bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual Deprivation Alters the Development of Cortical Multisensory Integration
Authors: Carriere Brian N. , Royal David W. , Perrault Thomas J. , Morrison Stephen P. , Vaughan J. William , Stein Barry E. , Wallace Mark T.
Published: August 2007

It has recently been demonstrated that the maturation of normal multisensory circuits in the cortex of the cat takes place over an extended period of postnatal life. Such a finding suggests that the sensory experiences received during this time may play an important role in this developmental process. To test the necessity of sensory experience for normal cortical multisensory development, cats were raised in the absence of visual experience from birth until adulthood, effectively precluding all visual and visual–nonvisual multisensory experiences. As adults, semichronic single-unit recording experiments targeting the anterior ectosylvian sulcus (AES), a well-defined multisensory cortical area in the cat, were initiated and continued at weekly intervals in anesthetized animals. Despite having very little impact on the overall sensory representations in AES, dark-rearing had a substantial impact on the integrative capabilities of multisensory AES neurons. A significant increase was seen in the proportion of multisensory neurons that were modulated by, rather than driven by, a second sensory modality. More important, perhaps, there was a dramatic shift in the percentage of these modulated neurons in which the pairing of weakly effective and spatially and temporally coincident stimuli resulted in response depressions. In normally reared animals such combinations typically give rise to robust response enhancements. These results illustrate the important role sensory experience plays in shaping the development of mature multisensory cortical circuits and suggest that dark-rearing shifts the relative balance of excitation and inhibition in these circuits.
Enhanced Survival and Cure of F98 Glioma–Bearing Rats following Intracerebral Delivery of Carboplatin in Combination with Photon Irradiation
Authors: Rousseau Julia , Boudou Caroline , Barth Rolf F. , Balosso Jacques , Estève François , Elleaume Hélène
Published: August 2007

Purpose: The goal of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of intracerebral (i.c.) administration of carboplatin by means of convection-enhanced delivery (CED) in combination with fractionated, external beam photon irradiation for the treatment of F98 glioma–bearing rats.

Experimental Design: Carboplatin (20 μg/20 μL) was administrated i.c. by CED to F98 glioma–bearing rats, 13 days after stereotactic implantation of 103 tumor cells. One day following initiation of CED, a 24-Gy X-ray dose was administered in three daily fractions of 8 Gy each. Photon irradiation was carried out using either a conventional (6 MV) linear accelerator or a monochromatic synchrotron source (80 keV) at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The primary end point of this study was overall survival.

Results: The median survival times were 79 and 60 days and the corresponding percent increase in life spans were 182% and 114%, respectively, for the combination of carboplatin chemotherapy and irradiation with either 6-MV or 80-keV photons. A subset of long-term survivors (>200 days) were observed in both chemoradiotherapy groups: 16.6% and 8.3% for 6 MV and 80 keV, respectively. In contrast, the median survival times for 6-MV or 80-keV irradiated controls, chemotherapy alone, and untreated controls were 42, 51, 45, and 28 days, respectively.

Conclusions: Our results convincingly show the therapeutic efficacy of i.c. administration of carboplatin by means of CED in combination with either 6-MV or 80-keV photons. Further studies are warranted to optimize this combination of chemoradiotherapy for malignant gliomas.
Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in the Management of Occult Choroidal Neovascularization Associated with Serous Pigment Epithelium Detachment
Authors: Ladas Ioannis D. , Kotsolis Athanasios I. , Rouvas Alexandros A. , Brouzas Dimitrios , Moschos Marilita M.
Published: August 2007

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of subfoveal occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with serous pigment epithelium detachment (PED) in eyes with age-related macular degeneration. Methods: Hundred and fifty-three patients (161 eyes) with subfoveal occult CNV due to age-related macular degeneration, were divided into two groups. The first group (70 patients, 75 eyes) included eyes with occult CNV associated with serous PED of at least 1 disc diameter in size and the second (83 patients, 86 eyes) eyes with late leakage of undetermined source. All the patients were treated with PDT. The follow-up time ranged from 12 to 48 months. Results: At the last examination, in the first group, the visual acuity (VA) improved or remained stable in 17 (22.7%) and decreased in 58 (77.3%). In the second group, the VA improved or remained stable in 37 (43%) and decreased in 49 (57%). The difference in the change (decrease) in the VA between the two groups was statistically very significant (p = 0.0075). Retinal pigment epithelium tear occurred in 15 eyes (20%) of the first group. Conclusion: Our study showed that the visual prognosis of eyes treated with PDT due to subfoveal occult CNV associated with serous PED is not favorable. We believe that the distinction between the two forms of occult CNV is essential, as they carry a different prognosis.
Medical Costs of Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension in Italian Referral Centres: A Prospective Study
Authors: Koleva Daniela , Motterlini Nicola , Schiavone Mauro , Garattini Livio
Published: August 2007

