bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of semantics in games and simulations
Authors: Tutenel Tim , Bidarra Rafael , Smelik Ruben M. , Kraker Klaas Jan De
Published: January 2009

Powerful graphics hardware is enabling strong improvements in both the appearance and the complexity of virtual worlds for games and simulations. However, current practices in the design and development of virtual worlds mostly resemble high-tech variants of traditional handcrafts, resulting in increasingly unbearable design costs.

In this article we state that an essential key to overcoming these problems lies in the enrichment of object models with several kinds of semantic data. We discuss numerous and promising uses for semantic information in virtual worlds, and show, for many of them, how previous results of recent research can be successfully applied. We also identify the fundamental challenges in this new cross-disciplinary area, and point out a number of open issues lying ahead, including the need for (i) a suitable way of specifying semantic data, providing a powerful vocabulary that is useful and usable for all disciplines involved in game design and development; (ii) a seamless integration of semantic data integrated with procedural generation techniques, in order to provide designers with a new and powerful generation of tools; and (iii) a consistency maintenance among evolving objects in a changeable environment, for which powerful constraint-solving methods will be instrumental.

We conclude that, as the expectancy for future games and simulations steadily shifts from improved graphics and appearance towards improved character behavior, plausible realism and coherent gameplay, embedding the game world and its objects with richer semantics is going to play a crucial role. We can therefore expect that, in the near future, increasing research efforts and influential results will be emerging in this new exciting area.
Estrogen replacement enhances EDHF-mediated vasodilation of mesenteric and uterine resistance arteries: role of endothelial cell Ca2+
Authors: Burger Natalie Z. , Kuzina Olga Y. , Osol George , Gokina Natalia I.
Published: January 2009

Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) plays an important role in the regulation of vascular microcirculatory tone. This study explores the role of estrogen in controlling EDHF-mediated vasodilation of uterine resistance arteries of the rat and also analyzes the contribution of endothelial cell (EC) Ca2+signaling to this process. A parallel study was also performed with mesenteric arteries to provide comparison with a nonreproductive vasculature. Mature female rats underwent ovariectomy, with one half receiving 17β-estradiol replacement (OVX+E) and the other half serving as estrogen-deficient controls (OVX). Uterine or mesenteric resistance arteries were harvested, cannulated, and pressurized. Nitric oxide and prostacyclin production were inhibited with 200 μM NG-nitro-l-arginine and 10 μM indomethacin, respectively. ACh effectively dilated the arteries preconstricted with phenylephrine but failed to induce dilation of vessels preconstricted with high-K+solution. ACh EC50values were decreased by estrogen replacement by five- and twofold in uterine and mesenteric arteries, respectively. As evidenced by fura-2-based measurements of EC cytoplasmic Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i), estrogen replacement was associated with increased basal and ACh-stimulated EC [Ca2+]irise in uterine, but not mesenteric, vessels. These data demonstrate that EDHF contributes to endothelium-dependent vasodilation of uterine and mesenteric resistance arteries and that estrogen controls EDHF-related mechanism(s) more efficiently in reproductive vs. nonreproductive vessels. Enhanced endothelial Ca2+signaling may be an important underlying mechanism in estrogenic modulation of EDHF-mediated vasodilation in small resistance uterine arteries.
Axiological Typology in an International Religious Youth Organization
Authors: Cohen Erik. H.
Published: January 2009

This study examines the value structure of members of a religious youth movement that has chapters around the world. A preliminary typology of values is developed based on an empirical case study of the international Jewish youth movement, Bnei Akiva. Using multidimensional tools, a structure of the values held by respondents is portrayed. Differences in emphases and relationship to the structure of values by 13 national subpopulations are compared. The results of this case study have implications for other educational settings struggling with the postmodern paradox of adapting to a global culture while imparting specific national, religious and ethnic values.
Brief Multi-Disciplinary Treatment for Torture Survivors in Nepal: a Naturalistic Comparative Study
Authors: Tol Wietse A. , Komproe Ivan H. , Jordans Mark J.D. , Thapa Suraj B. , Sharma Bhogendra , De Jong Joop T.V.M.
Published: January 2009

Background: Little is known about the effectiveness of treatment for torture survivors in low-income settings. Multi-disciplinary treatment is an often used approach for this target group.

Aims: This study was aimed at examining the effectiveness of brief multi-disciplinary treatment for torture survivors in Nepal.

Methods: A naturalistic comparative design with help-seeking torture survivors and internally displaced persons assigned to a treatment and a comparison group respectively ( n = 192; treatment group n = 111, comparison group n = 81), with baseline measurements on psychiatric symptomatology, disability, and functioning and a five-month follow-up ( n = 107; treatment group n = 62; comparison group n = 45), was employed. Intervention consisted of brief psychosocial services, minimal medical services and/or legal assistance.

