bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intergenerational Transmission of Homeownership: The Roles of Gifts and Continuities in Housing Market Characteristics
Authors: Helderman Amanda , Mulder Clara
Published: May 2007

Parental homeownership influences the younger generation's housing tenure through parental gifts and similarities in housing market circumstances (for example, urban-rural differences), among other mechanisms. This paper contributes to the distinguishing of these mechanisms and their relative importance, using the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study data and logistic regression analysis of housing tenure. Both gift-giving and continuities in housing market characteristics appear to be important mechanisms underlying the intergenerational transmission of homeownership. After controlling for these mechanisms and other individual and parental characteristics, a strong effect of parents' housing tenure on children's housing tenure remains, which may be partly attributed to mechanisms such as socialisation.
'A Tall Storey ... but, a Fact Just the Same': The Red Road High-rise as a Black Box
Authors: Jacobs Jane M. , Cairns Stephen , Strebel Ignaz
Published: May 2007

The advent of state-sponsored mass high-rise housing in post-war Britain brought into view a range of issues about the role of technology in everyday life. This paper draws on approaches in the study of science and technology in order to deepen our understanding of the socio-technical aspects of such high-rise housing, past and present. This thinking is elaborated empirically by examining a 1960s high-rise development, Red Road, Glasgow. The paper examines the inaugural phase of development and the most recent phase of 'redevelopment', the first stage of which is demolition. The paper extends existing accounts of residential high-rises generally and Red Road specifically, as well as elaborating an alternate analytical framework for understanding high-rise and supertall dwellings.
Does Residential Density Increase Walking and Other Physical Activity?
Authors: Forsyth Ann , Oakes J. Michael , Schmitz Kathryn H. , Hearst Mary
Published: May 2007

Many agree that increasing physical activity will improve public health. This paper reports on empirical findings on the relationship between the density of the residential environment, walking and total physical activity. Using multiple objective and self-reported measures for 715 participants in the US, and improved techniques for sampling and analysis, it finds that density is associated with the purpose of walking (travel, leisure) but not the amount of overall walking or overall physical activity, although there are sub-group differences by race/ ethnicity. Overall, higher densities have many benefits in terms of efficient use of infrastructure, housing affordability, energy efficiency and possibly vibrant street life. But higher densities alone, like other built environment features, do not appear to be the silver bullet in the public health campaign to increase physical activity.
Civic Culture and Public Service Failure: An Empirical Exploration
Authors: Andrews Rhys
Published: May 2007

Civic-republican theories of democracy assume that increased levels of civic engagement lead to good government and better public services. This paper tests this assumption by analysing the impact of civic culture on the rate of failure in English public services between 2002 and 2004. The interdependence between failing services and measures of civic culture is modelled using local authority area data. The results show that low levels of political participation, an 'individualist' political culture, less interpersonal trust and scant associational life, lead to more cases of public service failure, even when controlling for a range of environmental constraints. The findings are discussed and conclusions drawn on the impact of civic culture on public service improvement.
The Quasi-normative Approach to Housing Affordability: The Case of the Czech Republic
Authors: Lux Martin
Published: May 2007

The article attempts to contribute to the discussion on housing affordability and the use of affordability measures for normative purposes. The approach applied in this article is based on the estimation of economic quasi-norms on rent levels in rent-controlled (social) housing by looking at total public costs at different rent levels. The quasi-norms determining rents could be used for estimation of quasi-norms determining 'optimal' housing affordability ratios. As quasi-norms are set according to an econometric simulation output, they are less subjective than the usual normative decisions of policy-makers. This approach may have a significant relevance for some transitional countries and therefore the Czech Republic is used as a case study. The results show that there is a relatively large scope for further increases in rents in the Czech rent-controlled housing sector and scientific research can be thus employed to inform rent-setting and, via that, 'optimal' levels of housing affordability.
Nasal Carriage ofStaphylococcus aureus: Which Sequence Types Do Orthopedic Surgical Healthcare Workers Carry?
Authors: Skråmm Inge , Moen Aina Elisabeth Fossum , Alm-Kristiansen Kjetil , Bukholm Geir
Published: May 2007

Using sequence typing methods, we found that healthcare workers on our orthopedic surgery unit were persistent carriers of a limited number of sequence types ofStaphylococcus aureusfor a limited time. Multilocus sequence typing characterized 3 clonal complexes that accounted for more than 80% of the clonal complexes identified.
Risk of Nosocomial Transmission of Nipah Virus in a Bangladesh Hospital
Authors: Gurley Emily S. , Montgomery Joel M. , Hossain M. Jahangir , Islam M. Rafiqul , Molla M. Abdur Rahim , Shamsuzzaman S. M. , Akram Kazi , Zaman Kamruz , Asgari Nima , Comer James A. , Azad Abul Kalam , Rollin Pierre E. , Ksiazek Thomas G. , Breiman Robert F.
Published: May 2007

