bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood viscosity maintains microvascular conditions during normovolemic anemia independent of blood oxygen-carrying capacity
Authors: Cabrales Pedro , Martini Judith , Intaglietta Marcos , Tsai Amy G.
Published: March 2006

Responses to exchange transfusion with red blood cells (RBCs) containing methemoglobin (MetRBC) were studied in an acute isovolemic hemodiluted hamster window chamber model to determine whether oxygen content participates in the regulation of systemic and microvascular conditions during extreme hemodilution. Two isovolemic hemodilution steps were performed with 6% dextran 70 kDa (Dex70) until systemic hematocrit (Hct) was reduced to 18% ( Level 2). A third-step hemodilution reduced the functional Hct to 75% of baseline by using either a plasma expander (Dex70) or blood adjusted to 18% Hct with all MetRBCs. In vivo functional capillary density (FCD), microvascular perfusion, and oxygen distribution in microvascular networks were measured by noninvasive methods. Methylene blue was administered intravenously to reduce methemoglobin (rRBC), which increased oxygen content with no change in Hct or viscosity from MetRBC. Final blood viscosities after the entire protocol were 2.1 cP for Dex70 and 2.8 cP for MetRBC (baseline, 4.2 cP). MetRBC had a greater mean arterial pressure (MAP) than did Dex70. FCD was substantially higher for MetRBC [82 (SD 6) of baseline] versus Dex70 [38 (SD 10) of baseline], and reduction of methemoglobin to oxyhemoglobin did not change FCD [84% (SD 5) of baseline]. Po2levels measured with palladium-meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin phosphorescence were significantly changed for Dex70 and MetRBC compared with Level 2 (Hct 18%). Reduction of methemoglobin to oxyhemoglobin partially restored Po2to Level 2. Wall shear rate and wall shear stress decreased in arterioles and venules for Dex70 and did not change for MetRBC or rRBC. Increased MAP and shear stress-mediated factors could be the possible mechanisms that improved perfusion flow and FCD after exchange for MetRBC. Thus the fall in systemic and microvascular conditions during extreme hemodilution with low-viscosity plasma expanders seems to be, in part, from the decrease in blood viscosity independent of the reduction in oxygen content.
Role of A1adenosine receptor in the regulation of coronary flow
Authors: Tawfik Huda E. , Teng Bunyen , Morrison R. Ray , Schnermann J. , Mustafa S. Jamal
Published: March 2006

To determine whether A1adenosine receptors (AR) participate in adenosine-induced changes of coronary flow, isolated hearts from A1AR−/−and A1AR+/+mice were perfused under constant pressure, and the effects of nonselective and selective agonists were examined. Adenosine, 5′- N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA, nonselective), and the selective A2AAR agonist 2–2-carboxyethylphenethylamino-5′- N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS-21680) augmented maximal coronary vasodilation in A1AR−/−hearts compared with A1AR+/+hearts. Basal coronary flow was increased ( P < 0.05) in A1AR−/−hearts compared with A1AR+/+hearts: 2.548 ± 0.1 vs. 2.059 ± 0.17 ml/min. In addition, selective activation of A1AR with 2-chloro- N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA) at nanomolar concentrations (1–100 nM) did not significantly change coronary flow; at higher concentrations, CCPA increased coronary flow in A1AR−/−and A1AR+/+hearts. Because deletion of A1AR increased basal coronary flow, it is speculated that this effect is due to removal of an inhibitory influence associated with A1AR. Adenosine and NECA at approximately EC50(100 and 50 nM, respectively) increased coronary flow in A1AR+/+hearts to 177.86 ± 8.75 and 172.72 ± 17% of baseline, respectively. In the presence of the selective A1AR antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX, 50 nM), the adenosine- and NECA-induced increase in coronary flow in A1AR+/+hearts was significantly augmented to 216.106 ± 8.35 and 201.61 ± 21.89% of normalized baseline values, respectively. The adenosine- and NECA-induced increase in coronary flow in A1AR−/−hearts was not altered by DPCPX. These data indicate that A1AR may inhibit or negatively modulate coronary flow mediated by other AR subtypes (A2Aand A2B).
ANG II enhances contractile responses via PI3-kinase p110δ pathway in aortas from diabetic rats with systemic hyperinsulinemia
Authors: Kobayashi Tsuneo , Hayashi Yuko , Taguchi Kumiko , Matsumoto Takayuki , Kamata Katsuo
Published: March 2006

