bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Personality Traits and Psychopathology on Male Sexual Dysfunction: An Empirical Study
Authors: Quinta Gomes Ana Luísa , Nobre Pedro
Published: November 2010

Introduction

The importance of the role played by personality variables in the etiology, development, and maintenance of most emotional disorders is strongly supported by empirical data. However, there is a lack of studies concerning the implication of these variables on sexual difficulties.

Aim

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role played by personality dimensions and psychopathology on male sexual functioning as well as to clarify the way these variables discriminate men with and without sexual dysfunction.

Methods

A total of 229 men participated in the study (a community sample composed by 205 men and a clinical sample by 24 men with a DSM-IV diagnosis of sexual dysfunction). The community sample was subdivided into a control group (n = 152) and a subclinical group (n = 53), according to the cutoff scores of the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction. After giving informed consent, participants completed a set of clinical instruments. Partial correlations, regression analyses, and multivariate analyses of covariance were conducted.

Main Outcomes Measures

All participants completed a set of measures assessing personality dimensions, psychopathological symptoms, and sexual functioning.

Results

After controlling for psychopathology, men with sexual dysfunction presented significantly higher levels of neuroticism when compared to sexually healthy men. Moreover, regression analysis indicated neuroticism as the best predictor of sexual functioning (β = −0.24, P < 0.01). Regarding psychopathology, men with sexual problems presented significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms than the controls. Additionally, depressive symptoms were a significant predictor of sexual functioning (β = −0.41, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Personality dimensions and psychopathology play an important role on male sexual functioning. The results may have important clinical implications.
The Effect of Topical Synthetic Prostaglandin E1 (Misoprostol) on Clitoral Hemodynamics
Authors: Dirim Ayhan , Goren Mehmet R. , Peskircioglu Levent
Published: November 2010

Introduction

Genital blood flow plays an important role on female sexual function. Measures that increase genital blood flow may be a therapeutic approach for female sexual dysfunction.

Aim

This study aims to show the effect of topical misoprostol, a synthetic prostaglandin, on clitoral blood flow.

Methods

Seventeen volunteers with female sexual dysfunction on the basis of female sexual function index scores were included in the study. All women were premenopausal and within their sexually active ages. Hormonal profiles were also normal. Those with suspected pregnancy, history of pelvic or vaginal surgery or radiotherapy, and diabetes or hypertension were excluded. Female sexual function index scores were determined. Clitoral peak systolic velocity (PSV) and clitoral artery diameter of all women were measured by using Doppler ultrasound. The measurements were done on two occasions as before and after placebo in one session and before and after 100 µg of misoprostol in another. This is a double-blind study where the patient and the ultrasonographist were unaware of either placebo or active drug has been applied before measurements.

Main Outcome Measures

Clitoral artery diameter and peak systolic velocity.

Results

Misoprostol caused a significant increase in clitoral artery PSV compared to basal level (P = 0.0001), while changes in clitoral artery PSV with placebo remained insignificant. Remarkably, misoprostol caused 118.3% increase in clitoral artery PSV and 47.5% increase in clitoral artery diameter when compared to basal levels. No side effects were observed.

Conclusion

Topical misoprostol can significantly increase clitoral blood flow without any unwanted effects and this finding may be promising for future investigations with relevance to female sexual dysfunction.
Arginase II Deletion Increases Corpora Cavernosa Relaxation in Diabetic Mice
Authors: Toque Haroldo A. , Tostes Rita C. , Yao Lin , Xu Zhimin , Webb R. Clinton , Caldwell Ruth B. , Caldwell R. William
Published: November 2010

Introduction

Diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction involves elevated arginase (Arg) activity and expression. Because nitric oxide (NO) synthase and Arg share and compete for their substrate L-arginine, NO production is likely linked to regulation of Arg. Arg is highly expressed and implicated in erectile dysfunction.

Aim

It was hypothesized that Arg-II isoform deletion enhances relaxation function of corpora cavernosal (CC) smooth muscle in a streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic model.

Methods

Eight weeks after STZ-induced diabetes, vascular functional studies, Arg activity assay, and protein expression levels of Arg and constitutive NOS (using Western blots) were assessed in CC tissues from nondiabetic wild type (WT), diabetic (D) WT (WT + D), Arg-II knockout (KO), and Arg-II KO+D mice (N = 8–10 per group).

Main Outcome Measures

Inhibition or lack of arginase results in facilitation of CC relaxation in diabetic CC.

Results

Strips of CC from Arg-II KO mice exhibited an enhanced maximum endothelium-dependent relaxation (from 70 + 3% to 84 + 4%) and increased nitrergic relaxation (by 55%, 71%, 42%, 42%, and 24% for 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 Hz, respectively) compared with WT mice. WT + D mice showed a significant reduction of endothelium-dependent maximum relaxation (44 + 8%), but this impairment of relaxation was significantly prevented in Arg-II KO+D mice (69 + 4%). Sympathetic-mediated and alpha-adrenergic agent-induced contractile responses also were increased in CC strips from D compared with non-D controls. Contractile responses were significantly lower in Arg-II KO control and D versus the WT groups. WT + D mice increased Arg activity (1.5-fold) and Arg-II protein expression and decreased total and phospho-eNOS at Ser-1177, and nNOS levels. These alterations were not seen in Arg-II KO mice. Additionally, the Arg inhibitor BEC (50 µM) enhanced nitrergic and endothelium-dependent relaxation in CC of WT + D mice.

