bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Justice Discourses in Transition
Authors: Bell Christine , Campbell Colm , Aoláin Fionnuala Ní
Published: September 2004

This article asserts that ‘transitional justice’ analyses provide important tools in understanding how societies emerge from violent politics. It argues for a conception of transitional justice that goes beyond the question of dealing with the legacy of past human rights violations; rather, its focus is on a range of inter-related dilemmas relating to the role of law in transitional societies. Specifically, the article explores the pivotal and paradoxical role played by law and legal process in times of transition. It examines the tensions inherent in simultaneously reforming the law while utilizing legal form to bring about institutional transformation. These broad theoretical issues are addressed using Northern Ireland as a case study. The role of law is examined (and a reassessment of transition offered), through an exploration of five inter-linked areas: The relationship between law and conflict; the transformation of legal institutions; dealing with the past; political accommodation and minority rights; and the gap which occurs around gender and political transition. The article concludes by suggesting that only through a broader understanding of transitional justice, coupled with a nuanced reassertion of law’s domestic and international legitimacy, can the role of law in transitional societies be adequately understood.
The Trauma of Justice: Sexual Violence, Crimes Against Humanity and The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
Authors: Campbell Kirsten
Published: September 2004

This article explores the relationship between the concepts of trauma and justice in the jurisprudence of crimes against humanity of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, focusing upon cases of sexual violence. It argues that the Tribunal’s jurisprudence conceives this crime as a traumatic violation of both the subject of rights and of universal humanity. The Tribunal’s models of international justice as procedure, punishment, recognition and therapy understand justice as the legal suturing of this trauma. In these models, the notion of ‘justice’ functions as phantasy in the psychoanalytic sense of an imaginary scene that veils its impossibility. However, figuring international justice as the resolution of the trauma of crimes against humanity reiterates the traumatic wrong in humanitarian law. Humanitarian law therefore requires a new model of international justice - a model that does not reiterate the past but which can institute the future.
How High School Athletes Talk about Maternal and Paternal Sporting Experiences
Authors: Shakib Sohaila , Dunbar Michele D.
Published: September 2004

Despite increased structural opportunities through Title IX, adolescent females in the US continue to participate in physical activity less than males. This persistent pattern suggests gender stereotypes might subtly groom girls’ and boys’ choices about health behaviors. Although communication can shape gender stereotypes, the majority of physical activity studies employ social influence frameworks (i.e. social learning theory) that ignore this important dimension of influence. Because the family is a primary socializing agent where gender roles are learned, the current qualitative interview study of high school basketball players illustrates: (1) how communication within the family context prompts learning about parental role models in sport; (2) how adolescents talk about maternal and paternal sports participation. This research suggests that communication is an important modifiable social process for physical activity interventions that include a family influence component.
Racial Disparities in Hospitalized Elderly Patients with Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Wheeler Erlinda C. , Klemm Paula , Hardie Thomas , Plowfield Lisa , Birney Margaret , Polek Carolee , Lynch Kevin G.
Published: September 2004

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of race on length of hospital stay (LOS) and number of procedures on elderly persons hospitalized with chronic heart failure (CHF). Secondary data analysis was used to obtain data on 99,543 hospitalized Medicare patients with CHF age 65 years or older. MANOVA was utilized to examine the effects of race, age, and total hospital charges on LOS, number of procedures, and diagnosis. Asian American Pacific Islanders had significantly higher number of procedures and LOS compared to Whites. The combined dependent variables were significantly affected by race, F( 9, 99,543) = 121.95, p = .000; the covariates of age, F( 3, 99,543) = 720.65, p = .000; and total charges F( 3, 99,543) = 38,962.95, p = .000. LOS accounted for 50% of the variance. Studies that examine cultural variables and their effect on LOS and number of procedures are needed.
Assessing Health-Related Quality of Life among Older People in Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Nilsson Jan , Parker Marti G. , Kabir Zarina Nahar
Published: September 2004

The purpose of this study was to review instruments of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) to identify an instrument appropriate for elderly people in rural Bangladesh. In addition, it hypothesizes that it is important to include physical, psychological, social, spiritual, economic, and environmental dimensions when assessing HRQoL in this group. Sixteen generic instruments found through PubMed were reviewed with regard to content and construct. None of the reviewed instruments fully met the criteria required in the intended context. In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 elderly people in rural Bangladesh to explore the dimensions of HRQoL they considered important. Content analysis of the interview transcripts supported the hypothesis that all six dimensions were important. Suggestions for a new HRQoL instrument appropriate for elderly people in rural Bangladesh are presented.
The Missing Ingredient is the Value of Flexibility
Authors: Borodzicz Edward P.
Published: September 2004

