bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contextualizing Social Capital, Citizen Participation and Poverty through an Examination of the Ward Committee Systemin Bonteheuwel in the Western Cape, South Africa
Authors: Esau Michelle V.
Published: February 2009

The discourse on social capital brings to the fore its valuable attributes in facilitating trust, generalized reciprocity and collective action. Moreover, it creates an awareness of the influence of these attributes on the extent to which citizens participate in matters of policy and decision-making. It was with these benefits in mind that the South African government introduced ward committees in 2004, as intermediaries structured to encourage meaningful participation between local communities and the state.

It is in this context that the article examines the extent to which the ward committee, in a low socio-economic residential area called Bonteheuwel, was effective in realizing the stated purpose. The main findings suggest that while the ward committee may have been effective in certain aspects, the extent of its effectiveness was limited by the poor attendance at public meetings; the general impact of poverty on collective action; the exclusionary nature of organization through sectors; and the lack of substantive influence in the decision-making process.
The Sustainable City Development Plan for Aqaba, Jordan
Authors: Abu-Ghazalah Samer
Published: February 2009

Sustainability is a relatively new theme in Jordanian architecture and planning, but the city of Aqaba&apos;s new development plan has been elaborated on the basis of sustaining the city&apos;s social and economic development as well as its physical environment. No other city in Jordan has been planned on the basis of sustainability. Between 2000 and 2004, a special planning unit produced the current plan for achieving a sustainable city in Aqaba. The plan envisages investments of over US&dollar;6 billion and the creation of some 70,000 jobs by the year 2020. This article examines the work undertaken by the planners of sustainable Aqaba and appraises the outcome. A number of conclusions are presented about the need to encourage sustainability in the future planning of other areas as well as in the solution of many of Aqaba&apos;s problems.
Family Firms and Entrepreneurial Orientation in Publicly Traded Firms
Authors: Short Jeremy C. , Payne G. Tyge , Brigham Keith H. , Lumpkin G.T. , Broberg J. Christian
Published: February 2009

There is considerable disagreement about whether family firm characteristics hinder or support entrepreneurial activities. This article highlights the existence of an entrepreneurial orientation in family firms, and it examines differences between family and nonfamily firms on the entrepreneurial orientation dimensions of autonomy, competitive aggressiveness, innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk taking, using content analysis of shareholder letters from S&P 500 firms. As such, family firms exhibit language consistent with an entrepreneurial orientation for all dimensions but use less language than that of nonfamily firms in relation to autonomy, proactiveness, and risk taking.
Resource Mobilization and Performance in Family and Nonfamily Businesses in the United Kingdom
Authors: Levie Jonathan , Lerner Miri
Published: February 2009

This study draws on agency theory and the resource-based view to hypothesize that family and nonfamily businesses differ in the capital that they deploy and the way that they deploy it. It, and test this hypothesis in a large U.K.-based sample of 319 family business and 258 nonfamily business owner/managers. The analysis revealed that adverse selection, opportunism, and niche marginalization are more prevalent among family business owner/managers. Yet, their businesses are similar to those of their nonfamily business peers in performance outcomes such as size and growth, which suggests that weaknesses in human and financial capital choice are offset by strengths in the social capital of family firms.
Research on Women in Family Firms
Authors: Martinez Jimenez Rocio
Published: February 2009

Based on a review of 48 articles and other research works published since 1985, the current work examines both obstacles to and positive aspects of women's involvement in family firms. The most important findings of this work concern the important role that wives play for the continuity and growth of the family firm and the factors that can help or hinder daughters to progress professionally and achieve leadership positions in this type of firm. Research questions and methods and implications for future research and practice are also presented.
The Effects of Family Versus Career Role Salience on the Performance of Family and Nonfamily Firms
Authors: Barnett Tim , Eddleston Kimberly , Kellermanns Franz Willi
Published: February 2009

This study investigated how the relative salience of business owners' family and career roles might influence performance outcomes in family versus nonfamily firms. Using data from 156 family and nonfamily firms, the data show that family firm status moderates the relationships such that the career role salience of a business owner is positively and more strongly associated with performance outcomes in family firms than in nonfamily firms. Conversely, the data show that family firm status negatively moderates the relationship between the business owner's family role salience and expansion activities. Implications for theory and practice, as well as future research directions, are discussed.
Intra-annual variation in the stable oxygen and carbon isotope ratios of cellulose in tree rings of coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)
Authors: Roden John S. , Johnstone James A. , Dawson Todd E.
Published: February 2009

