bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flow Injection Potentiometric Assay of Hexoprenaline in Its Pure State, Pharmaceutical Preparations, and Biological Samples
Authors: El-Nashar Rasha M.
Published: May 2008

Different hexoprenaline () conventional and coated wire electrodes were constructed and evaluated. Membranes were based on hexoprenalinium phosphotungstate (Hx-PTA) and hexporenalinium phosphomolybdate (Hx-PMA). The electrodes were fully characterized in terms of their composition, response time, life span, pH, and temperature and then were applied to the potentiometric determination of the hexoprenalinium ion in its pure state, pharmaceutical preparations, and biological samples, urine and plasma, under batch and flow injection conditions. The selectivity of the electrodes towards many inorganic cations, sugars, amino acids, and some other brochodilatures of close chemical composition was also tested.
Blast2GO: A Comprehensive Suite for Functional Analysis in Plant Genomics
Authors: Conesa Ana , Götz Stefan
Published: May 2008

Functional annotation of novel sequence data is a primary requirement for the utilization of functional genomics approaches in plant research. In this paper, we describe the Blast2GO suite as a comprehensive bioinformatics tool for functional annotation of sequences and data mining on the resulting annotations, primarily based on the gene ontology (GO) vocabulary. Blast2GO optimizes function transfer from homologous sequences through an elaborate algorithm that considers similarity, the extension of the homology, the database of choice, the GO hierarchy, and the quality of the original annotations. The tool includes numerous functions for the visualization, management, and statistical analysis of annotation results, including gene set enrichment analysis. The application supports InterPro, enzyme codes, KEGG pathways, GO direct acyclic graphs (DAGs), and GOSlim. Blast2GO is a suitable tool for plant genomics research because of its versatility, easy installation, and friendly use.
Stokes Flow past a Swarm of Porous Nanocylindrical Particles Enclosing a Solid Core
Authors: Deo Satya , Yadav Pramod Kumar
Published: May 2008

This paper concerns the Stokes flow of an incompressible viscous fluid past a swarm of porous nanocylindrical particles enclosing a solid cylindrical core with Kuwabara boundary condition. An aggregate of porous nanocylindrical particles is considered as a hydro‐dynamically equivalent to a solid cylindrical core with concentric porous cylindrical shell. The Brinkman equation inside the porous cylindrical shell and the Stokes equation outside the porous cylindrical shell in their stream function formulations are used. Explicit expressions for the stream functions in both regions have been investigated. The drag force acting at each nanoporous cylindrical particle in a cell is evaluated. Also, we solved the same problem by using Happel boundary condition on the hypothetical cell. In certain limiting cases, drag force converges to pre‐existing analytical results, such as the drag on a porous circular cylinder and the drag on a solid cylinder in Kuwabara′s cell or Happel′s cell. Representative results are then discussed and compared for both cases and presented in graphical form by using Mathematica software.
Story and Recall in First‐Person Shooters
Authors: Pinchbeck Dan
Published: May 2008

Story has traditionally been seen as something separate to gameplay—frequently
relegated to an afterthought or epiphenomenon. Nevertheless, in the FPS genre there has been
something of a renaissance in the notion of the story‐driven title. Partially, this is due to advances in
technology enabling a greater capacity for distributed storytelling and a better integration of story and
gameplay. However, what has been underrecognised is the dynamic, epistemological, and
psychological impact of story and story elements upon player behaviour. It is argued here that there
is evidence that story may have a direct influence upon cognitive operations. Specifically, evidence is
presented that it appears to demonstrate that games with highly visible, detailed stories may assist
players in recalling and ordering their experiences. If story does, indeed, have a more direct influence,
then it is clearly a more powerful and immediate tool in game design than either simply reward system or
golden thread.
Liver X Receptor Agonists Inhibit the Phospholipid Regulatory Gene CTP: Phosphoethanolamine Cytidylyltransferase-Pcyt2
Authors: Zhu Lin , Bakovic Marica
Published: May 2008

Metabolic pulse-chase experiments demonstrated that 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OH), the endogenous activator of the liver X receptor (LXR), significantly reduced the biosynthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine via CDP-ethanolamine (Kennedy) pathway at the step catalyzed by CTP: phosphoethanolamine cytidylyltransferase (Pcyt2). In the mouse embryonic fibroblasts C3H10T1/2, the LXR synthetic agonist TO901317 lowered Pcyt2 promoter-luciferase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, 25-OH and TO901317 reduced mouse Pcyt2 mRNA and protein levels by 35–60%. The inhibitory effects of oxysterols and TO901317 on the Pcyt2 promoter function, mRNA and protein expression were conserved in the human breast cancer cells MCF-7. These studies identify the Pcyt2 gene as a novel target whereby LXR agonists may indirectly modulate inflammatory responses and atherosclerosis.
Altered Sympathetic Nervous Reactivity and Norepinephrine Transporter Expression in Patients With Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
Authors: Lambert Elisabeth , Eikelis Nina , Esler Murray , Dawood Tye , Schlaich Markus , Bayles Richard , Socratous Flora , Agrotis Alex , Jennings Garry , Lambert Gavin , Vaddadi Gautam
Published: May 2008

Background—

Clinical observations in patients with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) suggest abnormal sympathetic nervous system activity and a dysfunction of the norepinephrine (NE) transporter (NET).