Results: Study groups were generally comparable and non-completers did not significantly differ from completers. The treatment group improved more than the comparison group on somatic symptoms, subjective well-being, disability and functioning, with mostly moderate effect sizes.

Conclusion: Treatment was moderately effective, with regards to reducing the nonspecific mental health consequences of torture, but disability scores remained high. For clients presenting with more severe mental health problems, other treatments that are realistic in the resource-poor Nepali context need to be sought.
Disorders of Functions and Disorders of Capacity in Relation To Sick Leave in Mental Disorders
Authors: Baron S. , Linden M.
Published: January 2009

Background: With the publication of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), the description of functional health as opposed to symptoms of illness has gained in importance.

Aims: To study the interrelation between disorders of functions, capacity and participation in mental disorders.

Method: Two hundred and thirteen psychosomatic inpatients were assessed with the Mini-ICF-Rating for Mental Disorders (Mini-ICF-P), the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R) and an interview on sick leave.

Results: The highest scores in the Mini-ICF-P were found for `flexibility' ( M = 1.64, SD = 0.94), `structuring of tasks' ( M = 1.12, SD = 1.05) and `endurance' ( M = 1.12, SD = 1.02), the lowest for `self maintenance' ( M = 0.19, SD = 0.44), `mobility' ( M = 0.43, SD = 0.85) and `adherence to regulations' ( M = 0.74, SD = 0.98). The correlation between Mini-ICF-P and SCL-90-R GSI is r = 0.51 ( p < 0.001), between sick leave and GSI is r = —0.05 and between sick leave and Mini-ICF-P r = 0.34 ( p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Disorders of capacity are more closely related to disorders of participation/sick leave than disorders of functions.
The Malaga Schizophrenia Case-Register (Resma): Overview of Methodology and Patient Cohort
Authors: Moreno-Küstner Berta , Mayoral Fermín , Pérez Olga , García-Herrera José María , Algarra José , Rivas Fabio , Pérez Rita , Becerra Francisco , Gornemann Isolde
Published: January 2009

Background: Little information has become available after psychiatric reforms regarding outcomes of persons with schizophrenia and related disorders cared for in community-based mental health facilities.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the consequences of psychiatric services in the users of mental health services in Malaga.

Method: We describe the cohort and methods involved in the Schizophrenia Case Register (RESMA) in Malaga, Spain. All cases ( n = 1,022) were users of public mental health services provided in the catchment area over one year. The majority were male (65%), single (68%), living with their original family (50%), with primary education (41%) and living on disability benefits (52%).

Results: Concerning use of services, the majority had out-patient contacts (89%). Results show a substantial overlap in the use of different services during the study period.

Conclusion: The Malaga Schizophrenia Case Register provides sociodemographic, clinical and service use information for a large sample of patients with schizophrenia or related disorders. Results obtained from the cohort studied will be instrumental for the follow-up and evaluation of the mental health care reform.
Public Beliefs About the Treatment of Schizophrenia and Depression in Brazil
Authors: De Toledo Piza Peluso Érica , Blay Sérgio Luís
Published: January 2009

Background: Little is known about public beliefs concerning the treatment of mental disorders in developing countries.

Aims: To assess preferences on sources of help and treatment and the perception of prognosis for schizophrenia and depression.

Method: A household survey was carried out in 2002 with a probabilistic sample of 1000 individuals, residents of São Paulo city, Brazil, with ages ranging from 18—65. Vignettes in colloquial language describing individuals with schizophrenia and depression (according to DSM-IV and ICD-10) were presented, together with a structured questionnaire with questions about the vignette.

Results: Results indicated the same general tendencies for schizophrenia and depression. The public considered the help of lay people and psychologists the most useful. Medical professionals are viewed less favorably. The treatments and activities most recommended are psychotherapy and general activities, such as physical activities and attending church services. Medical treatments are seen as more harmful than helpful. The more important determinants were: identification as mental illness, religion, sex and years of school completed. Prognosis with treatment for both disorders is viewed as favorable.

Conclusions: These results may indicate that the public need to receive more information on the full range of treatments options, especially those related to medical treatment.
The Camberwell Elderly Mentally Ill and Their Needs for Services
Authors: Abdul-Hamid W. , Johnson S. , Thornicroft G. , Holloway F. , Stansfeld S.
Published: January 2009

Background: Previous studies on the elderly mentally ill (graduates) have been undertaken in mental hospital settings and on populations being resettled from hospitals. This paper aims to assess the characteristics and service needs of an epidemiological sample of elderly mentally ill.

Aims: The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics, problems, service utilization and needs of a sample of elderly patients with functional psychosis in a defined epidemiological area.