Fog is a seasonally variable hydrologic input to coast redwood ( Sequoia sempervirens, D. Don) ecosystems with a stable isotopic composition (δ 18O, δ2H) that is distinct from rainfall. The intra-annual variation in tree ring cellulose δ18O of coast redwood was measured to determine what portion of the tree ring should be sampled to best target fog signals. Ten years of rings were subdivided into ten equal units for three trees at two sites in northern California. Intra-annual variation in cellulose δ18O was as high as 3‰ with a consistent pattern of enriched (in 18O) values from the annual ring boundary and depleted values from the central portion of the ring. These patterns show a strong coherence between replicate trees at the same site as well as significant correlations between individuals at sites over 250 km apart. Intra-annual variation in stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) was as high as 2‰ and produced a pattern with depleted (in 13C) values from the ring boundary and enriched values from the central portion of the ring. Although these δ13C patterns were not as strongly correlated between replicate trees as the patterns in δ18O variation, they did produce significant correlations with the variation in fog frequencies recorded at local airports. This study highlights the importance of quantifying intra-annual variation in tree ring stable isotope signals as a guide to further investigations on historic variability from long chronologies especially if the signal of interest is seasonally variable (eg, fog).
Climate and vegetation change during the twentieth century in the lower Peace River district, northern Alberta, Canada
Authors: Strong W.L. , Redburn M.J. , Gates C.C.
Published: February 2009

A 96-yr climate record (1908—2004), historical descriptions, multiyear (1950, 1964, 1978, 1994) lake-surface area measurements, and 1950 and 2004 physiognomically based vegetation maps were compiled to assess vegetation change in the Fox Lake area (4248 ha) within the lower Peace River district of northern Alberta. A climatic warming trend ( r = 0.615, P < 0.001; 0.35°C/decade) was evident during the twentieth century, with peak precipitation occurring from 1970 to 1990. Five major wet—dry cycles, based on net water balance values (precipitation minus potential evaporation), were evident with peaks occurring at about 17(±3) year intervals. Each cycle became slightly less arid than the previous until the mid-1990s. Deciduous forests dominated upland sites in 2004, whereas deciduous shrub and juvenile tree stands comprised 78% in 1950. Total wetland area remained relatively constant between 1950 and 2004, but less meadow and more standing water were present in 2004. Lake-surface area changes suggested that wetlands were recharged by precipitation rather than floodwaters from the nearby Peace River. Low water availability and historical descriptions suggest grassland-dominated parkland-like vegetation occurred in the study area during the early part of the twentieth century, with upland shrubs replacing grasslands by 1950. Increased atmospheric water availability rather than cessation of aboriginal burning or natural fires was considered responsible for increased forest abundance after 1945. Greater aridity in response to future global warming could reduce the abundance of forests in the lower Peace River district, and shift the regional climate from a boreal to a grassland-dominated parkland climatic regime.
Calibrated pollen accumulation rates as a basis for quantitative tree biomass reconstructions
Authors: Seppä Heikki , Alenius Teija , Muukkonen Petteri , Giesecke Thomas , Miller Paul A. , Ojala Antti E.K.
Published: February 2009

Recent investigations show that the pollen accumulation rate (PAR) of the common tree taxa is directly related to the biomass and, by inference, to the population size of the taxa around the study site. Fossil PAR records preserved in lakes provide therefore a potential proxy for quantitative biomass and population reconstructions. We use the high-resolution PAR records obtained from two accurately dated lake sediment cores in Finland to generate quantitative Holocene biomass records for Pinus, Picea and Betula, the most common tree taxa of the European Boreal forest. PAR values were calibrated to biomass values by comparing the modern PAR values with the modern biomass values and assuming a linear relationship between the past PAR and biomass values. The obtained PAR and biomass values and trends are remarkably coherent between the two records. Pinus has a stable Holocene biomass size and its modern biomass, about 20 t/ha, corresponds with the natural Pinus biomass in the study regions. In contrast, Picea immigrated from the East during the mid Holocene, had a maximum biomass, 50—60 t/ha, at 3500—1000 cal. yr BP, and declined strongly during the last 1500—1000 years as a result of increased human activity and related rise of fire frequency. Thus, the modern Picea biomass in the study regions, about 22 t/ha, is only 35—40% of the natural Picea biomass. The results of this pilot study demonstrate the potential of the calibrated PAR data in quantitative biomass and population reconstructions. Such reconstructions can provide fresh insights into the structure of past plant communities and, when combined with records reflecting palaeoclimates, natural disturbances, and human activity, can help to disentangle the long-term importance of different enviromental drivers to changes in plants populations and ecosystems.
A simple method of simulating the future frontal position of Briksdalsbreen, western Norway
Authors: Laumann Tron , Nesje Atle
Published: February 2009

