bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Difficulty of Rothko
Authors: Harrison Charles
Published: December 2003

Books reviewed in this article:

David Anfam, Mark Rothko: The Works on Canvas

Jeffrey Weiss, (ed.) Mark Rothko

Sheldon Nodelman, The Rothko Chapel Paintings: Origins, Structure, Meaning
Place and Meaning
Authors: Lewis Adrian
Published: December 2003

Book reviewed in this article:

Paul Hayes Tucker, The Impressions at Argenteuil
Abjection Sustained: Goya, the Chapman brothers and the Disasters of War
Authors: Shaw Philip
Published: December 2003

Today the title the Disasters of War refers to at least three works. The first a set of engravings etched by Francisco Goya, c. 1810–20, published posthumously in 1863 as Los Desastres de la guerra, the second and third are a set of miniature dioramas and a suite of engravings produced by Dinos and Jake Chapman in the 1990s. All three works take as their subject the horrors of war. Goya's is based on his first‐hand experience of the sufferings of the Spanish people during and immediately after the Napoleonic occupation. The Chapmans' are born out of a desire ‘to virally infect or be contagious to’ the artist's ‘association with humanism’. These latter Disasters attempt, in other words, to reanimate the founding trauma of Goya's work, to reveal the indivisible remainder, the abject object, that art criticism, wedded as it is to the ideology of humanism, seeks to repress. Drawing on Lacanian psychoanalysis, this essay takes a critical look at the nature and significance of this desire, asking whether or not the Chapmans' fascination with the founding trauma of Goya's Disasters of War marks a reinvention of, rather than a retreat from, the ethics of humanism.
Case–Based Reasoning for Assessing Intelligent Transportation Systems Benefits
Authors: Sadek Adel , Morse Spencer , Ivan John , El–Dessouki Wael
Published: December 2003

Existing transportation planning modeling tools have critical limitations with respect to assessing the benefits of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) deployment. In this article, we present a novel framework for developing modeling tools for quantifying ITS deployments benefits. This approach is based on using case–based reasoning (CBR), an artificial intelligence paradigm, to capture and organize the insights gained from running a dynamic traffic assignment (DTA) model. To demonstrate the feasibility of the approach, the study develops a prototype system for evaluating the benefits of diverting traffic away from incident locations using variable message signs. A real–world network from the Hartford area in Connecticut is used in developing the system. The performance of the prototype is evaluated by comparing its predictions to those obtained using a detailed DTA model. The prototype system is shown to yield solutions comparable to those obtained from the DTA model, thus demonstrating the feasibility of the approach.
A Decision–Support Tool for Airline Yield Management Using Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Pulugurtha Srinivas S. , Nambisan Shashi S.
Published: December 2003

Airline yield management has gained widespread acceptance in recent years. Yield management is used to estimate the number of passengers belonging to each fare class in order to maximize revenue—to increase profits. Forecasts of future booking for different classes and the fare for each class are assumed fixed and known. The complexity of the problem increases as additional attributes such as the effect of continued flights on pricing, ticket cancellations, and overbooking are considered. In addition, demand varies with time. Hence, to make the problem realistic, the dynamic nature of demand has to be accounted for in the model. The focus of this article is to develop a decision–support tool to estimate the number of seats allocated to each fare class in the yield management problem. This problem is formulated as a linear integer programming model. Genetic algorithms (GAs) are used as a solution technique. The model is coded using C programming language. The decision–support tool considers the effect of time–dependent demand, ticket cancellations, and overbooking policy. The results are consistent with expectations.
An Accessibility–Maximization Approach to Road Network Planning
Authors: Antunes António , Seco Álvaro , Pinto Nuno
Published: December 2003

Accessibility is a key factor in defining the quality of life and potential for development of both cities and regions. This article presents a new accessibility–maximization approach to inter–urban road network long–term planning. The approach is based on a nonlinear combinatorial optimization model. Two heuristics have been developed for solving the model, based on local search and simulated annealing principles, respectively. The efficiency of the heuristics was evaluated on a sample of test problems involving 10–, 20–, and 40–node networks. In the analysis both solution quality and computing effort were taken into account. The approach was used to analyze the ongoing transformation of the Portuguese main road network. The results obtained so far indicate that the model is a valuable decision–aid tool for inter–urban road network long–term planning.
Wavelet‐Clustering‐Neural Network Model for Freeway Incident Detection
Authors: Ghosh‐Dastidar Samanwoy , Adeli Hojjat
Published: December 2003