Methods and Results—

We examined sympathetic nervous system responses to head-up tilt by combining NE plasma kinetics measurements and muscle sympathetic nerve activity recordings and by quantifying NET protein content in peripheral sympathetic nerves in patients with POTS compared with that in controls. POTS patients had an elevated heart rate during supine rest (81�2 bpm versus 66�2 bpm in healthy subjects [HS],
P
<0.01). Head-up tilt to 40� induced a greater rise in heart rate in patients with POTS (+24�4 bpm versus +13�2 bpm in HS,
P
<0.001). During rest in the supine position, muscle sympathetic nerve activity, arterial NE concentration, and whole-body NE spillover to plasma were similar in both groups. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity response to head-up tilt was greater in the POTS group (+29�3 bursts/min in patients with POTS and +13�2 bursts/min in HS,
P
<0.001), but the NE spillover rise was similar in both groups (51% in the POTS subjects and 50% in the HS). Western blot analysis of NET protein extracted from forearm vein biopsies in patients with POTS and HS demonstrated a decrease in the expression of NET protein in patients with POTS.

Conclusion—

Patients with POTS exhibit a decrease in NET protein in their peripheral sympathetic nerves. Paradoxically, whole-body NE spillover to plasma during rest in the supine position and in response to head-up tilt is not altered despite excessive nerve firing rate in response to the head-up tilt.
The Secondary Low and Heavy Rainfall Associated with Typhoon Mindulle (2004)
Authors: Lee Cheng-Shang , Liu Yi-Chin , Chien Fang-Ching
Published: May 2008

This paper presents an observational and numerical study of Typhoon Mindulle (2004) as it affected Taiwan. Mindulle made landfall on the east coast of Taiwan at 1500 UTC 1 July 2004, and after 13 h, it exited Taiwan from the north coast. Severe rainfall (with a maximum amount of 787 mm) occurred over central-southwestern Taiwan on 2 July 2004. During the landfall of Mindulle’s main circulation, a secondary low formed over the Taiwan Strait. However, the secondary low, after it developed significantly (vorticity exceeded 5 × 10−4 s−1 over a 30-km radius), did not replace the original center as was observed in many other storms. Instead, it moved inland and dissipated after the original center redeveloped near the north coast of Taiwan. In this study, the evolution of the secondary low, the redevelopment of the primary center, and the processes leading to the severe rainfall were examined. Results showed that the processes leading to the formation and the development of the secondary low were similar to those described in previous studies. These processes include the leeside subsidence warming, the horizontal transport of vorticity around the northern tip of the Central Mountain Range (CMR), and the overmountain upper-level vorticity remnant. However, because of the northward track, Mindulle preserved some strong vorticity on the eastern slope of the CMR. This strong vorticity remnant was steered northward over the ocean offshore from the north coast where the redevelopment of the primary center occurred. This “quasi-continuous track” of Mindulle has not been documented in previous studies. The vortex interaction between the redeveloped primary center and the secondary low resulted in the northeastward movement of the secondary low, which then dissipated after making landfall. Analyses also showed that even though heavy rainfall would occur over the mountain area when only the southwesterly flow prevailed, as on 3 July 2004, Typhoon Mindulle and the secondary low provided extra convergence that resulted in the west–east-oriented convective bands. These convective bands and the orographic lifting of the circulation associated with the secondary low resulted in the heavy rainfall over the central-western plains area.
The Impact of High-Resolution Sea Surface Temperatures on the Simulated Nocturnal Florida Marine Boundary Layer
Authors: LaCasse Katherine M. , Splitt Michael E. , Lazarus Steven M. , Lapenta William M.
Published: May 2008

High- and low-resolution sea surface temperature (SST) analysis products are used to initialize the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model for May 2004 for short-term forecasts over Florida and surrounding waters. Initial and boundary conditions for the simulations were provided by a combination of observations, large-scale model output, and analysis products. The impact of using a 1-km Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) SST composite on subsequent evolution of the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) is assessed through simulation comparisons and limited validation. Model results are presented for individual simulations, as well as for aggregates of easterly- and westerly-dominated low-level flows. The simulation comparisons show that the use of MODIS SST composites results in enhanced convergence zones, earlier and more intense horizontal convective rolls, and an increase in precipitation as well as a change in precipitation location. Validation of 10-m winds with buoys shows a slight improvement in wind speed. The most significant results of this study are that 1) vertical wind stress divergence and pressure gradient accelerations across the Florida Current region vary in importance as a function of flow direction and stability and 2) the warmer Florida Current in the MODIS product transports heat vertically and downwind of this heat source, modifying the thermal structure and the MABL wind field primarily through pressure gradient adjustments.
Proper Scores for Probability Forecasts Can Never Be Equitable
Authors: Jolliffe Ian T. , Stephenson David B.
Published: May 2008

