bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring State, Effect, and Response Uncertainty: Theoretical Construct Development and Empirical Validation
Authors: Ashill Nicholas J. , Jobber David
Published: February 2009

An important contribution to the literature on perceived environmental uncertainty (PEU) is Milliken’s distinction between state uncertainty, effect uncertainty, and response uncertainty. However, despite its appealing logic in capturing the types of uncertainty managers may experience as they seek to understand and respond to changes in an organization’s environment, there has been no full and rigorous psychometric development and testing of scales to measure the three constructs. Using a two-phase empirical study, this research seeks to develop and test such scales in terms of dimensionality, reliability, and validity (including nomological validity). The results suggest that managers do make a meaningful distinction between different types of uncertainty, that it is worthwhile measuring all three constructs (as they have differential impacts on outcome variables), and that there are linkages between them. Managerial contributions and implications for future research are also discussed.
Expectation and Mobilisation
Authors: Wilkie Alex , Michael Mike
Published: February 2009

This article considers how the figure of the ``user'' is deployed to imagine the assembling of location-based mobile phone technologies in the context of UK policy. Drawing on the sociology of expectations, we address the performativity of the ``user'' in the think tank Demos' publication Mobilisation. In the process, we analyze how discourses about users enact particular futures that feature arrangements of, for example, persons, mobile phone technologies, and political institutions. We present two narrative strategies operating in Mobilisation: first, the purification of the social and technological in the portrayal of futures and their impediments; second, how existing, emergent, and future users serve as ``narrative joints'', reconnecting the social and technological in the enactment of preferred policy trajectories. In conclusion, we explore Mobilisation as a `catalogue of expectations' in which the representation of a multiplicity of users is itself performative, enacting a particular future policy terrain while bracketing off others.
A comparison of the quality of care provided to cancer patients in the UK in the last three months of life in in-patient hospices compared with hospitals, from the perspective of bereaved relatives: results from a survey using the VOICES questionnaire
Authors: Addington-Hall JM , O’Callaghan AC
Published: February 2009

The importance of evaluating systematically the effectiveness of hospice care has been noted for at least 20 years. There is, however, limited evidence about whether and how the care provided to terminally ill patients by in-patient hospices in the UK differs from that provided in NHS hospitals. In this article, we, therefore, present a comparison of hospice in-patient care and hospital care for cancer patients in the UK, from the perspective of bereaved relatives who had experienced both types of care during the last 3 months of the patient’s life. The Office of National Statistics drew a random sample of 800 deaths in South London in 2002, and sent the person who registered the death (the informant) a Views of Informal Carers – Evaluation of Services (VOICES) questionnaire 3–9 months after the death, with up to two reminders. There was a response rate of 48%. For this analysis, 40 cancer patients whose informant reported both a hospice in-patient admission and a hospital admission in the last 3 months of life were identified. Informants answered the same questions about each admission and responses on these were compared. There were statistically significant differences between respondents’ views of hospice and hospital care on eight out of 13 variables measuring aspects of satisfaction with care, with a trend towards statistical significance on a further two: in all cases respondents rated hospice care more positively than hospital care. There were no differences in the experience of pain and breathlessness in the two settings, but respondents rated pain control by the hospice as more effective. In comparison to hospital care, from the perspective of bereaved relatives, hospice in-patient care provided better pain control, better communication with patients and families, and better medical, nursing and personal care, which treated the patient with more dignity. Further research is needed to confirm these findings using a wider sample of in-patient hospices in the UK and including the perspectives of patients. Providing high quality care for terminally ill patients in acute hospitals remains an important challenge.
Review: Nicotinic receptors and stages of nicotine dependence
Authors: Brennan KA , Lea RA , Fitzmaurice PS , Truman P.
Published: February 2009

Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death, where nicotine has been identified as the primary addictive constituent of tobacco. Consequently, there have been extensive investigations into the neuroadaptations that occur as nicotine dependence develops, where numerous neurological systems have been implicated. The focus of this review was on nicotinic acetylcholine receptor neuroadaptations that occur during the development of nicotine dependence. This focus was selected because (1) the nicotinic receptors are the primary binding sites for both nicotine and the most efficacious pharmacological smoking cessation treatments and (2) the receptors are located throughout the brain with considerable neuromodulatory ability. However, there was difficulty associated in outlining the role of nicotinic receptors in the development of nicotine dependence because it comprises a series of stages involving different neurological systems rather than a single state. To address this issue, the review adopts a novel approach and considers the role of nicotinic receptor subtypes at separate stages of the nicotine dependence cycle. This information was then used to examine the nicotinic receptor-related therapeutic mechanisms of three main pharmacological smoking cessation treatments.
Anatomical Reconstruction for Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability in the High-Demand Athlete
Authors: Li Xinning , Killie Heather , Guerrero Patrick , Busconi Brian D.
Published: February 2009

Background

Modification of the Bröstrom repair with suture anchors has been used to address chronic lateral ankle instability. However, there are few studies in the literature reporting the functional outcomes after this particular procedure in the high-demand athlete.

