bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
You Must Be Joking: The Sociological Critique of Humour and Comic Media
Authors: Lockyer Sharon , Pickering Michael 
Published: April 2008

AbstractRecent work in the sociological critique of humour and comic media has challenged the notion that humour is an absolute good. In this article, we review some of the most interesting work that takes humour seriously and addresses the difficult topic of whether there are ethical limits to humour and media comedy. We outline three main reasons for taking humour seriously and review some of the ways in which humour has been studied sociologically through a consideration of how British ‘alternative’ comedy directed the work of those interested in the limits of humour in relation to gender, race and ethnicity. We also summarise some of the most controversial examples of contemporary media comedy – the comedic performances and personae of Sacha Baron Cohen (Ali G and Borat) and the Danish cartoons of the Holy Prophet Muhammad – in order to illustrate the importance of the critical analysis of humour and how the ethics of humour can be applied to comic media.
The Sociology of Religious Organizations
Authors: Scheitle Christopher P. , Dougherty Kevin D. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWhether willingly or not, the sociology of religion has become increasingly influenced by organizational theories and research. Despite objections, the sociology of religious organizations is an area of study rising in prominence. Growth comes from both explicit and implicit applications of organizational theories. In a push toward more explicit connections, we review three organizational theories with particular relevance to the study of religion: organizational ecology, resource dependence, and new institutionalism. For each, we suggest possible paths for future research. Methodological challenges complicate this research. Religious organizations vary widely in size and scope. The advent of new nationally representative surveys of religious congregations opens new analytic opportunities, although these data remain limited in significant ways. In closing, theoretical and methodological implications for the sociology of religious organizations are discussed.
Childrearing, Class and the New Politics of Parenting
Authors: Gillies Val 
Published: April 2008

