bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating parallel programming techniques into traditional computer science curricula
Authors: Graham John R.
Published: February 2008

With the introduction of the Sony PlayStation 3 and its use of multi-core processors, parallel computing has left the research arena and the domain of gaming programmers and joined the mainstream of popular computing. Unfortunately, most undergraduate computing disciplines typically do not have the facilities or a comparative basis to help decide which hardware or software models to use to best integrate parallelism into modern curricula. This article enumerates various software models and programming options, to assist in integrating parallel software design techniques into the traditional software development training.
Infusing problem solving skills into computer lessons
Authors: Lai Yiu-chi , Wong Tak-wah
Published: February 2008

In Hong Kong, the coming New Senior Secondary Information and Communication Technology (NSS ICT) curriculum highly emphasizes the complex thinking processes like creativity, critical thinking and problem solving. In this paper, we attempt to use two detailed examples to illustrate how to infuse problem solving skills into computer lessons. It means that classroom time can be spent on the thinking skill as well as on the curriculum content.
Report on improving SIGCSE/ITiCSE program creation process
Authors: Joyce Dan , Klein Bruce , McCauley Renée
Published: February 2008

Based on post-meeting review forms, most attendees of the SIGCSE Symposium and ITiCSE Conference greatly appreciate the programs put together by the respective program committees. In recent years, nevertheless, several SIGCSE members have communicated their concerns to the SIGCSE Board about the paper solicitation, submission, review, and selection process used for these meetings.
Trajectory-based visual analysis of large financial time series data
Authors: Schreck Tobias , Tekušová Tatiana , Kohlhammer Jörn , Fellner Dieter
Published: February 2008

Visual Analytics seeks to combine automatic data analysis with visualization and human-computer interaction facilities to solve analysis problems in applications characterized by occurrence of large amounts of complex data. The financial data analysis domain is a promising field for research and application of Visual Analytics technology, as it prototypically involves the analysis of large data volumes in solving complex analysis tasks.

We introduce a Visual Analytics system for supporting the analysis of large amounts of financial time-varying indicator data. A system, driven by the idea of extending standard technical chart analysis from one to two-dimensional indicator space, is developed. The system relies on an unsupervised clustering algorithm combined with an appropriately designed movement data visualization technique. Several analytical views on the full market and specific assets are offered for the user to navigate, to explore, and to analyze. The system includes automatic screening of the potentially large visualization space, preselecting possibly interesting candidate data views for presentation to the user. The system is applied to a large data set of time varying 2-D stock market data, demonstrating its effectiveness for visual analysis of financial data. We expect the proposed techniques to be beneficial in other application areas as well.
Visual analytics tools for analysis of movement data
Authors: Andrienko Gennady , Andrienko Natalia , Wrobel Stefan
Published: February 2008

With widespread availability of low cost GPS devices, it is becoming possible to record data about the movement of people and objects at a large scale. While these data hide important knowledge for the optimization of location and mobility oriented infrastructures and services, by themselves they lack the necessary semantic embedding which would make fully automatic algorithmic analysis possible. At the same time, making the semantic link is easy for humans who however cannot deal well with massive amounts of data. In this paper, we argue that by using the right visual analytics tools for the analysis of massive collections of movement data, it is possible to effectively support human analysts in understanding movement behaviors and mobility patterns. We suggest a framework for analysis combining interactive visual displays, which are essential for supporting human perception, cognition, and reasoning, with database operations and computational methods, which are necessary for handling large amounts of data. We demonstrate the synergistic use of these techniques in case studies of two real datasets.
Interview with Jon Kleinberg
Authors: Piatetsky Gregory
Published: February 2008

Interview with Jon Kleinberg, a pioneer in web mining, social network analysis, and other fields and a winner of many awards, including 2 KDD Best Papers and a MacArthur 'genius' award.
A classical predictive modeling approach for task "Who rated what?" of the KDD CUP 2007
Authors: Sueiras Jorge , Salafranca Alfonso , Florez Jose Luis
Published: February 2008

This paper describes one possible way to solve task "Who rated what?" of the KDD CUP 2007. The proposed solution is a history-based model that predicts whether a user will vote a given movie. Key points to our approach are (1) the estimation of the model baseline, (2) the definition of the explanatory variables and (3) the mathematical model form. Given the binary outcome of the problem, the estimation of the true baseline (ratio of 1's in the test data) is critical in order to correctly make predictions. In parallel, to improve the model predictive power, we have developed a careful construction of the input variables. These explanatory variables can be grouped as: user voting behaviour variables, the movie characteristics and user-movie interactions. Finally, the mathematical model form (linear logistic regression) has been chosen among various model form competitors.
Making the most of your data
Authors: Rosset Saharon , Perlich Claudia , Liu Yan
Published: February 2008

We describe the ideas and methodologies that we developed in addressing the KDD Cup 2007
How Many Ratings
task, and discuss how they contributed to our success.
Lessons from the Netflix prize challenge
Authors: Bell Robert M. , Koren Yehuda
Published: February 2008

