bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved Statistical Modeling of Tumor Growth and Treatment Effect in Preclinical Animal Studies with Highly Heterogeneous Responses In Vivo
Authors: Laajala Teemu D. , Corander Jukka , Saarinen Niina M. , Mäkelä Katja , Savolainen Saija , Suominen Mari I. , Alhoniemi Esa , Mäkelä Sari , Poutanen Matti , Aittokallio Tero
Published: June 2012

Purpose: Preclinical tumor growth experiments often result in heterogeneous datasets that include growing, regressing, or stable growth profiles in the treatment and control groups. Such confounding intertumor variability may mask the true treatment effects especially when less aggressive treatment alternatives are being evaluated.

Experimental design: We developed a statistical modeling approach in which the growing and poorly growing tumor categories were automatically detected by means of an expectation-maximization algorithm coupled within a mixed-effects modeling framework. The framework is implemented and distributed as an R package, which enables model estimation and statistical inference, as well as statistical power and precision analyses.

Results: When applied to four tumor growth experiments, the modeling framework was shown to (i) improve the detection of subtle treatment effects in the presence of high within-group tumor variability; (ii) reveal hidden tumor subgroups associated with established or novel biomarkers, such as ERβ expression in a MCF-7 breast cancer model, which remained undetected with standard statistical analysis; (iii) provide guidance on the selection of sufficient sample sizes and most informative treatment periods; and (iv) offer flexibility to various cancer models, experimental designs, and treatment options. Model-based testing of treatment effect on the tumor growth rate (or slope) was shown as particularly informative in the preclinical assessment of treatment alternatives based on dietary interventions.

Conclusions: In general, the modeling framework enables identification of such biologically significant differences in tumor growth profiles that would have gone undetected or had required considerably higher number of animals when using traditional statistical methods. Clin Cancer Res; 18(16); 4385–96. ©2012 AACR.
Promising Personalized Therapeutic Options for Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Subtypes with Oncogene Addictions
Authors: Steinhardt James J. , Gartenhaus Ronald B.
Published: June 2012

Currently, two major classification systems segregate diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) into subtypes based on gene expression profiles and provide great insights about the oncogenic mechanisms that may be crucial for lymphomagenesis as well as prognostic information regarding response to current therapies. However, these current classification systems primarily look at expression and not dependency and are thus limited to inductive or probabilistic reasoning when evaluating alternative therapeutic options. The development of a deductive classification system that identifies subtypes in which all patients with a given phenotype require the same oncogenic drivers, and would therefore have a similar response to a rational therapy targeting the essential drivers, would significantly advance the treatment of DLBCL. This review highlights the putative drivers identified as well as the work done to identify potentially dependent populations. These studies integrated genomic analysis and functional screens to provide a rationale for targeted therapies within defined populations. Personalizing treatments by identifying patients with oncogenic dependencies via genotyping and specifically targeting the responsible drivers may constitute a novel approach for the treatment of DLBCL. Clin Cancer Res; 18(17); 4538–48. ©2012 AACR.
Genetic Variation Within the Interleukin-1 Gene Cluster and Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Olsson Sandra , Holmegaard Lukas , Jood Katarina , Sjögren Marketa , Engström Gunnar , Lövkvist Håkan , Blomstrand Christian , Norrving Bo , Melander Olle , Lindgren Arne , Jern Christina
Published: June 2012

Background and Purpose—

Evidence is emerging that inflammation plays a key role in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke (IS). The aim of this study was to investigate whether genetic variation in the interleukin-1α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist genes (
IL1A, IL1B
, and
IL1RN
) is associated with IS and/or any etiologic subtype of IS.

Methods—

Twelve tagSNPs were analyzed in the Sahlgrenska Academy Study on Ischemic Stroke (SAHLSIS), which comprises 844 patients with IS and 668 control subjects. IS subtypes were defined according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment criteria in SAHLSIS. The Lund Stroke Register and the Malmö Diet and Cancer study were used as a replication sample for overall IS (in total 3145 patients and 1793 control subjects).

Results—

The single nucleotide polymorphism rs380092 in
IL1RN
showed an association with overall IS in SAHLSIS (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.02–1.43;
P
=0.03), which was replicated in the Lund Stroke Register and the Malmö Diet and Cancer study sample. An association was also detected in all samples combined (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.04–1.21;
P
=0.03). Three single nucleotide polymorphisms in
IL1RN
(including rs380092) were nominally associated with the subtype of cryptogenic stroke in SAHLSIS, but the statistical significance did not remain after correction for multiple testing. Furthermore, increased plasma levels of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist were observed in the subtype of cryptogenic stroke compared with controls.