Verification is an important part of any forecasting system. It is usually achieved by computing the value of some measure or score that indicates how good the forecasts are. Many possible verification measures have been proposed, and to choose between them a number of desirable properties have been defined. For probability forecasts of a binary event, two of the best known of these properties are propriety and equitability. A proof that the two properties are incompatible for a wide class of verification measures is given in this paper, after briefly reviewing the two properties and some recent attempts to improve properties for the well-known Brier skill score.
High-Resolution Observations and Model Simulations of the Life Cycle of an Intense Mesoscale Snowband over the Northeastern United States
Authors: Novak David R. , Colle Brian A. , Yuter Sandra E.
Published: May 2008

This paper investigates the structural and dynamical evolution of an intense mesoscale snowband occurring 25–26 December 2002 over the northeastern United States. Dual-Doppler, wind profiler, aircraft, and water vapor observations in concert with the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–NCAR Mesoscale Model run at 4-km grid spacing are used to highlight evolutionary aspects of a snowband unresolved by previous studies. The high-resolution observations and model simulations show that band formation was coincident with a sharpening of a midlevel trough and associated increase in frontogenesis in an environment of conditional and inertial instability. Band maturity was marked by increasing conditional stability and a threefold increase in frontogenetical forcing. Band dissipation occurred as the midlevel trough and associated frontogenetical forcing weakened, while the conditional stability continued to increase. The effect of changing ascent is shown to dominate over changing moisture in explaining band dissipation in this case. Unconventional aspects of band structure and dynamics revealed by the high-resolution data are discussed, including the location of the band relative to the frontogenesis maximum, increasing stability during the band-formation process, and the presence of inertial instability. The model realistically predicted the band evolution; however, maximum precipitation was underforecast within the banded region by ∼30% at 4-km grid spacing, and the axis of heaviest precipitation was displaced ∼50 km to the southeast of the observed location. Higher horizontal model resolution is shown to contribute toward improved QPF in this case; however, it appears more dramatic improvement may be gained by better simulating the frontogenesis, stability, and moisture evolution.
Airborne Doppler Radar and Sounding Analysis of an Oceanic Cold Front
Authors: Wakimoto Roger M. , Murphey Hanne V.
Published: May 2008

An analysis of a cold front over the eastern Atlantic Ocean based on airborne Doppler wind syntheses and dropsonde data is presented. The focus and unique aspect of this study is a segment of the front that was near the center of the cyclone. The dual-Doppler wind synthesis of the frontal zone combined with an average dropsonde spacing of ∼30 km covers a total distance of >450 km in the cross-frontal direction. The finescale resolution and areal coverage of the dataset are believed to be unprecedented. The cold front was characterized by a distinct wind shift and a strong horizontal temperature gradient. The latter was most intense aloft and not at the surface, in contrast to the classical paradigm of surface cold fronts. The shear of the alongfront component of the wind was relatively uniform as a function of height within the frontal zone. This observation is contrary to studies suggesting that frontal zones decrease in intensity above the surface. The surface convergence within the frontal zone was weak. This may have been related to the closeness of the analysis region to the surface low pressure. The prefrontal low-level jet and the upper-level polar jet were both shown to be supergeostrophic based on the analysis of the geopotential height field. It is believed that a major contributing factor to the former was the isallobaric wind from the large pressure tendencies associated with the moving cyclone. A dry pocket accompanied by descending air was noted out ahead of the low-level jet. This pocket produced a region of potential instability that could have supported deep convection, although none was observed on this day. The vertical structure of the front revealed couplets of potential vorticity that appeared to be the result of diabatic heat sources from condensation. The diabatic effect in the frontogenesis equation was the dominant term, exceeding the combined effects of the confluence and tilting terms. As a result, an alternating pattern of frontogenesis–frontolysis developed along the flanks of the maxima of diabatic heating. This study highlights the importance of taking diabatic heating into account even in the absence of deep convection.
Mesoscale Modeling of the Atmosphere over Antarctic Sea Ice: A Late-Autumn Case Study
Authors: Valkonen Teresa , Vihma Timo , Doble Martin
Published: May 2008