Aim: This study analyzes the resource utilization and costs of ocular hypertension and glaucoma (staged by severity) in Italian ophthalmology departments. Methods: The project was a multi-centre observational study conducted in 17 Italian ophthalmology departments throughout the country. A total of 659 patients were recruited and followed prospectively for 1 year. For the purpose of analysis, the patients were divided into 3 groups according to the severity at onset: ocular hypertension, glaucoma and advanced glaucoma. Results:The subgroups differed significantly in the main demographic and clinical variables. As expected, greater severity was associated with older mean age and worse visual acuity, and with higher resource consumption and costs. The annual average cost per patient was EUR 788.7 and rose significantly with disease severity (EUR 572.0 for ocular hypertension, EUR 734.3 for glaucoma and EUR 1,054.9 for advanced glaucoma). Drugs and specialist consultations were by far the largest cost components. Conclusions: This study offers some information on the medical costs of glaucoma in Italy potentially useful for decision-making in the health care services. Health care resources and costs increased with disease severity.
Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Orbit
Authors: Polito Ennio , Pichierri Patrizia , Loffredo Antonio , Moramarco Antonio , Occhini Rossella
Published: August 2007

The authors describe an unusual case of orbital inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) in a 17-year-old patient who presented with a painful exophthalmos of the left eye. After complete surgical excision, the mass was diagnosed as an IMT based on morphological and immunohistochemical features. No tumor recurrence was evident during 28-month follow-up. The authors discuss histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics and review the literature of orbital IMT.
‘Mini-Gauge’ Pars Plana Vitrectomy: ‘Inside-Out View’ with the GRIN Solid Rod Endoscope
Authors: Koch Frank H.J. , Luloh K. Peter , Singh Pankaj , Scholtz Stephan , Koss Michael
Published: August 2007

Purpose: To stimulate the discussion about ‘mini-gauge’ pars plana vitrectomy. Methods: Gradient index high-resolution endoscopy to analyze the 23- or 25-gauge access into the vitreous cavity. A total number of 66 pars plana interventions (almost 200 cannulas) were performed and recorded with the gradient index solid rod endoscope as well as through the microscope. Results: Five main ‘inside-out’ observations were made through the endoscope. Some very slight rotating movement of the trocar was required to achieve a safe cannula implantation. Rotating the cannula too much could result in some unwanted side effects. The major amount of vitreous incarceration occurs during the implantation of cannulas. Incarcerated vitreous causes significant anterior-posterior vitreous traction. Intraocular cleaning of the port with the suction cutter releases the anterior-posterior traction without increasing the postoperative rate and degree of hypotony. Side effects like bleeding of the wound are likely to occur due to any sort of manipulation to the outside of the sclerotomy (i.e. cotton tips) other than the essential replacement of the conjunctiva. Discussion: Surgeons who are considering the conversion to mini-gauge pars plana vitrectomy systems may be aided by endoscopic observations.
Changes in the Immune System after Moderate Beer Consumption
Authors: Romeo Javier , Wärnberg Julia , Nova Esther , Díaz Ligia E. , González-Gross Marcela , Marcos Ascensión
Published: August 2007

Background/Aim: Epidemiological studies have suggested that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with lower morbidity. However, intervention studies are needed to elucidate mechanisms involved. This study was aimed to determine the effects of moderate beer consumption on the immune function of healthy adults, taking into account gender differences. Methods: After a 30-day alcohol abstinence period, 57 healthy volunteers consumed a moderate intake of beer (330 ml for women and 660 ml for men) for 30 days. Total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts; absolute values of T-lymphocyte CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ subsets; delayed-hypersensitivity skin response (DHSR); absolute values of B lymphocytes (CD19+) and serum immunoglobulin concentrations (IgG, IgA, and IgM); and cytokine production (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) were evaluated following the abstinence and alcohol consumption periods. Results: After moderate beer consumption CD3+ cells increased only in women (p < 0.05). IgG, IgM, and IgA concentrations, as well as IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ cytokine production increased while IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio decreased in both men and women (p < 0.05). The rest of the immunological parameters analyzed remained unchanged. Conclusion: Moderate beer consumption produced an immunomodulatory effect in a healthy adult Spanish population; this effect appears to be more relevant in women than in men.
Modification of Iron Status in Young Overweight/Mildly Obese Women by Two Dietary Interventions Designed to Achieve Weight Loss
Authors: Rodríguez-Rodríguez E. , López-Sobaler A.M. , Andrés P. , Aparicio A. , Navia B. , Ortega R.M.
Published: August 2007