Abstract:  An improved freeway incident‐detection model is presented based on speed, volume, and occupancy data from a single detector station using a combination of wavelet‐based signal processing, statistical cluster analysis, and neural network pattern recognition. A comparative study of different wavelets (Haar, second‐order Daubechies, and second‐ and fourth‐order Coifman wavelets) and filtering schemes is conducted in terms of efficacy and accuracy of smoothing. It is concluded that the fourth‐order Coifman wavelet is more effective than other types of wavelets for the traffic incident detection problem. A statistical multivariate analysis based on the Mahalanobis distance is employed to perform data clustering and parameter reduction to reduce the size of the input space for the subsequent step of classification by the Levenberg–Marquardt backpropagation (BP) neural network. For a straight two‐lane freeway using real data, the model yields an incident detection rate of 100%, false alarm rate of 0.3%, and detection time of 35.6 seconds.
Toward a Spherical Pseudo‐Wavelet Basis for Geodetic Applications
Authors: Schaffrin B. , Mautz R. , Shum C. , Tseng H.
Published: December 2003

Abstract:  In this contribution an investigation is made to exploit the advantages of 2D planar wavelets for the representation of scalar‐valued signals on the sphere, with particular emphasis on the local or regional patches as they may originate from the so‐called “Igloo” decomposition of the spherical surface. After introducing isometric coordinates on the sphere and applying a suitable map projection (such as “Mercator” along the equator, for instance) a family of basis functions which we called “pseudo‐wavelets” can be constructed on the sphere that may be well suited to capture regional phenomena such as the fine structure of the terrestrial gravity field, and its representations toward multi‐resolution flexibility. Such wavelet functions, if successful, are critically needed for a number of research topics and applications.
Plate 321. Marcgravia umbellata
Authors: Dressler Stefan
Published: December 2003

Marcgravia umbellata (Marcgraviaceae), a native of the Lesser Antilles, is illustrated; its history, relationships, distribution, ecology and cultural requirements are discussed and a full description of the species is provided.
Plate 360. Rhipsalis puniceodiscus
Authors: Taylor Nigel
Published: December 2003

The Brazilian epiphyte, Rhipsalis puniceodiscus G. A. Lindberg (Cactaceae), is illustrated together with R. neves‐armondii Schumann and their putative hybrid. The history, relationships, distribution and cultural requirements of the former are discussed and a full discription of the species is provided.
Plate 463. Hibbertia Cuneiformis
Authors: Wheeler Judy
Published: December 2003

The shrubby Hibbertia cuneiformis (Labill.) Smith (Dilleniaceae) is described and illustrated. Its history and cultivation are discussed.
Plate 474. Cyrtanthus Guthrieae Amaryllidaceae
Authors: Duncan Graham
Published: December 2003

Summary. The history, taxonomy, distribution and cultivation requirements of the South African Cyrtanthus guthrieae L. Bol. (Amaryllidaceae) are discussed; a full botanical description and an illustration are provided.
Severance Payments and Firm–specific Human Capital
Authors: Suedekum Jens , Ruehmann Peter
Published: December 2003

What effect does employment protection through severance payments have on the behaviour of employed workers? We analyse this issue within a stochastic two–period framework where workers decide on human capital investments and find two competing effects: severance payments imply higher job security that fosters human capital formation. At the same time, a lay–off is perceived by the workers to be a weaker penalty if severance payments are provided. This incentive lowers their optimal amount of firm–specific investments. Which effect prevails on balance depends on the distribution of investment returns among firm and workers. For strong positive reactions, employment protection is also in the interests of the firm.
Total Board Compensation, Governance and Performance of Spanish Listed Companies
Authors: Crespí–Cladera Rafel , Gispert Carles
Published: December 2003

In this paper we present empirical evidence on the relationship between board remuneration of a sample of large Spanish companies and a set of explanatory variables such as performance and size of the company. The objective is to provide additional empirical evidence based on the agency theory for the Spanish institutional context, which differs from most ‘Anglo–Saxon’ model studies. We focus on the impact of a company's governance structure on the relationship between pay and performance. Specifically, we consider ownership concentration and firm leverage as key determinants of the board–shareholders relationship. Our results confirm the positive relationship between board remuneration and company performance, which is stronger for book values than for stock market measures. Industry performance also explains the remuneration and provides useful information for evaluating board behaviour. Company size is also related to board remuneration and affects the pay–performance relationship, although it is not relevant when we use an elasticity approach. Finally, the governance structure of companies is relevant when explaining the power of the compensation–performance relationship, and differences between the impact of ownership concentration and firm leverage on this relationship are found.
Labour Market Segmentation in Central Europe during the First Years of Transition
Authors: Pailhé Ariane
Published: December 2003

The labour markets of the centrally planned economies of Central Europe (the former Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland) were divided into several segments. Using estimates taken from a two–regime model, we show that segmentation has persisted throughout the first years of systemic change. However, labour market segmentation has evolved to some extent. Firms that used to have priority now coexist alongside new activities within the primary segment (in particular, foreign firms and activities in the banking and financial sector). In this way, labour market segmentation results both in the appearance of new, formal institutions and the persistence of informal institutions left over from the past, owing to the growth in market uncertainty.
Attitudes, Motivation, and Second Language Learning: A Meta–Analysis of Studies Conducted by Gardner and Associates
Authors: Masgoret A.–M. , Gardner R. C.
Published: December 2003

