bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impairment and sanction in Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service fitness to practise proceedings
Authors: Gallagher Cathal T , Foster Carmel L
Published: June 2014

The principal aims of this research were to assess whether, when imposing sanctions, the aggravating and mitigating circumstances considered by the General Medical Council are first considered when determining impairment of fitness to practise and to determine whether the circumstances described by the General Medical Council in their Indicative Sanctions Guidance as warranting erasure from the Medical Register will lead to that outcome. The consideration of specific aggravating circumstances or points of mitigation when determining impairment of fitness to practise was compared to their subsequent consideration by the General Medical Council when deciding on the severity of sanction to be applied. Additionally, the proportion of cases that highlighted aggravating circumstances the General Medical Council deemed sufficiently serious to warrant erasure and the actions taken were monitored. One hundred forty-six cases heard by the General Medical Council between 1 October 2011 and 30 September 2012 met with the inclusion criteria. Fisher’s exact test was used to detect a variation from the expected distribution of data. Three of the four aggravating/mitigating circumstances were more likely to be considered when determining sanction having first been factored into the consideration of impairment. There was a statistically significant correlation between both a risk of harm and dishonesty as aggravating factors and the sanction of erasure from the Medical Register. In general, the General Medical Council consider relevant factors at all stages of their deliberations into practitioner misconduct, as required by the determinations in the cases of Cohen, Zygmunt and Azzam; and subsequently follow the guidance within their Indicative Sanctions Guidance document when determining which sanction to apply.
Fatal head injury: a sequelae to electric shock – a case report
Authors: Jayanth SH , Hugar Basappa S , Chandra YP Girish , Krishnan A Gokula
Published: June 2014

Deaths due to electric shock are increasing despite stringent laws and preventive measures. These shocks are a leading cause of death amongst construction workers. In about 20% of the cases, no visible injury due to electricity can be seen. In some cases, non-electrical injuries are present and at times there are no eyewitnesses to provide a detailed account of events. In such circumstances, examination of scene of death, autopsy and accident reconstruction with the help of an electrical expert are all necessary to determine the cause of death. Here, we report one such case where a mason working on the second floor of a building under construction sustained an electrical injury, following which he was thrown to the ground sustaining a fatal traumatic injury. After careful consideration, his death was attributed to the head injury.
Relationship between fractal, viscoelastic, and aging properties of linear and radial styrene–butadiene–styrene polymer-modified bitumen
Authors: Jelčić Želimir , Bulatović Vesna Ocelić , Rek Vesna , Marković Kristina Jurkaš
Published: June 2014

The present study is aimed at evaluating the morphological and interfacial properties of the polymer and bitumen (BIT) in linear styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS-L) block copolymer and radial SBS (SBS-R) block copolymer-modified BIT (PmB) by fractal analysis. Fluorescence microscopy technique coupled with image analysis was used to measure the particle size distribution and fractal dimension of PmB morphology formed in mixtures. Fractal analysis approach was proposed as quantitative description method to evaluate nonuniformity of phase-separated SBS polymer particles/fibrils in PmB. Fractal-like structures in fluorescence micrographs of PmB morphology with the polymer phase-separated particles/fibrils were quantified using interface D[BW], BIT-rich phase D[B+BW], and SBS-rich phase D[W+BW] box-counting fractal dimensions. The overall morphological structure became more compact or more fibril organized as the polymer content attained overcritical values. The relatively high values for the BIT-rich phase D[B+BW] fractal dimension suggests that the PmB mixtures have a structure with extremely high space-filling capacity. Polymer-BIT mixture properties by the conventional laboratory performance tests and by the rheological measurements before and after the Rolling Thin Film Oven Test have been correlated with the PmB mixtures fractal dimensions.
Can Soldiers Combine Swords and Ploughshares?
Authors: Broesder Wendy A. , Op den Buijs Tessa P. , Vogelaar Ad L. W. , Euwema Martin C.
Published: June 2014

The modern military profession encompasses two seemingly contradictory roles, those of warrior and peacekeeper. The question is whether soldiers can identify with both roles simultaneously. In order to answer this question, an instrument for measuring the warrior and peacekeeper role identity as a multiple role construct is required. This article describes the construction of the Warrior–Peacekeeper Role Identity Survey (WPRIS), measuring the extent to which soldiers identify with the warrior and the peacekeeper role. The internal consistency and validity of the instrument are promising. Practical implications as the predictive value of military role identity for performance of soldiers during deployment in general and the buffering role of peacekeeper role identity in particular are discussed.
A new two-step learning vector quantization algorithm for image compression
Authors: Liu Ruochen , Li Bingjie , Zhang Lang , Jiao Licheng
Published: June 2014