This article outlines the overall strategy and summarizes a few key innovations of the team that won the first Netflix progress prize.
WebKDD/SNAKDD 2007
Authors: Zhang Haizheng , Yen John , Giles C. Lee , Mombaster Bamshad , Spiliopoulou Myra , Srivastava Jaideep , Nasraoui Olfa , McCallum Andrew
Published: February 2008

In this report, we summarize the contents and outcomes of the recent joint WebKDD/SNAKDD 2007 workshop on Web Mining and Social Network Analysis that was held in conjunction with the 13th ACM SIGKDD International Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (KDD 2007), August 12-15, 2007, in San Jose, California. In 2007, WebKDD was organized for the ninth time in a successful series of workshops on knowledge discovery on the Web. The first SNA-KDD workshop is created to bring together researchers who currently contribute to different aspects of social network analysis, including knowledge discovery and data mining in social network, social network modeling, multi-agent based social network simulation, complex generic network analysis. The joint 9th WEBKDD and 1st SNA-KDD workshop was co-held with KDD 2007 and solicited papers on broad overview subject "Web Mining and Social Network Analysis". We reflect on the results of the workshop, as captured in the invited talk and presentations.
PinKDD'07
Authors: Bonchi Francesco , Ferrari Elena , Malin Bradley , Saygin Yücel
Published: February 2008

In this report, we summarize the events of the First International Workshop on Privacy, Security, and Trust in KDD (PinKDD), which was held in conjunction with the 13
th
ACM SIGKDD International Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining. The workshop convened on August 12, 2007 in San Jose, California and brought together researchers, as well as practitioners, working on how privacy, security, and trust can be resolved or modeled within a data mining framework.
Recent Advances in Optical Tweezers
Authors: Moffitt Jeffrey R. , Chemla Yann R. , Smith Steven B. , Bustamante Carlos
Published: February 2008

It has been over 20 years since the pioneering work of Arthur Ashkin, and in the intervening years, the field of optical tweezers has grown tremendously. Optical tweezers are now being used in the investigation of an increasing number of biochemical and biophysical processes, from the basic mechanical properties of biological polymers to the multitude of molecular machines that drive the internal dynamics of the cell. Innovation, however, continues in all areas of instrumentation and technique, with much of this work focusing on the refinement of established methods and on the integration of this tool with other forms of single-molecule manipulation or detection. Although technical in nature, these developments have important implications for the expanded use of optical tweezers in biochemical research and thus should be of general interest. In this review, we address these recent advances and speculate on possible future developments.
Persistence of circadian variation in arterial blood pressure in β1/β2-adrenergic receptor-deficient mice
Authors: Kim Soo Mi , Huang Yuning , Qin Yan , Mizel Diane , Schnermann Jurgen , Briggs Josephine P.
Published: February 2008

The β-adrenergic pathway has been considered one important effector of circadian variation in arterial pressure. Experiments were performed in β1/β2-adrenergic receptor-deficient mice (β1/β2ADR−/−) to assess whether this pathway is required for circadian variation in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and to determine the impact of its loss on the response to changes in dietary salt. Twenty-four-hour recordings of MAP, heart rate (HR), and locomotor activity were made in conscious 16- to 17-wk-old mice [wild-type, (WT), n = 7; β1/β2ADR−/−, n = 10] by telemetry. Both WT and β1/β2ADR−/− mice demonstrated robust circadian variation in MAP and HR, although 24-h mean MAP was 10% lower (102.02 ± 1.81 vs. 92.11 ± 2.62 mmHg) in β1/β2ADR−/− than WT, HR was 16% lower and day-night differences reduced. Both WT and β1/β2ADR−/− mice adapted to changed salt intake without changed MAP. However, the β1/β2ADR−/− mice demonstrated a striking reduction in locomotor activity in light and dark phases of the day. In WT mice, MAP was markedly affected by locomotor activity, resulting in bimodal distributions in both light and dark. When MAP was analyzed using only intervals without locomotor activity, bimodality and circadian differences were reduced, and there was no significant difference between the two genotypes. The results indicate that there is no direct effect or role for the β-adrenergic system in circadian variation of arterial pressure in mice, aside from the indirect consequences of altered locomotor activity. Our results also confirm that locomotor activity contributes strongly to circadian variation in blood pressure in mice.
Enhanced muscle fatigue occurs in male but not female ASIC3−/− mice
Authors: Burnes Lynn A. , Kolker Sandra J. , Danielson Jessica F. , Walder Roxanne Y. , Sluka Kathleen A.
Published: February 2008

