bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intracellular pH as a Determinant of Vascular Smooth Muscle Function
Authors: Wakabayashi Ichiro , Poteser Michael , Groschner Klaus
Published: February 2006

Intracellular pH (pHi) is a physiological parameter that is intimately linked to contractility, growth and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle (VSM). Regarding contractility, no general unifying concept of pHi regulation but a rather complex relation between pHi signals and vascular tone has been revealed so far. The modulation of vasotone by pHi depends on the type of blood vessel as well as on the pattern of regulatory input signals. In addition, changes in pHi have been recognized as an important cellular signal to determine the fate of cells in terms of proliferation or apoptosis. Cellular sensors for pHi include a variety of ion transport systems which control intracellular Ca2+ gradients and are likely to serve as a link between pHi and cell functions. Here we provide an overview on the potential targets and mechanisms that transduce pHi signals in VSM. The role of pHi-sensing signaling complexes and localized pHi signaling as the basis of diversity of pHi regulation of VSM function is discussed.
The Effects of Weather on the Incidence of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A 5-Year Population-Based Study
Authors: Lin Herng-Ching , Lee Hsin-Chien , Chao Pin-Zhir , Wu Chuan-Song
Published: February 2006

Objective:This study utilizes 5-year population data to examine the association between weather conditions and the incidence of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in Taiwan with a specific focus on ambient temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, rainfall and total hours of sunshine. Method: The data, covering the period from 1998 to 2002, is sourced from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), with a total of 8712 first-time admissions being identified from the database by a principal diagnosis of unspecified sudden hearing loss (ICD-9-CM code 3882). After controlling for time trend effects, this study adopted the autoregressive integrated moving average regression method as a means of evaluating the effects of climatic and monthly factors on SSNHL incidence rates. Results:Although significant associations were found between ambient temperature, relative humidity and the SSNHL incidence rates for the total population, after adjusting for seasonality, months and trends, the significant relationship between SSNHL incidence rates and the climatic parameters disappeared. Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that after adjusting for seasonality, months and trends, there is no significant relationship between monthly SSNHL incidence rates and weather conditions. Therefore, the theory that weather is a triggering factor in SSNHL pathogenesis is not supported by this study.
Female Child Sexual Abuse within the Family in a Hungarian County
Authors: Csorba Roland , Lampé László , Borsos Antal , Balla Lajos , Póka Róbert , Oláh Éva
Published: February 2006

Background: The aim of the study was to analyze the characteristics of intrafamiliar female child sexual abuse and to explore common features that may be utilized as targets for possible methods of prevention. We also described the medical and legal approaches to handling child neglect. Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study on 52 sexually abused girls under the age of 18 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical and Health Science Center of Debrecen. We prospectively recorded the data of all cases. Intrafamiliar events were defined if the victim and perpetrator belonged to the same family. Legal outcomes were also recorded. Results: During the 16-year period, 209 cases of sexual abuse were seen in our clinic, 52 of them had been involved in child sexual abuse within the family. This accounts for 25% of adolescent cases. Eighty-six percent of the victims were pupils, 50% of them were between 11 and 14 years of age. The perpetrator was the victim’s father in 44%, and the stepfather in 40%. There was a slight difference between the type of abuse among the pre- and postpubertal group of victims, but statistically it was not significant. The abuse occurred on multiple occasions in 52%. The occurrence rate of assault was the highest in the summer season (58%), mostly in the afternoon (42%) and it took place almost exclusively at home (98%). The mother accompanied the victim in 38% of the cases and the police in 40%. Vaginal penetration was the type of abuse in 75%, and sexual perversion in 25%. Six victims were physically injured, the presence of sperm could be confirmed on vulvovaginal smears in 2 cases. One pregnancy conceived. Nine cases were reported to the police and as a result of legal proceedings, 5 perpetrators have been sentenced. Conclusion: The majority of crimes take place within the family and are disclosed after multiple episodes. The small proportion of reported sexual assaults is the consequence of the lack of harmony between the Hungarian conditions of emergency care and the criminal law. Prevention calls for attention at all levels of child education, observation at off-school times, early involvement of health professionals, applying standardized medical guidelines and the modification of jurisdiction.
Chlorine in Breath Condensate – A Measure of Airway Affection in Pollinosis?
Authors: Davidsson Anette , Söderström Mats , Sjöswärd Kerstin Naidu , Schmekel Birgitta
Published: February 2006