The learning vector quantization (LVQ) algorithm is widely used in image compression because of its intuitively clear learning process and simple implementation. However, LVQ strongly depends on the initialization of the codebook and often converges to local optimal results. To address the issues, a new two-step LVQ (TsLVQ) algorithm is proposed in the paper. TsLVQ uses a correcting learning stage after LVQ to move the synaptic weight vector away from the incorrectly clustered training vector and towards the correctly clustered training vector. Experimental results show that TsLVQ outperforms kernel-based LVQ (KLVQ) and LVQ in terms of peak signal-to-noise ratio.
A fast model for identifying multiple indoor contaminant sources by considering sensor threshold and measurement error
Authors: Cai Hao , Li Xianting , Chen Zhilong , Wang Mingyang
Published: June 2014

In an emergency where a hazardous contaminant is abruptly released into indoor air, identifying the characteristics of contaminant source promptly and accurately is very important to eliminate source, control contamination and protect people. An identification model is presented in this study for quickly identifying the exact locations and emissions rates of multiple indoor contaminant sources with constant emissions rates and known release time, by considering sensor thresholds and measurement errors. Through case studies in a three-dimensional room, the model was numerically demonstrated and validated, and thorough analyses were made on the effects of the sensor threshold and measurement error on model performance. The results suggest that the model has the potential to obtain accurate results in real-time allowing for high levels of sensor data loss and measurement error.

Practical application: The presented identification model is applicable to a wide variety of indoor environments involving multiple continuous contaminant sources, such as the emission of volatile compounds from building materials or furniture, the leakage of toxic or inflammable gases from pipeline or vessels in trace amount. This study will hopefully contribute to developing more realistic source identification techniques with unknown release time and real sensor use.
A Pilot Study of a Distress Tolerance Treatment for Opiate-Dependent Patients Initiating Buprenorphine
Authors: Brown Richard A. , Bloom Erika Litvin , Hecht Jacki , Moitra Ethan , Herman Debra S. , Stein Michael D.
Published: June 2014

Buprenorphine, an opioid that is a long-acting partial opiate agonist, is an efficacious treatment for opiate dependence that is growing in popularity. Nevertheless, evidence suggests that many patients will lapse within the first week of treatment and that lapses are often associated with withdrawal-related or emotional distress. Recent research suggests that individuals’ reactions to this distress may represent an important treatment target. In the current study, we describe the development and outcomes from a preliminary pilot evaluation ( N = 5) of a novel distress tolerance (DT) treatment for individuals initiating buprenorphine. This treatment incorporates exposure-based and acceptance-based treatment approaches that we have previously applied to the treatment of tobacco dependence. Results from this pilot study establish the feasibility and acceptability of this approach. We are now conducting a randomized controlled trial of this treatment that we hope will yield clinically significant findings and offer clinicians an efficacious behavioral treatment to complement the effects of buprenorphine.
“Ditto Heads”
Authors: Stern Chadly , West Tessa V. , Jost John T. , Rule Nicholas O.
Published: June 2014

In three studies, we examined (a) whether conservatives possess a stronger desire to share reality than liberals and are therefore more likely to perceive consensus with politically like-minded others even for non-political judgments and, if so, (b) whether motivated perceptions of consensus would give conservatives an edge in progressing toward collective goals. In Study 1, participants estimated ingroup consensus on non-political judgments. Conservatives perceived more ingroup consensus than liberals, regardless of the amount of actual consensus. The desire to share reality mediated the relationship between ideology and perceived ingroup consensus. Study 2 replicated these results and demonstrated that perceiving ingroup consensus predicted a sense of collective efficacy in politics. In Study 3, experimental manipulations of affiliative motives eliminated ideological differences in the desire to share reality. A sense of collective efficacy predicted intentions to vote in a major election. Implications for the attainment of shared goals are discussed.
Political Conservatives’ Affinity for Obedience to Authority Is Loyal, Not Blind
Authors: Frimer Jeremy A. , Gaucher Danielle , Schaefer Nicola K.
Published: June 2014

Liberals and conservatives disagree about obeying authorities, with conservatives holding the more positive views. We suggest that reactions to conservative authorities, rather than to obedience itself, are responsible for the division. Past findings that conservatives favor obedience uniformly confounded obedience with conservative authorities. We break down obedience to authority into its constituent parts to test the divisiveness of each part. The concepts of obedience (Study 1) and authority (Study 2) recruited inferences of conservative authorities, conflating results of simple, seemingly face valid tests of their divisiveness. These results establish necessary features of a valid test, to which Study 3 conforms. Conservatives have the more positive moral views of obedience only when the authorities are conservative (e.g., commanding officers); liberals do when the authorities are liberal (e.g., environmentalists). The two camps agree about obeying ideologically neutral authorities (e.g., office managers). Obedience itself is not ideologically divisive.
An 8-Item Short Form of the Inventory of Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood (IDEA) Among Young Swiss Men
Authors: Baggio Stéphanie , Iglesias Katia , Studer Joseph , Gmel Gerhard
Published: June 2014

