bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Music's “design features”: Musical motivation, musical pulse, and musical pitch
Authors: Bispham John C.
Published: March 2011

This paper focuses on the question of what music is, attempting to describe those features of music that generically distinguish it from other forms of animal and human communication — music's “design features”. The author suggests that music is generically inspired by musical motivation — an intrinsic motivation to share convergent intersubjective endstates - and is universally identifiable by the presence of musical pulse — a maintained and volitionally controlled attentional pulse — and/or musical pitch — a system for maintaining certain relationships between pitches. As such music's design features are viewed as providing an interpersonal framework for synchronous and group affective interaction. The implications of this approach to an evolutionary perspective on music and on arguments of the primary evolutionary functionality of musical abilities in human evolution are discussed.
Long-term melodic expectation: The unexpected observation of distant priming effects
Authors: Bailes Freya , Delbé Charles
Published: March 2011

The report provides a brief account of an experiment whose control conditions produced interestingly counter-intuitive results. The method adapted priming techniques to explore whether imagining well-known melodies would facilitate perceptual discrimination of congruent compared to incongruent melodic continuations in a syllable identification task. This was shown to be the case, but in a subsequent control experiment, imagining an irrelevant lure melody also showed a priming effect. The persistent priming effect apparently related the target sequence to the aurally presented, nonadjacent opening notes, and not to the intervening mental image. A number of statistical analyses of the pitch relationships in match and mismatch targets were performed and a further experiment is reported in which participants explicitly selected between match and mismatch versions of the stimuli for fit within the prime context. It seems that the pitch proximity of the first target note to the final note of the sounded prime may be responsible for the priming effect. An outline of further research to explain the phenomenon is suggested, including experiments to test the strength of melodic priming governed by pitch proximity, by systematically varying the length of the period between prime and target.
The fundamental function of music
Authors: Schubert Emery
Published: March 2011

This article examines some of the functions of music in human society, and argues for a restructuring of the current taxonomies, as driven by Martindale's psychobiological theory of aesthetic preference. The realignment proposed places the desire for pleasure generation at the highest point of a hierarchy of functions, the so called fundamental function, with other functions considered to be subsidiary. With this view, music can be defined as an auditory stimulus whose fundamental function is to produce pleasure in the listener (who may, of course, also be the performer). I refine this thesis by proposing a sub-personal, mechanistic level of explanation where neural displeasure centres are inhibited during these experiences, allowing the activation of rich and numerous memories and emotions that are experienced but not disliked (i.e. dissociation or suspension of disbelief) at the personal level. This idea of ‘dissociation’, the correlate of a mechanistic level of explanation, also provides a deeper, more significant and descriptive explanation of the function of music, describing the emotional, spiritual and ritualistic uses of music. This view has important implications for evolutionary psychologists seeking to determine the origin and distinctive functions of music compared to language.
The emergence of music from the Theory of Mind
Authors: Livingstone Steven Robert , Thompson William Forde
Published: March 2011

It is commonly argued that music originated in human evolution as an adaptation to selective pressures. In this paper we present an alternative account in which music originated from a more general adaptation known as a Theory of Mind (ToM). ToM allows an individual to recognise the mental and emotional state of conspecifics, and is pivotal in the cultural transmission of knowledge. We propose that a specific form of ToM, Affective Engagement, provides the foundation for the emergence of music. Underpinned by the mirror neuron system of empathy and imitation, music achieves engagement by drawing from pre-existing functions across multiple modalities. As a multimodal phenomenon, music generates an emotional experience through the broadened activation of channels that are to be empathically matched by the audio-visual mirror neuron system.
The effects of music choice on task performance: A study of the impact of self-selected and experimenter-selected music on driving game performance and experience
Authors: Cassidy Gianna , Macdonald Raymond
Published: March 2011

Music listening in everyday life tends to accompany the completion of other everyday activities in a highly personalised manner. However, music and task performance studies have tended to be experimenter-centred and contextually isolated, largely independent of the listener's music practices and preference. The present study adopted a listener-centred approach to compare the effects of self-selected and experimenter-selected music (high and low arousal), on concurrent activity performance and experience. 125 participants completed three laps of a driving game in either (i) silence (ii) car sounds alone; car sounds with the addition of (iii) self-selected music, (iv) High-Arousal music or (v) Low-Arousal music. Three performance measures (accuracy-collisions, time-ms, and speed-mph) and 5 experience measures (distraction, liking, appropriateness, enjoyment, and tension-anxiety) were taken. Participants exposed to their self-selected music were most efficient, perceived lowest distraction, highest enjoyment, liking and appropriateness, and experienced a reduction in tension-anxiety. In contrast, performance and experience were poorest when exposed to High-Arousal experimenter-selected music. Participants were most inaccurate, perceived highest distraction, lowest liking, enjoyment and appropriateness, and experienced an increase in tension-anxiety. Collectively, the findings highlight the efficacy of self-selected music as a tool to optimise response in the everyday activity context for which it is selected. Accordingly, the results are discussed in relation to potential implications for the performance and experience of concurrent tasks such as video games. Additionally, the discussion highlights theories of attention-distraction, arousal and affect modification, and subjective experiences of music listening.
The emotional antecedents to the evolution of music and language
Authors: Panksepp Jaak
Published: March 2011