Atmospheric flow over Antarctic sea ice was simulated applying a polar version of the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (Polar MM5). The simulation period in late autumn lasted for 48 h, starting as northerly warm airflow over the Weddell Sea ice cover and turning to a southwesterly cold-air outbreak. The model results were validated against atmospheric pressure and wind and air temperature observations made by five buoys drifting with the sea ice. Four different satellite-derived sea ice concentration datasets were applied to provide lower boundary conditions for Polar MM5. During the period of the cold-air outbreak, the modeled air temperatures were highly sensitive to the sea ice concentration: the largest differences in the modeled 2-m air temperature reached 13°C. The experiments applying sea ice concentration data based on the bootstrap and Arctic Radiation and Turbulence Interaction Study (ARTIST) algorithms yielded the best agreement with observations. The cumulative fetch over open water correlated with the bias of the modeled air temperature. The sea ice concentration data affected the simulated air temperature in the lower atmospheric boundary layer, but above it the temperature and wind fields were more strongly controlled by the boundary layer scheme applied in Polar MM5. Analysis nudging applying four-dimensional data assimilation had a positive effect on the pressure and wind fields but negative or no effect on the air temperature fields. The results suggest that applying a sea ice model to update sea ice fields frequently throughout atmospheric model simulations will likely lead to important improvements in forecasts.
The Use of Structure Functions and Spectra from Numerical Model Output to Determine Effective Model Resolution
Authors: Frehlich Rod , Sharman Robert
Published: May 2008

The effective model resolution of three numerical weather prediction (NWP) models is determined from analyses of spatial structure functions and spatial spectra. In this paper, the effective resolution is defined as the dimensions of the rectangular spatial filter that describes the net effect of all of the NWP model’s numerical filtering and smoothing effects. These effects are determined by comparison of spatial statistics of the NWP model output with statistical climatologies derived from aircraft data for the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. The comparisons are based on both spatial structure functions and spatial spectra. The structure function approach has fewer assumptions and fewer numerical artifacts. Accurate estimates of NWP effective model resolution require a robust climatology of the spatial statistics, which are a function of latitude and location, such as over mountainous regions. An artifact in the climatology of the velocity statistics resulting from mountain waves is identified from NWP model output and corroborated with research aircraft data, which has not been previously observed in global statistical climatologies.
Turbulent Mixing Processes in Atmospheric Bores and Solitary Waves Deduced from Profiling Systems and Numerical Simulation
Authors: Koch Steven E. , Feltz Wayne , Fabry Frédéric , Pagowski Mariusz , Geerts Bart , Bedka Kristopher M. , Miller David O. , Wilson James W.
Published: May 2008

Families of solitary waves (“solitons”) associated with two atmospheric bores on the same day were observed by an unprecedented number of ground-based and airborne profiling systems during the International H2O Project (IHOP). In addition, a very high-resolution numerical weather prediction model initialized with real data was used with success to simulate one of the bores and the evolving soliton. The predicted wave amplitude, phase speed, wavelength, and structure compared well to these extraordinarily detailed observations. The observations suggest that during the active phase (when turbulent mixing was active, which was prior to bore collapse), the bores and waves vigorously mixed dry air from above a nocturnal boundary layer down to the surface. Refractivity computed from near-surface radar observations showed pronounced decreases due to sudden drying during the passage of the bores in this phase, but refractivity increases appeared during the period of bore collapse. During both phases, the bores wafted aerosol-laden moist air up to the middle troposphere and weakened the capping inversion, thus reducing inhibition to deep convection development. The model results indicate that the refractivity decreases near the surface were due to drying caused by downward turbulent mixing of air by the wave circulations. Turbulent kinetic energy was generated immediately behind the bore head, then advected rearward and downward by the solitary waves. During the dissipation stage, the lifting by the bore head produced adiabatic cooling aloft and distributed the very moist air near the surface upward through the bore depth, but without any drying due to the absence of vigorous mixing. Thus, this study shows that the moist thermodynamic effects caused by atmospheric bores and solitons strongly depend upon the life cycle of these phenomena.
Impact of Changes in Infant Death Classification on the Diagnosis of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Authors: Moore Brooke M. , Fernbach Kathleen L. , Finkelstein Marsha J. , Carolan Patrick L.
Published: May 2008

This study evaluates the hypothesis that a decline in sudden infant death syndrome in Minnesota is associated with increases in other categories of sudden unexpected infant death. Matched birth and death certificates, autopsy reports, and home visit questionnaires were reviewed for 722 sudden unexpected infant deaths that occurred from January 1, 1996 through December 31, 2002. Descriptive data and cause of death were recorded. Cause of death was compared for 2 periods: early (1996-1998) and late (2000-2002). The age of the infant at death, sex, race, and infant death rates were similar between the 2 periods ( P = .637). Sudden infant death syndrome declined by 50.1% ( P < .001). Overlay deaths increased 235.5% ( P < .01). Asphyxia related deaths increased 259.6% ( P < .001). Injury-related deaths increased 840.0% ( P < .001). A decline in sudden infant death syndrome in Minnesota was associated with increased deaths in categories that are asphyxial in nature and are potentially preventable.
Fleet Conversion in Local Government
Authors: Johns Kimberly D. , Khovanova Kseniya M. , Welch Eric W.
Published: May 2008

