bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antecedents and Mediators of Community Connection in African American Women With Breast Cancer
Authors: Heiney Sue P. , Hazlett Linda J. , Weinrich Sally P. , Wells Linda M. , Adams Swann Arp , Underwood Sandra Millon , Parrish Rudolph S.
Published: December 2011

Objective: To describe the theory of community connection defined as close relationships with women and men who are members of a neighborhood, a church, a work group, or an organization. Antecedent and mediator variables related to community connection are identified. Design/methods: A cross-sectional design was used to assess for relationships among theorized antecedents and mediators of community connection in a sample of 144 African American women aged 21 years and older (mean = 54.9) who had been diagnosed with invasive/infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Measurement and Analyses: Community connection was measured with the relational health indices-community subscale. Mediator analysis was conducted to assess significance of the indirect effects of the mediator variables, which were fear, breast cancer knowledge, and isolation. Results: Community connection was found to be associated with three of the four antecedents, cancer stigma, stress, and spirituality, but not associated with fatalism. Effects were mediated primarily through fear and isolation with isolation as was more dominant of the two mediators. Surprisingly, breast cancer knowledge showed no significant mediator role. Conclusions: The importance of isolation and fear as mediators of community connection is highlighted by this research. The study could serve as a model for other researchers seeking to understand connection in ethnic groups and communities.
HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Self-Efficacy Among Nepalese Adolescents: A Peer Education Program
Authors: Mahat Ganga , Scoloveno Mary Ann , Ayres Cynthia
Published: December 2011

The purposes of this study were to develop and test the effectiveness of an HIV/AIDS peer education program in improving Nepalese adolescents HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy in one of the schools in Nepal. A modified format of the program “Teens for AIDS Prevention” (TAP) was used in this study. A quasi-experimental design was used to test the effectiveness of the peer education program. A convenience sample of 121 ninth grade Nepalese students from an urban high school participated at baseline. The final paired sample included 118 students. The results demonstrated a significant positive relationship between HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy. Nepalese adolescents’ HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy improved after the peer education intervention. Therefore, school personnel, health care providers, and government and nongovernment organizations should consider developing and implementing school-based HIV prevention programs such as the peer education program.
Lack of Resilience Among Very Old Men and Women: A Qualitative Gender Analysis
Authors: Aléx Lena , Lundman Berit
Published: December 2011

High degree of resilience has been described as an enduring positive view of life despite difficult circumstances during the aging process. How to become old and being old with low resilience have not been studied. The aim of this study was to illuminate experiences about becoming old and being old among very old people with low resilience. Interviews from very old women and men were analyzed using content analysis with the following themes identified: being out of it, emphasizing life experiences from the past, religiousdoubting, and accepting age. Except for religious doubting, the themes contained both similarities and variations between women and men. Our study showed that in spite of scoring low on the Resilience Scale (RS), very old persons can experience integration and well-being. However, the women seemed to be more vulnerable compared to men, and for them, it is important to strengthen social and relational possibilities for contributing to resilience.
Socialization Goals and Parental Directives in Infancy: The Theory and the Practice
Authors: Liebal Katja , Reddy Vasudevi , Hicks Kerry , Jonnalagadda Srujana , Chintalapuri Beena
Published: December 2011

This study investigates the relation between parents’ explicit valuing of socialization goals and their behavior in naturalistic interaction with their infants. Parents of 26 infants from two different urban cultures (Portsmouth, United Kingdom, and Hyderabad, India) participated in this study. Using a multimethod approach, parents were observed in naturalistic interactions with their infants from 9.5 to 12.5 months, were given a socialization goals questionnaire, and were interviewed about their expectations and practices in relation to obtaining compliance to directives when the infants were 12.5 months. Parents in Hyderabad ranked relational goals and, in particular, the goal for compliance, significantly higher than parents in Portsmouth, and significantly higher than autonomous goals, whereas parents in Portsmouth ranked autonomous and relational goals equally. The group difference in the ranking of compliance was reflected in higher frequencies of parental directives in Hyderabad, but not in repetitions of directives or in lower acceptance of noncompliance. There were some significant correlations between ranking for compliance and the frequency of directive episodes or the likelihood of repeating a directive, but no relations at all with the likelihood of accepting noncompliance. Birth order significantly affected parent behavior, with parents of firstborns showing lower percentages of accepting noncompliance. The discrepancy between the expressed value for compliance and actual behavior in relation to obtaining it was partly explained through different parental discourse in the interviews, with more parents in Portsmouth adopting a “training” approach to compliance, and more parents in Hyderabad approaching compliance as something that would “develop with age.” Local contextual factors such as birth order as well as beliefs in the natural development of compliance with age might influence what parents do about noncompliance, independent of what they say about it.
Young Children’s Nonfigurative Drawings of Themselves and Their Families in Two Different Cultures
Authors: Rübeling Hartmut , Schwarzer Sina , Keller Heidi , Lenk Melanie
Published: December 2011