Hypothesis

Anatomical reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments for chronic instability will return the high-demand athlete functionally to his or her previous level of activity.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

Sixty-two patients who had grade III ankle sprain that failed at least a 6-month course of supervised conservative management with a preinjury Tegner score of ≥ 6 underwent a variant of the Gould-modified Broström procedure with suture anchors for lateral ankle instability. Each patient was given the Tegner and Karlsson questionnaire at the 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year time points. Range of motion of the operative ankle was also assessed. The mean age was 19.6 years (range, 16-26 years), and 10 patients were lost to follow-up.

Results

The mean follow-up was 29 months (minimum, 24 months) in the remaining 52 patients (84%). Mean Tegner scores at the 1- and 2-year time points were 8.2 (range, 5-9) and 8.6 (range, 5-9), respectively. The mean Karlsson scores were 92 ± 5.2 and 95 ± 3.1 at the 1- and 2-year time points, respectively. Range of motion was equal to the contralateral ankle in all but 3 patients at the 2-year follow up. A 6% major complication rate included 3 reruptures.

Conclusion

Anatomical ligament reconstruction for chronic lateral ankle instability using a variant of the Gould-modified Broström procedure with suture anchors was effective in returning high-demand athletes to their preinjury functional level.
Influence of Age, Sex, Technique, and Exercise Program on Movement Patterns after an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention Program in Youth Soccer Players
Authors: DiStefano Lindsay J. , Padua Darin A. , DiStefano Michael J. , Marshall Stephen W.
Published: February 2009

Background

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury prevention programs show promising results with changing movement; however, little information exists regarding whether a program designed for an individual's movements may be effective or how baseline movements may affect outcomes.

Hypothesis

A program designed to change specific movements would be more effective than a “one-size-fits-all” program. Greatest improvement would be observed among individuals with the most baseline error. Subjects of different ages and sexes respond similarly.

Study Design

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods

One hundred seventy-three youth soccer players from 27 teams were randomly assigned to a generalized or stratified program. Subjects were videotaped during jump-landing trials before and after the program and were assessed using the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS), which is a valid clinical movement analysis tool. A high LESS score indicates more errors. Generalized players performed the same exercises, while the stratified players performed exercises to correct their initial movement errors. Change scores were compared between groups of varying baseline errors, ages, sexes, and programs.

Results

Subjects with the highest baseline LESS score improved the most (95% CI, −3.4 to −2.0). High school subjects (95% CI, −1.7 to −0.98) improved their technique more than pre–high school subjects (95% CI, −1.0 to −0.4). There was no difference between the programs or sexes.

Conclusions

Players with the greatest amount of movement errors experienced the most improvement. A program's effectiveness may be enhanced if this population is targeted.
Clinical Efficacy of the Microfracture Technique for Articular Cartilage Repair in the Knee
Authors: Mithoefer Kai , McAdams Timothy , Williams Riley J. , Kreuz Peter C. , Mandelbaum Bert R.
Published: February 2009

Background

Despite the popularity of microfracture as a first-line treatment for articular cartilage defects in the knee, systematic information on its clinical efficacy for articular cartilage repair and long-term improvement of knee function is not available.

Hypothesis

Systematic analysis of the existing clinical literature of microfracture in the knee can improve the understanding of the advantages and limitations of this cartilage repair technique and can help to optimize its indications and clinical outcomes.

Study Design

Systematic review.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed using established search engines (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) to identify original human studies of articular cartilage repair with microfracture. Modified Coleman Methodology Scores were used to analyze the quality of the existing studies. Clinical efficacy of articular cartilage repair was evaluated by systematic analysis of short- and long-term functional outcome scores, macroscopic and microscopic repair cartilage quality, and findings of postoperative magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

Twenty-eight studies describing 3122 patients were included in the review. The average follow-up was 41 months, with only 5 studies reporting follow-up of 5 years or more. Six studies were randomized controlled trials and the mean Coleman Methodology Score was 58 (range, 22–97). Microfracture effectively improved knee function in all studies during the first 24 months after microfracture, but the reports on durability of the initial functional improvement were conflicting. Several factors were identified that affected clinical outcome. Defect fill on magnetic resonance imaging was highly variable and correlated with functional outcome. Macroscopic repair cartilage quality positively affected long-term failure rate, while the influence of histologic repair tissue quality remained inconclusive.