Conclusion

These studies show for the first time that Arg-II deletion improves CC relaxation in type 1 diabetes.
Evaluation of Cleaning Procedures for Allergen Control in a Food Industry Environment
Authors: Wang X. , Young O.A. , Karl D.P.
Published: November 2010

Abstract:  The hygiene of chicken processing surfaces and retention of the wheat protein gliadin and of protein in general on those surfaces were compared in 15 trials after 3 increasingly rigorous cleaning steps. Eleven different chicken products with wheat derivatives as a batter were prepared on 3 processing lines in 15 production runs selected at random over 6 mo (5 runs were thus replicates). Using surface swabs, surface hygiene was monitored by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence, gliadin by immunoassay, and protein by the Coomassie dye method. Gliadin was monitored in 14 trials, protein in 5, and all trials were monitored by ATP bioluminescence. In a typical trial, gliadin values normalized to uncleaned values fell from 100000 arbitrary units, to 6000 after rinsing, to 30 (foam, rinse), to not detected (sanitize, rinse). Parallel ATP bioluminescence values also decreased, but crucially, the relative gliadin value was less than the relative ATP value after foam and rinse in all 14 trials, a result unchanged after sanitize and rinse. In trials comparing ATP and protein, the relative ATP values exceeded the relative protein values in 4 of 5 trials after foaming and after sanitizing. Thus, for these 11 products, ATP bioluminescence was a surrogate indicator of residual gliadin and probably of residual protein. Absolute gliadin concentration on an uncleaned processing line was also the basis of modeling the risk of cross‐contamination of gliadin in follow‐up product, where the line was hypothetically left uncleaned between production runs. The results show that all follow‐up product could be declared “gluten‐free” under proposed legislation, and suggest that some industrial cross‐contamination risks are currently overestimated.

Practical Application:  ATP bioluminescence is probably a useful surrogate for rapid validation of allergen‐free food processing surfaces.
Effects of Alpha‐Tocopherol on Lactones in Beef Headspace during Storage
Authors: Watanabe A. , Imanari M. , Higuchi M. , Shiba N. , Yonai M.
Published: November 2010

Abstract:  We studied the effect of alpha‐tocopherol (alpha‐Toc) on the production of lactones, a desirable flavor in Wagyu beef (Japanese Black Cattle), in meat headspace. Fresh beef was minced and divided into 4 groups containing different alpha‐Toc levels (1.9, 2.7, 6.1, and 10.7 mg/kg) or packed with oxygen absorber. After 10 d of storage at 2 °C, these samples were cooked in distilled water and rendered fat was collected. The headspace of the fat was analyzed with solid‐phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The DB‐17MS capillary column led to good separation of aliphatic lactones. Oxygen was important for the development of all lactones during storage. The amounts of gamma‐octalactone and gamma‐nonalactone decreased linearly with increasing alpha‐Toc levels. The effect of alpha‐Toc on delta‐decalactone, delta‐undecalactone, and delta‐tetoradecalactone was weaker, and that on delta‐hexadecalactone was ambiguous. These observations suggest that oxidation was necessary to develop the flavor of Wagyu beef, and warn that an excessive increase of alpha‐Toc could reduce levels of positive flavor components, gamma‐octalactone and gamma‐nonalactone, in the headspace of Wagyu beef.
A Simple DNA Characterization Method Using Fiber‐Fluorescence in situ Hybridization Performed without DNA Fragmentation
Authors: Hirose Tamaki , Sugiyama Shigeru
Published: November 2010

We performed high‐resolution fluorescence imaging of lambda phage DNA molecules hybridized with fluorescent‐labeled DNA and peptide nucleic acid probes. In this method, the target DNA and probe were mixed, rapidly denatured and then subjected to liquid hybridization conditions. The hybridized DNA sample was then spotted onto a nontreated glass substrate and subjected to molecular combing. The resultant continuous fluorescence signal of intact lambda DNA shows that the fluorescent‐labeled probes bound to the predicted sites but in a pattern that was clearly different to the beads‐on‐a‐string pattern typical for fiber‐fluorescence in situ hybridization. The key changes to the conventional method are hybridization of the free target DNA in liquid and lowering the denaturation temperature. The method described here allows the rapid and direct visualization of the specific binding sites of intact DNA molecules without damaging the DNA fibers and causing fragmentation of the fluorescence signal. This technique should be a useful tool in studies of genetics and also large‐scale DNA sequencing projects.
Special Report: Identifying Interdisciplinary Research Priorities to Prevent and Treat Pediatric Obesity in New York City
Authors: Gallagher Dympna , Larson Elaine L. , Wang Yun‐Hsin Claire , Richards Boyd , Weng Chunhua , Hametz Patricia , Begg Melissa D. , Chung Wendy K. , Boden‐Albala Bernadette , Akabas Sharon R.
Published: November 2010

