bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Converging Evidence for the Latent Structure of Antisocial Personality Disorder
Authors: Marcus David K. , Ruscio John , Lilienfeld Scott O. , Hughes Kathleen T.
Published: February 2008

The latent structure of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and psychopathy has been examined using both Meehl's taxometric method and other latent variable models, yielding results that have not been entirely consistent. However, in each instance, researchers used independent data sets for their analyses, obscuring whether the inconsistent findings resulted from the analytic method or from the study's methodology and data. A data set that had been used in a previous latent class analysis (LCA) of ASPD was examined using Meehl's taxometric procedures. Consistent with the prior LCA, the present analyses also supported a dimensional latent structure for ASPD. These converging findings from nonredundant data-analytic procedures provide additional evidence that ASPD is dimensional and exists along a continuum.
The Influence of GED Obtainment on Inmate Release Outcome
Authors: Zgoba Kristen M. , Haugebrook Sabrina , Jenkins Krista
Published: February 2008

The focal point of this study is the effect of GED obtainment on inmate recidivism, using data from 403 offenders released from New Jersey correctional institutions in 1999 and 2000. Results indicate that leaving prison with at least the equivalent of a high school diploma improves significantly the chances that an ex-offender will not recidivate. Although an offender's participation in GED programming is predictive of no recidivism, once an offender does recidivate, the value of the GED participation depreciates and has no discernible effect on the raw number of reoffenses. Therefore, GED participation is an insignificant predictor of the number of postrelease arrests.
Examination of a Social Problem-Solving Intervention to Treat Selective Mutism
Authors: O'Reilly Mark , McNally Deirdre , Sigafoos Jeff , Lancioni Giulio E. , Green Vanessa , Edrisinha Chaturi , Machalicek Wendy , Sorrells Audrey , Lang Russell , Didden Robert
Published: February 2008

The authors examined the use of a social problem-solving intervention to treat selective mutism with 2 sisters in an elementary school setting. Both girls were taught to answer teacher questions in front of their classroom peers during regular classroom instruction. Each girl received individualized instruction from a therapist and was taught to discriminate salient social cues, select an appropriate social response, perform the response, and evaluate her performance. The girls generalized the skills to their respective regular classrooms and maintained the skills for up to 3 months after the removal of the intervention. Experimental control was demonstrated using a multiple baseline design across participants. Limitations of this study and issues for future research are discussed.
The Assessment of Basic Learning Abilities Test for Predicting Learning of Persons With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Martin Garry L. , Thorsteinsson Jennifer R. , Yu C.T. , Martin Toby L. , Vause Tricia
Published: February 2008

The Assessment of Basic Learning Abilities (ABLA) Test uses standard prompting and reinforcement procedures to assess the ease or difficulty with which a testee is able to learn a simple imitation and five two-choice discriminations. The authors review studies that have examined performance of participants with developmental disabilities (DD) on the ABLA test to predict (a) performance on a variety of simple imitations and two-choice discriminations, (b) performance on three-choice and four-choice discriminations, (c) the relative efficacy of three presentation modes (objects vs. photographs vs. verbal descriptions) for assessing preferences, (d) compliance of adults with DD and children with and without DD, and (e) participants' ability to learn to respond to the spoken names of pictures of common objects. Across all five types of studies, the predictive validity of the ABLA test has been very high.
The ex-files: Trajectories, turning points, and adjustment in the development of post-dissolutional relationships
Authors: Kellas Jody Koenig , Bean Dawn , Cunningham Cherakah , Ka Yun Cheng
Published: February 2008

Relational scholars often focus on relational life cycles, including the ways in which relationships come apart. The idea that relationships end at a particular stage, however, suggests that former partners no longer communicate. The current study extends the relationship life cycle literature by examining nonmarital post-dissolutional romantic relationships (PDRs). Participants (N = 174) completed written questionnaires gathering PDR turning point descriptions and graphs using a modified Retrospective Interview Technique. Turning point graphs revealed four different trajectory types: Linear Process, Relational Decline, Upward Relational Progression, and Turbulent Relational Progression, which were characterized by 10 categories of turning points. Those with linear trajectories reported the least amount of difficulty adjusting, and those with upward relational progress trajectories reported the highest quality PDRs.
Differences between partners from Black and White heterosexual dating couples in a path model of relationship commitment
Authors: Kurdek Lawrence A.
Published: February 2008

Both partners from Black and White dating heterosexual couples (Ns = 111 and 535, respectively) were compared on mean levels of eight variables from a model of relationship commitment as well as on the strength of the links posited by the model. Although mean differences by race were found for seven of the variables, all effects were small in size. Direct, indirect, and cross-partner links were generally stronger for females than for males for the total sample but did not differ by race for either males or females. Findings support the view that despite slight racial differences in mean levels of relationship-oriented variables, the variables linked to relationship functioning are similar for Black and White partners from dating couples.
Risk orientation, loving, and liking in long-term romantic relationships
Authors: Smithson Michael , Baker Cathy
Published: February 2008

