bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding European Emigration in the Context of Modernization Processes
Authors: Scheibelhofer Elisabeth
Published: January 2009

Based on the results of a qualitative study, this article deals with the biographies of Austrians who emigrated to the US after 1965. While, in terms of quantity, the most significant waves of immigration into Western Europe have been studied extensively during the past few years, external migration has been given comparatively little consideration. A closer look at the sociological contributions that deal with this phenomenon also shows that the existing research is only helpful to a certain extent: emigration from Western European countries is mainly discussed on the basis of very few groups of people and is ultimately categorized as being `diversified' and `individualized'. In this article, it is suggested that emigration from Western Europe should be understood as one possible course of action shaped by the conditions of a second modernity. Therefore, it is oriented more closely towards the goal of self-realization — quite in contrast to such well-known forms of migration as labour-related migration or forced migration into the European Union.
Reflexivity of Contemporary Youth, Risk and Cultural Capital
Authors: Threadgold Steven , Nilan Pam
Published: January 2009

Using research examples, this article expands the theoretical premise that the `new' reflexivity constitutes an element of cultural capital for contemporary youth. Employing the sociological ideas of cultural capital, habitus, reflexivity and risk, the authors propose that Beck's notion of `risk' provides a useful way of understanding what drives the development of this reflexivity in the habitus of groups of young people, especially negotiation of risk. However, the emergence of this new reflexivity in youth habitus does not diminish the importance of socioeconomic class as some proponents of reflexive modernization claim. Quite the contrary. The capacity for reflexive negotiation of future risks, both real and perceived, has become another form of what Bourdieu calls embodied cultural capital — which remains inequitably distributed along class lines.
From Abusive Families to Internet Predators?
Authors: Pratt John
Published: January 2009

This article traces the development, retraction and reconfiguration of the way in which sexual abuse has been understood as a social problem in Canada. It looks at the processes of its social construction and situates these within a theoretical framework derived from Ian Hacking's work on transient mental illness. It argues that sexual abuse was able to flourish as a social problem because of the `ecological niche' constituted by the presence of four vectors: cultural polarity, observability, recognition of victims and expert classification. As this confluence has changed, however, so too has the framework of understanding that had been provided for it, leading to its current retraction and reconfiguration.
Extent and Determinants of Burden of Care in Indian Families: a Comparison Between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Schizophrenia
Authors: Kalra Harish , Nischal Anil , Jitendra Kumar Trivedi  , Pronob Kumar Dalal  , Pramod Kumar Sinha
Published: January 2009

Background: Limited data is available for family burden in anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), particularly from the developing world where families are the primary source of support for patients.

Aim: To compare family burden in patients with OCD and schizophrenia in an Indian setting and to examine the influence of caregivers' demographics, patients' illness severity and disability on family burden.

Method: This comparative cross-sectional study assessed family burden in key relatives of patients with OCD ( n = 50) and schizophrenia ( n = 30) respectively.

Results: Indian families experience significant degrees of burden in the care of their relatives with OCD and schizophrenia. Key relatives' demographic characteristics did not influence burden severity. Illness severity and patients' disability had a direct positive relationship with perceived family burden.

Conclusion: Indian families of patients with OCD experience burden comparable to that of families of patients with schizophrenia. There is a need to develop local needs-based support programmes for families of patients with psychiatric disorders in India.
Long-Term Outcome of Leucotomy On Behaviour of People With Schizophrenia
Authors: Helmes Edward , Velamoor Varadaraj R.
Published: January 2009

Background: Prefrontal leucotomy was widely used from the late 1930s to early 1950s as a treatment for disorders involving obsessive agitation. Comparatively few studies of the enduring behavioural effects of such surgery exist, while data on mortality and cognition have been better reported.

Aims: We contrast the psychosocial functioning of older individuals with schizophrenia who had undergone prefrontal leucotomy with two groups of their peers who had not undergone such surgery.

Method: A total of 87 individuals (one female) with a mean age of 70.3 years ( SD = 6.84) were evaluated twice 25 months apart using a standardized rating scale. Twenty of the residents, all with schizophrenia, had undergone prefrontal leucotomy approximately 45 years previously. All diagnoses of schizophrenia were confirmed by multiple psychiatrists using DSM-III criteria at the time of the ratings, which were completed by two care staff who knew the residents well.

Results: Repeated measures comparisons with schizophrenia and non-schizophrenia patient groups showed no significant differences between the leucotomy and unoperated comparison groups on four of the five Multidimensional Observation Scale for Elderly Subjects (MOSES) scales.