Conclusion—

This comprehensive study, based on a tagSNP approach and replication, presents support for the role of
IL1RN
in overall IS.
C1-Inhibitor Protects From Brain Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Combined Antiinflammatory and Antithrombotic Mechanisms
Authors: Heydenreich Nadine , Nolte Marc W. , Göb Eva , Langhauser Friederike , Hofmeister Marion , Kraft Peter , Albert-Weissenberger Christiane , Brede Marc , Varallyay Csanad , Göbel Kerstin , Meuth Sven G. , Nieswandt Bernhard , Dickneite Gerhard , Stoll Guido , Kleinschnitz Christoph
Published: June 2012

Background and Purpose—

Inflammation and thrombosis are pathophysiological hallmarks of ischemic stroke still unamenable to therapeutic interventions. The contact-kinin system represents an interface between inflammatory and thrombotic circuits and is involved in stroke development. C1-inhibitor counteracts activation of the contact-kinin system at multiple levels. We investigated the therapeutic potential of C1-inhibitor in models of ischemic stroke.

Methods—

Male and female C57Bl/6 mice and rats of different ages were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion and treated with C1-inhibitor after 1 hour or 6 hours. Infarct volumes and functional outcomes were assessed between day 1 and day 7, and findings were validated by magnetic resonance imaging. Blood–brain barrier damage, thrombus formation, and the local inflammatory response were determined poststroke.

Results—

Treatment with 15.0 U C1-inhibitor, but not 7.5 U, 1 hour after stroke reduced infarct volumes by ≈60% and improved clinical scores in mice of either sex on day 1. This protective effect was preserved at later stages of infarction as well as in elderly mice and in another species, ie, rats. Delayed C1-inhibitor treatment still improved clinical outcome. Blood–brain barrier damage, edema formation, and inflammation were significantly lower compared with controls. Moreover, C1-inhibitor showed strong antithrombotic effects.

Conclusions—

C1-inhibitor is a multifaceted antiinflammatory and antithrombotic compound that protects from ischemic neurodegeneration in clinically meaningful settings.
Escaping bullying: The simultaneous impact of individual and unit-level bullying on turnover intentions
Authors: Houshmand Marjan , O’Reilly Jane , Robinson Sandra , Wolff Angela
Published: June 2012

In this study, we investigate the simultaneous impact of, and interaction between, being the direct target of bullying and working in an environment characterized by bullying upon employees’ turnover intentions. Hierarchical linear modeling analysis of a sample of 41 hospital units and 357 nurses demonstrates that working in an environment characterized by bullying increases individual employees’ turnover intentions. Importantly, employees report similarly high turnover intentions when they are either the direct target of bullying or when they work in work units characterized by high bullying. Results also suggest that the impact of unit-level bullying is stronger on those who are not often directly bullied themselves.
Barium titanate and barium strontium titanate coated carbon fibers for multifunctional structural capacitors
Authors: Lin Yirong , Zhou Zhi , Sodano Henry A
Published: June 2012

Multifunctional materials can increase the performance of a system through the integration of multiple separate functional components into a single material system. This design approach offers widespread benefits and can be applied to a variety of applications. Here, we explore the integration of electrostatic energy storage and composite materials through the growth of a barium strontium titanate film on carbon fiber. The perovskite ceramic offers high dielectric constant and the use of Ba xSr1 −  xTiO3 allows for the tuning of the dielectric, ferroelectric, and loss parameters to obtain an optimal energy storage stoichiometry. We have evaluated the dielectric and breakdown strength of the films to determine the energy storage density and demonstrate energy densities of 0.12 J/cc from a load-bearing fiber.
Predicting the nonlinear response and progressive failure of composite laminates under tri-axial loading
Authors: Bogetti Travis A , Staniszewski Jeffrey , Burns Bruce P , Hoppel Christopher PR , Gillespie John W , Tierney John
Published: June 2012

As a part of the Second World-Wide Failure Exercise, a three-dimensional nonlinear maximum progressive strain model, based on laminate analysis, is employed to make blind predictions for 12 test cases representing failure envelopes and stress strain curves for isotropic, unidirectional, and multidirectional composite laminates. This approach allows for redistribution of ply stresses and differentiation of the various potential modes of failure. These cases include initial and final ply failure envelopes under tri-axial loading, as well as 3 cases, requiring nonlinear stress–strain analysis. Comparison of predictions with actual experimental data will be made in Part B of the Second World-Wide Failure Exercise.
Mechanical properties characterization of the skin and core of a novel composite sandwich structure
Authors: Manalo AC , Aravinthan T , Karunasena W
Published: June 2012

