bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexual Maturation and Psychiatric Morbidity among Persons with Sickle Cell Anaemia in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital
Authors: Aina Olatunji F. , Fadaka Kate , Temiye Edamisan , Renner James K.
Published: May 2010

Background:

Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA), an inherited HbSS disease, is common in Nigeria with attendant high morbidity and mortality most especially in the setting of poor health care services. Impaired physical and sexual development is one of the prominent complications of SCA; and with attendant secondary psychiatric sequelae.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was carried out at the haematology clinic of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), among adolescent attendees (10–19 years) with SCA. Age and sex-matched controls were recruited from Action Health Incorporated (AHI), an NGO to promote adolescent health advocacy. The haemoglobin genotypes SS for subjects and AA for controls were confirmed with gel electrophoresis. Each subject and control was physically examined for the assessment of external genitalia (sexual) maturation using Tanner Staging Method, and were also evaluated with General Health Questionnaire—version 12 (GHQ-12).

Results:

In all, 136 adolescents with SCA and of equal sex distribution and equal number of controls were studied, with mean ages of 14.3 α 2.8 and 13.5 α 2.6 years, respectively. On GHQ assessment, 113 (83%) subjects and 25 (18.4%) controls had GHQ scores of ≥ 5, indicating probable presence of psychopathology. For both males and females, the subjects significantly lagged behind the controls in different areas of sexual maturation, with corresponding significant higher GHQ scores among the subjects. For example, in sexual maturation rate (SMR) stage 1 of pubic hair development, the mean ages for male subjects and controls were 11.9 α 1.5 and 10.7 α 0.9 years, respectively, with significant “ t” of 5.06 at p < 0.03*; for females: 13.0 α 2.6 and 10.4 α 0.6 years for subjects and controls respectively with significant “ t” of 4.36 at p < 0.04*. The corresponding GHQ scores were for subjects: < 5 for 6 and ≥ 5 for 20 of the subjects respectively; and for controls, the GHQ scores were < 5 for 9 and nil of controls for ≥ 5 score. The difference in GHQ scores for subjects and controls in this stage 1 pubic hair maturation was significant with χ2 = 16.15, df = 1, p = 0.00*.

Conclusion:

It is concluded that SCA subjects had significantly delayed sexual maturation and increased risk of psychiatric morbidity when compared to controls. The need for genetic counseling to reduce the prevalence of SCA was emphasized.
Effects of Antidepressive Treatment of Saint John'S Wort Extract Related to Autonomic Nervous Function in Women with Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Wan Hongyu , Chen Yulong
Published: May 2010

Background and Aim:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients usually manifest autonomic nerve dysfunctions and abnormal psychological behaviors. This study was to assess autonomic nervous system (ANS) response to different stressor as well as evaluate effects of antidepressive treatment of Saint John's Wort Extract in women with IBS.

Method:

Thirty women with IBS and 20 healthy women underwent serial ANS function tests. Five-minute-short-time heart rate variability (HRV) spectral analysis were assessed at a stress or resting recording period. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used to measure their anxiety and depression conditions. After 8–weeks' antidepressant treatment, groups of IBS repeated the tests above. Subjects also completed a GI symptom diary once daily during the 2 weeks before therapy and for 2 weeks in the last scheduled therapy session.

Results:

IBS-group showed a higher score in HAMA and HAMD ( p < 0.01) and showed a significant increase in the low frequency band/high frequency band ratio (L/H) during the period in different stimuli ( p < 0.01), which was significantly different from pre-treatment. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms of IBS were also relieved significantly.

Conclusions:

Antidepressive treatment can improve the conditions of psychology and the ANS reactivity to stress in patients with IBS.
Ethnic Disparities in Accessing Treatment for Depression and Substance Use Disorders in an Integrated Health Plan
Authors: Satre Derek D. , Campbell Cynthia I. , Gordon Nancy P. , Weisner Constance
Published: May 2010

Objective:

This study examined ethnic differences in accessing treatment for depression and substance use disorders (SUDs) among men and women in a large integrated health plan and explored factors potentially contributing to health care disparities.

Methods:

Participants were 22,543 members ages 20 to 65 who responded to health surveys in 2002 and 2005. Survey questions were linked to provider-assigned diagnoses, electronic medication, psychiatry, and chemical dependency program records.

Results:

Among women diagnosed with depression, Latinas ( p < .01) and Asian-Americans ( p < .001) were less likely than Whites to fill an antidepressant prescription. Among men diagnosed with depression, African Americans ( p < .01) were less likely than Whites to do so. Among women diagnosed with an SUD, African Americans ( p < .05) were less likely than Whites to have one or more chemical dependency program visits.

Conclusions:

Results demonstrated ethnic differences in accessing depression and SUD treatment among patients diagnosed with these disorders, which persisted after controlling for education, income, having a regular health care provider and length of health plan enrollment. Findings highlight potential gender differences in ethnic disparities, lower antidepressant utilization among Asian Americans, and the effects of co-occurring disorders in accessing behavioral health care.
The Prevalence of Hopelessness among Adults: Disability and other Related Factors
Authors: Hamzaoglu Onur , Ozkan Ozlem , Ulusoy Mahir , Gokdogan Feray
Published: May 2010

Background:

Hopelessness has become an important issue in the fields of health and social care.

