bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOURAL CHARACTERISTICS AND DOMINANCE IN AVIARY GROUPS OF GREAT TITS
Authors: Verbeek Monica E.M. , Goede Piet De , Drent Piet , Wiepkema Piet
Published: March 2012

In previous work we have shown that juvenile male great tits Parus major show consistent behavioural differences in exploratory and aggressive behaviour. Fast and superficial explorers (FE) won from slow and thorough explorers (SE) during controlled pair-wise confrontations in small cages. The present study assesses the relationship between early exploratory behaviour and later dominance in aviary groups of juvenile male great tits; such groups might approach natural conditions better than 'simple' pair-wise confrontations. Observations of nine aviary groups showed that a stable hierarchy is only established after a first dynamic phase of several days with many dominance shifts and a peak in number of interactions. In seven other aviary groups we determined the dominance relationships between FE and SE. In a stable hierarchy, SE had on average a significantly higher dominance score than FE. This finding contrasts our previous results in pair-wise confrontations. However, on the first day in the aviary, FE had on average a higher dominance score and initiated more fights than SE. This agrees with our previous results and indicates a gradual development of the situation in the stable hierarchy. Behavioural observations indicate that during this development, FE took more risks in their fighting behaviour and had more difficulty to cope with defeat than SE. In the stable hierarchy they either won or lost from all SE. SE were more cautious and had intermediate dominance scores in the stable hierarchy. These differences in fighting behaviour and the role of individual differences in exploratory behaviour and in coping with defeat are discussed as possible causes for the unexpected results of this study.
Brain, Body and Culture: A Biocultural Theory of Religion
Authors: Geertz Armin W.
Published: March 2012

This essay sketches out a biocultural theory of religion which is based on an expanded view of cognition that is anchored in brain and body (embrained and embodied), deeply dependent on culture (enculturated) and extended and distributed beyond the borders of individual brains. Such an approach uniquely accommodates contemporary cultural and neurobiological sciences. Since the challenge that the study of religion faces, in my opinion, is at the interstices of these sciences, I have tried to develop a theory of religion which acknowledges the fact. My hope is that the theory can be of use to scholars of religion and be submitted to further hypotheses and tests by cognitive scientists.
Traditional African Economies in Conflict With Western Capitalism
Authors: Pauw Christoff M.
Published: March 2012

This article analyzes some of the fundamental differences between the two economic systems which have come into conflict with one another in sub-Saharan Africa: traditional African economies, based on community and communitarian ownership, and Western, capitalist-oriented economics, based on individual identity and individual rights. While the dire economic conditions prevailing in Africa have elicited various strategies and programs, a unique coping mechanism is developing within African Independent Churches. This not only poses a challenge to other churches, but may also provide alternative solutions for the problems that plague African economic growth.
A longitudinal study of mental health in refugees from Burma: The impact of therapeutic interventions
Authors: van Wyk Sierra , Schweitzer Robert , Brough Mark , Vromans Lyn , Murray Kate
Published: March 2012

Objective:

The present study seeks to examine the impact of therapeutic interventions for people from refugee backgrounds within a naturalistic setting.

Methods:

Sixty-two refugees from Burma were assessed soon after arriving in Australia. All participants received standard interventions provided by a resettlement organisation which included therapeutic interventions, assessment, social assistance, and referrals where appropriate. At the completion of service provision a follow-up assessment was conducted.

Results:

Over the course of the intervention, participants experienced a significant decrease in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and somatisation. Pre-intervention symptoms predicted symptoms post-intervention for post-traumatic stress, anxiety and somatisation. Post-migration living difficulties, the number of traumas experienced, and the number of contacts with the service agency were unrelated to all mental health outcomes.

Conclusions:

In the first Australian study of its kind, reductions in mental health symptoms post-intervention were significantly linked to pre-intervention symptomatology and the number of therapy sessions predicted post-intervention symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Future studies need to include larger samples and control groups to verify findings.
Understanding the antecedents, the outcomes and the mediating role of social capital: An employee perspective
Authors: Parzefall Marjo-Riitta , Kuppelwieser Volker G
Published: March 2012

This study examines 1) how job security, expected organizational change and workload influence employees’ perceptions of organizational social capital, and 2) how organizational social capital influences affective commitment through both direct and mediated routes. Results from an employee survey ( n = 1977) demonstrate that workload and organizational change negatively influence employees’ social capital perceptions, and that job security has a positive relationship with perceived social capital. In addition, we confirm that perceived social capital has a positive relationship with affective commitment, partially mediating the negative relationships between workload, expected organizational change and affective commitment, and similarly mediating the positive relationship between job security and affective commitment.
Comparison of stab behaviors of uncoated and coated woven fabrics from experimental and finite element analyses
Authors: Wang Ping , Sun Baozhong , Gu Bohong
Published: March 2012