The emotional power of music may have strong linkages to the evolution of basic motor and emotional systems of the brain. Most movements have distinct rhythms and basic emotions are characterised by distinct affective sounds in all mammalian species, and these sounds may have been critically important pre-adaptations for the emergence of the melodic stream of music in humans. If so, the social emotions (playful joy, sadness, maternal care, sexual lust, and territorial/dominance imperatives) surely had more influence than the non-social, self-preservative emotions such as anger and fear, providing a substrate for harmony and discord. For instance, our capacity for separation-distress (substrate for primary-process sadness) may prepare the brain for chill-thrill reaction to aesthetic renditions of grief, providing one robust link to social-biologic foundations of music. Emotion mediating subcortical regions are robustly aroused in humans listening to especially moving musical selections such as those that provoke chills. Indeed, it is possible that the communicative intent integral to social emotional vocalizations, and gradual utilization and musical reutilization of such communications in group-activities, prepared the way for the emergence of linguistic competence within largely general-purpose association cortex. From this perspective, there may be no “music instinct” nor “language instinct” evolutionarily programmed into the higher reaches of the neocortex — our preeminent organ of cognitive intelligence — that is developmentally independent of our emotional urges. The evolutionary infrastructure for music may be largely subcortical, and the emergence of emotional proto-musical communications in our species (e.g., motherese) may have set the stage not only for the eventual discovery of music but also for the emergence of propositional language.
Did Neanderthals and other early humans sing? Seeking the biological roots of music in the territorial advertisements of primates, lions, hyenas, and wolves
Authors: Hagen Edward H. , Hammerstein Peter
Published: March 2011

Group defence of territories is found in many gregarious mammalian carnivores, including lions, canids, and hyenas. In these taxa, group members often mark territory boundaries and direct aggressive behaviour towards alien conspecifics found within the territory (Boydston et al., 2001). Middle Pleistocene hominids such as Neanderthals occupied an ecological niche similar to such large carnivores (Stiner, 2002), and so could be expected to share with them a suite of behavioural traits. Complex, coordinated vocalizations that function, at least in part, to advertise the group defence of a territory is one behavioural trait exhibited by several social carnivores, as well as many other gregarious animals, including primates. Hagen and Bryant (2003) proposed that the evolution of human music and dance was rooted in such coordinated auditory and visual territorial advertisements, an hypothesis we develop and expand upon here. Human proto-music, in essence, might have been functionally analogous to the howling of wolves.
Towards an ethology of song: A categorization of musical behaviour
Authors: Lehmann Christian , Welker Lorenz , Schiefenhövel Wulf
Published: March 2011

This paper deals with the differentiation and adaptive significance of musical, particularly singing behaviour. We discuss the relationship of speech and song and define song as a musical mode of speech. We argue for a focus on singing as the primary form of musical expression and discuss universal functions of singing as a mode of human communication and their possible adaptive significance. Starting from these universal capacities, from a number of recently discussed candidates for adaptive functions, and from the record of various cultural gender and biological sex differentiations related to music, a categorization of musical (particularly singing) behaviour, primarily based on sex differentiation, is proposed.
The pulse of symmetry: On the possible co-evolution of rhythm in music and dance
Authors: Dean Roger T. , Byron Tim , Bailes Freya A.
Published: March 2011

Darwin proposed that music and dance may be part of courtship display leading to reproduction, and hence preservation of genes. Sexual selection could act on either or both music and dance, but we argue it may act most powerfully on their synergistic rhythmic co-performance. We suggest that motoric and temporal capacities evolved for, and adapted to, essential biological functions were exapted to working drills and to dance, and in combination with auditory capacities, to music. We propose that the recently observed correlation between bodily symmetry and perceived dancing quality in Jamaican dance is in part a reflection of the rhythmic abilities of the dancers: their capacity to produce and to synchronise with an isochronic pulse, and their simultaneous capacity to elaborate polyrhythms of movement in relation to that pulse. We elaborate empirical tests of these ideas. Since an exaptation can become a secondary adaptation, music/dance may have become an adaptation that favours reproductive success through sexual selection via display, as has been argued to apply to the studied Jamaican dancers and their community. The combination of dance with music may amplify such phenotypic success.
From maladaptation to competition to cooperation in the evolution of musical behaviour
Authors: Bown Oliver , Wiggins Geraint
Published: March 2011

