bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supporting Breastfeeding
Authors: Ebenezer Joanna
Published: November 2010

Breastfeeding has many proven benefits for both mother and baby, yet in the UK, we have some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 26 weeks of life and then solid food alongside breastfeeding. In 2005, 78% of mothers in England attempted to breastfeed their babies at birth but less than 1% of UK mothers exclusively breastfed to 6 months. This article aims to provide an overview of some of the problems encountered when breastfeeding and how they can be overcome to allow continuation of feeding.
Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Authors: Marwaha Sheetal
Published: November 2010

Breathing disorders during sleep are best described as a spectrum of disorders. Normal quiet regular breathing lies at one end of the spectrum. In between there are worsening levels of snoring with progressively increasing levels of upper airway resistance culminating in obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) at the most severe end of the spectrum. The prevalence of OSAHS is 1–4% in middle-aged individuals and it is suggested that it is twice as common in men compared to women.
Genetic Dissection of Barley Morphology and Development
Authors: Druka Arnis , Franckowiak Jerome , Lundqvist Udda , Bonar Nicola , Alexander Jill , Houston Kelly , Radovic Slobodanka , Shahinnia Fahimeh , Vendramin Vera , Morgante Michele , Stein Nils , Waugh Robbie
Published: November 2010

Since the early 20th century, barley (Hordeum vulgare) has been a model for investigating the effects of physical and chemical mutagens and for exploring the potential of mutation breeding in crop improvement. As a consequence, extensive and well-characterized collections of morphological and developmental mutants have been assembled that represent a valuable resource for exploring a wide range of complex and fundamental biological processes. We constructed a collection of 881 backcrossed lines containing mutant alleles that induce a majority of the morphological and developmental variation described in this species. After genotyping these lines with up to 3,072 single nucleotide polymorphisms, comparison to their recurrent parent defined the genetic location of 426 mutant alleles to chromosomal segments, each representing on average <3% of the barley genetic map. We show how the gene content in these segments can be predicted through conservation of synteny with model cereal genomes, providing a route to rapid gene identification.
Leptin receptor is involved in STAT3 activation in human colorectal adenoma
Authors: Uchiyama Takashi , Takahashi Hirokazu , Sugiyama Michiko , Sakai Eiji , Endo Hiroki , Hosono Kunihiro , Yoneda Kyoko , Yoneda Masato , Inamori Masahiko , Nagashima Yoji , Inayama Yoshiaki , Wada Koichiro , Nakajima Atsushi
Published: November 2010

The possible role of leptin in colorectal tumors has been investigated in previous studies; however, to date, the conclusions remain under debate. Therefore, we investigated the serum leptin levels in colorectal adenoma patients. In addition, expression of the leptin receptor, and the leptin receptor‐mediated signaling pathways were investigated in biopsy specimens collected from human patients with colorectal adenoma. No significant difference in the mean serum leptin level was observed between the colorectal adenoma patients and the control subjects; however, increased expression and activation of the leptin receptor, as indicated by findings such as the phosphorylation of Tyr 1141, was observed in the colorectal adenoma tissues. In addition, activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway mediated by the leptin receptor and increased transcriptional regulation of downstream target molecules were observed in colorectal adenomas compared with the non‐adenoma tissues. These results indicate STAT3‐mediated leptin receptor signaling pathways may be activated in human colorectal adenomas. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 367–372)
Mycosphaerella fijiensis, the black leaf streak pathogen of banana: progress towards understanding pathogen biology and detection, disease development, and the challenges of control
Authors: CHURCHILL ALICE C. L.
Published: November 2010

Background: Banana (Musa spp.) is grown throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The fruits are a key staple food in many developing countries and a source of income for subsistence farmers. Bananas are also a major, multibillion‐dollar export commodity for consumption primarily in developed countries, where few banana cultivars are grown. The fungal pathogen Mycosphaerella fijiensis causes black leaf streak disease (BLSD; aka black Sigatoka leaf spot) on the majority of edible banana cultivars grown worldwide. The fact that most of these cultivars are sterile and unsuitable for the breeding of resistant lines necessitates the extensive use of fungicides as the primary means of disease control. BLSD is a significant threat to the food security of resource‐poor populations who cannot afford fungicides, and increases the environmental and health hazards where large‐acreage monocultures of banana (Cavendish subgroup, AAA genome) are grown for export.

Taxonomy: Mycosphaerella fijiensis M. Morelet is a sexual, heterothallic fungus having Pseudocercospora fijiensis (M. Morelet) Deighton as the anamorph stage. It is a haploid, hemibiotrophic ascomycete within the class Dothideomycetes, order Capnodiales and family Mycosphaerellaceae. Its taxonomic placement is based on DNA phylogeny, morphological analyses and cultural characteristics.

