bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mental Health, Nature Work, and Social Inclusion
Authors: Parr Hester
Published: March 2007

In this paper the powerful relations between mental health and nature are explored with reference to past asylum horticultural practices and to contemporary community gardening schemes for people with mental-health problems in the United Kingdom. Through the use of archival evidence, alongside contemporary voices of experience, understandings of the therapeutic and social dimensions to nature work are outlined and deconstructed. It is argued that particular discourses concerning the powers of nature (work) in managing madness and mental-health problems are largely consistent across time and space (from the asylum to the community). However, in the contemporary era it is particular types of nature work that arguably contribute most directly to state agendas for social inclusion, and therefore to securing the place of people with mental-health problems in mainstream society. By briefly profiling the voices of staff and ‘volunteers’ from two urban garden schemes in England and Scotland, different experiences of garden work as ‘restorative’ and as ‘interventionist’ will be discussed. I conclude by evaluating how embodying and enacting gardening work act as a sustainable vehicle for new versions of social citizenship for people traditionally marginalised in mainstream society.
Emergence of tempered preferential attachment from optimization
Authors: D'Souza Raissa M. , Borgs Christian , Chayes Jennifer T. , Berger Noam , Kleinberg Robert D.
Published: March 2007

We show how preferential attachment can emerge in an optimization framework, resolving a long-standing theoretical controversy. We also show that the preferential attachment model so obtained has two novel features, saturation and viability, which have natural interpretations in the underlying network and lead to a power-law degree distribution with exponential cutoff. Moreover, we consider a generalized version of this preferential attachment model with independent saturation and viability, leading to a broader class of power laws again with exponential cutoff. We present a collection of empirical observations from social, biological, physical, and technological networks, for which such degree distributions give excellent fits. We suggest that, in general, optimization models that give rise to preferential attachment with saturation and viability effects form a good starting point for the analysis of many networks.
Aclacinomycin oxidoreductase (AknOx) from the biosynthetic pathway of the antibiotic aclacinomycin is an unusual flavoenzyme with a dual active site
Authors: Alexeev Igor , Sultana Azmiri , Mäntsälä Pekka , Niemi Jarmo , Schneider Gunter
Published: March 2007

Aclacinomycin (Acl) oxidoreductase (AknOx) catalyzes the last two steps in the biosynthesis of polyketide antibiotics of the Acl group, the oxidation of the terminal sugar moiety rhodinose tol-aculose. We present the crystal structure of AknOx with bound FAD and the product AclY, refined to 1.65-Å resolution. The overall fold of AknOxidentifies the enzyme as a member of thep-cresol methylhydroxylase superfamily. The cofactor is bicovalently attached to His-70 and Cys-130 as 8α-Nδ1-histidyl, 6-S-cysteinyl FAD. The polyketide ligand is bound in a deep cleft in the substrate-binding domain, with the tetracyclic ring system close to the enzyme surface and the three-sugar chain extending into the protein interior. The terminal sugar residue packs against the isoalloxazine ring of FAD and positions the carbon atoms that are oxidized close to the N5 atom of FAD. The structure and site-directed mutagenesis data presented here are consistent with a mechanism where the two different reactions of AknOx are catalyzed in the same active site but by different active site residues. Tyr-450 is responsible for proton removal from the C-4 hydroxyl group in the first reaction, the oxidation of rhodinose to cinerulose A. Tyr-378 acts as a catalytic base involved in proton abstraction from C3 of cinerulose A in the second reaction, for formationl-aculose. Replacement of this residue, however, does not impair the conversion of rhodinose to cinerulose A.
Curve of amniotic fluid index measurements in low‐risk pregnancy
Authors: REGINA MACHADO MARIA , GUILHERME CECATTI JOSE , KRUPA FABIANA , FAUNDES ANIBAL
Published: March 2007

Objectives. To establish a curve of amniotic fluid index [AFI] measurements from the 20th to the 42nd week of pregnancy. Methods. A prospective and descriptive study was performed, in which an independent sample of 2,868 low‐risk pregnant women were studied using routine ultrasound, including fetal biometry and measurement of AFI. Data were analysed using multiple linear regression, and constructing a curve using 2.5th, 10th, 50th, 90th and 97.5th percentiles of the AFI measurements, according to gestational age, and after submitting values to smoothing process using quadratic polynomial adjustment. Results. There was a significant variation in AFI measurements at the different gestational ages. The 50th percentile remained practically constant at approximately 150 mm between the 20th and 33rd week, after which there was a decline in volume, which became evident after the 38th week. At the 40th week, the 10th percentile was around 62 mm and the 2.5th percentile around 33 mm. Conclusions. The curve of percentiles of AFI measurements in low‐risk pregnant women showed significant decrease with gestational age, especially after the 33rd week. These data should be validated for a diagnosis of increased or decreased volumes of amniotic fluid at specific gestational ages.
Attempted vaginal versus planned cesarean delivery in 195 breech first twin pregnancies
Authors: SENTILHES LOÏC , GOFFINET FRANÇOIS , TALBOT ALAIN , DIGUET ALAIN , VERSPYCK ERIC , CABROL DOMINIQUE , MARPEAU LOÏC
Published: March 2007