We conducted a seroprevalence study and exposure survey of healthcare workers to assess the risk of nosocomial transmission of Nipah virus during an outbreak in Bangladesh in 2004. No evidence of recent Nipah virus infection was detected despite substantial exposures and minimal use of personal protective equipment.
Contamination of Peripheral Hematopoeitic Stem Cell Products With aMycobacterium mucogenicum–Related Pathogen
Authors: Kassis Imad , Oren Ilana , Davidson Sima , Finkelstein Renato , Rabino Galit , Katz Tami , Sprecher Hannah
Published: May 2007

A gram-positive rod with a restriction pattern closely related to the published nucleotide sequence ofMycobacterium mucogenicumwas isolated from 6 of 45 units of peripheral blood stem cell products. The source of the contamination was traced to ice cubes used in processing the peripheral blood stem cell products. Substituting reusable ice trays for ice from an ice machine terminated the outbreak.
Effect of Education on the Rate of and the Understanding of Risk Factors for Intravascular Catheter–Related Infections
Authors: Yilmaz G. , Caylan R. , Aydin K. , Topbas M. , Koksal I.
Published: May 2007

Objective.

Intravascular catheters are indispensable tools in modern medical therapy. In spite of their great benefits, however, the widespread use of catheters leads to several complications, including infections that cause significant morbidity, mortality, and economic losses for hospitalized patients.

Design.

This study was conducted at Farabi Hospital, a 495-bed facility at Karadeniz Technical University Medical School in Trabzon, Turkey, and involved 3 separate periods: preeducation, education, and posteducation. Patients with intravascular catheters were monitored daily, as were the results of their physical examinations. The information acquired was recorded in a questionnaire.

Results.

During the preeducation period (October 2003 through March 2004), 405 intravascular catheters inserted into 241 patients were observed for 5,445 catheter-days. Seventy-one cases of intravascular catheter-related infection (CRI) were identified, giving a CRI rate of 13.04 infections per 1,000 catheter-days. The catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) rate was 8.3 infections per 1,000 catheter-days, and the exit-site infection (ESI) rate was 3.5 infections per 1,000 catheter-days. During the posteducation period (June through November 2004), 365 intravascular catheters inserted into 193 patients were observed for 5,940 catheter-days. Forty-five cases of CRI were identified, giving a rate of 7.6 infections per 1,000 catheter-days. The CRBSI rate was 4.7 infections per 1,000 catheter-days, and the ESI rate was 2.2 infections per 1,000 catheter-days. When findings from the 2 periods were compared, it was determined that education reduced CRI incidence by 41.7%.

Conclusion.

CRI can be prevented when hospital personnel are well informed about these infections. We compared the knowledge levels of the relevant personnel in our hospital before and after theoretical and practical training and identified a significant increase in knowledge after training (P< .0001 ). Parallel to this, although still below ideal levels, we identified a significant improvement in the incidence of CRI during the posteducation period (P = .004). The rate was low for the first 3 months of this period but increased 2.08 times after the third month. In conclusion, regular training for the residents in charge of inserting intravascular catheters and the nurses and interns who maintain the catheters is highly effective in reducing the rate of CRI in large teaching hospitals.
Use of the Haddon Matrix as a Tool for Assessing Risk Factors for Sharps Injury in Emergency Departments in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Ganczak M. , Barss P. , Al-Marashda A. , Al-Marzouqi A. , Al-Kuwaiti N.
Published: May 2007

We investigated the epidemiology and prevention of sharps injuries in the United Arab Emirates. Among 82 emergency nurses and 38 doctors who responded to our questionnaire, risk factors for sharp device injuries identified using the Haddon matrix included personal factors (for the pre-event phase, a lack of infection control training, a lack of immunization, and recapping needles, and for the postevent phase, underreporting of sharps injuries) and equipment-related factors (for the pre-event phase, failure to use safe devices; for the event phase, failure to use gloves in all appropriate situations). Nearly all injuries to doctors were caused by suture needles, and among nurses more than 50% of injuries were caused by hollow-bore needles.
Value of Performing Active Surveillance Cultures on Intensive Care Unit Discharge for Detection of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Furuno Jon P. , Harris Anthony D. , Wright Marc-Oliver , Hartley David M. , McGregor Jessina C. , Gaff Holly D. , Hebden Joan N. , Standiford Harold C. , Perencevich Eli N.
Published: May 2007

Objective.

To quantify the value of performing active surveillance cultures for detection of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) on intensive care unit (ICU) discharge.

Design.

Prospective cohort study.

Setting.

Medical ICU (MICU) and surgical ICU (SICU) of a tertiary care hospital.

Participants.

We analyzed data on adult patients who were admitted to the MICU or SICU between January 17, 2001, and December 31, 2004. All participants had a length of ICU stay of at least 48 hours and had surveillance cultures of anterior nares specimens performed on ICU admission and discharge. Patients who had MRSA-positive clinical cultures in the ICU were excluded.