Disease symptoms and host range: Mycosphaerella fijiensis is a leaf pathogen that causes reddish‐brown streaks running parallel to the leaf veins, which aggregate to form larger, dark‐brown to black compound streaks. These streaks eventually form fusiform or elliptical lesions that coalesce, form a water‐soaked border with a yellow halo and, eventually, merge to cause extensive leaf necrosis. The disease does not kill the plants immediately, but weakens them by decreasing the photosynthetic capacity of leaves, causing a reduction in the quantity and quality of fruit, and inducing the premature ripening of fruit harvested from infected plants. Although Musa spp. are the primary hosts of M. fijiensis, the ornamental plant Heliconia psittacorum has been reported as an alternative host.

New opportunities: Several valuable tools and resources have been developed to overcome some of the challenges of studying this host–pathogen system. These include a DNA‐mediated fungal transformation system and the ability to conduct targeted gene disruptions, reliable quantitative plant bioassays, diagnostic probes to detect and differentiate M. fijiensis from related pathogens and to distinguish strains of different mating types, and a genome sequence that has revealed a wealth of gene sequences and molecular markers to be utilized in functional and population biology studies.

Useful websites: http://bananas.bioversityinternational.org/, http://genome.jgi‐psf.org/Mycfi2/Mycfi2.home.html, http://www.isppweb.org/names_banana_pathogen.asp#fun, http://www.promusa.org/
The beneficial effect of Trichoderma spp. on tomato is modulated by the plant genotype
Authors: TUCCI MARINA , RUOCCO MICHELINA , DE MASI LUIGI , DE PALMA MONICA , LORITO MATTEO
Published: November 2010

Rhizosphere‐competent fungi of the genus Trichoderma are widely used as biofertilizers and biopesticides in commercial formulates because of the multiple beneficial effects on plant growth and disease resistance. In this work, we demonstrate that genetic variability among wild and cultivated tomato lines affects the outcome of the interaction with two ‘elite’ biocontrol strains of T. atroviride and T. harzianum. The beneficial response, which included enhanced growth and systemic resistance against Botrytis cinerea, was clearly evident for some, but not all, the tested lines. At least in one case (line M82), treatment with the biocontrol agents had no effect or was even detrimental. Expression studies on defence‐related genes suggested that the fungus is able to trigger, in the responsive lines, a long‐lasting up‐regulation of the salicylic acid pathway in the absence of a pathogen, possibly activating a priming mechanism in the plant. Consequently, infection with B. cinerea on plants pretreated with Trichoderma is followed by enhanced activation of jasmonate‐responsive genes, eventually boosting systemic resistance to the pathogen in a plant genotype‐dependent manner. Our data indicate that, at least in tomato, the Trichoderma induced systemic resistance mechanism is much more complex than considered so far, and the ability of the plant to benefit from this symbiotic‐like interaction can be genetically improved.
The potent calcitonin gene‐related peptide receptor antagonist, telcagepant, does not affect nitroglycerin‐induced vasodilation in healthy men
Authors: Van der Schueren Bart J. , Blanchard Rebecca , Murphy M. Gail , Palcza John , De Lepeleire Inge , Van Hecken Anne , Depré Marleen , de Hoon Jan N.
Published: November 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Telcagepant (MK‐0974, Merck & Co., Inc.), an oral calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) antagonist, is effective in treating acute migraine headache. Although CGRP receptor antagonists seem devoid of direct vasoconstrictor activity, animal research suggests a role for CGRP in nitroglycerin (NTG) induced vasodilation. Pulse wave analysis and high resolution ultrasound are sensitive techniques to investigate cardiovascular responses to drugs in vivo in humans.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• This study shows that telcagepant, at a supra‐therapeutic dose for the treatment of acute migraine headache, has no clinically relevant effect on NTG‐induced haemodynamic changes in healthy male volunteers. There is also no measurable vasoconstrictor effect of telcagepant as such in both the central and peripheral vascular bed. The results of the present study support the favourable cardiovascular safety profile of telcagepant and indicate that CGRP is not involved in NTG‐induced vasodilation in humans.

AIMS To assess the effect of the calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist, telcagepant, on the haemodynamic response to sublingual nitroglycerin (NTG).

METHODS Twenty‐two healthy male volunteers participated in a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, two‐period, crossover study. Subjects received 500 mg telcagepant or placebo followed, 1.5 h later, by 0.4 mg NTG. To assess the haemodynamic response the following vascular parameters were measured: blood pressure, aortic augmentation index (AIx) and brachial artery diameter (BAD). Data are presented as mean (95% confidence interval, CI).