Method: Data collected by PRiSM on psychotic patients who lived in two districts of Maudsley Hospital's catchment area were analyzed using the characteristics, problems and the needs for mental health services of those patients who were over the age of 64. These patients were compared with younger patients using the same data.

Results: The elderly patients differed significantly in their characteristics and problems from the younger mentally ill persons. The needs assessment procedure (Camberwell Assessment of Needs, CAN) was less sensitive to physical and psychiatric needs of the elderly as it did not reflect the differences between the two age groups.

Conclusions: The lower rate of schizophrenia in the elderly mentally ill compared to the younger community patients and asylum mentally ill is discussed. The explanation may lie in the natural history of the disorder or more plausibly in the implementation of `community care policy'. The paper concluded that a needs assessment procedure specifically designed to assess the needs of the elderly is required.
A 4-Month Accelerated Aging Study of Geomembranes Exposed to Landfill Leachate
Authors: Pandazakos George , Beazi-Katsioti Margaret , Tarantili Petroula A.
Published: January 2009

The accelerated aging of High Density Polyethylene geomembranes exposed to the leachate obtained from the municipal landfill of a suburb of Athens (Ano Liosia), was studied at 50°C for 4 months. The change of properties as a function of aging was assessed after 30, 60, 90, and 120 days immersion, via Tensile testing, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, ATR Spectroscopy, Hardness, and Melt Flow Index measurements. From the obtained results, it appeared that minor changes of the above properties take place under the experimental conditions of our study.
Phase Structure of PVC/MBS Blends by Small Angle X-ray Scattering
Authors: Shaozao Tan  , Wei Li  , Xudong Chen  , Chong Li  , Zhengfu Liao
Published: January 2009

The phase structure of blends consisting of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and methyl methacrylate—butadiene—styrene graft copolymer (MBS) are examined by small-angle-X-ray scattering (SAXS). The interface layer thickness (σ), correlation distance (ac), and interface layer specific surface area (Ssp) are calculated using Debye—Bueche's statistical theory. The results show that the grafted sequence of styrene or methyl methacrylate to butadiene—styrene copolymer have significant influence on the values of σ, ac, and Ssp. The σ-value of PVC/MBS in which styrene is first grafted in MBS is about 5 nm larger than that of methyl methacrylate (MMA) that is first grafted in MBS.
In situ Generated Dimethyl Dioxirane (DMD)/Copper(II) (2,2'-diamino-4, 4'-bithiazole) Complex as a New Oxidant for Polybutadiene and Hydroxyl Terminated Polybutadiene (HTPB) Epoxidation
Authors: Mir Mohammad Alavi Nikje  , Soleimani Majid , Mozaffari Zahra
Published: January 2009

Epoxidation of polybutadiene and HTPB are performed by using in situ generated dimethyl dioxirane (DMD) as oxidant and copper(II) (2,2'diamino-4,4 '-bithiazole) (DABTZ) complex as the catalyst at 25°C. For comparison of double bond reactivities, epoxidation reactions are performed on three different types of polybutadiene and HTPBs containing various cis, trans, vinyl microstructures. The tendency of different C=C geometries towards epoxidation are evaluated in detail at various reaction times as well as catalyst concentration and the products are characterized by using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and FT-IR spectroscopies. Spectra analysis did not show the formation of over-oxidation products even at long reaction times. Another important observation is the preservation of hydroxyl end groups in HTPB chain.
Cross-Cultural Examination of Women’s Fashion and Beauty Magazine Advertisements in the United States and South Korea
Authors: Jung Jaehee , Lee Yoon-Jung
Published: January 2009

To compare differences in the construction of women's images across the United States and South Korea, this study examines advertisements in fashion and beauty magazines of the two countries. The content analysis includes product/service types, models’ characteristics, and the degrees of female objectification in this advertising venue. More body-related than non-body-related product ads are prevalent in magazines from both countries, yet Korean magazines feature more body-related ads than those in the United States. Caucasian models are predominantly used across the two countries, including Korean publications. Although both Korean and U.S. women are predominantly portrayed as decorative objects, models are more often shown as submissive and passive in Korea but a greater emphasis is on body and sexuality in the United States. The homogenized beauty standards and high levels of objectification observed across the two countries demand marketing strategies that are more inclusive of diverse, active images of women.
A Practical Approach for Training Pharmacists and Pharmacy Students to Prevent Disease by Immunizations
Authors: Powers Mary F. , Akala Folasade O. , Cappelletty Diane M. , Shimman Jessica J. , Kaun Megan A. , Capurso Kevin A. , Tofade Toyin S.
Published: January 2009