Muscle fatigue is associated with a number of clinical diseases, including chronic pain conditions. Decreases in extracellular pH activates acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3), depolarizes muscle, protects against fatigue, and produces pain. We examined whether ASIC3−/− mice were more fatigable than ASIC3+/+ mice in a task-dependent manner. We developed two exercise protocols to measure exercise-induced muscle fatigue: ( fatigue task 1, three 1-h runs; fatigue task 2, three 30-min runs). In fatigue task 1, male ASIC3+/+ mice muscle showed less fatigue than male ASIC3−/− mice and female ASIC3+/+ mice. No differences in fatigue were observed in fatigue task 2. We then tested whether the development of muscle fatigue was dependent on sex and modulated by testosterone. Female ASIC3+/+ mice that were ovariectomized and administered testosterone developed less muscle fatigue than female ASIC3+/+ mice and behaved similarly to male ASIC3+/+ mice. However, testosterone was unable to rescue the muscle fatigue responses in ovariectomized ASIC3−/− mice. Plasma levels of testosterone from male ASIC3−/− mice were significantly lower than in male ASIC3+/+ mice and were similar to female ASIC3+/+ mice. Muscle fiber types, measured by counting ATPase-stained whole muscle sections, were similar in calf muscles from male and female ASIC3+/+ mice. These data suggest that both ASIC3 and testosterone are necessary to protect against muscle fatigue in a task-dependent manner. Also, differences in expression of ASIC3 and the development of exercise-induced fatigue could explain the female predominance in clinical syndromes of pain that include muscle fatigue.
Alcohol preference in mice lacking the Avpr1a vasopressin receptor
Authors: Sanbe Atsushi , Takagi Norio , Fujiwara Yoko , Yamauchi Junji , Endo Toshiya , Mizutani Reiko , Takeo Satoshi , Tsujimoto Gozoh , Tanoue Akito
Published: February 2008

[Arg8]-vasopressin (Avp), a nonapeptide hormone, is known to regulate blood pressure, water balance, and a variety of behaviors such as anxiety, aggression, and bonding. Although some evidence that Avp modifies ethanol consumption and some of the effects of ethanol on behavior have been reported, the role of Avp in alcohol consumption and preference is poorly understood. The Avp1a receptor (Avpr1a) is ubiquitously expressed in the central nervous system. To determine the role of Avp signaling on the behavioral effects of alcohol, we examined voluntary ethanol consumption in mice with targeted disruptions of the Avpr1a knockout (Avpr1a KO) gene. Avpr1a KO mice displayed both increased ethanol consumption and preference compared with wild-type (WT) mice. Enhanced ethanol consumption was dramatically and reversibly reduced by treatment with N-methyl-d-aspartic acid antagonists. Basal glutamate release was elevated around the striatum in Avpr1a KO mice. Elevation of extracellular glutamate was also produced in WT mice by local application of an Avpr1a antagonist though a dialysis probe, and this elevation was quickly reversed by stopping the perfusion. These results suggest that Avp can inhibit the release of glutamate from the presynaptic terminal via the Avp1a receptor and that elevation of glutamate levels owing to loss of the inhibitory effect via Avp-Avpr1a signaling may play an important role in the preference for ethanol.
Palmitate acutely induces insulin resistance in isolated muscle from obese but not lean humans
Authors: Thrush A. Brianne , Heigenhauser George J. , Mullen Kerry L. , Wright David C. , Dyck David J.
Published: February 2008

Exposure to high fatty acids (FAs) induces whole body and skeletal muscle insulin resistance. The globular form of the adipokine, adiponectin (gAd), stimulates FA oxidation and improves insulin sensitivity; however, its ability to prevent lipid-induced insulin resistance in humans has not been tested. The purpose of this study was to determine 1) whether acute (4 h) exposure to 2 mM palmitate would impair insulin signaling and glucose transport in isolated human skeletal muscle, 2) whether muscle from obese humans is more susceptible to the effects of palmitate, and 3) whether the presence of 2 mM palmitate + 2.5 μg/ml gAd (P+gAd) could prevent the effects of palmitate. Insulin-stimulated (10 mU/ml) glucose transport was not different, relative to control, following exposure to palmitate (−10%) or P+gAd (−3%) in lean muscle. In obese muscle, the absolute increase in glucose transport from basal to insulin-stimulated conditions was significantly decreased following palmitate (−55%) and P+gAd (−36%) exposure (control vs. palmitate; control vs. P+gAd, P < 0.05). There was no difference in the absolute increase in glucose transport between palmitate and P+gAd, indicating that in the presence of palmitate, gAd did not improve glucose transport. The palmitate-induced reduction in insulin-stimulated glucose transport in muscle from obese individuals may have been due to reduced Ser Akt (control vs. palmitate; P+gAd, P < 0.05) and Akt substrate 160 (AS160) phosphorylation (control vs. palmitate; P+gAd, P < 0.05). FA oxidation was significantly increased in muscle of lean and obese individuals in the presence of gAd ( P < 0.05), suggesting that the stimulatory effects of gAd on FA oxidation may not be sufficient to entirely prevent palmitate-induced insulin resistance in obese muscle.
Expansion of Visual Space During Optokinetic Afternystagmus (OKAN)
Authors: Kaminiarz André , Krekelberg Bart , Bremmer Frank
Published: February 2008

