bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Explaining Public Support for the Environmental Movement: A Civic Voluntarism Model*
Authors: Barkan Steven E. 
Published: October 2004

Objective.The literature on environmentalism includes many more studies of environmental concern than of the public's practical support for the environmental movement. This article develops several categories of predictors of such support from the civic voluntarism model of Verba and associates.Methods.These predictors are tested with data from the 2000 General Social Survey, which included a special module of items on environmental attitudes and activities.Results.Findings generally suggest the utility of the civic voluntarism model for explaining public support for the environmental movement. Additional analysis attempts to untangle reasons for gender and racial differences in the level of this support.Conclusion.This study elucidates several predictors of practical support by the U.S. public for the environmental movement that merit further attention. Such research should pay attention to the proper operationalization of the kind of movement participation studied here.
Equality in Cyberdemocracy? Gauging Gender Gaps in On‐Line Civic Participation*
Authors: Fuller Jill E. 
Published: October 2004

Objectives.This study examines gender gaps in civic participation by describing gaps in on‐line participation and by explaining whether socialization, situation, or structure best account for gaps.Methods.Cross‐tabulations and OLS regression were used to analyze 2000 GSS data, which show that men are more likely to have used a computer or the web and to use the web or chat rooms more.Results.Few gender differences exist in on‐line civic participation. Men more frequently use government information websites and discuss political views, the economy, foreign affairs, and taxes on the web. Women tend to visit websites to better understand issue complexities and to discuss or learn about gender or women's issues. Marital or work situations do not influence discussion, but the structural variable of education specifies some on‐line civic participation.Conclusion.Social status is better than gender at explaining civic participation in general, political information source gathering, and versatility of political interests pursued on‐line.
Presidential Election Cycles and the Turn‐of‐the‐Month Effect*
Authors: Zhao Xiaofeng , Liano Kartono , Hardin William G. 
Published: October 2004

Objective. In this research, the presidential election cycle hypothesis is evaluated within the context of the turn‐of‐the‐month effect found in stock returns.Methods. Returns from the daily Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500) index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) index, and the NASDAQ Composite index are grouped into turn‐of‐the month returns and non‐turn‐of‐the‐month returns. Statistical comparisons are conducted to evaluate the returns based on administration subperiod, temporal subperiod, and party affiliation.Results. The results provide evidence of higher turn‐of‐the‐month returns in the second half of presidential terms. The higher turn‐of‐the‐month returns account for most of the additional returns found in the second half of presidential terms evidenced in prior research.Conclusions. The persistent higher investment returns for stocks found in the second half of presidential terms can be linked to fiscal and administrative policies that increase household liquidity prior to elections. Incumbents attempt to influence voter choice and energize core constituencies by increasing household liquidity prior to elections through fiscal and administrative policies. These actions create higher turn‐of the‐month returns in the second half of presidential terms, which generate additional overall investment returns for the period.
A Tale of Two Seasons: Participation and Medal Counts at the Summer and Winter Olympic Games*
Authors: Johnson Daniel K. N. , Ali Ayfer 
Published: October 2004

Objectives. This article examines all postwar Summer and Winter Olympic Games in order to investigate the economic and political determinants of participation and medal‐winning success.Methods. Using newly compiled data, regression analysis gives intuitive results with surprisingly accurate predictions beyond the historical sample. We also estimate the rise in income per capita required to send an extra participant, and the “cost” in GDP per capita of an extra medal.Results. Compared to the Summer Games, Winter participation levels are driven more by income and less by population, have less host nation bias, and a greater effect of climate. Single‐party and communist regimes win more medals in both seasons.Conclusion. Although their effects differ with the season of the Games, socioeconomic variables explain Olympic participation and success remarkably well.
Ethnicity Effects on Sentence Outcomes in Large Urban Courts: Comparisons Among White, Black, and Hispanic Defendants*
Authors: Demuth Stephen , Steffensmeier Darrell 
Published: October 2004

