bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neural Encoding of Objects Relevant for Navigation and Resting State Correlations with Navigational Ability
Authors: Wegman Joost , Janzen Gabriele
Published: June 2011

Objects along a route can help us to successfully navigate through our surroundings. Previous neuroimaging research has shown that the parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) distinguishes between objects that were previously encountered at navigationally relevant locations (decision points) and irrelevant locations (nondecision points) during simple object recognition. This study aimed at unraveling how this neural marking of objects relevant for navigation is established during learning and postlearning rest. Twenty-four participants were scanned using fMRI while they were viewing a route through a virtual environment. Eye movements were measured, and brain responses were time-locked to viewing each object. The PHG showed increased responses to decision point objects compared with nondecision point objects during route learning. We compared functional connectivity between the PHG and the rest of the brain in a resting state scan postlearning with such a scan prelearning. Results show that functional connectivity between the PHG and the hippocampus is positively related to participants' self-reported navigational ability. On the other hand, connectivity with the caudate nucleus correlated negatively with navigational ability. These results are in line with a distinction between egocentric and allocentric spatial representations in the caudate nucleus and the hippocampus, respectively. Our results thus suggest a relation between navigational ability and a neural preference for a specific type of spatial representation. Together, these results show that the PHG is immediately involved in the encoding of navigationally relevant object information. Furthermore, they provide insight into the neural correlates of individual differences in spatial ability.
Kernels for Longitudinal Data with Variable Sequence Length and Sampling Intervals
Authors: Lu Zhengdong , Leen Todd K. , Kaye Jeffrey
Published: June 2011

We develop several kernel methods for classification of longitudinal data and apply them to detect cognitive decline in the elderly. We first develop mixed-effects models, a type of hierarchical empirical Bayes generative models, for the time series. After demonstrating their utility in likelihood ratio classifiers (and the improvement over standard regression models for such classifiers), we develop novel Fisher kernels based on mixture of mixed-effects models and use them in support vector machine classifiers. The hierarchical generative model allows us to handle variations in sequence length and sampling interval gracefully. We also give nonparametric kernels not based on generative models, but rather on the reproducing kernel Hilbert space. We apply the methods to detecting cognitive decline from longitudinal clinical data on motor and neuropsychological tests. The likelihood ratio classifiers based on the neuropsychological tests perform better than than classifiers based on the motor behavior. Discriminant classifiers performed better than likelihood ratio classifiers for the motor behavior tests.
Principles and Typical Computational Limitations of Sparse Speaker Separation Based on Deterministic Speech Features
Authors: Kern Albert , Stoop Ruedi
Published: June 2011

The separation of mixed auditory signals into their sources is an eminent neuroscience and engineering challenge. We reveal the principles underlying a deterministic, neural network–like solution to this problem. This approach is orthogonal to ICA/PCA that views the signal constituents as independent realizations of random processes. We demonstrate exemplarily that in the absence of salient frequency modulations, the decomposition of speech signals into local cosine packets allows for a sparse, noise-robust speaker separation. As the main result, we present analytical limitations inherent in the approach, where we propose strategies of how to deal with this situation. Our results offer new perspectives toward efficient noise cleaning and auditory signal separation and provide a new perspective of how the brain might achieve these tasks.
Active Data Collection for Efficient Estimation and Comparison of Nonlinear Neural Models
Authors: DiMattina Christopher , Zhang Kechen
Published: June 2011

The stimulus-response relationship of many sensory neurons is nonlinear, but fully quantifying this relationship by a complex nonlinear model may require too much data to be experimentally tractable. Here we present a theoretical study of a general two-stage computational method that may help to significantly reduce the number of stimuli needed to obtain an accurate mathematical description of nonlinear neural responses. Our method of active data collection first adaptively generates stimuli that are optimal for estimating the parameters of competing nonlinear models and then uses these estimates to generate stimuli online that are optimal for discriminating these models. We applied our method to simple hierarchical circuit models, including nonlinear networks built on the spatiotemporal or spectral-temporal receptive fields, and confirmed that collecting data using our two-stage adaptive algorithm was far more effective for estimating and comparing competing nonlinear sensory processing models than standard nonadaptive methods using random stimuli.
Predicting Panel Data Binary Choice with the Gibbs Posterior
Authors: Yao Lili , Jiang Wenxin , Tanner Martin A.
Published: June 2011

This letter considers Bayesian binary classification where data are assumed to consist of multiple time series (panel data) with binary class labels (binary choice). The observed data can be represented as {yit, xit}T,t=1i = 1, … , n. Here yit∈  {0, 1} represents binary choices, and xitrepresents the exogenous variables. We consider prediction of yitby its own lags, as well as by the exogenous components. The prediction will be based on a Bayesian treatment using a Gibbs posterior that is constructed directly from the empirical error of classification. Therefore, this approach is less sensitive to the misspecification of the probability model compared to the usual likelihood-based posterior, which is confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations. We also study the effects of various choices of n and T both numerically (by simulations) and theoretically (by considering two alternative asymptotic situations: large n and large T). We find that increasing T helps to reduce the prediction error more effectively compared to increasing n. We also illustrate the method in a real data application on the brand choice of yogurt purchases.
China and India
Authors: Mohanty Manoranjan
Published: June 2011