The mechanisms underlying visual perceptual stability are usually investigated using voluntary eye movements. In such studies, errors in perceptual stability during saccades and pursuit are commonly interpreted as mismatches between actual eye position and eye-position signals in the brain. The generality of this interpretation could in principle be tested by investigating spatial localization during reflexive eye movements whose kinematics are very similar to those of voluntary eye movements. Accordingly, in this study, we determined mislocalization of flashed visual targets during optokinetic afternystagmus (OKAN). These eye movements are quite unique in that they occur in complete darkness and are generated by subcortical control mechanisms. We found that during horizontal OKAN slow phases, subjects mislocalize targets away from the fovea in the horizontal direction. This corresponds to a perceived expansion of visual space and is unlike mislocalization found for any other voluntary or reflexive eye movement. Around the OKAN fast phases, we found a bias in the direction of the fast phase prior to its onset and opposite to the fast-phase direction thereafter. Such a biphasic modulation has also been reported in the temporal vicinity of saccades and during optokinetic nystagmus (OKN). A direct comparison, however, showed that the modulation during OKAN was much larger and occurred earlier relative to fast-phase onset than during OKN. A simple mismatch between the current eye position and the eye-position signal in the brain is unlikely to explain such disparate results across similar eye movements. Instead, these data support the view that mislocalization arises from errors in eye-centered position information.
A New Part‐Metric‐Related Inequality Chain and an Application
Authors: Yang Xiaofan , Sun Fangkuan , Tang Yuan Yan
Published: February 2008

Part‐metric‐related (PMR) inequality chains are elegant and are useful in the study of difference equations. In this paper, we establish a new PMR inequality chain, which is then applied to show the global asymptotic stability of a class of rational difference equations.
Strong Convergence of Monotone Hybrid Algorithm for Hemi-Relatively Nonexpansive Mappings
Authors: Su Yongfu , Wang Dongxing , Shang Meijuan
Published: February 2008

The purpose of this article is to prove strong convergence theorems for fixed points of closed hemi-relatively nonexpansive mappings. In order to get these convergence theorems, the monotone hybrid iteration method is presented and is used to approximate those fixed points. Note that the hybrid iteration method presented by S. Matsushita and W. Takahashi can be used for relatively nonexpansive mapping, but it cannot be used for hemi-relatively nonexpansive mapping. The results of this paper modify and improve the results of S. Matsushita and W. Takahashi (2005), and some others.
Model‐Matching‐Based Control of the Beverton‐Holt Equation in Ecology
Authors: De La Sen M. , Alonso-Quesada S.
Published: February 2008

This paper discusses the generation of a carrying capacity of the environment so that the famous Beverton‐Holt equation of Ecology has a prescribed solution. The way used to achieve the tracking objective is the design of a carrying capacity through a feedback law so that the prescribed reference sequence, which defines the suitable behavior, is achieved. The advantage that the inverse of the Beverton‐Holt equation is a linear time‐varying discrete dynamic system whose external input is the inverse of the environment carrying capacity is taken in mind. In the case when the intrinsic growth rate is not perfectly known, an adaptive law implying parametrical estimation is incorporated to the scheme so that the tracking property of the reference sequence becomes an asymptotic objective in the absence of additive disturbances. The main advantage of the proposal is that the population evolution might behave as a prescribed one either for all time or asymptotically, which defines the desired population evolution. The technique might be of interest in some industrial exploitation problems like, for instance, in aquaculture management.
Methotrexate and Cyclosporine Treatments Modify the Activities of Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV and Prolyl Oligopeptidase in Murine Macrophages
Authors: Olivo R. A. , Nascimento N. G. , Teixeira C. F. P. , Silveira P. F.
Published: February 2008

Analysis of the effects of cyclosporine A (25–28 mgkg−1) and/or methotrexate (0.1 mgkg−1) treatments on dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) and prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) activities and on algesic response in two distinct status of murine macrophages (Mφs) was undertaken. In residentMφs, DPPIV and POP were affected by neither individual nor combined treatments. In thioglycolate-elicitedMφs, methotrexate increased DPPIV (99–110%) and POP (60%), while cyclosporine inhibited POP (21%). Combined treatment with both drugs promoted a rise (51–84%) of both enzyme activities. Only cyclosporine decreased (42%) the tolerance to algesic stimulus. Methotrexate was revealed to exert prevalent action over that of cyclosporine on proinflammatoryMφPOP. The opposite effects of methotrexate and cyclosporine on POP activity might influence the availability of the nociceptive mediators bradykinin and substance P in proinflammatoryMφs. The exacerbated response to thermally induced algesia observed in cyclosporine-treated animals could be related to upregulation of those mediators.
Rheological Behavior of Smectite Dispersions: The Influence of Suspension Concentration and Exchangeable Cation
Authors: Paumier S. , Monnet P. , Pantet A.
Published: February 2008

