bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing Managerial Power Theory
Authors: van Essen Marc , Otten Jordan , Carberry Edward J.
Published: January 2012

Although studies about the determinants of CEO compensation are ubiquitous, the balance of evidence for one of the more controversial theoretical approaches, managerial power theory, remains inconclusive. The authors provide a meta-analysis of 219 U.S.-based studies, focusing on the relationships between indicators of managerial power and levels of CEO compensation and CEO pay-performance sensitivities. The results indicate that managerial power theory is well equipped for predicting core compensation variables such as total cash and total compensation but less so for predicting the sensitivity of pay to performance. In most situations where CEOs are expected to have power over the pay setting process, they receive significantly higher levels of total cash and total compensation. In contrast, where boards are expected to have more power, CEOs receive lower total cash and total compensation. In addition, powerful directors also appear to be able to establish tighter links between CEO compensation and firm performance and can accomplish this even in the face of powerful CEOs. The authors discuss the implications for theory and research regarding the determinants of executive compensation.
Rehabilitation Settings After Joint Replacement
Authors: Radcliff Tiffany A. , Côté Murray J. , Olson David L. , Liebrecht Debra
Published: January 2012

While advances in medical treatment and technologies have the potential to improve the delivery of health care, their use typically involves making multiple, complex decisions. Patients and their medical providers may share in the decision-making processes and balance a variety of criteria and/or attributes in the pursuit of improved health. This necessitates a stronger understanding of the role of human behavior in health care processes and presents a timely opportunity to use decision analysis tools to contribute to this important aspect of health care operations. This article reports on the application of multiattribute preference elicitation to identify postsurgical rehabilitation setting options for elective hip and knee replacement patients and their discharge planning team prior to placement in these settings. These preferences are analyzed to identify trends in emphases across patients and the discharge planning team, including a comparison with actual outcomes to determine the extent of congruence with each other, an important component of patient-centered care. Variances are identified in what patients and the discharge planning team expected and what actually happened. Reasons for these variances are discussed.
Management and Outcomes of Chronic Otitis Media in Patients Who Received Solid Organ Transplantation
Authors: Yu Myeong Sang , Kim Ho Chan , Ahn Joong Ho
Published: January 2012

Objectives

Control of perioperative infection can increase the success rate of organ transplant. The incidence, clinical features, and optimal management of chronic otitis media (COM) in solid organ transplant recipients have not been adequately evaluated. We therefore assessed the incidence and clinical course of COM in solid‐organ transplant recipients.

Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary referral center.

Subjects and Methods

We reviewed the medical records of 3278 patients who underwent solid organ transplantations between February 1995 and December 2007 to identify those diagnosed with COM before and after transplant. We analyzed the long‐term clinical course and management of COM in these patients.

Results

Of 3278 solid organ transplant recipients, 65 (2.0%) were diagnosed with pretransplant COM with a perforated ear drum, including 31 liver, 28 renal, and 6 heart transplant recipients. The primary symptom was otorrhea, followed by hearing disturbance, otalgia, and tinnitus. Middle ear swab culture showed bacterial growth in 17 of the 40 patients (42.5%) with suppurative COM. Of these 40 patients, 14 underwent tympanomastoid surgery (operation group) and 26 were prescribed antibiotics (medication group). The remaining 25 patients, with dry perforated ear drums and well‐pneumatized mastoids, were observed without treatment (observation group). After transplantation, the incidence of otorrhea was significantly lower in the operation group (11.1%) than in either the medication (26.9%) or observation (26.7%) group (P =. 040,. 048, respectively).

Conclusions

Precise diagnosis and proper surgical intervention for COM may reduce the rate of otorrhea and exacerbation of COM in solid organ transplant recipients.
Thigh Muscle Injuries in Youth Soccer
Authors: Cloke David , Moore Oliver , Shab Talib , Rushton Steven , Shirley Mark D.F. , Deehan David J.
Published: January 2012

Background: Participation in soccer at younger ages with attendant risk of muscle injury is increasing.

Purpose: To delineate patterns of thigh muscle injury and predictors of recovery in male youth soccer academy players.

Study Design: Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods: Forty-one English Premiership soccer academy squads (all male, aged 8-16 years) over a 5-year period comprising 12 306 player seasons were studied prospectively for pattern, mechanism, and outcome after thigh muscle injury. Event analysis was used to identify independent predictors of slow recovery.

Results: A total of 1288 injuries were recorded representing an incidence (mean [SD]) of 0.42 (0.24) per thousand hours of training with a mean annual incidence of 0.52. Midfield players received the most injuries, followed by defense and attack positions. The quadriceps muscle group was most likely to be injured. There were 345 reinjuries (27%). Median time off for a primary injury was 13 days (interquartile range, 7-22 days) and 12 days (7-21 days) following a reinjury. Risk of such injury increased as the game progressed toward the end of the first half period ( P = .028), and this risk persisted throughout the entire second half. There were 2 peaks of incidence (January and September). The percentage of the total for hamstring, adductor, and quadriceps injuries did not significantly change with player age. However, the proportion of injuries that were severe increased with age of player ( t = 3.72, P = .010). Poor prognostic factors for recovery were hamstring injuries ( z = 2.182, P = .029), contact injury ( z = −3.137, P = .002), and older age ( z = −2.2298, P = .022).