RESULTS The aortic AIx following NTG decreased by −18.50 (−21.02, −15.98) % after telcagepant vs. −17.28 (−19.80, −14.76) % after placebo. The BAD fold increase following NTG was 1.14 (1.12, 1.17) after telcagepant vs. 1.13 (1.10, 1.15) after placebo. For both AIx and BAD, the hypothesis that telcagepant does not significantly affect the changes induced by NTG is supported (P < 0.0001). In addition, no vasoconstrictor effect of telcagepant could be demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONS Telcagepant did not affect NTG‐induced haemodynamic changes. These data suggest that NTG‐induced vasodilation is not CGRP dependent.
Increased numbers of immature plasma cells in peripheral blood specifically overexpress chemokine receptor CXCR3 and CXCR4 in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Hosomi S , Oshitani N , Kamata N , Sogawa M , Okazaki H , Tanigawa T , Yamagami H , Watanabe K , Tominaga K , Watanabe T , Fujiwara Y , Maeda K , Hirakawa K , Arakawa T
Published: November 2010

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease featuring infiltration by plasma cells producing immunoglobulins. We have reported previously the specific and significant proliferation of immature plasma cells in the inflamed colonic and pouch mucosa of UC patients. The aim of this study was to characterize peripheral blood immature plasma cells and the migration mechanisms of such immature plasma cells to inflamed sites in UC. The characteristics of peripheral blood immature plasma cells and chemokine receptor expression were examined by flow cytometry. Expression of mucosal chemokine was quantified using real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. The number of peripheral blood immature plasma cells was significantly higher in patients with active UC and active Crohn's disease (CD) than in healthy controls. The proportion of immature plasma cells was correlated positively with clinical activities of UC and CD. Many peripheral blood immature plasma cells were positive for CXCR3, CXCR4, CCR9 and CCR10. Expression of CXCR3 and CXCR4 in UC patients was significantly higher than in controls. CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 mRNA levels in colonic mucosa of inflamed IBD were higher than in controls. Immunofluorescence study also showed abundant CXCR3-positive immature plasma cells in the inflamed colonic mucosa of UC. Increased numbers of immature plasma cells may migrate towards inflammatory sites of UC via the CXCR3 axis, and may participate in UC pathogenesis.
ICT‐supported pedagogical policies and practices in South Africa and Chile: emerging economies and realities
Authors: Howie S.J.
Published: November 2010

South Africa participated in all three of the Second International Technology in Education Study (SITES). In the first international study, South Africa was the only developing country, and therefore, stark contrasts were found in the international study between South Africa and the other participating countries. Chile participated in the SITES 2006 as one of a few developing countries making the comparison with South Africa possible. Despite similarities in their contexts and economies, their approach to information and communication technologies (ICTs) in education appears to differ. This difference raised questions about differences in policies and their implementation at school level.

This research conducted in South Africa found that the Chilean strategy for developing and implementing their ICT in education appear to be very different with regard to its design, the organization, the strategies adopted, the resources used and, most importantly, their approach to teacher development for implementing ICT. A number of lessons are revealed for the South African policymakers and others from similar developing contexts.
Management of tinnitus in English NHS audiology departments: an evaluation of current practice
Authors: Hoare Derek J. , Gander Phillip E. , Collins Luke , Smith Sandra , Hall Deborah A.
Published: November 2010

Rationale, aim and objective  In 2009, the UK Department of Health formalized recommended National Health Service practices for the management of tinnitus from primary care onwards. It is timely therefore to evaluate the perceived practicality, utility and impact of those guidelines in the context of current practice.

Methods  We surveyed current practice by posting a 36‐item questionnaire to all audiology and hearing therapy staff that we were able to identify as being involved in tinnitus patient care in England.

Results  In total, 138 out of 351 clinicians responded (39% response rate). The findings indicate a consensus opinion that management should be tailored to individual symptom profiles but that there is little standardization of assessment procedures or tools in use.

Conclusions  While the lack of standardized practice might provide flexibility to meet local demand, it has drawbacks. It makes it difficult to ascertain key standards of best practice, it complicates the process of clinical audit, it implies unequal patient access to care, and it limits the implementation of translational research outcomes. We recommend that core elements of practice should be standardized, including use of a validated tinnitus questionnaires and an agreed pathway for decision making to better understand the rationale for management strategies offered.
Patientsmate©: the implementation and evaluation of an online prospective audit system
Authors: McHugh Seamus Mark , Loh Kah Poh , Corrigan Mark Anthony , Sheikh Athar , Lehane Elaine , Hill Arnold David Konrad
Published: November 2010

Introduction Inaccuracy in Hospital Inpatient Enquiry (HIPE)/Casemix‐based data has been reported as high as 26%. This results in financial waste and makes effective audit impossible. We aimed to develop a novel web‐based outcome audit system.

Methods A web‐based online audit system, Patientsmate©, was developed using an integrated database system written in the programme language PHP. Data were inputted by the surgical team responsible for the patients care. A prospective comparison study of the new Patientsmate© and the standard HIPE systems, was performed over a 1‐month period and involving two general surgical teams in April 2010. In addition, a Likert‐scale based questionnaire was designed and hosted within the Patientsmate© system. A focus group of those clinicians directly involved in data accessing and input were then invited to complete the questionnaire in order to assess usability of the system.