To simulate future mass balance and frontal variations of Briksdalsbreen in western Norway, a degree-day model based on temperature and precipitation data from Bergen has been used. Briksdalsbreen is a steep, western outlet glacier from Jostedalsbreen. The calculated relationship between annual glacier front variation and mass balance gives best correlation with a frontal time lag of 3 years, which is in accordance with previous studies. Climate scenarios from the Norwegian RegClim project have been implemented in the model. Applying the RegClim future climate (summer temperature and winter precipitation) scenarios, our calculations indicate that Briksdalsbreen may retreat 2—2.5 km from the 1963 position within the termination of the twenty-first century. The main icefall may thus disappear and the upper part of the glacier will exist as a plateau glacier. The accumulation area may thus consist of a small plateau and the glacier will therefore be sensitive to mass balance changes. Work is in progress to implement a dynamic glacier model for future studies.
Impacts of new agricultural practices on soil erosion during the Bronze Age in the French Prealps
Authors: Jacob Jérémy , Disnar Jean-Robert , Arnaud Fabien , Gauthier Emilie , Billaud Yves , Chapron Emmanuel , Bardoux Gérard
Published: February 2009

In order to better understand the evolution of past climate—human—environment interactions in the northwestern Alps during the Holocene, we have analysed the lipid content of two cores taken from the sediments of Lake le Bourget (French Alps). By using a specific molecular biomarker of Panicum miliaceum (broomcorn millet) previously defined and a new molecular marker of soil erosion, we demonstrate that the onset of millet cultivation coincides with the onset of major soil erosion in the catchment during the Middle Bronze Age. Although archaeological and archaeobotanical investigations indicate a discrete human occupation of the lakeshores at this period, they also point to a regional change in agricultural practices that deeply affected soils. The evolution of millet cultivation appears in strong connection with climatic variations, estimated in the same cores from the variations in titanium, a proxy of hydrological changes in the region. Social and cultural triggers cannot be discarded at this stage. Such an approach applied to more sedimentary archives shows high potential to unravel the temporal and spatial dynamics of human land use.
Rainfall control of the δ13C ratios of Mimusops caffra from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Hall G. , Woodborne S. , Pienaar M.
Published: February 2009

High-precision radiocarbon dating of individual growth rings demonstrates that Mimusops caffra produces annual growth rings. Direct comparison of the carbon isotope composition of the annual rings from two specimens from the northern coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with the historic climatic record that exists from AD 1927, shows a response to the amount of rainfall recorded for each year. The δ13C response is particularly sensitive to extreme events such as tropical cyclones and droughts. It is demonstrated that whole wood samples provide an accurate record of climatic conditions. Although the result allows long-term periodicity in rainfall to be determined over the 134 years during which the oldest tree grew, the last 20 years is overprinted with a δ13C shift of anthropogenic origin. Signal processing approaches allow the interannual rainfall response to be separated from the long-term anthropogenic influences.
Using foraminiferal Mg/Ca ratios to detect an ocean-warming trend in the twentieth century from coastal shelf sediments in the Bungo Channel, southwest Japan
Authors: Kuwae Michinobu , Hayami Yuichi , Oda Hirotaka , Yamashita Azumi , Amano Atsuko , Kaneda Atsushi , Ikehara Minoru , Inouchi Yoshio , Omori Koji , Takeoka Hidetaka , Kawahata Hodaka
Published: February 2009

To assess abnormal warming of temperature in southwest Japan's coastal seas during the twentieth century, we developed a 200 yr interannually resolved record of planktonic and benthic foraminiferal Mg/Ca-based temperature using neritic coastal sediment cores. The winter to late spring bottom temperature (50 m) record, based on benthic foraminiferal ( Nonion japonicum) Mg/Ca ratios in the Bungo Channel (BC), showed consistent variation with observed temperatures on a five-year average basis. The BC bottom temperature record showed a significant increasing trend of 1.5°C /100 yr during the twentieth century, which was never apparent in nineteenth century. That result suggests that our Mg/Ca-based thermometry approach using coastal benthic foraminifera can detect abnormally rising temperatures in neritic coastal seas in southwest Japan. The abnormal warming of winter to late spring bottom temperature in the BC contrasts with the lack of an increasing trend in the Globigerinoides ruber-based summer to autumn temperature for the upper 20 m in the slope region of southwest Japan and the lack of an increasing trend in the steric sea level in the region. These results indicate a warming trend of the neritic coastal ocean in southwest Japan, especially in winter to late spring. The timing of the onset of the prolonged abnormal high-temperature stage, which started in the early twentieth century, suggests a link of the neritic coastal ocean in Japan with human-induced global warming.
Holocene drought, deforestation and evergreen vegetation development in the central Mediterranean: a 5500 year record from Lago Alimini Piccolo, Apulia, southeast Italy
Authors: Di Rita Federico , Magri Donatella
Published: February 2009

