bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospective Study of Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Oral Premalignant Lesions in Men
Authors: Maserejian Nancy Nairi , Joshipura Kaumudi J. , Rosner Bernard A. , Giovannucci Edward , Zavras Athanasios I.
Published: April 2006

Recent case-control studies indicate that alcohol increases the risk of oral premalignant lesions (OPL) among tobacco users, but the independent association between alcohol and OPL remains unclear. We prospectively evaluated the association between alcohol consumption and the incidence of OPL. Participants were 41,458 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Alcohol consumption was assessed every 4 years using validated food frequency questionnaires. We confirmed clinically or histopathologically diagnosed OPL events occurring between 1986 and 2002 by medical record review (193 cases). Multivariate-adjusted relative risks of OPL were calculated from Cox proportional hazards models. With detailed control for tobacco and other variables, multivariate relative risks (95% confidence intervals) were 1.7 (0.9-3.2) for drinkers of 0.1 to 14.9 g/d, 2.9 (1.5-5.6) for 15 to 29.9 g/d, and 2.5 (1.3-5.1) for ≥30 g/d, compared with nondrinkers. Approximately one additional drink per day (12.5 g) was associated with a 22% increase in risk (P < 0.001). The associations did not vary by beverage type, frequency, or consumption with meals. Results were similar when restricted to cases of oral epithelial dysplasia. Alcohol increased OPL risk in never-users of tobacco as well as in past or current users. An interaction between alcohol and tobacco was apparent by their more-than-additive joint effects. Alcohol is an independent risk factor for OPL, regardless of beverage type or drinking pattern. Recommendations to reduce alcohol intake have the potential to reduce incidence of OPL in nonsmokers and smokers alike. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(4):774–81)
Is the Association between Cigarette Smoking and Breast Cancer Modified by Genotype? A Review of Epidemiologic Studies and Meta-analysis
Authors: Terry Paul D. , Goodman Michael
Published: April 2006

Epidemiologic studies have examined the association between cigarette smoking and breast cancer risk according to genotype with increasing frequency, commensurate with the growing awareness of the roles genes play in detoxifying or activating chemicals found in cigarette smoke and in preventing or repairing the damage caused by those compounds. To date, ∼50 epidemiologic studies have examined the association between smoking and breast cancer risk according to variation in genes related to carcinogen metabolism, modulation of oxidative damage, and DNA repair. Some of the findings presented here suggest possible effect modification by genotype. In particular, 14 epidemiologic studies have tended to show positive associations with long-term smoking among NAT2 slow acetylators, especially among postmenopausal women. Summary analyses produced overall meta–relative risk (RR) estimates for smoking of 1.2 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.0-1.5] for rapid acetylators and 1.5 (95% CI, 1.2-1.8) for slow acetylators. After stratification by menopausal status, the meta-RR for postmenopausal slow acetylators was 2.4 (95% CI, 1.7-3.3), whereas similar analyses for the other categories showed no association. In addition, summary analyses produced meta-RRs for smoking of 1.1 (95% CI, 0.8-1.4) when GSTM1 was present and 1.5 (95% CI, 1.1-2.1) when the gene was deleted. Overall, however, interpretation of the available literature is complicated by methodologic limitations, including small sample sizes, varying definitions of smoking, and difficulties involving single nucleotide polymorphism selection, which likely have contributed to the inconsistent findings. These methodologic issues should be addressed in future studies to help clarify the association between smoking and breast cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(4):602–11)
Increased Risk for Cervical Disease Progression of French Women Infected with the Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E6-350G Variant
Authors: Grodzki Martha , Besson Guillaume , Clavel Christine , Arslan Annie , Franceschi Silvia , Birembaut Philippe , Tommasino Massimo , Zehbe Ingeborg
Published: April 2006

To test the significance of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 and HPV16 E6 variants as risk factors for viral persistence and progression to high-grade lesion, we did a nested case-control study within a cohort study of >15,000 Caucasian French women. Three groups infected with high-risk HPV were compared: (a) women with cleared infection (controls, n = 201), (b) women with persistent infection (cases, n = 87), and (c) women who progressed into high-grade lesion (cases, n = 58). Women with persistent HPV infection and those that progressed into high-grade lesions were likelier to harbor HPV16 than other high-risk HPV types [odds ratio (OR), 2.4; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.3-4.3 and OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 2.2-8.1, respectively]. Notably, especially elevated ORs of persistence (3.0; 95% CI, 1.4-6.7) and progression (6.2; 95% CI, 2.7-14.3) were found among women who harbored the HPV16 350G variant. Thus, HPV type and HPV16 variant seem to be risk factors for viral persistence and progression of infections into high-grade cervical lesions. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006:15(4);820–2
Quantitative Comparison of Aflatoxin B1 Serum Albumin Adducts in Humans by Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry and ELISA
Authors: Scholl Peter F. , Turner Paul C. , Sutcliffe Anne E. , Sylla Abdoulaye , Diallo Momadou S. , Friesen Marlin D. , Groopman John D. , Wild Christopher P.
Published: April 2006