This meta–analysis investigates the relationship of second language achievement to five attitude/motivation variables from Gardner's socioeducational model: integrativeness, attitudes toward the learning situation, motivation, integrative orientation, and instrumental orientation. These relationships were examined in studies conducted by Gardner and associates using the Attitude/Motivation Test Battery and various measures of second language achievement including self–ratings, objective tests, and grades. In total, the meta–analysis examined 75 independent samples involving 10,489 individuals. Two additional variables, availability of the language in the community and age level of the students, were examined to assess their moderating effects on the relationships. The results clearly demonstrate that the correlations between achievement and motivation are uniformly higher than those between achievement and integrativeness, attitudes toward the learning situation, integrative orientation, or instrumental orientation, and that the best estimates of the population correlations are greater than 0. Neither availability nor age had clear moderating effects.
First Language and Second Language Writing: The Role of Linguistic Knowledge, Speed of Processing, and Metacognitive Knowledge
Authors: Schoonen Rob , Gelderen Amos van , Glopper Kees de , Hulstijn Jan , Simis Annegien , Snellings Patrick , Stevenson Marie
Published: December 2003

In this study the relative importance of linguistic knowledge, metacognitive knowledge, and fluency or accessibility of this linguistic knowledge in both first language (L1; Dutch) and second language (L2; English) writing was explored. Data were collected from 281 grade 8 students. Using structural equation modeling, the relative importance of the three components was studied and compared across L1 and L2 writing. The results showed that the fluency measures were correlated with overall writing performance in both L1 and L2. However, when compared to linguistic knowledge resources, these fluency measures turned out to have no additional value in predicting L1 or L2 writing performance. L2 writing proficiency turned out to be highly correlated with L1 writing proficiency, more than with either L2 linguistic knowledge or the accessibility of this knowledge.
Overtime Working, The Phillips Curve And The Wage Curve: British Engineering, 1926–66
Authors: Hart Robert A.
Published: December 2003

This paper shows that wage–unemployment elasticities derived from estimated wage curves and Phillips curves may be critically dependent on the measurement of wages. Incorporating hourly wage earnings that include the influence of overtime payments can lead to seriously distorted results. Meaningful elasticities are obtained only if hourly standard wages form the basis of analysis. Work is based on a unique data set describing two homogeneous blue–collar occupational groups—skilled fitters and unskilled labourers—in the British engineering industry. Each group is also divided into timeworkers and piece–rate workers. Data are aggregated into a panel of 28 local labour markets and cover the highly contrasting periods 1928–38 and 1954–66.
What Makes Human Cognition Unique? From Individual to Shared to Collective Intentionality
Authors: Tomasello Michael , Rakoczy Hannes
Published: December 2003

It is widely believed that what distinguishes the social cognition of humans from that of other animals is the belief–desire psychology of four–year–old children and adults (so–called theory of mind). We argue here that this is actually the second ontogenetic step in uniquely human social cognition. The first step is one year old children's understanding of persons as intentional agents, which enables skills of cultural learning and shared intentionality. This initial step is ‘the real thing’ in the sense that it enables young children to participate in cultural activities using shared, perspectival symbols with a conventional/normative/reflective dimension—for example, linguistic communication and pretend play—thus inaugurating children's understanding of things mental. Understanding beliefs and participating in collective intentionality at four years of age—enabling the comprehension of such things as money and marriage—results from several years of engagement with other persons in perspective–shifting and reflective discourse containing propositional attitude constructions.
Context Dependence and Compositionality
Authors: Pelletier Francis Jeffry
Published: December 2003

Some utterances of sentences such as ‘Every student failed the midterm exam’ and ‘There is no beer’ are widely held to be true in a conversation despite the facts that not every student in the world failed the midterm exam and that there is, in fact, some beer somewhere. For instance, the speaker might be talking about some particular course, or about his refrigerator. Stanley and Szabó (in Mind & Language, 15, 2000) consider many different approaches to how contextual information might give meaning to these ‘restricted quantifier domains’, and find all of them but one wanting. The present paper argues that their considerations against one of these other theories, considerations that turn on notions of compositionality, are incorrect.
Simulation, Collapse and Humean Motivation
Authors: Ravenscroft Ian
Published: December 2003

According to the ‘collapse’ argument, episodes of mental simulation necessarily involve tacit knowledge of folk psychological generalisations. In response, I show that there is little risk that the simulation of theoretical reasoning involves such generalisations. However, the case of practical reasoning is quite different. If practical reasoning is Humean, then the risk of collapse is very great indeed. Moreover, there are compelling reasons for thinking that practical reasoning is Humean. I close by replying, qua simulationist, to the (very real) prospect of collapse.
Are There Semantic Natural Kinds of Words?
Authors: Johnson Kent
Published: December 2003