We propose a model of how a maladaptive and competitive system of musical interaction, based on a notion of enchantment, can evolve towards a cooperative system. This model supports our position that social competitive models comprise an important domain of theoretical investigation in the evolution of musical behaviour, and that this area deserves more attention. The model is based on the biocultural theory of Boyd and Richerson (1985), which provides a basis for runaway cultural evolutionary processes, and we argue that our model offers an alternative runaway process to the sexual selection theory of the evolution of human musical behaviour. We present computer simulations in which a population of artificial agents engage in a competitive game of interaction in a context in which fitness is socially determined. These simulations demonstrate cases of the genetic evolution of perceptual systems and increasing susceptibility to manipulation by stimuli generated by other individuals. However, this latter outcome generally reduces to a standard kin selection model. We discuss these results and propose ways in which the model could be developed to consider more complex contexts and modes of interaction.
Comparison of rhythm in musical scores and performances as measured with the pairwise variability index
Authors: Raju Marju , Asu Eva Liina , Ross Jaan
Published: March 2011

This paper tests two hypotheses: (1) the normalized Pairwise Variability Index (nPVI) values computed on the basis of recorded performances may be higher than the nPVI values computed for the same works as musical scores, and (2) the musical nPVI values for different composers may vary substantially within one culture even within a short time-span. In Study 1, samples from the vocal works of four Estonian composers, Artur Kapp (1878–1952), Mart Saar (1882–1963), Eduard Oja (1905–1950) and Eduard Tubin (1905–1982) were used for calculation of nPVI on the basis of both scores and performances. nPVI values for performed music were higher than those for scores but the differences were rarely statistically significant. In Study 2, larger corpora of scores by three Estonian composers: Saar, Tubin, and Veljo Tormis (born 1930) were analyzed. Songs by Tormis had significantly lower nPVI values than those by Saar and Tubin. Our results imply that calculation of nPVI values in music may rely either on a score or on a performance, the results being not significantly different from each other. The results also show that there may be significant differences in rhythmic contrast between the works of composers from one culture created only a few decades apart, and that nPVI values may not only increase but also decrease for compositions created later in time.
Mobile listening situations in everyday life: The use of MP3 players while travelling
Authors: Heye Andreas , Lamont Alexandra
Published: March 2011

Due to technological developments including MP3 format and portable music players, people are now easily able to listen to music to accompany almost every everyday life situation, and music listening is particularly common while travelling (North, Hargreaves and Hargreaves, 2004). The current research explores several related aspects of listening to music while travelling in order to uncover more about why people choose to listen to music in relatively short and purposeful travelling situations. It explores mobile listeners — people who choose to listen to music while travelling. A Mobile Flyer Survey was conducted with 428 mobile listeners on and around a university campus (mean age 20.5 years) at the point of music listening, asking about the music they had chosen and their listening experience. Follow-up interviews were conducted with eight mobile listeners to explore their views on music and travelling in more depth. Results show that listeners create an “auditory bubble” in public places while travelling, although paradoxically this also enhances their awareness of their surroundings and is partly permeable. Music while travelling primarily fulfils the functions of enjoyment, passing time and enhancing emotional states. Mobile listeners also consciously choose their music depending on their current goals and desires, which may link to their journey's destination. The findings thus shed light on how technological gadgets like MP3 players are used to control listeners' needs and desires outside the home.
The effects of musical fit on choice between two competing foods
Authors: Yeoh Joanne P.S. , North Adrian C.
Published: March 2011

Two experiments investigated the impact of musical “fit” on consumer choice. In Experiment 1, Malaysian participants of Malay, Indian, or Chinese ethnicity chose between Malay and Western food while either Malay or Western music played in the background. Participants tended to choose Malay food, irrespective of the type of music played. Experiment 2 repeated the same basic methodology but presented a more ambiguous choice scenario of Malay versus Indian food while either Malay or Indian music played in the background. Food choices corresponded with the ethnicity of the background music. This suggests that musical “fit” can influence product choice, consistent with previous research, but only when consumers do not have a clear existing preference for one product over another.
The first three seconds
Authors: Plazak Joseph , Huron David
Published: March 2011

The human auditory system can rapidly process musical information such as, for example: the recognition and identification of sound sources, the deciphering of meter, tempo, mode, and texture, the processing of lyrics and dynamics, the identification of musical style and genre, the perception of performance nuance, and the apprehension of emotional character. Two empirical studies are reported that attempt to chronicle when such information is processed. In the first exploratory study, a diverse set of musical excerpts was selected and trimmed to various durations, ranging from 50 ms to 3000 ms. These samples, beginning with the shortest and ending with the longest, were presented to participants, who were then asked to free associate and talk about any observations that came to mind. Based on these results, a second main study was carried out using a betting paradigm to determine the amount of exposure needed for listeners to feel confident about acquired musical information. The results suggest a rapid unfolding of cognitive processes within a 3-second listening span.
Exploring engagement with music in everyday life using experience sampling methodology
Authors: Greasley Alinka E. , Lamont Alexandra
Published: March 2011