This paper reports the stab failure behaviors of coated and uncoated woven fabric in experimental and finite element analysis (FEA) approaches. In the experimental approach, the quasi-static stab behaviors of both the fabrics under the penetration of a rigid penetrator were tested to obtain the load–displacement curves. The stab failure morphologies were also observed and photographed to show the stab damage modes. In particular, the load–displacement curves were compared to find the difference between the coated and uncoated woven fabrics during stab penetration. In the FEA, microstructure geometrical models of both the fabrics were established to calculate the developments of stab damages. The influences of structure parameters of the fabrics on the stab resistance were discussed and the differences of the stab strengths between the two fabrics were also compared. From the FEA results, the development of stab damage could be visually displayed. With the visual results, it will be helpful to analyze the stress distribution under stab deformation, and to reveal the stab damage mechanism.
Sound absorption modeling of thin woven fabrics backed by an air cavity
Authors: Pieren Reto
Published: March 2012

A theoretical model for the oblique incidence sound absorption coefficient of thin woven fabrics backed by an air cavity is presented where the fabric is acoustically described by its specific airflow resistance and its surface mass density. The theoretical model is illustrated by an equivalent electrical circuit and validated in the case of normal sound incidence by experimental results obtained from impedance tube measurements on three fabric types. The influence of the surface mass density on the absorption coefficient is discussed and recommendations for practical applications are derived. Further, a simple formula to predict the specific airflow resistance of woven fabrics based on geometrical parameters is deduced. The normal incidence absorption coefficient and geometrical parameters of a set of 24 fabrics with a large range of interyarn porosities and specific airflow resistances were measured and used to validate the proposed geometry-based model to predict the absorption coefficient. Measured and estimated absorption coefficients show excellent agreement, with mean value and standard deviation of the differences of 0.03 ± 0.10. The model is therefore suitable for the design of new fabrics with an intended absorption coefficient.
The USA and Sporting Diplomacy: Comparing and Contrasting the Cases of Table Tennis with China and Baseball with Cuba in the 1970s
Authors: Carter Thomas F. , Sugden John
Published: March 2012

When Beijing hosted the Olympic Games in 2008 we were reminded that almost four decades earlier the People’s Republic of China’s road back to international recognition and acceptance had begun with a chance sporting encounter between two members of the US and Chinese table tennis teams in Japan in 1971. It is less well known that not long after this successful ‘ping pong’ diplomatic episode, attempts were made by various parties to use baseball in a similar way to try and repair international ties between Cuba and the United States. In this article the circumstances through which the former succeeded whereas the latter failed miserably are subject to detailed examination. Drawing upon existing literature and unclassified material gleaned from the National Security Archive (NSA) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Archive we argue that for a number of historically specific reasons, and because of the different balances of interest and asymmetric power relations, ‘ping pong’ diplomacy was able to help broker rapprochement between the United States and China, whereas ‘baseball diplomacy’ could do little or nothing to stimulate diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana.
US Tactical Nuclear Weapons in Europe after NATO’s Lisbon Summit: Why their Withdrawal is Desirable and Feasible
Authors: Sauer Tom , van der Zwaan Bob
Published: March 2012

The article describes how over the past two decades the role of US forward-deployed tactical nuclear weapons has gradually declined, and explains the logic behind their decreased importance. The main arguments in favor of the continuation of the process of their removal from Europe, until they have been entirely eliminated over the next couple of years, are listed, and the reasons for NATO’s desire to nevertheless prolong its reliance on these weapons are investigated. Further, the political feasibility of their complete withdrawal and the political practicalities of such a withdrawal are analyzed.
Inhibitory Effect of Ketoconazole on the Pharmacokinetics of a Multireceptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor BMS‐690514 in Healthy Participants: Assessing the Mechanism of the Interaction With Physiologically‐Based Pharmacokinetic Simulations
Authors: Yang Zheng , Vakkalagadda Blisse , Shen Guoxiang , Ahlers Christoph M. , Has Teresa , Christopher Lisa J. , Kurland John F. , Roongta Vikram , Masson Eric , Zhang Steven
Published: March 2012

BMS‐690514, a selective inhibitor of the ErbB and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, has shown antitumor activity in early clinical development. The compound is metabolized by multiple enzymes, with CYP3A4 responsible for the largest fraction (34%) of metabolism. It is also a substrate of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) in vitro. To assess the effect of ketoconazole on BMS‐690514 pharmacokinetics, 17 healthy volunteers received 200 mg BMS‐690514 alone followed by 100 mg BMS‐690514 with ketoconazole (400 mg once daily for 4 days). The AUC∞ of 100 mg BMS‐690514 concomitantly administered with ketoconazole was similar to that of 200 mg BMS‐690514 alone. The dose‐normalized Cmax and AUC∞ of BMS‐690514 from the 100‐mg BMS‐690514/400‐mg ketoconazole treatment increased by 55% and 127%, respectively, relative to those from 200 mg BMS‐690514 alone. Prediction of the drug‐drug interaction (DDI) using a population‐based simulator (Simcyp) indicated that, in addition to CYP3A4 inhibition, the inhibition of P‐gp by ketoconazole in the intestine, liver, and kidneys must be invoked to fully account for the DDI observed. This finding suggests that the inhibition of P‐gp by ketoconazole, along with its effect on CYP3A4, needs to be considered when designing a DDI study of ketoconazole with a victim drug that is a dual substrate.
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Predictors of Self-Rated Health
Authors: Park Nan Sook , Jang Yuri , Lee Beom S. , Chiriboga David A.
Published: March 2012