This study evaluates the conversion of one local government's fleet from gasoline to bi-fuel E-85, compressed natural gas, and liquid propane gas powered vehicles at the midpoint of a 10-year conversion plan. This study employs a behavioral model based on the theory of reasoned action to explore factors that influence an individual's perceived and actual use of alternative fuels. Analysis is based on survey data collected from primary drivers of bi-fuel fleet vehicles at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Illinois. Findings show that environmental attitudes do not have a significant effect on actual or perceived use; however, external variables such as fueling convenience, vehicle performance, and the extent of informal communication significantly affect the driver's likelihood of using alternative fuel. The results have implications for fleet managers that could promote regulatory and infrastructural developments to achieve higher rates of alternative fuel use.
Can smoking cessation services be better targeted to tackle health inequalities? Evidence from a cross-sectional study
Authors: Blackman Tim
Published: May 2008

Objective To investigate how smoking cessation services could be more effectively targeted to tackle socioeconomic inequalities in health.

Design Secondary analysis of data from a household interview survey undertaken for Middlesbrough Council in north east England using the technique of Qualitative Comparative Analysis.

Setting Home-based interviews in Middlesbrough.

Method Qualitative Comparative Analysis of data for 2882 respondents aged 16 years or over. Smoking prevalence was calculated for different combinations of respondents' characteristics: worklessness, income, education, neighbourhood liveability and neighbourliness.

Results Smoking prevalence ranged from 74.5 per cent to 10.3 per cent across 19 combinations of the selected characteristics. Almost all combinations with smoking rates higher than 50 per cent included worklessness. One other combination exceeded 50 per cent and included respondents reporting all of the following: unhelpful neighbours, no further education, low liveability and low income. The combinations with the lowest smoking prevalences had only one or two of these characteristics present and the very lowest prevalence of 10.3 per cent was associated with all being absent. If unhelpful neighbours were present in any combination smoking rates were moderately high (32.4 per cent or higher).

Conclusions The analysis points to important features of the context of smokers' lives. By improving these conditions, appreciable reductions in smoking prevalence are likely. These reductions might be even greater if interventions to improve neighbourhoods and job opportunities are combined with the timely provision of smoking cessation services. Targeting these transitions could be a more effective strategy than simply targeting all deprived neighbourhoods.
Success and challenges of a community healthy lifestyles intervention in Merseyside (UK) to target families at risk from coronary heart disease
Authors: Peerbhoy D. , Majumdar A.J. , Wightman N.A. , Brand V.L.
Published: May 2008

Objective To document the lifestyle health impacts (activity, diet and physiological), along with the operational success and challenges, of a programme for families presenting one or more coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factor.

Design Data are based on a wider evaluation of a government-funded community initiative conducted in a deprived area of Liverpool (UK) between September 2004 and January 2006.

Setting Data are based on readings and responses taken by programme staff, and Liverpool John Moores University evaluation exercises held within May Logan Healthy Living Centre.

Method Lifestyle behaviour changes, monitored at weeks 1, 7 and 14 and at 6 months, for 34 families were analysed. Further exploration of programme success and challenges was through focus groups with families and interviews with staff.

Results Sustained changes in activity and diet support the viability of a short and supportive programme in reducing CHD risks. Physiological change was less positive, suggesting limited improvement in this domain. Personal, environmental and cultural factors presented as a challenge to programme success.
Changing Gender Relations: Women Officers' Experiences in the Swedish Armed Forces
Authors: Pettersson Lena , Persson Alma , Berggren Anders W.
Published: May 2008

This article addresses the dynamics of changing gender relations. Drawing on the theoretical framework of gender relations and research on women in male-dominated organizations, the article analyses the experiences of women officers in the Swedish Armed Forces. The article focuses on experiences of including as well as excluding practices and the processes of negotiating gender boundaries. The article contributes to the field by highlighting the importance of changing perceptions of gender, showing that the officers' perceptions of gender change with time, age and rank. This change is fundamental for understanding the way the women attempt to negotiate more equal gender relations.
Call Centres and Incapacity Benefit Claimants in the North West of England: A Study from the Greater Manchester Area
Authors: Cabras Ignazio
Published: May 2008

During the last decade, several initiatives have been undertaken by the British government in an attempt to reduce the number of incapacity benefit claimants. The principal objective is to encourage long-term economically inactive people to enter into paid employment. Particular support is delivered to disabled people, who generally face more difficulties in obtaining a job. In this context, the service sector could play an important role, especially in occupations where there are relatively few barriers to entry. Call centre businesses, because of the nature of occupations offered, represent a potentially significant source of employment that requires specific policies and initiatives. Furthermore, call centres are located in the same areas where incapacity benefit claimants are concentrated.
Information Development for Refugee and Forced Migration Studies: the Refugee Studies Centre Library in the last decade
Authors: Rhodes Sarah
Published: May 2008