This study examined the influence of cultural background on young children’s nonfigurative drawings of themselves and of their families. We assessed children’s drawings in two very different cultural communities that emphasize orientations toward autonomy and relatedness to varying degrees. Children (mean age 3.3 years) were recruited either from rural Cameroonian Nso families (n = 27) or urban German middle-class families (n = 21). The results of this study supported our hypotheses that children in the two groups would differ in their self and family drawings with respect to their use of distinctive forms and the spatial allocation of scribbles. Despite these differences, however, some aspects of nonfigurative drawings were similar across cultures.
Cultural Expressions of Preschoolers’ Emerging Self: Narrative and Iconic Representations
Authors: Schröder Lisa , Keller Heidi , Tõugu Pirko , Tulviste Tiia , Lenk Melanie , Schwarzer Sina , Rübeling Hartmut , De Geer Boel
Published: December 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the socialization and internalization of children’s cultural self-representations. A total of 149 mothers and their 4-year-old children from four different cultural milieus representing different cultural models participated. The sociodemographic profiles of the four samples were associated with different emphases on autonomy and relatedness. There were 36 middle-class families from Berlin, Germany, and 42 middle-class families from Stockholm, Sweden (both representing the model of autonomy); 33 rural Cameroonian farming families (representing the model of relatedness); and 38 middle-class families from Tallinn, Estonia (representing the model of autonomy relatedness). Two tasks were investigated in view of children’s socialization and internalization of their self-representations: mother–child past event conversations and children’s drawings of themselves. Overall, the different cultural emphases on autonomy and relatedness were embodied in mother–child reminiscing and children’s drawings of themselves. Specifically, mothers in the autonomous contexts were more elaborative relative to being repetitive and focused more on the child relative to others during reminiscing. Accordingly, children provided more memory elaborations, referred more to themselves relative to others, and drew themselves bigger compared to children from the relational rural Nso milieu. Mother–child conversations in the Tallinn sample were very similar to those of the autonomous samples; however, children’s drawings were medium in size. Correlations between narrative and drawing variables were only prevalent in the autonomous milieus and not in the Tallinn and rural Nso milieus.
Environmental Influences on Joint Attention in Great Apes: Implications for Human Cognition
Authors: Leavens David A. , Bard Kim A.
Published: December 2011

In humans, cultural differences in advanced social cognition have been well demonstrated. In tasks pertaining to theory of mind, for instance, individuals pass standard assessments of false-belief understanding at substantially different ages in different cultural environments. Less well-studied are more basic sociocognitive capacities, such as joint attention, which are held by many to constitute the foundational skill set for advanced sociocognitive reasoning. Here, we review the striking group differences in joint attention displayed by great apes as a consequence of being raised in different cultural environments, including wild habitats, institutional settings such as zoos and biomedical research centers, and home-rearing or language-training settings. Like humans, apes develop tactics for joint attention that are adaptive to the particular environments of their early rearing experiences. Great apes serve as animal models for environmental influences on sociocognitive capacities in our own species.

[T]hey felt themselves at liberty to indulge their imaginations, to guess at whatmight be, rather than in inquiringwhat is; in other words, they employed themselves in conjecturing what might have been the course of nature at a remote period, rather than in the investigation of what was the course of nature in their own times. (Lyell, 1833, p. 2, emphasis in original)
Feuerstein’s New Program for the Facilitation of Cognitive Development in Young Children
Authors: Ben-Hur Meir , Feuerstein Rafi
Published: December 2011

The authors make the case for the inclusion of cognitive enrichment programs in early mainstream education that should be designed to eliminate the early discrepancies in children’s cognitive abilities and prevent later learning disabilities and achievement gaps. Following a review of the literature on existing early cognitive enrichment programs and their effects with cognitive impaired children and children with special needs, the authors present the theoretical and programmatic features of Feuerstein’s 3-year basic program, along with a brief description of its different modules. The authors also provide a summary of all the available evidence of the program’s effectiveness, including the results of 3 evaluation studies of pilot projects in the United States. The article culminates in an appeal for rigorous research on the feasibility and effects of programs in mainstream education for early cognitive enrichment and prevention of learning problems, including research on the effects of Feuerstein’s Instrumental Enrichment–Basic (FIE-B) program.
Between Theory and Practice Falls the Shadow: The Learning Theories Profile
Authors: Annan Jean , Bowler Josephine , Mentis Mandia , Somerville Matthew P.
Published: December 2011