Results During the study period there were a total of 108 patients and 88 procedures. Our study confirms the accuracy of clinician derived data, with the Patientsmate© system more accurately recording number of patients (83% vs. 80.6%), number of procedures (85.2% vs. 68.1%) and hospital day case rate (52% vs. 47.1%). Inputting data using Patientsmate© for a single patient took 6–7 minutes. Of those using the system, 75% reported feeling comfortable after using it once only and 100% were satisfied with the layout of the online interface.

Conclusion The Patientsmate© system allows for increased accuracy in outcome‐based data as compared with the HIPE system, facilitating audit, financial savings and the appropriate allocation of services.
Person‐centred integrative care
Authors: Cloninger C. Robert
Published: November 2010

Rationale, aims and objectives The essential ingredients of effective person‐centred integrative care are described and its benefits are documented in terms of influence on compliance with care, drop‐out rates, enhancement of well‐being and reduction in ill‐being.

Method Prior literature on efficacy of person‐centred treatment in medicine and psychology is reviewed and related to definitions of health and well‐being.

Results The general characteristics of person‐centred care involve multiple elements. First, the doctor must be aware of the personality of the individual in order to enter into a humanistic dialogue with the person. Second, for a therapeutic alliance, there must be agreement that doctor and patient are working toward common goals. Third, calm reassurance, hope, and respect need to be communicated. Fourth, the doctor and patient need to be empathic and reflective. Fifth, they must identify and implement practical means of promoting health with available resources and a realistic understanding of facts.

Conclusion Awareness of who the person is in a therapeutic encounter allows cultivation of a humanistic dialogue, which in turn accounts for most of the variation in clinical outcomes.
Long‐term effectiveness and safety of didanosine combined with lamivudine and efavirenz or nevirapine in antiretroviral‐naive patients: a 9‐year cohort study in Senegal
Authors: Laurent Christian , Tchatchueng Mbougua Jules Brice , Ngom Guèye Ndèye Fatou , Etard Jean‐François , Diouf Assane , Landman Roland , Molinari Nicolas , Girard Pierre‐Marie , Sow Papa Salif , Ndoye Ibra , Delaporte Eric ,   for the ANRS 1215/1290 Study Group
Published: November 2010

Objective  The use of didanosine (ddI) in first‐line antiretroviral therapy has been recently promoted for resource‐limited settings. We therefore compared the long‐term effectiveness and safety of the regimen combining ddI, lamivudine, and efavirenz or nevirapine with that of the WHO‐recommended regimen of zidovudine (ZDV), lamivudine, and efavirenz or nevirapine in antiretroviral‐naïve patients in Senegal.

Methods  Observational cohort study of patients enrolled between January 2000 and April 2002 in the Senegalese antiretroviral drug access initiative. Multivariate analyses were performed to compare, between the ddI and ZDV groups, the proportion of patients with a viral load <500 copies/ml during follow‐up; the increase in the CD4 cell count; survival; treatment changes and severe adverse events.

Results  Of 151 patients, 71 received the ddI‐based treatment and 80 received the ZDV‐based treatment. Throughout follow‐up, 80–95% of patients had a viral load below 500 copies/ml in both the ddI and ZDV groups (P = 0.5). The CD4 cell count increased after treatment initiation from 176 to 497 cells/mm3 in the ddI group and from 176 to 567 cells/mm3 in the ZDV group (P > 0.3). The rate of death tended to be higher in the ddI group (P = 0.06). ddI was less commonly discontinued than ZDV (P = 0.03).

Conclusion  The combination of ddI, lamivudine, and efavirenz or nevirapine resulted in sustained viral suppression and immunological recovery.
Does using stepwise variable selection to build sequential path analysis models make sense?
Authors: Kozak Marcin , Azevedo Ricardo A.
Published: November 2010

Causal inference methods – mainly path analysis and structural equation modeling – offer plant physiologists information about cause‐and‐effect relationships among plant traits. Recently, an unusual approach to causal inference through stepwise variable selection has been proposed and used in various works on plant physiology. The approach should not be considered correct from a biological point of view. Here, it is explained why stepwise variable selection should not be used for causal inference, and shown what strange conclusions can be drawn based upon the former analysis when one aims to interpret cause‐and‐effect relationships among plant traits.
Direct PCR‐based method for detecting Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the pine wood nematode in wood tissue of Pinus massoniana
Authors: Hu Y. Q. , Kong X. C. , Wang X. R. , Zhong T. K. , Zhu X. W. , Mota M. M. , Ren L. L. , Liu S. , Ma C.
Published: November 2010

Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by the pine wood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, leads to serious losses to pine forestry around the world. Pinus massoniana, which is vulnerable to be attacked by the PWN, is the dominant species used in pine forestry in China. The objective of this study is to develop a direct PCR‐based method for detecting B. xylophilus in the wood of P. massoniana without a separate nematode extraction step. A simple procedure was first developed for isolating B. xylophilus DNA in 5 mg pine wood tissue samples harbouring PWN for detection by PCR amplification. A B. xylophilus‐specific amplicon of 403 bp (DQ855275) was generated by PCR from the infested wood tissue. The entire procedure can be completed within 5 h with one pair of primers. This assay can serve as a rapid, cheap and environmentally friendly method to detect B. xylophilus in samples of P. massoniana.
Development of the Indigenous Child‐Initiated Pretend Play Assessment: Selection of play materials and administration
Authors: Dender Alma , Stagnitti Karen
Published: November 2010

Background:  There is a need for culturally appropriate assessments for Australian Indigenous children. This article reports the selection of culturally appropriate and gender‐neutral play materials, and changes in administration identified to develop further the Indigenous Child‐Initiated Pretend Play Assessment (I‐ChIPPA).