Does the rise of India and China represent competing hegemonies in the emerging world or do they represent alternative and new trends in the contemporary world that seek to promote structures of cooperation and equity, autonomy and self-determination? The neo-realist paradigm only talks of India and China as rivals, enemies or allies, but there is also an alternative geo-civilisational view that sees the complex of linkages between these two from historical times to the present day. The probable scenario is the simultaneous unfolding of both the trends—the rise of India, China and some other countries and their entry to the big power club, on the one hand, and those very policies being increasingly challenged and the demand for democratisation growing in strength at various levels within countries and across the world, on the other.
Sino-Indian Energy Strategy and Discussion on Cooperation
Authors: Lijun Chen , Maoxia Jiang
Published: June 2011

China and India are both countries with expanding energy demands, but with inadequate energy resources at home to meet their requirements. This situation has threatened their energy security and economic security. Sino-Indian cooperation on the energy front is one way to ease the problem for both sides. This has begun to pick up, although as yet only at a slow pace. Given the increasing trend towards greater bilateral, regional and multilateral integration, and given the overall improvement in Sino-Indian relations in recent years, there are good prospects for enhanced cooperation between China and India in the sphere of energy.
Political Process Sequencing in the Institutionalisation of Human Rights in Taiwan
Authors: Pramod C.R.
Published: June 2011

Scholarly works on Taiwan’s transformations have usually followed either an exclusive state-centred or society-centred approach in the study of the instutionalisation of human rights on the island. Using a state–society framework, this article investigates the extent of institutionalisation of human rights in Taiwan’s transitional society. Covering origin, transformation, impediments and espousals, creation of governmental and non-governmental institutions and re-institutionalisation, as junctures in the sequence of institutionalisation of human rights, this work helps to generate a better understanding of the transition and of the social and political forces that have contributed to this process in contemporary Taiwan. The inclusions and exclusions with respect to the societal factors and an inquiry into the nature of power distribution and state legitimacy could divulge the inputs for such an inquiry. Multiple factors influence the institutionalisation process and the transformation is necessarily a gradual and often pain-ful one, since efforts have to be geared towards both promoting and preserving the gains and preventing any backsliding.
China’s Afghanistan Policy
Authors: Sharma Raghav
Published: June 2011

This article analyses the trajectory that Sino-Afghan relations have acquired since 2001. In doing so it undertakes an analysis of China’s key interests in the commercial, security and political arena in Afghanistan and the policies adopted by Beijing to secure these interests. The analysis particularly takes into account four factors which have left a crucial imprint in moulding the contours of Beijing’s engagement with Kabul, namely, the Indo-Pak equation, implications of a large US military presence in the region, consequences of growing drug proliferation and its linkages with pan-Islamist groups which in turn could potentially stir trouble in Xinjiang and adversely impact upon China’s desire to expand and secure its commercial interests in the region. The article analyses the impact that events in Afghanistan are likely to have on China’s own internal challenges in Xinjiang as also its larger interests in South Asia and argues that given Beijing’s growing international profile and the increasingly transnational nature of the events unfolding in Afghanistan, China will need to recalibrate its current strategy.
China–Pakistan Relations
Authors: Jacob Jabin T.
Published: June 2011

The China–Pakistan relationship has seen several ups and downs in the last decade and especially since 9/11. While Sino-Pakistani ties remain strong, there has been a visible drawdown in Chinese political commitment to Pakistan. Partly, this has been because of Beijing’s concerns about political instability, including terrorism, in Pakistan, and the spread of Islamic radicalism from that country into China. In part, this has also been because China’s global political rise has meant that it is more conscious of its need to adhere to international norms, which includes refraining from nuclear proliferation to Pakistan. In this context, this article argues that one, India is no longer the central concern in the Sino-Pakistani relationship and two, New Delhi’s capacity to play the game-changer in the China–Pakistan relationship has grown over time.
China–Bangladesh Relations
Authors: Singh Prashant Kumar
Published: June 2011

This article argues that the so-called Chinese string of pearls policy needs to be examined from the perspectives of those small countries of this maritime region that are said to be supporting Chinese strategic interests in the region by providing naval bases to China. Bangladesh neither has compelling strategic reasons to be part of an anti-India policy nor is its economy dependent only on the Chinese economy—a situation which could have pushed it into such a strategy. Therefore, apprehensions of the Indian strategic community of Sino-Bangladeshi relations constituting a larger anti-India design are somewhat misplaced. Bangladesh is likely to continue to pursue a policy of making best of its relations with both countries, even though an anti-India bias in certain sections of Bangladeshi society and politics will persist. In the post-Cold War, countries are focused on how to reap the dividends of economic globalisation and such hostile policies are anachronistic and counterproductive especially from the point of view of countries like Bangladesh that are small in terms of overall national capabilities. It is, therefore, argued that China–Bangladesh relations are flourishing in their own right, by and large free from the Indian shadow.
China’s Relations with Sri Lanka and the Maldives
Authors: Fernando Sithara N.
Published: June 2011