Pollen analysis from Lago Alimini Piccolo provides the first record of mid- and late-Holocene vegetation history of a coastal area in the easternmost region of southern Italy (Salento Peninsula). Terrestrial pollen taxa document expansions and declines of the Mediterranean forest, in relation to human activity and climate changes. Between 5200 and 4350 cal. BP a dense evergreen oak forest dominated the landscape; then a distinct opening of the forest is recorded (4350—3900 cal. BP). A new forest expansion (3900—2100 cal. BP) is characterized by an increase of Olea and evergreen shrubs, indicating a development of mediterranean climate conditions and increasing human disturbance. The Roman occupation period (2100—1500 cal. BP) shows a significant opening of the forest, expansion of halophytes and modest values of Olea. After 1500 cal. BP human impact causes a further decrease of the natural woodland in favour of an extraordinary expansion of Olea . The vegetation development at Lago Alimini Piccolo, interpreted in the light of other pollen records, provides new insights into climate evolution and evergreen vegetation development in the central Mediterranean region: (1) a temporary mid-Holocene deforestation at 4000 cal. BP, involving many Italian sites south of 43°N, was possibly caused by drought associated with an expansion or northward displacement of the North African high pressure zone; (2) the Bronze Age increase of Olea, coupled with a widespread increase of Mediterranean shrubs, suggests management of wild trees, while the beginning of intensive cultivation of olive trees is only found after the Roman time.
Holocene climate variability and vegetation dynamics inferred from the (11700 cal. yr BP) Laguna Rabadilla de Vaca sediment record, southeastern Ecuadorian Andes
Authors: Niemann Holger , Haberzettl Torsten , Behling Hermann
Published: February 2009

Palaeoenvironmental changes, inferred from a 492 cm long lake sediment core from Laguna Rabadilla de Vaca (3312 m) in Podocarpus National Park, southeastern Ecuadorian Andes, were investigated using multiple proxies. Pollen, spore and charcoal analyses, as well as x-ray fluorescence and magnetic susceptibility scanning reflect the last c. 11 700 cal. yr BP of climate and vegetation history. Pollen data indicate that the herb-paramo was the main vegetation type at Laguna Rabadilla de Vaca during the early-Holocene period, before c. 8990 cal. yr BP. The herb-paramo was rich in Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Valeriana and Huperzia, reflecting cold and relatively wet climatic conditions. During the middle Holocene from c. 8990 to 3680 cal. yr BP Weinmannia increases markedly, indicating warmer climatic conditions than present-day, probably related to the Holocene thermal optimum, because of a spread of shrub-paramo vegetation and/or a shift of mountain rainforest and sub-paramo vegetation zones to higher elevations. XRF data indicate a drier period from c. 8990 to 6380 cal. yr BP and a wetter period from c. 6380 to 3680 cal. yr BP. A Poaceae-dominated herb-paramo occurred from c. 3680 cal. yr BP until modern times, reflecting cooler climatic conditions relative to the middle Holocene. XRF and charcoal data indicate a decrease in precipitation during this period.
Late-Holocene summer temperature reconstruction from chironomid assemblages of Lake Anterne, northern French Alps
Authors: Millet Laurent , Arnaud Fabien , Heiri Oliver , Magny Michel , Verneaux Valérie , Desmet Marc
Published: February 2009

We present a chironomid-based reconstruction of late-Holocene temperature from Lake Anterne (2060 m a.s.l.) in the northern French Alps. Chironomid assemblages were studied in 49 samples along an 8 m long sediment core covering the last 1800 years. July air temperatures were inferred using an inference model based on the distribution of chironomid assemblages in 100 Swiss lakes. The transfer function has a leave-one-out cross-validated coefficient of determination ( r ) of 0.88, a root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 1.40°C. Despite possible biases induced by methodological aspects and the ecological complexity of the chironomid response to both climate and environmental changes, the concordance of the Lake Anterne temperature reconstruction with other Alpine records suggests that the transfer function has successfully reconstructed past summer temperature during the last two millennia. The twentieth century is the only section of the record which shows a poor agreement with other climate reconstructions and the distinct warming found in most instrumental records for this period is not apparent in the Lake Anterne record. Stocking of the lake with fish from the early twentieth century onwards was found to be a possible cause of changes in the chironomid fauna and subsequent distortion in the inferred climate signal. Evidence was found of a cold phase at Lake Anterne between AD 400 and 680, a warm episode between AD 680 and 1350, and another cold phase between AD 1350 and 1900. These events were possibly correlated to the so-called `Dark Age Cold Period' (DACP), the `Mediaeval Warm Period' (MWP) and the `Little Ice Age' (LIA). The chironomid-based inference model reconstructed a July air temperature decrease of c. 0.7°C for the DACP and 1.3°C for the LIA compared with the temperature prevailing during the MWP.
Interactional Justice in Student— Staff Nurse Encounters
Authors: Arries Ebin J
Published: February 2009

The focus of this article is on nursing students' perceptions of interactional justice during student—staff nurse encounters. A descriptive survey using a combined questionnaire on interactional justice was used to collect the data. Reliability analysis for the theoretical dimensions of interactional justice revealed a Cronbach's alpha value greater than 0.70. The student nurses perceived staff nurses to be interactionally unjust during their contact with them. Significant differences were observed between interactional justice and some demographic characteristics of students. Fourth year students perceived staff to provide better justifications for decisions that affect them than third and second year students. Although black students, in contrast to white students, perceived clinical staff as significantly more truthful, these results are inconclusive. Students who engage for longer periods of time in the clinical learning context perceived their relationships and how they are treated by clinical staff as more just. Recommendations for further research are made.
A Conceptual and Moral Analysis of Suffering
Authors: Carnevale Franco A
Published: February 2009