Gareth Evans proposes that there are semantic natural kinds of words. In his development of this theory, he argues for two constraints on the identification of these kinds. I argue that neither of these constraints are justified. Furthermore, my argument against Evans’ second constraint constitutes a direct argument for the existence of semantic natural kinds, something Evans himself never offers. I conclude by sketching some positive details of a more plausible theory of semantic natural kinds.
Ownership of associated and discovered gas in Nigeria under the old joint venture contracts
Authors: Chukwuemerie Andrew I.
Published: December 2003

In Nigeria, petroleum is defined to include natural gas. The country has a legal framework that clearly vests ownership of crude oil, mined under the old joint venture contracts, in the oil–producing company that produces the crude. However, the country has, over the years, enacted some laws seeking to vest the ownership of associated and discovered gas absolutely in the country itself, while retaining laws that, in effect, vest the ownership of the same gas in the producing company. The country's efforts to recover and keep ownership of associated and discovered gas have, therefore, been rather lame and ineffective. This article considers the legal framework and points the way forward for the removal of the confusion foisted by this uncertain legal situation.
OPEC production agreements: a detailed listing
Authors: Secretariat OPEC
Published: December 2003

The issue of regulating crude oil production is mentioned in OPEC's very first Resolution, even though it took more than two decades before such a policy was implemented. Since 1982, however, it has been the practice to have a production agreement in place, normally with an overall ceiling for the Organization and individual quotas for Member Countries. OPEC's production agreements have existed side–by–side with OPEC's reference prices. The criteria for quota allocations have recently been examined in depth at OPEC's Secretariat. A detailed listing of OPEC's production agreements since 1982 is provided.
Using Photography in Art Education Research: A Reflexive Inquiry
Authors: Cruickshank Iona , Mason Rachel
Published: December 2003

This paper reports on the uses of photography in some research into domestic crafts in Brazil. This research, which included fieldwork and curriculum development components, was carried out with the aim of investigating crafts five women practised in their homes in Santa Maria and celebrating them in art lessons in primary schools. Photography was used in the fieldwork part of the research to collect visual data about the women and their crafts and to develop a visual resource for use by art teachers. In the curriculum experiments it was used by school children to record aesthetic aspects of their homes. This paper reflects on and compares the different kinds of photographs taken by the researchers, the women and the children and some strengths and weaknesses of using photography as a data collection tool in art education research.
Art Education for Life
Authors: Anderson Tom
Published: December 2003

In this paper I argue that art is a search for meaning, and should be taught and learned in that context. The immediate goal is to understand ourselves and others better, allowing more intelligent and meaningful action in the arena of life. Toward that end, I suggest that the social agenda of art education, in a world that is both increasingly interdependent and turbulent, can be the construction of community through personal, group–centred, and cross–cultural understandings approached through art. I examine traditionalism, modernism, postmodernism, and contemporary visual culture for content and strategies to serve the purposes of art for life, and construct the outline of a model for instruction utilizing those concerns. Finally, I make a case that thematically mining and creating art works, performances, and visual culture for aesthetic significance that ultimately frames, forms and enhances meaning is the primary strategy for this construction of community, not in the tribal sense, but universally.
Practice–Based Research Degree Students in Art and Design: Identity and Adaptation
Authors: Hockey John
Published: December 2003

Within the United Kingdom higher education system there has been a recent growth in practice–based research degrees in art and design. This constitutes a relatively recent innovatory step in doctoral education, with students now able to submit for examination a written thesis combined with practical work in over forty academic departments. It also constitutes an intellectual innovation in terms of attempting to combine the creative impulse with traditional research criteria such as the need for systematic analysis, documentation, theorisation and so on. To–date little has been written about research students adaptation to such practice–based research degrees, and so, in order to chart the experiences of such students, qualitative interviews were undertaken with 50 research students at various UK universities. This paper based on those interviews examines one dimension of how students adapt to this kind of study, focusing on their conceptions of identity.
Learning to be an Art Educator: Student Teachers’ Attitudes to Art and Art Education
Authors: Gibson Robyn
Published: December 2003

Visual Art educators are keenly aware of the significant contribution art can make to the growth and development of young children as it provides unique opportunities for personal expression and creativity. However, while it is acknowledged that art contributes to the development of the whole child, the link between thought and practice is often tenuous. Hence the question needs to be asked, what do student teachers really think about art and art education. This longitudinal study aimed at an exploration of student teachers prior experiences, existing knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, perceptions and interest in the visual arts. One hundred and ten B.Ed. (Primary) students enrolled in two compulsory Visual Arts Education units of study were surveyed in March 1999 and then in October 2001 to ascertain how they interpreted the term visual arts; how this related to visual arts education (if, in fact it did); where they would position visual arts amongst the other five key learning areas of the primary curriculum; and ultimately how they felt about the prospect of teaching visual arts in a primary school context. The findings of the research revealed a number of significant differences between the initial data (March 1999) and the final data (October 2001).
A greedy search for the three‐dimensional bin packing problem: the packing static stability case
Authors: De Castro Silva J. L. , Soma N. Y. , Maculan N.
Published: December 2003