Aims: To determine the modification of iron status in a group of overweight/mildly obese women following two different weight control programs. Methods: The study subjects were 57 women who were assigned to one of two slightly hypocaloric diets: V (increased consumption of vegetables), or C (increased consumption of cereals, especially breakfast cereals). All data were determined at the start of the study and at 2 and 6 weeks into the dietary intervention period. Results: Both diets led to a reduction in body weight and heme iron intake, and an increase in the intake of total and non-heme iron, at 2 and 6 weeks. At 6 weeks, a reduction in transferrin levels was seen in C subjects. Subjects with the worst initial iron status (hemoglobin <P25: 12.6 g/l) following C diet showed an increase of mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration at 2 and 6 weeks and improved hemoglobin levels at 6. Also at 6 weeks, the C subjects had more erythrocytes than similar V subjects (only considering women with hemoglobin <P25: 12.6 g/l). Conclusions: A well-designed hypocaloric diet need not entail a risk of iron deficiency. Breakfast cereals are an important source of non-heme iron and could help to improve iron status, especially in women with poor initial iron levels.
In vivo Visualization of Early Microcirculatory Changes following Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Human Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Schmitz V. , Schaser K.-D. , Olschewski P. , Neuhaus P. , Puhl G.
Published: August 2007

To determine whether microcirculatory changes following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) may serve as predictors for subsequent graft dysfunction, we used noninvasive orthogonal polarization spectral (OPS) imaging to directly visualize and quantify cortical kidney microcirculation. In a total of 13 combined kidney/pancreas recipients, following reperfusion (5/30 min) microcirculatory parameters such as capillary diameter, functional capillary density (FCD) and red-blood-cell velocity (VRBC) of the renal graft were analyzed. From these parameters, a heterogeneity index (HI) and volumetric capillary blood flow (vCBF) were calculated. In addition, the extent of graft injury was determined by daily analysis of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, C-reactive protein and systemic leukocyte count for 7 days post-transplant. At early reperfusion, a heterogeneous perfusion pattern with oscillating flow and scattered microvascular thrombosis of peritubular capillaries, resembling a ‘no reflow’, was observed. FCD was constant throughout the entire reperfusion period, whereas HI, capillary diameters, VRBC and vCBF increased. The latter showed a significant positive correlation with creatinine changes between days 1 and 3. So far our finding of a positive correlation of early microvascular changes (vCBF) and clinical parameters (creatinine) indicate a possible therapeutic implication of OPS imaging to predict early I/R-induced renal graft dysfunction.
Lack of Association of –55CT Polymorphism of UCP3 Gene with Fat Distribution in Obese Patients
Authors: de Luis D.A. , Aller R. , Izaola O. , González Sagrado M. , Conde R. , Pérez Castrillón J.L.
Published: August 2007

Background and Aims: Some studies have pointed to a role of UCP3 in the regulation of whole-body energy homeostasis and regulation of fat distribution. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of –55CT polymorphism of UCP3 gene on fat distribution and classical cardiovascular risk factors in obese patients. Design: A population of 225 obese patients was analyzed in a prospective way. A nutritional evaluation was performed. Dietary intake and exercise were recorded. The genotype of UCP3 gene –55CT was studied. Results: 225 patients gave informed consent and were enrolled. 178 (53 males/125 females) (79.1%) had genotype 55CC (wild group) and 47 patients (14 males/33 females) (20.9%) 55CT (mutant group). In the mutant group, resting metabolic rate was higher than in the wild group. However, resting metabolic rate corrected by fat-free mass was similar. No differences were detected in fat mass or other anthropometric parameters. C-reactive protein was higher in the mutant group than in the wild group (5.1 ± 5.7 vs. 6.9 ± 6.8 mg/dl; p < 0.05). Conclusion: In the mutant group of –55CC UCP3 gene patients, C-reactive protein was higher than in the wild-type patients. However, no differences in anthropometric parameters were detected in either group.
Cancer‘Chemotherapia Specifica’ Ninety Years after Paul Ehrlich
Authors: Shukla Shyama K. , Petrucci Francesco , Caimi Stefano , Alimonti Alessandro , Cusumano Roberto
Published: August 2007

From his student days throughout his whole life, Paul Ehrlich tried hard to obtain ‘chemotherapia specifica’ for the harmless systemic therapy of infectious diseases. Given the poor therapeutic benefit obtained with cytotoxic therapeutic agents and empirical radiopharmaceuticals, so far used only for neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatments of cancer, we have tried to develop Paul Ehrlich’s ‘chemotherapia specifica’ for safe and effective therapy of cancers in cigarette smokers. With the help of sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, we have tried to find the metabolic action of cigarette smoke constituents in the cancerous organ. On the basis of these results we are synthesizing pharmaceuticals and radiopharmaceuticals to purge the tobacco-constituent metabolic products that cause cancer. The purity, stability and chemical nature of the pharmaceuticals and radiopharmaceuticals required for therapy have been studied by chromatography and electrophoresis. The cancer specificity of the therapeutic agent has been examined by the total body distribution of its γ- and β-labelled species in solution. At present, a bladder cancer-specific therapeutic agent is being developed.
Bariatric Surgery in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Morbidly Obese Patients
Authors: Fritscher Leandro G. , Canani Simone , Mottin Cláudio C. , Fritscher Carlos C. , Berleze Diovane , Chapman Kenneth , Chatkin José M.
Published: August 2007