The present study examined how self-rated health was influenced by sociodemographic characteristics, physical health indicators, and sociocultural resources among four racial/ethnic groups of older adults. The data source was the Survey of Older Floridians, a statewide sample of Whites ( n = 503), African Americans ( n = 360), Cubans ( n = 328), and non-Cuban Hispanics ( n = 241) who were age 65 and older. Hierarchical regression models of self-rated health were estimated to explore the direct effects of the predictor variables as well as their interactive roles in each racial/ethnic group. Compared to Whites, racial/ethnic minority older adults rated their health more poorly. Although physical health indicators were significant predictors of self-rated health across all groups, the authors found group-specific predictors and interactions. Findings show similarities and differences in predictors of self-rated health across diverse racial/ethnic groups and suggest the importance of understanding group-specific factors in efforts to improve older adults’ perceived and actual health.
Evaluation of Nutritional Status Using Body Fat, Physiological and Biochemical Parameters in Some Nigerian Women
Authors: Ojo J.O. , Oketayo O.O. , Aboderin A.O. , Salawu A.A. , Adewusi S.R.A.
Published: March 2012

Some nutritional parameters were investigated in 62 healthy Nigerian female subjects of low socio-economic status. The percentage body fat (% BF) and some biochemical parameters, High and Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C), Total Plasma Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), Uric Acid (UA), Urinary Creatinine (U-Cr), Creatinine in plasma (P-Cr) and Creatinine clearance (Cr-Cl), were evaluated. Also determined were the Body Mass Index (BMI), Packed Cell Volume, Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure (BP-1, BP-2), various skin-fold measurements and body circumferences. Reference values were then established for these various parameters and the correlation between the various variables determined. When the subjects were stratified into four groups (underweight, normal, overweight, and obese) based on their BMI, significant differences (ANOVA, p < 0.05) were observed in LDL-C, Cr-Cl, BP-1, as well as 10 out of the 13 anthropometric parameters. These differences could possibly provide diagnostic/prognostic insight for the four groups and the many important diseases associated with them. The hip circumference, in particular, has such a high correlation with both BMI and % BF that it is being suggested as a substitute for these two important parameters in Nigerian women of low socio-economic background.
The Rise and Fall of Food Minerals
Authors: Reeves John
Published: March 2012

Climax fertility developed in early times with higher plants and animals developing to use this high standard of mineral nutrition. This climax fertility is built on carbon fixed from the air by plants. This carbon provides the energy to soil micro-organisms. Both those dependant on soil organic matter and those that draw energy and minerals directly from the plant. These micro-organisms increase plant mineral content and provide other life compounds. Agricultural activity has broken this climax fertility leading to a fall in food chain minerals.
Nutritional Therapy in Practice for Learning, Behavioural and Mood Disorders
Authors: Watts Martina K.
Published: March 2012

There is an evidential link between diet, mood and behaviour, but a shortage of formalised educational literature covering the role of nutritional science and its application in the care and treatment of mental health problems. In the UK, a limited amount of a few types of fruit and vegetables, few wholegrains and little oily fish are consumed. Instead, large quantities of refined carbohydrates, altered fats, intensively reared meat and dairy products are eaten, along with unknown combinations of synthetic chemicals and residues. In some individuals, specific nutritional and environmental factors generate physiological responses which may influence mood, promote anti-social behaviour and trigger overwhelming cravings for certain foods or substances.

Nutritional Therapists are not currently part of the multidisciplinary team assessing people suffering from mental health problems. They generally work in private practice with clients on an individual basis. Their role is to improve diet and identify potential food intolerances, hormone imbalances, blood sugar issues, enzyme deficiencies, compromised gut immunity, increased nutrient requirements, a toxic metal burden or chemical sensitivities. Each case is examined on its own merits, given the variety of genetic and environmental differences among individuals. The considerable challenge for the nutritional therapist remains to intervene safely and effectively in mental health conditions which involve multiple complex and interacting mechanisms.
Intervertebral Disk Disease With Spinal Cord Penetration in a Yucatan Pig
Authors: Lapointe J.-M. , Summers B. A.
Published: March 2012