Metabolic activation of the hepatocarcinogenic mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) results in the covalent attachment of AFB1 to serum albumin. Digestion of adducted albumin releases AFB1-lysine, a biomarker of exposure status. AF-albumin adducts have been most frequently measured in precipitated serum albumin using an immunoassay (ELISA); however, a sensitive and specific isotope dilution mass spectrometric (IDMS) assay for measurement of AFB1-lysine in serum has recently been developed. The ELISA and IDMS methods were compared using 20 human sera collected in Guinea, West Africa, where AF exposure is endemic. Measurement of AFB1-lysine adduct concentrations by IDMS in serum and albumin precipitated from the same sample revealed that precipitation has no effect on the measured adduct levels. The concentration of AF-albumin adducts measured by ELISA and AFB1-lysine measured by IDMS in 2 mg of albumin were well correlated (R = 0.88, P < 0.0001); however, AF-albumin adduct concentrations measured by ELISA were on average 2.6-fold greater than those of the AFB1-lysine adduct. Although these data suggest that the ELISA is measuring other AF adducts in addition to AFB1-lysine, these biomarkers are comparable in their ability to assess AF exposure at AF-albumin concentrations ≥3 pg AFB1-lysine equivalents/mg albumin. Identification of other adducts may clarify the mechanistic basis for using AF-protein biomarkers to assess exposure status in future epidemiologic studies of liver cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(4):823–6)
Ultrastructural Localization of Tritiated Histidine in Down Feathers of the Chick
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo
Published: April 2006

During the differentiation of cells in developing down feathers of the chick embryo, keratin and associated proteins are synthesized. Previous studies indicated that a histidine-rich protein with a different amino acid composition but similar molecular weight and localization of feather keratin is produced in forming feathers. The precise localization of the histidine-rich protein, either in feather barb and barbule cells and/or in supportive cells (sheath, barb vane ridge and cylindrical cells) is not known. The present ultrastructural autoradiographic study on developing feathers in the chick embryo shows the subcellular localization of histidine-labeled molecules, presumably representing histidine-rich proteins. Two hours after injection of tritiated histidine in chick embryos, the labeling is mainly present in the cytoplasm or is associated with forming keratin filaments of barb and barbule cells. Neither keratin filaments nor dense granules of barbule cells are specifically or prevalently labeled with tritiated histidine. No labeling is seen in periderm granules or in keratinaceous dark granules of sheath and barb vane ridge cells localized among barbule cells. The present study indicates that histidine-rich material rapidly associates with newly synthesized filaments of keratin. This observation suggests that histidine-labeled material contributes to the formation of long keratin filaments with axial orientation that are utilized for the elongation of barb and barbule cells.
Urgent Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Patients with Decompensated Chronic Heart Failure Receiving Inotropic Therapy
Authors: Konstantino Yuval , Iakobishvili Zaza , Arad Orna , Ben-Gal Tuvia , Kusniec Jairo , Mazur Alexander , Porter Avital , Strasberg Boris , Battler Alexander , Hasdai David
Published: April 2006

Background: It remains unknown whether patients with severe decompensated class IV heart failure (HF) receiving intravenous inotropic treatment benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Methods: We identified patients who underwent urgent CRT implantation due to decompensated class IV HF necessitating intravenous inotropic therapy. Results: Of 10 patients with chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy (median QRS duration of 170 ms), CRT implantation was associated with symptomatic improvement in 8 patients. The mortality rate was 50% during a median follow-up of 9.5 months, with a median CRT-to-death duration of 6 months. Conclusions: CRT was feasible among class IV patients receiving inotropic treatment and was associated with clinical improvement.
Cannabis-Induced Psychosis-Like Experiences Are Associated with High Schizotypy
Authors: Barkus E.J. , Stirling J. , Hopkins R.S. , Lewis S.
Published: April 2006

Objective: Recent studies have suggested that cannabis use is a risk factor for developing schizophrenia. We tested the hypothesis that cannabis use increases the likelihood of psychosis-like experiences in non-clinical participants who scored highly on a measure of schizotypy. Method: The psychological effects of cannabis were assessed in 137 healthy individuals (76% female, mean age 22 years) using a newly developed questionnaire concerned with subjective experiences of the drug: the Cannabis Experiences Questionnaire. The questionnaire has three subscales: Pleasurable Experiences, Psychosis-Like Experiences and After-Effects. Respondents also completed the brief Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. Results: Cannabis use was reported by 72% of the sample. Use per se was not significantly related to schizotypy. However, high scoring schizotypes were more likely to report both psychosis-like experiences and unpleasant after-effects associated with cannabis use. The pleasurable effects of cannabis use were not related to schizotypy score. Conclusion: High scoring schizotypes who use cannabis are more likely to experience psychosis-like phenomena at the time of use, and unpleasant after-effects. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that cannabis use is a risk factor for full psychosis in this group.
Anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies are associated with pregnancy loss in women with the lupus anticoagulant
Authors: Sailer Thomas , Zoghlami Claudia , Kurz Christine , Rumpold Helmut , Quehenberger Peter , Panzer Simon , Pabinger Ingrid
Published: April 2006