Conclusions: These results are consistent with reports of compromised function among individuals who had undergone leucotomy and contrast with some reports of positive changes in behaviour.
“Hell Exploded”
Authors: Perkinson Robert
Published: January 2009

This article examines the role of prisoner self-expression in destabilizing the harshest penal regime in American history, convict leasing, which developed more extensively in Texas than in any other state. In particular, it analyzes African American work songs and turn-of-the-century convict autobiographies written mainly by Whites. It argues that prisoner criticisms influenced free-world leasing opponents and that convict resentment thereafter complicated postleasing reform efforts. In the tradition of anti-institutional prison sociologists, the article suggests that reform-oriented prisons often have difficulty maintaining order because their newly expectant inmates desire release over rehabilitation.
Visitors' Preferences for Interpretation at Heritage Sites
Authors: Poria Yaniv , Biran Avital , Reichel Arie
Published: January 2009

Research on interpretation at heritage settings commonly centers on the display. The current study highlights visitor preferences for on-site interpretation, an essential element in the management of heritage tourist attractions. This research focuses on the Wailing Wall, a religious “must-see” attraction in Jerusalem. The role of interpretation as a facilitator of emotional experience rather than a means to gain knowledge is explored. Results indicate the need to customize the interpretation to meet visitor preferences and motives. Furthermore, the study reveals the need to capture heritage tourism not only as a search for naïve nostalgia or a simplified romantic version of the past but also as a more complex phenomenon. Implications for marketers and heritage site operators are suggested, highlighting the need to adopt innovative approaches to the management of heritage tourist attractions and provide different interpretations for different visitors.
When In Means Into
Authors: Tutton Mark
Published: January 2009

This article examines the use of the preposition in as a marker of boundary-crossing motion in British English. While into is prototypically used to encode such dynamic motion events, there are recurrent contexts in which in marks the boundary-crossing path of the Figure entity instead. There is little comprehensive analysis of this phenomenon in the literature. This article identifies the conditions under which such a use of in is possible: these include when the Ground is conceptualized as a container for the Figure, when the verb encodes the semantic feature of path, or when the Ground is lexically encoded by the deictic pronouns here or there. Such underexplored, principled uses of in have import for how we understand the differences between in and into. This article shows that our understanding of the many uses of in is far from complete and that further work is necessary to understand the full potential of in as a marker of boundary-crossing motion.
Disability, Self Image, and Modern Political Theory
Authors: Arneil Barbara
Published: January 2009

Charles Taylor argues that recognition begins with the politics of “self-image,” as groups represented in the past by others in ways harmful to their own identity replace negative historical self-images with positive ones of their own making. Given the centrality of “self image” to his politics of recognition, it is striking that Taylor, himself, represents disabled people in language that is both limiting and depreciating. The author argues such negative self-images are not unique to Taylor but endemic to modern political thought from John Locke to John Rawls, as the disabled (“irrational” and/or mentally disabled/ill people) are constituted in direct opposition to the rational person and/or citizen. Using contemporary social theories of disability, as articulated by disabled scholars and advocates, the author concludes that such negative self-images (and the binary of autonomy/justice and dependency/charity underpinning them) must be purged from political theory and replaced with an alternative theory of personhood/citizenship rooted in the image of interdependency.
Cumulative Energy Imbalance in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: Role of Targeted Indirect Calorimetry
Authors: Mehta Nilesh M. , Bechard Lori J. , Leavitt Kristen , Duggan Christopher
Published: January 2009

Introduction: Failure to accurately estimate energy requirements may result in underfeeding or overfeeding. In this study, a dedicated multidisciplinary nutrition team measured energy expenditure in critically ill children. Methods: Steady‐state indirect calorimetry was used to obtain measured resting energy expenditure, which was compared with equation‐estimated energy expenditure and the total energy intake for each subject. The children's metabolic status was examined in relation to standard clinical characteristics. Results: Sixteen measurements were performed in 14 patients admitted to the multidisciplinary pediatric intensive care unit over a period of 12 months. Mean age of subjects in this cohort was 11.2 years (range 1.6 months to 32 years) and included 7 males and 7 postoperative patients. Altered metabolism was detected in 13 of 14 subjects and in 15 of 16 (94%) measurements. There was no correlation between the metabolic status of subjects and their clinical characteristics. Average daily energy balance was 200 kcal/d (range –518 to +859 kcal/d). Agreement between measured resting energy expenditure and equation‐estimated energy expenditure was poor, with mean bias of 72.3 ± 446 kcal/d (limits of agreement –801.9 to + 946.5 kcal/d). Conclusions: A disparity was observed between equation‐estimated energy expenditure, measured resting energy expenditure, and total energy intake, with a high incidence of underfeeding or overfeeding. A wide range of metabolic alterations were recorded, which could not be accurately predicted using standard clinical characteristics. Targeted indirect calorimetry on high‐risk patients selected by a dedicated nutrition team may prevent cumulative excesses and deficits in energy balance.
Evidence for Substance Abuse Services and Policy Research
Authors: Coffey Rosanna M. , Levit Katharine R. , Kassed Cheryl A. , McLellan A. Thomas , Chalk Mady , Brady Thomas M. , Vandivort-Warren Rita
Published: January 2009