Emerging adulthood is a period of life transition, in which youths are no longer adolescents but have not yet reached full adulthood. Measuring emerging adulthood is crucial because of its association with psychopathology and risky behaviors such as substance use. Unfortunately, the only validated scale for such measurement has a long format (Inventory of Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood [IDEA]—31 items). This study aimed to test whether a shorter form yields satisfactory results without substantial loss of information among a sample of young Swiss men. Data from the longitudinal Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors were used ( N = 5,049). IDEA, adulthood markers (e.g., parenthood or financial independence), and risk factors (i.e., substance use and mental health issues) were assessed. The results showed that an 8-item, short-form scale (IDEA-8) with four factors (experimentation, negativity, identity exploration, and feeling in between) returned satisfactory results, including good psychometric properties, high convergence with the initial scale, and strong empirical validity. This study was a step toward downsizing a measure of emerging adulthood. Indeed, this 8-item short form is a good alternative to the 31-item long form and could be more convenient for surveys with constraints on questionnaire length. Moreover, it should help health care practitioners in identifying at-risk populations to prevent and treat risky behaviors.
Urban Social and Built Environments and Trajectories of Decline in Social Engagement in Vulnerable Elders
Authors: Kim MinHee , Clarke Philippa
Published: June 2014

There is little knowledge on the relationships between neighborhood environments and trajectories of social engagement among physically and economically vulnerable older adults. We examined the association between neighborhood social and built environments (physical disorder, the presence of crime watch signs, and street conditions) and 36-month trajectories of social engagement among 965 older adults living in Detroit, Michigan. Social withdrawal was defined as a decline in social engagement without distress while social isolation was defined as a decline in social engagement with distress. We utilized data from Michigan’s Minimum Data Set for Home Care (2000–2008), merged with contextual data collected through a virtual audit instrument using Google Earth’s “Street View” feature. Results from multilevel multinomial analyses indicated that the presence of neighborhood watch signs was associated with increased chance of social withdrawal and social isolation among frail older adults over time, highlighting the potential anxiety-provoking effect of precautionary measures against crime.
Medical and Surgical Management of Congenital Laryngomalacia: A Case‐control Study
Authors: Faria John , Behar Philomena
Published: June 2014

Objective

To compare the growth of infants with moderate to severe laryngomalacia who underwent supraglottoplasty to the growth of those treated with medical therapy alone.

Study Design

Case‐control study of patients treated between 2008 and 2013.

Setting

Tertiary care pediatric otolaryngology practice.

Subjects and Methods

Fifty‐one infants newly diagnosed with moderate to severe congenital laryngomalacia. Seventeen infants underwent supraglottoplasty and 34 matched controls had medical management, which included acid suppression therapy, speech and swallowing therapy, and/or high‐calorie formula. The primary outcome measure was weight percentile recorded at the second clinic visit and at the last available follow‐up. The secondary outcomes were the need for primary or revision supraglottoplasty, tracheostomy or gastrostromy, or the development of or persistence of failure to thrive.

Results

There was no difference in the mean weight percentile between the surgical and nonsurgical groups at the time of last follow‐up (P =. 89). The mean change in weight percentile during the study period was 32% (95% CI, 15%‐48%) in the supraglottoplasty group and 31% (95% CI, 22%‐40%) in the medical group (P =. 97). Five of 5 (100%) patients with failure to thrive managed surgically and 10 of 10 (100%) managed medically were above the fifth percentile at the end of the follow‐up period. One (3%) patient in the medical management group required tracheostomy and gastrostomy tube placement.

Conclusions

Medical management and close observation of infants with moderate to severe congenital laryngomalacia may be a viable alternative to supraglottoplasty in appropriately selected infants.
Promoting Gender-Fair Language
Authors: Koeser Sara , Sczesny Sabine
Published: June 2014

The present research investigates whether arguments encourage speakers to use and to approve of gender-fair language. We collected and pretested arguments regarding gender-fair language and masculine generics and created four messages which supported either gender-fair usage or masculine generics (strong and weak arguments) as well as two control texts. Results showed that speakers changed their language behavior more in the direction of gender-fairness when they had been exposed to arguments for gender-fair language than after control texts. We did not find any effect of arguments promoting masculine generics and no effect on cognitive responses and attitudes. Taken together, these results show that arguments promoting gender-fair language can motivate speakers to use gender-fair wording, a new and important finding in the context of implementing gender equality in language.
Dyadic coping responses and partners’ perceptions for couple satisfaction
Authors: Donato Silvia , Parise Miriam , Iafrate Raffaella , Bertoni Anna , Finkenauer Catrin , Bodenmann Guy
Published: June 2014