This study has investigated the mechanical properties of the constituent materials of a novel structural composite sandwich panel developed for structural applications. Properly designed and carefully conducted experiments using coupon specimens following ISO and ASTM test standards were performed to characterize the flexural, tensile, compressive and shear properties of the fiber composite skins and the modified phenolic core of the composite sandwich structure. As a general behavior, the glass fiber composite skins behaved linearly elastic up to failure in both tension and compression with the tensile strength much higher than the compressive strength. The modified phenolic core behaved linearly elastic in tension but exhibited non-linear behavior in compression. The modified phenolic core material exhibited higher strength and modulus in shear and compression compared to the traditional core material systems. The improved mechanical properties of the core structure combined with the high-strength and lightweight glass fiber composite skins suggest a high potential of the novel composite sandwich panel for structural applications. Furthermore, the results of this study provide an understanding of the fundamental behavior of the constituent materials of a novel sandwich structure providing a base knowledge from which further research could continue.
Dynamic mechanical analysis and dielectric studies of agro-waste rice husk/polypropylene composites with cenosphere
Authors: Sharma Janu , Chand Navin
Published: June 2012

Effect of cenosphere addition, on agro-waste rice husk/polypropylene composites is studied. Rice husk reinforced polypropylene composites having 20% rice husk with and without cenosphere is developed. Treated and untreated cenospheres with different concentration were loaded with chopped rice husk in polypropylene. The dielectric behaviour of rice husk-filled polypropylene was studied by adding cenosphere (2, 4, 6 and 8 phr), respectively, in concentrations. From dynamic mechanical analysis, analysis is clear that the loss factor of composites decreased and the storage modulus improved in the presence of cenosphere in polypropylene/rice husk, which indicated much better interfacial adhesion between the polypropylene matrix and rice husk. Insulating materials are used in electrical power circuits to prevent leakage of current. This study investigates the possibility of using agro-waste rice husk, as electrical insulators. Accordingly, electrical insulative properties: dielectric constant, dissipation factor and ac conductivity σac of these waste materials were determined. In case of dielectric constant of filled polymers, interface interaction is the most important parameter which influences the dielectric behaviour of matrix and will depend on type of fillers, concentration of filler and the chemical bonding between filler and matrix.
Fatigue behaviour of Kevlar composites with nanoclay-filled epoxy resin
Authors: Ferreira JAM , Reis PNB , Costa JDM , Richardson MOW
Published: June 2012

The fatigue behaviour of Kevlar fibre-reinforced composites is a subject not often studied and requires a better understanding. The objective of this study is to characterize the fatigue strength of a Kevlar/epoxy laminate composite as well as the benefits obtained using a nanoclay-filled epoxy matrix. The filler used was an organoclay Cloisite 30B after applying an appropriate silane treatment and other proprietary chemicals to improve the dispersion and interface adhesion. Twelve ply laminates, all in the same direction, of woven bidirectional Kevlar 292, were prepared by hand lay-up, using an SR 1500 epoxy resin. The composite sheets were produced by a vacuum moulding process. The addition of nanoclays reduced static strength and increased the stiffness in both tension and bend loading. Filled composites exhibited tensile fatigue strengths 12% higher than unfilled matrices, but in three-point bending the fatigue strength of filled composites was lower.
Effect of thread tension on mechanical performance of stitched glass fibre-reinforced polymer laminates –experimental study
Authors: Koziol Mateusz
Published: June 2012

This article presents the results of interlaminar shear and flexural tests of polyester resin – glass fibre laminates made from the preforms unstitched and stitched by various thread tensions: low, medium and high. The laminates were impregnated using resin transfer moulding method. The interlaminar shear and flexural tests were conducted by loading parallel and transverse to the stitch lines. Interlaminar shear strength, flexural strength and flexural modulus were obtained. Deformation extent of the reinforcing structure of the stitched laminate increases with the increase in the thread tension and causes decrease in the flexural strength and modulus. However, the increase in the thread tension offers improvement in the interlaminar shear strength. Optimization of changes in the flexural properties and the interlaminar shear strength with the thread tension showed that an operation of stitching of the reinforcing preforms should be conducted by low or medium stitching thread tension (approximately 3–9 N).
Mediation and Conflict Prevention
Authors: Eisenkopf Gerald , Bächtiger André
Published: June 2012

Mediation is a popular process to prevent conflicts over common resources, but there is little clean insight into its effectiveness and mechanisms. Our experimental approach allows for a comprehensive analysis of third-party intervention into potential conflicts and circumvents key problems linked to the analysis of field data. A mediator who credibly threatens punishment in the case of uncooperative behavior achieves the efficient solution in most cases. Similar results are obtained even if the mediator is biased toward one party or has no incentive to intervene. When cooperation fails, communication without credible punishment threats leads to particularly low payouts for the “losing” party.
Resource Allocations and Disapproval Voting in Unequal Groups
Authors: D’Exelle Ben , Riedl Arno
Published: June 2012