Background. To compare neonatal and maternal outcomes for breech first twins according to whether vaginal or cesarean delivery was planned and to verify that in appropriate selected cases, attempted vaginal delivery is a reasonable choice. Methods. A retrospective study of all twin pregnancies with the first twin in breech position and gestational age at least 35 weeks at birth at two French university hospital centers from January 1994 through December 2000. The primary outcome was a combined indicator of neonatal mortality and severe morbidity, as defined by one or more of the following: death before discharge, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, 5‐minute Apgar score <7, cord blood pH <7.10, or birth trauma. Results. Cesarean delivery was planned for 71 (36.4%) patients, and attempted vaginal delivery for 124 (63.6%), 59 (47.6%) of whom were delivered vaginally and 65 (52.4%) by cesarean during labor. Neither the combined negative outcome indicator nor neonatal mortality differed significantly for either twin or either group. There were no significant differences in maternal mortality or morbidity between the two groups. The frequency of deep vein thrombophlebitis or pulmonary embolism requiring anticoagulant therapy was significantly higher in the planned cesarean group [3/71 (4.2%) versus 0/124; p = 0.047]. Conclusion. When appropriate criteria are used to decide mode of delivery, a careful intrapartum protocol is followed, and an experienced obstetrician, midwife, and anesthesiologist are in attendance, attempted vaginal delivery is a reasonable option for first twins in breech position.
Does group training during pregnancy prevent lumbopelvic pain? A randomized clinical trial
Authors: MØRKVED SIV , Salvesen Kjell Åsmund , SCHEI BERIT , LYDERSEN STIAN , BØ KARI
Published: March 2007

Background. Prevention of lumbopelvic pain in pregnancy has been sparsely studied. One aim of this study was to assess if a 12‐week training program during pregnancy can prevent and/or treat lumbopelvic pain. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Trondheim University Hospital and three outpatient physiotherapy clinics. Three hundred and one healthy nulliparous women were included at 20 weeks of pregnancy and randomly allocated to a training group (148) or a control group (153). Methods. The outcome measures were self‐reported symptoms of lumbopelvic pain (once per week or more), sick leave, and functional status. Pain drawing was used to document the painful area of the body. The intervention included daily pelvic floor muscle training at home, and weekly group training over 12 weeks including aerobic exercises, pelvic floor muscle and additional exercises, and information related to pregnancy. Results. At 36 weeks of gestation women in the training group were significantly less likely to report lumbopelvic pain: 65/148 (44%) versus 86/153 (56%) (p = 0.03). Three months after delivery the difference was 39/148 (26%) in the training group versus 56/153 (37%) in the control group (p = 0.06). There was no difference in sick leave during pregnancy, but women in the training group had significantly (p = 0.01) higher scores on functional status. Conclusions. A 12‐week specially designed training program during pregnancy was effective in preventing lumbopelvic pain in pregnancy.
Ten‐year follow‐up of endometrial ablation
Authors: FÜRST STINE NYMANN , PHILIPSEN TORBEN , JOERGENSEN JOERGEN CHRISTIAN
Published: March 2007

Background. This paper presents a ten‐year follow‐up of a randomized, controlled trial which gives the long‐term hysterectomy rate and patient satisfaction rate of transcervical hysteroscopic endometrial ablation in the treatment of heavy dysfunctional bleeding. Methods. There were 120 women enrolled in the study, from June 10, 1993 to August 31, 1995, all requiring endometrial ablation for the treatment of heavy dysfunctional bleeding. All patients were offered a clinical examination two years postoperatively. Long‐term outcome was assessed by completion of a questionnaire five and ten years after initial treatment. Any new symptomatology and need for further treatment or a hysterectomy was registered. A bleeding index and the patients’ satisfaction rate and acceptability of the treatment method were stated. Results. Sixty‐one patients were treated by endometrial coagulation, and 59 by endometrial resection. No significant difference in the number of hysterectomies or satisfaction rate between the two groups was observed. At a ten‐year follow‐up, 63% of patients only had one ablation, 11% were treated twice, and 22% had a hysterectomy. Only 3% were lost to follow‐up. For the group of patients above 40 years of age, only 17% had a hysterectomy. Since the two‐year follow‐up only six patients with one hysteroscopic treatment have had further intervention. Ninety‐four percent of the women would recommend the treatment to their best female friend. Conclusion. The long‐term results show that an ablation for heavy dysfunctional bleeding is an excellent treatment. Overall 22% of patients had a hysterectomy. If the patient had no further intervention at the two‐year clinical control, there was only a 6% risk of hysterectomy after a period of at least ten years.
A prospective study on buprenorphine use during pregnancy: effects on maternal and neonatal outcome
Authors: KAHILA HANNA , SAISTO TERHI , KIVITIE‐KALLIO SATU , HAUKKAMAA MAIJA , HALMESMÄKI ERJA
Published: March 2007

