bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The interactions between all neighbouring organisms
Authors: Trudgill Stephen
Published: November 2012

The roles of early European botanists in developing the concepts of plant dynamics are acknowledged in the reviews of Tansley (1947), Cowles (1911) and Coleman (1986). The shift from the study of vegetation in terms of plant distribution to the understanding of change and interrelationship evolved from von Humboldt (1807) to Haeckel (1866) who stressed the interaction between organisms, as did Darwin. However, it was Eugenius Warming, together with Buffon, Biberg and Dureau de la Malle, who played the key roles in developing the foundation for the theories of plant dynamics upon which later ecologists built.
The Impact of Implementation of a Nutrition Support Algorithm on Nutrition Care Outcomes in an Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Kiss Caroline M. , Byham‐Gray Laura , Denmark Robert , Loetscher Rene , Brody Rebecca A.
Published: November 2012

Background: A nutrition support algorithm is an operational version of a guideline that is adapted to local requirements and easy to apply in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of implementing a nutrition support algorithm on nutrition care outcomes in an intensive care unit (ICU) in Switzerland without a designated dietitian. Methods: The retrospective study included data collection on 2 cohorts of critically ill patients before (n = 56) and after (n = 56) implementation of a nutrition support algorithm based on the guidelines published by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition guidelines. Results: There were significant differences between groups for the mean delivery of total energy in the pre‐ vs postimplementation group (909 ± 444 vs 1097 ± 420 kcal/d; P = .023) and mean delivery of protein per day (35 ± 17.9 vs 59.1 ± 27.3 g; P < .001). For patients staying at least 7 days in the ICU, the cumulative energy deficit decreased from −5664 ± 3613 kcal in the preimplementation group to −2972 ± 2420 kcal (P = .011) in the postimplementation group. No significant differences in the route of feeding and timing of enteral nutrition initiation were found. Conclusions: Implementation of a nutrition support algorithm resulted in improved provision of energy and protein delivery. This may be further improved with routine nutrition assessment by a dietitian or a designated nutrition support team.
Nanoblends of novel polyesters with polyaniline: Conductivity and heat-stability studies
Authors: Kausar Ayesha , Hussain Syed Tajammul
Published: November 2012

The present work initially deals with the fabrication of a new generation of polyesters (bearing thiophene, azomethine, thiourea and ether moieties) and subsequent blending with polyaniline (PAN) exhibiting extremely valuable nanoblend characteristics. Few poly(azomethine-thiourea-ester)s (PATEs), by the polycondensation of a new diol 4,4′-oxydiphenyl bis(( E)-1-(4-hydroxobenzylidene)thiourea) with thiophene-2,5-dicarbonyl/terephtaloyl chloride, were synthesized. The polymers obtained were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared, proton-nuclear magnetic resonance, solubility, solution viscosity, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and wide-angle x-ray diffraction. The polymers exhibited high molar mass (77–89 × 103) and thermal stability ( T10 528–531°C, glass transition temperature ( Tg) 265–268°C). Then the electrically conducting blends, of PAN dispersed in the PATEs matrix, were prepared by mash-blending and melt-blending techniques. Materials obtained by conventional melt-blending approach generated an efficient conductive network compared with those produced by mash blending. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images displayed nanoblend morphology of the melt-blended system, owing to increased physical interactions (hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking) between the two polymers. Moreover, miscible blends of thiophene-based PATE/PAN led to superior conductivity (1.5–2.1 S/cm) and heat stability ( T10 503°C) even at low PAN concentration relative to previous thiophene, azomethine or PAN-based structures.
Review of hydrogen production via glycerol reforming
Authors: Ebshish Ali , Yaakob Zahira , Taufiq-Yap Yun H , Bshish Ahmed , Tasirin Siti Masrinda
Published: November 2012

Owing to the high energy content of hydrogen and the possibility of converting this energy in fuel cell devices into electric power without any pollutant emissions, hydrogen has grown to be one of the most useful sources of energy, especially if it is produced from renewable sources. In recent years, the development of an efficient process for hydrogen production has become an important goal for energy researchers. Numerous studies have evaluated the catalytic reforming of glycerol for hydrogen production both experimentally and thermodynamically. To enhance hydrogen production and make the production process efficient, researchers have investigated different reforming processes under a wide range of operating conditions. Moreover, the main focus of these studies was the development of a high-performance reforming catalyst that can increase the hydrogen yield and decrease carbon formation and processing costs. Several reforming processes can be used to produce hydrogen from glycerol. This article reviews these reforming processes with emphasis on the common catalysts and the operating conditions used in thermodynamic analyses and experimental work. Although most of these studies have been conducted on steam and aqueous-phase reforming processes, more work on other reforming processes, such as autothermal reforming, partial oxidation, supercritical water, and photo-catalytic reforming, has yet to be completed.
Assessment of the impact of different energy mixes in local decentralised energy networks
Authors: Anderson Lucy , Galloway Stuart , Stephen Bruce
Published: November 2012