AbstractRecent years have seen Governments prioritise family as a mechanism for tackling social ills. More particularly, in the UK, bad parenting has been identified as a prominent causal factor in poverty and social disorder, with contemporary policy solutions focusing on regulating and controlling childrearing practices. Analysis of political rhetoric and policy initiatives reveals a class specific focus on disadvantaged or ‘socially excluded’ families as failing their children and society as a whole. Poor parents are viewed as reproducing a cycle of deprivation and anti‐social behaviour and are therefore targeted to receive state intervention. This paper presents a critical analysis of the new politics of parenting to challenge the notion that equity can be promoted at the level of the family. Drawing on qualitative research with marginalised mothers and fathers, it shows how parenting practices and values are grounded in social and economic realities and highlights the extent to which prevailing childrearing prescriptions are detached from the lives and values of those they are directed at.
Protest and Human Rights Networks: The Case of the Zapatista Movement
Authors: Muñoz José A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe Zapatistas gained political access due in part to Mexico's efforts to participate and sustain its position in the world economy. This goal demanded greater sensitivity to the call for democratic openness by the human rights community, anti–North American Free Trade Agreement groups, and indigenous rights organizations. Mexico's effort to bolster its record on human rights internationally created a political opening for the Zapatista protest. The Zapatistas’ network of support created a situation where it was able to force the government to constrain their traditional military policy towards popular movements. This is in part due to the need to placate financial and human rights interests in Mexico and internationally. However, the tactics used by paramilitary groups and low‐intensity measures taken by the military to deal with the Zapatistas were not under similar constraints, leaving space for their liberal application.
Gazing into a Distorted Looking Glass: Masculinity, Femininity, Appearance Ideals, and the Black Body
Authors: Ford Kristie A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis article reviews socio‐psychological literature on racial identity development and feminist work on the body in an effort to better understand past and present constructions of the Black body. I begin by providing a brief overview of previous research on Black identity and self‐image, noting how these theories have been applied to appearance. I then historically trace the unique raced and gendered constructions of Black masculinity and femininity – showing how the experiences of Black men and women differ from the White hegemonic paradigm. Finally, I review current research on the Black body and highlight areas of inquiry where the field can be further expanded.
Non‐custodial Mothers: Thematic Trends and Future Directions
Authors: Bemiller Michelle 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe non‐custodial mother is an anomaly. She does not live with her children on a full‐time basis, putting her outside of the dominant expectations associated with motherhood. Although there has been an increase in the number of non‐custodial mothers in recent years, information on the experience of being a non‐custodial mother is minimal. The majority of our knowledge of non‐custodial mothers stems from research conducted during the mid‐1980s through the 1990s. This research was primarily descriptive in nature, lacking theoretical density. This article provides an overview of research completed on non‐custodial mothers over the past two decades, with attention to the family and the role of the courts. After reviewing past research, the current state of the field is discussed, and future research directions are suggested.
Predicting inadequate spirometry technique and the use of FEV1/FEV3 as an alternative to FEV1/FVC for patients with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Allen Stephen , Yeung Pan , Janczewski Marek , Siddique Nasir 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIntroduction and Objectives:  Some patients cannot perform forced vital capacity (FVC). We conducted a study to answer three questions: Can the ability to perform components of spirometry be predicted by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE)? What proportion of subjects can perform forced expiratory volume in 3 s (FEV3) but not FVC? Does the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/FEV3 ratio concord with FEV1/FVC ratio in patients with airflow obstruction?Methods:  We conducted a prospective observational study of 267 patients with a mean age of 79 years, including subjects with indicators of frailty. They performed spirometry and the MMSE. Spirometric recordings were compared to the American Thoracic Society 1994 criteria.Results:  FVC was achieved by 51% of patients. Inability to perform FVC was predicted by an MMSE < 24 (specificity 94%, sensitivity of 51%). An FEV1/FEV3 ratio < 80% matched a FEV1/FVC ratio < 70% (sensitivity 96%, specificity 97%). Twenty‐five percent of subjects were able to reach FEV3 but not FVC; 14% of that group had an MMSE < 24. Subjects with an MMSE < 20 were unable reliably to perform any spirometry.Conclusion:  Patients with an MMSE < 24 are usually unable to reach FVC reliably when tested on a single occasion, but some can reach FEV3. Patients with MMSE < 20 cannot do spirometry. An FEV1/FEV3 ratio < 80% can be used to help identify patients with airflow obstruction if they are unable to perform full spirometry to FVC.Please cite this paper as: Allen S, Yeung P, Janczewski M and Siddique N. Predicting inadequate spirometry technique and the use of FEV1/FEV3 as an alternative to FEV1/FVC for patients with mild cognitive impairment. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2008; 2: 208–213.
American Empires: Past and Present*
Authors: MANN MICHAEL 
Published: April 2008

L'auteur établit une typologie des empires. Qu'ils soient «directs» ou «indirects», les empires possèdent nécessairement des colonies. Ce n'est pas le cas des empires «informels», mais ceux–ci peuvent être divisés en trois sous‐types: les empires «canonniers», «mandataires» et d' «ajustement structurel», à quoi s'ajoute «hégémoniques» comme type de domination non impérial, chaque type tendant à présenter une forme de règles plus douces que le précédent. Les vrais empires sont constitués de différents assortiments de ces règles et, à mesure qu'ils vieillissent, elles tendent à s'alléger. C'est pour cette raison que l'empire américain n'a pas eu de véritable colonie depuis le début du XXesiècle et que des formes plus modérées d'empires informels, après la Deuxième Guerre mondiale, se sont alliées à l'hégémonie. Pourtant, les années 1970 ont connu un plus grand ajustement structurel de l'impérialisme américain alors que les années 1990 et 2000 ont fait face à une tentative d'établissement d'un empire américain canonnier à grande échelle. L'échec de celui‐ci menace présentement l'impérialisme américain en général.This paper lays out a typology of empires. “Direct” and “indirect” empires involve colonies. “Informal” empire does not, but can be divided into three subtypes, “gunboats,”“proxies,” and “structural adjustment.”“Hegemony” is added as a nonimperial type of domination. Each tends to be a lighter form of rule than the preceding one. Real empires contain varying mixtures of these and as they age, their rule tends to lighten. Thus in the American empire, there have been no real colonies since the beginning of the twentieth century, and after World War II milder forms of informal empire were blended with hegemony. Yet the 1970s saw an increase in American structural adjustment imperialism, while the 1990s and the 2000s saw an attempt at large‐scale American gunboat empire. The failure of the latter is now threatening American imperialism more generally.
A Socioeconomic Scale for Canada: Measuring Occupational Status from the Census
Authors: BOYD MONICA 
Published: April 2008