Conclusion

This systematic analysis shows that microfracture provides effective short-term functional improvement of knee function but insufficient data are available on its long-term results. Shortcomings of the technique include limited hyaline repair tissue, variable repair cartilage volume, and possible functional deterioration. The quality of the currently available data on micro-fracture is still limited by the variability of results and study designs. Further well-designed studies are needed to determine the long-term efficacy of microfracture and to define its specific clinical indications compared to other cartilage repair techniques.
Sexual Violence Prevention
Authors: Banyard Victoria L. , Eckstein Robert P. , Moynihan Mary M.
Published: February 2009

Increasing numbers of empirical studies and theoretical frameworks for preventing sexual violence are appearing in the research- and practice-based literatures. The consensus of this work is that although important lessons have been learned, the field is still in the early stages of developing and fully researching effective models, particularly for the primary prevention of this problem in communities. The purpose of this article is to discuss the utility of applying the transtheoretical model of readiness for change to sexual violence prevention and evaluation. A review of this model and its application in one promising new primary prevention program is provided, along with exploratory data about what is learned about program design and effectiveness when the model is used. The study also represents one of the first attempts to operationalize and create specific measures to quantify readiness for change in the context of sexual violence prevention and evaluation. Implications for program development and evaluation research are discussed.
Iowa Case Management for Rural Drug Abuse
Authors: Hall James A. , Vaughan Sarrazin Mary S. , Huber Diane L. , Vaughn Thomas , Block Robert I. , Reedy Amanda R. , MiJin Jang
Published: February 2009

Objective: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive, strengths-based model of case management for clients in drug abuse treatment. Method: 503 volunteers from residential or intensive outpatient treatment were randomly assigned to one of three conditions of Iowa Case Management (ICM) plus treatment as usual (TAU), or to a fourth condition of TAU only. All were assessed at intake and followed at 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: Clients in all four conditions significantly decreased substance use by 3 months after intake and maintained most gains over time. However, the addition of ICM to TAU did not improve substance use outcomes. Conclusion: Overall, the addition of case management did not significantly improve drug treatment as hypothesized by both researchers and clinicians. Some results were mixed, possibly due to the heterogeneous sample, wide range of case management activities, or difficulty retaining participants over time.
Review Article: Gynecological Disorders in Geriatric Emergency Medicine
Authors: Lewiss Resa E. , Saul Turandot , Teng Jennifer
Published: February 2009

Emergency physicians must be competent in caring for elderly women because they constitute the fastest growing segment of the population in the United States. Familiarity with acute geriatric gynecologic issues is crucial to providing satisfactory health care for these patients with complaints relating to incontinence, pelvic floor dysfunction, and other gynecologic conditions. Vigilant suspicion for malignancy should be maintained in facilities that service patients without primary health care or insurance. This article provides a systematic approach to emergency department management of common geriatric gynecological conditions. Anatomical and physiological changes are discussed, as well as the geriatric pelvic examination, malignancy, urinary tract infection, incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and vulvovaginitis.
Do Political Institutions Affect Foreign Direct Investment? A Survey of U.S. Corporations in Latin America
Authors: Biglaiser Glen , Staats Joseph L.
Published: February 2009

The political economy literature investigates the determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) based largely on aggregate data, ignoring the actual decision makers. The authors conduct a survey of U.S. chief executive officers— the actual decision makers—of corporations that have investments in Latin America to understand FDI inflows. The authors find that investment risk related to property-rights protection, adherence to rule of law, and an effective court system weighed most heavily in U.S. firm preferences. The results suggest that rather than stress democracy itself as a determining factor, researchers might better focus on the institutions found within democracies.
Risk Information Seeking Among U.S. and Dutch Residents
Authors: ter Huurne Ellen F. J. , Griffin Robert J. , Gutteling Jan M.
Published: February 2009

The model of risk information seeking and processing (RISP) proposes characteristics of individuals that might predispose them to seek risk information. The intent of this study is to test the model’s robustness across two independent samples in different nations. Based on data from the United States and the Netherlands, the causal structure involving the impact of different predictors of seeking information was evaluated. In addition, the direct contributions of informational subjective norms and affective responses to the seeking of additional risk information were tested. Results indicate that the RISP model has international validity and that the newly proposed paths are plausible.
Improvement of the Fresh Taste Intensity of Processed Clementine Juice by Separate Pasteurization of its Serum and Pulp
Authors: Torres E.F. , Bayarri S. , Sampedro F. , Martínez A. , Carbonell J.V.
Published: February 2009