A 9-month-old female Yucatan pig was euthanized after acute onset of paraplegia. Gross and microscopic examination revealed dorsal dissection of the nucleus of the L2–L3 intervertebral disk through the annulus fibrosus, extrusion of nucleus pulposus material through the overlying dura mater and into the spinal cord, and associated acute spinal hemorrhage and necrosis. This is, to the authors’ knowledge, the first reported case of intervertebral disk disease in swine.
Consensus Statement on Standard of Care for Congenital Myopathies
Authors: Wang Ching H. , Dowling James J. , North Kathryn , Schroth Mary K. , Sejersen Thomas , Shapiro Frederic , Bellini Jonathan , Weiss Hali , Guillet Marc , Amburgey Kimberly , Apkon Susan , Bertini Enrico , Bonnemann Carsten , Clarke Nigel , Connolly Anne M. , Estournet-Mathiaud Brigitte , Fitzgerald Dominic , Florence Julaine M. , Gee Richard , Gurgel-Giannetti Juliana , Glanzman Allan M. , Hofmeister Brittany , Jungbluth Heinz , Koumbourlis Anastassios C. , Laing Nigel G. , Main Marion , Morrison Leslie A. , Munns Craig , Rose Kristy , Schuler Pamela M. , Sewry Caroline , Storhaug Kari , Vainzof Mariz , Yuan Nanci
Published: March 2012

Recent progress in scientific research has facilitated accurate genetic and neuropathological diagnosis of congenital myopathies. However, given their relatively low incidence, congenital myopathies remain unfamiliar to the majority of care providers, and the levels of patient care are extremely variable. This consensus statement aims to provide care guidelines for congenital myopathies. The International Standard of Care Committee for Congenital Myopathies worked through frequent e-mail correspondences, periodic conference calls, 2 rounds of online surveys, and a 3-day workshop to achieve a consensus for diagnostic and clinical care recommendations. The committee includes 59 members from 10 medical disciplines. They are organized into 5 working groups: genetics/diagnosis, neurology, pulmonology, gastroenterology/nutrition/speech/oral care, and orthopedics/rehabilitation. In each care area the authors summarize the committee’s recommendations for symptom assessments and therapeutic interventions. It is the committee’s goal that through these recommendations, patients with congenital myopathies will receive optimal care and improve their disease outcome.
Property rights, legal consciousness and the new media in China: The hard case of the ‘toughest nail-house in history’
Authors: Erie Matthew S.
Published: March 2012

Despite recent legislation and regulations to protect homeowners’ rights in the process of urbanization, forced eviction remains one of the most prevalent causes of violence in contemporary China. This article examines the capacity of residents of Chinese cities to protect their property rights using new media to produce alternative discourses on law in the urbanization process. Fieldwork conducted in Beijing from 2007 to 2008, a period during which the national capital underwent massive development schemes for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, shows that homeowners create virtual precedents, backed not by the authority of the court, but by that of the media. Evictees of so-called dingzihu (nail-houses) facing chaiqian (demolition and relocation) develop arguments based on the 2007 case of Wu Ping, the first new media superstar in (post-)socialist China. The article, following post-structuralist formulations, develops a theory of ‘legal surrealism’ characteristic of the position of law in reform-era China. Whereas social media is equated with revolution elsewhere, in China, the lesson of the role of new media in effecting social change may be one of limitation. While digital mass communication technologies may assist individual ‘victories’, challenges to eviction face both intrinsic and extrinsic obstacles for collective action.
Some effects of gasoline and diesel mixtures on partially premixed combustion and comparison with the practical fuels gasoline and diesel in a compression ignition engine
Authors: Won Hyun Woo , Pitsch Heinz , Tait Nigel , Kalghatgi Gautam
Published: March 2012

If fuels that are more resistant to autoignition are injected near top dead centre in compression ignition engines, they ignite much later than diesel fuel does, and combustion occurs when the fuel and air have had more chance to mix. This helps to reduce nitrogen oxide and smoke emissions. Moreover, this can be achieved at much lower injection pressures than for a diesel fuel. However, it is preferable to have fuels with a lower research octane number than those of commonly available gasolines, because this makes low-load operation easier while retaining the advantages at higher loads. A practical approach to making such fuels is to blend the gasoline and diesel fuel available in the market. Such fuel blends have a wide volatility range since they contain high-boiling-point components from the diesel but have a lower research octane number than that of the gasoline used but have a much longer ignition delay than that of the diesel fuel. This work describes the results of running a single-cylinder diesel engine on three such fuel blends. The engine could be run on such blends with extremely low smoke and low nitrogen oxide emissions at speeds of up to 4000 r/min and loads (indicated mean effective pressures) of up to 10 bar with an injection pressure of only 400 bar. The smoke levels at comparable nitrogen oxide levels were extremely high with diesel fuel in these conditions, even with an injection pressure of 1100 bar. The engine could also be run at near-idle conditions on these blends but with higher hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions but much lower nitrogen oxide emissions and maximum pressure rise rate compared with those of the diesel fuel. The wider volatility range might be of benefit in avoiding over-mixing and over-leaning, which could lead to poor combustion stability. The paper also considers the trade-offs between the nitrogen oxide, smoke, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions and the maximum pressure rise rate and discusses approaches to optimise this type of combustion.
Textual transformations of subjectivity in men’s talk of gender-based violence
Authors: Lau Ursula , Stevens Garth
Published: March 2012