Cet article présente une nouvelle échelle professionnelle pour la classification nationale des professions (CNP) au Canada. En premier, l'on discute le contexte historique dans lequel la production des échelles des professions, faites par des sociologues aux Canada et aux États‐Unis, s'est réalisée. La méthodologie de la récente échelle Nam–Powers–Boyd utilisée aux États‐Unis est ensuite appliquée au recensement des professions de 2001. Celle‐ci sert à créer des scores des statuts professionnels pour les titres professionnels de la classification nationale des professions (CNP 2001) à Statistiques Canada. Ces scores soulignent les inégalités démographiques et socio‐économiques qui existent parmi les groupes au Canada. L'article se termine par une discussion des débats courants concernant l'utilisation des scores composites professionnels.This paper provides a new occupational scale for the Canadian National Occupational Classification system. The historical context for occupational scales produced by sociologists in Canada and the United States is first discussed. The methodology used in the recent Nam–Powers–Boyd scale in the United States then is applied to the 2001 census of occupations to construct occupational status scores for the occupational titles found in the National Occupational Classification for Statistics (2001) at Statistics Canada. The occupational status scores highlight inequalities existing among groups in Canada along demographic and socioeconomic dimensions. The paper concludes with a discussion of current debates over the use of composite occupational scores.
The Canada Research Chairs Program and Social Science Reward Structures
Authors: SILER KYLE S. , McLAUGHLIN NEIL 
Published: April 2008

Les auteurs analysent les comptes rendus des publications et des citations des Chaires de recherche du Canada en sociologie, en science politique et en économie au cours des cinq années pendant lesquelles le programme s'est poursuivi. Ils les comparent à des échantillons aléatoires de comptes rendus de publications et de citations qui ne sont pas le fruit des Chaires de recherche du Canada dans leur discipline respective pour tester leur qualité professionnelle. Les données et les analyses démontrent que les membres de ces Chaires de recherche constituent une population hétérogène ayant peu de «vedettes» authentiques et dont plusieurs personnes présentent des comptes rendus de publications et de citations semblables ou inférieurs à ceux de leurs collègues qui ne sont pas membres des Chaires de recherche du Canada. Les auteurs explorent la monotonie institutionnelle, l'appropriation institutionnelle ainsi que la périphéricité et l'organisation disciplinaire canadiennes en tant qu'explications possibles de ces résultats.This article analyzes the publishing and citation records of Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) in sociology, political science, and economics over the first 5 years of the program. Publication and citation records of CRCs are compared with random samples of non‐CRCs in their respective disciplines as empirical tests of professional strength. The data and analyses suggest that CRCs are a heterogeneous population with a few obvious “stars” and many with publishing and citation records similar or inferior to their non‐CRC peers. Institutional flatness, institutional appropriation, and Canadian peripherality and disciplinary organization are explored as possible explanations for these results.
Novel bisindolylmaleimide derivative inhibits mitochondrial permeability transition pore and protects the heart from reperfusion injury
Authors: Katare Rajesh Gopalrao , Zhitian Zou , Sodeoka Mikiko , Sasaguri Shiro 
Published: April 2008