We suggest a greedy search heuristic for solving the three‐dimensional bin packing problem (3D‐BPP) where in addition to the usual requirement of minimum amount of bins being used, the resulting packing of items into the bins must be physically stable. The problem is NP‐hard in the strong sense and imposes severe computational strain for solving it in practice. Computational experiments are also presented and the results are compared with those obtained by the Martello, Pisinger and Vigo (2000) heuristic.
Mine closure legislation in Indonesia: The role of mineral industry involvement
Authors: Cesare Pasquale , Maxwell Philip
Published: December 2003

Major mining companies have recently embraced the sustainable development paradigm, in seeking to improve their competitiveness and increase shareholder returns. Successful mine closure is one important element of this process. Improved performance in this area is essential if surrounding communities are to see mining companies as responsible corporate and social partners.

In Indonesia, the new approach has coincided with the development of specific mine closure legislation. To facilitate the legislation, a consortium of mining companies joined to form the Industry Mine Closure Steering Committee. This Committee has lobbied the Government, actively negotiating to incorporate sustainable development ideals and practices into the new legislation. The Committee's aim has been to foster continued development of the mining industry, while taking account of variation in environmental, social and community conditions. In describing the process, this article seeks to provide guidance for the development of mine closure legislation in other nations.
Securing water for people, crops, and ecosystems: New mindset and new priorities
Authors: Postel Sandra L
Published: December 2003

A fundamentally new approach to water and human development will be needed during this new century if we are to secure sufficient freshwater to meet the needs of some 9 billion people while at the same time protecting the critical ecosystem services upon which the human economy depends. Signs of unsustainable water use — including falling water tables, shrinking lakes, and the drying up of rivers and streams — are widespread and spreading. In many regions, greater modification and appropriation of freshwater systems for human purposes will yield greater costs than benefits and create the risk of irreversible losses of species and ecosystem services. A new mindset is needed to guide water use and management in this new century, one that views the human water economy as a subset of nature’s water economy. Living within nature’s limits will require that societies satisfy the basic needs of people and ecosystems before non‐essential water demands are met. It will require on the order of a doubling of water productivity. And it will require stronger institutions to encourage equitable sharing of water to alleviate tensions within and between countries.
Evidence on Value Creation in the Financial Services Industries through the Use of Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances
Authors: Gleason Kimberly C. , Mathur Ike , Wiggins, III Roy A.
Published: December 2003

While an extensive body of literature has examined merger, acquisition, and consolidation activity in commercial banks and other financial services firms, little attention has been paid to examining how these institutions use the cooperative activities of joint ventures and strategic alliances to accomplish their growth objectives. We analyze the effects of the use of joint ventures and strategic alliances by a sample of firms in the banking, investment services, and insurance industries. Our results show that commercial banks, investment services firms, and insurance companies experience significant abnormal returns of 0.66% on average when they announce their participation in a joint venture or strategic alliance. These abnormal returns are significantly positive across the four strategic motives of domestic, international, horizontal, and diversifying cooperative activities. Using a matched sample, we also show that our sample firms enjoy significant, positive, abnormal returns for holding periods of six, 12, and 18 months after the announcement of the cooperative activity.
Evolution of the nervous system in Paraphanostoma (Acoela)
Authors: Raikova Olga I. , Reuter Maria , Gustafsson Margaretha K. S. , Maule Aaron G. , Halton David W. , Jondelius Ulf
Published: December 2003

Raikova, O. I., Reuter, M., Gustafsson, M. K. S., Maule, A. G., Halton, D. W. & Jondelius, U. (2004). Evolution of the nervous system in Paraphanostoma (Acoela). —Zoologica Scripta, 33, 71–88.

According to recent molecular studies, the Acoela are the earliest extant bilaterian group. Their nervous system displays a striking variety of patterns. The aim of the present investigation was to study the variability of the nervous system in a monophyletic group of the Acoela. Six species of Paraphanostoma were chosen for the study. Using immunocytochemical methods and confocal scanning laser microscopy, the immunoreactive patterns of serotonin (5‐HT) and the neuropeptide GYIRFamide were described in detail. The study has demonstrated that the brains in Paraphanostoma species, although diverse in detail, still follow the same general pattern. 18S rDNA sequences were used to generate a hypothesis of the phylogeny within the group. Characters of the nervous system revealed in this study were coded and analysed together with 18S rDNA data. Several synapomorphies in the nervous system characters were identified. However, numerous parallelisms in the nervous system evolution have occurred. Data obtained demonstrate that the genus Paraphanostoma is closely related to Childia and should belong to the same family, Childiidae.
The development of a simple objective test of mastication suitable for older people, using chewing gums
Authors: Anastassiadou V , Heath M R
Published: December 2003

Aims: To develop and assess a simple test for evaluating the mastication of visco‐elastic foods and prosthodontic success subsequent to treatment of older people.