Background: Weight loss has been shown effective in the treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. Regrettably, many obese patients are unable to achieve sustained and useful weight loss by dietary means. Recently, bariatric surgery has emerged as an alternative to treat obesity and many of its comorbidities, although its role for sleep apnea treatment is still not defined. Objectives: To evaluate the impact of bariatric surgery on obstructive sleep apnea in morbidly obese patients. Methods: In this cohort study, polysomnography, Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaire and clinical assessment were performed in 12 of 13 morbidly obese patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea treated with bariatric surgery through Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure after a minimum of 18 months post surgery. Results: The mean (±SD) loss of excess body weight was 70.5 ± 24%. The mean level obtained in the Epworth Scale was 4.8. There was a significant reduction in the apnea-hypopnea index, from a median of 46.5 (range: 33–140) to 16 (range: 0.9–87) events per hour (p < 0.05), an improvement in mean oxygen saturation from 85.7 ± 5.1 to 94.5 ± 3.6% (p < 0.05) and in minimum oxygen saturation from 64.7 ± 13.4 to 78.7 ± 13.7% (p < 0.05). The magnitude of the weight loss and the improvements in mean and minimum oxygen saturation were positively correlated, (r = 0.76; p ≤ 0.05, and r = 0.59; p ≤ 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: Weight loss achieved by bariatric surgery is associated with significant long-term improvements in obstructive respiratory event, oxygenation and resolution of daytime somnolence.
Securitization of Greek Terrorism and Arrest of the `Revolutionary Organization November 17'
Authors: Karyotis Georgios
Published: August 2007

After 27 years of stalemate and inability to make any progress in dealing with domestic terrorism, in 2002 the Greek police finally arrested members of the `Revolutionary Organization November 17', the most lethal terrorist group ever to operate in Greece. The arrest of the terrorists raised several questions that have not yet been satisfactorily answered. Why did Greece take so long before a decisive strike against domestic, left-wing terrorism was recorded? What were the factors that led to the arrest of the terrorists? In answering these questions it is necessary to analyse not just the operational changes in the Greek counter-terrorist strategy that began to materialize at the turn of the millennium, but also the deep-rooted conceptual changes that led to the inclusion of terrorism in the Greek security agenda for the first time. I utilize and extend the theory of `securitization' as developed by the Copenhagen school, and argue that the state's failure to curtail terrorist activity in Greece resulted from the erroneous belief that terrorism was not a direct threat to Greek security. In turn, the belated securitization of terrorism was the key to the arrest of the terrorists that held Greece hostage for almost three decades.
Corporate Security Responsibility
Authors: Wolf Klaus Dieter , Deitelhoff Nicole , Engert Stefan
Published: August 2007

The political debate about the role of business in armed conflicts has increasingly raised expectations as to governance contributions by private corporations in the fields of conflict prevention, peace-keeping and post-conflict peace-building. This political agenda seems far ahead of the research agenda, in which the negative image of business in conflicts, seen as fuelling, prolonging and taking commercial advantage of violent conflicts, still prevails. So far the scientific community has been reluctant to extend the scope of research on `corporate social responsibility' to the area of security in general and to intra-state armed conflicts in particular. As a consequence, there is no basis from which systematic knowledge can be generated about the conditions and the extent to which private corporations can fulfil the role expected of them in the political discourse. The research on positive contributions of private corporations to security amounts to unconnected in-depth case studies of specific corporations in specific conflict settings. Given this state of research, we develop a framework for a comparative research agenda to address the question: Under which circumstances and to what extent can private corporations be expected to contribute to public security?
Trust in International Environmental Cooperation in Northwestern Russia
Authors: Tennberg Monica
Published: August 2007

In this article, I discuss trust and its manifestations in international environmental cooperation. A lack of trust in the capacity of states and other actors to tackle environmental issues leads to international environmental insecurity. Awareness of such incapacities is widespread and is increasing in `modern risk societies'. Trust is often understood as the rational and intentional efforts of parties to treat one another as trustworthy counterparts and to ignore discretion, but it is also habitual. Trust is based on the socialization of agents into certain practices. The importance of trust and its different dimensions emerged as the central theme in a study of international environmental cooperation in northwestern Russia. Russian and Nordic participants were interviewed in the winter 2003—2004 and spring 2006 with the aim of gathering their views and experiences on cooperation. The interviewees were mainly representatives of regional and national administrations and non-governmental organizations. In addition, in the autumn of 2004 and again in the autumn of 2006, a questionnaire was sent to project managers working in northwestern Russia. The article highlights the importance of the institutional dimension of trust in terms of trust in abstract expertise and monetary systems as well as trust in the representatives of such systems. Both trust and the lack of trust remain important issues, especially in regard to the Russian capacity to develop domestic environmental policies and to improve the status of Russia in international environmental cooperation.
Balthasar from a Parish Perspective
Authors: Barnett John
Published: August 2007