Proposed future UK energy supply infrastructures harbour ambitions for achieving a sustainable and reliable energy network, which can potentially be realised through a decentralised and flexible approach to electricity generation. Such an energy system will be expected to deliver these objectives through the widespread use of distributed energy resources, thereby contributing to the international aim of a low carbon future. Existing research in the area of distributed energy resource integration has developed the energy hub methodology [Geidl M, Koeppel G, Favre-Perrod P, et al. The energy hub – a powerful concept for future energy systems. In: Proceedings of the third annual Carnegie Mellon conference on the electricity industry, Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University, 13–14 March 2007, pp.1–10.] to formally model flows within an energy network, abstracting generation from multiple energy carriers (e.g. electricity, wind and natural gas) and allowing a modular energy network construction that facilitates optimal placement of distributed energy resources within each hub. This article will present the energy hub approach to modelling a decentralised energy network, illustrated with two case studies from the East and West coasts of Scotland. The resulting analysis will show the impact of two scenarios with different energy mixes available whilst reflecting the subtle differences in demands across areas with different weather profiles. This is a fundamental progression of existing distributed energy resource research to date in that individual characteristics and costs of a mixture of technologies are modelled. Such analysis will be pivotal in planning future networks to ensure that they function optimally and also in directing policy to encourage consumers to adopt a different approach to energy generation.
Accurate pressure control of a pneumatic actuator with a novel pulse width modulation–sliding mode controller using a fast switching On/Off valve
Authors: Hejrati Babak , Najafi Farid
Published: November 2012

Pressure control of a pneumatic actuator using fast switching On/Off valves continues to remain a major challenge for researchers. This article proposes a novel pulse width modulation–sliding mode controller that improves pressure tracking of pneumatic actuators. First, a comprehensive mathematical model of the pneumatic system was developed that consists of several submodels. The model comprises pressure and temperature equations describing the thermodynamic process inside the pneumatic chamber, an orifice flow model for the On/Off valve, and a model for the dynamic response of the On/Off valve to the control signal. Second, computer simulations were carried out using the model, and then, experimental tests were performed to verify the simulation results. The comparison between simulation and experimental results demonstrates good accuracy of the presented model. Since the governing equations of pneumatic systems are highly nonlinear in terms of parametric (including discharge coefficients of the valve) and structural uncertainties (the lack of knowledge about the exact type of the thermodynamic process), a robust controller was designed for such a system. In this study, a novel pulse width modulation–sliding mode controller is proposed that demonstrates a significant improvement in pressure control of pneumatic actuators compared to other proposed controllers from the literature.
Microblogging and nanotweets: Nanotechnology on Twitter
Authors: Veltri Giuseppe Alessandro
Published: November 2012

The social web represents a new arena for local, national and global conversations and will play an increasing role in the public understanding of science. This paper presents an analysis of the representations of nanotechnology on Twitter, analysing over 24,000 tweets in terms of web metrics, latent semantic and sentiment analysis. Results indicate that most active users on nanotechnology are distributed according to a power law distribution and that web metric indicators suggest little conversation on the topic. In terms of content, there is a remarkable similarity with previous studies of nanotechnology’s representations in other media outlets. Related to content is the sentiment analysis that indicates predominantly positively loaded words in the corpus. Negative sentiments mainly took the form of uncertainty and fear of the unknown rather than open hostility.
Wireless smart meters and public acceptance: The environment, limited choices, and precautionary politics
Authors: Hess David J. , Coley Jonathan S.
Published: November 2012

Wireless smart meters (WSMs) promise numerous environmental benefits, but they have been installed without full consideration of public acceptance issues. Although societal-implications research and regulatory policy have focused on privacy, security, and accuracy issues, our research indicates that health concerns have played an important role in the public policy debates that have emerged in California. Regulatory bodies do not recognize non-thermal health effects for non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, but both homeowners and counter-experts have contested the official assurances that WSMs pose no health risks. Similarities and differences with the existing social science literature on mobile phone masts are discussed, as are the broader political implications of framing an alternative policy based on an opt-out choice. The research suggests conditions under which health-oriented precautionary politics can be particularly effective, namely, if there is a mandatory technology, a network of counter-experts, and a broader context of democratic contestation.
Take a deep breath: Asthma, sporting embodiment, the senses and ‘auditory work’
Authors: Allen-Collinson Jacquelyn , Owton Helen
Published: November 2012