This work describes a process to separate the Clementine juice by centrifugation into two fractions, the larger one (`serum fraction') almost lacking of pulp, and the smaller one (`pulp fraction') enriched in pulp, which are independently pasteurized in conventional plate heat exchangers under different conditions. Both fractions were aseptically blended giving a final product, whose fresh taste did not differ from that of the initial nonheated juice. The larger serum fraction was almost free of pectin methylesterase activity and could be pasteurized under minimal heat conditions, just enough to destroy microorganisms, less heat-resistant than enzymes. Since only a minor part of the juice (the pulp fraction) received the usual heat treatment, fresh taste was preserved. Destruction of Lactobacillus plantarum inoculated to the serum fraction was fitted accurately by the Weibull model, with a reduction higher than 5 log cycle at 57.5 °C for 20 s and no counts were found at 60 °C for 10 s. According to this, thermal treatment of the serum fraction (78% of the initial juice) was fixed at 60 °C for 15 s. Sensory evaluation of fresh taste intensity showed no significant differences between serum treated at 60°C for 15 s and fresh serum. The pulp fraction (22%) was pasteurized at 85 °C for 15 s and at 90 °C for 30 s to assure enough enzyme inactivation. No differences were found between the nonpasteurized juice and the blend of pulp and serum pasteurized as explained above, whereas both samples presented fresher taste than the whole juice treated at 90 °C for 30 s.
Behavior of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis in a Four Lactococcus Strain Starter during Successive Milk Cultures
Authors: Dalmasso M. , Prestoz S. , Rigobello V. , Demarigny Y.
Published: February 2009

Cheeses are frequently made with natural whey starters (NWS). The whey from the previous cheese making is cultured and used for the next day. This practice, although essential for the development of typical sensory characteristics, can sometimes lead to acidification defects. In this work, the ability of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis to dominate over the other lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was tested in a controlled system as a possible explanation for these acidification breakdowns. A starter made of two Lc lactis subsp. lactis strains (LL), one Lc lactis subsp. cremoris strain (LC), and one Lc lactis subsp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis (LD) was added to sterilized milk. After incubation, the whey was removed and used to re-seed sterilized milk, the next day. This process was made during a five and twelve days' period. During the eight first days, the proportion of LD population increased, while the other LAB remained rather stable. Thereafter, LD strains dominated. At the same time, the diversity of LD population diminished considerably. If acidification ability of these LAB is not altered, this simplification was particularly hazardous in case of phages attack. LC and LL behavior was tested in milk containing increasing diacetyl concentrations. As long as diacetyl did not exceed a 5 ppm level — frequently measured in dairy products — its influence was impossible to detect. The selective advantage conferred by the citrate metabolism was proposed as a possible explanation for the LD population dominance. Other potential factors were also examined.
Lymphedema
Authors: Mayrovitz Harvey N. , Brown-Cross Dawn , Mayrovitz Barbara L. , Golla Alison H.
Published: February 2009

Lymphedema is increasingly being seen in patients receiving home health care and throughout the general population. Substantial risks of complications are associated with failure to recognize its presence, worsening of the condition and the use of inadequate or incomplete therapy. Therapeutic truncal clearance as a component of therapy is universally accepted by professional therapists as being essential, but often rejected by third-party payers. This therapeutic component is based on sound physiological principles, but there has not been, nor will there likely be, peer-reviewed testing because it is deemed unethical to subject patients to therapy without its use. We believe that if the physiological basis for this therapy were more widely understood, its absolute need would be better recognized. Thus, our goal is to describe those lymphatic system features that directly impact lymphedema development and complications emphasizing the role of and scientific basis for truncal clearance as an essential treatment component.
Sequence analysis of human rhinovirus aspirated from the nasopharynx of patients with relapsing-remitting MS
Authors: Kneider M , Bergström T , Gustafsson C , Nenonen N , Ahlgren C , Nilsson S , Andersen O
Published: February 2009

Background

Upper respiratory infections were reported to trigger multiple sclerosis relapses. A relationship between picornavirus infections and MS relapses was recently reported.

Objective

To evaluate whether human rhinovirus is associated with multiple sclerosis relapses and whether any particular strain is predominant.

Method

Nasopharyngeal fluid was aspirated from 36 multiple sclerosis patients at pre-defined critical time points. Reverse-transcriptase-PCR was performed to detect human rhinovirus-RNA. Positive amplicons were sequenced.

Results

We found that rhinovirus RNA was present in 17/40 (43%) of specimens obtained at the onset of a URTI in 19 patients, in 1/21 specimens during convalescence after URTI in 14 patients, in 0/6 specimens obtained in 5 patients on average a week after the onset of an “at risk” relapse, occurring within a window in time from one week before to three weeks after an infection, and in 0/17 specimens obtained after the onset of a “not at risk” relapse not associated with any infection in 12 patients. Fifteen specimens from healthy control persons not associated with URTI were negative. The frequency of HRV presence in URTI was similar to that reported for community infections. Eight amplicons from patients represented 5 different HRV strains.