Between the idea

And the reality

Between the motion

And the act

Falls the Shadow

T. S. Eliot, “The Hollow Men”

This article reports on the development and evaluation of a meta-cognitive tool for practitioners’ reflection on the ‘shadow’ between espoused theories and theories-in-use. The learning theories profile (LTP) was developed to support practitioners in education to identify and reflect on the theoretical perspectives that underpin their professional decision-making. In order to assess the usefulness of the LTP for reflection on professional development and practice, 15 special educators who were enrolled in a university course took part in a trial of the tool. Data from pre-activity and post-activity surveys suggested that the LTP helped students to critically consider contemporary and traditional theories of learning, raised awareness of the application of learning theories in education practice and supported users to reflect on their own professional practice, and interactions.
Cognitive Modifiability, Emotional–Motivational Factors, and Behavioral Characteristics Among Gifted Versus Nongifted Children
Authors: Tzuriel David , Bengio Efrat , Kashy-Rosenbaum Gabriella
Published: December 2011

This study was designed to investigate the differences in cognitive modifiability, emotional–motivational factors, cognitive behavioral characteristics during dynamic assessment (DA), and openness to mediation and level of mediation among gifted versus nongifted children. One hundred forty-five 3rd-grade children in 4 groups (gifted [G], n = 41; outstanding-high [OH], n = 31; outstanding-low [OL], n = 35; and typical [T], n = 38) were given a battery of emotional–motivational tests and two DA measures: analogies subtest from the Cognitive Modifiability Battery and Rey’s (1956) Complex Figure test. Several behavioral categories were rated during DA. The G and OH groups were found to be similar on variables of cognitive modifiability and behavioral characteristics, and both were higher than the OL and T groups. The OH group was consistently higher than the G group on emotional–motivational factors. Discriminant function analysis showed that all variables significantly differentiated the four groups. The OH group was similar to the G group on cognitive modifiability but higher on emotional–motivational and cognitive behavioral characteristics. The data raised questions about the conventional procedures of selection of gifted children for enrichment programs.
Hardiness and Thinking Styles: Implications for Higher Education
Authors: Zhang Li-fang , Wong Yau-ho
Published: December 2011

The principal objective of this study was to investigate the predictive power of thinking styles for hardiness—a healthy personality disposition. Four hundred (146 males and 254 females) students from a large, comprehensive university in Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China, responded to the Thinking Styles Inventory-Revised II (Sternberg, Wagner, & Zhang, 2007) and the hardiness scale (Bartone, Ursano, Wright, & Ingraham, 1989). Results showed that after students’ age and gender were controlled for, creativity-generating styles (also known as Type I styles) and a style that allows students to work in collaboration with others (i.e., external style) positively contributed to hardiness, whereas norm-favoring styles (also known as Type II styles) and a style that denotes a lack of discipline and planning (i.e., anarchic style) negatively contributed to hardiness. Implications of these findings are discussed in relation to university students, faculty members, and for university senior managers.
Mothers’ Parenting Practices as Explanatory Mechanisms in Associations Between Interparental Violence and Child Adjustment
Authors: Sturge-Apple Melissa L. , Davies Patrick T. , Cicchetti Dante , Manning Liviah G.
Published: December 2011

This article examines maternal parenting behaviors as mediators of associations between interparental violence and young children’s internalizing and externalizing symptomatology. Participants included 201 toddlers and their mothers. Assessments of interparental violence and children’s symptoms were derived from maternal surveys. Maternal parenting behaviors were assessed during an observational paradigm and coded for hostility, responsiveness, and disengagement. Results indicated that mothers’ responsiveness and disengagement mediated associations between interparental violence and children’s internalizing (e.g., withdrawn, inhibited, anxious, depressed behaviors) and externalizing (e.g., aggressive behaviors, attentional difficulties) symptoms. The results are interpreted in the context of conceptualizations that underscore how different dimensions of maternal parenting behaviors may play key explanatory roles in understanding associations between interparental violence and children’s adjustment difficulties.
Academic Apartheid: Segregation in the Study of Partner Violence
Authors: Felson Richard B.
Published: December 2011

The study of men’s violence against their intimate partners is segregated from the study of other forms of violence. Comparing intimate partner violence (IPV) to other violence, however, allows one to examine whether the motivation and the legal response are similar. I examine whether men’s assaults on partners are particularly likely to have a control motive, whether women’s assaults on partners are particularly likely to be motivated by self-defense, and whether intimate partner violence is less likely to be reported to the police and legally sanctioned. The evidence casts doubt on the feminist approach, which has dominated the study of IPV. I suggest that a theory of instrumental violence provides a better understanding of IPV. Such an approach recognizes a variety of motives and emphasizes the role of conflict in intimate relationships, sex differences in strength and violence, and the importance of chivalry. Finally, I suggest that social scientists who study IPV should be more careful in their descriptive terminology.
Thirty Years of Denying the Evidence on Gender Symmetry in Partner Violence: Implications for Prevention and Treatment
Authors: Straus Murray A.
Published: December 2011