There has been a veritable efflorescence of interest in sporting embodiment in recent years, including more phenomenologically inspired sociological analyses. A sociology of the senses is, however, a very recent sub-discipline, which provides an interesting new dimension to studies of sporting embodiment, focusing inter alia upon the sensory elements of ‘somatic work’: the ways in which we go about making sense of our senses within a socio-cultural (and sub-cultural) framework. The present article contributes to a developing sociological-phenomenological empirical corpus of literature by addressing the lived experience of asthma in non-élite sports participants. Despite the prevalence of asthma and exercise-induced asthma/bronchoconstriction, there is a distinct lacuna in terms of qualitative research into living with asthma, and specifically in relation to sports participation. Here we focus upon the aural dimension of asthma experiences, examining the role of ‘auditory attunement’ and ‘auditory work’ in sporting embodiment.
Strategic Planning
Authors: Agnew Melanie
Published: November 2012

Internationalization of the curriculum is arguably a key strategy to developing and sustaining campus-wide internationalization. Using Becher and Trowler’s (2001) categorization of the disciplines, this qualitative study examined how 37 faculty members situate internationalization in the context of the disciplines. Disciplinary knowledge is viewed here as reflecting real-world differences in subject matter relative to internationalization. Findings indicate that internationalization manifest in different ways relative to the subjective–objective and the applied or pure qualities of the discipline categories, specifically in value of local culture and language, and the influence of global forces. It is argued here that institutions will be well served if specific qualities of the academic disciplines, a subset of university culture, and its subsequent impact on organizational development were considered in the strategic planning process supporting internationalization.
When Health Care Workers Experience Mental Ill Health
Authors: Moll Sandra , Eakin Joan M. , Franche Renée-Louise , Strike Carol
Published: November 2012

Based on findings from an institutional ethnography in a large mental health organization, we explore how institutional forces shape the experiences of health care workers with mental health issues. We interviewed 20 employees about their personal experiences with mental health issues and work and 12 workplace stakeholders about their interactions with workers who had mental health issues. We also reviewed organizational texts related to health, illness, and productivity. In analyzing transcripts and texts, silence emerged as a core underlying process characterizing individual and organizational responses to employees with mental health issues. Silence was an active practice that took many forms; it was pervasive, complex, and at times, paradoxical. It served many functions for workers and the organization. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the findings for workers with mental health issues.
Parameter estimation of a rate-dependent damage constitutive model for damage-tolerant brittle composites by Self-OPTIM analyses
Authors: Shang Shen , Yun Gun Jin , Kim Bong-Rae , Lee Haeng-Ki
Published: November 2012

This article demonstrates a novel parameter identification of a rate-dependent damage constitutive model using self-optimizing inverse method. In the self-optimizing inverse method, an implicit–explicit objective function is formulated as a function of two sets of full-field stresses/strains (implicit non-measurable variables) from two nonlinear finite element analyses, that is, force-driven and displacement-driven simulations, respectively, and global boundary displacements and forces (explicit measurable variables) from experimental tests. The self-optimizing inverse method can self-correct the damage parameter set through optimization procedures referring to global responses measured in laboratory tests. A micromechanics and fracture mechanics based damage constitutive law that accounts for the microcrack nucleation and growth is adopted. Synthetic data from impact tension test simulations were used to demonstrate successful performances of the self-optimizing inverse method in identifying the nonlinear constitutive and damage-related parameters. Comparative studies were conducted using two different optimization techniques – the simplex method and the steady-state genetic algorithm. The identified parameters proved to be identical to the reference values. Finally, in order to further verify the inverse identification method, self-optimizing inverse method analyses were conducted to identify the damage parameter set based on real experimental data from impact tension tests at different strain rates.
Treatment Effects of a Modular Intervention for Early-Onset Child Behavior Problems on Family Contextual Outcomes
Authors: Shaffer Anne , Lindhiem Oliver , Kolko David J.
Published: November 2012

The overall aim of this multi-informant study was to examine pre–post treatment changes, and maintenance at 3-year follow-up, for multiple dimensions of the family context, for a modular intervention that has previously demonstrated significant clinical improvements in child behavior and maintenance of these effects. Family outcomes included parenting practices (i.e., positive parenting, harsh/inconsistent parenting, psychological/physical aggression), parent functioning (i.e., symptoms of psychopathology, self-efficacy), and family functioning (i.e., family adaptability/cohesion, social support, negative life events). The sample comprised 139 families with children ages 6 to11 who participated in a modular treatment protocol for early-onset oppositional-defiant disorder or conduct disorder that has already been associated with improved child behavior outcomes, delivered in a nonrandomized comparison of research clinic and community settings. Improvement from pre- to post-treatment included indicators of maternal psychological distress and negative parenting practices (e.g., corporal punishment, inconsistent discipline, psychological aggression). Psychological aggression significantly increased following treatment termination; corporal punishment continued to decrease during the 3-year follow-up period. Results are discussed in the context of treatment effects in the broader family context and potential needs for continued intervention research and development.
The Role of Gender Identity Threat in Perceptions of Date Rape and Sexual Coercion
Authors: Munsch Christin L. , Willer Robb
Published: November 2012

