bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Link Between Parental Bonding and Adult Attachment in Chinese Graduate Students: Gender Differences
Authors: Sun Qi-Wu , Ng Kok-Mun , Lan Guo
Published: June 2010

We examined the hypothesized link between early parental bonding experience and adult attachment in 565 graduate students in China. Data were analyzed according to gender. When adult attachment was measured dimensionally, findings showed the hypothesized relationship was not supported in both genders. However, partial support was indicated when adult attachment was measured categorically: (a) securely attached females reported significantly higher levels of paternal care than fearfully attached females; (b) securely attached males reported significantly higher levels of parental care and lower levels of parental overprotection than the 3 insecurely attached groups of males. Results are discussed in the context of the role cultural variables play in the development of attachment quality.
(De)ciphering Collaborative Research for Social Justice: Reviving Relationality Through Metaphor
Authors: North Connie E.
Published: June 2010

When used with caution and humility, the cipher, a metaphor central to hip-hop worlds, captures the power of human relationality and the arts in collaborative qualitative research about and for social justice at the beginning of the 21st century. In this article, the author illustrates the potential of this metaphor via a year-long study that involved four K-12 educators and a university-based researcher inquiring into the meanings and implications of education for social justice. The author concludes that more democratic, process-oriented, and creative approaches to qualitative inquiry can transform the individuals involved and, in turn, enhance our commitments to working toward a more equitable society and world.
Using Humor to Move Away From Abjection
Authors: Marmo Jennifer
Published: June 2010

The absence of discourses on death makes it difficult for those dealing with loss to communicate about their experiences. Our emotions vary even more when we see the corpse of a loved one at the funeral. It is overwhelming; a family member is gone, death, and you are faced with your own mortality, abjection. The author recently experienced the death of her grandmother and confronted her own abjection. The author writes this story as a third way of knowing. The author wants to share her experience by offering a narrative blueprint of how her family used humor to more effectively cope. In addition, this story fills a gap in the current literature; humor has been studied minimally in regard to dealing with death. Humor can be an effective way to ease tensions, reduce stress, and open lines of communication among family members when they are faced with death and abjection.
Interactions Between Factors Related to the Decision of Sex Offenders to Confess During Police Interrogation: A Classification-Tree Approach
Authors: Beauregard Eric , Deslauriers-Varin Nadine , St-Yves Michel
Published: June 2010

Most studies of confessions have looked at the influence of individual factors, neglecting the potential interactions between these factors and their impact on the decision to confess or not during an interrogation. Classification and regression tree analyses conducted on a sample of 624 convicted sex offenders showed that certain factors related to the offenders (e.g., personality, criminal career), victims (e.g., sex, relationship to offender), and case (e.g., time of day of the crime) were related to the decision to confess or not during the police interrogation. Several interactions were also observed between these factors. Results will be discussed in light of previous findings and interrogation strategies for sex offenders.
A Conceptual Framework for How Evaluators Make Everyday Practice Decisions
Authors: Kundin Delia M.
Published: June 2010

How do evaluators make decisions about how to approach an evaluation in their everyday practice? What are the bases for evaluators’ approach choices? In what ways do evaluators think about evaluation models? The evaluation literature remains unclear about what specific information evaluators consider when making decisions in response to everyday situations. This article introduces a conceptual framework for studying evaluators’ practice decisions that focuses on situation awareness in response to an evaluation context, practical reasoning as the bases for decision making, and reflection in action in response to changing environments. A study of how evaluators think through their work and make decisions about when, where, and why some strategies are used and others are not, may help to inform the field about everyday decision practices.
Why new parties?
Authors: Lago Ignacio , Martínez Ferran
Published: June 2010

The variables explaining party system fragmentation have been investigated extensively, but little is known about changes in the number of parties over time within countries. This article is an attempt to fill the gap by explaining the entry of new viable competitors in party systems after the founding election. Using empirical evidence from Spain, we show that when there is an electoral market failure and a high number of perfectly elastic voters, there is a high probability of new viable entrants.
The Role of Religiosity, Social Support, and Stress-related Growth in Protecting Against HIV Risk among Transgender Women
Authors: Golub Sarit A. , Walker Ja'Nina J. , Longmire-Avital Buffie , Bimbi David S. , Parsons Jeffrey T.
Published: June 2010

Transgender women completed questionnaires of religiosity, social support, stigma, stress-related growth, and sexual risk behavior. In a multivariate model, both social support and religious stress-related growth were significant negative predictors of unprotected anal sex, but religious behaviors and beliefs emerged as a significant positive predictor. The interaction between religious behaviors and beliefs and social support was also significant, and post-hoc analyses indicated that high-risk sex was least likely among individuals with high-levels of social support but low levels of religious behaviors and beliefs. These data have important implications for understanding factors that might protect against HIV risk for transgender women.
Mediation of Personality Influences on Physical Activity within the Theory of Planned Behaviour
Authors: McEachan Rosemary R.C. , Sutton Stephen , Myers Lynn
Published: June 2010