We reviewed 39 national government- and nongovernment-sponsored data sets related to substance addiction policy. These data sets describe patients with substance use disorders (SUDs), treatment providers and the services they offer, and/or expenditures on treatment. Findings indicate the availability of reliable data on the prevalence of SUD and the characteristics of specialty treatment facilities, but meager data on financing and services. Gaps in information might be filled through agency collaboration to redesign, coordinate, and augment existing substance abuse and general health surveys. Despite noted gaps, these data sets represent an unusually rich set of resources for health services and policy research.
Upgrading to Web 2.0
Authors: Cronin John J.
Published: January 2009

Wikis are one of the newest features of Web 2.0. This article describes the implementation of a project in a marketing course in which students created an interactive textbook using wiki software. Several surprises encountered along the way are described, and the unique problem of grading individual contributions to a wiki is discussed. The author concludes that the wiki work improved the collaboration skills of students, but effects on learning could not be assessed. Strategies are provided that other instructors interested in using a wiki in the classroom can use to make the experience fulfilling for both instructor and students. The article ends with a call for the development of better grading methods and for assessment of the impact of wikis on learning.
Older Women and Poverty Transition
Authors: Gillen Martie , Kim Hyungsoo
Published: January 2009

Older single women are disproportionately vulnerable to poverty. Using data from the 2002 and 2004 waves of the Health and Retirement Study of 5,799 women age 65 or older, this study investigated the effect of change in income sources by recent spousal loss on poverty transition. The focus is on (a) the effect of widowhood on income source change and (b) how such change affects poverty transition of recently widowed older women. Findings indicate that widowhood greatly decreases income from every source. Specifically, a $10 increase in social security benefits decreased the probability of poverty transition for recently widowed older women by 67.2%. These findings call for reconsidering social security survivor benefit rules and women's education with regard to financial security in retirement.
Management of Cirrhosis and Associated Complications
Authors: MacLaren Robert
Published: January 2009

Liver cirrhosis is the encapsulation or replacement of injured tissue by collagen, resulting in end-stage liver disease and portal hypertension. The consequences of cirrhosis are impaired hepatocyte function, increase intrahepatic circulatory resistance, portal hypertension, and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Complications include encephalopathy, coagulopathy, varices, ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, epatorenal syndrome, and hepatopulmonary syndrome. Managing patients with acute or chronic liver failure is challenging, and liver failure may have profound effects on other organ systems. Most therapies are directed at managing the complications and bridging patients to liver transplantation. The clinician must be aware of the pathologic presentations and the appropriate management, including pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies, goals and end points of therapy, and monitoring of therapy. This review focuses on the management of the complications directly associated with liver dysfunction (encephalopathy and coagulopathy) and portal hypertension (varices, ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatopulmonary syndrome).
Nurses' Experiences of Practicing the HeartTouch Technique for One Month
Authors: Jelonek Walker Marsha
Published: January 2009

Stress plays a significant role in almost every aspect of health. Appraisal (thoughts and feelings) of a situation determines the level of stress experienced. Purpose: To describe the nurses' experiences of practicing the HeartTouch (HRTT) technique, an internal tool designed to help nurses change their thoughts and feelings, especially in stressful situations. Method: After an education session discussing the effects of thoughts and feelings on stress and health, nurses learn HRTT. After practicing HRTT for 1 month during their daily life, 48 nurses answer 7 open-ended questions about their experience. Content analysis is used to analyze the data. Findings: Nurses notice physical, mental, and emotional benefits for themselves, patients, colleagues, and family members. Nurses feel less stressed and experience an increased sense of control and ability to notice and change their thoughts and feelings. Nurses also discuss meaningful connections with self, others, and a Higher Power and greater work satisfaction.
The construction of a consumer population in advertising in 1920s China
Authors: Huaiting Wu
Published: January 2009

Advertising in early 20th-century China played a central role in turning Chinese people into consumers. Advertisements between 1921 and 1929 in Shenbao, one of the most influential newspapers ever published in China, were studied to identify discourses of gender within the overarching discourse of Chinese people as a consumer population. Four discursive formations were identified: (1) female and male as ungendered categories of the consumer population, (2) woman and man as citizens of China, (3) one happy family as a consumption unit, and (4) women as a special group of consumers.
Foreign Diploma Versus Immigrant Background
Authors: Støren Liv Anne , Wiers-Jenssen Jannecke
Published: January 2009

This article compares the labour market situation of graduates with different types of international background. The authors look at four groups of graduates: immigrants and ethnic Norwegians graduated in Norway and immigrants and ethnic Norwegians graduated abroad. By employing multinomial logistic regression analyses the authors find that ethnic Norwegians educated abroad face a higher risk of labour market mismatch in terms of unemployment and overqualification than Norwegians graduated domestically. Non-Western immigrants had an even higher risk of unemployment and skills mismatch, regardless of the origin of their education. The results indicate that education from abroad is not fully transferable to a domestic labour market and, in addition, that forms of discrimination against non-Western immigrants exist.
Group Size, Group Development, and Group Productivity
Authors: Wheelan Susan A.
Published: January 2009