We experimentally investigated the effects of gender identity threat on men’s and women’s perceptions of date rape and sexual coercion. Results showed that men whose masculinity was threatened responded by blaming the victim and exonerating the perpetrator more, while threatened women respond by blaming male perpetrators more and placing less blame on female victims. Men’s response to threats was more pronounced than women’s, an asymmetry we attribute to the cultural devaluation of femininity. Our findings highlight the significance of masculinity concerns in perceptions of sexual violence and, more generally, the importance of perceiver context in views of violence against women.
A Predictive Theory of Intentions to Exit Street-Level Prostitution
Authors: Cimino Andrea N.
Published: November 2012

Street-level prostitution is notoriously difficult to escape and rarely do women exit prostitution on their first attempt or without experiencing serious negative consequences to their physical or mental health. Unfortunately, few theories exist that explain the exiting process and those that do exist are difficult to test quantitatively. This article applies the integrative model of behavioral prediction to examine intentions to exit prostitution through attitudes, norms, and self-efficacy beliefs that underlie a woman’s intention to exit prostitution. Constructs unique prostitution—agency and societal context—enhance the model. This theory may explain and predict an exit from street-level prostitution.
The Minipig as Nonrodent Species in Toxicology—Where Are We Now?
Authors: Ganderup Niels Christian , Harvey Warren , Mortensen Jens Thing , Harrouk Wafa
Published: November 2012

Over the past 3 decades minipigs have moved from being an obscure alternative to dogs and nonhuman primates to being a standard animal model in regulatory toxicity studies. This article covers the use of minipigs as a model in the context of nonclinical drug safety and provides an overview of the minipig’s developmental history and relates minipigs to other animal species commonly used in toxicology; and the minipig’s translational power is supported by 43 case studies of marketed drug products covered. Special focus is given to criteria for selecting minipigs in nonclinical programs supporting the development of new medicines; the use of swine in the assessment of food additives, agrochemicals, and pesticides; as well as a regulatory perspective on the use of minipigs in Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-regulated products. This article presents the main points conveyed at a symposium held at the 2010 American College of Toxicology meeting in Baltimore, Maryland.
Y-ers, X-ers and Boomers: Investigating the multigenerational (mis)perceptions in the hospitality workplace
Authors: Zopiatis Anastasios , Krambia-Kapardis Maria , Varnavas Andreas
Published: November 2012

Today’s hospitality workforce is more diverse than ever with the symbiotic co-existence of three different generations; Generation Y, Generation X and Baby Boomers. This co-existence poses numerous challenges for an industry that strives to achieve inter-generational comfort, thus avoiding conflict, an impediment to the effectiveness of even its most sophisticated organizations. Adopting a quantitative methodology, this article explores the occupational similarities and differences of the three prevailing generations, currently active in the diverse hospitality workplace, as well as investigating how each generation cohort is perceived by its own members in comparison to members of other generations. Findings, which provide invaluable insights of interest to hospitality stakeholders, confirm the vast perceptual inter-generational differences within a plethora of work-related issues.
Chemotherapy and radiation regimens to breast cancer treatment induce changes in mRNA levels of renin–angiotensin system related genes in cardiac tissue
Authors: Salata Camila , Ferreira-Machado Samara Cristina , Mencalha André Luiz , de Andrade Cherley Borba Vieira , de Campos Vera Maria Araújo , Mandarim-de-Lacerda Carlos Alberto , deAlmeida Carlos Eduardo
Published: November 2012

Background and aim:

Cardiovascular complications are one limitation of breast cancer treatment. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether the renin–angiotensin related genes could be altered by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, using a rat model.

Methods:

Female rats were divided into three groups: control, chemotherapy + irradiation (TC+IR) and irradiation (IR). Molecular analyses of the left ventricle were performed five months after the end of treatment. The analyses evaluated the changes in mRNA levels of some renin–angiotensin system (RAS) related genes: angiotensinogen, renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which can be related to ACE production, by RT-PCR.

Results:

Renin was only observed in treated groups, TC+IR and IR, compared with the control group. ACE and VEGF levels were decreased in TC+IR ( p<0.001) and in IR ( p<0.001), and AT1 mRNA was higher in groups TC+IR ( p<0.01) and IR ( p<0.05) compared with the control group.