This study estimated the effect of extraversion, conscientiousness and variables from a modified two-component Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) on prospective self-reported physical activity ( N = 397). Mediation analysis using structural equation modelling with bootstrapping suggested that only conscientiousness had significant effects on intention and behaviour. Affective attitude and perceived behavioural control partially mediated the effect on intention. The effect on behaviour was significantly mediated by TPB variables consistent with partial or total mediation. The modified TPB mediates the effects of conscientiousness on intention and behaviour; it is unclear whether it is sufficient to mediate all of the effect on behaviour.
Development and Psychometric Properties of the Transformational Teaching Questionnaire
Authors: Beauchamp Mark R. , Barling Julian , Zhen Li  , Morton Katie L. , Keith Sharon E. , Zumbo Bruno D.
Published: June 2010

We draw from transformational leadership theory (Bass & Riggio, 2006) to develop a reliable and valid measure of transformational teaching, for use within school-based physical education contexts. In Phase 1, we utilized established instrument development procedures, involving teachers, students, and experts in transformational leadership theory to ensure that items exhibited sound content validity, and were developmentally appropriate. In Phase 2, multilevel confirmatory factor analytic procedures with 2761 adolescents supported the factorial validity of the Transformational Teaching Questionnaire. In Phase 3, concurrent validity of the TTQ was supported by positive relationships between transformational teaching and adolescent self-determined motivation and positive affect.
Perceived Skin Cancer Risk and Sunscreen Use among African American Adults
Authors: Pichon Latrice C. , Corral Irma , Landrine Hope , Mayer Joni A. , Adams-Simms Denise
Published: June 2010

We examined perceived skin cancer risk and its relationship to sunscreen use among a large ( N = 1932) random sample of African American adults for the first time. Skin cancer risk perceptions were low (Mean = 16.11 on a 1—100 scale). Sun-sensitive skin type and a prior cancer diagnosis were associated with higher perceived skin cancer risk, but demographic factors were not. Unlike findings for Whites, perceived skin cancer risk was not associated with sunscreen use among African Americans. Directions for future research, and suggestions for increasing sunscreen use among African Americans are provided.
Mental distress and subsequent use of anxiolytic drugs - A prospective population-based cohort study of 16,000 individuals
Authors: Hausken Anne M. , Furu Kari , Tverdal Aage , Skurtveit Svetlana
Published: June 2010

Aims: To study the relationship between mental distress and later use of anxiolytic drugs, taking into account potential confounders such as lifestyle and socioeconomic factors. Methods: In a prospective cohort study, data from population-based health surveys from three Norwegian counties (2000—01) were linked to data from the Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD) (2004—07). In the surveys, 9,386 men (43.1% of those invited) and 11,244 women (52.4%) participated. The two age cohorts were 40 and 45 years old (cohort 1) and 60 years old (cohort 2). Participants in each age group were divided into quartiles (Q1—Q4) separately for men and women according to the degree of mental distress, measured by increasing Hopkins Symptom Checklist-10 score (HSCL-10 score) at baseline. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess predictors of anxiolytic drug use. Results: At baseline: Increasing HSCL-10 score was associated with: increasing use of specified prescribed drugs, poor health, ever having sought help because of mental distress, musculoskeletal pain, being married or in partnership, low educational level, receiving disability pension and current smoking (except for women 60 years old). Predictors found: There was a graded positive relationship between HSCL-10 score at baseline (2000—01) and the chance of a prescription of anxiolytics during follow-up (2004—07) in the 40 and 45 year olds. Predictors, regardless of age, were: female gender, reported use of hypnotics, having previously sought help because of mental distress and current smoking. Conclusions: HSCL-10 score was related to later use of anxiolytic drugs in a dose response manner.
Forecasting European Union politics: Real-time forecasts in political time series analysis
Authors: Bechtel Michael M. , Leuffen Dirk
Published: June 2010

Forecasting plays an increasingly important role in the scientific study of European Union politics and in political science in general. This is because forecasts are not only indispensable for (political) actors who need to form expectations about future events, but can also be used to judge the validity of (competing) theoretical models. While the debate about whether political science should engage in forecasting is largely over, many questions about how this should be done in everyday research are still open. One of these is how forecasts of political time series can be derived from theoretical models. Using a practical example from European Union research, we start to address this question. We first show how forecasts of political time series can be derived from both theoretical and atheoretical models. Subsequently, we use an atheoretical time series (ARMA) imputation approach to demonstrate how they can be fruitfully integrated in order to overcome some of the limitations to making forecasts of political time series which are based on theoretical models.
Unknown is unloved? Diversity and inter-population trust in Europe
Authors: Gerritsen Debby , Lubbers Marcel
Published: June 2010