Results.

Of 2,918 eligible patients, 178 (6%) were colonized with MRSA on ICU admission, and 65 (2%) acquired MRSA in the ICU and were identified by results of discharge surveillance cultures. Patients with MRSA colonization confirmed by results of discharge cultures spent 853 days in non-ICU wards after ICU discharge, which represented 27% of the total number of MRSA colonization-days during hospitalization in non-ICU wards for patients discharged from the ICU.

Conclusions.

Surveillance cultures of nares specimens collected at ICU discharge identified a large percentage of MRSA-colonized patients who would not have been identified on the basis of results of clinical cultures or admission surveillance cultures alone. Furthermore, these patients were responsible for a large percentage of the total number of MRSA colonization-days during hospitalization in non-ICU wards for patients discharged from the ICU.
Assessment of Adverse Events Associated With Antiretroviral Regimens for Postexposure Prophylaxis for Occupational and Nonoccupational Exposures to Prevent Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Luque A. , Hulse S. , Wang D. , Shahzad U. , Tanzman E. , Antenozzi S. , Smith B.
Published: May 2007

Objective.

To assess adverse events associated with antiretroviral regimens for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), with a particular focus on the treatment combination of zidovudine, lamivudine, and tenofovir (ZDV-3TC-TDF).

Methods.

Retrospective chart review for individuals who received HIV PEP for occupational and nonoccupational exposure, and multivariate analyses to identify risk factors for noncompletion of PEP and adverse events associated with PEP.

Setting.

University of Rochester Health Service Occupational Health Program and University of Rochester AIDS Center.

Participants.

Healthcare workers who received HIV PEP for occupational exposure from January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2004, and individuals who received HIV PEP for nonoccupational exposure from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2004.

Results.

We found increased rates of nausea among subjects who received treatment with ZDV-3TC-TDF and subjects who received treatment with zidovudine, lamivudine, and indinavir (ZDV-3TC-IDV). Analyses showed that female sex was a risk factor for nausea. Compared with subjects who received treatment with ZDV-3TC-TDF, subjects who received treatment with ZDV-3TC-IDV were less likely to not complete the HIV PEP for occupational exposure.

Conclusion.

Preventive treatment of adverse events may be necessary to ensure completion of HIV PEP.
Eradication of Amebiasis in a Large Institution for Adults With Mental Retardation in Taiwan
Authors: Su Shih-Bin , Guo How-Ran , Chuang Yin-Ching , Chen Kow-Ton , Lin Ching-Yih
Published: May 2007

Objective.

Investigation of a program to eradicate amebiasis using consecutive intensive mass screenings followed by medication in a large institute for adults with mental retardation in Taiwan.

Design.

Prospective cohort study, with 3 years of follow-up.

Setting.

A large, 450-bed institution for adults with mental retardation located in southern Taiwan.

Participants.

All 443 adults with mental retardation in the institution, who have various motor and/or mental handicaps, were included in this study.

Interventions.

A total of 7 consecutive intensive mass screenings for amebiasis for all residents (performed in March, August and November 2001, March and August 2002, January 2003, and May 2004). Infected patients were treated using the standard protocol of the Center for Disease Control of Taiwan.

Results.

Enzyme immunoassay testing was used for the amebiasis screening, with the rapid detection of the specific antigen for Entamoeba histolytica in human fecal specimens confirmed by microscopic examination. The serial prevalence and cumulative incidence were then calculated. The prevalence of amebic infection declined in serial screenings, but new infections and reinfections were detected in 5 of 6 follow-up screenings. The prevalence was 10.8% at the beginning of the program and then gradually reduced, falling to 6.3%, 3.6%, 2.7%, 3.4%, and 2.2%. Finally, no more positive cases were identified in the last screening (May 2004). The cumulative incidence rate stabilized at around 40% by the fifth screening. Of the 179 infected patients, 120 had primary infections, with 59 cases of multiple amebic infections.

Conclusions.

Active surveillance with intensive mass screening is an effective method of identifying asymptomatic and latent cases of amebiasis in areas where it is endemic, such as an institution for adults with mental retardation.
Teaching the Cognitive Approach
Authors: Vial Theodore
Published: May 2007

The cognitive science of religion — relatively new and exciting to some and irritating and controversial to others in equal measure — is only now gaining recognition as a scholarly subject within religion. It does not come with an oral tradition of what texts are the key ones, what groundwork must be laid to make them comprehensible, or what strategies allow a teacher to make them accessible to students. All the reflective questions demanded of teachers as they prepare a syllabus are unavoidable as they consider adding a cognitive approach. This chapter explores the particular issue of how religious experiences become historical-cultural traditions. To do this the author equips his students with a stimulating theoretical immersion, while offering a frank discussion of what worked and what did not.
Domesticity and Difference/Women and Men: Religious Life in Medieval Tamilnadu
Authors: Orr Leslie C.
Published: May 2007