Applying the actor–partner interdependence model to 114 couples’ data, we examined the link between partners’ change in reported dyadic coping responses from 6 months before marriage to 12 months after marriage and change in the perceptions of the other’s dyadic coping responses, the role of these associations for partners’ change in relationship satisfaction, and the role of gender in these relations. Results highlighted both accuracy and projection effects in partners’ perceptions. Moreover, one’s perceptions of the other’s dyadic coping responses mediated the effect of both one’s own and the others’ reported dyadic coping behaviors on one’s satisfaction. Findings are discussed in light of the implications for the study of dyadic coping and partner support as well as for intervention.
Voices in the crisis: The role of media elites in interpreting Ireland’s banking collapse
Authors: Rafter Kevin
Published: June 2014

This article focuses on the experts chosen as sources in radio news coverage at the start of Ireland’s financial crisis in 2008. The study examines which source categories were afforded opportunities to discuss this major international news story at the start of the European financial crisis. Access to these news programmes allows guests to shape public discourse, while the range of voices influences the character of wider policy debate. We find an elite-orientated coverage with official sources having strongest access in the 3-month period after the announcement of the controversial bank guarantee. While there was a marked business elite focus in sources selected, we also find strong evidence of ‘interpretative journalism’ in the presence of reporters as programme guests. There was a very clear gender bias. The results raise important issues about the nature of democratic debate in a mediated political environment as the selection of a narrow range of voices limits alternative perspectives in public debate.
Ultrastructure of internal jugular vein defective valves
Authors: Zamboni P , Tisato V , Menegatti E , Mascoli F , Gianesini S , Salvi F , Secchiero P
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To study the ultrastructure of intraluminal defects found in the internal jugular vein by using a scanning electron microscopy.

Methods

Using a scanning electron microscopy, intraluminal septa and/or defective valves blocking the flow in the distal internal jugular vein of seven patients were studied together with the adjacent wall and compared with control specimen.

Results

The internal jugular veins’ wall showed a significant derangement of the endothelial layer as compared to controls. Surprisingly, no endothelial cells were found in the defective cusps, and the surface of the structure is covered by a fibro-reticular lamina.

Conclusions

Although the lack of endothelial cells in the internal jugular vein intraluminal obstacles is a further abnormality found in course of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency, our investigation cannot clarify whether this finding is primary or caused by progressive loss of endothelium in relation to altered haemodynamic forces and/or to a past post-thrombotic/inflammatory remodelling.
Cognitive Attributions and Emotional Expectancies Predict Emotions in Mother-Adolescent Interactions
Authors: Lindsey Eric W. , MacKinnon-Lewis Carol , Frabutt James M. , Campbell Chambers Jessica
Published: June 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine adolescent’s hostile attributions of mother’s intent and emotional self-expectancies as contributors to expression of emotion between mothers and adolescents. Data were collected from 268 10- to 12-year-olds (133 girls, 135 boys) and their mothers. Each dyad was observed in a conversational activity that was coded for both partners’ expressions of four discrete emotions: happiness, anger, sadness, and fear. Adolescents responded to hypothetical stories to assess their emotional expectancies and attributions. Regression analysis revealed that adolescents’ hostile attributions and emotional expectancies made independent contributions to the expression of happiness and anger with their mother. Adolescents who interpreted their mother’s hypothetical behavior as hostile, and who expected to feel less happiness and more anger in response to their mother’s hypothetical behavior, expressed less happiness and more anger with their mother. The findings support the conceptual distinction between hostile attributions and emotional expectancies.
Relationships Between Substance Use and Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Scholes-Balog Kirsty E. , Hemphill Sheryl A. , Patton George C. , Toumbourou John W.
Published: June 2014

This study examined longitudinal relationships between depressive symptoms and use of alcohol, cigarettes, and illicit substances among adolescents, addressing methodological limitations and potential confounding in the extant literature. The sample comprised adolescents who were surveyed in Grades 6 ( n = 916), 9 ( n = 804), and 11 ( n = 791). Cross-lagged path analyses were used to examine bi-directional relationships between substance use and depressive symptoms. Early adolescent depressive symptoms predicted mid-adolescent cigarette, alcohol, and illicit substance use (the latter among females only). Mid-adolescent depressive symptoms predicted late adolescent illicit substance use (females only). There were no statistically significant pathways from substance use to later depressive symptoms. However, these relationships were reduced to non-significance with the addition of covariates associated with the family environment, school, and individual. The findings suggest that the association between adolescent depressive symptoms and later substance use can be explained by common risk factors that produce vulnerability to both depression and substance use.
Whistle-Blowing
Authors: Lavena Cecilia Florencia
Published: June 2014