It is well recognized that an interdisciplinary approach is essential in the development and implementation of solutions to address the current pediatric obesity epidemic. In two half‐day meetings that included workshops and focus groups, faculty from diverse fields identified critically important research challenges, and gaps to childhood obesity prevention. The purpose of this white paper is to describe the iterative, interdisciplinary process that unfolded in an academic health center setting with a specific focus on underrepresented minority groups of Black and Hispanic communities, and to summarize the research challenges and gaps related to pediatric obesity that were identified in the process. Although the research challenges and gaps were developed in the context of an urban setting including high‐risk populations (the northern Manhattan communities of Washington Heights, Inwood, and Harlem), many of the issues raised are broadly applicable. The processes by which the group identified research gaps and methodological challenges that impede a better understanding of how to prevent and treat obesity in children has resulted in an increase in research and community outreach collaborations and interdisciplinary pursuit of funding opportunities across units within the academic health center and overall university. Clin Trans Sci 2010; Volume 3: 172–177
A New Class of Human Mast Cell and Peripheral Blood Basophil Stabilizers that Differentially Control Allergic Mediator Release
Authors: Norton Sarah K. , Dellinger Anthony , Zhou Zhiguo , Lenk Robert , MacFarland Darren , Vonakis Becky , Conrad Daniel , Kepley Christopher L.
Published: November 2010

Treatments for allergic disease block the effects of mediators released from activated mast cells and blood basophils. A panel of fullerene derivatives was synthesized and tested for their ability to preempt the release of allergic mediatorsin vitroandin vivo. The fullerene C70‐tetraglycolic acid significantly inhibited degranulation and cytokine production from mast cells and basophils, while C70‐tetrainositol blocked only cytokine production in mast cells and degranulation and cytokine production in basophils. The early phase of FcɛRI inhibition was dependent on the blunted release of intracellular calcium stores, elevations in reactive oxygen species, and several signaling molecules. Gene microarray studies further showed the two fullerene derivatives inhibited late phase responses in very different ways. C70‐tetraglycolic acid was able to block mast cell‐driven anaphylaxisin vivo, while C70‐tetrainositol did not. No toxicity was observed with either compound. These findings demonstrate the biological effects of fullerenes critically depends on the moieties added to the carbon cage and suggest they act on different FcɛRI‐specific molecules in mast cells and basophils. These next generation fullerene derivatives represent a new class of compounds that interfere with FcɛRI signaling pathways to stabilize mast cells and basophils. Thus, fullerene‐based therapies may be a new approach for treating allergic diseases. Clin Trans Sci 2010; Volume 3: 158–169
C‐deletion mutation of the p53 gene at exon 4 of codon 63 in the saliva of oral squamous cell carcinoma in central India: a preliminary study
Authors: Mewara Arti , Gadbail Amol Ramchandra , Patil Swati , Chaudhary Minal , Chavhan Shivkumar D.
Published: November 2010

Aim:  The purpose of this study was to detect the C‐deletion mutation of the p53 gene at exon 4 of codon 63 in the saliva of oral squamous cell carcinoma in central India.

Methods:  The study was carried out in 30 oral squamous cell carcinoma cases and five healthy controls with no habit of betel nut and tobacco chewing. The C‐deletion mutation of the p53 gene at exon 4 of codon 63 was detected in the saliva samples by using polymerase chain reaction.

Results:  In this study, C‐deletion at exon 4 of codon 63 was detected in 28 of 30 oral squamous cell carcinoma cases (93.33%), but was negative in all five healthy controls and two oral squamous cell carcinoma cases.

Conclusions:  The results indicated that C‐deletion mutation at exon 4 of codon 63 of the p53 gene in the saliva might be a plausible molecular marker for oral squamous cell carcinoma patients with a habit of betel nut and tobacco lime quid chewing. The results further emphasize the presence of p53 gene mutation in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma, which can be detected in the saliva through polymerase chain reaction.
A Controllable Membrane-Type Humidifier for Fuel Cell Applications—Part II: Controller Design, Analysis and Implementation
Authors: McKay Denise A. , Stefanopoulou Anna G. , Cook Jeffrey
Published: November 2010

A membrane-based gas humidification apparatus was employed to actively manage the amount of water vapor entrained in the reactant gas supplied to a fuel cell stack. The humidification system utilizes a gas bypass and a series of heaters to achieve accurate and fast humidity and temperature control. A change in fuel cell load induces a reactant mass flow rate disturbance to this humidification system. If not well regulated, this disturbance creates undesirable condensation and evaporation dynamics, both to the humidification system and the fuel cell stack. Therefore, controllers were devised, tuned, and employed for temperature reference tracking and disturbance rejection. Two heater controller types were explored: on-off (thermostatic) and variable (proportional integral), to examine the ability of the feedback system to achieve the control objectives with minimal hardware and software complexities. The coordination of the heaters and the bypass valve is challenging during fast transients due to the different time scales, the actuator constraints, and the sensor responsiveness.
Density-functional and global optimization study of copper–tin core-shell clusters
Authors: Fournier René
Published: November 2010