Conclusion: The risk for prolonged recovery from thigh muscle injury was found to increase with age of the player and contact mechanism. The risk of injury increased toward the end of the first half, and this risk persisted throughout the second half. Delayed recovery was significantly associated with a hamstring muscle injury, first injury, and contact mechanism. This study, for the first time, allows identification of youth male soccer players at high-risk for prolonged symptoms after thigh muscle injury.
Definitions, Attitudes, and Management Practices in Relation to Diarrhea During Enteral Nutrition
Authors: Majid Hazreen A. , Emery Peter W. , Whelan Kevin
Published: January 2012

Background: Diarrhea is a common complication in patients receiving enteral nutrition (EN), and understanding this problem among patients and healthcare professionals is required. The aim of the study was to investigate patients’, nurses’, and dietitians’ definitions of diarrhea during EN, the attitudes of nurses and patients toward it, and the management practices of nurses and dietitians in response to diarrhea during EN. Methods: Twenty‐two patients receiving EN, 57 nurses, and 33 dietitians were recruited and interviewed in a cross‐sectional study, using a questionnaire that had been developed following an extensive literature review and pretested for clarity. Results: The ratings assigned by the 3 groups differed significantly for all the characteristics used to define diarrhea: frequency (P = .006), quantity (P < .001), consistency (P = .003), color (P < .001), odor (P < .001), and incontinence (P < .001). Patients gave incontinence the highest rank when defining diarrhea, whereas the healthcare professionals gave fecal consistency and frequency the highest ranks. Patients and nurses rated the unpleasantness of each characteristic of diarrhea during EN differently, with patients rating incontinence and fecal frequency and nurses rating odor and changing the patients’ underwear as the most unpleasant characteristics. Nurses and dietitians differed in the frequency with which they adopted various strategies to manage patients who developed diarrhea during EN. Conclusions: Patients have different definitions and attitudes toward diarrhea during EN from those of nurses and dietitians. Patients’ perceptions need to be understood and respected by healthcare professionals to improve patient‐centered care.
Montreal Cognitive Assessment in Detecting Cognitive Impairment in Chinese Elderly Individuals: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Lu Jihui , Li Dan , Li Fang , Zhou Aihong , Wang Fen , Zuo Xiumei , Jia Xiang-Fei , Song Haiqing , Jia Jianping
Published: January 2012

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) has been proved brief and sensitive to screen for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early dementia in some developed countries or areas. However, little MoCA data are available from mainland China. In this study, the MoCA was applied to 8411 Chinese community dwellers aged 65 or older (6283 = cognitively normal [CN], 1687 = MCI, and 441 = dementia). The MoCA norms were established considering significant influential factors. The optimal cutoff points were 13/14 for illiterate individuals, 19/20 for individuals with 1 to 6 years of education, and 24/25 for individuals with 7 or more years of education. With the optimal cutoffs, the sensitivity of the MoCA was 83.8% for all cognitive impairments, 80.5% for MCI and 96.9% for dementia, and the specificity for identifying CN was 82.5%. These indicate that with optimal cutoffs, the MoCA is valid to screen for cognitive impairment in elderly Chinese living in communities.
Surface modification of coconut shell powder filled polylactic acid biocomposites
Authors: Salmah H , Koay SC , Hakimah O
Published: January 2012

The acrylic acid was used as chemical modifier to improve the properties of coconut shell powder (CSP) filled polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites. The effects of filler content and acrylic acid on tensile properties, thermal properties, and morphology of PLA/CSP biocomposites were investigated. It was found that the addition of CSP to PLA biocomposites have decreased the tensile strength and elongation at break, however the modulus of elasticity increased. The treated PLA/CSP biocomposites with acrylic acid have higher tensile strength and modulus of elasticity but lower elongation at break. Surface treatment using acrylic acid has enhanced filler–matrix interaction. The thermal stability of biocomposites increased with increasing CSP content. The treated biocomposites has better thermal stability than untreated biocomposites. The dispersion and interfacial adhesion between the CSP and PLA polymer were important factor to improve the thermal stability of treated biocomposites. The better interfacial interaction between CSP and PLA matrix was confirmed through scanning electron microscope study.
Preparation, morphology and properties of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/maleinized poly(octene–ethylene)/organomontmorillonite nanocomposites
Authors: Run Ming-Tao , Yao Meng , Xing Bing-Tao , Zhou Wen , Wang Zeng-Kun
Published: January 2012