Method:  Twenty‐three typically developing children aged four to six years from the Pilbara region in Western Australia participated in the study. Children were presented with four sets of play materials and frequency counts were recorded for each time the child used one of the play materials in a pretend play action. Twelve of the 23 children came to play in pairs.

Results:  Both boys and girls used the Pilbara toy set including the dark coloured dolls and Pilbara region animals, more frequently than the standardised play materials from the Child‐Initiated Pretend Play Assessment (ChIPPA).

Conclusion:  This study reports the first steps in the development of the I‐ChIPPA. Future development will include the refinement of the administration and scoring with pairs of children, and then validity testing the assessment.
Unusual double pituitary adenoma: A case report
Authors: Rotondo Fabio , Khatun Nasima , Scheithauer Bernd W. , Horvath Eva , Marotta Thomas R. , Cusimano Michael , Kovacs Kalman
Published: November 2010

We report the case of a 60‐year‐old woman with Cushing disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large sellar and suprasellar mass involving the right cavernous sinus, consistent with pituitary macroadenoma. It was resected by transsphenoidal surgery. Light microscopy revealed two separate pituitary adenomas with different histologic and immunohistochemical features. One was amphophilic and strongly Periodic Acid‐Schiff (PAS) positive, the other chromophobic and PAS negative. The former tumor was immunopositive for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH); approximately 30% tumor cells were immunopositive for MGMT (O6‐Methylguanine‐DNA Methyl‐Transferase). The second tumor was a PAS negative, luteinizing hormone (LH) and alpha subunit immunopositive gonadotroph adenoma. In this tumor, about 90% of the cells were immunopositive for MGMT. The Ki‐67 nuclear indices of the two tumors were 6% and 2%.

Our case represents a rare combination of two morphologically different pituitary adenomas, one producing ACTH and the other LH and alpha subunit. The two tumors differed not only in Ki‐67 labeling indices but in MGMT immunoexpression as well.
Combined expression of miR‐122a, miR‐1, and miR‐200b can differentiate degraded RNA samples from liver, pancreas, and stomach
Authors: Kim Joseph , Choi Na Eun , Oh Su Jin , Park Sang Jae , Kim Hark Kyun
Published: November 2010

The effect of RNA degradation on the diagnostic utility of microRNA has not been systematically evaluated in clinical samples. We asked if the microRNA profile is preserved in degraded RNA samples derived from mouse and human tissue. We selected tissue‐specific microRNA candidates from published human microarray data, and validated them using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (QRTPCR) analyses on flash‐frozen, normal mouse liver, pancreas, and stomach tissue samples. MiR‐122a, miR‐1, and miR‐200b were identified as tissue‐specific, and the 3‐microRNA‐based QRTPCR could predict the tissue origin for mouse tissue samples that were left at room temperature for 2 h with an accuracy of 91.7%. When we applied this 3‐microRNA predictor to clinical specimens with various degree of RNA degradation, the predictor differentiated degraded RNA samples from liver, pancreas, and stomach with an accuracy of 90% (26/29). Expression levels of miR‐122a, miR‐1, and miR‐200b were modestly changed after the extended (2–4 h) storage at room temperature, but the magnitudes of expression changes were small compared to the expression differences between various tissues of origin. This proof‐of‐principle study demonstrates that RNA degradation due to extended storage at room temperature does not affect the predictive power of tissue‐specific microRNA QRTPCR predictor.
Workplace violence against Iranian nurses working in emergency departments
Authors: Esmaeilpour M. , Salsali M. , Ahmadi F.
Published: November 2010

ESMAEILPOUR M., SALSALI M. & AHMADI F. (2011) Workplace violence against Iranian nurses working in emergency departments. International Nursing Review58, 130–137

Background:  Nurses working in emergency departments (EDs) are in the most danger of workplace violence (WPV) because of the critical nature of the wards.

Aims:  This study aimed to find the frequency and nature of physical and verbal WPV against Iranian nurses working in EDs.

Methods:  A cross‐sectional study was carried out using consensus sampling of 196 bachelor's degree nurses working in 11 EDs of teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran. The data were collected through the adapted version of a self‐administered questionnaire developed by the International Labor Office/International Council of Nurses/World Health Organization/Public Services International on WPV in the health sector. The gathered data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results:  The participants were mostly (89.1%) female and their work experiences (63.2%) in nursing were between 1 and 5 years; 19.7% of the nurses had faced physical violence. All of the physical violence incidents were without‐weapon; 91.6% of the participants experienced verbal abuse during the past year. Patients' relatives were the most common source of violence. Dissatisfaction was reported on the way the incidents were handled.