Objective:

This study aims to determine the prevalence of hopelessness and its association with the current health condition, disability, and other socio-demographic characteristics.

Method:

The cross-sectional study sampled a population of 501 adults in Bolu, Turkey. Questionnaires included the Household Questionnaire, the Health Condition Questionnaire, Beck Hopelessness Scale, and Brief Disability Questionnaire. Data were collected through face-to-face home interviews between September 29 and October 11, 2003.

Results:

The prevalence of hopelessness was 30.9%. It was higher among the literate (60.0%) ( p < 0.05), males (35.0%) ( p > 0.05), and agricultural workers and peasants (50.0%, 41.9%) ( p < 0.05). Almost half of the participants were disabled, and 44.6% of the subjects with disabilities were hopeless ( p < 0.05). Being without hope was statistically significant with gender, social class, perceived health, and disability ( p < 0.05). The risk of hopelessness increased in subjects with perceived bad health, lowered social class, and disability, compared with the reference groups.

Conclusions:

In this study, hopelessness prevalence was high and it was also associated with the current state of health, perceived health, disability, and some socio-demographic variables. It will be important to increase the number of studies related to hopelessness and associated factors for improved mental health services planning at population level.
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy and Electroconvulsive Treatments: A Case Study and Review
Authors: Serby Michael J. , Lantz Melinda , Chabus Brent I. , Bernay Laura J.
Published: May 2010

A 90-year-old woman who had received more than 100 electroconvulsive treatments (ECT) over many years requested another course for depression. After the third ECT, an electrocardiogram showed new T-wave inversion (V2–V6) and ST elevation (V2). Catheterization revealed severe left ventricular dysfunction but no coronary obstruction, leading to a diagnosis of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (stress-related). The patient's recovery was uneventful. Recent literature cites three other cases post-ECT. It appears that elderly women are at greatest risk, repeated stress is generally required, and recovery is achieved quickly. Elevated levels of catecholamines and of vasopressin may be implicated.
State Dependence among the Uninsured: Accounting for Feedback to Health and Employment
Authors: Zimmer David M.
Published: May 2010

Persistent lack of health insurance might arise from two distinct sources. First, individuals who lack insurance might possess certain traits, also exhibiting persistence, that associate with lower probabilities of having insurance. Second, persistence might arise if lack of insurance in the present period directly increases the probability of lacking insurance in future periods. This second channel, called "true state dependence", implies a causal mechanism from past uninsurance. State dependence can also arise if insurance status "feeds back" to future factors that affect insurance status in subsequent periods. This paper extends standard dynamic models to incorporate feedback from uninsurance to future health and employment. Results indicate that, after incorporating feedback effects, lacking insurance six months ago increases the probability of current uninsurance by 57-59 percentage points. Similarly, lacking insurance two years ago increases the probability of current uninsurance by 18-22 percentage points. The large estimates of state dependence suggest that future uninsurance can be effectively reduced by enacting blanket policies that increase insurance rates now. On the other hand, estimates also reveal that unmeasured heterogeneity contributes more to persistence than observed heterogeneity, especially in the long run. This finding draws into question the effectiveness of implementing new, or expanding upon existing, targeted reforms.
Balancing, Subsumption, and the Constraining Role of Legal Text
Authors: Schauer Frederick
Published: May 2010

Robert Alexy has for many years been a prominent analyst of the role of principles in legal argumentation, and an equally prominent defender of the rationality of balancing and proportionality modes of legal decision-making. But although Alexy's defense of proportionality and balancing against charges by Jürgen Habermas and Justice Antonin Scalia that balancing is essentially an irrational process is sound, Alexy in the process is too quick to collapse the important differences between the process of balancing competing principles and the process of interpreting a canonical written text. Although both can be and are frequently rational, rationality is not the same as external constraint, and the ability of canonical texts to provide a degree of external constraint on legal decision-making that cannot be provided by open-ended principles is a difference that should not be lost in the well-aimed efforts to demonstrate that both can be rational and both have important places in legal argumentation and decision-making.
Stock Market and Shareholder Protection: Are They Important for Economic Growth?
Authors: Rathinam Francis Xavier , Raja A. V.
Published: May 2010

This paper tries to determine the long run equilibrium relationship between shareholder protection and stock market development and ultimately their relationship with economic growth in the context of India. A number of causality tests are employed to investigate the long run causal relationship in a system consisting of stock market development, legal development and economic growth. While developments in procedural law and investor protection cause market capitalization, the relationship between stock market and economic growth is ambiguous as the relationship is not consistent for different indicators of stock market development which is contrary to most of the existing literature.
John Rawls' Justice as Fairness and the WTO: A Critical Analysis on the Initial Position of the Multilateral Agricultural Negotiation
Authors: Cedro Rafael Rosa , Vieira Bruno Furtado
Published: May 2010

This article provides an original analysis about the unbalance present in the World Trade Organization from its very origin, taking the Agreement on Agriculture as an explicit example of it. The reflection is done through a case study on the distorting domestic subsidies in agriculture allowed by that Organization to the United States and Brazil, using as a reference of justice the toolbox provided by John Rawls' "Justice as Fairness" theory. The article explores alternative criteria for the establishment of multilateral commitments, based on Rawls' concepts. The reflection serves as a parameter or a starting point for thinking the reform of the multilateral trade system and the establishment of possible new commitments within it.
Turning Trips on Its Head: An "IP Cross Retaliation" Model for Developing Countries
Authors: Basheer Shamnad
Published: May 2010