Immunization provides an important means for preventing communicable diseases. In recent years, administering immunizations has become part of contemporary pharmacy practice. Some view pharmacist-administered immunizations as a significant advance in the practice of pharmacy for providing care to patients. In Ohio, pharmacists may administer immunizations and pharmacists are not required to notify the patient’s physician or the local health department. There is a need for pharmacy students to obtain immunization certification so they are prepared for practice in the pharmacies of today. Including a training program for pharmacy students as immunizers is consistent with the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Center for the Advancement of Pharmaceutical Education Educational Outcomes 2004. The objective of this article is to describe an immunization certification program for pharmacists and pharmacy students based on the requirements of Ohio Law and guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Program structures for certification programs for pharmacists and pharmacy students are described and include an immunology review, a review of specific immunization medications, a review of aseptic technique, administration techniques, proper disposal procedures, accidental needle sticks, and basic life support training. Teaching methodologies are identified and methods of assessment for mastery of the course elements are listed.
Hold My Hand . . . Don't Let Go
Authors: Ergott Karen M.
Published: January 2009

The author provides her perspective, as a patient, on the holistic nursing she received during the birth of her second child. The moments of caring and compassion she encountered are described. Four years later, the author reflects on the spiritual and emotional journey she has had as a result of this experience.
Who Serves?
Authors: Tschirhart Mary , Reed Kira Kristal , Freeman Sarah J. , Anker Alison Louie
Published: January 2009

The authors elaborate on our understanding of the use of the labor market of individuals with MBA and MPA degrees for service on boards. They find that individuals are most likely to have board service in the same sector in which they have paid employment. Being older and having a “do good” orientation are associated with board service in all sectors. MPA degrees are connected to service on government boards, whereas MBAs are connected to service on business boards. Nonprofit boards do not show a preference for degree type. Years since graduate management education predicts nonprofit and government board service but not business board service. Only government boards seem to draw significantly more men than women from the pool of individuals with MBA and MPA degrees. The findings, consistent with resource dependence theory and the expected value of scholastic, social, and cultural capital, offer implications for board recruitment and future research studies.
`Telling-it-like-it-is': the delegitimation of the second Palestinian Intifada in Thomas Friedman's discourse
Authors: Amer M. Mosheer
Published: January 2009

The concept of legitimation is essentially social and political (Martin Rojo and Van Dijk, 1997). That is, what or who is legitimized depends to a large extent on who speaks and in what capacity, social status and role he/she speaks from. Legitimation, in this sense, is linked to power, with which comes the authority to `define the situation' (Parsons, 1986), and consequently the authority to determine what is right and wrong, and what is legitimate and justifiable and what is not. In this paper I examine the delegitimation of the second Palestinian Intifada in Thomas Friedman's discourse by analysing how the Intifada is discursively constructed in a column which Friedman contributed to the op-ed page of the New York Times. I aim to do this by (1) analysing the column's argumentative structure and moves employed in Friedman's delegitimizing construction of the Intifada, and (2) showing how the legitimation of political actors, including self-legitimation, is closely linked to Friedman's argumentation. I also report on the results of a critical discourse analysis of a corpus of Friedman's columns which support the analysis findings of the main text.
The `cartoons controversy': a Critical Discourse Analysis of English-language Arab newspaper discourse
Authors: Hakam Jamila
Published: January 2009

This study is unique in two ways: 1) it explores the little-known discourse site of English-language Arab newspapers; and 2) it applies quantitative methods to a large amount of data to uncover patterns that show how these newspapers reproduce, resist and/or challenge the discourse that stems from a dominant Euro-centered culture. The article focuses on a corpus of 422 `hard' news texts that address the events and issues known as the `Prophet Muhammad cartoons controversy'. The analysis of the data is approached via the contextual linguistic paradigm of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). An important model in this study is derived from Mills' (1995) concept of `signals of affiliation' which is here adapted specifically to the context of Arab newspaper discourse production. Central to the investigation is a computer-assisted quantitative frequency and concordance analysis of the corpus.
Unconscious linguistic referents to race: analysis and methodological frameworks
Authors: Haskell Robert E.
Published: January 2009

Recent years have seen considerable development in methodological designs for accessing and eliciting unconscious cognitive schemata in response to social stimuli, including race. One design is experimental and involves the priming and automatic activation of schemata. Another design is a specifically developed psycho-linguistic and logico-mathematic method for recognizing, analyzing, and validating unconsciously expressed meaning in verbal narratives, referred to as sub-literal (SubLit). Unconscious references to race found in verbal discourse from both laboratory and everyday settings, including the mass media, are illustrated and analyzed utilizing these two complementary methodological designs. Along with suggested procedures, an initial classification scheme for attributions of racial stereotypes and prejudice are presented. Given the historical and current state of race relations both nationally and globally, the paper has significant social implications.
Intertextuality and national identity: discourse of national conflicts in daily newspapers in the United States and China
Authors: Juan Li
Published: January 2009