This chapter explores whether a domestic religious orientation, engaged with the personal and the particular, can be observed in the context of precolonial South India. It focuses on the period between the 9th to 13th centuries in the part of India known today as Tamilnadu. The chapter draws on the resources provided by the thousands of inscriptions written in the Tamil language and engraved in stone on the walls of Hindu and Jain temples during this period. These inscriptions record actions, particularly the making of gifts to temples by a wide variety of people. It is argued that although men's and women's activities recorded on temple walls had distinctive colorings, the contexts, roles, and motives for these actions were overlapping and often congruent.
Profiles in Diversity
Authors: Foley Michael W. , Hoge Dean R.
Published: May 2007

Recent immigrants to the United States differ from the last great wave of immigrants in their countries of origin and socio-economic diversity. Immigration to the Washington, D.C. area differs from national patterns in relative geographic dispersal, the wide range of immigrant groups, and the presence of large proportions of immigrants from El Salvador, Africa, Asia, and the Muslim world. This chapter profiles the new immigration nationally and in the Washington, D.C. area, and offers a brief profile of each of the immigrant religious traditions analyzed here: West African Protestants and Catholics; Chinese Protestants and Catholics from Taiwan, the mainland, and the larger Chinese diaspora; Hindus and Sikhs from India; Korean Protestants and Catholics; Muslims; and Salvadoran Protestants and Catholics.
External Liberalization and Economic Growth: The Case of Singapore
Authors: Toh Mun‐Heng
Published: May 2007

This chapter examines the external liberalization and economic growth of Singapore. The economic development of Singapore since 1960 is discussed. Singapore's economic growth has been achieved by taking the international environment as given and maximizing its national product by adjusting domestic structures and establishing institutions that best utilize its meager resources.
Defining Art, Creating the Canon
Authors: Crowther Paul
Published: May 2007

What is art; why should we value it; and what allows us to say that one work is better than another? Traditional answers have emphasized aesthetic form; but this has been challenged by Institutional definitions of art and postmodern critique. The idea of distinctively artistic value based on aesthetic criteria is at best doubted, and at worst, rejected. This book champions such notions. It restores the mimetic definition of art on the basis of factors which traditional answers neglect, namely the conceptual link between art's aesthetic value and ‘non-exhibited’ epistemological and historical relations. These factors converge on an expanded notion of the artistic image (a notion which can even encompass music, abstract art, and some Conceptual idioms). The image's style serves to interpret its subject-matter. If this style is original (in comparative historical terms) it can manifest that special kind of aesthetic unity which we call art. Appreciation of this involves a heightened interaction of capacities (such as imagination and understanding), which are basic to knowledge and personal identity. By negotiating these factors, it is possible to define art and its canonic dimensions objectively, and to show that aforementioned sceptical alternatives are incomplete and self-contradictory.
The Heart of Justice
Authors: Engster Daniel
Published: May 2007

This book proposes a new framework of political justice based upon the practice of caring. Integrating the insights of earlier care theorists with the concerns of traditional justice theorists, the author forges a new synthesis between care and justice, and further argues that the institutional and policy commitments of care theory must be recognized as central to any adequate theory of justice. The book begins by offering a practice‐based account of caring and a theory of obligation that explains why individuals should care for others. It then systematically demonstrates the implications of this account of caring for domestic politics, economics, international relations, and culture. In each of these areas, it reviews the contributions of earlier care theorists and then extends their arguments to provide a more complete description of the institutions and policies of a caring society. Care ethics is further put in dialogue with diverse cultural and religious traditions and used to address the challenges of multicultural justice, cultural relativism, and international human rights. More fully than other works on care theory, this book provides an overarching account of the institutions and policies of a caring society.
1 The Nature of Caring and the Obligation to Care
Authors: Engster Daniel
Published: May 2007

Caring is usually defined either too narrowly or too broadly to support a moral and political theory. This chapter outlines a definition of caring that is better suited for guiding the development of a moral and political theory. Caring is defined as a practice encompassing everything we do directly to help individuals satisfy their basic biological needs, develop or maintain their basic capabilities, and avoid or alleviate pain and suffering. The chapter further outlines a theory of obligation for caring, arguing that we all have obligations to care for others in need because we all have made claims upon others to care for us when in need. The last part of the chapter discusses the rightful distribution of our caring obligations, arguing that we might justifiably show partiality in caring for ourselves and our loved ones but ultimately have obligations to care for all individuals in need when we are capable of doing so.
2 Care Theory and Domestic Politics
Authors: Engster Daniel
Published: May 2007

Care theorists have described a number of elements of a political theory of caring, but have not fully elaborated the basic political institutions and policies of a caring society. This chapter takes up the task of outlining a caring theory of justice for domestic politics. This chapter begins by addressing a question that care theorists have not satisfactorily answered: Why should government assume responsibility for supporting caring activities at all? The chapter then outlines six guiding principles of a caring government, and describe in detail the specific institutions and policies necessary for supporting personal caring activities and providing individuals with adequate care. Since any discussion of minimally adequate care will inevitably raise questions about cultural bias, the chapter next discusses the relation between care theory and multiculturalism. In the final section, the chapter addresses a number of possible objections to a caring government, including concerns about its costs and moral hazards.
The Global Argument Continued
Authors: van Inwagen Peter
Published: May 2007