This study investigates three hypotheses: Similarity between romantic partners in risk taking predicts partner liking and loving; risk taking in either partner correlates negatively with liking and loving; and these tendencies are accentuated in particular risk domains. A survey of 147 heterosexual couples tests these hypotheses in six risk domains. The similarity hypothesis is supported in all domains for perceived self/ partner differences but most emphatically in ethical risks. Likewise, higher self-reported risk taking and higher ratings of partner's risk taking negatively predict loving and liking, but only in specific domains. Overall, risk orientations in ethical, health, and gambling domains are the best predictors of loving and liking. Findings are discussed regarding theory and research on criteria for “ideal” partners in long-term romantic relationships.
Individual differences and lying in everyday life
Authors: Ennis Edel , Vrij Aldert , Chance Claire
Published: February 2008

This study explores individuals' reported frequency of lying to strangers and close friends as a function of (i) type of lie told (self-centered, other-oriented or altruistic) and (ii) attachment style in social relationships. One hundred university students (average age = 23.09, SD = 5.36) completed self-report questionnaires. The close friend could be either a best friend (N = 52) or a romantic partner (N = 48). Results revealed that frequency and nature of lies told to strangers differ from those told to close friends. Attachment-related anxiety was positively related to frequency of lying to strangers and best friends, while attachment avoidance primarily related to deception towards one's romantic partner. Results are discussed as contributing to understanding the use and function of deception in everyday life.
Physical limitations and perceived quality of care among family medicine patients
Authors: Rohrer James E , Wilkinson John M , Barnes Darryl E , Adamson Steven C
Published: February 2008

Objective: To assess how physical limitations relate to patient satisfaction with the quality of medical care among family medicine patients, after adjustment for self-rated overall health and other patient characteristics.

Design: A telephone survey of family medicine patients, linked with information extracted from medical records.

Setting: A large family medicine department in Rochester, Minnesota.

Subjects: Patient ratings of quality were linked to medical records for 674 adult patients.

Results: Adjusting for self-rated overall health status and other confounders using multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that having physical limitations was inversely and independently related to excellent perceived quality (adjusted odds ratio = 0.56, P= 0.035).

Conclusions: In our sample of family medicine patients, people with physical limitations experience a disparity in perceived quality of care.
Assessing clinically meaningful change following a programme for managing chronic pain
Authors: Fisher Keren
Published: February 2008

Objectives: (1) To identify criteria for clinically meaningful change scores in commonly used measures of pain and related disability, using Goal Attainment Scaling as an external indicator of success. (2) To investigate the chances of achieving these scores following a pain management programme versus remaining on the waiting list.

Design: Participants were assessed on entry to waiting list, on admission and at follow-up from the pain management programme. Three groups of Goal Attainment Scaling scores (-1.0, +1) were created from final Goal Attainment Scaling achievements. Mean scores on other measures were analysed in relation to Goal Attainment Scaling score groups by ANOVA. Differences in numbers achieving clinically meaningful changes when on the pain management programme or waiting list were compared.

Subjects: Chronic musculoskeletal pain participants (N = 73) attending a rehabilitation centre, mean age (range) 44.8 (24—70) years, mean age (range) 44.8 (24—70), mean pain duration 7.7 (1—32) years.

Intervention: Three-week (15-day) pain management programme based on cognitive behavioural principles.

Measures: McGill Pain Questionnaire, 0—10 Pain Intensity Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODQ), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), 5 minute walk, 1 minute sit/stand, 1 minute stair-climbing, and Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS).

Results: Mean change scores differed significantly for three GAS groups and were highest in the most successful (+1) group. These scores were used to define clinically meaningful changes on the NRS (-3), ODQ (-12), walk (+87) and stairs (+14). Significantly more participants on the pain management programme achieved these scores than those on the waiting list.

Conclusion: Using GAS as a criterion of patient-perceived improvement enabled identification of clinically meaningful changes on some other common measures. These successfully differentiated achievement between patients on the pain management programme and those on the waiting list.
Long-term benefits of exercising on quality of life and fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients with mild disability: a pilot study
Authors: McCullagh Ruth , Fitzgerald Anthony P , Murphy Raymond P , Cooke Grace
Published: February 2008

Objective: To determine if exercise benefits patients with multiple sclerosis.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Settings: Participants exercised at home and also attended exercise classes held in a hospital physiotherapy gym.

Subjects: Thirty patients, diagnosed and independently mobile, were recruited in the Dublin area.

Intervention: For three months, classes were held twice-weekly and participants exercised independently once-weekly. The control group was monitored monthly and management remained unchanged.