In order to improve the mechanical properties, crystallization behavior and processing viscosity of the poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT), maleinized poly(octene–ethylene) (POE) and organomontmorillonite (OMMT) were used to prepare nanocomposites of PTT/POE/OMMT by melt blending method, and their morphology and properties were investigated in detail. The results suggest that some of the OMMTs are peeled off and the nanosheets are dispersed evenly in the polymer matrix. The nanocomposites have higher melt viscosity with increasing OMMT content due to the interaction between OMMTs and polymers, which is favorable for improving the processing property of the material. The nanocomposite with 2 wt% OMMT has the largest tensile and impact strength. The elastic modulus of the glassy nanocomposite increases, and the glass transition temperature first slightly decreases and then increases with increasing OMMT content. The nanocomposites form smaller or imperfect microcrystallites with lower melting point and the nanocomposites have increased crystallization rate because of the effective nucleation agent of OMMT. However, the crystallinity decreases because of the thickening effect of OMMT and POE in the composites. OMMT and POE have small influence on the thermal stability of the nanocomposite.
Seeing the Forest Through the Trees
Authors: Karnick Paula M.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this column is to stimulate discussion among nurses regarding the importance of nursing theory-guided practice. The use of metaphor may shed light on defining nursing by its own terms. The time has come for nursing to recognize its worth as an autonomous discipline and own its contributions
Feeling Unsure
Authors: Maillard-Strüby Françoise
Published: January 2012

The aim of this study was to explore the phenomenon of feeling unsure as viewed from the humanbecoming school of thought. The Parse research method was used to guide this study and answer the question: What is the structure of the lived experience of feeling unsure? The central finding of the study is: Feeling unsure is wavering irresolutely with discerning ponderings arising in venturing with trepidation, while revering alliances. The findings are discussed in relation to the humanbecoming school of thought and related literature.
The Lived Experience of Doing the Right Thing
Authors: Smith Sandra Maxwell
Published: January 2012

The purposes of this research were to discover the structure of the experience of doing the right thing and to contribute to nursing knowledge. The Parse research method was used in this study to answer the research question: What is the structure of the lived experience of doing the right thing? Participants were 10 individuals living in the community. The central finding of this study was the following structure: The lived experience of doing the right thing is steadfast uprightness amid adversity, as honorableness with significant affiliations emerges with contentment. New knowledge extended the theory of humanbecoming and enhanced understanding of the experience of doing the right thing.
Celebrating Now in Teaching-Learning
Authors: Condon Barbara Backer
Published: January 2012

Nursing education often focuses attention on the interminable amount of information required of students to learn. This learning must be accomplished in a short time frame and at a rapid pace. With attention focused here, students and faculty may not recognize the importance of taking time to celebrate the now. In this column, the author recognizes Rosemarie Rizzo Parse as a prominent nurse theorist and offers a variety of ways to celebrate now moments through re-visiting Parse’s teaching-learning model. The activities suggested require minimal time while encouraging reflection on self and respect for all.
Presence
Authors: Bunkers Sandra Schmidt
Published: January 2012

This column explores the meanings of presence from philosophical, theological, psychological, and nursing perspectives. The eye of the needle is used as a metaphor to emphasize the capacities required for living presence. The humanbecoming concept of true presence is emphasized and examples are given of living true presence in nursing.
Acting Faithfully in Community
Authors: Milton Constance L.
Published: January 2012

The phenomenon of acting faithfully in the nurse-person relationship is an important ethical topic of interest to the discipline of nursing. It may also be conceptually defined and illuminated in nurse-community relationships. This column begins an articulation of what it potentially means to have straight thinking about nurses’ obligations with persons in community. The language of nurse science from the humanbecoming school of thought will be used to explore the phenomenon.
Tip fin inclination effect on structural design of a box-wing aircraft
Authors: Jemitola Paul O , Monterzino Guido , Fielding John , Lawson Craig
Published: January 2012

Computational studies were performed at conceptual design level to investigate the structural implications of changing only the tip fin inclinations on a medium-range box wing aircraft. Tip fin inclination refers to the angle the tip fin makes to the vertical body axis of the aircraft. This study is mainly addressed to conceptual designers. For different tip fin inclinations, flight loads were generated using a vortex lattice tool. These flight loads were then input into finite element simulations allowing the preliminary structural elements to be sized. For the category of aircraft considered, no significant variations in wing structural design drivers as a function of tip fin inclination were observed.
Edge loading in metal-on-metal hips: low clearance is a new risk factor
Authors: Underwood Richard J , Zografos Angelos , Sayles Ritchie S , Hart Alister , Cann Philippa
Published: January 2012

The revision rate of large head metal-on-metal and resurfacing hips are significantly higher than conventional total hip replacements. The revision of these components has been linked to high wear caused by edge loading; which occurs when the head–cup contact patch extends over the cup rim. There are two current explanations for this; first, there is loss of entrainment of synovial fluid resulting in breakdown of the lubricating film and second, edge loading results in a large local increase in contact pressure and consequent film thickness reduction at the cup rim, which causes an increase in wear.