The first part of this article summarizes results from more than 200 studies that have found gender symmetry in perpetration and in risk factors and motives for physical violence in martial and dating relationships. It also summarizes research that has found that most partner violence is mutual and that self-defense explains only a small percentage of partner violence by either men or women. The second part of the article documents seven methods that have been used to deny, conceal, and distort the evidence on gender symmetry. The third part of the article suggests explanations for the denial of an overwhelming body of evidence by reputable scholars. The concluding section argues that ignoring the overwhelming evidence of gender symmetry has crippled prevention and treatment programs. It suggests ways in which prevention and treatment efforts might be improved by changing ideologically based programs to programs based on the evidence from the past 30 years of research.
Self-Defense and Legal Decision Making: The Role of Defendant and Victim Gender and Gender-Neutral Expert Testimony of the Battered Partner’s Syndrome
Authors: Russell Brenda L. , Ragatz Laurie , Kraus Shane
Published: December 2011

This study investigated the influence of defendant characteristics, expert testimony, self-defense elements, and battered partner attributes on conviction in a homicide trial. An online sample of 442 U.S. mock jurors evaluated a self-defense scenario, provided a verdict, and answered questions pertaining to defendant culpability, legal elements, and battered partner attributes. Results showed that heterosexual female defendants were most likely to meet legal requirements of self-defense. Female participants were more likely to believe that heterosexual female defendants exhibited attributes associated with the battered partner’s syndrome (i.e., suffered from abuse and learned helplessness). Male participants were less likely to believe that homosexual male defendants suffered from attributes associated with the syndrome. There were no effects of expert testimony on the battered partner’s syndrome. Logistic regression analysis indicated that self-defense legal elements and belief that the defendant should have left the abusive relationship predicted greater likelihood of conviction. Limitations and implications for jury selection and attorney arguments are discussed.
New Directions for Domestic Violence Offender Treatment Standards: Colorado’s Innovative Approach to Differentiated Treatment
Authors: Gover Angela R.
Published: December 2011

Colorado has recently adopted revised state standards for the treatment of domestic violence offenders who are court ordered to complete treatment. State standards across the county have been criticized in the past for not being empirically based. This article presents the empirically based principles of Colorado’s revised Standards.1The Standards are unique in their focus on differentiated treatment for offenders, and their use of the Domestic Violence Risk and Needs Assessment (DVRNA), an assessment tool developed in Colorado to identify offender risk and criminogenic needs. Offenders’ overall scores on the DVRNA determine their dosage and intensity of treatment and containment. This article first discusses the history of Colorado’s Standards, followed by a presentation of the new Standards. Most importantly, the empirical evidence providing the foundation for these Standards is presented. This article concludes with a discussion of Colorado’s implementation plans for the revised Standards, limitations to the utility of Colorado’s Standards, and directions for future research.
In Dubious Battle: The Politics of Mandatory Arrest and Dominant Aggressor Laws
Authors: Hamel, John
Published: December 2011

A major component of in the effort to reduce domestic violence in our communities has been a vigorous criminal justice response, one that holds perpetrators accountable for their actions and helps victims feel safe. In light of research finding higher rates of arrest per calls made to police and a corresponding decline in domestic violence crimes, mandatory arrest and pro-arrest laws were initially welcomed by advocates. When, however, it was apparent that these same laws led to a large number of dual arrests, and a proportionately greater increase in arrests of women compared to men, advocates started calling forprimary aggressorordominant aggressorlaws. These laws, adopted in several states, including California, direct police officers to consider context and abuse history so that victims are not wrongfully arrested. A review of the relevant literature is conducted, as well as an examination of two law enforcement training programs, suggesting that primary aggressor and dominant aggressor laws, although written in gender-neutral language, are gender biased (mostly against men), are difficult to properly implement, and may, at times, be counterproductive in reducing domestic violence. Alternatives are then presented for consideration.
Understanding the Use of Violence Among Men Who Sustain Intimate Terrorism
Authors: Hines Denise A. , Douglas Emily M.
Published: December 2011

Researchers in the field of intimate partner violence (IPV) are paying increasing levels of attention to the notion that members of aggressive and violent relationships cannot always be dichotomized as innocent victims versus blameworthy perpetrators; nonetheless, no research has documented characteristics of IPV victims that may predict their use of abusive and aggressive behaviors in response to their partners’ IPV. This study fills this gap and is unique because it uses a sample of 302 men who sustained intimate terrorism from their female partners and sought help. Results showed that victims who used physical IPV, in comparison with victims who did not, were younger and were more likely to abuse alcohol. In addition, in comparison with victims who used minor physical IPV, victims who used severe physical IPV were more likely to use—and use more frequently—other forms of IPV, and they were more likely to be substance abusers. Results are discussed in terms of possible theoretical implications, directions for future research, and practice implications.
Comparison of Impulsive and Premeditated Female Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Lake Sarah L. , Stanford Matthew S.
Published: December 2011