Measurements: Measurements were taken at baseline, three and six months. The Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29) and Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS) were used to measure fatigue and quality of life (QOL). Heart rate (HR) and the Borg's Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) were recorded during an incremental exercise test. The change from baseline scores between groups was compared using the Mann—Whitney U-test.

Results: Twenty-four participants completed the programme (n = 12 in each group). Based on the change in scores at three months, the exercise group had significantly greater improvements in exercise capacity (HR: —14 [-18.5, -2.5] versus 0.5 [-4, 5.5], P= 0.009), QOL (FAMS: 23 [9.5, 42.5] versus -3.5 [-16, 5], P=0.006) and fatigue (MFIS: -13 [-20, -3] versus 1 [-4, 4.5], P=0.02). At six months, the difference in change scores remained significant for FAMS (19 [14, 31] versus -4.5 [-25, 8], P=0.002) and MFIS (-8.5 [-19.5, -1] versus 0.5 [-2.5, 6.5], P=0.02) only.

Conclusions: A three-month exercise programme improved participants' exercise capacity, QOL and fatigue, with the improvements in QOL and fatigue lasting beyond the programme.
An exploratory study of two measures of free-living physical activity for people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Klassen Laura , Schachter Candice , Scudds Rhonda
Published: February 2008

Objective: To examine the ability of two measures of physical activity (tri-axial accelerometer and activity diary) to discriminate among groups of inactive, moderately active and active individuals with multiple sclerosis and to explore the relationship between these two measures.

Design: Exploratory, descriptive study.

Subjects: Thirty individuals with multiple sclerosis and nine controls.

Protocol: Individuals with multiple sclerosis were recruited to inactive, moderately active and active groups as defined by Adjusted Activity Scores from the Human Activity Profile. Control participants were recruited to an active group. Free-living physical activity was recorded over four consecutive days.

Main measures: A TriTrac RT3 accelerometer and a self-report physical activity diary were used to measure activity.

Results: Thirty-six participants completed data collection. For the participants with multiple sclerosis, both the accelerometer (P = 0.004) and the diary (P = 0.006) detected significant differences between inactive and active groups. The accelerometer also detected a significant difference between moderately active and active groups (P = 0.04). In contrast, the diary detected a significant difference between inactive and moderately active groups (P = 0.05). Accelerometer and diary scores were significantly correlated (r = 0.59). Accelerometer scores were significantly correlated with neurological status (rs = -0.64).

Conclusions: Both measures readily differentiated least active from most active groups. The accelerometer also differentiated moderately active from active groups, suggesting suitability for use in detecting change in more active client groups, while the diary differentiated inactive from moderately active groups, suggesting suitability for use in detecting change in less active groups.
Dispossession and the Anthropology of Labor
Authors: Kasmir Sharryn , Carbonella August
Published: February 2008

■ This article develops an approach to the anthropology of labor that seeks to transcend the North/South and working class/poor oppositions that have long framed our understanding of social inequality. Drawing upon David Harvey's understanding of the ways in which capitalism always creates its own Other through dispossession, as well as historical case studies of struggles against dispossession, we emphasize the mutability of class relations in both the global North and South, and point to the complex interconnections of the social movements of waged and unwaged laborers across the globe. This focus on the connections between peoples who are differently marked by processes of dispossession, we argue, simultaneously enriches our understanding of social inequality and furthers the project of decolonizing anthropology.
Assessing Phenomenology in Anthropology
Authors: Knibbe Kim , Versteeg Peter
Published: February 2008

■ How did phenomenology inspire anthropology to re-evaluate its principal method: participant observation? This question is answered by exploring how phenomenology has contributed to the anthropological study of religion. The focus in this field is not only on the way people perceive but also how they experience the world. This allows for a view that does not treat experience of the world separately from cognition of the world. Religion can thus be studied as it is lived and acted in concrete situations. By seeing the scholar as part of the life-world of the people in whose lives she participates, phenomenology in anthropology goes against the tendency to privilege `scientific' knowledge over other kinds of knowledge. This has some important theoretical ramifications, most notably the refusal to transcend lived experience through theory. This discussion will be illustrated from authors' fieldwork. The influence of phenomenology in anthropology also raises some important doubts. At the end of this article, these doubts will be addressed.
Turning Marx on his Head
Authors: McBrien Julie , Pelkmans Mathijs
Published: February 2008