Recent qualitative research has highlighted differences in people’s music-listening behaviour according to their level of involvement with and interest in music, yet these findings are mainly based on retrospective accounts of patterns of behaviour ( Greasley, 2008 ; Greasley & Lamont, 2006 ; Lonie, 2009 ). Experience sampling methodology (ESM) is a valuable tool for studying music in everyday contexts, and it has been shown to increase people’s conscious awareness of the role of music in their lives ( Sloboda, O’Neill, & Ivaldi, 2001 ). Using ESM, the present study explored differences in people’s everyday engagement with music by recruiting three different types of listener: those identified as having low, moderate, or high engagement with music. Over seven days, quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 25 young adults (aged 18–30) on what they were doing while hearing music (e.g., activities) and the functions/effects of music (e.g., reasons influencing choices). Post-study interviews with 23 participants then generated retrospective accounts about specific musical experiences. Analysis revealed two broad types of listener: the less engaged, who listened for fewer hours a week (min = 3 hours, mean = 12 hours), were less likely to be hearing self-chosen music, and were more likely to listen to music to pass time, out of habit or to help them feel less alone; and the highly engaged, who listened for a greater number of hours per week (mean = 21 hours, max = 40 hours), were more likely to be hearing self-chosen music, and were more likely to use music to evoke specific moods, create an atmosphere, or enhance an activity. The study confirmed the usefulness of ESM for investigating the complex (and interacting) factors involved in people’s daily musical choices, and highlighted ways in which music can fulfil different functions concurrently. Findings show that future research on everyday musical behaviour should continue to account for the context of music listening in shaping responses to and uses of music; and account for individual differences in people’s levels of engagement with music.
Social Category Salience Moderates the Effect of Diversity Faultlines on Information Elaboration
Authors: Meyer Bertolt , Shemla Meir , Schermuly Carsten C.
Published: March 2011

Faultlines—hypothetical dividing lines splitting a group into homogeneous subgroups based on the distribution of demographic attributes—are frequently assumed to be detrimental to group outcomes because they operationalize social categorizations. However, a literature review indicates that this is not always the case. We argue that diversity faultlines and social categorizations are not necessarily the same and that the effect of diversity faultlines is moderated by perceived social categorizations. To test this proposition, we assigned 172 participants to groups of four. Participant gender, bogus personality feedback, seating position, and colored cards were employed to create two diversity faultline conditions (weak and strong faultline). Groups worked on the Survive in the Desert task, and their interactions were coded with the discussion coding system (DCS). Social categorizations were elicited using a newly developed measure that requires participants to specify subjectively perceived salient categories. Participants stated many social categories that were unrelated to surface-level characteristics frequently employed in diversity research. In line with our hypotheses, social category salience moderated the effect of faultline strength on elaboration. Elaboration was most intense in strong faultline groups that had low levels of category salience. Elaboration was positively related to performance. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Optimal Taxation and Income Mobility with Borrowing Limits
Authors: Mathieu-Bolh Nathalie
Published: March 2011

The author studies age-dependent optimal taxation in an environment that takes into consideration changes in consumption behavior over the life cycle due to changes in labor income paths and borrowing limits. Income mobility is defined as an exogenous rate at which individuals change from a low-to a high-income path. In this framework, the role of age-dependent income taxation is reinforced. Consumption and leisure optimal allocations are not constant over the life cycle even when preferences are additively separable. As a result, age-dependent optimal capital income taxation faced by high-income earners differs from zero for all forms of preferences. In addition, past environments used to study optimal taxation appear as special cases of the proposed model. When the rate of income mobility is infinite, the proposed model nests the simple finite horizon framework. When life expectancy is infinite, the model nests the infinite horizon framework.
Cognitive impairment at the onset of multiple sclerosis: relationship to lesion location
Authors: Reuter Françoise , Zaaraoui Wafaa , Crespy Lydie , Faivre Anthony , Rico Audrey , Malikova Irina , Confort-Gouny Sylviane , Cozzone Patrick J , Ranjeva Jean-Philippe , Pelletier Jean , Audoin Bertrand
Published: March 2011

The impact of lesion location on cognitive functioning was assessed in a group of 97 patients with a clinically isolated syndrome. Using the Brief Repeatable Battery, we evidenced that 24% of patients showed at least one abnormal test, 20% at least two and 15% at least three. Verbal learning performances were inversely associated with presence of lesions in Broca’s area, in the right frontal lobe and in the splenium while spatial learning performances were inversely correlated to the presence of lesions in the deep white matter. No associations were evidenced between lesion location and performance of tasks exploring attention and executive functions.
Patient reported outcomes in benign multiple sclerosis
Authors: Hviid Line E , Healy Brian C , Rintell David J , Chitnis Tanuja , Weiner Howard L , Glanz Bonnie I
Published: March 2011

Background: Benign MS patients have a mild course of disease and show no or minimal accumulation of disability over time. Little is known about the patient reported outcomes (PROs) in benign MS.