The act of blowing the whistle on wrongdoing poses an ethical dilemma to the individual, the organization, and society. To help identify the key individual and organizational determinants that encourage or prohibit whistle-blowing in the U.S. federal government, this article presents a logistic regression analysis of survey data collected by the Merit Systems Protection Board, covering 36,926 federal employees from 24 agencies. Findings suggest that, although whistle-blowing is a rare event within most federal agencies, its likelihood is positively associated with norm-based and affective work motives, but negatively associated with several key indicators of organizational culture, including perceptions of respect and openness, cooperativeness and flexibility in the work setting, and fair treatment and trust in supervisors. This indicates intrinsic individual motives, together with organizational culture and leadership, should be taken into account when developing and sustaining policies to promote ethical behavior and responsible public service in the federal government.
Sustainability
Authors: Meng Jie
Published: June 2014

Marketing performs a profound socioeconomic function in matching offerings with customer needs and preferences in an efficient and effective way. The micro-macro divide is widened by an array of commercial conducts that surround narrowly defined efficiency oriented objectives. Sustainability is therefore rarely linked to the marketing thoughts and practices. Sustainability is not associated with efficiency and effectiveness, which are sometimes considered to be self-exclusive variables, nor does it allow top-down and bottom-up interactions. The framework of sustainability raised in this article adopts a systemic approach to marketing that integrates the three major aspects of performances, inclusive of efficiency, long-term effectiveness, and distributive effectiveness. An example from the historic evolution of the pharmacy marketing system in China indicates that a narrow focus on the business-level operational efficiency and marketing success may be short-sighted and will not bring in an ideal consequence at the societal level. Implications from this case for generating sustainable outcomes with ecological and distributive effectiveness are discussed.
CT urography and hematuria: a retrospective analysis of 771 patients undergoing CT urography over a 1-year period
Authors: Bretlau Thomas , Hansen Rasmus H , Thomsen Henrik S
Published: June 2014

Background

Computed tomography (CT) urography is now used in the work-up of patients with hematuria. The dose of contrast medium and radiation varies considerably between the different CT protocols.

Purpose

To study the disease prevalence in a consecutive group of patients with hematuria undergoing CT urography with a low dose of contrast medium and radiation.

Material and Methods

From 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008, using the Radiological Information System (RIS) as well as electronic patient records, demographic data, reason for referral, and diagnosis were obtained for all patients undergoing CT urography due to hematuria. The patients were followed for 3 years.

Results

A total of 771 patients had hematuria diagnosed at the time of referral. In 137 patients (18%), a tumor and / or a complex cyst was found in the urinary tract (renal, ureteral, or bladder), in 68 (9%) a calculi, in 118 (15%) other disease (i.e. infection or anomaly) was found. No abnormalities were found at CT urography in 455 (58%) of the patients with hematuria. Lesions were found more frequently in patients with visible hematuria than in patients with non-visible hematuria (48% vs. 29%). No malignant tumor or complex cyst was found in the kidneys or the ureters in patients with nonvisible hematuria.

Conclusion

CT urography with its low dose of contrast medium and radiation is a useful diagnostic imaging test for investigating patients with hematuria.
Pre-treatment staging of multiple myeloma patients: comparison of whole-body diffusion weighted imaging with whole-body T1-weighted contrast-enhanced imaging
Authors: Squillaci Ettore , Bolacchi Francesca , Altobelli Simone , Franceschini Luca , Bergamini Alberto , Cantonetti Maria , Simonetti Giovanni
Published: June 2014

Background

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by the clonal proliferation of plasma cells. Accurate staging is of pivotal importance in the management of MM. Advanced imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are increasingly used for the initial diagnosis and staging of MM.

Purpose

To compare whole-body (WB) MR diffusion-weighted imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) with (WB) MR fat-suppressed T1-weighted contrast-enhanced imaging (T1-CE) in the pre-treatment staging evaluation of multiple myeloma (MM) patients.

Material and Methods

Thirty-six patients with MM were included in the study. T1-CE and DWIBS were performed using a 3 T scanner. The Durie-Salmon plus staging system was used. Kappa statistics was used to assess agreement.

Results

For all MM stages good to very good agreement was found for both T1-CE and DWIBS. The unweighted kappa statistic indicated a moderate, good and very good agreement between T1-CE and DWIBS for stages I, II, and III, respectively. In particular, in 67% of patients the MM staging according to T1-CE was not different from DWIBS. In the remaining 33% of patients, the MM stage obtained with T1-CE was lower than that provided by DWIBS.