This study examined how men accounted for their violent behaviours against their intimate female partners. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 men from three men’s groups in Johannesburg, South Africa. All the men self-reported that they had committed acts of intimate partner violence previously, and the majority were from low-income, township settings. Dissociations, justifications and confessions featured as the predominant accounting forms that worked to transform participants’ subject positions from the ‘violent abuser’ to the ‘legitimately violent partner’ and even to the ‘changed man’. Attention is accorded to how gender ideologies and heteropatriarchal discourses legitimating male violence against women were reinforced, yet were at times challenged within their talk and through rhetorical devices. In line with a poststructuralist reading, the study highlights the complexities underpinning men’s varied meanings of violence. On the one hand, it reveals the agentic shifting of identities. On the other, it highlights the social discourses that are embedded in men’s talk and therefore inscribed into male subjectivities.
Natural and human-induced Holocene paleoenvironmental changes on the Guadiana shelf (northern Gulf of Cadiz)
Authors: Mendes I , Dias JA , Schönfeld J , Ferreira Ó , Rosa F , Gonzalez R , Lobo FJ
Published: March 2012

Three contrasting sedimentary environments on the continental shelf off the Guadiana River (northern Gulf of Cadiz) were integrated in a chronological framework and analysed in terms of sedimentology and benthic foraminiferal assemblages to understand the Holocene paleoenvironmental evolution. The analysed environments differ in terms of their depositional regimes and benthic foraminiferal assemblages. However, a dominant fluvial origin of the sand fraction was observed in all three environments. Holocene sedimentary processes were mainly controlled by natural (sea level changes and climate variations) and human-induced processes (e.g. deforestation, agriculture) along four evolutionary stages. The three older stages were mainly influenced by natural processes, such as sea level variations and fluvial inputs, whereas the most recent stage reflects a combination of climatic- and human-induced processes. A deepening of sedimentary environments related to a period of rapid sea level rise, strongly influenced by river discharges occurred from c. 11,500 to c. 10,000 cal. yr BP. A reduction in sediment export to the shelf, as a result of the continuous and rapid sea level rise and enhanced estuary infilling reflects the second stage, from c. 10,000 to c. 5000 cal. yr BP. The beginning of the third stage, from c. 5000 to c. 1500–1000 cal. yr BP, is marked by a sea-level slowdown and the relatively stable climate and environmental conditions. The fourth stage, from c. 1500–1000 cal. yr BP to Recent times, reflects the intensification of human-induced processes and climatic variability in the Guadiana River basin. This stage also reflects modern depositional conditions, with the formation of a proximal prodeltaic wedge and a distal muddy body.
Pollen accumulation in lake sediments during historic spruce beetle disturbances in subalpine forests of southern Utah, USA
Authors: Morris Jesse L , Brunelle Andrea
Published: March 2012

Paleoecological reconstructions using lake sediments provide important information about ecological dynamics and forest disturbance processes that occurred prior to the historic period of scientific observation. In high-altitude and high-latitude ecosystems where landscape-scale disturbances recur at time intervals exceeding observation in many regions, e.g. western North America, reconstructed environmental data are essential in providing context for land managers. During the most recent two decades eruptive populations of bark beetles ( Dendroctonus spp.) have rapidly and profoundly altered subalpine forest ecosystems across western North America. Outbreaks of these insects are unprecedented in scale and severity, at least historically. Currently, little information exists about these destructive outbreaks and in general, the information that exists, does not extend beyond the most recent few centuries. The research presented here examines sedimentary pollen records from six subalpine basins affected by severe spruce beetle ( D. rufipennis) epidemics during the 20th century in the high-elevation plateaus and mountain ranges of south-central Utah. Reciprocal exchanges in dominance between pollen abundance of host spruce ( Picea engelmannii) and non-host subalpine fir ( Abies lasiocarpa) associated with historic outbreaks are conspicuous. Calculating simple ratios of host and non-host pollen accumulations offers a useful metric to visually identify spruce beetle outbreaks using sedimentary records. However, supporting lines of evidence may be required to identify these disturbances with greater certainty over the Holocene. Our data and findings provide a platform with which to begin exploration of other paleoecological proxy methods for the ultimate purpose of generating more temporally extensive reconstructions of bark beetle disturbances using sedimentary records.
Identifying knowledge sharing barriers in the collaboration of traditional and western medicine professionals in Chinese hospitals: A case study
Authors: Zhou Lihong , Nunes Miguel Baptista
Published: March 2012