The presence of lupus anticoagulant (LA) predisposes to fetal loss and to venous and arterial thrombosis; however, a subgroup of women is unaffected by pregnancy loss. Currently, no predictive markers are available for the identification of women positive for LA at increased risk for pregnancy loss. It was the aim of our study to investigate whether increased anti-β2-GPI-antibodies predict pregnancy loss in women positive for LA. We performed a cross-sectional study in a cohort of 39 women with persistent LA, who had in total 111 pregnancies. Fifteen women had exclusively normal pregnancies (30 pregnancies) and 24 women had pregnancy losses (81 pregnancies). Anti-β2-GPI-antibodies were determined using a semiquantitative enzyme linked immunoassay (QUANTA Lite™ β2 GPI IgG and IgM; Inova Diagnostics). Increased levels of anti-β2-GPI antibodies were significantly associated with pregnancy loss [odds ratio (OR) 9.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6 – 56.4].This risk was even higher in the subgroup of women (n=16) with more than two miscarriages or fetal loss after the first trimester [OR 13.1, 95% CI 1.4 – 126.3]. There was no significant association between anticardiolipin antibodies and pregnancy loss [OR 3.5, 95% CI 0.7 – 17.6].The coexistence of anti-β2-GPI and anticardiolipin antibodies was also predictive for pregnancy loss [OR 6.1, 95%CI 1.3 – 29.7]. Interestingly, the prevalence of thrombosis was similar between women with normal pregnancy (87%) and those with pregnancy loss (75%). We conclude that increased levels of anti-β2-GPI antibodies are predictive for pregnancy loss among women positive for LA, and that prophylactic treatment should be considered in these women even without a history of previous pregnancy loss.
Excitation–Transcription Coupling in Arterial Smooth Muscle
Authors: Wamhoff Brian R. , Bowles Douglas K. , Owens Gary K.
Published: April 2006

The primary function of the vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) is contraction for which SMCs express a selective repertoire of genes (eg, SM α-actin, SM myosin heavy chain [SMMHC], myocardin) that ultimately define the SMC from other muscle cell types. Moreover, the SMC exhibits extensive phenotypic diversity and plasticity, which play an important role during normal development, repair of vascular injury, and in vascular disease states. Diverse signals modulate ion channel activity in the sarcolemma of SMCs, resulting in altered intracellular calcium (Ca) signaling, activation of multiple intracellular signaling cascades, and SMC contraction or relaxation, a process known as “excitation–contraction coupling” (EC-coupling). Over the past 5 years, exciting new studies have shown that the same signals that regulate EC-coupling in SMCs are also capable of regulating SMC-selective gene expression programs, a new paradigm coined “excitation–transcription coupling” (ET-coupling). This article reviews recent progress in our understanding of the mechanisms by which ET-coupling selectively coordinates the expression of distinct gene subsets in SMCs by disparate transcription factors, including CREB, NFAT, and myocardin, via selective kinases. For example, L-type voltage-gated Ca
2+
channels modulate SMC differentiation marker gene expression, eg, SM α-actin and SMMHC, via Rho kinase and myocardin and also regulate c-fos gene expression independently via CaMK. In addition, we discuss the potential role of IK channels and TRPC in ET-coupling as potential mediators of SMC phenotypic modulation, ie, negatively regulate SMC differentiation marker genes, in vascular disease.
Frequency dependence of chiral carbon nanotubes electronic hyperpolarizability determined with sum over states method
Authors: De Dominicis L.
Published: April 2006

This study reports the results of direct implantation of symmetry into calculations of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) second order nonlinear optical properties. In particular, it is described a code based on sum over states (SOS) method and suitable to evaluate quantitatively the frequency dependence of CTNs first hyperpolarizability. The main advantage of performing SOS calculations with symmetrized eigenfunctions relies on the direct identification of the essential channels giving a contribution to first hyperpolarizability. As an explicative example the results of calculation for the (4,1) chiral topology are reported and the transitions responsible for resonant enhancement are identified.
Close-packing transitions in clusters of Lennard-Jones spheres
Authors: Calvo F. , Benali M. , Gerbaud V. , Hemati M.
Published: April 2006

The structures of clusters of spherical and homogeneous particles are investigated using a combination of global optimization methods. The pairwise potential between particles is integrated exactly from elementary Lennard-Jones interactions, and the use of reduced units allows us to get insight into the effects of the particle diameter. As the diameter increases, the potential becomes very sharp, and the cluster structure generally changes from icosahedral (small radius) to close-packed cubic (large radius), possibly through intermediate decahedral shapes. The results are interpreted in terms of the effective range of the potential.
The 2D-3D structural transition and chemical bonding in elemental boron nanoclusters
Authors: Lau Kah Chun , Pandey Ravindra
Published: April 2006