Simulations currently play a key role in facilitating competency training for incident commanders of the emergency services. The article briefly reviews current practice in incident command training and considers the effectiveness of simulation usage and practice for crisis management more generally.
Is the Client-Worker Relationship Associated with Better Outcomes in Mandated Child Abuse Cases?
Authors: Lee Cheryl D. , Ayón Cecilia
Published: September 2004

Objective: The purpose of this research was to (a) find if there were associations between child welfare outcomes and the client-worker relationship and (b) learn what are the predictors of a positive client-worker relationship. Method: 100 (55 Family Maintenance [FM] and 45 Family Preservation [FP]) clients were interviewed in English and Spanish. Pearson’s r, t tests, chi-squares, and a regression analysis were conducted. Results: A majority of the participants were Latino single mothers. Higher scores on the Relationship with Worker Instrument were correlated with better outcomes in discipline and emotional care of children (p < .01). FP clients were more satisfied with their workers than routine FM participants (p < .01). Ability to openly communicate (p < .001), frequency of visits (p < .05), and receipt of public assistance (p < .05) were found to be predictors of good client-worker relationships. Conclusions: This assessment indicates that client-worker relationships and open communication matter.
Project Management in Local Nonprofit Organizations: Engaging Students in Problem-Based Learning
Authors: Kloppenborg Timothy J. , Baucus Melissa S.
Published: September 2004

This article describes problem-based learning (PBL) at the subsystem level, namely, the application of PBL in a project management course that empowers student teams to solve problems in nonprofit organizations. Faculty members teaching in project-based disciplines can employ the authors’ approach to introduce PBL and document its effectiveness, possibly using this to move their university toward system-wide PBL. Faculty members teaching in other disciplines can adapt portions of the authors’approach to their courses. This article explains the course objectives, the project selection, the deliverables, and how students direct their own learning. The authors describe their assessment process in which expert judges evaluate completed projects and award a prize to the best team project.
A Call for Testing our Assumptions
Authors: Peterson Richard B.
Published: September 2004

This essay tests some of the assumptions behind the recent focus by academicians and practitioners regarding the efficacy of strategic human resource (HR) management and our present concern with linking HR programs and bundles to corporate performance measures only. We call for broadening our perspective so that employee priorities and needs are given equal attention to those of top management when undertaking such programs as a part of the agenda of high-performance work organizations. We lay out a set of implications for HR policy and practitioners, as well as for useful research for HR, organization behavior (OB), and social issues academicians.
The “A’s and H’s” of Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships: Three Relationship Renewal Activities
Authors: Eckstein Daniel
Published: September 2004

This article consists of three different activities that couples can complete together: Relationships are viewed contrasting the metaphor of the letter A with the letter H, eight healthy characteristics of couples by the Timberlawn Group are presented, and seven principles of marriage according to Gottman and Silver are included. Couples are invited to complete questions based on the concepts and discuss them with their partner.
Designing a Premarital Counseling Program
Authors: Bruhn D. Michael , Hill Rhonda
Published: September 2004

Premarital counseling is performed most often by members of clergy in religious settings. The authors reviewed what consumers and professionals found to be the most helpful aspects of premarital counseling and made suggestions for practitioners to help develop more beneficial premarital counseling sessions by professional counselors.
The Family Experience of Loss Associated with Miscarriage and Ectopic Pregnancy
Authors: Sperry Patricia , Sperry Len
Published: September 2004

To date, training programs and the professional literature in family counseling and therapy have focused little attention on the individual and systemic dynamics involved with such conditions and their unique grief reactions. Although once quite rare, both conditions are becoming more commonplace today, meaning that counselors and therapists can expect to be increasingly consulted by individuals, couples, and families grieving such losses. This article provides background medical information and an overview of the psychological and family dynamics of loss associated with both of these conditions and illustrates these various dynamics with case material.
Economic Globalization and the Environment in China: A Comparative Case Study of Shenyang and Dalian
Authors: Shin Sangbum
Published: September 2004

This article examines the effects of trade and investment liberalization on the environment in two Chinese cities—Shenyang and Dalian. Theoretically, it draws insights from literature on trade and environment on one hand, and norm diffusion study in the international relations literature on the other hand. It attempts to show that economic openness has played a significant role in facilitating the diffusion of global environmental norms in China. In addition, it examines how global economic integration shapes the ways in which major actors in the environmental policy process interact, change their perceptions, and thus find ways to minimize risks and maximize benefits of globalization. Contrary to the race-to-the-bottom hypothesis, this article finds that economic openness positively affected domestic environmental policy by providing the necessity and opportunities for strengthening environmental institutions.
New Partnerships in Global Environmental Policy: The Clean Development Mechanism
Authors: Streck Charlotte
Published: September 2004