The mechanical behaviors of smectite materials in water are very sensitive to many parameters, such as concentration, particle size and morphology, exchangeable cation nature, and chemical environment (pH, ionic strength). The literature usually provides general rules for sodium and calcium bentonites. However, it appears that the quantitative results present a large range of values. This study has established the relationships between the smectite nature (mineralogy, morphology, reactivity) and its rheological behavior according to the exchangeable cation. To develop a complete rheological study, we need 800 g of montmorillonite purified and saturated with or . Huge production necessitates optimized process with accurate control of the powder quality and the chemical environment. Smectite particles have been extracted from a natural bentonite and then saturated with sodium or calcium. Then, each sample was characterized with classical methods like X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and laser granulometry but also cutting-edge technologies like scanning transmission electron microscopy on wet samples (Wet STEM). The Na-smectite dispersion contains a lot of small units whereas the Ca-smectite dispersion contains a few large units. Rheological study consists in flow curves obtained with a high-resolution rheometer. Logarithmic representation of the rheograms permits detecting a yield stress, it separates solid and fluid behavior. The rheological datas (viscosity, consistency, and yield stress) allow defining the limits depending on the concentration and on the saturation state. A Newtonian law could be applied to around 4% for Na- and Ca-smectites. Seaward of these concentrations, the dispersions are shear thinning and modelled by Ostwald law. Finally a yield stress appears at 6% for Na-smectite and 11% for Ca-smectite, the flow curves could be modelled by Hershel-Bukley law. Results are in accordance with the bibliography.
General Principles of Law as Applied by International Criminal Courts and Tribunals
Authors: Raimondo Fabián
Published: February 2008

International lawyers usually disregard the vital functions that general principles of law may play in the decisions of international courts and tribunals. The relative indifference in these principles should lead to a renewed attention in the legal regime of the general principles of law as a source of public international law. As far as international criminal law is concerned, general principles of law may be crucial to the outcome of an international trial, inter alia because the conviction of an accused in respect of a particular charge may depend on the existence of a given defence under this source. This article examines the role that general principles of law have played in the decisions of international criminal courts and tribunals. In particular, it aims at analysing their alleged 'subsidiary' nature, their process of determination, and their transposition from national legal systems into international law. It concludes that general principles of law have played a significant role not only by filling legal gaps, but also by being a fundamental means for the interpretation of legal rules and the enhancement of legal reasoning.
Development of a Land Surface Model Including Cloud Water Deposition on Vegetation
Authors: Katata Genki , Nagai Haruyasu , Wrzesinsky Thomas , Klemm Otto , Eugster Werner , Burkard Reto
Published: February 2008

A land surface model including cloud (fog) water deposition on vegetation was developed to better predict the heat and water exchanges between the biosphere and atmosphere. A new scheme to calculate cloud water deposition on vegetation was implemented in this model. High performance of the model was confirmed by comparison of calculated heat and cloud water flux over a forest with measurements. The new model provided a better prediction of measured turbulent and gravitational fluxes of cloud water over the canopy than the commonly used cloud water deposition model. In addition, simple linear relationships between wind speed over the canopy (|U|) and deposition velocity of cloud water (Vdep) were found both in measurements and in the calculations. Numerical experiments using the model were performed to study the influences of two types of leaves (needle and broad leaves) and canopy structure parameters (total leaf area index and canopy height) on Vdep. When the size of broad leaves is small, they can capture larger amounts of cloud water than needle leaves with the same canopy structure. The relationship between aerodynamic and canopy conductances for cloud water at a given total leaf area density (LAD) strongly influenced Vdep. From this, it was found that trees whose LAD ≈ 0.1 m2 m−3 are the most efficient structures for cloud water deposition. A simple expression for the slope of Vdep plotted against LAD obtained from the experiments can be useful for predicting total cloud water deposition to forests on large spatial scales.
A Qualitative Study of Barriers to Mental Health Services Utilisation Among Migrants From Mainland China in South-East Sydney
Authors: Blignault Ilse , Ponzio Vince , Ye Rong  , Eisenbruch Maurice
Published: February 2008

Background: Chinese-language speakers comprise the largest non-English speaking population in Australia but they have among the lowest rates of mental health services utilisation.

Material: A bilingual (Mandarin/English) researcher conducted in-depth interviews with China-born mental health patients and members of the general community, and mental health service providers.

Discussion: Participants identified several factors that limit access to mental healthcare as well as the quality of care received: mental health literacy, communication difficulties, stigma, confidentiality concerns, service constraints and discrimination. Cross-cultural communication was not just a matter of hearing individual words but also appreciating idioms and cultural and social references.