We obtained minimum-energy structures for 13 [Formula: see text] (p = 1–4) species by a combined taboo search and density functional theory (DFT) approach. The putative global minima are all [Formula: see text] core-shell structures. There is a stabilization energy on the order of 0.5 to 1.0 eV associated with completion of the outer shell of Sn atoms. The stabilization associated with electronic shell closing is also on the order of 0.5 to 1.0 eV. [Formula: see text] has both a closed atomic shell and a closed electronic shell, and it is extrastable. We found two or more isomers within 0.6 eV of the global minimum for all 13 species except [Formula: see text].
AN APPROACH FOR RISK ASSESSMENT OF RAIL DEFECTS
Authors: KUMAR SAURABH , GUPTA SUPRAKASH , GHODRATI BEHZAD , KUMAR UDAY
Published: November 2010

Rail defects appear in a greater variety and frequency due to higher axle loads and increasing traffic density in passenger and freight trains. Many of these rail defects, if left undetected, can develop into rail breaks, which may lead to train derailments. Reduction in the number of such catastrophic events requires huge investments on inspection and maintenance activities. Therefore proper maintenance planning and risk assessment is required to reduce the rail maintenance cost without compromising safety.

In this paper, an approach has been developed for risk assessment of rail defects to support the decision-making process during scheduling of rail inspection and grinding frequency, based on the type of defect and its risk of occurring and developing into a rail break. The approach will help in increasing the safety of passengers and rolling stock as well as reducing the overall rail maintenance cost, as it helps in making effective decisions related to inspection frequency (i.e. resource allocation according to the need). The approach is presented with the aid of a case study from the Swedish National Rail Administration (Banverket). Both, quantitative and qualitative analysis technique has been used in this paper to assess the risk of occurrence of a rail defect and its development into a rail break.
Epidemiology and Seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 2
Authors: Kashyap Bineeta , Gautam Hitender , Bhalla Preena
Published: November 2010

HIV-2 infection is detected sporadically mostly from the southern states of India. We did a retrospective analysis to find the seroprevalence of HIV-2 in and around Delhi. The study included all attendees of an integrated counseling and testing center (ICTC) from January 2004 to January 2009. As per NACO guidelines, samples showing positive results in three rapid tests were declared HIV-positive. Samples that were reactive for HIV-2 were further confirmed by Western blot assay. 8.8% (n = 1,938) of the clients were reactive for HIV-1, 0.03% (n = 6) were reactive for HIV-2 and 0.005% (n = 1) had HIV-1 and HIV-2 coinfection. Spouses of only 2 cases were tested, both resulting as nonreactive. History of travel or past stay to endemic states was present in 57% cases. The commonest risk factor revealed in them was sexual contact with commercial sex workers (86%). As such, seroprevalence of HIV-2 is very low but continued surveillance is needed for HIV-2 to understand the epidemiology and natural history of this complex human pathogen.
Interactions Between Sympathetic Nervous System and Endogenous Endothelin in Patients With Essential Hypertension
Authors: Bruno Rosa Maria , Sudano Isabella , Ghiadoni Lorenzo , Masi Lorenzo , Taddei Stefano
Published: November 2010

Experimental evidence indicates that endothelin 1 stimulates the sympathetic nervous system by activation of the subtype A receptor. The aim of the present study was to assess whether this mechanism is active in humans and to investigate its potential role in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. In 15 hypertensive patients and 12 normotensive subjects, blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity were evaluated during intravenous 20-minute infusion of BQ123 (0.1 mg/kg per hour), an endothelin A receptor antagonist, and sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 0.4 μg/kg per minute). In hypertensive patients, blood pressure was reduced similarly by BQ123 and SNP. In contrast, the increase in muscle sympathetic nerve activity induced by BQ123 (from 52.0±4.9 to 56.8±5.5 bursts per 100 heartbeats;P<0.05 versus baseline) was significantly lower (P<0.05) than that induced by SNP (from 50.6±4.9 to 61.1±5.1 bursts per 100 heartbeats;P<0.05 versus baseline). In normotensive subjects, SNP reduced blood pressure and increased muscle sympathetic activity, whereas BQ123 was ineffective. Thus, in a subgroup (n=9) of normotensive subjects, we administered BQ123 at a higher dose (0.2 mg/kg per hour), representing an equidepressor dose of SNP, inducing a blunted increase in sympathetic activity (from 44.1±2.4 to 50.1±6.4 bursts per 100 heartbeats;P<0.05 versus baseline). Finally, administration of a different vasodilator (papaverine, 0.5 mg/kg per hour) exerted results superimposable to SNP. Endogenous endothelin 1 appears to have a sympathoexcitatory effect both in normotensive and hypertensive subjects through endothelin A receptors, contributing to basal sympathetic vasomotor tone. Moreover, essential hypertension shows an increased susceptibility to the sympathoexcitatory effect of endogenous endothelin 1.
Disasters and Displacement: Gaps in Protection
Authors: Bradley Megan , Cohen Roberta
Published: November 2010