Despite major advances in treating patients with coronary heart disease, reperfusion injury is still considered to be a major problem, especially in surgical settings. Here, we demonstrate the protective effects of a novel bisindolylmaleimide derivative, MS1 (2-[1-(3-aminopropyl)indol-3-yl]-3-(indol-3-yl)-N-methylmaleimide), against reperfusion injury of the heart. After anesthesia and artificial ventilation, Wistar rats were subjected to 30 min of left coronary artery occlusion followed by 120 min of reperfusion with or without treating the rats with MS1 (2.25 μmol·L–1·kg–1) before left coronary artery occlusion. Compared with the untreated hearts, MS1 treatment significantly reduced myocardial infarct size (35.1% ± 3% vs. 75.5% ± 5%, p < 0.001), reduced prevalence of apoptotic cells (2.6% ± 0.5% vs. 12.2% ± 2.1%, p < 0.001), prevented mitochondrial swelling and cytochrome c release, inhibited downregulation of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression, and suppressed caspase-3 activation. In contrast, pretreatment with atractyloside, a mitochondrial permeability transition pore opener, abolished the protective effects of MS1. In conclusion, MS1 inhibits pathologic opening of permeability transition pores and protects the heart against reperfusion injury and pathologic apoptosis.
Oxidative stress in primary culture hepatocytes isolated from partially hepatectomized rats
Authors: Francés Daniel , Ronco M. Teresa , Ochoa Elena , Alvarez M. Luján , Quiroga Ariel , Parody J. Pablo , Monti Juan , Carrillo M. Cristina , Carnovale Cristina E. 
Published: April 2008

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of partial hepatectomy prior to cell isolation on hepatocytes in vitro. We characterized the possible changes of various stress oxidative parameters within the first 24 h after seeding. Male Wistar rats served as donors. Hepatocytes were isolated by collagenase digestion from either liver of simulated surgery (SH) or from liver 1 h after 70% hepatectomy (PH), and the changes in stress parameters were analyzed after 1, 3, 18, and 24 h in culture. At 24 h, only hepatocytes from PH maintained significantly increased reactive oxygen species production, oxidized glutathione percentage, and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Our results show that hepatocytes suffer significant cell injury as a result of the isolation procedure, but primary cultured cells from SH metabolically recover from this stress after 18 h. After this time, primary culture hepatocytes primed by PH maintain their in vivo-like metabolic activities (increase in both oxidative stress and antioxidant status).
Older versus newer antidepressants: Substance P or calcium antagonism?
Authors: Boselli C. , Barbone M. Santagostino , Lucchelli A. 
Published: April 2008

Substance P (SP) is possibly involved in the pathophysiology of depression and anxiety. We investigated interactions between antidepressants on SP-induced effects and their potential calcium-blocking activity in the isolated guinea pig ileum. All the antidepressants tested, except pargyline, moclobemide, mianserin, and reboxetine, were able to inhibit in a concentration-dependent manner the contraction induced by 100 nmol/L SP. Clomipramine, fluoxetine, maprotiline, and amitriptyline (all at 3 μmol/L) flattened the concentration–response curves to SP, resulting in a reduction of up to 59%, 63%, 32%, and 23%, respectively, of the maximum contractile effect. All the antidepressants tested (3 μmol/L), except pargyline, moclobemide, and mianserin, produced a rightward parallel shift of the concentration–response curve to CaCl2. The L-type selective calcium blocker nifedipine and the T-type selective mibefradil showed similar behaviour against both agonists used, SP and CaCl2. The relative order of potency was nifedipine (pA2, 7.6 ± 0.1) > clomipramine (pA2, 7.0 ± 0.1) > fluoxetine (pKB, 6.5 ± 0.1) = mibefradil (pKB, 6.6 ± 0.1) > amitriptyline (pKB, 6.3 ± 0.1) = maprotiline (pKB, 6.2 ± 0.1) > fluvoxamine (pKB, 5.9 ± 0.1). The data reported in the present study suggest that the antidepressants tested did not behave as competitive antagonists versus NK1-receptor subtypes, but their inhibitory action seems to be related to their calcium-blocking properties.
Inhibitory effects of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa on contractility of the rat bladder and uterus
Authors: Fouda Abdel-Motaal M. , Daba Mohamad-Hesham Y. , Dahab Gamal M. 
Published: April 2008