A bimodal classification of aggression has been shown to be useful among male perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV; Stanford, Houston, & Baldridge, 2008). To extend this research, this study attempts to replicate this result in a female population. The Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS) was used to classify (N = 87) females who were convicted of domestic violence and court ordered into an intervention program as being predominately impulsive–aggressive (IA) or predominately premeditated–aggressive (PM). The results of this study demonstrate that female IPV perpetrators (both IA and PM) tend to be similar to male IA batterers, with low psychopathic traits and higher levels of psychopathology. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Unwanted Pursuit in Same-Sex Relationships: Effects of Attachment Styles, Investment Model Variables, and Sexual Minority Stressors
Authors: Derlega Valerian J. , Winstead Barbara A. , Pearson Matthew R. , Janda Louis J. , Lewis Robin J. , Dutton Leila B. , Ferrer Rebecca , Greene Kathryn
Published: December 2011

This study examined the frequency and antecedents of unwanted pursuit in the intimate relationships of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgendered (LGBT) individuals. Analyses were conducted separately for disengagers (individuals who wanted to end a relationship when the other partner did not want to let go) and rejected partners (individuals who wanted to hold on to a relationship that the other person was trying to end). One hundred percent of disengagers reported having experienced at least one unwanted pursuit behavior, and 87.7% of rejected partners reported engaging in at least one unwanted pursuit behavior. Among rejected partners, anxious attachment positively predicted pursuit behaviors; and, among disengagers, avoidant attachment negatively predicted being the target of aggressive behaviors. Investment in the relationship predicted pursuit as reported by disengagers and rejected partners. In addition, lifetime experiences with minority stressors predicted being the target of pursuit among disengagers. The findings expand on earlier research about how personality variables and relationship beliefs affect unwanted pursuit. It also demonstrates how sexual minorities face extra challenges when one partner wants to break up and the other partner does not want the relationship to end.
Impact of Dating Violence on Male and Female College Students
Authors: Amanor-Boadu Yvonne , Stith Sandra M. , Strachman Miller Marjorie , Cook Joshua , Allen Lauren , Gorzek Michelle
Published: December 2011

This study examined gender differences in impacts of dating violence (specifically minor and severe physical injury, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], problems with alcohol, self-esteem, and relationship satisfaction) using a sample of 305 male and 363 female undergraduate students. Multiple linear regression models were used to test for the effects of dating violence victimization on the eight outcome variables while controlling for the effects of perpetration and psychological victimization. Results indicated that physical violence victimization did not impact problems with alcohol, self-esteem, or relationship satisfaction for either males or females. However, being a victim of minor violence significantly increased the levels of depression, anxiety, and PTSD and being a victim of severe violence significantly increased minor and severe injury. Different gender effects were seen in anxiety and PTSD scores where male victims scored higher than male nonvictims, but female victims did not differ significantly from female nonvictims and in minor and severe injury where both male and female victims scored higher than nonvictims, but the difference between the two groups was greater for men on the severe injury subscale and greater for women on the minor injury subscale. Overall, results of our analyses indicate that both male and female victims of dating violence experience physical and mental health consequences and, on the whole, do not support previous findings that would suggest that female victims suffer a greater impact than male victims do.
Attachment, Relationship Beliefs, and Partner-Specific Assertiveness and Psychological Aggression Among College Students
Authors: Turner Lisa A. , Langhinrichsen-Rohling Jennifer
Published: December 2011

Adult attachment is related to several important relationship variables, including physical aggression (e.g., Bookwala & Zdaniuk, 1998; Henderson, Bartholomew, Trinke, & Kwong, 2005) and relationship beliefs (Stackert & Bursik, 2003). In this study, we extended previous findings by examining the specific associations between anxious and avoidant attachment, dysfunctional relationship beliefs, and partner-specific assertiveness and psychological aggressiveness. Results indicated that assertiveness was associated with sex (males reported lower assertiveness) and attachment avoidance (participants high in avoidance reported less assertiveness toward partner). Psychological aggressiveness was related to sex (males reported lower psychological aggressiveness) and attachment (anxious and avoidant attachment were related to more psychological aggressiveness). As predicted, the relation of anxious attachment to psychological aggression was mediated by dysfunctional beliefs. Students with anxious attachment were more likely to believe that disagreements were destructive, which was related to higher rates of perpetrating psychological aggression.
Trefoil Factors in Saliva and Gingival Tissues of Patients With Chronic Periodontitis
Authors: Chaiyarit Ponlatham , Chayasadom Anek , Wara‐Aswapati Nawarat , Hormdee Doodsadee , Sittisomwong Sapatporn , Nakaresisoon Sirinun , Samson Mie Hessellund , Pitiphat Waranuch , Giraud Andrew S.
Published: December 2011

Background: Trefoil factors (TFFs) are secreted molecules that are involved in cytoprotection against tissue damage and the immune response. TFFs have been detected in saliva and oral tissues, but their clinical significance has never been investigated in patients with chronic periodontitis. The objective of this study is to determine whether TFF expression in saliva and gingival tissues is associated with periodontal pathology.