Conclusion:

Chemotherapy and irradiation can induce significant changes in some RAS related genes. These alterations are important to understand the pathways and consequences beyond cardiotoxicity induced by breast cancer treatments.
Efficacy of aliskiren and valsartan in hypertensive patients with albuminuria: a randomized parallel-group study
Authors: Spanos Georgios , Kalaitzidis Rigas , Karasavvidou Despina , Pappas Kosmas , Siamopoulos Kostas C
Published: November 2012

Introduction:

Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a critical approach to the management of hypertension, especially in proteinuric patients. It is well proven that the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren shows comparable clinical efficacy to the angiotensin II receptor blocker valsartan on blood pressure control and albuminuria. However, there is only limited data on the hand-to-hand effectiveness of these two RAS blockers in improving arterial stiffness. We tested whether aliskiren or valsartan would improve arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients with albuminuria who are already on antihypertensive therapy.

Material and methods:

Thirty-four patients with hypertension and albuminuria < 1 g, after a wash-out period of three weeks, were randomized to aliskiren or valsartan in a 24-week randomized parallel-group study.

Results:

A nonsignificant difference in blood pressure was seen between the two treatment groups. Albuminuria was significantly reduced in both groups (56% for the aliskiren group, p < 0.05, and 38% for the valsartan group, p < 0.05). Only valsartan but not aliskiren significantly reduced carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (–1.1 ± 0.8 m/s ( p = 0.02) for valsartan and +0.1 ± 0.7 m/s (ns) for aliskiren).

Conclusion:

The results of our study showed that valsartan improves arterial stiffness to a significantly greater extent than aliskiren, despite a similar antihypertensive and antiproteinuric effect.
Dementia diagnosis and post-diagnostic support in Scottish rural communities: Experiences of people with dementia and their families
Authors: Innes Anthea , Szymczynska Paulina , Stark Cameron
Published: November 2012

This paper explores the reported difficulties and satisfactions with diagnostic processes and post-diagnostic support offered to people with dementia and their families living in the largest remote and rural region in Scotland. A consultation with 18 participants, six people with dementia and 12 family members, was held using semi-structured interviews between September and November 2010. Three points in the diagnostic process were explored: events and experiences pre-diagnosis; the experience of the diagnostic process; and post-diagnostic support. Experiences of people with dementia and their carers varied at all three points in the diagnostic process. Participant experiences in this study suggest greater efforts are required to meet Government diagnosis targets and that post-diagnostic support needs to be developed and monitored to ensure that once a diagnosis is given people are well-supported. Without post-diagnostic provision Government targets for diagnosis are just that, quota targets, rather than a means to improve service experiences.
Structural damage detection method based on random forests and data fusion
Authors: Zhou Qifeng , Ning Yongpeng , Zhou Qingqing , Luo Linkai , Lei Jiayan
Published: November 2012

A structural damage detection method by integrating data fusion and random forests was proposed. The original acceleration signals were translated into energy features by wavelet packet decomposition. Then the processed energy features were fused into new energy features by data fusion. This can further enlarge the differences among all types of damages. Finally, random forests as an effective classifier was used to detect the multiclass damage. Numerical study on the benchmark model and an eight-storey steel shear frame structure model was carried out to validate the accuracy of the proposed damage detection method. The experiment results indicate that the damage detection method based on random forests and data fusion can improve damage detection accuracy in comparison with random forests alone, support vector machine alone, and support vector machine and data fusion techniques. Moreover, the proposed method has significantly better stability than several other methods.
Developing a Computer Touch-Screen Interactive Colorectal Screening Decision Aid for a Low-Literacy African American Population
Authors: Bass Sarah Bauerle , Gordon Thomas F. , Ruzek Sheryl Burt , Wolak Caitlin , Ruggieri Dominique , Mora Gabriella , Rovito Michael J. , Britto Johnson , Parameswaran Lalitha , Abedin Zainab , Ward Stephanie , Paranjape Anuradha , Lin Karen , Meyer Brian , Pitts Khaliah
Published: November 2012

African Americans have higher colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality than White Americans and yet have lower rates of CRC screening. Increased screening aids in early detection and higher survival rates. Coupled with low literacy rates, the burden of CRC morbidity and mortality is exacerbated in this population, making it important to develop culturally and literacy appropriate aids to help low-literacy African Americans make informed decisions about CRC screening. This article outlines the development of a low-literacy computer touch-screen colonoscopy decision aid using an innovative marketing method called perceptual mapping and message vector modeling. This method was used to mathematically model key messages for the decision aid, which were then used to modify an existing CRC screening tutorial with different messages. The final tutorial was delivered through computer touch-screen technology to increase access and ease of use for participants. Testing showed users were not only more comfortable with the touch-screen technology but were also significantly more willing to have a colonoscopy compared with a “usual care group.” Results confirm the importance of including participants in planning and that the use of these innovative mapping and message design methods can lead to significant CRC screening attitude change.
Skin Remembers
Authors: Dorst John
Published: November 2012