This paper reports on a research project that aims at identifying knowledge sharing (KS) barriers between traditional and western medicine practitioners co-existing and complementing each other in Chinese healthcare organisations. The study focuses on the tacit aspects of patient knowledge, rather than the traditional technical information shared through patient records. The project adopted a grounded theory approach as the overarching methodology to guide the analysis of data collected in a single case-study research design. A public hospital in central China was selected as the case-study site, at which 49 professionals were interviewed by using semi-structured and evolving interview scripts. The research findings reveal four main categories of KS barriers, namely philosophical divergence, interprofessional tensions, lack of interprofessional common ground, and insufficient interprofessional education and training. The conclusion advocates the establishment of top-down policies for mutual understanding and the creation of an interprofessional common ground between the two types of healthcare professionals. It is proposed that these policies should have two strands. The first strand should be at the grass roots of Chinese Healthcare Higher Education and should actively introduce complementary teaching and practice in these programmes. The second strand should take place in the hospital environment, through interprofessional dialogue, seminars and teamwork, as well as professional training. This paper contributes to the fields of KS and interprofessional collaboration in healthcare heterogeneous groups.
Oral Versus Vaginal Combined Hormonal Contraceptives' Effect on Coagulation and Inflammatory Biomarkers Among Young Adult Women
Authors: Divani Afshin A. , Luo Xianghua , Brandy Kyle R. , Meyer Rachel M. , Joseph Marilyn S. , Flaherty James D. , Rao Gundu H. R. , Datta Yvonne H.
Published: March 2012

In order to compare the effect of combined oral contraceptive (COC) and combined vaginal contraceptive (CVC) methods on the inflammation and procoagulation, we recruited female participants in 3 groups: control participants, COC users, and CVC users. We measured different blood biomarkers. The users of both COC and CVC had higher levels of C-reactive protein ( P < .0001) and factor VII ( P < .0001). However, CD40 ligand was only higher for COC users ( P < .0001) and not the CVC users. Even though the levels of thrombin/antithrombin III were not higher for COC and CVC users, as compared to the controls, CVC users had higher levels as compared to COC users ( P = .0327). As compared to the control group, we observed higher levels von Willebrand factor among CVC users but not the COC users. Longitudinal studies with larger sample size are needed to better assess the inflammatory and procoagulation response due to CVC use.
Network-theoretic classification of parallel computation patterns
Authors: Whalen Sean , Engle Sophie , Peisert Sean , Bishop Matt
Published: March 2012

Parallel computation in a high-performance computing environment can be characterized by the distributed memory access patterns of the underlying algorithm. During execution, networks of compute nodes exchange messages that indirectly exhibit these access patterns. Identifying the algorithm underlying these observable messages is the problem of latent class analysis over information flows in a computational network. Towards this end, our work applies methods from graph and network theory to classify parallel computations solely from network communication patterns. Pattern classification has applications to several areas including anomaly detection, performance analysis, and automated algorithm replacement. We discuss the difficulties encountered by previous efforts, introduce two new approximate matching techniques, and compare these approaches using massive datasets collected at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
‘Trust the teachers, Mother!’: The Leading Learning project in Leeds
Authors: Beckett Lori
Published: March 2012

This article is concerned to respond to recent UK governments’ attitudes to teachers, who are predominantly women, and who are denied a voice and sense of professionalism. It looks to the role of teacher research in school decision-making, including school improvement, historically in England, which set a pioneering example in years before the Thatcher government, and in Australia, where it became a central logistical feature in generations of ‘poverty programs’, as well as the current conjuncture. It documents recent efforts to build school–university partnerships for school improvement geared to support teachers’ knowledge-building about working with disadvantaged pupils who are disengaged and under-achieving. It maps the educational political context, framed by the global neo-liberal policy agenda, and charts efforts to support school staff develop a research perspective on the complexities of schools’ work in a system geared to a relentless focus on attainment targets, performance, and school league tables. It develops a responsive theoretical-strategic framework for a local north of England knowledge-building programme of continuing professional development (CPD) with optional accreditation, intended to counter the system’s lack of a broad and creative pedagogical ‘imaginary’. The resultant project is inspired by a democratic impulse and progressive social justice goals to facilitate learning about what this Leeds network of schools needs to be doing itself to address issues of concern about pupils marked by poverty and deprivation.
Changed learning through changed space: When can a participatory approach to the learning environment challenge preconceptions and alter practice?
Authors: Woolner Pamela , McCarter Sheila , Wall Kate , Higgins Steve
Published: March 2012

School premises make a difference to learning, but it is important to understand the relationship between setting and educational activities. Physical space has been found to entrench practice, making it harder to reflect and make changes. Yet changes made to the physical environment may not lead to changes in teaching or learning. This may be understood theoretically in terms of levels of participation, and many school design practitioners advocate active participation of school communities in the processes of change. This article considers two case studies of teachers and learners engaging with their physical school learning environment. The overview of responses and outcomes generated by these two studies enables the identification of central issues for effective participatory approaches to the learning environment.
Distributed pedagogical leadership in support of student transitions
Authors: Jäppinen Aini-Kristiina
Published: March 2012