This analysis presents an epistemological and moral examination of suffering. It addresses the specific questions: (1) What is suffering? (2) Can one's suffering be assessed by another? and (3) What is the moral significance of suffering? The epistemological analysis is orientated by Peter Hacker's framework for the investigation of emotions, demonstrating that suffering is an emotion. This leads to a discussion of whether suffering is a phenomenon that can be evaluated objectively by another person who is not experiencing the suffering, questioning the validity of some decisional models for limiting life-sustaining therapies with the aim of preventing suffering. This analysis highlights that understandings of suffering are value laden. It is conventionally implied that suffering is `bad' and that it should be eliminated. Suffering is commonly regarded as a moral wrong that needs to be made right by health care. This article concludes with a recommendation for a paradigm shift in how suffering can be better understood, through the practice of empathic attunement.
Placing Physical Restraints on Older People with Dementia
Authors: Yamamoto Miwa , Aso Yoko
Published: February 2009

This study aimed to clarify the coping strategies of nurses working in general wards who face the ethical dilemma of restraining older people with dementia. The participants were 272 nurses working in general wards in the Kansai region of Japan. Coping strategies were measured using a questionnaire consisting of 16 items. A low score of 1—4 points suggested good coping strategies. Factors were difficult to interpret for three of the 16 coping items identified; these items were therefore deleted. Eleven of the remaining 13 items were used for analysis. An explanatory factor analysis revealed three factors concerning coping with ethical dilemma: (1) self-initiated positive cognition and action; (2) negative cognition and action; and (3) choosing not to act, or maintaining the status quo. These findings highlight the need for programs that could disseminate effective coping strategies among nurses faced with the ethical dilemma of restraining older people with dementia.
Autonomous Decision Making and Moral capacities
Authors: Moser Albine , Houtepen Rob , van der Bruggen Harry , Spreeuwenberg Cor , Widdershoven Guy
Published: February 2009

This article examines how people with type 2 diabetes perceive autonomous decision making and which moral capacities they consider important in diabetes nurses' support of autonomous decision making. Fifteen older adults with type 2 diabetes were interviewed in a nurse-led unit. First, the data were analysed using the grounded theory method. The participants described a variety of decision-making processes in the nurse and family care-giver context. Later, descriptions of the decision-making processes were analysed using hermeneutic text interpretation. We suggest first- and second-order moral capacities that nurses specializing in diabetes need to promote the autonomous decision making of their patients. We recommend nurses to engage in ongoing, interactive reflective practice to further develop these moral capacities.
Patients as `Safeguard' and Nurses as `Substitute' in Home Health Care
Authors: Öresland Stina , Määttä Sylvia , Norberg Astrid , Lützén Kim
Published: February 2009

One aim of this study was to explore the role, or subject position, patients take in the care they receive from nurses in their own home. Another was to examine the subject position that patients say the nurses take when giving care to them in their own home. Ten interviews were analysed and interpreted according to a discourse analytical method. The findings show that patients constructed their subject position as `safeguard', and the nurses' subject position as `substitute' for themselves. These subject positions provided the opportunities, and the obstacles, for the patients' possibilities to receive care in their home. The subject positions described have ethical repercussions and illuminate that the patients put great demands on tailored care.
The Doctor, the Breath and Thomas Bernhard
Authors: Kaptein Ad A. , Lyons Antonia C.
Published: February 2009

The use of literature in medical education has increased greatly in recent years, as attested to by growth in the medical humanities field. In this article we argue that literary texts may be beneficial for use in health psychology, illustrated by an analysis of patient—physician interaction in the novel Breath by Thomas Bernhard. Reading novels can impact on people's health-related behaviours. Using novels in our teaching and training can illustrate that there are alternative, useful ways of gaining health-related knowledge beyond objective, scientific rationality. Novels are able to show health, illness, disability and suffering in their full human, social and spiritual contexts, and therefore should be considered seriously in our health psychology endeavours.
Beyond Expressive Writing
Authors: Nicholls Sophie
Published: February 2009

Pennebaker's expressive writing paradigm has helped to introduce the benefits of writing to health care. However, research in expressive writing has been largely dominated by an experimental and quantitative approach that does not take into account critical methodologies and approaches in health psychology, the increasingly complex ways in which creative writing is now being used in health care settings or recent research in the broader field of creative writing and personal development, health and well-being (developmental creative writing). This article contrasts expressive writing theories and methodologies with those evolving in the relatively new field of developmental creative writing. It investigates a number of theoretical and methodological problems with the expressive writing model and argues for a more critical approach to future research.
`Unlike a Rock, a Tree, a Horse or an Angel …'
Authors: Willig Carla
Published: February 2009