The biblical David vs. Goliath paradigm plays out very frequently in international trade disputes. In 2003, a tiny island state, Antigua and Barbuda (hereafter Antigua) took on the United States (hereafter U.S.) in a WTO (World Trade Organization) dispute, alleging that the U.S. violated the General Agreement on Trade in Services (hereafter GATS) obligations by effectively foreclosing its borders to overseas internet gambling services. It won at both the panel and the appellate levels. However, to this date, it has been unable to secure compliance by the U.S.This paper considers cross retaliation" by suspending intellectual property rights under the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (hereafter TRIPS) as a viable remedy for developing countries such as Antigua that often find themselves at the receiving end of WTO inconsistent measures maintained by countries that are economically more powerful.Towards this end, it proposes a Tiered IP suspension model," where certain kinds of Intellectual Property (hereafter IP) are targeted first for suspension before others, depending on the ease of objectively ascertaining the harm caused by the unauthorized use of such IP and/or the potential to induce compliance by the defaulting state. Illustratively, copyrights over sound recordings that have established rates for public performance are targeted first. If working with this tier of IP subject matter does not yield desired results, then the complaining state moves on to other IP where it is relatively more difficult to compute the loss caused to the IP owner (such as pharmaceutical patents) but which may be a more powerful tool to induce compliance. Such a model could be useful for a large number of developing countries, such as India and Brazil, that often find that, despite WTO victories, scofflaw states such as the U.S. and EU fail to comply. Towards this end, this paper offers a very concrete development" oriented international trade law remedy.
Optimal growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (PTCC 24860) on pretreated molasses for ethanol production: Application of response surface methodology
Authors: Shafaghat Hoda , Najafpour Ghasem , Rezaei Sirous , Sharifzadeh Mazyar
Published: May 2010

Saccharomyces cerevisiae (PTCC 24860) growth on pretreated sugar beet molasses was optimized via statistical approach. In order to liberate all monomeric sugars, pretreated sugar beet molasses with dilute acid was obtained. The influence of process parameters such as sugar concentration, nitrogen source, pH and incubation time on cell growth were investigated by design expert software with application of central composite design (CCD) under response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal culture conditions were pH of 5.3, incubation time of 24 h and medium composition of 35 g reduced sugars, 1.5 g NH4Cl and 1 g yeast extract per liter of the media. At optimal cell growth conditions and incubation time of 12 h, maximum ethanol production of 14.87 g/L was obtained.
Pore surface fractal analysis of PEG and La(III)-doped mesoporous alumina obtained by the sol-gel method
Authors: Novakovic Tatjana , Rozic Ljiljana , Petrovic Srdjan , Vukovic Zorica , Dondur Vera
Published: May 2010

Active porous alumina was prepared via a sol-gel method and subjected to thermal treatment in the temperature range 500-1200 ?C. The addition of lanthanum effectively inhibited the surface area loss of the aluminas. Fractal analysis from nitrogen adsorption isotherm was used to study the pore surface roughness of alumina samples with different chemical compositions (PEG, PEG and lanthanum) and calcinations conditions in terms of the surface fractal dimension, d. The Mahnke and M?gel (MM) model was used to determine the value of d of La(III)-doped alumina. Following the MM model, the d value of the activated aluminas increased as the calcination temperature increased from 500 to 700 ?C but decreased after calcination at 1000, 1100 and 1200 ?C. The addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG 5600) to the boehmite sol reduced the surface fractal of the activated alumina due to the heterogeneous distribution of the pores. With increasing La(III) concentration from 0.015 to 0.045 mol La(III)/mol Al(III), the d value of La-modified alumina samples decreased, indicating a smoother surface. The obtained PEG+La-doped boehmite sol can be used as a precursor dispersion for the deposition of mesoporous alumina coatings on stainless steel foil, by the spray pyrrolysis method.
Synthesis, characterization, DNA interaction and antimicrobial screening of isatin-based polypyridyl mixed ligand Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes
Authors: Raman Natarajan , Sobha Sivasangu
Published: May 2010

Several mixed ligand Cu(II)/Zn(II) complexes using 3- phenylimino-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one (obtained by the condensation of isatin and aniline) as the primary ligand and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen)/2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) as an additional ligand were synthesized and characterized analytically and spectroscopically by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility and molar conductance measurements, as well as by UV-Vis, IR, NMR and FAB mass spectroscopy. The interaction of the complexes with calf thymus (CT) DNA was studied using absorption spectra, cyclic voltammetric, viscosity and gel electrophoresis measurements. They exhibit absorption hypochromicity, and the specific viscosity increased during the binding of the complexes to calf thymus DNA. The shifts in the oxidation reduction potential and changes in peak current on addition of DNA were shown by CV measurements. The Cu(II)/Zn(II) complexes were found to promote cleavage of pUC19 DNA from the super coiled form I to the open circular form II and linear form III. The complexes show enhanced antifungal and antibacterial activities compared with the free ligand.
Tensiometric investigation of the interaction and phase separation in a polymer mixture-ionic surfactant ternary system
Authors: Katona Jaroslav , Sovilj Verica , Petrovic Lidija , Mucic Nenad
Published: May 2010