We examined an aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces extracts (HSE) by close-arterial injection on micturition thresholds (MTs) and on uterine contractions (rate and amplitude). Five doses of HSE were examined (1, 5, 10, 50, and 100 mg/kg) in 3 groups of rats: controls, after bladder inflammation, and after bilateral hypogastric neurectomy. In some rats, uterine contractions were induced by injection of oxytocin (OT) and the effect of HSE was compared with that of nifedipine. HSE increased MTs in a dose-dependent manner in all groups. Neither atropine (0.1 mg/kg) nor propranolol (0.4 mg/kg) had significant effects on cystometric parameters. They also did not affect the responses obtained by HSE on cystometric parameters. As with bladder response, HSE inhibited both the rate and amplitude of uterine contractions in all groups in a dose-dependent manner. The uterine response to HSE was not affected by administration of either atropine or propranolol. A slight, but significant, reduction of contraction amplitude by HSE in the OT precontracted uteri was only noted at a dose of 500 mg/kg. Nifedipine was more potent than HSE in reducing uterine contraction amplitude. The present work documents inhibition by HSE of the rat bladder and uterine contractility in a dose-dependent manner via a mechanism unrelated to local or remote autonomic receptors or calcium channels. However, further investigation is needed to establish the exact mechanism of action.
Moderate body hypothermia alleviates behavioral and EEG manifestations of audiogenic seizures in metaphit-treated rats
Authors: Hrnčić Dragan , Vučević Danijela , Rašić Aleksandra , Radosavljević Tatjana , Mladenović Dušan , Šušić Veselinka , Djurić Dragan , Stanojlović Olivera 
Published: April 2008

We investigated the effects of hypothermia on the incidence and EEG signs of audiogenic seizures in rats treated with metaphit (1-[1(3isothiocyanatophenyl)-cyclohexyl] piperidine), an experimental model of generalized reflex epilepsy. After i.p. injection with metaphit (10 mg/kg) Wistar rats were exposed to audiogenic stimulation at hourly intervals during the time course of the experiment. After intermittent use of an ice pack 8 h after the metaphit treatment, when seizure was fully developed, the body temperature was reduced to 30 ± 0.5 °C in one half of the rats, and maintained at 37 ± 0.5 °C in the other half. Saline-injected rats served as a control group. In the hypothermia group, the incidence of audiogenic seizures induced by metaphit was completely suppressed during the 3 consecutive testing times, while no signs of epileptiform activity were noted in EEG tracings. The termination of hypothermic treatment resulted in the recovery of seizure susceptibility, and during audiogenic stimulation, bursts of spiking activity were recorded in the EEGs of metaphit-treated rats. These findings indicate that moderate body hypothermia is an effective anticonvulsant treatment for audiogenic seizures in metaphit-treated rats.
Both enalapril and losartan attenuate sarcolemmal Na+-K+-ATPase remodeling in failing rat heart due to myocardial infarctionThis article is one of a selection of papers published in the special issue Bridging the Gap: Where Progress in Cardiovascular and Neurophysiologic Research Meet.
Authors: Guo Xiaobing , Wang Jingwei , Elimban Vijayan , Dhalla Naranjan S. 
Published: April 2008

To investigate the mechanisms underlying the depressed sarcolemmal (SL) Na+-K+-ATPase activity in congestive heart failure (CHF), different isoforms and gene expression of Na+-K+-ATPase were examined in the failing left ventricle (LV) at 8 weeks after myocardial infarction (MI). In view of the increased activity of renin–angiotensin system (RAS) in CHF, these parameters were also studied after 5 weeks of treatment with enalapril (10 mg·kg–1·day–1), an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, and losartan (20 mg·kg–1·day–1), an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, starting at 3 weeks after the coronary ligation in rats. The infarcted animals showed LV dysfunction and depressed SL Na+-K+-ATPase activity. Protein content and mRNA levels for Na+-K+-ATPase α2isoform were decreased whereas those for Na+-K+-ATPase α3isoform were increased in the failing LV. On the other hand, no significant changes were observed in protein content or mRNA levels for Na+-K+-ATPase α1and β1isoforms. The treatment of infarcted animals with enalapril or losartan improved LV function and attenuated the depression in Na+-K+-ATPase α2isoform as well as the increase in α3isoform, at both the protein and mRNA levels; however, combination therapy with enalapril and losartan did not produce any additive effects. These results provide further evidence that CHF due to MI is associated with remodeling of SL membrane and suggest that the blockade of RAS plays an important role in preventing these alterations in the failing heart.