Today’s fragmented world demands creative institutional arrangements to allow governments, international organizations, and civil society actors to join forces in addressing global environmental problems. This article discusses the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) as foreseen under Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol in the context of new models of governance. To do so, it depicts CDM’s history, institutional setting and participatory elements. The CDM serves as a concrete example of how new collaborative networks consisting of nation states and nonstate actors can help in implementing international treaties. The articles traces the history of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change process to provide a sufficient background for a more detailed discussion of the CDM. On that basis, it provides an analysis of the CDM, and depict the Prototype Carbon Fund, administered by the World Bank, as an example for an innovative model of cooperation between the private and the public sectors.
Print Media Coverage of Antibiotic Resistance
Authors: Desilva Malini , Muskavitch Marc A. T. , Roche John P.
Published: September 2004

We analyzed articles from major newspapers in the United States and Canada (1998-2002) to determine the extent to which articles presented information related to antibiotic resistance. Almost three quarters of the articles analyzed mentioned the problem of antibiotic resistance, but most did so in qualitative terms (e.g., stating that antibiotic-resistant bacteria were “ increasingly present”) rather than in numerical (e.g., “Twenty-five strains were resistant”) or statistical terms (e.g., “Twenty-five out of 100 Streptococcus pneumoniae strains sampled were resistant to vancomycin”). Only one quarter of all articles contained information on two key risk-reduction measures people can take to reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance: taking antibiotics only for bacterial infections, and taking the full course of a prescription. These findings suggest that the print media could improve their reporting on issues associated with antibiotic resistance.
Report: Engaging the Public with Science as it Happens
Authors: Davis Tinsley H.
Published: September 2004

Free-choice learning is a significant contributor to the continued acquisition of scientific knowledge for adults. A majority of the public visits science museums, but these institutions traditionally are not equipped to keep up with the rapid pace of scientific research, nor are they seen as a place to find out the latest information. The Current Science& Technology Center (CS&T) at the Museum of Science, Boston, Massachusetts, is one experiment to change this situation and engage the public with research as it happens. Opened in 2001, CS&T is an evolving entity that seeks to reach visitors, both real and virtual, by offering opportunities for engagement that address a variety of learning styles.
Trafficking for Prostitution in Italy
Authors: Aghatise Esohe
Published: September 2004

This article gives an overview of the problem of trafficking for prostitution in Italy and notes different trafficking dynamics according to countries of origin of the victims. It examines changes in trafficking patterns, various activities carried out by the Italian government and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to assist victims, the Italian legal framework used to combat trafficking, and the recent government proposal to legalize brothels. In conclusion, the article suggests strategies to combat prostitution and trafficking. The main emphasis is on the trafficking of Nigerian women and girls to Italy.
The Swedish Law that Prohibits the Purchase of Sexual Services
Authors: Ekberg Gunilla
Published: September 2004

After several years of public debate initiated by the Swedish women’s movement, the Law That Prohibits the Purchase of Sexual Services came into force on January 1, 1999. The Law is the first attempt by a country to address the root cause of prostitution and trafficking in beings: the demand, the men who assume the right to purchase persons for prostitution purposes. This ground breaking law is a cornerstone of Swedish efforts to create a contemporary, democratic society where women and girls can live lives free of all forms of male violence. In combination with public education, awareness-raising campaigns, and victim support, the Law and other legislation establish a zero tolerance policy for prostitution and trafficking in human beings. When the buyers risk punishment, the number of men who buy prostituted persons decreases, and the local prostitution markets become less lucrative. Traffickers will then choose other and more profitable destinations.
A Public-Private Partnership in the Lebanese Telecommunications Industry
Authors: Jamali Dima
Published: September 2004

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are increasingly heralded as an innovative policy tool for remedying the lack of dynamism in traditional public service delivery. The logistics and policy requirements for successful PPP implementation have yet to be systematically explored. This article synthesizes the opportunities and challenges encountered in the context of PPPs and identifies critical success factors and/or policy requirements for successful PPP implementation. This case study assesses a recent PPP initiative in the telecommunications sector of Lebanon and draws out lessons for improving the effectiveness and viability of PPP projects in the context of developing countries.
Pedestrian Wind Environment around Buildings: Literature Review and Practical Examples
Authors: Blocken Bert , Carmeliet Jan
Published: September 2004

The construction of a building inevitably changes the microclimate in its vicinity. In particular near high-rise buildings, high wind velocities are often introduced at pedestrian level that can be experienced as uncomfortable or even dangerous. Therefore, the design of a building should not only focus on the building envelope and on providing good indoor environment, but should also include the effect of the design on the outdoor environment. The outdoor environment of a building, in particular related to wind, has received relatively little attention in the Building Physics community. The present paper addresses Building Physicists and focuses on the outdoor wind environment for pedestrians. First, a literature review on pedestrian wind studies is provided. The relation between wind effects, wind comfort, wind danger and wind climate is outlined. A brief review on wind tunnel and numerical modeling of building aerodynamics and pedestrian wind is given. The typical wind flow pattern around buildings and the related wind environment at pedestrian level are discussed. Second, these problems are illustrated by means of four practical examples, where the unfavorable pedestrian wind environment has been, is or should be a matter of serious concern for the building designers and the building owner.
Impact Penetration of Sandwich Panels at Different Velocities – An Experimental Parameter Study: Part II – Interpretation of Results and Modeling
Authors: Kepler J.
Published: September 2004

