areas, successful separation of primaries and multiples greatly determines the quality of seismic imaging. Despite major advances made by surface-related multiple elimination (SRME), amplitude errors in the predicted multiples remain a problem. When these errors vary for each type of multiple in different ways (as a function of offset, time, and dip), they pose a serious challenge for conventional least-squares matching and for the recently introduced separation by curvelet-domain thresholding. We propose a data-adaptive method that corrects amplitude errors, which vary smoothly as a function of location, scale (frequency band), and angle. With this method, the amplitudes can be corrected by an elementwise curvelet-domain scaling of the predicted multiples. We show that this scaling leads to successful estimation of primaries, despite amplitude, sign, timing, and phase errors in the predicted multiples. Our results on synthetic and real data show distinct improvements over conventional least-squares matching in terms of better suppression of multiple energy and high-frequency clutter and better recovery of estimated primaries.
Report on the Work of the Prison Department. Statistical Tables
Authors: Bowden Paul
Published: May 2008

It is a century since the Prison Act placed a statutory obligation on the Prison Commissioners to present an annual report to the Secretary of State and Parliament; in recent years numerical facts relating to the prison population have been published in a separate volume of Statistical Tables. Together these volumes provide an account of the administration of the penal system during the previous year. To those who are familiar with bureaucratic reticence in these matters the reports provide welcome information: for others who work in the prison service, normally constrained by the Offical Secrets Acts (1911 and 1920), the reports act as a valuable mouthpiece.
Establishing a District Psychiatric Service without Psychiatric Trainees
Authors: Kingdon D. G. , Szulecka T. K.
Published: May 2008

The Report of the Social Services Committee of the House of Commons in 1981 (the ‘Short Report’) recommended the establishment of consultant posts without the support of trainee medical staff as part of a strategy to correct the situation where too many doctors occupied training posts for the number of consultant posts available.1 The Royal College of Psychiatrists has endorsed this policy,2 and the withdrawal of approval for training from an increasing number of hospitals around the country is leading rapidly to a situation where a large number of them need to look at alternative arrangements for providing medical cover. We would like to report the establishment and early development of such an arrangement based in a district general hospital.
The Fanon Project: A day centre in Brixton
Authors: Moodley Parimala
Published: May 2008

‘Community Care’ has become the psychiatric catch phrase of the eighties. With this burgeoning interest go the difficulties of working not just with a multi-disciplinary team but with Social Services and voluntary agencies, a move from our ‘ivory towers’ which not all psychiatrists will view with relish. Despite initial antipathy more psychiatrists are coming to accept the fact that moving patients out of long-stay facilities is a reality and new ways of working have to be found for these patients as well as acute patients.
Normalisation in Mental Handicap—Acceptance without Questions?
Authors: Boucherat Anne
Published: May 2008

When searching for a definition of mental handicap, I came across the following:

“Handicap is something imposed on a disability to make it more limiting than it need necessarily be.” (Shearer, quoted in O. Russell, 1985).
Nigerian primary health care workers: a pilot survey on attitude to mental health
Authors: Ogunlesi A. O. , Adelekan M. L.
Published: May 2008

The history of health services in Nigeria shows that the earliest services were provided for sailors and slaves. Later, government services were introduced mainly to cater for European civil servants and military personnel. Since the introduction of these rudimentary services, the health services in Nigeria have undergone a series of developmental epochs.
Physician liability for treating mentally incompetent patients
Authors: Morrison Allan B.
Published: May 2008

The issue of the rights and obligations of those involved in doing research on patients who are incapable of giving their consent to treatment is a difficult one. This difficulty is reflected in the papers and discussion which form the basis of the book Consent and the Incompetent Patient: Ethics, Law and Medicine (eds. S. R. Hirsch & J. Harris) and that were the subject of the conference that led to it. Had I been in attendance, I am sure that I would have gained insights not available from the printed version on which I have had to rely. Nonetheless, I have sufficient sense of the proceedings to see where there are areas that an American view, or at least the views of one American lawyer, might be of interest.
Race, culture and psychotherapy
Authors: Campling Penelope
Published: May 2008