Methods: Saliva and gingival tissue samples were collected from 25 non‐periodontitis individuals and 25 patients with chronic periodontitis (CP). Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemical methods were used to evaluate the expression of TFFs (TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3) in saliva and gingival tissues, respectively. Periodontopathic bacteria were quantified by real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Results: Reduced salivary TFF1 and TFF3 concentrations were observed in patients with CP (P = 0.003 and P <0.001, respectively). Decreased TFF3 expression in gingival tissues of patients with CP was demonstrated (P = 0.041). Levels of salivary TFF3 concentrations were negatively correlated with periodontal pathology and number of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia (formerly known as Bacteroides forsythus).

Conclusions: Altered expression of TFFs in saliva and gingival tissues was detected in patients with CP. The results suggest that TFF3 may be involved in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease.
Association Between Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphisms and Periodontitis: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Chen Li‐li , Li Hao , Zhang Peng‐peng , Wang Shu‐mei
Published: December 2011

Background: The purpose of the meta‐analysis is to explore the association between vitamin D receptor polymorphisms (including four gene loci: Taq‐I, Bsm‐I, Apa‐I, and Fok‐I) for susceptibility to periodontitis (either chronic [CP] or aggressive [AP]). Up to now, there has been only one systematic review focusing on this topic. We obtained some different findings compared with the previously published literature.

Methods: Nineteen case‐control studies were identified through a search of multiple electronic databases (from January 1, 1999 to June 30, 2011). The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using codominant, dominant, and recessive genetic models from meta‐analysis were the main outcome measure. The Harbord test was used to detect the publication bias for each group.

Results: Eighteen identified articles met the eligibility criteria. Through overall analyses, no statistical association was found between polymorphisms of the four gene loci and periodontitis. However, based on subgroup analyses, a significant association between the Taq‐I variants and CP rather than AP was shown in Asians (OR = 0.590; 95% CI = 0.425, 0.818) but not in whites (OR = 0.823; 95% CI = 0.637, 1.063). No statistically significant association was found between polymorphisms of Bsm‐I and Apa‐I with either AP or CP. The Fok‐I polymorphism showed a statistical association with AP (OR = 1.583; 95% CI = 1.157, 2.166) instead of CP (OR = 1.081; 95% CI = 0.638, 1.830) in Asians.

Conclusions: The results of the present meta‐analysis indicate the following: 1) the mutant allele t of the Taq‐I locus may be a protective factor for CP but not for AP in Asians, although this was not true in whites; 2) the mutant allele F of the Fok‐I locus appeared to be a risk factor for AP rather than CP in Asians; and 3) Bsm‐I and Apa‐I polymorphisms were found to have no significant associations with susceptibility to periodontitis (CP/AP).
Relationship Between Serum Albumin Concentration and Periodontal Condition in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Maruyama Takayuki , Yamanaka Reiko , Yokoi Aya , Ekuni Daisuke , Tomofuji Takaaki , Mizukawa Nobuyoshi , Onoda Tomoo , Eguchi Motoharu , Morita Manabu
Published: December 2011

Background: Serum albumin concentration is known to be an independent predictor of survival in head and neck cancer. The previous studies suggested relationships between serum albumin concentration and oral health status in populations without serious systemic disorders. However, these relationships remain unclear in patients with head and neck cancer. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between serum albumin concentration and oral health status in patients with head and neck cancer.

Methods: Fifty individuals diagnosed with primary head and neck cancer, 25 individuals with normal serum albumin concentration (≥3.85 g/dL), and 25 age‐ and sex‐matched individuals with lower serum albumin concentration (<3.85 g/dL) were analyzed. General status, including cancer stage, body mass index, drinking and smoking habits, and biochemical serum markers, were evaluated. Oral health status, including periodontal condition and occlusion tooth pairs, were also evaluated.

Results: Mean clinical attachment level (CAL) and C‐reactive protein in the lower serum albumin concentration group were greater than those in the normal serum albumin concentration group (P = 0.009 and P = 0.002, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in any other oral and/or serum parameters between the two serum albumin groups. A logistic regression model showed that mean CAL was significantly associated with high or low levels of serum albumin concentration (odds ratio = 9.752; 95% confidence interval = 1.702 to 55.861; P = 0.011).