We investigated the involvement of ANG II and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) in the enhanced aortic contractile responses induced by hyperinsulinemia in chronic insulin-treated Type 1 diabetic rats. Plasma ANG II levels were elevated in untreated compared with control diabetic rats and further increased in insulin-treated diabetic rats. Aortic contractile responses and systolic blood pressure were significantly enhanced in chronic insulin-treated diabetic rats compared with the other groups. These insulin-induced increases were largely prevented by cotreatment with losartan (an ANG II type 1 receptor antagonist) or enalapril (an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor). LY-294002 (a PI3-K inhibitor) diminished the increases in contractile responses in ANG II-incubated aortas and aortas from chronic insulin-treated diabetic rats. The norepinephrine (NE)-stimulated levels of p110δ-associated PI3-K activity and p110δ protein expression were increased in aortas from insulin-treated diabetic compared with control and untreated diabetic rats, and chronic administration of losartan blunted these increases. Contractions were significantly larger in aortas from diabetic rats incubated with a low concentration (inducing ∼10% of the maximum contraction) of ANG II or with NE or isotonic K+ than in aortas from nonincubated diabetic rats. NE-stimulated p110 PI3-K activity was elevated in aortas from diabetic rats coincubated with a noncontractile dose of ANG II. These results suggest that, in insulin-treated Type 1 diabetic rats with hyperinsulinemia, chronic ANG II type 1 receptor blockade blunts the increases in vascular contractility and blood pressure via a decrease in p110δ-associated PI3-K activity.
Genomic and Expression Analysis of the 3q25-q26 Amplification Unit Reveals TLOC1/SEC62 as a Probable Target Gene in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Jung Volker , Kindich Roland , Kamradt Jörn , Jung Martin , Müller Mirko , Schulz Wolfgang A. , Engers Rainer , Unteregger Gerhard , Stöckle Michael , Zimmermann Richard , Wullich Bernd
Published: March 2006

Gain at chromosome 3q25-q26 has been reported to commonly occur in prostate cancer. To map the 3q25-q26 amplification unit and to identify the candidate genes of amplification, we did fluorescence in situ hybridization and quantitative real-time PCR for gene copy number and mRNA expression measurements in prostate cancer cell lines and prostate cancer samples from radical prostatectomy specimens. The minimal overlapping region of DNA copy number gains in the cell lines could be narrowed down to 700 kb at 3q26.2. Of all positional and functional candidates in this region, the gene TLOC1/SEC62 revealed the highest frequency (50%) of copy number gains in the prostate cancer samples and was found to be up-regulated at the mRNA level in all samples analyzed. TLOC1/Sec62 protein was also shown to be overexpressed by Western blot analysis. Intriguingly, the TLOC1/SEC62 gene copy number was increased in prostate tumors from patients who had a lower risk of and a longer time to progression following radical prostatectomy. These findings make TLOC1/SEC62 the best candidate within the 3q amplification unit in prostate cancer. TLOC1/Sec62 protein is a component of the endoplasmic reticulum protein translocation machinery, whose function during prostate carcinogenesis remains to be determined. (Mol Cancer Res 2006;4(3):169–76)
VRK1 Signaling Pathway in the Context of the Proliferation Phenotype in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Santos Claudio R. , Rodríguez-Pinilla María , Vega Francisco M. , Rodríguez-Peralto José L. , Blanco Sandra , Sevilla Ana , Valbuena Alberto , Hernández Teresa , van Wijnen André J. , Li Fengzhi , de Alava Enrique , Sánchez-Céspedes Montserrat , Lazo Pedro A.
Published: March 2006

The vaccinia-related kinase (VRK) proteins are a new family with three members in the human kinome. The VRK1 protein phosphorylates several transcription factors and has been postulated to be involved in regulation of cell proliferation. In normal squamous epithelium, VRK1 is expressed in the proliferation area. Because VRK1 can stabilize p53, the expression of the VRK1 protein was analyzed in the context of the p53 pathway and the proliferation phenotype in a series of 73 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. VRK1 protein level positively correlated with p53 response proteins, particularly hdm2 and p21. The VRK1 protein also correlated positively with several proteins associated with proliferation, such as cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), CDK6, cdc2, cyclins B1 and A, topoisomerase II, survivin, and Ki67. The level of VRK1 protein behaves like a proliferation marker in this series of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. To identify a possible regulatory role for VRK1 and because it regulates gene transcription, the promoters of two genes were studied, CDK2 and SURVIVIN, whose proteins correlated positively with VRK1. VRK1 increases the activity of both the CDK2 and SURVIVIN gene promoters. The expression of VRK1 was analyzed in the context of regulators of the G1-S transition. VRK1 protein levels increase in response to E2F1 and are reduced by retinoblastoma and p16. These data suggest that VRK1 might play a role in cell cycle regulation and is likely to represent the beginning of a new control mechanism of cell cycle, particularly late in the G1-S phase. (Mol Cancer Res 2006;4(3):177–85)
DNase II and the Chk2 DNA Damage Pathway Form a Genetic Barrier Blocking Replication of Horizontally Transferred DNA
Authors: Bergsmedh Anna , Ehnfors Jacob , Kawane Kohki , Motoyama Noboru , Nagata Shigekazu , Holmgren Lars
Published: March 2006