This research investigated the impact of small and large work groups on developmental processes and group productivity. There were 329 work groups operating in for-profit and nonprofit organizations across the United States in this study. Groups containing 3 to 8 members were significantly more productive and more developmentally advanced than groups with 9 members or more. Groups containing 3 to 6 members were significantly more productive and more developmentally advanced than groups with 7 to 10 members or 11 members or more. The groups with 7 to 10 members or 11 members were not different from each other. Finally, groups containing 3 to 4 members were significantly more productive and more developmentally advanced on a number of measures than groups with 5 to 6 members. Work-group size is a crucial factor in increasing or decreasing both group development and productivity.
Substantiation and Maltreatment Rereporting
Authors: Fuller Tamara , Nieto Martin
Published: January 2009

Although it is a widely used indicator, the use of substantiation in child welfare practice and research is not without critics. Much of this criticism concerns the ability of the substantiation disposition to distinguish between child protective services (CPS) investigations in which maltreatment occurs or does not occur. This study examined the relationship between substantiation and maltreatment rereporting using an analytic technique known as propensity score matching (PSM). Children with initially substantiated maltreatment reports were at significantly higher risk for rereporting than those with initially unsubstantiated reports, even after matching the two groups on propensity scores based on several demographic and case characteristics. Although additional study using PSM on other samples is warranted, this evidence supports the predictive validity of the substantiation disposition and its continued use as one factor to consider when allocating limited post-investigation services.
Sandwich Materials for Wind Turbine Blades — Present and Future
Authors: Thomsen Ole Thybo
Published: January 2009

Wind turbine blades are being manufactured using polymer matrix composite materials, in a combination of monolithic (single skin) and sandwich composites. Present day designs are mainly based on glass fiber-reinforced composites (GFRP), but for very large blades carbon fiber-reinforced composites are being used increasingly, in addition to GFRP by several manufacturers to reduce the weight. The size of wind turbines have increased significantly over the last 25 years, and this trend is expected to continue in the future. Thus, it is anticipated that wind turbines with a rated power output in the range of 8—10 MW and a rotor diameter about 170—180 m will be developed and installed within the next 10—15 years. The article presents an overview of current day design principles and materials technology applied for wind turbine blades, and it highlights the limitations and important design issues to be addressed for up-scaling of wind turbine blades from the current maximum length in excess of 61 m to blade lengths in the vicinity of 90 m as envisaged for future very large wind turbines. In particular, the article discusses the potential advantages and challenges of applying sandwich type construction to a larger extent than is currently being practiced for the load-carrying parts of wind turbine blades.
Coping, Goal Adjustment, and Positive and Negative Affect in Definitive Infertility
Authors: Kraaij Vivian , Garnefski Nadia , Schroevers Maya J.
Published: January 2009

The relationships between coping strategies, goal adjustment and positive and negative affect were studied in 83 definitive involuntary childless people. Self-report questionnaires were filled out. The findings suggested that positive ways to handle the childlessness were related to positive affect, while negative ways to deal with the childlessness were related to negative affect. Cognitive coping strategies seemed to have a stronger influence on affect than the behavioral coping strategies. Adjusting the goal to have children seemed to be a fruitful way to cope. These findings suggested that intervention programs should pay attention to both cognitive coping strategies and goal adjustment.
Psychosocial Predictors of Dental Anxiety
Authors: Hittner James B. , Hemmo Rebecca
Published: January 2009

Building on earlier research on psychosocial predictors of dental anxiety, this study examined the predictive ability of several demographic and personality variables. To accomplish this goal, a combined sample of 89 dental patients and 55 college students completed a self-report survey. Results indicated that greater age, female gender, lower income, greater satisfaction with life, greater thought suppression, and a stronger internal health locus of control predicted higher levels of dental anxiety. Possible strategies for reducing both thought suppression and exaggerated levels of internal health locus of control were discussed.
Validation of the Symptoms of Illness Checklist (SIC) as a Tool for Health Psychology Research
Authors: Stowell Jeffrey R. , Hedges Dawson W. , Ghambaryan Anna , Key Colin , Bloch George J.
Published: January 2009

We developed the Symptoms of Illness Checklist (SIC) to study psychological influences on physical symptoms of illness. A total of 520 participants completed the SIC and, in some samples, the Salient Stressor Impact Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, Daily Hassles and Uplifts Scale, Derogatis Stress Profile, Life Experiences Survey, and the Symptoms CheckList-90-R. The SIC's test—retest, internal reliability, and validity verified by physician ratings, were very good. SIC correlations with diverse stress measures were less inflated than those of other instruments indicating the SIC is a reliable and valid tool to study psychological influences on physical illness.
Contextual Influences on Obstetric Morbidity and Related Care Seeking Behaviour in Thailand
Authors: Sharad Kumar Sharma  , Vong-Ek Panee
Published: January 2009