Balthasar's trilogy, The Glory of the Lord , Theo-Drama and Theo-Logic , challenges pastors to recognize and discuss everyday beauty, to let Jesus's beauty shine out, to be generous and imaginative about the vocations and beliefs of other Christians, and to be optimistic about harmony between individuals and church structures.
Outer Space and Internal Nature: Towards a Sociology of the Universe
Authors: Dickens Peter , Ormrod James S.
Published: August 2007

This article represents one step towards developing a sociology of humanity's relationship with the cosmos. It adapts a central question of sociological concern — how humanity transforms itself as it interacts with nature — to ask questions about how human subjectivities are affected by the increasing `humanization' of the universe and by developments in contemporary cosmology. The argument presented is that some (wealthy) sectors of society are increasingly relating to the universe in a narcissistic fashion, the roots of which can be found in the Renaissance `universal man'. At the same time, marginalized and less powerful people continue to experience the universe as a subject dominating their Earthly lives, a relationship heightened by the use of the universe in military and surveillance operations as well as abstract cosmologies. Problems with both these relationships with the universe are highlighted.
Interpreting `Resistance' Sociologically
Authors: Lapping Claudia
Published: August 2007

This article explores the contextual, methodological and theoretical implications of using psychoanalytic concepts within sociological analysis. Through the interpretation of an interaction between myself and a research participant as an instance of `resistance', I argue that it is possible to recontextualize psychoanalytic concepts, but that this recontextualization involves an inevitable transformation in meaning. In addition, I suggest that an analysis incorporating psychoanalytically derived interpretations, combined with more traditional approaches to discursive social analysis, can enhance our understanding of social phenomena.
European Identities: From Absent-Minded Citizens to Passionate Europeans
Authors: Grundy Sue , Jamieson Lynn
Published: August 2007

Conflicting prognoses for European identity are addressed using data from residents of Edinburgh, Scotland, on the everyday significance of being European; a theoretically informed focus on people in one city. A representative sample of established residents aged 18—24 years are compared with a sample of resident peers engaged in Europe-oriented work or study. Survey data provide an overview of their different understandings of Europe and patterns of identification with Europe, Britain, Scotland and Edinburgh. Using qualitative interviews, rationales for self-engagement with or disengagement from Europe are further interrogated and located in orientations to place of residence, nationality and citizenship.These data provide some further insight into the process by which some come to present themselves as passionate utopian Europeans, while for many being European remains emotionally insignificant and devoid of imagined community or steps towards global citizenship.
`Hidden Ethnography': Crossing Emotional Borders in Qualitative Accounts of Young People's Lives
Authors: Blackman Shane J.
Published: August 2007

In sociology, the movement towards acceptance of emotion within research has been a slow process. Often referred to as the `reflexive' turn (Bourdieu and Wacquant, 1992), this development has enabled qualitative research to put forward more realistic fieldwork accounts. Drawing upon ethnographic studies on young people, this article explores the idea of a `hidden ethnography', that is, empirical data not previously published because it may be considered too controversial.The article examines how explanations of research methods in sociology are reluctant to explore the legitimacy of emotional relations developed between the researcher and the researched, and seeks to add to the literature on emotion as a male researcher studying female participants. I argue that qualitative work in sociology needs to consider the existence of the `hidden ethnography' in order to advance understanding of how studies are carried out and theory constructed.
Internet and self-regulation in China: the cultural logic of controlled commodification
Authors: Weber Ian , Jia Lu
Published: August 2007

This article examines the implementation of self-regulation in China’s internet sector through the forging of subtler control relationships between media corporations and the state. It uses three case studies of domestic and global media joint venture operations in the converging areas of online and mobile gaming to show how media commercialization is balanced by control modalities to reaffirm the government as a central agency in the gradual transition to a socialist-market economy. Within these processes of controlled commodification, the government uses trust-building to establish cultural leadership as a way of protecting political and social cohesion while benefiting from global economic integration. The study reveals the cultural logic, or hegemonic norm, that underpins the new bottom-up business model for media management in China. Underscoring these processes, however, is a quasi- Sartrean irony of ‘winner loses’ logic, whereby increased transparency or access to information is limited to entertainment and not a substantially greater say for citizens in the formulation of China’s future.
Promoting children's positive intergroup attitudes towards stigmatized groups: Extended contact and multiple classification skills training
Authors: Cameron Lindsey , Rutland Adam , Brown Rupert
Published: August 2007