This paper develops a method to calculate the distance between the joint reaction force vector and the cup rim – the contact patch centre to rim (CPCR) distance. However, the critical distance for the risk of edge loading is the distance from the contact patch edge to rim (CPER) distance. An analysis of explanted hip components, divided into edge worn and non-edge-worn components showed that there was no statistical difference in CPCR values, but the CPER value was significantly lower for edge worn hips.

Low clearance hips, which have a more conformal contact, have a larger diameter contact patch and thus are more at risk of edge loading for similarly positioned hips.
The Influence of Eastern Philosophy on Elder Care by Chinese Americans
Authors: Smith Cary Stacy , Hung Li-Ching
Published: January 2012

Chinese philosophy has been a major cornerstone of Chinese culture for millennia and has bestowed on the world traditions such as Taoism, Yin and Yang, and filial piety. Although these beliefs have remained steadfast over thousands of years, their ability to survive unchanged in the future is uncertain. As the world forges ahead into the 21st century, several pertinent questions arise: Will age-old axioms, primarily those concerning elderly Chinese and their relationship with their children, survive? When ancient, traditional beliefs conflict with newer, Western ideas, which system of thought is likely to be the victor? Moreover, will elderly Chinese Americans and their perceptions concerning long-term care facilities cause problems with the traditional familial unit? This article will discuss these issues in detail.
Advances in Early Communication and Language Intervention
Authors: Kaiser Ann P. , Roberts Megan Y.
Published: January 2012

Learning to communicate using speech and language is a primary developmental task for young children. Delays in the acquisition of language are one of the earliest indicators of developmental deficits that may affect academic and social outcomes for individuals across the life span. In the period since the passage of PL 99-457, significant progress in research related to language intervention has been made in five areas: (a) the social, symbolic, and prelinguistic foundations to spoken language; (b) parent-implemented language interventions; (c) the language foundations for literacy; (d) the relationship between language and social behavior; and (e) the use of augmented and alternative modes of communication. Although there are indications of important advances in the knowledge base of early identification as well as comprehensive and continuous intervention, preparing professionals to provide effective interventions in natural environments continues to be a challenge for the field.
Social-Emotional Competence in Young Children With Developmental Delays
Authors: Brown William H. , Conroy Maureen A.
Published: January 2012

The authors provide a brief historical reflection on social-emotional competence intervention research along with their vision for future directions of intervention investigations for young children with developmental delays and difficulties. Specifically, they summarize “what we know” and “what we need to know” in the area of social-emotional development for young children with and without developmental difficulties. Finally, with respect to social-emotional interventions, the authors recommend careful investigation of service implementation in community-based programs.
Inclusion for Young Children With Disabilities
Authors: Odom Samuel L. , Buysse Virginia , Soukakou Elena
Published: January 2012

Issues affecting inclusion of young children with disabilities over the last 25 years are discussed. A brief history of early childhood inclusion is followed by a discussion of definition, terminology, and models for inclusive services. A summary of synthesis points derived from the research literature focuses on critical outcomes for children with disabilities, the role of specialized instruction, collaboration among professionals, necessary organizational supports, and benefits for typically developing children. Two recent directions affecting the implementation of inclusion, assessment of quality and Response to Intervention (RTI), are discussed. In addition, factors that may affect early childhood inclusion in the future are summarized.
Adapting the Family Management Style Framework for Families Caring for Older Adults With Dementia
Authors: Beeber Anna Song , Zimmerman Sheryl
Published: January 2012

This article presents an adaptation of the Family Management Style Framework (FMSF)—a well-established framework of family response to chronic condition care of children—to families caring for older adults with dementia. Using the FMSF to better understand how families manage dementia care can provide clinicians with insights on how to work effectively with families. Using data from interviews with eight female caregivers of older adults with dementia, this secondary analysis adapts the FMSF, and identifies new dimensions that apply specifically to families caring for older adults with dementia. The discussion draws comparisons between the family management of a child with chronic condition to management of an older adult with dementia. The article concludes with a discussion of how understanding how families manage care of an older adult with dementia informs assessment for management styles and the tailoring of interventions specific to family, caregiver, and older adult needs.
Fathers and Sons
Authors: Sparkes Andrew C.
Published: January 2012

In this article the author seeks to explore the dynamics of father–son relationships by calling upon bits and pieces of memory and representing them through poetic forms and vignettes. Issues of embodiment, ageing, social class, masculinity, sport, and vulnerability as multilayered and interrelated phenomena pervade the text. The constraining and enabling influence each of these can have on emerging senses of body-self and how they are transmitted across generations is hinted at throughout. It is hoped that readers might add their own bits and pieces in the full acknowledgment that memories are tricksters and shape shifters.
Rate boundary value problems and variational inequalities in rate-independent finite elasto-plasticity
Authors: Cleja-Ţigoiu Sanda , Matei Andaluzia
Published: January 2012