Conclusion: Findings have implications for the prevention and treatment of mental disorders among migrants from China, and caution against assuming heterogeneity within ethnic groups. Mental health services must become more culturally competent in their attempts to engage the target group and to deliver both acute and continuing care.
Strategy as Discourse in a Global Retailer: A Supplement to Rationalist and Interpretive Accounts
Authors: Ezzamel Mahmoud , Willmott Hugh
Published: February 2008

The paper contributes to a developing interest in discourse in management and organization studies. Strategizing activity is studied as an example of organizing conceived as a discursive practice. Material drawn from an intensive case study of 'StitchCo', a global retailing and manufacturing company, is deployed to analyse how strategy activity was articulated, mobilized and enacted; and, in particular, to explore how accounting practices became discursively imbued with strategic significance in ways that contributed to what the strategy discourse contrived to invoke and prescribe. Grounded in a Foucauldian power/knowledge framework, this approach is seen to offer an innovative and challenging supplement to established analyses of (strategic) management.
Embedded Markets, Communities, and the Invisible Hand of Social Norms
Authors: Varman Rohit , Costa Janeen Arnold
Published: February 2008

The authors'ethnographic work on social norms is intended to unravel the noninstrumental core of embedded markets. In offering a theory of “the invisible hand of social norms,” the authors show that consumer and seller behavior have expressive, moral, and emotional underpinnings that cannot be understood without a broader conceptualization of human motives and actions. This ethnography provides a rich understanding of the role of community and the behavioral dimensions of markets, which in turn helps deconstruct the current axiomatic treatment of transaction-centric markets and to reconstruct the market as a socially embedded institution in which community ties are formed and sustained.
The effects of varying ratios of physical and mental practice, and task difficulty on performance of a tonal pattern
Authors: Cahn Dan
Published: February 2008

Sixty undergraduate students who had completed at least one semester of jazz improvisation were assigned to either: (a) physical practice (PP); (b) mental practice (MP); (c) combined 66 percent PP and 33 percent MP (66%PP:33%MP); and (d) combined 33 percent PP and 66 percent MP (33%PP:66%MP) groups. Subjects were to perform a 3—1—7—5 tonal pattern over two difficulty levels of chord progressions. A pre-test, a three-minute practice session, and a post-test were performed for each progression. ANCOVA results revealed significant interaction between groups and task difficulty. Post-hoc t-test revealed superior results for both MP and 33%PP:66%MP on the easy task compared with the hard task. The four groups were collapsed into two groups: (a) PP and 66%PP:33%MP, both high in percentage of PP (HPP); and (b) MP and 33%PP:66%MP, both high in percentage of MP (HMP). Post-hoc t-test revealed a significantly superior performance of the HPP to that of the HMP on the hard task.
Access to Health Care for Disadvantaged Young Children
Authors: Newacheck Paul , Hung Yun-Yi , Hochstein Miles , Halfon Neal
Published: February 2008

We analyzed data on 3,449 children under age 3 representing 15.7 million children from the United States, using the 1997 National Health Interview Survey. Our findings show that although most children under age 3 had a usual source of care, children at risk because of low income, minority status, or lack of insurance were 3 to 12 times more likely than children in the reference group (higher income, White, and insured) to be without a usual source of care, and 2 to 30 times more likely to have unmet needs for health care. Furthermore, young children in the at-risk groups had fewer visits to health professionals. We conclude that children in the at-risk groups continue to face substantial barriers in accessing basic health services.
Increasing Play Skills of Children With Autism Using Activity Schedules and Correspondence Training
Authors: Morrison Rebecca S. , Sainato Diane M. , Benchaaban Delia , Endo Sayaka
Published: February 2008

Play is a critical component of preschool children's development. For children with autism, restricted play skills eliminate common tools needed to build independent performance and peer relationships. The purpose of this study was to investigate a strategy to improve the independent performance of preschoolers with autism during playtime in an inclusive setting. A multiple-baseline design across subjects was employed to determine the effectiveness of correspondence training and activity schedules on the on-task and play correspondence behavior of 4 preschoolers with autism. Partial-interval recording was used to measure on-task behavior and experimenter prompts, whereas a frequency count was used for on-schedule behavior. Procedural integrity and social validity were also measured. Results of the study indicated that all 4 participants' on-task and play correspondence behavior increased, while experimenter prompts gradually decreased.
The DEC Recommended Practices in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education: Social Validation
Authors: McLean Mary E. , Snyder Patricia , Smith Barbara J. , Sandall Susan R.
Published: February 2008

Results are reported from the field survey of the DEC Recommended Practices as one part of a national effort by the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) to develop evidence-based practices for Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education (EIlECSE). Surveys were received from 388 respondents consisting of practitioners, parents, and administration or higher education personnel. The respondents supported all of the practices as recommended practice. Additional information was obtained from the respondents about the extent of current use of the practices.
Qualitative Research in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education
Authors: Sandall Susan R. , Smith Barbara J. , Mclean Mary E. , Ramsey Alison Broudy
Published: February 2008

Descriptive information about the qualitative research studies reviewed as part of the Division for Early Childhood Recommended Practices project is provided. Seventy-four articles that met our criteria were reviewed. These studies were more likely to address issues of families, policy, interdisciplinary models, and personnel preparation than other topic areas in early interventionlearly childhood special education. Most of the studies provided sufficient detail in terms of describing the conceptual framework, research strategies and methods, and findings. Limitations of the review as well as suggestions for future directions are offered.
Family Factors in the Early Development of Children With Down Syndrome
Authors: Van Hooste Ann , Maes Bea
Published: February 2008