Background: Infiltration of inflammatory cells in bronchial mucosa and glandular hypersecretion are hallmarks of asthma. It has been postulated that exhaled breath condensate (EBC) mirrors events in epithelial lining fluid of airways, such as presence of local inflammation as well as glandular hypersecretion. It is also well known that eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and cysteinyl-leukotrienes (cys-LT) are released by circulating inflammatory cells when triggered by antigen stimulation in asthma patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether chlorine and/or cys-LT in EBC would reflect changes of exposure of airborne pollen in patients with asthma. Methods: EBC and serum were collected from 23 patients with allergic asthma during a pollen season and repeated 5 months later during a period with no aeroallergens. Chlorine was measured by means of a sensitive coulometric technique and cys-LT by an EIA technique. Serum ECP was measured and lung function tests were performed and symptoms noted during both occasions. Results: Significantly higher concentrations of chlorine in EBC (p = 0.007) and ECP in serum (p = 0.003) were found during the pollen season compared to post-season. Chlorine levels tended to be higher in patients who reported of chest symptoms compared to those who denied symptoms during the pollen season (p = 0.06). Areas under the receiver-operated characteristic curves (AUCROC) were compared and similar discriminative power to identify exacerbations of asthma was recorded by chlorine in EBC (range 0.67–0.78) and ECP in serum (range 0.64–0.78). Conclusion: It is concluded that chlorine in EBC and ECP in serum decreased significantly post-season, and this is suggested to mirror the decrement in airborne antigen. It is furthermore proposed that chlorine in EBC and ECP in serum tend to have a similar capacity to identify seasonal variations in airborne pollen in patients with asthma.
Validation of Ultrasonography to Evaluate Murine Orthotopic Oral Cavity Tumors
Authors: Pezold John C. , Zinn Kurt , Talbert Melissa A. , Desmond Renee , Rosenthal Eben L.
Published: February 2006

Background: The murine orthotopic oral cavity tumor model allows evaluation of tumor growth and invasion. Currently, serial measurements of tissue growth are difficult to obtain since invasive procedures or animal sacrifice is necessary to evaluate tumor size. High-resolution ultrasound was evaluated as a noninvasive method to monitor tumor size in vivo. Methods: Sixteen immunodeficient mice, age 9 weeks, were injected transcervically with a human squamous cell carcinoma cell line into the tongue, and tumor volume was assessed by high-frequency ultrasound at 11 days. The animals were subsequently sacrificed and the tumors processed for histology. Tumor size was then calculated by caliper measurement in two dimensions. Results: Tumor dimensions obtained using ultrasound were found to significantly correlate with the histologic measurements (Spearman coefficient 0.90, p < 0.0001). Tumor dimensions were on average larger using ultrasound versus histologic measurements, although this was not significantly different than zero (95% confidence interval –13.96 to 62.37 mm2). Conclusions: High-resolution ultrasound accurately measures tumor volume in the murine orthotopic oral cavity tumor model without sacrifice.
Chemical Management Services in Sweden and Europe: Lessons for the Future
Authors: Mont Oksana , Singhal Pranshu , Fadeeva Zinaida
Published: February 2006

The number and diversity of chemicals produced and used in society today are growing in conjunction with the both evident and uncertain environmental impacts associated with the life cycles of these chemicals. Chemical management services (CMS) is a business strategy based on a strategic, long‐term contract, according to which the supplier of chemical management services accepts the responsibility for managing chemicals and strives to reduce the associated costs and risks. This strategy also has the potential for reducing the environmental impacts of chemicals. This article provides an overview of the existing advantages and barriers for CMS providers and customers in the European context, identifies conflicts of interest between them, and highlights important lessons regarding the role of CMS in shaping these markets. It reports on findings from interviews with European chemical producers and other stakeholders of chemical management services and is directed toward industry professionals interested in chemical management services. It concludes that economic and environmental advantages of CMS are not automatically guaranteed and lists factors that are critical for developing a win‐win CMS for both providers and customers. Finally, ways of fostering CMS dissemination in Europe are suggested.
Ecological Footprint Analysis Applied to Mobile Phones
Authors: Frey Sibylle D. , Harrison David J. , Billett Eric H.
Published: February 2006

Ecological footprints (EF) have been used for more than 15 yr as an aggregate measure of sustainability of geographical regions, but also for certain products and activities. EF analysis measures the bioproductive areas required to produce resources such as crops and timber, the directly occupied areas for infrastructure, and areas for absorbing waste flows (mostly limited to carbon dioxide) in a given year for a defined population. The need to extend ecological footprint analysis to electronic products arose because so far, mobile phones have mainly been evaluated using life‐cycle assessments with a focus on toxicity, end‐of‐life management, and energy use, thus ignoring the wider sustainability implications. This article presents the footprint results from three mobile phone case studies. To establish the land areas consumed by the mined materials used in electronic products, a database was developed based on literature data and on approximations from the density and overburden of materials. The relationship between abundance and overburden values was used in a regression analysis to estimate energy requirements in materials extraction where other data were not available. Using a life‐cycle assessment approach, environmental burdens for producing and using a mobile phone were calculated and transformed into the instantaneous rate of resource consumption. Key results were that different electronic products have different ecological footprints and that the methodology proved sensitive enough to reveal differences in small electronic products and for monitoring technologies that use bioproductive space efficiently.
Sustainability Constraints as System Boundaries: An Approach to Making Life‐Cycle Management Strategic
Authors: Ny Henrik , MacDonald Jamie P. , Broman Göran , Yamamoto Ryoichi , Robért Karl‐Henrik
Published: February 2006

