bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Problematizing contemporary Men/Masculinities theorizing: the contribution of Raewyn Connell and conceptual‐terminological tensions today
Authors: Beasley Chris 
Published: December 2012

AbstractCritical studies of men and masculinities (CSMM) have burgeoned in recent times. For this reason, it seems to me a useful moment to reflect on what I see as some tensions, even contradictions, in these studies. In keeping with Chantal Mouffe's espousal of the advantages of agonism rather than consensus, I suggest that heterogeneous theoretical directions in scholarship attending to men/masculinities are by no means to be discouraged. However, the various theoretical tools employed in this scholarship may be incommensurable and thus produce a certain inconsistency or even incoherence. In this context, I suggest that in order to more clearly articulate current theoretical/terminological debates it is important to undertake analysis of key conceptual distinctions and widely used terms, such as notions of structure and patriarchy, gender identities/masculinities/men, hegemony and hegemonic masculinity, and relations between gender and sexuality, amongst others. The aim here is not to produce or require homogeneity in studies of men/masculinities but rather to provide an opportunity to consider the epistemological frameworks which inform the political intentions and goals of this sphere of scholarship.
The Amphetamine Response Moderates the Relationship Between Negative Emotionality and Alcohol Use
Authors: Allen Kenneth J. D. , Gabbay Frances H. 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundConsiderable evidence suggests that sensitivity to the stimulant effects of alcohol and other drugs is a risk marker for heavy or problematic use of those substances. A separate body of research implicates negative emotionality. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the independent and interactive effects of the stimulant response, assessed with an amphetamine challenge, and negative emotionality on alcohol and drug use.MethodsHealthy young women and men completed the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) and an inventory assessing alcohol and other drug use. Subsequently, the effects of 10‐mg d‐amphetamine were determined in the laboratory using the Stimulant scale of the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale. Hierarchical regression analyses evaluated the effects of amphetamine response and the MPQ factor Negative Emotionality on measures of substance use.ResultsThe amphetamine response moderated relationships between negative emotionality and alcohol use: in combination with a robust amphetamine response (i.e., enhanced stimulant effects as compared with baseline), negative emotionality predicted greater alcohol consumption, more episodes of binge drinking, and more frequent intoxication in regression models. A strong stimulant response independently predicted having used an illicit drug, and there was a trend for it to predict having used alcohol. Negative emotionality alone was not associated with any measure of alcohol or drug use.ConclusionsConsistent with the idea that emotion‐based behavioral dysregulation promotes reward seeking, a high level of negative emotionality was associated with maladaptive alcohol use when it co‐occurred with sensitivity to drug‐based reward. The findings contribute to our understanding of how differences in personality may interact with those in drug response to affect alcohol use.
Oral contraceptives and the periodontium
Authors: Preshaw Philip M. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractOral contraceptives are a safe and effective means of contraception for millions of women worldwide. The first formulations of these drugs contained much higher doses of estrogens and progestins than those available today, and these were associated with an unacceptably high rate of unwanted effects including serious cardiovascular events. In addition, a number of case reports and clinical studies suggested that use of the first generation oral contraceptives was also associated with an increased risk for gingival and/or periodontal disease. Unfortunately, many of these early studies suffered from significant methodological flaws which throw their findings into question. Nonetheless, these studies provided the basis for a perception among the dental profession that oral contraceptives increase the risk for gingivitis and/or periodontitis. Realisation that the adverse events profile of oral contraceptives was dose dependant led to the development of the modern low dose formulations that are in use today. There have been far fewer studies to investigate whether modern oral contraceptives have any impact on the periodontium compared to studies of the early contraceptive formulations, but the quality of the more recent research is undoubtedly better. Following extensive review of the relevant literature and consideration of the historical perspective, the best available evidence strongly supports that oral contraceptives no longer place users at any increased risk for gingivitis or periodontitis. Oral contraceptives should not be viewed as a risk factor for gingival or periodontal disease.
Physiology, pathology and pharmacology of the male reproductive system
Authors: Mawhinney Michael , Mariotti Angelo 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe male reproductive system consists of the testes, a ductal system and sex accessory organs. Production of sperm by the testes combined with fluids formed by the sex accessory organs (e.g. seminal vesicles, prostate and bulbourethral glands) produce a secretion that supports the survival of spermatozoa and provides a medium through which they can move through the reproductive ducts (e.g. epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory duct and urethra) for ejaculation of viable sperm into the female reproductive tract. Summarized herein are the essentials of normal male reproductive physiology, disorders of male sexual differentiation, pharmacological therapy of common diseases of the male genitourinary tract and the impact of drugs of abuse on the male reproductive system.