Based on sandwich panel penetration experiments and the observed damage patterns, as described in Part I of this article, the individual energy contributions are estimated from simple physical models. It is shown that the most important contributions are from membrane-state fiber stretching, core compression, and friction between core material and impactor. Lesser contributions are from delaminations, core fracture, and debonding between core and back face-sheet. Addition of the energy absorption contributions generally give smaller total absorption than measured; the most likely reasons for this discrepancy are outlined in the conclusion.
Optimism, Health-related Hardiness and Well-Being among Older Australian Women
Authors: Smith Nadine , Young Anne , Lee Christina
Published: September 2004

This article examines whether optimism and health-related hardiness contribute to health and well-being among older women. Positive psychological characteristics, including optimism and health-related hardiness, are correlated with good self-rated health, but these variables are all affected by socioeconomic status, social support, physical illness and access to services. Using data from 9501 Australian women aged 73 to 78, we show that optimism and health-related hardiness explain a significant proportion of variance in all subscales of the SF-36, and in stress, even after these confounders are taken into account. The data, although cross-sectional, suggest that positive personal characteristics may contribute to well-being.
Longitudinal Analyses of Blood-Lead Levels and Risk Factors for Lead Poisoning in Healthy Children under Two Years of Age
Authors: özden Tülin Ayse , Issever Halim , Gökçay Gülbin , Saner Günay
Published: September 2004

This study aimed to determine the risk factors for lead poisoning of infants living in Istanbul. It was a longitudinal study conducted between March 1998 and September 2000 at the “Well-Child Unit” based at the Istanbul Medical School. During the study period, a total of 242 newborns were registered and 220 of them met the eligibility criteria. The families of 199 infants gave consent for this study. At the end of two years, 131 infants had completed the study. Blood samples were collected when the infants were aged 1, 6, 12, and 24 months. All samples were assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Blood-lead levels (BLL) increased with age. The maximum BLL was observed at 24 months. There was no infant with a BLL above 10 μgdL1 at one-month of age but this figure was exceeded for 0.5% of the cohort at 6 months, 1.1% at 12 months and 11.5% at 24 months. Children who were given herbal tea and exposed to tobacco smoke, lived in centrally heated homes, and whose fathers were manual workers had significantly higher BLL. The study identified herbal tea, exposure to dust, soil, paint and metal construction debris containing lead and living in an environment where people smoked as factors that put children under two years of age at increased risk of “elevated” BLL.
Pedestrian Wind Environment Around High-Rise Residential Buildings in Hong Kong
Authors: Jones P. J. , Alexander D. , Burnett J.
Published: September 2004

This paper describes a study of the assessment of pedestrian wind environment using two methods, namely, wind-tunnel scale modelling and numerical computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation. An estate of high-rise residential towers in Hong Kong is used as the test case. The two methods were found to yield broadly similar results in predicting wind-flow patterns through the complex. Wind factors of up to three times the free-site wind speed were predicted by both methods. There were, however, some disagreements in the detailed location and extent of the severe areas, which indicates further investigation and validation is required before CFD methods can be comfortably used in practice.
An Assessment Tool for Medical Informatics Skills
Authors: Roscoe Trefor , Lane Pat
Published: September 2004

Computing has developed slowly in British general medical practice, and the impact on patient care has yet to be fully evaluated. There is an acknowledged need for further training in informatics. This article describes a tool for assessing recommended medical informatics skills. The tool is based on self-scoring of 15 skills on a matrix questionnaire. A survey of 1 15 GPs generated 86 responses with a useful spread of scores. Individuals can use their results to identify their learning needs. The tool should be valuable in planning and evaluating informatics training. Further analysis of matrix skills is planned using a larger survey.
One nation under radio: digital and public memory after September 11
Authors: Cohen Elisia L. , Willis Cynthia
Published: September 2004

National Public Radio’s Sonic Memorial project leveraged the opportunities of digital multimedia convergence to create a national aural memorial of the September 11 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. Not only did the ubiquity of digital technology empower listeners to act as producers in submitting texts to the Memorial, but it also allowed the Sonic Memorial to bridge radio and new media environments through the creation of a lasting memorial website at www.sonicmemorial.com. While unique in its focus on participatory vernacular aural remembrance, the Sonic Memorial nevertheless shares many attributes of traditional national memorials in its focus on making sense of national tragedy. Despite its uniqueness, the Sonic Memorial privileges certain stories, leaving others unvoiced in its montage of remembrance.
Berlin, the Virtual Global City
Authors: Ward Janet
Published: September 2004