Conclusion

We were unable to reproduce previous findings of association between HRV infections and multiple sclerosis relapses. HRV was not present in nasopharyngeal aspirates obtained during “at risk” or “not at risk” relapses. Sequencing of HRV obtained from patients during URTI did not reveal any strain with predominance in multiple sclerosis.
Social inequalities in mortality in older women cannot be explained by biological and health behavioural factors — results from a Norwegian health survey (the HUNT Study)
Authors: Rostad Berit , Schei Berit , Lund Nilsen Tom Ivar
Published: February 2009

Aims: To assess mortality inequalities related to education, employment and marital status in older women, and whether educational and employment inequalities can be explained by biological, health behavioural or marital factors. Methods: Data, collected by questionnaires and medical examinations, on 5607 Norwegian women aged ≥70 participating in the population-based Nord-Trøndelag health study in 1995—97, were linked with information from the Death Registry at Statistics Norway at 31.12.2004. Cox regression model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality related to educational level and previous employment, and to marital status. Results: Low level of education and never having been in paid work were significantly associated with elevated all-cause mortality. The associations remained significant upon adjustments for age, marital status, biological (systolic blood pressure, body mass index, total cholesterol) and health behavioural (smoking, physical activities) factors. Differences in cardiovascular mortality were related to low level of education and never having been in paid work, though the significant age-adjusted associations only remained significant for education upon adjustments for age, marital, biological and behavioural factors. A raised risk in cardiovascular mortality was found among women previously holding manual jobs (HR1.23, 95% CI 0.99—1.53). The graded association between education, employment and mortality showed a significant trend, except from the occupation gradient in cardiovascular mortality. Widowed and divorced women had an age-adjusted significantly raised all-cause and significant cardiovascular mortality risk compared with married women. Conclusions: The socioeconomic and marital differences in mortality in older women could not be explained by biological and behavioural factors, and remains a public health issue.
Women in Street-based Prostitution
Authors: Williamson Celia , Baker Lynda M.
Published: February 2009

Women engaged in street-based prostitution have been studied from a number of perspectives. Little research was found that focused on their work styles. This study was conducted to gain a better understanding of work styles of women involved in street-based prostitution in the Midwest. Of the 53 women interviewed, 12 were or had been involved in Pimp-Controlled prostitution. In Renegade prostitution were 27 women who worked as independent entrepreneurs and were interested in building a substantial client base. The remaining 14 women, involved in Outlaw prostitution, hustled, manipulated, and exploited their customers. Each work style has its own unique features, such as language, ethical behavior, and amount of control over their work activities. Understanding the work styles of prostitute women adds to the body of literature on women involved in street-based prostitution and provides some implications for social work practice and future research.
What Counts in Child Protection and Welfare?
Authors: Halvorsen Anne
Published: February 2009

In this article the question about what counts (as results and evidence) in public services for the welfare of vulnerable children is discussed with reference to interviews with three former child protection clients. The purpose of the interviews was to learn how former clients experienced `being under care', and what short- and long-term consequences or results they found it had in their case. The question that is being raised here is whether basic care, being cared for and loved without too much concern about obtaining specific goals, is in danger of being given less priority in result-oriented and evidence-based child welfare services. The context of the interviews which are referred to here is Norwegian child protection services, but the question that is raised on the basis of this study relates to a more wide-spread and general debate about what should count as evidence in child protection and welfare.
Equality, race and gifted education
Authors: Mazie Steven
Published: February 2009

Educational programs for gifted students face both philosophical and practical challenges from egalitarians. Some object that gifted schools inherently undermine a commitment to equality in education, while others observe that schools for talented students cater to privileged youth and effectively discriminate against disadvantaged minorities.This article taps into recent theorizing on equality to explore an illuminating case study: admissions policies at New York City's so-called `specialized' high schools. After dismissing less nuanced proposals on both ends of the spectrum,I draw upon Elizabeth Anderson's theory of `democratic egalitarianism' to argue that, while schools devoted to talented students could be seen as consistent with a commitment to equality, admissions policies for these schools must reach beyond meritocratic principles to ensure diversity in their student bodies. Racial and socioeconomic integration of social institutions, including schools — and elite schools perhaps most of all — should be a priority for those who care about democracy.
The importance of breaking set
Authors: Villalobos Ana
Published: February 2009