Of those things people tend to think of as “internal” mental processes, memory is one of the hardest to separate from their material experience in the physical world. The materiality of memory is recognized in many fields. Using as heuristics some seminal concepts from Henri Bergson and Walter Benjamin, this article offers a case study of the complex materiality of a particular “memory object.” The so-called Chadwick Ram is reputed to be the most perfect big game trophy in the history of North American hunting. It provides an occasion for exploring how memory as a life process ebbs and flows in the variable materiality of one object. In the perspective taken here, one may consider degrees or intensities of materiality, which are related to various mechanisms of memory. An analysis contrasting this modern hunting trophy with a premodern, trophy-like artifact from the realm of a heroic epic illustrates the complexities of material memory.
War-Related Somatoform Disorder in an Older Adult Veteran
Authors: Jacobs Lindsey , Dinoff Beth
Published: November 2012

This case study describes an older adult war veteran who served during World War II (WWII) and later developed disruptive behaviors related to psychosomatic symptoms, dementia, and his war-related fear of dying. While in the service, he developed lifelong gastrointestinal problems and was subsequently diagnosed with undifferentiated somatization disorder (USD). USD is a mental illness characterized by medically unexplained physical symptoms originating from psychological or emotional distress. The geropsychology team who worked with the veteran postulated the association of WWII experiences to his somatic symptoms; however, this veteran never received treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and only a couple of notes in his computerized medical record referenced his wartime experiences. A stepwise approach to care was necessitated to identify a successful, individualized treatment. Phase I of treatment was aimed to reduce attachment anxiety and related behavioral disturbances when the veteran moved into the nursing home. In Phase II, cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy were used to help the veteran cope with somatic symptoms. In Phase III, Montessori-based interventions were used to minimize distress associated with dementia-related cognitive impairment and associated war-related somatization and fear of dying. We contemplate the possibility that the veteran’s presentation is a variant of PTSD that has not been described in the literature. We hope that you find this case study to be not the story of someone enduring a life of chronic mental and physical illnesses, but instead our discoveries about the man who persevered with courage and dignity.
Science or Art? How Aesthetic Standards Grease the Way Through the Publication Bottleneck but Undermine Science
Authors: Giner-Sorolla Roger
Published: November 2012

The current crisis in psychological research involves issues of fraud, replication, publication bias, and false positive results. I argue that this crisis follows the failure of widely adopted solutions to psychology’s similar crisis of the 1970s. The untouched root cause is an information-economic one: Too many studies divided by too few publication outlets equals a bottleneck. Articles cannot pass through just by showing theoretical meaning and methodological rigor; their results must appear to support the hypothesis perfectly. Consequently, psychologists must master the art of presenting perfect-looking results just to survive in the profession. This favors aesthetic criteria of presentation in a way that harms science’s search for truth. Shallow standards of statistical perfection distort analyses and undermine the accuracy of cumulative data; narrative expectations encourage dishonesty about the relationship between results and hypotheses; criteria of novelty suppress replication attempts. Concerns about truth in research are emerging in other sciences and may eventually descend on our heads in the form of difficult and insensitive regulations. I suggest a more palatable solution: to open the bottleneck, putting structures in place to reward broader forms of information sharing beyond the exquisite art of present-day journal publication.
The Rules of the Game Called Psychological Science
Authors: Bakker Marjan , van Dijk Annette , Wicherts Jelte M.
Published: November 2012

If science were a game, a dominant rule would probably be to collect results that are statistically significant. Several reviews of the psychological literature have shown that around 96% of papers involving the use of null hypothesis significance testing report significant outcomes for their main results but that the typical studies are insufficiently powerful for such a track record. We explain this paradox by showing that the use of several small underpowered samples often represents a more efficient research strategy (in terms of finding p < .05) than does the use of one larger (more powerful) sample. Publication bias and the most efficient strategy lead to inflated effects and high rates of false positives, especially when researchers also resorted to questionable research practices, such as adding participants after intermediate testing. We provide simulations that highlight the severity of such biases in meta-analyses. We consider 13 meta-analyses covering 281 primary studies in various fields of psychology and find indications of biases and/or an excess of significant results in seven. These results highlight the need for sufficiently powerful replications and changes in journal policies.
Psychologists Are Open to Change, yet Wary of Rules
Authors: Fuchs Heather M. , Jenny Mirjam , Fiedler Susann
Published: November 2012