The rich chemistry of boron compounds are often found dominated by its structural dimensionality and chemical bonding from which some of the qualitative features of boron clusters can easily be extracted. In this article, we review such features to discuss structural properties of Bn clusters. In both small-cluster regime of n ≤ 20 and largecluster regime of n ≥ 20, the preferred topological structures are the result of the interplay between bonding factors related to the delocalized π bonds and the inter-icosahedral and intra-icosahedral bonds. The bulk fragments of boron are also expected to become a competitive isomeric configuration with the increase in the cluster-size, in contrast to 3D spherical cages observed in the large carbon clusters
Clustering of water molecules on model soot particles: an ab initio study
Authors: Collignon B. , Hoang P.N.M. , Picaud S. , Rayez J.C.
Published: April 2006

Clustering of water molecules on model soot particles is studied by means of quantum calculations based on the ONIOM approach. The soot particles are modeled by anchoring OH or COOH groups on the face side or on the edges of a graphite crystallite of nanometer size. The quantum calculations aim at characterizing the adsorption properties (structure and adsorption energy) of small water aggregates containing up to 5 water molecules, in order to better understand at a molecular level the role of these OH and COOH groups on the behavior with respect to water adsorption of graphite surface modelling soot emitted by aircraft.
A Density Functional Study of Structure and Stability of Ni8, Ni8 + and Ni8 − Cluster
Authors: Calaminici Patrizia , Beltrán Marcela R.
Published: April 2006

Density functional calculations of neutral, cationic and anionic nickel octamer are presented. The structure optimization and frequency analysis were performed on the local density approximation (LDA) level with the exchange correlation functional by Vosko,Wilk and Nusair (VWN). Improved calculations for the stability were based on the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) where the exchange correlation functional of Perdew and Wang (PW) was used. For neutral, cationic and anionic cluster several isomers and different spin multiplicities were investigated in order to find the lowest structures. Structural parameters, relative energies, binding energies, harmonic frequencies, adiabatic ionization potential and electron affinity will be presented. The calculated values are compared with available experimental data.
Dissociative and Associative Attachment of CO, N2, and NO to Iron Clusters Fe4, Fe4–, and Fe4+
Authors: Gutsev G. L. , Mochena M. D. , Bauschlicher C. W.
Published: April 2006

The lowest energy states of NFe4N, NFe4O, F e4N2, Fe4NO, and CFe4O, along with their singly negatively and positively charged ions, are optimized using density functional theory with generalized gradient approximation for the exchange-correlation functional (DFT-GGA). It is found that NO attaches dissociatively, independent of the charge on the Fe4 cluster, while N2 attaches dissociatively to Fe4 and Fe4–, but associatively to Fe4 +. CO attaches associatively independent of the cluster charge. The results of these computations, along with the results of previous calculations, are used for evaluating the energetics of Fe4A+B→Fe4C +D, where A, B, C, and D are C, O, N, their dimers, or NCO. A strong dependence on the order of attachment of reagents to the Fe4 cluster is observed. For example, the Fe4CO+O2→Fe4O+CO2 is highly exothermic (-4.48 eV), while the complimentary reaction Fe4O2+ CO → Fe4O+CO2 is endothermic (+0.43 eV).
Comparing Market-segment-profitability Analysis with Department-Profitability Analysis as Hotel Marketing-decision Tools
Authors: Karadag Islam , Kim Woo Gon
Published: April 2006

Although marketing managers would appreciate financial data that more directly support their activities, the financial data generated by hotel accounting systems are aimed at apportioning department-related expenses and reflecting financial picture of overall operation. Given the industry’s increased focus on the profit generated by a given customer or market segment, a more useful form of financial data would allow hotel managers to apportion costs to given market segments. A survey of 143 controllers and 86 marketers shows the disconnect between the two professions. The bulk of marketers said that all company costs should be allocated among market segments, but most controllers took exactly the opposite view.
Is That a Finger in My Chili?
Authors: Braun-Latour Kathryn A. , Latour Michael S. , Loftus Elizabeth F.
Published: April 2006

A study of the effects of reconstructive memory points the way to dealing with the damage to a business’s reputation that follows an instance of negative publicity. The study contradicts the commonly held myth that it is best to avoid communicating for a time and let consumers “forget” an unfortunate incident. Instead, given what is now known about reconstructive memory processes, the crisis situation can be used as a means to reestablish a relationship with consumers. This research investigation proposes that postcrisis communication efforts should be focused on emotionally connecting with consumers via autobiographical-referencing advertising. Moreover, although the study focuses on crisis management, the lessons of reconstructive memory can be applied to all phases of brand management.
How Affective Commitment Boosts Guest Loyalty (and Promotes Frequent-guest Programs)
Authors: Mattila Anna S.
Published: April 2006