The paper deals with variational inequalities related to the rate quasistatic boundary value problem and associated with a generic stage of the process in our approach to finite elasto-plastic materials. The Eulerian setting of the models can be associated with the various models, firstly postulated with respect to the plastically deformed configurations, by the pushing forward procedure, as well as the Lagragian formalism of the models can be adopted by pulled back to the reference configuration procedure. Only when the constitutive and the evolution functions which describe the behaviour of the elasto-plastic material are compatible with the restrictions imposed by the dissipation postulate, the variational inequalities are characterized by symmetric bilinear forms. In the present formulation of the variational inequalities we used an appropriate procedure that allows us to reformulate pointwise the consistency condition in the form of an inequality. We formulate the variational inequalities to be solved for the unknowns, namely the velocity field and the plastic factor, in the deformed configuration at time t, considered as a reference one. The coefficients of the variational inequalities are dependent on the current values of the stress, the elastic and plastic deformations, as well as the internal state variables. We propose an update algorithm which allows us to find the current state of the process at the time, by integrating the rate type constitutive equations, which characterizes the current state of the elasto-plastic materials through the objective derivative. We prove an existence and uniqueness result concerning the solution, namely the spatial velocity and plastic factor, for the symmetric variational inequality of the first kind and formulate an incrementally objective algorithm in order to update the state of the process. By solving the appropriate variational inequality at a fixed time t, we avoid the application of the Return-Mapping Algorithm proposed by Simo (1998).
Musculoskeletal neoplasia
Authors: Helm Jenny , Morris Joanna
Published: January 2012

Practical relevance Musculoskeletal neoplasia is an uncommon but Important differential diagnosis for cats presenting with lameness, pain or swellings associated with bones and/or soft tissues. The most common tumours of soft tissue origin are the sarcomas (in particular feline injection site sarcomas [FISSs]); the most common bone tumour of the cat is osteosarcoma (OSA).

Clinical challenges FISSs present a clinical challenge in terms of their local invasiveness, difficulty in obtaining complete surgical excision and high risk of local recurrence. Axial and extraskeletal OSAs pose similar challenges, whereas appendicular OSA is usually easy to remove via limb amputation and can, therefore, carry a good prognosis in many cases.

Patient group Cats of any age, gender or breed may be affected, although bone tumours predominantly affect middle- to old-aged cats.

Global importance Vaccination of cats is of global importance in preventing feline diseases; hence, any possible significant consequences of vaccination such as neoplasia, even of a low incidence, are of huge concern to cat owners and veterinarians alike.

Evidence base This review is based on current literature relating to pathogenesis, pathology, presentation, diagnosis, staging, treatment and prognosis. It aims to summarise feline musculoskeletal neoplasia for clinicians in general practice.
Osteoarthritis in the cat
Authors: Bennett David , Zainal Ariffin Siti Mariam bt , Johnston Pamela
Published: January 2012

Practical relevance Osteoarthritis (OA) is very common, particularly in older cats, but its clinical significance has largely gone unrecognised until recently. As in other species, OA is often painful and appropriate treatment is required to improve the animal’s quality of life. Most cases appear to be primary or idiopathic. It is important for the clinician to actively seek these cases in the practice population.

Clinical challenges The recognition of chronic arthritic pain is a major challenge since most cats will not exhibit lameness. The main features of feline OA are changes in behaviour and lifestyle, which develop gradually and which owners tend to interpret as simply being the effects of old age. A meaningful physical orthopaedic examination can be difficult to achieve. A lack of familiarity with feline joint radiographs, and the fact that major cartilage pathology can be present in the absence of any bony change, mean that radiographic identification of OA in the cat can also be problematic.

Client questionnaire The recognition of chronic arthritic pain in the cat is based on owner questionnaires designed to elicit information about changes in mobility, activity levels, grooming habits and general demeanour.

Evidence base Several publications now report on the significance of behavioural and lifestyle changes as indicators of chronic arthritic pain in the cat. However, there is not as yet a fully validated owner-based questionnaire for recognising chronic pain in the cat. Furthermore, the aetiopathogenesis of feline OA still requires detailed investigation. Such studies are likely to make a major contribution to comparative rheumatology, since feline OA, more so than the canine disease, shows many similarities with human OA.
Transient elastohydrodynamic lubrication of rough new or worn piston compression ring conjunction with an out-of-round cylinder bore
Authors: Rahmani Ramin , Theodossiades Stephanos , Rahnejat Homer , Fitzsimons Brian
Published: January 2012