With more than 400,000 trust evaluations, we examine inter-population trust in the European Union. We focus on social capital theory explanations in a context where European inhabitants from 20 countries rate trust in the populations of 27 other European countries and in their own national population. We emphasize the role of ethnic heterogeneity, but we extend the research by studying the importance of the presence of specific European migrants in a country for trusting this population as a whole. Moreover, we consider the relation with the citizen’s country and characteristics of the trusted populations’ country. We use the European Election Studies, showing that diversity is important for explaining trust in other populations and trust in one’s own population — but opposite to what is expected by Putnam.
Who gets what, when, and how revisited: Voting and proposal powers in the allocation of the EU budget
Authors: Aksoy Deniz
Published: June 2010

What are the factors that help EU member states to secure favourable bargaining outcomes? Although existing research highlights the importance of the member states’ ‘political power’, scholars tend to equate this with their voting power. In this paper, I argue that proposal-making power associated with the EU presidency helps the member states to obtain preferable negotiation outcomes. Analysis of the cross-state allocation of the EU budget from 1977—2003 shows that holding the EU presidency during the time of allocation decisions brings financial benefits to individual member states.
Critical marketing studies: logical empiricism, ‘critical performativity’ and marketing practice
Authors: Tadajewski Mark
Published: June 2010

According to recent statements by prominent Critical Marketing scholars, there remains a problem of how to clarify this ambiguous label for interested colleagues. Beyond the usual gestures to paradigmatic pluralism, epistemological reflexivity and ontological denaturalization (Fournier and Grey, 2000; Tadajewski and Brownlie, 2008; Whittle and Spicer, 2008), I argue that Critical Marketing Studies possesses similar characteristics to the vein of thought promoted by the founding members of the Vienna Circle. Critical Marketing and logical empiricism, I suggest, are not the diametrical opposites that we might otherwise suppose. Subsequently I claim that Critical Marketing Studies needs to engage with marketing actors and this requires a different relationship between Critical scholars and practitioners than may have been the case previously. Finally, I provide an alternative way of thinking about theory production in marketing.
Relational, interactive service innovation: building branding competence
Authors: Vaux Halliday Sue , Trott Paul
Published: June 2010

In this paper we discuss how to develop service innovation through building branding competence. We demonstrate that using relationships in a process of sharing adds value to the service innovation process. We draw upon two distinct perspectives in the literature. We agree that value in new service development comes from incorporating the consumer. Yet we also deduce that it is the firm’s core competencies that provide optimal resources for innovation. We then conceptualize how these two perspectives on service innovation can be integrated around relationships incorporating the ‘customer resource’. This process is relational, interactive service innovation. The conceptual framework we have developed offers a different approach for companies to view the new service development process in general and the building of branding competence in particular. We suggest that organizations may be able to improve their new service development process by emphasizing the internal and external linkages within the management of innovation.
Conformity around dominant Marketing Cognitive Products: Networks, mediators and storytelling
Authors: Marion Gilles
Published: June 2010

The purpose of this article is to offer a set of propositions to explain why new paradigm announcements in the field of marketing ideas failed to trigger breaks with the dominant approaches. This field is considered a market where Marketing Cognitive Products (MCPs) are competing. Insofar as the quality of an MCP is neither perfectly observable nor fixed, we would argue that whether in the academic or practitioner segment of the cognitive market, its perceived quality is contingent upon processes of qualification. Three strong social processes increase the probability of conformity around dominant MCPs: the consequences of their market share; the network of interaction with mediators within a market segment; and the effects of MCPs’ story-telling power. In this stagnant situation, dominant MCPs gradually change and their domination is reinforced through the re-interpretation and co-optation of challengers. In the global cognitive market the dissemination of dominant MCPs is increasing the conformity of practitioners around these ideas, while the proliferation of MCPs is leading to customer confusion.
Conceptualizing the role of evaluation systems in markets: The case of dominant evaluators
Authors: Kwon Winston , Easton Geoff
Published: June 2010

Evaluation is usually an internalized process that is intrinsic to the activities of market actors. Producers evaluate what goods to produce, intermediaries such as distributors and retailers evaluate what goods to promote and stock, while consumers evaluate what goods to buy. In some cases, however, a secondary evaluation market controlled by an external evaluator can emerge as a de-facto gatekeeper exerting a powerful influence over the activities of market actors in the primary market. This article develops a conceptual model of external evaluation that describes: (i) the factors common to primary markets that are dominated by evaluation markets; (ii) the characteristics common to dominant evaluators and their evaluation markets; and (iii) the dynamic processes through which an evaluator can become entrenched in a position of dominance over other market actors. This conceptual model is illustrated through examples drawn from three dominant evaluators and the markets they dominate.
Extreme value methods for modelling historical series of large volcanic magnitudes
Authors: Furlan Claudia
Published: June 2010