Method: The weight lost from chewing gum during mastication tests and the saliva secreted is weighed. The percentage of the original gum weight that is chewed out in a defined number of strokes is termed the Masticatory Effectiveness (ME)

Material: Five edentate and three dentate volunteers were selected to provide a range of dental states and age. Four commercially available chewing gums of different origins and perceived hardness were tested, one without sweetener acted as a control for salivary stimulation.

Intervention: Pre‐weighed samples of each gum were chewed, each for defined numbers of strokes. The saliva secreted was collected and weighed. The chewed gum was desiccated and the total weight loss of sweeteners chewed out provided an objective measure of chewing performance.

Results: Weight loss showed large differences between gums, between subjects and the number of strokes. ME was significantly correlated with salivary secretion rates for two subjects. The interaction between subject and gum was statistically significant, established by an ANOVA model, the value of which is shown for multivariate studies. Differential success between gums of different thickness may provide evaluation of denture stability.

Conclusions: Measuring the weight lost from gums during chewing provides a simple test of masticatory effectiveness of visco‐elastic foods. This has particular value both in functional assessment of older people and in physiological research.
Caries incidence and increments in community‐living older adults with and without dementia
Authors: Chalmers J M , Carter K D , Spencer A J
Published: December 2003

Objectives: The Oral Health of Older Adults with Dementia was instigated in the late 1990s to quantify and compare coronal and root caries incidence and increments in community‐living older Australians with and without dementia.

Methods: A longitudinal design was used to conduct dental inspections at baseline and one‐year, for two groups of randomly selected community‐living older adults ‐ one group of 116 people with dementia and a comparison group of 116 people without dementia.

Results: At one‐year there were 103 dementia and 113(112 dentate) non‐dementia participants. Coronal and root surface caries incidence was higher for dementia participants (p<0.05). Dementia participants had higher coronal and root caries adjusted caries increments (ADJCI) (p<0.01). Both coronal and root ADJCI were evident in half of dementia participants, compared with one‐quarter of non‐dementia participants. Dementia participants with higher coronal ADJCI were those who had visited the dentist since baseline, who were taking neuroleptics with high anticholinergic adverse effects, and whose carer had high carer burden score (p<0.01). Dementia participants with higher root ADJCI were those needing assistance with oral hygiene care and whose carers had difficulties with oral hygiene care (p<0.05). Baseline characteristics predictive in linear regression for: (1) coronal caries increments among all participants were ‐ dementia participants, those with cognitive testing scores indicative of moderate‐severe dementia, those with private health insurance; (2) root caries increments among all participants were ‐ dementia participants, and those who had 1 decayed/filled root surface at baseline. Among dementia participants, being male was the baseline characteristic predictive in logistic regression for coronal caries increments, and having 1 decayed coronal surface was the baseline characteristic predictive for root caries increments.

Conclusions: Coronal and root caries incidence and increments were significantly higher in the community‐living older adults with dementia over the one‐year follow‐up period. Dementia participants had high levels of coronal and root caries increments; characteristics related to high caries increments included sex (males), dementia severity (moderate‐severe), high carer burden, oral hygiene care difficulties, use of neuroleptic medication (with high anticholinergic adverse effects) and previous experience of caries.
Utilization of dental health services by community‐dwelling older adults in Japan who attended a weekly educational programme
Authors: Ikebe Kazunori , Nokubi Takashi , Ettinger Ronald L.
Published: December 2003

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe dental health services utilization and identify factors which influenced a group of independently living elderly persons in an urban area of Japan.

Subjects: The study sample consisted of 2,990 participants, 83% of the total sample of the Senior Citizen's College, who were 60 years and over.

Measurements: Their dental utilization and satisfaction with dental treatment were measured by a questionnaire from 1993 to 1998

Results: The mean age of the subjects was 66.5 years and 52% were male. Sixty percent of the subjects had visited a dentist within the previous year, and 33% of them had received a regular oral health check‐up. The majority of the subjects (63%) were satisfied with their dental treatment. A multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that dental services utilization had a significant positive association with presence of teeth (p<0.001), being male (p<0.01) and satisfaction with financial status (p<0.05). A regular oral health check‐ups had a significant association with presence of teeth (p<0.001), satisfaction with financial status (p<0.05) and aging (p=0.001).