Theories that explain the gender discrepancy in mathematics almost universally explain why boys are `better at math' than girls while failing to adequately account for girls' higher grades in math classes or better performances on tests of computational ability.This article develops a new, more comprehensive theoretical model that explains girls' advantages in some areas of math, while also showing how these advantages are a liability in the mathematical realms dominated by boys. Specifically, it argues that `strategy socialization' in risk-taking and rule-following disproportionately supports girls in the development of an `algorithmic strategy' and boys in a `problemsolving strategy'. As the algorithmic strategy leads to success in elementary school mathematics, girls' strategy socialization is rewarded and uncontested. However, the over-rewarding of this single strategy also leads to difficulties in switching strategies as demanded by higher mathematics. Boys' strategy socialization, by contrast, is at odds with early mathematics, contributing to boys' underperformance at this stage. However, boys' `strategic dissonance' gives them practice in switching strategies, which aids them in solving unfamiliar problems that require new approaches later in the curriculum.The implications for educational reform are discussed.
All together now?
Authors: Newman Anne
Published: February 2009

Deliberative theory has served two purposes in recent studies of education policy-making at the community level in the US: as a lens through which to examine existing practices, and as an ideal toward which to strive.These studies, though, overlook a prior and important theoretical question: should deliberative theory be applied to education policy-making? In this article, I explore this question from an egalitarian perspective. I criticize the prevailing assumption that deliberative decision-making is an egalitarian way to make education policy, by underscoring how it fails in this instance on its own terms. I argue that deliberating about education policy is especially problematic compared to deliberations about other social goods, owing to the unique relationship between education and political equality in public fora. I also highlight two features of American education — de facto segregation, and the availability of exit options — that further challenge the appropriateness of using deliberative processes for education policy-making. Given the current state of educational politics, I conclude by pointing to the benefits of school finance litigation and its rights-based approach, which establishes educational entitlements that apply across communities.
Dilemmas of autonomy and happiness
Authors: Warnick Bryan R.
Published: February 2009

Harry Brighouse has advanced an intriguing set of arguments about the place of human flourishing in liberal educational theory. In his book On Education, Brighouse argues that autonomy can be justified instrumentally because it promotes flourishing. He links flourishing to the psychological concept of `subjective wellbeing' and he spells out the implications of subjective wellbeing research for educational policy. Each of these moves, while promising, raises questions. It is unclear how the instrumental justification for autonomy is a political improvement for liberalism over other justifications, and the link between autonomy and flourishing can be questioned on empirical grounds. In addition, a focus on subjective wellbeing may be irrelevant to the central ethical considerations relating to education and economic growth. Finally, the use of social science research on subjective wellbeing may present problems if it is used to construct educational policies around the `central tendencies' of large populations while overlooking students with more eccentric preferences.
An overview of mixed methods research
Authors: Doyle Louise , Brady Anne-Marie , Byrne Gobnait
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Mixed methods research is viewed as the third methodological movement and as an approach it has much to offer health and social science research. Its emergence was in response to the limitations of the sole use of quantitative or qualitative methods and is now considered by many a legitimate alternative to these two traditions. Purists’ view of the dichotomy between positivist and non-positivist philosophies is prevalent; however, mixed methods afford researchers an opportunity to overcome this ‘false dichotomy’. The philosophical underpinning of pragmatism allows and guides mixed methods researchers to use a variety of approaches to answer research questions that cannot be addressed using a singular method. In particular, healthcare researchers may benefit from the opportunity to use such a dynamic approach to address the complex and multi-faceted research problems often encountered in the health care sector.
Higher, Faster, Louder: Representations of the International Music Competition
Authors: McCormick Lisa
Published: February 2009

Competitions have been a visible and controversial part of the classical music world for over a century, yet sociologists have strangely neglected to study their social significance.This article explores the competition's ongoing contest for legitimacy by considering the case of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.Through a discourse analysis of publicity materials and media coverage, I reconstruct the symbolic frameworks that guide the construction of the event and the interpretation of competitors' performances. I also trace the critical challenge to the idealized representations of the event, and decode the gender ideologies implied in commonly used metaphors. Demonstrating the centrality of meaning in musical production and reception, I aim to expose the limitations of the production perspective and Bourdieu's model of the artistic field, offering in their place a new approach based on social performance.
Displaying Desire and Distinction in Housing
Authors: Silva Elizabeth B. , Wright David
Published: February 2009

The article discusses the significance of cultural capital for the understanding of the field of housing in contemporary Britain. It explores the relationship between housing and the position of individuals in social space mapped out by means of a multiple correspondence analysis. It considers the material aspects of housing and the changing contexts that are linked to the creation and display of desire for social position and distinction expressed in talk about home decoration as personal expression and individuals' ideas of a `dream house'. It is based on an empirical investigation of taste and lifestyle using nationally representative survey data and qualitative interviews. The article shows both that personal resources and the imagination of home are linked to levels of cultural capital, and that rich methods of investigation are required to grasp the significance of these normally invisible assets to broaden the academic understanding of the field of housing in contemporary culture.
Down-regulation of CD20 expression in B-cell lymphoma cells after treatment with rituximab-containing combination chemotherapies: its prevalence and clinical significance
Authors: Hiraga Junji , Tomita Akihiro , Sugimoto Takumi , Shimada Kazuyuki , Ito Masafumi , Nakamura Shigeo , Kiyoi Hitoshi , Kinoshita Tomohiro , Naoe Tomoki
Published: February 2009