Volcanic eruptions are among the most extreme events on earth and it seems natural to make use of the theory of extreme values to improve understanding of volcanic pocesses. The dataset we use is a catalogue of large eruptions over the last two millennia, in which the date of occurrence and magnitude are recorded. The dataset is affected by a recording bias, mostly for eruptions of lower magnitude, though this under-recording process largely disappears in the most recent 400 years. Coles and Sparks modelled these data, via maximum likelihood, using a Poisson process motivated by extreme value theory, with an intensity function that takes into account the recording bias. Nevertheless, the fitted model did not seem entirely consistent with the observed data, since this intensity function does not represent effectively the temporal evolution of the censoring effect in the recording process. The aim of the paper is to provide a more flexible model that might fit better the under-recording process, through an alternative intensity function based on a change-point model. Moreover, the Bayesian context we use allows us to refine some inferential aspects of the return period calculation to improve forecast accuracy.
Latent regression analysis
Authors: Tarpey Thaddeus , Petkova Eva
Published: June 2010

Finite mixture models have come to play a very prominent role in modelling data. The finite mixture model is predicated on the assumption that distinct latent groups exist in the population. The finite mixture model therefore is based on a categorical latent variable that distinguishes the different groups. Often in practice, distinct sub-populations do not actually exist. For example, disease severity (e.g., depression) may vary continuously and therefore, a distinction of diseased and non-diseased may not be based on the existence of distinct sub-populations. Thus, what is needed is a generalization of the finite mixture’s discrete latent predictor to a continuous latent predictor. We cast the finite mixture model as a regression model with a latent Bernoulli predictor. A latent regression model is proposed by replacing the discrete Bernoulli predictor by a continuous latent predictor with a beta distribution. Motivation for the latent regression model arises from applications where distinct latent classes do not exist, but instead individuals vary according to a continuous latent variable. The shapes of the beta density are very flexible and can approximate the discrete Bernoulli distribution. Examples and a simulation are provided to illustrate the latent regression model. In particular, the latent regression model is used to model placebo effect among drug-treated subjects in a depression study.
Smooth models of mortality with period shocks
Authors: Kirkby JG , Currie ID
Published: June 2010

We suppose that we have mortality data arranged in two tables: one of deaths and the other of exposures to the risk of death, each classified by age at death and year of death. It is natural to suppose that there is a smooth underlying force of mortality, the mortality surface, that varies with age and year (or period). However, observed mortality is subject to more than stochastic deviation from this smooth surface. For example, flu epidemics, hot summers or cold winters can disproportionately affect the mortality of certain age groups in particular years. We call such an effect a period shock. We describe the mortality surface with an additive model with two components: the underlying smooth surface is modelled with two-dimensional P-splines and the period shocks are modelled with one-dimensional P-splines in the age direction, one P-spline for each year. This large regression model is written as an additive generalized linear array model and this enables the computations to be performed efficiently. We illustrate our methods with Swedish mortality data taken from the Human Mortality Database.
Small area estimation under Fay–Herriot models with non-parametric estimation of heteroscedasticity
Authors: González-Manteiga W , Lombarda MJ , Molina I , Morales D , Santamaría L
Published: June 2010

Fay–Herriot models relate direct estimators of small area means to vectors of area-level auxiliary covariates. Estimation of error variances in these models is a problem because of the lack of data within areas. A non-parametric approach is proposed for estimating these variances. Estimators of the remaining model parameters are derived and their asymptotic properties are studied. Moreover, small area estimators that incorporate the estimated error variances are obtained and several simple estimators of the mean squared error of these estimators are proposed. Simulation experiments study the small sample performance of the new small area estimators and compare the different estimators of the mean squared errors. Finally, the results are applied to the estimation of unemployment proportions in Spanish domains.
Combination of Brain-Computer Interface Training and Goal-Directed Physical Therapy in Chronic Stroke: A Case Report
Authors: Broetz Doris , Braun Christoph , Weber Cornelia , Soekadar Surjo R. , Caria Andrea , Birbaumer Niels
Published: June 2010