Resources are often allocated in groups through decentralized nonmarket mechanisms. We experimentally investigate groups where a rich representative allocates resources among poorer members, who can announce disapproval by voting for a measure hurting the representative. We examine the effect of inequality aversion by keeping information on the allocation private in one and commonly known in another condition. Further, we investigate whether casting votes publicly or secretly influences allocation and voting behavior. We find that disapproval rates are highest with secret voting or a commonly known resource allocation. Disapproval voting fails to stimulate representatives to appear more prosocial, but rather induces them to keep everything. Private information on the allocation and public voting leads to least disapproval and exclusion of the poorest group members from the resources. The analysis shows that inequality aversion of poorer group members crucially interacts with the investigated institutional and informational details of the resource allocation situation.
The Familial Concentration and Transmission of Crime
Authors: Beaver Kevin M.
Published: June 2012

Research has revealed that crime tends to concentrate in families and that it also tends to be transmitted across generational lines. The current study expanded on this line of research by examining the familial concentration and transmission of crime in a sample of sibling pairs. Analysis of data drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) revealed that 5% of all families accounted for more than 50% of all criminal arrests. Additional analyses revealed between-sibling similarity and intergenerational transmission in being arrested, being sentenced to probation, being incarcerated, and being arrested multiple times. Structural equation models (SEMs) were also estimated to examine the mechanisms that might account for the familial concentration and transmission of crime. These SEMs provided evidence indicating that the concentration and transmission of crime was due, in part, to genetic factors as well as mating patterns.
The Nonmartial Origins of the “Martial Races”
Authors: Ray Subhasish
Published: June 2012

Did colonial rule “construct” the “martial races” or do these groups have an innate cultural disposition toward military service? Despite the centrality of this question for evaluating different military manpower recruitment strategies in postcolonial settings, no study has subjected these hypotheses to systematic empirical testing. This article fills this gap using an original data set on the colonial status of 181 ethnic groups across twenty-nine ex-British colonies to examine the origins of colonial “martialness.” The empirical analysis provides robust evidence in support of the constructivist argument.
The Future of Public Administration
Authors: Farazmand Ali
Published: June 2012

This article addresses the future of public administration as a self-conscious enterprise as well as a field of practice. It discusses four major challenges facing public administration: predatory globalization, institutional failure, poverty of the field, and success of the field, with technology as a fifth challenge, which is not discussed due to space limitation. The article also argues that, ironically, it is these same challenges that can also serve as forces shaping the future of public administration as a theory and practice. A conclusion outlines models suggested by other scholars, and offers new perspectives in favor of the argument advanced here.
The Effect of Response Style on Self-Reported Conscientiousness Across 20 Countries
Authors: Mõttus René , Allik Jüri , Realo Anu , Rossier Jérôme , Zecca Gregory , Ah-Kion Jennifer , Amoussou-Yéyé Dénis , Bäckström Martin , Barkauskiene Rasa , Barry Oumar , Bhowon Uma , Björklund Fredrik , Bochaver Aleksandra , Bochaver Konstantin , de Bruin Gideon , Cabrera Helena F. , Chen Sylvia Xiaohua , Church A. Timothy , Cissé Daouda Dougoumalé , Dahourou Donatien , Feng Xiaohang , Guan Yanjun , Hwang Hyi-Sung , Idris Fazilah , Katigbak Marcia S. , Kuppens Peter , Kwiatkowska Anna , Laurinavicius Alfredas , Mastor Khairul Anwar , Matsumoto David , Riemann Rainer , Schug Joanna , Simpson Brian , Tseung-Wong Caroline Ng , Johnson Wendy
Published: June 2012

Rankings of countries on mean levels of self-reported Conscientiousness continue to puzzle researchers. Based on the hypothesis that cross-cultural differences in the tendency to prefer extreme response categories of ordinal rating scales over moderate categories can influence the comparability of self-reports, this study investigated possible effects of response style on the mean levels of self-reported Conscientiousness in 22 samples from 20 countries. Extreme and neutral responding were estimated based on respondents’ ratings of 30 hypothetical people described in short vignettes. In the vignette ratings, clear cross-sample differences in extreme and neutral responding emerged. These responding style differences were correlated with mean self-reported Conscientiousness scores. Correcting self-reports for extreme and neutral responding changed sample rankings of Conscientiousness, as well as the predictive validities of these rankings for external criteria. The findings suggest that the puzzling country rankings of self-reported Conscientiousness may to some extent result from differences in response styles.
Planning and Natural Resources in Bolivia
Authors: Pellegrini Lorenzo
Published: June 2012

This article focuses on participation in the main planning documents produced in Bolivia in the first decade of the 2000s: the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) and the National Development Plan (PND). We analyze how these planning instruments have been able to capture popular participation through diverse mechanisms and how these practices fit in the current mainstream participation discourse. Special attention is paid to natural resources because of the predominant role they have in the Bolivian economy and because of their substantial contribution to the state budget. The Bolivian experience reflects an apparent paradox: While the process leading to the PRSP followed participatory guidelines and the PND did not, the resulting PRSP failed to include the most pressing demands of social movements, while the PND succeeded in including them. This case shows how the articulation of political processes escapes simplistic characterizations and how the application of “out of the textbook” participation may result in highly exclusionary outcomes. It also shows that the voice of social movements can take unexpected paths and have a profound influence on political events that go well beyond the possibility of standardized participatory processes.
“Stating” Nature’s Role in Ecuadorian Development
Authors: Arsel Murat , Angel Natalia Avila
Published: June 2012