This study examines the association of individual and community-level characteristics with obstetric morbidity and care seeking behaviour in Thailand. Community characteristics have been recognized to shape individual health, but there have been only a few studies explaining their influence on obstetric morbidity. Multi-level logistic regression analysis among 930 women, living in 86 villages indicated that not the community social and health infrastructure but community impoverishment was associated with the likelihood of reporting the morbidity and seeking appropriate care. The findings suggest that community factors should be taken into consideration while implementing programmes to improve maternal health.
Bald Is Beautiful?
Authors: Tucker Patricia
Published: January 2009

This study reviewed previous studies to explore the psychosocial impact of having alopecia areata (AA). Nineteen primary studies, representing a total of 1271 participants from nine different countries are described and the psychosocial impact of AA is considered. Upon review of the evidence, it is apparent that AA causes dramatic and devastating emotions in patients, which can negatively impact their self-esteem, body image, and/or self-confidence. The negative impact of AA may be heightened for female patients due to the societal pressure to be attractive. Treatment for alopecia patients should offer psychological support to foster increased self-esteem and adaptation to their disorder.
YouTube as archive
Authors: Gehl Robert
Published: January 2009

At first glance, the ease with which individuals can access and contribute to YouTube sets it in direct opposition to large corporate media outlets with their top-down mode of dissemination. However, I argue that, despite these seemingly democratic features, YouTube is better understood not as opposed to traditional corporate media but in the same genealogy as previous archival technologies and techniques. In archives, all content is flattened and has equal weight, so it is up to a curatorial authority to present content to audiences. While YouTube promises to democratize media, its lack of a centralized `curator of display' actually sets the stage for large media companies and entrepreneurs to step into the curatorial role and decide how each object in YouTube's archives will be presented to users. The role of the curator of display is, as of this writing, unresolved. This article thus draws on political economic and historical critiques of collections and archives in order to connect the emergent technologies in YouTube with earlier attempts to organize and present information, objects and images. •
The anachronistic fantastic
Authors: Bell Alice R.
Published: January 2009

This article argues that the `genre-slipperiness' of recent media products have been accompanied by a form of `time-slip'. Such happily anachronistic texts self-consciously fuse the nostalgic with the futuristic and suggest comfort and unease with both. In this respect, they might be seen to do damage to notions of linear development, but arguably display love as well as criticism of different forms of progress. This article suggests three different ways of mixing pasts and futures: futuristic texts looking forward to a time when society returns to historical roots; more `combinational' approaches, which juxtapose pasts and futures with a degree of equality; and `technostalgia', nostalgia but to a post-industrial era. Throughout, examples involve young people, as it is argued children have an especially ambivalent role with respect to time, providing a cogent focalizer for the study of aesthetics of anachronism. •
Exploring the Possibilities of an Expanded Practice Repertoire in Child Protection
Authors: D'Cruz Heather , Gillingham Philip , Melendez Sebastian
Published: January 2009

• Summary: This article discusses research that explored an alternative to proceduralized child protection practice informed by the risk paradigm, by expanding the repertoire available to practitioners through combining features of the risk paradigm with social constructionism. This approach incorporates three dimensions: theories of knowledge and power, related professional roles, and practice skills. In this article, we discuss and critically evaluate only the first dimension: theories of knowledge and power. Through dialogue facilitated by semi-structured questions, we explored practitioners' perspectives about the relevance and appropriateness of the alternative approach for practice.

• Findings: The practitioners' participation and feedback offer insights into complex connections between `theory' and `practice' with the practitioner as a positioned subject and mediator of practical meanings of formal concepts.

• Applications: 1) Recognition of each practitioner's interpretation of formal concepts and how they are applied in actual practice, even within shared organizational contexts. 2) The importance of dialogue to expand the range of possibilities that maintain openness to ongoing learning. 3) The value of theoretical pluralism that may offer greater opportunities for professional discretion, rather than single self-contained approaches that may constrain effective and ethical practice.
The Principles and Provisions of Relationships
Authors: Huxley Peter , Evans Sherrill , Beresford Peter , Davidson Bill , King Sarah
Published: January 2009

• Summary: Health and social care services in the UK have been in the process of modernization since the New Labour government came to power in 1997. A central feature of modernization has been the scrutiny of existing work roles and the development and introduction of new work roles. The present article is concerned with the nature and content of work in one of these new roles, the Support, Time and Recovery worker which was introduced on the advice of service users, among others.

• Findings: Qualitative data revealed that both workers and service users valued the relationship they developed. The nature of that relationship and its important component qualities are analysed using Biestek's Principles of the Casework relationship and Weiss's categories of social relationship provision.