Background. There is no accepted and efficient rehabilitation strategy to reduce focal impairments for patients with chronic stroke who lack residual movements. Methods . A 67-year-old hemiplegic patient with no active finger extension was trained with a brain—computer interface (BCI) combined with a specific daily life—oriented physiotherapy. The BCI used electrical brain activity (EEG) and magnetic brain activity (MEG) to drive an orthosis and a robot affixed to the patient’s affected upper extremity, which enabled him to move the paralyzed arm and hand driven by voluntary modulation of μ-rhythm activity. In addition, the patient practiced goal-directed physiotherapy training. Over 1 year, he completed 3 training blocks. Arm motor function, gait capacities (using Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Wolf Motor Function Test, Modified Ashworth Scale, 10-m walk speed, and goal attainment score), and brain reorganization (functional MRI, MEG) were repeatedly assessed. Results. The ability of hand and arm movements as well as speed and safety of gait improved significantly (mean 46.6%). Improvement of motor function was associated with increased μ-oscillations in the ipsilesional motor cortex. Conclusion. This proof-of-principle study suggests that the combination of BCI training with goal-directed, active physical therapy may improve the motor abilities of chronic stroke patients despite apparent initial paralysis.
Equality and access to general health care for people with learning disabilities: reality or rhetoric?
Authors: Brown Michael , MacArthur Juliet , McKechanie Andrew , Hayes Matthew , Fletcher Joan
Published: June 2010

This paper contributes to the growing debate relating to meeting the health needs of people with learning disabilities when accessing general health services. It is set within the context of a population that has historically experienced poor care and treatment. This is despite legislation to protect vulnerable groups and clear government policies setting out the need to support people with learning disabilities to lead full and equal lives, providing additional support when needed. The evidence surrounding the health needs of people with learning disabilities is presented, along with the resultant implications for health services. This is set alongside emerging evidence that seeks to address the shortfalls and failings that, in some cases, are known to have contributed to premature and often needless death. Particular focus is given to a study that has evaluated the impact of learning disability liaison nursing services that have been developed to support the care of people with a learning disability to access hospital services. This paper stresses the need to further develop and evolve the research evidence base on what works to improve the health of people with learning disabilities, enhance their experience of care and minimise the risk of harm.
The Meaningful Construction of Inequality and the Struggles Against It: A ‘Strong Program’ Approach to How Social Boundaries Change
Authors: Alexander Jeffrey C.
Published: June 2010

When it comes to issues of equality and redistribution, sociologists are particularly prone to think in anti-cultural terms. External, objective, and material forces are conceived as determining unequal distributions without reference to the wills of actors - via hegemony, domination, subordination. But if inequality is imposed by material and coercive force, then it can be remedied only by accumulating power and counter-force, and by exercising them in an instrumental and potentially coercive way.What is missing from this account is meaning, the recognition of its relative autonomy. The imposition of inequality, and struggles over justice, inclusion, and distribution, are mediated by cultural structures. Inequalities are nested inside the discourse of civil society, and so are demands for equality. Vis-à-vis the binary codes of civil society, protest movements pollute hegemonic forces and purify subordinate groups in its name.
Cultural Genealogy: Method for a Historical Sociology of Culture or Cultural Sociology of History
Authors: Mukerji Chandra
Published: June 2010

This article looks at the value of genealogical analysis for doing historical research in cultural sociology, using Nietzsche’s definition of genealogy.The point is to resuscitate a method that has often been rejected by sociologists, and demonstrate its value for analyzing forms of culture that have become tacit or unarticulated over time. To make the case for the method, the article follows a historical example: the use of indigenous hydraulics with Roman provenance on the Canal du Midi in 17th-century France. Women labourers brought hydraulics techniques derived from Roman principles to the canal, but their work was not considered classical. Ironically, the Canal du Midi was promoted in propaganda campaigns, defining France as the New Rome, but the peasant women who actually carried Roman culture in their eyes and hands were not socially elevated enough to be New Romans, so they were written out of this story.
Those Things That Hold Us Together: Taste and Sociology
Authors: Hennion Antoine
Published: June 2010

The idea of reflexivity has much to offer to the analysis of taste - but reflexivity in its ancient sense, a form neither active nor passive, pointing to an originary state where things, persons, and events have just arrived, with no action, subject or objects yet decided. Objects of taste are not present, inert, available and at our service.They give themselves up, they shy away, they impose themselves. ‘Amateurs’ do not believe things have taste. On the contrary, they make themselves detect them, through a continuous elaboration of procedures that put taste to the test. Understood as reflexive work performed on one’s own attachments, the amateur’s taste is no longer considered (as with so-called ‘critical’ sociology) an arbitrary election which has to be explained by hidden social causes. Rather, it is a collective technique, whose analysis helps us to understand the ways we make ourselves sensitized, to things, to ourselves, to situations and to moments, while simultaneously controlling how those feelings might be shared and discussed with others.
The “History of Emotions” and the Future of Emotion Research
Authors: Wierzbicka Anna
Published: June 2010

This article focuses on the emergence of a new subfield of emotion research known as “history of emotions.” People’s emotional lives depend on the construals which they impose on events, situations, and human actions. Different cultures and different languages suggest different habitual construals, and since habitual construals change over time, as a result, habitual feelings change, too. But to study construals we need a suitable methodology. The article assumes that such a methodology is provided by the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) and it applies the NSM approach to the history of “happiness,” an emotion which is very much at the forefront of current debates across a range of disciplines. The article shows how the “history of emotions” can be combined with cultural semantics and why this combination opens new perspectives before the whole interdisciplinary field of emotion research.
A qualitative exploration of a health trainer programme in two UK primary care trusts
Authors: Ball Linda , Nasr Nasrin
Published: June 2010