The interaction and phase separation in a ternary mixture composed of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC), and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) were investigated by tensiometry. Surface tension measurements of binary mixtures (0.7 % HPMC and 0.00-2.00 % SDS) and of ternary mixtures (0.7 % HPMC, 0.3 % NaCMC, and 0.00-2.00 % SDS) were performed. The measurements indicated interaction between HPMC and SDS, which resulted in HPMC-SDS complex formation. The critical association concentration, CAC, and polymer saturation point, PSP, were determined. Phase separation of ternary HPMC/SDS/NaCMC mixtures occurs at SDS concentration > CAC, i.e., when the HPMC-SDS complex is formed. The volume of the coacervate increases with increasing SDS concentration, and at SDS concentrations >1.00 %, the coacervate vanishes. The surface tensions (?) of ternary HPMC/SDS/NaCMC mixtures in the precoacervation region and at the onset of the coacervation region are similar to the ? of the corresponding binary HPMC-SDS mixtures, while in the coacervation and post coacervation region, they are close to the ? of the corresponding SDS solutions.
Mineralogy and petrology serving society: challenges for the 21st century
Authors: Hovorka Dušan
Published: May 2010

Mineralogy and petrology serving society: challenges for the 21st century

One of the topical problems of science in general at present is spreading the newest discoveries among population as well as among the decision-makers. "Mineralogical sciences" (mineralogy, geochemistry, petrology) affect the wide spectrum of human activities. Such an influence can already be traced in prehistory, and in the modern age the significance of the mentioned geoscience branches is on the increase. The author presents here a review of selected applications of mineralogical sciences in the development of mankind.
Luminescence properties of Ce3+ and Eu2+ in fluorites and apatites
Authors: Bodył Sabina
Published: May 2010

Luminescence properties of Ce3+ and Eu2+ in fluorites and apatites

Natural samples of fluorite and apatite from granites, pegmatites, carbonatites and andesitic tuffs were investigated by steady-time spectroscopy to characterize the luminescence properties of Ce3+ and Eu2+. The luminescence of Ce3+ has been clearly seen in fluorite as 320 and 337 or 343 nm bands. In apatites, two distinct bands for two different Ca crystal sites were obtained: 340-380 nm for Ca(1) and 420-450 nm for Ca(2). The luminescence spectra of Eu2+ in the fluorite crystals were measured even at for low concentration of this element (0.11 ppm). For Ce3+, it has been showed that the crystal field strength depends more on the nature of the ligand than on the Me-ligand distances.
Camera trocar lifting in office gasless laparoscopic sterilization under local anesthesia
Authors: BERGSTRÖM BO S.
Published: May 2010

We evaluated 35 cases of a mechanical approach to abdominal wall lifting, used in office‐based gasless laparoscopic sterilization under local anesthesia. Lifting of the abdominal wall, using the camera trocar as an anchoring device and complemented by suprapubic lifting by means of a towel clamp, led to passive intra‐abdominal air filling, giving sufficient space to identify, anesthetize, coagulate and cut the Fallopian tubes. Only mild sedation was necessary. All women walked to and from the operating room. All had successful tubal ligation. The overall satisfaction rate was 97%. The mechanical lifting moment was not painful. With the exception of one woman with failed tubal anesthesia, all women had a low mean pain score of 2.6 (VAS 0–10). No complications occurred except one wound infection. The costs were ≤ ¼ of those of traditional laparoscopic sterilization and office hysteroscopic sterilization. This approach is effective for office‐based laparoscopic sterilization. Room air, two strings and a needle replace active gas insufflation and narcosis.
Baseline Characteristics of Patients and the Effect of Fixed-Dose Combination Chemotherapy on Sputum Conversion Time in Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Preliminary Study in Kandy District, Sri Lanka
Authors: Jayawardena KAS , Samarathunga M
Published: May 2010

Main Objective: To evaluate the effect of Fixed-Dose Combination (FDC) drugs on sputum conversion time in active tuberculosis. Method: A prospective study of 58 active pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Kandy District Sri Lanka. Results: The mean sputum conversion time was 3.836 weeks (SD 2.599) and the median was 4.00 weeks. The sputum conversion rate at the end of 8 weeks was 96.36%. Initial bacillary load indicated by sputum smear grading was highly correlated with sputum conversion time (r = 0.531 P = 0.000). Gender was associated with sputum conversion time. Women had significantly shorter sputum conversion time. (T value =2.23, P = 0.03, Df = 48). Heavy smoking was associated with delayed sputum conversion in male patients (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Use of FDC in active pulmonary tuberculosis yields high sputum conversion rate with a mean sputum conversion time of 3.4 weeks. Faster sputum conversion among women may be attributed to their stronger genetic constitution and healthy lifestyles. Heavy smoking is associated with delayed sputum conversion. Key words: FDC Drugs; sputum conversion time; pulmonary tuberculosis; Sri Lanka DOI: 10.3126/saarctb.v5i1.3076 SAARC J. Tuber. Lung Dis. HIV/AIDS 2008 Vol.5(1) 1-6
Bacteriological Status of Tuberculosis Cases and Tuberculosis Symptoms in HIV Infected Persons in Kathmandu
Authors: Dhungana GP , Ghimire P , Sharma S , Rijal BP
Published: May 2010