Conclusions: This study suggests an association between periodontal disease and serum albumin concentration in patients with head and neck cancer. Longitudinal studies are necessary to examine the causal relationship between serum albumin concentration and periodontal condition.
Impact of Anxiety on Pain Perception Associated With Periodontal and Implant Surgery in a Private Practice
Authors: Fardal Øystein , McCulloch Christopher A.
Published: December 2011

Background: There are limited data on pain perception after periodontal or implant surgery or how pain perception is affected by presurgical anxiety.

Methods: Presurgical anxiety and surgical pain perceptions were measured by visual analog scale (VAS) scores and by interview of patients (N = 102) undergoing periodontal or implant therapy in a private periodontal specialty practice in Norway.

Results: Patients reported that bad taste, receiving the local anesthetic, and excessive fluid in the mouth were the most uncomfortable experiences associated with periodontal or implant surgery. Analysis of identical responses to these questions showed that there was low intrapatient agreement for uncomfortable experiences (κ = 0.18), but there was reasonably good agreement for comfortable experiences (κ = 0.76). There were no significant differences between repeated VAS scores for pain perception (P = 0.91) or anxiety (P = 0.75) from two consecutive surgeries. There were no significant differences of VAS scores for perception of discomfort for periodontal surgery (9.9 ± 17.0) compared to implant surgery (16.7 ± 24.2; P >0.2). Presurgical anxiety scores were higher for implant surgery (45.5 ± 33.4) than for periodontal surgery (19.5 ± 28.1; P <0.01). Patients with high pretreatment anxiety scores reported that periodontal and implant surgery were more uncomfortable than patients with low anxiety scores (20.5 ± 25.6 versus 0.45 ± 1; P <0.001). VAS perception and anxiety scores did not change on first‐time through fourth‐time surgeries, but retreatment surgery patients recorded higher perception and anxiety VAS scores than patients undergoing surgery for the third or fourth time (P <0.01). Females recorded significantly higher anxiety scores than males (P = 0.04).

Conclusion: For periodontal surgery and implant treatments pain perception is affected by the level of presurgical anxiety.
Editorial - Nanostructured Materials for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries
Authors: Chen Pu , Kan Xianwen
Published: December 2011

Energy and environment are two most challenging issues
faced by our society today. With an ever increasing demand
for oil, depletion of renewable fuel source, and dramatic
climate change caused by CO2 emission, there is an urgent
need for alternative energy source that is not based on fossil
fuel. Consequently, wind, solar and wave generated energy
has become heavily pursued; but to work with the grid, these
forms of energy have to be stored and converted according to
the electricity demand and scheduling. Batteries, especially
rechargeable ones, are one of the primary energy storage and
conversion systems. Research in batteries has gained
tremendous speed recently, not only for large scale energy
storage but also for power demand in a variety of electronic
devices, such as cell phones, laptops, and all kinds of power
tools. It is necessary to develop renewable, low-cost, and
environmentally friendly energy conversion and storage
systems, to replace much of the existing technology.

Among many forms of batteries, the rechargeable lithium
battery has become favorite because of its features in high
energy density, long cycle life, and abuse-tolerant
characteristic. Still there is much to be learnt and to improve.
The performance of rechargeable lithium batteries strongly
depends on the structures and properties of battery materials
used, especially in their specific capacity, electrochemical
potential, energy and power density, and cyclability.
Structural improvements include size and shape modification
by employing various physical and chemical approaches. In
particular, nanostructured materials represent one of the most
promising as this approach can effectively contribute to a
decrease in the path length for lithium ion transport,
reduction in internal transfer resistance, and an increase in
surface area for electrochemical reactions. The design and
engineering of novel nanostructured materials for
rechargeable lithium batteries have become one of the most
sought after strategies for the battery research and
development. The objective of this special issue is to survey
the current research and development of rechargeable lithium
batteries and in particular, the materials used in preparing the
cathode and anode for enhanced battery performance.
LiMnPO4 Olivine as a Cathode for Lithium Batteries
Authors: Bakenov Zhumabay , Taniguchi Izumi
Published: December 2011

The olivine structured mixed lithium-transition metal phosphates LiMPO4 (M = Fe, Mn, Co) have attracted
tremendous attention of many research teams worldwide as a promising cathode materials for lithium batteries. Among
them, lithium manganese phosphate LiMnPO4 is the most promising considering its high theoretical capacity and
operating voltage, low cost and environmental safety. Various techniques were applied to prepare this perspective cathode
for lithium batteries. The solution based synthetic routes such as spray pyrolysis, precipitation, sol-gel, hydrothermal and
polyol synthesis allow preparing nanostructured powders of LiMnPO4 with enhanced electrochemical properties, which is
mostly attributed to the higher chemical homogeneity and narrow particle size distribution of the material. Up-to-date, the
LiMnPO4/C composites prepared by the spray pyrolysis route have the best electrochemical performance among the
reported in the literature.
The Development of Silicon Nanocomposite Materials for Li-Ion Secondary Batteries
Authors: Wang Jian , Chen Yuan , Qi Lu
Published: December 2011