From the very early stages of childhood, children with Down syndrome present considerable individual variation in developmental abilities. Family factors play a significant role in this variation because they might impede or facilitate individual developmental progress. This article reviews important family factors associated with early development of infants and children with Down syndrome. The quality of parent-child interactions, the family environment, parental attitudes, family stress and coping, and formal and informal support are discussed in connection with behavioral and developmental child outcomes. Parents and professionals should know about these factors and understand how and when they affect development.
Use of a Curriculum-Based Measure to Corroborate Eligibility Decisions
Authors: Bricker Diane , Yovanoff Paul , Capt Betty , Allen David
Published: February 2008

This study examined the usefulness of the Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System, a curriculum-based measure, to corroborate the findings of standardized, norm-referenced tests that establish eligibility for IDEA services for young children. Using a sample of children who were developing typically, a Rasch one-parameter dichotomous measurement model was used to determine cutoff scores for 6-month intervals on the Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System. These cutoff scores were evaluated for accuracy with a group of children previously found eligible for services. In most cases, the cutoff scores identified eligible children accurately. Implications for the use of curriculum-based measures to establish eligibility for IDEA services are discussed.
Considering the Role of Individuals in Creating Commitment, Continuity, and Dedication in the Science and Practice of Early Education and Development: A Memorial to Mary A. McEvoy (1953-2002)
Authors: Mcconnell Scott R.
Published: February 2008

Marv McEvoy was a leader in early education and development; she died unexpectedly on October 25, 2002. Like other leaders, Mary produced a lasting and substantial effect in early education and development through her own efforts and through the effect she had on others. This paper considers how leaders influence our field by creating commitment, continuity, and dedication to the science and practice of early education and development, and how these effects endure long after these individuals die.
Types and Patterns of Professional-Family Talk in Home-Based Early Intervention
Authors: Brady Sharon J. , Peters Donald L. , Gamel-McCormick Michael , Venuto Nancy
Published: February 2008

This study examined the process of communication within the professional-family relationship by identifying and describing the types and patterns of talk during interactions between 15 families of young children with developmental delays and their respective early interventionists. Videotaped interactions of routine home visits were coded using a computerized coding system designed to record and analyze professional-family talk related to direct and indirect communication approaches. The tapes yielded 13,145 verbal behaviors and 2,155 sequential patterns. Correlational and sequential analyses revealed that when professionals used more indirect verbal behavior there was more active verbal involvement by family members. In addition, specific professional behaviors tended to be followed by particular sequences of interaction. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Effects of Age and Developmental Status of Partners on Play of Preschoolers With Disabilities
Authors: Skinner Martie L. , Buysse Virginia , Bailey Donald B.
Published: February 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine how total duration of social play of preschool children with disabilities varied as a function of both chronological and developmental age of their social partners. Fifty-five 33- to 60-month-old children with mild to moderate developmental delays were observed in dyadic play situations with four different partners. Partners ranged from same age as the focal child to 23 months difference in age, and ranged in developmental status from typical to moderate delay. Results indicated that the influence of partner's developmental age on social play was different depending on the developmental age of the focal child. This interaction effect suggests that advantages accrued to preschoolers with disabilities from mixed-aged play groupings depend on the child's developmental age and those of available social partners.
Reprise: Developing Problem-Solving Skills to Enhance Task Persistence of Handicapped Preschool Children
Authors: Karnes Merle B. , Johnson Lawrence J. , Beauchamp Karen D.F.
Published: February 2008

This manuscript reports on a preliminary study to examine the effect of teaching problem-solving skills on the task persistence of handicapped preschool children. Ten mildly handicapped children completed a series of lessons in which they were taught to use problem-solving strategies to complete fine motor tasks. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected to determine the effectiveness of these procedures. These data indicated that the intervention had a positive impact on the task persistence of some children and that some children became more systematic in their approach to solving tasks. The implication of these results for structuring tasks for children is discussed.
Developmental Specificity in Targeting and Teaching Play Activities to Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Authors: Lifter Karin , Ellis James , Cannon Barbara , Anderson Stephen R.
Published: February 2008

Developmentally specific play programs were designed for three children with pervasive developmental disorders being served in a home-based program. Using the Developmental Play Assessment, six activities for each of three adjacent developmentally sequenced play categories were targeted for direct instruction using different toy sets. A modified multiple-baseline across play targets design was employed. Teaching procedures capitalized on following the child's lead and employed least-to-most prompting procedures. Results showed children reached acquisition criteria for 85% (range: 75-100%) of 40 play activities that were generated from emerging play categories and 81% (range: 50-100%) of 16 play activities generated from successive, but non-emerging play categories. Findings are discussed related to the importance of increasing developmental specificity when targeting and teaching play activities.
Early Intervention with Children Prenatally Exposed to Cocaine: Expansion with Multiple Cohorts
Authors: Bono Katherine E. , Bolzani Dinehart Laura H. , Claussen Angelika H. , Scott Keith G. , Mundy Peter C. , Katz Lynne F.
Published: February 2008