China’s contemporary relations with both Sri Lanka and the Maldives have been described as ‘models of good relations between small and big countries’. China has been an important trading partner for Sri Lanka, with a large and growing trade surplus in China’s favour in the last few years. At the same time it has also been a significant source of investment and foreign economic assistance to Sri Lanka. Similarly, while China enjoys a large surplus in its trade with the Maldives as well, it is also a significant source of economic assistance and tourism for the Maldives. Given that India is in many ways the preeminent power in South Asia, China’s relations with Sri Lanka and the Maldives in the South Asian regional context have been analysed in terms of two ‘strategic triangles’: China–India–Sri Lanka and China–India–Maldives. What emerges from this analysis is that the sustenance of the cooperative momentum in the China-India relationship is crucial to the improvement of China’s relations with South Asia as a whole.
Pulpal Progenitors and Dentin Repair
Authors: Harichane Y. , Hirata A. , Dimitrova-Nakov S. , Granja I. , Goldberg A. , Kellermann O. , Poliard A.
Published: June 2011

Mesenchymal stem cells are present in the dental pulp. They have been shown to contribute to dentin-like tissue formation in vitro and to participate in bone repair after a mandibular lesion. However, their capacity to contribute efficiently to reparative dentin formation after pulp lesion has never been explored. After pulp exposure, we have identified proliferative cells within 3 zones. In the crown, zone I is near the cavity, and zone II corresponds to the isthmus between the mesial and central pulp. In the root, zone III, near the apex, at a distance from the inflammatory site, contains mitotic stromal cells which may represent a source of progenitor cells. Stem-cell-based strategies are promising treatments for tissue injury in dentistry. Our experiments focused on (1) location of stem cells induced to leave their quiescent state early after pulp injury and (2) implantation of pulp progenitors, a substitute for classic endodontic treatments, paving the way for pulp stem-cell-based therapies.
Regeneration of Dental Pulp by Stem Cells
Authors: Nakashima M. , Iohara K.
Published: June 2011

Angiogenesis/vasculogenesis and neurogenesis are essential for pulp regeneration. Two subfractions of side-population (SP) cells, CD31-/CD146- SP cells and CD105+ cells with angiogenic and neurogenic potential, were isolated by flow cytometry from canine dental pulp. In an experimental model of mouse hindlimb ischemia, transplantation of these cell populations resulted in an increase in blood flow, including high-density capillary formation. In a model of rat cerebral ischemia, stem cell transplantations enhanced neuronal regeneration and recovery from motor disability. Autologous transplantation of the CD31-/CD146- SP cells into an in vivo model of amputated pulp resulted in complete regeneration of pulp tissue with vascular and neuronal processes within 14 days. The transplanted cells expressed pro-angiogenic factors, implying trophic action on endothelial cells. Autologous transplantation of CD31-/CD146- SP cells or CD105+ cells with stromal-cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) into root canals after whole pulp removal of mature teeth resulted in complete regeneration of pulp replete with nerves and vasculature by day 14, followed by dentin formation along the dentinal wall by day 35. Therefore, the potential utility of fractionated SP cells and CD105+ cells in angiogenesis and neurogenesis was demonstrated by treatment of limb and cerebral ischemia following pulpotomy and pulpectomy.
Tooth Slice/Scaffold Model of Dental Pulp Tissue Engineering
Authors: Sakai V.T. , Cordeiro M.M. , Dong Z. , Zhang Z. , Zeitlin B.D. , Nör J.E.
Published: June 2011

Multipotency is a defining characteristic of post-natal stem cells. The human dental pulp contains a small subpopulation of stem cells that exhibit multipotency, as demonstrated by their ability to differentiate into odontoblasts, neural cells, and vascular endothelial cells. These discoveries highlight the fundamental role of stem cells in the biology of the dental pulp and suggest that these cells are uniquely suited for dental pulp tissue-engineering purposes. The availability of experimental approaches specifically designed for studies of the differentiation potential of dental pulp stem cells has played an important role in these discoveries. The objective of this review is to describe the development and characterization of the Tooth Slice/Scaffold Model of Dental Pulp Tissue Engineering. In addition, we discuss the multipotency of dental pulp stem cells, focusing on the differentiation of these cells into functional odontoblasts and into vascular endothelial cells.
Scaffolds for Dental Pulp Tissue Engineering
Authors: Galler K.M. , D’Souza R.N. , Hartgerink J.D. , Schmalz G.
Published: June 2011