The chapter begins with an examination of three philosophical theses about free will, each of which would, if true, refute Theist's attempt to reply to the argument from evil by employing the free-will defence: compatibilism; the incompatibility of free will and divine foreknowledge; and the existence of ‘middle knowledge’. It is shown how Theist can cast sufficient doubt on these theses to block Atheist's attempt at conversion. The body of the chapter is devoted to Atheist's contention that the free-will defence cannot account for ‘natural evil’. Theist is represented as employing a version of the free-will defence that postulates a primordial separation of our remote ancestors from God, and as defending the conclusion that according to this story, the suffering of human beings that is caused proximately by natural evils might also be remotely caused by the abuse of free will.
Reason's Nearest Kin
Authors: Potter Michael
Published: May 2007

This book is a critical examination of the astonishing progress made in the philosophical study of the properties of the natural numbers from the 1880s to the 1930s. It reassesses the brilliant innovations of Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein, and others, which transformed philosophy as well as the understanding of mathematics. The book argues that through the problem of arithmetic participates in the larger puzzle of the relationship between thought, language, experience, and the world, we can distinguish accounts that look to each of these to supply the content we require: those that involve the structure of our experience of the world; those that explicitly involve our grasp of a ‘third realm’ of abstract objects distinct from the concrete objects of the empirical world and the ideas of the author's private Gedankenwelt; those that appeal to something non-physical that is nevertheless an aspect of reality in harmony with which the physical aspect of the world is configured; and finally those that involve only our grasp of language.
Introduction
Authors: Potter Michael
Published: May 2007

This introductory chapter begins with a discussion of the philosophical problem posed by arithmetic: accounting for our knowledge of arithmetic proper in a manner that explains the relationship between it and its applications. It is argued that the challenge of accounting for the applicability of arithmetic to the world participates in the wider puzzle of explaining the link between experience, language, thought, and the world. It is therefore natural to try to resolve the issue concerning the grounding of the truths of arithmetic on one of four elements: that arithmetic is based not on experience itself but on a feature of the way we humans experience the world; that language itself supplies the necessary intuition; that what grounds arithmetic is a feature not of the way we experience the world but of the way we think; and that arithmetic is reducible to logic.
Why Irony is Pretence
Authors: Currie Gregory
Published: May 2007

This chapter defends the thesis that irony is a form of pretence. It traces the development of this view, and presents a stronger version of it than has previously been available. It contrasts the pretence theory with its strongest rival: the echoic theory. The similarities and differences between the theories are described, and the conclusion reached is that the pretence theory is better. Empirical evidence used to support the echoic theory is examined; this evidence supports the pretence theory at least as well. While the pretence theory does not apply directly to what are called dramatic and situational irony, it can be seen that these are closely related to irony proper as the pretence theory characterizes it.
Disadvantage
Authors: Wolff Jonathan , de-Shalit Avner
Published: May 2007

What does it mean to be disadvantaged? Is it possible to compare different disadvantages? What should governments do to move their societies in the direction of equality, where equality is to be understood both in distributional and social terms? Linking analytical philosophical theory with broad empirical studies, including interviews conducted for the purpose of this book, it is shown how taking theory and practice together is essential if the theory is to be rich enough to be applied to the real world, and policy systematic enough to have purpose and justification. The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 presents a pluralist analysis of disadvantage, modifying the capability theory of Sen and Nussbaum to produce the ‘genuine opportunity for secure functioning’ view. This emphasizes risk and insecurity as a central component of disadvantage. Part 2 shows how to identify the least advantaged in society even on a pluralist view. It is suggested that disadvantage ‘clusters’ in the sense that some people are disadvantaged in several different respects. Thus, it is not necessary to solve the problem of how to weigh different categories of disadvantage against each other in order to identify the least advantaged. Conversely, a society which has ‘declustered disadvantaged’ — in the sense that no group lacks secure functioning on a range of functionings — has made considerable progress in the direction of equality. Part 3 explores how to decluster disadvantage, by paying special attention to ‘corrosive disadvantages’ — those disadvantages that cause further disadvantages, and ‘fertile functionings’ — those which are likely to secure other functionings.
Herbex‐Kid Inhibits Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions in Mice and Rats
Authors: Kumar Anil , Prasad Rawal , Jogge Nanjan Mulla , Bhojraj Suresh , Emerson Solomon F. , Prabakar S.
Published: May 2007