■ Christian and Muslim religious movements have made significant inroads into post-Soviet Kyrgyzstani society, and have been seen as a threat by the secular establishment. In this article we discuss the defence mechanisms that are locally employed to ward off the danger that these `new' religious movements represent. Our focus on secular responses not only fills a gap in the available research (which has focused on religious renewal but largely ignored the `secular' majority), but also provides new perspectives on how to view the postsocialist religious landscape. By scrutinizing secular responses we show that what is at stake is not so much atheist ideology but secular understandings of religion that were (inadvertently) promoted by Soviet rule. As such this article shows the curious effect of Soviet legacies on contemporary notions of religion and culture.
Effect of Microencapsulation and 4A Zeolite on the Properties of Intumescent Flame-retardant Natural Rubber Composites
Authors: Jincheng Wang  , Yuehui Chen
Published: February 2008

A novel microencapsulated intumescent flame retardant (MIFR) agent containing 4A zeolite has been prepared. The morphology of MIFR agent is characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Properties such as cure and tensile characteristics, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and flame-retardant (FR) properties are researched and compared. The addition of this MIFR agent into natural rubber (NR) leads to an improvement in its physicomechanical and FR properties. Results demonstrate that the NR composite filled with 50 phr of MIFR-4A zeolite and 50 phr of IFR-4A zeolite show better FR and tensile properties than that of pure and 50 phr of IFR-filled NR systems.
Radiative Heat Transfer for Structural Members Exposed to Fire: An Analytical Approach
Authors: Wang Zhi-Hua , Tan Kang-Hai
Published: February 2008

An analytical approach, as a reduced form of the more general multi-flux and discrete ordinates method for radiative transfer, is proposed in this article with clarified theoretical basis. The main assumption inherent in the proposed method is that the radiation intensities along positive and negative paths are isotropic and have constant values in each direction. A realistic nonisothermal absorbing/emitting medium with isotropic scattering is analytically treated between fire sources and structural members. General energy equations, including possible heat generation within the medium, can be adopted to solve for radiative flux and temperature distribution along the radiation path. The usage of the `optical length' can readily incorporate the compound and realistic extinction coefficient of a participating medium, including gas and particle absorption and particle scattering effects. Application of the proposed method to temperature predictions of unprotected steel members in fire yields good accuracy and reliable stability, especially for those with large section factors.
Development of HEMP Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites
Authors: Hargitai Hajnalka , Rácz Ilona , Anandjiwala Rajesh D.
Published: February 2008

Nonwoven mats from hemp and polypropylene fibers in various proportions are produced and hot pressed to make composite material. The effect of hemp fiber content and anisotropy in the nonwoven mats resulting from the carding technology are examined on the basis of the three-point bending, tensile, and impact properties of the resultant composite materials. Because of the hydrophilic nature and poor dimensional stability of cellulosic fibers due to swelling, the effect of water sorption on mechanical performances is also investigated. Optimal mechanical properties are achieved in composites made from 40 to 50% of hemp fiber by weight. As expected, better mechanical properties are found in the specimens cut from the composite sheets parallel to the direction of carding. A strong decrease in three-point bending properties is noticed after immersing the composite samples in distilled water for 19 days, while the impact strength increased. Double carding of raw materials results in a decreased anisotropy in the composite material.
Shuanggui and Extralegal Detention in China
Authors: Sapio Flora
Published: February 2008

This study on detention fills a gap in scholarship on China's criminal justice system. This article describes shuanggui, a form of detention used on Party members. It traces the historical legacies linking shuanggui to forms of detention practiced in imperial China and in Chinese Communist Soviets. The article then moves on to describe the birth of shuanggui and the evolution of norms regulating it. Finally, it points out how shuanggui is being regularized and institutionalized. This process is leading towards its gradual abolition or amelioration. On the other hand, it reflects the continuing evolution and sophistication of the power of the Chinese party-state.
Dominant Migrants in Taiwan
Authors: Storm Carsten
Published: February 2008

Taiwan has a remarkable history of immigration. Most of the people in Taiwan today can be regarded as descendants of migrants who arrived in a number of major migration waves. In the course of the cultural studies project, migration of newcomers is often dealt with in terms of marginalization and vulnerability of migrants. The case of Taiwan, however, differs from that matrix since it had always been the migrant groups who after an exceptionally short time obtained a dominant position on the island. It is a truism that the heritage of migration continues to influence the society's self-awareness. Additionally, Taiwan as a de facto independent entity is a “new nation”—like Singapore or Israel—and it faces severe problems in determining its national identity at the borderline of external and internal challenges. The article analyzes the Taiwanese identity debate under the framework of migration issues and its strategic use of the postmodern discourse of marginalization. Both contribute to some features in the Taiwanese quest for identity. These features consist of the very specific mixture of political, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural aspects, the borders of inclusion and exclusion in the construction of a Taiwanese “we,” and the intransigence of the debate. The specific migrant heritage of Taiwan and an evolving perception of “suffering” ( ) will be employed to explain these traits.
The Death of Heroes in China
Authors: Xiaoling Zhang
Published: February 2008

