bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Performance of Convivencia: Communities of Tolerance and the Reification of Toleration
Authors: Boum Aomar 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis article argues that Medieval Islamic Spain (with its mythical era of Convivencia) has been selectively used as a “moral past” to highlight the possibilities of Jewish‐Muslim interfaith dialogue and religious toleration in our times. Using Morocco as a case study, I claim that interfaith dialogue in the Arab World has largely taken place at elite levels rather than among common people or in schools. Accordingly, the conceptual image of al‐Andalus remains solely a connective memory that establishes what I call the performance of Convivencia. The Arab political elite has not yet been able to connect the celebrated myth of toleration with the present realities of racism, prejudice and stereotyping to give younger adults a new frame of understanding difference and otherness.
Gender and duration of untreated psychosis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Cascio Maria Teresa , Cella Matteo , Preti Antonio , Meneghelli Anna , Cocchi Angelo 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAim: Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) can influence the prognosis of schizophrenia. Previous studies have suggested that gender may influence the length of DUP. This study reports the result of the first systematic literature review and meta‐analysis on the role of gender in influencing DUP in first‐episode psychosis.Method: Systematic literature search in PubMed/Medline and Ovid/PsychINFO. Twenty‐seven studies presenting data on 4721 patients diagnosed with psychosis at their first episode (2834 males and 1887 females) were included in the analysis.Results: Samples had a higher proportion of males: odds ratio = 2.5 (95% confidence interval: 1.8–3.3). Mean age at first contact was 25.4 for males and 27.5 for females. Patients from non‐Western countries were older at first contact than patients from Western countries. Average DUP in schizophrenia was 64 weeks and did not differ between genders but was shorter in Western compared with non‐Western countries.Conclusion: Earlier age at first contact and larger incidence in males support the existence of specific gender differences in first‐episode psychosis; however, these are not associated with DUP length.
A bacterial reporter panel for the detection and classification of antibiotic substances
Authors: Melamed Sahar , Lalush Chaim , Elad Tal , Yagur‐Kroll Sharon , Belkin Shimshon , Pedahzur Rami 
Published: March 2012

SummaryThe ever‐growing use of pharmaceutical compounds, including antibacterial substances, poses a substantial pollution load on the environment. Such compounds can compromise water quality, contaminate soils, livestock and crops, enhance resistance of microorganisms to antibiotic substances, and hamper human health. We report the construction of a novel panel of genetically engineered Escherichia coli reporter strains for the detection and classification of antibiotic substances. Each of these strains harbours a plasmid that carries a fusion of a selected gene promoter to bioluminescence (luxCDABE) reporter genes and an alternative tryptophan auxotrophy‐based non‐antibiotic selection system. The bioreporter panel was tested for sensitivity and responsiveness to diverse antibiotic substances by monitoring bioluminescence as a function of time and of antibiotic concentrations. All of the tested antibiotics were detected by the panel, which displayed different response patterns for each substance. These unique responses were analysed by several algorithms that enabled clustering the compounds according to their functional properties, and allowed the classification of unknown antibiotic substances with a high degree of accuracy and confidence.
Extending and Expanding Parenthood: Parental Support to Young Adult Children
Authors: Sage Rayna Amber , Johnson Monica Kirkpatrick 
Published: March 2012

AbstractToday’s transition to adulthood in the United States is complex and drawn out. Current economic and social conditions favor young workers who have completed post‐secondary education, resulting in many young adults delaying exiting the family home, marriage, and parenthood. The role of parental support (both affective and instrumental) in navigating this period of development is becoming increasingly important and plays a substantial role in reproducing inequality across generations. Informed by the life course perspective, this review provides readers with a basic understanding of what types of support parents provide, when it is expected and received, and finally, how it is related to attainment and the quality of the parent–child relationship throughout young adulthood. We conclude with a discussion of how class differences in intergenerational support intersect with institutional factors to enhance the reproduction of inequality and how the new demands for parental support throughout young adulthood is more than many families can provide.
Social Movements, Protest and Mainstream Media
Authors: McCurdy Patrick 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis article provides a broad, cross‐disciplinary overview of scholarship which has explored the dynamics between social movements, protests and their coverage by mainstream media across sociology, social movement studies, political science and media and communications. Two general approaches are identified ‘representational’ and ‘relational’ research. ‘Representational’ scholarship is that which has concerned itself with how social movements are portrayed or ‘framed’ in the media, how the media production process facilitates this, and the consequences thereof. ‘Relational’ scholarship concentrates on the asymmetrical ‘relationship’ between social movements, the contestation of media representation and the media strategies of social movements. Within these two broad approaches different perspectives and areas of emphasis are highlighted along with their strengths and weaknesses. The conclusion reflects on current developments in this area of study and offers avenues for future research.
Can a Knowledge Sanctuary also be an Economic Engine? The Marketization of Higher Education as Institutional Boundary Work
Authors: Nickolai Daniel H. , Hoffman Steve G. , Trautner Mary Nell 
Published: March 2012