Development politics in Ecuador has experienced major changes since the start of Correa’s presidency in 2007. Paralleling a regional trend, the state has become a central agent in the economy, particularly in extractive industries. Revenues accruing to the state from intensified usage of non-renewable resources have been central to the implementation of Correa’s political agenda. At the same time, constitutional changes introduced in 2008 have granted rights to nature and held the promise of increased participatory engagement between the state and civil society. The emergence and development of the Yasuní-ITT initiative, which is built on the idea of leaving oil underground in exchange for financial contributions from the international community, demonstrates that increased attention to environmental conservation by the state has not resulted in improved participation. Instead, the incipient clash between the state’s mission to provide socioeconomic development and to preserve nature has resulted in the state sidelining civil society and opening the possibility of intensified social conflict over the role of nature in Ecuadorian development.
A Meta-Analysis of Moral Reconation Therapy
Authors: Ferguson L. Myles , Wormith J. Stephen
Published: June 2012

This study reports on a meta-analysis of moral reconation therapy (MRT). Recipients of MRT included adult and juvenile offenders who were in custody or in the community, typically on parole or probation. The study considered criminal offending subsequent to treatment as the outcome variable. The overall effect size measured by the correlation across 33 studies and 30,259 offenders was significant ( r = .16), indicating that MRT had a small but important effect on recidivism. Moderator analyses were conducted to detect the possible factors affecting the relationship between MRT and recidivism. Moderators included setting, age, gender, research design, sample size, type of recidivism, follow-up period, publisher, and year of publication. Moderator analysis demonstrated that MRT was more successful with adult than juvenile offenders in institutional settings as opposed to the community, and where researchers in the primary studies used randomization to allocate participants to either a treatment or control condition. The treatment effect size was greater when the type of recidivism used was rearrest rather than rearrest followed by conviction or reincarceration. The benefits of MRT were strongest with a relatively short follow-up period. MRT was more successful for relatively small samples and for large samples rather than medium-sized samples. The effect size was smaller for studies published by the owners of MRT than by other independent studies. The effect size was also smaller for studies published after 1999.
Thoughts on Concept Analysis
Authors: Fawcett Jacqueline
Published: June 2012

In this essay, I share my thoughts about concept analysis. Emphasis is placed on a nursing conceptual model as the starting point to provide an intellectual context for the concept analysis. The difference between a concept and the application of the concept also is emphasized.
Conceptualizing Policy as Environment
Authors: Harris Barbara A.
Published: June 2012

Environment has long been a primary concern in nursing, beginning with Nightingale’s attention to the power of the environment to heal. Policy is a dimension of the practice environment with great potential to influence patients’ health. In this column, a practice vignette illustrates some of the barriers to nurses’ awareness of policy-as-environment. Characteristics of conceptualizations of environment, arising from nursing science, that have potential to surmount barriers and increase awareness are identified. Creative attention to conceptualizing policy-as-environment is urged as a way to encourage nurses to consider policy activity as a satisfying aspect of practice.
The Complexity of Living with Hepatitis C
Authors: MacNeil Joan M.
Published: June 2012

Newman’s theory of health as expanding consciousness was used to explore the patterns and their meaning for people living with chronic hepatitis C. A hermeneutic dialectic method was used to engage nine participants who had been diagnosed with hepatitis C. Patterns and themes were identified and included struggling to overcome, transcending the illness, and wanting to give back. Despite their struggles, all participants moved on to a higher level of consciousness through transformative changes in their lives.
Sustaining Programs of School, Family, and Community Partnerships
Authors: Sanders Mavis G.
Published: June 2012

This study draws from 4 years of qualitative case study data to describe how programmatic and district factors interacted to affect reform sustainability in two school districts—one urban and the other suburban. These districts have been implementing a reform developed by the National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) for over a decade. NNPS assists schools, districts, and state departments of education to develop comprehensive programs of school, family, and community partnerships. Findings suggest that reform characteristics, specifically the evidence base, costs, and flexibility of the NNPS reform, and district leadership, specifically district leaders’ reform knowledge, professional influence, and reform focus converged to explain, in part, the case districts’ success in sustaining the reform. Implications of these findings for reform developers and leaders are discussed.
You See, the Ends Don’t Justify the Means
Authors: Amit Elinor , Greene Joshua D.
Published: June 2012