This article examines Hero and House of Flying Daggers, Zhang Yimou's first forays into the martial arts/action genre, against the shifting cultural landscape in contemporary China. It first offers a sketch of the development of the Fifth Generation filmmakers and Zhang Yimou's career trajectory in relation to the latest development in the cultural politics of contemporary Chinese cinema as a guide to the contextual structures which frame the examination of the two films. The article then goes on to a detailed reading of Hero and House of Flying Daggers. The author believes that drawing upon issues both internal and external to the “text” of the films yields new insights into the relationship between Chinese artists and the Party in terms of rebellion, co-option, and resubmission. The reading of the films leads to the conclusion that the films embody acts of change as well as continuity with the Fifth Generation and Zhang's career development, thus extending existing views on the relationship between filmmakers and the Party.
Evaluating time to cancer recurrence as a surrogate marker for survival from an information theory perspective
Authors: Alonso Ariel , Molenberghs Geert
Published: February 2008

The last two decades have seen a lot of development in the area of surrogate marker validation. One of these approaches places the evaluation in a meta-analytic framework, leading to definitions in terms of trial- and individual-level association. A drawback of this methodology is that different settings have led to different measures at the individual level. Using information theory, Alonso et al. proposed a unified framework, leading to a new definition of surrogacy, which offers interpretational advantages and is applicable in a wide range of situations. In this work, we illustrate how this information-theoretic approach can be used to evaluate surrogacy when both endpoints are of a time-to-event type. Two meta-analyses, in early and advanced colon cancer, respectively, are then used to evaluate the performance of time to cancer recurrence as a surrogate for overall survival.
Surrogate endpoints for overall survival in early colorectal cancer from the clinician's perspective
Authors: Grothey Axel
Published: February 2008

The administration of adjuvant chemotherapy after resection of stage III colon cancer to prolong disease-free survival (DFS) and increase overall survival (OS) has been clinical standard since the early 1990s. Recently, 3-year DFS was recognized as surrogate endpoint for OS based on a meta-analysis of trials utilizing 5-fluorouracil as only active chemotherapy component. The standard of care in adjuvant therapy, however, has moved on to modern combination regimens including oxaliplatin, and novel targeted agents such as angiogenesis inhibitors and antibodies against epidermal growth factor receptor are currently undergoing rigorous testing in phase III adjuvant trials. For the practicing clinician, the use of surrogate endpoints to appreciate the efficacy of a specific adjuvant therapy contains various challenges, in particular, in discussions with patients. It is questionable whether 3-year DFS can still be considered an appropriate predictor of OS in complex clinical scenarios with continuous change in treatment standards in the adjuvant and palliative situation. Thus, the practicing oncologist needs to be aware of the limitations in the definition of surrogate endpoints in the adjuvant setting.
Two simple approaches for validating a binary surrogate endpoint using data from multiple trials
Authors: Baker Stuart G
Published: February 2008

A surrogate endpoint is an endpoint that is observed before a true endpoint and is used to draw conclusions about the effect of intervention on true endpoint. To gauge confidence in the use of a surrogate endpoint, it must be validated. Two simple validation methods using data from multiple trials with surrogate and true endpoints are discussed: an estimation method extending previous work and new method based on hypothesis tests. The validation methods were applied to two data sets, each involving 10 randomized trials: one for patients with early colon cancer where the true endpoint was survival status at eight years and surrogate endpoint was cancer recurrence status at three years, and one for patients with advanced colorectal cancer where the true endpoint was survival status at 12 months and the surrogate endpoint was cancer recurrence status at six months. The estimation method uses the surrogate endpoint in the new trial and a model relating surrogate and true endpoints in previous trials to predict the effect of intervention on true endpoint in the new trial. For validation, each trial was successively treated as the `new' trial and a comparison was made between predicted and observed effects of intervention on true endpoint. Performance of the surrogate endpoint was good in both data sets. The hypothesis testing method involves the z-statistic for the surrogate endpoint, which is the estimated effect of intervention on surrogate endpoint divided by its standard error. To use this z-statistic to test a null hypothesis of no effect of intervention on true endpoint, the critical value is increased above a standard level of 1.96 to a level determined by the relationships between surrogate and true endpoints in the data sets. This elevated critical value could be used for accelerated approval.
Use of progression-free survival as a surrogate marker in oncology trials: some regulatory issues
Authors: Chakravarty Aloka , Sridhara Rajeshwari
Published: February 2008

There has been interest in using progression-free survival as a surrogate endpoint for overall survival in oncology clinical trials. In order to objectively define this endpoint, clear understanding of what progression means, how it is measured and what its implications are need to be discussed. This article discusses some regulatory aspects of using progression-free survival as an endpoint.
Surrogate endpoint validation: statistical elegance versus clinical relevance
Authors: Green EM , Yothers G. , Sargent Daniel J
Published: February 2008