Psychologists must change the way they conduct and report their research—this notion has been the topic of much debate in recent years. One article recently published in Psychological Science proposing six requirements for researchers concerning data collection and reporting practices as well as four guidelines for reviewers aimed at improving the publication process has recently received much attention (Simmons, Nelson, & Simonsohn, 2011). We surveyed 1,292 psychologists to address two questions: Do psychologists support these concrete changes to data collection, reporting, and publication practices, and if not, what are their reasons? Respondents also indicated the percentage of print and online journal space that should be dedicated to novel studies and direct replications as well as the percentage of published psychological research that they believed would be confirmed if direct replications were conducted. We found that psychologists are generally open to change. Five requirements for researchers and three guidelines for reviewers were supported as standards of good practice, whereas one requirement was even supported as a publication condition. Psychologists appear to be less in favor of mandatory conditions of publication than standards of good practice. We conclude that the proposal made by Simmons, Nelson & Simonsohn (2011) is a starting point for such standards.
An Open, Large-Scale, Collaborative Effort to Estimate the Reproducibility of Psychological Science
Authors:   Open Science Collaboration
Published: November 2012

Reproducibility is a defining feature of science. However, because of strong incentives for innovation and weak incentives for confirmation, direct replication is rarely practiced or published. The Reproducibility Project is an open, large-scale, collaborative effort to systematically examine the rate and predictors of reproducibility in psychological science. So far, 72 volunteer researchers from 41 institutions have organized to openly and transparently replicate studies published in three prominent psychological journals in 2008. Multiple methods will be used to evaluate the findings, calculate an empirical rate of replication, and investigate factors that predict reproducibility. Whatever the result, a better understanding of reproducibility will ultimately improve confidence in scientific methodology and findings.
Why Science Is Not Necessarily Self-Correcting
Authors: Ioannidis John P. A.
Published: November 2012

The ability to self-correct is considered a hallmark of science. However, self-correction does not always happen to scientific evidence by default. The trajectory of scientific credibility can fluctuate over time, both for defined scientific fields and for science at-large. History suggests that major catastrophes in scientific credibility are unfortunately possible and the argument that “it is obvious that progress is made” is weak. Careful evaluation of the current status of credibility of various scientific fields is important in order to understand any credibility deficits and how one could obtain and establish more trustworthy results. Efficient and unbiased replication mechanisms are essential for maintaining high levels of scientific credibility. Depending on the types of results obtained in the discovery and replication phases, there are different paradigms of research: optimal, self-correcting, false nonreplication, and perpetuated fallacy. In the absence of replication efforts, one is left with unconfirmed (genuine) discoveries and unchallenged fallacies. In several fields of investigation, including many areas of psychological science, perpetuated and unchallenged fallacies may comprise the majority of the circulating evidence. I catalogue a number of impediments to self-correction that have been empirically studied in psychological science. Finally, I discuss some proposed solutions to promote sound replication practices enhancing the credibility of scientific results as well as some potential disadvantages of each of them. Any deviation from the principle that seeking the truth has priority over any other goals may be seriously damaging to the self-correcting functions of science.
Professional Autonomy in Medicine: Defending the Right of Conscience in Health Care beyond the Right to Religious Freedom
Authors: Rouse Susan T.
Published: November 2012

Health-care professionals currently have the right to conscientiously object to any procedure that they deem as morally illicit or that, in their opinion, could harm the patient. However, the right of conscientious refusal in medicine is currently under severe scrutiny. Medical procedures such as abortion and physician-assisted suicide that are not commonly medically indicated, but that can be requested by the patient, represent a type of medical care that is the penultimate expression of patient autonomy. When a health-care provider exercises his or her conscience in a way that denies the patient immediate access to such procedures, many claim that patient autonomy has been oppressed by the religious convictions of the health-care professional. As such, there is a growing opposition to the protection of conscience rights in health care that deserves attention. A common strategy used to defend conscience rights has been to claim that under the United States Bill of Rights, the health-care professional must be allowed to exercise their religious liberties in the context of their profession. This rationale seems to ignite a more intense opposition to conscience rights as it seems to validate the sense that a health-care professional's religious convictions are protected at the cost of patient autonomy. This paper reviews the current status of this debate and proposes a defense of conscience rights in health care that considers both the autonomy of the health-care worker and that of the patient in the context of the patient-physician relationship.
Family Planning, Natural Family Planning, and Abortion Use among U.S. Hispanic Women: Analysis of Data from Cycle 7 of the National Survey of Family Growth
Authors: Rodriguez Dana , Fehring Richard J.
Published: November 2012