Conclusion

DWIBS and T1-CE were concordant in the majority of patients. In a minority of cases DWIBS evidenced areas of water restriction that did not correspond to contrast enhancement areas. Studies monitoring therapeutic response in relation to tumour burden and aggressiveness should be performed to assess the clinical relevance of DWIBS findings.
The Twin Self-Delusions of IR: Why ‘Hierarchy’ and Not ‘Anarchy’ is the Core Concept of IR
Authors: Hobson John M
Published: June 2014

This article deconstructs the twin ‘self-delusions’ of IR to reveal, first, the conventional axiom that the discipline enquires into juridically-equal sovereign state relations under international anarchy masks the dark hierarchical face of IR which promotes, defends and reifies, analytically and/or normatively, Western civilisation over non-Western states, and, second, the conventional axiom that IR operationalises a positivist and/or value-free cultural pluralism masks the dark face of Eurocentric monism that constitutes the core ideological foundation of the vast majority of IR theory. These emerge from IR theory’s deployment of the twin concepts of Eurocentric hierarchy and the Eurocentric ‘standard of civilisation’, which yield the twin conceptions of ‘formal (imperialist) hierarchy’ and ‘informal (anti-imperialist) hierarchy’ alongside the notion of ‘gradated sovereignties’ in world politics. To illustrate this, the ‘formal-hierarchical’ conception is traced in classical English School pluralism and neorealist hegemonic stability, while the ‘informal-hierarchical’ conception is traced in neo-Marxism and classical English School pluralism.
Headache and insomnia in population-based epidemiological studies
Authors: Uhlig BL , Engstrøm M , Ødegård SS , Hagen KK , Sand T
Published: June 2014

Background

Several epidemiological studies on the association between primary headaches and insomnia have been published in recent years. Both disorders are frequent, and our purpose was to review results from population-based studies exploring this association.

Methods

We performed a literature search in PubMed for “insomnia” (or sleep disturbance) and “headache” (or migraine) linked with “epidemiology.” Two hundred and eight records were identified. Three longitudinal and 10 cross-sectional studies met our inclusion criteria: population-based design with at least 200 participants including a numerical estimate of the association between headache and insomnia.

Results and conclusions

In nearly all studies, primary headaches, including migraine and tension-type headache, were significantly related to insomnia symptoms with OR estimates ranging from 1.4 to 1.7. The odds were even greater, from 2.0 to 2.6, for frequent, comorbid or severe headache. Recent large longitudinal studies from Norway found a bidirectional, possibly causal, association between headache and insomnia. However, not all studies used standardized diagnostic criteria for either headache or insomnia. Further research should use well defined and validated diagnostic criteria both for insomnia and headache types in order to improve the comparability between studies, investigate causality and clarify the relevance of the findings for clinical practice.
The relationship between sleep and headache in children: Implications for treatment
Authors: Guidetti Vincenzo , Dosi Claudia , Bruni Oliviero
Published: June 2014

Background

The existence of a correlation and/or comorbidity between sleep disorders and headache, related to common anatomical structures and neurochemical processes, has important implications for the treatment of both conditions.

Methods

The high prevalence of certain sleep disorders in children with migraine and the fact that sleep is disrupted in these patients highlight the importance of a specific therapy targeted to improve both conditions.

Findings

The treatment of sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea, sleep bruxism and restless legs syndrome, either with behavioral or pharmacological approach, often leads to an improvement of migraine. Drugs like serotoninergic and dopaminergic compounds are commonly used for sleep disorders and for migraine prophylaxis and treatment: Insomnia, sleep-wake transition disorders and migraine have been related to the serotonergic system abnormality; on the other hand prodromal symptoms of migraine (yawning, drowsiness, irritability, mood changes, hyperactivity) support a direct role for the dopaminergic system that is also involved in sleep-related movement disorders.

Conclusions

Our review of the literature revealed that, beside pharmacological treatment, child education and lifestyle modification including sleep hygiene could play a significant role in overall success of the treatment. Therefore comorbid sleep conditions should be always screened in children with migraine in order to improve patient management and to choose the most appropriate treatment.
Urban Inequality, Neoliberalism, and the Case for a Multidisciplinary Economics
Authors: Koechlin Tim
Published: June 2014

This paper begins by chronicling the stunning inequality (economic and other) that characterizes the U.S. economy and U.S. cities. The development of cities in the United States in recent decades is linked quite essentially to the dynamics and contradictions of U.S. capitalism, including a policy agenda that has been pro-capital and anti-urban. The penultimate section of the paper shows that neoclassical theory – with its focus on “choice” – provides a deeply inadequate explanation of urban inequality. And yet neoclassicism, along with its cruder relative, neoliberalism, has continued to shape the narrative of U.S. cities. The final section argues for a “multidisciplinary economics” that recognizes that a rich urban economics requires insights from political science, sociology, geography, and other academic disciplines.
Flaws in the Marxian Explanations of the Great Recession
Authors: Hossein-zadeh Ismael
Published: June 2014

Marxist views of the relationship between financial and real cycles suffer from three major weaknesses: (a) financial developments are almost always reactions to real sector developments; (b) financial crises can trigger but not cause real sector crises; and (c) the 2008 financial crash played only a triggering, not causal, role in the ensuing Great Recession. I would argue, by contrast, that (a) in the era of big finance, finance capital does not necessarily shadow or merely react to industrial capital, it also behaves independently; (b) financial sector crises can be transmitted (through debt deflation) to the real sector; and (c) the 2008 financial crash played not only a triggering but also a causal role in the ensuing Great Recession.
The Commodified Womb and Neoliberal Families
Authors: Hewitson Gillian
Published: June 2014