Conclusion:  It is believed that finding the pattern and nature of WPV is the first step to develop suitable strategies to deal with the issue. Establishing WPV management teams and enacting appropriate laws can improve workplace safety for nurses and patients' care quality.
Perceptions of nursing students' parents regarding the profession and their college
Authors: Baykal U. , Altuntas S.
Published: November 2010

BAYKAL U. & ALTUNTAS S. (2011) Perceptions of nursing students' parents regarding the profession and their college. International Nursing Review58, 211–217

Background:  To ensure client satisfaction, it is important for all educational institutions to identify the characteristics of their clients and to consider their expectations and demands through quality studies.

Aim:  The study aims to identify the perceptions of parents of nursing students regarding the nursing profession and the related educational institution.

Methods:  The parents of all students attending the nursing school of a public Turkish university were included in the study. Following permission from the university management, questionnaires developed by the researchers in light of the related literature were sent to 474 parents via mail, and 133 completed questionnaires (28% response rate) were analysed statistically.

Findings:  Mothers of nursing students were mostly ≤45 years of age, primary school graduates and housewives, while fathers were ≥46 years of age, at least secondary school graduates, old‐age pensioners or had an independent business. In general, the responding fathers and mothers preferred not to get involved in their children's choice of profession, perceiving nursing as a helpful and sacred profession. Therefore, they also recommended nursing to others and had no problems with the idea of male nurses.

Conclusion:  Study findings demonstrated that the parents had positive attitudes towards the nursing profession and were satisfied with the nursing college.
Constructing Indigenous Subjectivities: Economic Collectivism and Identity in the Ecuadorian Amazon
Authors: Erazo Juliet
Published: November 2010

This article uses a governmentality analytic to understand the efforts of indigenous leaders from the Ecuadorian Amazon to shape their organizations’ members over the past four decades, particularly efforts to promote collective engagement in market‐oriented activities. A close examination of one organization's history reveals that leaders’ subjectivity‐shaping efforts have been strongly influenced by collaborations with the state, NGOs and others. They have also been shaped by historical understandings of status and leadership. However, collaborative economic projects are also used by leaders as a tool for producing new kinds of indigenous citizens, ones that are actively engaged with larger communities of indigenous people beyond their kinship groups. Leaders see these new senses of citizenship as empowering, and as a critical precursor to planning land use and livelihoods. Thus, indigenous leaders are not simply conduits for the subjectivity‐shaping projects of the state and international development groups; nor are they simply acting in their own interest. Rather, they constitute and regulate new types of citizens to ensure the future viability of their organizations and political projects.
The ‘Politics of the Queue’: The Politicization of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania
Authors: Beckmann Nadine , Bujra Janet
Published: November 2010

Starting from a body of literature on movements around ‘biological citizenship’, this article analyses the political significance of HIV‐positive people's collective action in Tanzania. We explore reasons for the limited impact of Tanzanian AIDS activism on the wider political scene, concluding that the formation of a ‘movement’ is still in its infancy and faces many constraints, though some breakthroughs have been made. Participation in PLHA groups in Tanzania encourages politicizing struggles over representation, democratic forms and gender that can lead to a process of political socialization in which members learn to recognize and confront abuses of power. It is in such low‐level, less visible social transformations that the greatest potential of participation in collective action around HIV/AIDS in Tanzania lies.
A COMPUTATIONALLY PRACTICAL SIMULATION ESTIMATION ALGORITHM FOR DYNAMIC PANEL DATA MODELS WITH UNOBSERVED ENDOGENOUS STATE VARIABLES*
Authors: Keane Michael P. , Sauer Robert M.
Published: November 2010

This article develops a simulation estimation algorithm that is particularly useful for estimating dynamic panel data models with unobserved endogenous state variables. Repeated sampling experiments on dynamic probit models with serially correlated errors indicate the estimator has good small sample properties. We apply the estimator to a model of female labor supply and show that the rarely used Polya model fits the data substantially better than the popular Markov model. The Polya model also produces far less state dependence and many fewer race effects and much stronger effects of education, young children, and husband's income on female labor supply decisions.
A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SUBURBANIZATION AND THE DIFFUSION OF THE AUTOMOBILE*
Authors: Kopecky Karen A. , Suen Richard M. H.
Published: November 2010

Suburbanization in the United States between 1910 and 1970 was concurrent with the diffusion of the automobile. A circular city model is developed in order to access quantitatively the contribution of automobiles and rising incomes to suburbanization. The model incorporates a number of driving forces of suburbanization and car adoption, including falling automobile prices, rising real incomes, changing costs of traveling by car and with public transportation, and urban population growth. According to the model, 60% of postwar (1940–1970) suburbanization can be explained by these factors. Rising real incomes and falling automobile prices are shown to be the key drivers of suburbanization.
THE PRICE OF SILENCE: MARKETS FOR NOISE LICENSES AND AIRPORTS*
Authors: Bréchet Thierry , Picard Pierre M.
Published: November 2010