This article reviews the information developments experienced by the Refugee Studies Centre Library over the past ten years. It addresses the challenges associated with the boom in electronic information and how these have been harnessed to complement the still important and unique physical collections held by the Library. It highlights the creation of the RSC's Digital Library and the Forced Migration Online portal. These have played an important role in the navigation of the ever changing electronic landscape faced by the field of refugee and forced migration studies. Elisa Mason's research guide for resources on the web and article on internet-based current awareness services have been used to highlight key access points to e-resources for the subject area.
Teaching Information Literacy Skills in Community Junior Secondary Schools in Gaborone, Botswana
Authors: Jorosi B.N. , Isaac G.G.
Published: May 2008

Information literacy skills are fast becoming a global priority as society moves into the digital environment. However, although the subject has generated a vast body of literature, it remains an underdeveloped domain in sub-Saharan Africa, with few scholars demonstrating a keen interest in, and focus on, the subject. This has unfortunately limited a fuller understanding of how information literacy is conceptualized and delivered in developing country contexts. The study reported here investigated the teaching of information literacy skills in selected Community Junior Secondary Schools (CJSS) in the city of Gaborone, Botswana. Data were gathered from a sample of 30 teacher-librarians via face-to-face in-depth interviews with the aid of a five-question interview schedule. The key findings of the study were: (1) respondents had varying interpretations of what constituted information literacy skills, (2) a variety of skills were taught under the rubric information literacy skills; (3) by and large, the teaching of information literacy skills was done by teacher-librarians and subject teachers, (4) the main approaches in teaching information literacy skills involved library orientation and the use of the English Language Period, and (5) respondents cited three challenges, namely, the absence of an enabling environment or an office dedicated to school libraries, an exam-oriented curriculum and shrinking financial resources. Several recommendations are made for both future research and the Ministry of Education in Botswana.
The Half-Cycle Correction Explained: Two Alternative Pedagogical Approaches
Authors: Naimark David M. J. , Bott Michelle , Krahn Murray
Published: May 2008

Students of Markov decision models are often taught to add a half-cycle's worth of incremental utility to the cumulative total for each health state. The reason for this ``half-cycle correction'' is often illustrated by a graph of the proportion of the hypothetical Markov cohort remaining in a given state. The ideal graph is shown as a smooth, declining, curve that represents the transition of patients randomly throughout each cycle. On the same graph, the effect of the accounting of state membership at the end of each cycle in discrete, computer-based approximations of the ideal Markov process is shown. Students are able to clearly see that the cumulative incremental utility in the discrete case underestimates the desired quantity. Likewise, they find the concept of shifting the ideal curve to the right by one-half cycle to reduce the latter discrepancy to be intuitive. However, students often find the approximate equivalence of shifting the ideal state membership curve and adding a half-cycle's worth of incremental utility to the total for the state at the beginning of a discrete Markov process to be a difficult cognitive leap. This article describes 2 pedagogical devices, algebraic and intuitive/visual approaches, that may assist the instructor of Markov theory to convey the latter concept. Elements of adult learning theory are discussed, which may help the instructor to choose which approach to employ. Implementation of the half-cycle correction in commonly used decision-analytic software is also discussed.
Family Practitioners' Diagnostic Decision-Making Processes Regarding Patients with Respiratory Tract Infections: An Observational Study
Authors: Fischer Thomas , Fischer Susanne , Himmel Wolfgang , Kochen Michael M. , Hummers-Pradier Eva
Published: May 2008

Background. The influence of patient characteristics on family practitioners' (FPs') diagnostic decision making has mainly been investigated using indirect methods such as vignettes or questionnaires. Direct observation— borrowed from social and cultural anthropology— may be an alternative method for describing FPs' real-life behavior and may help in gaining insight into how FPs diagnose respiratory tract infections, which are frequent in primary care. Objective. To clarify FPs' diagnostic processes when treating patients suffering from symptoms of respiratory tract infection. Methods. This direct observation study was performed in 30 family practices using a checklist for patient complaints, history taking, physical examination, and diagnoses. The influence of patients' symptoms and complaints on the FPs' physical examination and diagnosis was calculated by logistic regression analyses. Dummy variables based on combinations of symptoms and complaints were constructed and tested against saturated (full) and backward regression models. Results. In total, 273 patients (median age 37 years, 51% women) were included. The median number of symptoms described was 4 per patient, and most information was provided at the patients' own initiative. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a strong association between patients' complaints and the physical examination. Frequent diagnoses were upper respiratory tract infection (URTI)/common cold (43%), bronchitis (26%), sinusitis (12%), and tonsillitis (11%). There were no significant statistical differences between ``simple heuristic'' models and saturated regression models in the diagnoses of bronchitis, sinusitis, and tonsillitis, indicating that simple heuristics are probably used by the FPs, whereas ``URTI/common cold'' was better explained by the full model. Conclusion. FPs tended to make their diagnosis based on a few patient symptoms and a limited physical examination. Simple heuristic models were almost as powerful in explaining most diagnoses as saturated models. Direct observation allowed for the study of decision making under real conditions, yielding both quantitative data and ``qualitative'' information about the FPs' performance. It is important for investigators to be aware of the specific disadvantages of the method (e.g., a possible observer effect).
An Enlargement of the Notion of Consumer Vulnerability
Authors: Commuri Suraj , Ekici Ahmet
Published: May 2008