Sustainable management of materials and products requires continuous evaluation of numerous complex social, ecological, and economic factors. A number of tools and methods are emerging to support this. One of the most rigorous is life‐cycle assessment (LCA). But LCAs often lack a sustainability perspective and bring about difficult trade‐offs between specificity and depth, on the one hand, and comprehension and applicability, on the other. This article applies a framework for strategic sustainable development (often referred to as The Natural Step (TNS) framework) based on backcasting from basic principles for sustainability. The aim is to foster a new general approach to the management of materials and products, here termed “strategic life‐cycle management”. This includes informing the overall analysis with aspects that are relevant to a basic perspective on (1) sustainability, and (2) strategy to arrive at sustainability. The resulting overview is expected to help avoid costly assessments of flows and practices that are not critical from a sustainability and/or strategic perspective and to help identify strategic gaps in knowledge or potential problems that need further assessment. Early experience indicates that the approach can complement some existing tools and concepts by informing them from a sustainability perspective‐for example, current product development and LCA tools.
Comparison of Life‐Cycle Inventory Databases: A Case Study Using Soybean Production
Authors: Miller Shelie A. , Theis Thomas L.
Published: February 2006

Three established life‐cycle inventories of agricultural operations were used to generate air emissions data for soybean production: the greenhouse gases, regulated emissions, and energy use in transportation (GREET) model; the economic input‐output life‐cycle assessment (EIO‐LCA) model; and SimaPro software equipped with the Franklin database. EIO‐LCA and GREET baseline data were compared to evaluate differences in boundary definitions that apply specifically to U.S. soybean agriculture and processing, which resulted in several major findings. The EIO model estimated for emissions of particulate matter less than 10 micrograms (PM10) resulting from wind erosion that were not included in GREET, but neglected indirect nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from fertilizer application. EIO also assumed significantly lower process energy requirements and lower volatile organic compounds (VOC) for soybean crushing and oil extraction. The GREET and SimaPro models were compared using identical boundary and assumption data, to reveal major discrepancies in fundamental assumptions of energy inventories. Key emission factors varied by several orders of magnitude for basic energy generation and combustion processes, potentially impacting results for any inventory analysis that contains significant energy consumption. The Franklin database assumed VOC and sulfur oxides (SOx) emissions more than an order of magnitude higher than GREET for all categories investigated, with significantly lower N2O and methane (CH4) emission factors.
Success and Its Price: The Institutionalization and Political Relevance of Industrial Ecology
Authors: Cohen Maurie J. , Howard Jeff
Published: February 2006

As industrial ecology (IE) solidifies conceptually and methodologically, and as it gains visibility and legitimacy in academia, industry, and government, it is important that the IE community periodically evaluate the status of its emerging institutional arrangements. At the same time, industrial ecologists should assess the political relations developing between the field and the larger world. We analyze four institutional criteria: professional legitimacy, viable clientele, entrepreneurial acumen, and occupational opportunities, as well as a more controversial fifth measure‐political relevance. Drawing a comparison with the field of ecology, we argue that efforts to foster IE institutionally can, ironically, conflict with the objective of seeing IE become “the science and engineering of sustainability”. The article concludes by reflecting on the importance of this kind of critical appraisal and on why many observers of the field remain hopeful.
Multilevel Anthropogenic Cycles of Copper and Zinc: A Comparative Statistical Analysis
Authors: Reck Barbara , Bertram Marlen , Müller Daniel B. , Graedel T. E.
Published: February 2006

Contemporary cycles for copper and zinc are coanalyzed with the tools of exploratory data analysis. One‐year analyses (circa 1994) are performed at three discrete spatial levels‐country (52 countries that comprise essentially all anthropogenic stocks and flows of the two metals), eight world regions, and the planet as a whole‐and are completed both in absolute magnitude and in per capita terms. This work constitutes, to our knowledge, the first multiscale, multilevel analysis of anthropogenic resources throughout their life cycles. The results demonstrate that (1) A high degree of correlation exists between country‐level copper and country‐level zinc rates of fabrication and manufacturing, entry into use, net addition to in‐use stocks, discard, and landfilling; (2) Regional‐level rates for copper and zinc cycle parameters show the same correlations as exist at country level; (3) On a per capita basis, countries add to in‐use stock almost 50% more copper than zinc; (4) The predominant discard streams for copper and zinc at the global level are different for the two metals, and relative rates of different loss processes differ geographically, so that resource recovery policies must be designed from metalspecific and location‐specific perspectives; (5)When absolute magnitudes of life‐cycle flows are considered, the standard deviations of the data sets decrease from country level to regional level for both copper and zinc, which is not the case for the per capita data sets, where the statistical properties of the data sets for both metals approach being independent of spatial level, thus providing a basis for predicting unmeasured per capita metal flow behavior.
Industrial Symbiosis in Kalundborg, Denmark: A Quantitative Assessment of Economic and Environmental Aspects
Authors: Jacobsen Noel Brings
Published: February 2006