A variety of approaches have been proposed to provide formal and informal validation of proposed surrogate markers. To achieve true clinical impact, the validation must convince both the statistical and clinical communities. In this paper, we argue that the best approach is not a single method but a multi-faceted exploration, using multiple approaches, including those that directly appeal to clinicians but with less statistical foundation and those arising from statistical considerations but more difficult to interpret clinically. We illustrate our approach using data from clinical trials in both early and advanced colorectal cancer.
Surrogate endpoints for overall survival in advanced colorectal cancer: a clinician's perspective
Authors: Piedbois Pascal , Miller Croswell Jennifer
Published: February 2008

Surrogate endpoints in oncology research and practice have garnered increasing attention over the past two decades. This activity has largely been driven by the promise surrogate endpoints appear to hold: the potential to get new therapies to seriously ill patients more rapidly. However, uncertainties abound. Even agreeing upon a definition of a “valid” surrogate endpoint has not been a straightforward exercise; this article begins by highlighting differences in how this term has been previously captured and applied, as well as laying out the basic criteria essential for its application in advanced colorectal cancer. Ideally, these elements include (but are not limited to) ease of measurement, rapid indication of treatment effect, and, most importantly, reliable and consistent prediction of the true impact of a treatment on the ultimate outcome of interest: overall survival. The strengths and weaknesses of current potential surrogate endpoints in advanced colorectal cancer, including performance status, carcinoembryonic antigen plasma level, overall response rate, time to progression, and disease-free survival, are each considered in turn. Finally, limitations of surrogate endpoints in the clinical setting, including challenges in extrapolation to new therapies, and the incomplete provision of information about potential adverse effects, are discussed. Work remains to be done between physicians and statisticians to bridge the gap between that which is statistically demonstrable and that which will be clinically useful.

The term `surrogate endpoint' was virtually unknown by most oncologists 15 years ago. A search in PubMed [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov] based on the words `surrogate and cancer' shows that more than 2000 papers were published in medical journals in the last 20 years, with a dramatic increase of interest in the last five years. Interestingly, the same trend is observed when the words `surrogate and heart' are entered into PubMed, suggesting that the issue of surrogate endpoints goes beyond the field of oncology, although the frequency of discussion varies (Figure 1; note different y-axis scales for oncology and cardiology).

The goal of the present paper is to discuss the main issues surrounding surrogate endpoints from a clinician's point of view, using as an example surrogate endpoints of overall survival (OS) in advanced colorectal cancer (ACC).
Active Noise Isolation of a Plate Structure Without Using Acoustic Sensors
Authors: Jinhao Qiu  , Ji Hongli  , Matsuta Kazuya , Xing Shen
Published: February 2008

In this study, an improved system of active noise isolation without using acoustic sensors is used to suppress the noise transmission through a plate structure. The system used in this study is an improvement of the system proposed by the authors in an earlier study, in which the sound pressure of the noise radiated from a GFRP plate is estimated from the voltage signals of the piezoelectric elements embedded in the plate by using the Rayleigh's integral formula and the estimated sound pressure is used as the feedback signal in the control system. Owing to the large estimation error, the former method is only partially successful, that is, it is effective for some of the resonance frequencies, but not for the others. In this study, a neural network is used instead of the Rayleigh's integral formula. The control system consists of a neural network identifier and an adaptive feedback controller using the filtered-X LMS algorithm for feedback control. Experimental results show that the estimated sound pressure of the radiated noise agrees well with the sound pressure measured directly by a microphone. The new noise isolation system without using acoustic sensors exhibits the same noise control performance as the conventional system using microphone sensors. It also exhibits better noise control performance than the vibration control system, which directly uses the signals from the piezoelectric elements as feedback.
Self-sensing High Speed Controller for Piezoelectric Actuator
Authors: Badel Adrien , Jinhao Qiu  , Sebald Gaël , Guyomar Daniel
Published: February 2008

This study proposes an effective scheme for high speed positioning control of a piezoelectric actuator. The proposed approach is based on the combination of a feedforward branch and a proportional integral derivative (PID) feedback controller. The feedforward branch consists of an inverse model of the actuator that includes hysteresis compensation, inverse mechanical transfer function, and electrical losses compensation. In order to avoid using a bulky and costly displacement sensor, a detection model has been developed to compute the displacement of the piezoelectric actuator as a function of the current. This approach has been compared with a regular PID feedback control scheme, and with a feedforward/feedback controller using a sensor. Experiments have been carried out for a 2ms pulse excitation of the actuator. It is shown that the proposed approach allows to combine feedforward advantages (quickness and hysteresis compensation) and feedback advantages (static error and creep cancellation). Moreover, it is shown that the detection model allows to smartly avoid using any mechanical sensor.
Research on Fludic Dynamic Characteristics of the Piezoelectric Synthetic Jet Actuator
Authors: Yong Zhou  , Wang Bang-Feng
Published: February 2008