Neoliberalism as an economic ideology of governance through markets has functioned to break down the gendered dichotomies of public and private, market and home, and production and reproduction and in so doing has created new forms of subjectivity, families, and relationships between women. A critical analysis of the globalization and commodification of reproduction in the form of transnational surrogate motherhood contracts between Western and Southern women reveals the different ways in which intending parents and surrogate mothers are incorporated into gendered and racial circuits of global specialization and exchange.
Anaerobic digestion and gasification coupling for wastewater sludge treatment and recovery
Authors: Lacroix Nicolas , Rousse Daniel R , Hausler Robert
Published: June 2014

Sewage sludge management is an energy intensive process. Anaerobic digestion contributes to energy efficiency improvement but is limited by the biological process. A review has been conducted prior to experimentation in order to evaluate the mass and energy balances on anaerobic digestion followed by gasification of digested sludge. The purpose was to improve energy recovery and reuse. Calculations were based on design parameters and tests that are conducted with the anaerobic digester of a local wastewater treatment plant and a small commercial gasification system. Results showed a very significant potential of energy recovery. More than 90% of the energy content from sludge was extracted. Also, approximately the same amount of energy would be transferred in both directions between the digester (biogas) and the gasifier (thermal energy). This extraction resulted in the same use of biogas as the reference scenario but final product was a totally dry biochar, which represented a fraction of the initial mass. Phosphorus was concentrated and significantly preserved. This analysis suggests that anaerobic digestion followed by dehydration, drying and gasification could be a promising and viable option for energy and nutrient recovery from municipal sludge in replacement of conventional paths.
Integrating Best Practices in Positive Behavior Support and Clinical Psychology for a Child With Autism and Anxiety-Related Problem Behavior
Authors: Neufeld Vanessa , Law Kimberley C. Y. , Lucyshyn Joseph M.
Published: June 2014

This clinical case study investigated the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention for a child with autism and anxiety-related problem behavior that integrated components of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) with positive behavior support (PBS). One child with autism and his family participated. The dependent variable was the number of steps that the child completed in an anxiety hierarchy during exposure sessions in one or more shopping malls. A changing criterion design evaluated improvements in child behavior. The design had three phases: implementation with interventionists, maintenance and generalization with family, and follow-up. Direct observation results during implementation with interventionists documented stepwise improvement in child behavior consistent with the steps in the anxiety hierarchy. Parent verbal report during the maintenance and generalization phase indicated that the child’s ability to ride on escalators maintained and generalized. Follow-up data collected 24 months post intervention indicated continued success. Results are discussed in terms of limitations, implications, and future research.
Gender and Social Workers’ Political Activity
Authors: Lane Shannon R. , Humphreys Nancy A.
Published: June 2014

This research compared male and female elected social workers to discover whether they report the same gender differences as other elected officials. Few gender differences were found among respondents. Differing from elected officials as a whole, female and male social workers reported similar levels of recruitment, favorable views of power and the demands of office and family, and interest in and knowledge about a variety of issues, with the exception of the issue of abortion. The potential contribution of anticipatory socialization and implications for social work education, political recruitment, and reproductive rights work are discussed.
Temporal Experience Among Women Gynecological Cancer Survivors
Authors: Laranjeira Carlos António , Leão Paula Ponce , Leal Isabel
Published: June 2014

Using a reflective lifeworld and feminist perspective, this study aims to provide a deeper understanding of the temporal existential experiences of women who are living with gynecological cancer. The study was conducted via qualitative interviews of 10 Portuguese cancer survivors, using a phenomenological-hermeneutical approach. A main metaphorical meaning “Outside looking in” was identified. This essential meaning had three constituents: personal experience, biographical disruption, and refiguring the lifeworld. Those who are in contact with survivors in both professional and natural helping venues should give attention to the temporal dimension of cancer survival in order to meet the survivor’s impressions and utterances.
Economic Abuse and Later Material Hardship
Authors: Voth Schrag Rachel J.
Published: June 2014

This study aimed to assess the mediating impact of depression on the association between three forms of intimate partner violence (economic abuse, physical/sexual abuse, and emotional abuse) and later experiences of material hardship. Partial mediation effects were found for economic and physical/sexual abuse, while no impact of emotional abuse on experiences of material hardship was observed. Experiencing economic (odds ratio [OR] = 1.39) or physical/sexual abuse (OR = 1.55) both had strong direct effects on later experiences of material hardship. Implications for social work practice include the need to address both economic abuse and long-term economic stability with survivors.
The Role of Dynamic Social Capital on Economic Development Partnerships Within and Across Communities
Authors: Oh Youngmin , Lee In Won , Bush Carrie Blanchard
Published: June 2014