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare PROs in benign MS patients and patients with similar disease duration or disability status, and to investigate how the definition of benign MS affected this outcome.

Methods: Two groups of Benign MS patients (disease duration ≥15 years, Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] score ≤1.5 [Benign-1.5], or ≤3.0 [Benign-3]) were compared with four other MS groups: disease duration ≥15 years, EDSS score >3.0 (Late-MS); disease duration <15 years, and EDSS score ≤1.5 (Low-EDSS-1.5), or ≤3.0 (Low-EDSS-3); disease duration ≤5 years (Early-MS). PROs included measures of QOL, fatigue, depression, and social support. Cognitive function was also assessed.

Results: Both benign groups had better PROs than Late MS patients on all measures ( p < 0.05). QOL, depression, and fatigue were significantly different between Benign-1.5 and Early-MS groups ( p < 0.01). Benign-1.5 had higher mental health QOL than Low EDSS-1.5, but was otherwise similar. Benign-3 patients had worse depression than Early-MS ( p < 0.01), and worse cognition compared with Low-EDSS-3 ( p = 0.033). Benign-1.5 had higher QOL and lower fatigue ( p < 0.005) than Benign-2-3, and showed a marginally significant difference in cognitive functioning ( p = 0.055).

Conclusions: Patients with benign MS had better PROs than other groups of MS patients, suggesting that both disease duration and disability influence PROs. The study also showed a difference in PROs based on the way benign MS was defined.
Multiple sclerosis: BAFF and CXCL13 in cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Ragheb Samia , Li Yanfeng , Simon Kirk , VanHaerents Stephen , Galimberti Daniela , De Riz Milena , Fenoglio Chiara , Scarpini Elio , Lisak Robert
Published: March 2011

Background: There is increasing evidence of B-cell involvement in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). B-cell activating factor (BAFF) has an essential role in B-cell homeostasis. The chemokine CXCL13 has an important role in the formation and maintenance of B-cell follicles.

Objective: To measure BAFF and CXCL13 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with MS compared to patients with other neurological diseases.

Methods: Cytokine/chemokine levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: In MS patients, BAFF levels were highest in patients with secondary progressive disease, and were higher during relapse in patients with relapsing–remitting and secondary progressive disease. CXCL13 levels were also higher during relapse. There was a positive correlation between CXCL13 and the IgG index, and an inverse correlation between BAFF and the IgG index. The implications of this finding are discussed.

Conclusion: During relapse, we found various positive correlations between BAFF, CXCL13 and the cytokines IL-6 and IL-10. These findings show that molecules that are essential for B-cell recruitment, survival, maturation and function may be working in concert to affect B-cell homeostasis in MS and contribute to the pathophysiology of the disease.
Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is associated with increased risk for multiple sclerosis
Authors: Hedström AK , Bäärnhielm M , Olsson T , Alfredsson L
Published: March 2011

Background: Tobacco smoking has consistently been associated with increased risk for multiple sclerosis. However, data has been inconsistent regarding the influence of passive smoking.

Objective: The aim was to estimate the influence of passive smoking on the risk for multiple sclerosis.

Methods: A population-based case–control study using incident cases of multiple sclerosis was performed in Sweden, and the study population was restricted to subjects who had never smoked (695 cases, 1635 controls). The incidence of multiple sclerosis among never-smokers who had been exposed to passive smoking was compared with that of never-smokers who had never been exposed by calculating the odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval employing logistic regression.

Results: The risk for multiple sclerosis was increased among never-smokers who had been exposed to passive smoking (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.6) compared to never-smokers who had never been exposed. The risk increased with increasing duration of exposure ( p = 0.003).

Conclusions: Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is associated with an increased risk for multiple sclerosis. Since smoking, but not usage of oral tobacco in the form of moist snuff, is associated with increased risk for multiple sclerosis, we consider that the critical effects of passive smoking may be the result of irritations in the lungs. Hence, further studies would be valuable in order to clarify whether other forms of lung irritation, such as air pollution, contribute to the triggering of multiple sclerosis.
Cerebral acetylcholinesterase activity is not decreased in MS patients with cognitive impairment
Authors: Virta Jere R , Laatu Sari , Parkkola Riitta , Oikonen Vesa , Rinne Juha O , Ruutiainen Juhani
Published: March 2011

Background: Neuropsychological studies have extensively described the presence of cognitive dysfunction in MS patients. One possible pharmacological treatment of the impairment could be based on acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs), which have shown efficacy in alleviating cognitive impairment in many other disorders. The findings on the efficacy of AChEI medication in MS associated cognitive symptoms are preliminary and no studies concerning cerebral acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in these patients have been published.

Objective: The objective of the study was to examine cerebral AChE activity in cognitively deteriorated MS patients. Cerebral AChE activity of 10 MS patients with secondary progressive disease and marked cognitive impairment, and 10 healthy controls, was studied with positron emission tomography using tracer 11C-MP4A.