Herbex‐kid (HK), a polyherbal formulation was evaluated in various experimental allergic models of Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Compound 48/80 (C 48/80) has been shown to induce rat mesentery mast cell degranulation and HK (1.07, 10.75 and 107.5 mg ml−1) inhibited the mast cell degranulation in a dose dependent manner. HK (1.07, 10.75 and 107.5 mg kg−1; p.o.) showed dose‐dependent protection against C 48/80 induced systemic anaphylaxis in male Balb/C mice. In active anaphylaxis model, male Wistar rats orally administered with 10.75 and 107.5 mg kg−1 of HK showed significant (P < 0.01) protection against mast cell degranulation, while in passive anaphylaxis model, only at 107.5 mg kg−1 showed significant (P < 0.01) reduction in mast cell degranulation. HK at all dose levels was able to significantly decrease the time spent in nasal rubbing in Wistar rats sensitized to ovalbumin, while only at 107.5 mg kg−1 it showed significant (P < 0.01) reduction in number of sneezes. In C 48/80‐induced skin itch model, all dose levels of HK significantly (P < 0.001) decreased the time spent in itching and the number of itches. HK did not produce any significant inhibition in histamine induced contraction in guinea pig ileum. From the above findings we conclude that the HK possesses antiallergic activity mediated by reducing of the release mediators from mast cells and also by 5‐HT antagonism without the involvement of histamine (H1) receptors.
Patient Disclosure about Herb and Supplement Use among Adults in the US
Authors: Kennedy Jae , Wang Chi-Chuan , Wu Chung-Hsuen
Published: May 2007

Analyses of 2002 National Health Interview supplement on complementary and alternative medicine (NHI%AM) indicate that approximately 38 million adults in the US (18.9% of the population) used natural herbs or supplements in the preceding 12 months, but only one‐third told their physician about this use. The objectives of this study are: (i) to determine subpopulation rates of patient–physician communication about herbal product and natural supplement use and (ii) to identify the relative influence of patient factors and interaction factors associated with patient‐physician communication about herb and supplement use. Logistic secondary analysis was done by using the complementary and alternative medicine supplement of the 2002 National Health Interview Survey. Subjects were a random stratified sample of US adults who used herbs in the past 12 months (n = 5 196) and self‐reported rates of disclosure to physicians about herb and supplement use. Results show that disclosure rates were significantly lower for males, younger adults, racial and ethnic minorities and less intensive users of medical care. Across subpopulations, disclosure was the exception rather than the norm. Given the potential risks of delayed or inappropriate treatment and adverse drug reactions and interactions, physicians should be aware of herb and supplement use and counsel patients on the potential risks and benefits of these treatments.
Mind/Body Psychological Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Naliboff Bruce D. , Fresé Michael P. , Rapgay Lobsang
Published: May 2007

Currently, the goal of treatment for those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is to improve the quality of life through a reduction in symptoms. While the majority of treatment approaches involve the use of traditional medicine, more and more patients seek out a non‐drug approach to managing their symptoms. Current forms of non‐drug psychologic or mind/body treatment for IBS include hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and brief psychodynamic psychotherapy, all of which have been proven efficacious in clinical trials. We propose that incorporating the constructs of mindfulness and acceptance into a mind/body psychologic treatment of IBS may be of added benefit due to the focus on changing awareness and acceptance of one′s own state which is a strong component of traditional and Eastern healing philosophies.
Virgin birth in a hammerhead shark
Authors: Chapman Demian D , Shivji Mahmood S , Louis Ed , Sommer Julie , Fletcher Hugh , Prodöhl Paulo A
Published: May 2007

Parthenogenesis has been documented in all major jawed vertebrate lineages except mammals and cartilaginous fishes (class Chondrichthyes: sharks, batoids and chimeras). Reports of captive female sharks giving birth despite being held in the extended absence of males have generally been ascribed to prior matings coupled with long-term sperm storage by the females. Here, we provide the first genetic evidence for chondrichthyan parthenogenesis, involving a hammerhead shark (Sphyrna tiburo). This finding also broadens the known occurrence of a specific type of asexual development (automictic parthenogenesis) among vertebrates, extending recently raised concerns about the potential negative effect of this type of facultative parthenogenesis on the genetic diversity of threatened vertebrate species.
Rising damp: capillary rise dynamics in walls
Authors: Hall Christopher , Hoff William D
Published: May 2007

We analyse rising damp using the concepts and methods of unsaturated flow theory. A simple first-order Sharp Front model is developed which uses clear physical principles and includes the effects of evaporation and gravity. We find that the simple model captures well the observed features of capillary rise in walls and is supported by the underpinning nonlinear capillary diffusion theory. For most cases, capillary forces are dominant and the effects of gravity can be neglected.
Complex interactions with females and rival males limit the evolution of sperm offence and defence
Authors: Bjork Adam , Starmer William T , Higginson Dawn M , Rhodes Christopher J , Pitnick Scott
Published: May 2007