Various types of social capital facilitate the creation of intralocal or interlocal economic development partnerships because it reduces the transaction costs that lead to collective action problems. Prior studies have focused on explaining how collective action mechanisms lead to the creation of economic development partnerships. While multidimensional social capital plays a dynamic role in promoting economic development activities within and across communities, the underlying complexity of multidimensional social capital remains unexplored in prior studies. This study creates a typology presenting various dimensions of social capital and tests the effects of multidimensional social capital on different economic development partnerships. Results indicate that different dimensions of social capital contribute to creating economic development partnerships regardless of local boundaries.
#Rethinkpink
Authors: Sulik Gayle
Published: June 2014

Over the last 30 years the breast cancer movement has worked to make breast cancer a national priority, raise awareness and funds, galvanize social support, and impact the direction of research. Women have been at the forefront of information sharing, activism, and patient empowerment. Treatments have improved incrementally and mortality rates have declined overall. By these indicators, the movement is a success. Yet, 70 percent of those diagnosed with breast cancer have none of the known risk factors, making causation and prevention uncertain; approximately 40,000 women (and men) die from metastatic breast cancer each year, a number that hasn’t changed for decades; corporate and political agendas stand in the way of patients’ rights and access to quality care; profit motives and disease branding supersede efforts to provide meaningful support and accurate health information; and breast cancer is popularized to the degree that “pink consumption” has become more of a trendy pastime than a rallying call for social change. Tenacious activists and a growing number of citizens, though divergent in the problems they tackle and methods they use, share a critical stance that fosters new thinking about breast cancer and calls for transparency, accountability, and alternatives to the pink ribbon.
The Medicalized Society
Authors: Boggs Carl
Published: June 2014

This article develops the thesis that modern American society has become increasingly medicalized, reflected in the growth of a vast medical-pharmaceutical complex that is commodified, technocratic, and iatrogenic (creating more harm than good) as one function of modernity in the fields of health care, drugs, food, and agriculture. A focus of this treatment is the heavy reliance on drugs as medicalized forms of treatment for a wide variety of health conditions, both real and contrived. Medicalization is a process that extends to virtually every realm of American society today. Its hegemonic position is derived from the power of science, technology, and professionalism within the health and medical spheres.
Freedom’s Stock: Political Consumerism, Transnational Blackness and the Black Star Line
Authors: Brown Nicole Marie
Published: June 2014

Little attention has been given to the unique social-historical context driving the political consumerism, meaning making, and experiences of African Americans. Even less attention has been given to the long tradition of African American political consumerism in the USA. Reevaluating the Universal Negro Improvement Association’s Black Star Line as one of the largest and most audacious displays of massive black American transnational political consumerism, this article investigates how a more inclusive construction of blackness impacted the ways in which African Americans accessed political activism, specifically racialized political consumerism (RPC). This article engages political consumption theory as well as pan-Africanist frameworks to explain what shaped such political mobilization and to explore the unique ways in which political consumerism was employed. It concludes that race was used explicitly to mobilize people around political consumerism and that conceptualizations of race shaped how consumerism was executed, arguing that while RPC was effective in mobilizing groups, it was unsuccessful in leading to sustained improvement in the conditions of African Americans.
Socioeconomic Status and Biological Markers of Health
Authors: Cornman Jennifer C. , Glei Dana A. , Goldman Noreen , Ryff Carol D. , Weinstein Maxine
Published: June 2014

Objective: The study documents whether socioeconomic status (SES) differentials in biological risk are more widely observed and larger in the United States than Taiwan. Method: Data come from the Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study in Taiwan and the Midlife in the United States study. We use regression analyses to test whether four summary measures of biological risk are significantly related to categorical measures of education, income, and subjective social status among four country–sex-specific subgroups. Results: Physiological dysregulation is significantly, negatively related to SES in both the United States and Taiwan, especially for males. The prevalence and magnitude of the relationships are similar in the two countries: 12 of 24 possible SES–biological summary score relationships are significant in the United States and 11 of 24 are significant in Taiwan. Discussion: Overall, SES differentials in biological risk do not appear to be more widely observed or larger in the United States than in Taiwan.
Sandwiches and subversion: Teachers’ mealtime strategies and preschoolers’ agency
Authors: Dotson Hilary M , Vaquera Elizabeth , Cunningham Solveig Argeseanu
Published: June 2014

Mealtimes are understudied processes in the social research on childhood. Our study uses ethnographic methods in two preschools in the southeastern United States to understand the types of strategies teachers use during meals and children’s responses to these strategies. We identified three strategies teachers used to attempt to modify children’s consumption: gatekeeping, directives, and hyperbolic justifications of consumption. We argue that children used agency to subvert to teachers’ strategies using silent and verbal techniques, including attempting to open packages of restricted foods, pretending to eat, and refusing to eat. Their subversion manifested in either “dissent” or “feigned assent.”