Two studies were conducted to evaluate interventions, based upon the extended contact hypothesis and multiple classification skills training, which aimed to promote children's positive intergroup attitudes towards two stigmatized groups. Study 1 tested whether extended contact and multiple classification skills training changed out-group attitudes towards the disabled among 6—9 year-old children. Out-group attitudes were significantly more positive only in the extended contact condition compared to the control. Study 2 involved four conditions: control, extended contact, modified multiple classification skills training and a combination of both interventions. Again, only the 6—11 year-old children who experienced the extended contact interventions (extended contact and combined) showed significantly more positive attitudes towards the refugee out-group compared to the control. The implications of these findings for the development of prejudice-reduction strategies in children will be discussed.
Tolerance of Muslim beliefs and practices: Age related differences and context effects
Authors: Verkuyten Maykel , Slooter Luuk
Published: August 2007

Tolerant judgments of Muslims' political rights and dissenting beliefs and practices by ethnic Dutch adolescents (12—18 years) were examined. Participants ( N = 632) made judgments of different types of behaviors and different contexts in an experimental questionnaire study. As in other studies, tolerance was found to not be a global construct. Adolescents took into account various aspects of what they were asked to tolerate and the sense in which they should be tolerant. The type of actor, the nature of the social implication of the behavior, the underlying belief type, and the dimension of tolerance, all made a difference to the tolerant judgments. Additionally, the findings strongly suggest that tolerance judgments do not develop through an age-related stage-like sequence where an intolerant attitude is followed by tolerance. For females, there were no age differences, and older males were less tolerant than younger males. There were also gender differences with males being less tolerant for some types of behavior and females being less tolerant for behaviors that negatively affected Muslim females. Level of education had a positive effect on tolerance. The findings are discussed with reference to social-cognitive domain theory.
Emotional Management and Stress: Managing Ambiguities
Authors: Styhre Alexander , Ingelgdrd Anders , Beausang Peder , Castenfors Mattias , Mulec Kina , Roth Jonas
Published: August 2007

Emotions and stress are inextricably entangled: being stressed has bodily as well as emotional implications for human beings. The widespread distinction between mind and body in organization theory, following the Cartesian doctrine, blocks an adequate theoretization of stress. In general, there is a preference in organization theory for linguistic, literary, and semiotic interpretations of organizational practices. Consequently, notions such as culture and discourse have been largely favoured. The limitations of this tradition in Western thinking, Cartesian over Spinozist philosophy, are that mind is favoured over body, thinking over emotions, mind over matter. This paper presents a study of the experience of stress in a pharmaceutical company. It suggests that stress is to be conceived of as a bodily phenomenon while incorporating the emotional qualities of human beings. As an outcome of a set of ambiguities, stress is produced in a social setting, but it has immediate bodily effects on employees.
Estimates of the number of older people with a visual impairment in the UK
Authors: Charles Nigel
Published: August 2007

One of the key challenges to policy-makers and service providers charged with tackling social exclusion is knowing who and how many people their policies should be addressing. What is required are reliable estimates of the target population. This article considers two key studies that have made it possible to produce estimates of the size of the older visually impaired population in the UK. It concludes that there are between about 1.6m and 2.2m people aged 65 years and over in the UK with visual acuity ranging from mild to serious levels of visual impairment. About half of visually impaired older people fall into the category of mild vision impairment (6/12 — 6/18). The other half has a moderate to severe visual impairment (VA < 6/18). Women aged 65 years and over with moderate or severe visual impairment outnumber visually impaired men by nearly three to one. Of those aged 75 years and over with moderate to severe visual impairment, about half of them have cataracts or refractive error, many of whom could have treatment or intervention which would considerably improve their vision. There are also an estimated 300,000 people aged 75 years and over in the UK with registerable eye conditions.
The effect of self-talk on the penalty execution in goalball
Authors: Stamou Eirini , Theodorakis Yiannis , Kokaridas Dimitrios , Perkos Stefanos , Kessanopoulou Melpomeni
Published: August 2007

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness and preference of the two different types of self-talk (instructional and motivational) on penalty execution skill in goalball and gain insight on the athletes' perceptions concerning self-talk use and its influence on their performance. The sample consisted of six female athletes, aged 26—40 years old (mean = 33 years), all members of the national goalball team representing Greece in the Paralympic Games in Athens 2004. In each experimental procedure, five athletes were the subjects of an instructional and a motivational self-talk test while executing 20 penalties, with a rest period following the first 10 penalties. One athlete was stable defending the other athletes' shooting and she was not involved in any test during each experimental procedure. Although non-parametric statistics indicated no difference on performance, the results revealed a percentage difference on performance ranging from 1.5 per cent to 26.1 per cent for each athlete in favour of instructional self-talk in all three experimental procedures. Finally, participants showed preference toward the use of instructional self-talk to improve their penalty execution skill.
Knowledge Appreciation
Authors: Sippings Gwenda
Published: August 2007