We conducted three experiments indicating that characteristically deontological judgments—here, disapproving of sacrificing one person for the greater good of others—are preferentially supported by visual imagery. Experiment 1 used two matched working memory tasks—one visual, one verbal—to identify individuals with relatively visual cognitive styles and individuals with relatively verbal cognitive styles. Individuals with more visual cognitive styles made more deontological judgments. Experiment 2 showed that visual interference, relative to verbal interference and no interference, decreases deontological judgment. Experiment 3 indicated that these effects are due to people’s tendency to visualize the harmful means (sacrificing one person) more than the beneficial end (saving others). These results suggest a specific role for visual imagery in moral judgment: When people consider sacrificing someone as a means to an end, visual imagery preferentially supports the judgment that the ends do not justify the means. These results suggest an integration of the dual-process theory of moral judgment with construal-level theory.
Support for redistribution and the paradox of immigration
Authors: Burgoon Brian , Koster Ferry , van Egmond Marcel
Published: June 2012

This paper argues that immigration has varying implications for attitudes about government redistribution depending on the level at which immigration is experienced. Working in occupations with higher shares of foreign-born employees can raise individual economic insecurities in ways that might overwhelm the way high foreign-born shares of the population can reduce solidarity or increase fiscal burdens. Hence, experiencing more immigration in one’s occupation might more positively affect support for government redistribution than does experiencing more national-level immigration. We test this and other expectations on survey data in 17 European polities, focused on occupational and national measures of immigration. While national-level exposure to foreign-born populations tends to have little effect on support for government redistribution, occupational-level exposure to immigration tends to spur such support. These results suggest that immigration directly influences the politics of inequality, but in ways more complicated than recent scholarship suggests.
An inquiry on introducing a minimum income scheme in Turkey: Alternating between cost efficiency and poverty reduction
Authors: Yakut-Cakar Burcu , Erus Burcay , Adaman Fikret
Published: June 2012

Turkey is one of the few countries in Europe without a minimum income scheme. In an effort to simulate the potential economic impact of introducing such a scheme in Turkey, data from the 2007 Statistics on Income and Living Conditions were used to consider various policy scenarios with regard to eligibility conditions and benefits. The impact of a minimum guaranteed income scheme on the extent of poverty, income distribution and the proportion of potential beneficiaries at the individual and household levels were investigated under different policy variations, as well as their corresponding costs. Subsequent analyses provided supporting evidence for the affordability of minimum income schemes in Turkey that would contribute to altering inequalities in income distribution.
What are the effects of reforms promoting fathers’ parental leave use?
Authors: Duvander Ann-Zofie , Johansson Mats
Published: June 2012

Since the introduction of parental leave in Sweden a more gender-equal division of such leave has been targeted. In 1995 one month was reserved for each parent, implying that the month was forfeited if not used by the same parent. A second month was reserved in 2002. In 2008, a gender equality bonus was introduced, meaning that tax credits were given to parents who shared the leave equally. This study investigates the effects of these reforms on parental leave use by means of a difference-in-difference approach with parents of children born just before and just after the introduction of each reform. We use register data from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, which include all parents residing in Sweden. The results indicate a strong effect on parental leave use resulting from the introduction of the first reserved month, a more modest but clear effect resulting from the second reserved month and, so far, no effect resulting from the gender equality bonus. Possible interpretations of the results are that (1) reserved time may be more effective than an economic bonus, (2) change from low levels of use may be easier and (3) reforms may matter most when they are first introduced.
Including adults with intellectual disabilities who lack capacity to consent in research
Authors: Calveley (née Clark) Julie
Published: June 2012

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 has stipulated that in England and Wales the ethical implications of carrying out research with people who are unable to consent must be considered alongside the ethical implications of excluding them from research altogether. This paper describes the methods that were used to enable people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities, who lacked capacity, to participate in a study that examined their experience of receiving intimate care. The safeguards that were put in place to protect the rights and well-being of participants are described, and it is argued that the approaches used in this study met the requirements set out in the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Although this paper is based on research involving people with intellectual disabilities, it has implications for research involving other groups who may also lack capacity to consent, including people with mental health problems, head injuries and dementia.
A multidimensional analysis of ethical climate, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and organizational citizenship behaviors
Authors: Huang Chun-Chen , You Ching-Sing , Tsai Ming-Tien
Published: June 2012

The high turnover of nurses has become a global problem. Several studies have proposed that nurses’ perceptions of the ethical climate of their organization are related to higher job satisfaction and organizational commitment and thus lead to higher organizational citizenship behaviors. This study uses hierarchical regression to understand which types of ethical climate, facets of job satisfaction, and the three components of organizational commitment influence different dimensions of organizational citizenship behaviors. Questionnaires were distributed to 450 nurses, and 352 usable questionnaires were returned. The findings of the article suggest that hospitals can increase organizational citizenship behaviors by influencing an organization’s ethical climate, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. Hospital administrators can foster within organizations, the climate types of caring, law and code and rules climate, satisfaction with coworkers, and affective commitment and normative commitment that increase organizational citizenship behavior, while preventing organizations from developing the type of instrumental climate and continuance commitment that decreases it.
Application of the Capture-Recapture Method in Estimating the Size of the Active Homosexual Male Population in Hangzhou City of China
Authors: Zhou Weihua , Huang Manli , Wei Ning , Hu Shaohua , Wei Erqing , Xu Yi
Published: June 2012