As one of the most important sites in which and through which national agenda is articulated and disseminated, national newspapers play particularly important roles in creating national identities. Drawing on Norman Fairclough's (1992, 1995a, 2003) approach of intertextual analysis of news discourse within the paradigm of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), this study examines the effects of intertextuality on the discursive construction of national identities in the press. It does so by comparing how two daily newspapers in the United States and China employ specific discursive strategies to construct national identities and positions in their discourse of two particular events that represent moments of crisis and conflict in US—China relations. Focusing on discourse, style, and genre, which are respectively associated with representational, identificational, and actional meanings of discourse (Fairclough, 2003), this study aims to show how news texts draw on, echo, and bring together different intertextual resources realized in the forms of discourses, styles, and genres, and how the circulations and combinations of these intertextual relations in particular contexts construct specific understandings of national identities and positions.
Political grandstanding and the use of proverbs in African political discourse
Authors: Orwenjo Daniel Ochieng
Published: January 2009

In Africa, the transmission of the overwhelming complexity of the people's day-to-day experiences are deeply rooted in the continent's rich cultural artistry. Proverbs are the most widely and commonly used in the continent's long standing history of oral arts. Proverbs are regarded as repositories of the people's collective social, political and cultural wisdom and as analytic tools of thought. This paper analyses how different Kenyan politicians and political parties used proverbs to strengthen and further their respective political positions with regard to the then proposed new constitution of Kenya, during the various countrywide campaigns in public political rallies and through the media. More specifically, the paper looks at how politicians and political parties used proverbs to further their different ideologies, to woo potential voters and to discredit opposing views.
Does Team Building Work?
Authors: Klein Cameron , DiazGranados Deborah , Salas Eduardo , Le Huy , Burke C. Shawn , Lyons Rebecca , Goodwin Gerald F.
Published: January 2009

This research reports the results of a comprehensive investigation into the effectiveness of team building. The article serves to update and extend Salas, Rozell, Mullen, and Driskell's (1999) team-building meta-analysis by assessing a larger database and examining a broader set of outcomes. Our study considers the impact of four specific team-building components (goal setting, interpersonal relations, problem solving, and role clarification) on cognitive, affective, process, and performance outcomes. Results (based on 60 correlations) suggest that team building has a positive moderate effect across all team outcomes. In terms of specific outcomes, team building was most strongly related to affective and process outcomes. Results are also presented on the differential effectiveness of team building based upon the team size.
Social Protest Novels in Management Education
Authors: Westerman James W. , Westerman Jennifer Hughes
Published: January 2009

This article examines the potential of the social protest novel as a teaching tool in the management classroom. It suggests that the social protest novel provides a uniquely powerful medium in that it effectively captures the student’s imagination and interest with an engrossing narrative, personalizes the importance of management issues and decisions through a student’s identification with the characters, and utilizes its grounding in real world events to demonstrate the capacity for change. This article introduces Hubert Skidmore’s Hawk’s Nest as a powerful social protest novel for use in the management classroom, with specific applications in stakeholder analysis and business ethics.
Membership Has Its Privileges
Authors: Miller Melissa K.
Published: January 2009

It is well established that individuals who belong to voluntary associations are more likely to participate in democratic politics. This article examines the possibility that the participation-promoting aspects of America’s nonpolitical voluntary organizations are not experienced equally by all members. Not only are privileged Americans more likely to join nonpolitical voluntary organizations, but they are more likely to benefit from their membership after the point of joining. The participation-promoting benefits of membership accrue disproportionately to white, male, wealthy, and well-educated members, thus reinforcing participatory stratification. Evidence suggests that stratification results from both member and leader choices and behaviors.
A Commentary on Mandatory Reporting Legislation in the United States, Canada, and Australia
Authors: Rankin Joan M. , Ornstein Amy E.
Published: January 2009

Mathews and Kenny recently reviewed the current state of mandatory reporting laws in Australia, Canada, and the United States. The purpose of this article is to draw attention to existing differences between these countries regarding exposure to domestic violence (EDV) and to discuss EDV as a specific and detrimental form of child abuse.
User Evaluation of a Communication System That Automatically Generates Captions to Improve Telephone Communication
Authors: Zekveld Adriana A. , Kramer Sophia E. , Kessens Judith M. , Vlaming Marcel S. M. G. , Houtgast Tammo
Published: January 2009