Background. Exposure to illicit drugs in utero is associated with low birth weight and premature birth. Therefore, maintenance therapy for opioid dependence during pregnancy has been recommended to help withdrawal from street drugs, in order to improve maternal health and decrease risks to the fetus. Methods. In 2002–2005, 67 pregnancies of 66 buprenorphine users were followed prospectively in an outpatient multidisciplinary antenatal setting by an obstetrician, a midwife, a psychiatric nurse and a social worker. Decreasing doses or even abstinence from buprenorphine was encouraged. Outcome measures were daily buprenorphine dose, fetal growth, gestational age at birth, mode of delivery, birth weight, Apgar scores, umbilical pH values, and occurrence of neonatal abstinence syndrome [NAS]. National statistics were used as reference values. Results. The daily dose of buprenorphine decreased by 2.3 mg (median, range increase of 8 mg to decrease of 24 mg). There were no more incidences of premature birth, cesarean section, low Apgar scores (≤6) or umbilical artery pH <7.05 at birth than in the national register, despite the lower birth weight. A total of 91% of the infants needed treatment in a neonatal care unit, 76% had NAS, and 57% needed morphine replacement therapy. Seven infants were taken into care directly from the maternity hospital. Two sudden infant deaths occurred later. Conclusions. The pregnancies and deliveries of buprenorphine‐using women were uneventful, but severe NAS and need for morphine replacement therapy was seen in 57% of the buprenorphine‐exposed newborns. A high number of sudden infant deaths occurred.
Factors associated with depressive symptoms among postnatal women in Nepal
Authors: DØRHEIM HO‐YEN SIGNE , TSCHUDI BONDEVIK GUNNAR , EBERHARD‐GRAN MALIN , BJORVATN BJØRN
Published: March 2007

Background. Depression after childbirth affects both the mother and her infant. In South‐Asia, maternal depression might also contribute to poor infant growth. Knowledge of risk factors could improve the health workers’ recognition of depression. Aim. To examine possible risk factors for depression in the postnatal period among women in one clinical, one urban and one rural population in Lalitpur district, Nepal. Method. A total of 426 postnatal women were included in a cross‐sectional structured interview study, 5–10 weeks after delivery. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [EPDS]. Results. Multivariate analysis showed that depression (EPDS >12) was strongly associated with husband's alcoholism, polygamy and previous depression. Other significant factors were stressful life events, multiparity, smoking and depression during pregnancy. There was a non‐significant trend of lower depressive scores among women living in arranged marriages, and among women practicing the tradition of staying in their maternal home after delivery. Conclusions. In addition to previously documented risk factors, traditional family structures may influence the risk of depression among postnatal women in Nepal.
Postpartum ultrasound in women with postpartum endometritis, after cesarean section and after manual evacuation of the placenta
Authors: MULIC‐LUTVICA AJLANA , AXELSSON OVE
Published: March 2007

Objectives. To measure anteroposterior (AP) diameters, and to describe qualitative findings of the uterus and the uterine cavity in women with postpartum endometritis, after caesarean section (CS) and after manual evacuation of the placenta, and to compare these women with those in a normal puerperium. Methods. A prospective, descriptive, observational study of 103 postpartum women was conducted. Fifty‐five women had clinical symptoms of postpartum endometritis, 28 had undergone CS, and 20 had manual placental evacuation. Ultrasound examinations were scheduled for days 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 56 postpartum. Women with endometritis underwent their first examination on the day they presented with clinical symptoms. Results. The AP diameters of the uterus and uterine cavity in all three groups overlapped considerably with the reference values. On day 56 postpartum, the uterus had achieved the same dimensions as found in our reference population. Compared with the reference group, during early puerperium, an empty cavity was less common among women with the three study conditions, and gas was present more often after CS and after manual evacuation of the placenta. An anteverted position of the uterus was less common among women with endometritis on day 14 and 28 postpartum, and among women delivered by CS on days 7, 14 and 28 postpartum. The incision site in the lower uterine segment was visible after CS. Conclusion. The ultrasonic findings in women with postpartum endometritis, after CS and after manual evacuation of the placenta, do not differ substantially from those during an uncomplicated puerperium. A delayed uterine involution process might explain the slight morphological differences observed.
Treatment of prolonged voiding dysfunction after tension‐free vaginal tape procedure
Authors: GLAVIND KARIN , GLAVIND EMILIE
Published: March 2007

Background. No consensus on the proper treatment of prolonged voiding dysfunction after incontinence operations exists. We, therefore, evaluated the treatment of this problem. Methods. We reviewed all 143 patients who underwent a tension‐free vaginal tape procedure (TVT) between April 1998 and June 2005. Prolonged voiding dysfunction was defined as the need to perform intermittent catheterisation for more than 1–2 weeks, and a subjective feeling of incomplete emptying. Results. Ten patients (7%) with prolonged voiding difficulties were encountered. In 5 patients (50%) the tape was pulled down. This was performed after 1 week (1 patient), 2 weeks (2 patients) and 3 weeks (2 patients). All these patients were cured of their voiding dysfunction and remained dry. In 2 patients, the tape was cut after 5 and 7 months. Both patients were cured of their voiding difficulties, but had recurrent stress incontinence. Three patients performed clean intermittent catheterisation for a period of 5 weeks, 7 months and 9 months, and some degree of prolonged voiding and/or urgency persisted in all three patients. Conclusion. The patients with voiding difficulties after TVT should be followed closely for the first 1–2 weeks, and pulling the tape down should be carried out if the voiding dysfunction persists.
Evaluation of density of Langerhans cells in human cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: CAMPANER ADRIANA B. , NADAIS RICARDO F. , GALVÃO MARIA ANTONIETA L. , SANTOS ROBERTO E. , AOKI TSUTOMU
Published: March 2007