A two-dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier—Stokes model is established for a synthetic jet actuator (SJA) fluid field. The working process of the SJA is studied in detail by numerical analysis. Then the synthetic jet fluidic characteristics are investigated under the different SJA design parameters that include diameter and thickness of orifice, and diameter and depth of cavity. The research results show that diameter of orifice is an important parameter that influences the synthesis of a jet, and diameter of cavity influences both the resonance frequency of membrane and the decay of jet velocity along the axial distance from the exit. And there is an optimal combination between orifice thickness and cavity depth that cause the maximum jet output velocity of SJA. Finally, a SJA specimen is manufactured and the test results are basically in accordance with the simulating conclusions.
Design of Plate-type Actuator using SMA Wire for Assistant Artificial Heart Muscle
Authors: Ibuki Ryuta , Maruyama Shigenao , Komiya Atsuki , Yambe Tomoyuki
Published: February 2008

A compact thin plate-type actuator using Ti—Ni—Cu shape memory alloy (SMA) wire is proposed and designed for its optimized motion to be applied as an assistant artificial heart muscle. The artificial heart muscle will assist by pushing weakened cardiac muscle that has been damaged by myocardial infarction and has lost its ability to contract. The actuator consists of a SMA wire, 250 μm in diameter, and a leaf spring that acts as a bias spring and cooling plate. The SMA wire is fixed at the end of the leaf spring to transform contraction motion into bending of the actuator. The shape of the actuator is controlled by on/off control of electric current applied via the SMA wire. Repeatable bending and releasing will be utilized for the heart assist application. This repeatable actuator motion will be able to assist up to 120 bpm (heartbeats per minute).
Self-powered Wireless Health Monitoring Supplied by Synchronized Switch Harvesting (SSH) Method
Authors: Yuse K. , Monnier T. , Petit L. , Lefeuvre E. , Richard C. , Guyomar D.
Published: February 2008

The development of autonomous wireless sensors and actuators in order to design advanced structural health monitoring (SHM) systems is an exciting challenge for both the industrial and the academic communities. Some studies have dealt with the implementation of wireless devices. Almost all the studies about so-called autonomous systems today still require power supply. It means that a fully self-powered system has not been achieved yet. The present study shows the design of self-powered wireless health monitoring system, for which the energy is supplied by the original method called the synchronized switch harvesting (SSH) method. The piezoelectric elements and electrical circuit, located on the vibrating structure, harvest electrical energy from the direct conversion of mechanical energy vibration. Lamb wave transmission is chosen for the SHM of a composite beam of length around 30 cm. Some piezoelectric elements, used for energy harvesting and signal transmission, are located on the beam. The energy required to wake-up the micro-controller and to achieve two complete transmission cycles is only 1.5mJ. This small amount of energy can be harvested in a short time period for reasonable beam displacement levels. The study details the different trade-off concerning such a self-powered health monitoring device.
Effect of Difference in Crack-healing Ability on Fatigue Behavior of Alumina/Silicon Carbide Composites
Authors: Sugiyama Ryo , Yamane Kazuya , Nakao Wataru , Takahashi Koji , Ando Kotoji
Published: February 2008

Crack healing has great effect on monotonic strength of ceramics. Also the crack-healing effect on fatigue behavior is an interesting issue. Three kinds of Al2O3/30 vol.% SiC composites that have differences in crack-healing ability and fracture toughness were hot pressed. Static fatigue behaviors of these crack-healed specimens were investigated. From the experimental results, the static fatigue limits of three kinds of Al 2O3/30 vol.% SiC composites were 800, 700, and 1000 MPa, respectively. Furthermore, the fractures seldom initiated from the healed crack. Therefore, it was found that using the crack-healing forbade stress corrosion cracking from the original surface cracks, thereby leading to large increment in fatigue strength. The results, however, demonstrated that fatigue cracks were generated by applying high tensile stress. The general mechanism of fatigue cracks was discussed by using surface morphology.
Quasi-static Crushing Behavior of Aluminum Honeycomb Materials
Authors: Mijia Yang  , Pizhong Qiao
Published: February 2008