For tissue engineering strategies, the choice of an appropriate scaffold is the first and certainly a crucial step. A vast variety of biomaterials is available: natural or synthetic polymers, extracellular matrix, self-assembling systems, hydrogels, or bioceramics. Each material offers a unique chemistry, composition and structure, degradation profile, and possibility for modification. The role of the scaffold has changed from passive carrier toward a bioactive matrix, which can induce a desired cellular behavior. Tailor-made materials for specific applications can be created. Recent approaches to generate dental pulp rely on established materials, such as collagen, polyester, chitosan, or hydroxyapatite. Results after transplantation show soft connective tissue formation and newly generated dentin. For dentin-pulp-complex engineering, aspects including vascularization, cell-matrix interactions, growth-factor incorporation, matrix degradation, mineralization, and contamination control should be considered. Self-assembling peptide hydrogels are an example of a smart material that can be modified to create customized matrices. Rational design of the peptide sequence allows for control of material stiffness, induction of mineral nucleation, or introduction of antibacterial activity. Cellular responses can be evoked by the incorporation of cell adhesion motifs, enzyme-cleavable sites, and suitable growth factors. The combination of inductive scaffold materials with stem cells might optimize the approaches for dentin-pulp complex regeneration.
Dentin-Pulp Complex Regeneration
Authors: Simon S.R.J. , Berdal A. , Cooper P.R. , Lumley P.J. , Tomson P.L. , Smith A.J.
Published: June 2011

Dentistry is entering an exciting era in which many of the advances in biotechnology offer opportunities for exploitation in novel and more effective therapies. Pulp healing is complex and dependent on the extent of injury, among many other factors. Many of the molecular and cellular processes involved in these healing events recapitulate developmental processes. The regulation of odontoblast activity is clearly central to pulp healing, and an understanding of the mechanisms involved in these processes is necessary to enable laboratory studies to be translated to clinic application. Transcriptome analysis has identified changes in many odontoblast genes during the life-cycle of this cell and its responses to injurious challenge. The p38 MAPKinase pathway appears to be central to the transcriptional control of odontoblasts and may provide a key target for therapeutic intervention. The many recent advances in knowledge of pulpal stem cells and molecular signaling molecules within the tooth, now provide exciting opportunities for clinical translation to novel therapies. Such translation will require the partnership of researchers and skilled clinicians who can effectively apply advances in knowledge to appropriate clinical cases and develop novel therapies which can be realistically introduced into the clinic.
Pulp Healing and Regeneration
Authors: Goldberg M.
Published: June 2011

Differences between pulp repair and regeneration guide different strategic options. After mild carious dentin lesions, odontoblasts and Hoehl’s cells are implicated in the formation of reactionary dentin. Reparative dentin formation and/or pulp regeneration after partial degradation is under the control of pulp progenitors. A series of questions arise from recent researches on tissue engineering. In this series of questions, we compare the therapeutic potential of pluripotent embryonic and adult stem cells, both being used in cell-based dental therapies. Crucial questions arise on the origin of stem cells and the localization of niches of progenitors in adult teeth. Circulating progenitor cells may also be candidate for promoting pulp regeneration. Then, we focus on strategies allowing efficient progenitors recruitment. Along this line, we compare the potential of embryonic stem cells versus adult stem cells. Re-programming adult pulp cells to become induced pluripotent stem cells constitute another option. Genes, transcription factors and growth factors may be used to stimulate the differentiation cascade. Extracellular matrix molecules or some bioactive specific domains after enzymatic cleavage may also contribute to the formation of an artificial pulp and ultimately to its mineralization.
TWIST1 Promotes the Odontoblast-like Differentiation of Dental Stem Cells
Authors: Li Y. , Lu Y. , Maciejewska I. , Galler K.M. , Cavender A. , D’Souza R.N.
Published: June 2011

Stem cells derived from the dental pulp of extracted human third molars (DPSCs) have the potential to differentiate into odontoblasts, osteoblasts, adipocytes, and neural cells when provided with the appropriate conditions. To advance the use of DPSCs for dentin regeneration, it is important to replicate the permissive signals that drive terminal events in odontoblast differentiation during tooth development. Such a strategy is likely to restore a dentin matrix that more resembles the tubular nature of primary dentin. Due to the limitations of culture conditions, the use of ex vivo gene therapy to drive the terminal differentiation of mineralizing cells holds considerable promise. In these studies, we asked whether the forced expression of TWIST1 in DPSCs could alter the potential of these cells to differentiate into odontoblast-like cells. Since the partnership between Runx2 and Twist1 proteins is known to control the onset of osteoblast terminal differentiation, we hypothesized that these genes act to control lineage determination of DPSCs. For the first time, our results showed that Twist1 overexpression in DPSCs enhanced the expression of DSPP, a gene that marks odontoblast terminal differentiation. Furthermore, co-transfection assays showed that Twist1 stimulates Dspp promoter activity by antagonizing Runx2 function in 293FT cells. Analysis of our in vitro data, taken together, suggests that lineage specification of DPSCs can be modulated through ex vivo gene modifications.
The Microbial Challenge to Pulp Regeneration
Authors: Fouad A.F.
Published: June 2011