Customer loyalty is the key to success in today’s commoditized hotel industry. To that end, many hotel companies offer frequent-guest programs. The reward programs are not enough to induce loyalty, however, in the absence of an emotional bond with the brand. Instead, affective commitment—that emotional bond—is needed to ensure repeat patronage. This study demonstrates the key role of an affective commitment in strengthening loyalty to the brand and in improving customers’ perceptions of their preferred brand’s frequent-guest program.
Ownership, Corporate Governance, and Management in the State-owned Hotels in the People’s Republic of China
Authors: Tang Fang-Fang , Xi Yanping , Chen Guangmeng , Wang Ralph
Published: April 2006

Although the winds of change ripple through China’s hotel industry, many properties are still owned by the local or regional government and are operated on a noneconomic basis. Often, local officials have arranged for construction of the state-owned hotel (SOH) for their own reasons, including improving the image of their town or their own enjoyment. In such an environment, a hotel’s management team may have to pay more attention to the whims of local officials than to the demands of the market. The situation of the SOHs calls for privatization, but the method of exit from state control to private control is not clear.
United yet autonomous: Indymedia and the struggle to sustain a radical democratic network
Authors: Pickard Victor W.
Published: April 2006

The past decade has witnessed an emergent form of activism increasingly defined by its reliance on internet strategies, network social structures and participatory practices. Internet strategies employed by many contemporary activists include websites, listservs and hyperlinked networks used for exchanging information, mobilizing both old and new constituencies, and coordinating collective action. Networks of organizations and individuals are formed both on and offline and decision-making within these groups is often made by consensus. Perhaps best characterizing this activism is its lack of hierarchy, epitomized by democratic communications, both within and between networked organizations. This article focuses on Indymedia, a prime institutional exemplar for the indicators mentioned above internet-based activism, network formation and participatory politics. Specifically, it addresses issues related to sustainability and political efficacy in radical democratic activist networks that are increasingly enabled by internet technologies.
Community broadcasting and the enclosure of the public sphere
Authors: van Vuuren Kitty
Published: April 2006

One of the normative tenets of the Habermasian public sphere is that it should be an open and universally accessible forum. In Australia, one way of achieving this is the provision for community broadcasting in the Broadcasting Services Act. A closer examination of community broadcasting, however, suggests practices that contradict the idea of an open and accessible public sphere. Community broadcasting organizations regulate access to their media assets through a combination of formal and informal structures. This suggests that the public sphere can be understood as a resource, and that community broadcasting organizations can be analysed as ‘commons regimes’. This approach reveals a fundamental paradox inherent in the public sphere: access, participation and the quality of discourse in the public sphere are connected to its enclosure, which limits membership and participation through a system of rules and norms that govern the conduct of a group. By accepting the view that a public sphere is governed by property rights, it follows that an open and universally accessible public sphere is neither possible nor desirable.
Chilean adolescents’ beliefs about the legitimacy of parental authority: Individual and age-related differences
Authors: Cumsille Patricio , Darling Nancy , Flaherty Brian P. , Martínez M. Loreto
Published: April 2006

Individual and age-related differences in the patterning of adolescents’ beliefs about the legitimacy of parental authority were examined in a sample of 3425 Chilean adolescents (Mage = 15.0). During early, middle, and late adolescence, three analogous patterns of beliefs about the legitimacy of parental authority were identified using latent class analysis (LCA). Youth in the Parental Control class ceded parents legitimate control over issues in the multi-faceted and prudential domains and were relatively likely to cede parental control over the personal domain. Those in the Shared Control class differentiated the prudential from other domains. Those in the Personal Control class denied parents legitimate authority over issues in all domains. Within analogous classes, younger adolescents were more likely to grant parents legitimate authority than older adolescents. Results are consistent with prior research documenting age-related differences, but raise important questions about the normative nature of age-related change in legitimacy beliefs. The advantages of studying sub-groups and variability in the patterning of legitimacy beliefs are discussed.
Children's judgment of the legitimacy of group decision-making about individual concerns: A comparative study between England and Japan
Authors: Kinoshita Yoshiko
Published: April 2006

This study aimed to examine when children come to distinguish between the private affairs of an individual and the group's matter in relation to group decision making and whether there are any differences between Japan and England in learning the distinction. In total 217 children aged 8, 11, and 13 years, and undergraduates participated in the study. Participants were shown hypothetical situations in which members of a group were going to make a rule restricting behaviors in the personal sphere by majority decision. Participants were asked to judge the legitimacy of group decision making and to give reasons for their judgments. The findings revealed that younger participants from both countries were more likely than older participants to approve of group decision making over individual concerns and to rate transgressions as more serious. It was also found that Japanese participants were more likely to approve of group decision making than the English participants. The younger participants in both countries and the Japanese participants seemed to have an inclination to judge the appropriateness of group decision making according to the perceived degree of benefit of the decision.
The relationships among social cognition, peer acceptance, and social behavior in Israeli kindergarteners
Authors: Diesendruck Gil , Ben-Eliyahu Adar
Published: April 2006