Hispanics are the largest minority group in the U.S. and they contribute to over 50 percent of Catholics under the age of 25. The purpose of this study was to determine the patterns of contraceptive use (current and ever), natural family planning (NFP), and abortion among U.S. Hispanic women between the ages of 15 and 44 years and to compare their patterns of use to non-Hispanic women of the same age range. A particular interest was to determine the influence of faith on the choice of family-planning methods among the sexually active U.S. Catholic Hispanic women. Data for this study came from the National Survey of Family Growth 2006–2008, which included 1,613 Hispanic and 5,743 non-Hispanic women between the ages of 15 and 44. Approximately 57 percent of the Hispanic women are Catholic. In general, U.S. Hispanic women had significantly less frequent use of the hormonal pill, male condom, withdrawal, and vasectomy (of male partner) but more frequent use of the IUD and Depo-Provera compared to non-Hispanic women. There was little use of NFP and no difference in the frequency of reported abortion. Catholic Hispanic women had significantly less frequent use of the male condom, the Pill, vasectomy, and abortion and more use of NFP compared to non-Catholic Hispanic women. Although there is some positive influence of faith among the sexually active Hispanic women of reproductive age, overall, the amount of ever use of sterilization (21 percent), condom use (80 percent), Pill use (66 percent), and Depo-Provera (30 percent) is remarkable. The more frequent use of Depo-Provera and the IUD might reflect the economic level of the participants and the use of federally funded family-planning services.
The Vocation of a Doctor
Authors: Landry Donald W.
Published: November 2012

Doctors are called to a life of compassionate service to human beings invested with intrinsic dignity. This essay is adapted from the commencement address that Dr. Landry delivered at the St. Louis University School of Medicine on July 18, 2011.
An Ethical Comparison between In-Vitro Fertilization and NaProTechnology
Authors: Vélez Juan R.
Published: November 2012

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is morally objectionable for a number of reasons: the destruction of human embryos, the danger to women and newborn infants, and the replacement of the marital act in procreation. Recent studies have shown a significant risk of maternal death and morbidity associated with ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome and multiple pregnancies after IVF. Due to lack of uniform regulations for IVF clinics, there is under-reporting of the adverse effects. NaProTechonology is one ethical alternative to IVF for female infertility. One study has confirmed earlier findings that NaProTechonology results in a number of live births similar to that of assisted reproductive technology, without the danger to women and newborn infants. Adoption of born children is another ethical and praiseworthy alternative to IVF.
When to Recommend a PEG Tube
Authors:   The Ad-Hoc PEG Tube Study Group, Beaulieu Peter , Bochanski Philip G. , Clark Curtis E. , Doherty Katherine , Frank Jeffrey W. , Howland John , Isajiw George , Mathews Jeffrey E. , McManus Robert , Orme Jeane , Rentler Russell , Smithhisler John , Sobecks Ronald , Travaline John M. , Zabiega Thomas
Published: November 2012

The question of tube feeding often presents great challenges for the physician. Catholic moral teaching can be of great help to all people of good will in meeting this challenge. The Church teaches that tube feeding is, in principle, ordinary care and hence morally obligatory. How should clinicians go about deciding when to recommend tube feeding in a manner that serves the best interests of the patient and is in harmony with the Church's teaching? A PEG tube should be recommended when a patient is not eating or drinking adequately, has more than a short-term need, is not imminently dying, and has no contraindication to a PEG. This article presents a step-by-step discussion of the decision-making process to assist physicians and other health-care professionals. A decision tree is included that is clinically focused, practical, and straightforward. The authors represent a broad range of Catholic clinical experience. Practical suggestions are offered regarding how to go about discussing this difficult subject with patients and their families. The issues of patient refusal, advance directives, and physician recusal from care are addressed. A chronological reading list on the subject of PEG tubes is provided.
The Return of Virtue to Ethical Medical Decision Making
Authors: Vizcarrondo Felipe E.
Published: November 2012

For the past several decades, ethical deliberation in medicine has been dominated by “principlism,” an ethical method that relies on a set of principles or rules that are variable and applied inconsistently. This approach overlooks the moral agent, separates the ethical decisions from the moral sensibilities that shaped them, isolating the decisions from the moral actor. Ethics, being a human endeavor, cannot ignore the moral agent. I propose a practical approach to the ethical dilemma that combines virtue with principles.
Direct Abortion or Legitimate Medical Procedure Double Effect?
Authors: Seeds John W.
Published: November 2012

The distinction between direct abortion and legitimate medical procedures deemed necessary to save the life of the mother but resulting in the death of the unborn child challenge all clinicians and persons of faith. A careful analysis of the principle of double effect and a recent statement by the Committee on Doctrine of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offer some clarity to this difficult conflict. Two case examples offer illustration for the analysis.