Pulp regeneration is considered in cases where the dental pulp has been destroyed because of microbial irritation. Diverse oral and food-borne micro-organisms are able to invade the pulp space, form biofilm on canal walls, and infiltrate dentinal tubules. Prior to pulp regeneration procedures, the pulp space and dentinal walls need to be sufficiently disinfected to allow for and promote regeneration. The necessary level of disinfection is likely higher than that accepted for traditional endodontic therapy, because in traditional techniques the mere lowering of bacterial loads and prevention of bacterial access to periapical tissues is conducive to healing. Moreover, several of the non-specific antimicrobials used in traditional endodontic therapy may cause significant changes in remaining dentin that interfere with its inherent potential to mediate regeneration. Non-specific antimicrobials also suppress all microbial taxa, which may allow residual virulent micro-organisms to preferentially repopulate the pulp space. Therefore, it is important for endodontic pathogens to be studied by molecular methods that allow for a broad depth of coverage. It is then essential to determine the most effective protocols to disinfect the pulp space, with minimal disruption of remaining dentin. These protocols include the topical use of effective antibiotics, including newer agents that have demonstrated efficacy against endodontic pathogens.
Humanistic Psychology’s Impact and Accomplishments
Authors: Ryback David
Published: June 2011

Humanistic psychology shone most brightly during the revolutionary 1960s and 1970s. Referred to as “the encounter culture,” with a “sensitivity to others’ needs” including emotional self-expression, it was characterized by Carl Rogers as hunger for close relationships with fully-expressed emotions. One of the contributions of humanistic psychology to our culture was Rogers’ approach to conflict resolution using his emotionally honest approach, involving casual interaction in private, confidential settings, and with no set agenda other than the overriding issue, allowing for “troubled moments,” no matter how intense. Even international conflict was influenced, as when President Carter used this “Track II diplomacy” in reaching the Camp David Accord between Israel and Egypt. No greater contribution can be made than to save countries from mortal conflict by having them become more humanistic in their political negotiations.
The Effect of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on Earnings Quality
Authors: Singer Zvi , You Haifeng
Published: June 2011

In this article, the authors study the effect of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on two primary characteristics of earnings quality, reliability and relevance in combination. Using a difference-in-differences method, they find that firms that were required to comply with Section 404 during the first 2 years of its implementation improved the reliability of their reported earnings more than control firms that were not required to comply. The results also suggest that the regulation helped to reduce intentional misstatement, which may contribute to the improvement in earnings reliability. Furthermore, the improvement in reliability did not come at the expense of the relevance of earnings. On the contrary, the authors find a significantly larger improvement in the predictive power of current earnings over future earnings and future cash flows associated with complying firms. As earnings quality improved, investor confidence appears to be restored, in that they reacted more strongly to earnings surprises of complying firms than to those of the control firms in the post-404 period. The results of this study suggest that Section 404 helped to achieve the main goal of the Act: protecting investors and restoring their confidence in the stock market by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosure.
Analyst Quality, Optimistic Bias, and Reactions to Major News
Authors: Cao Jian , Kohlbeck Mark
Published: June 2011

This article investigates whether financial analysts’ characteristics are associated with their asymmetric response of stock recommendations between positive and negative information shocks. The authors hypothesize that incentives exist such that quality attributes that differentiate analysts are positively associated with the timely revelation of negative news about a firm. As a result, the authors expect the asymmetric response to be reduced for superior analysts. Using the stock return/recommendation changes relationship, they find that the asymmetric reaction is less for analysts with characteristics that are indicative of higher quality. Furthermore, the reduction is more pronounced for analysts in the top decile and is only present when analysts have negative private information. This article therefore contributes to the research on differing analyst characteristics and report quality, and provides additional insights on analyst bias.
Analysts’ Recommendation Revisions and Subsequent Earnings Surprises
Authors: Palmon Dan , Yezegel Ari
Published: June 2011

This study examines the extent to which analyst recommendations were useful in identifying earnings surprises during the pre- and post-Regulation Fair Disclosure (FD) periods. A comparative analysis of the association between recommendation revisions and subsequent earnings surprises suggests a significant decline in the predictive value of analysts’ recommendations after Regulation FD took effect. Recommendation revisions are roughly 55% less useful in predicting earnings surprises in the post-Regulation FD period. Furthermore, the average abnormal return earned by investors following analysts’ advice to exploit earnings surprises is approximately 70% lower in the post-Regulation FD period. Overall, this article’s findings are consistent with Regulation FD having considerably reduced analysts’ comparative advantage in identifying earnings surprises.
The practices of theorists: Habermas and Foucault as public intellectuals
Authors: Biebricher Thomas
Published: June 2011