• Applications : The results provide further support to a growing literature that emphasizes the value service users place on the nature and quality of the relationship with the worker in social care practice, and the importance of positive human qualities in workers.
Allies in the Workplace: Including LGBT in HRD
Authors: Brooks Ann K. , Edwards Kathleen
Published: January 2009

The problem and the solution. The national climate is currently one in which many religious and political entities actively oppose sexual and gender identity minorities. Human resource development professionals, with expertise in learning and education, advocacy, organizational change, and research are uniquely positioned to work on behalf of equity and the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered persons in the workplace.
Transgender Issues in the Workplace: HRD's Newest Challenge/Opportunity
Authors: Davis Debra
Published: January 2009

Transgender issues in the workplace represent the bleeding edge of the cutting edge in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) diversity human rights movement. By becoming aware of the issues involved and conceptualizing interventions to help managers as well as employees, HRD can add value to the organization, fostering social equity as well as organizational effectiveness.This article will provide a backdrop for HRD scholars and practitioners to understand the myriad of considerations involved in this emergent workplace issue.
University Work—life Benefits and Same-Sex Couples
Authors: Hornsby Eunice Ellen , Munn Sunny L.
Published: January 2009

The problem and the solution . Lesbian and gay (LG) employees experience work—life challenges due to exclusionary language and social norms that ignore the existence of their families; denial of medical, retirement, and leave benefits; and sexual orientation discrimination that can raise legitimate fears about job loss and family survival.A supportive and inclusive work culture is needed for employers to build loyalty, increase retention, and enable employees to perform at their peak.This article examines work—life benefits at 10 public universities.Work—life benefits are often taken for granted by the vast majority of employees within an organization because the inequitable application of these benefits across all kinds of employees remains invisible.Thus,work—life benefits inequitably applied have the potential to significantly damage the performance, psyche, financial status, and well-being of LG employees and their families. Recommendations for changes in organizational practices, policies, and language are provided.
Influence of Speed on Walking Economy Poststroke
Authors: Reisman Darcy S. , Rudolph Katherine S. , Farquhar William B.
Published: January 2009

Background and Objective. Walking speed influences energy cost in healthy adults, but its influence when walking is impaired due to stroke is not clear. This study investigated the effect of manipulating walking speed on the energy economy of walking poststroke. Methods. Sixteen persons with chronic stroke underwent a clinical examination, including several lower extremity impairment measures. consumption ( VO2) was measured as they walked at their self-selected speed (Free), 20% slower (Slow), their fastest possible speed (Fastest), and 2 speeds between Free and Fastest speeds. VO2 was normalized to body mass and speed, resulting in energy cost per meter walked (CW). Results. A main effect for speed was observed ( P = .00001), with faster than self-selected speeds showing greater relative economy as a whole. However, for 5 subjects with the fastest walking speeds (>1.2 m/s), there was a trend toward decreasing relative economy at speeds higher than self-selected speed ( P = .18). There was a negative correlation between improvement in CW at the most economical speed and ( a) Free speed ( r = −.857; P < .0001) and ( b) lower extremity Fugl-Meyer scores ( r = −.653; P = .006). Conclusions. For those poststroke whose fastest walking speed after stroke is below 1.2 m/s, walking economy improves when speed is increased above the self-selected walking speed. The results suggest that for persons poststroke with very slow self-selected walking speeds, improvements in walking speed could be accompanied by improvements in walking economy if faster walking speeds can be attained through intervention.
Reduction of bacterial contamination in a healthcare environment by silver antimicrobial technology
Authors: Taylor L. , Phillips P. , Hastings R.
Published: January 2009

This paper describes a pilot study undertaken in a major acute trust investigating reduction of bacterial contamination in a healthcare environment attributable to the use of silver antimicrobial (BioCote®) technology. The four month study assessed the impact of various BioCote®-treated products on the counts of viable bacteria cultured from the treated environment compared to a control. A mean reduction in bacterial counts of 95.8% was demonstrated on the BioCote®treated surfaces compared with untreated surfaces. A mean reduction of 43.5% was demonstrated on untreated products positioned in the same environment as BioCote®-treated products compared with control untreated products. This suggests decontamination is not limited to treated materials but can extend to the wider environment because of the presence of antimicrobial materials. In the light of increasing evidence implicating the role of the environment in healthcare acquired infection, the potential of BioCote®-treated products to provide an additional infection control mechanism is highlighted.
Education and Professional Development Strategy 2008—2010
Authors: Burnett Emma , Bennallick Maria , Flores Ashley , Horton Rozila , Lawrence Jean , Richards Angela
Published: January 2009