In this article I present some reflections on my experience of the process of wresting meaning from meaninglessness. My reflections are both personal and scholarly in that I trace my own experience of struggling with meaning-making and attempt to illuminate them with reference to published work, drawing on concepts from existentialist philosophy in particular. Much of what is contained in this article is based upon reflections recorded in my personal diary written during the process of being diagnosed with cancer. As such, the article itself constitutes an example of the kind of writing that this special section is concerned with. I quote verbatim from my diary throughout this article in order to demonstrate the process of meaning-making through writing.
Illness Intrusiveness in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Goudsmit E.M. , Stouten B. , Howes S.
Published: February 2009

This study assessed the relationship between illness intrusiveness, symptoms, disability and depression in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Participants were 16 patients with ME and eight patients with ME plus co-morbid disorders. The patients with co-morbid disorders reported greater illness intrusiveness than the patients with ME alone, but there were no differences between the groups on the other variables. Significant correlations were found between illness intrusiveness on the one hand, and fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, disability and depression, on the other. We conclude that ME is a disabling illness, which has a major impact on various life domains.
Methamphetamine Use among Gay, Bisexual and Non-identified Men-Who-Have-Sex-with-Men
Authors: Halkitis Perry N. , Solomon Todd M. , Moeller Robert W. , Doig Stephanie A.R. , Espinosa Lindsay S. , Siconolfi Daniel , Homer Bruce D.
Published: February 2009

This study sought to understand the patterns, methods of administration and contexts for methamphetamine use (MA) in a sample of racially diverse men who have sex with men (MSM). Inclusion into the study required participants to be classified as clinically dependent on MA, but indicate no other illicit substance use. Use was assessed using Timeline Followback for a period of 30 days. Of the 900 assessed days, MA use was reported on 217. Participants reported an average of seven days of use, with the majority of use occurring on the weekend. The weekend usage pattern suggests an incorporation of drugs into the lives of gay men as a means of socialization and recreation.
An Exploration of the Experiences of Young Women Living with Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Kay Catharine , Davies Jason , Gamsu Deborah , Jarman Maria
Published: February 2009

The aim of this research was to explore young women's experience of living with type 1 diabetes. Nine young women aged between 18 and 24 took part in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Four main super-ordinate themes emerged; `the relationship with the body', `personal challenges', `the impact of relationships' and `changing and adapting'. These themes provide a deeper understanding of the issues faced by young women with type 1 diabetes. The implications for clinical practice are discussed.
Risk Perceptions of People Living with HIV/AIDS
Authors: Lapinski Maria Knight , Rimal Rajiv N. , Klein Katherine A. , Shulman Hillary C.
Published: February 2009

Little as known about how people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH/A) assess their vulnerability to non-HIVrelated risk factors, and how this judgement is affected by perceived similarity with others. This study indicates not only that PLWH/A are optimistically biased in their risk pereceptions, but also that they do not use others' HIV status to assess similarity. Perceived similarity with others, however, affects risk judgements: greater the perceived similarity with others, greater the tendency to judge others' vulnerability relative to one's own. Findings point to the importance of considering similarity as a key variable in understanding how risk assessments are made by persons with chronic health conditions.
Belief in a Just World, Social Influence and Illness Attributions
Authors: Lucas Todd , Alexander Sheldon , Firestone Ira , Lebreton James M.
Published: February 2009

Characteristics of individuals and illnesses can both influence receptivity to preventative health messages. We examined whether receptivity to health messages depends on interactions between illness characteristics and dispositional concern for justice. Participants considered the preventability of six illnesses after exposure to a message that manipulated personal responsibility for illness. Paradoxically, participants with strong just world beliefs reported greater preventability for less preventable illnesses, such as brain cancer, when exposed to an unpreventable health message. In parallel, participants with low justice beliefs reported less preventability for lung cancer when exposed to a preventable message. This just world boomerang effect suggests that individual dispositions and illness characteristics can interact in ways that can produce either acquiescence or opposition to persuasive health messages.
Compassion Fatigue
Authors: Najjar Nadine , Davis Louanne W. , Beck-Coon Kathleen , Carney Doebbeling Caroline
Published: February 2009

Fifty-seven studies were reviewed to identify the prevalence of compassion fatigue among cancer-care providers, instruments used to detect it and means of prevention and treatment. Conclusions were limited by an ambiguous definition of compassion fatigue that fails to adequately differentiate it from related constructs (e.g. burnout, secondary traumatic stress) and the modest number of cancer-related studies found. However, evidence suggests that compassion fatigue takes a toll not only on cancer-care providers but also on the workplace. These findings highlight the need to understand more clearly the link between the empathic sensitivity of healthcare professionals and their vulnerability to compassion fatigue.
`I'm Cured But….'
Authors: O'Connor K.P. , Janelle C. , Coutu M.-F. , Rouleau A. , Lessard M.-J. , Kirouac C. , Marchand A. , Dupuis G. , Turgeon L. , Bélanger M.-P.
Published: February 2009