The scholarly works of Jürgen Habermas and Michel Foucault have been subject to ongoing scrutiny for a number of decades. However, less attention has been given to their activities as public intellectuals and the relation between these and their philosophical and theoretical projects. Drawing on their own conceptualization of the role of the intellectual, the article aims to illuminate these issues by examining Habermas’ advocacy of a ‘Core Europe’ and his defense of NATO bombardments in Kosovo in 1999 as well as Foucault’s involvement with the Groupe d’Information des Prisons (GIP) and a wide variety of his interviews, op-ed articles, etc. In showing that the intellectuals’ views differ in important ways from those of the scholars but nevertheless inhabit a crucial position in the overall edifice of their oeuvres, the article concludes that the practices of theorists deserve more attention for a comprehensive and more nuanced account of their thought.
Interpretivism, postmodernism and nature: Ecological conversations
Authors: Lehman Glen
Published: June 2011

This article uses the interpretive work of Dreyfus, Gadamer, Nussbaum and Taylor to explore the natural environment as a shared ecological and social commonality. I focus on the supposition that the natural world possesses intrinsic value and new political structures are needed. I explore how we might better engage with multiple cultures concerning matters at the heart of ecological politics. Political interpretivists offer processes of equal facilitation and maximization that work to include environmental values in democratic thought. Interpretivists differ from earth-based and neo-conservative environmentalists, who dominate modern debates. The differences involve understanding the role of practical reasoning and how humanity interacts with the natural world. Intriguingly, then, interpretivists concur with Deep Ecologists that nature possesses intrinsic value, but do so guided by an ideal of authenticity.
Lack of Black Opps: Kobe Bryant and the Difficult Path of Redemption
Authors: Leonard David J. , King C. Richard
Published: June 2011

A fundamental contradiction anchors contemporary sport: for many, it exemplifies racial transcendence; yet racism continues to shape play, persona, and possibilities. For Black athletes, in particular, it opens a space of overdetermination, constraining representation and reception, while challenging their humanity. Following Joe Feagin (2009), this article suggests the white racial frame offers a means of accounting for and unpacking the persistent force of race in a society determined to be beyond—or better said, done with—it. Recent panics around Kobe Bryant center the analysis. A close reading of media coverage and fan commentary reveals a troubling discursive pattern of racialization and sexualization. Indeed, especially in online forums, this discourse actively seizes upon the All-Pro forward to rearticulate supposedly antiquated formulations of difference and reanimate the prevailing hierarchies anchored in them. Ultimately, popular reception and representation of Bryant exposes not only the persistent myths of black masculinity at the heart of the white racial frame, but also suggest the ways in which they make it impossible for African Americans (athlete or not) to transcend them, redeem themselves in a white world, or claim dignity and humanity.
Effects of myofascial release techniques on pain, physical function, and postural stability in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Castro-Sánchez Adelaida María , Matarán-Peñarrocha Guillermo A , Arroyo-Morales Manuel , Saavedra-Hernández Manuel , Fernández-Sola Cayetano , Moreno-Lorenzo Carmen
Published: June 2011

Objective: To determine the effect of myofascial release techniques on pain symptoms, postural stability and physical function in fibromyalgia syndrome.

Design: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial was undertaken.

Subjects: Eighty-six patients with fibromyalgia syndrome were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a placebo group.

Interventions: Patients received treatments for 20 weeks. The experimental group underwent 10 myofascial release modalities and the placebo group received sham short-wave and ultrasound electrotherapy.

Main measures: Outcome variables were number of tender points, pain, postural stability, physical function, clinical severity and global clinical assessment of improvement. Outcome measures were assessed before and immediately after, at six months and one year after the last session of the corresponding intervention.

Results: After 20 weeks of myofascial therapy, the experimental group showed a significant improvement ( P  <  0.05) in painful tender points, McGill Pain Score (20.6 ± 6.3, P < 0.032), physical function (56.10 ± 17.3, P < 0.029), and clinical severity (5.08 ± 1.03, P < 0.039). At six months post intervention, the experimental group had a significantly lower mean number of painful points, pain score (8.25 ± 1.13, P < 0.048), physical function (58.60 ± 16.30, P < 0.049) and clinical severity (5.28 ± 0.97, P < 0.043). At one year post intervention, the only significant improvements were in painful points at second left rib and left gluteal muscle, affective dimension, number of days feeling good and clinical severity.

Conclusion: The results suggest that myofascial release techniques can be a complementary therapy for pain symptoms, physical function and clinical severity but do not improve postural stability in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.
Migraine and cardiovascular disease in women and the role of aspirin: Subgroup analyses in the Women’s Health Study
Authors: Kurth Tobias , Diener Hans-Christoph , Buring Julie E
Published: June 2011

Background: Migraine with aura (MA) has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The role of aspirin on this association remains unclear.