WHAT PRICE‐LEVEL DATA CAN TELL US ABOUT PRICING CONDUCT IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: CREAMER KENNETH , FARRELL GREG , RANKIN NEIL 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThis article reports the findings of a study of two unique microdata sets, which are the unit level basis of South Africa's measured Consumer Price Index and Producer Price Index, over the period December 2001‐December 2007. In particular, based on techniques that have been used in comparable international studies, findings are reported on the frequency and magnitude of price changes, the duration of prices, and heterogeneity in pricing. The results for South Africa are compared with the stylised facts for pricing conduct, which have been presented in recent international studies. The article offers an illustration of how microdata‐based findings on pricing conduct may impact on the modelling of monetary policy by introducing micro‐founded results into an open economy dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model for the South African economy. The article concludes by identifying areas for further research, where it has not as yet been determined how South African pricing conduct compares with certain stylised pricing facts identified in the international literature.
Prevalence of high DNA fragmentation index in male partners of unexplained infertile couples
Authors: Oleszczuk K. , Augustinsson L. , Bayat N. , Giwercman A. , Bungum M. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryThe sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) parameter DNA fragmentation Index (DFI) is a valuable tool for prediction of fertility in vivo. Clinical data show that a DFI above 30% is associated with very low chance for achieving pregnancy by natural conception or by insemination. Already when DFI is above 20% the chance of natural pregnancy is reduced, this despite normal conventional semen parameters. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of high DFI in male partners of unexplained infertile couples to further identification of male factors contributing to subfertility. Among 212 consecutive men under infertility investigation, 122 cases with the diagnosis ‘unexplained infertility’ were identified. For all but three, SCSA data were available. The percentage of couples with diagnosis ‘unexplained infertility’ in which the male partner has DFI >20% or DFI >30% was calculated. In the group diagnosed with ‘unexplained infertility’ 17.7% of the men (95% CI 10.8–24.5) presented with 20 ≤DFI <30 and 8.4% (95% CI 3.40–13.4) had DFI ≥30%. A significant part of men diagnosed as unexplained infertile according to traditional diagnostic methods has remarkably high degrees of fragmented sperm DNA. Apart from adding to our understanding of biology of infertility our finding has clinical implications. Couples in which the DFI of the male partner is high can avoid prolonged attempts to become spontaneously pregnant or referral for intrauterine insemination, both having low chances of leading to conception.
Legislative Transposition of Directives: Exploring the Other Role of National Parliaments in the European Union
Authors: Sprungk Carina 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThis article explores the role of national parliaments in the implementation of EU policies. It analyzes the effect of parliamentary involvement ex post on the timely transposition of EU directives by combining quantitative analyses of all Council directives adopted between 1999 and 2003 in the EU‐15 Member States, with qualitative case studies of parliamentary transposition in Germany and France. The findings show that contrary to conventional assumptions, their involvement is not necessarily a source of delayed transposition. Problems of delay might, however, arise in bicameral systems or if the government is for political reasons reluctant to submit a transposition proposal to parliament.
How European is European Identification? Comparing Continental Identification in Europe and Beyond
Authors: Roose Jochen 
Published: December 2012

AbstractEuropean identification has previously been explained by the selective gains brought by the European integration process, by personal transnational experiences and by the influence of political programmes aiming at increasing levels of identification. All these explanations imply that identification with one's continent would be specific in extent and distribution across the social structure in Europe compared to other continents. These assumptions are tested using International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) and a longitudinal analysis using Eurobarometer. Results show that, first, the extent of continental identification in Europe is not higher than in other continents. Second, they reveal that there has been no increase in European identification in recent decades. And third, the socio‐structural distribution of continental identification is similar on all continents. Accordingly, explaining European identification with respect to policy output of the European Union is questioned by the findings. The results rather hint at the possibility that European identification is independent of political integration.
The European Union as a Template for Regional Integration? The Case of ASEAN and Its Committee of Permanent Representatives
Authors: Murray Philomena , Moxon‐Browne Edward 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThis article compares the decision‐making structures of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with those of the European Union (EU). It asks whether the EU is an appropriate template for ASEAN or whether, given the apparently unique circumstances of European integration and Southeast Asian regionalism, analogies between the two are counterproductive. Attempts, for example, to model ASEAN's Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) on the EU's Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) throw into relief the latter's uniquely consensual modus operandi. Can this consensus be replicated by ASEAN simply by institutional mimesis? First, the EU's evolution is briefly outlined; second, ASEAN's institutional architecture is set in the context of the ASEAN Charter's innovations that most invite comparison with the EU; and third, the two organizations are compared by assessing a ‘zone of discretion’ between setting ambitious, but realistic, goals for ASEAN's greater integration and adopting structures that might be inappropriate to ASEAN.