As a subdiscipline of industrial ecology, industrial symbiosis is concerned with resource optimization among colocated companies. The industrial symbiosis complex in Kalundborg, Denmark is the seminal example of industrial symbiosis in the industrial ecology literature. In spite of this, there has been no in‐depth quantitative analysis enabling more comprehensive understanding of economic and environmental performances connected to this case. In this article some of the central industrial symbiotic exchanges, involving water and steam, in Kalundborg are analyzed, using detailed economic and environmental data. It is found that both substantial and minor environmental benefits accrue from these industrial symbiosis exchanges and that economic motivation often is connected to upstream or downstream operational performance and not directly associated with the value of the exchanged byproduct or waste itself. It is concluded that industrial symbiosis, as viewed from a company perspective, has to be understood both in terms of individual economic and environmental performance, and as a more collective approach to industrial sustainability.
Reevaluation of Energy Use in Wheat Production in the United States
Authors: Piringer Gerhard , Steinberg Laura J.
Published: February 2006

Energy budgets for agricultural production can be used as building blocks for life‐cycle assessments that include agricultural products, and can also serve as a first step toward identifying crop production processes that benefit most from increased efficiency. A general trend toward increased energy efficiency in U.S. agriculture has been reported. For wheat cultivation, in particular, this study updates cradle‐to‐gate process analyses produced in the seventies and eighties. Input quantities were obtained from official U.S. statistics and other sources and multiplied by calculated or recently published energy coefficients. The total energy input into the production of a kilogram of average U.S. wheat grain is estimated to range from 3.1 to 4.9 MJ/kg, with a best estimate at 3.9 MJ/kg. The dominant contribution is energy embodied in nitrogen fertilizer at 47% of the total energy input, followed by diesel fuel (25%), and smaller contributions such as energy embodied in seed grain, gasoline, electricity, and phosphorus fertilizer. This distribution is reflected in the energy carrier mix, with natural gas dominating (57%), followed by diesel fuel (30%). High variability in energy coefficients masks potential gains in total energy efficiency as compared to earlier, similar U.S. studies. Estimates from an input‐output model for several input processes agree well with process analysis results, but the model's application can be limited by aggregation issues: Total energy inputs for generic food grain production were lower than wheat fertilizer inputs alone, possibly due to aggregation of diverse products into the food grain sector.
Data Cubes and Matrix Formulae for Convenient Handling of Physical Flow Data
Authors: Löfving Erik , Grimvall Anders , Palm Viveka , Palm Viveka
Published: February 2006

If the technosphere and the biosphere are divided into cells, the presence and turnover of a substance in a study area can be summarized in a vector of stocks and a matrix of flows between different pairs of cells. Likewise the stocks and flows of several substances or materials in one or more time periods can be summarized in multidimensional data cubes. In this article, we provide a theoretical framework for handling physical flow data, and we demonstrate how a set of matrix operations can facilitate exploratory analysis and quality assessment of such data regardless of the number of substances, materials, and time periods considered. In particular, we show how matrices and cubes of flow data can be recalculated when the collection of cells is modified by joining cells, and also what information is required to recalculate flows when cells are split. Furthermore, we illustrate how and under what circumstances substance‐flow data originating from different studies with different collections of cells can be compared or merged. The generic character of the given formulae facilitates the development of software for physical flow data.
With a Little Help from EPR?: Technological Change and Innovation in the Norwegian Plastic Packaging and Electronics Sectors
Authors: Røine Kjetil , Lee Chin‐Yu
Published: February 2006

In this article we discuss the interplay between extended producer responsibility (EPR) and technological change and innovation (TCI) in Norway. We ask whether Norwegian EPR policy has an effect on TCI and, if so, whether it makes any difference how the EPR policies are designed. By carrying out a comparative study between the plastic packaging (PP) sector and electrical and electronic (EE) sector in Norway, we conclude that there is a correlation between Norwegian EPR policy and TCI, but the causality is rather weak. EPR has an effect on downstream activities through increased recycling and indirectly through institutional innovation and learning. It does not, however, make a significant difference how the policies are designed, because they are considered similar by a majority of actors contributing financially to the EPR schemes. As for technological change and innovation upstream, the role of Norwegian EPR policies in the observed trends is not significant. Other factors such as the EPR‐based Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive promulgated by the European Union (EE sector) and the need for competitiveness (PP sector) seem far more important. In order to make collective EPR policies more powerful in inducing technological change and innovation, decision‐makers should consider more specific measures that directly address the core businesses of the producers.
Impact of Firm‐Based Environmental Standards on Subsidiaries and Their Suppliers: Evidence from Motorola‐Penang
Authors: Rock Michael T. , Lim Pao Li , Angel David P.
Published: February 2006