Natural disasters, particularly those related to climate change, are fast becoming a leading cause of forced displacement although conceptual, normative and institutional frameworks to provide human rights protection to the environmentally displaced are not yet in place. This article discusses the human rights and protection dimensions of disaster-induced displacement, identifies the major challenges to protecting disaster victims, and proposes ways forward. The authors argue that while most environmentally displaced persons are expected to remain within their own countries, there is a lack of clarity about the status and protection needs of those uprooted by environmental degradation and other 'slow-onset' disasters as opposed to those displaced by 'sudden-onset' disasters. By far the biggest protection gap exists for those who cross borders. These individuals do not generally qualify as refugees under the 1951 Refugee Convention, there is no normative framework to address their specific needs and vulnerabilities and States have not been willing to commit to more than temporary protection on an ad hoc basis. The need is now critical for new approaches to be developed for the environmentally displaced, including expanded normative and institutional frameworks, comprehensive national policies, national and international monitoring, rights training, and more effective ways of dealing with governments that fail to protect their populations.
Securing Compliance with International Humanitarian Law: The Promise and Limits of Contemporary Enforcement Mechanisms
Authors: Clarke Ben
Published: November 2010

This report highlights several contributions to a recent ICRC sponsored IHL conference on compliance and enforcement. Conference papers addressed a range of contemporary issues including: whether the Human Rights Council has a mandate to examine alleged breaches of IHL; the complementarity debate (IHL/IHRL); the problem of human shields; UN Security Council practice with regard to violations of IHL; and whether IHL should be reformed to provide non-State organised armed groups with greater incentives to comply with IHL during non-international armed conflict.
Numerical Solution to Drop Coalescence/Breakup with a Volume-Conserving, Positive-Definite, and Unconditionally Stable Scheme
Authors: Jacobson M. Z.
Published: November 2010

This paper discusses a new volume- and volume concentration–conserving, positive-definite, unconditionally stable iterative numerical scheme for solving temporary cloud/raindrop coalescence followed by breakup and the coupling of the scheme with an existing noniterative, volume- and volume concentration–conserving collision/coalescence (coagulation) scheme. The breakup scheme alone compares nearly exactly with a constant-kernel analytical solution at a 300-s time step. The combined coagulation/breakup schemes are stable and conservative, regardless of the time step and number of size bins, and convergent with higher temporal and size resolution. The schemes were designed with these characteristics in mind for use in long-term global or regional simulations. The use of 30 geometrically spaced size bins and a time step of 60 s provides a good compromise between obtaining sufficient accuracy (relative to a much higher-resolution result) and speed, although solutions with a 600-s time step and 30 bins are stable and conservative and take one-eighth the computer time. The combined coagulation/breakup schemes were implemented into the nested Gas, Aerosol, Transport, Radiation, General Circulation, Mesoscale, and Ocean Model (GATOR-GCMOM), a global–urban climate–weather–air pollution model. Coagulation was solved over liquid, ice, and graupel distributions and breakup simultaneously over the liquid distribution. Each distribution included 30 size bins and 16 chemical components per bin. Timing tests demonstrate the feasibility of the scheme in long-term global simulations.
Hip-Hop Culture in a Global Context: Interdisciplinary and Cross-Categorical Investigation
Authors: Brooks Siobhan , Conroy Thomas
Published: November 2010

Hip-hop permeates modern global society, and yet, there remains remain various divisions within it. Following up on an interdisciplinary academic conference, the Lehman Conference on Hip-Hop, this special issue highlights a number of aspects in hip-hop’s development, and looks toward an ever increasing globalization of what was, initially, a neighborhood based cultural practice. The authors assembled here examine hip-hop within such contexts as social protest, entertainment, and identity formation, and also as a response to dominant structures, such as race, gender inequality, and capitalism. Their investigations consider hip-hop’s roots and branches, and its connections to politics, culture and consumption. This special issue also focuses, in detail, at some of hip-hop’s many practices, raising questions about its use for expressing the thorny topics of race, class, national identity, gender and sexuality. But the overall theme is one, which was expressed in the conference’s initial theme: from local to global practice. It is this process, in particular, which we are attempting to better understand. We are also particularly concerned to explore ways marginal groups within hip-hop and the larger society, like LGBTQ communities (especially of color) and women of color also use hip-hop as a form of protest to critique social ills.
Negative Intergroup Contact Makes Group Memberships Salient: Explaining Why Intergroup Conflict Endures
Authors: Paolini Stefania , Harwood Jake , Rubin Mark
Published: November 2010