Discusses the concept of Knowledge Appreciation from three aspects, which are underpinned by critical information management and personal performance skills. Looks first at the need to appreciate knowledge as assets held within the organization, generally in systems and through products and services which are created and maintained using information management techniques. Secondly, considers the importance of appreciating the people within an organization in whom the knowledge resides. Thirdly, suggests ways in which the value of knowledge can be appreciated for improved performance.
Visions of success
Authors: Lovell Mary
Published: August 2007

Describes how applying all the principles of a new foundation is driving the growth of the company formation and information business 7Side. Explains how a dramatic culture change has created a vibrant and fun working environment and improved staff retention. Suggests that all staff buy into the company's values and vision and that this has evinced better service delivery to its customers and created new revenue streams. Gives a view of a company that transformed from a `family run' firm to a progressive, successful organization punching above its weight in the marketplace. Describes how the vision, mission culture, values and infrastructure were designed and applied.
Cooperative Observation of Multiple Moving Targets: an algorithm and its formalization
Authors: Kolling Andreas , Carpin Stefano
Published: August 2007

This paper presents a distributed control algorithm for multi-target surveillance by multiple robots. Robots equipped with sensors and communication devices discover and track as many evasive targets as possible in an open region. The algorithm utilizes information from sensors, communication, and a mechanism to predict the minimum time before a robot loses a target. Workload is shared locally between robots using a greedy assignment of targets. Across long distances robots cooperate through explicit communication. The approach is coined Behavioral Cooperative Multi-robot Observation of Multiple Moving Targets. A formal representation of the proposed algorithm as well as proofs of performance guarantee are provided. Extensive simulations confirm the theoretical results in practice.
Simultaneous Localization, Mapping and Moving Object Tracking
Authors: Wang Chieh-Chih , Thorpe Charles , Thrun Sebastian , Hebert Martial , Durrant-Whyte Hugh
Published: August 2007

Simultaneous localization, mapping and moving object tracking (SLAMMOT) involves both simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) in dynamic environments and detecting and tracking these dynamic objects. In this paper, a mathematical framework is established to integrate SLAM and moving object tracking. Two solutions are described: SLAM with generalized objects, and SLAM with detection and tracking of moving objects (DATMO). SLAM with generalized objects calculates a joint posterior over all generalized objects and the robot. Such an approach is similar to existing SLAM algorithms, but with additional structure to allow for motion modeling of generalized objects. Unfortunately, it is computationally demanding and generally infeasible. SLAM with DATMO decomposes the estimation problem into two separate estimators. By maintaining separate posteriors for stationary objects and moving objects, the resulting estimation problems are much lower dimensional than SLAM with generalized objects. Both SLAM and moving object tracking from a moving vehicle in crowded urban areas are daunting tasks. Based on the SLAM with DATMO framework, practical algorithms are proposed which deal with issues of perception modeling, data association, and moving object detection. The implementation of SLAM with DATMO was demonstrated using data collected from the CMU Navlab11 vehicle at high speeds in crowded urban environments. Ample experimental results shows the feasibility of the proposed theory and algorithms.
Randomized Algorithms for Minimum Distance Localization
Authors: Rao Malvika , Dudek Gregory , Whitesides Sue
Published: August 2007

The problem of minimum distance localization in environments that may contain self-similarities is addressed. A mobile robot is placed at an unknown location inside a 2 D self-similar polygonal environment P. The robot has a map of P and can compute visibility data through sensing. However, the self-similarities in the environment mean that the same visibility data may correspond to several different locations. The goal, therefore, is to determine the robot's true initial location while minimizing the distance traveled by the robot. Two randomized approximation algorithms are presented that solve minimum distance localization. The performance of the proposed algorithms is evaluated empirically.
Applying flow resistance equations to overland flows
Authors: Smith Mark W. , Cox Nicholas J. , Bracken Louise J.
Published: August 2007