Background: Clinical presentations of Tuberculosis (TB) vary with in HIV positive and HIV negative individuals. Smear negative tuberculosis is the leading cause of death of HIV patients. Objective: To examine the relationship between bacteriological status of TB cases and TB symptoms in HIV patients. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted during January 2004 and August 2005 in a representative sample of 100 HIV infected persons visiting different Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centers (VCT) and HIV/AIDS care centers located in Kathmandu. Laboratory investigation of Tuberculosis was done by AFB staining and culture in ogawa medium. Data obtained through pre structured questionnaire and laboratory investigation were entered into SPSS 11.5 and analyzed. Results: Twenty three percent prevalence of TB is observed in HIV patients. Eighty one percent of the total TB cases were smear negative cases. Significant relationship was observed between the TB symptoms and Smear positive TB cases (χ2 =4.01, p<0.05, at 1 degree of freedom) but no significant relationship could be established between TB symptoms and smear negative cases (χ2 =0.82, p>0.05, at 1 degree of freedom). Mycobacterium avium complex (40.9%) was predominant followed by M. tuberculosis (27.3%) Conclusion: In HIV patients, the utility of direct microscopy of AFB stained smear is limited because most of these patients were smear negative and are asymptomatic. So, direct microscopy in combination with Culture is recommended for higher case finding of TB in HIV patients. Key words: Asymptomatic; smear negative TB; HIV/AIDS; Kathmandu DOI: 10.3126/saarctb.v5i1.3077 SAARC J. Tuber. Lung Dis. HIV/AIDS 2008 Vol.5(1) 7-12
Selective Inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Para-Nitrobenzoic Acid (PNB) used in Lowenstein-Jensen Medium
Authors: Nepali S , Ghimire P , Khadka DK , Acharya S
Published: May 2010

Background: Mycobacterial growth in media to which inhibitory substances are added has been used in species identification. Mycobacterium tuberculosis does not grow in Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium containing para-nitrobenzoic acid (PNB); which can be a basis for its identification from other mycobacteria. Setting: National Tuberculosis Centre (NTC), Thimi, Bhaktapur, Nepal. Objectives: To evaluate usefulness of PNB containing LJ medium in identifying mycobacterial isolates. Methodology: This diagnostic evaluation study based at NTC was conducted from Sep 2006-Jun 2007. During the study period, a total of 857 sputum samples collected from patients attending NTC were analyzed using fluorescence microscopy. The smear positive samples were confirmed by Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining. Smear positive samples were cultured on LJ media with and without PNB; followed by biochemical tests. Results: Out of total 857 sputum samples analyzed, 246 (28.7%) were positive for AFB on fluorescence staining and 214 (87%) of smear positive samples were also positive in culture. All the isolates which grow on LJ media without PNB did not grow on LJ media containing PNB. Conclusion: Mycobacterium tuberculosis can be identified and differentiated from non-tuberculous mycobacteria using PNB containing media, easily in labs where culture is being done. Keywords: PNB; AFB; LJ medium; Mycobacterium tuberculosis DOI: 10.3126/saarctb.v5i1.3080 SAARC J. Tuber. Lung Dis. HIV/AIDS 2008 Vol.5(1) 25-28
Bridging Divides in Canadian Criminology: Some Thoughts on a Possible Future
Authors: Huey Laura , Paré Paul-Philippe
Published: May 2010

The field of criminology has experienced impressive institutional growth and its current popularity among students suggests that this growth will continue into the future. At the same time, criminologists are working within a fragmented discipline, with disparate theoretical, methodological, and empirical concerns. This lack of a single focus has led to conflicting views as to what should be considered appropriate work or an appropriate approach within the field. Thus, a fundamental question for criminologists is, How can we build a strong collaborative community of scholars that will withstand the challenges posed by real and potential divides? In 2009, the University of Western Ontario hosted a group of multidisciplinary scholars for the purpose of identifying, discussing, and ultimately, attempting to bridge the divisions within contemporary criminological circles. The result is this special issue of the Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Rethinking Criminology(ies) through the Inclusion of Political Violence and Armed Conflict as Legitimate Objects of Inquiry
Authors: Felices-Luna Maritza
Published: May 2010

Criminology has yet to achieve full recognition as an independent discipline. Its development has been hampered by a multiplicity of often stale debates between a “traditional” and an “alternative” criminology over the legitimate object, theories, and methods of the discipline. Rather than pursuing the debate in its current form, this article explores how focusing on new objects of inquiry and the challenges they represent may help to bridge the criminological divide. By rendering the borders of criminology's object permeable, we may produce a malleable and dynamic discipline that deals with processes of normalization/differentiation/othering as well as ordering, governance, and control from different normative and political perspectives, theories, and methods.
Shifting the Focus: Restorative Justice and Sex Work
Authors: Lewis Jacqueline
Published: May 2010

In recent years, governments have taken up the concept of restorative justice (RJ) and added what they refer to as RJ practices to their sentencing arsenal. The manner in which these practices are taken up and implemented, however, typically involves a shift away from the original roots and intent of the concept of RJ and a remodelling of its basic foundations. In North America, the application of RJ to sex work typically takes the form of diversion programs aimed at street-based workers and their clients. The goal of such programs is to demonstrate the harmful nature of the industry and its negative effects on the worker and community, thereby discouraging involvement in it. This article problematizes such an application of RJ principles and argues for a shift in focus, particularly regarding the conceptualization of victim, harm, and reparation needed. As our research indicates, it is the existence and application of public policies aimed at various sectors of the sex-work community, especially the criminal law, that are the primary source of harm for people working in the sex industry (PWSI). The requisite steps for restoring justice and protecting the rights of sex workers are outlined.
Mourning, Melancholia, and Modernity: Sentimental Irony and Downward Mobility in David Simple
Authors: Kim James
Published: May 2010