Aims: World Health Organization data illustrate a worldwide re-emergence of interest in the scope of lay health workers for extending services to ‘hard-to-reach’ community groups. In the UK, the health trainer model of service delivery represents one such innovative way of working, first described in the White Paper Choosing Health: Making Healthier Choices Easier and more recently in the Kings Fund report. The scheme was introduced into selected primary care settings in England from 2005 and rolled out nationally from 2007. The aim of this study was to examine the perceived value of the health trainer scheme.

Methods: This paper describes qualitative data from two studies undertaken in 2007—2009, comprising in-depth consultations with key primary care stakeholders, health trainers and their clients in two primary care trusts in northern and central England. Data was collected via 12 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and service users and from 8 focus groups with a total of 33 trainee and qualified health trainers.

Results: The UK health trainer approach was regarded as effective in contributing to the support of a broad spectrum of health and welfare issues across widely diverse communities in the two primary care trusts evaluated. Study data also indicated a wide-ranging impact of the health trainer service, extending not only to the lay health workers themselves, but also to their families, friends and colleagues.

Conclusions: The health trainer service appears to be not only ‘fit for purpose’, but also to bring with it certain ‘added value’, which was not predicted by the two primary care service providers at the outset. A critical factor in this success appears to be the unique combination of time, the ‘person next door’ and a ‘one-to-one’ approach, which facilitated an innovative and highly productive connection between the health trainer and client. However, participants in this evaluation perceived that the current format and constituents of service performance data were significantly failing to credit the health trainer scheme with the full extent of this impact.
P-glycoprotein inhibition using valspodar (PSC-833) does not improve outcomes for patients younger than age 60 years with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia: Cancer and Leukemia Group B study 19808
Authors: Kolitz Jonathan E. , George Stephen L. , Marcucci Guido , Vij Ravi , Powell Bayard L. , Allen Steven L. , DeAngelo Daniel J. , Shea Thomas C. , Stock Wendy , Baer Maria R. , Hars Vera , Maharry Kati , Hoke Eva , Vardiman James W. , Bloomfield Clara D. , Larson Richard A. ,   for the Cancer and Leukemia Group B
Published: June 2010

Cancer and Leukemia Group B 19808 (CALGB 19808) is the only randomized trial of a second-generation P-glycoprotein (Pgp) modulator in untreated patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) younger than age 60 years. We randomly assigned 302 patients to receive induction chemotherapy regimens consisting of cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C; A), daunorubicin (D), and etoposide (E), without (ADE) or with (ADEP) PSC-833 (P). The incidence of complete remission was 75% with both regimens. Reversible grade 3 and 4 liver and mucosal toxicities were significantly more common with ADEP. Therapy-related mortality was 7% and did not differ by induction arm. Excess cardiotoxicity was not seen with high doses of D in ADE. The median disease-free survival was 1.34 years in the ADE arm and 1.09 years in the ADEP arm (P = .74, log-rank test); the median overall survival was 1.86 years in the ADE arm and 1.69 years in the ADEP arm (P = .82). There was no evidence of a treatment difference within any identifiable patient subgroup. Inhibition of Pgp-mediated drug efflux by PSC-833 did not improve clinical outcomes in younger patients with untreated AML. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00006363.
Radioimmunodetection of amyloid deposits in patients with AL amyloidosis
Authors: Wall Jonathan S. , Kennel Stephen J. , Stuckey Alan C. , Long Misty J. , Townsend David W. , Smith Gary T. , Wells Karen J. , Fu Yitong , Stabin Michael G. , Weiss Deborah T. , Solomon Alan
Published: June 2010

Care of patients with AL amyloidosis currently is limited by the lack of objective means to document disease extent, as well as therapeutic options that expedite removal of pathologic deposits. To address these issues, we have initiated a Phase I Exploratory IND study to determine the biodistribution of the fibril-reactive, amyloidolytic murine IgG1 mAb 11-1F4 labeled with I-124. Patients were infused with less than 1 mg (∼ 74 MBq) of GMP-grade antibody and imaged by PET/CT scan 48 and 120 hours later. Among 9 of 18 subjects, there was striking uptake of the reagent in liver, lymph nodes, bone marrow, intestine, or, unexpectedly, spleen (but not kidneys or heart). Generally, positive or negative results correlated with those obtained immunohistochemically using diagnostic tissue biopsy specimens. Based on these findings, we posit that 124I-mAb m11-1F4 can be used to identify AL candidates for passive immunotherapy using the chimeric form of the antibody. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00807872.
Heme and non-heme iron transporters in non-polarized and polarized cells
Authors: Yanatori Izumi , Tabuchi Mitsuaki , Kawai Yasuhiro , Yasui Yumiko , Akagi Reiko , Kishi Fumio
Published: June 2010