Real cylinder bores are out-of-round and axially asymmetrical. The top compression ring, nominally an incomplete circle, is subjected to ring tension and cyclic combustion force in order to conform to the bore surface. The bounding surfaces are rough and their conjunction is subject to a transient tribological state. Therefore, the ring–bore conjunction is only partially conforming for most of the engine cycle. The conjunction may be viewed as a problem of scale, depending on the analysis carried out at a certain bore order (out-of-roundness). Therefore, the contact may be viewed as a multi-lobed rough conjunction, where the regime of lubrication may vary from hydrodynamics to mix with dominant asperity friction at piston reversals. Measured bores and ring profiles are used to predict conjunctional power loss and percentage fuel energy consumed. Furthermore, lubricant’s flow through the ring is predicted throughout the engine cycle. These measures are key industrial design drivers for fuel efficiency and reduction of emissions. The results show that the effect of bore out-of-roundness can be even more significant than the surface topography.
The City’s Wealth and the City’s Limits
Authors: Barton Stephen E.
Published: January 2012

The history of housing policy in Berkeley over the past thirty-five years provides a case study in the limits that state government can place on local government efforts to increase social equity. In 1976, a group of visionary planners and activists wrote The Cities’ Wealth: Programs for Community Economic Control in Berkeley, California. Berkeley’s progressives won control of the city government and tried to implement the proposed housing policies, which included strong rent controls to shield tenants from rising rents and using taxes and exactions to divert part of the city’s increasing real estate values toward production of nonprofit affordable housing. Conservative antitax activists and real estate interests were able to use appeals to the state courts, lobbying the state legislature and statewide initiatives to weaken or block many of the progressive programs.
Pupillometry
Authors: Laeng Bruno , Sirois Sylvain , Gredebäck Gustaf
Published: January 2012

The measurement of pupil diameter in psychology (in short, “pupillometry”) has just celebrated 50 years. The method established itself after the appearance of three seminal studies ( Hess & Polt, 1960 , 1964 ; Kahneman & Beatty, 1966 ). Since then, the method has continued to play a significant role within the field, and pupillary responses have been successfully used to provide an estimate of the “intensity” of mental activity and of changes in mental states, particularly changes in the allocation of attention and the consolidation of perception. Remarkably, pupillary responses provide a continuous measure regardless of whether the participant is aware of such changes. More recently, research in neuroscience has revealed a tight correlation between the activity of the locus coeruleus (i.e., the “hub” of the noradrenergic system) and pupillary dilation. As we discuss in this short review, these neurophysiological findings provide new important insights to the meaning of pupillary responses for mental activity. Finally, given that pupillary responses can be easily measured in a noninvasive manner, occur from birth, and can occur in the absence of voluntary, conscious processes, they constitute a very promising tool for the study of preverbal (e.g., infants) or nonverbal participants (e.g., animals, neurological patients).
Bias and Conflict
Authors: De Neys Wim
Published: January 2012

Human reasoning has been characterized as often biased, heuristic, and illogical. In this article, I consider recent findings establishing that, despite the widespread bias and logical errors, people at least implicitly detect that their heuristic response conflicts with traditional normative considerations. I propose that this conflict sensitivity calls for the postulation of logical and probabilistic knowledge that is intuitive and that is activated automatically when people engage in a reasoning task. I sketch the basic characteristics of these intuitions and point to implications for ongoing debates in the field.
American Primary Care Physicians’ Decisions to Leave Their Practice
Authors: Gray Bradford H. , Stockley Karen , Zuckerman Stephen
Published: January 2012

The status of the primary care workforce is a major health policy concern. It is affected not only by the specialty choices of young physicians but also by decisions of physicians to leave their practices. This study examines factors that may contribute to such decisions. We analyzed data from a 2009 Commonwealth Fund mail survey of American physicians in internal medicine, family or general practice, or pediatrics to examine characteristics associated with their plans to retire or leave their practice for other reasons in the next 5 years. Just over half (53%) of the physicians age 50 years or older and 30% of physicians between age 35 and 49 years may leave their practices for these reasons. Having such plans was associated with many factors, but the strongest predictor concerned problems regarding time spent coordinating care for their patients, possibly reflecting dissatisfaction with tasks that do not require medical expertise and are not generally paid for in fee-for-service medicine. Factors that predict plans to retire differ from those associated with plans to leave practices for other reasons. Provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that reduce the number of uninsured patients as well as innovations such as medical homes and accountable care organizations may reduce pressures that lead to attrition in the primary care workforce. Reasons why primary care physicians’ decide to leave their practices deserve more attention from researchers and policy makers.
Selective expansion of polyfunctional pathogen-specific CD4+ T cells in HIV-1–infected patients with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome
Authors: Mahnke Yolanda D. , Greenwald Jamieson H. , DerSimonian Rebecca , Roby Gregg , Antonelli Lis R. V. , Sher Alan , Roederer Mario , Sereti Irini
Published: January 2012

Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapies (ART), the prognosis for HIV-1 patients has improved immensely. However, approximately 25% of patients can experience a variety of inflammatory symptoms that are collectively known as immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). Studying the etiology and immunopathology of IRIS has been hampered by the fact that the symptoms and associated opportunistic infections are highly varied. We hypothesized that there is a common mechanism underlying IRIS pathogenesis and investigated a patient group with IRIS related to different pathogens. Functional and phenotypic characterization of PBMC samples was performed by polychromatic flow cytometry after in vitro stimulation with relevant antigenic preparations. In most patients, IRIS events were characterized by the robust increase of preexisting polyfunctional, highly differentiated effector CD4+ T-cell responses that specifically targeted the antigens of the underlying co-infection. T-cell responses to HIV-1 or other underlying infections were not affected and did not differ between IRIS and non-IRIS patients. These data suggest that patients with IRIS do not have a generalized T-cell dysfunction; instead, IRIS represents a dysregulated CD4+ T-cell response against residual opportunistic infection antigen. These studies were registered at www.clinical-trials.gov as NCT00557570 and NCT00286767.
Safety and prolonged activity of recombinant factor VIII Fc fusion protein in hemophilia A patients
Authors: Powell Jerry S. , Josephson Neil C. , Quon Doris , Ragni Margaret V. , Cheng Gregory , Li Ella , Jiang Haiyan , Li Lian , Dumont Jennifer A. , Goyal Jaya , Zhang Xin , Sommer Jurg , McCue Justin , Barbetti Margaret , Luk Alvin , Pierce Glenn F.
Published: January 2012

Current factor VIII (FVIII) products display a half-life (t1/2) of ∼ 8-12 hours, requiring frequent intravenous injections for prophylaxis and treatment of patients with hemophilia A. rFVIIIFc is a recombinant fusion protein composed of a single molecule of FVIII covalently linked to the Fc domain of human IgG1 to extend circulating rFVIII t1/2. This first-in-human study in previously treated subjects with severe hemophilia A investigated safety and pharmacokinetics of rFVIIIFc. Sixteen subjects received a single dose of rFVIII at 25 or 65 IU/kg followed by an equal dose of rFVIIIFc. Most adverse events were unrelated to study drug. None of the study subjects developed anti-rFVIIIFc antibodies or inhibitors. Across dose levels, compared with rFVIII, rFVIIIFc showed 1.54- to 1.70-fold longer elimination t1/2, 1.49- to 1.56-fold lower clearance, and 1.48- to 1.56-fold higher total systemic exposure. rFVIII and rFVIIIFc had comparable dose-dependent peak plasma concentrations and recoveries. Time to 1% FVIII activity above baseline was ∼ 1.53- to 1.68-fold longer than rFVIII across dose levels. Each subject showed prolonged exposure to rFVIIIFc relative to rFVIII. Thus, rFVIIIFc may offer a viable therapeutic approach to achieve prolonged hemostatic protection and less frequent dosing in patients with hemophilia A. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01027377.
Targeting hedgehog in hematologic malignancy
Authors: Irvine David A. , Copland Mhairi
Published: January 2012

The Hedgehog pathway is a critical mediator of embryonic patterning and organ development, including hematopoiesis. It influences stem cell fate, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis in responsive tissues. In adult organisms, hedgehog pathway activity is required for aspects of tissue maintenance and regeneration; however, there is increasing awareness that abnormal hedgehog signaling is associated with malignancy. Hedgehog signaling is critical for early hematopoietic development, but there is controversy over its role in normal hematopoiesis in adult organisms where it may be dispensable. Conversely, hedgehog signaling appears to be an important survival and proliferation signal for a spectrum of hematologic malignancies. Furthermore, hedgehog signaling may be critical for the maintenance and expansion of leukemic stem cells and therefore provides a possible mechanism to selectively target these primitive cell subpopulations, which are resistant to conventional chemotherapy. Indeed, phase 1 clinical trials of hedgehog pathway inhibitors are currently underway to test this hypothesis in myeloid leukemias. This review covers: (1) the hedgehog pathway and its role in normal and malignant hematopoiesis, (2) the recent development of clinical grade small molecule inhibitors of the pathway, and (3) the potential utility of hedgehog pathway inhibition as a therapeutic strategy in hemato-oncology.
Effects of paliperidone extended release on the symptoms and functioning of schizophrenia
Authors: Huang Min-Wei , Yang Tsung-Tsair , Ten Po-Ren , Su Po-Wen , Wu Bo-Jian , Chan Chin-Hong , Lan Tsuo-Hung , Liu I-Chao , Chiu Wei-Cheh , Li Chun-Ying , Cheng Kuo-Sheng , Yeh Yu-Chi
Published: January 2012

Background

We aimed to explore relations between symptomatic remission and functionality evaluation in schizophrenia patients treated with paliperidone extended-release (ER), as seen in a normal day-to-day practice, using flexible dosing regimens of paliperidone ER. We explored symptomatic remission rate in patients treated with flexibly dosed paliperidone ER by 8 items of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and change of Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scale.