A Education and professional development is an essential component of achieving competence in infection prevention and control practice, which requires a commitment to lifelong learning. The roles and responsibilities of Infection Prevention and Control Teams are continually evolving in order to meet the requirements of healthcare organisations and to enhance patient safety. Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners (IPCPs) have a responsibility for their continuing education and professional development to demonstrate their competence and meet the current and future challenges of Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI). The Education and Professional Development Committee within the Infection Prevention Society (IPS) has set out a strategic vision of focused education and professional development activities for IPCPs. This strategy details issues that have been prioritised and are currently being auctioned thus demonstrating a commitment in ensuring that education and professional development remains a fundamental focus of the IPS.
Frequent loss of heterozygosity and altered expression of the candidate tumor suppressor gene 'FAT' in human astrocytic tumors
Authors: Chosdol Kunzang , Misra Anjan , Puri Sachin , Srivastava Tapasya , Chattopadhyay Parthaprasad , Sarkar Chitra , Mahapatra Ashok K , Sinha Subrata
Published: January 2009

Background

We had earlier used the comparison of RAPD (Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA) DNA fingerprinting profiles of tumor and corresponding normal DNA to identify genetic alterations in primary human glial tumors. This has the advantage that DNA fingerprinting identifies the genetic alterations in a manner not biased for locus.

Methods

In this study we used RAPD-PCR to identify novel genomic alterations in the astrocytic tumors of WHO grade II (Low Grade Diffuse Astrocytoma) and WHO Grade IV (Glioblastoma Multiforme). Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the altered region was studied by microsatellite and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers. Expression study of the gene identified at the altered locus was done by semi-quantitative reverse-transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR).

Results

Bands consistently altered in the RAPD profile of tumor DNA in a significant proportion of tumors were identified. One such 500 bp band, that was absent in the RAPD profile of 33% (4/12) of the grade II astrocytic tumors, was selected for further study. Its sequence corresponded with a region of FAT, a putative tumor suppressor gene initially identified in Drosophila. Fifty percent of a set of 40 tumors, both grade II and IV, were shown to have Loss of Heterozygosity (LOH) at this locus by microsatellite (intragenic) and by SNP markers. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed low FAT mRNA levels in a major subset of tumors.

Conclusion

These results point to a role of the FAT in astrocytic tumorigenesis and demonstrate the use of RAPD analysis in identifying specific alterations in astrocytic tumors.
Mesothelin, Stereocilin, and Otoancorin are predicted to have superhelical structures with ARM-type repeats
Authors: Sathyanarayana Bangalore K , Hahn Yoonsoo , Patankar Manish S , Pastan Ira , Lee Byungkook
Published: January 2009

Background

Mesothelin is a 40 kDa protein present on the surface of normal mesothelial cells and overexpressed in many human tumours, including mesothelioma and ovarian and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. It forms a strong and specific complex with MUC16, which is also highly expressed on the surface of mesothelioma and ovarian cancer cells. This binding has been suggested to be the basis of ovarian cancer metastasis. Knowledge of the structure of this protein will be useful, for example, in building a structural model of the MUC16-mesothelin complex. Mesothelin is produced as a precursor, which is cleaved by furin to produce the N-terminal half, which is called the megakaryocyte potentiating factor (MPF), and the C-terminal half, which is mesothelin. Little is known about the function of mesothelin and there is no information on its possible three-dimensional structure. Mesothelin has been reported to be homologous to the deafness-related inner ear proteins otoancorin and stereocilin, for neither of which the three-dimensional structure is known.

Results

The BLAST and PSI-BLAST searches confirmed that mesothelin and mesothelin precursor proteins are remotely homologous to stereocilin and otoancorin and more closely homologous to the hypothetical protein MPFL (MPF-like). Secondary structure prediction servers predicted a predominantly helical structure for both mesothelin and mesothelin precursor proteins and also for stereocilin and otoancorin. Three-dimensional structure prediction servers INHUB and I-TASSER produced structural models for mesothelin, which consisted of superhelical structures with ARM-type repeats in conformity with the secondary structure predictions. Similar ARM-type superhelical repeat structures were predicted by 3D-PSSM server for mesothelin precursor and for stereocilin and otoancorin proteins.

Conclusion

The mesothelin superfamily of proteins, which includes mesothelin, mesothelin precursor, megakaryocyte potentiating factor, MPFL, stereocilin and otoancorin, are predicted to have superhelical structures with ARM-type repeats. We suggest that all of these function as superhelical lectins to bind the carbohydrate moieties of extracellular glycoproteins.
Metabolic engineering of a reduced-genome strain of Escherichia coli for L-threonine production
Authors: Lee Jun Hyoung , Sung Bong Hyun , Kim Mi Sun , Blattner Frederick R , Yoon Byoung Hoon , Kim Jung Hoe , Kim Sun Chang
Published: January 2009

Background

Deletion of large blocks of nonessential genes that are not needed for metabolic pathways of interest can reduce the production of unwanted by-products, increase genome stability, and streamline metabolism without physiological compromise. Researchers have recently constructed a reduced-genome Escherichia coli strain MDS42 that lacks 14.3% of its chromosome.