How successful are multinational corporations in extending their firm‐based environmental standards to their subsidiaries and those subsidiaries' local suppliers in their global production networks in developing countries? We address this question through an in‐depth case study of how Motorola, a prominent multinational electronics firm with an extensive global production network, is using a set of firm‐based standards to meet several new stringent European Union environmental directives. The case study demonstrates that these firm‐based standards appear to be enabling a major subsidiary and its suppliers in one developing economy to reduce the environmental intensities of their production activities. This finding suggests that the firm‐based environmental standards of multinationals with extensive global production networks might contribute to a leveling up of environmental standards in subsidiaries and their local suppliers, rather than a “race to the bottom”, thus reinforcing the technique or intensity effects associated with open trade, investment, and technology policies.
Taking Aim at Business
Authors: Hendry Jamie R.
Published: February 2006

Although business and society scholars have sought to demonstrate that corporate social performance (CSP) leads to corporate financial performance (CFP), a complete model of the pathway from CSP to CFP has not been substantiated. One suggestion is that certain indicators of CSP are noticed by stakeholders, who then act in ways that ultimately affect the firm's CFP. The present study focused on the first step in this path: identifying the factors that initially lead a stakeholder group to target a particular firm. Existing theory from the literature on the environmental movement, stakeholder theory, and CSP fostered the development of eight propositions regarding corporate environmental performance. Case studies of five environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) are used to address the propositions. The case studies also supply additional insight into ENGO targeting of particular firms, unrelated to the propositions, thereby facilitating the development of a theoretical model.
Measurement of Corporate Social Action
Authors: Mattingly James E. , Berman Shawn L.
Published: February 2006

The contribution of this work is a classification of corporate social action underlying the Social Ratings Data compiled by Kinder Lydenburg Domini Analytics, Inc. We compare extant typologies of corporate social action to the results of our exploratory factor analysis. Our findings indicate four distinct latent constructs that bear resemblance to concepts discussed in prior literature. Akey finding of our research is that positive and negative social action are both empirically and conceptually distinct constructs and should not be combined in future research. Additionally, we recommend that some prior research results be reconsidered to determine whether these newly derived measures might clarify some previous findings.
A Research Note on the Use of Bibliometrics to Review the Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Social Performance Literature
Authors: de Bakker Frank G. A. , Groenewegen Peter , den Hond Frank
Published: February 2006

Recently, the authors presented a bibliometric analysis of research and theory on corporate social responsibility and corporate social performance, which included a list of frequently cited articles in these fields. This list caused some questions, and therefore this research note aims to supplement and discuss the findings presented in the original study to (a) explain the composition of the dataset used, (b) highlight some problems pertaining to bibliometric research, and (c) underline why such studies nevertheless are useful, also in business and society research.
Psychiatry through the Ethnographic Lens
Authors: Skultans Vieda
Published: February 2006

The title of this article is deliberately chosen and reflects its agenda: to outline the contribution of ethnography to psychiatry. Ethnography is the study of culture through intensive participation, observation and listening. The postmodernists remind us that it is also the writing of culture (literally translated from the Greek). And in focusing on the writing of ethnographic texts they have alerted us to the problematic nature of transferring observation and experience into text. But an ethnographic account of psychiatry is possible only to the extent that we accept that psychiatry and the illnesses with which it deals are parts of culture. Anthropologists have long argued that psychiatric theory and practice are best understood using the same interpretive tools as are applied to other areas of cultural life, be it religion, cosmology or magic.
A Comparison of Family Functioning, Life and Marital Satisfaction, and Mental Health of Women in Polygamous and Monogamous Marriages
Authors: Al-Krenawi Alean , Graham John R.
Published: February 2006

Background: A considerable body of research concludes that the polygamous family structure has an impact on children's and wives’ psychological, social and family functioning.

Aims: The present study is among the first to consider within the same ethnoracial community such essential factors as family functioning, life satisfaction, marital satisfaction and mental health functioning among women who are in polygamous marriages and women who are in monogamous marriages.

Method: A sample of 352 Bedouin-Arab women participated in this study: 235 (67%) were in a monogamous marriage and 117 (33%) were in a polygamous marriage.

Results: Findings reveal differences between women in polygamous and monogamous marriages. Women in polygamous marriages showed significantly higher psychological distress, and higher levels of somatisation, phobia and other psychological problems. They also had significantly more problems in family functioning, marital relationships and life satisfaction.

Conclusion: The article calls on public policy and social service personnel to increase public awareness of the significance of polygamous family structures for women's wellbeing.
Ethnicity Versus Migration: Two Hypotheses about the Psychosocial Adjustment of Immigrant Adolescents
Authors: Slonim-Nevo Vered , Sharaga Yana , Mirsky Julia , Petrovsky Vadim , Borodenko Marina
Published: February 2006

Study background and aims: This study investigates the psychosocial adjustment of immigrant adolescents and examines two hypotheses: the ethnicity hypothesis, which suggests that ethnic background determines the psychosocial reactions of immigrant adolescents; and the migration hypothesis, which suggests that the migration experience determines such reactions.