Although rituximab is a key molecular targeting drug for CD20-positive B-cell lymphomas, resistance to rituximab has recently been recognized as a considerable problem. Here, we report that a CD20-negative phenotypic change after chemotherapies with rituximab occurs in a certain number of CD20-positive B-cell lymphoma patients. For 5 years, 124 patients with B-cell malignancies were treated with rituximab-containing chemotherapies in Nagoya University Hospital. Relapse or progression was confirmed in 36 patients (29.0%), and a rebiopsy was performed in 19 patients. Of those 19, 5 (26.3%; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [DLBCL], 3 cases; DLBCL transformed from follicular lymphoma, 2 cases) indicated CD20 protein-negative transformation. Despite salvage chemotherapies without rituximab, all 5 patients died within 1 year of the CD20-negative transformation. Quantitative reverse-transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that CD20 mRNA expression was significantly lower in CD20-negative cells than in CD20-positive cells obtained from the same patient. Interestingly, when CD20-negative cells were treated with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine in vitro, the expression of CD20 mRNA was stimulated within 3 days, resulting in the restoration of both cell surface expression of the CD20 protein and rituximab sensitivity. These findings suggest that some epigenetic mechanisms may be partly related to the down-regulation of CD20 expression after rituximab treatment.
Climate change and respiratory disease: European Respiratory Society position statement
Authors: Ayres J. G. , Forsberg B. , Annesi-Maesano I. , Dey R. , Ebi K. L. , Helms P. J. , Medina-Ramón M. , Windt M. , Forastiere F.
Published: February 2009

Climate change will affect individuals with pre-existing respiratory disease, but the extent of the effect remains unclear.

The present position statement was developed on behalf of the European Respiratory Society in order to identify areas of concern arising from climate change for individuals with respiratory disease, healthcare workers in the respiratory sector and policy makers. The statement was developed following a 2-day workshop held in Leuven (Belgium) in March 2008.

Key areas of concern for the respiratory community arising from climate change are discussed and recommendations made to address gaps in knowledge. The most important recommendation was the development of more accurate predictive models for predicting the impact of climate change on respiratory health.

Respiratory healthcare workers also have an advocatory role in persuading governments and the European Union to maintain awareness and appropriate actions with respect to climate change, and these areas are also discussed in the position statement.
Lysosomal iron in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: a case report
Authors: Persson H. L. , Vainikka L. K.
Published: February 2009

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is characterised by accumulation of surfactant-like material in the distal air spaces. Since lysosomes play a crucial role for degradation of large biomolecules taken up from the cell's environment, it was hypothesised that oxidant-induced lysosomal disruption and ensuing cell death might play a role in disease development.

In the present study, alveolar macrophages, harvested by whole-lung lavage from a patient diagnosed with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, are shown to contain large amounts of undigested material within lysosomes, and the same organelle exhibits increased amounts of haemosiderin-bound iron. Compared with murine macrophage-like J774 cells (iron exposed or not), the status of human macrophages was pro-oxidative,i.e.macrophages exhibited a low level of the antioxidant glutathione and large amounts of iron available for Fenton-type chemistry. As a consequence, macrophageal lysosomes were particularly fragile when exposed to physiological concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (generated by glucose oxidase in culture medium). Such lysosomal disruption resulted in extensive cell death by both necrosis and apoptosis independent of caspase-3 activation.

Considering the potential role of iron-catalysed oxidant-induced lysosomal rupture and ensuing cell killing for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis pathology and disease progression, whole-lung lavage might be considered early in those cases in which cytochemical staining reveals great numbers of haemosiderin-laden alveolar macrophages.
Central airway stenosis in a patient with autoimmune pancreatitis
Authors: Ito M. , Yasuo M. , Yamamoto H. , Tsushima K. , Tanabe T. , Yokoyama T. , Hamano H. , Kawa S. , Uehara T. , Honda T. , Kawakami S. , Kubo K.
Published: February 2009

Autoimmune pancreatitis is a unique form of chronic pancreatitis characterised by a high-serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G4 concentration involving various extra pancreatic lesions.

A 63-yr-old female with autoimmune pancreatitis complained of cough. Chest computed tomography revealed an irregular stenosis of the central airway, lung hilar and mediastinal lymph node swelling, and a marked thickness of the bronchovascular bundle. Bronchoscopic examination revealed an irregular tracheobronchial stenosis accompanied with an oedematous mucosa and engorged vessels. Lung hilar and mediastinal lymph node swelling, central airway stenosis and bronchoscopic findings remarkably resembled those of sarcoidosis.