Consumer vulnerability has long been an important issue in public policy and macromarketing. The focus of a special issue of the Journal of Macromarketing (vol. 26, issue 1) underscores this importance. The articles in that special issue lend both conceptual and methodological clarity to the subject of consumer vulnerability, thus bringing to the fore the hitherto overlooked importance of this construct. The purpose of this article is to extend this renewed interest by introducing an integrative view of consumer vulnerability that is a sum of two components: a transient, state-based component dominant in some of the articles in the special issue, and a systemic, class-based component. The proposition is that such an integrative view provides a proactive tool for macromarketers and policy makers in their efforts to safeguard and to empower vulnerable consumers.
How Macro Should Macromarketing Be?
Authors: Kilbourne William E.
Published: May 2008

Because macromarketing is macro, its domain is necessarily broad. The question of how broad it is has not been adequately answered. This article proposes an institutional approach to the teaching of macromarketing. Although markets are, themselves, institutions, what is proposed here is examining the antecedent institutions for the development of markets. The set of antecedents proposed here includes economic, political, and technological institutions. The role of each in the development of market societies and the sustainability of such societies is critically examined. In each of the texts used in the course, it is argued that sustainability is tied directly to the economic, political, and technological institutions that underlie the market institutions that evolve. This approach expands the domain of macromarketing from agorology, the study of the market as an institution, to thesmology, the study of institutions.
Lower Extremity Jumping Mechanics of Female Athletes with and without Patellofemoral Pain before and after Exertion
Authors: Willson John D. , Binder-Macleod Stuart , Davis Irene S.
Published: May 2008

Background

Patellofemoral pain is especially common among female athletes and is traditionally associated with lower extremity mechanics thought to increase retropatellar stress. These detrimental mechanics may increase with exertion.

Hypothesis

Differences in lower extremity mechanics during single-legged jumps between female athletes with and without patellofemoral pain will increase after exertion.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Twenty women with patellofemoral pain and 20 healthy female controls participated in a functional lower extremity exertion protocol of repetitive single-legged jumps. Pain, exertion, hip and trunk strength, and 3-dimensional lower extremity joint mechanics were recorded at the beginning and end of the protocol.

Results

The patellofemoral pain group reported increased pain at the conclusion of the protocol. However, all subjects terminated the protocol due to complaints of fatigue. Mean strength measurements for the patellofemoral pain group were 24% lower for lateral trunk flexion ( P = .06), 13% lower for hip abduction ( P = .09), and 14% lower for hip external rotation ( P = .03) than for controls. Subjects with patellofemoral pain demonstrated greater contralateral pelvic drop at the end of the exertion protocol compared with the control group ( P = .003). Group differences in lower extremity mechanics, including increased hip adduction angle, hip flexion angle, hip abduction angular impulse, and decreased hip internal rotation angles, were observed among women with patellofemoral pain throughout the exertion protocol. These group differences were consistent despite increased pain for the patellofemoral pain group after exertion. Both groups demonstrated decreased jump height, hip flexion and internal rotation, knee flexion, and hip extension impulse at the end of the protocol.

Conclusion

Women with patellofemoral pain demonstrated lower extremity mechanics that differed from the healthy control group during single-legged jumping, particularly at the hip. These differences do not appear to vary with exertion level or pain among patellofemoral pain subjects during single-legged jumps.

Clinical Relevance

Lower extremity jumping mechanics appear to be consistently different among women with patellofemoral pain. Conservative treatment programs that include kinematic retraining as well as hip and trunk strengthening may improve patient outcomes and prevent recurrence of this common orthopaedic condition.
Proximal Hamstring Strains of Stretching Type in Different Sports
Authors: Askling Carl M. , Tengvar Magnus , Saartok Tonu , Thorstensson Alf
Published: May 2008

Background

Hamstring strains can be of at least 2 types, 1 occurring during high-speed running and the other during motions in which the hamstring muscles reach extreme lengths, as documented for sprinters and dancers.

Hypothesis

Hamstring strains in different sports, with similar injury situations to dancers, also show similarities in symptoms, injury location, and recovery time.