Objective. This study examines Hispanic‐black‐white differences in sentences imposed on offenders appearing in state felony courts.Methods. The present study uses data collected by the State Court Processing Statistics (SCPS) program of the Bureau of Justice Statistics for the years 1990, 1992, 1994, and 1996.Results. Hispanic defendants are sentenced more similarly to black defendants than white defendants. Both black and Hispanic defendants tend to receive harsher sentences than white defendants. Also, ethnicity effects are the largest in the sentencing of drug offenders, whereas race effects are largest in the sentencing of property offenders. Furthermore, the present study demonstrates that the failure to consider defendants' ethnicity in comparing black‐white sentence outcomes is likely to result in findings that misrepresent black‐white differences.Conclusions. The results clearly demonstrate the necessity of considering not only defendants' race (i.e., black‐white differences) in sentencing but expanding our focus to also include defendants' ethnicity (i.e., Hispanic‐white and Hispanic‐black differences).
Interaction for lifelong learning
Authors: Friesen Norm , Anderson Terry 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe term ‘lifelong’, as applied to education or learning, has been in circulation for more than a quarter of a century. It has played an important role in policy discussions, as well as in studies of the sociology and economics of education. The relationship of this term to the rapidly changing world of information and educational technologies, and to the various conceptions of interaction that are central to these technologies, however, has been considered much less frequently. This paper seeks to shed light on the relationship between lifelong learning and the interactive technologies that have become associated specifically with the Semantic Web. It begins by presenting a fictional narrative to illustrate a lifelong learning scenario in the context of the services and resources that the Semantic Web will be capable of providing. It then proceeds to isolate a number of general characteristics of lifelong learning as they are manifest in this scenario and in recent literature on the subject. The paper then explores how emergent, interactive technologies of the Semantic Web have the general potential to address many of the characteristics of lifelong learning, and hold out the promise of satisfying a wide variety of lifelong learning needs. It will conclude by considering some of the outstanding challenges presented by lifelong learning contexts, and mention some of the limitations of advanced technologies used to address these needs.
New directions for lifelong learning using network technologies
Authors: Koper Rob , Tattersall Colin 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe requirements placed on learning technologies to support lifelong learning differ considerably from those placed on technologies to support particular fragments of a learning lifetime. The time scales involved in lifelong learning, together with its multi‐institutional and episodic nature are not reflected in today’s mainstream learning technologies and their associated architectures. The article presents an integrated model and architecture to serve as the basis for the realisation of networked learning technologies serving the specific needs and characteristics of lifelong learners. The integrative model is called a ‘Learning Network’ (LN) and its requirements and architecture are explored, together with the ways in which its application can help in reducing barriers to lifelong learning.
The evolutionary design of a Knowledge Network to support knowledge management and sharing for lifelong learning
Authors: McAndrew Patrick , Clow Doug , Taylor Josie , Aczel James 
Published: October 2004

AbstractKnowledge Management (KM) and knowledge sharing are important factors that support lifelong learning, and enable people to continue developing throughout their careers. The concept of a Community of Practice (Wenger, 2000) is attractive in drawing together people whose work shares similar aspects, and consideration is given here to how technology can be used to develop and support such a community.In this paper, concepts from the Community of Practice literature are used to consider the development of a software environment for people working as a community in the area of lifelong learning. The intention was to design the system in an evolutionary way, using a minimal set of essential elements which would be elaborated according to user feedback. Three key design questions are considered: Who can contribute resources to such a system? What happens to existing practices? How is the community engaged?We conclude that, in lifelong learning, knowledge management supported by a software environment offers a good way to bring together communities, resources and experience, but to achieve these benefits, great care needs to be exerted in introducing the system and maintaining existing work practices.
BIOETHICS, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND CULTURE: A VOICE FROM THE MARGINS1
Authors: TANGWA GODFREY B. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTIn this paper I argue for the universality of morality as against and in spite of the plurality and inevitable relativity of human cultures. Universalisability is the litmus test of moral authenticity whereas culture tends to impose an egocentric predicament. I argue equally for the equality of cultures qua cultures and of the importance of different cultural perspectives, given the limitations of each and every particular culture, in a balanced and wholesome appreciation of moral issues, particularly issues of cross‐cultural relevance. I then try to anchor my reflections on a few topical ethical issues of cross‐cultural relevance which have been the subject of controversy in recent times.
Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome
Authors: FAN Peng Thim 
Published: October 2004

AbstractFibromyalgia (FM) is a common disorder that affects 3% of the general population. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is less common, with about 1% of adults in the US meeting the current CDC criteria for case definition. Both conditions are controversial because they do not fit either a strictly physical or psychological concept of disease. Their symptoms overlap and they share many clinical features with irritable bowel syndrome, atypical migraine and muscle tension headaches, multiple chemical sensitivities, interstitial cystitis and multiple allergies syndrome, all poorly understood entities. This review provides an historical perspective on both disorders and presents the clinical features and differential diagnoses. The relative success of current classification criteria is discussed. Pathogenic mechanisms are presented, including the relationship of FM and CFS to depression and other psychiatric diseases and the possibility that they may be ‘diseases constructs’ called ‘memes’ that are invented by physicians. A cognitive‐behavioral approach to treatment is presented that emphasizes the roles of education, stress reduction, improvement of sleep, exercise and the effective use of analgesics, antidepressants and other psychoactive medications.
Risk of hospitalization for upper gastrointestinal tract complications associated with non‐selective non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs in Malaysia: a retrospective case control study
Authors: ONG Jaxinthe Siew Kuen , MENON Shashi Kumar , KEW Siang Tong , MENON Jayaram , MAVROS Panagiotis , THONG Swee Pei , NGAU Yen Yew , GANESANATHAN Shanmuganathan , MATVINDER Singh , GANESALINGAM Kanagasabai , CHENG John , OOI Eng Jin , HUNSCHE Elke 
Published: October 2004