Results

Here we describe the reengineering of the MDS42 genome to increase the production of the essential amino acid L-threonine. To this end, we over-expressed a feedback-resistant threonine operon (thrA*BC), deleted the genes that encode threonine dehydrogenase (tdh) and threonine transporters (tdcC and sstT), and introduced a mutant threonine exporter (rhtA23) in MDS42. The resulting strain, MDS-205, shows an ~83% increase in L-threonine production when cells are grown by flask fermentation, compared to a wild-type E. coli strain MG1655 engineered with the same threonine-specific modifications described above. And transcriptional analysis revealed the effect of the deletion of non-essential genes on the central metabolism and threonine pathways in MDS-205.

Conclusion

This result demonstrates that the elimination of genes unnecessary for cell growth can increase the productivity of an industrial strain, most likely by reducing the metabolic burden and improving the metabolic efficiency of cells.
Role of Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 3 in Sub-Acute-Phase Inflammation
Authors: Yen Yi-Tin , Tu Pan-Hsien , Chen Chien-Ju , Lin Yi-Wen , Hsieh Sung-Tsang , Chen Chih-Cheng
Published: January 2009

Background

Inflammation-mediated hyperalgesia involves tissue acidosis and sensitization of nociceptors. Many studies have reported increased expression of acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3) in inflammation and enhanced ASIC3 channel activity with pro-inflammatory mediators. However, the role of ASIC3 in inflammation remains inconclusive because of conflicting results generated from studies of ASIC3 knockout ( ASIC3−/−) or dominant-negative mutant mice, which have shown normal, decreased or increased hyperalgesia during inflammation.

Results

Here, we tested whether ASIC3 plays an important role in inflammation of subcutaneous tissue of paw and muscle in ASIC3−/− mice induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or carrageenan by investigating behavioral and pathological responses, as well as the expression profile of ion channels. Compared with the ASIC3+/+ controls, ASIC3−/− mice showed normal thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia with acute (4-h) intraplantar CFA- or carrageenan-induced inflammation, but the hyperalgesic effects in the sub-acute phase (1–2 days) were milder in all paradigms except for thermal hyperalgesia with CFA-induced inflammation. Interestingly, carrageenan-induced primary hyperalgesia was accompanied by an ASIC3-dependent Nav1.9 up-regulation and increase of tetrodotoxin (TTX)-resistant sodium currents. CFA-inflamed muscle did not evoke hyperalgesia in ASIC3−/− or ASIC3+/+ mice, whereas carrageenan-induced inflammation in muscle abolished mechanical hyperalgesia in ASIC3−/− mice, as previously described. However, ASIC3−/− mice showed attenuated pathological features such as less CFA-induced granulomas and milder carrageenan-evoked vasculitis as compared with ASIC3+/+ mice.

Conclusion

We provide a novel finding that ASIC3 participates in the maintenance of sub-acute-phase primary hyperalgesia in subcutaneous inflammation and mediates the process of granuloma formation and vasculitis in intramuscular inflammation.
PATTERNS OF /Uw/, /ʊ/, AND /Ow FRONTING IN Reno, NEVADA
Authors: Fridland Valerie
Published: January 2009

The phenomenon of back vowel fronting is a sweeping change affecting U.S. dialects. The apparent uniformity of these changes compared to those affecting front vowel classes in regional dialects is one of its most striking aspects. While this fronting, affecting the /uw/, /ʊ/, and /ow/ vowel classes, has been noted by almost every researcher investigating regional vowel variation, the linguistic and social aspects of this shift in the Western region has only recently begun to be explored. As part of a larger research program exploring the diffusion of back vowel fronting across regional dialects and its related linguistic and social conditioning, this paper will help fill a void in the study of back vowel fronting in the Western United States, as realized in Reno, Nevada.
Volume degeneracy of the typical cell and the chord length distribution for Poisson-Voronoi tessellations in high dimensions
Authors: Alishahi Kasra , Sharifitabar Mohsen
Published: January 2009

This paper is devoted to the study of some asymptotic behaviors of Poisson-Voronoi tessellation in the Euclidean space as the space dimension tends to ∞. We consider a family of homogeneous Poisson-Voronoi tessellations with constant intensity λ in Euclidean spaces of dimensionsn= 1, 2, 3, …. First we use the Blaschke-Petkantschin formula to prove that the variance of the volume of the typical cell tends to 0 exponentially in dimension. It is also shown that the volume of intersection of the typical cell with the co-centered ball of volumeuconverges in distribution to the constant λ−1(1 − e−λu). Next we consider the linear contact distribution function of the Poisson-Voronoi tessellation and compute the limit when the space dimension goes to ∞. As a by-product, the chord length distribution and the geometric covariogram of the typical cell are obtained in the limit.