Methods: Post-hoc subgroup analyses of the Women’s Health Study, a randomized trial testing 100 mg aspirin on alternate days in primary prevention of CVD among 39,876 women aged ≥45.

Results: During 10 years, 998 major CVD events were confirmed in 39,757 women with complete migraine information. Aspirin reduced risk of ischaemic stroke (relative risk, RR, 0.76, 95% CI 0.63–0.93) but not other CVD. Migraine or MA did not modify the effect of aspirin on CVD except for myocardial infarction (MI) ( p for interaction = 0.01). Women with MA on aspirin had increased risk of MI (RR 3.72, 95% CI 1.39–9.95). Further exploratory analyses indicate that this increased risk is only apparent among women with MA on aspirin who ever smoked or had history of hypertension ( p for interaction<0.01).

Conclusions: In post-hoc subgroup analyses, aspirin had similar protective effects on ischaemic stroke for women with or without migraine. By contrast, our data suggest that women with MA on aspirin had increased risk of MI. The small number of outcome events in subgroups, the exploratory nature of our analyses, and lack of plausible mechanisms raise the possibility of a chance finding, which must caution the interpretation.
Long-Term Open-Label Study of Adjunctive Topiramate in Infants With Refractory Partial-Onset Seizures
Authors: Puri Vinay , Ness Seth , Sattaluri Sita Jayalakshmi , Wang Steven , Todd Mike , Yuen Eric , Eerdekens Marielle , Nye Jeffrey S. , Manitpisitkul Prasarn , Shalayda Kevin , Ford Lisa
Published: June 2011

Data from 2 studies (phase 1 and phase 3) in infants <2 years old (N = 284; mean [SD] age, 12[6.3] months) with refractory partial-onset seizures were pooled to assess the long-term safety up to 1 year (primary objective) and tolerability of adjunctive topiramate treatment (mean treatment duration = 282 days). Monthly seizure rate summaries were also assessed. During the open-label extensions of these studies, study medication was first titrated to a dose of 25 mg/kg/d with subsequent uptitration to the maximum dosage tolerated, or seizure freedom, or a maximum of 60 mg/kg/d, whichever occurred first. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (≥30%) were fever (52%), respiratory tract infections (51%), anorexia (35%), and acidosis (31%). Mean (SD) changes from pretreatment baseline to endpoint in Z scores for growth parameters were as follows: −0.82 (1.19) (body weight), −0.45 (1.60) (body length), and −0.36 (1.02) (head circumference).Tolerability in infants was consistent with previous studies.
Paroxysmal Dystonia as a Rare Initial Manifestation of Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Yilmaz Sanem , Serdaroglu Gul , Gokben Sarenur , Tekgul Hasan
Published: June 2011

Multiple sclerosis is an uncommon disease in childhood and adolescence and is rarely associated with movement disorders other than tremor. The differential diagnosis is difficult to establish when, particularly, movement disorder presents as the initial manifestation of multiple sclerosis. Video-electroencephalography monitoring is the gold-standard method for the differential diagnosis of epileptic and paroxysmal nonepileptic events, including movement disorders and psychogenic seizures. This article presents a patient with paroxysmal dystonia secondary to multiple sclerosis who previously was diagnosed and treated as having conversion disorder and epilepsy. The utility of video-electroencephalography monitoring during the process of differential diagnosis is discussed.
Promoting IEP Participation
Authors: Griffin Megan M.
Published: June 2011

Various interventions have been developed to promote student individualized education program (IEP) participation. Although they are generally endorsed by educators and researchers, critics argue that interventions to promote self-determination and IEP participation may be counter to the values of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students. This article reviews characteristics and results of 17 intervention studies grouped by experimental design and analyzes results for differential effects among CLD students. These studies documented the positive effects of interventions on student IEP participation, and a few documented positive results for CLD participants. This review also reveals limitations of the literature, particularly with respect to including CLD students and members of other underrepresented groups as participants. Implications are discussed for future research on interventions to promote student IEP participation.
Fast Fashion and In-Store Hoarding
Authors: Byun Sang-Eun , Sternquist Brenda
Published: June 2011

In-store hoarding refers to the practice of taking possession of an item and keeping it for themselves while shopping although they are not sure whether to buy or not. We examined theoretical links among in-store behavior, hedonic shopping value, and repatronage intention and a moderating role of fashion innovativeness in the impacts of the three fast fashion factors (perceived perishability, scarcity, and low price) on in-store hoarding. The model was tested using female shoppers from two leading fast fashion retailers in the U.S. We found that while perceived perishability was a stronger driver of in-store hoarding for the high innovativeness group, perceived scarcity was a stronger driver of this act for the low innovativeness group. In-store hoarding and perceived perishability tend to produce positive retail outcomes by increasing hodonic shopping value and repatronage intentions. We discussed theoretical and pratical implications for marketers or retailers in the fashion industry.
Prediction of the pressure–flow characteristic of a Belleville washer-based damper valve
Authors: Darling J , Patel A , Tilley D
Published: June 2011