The homosexual population is particularly susceptible to sexually transmitted disease because of various high-risk sexual behaviors among them. The authors explored the application of capture-recapture methods in estimating the size of the sexually active homosexual male population in Hangzhou. Homosexual men at 9 activity sites were investigated in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. The total active homosexual male population of Hangzhou estimated by the capture-recapture method and multiplier method was 2014 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1899-2129) and 2012.5 (95% CI 1925 to 2101), respectively. This study shows that the capture-recapture method can be used to enumerate and provide accurate and reliable estimates of the active homosexual population in any area, provided that certain conditions are controlled.
Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Job Satisfaction in Newly Qualified Malaysian Dentists
Authors: Pau Allan , Sabri Budi Aslinie
Published: June 2012

Job satisfaction (JS) is considered to be a key factor in workforce retention. This article reports on the association between emotional intelligence (EI) and JS in newly qualified dentistsemployed in the Malaysian 3-year compulsory service. A postal questionnaire survey collected data on sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, EI, and JS. In a sample of 342 (58.9%) respondents, sociodemographic characteristics were not statistically significantly associated with both EI and JS total scores, whereas overseas graduates scored more highly on the EI scale compared with local graduates. Linear regression analysis indicated that EI was the only statistically significant predictor of JS. EI was statistically significantly associated with JS with patient relationships ( r = 0.28; P = .001), peer support ( r = 0.30; P = .001), professional development ( r = 0.21; P = .001), quality of care ( r = 0.57; P = .001), supporting staff ( r = 0.24; P = .001), overall JS ( r = 0.28; P = .001), and total JS score ( r = 0.40; P = .001). However, EI was not statistically significantly associated with JS with income ( r = 0.06; P = .302). These findings have implications for the development of interventions to enhance EI and JS in order to promote retention of dentists in the public sector.
Factors Associated With Nutritional Status Among Adult Women in Urban India, 1998-2006
Authors: Rai Rajesh Kumar
Published: June 2012

This study attempts to understand the factors associated with chronic energy deficiency (CED) and overweight/obesity together with change in CED and overweight/obesity among urban Indian women during 1998-2006. Both National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 1998-1999 and NFHS 2005-2006 data sets were used. The standard cutoff points for both CED (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) and overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2) were considered. The Phi and Cramer’s V tests and predicted probabilities were used to fulfill the study objective. Results indicate an almost 3% reduction in CED and a 6% increase in overweight/obesity during 1998-2006. The probability of CED has reduced among nonliterate women and women belonging to the poorest wealth quintile; on the other hand, the likelihood of being overweight/obese has increased among women with high school education and above and women belonging to the richest wealth quintile. Interventions to promote physical activities and nutritional awareness programs, which are effective in addressing nutritional problems, have been proposed.
Seroprevalence of Antibody Against Diphtheria Among the Population in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand
Authors: Bansiddhi Hataichanok , Vuthitanachot Viboonsuk , Vuthitanachot Chanpim , Prachayangprecha Slinporn , Theamboonlers Apiradee , Poovorawan Yong
Published: June 2012

To assess diphtheria immunity in the northeastern region of Thailand, a seroepidemiological survey was undertaken in 2011 from 516 healthy individuals (age range 2-87 years) in Khon Kaen province. Diphtheria antitoxin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and titers of ≥0.1 IU/mL were considered to be protective antitoxin levels. Among the studied population, 94.8% have fully protective levels. The younger population (age range 2-19 years) has higher diphtheria immunity with seroprotection rates of 96.8% to 97.9%, compared with the adult population. The proportion of protective diphtheria antitoxin levels declines to 88.3% to 91.9% in the middle-aged group (20-50 years), and appeared to be higher again in the older age-group (50-70 years). To avoid epidemic spreading, promoting immunization booster programs will be helpful, especially among the adult population (20-50 years). Finally, this study may serve as a valuable guide in deciding exactly which age-groups should be targeted by such an effort.
HIV-Related Risk Behaviors Among the General Population
Authors: Vu Lan T H , Nadol Patrick , Le Linh Cu
Published: June 2012

This study used a confidential survey method—namely, Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview (ACASI)—to gather data about HIV-related risk knowledge/behaviors among the general population in Vietnam. The study sample included 1371 people aged 15 to 49 years in 3 cities—Hanoi, Da nang, and Can Tho. Results indicated that 7% of participants had ever had nonconsensual sex, and 3.6% of them had ever had a one-night stand. The percentage of male participants reported to ever have sex with sex workers was 9.6% and to ever inject drugs was 4.3%. The proportion of respondents who had ever tested for HIV was 17.6%. The risk factors and attitudes reported in the survey indicate the importance of analyzing risk behaviors related to HIV infection among the general population. Young people, especially men in more urbanized settings, are engaging in risky behaviors and may act as a “bridge” for the transmission of HIV from high-risk groups to the general population in Vietnam.
“Cycling Around an Emotional Core of Sadness”
Authors: Hooghe An , Neimeyer Robert A. , Rober Peter
Published: June 2012