Drawing from the intergroup contact model and self-categorization theory, the authors advanced the novel hypothesis of a valence-salience effect, whereby negative contact causes higher category salience than positive contact. As predicted, in a laboratory experiment of interethnic contact, White Australians ( N = 49) made more frequent and earlier reference to ethnicity when describing their ethnic contact partner if she had displayed negative (vs. positive, neutral) nonverbal behavior. In a two-wave experimental study of retrieved intergenerational contact, American young adults ( N = 240) reported age to be more salient during negative (vs. positive) contact and negative contact predicted increased episodic and chronic category salience over time. Some evidence for the reverse salience-valence effect was also found. Because category salience facilitates contact generalization, these results suggest that intergroup contact is potentially biased toward worsening intergroup relations; further implications for theory and policy making are discussed.
Antecedents and Consequences of Franchising: Past Accomplishments and Future Challenges
Authors: Combs James G. , Ketchen David J. , Shook Christopher L. , Short Jeremy C.
Published: November 2010

Franchising is a popular and multifaceted business arrangement that has attracted considerable research attention. Past inquiry has focused on franchising’s antecedents, consequences, and factors that moderate these relationships. The authors review recent progress within franchising research and identify gaps in the literature. They also describe how researchers could build greater knowledge about franchising by further leveraging various organizational theories and by drawing from a number of business and social science fields whose insights have not yet significantly influenced franchising research.
Effectiveness of a wheelchair skills training programme for community-living users of manual wheelchairs in Turkey: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Öztürk Asuman , Ucsular Ferda Dokuztug
Published: November 2010

Objective: To test the hypothesis that, in comparison with those in a control group, community-dwelling wheelchair users in Turkey who have completed the Wheelchair Skills Training Program have better total percentage performance and safety scores on the Wheelchair Skills Test.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Subjects: The study group comprised individuals ( n = 24) who have to use a wheelchair for mobility in daily life. The subjects were randomly allocated to training ( n = 14) and control groups ( n = 10).

Interventions: The training group attended a skill training session three times a week for four weeks. The control group did not participate in the training.

Main outcome measures: At the beginning of the study, subjects underwent a Wheelchair Skills Test (version 4.1), which evaluated their performance and safety for a range of skills. The test was repeated at the end of the study.

Results: The mean ± SD total percentage Wheelchair Skills Test performance scores increased significantly in both the training group ( P = 0.002) and control group ( P = 0.01), although the training group increased to a greater extent ( P = 0.034). The training group’s mean ± SD total percentage Wheelchair Skills Test safety scores increased significantly ( P = 0.001), but there was no significant change in the control group. A statistically significant improvement was found between the total percentage Wheelchair Skills Test safety scores in the training group compared with the control group ( P = 0.001).

Conclusion: Community-living wheelchair users who received wheelchair skills training increased their total performance and safety scores to a greater extent than a control group.
Pathology of Congenital Generalized Lipodystrophy in Agpat2–/– Mice
Authors: Vogel P. , Read R. , Hansen G. , Wingert J. , DaCosta C. M. , Buhring L. M. , Shadoan M.
Published: November 2010

Congenital generalized lipodystrophy (CGL) comprises a heterogeneous group of rare diseases associated with partial or total loss of adipose tissue. Of these, autosomal recessive Berardinelli–Seip congenital lipodystrophy (BSCL) is characterized by the absence of metabolically active subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues. Metabolic abnormalities associated with lipodystrophy include insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, hepatic steatosis, and diabetes. One form of BSCL has been linked to genetic mutations affecting the lipid biosynthetic enzyme 1-acyl- sn-glycerol 3-phosphate O-acyltransferase 2 (AGPAT2), which is highly expressed in adipose tissue. Precisely how AGPAT2 deficiency causes lipodystrophy remains unresolved, but possible mechanisms include impaired lipogenesis (triglyceride synthesis and storage), blocked adipogenesis (differentiation of preadipocytes to adipocytes), or apoptosis/necrosis of adipocytes. Agpat2–/– mice share important pathophysiologic features of CGL previously reported in humans. However, the small white adipose tissue (WAT) depots consisting largely of amoeboid adipocytes with microvesiculated basophilic cytoplasm showed that adipogenesis with deficient lipogenesis was present in all usual locations. Although well-defined lobules of brown adipose tissue (BAT) were present, massive necrosis resulted in early ablation of BAT. Although necrotic or apoptotic adipocytes were not detected in WAT of 10-day-old Agpat2–/–, the absence of adipocytes in aged mice indicates that these cells must undergo necrosis/apoptosis at some point. Another significant finding in aged lipodystrophic mice was massive pancreatic islet hypertrophy in the face of chronic hyperglycemia, which suggests that glucotoxicity is insufficient by itself to cause β-cell loss and that adipocyte-derived factors help regulate total β-cell mass.
String quartets as self-managed teams: An interdisciplinary perspective
Authors: Gilboa Avi , Tal-Shmotkin Malka
Published: November 2010

This article examines empirically and systematically whether a string quartet (SQ) ensemble is perceived as a self-managed team (SMT). SMTs, which were initially employed in the industrial world, are groups of employees that have a total responsibility for a defined project. The hypothesis that the SQ would exhibit more typical SMT characteristics than other music ensembles was established in one experiment and reconfirmed in a second experiment. The assessment of the SMT characteristics in these experiments was based on an adaptation of the Self-Managing Work Team Effectiveness questionnaire that had been originally devised for working groups in the business context, and was proven in the present study to be appropriate for music ensembles as well. Possible ways to implement these interdisciplinary findings are suggested.
Levetiracetam in chronic daily headache: A double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled study
Authors: Beran Roy G , Spira Paul J
Published: November 2010

Introduction: Chronic daily headache (CDH) represents a temporal profile of headache (15+ days/month; 4+ hours/day; >6 months). We report the first comprehensive and largest levetiracetam (LEV) trial in CDH.