With the rapid progress and wide application of Li-ion batteries, commercial graphite anode can not satisfy the
increasing demand for higher capacities. Like other anode materials with higher capacities, silicon materials as anodes
remain serious problems for their large volume variations and poor cyclabilities during cycling. One of key problem is
how to stabilize the performances of Si anode materials. Various influencing factors of volume variation of silicon anode
materials have been reviewed, which consist of discharging voltage, amorphous or crystalline type, tube or pore
microstructure, interlayer adhesion, buffering and protective layer materials and conductive agents. Another hot issue is
on the preparation methods for silicon anode materials with high performance. It covers not only the technics of high
purity silicon materials, including the predominant Siemens process of electronic-grade silicon, but also the techniques of
silicon film anodes, which consists of butyl-capped silicon precursor, the template methods of nanostructure, magnetron
sputtering, ball-milling. From the screening of existing silicon anode materials in the literatures, the preparation methods
for promising Si anode materials and their prospects have been offered.
Characterization and Electrochemical Behavior of Graphene-Based Anode for Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Wei-Ren , Kuo Shin-Liang , Lin Chia-Yi , Chiu Yi-Chen , Su Ching-Yi , Wu Hung-Chun , Hsieh Chien-Te
Published: December 2011

In this study, we investigate the characteristics and electrochemical properties of graphene nanosheets derived
from chemical-thermal exfoliation processes of SFG44 synthetic graphite (SFG44-GNS). The characterizations and
electrochemical measurements were carried out by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy,
transmission electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, BET, Raman, rate capability as well as cycling tests and AC
impedance. The as-synthesized SFG44-GNS with larger d-spacing of 0.3407 nm exhibits reversible capacity of 626
mAh/g and good rate capability of ~ 300 mAh/g at 2C rate, which are superior to those of graphite anode. The enhanced
electrochemical performance of GNS anode was resulted from larger d-spacing, lower impedance in the interface and
enhanced pore volume. The results indicate that graphene-based material is a good candidate for HEV/EV application.
Welfare problems in dairy calves
Authors: Hristov S. , Stankovic B. , Todorovic-Joksimovic M. , Mekic C. , Zlatanovic Z. , Ostojic-Andric D. , Maksimovic N.
Published: December 2011

The most significant welfare problems in dairy calves in intensive rearing
conditions have been investigated in this paper. These problems mainly result
from inadequate intake of colostrum (separation from the dam), inadequate
ventilation (resulting in inappropriate airflow, low or high temperatures,
high humidity and poor air quality), poor floor conditions (wet floor,
without bedding), inadequate monitoring of health, exposure to pathogens
causing respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders and occurrence of iron
deficiency. In addition, on cattle farms in our country welfare problems in
calves originate from continuous restocking (no "all in - all out") and
mixing calves from different sources, as well as insufficiently balanced
solid food, insufficient access to water and generally poor response of
farmer to health problems, especially necessary dietary changes. A special
welfare problem is insufficient floor space allowance which results in calf?s
discomfort.
Regression analysis of milk production traits in simmental cows
Authors: Petrovic M.D. , Bogdanovic V. , Petrovic M.M. , Rakonjac S.
Published: December 2011

The relationship between milk production traits over whole lactations was
evaluated across three generations of Simmental cows, i.e. between daughters,
dams and grand dams, by a phenotypic regression analysis with whole lactation
traits in the daughter generation being used as the dependent variables (x1),
and those in the dam and grand dam generations being used as the independent
variables (x2 and x3). The results were obtained from a sample of 1170
daughters and as many dams and grand dams. The significance of the partial
regression coefficients b2 and b3 was separately evaluated by a t-test. An
analysis of variance was used to estimate the significance of the
simultaneous effect of the production traits of dams and grand dams on the
milk production achieved in the daughter generation. The calculated value of
the partial regression coefficients for the whole lactation production traits
across three generations (grand dams, dams and daughters) and their
statistical significances determined by the t and F tests, as well as the
regression equations used, suggested that the effect of the grand dam
generation on the milk production traits in granddaughters was substantially
lower than the effect of dams. The calculated partial regression coefficients
(b2 and b3) were positive and statistically very significant (P<0.01),
excepting the regression coefficients b3 for lactation length and b2 for milk
fat content that were not statistically significant (P>0.05). A very
significant change (P<0.01) was observed in all production traits in the
daughter generation as simultaneously affected by the traits in the dam and
grand dam generations.