This article presents a market design for the management of noise pollution created by aircraft traffic around airports. A local market for noise licenses allows noise generators to compensate noise victims and to meet social acceptability. We show that the market allows the market designer to implement the social planner's optimal allocation of flights as long as the latter does not put too high a weight in his/her objective function on firms' profits compared to the disutility of noise pollution. The fact that local representatives of noise victims may be strategic players does not fundamentally alter this finding. Because of the market auctioneer's information constraints, noise licenses are likely to distribute windfall gains to residents, which alters the urban structure in the long run.
TALKING, SEARCHING, AND PRICING*
Authors: Galeotti Andrea
Published: November 2010

I study the implications of interpersonal communication for incentives for consumers to acquire information and firms’ pricing behavior. Firms market a homogeneous product and choose its price; consumers acquire price information at some cost to themselves. Also, each consumer accesses the information acquired by a sample of other consumers—interpersonal communication. An exogenous increase in the level of interpersonal communication decreases the information that consumers acquire, and, when search costs are low, firms price less aggressively. In an extension, consumers may choose to invest in interpersonal communication at some cost. A decrease in the costs of interpersonal communication decreases firms’ competition.
Transferring More than Learned in Training: Employees' and managers' (over)generalization of skills
Authors: Chiaburu Dan S. , Sawyer Katina B. , Thoroughgood Christian N.
Published: November 2010

Across two studies, we examine the extent to which individuals accurately report their learning and transfer in a training context. In Study 1, we examine self (subordinate) and supervisory estimations of training transfer, 6–12 weeks after employees (subordinates) attended training in an organization in the United States. Using ratings of skills unrelated to training programs attended, we compared managers' and employees' ratings to determine the extent to which respondents report skill overgeneralization. Individual differences and skill visibility were examined as predictors of training transfer overgeneralization. Subordinates, particularly those high on conscientiousness, agreeableness, and emotional stability, are more likely to report transfer in areas not covered in training. Conversely, when managers rate skills, which are used in their subordinates' day‐to‐day activities (more observable, visible, or transparent skills), training transfer estimates are more accurate. In Study 2, we determine that conscientiousness is the main factor driving raters' overgeneralization (for self‐ratings), and we further demonstrate that other personality dimensions – insecurity and perfectionism – accentuate the influence of conscientiousness on trainees' overgeneralization. From a practical standpoint, employers need to be aware of potential for biases in training transfer ratings when evaluating training transfer, particularly for employees with specific personality characteristics and for those who are in jobs with low skill visibility.
Effects of Individual Differences on the Perceived Job Relatedness of a Cognitive Ability Test and a Multimedia Situational Judgment Test
Authors: Oostrom Janneke K. , Born Marise Ph. , Serlie Alec W. , Van Der Molen Henk T.
Published: November 2010

Although there is a growing number of publications concerning applicant reactions to different selection instruments, the relationships between individual differences and applicant reactions have largely remained unexplored. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of several testing‐related and general individual differences (anxiety, self‐evaluations, and personality) on the most commonly studied dimension of applicant reactions, namely the perceived job relatedness of selection instruments. Participants were 153 psychology students, who completed a cognitive ability test and a multimedia situational judgment test as part of their educational program. Our results indicated that computer anxiety negatively affected perceived job relatedness and core self‐evaluations, subjective well‐being, agreeableness, emotional stability, and openness to experience positively affected perceived job relatedness. Openness to experience was the most consistent predictor of perceived job relatedness. The results of our study suggest that certain individuals may be more predisposed to react positively to selection instruments. Therefore, we concluded that the nature of the applicant pool should be carefully considered when designing interventions to improve applicant reactions.
Consensual Beliefs about the Fairness and Accuracy of Selection Methods at University
Authors: Furnham Adrian , Chamorro‐Premuzic Tomas
Published: November 2010

This study investigated student's perception of the accuracy and fairness of 17 different assessment methods to measure 8 different traits/characteristics thought to be desirable in a student. Results for accuracy and fairness judgments were similar with drug, general knowledge and intelligence tests being thought of a least accurate and fair while panel interviews and references were thought of as among the fairest selection methods. Factor analyses of the accuracy data showed that two underlying components existed labelled test and face‐to‐face methods. There was considerable consensus among the 322 respondents. The only individual difference variable which was shown to explain any variance in accuracy perceptions was self‐assessed intelligence. The possible explanations for these findings, as well as study limitations and suggested directions for future research are discussed.
Measuring Job Satisfaction in Portuguese Health Professionals: Correlates and validation of the job descriptive index and the job in general scale
Authors: McIntyre Scott Elmes , McIntyre Teresa Mendonça
Published: November 2010