Postcopulatory sexual selection favours males which are strong offensive and defensive sperm competitors. As a means of identifying component traits comprising each strategy, we used an experimental evolution approach. Separate populations ofDrosophila melanogasterwere selected for enhanced sperm offence and defence. Despite using a large outbred population and evidence of substantive genetic variation for each strategy, neither trait responded to selection in the two replicates of this experiment. Recent work with fixed chromosome lines ofD. melanogastersuggests that complex genotypic interactions between females and competing males contribute to the maintenance of this variation. To determine whether such interactions could explain our lack of response to selection on sperm offence and defence, we quantified sperm precedence across multiple sperm competition bouts using an outbredD. melanogasterpopulation exhibiting continuous genetic variation. Both offensive and defensive sperm competitive abilities were found to be significantly repeatable only across matings involving ejaculates of the same pair of males competing within the same female. These repeatabilities decreased when the rival male stayed the same but the female changed, and they disappeared when both the rival male and the female changed. Our results are discussed with a focus on the complex nature of sperm precedence and the maintenance of genetic variation in ejaculate characteristics.
Emergence of drug resistance: implications for antiviral control of pandemic influenza
Authors: Alexander Murray E , Bowman Christopher S , Feng Zhilan , Gardam Michael , Moghadas Seyed M , Röst Gergely , Wu Jianhong , Yan Ping
Published: May 2007

Given the danger of an unprecedented spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza strain H5N1 in humans, and great challenges to the development of an effective influenza vaccine, antiviral drugs will probably play a pivotal role in combating a novel pandemic strain. A critical limitation to the use of these drugs is the evolution of highly transmissible drug-resistant viral mutants. Here, we develop a mathematical model to evaluate the potential impact of an antiviral treatment strategy on the emergence of drug resistance and containment of a pandemic. The results show that elimination of the wild-type strain depends crucially on both the early onset of treatment in indexed cases and population-level treatment. Given the probable delay of 0.5–1 day in seeking healthcare and therefore initiating therapy, the findings indicate that a single strategy of antiviral treatment will be unsuccessful at controlling the spread of disease if the reproduction number of the wild-type strain

exceeds 1.4. We demonstrate the possible occurrence of a self-sustaining epidemic of resistant strain, in terms of its transmission fitness relative to the wild-type, and the reproduction number

. Considering reproduction numbers estimated for the past three pandemics, the findings suggest that an uncontrollable pandemic is likely to occur if resistant viruses with relative transmission fitness above 0.4 emerge. While an antiviral strategy is crucial for containing a pandemic, its effectiveness depends critically on timely and strategic use of drugs.
Respiratory Distress Secondary to Esophageal Foreign Body. A Case Report
Authors: Urkin Jacob , Bar-David Yair
Published: May 2007

The ingestion or aspiration of a foreign body is a common, but preventable occurrence in childhood. Primary healthcare personnel should alert parents to the risk of swallowing a foreign object, the signs and the need for immediate medical attention. It should be emphasized that protecting children from access to objects that can be swallowed or aspirated is the best preventive measure. A case of an eight year old child, who had swallowed a marble ball is presented and the symptoms and intervention discussed. Medical staff should be aware of the symptomatic variation in ingested foreign body presentation and the importance of rapid diagnosis and management.
A Comparison Study of Sampling and Analyzing Volatile Organic Compounds in Air in Kuwait by Using Tedlar Bags/Canisters and GC-MS with a Cryogenic Trap
Authors: Tang Hongmao , Beg Khaliq R. , Al-Otaiba Yousef
Published: May 2007

Kuwait experiences desert climatic weather. Due to the extreme hot and dry conditions in this country, some analytical phenomena have been discovered. Therefore, a systematic study of sampling and analyzing volatile organic compounds in air by using GC-MS with a cryogenic trap is reported in this paper. This study included comparisons of using different sample containers such as Tedlar bags and SUMMA canisters, and different cryogenic freezing-out air volumes in the trap. Calibration curves for different compounds and improvement of replicated analysis results were also reported here. The study found that using different sample containers produced different results. Analysis of ambient air samples collected in Tedlar bags obtained several volatile organic compounds with large concentrations compared to using SUMMA canisters. Therefore, to choose a sample container properly is a key element for successfully completing a project. Because GC-MS with a cryogenic trap often generates replicated results with poor agreement, an internal standard added to gas standards and air samples by using a gas syringe was tested. The study results proved that it helped to improve the replicated results.
Depression, Sensation Seeking, and Maternal Smoking as Predictors of Adolescent Cigarette Smoking
Authors: van de Venne Judy , Bradford Kay , Martin Catherine , Cox Megan , Omar Hatim A.
Published: May 2007