AbstractUniversities, particularly research‐intensive ones, have responded to a variety of external and internal influences by retooling their missions, culture, and organizational structures to generate revenue from market opportunities. This has resulted in the marketization of higher education: organizational practices that blur the boundary between knowledge‐driven and profit‐driven institutions. This blurring has spurred debates and uncertainties over the scope and boundaries of the 21st century university. We argue that these debates spring from institutional boundary work at the intersection of the three main missions of the contemporary academy: knowledge production, student learning, and satisfying the social charter. These missions can sometimes create areas of synergy, but also tensions that are particularly acute where market logics and business‐oriented practices contradict academic values. Within knowledge production, a key dilemma is the extent to which knowledge advancement should aim for transcendence versus revenue generation. Within student learning, the dilemma involves incommensurability between the ideals of democratic citizenship and demonstrable return on investment. Within the social charter mission, the dilemma is over whether the university can serve the public welfare while also facilitating the growth of local and national economies.
Work and Family in the 21st Century: Four Research Domains
Authors: Wharton Amy S. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractDuring the last half of the 20th century, married women with children moved into the labor force in large numbers. This change, which occurred throughout the industrialized world, dramatically altered work, family, and gender roles. Working parents today juggle demanding jobs and busy family lives and find it increasingly difficult to balance these activities. Work‐family conflict has become a pressing social issue. This article examines four areas of social science research on work and family, including: work‐family conflict, spillover, and multiple roles; work‐family policies in organizations; effects of work on family life; and cross–national research on work and family. Although much is known about all of these topics, more research is needed to address the work‐family challenges of the 21st century.
The Social Life of the Senses: Charting Directions
Authors: Low Kelvin E.Y. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractSensory scholarship in the fields of sociology, anthropology, history and geography, among others, has proliferated in the last few decades. Sensory works in these disciplines argue for the senses as social, highlighting important insights that further our comprehension of selfhood, culture, and social relations. In this paper, I delineate five interrelated sections that inform how sensory works have developed over time. In the first section, I provide an adumbrated background with regard to the hierarchy of the senses, and call attention to the need to move beyond the hegemony of vision. The second section offers a discussion on how Sociology has contributed to sensory studies, addressed alongside other disciplines. Building upon these two sections, both theoretical directions and methodological issues will be deliberated in the third and fourth sections respectively. The last section locates the development of sensory research in organizational terms, by elucidating upon the various institutional efforts that have been pursued towards organizing sensory research and scholarly publications through different avenues. The article then concludes by putting forward the concept of sensory transnationalism as a suggestion for the next step forward towards broadening sensory research.
Efficacy of reduction therapy of natural human β‐interferon and ribavirin in elderly patients with chronic hepatitis C, genotype 2 and high virus load
Authors: Arase Yasuji , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Suzuki Fumitaka , Akuta Norio , Sezaki Hitomi , Kawamura Yusuke , Kobayashi Masahiro , Imai Norihiro , Seko Yuya , Hosaka Tetsuya , Matsumoto Naoki , Saito Satoshi , Ikeda Kenji , Kobayashi Mariko , Kumada Hiromitsu 
Published: March 2012

Aim:  To evaluate the efficacy of natural human interferon (IFN)‐β and ribavirin in elderly patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 and high virus load.Methods:  Inclusion criteria were age of 65 years or older, HCV genotype 2 and serum HCV RNA level of 5.0 logIU/mL or more. A total of 33 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. IFN‐β was administrated i.v. at a dose of 6 million units daily for 4 weeks initially, followed by three times a week for 20 weeks. Ribavirin was given daily for 24 weeks at the dose described based on bodyweight. Fifteen patients were given a standard dose of ribavirin (standard group). Eighteen patients were given a reduction dose of ribavirin that decreased by one tablet per day compared to the standard group (reduction group).Results:  Of the 33 study patients, no patient stopped the treatment due to treatment‐related adverse events. The dose of IFN‐β was reduced in three patients: Two patients belonged to the standard group and one patient belonged to the reduction group. The dose of ribavirin was reduced in 11 patients during combination therapy: nine patients belonged to the standard group and two patients belonged to the reduction group. The sustained virological response (SVR) was 72.2% (13/18) in the reduction group and 80.0% (12/15) in the standard group. There was no significant difference in SVR rate between the reduction and standard groups (P = 0.699).Conclusion:  The reduction therapy of IFN‐β and ribavirin in elderly chronic hepatitis C patients with genotype 2 and high virus load is one selection of treatment.
Efficacy of the regimen using twice‐daily β‐interferon followed by the standard of care for chronic hepatitis C genotype 1b with high viral load
Authors: Ishikawa Toru , Kubota Tomoyuki , Abe Hiroyuki , Nagashima Aiko , Hirose Kanae , Togashi Tadayuki , Seki Keiichi , Honma Terasu , Yoshida Toshiaki , Kamimura Tomoteru 
Published: March 2012