This essay identifies Sarah Fielding as an early practitioner of a rhetoric that I call “sentimental irony.” Reading her first novel in the context of the eighteenth-century value crisis postulated by the new economic criticism, I argue that Sarah Fielding uses sentimental irony to produce a melancholy interpretation of early modern social and cultural change. Ultimately, this essay endeavours to take a step towards imagining what might be called “negative history,” an anti-teleological mode of historiography that strives to tell the story of what did not happen.
Relationship between scrotal circumference and semen parameters in crossbred bulls
Authors: Latif MA , Ahmed JU , Bhuiyan MMU , Shamsuddin M
Published: May 2010

The relationship between the scrotal circumference and semen volume, sperm concentration and number of sperm per ejaculate of 12 crossbred bulls [4 Local × Friesian, 4 Local × Sahiwal] was studied. Semen of three consecutive collections at seven day intervals was evaluated. The age of bulls at first collection varied between 15 and 20 months. Soon after collection, volume, sperm concentration, number of spermatozoa per ejaculate and initial sperm motility of fresh semen were measured. Scrotal circumference was correlated with semen volume, sperm concentration and number of spermatozoa per ejaculate in both groups. A significant (P<0.04) positive correlation (r = 0.72) was observed between scrotal circumference and volume of semen, and between scrotal circumference and number of sperm production per ejaculate. Significant (P<0.05) variation was observed in different semen parameters between bulls within the same group, but no significant (P>0.05) variation was found between the two groups. It is suggested that crossbred bulls aged 18 months or over, with scrotal circumference more than 30 cm, yielded good quality semen. DOI: 10.3329/bvet.v26i2.4952 Bangl. vet. 2009. Vol. 26, No. 2, 61-67
Probing the Dynamics of Solvation and Structure of the OH- Ion in Aqueous Solution from Picosecond Transient Absorption Measurements
Authors: Poizat Olivier , Buntinx Guy
Published: May 2010

The reaction of intracomplex proton transfer (44BPY-....HO-H) ® 44BPYH. + OH- that follows the photoreduction of 4,4’-bipyridine (44BPY) into its anion radical 44BPY- in the presence of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) is investigated in acetonitrile-water mixtures by using picosecond transient absorption. The dependence of the appearance kinetics of the 44BPYH. radical on the water content reveals a highly diffusional proton transfer process that is controlled by the dynamics of solvation of the released hydroxide ion. The results are interpreted on the basis of a two-step mechanism where an intermediate solvation complex (44BPYH.)OH-(H2O)3 is formed first before evolving toward a final four-water hydration structure OH-(H2O)4.
Global Evaluation of Radiosonde Water Vapor Systematic Biases using GPS Radio Occultation from COSMIC and ECMWF Analysis
Authors: Ho Shu-peng , Zhou Xinjia , Kuo Ying-Hwa , Hunt Douglas , Wang Jun-hong
Published: May 2010

In this study, we compare specific humidity profiles derived from Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) radio occultation (RO) from August to November 2006 with those from different types of radiosonde and from ECMWF global analysis. Comparisons show that COSMIC specific humidity data agree well with ECMWF analysis over different regions of the world for both day and night times. On the contrary, evaluation against COSMIC specific humidity shows a distinct dry bias of Shang-E radiosonde (China) and an obvious wet bias of VIZ-type (USA). No obvious specific humidity biases are found for MRZ (Russia) and MEISEI (Japan) radiosondes. These results demonstrate the usefulness of COSMIC water vapor for quantifying the dry/wet biases among different sensor types.
Toxin-Specific Antibodies for the Treatment of Clostridium difficile: Current Status and Future Perspectives
Authors: Hussack Greg , Tanha Jamshid
Published: May 2010

Therapeutic agents targeting bacterial virulence factors are gaining interest as non-antibiotic alternatives for the treatment of infectious diseases. Clostridium difficile is a Gram-positive pathogen that produces two primary virulence factors, enterotoxins A and B (TcdA and TcdB), which are responsible for Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) and are targets for CDAD therapy. Antibodies specific for TcdA and TcdB have been shown to effectively treat CDAD and prevent disease relapse in animal models and in humans. This review summarizes the various toxin-specific antibody formats and strategies under development, and discusses future directions for CDAD immunotherapy, including the use of engineered antibody fragments with robust biophysical properties for systemic and oral delivery.
Nonclinical Factors Associated with Treatment with Peritoneal Dialysis in Esrd Patients in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Hsiu-Chen , Wang Jiun-Yi , Chang Chia-Chu , Chiu Ping-Fang , Chiang Ming-Che , Yang Yu
Published: May 2010

Objectives

Less than 10% of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients in Taiwan receive peritoneal dialysis (PD), which reveals the situation of underutilization of PD. We thus aimed to investigate factors associated with treatment with PD in ESRD patients in Taiwan.