Objective. To compare the number of Langerhans cells in areas of CIN 3 and in areas without histopathological alteration adjacent to CIN 3 with those found in histologically normal control cases. Material and methods. Specimens were obtained from 46 normal cervixes from women undergoing hysterectomies due to uterine leiomyomata and 71 from conization specimens for CIN 3. The identification of the Langerhans cells was performed by immunohistochemical analysis, using antibodies to S‐100 protein. The number of intraepithelial Langerhans cells was counted at a 400× magnification under light microscope and a 10 field count was performed in areas of epithelium of the normal cervix (group A), areas of CIN 3 in the conization specimens (group B), and areas of epithelium without histopathologic alteration adjacent to CIN 3 (group C). Results were expressed as number of cells per square millimeter of epithelium. Results. Comparing groups A and B, we observed that the number of Langerhans cells was significantly higher in the latter group; between groups A and C, the number of cells was significantly lower in the second group. The number of Langerhans cells was also compared between groups B and C and it was significantly lower in the latter, independent of smoking habits. Conclusions. We theorize that the increase in the population of Langerhans cells in areas of CIN 3 could be explained by migration of these cells from adjacent areas without histopathologic alterations in order to act in the restraint of the development of neoplasia; cigarette smoking did not influence this migration.
Maternal‐neonatal 8‐hydroxy‐deoxyguanosine serum concentrations as an index of DNA oxidation in association with the mode of labour and delivery
Authors: SCHULPIS KLEOPATRA H. , LAZAROPOULOU CHRISTINA , VLACHOS GEORGE D. , PARTSINEVELOS GEORGE A. , MICHALAKAKOU KELLY , GAVRILI STAVROULA , GOUNARIS ANTONIA , ANTSAKLIS ARIS , PAPASSOTIRIOU IOANNIS
Published: March 2007

Aim. To investigate the effect of the mode of labour and delivery on the total antioxidant status (TAS), and the biomarker of DNA oxidation, 8‐hydroxy‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) serum levels, in mothers and their newborns. Subjects and methods. Some 106 women with normal pregnancy and normal blood biochemical parameters were divided into 4 groups: Group A (n = 28) with normal labour and vaginal delivery (VG), Group B (n = 25) with scheduled cesarean section (CS), Group C (n = 26) with ‘emergency’ CS, and Group D (n = 27) with prolonged labour + VG. Blood was obtained from the mothers at the beginning of labour, and immediately after delivery (pre‐ and post‐delivery), as well as from the umbilical cord (CB). TAS, 8‐OHdG and creatine kinase (CK) were measured in the sera with appropriate methodology. Results. TAS levels were almost similar in all the groups pre‐delivery, and in CB irrespective of the mode of labour and delivery, and remarkably decreased in Groups C and D post‐delivery. 8‐OHdG levels in Group C (0.94±0.08 ng/ml) and Group D (0.98±0.08 ng/ml) were significantly higher than those in Group A (0.26±0.01 ng/ml, p<0.001) and Group B (0.28±0.07 ng/ml, p<0.001) post‐delivery. 8‐OHdG levels were low in CB, independent of the mode of labour. CK positively correlated with 8‐OHdG (r = 0.48, p<0.001), the latter negatively correlated with TAS (r = − 0.53, p<0.01). Conclusions. The lowest TAS and the highest 8‐OHdG levels were found in Groups C and D post‐delivery, probably due to the long‐term participation of the mothers’ skeletal and uterus muscles, whereas 8‐OHdG levels were low in CB irrespective of the mode of delivery, possibly as a consequence of the antioxidant action of the placenta and/or the low lipid levels in the serum of the umbilical cord.
Working Memory, Catecholamines and Psychosis: Illustrative Case
Authors: Levy Florence
Published: March 2007

Objective: To briefly review the role of catecholamines in prefrontal functions and working memory as illustrated by a case study.

Method: The work of Goldman-Rakic and Arnsten on working memory is briefly reviewed. A case study that illustrates catecholamine functions in an autistic disorder child, who suffered a prolonged psychosis, is described.

Results: While the role of dopaminergic neurotransmission in working memory has been described, the present case also illustrates a role for a noradrenergic re-uptake inhibitor in treating the post-psychotic distractibility of a severely impaired early adolescent.