This article analyzes the significance of the global-city epithet as a transformational city-building image for post-Wall Berlin. The boosterist ambitions of the New Berlin’s massive rebuilding program have not brought the former Cold War outpost into the top tier of contemporary global cities; rather, the regained capital is languishing under bankruptcy and high unemployment. Nonetheless, Berlin’s legacy of extreme mutability, combined with its obsessive self-representations in architectural exhibitions and other virtual environments, provide a strategic platform that enables the city to imagine and plan its urban future toward globality. The multiple virtual-city stagings of Berlin function in a pragmatic, entrepreneurial manner, by serving as a lure for, e.g., culture and multimedia industries to relocate to Berlin. Such globally linked companies are indicative of how branding in the virtual realm can help build a new economic reality into being.
Evidencing Anti-Racism in Student Assignments
Authors: Heron Gavin
Published: September 2004

Ensuring practitioners are equipped to recognize and deal with racism would appear to be a primary concern for social work. Yet the way practitioners develop and/or consolidate their understanding of racism and anti-racist practice is unclear. This study aimed to explore how students demonstrate anti-racist thinking in assignments at one key phase of the learning process. The findings suggest considerable variance in terms of students' ability to demonstrate antiracist thinking in written assignments. While there are likely to be diverse opinions as to how the new honours degree in social work is taught and assessed, some valuable opportunities may be missed without a greater consideration of anti-racist practice. This article suggests there is a need to link a framework of inequality to teaching approaches that encourage critical thinking if students are to engage with anti-racism in a meaningful way.
Reading and Not Reading in Professional Practice
Authors: Horder William
Published: September 2004

This article explores the use of reading and why it may be difficult to read in professional practice. The article uses narrative and autobiographical methodology, drawing on personal journals as a source of evidence. It presents a critical career review which outlines the author's own reading history and illustrates some barriers and obstacles in reading for social work. Drawing on media theory and the literature of health and social care, the article considers the process of reading and the relationship between readers and texts, reviewing problems arising in reading for professional practice and skills required. It suggests that a strong oral culture exists in practice settings in the UK and that this partly explains the undeveloped reading culture. Difficulties for practitioners in knowing what to read and in accessing texts are also highlighted. The growth of electronic media offers opportunities to overcome these problems but requires skills which appear to be relatively undeveloped.
Bicomponent Meltblown Nonwovens and Fibre Splitting
Authors: (Qin) Sun Christine , Zhang Dong , Liu Yanbo , Xiao Jihua
Published: September 2004

Side-by-side bicomponent meltblown fibre webs are produced on Reicofil® bicomponent (bico) meltblown line at TANDEC using polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyamide (PA), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), polylactide (PLA), etc. In this study, fibre splitting of the bico meltblown webs is investigated by several approaches, including hydroentanglement, hot water treatment, benzoic acid treatment, and alkali treatment. The web properties and the interfacial adhesion within the bico fibre are also discussed.
Conventional Approach on Manufacturing 3D Woven Preforms Used for Composites
Authors: Yi H. L. , Ding X.
Published: September 2004

The major barrier to accelerating the transition from 2D fabric lamination to integral 3D textile preforms is the high costs. Toward this end, substantial researches have been conducted. This paper reports on a conventional approach to the forming of 3D flat woven preforms in a shuttle-weaving machine. The factors in determining woven pattern design and weaving process are discussed. Twelve 3D woven samples with various fiber architectures are produced to test the feasibility of the forming techniques. The design and manufacturing method is validated by comparing the fiber volume fraction of samples between design values and testing ones. Modification details of the weaving machine are described. Some key issues, such as warp yarn arrangement and selvedge pattern design are also discussed. It is demonstrated that conventional weaving machines with minimum modifications can be employed as a potentially cost-effective mean to successfully manufacture 3D flat woven preforms.
Metastatic Breast Cancer in a 54-Year-Old Woman: Integrative Treatment with Yttrium-90 Radioembolization
Authors: Rubin Daniel , Nutting Charles , Jones Bonita
Published: September 2004

In 1993, a 54-year-old woman was diagnosed with early-stage breast adenocarcinoma and treated with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by tamoxifen. Nine years later, the patient presented for integrative treatment, with liver metastases. Carcinoembryonic antigen was significantly elevated. The patient was started on a heavily fractionated, multiple-agent chemotherapy regimen; however, she underwent significant adverse effects and the treatment was suspended. She then started on intravenous nutrition along with specific nutritional supplements. Two months later, a similar chemotherapeutic regimen was started in association with her existing nutritional protocol. One month later, the carcinoembryonic antigen began to rise, and a positron emission tomography scan was ordered that revealed the persistence of multiple and extensive liver metastases as well as possible skeletal metastases. The patient was started on an oral bisphosphonate and referred to interventional radiology for consultation on radioembolization with yttrium-90. After being accepted for treatment, the patient under-went a right hepatic lobe angiogram and radioembolization. Within 2 weeks, she realized significant improvements in her clinical and laboratory status; chemotherapy was discontinued. She later underwent radioembolization to her left lobe. Thirteen months after the yttrium-90 treatment, the patient remains on an integrative program with radiographically and clinically stable disease.
¿Quién Soy? Finding My Place in History: Personalizing Learning through Faculty/Librarian Collaboration
Authors: Hein Nancy Porras , Miller Barbara A.
Published: September 2004