Patients

Patients that were 18 years of age or older and had been on dialysis for at least 3 months since 2001 were recruited and interviewed with a structured questionnaire.

Results

98 hemodialysis (HD) and 102 PD patients were recruited. In univariate analysis, age, sex, level of education, employment status, marital status, traffic time, family support, patient cognition, and receptivity were correlated with treatment with PD. Multivariate analysis showed that patients that were not married ( p = 0.006), that spent more time traveling to the dialysis clinic ( p = 0.006), that were not emergent at the start of dialysis ( p = 0.003), and that had better family support ( p = 0.045), a higher cognition of dialysis ( p = 0.034), and stronger receptivity to dialysis ( p < 0.001) were more likely to receive PD.

Conclusions

We recommend patients follow the standard process to obtain more exhaustive information, consultation, and early referral. In addition, we suggest healthcare providers remind patients to take into account such nonclinical factors as family support and patient receptivity when they choose their dialysis modality.
Senses or Non-senses. Debates on Rituals in Pre-reformation Denmark
Authors: Amundsen Arne Bugge
Published: May 2010

In the 1520s the Danish (and Norwegian) politics of religion was a complex matter and under severe pressure both from the Roman Catholic nobility and from radical Lutheran cities. This situation also triggered debates on the meaning and rationality of religion and rituals. The author concentrates on one of these debates: that between the Carmelite Paulus Helie and the Lutheran apostate Petrus Laurentii. Helie focused his arguments around concepts such as tradition, experience, and history. Laurentii argued that historical changes never would occur if tradition and human authority were given priority in the Christian church. Both participants in this debate also referred to the human senses. To Helie, the smells, tastes, and movements of the Christian rituals were instruments of transcendental experience. To Laurentii, the human senses were non-sense: not ritual, but rather true belief and sincere feelings were the only solution.
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V 20. letih 16. stoletja je bila danska (in norveška) politika religije kompleksno vprašanje pod močnim pristiskom tako rimskokatolišlega plemstva kakor radikalnih luteranskih mest. Položaj je spodbudil tudi razpravljanja o pomenu in racionalnosti vere in obredja. Avtor se osredinja na eno teh razprav – med karmeličanom Paulusom Heliejem in luteranskim odpadnikom Petrusom Laurentiijem. Helie je strnil svoje argumente ob konceptih tradicija, izkušnja in zgodovina. Laurentii je trdil, da ne bi bilo historičnih sprememb, če bi imeli tradicija in človeška avtoriteta prvenstvo v katoliški cerkvi. Oba razpravljalca sta se sklicevala tudi na človeške čute. Za Helieja so bili vonji, okusi in gibi v krščanskem obredju instrumenti transcendenčne izkušnje. Za Laurentiija so bili človečki čuti ne-čuti: edina rešitev je v pravi veri in iskrenih občutjih, ne pa v ritualu.
The Religious Feast of St. Agatha. A Modern Initiation Rite in Catania
Authors: Di Giovanni Elisabetta
Published: May 2010

This religious feast is one of the most important in the Mediterranean area. It attracts a very large number of the faithful, especially young people, who live out this commemorative moment like an casual appointment with the patron saint of Catania, a town in the Sicilian region of southern Italy. This analysis shows how the event represents not only a religious feast, consecrating the annual encounter between the saint and her local community, but also a kind of modern youth initiation rite.
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Verski praznik sv. Agate je eden najpomembnejših na sredozemskem območju. Privabi številne vernike, posebej mlade, ki doživijo ta komemorativni dogodek kot priložnostno srečanje z zavetnikom Catanije, sicilijanskega mesta na jugu Italije. Analiza pokaže, da ta dogodek ni le verski praznik, namenjen letnemu srečanju med svetnico in lokalno skupnostjo, marveč je tudi vrsta modernega mladostniškega iniciacijskega rituala.
El foro romano de Iuliobriga (Cantabria): nuevas investigaciones arqueológicas
Authors: Cepeda Ocampo Juan José , Iglesias Gil José Manuel , Ruiz Gutiérrez Alicia
Published: May 2010

Se ofrece una interpretación general del foro de Iuliobriga, destacando sus características y peculiaridades tras la información obtenida en las últimas investigaciones arqueológicas. En especial, se presentan los resultados de una excavación realizada en 2004 en el interior de la iglesia de Santa María de Retortillo, la cual ha permitido ampliar la visión que se tenía de la plaza porticada del foro, con el descubrimiento de un nuevo espacio funcional dentro de éste. La misma intervención arqueológica ha aportado datos sobre el origen del hábitat en Iuliobriga y sobre la datación flavia del conjunto monumental del foro.
O forum dos Igaeditani e os primeiros tempos da civitas Igaeditanorum (Idanha-a-Velha, Portugal)
Authors: Carvalho Pedro C.
Published: May 2010

Se pretende dar a conocer los resultados —aún inéditos— de las excavaciones arqueológicas llevadas a cabo en 2007 y 2008 en el forum de la capital de Igaeditani. Entre las principales novedades recogidas durante las dos campañas de excavación se destaca la fecha de construcción del forum (con comprobada cronología Augustiana, fundamentada ésta, por primera vez, en el registro estratigráfico y siendo diferente de la que ha sido generalmente avanzada últimamente), o la presencia de un edificio singular con paredes divisorias construidas en tierra, que fue destruido durante la construcción del conjunto forense. También con base en los resultados de estas excavaciones, se discute la posibilidad de una ocupación del local durante la Edad del Hierro así como la fecha de la fundación de la ciudad romana, procurando también integrar el momento de construcción del forum en el proceso de promoción política y jurídica de esta civitas del interior norte de la Lusitania.
Cultura material del siglo III en un ambiente doméstico de la Meseta: el conjunto cerrado de la Casa de los plintos de Uxama
Authors: García Merino Carmen , Sánchez Simón Margarita , Burón Álvarez Milagros
Published: May 2010