This article examines how, through uncovering collaborative leadership, the whole school staff is able to understand its common endeavours to support heterogeneous students’ fluent learning paths. For this, a notion of distributed pedagogical leadership (DPL) is drawn upon. DPL concerns everyone in the school community, not only leaders and management. It means abandoning role, instrumental or process centricity and moving towards leadership that is characterized as the innermost qualities of a professional learning community. This kind of leadership is best described with 10 ‘keys’ as 10 key attributes. To understand DPL in practice, quantitative data both from a nationwide Finnish survey and a case study school are analysed, with supporting qualitative data from interviews of the leadership team in this particular school. The article presents and compares leaders’ and the staff’s experiences of DPL with regard to transition practices in Finnish vocational education.
Training nursing home residents to serve as group activity leaders: Lessons learned and preliminary results from the RAP project
Authors: Skrajner Michael J. , Haberman Jessica L. , Camp Cameron J. , Tusick Melanie , Frentiu Cristina , Gorzelle Gregg
Published: March 2012

We trained residents in long-term care facilities to fill the role of group activity leaders using a Resident-Assisted Programming (RAP) training regimen. RAP training enabled residents across a wide range of mental status levels to fill the role of group leaders for persons with dementia in two Montessori-based activities and in an activity which focuses on persons with more advanced dementia, based on the work of Jitka Zgola. Our results demonstrate that long-term care residents are capable of leading a variety of group activities for persons with dementia, which increases the number of individuals available for leading activities within programs and facilities providing care for persons with dementia. Most importantly, this provides the opportunity for RAP leaders to fulfill meaningful social roles in these facilities.
Wicked problems and clumsy solutions: Planning as expectation management
Authors: Hartmann Thomas
Published: March 2012

In 1973, Horst W Rittel and Malvin A Webber introduced the term ‘wicked problem’ in planning theory. They describe spatial planning as dealing with inherent uncertainty, complexity and inevitable normativity. This contribution picks up the concept of wicked problems, reflects on it from a planning-theoretical perspective, and proposes the use of Cultural Theory’s concept of clumsy solutions as a response to wicked planning problems. In discussing public participation processes in spatial planning, it is then shown what clumsy solutions mean for spatial planning. The four rationalities of Cultural Theory are then used to explain why public participation in planning can become wicked, and how these rationalities provide a response that copes with this wickedness.
Intergenerational transmission of criminal behaviour: Conviction trajectories of fathers and their children
Authors: Besemer Sytske , Farrington David P.
Published: March 2012

This article investigates father and offspring criminal careers by employing the semi-parametric, group-based trajectories methodology. The findings demonstrate that children of sporadic and chronic offenders have significantly more convictions than children of non-offenders. However, contrary to expectations based on taxonomic and intergenerational theories, chronic offending fathers do not have more chronic offending children than sporadic fathers. The results demonstrate strong intergenerational transmission of criminal behaviour, but it is the fathers having a conviction rather than their conviction trajectory that is related to offspring convictions.
Gender framing effects in victim surveys
Authors: Kivivuori Janne , Sirén Reino , Danielsson Petri
Published: March 2012

Crime victimization surveys are important sources of trend information and provide data for basic criminological research. In recent years, victim surveys have proliferated and their strengths are well known. The aim of this study is to increase the methodological literature on victim surveys by analysing framing effects, defined as the way the survey instrument communicates its topic and aim, especially in terms of the gendered nature of violence. Three experimental frames were applied to independent, random samples of the adult Finnish population: male-to-male violence frame, female-to-male violence frame, and male-to-female violence frame. The impacts of these frames were analysed in relation to two outcome variables: self-assessed propensity to report hypothetical borderline incidents in a victim survey and reporting of prior personal violent victimization. Thus, we utilized measures of both intended survey reporting behaviour and real survey reporting behaviour. The findings indicate that the male-to-female violence frame increases the willingness of the respondents to report borderline cases to survey researchers, regardless of other factors. It also increases the prevalence of reported prior victimizations. The female-to-male frame has a similar but weaker framing effect. The findings are discussed from the point of view of the ‘conversation’ paradigm of survey methods research.
Deliberative processes and attitudes toward sex offenders in Spain
Authors: Marteache Nerea
Published: March 2012

Public opinion has been studied as an important influence in criminal policy and legislation. Different ways of measuring public preferences have been proposed. The aim of this study is to compare attitudes toward sex offenders when assessed through surveys and deliberative polls. An experimental design was used, with treatment and control groups and multiple observations. The results of the multivariate analyses show that the attitudes measured through deliberative polls are less punitive and more stable over time. The implications of this study for future research and the potential of deliberative polling in informing criminal policy are discussed.
Perioperative Polyphenon E, a Green Tea Extract, Does Not Affect the Wound Complication Rate in Mice After Sham Laparotomy yet Has an Inhibitory Effect on Wound Healing
Authors: Hoffman Aviad , Baxter Raymond , Nasar Abu , Gardner Thomas R. , Kumara Shantha , Cordon-Cardo Carlos , Ahmed Aqeel , Newman Robert A. , Zmora Oded , Whelan Richard L.
Published: March 2012