Using an authentic assessment approach, two California State University, Fullerton, faculty members developed instructional strategies in support of an assignment that requires students to situate their families within a historical framework. We describe our efforts to provide students with there-search skills to successfully complete the assignment. We used, among other methods, reflective writing assignments to measure the growth of students’ intercultural understanding.
A Case for Mind
Authors: de Maré Patrick , Schöllberger Roberto
Published: September 2004

The authors of this article consider it self-evident that psychotherapy entails treatment of the mind. This is not generally held and other determinants have been invoked, such as science. Foulkes’s views on the concept of Mind is compared to those of a wide range of authors with the objective of concluding that the mind plays a primary role in psychotherapy.
Variation in alternative splicing across human tissues
Authors: Yeo Gene , Holste Dirk , Kreiman Gabriel , Burge Christopher B
Published: September 2004

Background

Alternative pre-mRNA splicing (AS) is widely used by higher eukaryotes to generate different protein isoforms in specific cell or tissue types. To compare AS events across human tissues, we analyzed the splicing patterns of genomically aligned expressed sequence tags (ESTs) derived from libraries of cDNAs from different tissues.

Results

Controlling for differences in EST coverage among tissues, we found that the brain and testis had the highest levels of exon skipping. The most pronounced differences between tissues were seen for the frequencies of alternative 3' splice site and alternative 5' splice site usage, which were about 50 to 100% higher in the liver than in any other human tissue studied. Quantifying differences in splice junction usage, the brain, pancreas, liver and the peripheral nervous system had the most distinctive patterns of AS. Analysis of available microarray expression data showed that the liver had the most divergent pattern of expression of serine-arginine protein and heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein genes compared to the other human tissues studied, possibly contributing to the unusually high frequency of alternative splice site usage seen in liver. Sequence motifs enriched in alternative exons in genes expressed in the brain, testis and liver suggest specific splicing factors that may be important in AS regulation in these tissues.

Conclusions

This study distinguishes the human brain, testis and liver as having unusually high levels of AS, highlights differences in the types of AS occurring commonly in different tissues, and identifies candidate cis-regulatory elements and trans-acting factors likely to have important roles in tissue-specific AS in human cells.
Effects of flaxseed on breast cancer growth
Authors: de Lemos Mário L. , O’Brien Robin K.
Published: September 2004

The use of flaxseed (linseed) to combat breast cancer has attracted increased attention since the preliminary results of a clinical study were presented in the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December 2000. One of the most often quoted implications of the study was that the anti-tumour effect of flaxseed muffin may be comparable to that of tamoxifen. However, flax-seed also contains secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG), which is converted by the gut bacteria into the oestrogenic lignans, enterodiol and enterolac-tone. Given that other plant-derived oestrogenic substances (phyto-oestrogens) can stimulate breast cancer growth under certain circusmtances, there are concerns regarding the safety of flaxseed. The following review will look at the existing data to help clarify some of these issues.
Clinical pharmacology and determinates of response to gefitinib in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Palmer Matt , Geurink Justin , Hahn Kristine , Kolesar Jill
Published: September 2004

Objective. Provide a review and update of gefitinib (Iressa®), including recent data on mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and possible implications in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Data sources. Primary literature and review articles were researched using Pub-Med. Articles through June 2004 were considered for preparation of the review. All clinical trials with published results and articles reporting EGFR mutations were considered for inclusion by the authors.

Conclusions. Gefitinib is a novel EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for treatment of chemo-resistant NSCLC. Response rates of 10-19% have been observed in clinical trials with no improvement when combined with chemotherapy. Currently, gefitinib is used as a single agent for advanced NSCLC that is resistant to chemotherapy. Mutations in EGFR correlating with response to gefitinib have recently been described. Based on these early results, genetic testing of NSCLC patients upon diagnosis could predict response to gefitinib. Early treatment of NSCLC patients positive for EGFR mutations with gefitinib remains to be tested.
Estimating the direct aerosol radiative perturbation: Impact of ocean surface representation and aerosol non‐sphericity
Authors: Bellouin N. , Boucher O. , Vesperini M. , Tanré D.
Published: September 2004