We have previously shown that DNA from dying tumor cells may be transferred to living cells via the uptake of apoptotic bodies and may contribute to tumor progression. DNA encoding H-rasV12 and c-myc oncogenes may be transferred to the nucleus of the phagocyte but will only integrate and propagate in p53- and p21-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts, whereas normal cells are resistant to transformation. Here, we show that this protective mechanism (activation of p53 and p21 after uptake of apoptotic bodies) is dependent on DNA fragmentation, where inhibition of the caspase-activated DNase in the apoptotic cells, in conjunction with genetic ablation of lysosomal DNase II in the phagocytes, completely blocks p53 activation and consequently allows DNA replication of transferred DNA. We, therefore, suggest that there is a causal relationship between DNA degradation during apoptosis and p53 activation. In addition, we could further show that Chk2−/− cells were capable of replicating the hygR gene taken up from engulfed apoptotic cells, suggesting involvement of the DNA damage response. These data show that the phagocytosing cell is sensing the degraded DNA within the apoptotic cell, hence preventing these genes from being replicated, probably through activation of the DNA damage response. We, therefore, hypothesize that DNase II together with the Chk2, p53, and p21 pathway form a genetic barrier blocking the replication of potentially harmful DNA introduced via apoptotic bodies, thereby preventing transformation and malignant development. (Mol Cancer Res 2006;4(3):187–95)
Passion for (the) Real? The Passion of the Christ and Its Critics
Authors: Penner Todd , Stichele Caroline Vander
Published: March 2006

In this article we examine Mel Gibson's controversial 2004 film The Passion of the Christ and the critical response it evoked within the American cultural context. Focusing on the modern fascination of especially Hollywood with generating "real" experiences for the viewing audience, we argue that the film and its critics are both caught up in a particular cultural debate regarding differing social and political visions and practices. Special attention is given to the spectacle of violence in the film, examining particularities of The Passion in the larger context of Gibson's cinematic work. However, rather than criticising Gibson's film for its violence or for being "unfaithful" to history and the Gospels, we explore the ideological and socio-cultural underpinnings of Gibson's cinematic work, situating it more fully within the visual context of Hollywood and the cultural and political milieu of America. In our view, The Passion has distinctive features that come together to create a uniquely "American Gospel."
The Gospel According to Judas: Myth and Parable
Authors: Walsh Richard
Published: March 2006

Jesus films improve the Judas story by adding plot connections and amplifying Judas' character, but their Judases reprise "the Gospel according to _" pattern. Like Jewison's Judas, they all are part of the adoring Christian chorus. Films' selective uses of the gospel Judas incidents intensify the gospel exclusions. Judas remains the traitorous disciple who deserves his fate. Films' visuals continue the iconography of art and create interlocking scenes associating Judas with Jesus' opponents. While some films motivate Judas traditionally, others modernize Judas' motivation in order to create a simulacrum of a modern person. Regardless, Judas remains the mythic other whose exclusion separates us from the evil that we do not wish to accept as part of our self-identity. Films' Judases define what "we" are not. We can arrange the Judases of Jesus films into four types: a traditional Judas, a modern, human Judas, a Christ-figure Judas, and a parabolic Judas. The first two Judases are clearly part of Christian myth-making. While the Christ-figure Judas may suggest an antimyth opposing the Christian myth, it ultimately supports Christian mythology as well. Only the parabolic Judas contests the continuing power of Christian discourse by telling stories alongside "the gospel" story. The parables of Arcand's Daniel and Jones's Brian suggest a view askew on Christian discourse that invites us to read other Jesus films and the gospels themselves parabolically and to find the evil lurking and the "dark night of story" within Christian mythology.
Nature in Asian Indigenous Traditions: A Survey Article
Authors: Wiles David , Witt Joseph
Published: March 2006

This paper surveys the recent literature available for the study of the interaction between religion and nature within indigenous Asian traditions. Anyone engaging in this course of study must consider work from a variety of scholarly fields and engage with debates concerning definitions of the term "indigenous" in different Asian contexts. While this article does not represent every indigenous group and tradition of Asia, it nonetheless attempts to identify valuable starting points in key regions. While a large amount of important work exists on the indigenous peoples of Asia, there remains a need for more work drawing together different disciplines and analyzing interactions between religion and nature. We hope that scholars from different fields will find this survey useful for further research on nature in indigenous Asian traditions.
The "Nature" of Buddhism: A Survey of Relevant Literature and Themes
Authors: Johnston Lucas
Published: March 2006

This paper is a review of the scholarly conversation relating Buddhism to environmental issues, primarily in the United States. Topics of particular concern include important scholarly benchmarks in the field, and the nature of Buddhist ethics. Also considered are the relationships between Buddhism and other schools of thought that have been important in thinking about nature and the environment. In particular I focus on Deep Ecology and related philosophies, Buddhism and Christianity in Process thought, and the relationship between Buddhism and the natural sciences. I outline current practices performed worldwide by people who self-identify as Buddhists that clearly demonstrate environmental consciousness, sometimes actively participating in environmental movements in efforts to resist globalization and, often, Westernization. In the end, this survey perspective illustrates that there is no monolithic Buddhist tradition, but rather a substantial number of adapted (and adapting) Buddhisms.
Chinese Traditions and Ecology: Survey Article
Authors: Snyder Samuel
Published: March 2006