Conclusions: Dental health services utilization was related to the presence of teeth and financial status, rather than age or medical conditions, among independently living elderly persons in an urban area of Japan.
Non‐invasive management of superficial root caries lesions in disabled and infirm patients
Authors: Johnson G. , Almqvist H.
Published: December 2003

In disabled and infirm patients with limited, if any, capacity for independent oral self‐care, it is difficult to control progression of root caries lesions. Objective: To evaluate the effect of non‐restorative cariostatic treatment on progression of active superficial root caries lesions (n =56). Design: Pilot study. Setting: Department of Cariology, Institute of Odontology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge. Subjects: 15 physically‐dependent patients. Intervention: The patients were allotted to one of the following groups. Group 1, professional tooth cleaning and application of tap water flavoured with eucalyptus oil; Group 2, professional tooth cleaning and application of Cervitec, (1% chlorhexidine in thymol‐containing varnish), Group 3, professional tooth cleaning and application of Cervitec and Fluor Protector (varnish containing 0.1% fluoride). Every three months for 18 months, each subject received the treatment twice within a 10‐day interval. Measurements: The status of the 56 root caries lesions was evaluated every six months using a root caries index based on visual and tactile criteria. The examiners were blind to which treatment group the patients belonged. Results: In most subjects (14 out of 15), progression of root caries lesions was arrested. No statistically significant differences could be demonstrated between the three treatment groups. However, regardless of treatment regimen, there was a statistically significant difference between the greater number of subjects exhibiting no progression of root caries lesions and those with lesion progression, at 6 (p=0.022), 12 (p=0.006) and 18 months (p<0.001). Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that in disabled and infirm patients regular professional tooth cleaning with a fluoride containing paste, with or without supplementary varnishing with chlorhexidine‐thymol and/or fluoride can prevent further progression of existing superficial root caries lesions.
Oral health status, C‐reactive protein and mortality – a 10 year follow‐up study
Authors: Ajwani S. , Mattila K. J. , Narhi T. O. , Tilvis R. S. , Ainamo A.
Published: December 2003

Background: Epidemiological studies have reported a strong association between C‐reactive protein (CRP) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Elevated CRP levels have been observed both in dentate individuals with chronic dental infections like periodontal disease and in those edentulous. The mechanisms behind these observations, especially the reasons for the elevation of CRP in the edentulous, are poorly understood. The comparative data on the importance of these inflammatory conditions in the oral cavity as causes of elevated CRP levels and CVD risk factors are also limited. Objective: To determine if edentulism is associated with increased levels of CRP and investigate the possible mechanism for this association; and to study the influence of periodontal disease and edentulism on 10‐year mortality. Subjects: Of the 364 subjects aged 76,81, and 86 years in 1990,196 were dentate and 168 edentulous. By December 1999, 179 had died, almost half (n=87) of them due to cardiovascular disease. Results: Significantly more of the edentulous subjects had elevated (>3 mg/L) CRP levels as compared to those with at least 20 teeth (p<0.01). They also had high salivary microbial counts (p<0.05), and more mucosal lesions (p<0.0001) than those with at least 20 teeth. In multivariate analysis, high microbial counts (OR 2.3, CI 1.06‐5.05) and mucosal lesions (OR 2.18, CI 1.03‐4.61) were significantly associated with elevated CRP levels. The risk for all‐cause mortality was non‐significantly elevated among the edentulous (RR 1.48, CI 0.95 – 2.31) and dentate with periodontal disease (RR 1.58, CI 0.96 – 2.61). CVD mortality was significantly higher among the dentate with periodontal disease (RR 1.97, CI 1.01 – 3.85) when compared with dentate without periodontal disease. Conclusion: Among the edentulous, chronic infections like denture‐related mucosal lesions are important determinants of elevated CRP, comparable to periodontal disease in the dentate. Elevated CRP per se and edentulism were not significantly associated with increased mortality. Periodontal disease was, however, still associated with a two‐fold CVD mortality in this very old population.
Xerostomic medications and oral health: The Veterans Dental Study (Part I)
Authors: Janket Sok‐Ja , Jones Judith A , Rich Sharron , Meurman Jukka , Garcia Raul , Miller Donald
Published: December 2003

Objectives: To quantify the adverse effects of the number of xerostomic medications on dental caries, oral mucosa, andperiodontal disease. Design: Secondary analysis of across‐sectional study of the Veterans Dental Study. Setting: Four New England area VA outpatient clinics. Subjects: The sample consists of 345 male veterans participating in The Veteran's Dental Study who also had pharmacy records. Main outcome measures: Oral health data included total surfaces of coronal caries, a modification of the root caries index, mean oral mucosa scores, and Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Need (CPITN). Oral health parameters were measured and recorded in clinical dental examinations. Exposures: Intake of xerostomic medications 14‐385 days prior to the dental examination. Statistical Analyses: The relationships between exposure and outcome were analyzed via linear and logistic regression methods adjusting for possible confounding factors such as disease burden index, alcohol consumption, dental care, and smoking status. Results: Veterans who were taking at least one xerostomic medication were almost three times more likely to have mean mucosa scores in the worst 25 percentile than veterans taking no xerostomic medications, OR= 2.63 (confidence interval [CI] 1.34,5.16, p=0.03) after adjusting for age, number of teeth, disease burden index, income, smoking and alcohol use. Participants who were taking at least one xerostomic medication experienced higher but non‐significant increases in coronal (OR =1.21; CI. 0.66, 2.25) and root caries (OR =1.10 CI. 0.54, 2.24) measured by numbers of total decayed surfaces. Conclusion: There were significant deleterious effects of xerostomic medications on oral mucosa. However, xerostomic medications do not appear to increase coronal caries, or periodontal index measured by CPITN among ambulatory, community dwelling participants who were able to perform routine preventive oral care.
Asthma Management Among Low‐Income Latino and African American Families of Infants and Young Children*
Authors: Koenig Karel , Chesla Catherine A.
Published: December 2003