This study examined the subjective benefit obtained from automatically generated captions during telephone-speech comprehension in the presence of babble noise. Short stories were presented by telephone either with or without captions that were generated offline by an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system. To simulate online ASR, the word accuracy (WA) level of the captions was 60% or 70% and the text was presented delayed to the speech. After each test, the hearing impaired participants ( n = 20) completed the NASA-Task Load Index and several rating scales evaluating the support from the captions. Participants indicated that using the erroneous text in speech comprehension was difficult and the reported task load did not differ between the audio + text and audio-only conditions. In a follow-up experiment ( n = 10), the perceived benefit of presenting captions increased with an increase of WA levels to 80% and 90%, and elimination of the text delay. However, in general, the task load did not decrease when captions were presented. These results suggest that the extra effort required to process the text could have been compensated for by less effort required to comprehend the speech. Future research should aim at reducing the complexity of the task to increase the willingness of hearing impaired persons to use an assistive communication system automatically providing captions. The current results underline the need for obtaining both objective and subjective measures of benefit when evaluating assistive communication systems.
Cushioning Properties of Multi-layer Corrugated Sandwich Structures
Authors: Wang Dongmei
Published: January 2009

Multi-layer corrugated sandwich structure is a favorable kind of cushioning and packaging material, but there is little reference to the selection of multi-layer corrugated sandwich structures as a cushioning media. This article analyses the compressive behavior of multi-layer corrugated sandwich structures. During the compression processing, the corrugated sandwiches are gradually squished from top to bottom. Experimental results show the compressive resistances are similar for the same type of corrugated sandwiches with different layers; the energy absorption of the multi-layer corrugated sandwich structures is significantly greater than the monolayer one; and the multi-layer corrugated sandwich structures have compression resistance capability for repetitious shock. Based on the compressive tests of common corrugated sandwich paperboards of B, C, E, BE, CE, and BC types, the relationship between cushioning properties of multi-layer corrugated sandwiches and their relative density was researched. The energy absorption of multi-layer corrugated sandwich structures increases with the relative density. These research results can be used to optimize and design corrugated sandwich pads.
Editorial
Authors: Marks David F.
Published: January 2009

The Journal of Health Psychology enters its 14th year of publication with a few new developments to bring to libraries', authors' and readers' attention. These include changes to the Editorial Board, a new web-based manuscript submission portal and an announcement of a new global special issue on Psychology and Poverty Reduction. Lastly, the content of the current issue is introduced.
The Impact of Marital Conflict on Health and Health Care Utilization in Older Couples
Authors: Sandberg Jonathan G. , Miller Richard B. , Harper James M. , Robila Mihaela , Davey Adam
Published: January 2009

This study tested the hypothesis that marital distress has a significant effect on health care utilization for older couples. Results from 536 intact couples in long term marriages showed men in dissatisfying marriages are more likely to utilize health care services; women in satisfying marriages are more likely to use health care services. There were no significant partner effects of marital quality on health problems or health care utilization. The association between husbands' marital quality and wives' health care utilization approached significance. Implications for future research and clinical practice, including gender differences, are discussed.
A Q-methodological Investigation into the Meanings of Cigarette Consumption
Authors: Moss Timothy P. , Bould Emma
Published: January 2009

This Q-methodological study identified shared subjective explanations of smoking among non-smokers, current smokers and ex-smokers, to consider whether some representations were protective or facilitated quitting. Four factors were identified: named independent addiction; independent non-addiction; anti-smoking; and social addiction. The first two factors were dominated by current and ex-smokers, and the last two by non-smokers. Differences emerged on the use of the `addiction' concept, the use of smoking as a tool for affect management, the role of image manipulation and the general positive and negative perceptions of smoking. The functional use of the different shared smoking representations is discussed.
The Role of Religious Activity and Spirituality in the Health and Well-being of Older Adults
Authors: Lawler-Row Kathleen A. , Elliott Jeff
Published: January 2009

Older adults completed questionnaires of religiosity, spirituality and health, as well as of the potential mediators of healthy behaviors and social support. Church membership related to potential mediators and positive health; given membership, frequency of attendance contributed less to health. Existential well-being was strongly related to all outcome health measures. Regression analyses indicated that spiritual wellbeing and prayer contributed to the prediction of psychological wellbeing, subjective well-being, physical symptoms and depression, even when the contributions of age, gender, healthy behaviors and social support were included. Healthy behaviors and social support operated only as partial mediators of the existential—health effects.
Serum Cytokines, Mood and Sleep after a Qigong Program
Authors: Manzaneque Juan M. , Vera Francisca M. , Rodriguez Francisco M. , Garcia Gaspar J. , Leyva Laura , Blanca Maria J.
Published: January 2009

Qigong is an ancient Chinese psychosomatic exercise that integrates movement, breathing and meditation into a single multifaceted practice. The present study was designed to assess the effects of qigong practice on serum cytokines, mood and subjective sleep quality. Experimental participants underwent a qigong training program for one month. Blood samples for the quantification of TNF-α and IFN-γ, and several instruments to assess anxiety and depression symptoms as well as SSQ, were obtained before and after the program. Our findings revealed that while the practice of qigong for one month did not alter serum cytokines, it enhanced psychological well-being, including sleep duration.
HIV/STI Risk Communication
Authors: Mevissen Fraukje E.F. , Meertens Ree M. , Ruiter Robert A.C. , Feenstra Hans , Schaalma Herman P.
Published: January 2009