Background

Heme and non-heme iron from diet, and recycled iron from hemoglobin are important products of the synthesis of iron-containing molecules. In excess, iron is potentially toxic because it can produce reactive oxygen species through the Fenton reaction. Humans can absorb, transport, store, and recycle iron without an excretory system to remove excess iron. Two candidate heme transporters and two iron transporters have been reported thus far. Heme incorporated into cells is degraded by heme oxygenases (HOs), and the iron product is reutilized by the body. To specify the processes of heme uptake and degradation, and the reutilization of iron, we determined the subcellular localizations of these transporters and HOs.

Results

In this study, we analyzed the subcellular localizations of 2 isoenzymes of HOs, 4 isoforms of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), and 2 candidate heme transporters--heme carrier protein 1 (HCP1) and heme responsive gene-1 (HRG-1)--in non-polarized and polarized cells. In non-polarized cells, HCP1, HRG-1, and DMT1A-I are located in the plasma membrane. In polarized cells, they show distinct localizations: HCP1 and DMT1A-I are located in the apical membrane, whereas HRG-1 is located in the basolateral membrane and lysosome. 16Leu at DMT1A-I N-terminal cytosolic domain was found to be crucial for plasma membrane localization. HOs are located in smooth endoplasmic reticulum and colocalize with NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase.

Conclusions

HCP1 and DMT1A-I are localized to the apical membrane, and HRG-1 to the basolateral membrane and lysosome. These findings suggest that HCP1 and DMT1A-I have functions in the uptake of dietary heme and non-heme iron. HRG-1 can transport endocytosed heme from the lysosome into the cytosol. These localization studies support a model in which cytosolic heme can be degraded by HOs, and the resulting iron is exported into tissue fluids via the iron transporter ferroportin 1, which is expressed in the basolateral membrane in enterocytes or in the plasma membrane in macrophages. The liberated iron is transported by transferrin and reutilized for hemoglobin synthesis in the erythroid system.
Identification of a novel anti-σE factor in Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: Hopman Carla Th P , Speijer Dave , van der Ende Arie , Pannekoek Yvonne
Published: June 2010

Background

Fine tuning expression of genes is a prerequisite for the strictly human pathogen Neisseria meningitidis to survive hostile growth conditions and establish disease. Many bacterial species respond to stress by using alternative σ factors which, in complex with RNA polymerase holoenzyme, recognize specific promoter determinants. σE, encoded by rpoE (NMB2144) in meningococci, is known to be essential in mounting responses to environmental challenges in many pathogens. Here we identified genes belonging to the σE regulon of meningococci.

Results

We show that meningococcal σE is part of the polycistronic operon NMB2140-NMB2145 and autoregulated. In addition we demonstrate that σE controls expression of methionine sulfoxide reductase (MsrA/MsrB). Moreover, we provide evidence that the activity of σE is under control of NMB2145, directly downstream of rpoE. The protein encoded by NMB2145 is structurally related to anti-sigma domain (ASD) proteins and characterized by a z inc containing a nti-σ factor (ZAS) motif, a hall mark of a specific class of Zn2+-binding ASD proteins acting as anti-σ factors. We demonstrate that Cys residues in ZAS, as well as the Cys residue on position 4, are essential for anti-σE activity of NMB2145, as found for a minority of members of the ZAS family that are predicted to act in the cytoplasm and responding to oxidative stimuli. However, exposure of cells to oxidative stimuli did not result in altered expression of σE.

Conclusions

Together, our results demonstrate that meningococci express a functional transcriptionally autoregulated σE factor, the activity of which is controlled by a novel meningococcal anti-σ factor belonging to the ZAS family.
Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components in relation to socioeconomic status among Jamaican young adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ferguson Trevor S , Tulloch-Reid Marshall K , Younger Novie OM , Knight-Madden Jennifer M , Samms-Vaughan Maureen , Ashley Deanna , Van den Broeck Jan , Wilks Rainford J
Published: June 2010

Background

The metabolic syndrome has a high prevalence in many countries and has been associated with socioeconomic status (SES). This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components among Jamaican young adults and evaluate its association with parental SES.

Methods

A subset of the participants from the 1986 Jamaica Birth Cohort was evaluated at ages 18-20 years between 2005 and 2007. Trained research nurses obtained blood pressure and anthropometric measurements and collected a venous blood sample for measurement of lipids and glucose. Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components were estimated using the 2009 Consensus Criteria from the International Diabetes Federation, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, American Heart Association, World Heart Federation, International Atherosclerosis Society, and International Association for the Study of Obesity. SES was assessed by questionnaire using occupation of household head, highest education of parent/guardian, and housing tenure of parent/guardian. Analysis yielded means and proportions for metabolic syndrome variables and covariates. Associations with levels of SES variables were obtained using analysis of variance. Multivariable analysis was conducted using logistic regression models.