Methods: The cognitive profile of the patients was assessed with CERAD (Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease).

Results: No differences in cortical AChE activity between MS patients and controls were seen.

Conclusions: In the patient group regional AChE activities had inverse correlations with Word learning and MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) scores. In the group of cognitively deteriorated MS patients no change in cerebral AChE activity, compared with controls, was observed, but within the patient group more pronounced cognitive symptoms were associated with higher cerebral AChE activity.
Old theories and new approaches: Evaluating Freda Adler’s theory of low crime and its implications for criminology
Authors: Nivette Amy E.
Published: March 2011

Many years ago, Freda Adler (1983) sought to explain the full variation of crime rates through the notion of synnomie. Although Adler’s research was incomplete and somewhat flawed, it drew attention to low crime societies as the subject of criminological research. In this article I critically revisit Adler’s ideas in order to encourage a more methodologically rigorous approach to researching low crime societies. The main issues this article addresses are the assumption of ‘low’ crime and the meaning this label entails, the implications of ‘norm cohesion’ and the need for an alternative approach when studying ‘low’ crime. I conclude with implications for criminological research in the hope that this will invite future inquiry into matters that lie outside the traditional criminological gaze.
Politics in Foucault’s later work: A philosophy of truth; or reformism in question
Authors: Voruz Veronique
Published: March 2011

Drawing on Foucault’s late seminars this article contrasts political reformism, favoured in the English-speaking tradition of ‘Foucauldian’ criminology, with Foucault’s own ‘return’ to philosophy. Of late, given the relative failure of ‘histories of the present’ to produce effects of resistance, the very usefulness of a Foucauldian framework for criminologists has been called into question. But in his final work Foucault envisaged a different instrumentality for philosophy as ‘the critical work that thought brings to bear on itself ’. In this perspective, the genealogical method appears more clearly as a mode of resistance to political power, and above all as a modality of the relation of self to self among others explored by Foucault in his last work.
‘Trial by media’: Policing, the 24-7 news mediasphere and the ‘politics of outrage’
Authors: Greer Chris , McLaughlin Eugene
Published: March 2011

This article analyses the changing nature of news media—police chief relations. Building on previous research (Greer and McLaughlin, 2010), we use the concepts of ‘inferential structure’ (Lang and Lang, 1955) and ‘hierarchy of credibility’ (Becker, 1967) to examine former Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Commissioner Sir Ian Blair’s ‘trial by media’. We focus on the collective and overwhelmingly hostile journalistic reaction to Blair’s declaration in 2005 that: (a) the news media are guilty of ‘institutional racism’ in their coverage of murders; and (b) the murders of two 10-year-olds in Soham, 2001, received undue levels of media attention. A sustained period of symbolic media annihilation in the British mainstream press established a dominant ‘inferential structure’ that defined Blair as the ‘gaffe-prone Commissioner’: his position in the ‘hierarchy of credibility’ was shredded, and his Commissionership de-legitimized. The unprecedented resignation of an MPS Commissioner is situated within the wider context of ‘attack journalism’ and the rising news media ‘politics of outrage’.
Our Hard Days' Nights
Authors: Williams Simon J.
Published: March 2011

Sleep on this: sleep is a highly social endeavor, posing a puzzle and a prism through which to view life in the wired era.
Families Facing Untenable Choices
Authors: Dodson Lisa , Luttrell Wendy
Published: March 2011

Inflexible employment undermines mothers' ability to provide family care. Playing by the rules of middle class institutions poses particular challenges for low-income moms.
Matrimony
Authors: Scott Greg
Published: March 2011

Based on ethnographic work, Greg Scott documents the institution of marriage amidst the difficulties of homelessness and drug addiction.
A 21st Century Gender Revolution
Authors: Park Sangyoub
Published: March 2011

The 20th century saw women take the workplace by storm. Now, the revolution has reached higher education, as women outpace men in college graduation and continue to narrow the gap in professional degrees.
Ground Zero of Misunderstanding
Authors: Mohamed Besheer , O'Brien John
Published: March 2011

Stereotypes and media mischaracterizations prohibit conversations between Muslims and non-Muslims that could otherwise counteract false assumptions.
The Cultural Democracy Myth
Authors: Kondo Jennifer , Khan Shamus
Published: March 2011

While boasting a golden age of arts and culture, New York City's cultural institutions continue to be concentrated in privileged, predominantly white Manhattan. This spatial isolation limits access for many other Big Apple residents.
From the Music Man to Methland
Authors: Kefalas Maria
Published: March 2011

Methland, a journalist's portrait of what ails small-town Iowa reveals that rural problems are not so different from those of the big city. Meth in Iowa, reviewer Maria Kefalas says, is linked to larger issues of joblessness and downward mobility in middle America.
Kids Today!
Authors: Rosier Katherine Brown
Published: March 2011