Methods: A 27-week, multi-centre, randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over, phase III B study assessed efficacy of a target of 3 g/day LEV of 6 placebo tablets/day in CDH. Primary efficacy was headache-free rate (HFR) while secondary parameters were loss of diagnostic criteria; severity; duration; disability; associated features; pain; and quality of life.

Results: Ninety-six patients were recruited (baseline HFR 10.4 ± 14.6%; median 0%). At onset of history 73 (74.1%) had migraine +/− aura and 35 (36.5%) had tension-type headache (TTH). Over the six months preceding recruitment 54 (56.3%) had migraine and 42 (43.8%) had TTH. Headache history was 22.6 ± 15.0 years (median 20.0). Eighty-eight received placebo and 89 received LEV with >80 receiving stable dose in either arm. LEV achieved 3.9% increased HFR over placebo, showing a trend but not significance. There was 9.9% increase in loss of CDH diagnostic criteria re: headache days/month for LEV over placebo ( p = .0325), reduced disability ( p = .0487) and reduced pain severity for LEV ( p = .0162). The Short-Form Quality of Life assessment instrument (SF-36) showed impaired mental health on LEV ( p = .001).

Discussion: These findings conflict with reports of LEV efficacy, mandating placebo control in headache trials. Primary efficacy equated to one extra headache-free day/month with reduced disability and pain intensity. Mental health was reduced on LEV. The 10% loss of diagnostic criteria, decreased intensity and disability suggest a subpopulation with CDH where LEV remains a therapeutic option.
Improved Corticosteroid Treatment of Recalcitrant de Quervain Tenosynovitis With a Novel 4-Point Injection Technique
Authors: Pagonis Thomas , Ditsios Konstantinos , Toli Paraskevi , Givissis Panagiotis , Christodoulou Anastasios
Published: November 2010

Background: Previously described corticosteroid injection techniques for de Quervain tenosynovitis (DQT) refer to either 1-point or 2-point injection techniques, showing superiority of the latter.

Hypothesis: The authors’ novel 4-point injection technique (point 4 technique) yields more favorable results than do the older techniques.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods: The authors treated 2 groups (A and B), each including 24 high-resistance training individuals (randomly allocated to each group) with persistent DQT. Group A received the point 4 technique, and group B, the 2-point injection technique. Follow-up was in 2, 4, 8, and 52 weeks after the first treatment.

Results: After 2 weeks of treatment, 7 group A patients were symptom-free, whereas the rest scored better than their group B counterparts on the DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) Outcome Measure, of whom only 1 was symptom-free. Ten group A patients received repeated injections, in contrast to 19 from group B. Four weeks after the first treatment, 13 group A patients were symptom-free, in contrast to 4 from group B. In group A, 2 patients received repeated injections, in contrast to 20 in group B. Eight weeks after the first treatment, 1 group A patient received repeated injection. One group B patient relapsed, whereas 4 opted for surgical decompression and 16 received repeated injections. Fifty-two weeks after the first treatment, 21 patients in group A were symptom-free, 1 was operated on, and 2 relapsed; in group B, 12 were symptom-free, 9 were operated on, 3 relapsed, and 3 received repeated injections.

Conclusion: In high-resistance training athletes, recalcitrant DQT responds more favorably to the novel point 4 technique than to the standard 2-point injection technique.
Toward “Flexible Uniformity”? Civil Service Reform, “Big Government Conservatism,” and the Promise of the Intelligence Community Model
Authors: Thompson James R.
Published: November 2010

As the Obama administration pieces together its own civil service reform program, it may find solutions to key reform challenges in an oft-overlooked Bush administration human resource management initiative in the national security arena. While press and scholarly attention focused largely on the administration’s reform efforts at the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense, discussed at length in the article by Kellough, Nigro, and Brewer in this symposium, the development of a common personnel framework across the U.S. Intelligence Community went relatively unnoticed. The author argues that human resource management changes made pursuant to the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 provide a potential model for the Obama administration as it addresses three key reform challenges that have long plagued policymakers: replacing the General Schedule with a modernized approach to compensation and classification, achieving a balance between uniformity at the executive branch level and flexibility at the agency level, and reconfiguring the Senior Executive Service.
The poetics of disengagement: Jane Austen and echoic irony
Authors: Morini Massimiliano
Published: November 2010