The current qualitative research studied representations of illness posttreatment from a heart transplant group, a panic disorder group, and a tic disorder group. All three groups were preoccupied with perceptions about the impact of the illness, perception of self and the perception of how others view the ill person. The heart transplant group seem to adopt an active style of coping compared to the panic disorder group who presented a more passive, anticipatory mode of coping, and the tic group who were preoccupied with control over the perceptions of others. This qualitative information could help optimize adaptation strategies.
Latent Growth Curve Modeling of Adolescent Physical Activity
Authors: Roesch Scott C. , Norman Gregory J. , Adams Marc A. , Kerr Jacqueline , Sallis James F. , Ryan Sherry , Calfas Karen J. , Patrick Kevin
Published: February 2009

Data from a randomized clinical trial were used to examine the extent to which a health promotion intervention affected changes in psychosocial constructs and if so whether these in turn explained changes in physical activity (PA). PA and psychosocial data on 878 adolescents (ages 11—15) recruited through primary care providers (age M = 12.7 years, SD = 1.3; 58% white non-Hispanic) were measured at baseline, six and 12 months. Parallel process latent growth curve analyses found positive relationships between the growth trajectories of behavior change strategies, self-efficacy, family support, peer support and the growth trajectory of PA. However, mediation analyses did not reveal statistically significant intervention-mediated effects.
Women, Alcohol and Femininity
Authors: Rolfe Alison , Orford Jim , Dalton Sue
Published: February 2009

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 24 women who were heavy drinkers, as part of a larger, longitudinal study of heavy drinking in the West Midlands of England. Critical discourse analysis was used to analyse the interviews, and resulted in the identification of two main discursive constructions: drink as self-medication, and drink as pleasure and leisure. However, women need to resist and negotiate stigmatizing subject positions of the `woman drinker' in order both to justify their drinking and to protect their moral status as `good women'.
Concept, Development and Application of a New Mixed Method Assessment of Cultural Variations in Illness Perceptions
Authors: Rüdell K. , Bhui K. , Priebe S.
Published: February 2009

In urban inner city areas, health professionals meet many individuals from diverse cultural groups that they need to understand, assess and treat effectively. This article describes the concept, development and application of a new assessment tool (the Barts Explanatory Model Inventory) that aims to help health professionals determine illness perceptions and treatment preferences of distress. The article describes the tool's background in theories of illness perception, gives a brief review of currently available instruments and describes the systematic development of this new instrument. Results from the first application are discussed to determine benefits and weaknesses of the new tool.
Using multiplexed regulation of luciferase activity and GFP translocation to screen for FOXO modulators
Authors: Zanella Fabian , Rosado Aranzazú , Garcia Beatriz , Carnero Amancio , Link Wolfgang
Published: February 2009

Background

Independent luciferase reporter assays and fluorescent translocation assays have been successfully used in drug discovery for several molecular targets. We developed U2transLUC, an assay system in which luciferase and fluorescent read-outs can be multiplexed to provide a powerful cell-based high content screening method.

Results

The U2transLUC system is based on a stable cell line expressing a GFP-tagged FOXO transcription factor and a luciferase reporter gene under the control of human FOXO-responsive enhancers. The U2transLUC assay measures nuclear-cytoplasmic FOXO shuttling and FOXO-driven transcription, providing a means to analyze these two key features of FOXO regulation in the same experiment. We challenged the U2transLUC system with chemical probes with known biological activities and we were able to identify compounds with translocation and/or transactivation capacity.

Conclusion

Combining different biological read-outs in a single cell line offers significant advantages over conventional cell-based assays. The U2transLUC assay facilitates the maintenance and monitoring of homogeneous FOXO transcription factor expression and allows the reporter gene activity measured to be normalized with respect to cell viability. U2transLUC is suitable for high throughput screening and can identify small molecules that interfere with FOXO signaling at different levels.
Divergent Frequencies of IGF-I Receptor-Expressing Blood Lymphocytes in Monozygotic Twin Pairs Discordant for Graves’ Disease: Evidence for a Phenotypic Signature Ascribable to Nongenetic Factors
Authors: Douglas Raymond S. , Brix Thomas H. , Hwang Catherine J. , Hegedüs Laszlo , Smith Terry J.
Published: February 2009

Context: Graves’ disease (GD) is an autoimmune process of the thyroid and orbital connective tissues. The fraction of T and B cells expressing IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) is increased in GD. It is a potentially important autoantigen in GD. Susceptibility to GD arises from both genetic and acquired factors.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine whether the increased frequency of IGF-IR-expressing T and B cells in GD results from genetic or nongenetic factors.

Design/Setting/Participants: Display of IGF-IR was assessed on blood lymphocytes from 18 pairs of monozygotic twins in the Danish Twin Registry, including seven discordant pairs, four pairs concordant for GD, and seven healthy pairs.