Integration by Interpellation: The European Capitals of Culture and the Role of Experts in European Union Cultural Policies
Authors: Patel Kiran Klaus 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIn analyzing the European Capitals of Culture programme, this article argues that transnational experts have had a large impact on this flagship of European Union (EU) cultural policy by forming a close‐knit advocacy coalition with official EU actors. Most recent developments, however, have added a new dimension. The Commission has now developed a subtle technique of governmentality focusing the programme more on its ‘European dimension’. The article discusses this evolution and the role of transnational actors, the limits to integration intrinsic to culture as a policy domain, and the attempts of both official actors and experts to work around such constraints.
Annual Research Review: Resilience and child well‐being – public policy implications
Authors: Ager Alastair 
Published: December 2012

Background: There has been an 8‐fold increase in use of the term resilience within scientific and scholar literature over the last twenty years. The arena of public policy has also seen increasing use made of the concept, both with respect to child well‐being and development and wider issues.Method: A focal sample of literature comprising 108 papers addressing public policy implications of work on child resilience was identified by a structured bibliographic search.Results: This literature suggests that current work: is characterized by a breadth of sectoral engagement across the fields of education, social work, and health; demonstrates diversity with regard to the systemic levels – individual (biological and psychological), communal (including systems of faith and cultural identity), institutional and societal – with which it engages; but is based more upon conceptual rather than empirical analysis. Major themes of policy recommendation target strengthened family dynamics, increased capacity for counseling and mental health services, supportive school environments, development of community programs, promotion of socioeconomic improvement and adoption of a more comprehensive conception of resilience. Evaluations of resiliency‐informed policy initiatives are limited in number, with greatest rigor in design associated with more discrete programmatic interventions.Conclusion: A number of strategies to strengthen research‐policy linkages are identified. These include greater commitment to operationalize indicators of resilience at all levels of analysis; more coherent engagement with the policy making process through explicit knowledge translation initiatives; and developing complex adaptive systems models amenable to exploring policy scenarios.
A novel differential susceptibility gene: CHRNA4 and moderation of the effect of maltreatment on child personality
Authors: Grazioplene Rachael G. , DeYoung Colin G. , Rogosch Fred A. , Cicchetti Dante 
Published: December 2012

Background:  The differential susceptibility hypothesis states that some genetic variants that confer risk in adverse environments are beneficial in normal or nurturing environments. The cholinergic system is promising as a source of susceptibility genes because of its involvement in learning and neural plasticity. The cholinergic receptor gene CHRNA4 has been linked to characteristics related to the personality traits Neuroticism and Openness/Intellect.Methods:  The effects of interaction between CHRNA4 genotype and maltreatment status on child personality were examined in a well matched sample of 339 maltreated and 275 non‐maltreated children (aged 8–13 years).Results:  Variation in CHRNA4 interacted with childhood maltreatment to predict personality in a manner indicating differential susceptibility. The interaction of CHRNA4 and maltreatment status predicted Neuroticism and Openness/Intellect. Maltreated children with the rs1044396 T/T genotype scored highest on Neuroticism and showed no effect of genotype on Openness/Intellect. Non‐maltreated children with this genotype scored lowest on Neuroticism and highest on Openness/Intellect.Conclusion:  Variation in CHRNA4 appears to contribute to personality by affecting degree of developmental sensitivity to both normal and adverse environments.
Which factors influence quality of life in acne patients?
Authors: Zauli S. , Caracciolo S. , Borghi A. , Ricci M. , Giari S. , Virgili A. , Bettoli V. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackground  The factors that impact quality of life in acne patient are not fully understood.Objective  The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between quality of life with (i) acne severity; (ii) the duration of this cutaneous disease; and (iii) the gender.Methods  Leeds scale to quantify acne severity, and Assessment of the Psychological and Social Effects of Acne (APSEA) score to evaluate quality of life were used.An unselected consecutive group of 50 males and 50 females affected by facial acne filled in the APSEA questionnaire during the first visit and after 3 months of treatment.Results  (i) At the beginning of the treatment, APSEA score correlated with acne severity, but at the end of it, the reduction of APSEA score was less marked than the reduction of acne severity. (ii) Acne duration does not significantly influence APSEA score. (iii) Before treatment, acne severity was comparable between females and males, whereas APSEA score was significantly higher in females than in males.Conclusion  The quality life of acne patients could be influenced by social and emotional factors.The discrepancy of the results reported in literature regarding the correlation of the quality of life with acne severity and duration probably depends on the sensitivity and specificity of the questionnaire used to assess the quality of life. Among the different available scores to measure quality of life in acne patients, in the authors’ experience, APSEA score is a valuable one.