The present study investigated the relationships among Israeli kindergarten children's social cognitive capacities, their popularity, and their social behavior. We found that children's understanding of others' behavioral motives was positively related to their popularity, that children's false-belief understanding was positively related to peers' positive behavioral and teachers' prosocial evaluations of them, and that children's understanding of emotions was positively related to teachers' prosocial ratings but negatively related to both peers' negative behavioral and teachers' aggressiveness evaluations of them. Moreover, we found that Israeli kindergarten children value the same kinds of social behaviors in their peers as do children from other cultures. The findings substantiate the importance of assessing the implications of a variety of socio-cognitive capacities to the social functioning of young children from diverse cultures.
Affect and maternal parenting as predictors of adaptive and maladaptive behaviors in Chinese children
Authors: Wang Li , Chen Xinyin , Chen Huichang , Cui Liying , Li Miao
Published: April 2006

Emotional control has traditionally been emphasized in Chinese culture. The primary purpose of the study was to examine the relevance of early affect to social functioning in Chinese children. A sample of children, initially at two years of age, and their mothers in the People's Republic of China participated in this two-year longitudinal study. At Time 1, observational data were collected on children's affect and maternal parenting in mother-child interactions. At Time 2, children's behaviors were assessed in peer interactions. In addition, data on behavioral problems were collected from parental reports. It was found that whereas positive affect positively predicted prosocial behavior, negative affect was positively associated with later behavioral problems. Both positive and negative affects were negatively associated with on-task behaviors. Finally, child affect might moderate the relation between maternal parenting and social behaviors. The results indicate the role of child affect and parenting in social and behavioral development in Chinese context.
Intimacy dating goals and relationship satisfaction during adolescence and emerging adulthood: Identity formation, age and sex as moderators
Authors: Zimmer-Gembeck Melanie J. , Petherick Jillian
Published: April 2006

Intimacy and identity are life tasks of the adolescent and emerging adult years. Erikson's (1969) classic theory signifies that young people should show progress in identity formation before intimate relationships are formed. Drawing from a motivational life-task perspective, others (Sanderson & Cantor, 1995) have proposed that there are individual differences in intimacy dating goals, while individuals make progress in identity formation. In the current study, associations among romantic relationship satisfaction, intimacy dating goals, vocational identity, and sex role identity were examined. Participants ( N= 242, age 17 to 21) who had relatively more formed sex role identities were higher in intimacy dating goals than others. Participants with relatively higher intimacy dating goals were more satisfied with their relationships. The association between intimacy dating goals and relationship satisfaction was stronger among (a) older participants, (b) those with more formed vocational identities, and (c) those with less formed sex role identities. Few main or moderating effects of participant sex were found.
Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated With Obesity in the Elderly in Barbados
Authors: Carter Anne O. , Hambleton Ian R. , Broome Hedy L. , Fraser Henry S. , Hennis Anselm J.
Published: April 2006

This article’s objective is to examine the epidemiology of obesity in the urban elderly population of Barbados. A random sample of adults ≥ 60 years underwent comprehensive interviews and measurement of their weight, height, and waist circumference (WC). Outcomes of interest were obesity (body mass index [BMI] > 30 kg/m2), high-risk WC (men ≥ 102 cm; women ≥ 88 cm), and high risk of disease comorbidity (from BMI and WC criteria). Total, 1,508 persons participated (80% response). Women had higher rates of obesity (31% vs. 11.9%), high-risk WC (61.9% vs. 13.9%), and disease co-morbidity risk (51.1% vs. 17.5%) compared to men. Multivariate regression confirmed female gender as an independent predictor of outcomes ( p < 0.001). Other predictors were less consistent: self-reported fair/poor health status and eating two (vs. three) meals daily were associated with obesity, whereas semiprofessional occupation and unmarried status predicted high-risk WC. Obesity is highly prevalent among elderly Barbadians. Public health interventions must target this group, particularly women.
Survey Data for the Study of Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Wong Rebeca , Peláez Martha , Palloni Alberto , Markides Kyriakos
Published: April 2006

The article summarizes three of the data collection studies that can assist researchers in examining population aging processes in the Latin America and Caribbean region with an emphasis on cross-national comparisons, including the population of Mexican immigrants in the United States. These are the Survey on Health and Wellbeing of Elders conducted in seven urban centers of the region, the national Mexican Health and Aging Study, and the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly in the United States. The article describes the studies and marks them as informative, comprehensive, and still underanalyzed in particular for the purpose of cross-national analyses of aging among Latin American and Caribbean populations.
The Tide to Come
Authors: Palloni Alberto , McEniry Mary , Wong Rebeca , Peláez Martha
Published: April 2006

This article introduces a conjecture and reviews partial evidence about peculiarities in the aging of populations in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) that may impact future elderly health status. Using Survey on Health and Well-Being of Elders data (SABE; n = 10,902), the authors estimated effects of early childhood conditions on adult diabetes and heart disease. Using Waaler-type surfaces, the authors obtained expected mortality risks for SABE and also U.S. elderly (Health and Retirement System, n = 12,527). Expected mortality risks using Waaler-type surfaces among elderly in LAC reflected excesses supporting our conjecture. There was partial evidence of a relation between various indicators of early childhood nutritional status (knee height, waist-to-hip ratio) and diabetes and even stronger evidence of a relation between rheumatic fever and adult heart disease. There is some evidence, albeit weak, to suggest that the conjecture regarding elderly health status’ connection to early conditions has some merit.
The Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among the Elderly of Seven Cities in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Barceló Alberto , Peláez Martha , Rodriguez-Wong Laura , Pastor-Valero Maria
Published: April 2006