Results

Data from 839 participants (378 males; 461 females) were analyzed. Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 1.2% (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.5%-1.9%). Prevalence was higher in females (1.7% vs. 0.5%). Prevalence of the components [male: female] were: central obesity, 16.0% [5.3:24.7]; elevated blood pressure, 6.7% [10.8:3.3]; elevated glucose, 1.2% [2.1:0.4]; low HDL, 46.8% [28.8:61.6]; high triglycerides, 0.6% [0.5:0.6]. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome for any of the SES measures used possibly due to lack of statistical power. Prevalence of central obesity was inversely associated with occupation (highly skilled 12.4%, skilled 13.5%, semi-skilled/unskilled 21.8%, p = 0.013) and education (tertiary 12.5%, secondary 14.1%, primary/all-age 28.4%, p = 0.002). In sex-specific multivariate logistic regression adjusted for hip circumference, central obesity remained associated with occupation and education for women only.

Conclusion

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is low, but central obesity and low HDL are present in 16% and 47% of Jamaican youth, respectively. Central obesity is inversely associated with occupation and education in females.
Biotinylated-sortase self-cleavage purification (BISOP) method for cell-free produced proteins
Authors: Matsunaga Satoko , Matsuoka Kazuhiro , Shimizu Kouhei , Endo Yaeta , Sawasaki Tatsuya
Published: June 2010

Background

Technology used for the purification of recombinant proteins is a key issue for the biochemical and structural analyses of proteins. In general, affinity tags, such as glutathione-S-transferase or six-histidines, are used to purify recombinant proteins. Since such affinity tags often interfere negatively with the structural and functional analyses of proteins, they are usually removed by treatment with proteases. Previously, Dr. H. Mao reported self-cleavage purification of a target protein by fusing the sortase protein to its N-terminal end, and subsequently obtained tag-free recombinant protein following expression in Escherichia coli. This method, however, is yet to be applied to the cell-free based protein production.

Results

The histidine tag-based self-cleavage method for purifying proteins produced by the wheat cell-free protein synthesis system showed high background, low recovery, and unexpected cleavage between the N-terminally fused sortase and target protein during the protein synthesis. Addition of calcium chelator BAPTA to the cell-free reaction inhibited the cleavage. In order to adapt the sortase-based purification method to the cell-free system, we next used biotin as the affinity tag. The biotinylated sortase self-cleavage purification (BISOP) method provided tag-free, highly purified proteins due to improved recovery of proteins from the resin. The N-terminal sequence analysis of the GFP produced by the BISOP method revealed that the cleavage indeed occurred at the right cleavage site. Using this method, we also successfully purified the E2 heterocomplex of USE2N and USE2v1. The c-terminal src kinase (CSK) obtained by the BISOP method showed high activity in phosphorylating the Src protein. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this method is suitable for automatically synthesizing and purifying proteins using robots.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that the newly developed BISOP method is very useful for obtaining high quality, tag-free recombinant proteins, produced using the cell-free system, for biochemical and structural analyses.
Burnout in health-care professionals during reorganizations and downsizing. A cohort study in nurses
Authors: Nordang Kirsten , Hall-Lord Marie-Louise , Farup Per G
Published: June 2010

Background

Burnout is a psychological reaction triggered by interaction between personal characteristics and stress factors. Reorganizations and downsizing with increased workload imply stress for health-care professionals. This is a study of burnout in nurses during a period with two comprehensive reorganizations.

Methods

In this quasi-experimental retrospective cohort study, burnout was assessed in nurses with long work experience in three surveys during a 30 months' period with two comprehensive reorganizations and downsizing of a hospital unit with mostly seriously ill patients with cancer. Burnout was measured with Bergen Burnout Indicator (BBI) at each survey, and "Sense of Coherence" (SOC) with Antonovsky's questionnaire at the last survey.

Results

One man and 45 women aged 30 to 65 years were invited to the surveys. There was a significant increase in burnout during the study period, the mean increase in BBI-score was 12.5 pr year (p < 0.001). The proportion of satisfied nurses at the first and last survey were 84% and 35% respectively, and the proportions with burnout were 0% and 29% respectively (p < 0.001). Except for auxiliary nurses with experience from the medical department, all subgroups experienced a significant increase in BBI. Burnout was associated with low SOC (p < 0.001, r square 0.33).

Conclusions

There was a significant development of burnout in a group of nurses during a period with two reorganizations and downsizing. Burnout was associated with low SOC. Working with seriously ill patients with cancer has probably made the nurses exceptionally vulnerable to the stress and workload related to the reorganizations.