Introduction. Major surgery is associated with physiologic alterations that may promote tumor growth, and catechins in green tea may inhibit tumor growth. This study’s aim was to assess the impact of a green tea extract on laparotomy wound healing in mice. Methods. Mice were randomized to daily oral catechins solution (n = 25) or placebo (n = 20), underwent sham laparotomy after 10 days, and were sacrificed on postoperative day 7 or 21. The peak force and total energy required to rupture the abdominal wall wound, wound collagen content, and histology were assessed. Results. There were no wound complications in either group, and mean peak wound rupture forces and collagen concentration were similar. Mean energy was lower and more fibroblast proliferation was found in the treatment group on postoperative day 21. Conclusions. These results suggest that catechins has only mild clinically significant adverse effect on wound healing, and its perioperative use warrants further study.
Poor, Urban, Battered Women Who Are Stalked
Authors: Tamborra Tracy L.
Published: March 2012

This article critiques the intimate partner–stalking literature via the lens of an advocate who worked with poor, urban, battered women who were stalked. This article contends that the stalking literature could better assess the experiences of women affected by high rates of violent victimizations, chronic poverty, and population density. These issues often allow for these women to be easily monitored by their community, including the batterer’s friends and family, and government agencies. This article also suggests measurement strategies for researchers and practitioners who want to measure how poor, primarily minority and/or immigrant, urban women conceptualize their experience with stalking.
Distinct roles for talin-1 and kindlin-3 in LFA-1 extension and affinity regulation
Authors: Lefort Craig T. , Rossaint Jan , Moser Markus , Petrich Brian G. , Zarbock Alexander , Monkley Susan J. , Critchley David R. , Ginsberg Mark H. , Fässler Reinhard , Ley Klaus
Published: March 2012

In inflammation, neutrophils and other leukocytes roll along the microvascular endothelium before arresting and transmigrating into inflamed tissues. Arrest requires conformational activation of the integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1). Mutations of the FERMT3 gene encoding kindlin-3 underlie the human immune deficiency known as leukocyte adhesion deficiency-III. Both kindlin-3 and talin-1, another FERM domain-containing cytoskeletal protein, are required for integrin activation, but their individual roles in the induction of specific integrin conformers are unclear. Here, we induce differential LFA-1 activation in neutrophils through engagement of the selectin ligand P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 or the chemokine receptor CXCR2. We find that talin-1 is required for inducing LFA-1 extension, which corresponds to intermediate affinity and induces neutrophil slow rolling, whereas both talin-1 and kindlin-3 are required for induction of the high-affinity conformation of LFA-1 with an open headpiece, which results in neutrophil arrest. In vivo, both slow rolling and arrest are defective in talin-1–deficient neutrophils, whereas only arrest is defective in kindlin-3–deficient neutrophils. We conclude that talin-1 and kindlin-3 serve distinct functions in LFA-1 activation.
Donor lung derived myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells differentially regulate T cell proliferation and cytokine production
Authors: Benson Heather L , Suzuki Hidemi , Lott Jeremy , Fisher Amanda Jo , Walline Crystal , Heidler Kathleen M , Brutkiewicz Randy , Blum Janice S , Wilkes David S
Published: March 2012

Background

Direct allorecognition, i.e., donor lung-derived dendritic cells (DCs) stimulating recipient-derived T lymphocytes, is believed to be the key mechanism of lung allograft rejection. Myeloid (cDCs) and plasmacytoid (pDCs) are believed to have differential effects on T cell activation. However, the roles of each DC type on T cell activation and rejection pathology post lung transplantation are unknown.

Methods

Using transgenic mice and antibody depletion techniques, either or both cell types were depleted in lungs of donor BALB/c mice (H-2d) prior to transplanting into C57BL/6 mice (H-2b), followed by an assessment of rejection pathology, and pDC or cDC-induced proliferation and cytokine production in C57BL/6-derived mediastinal lymph node T cells (CD3+).

Results

Depleting either DC type had modest effect on rejection pathology and T cell proliferation. In contrast, T cells from mice that received grafts depleted of both DCs did not proliferate and this was associated with significantly reduced acute rejection scores compared to all other groups. cDCs were potent inducers of IFNγ, whereas both cDCs and pDCs induced IL-10. Both cell types had variable effects on IL-17A production.

Conclusion

Collectively, the data show that direct allorecognition by donor lung pDCs and cDCs have differential effects on T cell proliferation and cytokine production. Depletion of both donor lung cDC and pDC could prevent the severity of acute rejection episodes.