Methods: The study compared four groups of respondents: first-generation immigrants ( N = 63) and second-generation immigrants ( N = 64) from the former Soviet Union (FSU) in Israel; and Jewish ( N = 212) and non-Jewis ( N = 184) adolescents in the FSU. A self-report questionnaire administered to the respondents collected demographic, educational and psychological data using standardised scales.

Results: Immigrant adolescents reported higher psychological distress, lower self-esteem and higher alchohol consumption than non-immigrant adolescents. Second-generation immigrants generally showed a higher level of functioning than first-generation immigrants. These findings favor the migration hypothesis.

Conclusions: Our findings support the widely accepted view of migration as a potentially distress-provoking experience. They suggest that psychological reactions of immigrant adolescents, and in fact all immigrants, are best interpreted as reactive and are related to the universal stressful qualities of the migration experience. Further multiethnic comparative studies, however, are needed to confirm and refine these findings.
Living Arrangements of Individuals with Schizophrenia in Japan: Impact of Community-Based Mental Health Services
Authors: Oshima Iwao , Kuno Eri
Published: February 2006

Aims: In Japan psychiatric hospitals and family play the predominant roles in caring for people with serious mental illness. This study explored how the introduction of community-based care has changed this situation by examining living arrangements of individuals with schizophrenia who were treated in one of the most progressive systems in Japan (Kawasaki) compared with national norms.

Methods: The proportion of clients with schizophrenia in the community versus hospital and living arrangements for those in the community were compared between the Kawasaki and national treated population, using data from the Kawasaki psychiatric service users survey in 1993 and two national surveys in 1993 and 1983. The variation in living arrangements was examined across five different age cohorts.

Results: The estimated national population was 36.7, which was similar to 32.7 clients per 10,000 population in Kawasaki. Some 71% of the Kawasaki clients were treated in the community compared with 55% nationally. The difference between the Kawasaki and national populations was the largest among clients aged 40 to 59. The Kawasaki community clients had a higher proportion of clients living alone.

Conclusions: The community mental health services available in Kawasaki appeared to reduce hospitalisation and help clients to live alone in the community.
Recovery from Depression: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study of General Population Subjects
Authors: Viinamäki Heimo , Tanskanen Antti , Honkalampi Kirsi , Koivumaa-Honkanen Heli , Antikainen Risto , Haatainen Kaisa , Hintikka Jukka
Published: February 2006

Background: The recovery from depression and factors associated with it are not well known in the general population.

Aims: To conduct a two-year follow-up of general population subjects and investigate their recovery from depression.

Methods: Individuals who were assessed as suffering from depression on the basis of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores were monitored for two years.

Results: Sixty-five per cent were still depressed after two years of follow-up. Negative life events had occurred more often in those who had remained depressed than in the others. Logistic regression analysis revealed that a high initial BDI score and a worsening of a subject's economic situation during the follow-up period were associated with failure to recover. Lack of use of health services was associated with non-recovery.

Conclusion: Depression may be more chronic in the general population than previously has been thought.
Psychological Distress among Recent Russian Immigrants in the United States
Authors: Hoffmann Christopher , McFarland Bentson H. , Kinzie J. David , Bresler Larissa , Rakhlin Dmitriy , Wolf Solomon , Kovas Anne E.
Published: February 2006

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the psychological status of Russian immigrants who have recently come to the United States.

Aims: The project included creation of a Russian version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) in order to identify anxiety and depression in members of the Russian-speaking immigrant population.

Methods: Translation and adaptation included (a) cross-cultural adaptation; (b) translation; (c) pre-testing; and (d) analysis of validity, reliability and internal consistency. Seventeen Russian-speaking patients at a Russian psychiatric clinic were recruited for the study and were compared with a sample of 42 Russianspeaking members of the community.

Results: The instrument showed internal consistency when evaluated with coefficient alpha. Clinic patients had significantly higher anxiety and depression symptom scores than community subjects. Russian immigrants' scores on the anxiety and depression scales were less than comparative data for the United States and notably less than similar measures for Russian immigrants to Israel.

Conclusions: Recent Russian immigrants to the United States appear to have low prevalences of anxiety and depression.
Rates and Factors Associated with Suicide in Kaniyambadi Block, Tamil Nadu, South India, 2000–2002
Authors: Prasad J. , Abraham V. J. , Minz S. , Abraham S. , Joseph A. , Muliyil J. P. , George K. , Jacob K. S.
Published: February 2006

Background: Inefficient civil registration systems, non-report of deaths, variable standards in certifying death and the legal and social consequences of suicide are major obstacles to investigating suicide in the developing world.

Objective: The aim of this study was to prospectively determine the suicide rate in Kaniyambadi Block, Tamil Nadu, South India, for the years 2000–2002 using verbal autopsies.

Method: The setting for the study was a comprehensive community health programme in a development block in rural South India. The main outcome measure was death by suicide, diagnosed by a detailed verbal autopsy and census, and birth and death data to identify the population base.