This paper presents the psychometric properties of the job descriptive index (JDI) and job in general (JIG) instruments in a Portuguese sample of health professionals from hospitals and health centers. Demographic and professional correlates of job satisfaction are also investigated. The sample consists of 1,314 health professionals including physicians, nurses, administrators, and diagnostic technicians. The results show high internal consistency coefficients for the scores on the JDI subscales and the JIG scale, ranging from .75 to .90. The data supported the 5‐factor structure of the JDI scales. The factor analyses and the correlation coefficients did not support the distinction between an overall job satisfaction measure and the evaluation of the satisfaction with the present work. The results offer empirical support for the Portuguese adaptation of the JDI and JIG scales. Level of education emerged as the most important demographic correlate of job satisfaction facets and global satisfaction, and supervisory role as the most significant professional correlate.
Idiosyncratic use of credit facilities by consumers in an emerging economy
Authors: Erasmus Alet C , Mathunjwa Gugu Q
Published: November 2010

A worldwide increase in household debt since the turn of the century has created considerable concern about the indebtedness of households, especially those in emerging economies that have been hit particularly hard by the global economic slump. In this study, the credit consumption of consumers in Swaziland (N = 264) was investigated by means of a survey that aimed to identify and describe factors that encouraged consumers' use of credit, the influence of credit on their buying behaviour when choosing major household appliances or furniture as well as consumers' knowledge of the conditions of credit facilities that were available for their use in retail. Findings revealed that consumers unequivocally appreciate the convenience that is associated with credit, specifically to cope with unexpected purchases, to benefit from special offers and opportunity to afford expensive goods. These advantages apparently negate the negative consequences such as high interest rates and strain on household budgets. Mean scores that were obtained in the knowledge test that only reflected upon credit agreements that respondents have actually entered into in the past, confirmed their ignorance pertaining to their contractual obligations and their consequent vulnerability. Consumers' age and gender seem to have noteworthy consequences for efforts to enhance informed consumer decision‐making. Younger females were significantly better informed that their older counterpart while the reverse was true for males, although differences were not significant. The significant inverse relationship between income and the LS‐means for the credit knowledge test differ from findings in developed countries and provide valuable opportunity for further investigation.
An Open‐Label Comparison of Nabilone and Gabapentin as Adjuvant Therapy or Monotherapy in the Management of Neuropathic Pain in Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Bestard Jennifer A. , Toth Cory C.
Published: November 2010

Neuropathic pain (NeP) is prevalent in patients with peripheral neuropathy (PN), regardless of etiology. We sought to compare the efficacy of the cannabinoid nabilone as either monotherapy or adjuvant therapy with a first‐line medication for NeP, gabapentin, in a patient population with PN‐NeP. Patients diagnosed with PN‐NeP were permitted to initiate monotherapy (nabilone or gabapentin) or add one of these two medications (adjuvant therapy) to their existing NeP treatment regimen in a non‐randomized open‐label nature. Baseline data collected included a primary outcome (visual analog scores [VAS] of pain) and secondary outcomes (quality of life [EuroQol 5 Domains and Short‐Form 36] assessments and assessments of sleep [Medical Outcomes Sleep Study Scale {MOSSS}], anxiety and depression [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale], and pain [Brief Pain Inventory]). Reassessment and modulation of dosing and/or medications occurred at 3‐ and 6‐month intervals. Medication adverse effects and drug efficacy, as well as questionnaires, were assessed at 6 months. Matched analysis of variance testing was performed to compare 3‐ and 6‐month scores with baseline, as well as to compare therapies at equal time points. Significant improvements in pain VAS were seen in all treatment groups at 6 months. Numerous sleep parameters within MOSSS, Brief Pain Inventory, and Short‐Form 36 improved in patients receiving nabilone or gabapentin either as monotherapy or adjuvant treatment. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale‐A scores were significantly improved in all treatment groups. Sleep adequacy and the sleep problems index within the MOSSS improved in nabilone monotherapy patients in particular. The benefits of monotherapy or adjuvant therapy with nabilone appear comparable to gabapentin for management of NeP. We advocate for head‐to‐head randomized, double‐blind studies for current therapies for NeP in order to determine potential advantages beneficial in this patient population.
Fun Morality Reconsidered: Mothering and the Relational Contours of Maternal–Child Play in U.S. Working Family Life
Authors: Sirota Karen Gainer
Published: November 2010

AbstractDrawing on videotaped family interactional data, I consider Martha Wolfenstein's psychoanalytically informed conception of “fun morality” in the context of contemporary U.S. maternal–child relations. I highlight how U.S. middle‐class mothers and children craft imaginative interludes that cultivate valued aspects of personhood and relationality. Cooperative, prosocial behaviors are modeled and elicited alongside individualized self‐expression to constitute coexisting values in U.S. middle‐class life. Analysis contributes to discussion of situated engagement in moral life by delineating how mothers take up preferred cultural models of mothering as they simultaneously mentor children's moral experiences, behaviors, and worldviews amid circumstances of daily life. [mothering, morality, children, play, family, United States]