Cyber Bullying and The We Generation lament youth incivility in the Internet age. Reviewer Katherine Brown Rosier puts these critiques into historical context and suggests paying attention to privilege—for adults and youth alike.
No News Is Not Good News
Authors: Murphy Priscilla Coit
Published: March 2011

In their respective books, Alex Jones and Jack Fuller examine what news is, how traditional journalism has been threatened, and how it can sustain its mission in the future. Lee Konstantinou's novel brings these theories to life, painting a picture of the “mediasphere” in the not-so-distant future.
Social Control of Mothers
Authors: Wade Lisa
Published: March 2011

Drinking during pregnancy is not a good predictor of fetal alcohol disorders. Yet, public health campaigns urge women to stay alcohol-free before, during, and after pregnancy, and burden mothers with the responsibility of delivering a healthy child.
People Like Health Reform When They Learn What it Does
Authors: Skocpol Theda
Published: March 2011

Theda Skocpol explains the basics of the Affordable Care Act, arguing that Americans embrace the reform when they understand its core provisions.
Management of hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal joint in association with trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis
Authors: Poulter R. J. , Davis T. R. C.
Published: March 2011

This study investigates the management of metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) hyperextension in patients undergoing trapeziectomy for thumb base osteoarthritis. A total of 297 thumbs with painful trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis were assessed on pain and thumb key and tip pinch preoperatively and at 1 year. Before surgery 101 had no MCP hyperextension, 168 had hyperextension ≤30° and 28 had hyperextension ≥35°. Of these 157 hyperextension deformities ≤30° and eight ≥35° were not treated. The others were treated by temporary insertion of a Kirschner wire (n = 9), MCP fusion (n = 6), sesamoid bone tethering to the MC head (n = 5) and palmar capsulodesis using a bone anchor (n = 11). Untreated MCP hyperextension deformities <30° did not influence the outcome of trapeziectomy. MCP hyperextension deformities ≥35° can be improved by capsulodesis or MCP fusion but this may not improve the clinical outcome.
Excision of aberrant abductor pollicis longus tendon slips for decompression of de Quervain’s disease
Authors: Okada M. , Kutz J. E.
Published: March 2011

Release or excision of the first extensor compartment is a commonly performed surgical procedure to treat de Quervain’s disease. This technique can potentially cause palmar subluxation of the extensor tendons. The abductor pollicis longus (APL) tendon has multiple slips which can be used as a resource for tendon transfer without loss of function. The technique described in this paper is decompression of the first extensor compartment by excision of an aberrant APL tendon slip without releasing the first extensor compartment. This technique was used in 24 wrists in 21 patients, and outcome assessed. All our patients had relief from pain and tenderness. No patients needed immobilization and none had subluxation of the extensor tendons. Patients without workers’ compensation returned to work 15 days after surgery.
Intraosseous epidermoid cysts of the hand skeleton: a series of eight patients
Authors: Simon K. , Leithner A. , Bodo K. , Windhager R.
Published: March 2011

This paper reviews the clinical and radiographic features and treatment results in eight patients with intraosseous epidermoid cysts in the terminal phalanx of a finger seen over a period of 26 years. Data on age, sex, occupation, diagnostic findings, history of injury in six cases, treatment and follow-up were obtained by reviewing medical records and the histopathological findings using the hospital database. The most frequent symptoms of pressure pain, tenderness, redness and swelling occurred at a median time of 12 years after trauma. Male patients were mainly affected (7:1). In four the intraosseous epidermoid cysts were confused with other osteolytic diseases before surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging is recommended in any case of an osteolytic, expanding lesion, particularly in cases that are clinically and radiologically not obviously an intraosseous epidermoid cyst.
Comparing Downturns, Profits, and Rate Growth
Authors: Smith Randell A.
Published: March 2011

The U.S. hotel industry has been through a lot during the past twenty-four months, and while its future looks brighter, some concerns remain. Among the concerns are continued additions to room supply and the hotel industry’s still-developing relationship with online travel agents. One unexpected bright spot in the Great Recession was that the hotel industry was able to control its costs so that it was profitable even at remarkably modest rate and occupancy levels.
Quality Measures in Stroke
Authors: Poisson Sharon N. , Josephson S. Andrew
Published: March 2011

Stroke is a major public health burden, and accounts for many hospitalizations each year. Due to gaps in practice and recommended guidelines, there has been a recent push toward implementing quality measures to be used for improving patient care, comparing institutions, as well as for rewarding or penalizing physicians through pay-for-performance. This article reviews the major organizations involved in implementing quality metrics for stroke, and the 10 major metrics currently being tracked. We also discuss possible future metrics and the implications of public reporting and using metrics for pay-for-performance.
Neurohospitalists Reduce Length of Stay for Patients With Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Freeman W. D. , Dawson S. Brian , Raper Carol , Thiemann Kay , Josephson S. Andrew , Barrett Kevin M.
Published: March 2011