Results: The average suicide rate was 92.1 per 100,000. The ratio of male to female suicides was 1: 0.66. The age-specific suicide rate for men increased with age while that for women showed two peaks: 15–24 years and over 65 years of age. Hanging (49%) and poisoning with organo-phosphorus compounds (40.5%) were the commonest methods of committing suicide. Acute and/or chronic stress was elicited for nearly all subjects. More men suffered from chronic stress while more women had acute precipitating events (X2 4.58; p < 0.04). People less than 44 years of age had more acute precipitating events before death while older subjects reported more chronic stress (X2=17.38; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The study replicates findings of an earlier study from the area. The suicide rate documented in this study is very high and is a major public health concern. There is a need for sentinel centres in India and in developing countries to monitor trends and to develop innovative strategies to reduce deaths by suicide.
The impact of HIV/AIDS on Kenyan rural women and the role of counseling
Authors: Mugambi Jane
Published: February 2006

English

A qualitative study was conducted with 22 rural women living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, in order to explore its impact. Some of the themes that emerged from data analysis were marginalization, poverty and the subordinate status of the rural women.

French

Une étude qualitative a étémenée auprè s de 22 femmes de communautés rurales du Kenya atteintes du VIH/SIDA en vue d'explorer l'impact du VIH/SIDA sur cette population et le rôle du counseling. L'analyse des données a permis de dégager certains thè mes, notamment la marginalisation, la pauvretéet l'état de subordination des femmes rurales.

Spanish

Se realizó un estudio cualitativo con 22 mujeres rurales que viven con sujetos afectados por el HIV/SIDA, a fin de explorar el impacto del HIV/SIDA en mujeres rurales de Kenia y el papel jugado por el consejo. Algunos de los temas que surgieron del aná lisis de los datos fueron los siguientes: marginación, pobreza y el estatus subordinado de la mujer rural.
Sexual trafficking of women
Authors: Van Hook Mary P. , Gjermeni Eglantina , Haxhiymeri Edlira
Published: February 2006

English

Sexual trafficking affects many women globally, with eastern Europe and Albania as the major centers. Women's vulnerability is increased by poverty, patriarchal gender patterns and historical events. Governmental policies and program responses in terms of laws, prevention and shelters for victims are described, along with lessons for addressing sexual trafficking.

French

Le trafic sexuel touche un grand nombre de femmes dans la plupart des grands centres d'Europe de l'Est et d'Albanie. La pauvreté, les comportements de genre de type patriarcal et les événements historiques ont rendu les femmes encore plus vulnérables. Cet article passe en revue les programmes et les politiques gouvernementales - lois, mesures préventives et création de refuges pour les victimes - ainsi que les lec¸ ons qui permettent de s'attaquer au problè me du trafic sexuel.

Spanish

El trá fico sexual afecta a muchas mujeres globalmente, siendo Europa del Este y Albania centros principales. La pobreza, los patrones de género patriarcales, y acontecimientos histó ricos acrecientan la vulnerabilidad de las mujeres. Se describen las políticas gubernamentales y las respuestas programa ´ ticas en términos de leyes, prevenció n, y casas refugio para las víctimas. También se sacan lecciones para bregar con el trá fico sexual.
Social work with asylum seekers in Canada
Authors: Lacroix Marie
Published: February 2006

English

This article explores some of the most salient of the oppressions that are directly related to international and Canadian immigration policy discourses and practices. A conceptual framework for understanding the relationship between social justice and oppression in social work practice is introduced. This will determine the issues that need to be addressed by social work practitioners.

French

Cet article examine quelques-uns des facteurs d'oppression les plus évidents qui se dégagent du discours et des pratiques de l'immigration canadienne et internationale. On y établit un cadre conceptuel pour faciliter la compré- hension de la relation entre justice sociale et oppression dans la pratique du travail social. Ce cadre permet de définir les questions dont doivent tenir compte les intervenants du travail social.

Spanish

En este artículo se exploran algunos de los factores má s importantes de opresió n relacionados directamente con las prá cticas y discursos de la polí- tica canadiense e internacional de inmigració n. Ser introduce un marco conceptual para entender la relació n entre la justicia social y la opresió n en la prá ctica del trabajo social. Esto determinará los temas que necesitan ser abordados por los practicantes de trabajo social.
A study of domestic violence against academic working wives in Medan
Authors: Rowe William S. , FakihSutan Nurasiah , Dulka Iryna M.
Published: February 2006

English

This study describes marital violence committed against wives working in the academic sector in Medan, Indonesia. Male dominance favoured by the patriarchal culture has in.uenced the responses of women. The violence documented is comparable with that experienced by women in other countries. The study also suggests that marital violence is found across socio-economic groups.

French

Cette étude décrit la violence conjugale subite par des femmes travaillant dans les secteurs académiques à Medan en Indonésie. La dominance masculine favorisé e par des valeurs sociales patriarcales a influencéles réponses des femmes. La violence documentée est comparable à celle éprouvée par des femmes dans d'autres pays. L'étude fournit des preuves que la violence conjugale se produit à travers les strates socio-économiques.