If it is a truth universally acknowledged that there is ‘irony’ in Jane Austen’s novels, there is far from general agreement as to how that irony works. Most critics hold that there is a gap between what the novels say and what they mean, but different schools of criticism interpret that gap in contrasting ways. This article assumes that such critical disagreement arises from the multiplicity of voices in Austen’s oeuvre, and more specifically, from the evaluative confusion or indeterminacy created by what Sperber and Wilson call an ‘echoic’ use of irony on the narrator’s part. This article, however, registers a dissatisfaction with Sperber and Wilson’s definition, and proposes to rewrite ‘echoic irony’ as ‘perspectival disengagement’ — a more neutral and general term capturing the narrator’s ability to subsume other characters’ voices while at the same time subtly indicating that their viewpoints are not quite his/her own.
Living the World of Poverty
Authors: Bastos Ana Cecília S. , Rabinovich Elaine P. , Almeida Milton B.
Published: November 2010

Three studies from the Brazilian experience are presented to exemplify particular ways for the researcher to relate with the poor and the living world of poverty. These are: ( a) describing ways of living in poverty, ( b) evaluating programmes to eradicate poverty and ( c) intervening in a poor community as a participant observer. The first example illustrates the effort to build categories sensitive to the systemic, autopoetic dynamics of families living in poverty. In the second study, the authors dis-cuss the impact and paradoxes of social interventions, considered from the standpoint of community voices. Finally, the article considers the different levels of meaning that constrain the dialogue between families and professional workers. These trends are discussed according to the dialogical models concerning the interplay of identity–alterity when it comes to the study of the living world of poverty, particularly Bibace’s partnership model.
The Poor in the Philippines
Authors: Tuason Ma. Teresa
Published: November 2010

The purpose of this article is to describe the face of poverty in the Philippines. Specifically, through a review of literature, it enumerates the features of destitution in the Philippines, identifies the problems that create, maintain and worsen poverty, and illustrates the coping processes of Filipinos who have made it out of poverty. Empirical studies discussed perceptions of the poor, homelessness and subhuman living conditions, marginalisation from economic growth, mental and physical health concerns due to socio-economic deprivation and deficiencies in health care, family stressors, overseas working, increased violence and social injustices to children, increasing numbers of street children, and the cultural values in the Philippines (e.g., pagpupunyagi: perseverance and resourcefulness, pakikipagkapwa: reliance on others). Based on the study by Tuason (2008), the model of coping processes of those who were born poor and became rich is illustrated. The model includes the domains such as: the experience of deprivation; negative emotions of self-pity, insecurity, envy and anger; intolerance for continued poverty; praying to God for change; dreams for self and resourcefulness; education and drive; gratitude; helping those in need; and lucky chance events. For those born poor, the societal structures in the Philippines keep most everyone from being economically successful.
Observations on the changing language of accounting
Authors: Evans Lisa
Published: November 2010

The meaning of words can change over time. In addition, new words may enter a language, sometimes replacing other words. This article extends prior literature on language change in accounting by drawing to a larger extent on theories from linguistics, and by placing greater emphasis on mechanisms of and motivations for change. Particular emphasis is placed on the need to verbalize new concepts, and sociocultural change. The latter is illustrated with examples from the development of accounting as an occupational interest group, and the adoption of Anglo-American accounting terminology and culture. The article concludes that language change in accounting, including transmission between languages and cultures, can inform accounting historians about the transfer of technical developments, as well as about socio-economic, political or ideological processes, power relationships, and the importance of terminology in jurisdictional disputes.
Prevalence, Comorbidity, and Course of Depression Among Black Fathers in the United States
Authors: Sinkewicz Marilyn , Lee Rufina
Published: November 2010

Black men are disproportionately exposed to adverse social and economic factors that may be linked to depression. Little is known about depression among Black fathers, although depression is a significant health problem and detrimental to the instrumental and affective support of their families. The authors use data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to estimate the prevalence, correlates, comorbidity, and course of depression among a national sample of urban Black fathers. The prevalence of 12-month major depressive episode (12%) is one and a half times higher among Black fathers than among men in the general population. Anxiety, substance dependence, and bad health are disproportionately concentrated in Black fathers with depression. The proportion of depression-free Black fathers and the proportion of Black fathers who recover from depression both decreased over a 4-year period. Implications include the need for culturally relevant male-specific tools to prevent and treat depression among Black fathers.
Use of Professional and Informal Support by Black Men With Mental Disorders
Authors: Toler Woodward Amanda , Taylor Robert Joseph , Chatters Linda M.
Published: November 2010

This study utilized data from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL) to investigate the use of professional services and informal support among African American and Caribbean black men with a lifetime mood, anxiety, or substance use disorder. Thirty-three percent used both professional services and informal support, 14% relied on professional services only, 24% used informal support only, and 29% did not seek help. African American men were more likely than Caribbean Blacks to rely on informal support alone. Having co-occurring mental and substance disorders, experiencing an episode in the past 12 months, and having more people in the informal network increased the likelihood of using professional services and informal supports. Marital status, age, and socioeconomic status were also significantly related to help seeking. The results suggests potential unmet need. However, the reliance on informal support also suggests a strong protective role that informal networks play in the lives of Black men.