Atmospheric aerosols are now actively studied, in particular because of their radiative and climate impacts. Estimations of the direct aerosol radiative perturbation, caused by extinction of incident solar radiation, usually rely on radiative transfer codes and involve simplifying hypotheses. This paper addresses two approximations which are widely used for the sake of simplicity and limiting the computational cost of the calculations. Firstly, it is shown that using a Lambertian albedo instead of the more rigorous bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) to model the ocean surface radiative properties leads to large relative errors in the instantaneous aerosol radiative perturbation. When averaging over the day, these errors cancel out to acceptable levels of less than 3% (except in the northern hemisphere winter). The other scope of this study is to address aerosol non‐sphericity effects. Comparing an experimental phase function with an equivalent Mie‐calculated phase function, we found acceptable relative errors if the aerosol radiative perturbation calculated for a given optical thickness is daily averaged. However, retrieval of the optical thickness of non‐spherical aerosols assuming spherical particles can lead to significant errors. This is due to significant differences between the spherical and non‐spherical phase functions. Discrepancies in aerosol radiative perturbation between the spherical and non‐spherical cases are sometimes reduced and sometimes enhanced if the aerosol optical thickness for the spherical case is adjusted to fit the simulated radiance of the non‐spherical case. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society
Properties and first application of an error‐statistics tuning method in variational assimilation
Authors: Chapnik Bernard , Desroziers Gerald , Rabier Florence , Talagrand Olivier
Published: September 2004

The method for tuning observational or background error statistics is presented and some of its properties are exposed using theoretical considerations and experiments carried out in a simplified framework. In particular, the method is shown to be equivalent to a maximum‐likelihood evaluation and its efficiency is seen to depend on the number of observations. The results of several experiments carried out with the variational assimilation system of the French numerical weather‐prediction system ARPEGE, both with simulated and actual datasets involving satellite radiances, are also presented. The temporal stability of the results and their consistency with the known quality of the measurements are shown. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society
High-Sensitivity Detection of the A3243G Mutation of Mitochondrial DNA by a Combination of Allele-Specific PCR and Peptide Nucleic Acid-Directed PCR Clamping
Authors: Urata Michiyo , Wada Yui , Kim Sang Ho , Chumpia Worawan , Kayamori Yuzo , Hamasaki Naotaka , Kang Dongchon
Published: September 2004

Background: The A3243G mutation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is involved in many common diseases, including diabetes mellitus and mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). For detection of this mutation, allele-specific PCR is highly sensitive but requires strict control of PCR conditions; it thus is not adequate for a routine clinical test. We aimed to develop a routinely available PCR method for quantitative detection of low-level heteroplasmy of the A3243G mutation.

Methods: Quantitative allele-specific PCR for the A3243G mutation was performed in the presence of peptide nucleic acid (PNA), in which PNA is complementary to the wild-type mtDNA, with one primer having a 3′ end matched to nucleotide position 3243 of the mutant.

Results: With our method, amplification of wild-type mtDNA was suppressed 7000-fold compared with amplification of the mutant mtDNA under a broad range of conditions: DNA, 5–100 ng; annealing temperature, 61–66 °C; and PNA, 1.5–3.5 μmol/L. Hence, 0.1% heteroplasmy of the A3243G mutation can be reliably quantified by this method. Blood samples form 40 healthy volunteers showed <0.06% heteroplasmy, suggesting that 0.1% is diagnostically significant.

Conclusions: PNA maintains the specificity of allele-specific PCR over a wide range of conditions, which is important for routine clinical testing.
Survivin Is an Independent Prognostic Marker for Risk Stratification of Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Span Paul N , Sweep Fred C G J , Wiegerinck Erwin T G , Tjan-Heijnen Vivianne C G , Manders Peggy , Beex Louk V A M , de Kok Jaques B
Published: September 2004

Background: Results in previous qualitative studies of the association of the apoptosis inhibitor survivin with prognosis of breast cancer patients have been contradictory.

Methods: Survivin mRNA was measured by quantitative TaqMan reverse transcription-PCR in 275 breast cancer tissues from patients with operable tumors and was correlated with established clinicopathologic factors, relapse-free survival [(RFS); 102 events], and overall survival [(OS); 81 events].

Results: High survivin mRNA concentrations were found mainly in tissues from younger patients and in high-grade cancer tissues. High survivin concentrations were most strongly associated with estrogen receptor- or progesterone receptor-negative tumors. In univariate Cox regression analysis for RFS, survivin concentrations were significantly associated with poor prognosis with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.99 (95% confidence interval, 1.31–3.02; P = 0.001) for every 10-fold increase in expression. For OS, a significant contribution of survivin to poor prognosis was found with a HR of 2.76 (1.67–4.55; P <0.001). Multivariate analyses were performed including established clinicopathologic factors. For RFS, age (P = 0.027), nodal category (P <0.001), and survivin [HR = 1.78 (1.18–2.68); P = 0.006] contributed significantly to the model. For OS, only nodal category (P <0.001) and survivin [HR = 3.05 (1.83–5.10); P <0.001] were significant.