Conclusion: The role of catecholamine neurotransmitters in the treatment of prefrontal symptoms should be further investigated.
Symptom Profile of Major Depressive Disorder in Women with Eating Disorders
Authors: Fernandez-Aranda Fernando , Poyastro Pinheiro Andrea , Tozzi Federica , La Via Maria , Thornton Laura M. , Plotnicov Katherine H. , Kaye Walter H. , Fichter Manfred M. , Halmi Katherine A. , Kaplan Allan S. , Woodside D. Blake , Klump Kelly L. , Strober Michael , Crow Scott , Mitchell James , Rotondo Alessandro , Keel Pamela , Berrettini Wade H. , Rickels Karl E. , Crawford Steven F. , Brandt Harry , Johnson Craig , Bulik Cynthia M.
Published: March 2007

Objective: Based on the well-documented association between eating disorders (EDs) and affective disorders, the patterns of comorbidity of EDs and major depressive disorder (MDD) were investigated. The temporal relation between EDs and MDD onset was analyzed to determine differences in the course and nature of MDD when experienced prior to versus after the onset of the ED.

Method: Lifetime MDD and depressive symptoms were assessed in 1371 women with a history of ED. The prevalence of MDD was first explored across ED subtypes, and ages of onset of MDD and EDs were compared. Depressive symptoms were examined in individuals who developed MDD before and after ED onset.

Results: The lifetime prevalence of MDD was 72.9%. Among those with lifetime MDD (n =963), 34.5% reported MDD onset before the onset of ED. Those who experienced MDD first reported greater psychomotor agitation (OR =1.53; 95%CI =1.14–2.06), and thoughts of own death (but not suicide attempts or ideation; OR =1.73; 95%CI =1.31–2.30). Among individuals who had MDD before ED, 26.5% had the MDD onset during the year before the onset of ED; 67% of individuals had the onset of both disorders within the same 3 year window.

Conclusion: Clinicians treating individuals with new-onset ED or MDD should remain vigilant for the emergence of additional psychopathology, especially during the initial 3 year window following the onset of the first disorder.
Neuroscience Institute of Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders (NISAD): 10 Years of Australia's First Virtual Research Institute
Authors: Draganic Daren M. , Catts Stanley V. , Carr Vaughan J.
Published: March 2007

Objective: To review the first 10 years of operation of the Neuroscience Institute of Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders (NISAD), Australia's first virtual research institute.

Method: Narrative description of the evolution of NISAD.

Results: Since inception in 1996, NISAD has developed a wide range of activities to enhance existing efforts and develop new initiatives in schizophrenia research, initially throughout New South Wales, but increasingly on a national scale. This involved the initial development of critical research infrastructure to provide the foundation, with the subsequent focus on developing a multidisciplinary programme of schizophrenia research, across the basic to applied research spectrum. While the primary focus has been the scientific domain, NISAD has also played a leading role in increasing public awareness of schizophrenia as a disease amenable to scientific investigation.

Conclusion: NISAD has succeeded in building a framework to apply the latest developments in neuroscience to the study of schizophrenia and has formed a multidisciplinary network of clinicians and neuroscientists who are actively collaborating on a range of research initiatives. The ‘virtual institute’ structure of NISAD has proven cost-efficient and consistent with innovative thinking about research resource management.
Increased Prefrontal Cerebral Blood flow in First-Episode Schizophrenia Following Treatment: Longitudinal Positron Emission Tomography Study
Authors: Brewer Warrick J. , Yücel Murat , Harrison Ben J. , McGorry Patrick D. , Olver James , Egan Gary F. , Velakoulis Dennis , Pantelis Christos
Published: March 2007

Objective: Cognitive deficits, particularly those related to executive function and behavioural control, are a core feature of patients with schizophrenia and implicate disturbances of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Consistent with this, functional imaging studies have identified abnormalities of PFC activity in chronically affected patients. The objective of the current study was to investigate executive-control related neural activity from first onset of the illness through to symptom stabilization.

Method: The authors examined eight neuroleptic-naïve first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients within 3 days of first presentation and eight healthy agepremorbid-IQ, and gender-matched controls (CTL). All FEP patients were later confirmed with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Subjects underwent H2-15O positron emission tomography (PET) while performing the Stroop interference task that has previously been shown to engage the PFC in healthy samples. In a double-blind paradigm, FEP patients were randomly treated with either haloperidol or risperidone for 8 weeks, after which CTLs and all but one of the FEP patients were re-scanned.

Results: Behaviorally, there was no change in task performance from baseline to follow up for either the FEPs or CTLs. However, there were significant changes in functional activation in both groups across the same period. For CTLs, task-performance was associated with greater recruitment of posterior brain regions at follow up compared to baseline, while for FEP this involved greater recruitment frontal regions. Concurrently, FEP also showed significant improvement in positive symptomatology.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that disturbances of the PFC often seen in FEP may be, at least partially, associated with acute symptom expression. However, it is still unclear whether this increase in frontal activity is due to symptom stabilization per se, the effects of medication, a lack of neurophysiological ‘learning’ with experience/practice, or a combination of these factors. In the context of the CTLs performance, we interpret the patient findings as reflective of greater neurophysiological effort required for task accomplishment relative to the learned, more automated, processing apparent in the CTLs.
Sex Differences in the Cerebral Function Associated with Processing Of Aversive Stimuli by Schizophrenia Patients
Authors: Mendrek Adrianna , Mancini-Marië Adham , Fahim Cherine , Stip Emmanuel
Published: March 2007

Objective: Impaired processing of various emotions is considered one of the fundamental features of schizophrenia. In the recent study intriguing sex differences were observed in the cerebral function associated with the experience of sadness in schizophrenia patients. The aim of the present study was to explore this phenomenon during exposure to aversive stimuli.