Background: Neurohospitalists may improve the efficiency and quality of care delivered to hospitalized patients with neurological disease. However, there is limited systematic data to support this hypothesis. The primary purpose of this study was to compare length of stay (LOS) for patients with ischemic stroke cared for by either neurohospitalists or community-based neurologists at a single institution. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients with ischemic stroke discharged from St. Luke’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, between January 2006 and December 2007. The LOS for patients cared for by neurohospitalists was compared to the LOS for patients cared for by community neurologists. Compliance with Joint Commission inpatient stroke quality metrics was also compared. Results: A total of 533 patients were discharged with a principal diagnosis of ischemic stroke over the 24-month study period. Neurohospitalists cared for 313 patients with mean (± SD) LOS of 4.9 (5.2) days (95% CI: 4.3-5.5 days), and community-based neurologists cared for 220 patients with a mean LOS of 6.5 (8.2) days (95% CI: 5.4-7.6 days). The mean LOS was significantly less for the neurohospitalists compared to the community-based neurologists ( P = .005). Neurohospitalists achieved a higher compliance rate in 10 of 11 inpatient stroke quality metrics and achieved significantly higher compliance rate of smoking cessation education ( P = .019). Conclusions: Neurohospitalists achieved significantly shorter LOS for patients with ischemic stroke compared to community-based neurologists. These data suggest that neurohospitalists can also improve compliance with quality metrics necessary for Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center designation.
Aspiration Pneumonia After Stroke
Authors: Armstrong John R. , Mosher Benjamin D.
Published: March 2011

Fifteen million strokes occur worldwide each year with 5 million associated deaths and an additional 5 million people left permanently disabled. In the United States, about 780 000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. There were an estimated total 5.8 million stroke survivors as of 2008. Mortality from stroke is the third leading cause of death in America following heart disease and cancer. Chest infection may affect up to as many as one-third of stroke patients. This increases the morbidity and mortality of this patient population. Pneumonia causes the highest attributable mortality of all medical complications following stroke. A comprehensive multidisciplinary team approach is required at the hospital level. This requires active administrative commitment and participation. Implementation of evidence-based management strategies can improve outcomes and reduce costs. We sought to review the problem of post-stroke pneumonia and discuss strategies for prevention and intervention.
Inpatient Management of Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Authors: Harms Matthew
Published: March 2011

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis in the developed world. Guillain-Barré syndrome typically presents with ascending paralysis and is usually severe enough to warrant hospital admission for management. In the United States alone, GBS results in more than 6000 hospitalizations each year. Although GBS patients were historically cared for at tertiary referral centers, changing treatment practices have broadened the number of neurologists who care for the disease. This article provides a review of key issues in the inpatient management of GBS. A survey of the evidence base for treatment with plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulins is presented. Although either of these treatments can limit the severity of GBS, patients are still at risk for a broad range of complications, including respiratory failure, autonomic dysfunction, thromboembolic disease, pain, and psychiatric disorders. Awareness of these complications, their detection and management, may help limit the morbidity of GBS.
Integrative prognostic risk score in acute myeloid leukemia with normal karyotype
Authors: Damm Frederik , Heuser Michael , Morgan Michael , Wagner Katharina , Görlich Kerstin , Großhennig Anika , Hamwi Iyas , Thol Felicitas , Surdziel Ewa , Fiedler Walter , Lübbert Michael , Kanz Lothar , Reuter Christoph , Heil Gerhard , Delwel Ruud , Löwenberg Bob , Valk Peter J. M. , Krauter Jürgen , Ganser Arnold
Published: March 2011

To integrate available clinical and molecular information for cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML) patients into one risk score, 275 CN-AML patients from multicenter treatment trials AML SHG Hannover 0199 and 0295 and 131 patients from HOVON/SAKK protocols as external controls were evaluated for mutations/polymorphisms in NPM1, FLT3, CEBPA, MLL, NRAS, IDH1/2, and WT1. Transcript levels were quantified for BAALC, ERG, EVI1, ID1, MN1, PRAME, and WT1. Integrative prognostic risk score (IPRS) was modeled in 181 patients based on age, white blood cell count, mutation status of NPM1, FLT3-ITD, CEBPA, single nucleotide polymorphism rs16754, and expression levels of BAALC, ERG, MN1, and WT1 to represent low, intermediate, and high risk of death. Complete remission (P = .005), relapse-free survival (RFS, P < .001), and overall survival (OS, P < .001) were significantly different for the 3 risk groups. In 2 independent validation cohorts of 94 and 131 patients, the IPRS predicted different OS (P < .001) and RFS (P < .001). High-risk patients with related donors had longer OS (P = .016) and RFS (P = .026) compared with patients without related donors. In contrast, intermediate-risk group patients with related donors had shorter OS (P = .003) and RFS (P = .05). Donor availability had no impact on outcome of patients in the low-risk group. Thus, the IPRS may improve consolidation treatment stratification in CN-AML patients. Study registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00209833.