Resistance to flow determines routing velocities and must be adequately represented both within stream channels and over hillslopes when making predictions of streamflow and soil erosion. The limiting assumptions inherent in flow resistance equations can be relaxed if the spatial and temporal scale over which they are applied is restricted. This requires a substantial methodological advance in the study of overland flows over natural surfaces. It is suggested that terrestrial laser scanning will allow a greater understanding of overland flow hydraulics and present opportunities to investigate resistance to flow over complex morphologies. The Darcy-Weisbach, Chézy and Manning equations are the most widely used empirical equations for the calculation of flow velocity in runoff and erosion models. These equations rest on analyses originally developed for one-dimensional pipe flows and assume conditions which are not met by overland flows. The following assumptions are brought into question: flow can be described as uniform; flow is parallel to the surface; flow is of a constant width and the boundary to the flow is longitudinally uniform; grain roughness is homogeneous over the wetted perimeter and can be considered as random; form roughness and other sources of flow resistance can be ignored; resistance is independent of flow depth; and resistance can be modelled as a function of the Reynolds number. A greater appreciation of the processes contributing to resistance to overland flows must be developed. This paper also presents a brief history of the development of flow resistance equations.
Progress in the use of remote sensing for coral reef biodiversity studies
Authors: Knudby Anders , LeDrew Ellsworth , Newman Candace
Published: August 2007

Coral reefs are hotspots of marine biodiversity, and their global decline is a threat to our natural heritage. Conservation management of these precious ecosystems relies on accurate and up-to-date information about ecosystem health and the distribution of species and habitats, but such information can be costly to gather and interpret in the field. Remote sensing has proven capable of collecting information on geomorphologic zones and substrate types for coral reef environments, and is cost-effective when information is needed for large areas. Remote sensing-based mapping of coral habitat variables known to influence biodiversity has only recently been undertaken and new sensors and improved data processing show great potential in this area. This paper reviews coral reef biodiversity, the influence of habitat variables on its local spatial distribution, and the potential for remote sensing to produce maps of these habitat variables, thus indirectly mapping coral reef biodiversity and fulfilling information needs of coral reef managers.
Evaluating Smart Growth
Authors: Edwards Mary M. , Haines Anna
Published: August 2007

This article develops a framework to evaluate the use of smart growth principles in local comprehensive plans. Using the framework, a sample of thirty local comprehensive plans was evaluated to determine how well local plan goals and policies promote smart growth principles. The plans were selected from a pool of plans that have been adopted in Wisconsin under its new comprehensive smart growth planning law. Plans are evaluated for attention to six commonly accepted smart growth principles as developed and promoted by a number of national organizations and coalitions. This content analysis reveals that communities are not fully embracing the smart growth agenda. Furthermore, there is a clear distinction between the use of smart growth principles among cities and villages versus town or rural governments. The article concludes with a discussion of the applicability of smart growth to small towns and rural communities.
A study of association of the complement C4 mutations with systemic lupus erythematosus in the Malaysian population
Authors: Puah SM , Lian LH , Chew CH , Chua KH , Tan SY
Published: August 2007

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of C4 gene mutations with systemic lupus erythematosus, in 130 Malaysian SLE patients and 130 healthy controls. Generally, various PCR approaches were used to screen the mutations of the C4 genes, which included 2 bp (+TC) insertions at codon 1213 in exon 29, 1 bp deletions (—C) at codon 811 in exon 20, 1 bp (—C), 2 bp (—GT) deletions at codons 522 and 497 in exon 13 and null alleles. No mutations located at exons 13, 20 and 29 of the C4 gene, were detected amongst the patient and control samples in this study. C4A*Q0 was found in two out of the 130 control samples, while C4B*Q0 was present in two out of the 130 SLE patients. Overall, our results do not demonstrate a significant association to these known C4 mutations identified by previous studies, in the Malaysian scenario. Lupus (2007) 16, 750—754.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis-like acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus
Authors: Paradela S. , Martínez-Gómez W. , Fernández-Jorge B. , Castiñeiras I. , Yebra-Pimentel T. , Llinares P. , Fonseca Capdevila E.
Published: August 2007

The term `Acute Syndrome of Apoptotic Pan-Epidermolysis' (ASAP) designs clinical entities characterized by massive cleavage of the epidermis resulting from hyperacute epidermal basal cell apoptotic injury. It can be seen typically in classic toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), but occasionally occurs in non-dru1g-induced entities called `TEN-like' diseases (e.g., lupus erythematosus (LE), acute graft versus host disease and pseudoporphyria).

We would like to highlight the difficulties of establishing differential diagnoses between `TEN-like' LE and drug reactions, especially when LE has not been previously diagnosed. We report a patient with fulminate pattern of epidermal cell injury resulting in a clinical presentation having combined features of drug-induced TEN and acute cutaneous LE with laboratory findings of systemic LE (SLE) and without systemic symptoms or high-risk drug ingestion. Although most cases of ASAP in the setting of LE are drug-induced TEN, there are reported cases of `TEN-like' LE with subacute progression, absence of systemic involvement and lack of drug ingestion. Such cases usually have a previous history of SLE and positive serologic markers. Although some authors observed that these lesions could be related to systemic severity of SLE, this is the first patient reported who progresses to discoid LE and we think it could be a marker of good prognosis. Lupus (2007) 16, 741—745.