Conclusion: Survivin demonstrates a strong, independent, association with poor prognosis. Survivin might be used as a new marker to stratify breast cancer patients for more optimal treatment modalities, or it could be a promising new target for therapy.
Wood Fracture Pattern during the Water Adsorption Process
Authors: Liyu W. , Zhenyou L. , Guangjie Z.
Published: September 2004

A research program was conducted to investigate the effect of water transition on wood fracture
properties, focusing on fracture behavior and patterns with different crack orientations of Betula
platyphylla Suk. and Pinus bungeana in three different moisture adsorption processes. At a constant
temperature of 20°C, three levels of relative humidity were considered: 66%, 82% and
100%. The results indicated that moisture content did not influence the crack propagation path,
while specimen crack orientation did. With longer moisture adsorption times, the time needed to
reach the maximum load from the critical load also grew; this is because below the fiber saturation
point, from excessive dryness to a certain moisture content, the cell wall becomes less brittle and
the toughness is enhanced. At 20°C constant temperature, the fracture toughness gradually increased
from oven-dry state adsorbing moisture to 82% relative humidity, but decreased from
82% to 100% relative humidity. Within a tree species, fracture toughness depended on specimen
type. The fracture toughness of LT specimens was by far higher than that of TL and TR specimens.
The LT specimen fracture toughness of Betula platyphylla Suk. was comparable to that of Pinus
bungeana.
Use of the Partial Least Squares Method with Acoustic Vibration Spectra as a New Grading Technique for Structural Timber
Authors: Brancheriau L. , Baillères H.
Published: September 2004

This study develops a high performance grading process based on the analysis of acoustic vibrations
in the audible frequency range. The unique feature of the method is that the spectrum is directly
applied to obtain predictive variables for estimating the modulus of elasticity and modulus
of rupture. A partial least squares regression was used. This powerful method represents a compromise
between principal component regression and multi-linear regression. Partial least squares
regression screens for factors which account for the variance in the predictor variables and
achieves the best correlation between factors and predicted variable. The method is based on projections,
similar to principle components regression, whereby a set of correlated variables is compressed
into a smaller set of uncorrelated factors.
Cationic effect in high concentration alcohol organosolv pulping: The next generation biorefinery
Authors: Yawalata D. , Paszner L.
Published: September 2004

Catalyst employment in cooking liquor of 80% aqueous methanol is required for fiber liberation at high yield (50%) and has a remarkable impact on pulp production capability in the alcohol organosolv pulping of spruce wood. In alcohol solution without a suitable catalyst, the softwood fibers cannot be effectively liberated from the wood matrix. The effectiveness of the catalysts tested in this research varied widely. Divalent metal ions were found to be very effective, whereas monovalent cations were incapable of fiber liberation and trivalent cations were found to be too aggressive and hydrolyzed the carbohydrates, causing extensive damage to the fibers. Under the specified pulping conditions, the divalent metal ion catalyzed alcohol organosolv pulping process was capable of producing 60–61% screened pulp. Successful chemical pulp production by the NAEM (Neutral Alkali Earth Metal) catalyzed organosolv pulping process opens access to biorefining and provides value recovery both from the pulp and also from the dissolved wood components from the spent pulping liquor.
Cooperativity analysis of the in situ lignin glass transition
Authors: Laborie M.-P. G. , Salmén L. , Frazier: C. E.
Published: September 2004

This paper demonstrates the applicability of cooperativity
analysis for the glass transition of lignin in wood. In ethylene
glycol plasticized wood, the coupling model of
relaxation proposed by Ngai allows for quantifying intermolecular
coupling associated with the lignin glass transition.
The method utilizes Time-Temperature Superposition
of viscoelastic properties measured by submersion
dynamic mechanical analysis. It is shown that the
coupling model by Plazek and Ngai adequately describes
segmental relaxation above the lignin glass transition
temperature only. No significant difference in intermolecular
coupling was found between spruce and yellow-poplar.
Influence of temperature on the modulus of elasticity (MOE) of Pinus sylvestris L.
Authors: Moraes P. Dias de , Rogaume Y. , Triboulot P.
Published: September 2004

The influence of temperature on the modulus of elasticity
(MOE) and on the flexural stiffness of Pinus sylvestris L.
was determined under temperature conditions ranging
from 25 to 300°C for samples with a water content of
about 6.0%. The experiments were carried out on microsamples,
with a thermomechanical analyser, in isothermal
conditions and under temperature ramping rates.
The behaviour of the curves of the MOE is explained by
wood drying and by the behaviour of the wood polymers
as a function of temperature. The results obtained by
thermomechanical analysis were validated by the results
obtained by centre-point bending tests on small scale
samples, which therefore allows for its use in modelling
the behaviour of timber structures during a fire.