Health risk judgments are not merely based on risk statistics but also on the ease with which hypothetical events are imagined. We explored the effects of scenario information as opposed to frequency information on susceptibility perceptions regarding Chlamydia and HIV. Results showed that participants felt more susceptible to Chlamydia after reading frequency information. Scenario information only seemed to affect feelings of susceptibility in participants with no intimate relationship. No effects on perceived susceptibility for HIV were found. Results are discussed in terms of severity of the disease and defensive reactions.
Spiritual Striving, Acceptance Coping, and Depressive Symptoms among Adults Living with HIV/AIDS
Authors: Pérez John E. , Chartier Maggie , Koopman Cheryl , Vosvick Mark , Gore-Felton Cheryl , Spiegel David
Published: January 2009

We prospectively examined the effects of spiritual striving, social support, and acceptance coping on changes in depressive symptoms among adults living with HIV/AIDS. Participants were 180 culturally diverse adults with HIV/AIDS. Participants completed measures of spiritual striving, social support, coping styles, and depressive symptoms at baseline, three-month follow-up, and six-month follow-up. A path model showed that spiritual striving had direct and indirect inverse effects on changes in depressive symptoms. The relationship between spiritual striving and depressive symptoms was partially mediated by acceptance coping, but not by social support. Results suggest that people living with HIV/AIDS who strive for spiritual growth in the context of their illness experience less negative affect.
The Role of Cost and Response-efficacy in Persuasiveness of Health Recommendations
Authors: Cismaru Magdalena , Nagpal Anish , Krishnamurthy Parthasarathy
Published: January 2009

The persuasiveness of a health recommendation, among other things, is a function of the cost of engaging in the recommended behavior—such as money, time, effort, and discomfort— and the response-efficacy, defined as the likelihood that adherence to the recommendation would lead to the desired goal. This research investigates how cost and response-efficacy combine when influencing persuasion. Several theories of health behavior view cost and response-efficacy as having independent effects on persuasion, that is, a weighted additive impact. This research posits, and finds empirical support for the idea that cost and efficacy combine in a multiplicative fashion to influence persuasion, and suggests a structural modification to the traditional models of the relationship between cost, response-efficacy, and persuasion.
Playing House
Authors: Aslama Minna
Published: January 2009

Reality television has inspired a vast amount of theorizing and research. Nevertheless, although speculations and popular accounts of participants' experiences of processes of reality television making, including the publicity, have fuelled many (often moralistic) public discussions, systematic research on the topic is scarce. This article analyses the housemates' experiences of the first Big Brother Finland (2005). Their interviews reveal three key themes: (1) the allure of the experience; (2) the ambiguous celebrity status; and (3) the need for defining the `ultimate truth'. They also reveal the participants' views on the complex power relations emerging in the process of reality TV production. •
Learning a new language
Authors: Wasserman Herman
Published: January 2009

Under apartheid, the mainstream Afrikaans media served as vehicles for the ideology of apartheid. Since democratization, they have attempted to rid themselves of this ideological baggage, and instead embraced a free-market ideology in which race has ostensibly disappeared. This repositioning has seemingly benefited the Afrikaans media sector, with an increase of the number and type of media, operating under the proclaimed banner of non-racialism. The discourse within which this repositioning has taken place, is that of a celebratory consumerism coupled with acknowledgement of majority rule. Yet this apparent move away from ideology towards a market logic where consumers are addressed as individuals rather than racial or ethnic groups, obscured its role within post-apartheid identity politics. Afrikaans media constructed the Afrikaans language as a commodity that can be used to its speakers' economic advantage if they recognize the pragmatic necessity of acknowledging the political transformation in the country. At the same time, the economic status of Afrikaans speakers could provide a bargaining chip in the negotiation of minority language rights. Crucially, Afrikaans media are therefore playing an important role in creating a link between consumption and cultural identity — to their own strategic commercial advantage. •
Caring, Mutuality and Reciprocity in Social Worker—Client Relationships
Authors: Alexander Carla , Charles Grant
Published: January 2009

• Summary: In this article we report the findings of a qualitative study of social workers' experiences of receiving care from their clients to present a case for a re-examination of the social worker—client relationship.

• Findings: Participating social workers describe their awareness of the mutuality within their relationships with clients, including an awareness of the care their clients have and express towards them. However, participants report that this openness to mutuality and reciprocity in their relationships with clients is subversive of social work practice norms, which warn against dual relationships. These findings indicate that there is a serious disconnection between social work training and standards, and the ways social workers practice in the field. This puts workers in a potentially untenable position caught between ideals of professional behaviour and their relationships with their clients.