I have recently taken up a post as Senior Registrar in Psychotherapy in Leicester where about 20% of the citizens are Asian or Afro-Caribbean. For the rest of this article I shall use the term ‘black’ as synonymous with Asian and Afro-Caribbean. While realising this may offend some readers, I use it in a political sense and know that many prefer it to the equally inaccurate use of the term ‘ethnic minority’. Before being promoted, I was on the general psychiatry registrar rotation in the same city and not surprisingly had a large number of black patients. Now I have none; there are very few referred to the Department, and I gather this is typical of psychotherapy units across the country. I want to consider why this is so, and what, if anything, should be done about it.
Liaison psychiatry in Scotland: the present service
Authors: Anderson Helen M.
Published: May 2008

The term ‘liaison psychiatry’ is becoming increasingly popular. Indeed, the Royal College of Psychiatrists has set up a special interest group, the Liaison Psychiatry Group, which has a growing membership. There appear to be developments in training and in service provision but it is difficult to assess their clinical impact. Ongoing research is required to quantify the actual level of service provided to general hospitals.
Tales from Münchhausen's country: forensic psychiatry in Germany
Authors: Jones Gwen
Published: May 2008

It was with some surprise that I learnt I should be settling but a stone's throw away from Baron von Münchhausen's birthplace in today's West Germany. The house at Bodenwerder on the Weser where he was born now serves as the town hall; the Münchhausen family had obviously been influential in the area for when I began to work in the psychiatric hospital at Moringen, I found that the original building had been erected by them in 1738.
The use of videos to illustrate child psychopathology to medical students
Authors: Garralda M. E.
Published: May 2008

As a relative newcomer to the medical undergraduate curriculum, child psychiatry is still looking for ways in which to best convey its message to students. There is fairly general agreement that this should combine opportunities to assess children or at least to observe the psychiatric assessment of problems and to impart basic information on child development and psychopathology.
Why admit to a bed? Disposal of 1,000 referrals to a Regional Adolescent Service
Authors: Wells P. G.
Published: May 2008

Twenty-five years ago, the Ministry of Health recommended that 20 to 25 beds per million population were needed for treating psychiatrically disturbed adolescents, a figure similar to that recommended by the Royal College in 1956/57. The College also recommended in 1976 the provision of one adolescent psychiatric team per half a million population. None of these norms has been met, nor are they likely to be this century. The decline in the teenage population may slightly reduce the need temporarily until the anticipated increase from the late ‘90s. Meanwhile, government financial restraints call for innovative and creative alternative solutions for the treatment of disturbed adolescents wherever possible without admitting to a residential unit. Indeed the pressure is so great that a number of adolescent units have already been closed, or their beds drastically reduced.
The role of the consultant psychiatrist in the clinical team
Authors: Harrison Tom
Published: May 2008

Many psychiatrists are deeply disturbed by the changing and challenging circumstances in which they are responsible for patient care. This became evident at a conference on the role of the consultant in the clinical team, held by the Health Services Manpower Review at the Royal Society of Medicine on 14 July 1988 and attended by an entirely medical audience. The need for the consultant to act as leader of the clinical team was emphasised without identifying the nature and extent of this task, resulting in the failure to develop any strategy to tackle the many problems identified.
Assessment for special education in a child guidance unit
Authors: Subotsky Fiona
Published: May 2008

Child psychiatrists are often requested to contribute to the formal special educational assessments of children for which the 1981 Education Act laid down a new procedure. Some of the evident aims were to enable some handicapped children to remain in ordinary school, to stress ‘needs’ rather than categories, to involve parents more closely in the procedures, and to emphasise the importance of the effect of the handicap on the learning process. The first year of this procedure was reviewed by Wardle (1986) who noted a number of advantages and disadvantages, and subsequently the College (1988) recommended that the working of the Act should be reviewed, particularly because of delays and the cumbersomeness of the procedures.