Cheese True Density Prediction by Linear Equations
Authors: Iezzi Romina , Locci Francesco , Mucchetti Germano 
Published: December 2012

AbstractKnowledge of cheese density is necessary to accurately predict heat exchange rate occurring during cheese curd cooling or cheese processing, freezing and thawing. Cheese density data are poor in literature. True density of 22 different cheeses was measured by the water displacement method. Linear equations able to predict cheese density from its components mass fraction have been elaborated and validated. The best fit between measured and predicted values was obtained when all the major cheese components were considered in the equation. Also, equations based only on nonfat total solids or moisture and fat content gave a good prevision, resulting in an alternative to the universal formula based on components volume fraction that overestimates cheese true density, if air content is not taken into account. The proposed equations may become a powerful instrument to correctly predict true density and to improve accuracy of heat exchange prediction models.Practical ApplicationsEquations were developed to quickly calculate soft, semihard and hard cheese true density on the basis of nonfat total solids or moisture and fat cheese content. Cheese density data are poor in literature and often data do not differentiate true from apparent density. Proposed equations are beneficial to researchers in food heat exchange modeling and to industry (e.g., processed cheeses, cheese cooling, freezing and thawing), because their use makes possible to estimate true density using data normally given by routine and not expensive analyses (moisture and fat cheese content), saves time and/or money compared with direct density measurement or application of the universal formula based on the determination of all the main food components.
Hydraulic characteristics of typical bank‐protection works along the Brahmaputra/Jamuna River, Bangladesh
Authors: Nakagawa H. , Zhang H. , Baba Y. , Kawaike K. , Teraguchi H. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractSevere bank erosion is one of the most challenging problems in the management of large rivers in Bangladesh. This paper describes the detailed flow patterns around typical bank‐protection works on the Brahmaputra/Jamuna River as well as their morphological implications. Based on field surveys at several locations along this large alluvial river that are highly susceptible to erosion, attempts are made to clarify the flow fields and mechanisms of bank erosion. The performance of existing measures such as revetments and spur dykes are evaluated, and possible solutions for further enhancements are proposed. It is found that existing conventional works are generally huge in both size and cost, potentially exerting great disturbances on the river's dynamism and ecosystem. That said, the Bandal – a historied and indigenous structure – is cost‐effective and environmentally friendly. This study suggests the recurrent use of Bandal‐like structures for channel stabilisation and flood management of the braided Brahmaputra/Jamuna River.
Amelioration of cognitive deficits in plaque‐bearing Alzheimer's disease model mice through selective reduction of nascent soluble A42 without affecting other A pools
Authors: Mitani Yasuyuki , Yarimizu Junko , Akashiba Hiroki , Shitaka Yoshitsugu , Ni Keni , Matsuoka Nobuya 
Published: December 2012

AbstractGiven that amyloid‐β 42 (Aβ42) is believed to be a culprit in Alzheimer's disease (AD), reducing Aβ42 production should be a potential therapeutic approach. γ‐Secretase modulators (GSMs) cause selective reduction of Aβ42 or both reduction of Aβ42 and Aβ40 without affecting total Aβ through shifting the γ‐cleavage position in amyloid precursor protein. We recently reported on GSM‐2, one of the second‐generation GSMs, that selectively reduced brain Aβ42 level and significantly ameliorated cognitive deficits in plaque‐free 5.5‐month‐old Tg2576 AD model mice. Here, we investigated the effects of GSM‐2 on 10‐, 14‐, and 18‐month‐old mice which had age‐dependent increase in amyloid plaques. Eight‐day treatment with GSM‐2 significantly ameliorated cognitive deficits measured by Y‐maze task in the mice of any age. However, GSM‐2 reduced brain soluble Aβ42 only in 10‐month‐old mice. In contrast, GSM‐2 markedly reduced newly synthesized soluble Aβ42 in both 10‐ and 18‐month‐old mice with similar efficacy when measured using the stable isotope‐labeling technique, suggesting that nascent Aβ42 plays a more significant role than plaque‐associated soluble Aβ42 in the cognitive deterioration of Tg2576 mice. These findings further indicate the potential utility of approach to reducing Aβ42 synthesis in AD therapeutic regimens.