Prenatal cocaine exposure is an indicator for adverse developmental outcomes. To prevent developmental disabilities, an early intervention program for children birth to 3 years was developed that included three groups: center-based, home-based, and primary care comparison. The intervention was implemented across 10 years and data were collected on 342 children and families who were primarily urban, poor, and members of traditionally underrepresented groups. At 36 months of age, center and home-based intervention participants had more advanced cognitive and language abilities and fewer behavior problems than the primary care group participants. In addition, center-based participants had more advanced language abilities than home-based participants. The findings indicate that the early intervention impact is sustainable over time and has a positive effect on children at risk due to prenatal cocaine exposure.
Early Literacy Development: Skill Growth and Relations between Classroom Variables for Preschool Children
Authors: Missall Kristen N. , Mcconnell Scott R. , Cadigan Karen
Published: February 2008

Promoting the development of early literacy skills might prevent later reading achievement problems. This longitudinal study investigated rates of early literacy growth using Individual Growth and Development Indicators (IGDls) for 69 preschool children classified as belonging to 1 of 4 groups with or without risk for developing early literacy skills. Group differences were obtained for 3 IGDIs (Picture Naming, Rhyming, and Alliteration) and rate of growth over time varied across groups for Picture Naming and Rhyming. Percent time spent in various classroom situations, as measured by the Ecobehavioral System for the Complex Assessment of Preschool Environments (ESCAPE), was correlated with each child's rate of IGDI growth. Correlations between IGDI growth rates and ESCAPE variables suggest classroom areas in which interventions could be concentrated for specific groups of children. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Guidelines for Graphing Data with Microsoft® PowerPoint™
Authors: Barton Erin E. , Reichow Brian , Wolery Mark
Published: February 2008

Graphs are vital components for analyzing data in the experimental analysis of behavior using single subject research methods. This paper extends the previous literature on the construction of single subject graphs by providing instructions for using Microsoft® Power PointTM and Microsoft® PowerPoint for Mac®, and describes improved reporting practices for visual presentation of single subject experimental data. Detailed instructions are provided for constructing line graphs for displaying single subject data, specialized graphs (i. e., semi-logarithmic, dual ordinate, and line and bar combination graphs), and electronically submitting graphs to journals for publication.
Childhood Attachments, Sexual Abuse, and Their Relationship to Adult Coping in Child Molesters
Authors: Marshall W.L. , Serran Geris A. , Cortoni Franca A.
Published: February 2008

The present study examined the parent-child attachments, typical coping styles, and childhood sexual abuse among 30 child molesters, 24 nonsexual offenders, and 29 nonoffenders. The results indicated that all subjects reported greater security in their attachments to their mothers than to their fathers and the insecure patterns of childhood attachments were related to ineffective adult coping. The only difference observed in characteristic coping showed that child molesters were more likely to engage in emotion focused strategies. Child molesters reported having experienced high levels of childhood sexual abuse and these experiences appear to have been more distressing to them than to other subjects. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for theory and treatment.
A Theory of Mind Perspective on Cognitive, Affective, and Intimacy Deficits in Child Sexual Offenders
Authors: Keenan Thomas , Ward Tony
Published: February 2008

Previous work in the area of sexual offending has suggested that factors such as intimacy deficits, problems empathizing with victims, and cognitive distortions have all been associated with the genesis and maintenance of sexual abuse. While researchers have constructed theories to account for the role of these variables in sexual offending, a framework that unites their study is lacking. Recently Ward, Keenan, and Hudson have proposed that sexual offenders may suffer from a deficit in their ability to understand and attribute mental states to others. Their review of the literature on the etiology of sexual offending suggested that intimacy deficits, empathy deficits, and cognitive distortions all point to a lack of awareness of other peoples' beliefs, desires, perspectives, and needs, what is commonly referred to in the developmental literature as a theory of mind. In this paper, we expand on this argument, illustrating some of the developmental pathways by which deficits in one's theory of mind can explain the pattern of deficits exhibited by many sexual offenders.
An Actuarial Procedure for Assessing Risk with Juvenile Sex Offenders
Authors: Prentky Robert , Harris Bert , Frizzell Kate , Righthnd Sue
Published: February 2008

Assessments of juvenile sexual offenders that are intended to aid in dispositional decisions occur at a multitude of decision points within the juvenile justice system. Despite the ubiquity of decisions that include considerations of risk, relatively little empirical work has been done on the development and validation of a risk assessment procedure for these young offenders. In this article, we discuss our initial efforts in developing and validating an actuarial risk assessment protocol for juvenile sex offenders using a sample of 96 adolescents that had been admitted, treated, and discharged from the Joseph J. Peters Institute. We conclude with a critical discussion of problems associated with evaluating risk in this population, and of deficiencies and revision requirements in the present protocol.