To discover the underlying understandings that organize how low‐income Latino and African American parents of infants and toddlers with severe persistent asthma manage symptoms in their children, 11 families with children 12–48 months old and recently hospitalized with asthma were interviewed over 3–6 months. Interpretive phenomenology was used to analyze parents’ narratives about everyday asthma management practices. Four different family management styles were discovered: determined, discontinuous, flexible, and disrupted. Each arose from parents’ particular understandings of asthma and asthma management. Attention to illness meaning and individually developed management plans would improve the family management of asthma in these high‐risk families.
Four Popular Stereotypes About Children in Self‐Care: Implications for Family Life Educators
Authors: Riley Dave , Steinberg Jill
Published: December 2003

Books of advice for parents on the perils of “latchkey” children were published before researchers began to investigate the topic. We argue that the early “how to” books for parents created some overgeneralizations that require rethinking. Four popular assumptions about children in self‐care are examined against current theory and research evidence and are shown to be either incomplete or inaccurate. A restatement of each assumption is suggested, and specific implications for family life education are presented. Three workshop exercises are described to help parents, teachers, and others debunk the four stereotypes and learn key ideas to guide preparation of children for self‐care.
Taking a Tumble
Authors: Davenport R. John
Published: December 2003

A protein's gymnastics suggest one way the body defends itself from dangerous microbes without fomenting destructive inflammation. According to a new study, the lung molecule somersaults on immune cells to stimulate inflammation instead of blocking it. The work might explain the molecule's seemingly contradictory effects.
Maturity Mimic
Authors: Beckman Mary
Published: December 2003

The premature aging disease Werner syndrome appears to be a flip-flop of how Monet might have portrayed aging. From far away, the two conditions--unlike the artist's indecipherable hodgepodge of dots--don't coalesce into a coherent scene, because the disease doesn't quite represent regular aging. But when viewed from up close, the details capture the essence of the process, according to new research: Afflicted cells show the same gene activity profiles as do cells from healthy old people. The results strongly support the contention that researchers can use Werner syndrome cells to study molecular changes that aging induces.
Greasing Aging's Downward Slide
Authors: Ross-Flanigan Nancy
Published: December 2003

Lipids are essential for good health, but they contribute to major diseases when harmful forms overwhelm beneficial ones. Researchers are exploring why the balance shifts for the worse around midlife and are searching for therapies to counteract that tendency. Along the way, they're uncovering hints that lipids influence mental agility and longevity as well.
Eyes Wide Open
Authors: Chen Ingfei
Published: December 2003

Scientists in academia and industry pursue fundamentally different goals--generating knowledge versus developing a moneymaking product--that are often at odds. Researchers in the ivory tower who join, found, or collaborate with a company might need to prepare themselves for handling the conflicts that naturally arise between the two worlds. Industry veterans advise that before getting involved with a company, academic investigators should understand the motivations driving commercial ventures, weigh the pluses and minuses of the corporate science culture, and, in partnerships, negotiate satisfactory compromises. Major areas to consider include industry's ability to pursue cutting-edge ideas with speed and a wealth of resources, its need to protect scientific intellectual property through patents, restrictions on exchange of information, tradeoffs in the freedom to choose one's scientific direction, job stability, and the corporate emphasis on teamwork.
Bone Surprise
Authors: Davenport R. John
Published: December 2003

A hormone renowned for goading the thyroid gland now reveals a talent for restraining bone destruction, according to new work. The study uncovers an unexpected reason why an overactive thyroid triggers osteoporosis, and it could lead researchers to novel bone-boosting drugs.
Research on the Brain
Authors: Lee Virginia M.-Y. , Trojanowski John Q.
Published: December 2003

Sponsored by the Movement Disorder Society, the 3rd International Workshop on Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Parkinson's Disease Dementia was held on 17 to 20 September 2003 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. This meeting report summarizes findings presented at this meeting. The presentations focused on clinicopathological correlations, therapy, genetics, and basic science research.
Wrinkle Treatment for Worms
Authors: Seydel Caroline
Published: December 2003

It's every young starlet's dream: a miracle pill that thwarts aging. Although scientists generally take a more realistic view, compounds that combat age-related damage and extend life span could be gaining credibility, thanks in part to a new study. The research describes how two such drugs prevent oxygen-induced deterioration in nematodes.