The purpose of this study was to examine maternal and adolescent depression, maternal and teen sensation seeking, and maternal smoking, and their associations with adolescent smoking. Data were collected from a sample of 47 male and 66 female adolescents (ages 11—18 years) and their mothers from three different health clinics. The findings indicated that maternal sensation seeking was linked indirectly with adolescent smoking through teen sensation seeking, both of which were significantly associated with teen smoking (β = 0.29,p< 0.001 and β = 0.32,p< 0.001, respectively). Teen depression was associated positively with teen smoking (β = 0.24,p< 0.01) when controlling for sensation seeking behaviors. Maternal smoking was also directly linked to adolescent smoking (β = 0.20,p< 0.05). These findings underscore a potentially important role of sensation seeking in the origins of adolescent smoking, and clarify pathways of influence with regard to maternal attitudes and behaviors in subsequent teenage nicotine use.
Epidemiology of Pediatric Bite/Sting Injuries. One-Year Study of a Pediatric Emergency Department in Israel
Authors: Hemmo-Lotem Michal , Barnea Yoav , Jinich-Aronowitz Claudia , Endy-Findling Liri , Leshem David , Zaretski Arik , Merrick Joav
Published: May 2007

Animal bite/sting injuries are a known source of morbidity with a significantly higher incidence among children who are most often bitten in the face, head, and neck. The objective of this study was to provide a better understanding of bite/sting injuries treated at the pediatric emergency department in order to guide preventive efforts.The sociodemographic, epidemiological, and clinical data on all bite/sting injuries treated in one representative pediatric emergency department in Israel over a 1-year period were retrieved and analyzed. Two hundred of the 9,309 pediatric trauma cases treated in the emergency department were bite/sting injuries (2.1%). Non-Jewish patients were under-represented in this subgroup. The majority of patients were males (61.5%). Age distribution from 0–12 years was fairly even, except for an unexplained peak at 8 years. Dogs inflicted 56%, cats 11%, and hornets 9.5% of the injuries. Limbs were affected in 64% and the head and neck in 27%. Specialists, mostly plastic surgeons, were consulted in 42 cases (21%). The incidence rate for hospitalization (7%) was similar to that seen in other types of injuries. Children with scorpion or hornet stings and young age were more likely to be hospitalized. Preventive and educational aspects are discussed.
Teacher Overinvolvement and Student Depression among Junior High School Students in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Fen Fen , Wu Cou Chen , Hu Chang Ya , Yang Sun Shen
Published: May 2007

This study examines depression in students at public high schools in Taiwan. The purpose of this study is to examine which student-level and teacher-level variables affect student depression due to teacher emotional overinvolvement and other factors. A survey instrument adapted and translated from existing surveys was distributed to 1,479 Taiwanese adolescents aged 13—15 years and 172 teachers from 10 public junior high schools in the city of Taipei. The hierarchical linear model (HLM) was used for a cross-level analysis of the data. The HLM shows that student-level measures account for most of the variance. Teacher emotional overinvolvement and core self-evaluations are the preponderant influences on student ratings. In terms of teacher-level variables, the effects of teacher involvement, teacher depression, and teacher educational background on student-level variables are strong and significant. The findings of this study recommend the development of a comprehensive counseling system for teachers and students.
Human development I: Twenty Fundamental Problems of Biology, Medicine, and Neuro-Psychology Related to Biological Information
Authors: Hermansen Tyge Dahl , Ventegodt Søren , Rald Erik , Clausen Birgitte , Nielsen Maj Lyck , Merrick Joav
Published: May 2007

In a new series of papers, we address a number of unsolved problems in biology today. First of all, the unsolved enigma concerning how the differentiation from a single zygote to an adult individual happens has been object for severe research for decades. By uncovering a new holistic biological paradigm that introduces an energetic-informational interpretation of reality as a new way to experience biology, these papers will try to solve the problems connected with the events of biological ontogenesis involving a fractal hierarchy, from a single cell to the function of the human brain. The problems discussed are interpreted within the frames of a universe of roomy fractal structures containing energetic patterns that are able to deliver biological information. We think biological organization is guided by energetic changes on the level of quantum mechanics, interacting with the intention that again guides the energetic conformation of the fractal structures to gain disorders or healthiness. Furthermore, we introduce two new concepts: “metamorphous top down” evolution and “adult human metamorphosis”. The first is a new evolutionary theory involving metamorphosis as a main concept of evolution. The last is tightly linked to the evolutionary principle and explains how human self-recovery is governed. Other subjects of special interest that we shall look deeper into are the immunological self-nonself discrimination, the structure and function of the human brain, the etiology and salutogenesis of mental and somatic diseases, and the structure of the consciousness of a human being. We shall criticize Szentagothais model for the modulated structure of the human cerebral cortex and Jernes theory of the immunological regulatory anti-idiotypic network.
The Astronomical Pulse of Global Extinction Events
Authors: Lewis David F.V. , Dorne Jean-Lou C.M.
Published: May 2007

The linkage between astronomical cycles and the periodicity of mass extinctions is reviewed and discussed. In particular, the apparent 26 million year cycle of global extinctions may be related to the motion of the solar system around the galaxy, especially perpendicular to the galactic plane. The potential relevance of Milankovitch cycles is also explored in the light of current evidence for the possible causes of extinction events over a geological timescale.