Study Design

Case series (prognosis); Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

Thirty subjects from 21 different sports were prospectively included. All subjects were examined clinically and with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The follow-up period lasted until the subjects returned to or finished their sport activity.

Results

All injuries occurred during movements reaching a position with combined extensive hip flexion and knee extension. They were located proximally in the posterior thigh, close to the ischial tuberosity. The injuries were often complex, but 83% involved the semimembranosus and its proximal free tendon. Fourteen subjects (47%) decided to end their sports activity. For the remaining 16 subjects, the median time for return to sport was 31 weeks (range, 9-104). There were no significant correlations between specific clinical or MRI parameters and time to return to sport.

Conclusions

In different sports, an injury situation in which the hamstring muscles reach extensive length causes a specific injury to the proximal posterior thigh, earlier described in dancers. Because of the prolonged recovery time associated with this type of injury, correct diagnosis, based on history and palpation, and adequate information to the subject are essential.
Intraobserver and Interobserver Reliability of the Kneeling Technique of Stress Radiography for the Evaluation of Posterior Knee Laxity
Authors: Jackman Todd , LaPrade Robert F. , Pontinen Thomas , Lender Paul A.
Published: May 2008

Background

Stress radiography provides an objective tool to measure posterior knee instability. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability has been reported for the Telos device, but it has not been studied using the kneeling technique.

Purpose

This study was conducted to evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of measurements made using kneeling stress radiography to quantify posterior knee instability.

Study Design

Case series (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

One hundred thirty-two stress radiographs in 44 patients with suspected posterior knee instability were prospectively taken using the kneeling technique. The amount of posterior displacement on the radiographs was then measured independently by 3 blinded testers (an orthopaedic sports medicine faculty member, an orthopaedic chief resident, and a medical student) on 2 separate occasions. Changes in mean and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were examined to assess the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of the measurements.

Results

Intraobserver changes in displacement means were small (−0.307 mm, −0.294 mm, and +0.035 mm) and only significant for observer 1. The combined intraobserver ICC was 0.973 for the 3 observers (0.976, 0.959, and 0.981). Interobserver comparisons revealed significant differences in trial 1 between observers 2 and 3 (0.675 mm), no differences in trial 2, and significant differences between observers 1 and 2 (0.333 mm) and observers 2 and 3 (0.510 mm) in the combined trial data. The combined interobserver ICC was 0.955 for the 3 observers (0.959 and 0.951 for the 2 trials).

Conclusions

The kneeling technique for posterior cruciate ligament stress radiography provides a reproducible method to quantify posterior knee instability.
Rejecting the American Dream
Authors: Magnuson Eric
Published: May 2008

This article uses ethnographic research to explore the dynamics of belief, morality, and life change within the mythopoetic men's movement. Examining the creation of local meaning within this context shows that its members have developed a significant criticism of the material values and work ethic connected to what has been called the American Dream. They are generally upper and upper middle-class white men who have come out ahead in the economic competition and yet have found it emotionally damaging and unfulfilling for themselves and their wives, children, and others in their lives. As a result, they take significant steps to change their lives, deprioritizing work and economic success in favor of emotional values and spiritual well-being. The analysis synthesizes ethnography with cultural sociology to explore this curious critique of modern culture and the corresponding efforts at microlevel social change.
Parent Caregiving Choices of Middle-Generation Blacks and Whites in the United States
Authors: White-Means Shelley I. , Rubin Rose M.
Published: May 2008

Objective: This study compares how middle-generation caregivers and non-caregivers differ by race and explores racial differences in activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and financial assistance that middle-generation caregivers provide for their parents. Method: Using 2000 Health and Retirement Study data, racially stratified descriptive analyses and logistic regression models for ADL, IADL, and financial assistance are presented. Results: Parental need and race influence support, with similar patterns of Black and White ADL support, but racial differences in IADL and financial support. Having more children motivates Whites to increase IADL support and reduce financial support; more children decreases Blacks' IADL support. Sibling caregiver networks influence IADL and financial support in ways that vary by race. The number employed is a key determinant for Blacks for all support, but only influences White ADL support. Discussion : The findings of this article indicate the importance of sample stratification by race and that employment or other subsidies may aid the expansion of caregiving by middle-generation adults.
A Study of Job Burnout among University Teachers
Authors: Azeem Syed Mohammad , Nazir Nazir A.
Published: May 2008

This study investigated the levels of job burnout among 300 university teachers including Lecturers, Readers and Professors. Using Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educator's Survey, the results indicated that lecturers have high level of emotional exhaustion and are found to be significantly different on emotional exhaustion from professors and readers. Readers show less emotional exhaustion as compared to lecturers but high emotional exhaustion as compared to professors. Readers are not found to be significantly different from professors. The three groups are not found to be significantly different on depersonalisation and personal accomplishment.