Spanish

Este estudio describe la violencia doméstica experimentada por mujeres trabajadoras en sectores académicos de Medan, Indonesia. Los valores sociales patriarcales han promovido la dominació n masculina y han tenido influencia en las respuestas de estas mujeres. Los abusos reportados fueron comparables con los experimentados por mujeres de otros países y ofrecen evidencia de que la violencia conyugal tiene lugar en diferentes estratos socio econó micos y niveles educativos.
Family violence
Authors: Cheers Brian , Binell Margaret , Coleman Heather , Gentle Ian , Miller Grace , Taylor Judy , Weetra Colin
Published: February 2006

English

A study in an Australian Aboriginal community identified a new way of knowing family violence, locating it in the historical context of colonization, oppression, dispossession, disempowerment, dislocation and poverty. A community development approach to addressing family violence was developed based on this understanding and the strengths of the community.

French

Cette étude menée au sein d'une communautéaborigè ne d'Australie détermine une nouvelle fac¸ on d'appréhender la violence familiale en situant le problè me dans le contexte historique de la colonisation, de l'oppression, de la dépossession, de la déresponsabilisation, de la dislocation et de la pauvreté. Cette compréhension du phénomè ne a permis d'élaborer une approche de développement communautaire pour contrer la violence familiale, qui fait aussi appel aux forces de la communauté.

Spanish

Un estudio en una comunidad australiana aborigen identificó una nueva manera de entender la violencia doméstica, localizá ndola en el contexto histó rico de colonizació n, opresió n, desposesió n, falta de poder, desplazamiento y pobreza. Se desarrolló una metodología de desarrollo comunitario basado en este nuevo entendimiento y en las cualidades positivas de la comunidad.
The Chinese concept of face and violence against women
Authors: Chan Ko Ling
Published: February 2006

English

The study examines the Chinese face embedded in marital violence. Results from the analysis of male batterers showed that the stronger the faceorientation, the greater the masculine gender role stress and thus the greater the likelihood of using violence against a female partner.

French

L'étude examine la corrélation entre le concept chinois de 'sauver la facé et la violence conjugale. L'analyse révè le que plus ce concept est fortement ancréchez un agresseur, plus il met l'emphase sur le rôle masculin et, par conséquent, plus il est enclin à utiliser la violence contre une partenaire féminine.

Spanish

Se examina la faz china en relació n a la violencia marital. El anúlisis de datos sobre hombres que maltratan indica que a mayor orientació n facial ('in faceorientation'), mayor el estrés del rol masculino, y por tanto, mayor la probabilidad de violencia en contra de la mujer.
Exporting a US HIV/AIDS prevention program to a Caribbean island-nation
Authors: Voisin Dexter R. , Baptiste Donna R. , Martinez Dona Da Costa , Henderson Gabrielle ,   CHAMP-TT Collaborative Board,   and the Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago
Published: February 2006

English

Compared with the rest of the English-speaking Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago is disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. This article outlines a recent venture between researchers in Chicago and a Trinidadian social service agency to adapt a US-based HIV prevention intervention for teens.

French

En comparaison avec les autre nations caraïbéennes anglophones, les îles de Trinidad et Tobago sont affectées de fac¸ on disproportionnée par le VIH et le SIDA. Cet article révè le les contours d'une expérience récente entreprise par des chercheurs de Chicago en collaboration avec une agence de services sociaux de Trinidad, visant à adapter un programme développéaux états- Unis en prévention du VIH et en intervention auprè s d'adolescents.

Spanish

En comparació n con el resto de los países caribeños de habla inglesa, Trinidad y Tobago han sido afectados desproporcionadamente por VIH/ SIDA. Se describe una iniciativa tomada recientemente por investigadores de Chicago y una agencia de servicio social de Trinidad. Esta iniciativa trata de adaptar a Trinidad una intervenció n preventiva desarrollada en EE.UU. adolescentes.
Social services and indigenous populations in remote areas
Authors: Berman Gerald S.
Published: February 2006

English

Two factors – distance and cultural dissonance – have been identified as obstacles in the provision of social services to Indigenous populations in remote areas. This article examines these obstacles as they affect Alaska Natives in rural Alaska and Negev Bedouin in Israel. Strategies to overcome these obstacles are then suggested.

French

Deux facteurs - la distance et la dissonance culturelle - ont éte´ identifiés comme obstacles à la capacitéd'offrir des services sociaux aux populations indigè nes des régions éloignées. Cet article examine l'impact de ces obstacles sur les populations autochtones rurales d'Alaska et sur les bédouins du Negev en Israël. L'article suggè re des stratégies pour vaincre ces obstacles.

Spanish

Se han identificado dos obstá culos en la provisió n de servicios sociales a poblaciones indígenas en á reas remotas: distancia y disonancia cultural. Se examinan estos obstá culos según afectan a los Nativos de Alaska en á reas rurales, y a los Beduinos del Negev en Israel. Se sugieren estrategias para superar los.