Objective: To examine the relation of diagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) to the level of education and body mass index (BMI) among the elderly of seven cities using data from SABE. Methods: The SABE survey was based on a probabilistic sample of the elderly population. Results of various logistic regression models were applied to prevalence rates to adjust for age, gender, and BMI by the covariate method given the variability of these parameters. Results: The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes among the elderly was 15.7% (95% CI 14.7-16.8), with the highest prevalence reported in Bridgetown and the lowest in Buenos Aires. Discussion: There was a high prevalence of diagnosed DM among the elderly of the seven cities. The prevalence of diagnosed DM was strongly associated with BMI and low education. The inclusion of these factors in policies and programs aiming to reduce the prevalence of diabetes among the elderly is recommended.
Singular Perturbation Analysis of Energy Control Systems
Authors: Fradkov A. L. , Andrievsky B. R.
Published: April 2006

In this paper the known conditions for the stability of singularly perturbed speed-gradient based control systems are extended to encompass the problems of speed-gradient based energy control of singularly perturbed Hamiltonian systems. General stability results for singularly perturbed nonlinear systems are given, which apply to the energy control of Hamiltonian systems. The application to controlled synchronization of two coupled pendulums is presented for two cases of the appearance of a small parameter in the system: the small inertia of a dynamical coupling link and the small inertia of a torquer. In both cases, comparison between asymptotic theoretical accuracy bounds and computer simulation results is performed.
Blind Source Separation and Blind Equalization Algorithms for Mechanical Signal Separation and Identification
Authors: Tse Peter W. , Zhang J. Y. , Wang X. J.
Published: April 2006

Many advanced techniques have been developed for diagnosis of machine faults caused by vibration. They are effective if the inspected vibration is well isolated from interference caused by vibrations from adjacent components. However, the components of manufacturing machines are numerous, small, and packed closely together. Thus the signal collected by a sensor is the aggregate of vibrations from all nearby components. This, coupled with noise, makes it nearly impossible to detect the anomalous vibration generated by a particular component, especially those generated by small defective components. Recently, new signal processing methods, such as blind source separation (BSS) and blind equalization (BE), have been proposed to separate or recover the aggregated vibrations so that each source of vibration can be correctly identified. In this paper, a comparison study is presented. Some widely used BSS and BE algorithms have been compared to evaluate their performance in the separation of mechanical vibrations. Both simulated signals and real vibrations generated by industrial machines were used to verify the effectiveness of BSS and BE. Their deficiencies have also been identified and improvements are proposed in the paper, so that they could be effectively applied in the fault diagnosis of complex manufacturing machines.
An Investigation into the Physics Behind the Stabilizing Effects of Two-Phase Lubricants in Journal Bearings
Authors: Samantaray A. K. , Bhattacharyya R. , Mukherjee A.
Published: April 2006

Solid phase particles in two-phase lubricants used in journal bearings undergo deformation in the bearing clearance space during large amplitude journal whirl. The orbital energy causing instability of the rotor shaft is drawn from the drive and it is proportional to the orbital area whereas energy dissipation offered by the fluid film is a path function. The balance of these two energies decides the stability of rotor-bearing system. In the first part of this paper, equivalent snubber springs have been used to represent contact with solid phase particles and purely elastic collision is modeled. It is analytically shown that any perturbation of a circular orbit increases dissipative work, which may entrain the response of an otherwise unstable system (i.e., without perturbation) to a stable orbit. In the second part of this paper, a rigid rotor supported on journal bearings using two-phase lubricants is studied and it is shown that discontinuity in the support forces arising out of contact with solid-phase particles, irrespective of the nature of deformation of particles, is responsible for controlling the whirl orbit size.
IgA antibodies in Rett syndrome
Authors: Reichelt K. L. , Skjeldal O.
Published: April 2006

The level of IgA antibodies to gluten and gliadin proteins found in grains and to casein found in milk, as well as the level of IgG to gluten and gliadin, have been examined in 23 girls with Rett syndrome and 53 controls. Highly statistically significant increases were found for the Rett population compared to the controls. The reason for this remains unknown, but because IgA antibodies reflect the uptake of proteins and/or epitopes of proteins from the gut, this may be indicative of increased protein uptake.
A comparative study of the spontaneous social interactions of children with high-functioning autism and children with Asperger's disorder
Authors: Macintosh Kathleen , Dissanayake Cheryl
Published: April 2006