Method: Fifteen men and 10 women with the DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while viewing alternating blocks of negative and neutral pictures. Data were analysed using random-effects model within statistical parametric mapping (SPM99) software.

Results: Processing of negative stimuli evoked significantly greater activations in men in the thalamus, cerebellum, temporal, occipital and posterior cingulate cortex, while women exhibited greater activations in the left middle frontal gyrus.

Conclusions: The sex differences in the cerebral activations in schizophrenia patients deviate from what has been observed in the general population during exposure and experience of negative affect. As such the present study supports and extends the authors’ preliminary observation of the anomalous sexual dimorphism in schizophrenia at the functional neuroanatomical level, suggesting potential masculinization of female subjects and feminization of male subjects with schizophrenia.
Lundby Revisited: First Incidence of Mental Disorders 1947–1997
Authors: Bogren Mats , Mattisson Cecilia , Horstmann Vibeke , Bhugra Dinesh , Munk-Jørgensen Povl , Nettelbladt Per
Published: March 2007

Objective: To investigate how first incidence of various mental disorders changed between the periods of 1947–1972 to 1972–1997 in the Lundby cohort.

Method: First-incidence rates of mental disorders were calculated for two 25 year periods and ten 5 year periods.

Results: From 1947–1972 to 1972–1997 a decrease in almost all age- and sex-specific incidences of neurotic and organic brain disorders was observed, whereas incidence rates of psychotic disorders increased consistently in male subjects but decreased in most age intervals in female subjects. For both sexes the age-standardized 5 year period incidences of neurotic disorders decreased after 1972, fluctuated for psychotic disorders 1947–1997 and decreased steadily for organic disorders 1947–1997.

Conclusions: The reduction in neurotic and organic brain disorder incidences may be linked to structural changes in society and medical advances.
Problem Behaviours in Early Primary School Children: Australian Normative Data using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
Authors: Hayes Louise
Published: March 2007

Objective: This study provides normative and clinical levels of problem behaviours from a large community sample of Australian early primary school children.

Method: From a large community sample (n = 1928) of children aged 5 to 10 years (mean = 7.70, SD = 0.89) normative data are provided using the teacher-reported version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). A response rate of 88% ensures the data are representative.

Results: Mean scores on total difficulties between this Australian sample and UK norms were comparable. Some differences in the clinical cut-off scores are evident in the Australian sample, and adjusted clinical cut-offs are provided. Australian teacher reports of problem behaviour revealed lower clinical levels of emotional problems. Boys had significantly greater problems than girls on the Conduct, Hyperactivity, Peer and Prosocial scales. Overall, 5.3% of boys had scores in the clinical range on four of the five subscales. Comparisons of the factor structure revealed that for boys the Peer scale has two interpretations, with two items loading with Conduct problems and associated with greater problem behaviours. For girls, conduct problems are more strongly associated with poorer prosocial skills.

Conclusions: Teachers are able provide valuable predictive information on externalizing behaviours. Australian normative comparisons reveal minor variations in teacher interpretation of items. The present data is representative of the Australian community and should be used to assess behaviour difficulties in early primary school children. Future studies on older age children are required to understand the developmental progression of problem behaviours in the community.
Coping and Resilience in Refugees from the Sudan: A Narrative Account
Authors: Schweitzer Robert , Greenslade Jaimi , Kagee Ashraf
Published: March 2007

Objective: The purpose of this paper was to identify and explicate coping and resilience themes employed by 13 resettled Sudanese refugees.

Method: A sample of 13 Sudanese refugees was asked to describe their experience of coping in the three periods of their migration, namely: pre migration from Sudan, transit, and post migration in their host country. Members of the sample participated in qualitative interviews conducted with the assistance a bilingual community worker.

Results: Three themes that characterized the experience of resettled refugees across all periods were: religious beliefs, social support and personal qualities. A fourth less salient, theme, comparison with others, also emerged in the post-migration context.

Conclusions: A number of themes associated with coping and resilience in response to trauma were identified. These themes may be translated into strategies to assist in responding constructively to trauma. Such approaches may be used to improve the well-being of resettled refugees in Australia.
Inpatient Psychosocial Rehabilitation in Rural NSW: Assessment of Clinically Significant Change for People with Severe Mental Illness
Authors: Murugesan Ganapathi , Amey Carlene G. , Deane Frank P. , Jeffrey Robyn , Kelly Brian , Stain Helen
Published: March 2007

Objective: The aim of the present study was to describe an inpatient psychosocial rehabilitation programme in rural New South Wales and to assess the effectiveness of the programme using measures of clinically significant change.

Method: The first 88 patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder to enter the Manara Clinic and Turon House, New South Wales, psychosocial rehabilitation programmes were assessed at admission and discharge using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales, and the Kessler-10 self-report measure.