Aim:  In patients with refractory genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C with high viral loads, we retrospectively compared the efficacy of standard of care treatment (SOC: combined PEG‐IFN‐α‐2b/ribavirin for 48 weeks) and a regimen in which 2 weeks of SOC induction was replaced by twice‐daily β‐interferon alone (IFN‐β induction therapy).Methods:  Seventeen patients received the IFN‐β induction therapy plus SOC (IFN‐β induction group) and 13 patients received SOC alone (SOC group).Results:  In the IFN‐β induction group and SOC group, early virological response (EVR) rates were 88.2% and 53.8%, respectively. The end of treatment rates were 100.0% and 92.3%, and sustained virological response (SVR) rates were 70.6% and 53.8%, respectively. By induction with IFN‐β, even in refractory cases, the high virus negative conversion rate in the early treatment phase and actions of pegylated IFN‐α‐2b and ribavirin in the maintenance treatment phase led to an additive effect. In the analysis of contributing factors, only the achievement of EVR was associated with a significant difference in SVR (P = 0.0011). The univariate logistic regression analysis showed that only IFN‐β treatment was associated with a significant difference in EVR (P = 0.0492, odds ratio = 6.248, 95% confidence interval = 1.026–40.252), whereas no significant factors were found in the multivariate analysis due to small samples.Conclusion:  IFN‐β induction therapy with higher EVR might be beneficial for protease inhibitor‐refractory chronic hepatitis C patients.
Screening of healthcare workers for tuberculosis: development and validation of a new health economic model to inform practice
Authors: Eralp Merve Nazli , Scholtes Stefan , Martell Geraldine , Winter Robert , Exley Andrew Robert 
Published: March 2012

BackgroundMethods for determining cost-effectiveness of different treatments are well established, unlike appraisal of non-drug interventions, including novel diagnostics and biomarkers.ObjectiveThe authors develop and validate a new health economic model by comparing cost-effectiveness of tuberculin skin test (TST); blood test, interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) and TST followed by IGRA in conditional sequence, in screening healthcare workers for latent or active tuberculosis (TB).DesignThe authors focus on healthy life years gained as the benefit metric, rather than quality-adjusted life years given limited data to estimate quality adjustments of life years with TB and complications of treatment, like hepatitis. Healthy life years gained refer to the number of TB or hepatitis cases avoided and the increase in life expectancy. The authors incorporate disease and test parameters informed by systematic meta-analyses and clinical practice. Health and economic outcomes of each strategy are modelled as a decision tree in Markov chains, representing different health states informed by epidemiology. Cost and effectiveness values are generated as the individual is cycled through 20 years of the model. Key parameters undergo one-way and Monte Carlo probabilistic sensitivity analyses.SettingScreening healthcare workers in secondary and tertiary care.ResultsIGRA is the most effective strategy, with incremental costs per healthy life year gained of £10 614–£20 929, base case, £8021–£18 348, market costs TST £45, IGRA £90, IGRA specificities of 99%–97%; mean (5%, 95%), £12 060 (£4137–£38 418) by Monte Carlo analysis.ConclusionsIncremental costs per healthy life year gained, a conservative estimate of benefit, are comparable to the £20 000–£30 000 NICE band for IGRA alone, across wide differences in disease and test parameters. Health gains justify IGRA costs, even if IGRA tests cost three times TST. This health economic model offers a powerful tool for appraising non-drug interventions in the market and under development.
Psychosocial consequences of allocation to lung cancer screening: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Aggestrup Louise Mosborg , Hestbech Mie Sara , Siersma Volkert , Pedersen Jesper Holst , Brodersen John 
Published: March 2012