A comparative observational study was undertaken of the spontaneous social interactions of children with high-functioning autism and Asperger's disorder. The sample comprised 20 children with high-functioning autism, 19 children with Asperger's disorder and 17 typically developing children matched on chronological age and overall mental age. A one–zero time sampling technique was used in live coding of the children's spontaneous social and play behaviours in the schoolyard. Few differences were found between children with high-functioning autism and Asperger's disorder on the dimensions of social interaction investigated. In contrast, the social behaviour of both clinical samples often deviated markedly from that of the typically developing children. The findings confirmed that although children with high-functioning autism or Asperger's disorder are often socially isolated relative to their typically developing peers, they are capable of spontaneously engaging socially with other children. The results were supportive of the hypothesis that Asperger's disorder is on a continuum with autistic disorder.
Researching Irish gay male lives: reflections on disclosure and intellectual autobiography in the production of personal narratives
Authors: Ryan Paul
Published: April 2006

This article explores the difficulties encountered by researchers as they embark on personal narrative study. It is based on research conducted with Irish gay men as they reflect on their lives, coming of age during the 1970s. Drawing on interview transcripts and the researcher's journal, the article charts dilemmas of disclosure, rapport and the construction of the self in the narrative.
Make yourself at home: the social construction of research roles in family studies
Authors: Jordan Amy B.
Published: April 2006

This article reflects upon the author's experiences in two separate research projects that involved interviewing and observing families with school-age children to learn about how they use media in the home. It focuses on the points at which the researcher intersects with the family, and the ways in which meaning-making is negotiated. Using a social constructionist approach, the article outlines how different families define the researcher's ‘role’ (student, person, guest, negative agent) and how the role may shape the research environment. Ultimately, the article argues that it is critical to explore the complex ways in which families respond to being studied in their natural environment, and the long-term impact the research encounter may have on both the observed and the observer.
Back to the ‘old school’: bicycle messengers, employment and ethnography
Authors: Fincham Benjamin
Published: April 2006

This article examines issues that arose from a mixed method study of bicycle messengers in the UK that included an ethnographic phase of research in which the researcher worked as a bicycle messenger for pay. The question of dangerous research settings and the subsequent advantages and disadvantages to the research process are discussed in relation to other recent ethnographies. The article then discusses the differences between styles of ethnography that involve danger, with particular reference to Lyng's idea of ‘edgework’, arguing that distinctions between types of ethnography may not be useful. Finally, having discussed these recent ethnographic developments, the article suggests that there ought to be an increase in work-based ethnographies in the Chicago School tradition of Howard Becker and Donald Roy, among others.
Creolization and the Maison des civilisations et de l’unité réunionnaise
Authors: Vergès Françoise
Published: April 2006

Créolité and creolization have emerged as conceptual vectors for understanding the polysemic configurations of societies born out of two matrices: the island and the plantation. Here Françoise Vergès speaks with Vivian Rehberg about her understanding of creolization on Reunion Island and the ongoing project to build a museum (the Maison des Civilisations et de L’unité Réunionnaise) for reinterpreting and representing the specific, shared space of encounters and exchange that is Reunion. The interview is followed by the translation of excerpts from the theoretical and poetic manifesto, Indian Oceans Creolizations, that Vergès co-authored with her colleague and friend Jean-Claude Carpanin Marimoutou.
Leadership Refrains: Patterns of Leadership
Authors: Kelly Simon , White Marian Iszatt , Martin Dave , Rouncefield Mark
Published: April 2006

This article considers issues of leadership and leadership development by reflecting on the notion of the refrain as pattern. Drawing on our research of leadership within UK further education (FE) we examine how tracing ‘patterns of leadership’ can provide an insight into the practical accomplishment of leadership in FE as everyday ‘ordinary’ work. In an era of increased change and uncertainty about the character of leadership within the sector, we use our ethnographic data and interdisciplinary backgrounds to consider leadership development as essentially a design problem through adopting and adapting the notion of patterns that emerge in the architectural work of Christopher Alexander and the organizational studies of Tom Erickson. In doing so we point to the comforting effect of both the refrain and the pattern to repeat, return, renew, react, refine, reconstruct and resolve. We conclude by suggesting some of the ways in which the documenting and describing of such patterns of leadership can be used as ‘teachable moments’ for the design and deployment of programmes of leadership development and training.
American Indian Ways of Leading and Knowing
Authors: Warner Linda Sue , Grint Keith
Published: April 2006

Having drawn some brief historical lines for our research, we suggest that significant differences exist between American Indian and western approaches to, and perspectives on, leadership, and we illustrate some of these differences drawing particularly upon Indian educational leadership. American Indian leadership was often interpreted by non-indigenous observers as an inability to lead rather than a different ability to lead. Western models are often rooted in positional approaches, despite their assertions to the contrary, whereas Indian models are more concerned with persuasive techniques, and while western approaches are almost always individual in form, American Indian models are more concerned with how different forms of leadership in different circumstances can serve the community rather than enhance the reward and reputation of their individual embodiment. We illustrate this with a model of American Indian leadership that exposes the differences by concentrating upon the methods through which persuasion works, especially the different deployment of the written or spoken word.