Results: Significant improvements in psychiatric symptomatology, psychosocial functioning, and psychological distress were found over the course of the inpatient stay. Clinical significance analyses using patients in the community as the reference group indicated a reliable and clinically significant improvement for 33% of inpatients on psychiatric symptomatology, 39% of inpatients on psychosocial functioning, and 21% of inpatients on psychological distress.

Conclusions: The psychosocial rehabilitation programme provides clinically significant initial benefits for patients with severe mental illnesses. More attention needs to be paid to evaluating which components of psychosocial rehabilitation contribute most to these benefits. Follow-up evaluation is required to determine whether the benefits of this programme are sustained in the community.
Eating Disorders Across Two Cultures: Does the Expression of Psychological Control Vary?
Authors: Soh Nerissa , Surgenor Lois J. , Touyz Stephen , Walter Garry
Published: March 2007

Objective: Because both the expression of eating disorder (ED) symptoms and preferred psychological control styles may be affected by culture, the purpose of the present study was to examine whether the expression of psychological control in women with EDs varies across two cultures.

Method: North European Australian and Chinese Singaporean women (n = 117) with anorexia nervosa (n = 36), bulimia nervosa (n = 13) and eating disorders not otherwise specified (n = 3), and without an ED (n = 65) recruited in Australia and Singapore completed a multidimensional inventory assessing sense of control, domains of control, preferred means by which to gain control, and motivation for control.

Results: Although the normative control profile for each culture differed slightly, control profiles among those with an ED were very similar across both cultures. However, the directionality and extent of specific aspects of control pathology associated with the presence of an ED differed across cultures. North European Australians with an ED were much more deviant from the cultural norm than their Chinese Singaporean ED counterparts in relation to overall sense of control, methods of gaining control, and control in the domain of body. Chinese Singaporean woman with an ED were much more deviant from the cultural norm than their North European Australian ED counterparts in the domain of control over impulses.

Conclusions: Having an ED powerfully distorts psychological control irrespective of culture. However the degree, directionality, and form of the displacement from normal control styles is also culture dependent. This has implications for treatments that attempt to redress or correct control issues in people with an ED in other cultures.
Are Japanese groups more competitive than Japanese individuals? A cross‐cultural validation of the interindividual–intergroup discontinuity effect
Authors: Takemura Kosuke , Yuki Masaki
Published: March 2007

The interindividual–intergroup discontinuity effect is the tendency for relationships between groups to be more competitive than the relationships between individuals. It has been observed robustly in studies conducted in the United States, which is a society characterized as “individualistic.” In this study, it was explored whether the effect was replicable in a “collectivistic” society such as Japan. From the traditional view in cross‐cultural psychology, which emphasizes the collectivistic nature of East Asian peoples, it was expected that the discontinuity effect would be greater in Japan than in the United States. On the other hand, based on recent empirical findings suggesting that North Americans are no less group‐oriented than East Asians, it was expected that the discontinuity effect would be no greater in Japan than in the United States. One hundred and sixty Japanese university students played a 10‐trial repeated prisoner's dilemma game: 26 sessions of interindividual and 18 sessions of intergroup. Following exactly the procedure of prior experiments in the US, individuals and groups were allowed face‐to‐face communication with their opponents before making their decisions, and participants in the intergroup condition were further allowed to converse freely with their in‐group members. Results replicated previous findings in the United States; groups made more competitive choices than did individuals. In addition, neither the magnitude of the discontinuity effect, nor the frequency of competitive choices made by the groups, were larger in Japan than they were in the majority of prior studies conducted in the United States. These findings suggest cross‐cultural robustness of the interindividual–intergroup discontinuity effect. Also, interestingly, they contradict the simple distinction between individualism and collectivism. Implications for studies of culture and group processes are discussed.
The effect of knowledge of mathematics on gambling behaviours and erroneous perceptions
Authors: Pelletier Marie‐France , Ladouceur Robert
Published: March 2007

This study evaluates the effect of knowledge of mathematics as a protective factor against excessive gambling behaviours and erroneous beliefs. Two groups with different levels of knowledge of mathematics were compared as to their perceptions and behaviours before and during a gambling session. A total of 60 participants (30 men, 30 women) completed a questionnaire evaluating how they perceive the notion of chance and participated in two experimental tasks: the production of a random sequence of heads/tails, and a gambling session on a video lottery terminal. The results show that participants with knowledge of mathematics held more erroneous perceptions of gambling before the experiment whereas both groups showed an equal number of erroneous perceptions and behaviours during gambling. The importance of knowledge of mathematics as a protective factor against excessive gambling is questionable. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed with regard to the prevention of excessive gambling.
Neorealism, Iranian Style
Authors: Weinberger Stephen
Published: March 2007