Main Outcome Measures: Subjects underwent physical examination and laboratory analysis. Surface display of IGF-IR on T and B cells was analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results: Twins with GD display increased IGF-IR-expressing CD3+ T cells and T cell subsets including total CD4+, CD4+ naive, CD4+ memory, and CD8+ cells (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0001, P = 0.0003, P = 0.01, and P = 0.02, respectively) compared to healthy twins. The frequency of IGF-IR-expressing B cells from affected twins was increased relative to healthy controls (P = 0.009). In pairs discordant for GD, affected twins exhibited increased frequency of IGF-IR+ CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+ naive T cells (P < 0.05, P = 0.03, and P = 0.03, respectively) compared to their healthy twin.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that more frequent IGF-IR+ T cells in GD cannot be attributed to genetic determinants. Rather, this skew appears to be acquired. These results underscore the potential role of nongenetic, acquired factors in genetically susceptible individuals.
Introduction: After Resignation and Against Conformity
Authors: Ganguly Keya
Published: February 2009

The introduction to this issue on intellectual labor investigates the terms on which intellectual work is conducted and theorized today. Refuting the idea that intellectual-as-immaterial labor constitutes a primary productive force in contemporary capitalism, we look instead to alternative and critical conceptions of intellectual work that have, in the present conjuncture, become dissenting accounts of value. At the same time, we note the extent to which assertions about what constitutes radical thought are consistent with the logic of corporations and the mainstream media, all of which equally endorse the creativity of the worker and deny the fundamentally social character of labor. We argue that the underlying conformism of strands of radical theory that valorize immaterial labor needs to be replaced by forms of disciplined intellection that can account for the ever-intensifying conditions of the reification of thought under the sign of capitalism.
Aestheticization of Reality
Authors: de Oliveira Pedro Rocha
Published: February 2009

The concept of the aestheticization of reality presented in this essay is an attempt to articulate a number of contemporary cultural and political phenomena and give them critical intelligibility through their mutual interaction. This is undertaken in parallel with a discussion of the intellectual tradition of ideological critique. A notion of ideology is deployed that has more to do with adequacy to reality than with attempts to conceal it. The historical role of ideological critique is established as a function of the level of the economic, political, and technological development of capitalism. The general notion of a crisis of liberal society and the consequences it has for ideological critique are presented. At the same time, a connection is suggested between the problem of the relevance of ideological critique and the crisis of representation in modern art, and a discussion of the social and political significance of this connection is undertaken. The relationship between art and society is considered from a political and a cognitive perspective, taking into account the possible critical and affirmative functions of artworks. A distinction is drawn between attempts at critique through aesthetic content and form. A similitude is suggested between the form contemporary ideology has taken and the internal functioning of artworks. It is finally suggested that the critique of aestheticized reality implies a theory that is able to critically address itself in a way similar to what was promoted in modern art by formally aware works.
Labor and the Logic of Abstraction: An Interview
Authors: Postone Moishe , Brennan Timothy
Published: February 2009

In this interview, Moishe Postone, author of Time, Labor, and Social Domination, discusses the Marxian critical theory of capitalism against the background of the author's intellectual biography and central historical developments of recent decades. The interview focuses on his reinterpretation of Karl Marx's critical theory, especially on the notion of the historical specificity of the categories that purportedly grasp capitalism and its historical dynamic. It also engages the author's understandings of Georg Lukács, the Frankfurt School, and poststructuralism, while addressing issues of capitalism's historical transformations, its possible abolition, and the reconstitution of progressive politics.
“Human Rights, Anyone?” Conceptions of Intellectual Labor after Noam Chomsky
Authors: Abraham Matthew
Published: February 2009

This essay argues that the reception of Noam Chomsky's political scholarship by progressive academics demonstrates that the state of theory in the humanities has reached a point of crisis; that is, Chomsky's unpopularity in certain academic circles indicates that conceptions of intellectual labor have been radically reconfigured within the academy since the late 1970s and early 1980s. In the wake of much of his political writing about 9/11, an interesting phenomenon has emerged: Chomsky repels his onetime allies within progressive circles, while attracting more and more people among the general public to his point of view, providing an extremely interesting commentary on the state of intellectual labor in the academy. Chomsky's popular base seems to have expanded while his academic base has contracted. How can we account for these opposed tendencies? Is it that Chomsky has embarrassed “elite educated opinion” in a way that some can no longer tolerate? In “Crude Wars,” Timothy Brennan and Keya Ganguly write, “It has become fashionable for cultural critics to reject supposedly outmoded theories of political economy, to disdain the simple exposure of hidden agendas, to scoff at the likes of Noam Chomsky or Armand Mattelart on the grounds that their notions have been superseded by the ever-inventive strategies of the market.” To what within current conceptions of intellectual labor can we really attribute this tendency? It is this question to which my essay turns.