Flow control valves used in automotive suspension dampers are almost universally based upon the restriction of flow using Belleville washers. These washers can best be described as a non-flat washer of conical shape and uniform thickness. They are also known as disc springs and are commonly used for load bearing in which their compactness and ability to produce a wide range of load–deflection characteristics provide an alternative to conventional coil springs. Due to the non-linear behaviour of Belleville washers, and the complex flow paths in an automotive damper valve, it is difficult to predict the resulting pressure–flow characteristic. As a result, damper valve design is often considered to be a ‘black art’ best carried out by an experienced engineer using an experimental-based trial-and-error approach. Clearly, without the aid of an analytical tool to predict the behaviour of prototype systems it is difficult for the designer to fully exploit the functionality of a particular design.

The current paper describes theoretical and experimental studies undertaken to investigate the pressure–flow characteristic of a Belleville washer-based damper valve. Existing load–deflection theory was extended to account for the hydraulic pressure acting on the surfaces of the washer. However, poor agreement was obtained between the measured pressure–flow data using a uniform pressure distribution across the washer diameter. For this reason the model was developed further to include the effect of a non-uniform pressure distribution within the valve. Computational fluid dynamics software was used to predict the pressure regime within the valve and this, in turn, was used to calculate the forces acting on the surface of the Belleville washer. The improved model was found to match the experimental behaviour with good accuracy, both for a range of spring pre-load conditions and for applications where several washers are stacked up in parallel. However further work would be required to develop a reliable simulation tool as an element of trial and error was necessary to estimate some simulation parameters.
Man-made black holes and Big Bangs: Diffusion and integration of scientific information into everyday thinking
Authors: Courvoisier Nelly , Clémence Alain , Green Eva G. T.
Published: June 2011

Drawing on Social Representations Theory, this study investigates focalisation and anchoring during the diffusion of information concerning the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the particle accelerator at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN). We hypothesised that people focus on striking elements of the message, abandoning others, that the nature of the initial information affects diffusion of information, and that information is anchored in prior attitudes toward CERN and science. A serial reproduction experiment with two generations and four chains of reproduction diffusing controversial versus descriptive information about the LHC shows a reduction of information through generations, the persistence of terminology regarding the controversy and a decrease of other elements for participants exposed to polemical information. Concerning anchoring, positive attitudes toward CERN and science increase the use of expert terminology unrelated to the controversy. This research highlights the relevance of a social representational approach in the public understanding of science.
Ethical decision-making in nursing homes: Influence of organizational factors
Authors: Dreyer Anne , Førde Reidun , Nortvedt Per
Published: June 2011

In this article we report findings from a qualitative study that explored how doctors and nurses in nursing homes describe professional collaboration around dying patients. The study also examined the consequences this can have for the life-prolonging treatment of patients and the care of them and their relatives. Nine doctors and 10 nurses from 10 Norwegian nursing homes were interviewed about their experience of decision-making processes on life-prolonging treatment and care. The findings reveal that the frameworks for the professional collaboration and organization of physicians and nurses prevent patient treatment and care complying with ethical considerations and the law. These conditions have a challenging impact on the care of dying patients and their relatives.
Accession to the European Union 2001–2010
Authors: Keighley Tom
Published: June 2011

Since 2001, the Commission of the European Union has instigated Peer Reviews to help countries preparing to accede to the European Union. Added to this has been the provision of workshops and individual expert inputs. This article recounts the experiences of the author in this process. It focuses on how a single directive has revealed major ethical challenges for nurses, their national associations and state governments as they seek to implement the changes required. In particular a sub-agenda has emerged relating to general education, access to higher education and the position of women in these countries. The ethical challenges include freedom to practice and creation of competent authorities to provide proper oversight of the health care professions. In 2011, the directive is being reviewed and this article offers arguments for its continuation, even in an unreformed state.
A critical lens on culture in nursing practice
Authors: Bourque Bearskin R. Lisa
Published: June 2011

Increasing evidence demonstrates that the Aboriginal population experience greater health disparities and receive a lower quality of health care services. The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) code of ethics states that nurses are required to incorporate culture into all domains of their nursing practice and ethical care. The aim of this article is to examine the concepts of cultural competency and cultural safety by way of relational ethics. To address these disparities in health care, cultural competency training programs are being widely advised. Recent research into cultural safety has not only recognized the importance of culture in nursing practice and organizational structures, but also extended the concepts to the culture of the client. In recognizing this diversity, nurses must pay close attention to their relationships with their clients. It is argued that the answers lie in relational ethics, which honors indigenous people’s connection to self, others, the environment, and the universe.