The increasing degradation of the natural environment, and the associated dangers to all life on the planet, very well might represent the greatest challenge to humankind. In response to such projections of impending danger, scholars and activists from a variety of fields are in the midst of investigating cultural resources as a means to understand both how humans went wrong and how humans can amend the damage. Out of this inquiry has emerged a vast body of literature exploring the various intersections between Chinese traditions, such as Confucianism, Daoism, Feng-Shui and folk practice; and the natural environment, ecology, and environmental ethics. This paper is a survey of this literature, seen through the lens of religious studies and ecology. Rather than offer critical evaluation of the field, this essay is meant to offer a broad survey of the material presented in an accessible manner as a tool for those new to, but interested in pursuing, this field of study. This paper is, therefore a guide.
Hindu Traditions and Nature: Survey Article
Authors: Van Horn Gavin
Published: March 2006

The scholarly investigation of the convergences between Hindu traditions and the natural world is a relatively recent endeavor, having arisen in the wake of similar projects seeking to identify the intersections between religion, culture, and nature. Partly a response to present and looming environmental threats, this effort has resulted in a wide range of material, from a more general "environmental assessment" of the tradition(s) in question to specific inquiries about the social, economic, and demographic factors that impinge upon contemporary Indians' understandings of nature. This literature review provides an overview of these materials and should offer readers a sense of the topics that have received the most attention from scholars to date.
An Emerging Magisterium? The Case of the Assemblies of God
Authors: Robeck Cecil
Published: March 2006

Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about. All democrats object to men being disqualified by the accident of birth; tradition objects to their being disqualified by the accident of death. Democracy tells us not to neglect a good man's opinion, even if he is our groom; tradition asks us not to neglect a good man's opinion, even if he is our father. I, at any rate, cannot separate the two ideas of democracy and tradition….
A Forecast Strategy for Anticipating Cold Season Mesoscale Band Formation within Eastern U.S. Cyclones
Authors: Novak David R. , Waldstreicher Jeff S. , Keyser Daniel , Bosart Lance F.
Published: March 2006

An ingredients-based, time- and scale-dependent forecast strategy for anticipating cold season mesoscale band formation within eastern U.S. cyclones is presented. This strategy draws on emerging conceptual models of mesoscale band development, advances in numerical weather prediction, and modern observational tools. As previous research has shown, mesoscale band development is associated with frontogenesis in the presence of weak moist symmetric stability and sufficient moisture. These three parameters—frontogenesis, weak moist symmetric stability, and moisture—are used as the ingredients for identifying mesoscale band development in this strategy. At forecast projections beyond 2 days, the strategy assesses whether cyclogenesis is expected. Within 2 days of the event, the strategy places the band ingredients in the context of the broader synoptic flow, with attention to where deformation zones are present, to assess whether banding is possible. Within 1 day of the event, the strategy focuses on assessment of the ingredients to outline when and where band formation is favored. Plan-view and cross-sectional analyses of gridded model fields in conjunction with high-resolution model guidance are used to assess the likelihood of banding and to outline the threat area. Within 12 h, short-range forecasts of the band ingredients are evaluated in concert with observations to make specific band predictions. Particular emphasis is placed on the evolution of the frontogenetic forcing and moist symmetric stability. During the event, trends in observations and short-range model forecasts are used to anticipate the movement, intensity, and dissipation of the band. The benefits and practical challenges associated with the proposed strategy are illustrated through its operational application to the 25 December 2002 northeast U.S. snowstorm, during which intense mesoscale snowband formation occurred. Forecast products from this event demonstrate how the forecast strategy can lead to heightened situational awareness, in this case resulting in accurate band forecasts. This application shows that accurate operational forecasts of mesoscale bands can be made based on our current conceptual understanding, observational tools, and modeling capabilities.
Internal Migration, Asymmetric Shocks, and Interprovincial Economic Adjustments in Canada
Authors: Coulombe Serge
Published: March 2006

This article provides an empirical analysis of the role of labor mobility in the intranational (interprovincial) macroeconomic adjustment process in Canada. This analysis is based on a pooled time-series cross-section econometric setup of net migration flows across age groups between the ten Canadian provinces since 1977. The results indicate that interprovincial migration is driven by structural factors such as the long-run regional differential in unemployment rates, labor productivity, and the rural/urban differential structure of the provinces. Furthermore, it appears that interprovincial migration is not that sensitive to regional asymmetric shocks at the business cycle horizon. Finally, using a conditional convergence model of human capital, the author estimates that migration has a powerful effect on the redistribution of human capital across Canadian provinces. With the interprovincial migration process, human capital is redistributed from the more rural to the predominantly urban provinces and from the poor to the rich provinces.
What Principals Should Know About Building and Maintaining Teams
Authors: Turk Randall L. , Wolff Krista , Waterbury Christopher , Zumalt Jon
Published: March 2006