Bronchial biopsy specimens demonstrated diffuse infiltrations of plasma cells, lymphocytes and eosinophils with fibrosis. Immunostaining showed infiltration of several IgG4-positive plasma cells. The patient was treated with oral prednisolone at 1 mg·kg−1·day−1for pancreatic lesions. A month later, the lung lesions, including central airway stenosis, lung hilar and mediastinal lymph node swelling, and bronchovascular bundle thickness, had dramatically improved along with improvement of pancreatitis, thus indicating a close association between the two conditions.

This is the first report of a patient with autoimmune pancreatitis showing central airway stenosis similar to that of sarcoidosis.
Genetic variation as a predictor of smoking cessation success. A promising preventive and intervention tool for chronic respiratory diseases?
Authors: Quaak M. , van Schayck C. P. , Knaapen A. M. , van Schooten F. J.
Published: February 2009

Tobacco smoking continues to be the largest preventable cause of premature morbidity and mortality throughout the world, including chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Although most smokers are highly motivated to quit and many smoking cessation therapies are available, cessation rates remain very low.

Recent research strongly suggests that variation in genetic background is an important determinant of smoking behaviour and addiction. Since these genetic variants might also influence the response to smoking cessation pharmacotherapies, it is likely that assessment of genetic background could be a promising tool to guide selection of the most effective cessation treatment for an individual smoker. Recently, it has been shown that genetic variants in the dopaminergic system, opioid receptors, the bupropion-metabolising enzyme CYP2B6 and the nicotine-metabolising enzyme CYP2A6 may play an important role in predicting smoking cessation responses to nicotine replacement therapy and bupropion treatment. Despite the progress that has been made, several challenges will still have to be overcome before genetically tailored smoking cessation therapy can be implemented in standard clinical practice.
Local effector failure in mesothelioma is not mediated by CD4+CD25+T-regulator cells
Authors: Jackaman C. , Cornwall S. , Lew A. M. , Zhan Y. , Robinson B. W. S. , Nelson D. J.
Published: February 2009

The aim of the present study was to define the point at which mesothelioma T-cell responses fail in order to design better immunotherapies.

A murine model of mesothelioma was used which was established with asbestos. Inoculation of tumour cells into syngeneic mice results in progressing tumours with similar histopathology to human mesothelioma. The tumour cells secrete a marker tumour antigen similar to secreted tumour-associated products, such as mesothelin.

The mesothelioma microenvironment contains stromal elements including dendritic cells, effector CD8+and CD4+T-cells, and CD4+T-regulatory (Tregs) cells, all of which are activatedin situ, implying chronic inflammation. Tumour antigens are rapidly transported to draining lymph nodes wherein tumour-specific T-cell responses are generated. Despite the generation of potent CD8+cytotoxic lymphocyte in lymphoid organs, those that infiltrate tumours cannot restrain tumour growth suggesting local suppression. Splenic Tregs did not suppress protective responses in adoptive transfer experiments suggesting that systemic Tregs play little role in regulating anti-mesothelioma immune responses. Finally, removal of CD25+Tregs from the tumour site and lymphoid organs did not alter tumour growth with or without interleukin (IL)-2 or IL-21 immunotherapy.

Tregs are not potent regulators of anti-mesothelioma immunity and targeting these cells may not improve results.
Lung deposition of inhaled α1-proteinase inhibitor in cystic fibrosis and α1-antitrypsin deficiency
Authors: Brand P. , Schulte M. , Wencker M. , Herpich C. H. , Klein G. , Hanna K. , Meyer T.
Published: February 2009

Individuals with α1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency and cystic fibrosis (CF) have a protease–antiprotease imbalance in their lungs, which leads to early onset progressive lung disease. Inhalation of AAT may restore protective levels in the lungs. This study aimed to determine the efficiency of delivering AAT using a novel inhalation device in subjects with AAT deficiency and CF compared with healthy subjects.

In total, 20 subjects (six healthy, seven with AAT deficiency and seven with CF) inhaled ∼70 mg of radiolabelled active AAT, with controlled breathing patterns adjusted to lung function. Post-inhalation, total and regional lung deposition and extrathoracic deposition of radiolabelled AAT were measured.

Total lung deposition of AAT was ∼70% of the filling dose. The magnitude of deposition was similar in all treatment groups, with no adverse effect on lung function or any influence of disease severity on total lung deposition.

Inhalation with controlled breathing patterns using the AKITA2device (lung function adapted) leads to high total lung deposition regardless of the degree of lung function impairment. Delivery of large amounts of AAT was achieved in a short period of time. This device may be an ideal option for aerosol therapy.