• Application: The findings of this study suggest the need for potentially radical shifts in how we conceptualize worker—client relationships within social work practice. We suggest that the accommodation of a theoretical orientation that incorporates an understanding of mutuality of care and the interdependency of identity and human development within all interpersonal relationships provides a significant opportunity to our profession to reexamine how we interact with our clients.
Adult Protection
Authors: Mansell Jim , Beadle-Brown Julie , Cambridge Paul , Milne Alisoun , Whelton Beckie
Published: January 2009

• Summary: This study focused on the incidence of adult protection referrals, the people involved as victims, perpetrators and referrers and the type of abuse in two local authorities in the south-east of England.

• Findings: The number of referrals increased over time; those for older people stabilized but those for younger adults were still rising. There was a clear association between location or setting, perpetrator and type of abuse. A referral about someone living in a care home was more likely to identify abuse by multiple staff and institutional abuse or neglect, especially if the individual was an older person with mental health problems. People with learning disabilities were more likely to experience sexual abuse, mainly from other service users or members of their family. Those living in a private home with others, primarily relatives, tended to be at risk of financial, physical or psychological abuse. Older people living alone were particularly vulnerable to financial abuse by family members or, less frequently, home care workers.

• Applications : This study suggests that well-developed adult protection procedures identify many more cases than previously estimated. Further research is needed to explain the low level of referrals from mental health services and variation between territories.
Lived Experiences of Vulnerability in the Childhood of Persons Recovering from Substance Abuse
Authors: Valtonen Kathleen , Padmore Jacqueline Cameron , Sogren Michele , Rock Letnie
Published: January 2009

• Summary: The aim of the study was to deepen understanding of the context of vulnerability which is associated with drug-taking behaviour and addiction. The researchers sought to identify recurring psychosocial and environmental factors in the childhood and early adulthood backgrounds of the participants. They further scrutinized the data for pairs or co-occurrences of such risk factors across the target groups. Qualitative methodology was employed, based on in-depth interviews. The participants were accessed in drug rehabilitation centres in Trinidad and in Barbados, bringing a cross-national dimension to the work. The Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) method was used to analyse the data.

• Findings: It is significant that nearly half of the Trinidad group and two-thirds of the Barbados group reported experience of rejection or abandonment in childhood. A profile of stressful or traumatic experiences was compiled for each participant, from which it was possible to identify co-ocurring pairs of stressors, which suggest inter-relationships between the phenomena. Marked co-occurrence was found between domestic violence and alcoholism; domestic violence in the participants' family background and non-attainment of. Secondary School Certification; non-attainment of Secondary School Certification and rejection; poverty and rejection; domestic violence and rejection.

• Applications: Case management techniques can benefit from research-generated insights on interrelationships between critical risk-connected phenomena, especially in developing concerted approaches to problems of substance abuse using preventive techniques.
Trying to Complete Socially Just, Politically Sensitive Social Work Research
Authors: Fraser Heather
Published: January 2009

• Summary: For new social work researchers — especially those committed to using research to create a better society — research can entail a daunting series of challenges. In this article I review some of the lessons I have learned from the research I have undertaken over the last two decades, including those associated with, getting started; creating a focus; acquiring the requisite resources; using theory; using supervision; handling ethical dilemmas; writing up; and finishing the research.

• Findings: Knowledge creation activities involve many potential opportunities and stumbling blocks. Emotions and politics are part of the process. Appreciating some of the easily overlooked dimensions of the research process may help new researchers avoid some of the problems.

• Applications: This article is dedicated mostly to new researchers hoping to avoid commonly experienced problems associated with undertaking socially just and politically sensitive research. More seasoned researchers might use the article as guide to re-evaluate their own research histories.
Framing the Issue/Framing the Question: A Proposed Framework for Organizational Perspectives on Sexual Minorities
Authors: Rocco Tonette S. , Landorf Hilary , Delgado Antonio
Published: January 2009

The problem and the solution. This article situates sexual minority issues within organizations by examining what it means to engage diversity through the perspectives of hostility, compliance, inquiry, inclusion, and advocacy. These perspectives are discussed in terms of human resource development (HRD) missions of individual development, career development, and organizational development. Implications for HRD professionals engaging sexual minority issues within organizations are also discussed.
Sexual Minorities, Earnings, and Career Development: Insights From Economics
Authors: van Loo Jasper B. , Rocco Tonette S.
Published: January 2009

The problem and the solution. The purpose of this article is to (a) present insights from economics on earnings of sexual minorities and (b) discuss the implications for human resource development in terms of career development. In economic research, the focus has been on finding earnings differentials between sexual minorities and heterosexuals. One issue with this approach is whether the standard analytical techniques available in economics, can be applied to the earnings of sexual minorities. A second issue is the relevance of earnings of sexual minorities to career development.