Afield study conducted by 8 students and a faculty supervisor of a principal preparation program determined that individual and team reflection resulted in shared learningfrom team training and ongoing team activities. An industrial concept known as value-chain teams has implications for monitoring student progress from kindergarten through grade 12.
Suicide Prevention in Schools: Court Cases and Implications for Principals
Authors: Milsom Amy
Published: March 2006

This article discusses the role of educators in suicide prevention. First, the incidence of adolescent suicide in the United States is discussed. Next, case laws related to suicide in educational settings are reviewed. Court rulings indicate that educators can be found negligent in cases involving suicide only if the court finds that they owed a duty to the victim. Finally, suggestions for school principals related to implementing suicide prevention programs in school settings are presented.
Block Schedule and Traditional Schedule Achievement: A Comparison
Authors: Arnold Douglas E.
Published: March 2006

Block scheduling constitutes one of the major types of restructuring considered by school administrators seeking to improve student performance. The relationship between two school schedules-the seven-period A/B block and the sevenperiod traditional schedule-and achievement of students in grade 11 was examined. Comparisons showed no significant increase in students' test scores over time associated with the alternating schedule. Although school leaders may find some improvement in the initial year of implementation, improvements may be negated by decreased improvement rates in later years. A statistical analysis bears out more general literature on the subject.
Block Scheduling: Is It Cost-Effective?
Authors: Lare Douglas , Jablonski Ann M. , Salvaterra Mary
Published: March 2006

Many school districts that have adopted block scheduling are trying to determine if the change was worth the effort. This case study examined one school district's attempt to answer the question: Is block scheduling cost-effective? Analysis of a wide range of data suggests that traditional notions of cost-effectiveness are not always applicable when considering school reform. A novel interpretation of cost-effectiveness emerged that may encourage districts to make further improvements.
Literacy Education and Reading Programs in the Secondary School: Status, Problems, and Solutions
Authors: Zipperer Freya M.J. , Worley M. Thomas , Sisson Michelle W. , Said Rhonda W.
Published: March 2006

The status of literacy education and the reading program at the secondary school level is examined. Current problems and possible solutions for those problems are discussed. Results of a survey of principals'perceptions of their reading programs in a local school system are analyzed and supported by appropriate literature on the topic.
High School Department Chairs: Role Ambiguity and Conflict During Change
Authors: Mayers R. Stewart , Zepeda Sally J.
Published: March 2006

This study examined challenges that high school department chairpersons faced while changing to a 4 x 4 block schedule. Findings indicated that the participants experienced multiple learning curves and increased tensions between departmental and teaching responsibilities. These problems were exacerbated by reduced released time. Recommendations include aligning job descriptions with procedures, implementing "department chair" professional development, and increasing chairs' released time.
The Politics of Teacher Quality: Implications for Principals
Authors: Kaplan Leslie S. , Owings William A.
Published: March 2006

The academic and political arguments about teacher quality affect how secondary principals do their jobs. Educational research provides useful guidance about which teacher candidates may be most likely to increase student achievement, but it must be used critically and cautiously. When individuals with varying political agendas interpret the same findings in completely different ways to advance very different solutions, confusion results. Principals who understand the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 know how to create and maintain a positive work and learning environment for teachers and students.
Involving Students in Violence Prevention: Anonymous Reporting and the Need to Promote and Protect Confidences
Authors: Stone Carolyn , Isaacs Madelyn L.
Published: March 2006

Researchers queried school counselors throughout the United States 2 months prior to and 2 months following the April 1999 Columbine (CO) High School shootings. The counselors were asked whether or not they would breach a student's confidentiality in 26 specific scenarios. The "before" and "after" groups were demographically similar but differed significantly in their predictions as to whether or not they would breach confidentiality. Resultsfrom two focus groups on school violence prevention provide recommendations for principals and other educators to facilitate student disclosures to trusted adults and to encourage anonymous reporting.
Mentoring the Organization: Helping Principals Bring Schools to Higher Levels of Effectiveness
Authors: Kelehear Zach
Published: March 2006

Drawing on the work of Frances Fuller's stages of concern, David Hunt's conceptual levels, and Jean Piaget's model of equilibration, a new view of principal leadership is presented. By attending to the preferred learning style of a group, taking into account the level of stress present as a result of initiatives, and listening to the level of concern through conversation, principals can construct a prescriptive strategyfor successful organizational change.
Brain Compatible Secondary Schools: The Visionary Principal's Role
Authors: Nunnelley Jeanette C. , Whaley Janie , Mull Rhonda , Hott Glenda
Published: March 2006