One of the most remarkable developments in international film of recent memory is the emergence of a vibrant and creative film industry in Iran following the Islamic Revolution of 1979. In light of worldwide acclaim for the work of Iranian filmmakers, scholars have pointed to a strong similarity between the style of these films and those of post-war Italian Neorealist filmmakers. By analyzing the works of three of Iran's leading directors, Abbas Kiarostami, Mohsen Makhmalbaf and Majid Majidi and comparing them with the greatest Italian Neorealist film, The Bicycle Thief, this study will attempt to show how Iranians are working within the Neorealist tradition while at the same time making it distinctively their own.
Wrestling with the Revolution: The Iron Sheik and the American Cultural Response to the 1979 Iranian Revolution
Authors: Rahmani Sina
Published: March 2007

This paper maps how American popular culture came to terms with the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran through a study of Hussein Khosrow Vaziri. Vaziri, better known by his moniker, “The Iron Sheik,” was active in professional wrestling in the 1980s and remains to this day one of the most well-known Iranians in American cultural memory. Through an analysis of his character and how he has been represented in the popular media, I argue that he was chiefly utilized as a figure through whom Americans could cope with the devastating blow that the Revolution caused to American power. I argue that this reaction continues to this day, albeit focusing not on Iran but on the current political tensions involving the attacks of September 11, 2001.
Oil Vulnerability in the Australian City: Assessing Socioeconomic Risks from Higher Urban Fuel Prices
Authors: Dodson Jago , Sipe Neil
Published: March 2007

Global oil prices have risen markedly over the past 18 months, generating considerable speculation regarding their economic and social impacts. Cities that are highly dependent on petroleum for urban transport are likely to be most adversely affected by rising oil prices. Yet there has been little recent scholarly engagement with the socioeconomic implications of increasing oil prices. This paper develops a basic framework and methodology for assessing the socioeconomic 'oil vulnerability' of Australian cities. The paper demonstrates that there is wide spatial variability in the vulnerability of Australia's urban populations to rising fuel costs which may compound existing socio-spatial divisions and speculates on some underlying causal factors. The paper calls for better data and new methods to understand the issue.
Are Big Cities More Segregated? Neighbourhood Scale and the Measurement of Segregation
Authors: Krupka Douglas J.
Published: March 2007

Many studies show that larger metropolitan areas are more segregated than smaller ones. To some extent, this tendency is part of the conventional wisdom. However, the reason for this tendency is not apparent. This paper suggests that the correlation between segregation and metropolitan scale is spurious. Segregation measures based on census data will tend to rank larger cities higher because larger cities have more neighbourhoods that are big enough to 'fill up' entire census tracts, while smaller cities with equally homogeneous, but smaller, neighbourhoods have to pair neighbourhoods to fill up a census tract. This bias will be reduced at smaller levels of spatial aggregation. This prediction is tested by comparing segregation measures computed at several levels of spatial aggregation and with American Housing Survey data. The results suggest that spatial aggregation effects are important: the correlation between city size and measured segregation appears to be at least partly spurious.
The Dysfunctions of Markets, Hierarchies and Networks in the Meta-governance of Partnership
Authors: Entwistle Tom , Bristow Gillian , Hines Frances , Donaldson Sophie , Martin Steve
Published: March 2007

Governments increasingly see partnerships as their delivery instrument of choice. There is disagreement, however, about how the proliferation of these institutions should be understood. One interpretation sees ungovernability, instability and unaccountability in the fragmented institutions of local governance. Another maintains that the new approaches to co-ordination have allowed for the reassertion of hierarchical control. On the basis of a theoretical exposition of the logic of co-ordination and a study of 10 partnerships in Wales, this paper presents evidence which suggests that partnerships suffer principally from the dysfunctional effects of hierarchical and market co-ordination.
Land Readjustment: An Innovative Urban Experiment in China
Authors: Li Ling-Hin , Li Xin
Published: March 2007

Conventionally, urban renewal initiated by the private sector is not that different from other trading activities. A developer purchases property rights from the suppliers, who are the property owners of the renewal site, in the open market for a price. Once the deal is done, the suppliers are out of the picture and the developer moves on to the renewal project and starts replacing the existing structure with new buildings for a better use. The developer would prefer not to have the individual owners involved in the renewal process for various reasons such as management problems and profit sharing. From an institutional economic perspective, this is a classic example of market governance structure as the asset is non-specific to a certain extent and the developer is not integrating the supplier (property owners) into the firm. However, on some rare occasions, the developer may adopt a bilateral firm governance structure by incorporating the individual property owners. This, in the context of rural land renewal, has been known as the land readjustment model. Based on the theoretical framework of institutional economics and transaction cost theory, this paper explores the rationale behind the developer and even the public authority choosing to adopt this model in the process of urban renewal by examining two examples in two very different cities in China.
Informal Urban Property Markets and Poverty Alleviation: A Conceptual Framework
Authors: Mooya Manya M. , Cloete Chris E.
Published: March 2007

In the context of increasing urbanisation, growth of informal settlements and the urbanisation of poverty, this article suggests a conceptual framework to link urban informal property markets and poverty alleviation. Using conceptual tools of the new institutional economics, principally theories of transaction costs and property rights, the framework describes theoretical conditions under which property markets may be a mechanism for capital accumulation for the urban poor. The article highlights knowledge gaps in the literature and argues that the institutional approach holds the most promise for analysing the interface between informal property markets and poverty alleviation.