The quasi-static crushing behavior of aluminum honeycomb materials is thoroughly evaluated using a combined experimental, analytical, and numerical approach. Based on experimental characterization, the constitutive properties of the honeycomb cores under flat-wise compression are approximated by an elastic perfectly plastic material with inclusion of hardening after densification. Two different cell size materials are tested and compared, and the effect of strain rate on the crushing stress is studied. The experimental results show that the crushing platen stress is directly related to the relative density of core materials, and it can be associated with the strain rate, even though the effect of strain rates is not so dominant based on the conducted quasi-static tests. A simple physical model for predicting the crushing wave length and stress is proposed and compared with the experimental data and available formulas in the literature. It is observed that the crushing wave length is close to the cell size and related to the geometric dimension and strain rate. The folding mechanism is also measured by the ARAMIS system (a photogrammetry technique), and the measured von Mises strains are compared with the numerical results from LS-DYNA, demonstrating that the folding mechanism is initiated by two plastic hinge lines formed at the cell corners. Multilayer effect is also investigated, and it indicates that including the second layer slightly decreases the maximal crushing stress, but the simple superposition is still applicable for crushing multilayer honeycomb cores with different density. Partial crushing due to small size cylindrical indenter is further studied, and the experiment shows that the partial crushing process can be described by an elastic—plastic hardening material. Side impact process of honeycomb materials is also investigated, and the collapse band and its propagation process are captured. The thorough characterization of core crushing behavior conducted in this study provides better understanding of the failure process of honeycomb materials and can be further employed to study energy absorption and impact response of sandwich structures.
Moral Economic Regulation in Organizations: A University Example
Authors: Sayer Andrew
Published: February 2008

Starting from the standpoint that all organizations have some kind of moral principles and norms governing what their members are supposed to do and how they should be rewarded, the paper analyses a university example of the moral economy of organizations—the rationales of points systems for governing the workloads of academics and the dilemmas they create. These systems are supposed to value and allocate work according to principles of fairness, but have typically to be modified to take account of personal and economic pressures on individuals and their departments. The design and limits of such systems reveal a `normative partitioning' of activities, with different moral economic criteria being applied to work inputs, to the distribution of economic rewards, and to norms of collegiality. The motivational effects of using or doing without points systems are explored in relation to different management styles. The paper concludes with comments on approaches to ethics and organizational work, arguing that Aristotelian and Smithian approaches are superior to those of Weber and Durkheim.
Experimenting with Commodities and Gifts: The Case of an Office Hotel
Authors: Jensen Torben Elgaard
Published: February 2008

The article explores four different images of the relationship between market economy and gift economy drawn from economic sociology and anthropology. Second, it presents a case study of an office hotel, which experimented with the relationship between markets and gifting by urging the companies it hosted to share knowledge and commercial contacts. Drawing on Callon's notions of framing and overflowing, the article shows how various interactions (`overflows') either displaced, supported or reinvigorated the boundaries between market and gifting at the office hotel. It notes that these overflows characteristically involved the sharing of access to interactional spaces and information about interaction partners. Finally, it suggests that a particular form of politics of exchange comes into view in the empirical case. This politics centres on the discovery of pragmatic and relatively benign forms of parasitism between modes of exchange.
Individualization and Equality: Women's Careers and Organizational Form
Authors: Wickham James , Collins Gráinne , Greco Lidia , Browne Josephine
Published: February 2008

Some feminist writings have claimed that `bureaucracy' is inherently `patriarchal'. This article challenges this argument by comparing the experience of women in Ireland in a state sector organization and in a cluster of software firms. While the bureaucratic state company has been reformed to incorporate equal opportunities, in the individualized or `marketized' software companies women's progress is at the whim of individual managers and motherhood and a career are largely incompatible. If bureaucratic organizations can be reformed in this way, it cannot be claimed that there is any inherent link between bureaucracy and patriarchy. Instead organizations can be either bureaucratic or marketized, and either patriarchal or woman-friendly. These are two separate dimensions which change independently of each other. On this basis the article suggests that the contemporary `remasculinization' of management occurs because earlier reforms in bureaucratic organizations are now being eroded.
Mapping Academic Resistance in the Managerial University
Authors: Anderson Gina
Published: February 2008

This article explores the phenomenon of academics' resistance to managerialism in the contemporary university. Drawing on interviews with 30 academics in ten Australian universities, it employs a range of disciplinary and theoretical perspectives to map and analyse the forms of resistance to managerialism enacted by these academics. In particular, it draws on the work of James C. Scott, including his notions of the `weapons of the weak', and the `hidden transcript' of the subordinated and powerless, to frame an account of organizational resistance in higher education. It is argued here that Scott's anthropological studies of resistance make a useful contribution to an understanding of workplace resistance, complementing recent theoretical developments within this field which emphasize the importance of discursive resistance.
Speaking Out: Evidence-Based Management: A Backlash Against Pluralism in Organizational Studies?
Authors: Learmonth Mark
Published: February 2008

Methodological and ideological pluralism has been a defining feature of much organizational analysis for many years now—although resistance to it has always been present. The rise of `evidence-based management' (EBM) is read as the latest form of resistance to pluralism— one that might prove particularly hard to refuse given the popularity of many other forms of evidence-based practices. So I explore the prospects for EBM within organization studies and some of its implications for those who value the continuation of pluralistic forms of analysis in organizational research.