Principals set the tone and create visions for innovation and change. Mounting research about the brain tempered with cautions of over interpretations can aid the principals to provide leadership in implementing more brain compatible schools. Practical strategies encompass the emotional environment of the school, policies, and procedures that support brain-based teaching strategies, professional development, and alignment with standards.
Leading Schools of Excellence in Academics, Character, and Social-Emotional Development
Authors: Bencivenga Anthony S. , Elias Maurice J.
Published: March 2006

In the 21st century, students' character, socialemotional skills, and academic competencies will define school excellence. This article describes characteristics of visionary leadership for such schools based on settings already characterized by strengths in EQ + IQ = Best Leadership Practices for Caring and Successful Schools. Core beliefs underlying visionary leadership are presented as well as key practices of visionary leadership in action, including how to create contexts that engage schools in building empathy through moral action and service and how to fill schools with opportunities for student goal setting, decision making, and problem solving. Examples illustrate how leading schools that prepare children for the tests of life and not a life of tests is a vision truly worthy of pursuit.
Catching Up: Effect of theTalent Development Ninth-Grade Instructional Interventions in Reading and Mathematics in High-Poverty High Schools
Authors: Balfanz Robert , Legters Nettie , Jordan Will
Published: March 2006

Little is known about the feasibility and rapidity with which the academic learning of students who enter high school multiple years behind grade level can be accelerated. This study uses multiple regression analyses of standardized test and survey data from high-poverty high schools in two large urban districts to evaluate initial effects of the Talent Development High Schools (TDHS) ninthgrade instructional program in reading and mathematics. Pre-, post-, and match-control comparisons show that students in TDHS significantly outperformed students in the control schools in mathematics and reading. Supplemental surveys show a higher percentage of students in TDHS reported learning new skills, strategies, and concepts, and TDHS teachers indicated they were able to use a more varied set of activities during extended periods, use cooperative learning strategies, engage students in group projects, and have students present multiple solutions or methods and relate their academic work to real-world experiences and examples.
The Temperament of Members of Learning Communities
Authors: Johnson Daniel P.
Published: March 2006

Learning networks are designed to build the capacity of the organization to promote and support ongoing school improvement, not to bring about a quick fix, to complete specific tasks, or to prescribe solutions to specific problems. But change is a process of breaking out of old paradigms to do things differently and to do different things.
Academic Achievement and the Need for a Comprehensive, Developmental Music Curriculum
Authors: Ponter James R.
Published: March 2006

In our public schools, music is considered to be an “activity” on the periphery of the curriculum, taking a back seat to the serious subjects required to educate our youth. Far from being a peripheral activity offered to a few “talented” students with the inclination to engage in extra enrichment programs, however, music should be considered as fundamental to the curriculum as mathematics and reading.
High Schools for a New Century: Why Is the High School Changing?
Authors: George Paul S. , McEwin C. Kenneth
Published: March 2006

Secondary education in the United States has undergone a great deal of change in the last half of the 20th century. In the first wave of change, lower secondary education was transformed, changing the junior high school to the middle school. Most of this modification in middle level education has been completed; now profound change has reached the high school level.
World-Class Schools in the 21st Century
Authors: Johnson William L. , Johnson Annabel M.
Published: March 2006

Never before has there been such an extensive literature about productive schools, nor has there been such awareness of that literature. Increasingly, research is identifying the quality indicators of exemplary schools such as continuous improvement, human resource development, strategic planning, accountability, and collaboration. These findings have numerous implications pertaining to the productivity of U.S. schools.
Silent Voices: Secondary Education in the United Kingdom and The United States
Authors: Pollard Barbara
Published: March 2006

Barbara Pollard recently spent a sabbatical in London updating her 1974 study of British secondary education, which was published in the November 1974 NASSP Bulletin. What has changed in education in the United Kingdom? What has remained the same? Barbara Pollard's thoughtful comments illuminate both British and American secondary education.
Panning for Gold (Creatively) on The New Frontier: Locating and Evaluating Educational Resources on the Internet
Authors: Reynolds Eric , Plucker Jonathan
Published: March 2006

Schools are trying to keep pace with changes in instructional technology. Even skills that are assumed to be enhanced by this technology, such as creativity, may be hindered by careless application. Encouraging teachers and students to share their ideas helps to engender creativity and critical thinking and keep abreast of these changing times.
Using the Internet To Stay Current in School Lawa
Authors: Armenta Tony
Published: March 2006

What have the courts recently decided about graduation prayer? How have courts recently looked at a school's responsibility to protect students from peer-to-peer sexual harassment? These and other questions are often on the minds of school leaders as they attempt to formulate policies and procedures to avoid lawsuits in an increasingly litigious society.
Visually Imp aired Students Can Use the Internet
Authors: Heinrich Shannon R.
Published: March 2006

For most students, access to the Internet is a basic research tool as well as a way to communicate with friends and fellow students, in nearby schools and around the world. What can visually impaired students do to tap into this powerful resource?
Bullying and School Violence: A Proposed Prevention Program
Authors: Ballard Mary , Argus Tucky , Remley Theodore P.
Published: March 2006