AbstractAims:  To assess the association between non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract‐related hospitalizations and to evaluate inpatient healthcare resource utilization associated with these complications in Malaysia.Methods:  A retrospective case control study was performed using medical records of patients admitted to two Malaysian hospitals during 1999 and 2000. Cases were identified based on mode of presentation at hospital admission. One control was identified for each case, matched by age, sex and admission date. NSAID exposure was determined by drug use during one year prior to admission. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between NSAID use and upper GI complications, adjusting for predictors.Results:  The 273 cases were significantly more likely to have used NSAIDs in the year prior to hospitalization than controls (27.8%vs. 6.2% of patients; P < 0.0001). Conditional logistic regression analysis adjusting for other predictors showed that the odds of being hospitalized for upper GI tract complications were 4.1 times higher among NSAID users than non‐users (95% CI = 1.88–9.12). Other risk factors for GI‐related hospitalizations were a history of upper GI tract complications (OR = 5.8, 95% CI = 1.28–26.53), use of gastroprotective agents (OR = 5.3, 95% CI = 1.67–16.79), and use of antacids (OR = 5.0, 95% CI = 2.10–11.91) in the previous year.Conclusion:  This study demonstrated that NSAID exposure was significantly higher among patients hospitalized for GI‐related complications than for other reasons, indicating that NSAID use is an independent risk factor for upper GI tract complications in this Malaysian sample.
Pregnancy in systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: CERVERA Ricard , FONT Josep , CARMONA Francisco , BALASCH Juan 
Published: October 2004

AbstractSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the autoimmune disease that most commonly compromises pregnancy. Moreover, the relationship between SLE and pregnancy is in both directions. However, the current experience indicates that pregnancy in patients with SLE should not be regarded as an unacceptable high risk condition for the mother or her baby provided that careful planning of conception and multidisciplinary monitoring and treatment are carried out.
Statins and autoimmune diseases
Authors: MERONI P. L. , VENTURA D. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractInhibitors of 3‐hydroxy‐3methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA) reductase or statins are effective lipid lowering drugs. The lipid lowering activity is mainly achieved through reduction of cholesterol synthesis and up‐regulation of low density lipoprotein receptors that in turn clear low density lipoproteins and low density lipoprotein precursors from the blood. HMG‐CoA reductase competitively blocks mevalonate, the enzyme reaction product that is the precursor not only of cholesterol but also of several non‐steroidal isoprenoid compounds. Isoprenoids allow the attachment to the cell membrane of signalling proteins involved in various cell functions; their inhibition explains the so‐called pleiotropic effects of statins, which include anti‐inflammatory, anticoagulant and immunomodulatory properties. Such pleiotropic activities have been suggested to justify the benefits of statin therapy besides the simple reduction in plasma cholesterol levels.Accelerated atherosclerosis has been reported in several autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Non‐traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as inflammation, immune‐mediated responses and thrombophilia, have been suggested to play a major role in sustaining premature atherosclerosis in autoimmune rheumatic diseases.This review focuses on the potential use of statins as a new therapeutical tool for treating autoimmune rheumatic diseases based on their antiatherosclerotic activity and on their pleiotropic effect on inflammation, haemostasis and the immune responses.
Neonatal lupus syndromes
Authors: MERONI P. L. , GEROSA M. , CIMAZ R. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractChildren born from mothers positive for autoantibodies against SSA/Ro and/or anti‐SSB/La ribonucleoproteins may develop heart conduction tissue damage resulting in atrioventricular block and/or transient skin rash, liver enzyme abnormalities and anaemia/thrombocytopenia. Additional transient electrocardiographic abnormalities (sinus bradycardia, QT interval prolongation) have been reported. Such clinical and laboratory manifestations are included in the so‐called neonatal lupus syndromes, independently whether the mother is suffering from a systemic autoimmune disease or is totally asymptomatic. The prevalence of the congenital heart block is around 2%, of neonatal rash around 20%, while laboratory abnormalities in asymptomatic babies can be detected in up to 40% of cases. The risk of recurrence of complete heart block is almost 10 times higher in the following pregnancies. Most of the mothers are asymptomatic at delivery and are identified only by the birth of an affected child. Their long‐term outcome is generally more reassuring than previously assumed and arthralgias and xerophtalmia are the most common symptoms. A standard therapy for heart blocks detected in uterus is still a matter of investigation, although fluorinated corticosteroids have been reported to be effective on myocarditic signs when present. Serial echocardiograms and obstetric sonograms, performed at least every two weeks, starting from the 16 weeks gestation, are recommended in anti‐Ro/SSA positive pregnant women: the goal is to detect early fetal abnormalities, that might precede complete atrioventricular block and that might be a target of preventive therapy. Transplacental passage of maternal anti‐SSA/Ro ‐SSB/La IgG is thought to be pivotal in inducing tissue damage. However, the discordant appearance of the syndrome in twins does suggest a role also for fetal or environmental factors.
Spondyloarthropathy research in APLAR countries: some unanswered questions
Authors: YU David Tak Yan , GU Jieruo , HUANG Feng , CHOU Chung‐Tei 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe APLAR countries have traditionally been very productive in carrying out clinical research on the spondyloarthropathies. This article discusses the various aspects of setting up classification criteria, preparing for epidemiological surveys, cohort and genetic studies and testing promising treatment. Emphasis is on those aspects which would be useful for young investigators in the APLAR countries.
Pulsed Signal Therapy® for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions: a millennium paradigm
Authors: MARKOLL Richard , DA SILVA FERREIRA Dulce M. , TOOHIL Theresa K. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractReports and reviews from various sources, including the World Health Organization and United Nations Population Division, confirm the general increasing trend in the ageing population groups worldwide. There are over 150 types of musculoskeletal conditions, with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, low back pain and limb trauma, accounting for the greatest impact on the population at large. Osteoarthritis (OA) is predicted to become the fourth leading cause of disability by the year 2020. The most common medication prescribed for OA is non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These have long been associated with numerous adverse effects, are costly and short‐term in their ‘therapeutic’ effect. Pulsed Signal Therapy® (PST™) is an innovative treatment modality for musculoskeletal conditions. It has been commercially available since 1992, is currently employed in at least 800 clinics and/or medical institutes, and to‐date, no adverse effects have been reported. Furthermore, it is non‐invasive, non‐pharmacological, painless, with long‐term follow‐up, and sustained efficacy. When connective tissue is injured and physiological signalling is disturbed or absent, PST™, as the external, biophysical signal (stimulus) of physiological energy parameters and waveform, passively induces ‘fluid flow’ in the injured area, creating ‘streaming potentials’, that induce biophysical‐biochemical coupling, subsequent signal transduction, to activate repair and regenerative processes. In doing so, it restores the innate, physiological signalling to enable these regenerative and repair processes to continue naturally.
Reflections on six years of the National Literacy Strategy in England: an interview with Stephen Anwyll, Director of the NLS 2001–2004
Authors: Hall Kathy 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThis recorded interview with Stephen Anwyll took place in Summer 2004, just prior to his departure from the post of Director of the National Literacy Strategy to take up a new post. In the interview, Stephen challenges those critics who characterise the Strategy as reductive and mechanistic, but recognises the potential for it to be interpreted in this way if not mediated through knowledgeable and confident teachers. He reflects on how the Strategy has changed and developed over time, and talks about new developments, including greater emphasis on the enjoyment of reading, the importance of encouraging speaking and listening and the recognition of the multiple literacies that children encounter and use.This interview is significant in that it places on public record, for the first time, the detailed views of policy makers at the centre of the NLS concerning the successes and challenges around the implementation and development of the Strategy during the last six years. It was recorded before the results of the 2004 standard assessment tests were known.The transcript below has not been edited into a formal written account. It retains the form of spoken discourse.
AN INTRODUCTION TO HIGH SPEED TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS AND RELATED DEVICES IN CHINA
Authors: ZHAO ZI-SEN 
Published: October 2004

This paper is an introduction of high speed optical communication systems used in China, especially those deployed by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication. Practical high speed systems, such as 565 Mb/s system and the optical devices used in these systems manufactured in China are described. Further development of high speed systems and devices such as SDH systems at 622 Mb/s and 2.5 Gb/s, EDFA, MQW laser diodes and a comprehensive test bed are discussed.
QUANTUM WELL LASERS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS
Authors: CHEN LIANGHUI 
Published: October 2004

Quantum well lasers have attracted a great deal of attention by their many advantages such as low threshold current density, excellent temperature feature, high modulation rate and wavelength adjustability etc. The investigation on quantum well laser in mainland China started in the early 80s. AlGaAs/GaAs QW laser diode and InGaAs/GaAs strained layer QW laser diode have been developed using MBE technology with extremely low threshold current and high T0. Now the growth technologies for QW structure have been expanded to MOCVD technology. Emission wavelengths, on longer wavelength sides have been expanded up to 1.3 µm and 1.55 µm with InGaAsP/InP material system for application in optical fiber communication. On shorter wavelength sides, the emission wavelength has been expanded to lower than 670 nm, for applications in optical information processing. The characteristics of these devices will be demonstrated in this paper. The QW-DFB LD and low-dimension quantum wire and quantum dot lasers are under investigation.