ObjectiveTo examine the psychosocial consequences of being allocated to the control group as compared with the screen group in a randomised lung cancer screening trial.MethodThe Danish Lung Cancer Screening Trial, a randomised controlled trial, ran from 2004 to 2010 with the purpose of investigating the benefits and harms of lung cancer screening. The participants in Danish Lung Cancer Screening Trial were randomised to either the control group or the screen group and were asked to complete the questionnaires Consequences Of Screening and Consequences Of Screening in Lung Cancer (COS-LC). The Consequences Of Screening and the COS-LC were used to examine the psychosocial consequences of participating in the study, by comparing the control and the screen groups' responses at the prevalence and at the incidence round.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in socio-demographic characteristics or smoking habits between the two groups. Responses to the COS-LC collected before the incidence round were statistically significantly different on the scales ‘anxiety’, ‘behaviour’, ‘dejection’, ‘self-blame’, ‘focus on airway symptoms’ and ‘introvert’, with the control group reporting higher negative psychosocial consequences. Furthermore, the participants in both the control and the screen groups exhibited a mean increase in negative psychosocial consequences when their responses from the prevalence round were compared with their responses from the first incidence round.ConclusionsParticipation in a randomised controlled trial on lung cancer screening has negative psychosocial consequences for the apparently healthy participants—both the participants in the screen group and the control group. This negative impact was greatest for the control group.
Physicians who experience sickness certification as a work environmental problem: where do they work and what specific problems do they have? A nationwide survey in Sweden
Authors: Ljungquist Therese , Arrelöv Britt , Lindholm Christina , Wilteus Anna Löfgren , Nilsson Gunnar H , Alexanderson Kristina 
Published: March 2012

ObjectivesIn a recent study, 11% of the Swedish physicians below 65 years dealing with sickness certification tasks (SCT) experienced SCT to a great extent as a work environment problem (WEP). This study aimed at exploring which SCT problems those physicians experienced and if these problems varied between general practitioners (GPs), psychiatrists, orthopaedists and physicians working at other types of clinics.DesignA cross-sectional nationwide questionnaire study.SettingAll physicians working in Sweden in 2008.ParticipantsThe 1554 physicians <65 years old, working in a clinical setting, having SCT and stating SCT to a great extent being a WEP.Outcome measuresFrequency of possibly problematic situations or lack of time, reasons for sickness certifying unnecessarily long, experience of difficulties in contacts with sickness insurance offices, and severity of experienced problems.ResultsIn all, 79% of this group of physicians experienced SCT as problematic at least once weekly, significantly higher proportion among GPs (p<0.001) and psychiatrists (p=0.005). A majority (at most 68.3%) experienced lack of time daily, when handling SCT, the proportion being significantly higher among orthopaedists (p=0.003, 0.007 and 0.011 on three respective items about lack of time). Among psychiatrists, a significantly higher proportion (p<0.001) stated wanting a patient coordinator. Also, GPs agreed to a higher extent (p<0.001) to finding 14 different SCT tasks as ‘very problematic’.ConclusionsThe main problem among physicians who experience SCT to a great extent as a WEP was lack of time related to SCT. The proportion of physicians experiencing problems varied in many aspects significantly between the different work clinics; however, GPs were among the highest in most types of problems. The results indicate that measures for improving physicians' sickness certification practices should be focused on organisational as well as professional level and that the needs in these aspects differ between specialties.
Evidence base for an intervention to maximise uptake of glaucoma testing: a theory-based cross-sectional survey
Authors: Prior Maria , Burr Jennifer M , Ramsay Craig R , Jenkinson David , Campbell Susan , Francis Jillian J ,   for the Glaucoma screening Platform Study group
Published: March 2012

ObjectiveTo identify factors associated with intention to attend a hypothetical eye health test and provide an evidence base for developing an intervention to maximise attendance, for use in studies evaluating glaucoma screening programmes.DesignTheory-based cross-sectional survey, based on an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Common Sense Self-Regulation Model, conducted in June 2010.ParticipantsGeneral population including oversampling from low socioeconomic areas.SettingAberdeenshire and the London Boroughs of Lewisham and Southwark, UK.ResultsFrom 867 questionnaires posted, 327 completed questionnaires were returned (38%). In hierarchical regression analysis, the three theoretical predictors in the TPB (Attitude, Subjective norm and Perceived Behavioural Control) accounted for two-thirds of the variance in intention scores (adjusted R2=0.65). All three predictors contributed significantly to prediction. Adding ‘Anticipated regret’ as a factor in the TPB model resulted in a significant increase in prediction (adjusted R2=0.74). In the Common Sense Self-Regulation Model, only illness representations about the personal consequences of glaucoma (How much do you think glaucoma would affect your life?) and illness concern (How concerned are you about getting glaucoma?) significantly predicted. The final model explained 75% of the variance in intention scores, with ethnicity significantly contributing to prediction.ConclusionsIn this population-based sample (including over-representation of lower socioeconomic groupings), the main predictors of intention to attend a hypothetical eye health test were Attitude, Perceived control over attendance, Anticipated regret if did not attend and black ethnicity. This evidence informs the design of a behavioural intervention with intervention components targeting low intentions and predicted to influence health-related behaviours.