Research indicates that bullies and victims are more prone to violent behavior, especially as they get older, than are their peers who are not exposed to such behavior. Implementing school-based programs that address the dangers and long-term effects of bullying episodes is a major step in preventing school violence.
Secondary School Reading: Using the Quality Principle of Continuous Improvement to Build an Exemplary Program
Authors: Weller L. David , Weller Sylvia J.
Published: March 2006

There are only a few national programs that address the issue of reading at the secondary school level. One exception is the POWER (Providing Opportunities With Everyday Reading) Program at Winder-Barrow High School, which targets both reading in the content areas and independent reading. The program aims to raise students' standardized test scores in reading, improve their attitudes toward reading, and increase teachers' use of reading strategies in the classroom.
Caring with Passion: The "Core" Value
Authors: Krajewski Bob , Bailey Elsie
Published: March 2006

Schools that demonstrate genuine concern for the ethical and moral dimensions of a young person's life believe all school staff members should affirm, model, and teach core values. And, of all the character traits that should be stressed in the moral education of our young people, caring with passion should serve as the core.
Miracle at Mound Fort Middle School: Reading, Service Learning, and Character Education
Authors: Smith Timothy W.
Published: March 2006

Miracles—according to Webster's Dictionary “an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment”—aren't supposed to happen in public schools. Yet, each day thousands of youth are involved with positive change. This is Mound Fort's story.
Blending a Middle School Magnet Program for Gifted Students with A Regular Middle School Program
Authors: Juntune Joyce E.
Published: March 2006

A gifted program can be a part of a regular school program without sacrificing excellence for the gifted students or lessening the quality of the regular school program. A gifted program that is planned for widespread effect can benefit all the students in a school, not just the identified gifted students.
School Public Relations: The Public Isn't Always Right
Authors: Martinson David L.
Published: March 2006

The ethical, effective school public relations program will be directed toward bringing about mutual understanding. Those concerned with implementing such an effort must not blindly acquiesce to the demands of particular interest groups. At the same time, an effort directed toward building mutual understanding acknowledges that citizens deserve a voice in how their schools are managed. An important objective of a PR effort includes building channels that will allow more effective communication to take place.
Religious Activities in Public Schools
Authors: Mawdsley Ralph D.
Published: March 2006

Religious activities in public schools have generated considerable litigation in the past few years. Not only are courts wrestling with the definition of religious free speech rights of teachers and students, but also with whether rights between these two categories can be different. Any differences between teachers and students notwithstanding, one can predict that any effort by public schools to treat teachers or students differently where religious issues are at stake could result in litigation.
Job Sharing for Administrators: A Consideration for Public Schools
Authors: Muffs Michael L. , Schmitz Laura Ann
Published: March 2006

The research in school administration clearly demonstrates there is a diminishing pool of candidates for administrator's positions nationwide. Some studies even suggest the problem is on the verge of epidemic proportions. What can be done to meet school districts' needs in attracting and retaining school leaders? One answer is through job sharing, a practice more often found in non-leadership positions.
Administrative Team Planning with the Administrative "Advancement"
Authors: Roberts Magie
Published: March 2006

Planning for the school year can be even more difficult when a school is undergoing changes in configuration. This administrative team found a most successful way to get away from it all, a method they have continue to use for a number of years.
Reading at the Middle Level: Change May Be Good, But Not Always Easy
Authors: David Marjorie A.
Published: March 2006

Barnwell Middle School changed their reading model from a pull-out program to using one reading teacher as an educational resource teacher. What kind of changes did this make in the program, and what happened as the program was implemented?
Two New Mental Models for Schools and Their Implications For Principals' Roles, Responsibilities, and Preparation
Authors: Lawson Hal A.
Published: March 2006

Full-service schools are arguably the most popular examples of the transformation of the public school. Why have local leaders created these new schools? Are they all alike? If they differ, how and why? What are the benefits? What are the limitations? What are the roles and responsibilities of principals?
Full-Service Schools: Forming Alliances To Meet the Needs of Students and Families
Authors: Walker Jan Donahue , Hackmann Donald G.
Published: March 2006

The primary responsibility of schools is to provide students with the essential skills that are necessary for full participation in society. Teachers and administrators know children's basic health and social service needs must first be resolved before the learning needs of high-risk children can be successfully addressed. Since schools cannot be expected to solve every student need by themselves, school officials need to reach out to other agencies that serve children and actively seek ways to collaborate and share resources.
Principals as Boundary Spanners: Working Collaboratively To Solve Problems
Authors: Bradshaw Lynn K.
Published: March 2006

There are many reasons to be concerned about the condition of children. Some progress steadily through our public schools to higher education or the world of work, but poor academic performance and other problems plague a significant portion of the student body.
Stress and relationship quality in same-sex couples
Authors: Otis Melanie D. , Rostosky Sharon S. , Riggle Ellen D. B. , Hamrin Rebecca
Published: March 2006