In contrast to the traditional view of working through grief by confronting it, recent theories have emphasized an oscillating process of confronting and avoiding the pain of loss. In this qualitative study, we sought a better understanding of this process by conducting a detailed case study of a bereaved couple after the loss of their infant daughter. We employed multiple data collection methods (using interviews and written feedback) and an intensive auditing process in our thematic analysis, with special attention to a recurrent metaphor used by this bereaved couple in describing their personal and relational experience. The findings suggest the presence of a dialectic tension between the need to be close to the deceased child and the need for distance from the pain of the loss, which was evidenced on both individual and relational levels. For this couple, the image of “cycling around an emotional core of sadness” captured their dynamic way of dealing with this dialectic of closeness and distance.
Resilience in the Face of Fragile X Syndrome
Authors: Fourie Chantel L. , Theron Linda C.
Published: June 2012

In this article, we communicate transformative findings from a case study on the resilience of a young woman with fragile X syndrome (FXS), a genetic condition involving mental impairment and physical, emotional, and behavioral challenges. We explored the resilience of “Lucy,” a spirited 16-year-old North American, using informal interviews with her, formal interviews with significant adults in her life, and observations (visual and anecdotal) over 20 months. In reporting the information-rich case of Lucy, well supported by her ecology to rise above full-mutation FXS, we encourage a positive perspective of living with FXS. Although we recognize the limitations of a single case study, our findings offer tentative, process-oriented insights into resilience in contexts of genetic disability, previously unreported in conjunction with FXS. We concluded that the processes informing Lucy’s resilience were partly her responsibility and partly her social ecology’s, and comprised intrapersonal agency, unconditional positive acceptance and belonging, and support toward mastery.
Decreasing Students’ Reliance on Adults
Authors: Milley Allison , Machalicek Wendy
Published: June 2012

Students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often lack independent task initiation skills, have difficulty staying actively engaged in academic tasks, and may require prompting to complete and transition between tasks or activities. In response to these difficulties, teachers often provide additional attention to students in the form of frequent verbal prompts and individual support. Unfortunately, these instructional strategies may have negative academic and social implications as students become dependent on adults for prompts and social supports. This article highlights the importance of fostering student independence for students with ASD and presents three evidence-based strategies to improve student task engagement and decrease reliance on adult prompts: activity schedules, tactile prompting, and peer support interventions.
Couple Therapy and Reiki
Authors: Stockham-Ronollo Stephanie , Poulsen Shruti S.
Published: June 2012

Traditional psychotherapy currently tends to advocate for the exclusion of physical touch in the therapeutic context, as an attempt to address the issue of physical and emotional safety for the client and mitigate ethical and legal concerns. However, throughout human history touch has been an important factor in physical, psychological, and emotional healing processes. The authors of this article examine the current implementation of couple therapy modalities and discuss the benefits that Reiki, a biofield touch therapy, could offer in conjunction with traditional couple therapy.
A Short Form of the Career Futures Inventory
Authors: McIlveen Peter , Burton Lorelle J. , Beccaria Gavin
Published: June 2012

The purpose of this study was to test the international transferability and structural validity of the Career Futures Inventory (CFI) in a sample of Australian university students ( N = 1,566). Exploratory factor analysis of the data from a random half-split of the sample supported a three-factor solution equivalent to the original CFI subscales, Career Optimism, Career Adaptability, and Perceived Knowledge. Confirmatory factor analysis of the data from the remaining random half-split supported the structural validity of a short form, the CFI-9. The subscales of the CFI-9 had acceptable internal consistencies and correlations with measures of academic major satisfaction, career choice satisfaction, and generalized self-efficacy. It was concluded that the properties of the CFI and the CFI-9 were sufficient to explore their application as measures of perceptions of employability. It was suggested that the CFI-9 has potential as a diagnostic screening tool for counseling and educational interventions.
Reforming Iraqi Journalism and Mass Communication Higher Education
Authors: Pavlik John V. , Laufer Peter D. , Burns David P. , Ataya Ramzi T.
Published: June 2012

Journalism and mass communication higher education in Iraq is well established but largely isolated from global developments since the 1970s. In the post–Iraq war period, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) implemented a multiyear project to work with the leadership of Iraqi higher education to help update the curriculum in journalism and mass communication in that country. This project adapted the UNESCO Model Curricula for Journalism Education to the evolving higher education environment in Iraq. The authors were funded by UNESCO to help facilitate the adoption and adaptation of the model curriculum to the unique situation in Iraq.