En este trabajo se estudia un conjunto de materiales procedentes de una casa urbana del valle oriental del Duero construida en el siglo I, reformada después y destruida por un incendio en la segunda mitad del siglo III. Esta domus, la Casa de los plintos, situada junto al foro en la ciudad de Uxama, ha sido excavada por completo y en una de sus habitaciones, bajo una potente capa de escombros, se ha hallado un depósito inalterado correspondiente al momento de la destrucción. Consta de casi un centenar de piezas, la mayoría muy bien conservadas, donde se asocian diversas producciones cerámicas, objetos de metal, monedas, y otros elementos del mobiliario. Ese conjunto nos proporciona la imagen a escala doméstica de parte de la cultura material de esa zona de la Tarraconense durante la tercera centuria.
Más sobre Iberia y los topónimos griegos
Authors: Adrados Francisco R.
Published: May 2010

Este artículo, que continúa uno anterior en Emerita 58, 2000, pp.1-18, recoge y estudia la toponimia griega de la zona meridional y mediterránea de España: su origen, sus características dialectales y su cronología. Este material ofrece una visión del conocimiento que los griegos tenían de esta área. A menudo se trata de traducciones o helenizaciones de topónimos indígenas o fenicios. Puede afirmarse que la toponimia griega es uno de los testimonios de que disponemos para un mejor conocimiento del papel que jugaron los griegos en Iberia.
De la Iltiŕta prerromana a la Ilerda tardorromana. Nuevos datos tras dos décadas de investigación continuada en Lérida
Authors: Gil Isabel , Loriente Ana , Morán Marta , Payà Xavier , Pérez Almoguera Arturo
Published: May 2010

La antigua Ilerda (Hispania Citerior) , bien conocida por las fuentes escritas y numismáticas republicanas e imperiales, no contaba con un conocimiento arqueológico paralelo. Las excavaciones continuas de los últimos años han variado sustancialmente este panorama (sobre todo las más recientes) y hoy podemos aventurar su evolución histórica con unos datos más fiables, así como su extensión y principales características por etapas.
Augusta Emérita. La investigación arqueológica en una ciudad de época romana
Authors: Mateos Cruz Pedro
Published: May 2010

En este artículo se plantea la evolución del conocimiento de la ciudad romana de Emerita Augusta a partir de las investigaciones desarrolladas por historiadores y arqueólogos en los últimos años. Con ellas se han puesto en duda argumentos cerrados secularmente, sugiriendo, al menos, una imagen ciudadana distinta a la supuesta hasta ahora, con una fisonomía urbana resultado de variados proyectos, y con procesos y ciclos que, aunque en ocasiones no acertamos a situar o valorar correctamente, ayudan a entender cómo se conformó el devenir y la evolución de Mérida en época antigua.
Los grupos escultóricos del Cerrillo Blanco de Porcuna (Jaén). Un ensayo de lectura iconográfica convergente
Authors: Olmos Ricardo
Published: May 2010

En este texto analizamos el programa iconográfico de Porcuna. Los diversos grupos se articulan en torno a la historia de un linaje aristocrático. La compleja representación de la naturaleza define los diferentes territorios míticos y del oppidum en su relación con la divinidad. Hay una continua alusión temporal al pasado orientalizante, sobre el que se construye la historia del linaje. Grupos de género y de edad articulan el grupo familiar en torno al oikos. La caza y la lucha inician y educan a los jóvenes. Los complejos episodios de la guerra parecen evocar un conocimiento de motivos épicos extendidos en el Mediterráneo. Un lenguaje común puede relacionar a príncipes y aristócratas ibéricos y mediterráneos.
La red hidráulica de las minas de oro hispanas: aspectos jurídicos, administrativos y políticos
Authors: Sastre Inés , Sánchez-Palencia F. Javier
Published: May 2010

El objetivo de este trabajo es insertar la red hidráulica de las minas de oro romanas del Noroeste hispano en un marco interpretativo que tenga en cuenta su contexto administrativo y jurídico, así como las formas de organización social dentro de las cuales cobra sentido. Esto implica un análisis general de las formas de organización del suelo provincial y de la gestión del ager publicus. Al hilo de esto, se propone una nueva interpretación de las inscripciones sobre los canales de Las Médulas.
Fasti consulares, fasti locales y horologia en la epigrafía de Hispania
Authors: Abascal Juan Manuel
Published: May 2010

El número de inscripciones con dataciones absolutas en Hispania, corno en el resto del Imperio, es muy reducido; las referencias a los Fasti consulares y Fasti locales están presentes en todo tipo de inscripciones, pero la costumbre de datar las inscripciones fue una práctica poco extendida; los escasos testimonios epigráficos de horologia públicos parecen indicar que la medida del tiempo fue más una preocupación administrativa que una costumbre de la población.