Method

This was a 12-week multicenter, open-label, prospective clinical study conducted in in-patient and out-patient populations. Flexible dosing in the range 3-12 mg/day was used throughout the study. All subjects attended clinic visits on weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12 as usual clinical practice for the 12-week observation period. Data were summarized with respect to demographic and baseline characteristics, efficacy measurement with PANSS scale, PSP, and social functioning score, and safety observations. Descriptive statistics were performed to identify the retention rate at each visit as well as the symptomatic remission rate. Summary statistics of average doses the subjects received were based on all subjects participating in the study.

Results

A total of 480 patients were enrolled. Among them, 426 patients (88.8%) had evaluation at week 4 and 350 (72.9%) completed the 12-week evaluation. Patients with at least moderate severity of schizophrenia were evaluated as "mild" or better on PANSS scale by all 8 items after 12 weeks of treatment with paliperidone ER. There was significant improvement in patients' functionality as measured by PSP improvement and score changes. Concerning the other efficacy parameters, PANSS total scale, PSP total scale, and social functioning total scale at the end of study all indicated statistically significant improvement by comparison with baseline. The safety profile also demonstrated that paliperidone ER was well-tolerated without clinically significant changes after treatment administration.

Conclusions

Although the short-term nature of this study may limit the potential for assessing improvements in function, it is noteworthy that in the present short-term study significant improvements in patient personal and social functioning with paliperidone ER treatment were observed, as assessed by PSP scale.

Trial Registration

Clinical Trials. PAL-TWN-MA3
Synthesis and characteristics of NH2-functionalized polymer films to align and immobilize DNA molecules
Authors: Kim Hyung Jin , Bae In-Seob , Cho Sang-Jin , Boo Jin-Hyo , Lee Byung-Cheo , Heo Jinhee , Chung Ilsub , Hong Byungyou
Published: January 2012

We developed a method to use NH2-functionalized polymer films to align and immobilize DNA molecules on a Si substrate. The plasma-polymerized cyclohexane film was deposited on the Si substrate according to the radio frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition method using a single molecular precursor, and it was then treated by the dielectric barrier discharge method in a nitrogen environment under atmospheric pressure. Changes in the chemistry of the surface functional groups were studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. The wettability of the surfaces was examined using dynamic contact angle measurements, and the surface morphology was evaluated using atomic force microscopy.

We utilized a tilting method to align λ-DNA molecules that were immobilized by the electrostatic interaction between the amine groups in NH2-functionalized polymer films and the phosphate groups in the DNA. The DNA was treated with positively charged gold nanoparticles to make a conductive nanowire that uses the DNA as a template. We observed that the NH2-functionalized polymer film was useful for aligning and immobilizing the DNA, and thus the DNA-templated nanowires.
Visible emission from Ce-doped ZnO nanorods grown by hydrothermal method without a post thermal annealing process
Authors: Jung Yong-Il , Noh Bum-Young , Lee Young-Seok , Baek Seong-Ho , Kim Jae Hyun , Park Il-Kyu
Published: January 2012

Visible light-emitting Ce-doped ZnO nanorods [NRs] without a post thermal annealing process were grown by hydrothermal method on a Si (100) substrate at a low temperature of 90°C. The structural investigations of Ce-doped ZnO NRs showed that the Ce3+ ions were successfully incorporated into the ZnO lattice sites without forming unwanted Ce-related compounds or precipitates. The optical investigation by photoluminescence spectra shows that the doped Ce3+ ions in the ZnO NRs act as an efficient luminescence center at 540 nm which corresponds to the optical transition of 5d → 4f orbitals in the Ce3+ ions. The photoluminescence intensity of the Ce-doped ZnO NRs increased with the increasing content of the Ce-doping agent because the energy transfer of the excited electrons in ZnO to the Ce3+ ions would be enhanced by increased Ce3+ ions.
Preparation of TiO2 nanotube/nanoparticle composite particles and their applications in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Lee Chang Hyo , Rhee Seung Woo , Choi Hyung Wook
Published: January 2012

Efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells [DSSCs] was enhanced by combining the use of TiO2 nanotubes [TNTs] and nanoparticles. TNTs were fabricated by a sol-gel method, and TiO2 powders were produced through an alkali hydrothermal transformation. DSSCs were constructed using TNTs and TiO2 nanoparticles at various weight percentages. TNTs and TiO2 nanoparticles were coated onto FTO glass by the screen printing method. The DSSCs were fabricated using ruthenium(II) (N-719) and electrolyte (I3/I3
-) dyes. The crystalline structure and morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction and using a scanning electron microscope. The absorption spectra were measured using an UV-Vis spectrometer. The incident photocurrent conversion efficiency was measured using a solar simulator (100 mW/cm2). The DSSCs based on TNT/TiO2 nanoparticle hybrids showed better photovoltaic performance than cells made purely of TiO2 nanoparticles.