This research focuses on the relationship between sources of minority stress and the quality of same-sex couples’ relationships. Interdependence theory and the minority stress model are used to examine actor-partner effects of internalized homophobia, discrimination, and perceived stress on perceptions of relationship quality in same-sex couples. Couples were recruited through web-based solicitations (N = 131). Path analysis and Kenny’s (1996) technique for examining interdependent relationships for exchangeable dyad members were used to identify between- and within-couple differences. Internalized homophobia and discrimination were found to impact couple members in unique ways. Higher levels of internalized homophobia and discrimination were predictive of less favorable perceptions of relationship quality. As hypothesized, the impact of perceived discrimination and/or victimization was mediated by perceived stress.
Maternal depressive symptoms, relationship satisfaction, and verbal behavior: A social-cognitive analysis
Authors: Tenzer Susan A. , Murray Desiree W. , Vaughan Christine A. , Sacco William P.
Published: March 2006

Two studies applied a social-cognitive interpersonal process model to investigate mechanisms underlying the association of maternal depressive symptoms with maternal relationship satisfaction and maternal verbal behavior. Study 1 participants were 86 mothers of 6-12-year-old children with a history of ADHD. Study 2 participants were 81 mother-child dyads recruited from a children’s inpatient unit and the surrounding community. Negative trait perceptions and negative affective reactions mediated the effect of maternal depressive symptoms on both maternal relationship satisfaction and maternal verbal behavior. The link between maternal depression level and negative maternal reactions remained after controlling for the child’s psychological problems. Results support the value of applying social-cognitive constructs to clinical problems that are embedded in distressed interpersonal relationships.
Sociable resources and close relationships: Intimate relatives and friends in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Ming-Chang
Published: March 2006

This study uses data from a national probability sample in Taiwan to investigate sociable resources’ effect on the practices of close relationships with relatives and friends. Results indicate that status-based sociable resources (i.e., education, income and having a job) and assets-based sociable resources (i.e., length of residence and home ownership) facilitate close relationships. While the status-based resources tend to forge close relationships that are extralocal, the asset-based resources enhance those relationships that are local. Sociable resources influence frequency of contacts with intimate relatives and friends, but proximity represents the most important cause. Results support a structural perspective that emphasizes the importance of the sociable resources in facilitating close relationships.
The ‘Social’ in Post-Vygotskian Theory
Authors: Daniels Harry
Published: March 2006

In this article some limitations of the increasingly popular theories of the Russian semiotician L.S. Vygotsky will be identified. Emphasis will be placed on the lack of an account of social positioning within discourse as well as the social, cultural and historical production of discourse. At the heart of these concerns there lies an underdeveloped perspective on the social function of language, particularly when it is used to influence interpersonal relations. The theories of cultural transmission developed by Basil Bernstein in the later stages of his career will be discussed in terms of the potential for refining the Vygotskian thesis.
Adolescents and HIV Vaccine Trials
Authors: Bekker Linda-Gail , Jaspan Heather , McIntyre James , Wood Robin , Gray Glenda
Published: March 2006

Adolescents worldwide are at high risk for HIV, which makes them essential candidates for HIV vaccine trials. However, enrollment of adolescents into such trials has implications for trial sites. Adolescents are considered vulnerable subjects and require proxy consent in addition to their assent, which brings issues of confidentiality and access into play. HIV vaccine trial sites often do not have experience recruiting and retaining adolescents, and creating youth-friendly environments that are comfortable for guardians. This includes development of education materials that target both youth and their parents. Because these trials are of minimal individual benefit, sites will likely need to provide service in the form of health care and supportive structures to adolescents. Finally, a number of trial design options exist, and researchers will need to balance the risks and benefits of each, as for all issues surrounding the involvement of adolescents in HIV vaccine trials.
Social and Behavioral Aspects of Child and Adolescent Participation in HIV Vaccine Trials
Authors: Swartz Leslie , Kagee Ashraf , Kafaar Zuhayr , Smit Joalida , Bhana Arvin , Gray Glenda , Lesch Anthea , Lindegger Graham , Milford Cecilia , Richter Linda , Seedat Soraya , Skhosana Nokuthula , Stein Dan J.
Published: March 2006

Recent data indicate that the worldwide rate of HIV infection in adolescents is steadily increasing. Internationally, more than 7000 youths between 15 and 24 years of age are infected with HIV daily, resulting in more than 2.5 million new infections annually. Almost two thirds (1.7 million) of these new infections occur in Africa. Estimates in 2000 showed that the number of South Africans between 15 and 49 years of age infected with HIV was 4.7 million. This number equates to a prevalence rate of 15.4% in those younger than 20 years. Adolescents form an important target group not only for preventative efforts but also for HIV vaccine trials. This article focuses on the social and psychological factors that affect adolescent decision making by considering adolescent risk-taking behaviors, problems associated with predicting adolescent behavior, peer relationships and decision making, sexual disinhibition, and the role of family relationships in adolescent decision making.